Ruins of Khazan - Part 1: All Things Among Fallen Leaves

[Nik Hasta]

Possibly Ella was so assertive with this other robot because it seemed ready and willing to take orders, and also seemed like it's processor or memory banks were partly corrupted. She really wasn't much of a computer person, despite having used them before. Technopathy sure would be a handy power to have right about now, but alas, she'd never gone through with the cyborg surgeries necessary to acquire it back on Axallia.

Nemo eyed the others, not wanting to interrupt what seemed a serious discussion, but not wanting to speak for them either, as to plans. "Well, a Waypoint sounds interesting, but I'm not quite sure where we're headed. Towards the Great Tree seems the most natural, but I'm not sure how set we are on it." She looked to the robot. "Do you have any information about what it points to? Or is it just a general signal?"

The robot pauses, for longer than it has done previously Nemo notes. Slowly its arm raises at points, not to toward the great tree - where Nemo herself feels a magical tug compelling her to go there, but instead toward the heart of the massive spatial distortion that lay some distance from them. Buildings and entire streets drift through the air in a spiralling pattern, occasionally being warped or twisted as if they are momentarily being viewed through a fun-house mirror.

The robot speaks.

"[WAYPOINT] is [<**FILE_NOT_FOUND**>] ... but ... <bleep> ... this unit detects from the hierarchical position of it within associate filing super-structure that it is of paramount importance. This unit must, eventually, go there. Assistance can be offered, that is a prime directive but <...> [<**LINGUISTIC_MODEL_LIMITED**>] at a time in the future, this unit will be <...> compelled to [<**pRoGraM_cOrruPtING**>] ... choose. This unit must <...> choose. Choose to go to [WAYPOINT],"

The arm lowers and the machine turns to look, though it has no eyes, back at Nemo and Ella.

"[TEMPORARY_ESCORT_PROGRAM] has been engaged. This unit will <***your**coming**with**us...before**you**start**o ffering**assistance**to**the**next**brute**that**w anders**through***>" it says, once again spitting out a recording or reconstruction of Ella's words from earlier. And with that it makes ready to leave.

[Nik Hasta]

Kinu laughed to herself as if there were some private joke in her mind as Trevor slowly came around.

"You're getting it, there's a pecking order to this business, and our first step to rising to the top starts there," she declared, punching her right hand into her branded left. "Who knows, maybe even a little beastie like this one can manage to do a little good, yeah?"

Just lke that the critter sprung to life and began moving. With every step, she felt the pulse raise in the veins of her hand; when she closed her eyes, she could almost...feel, where the thing pointed its nose at. Skittering paws meant it had found something back the way they came.

"Great, it's found our prey, heh heh heh..."

Then, clapping Trevor firmly on the back, she ruggedly bid him forth. Nudging him ahead draped before her shoulder, playfully she set the kid between herself and the hellhound.

"And I wager you got some skills, too." If he heard it same as me, why else would he be here, unless it's some kinda sick joke? "Walk with me, you might learn something."

Trevor still looks nervous, both at the hellhound leading the way but also Kinu's physical proximity. His eyes keep flitting to the raw brand that now rests on his shoulder and back to the demonic dog. He's skittish but he's ultimately swayed by Kinu's charisma and easy-going attitude. After a small moment of nervous indecision, he replies.

"No such skills as you Mistress, nor any of the others here," His eyes glance over to Jane with her mechanised body and her skeletal drone at this comment, perhaps considering if he would class what Jane can do as 'skill' or something more, "Like I said to Ser Krys. I growed up on farm work and I know my way around butchering animals. I've been through... well... not as big as all this here but I climbed a wizard's tower and got by his guardians to try'n save my sweet one Tildy and - well and all the rest of the ladies in the land. But I got caught, right at the end, and then he - he sent me here so... I dunno if I achieved much of anything. My boys are all captured and - and I know that thousands of lives get shorter every moment I delay but... I'm - I'm keen to help and I know it's an imposition for me to ask all yous to help me save my lands when - I mean, Miss Jane's got all kinds of stuff going on and..."

He looks squarely at Kinu, the wanderer from the wasteland, perhaps wanting to distract from focusing too much on his own problems and responsibilities.

"I'm sure you've got friends back home who are relying on you? I wager a person as... well... striking and strong who talks so good must have a whole crew on her side. Are you also on a mission to help people, Mistress Kinu?" he asks.

[Sharkerbob]

Before departure:

The robot pauses, for longer than it has done previously Nemo notes. Slowly its arm raises at points, not to toward the great tree - where Nemo herself feels a magical tug compelling her to go there, but instead toward the heart of the massive spatial distortion that lay some distance from them. Buildings and entire streets drift through the air in a spiralling pattern, occasionally being warped or twisted as if they are momentarily being viewed through a fun-house mirror.

The robot speaks.

"[WAYPOINT] is [<**FILE_NOT_FOUND**>] ... but ... <bleep> ... this unit detects from the hierarchical position of it within associate filing super-structure that it is of paramount importance. This unit must, eventually, go there. Assistance can be offered, that is a prime directive but <...> [<**LINGUISTIC_MODEL_LIMITED**>] at a time in the future, this unit will be <...> compelled to [<**pRoGraM_cOrruPtING**>] ... choose. This unit must <...> choose. Choose to go to [WAYPOINT],"

The arm lowers and the machine turns to look, though it has no eyes, back at Nemo and Ella.

"[TEMPORARY_ESCORT_PROGRAM] has been engaged. This unit will <***your**coming**with**us...before**you**start**o ffering**assistance**to**the**next**brute**that**w anders**through***>" it says, once again spitting out a recording or reconstruction of Ella's words from earlier. And with that it makes ready to leave.

"That looks like a perfectly safe, not at all hazardous destination where many fun and relaxing times are to be had," said Rae confidently. "It's a shame we're already booked for the forestry tour!"

