GET BACK TO WORK

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

How do you feel about Unions? Are you pro union or anti union?

HAPPY WORKERS ARE BETTER WORKERS. IF MY EMPLOYEES ARE NOT HAVING THEIR NEEDS MET THEN I WELCOME THEM TO INFORM THEIR OVERSEERS AND NEGOTIATE IN ORDER TO CHANGE THIS.

SO I SUPPOSE I AM PRO UNION IN THE SENSE THAT I APPROVE OF THOSE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS WHILST WORKING.

LESS PRO UNION IN THE SENSE THAT THIS OUGHT TO BE BAKED INTO THE SYSTEMS I SET UP. IF A UNION HAS BEEN DEEMED NECESSARY BY ANY OF MY WORKERS THEN SOMEONE HAS DONE SOMETHING INCORRECTLY. SOMEONE IS SKIMMING WAGES OR CUTTING COSTS... AND IT RESULTS IN BAD WORK!

AHH..... MORTAL MANAGERS..... SOME OF THEM SIMPLY DO NOT SEE THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF CARING FOR THOSE THEY HAVE BEEN PUT IN CHARGE OF...

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Any significant updates?

THE SANDSURGES WERE UNEARTHED RECENTLY. CAUSED A BIT OF A PAPERWORK KERFUFFLE.

[gimmethemprimals]

IMPORTANT POLL

Stormcatcher

Icewarden

Voting ended onFeb 10, 2023

(Btw if you put something like “The Stormcatcher is a capitalist” or vice versa in the tags for your reasoning I will explode you with my mind)

[radiant-flutterbun]

Earthshaker or Stormcatcher?

Earthshaker 🪨

Stormcatcher 🌩️

Voting ended onFeb 3, 2023

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Introducing [NAME NOT FOUND]

[A small Fae hovers in the Wind Palace and puts something glowy away in his bag. This celebration certainly hadn’t gone to plan.

He flits down in the performance hall, to where beds are being set up for the dragons that got caught up in the miasma and who were already growing sick. Someone in charge of organising things had decided that the hall was a decent size to host them all, and they were already there so it was just a matter of bringing in medical supplies. The Wind Palace’s Infirmary would be too small for so many, apparently.

The Fae joins in with a flock of other small dragons, helping to lift and distribute things throughout the room.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

*Windsinger enters the room and he helps out with the organization of everything. He makes sure to get Irise a bed for her to rest too. He catches a glimpse of N/A in the crowd, and he flies up to him* Oh, N/A, I almost forgot that you were here… You didn’t get caught up in the miasma, did you?

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Luckily not. I was on the other side of the room, near the buffet.

[The Fae has the typical monotone voice of his species, but also offers very little inflection from his fins.]

Did Irise catch the perpetrator before she fell ill.

[thewinglesswindsinger]

…No, she didn’t. Apparently the dragon dove right into the Crescendo as an escape. Heaven knows how the blazes they managed to do that.

I’m glad that you’re okay, N/A. Plus, the last thing I need is for Stormcatcher to be pissed at me too.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

I did hear you and the Plaguebringer arguing just now. I believe everyone did.

[The Fae blinks slowly.]

The Stormcatcher instructed me to stay here and help if I can. Is there anything in particular that a Lightning dragon would be useful for.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Introducing [NAME NOT FOUND]

[A small Fae hovers in the Wind Palace and puts something glowy away in his bag. This celebration certainly hadn’t gone to plan.

He flits down in the performance hall, to where beds are being set up for the dragons that got caught up in the miasma and who were already growing sick. Someone in charge of organising things had decided that the hall was a decent size to host them all, and they were already there so it was just a matter of bringing in medical supplies. The Wind Palace’s Infirmary would be too small for so many, apparently.

The Fae joins in with a flock of other small dragons, helping to lift and distribute things throughout the room.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

*Windsinger enters the room and he helps out with the organization of everything. He makes sure to get Irise a bed for her to rest too. He catches a glimpse of N/A in the crowd, and he flies up to him* Oh, N/A, I almost forgot that you were here… You didn’t get caught up in the miasma, did you?

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Luckily not. I was on the other side of the room, near the buffet.

[The Fae has the typical monotone voice of his species, but also offers very little inflection from his fins.]

Did Irise catch the perpetrator before she fell ill.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

Introducing [NAME NOT FOUND]

[A small Fae hovers in the Wind Palace and puts something glowy away in his bag. This celebration certainly hadn’t gone to plan.

He flits down in the performance hall, to where beds are being set up for the dragons that got caught up in the miasma and who were already growing sick. Someone in charge of organising things had decided that the hall was a decent size to host them all, and they were already there so it was just a matter of bringing in medical supplies. The Wind Palace’s Infirmary would be too small for so many, apparently.

The Fae joins in with a flock of other small dragons, helping to lift and distribute things throughout the room.]

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

[A Lightning Sprite speaks directly into one of Stormcatcher’s ears.]

