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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 16, 2015 18:26:48 GMT
"Merely thinking to eliminate unpleasant possibilities..." Atticus admitted to the woman's question. He allowed his eyes to linger on the doors as well as he spoke. "If what you were transporting is in fact what I believe it was, it raises a lot of questions. I understand that part of your business is in transporting illegal goods, but these constructs you mentioned... they're UNIVERSALLY illegal, from what I recall. Why would he be taking them someplace where they were just as much a liability as they are where he got them? Why was the crew kept in the dark about it? And most of all..."
Atticus paused, then looked to Mrs. Hyne directly. He wanted her to understand that what he said was not an accusation, but merely one of many outlandish scenarios he was trying to scratch off in his mind. "Why did the Wizardry take him but leave his first mate? It is entirely plausible that you were merely lucky in avoiding capture but for all I've heard of them they wouldn't simply allow such a slip. Usually, they would do away with... shall we say witnesses? I want to rule out the possibility that your husband didn't bargain for your escape or worse - that he himself is working directly for the Wizardry."
He trailed off, lifting a hand to scritch at his cheek thoughtfully. "They are both outlandish theories, yes, but still require further scrutiny. I'm sure you've already considered these yourself and I am simply stating obviously ridiculous notions."
Atticus glanced to Hilda a moment before looking back to the doors. "So. Have you chosen a room?" he asked quickly to get off topic before Mrs. Hyne decided that last line of questioning was offensive...
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Hilda Hyne
Wanderer
"Only from the skies can you actually see the world."
Posts: 15
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Post by Hilda Hyne on Mar 16, 2015 19:06:21 GMT
More questions...
Hilda actually hadn't thought about this, that her husband may in fact have given up their position some time mid-flight, to a group of power-hungry wizards capable of destroying their ship. She didn't see him after the first few attacks from the Wyvern, now that she thought about it. It wasn't until the other ship came and docked itself to the Bard that she saw him again, for the last time.
Her memory was hazy, and in the chaos she was unable to hear a thing; a wicked storm spewed out of the Waterspout, the ship's engine hummed like rolling thunder, and swords clashed against weapons made of light and fire. When she looked, a figure wearing golden silk robes had escorted Vincente over a thin plank and into some opening in the other shup's hull.
"I think sending our ship on a crash-course was their idea of eliminating witnesses," the woman said thoughtfully, agreeing with the young wizard. "He must have gone quietly in exchange for keeping me safe...otherwise, don't you think they would have used me against him? Or slaughtered me before his very eyes? I can't lose hope, Mister Daegal..."
This would weigh heavily on her mind overnight, she knew. She couldn't--wouldn't--bring herself to think her own husband, the father of her children, would betray her in such a way, let alone give up his prized ship without a fight.
"It's a lot to think about, something we can probably figure out in numbers. We'll get your team assembled and figure out what's happening. Whatever the case, I will find my husband. Until then, time to rest. Thank you again, Mister Daegal. I'll take this room. I guess we shall speak again later tonight. Best you decide where you want to go from here. I'll see what I can do about getting some men from the city to sign on as crewmen. Take care, I'm taking a nap. You know where to find me if you need anything."
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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 17, 2015 21:16:44 GMT
"I suppose you have a valid point..." Atticus admitted when Hilda offered her view on the strange behavior. He nodded thoughtfully and looked to her directly. "Yes, that makes the most sense. That eliminates at least that unfortunate possibility. With that out of the way, we can focus on more pressing matters."
He offered a light bow here, attempting to be polite. "Please, enjoy your rest. While you do so, I think I will see how the repairs are coming along on your ship and get an estimate for when we might be able to get underway. They begin serving dinner for guests about an hour before the student dining hall opens, but should you want something brought to you, please do not hesitate to ask."
Having said that, Atticus turned back the way they came and started down the stairs. He paused only a moment to look back. "And Mrs. Hyne? I greatly appreciate everything you are doing, and promise that you will be reunited with your husband by whatever means necessary." With that, he descended.
His first order of business would be to get his notes in order and put away where he could get to them if he needed. Honestly speaking though, most of this information was now useless since a full pardon was among the favors he had to call in just to make this meeting work. The old records he carried with him for information's sake were now outdated and pointless. He'd dispose of them properly. The rest he'd pack away. After that, he'd have to check with the valet services that usually kept an eye on carriages coming and going. A ship would be a very unusual thing for them to handle, so he'd have to make sure they were prepared. If they were, they'd already have the information he wanted and if not, he knew where to go next...
Atticus' mind was so distracted that he didn't even notice he was on the ground floor and halfway to his secluded quarters. He quickly put away what he needed to keep and discarded what he didn't. For his next task, he kept only a handful of papers, easily kept in his pockets and was on his way again.
