Oblitus Magia: Verse 1 - Fateful Encounter in the City of Fools

[Tami]

"No, I'm going to stall the witches, buy enough time for the civilians AND the rest of us to get out.....I don't plan to die here." Ange stared straight ahead, , then shot a side glance at the Saint. "If this is too close to the razors edge for you....you can help the civilians get down. Think of it like another escort job."

Considering his options, Saint looked from her up to the Witches, then back again, "Pass. If I can't help one of my best customers survive, my future employment prospects are bleak anyway." He wasn't sure how much help he could be, but his instincts were telling him to stay and so far they haven't let him down.

Standing up again, Matthias' attention was drawn to those still outside, on this side of the bridge and on the other side. Glancing back towards the terminal, he looked through the open doorway towards the Elevators to see how any have evacuated and how many were still waiting for their turn.

Then he turned his attention to the Witches. It appeare that they were not targeting civilians, yet any action that happens could place civilians n danger. The easiest Solve for this would be for En and the rebels to collect Mulvrik and leave, but he doubted the Witches would permit that. So right now, there is a stalemate of sorts.

Then he factored in the uncertainty issues, like the two women from the prison who had no problem taking out the guards and did so without hesitation. Have they left? Or will they fight the Witches? If they do, will it be to everyone's advantage, or will it just enrage the Witches more and risk endangering others? Are there others as well who are crazy enough to pick a fight with Witches, or will they try to escape?

As his mind quickly considered these questions, he also considered escape routes. Hopefully, nothing will happen until the Civilians are safely down to the ground level and out of the terminal. As for the rest, unless En has an alternate plan, using the elevators to escape isn't likely the best idea.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Owen nods, closing his head eyes.

“Vivianne Acasta, high class daughter of a high end A-11 family. Cold, superiority complex, manipulative. Never met her personally, only saw her from a distance at a few social functions. Good at reading people, bad at expressing.”

He shakes his head.

“The other is a sadder tale. Meryl Seifer was an abused child living in the slums. I tried to find enough evidence to convict her parents, get her to a safer place, but the Administration swooped in and ‘adopted’ her after her parents sold her away. One of my greatest failures. I heard she burned their house down with them still in it after she was promoted to a high position. She was timid and shy, but I’ve heard she actively seeks to aggravate people she confronts and is rather...aggressive and boisterous now.”

“The duo work often and well together, from what I’ve heard, though the relationship is twisted and more a sadist and masochist. If at all possible, I would like to try and talk Meryl down if it comes to it.”

[MrSandman]

The silent murmur of the gathered souls were finally drowned with the striking to two delicate hands. Casually, almost deliberately, Vivianne floated in through the shattered terminal doors..clapping her two hands together to draw attention. She made no attempt to hide or approach, or defend herself in any obvious method....but Owen could see the magic swirling around her. Invisible to the naked eye.

"You've done quite well for yourself En.....graduating from petty thief and ruin incitement to property damage, kidnapping and terrorism." Vivianne claps her hands together again, slowly. "I hope it was worth it....Grey Ghost."

In the back, Ange grit her teeth and muttered under her breath. "Quit talking out of your ass..."

As if she could read lips, Vivianne mouth curved into a smug condescending smile. "Vulgar.....but that's expected from a unhygienic tomboy inbred."

With a causal shrug of her shoulders, Vivianne motioned the large tome at her side and opened it. The eye on the cover blinked and her finger traced down the page.

"Administratum Law, Chapter 4, Verse 11. All instigators of ruin, including any who follow them, any who associate with them and any to whom show empathy, kindness and mercy are guilty, or as guilty,a as the sinner whom they serve." The book snaps shut, and Vivianne puts a finger to her lips. "Grey Ghost, you are guilty of crimes against the Administratum....and thus any who willingly assist your goals, through action or inaction....are guilty as well. Do you understand?" She spoke, not to Ange, but to the entire collective room and everyone in it.

"Over a hundred people.....held in fear by a paltry gathering of country bumpkins. It almost feels like none of you even care that your being held against your will.....that is.......quite telling, unless of course I'm mistaken....and you've all simply been waiting for the right moment to take your captors unaware......surely you don't want to be prisoners......"

The Rebels in the back shuffer hesitantly, glancing back at the civilians who are switching their gaze between them and the witch. A haze of tension begins to slowly build around them.

Meryl, many would noticed, was not at her side....and in fact, seemed nowhere in sight.