MMHM.

I SEE.

IS THAT SO?

MM.

YES.

REALLY? HOW CURIOUS.

[The Stormcatcher pauses for a few moments, thinking, before nodding at the Sprite.]

LET HIM STAY THERE AND OBSERVE. HE MAY HELP IF HE DESIRES.

[The Sprite flutters off to relay the message.]

SOMETHING STRANGE IS AFOOT TO THE NORTH... 

[The Stormcatcher shuffles off to resume some paperwork.]

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

What's your favorite fruit flavor of the alphabet??? Mine's 3.3 repeating! ~Fruit anon

THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN APPRECIATING THE [REDACTED]

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

I FEEL A SHIFT IN THE FABRIC OF THE WORLD...

...AS IF SOMETHING ONCE BROKEN HAS BEEN MENDED...

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger had spent a solid minute using his wind magic to try and pull Plaguebringer out, only to feel a couple droplets hit his face. He stopped, confused, and wiped the droplets off his face. He looked at the droplets, and recognizes what it was instantly. It was the same liquid that Abyss had used to take him over.

“DAMNIT!” Windsinger darted back into Abyss’ dimension, there was no time to lose. Thanks to the Shade’s ‘help’, he already knew where Plaguebringer was being held at, he just needs to get her out before Abyss gets a chance to take her over again. All the while, he made sure that the hand holding Valor and Clarke was closed tight to make sure they couldn’t wiggle their way back out once they went in again.

(( @mother-plaguebringer @chaosrune @silence-in-the-abyss ))

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss wasn’t concerned with taking over Plaguebringer in the first place, though that was hardly evident with what he was commanding those dragons in his thrall to do.

Eventually, they both stepped back in unison and looked towards Abyss… The Tundra with a melancholic expression and the Mirror with an almost maniacal one. Abyss just looked towards Plaguebringer and snapped his claws.

This wasn’t an injection. Plaguebringer could feel that- instead of something forcing its way into her system, the tendrils were forcing something out. This wasn’t an injection, it was an extraction.

And Abyss was very amused.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer flinches at the feeling and tries to move away, not that she could. She was starting to panic, trying to figure out what game Abyss was playing, and becoming increasingly more concerned about just how many of her children were trapped here.]

Get. OFF! Release my children! They've done nothing to you!

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger turned a corner and before he knew it, he sees Plaguebringer in the pool of black liquid, and the situation that she was in. "JHORTANAS!" He cried out upon seeing her and flying to her side without hesitation. He cuts the tendrils that are holding Plaguebringer down in the pool with gusts of wind while prying off any other pieces of Abyss that were stuck on her. "COME ON, LET'S GO!"

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss made a sound as Windsinger completely blew past the two controlled dragons to try and grab Plaguebringer. Sure, he was making progress, and Abyss almost had what he wanted, but Windsinger was being stupid and deserved to be punished for it.

Abyss waved a claw, and the Tundra grabbed something that resembled a bridle, while the Mirror picked up a rope and jumped towards the Windsinger’s back. One would try to pin him, the other would try to put on the bridle so he couldn’t bite. Abyss… well, he was preparing something else.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer managed to free an arm thanks to Windsinger and swatted at the two dragons. Not hard enough to hurt them, she didn't want to hurt them, but she did want them off of the other deity.]

You came back in?!? You idiot! I wanted you to get help! What were you thinking?!

[She was too focused on Windsinger and her possessed children to notice what Abyss was doing, which, honestly, was probably the point.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“Yeah, ‘cause I’m sure Abyss will wait patiently and do absolutely nothing while I run off to get someone!” He replied in a sarcastic, but mostly frustrated tone. “There’s no time for that! Now let’s get out of here already! Follow me!” He starts leaving the way he came, but takes a moment to look back to make sure Plaguebringer is behind him.

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss quietly watched them, waiting until Windsinger started to leave until attempting to execute his plan. With another wave of his hand, the controlled dragons snapped to attention and… well, started to slowly approach Plaguebringer. The Tundra carried a flask while the Mirror carried an abnormally sharp blade.

Abyss, meanwhile, had sealed off the entrance of the chamber with a decently thick layer of flesh. It could still be torn through, but Abyss was buying time. Time for roars to fill the cavern, the threat of more of those controlled approaching…

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer carefully begins to stand, still weak from the Shade's drain of her magic. but she was getting it back. She looks to Windsinger, meeting his gaze, then turns her head to her corrupted children.]

Sesha, Ezekial, listen to me, I know you're still in there! I command you to stop this at once! I am your mother! I don't want to hurt you!

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“FOR PETE’S SAKE, JUST GRAB THEM PLAGUEBRINGER!” Windsinger yelled at her, reaching a snapping point, “WE. ARE. GOING. NOW!” With his adrenaline spiking, the winds whip up, only giving Plaguebringer a few precious seconds to pick them up.

