Lamentations in the Eerie Trees (PRIV) [Renown]
Jan 30, 2023 16:54:58 GMT -5
Post by Veliky on Jan 30, 2023 16:54:58 GMT -5
Einheria's question melds into the awkwardness of waning battle: hushed chatter among the few remaining Veliky replicants; shuffling of the feathers of the pacified harpies, and the groans of the unconscious ones; the silence of held breaths; and the snoring of a harpy that's strangely fallen aslumber, despite the mayhem.
Though it's difficult to tell with Veliky is the original, one of them stands out, surveying with a skeptic's eyes and a jeweller's scrutiny. It's this Veliky that answers Einheria's question, in an impartial tone. "Sounds clear. And there're no hostiles unaccounted for. But let me check."
Eying one of the drooling harpies with suspicion, Veliky reaches to her side and detaches a peculiar little object from her belt. It's a strange device bearing resemblance to one of the Blixtbots'™ heads, red-glass eyes and all, but miniaturized to the point that she can hold it in one hand[1]. She raises it to her ear and, with eyes and tone directed at nobody in particular, speaks.
"Check, check. Who am I talking to? Over."
...There's some faint sound, low in quality and pitch, emanating from the device. Are those words? A voice? It's difficult to tell from this distance. But it seems to register with Veliky, who turns away in a both casual and dismissive manner before responding to the little machine.
"Yes, all the hostiles here are dealt with. What's the situation out there? Have any more shown up? Over." The vehemence with which she said 'shown up' it telling as to the response she'd prefer.
...Some more of that quiet garble. It goes on for several seconds, and Veliky's expression remains statically expressionless. Even the lifeless swordsman-bot, nearby, stares in anticipation of what she might say next.
The grumbling stops. Veliky nods.
"Right. Keep watch. Out."
Still holding the device, she allows her hand to fall lazily to her side before turning back again.
"We're all clear." she calls, the declaration resounding through the room and followed by a wave of relief. "Get this place cleaned up. No clue who lives here, but I don't think they'll like what we've done with the place. And get all the harpies detained, even the dead one."
In accordance with the good news, the Velikies' demeanours change dramatically. All that militaristic focus seems to fade with the release of a unified sigh, and some of them begin what sound like casual conversations in some language. One of them removes its hat and runs a hand through its hair as one of the dominated harpies does the same (or at least mirrors the movements; it has no hat). What was a tense, dangerous operation has very quickly become, as Veliky said, cleanup; as the unconscious harpies are carried away in a careful, but nonetheless somewhat disrespectful manner.
As the strange new commotion bustles and the cold begins to creep through the busted door, it's easy to miss that one of the Velikies is looking at Einheria. The businesswoman's stare is a piercing thing, made more ominous by how it's unclear how long she's been staring. Though her eyes betray nothing north or south of neutrality; her words, as she speaks, are ones of gratitude. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Everything should be fine now; my soldier reported that 0% of the harpies that initially attacked ever escaped. Still, I'd ask that you stay in case things dissolve again; we'll see about getting you accommodated for the night. And we'll get you something for your leg."
She's tired. She puts up a good front about it, but no amount of feigned clarity can hide the way her eyelids are fighting against her, nor how much she's rushing these concluding points. Perhaps she realizes this, too, as she turns away before saying anything more.
"And you don't need to help with the cleanup. You've already done your job."[2]
Through the now-broken door and into the now-quiet night, the little woman walks. The coastal chill of Winter creeps across her face, beneath the tiny beads of sweat. It's refreshing.
She looks up to the rounded moon, shining down on the Luna sea. Obviously, she isn't one for scenery. But she is one for some occasional peace and quiet.
Between innocent clouds, the sun peers at the village like a mildly concerned mother. Its concern wouldn't be unwarranted; many of the houses have had their walls destroyed and doors broken, and those people that walk the streets still look to the sky with apprehension. As a community, it remains shaken; and, like anyone, it will need time to recover.
But, for now, it is enough to be safe.
Not all of the figures walking about are villagers, however. In fact, not all of them are even alive. Those mechanical beings continue their dutiful patrol. While their blatant lifelessness and red-lensed glare remain intimidating; the people are vastly more comfortable around them, knowing that they readily risked their artificial lives to protect the people.
But this appreciation pales in comparison to that afforded to Veliky and Einheria. The moment they were permitted to step outside their shelter, they showered their protector-duo in overwhelming gratitude. One of them immediately offered their hand to Einheria in marriage, while another offered to adopt Veliky (she refused). They were both provided separate rooms at a modest, but cozy boarding house, as well as free breakfast and copious amounts of traditional alcohol. While the villagers themselves had little to mend Einheria's wound, Veliky gave her a peculiar potion labelled 'Blixt™ SuperPlus[3].' It was an... experience... but its results were undebatable, as the claw marks vanished in seconds.
It was nothing luxurious, but the hospitality was a blessing after the night before.
And now day has come again. And, with it, a modicum of normality.
In the common room of the boarding house where Veliky and Einheria were allowed to say, there is a sight. It's difficult to call the sight 'unexpected,' as she *is* a rather strange woman in general, but Veliky is already sat at a table so early in the morning. She's eating some packaged meal of the most rustic and generic food that can be imagined - a standard ration of the sort that any general store would sell, and certainly not the lovingly cooked food that both her and Einheria were offered. She's also drinking a bottle of... something. It resembles the 'potion' that she'd given to Einheria, but it isn't quite so luminous and it isn't causing the little woman to jitter uncontrollably. Still, it's clearly an impassionate dining experience.
