(no subject)

[techno_shaman]

Who: A very dangerous demon and anyone in the plaza area
Where: Plaza
When: Afternoon, 11/25
Style: Whatever floats your boat
Status: Open

Many of the new arrivals in Vatheon are predictable. Confused, possibly frightened, humanoid, and very damp. This creature fit all of those things, but there was an obvious difference to her. She was a fifth thing: hungry, and a sixth: very scary-looking.

A strange monster stalks cautiously through Vatheon, her pristine white plate-like armored hide and hot pink flesh covered with fresh blood. She sheathes her extended blades, whipping some of that spilled blood onto the ground as she sniffs at the air. This wasn't the EGG facility. Did they step through another wormhole?

This place...

Comments

[bufudine]

[Serph makes it a point to pass by the Plaza at this time of the month. New arrivals mean new people to meet, but also the hope he will see a face he recognises.

So when he sees what is obviously a demon, covered in blood no less, Serph's wary. He hasn't seen this demon before, though its design is recognisably similar to his own. He approaches, but ready to pull out his gun at any moment, gauging the demon's reaction before saying anything.]

[techno_shaman]

[Varnani tenses when she hears movement behind her, turning to Serph with a soft, curious growl. Is she seeing things? Serph was...Heat had...

It happened all too recently for her not to trust her memories. Serph had met an unfortunate demise. She had to be the leader now. Those who died didn't come back to life.

This one...this was an imposter. The demons did all sorts of tricky things to entice prey...

She growls at Serph, unsheathing both blades.]

[rainbowarch]

[The last days of the month means new arrivals. As soon as he learned this fact, Cielo made it a habit to look for people he knew. He is on his way there and just makes it to the plaza when he spots Sera. And there's Serph heading straight for her. And then Sera pulls out her blades.

Uh oh.

Immediately, he transforms into Dyaus and puts himself between the two of them. He's hoping that Varnani will recognize him and if not, it's up to him to protect his leader. Even if he has to fight with his other leader to do it.]

[bufudine]

[The moment the other demon unsheathes those blades -- blades he's very familiar with -- Serph drops any notion of staying in human form. This demon is ready to hunt, and there's no talking to a demon ready to kill.

So he transforms, his own right blade coming unsheathed.

But when Cielo gets between them, he turns his head, not understanding.]

[techno_shaman]

[Thank goodness Cielo is there to help! Or is he? She seems boggled by how he's positioned himself between her and the clone of Serph.]

Cielo, he's not real! [She cries in her demonic voice, stepping closer to him.]

I don't want you to get hurt!

[rainbowarch]

[Not real? ...oh man, he knows what her "timeframe" is here.]

He's real.

[He turns to give Varna a nuzzle with his head to emphasize his point.]

Just touch him, then you'll know. Trust me, ja?

[bufudine]

[At the sound of that voice -- different, slightly guttural, but still Sera -- Serph both understands and doesn't. When did Sera get a demon...? Did she take the virus, like Roland had? What reason could she have had to do such a thing?

When Cielo steps in, Serph stoically endures the nuzzling and sheaths his blade, waiting, knowing better than to approach in this situation.]

Just kind of handwaving Serph & Cielo if that's okay!

[teradine]

[Argilla has caught onto the pattern of newcomers coming every month by now; though today, she isn't quite as diligent about passing by the plaza to meet any of them. It's something she'll undoubtedly come to regret, but-- she's decided to spend the afternoon at home, and that's where she is waiting when they return in the late afternoon.

Serph, Cielo, and . . .]

Sera?

[Argilla's eyes go wide, as does her smile. She hadn't been expecting anyone else to come in after them!]

S- Sera, you're back!

[. . . Unbelievable. Though of course, Cielo hadn't doubted for a moment that she'd return. Now Argilla wishes she had shared his enthusiasm.]

[techno_shaman]

Argilla?

[Instantly, her eyes well up in tears, and she quickly closes the distance between them to hug her.]

[teradine]

[It's difficult not to notice the water crown mark on Sera's cheek when she approaches. But of course, before she even has a chance to ask about it, they're hugging; and it's been so long that Argilla is okay with this.

It feels warm, and she isn't exactly eager to let go.]

Your face . . .

[. . .

