The Scorpion and the Frog [Satu & co.]

[Satu]

As Arianni received their meals from the monk, Satu vowed not to eat Vysia’s meat; that vile and filthy flesh would not sully her, or even touch upon her tongue. The Konti stood by the door with her head bowed and the line of her shoulders soft. The HeartSeer felt the monk woman’s gaze, but instead of holding it or challenging it as she was wont to do, Satu demurely looked down and away, as if she were shy instead of strong. Arianni had performed the action so many times; it was at the forefront of Satu’s mind. Inside, the Konti recoiled from the need at subterfuge; it had taken her far too long to regain a sense of self after her many trials. But for Sagallius and his cause, Satu would try. The god’s vision ever present in her mind almost brought tears to her eyes. But she blinked them back. Now was the time to focus, and her gaze hardened on the wooden floorboards, as the LinkGem rolled in her hand. The Golem stood near, its hood covering the porcelain face. Night in Nyka... What strange things lurked in this city? Satu did not know, but she took the warning seriously. They would depart upon Ash’ney’s arrival. Had he seen her glance toward Kain’s room? Could he read her unspoken wishes? She would be so disappointed if he had not. In the short time left to them, Satu hoped he would prove more useful to their cause. After all, he had promised to be good, and the HeartSeer would hold him to his word as he led them out into the city. Let him act the leader, let him show his strength… for her…

[Ash'eny]

A pick and click later and Ash'eny was inside the room. It felt so wonderful to have his hands working again, like they were born, bred, and trained. He was a street urchin who stole to survive, then stole to earn, then stole through desire, then stole because he couldn't resist the urge to. This, this was a large part of such actions, and to feel the victory of cracking a lock, be it a simple and insignificant one at that, was a glorious feeling, triumph. Sadly, the room held no spoils. What was he looking for? Nothing to physically take, that was a foolish choice for sure. No, he wanted information. Something to shed some light on this mysterious quest Satu was dragging him through. He wanted, more so, to assist her, but he couldn't hide his own curiosity from himself. He had to find something. And he did. Dust, more dust, an untouched room. How odd. Ash'eny had met with a ghost in the past, twice even, though he still wasn't certain if she was merely a delusion of his own dreams or not. She left traces of existence. He touched his lips with his finger, a gentle caress as he recalled the memory. Surely this man he was investigating was no ghost, right? Sure, he left no trace of ever being in here, but he had seen him. His companions had seen him. Very strange. But he couldn't stop here. There was one more thing to do before he returned, and he had to be quick. The chest was his next target, and with the same motions as he performed on the door, he got to work on unlocking and opening the chest. Again, he was let down by what he found. Two coins, and they were copper. He was never one to turn down money of any value, but today was different. Today, he was in Nyka. Today, he wasn't just himself, but a part of a larger purpose, a part of Satu. Today, he couldn't be selfish. And as fast as it happened, it was gone. Ash'eny wasn't sure what he saw, though it felt so vivid, so clear, that he was almost certain he actually saw it. He stood up, closing the chest and fleeing the room with a quick canter. A woman in a strange suit. He had listened to her words, closely, it was all he could do. He wanted to claim he could feel nothing but the rhythmic beating of his heart, but he couldn't even be certain he felt that when he was there. And what she had spoke of terrified him. Satu, his undoing? It was both vague and clear. If this vision, or whatever it was, was truth. Ash'eny was doomed if he remained with Satu. That made his heart sink in a sense. She was the one that pulled him from those walls of Syliras, a place he didn't much care for. He had wanted to believe in her so much that he actually did. But now that he thought about it, he simply couldn't deny that it was all just too odd to follow. He was an imbecile for doing this, devoting his life to someone he knew nothing about, yet it had just felt so right. Now... well it still felt right, but there was a growing feeling now. A curiosity that dominated that of understanding Satu and her divine journey. Now, he wanted to know what he saw. Damn that vision. Couldn't it have at least given him a direction? He wanted to speak with her, and would have tried if his body didn't refuse him when he needed it most. Ash'eny took a moment to visit his room and deposit his things: his mace and his shield. Then, he returned to his companions. "Sorry, I just wanted to put my things in my room." Ash'eny looked to Satu and grinned. He had remembered he was acting the leading role here, and if he wanted to keep his little incident a secret, he would have to outwardly show that it didn't phase him. "Are you two ready to go?"

