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[SS] Hazy Silhouette
A Certain Alternate Universe :: The World :: Other Locations
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Re: [SS] Hazy Silhouette
Leivinia Birdway on Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:52 pm
After having listened through the informational dump that had been dropped upon him, Henry Moore retaliated in the most classic means any commander would know. Short, simple and efficient. Still, he would also use that to give himself some more time to work his way through it all.
The loss of one of their own, the defeat of a problematic enemy, the forging of a new alliance and the return of something that could be deemed overly broken. Those news were all over the place, and if under different circumstances, probably something that could be discussed in more detail. However, right now, it needed to be treated in a way that didn't account for that. They were standing in the middle of a battlefield after all.
«I'm sorry to hear about Wortham…I'm sure he fought till the end. But for us it's not over. Once it is we'll drag his body back together. Until then we're busy fixing this.»
Having been in the force as long as he has, the loss of comrades was hardly an unusual occasion. Anybody could die any time. That's how it usually went. Yet, the proper treatment of the dead was the least they could give. That is why he chose this part of the report to be the first he would comment.
Yet one point of concern would remain.
«A working relationship with the Anglicans...? Where did this come from?»
Last he had checked, the terms between the knights and the church had been bad, not to say disastrous. And that for a reason. With Longroad being the crafty bastard that he was and the tiny bits of information he threw their way while disclosing everything else being insufficient to say the least, the discourse between them had gone far too south to justify this quick a change to the positive. Actually, fixing this would have taken a miracle. Thus, the scepticism showing itself on his face was only natural. To give a proper reply, he first had to adjust to all the news.
Besides, it no longer was his call to make alone. And naturally, some of these developments would pose as hurdles for what was already standing.
«Beathen, while you were away things have changed over on our end as well. We've managed to form an alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and are now fighting side by side. The Cardinal has proven to be a valuable ally.»
That had been an undeniable truth, as presented by their raging surroundings.
Last edited by Leivinia Birdway on Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:23 pm; edited 1 time in total
Leivinia Birdway
Regnum771
Atsa Tsinaajinii on Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:18 am
There was no better word to describe their current opponent than monster. The wall Sasha had summoned to buy them some time had failed miserably. With a simple punch the entire structure had been blown away as if it was nothing. At the very least it seemed that they had managed to put some distance between themselves and the vampire.
As the nun got down from Sara's back she listened to the questions that were directed at her. Possible weak points? The girl tried to think back on everything that had seen so far but there was nothing. Their enemy had either effortlessly stopped their attack or simply taken it without any serious injury. It was if the black clad girl was completely invulnerable. Yet there was something that Sasha noticed but there was no way of being sure.
The vampire had taken all of Sara's attack without even attempting to dodge them. She simply allowed the knives to hit her and then healed instantaneously after pulling out the blade. Yet when Sasha had attacked with the broken handle of her hammer she had been hit away. Was it possible that she could be killed using a wooden stake? Sure, the vampire had hit Sasha away but it simply could've been an attempt to kill her instead of an attempt to defend herself. Unfortunately, the only way to test this theory was a death sentence if they were wrong.
"Response to the first question: a wooden stake might work but I'm not sure. Suggestion for the second question: maybe the box she was holding when we got here is spiritual item"
The nun wasn't certain about either of her answers. The enemy they were facing was completely new to her. Before Sasha could say anything else the Vampire of Whitby appeared before them once again. All the distance they had managed to gain was closed in an instant and they were in the grasp of the monster once again.
"Conclusion: We need to get out of here."
Despite what the girl said she didn't believe they were actually going to be able to get away. The monster was stronger than them, faster than them, and despite their efforts any damage they did to her was meaningless. Unless some miracle happened they were going to die here and the realization of this filled the girl's voice with fear. Sasha drew a couple of nails out from her pouch as if she was preparing to fight but her entire body was trembling with fear.
Atsa Tsinaajinii
Legatum373
Location : London, England
Sir Alexander Beathen on Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:24 am
When Henry Moore gave attention to the new development between the Knights and the Cardinal, it would be no lie that a cold grip tightened around Alex's heart. The meeting he had with that man was no picnic and probably one of the few moments he truly was frightened. He could even remember the feeling he had, it was like walking on broken glass and trying to not misstep. What he heard from second parties about the Cardinal also didn't paint a rosy picture, so you can imagine the thoughts going through Alexander's mind when Moore brought this too light.
"I see."
Alexander spoke with worry, though his tone quickly changed when he tackled the question about the relationship with the Anglicans. "It might be the result of the assistance given to Longroad's associate; Albrekka Starbright. She crossed our path when we were protecting the children and lead us to the Shadows. You know the rest. Though--I know how you feel about him. Longroad may have his own ways of doing things, but I truly believe he's working towards the same goal. So even if there is a price, don't you think it would be worth it? To end this chaos?" Alexander asked the important question, though that very same thing could be applied to his thoughts regarding the Cardinal. Though the young knight can't help but remain concerned, especially since he already revealed his dealings with Francesca.
"Though the question remains; if you don't mind me asking. What's the price for our alliance with the Cardinal?"
Sir Alexander Beathen
Elisium928
Saravati Nair on Sat Oct 06, 2018 6:34 am
It didn't take long for Sara's hopes to shatter much like the wall Sasha had intended as a stopgap. Much like a glass window being shattered by a wayward baseball, the thing fell apart without any semblance of grace or finesse.
As if there was never truly any method to widen the gap.
The gap would inevitably close as the predator's maw enveloped the two of them. That's what reality seemed to be showing her at that very moment. A cold sweat began to form over her body as the vampire closed the physical distance between them in just one leap.
"We have to try that though," she muttered.
There was no safe zone left for them. The two weaknesses Sasha had thought of were flimsy at best and too risky at worst. At current, the issue that stood before them was simple. They needed to find a way to reverse the situation—to switch back to the tenuous position of the hunter that was so wrongfully wrested from their hands without hesitation.
Despite her trembling legs and her unseasonable perspiration, she clenched onto Sasha, jumped into an empty street near the building they were on, and ran for her life. Though, all that likely threw her into the fate of kiting the vampire.
"Give directions, hurry." She forced out as she ran at top speed, clinging onto that rapidly declining hope for some solution.
Saravati Nair
Volare723
Leivinia Birdway on Mon Oct 08, 2018 9:45 am
They ran. Like children from the monster in the forest, they ran. But what else were they supposed to do? At this point running was the only solution. Creating distance between themselves and her was all they could possibly do, for now at least.
However, had any of them ever had a nightmare? If so, they would know that there was no escaping it. As they made their escape they would quickly lose sight of the woman, due to the haze consuming all that was in the distance. Within just a moment's notice they would have lost clear sight of their enemy. To them she had disappeared. However, they should still feel it. Those moon coloured eyes were still on them Their gaze had stabbed into them and anchored itself like a harpoon in the belly of the whale. Her entire attention had been set onto them.
They wouldn't escape. There was no way they could. The very fibre of their existence would tell them that, as the fear of the monster was melting their hearts. It was gruesome.
«How lovely, two cowards running with their tails between their legs. And here I thought the witch hunters of Necessarius and those infamous monster slayers of Annihilatus were an unshakeable bunch to whom the concept of fear would be entirely foreign. Laughable.»
Someone had caught up to them. Yet, it wasn't the one that had been chasing them originally. No, this one was a wholly different kind of monster. A girl had emerged from the haze. She was only about ten years old and wearing a white dress with black stockings, giving her an overall piano like impression. Her name was Leivinia Birdway and she was currently sucking chilled orange juice from a carton bearing a design any adult would be too embarrassed to even touch. And while doing so she was also blatantly standing in their path, directing the tip of a certain item at the two magician girls. Was it a cup? Was it a sword? A plate?
No, it was a wand.
«Time to smoke out this pest.»
With that an imaginative circle was drawn into the air, quickly transcending from symbolic action to physical form, giving birth to flames within its shape. The fire was hot and it was brighter than anything else in the world, just like the sun. However, what remained still just a moment ago, would be set into motion in the next. She launched it right away.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:20 am
"You—really are quite naive, Beathen."
It was honestly enough to make him sigh, despite the circumstances. The boy's opinion on what course of action was best was obvious, and that was all the more cause for Moore's exasperation.
"If it were just the Anglicans and the Sunlight, then that would be one thing. Any alliance composed of those two groups is certain to be a nest of vipers, but at the very least the possibility remains that they might, in the course of using each other, actually aim to carry out their purported motives. In that case, it might be feasible. There would be enough merit for an attempt."
