Thom - Introspection: The Gorandis Event

{NARRATION} It was surprising nobody had pried their way in here before. But, judging by the errant scorch marks and the rather obvious smears of ash and streaks of marred... something there have been attempts in the past. Likely it was simple deemed not worth the effort. The previous would be raiders of the small building were quick to give up. And it was no surprise why. The place looked dishevelled and, well, not unlike many of the other run down places. Its structural integrity was far more solid than any of the others but there was nothing to make it stand out otherwise... Apart from the 'remains' of course. It was only recently that a name had been attached to the place, one that actually gave it value. 'Gorandis' A name that had fallen into history recently with numerous wars washing away the ones of the past. It was really a surprise that anyone still living had even met the man, let alone had any reason to search for him. But whatever reasons they are, and however the information was gained did not matter. This was the first step, an abandoned building on the outskirts of Loranthis. And it would seem it was also the first wall. Gaining entrance did not seem easy.
[13:15:31] "Gorandis."

The reason he came to Loranthis in the first place. The reason that out of all the cities he desired to come to this one.. The name of the lighting magi who was able to bend more to his will then just the elements but also creatures from beyond this world itself. While Thom certainly was able to summon elementals from the spirit realm there was the desire for more.

The desire to see the Helhiem and the creatures he wished to drag this world to for so long. A wide grin crossed the Golden Kings face as the glowing gold eyes stared forth towards the abandoned building in front of him. Hellstorm cackled and radiated around his arm as power hummed about him.

"Are you all prepared for what lies inside?" Thom inquired. Yet for the time he merely stared and marveled at what was in front of him..

Scorch marks were on it and as a result he searched quickly for runes. Quickly for anything that may pose a threat to a forced opening.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[13:16:22] It was quite cold, as the frigid air of the north brushed against Loranthis' direction. All the clues left behind by one of Dumuzid's right hand men led to what seemed to be a settlement of sorts. The expedition was led by Thom, as he had been the one enduring the burdens in order to find the fiend that is Gorandis. Nashandra would of course remain close, by his side, as she'd always do. His voice of reason, as they would need to engage this methodically.

Boots stomped through the figid path, as the silver haired being's optics went about to scan the area. Nothing of note so far. And yet this palce of the world would always give Nashandra quite the sinister vibe. Not that a depraved being such as herself would be too rattled by this fact, but it was noteworthy. A wrath sin said to be nearby, it wasn't going to be a particularly enjoyable experience.

But the lure of power was an irresistable one. And the leading three that would come to this expedition all had stakes in this. Whether it'd be Thom with the knowledge he craved regarding the spirit realm to the point of conquering Dumuzid's very Conquest. Rin's insatiable hungry for everything and anything desiring something refined and unique. And Nashandra seeking the man's unique anatomy. Built in a way to contain enough power to take on Dragons and mighty warriors en mass.

"It appears this is our first stop."

As they marched foward, they would be confronted to an abandoned building of sorts. The nearby trail left behind by the calamity they assumed to be Gorandis Fester seemed to indicate they were going the right way.
(Nashandra)
[13:16:22] From the shadows emerged the Devourer, with as coy a smile as ever. The child-like young woman seemed to have grown even further in depraved might since Thom had last seen her. She was clearly up to something in that Citadel of hers; but just what was impossible to guess. "Thom, Nashandra," She'd greet with a giggle, before her violet gaze fell upon Maxwell. She clapped her hands together in glee.

"Oh! And you even brought me a snack! How thoughtful!"
(Rin)
[13:17:13] Nashandra: He's reserved, Miss Rin.
[13:17:13] Rin: Reservations for dinner?! Oh, I didn't realize you felt like that for me, Miss Nashandra~
[13:18:04] Nashandra: I'd say you're clever, but it lacked a bit of punch.
[13:18:04] Nashandra: Perhaps deviating from the vore theme would help.
[13:18:56] The dull clatter of armour resounded from the back of the group, it's source was none other than the blonde-haired man with the gilded cloak, Maxwell. The young soldier had tagged along, a semblance of brawn amidst the group of powerful mages, taken along solely to fill in the role of the muscle that Nashandra had personally requested.

A name hung in the air, a foreign word that remained unknown to him, even as it remained the center of conversation amongst the group, that of 'Gorandis'. It was as luck would have it, that the first stop was a mere abandoned structure on the edge of the ruined city, streaks of soot and ash dotted what remained of it.

"...Yeah, I'm not for snackin'." the man responded half-heartedly in Rin's direction, his eyes lay upon the center of attention the group had moved towards, the building itself.

"So, I'm ready for whatever's inside. Just try not to throw me in the path of anything sharp or deadly, if'n you could."
(Maxwell Chengri)
[13:20:38] Rin: Always a drag. Next time, you should bring me a meal, or you might end up on my plate yourself.
[13:21:29] Nashandra: I have something for you, but I still expect something to be done.
[13:21:29] Thom M. Takashi: .. Now is not the time for fighting you two..
[13:21:29] Nashandra: Since I can only assume the blade is a dud.
{NARRATION} The only outside evidence of runework were the scattered burned, charred and disintegrated things that used to be corpses. So, unless anyone had brought with them the ability to truly detect magic, then it was time to go in blind. Which would likely not end well in at least one way. It all would depend on the approach. As does everything, usually.
[13:24:03] No runes. Problematic.

And yet there were burned, charred, disintegrated things. Was Gorandis a fire magi? No, it must have been due to the result of lighting. Troublesome. Perhaps attempt to re-direct? Thom would have frowned, not exactly happy at his lack of being unable to detect the magic within.

"Right, who wants to attempt to open it? Because if its me I will likely attempt to just blow it appart with fire. Just a warning."

The golden hues glanced towards each of the others around.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[13:28:19] Appendages emerged from her lower back, as Nashandra analytically squinted at the sealed building before them. The tips would sever themselves, and the out of the chunks, greyrot humanoids would emerge. With large claws, the group of seven or so Greyrot would clumsily march over to what they supposed to be the 'entrance'.

Thick claws attempted to dig into whatever crevice they could find before trying to plow through. Likely unsuccessfully, but it would perhaps allow them to gain better inside as to what they were confronted to rather than shove their hands anywhere at random.

"We can use them as ... Recon as it seems like we're not going to be figuring this out by just staring at it."
(Nashandra)
[13:29:10] A small frown creased the man's face as he bent over, one hand scooping up a small rock on the side of the road as he turned his attention towards the trio standing in front. A faint spark flicked off the stone, it's surface gradually warming underneath his touch.

"I suppose I could just throw something at it, see if'n anything happens. I'm no expert on magical traps, but I figure there has to be some method of triggering it, right?" the man responded casually towards the Red-Haired Womanizer, one eyebrow lay lazily cocked in the man's direction.

For the time being, he simply held onto the stone, waiting for some advice from a proper 'expert' in the field, before he went and did something stupid.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[13:32:35] Rin simply shrugged. "Don't look at me for suicide attempts. I'm not the sort who has delved into Rune Magics too much; but this definitely looks like work of that sort of magic." Rin would put a finger to her lip, pondering. "I think the greyrot are certainly the best option. Disposable."

"But if that fails; Mayhaps I can aide in some other way." She'd giggle, and it was clear that she had some form of idea, but was simply holding back showcasing her abilities and crafts. At the very least, the greyrot should reveal what lurked ahead...
(Rin)
{NARRATION} The greyrot red-shirts did a spectacular job of discovering the runes. And setting them off. As soon as their claws had languidly even began to touch the door, they had detonated, crimson lightning piercing them and boiling them from the inside out. The flaming chunks littered down on the area and while the origins of the bolts themselves were revealed, the runes themselves hadn't. But fodder dies as fodder does. You couldn't expect much to come from mindless creatures that existed only to set traps off. At least there was a little bit of insight gained. The source of the magic if not the source of the trap.
[13:35:08] Maxwell Chengri: <*Whistles loudly at the display*> Damn.
[13:35:08] Nashandra: Perhaps water would cause an amusing reaction?
[13:36:00] Rin: I quite enjoy living, thank you Nashandra.
[13:36:00] Maxwell Chengri: I'll wait for Thom to decide, though I'd like to see what would happen if we hit the door -very- hard.
[13:36:51] Observation. So then this would not be a matter of touching the wall, such would set off quite the trap. Instead there needed to be another way around it, though perhaps the red haired man's idea wouldn't be the best. Several steps backwards were taken as the golden hued man took aim forwards, hefting the depraved blade off his back.

"We could sear it. Stand far enough back and let the fire arrow take care of the wall. It seems only to fry those who are touching it after all." Sure he could have already done it but the red haired man would have waited for the others comments first.

Patentince, something he tried to learn but as heat could be felt gathering on the blade.. Likely wasn't going so well yet.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[13:44:32] "Brute force first. Then perhaps, some tact." Rin would agree, giving a nod to Thom. If the door broke, the runes would likely fail. "If not, perhaps a look for other points of entry. Windows, basements... All that sort. They worked for Loranthis, I'd imagine there's another path."
(Rin)
[13:44:32] With a single step, Maxwell edged back slightly, the stone he had retrieved still lay clenched in his hand, waiting for the day when he'd be capable of wielding it to the full potential it had been destined to achieve. He could only wait as Thom offered his advice, the wholesale destruction of the structure's fromt entrance in an attempt to destroy the magic that secured it.

"Just tell me when I have to life something heavy, I suppose." he stated leisurely from the back, when it came to the art of rune writing, and the intricacies of magical traps, Maxwell was as ignorant as any uneducated child.

The only thing he had going for him was that he could throw a rock very hard, if need be.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[13:46:14] Nashandra: I did suggest just soaking the thing.
[13:46:14] Nashandra: You know, how electricity reacts to water.
[13:46:14] Maxwell Chengri: <*Tentatively considers throwing the rock*> Mmm...
[13:47:05] Maxwell Chengri: Well, I don't know if water and electricity would work too well, if'n the guy was good at what he did.
[13:47:05] Thom M. Takashi: True.
[13:47:05] Maxwell Chengri: Which, if I've learned anything from listening to you all, he was good at what he did.
[13:47:05] Thom M. Takashi: Would likely just make it do more damage then we have to worry about further traps.
[13:47:56] Nashandra: <*Eyebrow raise*> You're all being lazy, but fine. <*Shrugs*>
[13:47:56] Maxwell Chengri: I'm just going to hit it with a rock, you cool with that?
[13:49:39] "Wouldn't that just trigger the trap agai- Nevermind. Just get back everyone."

A sigh from the golden king as he would have finished walking backwards. The depraved blade he wielded would have been hefted up and pointed at the door to the workshop. Eyes narrowed slightly standing a good twentish feet away and figuring the conversation would have given enough time for everyone to get back.

"I'm just going to burn it."