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss doesn’t even stop them, instead just grinning ear to ear as Sesha charges towards Plaguebringer, wildly swinging the blade. It seemed to be aiming for one of Plaguebringer’s spines, but it was difficult to tell with how deranged the possessed dragon looked.

Ezekiel stopped a little closer to Plaguebringer, almost hesitating when he held the closed flask. The blindfold kept him from looking Plaguebringer in the eye, but there was at least some of him left.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer side-steps quickly to avoid Sesha's attack, using her tail to trip the Mirror, grabbing Ezekial in the process as she charges after Windsinger, not before she feels the blade slice at her ankle though, drawing a deep gash. She presses on despite the pain, opening her wings when she feels the wind and letting the other deity guide them out of Abyss' realm.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger flew through the veins of Abyss, with the winds carrying Plaguebringer in tow. They were not nearly as far deep in Abyss dimension as they were earlier, so it didn’t take long at all for them to reach the entrance, and smacks face-first into the thick membrane. “Damnit!” He swore under his breath. A quick assessment, and he slashes at it several times before it finally breaks, and he makes his way out, with the winds dragging Plaguebringer out with him.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Stormcatcher, having followed the little red Spiral up to the Scarred Wasteland, happened to arrive just as the other two deities tore through back into Sornieth.

“WHAT IN THE ELEVEN REALMS IS GOING ON HERE?” Stormcatcher bellowed, all the faux calm he’d been projecting evaporating in an instant.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Mortem jumped and stumbled backwards when the pair burst from the cave, looking startled.]

MOM!!

[He runs to them without thinking, nearly crashing into the Plague deity in his panic]

---------

Mortem!

[She nuzzles her son affectionately, relieved to see that he's safe and unharmed despite everything.]

Are you alright? Where's your sister? How is-

[She's cut off by Stormcatcher's loud voice and looks up to see him. She wasn't happy, she had attempted to ask for his help before all of this, and the fact that he deemed it appropriate to come now, after she had cured Windsinger, after she had confronted Abyss... it made her angry.]

NOW YOU WANT TO HELP? NOW?! I TOLD YOU WHAT WAS HAPPENING! BUT YOU SAID YOU "HAD MORE PRESSING MATTERS."

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“Guys, can we yell and scream at each other later? I feel like I’m gonna pass out any minute here.” Windsinger chimed in.

With his adrenaline finally going back down, he looks exhausted. He wasn’t even at his 100% when he recovered from the nerve gas and abyss possession earlier, and all the energy that it took to pull off getting Clarke, Valor, and Plaguebringer out of that forsaken place took whatever energy he had left over. Everything finally caught up to him, which, with how energetic he usually is, was a lot.

“I literally went hell and back twice for this little guy, can we get him cured first?” Windsinger asked, referring to Clarke, then looking directly at Stormcatcher, “By the way, I found Valor. She was also in there. Heaven knows why. The both of ‘em are in my hand right now.” He peeks in his hand to make sure they’re still in there, which thankfully they still were. He sighs out of relief.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

“DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS ALL THOSE TORNADOS WERE IN THE SHIFTING EXPANSE? THE MEASURES WE HAD TO TAKE TO PROTECT EVERYONE WE COULD FROM THE WINDSTORMS? I’M SORRY FOR PRIORITISING MY CHILDREN OVER YOURS,” snapped the Stormcatcher, though Windsinger’s words cut off any further bite he might have been planning to add. He turned to the elder deity and scowled at the state he was in.

Well, well, well, so this was where the little snake had ended up as well. She and Plaguebringer’s little whelp looked... Well, he had something to fix that.

“YOU’RE LUCKY I MADE UP MORE DOSES OF ABYSSAL CURE ONCE I FIGURED OUT THAT THAT WAS WHAT THE PLAGUEBRINGER HAD NEEDED. ITHERE ARE TOO MANY DETAILS FOR THIS TIME AND PLACE, BUT THE SHADE WARD HAS BEEN BEING MISMANAGED FOR- TOO LONG TO GET INTO,” Stormcatcher said, retrieving a couple of vials from a pouch he was carrying. “HERE.”

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger had spent a solid minute using his wind magic to try and pull Plaguebringer out, only to feel a couple droplets hit his face. He stopped, confused, and wiped the droplets off his face. He looked at the droplets, and recognizes what it was instantly. It was the same liquid that Abyss had used to take him over.

“DAMNIT!” Windsinger darted back into Abyss’ dimension, there was no time to lose. Thanks to the Shade’s ‘help’, he already knew where Plaguebringer was being held at, he just needs to get her out before Abyss gets a chance to take her over again. All the while, he made sure that the hand holding Valor and Clarke was closed tight to make sure they couldn’t wiggle their way back out once they went in again.

(( @mother-plaguebringer @chaosrune @silence-in-the-abyss ))

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss wasn’t concerned with taking over Plaguebringer in the first place, though that was hardly evident with what he was commanding those dragons in his thrall to do.

