The Directive

[16:21]
There seemed to be an idle curiosity to her work- the woman occasionally peering into her notes before dealing with the body of the undead that she had toyed with. Carefully, do her hands drift amongst the stone once again- amethyst light pulsing from her very fingertips, almost as if she were trying to 'bring' it to life once more. . .But only carefully. Perhaps, Dylerun, would've been able to feel the subtle call to his soul. The whispers and desires of yet another body attempting to bring him back...But in the end, as quick as it happened, it too, would've ended within the second.

"Mmrn.."

She had been waiting for Eiphraem to return with the spire shard so that she could utilize Olander for her own purposes. But instead of utilizing Olander to his fullest potential, she had decided, for now, that she would merely continue her studying- mana needles carefully dipping into the rock to repair circuits, the woman's head slowly beginning to shake from left to right.

Soon.

All she needed to do was give up their hearts.
(Cho)
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[16:25]
Although she didn't seem to be terribly content with her work- her notes had spoken otherwise. Perfection just didn't seem perfect enough without the pods present, but why would she need Illaron's notes when there is someone perfectly capable right beside her. If only for the moment, does the young woman find herself beginning to gaze towards that of Dylerun- her smile beginning to widen slightly.

"Ah...I've a question." She murmurs for the moment, her hands slowly folding one infront of the other. "Do you think that you could apply the runes to the tree as of now? I only got a glance of what Tinkerer was able to show me but, mmn, creating your own would seem to be a better thought. I feel like, if I were to place your statue with the tree, all should be well. Should be. "I just think that, ah, your runes would have to be the 'order' given." While she could 'will' the tree to repair his form, she doubts that it'd be that way.

Instead, it'd have to be through a different blessing. "From what I can tell, it's unlikely that your...original body will come back as it is. However, I do think that the tree is able to be used as of now. So, whenever you are ready, I'll take it."
(Cho)
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[16:41] "And I...have an answer."

He sat quietly for a moment, an eyebrow raised as he leaned against one of the status. Fingers would trace against it as he hummed, before nodding. "I uh, think its possible right now. But are you sure the tree would listen to that 'order'? I mean, I know you made it, but is it really so..." He struggled for the words, pondering, before giving a proper response. "...Willing?"

"I'm as ready as I think I'll ever be...just nervous, I think. Worried that the runes won't work properly, or something, you know?" A wave of his hand, trying to brush that 'nervousness' aside.
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[16:49]

"Why wouldn't it?" She questions while beginning to press her lips together. Her hand would raise carefully, pulling slightly at her shirt to reveal the markings that she had inscribed. "While it was growing, I had done another ritual. In essence, it's similar to being my 'own' undead." She wills the tree to do as she desires. And if she wants- she could even make it lash out. "I, perhaps, should've been written the 'directive' but I felt as if you would be more capable. You're already good at binding souls to object and I figured that you doing it for me would be better than what I could do for myself. Plus...It's your body. If you fuck it up, then it's on your head...Literally."

She just smiles slightly while moving to a stand, nodding. "I don't think that anything will go wrong. And if it does, then we'll just try again sometime. It can't be that terrible...Can it?" she questions while beginning to quirk an eyebrow. "You'll be fine. I promise."
(Cho)
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[17:08] Fingers would press against the mark quietly, two fingers brushing over the runes before his eyes locked onto Chos. "You did this?" It surprised him. He didn't think she would have gone to such extreme extents. But then...of course she would. She's constantly been going that far. Why shouldn't she keep pressing the envelope? Admiration would end as he pushed the cloth back over, smiling slightly.

"Well, fine, then. I'll do it...no point in not, I suppose." He had bound a weapon to his soul, once. Would it be a similar process? He remembered that very clearly, and it had hurt down to the core of his soul. Incentive to not quite 'fuck it up', as she worded it. "Just hope things go as they did the first time.."
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[17:19]
"It's not as good as your own." A mild murmur is given, her ears beginning to flatten upon her head for the moment. "I had studied your marks often- during the most smaller things that we'd do." Times when her fingers had traced his very body. Moments, perhaps, even when he had been sleeping...She had always been curious, always been willing to learn just how he was capable. Although, in comparison to his own, hers was a 'shoddy' attempt. But, atleast, it had done the trick.

