Inspiration: Bad Motherfucker

Awesome action and loving the super science teleportation angle.  Definitely a great font for ideas.

After the Rain ep22 : Houses of the Blooded

10/20/2014
After the Rain

Episode Twenty Two
"Holes"

Houses of the Blooded

Seran reawakens in the ruins of what used to be a majestic opera house.  In last few days, Seran has been investigating the place.  She recalls the stories from the survivors of the ceiling transforming into mist and a delicate rope descending with food tied upon it.  She finds something that might be an exit to the opera house, a sheer drop at the lower of the place.  No one else has tried going down it.  Seran tried tossing a torch down the hole and it died out even before she could see any hint of the bottom.  Of the survivors, there were six - including the red-haired woman who resembled the Demon but was not even Blooded.  She, however, had a Blessing from Thalia, and at one point Seran witnessed Liliandra whispering to the debris and asking it to awaken.  "Awaken. You slumber but I know you are still there, Shanri.  We need the heat."  The debris erupted into flames.  She was Talashan, a speaker to Shanri.  The survivors seem to be hoping to survive long enough for the "Patrons" to send more food.  Seran remembers the tiny Opera device which they had seen before.

She learns that the Patrons have not been speaking to them.  They have not been performing either.  They believe however they have been made to believe the City had fallen, and are being observed to see how they will react.  She talks to one of the survivors, Oandur and asks her about the massive hole.  He thinks it was where the props and stages typically are discarded.  She learns they were preparing for After the Rain, a masterpiece written by Gauis Mwrr which was to be followed by Love is Crimson - a story of an Elk inhabited by the spirit of a Serpent, Brother Snake.  In the story, Galeo Silja is Jarik's lover, Nia Jalan is the wife, while Seran Thorne is the mother of Jarik Thayl.  The story revolved around the greater threat that Jarik alone can see, the Spectre known only as Madelyn.  She learns that there were other versions of the tales, some including Haroun as a man seduced by the swashbuckling pirate Seran.  But they are broken apart by Nia and her servants three, including Lukas and others.  In the last act, the very wedding causes Haroun's death and gives up the land in a final bid to be close to the woman he loves, but she murders him.  Seran sighs that none of the Dreadfuls ever ended happily.  Oandur shares there was a Final Dreadful.  In that one, they discover that being Unblooded made them related to one another and the lack of true names made them confused to whom they were related to.  In that one, Galeo thinks she was Suaven, but in truth she was merely made to believe she was.  They were making love against a statue and the child among them was a spymaster among them.  The poison used lulled her into a sleep, making them all think she slipped in Solace.  It was only then she realized she could speak to them because someone anticipated it would happen.  Liliandra supposedly chanced upon the story.

Seran learns Liliandra was the muse of Vyktor Krev, the star of the Opera.  No one really knew where he came from.  When the Storm hit, he had vanished.  Seran brings up that they can't stay here forever, but as far as Oandur is concerned, all the world is just a stage.  Amaras joins them, and Oandur shares that Seran may be one of their patrons given she knows of the magic box that allows them to contact the Actors.  Seran starts gathering debris and places them on the ground to form a message that reads: CALL FOR NIA, hoping the next person to feed them sees it.

*

Back in Shanri, Bowen is staring at the opera, amused at the events inside.  Hearing noises, he covers it again and places it aside.  Merea stands before Nia, a guest of the Castle.  She apologizes for her presence the previous day and humbly begs for Nia's kindness.  Merea proposes to Nia that she is in need of a vassal, even as Nia admits she has a surplus of them.  "Galeo was the Artist," Merea explains, "Consider what happens to siblings born in the presence of such greatness.  Althea, our youngest embraces mastery of the blade.  Japeth, our eldest brother stands as the scholar of many things.  I can be your unassuming master spy."  Given the importance of the position, Nia questions if Merea qualifies just because she tends to be unnoticed.   

Dalvinosh arrives and serves wine.  He fetches a glass for Merea.  Nia asks if the letter she had sent to the Marquese left the castle. Dalvinosh confirms so.  Merea continues to try and sell her capacity to mislead, explaining even her Secret Army was actually just a troupe of actors she had gathered.  Merea even tries to present herself as knowing about Orks and being capable of serving as her Ork Talker.  Nia plays along, even if she has no interest to have Merea work for her.  Dalvinosh returns, waits by the door with a bottle of wine.  He pours it into a glass.  Nia brings up their first meeting once more and how far away the land is from Nia's own Castle.  Nia suggests Merea can help keep an eye on the land as an unassuming Master Spy, but to manage it as Seneschal as well.  Nia sweetens the pot as if Merea was to hold two positions, as well as Wine.  Merea offers to throw the Ork Talking for free. But during the whole discussion, Merea talks about a scandal of some ven cavorting with orks, dancing with them and all, the whole time blind to Janine who walks around in their presence in tribal ork fashion.  Nia easily surmises that Merea has no Cunning whatsoever.  Merea even shares how back in her younger days she had her troupe all dress up as orks, assault a castle, and terrorize the people there.  The gates were left unlocked and they freaked everyone out during that child presentation.  Nia even allows Merea to call it Merea -land, rather than Meridian.     She leaves Nia a written Contract with her names, including a snipped of her hair and bows.  Then leaves.

"Did this really happen?" Dalvinosh shares amusedly.  Nia has Dalvinosh send word to the Marquess of Paradigm to know of these changes.  The hair is even enough material to create a Tulpa of her.  He wonders if Merea is the greatest double bluff of betray or truly just someone that... blind to Cunning.  Nia reminds Dalvinosh they will treat her with care, given this suspicion.  Errol, on the other hand, will have to watch over Merea as well as Senescha- Nia realizes Haroun is supposed to be the Senescahl.  He asks about him and Dalvinosh reports Haroun took the Glider, testing how far it could fly.  She realizes Haroun is up to something.

*

"So the rumors are true.  The bears have begun an exodus."  Galeo is curious to know why this is happening and suspects it has to do with the refugees that have been coming to their doors.  The Wolves have been hunting down the Ork ven.  Galeo reminds her vassals to raise the Security in their Province.  She definitely feels things are not as good as they seem.  "The audacity to do that... it is very Silja."  Hero is curious if Galeo feels threatened by Merea.  Galeo stresses unlike others, her line is of Pure Blood.  "We are more Ven than ven.  We are convinced to be able to the impossible, and sometimes we actually do."  Hero asks for the truth then, about Errol.  He wonders if she tired of him, and she stresses again he was never hers.  He mentions there have been less Cherno sightings.  He alludes she has something to do with that, as well as how their second son might have just "coincidentally" brought to them as well.  Galeo gets caught lying by Hero when she tries to claim she has no plans in relation to Cherno, but he can see she hopes to use him to unify Shanri.  

"Why don't you tell me honestly now, who is Errol?  Why do you watch over him? Would he die for you?" Hero throws the questions and Galeo answers them succinctly.  He even asks if Errol is someone she would trust to care for Casselanter.  That question brings her to silence.  "Do you think hiding this truth from me is more important than me being able to trust you?" is his last question.  She admits the secret is the price of keeping him safe.  He admits he has been keeping something from her too, but says there will be a right time to say it too.  Galeo goes frantic, accusing Hero of being Cherno.   He then announces he is leaving and will be back come Summer and that he is taking Casselanter with him.  And yes, he admits he cannot explain why.  Galeo asks what if she disagrees.  Hero replies that she will have to trust him.  He gives Galeo a kiss on her forehead and tells her, "Maja says hi," then leaves.

Hours later, as Galeo works on the statue to forget her frustrations, the other son she had adopted comes in to watch her work.  Galeo was musing over naming the young child Kithranus, just to drive Madelyn crazy.  "I brought you something to drink," the boy smiles.  Galeo notes the boy is being persistent in the offer for wine.  

The boy, however, actually loves Galeo for what he has done for him and his family.  He seeks where he stands in Galeo's eyes and this uncertainty is what halts him from fulfilling the plans he has with the wine.

"Alright, be honest, what do you want?" Galeo asks.  The boy admits he wanted her to drink the wine but now admits it might be better that she does not drink it.    She admits she has plans to have him recognized before the Senate, but for now she wants to know what is going on in his head.  He admits he is worried about his real parents and how there has been a lot of talk of Wolves hunting others.  Galeo assures him they are accounted for.  Furthermore, she tells him the Court Scholar that serves her has declared them all to be under Galeo's shadow.  "Your safety depends on my safety."  The boy admits he is scared.  Galeo reassures him there is nothing to be afraid of, but reminds him she does not like it when others are not direct with her.  He finally admits he was supposed to poison and kill her, so his parents can take over the land and be safe.  He, however, sees he is truly a caring mistress and no longer wants to do it.  She reminds him that they live in the home of a Fox, and there is nothing more dangerous than trying to go against a Fox in her very own home... in the presence of her kids.

When pressing who told him to do this, however, the boy claims it was Casselanter, who told him to do this with a glance.  Galeo realizes her child is able to use the Blessing as well at such a young age.

*

Jaric has returned home to Jalani and shared with her everything he has learned so far.  Jalani feels Maja is playing a far too dangerous game.  She also feels that Jaric rambles unexpectedly even when they are alone, when the rambling was originally intended to just present a vulnerable stance for others to think they can exploit. They also discuss the incident at Meridian and how there are stronger personalities than Galeo.  Jalani, however, is more concerned about the events surrounding Haroun and Errol.  And how Errol supposedly had seen Seran Throne.  Jaric only then realizes that was what happened.  Jalani does seem thankful that their children have been handling things well so far, with Jessie even continuing her studies.  James reported he has not seen any sightings of "her" again.   Come to think of it, none of them have.  Jaric admits she might not actually be a Demon, given Maja and Galeo's views on the matter.  Jalani however realizes that Galeo is no speaker to the Dara.  She is more like the Talashan, Unblooded Sorcerers, who can speak to Shanri.  Galeo might be one of the Witches.  She speaks with the spirits of the ancestors, and specters.  An ally of the Sorcerer-Kings. Jaric is bothered he has been consorting in public with one of the undesirables.  

Jalani wonders if Jaric is truly slipping more and more into his Solace than he realizes.

*

The discussions go around Opera, around sponsors, and around the need to survive back in Shanri.  Seran brings back the discussions on needing to get out.  The two begin to realize something about each other: Seran is no longer trying to kill her.  Liliandra on the other hand has no real reason to lie.  And why she has not shown them that she can show them out.  Liliandra realizes Seran was one of the Ork Ven and asks if she was the reason the Storm came.  She cannot show them out because the lands are filled with massive Wolven things that stalk the land for any ven.  As she tries to ask Seran about why she is here, Seran eventually admits that there no longer is their Shanri.  That the Storm has destroyed most of the City now.  Liliandra fears leading Seran out might have her lead others to the safe place they have hidden in.  They are imprisoned in the place, but at the same time safe from the things outside.  The others call out to them for not paying attention to the rehearsals, forcing them both to make up excuses for not paying attention to the rehearsals earlier.

At one point, Liliandra suddenly pulls Seran to hide in an alcove.  The ceiling transforms into mist as the Patrons peer from above. Liliandra tells Seran they are not to be seen for they are not of the troupe.

Dalvinosh and Nia peer into the Opera house and see the actors preparing for another rehearsal.  Bowen hurriedly leaves the room, guilty for having taken the device.  Dalvinosh admits they are a theatre troupe - and only are called an Opera when they perform well.  He identifies the woman bowed in one area as Amaras Q'n.  "Her performances were matched only by Cheska Valar.  She was good in stealing the spotlight."  The actors call out that they are ready to serve the Patrons.  Nia wonders how potent the treasure is, such as if they can touch the individuals.  Dalvinosh admits they can only deliver things, but not actually interact with them.  The two notice the rocks on the ground that spell out, "Call for Nia."

At that point, the two begin to hear a voice calling out about the need to talk to the patrons.  About needing to get out.  The actors are horrified someone is yelling in the opera house.  Liliandra panics and mutters to the ground, "Fall."  The two fall.

