Baizon

Harpy Feather Pendant

May 13th, 2021
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  1. [18:59] Atagi Taiyang says, "But speaking of dreams."
  2. [18:59] Atagi Taiyang says, "Traaaaaansition."
  3. [18:59] Katrin Weiss says, "Nice segue. "
  4. [18:59] Atagi places a few sparkling items on the table.
  5.  
  6. "Thanks. This is what I've got to work with.
  7.  
  8. An arcanium pendant. A crystalline feather from the TREE OF LIFE.
  9.  
  10.  
  11. .. And a spiritual fragment from the Temple of Tlalli."
  12.  
  13. He could still feel K'ruthix's claws in his flesh.
  14.  
  15. "I'd like to make somethin' super spiritual. And crystal-like."
  16. (Atagi Taiyang)
  17. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  18.  
  19. [18:59] {Item} You picked up Crystal Feather. Dropped by Atagi Taiyang..
  20. [18:59] {Item} You drop Crystal Feather.
  21. [18:59] The artificer takes out a pair of thick insulted gloves from her cloak before she drapes it aside, tugging on the mitts and looking over all the materials.
  22.  
  23. "Right, right, let's see here..."
  24.  
  25. With a careful gaze she looks over the pieces, only touching them where absolutely necessary.
  26.  
  27. "Can do that. For sure. You use crystals yourself? Or just the fire?
  28.  
  29. And of course I'm sure ya heard about my policy. And if ya haven't, I can tell it to ya."
  30. (Katrin Weiss)
  31. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  32.  
  33. [18:59] "Of course I use crystals! I'm one of the best with em'."
  34.  
  35. A demonstration was in order.
  36.  
  37. Brushing his hand along the table, the magi conjures for a wave of spiraling emeralds that whirl around the otherwise empty forge to add furniture.
  38.  
  39. Chairs. A sofa.
  40.  
  41. A rotating ceiling fan.
  42.  
  43. None of which would function or be comfortable, but they looked dazzling.
  44.  
  45. "Your policy? Do you have a new one?"
  46. (Atagi Taiyang)
  47. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  48.  
  49. [18:59] Katrin does have to admire the presentation. Even though she much prefers it to go hand-in-hand with functionality. A pity. This would have solved her interior decorating woes in a heartbeat.
  50.  
  51. "Good. Then I got an idea. And ya can have a hand in helpin' me make this thing. Maybe," she rumbles, rubbing at her chin in thought.
  52.  
  53. "Oh. My new brand policy is this-
  54.  
  55. Ya can tell me what it's for. And proof ya can back up your intent, and if I like what I hear? If it's somethin' to show your soul burns bright?
  56.  
  57. Then ya get a discount. Easy. Too many people're all talk, or want boring stuff for boring reasons."
  58. (Katrin Weiss)
  59. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  60.  
  61. [18:59] {LONG DISTANCE FROM: Nikolai pyr Docro}: Reply to Katrina, My order..?Remind me what it was for again? Or come visit. I'm at the Academy. Apologies for the late reply. I was preoccupied. From Nikolai pyr Docro.
  62. [18:59] "That's... a pretty solid policy, really." He couldn't argue with it.
  63.  
  64. Several moments are spent mulling over a concept to pitch to the Shark Tank.
  65.  
  66. Eventually, he leans onto the table and shrugs.
  67.  
  68. "I'm going to sever every Vampire's connection to Cain and or die trying. The first attempt will be at the Hunt with Seifer and Elias' lives on the line." His head bobs along a few times.
  69.  
  70. "But I'm going to need all the strength I can muster and the help of the spirits to do it." Most were content with keeping their heads down. Atagi had another code to live by as the Chosen of the Sun.
  71.  
  72. "If you can make that thing enhance my vitality and strengthen my crystals, I'll be able to sever connections to dark lords with the grimoire and encase them in crystals. Trapped for all eternity.
  73.  
  74. How's that for a pitch?"
  75. (Atagi Taiyang)
  76. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  77.  
  78. [18:59] It gave her a chance to set herself apart. And, beyond that, draw in more interesting business. Her craft was not worth doing if she was not constantly pushing her boundaries.
  79.  
  80. There is a long pause as she considers the Taiyang's words. A tense moment passes.
  81.  
  82. Then the artificer sighs.
  83.  
  84. "By killin' 'em? Or goin' to the source? Heard the Headmaster talk about how that'd have to happen." It had been interesting. In theory.