Just the concept honestly seemed like suicide to him, willingly sending the Knights into such a hellhole—but given the situation, he would have at least given it a try. He would take it as far as he could for the sake of the citizens he was sworn to protect.
"Most of the forces in this city may have been lead here by the scent of the vampire." Somewhat abruptly, Moore changed the topic. "Magicians of all kinds, here chasing that bloodsucker. We're in that category too. While this mob is certainly a threat, it's ultimately the threat of the vampire that led us here. But they're different. To the Cardinal and his forces, the vampire doesn't matter at all. Their target... Is the flies that were led here by the scent. The vampire is part and parcel to that, but nothing more."
"Because of that our goals align, for the most part. Our goal is to prevent the forces here in the city from harming the citizens, while the Cardinal's... Well, just look and you'll understand."
Moore had stopped in the middle of a battlefield for this, but there was a reason he was bothering besides the importance of the information Beathen had brought regarding the alliance proposal and the shadows and the need for him to be updated regarding the alliance. Beathen, while a weak link in combat, was otherwise among the more capable forces under his command. However, in addition to that, he was also a source of dissent.
Those with good heads on their shoulders, for better or worse, tend against blindly following orders. They think, consider, and ultimately discover alternatives. That has its time and place, but unfortunately for him, that time has already passed. I need to be sure to impress that upon him here.
For what Beathen was trying to do, it was simply too late. No matter how optimal of a choice it was.
"We are to share our forces and our knowledge for the purpose of driving these foreign elements out of Whitby—and into the grave, as the Cardinal would have it. We don't have reason to be quite so picky about how they end up, but we're certainly not going to complain. Beyond that, they only have two targets that they request special attention be paid to. All in all, it's quite generous of them—one is none of our business, and the other, well, they're quite dangerous enemies for us as well."
He would make it perfectly clear.
"Francesca Purezza and the Dawn-Coloured Sunlight that took her in. No quarter is to be shown to those two."
A sharp glare shone in Moore's eyes. It wasn't that of a knight. It wasn't that of the leader of a contingent. It was, more than anything else, Henry Moore himself. The very foundation of the human known as Henry Moore, before he was a knight or anything else.
"I will discuss the request with the Cardinal. I will hear out the terms of the alliance. But if you want me to turn my back on Coppola just hours after we forged an alliance, you better have a damn good reason. There's no profit for anyone in jumping from solution to solution like a goddamn frog. Now then, what was that you were saying about the shadows?"
Straightforward fidelity. Honest respect. For Moore to betray a man he had put his faith in, either the lives of those he had sworn to protect would have to be at stake, or else he would have to be betrayed first. No other reason would suffice. Not in the slightest.
Lean Mean Occasionally-Evaluating Machine
• [Arc IV] Between the Lines • [SS] Hazy Silhouette • [SS] Unknown Magnitude Serial Catastrophe • [SS] Vagrant By Any Other Name: A Match Made in Hell •
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Vita Vesta Caesar
Invictus648
Leivinia Birdway on Tue Oct 09, 2018 3:25 pm
It seemed as though everything was going perfectly well, allowing the train that was this story ride to a proper happy ending. However, that was only if one truly wanted to overlook all of the problems. A man that wouldn't was certainly needed, and fortunately there was one of this kind quite close-by.
«Hold on. Hold on. So, you're saying allying with that guy is meant to protect the citizens?»
As if to underline the jolly-toned question that had been thrown into the overly serious discourse, somewhere in the distance a building was torn into by an explosion caused by a certain red maniac's two feet landing in his victim's face.
«You're not making a good figure, you know, Moore. Right now, everything is a hassle and we both know that that's both of our faults for not cooperating with one another. We let the kids run wild and now there's this mess on the table. However, unlike you, I served my part. Or did you ever question why you're able to burn this town to ashes without any casualties?»
When? How? From where? On just a moment's notice the poncho clad priest that was Richmond Longroad had appeared to butt into what was certainly one of the most important conversations to come up over the course of this incident. And he was entirely relaxed as he did, as though he was enjoying a fine day. Or was it just another façade to block off his vulnerable spots.
«Look. Whatever may have happened. The only way to end this incident is to have everyone pull on the same straw. That means we have to get all the big players under an umbrella and shush the invaders out of this city. They'll run on their own. That's the best way to deal with it. Unlike…this…»
Slaughter was never a good method. It had never been and would never be. All it was, was the actions taken by blind leaders who did not wish to go deeper into problems' actual matters, seeking the easy way out. There simply was no need to express just how wrong this idea was, simply given the out of control spread of destruction across the town's entire landscape.
«Fortunately as it stands right now you are allied with the Roman Catholic Church, while we are with both the Russians and the Dawn-Coloured Sunlight. So, you could actually fix things~~»
Inevitable death. That was what the fate of the two girls seemed to be. They couldn't escape the monstrosity that stood before them nor could they beat it in battle. Sure, they could attempt putting up a fight but that was a death sentence. It was hopeless unless they could find a weakness to exploit and as the girls' conversation shows they didn't know of any.
Sasha's body was still mildly trembling as Sara grabbed her again and began their second attempt at escape. It seemed highly unlikely that running away now was going to work any better than last time but it really was the only sane option. As the Vampire of Whitby vanished into the fog Sasha's stress levels only increased. They may have gained themselves from distance but there was no reason their enemy would stop their pursuit and now that they couldn't see them they were at an even greater disadvantage.
"Suggestion:Head towards the fighting."
Sasha answered without hesitation as Sara asked for directions. If it wasn't for the fact that they were being pursued by a homicidal vampire the suggestion would've been completely insane. As far as the Annihilatus nun was concerned it would be far safer trying to survive a battle of magicians than trying to deal with this monster. If they were lucky the vampire would stop pursuing to avoid getting found out by all the other factions currently in the city. If not than at least they could try escaping using the chaos of the battle.
Before Sasha could put any further thought into their get away plan her attention was grabbed by a nearby mocking voice. A young girl drinking orange juice of all things suddenly appeared out of the haze and blocked their path. Sasha wanted to protest being called a coward but the fact that they currently had a magic wand pointed directly at them was a bigger issue.
"Command:Get out of the way!"
As fire appeared in the magic circle Sasha pushed off against Sara throwing herself to the side of the street while hopefully pushing her companion to the other. The Annihilatus nun watched as the fire blasted through the space they had previously been and into the fog. Going from the young girl's words it seemed her target was the vampire but it also seemed fairly apparent the girl didn't care if they died in the process.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:51 am
Appearing out of nowhere, with neither fanfare nor greeting, was none other than Richmond Longroad, who to Moore occupied a rather nebulous position and could not quite be considered either ally or enemy. That specific piece of uncertainty surrounding the man was of little importance to the current situation, however.
"Even in this sort of situation, you still insist on playing your games... Addicott, take command for now."
His fellow knights hadn't just been sitting about during the course of this conversation, no matter how short. Enemies wouldn't wait for you to have a pleasant chat on the battlefield, and so the knight with the second-highest rank had taken charge to fend off the attackers.
The single difference from and before was the presence of Necessarius' Longroad. The situation had changed from an ideally quick briefing of a soldier who had been AWOL to a negotiation with the leader of another faction. In such a situation, there was a need to hand down a more formal command, even if the unit would have worked just as well without needing to be told as much.
We're standing in a battlefield, and he still takes the time to pop in out of nowhere just to mess with us... And that expression as well. A poker face is important to have in negotiations, but there's such a thing as going too far.
The point is to avoid giving away your cards, but some sort of reaction is needed if you want to establish a relationship of trust. Not giving anything at all is an indication that they don't feel that they're in a position where they need to make that effort, that they're the superior party.
There's no way someone like him hasn't realized this, and that can only really mean thing. And if you run with that conclusion and take into account that rather than an actual poker face, he goes with that stupid smile of his... Ugh. It makes me sick.
A spectacular failure to improve Moore's opinion of him, if that were Longroad's aim. But for that be the case would be unlikely indeed, so it was of no consequence.
"Right, now that the unit's dealt with, I'll answer: yes. I may be many things, but I'm not so naive that I thought that we had the knowledge and manpower to deal with this mess ourselves. In order to remedy that, outside assistance was necessary. That said... Thank you."
"If the citizens had still been here when this broke out, I doubt we'd have been able to protect them. If you're the one that ensured their absence, then you have my gratitude."
Though the Knights and the Roman Catholics were making merry as if they had been here from the start, the truth of it was that they had only followed the scent of blood. By the time they arrived, the mob had already formed and chaos had already broken out. Had they been the only ones present in Whitby, then there was doubt in Moore's mind that the smell of blood in air wouldn't only be from the bodies of knights and magicians.