"I know not where this journey is headed, but we very much appreciate the help," said Nemo. "If we can facilitate your return later on, we will do what we can."

"Look, bunny, just because you see a quest marker doesn't mean you have to add it to your list," said Rae, flopping on her head with a huff.

"Sorry. Force of habit. Still, favor for a favor is fair play."

"I guess."

"I will emphasize no promises, though," said Nemo. "We do not know what lies ahead."



After departure:

Trevor still looks nervous, both at the hellhound leading the way but also Kinu's physical proximity. His eyes keep flitting to the raw brand that now rests on his shoulder and back to the demonic dog. He's skittish but he's ultimately swayed by Kinu's charisma and easy-going attitude. After a small moment of nervous indecision, he replies.

"No such skills as you Mistress, nor any of the others here," His eyes glance over to Jane with her mechanised body and her skeletal drone at this comment, perhaps considering if he would class what Jane can do as 'skill' or something more, "Like I said to Ser Krys. I growed up on farm work and I know my way around butchering animals. I've been through... well... not as big as all this here but I climbed a wizard's tower and got by his guardians to try'n save my sweet one Tildy and - well and all the rest of the ladies in the land. But I got caught, right at the end, and then he - he sent me here so... I dunno if I achieved much of anything. My boys are all captured and - and I know that thousands of lives get shorter every moment I delay but... I'm - I'm keen to help and I know it's an imposition for me to ask all yous to help me save my lands when - I mean, Miss Jane's got all kinds of stuff going on and..."

He looks squarely at Kinu, the wanderer from the wasteland, perhaps wanting to distract from focusing too much on his own problems and responsibilities.

"I'm sure you've got friends back home who are relying on you? I wager a person as... well... striking and strong who talks so good must have a whole crew on her side. Are you also on a mission to help people, Mistress Kinu?" he asks.

~~"All the ladies of the land?"~~ Rae whispered in Nemo's ear, vibrating the little string for a private convo only they could hear. ~~Uh-oh, we might have an isekai harem protagonist on our hands! Unfortunately, I think you missed out on the coveted First Girl slot.~~

~~It isn't isekai if the adventure is on his homeland~~ Nemo whispered back. ~~Also, he's a child, so don't even think about pulling any fan-service jokes.~~

~~Relax, bunny, even I have some ethical standards~~ muttered Rae.

Nemo spoke out loud. "Trevor? I know Rae and I make you uncomfortable. I understand your caution, and I apologize for the imposition. But we all are what we are. I'm not expecting you to trust us by the end of this journey, but if you do change your mind about us, we would be happy to help you, too, if circumstances allow for it."

"What did I just say about picking up new quests?!" Rae huffed, flopping on her head again. "You're a Questomaniac! You've got OQD: Obsessive Quest Disorder!"

"I like having things to do," said Nemo flatly.

[Sharpandpointies]

OOC - I have no idea how to do the introduction with Ella, so I'm going to assume that Nemo simply gave names.

In pursuit of the hound, Krys takes a moment to muse over the newest additions to their little group, however long it stays together. Ella, Nemo had named the young woman, but nothing for the mechanoid. Her bodyguard? Servant? They know little to nothing about Ella, outside of her appearance, and similarly her companion. She was managing against the hounds...wasn't terribly worried, either. And how did she get atop the pillar? I missed that. So she can handle herself? Maybe? But how?

Many questions.

"Ella?" Krys finally calls out. "If things go badly, can you and your friend protect yourselves?"

Still jogging, they consider Jane's query as their eyes scan the terrain ahead, mapping out possible obstacles. "I don't think so," they finally state, though their tone is thoughtful. "I expect..." Their lips pull together, tightening as Krys vaults over a fallen column, then dekes around the scree of a collapsed wall. "Look, I think getting out of here while dealing with Nekro is likely to be the work of a lifetime. Maybe a short one. In the face of that, I don't think I can make plans." The dry air burns in their throat, in their lungs, and Krys coughs once, wiping their mouth with the back of their hand. "Wouldn't be prudent; I need to focus on this place, on Nekro." Their tight lips twist into a lop-sided grin. "That's going to take everything we have, I feel."

There's a fallen lamppost, propped up - under it, over it? Krys goes through it instead, somehow past it in a flicker of missing frames.

Better tell her the truth, as well. Their hitching breath pushes out a sigh. "So...well, you know I've spoken about being elsewhere, different. There was an existence where I understood how all of...this -" a gesture at their own body "- ..ends. I can't remember the details, now, but I know it's not peacefully." One hand - a crimson smear across its back - rises again, gripping their bone-white hair and tugging for a moment. "And I'm a cracked vessel," they whisper, "leaking water."

Rallying, Krys glances to Jane and washes it all away with a shrug. "So no plans for the future, really. I'll see what tomorrow brings. Yourself? Assuming you break free of Nekro?" Another grin, this one more relaxed. "No assigned targets, no Deathgod...what does Jane do then? Like Trevor, you have a land to which to return?"

Their voice raises slightly. "Trevor, you've got bravery and the willingness to step up and do something. That's more than most."

[Postmania]

Jane looks over at the odd duo as Krys pitches their voice to them.

"I believe the more mechanical one of the two technically has some combat capacity, however it also seems to have no true survival instinct or reflexes," she remarked thoughtfully. "Something seems damaged about with its software and processing units."

Jane's mouth tightens for a moment.

"Difficult to watch."

Krys' next words cause Jane to consider the path ahead for a moment.

"Truthfully, I had not thought quite as far as that," she admits. "As you mention it," Jane frowns for a moment. "I have only ever been focused on a mission to mission basis. It is all that's been required of me in my time with the Facility. And-" here her voice quiets somewhat, "it is also the only way that I could function since I've left. Otherwise, the prospect of dealing with something as all encompassing as a god, something I could never solve by simply shooting in the head..."

She shakes her head.

