Phantom

[phantom-steel]

*walks through the rubble idly peering into the cognitive realm, soulcasting away rubble where he sees signs of life.*

This is certainly different than my normal jobs.

[and-wayne]

*the air rushes around you, blowing your clothes back like a gust of wind as Phantom appears beside you, looking out at the disaster area. His skin shifts and morphs as his stormlight knits his burns back together*

What happened? What was that?

@phantom-steel

*he looks at Phantom for a long moment, assessing, then gives him a nod*

Not sure what exactly. Base of operations for some of your- old employers. Wax was there. Other folks, too. Somethin' blew up, very few casualties for an explosion that size, but a lot missin' so far. Closer you get to the middle, the more it turns into a ghost town.

[phantom-steel]

They blew it up... they blew up a perpendicularity... We are lucky there is still a city here, Wayne. It must've been a small one. Had it been a larger one...

[and-wayne]

... they were keepin' that in the city? When this could happen?

Bastards. What... do you think happened to the people, then? We know they ain't in the Cognitive Realm. Lessie can see in there.

[phantom-steel]

While they are indeed bastards, I don't believe they knew what it would do. Perpendicularities are highly delicate and unstable. The leading theory I heard was that it would collapse in on itself and disappear with hardly a trace.

This one seemed to have fed off of its own internal energy and expanded instead. Can't say I'm sorry to see the wretched machine gone, though the manner in which it went was unfortunate.

The people... well, it's possible the amount of raw energy involved vaporized them. That is unfortunately the most likely answer. The other possibility... well, it would depend on how much of the energy was focused on maintaining the Perpendicularity and how much was converted into physical force as it expanded.

But there's a slim chance they still live...

[and-wayne]

Hm. They weren't vaporized. I think... I dunno, maybe some of our friends in there did somethin', minimized the impact.

But Ruin says Wax is alive, and a lot of other folks, too. Ruin wouldn't lie... not in that way.

[phantom-steel]

Then, it must be. They are in the Spiritual Realm. A place with which I am intimately familiar.

...Is it wrong of me that a part of me takes satisfaction in seeing this destruction and knowing it was not I who caused it?

[and-wayne]

*the air rushes around you, blowing your clothes back like a gust of wind as Phantom appears beside you, looking out at the disaster area. His skin shifts and morphs as his stormlight knits his burns back together*

What happened? What was that?

@phantom-steel

*he looks at Phantom for a long moment, assessing, then gives him a nod*

Not sure what exactly. Base of operations for some of your- old employers. Wax was there. Other folks, too. Somethin' blew up, very few casualties for an explosion that size, but a lot missin' so far. Closer you get to the middle, the more it turns into a ghost town.

[phantom-steel]

They blew it up... they blew up a perpendicularity... We are lucky there is still a city here, Wayne. It must've been a small one. Had it been a larger one...

[and-wayne]

... they were keepin' that in the city? When this could happen?

Bastards. What... do you think happened to the people, then? We know they ain't in the Cognitive Realm. Lessie can see in there.

[phantom-steel]

While they are indeed bastards, I don't believe they knew what it would do. Perpendicularities are highly delicate and unstable. The leading theory I heard was that it would collapse in on itself and disappear with hardly a trace.

This one seemed to have fed off of its own internal energy and expanded instead. Can't say I'm sorry to see the wretched machine gone, though the manner in which it went was unfortunate.

The people... well, it's possible the amount of raw energy involved vaporized them. That is unfortunately the most likely answer. The other possibility... well, it would depend on how much of the energy was focused on maintaining the Perpendicularity and how much was converted into physical force as it expanded.

But there's a slim chance they still live...

[and-wayne]

*the air rushes around you, blowing your clothes back like a gust of wind as Phantom appears beside you, looking out at the disaster area. His skin shifts and morphs as his stormlight knits his burns back together*

What happened? What was that?

