To Scorn the Gods- Episode 4: EVERYTHING IS MANA'S FAULT

(8:40:43 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: From both pain and revelation come confusion. Though exhausted, no one is asleep yet this night after all that has happened.
(8:42:13 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa is not at a campfire or a book. She is currently curled up in a corner of the tent. Despite being curled up, she is clearly not sleeping. Her eyes are very open.
(8:43:16 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe is seated by the campfire, staring at it intently...
(8:43:27 PM) _Mana: Mana's first thought after all that has happened is to.. clearly cheer Ulyssa up. Talking to Aelitethe can come later. She then crawls over to the corner girl. "..Ulyssa? You awake there?"
(8:43:44 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis is pacing around quietly outside the tent... well, about as quiet as you can be in full gear.
(8:45:59 PM) Ulyssa: Of all the people, it was Mana. That might explain why her eyes are very open. She's staring at Mana, fearfully. "Y-Yes." She seems ready to spring into self-defense at any moment.
(8:47:22 PM) _Mana: ...'I scared her', Mana thought. 'I scared Ulyssa.' Mana.. stares at her, trembling a bit, almost ready to break apart at any second. "I-..I want to apologize."
(8:48:30 PM) Kineth: Kineth is outside the tent as well, keeping watch of the area.
(8:50:58 PM) Ulyssa: That's about right. Kinda. Past tense? Feels like present tense. "I...ah..." Nervous? VERY YES. "...H-how did you get possessed? Do you...know how?"
(8:51:49 PM) _Mana: Mana shakes her head no and brings Ulyssa into a hug, holding the girl close to herself. "I-I don't know, but please... find it in your heart to forgive me.."
(8:52:51 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe continues to stare into the fire...
(8:54:26 PM) Ulyssa: That and it's slightly more extreme than you would imagine. Ulyssa quickly tenses, then proceeds to NOT LET HER GET TOO CLOSE, most likely through use of arms. Fear? PLENTY. Words? None, just eyes full of that fear, which speak for her. "I...d-don't do that..." Guilt? Some of that. Definitely more fear though.
(8:55:44 PM) _Mana: "...." Mana lets go of her, looks at her for a brief couple of seconds.. before leaving, no further words said.
(8:56:20 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(8:56:36 PM) Ulyssa: "...Sorry..." She's curled up even more now, and perhaps even deeper inside the corner.
(8:57:03 PM) Aelitethe: "She's afraid..." Aelitethe murmurs to herself idly...
(8:57:24 PM) _Mana: "just..." Mana swallows down her tears as she looks back at Ulyssa, once more. "...if you want me to leave, say so." She then continues to slowly walk away.
(8:59:30 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe fidgets, clearing her throat... "..."
(8:59:37 PM) Ulyssa: A combination of guilt and fear kill any possible response Ulyssa has.
(9:00:04 PM) _Mana: Mana glances at Aelitethe, noticing her presence. "..Anything to say?"
(9:01:53 PM) Aelitethe: "She's afraid. Give it some time."
(9:02:04 PM) _Mana: "I meant if you have anything to say."
(9:03:57 PM) Aelitethe: "...I'm worried... And thinking."
(9:05:33 PM) _Mana: "..go ahead and think all you want. I'm not sleeping in the tent tonight." Mana finally leaves, after saying that.
(9:06:09 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe stands up. "I'm worried about you!"
(9:06:18 PM) Aelitethe: "I've been thinking all night about how to help you!"
(9:06:40 PM) _Mana: "..please. Don't."
(9:07:12 PM) _Mana: "If you want to end up dead, help me. If you don't, then don't. That's... that's all I can say."
(9:07:30 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(9:07:39 PM) Aelitethe: "You're assuming I'll die trying to help you, Mana."
(9:08:04 PM) Aelitethe: "Of course, if you don't want to be helped, that's your own prerogative. But I do it because I care for you."
(9:08:40 PM) _Mana: "You will. You don't know how bad my demonic side is. If it takes control once more, I.. I can very much easily assure you that you're going to die. Just.. leave me alone."
(9:10:44 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe clenches her fists and stares at Mana. "...Say what you want. I will find a way."
