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Multiple Settings Mass Clans: Beyond

“Oh it’s very amusing. But don’t take my laughter for endorsement. You got any ideas on how to punish her?” Trin asked with mirth before drinking once again.

“But yeah, if she’s with anyone it’s certainly Hal.” Trin added on to address Thistle’s question.

—

“Demons have entered the Symphony. Undertaker and his entourage are being escorted to the suite as we speak. Please start making your way there. The World’s Symphony itself starts in 5 minutes.” One of the handlers informed over the comms.

Javve and Preach followed after Nyx dutifully. The daughter’s eyes lingering on the antelope and their friends before jogging over to Nyx to see what she’s found.

“Did you find one?” Preach asked, in a low but excited tone of voice. Her ears perked up before falling back down and her eager expression was purposefully muted as if she wasn’t supposed to look happy.

—
Meanwhile in the dead realm…

“What happens when we die here?” A random animal asked from the group of hundreds.

“You are no longer useful to us.” Foofi answered curtly and enigmatically.

“Where’d Hunter go?” Orion asked right after, as if she had been queuing for her chance.

“I’m not sure.” Foofi responded.

“Why aren’t the good animals helping us? Like that lady who gave him the instrument?” Orchidasia queired, earning an annoyed ear/antennae flick from Foofi.

“Because to help us is to doom us! The more that come to help will only attract exponentially more to hurt us. You saw how formidable the last one was. Imagine ten. twenty. A thousand! They scour your thoughts and feed on your worst ideas, so stop thinking about them.” Foofi snapped, coming to stop. The large alien felid sighed before continuing their trek.

“…I hate you.” Goodnight growled angrily.

“What?” Jaystorm asked, looking over at the black sheline.

“I said I hate you!” Goodnight reiterated, clarifying that she was referring to her father and not Foofi.

“…You must be stressed.” Jaystorm meowed, disregarding the she-cat’s words and increasingly aggressive visage. Her fur was rising up, her eyes dilated, and her claws came out.

“Of course you’d say that! I am going to rip that stupid throat out of your f**king dung mouth!” Goodnight raged and spat. This managed to get all the animals around her to halt.

“Hey are you feeling okay?” Lucy asked, stepping closer to her daughter. The black sheline placed her paw lovingly on her daughter’s shoulder. As soon as she did so, Goodnight turned her head and lunges at her mother’s neck. The two black cats slammed into the grass with droplets of blood splashing onto the green blades. Lucy blocked her throat with a foreleg and right now Goodnight was viciously tearing into it.

“Goodnight stop! Help!” Lucy screamed, completely in shock as to what was going on. She couldn’t comprehend why her daughter was attacking her like this. Goodnight was an empath and as far as she knew, had no grudge towards her parents.
 
While the lunch was good and plentiful, A Capella had to continue with her task in mind: getting her stuff back. She flew across different halls and levels in this enormous stadium until she reached suit 340 on the 19th floor. The front of the suit had two lamps right beside the big, heavy wooden doors on each side. The doors also had glass windows that said “God-Ring Offices” etched on the glass, along with the seal. It reminded her of what the entrance of the Manehatten Police Department's main headquarters looked like. Interesting that the God-Ring looks futuristic, yet their offices looked mid 20th century.



As she entered through the doors, the lobby contained a front desk that is behind glass, similar to the ones in a doctor’s waiting room. The walls are a beige color, while the carpet is light blue. The couches are in the carpeted areas on both sides of the lobby. The center of the lobby is the only floor that is not carpet whereas it is marble and it has the God-Ring seal. I’m both sides of the seating areas has a beverage table that includes a hot chocolate/ coffee/ tea making machine, and a fridge that has waters and sodas. A Capella found this lobby unusual since the God-Ring seemed so powerful and serious that they come across as intimidating. Yet, the lobby of their office is peaceful and calm. She also hears smooth jazz playing in the background and the lobby gives off a lavender smell.



She walks up to the front desk and was greeted by a feline cat on a hovering chair. “Hi, how may I help you,” asked the feline. “Yes, I was told that my stuff is in lock up.” Answered A Capella. “Alright” responded the feline, “have you reported your lost items to the officers of the God-Ring?”



“Actually”, responded A Capella sheepishly, “I was arrested and released not too long ago”

“Splendid! You’re the twenty-seventh species today that got detained and pardoned. Looks like we are quite busy today!” chuckled the feline. She continues as she reaches for the clipboard with a pen, “Anywho, go ahead and fill out this form, and you will get your belongings back.”



“Aiight, thanks” answered A Capella as she takes the clipboard with her mouth. “My pleasure!” Responded the feline cheerfully. A Capella then went to one of the couches, sat down, and filled out the form with one wing holding the clipboard while she wrote with the pen in her mouth.



As she was about to finish filling out the form, several God-Ring officers stormed out from the office, out the lobby. A Capella’s ears perked as she rose her head to figure out what’s going on. She then overheard one of the officers briefly talking to the feline secretary as both mentioned that demons have entered the Symphony. Once she heard that, in a rush, she continues filling out the form.
 
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As the form was filled out, A Capella got up from the couch and took the clipboard to the front desk. The feline secretary then took the form and punched in the information on the computer. “Thank you dear. One of the God Ring Officers will be with you in a moment to take yourr…” she then took a closer look at A Capella before finishing her sentence. “…rrr hoof prints to sign some documents.” As the feline continued punching in the information on the computer, A Capella went back to her seat to wait.
 
Oyster follows Speed. So she was a smuggler at some point in her past, too. At the second implication he’s smuggling, Oyster bristles. “Do you mean to imply something about me? Are you accusing me of something?” He stands as straight as he can and stops walking, surveying the crowd. St. Elmo’s informants could be anywhere. The crowd presses in. “How do I know you’re not a smuggler right now, s-smuggling something despite that fancy God-Ring get-up?” Oyster mews, inclining his head toward the sheline and forcing a grin. “Are those other cats your crime buddies? You a member of the Bavlietta family?” He flashes his claws. “I work for St. Elmo,” he says, “I'm a badass, I own an airship, and I have over three million followers on all the hottest social media networks.” He throws his head back and laughs. The sound vanishes into the cacophony of voices and hawking of vendors all around them. Awkward silence stretches.

“I’m kidding. I’m just someone who needs a lot of help,” he says, studying Speed. Then he stammers: “Finding Rukey that is! I don’t believe I’ve asked your name?” I'm toast, he thinks, shuddering forward in the direction Speed leads him. He's too stubborn and scared to stop lying, but he's certain that Speed knows his secret. Oddly, he almost feels he can trust her.
 
"I didn't say anything about a punishment. *Buuut* now that you mention it..." Thrush muses, an impish grin on her muzzle. "A fitting punishment would be to expose Lexi for the lying fool she is in front of that vixen." She leans in to take a sip of Trin's drink before adjusting the strap of her knife sheathe.

"Hey Trin, are you doing anything to represent your culture today?" Thistle inquires curiously. As far as the young tom knows, out of their diverse team, only he and Thrush are openly displaying a piece of their culture.



Nyx frowns at the status update. Only five minutes until the Symohony starts. Maybe she can get a little ice time with these nice animals before she has to leave. She puts on a smile again and answers Preach, "Yeah, in here." She lets the feline trio in before her.

Inside are a pair of identically sized ice rinks with protective barriers surrounding each. In one, creatures of all kinds glide around in a clockwise circuit while the more skilled skaters practice spins and jumps in the center. The second rink seems to be reserved for sports only. Aliens in yellow and purple jerseys speed around playing their game, yelling commands and bumping into each other while chasing after a small black object.

Near the door is a station for rentals; a couple aliens hand out equipment to eager patrons while one near the back uses a machine to sharpen blades.

"Here we are." Nyx intones, grinning over at Preach.




Multiple figures rush to the enraged Goodnight. The husky grabs her by the scruff while the lynx works to pry open a set of jaws. The third figure, a black shadow, lingers behind frightened mother.

Kilo pulls Goodnight from her mother when she is no longer biting on anything. It's easy enough for the larger animals to pin the furious feline to the bloody grass. They only have to watch for any flailing claws.

When there are no more teeth in Lucy's leg, she is pulled away from her daughter. Soft paws gently cradle Lucy's injured limb as a fluffy black cat begins her inspection. "My name is Onyx and I'll be taking care of-" The feline rattles off automatically before stopping. "Damn. I don't think we even have anything to bind this." White fangs flash as Onyx speaks.
 
Trin gave Thrush an intrigued and amused look. Her calling Lexi a fool in particular caught his attention and made him smirk.

“But that’s no fun. I don’t get anything out of it. I’m thinking the exact opposi—“ Trin stopped when Thistle addressed him. The tom’s question made his ears perk and his gaze switch away from Thrush.

“Hmm? No, not really. My culture’s been dead for so long. It died out even before the god-ring was established. I could speak my original tongue but it wouldn’t translate for literally anyone. The only other thing I could do is fluff out my mane.” Trin meowed, happy to explain. The tom gave a shrug and finishing his drink in a couple gulps.

