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Part 30: Diamond dogs, turquoise days

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Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Dworkin (GM)
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Aaron leads, and gradually, at first, the world changes...

The air becomes colder and snow begins to fall, and before long there is the makings of a true blizzard.  By a frozen stream, which Cyan does not recall as being quite so close to her cabin, though the rock formations along the bank are familiar, there are horses, tethered to a makeshift hitching rail, with tack and harness neatly laid out on the ground nearby.  Of the owners of the animals the only signs are three, perhaps mercifully, snow-covered bodies nearby.

Riding now, and the journey goes faster as the woods thin out, and soon there is a blacktop highway, and a sign, bent and buckled and so full of small circular holes that it is unreadable.
Aaron follows the road for a while, then veers off onto a dirt track which plunges back into the woods and starts to climb steeply.
For a little while the trees grow more densely again, giving shelter from the blizzard, before thinning out once more to reveal that the trail leads around the flank of the mountain, above the tree line. The snow has turned to torrential rain now.
 There is a gorge, narrow and steep sided, with a shallow stream flowing from the mouth of it, and Aaron regards it for a moment, before turning that way, the hooves of his mount splashing through the water.  He follows the twisting gorge for a mile or so, until it ends at waterfall, then turns and heads back the way he came, the horse moving through turbulent rising water.

At the entrance to the gorge, instead of the high mountain track, there is a broad valley with a wide, slow river.  A ship steams past, driven by three great wheels, on each side and at the stern.  The path now follows the river bank for some distance, and the rain eases and then stops.
Eventually a city of domed yellow buildings comes into view, at which point they turn away from the river towards the distant hills.

Lightning flares above them, and they are forced to ride faster as they smell smoke.  Around them animals are fleeing for their lives as fire sweeps across the brush and grassland.

Soon there is another road, stone slabs, cunningly shaped to interlock perfectly, and Aaron turns to follow it, pressing on again.  The road passes through a tunnel, and at the other end the sky is crimson above a desolate plain of blowing, ckoking dust, and two suns sit low in the west...

A gully where small apes hurl stones down on them, and then a second tunnel, and the night sky is the colour of  spring grass, and the stars blaze overhead bright enough to read by.  Something huge bellows nearby...

A forest of trees so tall that their tops are lost in the clouds, the ground crunches beneath the hooves of the horses, a veritable living carpet of insects...

Skirting the fringes of a small town where strange voices can be heard groaning and shrieking, but nothing can be seen.  Once a voice calls out, "James?" but there is nobody there...

A vast plain where the ground seems to quiver beneath each hoof-fall, and huge snakes and crocodiles lurk in stinking pools alongside the trail.  Aaron smiles, and increases their pace, as if sensing that their destination is near...

The forested foothills of a mountain range, with the high peaks beyond, and the group are riding up a dusty road under the pale light of a single moon.  The road switchbacks higher and higher, until the air grows cool, and it becomes hard to breathe.
They turn away, passing along something which is little more than a goat track, dimly visible beneath the full moon.  Still they climb higher...

And finally they are there.  An ancient ruined fortress-town on a mountain peak.  Antediluvian stone buildings carved with bizarre and complex images.  Aaron dismounts and bows, "Welcome to Machu Picchu."  A glance at the sky, "It seems we are just in time.  This way."

He leads them on foot then, towards a low pyramidal structure.  A short climb to the top, where there is a level area, and then Aaron stops, eyes on the sky.

"Any moment no-"

Discontinuity...

"-w!"

This pyramid is taller, brilliantly lit by the noontime sun, and the town which surrounds it is larger and not in ruins.  People are moving about in the streets.
There are no mountains beyond the town, just fields were cattle graze, a wide river with a stone bridge, and a seemingly endless forest, fading into the misty haze of distance, beneath a turquoise sky.

"This is Vesscuzz.  My home."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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Cyan is oddly quiet during the 'walk'.  The trip isn't that much stranger than what she goes through with Berd...different, but not much odder.  But she's weighed down by many things.  James' anger, sudden and explosive, so odd looking in the man.  It's isn't disturbing, but it does worry her that something about the situation has caught at his spirit.  Jack's pain, his brush with madness, again.  The episodes seem to be coming with greater and greater frequency and intensity.  Something changes within the man, and she isn't certain what.

The group's dynamics are also quite jarring to her.  Dissonant.  Andrej and Jonnee have been steady threads in the song - a low, base beat and the quick, constant snare drum - and James seems to be solidly entrenched in the music, a quiet, piano underscore.  Dorian reminds her of a violin, cutting through the rest of the song, holding it together but keeping to his own melody.  Jack's music, though, is a saxaphone wandering next to the main melody before dashing away, Kaelyn is a soloist who refuses to play this song, holding out for another, and Aaron...as the conductor, Aaron seems unconcerned about where his instruments are, seeing only where he wishes to lead them.

Which leaves her where?

I am not going to struggle to keep another group together, she vows firmly, knowing full well that decision will fall apart in short order.

Berd is hurt, and badly.  He tries to hide it, but the impact with the wall has injured him.  It will heal, and not in too long - small creatures healed quickly - but for now it would slow him down.  Physically.  It might also make him cranky, she realizes, and quick to strike in his own defense.

The bard pauses in her thoughts to duck as lightning crackles overhead, and her eyes shine like a cat's for a moment.  Riding beside Jack, she studies him with almost desperate concern.  We need time to discover what is happening, and time we do not have!  Covering her mouth against the dust with her scarf, Cyan rides.

Then she looks down on Aaron's home.  No.  Jadus home.

"And your brother?" she asks quietly, the first words spoken since the hellride began.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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Jack traveled in silence against his nature, staring out at nothingness, not even seeming to notice the changes. As if the lights are on but no one is home.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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A small smile as Aaron stares out at the city before them, and he turned to look upon Cyan.

"Pardon me. It's not so much my home as that of my brother Jadus, but I have spent considerable time here in the past. As for my brother," and then he began to descend the stairs of the temple, "I believe we'll find him not too far from our current position."

For a moment, he wondered whether this was the temple in which his brother lived... and he considered the condition of the world around them, and felt that a building this big must have been used to house his brother's experiments and stuides... if not also a small religion based on the 'hermit priest.' The main entrance he knew, was at the base of the temple, while the gate from the entrance to the world was at the top.

He considered Jack as he moved. Surely the man must have felt something from this world, for Aaron knew it to be a place of Breaks, and that his own brother had once told him that he had begun to study such things. Those studies were one reason why Jadus had done much to build up the society they were about to step into. Here, he was hidden in anonymity... but surely his brother must know of the Archons, if just for their impact on the Broken Pattern.

Aaron let those thoughts roll through him, and he instead focused on the path at hand. He alone knew where his brother's inner sanctum lay within the temple, but far beneath it. It was there that he led the group.

The group. They also, took his thoughts as he went.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn remembers the way because she does not know how long she will be staying. She considers the group as she knows them.

Jack, the demented reckless fool that will get them all killed. Cyan, the so called bard that defends the fool and is enthralled by him. Aaron who runs roughshod over everyone and doesn't give a damn about any view but his own and is blind the threats of the group. A core of friends together that keep the rest of us on the outside. I trust none of them and will not any time soon. This Luke might be a fourth ally of theirs for what he was speaking.

She then shifts her gaze to Dorian. The obnoxious fool who can't realize jack's danger. His arrogance is to be watched. Her eyes moves to Jonnee He is the oddball of the group. some position to Amber that he was chosen for this mission and yet he is bound to Jack and Cyan through the wolf.

Finally her eyes rest on Andrej and James. These two are reliable and reasonable. They think carefully and react rationally. From what I have seen, they might easily become brothers in arms. They can be trusted so far but can I rely on them to be liason if I go to investigate and need to get a message back to the group?

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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       Jack strides out a little way from the group, with a sharp “ENOUGH!” a psychic wave emanates from Jack with the boom of thunder.


     Spinning on the group he stares down Cyan to start with “I’ll start with you Cyan, since you had guts enough to speak your mind!” Jack is not yelling, but his voice holds a psychic force and intensity. “You take risks every single battle, do not hold what I do against me! I explore and pick and poke and prod at everything! It’s how you figure things out when you lack knowledge. I don’t care how many of you would have been linked to me, you all would have been blasted back as well and many of you could not have handled it much better then Berd did.”