Eventually, they both stepped back in unison and looked towards Abyss… The Tundra with a melancholic expression and the Mirror with an almost maniacal one. Abyss just looked towards Plaguebringer and snapped his claws.

This wasn’t an injection. Plaguebringer could feel that- instead of something forcing its way into her system, the tendrils were forcing something out. This wasn’t an injection, it was an extraction.

And Abyss was very amused.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer flinches at the feeling and tries to move away, not that she could. She was starting to panic, trying to figure out what game Abyss was playing, and becoming increasingly more concerned about just how many of her children were trapped here.]

Get. OFF! Release my children! They've done nothing to you!

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger turned a corner and before he knew it, he sees Plaguebringer in the pool of black liquid, and the situation that she was in. "JHORTANAS!" He cried out upon seeing her and flying to her side without hesitation. He cuts the tendrils that are holding Plaguebringer down in the pool with gusts of wind while prying off any other pieces of Abyss that were stuck on her. "COME ON, LET'S GO!"

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss made a sound as Windsinger completely blew past the two controlled dragons to try and grab Plaguebringer. Sure, he was making progress, and Abyss almost had what he wanted, but Windsinger was being stupid and deserved to be punished for it.

Abyss waved a claw, and the Tundra grabbed something that resembled a bridle, while the Mirror picked up a rope and jumped towards the Windsinger’s back. One would try to pin him, the other would try to put on the bridle so he couldn’t bite. Abyss… well, he was preparing something else.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer managed to free an arm thanks to Windsinger and swatted at the two dragons. Not hard enough to hurt them, she didn't want to hurt them, but she did want them off of the other deity.]

You came back in?!? You idiot! I wanted you to get help! What were you thinking?!

[She was too focused on Windsinger and her possessed children to notice what Abyss was doing, which, honestly, was probably the point.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“Yeah, ‘cause I’m sure Abyss will wait patiently and do absolutely nothing while I run off to get someone!” He replied in a sarcastic, but mostly frustrated tone. “There’s no time for that! Now let’s get out of here already! Follow me!” He starts leaving the way he came, but takes a moment to look back to make sure Plaguebringer is behind him.

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss quietly watched them, waiting until Windsinger started to leave until attempting to execute his plan. With another wave of his hand, the controlled dragons snapped to attention and… well, started to slowly approach Plaguebringer. The Tundra carried a flask while the Mirror carried an abnormally sharp blade.

Abyss, meanwhile, had sealed off the entrance of the chamber with a decently thick layer of flesh. It could still be torn through, but Abyss was buying time. Time for roars to fill the cavern, the threat of more of those controlled approaching…

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer carefully begins to stand, still weak from the Shade's drain of her magic. but she was getting it back. She looks to Windsinger, meeting his gaze, then turns her head to her corrupted children.]

Sesha, Ezekial, listen to me, I know you're still in there! I command you to stop this at once! I am your mother! I don't want to hurt you!

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“FOR PETE’S SAKE, JUST GRAB THEM PLAGUEBRINGER!” Windsinger yelled at her, reaching a snapping point, “WE. ARE. GOING. NOW!” With his adrenaline spiking, the winds whip up, only giving Plaguebringer a few precious seconds to pick them up.

[silence-in-the-abyss]

Abyss doesn’t even stop them, instead just grinning ear to ear as Sesha charges towards Plaguebringer, wildly swinging the blade. It seemed to be aiming for one of Plaguebringer’s spines, but it was difficult to tell with how deranged the possessed dragon looked.

Ezekiel stopped a little closer to Plaguebringer, almost hesitating when he held the closed flask. The blindfold kept him from looking Plaguebringer in the eye, but there was at least some of him left.

[mother-plaguebringer]

[Plaguebringer side-steps quickly to avoid Sesha's attack, using her tail to trip the Mirror, grabbing Ezekial in the process as she charges after Windsinger, not before she feels the blade slice at her ankle though, drawing a deep gash. She presses on despite the pain, opening her wings when she feels the wind and letting the other deity guide them out of Abyss' realm.]

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Windsinger flew through the veins of Abyss, with the winds carrying Plaguebringer in tow. They were not nearly as far deep in Abyss dimension as they were earlier, so it didn’t take long at all for them to reach the entrance, and smacks face-first into the thick membrane. “Damnit!” He swore under his breath. A quick assessment, and he slashes at it several times before it finally breaks, and he makes his way out, with the winds dragging Plaguebringer out with him.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Stormcatcher, having followed the little red Spiral up to the Scarred Wasteland, happened to arrive just as the other two deities tore through back into Sornieth.

“WHAT IN THE ELEVEN REALMS IS GOING ON HERE?” Stormcatcher bellowed, all the faux calm he’d been projecting evaporating in an instant.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

[A little maroon Spiral races through the Tempest Spire as fast as his wings could carry him, ignoring any and all guards that tried to stop him.]

URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE WYRMWOUND! URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE WYRMWOUND!

