Adstringéndum NPC

{Animus}

2012-01-10T18:24:56Z

[Soon after all witches have been defeated, the fire begins to fade. The storms become more erratic and a metal keening cuts through them. It still takes some hours for it to die down, even if it's clear the event is on its way out.

Aelia sits on part of the broken wall of the Inner City, snake body draped along the edge, watching the sky. Soon the metal whine becomes a scream, a spear cutting through the air, impaling part of her body with a jolt. Aelia looks almost sad at it, but not pained or surprised, as she twists, reaching out a hand to touch it.]

Ah... confused again, are you?

[More weapons join it; as the sky clears, the dragon twitches with the force of each impact. Soon that part of her body is covered with them, but there's surprisingly little blood. Aelia pets the first lance a little, almost crooning to it.]

You're safe now. Rest a little while.

((OOC: Just to have some kind of concluding bit for the event! ♥ Please keep backtagging/logging for ALL OF THE TIMES. <3

Aelia will respond a little to notes, if anyone wants to talk to a coherent Animus for a bit. Next time will be back to mixed, obnoxious ramblings. :x

And as an extra note: Whenever Yuma, Kyoko, and Mami revive, they'll each have a personalized card from Aelia somewhere on their person, thanking them for being such good sports. Yuma's will have a little sketchy drawing of a kitten on it, Kyoko's will have a unicorn eating an apple, Mami's will have a teacup with a musket motif. Each also has a fresh orchid included with the note, if any are inclined to still use it.

Rei and Nat also each get a note thanking them for their assistance, to be found in their belongings a day or two after. Rei's includes a tiny attached bottle, with a bit of independently moving flame inside, and the comment, "To my Archer, a kindred spirit."

Nat gets a heavy book, full of diagrams and charts, detailing the structure and form of Ekpyrosis, as well as some information that doesn't seem connected to anything. It has the note, "To my Summoner, for your continued study. Please invite me again, sometime."))

{Animus?}

2012-01-07T04:47:42Z

[At the same moment, everyone's PCD switches on and begins to play- though instead of the usual mixture of ghostly voices, a woman's face appears. She nods at the screen, smiling faintly- blond hair separated into two braids, an orchid ever-tucked behind one ear. The area around her is hazy, flickering.]

Everyone. As has been tradition, it's time for us- you name us 'Animus'- to announce the start of a new event. And as today's organizer, I wanted to invite you all personally to participate, as this will be the last time our city shall suffer.

My name is Aelia, and the event is called 'Ekpyrosis.'

[Behind her- through the holes in the wall, in the air for anyone who cares to notice- the sky begins to turn a dark, unhappy orange. The temperature starts to rise.]

'The final fire that expires the mandate of the world'... for those who would ask. You could call it bad fortune that it was pulled here along with you- worse, that I discovered its nature, and sought to restore it. For those of you who were looking for a way out- this might not've been what you had in mind, but please accept my substitution. But to be fair-

I could not have done so alone. My co-sponsors--

[The view drops; two ruined bodies lie before her. One is barely recognizable as John Mandrake, limbs twisted and blackened by flame, broken spears still pinning him to the floor. The other is Sailor Mars- less singed, but with the dozens of swords and lances piercing her body, rendering it to pieces- no more simply identified.]

--the Summoner, the Archer, were invaluable. I couldn't have named Ekpyrosis on my own. But I have one more request-

[The view pans up, past a serpentine body carved out of dark rock, past human legs merging into it, to see all of Aelia herself; a nude woman seated on a coil of a stone dragon, her own body. From her ear, she pulls the orchid, holds it out.]

Now, my magicians: please mature.

[At three points in the city, despair rises. A girl dies to birth a witch; Walpurgisnacht to match the Ekpyrosis day.

Aelia just nods again, as the feed dies.]

((OOC: Witch information and plotting post here.

Additionally, Ekpyrosis now covers the city, decorating the sky with constantly shifting sigils. As of this entry, the sky bursts, and the fire-flood starts. Like a thunderstorm overhead- just replace "rain" with "fire". :x Staying in the open without protection is quickly deadly.

Aelia will also be around if anyone wants to find her; she won't respond to this post, but offlines are welcome. Warning: she's stronger than Ekpyrosis.))

{Animus}

2011-12-04T06:31:20Z

we thought there was a saying about this

but we've forgotten it

but enjoy the ride anyway
in a _new pair of ^shoes ~~or five~~

wait isn't that missing a foot

{Animus}

2011-10-23T03:23:57Z

remove the haze from your eyes
HOC EST SEPULCHRUM INTUS CADAVER NON HABENS

look closer

i t ' s a l r e a d y h a p p e n e d
you're too late

look closer

HOC EST CADAVER SEPULCHRUM EXTRA NON HABENS

{Animus}

2011-09-25T03:59:55Z

this is too straightforward

too expected
too familiar

let it fall to the other direction

reverse!

{Animus}

2011-09-11T03:34:30Z

_no ^appreciation
what can make you

what can bring you here

who do you think you are
if you can't remember that

adstring_npc @ 2011-08-11T23:10:00

2011-08-11T21:10:16Z

[Static. Static that gives way to a blurry, shaky camera arc, clearing on a section of the wall outside of the Inner City. But like the Animus posts, there's no PCD on the other side of the recording. It just... is, transmitting itself with no apparatus.