@phantom-steel

*he looks at Phantom for a long moment, assessing, then gives him a nod*

Not sure what exactly. Base of operations for some of your- old employers. Wax was there. Other folks, too. Somethin' blew up, very few casualties for an explosion that size, but a lot missin' so far. Closer you get to the middle, the more it turns into a ghost town.

[phantom-steel]

They blew it up... they blew up a perpendicularity... We are lucky there is still a city here, Wayne. It must've been a small one. Had it been a larger one...

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Got it. Where should I be looking?

[phantom-steel]

Could you check her home? See if there are any clues there. If we don't find anything... well, I guess I'll have to go back in with them for a time. See what I can find.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she nods* Good luck. Stay safe.

*she takes off to look around the apartment of @forever-a-lawwoman for anything important*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She starts when Alice barges through the door, reaching for her gun instinctively.*

Alice?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Lessie? You're alright! *she hugs her*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She tenses briefly, but hugs Alice back.*

Hey. You okay?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Yeah, I thought you were missing.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I was…just asleep.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

No? I went to check your apartment when you didn't show up and you weren't there then.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what? I…I just woke up. I swear.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Huh...

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She hugs Alice tighter.*

…Doc says one of my spikes got replaced.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she hugs her back* What? How?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t know!

*She sounds frustrated.*

They couldn’t take it without me knowing! That’s…it’s a Blessing! It’s my Blessing, for Ruin’s sake!

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe it was... I dunno... hypnosis? Can Kandra be hypnotized?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Maybe? I just…I’d remember something, right?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe? I have no idea how it would work

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t rusting know…

*Paalm starts crying again in the back of her head, and she winces involuntarily.*

…mind if I sit down?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Of course! It's your place, and your Blessing that's been tampered with. Mind if I sit next to you?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods, moving over to a chair, sitting down hard.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she sits next to her before hugging her and wrapping her gently in a wing*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

What happened?

*This is under her breath, softly, to herself.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she doesn't say anything but gently hums* ((Not in a Cryptic way, in a comforting way))

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She buries her face in her hands.* I’m such a rusting wreck…

[phantom-steel]

*bursts in the door* There's nothing- *his voice cuts off as soon as he sees, Lessie* *He collapses to his knees* Oh, you're alright. Thank goodness... *his hand is mangled at his side*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Phantom? What happened to you?

[phantom-steel]

Hm? *glances at his hind* Oh... punched a wall... doesn't matter.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Are you…are you okay?

[phantom-steel]

The hand will heal. Just haven't bothered yet... Are you okay?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

As far as I know. Nothing…other than my traded spike, but the Doc is making me a new one. Everything else…well, I just woke up.

[phantom-steel]

Are memory lapses common for you? They are for me.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Got it. Where should I be looking?

[phantom-steel]

Could you check her home? See if there are any clues there. If we don't find anything... well, I guess I'll have to go back in with them for a time. See what I can find.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she nods* Good luck. Stay safe.

*she takes off to look around the apartment of @forever-a-lawwoman for anything important*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She starts when Alice barges through the door, reaching for her gun instinctively.*

Alice?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Lessie? You're alright! *she hugs her*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She tenses briefly, but hugs Alice back.*

Hey. You okay?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Yeah, I thought you were missing.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I was…just asleep.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

No? I went to check your apartment when you didn't show up and you weren't there then.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what? I…I just woke up. I swear.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Huh...

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She hugs Alice tighter.*

…Doc says one of my spikes got replaced.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she hugs her back* What? How?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t know!

*She sounds frustrated.*

They couldn’t take it without me knowing! That’s…it’s a Blessing! It’s my Blessing, for Ruin’s sake!

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe it was... I dunno... hypnosis? Can Kandra be hypnotized?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Maybe? I just…I’d remember something, right?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe? I have no idea how it would work

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t rusting know…

*Paalm starts crying again in the back of her head, and she winces involuntarily.*

…mind if I sit down?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Of course! It's your place, and your Blessing that's been tampered with. Mind if I sit next to you?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods, moving over to a chair, sitting down hard.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she sits next to her before hugging her and wrapping her gently in a wing*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

What happened?