[He yells the phrase over and over again, his red eyes flitting this way and that as he tries to locate the Stormcatcher or one of his clones.]

The Stormcatcher sticks his head out of an office room.

"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF-"

He grumbles, shifting a pile of papers in his arms to free one up so that he can wave over the frantic little Spiral.

"NOW WHAT DOES THE PLAGUEBRINGER WANT? THIS HAD BETTER BE IMPORTANT, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED SOME SIGNIFICANT MISMANAGEMENT IN SOME DEPARTMENTS AND I AM. VERY. BUSY."

[mother-plaguebringer]

Apologies Lord Stormcatcher, sir! I am Scab, of the Plague Exalted!

[He's covered in jagged red growths, you hope it's just Gembond and not actual scabs...]

I was sent by Mortem to deliver an urgent message from Windsinger! Plaguemother has managed to cure Windsinger from Abyss' control, ending the tornadoes that have been destroying Sornieth. Windsinger then discovered that Plaguemother is Shade-touched, we do not know for how long and both of them have returned to Abyss' realm in order to rescue baby Clarke who we believe is also under his control. We are asking for your assistance to help cure both him and Plaguemother when they return, and deal with Abyss!

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

“...”

Stormcatcher looks down at the little Spiral, struck speechless for a moment. Then his face contorts with rage, and he drops his pile of paperwork.

“WELL THAT EXPLAINS WHERE THAT MISSING DOSE OF ABYSS CURE WENT.”

Stormcatcher closes his eyes from a moment, and is very clearly counting backward from ten.

“SHOW ME THE WAY, LITTLE DRAGON.”

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

[A little maroon Spiral races through the Tempest Spire as fast as his wings could carry him, ignoring any and all guards that tried to stop him.]

URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE WYRMWOUND! URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE WYRMWOUND!

[He yells the phrase over and over again, his red eyes flitting this way and that as he tries to locate the Stormcatcher or one of his clones.]

The Stormcatcher sticks his head out of an office room.

"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF-"

He grumbles, shifting a pile of papers in his arms to free one up so that he can wave over the frantic little Spiral.

"NOW WHAT DOES THE PLAGUEBRINGER WANT? THIS HAD BETTER BE IMPORTANT, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED SOME SIGNIFICANT MISMANAGEMENT IN SOME DEPARTMENTS AND I AM. VERY. BUSY."

[chaosrune]

There are groups who would take her as she is as well.

Some not touched by you and your kin

in places where magic is scarce.

My promises are not empty for we make no promises at all. None other than that you shall leave the young mortal be.

-V/M/d

[A large shape fills the narrow space between them, something dragon like but difficult to identify in the telltale dark but not dark of the shade. It towers over serthis and spiral both, facing the god with its many eyes.]

You and your siblings have chased this one to the ends of the earth and sown fear in her.

Even before this day her treatment was harsh, and now she has found a way to better herself and the

claw͕̫̣̦͝s̵̬̦̘͍̠̳ ͎̯̺͔͢

c͇lo̻͕̘͕̱̜̕s̼e̖̥͉̖̯̹̕

 ̠͙͓̣̪̺̤͡in͈̜̰̖̜̙̤ ̴̟̩̹̺

how shamefu̵̽ͫ̐ͬ̈̒ͥͬ͆ͭͨ̅҉͟ l. You yourself admit you cannot say that this will harm her. Just as well for it will not.

OUR fight is not with her kind. It is with y̡ǫ̛u.

Leave the mortal where she lies. If she protests, I shall deliver her back to you.

-UNISON

@thewinglesswindsinger @the-stormcatcher-clone

[thewinglesswindsinger]

She looks at the Shade from her pile of coils, surprised that she doesn’t feel alarmed by their appearance, which ironically enough was alarming in of itself. She couldn’t help but feel confused, because she knew that Stormcatcher was correct, but she also felt that The Shade was right too. Although she said nothing, it could easily be read on her face that she was unsure of what she should do. She sinks back down into her coils a little.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Spiral puffs up a little as the Shade speaks, glaring as if he could will the Shade to shreds with his gaze alone.

MY FIGHT INVOLVES STEPPING IN WHERE YOUR SIGHTS MIGHT BE SET ON THE MORTALS WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES.

I DO NOT TRUST YOU SO FAR AS I CAN THROW YOU, AND AS YOU ARE OFTEN LITTLE MORE THAN SMOKE AND LIES…

His eyes slide back over to Valor.

I ALSO DO NOT TRUST THAT THE SHADE WILL LEAVE YOU UNHARMED, BUT IT MAY BE SO. HOWEVER. AS YOU CAN SEE, VALOR, THE SHADE HAS BEEN WATCHING. LIKELY VIA YOUR NEW FEATURES.

THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE SHADE. ALL ITS PARTS ARE INTERCONNECTED. WHEREVER ITS PARTS MAY BE, IT CAN SENSE THEM AND SENSE THROUGH THEM. THIS IS WHY ICEWARDEN’S PLANS ARE SO, SO FOOLISH.