"I'm sure that it will." Her hand would've soon extended the direction of both, her husband and her child. "I've been meaning to make things right for awhile now. And I feel like the world is almost ready for my gift." Perhaps, it will result in chaos. Perhaps, people will enjoy what she has to offer. In any case, hopefully, everyone is prepared.
(Cho)
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[17:37] "You studied me while I was asleep, didn't you?" A squint towards the woman, though there was a mischeviousness behind him as he said it. Of course she would take that opportunity. Something unknown to her, something she was unfamiliar with? Why wouldn't she examine it? "Please. Its as good as you can do. You speak as though I'm an expert. It was my first time doing that too, you know."

"I think it'll be ready. And the world will be shocked and amazed over what you've accomplished, when its revealed." The man would lean forward as she took his hand, giving her own a squeeze, and a light kiss on the cheek for added effect. "It'll be great! Don't you worry."
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[17:47]
"No." It was a simple answer and despite her stoic gaze and features, her ears and tail would've given it away. An idle twitch, the odd curl- and perhaps, even the subtle narrowing of her gaze. Surely, he wouldn't find out a single thing. "I often did it when you were wide awake- you know I cant keep my hands away from me." A soft smile is given, her laughter stifled by the tips of her fingers. Surely, he knew that she was invasive from the moment that he had met her. Even after he had invited her to stay at his home, her curious nature had always ran rampant...In a way...

One could say it was the thing that made her never return to her old house in the first place. Her desire to know more of him- her desire to find out all that he could possibly do, even the want to explore the talents that he might not even know that he has. Is it obsession? Love..? Or perhaps, a little bit of everything?

Seems a little creepy.

"It might've been your first time, but still- you've done it before. And you know what not to do at the very least. But ah, we'll see how the world treats it. Most people find my necromancy to be an 'exception' amongst the world for whatever reason.." Perhaps, due to her endeavors in perfecting the art.

To make it well for everyone.

"Come, I'll show you."
(Cho)
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[17:47] Cho says, "T-The tree, that is."
[17:54] "Mmmmmmhm."

Despite the fact he wore a shirt, he knew she tried to get as much of a glance towards the runes when she could. A slight idle turn of the eyes here, a glance there. She had a good memory for such things, and a better eye. Not that Dylerun minded. Sharing his research with her was nothing; they bettered one another. Why wouldn't he?

"Your necromancer is better. Simple answer. But, lets see how the tree would properly take to the runes. Thats all that matters." It seemed to have a mind of its own, to Dylerun. But then, it wasn't his research, his magic. It took its word from Cho, and its life was from her. Without her, it would be nothing more than a piece of wood...more than likely, Dylerun was simply overthinking it.

"Lets be off, then. Show me!"
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[18:06]
Eventually, even she knows that the tree would no longer be able to be 'built' around due to it's gluttonous nature. There is a subtle hunger of some sort that drives it's roots beyond the four walls that hide it from the realm- a hunger that even she feels within her heart, not just for the bodies, but for the mana that rushes through the veins of those around her. "Just because I'm a necromancer doesn't mean that I've all the answers to my own problems." A soft murmur is given. "Stealing glances does a lot for me, I'll admit- but when it comes to work like Illaron's pods, I'm afraid that I'd need more time. Kind of similar to what I did with you." She had studied his markings, purposely asked him to summon his weapon again and again for the sake of understanding it's function.

Surely, he didn't know her motives behind it, but, that was mostly the underlying factor. Other than that, her true reasoning was because she had actually liked it. The schematics of it all- the rumble of power that she had felt. It was rather 'addicting' to be honest, but still..

Upon entering the room, the tree would've been seen positioned towards the far back. It hides from the light of the sun itself, flouring within the darkness due to it's own nature. Amethyst leaves scatter at their feet- and a gentle hum of power is offered when approached.

"I started it rather simply, in all honesty." She says while drifting forward, her smile beginning to widen as her fingertips trace along the odd warmth of the bark. "Laguz for flowing, Mannaz for Man, and well...I left the rest for you to do." A murmur is given as she soon turns away, stepping slightly so that he could see the beginnings of her work, etched within her own blood.

"Feel free to do as you please." She seemsintent on watching him. For...Whatever reason that might be, of course. But either way, shortly behind the two, would be three undead carrying the stone body of his previous being. "Be sure to write it on both, if possible. That way, you can minimize mistakes."
(Cho)
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[18:25] "Mmh, I suppose. I just know you necromancers usually have all the answers to the problems in the world." Or atleast, others pretended to be. They made up these great big theories that likely would never be possible. Even when he said them they sounded ridiculous, but it was all a replication of work. Such things had been done in the past, after all, by incredible powers. Why couldn't they do it again here? "Please, talking about Illarons 'pods'. Buy the man a drink before you take a look at his 'pods'."