“Alright. Let’s go meet our Undertaker.” Trin meowed, hopping off his stool.

—

Speed watched and listened to Oyster with a strained serious expression, trying hard to not look openly amused.

“My name’s Speed. And I know you’re smuggling something because you aren’t hiding it well at all. I used be a smuggler, I know what one looks like. Why’re you so nervous?” Speed asked, cocking her head. Unbeknownst to her, a parade of demon were flowing into the symphony behind her. The mass of black colored animals looked about in awe and curiosity as they started splintering off.

—

Lucy looked around while hissing in pain.

“I think–ah–I agree with your assessment Onyx.” The black sheline said through gritted teeth. They were in an open field, an open field they’d been in for days. This whole place didn’t even feel real, unlike the beach this place had zero landmarks to ground yourself with. Everything in every direction looked exactly the same. No clouds, no wind, no moon. And there were certainly bo supplies to scavenge.

Despite what just happened, Lucy couldn’t help but look to see what state her daughter was in. And it didn’t look good. The she-cat that so closely resembled her mother was writhing on the ground and slashing at the air in a feral rage.

Animals distanced themselves from the incident, forming a circle around everyone involved. Only to push against animals forming more circles around even more violent incidents that were occurring in the crowd. Culminating in a panicked crowd surge when one of the mermaids, Merlida, slashed out a tom’s throat. Similar to the way everyone kept their distance from Bloodspill, a ton of animals here knew the deadly potential mermaids had. Every cat near to the pink sheline tried to flee in unison and pushing against those in their way. Like a wave, the sudden lurch from different epicenters in the mass of animals flowed through the crowd pushing cat against cat, mixing pelts, knocking others off their paws and even causing more irrationally violent reactions. In less than a minute, caterwauls could be heard from all around as a mass panic fell over the groups of thousands. More and more animals were attacking one another for seemingly no reason.

Before he knew it, Jaeger was engulfed by the panicked crowd. Cats trying to flee or fight spun him and knocked him to the ground as he was trying to make his way to wear he last saw Adrianna.

Farichea was able to keep her footing given her size difference to most everyone else, but nonetheless could do little to halt the violence. She pulled one cat off of another only to be attacked by someone else behind her. It was pure chaos.
 
Though they aren't identical in appearance like when they were kits, the Crater-born siblings still share the same minute gestures and expressions. From the half-smile and inquisitive head tilt when Trin starts speaking, to when their faces fall and shoulders shift uncomfortably at the subject of his dead culture only a moment later.

Thistle is the first to speak. "*Oh*. I didn't-" His voice catches and he clears his throat. "I didn't know... Sorry... " he slides off of the stool he was sitting on.

"Wait." Thrush demands, hopping down from her seat. With a couple long strides, she stops in front of her brother and begins rummaging through the pockets and pouches of his vest.

"Hey! Whatareyou-"

"Shh!"

Thrush steps away with a metal tin clutched delicately between her teeth. She returns to Trin, setting the tin on the floor and pulling open the hinged lid. Inside is the black paste Thistle had concocted earlier.

"No better day to share old traditions from a nearly dead culture." She sits on her haunches, one paw holding Trin's cheek while the other is dipped in the carbon-based paint. Thrush gives him a quick warning to shut his eyes before gently dragging her pads over one then curving down his cheek. She repeats this pattern on the other side.

"If only we had more time, I'd give you *Aegishjalmr*." Thrush draws a line from his nose up to the top of his head, then two branching segments that spread out between his ears. It looks like a "Y" with an extra prong in the middle. One final touch: she draws a rune on one of his exposed shoulders.

She steps back and gives Trin a thoughtful look. "Hm. *Grimmr*." Thrush remarks with an amused smirk and nose scrunch.



Being jostled and crushed by a panicking crowd of animals brings memories of the shootout at the False Club sharply into focus. Adrianna deflects an oncoming punch. "What the hell is going on?"

"I don't know! Everyone just started freaking out!" Calls Bracken. Foofi seems the most knowledgeable, so the tom locates the large pink creature and leads the way to her.

Adrianna, Bracken and Blade do their best to stay together as they push through the crowd of terrified and furious animals. Using the momentum of their opponents, as well as their own strength and agility, they throw off any unwanted piggy-backers.

The energy of the crowd shifts to pure terror in an instant. Nearby animals that were previously fighting now scrabble over each other to flee from the three Ashuli cats.

Blade exhales, relieved to be free of the crowd crush. He goes to speak but yelps as four long black legs step into view. He looks up to see the looming figure of Bloodspill and instinctually backpedals into his friends.

"You're safe for now."

True to her word, the fighting continues outside the circular clearing they now stand in. Some get pushed in, take one look at the dire she-wolf and shove their way back into the fray. As if they'd rather be pummeled than stand within five tail-lengths of her.

"Um- Thank you. We're going *this* way if you'd like to..." The large canine nods and Bracken starts walking again. The crowd shifts around them as they trek to Foofi, their protective bubble remaining. At one point the sea of animals part, revealing a dark crumpled form in the grass.

"Sh*t, Jaeger!" Adrianna rushes to the young vampire's side.
 
Since twenty minutes had passed, and A Capella is still waiting, she is now laying down at the couch, belly up, instead of sitting. She didn't care much about the lobby's magazines since she considers most to be either boring or a waste of time. Although, she has an exception as The Rolling Gem was her favorite to read back home. While she finds the interviews of different pop culture icons fascinating, she also enjoys that the magazine includes free posters every year. Nonetheless, the God-Ring does not have the magazine, so she's bored out of her mind.

Another minute passed until her ears perked up, sat up on the couch, and she turned her attention to the door leading to the God-Ring offices. "Ms. Azul," said the secretary feline cheerfully. "Since all of our officers are on duty at the moment, I will take care of you." As A Capella got up from the couch, she stretched her legs and wings and then walked toward the hovering secretary holding the beige-colored, wooden door open. Before the pegasus girl passed through the door frame, she was stopped. "Sweetie, before you go any further, I may have to do protocol." "Protocol?" asked A Capella until she felt a surprise laser scanning her entire body. She knew that the laser did not hurt, but it gave her an uncomfortable feeling. When the scanner was done searching A Capella, the feline secretary smiled and responded, "It's to check to see if you're carrying any weapons, dear." The secretary then pulled up some records, and another scanner opened up from the countertop. She asked A Capella, "I have all of your information right here on the screen. I need your hoof prints, sweetie." A Capella has so many questions; on the one hand, some of God-Ring's technology is futuristic.
On the other hand, she finds it weird that a law enforcement agency can be very humble. Without any hesitation, she took her right front hoof and put it on the scanner. When the scanning was complete, she took her hoof off the scanner. She waited as the secretary added more information to A Capella's profile. Not only did the scanner get her prints, but it also got her DNA and blood type.

The feline then swiveled her hovering chair to face A Capella and asked her some questions. "I must say," the feline complimented, "You seem to be a very well-mannered young mare." Since the secretary talks to A Capella as if she is her granddaughter, A Capella sheepishly smirked and blushed. "Now I do wonder," she continued, "Why a teenage ponygirl, like you, would wander around unfamiliar territory?" A Capella brushed her hair out of her eyes with her left front hoof, shook off her sweet side, and answered with a smirk on her face.
"I've wanted some adventure. Ever since my uncle has made this machine out of an old DeLorean, traveling through time and dimensions is all that and a bag of chips!" "So why did you and your uncle make the vehicle?" asked the secretary. "Some pony from eighty years back used a time spell," answered A Capella. "The pony's name was Starbright? Star-something, I don't know, shit's not important. Anyways, she had a dilemma: the spell doesn't work present day. So my uncle used his egghead knowledge to make a car that would jump to different worlds and eras just to get her back. It was trippy seeing my great-grandmother, though. Just don't go there." The secretary caught on to A Capella's catchphrases. With that noted, she asked. "Quick change of subject sugar, but can you tell me where you're from and what year it is there?" A Capella raised one eyebrow on that question, "I'm from Equestria, and the year is 1994. Why the question?"

"Oh, I just needed some more information to add to your profile." As the secretary answers to A Capella, she types in "1977" in the blank that says "Birth Year (BY)." She swivels back toward A Capella to continue Interrogating. "Ok, that is all I have so far, sweetie. Now, since you are in the age where adventure awaits, I just want to let you know to have a good time at the Symphony." The feline secretary took off her glasses and leaned onto the counter to look at A Capella in her red pupil eyes.
"However, please be careful. I'm sure that your family wants to see you come home again. You almost committed animal slaughter when you showed up with the vehicle." A Capella's frowned in remorse and looked down at the ground. "Sugar," the feline continued as she put her glasses back on, "It was a good thing that the officers that detained you are more forgiving. We just want to make sure that you, and everyone else, stay safe and have a good time. We all know that you didn't mean for that entrance to happen. But for the sake of us, and the sake of you, please be careful."

