Session Start: Sat Dec 03 04:00:07 2011
Session Ident: #DFMirrorMaiden
[04:00] <Wraithstrike> Midnight in Moscow. Any sane person would be asleep. And it's those sane people that the Maiden of Flowers is fighting for. A Nocnamora has come forth, its body composed of brass gears. Already it has claimed two victims, but as a heroine for the people, the Maiden of Flowers is there.
[04:03] <Wraithstrike> Today, the monster has claimed these victims from Ulitsa Timura Frunze, and as it moves down the street, an armored vehicle carrying Agata Taitlin approaches the area from the southwest.
[04:03] <Wraithstrike> *Tatlin
[04:04] <Wraithstrike> At the same time that this is happening, Sasha Kuznetsov wanders into the area from the north, sensing someone in need.
[04:08] <Agata> "They say that 'truth is stranger than fiction,' right?" Nina rhetorically questions her transport's travor, one Maksim, as she passively looks out of the window. "Is it bad that I hope that this one is really a monster and not just a kidnapper?"
[04:10] <Wraithstrike> Maksim shakes his head. "What kidnapper could cause that kind of damage?"
[04:11] <Wraithstrike> He points at the fallen brickwork from the buildings, some of which are still smoking. "Are you certain you wish to get involved in this? Your father would be very upset if anything happened to you."
[04:11] <Agata> "_I_ would not know," adding meaningful emphasis. Agata is well-aware that kidnapping and hostage-taking is strictly against the code, and figures that it might be because of something in the past.
[04:12] <Agata> "Yes," Agata nods her head from her seat. "I had involved all of us in this, so I should be the one to take responsibility, right?"
[04:13] <Wraithstrike> "If that is how you feel, Ms Tatlin, the video camera is beneath the seat. There is a nightvision attachment in the case."
[04:14] <Wraithstrike> "And of course, I will be standing by with the Kalishnikov should this go sour."
[04:15] * Nina : A short haired girl in a frilly pink dress, her hair tied in cutesy ribbons, speeds past the vehicle
[04:15] * Nina lands from her petal flight and plants herself in front of the monster, spitting on the ground, visibly pissed
[04:15] <Agata> "I understand," Agata responds in as serious a girl's voice as she can manage. She fetches said video camera, a fancy, cylindrical-shaped, JVC HD recorder, then steps out of the car.
[04:16] <Nina> Alright, you asshole !
[04:16] <Nina> I've got an exam tomorrow and no time to waste here.
[04:16] <Wraithstrike> The Nocnamora turns to face the voice, its gear covered tendrils already reaching out for victims.
[04:16] <Nina> Let's get this done.
[04:17] <Agata> Agata is not one to meander away from her ride yet; she is eagerly waiting for something to present itself first.
[04:17] <Wraithstrike> The creature rears its head, and it can now be seen over the treetops in the area, from the vehicle.
[04:18] <Nina> Look, how about you just kill yourself and get it over with ? We both know I'm going to win anyway.
[04:18] <Sasha>  /A weedy young man appears jogging out a dark allyway, wearing a rain coat, jeans, trainers, and a sheathed blade sling over his back; he skids as he stops and turns to face the creature, hesitates, and then starts running towards the fight to come/
[04:20] <Wraithstrike> Nina: The creature hurls one of its many gears at you like a discus.
[04:20] * Nina jumps away swiftly as the gear crashes loudly on the ground
[04:20] <Nina> Have it your way then. Blossom ! Let's go !
[04:21] <Agata> Agata is neither the most perceptive nor eagle-eared student in her class, but the shouting and the taunting of something calls out to her. She rushes towards whatever direction she judges it to be in, setting up her camcorder with both hands.
[04:21] <Wraithstrike> Agata: You have arrived in time to see a strange girl in a frilly pink dress dodge out of the way of a massive brass gear.
[04:21] * Nina points a small toy-like rod at the monster, an aura of razor-sharp petals swirling around it
[04:23] <Sasha>  /Finally arrives at the scene of the fight; drawing his blade, he looks around and notices the other two./ "RUN! I'll hold it off!"
[04:23] <Agata> Oh... oh my. Another one of those creatures in the very flesh. She commands herself to stand firm and strong, not wanting to be cowed by a clockwork monster. The young girl then turns her attention and her camera's viewfinder tow--
[04:23] * Nina gives a quick glance to Sasha
[04:23] <Nina> The fuck ?
[04:24] <Agata> A... magical... girl with a magical rod? And a boy with a sword? She captures the first as best as she can on her recorder, then the second, thinking to herself if this is what she thinks it is.
[04:24] <Wraithstrike> Nina: As the power of flowers surges through the Rod, Blossom sends you a telepathic message. "It seems we have an audience. Off to the left and behind, about fifteen yards."
[04:25] <Nina> Oh, that's just great. Just what I needed, more potential victims. Blossom, we have to finish that monster off quickly. Full power !
[04:25] <Wraithstrike> "Full Power ready. Call it!"
[04:25] <Nina> Petal....STOOOOOOORM !
[04:25] <Sasha>  /faces the beast, sizing it up, sword out infront of him/
[04:26] <Agata> This girl does not seem like the type to respond to friendly communication at the moment, Agata appraises. She zooms out and pans, focusing her efforts on capturing the battle on DVD.
[04:26] * Nina : There is an explosion of power as millions of sharp petals are propulsed from the rod at superlative speed, rushing towards the monster
[04:30] <Agata> I guess this confirms it. This really is just like one of her Japanese animes, a jarring though races through Agata's mind as she confirms through both her camera's LCD screen and her own two eyes that this girl has just launched a salvo of magical petals.
[04:33] <Wraithstrike> The creature attempts to move out of the way from the attack, but the flower petals are faster. It staggers backward from the impact, and one of the soul orbs in its head pops out, rolling to a stop by Sasha's feet. As it loses that extra energy, it shrinks in size to six feet tall, down from 10.
[04:34] <Sasha>  /takes the oppotunity, as it staggers backwards from the attack, he pushes forward and attacks.
[04:34] <Sasha> */
[04:35] <Wraithstrike> The sudden shift in its size disorients the creature, preventing it from launching another gear.
[04:38] <Agata> A classic sword and sorcerer duo, with the usual female caster and male warrior. That is how it usually goes in games and shows, right? Agata ponders to herself, trying her best to take this realization of fantasy clichés as seriously as possible.
[04:40] <Wraithstrike> The young man with the saber takes a swing at the creature, and his sword seems to burn through the monster's metal flesh.
[04:41] * Nina whistles
[04:41] <Nina> Nice work !
[04:42] <Wraithstrike> The Nocnamora is hurt, but refuses to give up the victims it has claimed. It assumes a new form, recalling its thrown gears. It becomes a four-wheeled creature and starts racing towards Nina.
[04:44] <Agata> I guess some of them are shapeshifters in a way, or can at least change forms once badly hurt... like video game bosses, Agata makes an observation. She then shakes her head and figures that relying on game logic too much might get herself and her friends killed some day.
[04:44] * Nina jumps up with a flap of her wings, evading the monster by leaping over it
[04:45] <Wraithstrike> The creature, having missed its target, burns rubber(brass) as it spins around to make another pass."
[04:45] <Wraithstrike> As it does, it comes within ten feet of Agata's location.
[04:46] <Agata> The little mafiya princess realizes the danger posed to her and begins to back away, as though being confronted by a hunting cat in the wild that would leap at any great movement.
[04:46] <Agata> And yet, she still continues to record, record, record on audio and video.
[04:47] <Sasha> Sasha follows the creature with his eyes; when he realizes that its getting close to someone who looks relativly harmless, he raises a shout, trying to distract it and attract its attention.
[04:48] <Wraithstrike> The creature already has spun back around. Since the girl in the dress is still airborne, it heads towards Sasha.
[04:49] <Sasha> Sasha looked relieved as it ignores the other girl, then realizes its about to run him over and tries to dive out the way before he's hit.
[04:52] <Wraithstrike> The Nocnamora seems to speed up as it crashes into Sasha, dragging him underneath its carriage.
[04:52] <Agata> Agata was confident that the two of them were experienced monster-slayers and could fell this gear behemoth without much trouble, but upon seeing the fencer boy dragged about so, she continues to worry. She feels as though she should intervene, but holds herself back, realizing that she would only be a burden and that they surely have it under control.
[04:54] <Sasha> Sasha attempts to hold on desperatly; and tries to drive the sword into the Nocnamora's underbelly while trapped under the monster.