(9:12:38 PM) _Mana: Mana wants to be left alone, right? Why is her lover not letting her go? "...you and what army?"
(9:13:47 PM) Aelitethe: "I don't need one."
(9:13:57 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe walks off and sits under a tree, a ways away from everyone else.
(9:15:02 PM) Ulyssa: It's hard not to overhear all this bold. Teary eyes? Yes.
(9:15:04 PM) _Mana: Mana.. lets out a small growl at Aelitethe walking away before leaving, staying a ways away from the group.
(9:19:02 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(9:23:38 PM) ***Aelitethe procures a piece of paper on her person and eyes it intently.
(9:32:35 PM) Artemis-XE: Art is STILL pacing. He seems to be engaged in deep thought. He starts whispering to himself... "...If anyone from the church finds out... we're all screwed. Not just me, everyone. Unless..." He trails off again.
(9:35:52 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe looks at Artemis before stuffing her paper away. "...Hello?"
(9:35:58 PM) Kineth: Kineth goes to head into the tent, remembering that he meant to talk to Ulyssa after all that happened today. Once he enters the tent, he goes to sit down next to her.* "Hey... How are you holding up?"
(9:37:44 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis notices Aelitethe's voice and snaps out of his trance. "Yes, Aelitethe?"
(9:39:03 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa tenses for a moment, then relaxes to the level of tense she was before. "...Not so good..." Can't imagine why.
(9:40:26 PM) Aelitethe: "Bit late to worry about the Church now with those claws, huh?"
(9:41:34 PM) Artemis-XE: "I suppose you're right. But I can't help it. I've been thinking about it... there seem to be three options right now."
(9:42:04 PM) Kineth: Yeah, wouldn't know in the slightest. "...Want to talk about it?"
(9:42:30 PM) Aelitethe: "Three options? Shoot."
(9:44:11 PM) Artemis-XE: "One, we finish what we set out to do, i take the rite of passage, hide our secrets as long as possible, rise through the ranks and eventually abolish these culturallist 'ideals'."
(9:45:03 PM) Artemis-XE: "Two, we flee like madmen, never to be seen again, living life as nomads."
(9:46:19 PM) ***Aelitethe snickers upon hearing that.
(9:46:29 PM) Artemis-XE: "And... while not much of an option, three, we continue our course and are eventually caught, thus forcing us to live out the rest of our days in chase."
(9:46:41 PM) Ulyssa: Hesitation, before a nod in the affirmative. "...I...don't know what to do anymore..." Sadly, she can't hear Artemis quell one of the fears brewing in her head because she's too busy talking. "...Mana is...possessed by some thing..." Note the distaste in the word thing. There is a lot. "...Aelite hasn't realized it was there all this time...maybe...And Artemis apparently knew about
(9:46:41 PM) Ulyssa: everything the church did, but we're still on the way to help Arty get their title, and I don't know why..."
(9:48:51 PM) Aelitethe: "You can't hide your secrets forever, Artemis," Aelitethe says, fidgeting. "As for me, I am perfectly content with living on the run. That's what I've been doing, until I met you."
(9:49:29 PM) Kineth: Kineth goes to take a breath for a second, before placing a hand on Ulyssa's shoulder. "Well, if he knew... Maybe there's a reason he's trying to acquire their title anyway? Maybe he has some ideas of his own."
(9:50:51 PM) Artemis-XE: "That's true. It would only be a matter of time until I'm found out. I really don't want to endanger anyone like that. But at the same time, I can't stand to see cultural diversity under oppression like this."
(9:53:47 PM) Ulyssa: "I...there might be. But what good could he do? Having their title means they'll be watching him even more, and that could just spell disaster for everyone since they could do some....lie-detection magic or something, someone probably has that...and if the undead problem isn't actually bad? What then?"
(9:55:34 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(9:56:06 PM) Aelitethe: "Quite noble, but are you aware of the consequences?"
(9:58:51 PM) Artemis-XE: "Of course I am. If this doesn't work out like I plan, I very well could ruin or end numerous lives. Including my own. But someone has to change things. If not me, then who?"
(9:59:10 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe claps slowly.
