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end of arc

oniwaka21
Jun 26th, 2017
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  1. 01[20:08] <SpaceThor> Viola and Dolores have some time to themselves to decompress. It's been a day since the assault on the Protectorate, and while things have been settling down, there are a number of pressing questions to address...
  2. [20:12] <ID_chrome> Dolores is in her mansion, sipping coffee. She looks across the table at Viola. "... We're going to have to kill him," she says after a moment. "In such a way as we can be sure he won't return to haunt us."
  3. 06[20:14] * Viola_Gray shrugs. "I'm not really a 'killing' type of girl."
  4. [20:14] <Viola_Gray> "And you'd prolly need to talk to an expert about the second bit."
  5. [20:15] <ID_chrome> "Fortunately, we have enough. I feel Hao or Bao would be useful. or a soulstone," she muses with a sigh. "Just... I hate having to do it. I don't think he's a bad person, just... hurt. Broken, maybe."
  6. [20:17] <Viola_Gray> "You've come to the wrong person if you're looking for me to justify it. I try really hard not to kill people when I can avoid it."
  7. [20:19] <ID_chrome> "Mmm." She sips her coffee again. "To be honest, I don't feel like I need more justification than 'he tried to kill us'," she admits. "Which... scares me a bit, I suppose. I don't want to feel like a murderer."
  8. [20:20] <Viola_Gray> "Right, which is why you're talking about smothering a man in a hospital bed."
  9. [20:21] <ID_chrome> She frowns a bit more. "He tried to kill us, he's violently insane, he tried to kill my father, and he would have tried to summon and control a spirit that, frankly, I don't trust myself, my father, or anyone in malifaux with."
  10. 06[20:22] * Viola_Gray shrugs. "Hon, I know basically nothing of what's been going on. I've just been following you around to get a paycheck. No one has ever bothered explaining things."
  11. [20:24] <ID_chrome> "Mmm, no one? Not even Bao?" She muses. "... Well, you did show up at a particularly busy time in our lives..."
  12. [20:26] <Viola_Gray> "I've done plenty of things I don't understand for money."
  13. [20:26] <Viola_Gray> "Let me tell you, sometimes you just don't ask what's in the package you're delivering."
  14. [20:27] <ID_chrome> "That seems like it would be likely to leave you ill-equipped for doing some other things, though." She frowns. "I'd always want to know what was in the package I've got. What if it's dangerous? Or, perhaps more importantly, what if it's useful?"
  15. [20:29] <Viola_Gray> "Sometimes you get shot for asking too many questions."
  16. [20:31] <ID_chrome> The woman quirks an eyebrow. "Since starting on this path, I have been shot, stabbed, eviscerated, bloodied, cut, bruised, beaten, eaten, chased by giant zombies, giant robots, giant *robot zombies*, and managed to come out, by skill and luck, alive and intact."
  17. [20:31] <ID_chrome> She sips her coffee again. "Excuse me if the prospect of being shot gives me little worry."
  18. [20:33] <Viola_Gray> "I still try and avoid it." She taps her coat. Under the embroidered outer layer, it's clear there's harder armored plating around her chest.
  19. [20:35] <ID_chrome> "... It occurs to me perhaps I should have invested in armor," she muses. "I wonder how fashionable it can be made?"
  20. [20:37] <Viola_Gray> "With how much you can spend?" She smirks. "Very."
  21. [20:37] <ID_chrome> "I have some money tucked away for a rainy day," she says.
  22. [20:39] <Viola_Gray> "Really? Where, exactly?"
  23. [20:39] <ID_chrome> She smiles without mirth. "I'm not the brightest girl, but I know when to keep a secret."
  24. [20:41] <Viola_Gray> "Spoil all my fun~"
  25. [20:41] <ID_chrome> The spanish woman chuckles. "I hope you won't hold it against me."
  26. [20:42] <Viola_Gray> "Maybe I should make all of you help me as payment for all the services rendered. I have been meaning to try robbing a bank but you need extra hands for it."
  27. [20:43] <ID_chrome> She quirks an eyebrow. "I suppose when you're already a criminal of my caliber, robbing a bank is small time; but I can't claim to have any idea where to begin."
  28. [20:45] <Viola_Gray> "You have to start by understanding your target. You get to know them, find out what's really valuable, the kind of things they'll do to defend it, learn about their enemies and allies..."
  29. [20:47] <ID_chrome> She quirks an eyebrow. "So how long until my own valuables start going missing?" She asks drily.
  30. 06[20:48] * Viola_Gray shrugs and smiles. "Don't worry about the silverware. I don't steal from people as long as they're paying me well."
  31. [20:50] <ID_chrome> "My dear, the silverwear is one of the least valuable things to stay in this building," she muses. "The real value is, of course, in the friends I have collected along the way."
