Fantasy ▽Journey to Lost city of Vesi▽ [clsd]

[Trektek]

Magen

Magen was about to say something in response to everything that was going on when all of a sudden Anziium came in with a bunch of attendants. She was about to assume a fighting stance to try to punch their way out of this dangerous situation when they approached calmly. What was going on? Was she still being affected by that strange vision realm that she was exposed to earlier for what seemed like a lifetime for her, but only moments passed?

The mechanical woman was going to try to take things a bit more cautiously this time. After all, her rash actions earlier due to her alarmed state, had gotten them into this mess. She still felt ashamed about that. This predicament could have been avoided if she had kept her cool and not attacked the last one. So she was going to keep her calm and follow the lead of the others, at least until she had a good handle on the situation.

She was still in a confused state from the change of her surroundings. She knew it would pass in time, but it still all felt strange.​

 

[Nobody_314]

Flynyas​

Watching as the white-eyed attendant's gaze returned to being dreary, Flynyas breathed a sigh of relief as the tension of the situation faded. The group that had turned to face them returned to their duties hopefully allowing Anziium and himself time to gather the others and leave this place. This was, until the black eyed attendant approached. It was the woman from the ordering window he had ordered food from previously, but she paid no mind to him, instead blankly staring at Anziium. Flynyas looked on in horror as she grasped Anziium and began to lead him away, their ruse apparently having worked /too/ well. As they walked Flynyas followed but a few steps behind, leaving the kitchen area and in to the dining hall where the rest of the crew awaited.

When they approached their comrades, Flynny watched on as Beaux approached the black-eyed attendant blatantly and attempted to gain her attention, with no response. This woman had walked as if on autopilot, no thoughts, just a husk running on instructions driven in until they took the place of instinct. As Zephriel approached as well, Flynyas spoke aloud hoping the other's would catch on and join in with their impersonation.

"Ah yes... here are the rest. All of us have been chosen to be new additions to the attendants here at Infinite, but first we should go gather /our/ proper apparel."
He looked up at the motionless figure of the attendant who had led them out of the kitchen.
"It would not be proper for us to serve the residents in these robes, could you show us the way to the lockers or wherever else clothing and the such may be stored?"

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium​

They won’t believe that. A foolish lie that could be so easily seen through, given they knew little to nothing about these ‘people’. Their scent would be wrong, something about their appearance or aura would set them off and there would be a frenzy of a dozen mindless corpses on them in an instant. Anziium had little faith in this plan, himself, and it was all about to come crashing down with the serration of the chefs’ knives through their skin. Maybe..maybe I’ll have a moment to hand over Biel, throw myself at them so Flynyas can run for the others. I’m already suffering injuries, several lacerations won’t prove to be too much more. His thoughts weren’t pleasant ones, but he’d already made his mind up on the actions that would come next, given they had failed in this ridiculous task. Hand slowly navigating towards the lapel of his robe to release the creature, his face dropped into one of pure confusion, followed by absolute relief.

Shoulders falling, a soft hiss of breath escaped him as the grey-eyed attendants returned towards their stations, leaving the white-eyed the only one in their way of leaving. And yet, even he seemed to have believed it, or so the tiefling thought. Before he could comply with the attendants request, a cold weight pressed firmly against his shoulder, leading his horrified gaze to meet the woman’s blackened eyes. It took only a split second for him to realize he was looking at exactly what would happened if they all failed to escape this place, and the future was no pleasant. The sight of the woman’s fate sent rolling waves through his stomach, he trying his damndest not to look too hard at the destruction of the elf; he’d only be examining an animated corpse if he looked closer.

For a marionette, the woman had strength in her crippled grasp, pulling him right along although his heels dug deep within the floor. He had no desire to be drug away, but this was an unfortunate result of the magic-infused lies he’d spoken. Where she’d be taking him, he didn’t know. He only reluctantly followed, keeping his gaze forward as she led him away towards this new post. For the moment, it appeared only part of the spell had been achieved, leaving him on his own. As they stepped through the doors between the kitchen and dining area, he would only side glance at her while he listened intently to her ‘tour’. Even if he was to be separated, he might gain some useful information to be used later when he managed to sneak away from his post. From the sound of things thus far, Caywood was going to be a major barrier in their way, especially if they sought out this Miss Hoita to end the hellhole they have set up on this island. And yet if they ran into him, there was the chance they could all end back up where they started, minds nothing more than mush.

He hadn’t chosen to speak much as the woman had taken to escorting him to his new place at this paradise, but knew he must as Beaux so blatantly sauntered up to them. Turning his gaze from his accompanying attendant, Anziium forced his lips into a soft smile at his crew members. Hopefully the majority of them would see through his false actions, as their eyes gave off the impression of being deceived. Thankfully enough, the doors to the kitchen opened behind them, Flynas following in keeping up this charade of theirs.

“It does come across as improper to be tending to the residents in the incorrect apparel. As doting assistants, we only wish to provide the finest care possible. If you would be so kind to show us the way before escorting us to our posts, you’d certainly allow us to provide the best service possible. As Infinite attendants, we only wish to serve.” Anziium nodded his head, turning towards the crew as he spoke again, sweeping his hand in their direction as he willed them to follow their lead. “Isn’t that correct?”

 

[bonesbo]

JOD & BEAUX
[performance: Beaux crit 1; Magen crit 1; Zeph 7+1; Anzi nat 20; Flyn 13+1]

TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Juju Trektek

warning: fair amount of ickiness in this post

The BE attendant turned her head towards Flynyas with a sickly jolt, something sounding of a pop in her neck or shoulders. The Marionette (I will further refer to her as Mari) servant resumed her wide and forced smile of customer service. "But of course! All new attendants require official robes before meeting with Caywood for orientation where you will be given your assignment to live our the rest of your life in miserable servitude!" Her eye twitched.

Mari's head jerked towards Beaux, her hand unclasping from Anziium's shoulder and clasping together in front of her. Her grip was so tight with herself, her knuckles began to turn white, shaking in strain. "Escape?" She laughed, "There is no escape here." Her blank stare was now locked onto him. No false smile adorned her gaunt face as her soulless doll eyes looked onto Beaux. He stepped back a bit, feeling uneasy.

"But without escape, how would we find such people ready to bargain for their life? We have such a nifty system in place here," Mari spoke in a lower tone. "Everyone is a part of the circle of life done here, set by wonderful Miss Hoita. We-" She stopped suddenly and looked up after her eye twitched, forward, to nothing. "We all play our parts here at the Infinite spa!" Mari returned to the false smile, "Someone must prepare the food!" With that, she removed her left hand from her shaking white grasp and stiffly reached for something behind her. Before anyone could react, she leaped forward and jabbed a syringe into Beaux's arm. To Magen and Zephriel, one that looked identical to the syringe that the GE had in the library. Except, this contained a clear water-looking liquid within it.

Beaux screeched as he was attacked, trying to push Mari away before he was injected with the syringe. She managed to grab the arm that had the cut and apparent blood seeping from his bicep, and she injected right along the side of his forearm. Her face blank as she stepped away.

Beaux stumbled back, placing his free hand over the attack. His vision blurred before him, but unlike when he was injected before. A spell of exhaustion came over him, his mind becoming dark as everything seemed to relax. "Whyzis keep'appenin...leave me 'ere.. ell be fi-" He mumbled as his legs gave out. He fell from his useless legs, hitting his head on the side of a nearby table with a nasty dlonk before he collapsed down to the floor. He laid on the floor in an odd crumpled position, blood starting to bloom on his greying matted hair, but his torso moved with slow deep breaths. Besides the crew of Mercury and Mari, no one else was in the immediate dining area except empty shells.