(9:59:14 PM) Kineth: "...To be honest, I don't know. You'd have to ask him about that, yourself. Though, regardless of what happens, I'd like to think that he knows what he's doing, to some extent."
(9:59:14 PM) Aelitethe: "Do your best."
(10:01:49 PM) Ulyssa: "...It's just that...I've been looking up to the church my whole life, not knowing any of this was happening until now...and suddenly all this..." Shudder. "...but you're right. I should have asked what his plans were earlier...need to try looking on the bright side..."
(10:05:30 PM) Kineth: "...Yeah." He nods in response, thinking for a second. "Besides, with all of us together, I'm sure we can pull through in the end, regardless of what happens."
(10:08:00 PM) Ulyssa: "...I guess so...but with that thing in Mana...just watch yourself, OK? I...think she's good in heart, but if that thing takes over, she could do anything..." Shudder. "I don't want to make her leave, but..."
(10:10:01 PM) Kineth: "...Hopefully, it won't come to that."
(10:11:48 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe returns to analyzing her torn piece of paper.
(10:12:58 PM) Ulyssa: "...In any case, if we're left with nothing pressing after this, we'll need to find a way to get that thing out of her. Keep us safe till then, alright Kineth?" Her mood has somewhat improved!
(10:13:06 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis takes a step closer to Aelitethe. "...If you don't mind me asking, what is that paper there?"
(10:13:40 PM) Aelitethe: "...Mother asked me to find the meaning behind it. It is none of your concern."
(10:14:11 PM) Artemis-XE: "Fair enough. I'll leave it at that."
(10:18:16 PM) ***Aelitethe sighs
(10:18:28 PM) Kineth: "...Of course, Ulyssa. And with you by my side, I'm sure nothing'll get past the two of us." He smiles a little, somewhat relieved as he sees the improvement in Ulyssa's mood.
(10:23:22 PM) Ulyssa: "...I think...I can sleep now. Guess I'll write in my journal tomorrow..." Yaaawwwwwwnn. "Night..."
(10:26:30 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Each member of the group eventually settles down to sleep, troubled though it may be. Next day, clouds cover the sky, though not thickly enough to be dark. If there's any rain coming today, it'll be light.
(10:28:22 PM) ***_Mana sighs softly as she remains asleep underneath a tree, not sleeping in the tent, as she previously said.
(10:29:21 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa eventually awakens! She doesn't leave till someone else does the same.
(10:30:06 PM) Kineth: Kineth wakes up shortly afterwards, stretching out as he waits for the others to get up.
(10:31:03 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis wakes up after a little while, feeling refreshed after that long, tense night.
(10:31:08 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe has gotten barely any sleep. She just wakes up, her eyes red.
(10:33:21 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(10:33:29 PM) Ulyssa: Aelite is very, very bad at sleep. Thankfully, Ulyssa is not. "Are we..." Right, Mana. It's still hard to talk about something that could imply Mana, so she doesn't finish the thought.
(10:34:26 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(10:37:18 PM) Ulyssa: Can't hold all this awkward.
(10:38:14 PM) Kineth: Yeah. It's just... falling straight through the ground. Amazing.
(10:40:01 PM) Aelitethe: "So, are we goign?"
(10:40:11 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe rubs her eyes.
(10:40:27 PM) Kineth: "We probably should head on out, yes."
(10:41:03 PM) Artemis-XE: "Yeah, best to get moving."
(10:41:19 PM) Ulyssa: "Y-yeah, we should." GET UP, GET OUT. Neatly.
(10:44:40 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: As the others pack up the tent, a pinecone falls onto Mana's face!
(10:46:08 PM) _Mana: Mana blinks, rubbing her face as she gets up. She then stretches for a bit before going back to where the group is.
(10:49:03 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(10:49:31 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa still hasn't let down her guard, but figures if anything was tried here, SOMEONE would be aware of it, and they'd be very very quick to stopping it. So, she's not actively heavily fearful! Just slightly.
(10:50:59 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis continues walking with the others, keeping watch for anything suspicious. Idly exchanges his Longsword for the Hammer he's carrying.
