gocirclegogo | (no subject)

[A voice rings out from a distance.]

O darkened storm cloud, loose thy blade and run mine enemies through! Thunder Blade!

[The water lights up, and charred tentacles curl backwards. Jade drops down closer to the troubled princess.]

We should withdraw.

[The voice is rather reassuring, truth be told. Even if she has no idea why he's here--leaving aside where on Auldrant here even is--but after following his spell up with another couple arrows she turns and runs in the direction of his voice. No questions or protests, if Jade gives the order to retreat she will comply.]

[Not that she has any idea where they are retreating to, so she'll have to follow him anyway. But questions after they are presumably safe.]

[She can express her gratitude and happiness while they escape though.]

Jade! I am quite happy to see you.

I would gladly say the same. [He would. Under other circumstances. Circumstances that aren't these. When they hit the better part of London's streets, he brings them down to a slower pace. Then he starts guiding her to his house.] Did you arrive in the river?

[Since they're slowing down, she slings the bow over her shoulders and endeavors to walk beside Jade with all the dignity of Kimlasca's princess. In her nightgown. It's not that she lacks any bearing or self-confidence or the ability to nobility her stance as regal regardless of her wardrobe, but it's rather cold. Oh well. She's got this princess thing down.]

[In fact, she's so good at it that she bites back the grumpy, initial retort. It was going to be petty and Jade has done nothing at all to deserve her ire, it would be rude and ungrateful to lash out at her friend when he had just saved her, no less.]

[There's still a touch of annoyance in her voice though, not at him, but still. This whole, confusing, irritating night so far.]

No. Simply beside it. And then that thing attacked. Where are we?

[Jade, explaaain.]

[So she probably is not dead. That is quite a relief. Jade takes off his fabulous Victorian overcoat and offers it to the Kimlascan princess. Hey, it's bluish, she also occupies that section of the party's rainbow colours, it works.]

[He doesn't want to explain, though.]

There's a great deal to explain. It may be best to start after we reach our destination.

Thank you.

[She accepts it gratefully, briefly debating, but ending up taking the extra trouble to take off her bow and quiver as they walk and put the coat on, then put them back on over it. It's still warm from Jade, but the main purpose of the extra steps is to be ready for another battle. If there are monsters like that in this city...]

What is our destination? What is going on? At first I thought perhaps abduction, but that doesn't hold up.

[Not with Jade's involvement and her weapons still in her possession.]

There's a safe residence here. [It happens to be his house.] You could consider this an unconventional sort of abduction, if you liked. It's better to think of it as a vacation.

I beg your pardon?

[Slightly indignant. Vacation? She doesn't have time for this nonsense! There's a world to put back into order and so many things to do.]

Since when do we have time for vacations?

Out of curiosity, Natalia, have I been reported missing?

[Jade uses Answer A Question With A Seemingly Unrelated Question!]

No. I hadn't heard anything of the sort. [Oh now she's concerned.] Guy and His Majesty must be quite worried.

Oh, you might find otherwise. [He opens the door to his house.] The other occupants of the house aren't precisely early-to-bed, so don't worry too much about noise.

... [Alright what is Jade talking about? She nods as she enters, murmuring a polite thank you for being invited in.]

Who exactly lives here?

Will and Lion Ushiromiya. [In his terrible troll heart, he wants to see Natalia greet Will as 'Mr Ushiromiya.'] Like us, they're accidental guests.

[Jade will get his terrible troll wish.]

Accidental guests? Really Jade, you aren't making a bit of sense.

My apologies. [He guides her to the kitchen.] Would you like something to drink?

[She does follow, but she is rather fed up with the general situation.]

I would like to know what's going on.

Of course, Your Highness. [As if she is being unreasonably demanding by wanting to know wtf is going on.]

To begin, this is not Auldrant. We're on a planet called Earth. All evidence suggests that Earth exists in another universe than our own. The greatest indicator of this is the lack of fonons in the basic structure of the world. All fonons present here appear to have been leaked through dimensional rifts similar to those that bring individuals through.