Mari calmly replaced the syringe into a belt loop, hidden by her uniform top folds. It was now empty, but there were two left, filled with the same watery clear liquid.

She returned her void stare to Anziium, "The subjects often become unruly without their Glaze. All attendants are equipped with a purified form of the potion should one become restless. Different potions are used throughout the spa, different forms to suit whatever rooms they are placed in. The most effective being within the Dining room, Library, Casino. Of course, the Underlings of Miss Hoita provide the uncut poison, where it is then harvested in the kitchens, and put to use in the "Training room." She started to walk towards the exit of the kitchen in her stiff controlled form.

"I see you have already visited the Training room. How wonderful. The aromas are so pleasant in there, it erased all my worries and fears about working for an establishment as such." She gave that unsettling smile to Anziium as they exited the dining room to the Lawn.

Mari stopped as soon as they were out of the room. Her head snapped towards Flynyas, whom she had not spoken to yet. "Keep up. You have much work to do. Your reason to work is less evident. Don't let her catch you." Her eye twitched, "I can help you," It twitched again before she turned back forward, expecting everyone to follow.


As the rest exited the kitchen, immediately to their right against the door was a collapsed figure, huddled in darkness. No one noticed her until she spoke. "Magen..." She croaked. It was the Krizor girl. Her throat was partially sliced, blood seeping out. It seemed the cut just barely, strategically, missing the jugular and other main arteries. The blood covered her hands and throat and torso. She sat defeated. [Redacted]'s horns were further broken off, her ears torn, blood dripping from her eyes,nose,and mouth. She sat in a huddle of bloodsoaked robes, two emptied syringes next to her body, a third filled with the viscous blue acid taken in her shaky and blood covered hands; she threatened herself with the needle pressed against her forearm.

[Redacted] looked at Magen as Magen stopped at her name. One of her eyes was solid black, the other was a grey, but black veins pulsing and furthering their way into the grey surface. The same black veins covered her shaking arms, expanding from points on her biceps. "K-Kill me... Magen... Help... I don't want to be one of them..." There was barely anything to her voice, her wind pipe exposed and sliced. "Save me... Magen... Please... Kill me..." Her grey eye glanced to her broken off and bloodied horn near her, a jagged sharp edge to it.

Magen crept closer. She had to. She had to help. She reached out to cradle the Krizor girl gasping for air, wanting to comfort her.
In a split second, [Redacted] took the third syringe, filled with blue vile and pressed it to Magen's arm and released. The black veins in [Redacted]'s eye exploding and covering the entire surface in black, the blackness spidering up into her face as well. The blue acid immediately began to fry Magen's arm where it made contact, the metal rusting and wires sparkling out of commission as the acid melted away her exterior of her forearm. In a quick reaction, [Redacted] removed her other arm from her side, brandishing a small knife and then stabbed it into her own chest. Sputtering blackened blood from her mouth before she stilled and her head fell to the side.

Zephriel, who had been watching just at the last second, let out a shrill shriek at the sight of the bubbling blue acid melting on the Kirzor girl; mixing with her inner black gore, now spilling out where she impaled herself.
Magen stumbled backwards, the acid on her arm didn't spread, but it did considerable damage.

Some attendants around in the lawn were drawn to the shriek, even some residents. None acted, however. But they have taken notice.

Mari turned around at the sound of the shriek, unfazed. Her puppet hand went as quickly clasped Flynyas' shoulder, restricting him. She spoke without disturbance. "You see, we here at Infinite are highly trained in order to make life work as efficiently as possible with the Glaze. This include the disposal of such disturbances." Mari's head jolted towards Anziium, "Handle those two residents. Half a dose each." She pulled a syringe with the clear liquid from the hidden loop on her belt, handing it to Anziium.

 

[Juju]

ZEPHRIEL

What should she do? What could she do? Zeph watched helplessly as Mari grabbed onto Anzi and lead him towards the door, just as he had lead Zeph to the table. It made her chest tighten uncomfortably, but not only from the fear. Even if she did not like Anziium, she would never wish this upon even her worst of enemies. Yet she was frozen from fear, her legs shaking. She had to say something. Just do something. She took a breath, wanting to say something. That is when Mari pounced.

Zeph slapped a hand over her mouth, shuffling back from Beaux. It was funny how heroes could always act in these situations yet she could only watch. He crumbled to the floor like a ragdoll but she was too afraid to even move. Tears were welling in her eyes. Like a sheep, she limped after Mari when prompted to. It hurt, but she forced herself not to fall for fear of being stabbed like Beaux. She was shivering in silence, but she was powerless to hold in a scream when she saw the Kirzor girl and what she did. Magen was hurt too, the sight somehow making Zephriel feel even more frightened.

Tears were running down Zeph's face by now, her sobs muffled by her hand. Her tangled pink hair fell across her face as she bowed her head, trembling with her shoulders. All of her wings were curled around her in a last-ditch effort to defend herself. They were torn and moulted in places, only adding to how pathetic she looked yet for once she did not care. She closed her eyes shut, feeling a fresh wave of warmth flow down her face. The servant had been right. There was no escape. Even now they were surrounded.

Why did it have to end here, beyond the reach of the suns? Who knew how long she would last. Months, years? It did not matter because she would never know. Would the library send out a search vessel? She thought of Aethron, the stained glass painting his feathers with rainbows. He had given her his trust and the Tomb, both of which she had lost. There was so much left undone. She even wished she could talk to her mother one last time.

No matter how much she shook and cried, she kept herself from begging. It was a small defiance, one that admittedly took a great deal of willpower, but Zephriel was determined to keep a little bit of dignity before it was taken away.

bonesbo TheCrowKing Trektek Nobody_314

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium​

“Sounds quite enjoyable. We would be most delighted to provide service until we can no longer.” Anziium piped up, an underlying sarcasm tainting the statement as his stomach turned at the thought of what little to no time they had to plan. Upon gathering a change of clothes, and possibly their gear, they’d only be herded into meeting Caywood once more. And then what? Fall under his spell again? He wouldn’t let his uncertainty show though, as there was no room for anyone else to panic. None of the others were in the greatest mindset, and adding another to that mix was bound to cause problems.

“Isn’t that correct?” He inquired of the others yet again, his eyes willing Beaux to take his place among the girls, yet to no avail.The male was far too gone to have any lick of sense, whatsoever. Pity that charm couldn’t work wonders on that headspace of his. Within a moment of the snarky thought, the attendant had struck his arm with a syringe, pressing down the plunger to inject the foreign substance into their already mentally-absent crewmate. Outside of a small twitch in his features, he didn’t allow himself to present much outwards grief as the dead weighted body to collapse upon the floor. To quell his mounting anger, he crisply folded his hands behind his back, fingers stiffly locked as not to let him get ahead of himself. Not a secondary glance was directed Beaux’s way as he kept stride with Mari, intent on learning what exactly had just left the tip of that needle.

“Glaze?” He echoed, brows scrunching together as she brought up yet another important bit of information. If we act out, any one of the attendants can intervene and we’ll just end up like Beaux. As she continued with her explanation of their tools, his fingers flit towards the puncture wounds upon his own neck. So that’s what that that cavern’s purpose was, a shelter for their herd of sedative-providing monsters. Yet, from what he could recall, the liquid injected into the mechanic was clear, whereas that he’d experienced burned and appeared blue. If the diluted poison sedated the residents, what was the purpose of the uncut? To erase the individual’s mind? That question would soon be answered as the group navigated through the front doors of the dinning hall, only to find the remnants of the Krizor woman.