There isn't a Blixtbot™ in sight. But, as was demonstrated last night, sight can be deceiving. But, guarded or not, her breakfast is a lonely one.
1. Talking Heads
2. Smooth Talking
3. (Major Health Potion) Blixt™ SuperPlus (Rook-13)
Though it's difficult to tell with Veliky is the original, one of them stands out, surveying with a skeptic's eyes and a jeweller's scrutiny. It's this Veliky that answers Einheria's question, in an impartial tone. "Sounds clear. And there're no hostiles unaccounted for. But let me check."
Eying one of the drooling harpies with suspicion, Veliky reaches to her side and detaches a peculiar little object from her belt. It's a strange device bearing resemblance to one of the Blixtbots'™ heads, red-glass eyes and all, but miniaturized to the point that she can hold it in one hand[1]. She raises it to her ear and, with eyes and tone directed at nobody in particular, speaks.
"Check, check. Who am I talking to? Over."
...There's some faint sound, low in quality and pitch, emanating from the device. Are those words? A voice? It's difficult to tell from this distance. But it seems to register with Veliky, who turns away in a both casual and dismissive manner before responding to the little machine.
"Yes, all the hostiles here are dealt with. What's the situation out there? Have any more shown up? Over." The vehemence with which she said 'shown up' it telling as to the response she'd prefer.
...Some more of that quiet garble. It goes on for several seconds, and Veliky's expression remains statically expressionless. Even the lifeless swordsman-bot, nearby, stares in anticipation of what she might say next.
The grumbling stops. Veliky nods.
"Right. Keep watch. Out."
Still holding the device, she allows her hand to fall lazily to her side before turning back again.
"We're all clear." she calls, the declaration resounding through the room and followed by a wave of relief. "Get this place cleaned up. No clue who lives here, but I don't think they'll like what we've done with the place. And get all the harpies detained, even the dead one."
In accordance with the good news, the Velikies' demeanours change dramatically. All that militaristic focus seems to fade with the release of a unified sigh, and some of them begin what sound like casual conversations in some language. One of them removes its hat and runs a hand through its hair as one of the dominated harpies does the same (or at least mirrors the movements; it has no hat). What was a tense, dangerous operation has very quickly become, as Veliky said, cleanup; as the unconscious harpies are carried away in a careful, but nonetheless somewhat disrespectful manner.
As the strange new commotion bustles and the cold begins to creep through the busted door, it's easy to miss that one of the Velikies is looking at Einheria. The businesswoman's stare is a piercing thing, made more ominous by how it's unclear how long she's been staring. Though her eyes betray nothing north or south of neutrality; her words, as she speaks, are ones of gratitude. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Everything should be fine now; my soldier reported that 0% of the harpies that initially attacked ever escaped. Still, I'd ask that you stay in case things dissolve again; we'll see about getting you accommodated for the night. And we'll get you something for your leg."
She's tired. She puts up a good front about it, but no amount of feigned clarity can hide the way her eyelids are fighting against her, nor how much she's rushing these concluding points. Perhaps she realizes this, too, as she turns away before saying anything more.
"And you don't need to help with the cleanup. You've already done your job."[2]
Through the now-broken door and into the now-quiet night, the little woman walks. The coastal chill of Winter creeps across her face, beneath the tiny beads of sweat. It's refreshing.
She looks up to the rounded moon, shining down on the Luna sea. Obviously, she isn't one for scenery. But she is one for some occasional peace and quiet.
Between innocent clouds, the sun peers at the village like a mildly concerned mother. Its concern wouldn't be unwarranted; many of the houses have had their walls destroyed and doors broken, and those people that walk the streets still look to the sky with apprehension. As a community, it remains shaken; and, like anyone, it will need time to recover.
But, for now, it is enough to be safe.
Not all of the figures walking about are villagers, however. In fact, not all of them are even alive. Those mechanical beings continue their dutiful patrol. While their blatant lifelessness and red-lensed glare remain intimidating; the people are vastly more comfortable around them, knowing that they readily risked their artificial lives to protect the people.
But this appreciation pales in comparison to that afforded to Veliky and Einheria. The moment they were permitted to step outside their shelter, they showered their protector-duo in overwhelming gratitude. One of them immediately offered their hand to Einheria in marriage, while another offered to adopt Veliky (she refused). They were both provided separate rooms at a modest, but cozy boarding house, as well as free breakfast and copious amounts of traditional alcohol. While the villagers themselves had little to mend Einheria's wound, Veliky gave her a peculiar potion labelled 'Blixt™ SuperPlus[3].' It was an... experience... but its results were undebatable, as the claw marks vanished in seconds.
It was nothing luxurious, but the hospitality was a blessing after the night before.
And now day has come again. And, with it, a modicum of normality.
In the common room of the boarding house where Veliky and Einheria were allowed to say, there is a sight. It's difficult to call the sight 'unexpected,' as she *is* a rather strange woman in general, but Veliky is already sat at a table so early in the morning. She's eating some packaged meal of the most rustic and generic food that can be imagined - a standard ration of the sort that any general store would sell, and certainly not the lovingly cooked food that both her and Einheria were offered. She's also drinking a bottle of... something. It resembles the 'potion' that she'd given to Einheria, but it isn't quite so luminous and it isn't causing the little woman to jitter uncontrollably. Still, it's clearly an impassionate dining experience.
There isn't a Blixtbot™ in sight. But, as was demonstrated last night, sight can be deceiving. But, guarded or not, her breakfast is a lonely one.
1. Talking Heads
2. Smooth Talking
3. (Major Health Potion) Blixt™ SuperPlus (Rook-13)