  32. [20:50] <ID_chrome> She's said it with a straight face, too.
  33. 01[20:50] <SpaceThor> Interrupting...that, a transmission comes over the Aethervox from Mold Hill. "Dolores, this is Erick, come in."
  34. [20:51] <ID_chrome> "Just a moment," she says, going to the vox. "Erick, this is Dolores, we read you loud and clear."
  35. 01[20:51] <SpaceThor> "Good, good. Just wanted to let you know, Ashildr has returned to Mold Hill."
  36. [20:53] <ID_chrome> "Has she? Excellent! I was getting worried; I didn't figure her for... more dead, but with her vanishing like that, well..."
  37. [20:54] <Viola_Gray> "Not like anything could kill her."
  38. 01[20:55] <SpaceThor> "Also it's not just her. Well, you'll want to see this."
  39. [20:55] <ID_chrome> "You would be quite surprised, Viola. I'm covinced of no one's immortality except perhaps m--oh?" She turns back to the vox. "I'll gather everyone up, then, and we'll head that way at speed!"
  40. 01[21:00] <SpaceThor> Dolores and Viola arrive at Mold Hill soon enough, where Erick and Ashildr, as well as another tall, bearded, undead man wait.
  41. 06[21:00] * Viola_Gray sighs. "This reminds me of when I was a kid. All my friends were corpses."
  42. [21:02] <@Nemi> Ashildr seems unusually proud of herself as she stands beside the towering, bearded man. She seems a bit more lively, less dead and dull-eyed, for a zombie.
  43. 01[21:02] <SpaceThor> Erick turns. "Ah, there they are."
  44. [21:02] <ID_chrome> She blinks, quirking her head to the side. "Ashildr, is that....?"
  45. 06[21:02] * Viola_Gray rubs her chin. "Ah. I get it."
  46. [21:03] <Viola_Gray> "You two must be dating."
  47. 01[21:03] <SpaceThor> The tall zombie laughs. "Maybe a millenia ago, yes."
  48. [21:04] <@Nemi> Ashildr actually lets out a giggle at that. It still sounds of cracking ice, but her spirits have clearly been bolstered.
  49. [21:05] <ID_chrome> Dolores seems brightened by the news. "You did it! Oh, such wondrous news!" She smiles. "Families being reunited seems to be the theme of these past few weeks, and I absolutely cannot complain!"
  50. 01[21:06] <SpaceThor> "I am still unused to this strange land, but I'm grateful to my wife for saving me from the icy clutch of Helheim. From what I hear I owe you a debt as well, small woman."
  51. [21:07] <@Nemi> "Friends. I would like you all to meet Kjell Torbensson- plucked from the unjust grasp of Hel's frigid realm. And- yes. Yes. We owe you a debt." Ashildr's faintly luminous gaze settles on Dolores.
  52. 03[21:08] * Hao ([email protected]) has joined #intoquarantineic
  53. [21:09] <Viola_Gray> "Well, I can honestly say I'm happy for you. Everyone should be lucky enough to be reunited with those they've lost."
  54. [21:09] <ID_chrome> The spaniard offers a polite bow. "As often as you stood on the line, side by side with Octavio, for my own mad plans, Ashildr? You owe me little, I think," she says. "Do you plan to stay here, in Mold Hill, or...?"
  55. [21:11] <@Nemi> "Yes. This is my home, now. And it will need its guardians when you lot are out on your mad schemes." The towering draugr smirks. "I do not believe Moldhaugard has a good sound to it, however, so Ostergard I shall remain."
  56. 01[21:12] <SpaceThor> Kjell raises his sword in agreement. "We will ensure that no enemies of yours harm any under your protection, my Thane. It has been long since I was a housecarl, but I am grateful to serve a worthy thane again."
  57. [21:13] <@Nemi> Ashildr then leans over to twine her free hand with Kjell's own free hand. "As am I."
  58. [21:14] <ID_chrome> She blinks, quirking her head to the side. "I will admit to be being unfamiliar with your customs," she says. "Not entirely, but still, mostly. Still; I am honored," the woman continues. "And I will strive to prove myself worthy of your service."
  59. 01[21:20] <SpaceThor> Kjell sheathes his sword. "Until my sword and my wife's axe is needed, though...we have a lot to catch up on."
  60. [21:21] <ID_chrome> "Of course." She smiles again. "I'll not keep you."
  61. [21:21] <@Nemi> Ashildr grins and turns to walk off into their giant-draugr-sized shack with her husband's hand in hers.
  62. [21:22] <ID_chrome> Dolores makes a mental note to find better quality wood for that shack. THey'll need it.
  63. [21:22] <Viola_Gray> "Right well, I'm going to find a bar." Somewhere far away enough that she won't even have to think about what the two zombies are doing, much less hear it.