   He let his eyes slide over the group as a whole “It was not the enemy, it was it’s source of power. Much like the Pattern and Logrus it is sentient. I was looking around it and it poked me in the eye…Nothing more! And a minor poke at that. You all freak out to much without giving me a chance to recover and explain! Now we have brought the Cubes into Jadus’s world as well, and we have no idea if thus cube images are transmited somewhere else! You accuse me of not thinking!”

     Jack grew silent for a moment and looked the group individual by individual. “I can see most of you all’s emotions rolling off of you like flares in the night. Your Auras are poorly controlled, if I focus I can tell when you are lying and when you are up to something without ever touching your minds.”  His eyes fell on Kaelyn and stayed there. “I am truly sorry I took your sword from you, and I am sorry for any other slight as well. But the bullshit has to end here and now.”

“If any of you have any backbones at all,” Jack said softly  “you will get anything you have problems with out in the open right now, and we’ll work it out as a group” His voice was still soft but had steel to it “If not then you are spineless cowards.”

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Berd
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Berd lets out a small groan as Jack strides away from everyone, sitting up on the man's shoulder.  A whistling sigh comes out next, unheard under Jack's eruption.  Then he spreads his wings and flexes them, once.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Lenore
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         Lenore had flown much of the way, flying lazy circles, only to occasionally alight on a branch. Watching for what ever a raven watched for. Now she surveyed the scene below with casual avian interest.  Knowing that the early fish was gotten by the same thing the early bird got.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Andrej
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Andrej, accustomed to weirder travels, hellrides and other ways to move through the Myriad Worlds, enjoys the ride to Machu Picchu. His mind is free to roam his memories, both recent and long gone, as he follows Aaron. He remembers his foster-brother, hunting, hawking, his father, Amber, Wandjina, Cardiniagart, Lady Fiona, the fight with the shapeshifter, the group, Jack.

Jack of Shadows. Powerful. Erratic. Unhinged.

His thoughts are interrupted by their arrival and subsequent shift to Aaron's World. A beautiful world from the first glimpses. A full world. Suddenly Jack explodes out with his speech, speaking his mind.

Anger aroused for a moment by Jack's words, Andrej fiercely pushes it down. not the time for heated conflict. Not now. Calmly he turns to Jack as the young man finishes.

"Jack of Shadows."

His voice is calm, soft, almost emotionless.

"I may not be as great a warrior as you, and I certainly am no match for you in sheer power. Maybe none of us is. But, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Yes, we need information about our enemies. Yes, you might have given us a break when it comes to finding them, but you might also have found a way for the enemy to find us. As far as they knew, it might just have been isolated incidents acting against their plans, but now they might suspect some group effort behind it all. Maybe you just tipped our hand, maybe not. I can only guess what you did and how dangerous it was, but you might have considered notifying us beforehand. These action might have endangered Cyan's world, a place of stability and a retreat for her. The cubes. Okay, they may have a link to someone, so might the little orbs. But if they do, then they now with your 'poke in the eye' might have given them another set of data in looking for some enemy. I don't think you did wrong, you might have considered telling us what you wanted to do before you did it, that's all."

He turns to the rst of the group.

"As to the level of dissention here, Jack is right. We do not have to love or idolize Aaron, but he is our appointed leader. He knows some of the enemy, so do Cyan, Jack and Berd. Dorian has great expertise in magic, Kaelyn is very resourceful in her abilites, Jonnee has proven to be faster than your average speeding bullet, and James is a powerhouse. Everybody has unique abilities and is needed in our effort to end this plan the Archon's have cooked up. WE have to act s a group. Maybe everything will fall apart after we thwart them, but until then we are a group. No backstabbing, hidden hatreds and aspirations. Just think about it for a moment. I know, for us of the Blood this is a very touchy and strange idea, teamwork, but if we want to continue existing we might want to consider it"

His face emotionless, he turns away, looking over the bustling city below, arms crossed before his chest. Let them be angry about him now, maybe even hate him. He had spoke his piece and maybe, just maybe he had left an impresion. He hoped so.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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Cyan winces under the lash of Jack's words, knowing, in part, that they are correct.  Her fingers grip more tightly around Kirilindë's sheath, held in her left hand.  Certainly he is correct about me.  She's about to speak when Andrej begins.  The bard stands quietly, listening to the burly man talk.

When Andrej finishes, she nods, staring around the group with dull, jade eyes.  "For what it is worth to those here, I agree with both Jack and Andrej.  Andrej is correct - we must work as a team, and must share information as we receive it.  As for Jack, he has been doing little more than Berd - seeking out the Enemy on other worlds and discovering their disposition.  Information on the Enemy is critical - every one of us has said so, at different times, and Jack shared his information, immediately, to the entire group.  Jack was merely carrying out a sanctioned task - sanctioned by Aaron who, I believe, told Jack to continue with what he was doing.  That it has threatened my world grieves me, but is not the fault of Jack.  All worlds are threatened by the Enemy."  Cyan, shamed, runs a hand through her hair.  "Driven by my emotions, I leapt to conclusions - foolish of me, and something I must learn to remedy."

She glances toward Aaron.  "I also do not understand why we are here, when Kaelyn suggested an alternative that did not involve Jadus."

The bard shakes her head and turns toward Jack.  "I apologize.  I was wrong."

"As for the rest of what Jack said, and Andrej as well, I would be more than happy to see this feud within our group ended."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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"Yes, Jack, you were wrong to take my weapon. You were wrong to blurt out secrets of people, you were wrong to endanger a whole ship of people to be nice to a friend, you were wrong to seeking the enemy without telling anyone and engaging us all and perhaps leading to destruction of Cyan's home soon. You are a reckless, irresponsible, unthinking fool and as much a danger to those around you as the enemy. I am no coward and I will speak it blatantly. AAron might be blind to the threat you pose to us, but I am not."

Kaelyn continues "However, My thoughts are my own, my wishes are my own and if I chose to speak or not speak, that is also my own. Call me a coward again for holding my judgement, for keeping my thoughts to myself and I will either find my own way without you or I will cut you down like the mad dog you are. We already have enemy and others watching us unseen so I know I prefer not to give the enemy any more than I have to. Perhaps you don't believe in the same. You should be tucked away in some quietly little world and left there until you are needed so you can't endanger anyone else with your madness and stupidity and called out only when needed and dropped in the middle of the enemy so that your explosions won't hurt friends. A ship full of people who were my comrades in arms, now the dragon and perhaps Cyan's whole world, who or what will you risk next time without telling us and without care?"

"Aaron is the appointed leader, he is not a dictator or absolute tyrant. If things keep up as they are, I will leave and go off to investigate on my own where I do not have to watch my back for reckless fools, leaders that ignore my words and run roughshod over me, and other stupidity. My skills are not best served in being dragged place to place on the whim of fools who have no real plan. My thoughts are mine and I will keep them to myself, not to be trotted out because you want to see them and feel like insulting me if I do not reveal them. Consider this my notice and warning. One more strike and you will not see me again until I am ready for you to see me."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian sighs, looking into the distance. "I am beginning to wonder if this group can function. As it is, I think we are like a dog with five front legs. If I understand the pattern correctly, now would be the time for Aaron to take control with his own speech. And it will continue as such until we all settled into a disgruntled quietness. Each of us cannot fathom the idea that we might be wrong, or that we might make the wrong choice. Each of us is convinced that the others cannot possible conceive of how great we are ourselves. We simply need to put aside such ignorance and pride and shut up with our inane speeches and squawkings, because we are getting nowhere." He speaks with an introspective tone.

Lowering his head, and not looking at the others. "Sadly, I must disagree with you again, Cyan. We did not know what Jack was doing. Too much is discussed in secret among us. If Aaron tells Jack to carry on, I can only know what that means if I know what Jack was doing previously, which I did not. Others may have known, and I did not, being a newcomer. This didn't change the outcome, and I would not have protested; nor am I offended or making accusations. However, I would have liked to have known that such actions were being undertaken, whether or not I it involved me. Too many things are done in secret and in private amongst us, and often under the pretense that it isn't important or doesn't involve everyone. I for one, am going to follow Kaelyn's wisdom, and hold my tongue-- for the most part. I think the team would benefit if we would all learn to bridle our emotions and egos, and simply do what needs to be done."