(10:51:25 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe has been unusually silent. She also looks fairly grumpy and irritable.
(10:52:24 PM) Ulyssa: Can anyone blame her? No. Not really.
(10:53:32 PM) Kineth: Kineth also walks along with the group, not really saying anything.
(10:53:58 PM) _Mana: Mana ends up catching up with the rest of the group, also not saying anything.
(10:54:19 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(10:55:07 PM) Ulyssa: We can now hold all this awkward. Just barely.
(10:56:55 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The day is actually quite uneventful. As are the next few days. It's kind of strange really... You would have expected more refugees to be coming down this road than just the one group that was set upon by bandits earlier. Instead, you're all being left to the barely possible to hold awkwardness by yourselves.
(10:56:58 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: It doesn't pass by quickly.
(10:57:38 PM) Ulyssa: Definitely doesn't. Every night is a kind of nightmare.
(10:57:49 PM) Ulyssa: Some actually came with nightmares. Scary scary.
(10:59:24 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe... was contemplative. She would often spend restless nights mulling over those events in the shrine. It was disturbing; and she was not sure what to think of Mana anymore. And the paper. That godforsaken paper.
(11:01:24 PM) _Mana: Mana.. is not even walking close to Aelitethe anymore. She doesn't know who she is, right? So why she should remain close with anyone?
(11:01:43 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis was much too worried about that light, and his words to Aelitethe. Did he really think he could overthrow an entire church? And the consequences... while aware, he tried not to let them cross his mind for too long.
(11:02:12 PM) Ulyssa: We've heard plenty of details with Ulyssa, so we'll spare you them.
(11:05:02 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Eventually, the monotony of this awful situation is broken as a town can be seen in the distance. ...Predictably, a ghost town! Or, well, zombie and skeleton town, as can be seen as it's approached.
(11:07:57 PM) Aelitethe: "...Town of the Undead. Population: Negative I Have No Idea."
(11:08:28 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Do you want to get close enough to see what they're doing? They look packed in pretty tightly.
(11:08:35 PM) _Mana: "..tell me this isn't a warzone."
(11:08:41 PM) Ulyssa: And there they are. At least someone has wit. "...Here we are...now what?"
(11:09:03 PM) Artemis-XE: "...all these former people. How?"
(11:09:17 PM) Artemis-XE: "What could do such a thing?"
(11:10:01 PM) Kineth: "Indeed. Seems like quite the mess."
(11:10:08 PM) _Mana: "Yeah.."
(11:10:48 PM) Artemis-XE: >get slightly closer, what are they all huddled around?
(11:11:03 PM) Ulyssa: She knows enough about ghosts to give suggestions! Would it be insensitive to list them? YES. "Whatever it is...we're supposed to put a stop to it..." According to a bunch of jerks. Follow.
(11:11:48 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: It looks like... They're around the church, actually! It's not very large, and out in a place like this it's not made of stone, but it's not poorly built either, and it's distinctive enough once you're close.
(11:19:55 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(11:20:51 PM) Artemis-XE: "That's a little... odd. Why are they crowding around a church?"
(11:21:01 PM) Kineth: "That is a bit peculiar, yes."
(11:21:15 PM) Ulyssa: "The source might be inside?"
(11:21:21 PM) ***_Mana slowly nods.
(11:21:44 PM) Kineth: "Perhaps."
(11:21:48 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: They're not idly standing around it, on close inspection. Actually, they look to be trying to break in!
(11:22:35 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Zombies smash themselves against the doors, and skeletons claw at the walls. What could they be trying to get at...?
(11:23:30 PM) ***Kineth looks at the lot, trying to see how many of them there actually are.
(11:23:56 PM) Aelitethe: "They probably want to destroy the church or something."
(11:23:58 PM) Ulyssa: "...maybe they're upset at the source? Or maybe it's something else...maybe the source is ordering it torn down? Or something in it torn down...or killed..." Yeah, how much of them ARE there? And on that note, how much are actually possible to HIT. WITH A SWORD.
(11:24:33 PM) Artemis-XE: "They could be trying to destroy it, yes."