[Tami]

The silent murmur of the gathered souls were finally drowned with the striking to two delicate hands. Casually, almost deliberately, Vivianne floated in through the shattered terminal doors..clapping her two hands together to draw attention. She made no attempt to hide or approach, or defend herself in any obvious method....but Owen could see the magic swirling around her. Invisible to the naked eye.

"You've done quite well for yourself En.....graduating from petty thief and ruin incitement to property damage, kidnapping and terrorism." Vivianne claps her hands together again, slowly. "I hope it was worth it....Grey Ghost."

In the back, Ange grit her teeth and muttered under her breath. "Quit talking out of your ass..."

As if she could read lips, Vivianne mouth curved into a smug condescending smile. "Vulgar.....but that's expected from a unhygienic tomboy inbred."

With a causal shrug of her shoulders, Vivianne motioned the large tome at her side and opened it. The eye on the cover blinked and her finger traced down the page.

"Administratum Law, Chapter 4, Verse 11. All instigators of ruin, including any who follow them, any who associate with them and any to whom show empathy, kindness and mercy are guilty, or as guilty,a as the sinner whom they serve." The book snaps shut, and Vivianne puts a finger to her lips. "Grey Ghost, you are guilty of crimes against the Administratum....and thus any who willingly assist your goals, through action or inaction....are guilty as well. Do you understand?" She spoke, not to Ange, but to the entire collective room and everyone in it.

"Over a hundred people.....held in fear by a paltry gathering of country bumpkins. It almost feels like none of you even care that your being held against your will.....that is.......quite telling, unless of course I'm mistaken....and you've all simply been waiting for the right moment to take your captors unaware......surely you don't want to be prisoners......"

The Rebels in the back shuffer hesitantly, glancing back at the civilians who are switching their gaze between them and the witch. A haze of tension begins to slowly build around them.

Meryl, many would noticed, was not at her side....and in fact, seemed nowhere in sight.

One Witch, the other apparently vanished. Matthias was just outside, but not too far from Ange. From his vantage point he used his talents to Seek out the missing Witch, the red one.

[Yun Lao]

The silent murmur of the gathered souls were finally drowned with the striking to two delicate hands. Casually, almost deliberately, Vivianne floated in through the shattered terminal doors..clapping her two hands together to draw attention. She made no attempt to hide or approach, or defend herself in any obvious method....but Owen could see the magic swirling around her. Invisible to the naked eye.

"You've done quite well for yourself En.....graduating from petty thief and ruin incitement to property damage, kidnapping and terrorism." Vivianne claps her hands together again, slowly. "I hope it was worth it....Grey Ghost."

In the back, Ange grit her teeth and muttered under her breath. "Quit talking out of your ass..."

As if she could read lips, Vivianne mouth curved into a smug condescending smile. "Vulgar.....but that's expected from a unhygienic tomboy inbred."

With a causal shrug of her shoulders, Vivianne motioned the large tome at her side and opened it. The eye on the cover blinked and her finger traced down the page.

"Administratum Law, Chapter 4, Verse 11. All instigators of ruin, including any who follow them, any who associate with them and any to whom show empathy, kindness and mercy are guilty, or as guilty,a as the sinner whom they serve." The book snaps shut, and Vivianne puts a finger to her lips. "Grey Ghost, you are guilty of crimes against the Administratum....and thus any who willingly assist your goals, through action or inaction....are guilty as well. Do you understand?" She spoke, not to Ange, but to the entire collective room and everyone in it.

"Over a hundred people.....held in fear by a paltry gathering of country bumpkins. It almost feels like none of you even care that your being held against your will.....that is.......quite telling, unless of course I'm mistaken....and you've all simply been waiting for the right moment to take your captors unaware......surely you don't want to be prisoners......"

The Rebels in the back shuffer hesitantly, glancing back at the civilians who are switching their gaze between them and the witch. A haze of tension begins to slowly build around them.

Meryl, many would noticed, was not at her side....and in fact, seemed nowhere in sight.

In the distance, Sigourney saw one of the witches departed for the terminal and the growing crowd suggested that she was confronting someone... most likely the rebels and the remaining prisoners. Placing her hand against the lukewarm Tekeli-li, she strained her eyes trying to gather more information only to realize that the second witch had not followed. Her blood ran cold as her eyes quickly returned to the area where both had been, only to find the red one was no longer anywhere. Her body tensed, fighting the urge to tremble as her mind raced through countless possibilities, much of which were that she had been discovered.