Nia's eyes widen in realization.  The voice.  It was Seran Throne!  As Nia asks if there is any truth that the Demon might have send Seran to Old Shanri, Dalvinosh shuts the device back closed fearing the actors might have heard of Nia's statement.   Nia asks Dalvinosh if such things are possible, and he admits he thought Demons were just myths.  She thought Seran being thrown to the other Shanri was a feat beyond any Ritual she knew of.  They consider bringing this up to the Marquess.

Beneath the stage, Seran falls and at the last second grabs hold of an outcropping among the debris to stop her fall.  Above, Liliandra speaks with the others about how the patrons seem interested in something about Seran Thorne and of the Demon.  They consider one of the Dreadfuls that presented both as what they should present next.  She lies and tells the others Seran has probably left them for good.

*

Galeo retires to a private area in her Castle to study the Quill.  She remembers how it took Blood from those who held it.  How it reacted when the truth was spoken, making others know it was the truth.  She wonders how to access the information it has gleaned.  Galeo attempts to use it again, writing her name with it and watches as the letters rearrange itself into the Secret Name.  The Quill finds all the truths of the person whose blood it tastes.  Galeo attempts writing Madelyn Yvarai and sees the words transform into a blank space.   This seems to support the story that she had given away her Secret Name to stop the Storm.  Galeo tries writing down the other names but realizes she cannot recall the full names of others she has met.  Galeo writes letters to Jaric Thayl, that they must meet immediately.  And to Nia, stating that if they are to save the other ven, they are to meet immediately as well.  

*

Dalvinosh stares at Nia and the two clarify what they know of Seran's likely sudden journey back to Old Shanri.  The two hear a slamming sound of steel and wood and the personal guards fall to the ground.  Haroun Q'n stomps into the chamber and demands for a ship, explaining the Glider can only go so far.  He insists he knows where she is.  Dalvinosh tries to slink away, but Haroun grabs him by the neck.  "Is this a Tulpa?" he snarls at Nia and she admits it is very possible.  He threatens to snap his neck and demands she give him a ship.   Nia admits to Dalvinosh she is doing something that may endanger his life, and admits to Haroun he is the real one.  Haroun wants an Airship and demands they make one.  Nia reminds him it will take two Seasons.  Haroun claims he can make a smaller vessel faster but would rather commit the act of Sorcery with her permission and reminds her he only know of one Secret Name to use right now: Artemisia.  Nia tells her of the Opera Box, and Dalvinosh is made to explain how it works.  Haroun clearly is emotionally distraught about things and is more aggressive than he usually is.  The actors present themselves as Seran Thorne, and as being in the roles the patrons  want.  Haroun demands for the Airship.  "Give me the permission or you will be the only one who knows where Galeo has gone."  He suspects the Oath failed not because Seran is dead, but because she is too far away.  

Nia tries to convince Haroun that Seran can take care of herself.  She tells Haroun to try and calm down.  Haroun then forces Dalvinosh to give a name.  He calls out Cassiopeia.  Haroun lets go of Dalvinosh and asks Nia if she will stand against him.  "I am titleless but you know me."  Nia admits she is right now extremely cross with the Senate with what they have done with Seran, so she is meeting with the Marquess who will then speak with their Duke.  The Bear wish to leave the Senate and Shanri.  The other Dukes will see this as an opportunity.  The Serpent Earl has been intemperate as well.  Nia hopes to secure the dukedom because if she doesn't she endangers all of them.  The same caution is required of Haroun.  "You may go but know full well what will happen to the rest of us if you do."

Haroun leaves to consider things.  Dalvinosh admits he gave the Secret Name of his wife, but he does not know if she still lives.  Nia has Dalvinosh to send the Thousand, her Orks, to Haroun.  They are to show Haroun, if he does continue to try to leave, that Nia does own what she holds.  Dalvinosh asks to clarify what she means, and Nia plainly states, "Stop him."

*

Back at Catan, Jaric reviews the potential candidates for the Adventuring Party that he needs to explore the ruins for him.  Szaz joins him in perusing the candidates and there is some hesitation in hiring one group that presents itself.  One, lead by a female Tavala, has a Swordsman, a short Q'val and a Tashalan.  Szaz admits she is not too comfortable with the sorcerer.  There have been no candidates from the ven.  The two see a boot suddenly planted on the table.  Looking up, they see a woman who addresses them and explains the boot she wears was a Backbiter, a 32 foot Ork that had serrated teeth and an armored hide.  After explaining how she killed it, she brings down her boot and slams up the other one.  The second boot is of a different material.  She describes it as a Strider, a different Ork and explains how she killed it.  Finally, she presents her jacket, hide of a mantacore - a three-headed sea creature that spits small wrigglers that creep into eyeballs.  She explains she is willing to work for them if they will have her, but she will not give any names.  Jaric asks how business fares in House Ork and she spits on the ground in response.  She would wiped that House away from the histories of the ven if it were her choice.  Jaric feels she is too much.  Szaz wonders who that man was, and Jaric is confused given it was a woman in front of him.  In the distance, Jaric sees the woman in the ork clothes suddenly change, and it becomes the man in the yellow clothes.  Szaz wonders why he sounds familiar. Jaric is more curious to see he has gotten out again.

When Jaric questions if Szaz' network has been established, she admits it has been busy helping others from the old Shanri find places to hide from the Wolves.    Jaric of course stresses that the Senate is always right.  Szaz wonders what will happen if the Senate truly makes a mistake.  Jaric reminds her by the very definition, the Senate is always right.  Galeo's letter arrives and Szaz suspects its contents will be complicated.  Galeo asks if Jaric is willing to meet regarding certain matters.  Jaric does remind Szaz to find a way to keep track of the man in yellow more, and considers when he will present to the Senate Szaz as his chosen Mayor.

The last interview brings up the question of how the Adventuring party plans to deal with any encountered Orks, given they are now under House Ork.  All the members present their own ways of dealing with the problem, which makes Jaric wonder if they are actually a group.  He asks for the leader of the group, and they do not have any clear answer either.  Jaric feels they can employ them, but they will need someone ven to lead them.

They find one in a woman who has both Academic education, and training with the blade.  When complimented for her traits, the woman simply replies in curt responses, explaining later that she was raised by her mothers never to underestimate herself.  When asked who the mothers are, she hesitates at first to state their names - fearing that it may sway Jaric's decision.  She tells him the name is Nia Jalan.  She is Rio and she is then tasked to search the Ruins of Meridian for a specific artifact.  Anything else they find is theirs to keep.  Jaric shares his gathered speculation of what the Ruins may contain and Rio looks at the papers and learns it is all about the historical Red Throne.  The adventure is both a test and a request.  Whoever finds the artifact shall be given Vassalage under Jaric's shadow.

*

Galeo goes through the responses.  Nia's reply is that she plans to meet Jalani, the Marquess who casts a shadow over her, and that Galeo may wish to join her and present her matters as well.  Galeo writes a reply that she agrees to do so.  She does wonder however the Foxes feel of having been removed from such a ground-breaking decision.

*

Seran takes a leap and finds water at the bottom waiting for her.  She feels the current pulling her and to conserve strength, she allows the current to take her.  The water does not smell clean, but nor does it resemble sewage.

*

In Paradigm, Nia says hello as she sees Galeo arrive.  Galeo inquires how Nia feels of the Ork ven decision the Senate made.  Nia feels the decision was, in a word, inconsistent.  Jalani arrives and when the two try to show proper formalities, she cuts them off and tells them there is no need for such formalities given Jaric is not present.  She asks them to explain why they are present.  When Nia admits she has misgiving towards the Senate, Jalani inquires if she plans to overthrow it.  "In as much as misgiving with the Senate exist, they allow us to maintain our unity."  Nia admits she senses the Senate is soon to fail, not by any actions of her won.  Galeo shares she is here to ask about the well-being of certain inconsistencies with the Senate's decision in arbitrarily defining as some Ork ven as ven and others as ork.  Jalani wonders why the two did not represent the Ork ven even early on - an accusation Galeo counters by reminding her of her very... memorable... debate against Havar Mwrr.  Jalani however reminds Galeo she had the opportunity to speak of the Ork ven as ven back an Althua, but she publicly declared, "The Senate will decide, not me."  If that statement were true, then the Senate's decision now should be what Galeo supports.  Galeo admits that at that moment, she believed the Senate would be diversely represented.   Jalani however reminds Galeo, "You got what you wanted.  The Senate made the decision. You had the opportunity to speak without recognition and made your choice."  Nia raises that the question is not about the altruism of the decision... but Jalani cuts her off and reminds her the Senate has no altruism in its decision.  It exists to maintain the order even if that means a smaller group needs to get trampled on to maintain that order.   The sad thing is that the Senate generally is controlled by the whim of the Dukes, and they have no control over the Dukes.  Jalani admits she is only a Marquess now, a position she gained after a long series of requests and favors.  Her ties to the Senate only exist because she was actually a Duchess long before she met Jaric.

When Nia asks what Jalani feels about the Bears' exodus, Jalani admits she things it is foolishness.  The longer the Bears remain distant, the sooner the Boars will rise to take their place.  The Bears eventually will realize they cannot allow that to come to pass.  "All our Houses stand more to lose if we leave the Senate."  Without the Senate, the land would be dotted by vast Kingdoms as all will seek to calls themselves Kings, and then there would be conquerors.  The Senate is not a political entity.  It is a control mechanism.  Nia admits she will stay away from the Senate as much as she can.  Jalani however admits she will prod and guide it as needed.  Remove the Senate and the ven would be on the path of the Mad Emperor: private armies, mass murder and warfare.  Nia, however, feels that is already what is happening.

"There's so much information to share, but I am not sure where to begin," Nia sighs.  She thanks Jalani for her insight into the Senate, and admits it is invaluable information.  Jalani admits she trusts them the most, despite the fact they are not friends. She cares for them the most, but also understands they are in the best position to ruin her plans, hence she watches them carefully.   Seran, while dear to her, is unable to affect her plans.  "So the Wolves are out for a slaughter.  How long do you think will that last before their own kind start to fear being slaughtered as well?  Do you think the Wolves will be able to push through with this hunt for more than a single season? Do you not think the other Houses will see the Wolves as a threat, and the Wolves themselves would pull back to remove that fear.  The Senate allows us all to pretend we are Friends. Without it, it would be wars, unexpected demands and worse."

Nia asks what Jalani proposes they do.  She returns the question and asks what do they hope to achieve. Jalani admits she was securing her children to make sure they were ready when they came of age, they were intimately close and understanding of the ways of the Senate.  Just as she was thrust into understanding Dukedom when she was young, James now takes that same path in life.  She asks Galeo if Cassalanter is secure.  Galeo feels she is secure and will fair well even if they were to die.  Jalani asks of the other, the unrecognized one.    She admits they all know of him after Count Kether's report.

"What of Dranna Ru?" Nia asks, questioning how if the Senate speaks of balance, a House Ork and House Merchant clearly upsets that.  Jalani admits it was a decision to not have the Senate hall fall and have panic over what she was capable of.  Nia wonders if things would change if they did know what she was capable of.  "A wise man makes decisions on information.  A wise woman waits," Jalani shares.  The Senate believes Dranna Ru is a threat, but they seek to learn why Dranna Ru is able to control these Orks.  Why they listen to her is one of the biggest question the Senate is debating.   Jalani shares how her husband is sending an Adventuring Party into the Ruins to investigate on things, and that she invited Galeo and Nia over because she has a proposal; however she admits they probably won't like what it is.  NIa admits very little of what has been said is of what she would like.