Thom declared. And just like that the giant arrow of fire would be headed towards the door, the hellstorm magi prepared to teleport backwards if it exploded or the like.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[13:51:21] Nashandra: <*Wanted to short circuit it, blah!*>
{NARRATION} The arrow of flames shot before the door, impacted and then billowed out. The fire expanded and swelled before imploding, being sucked into and underneath the door where it disappeared behind the cracks and into the building. The light from the fire shone briefly in the shadow of the doorframe before winking out. For a moment, nothing happened. And then the red lightning sparked out again, striking barely and inch from Thom's head as it went surging over his shoulder, far more powerful than any of the blasts seen previously. If it had connected... Well it was best not to imagine that. After all, what remained of the building behind them, now a smouldering wreckage, painted a vivid enough picture. It would seem that the building was not a big fan of magic.
[13:57:20] Rin: (Any cracks in this door)
[13:58:11] Yikes.

Well it wasn't as if the red haired man thought it would be a smart plan. Generally speaking shooting fire towards things tends to get messy pretty quickly. That being said, Thom merely took a breath in, his heart pounding a bit as he glanced around towards the rest of the people present.

"On second thought, I do not think that using a giant arrow of flame would be a good idea to take this down. On the bright side it didn't explode on all of us.." The Golden King said, very quickly calming down from the close brush with death he just had.

"Should we try water then? Or do we have any other ideas?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:01:36] Spooky. It seems like generic brute force didn't work. At least the Greyrot scouted out the dangers, and Thom confirmed that the brainless approach wasn't the best. Heck, he almost ended up like that house! Nashandra was evidently dumbfounded by this resulted, and all the more frightened at the possibility of losing her fiancé in such a ... Anti-climactic way!

"... Yes, let's go with my plan."

Short circuiting was likely the best option. Or at least attempting it. No one here was an efficient enough runewriter to be confident in performing somethig complicated, even if Nashandra had inherited quite the nice jewels to advance her capabilities.

She'd peer toward Rin, nodding at her direction to try something out herself.
(Nashandra)
[14:03:18] Maxwell whistled aloud at the display of power shown by Thom, a projectile of flame that would normally have had no problem reducing an obstacle to ash whilst wielded by the powerful magi. A momentary thought blinked into existence within the man's mind before it sputtered out, much like the impressive Sear Thom had unleashed.

"Well, I suppose that means we've got a few choices left, aye? Either hit it with a rock. Try to dump water on it, or- perhaps try opening the door without using force?" the man commented as he dropped the stone he held and slowly began scavenging around for a much bigger rock.

If he was actually needed to try and bust down the door, he could only assume that a pebble capable of being lifted with one hand wasn't enough to surpass Gorandis' impervious defenses. Surely though, the man never expected a rock capable of being lifted with both hands, right?
(Maxwell Chengri)
[14:06:43] See? This is why Rin was not the first one to attempt anything on an obviously enchanted door. She'd sigh, stepping forward. She wasn't going to try for Nashandra's plan either, if the door was not destroyed by that blast, she doubted a little water would have the slightest effect on defenses of that magnitude. Instead, she would walk straight towards the door...

And begin to dissolve. Her figure would collapse into mist, body no longer of a corporeal sense, and with that, the slightly more moist air would begin to float towards the door, and slip through the cracks between. If the runes were on the other side of the door, they were likely easier to deal with on the inside than from the outside.
(Rin)
{NARRATION} Mistforming at the door that both heavily reacts magic /and/ shocks things that get too close. This was not a good plan, not by a long shot. For starters, as soon as Rin got in range of the door, her magic began to fail, the mana being drawn away from the ability, forcing her out of it and down onto the ground... right in range of the runes as it so happened. Runes that now shocked her, violently as she lay continuously in range of them after being dropped there rather unceremoniously. And they would continue to shock her until either they were shut off or she was rescued. (Rin is now accruing damage and injuries that will be totalled after her rescue. Leave it for a long amount of time and it will actually be fatal.)
[14:20:22] A healthy rock was found, it's big and wonderous nature put a sparkle in the young man's eye as he lifted the massive stone, his muscles tensing up as he put them into use. To the mans' ears, a loud cry erupted forth, followed by the sound of bolt after bolt of discharged energy being loosed in Rin's direction.

"...Damn." the man stated bluntly as he held the stone aloft, hands clenched tightly around the stone, muscles bulking up with arcane strength as he stood alongside the crowd of Magi. It was a simple effort in his part as he loosed the boulder, putting forth an excruciating amount of force into the toss, aiming to strike not necessarily the door itself of the structure, but the exact spot wherein the bolts continued to be loosed from.

It was a matter of brawn over brain, after magic had failed time and time again, it was time to try hitting trouble with a mundane blunt object. Such as an un-enchanted stone at high speeds. Bright ideas weren't his forte.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[14:23:47] Not good. Not good at all.

The red haired man winced seeing the attempt to mistform towards the door and the failure of it to hold on. It appeared then.. That the door would likely just stop whatever magic would approach it. Such was.. Very hazardous to say the least. The first thought was to teleport in and bring her out but chances were.. That would just stop him from teleporting back away and then they would have two problems.

Could he use this to his advantage? Not by a long shot besides establishing that they would have to find another way to approach this besides magic.. Unless..

"If the runes are focused on lighting maybe we can strike while they're active." Thom spoke. But then again.. After his first brush with the runes today a giant arrow of flame again didn't seem like a good idea.

"Screw it."

There is a certain time for thinking. This was not it. The Hellstorm magi would have teleported to their ally, attempted to grab them and teleport out. Once again this was unlikely to be a good idea.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:32:19] Not good at all. Rin did a dumb dumb, and now they had to handle this issue. Greyrot sprouted once more, as close as possible to the downed Malpercian. Thom was quicker however, as such, they could only serve as meatshields if more lightning were to burst at their direction.

This door was really becoming annoying. God did she hate these trapped doors oh so much.

"Great ..."

She was no earth magi, but this was getting annoying. So! It was time to get creative. Greyrot not only sprouted in the surface, but under the form of vines, they would seep into the earth below the edifice they couldn't penetrate.

Endlessly digging and growing like the roots of a large tree, Nashandra would try to modify and possibly compromise the landscape! A lack of trees in a large area did cause severe erosion after all! Was this plan sound? She did not know, but very little alternatives seemed present, since brute force had failed until now.

Basically she's trying to fuck up the earth's surface to compromise structure. May be silly, but hey.
(Nashandra)
{NARRATION} As it turns out, the defences were rather... over-thought. And they were not foolproof. They were certainly genius-proof however. As no genius would ever dare to just simply throw a rock very hard at it. And so as the heavy stone hurtled at the wooden frame of the building, it hit it... and shattered it, careening through with nothing left to stop it. So that took care of one of the sources of lightning, there were still five or six more though, one of which seemed to be striking intermittently from differing angles. Next was Thom, who had the bright idea of teleporting in and out with Rin. And it almost worked... sort of. The execution was sound, the idea itself was not. He teleported in, grabbed her and almost teleported out. But instead, just like Rin, his mana became drained, leaving him rather out in the open. The last vestiges of his hellstorm magic did protect him from any damage however. At least for now. And it seemed to divert a few bolts away from Rin, saving her from taking further damage this time. The absorption of new mana, however, had another effect. The hole in the wall reformed. A solid black crystal crusting over it and the bolt of lightning resumed from that hole... So no progress was actually made there. Nashandra had a plan of her own, one to upset the balance of the earth around the building. And briefly, it worked, the building began to tilt and sink slightly into the ground... Before it stopped dead, the vines becoming unresponsive in a meter radius around the building horizontally. While vertically all the mana was drained for several hundred feet. Magic was not helping here. And now there were two people trapped and seven bolts of lightning striking away at them. Rin was still recovering from wounds and now Thom was stuck too though he was momentarily safe and had saved Rin from further harm for now.
[14:44:16] It had become painfully clear that the door fed upon magics and mana. WELL TWO COULD PLAY THAT GAME. As Thom began to take the front of the wicked assault of lightning, it allowed Rin to play her own card. Her Malpercian limb would seperate, dozens of tentacles manifesting and growing. Lightning struck at her, but she roared in defiance, her Malpercian nature overcoming whatever assault would be laid upon her.

The many depraved tendrils surged at the door, attempting to punch through it, to rip it off it's hinges, and to end this trivial game once and for all. The screams of hundreds of dead could be heard as the souls within Rin begged for her own end to come; almost beckoning more lightning to lash at her. She would not allow them such an escape.
(Rin)
[14:45:58] A wide smile creased the man's lips, his idea had worked, and a single rune had been demolished, leaving the remainder to press on with their assault in an attempt to demolish the two mages who approached so skillfully. A faint plume of lavender smoke rose from Maxwell's form as his senses sharpened, eyes darting around as he searched for various stones to repeat his beginner's luck with reckless abandon.

One after the other, stones were gathered within the man's arms, each no smaller than the size of a clenched fist, and some nearing the magnitude of a human skull. "I feel like a kid again~" the man cheered gleefully, any stress or anxiety he may have held when it came to the dangerous situation they were in, had left his body altogether at the sight of sole resounding success.

With sheer guts, and a general apathy for the outcome should his efforts fail; Maxwell dumped his collected stones to the ground, picking them up one by one to throw whole-heartedly at each individual source of the magic. It wasn't simply just six or seven stones however, the man had stocked up, and had intended on peppering the structure with an astounding seventeen rocks.

They didn't really need anything inside the house to be intact, right?
(Maxwell Chengri)
[14:46:49] At a certain range, the vines would stop completely. Strange ... She'd barely notice the hole made by the young Maxwell either! A rock had managed to do that? Perhaps magic was the issue here? After all, her vines and greyrot had lost their ability to do anything at a certain range. Maybe ...

"I see ..."

Bolts of lightning still seemed to be assaulting the duo. At least now the homunculus could tell where they were coming from. Tentacles out, she was ready to fire a barrage of energy magic. However Thom's previous initiative made her think otherwise.

No, it couldn't be with magic. Instead, one of her tentacles would nab a nearby rock. And this time, she would aim it at the direction of one of the origin points of the lightning bolts.

Maxwell had the same idea. Good, the more that went about this, the more likely they were to hit their target.
(Nashandra)
[14:46:49] Not the sharpest tool in the drawer are we Thom?

The red haired man got himself into a bit of a pickle now. Teleporting into something that seemed to drain mana was not exactly a good idea but he wasn't exactly the type to wait for things. Especailly given the danger that was on the line to one of his allies.

But now? lighting! Joy! the bolts were striking out at him, and he was in the open but luckily the hellstorm was holding out just a little bit, protecting him from getting hurt from this trap, as well as drawing some of the fire from Rin. The man took deep breaths, but noticed something.. the fixture of the hole in the wall and the rock that had caused it.

"Rocks. Just have them throw rocks!" Thom called out, a bit of a glance made towards Nashandra in hope that she would do such as the red haired man would have attempted to begin backing up, hoping to get both himself and Rin out of the blast range of the runes.. Nothing too fast as that might leave the safety of his Hellstorm after all.