No matter how much Moore might doubt Longroad's methods, motives, and sincerity he wasn't so spiteful to attempt to reject that fact. That said, in the end, that was that and this was this. His gratitude towards Longroad and towards the Cardinal were two separate affairs.
"But I don't think that's why you're here, considering the timing you chose to pop up. I was originally going to send Beathen and York back with a message after this hubbub was over, but this is convenient so I'll say it now. I wouldn't normally be opposed to joining this alliance of yours, though I'd like to hear some more detail before committing. However, the Knights now are somewhat of a pair deal."
"I assume you heard the important bits from my conversation with Beathen just now? Simply put, maintaining our alliance with the Cardinal is of higher priority than joining another. If you can worm your around that, whether by convincing the Cardinal or whatever else, than I have no problem. And since I agree that the goal of 'everyone working together' is a good one, in terms of efficiency, I don't even mind if you have any suggestions regarding what I could say to convince him."
Lies and deceit hardly being his preferred methods, every word Moore had spoken was the truth. Purely from a logical standpoint, all the factions working together to resolve the incident was the ideal course of action, the one that would to the quickest resolution and the least risk to the townsfolk.
But that didn't mean Moore would simply leap to the occasion. No matter how much he wished it were otherwise, the world was not so simple a place. An alliance with a Prince of the Church was not something so casually cast off. There was of course Moore's personal objections regarding the willful destruction of a relationship of trust, but just as important were the consequences on the factional level.
Such a breach of trust versus so influential an individual as Coppola could very well haunt the Knights and the United Kingdom for years to come. While Moore would never try and convince anyone that he personally cared about such considerations perhaps as much as he should, as a leader he was of course aware. And he knew that Longroad must be as well.
In the end, what it meant was simply that Moore was not the only one Longroad had to court. If he was going to talk about such idealistic goals as uniting all the factions, then he would have to truly unite all the factions, with the Roman Catholics as no exception. In a way, you could say that Moore was simply wholeheartedly agreeing to Longroad's suggestion rather than adding any sort of condition.
The ball was in Longroad's court. And if he were to speak the truth, Moore was honestly curious about what kind of solution to the problems of Purezza and the Sunlight he might cook up...
Sir Alexander Beathen on Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:17 am
Alexander had listened to the exchange between Richmond Longroad who suddenly appeared and Henry Moore. He wasn't even sure if his interference was to the young knight's benefit or for anyone. The only thing this really achieved was repetition and only given for the sake of the Anglican's ears.
Though he wouldn't lie that he felt something was misunderstood. He wasn't aware if he made the suggestion but the young knight would never ask Henry Moore to betray his values. Though the same time it felt like Alexander had to accept something just as bad.
It made him angry, and the seething frustration behind his gaze made that abundantly clear. Though while they spoke the same lines, the young knight looked towards the direction of the Cardinal who was fighting in the distance.
"Let be honest with you." Alexander interfered before Longroad could utter a syllable in response. "We're being manipulated. Those shadows we faced were Basque magicians. Yet before confronting them, the communication we knights used had been blocked." he spoke clearly while glancing towards Moore. "Unless you're going to tell me you ignored my call for reinforcements? Sir Moore? Sir York can confirm everything that happened. Though the point is who would've you blamed if all the knights you sent out to assist the Anglicans were killed? I know what you feel about Longroad, so it's not hard to guess the answer. " Alexander said though leaving
"So whoever blocked our communication is clearly trying to create discord between our groups and we all stand to lose against this enemy who's been playing us like fools. And will continue to lose until we learn to work together." Alexander spoke about the heart of the reason he suggested the original plan. "Which means we need to talk with the Cardinal. Just talk and see what he thinks about it all. However, there is something I need to be made clear." he would say while turning his full attention now to Henry Moore.
Alexander would look at him not with the eyes of some willing subordinate, nor as some knight with idealistic goals.
He would speak honestly as Alexander Beathen, the man beyond the shiny sword.
"I owe my life to Francesca Purezza and Mark Space, so helping the Cardinal to hunt them down would be as unforgivable a betrayal to me as breaking your word to the Cardinal is to you. So give me some other task, just don't make me do it."
Leivinia Birdway on Sun Oct 14, 2018 1:16 pm
Talking, talking, talking.
Amidst that fiercely raging battlefield the three of them stood and would continue this conversation of greatest importance, yet with little avail. Without the input of the final participant there was no hope for it to ever reach its conclusion. In the meantime, however, more buildings were torn into as giant maws of rocks, stones and earth emerged from the ground feasting on anything in their path, costing the surrounding knights and other Magicians their safe stands. Breaching through any and all barriers in the process.
«We'll get nowhere at this pace…»
Pressed by the surrounding turmoil of the countless of earth-borne maws coming for them not even Longroad felt the need to bother with stalling for time eternally. A merry walk in the park was fine every now and then, but once the pile of neglected chores would catch up to you, a good day was guaranteed to turn south.
Given these circumstances he would simply draw an item from his pockets, lifting it high into the sky. It was an unnaturally white twig only as long as the fingers that were clenching it. However, to anyone close by its stinging olive aroma would certainly serve to point towards the truth. It was the Peace Twig, a spiritual item based on the old tales of Noah, where after the long flood that cleansed the world, God would have a dove deliver an olive twig as a symbol of peace. The crusaders had once used it to communicate their victory over the pagans that had been occupying the holy city. Very well, however it could also be used to communicate any peaceful intention towards other Christian factions on the battle field. And with that in mind, Longroad activated the effect, igniting the frail branch and subsequently sending the white bird shaped signal flare high into the sky.
That was all it would take.
Just the very next instance, the rush of bestial maws coming to chase them would be shattered as that red humanoid lightning crashed into them like an end of the world level meteor, causing a shockwave knocking the caster, who was an androgynous person wearing an attire mix-matching all kinds of reptilian and piscine materials, as well as the surrounding enemies and allies far into the distance.
«You have taken the brazen freedom of calling me from my righteous spot on the battlefield. Now, hurry up and tell me: What is the meaning of this?»
There was little amusement in the voice of that monster as he would face his well-respected ally and that pair of despicable runts he clearly had less than little consideration for. He had come, at long last. The crimson Cardinal Enrico Coppolla had arrived to scratch off the last missing name on the attendance list.
«There you go~!»
Now then, the negotiations could finally begin!
Sir Alexander Beathen on Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:24 pm
The arrival of the Cardinal had made this process much easier, though he wasn't so thrilled about it. The young knight was still disturbed by that same stench of blood and felt rather unnerved in his presence.
Though he was frustrated and also fearful of the Cardinal, the young knight take the initiative and speak first.
"Enrico Coppolla, we meet again on different circumstances. Though we—need to discuss the current situation." Alexander spoke who seem hesitant at first but fully turned towards him. "You probably came here with the intention to take advantage of the lure that brought so many to Whitby, but you had only made it easy for the true invader to gather everyone by bringing yourself." Alexander had a strong idea what motivated the Cardinal and he doesn't seem the type to hide it either. So if the enemy behind the scenes had pulled the strings, there was no doubt in his mind they allowed him to move on his own.
Everyone might have been lured by the Vampire, but it was everyone else who lured him to Whitby.
"While I do admire the straightforward approach to fight those who don't belong or how you might put it? Purge the pagans? Fighting the obvious has only caused more chaos and it's doing exactly what the real enemy desires. So as one of the Knights, I do owe it to you as part of our existing alliance to explain to you an idea. That the major groups in Whitby would work together and show a united front which would force all others to fall into line and then we can purge the true threat behind the haze." Alexander explained using the Cardinal's term of phrasing to seem more negotiable.
Also, the young knight hadn't noticed while he spoke, he had seemed more accustomed to the situation. Like with each word that left his lips, he grew in confidence and not that this negotiation would succeed but to stand in the presence of the Cardinal.
"None of this will mean anything without your input. Though it's my duty to also mention that for all this to work we do need to compromise. So I ask you? Could you give us your insight on the idea and the problem we face?"
While the idea does seem idealistic, the young knight counted on Longroad's presence to show that is was possible. Since as far as he knew the relationship between the knights and Necessarius had broken down. Alexander had also hope that he was respectful to an acceptable level and that it would encourage the Cardinal to take the idea into consideration.
He can only hope this would lead to something workable.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:33 am
Beathen's words clarified at last the cause behind his lack of response in the past several hours. Moore would—as suggested—confirm it with York later, but that was more of a formality than anything. He didn't actually believe it likely that Beathen was trying to pull one over on him, despite the constant suspicion that hung around everything in this town.