[05:03] <Wraithstrike> Even with a smaller thrust distance, Sasha' blade manages to stop the Nocnamora in its tracks, violently. As it shudders to a halt, Sasha falls from it, rolling under the carriage to the other side.
[05:04] <Sasha> Sasha groans slightly as he rolls out from under it, bedraggled and pained.
[05:04] <Agata> How daring, Agata mentally comments as she keeps a steady hand to record what might be the defeat of this metallic monster.
[05:06] * Nina also witnesses the scene, floating in the air
[05:06] <Nina> Okay, if he wants to take part in this, let's give him a shot. GRASPING VINES !
[05:06] * Nina a myriad of flowery vines extend from the rod and attempt to grab the nocnamora's wheels, preventing it from moving again
[05:13] <Wraithstrike> The vines graps around the wheels and axel of the monster, effectively immobilizing it. The Noc is paralyzed.
[05:18] <Sasha> *Sasha hews into the monster*
[05:18] <Nina> Hey, sword boy !
[05:18] <Nina> Get on that thing and try to find the glowing gem !
[05:21] <Sasha> A-alright!
[05:21] <Wraithstrike> With the full might of a hero, Sasha's blade bites through the flesh of the monster. Another amber colored gem falls out of the now frozen creature. The creature is stuck, and it starts glowing, dimly at first, but then faster and brighter with each passing second.
[05:21] <Agata> Is this debuffing and then taking advantage of it in real life? Agata wonders to herself.
[05:22] <Agata> Immediately afterwards, she focuses her camera, optically zooming in and keeping as calm a hand as possible to record the strange, luminescent, amber gem. Oh, nobody is ever going to believe this, save for her family...
[05:26] * Nina winces with effort as she maintains an implacable grab on the monster
[05:30] <Wraithstrike> As Agata watches, the blade of the young man seems to glow white hot as it slashes through the monster's body.
[05:32] <Agata> The holy blade that pierces the darkness, Agata waxes poetic in her thoughts as she keeps her camera honed on the battle.
[05:34] * Nina lands to check on the boy
[05:34] <Nina> You okay ? Anything broken ?
[05:35] <Sasha>  /Stands up having jumped away from the explosion, then winces and clutches at the huge scrape down his side/ No, I'm alright thank you. /He's got a soft spoken voice/
[05:35] * Nina sighs
[05:35] <Nina> Good, good. One last thing then.
[05:35] <Wraithstrike> Agata feels a rush of wind from the explosion, but is well outside the blast radius, so there's no damage.
[05:36] <Agata> An explosion...? What? She is sure to capture this phenomenon on DVD. Nobody is really going to believe this unless she cuts out the ridiculous, action movie-esque explosion, she thinks.
[05:36] * Nina points her blossom rod roughly at the spot Blossom indicated, spotting the witness, then murmuring
[05:36] <Sasha> Who are you?
[05:37] <Agata> Agata halts her recording, flips back the LCD, turns off the camera, and places it into one of the large, reinforced pockets of her bespoke skirt. She briskly walks towards the epicenter of the detonation in the hopes of making contact with the warriors of light.
[05:37] <Nina> Maiden of flowers. Nice to meet'cha. Just give me a moment to take care of this.
[05:37] <Nina> Petal storm.
[05:37] * Nina a small rush of rose petals rush towards Agatha, slashing her camera in half
[05:39] <Agata> Ergh, just before she was about to place it in her pocket... Agata has an exasperated look down at what remains of the device. She hopes that that did not get the DVD.
[05:40] <Agata> She will let it slide.
[05:40] <Sasha>  /frowns as the girl points her rod at the other girl and slightly raises the sword as if unsure of what to do, then stops, he slides it back into its sheath which is attached to his belt/
[05:41] <Nina> Hey, you ! No filming !
[05:42] <Agata> Agata turns her attention towards Nina and Sasha, the former more so. She offers nothing more than a nod in response, then moves on. "You had fought very bravely," in a calm, assuring tone.
[05:42] <Agata> Agata is a youthful girl of twelve years, though her height of less than four and a half feet does not stack up to her age. Her hair is a shade of dark brown, cropped and styled to end above her shoulders, and they match the color of her irides. What is visible of the child's build and complexion suggests a kid who never quite spends much time outdoors. Her clothing consists of a simple, blue waistcoat, a red necktie, a long-sleeved, white dress shirt, and a matching, long skirt. On her face is a serious expression that hints at both resolve and optimism, not at all that strained, if any.
[05:43] * Nina cracks her shoulders a bit, cooling off after the fight
[05:43] <Nina> Sure, sure, whatever.
[05:43] * Nina turns to the boy
[05:44] <Nina> Nice sword ya got there, say.
[05:45] <Agata> Non-receptive, this one. Maybe that boy will offer more, Agata ponders.
[05:45] <Sasha>  /Sasha gives a nervous smile/ Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you. [Sasha is a young man, age somewhere between 11 and 13, with boyish features, he's 5 foot tall, which is quite short for his age, reddish-brown hair, grey eyes, he always seems smaller and slighter than he actually is because his body language sort of draws him in on himself, and so he makes very little impression. Around...
[05:45] <Sasha> ...his neck is a Russian Orthodox Cross, which has slipped out from under his rain coat during the fight, he instinctivly tucks it back in, as if it slipping out is something that happens quite often.]
[05:46] <Sasha>  /Sasha looks to Nina and nods a tiny bit/ Who are you?
[05:46] <Nina> [Nina is a young girl about 12, her face locked in a constant scary frown. She's rather tall for her age, and has a lean, athletic build. Her cutesy clothing contrasts sharply with her flippant attitude]
[05:47] <Nina> Eh, call me Blossom. Magical girl Blossom.
[05:47] <Wraithstrike> Nina: Blossom itself sends you a message: "My god! He's a Capital-H Hero! That sword is a powerful relic."
[05:48] * Nina looks down at the rod, seemingly speaking to herself
[05:48] <Nina> Seriously ? Doesn't look like much to me.
[05:48] <Sasha>  /looks back and forth between Blossom and Agata/ I'm Sasha, what's your name? /To Agata, Sasha is a bit of a girls name as well, even in Russia/
[05:48] <Nina> Well, he did handle himself back there, but wasn't that just dumb luck ?
[05:49] <Agata> "My name is Agata. It is a pleasure to meet you as well," following up with a closing of her eyes and a curtsy, or whatever the Russian equivalent is.
[05:49] * Nina looks Sasha up and down with an appraising gaze
[05:50] <Agata> "Are you hurt, Sasha?" The girl gently inquires. "I have a first aid kit in my car, or I can take you to a clinic."
[05:51] <Agata> Agata does not pay much mind to the name of "Sasha," finding it normal enough. It does not necessarily denote femininity.
[05:52] <Sasha>  /Sasha shakes his head/ It's alright, I've got a kit at my house. I was just out shopping whe-.../frowns/ I left my shopping behind...oh well. /Shrugs, it seems to bother him, but not too much/ What were you doing out here Agata?
[05:54] <Agata> "To be honest, I was suspecting that something like..." gesturing with her hand towards where the Nocnamora was struck down, "that would appear here. I wanted to investigate it." Brutally honest.
[05:55] <Sasha> And what about you Blossom? /curious/
[05:56] * Nina shrugs
[05:56] <Nina> Just doing my job.
[05:56] <Nina> I kill those things as an after-school activity.
[05:57] <Sasha> Really? How do you find them? /To both parties, usually he's a shy person, but these two are too interesting to be shy around. [;us they're part of the weird world of Sasha the Hero, rather than Sasha the 13 year old boy/
[05:58] * Nina points to the toy rod
[05:58] <Nina> He tells me, mostly.
[05:58] <Agata> "She must be a monster hunter of some kind," Agata directs that comment to Sasha, figuring that Nina would not directly respond.
[05:58] <Nina> Sometimes the monsters find me instead.
[05:59] <Nina> So I hear you're some sort of Hero. You kill monsters too ?
[05:59] <Nina> Man, you're lucky. Swords are so much coolers than magical flowers.
[05:59] <Nina> No offense, Blossom rod.
[06:00] <Sasha> "How do you find them then Agat-/nods at the Hero comment/ I guess; sort of. Not really though."
[06:00] <Wraithstrike> "None Taken" the rod responds.
[06:00] <Agata> "The two of you would make a nice sword and sorcerer duo," Agata directs a compliment towards them with a slight smile.
[06:01] <Sasha>  /Sasha is unsure of how to respond to that/ Thank you?
[06:01] <Agata> Agata offers a slow nod in place of a "You are welcome."