Jalani admits she wishes a Vassal from both of them, to join her daughter, Rio, in the expedition.  The two are to remain secret and hidden while they follow Rio.  Nia is surprised to hear Rio is involved.  Szaz will be leading the expedition with Rio.  Both Nia and Galeo feel they have the perfect vassal to send.   Jaric arrives that moment, and the three take on a friendly tone as they greet each other.   They talk about the upcoming adventuring party, and Nia shares her wife and his brother used to be part of an adventuring party. Jaric realizes he has never met either, and Nia invites them to visit - sharing she even has a volcano in her land, as well as a building a Castle as huge as those of the old.  Jaric wonders if the size of the Castle will rival that of the Senate hall.  Nia is unsure that the Senate Hall would be so small.   Jaric asks Jalani to prepare them refreshments - given it is the traditional role of the wife, despite her being the one of greater title.  Nia admits it is her first time here.  Jaric admits he is still managing things, freeing his wife to do the duties of the Marquess.  Jaric shares the plans of sending an Adventuring Party and when Galeo wonders how he is keeping Szaz safe, he reminds them she is his Mayor, a vassal under his shadow.  Nia wishes if only the rest of Shanri can focus on things in that manner as well. Jaric questions if any of the Wolves would have the Courage to threaten those under their shadow.  Nia admit she feels less safe given the Wolves and their violent motions and the Bears on their exit.  Galeo and Jaric start rambling over things, and Nia struggles to understand either of them.  Galeo raises a legal question though of the Wolves moving about as a large armed force from one place to another, "Is that an Army?"  Jaric reminds them that the Senate will still only step in if this theoretical group kills one of the ven.  If they destroyed property, then that will be handled in the proper manner, given the complaint being raised to the Senate.  Nia however feels that only resolves the topic of killing ven and destroying property, but ignores the Sixth Law of not making war.    The idea of large groups of ven attacking property of other ven, however, just sounds disrespectful for Jaric.  He wonders if wine was involved.    Jaric asks where they are going with the questions.  Nia tries to explain that Galeo is speaking out of concern that if such a thing should happen, the realm would benefit from the actions of the Lord Protector, the Duke, which is Jaric.   Jaric admits the Senate would surely rule on the matter if it is an Army or not.  And if it is, then naturally it would be the duty of the Dukes to deal with it.  But until it is determined to be one, then there's nothing that should be done.  "A complaint may be filed with the Senate, if you wish to accuse one of harboring an army."

Nia shifts the discussion back to the Expedition.  Jaric shares they are exploring the Ruins of Meridian.  Nia informs Jaric that regarding the island, she had installed an overseer and the expedition may want to be apprised of the situation: Merea Silja is the temporary head of the island.  Nia warns that the vassal, for attention, might make herself known.  Jaric understands. "Oh these Silja..."   Nia is happy that Jaric is free, given there is something she needs of the Marquis to handle, given what she has learned from her Orks.  She mention the stories of the Orks carrying away the survivor ven and the suaven from the old Senate house when it fell and admits there was something she had been keeping from Jaric for a very long time.   The Orks told Nia that when they brought the Suaven out, they lost one.  Jaric laughs, claiming one cannot "lose" a Suaven, given the Blessings still work.  "Was it Thalia?"  They all break into laughter.  Nervous laughter.  Nia summons the Q'val Bowen, and remember him from the airship.  They ask Bowen if Thalia Yvarai was one of the Suaven they escorted out of the ruins, but Bowen hesitates in answering.  He stares at Galeo and worries that she might take offense.  Bowen admits that when they fled the city, Thalia Yvarai was one of those they could not get to.  The tomb was far too deep beneath the Senate Hall.

Galeo wonders if its possible given the Blessings still work.  But they do wonder if it is possible that she is missing.  None know of where the Grand Temple of Thalia Yvarai stands.   Nia admits Tyan Bran however might be missing as well, given Bowen's stories.  Jalani asks Bowen which tales are more certain.  Bowen admits the names may be wrong, since their tales are shared solely through oral means.  As Jaric starts telling them of the old stories of the Riddle of Blood, a presence joins them in the room.

A red-haired woman.

*

Seran tumbles in the darkness, and eventually is ejected into a dark chamber beneath the ruins.  She stares at the stone and metal archways and realizes the place looks like it was not just a hole in the much.   Seran finds herself in front of a massive entrance.  There is a glow emanating from inside the tomb.  She recognizes the construction and realizes the tomb shows the religious significance in its design.  Seran applies her strength upon the rock, forcing the door open.

Warm air blows out from inside.  Cautiously, Seran peers inside and finds a chamber filled with nothing but empty walls that once were covered with crawling vines and blooming roses.  Everything is dried up and cleared out.  There is a massive gap at the center of the chamber, with small traces of strips and white strands.  There is no body.  If there was a Suaven inside, it is gone.  And the symbol above the where the tomb should be shows the symbol of the Rose.

*

Galeo moves to interpose herself between Jaric and the figure, but remaining as calm as she could.  Nia notices the woman as well, but thinks its just another new person who works or lives in the Castle.  Jaric's castle seems to always have new faces come in.  Jaric stops sharing the story.    Taking a flower from the centerpiece, a rose, Jaric turns to Jalani and tells her the flowers are quite beautiful today.  He asks Bowen to take the wine away, then motions for everyone to take a seat.  Nia, unaware of who the red-haired woman is, offers her a kind smile.  Jalani makes up a story about having a small game to play with the rose, and sees who will be the one to start- Jaric pretends to have a migraine.  The petals are scattered to the table and Jalani casts the Ritual.  Jaric opens his eyes, happy to have ignored the use of Sorcery.   They tell Nia the red-haired one is the Demon, the one responsible for the destruction of Old Shanri.  The Demon manifests whenever she wants, but they do admit they have heard conflicting reports on its nature.  The Demon stops, now more aware that she cannot perceive them clearly at the table.  She stops directly behind Jaric, eyeing them all like a hungry shark.

*

Seran investigates the tomb, searching for any clues to what had happened here.  She realizes no one has been here since the tomb was sealed up.  However, someone had walked out.  It is then she realizes she is not alone.

The rocks rise up to clam down on her feet!  Seran turns and sees the red-haired woman at the door.  Liliandra uses her Talashan voice to also command Seran's clothing to fall, forcing the ven to cover herself.  She then asks the Fire to grow and it flares up, threatening to burn Seran.  Seran tries to talk to her, explaining there is something walking around with her face.  She asks Liliandra if this is her tomb.  The fire flutters away. "That is the tomb of Thalia Yvarai.  Why would I be her?"

Seran explains that there is a Demon with her very face out there.  She then asks Liliandra if she is the Storm that ravaged and destroyed the city.  Liliandra commands the rocks to loosen and walks to the far side of the room.  She directs the fire to linger instead on a candle, and explains she is not the Storm as the Storm is water.  Water is not of Shanri.  Seran asks who she is really and she insists her name is Liliandra, and she is a Speaker of Shanri, hunted by the ven and forced into hiding.  The term Talashan translates to "Servant of the Enemy" but Seran realizes its meant to really just mean "Servant of Shanri." She has been watching over and protecting Thalia Yvarai's tomb for many years.  She knew the waters would bring Seran here.  Seran shows the marks of something that had crawled out and Liliandra asks the ground to tell them what happened in the area.

*

Galeo tells them how the Demon grants wishes, but always with a strange twist.  Jalani shares how they thought she was the Storm back in Old Shanri.  Nia wonders how the Storm can take a human shape.  But Galeo is more curious to why she is here.  "She knows you are the ones who know of her existence, " Jalani surmises.  She does sigh that with the children no longer here, the wards are no longer in place.    On cue, she has everyone laugh, giving the Demon outside a blurred view of them having fun, rather than conversing about a dangerous and delicate affair.   Jaric shares the tales of Kithranus Yvarai and the Riddle of Blood, and how they too were stalked by this supernatural threat.

The woman in red is starting to look unhappy, knowing the discussion is more serious than not.  Nia admits she feels less safe right now, but Jaric reminds them a Secret Army would not be the solution.  Nia wants someone to safeguard her lands while she looks for Seran Thorne.  Jalani asks why Seran is important against the Demon.  Nia admits she just wants to rescue their missing companion and she believes she saw Seran in the Opera Box, suggesting she has somehow been thrown back into the other Shanri.  Jalani however feels they should focus on defeating the demon instead. Galeo feels they got her attention someone despite not saying her name.  Maybe there is a way to use that in their advantage, like how they were discussed in Jaric's books.  Jaric reminds her he never wrote those books.

The red haired woman stomps out of the room.  Jalani fears it might a trick to get them to stand.  Galeo feels she's hunting for someone with a wish.  Jaric feels that's an interesting thing, the fact she cannot just do things on her own.  She needs someone to make a wish.  It was his greatest fear when Seran and Galeo got back here... they clearly must have paid a price.  Jalani reminds them the Seductress was a Demon that dealt only with illusions.  Galeo wonders what her name was, and Jaric admits it might not be safe to say it.

*

The rocks whisper about how a woman awoke and tore herself free from the white bindings.  She heard no prayers and saw a city asunder.  She awoke and her heart broke.  Seran wonders where she has gone, but Liliandra admits she is not sure where Thalia Yvarai has gone.  She knows only how to speak of Fire and Rock.  She wishes one of her sisterkind was around to speak to the Air and find her.  Liliandra admits she was here when the rock shifted and the bright light blinded her.  A gentle touch upon her brow.  Then she fell asleep.

Seran wonders if the Demon might actually BE Thalia Yvarai.

*

Nia realizes there is someone she knows who might utter a wish in his desperation as an Ork army closes in around him.  She says, "Haroun.  She might be hunting for a wish from Haroun."  She explains she denied him his wish to go after Seran.  Jalani realizes she will have to buy them time, but Jaric admits he can do it better.  "No one can out ramble me," he smiles.  Jalani stands up, breaking the Rose, and declares she has no belief Demons exist and wishes she had a chance to meet it.  Nothing happens.  Jalani calls out for the servants, checking if all are accounted for.  Jaric runs out after her.  Nia tells Galeo to inform Jalani that she will write if Haroun is missing.  If he is, she will need her help in the Senate.  Nia hurries back to her Province.

Now alone, Galeo draws out the Quill and wonders if she can use it to write the name, Thalia Yvarai.  To her surprise, the ink moves and the letters do rearrange to show a new name.  Thalia Yvarai's Secret Name.  Galeo now knows it.

She wipes the table clear immediately.

*

Jalani is frustrated, uncertain how to deal with what they are facing. Jaric admits it would be the worst time to act.  They need to find out more and stay safe.  Jalani mentions the three sisters might be able to help, given they know about Demonology.  Jaric decides he will go with her once the adventuring party is set off.  He will leave it to her to secure the Castle.  Jalani admits she is not sure if there is time to do that, but she will see what she can do.

*

Nia returns home to find Haroun still there.   Her fears that Haroun made a deal with the Demon had not happened.  Haroun admits she cannot go to rescue Seran without endangering the rest of them.  Nia is grateful to hear that, and apologizes for not supporting him.  He begs her to send someone to help Seran. He suggests she send her Spymaster, Errol (Lukas) though he is not sure if Errol knows how to set sail.  Someone will have to pilot the vessel.  Haroun asks if Nia is willing to trust her one other vassal who can fly an airship.  "How much do you trust your vassal, Madelyn Yvarai?"

They plan the journey to happen come the beginning of Summer.  Haroun will find a different name to use, given Dalvinosh gave the Secret Name too easily.  He suspects he wants the owner of that name to die.  Nia wonders if that means Dalvinosh Steele's wife is still alive, and he probably has a reason to want her dead.  She believes she can find out what that reason would be.

*

"She took my face," Liliandra admits, "But she did not destroy Shanri. It was the Storm that destroyed Shanri."  Liliandra shares she was in the Senate Hall the night the Storm came.  The Airships were circling around the Senate hall like hungry orks, trapped in a whirlpool of the Storm's rage.  They had to stop it.

The woman who cast her shadow upon Liliandra, Madelyn Yvarai, sacrified her Secret Name and gave it to the Storm that they may command and control it.  It was only with her name that the winds were forced back.  But it required a massive sacrifice to create the Circle that would protect them from it forever.  Madelyn did not realize however the survivors would pin the blame of the city's near complete destruction on her.  She then commanded Liliandra to feel, to hide and watch over her beloved Suaven.  It was Madelyn Yvarai who had Liliandra keep Thalia's tomb safe.    She watched over the tomb until it opened, and until it was abandoned.  Now, Thalia merely awaits Thalia's return.

Seran shares Madelyn Yvarai does live back in her Shanri.  She also shares that there is someone that has her face.  Someone who grants wishes.  Seran is not certain though if that means they face a Suaven... a Demon... or worse, a Fashuva?  She knows she is not equipped to grasp this.  She asks Liliandra if she can leave the place.  Seran hopes to help them find a way across the sea back to the others.  Oandur can help with his building skills.   Seran knows she will find a way home.