The stables served double purpose as where the horses were kept and the valet services. Located across campus from his quarters, it was a bit of a walk but it was not an all together unpleasant one. Classes were in session, which meant the walkways were for the most part abandoned. The darkly robed figure couldn't help but enjoy a small sense of freedom in the fact that he had free reign of the school when he normally would have been stuck in a classroom under normal circumstances. This knowledge caused him to take his time a little, to savor the gardens and enjoy the beauty of the school.
He paused for a little while under the covered tresses of the school's expansive flower beds. He had spent many hours out here alone in the past, sketching the various petals for study and enjoying a quiet read. The sun was still relatively high, meaning it was only just past noon. He had plenty of time before supper was served and with Mrs. Hyne comfortably housed, he felt he had the time to sit back for a little while at least and enjoy. A little indulgence in one's privileges wasn't abuse, was it?
Finding a comfortable bench, Atticus sat and produced a small silver flute which he kept concealed under the sleeve of his robe. He sighed softly and brought the metal tip to his lips. He allowed the first note to linger for a moment, letting his ears capture the sound before playing about with melody and tempo. Before long, a bright, upbeat song was playing across the flowerbeds, carried on the wind to who knows where. For a moment, Atticus' life was one of beauty and possibility, of growth and life. This was the method by which he was able to combat the darkness, this simple music and these lovely surroundings... for who could be tormented in the presence of such wonders?
He lingered a little while there, playing his music and enjoying a mere moment in his life during which he did not feel the pain of his body being used by dark creatures as a portal, or of his mind being strained to the snapping point against their poisonous presence. For a little while, he was just Atticus Daegal - average student.
How sad that these things must eventually come to an end...
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Post by Lady Diva on Mar 20, 2015 2:22:56 GMT
Cherry blossoms were currently in season and did their part by gracefully dancing about against the day's light winds, playing gently to the melodic trill of the young Wizard's flute. In the crystalline ponds a gathering of nymphs had come to listen, lounging against decorative rocks and the pool's edge and basking in the warmth of the sun.
At the Rainbow Tower all was calm, save for the panicky Grand Mages halfway across the enclave, and was as it should be. The former Arch Mage had gone to great lengths to ensure the Prime University was as welcoming as any resort of high esteem, a passion she had perfected long before her untimely death. Her influence could still be seen today, even with the current Mages turning the place into a sort of Embassy; it would always be known as Zaestria's Palace to some.
In her favorite location she had spared no expense: the lavish gardens Atticus found himself in on this particular day. Long before the construction of the Grand Tower there was nothing but green fields and a small lake, inhabited by a nymph called Lytthe, a Fey whose soft words caused the Arch Mage to begin her campaign in the first place.
For months the two shared stories, and each day the woman would visit her faerie friend, enjoying each other's company until the sun had long since set. Eventually the Mage built a small shrine about the Nymph's grove, and through a polite series of agreements later the woman had built herself a home and garden, one that dwarfed even the Emperor's own, both in size and beauty.
However when the Nymph's life was finally claimed by old age, the Arch Mage would see her legacy live on forever, adding to the faerie's shrine until at last what stood before her was the tourer that stands to this day. Of course Lytthe's grove was promised to ever remain untouched, as promised by Zaestria.
It makes for a lovely fairytale, Diva thought as she meandered aimlessly about, picking pretty flowers here and there, enjoying her morning after such a wretched evening. After picking through the Wizard Atticus's mind, the woman became haunted, perhaps seeing too much by into the Elder Ones' world.
Whatever the case, it frightened her and with such a restless night she was bitter. She nearly resolved just to kill the boy, but she knew she would never get away with it, being so suspicious already.
She had just passed the Nymph pond when the most beautiful melody came soaring into the singer's ears, an upbeat tune with just the right pinch of melancholy, nature's song. The woman smiled and picked up her feet as she hurried to find the source of such divine music.
Already Diva had secured her own lyrics for the song, and by the time she circled around a tall row of hedges, she was singing aloud and to the rhythm.
"--to the spring, faithful and tender. Come back, there is always happiness...
"Ah, what lovely music," Diva cooed, appearing just moments later, coming face to face with the very reason for her late night misery. Eyes wandering just a moment, and then a signature smirk, the Enchantress closed in on the boy lIke a dragon to the foolish damsel-chasing knight. She nodded her head to the bench, almost asking if she might sit, before taking it anyway.
"You look quite occupied this morning, perhaps tending to your new schedule? Hmm, and what musical prowess. Mister Daegal, you are an interesting one, I'll grant you. Given a mission to save the world, and you're as peppy as a dog about to go for a walk. If I had the gate of an entire planet on my shoulders, I just might die. What if I hurt people,or what if I fail? I'd be so concerned I want good enough."