Course.. Watching the Malpercian limb seperate Thom would have attempted to grab the other arm and pull Rin towards safety.. Hopefully her attack would make progress as they moved.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:47:40] Maxwell Chengri: Hahahaha! This is a terrible idea, and I love it!
[14:47:40] Nashandra: Terrible, but efficient.
[14:48:32] Nashandra: Good eye Mister Maxwell.
{NARRATION} Gorandis had been quite familiar with Malpercians. After all, his greatest 'ally' was one. And so, obviously, he had wanted to keep her out most of all. He had planned for this. And as Rin's manifestations approached the door she would feel an assault, one that started in her limbs and travelled straight to her mind. Malpercian limbs collected souls. And so now half a thousand spirits were being used to bombard Rin's senses. The voices clamoured, they gave her visions, hallucinations of lives she had never lived. People she could never have known and beings she could not yet imagine. And it was a cacophony of noise and randomness and life. But, as for the others, at least the idea of the mundane had caught on and swiftly the six key lightning bolts were snuffed out. The seventh and final one still arced erratically but eventually Maxwell punched enough holes in the wall to cause it to falter. The first trap had been disarmed... finally. Though Thom and Rin would still feel drained of mana. That is if Rin could feel anything through the voices. She probably could even feel her own charred body. (Rin loses 10 vit for the remainder of the event but suffered nothing permanent.)
[14:56:12] "... Maxwell."

The golden hues glanced over to the boy as the red haired man would begin to haul himself off the ground. The mana.. Perhaps he would take a while to recover it before heading further inside the death trap that was Gorandis' workshop but the red haired man had something else to say before even begining to focus on that.

"Congradulations on your promotion Knight. If you have any more smart ideas for the death traps ahead I believe they will be greatly appreciated."

With that.. Thom would take a breather.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:59:37] Aaaaand Rin seemed suddenly out; her body falling limp upon it's knees. She stared slackjawed into the air; despite the end to the trap. Even her parasitic arm had ceased it's vile movements, and one was instantly able to tell that she was being afflicted by something else, something more than simple lightning magics.

Rin's mind was currently under a heavy, extremely distracting assault, that had shut down her nervous system for the most part. Interference at best, but it still did a great job at taking her out it seemed.
(Rin)
[14:59:37] And it worked. Wow, geegee Maxwell. It wasn't such a bad idea to bring the little teen on the ride after all. Hopefully he wouldn't succumb to anything, as he proved to be quite the good element.

Nashandra would raise an eyebrow as Thom's remark however. Arms crossed, he could hear her snicker almost beckoning for his attention.

"Knight? Really? He's under my command, remember. Doofus ..."

A small punch on his shoulder was made, a playful one before she'd give him one of these glances. He knew the type.

"Good job Mister Maxwel. I'm glad I can rely on your rock throwing skills! Unlike my soon-to-be husband, I don't really have any shiny sticker titles to give. So ... I suppose you have made a very good impression, and I'm letting you know it. It'll likely be useful in the future."

A wink, before she'd direct her gaze to the now allegedly safe entrance. A greyrot would be thrown in as decoy/scout before they would proceed.
(Nashandra)
[15:05:36] The man cracked a wide smile as he stepped forward, his aura dissapated and his senses dulled as the scants bit of magic he had employed were quickly extinguished, leaving the soldier to stroll forth unassisted in the King's direction.

"It was dumb luck, but I thank ya'. I doubt it'll be that easy from hereon out, but-...I'll do my best to be the brawns to this group's brains." the man responded cheerfully as he eyed the structure and with one hand, tossed a small pebble into one of the opened holes in the structure, this time, a faint bit of magic propelled the stone forward, a basic enchantment with the weakest of implications.

As much as the man wanted to revel in the moment, his evident superiority over the crowd truly made for an inspiring moment; there was much to be done, especially when it came to the guts of the mage's workshop. "Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure there is a time and place for us all to start trying to tear everything apart brick by brick, but...I would sincerely recommend, until it seems too dangerous to do otherwise, to stop using magic while we're here."

He stopped just short of Thom and the others however, as his attention lay on seeing what would happen to the minorly enchanted stone he had tossed in just seconds beforehand. Frontloaded house or not, Maxwell didn't have the absolute power his comrades did, for him to just jump into danger willy-nilly.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[15:19:15] Nashandra whispers: Jealous I took this lad home?
[15:27:47] Being late was never quite something Gala enjoyed. Be it to parties, meetings, or a study date by herself. Though, sometimes things came up, they got in your way, and simple became an unavoidable mess! This particular instance proved to be both hinder and helpful to the little 'adventure' her friend had invited her on. No longer would Gala have that plus one, instead Sanseveria would have to figure out how to take care of it.

Kraus protect him.

Stepping past terrain and wildlife alike, she comes to stand before a building that…Well. IT almost felt a little bit like Aamon in a way. It tugged at her, at the mana frantically working to fix what little damage was left in her sore body. No doubt, Thom would question why she was late…But then, she had one heck of an excuse. Spotting the group in the distance, the woman stepped over carefully and looked around.

"Sorry I'm late, I had a…Uh, a 'meeting' I could not avoid." That was one way to put it. "Oh, but what have you all been up to…? Any trouble at all?"
(Gala Mabon)
{NARRATION} The greyrot blobs would wither and die as they entered the previously sensed 'anti magic field' that was around the house. But now that the lightning wasn't distracting your senses, the full extent of the magic at work could be felt. You were being drained of mana, deliberately and it was quick enough to snuff out magics before they arose. Though perhaps some extremes at generating mana could overcome it. Regardless, the door gave no resistance as it was opened into the musty room. The shafts of light from the holes in the wall as well as the doorframe illuminated the dust filled air... and soon illuminated the contents of the room. The floors, walls and ceilings were covered in black crystal. Each singular spike grew no more than half a foot long but it covered almost every surface. And the point of origin could barely be seen in the middle of a table. It was a larger core of the black crystal, one with a red light flickering briefly within it. From the current distance there was little that could be made out about it though you could swear you saw shapes within. The core seemed... lopsided, as if it had been knocked over and discarded before it began its rapid growth. Regardless, most of the room lay dark as the black crystals refracted little light. And you certainly couldn't summon up the mana for a simple bit of light, not without forcing it into something greater. But, the new arrival would need bringing up to speed first. Lest she blunders into any traps.
[15:37:10] Maxwell's suggestion would be taken, though not really by choice. Given the anti-magic field around the house it would be imensely difficult to use magic inside.. In fact the musty room ahead of him wouldn't even be illuminated by his ussually glowing golden hues, instead the nautral grey hues returning to normal.

"That black crystal.. A piece of me thinks we should attempt to take it. On the other hand? I don't want to touch too much in here given what happened at the door.." A slight sigh escaped the Takashi as he moved further inside, glancing towards his allies and towards Gala who seemed to just arrive. "Greetings. I'll ask about it later but there was only a bit of trouble that you missed."

Thom began a slight glare towards Nashandra, though mostly in an equally playful manner to that which the punch she gave him. "One of use should carry Rin, she seems to be out of it. I would volenteer but I only have one arm." Excuses, Thom was just lazy.

"Essnetially we're going into this rune filled magic proof workshop and hoping not to die and get information on Gorandis' location. Don't.. Rush into things or use magic Gala." A nod as he once more looked forwards into the place, slowly begining to walk in.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[15:43:08] In they went, and Gala would soon join the fray. The more the merrier, and the smaller the chances of Nashandra being the first to be off'd during this expedition. Within the dark complex they had struggled to even penerate, they would find quite the surreal assortment of crystals littering the area, with what seemed to be a flickering 'core' on a table.

The anti-magic properties in the area didn't make this experience too comfortable, but the homunculus pulled through. Further inspection would reveal little.

"She tried to take a bite out of my tentacle when presented. I'll avoid touching her."

Nashandra glanced over at Maxwell, basically beckoning him to take up this task given by Thom. They would inevitably set foot in the place, with no decoy capable of taking hits for them. Silver eyes would scan the area, forever vigilant of what could be hurled in their direction.
(Nashandra)
[15:49:58] The tug of mana being drained out of the man's body was immediate, his reserves, honed as they were for the exhaustive usage of his personal fighting style, ebbed away at a pace that was relatively blinding when compared to the numerous magi around him. The outline of jagged crystals coated the interior of the structure, giving the clear sense that the workshop, whatever it may have once been, was now a living minefield of sorts, for the group to trespass.

The man turned around, making his way a fair distance from the structure, until the tug on his reserves simply ceased to be. "I'll carry the woman." the man stated aloud as he moved about the clearing, picking up various sticks nearby, collecting a small bundle in due time. Quickly, the man removed the wrapped bundle to his side before unwrapping it, to reveal a large bundle of fur that covered a beautifully carved lute.

With an unceremonious tug, the man tore loose several strips of the fur, before tying his bundle back up, shouldering it once more. With each stick, the man tied a wad of fur to the top, creating a small set of six furry torches. With a breathe of fresh air away from the mana-deprivation field, a gout of flame spurt from Maxwell's throat, engulfing the furs and lighting the torches.

With the torches now lit, the man simply walked back over to the house, offered two to Thom, two to Nashandra, and one to Gala respectively, before tossing one torch into the middle of the house. He hadn't yet touched Rin to carry the woman, afterall, he was focused on seeing what would happen when a non-magical source of light and heat was tossed into the midst of those crystalline structures.

"This is a great idea."
(Maxwell Chengri)
[15:53:23] "Rush into something…? Oh Thom, I'd be more afraid for you to do that than me. You know I'm more likely to think about something before doing it." Taking the warning though, Gala is quick to flick on a more attentive mindset, being sure to over analyze just about anything that comes her way. The Crystal Thom spoke of had peeked her interest, and Gala would careful to look it over for any identifiable markings or…Maybe even just to figure out what kind of rock is WAS.

"My, it's quite something…Isn't it? Stepping closer, she's careful to gaze around the room before staring at the crystal again. "I wonder what would happen if something touched it, magical or otherwise-" Turning to watch Maxwell toss a burning torch into the building, Gala sort of…Stares. "Yes, okay, let's just throw things in without debating or brainstorming. Flaming objects no less!" Pressing a hand toher head, Gala backs off from the building. "Rune filled house…This is no good, you can't just…You can't just throw things in!"