...But something did need to be done about him. He spoke with conviction, and it was clear that he believed every word he said. Moore could understand and respect the knight that stood behind those words. He could, but ultimately, that same knight was also flagrantly expressing a will to refuse to acknowledge his orders. Moore wasn't so cruel that he would force Beathen to kill those who had saved him, but allowing him to just sit on the sidelines wasn't an option either.
Moore was about to give a response, but before he could, Longroad acted.
Moore recognized the Peace Twig that Longroad used. He was not particularly well-versed in magic, but anyone who had shared battlefields with the various churches of the magic side was familiar with what that tool symbolized. And of all the churches present here in Whitby, which and who Longroad was calling was all but obvious.
"Sigh. We'll have to finish this conversation later, Beathen."
As always, Longroad was advancing the conversation at his own pace. On the one hand, working to keep things flowing was well and proper, considering it was a battlefield they stood on, but it was Longroad who had chosen this as the venue in the first place. Caught between frustration and understanding, a sigh leaving his lips unbidden was perfectly understandable.
But just as he had told Beathen, that would have to be left for later. The red cardinal had arrived at the negotiation table.
"Longroad here is suggesting an alliance between all the major powers that've settled here in this town. If the goal of whoever orchestrated this incident is to drive us apart, then the most effective countermeasure would be for us all to work together, is the conclusion they've come to. Necessarius, the Russians, and the Sunlight have already joined hands towards that end."
Moore gave no greetings or welcome. On the battlefield and especially to a man who still needed to return to one, such things were unnecessary. Any apology would likely go unappreciated. In such a situation, the only acceptable cordiality was to, just as had been requested, explain the purpose of his having been summoned.
"As one sworn to protect this country, if this alliance would assist in me doing so, I have a duty to at least explore it as an option. However, flippantly leaving the alliance that has already been formed with you for an uncertain new venture is far too risky... Not to mention that doing so not even a day after it was formed would be the height of rudeness. Therefore, I added a minor condition to my joining. If he was to have everyone join forces, then it would truly have to be everyone... Including you."
And so it was laid out. Did Longroad's plan have even a chance of working? Coppola's reaction would tell all. Though Moore couldn't help but think that the choice of timing to call the man out may have ruined it all before it could begin.
Leivinia Birdway on Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:03 pm
Cardinal Enrico Coppolla was a unique man in many ways. Tall as he was, he was an obvious eccentric, not only in his choice of style but also in each and every way of his demeanour, ranging from the way he would position his body to his manner of speech. He so unique, it was painful. Unfortunately, that uniqueness didn't stop with the surface but went down into his very core. In short: He was a madman through and through.
As such reasoning with him would take something more than simple diplomacy.
Longroad had known from the start and been able confirm exactly that upon the first time his gaze would clash with the cardinal's. That's where it had already been settled – the outcome of everything.
Having received an explanation from both of the knights, Coppolla's mood changed depending on who had given them and what they had contained. Naturally, while more absent in the case of Beathen speaking, a bemused smile would crawl across his lips upon hearing Moore's more respectable approach.
«I must thank you, Sir Moore. This is exactly the kind of fair treatment I would grant all of my allies as well. An alliance is not simply there to charge towards battle side by side, but also to watch out for one another while carrying all burdens equally.»
That was what he announced. That was what they had been doing the entire time. The Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of England were equal in the strength of their forces. They had been equals on the battlefield, equals in turning everything around. What one side was able to do, the other was, too. That was how their unity worked. That's how they managed to accomplish their goals.
He smiled. He hummed. He turned.
«There is but one problem with that proposal. Your allies do not seem to understand anything at all. This, my actions, the roman's actions, they are not driven by the idea of saving the citizens and you do know that, Sir Moore. We help you protect them, but it is not our primary desire. From the beginning on that desire, has been to purge. To purge all those who have turned away from the light of the Lord! Defying it even! Pagans, heretics, sinners, the scum of the Earth has assembled in this town to commit to nothing but witchery. Their intentions are impure, ungodly. Their lives only worth the thrusts meant to end them.»
As he spoke his fury would increase with each word chosen.
«They deserve no mercy. No forgiveness. Nothing, except death by cruel slaughter. Each of them is a disgrace upon this Earth in need of being taken care of. I do not care about what their ploys are. I will simply purge them from the face of the world along with anything else about them, extinguishing their ambitions in the process. Yes, those scoundrels will all burn in the fires of hell. This is why I, no we, have assembled in Whitby. This is what we must do. This is what any firm believer wandering this world must do!»
That was who he was. Violence was the only path he saw. It was the solution to all problems arising. It was the sole action he saw himself taking. And he would take it on any occasion. It was obvious how many he had destroyed on his path of fire. It was more than obvious how many more would follow. That was the ideals pursued by that Cardinal at the top of the infamous inquisition. An unstoppable force of nature. The end of everything.
«However, I do agree with the power of such an alliance. A united front of brave Christian men and women in the face of heathendom would truly entirely unseen in this world, much to the pleasure of the great and mighty Lord. Yes, that it would be indeed.»
There was a glint of hope. In the very end, even that monster had some sort of reason in his head. But where would that hope lead them?
«There is but one condition to my agreeing with this: That filthy traitor and those that have taken her – the Dawn-Coloured Sunlight. I want their heads, all of them, on stakes.»
That's how it was. It was only logical for it to be. No warrior would ally themselves with their greatest nemesis. And clearly, he hated them. He loathed them. There was no hoping for any other outcome, no chance agreement. If they truly wanted him to take their side, they would need to accept that that was how things were. Not simply by sucking it up, but by smiling brightly into his face while shaking his hand and jollily tossing their friends into the maw of the beast.
It was their decision to make.
Saravati Nair on Fri Oct 19, 2018 11:10 pm
Sara was almost ready to take Sasha's suggestion and head straight into the chaos of another battle to mitigate the current. It may not have been something she she was generally for, but extenuating circumstances left the young girl with no real choice.
That was the case, until a certain obstacle popped in the way. Though, calling the girl nonchalantly drinking orange juice and chiding them for their fear would have been nothing short of pure understatement.
She didn't even need to listen to Sasha to know what needed to be done at that point. But, the warning was more than enough to cause a delay. Sara pulled Sasha into her arms and held her as if carrying a princess. But, half a second of delay was enough. The miniature sun that had been thrown at them barely missed grazing them. Even though Sara had diverted their path slightly, the wonders of radiation had been enough for her to feel that sweltering heat on her arm as she had kicked off at an angle towards an adjacent building.
Without a skid, her feet gracefully hit the building, distributing the weight of the two girls as they made contact.
While the pain from the burn was still fresh, Sara glared straight at the girl who had nearly enveloped them in hellfire. She gritted her teeth in pure rage as her gaze directed towards Birdway's eyes.
It was then that she realized something.
The young magician's gaze was not on them. They were merely insects who held no significance in her plans. It was still enough to let some rage consume her and, albeit ever slightly, displace her fear.
But, that was far beside the point.
They were not the targets. So, what was the meaning of her appearance before them? What was the meaning of the attack against that immortal foe?
In reality, the answer was fairly obvious.
Silent and waiting, a lone nun watched on from high. A soft breeze had seemed to pass by her despite the fervor that had been rising to a fever pitch in the town. Yet, despite the respite that seemed to pass by her, there was not a single smile or a single relaxed muscle on her body.
And so, she stood.
While her thoughts followed a fairly set pattern on a normal basis, it was evident that whatever ran through her mind in that very moment was far diverged from what could be called her norm. The woman's eyes had long since glazed over as a turbulent form of emotion had enraptured her.
Yet, despite the uncertainty of heart's form in that moment, her hollow gaze remained ultimately transfixed on the two standing below.
And so, her knees gave out. As she collapsed, she fell into a kneel. Yet, despite the suddenness of it, the kneel was soft and her hands moved in to each other as they formed an iconic gesture—the gesture of a sister of God in prayer.
Leivinia Birdway on Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:42 am
It wasn't over yet.
Leivinia Birdway readjusted the arm holding onto the wand, ready for more to come.
«She's a persistent one, isn't she?»
The next moment something appeared right behind her. It hadn't snuck up to her, but truly emerged from the fog as though from thin air. A beauty of white skin with black hair and dress holding onto an oddly ominous box and stolen knife. Her bestial maw chasing that small girl's neck like the wolf the innocent lamb.
However, this lamb was not innocent. It wasn't even a lamb. It was a monster of equal status or possibly even worse.