  85.  
  86. "It's a good pitch. Yeah. Ya talk to Thorn 'bout this? Or ya wantin' this to be...discrete?" A desire for many of her patrons.
  87. (Katrin Weiss)
  88. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  89.  
  90. [18:59] "Honestly? I haven't talked to either about it much. I sort of took some research from my elders and ran with it."
  91.  
  92. Everyone had a way of doing things - Atagi had finally found his own.
  93.  
  94. "I wouldn't mind them knowing, but the fewer people who know when I pull it off, the better."
  95.  
  96. He grins a bit.
  97.  
  98. "That's if I don't get killed first. You know how things go on Esshar."
  99. (Atagi Taiyang)
  100. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  101.  
  102. [18:59] There's a dry laugh from the artificer. She rubs a gloved hand down her face as she does. No shades to hide her eyes today, but a flower tucked behind one ear.
  103.  
  104. "...I'd be willin' to bet Thorn'd jump at the chance. If I know anythin' about the man. The Headmaster's got the knowhow too. But killin' somethin' like that ain't no small thing. Or trappin' it."
  105.  
  106. A lot of implication from such a thing. A great deal of change. An end for many, or a transformation.
  107.  
  108. "Ha. Boy. Don't I fuckin' know it. Had a lil' brother. Y'know? Got messed up by 'em. Bad."
  109.  
  110. She shakes her head, lowering her hand.
  111.  
  112. "Fifty percent. Fifty percent off. Don't make your talk cheap, Atagi. And that's still gonna' be five thousand. If you're strapped for cash, we can talk a payment plan."
  113. (Katrin Weiss)
  114. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  115.  
  116. [18:59] Katrin Weiss says, "If I could afford less off, I'd do it. But I just busted a gold anvil."
  117. [18:59] "Five thou'? No sweat. But I was gonna' ask if you wanted to buy THIS off me."
  118.  
  119. The mention of her brother only serves to sour his expression some.
  120.  
  121. For those that they had lost, and those who they could still protect.
  122.  
  123. A chunk of arcanium is pulled from his pocket and set on the table. Just.. regular arcanium, this time. No moon rocks today.
  124.  
  125. "They usually go for what, twenty large? So how about fifteen, subtracted from the fee for the job." Math. Numbers. Crunching.
  126.  
  127. "Ten thousand?"
  128. (Atagi Taiyang)
  129. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  130.  
  131. [18:59] They might not have dealt his death blow- it had been his own hand, truly- but they had pushed him to that precipice all the same. While she did not hold the whole ill will...
  132.  
  133. Well. Maybe after the Queen. After seeing their Court. It had been enough to think twice.
  134.  
  135. She was not a woman of virtue. But she was, however, not a woman who kindly regarded any spot of red in her ledger.
  136.  
  137. "Hm. Maybe another time. Like I said. Lil' short on cash with needin' a fresh anvil. I'd prefer the coin for the time bein'. I got enough arc to make what I need for now.
  138.  
  139. So. Wanna get started? I'm thinkin' that crystal there. If ya can part it, open it up without damagin' it-" she jabs to each in turn with a leather clad finger.
  140.  
  141. "Then we can slide the feather in. Let it sit in the center. Those two look like they refract a helluva lotta' light. Think it'll look good together. And pack a punch for whatya wanna do.
  142.  
  143. If ya got better ideas, or notions, I'm all ears. But that and make an arcanium settings my first thoughts."
  144. (Katrin Weiss)
  145. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  146.  
  147. [18:59] A respectful nod is given. Coin is king.
  148.  
  149. The spiritual essence is rolled around on the table for a few moments as the talented artificer throws her own ideas out.
  150.  
  151. "Not bad. The thing about the feather is - it won't break or tear. So having it as the core would do wonders. But the COOL thing about the orb is..."
  152.  
  153. A dramatic pause as the shaman's hand takes on an ethereal tinge. Glowing with the call of the spirits, it presses down on the orb to leave imprints.
  154.  
  155. "For most, spirit matter can't be manipulated. But naturally, I can mold it however I'd like. So if you have a shape in mind, let me know." His hand rises up and the orb retakes its original shape, only for an index finger to slowly slice it down the middle.
  156.  
  157. A rock to most. A malleable ball of dough to a spiritmancer.
  158.  
  159. "We could also lay the feather along the arcanium pendant and shape the essence into a.. large star around it?"