(11:24:59 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: It's a little hard to make out, but actually... There only look to be about ten of them standing. There are many more broken fragments and slumped, bloody bodies, however. You'd say... There are a few more zombies than skeletons. More fresh kills than initial forces
(11:25:41 PM) Ulyssa: "Should...we just let them do as they want? It's the church, but I'm...not so sure..." She really isn't.
(11:26:47 PM) Artemis-XE: "Well, lets put it this way. A building can be replaced. A person, on the other hand..."
(11:27:27 PM) Kineth: "Yeah..."
(11:28:55 PM) Genshuku: "...might be inside."
(11:29:53 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(11:29:58 PM) Aelitethe: "We should find out."
(11:30:23 PM) Artemis-XE: "Well, let's quit dawdling and have a look then."
(11:30:38 PM) ***Kineth nods, going to make his way to the mess.
(11:30:55 PM) ***Ulyssa gets out her swords. They're UNDEAD. She might as well be armed.
(11:31:20 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis readies the hammer.
(11:31:27 PM) ***_Mana just.. lightly runs her fingertips along the handle of her rapier, continuing to look at the mess.
(11:32:58 PM) Kineth: Kineth gets out his greatsword.
(11:33:20 PM) ***Aelitethe does nothing but stay a ways behind the group. She's not even readying her quarterstaff.
(11:36:49 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The undead turn to face the group as they approach, but none react near so fast as Ulyssa does!
(11:38:18 PM) Ulyssa: HERE WE GO. Ulyssa is prepared to slice open the closest...not ghost there is, so she'll do so!
(11:42:21 PM) Ulyssa: Oh right, none are ghosts. All the better!
(11:43:59 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa scissors through the zombie nearest her, utterly destroying it beyond the slightest shred of doubt. It's not coming back.
(11:44:05 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth follows!
(11:44:12 PM) Ulyssa: CONFIDENCE!
(11:47:31 PM) Kineth: Kineth doesn't waste time as he takes a breath, getting into stance as he rushes the zombie closest to him, going to tear through it with a swing of his blade!
(11:50:57 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth slices the zombie in two, and crushes right through a skeleton next to it as well!
(11:53:49 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: One of the other skeletons rakes a bony claw across Kineth's arm!
(11:53:54 PM) DEATH-INCARNATE: However, now Mana finds her opening
(11:56:28 PM) ***_Mana sighs softly at the skeleton that's scratching at Kineth, soon attempting to slice right through it.
(5/12/2012 12:00:05 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana slices through its spine vertically with such force that it crumbles to dust!
(12:02:24 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The two remaining skeletons both unleash a frenzied series of claw strikes at Mana. She blocks most of them with ease, but one manages her to rake her across the cheek!
(12:02:30 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Now, Artemis is ready
(12:05:33 AM) ***Artemis-XE has made up his mind. He's going to smash the closest Skeleton's skull in!
(12:09:41 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Maybe Artemis should have taken a few more practice swings to get used to the weapon's balance. He ends up hitting the ground
(12:10:44 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Aelitethe finds her chance to shine amidst the chaos!
(12:11:41 AM) ***Aelitethe weakly places her quarterstaff in front of her, using it as a support, before clearing her throat and beginning to sing a song. [Run Inspire Courage, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHRtC4PFuU ]
(12:17:38 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: In the midst of beautiful music, zombies decide to tackle people. Hard. Kineth finds himself very, VERY bruised from two sides, while Ulyssa and Mana just dodge.
(12:18:37 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa also senses perfect opportunity for counterattack!
(12:20:15 AM) Kineth: Kineth grumbles as he reels back from the impact of the two zombies, not particularly amused by the sudden assault.
(12:22:06 AM) Ulyssa: She decides to take that chance! FLANKING FOR PEOPLE THAT AREN'T HER. Let's split up the cutting action, too! Cutlass for the one hitting Kineth, and Shortsword for the one attacking Mana. MULTITASKING!
(12:25:48 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth's zombie lurches out of the way, taking no more than an inconsequential nick. Mana's would feel intense pain if it had working nerves. Instead it just has a shortsword cut halfway through it. Not all the way though, pity. While the blow's momentum displaces it, it isn't down
(12:26:16 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Now a very very sore Kineth has his chance
(12:26:21 AM) Ulyssa: Maybe she should have focused on one. Oh well.