The beast struck the monster with the ferocious strength of its fangs, using the advantage offered by the surprise. Yet, it was strange. What was supposed to success ending in merciless bloodshed resulted in nowhere particular. It was as though nothing of it had happened, or hadn't it? Confusion was everywhere around the beast that was supposed to be the seductively lethal vampire of Whitby. And then she realised: No one was there?!
«You're a hasty one, aren't you? Honestly, I would have thought you weren't this dumb to expect me to go down to an attack like that.»
A mirage.
Birdway's tone was entirely cocky, as she had appeared on the top of a nearby building glancing down onto the sight of her deceived enemy. At one point the wand had been replaced by a cup. Slurping the last drop of orange juice from the carton in her hand, she would lift the item in her other again.
«It's a bit of an insult, though, having to feel like this. Even if it's just some cheap trick, I can't actually deny its actual power. I can feel it shaking my very core and it just pisses me off. As if I'd ever be afraid of some cheesy impostor like you.»
The cup was gone. The wand had returned.
«So, let's see if we can share the burden.»
In tandem with the mischievous smile forming on her lips, flickers of golden light appeared anywhere on the streets surrounding the black and white woman (as well as those two girls on the run).
«I hope you haven't forgotten this one~»
Hell went lose. Suddenly the entire area was showered by powerful golden explosions born from a master's instantaneous ritual. Just like that, everything in that girl's surroundings was torn apart by countless immensely destructive blasts.
And even that was not the end, did she charge right into the mess with a sword replacing the wand, ready for the next round to come. May the chaotic demolition derby commence!
Atsa Tsinaajinii on Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:25 am
Suddenly being pulled into Sara's arms and carried like a princess had completely ruined Sasha's plan of avoiding the fireball. She couldn't push the girl and herself out of the way from her current position after all. Fortunately, it seemed that the girl had an escape plan of her own as she moved them out of the way of the fireballs path.
While they had avoided being roasted alive, the nun of Annihilatus still felt the heat of the fire as it shot past them. If they had delayed just a second longer Sasha was fairly certain they would've died a very painful death. She had to be relieved that her new companion was so quick on her feet and was impressed when the girl still managed a graceful landing after just avoiding death.
The nun's admiration for her companions gracefulness was short lived as she turned her attention back to their assailant as she spoke again. Now that they had come to a halt Sasha moved out of the princess carry and stood on her own two feet as she observed the magician in front of them. Just as she had thought they were never the blonde haired girl's target they were just nobodies that had gotten in the way. As long as she was able to defeat the monster it didn't seem it mattered to her how many others might die in the process.
As the Vampire of Whitby suddenly reappeared out of the fog and the battle between the two entities commenced it became even harder to tell which of them was the true monster. Sasha and Sara were incredibly outclassed but the current situation had some benefits. The vampire was no longer focused on them and by listening to what the blonde haired girl had to say the nun was given an idea of what the true source of their fear was.
Second conclusion: We should get out of here while they are fighting. The vampire is no longer focused on us and we can't beat either of them.
If she could find the source of that spell maybe it was possible to slightly even out the odds. Before she could put anymore thought into the matter, however, golden lights began to appear all around them. It was definitely the work of one of Leivinia's spells but Sasha wasn't going to just sit around and see what its affects were.
Third conclusion: We need to get out of here now!
Immediately after her last statement Sasha began moving as far as possible from the golden lights pulling Sara along with her. She didn't know what was coming but after seeing the girl's last spell she knew it wasn't going to be pretty if they got caught up in it. It was only moments later that the golden lights exploded destroying everything in their general vicinity. It was absolute chaos and the nun was now certain that their chances of survival in the midst of the battlefield were far higher than what they were here.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Sat Oct 27, 2018 11:24 am
"You heard him, Longroad."
There was little else to say. Coppola had spoken, and no just like Moore had a code of his own... No, that would be a false comparison. No matter how much respect Coppola had shown to Moore over the course of their yet-short alliance, it was clear that Moore was not the man's match. In terms of strength he could never hope to face a Saint, and in terms of position there were few that could match one of the barely two hundred cardinals in the world.
But more than that was the sheer force of his belief. Moore would die for his code if it came to it—but Coppola was something different entirely. It might be zealotry. It might be insanity. People might look at him and call him a monster. But he had a set of straightforward ideals that he lived to the greatest extent, caring not for the thoughts of others. Saving the innocent, crushing the evil. One might argue regarding his definition of such, but the fact that he was a man of high stature was undeniable.
As such, there was nothing left to say. Towards the man who had decided what his evil was, it was certainly pointless to even attempt convincing him otherwise. Or so Moore had thought at first. That had certainly been his initial reaction, and it was in no means incorrect, but...
No. I'd been focusing on Longroad and his ridiculous for unity, but this is actually a much better flow then I'd given it credit for, isn't? Well, Beathen might hate me for it later.
Coppola would absolutely not acquiesce. Moore had been thinking overmuch on that detail and had given up on attempting much of anything, but that had been a mistake. Rather than simply allowing Coppola's response to hang in the air, there was a much better response to give.
"Yes, you heard him. The Dawn-Coloured Sunlight for the coordinated cooperation of the Knights of England and the Roman Catholic Church. It's a good trade-off, isn't it? If nothing else, you certainly leave off with more than you had at the start."
In a way, this was hypocrisy of the highest order. After all, he was the one had just finished saying he would absolutely not betray an alliance, and here he was telling someone else to do exactly that.
But if Moore were to be perfectly honest, he didn't care. It was his duty to protect the country and its citizens, not worry about trivialities like that. The risk of abandoning the stable ally of the Roman Catholics for an uncertain mass alliance had been too high, but this situation was different.
The Dawn-Coloured Sunlight and Necessarius fought less like cat and dog and more like snake and mongoose and Moore had heavy doubts that that cabal actually planned to follow the alliance until the end. Accepting Coppola's demand would allow Necessarius to purge an uncertain element from the alliance and simultaneously give them a powerful chance to permanently eradicate an old enemy.
Just as much as any of that, though.
...I seriously doubt this bastard actually gives a damn about shit like that.
Last edited by Vita Vesta Caesar on Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:58 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : image)
Leivinia Birdway on Sat Oct 27, 2018 5:37 pm
Henry Moore and Richmond Longroad. Two men on entire opposite sites yet still part of the very same coin. The United Kingdom consisted of many groups and authorities, down to the very foundation of the four countries. Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. The Royal Family, the Knights of England and the Anglican Church. It was diverse, but not split. In fact, if one thought about it properly it occurred that all was still linked by a single thin thread: The terrain. After all, all of it was focused on this small land mass that was no actual part of any other continent. Unity should be guaranteed by such conditions. However, it wasn't in the end. Henry Moore and Richmond Longroad were the perfect proof of that. They were so different that absolutely no match in anything would be find between them. Morning rituals. Eating habits. Taste in clothing. Hobbies. Their very ideals.
Like fire and water they would co-exist in this world, all the while being bound to the very same country, carrying the very same burden on their shoulders. Those two were currently the great protectors of the United Kingdom. The fate of Whitby would rest in both of their hands. Their unity. Their agreement. It was what would matter here the most. Those two working together could change history, settling the incident in a way that would make everyone happy. It was those two, and only those two, who could accomplish these goals.
Henry Moore and Richmond Longroad. All they were needed to do here was shake hands to seal an alliance unlike any other. They would be praised for it. They would be honoured for it. They would be celebrated as great heroes. The ambassadors of piece as well as the slaughterers of Britain's most dire enemies. The future ahead of them would be bright. Nobody would be able to deny it. Nobody would ever write a bad word about any of those two ever again. It was all so simple. It was all so straight forward. The goal was set up right in front of them.
That was all.
With his typical nonchalance Richmond Longroad ended the negotiations using just a single word.
There was no need for anything else. The dice had been cast.
«I guess that makes us enemies now, huh?»
He was carefully acting careless, seemingly not minding the situation he had been entangled into. The Dawn-Coloured Sunlight were Coppolla's and thus Moore's sworn enemy all the while they were close allies of Longroad and Beathen. By declining the offer Longroad had just so easily admitted his loyalty towards these enemies, thus protecting them by the actions he had taken. He had made it seem like just a little thing, yet at the same time admitted full knowledge over these facts. It was a dangerous play through and through. Where was he aiming at? What was he even thinking?
How on earth could he be this relaxed in face of the raging storm?