He hadn’t anticipated her to still be alive, but perhaps that would have been better than her current state. A soft statement was murmured under his breath as he averted his eyes, having wished to extend the escape to the woman. Yet it didn’t seem as though freedom would come as a trip off the island, but rather an exit from the corrupted reality she had become apart of. And although he had wished the release of Infinite to come in a different way, at the very least the Krizor woman, name completely lost as she lay dying, was allowed that. Magen’s, was well as Zeph’s final moments with the woman had certainly been justified, given what had just taken place. Therefore, he couldn’t say much in terms of the shrieks, although they brought far more attention to themselves than what they needed.

Glancing over his shoulder at the numerous attendants and residents now looking their way, he kept himself planted where he stood, praying all would succumb to their mindlessness once more. Mari had noticed the situation unfortunately, and instead of it flying over her head, she had chosen to address it head-on. Before he could protest, not that he could anyway in fear that he too would suffer the same fate, Anziium held the syringe retrieved from the attendants belt. His hand clasped the vial, eyes leaving it to focus upon the two individuals he was instructed to subdue. Zephriel and Magen. Their party would be further split, with the Hengist missing and the other three unconscious and probably taken back to ‘the training room’. But if I refuse, I’ll go with them. And attempting to fight would make it worse, we’re completely surrounded, not to mention in no shape to defend ourselves. There isn’t much choice…

Fingers curling tighter around the syringe, he detached himself from Mari to stride before the two females, a growing smile spreading across his face as he did so. It didn’t quite seem as though he was too torn about betraying the crew, not the slightest bit distraught over the sobbing Seraphi. “It will be alright soon, there’s no need to worry. As an attendant of Infinite, I will tend to your relaxation and dynamic eternal needs.” Anziium smiled widely, coming to stand directly in front of Zephriel, it clear as day that his eyes remained the lustrous bronze instead of the dead monochrome. He would move past whatever pathetic attempt she gave to protect herself, pushing aside her crippled wings with a confident hand. She had nowhere to go, no one to turn to in this moment. There was absolutely nothing she could do but accept this situation.

Her pink locks glide through his fingers as he swept it away, exposing her neck. Very briefly though, as he brushed away at her hair, she would feel a pricking sensation at the back of her neck. Anziium had in fact pricked her, the coursing of the clear liquid sure to follow as he pushed the plunger. Yet it never came. As he had come to stand behind her, his hands hidden amass her hair, he had swiftly punctured her flesh with his nail rather than the syringe. The syringe never inserted itself beneath her skin, the tip merely grazing uninjured flesh nearby, the cool liquid trickling down her back to the recommended dosage. The tiefling hadn’t turned sides, rather risking it all in this moment. Whether Zephriel realized this and acted appropriately to the situation was up to her, as it was with Magen too. The same action followed as Anziium moved to the automaton. Upon removing the syringe though, he would dab the slightest bit of the Seraphi’s blood on the end of the syringe in hopes it would appear as though he followed the command. Either she wouldn’t notice, or all would end very poorly.

With the syringe now empty, the tiefling resumed his place next to the black-eyed attendant, offering it back to her. “It is done.” He spoke. It was true, the syringe was now emptied, not necessarily into them, but he had used it. Hopefully, he had done well in positioning his hands just right. If not...he was sorry.

 

[Nobody_314]

Flynyas​

To describe the thought process in the halfling's mind, concerning the current situation:
Pros: The plan had worked, to convince Mari that Anziium and himself were to-be attendants, and they were not under immediate attack.
Cons: The plan had worked, to convince Mari that Anziium and himself were to-be attendants, and it worked /too/ well.

Flynyas attempted to guide this confrontation to something that would aid the group here, possibly spin it so they could gear up and turn on this husk of an individual before returning to their breakout scheme. In return, he got to be indirectly restrained while watching the horrific scene unfold before him. He tried his best to not look in the direction of the Krizor woman that had given her life to help them, wincing as he fought the urge not to dip in to the panicked state he entered earlier. If survival was to be an option, a level head and the ability to respond rapidly would be necessary. As Mari gave Anziium the needle, Flynny swore that his new comrade was going to spin it around and attack her when an opening presented itself. In preparation for this, Flynny held his hands behind him, ready at a moments notice to jump in for an assist in attacking. In normal circumstance, he could conjure a blade of pure flame when a physical weapon proved unavailable or inadequate (Flame Blade). Perhaps under the effects of the magic dampening present in this cave it would at least manifest as a dagger. While not fully making the motions for the spell, lest he give away the attack, he held his hands in the first form of the somatic components required to cast it.

Anziium did not attack the attendant.

Instead he obeyed, be it by magic suggestion, a change of heart, or pure hopelessness the battered and weary tiefling approached the other two members of the crew, needle of sedative in hand. Flynyas' hands tensed, loosing form for the spell, along with the rest of his body shortly following as shock and a cold fear settled deep in his gut. Anziium had leaned too far in to their ruse, or rather the truth now, as he seemed to intend to follow through with becoming a staff member of this hellhole.

Flynyas looked rapidly from Anziium, to Beaux, to Magen and Zeph, and then to the Krizor woman. He was in no position to save any of them after they had been sedated. His body would not allow him to properly be able to move any of them except for maybe Zeph, who would be the lightest. But even then he would be encumbered to the point of not properly being able to traverse the cavern.

Am I next? Should I run? Should I fight? Who should I attack first? Is the attendant the bigger threat or is Anziium?

Questions rapid fired through his mind, building and mounting in to the panic he was quickly losing the ability to suppress. He had no answer for any of them, and so he froze.

 

[bonesbo]

JOD

Mari watched as Anziium made his way over to the horror and pain filled Zephriel and Magen. She watched as the feathered girl recoiled from the new BE attendant's attack on Magen. Zephriel stumbled back right into Anziium as he approached, his face stone. But then he relaxed and met her gaze, easing some of the distress she felt earlier with his softly coloured eyes.

"It will be alright soon, there’s no need to worry. As an attendant of Infinite, I will tend to your relaxation and dynamic eternal needs.” He spoke, giving a darting sense of "oh no." Before she was reassured by his eyes and gentle movements. The pricking, and the liquid gliding (perhaps a bit uncomfortably) down her back. With that, she realised she needed to persevere in the acting of the moment. A last stiffed cried escaped her lips before she fell onto her knees in an act. Zephriel wobbled her head a bit to the sides before falling over onto her side, her arm cushioning her head while she lay on the ground and pretended to be unconscious.

As Anziium approached, Magen made an attempt to swipe out at her crew mate, seeing how he just fell one of their friends. The acid burned away at her arm, searing pain shooting and tingling all the wires and nerves she had, making her swing much less than effective. Anziium grabbed her shoulder merely to steady her before doing the same to the mechanical fighter, giving her the second dosage of the liquid serum. It trickled down the inside of her workings, feeling more uncomfortable than it did for the fleshed woman. The realisation came, and she feigned down, collapsing as Zephriel did.

Mari watched the mechanical woman, then waited for Anziium to return. She replaced the syringe to her back loop and nodded. "Resident's must be kept under Glaze at all time. Without it, they will try to escape. But Miss Hoita has so wonderfully devised a system for those that escape from her to offer their souls of course. You know this." She nodded and continued to what was supposed to be the Spa.

She led Flynyas and Anziium through what was imitated to be the spa, back to a room that was dark and cold and humid. Another cave section, but without the decorations. There was a rustic development of storage lockers, carved into the rock face. These were stuffed with what looked like old clothes and belongings to the residents. Everything was in various stages of decay, all crumpled together. Then to the side of that, bins of the Infinite uniform. In a rounded corner was an imitation of an umbrella bin, various weapons sticking out or hanging on another, on the floor around it. Lots of weapons and items on the floor. Sure enough, the crew's weapons and items were there amongst the floor clutter.