Did he at least stop to think about it?!
(Gala Mabon)
[15:54:14] Maxwell Chengri: Threw stuff before, this is a great idea.
[15:54:14] Maxwell Chengri: <*Is clearly oblivious to the dangers involved with throwing objects into strange places*>
[15:59:21] The shrubbery behind Gala began to rustle, the green blades of grass extending moments later- growing taller and thicker, half as tall as a man within seconds. Out of the curls of green a hand reaches up, and then an arm, and then the rest of him, emerging from the soil. Sanseveria's upper half snaked out, his tunic covered in dirt, looking a little disheveled to say the least. "Khiii... What's with the outing?"
(Sanseveria)
{NARRATION} The torch is thrown in and almost managed to reach the floor before a vile wind, tinted with occultism slices through the air and snuffs out the flame, destroying the torch itself in the process. It could be seen as another rune trap, though people were walking around just fine. In fact nobody had stopped to check before wandering in so they could be considered very lucky in that regard. As for Rin, the spirits would fade, and as they did, the other black crystals around the room would begin to shimmer as the same shapes of light began to form in them. Though these were not only red, these lights spanned the entire spectrum of light and they all writhed. As for Sanseveria. He's the party's job to get up to date.
[16:08:44] ".. The shapes. I have a feeling that they're going to be dangerous. No, I take that back, they're going to be dangerous. Perhaps we should memorize them or.." A sigh from the red haired man as if this was some sort of puzzle to be solved because it likely was. Someone like Gorandis likely would get through it wihtin seconds due to him building it but anyone else?..

"Occultic winds on the floor which destroy light.. Do you guys think there's maybe something alive in here? Or am I just perhaps overthinking things?" Silence as he glanced towards the others noticing Maxwell hauling around Rin and chuckling.

"Hm.. But really these glowing shapes of light.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[16:09:36] With the destruction of one torch, the man quickly motioned for the remaining torches to be tossed to the side, as he quietly took the remaining torch he held, and extinguished it into the dirt outside the home. For all the man knew, the house either didn't like fire, or it didn't like light, in either case, a torch was a terrible idea in hindsight.

"I'm staying right here, by the woman." Maxwell shouted towards the trio gathered within the structure as he crouched down and lifted the momentarily disabled Rin off the ground. He remained ignorant of the girl's actions and of her mutated limb as he peered into the house, allowing Thom, Gala and Nashandra to do all of the 'Searching' for him.

If the man knew one thing, it was the ability to intermingle Occult magic and Wind magic, he had no intentions of stepping into that house until it seemed clear, or he was provided an order to do so.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[16:12:09] Rin's figure shifted, as she began to escape from the trance-like state of living through the memories of the souls she had devoured. There were so many happy memories amongst them. If anything had stunned her; it was the peacefulness that those souls had possessed before she had come into their lives.

She licked her lips, and smirked atop Maxwell. "Ah... I don't regret a thing." She'd mumble, the true nature of the Malpercian shining through, only finding her own glee in knowing how much suffering she had brought to the world. The short 4'8" woman would drop down from Maxwell's hold, and give her body a shake.

"So, it seems there's traps even made specifically for my kind." She stated, stretching her arm as she looked around. The glittering crystals were interesting. "And anti-magic technology of such an advanced level too... This whole building's a nest of wonders, isn't it?"
(Rin)
[16:13:00] No fire for them. Weee. And they all seemed to react as the burden on Rin had been lifted. Now they had a gay pride set of crystals.

"You don't say, Thom."

Was this going to be like one of these games where they had to memorize every color at a specific order? This would be fun and interesting, but also strongly unlikely.

"There's probably something. But it won't let us use magic. So we'd be in a pickle if it could bypass this law."

Her hand gently gripped her lover's shoulder. A slightly concerned stare was thrown his way, one hard to actually remark unless she'd actually be staring right at the individual.

Anyway, she'd march foward even more, keeping Thom close. Hand risen, Nashandra was certainly hesitating to actually touch the crystal. Though common sense would come to be.

"Should be hit one of these crystals with something? How about one of our unlit torches? Given their lack of revelancy ..."
(Nashandra)
[16:13:52] Maxwell Chengri: The man was smart. I'm sure he thought of who would want his secrets, and planned accordingly.
[16:19:50] Well, it was good that the torch did not catch anything on fire…Turning to stare at Maxwell, Gala narrows her eyes. "Okay, no more wildly throwing things into something without first giving it a good, LONG thought. Got it?" Turning to Thom, Gala frowns. " Seriously, if this place is packed full of traps, one wrong move could kill us all. We can't just be doing stuff all recklessly and hope for the best. That's just…It's stupid!" Tugging on the brim of her hat, the witch makes her way to stand in the lit room. Crystals, all shining a rainbow of colors. How…Nice?

Weird…

"I've not seen anything like this, it's pretty, kind of?" Looking around for something besides crystals, morganite hues look for any sort of markings or runes that might indicate as to what the crystals did, or just how those winds snuffed out a torch so fast. Occultism, no less… "I don't believe you should be touching anything until we've had a good, thorough look around. Anyone is here halfway experienced with runes?" Turning to look at Nashandra, Gala has a hopeful gleam. "Or any other applicable talents?"

Pausing, Gala steps towards the Crystals again. "Kraus, what's even in these things..?"
(Gala Mabon)
{NARRATION} The lights were quite pretty... from a distance. Up close they told a much more grim story. As the lights, the shapes... they were distorted but they were quite clearly... human. Human faces to be precise, stretched in permanent agony, each and every light was a different face, another human, another trapped being in pain. It was quite the collection. And in the centre, the main crystal, that was the only one that didn't seem in pain. In fact, now that you were giving it a proper look, you could swear its hollow, gaunt eyes were following you around the room as its deathly maw grinned at you...
[16:27:31] "..." Well now that was disturbing. Not so much the faces that were distorted in pain or streatched in agony so much, Thom was by now used to seeing such things. No, what freaked Thom out was the singular main crystal i nthe middle that was grinning and staring at them no matter where they moved. If the trap was going to attack..

"No one approach the middle crystal. I have a feeling that touching it turns us into one of these things.." The red haired man said, a bit of a frown on his features as he would pause slightly, not moving any way but instead glancing for doors and ways forwards.

"Or if someone does want to touch something let us know so we can watch."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[16:30:04] Gala was quite the cautious type. While certainly good, it also made events drag on! Someone had to do something risky! However, upon further inspection, one could notice the distorted faces of agonizing humans composing the lights of the crystals.

"Hmmm ... Mister Gorandis' taste in decoration sure leaves a lot to be desired."

Thom was right though, physical contact with them, especially the central one, wasn't the best approach. No, instead the homunculus would stare directly into the hollow, empty eyes of the monstrosity that manifested itself within the core crystal.

Head tilted, the homunculus would simply stare at it for a brief period of time, before she would finally just speak.

"Hello."

It had a face, maybe it could talk?
(Nashandra)
[16:32:38] "Ah, I want to eat." Rin groaned, clearly bored with the situation already. There was a distinct lack of things for her to eat around her, and the Sin of Gluttony's mind clearly had devolved back to only caring about such things. "Do you think I can eat the crystals? They look sort of like candy. With evil. Evil candy..." Rin would giggle, a bit lucidly at that. Her mind was quite demented.
(Rin)
[16:35:12] Staying quiet, Gala would prefer to watch instead of act. IF someone was going to touch one of these things? She would have no part in it. Though, the faces in these crystals did well to disturb her."Who came upwith the idea of trapping people in rocks...That's just wrong."

Perhaps she would free those suffering?

Looking to the grinning face, Gala can't help but turn away. Nashandra could talk to it, she wanted no part. This was all...This was much weirder than anticipated. This Gordanis fellow certainly had a knack for making things...

Creepy.
(Gala Mabon)
[16:36:03] Nashandra: It Appears Mister Gorandis Fester had this idea.
[16:36:03] Nashandra: Not very surprising.
[16:36:03] Nashandra: Fiends be doing fiendish things.
[16:36:54] Thom M. Takashi: ... -staring at the rocks, ideas popping into head-
[16:36:54] From his position outside the room, the man silently looked inwards, eyes focusing primarily on the central crystal that lay within. A small part of the man wanted to take his axe and shatter the creepy thing, devoid of magic or otherwise, but his cautiousness told him otherwise.

He was there as an emergency back-up, should the situation devolve from sparkly and curious, to hellish and dangerous. When the mages were away, the warriors would play, or so he had come to accept. It didn't help that much like most powerful warriors in Valmasia, he relied on magic to bolster his naturally adept strength.

"Ask the crystal where the man is. It's either a terrible cursed trap, or it's an enchanted assistant. In either case, I'm willing to bargain it won't be any worse than being killed."
(Maxwell Chengri)
[16:37:45] Maxwell Chengri: Just don't hit it with a torch.
[16:37:45] Maxwell Chengri: That'd be a bad idea.
{NARRATION} The main face seemed to roll its eyes at the greeting. The almost rotten looking face vanished quickly, leaving trails of ethereal wisps to linger on the edges of the crystal. Trails that began to travel, overtaking all the other lights before the entire room was alight in a deep crimson light. On the far, largest wall the face reformed as if it was being projected onto the crystals themselves. "You know... It's very rude to just break down a door, march in and try to set the room on fire..." The empty, dead eyes seemed to scan the room before settling on Rin. "I gave you a small taste before Malpercian. If you truly wish I can turn your mind into mush for you, give you a real feast. One that you can lose yourself in truly." The threat came with a sneer before the face swung back around, projecting its empty voice into the room once more. "Touch all you like, they're just crystals... on the surface that is. And I know that you are powerless to really do anything within this room. So, be nice to your overlord and tell me: Why are you here? Oh and you can get rid of the idea of assistant thank you very much."
[16:38:36] Maxwell Chengri: <*A bright smile creased the man's lips, it was option #3, the best option, a Scrying orb...probably.*>
[16:42:52] Ahhh, the wizard of Oz!

Seems like going for a speech-check wasn't such a bad idea after all. Though, now it became a big head overlooking the gang. Was it the 'owner' of this building? Probably, though its unconvential form and the design of the place left many things to be forever unanswered.

"Apologies, we did try to knock. But my henchmen were electrified to death while doing so. As such we did have to ... Improvise."

Nashandra shrugged, her stare dulled and her voice as hollow as ever. No emotions were shown, as she revered to her primal, homunculus state of mind.

"We're simply looking for Mister Gorandis Fester. Clues within the Loranthian remains brought us here. I assume you know him?"

She inquired, as calm as ever.
(Nashandra)
[16:43:44] Oh it spoke, and could roll its eyes too.

If the main face was sentient.. The look on Thom's face as he glanced towards the other crystals would be take of a grin up until the point that it said that they were just crystals.. for a few seconds slightly dejected before the mentioning of 'on the surface' brought the grin back.

"Our apologies." The Gold King started off with, glancing towards the main face. "But the front door was rather difficult to get into in the first place. That being said, why are we here? We seek the location of Gorandis Fester, as well as the notes of items and arts he used. Or perhaps that is just me.." A nod from the red haired man.

"Also.. What is your name? Are you a creation of Gorandis or something sealed.. I have many questions now." The grin on Thom's face only seemed to widden as he spoke, glad that Nashandra had spoken in the first place now.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[16:50:33] "...Oh, the crystal can talk.." Frowning, the Witch turns to stare at one of the many faces in agony. "That is--...Assistant?" Turning to face the talking crystal, Gala's eyes narrow. "Are we to presume you are him? I would not put it past a magi like you to make somekidn of communication stone, seeing as this whole house is..."

Pausing, Gala crosses arms over her chest.