She and Tekeli-li were ill-equipped to fight off a witch of such power, but they might just have to soon enough.

[grampagen]

Owen nods, closing his head eyes.

“Vivianne Acasta, high class daughter of a high end A-11 family. Cold, superiority complex, manipulative. Never met her personally, only saw her from a distance at a few social functions. Good at reading people, bad at expressing.”

He shakes his head.

“The other is a sadder tale. Meryl Seifer was an abused child living in the slums. I tried to find enough evidence to convict her parents, get her to a safer place, but the Administration swooped in and ‘adopted’ her after her parents sold her away. One of my greatest failures. I heard she burned their house down with them still in it after she was promoted to a high position. She was timid and shy, but I’ve heard she actively seeks to aggravate people she confronts and is rather...aggressive and boisterous now.”

“The duo work often and well together, from what I’ve heard, though the relationship is twisted and more a sadist and masochist. If at all possible, I would like to try and talk Meryl down if it comes to it.”

Hearing the detective lay out the Witches' dossiers, Kinu continued stooping upon her perch over the walkway as she lowered her head in contemplation.

"...so like every partnership, there's a weak link, fuh fuh fuh..." For better or for worse, it seems red is my lucky colour today.

"Hmm...you think you can sweet-talk the authority? It sounds like these two prefer making statements instead of contracts," she glowered. "Sometimes it ain't a matter of being heard when you're competing with the loudest voice in the room."

Something Kinu herself had a particular interest in.

The silent murmur of the gathered souls were finally drowned with the striking to two delicate hands. Casually, almost deliberately, Vivianne floated in through the shattered terminal doors..clapping her two hands together to draw attention. She made no attempt to hide or approach, or defend herself in any obvious method....but Owen could see the magic swirling around her. Invisible to the naked eye.

"You've done quite well for yourself En.....graduating from petty thief and ruin incitement to property damage, kidnapping and terrorism." Vivianne claps her hands together again, slowly. "I hope it was worth it....Grey Ghost."

In the back, Ange grit her teeth and muttered under her breath. "Quit talking out of your ass..."

As if she could read lips, Vivianne mouth curved into a smug condescending smile. "Vulgar.....but that's expected from a unhygienic tomboy inbred."

With a causal shrug of her shoulders, Vivianne motioned the large tome at her side and opened it. The eye on the cover blinked and her finger traced down the page.

"Administratum Law, Chapter 4, Verse 11. All instigators of ruin, including any who follow them, any who associate with them and any to whom show empathy, kindness and mercy are guilty, or as guilty,a as the sinner whom they serve." The book snaps shut, and Vivianne puts a finger to her lips. "Grey Ghost, you are guilty of crimes against the Administratum....and thus any who willingly assist your goals, through action or inaction....are guilty as well. Do you understand?" She spoke, not to Ange, but to the entire collective room and everyone in it.

"Over a hundred people.....held in fear by a paltry gathering of country bumpkins. It almost feels like none of you even care that your being held against your will.....that is.......quite telling, unless of course I'm mistaken....and you've all simply been waiting for the right moment to take your captors unaware......surely you don't want to be prisoners......"

The Rebels in the back shuffer hesitantly, glancing back at the civilians who are switching their gaze between them and the witch. A haze of tension begins to slowly build around them.

Meryl, many would noticed, was not at her side....and in fact, seemed nowhere in sight.

Picking up the folded chair before her, Kinu looked back and forth. One witch. Where's the other one...?

Immediately she cast her view suspisciously to the open glass roof.

"You're up," she said to Owen. "I'll watch your back."

And if little Meryl wants to talk, I'll set up a little sit-down as well.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Owen panned his Odin’s Eye and Identify around, looking for Meryl. He was at half usage now, on his pre-cog. Hopefully it would last long enough to matter. He nods to Kinu.

“Wish me luck.”

With a sigh, he steps forward, doffing his hat to the Witch.

“Madame Vivianne Acasta, an honor to meet a Witch of such renown.”

He places his hat back on his head and smiles amicably to her, leaning on his umbrella.

“Forgive my tardiness in replying, but you just interrupted peaceful negotiations we were having so none of the innocents caught in this attack would be harmed further.”

[The Dog]

The silent murmur of the gathered souls were finally drowned with the striking to two delicate hands. Casually, almost deliberately, Vivianne floated in through the shattered terminal doors..clapping her two hands together to draw attention. She made no attempt to hide or approach, or defend herself in any obvious method....but Owen could see the magic swirling around her. Invisible to the naked eye.