It was called panting seeds with an air of experience and authority only a Grand Mage could exude, grinning all the while. No doubt the others had all cheerleader speeches, but the Enchantress was keen on shutting down his delusions of hope, as soon as possible.
"But is alright, you have monsters to blame for any failures, no? No worries, I'm sure you'll be alright. So, you're going to be traveling with a bloodthirsty Pirate, that's interesting. Don't let her slice your neck in the middle of the night. They can trick a man easily, it is their trade. Anyway, what are you planning, anyway? Do you have any ideas? Are you overwhelmed yet?"
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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 20, 2015 18:21:18 GMT
Lost. For a brief moment, he was as completely enraptured as he was whenever he read his books. He was not part of the material world, but adrift in a dream and carried aloft by the flitting notes on the wind. He was only vaguely aware of reality at this point, of anything that did not coincide with the music. The background was merely a haze, a featureless blur of nothing into which the details of his current situation were obscured. For a time, it was just him and the music, until a voice was added.
It complimented the tune perfectly, with lyrics he had never heard before. It took a great deal of concentration to focus on finishing the melody instead of melting into the new element entirely. The dark wizard closed his eyes and merely listened as he soldiered on through the song. The duet blended into a single beautiful composition, a celebration of spring and joy and light and everything in creation that is good. It was perhaps one of the few times Atticus could have said that he felt truly at peace with the world, that he held some sense of hope that all this could be saved from whatever encroaching darkness lay just on the horizon.
But it was over all too soon. The last words were sung and he could only muster a few final notes to complete the arrangement. Slowly, he lowered his flute from his lips and those glowing eyes opened. He looked up into the face of the grand Enchantress with some surprise before realizing her intent to sit. He quickly scooted over to make room just in time for her to make her landing directly left of him. "Thank you..." he said in response to her compliment. "It's just a hobby, though... something to take my mind off... well, you'd know better than anyone..."
He listened to what she had to say about the weight of his task and all that laid before him. He bowed his head somewhat as he listened, feeling it all settle on his shoulders once more like the entire village had decided to throw their dirty laundry onto the pile one by one. When she finished, he took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. What he said next might come as a surprise, however...
"Thank you, Lady Diva..." he said, almost sounding relieved as he did. "You are the ONLY person I have spoken to that has not offered blind optimism for the things I've been asked to do. Of all the advice-givers I've listened to, I believe you are uniquely qualified to understand exactly how I feel and why I think you've all made a terrible mistake in choosing me. You give voice to doubts and concerns I've had for quite a while and yes, I will admit to you right now that I AM overwhelmed. You've seen first hand the kind of pain and misery I must endure every single moment of every single day, and now how am I expected to take on the entire world's problems?? I'm barely even able to stand against my own!"
He shook his head again, slipping his flute into his sleeve. He glanced in Diva's direction, leaning on his knees with one hand lifted to cradle his forehead slightly. "I apologize again, by the way..." he said to her, his voice gentle and sincere. "What you experienced in my mind could not have been pleasant and a Lady of your status deserves better than to be subjected to something so horrible. I wish I could have directed it better, perhaps shielded you from the worst of it and gods help me I did try. I'm just thankful that you seem to have come away from it all just fine."
He sat up and tilted his head back, his eyes closed as he tried to shrug off at least some of the heaviness he was feeling. "Is it wrong of me to say that in part, I am kind of glad that you did see it despite my regrets that it might have harmed you in some way?" he asked, eyes opening only a little to watch the cherry blossoms float on the breeze. "I am glad that there is at least ONE among the esteemed Grand Mages that I know beyond a doubt can understand the experience and how what I've been asked to do is made all the harder. You came here and you didn't offer upbeat sentiment or rallying optimism. You came here and you were HONEST about the enormity of the task, and I thank you."
Atticus slowly looked to her, his eyes flooded with so many emotions that any normal person might burst. Lady Diva would easily see fear, sorrow, and weariness in those eyes, but deeper down she might yet see something that couldn't be extinguished so easily. "I'll need that honesty if I'm to keep up my guard... because I cannot BLAME the monsters for anything when it is my responsibility to keep them away from anyone who might be harmed," he said firmly. "Even the lady pirate. Frankly, if she did slice my neck in the middle of the night, it might actually be good for everyone, no?" he added by way of a light joke.
Sitting upright, Atticus shook his head and considered the more important question she had asked, unaware of her intent to bring him low.
"The plan, as it stands, is for she and I to use her airship for travel. Our first priority once we are underway is to procure a healer, just in case things do get dangerous. After that, I'm not exactly sure WHAT to do. I was told to gather heroes, but I don't know what to even look for. I am open to suggestion, Lady Diva...." he said, looking to her hopefully.