[06:02] <Agata> "As for how I find them," Agata responds to that in a hush volume, "it just involves noting down patterns in the city."
[06:02] * Nina scribbles something on a piece of paper and slides it to Sasha
[06:02] <Nina> Here's my number. Maybe I'll see you again one of these nights.
[06:02] <Nina> For now, it's way past my bed time.
[06:03] <Sasha>  /checks the note and pockets it, then takes out his phone and offers it to her, its a crappy old brick mobile, the number is written in black Permanant marker on the back/ Heres my number.
[06:03] <Agata> "Could I please request your cellphone numbers too?" Agata chimes in with mild cheer.
[06:03] <Nina> To have you film me doing this ? No way !
[06:04] * Nina takes Sasha's number with a thank you
[06:04] * Sasha offers Agata his phone
[06:04] <Agata> "If you are camera-shy, then I could always pixelate you out," Agata resists the temptation to look at the remains of her video camera.
[06:04] <Nina> Okay, I gotta run ! Busy day tomorrow.
[06:04] <Nina> G'night, Hero, stalker !
[06:04] * Nina flies off
[06:05] <Agata> Agata hopes she has better luck with that girl on their next meeting. For now, she takes Sasha's number, kneels down on the ground, and begins the process of picking up the pieces of her camera.
[06:05] <Sasha> "Well; it was nice meeting you both. I've got to go finish my shopping though." /waves to them both as he leaves down an allyway/
[06:06] <Agata> "Hold on," in the midst of piecing things together.
[06:06] <Agata> "Would you like a ride back home?" she politely queries.
[06:06] * Sasha looks back, notices her picking up the remains of her camera, comes back and helps her pick it up, then shakes his head
[06:07] <Sasha> "No, its alright, I've got to go back to the shop on the way and its only a little way, I don't want to be any trouble, thank you."
[06:08] <Agata> "It is okay. Goodbye then, Sasha," Agata offers a small wave back from her kneeling position.
[06:08] <Agata> As for the remains of her camera... well, if the DVD got hit, then that ruins everything. Well, unless she places the fragments of the disk in an expendable disc drive and has one of her father's friends try to run data recovery. She knows she has seen it successfully done before, although it was promptly followed by the disc shattering further and ruining the drive.
[06:09] * Sasha finishes helping her get the remains of the camera together before leaving, because leaving her kneeling in the middle of the street picking up bits of Camera rather than helping would be an unkind thing to do.
[06:09] <Wraithstrike> Agata: Your DVD is still intact, thankfully.
[06:10] <Agata> "Thank you for the help," a small smile accompanying the line. "Goodbye then, Sasha," offering a small wave back from her kneeling position. Consider the first goodbye as having never happened. Some pieces are in her hand and some are in her pocket; she then scurries back to her car, where faithful Maksim Essen is waiting.
[06:11] <Wraithstrike> "Did you find what you were looking for, Ms Tatlin?"
[06:12] <Agata> "Yes, I did, Maksim," a nod and a hopeful intonation. "Did you hear it?" just before getting in the bulletproofed Rolls-Royce.
[06:12] <Wraithstrike> "I heard a roar, and a sound like brass on pavement, then an explosion."
[06:13] <Agata> "There must be so many different kinds of monsters out there..." trailing off, thinking of the terrible possibilities.
[06:15] <Wraithstrike> Two hours pass: It is now 3 AM. Where are each of you?
[06:16] * Nina flies back stealthily into her room, changing back and silently sneaking into bed
[06:17] <Agata> Agata has given the DVD and the broken pieces of camera to her father, Kyril, or her mother, Anastasiya, whoever happens to be up at the time. She carefully relays everything she saw and heard, the faces of those she saw, the name Sasha, and the fact that a certain magical girl by the name of "Blossom" should be pixelated for a video release for the sake of privacy.
[06:17] <Wraithstrike> Agata: Your mother takes the objects. "How close did you come to the monster this time, Agata?"
[06:18] <Sasha> [Most likely asleep, since its the middle of the night]
[06:18] <Sasha> [After putting some ice on the road Rash, or having a warm bath to help it stop hurting]
[06:19] <Agata> "I tried to keep far away from it, but just enough for the optical zoom to still capture the fight," Agata explains with honesty. "It did come near me, but I slowly backed away, like those survival shows say to do when confronted with a wild animal."
[06:20] <Agata> "I did not get hurt, mama," she assures the good lady.
[06:20] <Wraithstrike> "At least you were not the target this time. Go take your bath and get ready for school tomorrow."
[06:21] <Agata> Agata nods understandingly, then heads off and carries out the instructions.
[06:21] <Wraithstrike> Nina: The blossom rod, rather than communicate with you, starts casting light on a spare sheet of notebook paper. Once it finishes, you can see it is information on that sword Sasha was carrying.
[06:23] <Nina> (Drowsily) Not now, Blossom. Sleeping.
[06:24] <Wraithstrike> The blossom rod turns off, and now we move ahead to the next morning. For the two of you attending school, you're approaching the last days of the semester and final exams loom.
[06:28] <Agata> This is going to be a challenge for little miss skipped-three-grades. Fortunately, she has a decent circle of nerdy (to various degrees) friends to study with.
[06:28] <Wraithstrike> Today, classes are limited to a few so cram sessions can take place in the library.
[06:31] <Agata> Agata tries to gather together in the library as much of her friends as she can: Florian... that Florian... Oliver, Boleslava, Natalya, Galina, and Isidora. Hopefully, seven minds should be able to pool their brains together to amplify their ability to cram and memorize.
[06:31] <Wraithstrike> As the students pour in, Agata is bumped from behind, and whoever bumped into her scatters loose papers all around her.
[06:32] <Agata> In the back of her mind, Agata hopes that the two she had met yesterday would come along in school, so that she could meet them again. She realizes that "Blossom" is the type to shy away from libraries though, but that Sasha... well, what if he attends another school?
[06:32] <Agata> Agata checks whoever it was had caused the physical contact; she cannot blame whoever it is, having done the exact same thing a few times in the past herself.
[06:33] <Wraithstrike> Looking behind you, you see one of the other affluent kids from your neighborhood. You've seen him before when you father had meetings with his, but you can only remember his family name: Elkin.
[06:34] <Wraithstrike> He's about 5'5, with brown hair and strange golden eyes. He's a bit stockier than most of the boys his size, but he only offers a hasty apology as he attempts to pick up his notes and violin case.
[06:34] <Agata> "I am sorry for getting in your way," Agata is quick to apologize, though she comes off as more business-like than meek. "Here, let me help you pick all of this up."
[06:35] <Agata> Pick, pick, pick, arrange, arrange.
[06:36] <Wraithstrike> Among the notes you come across are some rather interesting poetry. The meter's not wrong, and the prose is good without becoming flowery. But compared to the rest of the papers he dropped, it doesn't seem to fit in. He's struggling to get it out of your hands.
[06:36] <Agata> Agata memorizes as much of it as she can before releasing it to the boy.
[06:36] <Wraithstrike> Nina, where are you for the schoolday?
[06:37] <Nina> (Well if there are few classes, Nina will probably be helping in athletics club)
[06:37] <Nina> (She's not really one for studying much)
[06:37] <Wraithstrike> The boy offers a rushed thanks and heads off down the hall. As he does, you can see his cellphone is vibrating, which causes him to get distracted and scatter his work again, this time against one of the bigger boys in the school. He's not as forgiving as you, and starts pushing the other boy around.
[06:38] <Wraithstrike> The boy's violin case crashes against a wall, soon followed by the boy himself.
[06:39] <Agata> Agata is appalled by this uncouth display. Though she had little ability to contribute against the great gear monster, she feels that she can scold this older boy a bit.
[06:39] <Wraithstrike> Nina: Several other members of the club are talking about something they saw online: a moving rock wall. "Imagine if we could get something like that here?"
[06:40] <Agata> "Please do not be rough with him; he did not mean it," Agata politely requests.
[06:40] <Nina> Oh yeah, that would be so awesome ! We could climb it in mid-slide.
[06:41] <Wraithstrike> The older boy is about to shout at you when he sees who's talking to him. He starts backing down in fear.
[06:41] <Nina> What ? You got a problem ?
[06:41] <Wraithstrike> That was for Agata.
[06:41] <Nina> (Oh)
[06:42] <Agata> Agata sincerely hopes that she is not doing that thing again where she asks nicely and people grow scared. She does not even try to be intimidating; she is just a little mouse. In her mind, she looses the mental equivalent of a sigh, though she maintains her composure externally.