After giving a stern talk to A Capella, the feline secretary smiled. "Yeah, I think I may have given some chills up the spine there, heh," A Capella responded sheepishly. As the secretary returned to her desk, her smile went away from A Capella's sly humor in the matter. A Capella's ear's dropped down as she stuttered. "B-But in all seriousness, I should have paid attention to where I was going. I just didn't know what I was hella doing. For that, I'm sorry. If I need to help your organization to pay back my debts, I can do that."

"Aw, sweetie, you don't need to do that. But I do appreciate the offer," responded the secretary, her smile returned. "Now, let me go and get your belongings." Still sitting on the hoverchair, the feline hovered from her desk and went to the evidence closet. It didn't take long for her to come back over to her desk with a flying drone behind her carrying A Capella's satchel and her guitar. A Capella was in awe at how quickly her belongings were located in what she believed to be a closet filled with evidence. The drone set the belongings down on the counter and went back to the evidence closet. The secretary then pulled out a digital tablet and told A Capella to place her front hoof on the square space of the document. A Capella leaned on the counter and put her right front hoof on the tablet to sign. Once she was done signing the record, the secretary began to ask. "Are you a musician?" As A Capella slung her guitar on her back, she looked up, "Sure am. My friends and I have a gig going on in Manehattan."

"That is so cool," responded the secretary cheerfully. "Could you do a solo on your guitar?"

"I would," responded A Capella. "But I don't have any— "she stoped her response as the drone from the evidence room pulled out an amplifier with a cord, ready to connect.

"Don't worry; it didn't come from the evidence room. We just had this in storage for events like the Symphony," responded the secretary in a cheeky manner.

A Capella gained a confident look on her face, procced to plug in her guitar, tuned it, and shredded her guitar with a solo.
 
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“Speed,” Oyster mews. He stumbles back like he’s been slapped, then swivels his head from side to side, checking to see if anyone’s listening. “I just watched my friend…” He imagines the scene all over again: the scissors, the blood, the body crumpled to the floor. “St. Elmo opened my friend’s throat with a pair of scissors and let her body fall to the floor like a flake of snow on a red ocean.” He squints his eyes. His mouth floods with saliva and he swallows a wave of nausea and dizziness. “Mina was the closest thing to a friend I've had since Rukey, since I ended up in this place where nothing makes any sense. Now I’m all alone again. Except for her.” He glares over Speed’s shoulder at Poppy's translucent form. She flutters above the demons entering the Symphony, licking her paw and smirking at Oyster, visible only to him. “She won’t leave me alone,” he hisses, “and there’s nothing I can do, nothing! And if I don’t deliver these drugs for St. Elmo, I’m going to end up with bricks tied to my paws in Starworld Bay like all the others.”

“Please forgive me,” Oyster whispers, "please forgive me."
 
Watching Nyx in the ice rink sat a bird all so still, Nevermore was confident that while up in this tree the cats wouldn’t be able to get to them before being noticed. Nevermore was a member to a group of beings with the power to appear as whatever the person looking at them wanted to see unless in front of a reflective object or surface. This being said Nevermore sat still upon the tree the talons of this bird covered in snow

“this is rather entertaining” said Nevermore watching Nyx before stretching the night black wings like a human who had been sitting too long.
 
Nyx waits while Javve, Preach and Pest step onto the ice. She watches the young sheline carefully, ready to step in and help if she stumbles but Preach seems to know to use the barrier to support herself. Feeling the fur on the back of her neck prickle, the black canine looks around, trying to find whoever may be watching her. Red eyes scan this new area for any suspicious figures but everyone is simply going about their business and having fun. Up in one of the many trees spread throughout the wintry scene of this section and the various rooms within, is a Snow Gryphon. The demoness at first thought it was a statue until they stretch their white and grey speckled wings and let their grey spotted tail dangle below the branch where they perch. Meeting their intense yellow gaze, Nyx speaks. "May I help you?"
 
"I'll go and find her." Filament agrees, determined to not let whatever is going on here continue. It makes his stomach turn. With one glare at the two 'kits' he heads away, putting a paw to his communicator. "Hey Purple, Can you tell me your location? Me and Pim need your help." The tom would be heard saying as he disappears around a corner. It's not like he actually knows where he's going right now but he knows that they're not here.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hal exits the bathroom as the message hits his ear. "Making my way there now." The bi-color tom would respond, already wondering a million things, mostly involving why nobody else seemed to realize that they could kill Undertaker right here. Assuming that asshole didn't have another doppleganger or clone or whatever. With that says, he hops into an elevator, alone with his thoughts amongst a dozen aliens.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


The whole time Speed is engaged with the smuggler, Holly is transfixed on the interaction. She's been around life-time smugglers and she had an inkling that this tom either wasn't a willing smuggler or was extremely inexperienced and that was proven correct. She felt bad for the tom, but frankly they had enough of their own problems to deal with.
 
“I wouldn’t let my daughter hear this stuff. Why do you need her Filament?” Trin’s voice came through comms in reply.

“Nothing dangerous. We just need her mental expertise. Any idea where she’d be?” PIM chimed in.

“Probably in a seminar or out watching the countdown to the Symphony. Better yet—excuse me?…Can you bring my daughter to-“

“The ground level kid’s boardwalk of the felidae section.” PIM quickly informed

“The ground level kid’s boardwalk. Tell her that a girl named PIM needs her help, she’ll know who that is and will point her out to you….thank you….Purple’s on her way to you now.” Trin meowed through the comms.

“Who’s bringing her?” Lexi asked, tagging in on the conversation.

“A Haven agent. They said they already had someone watching her.” Trin said.

“So what all does the Have–“

“Comms clear animals! And get to the suite. PIM and Fil, finish up what you’re doing as quick as possible please.” Nastiel’s voice butt-in and put an end to the idle chatter.

—

Speed watched Oyster mentally deteriorate with an awkward, anxious smile. Not expecting the tom to react that way or so emotionally.

“Umm, it’s okay. You won’t end up with, uh, bricks tied to ya dude. We’re God-Ring, that’s our whole thing ya’ know? The symphony is under our jurisdiction. No one’s going to hurt you, and I know a friend who can get this St. Elmo animal off your back…But I need you to follow us, okay? Can you do that? Come on.” Speed meowed, trying to de-escalate and calm the tom down. He’s clearly been through a lot. Towards the end of her dialogue she gestured towards Holly and Stalker so that Oyster knew she wasn’t alone and he wouldn’t get spooked when the two of them revealed themselves.

Speed waved for Oyster to follow the three of them before starting the trek to the suite they were designated to guard, looking over her shoulder to see if the tom would follow or not.

—

After a paw-full of minutes the lavender sheline in question came padding up the artificial boardwalk with a fox made out of what looked like water. Alongside her was Bailey and Streak. As they neared PIM and Filament Purple pointed the two out to her chaperon and jogged over.

“Hey Filament, PIM. You wanted to see me?” Purple asked smiling at the two as if she was giggling in her head.

“Yeah. We’ve got a little problem here. We need you to figure out which one of those two is a body morphed adult. Seem doable?” PIM queried, gesturing to the pair of extra-dimensional “youths.” The two of them looked over at Purple when she peeked over PIM’s shoulder at them. She thought for a moment before smirking and nodding her head. Without another word Purple walked over to the two.

“Hey!”

“Heeey.” The two younglings responded in unison.

“One of you is an adult right?” Purple asked, scanning over the two.

“…No.” The grey tom said, shaking his head.

“I’m preeetty sure I know which one of you it is too.” Purple meowed coyly, leaning in slightly while still watching the two of them closely.

“No you don’t.” The little girl responded with a scoff.

“Yeah. I do. So let’s just be honest with each other, from one kit to another. I know which one of you it is. Buuut, should I tell them who it is? Grown-ups always say what to do and don’t get it.” Purple meowed at first but then brought her voice lower. In response The two kids nodded their heads in agreement with her sentiment.

“I can just lie and they’ll believe me. So should I tell them to truth or just act like I can’t figure it out? Truth, yes or no?” Purple asked casually, placing a paw down in between them.

“No.” The grey tom said, placing his own paw on top of her.

“No.” The brown girl said, placing her own paw down.

“Cool. No it is. Your secret’s safe with me.” Purple purred and the three lifted their paws up in unison like a sports team after a huddle. Purple shared a couple mischievous grins with the two before standing up and turning to face PIM, Fil, and the two GREs.

“It’s the girl.” Purple stated immediately and confidently. Causing the grey tom’s breath to hitch behind her.

“How are you so sure?” One of the GREs asked out of caution, but PIM also looked to want to know the rationale behind her conclusion. Though in her case out of curiosity rather than caution.