[...]

...

[No seriously, what the fuck Jade?]

I beg your pardon? I know space travel was a theory they worked on in the Dawn Age, but do you wish me to believe we have somehow magically found ourselves on another planet entirely?

[This is seriously not what you're telling her, right?]

This is a very poor joke.

Space travel is more than just a theory but requires a higher level of technology. The magic here is quite advanced enough to make a great deal more possible.

[Standing in the doorway, Lion gives a polite little bow to Natalia.] Please forgive me for interrupting. I heard Jade come home and came to greet him. He isn't joking, however.

Lion. [Jade stands. ...And decides to be a tool.] Natalia, this is Lion Ushiromiya, successor to the Ushiromiya family. Lion, this is Princess Natalia Luzu Kimlasca Lanvaldear, heir to the throne of Kimlasca.

Since you surely understand each other, perhaps you'll be able to explain the situation to Natalia.

[Slight huffing in Jade's direction. Those narrowed eyes means she knows you're being a dick but formality and politeness win out instantly and she tries to compose herself as best she can, facing Lion.]

Pardon me. I apologize for the intrusion. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lion.

[The same goes for Lion. Sending Jade a look because seriously? Take responsibility, right, Jade? But sigh. A calm smile to Natalia. Royalty, wow.]

It is a pleasure, my Lady Natalia. Since Jade is having such difficulty explaining, I wouldn't mind answering what I can.

Some help in proving the point of different universes would be appreciated. [And Lion's an expert on that!]

If you could provide a better explanation of the situation than Jade has, I would be quite grateful.

[Jade sucks at explaining.]

[Lion is going to be especially proper for Natalia.]

I will do my best. This world is a world far away from your own and even mine. Much of this world is similar to the one I came from but also different in horrible ways. If you'll excuse an analogy, it would be best to think of an ocean and every world is an island. While travel between them may be difficult to one without a boat, the beings that run this world are not lacking in means.

This world, due to interference from proximal dimensions, is especially prone to bringing in driftwood from other planets. I won't get into the technical details, but it acts as a major attractor. Matter of all kinds regularly seeps into this universe.

[All the proper up in this. Which reminds Natalia that she should at least disarm herself indoors. She listens to the explanations before divesting herself of the bow and quiver. Though she leans them close by.]

Pardon my shock. I do believe you Jade, your sense of humor is quite awful, but you wouldn't joke about this. [Despite her calling it a poor joke earlier.] And thank you for the explanation Lion.

But it's still very hard to believe. It doesn't seem the least bit real.

And how can we return? If we are found missing, the chaos would be disastrous.

Unfortunately, there isn't one that we know of yet. [Lion hesitates. Of course that isn't entirely true. The cults are known to bring people sometimes of their own will and allows them to leave of it as well but...this is Jade's friend and Lion has no idea how rash she might be if she knew that. She'll leave that decision to Jade.]

If you'll forgive a part that I can't really explain well myself, in my...limited experience, time seems relevant between worlds. It's very possible for you to return home without any time having passed.

We're making every effort to find a safe path home. Until then, there is little we can do but hope for the best.

[Natalia helps herself to a chair because she really needs to sit for this news. This is very bad. Even with the possibility of time not passing, it's not a certainty. She closes her eyes and folds her hands in her lap, taking a deep breath as she composes herself.]

I see. Thank you for bringing me up to date on the situation. How may I be of assistance?

[Poor Natalia. Lion moves to make some tea. She's certain it was offered at least. And assistance, well, she kind of figures Natalia means a more proactive type but...]

Help around the house would always be welcomed. We're all a bit busy in our own ways. I manage the finances as well, so whatever you need, I'll be able to work it out most likely.

In other respects, I'd like to spend a bit more time going into the situation with you. We can discuss it further after you've spent some time here. Aside from the lack of fonons, this city has some quirks.

[She nods at Lion's words, though it's not what she was hoping for. If she can help in any way, she certainly won't shirk.]