*

The red haired woman manifests in a room. Madelyn Yvarai turns to face her.  The chamber is cluttered with maps, clothes and supplies.  "I thought our partnership was over," Madelyn asks, "Or do you have a new deal?"

"I need you to move my body again," the red-haired woman asks.

"And in return," Madelyn smiles.

"Name it," the Demon simply states.

Inspiration: HardCore

Any modern era game with guns and action will benefit greatly from Hardcore's approach to violence and combat.

After the Rain ep21 : Houses of the Blooded

10/12/2014
After the Rain

Episode Twenty One
"Exilo Cherno"

Houses of the Blooded

There is a dark room.  The speaker stares at Seran Thorne as the Vashna escort her to the central dais.  A pillar of light comes down, encasing her in its brightness.  She is in the Senate Hall.  But it is empty of the usual Senators.  Instead, the Council of the Dukes have been gathered to convene regarding Seran Thorne's situation.  A female speaks and addresses Seran Thorne, speaking of how she no longer has lands and that the one who casts a shadow over her has withdrawn the land.  Among the Dukes, James Adrente stares at the other Dukes present.  He looks at Seran and remembers how much his father would stress they are not friends.  They discuss how one of the Serpents has been murdered and Seran Thorne is to be tried on the matter.  They ask her if she confesses to the act and Seran admits she did do it, although she is interrupted before she can explain the circumstances leading to it.  A Serpent Duke however insists she would like to hear Seran's reasons before on the matter. "If anything, a Serpent understands before it strikes."  Seran explains the man's threats to defame her mother's Temple multiple times and when asked why she did not bring this matter upon the Senate, Seran admits she acted out of passion.  The action is deemed to be not only a willful act, but one that spat on the faces of the Dukes and the Senate.  Seran declares she does not regret her actions.

One Duke, an Elk, asks the gathered if the matter still stands given the supposed Murder was committed before the Serpent was... a Serpent.  Another responds however that since the matter was still raised as a Complaint, then the Senate is given the task to settle it until it is questioned once more in a later hearing.  When Seran speaks up out of turn to defend herself and her actions, the Dukes once more see it merely as another proof of her lack of respect for the Senate's role in deliberating the matter.  Her contributions, as well as those of her mother, are raised however in her defense - as well as to explain her barbaric actions.  Seran is a Ven of the Wilderness, not of the Senate halls.  There is question raised on the other Ven who perished on the journey back from the Wilderness, aboard the ship for the former Duke, Haroun.  The Serpent Duke, however, admits that would be a matter to be discussed in the future.  She stresses the murdered is an Ork.  Dranna Ru, the Duchess of the Land Beneath, speaks up and shares how she knows of Seran Thorne and how she has attempted to save her life in the past.  She asks Seran Thorne if Havar Mwrr was Ven or Ork.  Seran identifies him as Ruk, as he was not identified at that time.  Dranna Ru asks what the stands are of the Ruk, and another replies a registered Ruk would be a Merchant.  Havar Mwrr is not a Merchant.  The Serpent Duke hisses at how Seran Throne has not only stripped them of one of their number, but has also stripped respect from the House.  Seran Throne spits back that if they wanted the Ruk to be recognized as a Serpent, then they should have held their Hearing sooner. Clearly the Serpents did not claim him back when he was threatening the Senate.

House Ork withdraws support for punishment, and that they are considering withdrawing completely and to give their decision by Summer.   House Serpent withdraws its complaints and recognizes Seran's heroic actions for protecting the Senate from a sorcerous threat.  The shift is unexpected.  Publicly, Seran has to still be punished as the Dukes feel the need for the Senate to remain strong in the appearance of others.  In truth, however, she is to be given a task different from the Vashna.  She is given a mirror mask to wear, which will give her both a new name and identity.  Her exile is to begin as soon as the session ends.  It is to be for all to know, and she is to remain masked under direct service to the Council of Dukes.  There are reports of a demonic threat upon Shanri, and Seran is to be the Inquisitor.  Dranna Ru's fear of Seran is proof that she is capable of dealing with the threat.  She fears Seran to the point that the artifact was given with the agreement that she will not threaten her any more.  She fears Seran so much that she wears her orks constantly.  Seran asks if she may tell her friends of the truth, but the Dukes remind her that she can never set foot in a Temple dedicated to Althea Thorne given she has proven herself to be too emotional in that front.  They question if she does not welcome the opportunity to be empowered by the Senate to hunt the demon that had taken away her husband.  Seran simply resigns herself to the duty, given she feels she has no choice in the matter.  They remind her she always has a choice.  She can choose death.  Suicide. Or true exile.  With the mask, she is no longer ven.  She is now an ork.  A weapon for the Council.  It is then revealed that the Council was behind the many spies that Count Kether had been sending to their castles.  They note Seran's attachments to Haroun Q'n, the seneschal Errol and Nia Jalan.  The Dukes require Seran to choose one whom they will allow her to contact in the direst of times.   If her identity is ever revealed, however, these closest to her will be punished.     Seran chooses Nia to be her contact.

They share how the former Inquisitors have proven to be less capable the more they were visible.  They task Seran to be a shadow instead among the lands.  They task her to also investigate the artist, Cherno, to learn who he is.  It shocks Seran that they know nothing of Cherno.  Seran bargains that the Dukes can get her loyalty, but the Dukes remind her that she is in no position to bargain.  Taking the mask is accepting the duty.

A faceless mirror mask is brought to Seran, and the opposite side is covered with spikes.  Once they had a Gold Inquisitor that grew proud and power-hunger.  A Bronze Inquisitor then rose to strip the gold of her power, and proved decisive and meticulous.  But the Bronze failed when matters related to those she loved.  A Crimson Inquisitor was then promoted to replace the bronze, but lasted the shortest of the ranks.  It was discovered he was concealing the threat itself.  Seran is now to be the Shadow Inquisitor, appearing only in the fringes of others' visions, and be heard only by those who know her name.

The mask is stabbed on and the blood floods her mask, and as Seran is reborn once more, she hears a name whispered into her ear... a new Secret name.  She is then tasked to seek out and make contact with her handler, Count Kether.  Seran makes a curtsey and is reminded she is empowered by the Senate to kill in her name.  Blame can never be pointed back at the Senate.  Seran approaches the closest mirror and sees no reflection of herself on the glass.  There is nothing but a shadow upon the wall.

*

"I am sorry, Nia is not home.  Nia left for the Meridian to inspect her new lands."

Galeo suspects that Nia is building Art using glass.  She notices the large belly upon Janine Mwrr's form and asks if she's the first person to be so blessed with child.  Janine admits there have been births in this Province and seems confused with Galeo's line of questioning.  Galeo brushes it off as musings of becoming a grandmother in a few years.  Galeo's visit in hopes to find recognition sadly has found a deadend.  Even worse, Janine asks Galeo who she is supposed to be.  When Galeo tries to explain who she is, Janine responds with  "You're the Fox that Nia says confuses her a lot!"  She uses a term that the orks use, "Tumagoron" and admits it is what Galeo is known as among the orks.  Janine admits she finds Seran Thorne too sophisticated, given her interests in Airships, Wine, and the like.  Galeo is starting to realize Janine is truly a tribal princess.  Janine shares they just recently returned from an ork celebration with all the thirteen tribes gathering.  She shares at a single word can have seven meanings.  The politer version of the name Galeo is called means, "She who's ashes can make one erect."  The meaning, she soon learns, relates to them witnessing Galeo working with ashes and finding her motions "exhilarating."   Galeo realizes the last time she was working on ashes was back while imprisoned in the "other" Shanri.  They move from the main hall to the garden to discuss matters more.  Carrow keeps the orks from touching Galeo, an act which they learn among orks is done only among mates and deific figures.

At the garden, Galeo tries asking how Nia and Janine met, but she simply cuts the discussion by telling her they don't talk about such matters.  Janine asks about child-bearing and admits this is her first.  Orks, she shares, cut the stomach open, deliver the four children, then cut the cords with their teeth.  "Four seems to be the minimum number," Janine admits and shares even how ven and ork have so many similarities.  The ork offers Galeo "zoom zoom" which Janine explains is made from honey and wheat.  Galeo receives the drink and finds the flavor surprisingly warming.  Galeo tries asking about the pregnancy and once again Janine deflects it as being too forward.  They talk about Galeo's art instead, and of the new child that is to be presented.  Janine admits she expects Nia will be more than willing to recognize the child.  Janine commends Galeo for adopting the child for the family, and when Galeo admits she was not aware that story was out, Janine apologizes that it was probably a story she was not supposed to be aware of.  "Orks talk a lot."  They soon start talking about how the orks have over twenty kinds of spices while the ven are used to using only eight.  When Galeo expresses interest in trying them, Janine hurries off to bring some samples she can try.  The smell of the ork delicacies soon waft in Galeo's direction, with salty and strange scents in the air, mingling with rotting strange smells.  Galeo finds the courage to try them, and she finds the intense flavors to be an exotic and surprising experience.  With each taste, Galeo's thoughts race back to her discussion with Jaric.

*

Jaric, Galeo and Maja are discussing the matters of the Sisterhood and the temple of Gaius Mwrr.  Maja admits she befriended Madelyn Yvarai in order to accomplish specific goals.  Jaric shares his feelings regarding the Mistress of the Ruk, and how the Fox has no good side.  There is no winning against her in a social area.  Maja however does stress as a Fox, Madelyn can be made to believe she is in control.  Jaric admits he made himself seem like an easily target to her - as the bumbling and rambling target.  Maja however admits that Madelyn's focus had always been Galeo.  When asked why, she explains it is because Galeo has the children Madelyn needs.  Maja shares her friendship with Madelyn was to force her to play by their rules.  Jaric, however, stresses again the woman can not be trusted.  Maja feels that without tools, pawns and puppets, Madelyn now believes she has no ally save for Maja.  Jaric worries his mother has overestimated the woman.  Madelyn saw Galeo as the perfect one to emulate, then later eliminate, to raise her children as her own. When Galeo ask why the need for children, Maja tells it was Madelyn's daughter who helped her achieve what she wanted in the past.  She would want a daughter now to attempt to regain control.

When asked what Madelyn has been focused on as Maja's Court Scholar, she admits the woman has been studying the Ritual to create Twins.  Jaric admits Madelyn has always been one to claim things as her own... including how she did that very thing to Kithranus in the end.  Jaric asks how she got back, and Maja admits she asked that very question to Madelyn.  Madelyn had sought sanctuary under Maja.  She realized Madelyn's appearance coincided at Winter.  Seran and Galeo returned from the other Shanri around the same time on the wings of a demon.  Nia and Jaric took longer given they used an airship.  Maja shares that Madelyn has an airship in the air, and when she came to visit the airship was her ride.  When asked where it is, Maja admits Madelyn keeps the location of it hidden.  "She does not trust the location of that even with me."  Spies failed to follow the ship as it always took to the sky.

There are rumors that Galeo or Jaric are building a secret Army.  The rumors come from their needs for Food this Winter.  Jaric admits he has far less to feed now given his family has moved on in different directions and having their own land.

Maja does admit it takes so long to make Cherno happen.  And whenever Cherno makes a grand appearance, it frustrates her that they always end up talking about Galeo when Cherno makes an appearance.  Jaric shares he wanted to find the old Senate house and had no expectations to get trapped there, or encounter a demon, or Madelyn Yvarai.  Their exchanges increase in tension and tone when the discussion shifts to the recent Althuas which had murder and events unfolding.  Maja admits she stole away to speak to the Mwrr sisters to speak to them of the name of the Demon.  She was just happy to have survived the collapsing castle, due to a red-haired pretty servant who helped her to get out.  Jaric worries it was the demon and asks if she asked or wished.  Maja admits she did, in fear of being buried alive.  Maja however does share that the Mwrr sisters had cast the Ritual and found all demons to be accounted for.  Jaric and Galeo insist the red-haired woman was the Demoness which helped Maja, but Maja stresses that all the Demons are trapped and safely imprisoned.  The Mwrr sisters have kept them safely locked away.   Jaric wonders if they cannot have new demons, but Maja admits if the stories are to be believed, the demons are the souls of the Sorcerer-Kings.  The suspicion then shifts that it might be a fallen Suaven or a lost one.  Galeo then shares that there may be one missing.