  64. 01[21:23] <SpaceThor> Meanwhile, in another room with two of a kind in it, Bao sleeps soundly in her bed, still recovering from her injuries during the duel two days ago.
  65. 06[21:23] * Hao sits nearby, staring out a window.
  66. 01[21:25] <SpaceThor> Time passes in silence. Minutes, hours maybe? It's hard to say, today's been foggy enough that there was little light as it was. In time, though, Hao can hear the sheets stirring.
  67. 06[21:27] * Hao looks over towards the shorter girl.
  68. 01[21:28] <SpaceThor> Bao has sat up, and is currently rubbing her eyes, her long black hair falling in front of her face.
  69. 06[21:29] * Hao waits for the other girl to speak.
  70. 01[21:30] <SpaceThor> "Is it done?"
  71. 06[21:31] * Hao nods "It is."
  72. 01[21:32] <SpaceThor> She exhales deeply. "Alright. So what now?"
  73. 06[21:33] * Hao shakes her head. "I don't know."
  74. 01[21:38] <SpaceThor> She gives a little smile. "Well, that makes this difficult then."
  75. 06[21:39] * Hao chuckles. "Sorry, I didn't really have a large plan."
  76. 01[21:39] <SpaceThor> "Well, me neither."
  77. 01[21:40] <SpaceThor> "I thought a little bit...and I might know why I'm so weak."
  78. 02[21:40] * ID_chrome ([email protected]) Quit (Ping timeout)
  79. [21:40] <Hao> "Oh? I wouldn't really call you weak."
  80. 01[21:40] <SpaceThor> "I would. I think it's because I'm afraid."
  81. [21:41] <Hao> "...what are you afraid of?"
  82. 01[21:42] <SpaceThor> "Being alone."
  83. [21:43] <Hao> "...and no matter if I died or you died..."
  84. 01[21:43] <SpaceThor> "Then neither of us would be alone. We'd have the other, forever."
  85. 06[21:45] * Hao nods, trying not to reveal how creepy she finds the idea.
  86. 01[21:46] <SpaceThor> She pauses. "But that fear sapped my strength. It was all I could think of."
  87. 01[21:50] <SpaceThor> "I think I need to take some time to learn more about myself...and defeat my fears."
  88. [21:50] <Hao> "I see...I'm not sure I was much braver, I just didn't want either of us to die, if I could avoid it."
  89. 01[21:52] <SpaceThor> "More than you think. Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a mountain lake?"
  90. [21:53] <Hao> "...I cannot say that, no."
  91. 01[21:54] <SpaceThor> "No matter how wild and turbulent things are for you...it never reaches your surface. None looking at you could ever tell you were troubled."
  92. 06[21:56] * Hao chuckles. "Is that a generous way of saying that I am taciturn?"
  93. 01[21:58] <SpaceThor> "I suppose. I always liked poetry though."
  94. 01[21:58] <SpaceThor> "I don't know if what you have is true strength, but I believe it is stronger than what I have."
  95. 06[21:59] * Hao nods. "Unlike me, you know what you want. I just...get by."
  96. 01[22:00] <SpaceThor> "You're always so tough on yourself. Perhaps that is part of your strength too. Either way...I need to go, for a time. I need to spend time in meditation to find my own strength, and when that time comes, I will return here."
  97. 06[22:02] * Hao raises an eyebrow. "You will?"
  98. 01[22:03] <SpaceThor> "Unless you'd rather I not."
  99. [22:03] <Hao> "It's not that, I'm just suprised after this you'd want to."
  100. 01[22:04] <SpaceThor> "Well, I don't have anywhere specific to go, and I know you and your companions, so it seems a natural fit to me."
  101. 06[22:07] * Hao nods and smiles at her. "You are welcome to return then."
  102. 01[22:08] <SpaceThor> "Thank you. I don't know how long I'll be, but I will be back, one way or another."
  103. 06[22:10] * Hao awkwardly offers her a hug or a handshake. She isn't entirely sure which she is going for.
  104. 01[22:11] <SpaceThor> She hugs Hao tightly.
  105. 06[22:12] * Hao hugs back
  106. 01[22:12] <SpaceThor> "By the way, do you know where my axe is?"
  107. 06[22:14] * Hao nods. "We've got it stored elsewhere in the house, along with my gun."
  108. 01[22:14] <SpaceThor> "I'll need to collect it before I go, then. Journey of self-discovery or not, Malifaux is a dangerous place."
  109. [22:14] <Hao> "Of course."
  110. 01[22:17] <SpaceThor> She looks at Hao, then gives her one more hug. "Keep the place together while I'm gone, alright?"
  111. 06[22:18] * Hao rolls her eyes. "I've been trying this long."
  112. 01[22:18] <SpaceThor> She smiles, then heads downstairs.
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