[But Jade's words make her look up, lips pressing to a thin line, a spark in her eyes.]

Please, don't wait. It may be late but I have no need to "settle". I would like a proper chance to know what situation I've landed in and a real discussion of it, if you would.

[Though phrased in such a way as to give the possibility of seeming like a request, her tone says she wants to talk about this right now thank you very much.]

[A little amused now. Ah, the art of being polite and dangerously assertive. Lion finishes the tea and sets the cup before Natalia.]

I hope this is all right. I don't know the type of tea you like. Though, I'm not tired if Jade still needs assistance explaining more.

[oh goddamn his royals]

You're quite right, Natalia. Why should I expect you to take time before considering the situation? [Look closely at the syntax of that sentence and then try to tell me Jade isn't pissed off at his tempestuous and passionate royal acquaintances.]

To put it simply, we have on one side malicious oppressors who use and abuse their subjects, engaged in disturbing research and regularly exposing their people to dangerous mutations or unpleasant ends. On the other side, we have zealous rebels willing to kill and destroy, ruining the lives of those they should be protecting, stooping to methods equal in moral value to those that the royals have undertaken. Even at home, we have never had anything on this level.

[Sometimes he equivocates, and then sometimes he is blunt as a hammer.]

Natalia, I understand that I cannot ask you to stand by while people suffer. However, you will need to see the city in its fullness, from the Deep Ones at the docks to the dream dens in Belgravia, before you are able to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation. I'll answer your questions now to the best of my ability, but a discussion of what course you wish to take will have to wait.

[Lion. Jade needs tea too now.]

Thank you Lion, I appreciate it.

[Not picky. She is the royal disaster, not the royal brat. She takes a sip of the tea and manages to stay composed without flinching in the face of Jade's annoyance. Even if she does feel perhaps a tad bad about being unreasonable, she doesn't waver. She feels it's important to know immediately.]

[Even if the things he informs her of seem too horrible to believe. She has to set her tea down after a moment, hands shaking slightly--not out of fear, but from sheer anger and emotion, carefully contained. Such horrible abuses of power and such hideous realities... It makes her angry. It makes her want to save as many people as she can.]

[At least Jade doesn't even try to tell her not to. And she does listen to him, attentive, because Jade is always rational and she values his opinion greatly. It would be useless to run off halfcocked, as much as it upsets her to know of things she feels strongly that she should fix immediately.]

I understand. I will be calm about this situation. [Dragging others into her emotional outbursts would be dangerously selfish.]

I would like to hear more about the methods of the oppressors first. What depraved cruelty have these royals sunk to, and do you know why?

[At least Lion can tell daddy needs tea. There's a cup given to him by the time Natalia has calmed or at least quieted her anger. It's more than understandable. Especially someone being raised to watch over and protect her people, the idea must be horrible.

Lion seats herself now that everyone has tea. Maybe she's not as knowledgeable as Jade but she can help. She folds her hands in her lap properly.]

The 'why' is possibly the worst and easiest of it. The general doctrines of many of the questionable religions here reflect the idea that people are simply...insignificant. What these beings do to us is their nature and we simply don't matter one way or anything. It isn't even malicious or cruel in that sense.

[Of course, that makes it worse in some ways but Lion isn't sure how to begin on that.] From there, though, they all vary on how exactly humans should interact with these things. That is where...the cruelty begins usually. Yet no matter what, those people will always believe it to be positive. Even a salvation for humanity.

[Well, Jade can probably explain all this better, Lion decides. It really is disheartening.]

[He accepts it with a nod of thanks.] Lion has the essence of it, and I think you can understand a people's willingness to follow their faith even to destruction. Human sacrifice, in various forms, is common. Simply killing a human is enough in many cases. In other cases, the point is to feed their chosen gods with the suffering of the sacrifices. The methods are varied. Vivisection is common, but psychological torment is also favoured. The more the sacrifices suffer, the better, so these tortures continue for as long as possible.