Now how would it continue from here on out? Two sides had been formed, divided by the line that was the decision not to sacrifice a common enemy. Instead they were enemies now. The Anglican Church and the Knights of England. Richmond Longroad and Henry Moore. Even standing there they were no longer having a peaceful meeting but directly facing off with one another on the battlefield. The flag had been torn. The chance at a peaceful outcome shattered entirely.
Splatter!!!
In just an instance blood would spray everywhere as the torso of the poncho-clad priest was torn apart by a sharp blade. Just a single strike with a mighty lance executed outside of anyone's range of perception had sufficed to spread his innards, the fibres of the poncho and the twigs weaved therein everywhere, bedding the dead man. An unforgiving lethal strike.
«Despicable!»
Coppolla relaxed as he pulled the blood coated lance back, resting it on his shoulder. There was no condolences, no mourning, no hesitation. He hadn't simply acted on a whim, he had made the best decision right off the bat. After all, he understood rather well what those words had meant. A declaration of war could be coated with any kind of words, even in such an underwhelming way. And in war only one side would be allowed to rule over the other. The victors would take the glory to themselves, while the side of the defeated would be drowned in scorn. Richmond Longroad or Henry Moore. One of those two would be treated like a hero, while the other was to face the label of the traitor who had to be eliminated for the other's glory.
Now, at least that process had been cut short significantly.
Sir Alexander Beathen on Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:06 am
The negotiations came to an end.
While blood splattered everywhere as Longroad was gutted by the horrid Cardinal; the chaos that the young knight wanted to quell was now almost impossible to stop. Alex may have once seen the poncho-clad priest as a thorn in the side, interfering and delaying the knight's duty to protect the city.
Now he saw things differently and it was the Cardinal that was now the thorn in the side and Moore's alliance with that wretched man had made things much worse. Though the young knight was under no illusions he could beat the Prince of the Church. He was dangerous and others had warned him so many times. Alex was even frightened of him knowing subconsciously the threat he posed.
His single action was a twisted turn of events that only shocked the young knight. Though the very same action had made things clear to him. Which lead to him taking a step into the gaze of that horrid Cardinal and Henry Moore. He would walk towards the fallen body of the priest as he pulls his hood over his head. It was the same as a Knight donning his helmet before battle and only then would he turn towards the very two who symbolise the alliance he can no longer support.
He would reach for the handle of his blade and though he feared who he shall face the young knight had always walked among giants. He always fought against the strong, to protect the weak and to give justice to those without a voice.
"It's up to you how far you go. If you don't try you'll never know."
And Dishonour.
These three things were what Alexander had vowed to fight all his life and they were rife in Whitby. He takes no pleasure in what he had planned, but Henry Moore's stand with the Cardinal had left him no other choice.
"Elisium928; the one who shall fight for a better world!" He shouts declaring his true name that was etched into his soul as he draws his golden blade that was honed with his resolve. The sword in the stone was not pointed towards the man who committed the unforgivable act but the one who stood at his side.
"Whitby burns as you stand beside the man whose actions only serves to plunge this city into further ruin. His act of striking down a high ranking member of the church threatens to fracture the unity of the Kingdom! We are supposed to protect the status quo and the man you stand beside ensures that can no longer be achieved. This alliance is nothing but treasonous. ...Sir Henry Moore! I challenge you to a duel for the leadership of the Knights in Whitby! Let our blades serve to bring clarity to what must be done to see through too tomorrow!"
He was under no illusion that this would be easy or that he could even win this duel. He was outmatched on paper and among his peers, he was considered the weakest. Though he will go through with this duel even if it kills him.
There was no going back.
Saravati Nair on Wed Oct 31, 2018 12:12 pm
Analyze.
While Sasha was talking of widening the distance, Sara had a completely different mindset. The fear had taken root, no doubt. But, that was no reason to escape. At least, not any more.
She had to keep her eyes peeled. Now was the best time, after all. The vampire's focus had been diverted to the newcomer. She had come out of hiding and attempted to take out the girl.
In a battle between magicians, there was a reason for every action and every change in actions. Every word had meaning.
Cheap trick.
Impostor.
She tried letting those words bounce around in her head as she attempted to parse out some useful information.
She actually attacked.
It wasn't posturing this time.
Once again, she grabbed Sasha in a princess carry and ran at max speed to evade those golden explosions. In the end, it truly was more efficient to leave the speed tasks to her. But despite all that, she kept her eyes peeled.
She was right, it truly was a pathetic show.
There was a major difference between how the vampire dealt with them and how she dealt with the newcomer. Rather than posturing around, the vampire had jumped straight to the jugular.
Mirage.
Fireball.
Golden Explosions.
And there seemed to be a common theme that permeated each one of the newcomer's attacks. Or at least that's what she thought. She just couldn't narrow down which one it was.
The sun? Or light?
Whatever the case was, she needed to keep her eyes trained in on the big picture and not waste this opportunity. She would not let the fierce talons she had honed as a witch hunter be dulled by something as primal as fear.
But, God never answered her prayer. That was the unfortunate reality that occurred right before her. That was the unfortunate reality that stood prime as the world before her burst into chaos at the spilling of one man's blood.
Had she already not been kneeling, she would have surely dropped to her knees again, recoiling in horror at the sight below as her prayer was disturbed by the characteristic sound of a blood splatter.
The church had always taught that life was a long test of faith for His believers—one that ended only at the final judgment. It was inevitable that one's faith would waver.
Her better judgment would have told her this was one of those moments that truly tested her faith. But at this point, that line of logic was truly cut off to her.
Why was this all happening?
She did not know.
Was it because she had deigned to intermingle with those heathens?
Was it because she took for granted the smiles of those children?
She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know. She did not know.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:56 am
With a deft flick of his fingers, Moore's spear came to life from where it was set to rest. It bent and twisted as it tore through the air, and then came to a rest before him, spear pointed out and towards the ground. It was an open stance, not one that directly leads to an attack but one that presents an anticipation of battle.
If Moore were to go back in time to the beginning of this incident, perhaps there would be things he'd do differently. Mopping up the shadows. Preventing the magician's idiocy and the resulting tragedy at the police station. But when it came to Longroad, he wasn't so sure. Perhaps he might hold back a little more. Perhaps he might try to pretend, give the whole cloak and dagger thing a shot.
But in the end, sure as rain, he couldn't imagine himself gravitating towards anything but those same decisions he'd already made. Not truly. Longroad was a puppeteer. An egotist who preferred controlling others like pawns over working with them, who looked down on those that refused as fools working against their own interests. No matter what, that conclusion of his didn't seem likely to change.
But now that puppet master lay on the ground, viscera splattered across the road. Blood still pooling, already drying. And whose fault was it? Whose fault was it, exactly?
"Alexander."
Moore's stance made it clear: the fight his former subordinate had sold was now purchased. But contrary to the scene before him, contrary to the way he had brooded over his past failures during this adventure of theirs, his voice was calm. Bored even. As if seeing the death of the man who had refused to define himself as ally or enemy had rid him of even his rage.
"Before we begin, there's something I need clarified."
He turned away from his enemy and turned towards his ally. No blame or indignation lay in that gaze; only an acceptance, a resolve. A simple question.
The words a man speaks are proof of their character. What Moore might think didn't matter. The words Coppola spoke would become his truth.
And once Coppola gave his truth... Moore would give Alexander—Elisium928, the man—his.
Leivinia Birdway on Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:58 am
Mark Space had been watching everything from the distance. The fierce battle between the countless factions. The attempt at a peaceful talk meant to settle everything. And its failure in that gruesome blood bath. The leaders had failed. Blinded by their ignorance they had begun to go for one another's throats, tearing them apart like the wild animals the fear had transformed them into. It was like a great tragedy written by the world itself. And it was so natural. There was no denying that fact. Humans simply would act like that. Great leaders would.
«I see. So the Cardinal has determined that Longroad's declaration of war was too great a threat to accept, causing a quick decision. Under different circumstances this act of retaliating in such short a time to a world scale problem would have been a commendably action befitting of a great leader. However, this is bad.»
He muttered to himself as he kept on watching the entire situation unfold. There was no telling where things would go from here on out. The hopes of a peaceful solution were shattered with Longroad's death and thus the ruin of their alliance. All that remained was a single young knight attempting the impossible. Alexander Beathen would not overcome Henry Moore. No, even if he would, Enrico Coppolla would again label him as a traitor, giving his gruesome actions just another heroic justification. It was a simple as that.
The man in formal suit and scarf would shift the focus of his glance, away from the battlefield and towards the nun kneeling in an act of desperate prayer. There was no need for her to speak, was her body language more than enough to tell the story. She was caught up in the despair of the incident. An internal conflict raging over the rights and wrongs of this world. It was pitiful. It pained him, even though they had only been side by side for a few number of hours.
