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Log: Unsettling Predicaments

Page history last edited by Koal 15 years, 5 months ago

(nothing in this log should be considered official in any sense, because of massive plot confusion)

Characters: Cathak Zuriel, Cynis Jyoti, Mnemon Koal, Ledaal Kyrie, Tsure

 

Seduction and intrigue plague a gathering of friends at the Garrison Heights shipyards.

 

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* Greyfalls: Garrison Heights *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--

 

         Perched above the rest of the city, Garrison Heights has its own set of inner walls to fend off invaders that might manage to cut their way into the city proper. Within, clusters of administrative buildings jostle for space with military barracks, all encircling the five hundred yard stretch of parade grounds which dominates the center of the heights. Local troops are kept in trim on the ground, wheeling to and fro in regular drills.

         While the parade ground may be at the center of the heights, the buildings that surround it have their own importance. The largest structure in the city looms along the southern side of the rise, the Scintillating River Palace constructed for the Empresses' pleasure, should she ever choose to visit this far-flung city. Near it, the somewhat less imposing structure of the Satrap's Palace rests against the western wall, while the graceful domes of the Immaculate Temple stand with the pride of the greatest and most important edifice of the Immaculate Order in all the East.

 

     "The keels are coming," Jyoti says, not reaching up to touch her jaw though it smarts. It's a little disconcerting, being yanked around on the roller. She points to areas of disrepair. "It is running... well, maybe fine for now... but I would be remiss if I did not at least spend a day on the most important part of these ships. I have the first of the keels in my workshop, cooling." Jyoti wipes her brow with a rolled up sleeve, trying not to get engine grease on her face more than it already is.

 

<RE> There is the smell of magitech here, sucking the moisture from the hot summer air and filling it with the fizzing sparking burnt oxygen scent of engines and metal. Jyoti lies with her back on a slim roller under the belly of one of the smaller personal airships, a bandanna keeping her hair from her face and grease on her clothes. A very heavy toolbelt is around her hips and she reaches down into it to pull out a wrench with an odd fixture on the back end, shouting a direction to someone working up above her on the side. It's noisy here with work, but Jyoti is in her element, prying out something stubborn but delicate from the exposed engine and setting it carefully down, a piece of licorice root sticking out from between her lips while she works.

 

 It appears that Strategos Zuriel has climbed down under the exposed engines of one of the ships and is pulling around the head mechanic on the roller she's lying on for the repairs, asking questions and generally being a very important pest.

 

         Ahh, the sweet smell of magitech in the morning, surely that is what has brought Tsure here. "Ooh, neat," she says rolling up on Jyoti and Zuriel. "Which one this gonna be?"

 

         Indeed, Zuriel seems to be taking a shine to Jyoti, if only because she's nice enough to entertain his annoying habits. "I see what you mean," he says as he pokes a little module with a finger, "Well, I guess if you can't work on the keels at the moment, you can always work on these engines to make the best use of your time." He is about to slide out when his student pops on and he offers her a grin. "Think fast," are the only two words that escape his mouth before a gauntleted fist flies towards Tsure's pretty face.

 

     Cynis Jyoti just flattens down as best she can as Zuriel's armored fist goes flying across her and at the newcomer, who she'd just turned her face to greet.

 

         Oof. She's totally not expecting it, though really should be by now, and though her nose is safe her still bruised shoulder takes a pretty good clip as her sidestep isn't quite far enough...to the side. "Ow!" Tsure exclaims.

 

     Mnemon Koal notices Tsure's visitation from afar and walks over to view the ships. His presence is a passive one. Admittedly, he sometimes feels that Zuriel has a better relationship with her than him because of the relaxed ease in which he gets along with everyone. He focusses on looking over the construction of the ships even with the sparing match nearby, trying to fit together what he's been learning from Tsure, simply glad that she is actually visiting /here/ today.

     Mnemon Koal salutes automatically if the strategos looks his way.

 

-= OOC =- Tsure says, "Oh shit, do I have to like salute Koal or something?"

-= OOC =- Cathak Zuriel says, "Yes, you all have to salute Koal and myself.... JYOTI!"