[Arianni D'Sorn]

"Oh," Arianni could only say as she fought to keep the disappointment from her voice from the monk woman's brutal honesty. She looked down to the package in her hands at the words 'rat's ass', her mouth curving to make the ends of her mouth point downwards. She knew she should have expected it - it was a human's world after all, and this a human city, and naturally they would prepare and serve human food - but she had hoped for some dried fruit, or some fish perhaps. "Oh," she said again, not knowing what else to say in the brief silence that followed. "I...um, thank you." At least Ash'eny would be able to enjoy it, him being human and everything. Food that taste like rat's ass must be stable fare for these people. Satu was already by the door when Arianni turned from Vysia, and she shuffled forward to stand beside the taller Konti. "This-this curfew they have...it worries me," she started softly, glancing at the monk to see if she was listening. But she could not read much from the stoic expression that returned her gaze. Listening or not, it did not matter, for Arianni delivered her words in Kontinese, both to conceal her meaning from Vysia as well as because the trade language still felt awkward on her tongue. "I-I don't know if something comes alive at night here in the city...or-or something...but it seems the monks have some level of protection from...from, um, whatever it is." She glanced back once more at Vysia, remembering how the woman had hinted at how she had obtained her limp. "A-a little, at least. "Still,...um...it could be our only chance to approach Vi...Videk. Perhaps...perhaps we could, ah, get disguises?" Her logic was clearly at work again, her mind ever looking for ways to help Satu with her mysterious quest. Arianni had few friends and those she had she held onto dearly. She would help them to the best of her abilities, as much as she was doing now. Her intentions were admirable, one that spoke volumes of her loyalty and devotion to Satu even after all the years they were apart from each other. Yet why was she suggesting something that, to her, sounded a little wrong? No, it was wrong. She had just implied, and not even subtly at that, that they steal some monk garb for themselves. But it was one way to get closer to Videk without raising suspicion from the locals. If they could pass themselves off as monks, then even walking out at night and approaching the imprisoned man would seem like a normal thing for them to do. Arianni was about to say this, to expound more on her idea, but Ash'eny arrived then, the man's face somewhat pale, as if he had 'seen a ghost' as the human expression went, though the facade he presented to everyone in the room exuded of confidence. Though she knew what he been really up to, Arianni noted that Ash'eny's words did not sound discordant at all - he was not telling a lie. She looked up at the man, her mismatched eyes searching his, and she realized that the man had found a way around her truth-sensing ability. She did not know what to feel about that. Presently, Ash'eny asked if they were ready to go. Arianni glanced at Satu. She had overheard her friend's request to the man to act as the leader of their group during their stay in the city, and remembering this fact, the usually reserved girl spoke before Satu could, for the benefit of the one monk present in the room. "Yes, we-we are ready to go." Arianni did not like it, but anything to deepen their deceptive act should help Satu's cause.

[Tarot]