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Post by Lady Diva on Mar 22, 2015 14:42:19 GMT
Open to suggestion...
The enigmatic Lady Enchantress sat with such a dumbstruck expression for the extent of Atticus's barrage of "thank you"s and compliments it almost hurt to smile or grimace afterwards. Diva straightened some, and shifted her weight until her legs turned, and her body followed suit, to face the young man. Twice she was impressed, and by one who wasn't at nearly the level of her top pupils. With a sudden shift in emotion, the woman tossed back her head and let out a flirtatious chuckle, overcome by her previous loss. Phase two, seduction.
"Well aren't you just full of surprises?" she asked, returning his gaze and batting her eyelashes. "Frightful, yet confident enough in your abilities to surpass such an Elder fear that would have made even greater minds fall beneath their weight. I'll applaud you there, but don't get comfortable with it. I'm not a praising woman. Haha..."
Retracing her thoughts back to the hellish abyss that was the Fallen's psyche reminded her she was dealing with no mear mortal boy, but one infested with the spawn of ancient gods even their former Arch Mage could not ever hope to comprehend, so Atticus's experience could pose a threat to her future plans. Of course...
"Have you ever thought to willfully ignore their silent directives and simply shrug off their pain afflicted? I'm sure you're well-behaved with these creatures at your back, but I do wonder."
She then felt a presence, a gathering of souls exceeding the singly law power of one Gramd Mage, and she knew the others had caught on to her little scheme. Quickly, she grabbed the lower point of the wizard's hood and pulled it in to face her. Without the boy, the Prophecy said they were doomed, right? And if this monster was to ignore the Lady Enchantress when the time came, she would have to groom him to do so.
"Have you ever heard of Geas, Mister Daegal? It is a powerful spell used typically by Judgemasters or some other high profiles to punish those who have wronged a population or an important individual. It allows its caster to imbue a certain obedience to one subject for an extended period of time, until a deed is completed or otherwise made null and void. A practical utility, one I have mastered in my time on this earth. I find my students are able to succeed when their only options are to do so, and I have never failed someone under its power."
The woman stood up and walked across the stone path to a bed of roses, and picked just one--most likely one of Lord Aebra's prize-winning flowers, and showed it to the boy, before plucking a single petal.
"The rose still looks beautiful, does it not? If I remove another, and then another, will it still not carry some majesty over its siblings? That is you, Mister Daegal. Torn apart by silly mistakes, and yet you do still have potential. Don't get me wrong, I do understand where your fear is coming from, your unpreparedness in the light of being given the world's fate to bear. But knowing what you've gone through better than anyone else, I still believe you have what it takes to complete your mission. In fact, I know you do.
"In time you will grow powerful, maybe not enough to surpass a Grand Mage alone, but in numbers. You're gathering a troupe, are you not? With this prophecy in the balance, you will keep a steady eye on the inner workings of the Circle, as well. One or more of the Mages have a tendency to fall in their arrogance, but I see them rise up and dust themselves off each time.
"Madame Damara has prophesied a struggle between the 'Towers', one that will stretch far across the lands. I would not see myself fall to their foolishness. You understand what I'm saying, yes? They will try to use you, one by one, for their own purposes, but you won't be so fooled. They are cunning, and will manipulate you best as they can to entice your alliance, but you will not fall to the stupidity so many others do. No, you will end it then and there. One by one.
Once you have taken care of the remaining threats, you are free. Am I clear?"
With a wink and a pat on the boy's shoulder with the naked rose, Diva had planted the seed most wicked.
"And before I forget, let us keep this our little secret."
Smiling, the woman turned to leave.
"Thank you, Mister Daegal, for showing me your lovely music. I enjoyed singing along with you. Perhaps we will do this again some time. Tell the others I must be off--I'm sure they're on their way here, after all."
If she couldn't make a move against the others in all this time, her trump card would. And what better hand to play than that of destiny? Diva laughed hard as she turned around the hedges, disappearing somewhere further into the gardens.
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Post by Maestro Buliri on Mar 23, 2015 14:32:08 GMT
*** From Walls and Warriors ***
The first to arrive was a tall woman in deep blue robes with gold patterns stitched within. Her pale complexion and dramatic red lips stood out underneath her hood as she came running into the gardens from somewhere on the other side of the campus. Shocking blue eyes turned in the direction of the boy, having only just missed the disappearing Diva by microseconds. Frowning, the woman briskly walked to the black-robed wizard sitting nearby and grabbed his shoulder. She violently shook it before speaking.
"Hey! You alright, spooky??" demanded the woman in a gruff voice that did not belong to her. She looked around once more to seek any signs of the enchantress but could see none. All she saw was the usual froo-froo flowery nonsense of the gardens. Nothing unusual here. Kind of a shame they never planted the "snap dragons" she developed... flowers that actually had teeth and would bite if you tried to pluck them. She thought they were hilarious.
