"Unworthy?" Judals scoffs. "Shit bro, ain't no unworthiness about it. If you could slip by the Sphinx but just being tricky do you really think there'd be so many corpses between them? Speaking of which..." Judal takes a few steps back closer to the gate and looks at the corpses. Judal uses his Eldritch Sight to look over the corpses from a "safe" distance of 20 feet or so to see if there are indeed magical items lying between the two guardians. If he does detect any magic there to be taken he'll start devising an improvised grappling hook or something to try to snag and drag any magic items... He's on the approved side now, no need to worry about angering the guardians.
Rum does his best to tune out the debate between Greko and Judal, it really didn't matter how Judal made it through, he was standing with them which made him worthy in his eyes.
Instead of engaging in that conversation, his eye is drawn to Lady Kaede and her intricate tattoo. Being no stranger to ink, he is fascinated by the detail. And he almost gasps when it is finished and the symbols seem to glow with such power.
"A piece of art of such quality that I have never encountered before. And it radiates such power as well as beauty. Your skill is exemplary, Lady Kaede", he says reverently to Lady Kaede.
His focus on the potential items of worth and power that are possibly within their reach, Judal is distracted and answers Greko slowly and distractedly. "Oh... um... I found them a bit judgmental and indifferent to the dangers faced by everyone... As such I... questioned their right to stand in judgement of anyone. And I may have insulted their parentage. And suggested they practice their questionable prowess with said parentage. Maybe that annoyed them?"
"Thank you, Rum-san. The journey has been long, and this tattoo served as a focus for my thoughts. Each stroke represents a fallen comrade, a promise to rebuild, and the unwavering spirit we share." (Gestures to the group) "Perhaps its magic echoes those very sentiments?"
Looking around almost as if unsure, Thea eventually comes padding out from between the guardians. She wasn’t sure if or when she was free to go, if or when the conversation ended, if or when she may have been expected to respond. Violet eyes come to spot the others out before her. There appeared to be an air of change, some calm, some serene, some regal, some, well, not. All in all, Thea was still just Thea. Nothing graceful. Nothing elegant. Nothing poised. Nothing new. Still just as wide eyed, shoulders weighted, lost and unsure as she was when she stepped through, if not more. She looks back briefly at the Sphynxs before looking forward once more, but at her feet.. More lingering questions and more she’ll just have to figure it out as she goes. She exhales a deep breath and rubs her arm, then, she corrects her posture, putting on her brave face, a smile, for others as she comes to stand near the group. From time to time her eyes would flick up to admire Lady Kaede and her ink, but she’d try not to stare too long or too much, for gentle envy pricked at her heart which was unbecoming.
Greko guffaws at Judal's explanation of how he got free and let's it be for now....He is curious at what Judal said to the guardians. He walks back to Lady Kaede and Rum looking at Lady Kaed's tatoo. He simply nods in an approving fashion, sits and waits.
"Lady Kaede, the Unwavering Spirit", Rum repeats. "Has a nice ring to it. There is deep meaning there".
He looks up to see Thea approach and smiles, "Good to see you made it through, Thea. Of course I had no doubt that you would be proclaimed worthy by the Sphinxes".
Grkoe nods along with Rum's sentiment before poking fun at Rum "When Greko emerged, Greko was worried about you, Rum....Glad you are here to carry Greko around over these long distances"
Rum grins back at Greko, "I believe it is your turn to carry, friend Greko. Now how about you turn into a nice fat comfy horse for me. Who knows, maybe we will fit more than just me on you".
They wait, and they wait. And it seems as though no one else is coming through the gates behind them. There is a moment of hesitation, of if they should give their comrades more time...but then, there comes a moment when they need to go on, to continue their journey to the end of this...whatever this is.
And so they go without Malenia and Jek.
The desert slowly gives way to a carpet of snow that stretches are far as they can see in the seemingly endless twilight of the new world. Snow crunches under feet, and the wind is cool, but oddly enough not cold, as they go. And eventually the snow gives way to water. A thin blanket of water, and a brighter sky, and the water, once perhaps a finger-widths depth, gets deeper and deeper. Soon its almost to their ankles.
And that's when they see the giant mirror in the distance.
And their reflections. But not in the mirror.