“Well if his reaction wasn’t enoooough. The girl doesn’t view me as a peer. She views me like all adults view kids, lesser. She’s too cocky. When I said I knew who it was she didn’t seem to have any nervousness, but the grey tom did. An adult would just pass me off as someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. But what made it crystal clear was how they responded when I asked them if I should tell the truth. When the tom said ‘No’ it was more pleading, hopeful, like one kid to another kid. A peer to a peer. He respected that I had no obligation to do as he wanted because we’re on the same level. Her however. She expected me to say no. When she told me to say ‘No’ it was more of an entitled order. Something I was supposed to do, something I was obligated to do just because she said so. No pleading, just the expectation that I would do what she wanted. Because even though she looks like a kid, she’s still an adult. She tried to play along with the whole “grown-ups don’t get us” stuff but when it came down to what I should do, she switched back to an adult giving orders. An adult ordering me to lie on their behalf and expecting me to be naive enough to do so.” Purple explained clearly, concisely, and with a smile. As she talk she gradually made her way over to PIM and Fil to explain her rationale directly to the AI.

“Good job.” PIM praised the she-cat with a smile.

“Well, you heard her. You can detain the “little” girl. She’s the fake.” PIM meowed, glaring at the brown she-kit who in turn poured angrily back at her.

“And you’re sure?” One of the GREs asked Purple cautiously.

“Oh yeah! Because she did exactly what you’re doing right now. Assumed I’m wrong until proven right, instead of the reverse. If someone you viewed as an equal said they knew you’d done something really really wrong that would get you in a lot of trouble, would you not be even a little bit scared?” Purple queried with a slightly smug grin.

“…Clever girl. Very clever.” The GRE said with a chuckle.

“Wait until you see her test scores.” PIM bragged, running her tail down Purple’s back proudly.

“Thank you for your help.” The other enforcer said, dipping their head to Filament and then Purple. Purple beamed at that.

“Alright, you can go back to whatever you were doing now.” PIM said, looking to Purple, then Bailey, then Streak. As she did so the two on-duty god-ring enforcers arrested the little girl and physically picked her up off the ground.

“Hey! You can’t do this! You can’t do this!” She screamed while kicking and lashing her tail.

Purple gave PIM and Filament a quick hug and then started off to continue her symphony day experience.

—

Nastiel was watching their hostage demon empire defector watching the Symphony get ready to start from a soft leather chair. The suite was nothing short of luxurious, if not a simulacrum of excess. The floor was heated white marble, inlaid with gold flows. Each crack and marble pattern in the marble wasn’t merely filled with gold. No, that wouldn’t be enough; it wouldn’t be up to the Starworld standard of luxury. No, every crevice in the marble had liquid gold visibly flowing throughout it. What would have been an already substantial amount of melted down gold bricks was now an unfathomable amount of melted gold being propelled through the floor like blood through a body. The heat from the floor coming from the super-heated gold itself. All just beneath their feet behind a thin layer of perfectly pristine sapphire crystal glass.

“Heh. Starworld VIPs don’t just get heated flooring from some basic heater. They get their paws warmed by gold.” Penny noted, her and Keesipip being the first of the group to arrive.

“Each symphony suite is made custom every year. Nothing but the best. Of course ours is bugged and designed to lock down with no way in or out if the situation arises.” Nastiel said, still watching the defector.

The ceiling was high and made of one big screen that showed a real-time stream of the sky above the Symphony in perfect resolution. Opposite to the door was a walk of windows so that you could look down at the Symphony. The walls were intricately designed acoustic paneling with speakers hidden from sight so that you could hear the symphony perfectly. In front of the windows were large leather massage chairs and behind the chairs was a long table full of all kinds of food. That left half the room completely barren and empty. Plenty of space for security personnel to watch the others in the room.

“What a gorgeous room.” A female voice said as the door clicked open. In walked a black furred sheline with orange eyes. Dressed in a black matte military dress that hugged her body from her neck to her rear before draping over tail, leaving her legs free to move without impediment. If she wasn’t wearing black leggings underneath the dress on all of her legs as well as heels on her rear legs. On the chest of her dress were pinned three ribbons with a medal hanging off beneath them. And on the neck of her dress were two silver pins depicting a kiss-mark.

“Indeed. And you are?” Nastiel asked more out of formality than curiosity. She was clearly a demon.

“Deciet…Undertaker will be here shortly.” The black sheline purred, dipping her head to Nastiel.

“Wonderful. I eagerly await his arrival.” Trin said as he walked into the room.

“Hey Trin. Ready for the symphony? I’m quite excited. It’s why I got all dressed up. How do I look?” Deciet asked with a smirk.
 
The Crater siblings pad into the suite after Trin, both slowing to a stop and giving each other curious looks. It's clear that the temperature difference of the floor in here compared to out in the hall surprises them as they each repeatedly lift and set down their paws on the marble. With no direct sunlight in the room, it shouldn't be possible, yet the floor is warm like the remnants of body heat on a stone.

"Nastiel? Is it possible to control the temperature of the floor?" Thistle queries.

"Yeah! Can you turn it up? What's the highest it can go?" Thrush chirps, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Nej ." Thistle scolds. "I think you, me, Saraphina and Kees are the only ones able to withstand and enjoy the heat of topside at sun's zenith under our paws for hours on end. Everyone else will burn. Be considerate."

Thrush huffs and goes to check out the room, starting with the windows.


A sneeze signals Lethe's arrival to the suite. The brown tom is sporting some new colors on his vest and pelt. Blue, pink and green to be exact. "Oh good, I'm-" he sneezes again. The sudden, full-body movement rattles his necklace of dried peppers and sends puffs of colored powder into the air, "I'm not late. I ran into a... First-year party? I don't know what that was."
 
“Gorgeous as always Deciet.” Trin meowed absent-mindedly, walking past the sheline. In stark contrast, Deciet’s attention was hard locked on him. She followed after him on light paws while keeping the perfect distance away to be obvious but not obnoxious enough to engender reaction; studying him.

Nastiel gave an unsure nod in response to Thrush’s query. Whereas Keesipip’s ears perked up at the casual shortening of her name. The gray she-cat smiled inwardly, never having heard her name shortened. For some reason the use of the nickname made her feel good.

Nastiel followed Thrush with his eyes and chuffed, believing he knew what she was looking for.

“The windows are reinforced to survive a direct hit from a supernova bomb.” Nastiel projected his voice over to the she-cat in question, his tone alluding to him understanding why any member of the group would be wary of glass windows.

As Trin was just a couple more steps away from grabbing something on the catering table, Deciet stepped in front of him.

“What’s on your mind?” She asked curiously. Trin gave her a quick, suspicious once-over, taking in her appearance with a sightly accusatory expression.

“A Haven agent told me that they set Holly to be covered under my subscription as per my request. But I did no such thing. Know anything about it?” Trin asked. To his surprise, Deciet adopted a look of…surprise. She recoiled slightly and cocked her head to the left a few degrees.

“No. I can’t say that I do.” Deciet replied in a genuine tone of voice. Trin judged her silently for a moment before letting the accusatory glint in his eyes fade and adopting a neutral expression.

“What I do know…-“ Deciet stepped closer to Trin so that their noses just barely touched, “-Is that I should be thanking you. Certain recent actions of yours, assuming and in no way credibly confirming or denying the culprit was you, have given me a large promotion. I just wish there was a way to show my…appreciation.” Deciet purred with quarter lidded eyes. She’d stepped so close to Trin that her left forepaw was placed in between Trin’s forelegs.

“Really?” Trin trilled low enough that only Deciet could hear. As if to make their conversation in the middle of the room more private.

“Anything.” She purred coquettishly and winked, leaving her mouth open. Slowly Deciet cocked her head as though the two of them were about to kiss and Trin mirrored her movement. The red eyed tom gently put his right paw under her chin and then stopped all movement. His tail halting and his fur standing on end.

“Then go back in time and drown on Turish’s Pit like you should have.” Trin stated coldly before roughly shoving Deciet’s mouth shut and walking away from her. Deciet’s ears flattened against her head and a grimace overtook her features. She put a paw to her mouth and looked at it to see that the new pain in her mouth was indeed from a now chipped tooth cutting her gums and making her bleed. It wasn’t a lot of blood in her mouth but it was more than she’d had just a few seconds prior.

“Guess I deserved that.” Deciet muttered under her breath. She took a couple seconds to clean her paw and regain herself before beginning to walk over to Lethe to talk to him.
 
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Firestorm of TempestPack said:
Nyx waits while Javve, Preach and Pest step onto the ice. She watches the young sheline carefully, ready to step in and help if she stumbles but Preach seems to know to use the barrier to support herself. Feeling the fur on the back of her neck prickle, the black canine looks around, trying to find whoever may be watching her. Red eyes scan this new area for any suspicious figures but everyone is simply going about their business and having fun. Up in one of the many trees spread throughout the wintry scene of this section and the various rooms within, is a Snow Gryphon. The demoness at first thought it was a statue until they stretch their white and grey speckled wings and let their grey spotted tail dangle below the branch where they perch. Meeting their intense yellow gaze, Nyx speaks. "May I help you?"
Click to expand...
Nevermore looked down from the tree sensing that Nyx was seeing him as a Snow Gryphon “no but perhaps I can help you , get out of the cold for a night” Nevermore said while walking up to Nyx getting within smelling breath distance of Nyx “you forgot to brush your teeth” Nevermore said to Nyx.
 