(12:26:58 AM) Kineth: Kineth decides to do the most simple thing. And by that, I of course mean, deal with the Zombies harrassing them, going to attempt to tear into each of them with his blade.
(12:29:28 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The zombies might as well be sludge for all the usefulness their bodies have after Kineth is through with them
(12:29:33 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Now, Mana!
(12:30:37 AM) Ulyssa: ...The cut she gave it was....a distraction! Totally!
(12:32:45 AM) Ulyssa: And the other one...that wound was a distraction too! Right!
(12:32:58 AM) Ulyssa: ...Stick to one enemy. Lesson learned.
(12:33:05 AM) ***_Mana hm. Two weapons, right? What are they useful for? Killing! In which, that'll totally what she'll do to the remaining zombies!
(12:35:55 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana's weapons bite into them, but can't take'em down! The one she hit with the dagger is actually considerably worse off, she managed to slash right across the chest
(12:36:54 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The remaining skeletons try to attack Ulyssa and Kineth, but are effortlessly thwarted!
(12:37:08 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Artemis is up!
(12:37:31 AM) Ulyssa: Cannot touch this.
(12:40:17 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis sees Ulyssa in a sketchy situation. He isnt going to risk another attack, however, and decides to support them from afar. He starts reciting a mantra, and then...[Cast Mage Armor on Ulyssa]
(12:45:48 AM) Artemis-XE: ...Bad idea. Instead, he'll opt for finishing off Zombie #4 with a swing from his hammer!
(12:47:31 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Artemis swings and slams the zombie to the ground! It doesn't even further twitch
(12:47:35 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Aelitethe!
(12:48:47 AM) ***Aelitethe weakly gets to a position to heal Kineth by casting Cure Light Wounds on him... At the same time trying not to disrupt her performance.
(12:52:13 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth's wounds close shut instantly before everyone's eyes!  ...A slight gasp can be heard nearby, and the sound of a door closing shut.
(12:53:31 AM) Aelitethe: "...The door closed...!"
(12:53:38 AM) Kineth: Kineth nods to Aelitethe in thanks as he stands tall, feeling rejuvenated. "So it did."
(12:54:16 AM) Artemis-XE: "I heard it too. There's someone there."
(12:54:34 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Mana feels the last zombie SLAM into her hard, knocking her to the ground! Ow, that hurt...
(12:55:16 AM) _Mana: "kh..!" Mana can only grumble from the tackle the last zombie gave her. "Fuck.."
(12:55:54 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Ulyssa! Feel like obliterating something?
(12:57:38 AM) Ulyssa: Yes. Let her break bones. She wants to!
(12:59:33 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The skeletons crumble like pastries. Ancient unholy pastries of doom, maybe, but still.
(1:00:03 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: Kineth just cuts the last zombie in two without the slightest effort
(1:04:13 AM) Ulyssa: "...Let's be prepared before going in there..." NEVER KNOW! She's still not at ease.
(1:07:44 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:08:27 AM) ***Aelitethe silently and wordlessly casts Cure Light Wounds on Mana.
(1:10:19 AM) _Mana: "...."
(1:11:57 AM) Ulyssa: Cannot HOLD this awkward. How do they even function in a battle? This is really Artemis's thing though, so he's looked at to lead. She's definitely ready.
(1:13:03 AM) Aelitethe: "...Let's go in."
(1:13:19 AM) ***_Mana nods softly, glancing away from Aelitethe.
(1:13:40 AM) Ulyssa: Though anyone's words are enough for her, to be honest! ONWARDS, TO THE FUTURE.
(1:13:42 AM) Kineth: "Not like there's anywhere else to go."
(1:13:51 AM) Artemis-XE: "Indeed."
(1:13:57 AM) Ulyssa: She'll even lead if she has to.
(1:15:31 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: As the door is attempted to be opened, it... Does not open. You hear a voice from inside. "G-go away! I saw that- She used magic, but she's not in church garb! Go away monsters, you can't fool me! You won't hurt any of us!"
