Revas stop leaving the party you'll get yourself killed

01:35:41: RioCadaro When we last left our adventurers, they had just witnessed an assault upon the Ronin and local aid in an ambush. Spirits crippled and casualties sustained, the band of travelers and the empowered soldiers have come together with interesting news: Serafino has proposed a trade. He gets the mysterious stone in Ephraim's possession, they get Yuela,
01:36:36: RioCadaro Revas and Malahn's sister as well as preventing an assault on the next city in their path, Jambale. Minds muddled and tensions rising, how will they handle the upcoming encounter? Can they trust Serafino to any respect? What does the stone possess that the Criterion desire it so?
01:40:01: Revas has been visibly growing more and more stressed as he's been working on evacuating the building, and even afterwards. His eyes have been darting around and he's been pacing, only half paying attention to what's going on and muttering things to try to keep his thoughts straight.
01:42:51: RioCadaro Revas: You have only been able to salvage corpses after the dousing Klaus and Lewys' Pokemon have placed upon it. The bubbled, red corpses were either smothered in the smoke or engulfed in the very flames that consumed the building to the point of deforming its metal frame.
01:44:32: Revas is pretty damn lucky he's got so much going on his head right now so he can't really focus on some of the stuff he's seeing. He tries to just stuff it away by the time the attempted rescue wraps up.
01:44:35: RioCadaro Revas: Your brother, Malahn, coughs a bit before approaching you. "Sons of bitches...." He shakes his head, seeming to have led off from a conversation he was having with Lewys prior to talking to you.
01:45:21: RioCadaro Ephraim: This is quite a bit to walk into. How are you taking all of this?
01:46:42: <Revas> "...Tell me about it," Revas grumbles, looking up to his brother with an expression that can't decide if it's scattered in panic or completely concentrated; hyperaware or trying to shut everything out. Either way he doesn't look very well. "Can't believe I agreed to do this..."
01:51:16: RioCadaro Malahn: Agreed to do what....? *He's got a suspicious, tense stare upon his face, the soot-stained, rugged plain wrinkling in curiosity.
01:54:09: <Revas> "...Tch... he didn't tell--Serafino, I mean. He didn't tell you why he retreated, did you?" Revas answers, eyes not quite able to meet Malahn's gaze even though he's trying.
01:56:29: RioCadaro Malahn: I can't think of one time, besides an outright slaughter against the enemy, that the enemy gives a reason why they are retreating. We were on the ass end of that encounter.... Not to mention he was missing from the mainground most of the time, scruffing a grudge with Clayton. Apparently those two share bad blood between one another.
01:57:13: RioCadaro Your brother shakes his head, slumping down the wall of the building and letting out a sigh, looking up to you so you may join him.
01:57:39: Ephraim is trying not to see the scene around him, instead focusing on this stone and trying to figure out why it's so special.
01:57:57: RioCadaro Malahn: Once people were screaming and the flames began engulfing the cargo within...it was hard to hear anything besides gunfire and close comrades.
01:58:32: Revas moves to sit down for a moment, but ends up pacing back and forth next to him instead. "...Then, well..." he's pondering if he should tell him, knowing it will just worry his brother to say it, but... "I cut a deal with him, in the middle of the battle. ...Got him to call it off."
01:59:36: RioCadaro Malahn: W-what!? YOU were talking to him? How did he get in contact with you? What the hell kind of deal did you make with him?
01:59:54: RioCadaro As you expected, worry settles at a decent pace into his demeanour.
02:01:28: <Revas> "Still trying to figure that out. I'm guessing one of you guys dropped a radio or something and... well, yeah." He grits his teeth. "...Told me he'd call of this attack and the one in Jabota tomorrow night... among other things... if I brought them something valuable tomorrow."
02:02:40: <RioCadaro> (*Retcons Jambale where Jabota is. GM often gets them confused too*)
02:04:02: RioCadaro Malahn: Something valuable? What is this hothead wanting? There's not fucking way we'd get him anything he'd want!
02:04:04: <Revas> (lolwhoops)
02:04:08: <RioCadaro> (Salright :P)
02:05:10: <Revas> "I know, I know! I just... I don't even know if I can get my hands on it. Some kind of tablet fragment or something... I've got a picture of it, too," nevermind the dealings he's had involving this. "...But in this case... I don't really have a choice."
02:07:13: RioCadaro Malahn: I mean...it was noble of you to think like that. But making a bargain like that's only going to put Jambale in more danger than before. I wouldn't want to upset any of them, let alone the one that's known to have a short fuse by obnoxious stereotypical nature.
02:07:49: RioCadaro Malahn: We've got reinforcements from Kanto and Unova inbound, so at least we'll have them around in case things don't go as smoothly as expected.
02:08:37: <Revas> "Oh, we do? Well--No, wait. Stop." It seems like he's realised something in all his thinking and pacing. "Don't tell me any more."