[06:42] <Agata> She says nothing more and assists the boy in getting back up, by offering a hand.
[06:43] <Wraithstrike> Nina: Tanya mentions a desire for a billiards table, or some other game of skill somewhere in the school. "I hear the teacher's lounge has a foosball table."
[06:44] <Nina> The other clubs get all the nice stuff. We should make a protest or something.
[06:44] <Wraithstrike> The boy takes your hand, shakily, and tries to stand up. When he puts down his right leg, he wobbles a bit before falling back over. He tries to stifle the scream that comes out. Through gritted teeth, he says "I think he broke something. My parents will be so pissed."
[06:45] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: you have been contacted by Ambassador Saad. He'd like to discuss your future.
[06:46] <Wraithstrike> Nina: you definitely hear the scream.
[06:46] <Nina> (Scream ?)
[06:46] <Nina> (Oh, from the library)
[06:46] <Agata> Nina frowns slightly. "Do not blame yourself for the actions of others," she assures him, directly copying a line she had heard while seeing her friend Galina play Assassin's Creed: Revelations. "I will go call someone from the clinic."
[06:47] <Wraithstrike> (Yeah. There's a hallway separating the library and gymnasium.)
[06:47] <Agata> Nina steps out of the library, retrieves her exorbitantly costly Sectera Edge PDA-Phone, and dials the number of the school's clinic. Yes, it has its own landline.
[06:47] <Nina> Oh, what the hell ?
[06:47] * Nina slams the door to the library
[06:47] <Nina> Would you keep it down over there ?!
[06:48] <Wraithstrike> "You don't understand. My family is going to be angry at me for getting injured."
[06:49] <Agata> Upon hearing the phone being picked up, she immediately instructs, "Excuse me, but someone has broken his leg in the library. Could you please send someone to assist him?"
[06:49] * Sasha heads over to the Egyptian Embassy by foot
[06:49] <Wraithstrike> Nurse Vanya Noble picks up the landline. "A broken leg. yes, we'll be there soon. make sure there's a clear path for the stretcher."
[06:49] * Nina walks over to the scene
[06:49] <Nina> Oy ! Who's the fucker who did this ?
[06:50] <Nina> Fess up or I'll find you and punch your teeth out !
[06:50] <Agata> Agata takes the time to push a cart lying about out of the way, then returns to the library promptly.
[06:51] <Wraithstrike> Sasha, when you arrive, the guards lower their weapons and let you pass. The Ambassador is drinking tea before his fireplace. There's a beautiful curved sword hanging over the mantle as he waves you in. "Hello, Sasha. I trust you are well."
[06:52] <Sasha> Sasha smiles shyly at the Ambassador, he hasn't known him long enough to totally get over his shyness, but he has known him long enough to be friendly with him. "I'm fine Mr Saad, how are you?" I take a seat if theres one on offer.
[06:53] <Agata> Oh my, it is that "Blossom" girl from earlier this morning. Agata does not make an effort to be noticed, although she eventually will be as she approaches the hurt boy. Even if Agata knew the name of the older fellow responsible, she would not dare to give it to that "Blossom." Violence should not beget violence like that... even if her family seems to think so sometimes...
[06:54] <Agata> "It is alright; a nurse is on the way," she tries to relieve Elkin.
[06:54] <Wraithstrike> "I am worried. My country recently had free elections that do little to handle the stability. I cannot go back as my duty is here. However, these are old men's worries. I wanted to tell you that I am sponsoring you for entry into the Equity School. You are too bright a boy to not get a proper education."
[06:55] <Sasha> [Do I know anything about Equity School, most likely not since I'm not exactly Worldly in the ways of Moscow, unless its quite famous]
[06:56] <Wraithstrike> (What you do know is that it's one of the best schools. Not much else.)
[06:57] <Wraithstrike> "You will be fast-tracked to Pashkov Lyceum for the next term. Ever since we met, I knew you were bound for great things. Sending you to that school is the best way I can support you."
[06:58] <Sasha> Really?! *Surprised, its a lot of effort to go for just because he's taken a Shining to me and knows the Mother Superior* Thank you Sir! I'll make sure to do my best for your faith Sir. *Shocked and appreciative, he was worried about school, he's spent so much time just trying to get everything in order he hasn't had time to plan ahead really*
[06:59] <Wraithstrike> Nina and Agata: The nurse arrives, loading Elkin onto the stretcher. As it passes, he reaches out to Agata. "Please don't let them tell my family."
[06:59] <Wraithstrike> "Among the things you'll receive for this are boarding at my house, school uniforms, other clothes as needed, schoolbooks and a new cellphone. Does this interest you?"
[07:00] <Agata> Agata discreetly approaches the nurse and, in a low tone just above a whisper, requests, "Please do not inform his parents, alright?"
[07:00] <Sasha> "That would be wonderful Sir! I'd be staying here?...is your family happy with it though Sir?"
[07:00] <Wraithstrike> The nurse shakes her head. "We are bound by law to report all injuries to the parents. I am sorry."
[07:01] <Agata> Agata can only offer a defeated, sorry expression towards Elkin. Nothing she can done.
[07:01] <Wraithstrike> "My family is composed of two grown sons and one daughter just entering adulthood. The boys have no issue with you staying in one of their rooms."
[07:02] * Nina shoots a killer glance to the rest of the room
[07:02] <Nina> Whoever you are, I will find you.
[07:02] * Nina with this, heads back to the gymnasium
[07:02] <Agata> Actually, Nina has a better idea.
[07:02] <Agata> Agata, I mean.
[07:03] <Wraithstrike> What idea is that?
[07:03] <Agata> On second thought, no. Carry on.
[07:03] <Sasha> "That would be fantastic Sir! I'd be happy to stay here...only as long as you want me to stay though. And would it be alright if I kept my phone, Sister Superior gave it to me as a going away gift..." *Appologettic tone, as if not buying him a new phone is a lot of trouble for the Ambassador*
[07:05] <Wraithstrike> Elkin's violin case remains on the ground. The fingerboard lays cracked, and several strings snapped.
[07:05] <Agata> Florian is good with violins, Agata figures. He would probably be able to fix this well enough. She secures the violin in its case, then picks it up.
[07:06] <Wraithstrike> ""No, I understand. That is all right. If you want, you can have the old phone as a keepsake. The new phone would be for school communications and calls from me."
[07:06] <Agata> Promptly afterwards, she finds herself disappointed that that "Blossom" has already left.
[07:07] <Wraithstrike> Florian nods as you approach. "Shame about Valentin. He just has so much on his mind."
[07:07] <Agata> She should more attentive next time. Oh well, she figures as she takes a seat in the library, places the violin case down, and waits for her ow-- oh, there he is.
[07:08] <Sasha> *Nods* "That would be great Mr Saad. I'd love to stay here. If its alright with Mr Krupin."
[07:08] <Wraithstrike> Florian takes a look at the violin. "This is a beautiful instrument. A Kurenai brand. I'll see about getting it fixed for him."
[07:09] <Agata> "That would be great, Florian," in a more hopeful voice. Oh, Florian, such a helpful boy at times...
[07:09] <Agata> "I hope his parents are not too cross with him," in a slightly glum tone.
[07:10] <Wraithstrike> Again Florian shakes his head. "I met him when I started here. His entire family is living vicariously through him. Each side of his family has a different idea of what he should be."
[07:11] <Agata> "They should not blame him for getting into an accident. It was not his fault," Agata breaks eye contact for a moment as she opines. "A leg injury would not affect his violin skills that much, would it?"
[07:12] <Wraithstrike> "Not his violin skills. But the other half of his family wants him to be the head chef at a fine american restaurant. He's decent at cooking, but like the violin, his heart's not in it."
[07:13] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: "Excellent. My servant will get you measured for your new clothes, and take you out later today to buy some new ones."
[07:14] <Agata> "I see... I would not know how to help him out of that situation. All I can offer him is my hopes, and that would be it." Agata's lines are somber.
[07:14] <Sasha> *Still pleasantly shocked by this revelation* "Thank you Sir!"
[07:14] <Wraithstrike> Nina: As you start working out again, you realize that you recognize the face of someone in the library. She was there last night."
[07:15] <Agata> Agata keeps to herself the fact that "American restaurant" conjures images of the stereotypical steak. Her favorite dish is the filet mignon, although her friend Oliver can prepare one too since it also falls under French cuisine.
[07:15] * Nina gives off a quiet "Oh crap" to herself, hoping the girl didn't recognize her
[07:16] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: Ambassador Saad offers you some tea. "Now, I will give you my home address. When you are finished shopping today, you will be brought there to select your new room."