  160. (Atagi Taiyang)
  161. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  162.  
  163. [18:59] Coin was king. Or what coin could do. She made that careful distinction where possible.
  164.  
  165. "Good. It looked real fragile. Wanted to be careful," she remarks, hosting up the padded gloves. There's a bit of a stunned blink as Atagi turns what looked like a fissile crystal into putty. Not unlike she did with metals at times.
  166.  
  167. "Well. I'll be. That leaves a lot more room open. If ya can make somethin' with a buncha' facets and we can position it around the feather?
  168.  
  169. Bam. Refracts the light even more."
  170.  
  171. A nod of her own. Approval.
  172.  
  173. "I can heat it up a bit, set the feather in. Then can keep it heated and ya can move the crystal to be flush? How's that sound?"
  174. (Katrin Weiss)
  175. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  176.  
  177. [18:59] The terminology goes over his head, but how hard could it be?
  178.  
  179. He had the means and she had the experience an eye for what would work.
  180.  
  181. "Sounds like a plan. A simple blood ritual for the spirits at the end should wrap it up nicely."
  182.  
  183. And so, he slides the crystalline feather and the arcanium pendant over to her while he focuses on the orb itself.
  184.  
  185. "It'll be a double-layered star with the Harpy Queen's feather in the center."
  186.  
  187. No time to waste.
  188.  
  189. Glancing over at the original shape of the pendant, Atagi carefully compresses and spreads out the orb the create a mirror image of the one he already wore. Longer in the limbs of the stars, naturally, but molded in a way that would allow them to intersect and overlap.
  190.  
  191. "All you."
  192.  
  193. An ear twitches as the door opens.
  194. (Atagi Taiyang)
  195. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  196.  
  197. [18:59] A meandering stroll through the countryside! Thorn found himself collecting all kinds of crooked critters once again in attempts to claim a record. The Meztin hummed softly as he finally reached his destination, the entrance to Ardent Artificing! His steps could be heard resounding through the wilderness before his footfalls were muffled, a brisk wind slowing his descent.
  198.  
  199. Two familiar figures stood within. His eyes alight, an enthusiastic wave being delivered toward the duo as he announced his presence, "Hey there!!" A grin already on him.
  200.  
  201. "How's it going?" A few steps taken further in.
  202. (Thorn Meztin)
  203. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  204.  
  205. [18:59] Atagi Taiyang exclaims, "Long time no see!"
  206. [18:59] "I figure that'll be a lil' more your wheelhouse, yeah?"
  207.  
  208. Just as there were those that left metallurgy to the professionals, in matters of the spirit it was much the same- and Atagi, when it came to the spiritual, was surely nothing less.
  209.  
  210. The artificer removes one glove, touching the edge of the pendant to direct heat to the very surface of the arcanium, enough to make it malleable and more willing to adhere to the gemstone lain upon it.
  211.  
  212. And the Kitsune does his part beautifully. It's honestly an enviable sight as he twists the crystal like so much molten glass it nestles neatly together.
  213.  
  214. In the very center, with a steady hand, she lays the feather down to rest in its new bed.
  215.  
  216. Katrin's head doesn't whip up, but her lips do twitch into a small smile.
  217.  
  218. "Hey, pal. Just a second. We're doin' good and wrappin' somethin' up for Atagi here."
  219. (Katrin Weiss)
  220. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  221.  
  222. [18:59] He saves the question of 'what the hel is a wheelhouse' for another time.
  223.  
  224. As the feather is nestled in the center of the reformed pendant, Atagi slides his third of the project over to be used as the base of a base.
  225.  
  226. Tiny crystal pins spindle out to the edges of the putty-like spiritual essence to keep it in place long enough for Katrin to finish the job.
  227.  
  228. Meanwhile, he glances over to Thorn.
  229.  
  230. "What should I name a pendant that will trap the corrupted essence of dark entities inside of it? I'm leaving it completely and totally up to you, brother."
  231.  
  232. Yes, he was serious.
  233. (Atagi Taiyang)
  234. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  235.  
  236. [18:59] A thumb shot forward! The Ookamii finding their stop as they leaned against the wall of the establishment. A soft hum escaping him, a familiar tune to a recent encounter into the heartlands of Moxtli. The mimicry of a siren song. Thorn was more than happy to await for their business to finish before he would attempt to interject, but he quickly found himself put on the spot. The lights cast unto him.