"That is a minor comfort." Thrush states, turning away from the panoramic window. She makes note of Deceit's location as she pads over to join Nastiel. "What else can you tell me about this room? Is there anything worth knowing? Can the walls withstand a blast of supernova magnitude as well? Because that will certainly change things..."


Nyx cocks her head curiously at the Gryphon's offer to help her . Is this their attempt at flirting? Her friendly but cautious demeanor falls the next time they open their beak. "Q'til..." she sighs. "I am well aware of the state of my dental hygiene. Between preparing for work all morning and putting out fires when I am supposed to be off the clock, I have found no time to take care of it." Nyx shakes her pelt, adjusting how the heavy plates in her vest sit against her body. "I have yet to find a teeth cleaning station in this labyrinthine place." Aside from the scent of something sweet lingering on her breath from breakfast earlier, Nyx's teeth are as white as can be.

Sharp red eyes lock with the wide yellow ones of the Gryphon. "Now, do you have an emergency to report? Missing kin? Stolen belongings, perhaps? Or were you burning holes in my skull for no reason?"
 
Filament was busy listening to the exchange when the voice of Nastiel interrupted his thoughts. Rude, he thought but he did suppose that there were on a mission. This mission just seemed primed for someone in the group to turn into a huge irredeemable mess. With a relieved sigh once the situation had been resolved fairly reasonably, he was pulled into a quick hug which he reciprocated. After the embrace was done, he turned his umber head towards PIM, giving her a small smile. "I guess we should be heading towards our post." The tom would mew, seeming a bit uncertain on how exactly to return. He hadn't had time to properly find his bearings around this huge event space. The symphony seemed very different from his foggy memories of kithood. It had faltered dangerously on the edge of losing its magic for him and this event had only worsened that creeping feeling of a broken childhood visage.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Having been unable to locate Lula, the sun tinged tom had stopped to rest for a moment. Suddenly flooded with memories he'd much prefer remain forgotten, without the help of drugs anymore, they seemed to intrude more frequently. "I'm a psychopath." The words echoed in his mind just as they had the first time he'd thought them. Things had gone a bit too far with his family and it had culminated in the most violent of his and Schism's fights. Shaking his head of his dead mate and kits, he pulled off of the wall he'd been leaning against and attempted to ground himself as more intrusive thoughts flooded his mind. He remembered how he'd left Eden behind in a trail of vengeance that he'd failed to achieve. What a mess. It was true that he had Lula now, but what if something happened and he couldn't protect her?

With that he quickly dropped by a small stand swiping a small sixteen ounce cup of beer and downing it as quickly as he could, chasing it down with an inoffensive, if over-salted pretzel. If Lula had been present, he would hope that she wouldn't judge him too much. It had been her who had told him that he didn't have to pretend to be strong but he was uncertain just how unwavering that statement was. Everything had a limit.

He was still absentmindedly eating the pretzel when Nastiel cut off the conversation of a couple of his team and they were instructed to make their way to the suite.

Giving his face a quick cleaning with a damp forepaw, he made his way over to a holomap. It would be accurate to say that Pest was perhaps a bit dimwitted but he did have an excellent sense of direction. That was something he owed to his time in the Plaguelands and he ended up getting to the suite just ahead of Hal, who scowled when he saw the orange silhouette in front of him.

"Nastiel." Pestilence would mew briefly in acknowledgement.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At this point the bi-color tom had appointed any of Flame's family to be a bad omen and this time was no different. The tom was careful to stay behind the orange tom, trying to get a good view of where Undertaker and his entourage would be coming. This whole thing just seemed plainly ridiculous to him, they were going to have the bastard surrounded and he wondered anyone else was currently thinking the same things he was. He wasn't blind to the likelihood of another body-double or clone or some other such tomfoolery but surely any chance was worth taking when the stakes were this high. Wordlessly he got into a relaxed stance in front of Nastiel, who seemed rather comfortable in his chair. "I- We're here." The tom would report as Pest took a more tense stance, his gaze scanning the crowd. Probably for Lulalissa or Undertaker, the tom supposed.


The room seals itself? What if they gas us or something? God Ring's foolishness never seemed to be far from the forefront of just about everything they did.

"So you're saying if the demons do something, we're to be stuck in a room with Undertaker?" The tom would ask out loud, kind of surprised at how much dumber it sounded out loud.

The way Pest's ears flattened and fur ruffled when Deceit sashayed around the room didn't escape his notice.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Holly entered the room tentatively, sensing the tension that seemed to relation the previous jubilee that almost everyone had exuded before they reached this destination. Why did they have to be stuck in a room with Undertaker, she wondered, feeling her breathing coming short and fast. This most certainly wasn't going to go well.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Luther arrives shortly after, fur a bit more ruffled than when he'd arrived at the symphony outskirts. He seemed in good spirits and sparked up a cigarette on his way into the room, taking a few quick puffs to get himself energized. It was clear that he wasn't drunk but something weird had definitely happened to him in the time he'd been separated from the group. What that was however, was plainly laid before them as a guard waved him a casual goodbye from the doorway and probably nobody was surprised.
 
“I supposed so.” PIM nodded in agreement to Fil, starting towards the suite.

—

“Yeah. The walls are just as reinforced.” Nastiel replied with a confident nod, giving Thrush a quick knowing look.

“And no, Undertaker is to be stuck in a room with us. It’s mainly for our safety against anything outside the room.” Nastiel said, turning his attention to Pest for a moment.


“Symphony’s about to start.” The tom added on, pointing to the glass windows. The alert stole Deciet’s attention and the sheline focused on to windows. Behind them was the stadium in all it’s ever growing glory. The thousands of rows of seats were nearly all filled by now. In front of their suite window was a row of seats strategically placed just beneath the glass as not to block the view of any wealthy elites within while still using as much space as possible to pack in the literal millions of attendees on this level of the stadium alone. Quickly, a pawful of Mia’Moray filled in the seats as well as a pawful of black furred felines. Both of which species were carrying tubs of snacks and balancing drinks on their backs. It seemed the god-ring council was not bluffing when they said they would put the Mia’Moray and the demon empire’s designated seating areas next to each other.

“I’m telling you they don’t want that!” A voice exclaimed throughout the stadium. The voice seemed to come not just from the speakers but from the sky itself.

“No-no-no…No. They don’t want to hear music from different cultures and races from across the multiverse.” The familiar female voice said to some unseen animal. In response hundreds of animals from the stands yelled towards the stadium to the contrary of her statement.

“Wait, hold up. Did I hear that right? You guys actually want to hear music from a bunch of random animals you’ve never met?” The voice asked.

“YES!” The crowd responded.

“That can’t be right-“ the sound of flipping paper could be heard, “-No, see. Right here it says all the animals of the multiverse want to do is remain in their social bubbles and capitulate to a growing sense of distrust and enmity between themselves and others.” As the voice was talking an ocean blue, furless quadruped walked out onto the stage. She was clearly aquatic in origin and had “hair” made up of several slicked backed tentacles on the top of her head that matched the rest of her body’s dolphin-like texture. The blue alien was carrying a clipboard with one leg and looked to be reading it.

“You all still want to hear some music?” The blue alien asked, confirming officially that the voice belonged to her. She turned in a circle to address the whole stadium.

“YES!” Was the resounding response.

“Ok fine. Maybe I can buy that. But you all also want to be fed a meal from the highest ranked chefs throughout the multiverse?” The blue alien asked.

“YES!”

“How about rub shoulders with, ugh, other animals. Strangers! Animals that look different from you, talk different from you, think, breathe, even live different from you!?” The blue alien asked, checking their clipboard once again.

“YES!!!” The crowd screamed even louder this time. In place of a Jumbotron, the center of the stadium projected a 3D hologram of whatever was being filmed. It was at this point that live clips of different species chatting with one another, sharing food, hugging and so on started appearing above the blue alien. And the hologram was massive. You could probably see the images it displayed from space. As more live clips began to play, animals in them would start to point up in excitement whenever they saw themselves up there for all to see. The blue alien on stage looked up and shook her head.

“What!? B-but they’re different! Look, that one has fur! Could you imagine being covered in a bunch of gross carpet!? And look at that one, they walk on four legs instead of two! They’re so different! That doesn’t bother you animals?” She asked in faux shock.

“No!” The crowd responded.

“So you’re telling me, that all of you came here to listen to beautiful music from all throughout the multiverse, eat the best food anyone anywhere has ever made, all while mingling with a bunch of other animals that all want to do the exact same thing while sharing and experiencing other cultures? Even while reports show that we are currently in a time where species and dimensions are more hostile and distrustful of one another than ever before?” The blue alien queried, raising her clipboard up with a thumbed and webbed paw for emphasis.