He finished with a deep breath and waited. It was only inevitable that one of them would be offended at something he has said, and come back with their own speach about how foolish he was, or how wrong he was about how things really were, or how he should listen to his own words (which he had already vowed to do).

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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         Jack shook his head moving back over to Cyan he placed a hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry as well.” he said before turning again to address the rest. “I am sorry, yes there is the possibility I endangered Cyan’s world, I won’t be so crass as to say that is unfortunate. There was already the possibility that Cyan’s world was endanger just by our being there. There is a possibility Cyan’s world was already in danger, just by being her world and he being a part of the Battle against the Archon’s on primes world. There are very bad possibilities with each world we go in and physically scout, even worse possibilities then me first going in and mentally scouting. Those are the chances we take….”

         “I spend hours each and every day searching through world far and wide for signs of the enemy and clues that might aid us. Pursue countless dead ends and wrong leads. How am I supposed to let you know what I am going to find until I have found it? Are you going to sit and stare at me for hours while I do my daily routine as I try to follow the next lead? I let you know as soon as I found something in the best way I could at the time. The power there that holds the world in place is utter primal madness, insanity embodied. Extremely powerful and more madness than you could ever imagine, much like your pattern is more order then most could imagine. The combination of it being so close and the flames were making it hard for me to communicate easily. I am no more mad then Hamlet was….Though I admit that didn’t go well for him either.”

        He focused total on Andrej for the moment “Don’t play silly buggers man, you are a better warrior than I and that’s a fact. There is wisdom both in your words and the way you say them. I won’t say that you are wrong, but I am not wrong in my actions this time either. You are incorrect on one minor point. The Orbs are energy transmitters and that’s a fact. They start by stealing the ambient energy of a world, keeping just enough so they can grow and become a larger transmitter. In the end they break down matter and reality of the world into component energy, until nothing but breaks are left and one big break all of the way from Chaos to Amber remain. Transmitting it to someone that now has a shit load of power.”

        Jack’s focus swing to Kaelyn and his question for her is simple. “Perhaps I have been wrong in things…No! I have been wrong in some things. Have you not been wrong in actions, attitudes and they way you act towards and think about the people around you since you have arrived? Or are you 100% right?”

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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"If it is these transmitters that are the problems, then perhaps we should find one transmitter and see if we can reverse the process and turn the transmitter into a siphon." Kaelyn says, "so the first step is getting a transmitter and the second is to figure out what it does."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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        “Good Idea...We already have a transmitter  thanks to Aaron and are working cracking it as we speak. We have even said as much in front of the team I think.”  Jack said. “but again messing with the transmitter could throw everything in danger if an error is made. You still didn’t answer me…Has everything you have done or said been 100% right and respectful, Kaelyn.”

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Now Dorian straightens and looks at Jack, though the movement is subtle, there is a sudden stiffness. From under the cowl of his dark cloak, thin lips tighten and dark eyes grow even darker. "Does she need to, Jack? Will it make you feel the victor if you successfully turn her words against her? Will it restore your sense of superiority again? No matter the result, I know it won't further our cause. It is one more petty delay. Were I the enemy in this matter, I would be quite pleased at all these internal squablings in my opposition. I have travelled many worlds, and I have never seen such a divided force victorious. I daresay Kaelyn made a bold move in moving on past her emotions and focusing on the mission. I would ask the rest of us to act so nobly as she has."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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         Jack looked at Dorian  evenly “No not victorious, and I am seening the same thing as you. A group divided with no chance of a real victory. But I am not seeing her set it aside and truly work together. I still see her nature swirling around her. Totally independent…Her way and only her way…And the hatred of me. I need this truly worked out before we continue, not just set to the side to fester. Nothing noble in that.”

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn looks at Jack, "Yes, I would say my decisions every step of the way so far have been correct except perhaps not killing you. The jury is still out on that one."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian began to reply that he felt Jack's approach could only engender more hatred, no matter how pure the intentions behind it, but he did not get a chance. It didn't matter what he was trying to do, if he accomplished the opposite, it was still a problem.

"I don't know the history between the two of you, and I don't care. Jack, I fail to see how provoking her with such questions could be aimed at settling any issues between you both. If you actions are so pure, why are your words hostile? Such questions cannot lead to peace or resolution of a conflict. And now Kaelyn has spoken, she obviously views you as an enemy to our cause. This can only be resolved by discovering the cause for her belief and addressing it, if it can be addressed. Convincing her that she has made a mistake, will not produce the desired results. Convinving her that you are on our side and will not cause us to fail is what will be productive."

Turning to Kaelyn he says, "This can only be resolved if you admit that you are willing to discover if Jack is an enemy or not. If you are not willing to consider the opposite, no matter the evidence, then you are not willing to bend and the conflict cannot be resolved. If the conflict cannot be resolved, then another resolution much be reached. Why do you feel Jack is an enemy and is Jack the only enemy you perceive here?"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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"Enough with the death threats, Kaelyn.  They serve nothing except to widen an already existing rift."  Cyan's voice is tight.  "In some worlds, the mere uttering of such a threat would be grounds for killing, here and now, just as no doubt you feel that you have grounds for killing based on your culture and world.  If you wish to discuss this, do so without any more of such commentary.  I cannot and will not trust anyone who is seriously considering killing a member of the group."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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"I agree wholeheartedly with Cyan on that point, as well. While I appreciate your honesty, I do not feel such a level of animosity can remain in the group. It must be resolved or removed, by whatever means necessary. Perhaps, it could be delt with in another way, but I ddo not believe so. I think those are the only options before us, and I think this must be resolved or dealt with now."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Berd
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Berd, with a grunt of effort, suddenly lifts from Jack's shoulder, floating through the air to land on Dorian's, oddly enough.  He glances once towards Cyan, who nods.  "Of course."  Then he settles in, sitting up, barely a featherweight on the man's shoulder.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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      “It’s not meant to provoke her Dorian,” Jack said evenly “it’s meant to provoke thought. No one is right all of the time, only a-.” He starts and stopped catching himself.  “As you have pointed out it shows something unbending, If I were trying to truly provoke her I would just do it. Though perhaps my choice of wording is poor. I am trying to meet her more than half way.”

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian turns to stroke Berd gently under the chin. "Very well, Jack. That is exactly what I would ask, then. Now... Kaelyn?"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Berd
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Berd submits to the stroking, humming quietly.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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    Jack leaned over and gave Cyan a bried kiss on the cheek as he stoow wating on Kaelyns answer.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jadus
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"Oh, bravo."
There is a rainbow shimmer in the air and a face, known to some of the party, appears there.  The voice is filled with laughter, "Aaron, my brother, you've looked... better, but I see you're still keeping amusing and entertaining company.  If anything, their comedy has grown even more splendid."

Then the tone grows more serious, "Do you two realise that while you have disputed and bickered about despoiled honour and right and wrong, here in my Place, I could have destroyed this whole group with no more than a wave of my hand?  You did not even know I was watching, and your companions were so distracted by the need to keep you from killing each other, that they too did not detect my presence."

"And with that attitude, you would go up against those who threaten the Lords of Order and Chaos themselves?  Worse than that, you come here and risk this domain with your quarrels."

The face shifts then, becoming something which is not quite human and not quite beast, with eyes that blaze like sullen red suns, "Beware, fools, for anger can be very dangerous in this Place!  If you continue, then I will be forced to deal with the situation myself.  And you do NOT want that!"

This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 20:50, Thu 26 Aug 2004.



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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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"Time will tell whether sparing jack is wise or foolish and decisions of restraint can always change." Kaelyn says, "There is a world that I spent time where fireworks were used. Powders that exploded and endangered the users as much as the targets. When they were used as weapons, they were always stationed far from the troops that friends were not hurt by the blasts or if something went wrong. Jack is a reckless fool, fireworks in the middle of our company that threatens and endangers us and at least one of needs to be aware of the threat and realize it since the rest of you chose to be blind. Yes, I can coldly consider the death of a danger to the group and be prepared to slay it if it gets out of control and endangers us more."