Galeo shares with them the existence of Quan Wei, and how she is speaking for the one who is missing, Thalia Yvarai.  Maja admits Thalia has always been listening to her prayers.  Galeo however stresses that she can talk to the Suaven, and mentions of the glowing letter on her forehead.  Galeo does clarify she is not the Dara, however.  Maja asks if Galeo can take her to Quan Wei.  A glowing door emerges in response. Galeo asks Jaric and Maja to come with him.  Maja admits as they arrive through the door that she has been here.  Galeo presents to them Quan Wei's tomb.    Maja admits she recognizes the place... and calls Quan Wei, "mother."

*

Nia inspects the objects the servants bring to her and makes decisions on where the items should be placed.  When they present her the Glider which Haroun Q'n gave Seran as a gift, Nia calls for the Seneschal to help her decide what to do with it. He denies that the glider was created with the same Ritual, and that no child was used to make it.  Nia however just thanks Haroun that she does not know for certain about this Glider's history.  The two argue between keeping it or throwing it out and Haroun does stress he is but "a servant... who will be very angry if it is thrown out."  Nia has him keep it in his quarters.  Haroun deftly reminds Nia that she is merely doing this to hold the land until Seran returns, but Nia reminds Haroun of the state of the lands and how clearly someone needs to manage it better.  Nia finds the island just as distressing.  More distressing than the pressing possibility that Seran might not actually return.   When Haroun questions such a thought, Nia shares the visit of the Earl of the Serpent to her Castle and the plans to make sure Seran is punished for the death of Havar Mwrr.

Haroun seems less worried.  He shared with Nia how the Serpents claim to call for punishment on Seran would mean the House supports the threat he made upon the Senate.  He anticipates that at least three other Houses would unify to block the call for punishment, out of understanding more the danger House Serpent is placing itself in.  "If they do not, and if Seran Thorne is punished as the Guilty Party in what is publicly seen as a threat upon the Senate by the House Serpent, things would get worse."  Haroun admits the trial is more about Seran Thorne acting rashly, and someone acting personally affected because Havar is probably a grandfather.  "The trouble with ven is we can't easily tell who are relatives since we use the Houses for names.  Not the blood."  Haroun even suggests that the Dukes would most likely have Seran instead serve them to some capacity.  Nia admits she did not consider that possible angle.  Haroun admits that the Dukes always never seem to want to admit to the ven that the Shanri they are upon was not the original one.  He feels had they just done so, things would have been far simpler.  He thanks Nia for the loss of the fear of Orks, but he does fear that this allowed him to think he can be the ork he used to fear.  He nudges Nia to turn around and they see a long line of roadmen approaching with a woman with a massive hat.

"Hello," the woman calls out and greets them as she arrives.  She identifies herself as Merea, one of Galeo's sisters.  Haroun admits they went out in the past.  She calls him Harounie and he introduces her to the "Lady of the House."  Merea admits she heard that Seran Thorne was absent so she has arrived to claim the land.  Nia asks "Harounie" to introduce her to Merea.    Haroun tells Merea that Nia is the Countess of both the Verge and this land.

Merea seems bothered that someone has claimed it already.  She shares that Seran has been exiled and that she was hoping to claim the land.  She asks if Nia would at least allow her to raid the castle.  She even asks if she can claim the Glider instead.   She tries reminding Haroun of the time they were making out and the volcano was actually what moved the ground beneath them.   Nia however remains calm, even as Merea throws light insults upon Haroun and Nia about how Haroun had two tries with her in the past, but failed to have children.  "Does he sleep with you too?"

Nia is then introduced to Merea's roadmen, personal guard, general, and other vassals.   Merea asks if she can raid the castle now but Nia deflects her claims to raid the land.  "How about him?" Merea then asks, pointing at a vassal at the distance.  Haroun sees Merea is pointing at Errol in the distance.  Nia asks who he is again, and Haroun explains he is the Spymaster.  Merea boasts about having her become her wine goblet holder.  Or foot massager.  She even recognizes Nia at last as the one who seems to obsess over orks.  Nia starts proudly explaining how many orks she has in the land, and even suggesting the presence of an ork tribe in this very region.  The idea unsettles Merea, who opts not to meet them and brings her to start giving excuses to leave.  Merea throws one last attempt and asks for the island in the distance instead.  Nia tells her that the island has a ruin from the sorcerer-kings and does not confirm if there are any artifacts or relics inside.  "We can negotiate the island."

Two more caravans are in the distance, closing in.  One of them stops and Jaric emerges from one, with his personal guard.  The other stops as well, and Galeo emerges from the other.  Merea recognizes her quickly and greets her sister.  Nia, however, welcomes Jaric and asks if he "brought his army as well?"  Jaric hears that Merea has a General and admits he feels honor-bound to inform the Senate of this.  Jaric stresses that the lands are NOT in dispute.  Merea stutters, confused and terrified by Jaric's frankness and starts withdrawing any claim over the land.  Galeo reminds Merea that it might be best she go on her way.  Nia signals Haroun to just go take the airship and fly away.

Galeo tries to deflect Merea's interest by telling her that there is someone single right now among them.  She seems curious.  Galeo shares that there is James, but opts not to explain he is the one casting a shadow over them.  Merea, she reveals, is a Spymaster for their mother, and her duties are so secret she is only to report to her mother once a year.  Galeo soon convinces Merea to leave, citing how much they love each other as sisters and how much their mother misses them.

Jaric then takes the opportunity to talk to Nia about something he deems important: that Seran taken someone into her household and wanted to make sure the world was purged of world-ending personalities.  Nia admits she has not seen Madelyn in the Province.  Jaric notices the island and is bothered to see it in Seran's Province.    None have noticed Seran Thorne standing close by, invisible to their eyes.  She motions her hand before Haroun's face, but he fails to notice anything.  As the three busy talk about the recent news of Seran's exile, Seran makes her way to what used to be her own Castle, hoping to find her Bloodsword there.   The three decide to walk to the castle and talk there.

Inside, they see the castle no longer has the many portraits of Lucas which used to dot the walls.  Nia escorts them all to the parlor room where all the portraits of Lucas has been moved to.  They find there that one of the paintings has a feather painted upon its.  The paint is still fresh.

"It looks so Cherno now," Galeo teases.

Nia looks at Galeo and mutters, "Galeo, I saw Cherno."

The three focus on that in their discussions, much to Seran's dismay.

*

"Cherno," Maja admits and Galeo laughs as Jaric asks if his mother is claiming to be behind Cherno now.   She admits she created Cherno.  Jaric asks what purpose he would serve in things, and she admits Cherno is an agitator.  He is to create works that create supporters who will bring change to the status quo.  Jaric insists on the dangers of change and reminds Maja she raised him to respect tradition. She admits that was her mistake.   Maja admits the Senate is stuck and struggling in the beginnings of its transformation.  Galeo asks for more information on Cherno citing how he has been giving people new mindsets entirely.

Cherno, it turns out, is bringing the possible thought that the ven no longer need the Senate.

*

Jaric admits his mother has very unique views on Cherno.  Nia admits she feels having witnessed Cherno's work, she feels her thoughts are clearer now. More refined.  Cherno was not the only thing she saw.  She used her great Wisdom and saw past Cherno.  She theorizes that Cherno's work makes one recount the experiences with the other Shanri and their own Senate and of Seran's banishment... how they banished her for killing someone who threatened the Senate... Nia feels that the Senate is wrong.  Jaric once again harshly defies the thought of the Senate being wrong.  Galeo adds that Nia refers to the members of the Senate being wrong, not necessarily its laws.  Jaric reminds them that includes his son now.  Nia's theory is that Cherno is Madelyn Yvarai.

"Oh Nia, you have such a strange sense of humor," Jaric laughs.  Galeo muses then how to kill her.  But Jaric corrects them that Cherno is NOT Madelyn Yvarai.    Nia recalls seeing the artifact, a compact which contained a picture of Madelyn Yvarai.. and recalls seeing the compact held by Cherno during the work of art.  An artifact that can make people forget.

*

Galeo and Jaric admit they've come too far and plans are now entangling into each other.  Maja admits they've already met Cherno.  The man has a penchant for wearing yellow and now lives in Jaric's city.  When Galeo asks who the man is, Maja admits the man does not even know who he is anymore.  He does, however, have this strange ability to mimic the likeness of practically anyone.  Jaric remembers the Ritual he has read about, of 1000 Faces, that was once used by certain Serpents.  Even attempts to divine the truth cannot see that he is someone else.  Maja called him Cherno since it was based on an ancient word meaning, "To Tumble or keep turning".  Galeo wonders if when the man changes, does he actually become those people?  Or just their likeness.  Maja admits the man once appeared as Galeo's husband, Hero, but he got one fact wrong: claiming that they had a second son.  The next time Maja saw him, he had changed once more into a woman.  This time, she did not know anything about Hero.

Cherno was always among each "act" as one of the "new actors".  None realized he was always there.  Maja panicked when he saw Cherno last because he thought it was Madelyn Yvarai who was standing in her chamber.  Jaric admits he has been keeping the man carefully locked in his City.    None had ever seen him leave for those... performances.  Not even the Spiders knew how to control or contain him.

*

Chero wanted the viewers to think it was Madelyn that moment when Nia saw him for some reason.  Galeo admits she is uncertain if a Blessing can counter the effects of another Blessing.  Jaric is unhappy that Galeo seems to be sharing so many secrets.   But as they discuss things, they are unawares of what his happening in the other room.

"Do not move. I can see you!"

Seran, the shadow, looks up to see Errol training his Bloodsword at her direction.  Seran had made her way to the armory in hopes of retrieving her Bloodsword.  Somehow, however, Errol had sensed her presence.  She tries asking him if he can see her but he admits he hears only strange noises and demands she move back or he will relieve her of her hands.  She leaps for her Bloodsword and reaches it.  She then leaps far away from Errol.  She discovers all the windows are closed.  And sadly, Errol stands blocking the door.

"Are you a demon? An ork?" Errol calls out.  Seran quickly considers her options only to hear Errol suddenly ask himself, "Damn it LUKAS what should you do in this situation?"  Seran's eyes widen in realization!  LUKAS!

She drops her sword and grabs hold of the mask on her face to try and rip it off!   Lukas hears the sound and leaps in that direction with the Bloodsword ready to strike.   As the mask begins to pry free, there is an eruption of pain as blood sprays from her stomach!  Lukas' Bloodsword tears her stomach open, and Lukas trains the blade in her general direction.    He sees the Bloodsword she had attempted to retrieve on the floor now, and demands for answers on why someone would seek to steal the blade of his wife!  Seran tries using her own blood to write with and writes a question mark on the ground.  Lukas stares at the mark and he kicks the other Bloodsword up to land on his other hand.  He flings the second sword to embed upon the window and lock it closed.  Lukas backs towards the door and speaks using the Veth language and asks, "Are you one of those Black hand?  Servants that have returned from the other Shanri?"

Seran reaches for the wall and using the ven language, writes: No.

Lukas stares at it.  Thoughts race through his mind.

It is me.

Lukas remains uncertain.

She paints a feather on the wall with her blood.  Her symbol.  Lukas recognizes it.  The unmistakable symbol.  He embeds the sword on the ground to block the door from opening and walks carefully towards her direction.  Seran backs away, uncertain, and still cautious.  Lukas stops at the puddle of blood, touches the blood, and as he looks up, he asks aloud, "Seran?"

Lukas?

Lukas is about to answer panicked words and a frantic attempt to know what has happened to her, but none of his words reach her ears.  Instead, there is a flash of red hair as a woman whispers, "Not this easy..." Seran turns to see the Demon standing beside her, and it whisks her away before the reunion can come to pass.  Lukas is alone now in the room.

*

Outside, Galeo, Jaric and Nia hear the voice of a man screaming out Seran's name.  Haroun feels a sudden burst of emotion that marks Seran's presence before it vanishes instantly.  Galeo panics, thinking of what Errol might have discovered.  Jaric and Nia hurry after the two, wondering what is going on.  They find Errol in the other room, calling out for Seran, begging that she explain why they cannot see her or where she has gone.  Galeo calls through the door, telling Errol to shut up.  To stop calling out.  Haroun shoves Galeo aside and asks what is going on.  Errol tries to explain what is going on, but Galeo keeps trying to deflect the discussion and remind Errol NOT to reveal himself or things will get worse.