[07:17] <Wraithstrike> Agata: Florian seems to be shying away from you even as he talks. Something about your presence is scaring him, which doesn't happen often.
[07:18] <Agata> Agata knows that he is an introverted boy at heart, but...
[07:18] <Agata> "Is something wrong, Florian?" Agata offers an accompanying look of concern.
[07:19] <Sasha> "Thank you Sir. *Accept the tea and sip it quietly, small talk with the Ambassador until its time to leave, go shopping, nothing expensive, infact I preffer charity store clothes, so not really even anything new*"
[07:19] <Wraithstrike> Florian responds "I'm not sure. Something about you seems off. As if you've been touched by..." he stops cold, staring unblinkingly into your eyes. "You have. You have been exposed..."
[07:21] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: "After getting your measurements, the first stop is the uniform store where you'll be getting the uniform for Pashkov Lyceum. Three uniforms in the school's red and gray, and two pairs of shoes.
[07:21] <Agata> Oh my, Agata thinks to herself. Could he be... wait, no, but. What if...
[07:21] <Wraithstrike> Agata: As if sensing your hesitation, he slides you a note telling you to meet him at his house after school.
[07:22] <Sasha> *Spend the entire time in the shop feeling very uncomfortable as the centre of so much attention. I'm happier once we go somewhere a bit quieter and less formal feeling*
[07:22] <Agata> Agata is about to ask something along the lines of "Exposed to what?", but the note interrupts her. She has a look at it and nods. Prechistenka 22--that would be near her own house at Ostozhenka 25.
[07:24] <Agata> At the same time, she cannot help but feel a twinge of mild embarrassment in her mind at the prospect of visiting this boy's house. She has certainly never done so before.
[07:24] <Agata> She offers her signature, understanding nod, and then tries to change the subject. "So, I think we should focus on Literature first..." bringing out the appropriate books from her schoolbag.
[07:25] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: The next place is for swimwear and summer clothing, even though it's the start of winter.
[07:26] <Sasha> Am I with someone, or am I being allowed to shop on my own?
[07:26] <Wraithstrike> (You're under supervision by the ambassador's servant, but otherwise, you've been given money and freedom to shop after the uniforms)
[07:27] <Sasha> [In that case, I'm digging my heels in on not getting the clothes first hand, very gently and not outright saying it, but he makes his prefference obvious and opts more for clothes from chairty stores, I probably end up spending only a fraction of what I was expected to spend really]
[07:28] <Wraithstrike> Nina: After a little more time in the gymnasium, you hear a sound of at least six angry sets of feet rushing through the hall. They're headed past the gym to the nurse's office, and the footsteps are accompained by many expletives and insults directed at the injured boy.
[07:28] <Nina> Those sons of bitches. Sorry girls ! Be back in a second, I have some heads to bash in !
[07:28] * Nina runs off
[07:29] <Wraithstrike> As you rush towards the nurses' office, you can see that the angry ones are all adults, berating the Elkin boy for being so careless.
[07:30] * Nina loudly bursts into the nurse's office
[07:30] <Nina> HEY ! THIS IS A PLACE OF FUCKING HEALING ! KEEP YOUR DAMN VOICE DOWN !
[07:30] * Nina looks like a fountain of rage
[07:31] <Wraithstrike> Nina: After shouting, you can see that everyone in the room looks like the Elkin boy. They are definitely related.
[07:31] * Nina doesn't really seem to give a crap
[07:31] <Wraithstrike> The eldest man, whose hairline is receding along with his eyesight, shouts back "Be silent, young man! This doesn't concern you!"
[07:32] * Nina simply glares at the man, looking straight into his eyes with the meanest, most evil look she could muster, with a clear meaning of "Say another word and I will break you"
[07:34] <Wraithstrike> As if he's just seen a shark's fin approaching at the beach, the old man blanches and backs off. But the rest of the family turns on you. The mother looks down her nose at you. "What business does a ragged tomboy have with my son?"
[07:35] <Nina> You should leave now. Your son is resting, and your insults aren't making it any better.
[07:37] <Wraithstrike> The mother looks down at her son and storms out past you. Her family soon follows. But the damage has been done. The boy is crying, biting his tongue and wanting to vanish.
[07:38] * Nina gives them a murderous glance as they leave then walks over to the boy
[07:38] <Nina> Hey. Keep crying, you pussy. You're gonna be fine.
[07:38] <Nina> Stop*  crying, sorry
[07:39] <Wraithstrike> He looks up at you. "You know, your bedside manner sucks. But it's better than theirs." He offers his hand. "Valentin Elkin."
[07:39] * Nina shakes his hand
[07:39] <Nina> Nina Dolohov. Those guys your parents ?
[07:40] <Wraithstrike> "Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Older Sisters... Everybody knows what they want for me, but they don't really know me."
[07:40] <Nina> Well it's official then, you win the "worst family ever" contest.
[07:41] <Wraithstrike> Sasha: You've arrives at the Ambassador's house. After taking the bags of clothes, he shows you his sons' rooms. One has a nice view of the city, while the other one has a view of a brick wall.
[07:41] <Wraithstrike> Nina: "I'd like to thank everyone who made this award possible...oh no, wait, I don't."
[07:42] <Sasha> [Which one is more out the way and humble? I'm trying my best to not be too much trouble and just tuck myself away in a corner really.]
[07:42] <Wraithstrike> (the brick wall room)
[07:42] * Nina giggles
[07:42] <Sasha> [I'm in the brick wall room then.]
[07:44] <Wraithstrike> Nina: "You've got a nice laugh. Now if you'll excuse me, the morphine's kicking in..." he passes out on the table, smiling for the first time today.
[07:44] * Nina tucks him in with a smile and leaves
[07:45] <Wraithstrike> School passes mostly without any more incident and soon all the students are let out.
[07:45] <Sasha> [Unpack all my very few things in my new room, fill the wardrobe neatly, everything nice and tidy; after all, no point making a mess having just got here]
[07:47] <Agata> "I am sorry, Galina, but I cannot give commentary for Let's Play Tales of Vesperia this week. I think I should be studying," Agata offers one last excuse to her friends before setting off to her car.
[07:47] <Wraithstrike> At the end of that period, Valentin was taken to the hospital, but his injury is still the talk among students. As Agata leaves the school, she can see the boy repsonsible for his injuries being dragged by his ear by an older girl. Someone's going to read him the riot act.
[07:51] <Wraithstrike> Agata: where are you headed?
[07:51] <Agata> To the Rolls-Royce, where her personal chaffeur Maksim waits like a faithful hound.
[07:51] <Agata> En route, she draws out her fancy satellite PDA-phone and dials Sasha's number.
[07:52] * Sasha answers the phone, having just finished putting his clothes in his wardrobe and finding a place that a sword can be hidden inside a school backpack
[07:52] <Sasha> "Hello?"
[07:53] <Agata> "Good afternoon, Sasha. I have a favor to ask of you, if you would not mind," in as unassuming a tone as Agata could muster. "Could you please accompany me to a friend's house? There is something very important we should talk about. I can pick you up wherever you are."
[07:54] <Sasha> "Oh, alright; where does he live?" (And OOC how close is it to where he is?)
[07:54] <Agata> "Prechistenka 22, just a side street across Ostozhenka," Agata explains.
[07:56] <Agata> "Oh, and could you please call 'Blossom' and say that she might want to come along too?"
[07:56] <Sasha> "Oh! That's fine, If its only one street over from Ostozhenka, I can get there easily. Which number?" /grab my backpack, make sure that I've got some money, leave a note which reads "Visiting a friend, back tonight, sorry." and head downstairs/
[07:57] <Agata> Agata has already said 22.
[07:57] <Sasha> *Scratch that line then*
[07:57] <Sasha> "Alright, I'll meet you there if that's alright?"
[07:58] <Agata> "Sure. Where can I pick you up?" Agata follows up.
[07:59] <Sasha> "It's fine Agata; I'm nearby anyway, It will only take me a few minutes to get to Prechinstenka street."
[07:59] <Agata> "Okay, then. See you there, Sasha," politely ending the call.
[07:59] <Sasha> "Bye." *End call, head over, try to find number 22.*
[08:01] <Sasha>  /Phone Nina/
[08:01] * Nina picks up
[08:01] <Nina> Yeah, hello ?
[08:02] <Sasha> "Hello? Oh, Hi, Mrs Blossom. It's Sasha, Agata asked me to call you; she said she was going to a friends house and that you might want to go there too?"