The water in front of the mirror swirls, and standing in the midst of it is a young man, red of hair and adorned in heavy armor and the very epitome of swagger. There is an old lizard in worn white robes, his skin wrinkled and gray. There is a young woman floating, her multitudinous eyes scanning about the room...but never off of the interlopers before her. There are two more young women; an Alicorn, her beauty punctuated by the horn in the center of her forehead, and a Samurai, her new tattoo practically glittering. And a Tabaxi, tensed like the predator that he is, ready to pounce...
These reflections, however, do not move as reflections. Instead, they seem to move independently in front of the mirror...
There may be a slight change in Judal's gate as he notices the figures far off in the distance, but not much at all. "Looks like we have company ahead," he notes to the others without bothering to indicate where, they will surely see soon enough if they haven't already.
"What say you? Should we try to talk or go straight to the combat?" he inquires. "I personally think we should talk. I did have the Sphinx's eating out of the palm of my hand, afterall..."
Thea loses herself for a few moments in the winter wonderland. There was something enchanting to her about the snow. Pure, white, untouched blanket seemingly endless, reflecting the twilight above. Light none the less. Violet eyes would look up, seeking falling snowflakes. Something so small, so fragile, yet each one unique and when they come together, can become something so much more.
Crunching turns to swishing as she finds herself stepping through water. Looking down as she went Thea's thoughts are consumed by the properties of water much the same way as she did snow, but with less whimsy and more mindfulness, as if naivety melted into maturity. Instead of freezing purity in time, water washes away and purifies. Instead of reflecting the light, much like a mirror water reflects oneself.
Looking up, taking in the scene before them Thea blinks a moment to register that there was indeed a mirror, but their reflections weren't in it. "They're... us." She half blurts as if wanting to confirm what she was seeing and that others saw it too. "But... what version?" She wonders out loud. It was obvious that they didn't physically move as exact mirrors with them. Did that also mean they weren't exact reflections of themselves? She didn't believe they were the reflections of how they saw themselves... Were they reflections of how they saw each other? Were they a version they left behind; have to leave behind; or perhaps even embrace? She had so many questions.
Timid curiosity pulled Thea a few steps closer, she was drawn to understand what it was.
"Well obviously not the best version of us," Judal answers Thea with a wink and a grin, "Because I obviously have that taken care of myself... Still if it's us they can't be all bad. Right?"
"Right?" he asks again, a little more dubious this time.
Rum is slightly concerned for Malenia and Jen, but the fact that the Spinxes eyes didn't open, and they didn't see their companions struck down, gave him some comfort as they are forced to move on.
His natural instinct is to scout ahead, to see what dangers lie in wait for them all, but not here. Here they must stick together, and so he stays close as they make their way from desert to snow to water.
His keen eyes spot the mirror and the reflections of them before it, and his own eyes narrow as he watches them. How they move and act.
"Speak to them if you must, but be wary. The Professor said they are the reflections of the darkest parts of us. If that is true, whatever your basest thoughts were about how to deal with them, that is how they will react to us. If even a part of you is tempted to fight, Judal, that is what your doppelgänger will do", he warns.
"And of course, Violet's doppelgänger can blast us to pieces before you even get close enough to talk", he adds, looking to Violet for confirmation on her doppelgängers capability.
Lady Kaede's hand remained on the hilt of her katana, her posture betraying no outward change. However, a new glint of caution flickered in her eyes. "Thank you for the insight, Rum-san," she acknowledged, her voice low and steady.
Taking a deep breath, she addressed the figures in the water. "We come seeking the Southern Oracle. We understand these reflections may represent challenges we must overcome. We have no desire for conflict, only to prove ourselves worthy." Her voice held a hint of firmness, a promise to defend herself if necessary, but also a genuine hope for a peaceful resolution.
There is little negotiation that occurs. Lady Kaede speaks up, his voice commanding for her youth...but it falls on indifferent ears. Instead, the dopplegangers spring into action, each taking focus on a task. Mirror Kaede's swords slide from scabbards while Mirror Thea and Mirror Greko set their sights on the Samurai...
"Unworthy?" Judals scoffs. "Shit bro, ain't no unworthiness about it. If you could slip by the Sphinx but just being tricky do you really think there'd be so many corpses between them? Speaking of which..." Judal takes a few steps back closer to the gate and looks at the corpses. Judal uses his Eldritch Sight to look over the corpses from a "safe" distance of 20 feet or so to see if there are indeed magical items lying between the two guardians. If he does detect any magic there to be taken he'll start devising an improvised grappling hook or something to try to snag and drag any magic items... He's on the approved side now, no need to worry about angering the guardians.