"A deliberate enemy? CAn an explosive or rabid dog chose to be friend or foe. JAck has no retraint, no sense, no control, his madness and insanity and risks are there and will threaten this group as he has repeatedly with his rashness. He is a threat to us and one to watch with a sword in hand that the fuse can be severed to save all our lives. At least those with me then will know that I will carelessly take actions that can slay dozens or allies. The dragon is still recovering from the last stunt. The ship might have sunk from the one before, a shape shifter pretending to be wolf could have been the one before but preparations for defense were removed. If you are blind to that, then I say good riddance to you all. I will insure my own survival to carry on the mission with those that will accompany me when the time comes. The threat has been repeatedly proven, the benefits remain to be seen and the jury is out."

She is concentrating as she speaks and keeping an eye on Jadus.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jadus
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"I did not ask for your reasons and excuses, woman, and when I want your opinions I will torture them out of you.  I don't care what you do elsewhere, and if you can ever get along, but if you do not both stop acting like spoiled children here, then I will put an end to your quarrel myself." Jadus' anger seems to be mounting.
"If you do not both drop all your defences and prepared attacks IMMEDIATELY, then you will both die where you stand.  Do not test my patience, for as Aaron will testify, I have little enough of it."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian survey's Jadus up and down, with detached coolness. They were guests in this man's world, so he kept his voice silent. If anyone needed to speak, it was Aaron.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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Aaron's back had been turned to the group, for his gaze had carried far over the horizon of the city that lay before him. Jack's outburst and the subsequent conversations and arguments did not go unnoticed by him. Contrarilly to that, he was totally paying attention to everyone and everything... he just wasn't looking like it.

When Jadus appeared, Aaron smiled. It was a small, tight smile, but there was a genuine amusement in his singular eye, and he was more than pleased that his brother had broken the tension.

With a sigh, Aaron turned so he could face both the vision of his brother, and be able to take in his entire group.

"Jadus, there is no apology I can offer for bringing trouble to your doorstep. Whatever you would wish of myself or my group, I offer to you without requirement. As for why I brought us here in the first place," he continued looking to Cyan and then to Kaelyn, "that was for a few reasons."

Aaron stepped up the stairway, heading back towards the entrance to the gateway. He stopped when he was somewhat above everyone else, and then he turned and spoke again.

"My first reasons were personal. I wished to check on my brother, to see how he has faired since last we met. With the advancing invasions by our enemies, I feared for both his safety and the knowlege he possesses. As you can see however, my brother has things well in hand."

To Kaelyn, he spoke: "My other reasons were mostly towards the group as a whole. Two of our comrades were seemingly injured at that precise moment, Berd and, or so I thought, Jack. Jadus has experience with many different types of issues, not all of them having to do with medical or physical ills. One of those issues was my own mental well-being because, simply put, I was fed up and totally overwhelmed. By our enemies, by our mission, and by ourselves. Jadus is family. Family I can trust far more than someone who might have led us into a trap infested trail through Reality. I trusted my Pattern manipulations more than I trust you, Kaelyn. That's the honest truth."

He cocked his head towards his brother and gestured with the cigarette that had manifested between his fingers. "I took up smoking, by the way. Some time after your last medical experiment ate my face." He lit the cigarette and took a drag. "That was purely my fault, by the way."

Crouching down, he gazed upon each of them and nodded, pointing with two fingers while the cigarette dangled between them.

"You, all of you, are very gifted in particular areas. I can use each and every one of you to the best of your abilities, but only if you trust my judgement. I've always been something of a... lone wolf, which is why Fiona's decision surprised me so." He chuckled. "I can't take my position as your leader back, and I'll be damned before I actually do. If any of you don't think I'm doing right by you, then open your damn mouths and let me know that. I'll never get anywhere without your help, but you all know that you probably won't get anywhere unless you drop your bullshit and stand behind me."

His gaze focused on Kaelyn, and it narrowed dangerously. As he spoke, his voice hardened and sounded very similar to that of Jadus.

"You, Kaelyn, speak constantly of your desire to leave. If you truly wish to get the hell out, then you need to make a decision right now. You may think Jack is the biggest danger here, but I think you're wrong. The biggest danger here is division between this group, and I won't let division kill any one of us." He raised the cigarette to his lips, the tip glowing dull orange-red in the bright sunlight. "I won't even let it kill you Kaelyn, because like it or not, you're a part of my team."

Aaron sighed, which sent an exhalation of gray smoke into the air above his head. "I need Jadus. We've invaded his home at my behest, so I deserve any punishment he sets upon our group. When we're settled and stabilized as a group, then I'll outline my plans for us. I'm going to need the help of all of you if we're to make an effective plan. This isn't a one-man show, even though it's certainly felt like that to me." Another sigh, and more smoke. "Which is mostly my own fault."

His eye met each one of those who stood before him, and he nodded.

"So, are any of you willing to stand behind me and give me a hand at this leadership thing? I'm... somewhat new to it."

He stood then, and bowed very slightly in the direction of his brother. "Again, Jadus, forgive my rash decision. But you were on my mind, brother, and not simply for the purposes of work. Please, forgive the actions of my comrades, and should you choose to, you may punish me in their stead."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jadus
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As Aaron finally deigns to speak, Jadus appears to calm somewhat, and his featues revert to their more human cast, "Brother, all I require is for your band of fools to keep their emotions in better check while here.  You know that my people can sense feelings in others, and react to them according to their nature.  If these were to walk down into the streets still at each others throats, then within moments they would be at the heart of a bloodthirsty mob."
"Damn it!  With the level of hostility I have seen here. they would probably bring everybody in the kingdom down on them."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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Righting himself, Aaron simply nodded and said nothing in response. He felt he had already said enough, and that Jadus' declaration would only cement his commentary.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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Cyan eyes stare straight ahead, blandly, as she listens to the conversation swirling around her.  They glitter slightly, catching the sun like cut crystal, and a small smile touches her lips at Kaelyn's words.  Jadus' arrival puts a certain tension in her that was not there before, but she remains silent.  Aaron will speak to his brother.

And he does.

So she merely stands, waiting for a decision to be made.  Aaron has brought them here, Jadus is their host, and nobody has pulled steel.  It seems that with the arrival of Aaron's half-brother the hostilities have ground nearly to a halt; she cocks her head to the side, one corner of the smile drooping slightly until a half-smile adorns her lips.

On Dorian's shoulder, Berd shoots her a quick look, his eyes glittering furiously.

Her lips part, then, and she speaks quietly, with little emotion.  "If you believe you can be our leader, I will stand behind you, Aaron of San Anyn.  Fiona of Amber put faith in you.  Vindicate it."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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            Jack walked up and slapped Aaron kindly on the shoulder, and smiled at the Amber man. “Looks like you have it well in hand. I think I need to be going now.” Jacks smile held a hint of regret and sadness in it, but just a hint.  “Look after him.” Jack said looking at Jadus for an instant. Then he turned and walked back to Cyan, “This is my stop dear heart, choice is yours Cyan, getting off here with me are you traveling the whole distance?” Jack asked, uncertainty showing in his eyes despite trying to hide it behind casual manners. He fiddled with his pack making certain everything was tucked away and tied down.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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His eye found Jack, and the eyebrow rose above it. That glint in his eye wasn't one of danger, but rather one of regret and sadness. His voice, though, held none of either. It was sure, solid, and... disappointed.

"You told me you'd follow me, old friend. If I cannot rely on you, whose insight I value nearly more than any other, then how can I ever hope to lead this group effectively? Your talents, insight, and most of all friendship are what I need." And then he stepped away, folding his arms before his chest.

"The greatest part of being the member of a group, is selflessness." He gestured with his left hand, holding it out. "Is this your example of your selflessness? Or will you take my hand, the hand you healed, and show me that you will follow me into the depths of the Archon's Madness, and reveal who you are in truth?"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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       Jack looked back at his old friend and shook his head “Sorry Aaron,” he said with a half smile not being able to force a whole smile. “As much as it calls to me, can’t do it.  You know you are more than welcome to look me up any time ol’ been. But you are keeping bad company, the way I see it is she has threatened me three times. Hell kid, she’s ensured me that she is a constant threat to me. If she does not like what I do she will kill me. She had told me that she does not give three chances, so I should have taken her out at number two out of survival, but I was trying to be nice.”