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "he's never asked you to"

-= OOC =- Mnemon Koal says, "but technically, you should"

-= OOC =- Tsure says, "then I shall not until asked. :)"

 

         Tsure's slow reaction is disheartening and he frowns, "Oh come on, I didn't even hit you full force that time. You're getting better though, at least you didn't let me catch you in the face." He smiles and says, "Tsure, you know Cynis Jyoti right? She's been working with the legion building skyships in much the same way you're building automata." His eyes are sharp enough to spot Koal and he returns the salute, "Dragonlord Koal! Want to come down here and check out the ships? They're very interesting. I think this one's about to explode too."

 

     "Ah... Much as I love to see people bonding..." Jyoti's booted foot sneaks down to the ground off of the roller and attempts to wheel her a bit away from the two. "Could we not assault one another under the flammable heart of this crusty old engine?" But then she's being introduced and she offers Tsure a wry grin, offering a nod in greeting since her hands are wrist-deep in wiring. "Pleased to meet you Tsure."

 

         "The pleasure is all mine," Tsure says, offering a return nod and rubbing her shoulder. "I must say it's damn pleasant to have someone else around here who understands what an inverted essence conductor is for. For a while Zuriel just thought I should hit things," she says with a wink. "And...speaking of Automata, we need to discuss at some point what to work on next." Tsure pauses, hrms, then says, "You want a hand while I'm here? I think I see where you're headed with that and three sets of hands are better than one," she smiles, "I've never gotten to work on a ship before." She turns and gives Koal a quick nod of greeting.

 

     Mnemon Koal is sometimes very easy to play a joke on. Koal reflexively draws upon the gifts of Pasiap and walks over preparing to shield the rest with his body as necessary. "Sir. Of course, Sir!" "I fear I have neglected my duties to understand the capacities of the new models."  Mnemon Koal eyes sparkle like diamonds in the fairground light as he nods in return to Tsure.

 

         Zuriel makes way for the ponderous Mnemon but does give him an order as he moves closer, "At ease, Dragonlord." He winks back at Tsure and says, "Peace through superior firepower is what my old drill instructor always said." Positioning himself to force Tsure to be closer to Koal he adds, "I think for your next project we might go with more Brass Men. If we can unload them by fangs in the Isle as bodyguards, we can get funding for more extravagant projects like an advanced protection grid for the Satrapy."

 

         Tsure turns to Koal, "See, I told you he was down for it."

 

     Mnemon Koal feels no immediate threats and relaxes at Zuriel's command. "I was confident you could convince him. You seemed very sure of the designs." Koal seems much happier these days.

 

     Cynis Jyoti brightens, her amythest eyes widening a little. What incredible luck! "Thank you! Here..." She makes a little room and reaches into the guts of the thing and feels about for the linkages in question. "Tell me if there's communication between the two points? I can't see it from here at all, not sure the wires are in good condition in this area anymore..."

 

         "But of course," Tsure says smiling as a pair of essence arms spring from her back and attempt to ruffle Koal's hair. "Duty calls," she says, sliding between the two and slides in next to Jyoti, fiddling with some wires.

 

         Zuriel looks at Koal and Tsure, "What are you two talking about?" He holds up a fist at Tsure and shakes it playfully, "I smell conspiracy and as my old aunt used to say, if you smell it, purge it with fire!" He is sure to leave out the part where his aunt was talking about gas leaks and not conspiracy.

 

     Mnemon Koal attempts truly to understand the conversation but still remains at a loss. Learning for him simply takes longer even with the personal tutoring of Tsure and the faculty at the sorcery academy. He doesn't bother to interrupt them with questions he won't remember, but let's their words wash over him, sensing the rhythm of them more than the substance. Almost like the beat of instruments in the construction manse...as if they know automatically when to match their speech to the essence whines around them.

Cynis Jyoti connects something inside the engine, rising up a bit to reach it so that she's nearly up to her shoulder in machinery. There's a snap and a hiss and Jyoti winces, grunting a curse under her breath. "Is that it?"

 

         "Oh no, that his is a good think, honest," Tsure says winking at Jyoti. Reaching underneath she sees by touch for a moment, bringing up the schematics in her head. "Ahh, yes, that's it," she says, ripping out what had made the popping sound, "3/4 inch steel pipe can't handle the pressure." The pipe is tossed to the ground with a metal clank. "Otherwise though, I'm impressed."

 

     Mnemon Koal is completely stunned by the Tsure's ruffling...his gifts don't defend him against that. Such personal attention all of a sudden, in a formal setting, is a shock to him and he freezes like a statue as he is ruffled, not even bothering to put his hair back in place.