*This is under her breath, softly, to herself.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she doesn't say anything but gently hums* ((Not in a Cryptic way, in a comforting way))

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She buries her face in her hands.* I’m such a rusting wreck…

[phantom-steel]

*bursts in the door* There's nothing- *his voice cuts off as soon as he sees, Lessie* *He collapses to his knees* Oh, you're alright. Thank goodness... *his hand is mangled at his side*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Phantom? What happened to you?

[phantom-steel]

Hm? *glances at his hind* Oh... punched a wall... doesn't matter.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Are you…are you okay?

[phantom-steel]

The hand will heal. Just haven't bothered yet... Are you okay?

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Got it. Where should I be looking?

[phantom-steel]

Could you check her home? See if there are any clues there. If we don't find anything... well, I guess I'll have to go back in with them for a time. See what I can find.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she nods* Good luck. Stay safe.

*she takes off to look around the apartment of @forever-a-lawwoman for anything important*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She starts when Alice barges through the door, reaching for her gun instinctively.*

Alice?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Lessie? You're alright! *she hugs her*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She tenses briefly, but hugs Alice back.*

Hey. You okay?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Yeah, I thought you were missing.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I was…just asleep.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

No? I went to check your apartment when you didn't show up and you weren't there then.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what? I…I just woke up. I swear.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Huh...

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She hugs Alice tighter.*

…Doc says one of my spikes got replaced.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she hugs her back* What? How?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t know!

*She sounds frustrated.*

They couldn’t take it without me knowing! That’s…it’s a Blessing! It’s my Blessing, for Ruin’s sake!

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe it was... I dunno... hypnosis? Can Kandra be hypnotized?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Maybe? I just…I’d remember something, right?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe? I have no idea how it would work

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t rusting know…

*Paalm starts crying again in the back of her head, and she winces involuntarily.*

…mind if I sit down?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Of course! It's your place, and your Blessing that's been tampered with. Mind if I sit next to you?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods, moving over to a chair, sitting down hard.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she sits next to her before hugging her and wrapping her gently in a wing*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

What happened?

*This is under her breath, softly, to herself.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she doesn't say anything but gently hums* ((Not in a Cryptic way, in a comforting way))

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She buries her face in her hands.* I’m such a rusting wreck…

[phantom-steel]

*bursts in the door* There's nothing- *his voice cuts off as soon as he sees, Lessie* *He collapses to his knees* Oh, you're alright. Thank goodness... *his hand is mangled at his side*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Phantom? What happened to you?

[phantom-steel]

Hm? *glances at his hind* Oh... punched a wall... doesn't matter.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Got it. Where should I be looking?

[phantom-steel]

Could you check her home? See if there are any clues there. If we don't find anything... well, I guess I'll have to go back in with them for a time. See what I can find.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she nods* Good luck. Stay safe.

*she takes off to look around the apartment of @forever-a-lawwoman for anything important*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She starts when Alice barges through the door, reaching for her gun instinctively.*

Alice?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Lessie? You're alright! *she hugs her*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She tenses briefly, but hugs Alice back.*

Hey. You okay?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Yeah, I thought you were missing.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I was…just asleep.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

No? I went to check your apartment when you didn't show up and you weren't there then.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what? I…I just woke up. I swear.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Huh...

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She hugs Alice tighter.*

…Doc says one of my spikes got replaced.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she hugs her back* What? How?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t know!

*She sounds frustrated.*

They couldn’t take it without me knowing! That’s…it’s a Blessing! It’s my Blessing, for Ruin’s sake!

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe it was... I dunno... hypnosis? Can Kandra be hypnotized?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

Maybe? I just…I’d remember something, right?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Maybe? I have no idea how it would work

[forever-a-lawwoman]

I don’t rusting know…

*Paalm starts crying again in the back of her head, and she winces involuntarily.*

…mind if I sit down?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Of course! It's your place, and your Blessing that's been tampered with. Mind if I sit next to you?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods, moving over to a chair, sitting down hard.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she sits next to her before hugging her and wrapping her gently in a wing*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

What happened?