“YES!” The stadium roared, erupting into cheers and white noise.

“Well then according to my data, you’re all crazy. You’re supposed to be at each other’s throats and fearful of one another. You’re supposed to be listening to all the various medias and personalities telling you that everyone else is terrible and mean and not like you and is the reason everything’s bad…Huh. Isn’t it weird then, that this year’s World’s Symphony has the highest turnout ever.” The blue girl spoke, casually walking around the stage. It was her last sentence, delivered lackadaisically and with a shrug, that earned yet another loud roar from the crowd.

“Well then, it is my honor to welcome all 77.7 billion of you crazy animals that have come here to Starworld yesterday and today for the Symphony. And it is my honor to welcome all…-“ The tentacle headed female paused and took a deep breath, “-126.9 OCTILLION OF YOU streaming this virtually…in the last 5 minutes! That’s right, in the last 5 minutes more animals have tuned in than there have been, currently are, and will ever be grains of sand on this planet. Put. Together! And we just started! Though, I know most of you only came to see me.” The alien ended with a joke that got a decent amount of laughter.

“Ha! It is my absolute pleasure to see and feel you all here! There are so many of you, the number is just too much to even think about. By the end of the day there will be more completely unique species watching this stage one way or another, than there are universes in the god-ring. And I can’t express how much that means to me. The World’s Symphony is a passion project that I joined many of my now dear friends to get started and we never thought it would get this big. If you don’t know, I am Starworld’s and everyone’s favorite weather A.I…Fye. It is a beautiful sunny 82 degrees today and I’ll keep it that way. With a light breeze coming from the east. We’ve got the God-Ring coalition running security for us up in low-orbit, Starworld police running security for us outside, and the God-Ring coalition running security for us inside as well. It’s going to be a perfect day! The chefs are busy cooking up your meals which will be given out sector by sector, in time with the music! And of course, once your sector has been fully fed the chefs will be happy to give you seconds, or thirds…or fourths……or fifths. I am a hungry A.I what can I say? They gave me a stomach upgrade 500 years ago and I’ve never gone back since. Food’s too good. Enough about me though! You’ll be seeing plenty of me between acts and I’ll also be making my rounds throughout the stadium if any of you want to chat. The species with the honor of opening the Symphony this year is none other than……The Mia’Moray!” Fye cheered, pointing to the frenz’ designated section. Applause sounded around the arena, and the Mia’Moray in front of the suite’s window went ecstatic. Just in time, Lulalissa barged into the room.

“Sorry I’m late. Got pulled into a huge conga line. I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.” Lula said rapidly, the words practically spilling out of her mouth. The alien female rushed over to the room’s window and gazed out.

“Unfortunately Frenziland itself is being blockaded by the demons so not as many Mia’Moray could make it this–“ Booing and complaints began to rise up from the crowds, forcing Fye to stop talking. The boos went on for the good part of a minute before they subsided enough for Fye’s voice to be heard again.

“No booing! That’s not what the Symphony is about! Quit the booing and put your paws, hands, mandibles, and whatever else you got together for the top voted god-ring species four years running, reigning from Frenziland! The home of the carrier cities! They’re here to wake us up, welcome to the stage THE MIA’MORAY!” Fye quickly shuffled away from the demons and put the attention back on the species in question. With one last yell Fye dematerialized into thin air and music began to play.

“Oooh, look!” Lula chirped, pointing to the stage and then into the stands beneath them in surprise. While a small choir of Frenz appeared out of fog on the stage, the main vocalists of the group were walking through the Mia’Moray and demon empire seating sections. As they went by singing, they would interact with the crowd, taking pictures, hugging, kissing, or even sitting down next to someone for a second or two all while they sang together well enough for it to sound like only one animal was singing. They didn’t only interact with their own species either. The warm and playful treatment was given to the demons as well who surprisingly weren’t as reserved as you or the Mia’Morian singers expected them to be.

“Wow.” The demon defector commented as she watched the display. While she and Lula were busy watching, the door to the suite opened and in walked the animals everyone had been waiting for. Two demon soldiers, wearing their usual all black biker-esque helmets that obscured their faces, were the first to come in. Followed by Undertaker, the submarine commander Trin, Thrush, and Hal had faced earlier, a pawful of demon civilians, and four more soldiers. The soldiers quietly aligned themselves against one wall of the room while the rest of the demons set about making themselves comfortable. The submarine commander was noticeably beaten up and had one of her legs in a sling and her wings were tied down with gauze. The civilians looked to be journalists and or family members of the three high ranking demons in the room. Though the thought of any of them being related to Deciet was hard to imagine and the sheline barely reacting to them coming in only made it that much harder.

Undertaker started to go and take a seat by the window but stopped when he spotted Holly. The tom paused, pivoted in place and then walked over to Holly. He stopped in front of her and smiled.

“…How have you been?” He asked, his smile faltering as he looked her over and spotted her prosthetic leg. He cast a long glance over to Trin to see that the red eyed tom was already looking at him from the catering table.

—

Speed stuck close to Holly while absent-mindedly staring at the demon soldiers standing across the room. They sat there quiet and motionlessly save for turning their heads to follow someone in the room. ery different from the way Nastiel and his guards had placed themselves casually about the room and seemed almost unbothered by the demon’s presence. They were purposeful in their positioning to never be facing completely away from the demons however.

—

Deciet bumped her rear against Lethe and gave him a toothy smile, having watched as much of the Symphony’s opening as she wanted.

“How are you liking the symphony ” The sheline asked genuinely while batting her eyes.

—

“Hunter, where are you?” Nastiel asked through the comms.

“…I’m not completely sure. Some kind of party venue in an avian part of the stadium.” Hunter responded after half a minute. He sounded upbeat, almost like there was a laugh stuck in his throat.

“You’re supposed to be here.” Nastiel replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Can you give me 15 minutes? There’s somethin—” Hunter asked in response.

“No. Get here.” Nastiel stated uncompromisingly.

“….Okay. Will do.” Hunter replied in an odd tone of voice.
 
Nyx curses when she hears Fye begin her speech. "I need to rendezvous with my team. Enjoy the Symphony, Serro." She dips her head to the Snowy Gryphon and with that, she strides out of the quickly emptying room. Her handler gives directions to her post when asked and the demoness navigates the bustling halls with newfound urgency.

It is just as the Mia'Moray begin singing that Nyx walks into the suite. Her fur is ruffled and she is visibly struggling to breathe slowly and quietly, like she didn't just run all the way here. She waves off anyone who approaches, assuring them that she's fine. The demoness sits against one of the walls as she recovers, not-so-subtly eyeing the drinks table.


Thrush stares ahead, Nastiel's words on repeat in her mind. Undertaker is to be stuck in the room with us. She thinks the room is too small to fight in - too populated and few options for cover. Thrush certainly doesn't forget the indestructible walls and one available exit. If something goes down and Undertaker and his entourage need to be taken care of, the civilians and all her friends would be in danger were she to take matters into her own paws. It would only take a miniscule amount of effort on her part to subdue Undertaker, Deceit, that injured demon, and the soldiers. The rest would have to be evacuated, that is, if the door isn't sealed.

She would need to be quick and precise...

No.

Last resort only. If something happens, she has her team at her side.

Memories flash in her mind, a sudden onslaught of information, feelings and sensory input.

A broken bookcase, Callista's stern voice and an overwhelming sense of shame.

Barren earth. She stands in the center of a crater that was not there seconds earlier, suddenly breathless. Off in the distance, a crumpled body with ruddy red fur. Her legs give out in exhaustion.

Deep underground - the training room of the Guardian palace. A blinding flash and an earth-shaking rumble. Ozone and smoke fill her head and sting her throat. Where once stood crates, practice dummies and unused wooden weapon racks, now lie piles of ash. Deep fractures and cracks in solid stone walls stretch from floor to ceiling of the subterranean space.

There is a vibration deep within her bones. Familiar. Exciting. Electricity prickles at her skin and makes the fur on her neck rise. Her paws are itchy. Restless. Untapped magical energy manifesting physically. All she needs to do is will it into action. Command it.

Sheer terror. Eyes and cheeks wet with fresh, hot, tears. Something nearby lurks, older than time. It gets closer. Get back! They are going to die down here. She can hear it. Circling, growing closer still. Stay away! Without light, only those like her can see it: a form that is darker than the darkest, starless night. Shifting, towering, incomprehensible. Cornered, scratching at a door that will not open. So close to freedom and yet.... She voices her fury and screams until her vocal cords give out. DIE!

That buzzing in her bones rises to a fever-pitch. Her mind screams DANGER but she hears nothing but static. She needs to get out. No, she needs to fight. The longer she waits, the more pressure builds.

Heart racing, eyes darting. A plan is put together.