(1:15:47 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The utter terror in the voice is astounding, but even then, it sounds... Weary
(1:16:20 AM) Aelitethe: "...Leave me here. Go in without me."
(1:17:29 AM) Aelitethe: "They too, are tired, and can't resist for too much longer. They will tire out sooner or later."
(1:18:29 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis walks in through the door. Is there anyone else in here?
(1:20:03 AM) Ulyssa: ...There's nothing she can do here. She can only stick around Mana, for some reason or another.
(1:20:32 AM) Kineth: Not much of anything he can do either, so.
(1:21:37 AM) ***_Mana glances at Ulyssa before glancing away from her. So much awkwardness, holy hell.
(1:21:54 AM) Aelitethe: "...Tell whoever's in there that I'm not there anymore."
(1:22:19 AM) ***Artemis-XE tries to reason with the person behind the door. "There are no monsters out here. Please, let me in."
(1:22:26 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "You... You feign concern for us! But we know about you! Your kind are all deceitful, trying to-!" Another voice interrupts, this one female. "Would you stow it? You told us yourself that one of them was in Paladin garb and the magic was for healing. Maybe she's an angel or somethin'?" The first voice stammers. "W-well, but that's just what they'd wan- ...It's not worse than the undead."
(1:22:49 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: You can hear the bar sliding away from behind the door, before it opens
(1:23:01 AM) Ulyssa: Awkward as hell, but she's got a MISSION here. And she can't falter on that!
(1:23:45 AM) Aelitethe: Annoying. An all too familiar feeling of alienation... It's something she should be used to by now. But it hurts.
(1:24:13 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: An obviously very weary young man in priestly garb stands there, bags under his eyes. "...Have you really come to save us?"
(1:24:55 AM) Kineth: "Indeed we have."
(1:25:19 AM) Artemis-XE: "That's right."
(1:25:49 AM) ***Ulyssa nods. She certainly has! That's...what they came for, right? ...Right? ...Aaaaa.
(1:27:44 AM) ***Aelitethe has been careful not to make her presence too obvious. She knows the Church has something against arcane-nanigans. "..."
(1:28:53 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "I... We have little that we might give you to help. I'm not certain we have the food stores to survive regardless. But if you say you wish to help, I no longer have it in me to question, and I must..." He pauses for a second, before suddenly drawing a long, thin blade. "...Perhaps one of your number might use this."
(1:31:52 AM) ***Ulyssa looks at it curiously. It doesn't seem like a weapon Kineth would use, or Artemis...maybe Mana. She's next to Mana. ...So she takes it, and gives it to Mana.
(1:32:17 AM) Ulyssa: Of course, she does so carefully. In a way where Mana can't suddenly stab her while she gives it. You know. CAUTION!
(1:33:24 AM) ***_Mana nods softly before quickly turning away from Ulyssa, giving her thanks to the priest. Awkward, awkward, awkward!
(1:33:54 AM) Ulyssa: As long as she actually GETS the weapon, Ulyssa can't complain.
(1:34:34 AM) ***Artemis-XE nods to the weary priest. "We appreciate the help."
(1:34:59 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "We can do nothing else for you... All I can tell you is that the undead came from the forest to the northeast. Perhaps you might find something there."
(1:38:06 AM) ***Aelitethe coughs and sits against the wall.
(1:39:56 AM) ***_Mana sighs softly as she walks over to Aelitethe, setting the rapier off to the side, close to her. "..."
(1:40:18 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:40:34 AM) Ulyssa: ...Can't hold this awkward. ...Nod nod. She'd leave, but MANA.
(1:40:42 AM) _Mana: "I-...I'm sorry."
(1:40:51 AM) Aelitethe: "I understand, Mana."
(1:41:09 AM) _Mana: "Do you..?"
(1:42:04 AM) Aelitethe: "I'm powerless, and alone. If you want me to leave you alone, that's fine. I realize my folly."
(1:42:14 AM) Aelitethe: "I was so selfish."
(1:42:36 AM) _Mana: "Aelitethe.."
(1:43:03 AM) Aelitethe: "I was foolish to barge into your personal space. I was... selfish... Too selfish."