Looking back to the boy, the odd image of the mistress of divination again refocused. She waved a hand in front of the boy's eyes a moment to make sure he wasn't hypnotized or otherwise befuddled. She glanced over her shoulder to see if the others were far behind, having out-ran all of them. Legs these long were not something she was used to, and she had out-paced them by a country mile while running from where the mages had met near the prismatic wall. Now she was wishing she had slowed it down a bit, at least enough to where someone could be directly behind her to scan the area for Lady Prissypants herself...
"Any of you care to join us sometime this century, that'd be grand!" she called behind her, again in that strange, gruff voice that was more a match for an angry dwarf for a disgruntled gnome. "Check the area around the rosebushes, see if Mistress Snooty-bottom is skulking around like the creeper she is!"
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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 23, 2015 14:56:59 GMT
Atticus was rather caught off guard by her sudden shifting to praise and flirtatious giggles. When she looked to him, he blinked and looked away, scratching lightly at his cheek. "Uhm... thank you?" he asked sheepishly. Had he not just thanked her for the exact opposite of what she's doing now? He didn't feel he deserved praise, or that he measured up to the expectations that were laid before him. There was little he could do about this, of course, but he was trying to earn the accolades he was being given against his will.
When the lady asked about his ability to simply IGNORE the elder creatures, he tried to speak. "Well... its not exactly like they're actively trying to make me do anything specific besides get out of the way... It's more the pain is a by-product of their simply existing. Though, I have noticed when I read-" he started, very close to rambling until he was suddenly cut off.
Atticus blinked and found himself shocked that he was suddenly pulled by his hood into the face of the lady enchantress. His thoughts immediately went to that irony he felt back when he first met the woman, and how suddenly he was again the envy of every man who's seen one of her plays. Of course, this wasn't a matter of pride or bravado, but a point of curiosity. "Uh... miss... uhm... I don't think... your nephew would approve of..." he meekly protested at first, but fell silent almost the moment she spoke.
"Geas?" he asked, a distantly hopeful sound in his voice. "You... do you think that it would work? I wouldn't want to debilitate myself by using it to permanently become distracted but if it could be used to make THEM calm down..." he considered. He would have gone into greater detail but his mind was slowly becoming fuzzy.
"uh-oh..." was Atticus' last truly conscious thought. He had read quite a bit about enchantment spells and their effects on the mind. He was a studious individual after all. He recognized the warning signs of going under the influence, but also knew it was too late. He did NOT have the training nor the expertise to fight back against a Grand Mage. All he could do was feel hurt that his teachers would do something like that to him as a free action and succumb to the spell.
The world was a distant haze. The only thing keeping him from becoming a totally unwilling puppet was the deep, droning growl of the monsters at the edge of his subconscious, the nightmare beasts that were always there, threatening to overtake his sanity. How long had he fought to maintain himself in spite of their presence? How many months did he have to spend locked away in a tower, screaming and ripping at his head in an attempt to force the voices out? It was a rough time, but he had overcome. He had learned. He had grown.
"Free..." muttered the boy outside in the real world as the woman finished. She released her hold on him and mentioned keeping it a secret. Atticus could only shake his head and attempt to get his brain firing on all six cylinders again. He couldn't recall what he thought or what was said. All he could piece together was that he had been abnormally close to the woman and then got hazy. He blinked and reached up to touch his lips, wondering if perhaps...
That made no sense... He was under the distinct impression she hated him. She called him a monster at the tower... right? Did that happen? He reached up and rubbed his head through the hood slightly, still puzzling over the particulars of what just happened.
Suddenly, he was being shaken! He blinked, completely at the mercy of the shaker's whim. He blinked and looked up into the face of what appeared to be Madame Damara. Something was a bit off, though... her voice clearly was not her own. "Uhm... Madame? Are you ill...?" he questioned at first.
"Where'd Lady Diva go? I think I might've done something rude and gotten distracted..."
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Post by The Brass Duke on Mar 24, 2015 15:42:22 GMT
Arriving just moments after Buliri approached the Wizard Atticus, the Brass Duke stepped into the open garden with wide, suspicious eyes scanning the vast expanse of vibrant colors, trying to point out anything that looked remotely like a dolled-up peacock. Wherever she was, Diva was close. This he was sure of, smelling the taint in her Human blood the two of them shared. He didn't want to think about what might occur should the Enchantress kill the young wizard of prophecy. Would she release his demons, or would she use the boy for more sinister purposes, keeping him alive only to be a puppet?