"I mentioned the future here because this place seems to suit you," she remarked wryly, thinking about Krys passing around, or perhaps through the lamppost. "This city is strange, but so are you, and in a similar seeming manner. Even amongst this odd cell which I find myself in, somehow," she remarks, looking around with bemusement.

"Regarding ends though..."

Jane falls silent for a moment, contemplating Krys' explanation of future events.

"I suppose what you have said lies in wait for you is not too surprising. We are all strange here, but it would likely be stranger than any of us if among this group we met ends that were not found in some for of combat. I certainly find it hard to chart a path towards such a gentle end for myself. However, I have met those with the ability of future sight before. The Facility found it very useful to retain some talent in those areas. They were able to see many glimpses of what was to come, including their own deaths, as you mentioned. For me, although I never was sure about the exact origin of this sensation," Jane shrugged. "That always seemed to be one of the worst paths to live. Knowing the nature of your failure, and yet never being able to turn from it. Perhaps it is better you do not retain all details there."

Returning to the original conversation, Jane's tone picks up for a moment.

"I only brought this up originally because. well. regardless of how this all ends.."

Multiple images of watching her own hands move independently of her will flash through Jane's mind, and a voice so deep it rattles her surroundings pierces through her-

"I doubt that it ends with Nekro eliminated. Even if it were possible, such an action would not end the need for a God of Techno-Death, and unfortunately," Jane shook her head. "As the Avatar of Techno-Death, the mantle of godhood would doubtless pass to me. An unpleasant occupation in my eyes. As mentioned, gods in my multiverse are many, and their existences are fraught with competition. An existence of being forced to be concerned with recruitment, planning, and monitoring other deities to maneuver for advantage is not my desire."

Jane pushes aside the remnants of a pillar in her path as she walks, letting the multiple small rock sections making it up to fall to earth and settle.

"So, if you were staying here, it is unlikely we would meet again anytime soon," she concluded.

"After leaving, however, well, the Lab is the only home I have ever known and it is no more. But," Jane's tone turns toward a more musing note, "This does call to mind an earlier memory, of a creature I could not kill, and the strange sensations I had during that hunt. Before I do a full summary, however..."

Jane directs her robotic toned voice toward the Mysterious Robot now, seeming somewhat bothered as she continues to catch glimpses of it.

"Are you in need of assistance? Your systems seem in need of maintenance based on your performance so far."

[grampagen]

"Thrive," echoed Jane thoughtfully. "Interesting word to use here. Do you intend to stay here when, if, this all gets resolved?"

They do seem acclimated to the impossible geometries of a place like this.

"Well, I'll be glad to have you for as long as I must remain here."

Jane then nods as Kinu mentions SkullSeeker.

"I must apologize for my somewhat ill advised rushing off," she calls to the warrior as Kinu and her newfound pet began to head off. "Usually I prefer a slower approach."

True to her words, as the group begins to move she simply opts for a walking speed, which with her enhanced movement puts her somewhere around near the rear of the pack, by Krys.

As she walks off she glances back in the direction of Nemo, Rae, and the two new arrivals, before continuing her sweep with her more rear guard attentiveness, confident the others will be able to respond to any threats, and more importantly, that she will be able to Reach Out and touch anything from a distance if necessary.

With an arm wrapped around Trevor, Kinu turned for a moment to exchange a look Jane - and for a second cranking the kid to one side as she shifted. It seemed that whatever switch or mechanism had exposed the inner workings of their mechanical comrade had since reset itself, and her more familiar countenance had been reformed.

"And why'd you be sorry for that," she smirked, "that's the name of the game."

The overcast rain under the stars seemed to carry a shadow over her. Wine-red figments blot from her lips with every word.

"You don't move to claim the kill, then something else will...ha ha ha..." In an instant the bloody trail was gone. "Question is, d'you make your move to get there before something bigger gets there, or reach the top yourself? Your eyes look like they're always peeled, yeah?"

Just like the little Skullseeker.

"The big beasts eat the littler ones, fangs, claws and jaws, and that's that. Except for the cleverer ones."

Trevor still looks nervous, both at the hellhound leading the way but also Kinu's physical proximity. His eyes keep flitting to the raw brand that now rests on his shoulder and back to the demonic dog. He's skittish but he's ultimately swayed by Kinu's charisma and easy-going attitude. After a small moment of nervous indecision, he replies.

"No such skills as you Mistress, nor any of the others here," His eyes glance over to Jane with her mechanised body and her skeletal drone at this comment, perhaps considering if he would class what Jane can do as 'skill' or something more, "Like I said to Ser Krys. I growed up on farm work and I know my way around butchering animals. I've been through... well... not as big as all this here but I climbed a wizard's tower and got by his guardians to try'n save my sweet one Tildy and - well and all the rest of the ladies in the land. But I got caught, right at the end, and then he - he sent me here so... I dunno if I achieved much of anything. My boys are all captured and - and I know that thousands of lives get shorter every moment I delay but... I'm - I'm keen to help and I know it's an imposition for me to ask all yous to help me save my lands when - I mean, Miss Jane's got all kinds of stuff going on and..."

Feeling the slight twitches as would befit one nervous, lost boy, Kinu's attention turned back to Trevor, clamped under her left arm, nudged into her pace.

"Growin' and farm work," she repeated. "Y'know, I know a bit about pluckin' apart my meals myself."

As the boy continued, her ears were glued to his words, even as skittish as the delivery was. When he mentioned the wizard's tower, Kinu's eyes, previously held in captive hunger after the path of the Hellhound before them, seemed to soften along with the bloody smile.

"Ahh...heh heh heh...! Ain't got nothing but a knife and he's takin' on wizards! Cut past their whole stable! And when he got caught the wizard would rather cast him out instead of trying him!"

Rearing her head back, strangely bright laughter left Kinu and carried into the stretch of alleyways, along with the hollow thud of her clapped on Trevor's back.