       “As it stands  my choices right now are fight her, kill or be killed. If I didn’t kill her she’d just keep coming and coming, no matter how many times I beat her. If  I don’t win, well I’m dead. Even if I win and kill her I don’t think the others would take well to it. So the best solution is to go…” His chest heaved a sigh.  “Sorry Aaron, I’d love to but I can’t. Who knows, maybe you’ll have it easier after I’m gone.”

Jack tapped his forehead in a salute “Look me up if you are ever in the neighborhood kid, we’ll have drinks and talk over old times.”

  Leaning in he gave Cyan a kiss….and then a second, before he turned away and stated walking away.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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Above all, he contained his anger. It did not emerge, and it wasn't Jack's fault for its appearance, but he let it settle deep within himself until it faded away. He would get nowhere by getting angry.

Lowering his hand, he nodded to his friend.

"So be it. You have made your decision, and I will hold you to it." He was going to turn, but he stopped as Jack began to walk away.

"Know, though, that I will not hold it against you. There is more you can do for me than you can do against me, for what fear have I of death? Your decision, Jack of the Myriad Worlds, is worse than death to me."

And then he too, began to walk away, down the stairs, through his fellows, and past the visage of Jadus.

"My wrath is contained, my emotions checked. I come to enter your realm, brother. I pray the welcome of the Vescuzzi will not be the last one I see."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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KAelyn looks at JAck and Aaron, "No, this is my cue to depart, you can keep jack and it is upon your own heads what happens with that. Aaron has made it clear he does not trust me, he has made it clear he does nto respect me and intends to run roughshod. I have the ability to walk in shadow and now you know, I leave you. Since I know nothing of your abilities and even less about your plans, my vanishing can not harm you at all. I will find my own path as I have before." She looks hard at Aaron, "I knew the treachery of the others, and warned about those of the blood of Amber, nephew to some degree. I now have proof of that that I want nothing more to do with the nobility of Amber other than to do the honorable thing of giving my resignation to Random."

She pulls out her single trump and attempts to use it. If it fails, she will start walking and shifting shadows as she turns around corner of first building.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Andrej
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Andrej had kept his pose through the whole ensuing conversation, only turning around at Jadus' arrival. He listens closely to all sides, trying to compare the conflicting viewpoints, the clashes and the breaks, but without any success. At least Jadus had been able to focus some of the group's attention on him, thus perhaps avoiding bloodshed.

Jadus's words about his world and its people remind Andrej to keep his emotions down, so the next minutes he uses every exercise to calm his mind and emotions. Hard though it is, his disappointment and sadness about Jack's departure is quashed as well. He HAD seen it coming. Granted he did not know Jack well, but that was what he had expected from the man from what he had seen.

With a soft sigh he turns to Jack as the young man gets ready to depart, a bit of emotion flashing through his mind.

"If you think you must do this, drughe Jack, then you must. If you at one point have need to, feel free to contact me"

He then turns to Kaelyn, as the yound, redheaded woman gets ready to depart.

"As for you, do not judge the Blood of Amber by viewing everything through tinted glasses. Your departure will leave a hole, no matter what. If you think you must leave, then do so, but do not curse us in any way. If you ever are in need, contact me also, if you feel so inclined."

He then turns to follow Aaron, his mind closed.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Kaelyn
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"My curses are for those who are worthy of them. Not you. Aaron has already made his choice and made it clear. Cyan and Jack have made their choices, I will go my own way. Do not seek me out." Kaelyn responds.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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For a long moment crystal images of the confrontation dance before Cyan's vision.  Almost...almost, she slipped into the Fear, the Fury.  Very close.  Jadus' presence or not, her fingers were on Kirilinde's hilt, and to draw only a heartbeat distant.  But then...Jack's words, Kaelyn leaving, Jack kissing her and walking away.

Walking away.

The crystals shatter like glass.

"Wait!  Jack!"  Desperate, Cyan hurries after Jack, sudden sickness hitting her stomach, partly from how close she stood to the edge, partly from the sight of Jack's back.  Berd hisses something angrily, but she ignores him, catching up to Jack and taking his arm.

"Jack, stay," she whispers.  "Or no, and if no, I will come."  There are tears in her amethyst eyes as the bard stares at him.  "I don't care.  I cannot leave you.  I will not!"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian watches other departing, but remains firmly rooted where he is.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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      Jack stops and turns around, he notes that Kaelyn is leaving but it does not mean much. Cyan does though, she will be safe here now.  “Cyan it’s all right,” Jack wipes away a tear from an amethyst eye “I think I have a few things I need to take care of. Things have not been right with me since the Archon’s, I must go and resolve this. But you, someone needs to look after Aaron before Hunter takes a bite out of him.”
      Jack smiled reassuringly “I’ll be back before you leave this world, remember you still owe me a tango  you know. Get some drawing done and call me via the card once a day. Okay… I’ll be back for you, I promise. Go shake Aaron’s good hand for me.” Jack’s arms wrapped around her in a lingering hug.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by James
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James stood aside as the others, principally Jack and Kaelyn, get some of their bad blood out into the open.  The feeling of inevitability did not make the confrontation any less painful.  It was much the same as a splinter in a wound.  Left as it was it could fester and kill, that didn't mean digging it out was fun.

It is with deep regret that James watches Kaelyn and Jack leave, the loss of each would greatly weaken the remaining group. Maybe we'll be lucky and the enemy will kill themselves laughing.  James is disappointed to recognise the recurrence of a fatalistic sense of humour he'd thought he'd left behind when he sold his last handgun to an army surplus store.

As Jadus refers to the possible effects of uncaontained emotion in this place James starts a series of meditative exercises designed to clear his frustration.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jadus
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Jadus watches Kaelyn depart on foot, her attempt at trumping out having been defeated by the defences of this place, then turns his attention back to Aaron and the others, "Touching though this parting is, can you please move along?  Aaron, you know where to find me.  I'll deactivate the security systems when you arrive."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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Berd, sitting on Dorian's shoulder, turns an unexpectedly dead expression toward Cyan and Jack, his eyes narrowed.


Cyan grips Jack's hand, hard, as he brushes her face.  She opens her mouth to object, loudly, strenuously...then closes it.  "This is one of those times, is it not?" the bard asks quietly after a moment.  "Where I should think before I speak."  Placing her hands against Jack's chest, kirilindë's hilt jutting up past his face, she leans against him, listening to the sound of his heart.

"You promise.  I shall hold you to that, Jack of Shadows.  There will be no shadow deep enough to hide you, should I be forced to come looking.  It is you who owes me a dance after this, I think."  Looking up, she studies his face, brushing back a lock of hair.  "Please.  Come back."

There is no sense in asking him to be careful.

Wrapping her hand around the back of his head, Cyan pulls Jack down into a kiss.  Heartbeats pass, then she breaks it, stepping back, staring at him with opalescent eyes.  "Go," the bard whispers.  "This is hard, hard for you, hard for me.  Go."  Hugging Kirilindë, she waits for the Breaks to take him away.

Berd still watches, but seems to have relaxed slightly.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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Aaron turned at Kaelyn's words, and he said nothing in response, for he was sure the woman already knew his heart on the matter. Jacks' decision, however, continued to burn a hot line through him, though he forced himself not to let it show.

He ignored everyone else, even Jadus, for his gaze was upon his oldest friends, Cyan and Jack. At Cyan's parting words, Aaron raised his hand high, palm open.

"I will be waiting for you, Jack. Our paths are bound together for a very good reason, and I will not die before I see you again, old friend."

Lowering his hand, he sighed and awaited Cyan, not caring of his brothers' impatience.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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Dorian's dark eyes flicker to Berd's, perched on his shoulder still, for a moment. He nods slightly, then turns to the others. "I am not an expert on emotions, but perhaps Cyan needs a moment to... compose herself, as they say. Maybe we should give her a little time."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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To Dorian, Aaron nodded and he spoke.

"Keep the truth of your hearts in check. Move to the bottom of the temple and then circle around to its eastern side, where you'll find a great archway leading within. Await us there, for I will follow when the time is right."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Dorian
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"Very well."