Mari went and grabbed two uniforms, handing them over. Her eye twitched as she smiled, "Weapons and magical artifacts are strictly prohibited by both attendant and resident. The gate for entrance has an enchantment to detect all sorts of those things, and sends them to here to be sorted, organised, and sent to Miss Hoita later for inspection." She clasped her hands again, knuckles white from her tight grip. "I will... Step outside. And wait. For you to change. You may leave your clothes in the wall." her eye twitched, and she left the damp cavernous room through the steel door in which they entered.


Magen and Zephriel. After the three walked away, a shot of glances was exchanged.

TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Juju Trektek

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium​

He didn’t dare turn back to view whether or not they had understood his actions. There had been a door left open for them, whether they took it and how well they proceeded to do so, would determine if they all failed the charade. If they did, not only would they be subjected to a trip to the caverns, but so would he.

Returning to rest beside the black-eyed attendant, Anziium offered her back the soiled, used syringe, his face blank as he awaited her reaction. Now facing the two female crew, he was pleased to see that either had crumpled to the ground much like Beaux had. He’d been worried Magen would not follow, due to the clear indication that she whole-heartedly assumed he was now an enemy. There wasn’t much room for error on his part, especially not giving large enough of warning before Mari suspected him. For this plan to work, he simply had to hope they’d act accordingly.

“I understand.” He nodded at Mari’s statement, confirming the understanding of the use of the Glaze and punishments that would fall to those who tried to escape. It was what had happened to her and the Krizor woman, what lie within their future if they were caught. Departing from the fallen pair to follow Mari, he flicked a knowing gaze to Flynyas, feeling the absolute confusion radiating from him. There hadn’t been much he could have done to warn him of the split-second action either, but know he needed to least there be acting out from him too. So, as they continued onwards, he very discreetly rested his hand upon his shoulder, squeezing lightly. Given the next opportunity, he’d make certain he knew he hadn’t been brainwashed like everyone else here.

Feet following the route Mari was taking the, his own worry began to grow more as they approached the Spa once more. He didn’t know what hellish experiences the other’s had been through while here, but he personally didn’t have a good time. Spas were for relaxation, and he mostly certainly didn’t get that. Taking in a deep breath, he pushed his own reluctant body forward and within the facility. They’d passed through the false pampering rooms, navigating to something deeper, a darker cavern in connection to those previous. Whereas the previous rooms attempted to give off a false sense of tranquility, this one was barren of comfort, looking similar to a demolished wardrobe. Various varieties of clothes and items littered the floor, spores of fungus sprouting atop the mass majority.

Resisting the urge to cover his nose and mouth from the scent, Anziium extended a hand to accept the folded uniform from Mari. “Of course. Give us a moment to change.” He nodded, smile still plastered upon his face, waiting until he was certain those steel doors shut behind her. It hung for half a second before he whirled around to the halfling. “Before you assume otherwise, I didn’t inject them with the syringe! Neither of them are unconscious.” Hands up in a defensive gesture, the tiefling awaited the disbelief sure to follow. “I didn’t have much of a choice, there were too many attendants watching for me to have turned on her.”

 

[Juju]

ZEPHRIEL

Zephriel couldn't believe what was happening. She feigned unconsciousness to the best of her ability, forcing her body to go deathly still. Her heart hammered against the walls of her chest, pounding so loudly in her ears it was a wonder the attendants couldn't hear it. Through her closed lashes she peered at the servants and Anziium, watching how the servants reacted to Anziium's apparent 'betrayal'. If any of them noticed that he had gone against their wishes they would all be in danger. With this in mind Zeph held her breath in anticipation, dreading any sudden movement made my the attendants. Finally the attendants turned away, leading Anziium towards a door she did not recognize. Zeph waited for a while, just to be sure, before she dared to stir. When she did she looked at Magen.

"We simply cannot leave him with the attendants!" she urged, her voice still shaky. The blue of her eyes were bright and sharp, like a cornered animal, but they flooded with concern when they fell on Magen's mutilated arm.

"Sun's mercy, you're a mess. Are you going to be alright?" the angelic woman seemed to be at a loss of words, wondering if she should ask about pain. If she was an organic creature she would be in shock or worse. Thankfully robots did not feel pain, or at least Zeph assumed they did not. She likely had sensors to detect damage, and what was pain if not that? Philosophical musings could wait. Flesh or not, looking at Magen's arm was disturbing.

Zeph stood up slowly, keeping an eye out for any attendants. She hugged herself, looking at the kitchen door. "We cannot leave Beaux behind either... but he is unconscious. Can you even carry him in your current state? Will that draw attention? What if there are more attendants still in the kitchen? What will happen when he awakes? Ah, this is terrible."

Trektek

 

[Trektek]

Magen

It was all a blur. After coming out of that strange realistic vision where she lived for an eternity with the world evolving all around her, it was even more shocking when the attendants came around. All the feelings and emotions that were welling up inside her, especially when they were being moved along and she saw the injured woman. It touched something in side of her, which led her to that deadly mistake. She let her guard down at the most inopportune moment.

The acid within the syringe started to burn away at the metals that made up her arm. The wires were fried and there were sparks. But that didn't matter to Magen at that moment. What mattered was the immense pain that she was feeling. Pain like she had never felt before. Pain that she didn't even think she was capable of feeling. Her entire arm was on fire. Part of her just wanted to scream out in pain, but she kept that inside. Any more signs of weakness here might do them all in. She needed to keep what strength she did have in her remaining arm to help them out of this situation.

The pain. The pain would have to wait. It would have to. There was no question about it at all. Even as she felt her arm become useless, she had to continue on.

Then, as quick as anything, it seemed that Anzium had turned against them all. Using the syringe on crew member after crew member while she was still in a painful daze. She was failing as their protector. She had failed. She couldn't save her crewmates, how could she hope to even save her father and sister from whatever fate had befallen them.

Magen took a swipe at Anzium in an attempt to stop him from using the syringe on her again. IN her haze, she attempted to use her injured arm, which only caused more pain. However, Anzium didn't directly enter the syringe into her. It must be all part of a ruze. That must be it. She made herself collapse in order to do her best to fool the others.

The Magen waited until the others were one and Zephriel lifted herself back up to talk to her before she did the same. "No. W..we can't leave any of the c..crew." She replied as she talked through the pain before burying iy deep down inside. There would be time after this all was over to deal with the pain. And if they didn't get out of this, there wouldn't be a need for that time anyway.

"I'll be fine." Magen stood up, with her damaged arm limp. "'ll deal with this later."

Magen moved closer to Zephriel, "I can still carry him. Even with only one arm, I'm stronger than I look."​

 

[Nobody_314]

Flynyas​

Eying not just the attendant leading him, but now also the once believed ally turned traitor, Flynyas followed the two away from the collapsed crew members. It appeared that for the time being, they did not plan to try and put him under as well. As they walked through the various chambers of the cavern, he paid no mind to the events transpiring around him. For one, he had been seeing all of this in its 'natural' state this whole time, but more importantly his focus was directed entirely to the two taller figures he walked with.

He did not know if he could take both of them at the same time, but if he had the opportunity to counter-attack one on one, that might work. Anziium was hurt, and appeared all around weakened either via the venom present in his veins or the drain from attempting to cast magics in this place. Given a weapon, conjured or otherwise, along with the tiefling's current condition, Flynyas came to the conclusion that he would survive that fight if the opportunity arose. The attendant would be another matter. Despite her ragged and injured appearance she was strong; unnaturally strong and fast at that. The woman's grip still tightly present on his shoulder despite the lack of some digits confirmed this, then followed by Anziium squeezing the other shoulder. They both had him. For the time being he could not fight nor flee.