The image eventually sharpens. A small fish- mostly green- swims in quick loops, darting around the screen. Considering all the water, it doesn't look out of place.

A single voice finally cuts in, though it fades in and out.]

Hello!

It's much brighter out here.

[Something has left the Inner City.]

{Animus}

2011-08-07T08:01:51Z

something sprung a leak
sorry about that

~~maybe that will drown them~~

but the place looked dirty anyway

might as well clean it

it's dark, too dark to see

it's very hard to get a plumber in here

{Animus}

2011-07-10T07:02:17Z

[There's the usual static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. After a moment, a low flute tone starts up, continuing as a background melody throughout. For anyone who hears it, it would sound vaguely familiar, from their home world- though played inexpertly, as if they couldn't entirely remember how it was supposed to go.]

too soon, too early

not quickly enough

calm down, take a breath we're still setting up
we'll take it apart
you always do

we can carry it ourselves
is it really necessary

^finally, that's better
wait what's going on

{Animus}

2011-06-19T04:26:30Z

it's too dry ~~you should've listened~~
we don't like it

we warned you

the weather forecast was wrong

someone tell me, whose is it?

{Animus}

2011-06-05T04:06:16Z

our flock

where did you go
we didn't mean to startle

but we were cold
and you looked so delicious

{Animus}

2011-05-08T05:48:45Z

[There is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines--

...Except instead of obnoxious text, there's an absolutely piercing shriek. Think banshee.

Then children laughing, high pitched and delighted. Then distortion-

A throaty opera singer, carrying a note longer than should be physically possible-

Jaunty rock. Explosive jazz. One sound after another, barely long enough to register, so it's little more than a jarring cacophony of noise.

Eventually it fades into static, then silence for all of a few seconds- before closing on a final crash of cymbals.]

{Animus}

2011-04-03T04:59:19Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

too barren, ^{too empty}
too handmade

unnatural

we'll redo it all
this will start

{Animus}

2011-02-20T06:02:02Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

thicker than water
and harder to _clean

but true ties are on the inside
which makes them messy to ^connect
~~the spots~~ we tried some didn't fit

do not forget

~~we tried to believe~~

{Animus}

2011-01-09T07:17:23Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines--

--additionally, each character - at midnight - is woken (or startled, in any case) by a bit of snow plonking them in the head]

take a shot try your best
your supplies are around you

be ^careful where you _aim

the winners take all
~~or something at least~~

{Animus}

2010-12-19T07:08:14Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

revive!

the eternal history!

the rooms
the clothing!

{Animus}

2010-11-21T05:01:25Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

warm hearted cold blooded
pick up a new habit, try out a new scheme

reflected back on another
the number is the same
be careful of collecting them all

{Animus}

2010-11-07T04:00:26Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

too easy too careless
d o y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h a t y o u h a v e

we want it
we need more sense
stocking up were running _low

{Animus}

2010-10-24T04:01:17Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

leftovers slightly stale

found them in the _corner
~~forgotten~~ ~~rejected~~ saved from last year
do they ever go bad

we tip our bats to you
be careful with them

{Animus}

2010-09-19T04:01:15Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

learn something

lose something
just don't forget it again

our lessons don't arrive
gently

{Animus}

2010-09-05T04:00:51Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

look out

and over there

you can never be _too c a r e f u l

we won't let you

{Animus}

2010-08-22T04:01:07Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

let it out let it in

don't be a stranger

withoutborders
without times
what's worth a little bit of closeness?

{Animus}

2010-07-25T04:00:28Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

drink up

drink down

pick your poison

or we'll pick it for you

~~refunds not allowed!~~

{Animus}

2010-06-27T04:22:45Z

[ there is a static hum on everyone's PCD, as the screen goes black. it starts to whisper, before ghostly voices seep through the communication lines ]

toodull

iridescentnot indecentluster

shine on!

{Unified Universe Project} [Video]

2010-06-06T00:37:47Z

[Several scientists, most of them recognizable, along with Bao, are seated around a table in what appears to be a conference room. Files rest in front of each scientist, most closed.]

[Anderson Miles closes his own and nods to Bao.] And now, if you can fill us in on the situation that's developing?

[She nods, getting to her feet.] On the surface--

[The door opens, cutting her off. Everyone looks at the new arrival, Dr. Regina Lyle.] I'm sorry to interrupt, but--

[The Chairman stands, looking more than just a little annoyed.] We're in our meeting. It can wait.

[Regina glances around, frowning, hesitating. Johnson finally speaks up, maybe taking pity on her, maybe trying to keep things moving.] I'm sure you have a reason for this. You've never interrupted before. [He accompanies that comment with a mild glance at the Chairman. Donna sits off to the side, smirking.]

[Regina nods.] It's the variance. It's back. And this time it's up to .07%, much stronger than last time.

[There are no more looks of superiority. Every scientist is thinking, and thinking as fast as they can. Bao stands in silence for a moment before giving a quick bow.] I think I am safe in saying that you would prefer me to return to my men? We can keep an eye on the possibility of war outside.

[The Chairman waves a hand dismissively. He looks distracted and stressed, more than usual.] Yes. Yes, go. Lyle, I need what you have. Meeting adjourned, turn off the recorder.

[Andrew Johnson reaches over and shuts off his PCD.]