By the time the party got out of Safehaven, which may or may not have been safe, but definitely didn't feel like a haven, the monks had finished erecting the gallows in the middle of Celestial Square. It stood there, featuring at the same time a chopping block and the noose because Nykans apparently did not like to choose when it came to such things and they were artful enough to get both out of the same guy. The few souls still around spoke in hushed tones about Videk's betrayal and how he'd brought shame on his entire quarter. Some people said that Uphis himself, the Sharp Blade, might enjoy the pleasure of his execution. The Court of Discord, as the euphemism went, was not far from there, and just as Vysia promised it sat right next to a squat building with bars across its windows. The gaol had no other distinguishing signs and was decidedly smaller than some of the other buildings in its surroundings. In the event of crime, rarely did the offender live long enough to need imprisonment. Being taken alive - which required no small effort of will on the monks' part - usually meant you were to be made an example of, as in Videk's case. The Court of Discord was a square patch of green, framed by four tall willows, where people, not just monks, went to settle their grudges with other people to watch. Fights were officially banned in the Celestial Quarter, but then again a lot of things were and people still did it. As long as you had the decency not to make too big a mess, there was always someone around to drag your body onto a wooden cart, check for a pulse and send you accordingly to the Infirmary or down the Aperture. Not all fights were equally violent or bloody. Right now two skinny young men were clubbing at each other with clumsy pieces of wood, and hurting themselves as often as their opponent. "I thought we were pals!" one was whining. "I'd called first dibs on her!" "Like she was going to fall for you!" "You don't do that to your pal!" "That's payback for that thing two years back!" "Oh come on you petchhead, you'd broken up a full day earlier!" Around them, two monks watched lazily, shaking their heads as sunset fast approached and the quarreling boys' shadows lengthened in their absurd pantomime. No noises came from the Gaol itself. No guards were in sight, but the heavy door seemed sturdy and didn't have an obvious lock to pick. A flash of motion passed in front of a window on the first floor, and for a moment Videk's angular face peered between the bars. He had been stripped of his robes for a set of tattered rags, and he looked bruised and smaller than Satu remembered him, but it was him without a doubt. He stood there for a few seconds until he looked down at the Konti and her party. If he felt surprise he did not show it. He merely shook his head with something that could have been sadness or regret (his heart did look like bleak lead to Satu), and his lips mouthed two simple words. Go. Away. Then he stepped away from the window and disappeared from view.

OOCI owe massive apologies. Is someone still interested in this? Mao can come back in, too, if she wishes to.

[Satu]

“The curfew will not help us in our task…” Satu agreed with Arianni in the melodic, magical sounding Kontinese language, “but let us see what transpires before night falls, lest we make the wrong decision prematurely.” The Konti’s face was gentle, her eyes sympathetic as she held the magic-users gaze, silently, carefully to still the woman’s nervousness, to encourage her to remain calm before these strangers. “And Asha’ney will see to our needs… and lead us somewhere… pleasant to eat our meal. All will be well.” And the HeartSeer believed what she spoke, even if the suvai fighter within her was on guard, and the city itself was dark and oppressive. Nyka was not her peaceful Mura, where open smiles and friendly faces abounded. But that gentle place was but a tainted memory; the Konti had no place to call home. Satu belonged no where; she was a wanderer, a ghost trying to right the deeds of evil men long gone. One would never be able to relax here, not truly. But then when had she last been able to take her ease…? Respectfully, with a compliant air, the HeartSeer walked behind Ash’ney. Even silent, she moved with the elegance of a dancer… or fighter. It was difficult to let the man lead, difficult to pretend to submit to anyone’s will. Subterfuge had not yet become second nature to the Konti. But as the gallows and the chopping block came into view, Satu frowned. THIS was the reason for their deception! The Konti had no wish to stand upon that deadly platform, yet even safe upon the ground, one swing of the ax-man’s ax could certainly sever her connection with the Crone, just as it easily severed Videk’s head from his body. Satu glanced at the sun in the sky, she needed more time! Ash’ney lead them to the Court of Discord. And Vedik was there, in the window, behind bars… Go Away… he mouthed. Foolish monk! Satu thought, he did not know what he asked of her! Satu could no more turn away from this path, though dangerous it was, than she could drink Laviku’s ocean dry. Had her companions seen the captive? Giving no indication that she had seen his whispered words, Satu stopped to watch two young men attempt to spar with one another. To her experienced eyes their movements were chaotic and wild. Uncivilized, as most humans were wont to be. Satu’s nose wrinkled in distaste. Where was beauty of form? Where was fluidity and ease? This was… barbaric. Edging closer to the grassy area, she neared two monks who also observed the fighters. The Konti opened her rations, and graciously offered a portion of the meat to the monks, as automatically her HeartSense opened to them. Not wishing to disturb the fighters, Satu said in a low, friendly tone, as a casual observer might, “They do not seem to be experienced in the use of clubs… or fighting. Are they newly trained?” She daintily took a bite of bread, but it took two tries for her teeth to saw through the tough bread. “I expect the man to be hung is more of a fighter… ” It was a risk, but one she felt must be taken in the little time left to them. She could not wait to see if her companions would question these monks. She could not wait for fate… And with the link gem against her skin… the men would be tested against it… and Satu would look again at it again when it was safe to do so.