A horrible joke as the man would slowly undo his cloak, folding it lightly and setting it aside. Eyes flickered to the large tree. Everytime he saw it, it seemed ever different. Changing constantly. Even now as it seemed to hide within the shadows, bright leaves the only seeming contrast. The ever drifting power that came off of it, causing him to raise an eyebrow. It was even stronger than before. Yes, always growing. She had done well.

"You started strong. Likely, you could have finished it all yourself, you know?" But the intent was clear, and he could see why he left it blank. Quietly, Dylerun would step forward, fingers brushing over the markings Then glancing down towards the statue. Fingers would brush over it- strangely, himself. He could almost feel it, though he knew it was just his imagination. From within his pockets, a handful of tools would be produced. Rune-carved hammer, an intricate chisel.

"As above, so below.."

Dylerun would find himself brushing against the runes on the tree, before hammer and chisel would be raised. Deep throated mutterings as he read over the runes, and stopping at the point where they ended. As though it had been a book whose pages were ripped away, but he knew the rest from memory. Reciting it once more, he would continue where the runes ended, slowly putting intricate mythril to mythril as he would begin to carve the runes into the tree in uttered silence. The only audible sounds as he worked his light muttering, the small tinking, and the wood of the tree giving way as he worked.

It was slow work, yet constant. He never slowed, working at his own determined pace that would find the rest of the runic circle completed. It looked slightly large on the tree, and they were carved deeply into it. But he knew when it healed, they would scar, a permanant marking against the tree. It looked right. Proper. He hoped...

A brief mutter as he stepped towards the statue afterwards. The man would look over it for a long moment, before finding the proper spot to place the altered runes. It was awkward, in a crouched position to try and find 'skin', but the back of the neck was plenty bare. There would be quiet mutterings as he lined the chisel up. Some form of ritualistic words? No, the man simply running over the proper runes, glancing towards the tree, then to Cho.

"If the room explodes, it isn't my fault." A wide-grinned smile. It was a joke...right? Too late to consider as he began the second circle on the back of the statue, hands moving even slower than before.
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[18:36]
She smirks at the idea of people coming to her for knowledge. In a strange way, he wouldn't be wrong, but he also wouldn't be particularly right. There are some answers that Cho believes that she can, and there are some that make little sense at all. One good example is why would an icy cathedral constantly show itself to everyone in each city? Or...Why would a giant eyeball suddenly appear, speak of it's master, and then not return within years? She had thought that death would've been swift by then, but still, there is no definite answer to be given- just anticipation of what could possibly happen next. Though, "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You know when I see something, I just have to have it. Including his pods." She laughs at the thought. "If you're wondering though, he didn't accept my invite to dinner, nor did he tell me." She adds, shrugging her shoulders.

"Instead, he just sorta gave me this 'look'...The kind that says 'I know what you want, but I'm not telling you' type of ordeal. And then he said 'yeah...just come to me later about it." From that instant, she already knew his answer. He wasn't willing to tell her anything. Atleast, not without a price. But to be completely honest, she didn't necessarily need his pods. Not when she could pursue other things that could potentially be better. His idea was just good at hosting life..

While she aimed to bring it back altogether. But in the end, the woman would have simply pressed her lips together upon watching his fingertips move steadily. Tap, tap, tap. There is a strange feeling to her being- the touch of the chisel against the bark is odd...

The connection makes her feel...Odd.

In the end, there is no movement save for the flattening of her ears. "No worries, if we explode, then that means that someone gets to have two spire shards for free." A gentle laugh is offered at the fact- her hand waving. "In any case, I do have to ask.." She says, trailing off.

"When you are done in this body, what will you do with it afterwards?"
(Cho)
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[18:47] "Mmmh..." He didn't immediatly reply, instead focusing on the world at hand. Delicate, yet strong hands slowly etched the circle. Eyes only having to flicker to the completed circle once on the tree again, before sealing the deal. Slowly it would be completed, the final tappings closing the ritual circle before...nothing. It was subtle magic. No massive explosion. No house-shaking event. It was simple, as the man rest the chisel and hammer down, glancing up towards Cho.