02:10:03: <Revas> "Just... listen, I... ahh, how do I even..." he finally stops pacing, and some kind of frustrated squirm shakes his body. "I know it's stupid to play into their hands, whatever the hell that stupid tablet thing is, they want it so bad they can call off other plans if it means getting it. ...But..."
02:11:13: <Ephraim> "Sooo . . . best not to let them have it, alright"
02:12:12: <Revas> He doesn't want to go straight into why he's doing this, knowing his brother will get involved if he says it aloud... and that puts everything at a lot more risk. He looks up to Ephraim, glad for the distraction. "...If it were only that easy. ...This is a deal I've got to follow through on."
02:13:13: RioCadaro Malahn is caught off guard by your sudden shushing of his questioning. "This seems like too much of a risk. We know they're going to be in Jambale. I'll relay command to be ready for their arrival. Fuck them..."
02:13:22: <RioCadaro> to command*
02:14:56: <Revas> "I just said not to tell me any more!" Revas snaps for a moment, then catches himself. "Don't... I'm doing this. I have to. And that means I can't know these things!" he's saying it like it's obvious, but after a moment it seems to dawn on him and he relaxes a bit and tries to work through it aloud.
02:15:10: Ephraim looks up, suddenly aware of Revas' presence "No it's really, really not a good idea"
02:15:58: <Revas> "...If it's that important, I won't just be meeting Serafino. There'll be others there, too, to make sure everything goes smooth. One of them is a psychic. I'm trying to keep as ahead of this nonsense as I can right now, get it?"
02:17:02: <Revas> "It's -not- a good idea, but... I don't have a choice, alright? None. Not one."
02:18:27: RioCadaro Malahn: W-What? So you're telling me you're going to go in by YOURSELF?
02:19:02: RioCadaro Concern has evolved into caring anger, his breathing becoming heavier. "That's suicide! There's no way we can trust them for half a second!"
02:19:50: <Revas> "I know. I know! But I'm going to get her back and that's--" he gets pissed off in return for just a moment, and catches himself a moment after pretty much letting it slip.
02:21:38: <Ephraim> "Yeah, I think I see. I heard something, felt something when I picked it up."
02:21:40: <Ephraim> "Don't worry, if what you say's true, I've no intention of giving it up"
02:21:50: RioCadaro Malahn's anger doesn't catch what you said until midway. " There's nothing that they can give us tha.......her......." Then utter shock. "They're offering....."
02:23:21: <Revas> "...Fuck, I didn't want you to hear that." Revas grits his teeth. "Yeah. That's... the other thing. ...Sorry, Eph, but they... offered my sister back if I--" wait, things start falling into place one by one in his head. "...You have it, don't you?"
02:23:58: Ephraim slips it away, innocent look on his face "Who, me?"
02:24:05: RioCadaro Malahn's gaze turns to look into Ephraim's eyes, then to Revas, then back to Ephraim. "You mean he's got what they want?"
02:25:25: <Revas> "...Yeah. ...If that is it, then..." a long breath, he's definitely trying to keep himself calm. "...I need that. Even if it's a stupid move, I need it."
02:30:21: RioCadaro Malahn stares into Ephraim's eyes, keeping them narrowed with the disgruntled sneer he has worn since his concerns elevated.
02:31:16: <Ephraim> "Sorry, can't give this one up. Perhaps you could make a copy?"
02:32:40: <Revas> "And risk getting myself and her killed?"
02:33:09: RioCadaro Malahn: Not to mention countless others in Jambale? Not worth it. Give it up Ephraim.
02:33:25: RioCadaro Malahn stands up, offering his hand out to Ephraim for the stone.
02:34:26: <RioCadaro> Malahn: I will not lose everything I've been fighting for by making a fake they'll see through.....
02:35:11: <RioCadaro> Malahn: ...Unless you can make it so they can't see through it. We only need enough time to get Yuela out of their reach, and Kanto and Unova can sideswipe them.
02:35:46: <RioCadaro> Malahn: What does this even do? I don't know anything about this rock or what it can do.
02:36:03: RioCadaro Confusion and frustration blend together as he puts his other hand on his hip.
02:37:19: <Revas> "...What did I say about telling me this kind of thing?" Revas taps his foot, irritated. "...I... no. Calm down," it's more to himself. "I don't know what you're going to do. If you don't want to hand over the stone, then I'll..." for a moment, it seems like he's going to attack Ephraim... then he seems to reconsider.
02:37:36: <Ephraim> "Jambale, Jambale . . ." Ephraim gets quite the worried look at that name - but after thinking a few moments, worriedly shakes his head clear "Nope, still can't. Gotta figure out something that doesn't end with them having this thing"
02:38:31: <Revas> "...One way or another, I'm giving them a -very real- fragment that they're looking for," there's an odd way in which he stresses that. "...I'm going to go on ahead to Jambale. Alone."
02:38:56: <Revas> "Tomorrow afternoon... I'll get back in touch with you guys, and someone will bring me the real thing, and I will be bringing it to them, and I will get my sister back."
