Animus NPCs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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animus_network2013-02-27 10:06 pm
animusnpcs) wrote in animus_network2013-02-27 10:06 pm
[video]
The network comes on painfully--the terminals crackle with energy like there was some sort of wild power surge going through the Tower. Every terminal turns on at once. The display is broken at first, but slowly it stabilizes, the display just behind Zo's shoulder. White-hot energy pulses from him--it looks like he’s forced the display on somehow. Monitors flicker in and out of view in the room; it seems to be some sort of control center composed of floating screens and input devices. The room is large, making it hard to see the ends from the display, but aside from Zo there are two others in the room.
Riki looks a bit worse for wear and, as opposed to his usual stoic demeanor, has an expression approaching furious. Most of Zo's energy seems concentrated around him like a barrier, and the monitors whirl around behind RIki now, following some sort of unspoken command. The world shifts abruptly, providing a different angle on the confusing situation.
The laughter that echoes around the chamber is deep, dark and somehow primordial. There’s another figure looking exactly like Riki, but the features are twisted, the indifferent disposition morphed into a terrible smirk. From his hand a wave of dark energy smashes into the room, sending whatever was still standing flying over.
"Come now! Is this the best defense system this place has to offer to one of its grand administrators? Cowering behind a child? Well, I do suppose considering everything about this world, it should not be the least bit surprising."
He took another step.
"So tell me, how did your little ants enjoy their trip into the central throne?"
The various scattered objects freeze in place as Riki draws in his screens; the screens seem to be made of the air itself, or something similar, and he alters and pulls at them as easily as if they were tied to him by a thousand strings. "Not your business," he growls. Another swipe of his screens and the objects morph, shifting into swords that fly at the false Riki. "Stop wearing my face."
Zo shrinks back against the wall. His barriers don’t fall, but he obviously doesn't enjoy the violence taking place.
"Not my business? I am darkness that makes up the Collective Unconsciousness! My primary sources of power, the three poisons that make up life, Anger, Ignorance and Vengeance are ripe in this world!"
Nyarlathotep raises his other hand and catches the swords, looking almost bored.
"Humans are strange...I came here because of the despair that fills every orifice of this tower...the desire for all of you to put an end to this, and now you would try to whisk me away?"
The swords melt into a puddle of metal on the floor, and suddenly he is besides Zo, trying to violently push him away.
Zo shrieks, clearly terrified, but his barriers cover him as they cover Riki, and they crackle with raw energy in their owner’s defense. Riki alters something on his screens and the metal rises up, forming itself into some sort of great mercurial beast that lunges at Nyarlathotep. "Leave the kid out've it, you attacked me first."
"Hahaha! What’s this? Feeling sentimental about another?" Nyarlathotep had barely even flinched from touching the other. "But is not your personal interest simply tied to the tower itself? I suppose even a monkey will brand its tools when backed in a corner..."
At his turn, the giant creature is lit aflame, crying out as the fire causes the skin to bubble, crack and expand. Soon it has enlarged into strands of burned mercury before a slap from the other Riki makes it fall into dust.
"Ha ha ha! Do you not know where the term, 'mad as a hatter' comes from? I've given humanity much fun with that element!"
At his turn, he summons forth a demon, as it moves forward, casting a spell in an attempt to poison both of the tower residents.
Zo flinches at the monster, but steps forward nonetheless--or rather leaps in a burst of childish energy. "Stop--stop it! Stop it!"
The screen turns white and crackles--it’s barely possible to make out the figures, let alone what’s going on, but whatever Zo's done tears the demon into six or seven pieces. Then the light gets brighter--there’s a different sort of crackle. It sounds like the monitor itself is breaking, because it is. The screen warps and fills with static before the video cuts out completely.
They can hear the battle still going on, however, Nyarlathotep speaking for one final time.
"Hmph! Regardless of how much you struggle, the end will be the same! Just like the worlds of the disembodied souls you siphon into recycled bodies over and over, this one will also meet its end! Now the question is, how much are you willing to risk?"
Another explosion cracks apart what sound remains. The feed cuts out.
Riki looks a bit worse for wear and, as opposed to his usual stoic demeanor, has an expression approaching furious. Most of Zo's energy seems concentrated around him like a barrier, and the monitors whirl around behind RIki now, following some sort of unspoken command. The world shifts abruptly, providing a different angle on the confusing situation.
The laughter that echoes around the chamber is deep, dark and somehow primordial. There’s another figure looking exactly like Riki, but the features are twisted, the indifferent disposition morphed into a terrible smirk. From his hand a wave of dark energy smashes into the room, sending whatever was still standing flying over.
"Come now! Is this the best defense system this place has to offer to one of its grand administrators? Cowering behind a child? Well, I do suppose considering everything about this world, it should not be the least bit surprising."
He took another step.
"So tell me, how did your little ants enjoy their trip into the central throne?"
The various scattered objects freeze in place as Riki draws in his screens; the screens seem to be made of the air itself, or something similar, and he alters and pulls at them as easily as if they were tied to him by a thousand strings. "Not your business," he growls. Another swipe of his screens and the objects morph, shifting into swords that fly at the false Riki. "Stop wearing my face."