[Arianni D'Sorn]

OOCAs agreed with the PC's player, I'm writing off Ash'eny for now. Ash'eny led them but the man was nowhere to be found once they reached their destination. Perhaps he had slipped away at some point during their brief walk to the Court of Discord. Not that Arianni noticed. Her gaze ever downcast, she was too busy watching her own two feet as she trailed behind Satu. She did not even see Videk's silent message to their group, though she did note that Satu had wandered over the patch of grass to converse with the monks that stood watching the caricature of a fight, the doll following its master, a silent twin of the suvai fighter. Arianni realized she was standing alone before the Gaol. Before her was a wall that, save for a small barred window in the middle of it, was rather unremarkable. She did not see when Videk had been there before but, intuitively, she knew that the man Satu needed to speak to was behind that wall. And it did not seem as if he would entertain them. With nobody to order her away, Arianni moved towards the wall, and placed both her hands against the sun-warmed stones. "Why won't you speak to us?" the Konti said to no one in particular, not really expecting a reply from the cell's occupant. There was no other person near her either to hear her words. As if saddened that she could not help her friend Satu by coaxing the monk to speak, Arianni lowered her head once more. She looked ridiculous, looking like a child trying to push the whole building with her small hands the way she was leaning against the wall. Satu needed information from this man and she knew of no way to help her friend achieve this! Arianni felt useless. Satu may be too nice to say it, but she had allowed Arianni to tag along with her group expecting her to contribute in some way. So far, Arianni hadn't been able to give them a single thing. She had been a burden most times, or at least she felt that way. Why not try a little bit of your magic? It surely wouldn't hurt anyone... Arianni heard the voice speak in her mind again. Or perhaps it was her own thoughts, leading her to come up with the use of the one thing she was really good at. She wasn't really sure any more. She did realize that she was absently channeling djed through her hands, however. Perhaps that would explain the lightheadedness she was suddenly feeling. Why couldn't I, though? she debated with herself. It would not be difficult. Stone and mortar would offer little hindrance once it was consumed by the Void. After all, had she not done something similar back in Sunberth? It had been time-consuming, using only voiding to dig a tunnel under the city, but she had done so. What more if it was used against a mere wall? Maybe if I can open a... No, no, no. The monks would arrest me too and I don't have the energy to create such a- But it was too late. Unconsciously or not, Arianni had opened two small portals right in front of where her hands were resting. Two small globes of emptiness devoured solid stone with hardly a whisper of sound to signal what had just happened. The shock of realizing what she had just done was so much that it broke her concentration in maintaining the void portals. Almost as much as when it hit her that there was nothing offering resistance to her hands now, and that she was about to smash face first against the part of the wall that her magic hadn't consumed, as her hands and arms slipped into the perfectly round holes she had just created. OOCI hope what I did here makes sense. And yes, I am aware that it's a foolish move and really shouldn't make any sense. Also, I can't remember if the doll was with us or not so I had it follow Satu just so Arianni could be alone.