"Maybe Iam over thinking things again?" Deciding not to smile and chatter with a twisted 'soul', the nature magi went onto prod at one of the colorful crystals with a gloved hand. "Tragic beauty, I suppose being trapped like this would be very boring...No books to read, or people to watch.."
(Gala Mabon)
[16:52:16] Wordlessly, the man slowly entered the room, his turn to now perform the incredibly foolish act of entering the workshop's main chamber without even considering the possibilities of the entire structure striking at him. In due time, the man stopped aside the cluster of magi, eyes gazing silently up towards the main crystal mass.

The face that shimmered alongside the innumerable shards served as a cold reminder of just exactly whom Thom had tagged along to hunt. 'Gorandis' for as mysterious as the man was to the naive warrior, was ultimately one of the influential figures who warped Valmasia, affecting history in the making with his presence, much like the Red Queen, or the Lich King had been capable of doing as of late.

He remained a silent observer with one hand placed casually on the pommel of his sheathed blade. It was likely a futile effort to draw Sanguine, given the dangerous home they now occupied, but it was something Maxwell gradually prepared himself to do...should everything go awry.

He was a soldier at heart, someone had to be prepared for the worst, afterall.
(Maxwell Chengri)
{NARRATION} "Fester... you keep using that name. It is not one I have ever heard of. I only know him... Knew him as Gorandis. That bastard..." The crystals around the room creaked and shifted in place. "What the hell do you want with him? I can tell you aren't the type to want to go and stop him, I can taste your depravity from here, all of you mana is covered in it." "No, you're probably after him to become just like him aren't you? 'This guy was so big and evil so maybe if I copy him I can finally get mummy and daddy's love' That sort of thing, right?" The image once more rolled his eyes at the group. "Very disappointing, I can see why you'd be the first ones dumb enough to throw rocks at the door." "As for me, I am a bit of both. I used to be a Magi, just as you are, but I was killed after Gorandis had marked me, my spirit ended up with him and it ended up in that crystal. But, years of... disservice has let me branch out a bit. And with Loranthis having that big circle to capture all of the souls of the dead? I just... helped myself to some of them." Lines of red shot up like flourishing arms and the multi colours returned. "How do you like them? Fitting, eh? I have had plenty of people to speak to, actually. Still, I could always do with some more. But, I am not a big a bastard as he was. I don't kill people to collect them, I just collect the... spares." The colours winked out again, only to be replaced by the thrumming red once more. "So, what is it you want from this place? I suppose you want to know where he's gone?"
[17:04:12] A shake of Thom's head. "We are going to stop him actually. He has what I want, so I am going to take it, and I am going to use it." The red haired man said calmly. "And by conincidence the best way to take it is to end his activties.. In a way he will be unable to continue them in the future."

"To say the least." Quite the euthanism for death.. "Reguardless, indeed the purpose of coming here is to discover where Gorandis has gone off to. Hunt him down, slay him, take what he has.." A nod from Thom.

"And I will say it is interesting what you can do. A magi sealed inside the crystal with the ability to capture more dead souls.. To capture many, speak to them, gathering the spares as you say.. Perhaps I will come back and inquire more from you later on if this is amicible."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[17:05:55] "I just want his brain and his spine. He was a powerful lightning magi. And thus, useful!"

She was dangerously frank with the spiritual manifestation. Though considering his discourse, it seemed like he disliked the Loranthian fiend. In any case, considering she lacked the magical prowess, there was no need to play around with deception.

"Yes, we're unaware as to what are his exact whereabouts. We were hoping to find something that could lead us to him."

Nashandra, once again, came clean as well. Thom was quick on the trigger too but this was an event, so screw repetition.

"So that what that big circle was for? Hmmm. A shame it had very little use in the end. The Imperfect simply swallowed them all up and headed to his untimely death."
(Nashandra)
[17:11:02] Listening to the soul speak, Gala can't help but...Laugh! "Hah, sassy, isn't it? My goodness, still have a sense of humor after beingkilled and locked up in stone? I commend you..." With ashake of her head, Gala sighs. " They seek out material good, I seek something a little more...Interesting." Pausing, the witch looks around.

"Well, I don't suppose he had a library or anything, maybe some notes on how he..." Stopping, Gala gasps both hands behind her back. Thewoman wanted something a little different than her friends, indeed she sort of stuck out a little, a magi so full of 'life', lacking occultism or depravity as a whole.

"I want his wealth...All of those things he came up with, the materials he studied. The wealth of knowledge he possessed is to be questioned, and once more possessed. Improved.." There was no way to get something done unless she had some different sources.

"Or maybe, I can just get a new out lookon an old problem?"
(Gala Mabon)
[17:11:02] A brilliant lightshow shimmered before the man as his eyes danced from sight to sight, fingers tightly gripped about the base of his hilted sword, even as the crystalline creation lay claim to having a relatively neutral nature. There were numerous creatures that the man had seen during his days, ranging from Dragons to Crellus, and from Crab Yokai to Wolf people, yet this was a first.

Turning his gaze towards Thom briefly, the man turned his attention back towards the crystalline wall, his free hand raised as he waved it at the creature. "I'm not depraved, but- I'm just here to help out. Mum and Pa were proud enough the day they sent me out of New Alteros, so I don't really need to imitate no one to impress anybody."the man spoke before he returned to silence.

This was Thom's adventure afterall, Maxwell was there to assist his king, and to try to avoid an untimely death in the meantime.
(Maxwell Chengri)
{NARRATION} "Hunt him down, slay him, take what he has and then use it? Sound like you just want to be his replacement then doesn't it? Very... What's the word, poetic. You all just want to use him to empower yourselves and to get closer to becoming him. And to that I say you can get lost. And I don't see why you've be asking me about most of the things that are going on in the outside world." "I've been a desk ornament for a few decades. I don't get out much. And speaking of, if you do come back to visit after you've gotten eighteen or so steps closer to being him don't bother asking me for help. I don't know how any of this works, it just does. I'm not great mage, never really have been. I was killed far before I could get to that sort of stage... As painful as that is to admit." "Still, you wont get any info about Gorandis out of me. Not his whereabouts at the very least. I don't want dickhead number two running around. And all you seem to want to do is be more like him. Especially you." His eyes focus down on Thom below. "You're far too one dimensional. I think the wall has more wit than you do." "But all of you, every single one of you are just here to be more like Gorandis. Oh you might think 'we just want his stuff, we just want to know more about his abilities' and yet you're don't know why you want them, do you? And that's because you don't want to admit that you just want to follow in that madman's footsteps." "And if you do follow them, you will follow them into the abyss. His madness is infectious, his ire is infinite. And as you might have guessed I am still very very afraid of him." The face showed no signs of hesitance in admitting this. "So no, I will not be telling you where he is."
[17:22:59] "No, I just want his spine."

A dull stare ruled on her visage. Nashandra wasn't too amused with this finger wagging and accusations of wanting to imitate some wildcare an Imperfect depended upon.

Her hand would reach out to grip Thom's, as she did her best to restrain him from doing anything too brash. Fingers interlocked for good measure. Silver eyes remained focused on the Wizard of Oz however, as he seemed to express fear over the subject of the spiritmancer.

"Since you're scared of him, why not let us finish him off and be done with him? He is going to create more like him regardless, especially if he is as strong as many claim."

She yawned.

"I do reject the idea of calling Thom an idiot however. It is not an idiot that is capable of exterminating all that remained of Dumuzid's regime. I suppose this is the final scrub to purging the world of that Imperfect's associates."
(Nashandra)
[17:25:32] Be more like Gorandis? The fact that the magi trapped in the stone was saying such did make the red haired man appear to think for a few moments. Did he wish to be as if he were Gorandis, to merely be a copy? A bit of a grin crossed the Golden King's cheeks as he shook his head.

"No, I do not wish to 'replace' Gorandis. The man is the most powerful hellstorm magi I can think of in recent history. What I desire is to surpass Gorandis, to grow even stronger then I am currenlty." The red haired man said, not at all seeming to mind if he would become mad or anything else.

Few things drove Thom but what did.. Nothing would stop him from his goals short of death which he also planned to some how find a remedy to.

A glance is made towards Gala and he gave a nod. "Then you won't even direct us to his notes or study or anything else? Such is saddening.."

"Though If I return it would not be about Gorandis nor anything else about that. I am curious about your own power a bit. About how this.. crystal got created." Thom admitted before finally feeling the hand grip his and he would quiet down a little.. Thom wasn't really much of the diplomat after all. He would even let Nashandra bring up the 'extermination' of Dumuzid's forces without a word.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[17:28:06] To be like Gorandis? A little laugh escapes her lips. " That is where you're wrong, little paperweight. I know exactly why it is I am looking for information, I just can't find what will make it all work. I personally have no interest in trapping souls and causing torment. I don't even know who this Gordanis man is fully...But what I have heard, and what this place confirms?"

A hum slips from the Witch's lips.

"He is quite brilliant with runes, and making them do what he wants...? Really, I'd shake his hand if the scent of depravity didn't sicken me. OR if I was not afraid he'd tear it off..." Staring at the crystal, the nature magi pauses. " I wonder...Do you like sitting here? With only tormented souls to spend time with, with nothing but the pretty lights to stare at. IS that not boring? You died, but I might be able to help you have...Some semblance of life. Or at least, maybe get you out of this dusty place?"

Wiggling her fingers, Gala once more looks to the colorful crystals.

"No, I don't think I much care for deals...In honesty, could you leave this place if someone carried you? I might feel a little guilt leaving someone here."
(Gala Mabon)
[17:28:57] A low sigh escaped the man's lips as he took a step back, one arm leaning on the table where the main crystal lay, the one wherein the figure had originally resided within. The cogs within the man's brain slowly whirled to life, thoughts pumping into his skull whilst he looked at the enormous visage that was their conversational companion.

"So, you're telling me, on the off-chance that Gorandis has a means to reverse this magic of his, to rid you of your little cell there, and that we'd be capable of ending him and taking that magic- you still wouldn't tell us?" the man inquired calmly as he turned his gaze towards the empty crystal that lay atop the table, the instinctual urge to poke it was visibly being resisted by the man.

"I cannot speak for anyone else, I am not Thom, nor am I the Silver Queen, or this crazy woman, or the not so crazy Plant Woman. All I can say is that, I am me, and who I am could give less of a Rat's ass about whom Gorandis is, or what he has done. However- it sounds like he needs to lose a little bit off the top, if he hasn't already." the man continued speaking as he lifted his right hand, thumb held out, he briefly dragged the length of his digit across his throat, emphasizing his 'Clever' little metaphor he provided.

He wasn't the diplomat however, that was the job of Royalty and those with experience. He was there to throw rocks at valuable and expensive runes.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[17:32:22] "Ah. I see." Rin would speak up finally, looking at the visage with a smile. "You're vastly underestimating me if you think that I want to be anything like Gorandis, or replace him for that matter. I do want to find him; I want to eat him even, but for none of the reasons you've listed above. I've even allowed permission for the others to take what they desire from him..."