Dorian pulls his cloak tight about him and heads in the direction indicated.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Jack
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            “Yes my love,” Jack said with a soft certainty “You take care I will be back and we will dance, just be ready for it when you see me next. I’ll come for you, I promise” He gave the read headed bard a last hard hug. Letting his arms slip from around he turned and started walking again, starting the process of dancing the breaks. He did not look back, but the only reason was because he didn’t was Cyan to see the tears in his eyes.

         Soon he vanished from sight, disagreeing  in a shimmer that could have been nothing more then the heat rolling off the ground.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Cyan
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Berd leaves, oddly enough, on Dorian's shoulder, obviously content to let Cyan say goodbye to Jack on her own.  The little dragon flops down, panting for a while, then drops into a light slumber, his injuries having taken their toll.



Jack's fingers finally pull away from Cyan's as he turns away, and the bard clenches her jaw.  She watches through blurred vision until he fades from existance, a heaviness lying atop her heart.  Jack...you will return.

A long moment passes while she continues to watch.  Then Cyan slowly turns, face streaked, jade eyes shimmering.  Walking back to Aaron, Cyan looks up at him for a moment, nodding once.  "I am ready," the bard manages to say without her voice breaking; a terrible struggle.

Hefting her pack and Kirilindë, she slowly begins to follow the path Aaron indicated, moving toward the temple.  After about twenty steps, the red-haired woman reaches up and dashes the tears from her eyes, almost angrily.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Andrej
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Andrej had lingered for a moment, then slowly headed in the directions Aaron had given. His thoughts threatened to run amuck, but he clamped hard on his resolve, no knowing what stray emotions might elicit in an emotion-sensitive society.

***Interesting.***, he thought. ***If this fluctuation goes on like this, we will never get anything done. Starting with 4, plus 5, minus 1, now minus 2 - whatever.***

He continues to walk slowly in the indicated directions.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turqoise days by Aaron
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For a long time after Jack disappeared, and as Cyan's pained visage passed him by, Aaron stared at the point in space into which his friend had vanished.

His left hand clenched into a tight fist, Aaron spoke in a near-whisper, his lips pulling the words from a raging soul that was closed off, for fear of inciting riot in the populous below.

"I am going to lead this group into Hell, and Jack will be there when we sight the first fires."

And then he turned, his feet gaining speed as he caught up with Cyan. Slowing, he walked evenly beside her, his eyes straight ahead, knowing full well that the path they were now set on was the true one... for good or ill, despite the great cost.

For all their loss, he knew, it could have been much, much worse.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Dworkin (GM)
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At the base of the pyramid there are people in the streets.  They look human, except that all are bearded, including the women, and their eyes are yellow.  They regard the strangers with open curiosity, but do not meet the gazes which are directed back at them.

Then there is their tendency to sniff the air as the group pass them.

The portal is exavtly where Aaron described it.  An arch, with a massive bronze and iron shutter which descends into the floor as they approach, causing the ground to vibrate and tremble.
The whole structure stops moving as the upper edge reaches floor level, and beyond it, lights flare into life within a tunnel which slopes down, into the bowels of the pyramid, and beyond.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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Cyan walks silently, even, like a machine, desperately keeping her emotions under control by falling back on her training, observing the world around her, cataloging the sights, sounds.  Studying the people, carefully.  Listening to the city, following the architecture with her ruby eyes.  Setting it all to memory, for later use, in poetry, song, paint.

She doesn't speak, though, keeping her thoughts to herself as many others in the group are most likely doing.  Her pack is on her back, Kirilinde in hand as always.  The only thing missing is Berd, far ahead on Dorian's shoulder.

There, Berd sleeps.  In his own fashion.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Once the entrance opened completely, Aaron then proceeded forwards, leading the group into the tunnel beneath.

He had been here long ago and he remembered, though hazilly, that Jadus' original sanctum hadn't been as deep as this tunnel seemed to go. He wondered then, if Jadus had already started building defenses against the Archons.

And then he remembered the Vescuzzi, and suddenly felt that Jadus had had defensibility already in mind when he had found this world.

Anticipating the sight of his brother face-to-face, he squared his shoulders and continued on, but not before making sure the remainder of his party... those few who were left to him now... remained close behind.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jonnee
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Jonnee's eyes seem to shine in the dimness of the tunnel as he strides confidently along, Hunter keeping pace beside him.  He cocks his head to one side, and asks, "Hey, Aaron.  Did your bro ever consider getting in, like, I don't know, some sort of interior designer?  His taste really sucks.  Long dark tunnels are just so goth."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Despite himself, Aaron laughed sharply.

"You'll find that my brother is far from conventional, Jonnee." Turning his head to look at the man, he gestured to the great scar that set upon the left side of his face. "See this? Jadus' medical expertise 'helped' me acquire this scar. It wasn't his fault, but... well, you just may get to see what was living in my head for a while."

Turning back, he continued down the long, dark, ominous tunnel. In a high, somewhat mocking voice, he mused: "Go into the light! Into the lii~iight!"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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Cyan listens to her compatriots' comments in silence - unusual for her.  She puts one foot in front of the other, jade eyes studying the unusual architecture, and her thoughts remain her own for the nonce.

She does not trust Jadus, past experience having had that effect, and hopes that Aaron was right in bringing them here.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Dworkin (GM)
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The walk down the corridor, deeper into the earth beneath the pyramid, does not go unobserved, it seems.  Huge structures of metal and glass mounted on the walls pivot as they pass, as if watching them with gleaming eyes.  Clusters of tubes are pointed in their direction, swivelling to track them, and huge scythe-like blades quiver almost imperceptibly as the visitors walk beneath them.

Finally the way is blocked by a massive barrier of steel, brightly-polished to the extent where it is an almost-perfect mirror.  It rises with ponderous slowness, and the area beyond is lit almost as bright as day.
Jadus steps forward, smiling, extending a hand to Aaron, "Welcome, my brother, to my fortress."

In a blindingly fast motion his other hand flies out and his clenched fist slams into Aaron's nose.
"Never, ever, come here again without an invitation, especially if you are going to bring trouble with you!"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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"Augh!" Aaron screamed, and fell backwards from the impact of his brother's fist. He had been almost imperceptively swift with that strike, which meant his brother had been busy.

Nonetheless...

"Goddamnit!" He spat, blood flying from his lips to smack into the tunnel floor. "Every time... EVERY TIME I try to make some sort of decision, somebody ends up breaking my nose." Slowly rising to his feet, he raised his hands to the invisible skies above, as if beseeching for some blatant answer to his great, bleeding 'Why?!?'.

Then his hands found his streaming nose, and Aaron stormed past his brother and into the inner-sanctum proper.

"I surely hope you didn't break it, brother... again. As for my reasons for taking us here without an invitation, well..." he spat again, and snarled. "You'll all learn them soon enough!"

And then he was off, mumbling something about the fate of the universe, and the fact that nobody ever invited Archons into their dark caverns...

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jonnee
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"Ow!" Jonnee exclaims, wincing as Aaron goes down.  He crouches next to Hunter, ruffling the wolf's fur, and murmurs, "Yeah, I know, we thought Oberon's kids liked to play down the brotherly love angle."
He looks at Cyan, as the only person here who knows Aaron well, as the Glorious Leader gets up again, "Y'know, looking at him, with the scars'n'all, I'd say he has this effect on lots of people, right?"

With a shake of his head, and a smile for Jadus, he follows Aaron into the inner chamber.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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Cyan slowly shakes her head.  Her blade slips the handsbreadth back into its sheath it had been drawn, and she slowly turns her eyes to Jonnee, a faint smile touching her lips.  "Well...it does happen with distressing frequency, Jonnee.  Frankly, I am a trifle surprised that none of you have broken Aaron's nose, yet."

Taking a step after Aaron and Jonnee, she pauses.  "Please do not do that again," the Bard asks quietly, her obsidian eyes fixing Aaron's brother for an instant.  Knowing full well he is hardly concerned, and will likely dismiss her request out of hand, Cyan turns on a heel and walks quickly after the rest of the group, moving up beside Aaron moments later, and offering a handkerchief.