 

         Zuriel supresses a chuckle and turns his back to Koal so that he cannot see his amusement. Instead he reaches with one hand an extracts a module from the engine, "Is this important? It looks important." He turns to Koal and shows him the piece, "What do you think? Important or not?"

 

Cynis Jyoti fiddles around inside, smiling. "Excellent! Alright at least now we know where to start." She grins at Tsure and Zuriel, invigorated by this news and the future spreading ahead of her with much in the way of gloriously filthy oily dirty engine work where she's the happiest. "Thank-yoOAAGH! It needs that!"

Cynis Jyoti swipes for the bit but misses.

 

     Mnemon Koal manages to turn to Zuriel. "Let me take a look. I don't recall this on the early models."

 

Cathak Zuriel looks innocent and asks Jyoti, "Are we going to explode again?"

 

         Tsure launches at Zuriel faster than you might have expected, making a quick grab for the module.

 

     Cynis Jyoti represses a sudden and very real urge to throttle her boss and get engine grease on his resplendant armor. It wouldn't end well but it'd be -satisfying-. No time for fun! The engine shakes over them a little and sparks fly out from the hole where the module was.  Cynis Jyoti scrambles to stop the flow of energy to the wounded area, swearing fiercely under her breath as Tsure goes for the piece

 

         Zuriel smiles, not resisting Tsure's lunch for the module, "No one ever likes to explode with me anymore. I think it tickles." He rubs his chin as he ponders, "Perhaps I can work some exploding into the Air Dragon curriculum so that Tsure is prepared for when magitech explodes."

 

         Tsure tosses the module to Jyoti, as she's a bit closer to the hole before whipping back around to Zuriel, "It does't explode if pesky Strategos don't run around taking bits out and taunting people with them."

 

     Mnemon Koal says "Sir, I have no idea what it does sir, Sir! It appears to be part of an integrated Artifact. Judging by the rhythm of their voices it's something like an essence stabilizer or essence inverter. I don't know what they do but Lady Tsure is always complaining about them so they must be pretty important, Sir!""

 

     Cynis Jyoti catches it and sticks it back in, a bead of sweat rolling down her bare tatto'd neck and leaving a line through the engine-grime there. It doesn't go in at first and the engine blares alarmingly, loud enough for the whole Bay to hear. A rising clicking like an angry cicada threatens, then Jyoti aims and jams it in with a smash of her elbow for leverage.

 

 Almost meekly, the module goes in and with a calming 'deet!' the engine returns to it's regular soothing thrum. The mechanic lets out a gusty sigh of relief.

 

         Zuriel nods at Koal's comment, "So you're pursuing the art of artificing as well? Am I going to have to get you a proper workshop as well, Dragonlord?" Of course, Tsure's comment earns her a swift smack on her smart mouth from Zuriel's gauntleted hand with some help of his powerful essence, "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear that. Care to repeat it for your old sifu?" There's a smug smile on his face as if he wants her to challenge him, perhaps this is a lesson.

 

         Tsure lets it slide this time, "What? Hrm? I was just commenting on the weather. Nice, isn't it?"

 

     Mnemon Koal says, "I'm attempting to learn manse architecture and geomantic essence channeling Sir. Lady Tsure assures me that if I can't master something as simple as that, it would be wiser for me to avoid the dangers of advanced artifice."

 

         "Well, that's not quite what I said. If it is, it isn't quite what I intended at any rate," Tsure says, butting in a bit. "Geomancy is a great skill to have, it's just that the others are more complex. I wouldn't call magitech /dangerous/," she says, which is a bit laughable considering the exchange that just occured, "it just requires a greater committment to achieve maximum benefits."

 

     Cynis Jyoti lies back on the roller and gathers her thoughts, still looking at the engine. Her mind is full of gears and wires, essence flows and nuts and bolts and every manner of mechanical doings.

 

     Mnemon Koal remains unphazed as the the others swirl about him in their martial games, calmly accepting.

 

     Cynis Jyoti bites down on the licorice root and hrms thoughtfully. Then she begins putting in a few new parts, having cleaned most of the engine before Zuriel and the others showed up.

 

         Zuriel scoffs at Tsure's comment. He grabs the lithe woman by the shoulders and thrusts her in Koal's direction, "Dragonlord, I want you to beat some courage into this girl. I leave that up to you. I want her to stand up for herself, her sifu won't always be with her to protect her." He gives him a telltale wink and then heads over to Jyoti, "How's the research and development angle coming along? Still far away from a Manta-class I wager."