As the entered the storage chamber, the time for thinking had ended and quick action was necessary. In the brief seconds before the attendant left the two alone in the room, Flynyas frantically darted his gaze around the room.

Is there anything in reach I could use as a weapon?

His eyes fell upon the pile of his hand-sewn garments, leaning up against the wall beside such being his second most prized possession: an intricately carved oak quarterstaff. It was his weapon of choice, the tool of destruction for many kneecaps over the past thirty odd years, and the halfling was deftly efficient at defending himself with it should any enemy come to close for offensive spells. This time it was not on his back however, it was across the room.

The attendant offered the outfits to the two, and then made her leave. His adversary stood before him, and his weapon further. He had achieved relative success casting thus far, and with no physical weapon in reach he readied to try again. Once the attendant was out the door, Anziium spun around towards him.

He knew! He knew I was going to attack at the soonest opening and is trying to get to me first!

Flames crackled in Flynny's right palm as he slid his left foot back, readying his body in what could be interpreted as a duelist's stance: weapon presented forth with the rest of his body hidden behind. Before the flames had a chance to try and materialize into a blade, dagger or otherwise given the magic-dampening present, the supposed adversary before him entered a stance of surrender rather than attack. Via clenching his fist, Flynyas expelled the sprouting flames in his hand but took a step further back in wary caution while listening to Anziium's acquittal.

He wanted to believe him. The idea of still having allies in this cavern was one that the mind desired to accept. However, truth is not always the easiest option to accept.

Still ready to defend himself at a moments notice, he voiced this concern:

"How can I believe you? I am no stranger to doing what needs to be done to survive, how can I know you are not switching to the winning side?"

 

[bonesbo]

BEAUX

As Magen and Zephriel stepped into the kitchen, the door was barely open a crack before they heard mounts of screaming and laughter coming from inside; not a second before when the door was closed. Whatever the spell, it was effective at keeping the sound contained.

The cavernous dining room was on fire. Not really. But there were large spots of oil on the floor that were ignited in a blaze. The puddles all connected to each other through thinner strands of the greased floor, creating a blotchy snake around the once wet and cold cavern that housed a dining space. The heat was intense, the smell of something burning singed Zephriel's nostril hairs more than the heat. The heat was immediate and drying, almost on a volcanic level.

Within the blazing cavern, the shells that once were souls sat aflame near the fire place, what seemed to be the source of the fire. Nothing living remained in this cave. But screams echoed from the kitchen, where more sounds of metal clattering and laughter followed. This was all unseen, due to the kitchen doors being closed.

"Get in theah! Go! Ye can't stop me! How does it feel?! BEAŚSHTCHU ÉNUUTECH RE-ETHITH GCHVU VAA'ACHETSETCH!" Beaux's voice screamed from the kitchen, followed by maniacal howling laughter. There was a clash, metal striking on metal. More specifically, a long metal pole striking series of metal pots and pans and dishes all in succession as they fell to the stone floor. Screaming from who were supposedly the attendants.

The door to the kitchen swung open, Beaux walking out. He held a bucket with one hand, filled with sloshing blue bubbling acid, flames flickering off the top, and in the other, a long metal pole with a blade at the end that was probably used for some kitchen prep of the eel creatures, as well as another bucket filled with miscellaneous objects that were hard to identify in these conditions. Some of his hair was on fire, but otherwise he seemed unaffected by the flames. As the door opened, the screams from within and smell of putrid burning escalated 10 fold. It was both burning flesh of the eels and attendants, as well as the acid; the acid was the facilitator.

He stopped only a metre from the door from the kitchen when he spotted the two. Beaux was surrounded in a ring of fire, yet his black eyes were stolid and cold. His duster was torn and tattered and covered in all sorts of stains and burns, his right sleeve completely torn off. His right arm where he was bleeding from severely, a cut up on his bicep was dripping down his maimed arm. He stared, glared at the two of his crew mates through the flames. "Go! You will leave now before I burn you alive!" He screamed, his lip curling in a snarl. It was just now the two realised how loud it was in here. The contained rock chambers echoed four-fold the roaring of the sizzling and roaring of the flames as well as the hissing screams. The gases and smells from the burning acid were nauseating. Though, he didn't seem affected.

"You will leave me! I have a debt to pay!" He yelled, his snarl turning to a smirk. He set the bucket of miscellaneous things down with a thump, then gently set down the one filled with the blue acid, he pointed the long rod, about 2 metres in length, towards the girls. They stood about 4 metres from him. "If you value your lives you will run from me! YOU WILL RUN FROM ME!" He stepped forward, his leg bumping the side of the acid bucket. A good amount splashed out, covering a square foot of the cavern floor. As soon as the acid connected with the stone, it erupted in a flame towering him, only lasting for a second before settling down into a fire near his height. It didn't touch him, but caught the edge of his coat.

Beaux began to cackle, staring at their horrified expressions, then started to laugh. While he was occupied, the door behind him opened and from within the kitchen leaped the WE male attendant. He leapt out with a knife and tackled Beaux to the ground.

Trektek Juju

 

[corvid.spirit]

It became bored.

 

[Juju]

ZEPHRIEL

Zephriel never thought it would be possible, but the smell of the cafeteria was somehow worse than last time. She quickly learned that the one thing worse than molding bile and rotted corpses was burning bile and corpses. The moment Zephriel stepped into the room she wanted to leave. Greasy smoke clawed at her nostrils, clotting in the back of her throat and making her cough and gag. Her eyes watered as she pulled the cloth of her dress, tattered as it may be, over her mouth in an attempt to keep out the fumes. One of her pairs of wings, the smallest ones located just below her shoulder blades, began to fan the air around her face.

Was Beaux here, and if so, was he caught in the flames? The image of his roasting body briefly fluttered through her mind, but she pushed it away. Squinting against the smoke, Zephriel looked to where Beaux had been and found the spot empty. She also noticed that the source of these flames seemed to be the fireplace, fueled by pools of the same disgusting goop that had filled the tankards of the dead. So it was flammable, much like oil. That also meant water may not help with this fire. Zeph glanced back at the door to the cafeteria, now closed behind them. Smothering the fires would be the best option.

Once more she looked towards the kitchens. An ungodly clamor came from it, including the easily recognizable voice of Beaux. Zeph could not make out any of his words, though she wondered if it was because he was speaking another language or just heavily contorted from the banging. When he burst out if the kitchen Zeph was both struck with relief and terror. It was all in the eyes, so cold and reflective like the depths of the sea. This looked like Beaux, but it was hardly the amphibious oaf she had come to know. The change was striking, and unsettling. It must be the effect of the drug. At least, she hoped so.

He threatened them, pointing his crude polearm in their direction and cackling like a madman when Zeph flinched away from the fresh burst of flame. Honestly, she did want to flee the scene, but Magen standing her ground gave Zeph a bit of confidence. Besides, Beaux was not the only one with a 'debt' to pay. She frowned, reminded of Anziium and that little half-goblin, left alone with that attendant. This was wasting so much time!

"Dammit, you idiotic fish!" Zeph coughed, desperately trying to come up with a plan to subdue Beaux. Come on Zeph, think! Soon enough an opportunity presented itself in the form of an attendant. They tackled Beaux to the ground, knife in hand. "Magen! Now's our chance!"