Regardless, Lady Diva was nowhere in sight, and the Brass Duke approached Madame Buliri and the Fallen with exasperation heavy in his breathing. Both panic and low fortitude got to him, as the man wasn't accustomed to running. He missed his palanquin dearly, and resented Regina for outlawing them due to making the public feel inferior. He would change this law someday, when he was in charge. As Arch Mage, the man would ensure the Royal Family never came between the Rainbow Tower and its objectives ever again. Family or otherwise.
"You haven't seen her?" he asked Buliri, and then knelt before Atticus. "You saw Lady Diva, didn't you? Where has she gotten to--did the two of you speak? What did she say?"
He wanted to shake the boy, but even the Duke knew that would only give this fragile wizard motion-sickness, and that would be the extent of assistance provided. He looked into the boy's eyes, to see if they were dilated out-of-place or even glazed over through powerful magic. If anything at all, Diva hid her spell well. The Duke scratched his chin.
"You need to think carefully, Atticus." Behind him he heard Lord Rail and Aebra approach, and then quickly the two split up and began searching the perimeter for the vile woman. Aebra would make no call until they were certain something nefarious occurred, Brass knew, and he wished the woman would be caught at least once. It would be enough for him to take her out once and for all.
"Look everywhere!" he hollered, and then inched closer to Buliri-Damara.
"This was unforeseen, my friend...I need to know what she did to the boy. Is there some manner of Illusion-work you can do to find out?"
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Post by Maestro Buliri on Mar 26, 2015 5:53:00 GMT
Buliri frowned, rather attractively actually in this form. She glanced over to Atticus, taking inventory of his glazed over eyes and his somewhat bleary reaction to being shook. With a tilt of her head, the Mad Madame crossed her arms and whispered back to Brass in hushed tones.
"I don't know. Without knowing exactly what she did - if anything - I'm afraid there's only so many options we could explore," she explained, a hand lifting to rub at her chin thoughtfully in the process. "Certainly nothing that could be done now. The boy's a dunce when it comes to common sense, sure, but even he's not so blind that he wouldn't notice something amiss if we attempted anything right now."
Buliri thought a moment, glancing over to where the others were searching the flowers and bushes. "Bah, they'll never find her. She may be a world-class egotist, but even she'd know better than to stick around and gloat after something so gutsy. Flippin' snake in the grass..." she muttered.
Holding up a finger to punctuate a thought, the disguised master of illusion returned to her original thought. "I'm willing to guess your darling auntie would be conceited enough to work the spell so she would be able to get information out of the boy, or at the very least make it so only she could direct his actions. So, how about this? We give it a day or two and I simply pull a switcheroo?" she asked, her features temporarily shifting into the likeness of the Disaster Diva to emphasize a point. As they settled back into Madame Damara's familiar face, she'd pull a nasty smirk. The plan, as she had indicated, was to dupe the boy into thinking he was talking to the dragon lady herself rather than a clever falsehood.
"Then we could simply ask him what's wrong, yes?"
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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 26, 2015 6:03:15 GMT
At first, Atticus was still somewhat dazed, though he was unsure why. However, between being shaken and being assaulted with questions, he was quickly brought to bear. Blinking, he looked at the Grand Mages in confusion and when the Brass Duke asked him if he had seen Lady Diva... well, the robed wizard was extremely thankful his face was concealed in shadow lest the man see the dark shade of crimson he was undoubtedly developing.
"Well..." he began, lightly poking his fingers together as he looked off. He wasn't ENTIRELY certain, but he was about 60% sure that the heart throb of the stage had favored him with a kiss. Why else would she have pulled him so close? Why should he have been so lost when they first arrived? And why would he distinctly remember feeling outrageously uncomfortable about confessing ANY of that to Brass? She even asked that he keep it a secret! Of course she would, because only the heavens above could begin to guess what a furious Brass would do if he found out one of his former wards was suddenly getting comfortable with family. Atticus had already seen what happened to students who roused the Duke's ire through cheating on tests...
Lucky for him, the Duke didn't keep focus on Atticus for very long. Soon, he and Madame Damara were talking in hushed tones while Aebra and Rail both scoured the garden for any trace of Diva. Ironically, with this many people surrounding him, Atticus felt rather isolated and alone. He slowly stood up from his seated position on the bench and looked around, not sure exactly what he should be doing in this rather... unexpected situation.
Mostly, he just wanted to get out of there and leave them to fuss with their own affairs. Let them find Diva on their own, he had more pressing matters on hand. He still needed to check in with the progress of the ship and he needed to at least put SOME thought into who he should seek out after they acquire a healer of some description. He would ask the Grand Mages, but he had this odd, incredibly powerful gut feeling that none of them had the answers he was looking for. Right now, they seemed about as clueless as he was, actually.