YOU COULD KEEP THAT ARM AND EYE, VALOR. IT MIGHT EVEN BE SOMETHING THE SHADE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO, DESPITE ITS PROCLAIMED ULTIMATE GOAL OF ‘RECOMBINING’ ALL OF ITSELF. WHY MIGHT IT NOT TAKE BACK WHAT IT SEES AS ITSELF?

WHAT’S A EYE SPARED FOR A LITTLE SNAKE, BUT ANOTHER FOR IT TO SEE THROUGH…?

[chaosrune]

So wise you are, stormcatcher. Truly you have matured since your early days… But alas your argument holds some holes does it not?

I do not need Valore’s eye to see. We have been watching her yes, but only for her entanglement with you.

-UNISON

I believed your lot would turn on her, and wa

-V

as pleasantly su

-D

urprised, at least for a time. Who else would one turn to when the gods of the world give chase? We must be there for the enemies of our enemies.

We’ve no connection to her directly, but I shall gladly reclaim what is mine when the time comes. You know how long it has been. We may wait some longer.

When she is free from your grasp I shall leave her to enjoy her new wholeness, and look forward to my own in due time.

-UNISON

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“Sssso, do I get a sssay in thissss, or not?” She said, almost sarcastically as she lifts a bit out of her coils. She knows very well these two could bicker back and forth like an angry elderly couple for centuries if allowed to. “Look, at thisss point I don’t know who I’d even go with given the choice, but at the very least I need to know if my voice mattersss here in the first place.”

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO ALLOW THOSE UNDER LIGHTNING’S CARE TO HAVE AS MUCH SAY AS THEY CAN HAVE. YOU WOULD DICTATE WHICH TREATMENTS FOR SHADE MANIFESTATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY, OR YOU COULD REFUSE THEM AND SIMPLY REMAIN UNDER OBSERVATION.

DRAGONS WITH SHADE INFECTIONS ARE LOCKED DOWN, BUT AS BEASTCLANS REACT DIFFERENTLY, THERE ARE OFTEN OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL AND VISIT OTHER PLACES - PROVIDING YOU ACCEPT THAT A GUARD GOES WITH YOU, JUST IN CASE. 

MOST PATIENTS PUT DOWN THE NAMES OF THOSE CLOSEST TO THEM, SO THAT IN THE EVENT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS, THOSE OTHERS CAN CHOOSE FOR THEM. THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO ASK WILL BE PROVIDED AN ADVOCATE WHO WILL STICK AS CLOSELY TO YOUR WISHES AS THEY ARE ABLE.

WE WOULD AIM TO GET YOU A SERTHIS ADVOCATE, OF COURSE.

YOU COULD LEAVE ALL OF IT, OF COURSE. BUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT IS THAT YOUR MOVEMENTS WILL BE TRACKED AS THE POTENTIAL VECTOR OF A SHADE INFECTION - AND NOT JUST BY ME. YOU HAVE ALREADY COME ACROSS ONE OF ICEWARDEN’S SEEKERS, HAVE YOU NOT?

THOSE DRAGONS DO NOT EASILY GIVE UP ON THEIR PREY.

…ALL THAT TO SAY: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME WITH ME, AND THIS IS NOT A THREAT, BUT YOUR CHANCES OF LONGTERM FREEDOM AND SURVIVAL WOULD BE SLIM… EVEN WITH THE SHADE’S HELP.

[chaosrune]

[Eyes narrow and form shifts through the speech, but it allows them to finish. Attempting to drown the sound of him would be pointless. They turn slowly toward Valore to address her, much of their presence remaining trained on the true threat all the while.]

I cannot say that these words are all wrong, but listen closely to them. What is the difference in what they offer and what they warn?

You will be watched and held aside. You will be a threat to them. You will be their prey.

The danger of my help is that they themselves shall make to undermine it. They may still undermine their own.

Make your choice, mortal, but ponder whether it was yours to make.

-V/C

[thewinglesswindsinger]

Valor took a while to contemplate what each has told her. As much as her gut told her that running off is her best option, she definitely saw some advantages if she were to go with Stormcatcher. She’ll still be allowed some freedom, which was more than she expected. And also, she also has the option to not go through any of the treatments, which feels like a big plus.

And– oh yeah, Plaguebringer probably wants her dead. She nearly forgot about that. Plaguebringer already hates her, and now she has every reason to want to murder her because of her… Situation. Definitely not good.

She figures that even worse case scenario with Stormcatcher, having that protection over her freedom would be worth it– at least until the tension dies out. Then she can hopefully figure a means of escape, if need be. Then… Then she will… Her thoughts trail off.

“Okay, I’ve made up my mind.” She spoke with an air of confidence. “I’ll be going with you, Stormcatcher.” Though the unnerved feelings she had earlier still persisted, she didn’t show it.