"I would like to propose something." Her arm would seperate, flaying the air. "You clearly have had some affect on my mind. Did you see what was within? If not; look again. You'll find that replacing Gorandis is the farthest thing from one of my goals."

"And if you like what you see; join with me. I'm a Malpercian. Your soul can reside in my body. You'll get your revenge on the man who imprisoned you here; be a part of an immensely powerful Magi, and of course, you'll get to see a bit more of the world."

It was certainly an interesting invitation, and Rin did differ from Gorandis quite a bit. She was a monster, that much was certain, and one who reveled in her own sin, but her desire was so much more vast than simple fury... They need only look in her mind to see that much.
(Rin)
{NARRATION} "You just don't get it do you? You just. Don't. Get it. Are you incapable of looking beyond yourself. Of taking a step back and truly look at what you are doing? You hunt this man. One who you say is a danger, so that you can use his abilities to surpass him. But in doing so are you not just replacing him? Are you not just perpetuating him once more?" "You're all just... incapable of seeing past your greed. 'He has power, I want it, I'm going to take it no matter what'. Do you not understand that Gorandis is a horrible, terrible man? That he is someone you absolutely should not wish to get closer to? He has done terrible things, he is still doing terrible things. And you just want to start doing those terrible things yourself." "That's all it is. Why can't you understand that? Why can't you see that that's the only reason why you are here? Even now, you say you are here about my power, but I don't have any. I already told you. I am not of my own creation HE did this to me. And you are only proving that you wish to be more like him." "Do you think that telling me you destroyed all of Dumuzid's forces to get here is going to sway me? That's exactly the opposite. You are gloating about things I will have nothing to do with. And you, Malpercian, you are the worst of the lot. You are already as sick as he is. In another way perhaps but you are as demented and as broken as he is and I would have had you die on the doorstep if it were up to me." "You can try all you like, but you will get nothing from me, not as you are. And you can't even try to threaten me."
[17:41:45] Nashandra: No, just one of the remaining relevant fiends. Not 'All of his forces'. His spine will serve a higher purpose, one to help others. This is hardly an egotistical endeavor.
[17:43:28] Threats didn't work, invitations didn't work..

The red haired man looked as if he were about to speak again yet.. Didn't. The hand in Nashandra's would be held, perhaps the singular bit of morality that swayed him from his near endless determination to do as he wished, say things without thinking. Instead a moment or two was taken to think as he stared at the crystiline magi.

"Gorandis is indeed a terrible man. There are many terrible people on the outside. People who use each other then discard them when their ussage is done.." A bitter tone in his voice, thinking about Cinderfall then looking back to the crystal magi.

"Don't help us then. I won't even threaten you. I suppose I'll just look for him some other way." The Hellstorm magi said.

"Instead I'll ask about things like this.. You mentioned Gorandis sealed you here. Do you know how long? Are you at all intested in how Valmasia has changed in the years? Or what have you seen perhaps?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[17:46:01] "Ah, well, if you're not going to join me, could you at least... Set a dinner table or something? These companions of mine promised me something to eat; and he's certainly not her it seems." Rin would chime in, dripping with dark sarcasm. It appeared that she was done attempting reason with the crystalline spirit.
(Rin)
[17:48:35] The man pushed off from the table and slowly walked up to the wall, the man's eyes narrowed briefly at the construct, taking in the sight of his miniscule details. In silence, the man dropped down to his knees, paying little heed to where he had decided to drop as he looked up briefly towards the construct.

With raised hands, the man bowed over, fingertips touching the floor as he adopted a grovelling posture, at this point, the only other idea he held to satiate the unknown entity that withheld information from them. "Please, tell us where Gorandis lies. It may appear self-centered, and to some, this venture of ours is just that, however..." the man stopped at this point as he lowered his head as low as he possibly could, the jingling of armour accompanying him in the completely subservient posture.

"...We need your assistance to find this man and end him. In this way, you can at least gain some semblance of revenge. People will learn of the magic the man performed, they will seek his power and achieve it, even without seeking out Gorandis himself. We seek to find the man, kill him and end it before it gets to that point." Once more, the man stopped.

All this grovelling was killing Maxwell's shins, it was moderately uncomfortable to say the least.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[17:55:24] "I don't believe you are listening. I have no desire to be Gordandis, nor commit the deeds he has. I simply wanted to know how he became so skilled in rune magic. I'm a lover of nature, I give life, I protect it the best way I can. You fail to see the big picture because your a regretful little soul stuck inarock that weighs downpapers all day."

Narrowing her eyes, Gala hisses. "Why don't you shut up and listen a little, before going on and on about how everyone in this room is evil, hm?" Flicking the large, red crystal, the witch takes a deep breath. "How long has it been since you've seen the outside world? Do you know the damage people are causing, the death, the senseless killing...Destruction all over the place! And for what?" Turning away, she clasps her hands together. "Pride, religeon, the right to control...Gordanis is one of many of those destructive people who like nothing more than to harm people. IS that not true?" Angery flooded her, boiling in her mind. "I can't very well 'cleanse' this mockery of life if I can't find him."

Looking to Maxwell, the Mabon curls her lips back in disgust. "Get up you fool, begging like a dog won't serve anyone any good. I doubt this shadow of a man even knows where he is, he's just a trinket."
(Gala Mabon)
{NARRATION} "Had either of you two come here on your own--" The face turned to the bowing Maxwell and to the disgusted Gala. "--I would have sent you after him with every possible boon I could give you. But no, the company you keep will prevent you from ever achieving any sort of noble goal. Have you looked at them at all? Looked at what they have done? Imagined what they plan to do?" "And if you have and if you're still here, that can only mean you do not wish to go against them and that means you are lower than they are." The empty voice had grown a little... Sombre. "It is a shame that the world has fallen... even if I was no saint myself in life. I wasn't a villain, not as you all are. The man who sits idly by is every bit the villain as those who commit the crime." "So all of you can get out. Fuck off and never come back. Any of you. If you do I will not be so courteous. I am certainly strong enough to kill any of you within this room right now. And yet I am letting all of this evil go. And why? Because you can still change, because almost all of you can still right your wrongs. And the way you can do it, is by removing the one of you that can never repent." "But considering none of you even seem to know which one that is, then I have little faith in you, or in this world that you think you can protect by enabling those who are far worse." His eyes rested on Gala once more. "You are the worst kind of hypocrite. You stand side by side with those that bleed depravity and you say you fight to remove evil?" The vast head shook once more and began to shrink, retreating back down to the main crystal. "You all disgust me".
[18:03:05] Wordlessly the red haired man merely begins to turn around. Praise came for Gala and Maxwell, that was good but Thom seemed to grow not but weary from this exchange. There were still rumors after all, hints, ways to hopefully track down Gorandis.. Even this shack had been found after all so perhaps there would be another..

"Let's leave. I've naught more to discuss here." The Golden King simply stated, not all ofended by the words or language of the crystline magi. "Farewell Magi in the crystal."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[18:06:30] Another one of these anti-depravity thumpers, even if he himself was, by his own accord, no saint. What a bothersome trait she was forced to inherit. If Nashandra hadn't been born this way, so many things could have been done in Cinderfall without the amount of scrutiny they'd put her through. And yet she'd be the same person, with the same views.

How saddening.

Thom made his choice, and in the end it was his expedition. Hand still grasping her King's, the Silver counter part would give one last, dull glance at the wizard of Oz before following her lover.

"Unfortunately. I suppose we'll have to indulge in a world with Gorandis around for a little while longer."

A light wave as her pace followed Thom's.
(Nashandra)
[18:09:55] Rin: Ah... You two owe me lunch now... That sunflower in your village looks pretty tasty Nashandra...
[18:12:28] Without another word, the man rose to his feet, a solemn expression lay on his face, his excited grin had all but left in its entirety as he brushed himself off, eyes momentarily flickering towards the central crystal in the room. Taking a step to the side, the man slowly walked off towards the entrance, hands neatly folded into his jacket's pockets as he spoke, "Unfortunately, the world doesn't work as easily as you'd expect. You've been stuck in that crystal so long, so you wouldn't know. For a man like Gorandis, there just aren't enough people to take him on, without resorting to people like Thom, or the crazy woman here."

A sigh escaped the man's throat, eyes gazing up to the nicely rock-sized hole he had thrown into the wall during the beginning of their venture. "If you decide to change your mind, we will not be leaving this city. If I can't convince you, then I simply cannot. Not that you'd tell us anyway, even if we remove this 'Irredeemable' member from our party." the man stated as he eyed Rin.

The man could only picture the creature describing the Malpercian as the particularly irredeemable one, afterall, it chose to speak to her in a different fashion than the others, and when depravity was involved, Rin clearly held an upper hand in that regard.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[18:13:20] Nashandra: We owe you nothing, Miss Rin.
[18:14:11] A laugh escapes her lips, the tiny woman brimming with an unseen hatred. "Hypocrite, monster, worse than a Malpercian…I've heard it all. You do the right thing and the world hates you. The good are evil and the evil good, I can't win, not ever. Not a single thing I do will ever work…But you know what? I'm so sick of people like you, judging me and my methods. So what if I am surrounded by evil! By darkness and consumption! Have you seen the world outside? There isn't a SINGLE good man left who isn't dead in a grave or hiding under a ROCK! If I have to surround myself with those who endanger the life stream in order to stop others from DESTROYING VALSMASIA AS A WHOLE! Then fine, I will fight fire with fire, until eventually there is nothing left to burn."

"Because, in the end the 'good' man will deceive you, and the bad will destroy. There is no army of angels to help me, so I look to demons instead. You are stubborn and thoughtless, have fun with your eternal light show little soul. I hope it suits you well."

Turning away, the witch pulls down her hat and stomps out of the house.

"I'm done here, I've got a newborn to take are of."
(Gala Mabon)
[18:15:02] Maxwell Chengri: Mmm...If only he would change his mind, if we did send away the one who won't repent.
[18:16:44] Maxwell Chengri: <*Stops just short of the doorway, one hand tapping lightly on the frame of the house*>
[18:17:36] Nashandra: Do I have to start taing these remarks seriously, Miss Rin?
[18:20:09] Rin: ... You weren't taking them seriously?
[18:21:52] Nashandra: Oh? You aim to devour my establishment so early?
[18:21:52] Nashandra: I'd expect a little more buildup.
[18:23:34] The man abruptly sighed as he twirled around in place, shutting what remained of the front door behind him, feet rapidly taking him back into the center of the structure as he planted himself right in front of the main crystal's table, eyes gazing down quietly at the figure that lay within the unusually carved construct. At this point, the man had assumed the remainder of the party had finally left to the outside of the structure, giving him a chance to talk on his own, without endangering the entirety of his group with his brash actions.