You can do this. It'd be so easy to-

Thrush starts with a jolt, reverie broken by someone shaking her. She lets out a breath. Good, it's just Thistle. He says something but she can't hear it over the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. "Hvad?"

"Are you okay?" He asks, emphasizing his words. His paw has not moved from her shoulder.

It takes her a moment to process what he says but she replies, "Ja, yes. Caught in a daydream."

Apparently satisfied with her response, Thistle lets her go.

While not deafening anymore, her heart still races in her chest. Thrush takes in her surroundings and grounds herself. Right. She's in Undertaker's suite at the World's Symphony. The floor beneath her paws is warm, though not nearly hot enough to be comfortable. A pleasant, upbeat song sung by beautiful voices filters in through speakers she can't see. Eventually, her heart settles back into its normal rhythm.

It's during a brief pause in the song that she hears it: the call of a raven. Clear as day. If she didn't know better, she would've thought it came from right next to her. Thrush looks around. There are indeed no avians in the room and everyone else continues doing what they're doing, not having heard anything out of the ordinary. The ruddy sheline adjusts the straps of her holsters again and flexes her paws, making sure her claw extenders are still in place.


Just outside the massive window, a single raven feather falls, catching a breeze and disappearing into the sea of aliens below.


Thistle had done a quick headcount. The Symphony is starting and they are still missing a couple. He looks back at the door and just so happens to catch Holly's arrival. He smiles and waves but Undertaker intercepts her, blocking her view of him. Thistle's smile fades. He lowers his paw and watches the interaction.


Lethe looks back at where Deceit made contact with him. There is a noticeable streak of colors on her dress now. "Oh-! Sorry about that..." He takes a step away as to not accidentally stain the fabric any further. "The Symphony amazing ! Or, at least, the pre-concert festivities were. If my sister were here she'd ditch us and go get smashed. I can just see her, deep in her cups and challenging strangers to a fight."
 
As Filament and his companion enter the suite, the tom is immediately caught off guard by the site of Undertaker and his entourage as they take their positions in the sweet. The umber tom as is disgusted by the demons as he is intrigued by the display of the Mia'Moray to the music. Although, he would admit the sound is not quite to his taste.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pestilence has to hide a sneer. "Interesting perspective considering the situations we've been in." When Undertaker enters the room, the tom's ears fold back against his head. In all honesty, he was surprised nobody had interfered with the scum since he'd entered the room. He supposed that the tom would not act so bold as to engage his cousin if he had been alone.

He wishes to put a stop to it, but Lula steals his attention as her focus is directed on her kin, performing some kind of song. The music is white noise to him, not unlike the demon soldiers, his focus lies entirely on the the room.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hal stiffens as Undertaker and some demon cowards enter the room but he hides it by faking a chill. This could be the only chance any of them have to stop the bastard. His resolve is strengthened as the living feline shit, opens his mouth to speak to his adoptive (or kidnapped) daughter, revealing a voice that could only belong to him. Although the fact that Trin had previously used something to at the least hide his emotions and in doing so change his voice did not escape the possibilities swirling in his mind. He remains silent, considering his options but not in fact the risks involved with such a maneuver. He was confident that even if his life was ended shortly afterwards, he could kill Undertaker. His eyes remain at the glass, visibly faking interest in the concert so that it was obvious his concentration did not lie completely on the farce being performed to them.

He felt the irony in this robot's remarks. They were at each other's throats and the demon empire could be stopped right now, the power lying in the paws of the few chosen in the room, right now.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Holly recoils slightly as the calico tom approaches her, asking what would in any other time or place be an innocent question.Guilt swallows her thoughts, leaving her reeling from the invasive feelings. "Better than before." she utters softly, not just feeling guilty from his intentions but also knowing that him even talking to her makes her look untrustworthy to the others. "Why are you doing this? I don't understand how you could so selflessly love me while at the same time ruining others' lives." The she-cat would whisper so that only she, him and probably her handlers could hear although this was not her intention.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While he feels that she is distracted, Pest makes a move to the drinks table, quickly downing a shot of some sickly sweet liquor, feeling it combine with the beer in his gut to help soothe his nerves if only by a little.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Luther makes a move across the room the tom targets the huntress, his eyes scanning her saber-teeth. Decidedly forward, he dips his head in greeting before asking his query. "Why do you stay with them? You're the one piece that doesn't fit in here." The tom would add, seeming genuinely perplexed that someone of her profession would remain among such an enclave of misfits.
 
One of Lexi’s ears drooped while the she-cat turned to look at Luther.

“That is a good question…Loyalty I guess; to two of them.” Lexi said, shrugging one of her shoulders.

“The pay is better.” Lexi added on when her eyes drifted away from Luther and onto the green leather bag on her back.

—

Deciet’s entire demeanor brightened. She was expecting Lethe to be just as cold as Trin. To her delight he was not. With a wave of her tail she reassured Lethe the color streaks on her dress were no bother to her. The sheline dutifully listened to him talk.

“Yeah hehe. She would……She was a good cat. I think about that crash on Turish’s Pit a lot. Why it happened. What could of happened differently…” Deciet meowed, her tone wistful but not melancholic.

—

Undertaker sighed and closed his eyes for a couple seconds.

“Because it is the right thing to do Holly. Where is your brother?” Undertaker stated definitively before looking around the room. His voice was still as deep as it always was and his physical demeanor just as stoic.

—

“I was expecting her to be…prettier.” A whisper came from a group of three demons; one a feline a little taller than a squirrel, one strikingly similar in appearance to A’Cappella, and another looking like a leopard with a muzzle that split onpen four ways and reptilian skin littered with short sharp spikes. At first it would seem they were whispering about the Mia’Morian singers given the fact their attention was directed out the window. But further whispered comments would point to the contrary, along with the way their eyes would steal glances at Thrush from time to time. Whether the she-cat in question was looking at them or not.

“You’d think he would be dating one of the better looking females in his group.”

“Maybe she’s a pity date? She is the ugliest.”

“They won’t last. I mean, have you seen the girls in this sector of the symphony alone? He could do way better than some backwater bumpkin.”

“She just looks dirty.”

“He should—“

“Hey! Cut that out.” Trin snapped, walking across the room to the group of girls. As soon as he reached them the demon guards stood up in sync. Before you could even react one turned and shot Trin through the head, making the tom fall to the side limp and dead. One of Nastiel’s guards aimed and shot a demon guard through the head in retaliation but it was too little too late. Bullets started flying across the room with deadly accuracy killing Nastiel and his guards then one by one all of Thrush’s group members. First Nyx, then Triss, then everyone. Everyone was dead or dying within seconds. The demons’ job only made easier by the fact that the group were all on one side of the room. More demon soldiers burst in through the door and scanned over the area before marching in, their boots loud and domineering against the hard but warm floor. Streams of blood joined the gold beneath in flowing across the marble in volumes one never thought they would see. The demons that had burst into the room went around to check on the bodies now strewn against the wall. A few members of the group could be seen still breathing, either because their wounds were not severe enough or their vests had protected them. Whatever the case, it was in vain. Whether the body they were checking was moving or not the demons would coldly execute them anyway. Three evenly spaced, concise shots would ring out at the demons went about systematically eliminating everyone Thrush had come to know. And she had a front row seat to it all from her spot on the ground. Even Hunter was killed
One of Lexi’s ears drooped while the she-cat turned to look at Luther.

“That is a good question…Loyalty I guess; to two of them.” Lexi said, shrugging one of her shoulders.

“The pay is better.” Lexi added on when her eyes drifted away from Luther and onto the green leather bag on her back.

—

Deciet’s entire demeanor brightened. She was expecting Lethe to be just as cold as Trin. To her delight he was not. With a wave of her tail she reassured Lethe the color streaks on her dress were no bother to her. The sheline dutifully listened to him talk.

“Yeah hehe. She would……She was a good cat. I think about that crash on Turish’s Pit a lot. Why it happened. What could of happened differently…” Deciet meowed, her tone wistful but not melancholic.

—

Undertaker sighed and closed his eyes for a couple seconds.

“Because it is the right thing to do Holly. Where is your brother?” Undertaker stated definitively before looking around the room. His voice was still as deep as it always was and his physical demeanor just as stoic.

—

“I was expecting her to be…prettier.” A whisper came from a group of three demons; one a feline a little taller than a squirrel, one strikingly similar in appearance to A’Cappella, and another looking like a leopard with a muzzle that split onpen four ways and reptilian skin littered with short sharp spikes. At first it would seem they were whispering about the Mia’Morian singers given the fact their attention was directed out the window. But further whispered comments would point to the contrary, along with the way their eyes would steal glances at Thrush from time to time. Whether the she-cat in question was looking at them or not.

“You’d think he would be dating one of the better looking females in his group.”

“Maybe she’s a pity date? She is the ugliest.”

“They won’t last. I mean, have you seen the girls in this sector of the symphony alone? He could do way better than some backwater bumpkin.”