"Said the same thing about the rings. You have to think, the demon gets questioned about that shit ALL the time. He won't spill the beans for nobody. I can respect that." After all, why would he reveal ancient Archon and Agarthan secrets to 'Outlanders'? This was technology and magic that had been around long before them. Revealing it would ruin the art. Already, Dylerun was working towards bastardizing the rings, and Cho the pod magics.

But what would he do with the homunculus? Eyebrows would furrow as he looked towards her."Well, you can use it, can't you? It'll give you an opportunity to properly take it apart and learn, if you can. Or want. It'll be an empty shell of a body." He shrugged. "I reckon it can be reused, or discarded, or...whatever you want. I don't use bodies often. Your art does."
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[18:55]
"I suppose that I must've been one of the annoying ones, considering I used, both, Tinker and his own Kin in order to ask for me." In all honesty, perhaps, she hadn't thought that through too well. If Effigy were alive, she probably could've made him go get the information for her- to act as if he were Tinkerer and have Illaron speak of it so casually without nay care in the world. But unfortunately, the mimics carelessness had led to his demise. However, what she is grateful for, is their ability to atleast patch things over. Death upon a bad note is never worth it. And for mimics, she believes that their time is already shortened and painful enough...

So why hold onto grudges when there's so much more to be mad about? It all is ano dd thing, but still...I could, I suppose." She murmurs, both hands tucking infront of her body in a clasp. "It wouldn't be terribly difficult for me to do anything of that nature because...well.." she murmurs. "If the tree is capable of creating homunculi, then I've truly no need to further study you. In a way, I think I want it to be a secret." Because it makes her more worthy. It makes people want to seek her out instead of others like Rilla and Ceres.

Because the more people that know her and know of her will, also means, that her chances of survival are increased. But to digress.. "I've got a use for it though, no need to fret. I was just ah...Curious." Both hands raise towards her cheek, "I'm excited." For all of the right reasons..

"B-but ah, I'll let you finish. No need to keep talking about my harassment on Illaron."
(Cho)
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[19:04] "Ah, one day, his secrets will be known." Whether from one of them going through some ancient Agarthan ruin, or one day the Kaor will simply throw it out and tell someone. It was all up to him, truthfully. "But, if you've no use for the homunculus...I mean, it can be re-used, can it? So you could wait for that. Or just trash it. Or whatever. It'll be up to you, not me."

Dylerun has no uses for the homunculus, if he got his originally body back, after all. What good would it do him? He could dismember it, perhaps learn from its circuit, but that would do little good. "This should be all finished, actually. The two rune circles should have them linked. Only time will tell if it properly works." He would give his statue a pat on the head, using it as leverage to push himself up as he snatched the hammer and chisel up, pocketing them.

"Unless you have anything else for me to vandalize?" Eyes glanced towards the back of the statues neck, then to the tree. Copied work, in a perfect hand. It should work...in theory.
(Dylerun Grauhimmel)
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[19:14]
"Nothing can stay a secret forever." Her hands would've soon travelled carefully towards the hem of her skirt, her gaze looking forward- as if reminiscing about the past. Images flicker like waning flames- her mind wandering. "I've learned it from first hand." People always do things within the dark thinking that it would never come to light. And in the strangest of ways, the truth often has a way of revealing itself. The most strangest confession would've been that of Dai Tseng himself.

He was afraid of her from the moment she stepped foot on Agartha. For little to no reason, especially when she was so benevolent. But as she had grown in power, he seemed to be even more taken aback, waiting until the moment of her own extreme vulnerability to tell her. That same had been said for Miel, who had planned on killing her as well- only to fail time and time again. In a strange way, these secrets only validated herreasoning. And they only make her stronger, especially, the times when she remembers the pain.

"Don't worry..." She murmurs while beginning to shift in place. "I've decided to make sure that the tree does all that we will it." Her body would press forward- within her hands, the piece of divinity would be ushered forward against the bark.

Archaic whispers spill from her lips as the light glistens- her incantation causing a slight rumble as she presses it into the bark. And then...Nothing. With the spire shard absorbed- the tree does not seem to immediately respond save for it's own budding, blossoming power. It thrums in existence...It's roots digging deeper into the land.

"I've nothing else...Not as of now." She says while waving a hand- the vines and limbs of the tree moving carefully, gently pulling the statue within it's embrace.

"We'll see what comes of thissoon enough."
(Cho)
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