[chaosrune]

[The darkness reforms and turns, its loose draconic shape fading into the shadowy corners of the tunnel before vanishing into the mundane blackness of the dimly lit space. Just before it drops away, the shade whispers a last call to them both.]

There you have your decision~

Take good care of her. Do not make her regret her misplaced trust in you.

-UNISON

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Stormcatcher growls at the receding Shade, a sound just a little too low for a Spiral to be making.

He falls silent and looks to Valor.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THIS.

NOW, LET US MOVE SWIFTLY AWAY FROM THIS DIM, DREARY PLACE, YES?

[chaosrune]

There are groups who would take her as she is as well.

Some not touched by you and your kin

in places where magic is scarce.

My promises are not empty for we make no promises at all. None other than that you shall leave the young mortal be.

-V/M/d

[A large shape fills the narrow space between them, something dragon like but difficult to identify in the telltale dark but not dark of the shade. It towers over serthis and spiral both, facing the god with its many eyes.]

You and your siblings have chased this one to the ends of the earth and sown fear in her.

Even before this day her treatment was harsh, and now she has found a way to better herself and the

claw͕̫̣̦͝s̵̬̦̘͍̠̳ ͎̯̺͔͢

c͇lo̻͕̘͕̱̜̕s̼e̖̥͉̖̯̹̕

 ̠͙͓̣̪̺̤͡in͈̜̰̖̜̙̤ ̴̟̩̹̺

how shamefu̵̽ͫ̐ͬ̈̒ͥͬ͆ͭͨ̅҉͟ l. You yourself admit you cannot say that this will harm her. Just as well for it will not.

OUR fight is not with her kind. It is with y̡ǫ̛u.

Leave the mortal where she lies. If she protests, I shall deliver her back to you.

-UNISON

@thewinglesswindsinger @the-stormcatcher-clone

[thewinglesswindsinger]

She looks at the Shade from her pile of coils, surprised that she doesn’t feel alarmed by their appearance, which ironically enough was alarming in of itself. She couldn’t help but feel confused, because she knew that Stormcatcher was correct, but she also felt that The Shade was right too. Although she said nothing, it could easily be read on her face that she was unsure of what she should do. She sinks back down into her coils a little.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Spiral puffs up a little as the Shade speaks, glaring as if he could will the Shade to shreds with his gaze alone.

MY FIGHT INVOLVES STEPPING IN WHERE YOUR SIGHTS MIGHT BE SET ON THE MORTALS WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES.

I DO NOT TRUST YOU SO FAR AS I CAN THROW YOU, AND AS YOU ARE OFTEN LITTLE MORE THAN SMOKE AND LIES…

His eyes slide back over to Valor.

I ALSO DO NOT TRUST THAT THE SHADE WILL LEAVE YOU UNHARMED, BUT IT MAY BE SO. HOWEVER. AS YOU CAN SEE, VALOR, THE SHADE HAS BEEN WATCHING. LIKELY VIA YOUR NEW FEATURES.

THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE SHADE. ALL ITS PARTS ARE INTERCONNECTED. WHEREVER ITS PARTS MAY BE, IT CAN SENSE THEM AND SENSE THROUGH THEM. THIS IS WHY ICEWARDEN’S PLANS ARE SO, SO FOOLISH.

YOU COULD KEEP THAT ARM AND EYE, VALOR. IT MIGHT EVEN BE SOMETHING THE SHADE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO, DESPITE ITS PROCLAIMED ULTIMATE GOAL OF ‘RECOMBINING’ ALL OF ITSELF. WHY MIGHT IT NOT TAKE BACK WHAT IT SEES AS ITSELF?

WHAT’S A EYE SPARED FOR A LITTLE SNAKE, BUT ANOTHER FOR IT TO SEE THROUGH…?

[chaosrune]

So wise you are, stormcatcher. Truly you have matured since your early days… But alas your argument holds some holes does it not?

I do not need Valore’s eye to see. We have been watching her yes, but only for her entanglement with you.

-UNISON

I believed your lot would turn on her, and wa

-V

as pleasantly su

-D

urprised, at least for a time. Who else would one turn to when the gods of the world give chase? We must be there for the enemies of our enemies.

We’ve no connection to her directly, but I shall gladly reclaim what is mine when the time comes. You know how long it has been. We may wait some longer.

When she is free from your grasp I shall leave her to enjoy her new wholeness, and look forward to my own in due time.

-UNISON

[thewinglesswindsinger]

“Sssso, do I get a sssay in thissss, or not?” She said, almost sarcastically as she lifts a bit out of her coils. She knows very well these two could bicker back and forth like an angry elderly couple for centuries if allowed to. “Look, at thisss point I don’t know who I’d even go with given the choice, but at the very least I need to know if my voice mattersss here in the first place.”

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO ALLOW THOSE UNDER LIGHTNING’S CARE TO HAVE AS MUCH SAY AS THEY CAN HAVE. YOU WOULD DICTATE WHICH TREATMENTS FOR SHADE MANIFESTATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY, OR YOU COULD REFUSE THEM AND SIMPLY REMAIN UNDER OBSERVATION.