Greko unsatisfied with that answer "But the Sphinx shot at you and burned you....What did you do to anger them?"
Rum does his best to tune out the debate between Greko and Judal, it really didn't matter how Judal made it through, he was standing with them which made him worthy in his eyes.
Instead of engaging in that conversation, his eye is drawn to Lady Kaede and her intricate tattoo. Being no stranger to ink, he is fascinated by the detail. And he almost gasps when it is finished and the symbols seem to glow with such power.
"A piece of art of such quality that I have never encountered before. And it radiates such power as well as beauty. Your skill is exemplary, Lady Kaede", he says reverently to Lady Kaede.
His focus on the potential items of worth and power that are possibly within their reach, Judal is distracted and answers Greko slowly and distractedly. "Oh... um... I found them a bit judgmental and indifferent to the dangers faced by everyone... As such I... questioned their right to stand in judgement of anyone. And I may have insulted their parentage. And suggested they practice their questionable prowess with said parentage. Maybe that annoyed them?"
"Thank you, Rum-san. The journey has been long, and this tattoo served as a focus for my thoughts. Each stroke represents a fallen comrade, a promise to rebuild, and the unwavering spirit we share." (Gestures to the group) "Perhaps its magic echoes those very sentiments?"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Looking around almost as if unsure, Thea eventually comes padding out from between the guardians. She wasn’t sure if or when she was free to go, if or when the conversation ended, if or when she may have been expected to respond. Violet eyes come to spot the others out before her. There appeared to be an air of change, some calm, some serene, some regal, some, well, not. All in all, Thea was still just Thea. Nothing graceful. Nothing elegant. Nothing poised. Nothing new. Still just as wide eyed, shoulders weighted, lost and unsure as she was when she stepped through, if not more. She looks back briefly at the Sphynxs before looking forward once more, but at her feet.. More lingering questions and more she’ll just have to figure it out as she goes. She exhales a deep breath and rubs her arm, then, she corrects her posture, putting on her brave face, a smile, for others as she comes to stand near the group. From time to time her eyes would flick up to admire Lady Kaede and her ink, but she’d try not to stare too long or too much, for gentle envy pricked at her heart which was unbecoming.
just an unstable unicorn.
Greko guffaws at Judal's explanation of how he got free and let's it be for now....He is curious at what Judal said to the guardians. He walks back to Lady Kaede and Rum looking at Lady Kaed's tatoo. He simply nods in an approving fashion, sits and waits.
"Lady Kaede, the Unwavering Spirit", Rum repeats. "Has a nice ring to it. There is deep meaning there".
He looks up to see Thea approach and smiles, "Good to see you made it through, Thea. Of course I had no doubt that you would be proclaimed worthy by the Sphinxes".
Grkoe nods along with Rum's sentiment before poking fun at Rum "When Greko emerged, Greko was worried about you, Rum....Glad you are here to carry Greko around over these long distances"
Rum grins back at Greko, "I believe it is your turn to carry, friend Greko. Now how about you turn into a nice fat comfy horse for me. Who knows, maybe we will fit more than just me on you".
Greko tries to stand but grabs his back in agony "Oh Greko's back has not been the same since the slicing...."
Rum's countenance grows serious for a moment, "Do you remember what happened, you know, after you...you know?".
They wait, and they wait. And it seems as though no one else is coming through the gates behind them. There is a moment of hesitation, of if they should give their comrades more time...but then, there comes a moment when they need to go on, to continue their journey to the end of this...whatever this is.
And so they go without Malenia and Jek.
The desert slowly gives way to a carpet of snow that stretches are far as they can see in the seemingly endless twilight of the new world. Snow crunches under feet, and the wind is cool, but oddly enough not cold, as they go. And eventually the snow gives way to water. A thin blanket of water, and a brighter sky, and the water, once perhaps a finger-widths depth, gets deeper and deeper. Soon its almost to their ankles.
And that's when they see the giant mirror in the distance.
And their reflections. But not in the mirror.