Zeph sidestepped around the puddle of flame and gingerly grabbed hold of the bucket, trying to move it away from the fight so it would not spill any further. That was her first step... but after that she would have to see how Magen was faring.

Trektek bonesbo

 

[Trektek]

Magen

What the hell was Beaux doing? Had he gone completely made? He must have considering that not only was he burning down the kitchen in an attempt to burn down the entire carverns, of which there would be very little chance of succeeding, at least to a point where it would adversely affect their captors, but that then he came right out with it and threatened them. Them of all people. They were all crew members. They spent how much time together on that ship so far? And he would dare threaten to kill them?

A deep anger was welling up within Magen. She was feeling furious. It was not something that she had felt before. Usually when she fought, there was a calm demeanor under her metal or a sense of fear at needing to keep someone safe. But here and now....here and now she was ready to knock that insane smirk off Beaux, sling him over her shoulder and find a way to free all the trapped people that exist in this place. It was the only way to insure that no other person was trapped here and put under the same torture that they were.

The huge pillar of flame had caught her off guard and so did the attendant that had lept out of nowhere and tackled Beaux. Sjhe turned to Zeph in order to respond. Her arm still in pain, but there was time to deal with that later. If they didn't act now, there wouldn't be a later.

"Right, Zeph. I'll get the lunatic."

Magen planned to charge in, knock out the attendant attacking Beaux, then knock out Beaux with her good hand and sling him over her shoulder before her and Zeph continue on their rescue mission.​

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium
​

Of course, why should he have expected anything less than hostility? A tired sigh escaped from between his teeth as he lowered his palms. It Flynyas had been entirely convinced of his act of treason, he would have blasted him the second the door closed, if not sooner if he chose to be risky about it. This meant there was at the very least a fraction of doubt.

“As I said before, I was limited on options.” Anziium reiterated, “As long as neither are too badly injured from their own encounters here, then they should be able to move freely. I’m hoping they had some sense to try gathering Beaux from the kitchens.” He was quiet for a moment, hand straying to the fabric of his robe to check on Biel. “I have no intentions to remain here.” Without another word, he turned to inspect the pile of belongings, rooting through them to retrieve their own. If Flynyas had any further doubt, now was the time to strike; Anziium’s back was turned, trading out his current robe for that of the one the attendant had given him to begin the process of hiding items within its fabric.

“Besides, you rescued me from the cavern with those beasts. I have no reason to turn against you. And...well...doesn’t that mean I owe you, or something similar? I can’t do that if you choose to kill me.” He muttered.

 

[bonesbo]

THE IDIOT

Beaux let out a crackling hiss as he was attacked by the attendant. He dropped the pole arm he held, hitting the bucket as he went down; the contents spilling over the floor and increasing the foul flames. There was a sickly crack, and Beaux cried out in pain as something in his already bloodied and weak arm seemed to snap under the sudden jolt. The WE male landed on Beaux's back as he fell forward, then shoved his head down onto the floor, about to take his knife and plunge it into Beaux's temple. Beaux grunted as his face and side was smushed down onto the jagged, cold, and now covered in acid-liquid-gas floor, trying to turn his face up and away and off as he was gasping through pain and shock.

The acid, acting as huge combustable for the sickly purple fire that was starting to grow, was exactly where Beaux landed. The spill that he caused was now where he lay, the flames licking up around him and digging their talons into his flesh. He made no noise except for the gasps as he tried to turn away, his breaths quaking from the sensation of his flesh burning.

The attendant was shoved off by Magen before he could inject the knife, grunting as he was forced back. Her force pushed him off and away, his knife swinging uselessly against her metal frame, making only a few harmless scratches onto some of her exposed metal façade. He yelped as he fell back, his head hitting the edge of a chair near the table they used previously. WE slumped down from the chair to the ground from the impact on his head.

Beaux laid on the ground, starting to push himself up with his good hand. Just before Magen tackled him too, they saw the MadMan pushing himself up, his left side dripping with the blue, frothing and bubbling acid. The skin and muscle of his left shoulder and arm seemed to drip away from his form just as much as the liquid that pulled at it. His expression venomous as he glared up at Zephirel, but only for a split second before a heavy arm whacked him upside the head. His eyes rolled and head bobbled before falling forward.

Magen caught the young creature by his left elbow before he hit the stone again, causing something to lurch uncomfortably in his joints. She shared a gaze with Zephriel before she picked him up further from the burning stone, and slumped him over her shoulder. He reeked not only of rot and burning flesh but of the eye-watering putrid stench of the acid of the eels.

The two women and unconscious Beaux exited the kitchen. Looking around to the "green", they weren't able to see directly where Mari took the lads, but Zephriel recalled something about retrieving uniforms. Although she didn't know where that would be...

Around them, everything seemed to be going as normal as it would have been 3 months ago (even though Time is Irrelevant here). To their right, the Spas, White House; across the "green": the Library, yet unexplored Privacy rooms; to their left, the disappeared gate, the bar and casino; to their immediate right, the corpse of [Redacted].

Trektek Juju

 

[Nobody_314]

Flynyas​

Embers trickling between the gaps in the fingers of his clenched fist, the wary halfling eyed Anziium. When his adversary reached for their coat he took a step back, ready for them to pull a weapon or one of those syringes out from it. However, before Flynny readied a strike, instead of a blade or needle housed within he caught a flash of orange: that strange amphibious creature Anziium keeps with him.

This along with Anziium's disarming comment, the debt of a life, allowed Flynyas to drop his aggressive stance. While it made sense that Anziium would not want to harm the other members of the crew, it also was tempting to accept any reason possible that allowed oneself to have allies in this hellscape.

I have not known these people nearly long enough for how much it is necessary to trust them... But in order to survive this my options are limited. It will take both of us to jump that attendant when she comes back. In addition it will take every able body to try and get out of here.

Flynyas turned his back as well, walking over to recover what gear he could.

"I suppose that makes sense. For now I have not much choice otherwise. Just know that as a physician I do not abide by life debts. I have merely done what is right. I do my best to prevent meaningless deaths."

This said, he dressed himself in the attendant's garb, tucking his knife and satchel underneath. Fortunately he had not brought in his large traveling pack; probably devoid of any snacks due to the nature of the creature guarding it. Upon finishing this he looked back over to Anziium, seeing if he had also finished any preparations.

"If there is anything of note to the other crewmates we should grab it now, there will likely not be a chance to come back here. Since you know them far more than I do, you should make the call as to what. We will not be able to carry it all, only what we can conceal under these robes."

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium​

"Compared to those residing here, I'd say you have much more choice than do. You can choose to not trust me now, but will regret your decision later. I have no intentions of staying in this hellish place and wish to see it sink into the sea after we are gone. The woman who helped us is dead; outside of ourselves, there's nothing left to save."

Left to route through the piles of belongings, Anziium had to blink back the darkness creeping along the sides of his vision to truly see what was before him. While there were layers upon layers of belongings, owners long since mentally gone from this world, there were a few times he could directly associate to the crew. "The book and the shield." He stated, pointing out the two objects. "If you can carry the book, I'll attempt to carry the shield on my back." Yet, as he attempted to pluck the item from the cavern's floor, the entire room began to spin. The metallic disc slipped from between his fingers as his hand shot forth to sturdy himself against the rugged wall. "No..no, I cannot carry it. In the state I'm in, there'd be no point. I wouldn't be able to move."

The tiefling merely shook his head. "Just the book and a weapon then. I cannot do much more than that." Gear aside, he was still toting his familiar against his chest, and to be frank, he didn't give much of a damn about the shield if it meant dispelling Biel. If Magen needed it so desperately, she'd have to come find it herself; he was no automaton, he couldn't carry it like she could.