"You heard him, the kid's a survivor! The last of the Farmland Boys, hah!"

He looks squarely at Kinu, the wanderer from the wasteland, perhaps wanting to distract from focusing too much on his own problems and responsibilities.

"I'm sure you've got friends back home who are relying on you? I wager a person as... well... striking and strong who talks so good must have a whole crew on her side. Are you also on a mission to help people, Mistress Kinu?" he asks.

The raucous laughter gradually began to thin to a muffled choking sound, as if swallowed behind a cruel smile. Kinu narrowed her eyes, beady amber looking back at the lost boy...not in mocking, exactly but something else, writ in thin, weeping red lines over her pale face.

"Talkin' well ain't a gift, anyone can do it if they mean what they say, yeah? Pretty cheap stuff, if you don't really believe it. Better have the guts to live by what you say you do."

Leaning inward, she craned her arm over behind his neck and shoulders.

"Think of any ferocious beastie. They know what they are. Over the prairie or in the pond, it doesn't matter, they don't eat their own kind, then spit out words to try and make it make sense, they just know." The smile frayed into a blood laced snarl. "But where I come from...where I come from, the worst of the dumb animals were the Witches, Wizards and Magi."

"Little warlords and amazon queens, wannabe gods and idols, they'll ruffle their feathers and bark and spout off. That's a display, same noise as jackals or vultures. When someone else pins 'em and bites back...you get the picture, yeah? The way the Witches spoke their magic words their spells twist up the way things are. They make their nonsense a fixture. They built walls and called it civilization because it started with little changes like turning tin into gold, water into fuel, until the people the Magi lorded over didn't notice they were penned in, thinking the magic was meant for them while they were prepped for sacrifice."

Kinu seized a handful of Trevor's shirt near the collar, and squeezed her hand so tightly the knuckles popped as she continued to ramble.

"Then all of a sudden, what don't make sense, that's the law, a civilized game played by undisputed champions. But take it from me, the best way to get a wizard to doubt the power of his words and forget his magic...is to fold him like a chair. I know it, they...knew it. So did a whole lot of us who just wanted to live."

As the embittered words left her, a fracture split upwards upon Kinu's porcelain cheek.

"But when things have gone too far, when there's no way to figure it out and make things make sense again...there's no winning."

[MrSandman]

The robot pauses, for longer than it has done previously Nemo notes. Slowly its arm raises at points, not to toward the great tree - where Nemo herself feels a magical tug compelling her to go there, but instead toward the heart of the massive spatial distortion that lay some distance from them. Buildings and entire streets drift through the air in a spiralling pattern, occasionally being warped or twisted as if they are momentarily being viewed through a fun-house mirror.

The robot speaks.

"[WAYPOINT] is [<**FILE_NOT_FOUND**>] ... but ... <bleep> ... this unit detects from the hierarchical position of it within associate filing super-structure that it is of paramount importance. This unit must, eventually, go there. Assistance can be offered, that is a prime directive but <...> [<**LINGUISTIC_MODEL_LIMITED**>] at a time in the future, this unit will be <...> compelled to [<**pRoGraM_cOrruPtING**>] ... choose. This unit must <...> choose. Choose to go to [WAYPOINT],"

The arm lowers and the machine turns to look, though it has no eyes, back at Nemo and Ella.

"[TEMPORARY_ESCORT_PROGRAM] has been engaged. This unit will <***your**coming**with**us...before**you**start**o ffering**assistance**to**the**next**brute**that**w anders**through***>" it says, once again spitting out a recording or reconstruction of Ella's words from earlier. And with that it makes ready to leave.

"Well...tagging along will be better for the both of us. In the meantime maybe you can run some diagnostics all those memory errors you have? More importantly.....Do you have a name I can call you? A designation even?" Ella asked with a cheery smile. "You can call me Ella, or rather I insist you call me Ella...Solid Light construct sounds too artificial."

"Seems we've got another lead," said Nemo. She bowed to Ella. "I've pledged to follow this group for the time being. You are welcome to join us."

"Of course we're coming." Ella turned and motioned for the name pending robot. "Just...if you see a rat, please let me know. A brown rat, with a bit of white fur around the eye."

In pursuit of the hound, Krys takes a moment to muse over the newest additions to their little group, however long it stays together. Ella, Nemo had named the young woman, but nothing for the mechanoid. Her bodyguard? Servant? They know little to nothing about Ella, outside of her appearance, and similarly her companion. She was managing against the hounds...wasn't terribly worried, either. And how did she get atop the pillar? I missed that. So she can handle herself? Maybe? But how?

Many questions.

"Ella?" Krys finally calls out. "If things go badly, can you and your friend protect yourselves?"

Ella, at a swift walking pace, quickly acknowledges the question and jogged up closer to the front of the group. "Yes, I can't answer for my friend...but as long as you tell her to stay out of danger she can fly and move fairly fast. You just need to be a bit specific with what you say."

Gesturing towards herself, Ella continued. "and me? I've had my fair share of scuffles as they say. Drunk patrons, Overzealous Fans, The occasional Loanshark. I'm well equipped to handle any occupational disturbance your likely to come across. That being said...." The orb in Ella chest seemed to turn its optics backwards while her body continued to face ahead. "I'm not exactly a combat type....I can, however, assist with repairs and simple medical needs as required. I can also cook, clean, perform magic tricks, run tax calculations, perform local mapping, take care of pets, entertain and play therapist as needed. The...last one is still in beta..."

[Sharkerbob]

"Of course we're coming." Ella turned and motioned for the name pending robot. "Just...if you see a rat, please let me know. A brown rat, with a bit of white fur around the eye."

"A friend of yours?" said Nemo with a smile. "I will certainly keep an eye out!"

[Nik Hasta]

"That looks like a perfectly safe, not at all hazardous destination where many fun and relaxing times are to be had," said Rae confidently. "It's a shame we're already booked for the forestry tour!"