“She just looks dirty.”

“He should—“

“Hey! Cut that out.” Trin snapped, walking across the room to the group of girls. As soon as he reached them the demon guards stood up in sync. Before you could even react one turned and shot Trin through the head, making the tom fall to the side limp and dead. One of Nastiel’s guards aimed and shot a demon guard through the head in retaliation but it was too little too late. Bullets started flying across the room with deadly accuracy killing Nastiel and his guards then one by one all of Thrush’s group members. First Nyx, then Triss, then everyone. Everyone was dead or dying within seconds. More demons burst into through the door and surveyed the scene. Their boots loud and domineering against the hard but warm floor as they marched in. Blood joined the gold beneath in flowing across the marble in volumes one would never think they would see.

A few animals in the group could be seen still breathing, either because their wounds were not fatal or their vests had protected them. Whatever the reason, it was in vain. The demons went about the room checking the bodies. Whether or not they were moving or not, the soldiers would still fire three shots into the head of whoever they were looking over. Three evenly spaced, concise shots rang out over and over again as the demons went about systematically executing everyone Thrush had come to know. And she had a front seat to all of it from her spot on the floor. Nyx reached out in a silent plea of mercy to her assailant and was executed. Pest was stomped on while he attempted to crawl to Lulalissa before prompting being shot dead. Hunter was pushed against the wall with a gun barrel in his mouth and killed by a fully automatic burst after the first attempt to execute him failed. All while a wailing PIM tried in vain to hold close the wound in Trin’s skull. Finally a soldier reached Thistle’s bloodied but breathing from. Instead of killing him Deciet requested he stay alive to be tortured. The soldiers complied and picked him up, leaving the tom panicking and thrashing, calling out for his sister’s help as he was dragged away. Just before Thistle was carried out the door a demon soldier aimed their gun at Thrush’s head and pulled the trigger. Everything went back and all sensation ceased.

Then it all came back.

Everything flooded back in a rush, like gallons of water being shot at your face from a hose. The light, the sounds, the low humdrum of the room, the warmth of the floor, the feeling of being alive, the taste of air you didn’t realize was there until you have been without it, the smell of food and animals, all rushed back to Thrush faster than light! All after a short but terrifyingly long feeling period of it all being gone.

“-should dump her and get with someone who won’t pee in the woods and howl at the moon.” One of the three gossiping demons finished to which all three of them giggled. Proving that nothing seen before was real. Trin was still standing where he was, glancing at Thrush, Undertaker, or the window whenever he pleased. The marble floor was clear of blood, the Mia’Moray were just finishing their song, Pest had just stolen a shot and Lula was just looking back in time to see the tom moving away from the table and put two and two together. Everyone was acting as though nothing had happened and most importantly. Everyone was still alive. The only thing different than it was before the vision was that now Vasteye was starring at Thrush in all-encompassing shock. The tom ran a paw across his face and looked away but he had certainly been staring at her.

—

As the Mia’Moray song finished the door to the suite opened and in walked Purple, Bailey, and Streak, accompanied by a peach-pink crystal maned wolf with a Haven agent lanyard on. Leaving Hunter and his kits the last ones unaccounted for. Of course, Purple rushed over and hugged her dad.

“Bailey said he wanted to see his dad. And you promised we’d claw up the concrete.” She immediately informed him in a soft voice.

“We’d wh-ut?” Trin asked lightheartedly.

“It means hang out. Don’t be so old.” Purple said teasingly, then winked at him mischievously.

Bailey padded over to Holly and Undertaker and sat next to his sister with his eyes averted, not wanting to disturb their conversation. And not aware Undertaker asked for his whereabouts.
 
Lethe hums in response but says nothing more. The mirthful shine in his eyes and carefree smile disappear as he no longer thinks about the rowdy antics and toothy smile of his half-sister but the terrible events that led up to her gruesome death. Getting arrested, the ship crash, being chased by Apex Predators... Seeing those same exact monsters at Panolpy, following Deceit around like trained pets. "Yeah, me too... Excuse me." The tom mews curtly and walks away. Good mood soured, he joins those up at the window to watch the stage.


Thrush was idly listening to the ambient chatter, her focus mainly on the activity onstage. She vaguely wonders who the group of gossipping guards could be talking about until she catches one of them looking her way, gasping and quickly turning back to their friends. Oh. They're talking about her. The insults are easily shrugged off, she's been called worse. But that doesn't fly with Trin. Thrush watches as he stalks over to set them straight and-

Everything happens so quickly, Thrush can only look on in horror as her mate and friends are mowed down by the demons. Thistle, bloody and beaten but still alive, is carried away by demons. He screams and thrashes in their grasp but isn't strong enough to break free.

Not one, but three wailing voices reach her ears. Two familiar, more distinctly male and female tones layered over Thistle's panicked screams, all crying out in unison: "Thrush, help me!"

One final gunshot and the world goes black.


As if she'd been physically struck, Thrush recoils with a sharp gasp as her senses return all at once. Her breathing turns to ragged panting to match her heart that thunders in her ears again. Panic-filled eyes dart about the room, flicking to each familiar face now free of blood and bullet holes. Nyx, Lethe, Lula, Trin... Spotting the white tom, Thrush dashes over, barrelling through anyone in her way and nearly knocking the white tom off his paws as her body collides with his. She wraps her forelegs around him and embraces him tightly. Burying her nose in his mane Thrush takes in his scent, his warmth, and how his chest expands when he breathes.

"Trin, my heart! I thought I lost you!" She mumbles into his fur breathlessly, the words of her ancestral language spilling from her tongue. "I witnessed your death! I witnessed everyone die. Thank the gods you are here. You are alive. You are real. You are not dead. Alive."


Nyx looks up when Thrush crosses the room to join her mate. She casts a curious glance to Thistle, who pads after his sister. She is not reassured in the slightest when she hears him utter a string of curses under his breath. The demoness stands, ready to go make sure her friend is alright but Thistle waves her off with a flick of a paw.


"Hey, enjoy the show." Thistle mews to a couple civilian animals looking Thrush's way. Thankfully she only ran into Lexi and that detective, interrupting their conversation. "Sorry about that, Lexi." He whispers to the huntress as he passes.
 
Deciet raised a paw to stop Lethe but did not go through with it. He walked away so fast she didn’t have time to make a decision anyway. She watched him walk away while mentally kicking herself. But otherwise simply moved on. She spotted Pestilence and pursed her lips. Maybe she’s her lucky and he’d be friendly? Steeling her nerves Deciet padded over to the top.

“Hello Pestilence. Enjoying the symphony yet?” Deciet asked, giving the tom a friendly smile with pleading eyes. What she was pleading for was impossible to discern but the glint was surely there.

—

Trin was caught completely off guard when Thrush ran into him. Purple quickly sidestepped away from the two, just as shocked as her father. Without waiting for an explanation Trin hugged Thrush back with one leg. The tom glanced around the room for any threats but only saw curious eyes; eyes that were averted upon Thistle’s reassuring.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong? I only got a couple words of that.” Trin asked with a warm but concerned voice. Of course he appreciated the affection but was worried about what brought it on so…suddenly. And it’s not like he’s figured out more than a paw-ful of the words in the twin’s native language.

Lexi, her fur standing on end and tail sticking out stiff, slowly started to calm down again after Thistle spoke to her. The huntress gave him an annoyed, frazzled flick of her tail before shaking her pelt a little and putting her attention back on Luther.
 
Thistle approaches quietly, carefully listening to Thrush’s panicked speech before translating, “Witnessed death… Yours… Everyone . You are true - real ."

Thrush vaguely registers another presence behind her, their voice muffled as if she has cotton stuffed in her ears. When she finally forces herself to look and see who it is, she immediately lets go of Trin and latches onto Thistle, giving him the same spine-breaking hug. She feels the life in his lungs and relishes in the subtle vibrations of when he speaks.


The young tom wraps his paws around her in turn, can feel how his sister trembles in his embrace. "Yes, Trin's alive. I'm alive - unf - but I won't be if you keep this up..." He wheezes, patting his distressed sibling's back, more out of submission than a gesture of comfort. "What has gotten into you?”


Pulling back, Thrush relaxes her hold on her brother but still grasps his shoulders like a lifeline.


Now able to see the absolute horror in her misty blue eyes, Thistle frowns. "You said you were fine ." Getting no response, he repeats himself slowly in the old tongue.


Ears falling back, she avoids his eyes shamefully. Thrush's speaks again, a little more coherent this time, her voice soft and seemingly reluctant to share her thoughts. Her eyes dart to Deceit then to the door, staring as if expecting someone to come strolling in.


"So everyone was killed, then she calls for me to be... tortured ?" Thistle relates the important parts of Thrush's story to Trin in a hushed whisper. He chances a glance over in Deceit's direction, thankfully her conversation with Pest has her undivided attention. "Søs, no one has moved since the Symphony started."
 
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