"I almost pulled steel, there," she states quietly.  "I can tell the difference between play and killing, but attempts to beat your face in and killing...well, the line blurs.  What should I do, Aaron?  Allow him to beat you two and fro?  Tell me."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jadus
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Jadus sketches a small bow in Cyan's direction, "Oh, I assure you, my dear Bard, I have no intention of doing so, although it was oddly cathartic." he gestures for the group to preceed him through the portal.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Dorian
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"Amusing," Dorian smirks as he follows after the others with a cold glint in his eye.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Andrej
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Andrej follows Aaaron deeper through the tunnel, keeping his eyes open and his mind closed. At Jadus' approach he holds back a bit, not wanting to crowd Aaron and his brother. The embrace was a bit mushy, but what got his eyebrows to shoot up was the punch Jadus socked Aaron with.

A wry smile steals itself on his features. *** Yes. The love between brothers. Especially of the Blood. Always heartening, always strong, always good for a laugh.***

He shakes his head, then shrugs and walks through the portal, his mind on Jadus.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Aaron inhaled, hard. Hocking, he spat upon the floor as he stopped just before the portal. Gritting his teeth and clenching his eyes closed, Aaron cocked his nose sharply to one side, and slowly exhaled.

"Ech." he said, an obvious frown upon his bloodied face. Most of the blood he simply wiped away upon the sleeve of his jacket, but he knew full well he'd have to clean up sooner or later. "He didn't break it, which is good, but it still hurts like hell. And brings back nasty memories." Of this he was mostly referring to the tussle between himself and Jack, though surely past occurences between he and Jadus were also referenced.

Glancing to Cyan, he shook his head in answer. "No, your steel was not necessarry - I deserved that. However, your swiftness to come to my aid is both appreciated and hoped for." His eye turned away, and he let out a mournful sigh. "I need your support now more than ever, my bard."

Aaron's shoulders hung heavy as he turned and stepped through the portal.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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"It isn't a matter of necessary, Aaron," Cyan continues, following Aaron.  *My* bard?.  "It's a matter of me knowing WHEN.  From his movements, which were designed to harm, I could not know if he planned to pull a hidden dagger and finish the job.  I MIGHT have been able to stop him, judging by his speed vis a vis my own...there is a difference between someone attempting to harm, and someone at play.  I saw no play, there, and almost reacted to the harm.  Almost."  The bard runs fingers through her hair, sapphire eyes thoughtful.

"I will hold off, of course.  But I hope that your brother does not do these sorts of things on a regular basis.  Your body and my nerves will not stand up to repeated assaults."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by James
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<backpost>
James takes a deep breath and releases it, then another.  The frustration that has been burning in him being contained at last he moves off down into the city.

It's one of those little mysteries that it is the small differences that catch the eye more than overwhelming changes.  The chimera James could take in his stride, bearded women...James finds himself staring, just a little.  That is, until he notices that his curiosity is reflected in the faces of the Vescuzzi and they start to sniff the air more often as he passes.

I never liked hairy women anyway.  No. Can't show dislike.  Try for indifference.  Indifference.  I'm on a completely new world, again, surrounded by people who can smell emotion.  Might as well start chanting 'calm blue ocean' "Ha!"  James chuckles ruefully.  The scene on there arrival still too fresh in his mind for real amusement.  A ripple of subdued laughs spreads out from James as he walks.

As he enters the tunnel, James can't help but agree with Jonnee's assessment of the decor.  On the other hand the blatant threat of the defence mechanisms is almost relaxing.  After years of jungle fighting James is a strong believer that it's the traps you can't see that get you killed.
</backpost>

Jadus's "welcome" of Aaron shakes James out of his pensive mood.  It is worth thinking about of itself.  For somebody who is used to being the strongest, fastest and toughest the last few months have been a continual process of adjustment.  But somebody that fast bears more careful attention, detailed consideration will have to wait.

James scans his surroundings, noting the positions of his companions and looking for any further threat.  He doesn't bother trying to make his actions inconspicuous.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jadus
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Jadus follows everybody through, and the inner portal closes almost silently, despite its massive bulk.
Eyes adjust to the glare, and the inner section of the fortress is revealed to be a long, white-walled corridor, with further tunnels and passageways  leading off from it, and numerous doors, metal still, but of more normal dimensions set along both walls.  Several Vescuzzi are moving about, a good distance away from the group.

Jadus gestures to one door, or rather a set of double doors, which slide open as the group approaches, giving entry to a small room with no other visible exits.  Once all are inside he removes a key from his pocket and inserts it into a keyhole beside the doorway.
The doors close, and the floor seems to drop away, but it soon becomes apparent that the room itself is falling rapidly.  Jadus looks thoughtful for a few moments, then says, "You should not have come here.  If trouble follows you, as it surely will, then it could go badly for the Vescuzzi."

"I know you have enemies.  If they come here, then the Vescuzzi will fight, to the last man, woman, or child.  They act upon the emotions they sense around them.  They could no more refuse to fight a hostile army than they could stop breathing, and they could not stop fighting until they, or the opposition are gone."

"If your arrival here brings trouble with it, then the Vescuzzi are doomed.  Do you understand now why I am less than happy to see you all here?"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Aaron, standing as he was facing the doors, merely turned his head so he could glance at his brother.

"And you understand that the Vescuzzi are in danger just by being here? While our arrival may have hastened their impending doom, your being here already signified it."

He knew very well what Jadus had done for this people, the good he had manifested, in stark comparison to his severe and sometimes illogical nature. Still, Jadus had secrets buried in this world, and Aaron knew that he and his group were as much a danger to that as they were to the people around it.

Despite his feelings, Aaron sighed.

"But I understand your meaning, and I cannot apologize enough. Know you this though, that should they have to sacrifice their lives, it will not be in vain. These Archons are as much their enemies as they are mine, for they threaten their very existence. Should it not be in their best interest that they fight against their enemies?" Shaking his head, Aaron couldn't seem to get out the right words. "There's more to this than one world, brother, and we both know that you wouldn't be able to stay here forever. Your skills and knowlege are needed elsewhere. You can't live on the fence any longer."

Finally turning, his nose still agonizing, he stared his brother in the eye.

"Should they come, I will stand with the Vescuzzi to the last man, as it should be. After all, if our enemies seek us, then they'll find us no matter where we hide. It's about time we brought this war to them, and I have every intention of making them pay for that fact dearly."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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Cyan's lips thin at Jadus' words.  Once again, their arrival has brought consequences, ill-thought out.  This is too dangerous - had we arrived in main street, our little discussion could ahve doomed everyone in the city, and ourselves, and we never would have understood the reasons why.  Now she comprehends why Jadus acted with such haste and such overwhelming presence upon the hills, though the punch in the nose, later, was a little much.

She listens to Aaron's words, nodding.  Most of them she agrees with, though there are some that Cyan finds difficult.  Still, hope springs that Aaron, at least, has a plan.  Failing that, he has the glimmerings of an idea.  She spares a glance for Berd, who looks exhausted.  The wounds on the little dragon have sapped much of his strength.  No help there.

Emerald eyes thoughtful, Cyan turns back to Aaron.  Ready, in case Jadus decides this speech is worthy of another, physical demonstration of his poor humour.  She's getting a little tired of people knocking Aaron around, metaphorically and literally.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Looking around at the chamber they were in, Aaron nodded.

"I have a plan, but it's a grand scheme. It will take both time and resources. I'm beginning to realize that I'm no longer the type of man who rushes into battles unthinkingly, though some of my recent decisions have been... hasty."

Turning to his comrades and his elder brother, he cocked his head up and back, eyeing each of them in turn.

"Understand this: Our enemies have resources that we currently cannot match. Amber supposedly backs us, but I am beginning to question that fact. I suppose the Lady Fiona believes that sticking a small group into the vastness of the Archons' kingdom will somehow give us an advantage, but considering what we know of our enemies, and that is very little, I don't see how waltzing into the camp of our enemies can possibly help us."

Sighing, Aaron's eye fell to the floor in thought.

"In the state we are in, the group cannot hope to defeat our enemies as of right now. However, that has not been our goal. Our goal has been to gather information, and in that respect, our results were... mediocre." His gaze found Berd, and a frown formed on his face. "I gave Jack carte blanche to do what he would on the ship. It is my fault that I was not more direct with him in the assertion of his skills and abilities. It is apparent that I cannot let that go on. Each of us has talents both broad and specific, and I'm going to start using everything we have to gain what advantages we can."

Now he looked to his brother, his nose red and sore, and his eye narrowed.