DRAGONS WITH SHADE INFECTIONS ARE LOCKED DOWN, BUT AS BEASTCLANS REACT DIFFERENTLY, THERE ARE OFTEN OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL AND VISIT OTHER PLACES - PROVIDING YOU ACCEPT THAT A GUARD GOES WITH YOU, JUST IN CASE. 

MOST PATIENTS PUT DOWN THE NAMES OF THOSE CLOSEST TO THEM, SO THAT IN THE EVENT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS, THOSE OTHERS CAN CHOOSE FOR THEM. THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO ASK WILL BE PROVIDED AN ADVOCATE WHO WILL STICK AS CLOSELY TO YOUR WISHES AS THEY ARE ABLE.

WE WOULD AIM TO GET YOU A SERTHIS ADVOCATE, OF COURSE.

YOU COULD LEAVE ALL OF IT, OF COURSE. BUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT IS THAT YOUR MOVEMENTS WILL BE TRACKED AS THE POTENTIAL VECTOR OF A SHADE INFECTION - AND NOT JUST BY ME. YOU HAVE ALREADY COME ACROSS ONE OF ICEWARDEN’S SEEKERS, HAVE YOU NOT?

THOSE DRAGONS DO NOT EASILY GIVE UP ON THEIR PREY.

...ALL THAT TO SAY: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME WITH ME, AND THIS IS NOT A THREAT, BUT YOUR CHANCES OF LONGTERM FREEDOM AND SURVIVAL WOULD BE SLIM... EVEN WITH THE SHADE’S HELP.

[chaosrune]

There are groups who would take her as she is as well.

Some not touched by you and your kin

in places where magic is scarce.

My promises are not empty for we make no promises at all. None other than that you shall leave the young mortal be.

-V/M/d

[A large shape fills the narrow space between them, something dragon like but difficult to identify in the telltale dark but not dark of the shade. It towers over serthis and spiral both, facing the god with its many eyes.]

You and your siblings have chased this one to the ends of the earth and sown fear in her.

Even before this day her treatment was harsh, and now she has found a way to better herself and the

claw͕̫̣̦͝s̵̬̦̘͍̠̳ ͎̯̺͔͢

c͇lo̻͕̘͕̱̜̕s̼e̖̥͉̖̯̹̕

 ̠͙͓̣̪̺̤͡in͈̜̰̖̜̙̤ ̴̟̩̹̺

how shamefu̵̽ͫ̐ͬ̈̒ͥͬ͆ͭͨ̅҉͟ l. You yourself admit you cannot say that this will harm her. Just as well for it will not.

OUR fight is not with her kind. It is with y̡ǫ̛u.

Leave the mortal where she lies. If she protests, I shall deliver her back to you.

-UNISON

@thewinglesswindsinger @the-stormcatcher-clone

[thewinglesswindsinger]

She looks at the Shade from her pile of coils, surprised that she doesn’t feel alarmed by their appearance, which ironically enough was alarming in of itself. She couldn’t help but feel confused, because she knew that Stormcatcher was correct, but she also felt that The Shade was right too. Although she said nothing, it could easily be read on her face that she was unsure of what she should do. She sinks back down into her coils a little.

[the-stormcatcher-clone]

The Spiral puffs up a little as the Shade speaks, glaring as if he could will the Shade to shreds with his gaze alone.

MY FIGHT INVOLVES STEPPING IN WHERE YOUR SIGHTS MIGHT BE SET ON THE MORTALS WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES.

I DO NOT TRUST YOU SO FAR AS I CAN THROW YOU, AND AS YOU ARE OFTEN LITTLE MORE THAN SMOKE AND LIES...

His eyes slide back over to Valor.

I ALSO DO NOT TRUST THAT THE SHADE WILL LEAVE YOU UNHARMED, BUT IT MAY BE SO. HOWEVER. AS YOU CAN SEE, VALOR, THE SHADE HAS BEEN WATCHING. LIKELY VIA YOUR NEW FEATURES.

THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE SHADE. ALL ITS PARTS ARE INTERCONNECTED. WHEREVER ITS PARTS MAY BE, IT CAN SENSE THEM AND SENSE THROUGH THEM. THIS IS WHY ICEWARDEN’S PLANS ARE SO, SO FOOLISH.

YOU COULD KEEP THAT ARM AND EYE, VALOR. IT MIGHT EVEN BE SOMETHING THE SHADE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO, DESPITE ITS PROCLAIMED ULTIMATE GOAL OF ‘RECOMBINING’ ALL OF ITSELF. WHY MIGHT IT NOT TAKE BACK WHAT IT SEES AS ITSELF?

WHAT’S A EYE SPARED FOR A LITTLE SNAKE, BUT ANOTHER FOR IT TO SEE THROUGH...?