[08:03] <Nina> Oh, hey sword boy. Didn't expect to hear from you so soon.
[08:03] <Nina> But, uh, who's Agata ?
[08:04] <Sasha> "The other girl who was there last night. The one with the recorder."
[08:04] <Sasha> "Do you two know each other?"
[08:04] <Nina> Camera girl ? Why does she want me to see her friend ?
[08:04] <Nina> Not really
[08:05] <Sasha> "I'm not sure, she just asked me to phone you, you could phone her and ask though, would you like her number?"
[08:05] <Nina> Nah, I'm sure she has redial. She'd get my number back.
[08:06] * Nina makes sure she's alone, then picks up the Blossom rod from her school bag
[08:06] <Nina> Say, Blossom, do I have any magical girl work tonight ?
[08:07] <Wraithstrike> "Nothing i'm picking up. I must say, I found that girl with the camera interesting. She's a Nocnamora Survivor who still remembers."
[08:07] <Nina> Got absorbed an' all ?
[08:08] <Wraithstrike> "From what I picked up, she woke up in the middle of the absorption process. No lasting effects, at least physically."
[08:08] <Nina> Weird. Guess I could check it out.
[08:08] <Wraithstrike> "And you know how hard it is for Noc victims to wake up."
[08:08] * Nina back to the phone
[08:08] <Nina> Yeah, sorry about that. I'm free tonight.
[08:09] <Nina> Where do we meet up ?
[08:09] <Sasha> "Alright, the address is number 22, Prechistenka."
[08:10] <Nina> Noted. I'll be there in a flash.
[08:10] <Wraithstrike> (I assume you've all arrived)
[08:11] <Sasha> "Alright. See you soon..." *Politely lets you end the call.*
[08:11] * Nina cuts off
[08:11] <Agata> Agata shows Maksim the panic button as an indicator along the lines of, "I press this, you come with the Slav gun," then sets it back in her skirt pocket.
[08:12] <Agata> "To think that he had been just across two streets..." Agata comments as she gets out of her car.
[08:13] <Wraithstrike> Once you arrive, Florian opens the door. Seeing that more than just Agata has arrived, he takes note of the newcomers. "Oh no no...you two are too powerful. I can't let you come in. If you do, she'll know."
[08:13] * Sasha smiles and gives a tiny wave as he notices Agata get out the car.
[08:13] <Agata> Agata politely waves in kind.
[08:13] <Nina> The hell ? I didn't come all the way here to get snobbed !
[08:14] <Agata> "Hmmm? Do you mean your mother, Florian? These are just my friends; I do not think they would cause any trouble," Agata explains with mild befuddlement.
[08:14] <Sasha> "Hello Nina, how are yo-*as the door opens as Florian says that* Oh, hello."
[08:15] <Wraithstrike> He stops. "They would not cause any physical trouble. But their essences would be all over the house, and she would know. Let's talk out on lawn."
[08:15] <Agata> "If everyone would be comfortable with that, then alright."
[08:15] * Nina nods as Sasha "Hey, sword boy."
[08:16] <Nina> Lawn's fine with me.
[08:16] <Agata> Agata sees that this is one of those houses wherein the lawn is actually to the side of the house, rather than in front of it. She promptly follows.
[08:16] <Sasha> "...*Hesitates, since the boy seems worried, looks to Agata and back, thinking about if it'd be best to leave before I cause him any trouble*"
[08:16] * Sasha follows them all
[08:16] <Agata> "It is alright, Sasha. Speaking outside should be fine," she tries to assure the boy.
[08:17] <Wraithstrike> Florian disappears inside, coming out with tea. "All right. We'll start with the obvious." he points to Nina. "You are one of the Chosen." and to Sasha "And you're the Hero."
[08:17] * Sasha nods. "Alright, I'm not causing any trouble for you Mr...?"
[08:18] <Agata> Agata takes note of these strange terms. This was like some magical fantasy story worming its way into reality...
[08:18] * Nina frowns at Florian
[08:18] <Nina> Where I come from, it's polite to introduce yourself before you start pointing fingers.
[08:18] <Agata> "Would it be alright to ask what you are then, Florian?" Agata is quite direct.
[08:19] <Wraithstrike> "Florian Geeste. Very well, Agata. I am a scion of the Winter Court of the Fae, the most powerful supernatural force in Moscow." He shakes his head, and cat-like ears appear.
[08:20] <Agata> Agata is rendered speechless, and her expression turns to one of muted awe. Oh... those... those are so... so...
[08:20] <Agata> "Do you have a tail too?" she blurts out before blushing at her own excitedness.
[08:20] * Nina grunts
[08:20] <Nina> So you're one of the bad guys ?
[08:21] <Wraithstrike> "When I said that you were touched earlier, Agata, I meant that in passing you had been exposed to the energies of a Nocnamora. The Chosen here could better explain what exactly is going on with that."
[08:21] * Sasha looks at the ears, surprised, then blinks, less effected than Nina or Agata, since I don't really know this guy that well.
[08:21] <Wraithstrike> "I don't like to show the tail. It's a sign of my lineage I'm non too proud of."
[08:22] <Agata> "... alright..." Agata complies, still thinking to herself how adorable those cat ears look.
[08:22] <Sasha> "...The Winter Court?"
[08:22] <Nina> Well, there isn't much to explain. Blossom says she remembers everything.
[08:22] <Wraithstrike> "I am not a 'bad guy' as you put it. Is a person considered evil just by their parentage?"
[08:22] * Sasha might as well have been told that the boy was a Gigoplex by the look of it for all that the words Winter Court mean to him.
[08:23] * Nina shrugs
[08:23] <Nina> Just asking.
[08:23] <Agata> "Let us take things one at a time. First, since Sasha is not familiar with them, what would this Winter Court be?" Agata queries after recomposing herself.
[08:24] <Wraithstrike> "The Winter Court is one of the ruling parties of the Fae. Shapeshifters, Faeries, Ogres, we are all part of either Winter or Summer. Winter represents darkness and cold, while Summer is Heat, Fire and Growth."
[08:25] <Wraithstrike> "As of right now, 75% of the territory in and around Moscow belongs to Winter. The rest is given by treaty to the creators of the Nocnamoras."
[08:26] <Agata> "Fae... sorry, I am not too good with folklore. Fanciful monsters from a mystical realm of magic, is what I know they are claimed to be, though."
[08:27] * Sasha shakes his head "I don't know anything about this, sorry."
[08:27] <Wraithstrike> "It is all very complex to explain in one afternoon. However, I will try. Many years ago, this was the site of a supernatural war between Winter and beings from the Night Wave. Certainly you were told this, Chosen?"
[08:27] <Nina> I got the cliff's notes.
[08:28] <Agata> "I am not surprised to know that Russia is a place dominated by something Wintry. What are these Night Wave and Nocnamora though? Are they those..." Agata trails off for a moment before picking her volume back up. "other monsters? Like the clockwear gear thing that they," gesturing to Nina and Sasha. "fought this morning?"
[08:28] <Nina> Pretty much. They change form depending on the Author.
[08:29] <Agata> "What is an 'Author'?" Agata follows up.
[08:29] * Sasha nods "That was a Nocnamora; I don't know much about them really, but I know they feed on lives."
[08:29] <Nina> It's the guy whose will and dreams they feed on. They grow more powerful by feeding on more similar desires. Until they die. When I kill them.
[08:30] <Nina> So what's it to you, fairy ? Why call us out here ?
[08:30] <Agata> Nina puts two and two together and comes to a realization. "I think one of them tried to kill me before. It was a great, big, shadowy, eight-legged lizard-basilisk-thing."
[08:31] <Agata> "It was so scary, and I feared for my life, but I stood strong," Agata tells a portion of her tale.
[08:31] <Wraithstrike> "Because Agata is my friend and I was worried for her safety. She's aware of the Nocnamoras, and that means she'll have to make the Choice."
[08:32] <Agata> "What is this Choice, Florian?" Agata asks with both worry and curiosity. "The choice to fight for the fairies you work for to defeat those Nocnamora?"
[08:34] <Wraithstrike> "Along those lines yes. There is a Summer representative here who willing heroes and heroines can contract with to fight the Nocnamora. I am bound by the laws of people that I cannot tell you more."
[08:35] <Agata> "Confidential, huh..." Agata has a look at the ground before turning back up to face the catboy. She tries to avert her gaze from those black cat ears. "Could this representative explain more?"
[08:35] * Sasha remains quiet, letting them talk and learning
[08:35] <Nina> Well, I can explain. Went through it before.
