❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

[natha]

In normal circumstances, this would have been near the time in which you're called upon to greet the newly awakened. Unfortunately, I speak to you to inform that we must postpone that — there is trouble on your horizon. What, I cannot see for sure. We shall continue to monitor the situation, however — we - ... we — [feed cuts off.] OLYMPIAN PRESERVATION     The city of Olympia is preparing the send-off of its most prized artifact: the heart of the ancient dragon, Ysverai. In doing this, they've transformed the palace court into an exhibition detailing the centuries-old war between Wyver and Olympia. Sculptures of Nithor the Exalted and his men and women in clean, white marble, while their armors are polished in perfect gold. Among Nithor are the sculptures of stallions in all shapes and sizes that also aided in the great war. Further in the exhibition, one may also find other artifacts of much older weaponry, rusted by its time in the earth, and items found from a time when humans feared the dragons. The Royal Guard has increased its numbers in wake of such a public event, particularly because the heart will be in display also. The heart is not what one might expect it to be: about the size of an average human, the heart's core is surrounded in stone, a red glow emitting from its still beating core. If that were not unsettling enough, one might also find that lingering around this particular exhibit will have undue affects on one's inhibitions. You'll notice your heart has fallen into sync with the organ, and your more selfish desires will come forth. Things that have long been buried will rise up and place you in a state of unease, encouraging paranoia about your companions intentions. Allow it to fester, and one will carry this feeling with them long after you've left the scene. It's probably a good thing this is leaving Olympia — perhaps it's a source of so much conflict you've endured. It's easy to become mesmerized by all the historical artifacts that are present in Olympia's exhibition. Some even seem mystical or, like Ysverai’s heart, to hold unspeakable powers. Others are just a little eerie. Either way, Olympia prides itself in its generosity and their grand displays, and so refugees are urged to learn more about their artifacts by spending the night in Palace Court. Though, someone should probably mention that there are rumors of strange, almost occult things happening around these relics at night. People speak of armored soldiers casting shadows that have the ability to walk on their own, or gemstones that catch the moonlight in a certain way and show you visions. But those are just silly ghost stories, right? TALL TALES OF KHALO VILLAGE     Because of Khalo's proximity to Wyver, it's no surprise that they would catch wind of the peace talks between Wyver and Olympia. In response, for the first time in centuries, Khalo Village has willingly granted passage to outsiders — but visitors will immediately find out that one cannot just simply walk into the village. Visitors will need to inhale the smoke of a fyrra herb in order to enter the premises without falling into slumber. Khalo is notably different than what refugees are used to. Visitors, specifically refugees, will find that they are exceedingly accommodating. The Khali are very intrigued by the outsiders, thus they're treated with much respect and given instant access to some of the best lounges and fyrra the village has to offer. In exchange, the village is interested in hearing about your journey thus far. Whether it be through a conversation with another individual or the Khali themselves, they'll very likely to have been eavesdropping and recording the tales of their exploits. Why, exactly? Perhaps it will not be immediately clear, but if you happened upon a venasou, a tamed Khali creature, it may have guided you to their Enchanted Library. Upon entering the library, visitors will notice that it is quite the happening place — but not because it's occupied by the Khali, but because there seems to be an assembly of magical quills seemingly writing on their own. The quills are mostly undisturbed by the intrusion and will not stop writing even if parchment is taken from it; it will simply produce another piece of paper and continue its tales. If you happen to read the parchment, you may notice that there is a daunting similarity between your story and the ones being written here. Tales of Thesa birthing new races and sending them from the sky, for example, are very popular in Khalo Village. They mark July 15th as the day in which the Moon Goddess, Thesa, created more people in her image and brought them to El Nysa as saviors. The coincidences don't end there: specifics about your home world might be found in the writings if you search deeply enough — but it's not without its exaggerations. These stories are given all sorts of poetic and literary forms, from short stories to limericks, biographies to something similar to haiku. If asked, the Khali will inform visitors that the enchanted library has access to vague parts of your memories, and thus it is duty-bound to record. The Khali have not seen stories as strange as the ones being made by refugees, which is largely why they are interested in them. NOTE: This is entirely optional! You may make up your own "stories" (fanfiction) and it could be as accurate or inaccurate, or as serious or silly as you'd like. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors of the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works — KING AND KIN. If one is willing to delve deep, they may also find parts of Wyver's past that have been removed from their own archives. These pages will recount the tales of Shanrian and Rasyc. Though a lot of the narrative seems to divide at certain points in the story, it becomes obvious with some quick reading that Rasyc is not only the son of Shanrian, but that he glorifies the Wyver of old, more bloodthirsty and brutal than it is today. Unlike his father, he does not take kindly to Olympia and the threat they will always pose for their people. He has not forgotten Olympia's past sins and he believes that, in his foolish quest for peace, the king has gone soft and no longer possesses the real will to fight. His present voice in affairs of state is not a loud one, as he chooses to speak in whispers and move in the dead of silence. In these quiet murmurings, he boasts of his unwavering belief in the power and dignity of his people. Of how they should all return to what they once were — the kingdom, its citizens, and naturally the father who he had once admired greatly. Though perhaps it can be argued that any estranged son would wish the same. It's difficult to pinpoint what becomes political and what is and always will be more personal for him. But, it hardly matters. It's clear that Rasyc will stop at nothing to achieve his objectives, even if it means never returning to place he calls home. Even if it means turning his back on his own father, Shanrian, King of Wyver... DRAGONFIRE. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors to the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works. In particular, tales of Ysverai, the last of Wyver's great high dragons. Ysverai is most commonly known for being slain by Olympia’s past king and legendary hero, Nithor, but here in Khalo he is depicted in another light. Ysverai is known to the Khali people as a wise being, old as the first inhabitants that walked El Nysa. The creature spoke in the common tongue to the early settlers, guiding them to refuge when his kin began to dominate the land at the cost of its own isolation. It ultimately becomes a tale of sacrifice, for its stand with Nithor became a testament against the Olympian Empire's long reaching influence. At the bottom, there is a quotation: Your hearts will fill with greed and malice the moment my own stops beating. Take care in the Eye of the Storm. Find strength in one another, before it is too late. It seems to end there. Refugees are naturally allowed to question the natives. However, keep in mind that many of their replies will seem more like speculation than fact. But maybe that can be fun too? If you have no interest in the library and the tales they've woven, feel free to explore any of the other areas of interest. Khalo Village is thrilled to be open for you all. THOSE THAT SEEK PEACE, AND THOSE THAT SEEK --     The morning of the 20th is marked by fairly dismal weather. The sky is overcast and a downpour seems imminent. Regardless of the poor forecast, those who signed up to assist in this mission will be required to come early in order to receive their briefing. Members of Group A: ▸ Jon Snow (song_of_ice) ▸ Daenerys Targaryen (dorzalta) ▸ Loras Tyrell (triplerose) ▸ Terra (earthy) ▸ Alisaie Leveilleur (adelphoi) ▸ Solider: 76 (personalwar) ▸ Ardyn Izunia (daemonized) ▸ Mai(maipokerface) ▸ Olivier Armstrong (wallsofbriggs) ▸ Atsushi Nakajima (gekkajuu) Members of Group B: ▸ Kale (kaleorbekaled) ▸ Diana Prince (wondie) ▸ Pheonix Wright (objectionattourney) ▸ Revolver Ocelot (shashka) ▸ Frederick (pebblestone) ▸ John Sheppard (impavid ▸ Ianto Jones (torchwoodteaboy) ▸ Lena Oxton (quevarly) ▸ Allura (quintessent) Due to the rain, members of Group A will have to immediately stop by the checkpoint at the East Watchtower. Additionally, the Royal Guard and Knightryders are well-prepared with extra cloaks for those who may require it. They also will provide basic refreshments such as water and bread. People are encouraged to take what they need prior to their departure on this mission. The checkpoints are a bit far between, after all. Members of the envoy will also be encouraged to utilize this time to become familiar with one another. Maybe some introductions are in order? You never know who will end up having your back... For both groups, the paths will be relatively straightforward with evenly spaced checkpoints along the way. The only issue seems to be the downpour, really. The rain is unforgiving and the roads easily become unstable and increasingly difficult for the carriage to be drawn through. Hence, there may be more than one occasion where you will be expected to lend a hand in prying out its wheels from a particularly pesky (and muddy) pothole. Or perhaps you will be called upon by a fellow guard to assist in getting a particularly stubborn creature out of the path ahead of you. Seems like it may be a longer journey than you expected. Dirtier, too. While weathering the conditions may have been a bit tiring, this journey isn't too bad, right? Well, maybe not. GROUP A. Once the carriage gets through the worst of the terrain and finally manages to depart from the watchtower, it won't be long until the group is met with a physical roadblock. A large tree trunk will be set down the center of the road, acting as a blockade. But, before the group can react or begin crafting a plan around this obstruction, the carriage will be attacked without warning. At first, it's unclear where the attack comes from or from whom, but you don't have the leisure to deliberate this. You hear one of your fellow guards mention something about bandits frequenting these parts, but maybe there's more to it? Either way, your task is clear: protect the artifact, Nithor's skull, and fight the bandits off. You'll be encouraged to try and capture them so that they may later be turned and questioned by the authorities. GROUP B. With clear motives to restock and collect a few more materials for the carriage, it's evident that the envoy will appear restless to arrive at the second checkpoint. However, despite their unspoken delight at seeing the South Outpost from a distance, it's clear something has gone awry. There will be several hooded figures awaiting them right where the mud path meets the cobblestone of the Outpost's road. Soon, several more of these figures will come to flank them from both sides. While they seem like bandits, at least from their physical appearance, there is something far more polished in their movements. They will be attacking the envoy in concise, practiced formations. For those who are more perceptive, it becomes obvious that they are moving around and acting as decoy to one central figure. This member is likely the "leader" of their group, but no matter how one may try to close the distance between themselves and this mysterious leader, someone will constantly get in the way of that. The fighting also seems to act as a distraction since by the time everything is cleared up... only two things are missing. The leader of this group of bandits and more importantly — Ysverai's heart. NOTE: Those RNG'd to thread out the capture and questioning of the bandits will have starters below. For everyone else that signed up, you will still have the opportunity to capture the assailants even though they were not selected to thread the interrogation; you are free to make up your NPCs with the same basic guideline: they will not reveal their motive or their organization. You may turn them in to authorities (Wyver or Olympia or otherwise) or find creative ways to get rid of them. FINAL OOC NOTE     To reiterate: you may use this log as a general mingle for everything from the May Outline, including all Khalo Village activities. In other words, your top-levels don't necessarily have to be related to the prompts written here. An AC-eligible thread in which your character participates in anything mentioned in the May Outline and/or Khalo Village location page may be submitted for 2 REP POINT FOR EITHER OLYMPIA OR WYVER. SUBMIT THE THREAD FOR OLYMPIA OR WYVER HERE OR HERE RESPECTIVELY BY June 10th 11:59 PM EST. For those who participated in this month's plot-related portion, to receive IC recognition for it, a summary of the thread must be submitted HERE by June 8th 11:59 PM EST. Please direct all queries to the question thread below. Thank you, and have fun! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Luckily they seem to be the only humans hanging around the pool. Naked Khali are a thing, but at least there’s only a couple, and they’re a good distance away.]