"If... I may?" Atticus asked meekly, barely capturing anyone's attention with such a low volume. He started to scoot toward the exit of the gardens... attempting to end this distraction before it became an issue for his schedule...
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Post by The Brass Duke on Mar 27, 2015 14:49:16 GMT
"Go ahead," muttered the Brass Duke, waving the boy off to his business as his own eyes darted back and forth across the wide expanse of the gardens, searching for the woman who may or may not have just done something terrible, if not just for them, but the rest of the world, as well. Once Atticus had left, Lord Brass turned to Madame Buliri and moved close so he might speak quietly on the subject.
Rail and Aebra had separated and were heading down individual paths, completely oblivious to the other Mages in their search. The Duke took this time to make arrangements, and ensure the plan was moving forward like they'd agreed.
"Well the Titans are in," he said triumphantly, a sly grin on his face as he eyed the Illusionist. "We don't necessarily need the collars, but after that whole spiel, they could be useful. We'll just have to wait on that until things get worse. I'm sure Lord Aebra will become desperate enough. If the Necromancer even agreed their use was integral to our success, then we have a chance. Now to get the Blind Bat to see--ha!
"And then there's Mordock. It will come to a vote, Maestro. I guarantee it. Aebra won't let it just happen, he never does. Ever. So if we can get everyone to agree, or at least out-vote them when the time comes, we'll be set. Diva won't disagree when this comes, because she's been an important part in perfecting them. So we're three at the moment, but since Rail's too ignorant to see, technically four. We're already winning. With Caria gone...we might wish to set this vote before the Shield arranges for a replacement Conjurer. Then of course we have to contend with the Empress's vote. Why she should even get one, I don't know. Frankly, I don't care. She's just a stick in the road, anyway."
The Brass Duke scratched his chin and turned away from the gardens, no longer interested in finding his aunt. Instead, he was more absorbed with their underhanded planning, and Diva came as a low second on his mind.
"Hm, as for the boy, though...yes, I think that would be the most appropriate idea. If Diva doesn't show up to supper this evening, I would like you to do an impersonation at once. Don't tell the others, because I don't want those idiots giving it away, indirectly or otherwise. I'll simply say you had some elephants to bottle, a gift to a local woman who incurred your wrath. A practical joke worth your talents.
"But keep in-character. We don't know how deep her magic went, if any...I would like to dip into every possibility here. Buliri, my friend. I think we might have to get rid of her sooner than we thought. Especially if things tonight don't add up."
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Post by Atticus Daegal on Mar 27, 2015 20:05:49 GMT
What a remarkable relief it was to be free of that entanglement! Atticus let a sigh escape his lips as he walked from the gardens, thankful to the gods of luck and chance that the Grand Mages were more preoccupied with Lady Diva's location than any... interaction between the two of them. Frankly, he couldn't even begin to think how he'd explain that to them. The dark-robed wizard wasn't entirely certain why they were so untrusting of Lady Diva. Was she not a Grand Mage of the Rainbow Tower, and thus a personage to be respected? One does not simply get into a position of power without having some manner of integrity, right? How would the world function if everyone in charge was petty and self-serving as they seemed to believe her to be? It simply did not not mesh with Atticus' political world view.
Of course, that did give him some pause. He knew that leaders were to be respected and obeyed because they had the best interests of their domains at heart... so why did he feel he couldn't trust the Grand Mages either? Was it because he had seen first hand how petty and childish they were? He didn't think so. Heavens knows there's no predicting the actual thought patterns of the Grand Mage of Illusions, so to judge them based solely on that was a mistake. Whatever it was, Atticus simply could not put his finger on it. He didn't trust them wholly... and with so much on the line regarding his decisions, he needed to be sure that even they would not influence his actions. Never before today had he ever even considered that any of them actually would.
Torn by his loyalty and his doubt, Atticus did not even notice he was already at the place where the Ship would be docked. He didn't even need to talk to anybody, honestly. Everyone was busily preparing with robes and spells to suit the area to the vessel's needs. The only thing he was curious about was when it should arrive, freshly repaired and airworthy. Luckily, the fallen was able to catch a snippet of conversation on that very topic and got his answer before he could even ask it. It will arrive at first light. Perfect! That left only the details of the evening meal and any morning preparations.
Atticus made a mental note to be awake and alert prior to dawn, even if his captain had alternative methods. He wanted to pre-load the ship with the equipment he would be bringing. He wondered if that would be rude, considering he didn't even know if he'd have proper quarters and the etiquette of simply leaving one's pack on the deck of a pirate's ship seemed... questionable. He'd ask at dinner tonight.
Speaking of, the hour was drawing and he needed to ensure the guest dining hall was in readiness. He went there next...