"You know what lies ahead for you and your world if you do not stand with me. Hopefully, if you decide to back me in my endeavors, then the Vesscuzzi shall live much longer than our enemies would allow. They are the purest form of Berzerker, fierce warriors in their own right, of the type I'd have in my ranks without question... though with very careful training." Stepping forwards, Aaron faced his brother and stared him down. "But they are not the ones I call upon to fight with me. You, my brother, are who I require."

Gesturing with his left hand to Dorian, Aaron continued.

"Jack has left me. He, and Berd, are my best at gathering information. Dorian, however, also seems to be able to assist Berd in that respect." To Jadus then, he gestured. "Jack was a master of the Broken Pattern, but I fear his mind was too complicated even for him to understand. You, brother, have the Broken Pattern at your behest, and if I remember correctly, have studied it from a slightly different angle."

Now Aaron turned to his brother, and extended his hands outward.

"The choice is yours, now. You can sit here and wait for the Archons to devour Vesscuzz and turn it into a stagnant slave world like they have every other world in their vicinity, never knowing whether it was the fault of your ignorant sibling, or merely the results of time and your own Primal manipulations. Or you can choose to stand with me and be the beacon for gathering our information on the forefront of our war. I trust that if we find a way to work together, and use the benefits of my group and your talents in a significant fashion, we can make a dent against our enemies."

"One way or another brother, as of this moment, your world will never be the same again. The choice, as I've said, is yours."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jadus
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Jadus chuckles, an oddly mirthless sound, "Berzerkers?  Fearless warriors?  Aye, true enough I suppose.  Until somebody, whether one of their own or one of the enemy, dies within a few paces of them.  Then they howl as they suffer the agony of that creature's death-throes.  They fight because they absorb the hostility of others, and suffer because they absorb their pain too."
"Their minds, Aaron, are like sponges.  They can soak up the finest wine and the sourest vinegar, with equal facility."

His fingers drum on the top of a table as he ponders for long moments, "Very well, I will join your cause, but on my terms.  I'm sure you'll find them entirely reasonable."
"First: I will not fight, nor will I send the Vesscuzzi to fight.  I will serve to hunt down information for you, and pass it to you by the fastest possible means."
"Second: You will not attempt to contact me here.  The defences of this world mean that such an attempt would be futile anyway, but it might be traced by these Archons, and lead them here.  If I have anything to report, I will contact you."
"Third: You will not come back here without my prior consent."

"Do you agree to these conditions?"

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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With a single, curt nod, Aaron agreed.

"So be it! Though, I stand corrected on my assumptions about the Vesscuzzi, I find your terms to be acceptable."

His stance relaxing somewhat, Aaron nodded a second time.

"Know also, that should this world come under attack, I will do my best to marshall forces in its defense, if I am able and if you are willing. And if I am not, then I will make sure someone will be."

To Dorian he gestured now, and bade him approach he and his brother.

"Jadus, there are things I would discuss with you alone when we have the time. For now, however, I was wondering if you would permit Dorian to see the... particulars, of your operation here." A small smile met his features, and he chuckled. "Actually, I'm also somewhat sure that you two will get along fairly well."

Turning to Andrej, James, Jonnee and Cyan, he met eyes with them.

"Unless, of course, you all would like to see at least a little of what my brother has embedded down here in this world... that is up to him, of course. Whatever the case, I have every intention of sharing my plans with all of you."

Gesturing to the table before which his brother sat, Aaron moved towards it and found a chair himself.

"I'm beginning to find that we must have patience in this war... but not too much patience. Striking out and fighting our enemies is one thing, but I will not rush into their midst without forethought. No longer will we simply travel from point to point, hoping for some snippet of knowlege or some great power to reveal itself. From now on, we make cohesive, strategic impacts against our enemies, using whatever insight and skills we attain in the meanitme to do as much damage as possible."

Removing Ilsefranvir from his back, Aaron set the tip of the sheath upon the floor, between his knees, and slowly spun the weapon in a clockwise direction.

"Yes. The Archons have had the upper hand for much too long. We must even the playing field, and that will require help from Amber, the Courts, and every piece of ourselves that we can sacrifice."

Shaking his head, Aaron sighed.

"That sacrifice, is a thing that I wish we would not have to take part in."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Cyan
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Cyan listens silently as Jadus and Aaron converse.  When they are done, and Aaron turns to speak to the small group behind him again, she stares at her feet with dull, jade eyes.  "What your brother has done...is likely incomprehensible to me, Aaron."  In function and purpose...and reason.  "I am willing to wait for you and he to complete your discussion, and for Dorian to examine the workings, along with any others who might go.  For myself, if all go and I stay, I will continue my work on the palanquet; if not, I will keep company with any who choose to remain."

She gives Aaron a weak smile.  "I do not feel up to long, complicated explanations at this moment.  Though I would be more than pleased to hear this plan of which you speak, and how you plan to garner the assistance of Chaos and Amber.  I was under the impression we were to gain more information from the land of the Pyramid."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by James
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"I'm with Cyan, I figure just about everything you're going to do would just go over my head.  So, on the fairly safe assumption that the rest of this place is covered in lethal booby-traps, I'll be staying here."

James smiles, but his heart's not in it.  Ordinarily he'd be more than happy with a little recon and intel work but too much of this is going on at a level James simply doesn't understand.  He's beginning to hope that Aaron's plan will soon involve an enemy with a recognisable anatomy that he can proceed to make unrecognisable.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Aaron
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Aaron's eye softened, and he nodded to both Cyan and James.

"Yes, you're both right. I, however, already know at least a little of what my brother is capable of here in this place. I made mention of it, in case any of you had any suspicions about how or what my brother does here that's so damn secret, or how he's going to go about retrieving the information we require. I'll stay with you both, if you'd like."

Leaning back in his chair, he mulled over Cyan's words and sighed in response.

"Again, you're correct, Cyan. We will be proceeding to the Pyramid world. Whether I'll be going with you immediately will remain to be seen. However, know that no matter what happens, we'll all be physically striking against the Archons quite soon."

Glancing at James, he smiled somewhat.

"When we do strike, it's going to be very hard and very fast, and with enough piercing force to throw them off balance, or so I hope."

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jack
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         A low rumble of a distant engine slwoly growing closer the engine struggle to continue almost dying several times.  With a final roar the alien looking car burst across the ridge on the mountain top, blue white and orange  flames covering most of it’s surface. It lands with a thump, skidding to a stop as it hit a embankment. Sitting there the engine gutters knocking a few times before dying. The strange cold fire starts to die down leaving  frozen places that have eaten away the metal it’s self.


      After the icy flames had died down enough a door swung open letting a billow of condensed fog rolled out of the compartment. He stepped out of the Drivers side a, a black leather duster hanging almost to the ground with a deep cowl hiding his face and protecting him from the last errant flames. Pulling out a large pack  and ice chest he followed them by his staff now half filled with carvings of his life, his memories. Jack moved away from the car not knowing if the fey fire from the last world had killed the car or if it just didn’t work here.  That would teach him to travel weird  worlds filled with breaks. Then again no it wouldn’t, what a rush!

      He pulled back the hood revealing a long mane or white flowing hair and looked the world over with deep blue eyes through his ray ban sunglasses.  wondering if they were even still here, he sent out a tendril searching for her as he let the raven out from beneath his protective duster.  If she was here he would find her, she had to be here, it is where the breaks had led him. They led him home, they led him to Cyan.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jack
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"There they are." Jack said and started walking for the town a soft tune comming to his lips. A song in his heart and a smile on his face, he began to whistle as he started to walk, the raven flying ahead.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Lenore
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She lifted into the air lazily drifting across the sky and the ground flew past below. Following the path ahead as the bird flies to watch.

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Re: Part 30 - Diamond dogs, turquoise days by Jack
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      Jack stopped looking around for the danger. What was it about this place? There was something that he felt he should remeber about the last time he was here, but that had been a while ago.  "What? Where?" he asked Cyan mentaly. Giving a short whistle he called Lenore back to him, raising his arm to the flury of dark feathers that gave out a caw of protest as she landed.

"Good to see you again my dear, " The warm feelings showing more that the mental banter  "What's going on, danger you say." His eyes were shining and alert despite his casual attitude.

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