[Tarot]

"Experienced?" The monk Satu approached laughed harshly, quickly joined by his companion. "No, I wouldn't say they are. What's more shameful is that they're from Uphis' quarter just like us. Chances are we're going to see their asses at the next selections, too." Their gazes darkened at the mention of the man to be hanged. Their gazes studied the Konti very carefully, as if deciding whether the question was as innocent as it sounded. In the background, someone hit their own foot with their club. "Hmm, I suppose you saw the platform, right? That's brother Videk going up there for the show. One of ours. Saved our lives once." The other monk joined in on the conversation. "Sometimes people just lose it in this city. Guess that's what happened to Videk. A damn shame to lose him, but the law's the law." "I hear he'd been sent on a mission to Ravok," the first monk replied casually, "maybe Rhysol turned him, or he just went crazy from all the shyke they do in that wet petchhole." But this must have sounded wrong to Satu's ears, for she had met Videk well South of Nyka, certainly a long way off the route to Ravok. It would have made sense to hear he'd been sent to Syliras or Zeltiva, certainly not Ravok. "So he lunged at our High Priest, for no reason whatsoever, right? Like he was possessed," the monk was continuing. "It was a weak blow, though, easily dodged. Didn't resist when we arrested him. We'd have killed him on the spot if he had. He said nothing all along. Shyke, he hasn't spoken a word since. If this is what Ravok does to people, then give me the Aperture any day of the season." Meanwhile, Arianni stood against the Gaol's outer walls and tried her hand - literally - at Voiding. Little did she know that this decision would forever shape the destiny of Satu's entire party. A little portion of the wall was swallowed into the black depths of the tiny portals to the Void. Her arms slipped into the cylindrical emptiness she'd made with nothing more than her will. Arianni perhaps expected to be arrested now. Maybe they'd all be apprehended. There was even a chance they'd join Videk in the worst possible sense of the expression, dancing on the same stage and to the same tune the following day. What Arianni probably wasn't expecting was for the Goal to start crumbling. "Yeah, they say these Druvin guys, if they look you in the eye you lose your mind and shyke. Might've done that to Videk, come to think..." The monk stopped mid-word as the sound of mortar coming apart caught his attention. He turned sharply, only to see a huge crack split the front wall of the Gaol. "Bloody shyke..." his companion said under his breath. The two young combatants yelped, dropped their weapons and left the scene screaming. Blocks of marble fell from the façade as it literally came undone. A large one dropped vertically right above Arianni's position, and she found herself in its deadly shadow. She barely had time to look up and see her death coming for her... ... when a pair of cold, forceful hands pulled her back in the nick of time. The Satu-doll let go of Arianni's arms, and she'd likely be left with ugly bruises there, but the block had landed right in front of her instead of on her, so that was a plus. The doll looked at the Seer with its cracked, expressionless face. "It is not the time to be free just yet," it said in its Satu-like monotone. Other walls came crashing down in a cloud of dust of debris. The commotion could probably be heard across the city. The two monks looked petrified by the impossibility of what was going on. The door splintered and finally came unhinged. When the situation finally calmed down and the dust was about to settle, the building had partially collapsed. What was left standing looked like it could join the rest at a moment's notice. Two shadows flashed out of the doorway... Nykan citizens by the look of them. They still wore their manacles but that didn't stop them from trying to break out. As soon as the monks saw them, they rushed into pursuit without thinking twice. They hadn't seen Arianni Void the wall, and even if they had, it would have been drowned in the absurdity of what had just happened. The only thing they could do right now was run after the fugitives, and that was exactly what they did. And in doing so, they'd left Satu and her party alone for a short moment. **** Meanwhile, across one of many corners in the Celestial Quarter, the one known as Kain grinned at the spectacle. "They don't make Gaols like they used to," he gave a polite laugh. "I hope you're watching, brothers and sisters. Nothing like some epic infighting in the Puppeteer's ranks to kill the boredom. With this, the youngblood actually stands a chance. I still think the old one is going to win, though." The house behind him frowned. It actually frowned. Two windows tilted a little and the open door spoke in an annoyed female voice. "You shouldn't have taken sides. Sagallius' sick champion games are beneath us. The man is disgusting. Every single one of his champions has been female and broken in so many ways. And when he doesn't need them anymore, he has them disposed of." "Yes, Ikan," Kain nodded without turning, "and Satu the Konti may very well join the club in time. So the best outcome is..." "... if they kill each other?" the house cut him short. "In the most entertaining way possible," Kain smiled gracefully.