*This is under her breath, softly, to herself.*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

*she doesn't say anything but gently hums* ((Not in a Cryptic way, in a comforting way))

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She buries her face in her hands.* I’m such a rusting wreck…

[phantom-steel]

*bursts in the door* There's nothing- *his voice cuts off as soon as he sees, Lessie* *He collapses to his knees* Oh, you're alright. Thank goodness... *his hand is mangled at his side*

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Got it. Where should I be looking?

[phantom-steel]

Could you check her home? See if there are any clues there. If we don't find anything... well, I guess I'll have to go back in with them for a time. See what I can find.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

... Fine. Where will you be searching?

[phantom-steel]

She was meant to meet you? Likely the streets around there, then.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Cannae fight if it's broken, nor can you carry anyone

[phantom-steel]

There is some truth to that, but some falsehood. My hand would heal swiftly in a fight anyhow. We are wasting time. Fix it if you must.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Aye, but the hand is still important to fix up.

[phantom-steel]

*he looks confused* Why?

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[a-wandering-biomancer]

Hold on laddie, let me see to that hand first. I know you can heal it with Stormlight, but this'll be easier.

[phantom-steel]

The hand doesn't matter. We should be searching.

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

I don't know. I was to meet her for breakfast and scholarly work on Hemalurgy this morning

[phantom-steel]

*he taps speed as he punches a wall, mangling his fist* Bastards! *he almost spits the word out* If they laid one finger on her! I'll- *slams his fist into the wall again, shattering his wrist*

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[a-wandering-biomancer]

She’s missing.

[phantom-steel]

*some parts of his identity seem to stabilize a little* What? How long?

[phantom-steel]

*a form slams into the ground in front of him and steps forward, wings unfolding and strange device that seems alive held in two of her arms*

Where's Lessie?

@a-wandering-biomancer

*he looks at her, disoriented and confused* I do not know. Is something wrong?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*the world goes dark, and sound goes with it. What was once a loud and bustling city has been smothered by shadow and turned into a vast and empty void. There is nothing around you for miles save for a lone shadowy figure.*

- @phantom-steel

*She spins quickly, duster flaring out around her, as she rests her hands on her pistols.*

…Phantom? This you?

[phantom-steel]

*the figure steps forward and you see its face. It looks like Phantom, but it is cold. Unfeeling. Devoid of passion in a way you've never seen from Phantom before. He speaks to you, voice cold and flat.*

No. I am Void.

*suddenly, his form turns into a blur, and your head is removed from your shoulders and deposited into a bag*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*Her eyes go wide, and her hat falls to the ground, dislodged when she was decapitated.*

[phantom-steel]

*he pivots and taps speed again, this time taking off both of her remaining arms and tucking them in their own bag*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*The arms bat against the side of the bag, slowly.*

[phantom-steel]

*makes a mental note that there's a spike in one of those before taking off the legs and putting both them and the torse in two remaining bags and gathering them up*

*he works with neither smile nor frown. His face is completely relaxed and devoid of any sign of feeling*

*once she's been properly incapacitated, he gathers up the bags and disappears as a blur, clearly headed somewhere*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*The arms keep whacking the bag, but the other bags remain still, for now.*

[phantom-steel]

*after no more than a few minutes, he arrives at his destination. Through your disorientation, you start to sense other parts of yourself nearby*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She goes still, trying to see what she can figure out without…any of her sensory organs.*

[phantom-steel]

*all of her parts are thrown into an airtight container together. The unspiked parts of you start desperately combining trying to form into something. Anything. They seem to calm down as they touch the parts of you still bearing spikes. Soon enough, you find your skull and what's left of your head*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She quickly solidifies her form, taking a minute or so to reform her full body. She rests a hand on her gunbelt, glancing around.*

[phantom-steel]

*outside of her containment, she sees a woman in a lab coat holding a clipboard along with two other people who hang back in the room. Next to the woman, Phantom... or more properly Void, stands a step behind, staring without emotion.*

*The woman speaks dryly as she reads off her clipboard* You think we left you your weapons? How cute.