Aside from that, breeding programs are common in both the upper and lower classes, though the programs obviously take a more brutal form among the lower classes. Fish-like humanoids in the rivers called Deep Ones also frequently select humans as either dinner or breeding partners, and this is permitted by the establishment.

In addition to conscious efforts, by their mere existence, the Great Old Ones cause madness. Essentially, they are incomprehensible to human minds, so they have a damaging effect on humans by proximity. Most people in this world experience mild to extreme insanity, and none are spared from nightmares.

[Natalia has to set her tea down and cover her mouth to keep her composure, and even as it is she's shaking faintly.]

That's horrible.

[She won't be able to sit by for it. That much is true. She can't, with people in so much suffering because of these creatures. Just trying to grasp the things Jade and Lion are telling her as reality is nearly impossible, her whole being rejects it.]

That's... That's absolutely despicable and horrible. Jade...

[No calm down, don't get worked up. It's impossible NOT to feel worked up about it though. These are things she can't accept. She wants to yell and scream about this.]

[Deep breaths.]

And the opposing faction is just as bad, you said?

[Lion nods slightly, feeling a little bad. Natalia did insist on finding out more but it's natural that it would be difficult to handle. Still, not much of a way around it.]

Yes. As much as they support humanity, they aren't against any means of freeing it. Even destruction of humanity is better to some of them. Others really don't care at all about humanity as a whole, just...certain parts. The Royalists don't have to work very hard to paint them in a terrible light. Most in London have seen their deeds.

[Skimpier but Natalia does seem overwhelmed. If Jade wants to cover it better, he can.]

To put it simply, they fight fire with fire. If in any way their methods fail to match the standards of their oppressors, it's for lack of resources.

Of course, either side has its more compassionate and reasonable members. I favour the rebels personally. My ear canals are too delicate for mind-controlling slugs.

Mind-controlling slugs?! [She does believe he's not joking, because of everything else they've said and because Jade's jokes and his joking seriousness are different.]

[She folds her fingers together and presses her knuckles against her forehead to compose herself.]

I refuse to be idle about any of this.

[Her voice is steady and determined and pissed.] Lion, thank you for helping to explain. I will not involve you. But Jade... Will you help me? There must be something that can be done.

[Lion doesn't say anything, because well...she does feel a little guilty for not involving herself, especially since it's rather selfish reasons. And she understands why Jade doesn't really, either. 'Really' since his work does have a good purpose. But Natalia doesn't seem the kind to be content with any of that. Lion can't blame her in the least.]

[Jade sighs, then pushes up his glasses.] I suppose I have no choice but to get dragged along by one of you kids again.

[Celty had left her horse and dearest companion behind in the streets. In this strange, new landscape she didn't know how he would fit in. A motorcycle stood out of place against the other vehicles on the street, but a headless horse was no better.

Natalia's wardrobe state is not dwelt on in favor of the puzzling feeling as Celty summons shadows to her bidding. The call is muted, the reaction slow, and the weapon that appears in her hand is smaller and a more normal size due to the hindrance of the landscape. The headless rider swings regardless in an attempt to distract. She had no idea how the tentacles would react to her shadows in general. But the messenger wasn't about to simply leave the woman there. Good will? Kindness for humanity? The reasoning was most likely neither. For the moment, there was simply no answer.]

[Natalia has no idea who the woman helping her is, but she's grateful all the same. The strange shadows must be some kind of Darkness arte, she decides, and doesn't think more about it as she continues to pepper the tentacles with arrows.]

[Despite being less responsive, Celty's shadows do seem to be effective at driving the monstrosity back.]

[Celty makes a motion with her hand to back up slicing at the farthest reaching tentacles. Shooter was around and even though she hadn't figured out how to fully disguise him, it was time to go. No need to see this battle to the end. The tentacles could only reach so far.

Or so she hoped.]

Understood!

[Natalia responds verbally, still shooting at the thing even as she backs away, until the two women are far out of reach of the tentacles. In theory.]

Thank you for your assistance.