The water in front of the mirror swirls, and standing in the midst of it is a young man, red of hair and adorned in heavy armor and the very epitome of swagger. There is an old lizard in worn white robes, his skin wrinkled and gray. There is a young woman floating, her multitudinous eyes scanning about the room...but never off of the interlopers before her. There are two more young women; an Alicorn, her beauty punctuated by the horn in the center of her forehead, and a Samurai, her new tattoo practically glittering. And a Tabaxi, tensed like the predator that he is, ready to pounce...
These reflections, however, do not move as reflections. Instead, they seem to move independently in front of the mirror...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
There may be a slight change in Judal's gate as he notices the figures far off in the distance, but not much at all. "Looks like we have company ahead," he notes to the others without bothering to indicate where, they will surely see soon enough if they haven't already.
"What say you? Should we try to talk or go straight to the combat?" he inquires. "I personally think we should talk. I did have the Sphinx's eating out of the palm of my hand, afterall..."
Thea loses herself for a few moments in the winter wonderland. There was something enchanting to her about the snow. Pure, white, untouched blanket seemingly endless, reflecting the twilight above. Light none the less. Violet eyes would look up, seeking falling snowflakes. Something so small, so fragile, yet each one unique and when they come together, can become something so much more.
Crunching turns to swishing as she finds herself stepping through water. Looking down as she went Thea's thoughts are consumed by the properties of water much the same way as she did snow, but with less whimsy and more mindfulness, as if naivety melted into maturity. Instead of freezing purity in time, water washes away and purifies. Instead of reflecting the light, much like a mirror water reflects oneself.
Looking up, taking in the scene before them Thea blinks a moment to register that there was indeed a mirror, but their reflections weren't in it. "They're... us." She half blurts as if wanting to confirm what she was seeing and that others saw it too. "But... what version?" She wonders out loud. It was obvious that they didn't physically move as exact mirrors with them. Did that also mean they weren't exact reflections of themselves? She didn't believe they were the reflections of how they saw themselves... Were they reflections of how they saw each other? Were they a version they left behind; have to leave behind; or perhaps even embrace? She had so many questions.
Timid curiosity pulled Thea a few steps closer, she was drawn to understand what it was.
(Essentially vote would be to try talking first.)
just an unstable unicorn.
"Well obviously not the best version of us," Judal answers Thea with a wink and a grin, "Because I obviously have that taken care of myself... Still if it's us they can't be all bad. Right?"
"Right?" he asks again, a little more dubious this time.
Rum is slightly concerned for Malenia and Jen, but the fact that the Spinxes eyes didn't open, and they didn't see their companions struck down, gave him some comfort as they are forced to move on.
His natural instinct is to scout ahead, to see what dangers lie in wait for them all, but not here. Here they must stick together, and so he stays close as they make their way from desert to snow to water.
His keen eyes spot the mirror and the reflections of them before it, and his own eyes narrow as he watches them. How they move and act.
"Speak to them if you must, but be wary. The Professor said they are the reflections of the darkest parts of us. If that is true, whatever your basest thoughts were about how to deal with them, that is how they will react to us. If even a part of you is tempted to fight, Judal, that is what your doppelgänger will do", he warns.
"And of course, Violet's doppelgänger can blast us to pieces before you even get close enough to talk", he adds, looking to Violet for confirmation on her doppelgängers capability.
He will remain wary himself, ready to avoid any ranged attacks the moment he sees them coming.
Lady Kaede's hand remained on the hilt of her katana, her posture betraying no outward change. However, a new glint of caution flickered in her eyes. "Thank you for the insight, Rum-san," she acknowledged, her voice low and steady.
Taking a deep breath, she addressed the figures in the water. "We come seeking the Southern Oracle. We understand these reflections may represent challenges we must overcome. We have no desire for conflict, only to prove ourselves worthy." Her voice held a hint of firmness, a promise to defend herself if necessary, but also a genuine hope for a peaceful resolution.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Violet nods in answer to Rum.
"Yes, she could... though... there are other things she could do that scare me more..." Violet says with a shudder.
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There is little negotiation that occurs. Lady Kaede speaks up, his voice commanding for her youth...but it falls on indifferent ears. Instead, the dopplegangers spring into action, each taking focus on a task. Mirror Kaede's swords slide from scabbards while Mirror Thea and Mirror Greko set their sights on the Samurai...
Post Order
Rum
DM
Violet
DM
Greko
DM
Judal
DM
Kaede
Thea
It is Rum's turn!
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York