[08:36] <Nina> You sure you want the job though ? You don't look like you're cut out for it.
[08:36] <Agata> Agata turns to Nina upon hearing that. "I would like to know exactly what I am being offered first."
[08:37] <Wraithstrike> Blossom speaks to your mind: "Not cut out for it? She woke up? She recovered before a Noc could convert her. She's definitely capable."
[08:37] <Nina> (turns to Blossom) Oh come on, she's a meek, precious little princess.
[08:37] <Nina> (back to Agatha) Okay then. I can't guarantee that the terms will be exactly the same for you than for me, but here's what I was offered.
[08:37] <Wraithstrike> Blossom responds sarcastically: "Just try messing with her. Her family will make sure you regret it."
[08:39] <Sasha> *To Florian* "So who are the Night Wave...or what are the Night Wave?"
[08:39] <Nina> Basically, the deal was to take up this jerkass over here (holds up the Blossom Rod) and spiritually link myself to him to fight a war against the Night Wave. He senses them coming, I find them, and I fight them.
[08:39] <Nina> In exchange, I get sweet powers to do with as I please. Thing is, there's a catch.
[08:40] <Agata> "Is the catch just having to fight those Nocnamora all the time, or..." Nina leaves a blank.
[08:40] <Nina> The powers feed on one thing precious to you. Ain't no thing if you use them carefully, but if you overspend, there might be some side effects.
[08:40] <Nina> Nah, the Noc aren't that bad.
[08:40] <Nina> They're a nice after-school activity. Make life less boring.
[08:40] <Nina> But they're not really all that dangerous. Unless you throw yourself under their wheels.
[08:40] <Nina> Right sword boy ?
[08:40] <Agata> "Does whoever accepts get to know what this 'precious thing' is in advance?" Agata presses on, inquisitive.
[08:41] <Nina> Sure, you get to choose.
[08:41] <Wraithstrike> Florian responds: "The Night Wave are servitors of the Outsiders. Winter had to offer the 25% of Moscow to them to keep them from rampaging. The treaty however, had a few exploits."
[08:41] * Sasha looks embaressed at that comment, but doesn't go to defend himself.
[08:41] <Nina> Me, the price is a stupid outfit and having to act girly for a while if I go all out.
[08:42] <Agata> "What do exploits in a treaty have to do with fighting this Night Wave?" Agata turns to Florian, eager for more exposition.
[08:44] <Wraithstrike> "The section of the treaty in question says that 'The Council of Seven, the ruling party of the Night Wave, are not allowed to take direct action against Winter Holdings.' However, their generals are not part of the Council, and can act with plausible deniability."
[08:45] <Agata> "The army of a council of dark monster masterminds, huh..." Agata repeats the ridiculousness of it all.
[08:45] <Agata> "So they have to be defeated before they can do something terrible, like kill everyone in their dreams, right?" Agata infers.
[08:46] * Nina nods
[08:46] <Wraithstrike> "It's worse than that. Their ultimate goal is to bridge this plane of reality with the Outer Gates. If Outsiders walk freely, all life as we know will be destroyed."
[08:47] <Agata> "'Outer Gates'? Is that like outer space?" Agata childishly inquires.
[08:47] <Nina> So, kill everyone. That's what she said.
[08:48] * Nina doesn't know too much about the Outside, so she lets Florian speak on that one
[08:48] <Sasha> "The end of the world? What are the Outsiders?"
[08:49] <Wraithstrike> "No. Outer Space is still within this plane of reality." Florian takes a stick and draws a diagram in the dirt. It looks like a castle. "Imagine that this is the world as we all know it. All life whether human or supernatural exists here. This gate is the boundary between this plane and others. If the gate is open, the barbarians on the other side will enter and destory everything."
[08:49] <Wraithstrike> "It's not a good thing to inquire about the Outsiders. Know simply that they are bad news."
[08:49] <Wraithstrike> *destroy
[08:49] <Nina> You sound like Blossom.
[08:50] <Agata> "So these monsters from our world, they want to do something that lets aliens from another dimension come in and destroy the world. Is... that it?" Agata is mildly shocked by how ridiculous, cartoon evil this all sounds.
[08:50] <Sasha> "...so then why hasn't everyone banded together to get rid of the Night Wave yet, if they plan to bring the Outsiders through the gate?"
[08:51] <Wraithstrike> "Because for now, the Night Wave are limited to Moscow by a series of extremely powerful wards. While that does keep them local, it also prevents us from receiving aid from the rest of the world."
[08:51] <Wraithstrike> "The Night Wave were deceived by their investigations into the outsiders. They believe that they will have a say in the new world the outsiders create, not realizing that there is no new world where the Outsiders are invovled."
[08:52] <Sasha> "So we're sort of the first wall I guess? *Makes another circle around the inner Circle and puts a little 'M' on it* we have to fall before they can attack the rest of the world?"
[08:52] <Agata> "Florian, after our midterms, could I please ask you to tutor me on these things? They are something I should really be knowing soon," Agata politely requests.
[08:53] <Agata> "I understand the gist of it, what the faerie courts, the Night Wave, and the Outsiders are, but... I think a more in-depth explanation would be helpful."
[08:53] <Wraithstrike> "As best as I can. Yes, that's an apt analogy, Hero. Now, if you wish to know more, you must 'get lost' and meet the Chosen's sponsor."
[08:54] <Agata> "Where is this sponsor?" Question after question after question.
[08:54] <Nina> Underground. I can't really lead you there, but I can get lost with you.
[08:55] <Nina> It's dangerous out there after all.
[08:55] <Agata> "Please, take us there... 'Blossom,'" still a bit embarrassed to say that out aloud.
[08:55] <Sasha> "...is it the Goblin Market?"
[08:55] <Nina> Fuck it, you've seen my face at school. Just call me Nina.
[08:55] <Nina> And if you breathe a word of that, I will rip your guts out.
[08:56] <Agata> "I am pleased to meet you, Nina," offering a little curtsy.
[08:56] <Nina> Crimson lives in Station 13. You sure you want to meet him ?
[08:57] <Agata> "I need to hear every detail I can. Yes," grim and resolute.
[08:57] <Agata> A deep breath, and Agata turns back to Florian. "Thank you for your explanations so far, Florian," sincerely grateful.
[08:58] * Nina nods at Florian
[08:58] <Wraithstrike> "My pleasure. And once the exams are finished, perhaps we could meet again so I can give you a proper education."
[08:58] <Sasha> "Can...could I come too? If its alright that is? I need to find out about all this. Please Nina?"
[08:58] <Nina> Say, how many fairies like you are there at school ?
[08:58] <Wraithstrike> "That information is confidential to the Winter Court."
[08:58] <Nina> Yeah, right. Well, I'm betting on Liza being some sort of evil witch.
[08:59] <Nina> Sword boy ? Yeah, you're an okay guy. You can come along.
[08:59] <Agata> Agata wonders along with just how many fae are in her school alone. What of the entire city?
[08:59] <Agata> "So, are we walking, or should I call for my car?" Agata gets down to business.
[09:00] <Sasha> "Thank you." /smiles a tiny grateful smile/
[09:02] <Nina> There's a passage to the tunnel not that far from here. But we might as well take the car.
[09:02] <Nina> Then again, once we get underground, we'll have to ditch it anyway. Better walk.
[09:03] <Agata> Agata gives that understanding nod she likes to give, then calls good old Maksim. "I am walking with my friends. Please wait for me here."
[09:03] <Nina> Okay, see you later, Florian. Come along, you two
[09:04] * Nina heads to the abandoned subway tunnels
[09:04] * Sasha gets up and follows after Nina; as we enter the tunnel, swap my sword from my backpack to my belt.
[09:05] <Agata> "Farewell, Florian," Agata offers the boy a heartfelt goodbye.
[09:05] <Nina> Hey, blossom, can you do that light trick from yesterday again ? It's dark down here.
[09:05] <Sasha> Thank you for helping us so much Mr Florian *Polite bow before leaving*
[09:07] <Agata> The three of them probably got in at Park Kultury, the metro station nearest Prechistenka.
[09:07] <Wraithstrike> "One light coming up!" The tunnel lights up. Soon the twists and turns have you lost beneath the city, when your wandering brings you to a decrepit subway station. A taller man, about 6'7 with red hair and a military jacket greets you. "Hello, Nina. I see you brought friends."
[09:08] <Agata> Agata memorizes every detail of this peculiar, tall man.