«Sister Purezza. Apologies for my inability at providing a decent answer to your struggle, but hear me out for just a moment.»
Something had to be done, somehow.
«Sometimes the decisions of what we consider our great leaders are wrong. Sometimes they are based on the purest egoism and ignorance they bear in their hearts. Sometimes their downfall is inevitable as they stray from their righteous path. The enemy, those people behind this incident, they sought out to cause exactly this kind of phenomenon. They sought to corrupt minds like his, causing upon results that utterly defy all they would stand for…or even invoking the true evil that sits therein.»
«It doesn't matter, though. What matters right now is a single fact. Everything that has happened is not right. It's painful, cruel even. The numbers of innocent who have to suffer at the hands of the corrupted leaders' cruel decisions are unforgivable. I am no believer, in your eyes a heathen, but even I see this as something that is entirely outside of the bounds of humanity. It is unbearable. Unforgivable. Unallowable. The lives that were lost. The lives that will be lost. The innocent among these all. You are right if you think that this is wrong, because it simply is. I'm not carelessly speaking of God's will here, but do you truly believe that this is His will? Or is it the will of a heinous force corrupting the weak mortals?»
The devil. If anything, all that has happened could be seen as his influence wiggling its way into the hearts of those that have strayed from the righteous path in their very own self-righteousness.
Bláthín Neve had witnessed it all, right from the centre of it all, again. Yet, no matter how often it would occur before her very own eyes, the young girl felt she would never grow used to it. No, this time it had truly crushed an aspect of her very being. Longroad. The Richmond Longroad she had spent such a long time bickering with, being made fun of by and having been grossed out from had faded right here and right there. His blood spraying all over the place, as far as to land directly on that innocent face of hers, dirtying the skin she so carelessly exposed to the world.
She would have shouted. She would have vomited. She would have broken down. But what would it have changed?
Nobody would even shed a single tear, mourn him, as their minds immediately raced towards the same brutish violent conclusions that had led to his unforeseen demise.
Nobody cared. Except for her.
«I'll be securing him. Let me or you will regret it.»
Suddenly that blonde ponytail girl in daringly skimpy clothing she was way too young to wear had appeared out of nowhere, her frail figure shielding the broken body of a man nobody bothered to pay respects towards, her conviction sharper than any blade flung around by any of those mighty men.
She knew she wouldn't stand a chance against even the weakest of those three, but that didn't stop her from doing the right thing.
And then, just like this, the living Bláthín with her heavily exposed marvellously glittering skin and the dead Longroad with his puddle of blood and twigs were gone without a trace. Entirely out of their notice.
Enrico Coppolla stood alone amidst the two knights, the corpse and the child.
For most people this kind of situation would have been unimaginable even in their wildest dreams or nightmares. Standing amidst a war-torn city, having brutally slaughtered a man in front of people who had been his allies and having performed the act without any bad conscience whatsoever. However, for this crimson clad calamity it seemed to be an overly casual reaction. In fact, his posture as he leaned the blood-clad lance on his shoulder while twisting his curly moustache with the fingers of his free hand and jollily chewing on a piece of bread, was that of a man who had been too accustomed to this kind of events unfolding.
Was he madman or just a veteran of too many wars?
Even as the younger of the two knights declared his intention of going against his superior and thus the alliance the Cardinal was part of, he appeared to be entirely unfazed by the unfolding events – as though they had no meaning at all to him. But in fact, they did have. The fire he saw in the boy's eyes as the tragedy would keep on spinning was a sight so overly exciting he could barely hide it. A great spectacle was about to unfold right here and there, as the brave men would clash over their convictions. Marvellous indeed!
And yet it would be held up by a single question thrown towards the one at the outer perimeter of the scene.
«‹Why?›, you enquire? ‹Why not?› I reply! An enemy as dangerous as no other declaring his intentions before you, is not simply an invitation to act, but the most urgent warning. Clearly, from his very declaration onwards Richmond Longroad left the confines of the peaceful talk, assuming the stance of a full-fledged enemy. An enemy ready to strike, much like myself. It would have been him or us. And believe me, Sir Moore, he wouldn't have wasted his shot. From the very foundation of his being to the peak of his existence that man was plotting, always prepared, always ready, not acting mindlessly on any occasion. If just for another second of hesitation, he would have gotten to both of us, serving us the very same destruction I did to him. That is what I fondly and truthfully believe. Besides, Sir Moore, had you struck before me, the mess born from it would have taken an entirely different scale. Simply imagine a man in your position striking down one of theirs in the eye of public. No matter the circumstances, the political dilemma caused would have become entirely and absolutely unsightly, stealing the opportunity we need from our hands, crushing our very ambition of cleansing the heathens. That is my ‹why›!»
Coppolla was a man as dangerous as no other, yet Longroad wasn't an innocent lamb either. While Enrico Coppolla in his pompous attire and with his beaming behaviour would make no secret of his true power and the danger he imposed, Richmond Longroad was the careful kind, someone who would never allow for anyone to fully assess him, all the while he held the unexpected trump cards that could turn any catastrophe around. Now, who of those two was the more dangerous? He who held no secrets or he who was a pure enigma himself?
By nature, the ideal course of action was elimination over being eliminated oneself.
Not that it would matter anymore. No, more important matters were before them now. More exciting matters.
«Now continue, you two! Commence your duel of wills!»
Millinda Blackwater was facing off against a true monster. No matter her speed. No matter her strength. The girl's vicious attacks would come chasing her. Each step she would take would be answered with a shower of golden flickers quickly transforming into overly powerful explosions. She would dodge, but in the end not escape unscathed. Her body would be torn apart multiple times, regenerate, reform and she would retaliate immediately by charging right through, her overwhelming power piercing through the unending barrage.
«Impressive. To think that your regenerative power is this strong. Let's see how you'll do against this!»
A sword instead of a wand. Gold instead of red. Wind instead of fire. A slice through the air instead of countless explosions. Simple, straight forward, divisive. Such was the power held by that girl's weapon.
However, unlike before she would not invite the hit, taking an urgent leap to the side, followed up by just another of those merciless wind slashes. She'd dodge, but yet another came.
Leivinia Birdway had lost all mercy as she overturned the scales which should not be possibly overturned. She struck and struck and struck yet again, giving the cowardly fiend a chase. The strength and accuracy she had lost to the fear, she would make up for with pure numbers and quick successions.
But why was it that way? What was the difference between the explosions and the cuts? What was the difference between the wand and the sword?
The wand was attributed many effects, most prominently its alignment with the element fire and its representation of the Magician's will. The sword on the other hand represented the wind as well as the mind. However, hidden in its meaning was also its idea of it breaking down complex things down into simpler ones – the abstract to rational. As such each and any of those strikes would bear the power to shatter complexity itself.
Whenever she struck the haze would be cut, revealing the clear night air.
She charged, she would chase her enemy.
However, this time when she attacked, there was a change. That woman would not dodge, no she came charging right at her, taking the cut head on. Like a knife through butter the blade would tear through her flesh and bones, severing her arm like it was nothing.
A clear hit and yet it was entirely accepted. It was entirely wanted. It had been entirely asked for.
Yes. A trap.
Birdway's eyes widened in surprise.
Yet not for the trap had sprung but for that which she saw before her.
The complicated had been broken down into the simple.
The flesh and the haze it had sliced through would reveal the simple truth behind the chaotic promiscuity.
«The name is ‹Vampire›!»
The true nature of the haze and that woman.
She had seen it.
Yet before she could announce anything else or adjust to the new discovery her chest was pierced by the knife held by the arm she had just severed.
However, before the blood could even begin to spray, the force of that monster's muscles would launch the frail little girl that was Leivinia Birdway metres into the distance, through building walls, metal gates, ship bodies and out into the open sea.
Millinda Blackwater had done it. As her arm would return to her, collecting all the blood it had lost from the ocean of the haze, she was the one still standing, holding onto her most precious – that enigmatic box. The biggest threat had at long last fallen. After all, her chest was pierced and her body certainly broken by the immense force and countless impacts.
Two would remain.
Those two she would come for.
And as the outline black and white figure disappeared entirely within the haze, they could be very sure…
She was coming!
Sir Alexander Beathen on Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:37 pm
He nodded his head in response and while Moore didn't wait for an answer, the young knight would respect his former superior and not use it to gain an advantage. Though his attention would be drawn to the little girl known as Bláthín Neve who would retrieve Longroad's body and while he didn't say anything he would honour his fallen ally in his own way.