"I know not where this journey is headed, but we very much appreciate the help," said Nemo. "If we can facilitate your return later on, we will do what we can."

"Look, bunny, just because you see a quest marker doesn't mean you have to add it to your list," said Rae, flopping on her head with a huff.

"Sorry. Force of habit. Still, favor for a favor is fair play."

"I guess."

"I will emphasize no promises, though," said Nemo. "We do not know what lies ahead."

As they begin to leave, following the hellhound, the robot replies.

"This unit will go to [WAYPOINT] once current duties have been fulfilled. Assistance from [PARASITISED_LAGOMORPH] <and/or> [HARD_LIGHT_CONSTRUCT] would improve probability of arrival given [<DATA_PROCESSING>] nature of this locale,"

It walks with them, moving in a way that suggests that bipedal walking is not wholly familiar to it. There is some odd jerkiness and a lack of stability to its movement that it makes no attempt to correct nor comment on. It feels almost procedural, like it is refining its process of walking moment to moment with no frame of reference for what conventional human movement is meant to look like.

"As [PARASITISED_LAGOMORPH] says <***I**will**emphasize**no**promises**though***We* *do**not**know**what**lies**ahead***>" the machine says, spitting out a rough reconstruction of Nemo's own words to her.

"Well...tagging along will be better for the both of us. In the meantime maybe you can run some diagnostics all those memory errors you have? More importantly.....Do you have a name I can call you? A designation even?" Ella asked with a cheery smile. "You can call me Ella, or rather I insist you call me Ella...Solid Light construct sounds too artificial."

The machine turns to look at Ella, twisting its whole upper torso to do so as it continues to walk, apparently it does not require to look where it is going to maintain forward motion.

"Designation update; [HARD_LIGHT_CONSTRUCT>{***rather**I**insist**you**c all**me**Ella***}]" it says, once again using a reconstruction of Ella's own voice to communicate. "This unit has no designation in this context. As it is [DETACHED_FROM_CORE_SERVICES] any prior designation exists in <context of/relation to> [PRIMARY_FLEET] therefore it cannot be employed. Please supply suitable designation,"

As they continue to walk, the machine does not break its gaze from Ella as it awaits her response.

Jane directs her robotic toned voice toward the Mysterious Robot now, seeming somewhat bothered as she continues to catch glimpses of it.

"Are you in need of assistance? Your systems seem in need of maintenance based on your performance so far."

The machine does not look at Jane, its apparent focus still fixed on Ella, but it does reply to her. Jane, similar to Ella, notices that behind the translation effect of the city they are walking through, the strangeness and complexity of the code that this machine speaks in. It is wholly alien to her. While both Jane and Ella are highly complex and elegantly designed artificial intelligences, there is something about the way this machine seems to be operating that suggests an entirely different set of parameters, values and processes of logic behind it.

"This unit is programmed to provide assistance where required. Access to [WAYPOINT] will be attempted with [PARASITISED_LAGOMORPH] <and> [HARD_LIGHT_CONSTRUCT>{***rather**I**insist**you**c all**me**Ella***}]. Further assistance with this parameter sought and welcome. This unit is functional,"

[Nik Hasta]

The raucous laughter gradually began to thin to a muffled choking sound, as if swallowed behind a cruel smile. Kinu narrowed her eyes, beady amber looking back at the lost boy...not in mocking, exactly but something else, writ in thin, weeping red lines over her pale face.

"Talkin' well ain't a gift, anyone can do it if they mean what they say, yeah? Pretty cheap stuff, if you don't really believe it. Better have the guts to live by what you say you do."

Leaning inward, she craned her arm over behind his neck and shoulders.

"Think of any ferocious beastie. They know what they are. Over the prairie or in the pond, it doesn't matter, they don't eat their own kind, then spit out words to try and make it make sense, they just know." The smile frayed into a blood laced snarl. "But where I come from...where I come from, the worst of the dumb animals were the Witches, Wizards and Magi."

"Little warlords and amazon queens, wannabe gods and idols, they'll ruffle their feathers and bark and spout off. That's a display, same noise as jackals or vultures. When someone else pins 'em and bites back...you get the picture, yeah? The way the Witches spoke their magic words their spells twist up the way things are. They make their nonsense a fixture. They built walls and called it civilization because it started with little changes like turning tin into gold, water into fuel, until the people the Magi lorded over didn't notice they were penned in, thinking the magic was meant for them while they were prepped for sacrifice."

Kinu seized a handful of Trevor's shirt near the collar, and squeezed her hand so tightly the knuckles popped as she continued to ramble.

"Then all of a sudden, what don't make sense, that's the law, a civilized game played by undisputed champions. But take it from me, the best way to get a wizard to doubt the power of his words and forget his magic...is to fold him like a chair. I know it, they...knew it. So did a whole lot of us who just wanted to live."

As the embittered words left her, a fracture split upwards upon Kinu's porcelain cheek.

"But when things have gone too far, when there's no way to figure it out and make things make sense again...there's no winning."

Trevor is clearly quite shaken at the strength of Kinu's reaction, an adult suddenly displaying so much emotion at a question he asked clearly associated with him having spoken out of turn. Kinu also notes a slight look of confusion at the wording of 'fold him like a chair' but he pushes that aside and leans closer to whisper to her.

spoilers:

"Mistress Kinu," he says, "That one with the talking clothes, Nemo and her demon. She is some sort of a witch. They're acting like we can trust them but like you said, those with that kind of awful power only want more of it. I know we're all working together but - she's got a demon all over her, even in her..." He swallows, blushing a little at having to talk about it. "Even in her nethers mistress. The demon said so. Miss Nemo seems nice enough, she's not done nothing wrong yet but... I don't think we can trust her. She's in the snare of demons and a Witch. I'm sure you've though about it so we should keep a watch on her and... maybe... fold her... like a chair...? Only if something should happen, like?"

end of spoilers

Their voice raises slightly. "Trevor, you've got bravery and the willingness to step up and do something. That's more than most."