Zo shrinks back against the wall. His barriers don’t fall, but he obviously doesn't enjoy the violence taking place.
"Not my business? I am darkness that makes up the Collective Unconsciousness! My primary sources of power, the three poisons that make up life, Anger, Ignorance and Vengeance are ripe in this world!"
Nyarlathotep raises his other hand and catches the swords, looking almost bored.
"Humans are strange...I came here because of the despair that fills every orifice of this tower...the desire for all of you to put an end to this, and now you would try to whisk me away?"
The swords melt into a puddle of metal on the floor, and suddenly he is besides Zo, trying to violently push him away.
Zo shrieks, clearly terrified, but his barriers cover him as they cover Riki, and they crackle with raw energy in their owner’s defense. Riki alters something on his screens and the metal rises up, forming itself into some sort of great mercurial beast that lunges at Nyarlathotep. "Leave the kid out've it, you attacked me first."
"Hahaha! What’s this? Feeling sentimental about another?" Nyarlathotep had barely even flinched from touching the other. "But is not your personal interest simply tied to the tower itself? I suppose even a monkey will brand its tools when backed in a corner..."
At his turn, the giant creature is lit aflame, crying out as the fire causes the skin to bubble, crack and expand. Soon it has enlarged into strands of burned mercury before a slap from the other Riki makes it fall into dust.
"Ha ha ha! Do you not know where the term, 'mad as a hatter' comes from? I've given humanity much fun with that element!"
At his turn, he summons forth a demon, as it moves forward, casting a spell in an attempt to poison both of the tower residents.
Zo flinches at the monster, but steps forward nonetheless--or rather leaps in a burst of childish energy. "Stop--stop it! Stop it!"
The screen turns white and crackles--it’s barely possible to make out the figures, let alone what’s going on, but whatever Zo's done tears the demon into six or seven pieces. Then the light gets brighter--there’s a different sort of crackle. It sounds like the monitor itself is breaking, because it is. The screen warps and fills with static before the video cuts out completely.
They can hear the battle still going on, however, Nyarlathotep speaking for one final time.
"Hmph! Regardless of how much you struggle, the end will be the same! Just like the worlds of the disembodied souls you siphon into recycled bodies over and over, this one will also meet its end! Now the question is, how much are you willing to risk?"
Another explosion cracks apart what sound remains. The feed cuts out.
no subject
[ Well, she does appear to be the leader of the administrators, as far as Cecil can tell, so she's not as surprised by that theory as she might have been days ago. ]
That woman...
[ The paladin sighs and shakes her head. She recognizes the helplessness as something she's seen a lot in herself too lately. It's frustrating. ]
I suppose if we don't understand the root cause of our situation, it does make matters more difficult, but it's no exaggeration to say that many of us would dare to try still anyway. A friend I made the other day said that all we have is the administrators' words on the fate of our worlds... and now this... In any case, we cannot continue without control of our own lives, especially if... that being is involved.
no subject
[Diarmuid tilts his head, curiosity in his eyes.]
Do you know who that is, then?
And a great many people here would try understanding or not, but we will be much more successful if we can understand, even just a little.
[Diarmuid had once been the leader of a group of men each of whom he had considered a brother. While there was no shame in failing in battle, it was even better to be able to drink and celebrate with them afterward.]
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[ She offers him a rueful, sheepish smile. ]
I, too, am still a new arrival.
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[Diarmuid grimaces.]
This must be so confusing for you. Being new and then all of this happening. Is there anything I might be able to aid you with? Questions or anything like that?
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I'm the same as you. You have your own affairs to focus on. Doing so here is an occupation requiring constant vigilance.
[ And she did notice how disturbed he seemed just moments ago about their home worlds possibly being truly destroyed. ]
Thank you for your concern though. I do appreciate it.
no subject
I am a knight. It is my duty to help others, that is why I ask. You need not worry about asking for my help. I am always glad to give my aid when I can, and I'm afraid you will find quickly that being alone and without friends in this place will break you down very quickly no matter how strong you are.
However, there are some things best learned by oneself. I wish you luck and safety as you do so.
[He bows his head.]
My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, First Warrior of the Fianna. My room is 4-16. Please don't be afraid to stop by if you ever need or wish my assistance.
no subject
Perhaps a compromise then, Diarmuid? I am Dame Captain Cecil Harvey of the Red Wings, of the Kingdom of Baron. We can help one another. My room is 3-01.
no subject
I would be honored to have you aid me or to aid you, though I am unfamiliar with either the Red Wings or the kingdom you speak of. I'm going to guess your world is much different from my own.
no subject
[ She nods in agreement. ]
I presumed so, since I do not know the Fianna, unfortunately. Perhaps when the atmosphere of the Tower is... less oppressive, you can tell me more about your home world.
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Though it can be hard to remember, that is true, Lady.Captain. Please watch yourself as this tower can be very tricky with its dangers. I hope to speak with you again soon.
no subject
[ Cecil gave him a final smile and a nod of farewell before departing. ]