"You've done quite well for yourself En.....graduating from petty thief and ruin incitement to property damage, kidnapping and terrorism." Vivianne claps her hands together again, slowly. "I hope it was worth it....Grey Ghost."

In the back, Ange grit her teeth and muttered under her breath. "Quit talking out of your ass..."

As if she could read lips, Vivianne mouth curved into a smug condescending smile. "Vulgar.....but that's expected from a unhygienic tomboy inbred."

With a causal shrug of her shoulders, Vivianne motioned the large tome at her side and opened it. The eye on the cover blinked and her finger traced down the page.

"Administratum Law, Chapter 4, Verse 11. All instigators of ruin, including any who follow them, any who associate with them and any to whom show empathy, kindness and mercy are guilty, or as guilty,a as the sinner whom they serve." The book snaps shut, and Vivianne puts a finger to her lips. "Grey Ghost, you are guilty of crimes against the Administratum....and thus any who willingly assist your goals, through action or inaction....are guilty as well. Do you understand?" She spoke, not to Ange, but to the entire collective room and everyone in it.

"Over a hundred people.....held in fear by a paltry gathering of country bumpkins. It almost feels like none of you even care that your being held against your will.....that is.......quite telling, unless of course I'm mistaken....and you've all simply been waiting for the right moment to take your captors unaware......surely you don't want to be prisoners......"

The Rebels in the back shuffer hesitantly, glancing back at the civilians who are switching their gaze between them and the witch. A haze of tension begins to slowly build around them.

Meryl, many would noticed, was not at her side....and in fact, seemed nowhere in sight.

Selma scowled as she crept closer, keeping Vivianne in sight while looking for the partner who'd come with her. Not knowing where an opponent was was always something to be concerned for, because if you couldn't see them then you couldn't see what they were doing. And Selma knew that was bad, because she often employed that very tactic using Shadow Sneak.

Taking a deep breath, she let her 'Sixth Sense' free, feeling out the emotions of those around her. The rebels were tense, agitated, and even afraid. There was someone who seemed, for lack of a better term, intense. Hate, fear, anticipation, Selma couldn't really tell what the person was feeling, just that it was intense whatever it was. She'd have to keep tabs on whoever that was, just in case.

The witch before her seemed to be feeling contempt toward the rebels, and quite a lot of it if Selma's Sixth Sense was to be believed. She kept sensing out any other strong emotions, looking particularly for those feeling strong negative emotions toward the rebels, since that was most likely the missing witch.

[bruceleegreyhulk]

Rhea finds a tagged locker with Jacob's name on it and opens it up. " Bingo there they are. Now to take these back to Jacob," Rhea said. Rhea grabs Jacob's weapons and quickly hurries back to Jacob's location.

[MrSandman]

In the distance, Sigourney saw one of the witches departed for the terminal and the growing crowd suggested that she was confronting someone... most likely the rebels and the remaining prisoners. Placing her hand against the lukewarm Tekeli-li, she strained her eyes trying to gather more information only to realize that the second witch had not followed. Her blood ran cold as her eyes quickly returned to the area where both had been, only to find the red one was no longer anywhere. Her body tensed, fighting the urge to tremble as her mind raced through countless possibilities, much of which were that she had been discovered.

She and Tekeli-li were ill-equipped to fight off a witch of such power, but they might just have to soon enough.

Briefly, Sig catches sight of something moving on the roof of the terminal....but its too far away for her to pick up who. She'd have to get closer for that.

One Witch, the other apparently vanished. Matthias was just outside, but not too far from Ange. From his vantage point he used his talents to Seek out the missing Witch, the red one.

Picking up the folded chair before her, Kinu looked back and forth. One witch. Where's the other one...?

Immediately she cast her view suspisciously to the open glass roof.

"You're up," she said to Owen. "I'll watch your back."

And if little Meryl wants to talk, I'll set up a little sit-down as well.

Both gazes were drawn skyward, where the flash of something red passed overhead.

~~~

Above them, Meryl was humming a energetic tune as she danced across the narrow metal beams and unbroken glass.....Her steps landed without so much as a vibration in the material, or a crack of glass. It was almost as if she had to weight to her at all, a blood phantom in the wind.

Finding a spot next to the cracked window, the woman crouched down...balanced on the edge while trailing her finger along her sword edge and passing her view over the crowd.

[Tami]

Briefly, Sig catches sight of something moving on the roof of the terminal....but its too far away for her to pick up who. She'd have to get closer for that.





Both gazes were drawn skyward, where the flash of something red passed overhead.