*she starts to pace over to some other thing* Well done, Void. I had worried your conditioning had started to loosen, but you did just fine on this mission. Perhaps your next session shall be shorter.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what did you do to him.

*She glares at the woman, before turning her back to her and examining the rest of the room. Her head is raised high, hiding the terror that begins to rise in her.*

[phantom-steel]

To Void? Or to Phantom? I've done nothing to Phantom. Quite on purpose mind you. Normally we would not allow his little stunt at rebellion you've put him on, but the boss thinks it may be useful.

Void, on the other hand, belongs to me, and if he gets out of hand, a quick soothing with a nicrosil burst will sort him out. *at the last, she gestures to the two people who've hung back*

Now, Lessie. Or should I call you Paalm? Or perhaps Bleeder? I hear you have a very interesting spike in you.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She turns back to the woman, narrowing her eyes.*

I don’t know what you’re talking about. They’re just Hemalurgic spikes.

[phantom-steel]

*she nods to Void.* Pull out her spikes for me. *she looks back to Lessie* Don't try climbing out, lip of your container is coated in a strong acid. It would not be pleasant.

*with that, Void steps up to the container and opens it*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She backs away from Void.* …you had somebody listening in my apartment.

Who are you all, really?

[phantom-steel]

Well I, am an artist. You like Phantom, don't you? Well, he is my creation. The others are in it for different reasons. Power. Prestige. I don't really know or care to be honest. *The woman reads something off of a monitor* Right shoulder, Void.

*Phantom drops down into the container and almost as soon as his feet touch the ground, he's cut off her right arm at the shoulder and grabbed hold of a spike there*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She grunts as the arm is ripped off, and her eyes go wide.*

One. Leave me one. Please.

[phantom-steel]

*the woman squints at the monitory, distracted for a moment* That's strange... *she taps it* Something's clouding the readings...

*while she's distracted, Void meets her eyes, for a moment as she speaks to him, she sees a flash of something. She sees Phantom. Only for a moment, and then he is Void again. He rips the spike from the arm and uses a steel push to get out of the container, closing it behind him. He does not go for the second spike.*

*The woman looks up surprised for a second when he brings the spike to her* Oh... oh, yes. My, how interesting...

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She backs away from them, eyes wide, shrinking into herself.*

…you rusting idiots…

[phantom-steel]

*she places the spike in a box and sets it aside for a moment. She glances at Void.* Just the one? Oh, no matter. I suppose we want some part of her remaining for the next step.

*She steps up to her container* I'd like to speak with Bleeder, now.

*Void stares at Lessie, gaze not wandering even a little*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*Her demeanor shifts, the loss of a spike taking full effect. Her eyes fill with hatred, and she straightens. She eyes the researcher.*

You’re talking to her.

*Bleeder ignores Void completely.*

[phantom-steel]

*She smiles* Oh, how wonderful! I didn't even have to touch my machine and I've got you! Tell me, Bleeder, how would you like a job?

*Void twitches slightly, Leanne doesn't notice*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

You ripped out our spike. I don’t see any reason why I should be working with you.

[phantom-steel]

Because of what we can offer you.

*she sighs* If you simply must have two spikes, I can offer you a replacement. I can promise that it will also keep you safe from the control of Shards.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

…what’s your offer.

Speak fast, a single spiked kandra is…unstable. At any moment…*She grins, but it never reaches her eyes.*

[phantom-steel]

It is simple.* She gives a similar smile* How would you like to kill a god, Bleeder? I believe there is one in particular that you'd quite fancy seeing dead.

In return, you will do some odd jobs for us and ensure Lessie forgets these events ever happened. If you cannot ensure that, then I can, though it would not be pleasant for you.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

You can get me Harmony?

…we don’t work like that. The memories are all of ours.