 

         Zuriel scoffs at Tsure's comment. He grabs the lithe woman by the shoulders and thrusts her in Koal's direction, "Dragonlord, I want you to beat some courage into this girl. I leave that up to you. I want her to stand up for herself, her sifu won't always be with her to protect her." He gives him a telltale wink and then heads over to Jyoti, "How's the research and development angle coming along? Still far away from a Manta-class I wager."

 

     "Yeah, not there yet." Jyoti replies, wrenching free a decrepit module and quickly replacing it with a newer one, the muscles of her strong lithe arms working it into the cramped space as delicately as she can. "But-- ah!" The module sends an electric thrill through her as it harmonizes with the rest of the engine, making the bits of metal shavings on her clothes jump and dance with static. "Ah there it goes. Not there yet, boss, but I am making much progress."

 

    Tsure just looks at Koal, a bit awkward.

 

     Mnemon Koal turns to Tsure, calm and dignified, although he obviously failed to put his hair back in place. Normally it's so short it wouldn't be a problem, but you just had to tangle it with the essence arms. "I assume he wants to see how you spar against me." His maul remains on his back and only his hands are out. "It should be easy because my movements are so slow while yours are quick. However, if you do not deflect my blows, they will hurt. For my sake, do your best not to let me hit you. It's a legitimate test of his training.  Mnemon Koal is completely serious and has seemingly failed to realize he's been set up by Zuriel. "The trick is to channel the force of the blow away or around you without having to dodge. That is what Zuriel meant."

 

         Zuriel shrugs, "I really just meant some basic training sort of pep talk, but liberal applications of force work well with tempering swords so I don't see why they wouldn't work with Tsure." He winks at the both of them and says, "Try to leave some of her for me to temper as well. Don't have all the fun." He places his hands on his hips as he looks at Jyoti, "You really need to invest in a Collar of Hesiesh's Cleansing Fire, Jyoti."

 

         "Really, I think you're trying to get back at me for that whole Bastion of Hesiesh thing," Sifu.

 

-= OOC =- Cathak Zuriel says, "What did she do at Bastion again?"

-= OOC =- Tsure says, "uh, ran off with an anathema. :P"

-= OOC =- Tsure says, "and stole a sword."

 

     "Why?" She looks up at Zuriel from the roller, grinning wickedly. "You don't have a problem with dirty Cynis mechanics do you?" Returning her eyes to the engine she takes a tool from her belt and reaches up toward it, tightening the part in very very carefully. Jyoti licks her lips absently, amythest eyes focusing sharply. Despite her joke she's really quite attentive to the work at hand. After all it would be lousy to explode. "Anyway, that's what baths with House attendants and all manners of soaps and other such things are for."

 

         Kyrie has been pulling odd and strange hours. Very odd and strange hours. She's been working nonstop on what's been happening at the night of wailing wives, and it's now that she comes out of resplendent palace of healing once more. She wrinkles her nose having a couple of bottles of a emerald green liquid as she looks tired and weary. IT's only when she finds her husband does she beeline towards the group, handing a bottle to the each of them. "All of you, please take this. Immediately."

 

         Zuriel glares at Tsure and doesn't even say anything else. Instead he acts, he acts by dashing towards her and introducing his fist to her solar plexus again before dashing back, "I hope such foolish whims have passed. But that will be for the monks to decide when they test you. For your sake I hope they do not find you lacking." That is when Jyoti makes her racy remark and causes him to laugh, "You know very well I have no problem with dirty Cynis, Jyoti." He regards her for a bit longer before his Kyrie-sense tingles and he looks up just as Kyrie arrives. Grabbing the bottle he tucks it away in his armour, "Well hello to you as well, Kyrie."

 

         Tsure can't help but spare a glare for Zuriel, but says nothing, instead waving to Kyrie with a wheezing, "hi."

 

     Cynis Jyoti chuckles, then rolls out a little on the mechanic's creeper to look up curiously at Kyrie and take the bottle. "What is this, m'lady?" She asks respectfully.