After a moment to gather himself, he passed the book to Flynyas, ignoring his own shortsword for an unfamiliar dagger, instead. Tucking it within the folds of the attendant robe, he readjusted himself and Biel before turning to him. "We need to dispatch the attendant before she guides us deeper into this place where we can no longer regroup with the others."

 

[Nobody_314]

Flynyas​

Satchel tucked, knife stored, and quarterstaff in hand, Flynyas walked back over to Anziium just as the shield slipped from his grasp. As he approached he picked up his quarterstaff, using it akin to a walking stick. Hopefully if he pretended he needed this to walk, it would be acceptable to walk around with while they would disguised as the attendants.

"Trust is something I personally have a hard time with. The longer we spend working together, the more I will be willing to extend. Speaking of said possible longevity, that cannot happen if you die on me here. So hold still."

Flynyas held forth his left hand, placing it upon the center of Anziium's back. Upon his right hand the wooden ring began to glow as he traced out the constellation Ursa Major, leaving hanging dots of light in the location of each star. With the drawing of light complete, Flynyas pushed forward with the ring bearing hand and the drawing moved with it. When his hand contacted the left hand he had placed upon Anziium, he removed both hands leaving just the constellation. It flashed brightly against the tiefling's back, before fading away as the magic entered his body. (Enhance Ability: Bear's Endurance)

Despite the magic dampening, the casting had seemed to go relatively well. While this was no cure for the toxin flowing through his veins, this would strength Anziium's body to the point where it can push through its effects. If and when they got somewhere safer, a more adequate treatment could be derived. But for now, he should at least feel back to normal, if not a little sturdier.

"There you go. That should keep you going for a little bit. I would like to fully rid you of that toxin but do not have the time here. You are right, we need to rid ourselves of our guide. Let's finish gathering the necessary belongings of the other crew members and take up an ambush position. I can take the book, but as you can imagine will have little luck with that shield there."

 

[Juju]

ZEPHRIEL

Zeph let out a small scream as the three tumbled onto the ground, knocking over the bucket. She slapped a hand to her mouth, watching Beaux's face bubbling in the acid, see his arm melt away. Quickly, she turned her eyes away and tried to keep down whatever was left in her stomach. Fortunately, she had already expelled whatever was in there, so it wasn't as difficult as last time. The stench of burning flesh made her eyes water and her legs weak. She waited for a moment, and hoping the worst had passed, she glanced back at Beaux. Then, in a moment that would haunt her, she locked eyes with the mechanic. There was so much spite in that gaze, something she was usually on the opposite end of. Despite the heat she felt a small shiver trickle up her spine, right before Beaux was whacked over the head and knocked out.

Wordlessly, Zeph left the kitchen with Magen. For a moment Zeph just stared blankly ahead, her eyes wide. She blinked, seeming surprised and disoriented for a moment. Right, they had to find Anziium. Her fingers rose to her neck, fumbling for a necklace that wasn't there. She usually touched it when she was thinking, finding comfort in the smooth obsidian. Without it she felt vulnerable, somehow unstable. At least, more unstable than she already was.

Time was of the essence, even though Zeph felt strangely in limbo. Think, think. Stay calm. Rationality over emotion. Just breathe. There was no telling what had happened to Anziium and the hobgoblin. Could they have been injected with that unwholesome venom? Or worse, were they too late? Her eyes shifted to the corner, brushing the blurry outline of [REDACTED]. Immediately she shifted her eyes away, at some meaningless clump of moss below her feet. No, she couldn't think about that.

Where could they have gone to?There were many doors before them, a few leading to places Zeph knew and others into the unknown. She narrowed her eyes, recalling what she knew. They were at the kitchens, one lead to the library, where she herself had stayed for some time. There was also the casino, the white cabin, the gate, the spa, and some sort of brothel. The attendant had mentioned the need for uniforms, which cut out the library, gate, and the distant white-painted house. That left the brothel and the spa.

"They must have went to the spa." Zeph stated weakly, hoping she was right. "Stay together." As much as she wanted to sound 'authoritative' it ended up as mostly a beg.

Trektek bonesbo

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium​

“Then if you’re apart of the designated crew as you claim to be, there will be plenty of time for familiarity once we leave this place.” The tiefling sighed, not having moved from the stabilized position against the wall. He hadn’t realized it much while within the presence of the attendants, but now, whilst attempting to perform physical labors, it was heavily present. There was a brief moment in which he recoiled from Flynyas’s touch, uncertain what he might do.

“Just know, If I find a blade within my back, I will call for the attendant.” It was a fair word of warning, he thought, enough to let him know he wasn’t entirely certain of his moment of peace, either. If he was about to find himself in a puddle of his own blood, so was he. With this, Anziium remained still for the duration of the casting, comfortingly brushing his fingers over his familiar in the meantime. Whenever they found themselves back on the ship, he would attempt his best to aid the creature, but as the halfling had stated, now wasn’t the time.

After the spell’s administration took place, for the first time since being rescued from that cavern with those creatures, Anziium felt as though he could fully breathe. His chest would expand fully underneath Flynyas’s touch as he took in a deep breath, mind steading as well. The world was now stable, no longer shifting back and forth as though at sea. He’d remain still for a few moments before removing himself from the cavern’s wall.

“Much better now than before.” He exhaled softly, fingers briefly straying towards the gouges in his neck where the eel creatures had sunk their fangs within his flesh. “I’ll take the moment to forewarn you that I’m not much of a fighter, much less a spellcaster.” Shaking free that dizziness, Anziium was finally able to pick up the shield. While it was still hefty, he could manage to carry the darn thing out of here and to Magen if he really tried.

As he knelt below to fiddle with the shield’s arrangement, he continued to speak, albeit fairly softly in the case the attendant was near to hear it. “There is possibility that we can calm the woman back inside and take her by surprise. We must discourage her from making too much noise though, least she alert the others that work here. They will certainly take us back to that cavern, they did to me the first time.” While he began ushering a possible plan, he had taken a few articles of clothing from the discarded pile, ripping them into strips to tie together. Slipping the heftier ‘rope’ through the handle on the backing of the shield, he was able to fasten it upon his back, beneath the attendant’s robe he was given. A roll of his shoulders positioned it in such a fashion that it wouldn’t hinder him during the upcoming scuffle.

Now readied, with Magen’s shield upon his back, and Zephriel’s book within Flynyas’s care, Anziium was readied with the foreign dagger in hand. “Whenever you are ready, we can call the attendant back.”

 

[bonesbo]

JOD & BEAUX & JOD

Juju
From the horrific events that took place, the two girls and the unconscious lad made their way from the burning kitchen; a fuse slowly burning down. Although shaken, Zephriel took the lead of the two to exit out into the drab landscape where she pondered and calculated how to find her crew mates. Spa. Yes, that rung a bell. She pointed to the right of Steel Woman and herself to the room that was labeled with a now-known-poisonous-striking purple and pink flowers and rope sign of "SPA". She entered, immediately feeling a rush of relief as she spotted a familiar appearing one white-horned black tiefling. She rushed over to the man in listening to a crowd, once again reassured they might survive.

Zephriel rushed forward, grabbing the shoulder of the tiefling she though to be a sight for sore eyes.

As she was about to spill her words and describe what Beaux had done, the tiefling turned. He looked at her with one grey eye and the other white. He had a giant scar running from the top of his head down to his cheek, where then his lower jaw was unaligned and out of socket... like someone split his head with an axe of some sort. This was not Anziium. He turned on her with ghastly eyes, his jaw askew, a slight whispering moan escaping from his maw.