  237.  
  238. His head turned, squinting at the Taiyang with noticeable surprise. A finger rose, lips parted.
  239.  
  240. "Knowing you? I think something like... 'All-Binding Vicious Chains: Dimensional Incarcerator.'" He clasps his hands together, irons would slither out from within the Meztin's sleeves, wrapping around his weathered hands. He looked towards Atagi with a smile, "It sounds... Good to me!" He gave himself a self-reassuring nod.
  241. (Thorn Meztin)
  242. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  243.  
  244. [18:59] Katrin could probably go on and on about wheelhouses. Maybe it's an artificing thing. Who knows? No matter.
  245.  
  246. Atagi makes the pliable crystal the requisite shape, multi-faceted to direct light into the center, towards the regal plume set gingerly into the arcanium.
  247.  
  248. A little more heat, a little pressure from one of her gloved hands, all to make sure the pieces mesh together. Cohesion is important. Can't have bits and bobs going flying about when it comes down to combat.
  249.  
  250. "There...That oughta' do it.
  251.  
  252. I. Don't tell me you're gonna call it that," she deadpans. Must be a Moxtli thing. A sigh, then a few whispered words and a quirked brow to the Kitsune.
  253. (Katrin Weiss)
  254. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  255.  
  256. [18:59] Katrin Weiss whispers to Atagi Taiyang: ...You gonna tell 'im?
  257. [18:59] Katrin Weiss whispers to Atagi Taiyang: Or this your rodeo? Ain't matter to me.
  258. [18:59] "Of course I'm gonna call it that!"
  259.  
  260. Thorn had never led him astray thus far.
  261.  
  262. Holding a hand over his heart, the dolphin seal is formed with the other and held over the finish piece of jewelry.
  263.  
  264. "Awaken, Double-Star pendant. Or should I call you by your real name?"
  265.  
  266. Spiritual energy flows around his frame with waves streaking off and into the tool of incarceration.
  267.  
  268. "Weep, All-Binding Vicious Chains: Dimensional Incarcerator."
  269.  
  270. The spirits heed his call, and a ghastly howl comes from the center of the pendant.
  271.  
  272. "We'll call it 'V.A.B.D.I.C' for short."
  273.  
  274. Then and only then does he turn to Katrin and offer a light shrug.
  275.  
  276. "Sure. Hey Thorn. What would you say if I told you I've come up with a way to purify souls chained to dark entities? Like witches, primordials, and hopefully Vampires?"
  277. (Atagi Taiyang)
  278. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  279.  
  280. [18:59] Thorn pushed off the wall, "It's a good name!" He would believe so until the day he was finally put to rest. In tact and whole. He rubbed at his chin as the name was said right back to him- Even the acronym was perfect.
  281.  
  282. "A powerful weapon." He punched at an empty palm of his. His eyes widen at the thought. "That's wonderful news!!!- When you say purify though, do you mean to revert? Or something else?" He blinks erratically- Wait, "Primordials too?! It's THAT powerful?" His arms fold about his chest, he shook his head to and fro.
  283.  
  284. "That's pretty damn amazing!"
  285. (Thorn Meztin)
  286. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  287.  
  288. [18:59] There's a soft nod from the artificer as she watches the two chatter, removed, her arms folded over her chest. She lets them have a moment, but does offer a few idle words from the sidelines.
  289.  
  290. "I ain't think it can do that. Not alone, anyhow. But that's what it sounds like he's plannin' on," Katrin remarks, glancing to Thorn.
  291.  
  292. "He's got good dreams...Gave 'im a discount for it. That's the Ardent Artificin' way, yeah?"
  293. (Katrin Weiss)
  294. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  295.  
  296. [18:59] "Yeah, no. Jiuweihu is the Goddess of the SUN, you know? And with the chiron and the spirit of one of her wardens now living in the Grimoire we made, it's possible.
  297.  
  298. The hard part is capturing them." He leaves it there for now, not wanting to steal too much of their time.
  299.  
  300. "I appreciate the discount, Kat. I'll sell this arcanium somewhere and put the coin in your hands. And in the meantime... I'll leave you two to it."
  301.  
  302. Whatever 'it' was.
  303.  
  304. Gunslinger finger pistols shoot from the hip at the both of them as the Taiyang gets ready to depart.
  305. (Atagi Taiyang)
  306. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  307.  
  308.  
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