[phantom-steel]

Yes. There are several ways. There are weapons that can kill a vessel. Nightblood comes to mind. You can manipulate another Shard into doing it.

Then, *she smiles* there are Dawnshards.

That is no matter, I can make sure these events are blocked from your memory. If I am delicate I can even make Lessie specifically be the one to shy away from them. Personalities are powerful things.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods.* I see.

Can you push Paalm away as well? She’s likely to side with the others.

*She stalks around the enclosure, thinking.*

[phantom-steel]

I can. You see, there are things that Paalm and Lessie find traumatic that you do not. Things I can do that will make them not want to remember this. If I do it well enough, they will not be able to remember it.

Paalm, for example, is scarred by her actions under the Lord Ruler. Lessie, by what she was forced to do to Waxillium Ladrian. Your trauma is related to Harmony and control. So that should be avoided.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She nods.* Alright. *She grins.* Oh this will be fun…

[phantom-steel]

*she smiles* Alright. First things first, *she pulls out another box containing a different spike*, you should take this before you go fully mad. This works best if the others don't suspect.

Then, we can get to work on the memories. *Void twitches again, this time drawing Leanne's notice. She glances back at the two people in the back, the soother and nicrosil mistings.* What's wrong with him?

*The soother calls back to her* Phantom is experiencing strong emotions. It's pushing back against Void's control. The inner turmoil is also drawing Nightmare. He's very unstable right now.

*she looks back to Bleeder* I'm impressed. Lessie truly did a number on my work on him, didn't she?

[forever-a-lawwoman]

She did. Takes the oaths we swore very seriously.

*She glances up at the cover to her enclosure.* Not sure how you’re planning to get that spike in here, if he’s losing it.

[phantom-steel]

He is a tool. I can work without him. *she steps up and opens the container again before tossing the spike in and closing it again*

Oaths, you say? That would explain the strange reading... *she goes back to the monitor* Strange. It's gone...

*she glances at Void's handlers* You may want to take him out of here for this next part.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She carefully takes the spike, not inserting it yet.*

Yes, ou-Nevermind. *She scowls, and sticks the spike in.* Lessie or Paalm might kick me out once this…takes effect.

[phantom-steel]

That is fine. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Bleeder. *She starts hooking up cables to the container*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She inclines her head, and starts pacing around the container.*

[phantom-steel]

The trick to this part is tapping into the correct trauma. Luckily for us, I have artifacts that were once owned by the Lord Ruler himself. Likewise, thanks to Wayne, there are few people who do not own something that was once owned by Waxillium Ladrian.

So actually, this case is rather simple. *connects more cables* It's just a matter of pushing you the right amount so as to block the memory without breaking you.

Raw pain can be useful too. I find that those who are in the depths of pure, unadulterated torture are highly suggestible so long as you promise to make the pain stop.

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She leans up against the wall of the enclosure, Lessie simply watching her work.*

[phantom-steel]

*she smiles, an actual hint of pleasure in this one* This won't take long. My methods are far quicker than those of my craft that use traditional means. *she turns on the machine*

[forever-a-lawwoman]

*She flinches at the start of the pain, and her accent slips to more Roughs.*

…haven’t felt pain in several years.

[phantom-steel]

*the machine starts to wind up and the feelings intensify. Suddenly, she is no longer in the container. She is Paalm, hundreds of years ago, on one of the many occasions she was forced to kill. She is Lessie, watching as Harmony forces her to fake her death.*

*More memories come, but they don't feel like memories. She is who she was, living that moment again. Everything that Lessie and Paalm actively associate with trauma starts coming to the fore. Toward the end, it all blends together. Pure pain. Pure trauma. Pure loss.*

*Before she knows it, everything is gone. One thought echoes in her head. Forget. Then she is back at home, lying in her bed. Everything seems normal.*

*Phantom likewise wakes up disoriented in a quiet, out-of-the-way place, unsure of what just happened, but for some reason feeling deeply disturbed.*