[09:08] <Sasha>  /what does he look like exactly?/
[09:08] <Agata> "My name is Agata. I am pleased to meet you, sir." A closing of the eyes and a curtsy.
[09:08] <Nina> Hey, Crimson. They wanted to talk with you.
[09:09] * Sasha sort of shrinks behind the other two a bit in the presence of this man, before realizing he's doing it and shaking it off and moving out again
[09:10] * Nina dusts off an old chair and sits down, watching the conversation between Agatha and Crimson
[09:10] <Wraithstrike> Crimson looks at Agata. "You've seen haven't you. And you brought a Hero with you. Well, come inside." As he ushers you into the main terminal, you can see this room is set up like some kind of magical workshop. Once he's given you drinks and got you sitting down, he starts. "Agata, if you ask me to, I must tell you exactly what you'd be getting into. Will you ask?"
[09:11] <Agata> Agata is too paranoid to accept any drinks a stranger gives him. She knows that both of her parents are, so she follows their example.
[09:12] <Agata> "My parents taught me to never accept any deal without knowing exactly what I had to offer and what I was being offered," she replies in a serious, child-trying-to-sound-adult voice from her seat.
[09:13] <Wraithstrike> "Very well then. The Blossom Rod that Nina uses is one of 9 mystical artifacts created to battle the Night Wave. It is not limited by gender, however, if you take up this power, you must be willing to trade a part of yourself away. If you do not choose what you will give it, the items will take your memories."
[09:14] <Wraithstrike> "What you buy in with must be something you consider important. For instance, you could not trade away the memories of abuse, as those do not make you a stronger person. You could trade your eyesight, or years of your life, but the choice must be yours."
[09:15] <Wraithstrike> "I am not saying that you were abused, that was an example."
[09:15] <Agata> Agata maintains her calm and eyes the man, scrutinizing him and his words. "So it has to be an equivalent exchange, does it?"
[09:16] <Wraithstrike> "Yes. As you use the power, whatever you bought in with will diminish from you until it disappears completely. The first user of these items bid her dreams and has been committed. Once you lose what you bid in the first place, you can chosoe to either stop the fight or continue by bididng something else."
[09:17] <Wraithstrike> *choose
[09:17] <Wraithstrike> *bidding
[09:17] <Agata> "I see. So..." Agata hesitates for a moment. "What exactly is the magical artifact I am being offered now?"
[09:18] <Wraithstrike> He presents you three items. "The first is the Ring of Mirrors. It would grant you the power to travel through reflective surfaces, and control light." He shows you the ring, which seems to reflect your face a thousand times within its facets.
[09:19] <Agata> "Even in the 2010s, technology is a long way away from inventing such a thing..." she comments on it.
[09:20] <Wraithstrike> "The second is the Echo Brooch, which would give you the power to control sound in all its forms." The brooch is silver with a single emerald right in the middle.
[09:21] <Agata> "Even mundane sounds at the right frequencies are enough to influence minds, so I have read," recalling an interesting article she came across online.
[09:23] <Wraithstrike> "The last one is the Entropic Gyroscope. This artifact will continue to spin until the heat death of the universe. By taking this item, you'd have the ability to control that entropy. Use it to make an enemy weak and brittle, or to reverse damage done. It could even be used to heal." This item is a sold platinum gyroscope that he hands to you for inspection.
[09:23] <Wraithstrike> *solid
[09:24] <Agata> He simply showed me the other two, but is handing me this one. "This is the one you really want me to take... is it not?" Agata softly, somberly asks as she manipulates its spinning axes.
[09:24] <Agata> *He simply showed her the other two, but is handing her this one.
[09:24] <Wraithstrike> "I cannot make the decision for you. It must be completely up to you."
[09:25] <Wraithstrike> "Apologies. The gyroscope is one of the rare artifacts that won't transfer power to you to get you addicted. Another side effect."
[09:25] <Agata> Agata observes the rotating motion of the gyroscope, and is instantly reminded of how much she enjoys customizing and playing with those little, plastic or metal, spinning tops with two of her friends.
[09:26] <Agata> "But the others will?" Agata expresses concern over how some artifacts are addictive.
[09:28] <Wraithstrike> "That is how most of them were designed, unfortunately. The Gyroscope, the Blossom Rod, and the Peacock Fan are the only ones that don't."
[09:29] <Agata> "I am worried about their nature and the things they do to the user," Agata forthrightly confides. "Can their power be shared amongst others, with the burden spread out just a bit?"
[09:30] <Wraithstrike> "One user only, unfortunately. It is to prevent them from being stolen."
[09:30] <Agata> Agata's decision is slowly being swayed.
[09:31] <Agata> "And they change the person's nature... power, which might be addictive, in exchange for what they once were. Is that it?" Agata is displaying an exceptional degree of maturiy.
[09:31] <Agata> *maturity.
[09:32] <Wraithstrike> "Exactly. I do not suggest taking one of these items in haste. If you are willing to give up a fraction of your humanity to protect others, it is how we can stop the Night Wave. But I cannot force you to choose one way or the other."
[09:33] <Agata> "Can the Night Wave be stopped by regular people, regular people like me, sir?" A very serious question.
[09:34] <Wraithstrike> "Most mortals such as yourself would choose to reject the supernatural. That rejection makes the Night Wave's tasks easier. However, if enough mortals banded together, enough people had their eyes opened to what really goes on, even the Night Wave wouldn't stand a chance."
[09:35] <Agata> "My family has already killed a Nocnamora, sir. It was a gigantic, eight-legged, shadowy lizard, like a shadow on a wall," Agata explains matter-of-fact-ly.
[09:36] <Wraithstrike> "That was a base form of a Nocnamora. Were you the target? If so, and you woke up, then you really do have a great destiny before you. The chances of someone waking when a Nocnamora claims them is less than .0001 percent.
[09:36] <Agata> "That was what happened," Agata nods.
[09:37] <Wraithstrike> "Then perhaps you might just be the one to wake the mortals up."
[09:37] <Agata> "Basically, what I am thinking is..." Agata is trying to piece together her decision wrought of maturity and foresight in her twelve-year-old mind.
[09:39] <Agata> "My family is happy with who I am. I am happy with who I am," placing her two hands over her heart. "I would rather not give up my humanity to become someone who might grow estranged from the people who love and support me. I know that we regular people are many, and powerful in our own way. I know that we need not give up who we are to fight a bunch of monsters, and that even if we die, at least we die as who we always were."
[09:41] <Agata> "Some might see this as dragging regular people into this war... but I know that it is better to teach someone how to fish than to fish for them. If we can teach everyone in this city to fish--protect themselves--then surely, the Night Wave will be defeated."
[09:42] <Wraithstrike> "Then you will not be taking up these artifacts? I understand. Should you change your mind at any time, the offer still stands." He looks to Agata once more. "You are wise beyond your years. I hope to see more of you as this war heats up."
[09:44] <Wraithstrike> He nods, placing the artifacts behind wards. "Agata Tatlin, you and your family are the new model for humanity. It shall be your task to make them aware of everything. It will be an uphill battle against centuries of prejudice and "logical" thinking, but I have faith that you can do it."
[09:45] <Agata> "We have the manpower, the connections, the money, and... the guns, I guess. I am sure we can do it, sir." Agata clenches her fist and places her forearm diagonally in front of her.
[09:46] <Agata> "Do we at least get to be recognized as honorable warriors on your side of this war?" she asks hopefully.
[09:47] <Wraithstrike> "Beyond a doubt. You and your family shall have access to this location. Should you or anyone close to you choose the power, it will be waiting."
[09:48] <Agata> "A new safehouse... thank you for providing access to it, sir."
[09:49] <Agata> "Is there anything else that I should know before leaving with my choice?"
[09:49] <Wraithstrike> "Only that the Night Wave take pride in Mortals being oblivious. When you start acting against them, they will know. And they will strike back."
[09:51] <Agata> "I will be sure to ask Florian about what precautions can be taken to defend ourselves." Agata rises from her chair and sets it back. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Crimson," offering another curtsy.
[09:51] <Wraithstrike> And with that, you are returned to the tunnel entrance. We end the session here.
[09:52] * Sasha gets up and bows to Crimson, follows the others.
[09:53] <Agata> Agata lets out a deep breath, then regathers air in her lungs. "I really hope I made the right choice," Agata tosses glances towards Sasha, then Nina.
[09:54] <Sasha> "If you like, I'll try to help you if things go wrong."
[09:57] <Agata> "I cannot fight very well. Really, I cannot." Agata shakes her head. "But I know people who can, like... well, you," in a commending tone.