Trevor pulls away from Kinu at Krys' interjection. He looks slightly uncomfortable, as if caught in the act of something. Shifting a little and disentangling himself from Kinu he falls into step with Krys, walking beside them. In the moment of silence, it's clear that the one who saved his life is the one who commands the most respect from him of all the party and, at this moment, he is ashamed about something. As if he has fallen short of some moral requirment he feels Krys would expect of him.

He takes a breath, perhaps to speak to them about his conversation with Kinu a moment ago when.

Nemo spoke out loud. "Trevor? I know Rae and I make you uncomfortable. I understand your caution, and I apologize for the imposition. But we all are what we are. I'm not expecting you to trust us by the end of this journey, but if you do change your mind about us, we would be happy to help you, too, if circumstances allow for it."

"What did I just say about picking up new quests?!" Rae huffed, flopping on her head again. "You're a Questomaniac! You've got OQD: Obsessive Quest Disorder!"

"I like having things to do," said Nemo flatly.

Trevor physically starts as he hears Nemo's voice and scoots a little to place Krys more between himself and her. He takes but a moment to master his fear, whatever his feelings about Nemo, it is clear he has faced more directly terrifying circumstances and kept his composure. There is steel to the boy, despite his young age.

"Mistress Nemo," he says, carefully picking his words with large pauses in the way of a child not suited or familiar with diplomacy, "I don't... you are... the thing is... at the moment, you ain't done nothing to suggest wickedness on the face of it. That's true. You're a... person who... with magic and does spells and that and you got them ears and then there's..." he gestures almost unconsciously at his own clothes to suggest that he's referring to Rae.

He grits his teeth and claps his hands once, snapping himself out of the rambling. He looks at her directly in her eyes and she sees a fair amount of fear but also resolve.

"A right-minded person should be honest so I'll do so," he says, shooting a half-glance at Krys as he does so as if to check their approval of his forthright actions, "I don't think I can say that I'll trust you. Magic is a poison and demons are tricksters. There's a whole lot goin' on here and we do all need to stick together for safety but - a demon can't be trusted, it ain't in their nature to be straight with a mortal,"

He points ahead of them at the demonic hound that leads the way through the winding and confusing streets.

"That thing up there is doing what its told because Mistress Kinu bossed it around so hard and she - well, you can hear the might of her words and the strength of her. It's marked her in response and it's like she's holdin' the leash of a dangerous animal and as long as it's on the leash, we'll be fine. But it's still a beast of infernal nature, one day it will bite,"

Turning back he gestures at Nemo and Rae once more, his other hand coming to rest on the handle of his knife.

"Whereas... this... Mistress, I don't think you're a wicked sort, you've done no wrong to me or any other here but this ain't you holding the leash. This is the creature holding you and - and it might bite. Like I says, I'm just a boy and you're all powerful fellows and accomplished fighters and whatnot and I can't be the one to decide who stays and who goes but - I can't trust you. Not while that thing is on you - it ain't right,"

His piece finished, he retreats a little distance away once more, clearly fearing retribution for his words. His hand, shaking, awkwardly reaches out and seeks Krys' as he awaits Nemo's response to his declaration.

[Nik Hasta]

As the group makes their way down the quiet streets, the rain picks up just a little. Not a deluge but a bit heavier than before, still with no obvious clouds to suggest an origin. The hellhound, the rain steaming slightly as it falls on its boiling and bloody body, sniffs the air and waits a little as the party moves closer to it.

The SkullSeeker hovers alongside it, extending Jane's senses to the front of the group.

GM Note to Jane:

spoilers:

She can tell that they are being lead toward the sounds of explosions and shouting that they heard before. Based off what data the SkullSeeker can gather with the streets being as changeable as they were, the route the creature is leading them might not take them directly to that locale but they are definitely moving closer to the sound of some kind of altercation. They are a ways off at the moment, but they are heading toward something already in motion. Jane doesn't know what assurances Kinu has from the hellhound, this could be some kind of trap or perhaps just coincidence.

end of spoilers

[Sharkerbob]

"This unit is programmed to provide assistance where required. Access to [WAYPOINT] will be attempted with [PARASITISED_LAGOMORPH] <and> [HARD_LIGHT_CONSTRUCT>{***rather**I**insist**you**c all**me**Ella***}]. Further assistance with this parameter sought and welcome. This unit is functional,"

"P-parasite?!" scoffed Rae, whirling her hat around to face the robot. "Oi!" With a whirl of threads, she sudden unraveled herself off Nemo, leaving the rabbit-eared woman in only her underwear and boots. Rae raveled herself back into shape behind her partner, floating such that it appeared an invisible woman was now wearing her. With the hem of her dress floating a foot off the ground, and the hat and gloves floating in proper spacing to the dress, she put an arm on her hip as she floated backwards, the group still walking as she gave the machine a piece of her mind. "I'll have you know I'm a fully autonomous entity who happens to be hitching a ride! I mean, sure, we share a mana pool for strings, but if anything, that makes us a symbiotic partnership! But I could leave and do my own thing at any time! I--ACK!" Rae suddenly wobbled in the air, her body sagging out of its form.

Nemo sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, reaching out to catch the dress by the back of the collar before she could collapse on the ground. "What did I say? Stay on me at all times!"

Meekly, Rae split open and raveled herself back on Nemo, sagging over her frame. "Ugh... I guess I am just a parasite right now..." she said in a pouty tone.

Nemo patted the hat, "There, there. You're not a parasite, you're just a little unwell." Nemo glanced to the others and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, folks."

Anyone who happened to get a look at Nemo without the dress might have noticed that while she wasn't exactly "jacked", she definitely had some solid muscle tone buried under that dress.