"Hey, Crystal. Let's talk. You've got nothing to do, and I've got nowhere to be now. Me and you can have a little chat, one on one. No depraved companions, no mutated creatures, no self-absorbed witches. Just me, and you." the man spoke abruptly as he planted himself right in front of the table, he was going to remain stubborn, even if the rest of the group had all but given up, he would put in that last little bit of effort to see if he could push that envelope.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[18:24:25] Nashandra: <*Eyebrow raise. This boy's pro-active, I'll give him that*>
[18:25:16] Gala Mabon: <'Witch?'>
{NARRATION} "Do you think me an idiot? Really? You're going to just leave them for five seconds, come and ask me about it just so you can go and tell them. Did you honestly think that would actually work?" Occultic winds began to buffet, they gained a dark edge, one that nipped away at Maxwell's exposed skin, leaving small cuts that bled heavily for their size. "I did tell you to leave. I have denounced you. And turning around for five seconds and pretending to be alone will not nearly suffice. So, one last chance. Leave. Now. Before you force my hand."
[18:27:50] Rin: I'm going to eat everything. I don't get why you expect anything different from me. Theatrics aren't my forte, as much as they are yours.
[18:27:50] Rin: But... I was speaking about the flower, not your village. It looks tasty.
[18:27:50] Nashandra: The Flower is the village.
[18:28:41] Rin: ... You live inside it?
[18:28:41] Nashandra: No.
[18:28:41] Nashandra: It keeps it alive.
[18:28:41] Nashandra: The village.
[18:28:41] Gala Mabon: Touch the flower and I will remove your hands.
[18:29:32] Rin: ... I'm too hungry to think on that... But if it's my hands for trade for the Sunflower, that's fine too~
[18:29:32] Nashandra: Focus your hunger on something else.
[18:29:32] Gala Mabon: If you HARM the flower, that's another story.
[18:29:32] Gala Mabon: I will remove YOU.
[18:29:32] Nashandra: <*Eyebrow raise*>
[18:29:32] Rin: ... Can I eat her hat?
[18:30:24] Gala Mabon: That flower is what is left of my father, no one harms it.
[18:31:15] Nashandra: Miss Gala Mabon. Why have you left that village? It was so vulnerable when I salvaged it.
[18:32:06] Gala Mabon: How can you stand to be in it, in truth?
[18:32:06] Gala Mabon: The flower should make you feel ill.
[18:32:06] Nashandra: It is not comfortable.
[18:32:06] Nashandra: But I'm also attuned to both nature and the cosmic forces.
[18:32:57] Nashandra: It makes it more bearable.
[18:33:48] Gala Mabon: I see.
[18:34:40] Rin: Is no one going to comment on me eating the hat?
[18:34:40] Rin: This is clearly the most important topic at hand.
[18:34:40] Rin: Stay focused people.
[18:34:40] Gala Mabon: Your hunger is disgusting.
[18:34:40] Nashandra: It appears you have been rejected.
[18:34:40] Gala Mabon: Do you think of nothing but consumption?
[18:35:31] Rin: That's quite an accurate statement.
[18:35:31] Gala Mabon: It was a question, not a statement.
[18:36:22] Rin: Well you have an answer nonetheless. I eat; therefore I am.
[18:36:22] Gala Mabon: Youare no better than a yokai.
[18:37:13] Rin: Does she not know I'm part Yokai?
[18:38:04] Gala Mabon: I am well aware, paired with your humanity? It's horrendous.
[18:38:04] Gala Mabon: Humans are bad, but to couple it with yokai?
[18:38:04] Nashandra: Humans are bad.
[18:38:04] Nashandra: Yet you are a human, Miss Gala.
[18:38:04] The man frowned as he stood there, eyes gazing quietly at the crystal as he waited patiently, the trademark sensation of mournegale nipped at his skin, forcing blood to well up from his flesh, pushed forth from the wraithcurse the magic inflicted upon him.

As dumb as it was, the man simply stood there waiting, hands folded neatly over one another as he stood in front of the table. "...Mournegale, I am curious as to who you were, before you were imprisoned." the man stated calmly as he slowly pushed away from the table, eyes gazing silently down at the crystal.

"I've things I must do with my life, however, and if you don't want to talk, so be it. Gorandis can run free, and I will live my life without a worry, and should the day come that he returns, I will do as I can at that time to deal with him." he continued as he slowly turned to his side, and made his way back towards the door.

"I'm not claiming you're an idiot, I know you weren't from the moment I saw this room. I was just hoping you'd be a bit more sympathetic, for a man trapped in a rock." It was with that, that the man made his way to leave, and leave he would, unless he was stopped, or spoken to once more.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[18:38:56] Gala Mabon: For now.
[18:38:56] Nashandra: You intend to become like Mister Sansevaria?
[18:39:47] Gala Mabon: No.
[18:40:38] Nashandra: Then what will you become?
[18:40:38] Rin: Abandoning her humanity will make her the same as myself. That's exactly what I did, after all.
[18:40:38] Gala Mabon: A guardian.
[18:40:38] Nashandra: A guardian?
[18:41:29] Gala Mabon: We are very different, little monster. I desire to protect, you desire to consume.
[18:41:29] Rin: But you desire. That, will be your downfall.
[18:41:29] Gala Mabon: No, desire is healthy, it drives the mind.
[18:42:20] Gala Mabon: Gluttony, is better suited to you.
[18:42:20] Rin: Then my mind must be extremely healthy! Ahaha!
[18:42:20] Nashandra: The idea of excess is seen as unhealthy for a reason.
[18:42:20] Nashandra: Hence the sin of gluttony.
[18:42:20] Nashandra: Of excess.
[18:43:12] Gala Mabon: You think too much of food. Too much of anything is a bad thing.
[18:43:12] Rin: Mmm. It's something I've quite embraced as my existence. This Sin Magic; it's quite something. You should try it sometime.
[18:43:12] Nashandra: You are also excessively make awful food jokes.
{NARRATION} There would be no move to stop him, of course there wouldn't. And as Maxwell left the building the door was shut behind him and the black crystals spread to cover the exposed holes in the building. And you were all left just as empty handed as you started. perhaps more-so. The being in the crystal knew all the answers and yet you did not pry. He asked you to reflect on yourselves and you blindly moved forwards. Whether or not that was the right thing to do is uncertain. What is certain is that the answers are now further away from you than they were when you started. Run, with her injuries and with the fleeting memory of being assaulted. Not by her own trapped souls, no, but with the spirits left in the crystals. But nothing was taken from that either. It is quite possible that all of this has been a waste of time.
[18:44:03] Nashandra: But regardless, I am willing to tolerate you, as long as your 'desires' deflect away from us.
[18:44:03] Nashandra: Direct your 'hunger' toward our business.
[18:44:03] Gala Mabon: Sin magic...?
[18:44:03] Nashandra: An we will permanently confiscate you, Miss Rin.
[18:44:54] Gala Mabon: Is this what you've allied yourself with...?
[18:44:54] Nashandra: Are we clear?
[18:44:54] Maxwell Chengri: ...Okay, first thing I want to say to you all.
[18:44:54] Maxwell Chengri: I didn't mean it when I said, the witch stuff.
[18:44:54] Maxwell Chengri: I just wanted to say something that sounded good to the crystal.
[18:44:54] Maxwell Chengri: -Second-.
[18:45:45] Rin: Now. Down to business, since we are outside...
[18:45:45] Maxwell Chengri: I'm going to have to talk to that crystal later, once I'm capable of doin' so.
[18:45:45] Gala Mabon: Oh, I am sure you've a silver tongue...
[18:45:45] Maxwell Chengri: It isn't as if it is going anywhere.
[18:45:45] Rin: I can get all the information you need out of that crystal. I just need to make contact with it.
[18:46:36] Rin: This arm of mine can extract memories and souls all the same.
[18:46:36] Introspection.

In some eyes perhaps one could see this whole thing as a waste of time. But the red haired man left with a differnt sort of thought in mind. Although there was perhaps a tired look about him the ever present grin would be on his face, either the look of someone who had figured something out.. Or someone who had finally snapped.