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Post by Maestro Buliri on Mar 29, 2015 20:57:52 GMT
"Please..." Buliri muttered, rolling her eyes at Brass as though the man had just insulted her. "As if anyone could tell the difference when I put on a good disguise..." she said, though coming from the lips of Madame Damara and in an attitude the woman would NEVER have in person. "You act as though I have no idea how to spin a convincing illusion!"
The Mad Maestro chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Spare the cover story. The more liars in the room, the less likely a prank will succeed. That's rule 2, by the way, always keep the joke to yourself. I'll be seated nice and comfy right where I'm supposed to be, looking how I'm supposed to (for the most part) so that no one suspects one of my better spells to come waltzing right through the door..." he said, breaking rule 2 in order to let Brass in on the scheme. "And you thought I'd go in dressed in women's clothes. For shame, Brass my boy."
The image of the grand diviner threw her head back in a laugh befitting the master of illusion. As she did, the whole thing dissolved into golden light and began to vanish, revealing that Maestro Buliri had not been in attendance for quite a while. When exactly he swapped out for this false presence was unknown and possibly one of his better disappearing acts. All around the Duke, Buliri's voice would continue, though rapidly switching its exact location for effect. "The whole lot of you look but do not see. Enjoy the performance tonight, Dukey. I've gotta pick out my costume."
And just like that... the gnome was nowhere to be seen.
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Fast forward to the end of the day and the squat figure of the gnomish master of illusion would be walking along quite confidently toward the doors of the guest dining hall. Today, he wore a rather nice little ensemble of red and gold, though he never went anywhere without about a hundred scrolls tucked in his belt or hanging off his back like a cape. His face wasn't exactly the same as it was the day in the meeting hall, where he was forced to be himself. Instead, he opted for a black muttonchop look complete with a braided goatee and a pompadour hairstyle. The total effect resembled a miniature, evil Elvis Presley.
The gnome marched right into the dining hall, pausing only long enough to give the doors a quick kick with a rein stone studded boot to force them open. As he walked, he adjusted his over sized cuffs and made his way to a spot at the table. He passed right by Atticus, only sparing a quick "Yo" as he did. He jumped up into his chair, struggling only a little to get into a full sized seat when he was obviously a pint-sized person. Leaning back, he grinned widely to the only other person there, chuckling a bit. "I hope it's not just us, Atticus. I doubt you'd be a very stimulating conversationalist compared to my prodigious expertise in the clever art of wordplay..." he said smugly. Apparently, tonight he was playing the role of the pompous wizard... just to keep things interesting.
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Hilda Hyne
Wanderer
"Only from the skies can you actually see the world."
Posts: 15
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Post by Hilda Hyne on Mar 31, 2015 11:03:13 GMT
Arriving next was Hilda Hyne, who had fixed her makeup and was looking exceptionally well rested; at her side was the Kolyarut from brfore, escorting the sky pirate with a metal arm interlocking with hers. Together they strode in and past both Grand Mage and student, until she was beckoned to sit in a seat reserved for Regina's consort. According to Ghant, Charles and Her Majesty agreed it would be best for him to return to the palace until proceedings here were finished. Hilda hadn't minded, meeting the man briefly was more than enough to give her an understanding of his character.
Without Atticus' books on etiquette, Hilda didn't know it was impolite to stretch her arms and crack each knuckle before sitting, and when the Kolyarut rapped the table with two fingers, emitting a metallic snap, she jumped in place.
"You stand in the audience of world-shapers," it said sternly, belying the cold, lifeless expression on its mechanical face. "Please sit and remain quiet until your betters have assembled. Speak only when addressed and be polite."
And then, seemingly as an afterthought once the woman shrank in her seat, "...and don't steal anything, please. I am responsible for you and would very much like not to be sent back and reprogrammed because you couldn't keep your sticky fingers off the table."
Hilda's eyes dropped, and a significant weight fell over her shoulders; makeup didn't even help hide it, but in fact enhanced her sudden embarrassment. She could have died, she thought, turning red as she spied the boy across the table. She reserved a single, silent hello for him in the form of a hand reaching up from beneath the table.
Ghant, satisfied, spun to face the door and moved away from the pirate in one, fluid motion, pausing only briefly to address the Gnome before leaving.
"I passed the Necromancer on the way here. He will be with you presently, and asked me to inform you Lord Aebra was called away. I believe there was some trouble with his mother, who was in desperate need of some medical attention."
And that was that, no more context, or any form of good-bye; the Kolyarut opened the doors as much as it needed to before disappearing on the other side completely. With him gone, Hilda visibly relaxed, most notably sighing heavily. She inhaled deeply and bowed her head.
"Master Daegal, good evening. And Master Wizard, it is an honor," she said easily, as if rehearsed.
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