Trevor physically starts as he hears Nemo's voice and scoots a little to place Krys more between himself and her. He takes but a moment to master his fear, whatever his feelings about Nemo, it is clear he has faced more directly terrifying circumstances and kept his composure. There is steel to the boy, despite his young age.

"Mistress Nemo," he says, carefully picking his words with large pauses in the way of a child not suited or familiar with diplomacy, "I don't... you are... the thing is... at the moment, you ain't done nothing to suggest wickedness on the face of it. That's true. You're a... person who... with magic and does spells and that and you got them ears and then there's..." he gestures almost unconsciously at his own clothes to suggest that he's referring to Rae.

He grits his teeth and claps his hands once, snapping himself out of the rambling. He looks at her directly in her eyes and she sees a fair amount of fear but also resolve.

"A right-minded person should be honest so I'll do so," he says, shooting a half-glance at Krys as he does so as if to check their approval of his forthright actions, "I don't think I can say that I'll trust you. Magic is a poison and demons are tricksters. There's a whole lot goin' on here and we do all need to stick together for safety but - a demon can't be trusted, it ain't in their nature to be straight with a mortal,"

He points ahead of them at the demonic hound that leads the way through the winding and confusing streets.

"That thing up there is doing what its told because Mistress Kinu bossed it around so hard and she - well, you can hear the might of her words and the strength of her. It's marked her in response and it's like she's holdin' the leash of a dangerous animal and as long as it's on the leash, we'll be fine. But it's still a beast of infernal nature, one day it will bite,"

Turning back he gestures at Nemo and Rae once more, his other hand coming to rest on the handle of his knife.

"Whereas... this... Mistress, I don't think you're a wicked sort, you've done no wrong to me or any other here but this ain't you holding the leash. This is the creature holding you and - and it might bite. Like I says, I'm just a boy and you're all powerful fellows and accomplished fighters and whatnot and I can't be the one to decide who stays and who goes but - I can't trust you. Not while that thing is on you - it ain't right,"

His piece finished, he retreats a little distance away once more, clearly fearing retribution for his words. His hand, shaking, awkwardly reaches out and seeks Krys' as he awaits Nemo's response to his declaration.

"M'not a demon," Rae poutingly muttered, but she seemed humbled from performing any more outbursts.

Nemo nodded. "I understand Trevor. I'll say you have the wrong idea about Rae, and my grip is stronger than it may appear. But I'm not interested in arguing. Thank you for being honest with me."

"Didn't want to do your quest anyway," mumbled Rae.

"Shush, you," said Nemo, reaching up and giving a light pat to the hat.

[Postmania]

The machine does not look at Jane, its apparent focus still fixed on Ella, but it does reply to her. Jane, similar to Ella, notices that behind the translation effect of the city they are walking through, the strangeness and complexity of the code that this machine speaks in. It is wholly alien to her. While both Jane and Ella are highly complex and elegantly designed artificial intelligences, there is something about the way this machine seems to be operating that suggests an entirely different set of parameters, values and processes of logic behind it.

"This unit is programmed to provide assistance where required. Access to [WAYPOINT] will be attempted with [PARASITISED_LAGOMORPH] <and> [HARD_LIGHT_CONSTRUCT>{***rather**I**insist**you**c all**me**Ella***}]. Further assistance with this parameter sought and welcome. This unit is functional,"

Jane started as the construct began speaking.

Is that even code as I would understand it? Not made up of a binary...what are you?

"If you have no designation, do you recall your primary functions?" Jane inquired. "Or anything you might have done or groups you may have been involved in prior to coming to this dimension?"

As she spoke, Jane decided some cursory scans might be in order, although she doubted from the way the robot was constructed she might find anything much.

OOC: Jane stacks BRA and CHR, then uses Nekromantia on herself before seeing if she can determine anything about the nature of the robot, or what it is designed for that she did not already know.

As the group makes their way down the quiet streets, the rain picks up just a little. Not a deluge but a bit heavier than before, still with no obvious clouds to suggest an origin. The hellhound, the rain steaming slightly as it falls on its boiling and bloody body, sniffs the air and waits a little as the party moves closer to it.

The SkullSeeker hovers alongside it, extending Jane's senses to the front of the group.

GM Note to Jane:

spoilers:

She can tell that they are being lead toward the sounds of explosions and shouting that they heard before. Based off what data the SkullSeeker can gather with the streets being as changeable as they were, the route the creature is leading them might not take them directly to that locale but they are definitely moving closer to the sound of some kind of altercation. They are a ways off at the moment, but they are heading toward something already in motion. Jane doesn't know what assurances Kinu has from the hellhound, this could be some kind of trap or perhaps just coincidence.

end of spoilers

As she did this, Jane raised her voice, addressing everyone now, "Update: To the Group: We seem to be led by our new...companion to the location with explosions and a combat encounter which we first noticed upon entrance to the city. I would advise all members of the group to prepare for a complex altercation."

[Sharpandpointies]

It's no surprise Jane finds the mechanoid a trifle upsetting; compared to her, it is a glitchy thing, its programming seemingly damaged. It may even unnerve her, in its own way. People often feel this way when confronted by something not quite 'right' by their standards; it can and has led to bias. The discussion quickly turns toward Krys' future, and Jane's as well, and Krys can't help a quirky smile from blossoming. "I suppose I'm a little strange," they murmur. "I'm a little strange to myself, these days." That they are a standout among the strange, that's interesting. And here I thought I was the normal one...but then, isn't that always the case? For all of us?

An amusing thought; certainly Krys knows they are not immune to bias, themselves.

They grow more serious as the talk turns to Nekro. "I wouldn't want you take Nekro's place, myself, though I've known a death-god of a more gentle nature." They shrug. "Truth. But maybe there's another path - it doesn't have to be a binary choice. I don't know...maybe we can find a way to convince Nekro it's in their best interest to just cut you loose. Maybe there's a way to deal with Nekro that doesn't involve you becoming them. I think this journey is going to show us a whole lot of possible roads - we're going to need to find one that suits best. After al, the rules?" They wave their hands at the shifting scenery, the broken rubble of an infinite city. "They're different, now."