"One wrong word," Galeo hisses at Errol.

Nia sees the blood and demands answers.  Errol turns to face Galeo instead as he tries to explain what is going on.  Nia and Jaric sees the bloody words on the wall.  They start to wonder if the Castle is haunted.  "They killed her?" Nia gasps.  "No, they didn't kill her," Galeo tries to explain.  Haroun shares he sensed her earlier but now she is gone.  He explains they had sworn an Oath in relation to their land.  Nia thinks that means she is alive, not a Spectre, but wonders what the bloody message is all about.  Errol admits the blood is hers.  And Nia is certain the Senate has done something.

*

Jaric cannot believe what Maja has planned.  Galeo seems to be okay with it though.  It is worse than a Secret Army.  Maja hopes to build a Revolution.    She believes the people will decide if it truly is wanted.  "Cherno does not control other people's minds.  Cherno lights a spark.  And makes the viewer reconsider."   Jaric feels Maja is bringing down more than just the Senate in this process.

When asked how Madelyn fits in all this, Maja admits Gaius Mwrr needs Madelyn.  There is something she knows that he needs her to tell.  He needs from Madelyn Yvarai the location... but when asked what location... Maja admits he will need to seek Gaius Mwrr himself to ask.

Galeo admits her ability to speak to the Suaven has been going on since forever.  Jaric muses that might be why she has not been making any art.   Maja admits she expects to be painted as the villain if it leads to Madelyn trusting her enough to give the answer Gaius needs.

Jaric wonders what to do next.  Galeo suggests they can try speaking with Quan Wei.  Maja admits she cannot have any plans with them given she will have to strip the memories of this meeting with the Compact she owns.  The same Compact that Cherno uses to strip people of the emptiness in themselves to fill it with some new inspiration.  If the memories remain, Madelyn may sense it.  Maja admits she plans to use the same Compact, the Solace Compact, to make everyone else forget Galeo's Secret name.  "The beauty of Senate hearings is that everyone who attends ends up leaving something in those grounds.  Something I can always use."

Maja hopes now they understand.  She only hopes they will do what they can to act better now armed with the wisdom of her intentions.   Jaric cautions her once more, however, given the things written about Madelyn Yvarai.  Friendship always goes both ways.  "She will betray you first," he reminds her.    What bothers Maja the most is the enemy they face is probably not a Demon at all... but one of the Lost Suaven.  When Galeo wonders how to deal with one, Maja reminds them the Suaven are alive.  To deal with them, one needs to find their bodies, that while in Solace ARE still alive.  And murder them.

Maja shows them out.  And they hear a clack sound.
Then the door opens, and Maja sees them outside.  She greets them as is she just saw them for the first time.   She thanks Galeo for letting her use the room and shows herself out.  

*

Nia tells the others they are to make preparations to leave in the morning.  Having heard from the others what they could share of what happened, Nia maps out an expedition to meet with the Steiners to discuss the vote of no confidence.  Jaric asks if they can investigate the Ruins in the Island with her permission.  He admits he is not sure what they are looking for but that he has an Adventuring Party to search them for him.  Nia asks Haroun if it would be better or not to appear personally to inform the Steiners that she wishes to join them in the vote of non-confidence towards the Senate's actions.  Haroun wonders if Nia is disowning her House.  Nia admits she cannot view the Serpents House the same way given the understanding now that the Earl of her House twisted things for personal reasons.  Haroun explains Nia's option is not a vote of non-confidence but to challenge the Earl's position, or to ask someone to challenge his position.  Jaric offers that Nia is not concerned about Senate proceedings at the moment.  "This is not a question of process."

Haroun stares at Nia, unwilling to share his idea just yet.

Jaric tries to share that there was a time before the Senate was reestablished that the ven functioned without it.  Nia suggests she can use an artifact she owns to force the army of orks that is holding the Senate house standing to withdraw.  "That is not traditional, isn't it?  It should go, shouldn't it?"  Nia asks Jaric.  "The Senate has recognized a House Ork, and a House Merchant.  The Senate has told us that Seran is in Exile when she was in truth, dead."

Jaric struggles to answer, agreeing there seems to be a precedent to these things.  Probably a third before the migration to the Wilderness once more.

"The Senate is not acting the way it should," Nia concludes.

"The Senate does what it will," Jaric mutters.

"But the Senate is made of ven and no ven is above the law.  The Senate has killed Seran Thorne." Nia hisses.

"Perhaps she has become Suaven," Jaric tries to explain...

"Then Galeo," Nia turns to her, "Talk to her."

"Wait, you knew about Galeo too?"

Galeo tries but hears no response.  Errol stands up and tells them, "We have to find her.  Find her and bring her back."

Galeo has a horrible feeling she knows where she is.

*

"Not so fast," the red head drops Seran back onto the ground.  She coughs as she tries to regain her bearings.  As she looks around, she hears the sound of groaning wood and hear falling water.  There is shattered glass, torn cloth, warped wood.  A man rushes to her and asks if she is alright.  Seran is shocked that the man can see her.

"Did you just find your way out of the rubble? This is the opera house, you will be safe here.  Don't worry, the Storm seems to have passed.  Food still arrives from the ceiling above.  We still have patrons sending us food, it seems."  the man helps her to her feet, "My name is Echo."

Seran's face seems to have injuries all over her face.  There are broken glass shards on the ground.  The man explains she is in the one and only Opera House in Shanri.  The Greatest City in the World.  "The Storm struck, but we are alive.  Thankfully, the Storm has left."

Seran asks if they know of anyone named Pyotr.

"Yes, she was one of our Sponsors," a red-haired woman appears and looks exactly like the demon.  Seran charges forward screaming for bloody murder, but the others try to hold her back.  As Seran struggles to attack, the red-haired woman intones to Thalia and reaches to touch Seran's skin.  Seran immediately falls asleep.

The survivors stare at her and wonder where she came from.   They do hope that food will be sent back down by the Sponsors soon.  It has been a week since they last were fed.

Inspiration: Robot Overlords

This trailer is awesome idea-sourcing for The Aegis Project sessions or perhaps even Apocalypse World games.

dollhouse ep03 : Orpheus

11/09/2014
dollhouse

Episode Three
"Lurking"

Orpheus


Shepherd is feeling the frustration while he continues to research in the public library.  Days have passed and his attempts to find information regarding the supposed "Alia Green" have not borne any fruit.  Citywide, there are around 14 matches.  The sole match connected to Orpheus he finds, unfortunately is outside his access levels.  Attempts to find information about "Bishop" lead to either the religious leader, or the character from that mutant comic book, or even the chess piece.  In an attempt to find a possible contact or perhaps a hacker who might know things, Shepherd starts posting as well in forum groups throwing in specific keywords to see if anyone would respond.  At worst, he finds some rumors about Bishop online - that he's some boogeyman agents don't mention three times in a single mission, or that he might actually be a code name for someone who watches over the agents to keep them in line.  A hand lands on his shoulder.  Shepherd looks up to see Hoyt Masterson standing beside him.  By the doorway, Chet Mason leans on his cane.  They tell him that Orpheus is not too happy that he is, in their words, stirring the pot.  Hoyt seems aware that Shepherd has posted the word Orpheus in around 96+ blog posts in the last two days.  Hoyt admits he was checking if an E-Demon was messing up the net and was actually surprised it was Shepherd doing the noise.  Shepherd questions if Hoyt really doesn't know anything about this Bishop character.  They talk about whether Bishop is a spy, or a secret agent of the company, and Hoyt asks Shepherd if he really plans to be one of those who believe such things.  Shepherd raises his hand, "You got me." Hoyt shakes his head and tells him that's Chet's job.  Hoyt then vanishes, Inhabiting the computer to wipe the posts clean. "Don't make me run after you, boy," Chet growls.  They tell him this is his last warning, and Shepherd insists he is just trying to get the facts.    Chet questions why Shepherd would focus more on this boogeyman rather than the murders happening among the homeless in Shepherd's area.  Shepherd admits he hasn't been back, but he keenly has been tracking how long he has been gone.  Chet reminds him to bear importance to the fact they still remember him.  "The last thing you want is to be forgotten."

A ringing sound erupts.  Hoyt fishes out a cellular phone and to Shepherd's surprise it is made of gauze.  Chet admits they all have one and that it was one of the first things they opts to look for.  Pays to project and have something handy.  The call turns out to be from Kate Dennison, who says Shepherd is not supposed to head back.  Chet teases that he will take care of cleaning up Shepherd, but Hoyt explains they can't bring him back because his wife is at the building.   Shepherd's wife, as it turns out, does not believe her husband is dead, and thinks some conspiracy is going on with Orpheus.  The group opts to head for one of the safe houses of Orpheus and leave Kate to handle the wife.

*

Kate Shepherd stands outside the Orpheus building, demanding that they bring her husband out.  A small crowd has gathered, watching her antics.  Security guards stand by the door.  Kate Dennison steps out and attempts to talk to her, but she will not be ignored.  She begins screaming for her husband, whom she believes is either alive or in some way imprisoned in the building.  Realizing she has to, Kate purses her lips and blows a loud whistle that instantly calms Kate Shepherd down. "Shall we talk inside?"   Mrs. Shepherd feels more willing now to talk and follows inside.

*

Fiona Parker and Wendell Pruce are having a moment talking about how the strange connection they have has seemingly simmered down now to an accessible link they consciously tap into in order to communicate with each other.  The connection seems strongest within 30 feet of each other, and possibly even allow the other to see through another's eyes.  Surface thoughts slip though as well, allowing some level of communication.  But while connected, the group realizes they feel disconnected from the world around them, having difficulty with too much stimulus.  The two talk about Ellie, about Red, and even about Misha.  The focus of their discussions shift to the other table in the cafeteria where an Asian woman seems to be busy with her cellphone between bites.  Fiona dreads the day they would have to work with someone like her.  "My guess, two to three children that are too young to fend off for themselves.  She probably works for the salary."  Wendell asks why she thinks the woman would be a mother and how, knowing their luck, they would probably have to work with her.  "At least it is not Carter."   After Red offers Wendell another bowl of food, a bowl Wendell regrets receiving, they start talking about how the projected form matches one's RSI (Residual Self Image) and how it usually is one's personal view of when they looked their best. Wendell wonders what that says about himself given he barely looks different from himself.  Fiona admits Alexander Carter seems to be very interested in Wendell's development and wonders if there is something there.  

*

An old woman sits alone, covering her ears.  Her cats are going crazy.  There is a repetitive sound in the background of wood slamming against wood.

*

Next door, Misha Rusanov and Natalie Wick have just finished another round of rough and passionate make-up sex.  Misha decides to go grab a shower to get ready for work while Natalie tries to get him to talk more about his place of work, but Misha unfortunately can keep his secrets.  While Misha showers, Natalie tries digging through his things and finds nothing but clothes inside.  There are torn clothes and snuffed out cigarettes among them, which ultimately raises more questions.  Misha finally steps out to see her holding up a dog collar.  "What is this supposed to be?"  she asks, curious to why he would have one given he has no dog.  Misha's cellphone rings and it turns out to be Kate Dennison, informing him to report to work.  He finds Natalie sniffing the collar, curious to why it hasn't been used.  Misha tells her he has to head off to work, and she reminds him that he is a terrible liar but she is happy that he has not lied to her.  Misha catches Mrs. Rosenberg outside her flat once more, and as he greets her on his way out, she doesn't really say anything in response.  Misha heads to work. 

*

Cellphone rings. Natalie Wick holds her phone to her ear, "He has just left.  No, he hasn't told me anything.  I know... and I will find out... but I just need a bit more time.  No... no no.. I will. I got this."  When the call ends, she then clears the history on her phone to make sure there's no record of the call.