02:39:15: <Revas> He's trying to sound calm but he's speaking like he is not even going to entertain any other ideas.
02:39:42: <Revas> "...Who does that, and how they happen to get the stone? Not my department. ...Get it?"
02:41:00: <RioCadaro> Malahn: ....Well, we've each walked out of Hell's doorstep once before in this shitstorm. I know you better than any of these guys. Revas, this is the biggest deal you're going to be doing. I can....I can trust you with this, right?
02:41:19: RioCadaro Every word from his mouth is hesitant in some way, as if he was fighting to urge it from his lips.
02:41:42: RioCadaro You also notice that Malahn's eyes are closed.
02:43:39: <Ephraim> "I don't think it's a good idea either, but not much I can do here"
02:44:04: <Revas> "...Malahn. We grew up lying for a living, entertaining thousands and thousands of people as a cover for Dad's..." his breath hitches a little. "...What I mean to say is, yeah. This is my job. Dangerous dealings... this is my life, and really it kinda... always has been."
02:45:03: <Revas> "...If I can't put on a show in a pinch like this, then... well, that's all there is to it. But I'm still alive."
02:45:32: <RioCadaro> Malahn: Our dealings were different. You know that as well as I do. You better put on your best damn show for as long as you can.
02:46:08: RioCadaro Malahn turns to Revas and puts his hand on your shoulder. "I'm not about to lose my brother and my sister in this bullshit."
02:46:44: Revas flinches a little, trying to keep some sort of composure... then grabs onto him tight in an embrace before he can stop himself.
02:46:46: Ephraim mutters aloud "No, we'll figure out something. There's no way this thing's getting into any other hands"
02:47:10: <Revas> "...Don't worry. I'm not going to lose you guys either. Promise."
02:47:38: <RioCadaro> Malahn: If....*suddenly, Revas's embrace interrupts him, stopping his statement.* You better keep this fucking promise, Revas.
02:48:03: RioCadaro His arm is wrapped around you much tighter than before, his refined muscles pinning you into his chest.
02:48:42: <Revas> "I will, I will." He lingers there for a moment, before pushing away. "...I'll get all choked up if we keep going like this, though."
02:49:26: RioCadaro Malahn equally shoves you away. "Yeah yeah, we're not a bunch of babies, I know. Go on then....I'll keep them from following you out."
02:49:54: <Revas> "There'll be time to be sentimental once I've got sis back and we're safe, yeah. ...So if you aren't the one delivering tomorrow... I'll see you after all's said and done, then."
02:50:43: RioCadaro Malahn nods slowly, letting out a sigh as his right hand rubs his nose swiftly
02:52:18: Revas backs up a little, looking to Ephraim with a nod. Then off to the others, lingering a little. "...Right. Away with me." His leaving is clearly a little uncertain at first until he's taken a few steps... then he's off, practically running out and away.
02:53:24: RioCadaro Malahn utters to Ephraim, his only company now. "The shit's getting to him. He's making stupid risky moves. But...if there's any chance they'll actually give her up...damn, I'll take it. We've got to get off this damn Egondra before we end up dead...."
02:54:10: RioCadaro Malahn looks to Ephraim now. "You seem to know more about this thing than anybody else does. What the hell is it?"
02:57:01: <Ephraim> "Something we definitely can't let them have." He's lost in thought as he tries to speak
02:58:07: RioCadaro Your lack of explanation disturbs Malahn. His eyes roll as his frustration rises. "Yeah, no shit, but why? What do I have to worry about if they DO get it? Does nobody explain anything these days? First Revas, and now you. Fuckin' A...."
02:58:22: <RioCadaro> (Worktiemz soon, Gabe?)
02:59:29: <Revas> (Yes it is)
02:59:42: <Ephraim> "I know, but I don't . . . augh!"
02:59:53: Ephraim is almost in tears trying to sort it all out
03:00:24: <Revas> (I will be around for things all the same in later sessions even if just to watch but whoops there are probably other things Revas is going to have to take care of in the process. ...Namely himself after this.)
03:01:36: RioCadaro Malahn sees Ephraim's emotions jolting out, baiting his own out a bit. He restrains himself and puts his hand out towards Ephraim. "L-look...I'm...sorry. It's just a really dangerous, mysterious subject and there's a lot on the line for me. If you've got any sort of plan to help my brother and sister get out of this....please let me know.
03:01:40: RioCadaro However.....
03:04:43: RioCadaro Malahn grabs the collar of Ephraim's shirt and jerks him just in front of his face. "I swear that if you fuckin' get them killed or hurt in any way, you'll feel more pain than you've ever experienced in your lifetime. I won't kill you, I will leave you to linger in your suffering."
03:05:38: RioCadaro "That's one promise I will keep. You bet your ass on that." After this, he drops Ephraim and walks away, shaking off his erratic emotions to keep a better face for the others among him.
03:06:18: Ephraim whimpers a bit, but gets up and dusts himself off
03:09:44: <Revas> (And I'm out, g'night!)