[Satu]

The Gaol crumbled, its walls fell. Satu looked at the monks in bewilderment, shock shone in her eyes. Her expression questioned the soldiers, as if they might know what was happening around them. Turning back to the terrifying scene, the Konti recoiled as pieces of the building dropped heavily in the grassy area. “Sweet Avalis!” Satu whispered. The words barely audible amid the noise of falling blocks and the confusion it caused in her mind. Webbed fingers covered her ears tightly to shut out the noise; it was perhaps the loudest sound the Konti had ever heard. The incompetent fighters ran away, Satu watched them leave in slow motion, each minute drawn out to a lifetime. And the blocks fell - disbelief filled her as the building collapsed, the walls came down and the door splintered. The suvai fighter leaped to her feet, arms and hands at her sides, immobile. The need to run was instinctual. Dust played in the area, lightly drifting, waiting to settle. And through its misty cover two fugitives ran… Satu watched them go, whether they escaped death or confinement, it mattered not and she said nothing as the two monks gave chase. The runaways were not Videk. He was still inside… In the time of a single heart beat, Satu made the irreversible decision. It was foolhardy. Dangerous. The portion of the building left standing looked terribly unstable. And since he had not come out, Satu would go to Videk. Running forward, she passed Arianni and the Golom, “Quickly! There is no time! Come!” Her words were urgent, and spoken in Kontinese. Winding her way past fallen blocks and crumbled stone, she stepped carefully trying to watch both ground and sky, in case another great boulder come crashing down upon them. Into the dusty, chalky mist she went. There were perhaps only moments before the monks came back. Satu must find Videk! For those monks had been wrong! She had seen Videk outside the walls with her own eyes. They were mistaken… or they had lied - though she did not see falsity with her HeartSense. In her bones, Sagallius’ follower knew the monks had been misled… It was not Ravok’s or even Rysol’s doing… Videk had been a good man, an honorable man. Satu knew what Cordas could do, especially to the stout of heart. For she had seen first hand the wonders that one mark of Sagillius’ favor could do. Videk had acted as if possessed… Videk had offered only a weak blow, even though he had been in many battles… Videk had been easily captured and offered no resistance…Videk hadn’t spoken…for who would believe him? Beside Satu? The tale sounded familiar, if not more advanced than what she herself had done to others. Though of course Satu had always been justified in her actions, while thsi one was not! The Betrayer was at work, Sagillius’ outcast! A frown crossed Satu’s face, wrinkling her nose. The Crone! The old woman’s experience far surpassed the Konti’s own. But it mattered not! Her devotion to the puppet god would see her through… or so she believed. And so, with great resolve and fear of her life, Satu ran into the collapsing building, not knowing if Videk were even alive…

[Arianni D'Sorn]

Arianni could only stare at the large stone block as it came hurtling down to smash her slight frame into pulp. Time seemed to slow as her destruction came, inching bit by bit. She had always known that her magic would be her own undoing. She just didn't think it would be so...messy. The small Konti let out an almost resigned sigh, and waited for the inevitable crash that would turn her into a mere stain on the ground. It didn't come as she had expected. Instead she was yanked out the way - just enough that the stone wall landed mere inches away from her. Dust and dirt billowed out all around her as the rest of the building crumbled, covering her and her savior head to foot with fine powder. She was coughing but the only thing in her mind was that she was still alive. Disappointed? that inevitable voice that always seemed to be present whenever she expended djed for her magic asked. You could have voided that, you know. Easily. It echoed in her mind, drowning out the cryptic words of the Satu-doll, drowning the rest of the world out, until she felt herself being pulled towards the Gaol. Or was she being shoved? She was so disoriented! What was going- Satu! Of course! Her friend was calling. Whatever Arianni had done, she had given them the chance to get to the man her friend was after! Videk! Arianni stumbled into the dust cloud, struggling to keep up with her more athletic companions. She hoped they would find the monk still alive despite the inadvertent destruction she had wrought.