*

Text messages have not stopped coming from Sophie , Natalie Kureya's eldest daughter.  She has been complaining about Natalie not being able to give a precise time when she will be home.  Sophie is anxious to still have her night out but Natalie tells Sophie to just wait.  Red is happy to see Natalie enjoyed the meal and learns she added Oyster sauce to give the dish an "Asian flavor."  Red even brags to Wendell that Natalie likes her cooking.   Another beep.  Natalie looks down and to her surprise it isn't from her daughter this time.  It is a message from Kate.   Another sound emits from Wendell's side.  He too checks his cellphone.  

The two find themselves both stepping into the same elevator, and pressing the same button for the same floor.  As they realize soon they are walking in the same direction, Wendell tries to break the ice by asking if Natalie is actually a mother.  Wendell tries to go around saying she has a resting-bitch face and asks if she is a Skinrider, and Natalie tries to make light of the situation.  They open the same door to smell cigarette smoke.  "Fiona," Natalie greets her and finds her frozen in a smile.    Natalie doesn't realize it is because Fiona is telepathically tells Wendell, "I knew it!  You're all replacing me for a younger woman."

Kate Dennison arrives, still on her cellphone and telling someone not to let someone out of the room until she returns.  She's surprised Misha isn't around and Wendell admits he is probably off site.

*

Misha ties his bike to the side rail and notices a car being ushered away by the security guards to avoid a "hostile guest."  He asks the security what is going on and they tell him about  the woman at the front of the building protesting about people having the right to know about something .  He hurries up the elevator to get to the meeting.

*

At the safe house, Chet tries to understand more why Shepherd is obsessing over Bishop.  They discuss the events of the last mission, of meeting a Spirit named Alia Green who claims to be missing her body.  Shepherd feels she came to warn them.  Chet feels that Shepherd seems to have forgotten to use his Forebode abilities to ask for the questions instead he wants to ask.  He admits he found nothing, however.    The door slams open and they see Zoe Vitt rushed into the room with blood and bruises all over her.  Shepherd realizes he has seen her a few in the building, and watches as Hoyt Inhabits the safe house to help her better, and as Mason uses his Juggernaut to hold her down.  Zoe starts spitting blood out, muttering Holy Cross... Hospital... Retrieve...

*

Misha arrives to see the group already studying the images projected on the screen. The term Daughters of Creusa are on the wall.  A group of self-help new agers have embraced the name.  The mission will have to be done without Shepherd.  And as it turns out, Natalie Kureya is being assigned to head the Mission in his absence, given she has the most seniority among the members.  Natalie's crucible is still mostly recovering from injuries when the apartment complex they were in during a Mission collapsed!  Fiona and Wendell aren't too happy to hear this.  Even Misha telepathically shares that he's surprised the group has another Skinrider.  The group is shown digital footage that has been sent to them by one of the members of the Daughters, a Mylene Watkins.  The footage seems to depict what Orpheus refers to as a Jason.  The group hurries to the site, with Wendell having to hurry downstairs to the Cradles to try and be brought under.  Misha summons his ghostly dog a second time, who he now chooses to name Carter to spite Alexander Carter.   Sadly, not even Ellie would be in this mission - although the reasons for her absence were not stated.  Kate's team were supposed to meet the others at the location, but given the incident with Zoe Vitt, they will unfortunately be delayed.  Fiona and Natalie were going to be the muscle for the Mission.

*

As the others try to stabilize Zoe, Shepherd starts hearing the radio muttering odd reports about something happening in the Holy Cross Hospital.  Zoe it turns out, was on a retrieval mission to investigate and locate the cause of what could only be dubbed as a Ghostquake.   After Foreboding for more information, Shepherd opts to head straight to the site to try and retrieve something Zoe had dropped and felt urgently needed to be retrieved.  On a bus to the location, Sheperd finds himself getting the attention of another spirit who asks him if he knows why there are no ghosts older than six years in the city.  The spirit, named Roxxon, seems to be stuck with the bus.  Two girls have stepped down from the bus as well, excited to investigate the hospital for some kind of ghost quake that hit the area.  

*

Wendell slips into the Cradle and feels the techs quickly shift the dosage up to bring him under.  Charlie stares at Wendell and strokes his hair back.  Wendell looks down and sees his body next to him.  The techs are checking his vitals.  Charlie Matthews is staring at him, leaning close and whispers, "I new you'd follow me..."

Wendell sits up, panicked.  The techs announce that he's under and how he looked like he had a dream.  The tech hands the map to Wendell and given his intangibility, the map falls to the ground.  Wendell tries to memorize what he can then hurries off.

The tech watches him go and wonders aloud who Charlie was, then before he knows it he fixes Wendell's hair and stops.

"Now why did I do that?"

*

Holy Cross Hospital is an active place, with people moving about.  Shepherd even spots a clown moving down one hallway.  He forebodes and asks for where Zoe Vitt was earlier today.  His Horror is abruptly interrupted when a ghost child bumps into him and runs off through the crowd.  As he tries to follow the child, he comes upon an unexpected sight:  a room is on code blue and the doctors are doing what they can to save a dying man.  Shepherd steps closer and finds a ghastly sight; a robed figure with a skull head.  And as the man dies, the skull-headed figure wraps its dark robe around the dead man's body, taking with it its spirit.  Shepherd sees the wife of the dead man and uses his voice to soothe her of her sadness.

*

Wendell starts to notice static occasionally breaking through the radio playing in the cab, with words muttered by some guy that seem to be reporting something transpiring else where.  He starts to realize the driver does not hear it.

*

The abandoned hotel remains quiet.  Natalie, Kate, Fiona and Misha plan their approach, splitting up into two groups.  Without a light source, however, Misha uses Carter to guide the way.  As the group quickly makes their ascent, Misha and Fiona find a strong trail somewhere in the upper floors.  The darkness grows thicker and soon, Fiona draws out a lighter made of gauze to light the way.  Kate and Natalie, on the other hand, search for the Jason.

*

Zoe gets stabilized.  Chet and Hoyt worry what could have beaten her up this badly, and worse, get concerned about Shepherd having run off.  They find the messages Kate sent to their phones, however, and realize the "girl" will have to wait and head on to join the others.

*

"Having trouble... to dark for them to see... can help but might..."  and the static takes over once more.  Wendell opts to play it cool, even as the driver mumbles about Wendell looking like the actor in some superhero movie.  Wendell is now certain the driver cannot hear the voice that breaks through the radio static every now and then.  The cab driver just jokes that New York has no real giant gators in the sewers, just rats and ghosts.

"...Contact..." the voice mutters.  Wendell as the car pull over and rushes out to start running.

*

Fiona and Misha, guided by Carter, continue to the upper floors.  Kate and Natalie there hear a male voice screaming somewhere above.  Natalie checks the window close to the fire exit and focuses her Vitality to Manifest fully and kicks one of the boards open so sunlight can creep inside.  The sudden light blinds them both for a moment, keeping them from seeing the figure standing directly behind them.

On the fifth floor, Fiona and Misha find the corridor with the peeling wallpaper.  Carter leads the way, sniffing for the girls.  The search continues.

Natalie is slammed against the wall as the Jason pushes him against the wall.  Kate screams for Natalie in panic, and her words transform into a Wail that tear into both the Jason and Natalie.  Natalie feels her gauze rip apart before she shunts all the pain to her body to remain intact.

*

Shepherd exists the room with the recently deceased and feels someone slam into his legs.  The child continues running, turning around the closest corner as he goes.  Shepherd intones another Forebode and he sees glimpses of the rooftop of the hospital as the place he should go to.  The route he takes then leads him straight through the children's ward.

*

Wendell runs past more people and as he makes his way past the streets to get to the abandoned hotel.  He diverts to the alleyway nearby and drops all tangibility to Storm Wend to the fifth floor fire escape.  He lands without a sound and hears the sounds of conflict transpiring inside.  Glass shatters.  "Is everything all right?" Wendell calls out in the mental connection he shares with the Crucible, but the connection is suddenly lost.  A powerful scream is heard and a hand punches through the wood.  Wendell Storm Wends a floor up.

*

The Jason closes in on Kate, whose Wail had clearly agitated him.  Natalie rushes at the Jason to pounce on him and force him facedown.  The two wrestle against one another, equal in strength as something empowers the Jason, while Natalie uses his Juggernaut to its fullest.  Kate waits for an opening to Wail once more.  Planting herself firmly to the ground, Natalie resists the Jason's attempt to fling her away.  The Jason tumbles to the ground, its strength misdirected.    She throws a hard kick at the back of the Jason's head and with the hit, something snaps.  The Jason drops to one knee.  Natalie motions to Kate to stay back. The Jason starts snapping its neck back in place.  Kate screams another Wail at the Jason even as Natalie begins to realize the thing has not even made a single sound.

*

Wendell enters the building, his Unearthly Repose illuminating the area to make it easier to see things.  Misha, Fiona and Carter continue to search for the girls, ignoring the glow in the distance.  They shove into a room and find themselves before a bed.  Misha whistles for Carter and finds it by the closet on the far wall.  Using the basics of Helter Skelter, Misha swings the closet open to reveal a panicked woman.  He quickly fully Manifests and tries to calm her down, realizing a large part of her panic is having been hiding in a completely dark room after being stocked by someone.  He asks her if she knows where the others are, and she begs them to help her get out.  Through the hive mind, Misha asks Fiona if she found the others, and she reports she found one who seems to be very hurt. "It hurts when I tried Skin Riding her."  Misha commands Carter to look for Fiona while he guides the woman he found to stay close.  

*

It is almost noon.  Shepherd arrives at the roof of the Hospital to find a child sitting on the gravel.  The child is wearing striped pajamas.  Shepherd calls out to the child, but it doesn't respond.  Two more kids run out from the staircase, colliding with Shepherd and stop by the figure in the striped pajamas.  Laughter erupts as more children arrive.  More and more, gathering with the figure in the stripes.  "What are these kids about to do here," Shepherd Forebodes and yet no answers are forthcoming.  Shepherd glances around for the markings that match his vision of where Zoe dropped something, and on his next glance up, around nine ghostly children have now gathered near the striped figure.  On the ground, Shepherd finds a small strange thing... a rock made purely of gauze.

A ghost rock.

Shepherd slips it back into his pocket.  Suddenly, a slight tremor hits, forcing him to try to recover his balance.  The earthquake causes the children and the striped figure to try to get back on their feet as well.  None of the gravel rocks however shifted at all.  The striped figure begins to stand, turning to face Shepherd.

*

Wendell hears the screams and the dogs ahead of him.  He can hear Misha somewhere in the darkness.  He moves to the sounds and eventually illuminates Misha and the others.  Misha calls out using the Hivemind and true enough, it is Wendell.  Wendell Manifests and uses his calming aura to try to comfort the rescued women as well. Misha updates Wendell on what's been happening.  Fiona, on the Hivemind, admits she thinks the woman she found earlier is dead.    Her words are abruptly interrupted however into a cry for help!  The two rush over and find a woman strangling Fiona.  Wendell pushes the calming effect of his light to a stronger level, Misha shoves the calm body off Fiona and helps his Crucible member up.  Although Fiona didn't even hit the woman, Misha realizes she no longer has a pulse.

"She Jason-ed in front of me?" Fiona gasps.

"At least we learned that if we calm the Jason down, it disappears..."

Fiona however wonders if it merely halted the change given it realized it was outnumbered.  They find the final woman standing in the center of another room.  Blood covers her clothes.  Her head hangs low.  She slowly raises her head and they all see how heavily damaged her face is.  The Jason must have gotten to hear before they arrived.  With the calming light of Wendell still maintained, the group considers backing away.  The only survivor with them gasps, "Aina..."   The woman once named Aina seems to be in the verge of transforming into a Jason as well.  Wendell starts tugging at them to start heading back.  The Jason begins to mimic the words it overhears.  Almost like something learning to talk.

*

Blood and flesh erupt as Kate's Wail strikes the Jason down.  Natalie and Kate watch in horror as even grievously hurt, the Jason's wounds start to close once more.  Before the wounds completely close, Natalie rushes forward and channels her will to fuel her Juggernaut, then slams it to the ground headfirst.  The floor splinters and the Jason crashes nearly through.  Kate rushes behind the thing to unleash black tentacles at it and immobilize it.   Natalie decides to try something and attempts to use Puppetry upon the Jason; maybe she can force the thing possessing the man out of his body?  Natalie begins to hear the whispered hissing and mumbling voices in the Hivemind.. a glimpse of the Spectral presence within.