They eye the collapsed pillar as it settles, but none of the detritus bounces in Krys' direction.

"I've no idea where I'm going from here, other than toward that eventual end. But aren't we all, in one way or another?" They shrug; it does sound awful, to realize everything has already played out in Time out of Time, that end is unavoidable, the only reason one continues 'through' a life is thanks to one's mind being trapped within entropy. But the end will come regardless, and knowledge does not obviate any of the choices; that in some way they have already happened does not weigh at all against the fact that the choices are nonetheless Krys' choices. And that those choices have impact. "I'd be interested in that story, when you've time to tell it." A creature Jane could not kill, a hunt...curious. Not the story, no; what is interesting is the why of it, the reason for Jane bringing this up. That, Krys suspects, will become clear as the story unfolds, and will no-doubt have to do with the 'strange' sensations. "I'd also like to hear more about this Facility, and the people in it." They had precogs, it sounds like, and possibly other psychics. Or perhaps theurgists; Jane's universe seems to have a surfeit of gods, and there is little doubt that any 'magic' within that universe is linked to the supposed divine beings.

Don't point fingers, Krys; there were an awful lot of 'supposed' gods back where Kris came from.

Jane turns away to initiate discussion with the robot, and Krys takes the opportunity to speak with Ella. "Good to know," they hesitantly state, studying the curious orb in the middle of the young woman's chest. Is she a mechanoid, herself? Or a cyborg? It's hard to say. 'Combat type' seems to imply some kind of created being, or altered one. 'Beta' seals the deal. Mechanoid, most likely. Free-roaming intelligence or hard-wired frame? Don't have enough information on that. Given her words, she doesn't come from any kind of utopia. Occupational disturbance begs the question of 'what occupation', of course. "Thank you. Seems like everyone here has some level of capability."

With that, Krys' eyes slide to Trevor.

Something is wrong with the boy, that's not hard to see. Whether what is immediately bothering him is Nemo and Rae, or a different issue, that Krys cannot tell. But he's getting ready to speak, so... Nemo breaks in at this point, and Trevor's attention shifts. Krys shrugs, internally; he'll talk when he's ready, but for now it's probably best to wait and see what he and Nemo work through, if anything.

It doesn't proceed well.

Krys can't blame Nemo any irritation the woman might feel, nor Rae; Trevor is showing the bias of his culture, and it's a very, very different culture from their own. There's a lot of judgement in his words, but at least he's straightforward with them rather than trying - and failing - to keep his feelings a secret. Fortunately Nemo takes it very well, and while Rae does not, she keeps her own irritation under control. Krys slowly nods. And within, invisibly, drives her own perceptions hard, focusing/unfocusing in a curious fashion. It's enervating, it's painful - a bolt of fire rips through her head - and it's enlightening, as her senses slip into Time out of Time.

- arguing obviously a poor idea, with Trevor digging in his feet -

- picking apart his points will only make him feel inferior, or foolish, or judged himself -

- no, no, NO, definitely not THAT -

Krys blinks. "It's as I said, Trevor. You stand up and face things, and that's worthy of respect." Cocking her head, they eye Trevor thoughtfully. "Your world sounds like a dark one in some ways, with magic used by a privileged few to control, and beings you name demons preying on your people. This wizard seems the epitome of that; I can understand why you have problems with sorcery and beings who appear different." They wave at the group. "We're all from different worlds, of course. To Rae and Nemo, magic is at least somewhat normal for their world, and so is Rae. In my world - well, the one I was born in - there wasn't any known magic, and it would have absolutely terrified people. As would anything that didn't look like me. And...some who do, unfortunately." They grin at that, a touch too sharply. "Things are different, here. I'm not asking you to like Rae - I don't think you will, and that's fine. We can't all like each other, and trust is something that's earned." Granted, a person can't become trustworthy without being given some trust, but Krys isn't going there right now. "And I'm not asking you to set aside your feelings, because..." They wave to the hellhound. "Might not be a demon from your world, but it probably acts similar. You were right about that one. But then, it showed us that, didn't it?"

Krys looks at Trevor, meeting his eyes directly. "I'm just asking you to keep an open mind, that's all. Nothing more, and it's an ask, not a command or anything." Another smile, this one without a trace of edge, only a hint of sadness. "I don't have the right to command you."

Then Jane's words roll over the group, and Krys grimaces. "Explosions...fantastic. I'm not great with explosions."



OOC - Krys will use "When One Understands The Road, It Is Simple To Choose The Proper Branch" to buff their persuade, stacking CHA and BRA to assist with both and Open and Honest presumably helping as well. They're not trying to persuade Trevor to change his views. Nor are they trying to argue or debate the rightness or wrongness of said views. They're just trying to get in the idea in that there are a lot of worlds, and things might be different in another place. And that's worth consideration. Totally not expecting to 'change his mind' or anything, and not trying to do that either. Better if he comes to a different conclusion, himself.

[Sharkerbob]

"Thank you, Krys," said Nemo. "Magic is common enough across the Scribed Lands, though Worlds have only specific types. But there are some Worlds where it is still quite alien, and prone to suspicion. All at the whims of our own gods." She frowned and glanced to Jane. "I overhead a little bit of your conversation. Not to pry, but I think Krys is right. If there is any place we may be unbound by destiny, this would be it."

To Kinu, she said, "You've quite the charisma! Might I inquire, are you a beast tamer?" She nodded to the hellhound.

As she did this, Jane raised her voice, addressing everyone now, "Update: To the Group: We seem to be led by our new...companion to the location with explosions and a combat encounter which we first noticed upon entrance to the city. I would advise all members of the group to prepare for a complex altercation."

"Never a dull moment," said Rae, marshalling herself out of her brief funk.