I don’t think it’s the bathing itself that he hates, just the exposure.

[At least he never seemed to smell bad?]

He was awake before, right?

[And Atsushi is still alive, which means either Aku didn’t succeed in killing him (again) or just didn’t try hard enough.]

He wasn’t such a bad guy. To me, at least. Had a stick up his ass, but not a bad guy.

[colorature]

_{[Stopping isn't an option as far as Diva's concerned. Kissing Atsushi is as fun as it is pleasurable and for a glutton like Diva it only makes sense to indulge, especially when the Fyrra has heightened the desire within her. The loud moan gets her to grin against Atsushi's mouth, pleased as punch, knowing she drew that reaction out of him. She wants to hear more, wants him at her mercy...so she rocks het hips forward again, breaking the kiss for a moment to get a better look at him.]}

Feel good?

[braidedwonder]

True.. though I'd wonder why they'd have such a needy system when they're able to literally conjure up my entire damn gundam. [ But then again, the more he learned about the Natha or observed, the less things made 100% sense. He's sure that eventually things may fit in together or something, but at the moment it's all kind of an annoying jumble that he's trying to piece together.

It's only natural that a guy who spent so much time tying to infiltrate militarys and the like wanted to find out all the base cause of most things, right? ]

Then I guess you might wanna see Deathscythe, uh?

[braidedwonder]

.. I think most people tend to like to be in control of themselves and what's happening, you know? [ It takes a very special person to not want control of things in their lives, to allow other people total freedom. These days he could never be that person, though his childhood self probably had relinquished the reigns for a little while whilst he'd been in pilot training.