Zephriel stepped back, taken in surprise that this was not who she suspected. A hand clasped her shoulder, a strange warm chill extending from that point. "My my my. So the whisperings *are* true. My angel has fallen." Zephriel first saw the shoes: spotless black and white oxfords. She looked up, meeting the swirling black gaze of Caywood, with his perfect mahogany skin and perfect white hair and beard and perfect white teeth; the symbol etched into the skin on his forehead slightly pulsing in the red center. Charming, alluring, enticing. Seeing him again made Zephriel's heart flutter, her mind melting under his gaze and body loosening under his touch. The sensation of wanting to follow him and drink in every word and ever action of his came over her once again.

He started with his tongue in her language, "[My pink angel], what's with the rush? What is with the fret? All is safe and warm here." He was bent for his face to be level with hers, but then stood up as he removed his hand. With a smooth gesture, he brought forth his other gloved hand from around his back, on it perched a perfect pastry cake. Zephriel's mouth began to water; she hadn't eaten properly in what felt like an eternity, not to mention throwing up twice now. "You must eat, I insist, my darling. I must assure that you enjoy your time with us for Infinite. You mustn't worry about fitting in here, you are all welcome. This is regardless of your past failures of shortcomings in life. We will accept you. You benefit us, and we help you, young... disgraced one..."

She felt herself reaching towards the appetizing pastry cake, a small pull of her mind screaming at her to stop.

Trektek
As Magen stepped in to the spa, Zephriel immediately rushed forth into the room. Magen was bearing a flopping Beaux over her shoulder, and although she could carry him with her good arm, it did slow her movement. He was also putrid smelling and dripping with acid. Magen watched as all activity in the room stopped. They entered immediately into some sort of reception common room. Here, most of the attendants in their robes were gathered around in a crowd; a majority grey eyes but some with white and a couple with black; most of their backs to the entrance. A tall slim man stood at the center of attention, his face full front with the entrance door, his back to the hallway that lead further in. Oh... Him... A cog of recognition whirled in Magen's mind as she saw Caywood, the shifting-swan warlock. Dressed in the same elegant and crisp outfit that he had on the surface... It all seemed very distant at this point.

Caywood was speaking to the crowd, his hands clasped in front of him as he was instructing the attendants. She only caught a small bit before Zephriel interrupted, "...-thin your stations. Commanded. Pay keen attention to those who are not exhibiting signs of the Mist. Report to me imm-" That is when Zephriel grabbed the one-horned tiefling's shoulder. Magen was able to see as all heads of the attendants' turned immediately towards Zephriel. So much for stealth.

The crowd gently parted and remained quiet as Caywood pushed through them all, then laying a hand on Zephriel's shoulder. Merely seeing him brought a warmth blossoming within Magen's chest, but her mind knew better. He wasn't aware of her presence, therefore, she wasn't effected. Zephriel, however, was in direct conversation with the warlock.

Magen felt locked in place, although Beaux felt naught. The pain of the acid snapped him from unconsciousness, the hit only knocking him out for a couple seconds. His head snapped up, his mind coming into a stinging clarity. Realising he was in Magen's grasp, he squirmed and then slipped out, falling to the floor with a thud. The noise of his movement caused Magen to shift around in attempt to contain him and shush him; her metal bodice work clanging and clicking as she moved.

The ruckus of Magen brought Zephriel's attention out of Caywood's charm, she looked over to see Beaux backing away furiously from everyone in the room, bearing his jagged shark-like rows. "Stay away from me! The lot of ye!" He hissed, cowering into a corner and holding his severely injured arm. His one good eye at the moment took a moment to furiously survey the room, "Where the hell are we?!" Magen and Zephriel took a moment to survey the room as well. With decor like an abandoned psych ward, this was the Spa. One of two; alas, Zephriel rushed into the wrong one in her haste. The Spa that contained Caywood and not Flynyas nor Anziium.

Caywood could see that his charm was lost for the moment. He straightened himself and clasped his hands together in front. "My my. All of you. This is quite unusual." He glanced to each of the three, the pendant attached to his lapel humming in sync with the pulsation of the tattoo on his forehead and exposed wrists.

Beaux didn't like this attention. Everyone was staring at him... Soulless eyes... Suffocating him... Burning him... His pointed fingers dug into his raw muscle, trying to keep himself from entering another delusional state. A GE attendant near him began to approach, slowly, holding his hands out for Beaux to stop. Beaux spat a curse at him before launching forward and tearing the ragged and long black cloak from this creature. He put it on himself, pulling the hood far over his eyes and shoulders around his now burning form.

GE was about to pull a syringe from his back loop when Caywood put his hand out, "Quite unnecessary. These are special guests." GE stopped and complied.

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TheCrowKing Nobody_314

When the two nodded at each other for confirmation, they opened the door to the supply room and stepped out. Standing immediately to the right with her back against the wall, Mari stood as a lifeless propped doll. Her soulless black eyes stared at nothing, her body precise and stiff from whatever spell she was under but disconnected from her mind. The two boys announced their presence and her head more or less lifted up, as if she was being powered back up. Nothing but her head turned towards them. "Fantastic. You look splendid." Her eye twitched. She made no mention of the added weapons and tools. "I have been informed of your posts. Please follow me. You shall both be in the library. Two of our attendants could no longer serve, and have joined Miss Hoita in their cessation." Her head clicked back into place.

 

[TheCrowKing]

Anziium
​

With the indication that Flynyas was ready, Anziium offered back his own nod before proceeding to disperse any tension within his form before approaching the door. If there was one thing he could do quite well, it was dampening his own thoughts and feelings to present a seemingly disinterested outer expression. In the short time it took him taken him to reach the door, his shoulders were no longer tense, relaxed despite the weight resting upon them. His face was calm, free of the concern that so deeply lingered within his mind; actually, it was closer to being as blank as the stone walls that surrounded them. And with any suspicion now gone from his features, he pushed open the doors that led back into the hallway.

Not having been certain where she would be waiting for them, Anzi had slipped the dagger within his right sleeve, keeping it out of sight and readied to slide down the length of his arm the moment he’d needed it. Coming within sight of the woman, it didn’t appear as though she sensed anything to be off about them. Good, it will make it easier for us to catch her by surprise, Anzi thought to himself, slipping free a small smile at her comment.

“Splendid. Although I do have one question about our upcoming position-” With the clear intention to catch her off-guard, the tiefling took the split moment to release the hidden blade from within his sleeve. The handle of the dagger slid within his grasp, whipping about with the intended location to be that of her left flank. Unfortunately for him, Mari wasn’t as slow and dimwitted as they had originally assumed. In a split second, she had grabbed hold of the arm holding the dagger, squeezing tightly upon his wrist. A grunt of muted pain sounded from him as she squeezed mercilessly, forcing him to release the dagger as he was slammed against the cavern wall. A growl sounded from deep within his throat at the clearly audible cry from within his robes at the contact with the rough wall. Now, he wasn't so much angry that he had been caught in this situation, but rather the noise of pain sounding from his already ill familiar. Anziium's teeth ground together at the sound, his anger having reached its peak at that particular moment.

"I'd hate for you to take action!" He spat at the halfling, voice a bit muffled as his cheek pressed against the rocky surface. Without further warning, he took the element of surprise and whipped back his spinned tail to connect with her figure. The dense appendage found its target, knocking her back enough for her grip to loosen and he slip free. From the point of contact, the barbs along his tail had clearly torn holes in the fabric of her robe, just the faintest bit of blood seeping through. It wasn't enough to seriously harm her, but he was now able to reposition himself, snatching up the blade for a secondary slash. "Help would be GREATLY appreciated!"