"Let's all return. There are things to do, things to work on.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[18:46:36] Maxwell Chengri: <*The man quietly wiped off a trickle of blood that ran down the side of his neck, a small laceration that he had received as a result of his glib tongue.*> Nah, I'm more gold than silver.
[18:47:28] Gala Mabon: Sinmagic...
[18:47:28] Maxwell Chengri: ...Wait, no, I am Silver, I suppose.
[18:47:28] Rin: I also practice Necromancy, and eat human souls. Would you like to comment more on the matter?
[18:47:28] Nashandra: <*Eye roll*> Thom.
[18:47:28] Gala Mabon: ....
[18:47:28] Nashandra: What are you thinking of?
[18:47:28] Gala Mabon: You mock the life stream.
[18:48:19] Gala Mabon: Nature itself..
[18:48:19] Thom M. Takashi: If I can not get the notes from Gorandis.. I'll try my own way.
[18:48:19] Rin: Not everyone gets a choice in this life. I was born a Malpercian. Such is my fate.
[18:48:19] Nashandra: Which is?
[18:48:19] Gala Mabon: No.
[18:48:19] Gala Mabon: You had a choice.
[18:48:19] Gala Mabon: To removea curse.
[18:49:10] Thom M. Takashi: -shrugs-
[18:49:10] Rin: Remove it? I've had this entire arm lopped off. I've killed the God who once ruled over me. Nothing changes. Nothing ever will. Not even the power of Kraus himself could save my soul.
[18:50:01] Nashandra: <*Dull stare*>
[18:50:01] Gala Mabon: Then maybe you should end it all.
[18:50:01] Nashandra: Miss Gala, you copulate with a being that wants to exterminate humanity regardless of anything.
[18:50:01] Nashandra: We are all questionable individuals.
[18:50:01] Maxwell Chengri: I'm not!
[18:50:01] Nashandra: Let's avoid pushing this any further.
[18:50:01] Gala Mabon: Nashandra, Thom, if you let Sin magic spawn under your control, I will leave.
[18:50:01] Maxwell Chengri: I just hang out with questionable individuals.
[18:50:52] Gala Mabon: Afterall that has happened?
[18:50:52] Nashandra: <*Temple rub*>
[18:50:52] Rin: I like where this is going.
[18:50:52] Gala Mabon: Be carful, little monster.
[18:51:44] Maxwell Chengri: Speaking of which, it was a pleasure meeting some depraved stranger, and a green-haired mage with a sharp tongue.
[18:51:44] Rin: My name is Rin. Rin Malpercius, Sin of Gluttony, and the Purple Tyrant of the Citadel.
[18:52:35] Gala Mabon: So, you've already delved pastthe point of no return?
[18:52:35] Maxwell Chengri: Ahh! Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Rin!
[18:52:35] Nashandra: Miss Gala, I fail to see the issue.
[18:53:26] Gala Mabon: Oh, youfail to see it, do you?
[18:53:26] Nashandra: You were willing to work for a Vampire.
[18:53:26] Nashandra: Arguably an even worse entity.
[18:53:26] Maxwell Chengri: ...'Ey, Mrs. Silver Queen, I think I'm about teady to leave.
[18:53:26] Nashandra: But this immature thing is an issue?
[18:53:26] Gala Mabon: No, I was not.
[18:53:26] Gala Mabon: It was not until Conquest was out of the way thatIbothered to involve myself.
[18:53:26] Nashandra: But your partner has.
[18:54:17] Nashandra: And your partner seeks to destroy humanity.
[18:54:17] Rin: The crystal was right. She is a hypocrite.
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: . . .
[18:54:17] Nashandra: And allies himself with the Vampire.
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: I'm leaving.
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: Goodbye Thom.
[18:54:17] Nashandra: What I am saying, Miss Gala.
[18:54:17] Maxwell Chengri: ...Save the infi- Or not.
[18:54:17] Thom M. Takashi: Will you all stop fighting?
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: No.
[18:54:17] Rin: Ah... Goodbye then! It was a pleasure.
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: I'm tired of dealing with this.
[18:54:17] Nashandra: Is that we're not in a place to judge one another.
[18:54:17] Gala Mabon: Good orbad, you're all the same.
[18:55:08] Maxwell Chengri: <*The man sighed aloud, fingers gently massaging his temple.*>
[18:55:08] Thom M. Takashi: ...
[18:55:08] Maxwell Chengri: Yes, we're all human.
[18:55:08] Gala Mabon: Have fun destroying eachother.
[18:55:08] Thom M. Takashi: I think I am growing sick of this as well.
[18:55:08] Maxwell Chengri: That's part of it, we live and breathe, and fight to survive. We're needy and incessant, so...enjoy it, I suppose.
[18:56:00] Nashandra: <*Sigh*>
[18:56:51] Nashandra: <*She'd tighten her grip on Thom's hand*> Have a minute?
[18:56:51] Thom M. Takashi: -just looks exhausted and tired- What?
[18:57:42] Nashandra whispers: Are you angry with me?
[18:57:42] Thom M. Takashi whispers: I am angry with everything.
[18:57:42] Rin: Well, I'm going to head back home then, since no one is bothering to feed me. I'm adding this to your tab.
[18:57:42] Nashandra whispers: Ironic ... Given Gorandis' Sin.
[18:57:42] Nashandra whispers: <*Gently caress of his chest*>
[18:58:33] Maxwell Chengri: Mmm...I'd feed ya', but all I've got is some jerky, and I'm thinkin' you don't want that.
[18:58:33] Thom M. Takashi whispers: I care not for this world anymore.
[18:58:33] Thom M. Takashi whispers: I think I will revive Conquest
[18:58:33] Nashandra whispers: Thom ...
[18:58:33] Thom M. Takashi whispers: Then take my leave of it.
[18:58:33] Nashandra whispers: No.
[18:58:33] Nashandra whispers: NO.
[18:58:33] Rin: ... I eat anything and everything. Jerky will suffice.
[18:58:33] Nashandra whispers: YOu made me stay when I wanted out.
[18:58:33] Nashandra whispers: You're not getting it so easily.
[18:58:33] Thom M. Takashi: ...
[18:58:33] Thom M. Takashi: -sigh-
[18:59:24] Thom M. Takashi whispers: fine.
[18:59:24] Nashandra whispers: We can still force the Spirit to talk.
[18:59:24] Thom M. Takashi whispers: We can not.
[18:59:24] Thom M. Takashi whispers: It dwells in a place we can't use magic.
[19:00:16] Nashandra whispers: We cannot or you don't want to?
[19:00:16] Thom M. Takashi whispers: we have no way to force it.
[19:00:16] Nashandra whispers: Why not simply batter his crystals?
[19:01:07] The man quietly fishes out a handful of jerky from his pouch, the dried meat wasn't exactly a gourmet meal to be certain, but it was at least something to satiate hunger while the day dragged on. Walking over to Rin, he simply offered the stuff, it was a fair amount, not exactly an incredible one, or an amount one would risk their life for as the Malpercian did, but it was enough to last a few days, if one didn't scarf the stuff down.

Unfortunately, an individual with the sin of gluttony was likely to do just that, as far as Maxwell was concerned.
(Maxwell Chengri)
[19:01:07] Nashandra whispers: They seem to be ... Connected to him.
[19:01:07] Thom M. Takashi whispers: With what?
[19:01:07] Nashandra whispers: A weapon?
[19:01:07] Thom M. Takashi whispers: against someone who can use magic in there?
[19:01:58] Nashandra whispers: Or ... Drag him outside?
[19:01:58] Nashandra whispers: Someone fast enough could do this.
[19:02:49] Thom M. Takashi whispers: no one is that fast without magic.
[19:02:49] Nashandra whispers: The core crystal seems to be what contains him.
[19:02:49] It was gone in an instant, with a smacking of her lips that was downright vile to hear. Everything about Rin's desire was overwhelming and repulsive to all but the most corrupt creatures. "It's too bad human foods don't help my hunger anymore. They are delicious however." She'd giggle, giving Maxwell a wink and a wave. It seemed she had no further reason to stick around, and would be heading off now.
(Rin)
[19:02:49] Nashandra whispers: Then we take a hit.
[19:02:49] Maxwell Chengri: I suppose.
[19:03:40] Thom M. Takashi whispers: we will have to find him another way. Thats all there is to it.
[19:03:40] Maxwell Chengri: In any case, take care!
[19:03:40] Gala Mabon: <*She just turns and leaves*>
[19:04:32] Maxwell Chengri: <*Quietly turns from Thom to Nashandra, and back again. he was staying far enough away from the duo to give them their privacy, but he clearly seemed interested.*>
[19:04:32] Maxwell Chengri: I suppose the two of you will be alright?
[19:04:32] Nashandra: ... Do you two have an idea as to how we can do this?
[19:04:32] Nashandra: Any means necessary.
[19:05:23] Maxwell Chengri: How we can do what, exactly?
[19:05:23] Nashandra: It's what I'm asking.
[19:06:14] Maxwell Chengri: What are we needing to do, is what I'm asking.
[19:06:14] Maxwell Chengri: I can't give ya' advice, if I don't know the situation.
[19:06:14] Nashandra: To get that thing to talk.
[19:06:14] Nashandra: Pointless to give up now.
[19:06:14] Maxwell Chengri: It won't happen, not now.
[19:07:05] Nashandra: With the moral busybody out of the way, we could indulge in other practices.
[19:07:05] Maxwell Chengri: The area around it is too drained of magic, it won't be easy to perform.
[19:07:56] Thom M. Takashi: .. Lets just head back to the White Tower.
[19:07:56] Maxwell Chengri: Couple that with the fact it'll be hostile from now on.
[19:07:56] Maxwell Chengri: Your best bet wi-...
[19:07:56] Maxwell Chengri: Hrm.
[19:07:56] Maxwell Chengri: Who was Gorandis?
[19:07:56] Nashandra: A fiend who worked for Dumuzid Balaraq.
[19:07:56] Nashandra: One of his strongest minions.
[19:07:56] Maxwell Chengri: ...Get a Necromancer to call the Red Queen's spirit.
[19:08:48] Maxwell Chengri: That might be your best bet.
[19:08:48] Nashandra: She's still alive.
[19:08:48] Maxwell Chengri: But! You pr-
[19:08:48] Thom M. Takashi: She doesn't have infromation on him.
[19:08:48] Nashandra: But she is useless.
[19:08:48] Thom M. Takashi: I checked.
[19:08:48] Maxwell Chengri: ...Damn.
[19:08:48] Maxwell Chengri: Hrm.
[19:08:48] Nashandra: Miss Rin.
[19:08:48] Maxwell Chengri: ...She's alive, you said?
[19:09:39] Nashandra: Are you capable of performing you ability without magic?
[19:09:39] Nashandra: And vaguely.
[19:09:39] Maxwell Chengri: If she -is- properly alive, Vampires are devoid of ma...Oh!
[19:09:39] Nashandra: She is but a vegetable now.
[19:09:39] Maxwell Chengri: We can use Lorsha.
[19:09:39] Maxwell Chengri: Or the other one.
[19:10:30] Maxwell Chengri: They require no magic, so the field wouldn't affect them.
[19:11:21] Nashandra: Possibly.
[19:11:21] Maxwell Chengri: But...I think Thom has a point.
[19:11:21] Maxwell Chengri: We should head back.
[19:11:21] Maxwell Chengri: We're not going to be able to deal with that crystal now.
[19:11:21] Nashandra: Giving up like this is not something I am fine with.
[19:12:12] Maxwell Chengri: No, but I don't see a resolution right now. As much as I'm confident in my throwing skills, I can't guarantee I can throw a rock through those crystals.
[19:13:04] Nashandra: Try?
[19:13:55] Maxwell Chengri: <*The man quietly attempted to flex a muscle. He was absolutely mana-fatigued after being in that building for so long.*>
[19:13:55] Maxwell Chengri: Can't.
[19:14:46] Maxwell Chengri: I'd barely be able to toss it within range of the building, let alone through any sort of wall at the moment.
[19:15:37] Maxwell Chengri: ...I'll wait for you both at the tower, I'm ready to return to Sunflower Village, when we're ready.
[19:15:37] Nashandra: Tch ..
[19:15:37] Thom M. Takashi: .. Lets just go to the tower.
[19:15:37] Nashandra: ARG.
[19:15:37] Maxwell Chengri: <*The man quietly walked off towards the tower, a low sigh escaped his throat.*> Trust me, I tried, that crystal will kill the next person it talks to.
[19:15:37] Nashandra: I needed that spine, Thom.
[19:16:28] Maxwell Chengri: And I can't die yet, not to a crystal.
[19:16:28] Thom M. Takashi: And I needed the notes. -sighs-
[19:16:28] Maxwell Chengri: ...What notes?
[19:16:28] Thom M. Takashi: Information to increase my powers.
[19:17:20] Maxwell Chengri: <*The man raised an eyebrow in the King's direction, curiosity stopped him mid-step.*> Thom, I'm going to be honest.
[19:18:11] Maxwell Chengri: You're fine.
[19:18:11] Maxwell Chengri: You're damned good at what you do, and what you do is exceptionally powerful in its own right.
[19:18:11] Thom M. Takashi: ... -sighs- I am not strong enough.
[19:19:02] Maxwell Chengri: Pfft, you're fine.
[19:19:02] Maxwell Chengri: Besides, you'll get stronger.
[19:19:02] Maxwell Chengri: You don't need an insane man's notes to do that.
[19:19:02] Nashandra: Avoid inflating his ego.
[19:19:02] Nashandra: It won't get you a promotion.
[19:19:02] Maxwell Chengri: I already got promoted, and then demoted.
[19:19:02] Maxwell Chengri: I think I'm fine.
[19:19:53] Nashandra: You'll be happier when you truly get rewarded.
[19:19:53] Maxwell Chengri: My reward is being alive and well, but sure, I'm always up for the cherry on top of a cake.
[19:20:44] Nashandra: Hardly a reward.
[19:20:44] Nashandra: We hardly did anything.