(1:43:22 AM) Aelitethe: "...I need to think. I need a reason to be here."
(1:43:34 AM) Ulyssa: What's more awkward, the fact that this conversation is happening or the choice of location? HUM.
(1:44:12 AM) Aelitethe: "Heh... ironic. We're standing here, in front of Ye Olde Holy Church, where my kind is shunned for practicing the arts of heresy. I'm not wanted anywhere. Just a nomad."
(1:44:20 AM) ***_Mana ..turns away from Aelitethe, smiling a bit sadly. "..then that's it, Aelitethe. Remember the promise that I made? To always be with you? I-.. I broke it."
(1:45:19 AM) Aelitethe: "I'll never resent you or hate you, Mana. ...Just know that I hurt inside."
(1:45:25 AM) Ulyssa: It's decided. The location. DEFINITELY THE LOCATION. Not hearable, but definitely the location anyway.
(1:46:22 AM) _Mana: "..." Mana.. swallows a bit of her tears before leaning in to give Aelitethe.. what appears to be a final kiss before walking away, grabbing her rapier.
(1:47:01 AM) ***Aelitethe silently weeps, getting her paper and clinging to it tightly, her only memory of her parents, and a cruel reminder of her fate.
(1:54:06 AM) Ulyssa: What can she say? Nothing. She can say nothing. Do nothing. As more and more terrible things happen to people that do not deserve them.
(1:57:54 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Um... I take it you'll want to rest...?"
(1:58:52 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:59:30 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The priest is just kind of speaking to the party members that are standing inside. The question stands for everyone though!
(1:59:35 AM) Kineth: "I... think we could all do with a good bit of rest, yes."
(2:00:26 AM) Ulyssa: DISTRACTIONS! NO THINKING. JUST...NO THINKING. And being inside now, if not before. "Y-yes, we could use a rest..." Or what's left of them at the end of this... AAAAAAAAAAAA.
(2:00:41 AM) Artemis-XE: "What he said. It took quite a while getting here, and those skeletons and zombies didnt help much
(2:00:46 AM) Artemis-XE: ."
(2:02:04 AM) ***Aelitethe weakly gets up and shambles off to the others. She looks like a veritable mess. "..."
(2:05:18 AM) Ulyssa: Aelitethe coming in does nothing to help Ulyssa's mood. It just seems to crash every time something happens. Since, you know, 9/10 things that happen are bad.
(2:05:44 AM) Ulyssa: And even less than 1/10 is good. The rest are neutral.
(2:07:59 AM) Aelitethe: "I'm a mess, I know. And I figure my presence is no longer wanted."
(2:08:45 AM) Artemis-XE: "Aelitethe... I can't say i even begin to understand how you feel. But I'll say this. Ever since you met us, you were never truly alone. All you needed was to speak, and you would be heard. And, second, but not least. I gave you my word that I would protect you. If you were to leave now, my word would prove moot. Thirdly, you have proven yourself to be an invaluable asset to our efforts."
(2:09:30 AM) Artemis-XE: "So, I ask of you. Not just for me, but for the sake of my friends. Please. Stay with us."
(2:09:40 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(2:10:07 AM) Aelitethe: "You would welcome an alien outcast such as myself...?"
(2:10:29 AM) Kineth: "Of course we would."
(2:10:57 AM) Artemis-XE: "No doubt about it."
(2:11:12 AM) Ulyssa: NOT A DEMON. FAIR GAME. ...But let's be serious here. Ulyssa can manage a nod or two.
(2:12:14 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: "Out...cast..." The priest is muttering something to himself. He looks a bit more scared again as he pieces things together. "Erm... Right..."
(2:12:47 AM) Ulyssa: Location is definitely still awkward.
(2:13:58 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe sighs, not even bothering to hide anymore, and soon starts to sing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUItvmshvE
(2:16:40 AM) DEATH-INCARNATE: The priest blinks a few times when he first hears the song, but soon begins slowly relaxing as the music reaches him. The few villagers in the back of the room also look... Certainly quite calmed as they hear it. Admiring the beauty of the song...
(2:18:37 AM) Aelitethe: ...omnis.