*Withdraw*

Suddenly, Natalie slips easily into the body of the Jason, taking full control.   The Spectre is gone.  Kate is happy that Natalie succeeded, but Natalie admits the victory feels wrong.

*

The figure in yellow and white stripes stands to its full height, towering nearly seven feet tall.  Its limbs are narrow, like pipes.The thing is mostly humanoid, but its head resembles more that of an animal. It resonates an almost child-like fascination.  A fox.  The children now all turn to face Shepherd too.  They are all wearing paper cut in fox-like masks.

Impact!  Something hits the ground close to Shepherd's foot.  Another ghost rock.
The children start laughing, as they run and leap off the side of the Hospital.  The Fox remains staring.  Shepherd attempts to use DeadEyes for a glimpse on how much Vitality courses through the thing.  He finds none.  Not a single hint of Vitality.  Shepherd begins to inch for the exit.  The Fox glances at where Shepherd hoped to go... but suddenly, the door is gone.

The Fox begins to smile, revealing dagger-like teeth.  The smile reminds Shepherd of the Cheshire cat.  Did the author have DeadEyes?  Did the author see this very thing when he wrote about the Cheshire cat?  Then its gone.   Shepherd runs to the edge of the building, hoping to see any sight of where it had gone.  He can see it another rooftop.  And another even further.  Then gone.

Shepherd looks back for the staircase and finds it there, where he last remembered it.  Like it was never gone.  The rumble happens again, somewhere distant.  But something that does not disturb the gravel.    Some kind of Ghostquake.

"Where did this come from?" Shepherd Forebodes as he holds the Ghost Rock in his hand.  He sees a winding twisting tower, like a nautilus shell, spinning ever so slowly.  He hurries back down below.  In the hospital, he can see more patients being rushed in.  Mostly showing teenagers in various states of injury, the floor is alive with the doctors and nurses trying to treat the dozens of kids who need medical attention.  They all seemingly came from a singular location.  Shepherd quickly exits and rushes back to the safehouse.

*

At the safehouse, Shepherd arrives to find it empty save for Zoe Vitt who has now gotten stable.  She is doing better now, although she has not regained consciousness.  Shepherd takes her hand into his own and begins singing to share some comfort and serenity.  Neither Hoyt nor Chet seem to be in the room.  The tech people still present do wonder if this will delay the party that Orpheus was planning to celebrate.  When Shepherd asks them for more information on what happened, they share with him Zoe's report of a Ghost Quake happening, and of her attempt to retrieve something that she dropped.  Shepherd reassures Zoe, not really certain if she can hear him, that he retrieved the rock and of the dark black figure he witnessed in the hospital.  Sadly, she does not respond.

*

Descending down the staircase, Misha, Fiona, Carter and Wendell hurriedly guide the only survivor down the staircase.  They find another body of a woman on the ground.  Sadly, she has no pulse either.  Misha asks Fiona to focus on getting the woman out safely while the rest of them look for the last one.  Misha calls out for a ghost pack of dogs to help out.  Wendell wonders if any other type of animals could have helped.  The sounds of battle seem to have gone quiet.

Natalie shares with Kate that the body she has possessed still has someone resting inside.  There is someone alive yet very weak.  Natalie wonders if these were Jasons at all.

The ghostly dogs emerge through the wall and Misha commands them to find the last living person in the building.  Wendell relaxes his glow to allow the dogs to keep going.  They search and find the dogs leading them to a bathroom in one of the upper floors.  Carter barks at Misha, confirming a successful search:  the last woman is hugging her legs, fetal position, beneath the bed.  "You're not... not Lloyd," she mutters, and then asks if the others are okay.  Wendell uses once again his Unearthly Repose to calm her down.  Misha opens the cabinet doors using Helter Skelter to find what else the dogs are reacting to.  They find a woman in the cabinet, her face terrified and yet she makes no sound.  She trembles the whole time.

"Either there were more women or one of them is fake," Wendell is confused.   They were expecting one last survivor and instead find two.  Misha guides the woman in the cabinet out.  Wendell allows his calming glow to reach her as well.  The woman under the bed, on the other hand, asks Wendell if the others got out okay.  She mentions they kept finding them no matter where they hid.

The door opens down below as Fiona guides the woman outside.  Outside, Hoyt and Mason arrive.  Fiona sees them and greets Mason with a familiar greeting.  Mason and Hoyt however react with panic, as branches seemingly erupt from behind her.  Mason darts forward, Juggernaut fueling his movement while Hoyt unleashes lightning at the closing darkness.

*

Zoe remains unconscious.  Shepherd borrows the technician's phone and calls the main Orpheus office.  He learns of the growing protest outside the building that is being lead by his wife.  He also learns that Kate, Chet, Hoyt and the others are currently off the building's grounds.  However, the call is interrupted by static as a voice asks if he got the rocks and reminds him to keep safe.  After Shepherd confirms he got them, the static fades and the operator reminds him that something will have to be done about his wife outside who has even gathered the media.  He stresses however that there is a reason why he is dead.   He asks to be connected to Kate's phone, but the static takes over again cuts the call.  He calls once more and connects him to Kate, but she never answers.

*

Hoyt is thrown backwards.  Mason grabs Fiona and tackles her to the side.  The dark thing rushes for the road.  Wendell pushes the girls to Misha and tells him to take them while he runs for the fire exit, leaps through and Stormwends down.  The tree-like thing erupts out of the doorway and begins attempting to climb up the building's side to go across the street.  Hoyt is down below, dragging Mason and Fiona to the side.  Wendell wends the thing and yanks it with him as far upwards as he could.

The thing recoils at his touch, unhappy to feel the Projector.  But Wendell successfully yanks it upwards half a mile towards the sky.  Now by the roof of the building, the Spectre and Wendell are trapped for now.  The survivors regret the actions they have taken, muttering about how they shouldn't have done what they had.  Kate and Natalie rejoins the others and learns of the two dead, and of the extra woman among them.  Misha tells them that Wendell has gone out to join Fiona, when Kate wonders if a Spectre has pretended to look like one of them.  Or at least, pretended to look human.

Back above, the worm thing realizes its all the way up there and confronts the Wisp that dragged it up.  Shunting more of his will into his powers, Wendell attempts to use his Unearthly Repose once more to subdue the thing.  The power is so effective, it takes Wendell to be one of its trusted allies.  It starts telling him of a strange, unbelievable tale... how it is almost time for some grand event.  Wendell asks it to revert to the friendlier humanoid form, and she does so.  "Looks so real," it tells Wendell as it touches his face, "We make Grandma proud..."  Wendell slowly inches away from the Spectre, uncertain what to do next.

As the others exit the building, they see Mason, Fiona and Hoyt telling them that Wendell and the spectre were pulled away... somewhere.  None of them can reach him in the Hivemind either, given the hotel is just too tall.  Hoyt offers the others Vitality, while Natalie looks at Misha and Fiona and asks them where Wendell would have brought the thing given he's not really a fighter.  Kate tells them the thing wanted to leave, so Wendell must have found a way to stop it or delay it.  They look up and see the glow above.  Misha uses his Flesh Flux to grow Wings and take to the sky.  Natalie releases the Skin-ridden body, which drops to the ground, and watches as Fiona starts scrambling up the fire escape with the others.

Wendell asks the Spectre to sit and talk more about Grandma.  He tries manipulating the thing to share what Grandma wants, and learns that she is "coming."  The Spectre wraps her arms around Wendell, in an almost loving embrace.  There is a flash of light that suddenly erupts, and Wendell sees the lightning about to strike them both.  Wendell leaps backwards and watches as the lightning strike the Spectre like a miniature sun.  The Spectre begins to disintegrate with each strike.  The only remnant that states it was once there is that where it once stood, there is only glass.

The others arrive, worried for Wendell, but happy to see he is safe  Wendell is confused as it begins to dawn upon him that the lightning did not come from his Crucible nor Kate's.  And that the source of the lightning strikes was the television cable not too far away.  Wendell hugs his knees, admitting that he thought they were the ones who saved him.  "Grandma is coming... I don't know who Grandma is...  Don't wake me up.  Do not wake me up..."

*

Much later, Shepherd gets a ride from Hoyt and Mason back to the Orpheus headquarters.  He learns of how many of his friends were hurt in the recent Mission and shares with them the Ghost Rock he had retrieved.  Outside Orpheus, a large group of people have gathered to protest.  Even religious groups have joined the protest.  Sneaking in through the side entrance, Shepherd eventually finds the other members of the Crucible in the office.  Wendell and the others don't seem too happy to see Shepherd.  They all are puzzled as well about the lightning that struck at the Spectre which seemingly came out of nowhere.

Shepherd asks them if they've been hearing things on the radio.  Wendell turns to face him, even suggesting that there's a voice that seems to be sharing updates about what was going on.  Misha thought Wendell heard Carter.  Fiona asks Shepherd to explain where he was and he claims he was on a mission of his own.   He mentions one of Kate's members was attacked.  Fiona, however, feels the team deserves some answers on what happened today.  There has been no debriefing.  They were nearly slaughtered.  Natalie admits they didn't even know what to expect.  And Misha wonders aloud how the Spectre was able to pretend to be living.  And then, there's the mention of Grandmother.

Calls to reach Kate remain unanswered.  Fiona admits they've all been trying and she's been unreachable.  They've all been waiting for answers.  Misha warns Shepherd not to leave the team ever again, but Misha insists he was assigned to another meeting.  Misha however insists that after hearing a Skin-Rider, someone who could gain Strength, Speed and Toughness on her own, was hurt, Shepherd thought he could go there on his own and handle the same thing?  Shepherd admits he had to find out what he could, and that they were holding him away given his wife's presence outside.  Fiona remarks that maybe the least he could have done was inform them where he was.  Natalie shares that she doesn't know any of them but she does not deserve the attitude.  "You're all given jobs.  We're all protecting each other.  If someone fails to do their job, someone gets hurt.  Someone has to suck all the blame and all the attitude.  Give him a break."  She reminds them she tries her best to lead the team but she's not part of the Crucible.   She apologizes that she was busy saving other people.

Kate arrives.  Fiona tells them all she's back and they all sit down to hear what she has to say.  Kate tells them in very few words that she apologizes that she cannot say more, but according to the hgher ups, in order to recuperate from mental and physical trauma, they are all on indefinite leave.  Wendell complains if it has anything to do with the board member who was friends with that sisterhood.  She also stresses that they are all also not to attend the upcoming inter-department celebration.  Wendell complains this sounds more like a punishment than a period to rest.

Shepherd tells Kate they deserve an explanation.  But Kate tells them they do, not her.   Natalie rushes after Kate and apologizes for what happened and tells her they need to sort their shit out or someone will get killed.  She tells Natalie however that she's stuck with the Crucible.  Neither of them seem happy about it.

Outside, the Carter group is watching the events.  "Looks like we will finally have a night where you all dress up," he grins.  Wendell and Shepherd shake their heads.  Wendell grabs Fiona's arm to leave and show him how to eat while projected.  She muses that he won't even have to barf it out.  Misha just leaves.  Natalie tells Shepherd he has a serious problem, and he apologizes to her and introduces himself for the first time.  She admits she used to have her own Crucible and had members who are just as frustrating.  But things will get better.

They look at the Ghost Rock.  Neither of them are certain where it came from, but it does look like an Artifact.  Shepherd admits Forebode only showed him a building he has never seen before.  Natalie heads off to visit her kids.  Shepherd heads off with the Rock, hoping to ask Kate about it.  He gets intercepted by a man who claims the higher ups have asked him to claim it from him.  The man tells Shepherd he has clearance to accept it for them.  "The name's Bishop.  Uriah Bishop.  I'll be taking that now please."

Shepherd gives it to him.

The man gives Shepherd a wink.  "I won't tell them you have the other one.  Give Kate a break.  She's been getting a lot of flack already.  And stop looking for me.  You'll be forgetting in five... four... three..."

*

Shepherd blinks his eyes.  Kate is staring at him.
"Yes?  You were standing in front of my door?  Was there something you wanted?"

Shepherd looks around.  He doesn't quite recall what just happened.   There was... no.. it's gone now.