Though how? Would be the question as his gaze would fall upon the sword in his own hands; the glowing blade with an intricate design known as the Sword in the Stone.
It was the pinnacle of the Beathen's family work to use Arthurian mythology to create weapons for the United Kingdom. Alexander had wielded the blade having past the ritual test it shined as bright as the noblest ideals and it inspired his allies to fight their very best.
Any Beathen worth his salt knew there was more to it.
"Father had suggested that the weapon brings out the best in everyone, though he said nothing more. I guess he wanted me to figure it out." Alexander had thought as he held the blade in both hands and all the while the Cardinal started to respond to Moore's question. Though he would listen to his words also, nothing that would be said would change this outcome.
Still, he wasn't under any illusion that he could overcome Henry Moore. At least not as he was right now. He had to try something if he had any chance to overcome this obstacle. He had hoped that the power he would try and draw from the sword would provide him with the strength to come close to Henry Moore or at least provide him with a fighting chance.
And only by trying would he see how far he can go.
He had read it many times, the same lines from the same stories. "Whoever shall pull this sword from stone; shall become the rightful King of all England." Though he loved the legend, the young knight knew this was no Sword of Mercy, this wasn't the Curtana wielded by the Royal family. Even so, it was a replica and it would never be as powerful as is in the legend, though what if one would twist the meaning? He had no desire to be the king, but the king is a position of leadership. The sword came about when the Kingdom had no king and the test to pull it provided the kingdom with one.
Longroad embodied the idea of the alliance that would bring this chaos to the end. With his support, it gained its momentum and with his death, it lost its leader. Now, this meant the alliance had no leader which fulfiled the conditions similar to the legend of the sword and by twisting the meaning he had hoped it would achieve the impossible; it should place him the position of a King though not in name to grant him the strength to fight for the idea of the alliance.
As right now between him and Henry Moore he was the only one who symbolised that idea.
Immediately following the Cardinal's words the Sword in the stone struck the ground hard and would be stuck in the ruined road which would represent the stone in legend. Its golden light that guided Alexander throughout his many trials would vanish as its power disappeared as his hand left its grip.
"Whoever shall pull this sword from stone; shall become the rightful leader of the alliance."
That same line he had read many times, the words that came before the legend though twisted in meaning it gave form to his wish upon the blade as he held the grip once more.
shiiiiing
The golden light enveloped the blade as the ritual to pull the sword from the stone was done. Though he wouldn't wait to see if the wish had been fulfiled as he knew this duel would happen no matter the outcome.
So, the young knight would approach with sword and shield indicating his intent to begin as he would strike the moment Moore was ready.
His stance even while he moved would be perfect, he had left little gap in his defence and though he was considered the weakest of knights his skill was just as good as any other.
Vita Vesta Caesar on Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:59 am
Coppolla's response was more or less within the range of Moore's predictions. That was only in the realm of the after. He had not allowed this meeting to happen with knowledge that this would occur. If he had known that this would occur, he would have done things differently. There was no way of knowing whether he would have been successful, but his choices would surely have been different. Longroad had been unpredictable to the end, and Coppolla straight as the blade of the weapon he wielded.
...If anything, this lit a small flame of suspicion in him. Longroad was, if nothing else, an extremely crafty man. And yet he had declared before the face of the Cardinal that he was his enemy. The one to trigger this, more than anyone else, had been none other than Longroad himself. If he had just left out those few words and left, then he certainly would have been able to survive.
But he hadn't done so.
Moore had no idea whether Alexander would see through to that possibility, those implications. Or if he did, whether he would be inclined to believe or investigate them. But that no longer mattered. He had given the boy all the materials. To forge his conclusions, to build his ideals, to make his decisions. No matter win or lose, at the end of the day, with this, Alexander would be unable to speak the words 'It wasn't fair.'
And that meant that it started now. Spear held in two hands, he made a proper stance for the first time.
"Futilitas665: It is not the highest mountain that can be climbed, but the pillar which can never be reached that holds the greatest meaning. With this name carved into my soul, I, Sir Henry Moore of the Knights of England, accept your challenge."
It was a thrust.
Alexander's magic could be ignored.
There was no point to fancy tactics or techniques this early in a fight.
The basics of the basics, the most fundamental of strikes.
Piercing forward. The air split, earth cracked.
The world of mundanity was left behind.
You might see a man fight, but to fight him yourself is another thing entirely.
Honing himself beyond his limits to defeat that enemy.
As much knightly respect as he held, the facts were pure and simple.
Alexander was weak. Henry Moore would absolutely not lose to an opponent of such a level.
Not a knight. Not a protector.
Baring his soul, he charged forward.
With accuracy unquestioned, speed and power beyond normal defense, the tip of his spear moved to erase Alexander's skull.
He had decisively stepped outside the realm of men.
This was Henry Moore, on the battlefield.
Last edited by Vita Vesta Caesar on Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : SNPC image)
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Home » News » Centre for Civil Society launches the Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017
Centre for Civil Society launches the Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017
Posted in News By Chawm Ganguly On August 31, 2017
New Delhi: Centre for Civil Society (CCS), on Tuesday, 29 August, hosted the launch event for its latest publication, the Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017, at National Cooperative Union of India. The programme involved the launch of the Handbook by Atishi Marlena, Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, accompanied by a panel discussion featuring distinguished personalities Anjali Srivastava (Praja), Vikramjit Banerjee (Advocate, Supreme Court) and Prof. Indira Rajaraman (IIM Bangalore) on the theme 'Good Governance and Development: Performance and Strategic Reforms'.
The Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017 is a compilation of research papers on issues of public policy, prepared by interns who participated in the six-week 'Researching Reality Internship' (June-July 2017) conducted by CCS. The papers in the Handbook assess the impact and relevance of policies that shape the lives of ordinary citizens in the national capital on eight core areas of urban governance – Administration, Education, Public Healthcare, Water and Sewage, Labour and Employment, Food and Civil Supplies, Public Transport and Women's Safety, and Housing Infrastructure.
The panel discussion at the launch event explored the idea of governance and development, taking from the policy shortcomings addressed in the Handbook. It also approached critical questions of how governance and developmental reforms, for instance the recent e-governance initiative, can take place in a country like ours, and what the expected role of governmental and non-governmental institutions will be in this process. President of CCS, Dr Parth J Shah, opened the event, stating that it is "politics of knowledge" as opposed to "politics of the street'' that has been primarily taken up by the authors of the Handbook. It is essential to create and disseminate knowledge for citizens regarding services that they are entitled to, and that has been the aim of the Handbook. Panelist Anjali Srivastava also appreciated the efforts of the researchers, commenting that the Handbook specifically locates and examines the point at which the citizen interacts with the political system – the grievance redressal mechanisms – which are largely dysfunctional at present. Atishi Marlena furthered this idea and said that the crucial task for policymakers is to examine policies from the perspective of the recipients; it is not correct to say that a policy has good intentions but bad implementation, a policy that fails in implementation is a bad policy to begin with. The Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017 is a step forward in bringing to fore the voice of the primary beneficiaries of policy.
A number of key governance issues are raised in the Handbook. It is noted, for instance, that as far as administration is concerned, although the e-District Project is an important step forward in keeping with the Digital India campaign, the responsible body – the Directorate of Information and Publicity – has not yet taken any steps to promote the Project among citizens. Atishi Marlena also addressed this, stating that awareness campaigns are a key gap that must be addressed if the e-District Project is to succeed. Addressing the issue of social inclusion under the Right to Education Act, 2009, the authors find that segregation in classrooms is significantly prevalent among elite private schools. The leakages in the Public Distribution System and the efficacy of the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for supplying food and civil supplies are also examined, noting errors of inclusion, where many beneficiary households are availing of PDS services despite earning more than Rs. 1 lakh per year. The Handbook further notes that the narrow definition of affordable housing at the state and national planning levels fall short of addressing the needs of the economically weaker sections of society, leading to allotted housing flats being sold off or rented out by the original allottees.
The Handbook thus functions as a critical resource for productive public intervention and has been prepared with the aim of ensuring an informed discussion on achieving effective and accountable governance.
About Centre for Civil Society: Centre for Civil Society advances social change through public policy. Our work in education, livelihood, and policy training promotes choice and accountability across private and public sectors. To translate policy into practice, we engage with policy and opinion leaders through research, pilot projects and advocacy. We are India's leading liberal think tank, ranked 50 worldwide by the annual study conducted by the Think Tanks and Civil Society Program at the University of Pennsylvania
Tags:CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY, Delhi Citizens' Handbook 2017

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