After a moment though, she does pull back a little, and gently runs a finger over Sera's Atma tattoo with a smile. Her own eyes are a little misty, remembering how she got it. What had happened afterwards . . . it may not have been difficult at the time, to stay behind, to allow them to live. But thinking back, it was a decision she wished she didn't have to make.]

I'm so glad you're all right.

[techno_shaman]

[It was all too hard to lose Argilla. But in the end, they were able to continue their path to finding a way to fix things. She wouldn't let Argilla's sacrifice be worthless.]

I missed you. Please don't go again.

[At least not for now. She knows what happens is inevitable, but to spend time with her here...she's going to take full advantage having a complete tribe. They're her comrades, and the closest thing to family she's got.]

[teradine]

I won't.

[. . . Making promises she can't keep should not become a habit for her; but there's absolutely no way she can deny Sera the reassurance, after hearing that. Even though coming and going isn't exactly under her control, she still speaks with conviction and confidence.]

How -- How do you feel? Do you remember . . . ?

[Remember being here? How much has been explained?

So many questions, but she opts to take things slow.]

[techno_shaman]

I'm fine. I'm starting to remember this place. So much happened back home, and I--

[Not much time has passed, but it feels like she hasn't been to Vatheon in a very long time. Yet so much has happened. And she's lost so much...

It's nice to stand and just breathe.]

back at the base!!

[enfire]

( from the moment he hears about it; heat is on his feet. whoever told him was most likely cut off abruptly by his sudden take to his feet, stomping through the base looking for her -- an odd, tight feeling in his chest. he tries a few unsuccessful rooms before bursting through the next one -- ) Sera?!

[techno_shaman]

[There have been few times in the past where Sera would be drawn to do what she is about to do.

Heat was alive -- everyone was alive -- and she couldn't be happier.]

Heat!

[And then Heat got that hug he always wanted]

[enfire]

( what happened next caught heat completely off guard. there was no way he was expecting sera to approach him, arms open.
his entire body stiffened; why did her hug feel differently than the one cielo had given him? where was this warmth from within him coming from?! the redness crept up his neck, flushing his cheeks slightly as he inwardly fumbled with what to do next. his arms positioned themselves awkwardly half-hanging in the air -- before finally coming to rest on her shoulders... )

S-sera... ( dammit... DAMMIT what was he supposed to say?! ) I looked for you! ( the words seemed to sort of spill out-- desperate to make some sort of sound in response to what was happening )

[techno_shaman]

[She worried he might take it the wrong way, but he seems to be handling it well...as well as Heat can handle such a thing.]

It's okay now. I'm back, and we're all together again.

[enfire]

( yea... they were weren't they? but something felt different about it. everyone... they were from a time in the future; all of them. they all knew things that heat didn't... saw and experienced things they didn't entirely share with him...
it was these thoughts in his mind that fueled his actions as he pushed slightly on her shoulders, keeping her at arm's legnth... which is when he finally noticed it... )

That... that mark!

[techno_shaman]

[Sera touches her face self-consciously when Heat exclaims its existence, slowly stepping back from him.]

latest to the party, back at base?

[donotcomprehend]

[Gale had heard about her return about at the same time Heat did, but unlike Heat, he didn't rush off to find her. Instead, he waits until Heat has stormed off, and a good while after. Eventually, he seeks her out, far more calmly.

He only looks at the mark on her cheek for a moment, and doesn't question it. He's seen that before.]

Sera. Welcome back.

[techno_shaman]

Gale? Gale, you're okay too!

[Everyone's getting hugs today, no exceptions.]

[donotcomprehend]

[If Heat knew, he'd be so upset. But forget Heat, Sera can get a hug back.]

Of course I am. This is Vatheon.

[techno_shaman]

I'm starting to remember this place. I was here before, wasn't I? All of us lived together here...

[She brightens, recalling a memory.]

The garden...

[Was it still in good shape? She looks up at the strategist with hopeful eyes.]

[donotcomprehend]

Yes. The base is much as it was when you left, including the garden. [There haven't really been many additions in the past few months. Apparently winter isn't the best time for it. But there also haven't been any new holes blown in the walls. They're adapting, go them.]

[techno_shaman]

[No new holes are good. That means there haven't been any 'intruders', and/or they're treating strangers with less hostility. All she wants for all of them is to be happy.

She smiles.]

It's nice to be able to stop for a while.