~~~

Above them, Meryl was humming a energetic tune as she danced across the narrow metal beams and unbroken glass.....Her steps landed without so much as a vibration in the material, or a crack of glass. It was almost as if she had to weight to her at all, a blood phantom in the wind.

Finding a spot next to the cracked window, the woman crouched down...balanced on the edge while trailing her finger along her sword edge and passing her view over the crowd.

Moving inside the Terminal, Saint calls loudly to Ange and those around her, "Heads Up!" As he spoke, he looked up to the glass roof where Meryl was, focused his TK, and pushed the glass upward beneath her making sure none of the shards landed inside.

[MrSandman]

Owen panned his Odin’s Eye and Identify around, looking for Meryl. He was at half usage now, on his pre-cog. Hopefully it would last long enough to matter. He nods to Kinu.

“Wish me luck.”

With a sigh, he steps forward, doffing his hat to the Witch.

“Madame Vivianne Acasta, an honor to meet a Witch of such renown.”

He places his hat back on his head and smiles amicably to her, leaning on his umbrella.

“Forgive my tardiness in replying, but you just interrupted peaceful negotiations we were having so none of the innocents caught in this attack would be harmed further.”

"Futile Flattery.....quaint." Vivianne smile was cold, even with the amusement tinging her voice. "But I arrived just in time then.....As my records go your an unstanding member of society, mister calliburn." The witch tilted her head a grinned. "It would be a shame if you had did something foolish like....negotiate with terrorists. Or tell them lies....like they having a position worth negotiating. They are ruinous instigators....they will be punished. The only variable that remains undecided is how many innocents they will take with them."

"So.....as someone on the side of justice......where on the line do you really stand, mister caliburn?"

Owen would feel magic, something vague and undefined tugging at the edge of his mind.......who was right and who was wrong. It was so obvious, wasn't it? The one who kidnapped and keep these people as prisoners......the ones stealing them away for who knows what purposes......The rebels....

[MrSandman]

Moving inside the Terminal, Saint calls loudly to Ange and those around her, "Heads Up!" As he spoke, he looked up to the glass roof where Meryl was, focused his TK, and pushed the glass upward beneath her making sure none of the shards landed inside.

The moment the force begins to push up on the glass, Meryl.....pirouettes off the glass, over the hole in the roof and lands with a twirl of hair and a smug humming tune on the next pane. Her foot slides along the glass and she chuckles aloud.....then tilts her head over the edge a mockingly blows a kiss down to saint.

[Tami]

The moment the force begins to push up on the glass, Meryl.....pirouettes off the glass, over the hole in the roof and lands with a twirl of hair and a smug humming tune on the next pane. Her foot slides along the glass and she chuckles aloud.....then tilts her head over the edge a mockingly blows a kiss down to saint.

Matthias turns away from the Witch on the roof, then turns to Owen, "Do not trust them, but if you can, make sure the civilians can be set free." He then looks to Ange before stepping back.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

"Futile Flattery.....quaint." Vivianne smile was cold, even with the amusement tinging her voice. "But I arrived just in time then.....As my records go your an unstanding member of society, mister calliburn." The witch tilted her head a grinned. "It would be a shame if you had did something foolish like....negotiate with terrorists. Or tell them lies....like they having a position worth negotiating. They are ruinous instigators....they will be punished. The only variable that remains undecided is how many innocents they will take with them."

"So.....as someone on the side of justice......where on the line do you really stand, mister caliburn?"

Owen would feel magic, something vague and undefined tugging at the edge of his mind.......who was right and who was wrong. It was so obvious, wasn't it? The one who kidnapped and keep these people as prisoners......the ones stealing them away for who knows what purposes......The rebels....

He tilts his head to the side.

Madness Maze.

“You know me, I’m flattered. Knowing my file you must know then that my mind is not....easily played with. Mother taught me better than to have weak thoughts. According to Article 3, Section 2, Paragraph Seven of Civilian Rights and Regulations, attempting to play with the mind of a duly appointed representative of the law is a crime. I qualify last time I counted as a licensed Private Investigator and Police Consulter. You wouldn’t be breaking the law yourself would you, Madame?”

He lookss up.

“Madame Meryl Seifer, perhaps you’ll be more willing to talk. We do have history, you and I.”