 

     Mnemon Koal is saved by Kyrie's arrival and immediately quafs the drink offered, wondering if the drink itself is some sort of portable assay she has devised. "Were you successful then Kyrie? Is this the test? Do we leak essence if we have it or do you need to take our blood? In all honesty, I don't think I could have been poisoned then as I was still on leave, meditating in solitude."

 

         Tsure looks around, "Uh? what?"

 

         "Oh, none of you with the exception of Zuriel was at the council meeting.." she's so tired, she's just handing it towards everyone and then waves it dismissively. "Koal, I still think you should drink it. No, I havent finished a reliable bioassay for the poison, but please, just drink it. That's the antidote, Philipe and I have been working on producing it nonstop.." Kyrie says matter of factly before, she forces a smile to Zuriel and nods. "Please, just drink it.." and she leans in and whispers something to him.

 

Cynis Jyoti drinks it down as she's bid with a thank-you, then wheels back under the monster engine and gets back to work.

 

         Zuriel takes the bottle from under his armour and drink it. He kicks Jyoti's creeper a little further in and says, "I've told you over and over, you have to go in deeper to have full accesability to the panels." Looking at the rest of the group he sighs, "Poison... the coward's sword. Nevertheless it is ubiquituous in these troubling times. I will have to develop a form of martial antidote for poisons like I did with countermagics."

 

         "What's so wrong with poison?" Tsure asks looking around, "I mean, they can get the job done yeah?"

 

         Zuriel glares at Tsure and grabs her by her shirt before flipping her over his shoulder and onto her back, "Poison. Is. For. Cowards!" He places a foot on her chest and says, "The Dragons were no cowards and neither should you or anyone else." He pushes down on her before lifting his foot, "Any questions, student?"

 

         "This isn’t any regular poison. It's far more advanced than anything I've ever seen. The night of wailing wives, that's the cause of that, and this is the antidote.." She says the last bit incredibly softly as her face is a bit more pale than usual.

 

         Kyrie then looks over towards Koal. "The others who were at the gathering, and on your possible list of targets. We need to get this to them." she says urgently.

 

     Mnemon Koal visibly trembles at the memories of the early investigation and channeling all the thoughts and suffering of the populace through himself in a desperate search for the killer only to have his worst fears confirmed. However, the peace of Pasiap prevails in him these days as never before and he stills, his voice filled with feeling. "Tsure,...some weapons should never be used. They destroy the user as well."

 

         Tsure thinks for almost a full minute and listens to Koal before responding, "Ok, that works. I agree, secretly poisoning a whole room is cowardly even for me."

 

     Mnemon Koal says, "I have the obvious list of the Blooded Kyrie. But it's possible that others also came into contact with it as well. There's no way we can account for all the visitors that came through, but they had the least chance of contact."

 

         Zuriel offers a hand to the downed former V'neef so that she may get up, "There is a reason the legions don't lace their weapons with poison, Tsure." He looks at Kyrie and nods, "Given the Magistracy's lack of any law enforcing here, I think I'm going to have to look into this myself. I'll take Amon with me and investigate. You're all welcome to come, especially Tsure. I think she needs a trial by fire so to speak."

 

         "Koal has been running an investigation already. I believe there are others, and while investigation into crimes are not my forte, figuring out how all the victims died is." Kyrie's a bit more pale as she says that and takes a deep breath, wrinkling her nose a little as she pushes her golden spectacles nup on the bridge of her nose. And then she whispers something to Zuriel once more.

 

         "Allright, let's go then," Tsure says, though she moves as one in a perpetual state of pin.

      Mnemon Koal says "Of course, Sir. I'll bring my information and give you a report of the situation immediately, although I haven't been able to make any new breaks in the case for some time."

 

      Zuriel playfully punches Tsure on the shoulder, probably a bit harder than he should given she's a walking bruise, "That's the spirit, girl!" He looks at Koal and frowns, "That's alarming. Hopefully our resident bloodhound, Amon can shed a little light on the matter for us."

 

         And that's when Kyrie writes something down on a piece of paper and hands it to both Zuriel and Koal. Written on it it says: "The Silent One of the Ouroborus is still resting. I have moved him from the Resplendent Palace of Healing to the Academy of Logos while his vocal chords are being repaired. Next week, he should be speaking again."

 

     Mnemon Koal quickly salutes and leaves toward his office determinedly before Zuriel can ask him to begin training Tsure again. Sadly, he knows in his heart that her training may come in necessary all too soon. He prays to Pasiap that they shall endure.

 

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