But then again a few years ago he's been a much different person in general. ]

Most people who don't want control do it this way to forget for a minute.. [ Duo laughs, thinking he could probably use that but is definitely unable. ]

I bet some people also just don't want others laughing at them if they're a little more tipsy than someone else, too. Not everyone's gonna have a good reaction though.

[gekkajuu]

[Maybe figs have unknown BO-blocking effects... REVELATION!]

M-hm...

[Yes, Akutagawa had been awake. It hadn't been as bad as expected - not with Atsushi working himself up in a panic before ever seeing the guy, training hard for the day of their inevitable confrontation - but it had still... been Akutagawa.]

That's easy for Chuuya-san to say. [Pouting, Atsushi lets himself sink deeper into the water, until his lips remain just barely over its surface.] He's wanted to kill me from the moment we met.

[gekkajuu]

[Breaking the kiss mid-rock is the worst - or best - move ever, making Atsushi's moan suddenly loud before he's left gasping for air. His face feels like it might be exploding soon, but he doesn't even have the time to be embarrassed about that.]

Y-Yes... That is -...

[How do you gently tell a girl that you have a boner and you're very sorry!? Not that she can't feel it already, but it seems polite to bring it up himself...]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[That or Rashomon just eats the stank. We’ll never know.]

Can’t deny that.

[Chuuya remembers the ranting.]

It’s not because of you personally, though. I think. I dunno, I’m just guessing.

[It’s not like Akutagawa ever opened his heart to Chuuya, but Atsushi should know exactly why Akutagawa hates him so much.

It’s Chuuya’s turn to sink further into the water, but not enough to get his hat wet.]

If he does wake up again then you won’t have to worry about him killing you.

[Because Chuuya wouldn’t let him, but shh. If there’s anyone that can tame an Aku it’s Chuuya.]

[colorature]

<sub>[She likes bearing that. It's validating in a way other things aren't to her. Sure, her Chevaliers bent over backwards for her and others wanted her for various reasons, but this is removed from all of that. Atsushi is genuine when he says she's really pretty and that he's fond of her. He's not afraid of her either, even though he probably should be.

Best of all though is the face he's making right now is because of her and her alone.]</sub>

Hmm? That is?

[summertimeblues]

[Where are you getting this logic, cease and desist

The kid is failing basic social pleasantries. He ought to not expect much, considering the wide swathe of temperaments and backgrounds gathered up by the storm. Even so, the haughtiness is...irritating.

To the doubts voiced, Richie paints on a grin too wry to be without second meaning.]

You know, I think I'd be just peachy.

[He'd gone through the works once already, and he's died once here. By all rights he's a horror show veteran.

Richie's on his feet in no time and rolling his shoulders back, working out the cricks of sleep.] It came from this way, yes?

[He starts towards a shadowy hall, moving swiftly perhaps in spite of his own hesitations. It could very well be anything, and he's hardly overcome with bravado. Annoyance, then? Just a very keen need to Get This Over With.]

What was your name, by the way?

[steponme]

Wait, what is writing now--

[Ah.]

...well, at least it's accurate this time.

[That counts for something, right??]

[steponme]

[But what would give him a reason to?? That's just ominous!!]

[But okay, this time is a little different. And he does as Chuuya instructs, wrapping his arms around him with a little flush of his cheeks--]

[Which is going to tighten considerably when they actually shoot off into the air. H-He's not afraid of heights, really, he just has a perfectly normal fear of falling!!]

[summertimeblues]

[Richie laughs. It's a seventy-thirty balance of genuine mirth and brine-sour salt.] You and me both, pal.

[Could likely jot that down on a resume. Monster fighter extraordinaire: I hate doing it but it's the path the world chose for me.

John's got the lights covered while Richie takes up navigation. He misses Eds, good ol' compass-head that he was. Even if Thesa wasn't quite the struggle that Derry's labyrinth of sewer pipes was he can't help yearning for the surety of his presence.

Jump-scare atmospherics demand a certain amount of compliance. Richie cranks down the volume on his chatter to a rough twenty percent, but even whispers seem to echo in the hollowed tin of the ship.]

Remind me again what you did before you came here? I remember something about the armed forces, but if you're counting in computer talk and decking monsters, I'm gonna be a bit suspicious of what Uncle Sam asked of you.

[impavid]

Well, I'll admit the original job description didn't exactly match the day to day. Bad case of scope creep.

[ You know, one minute you're piloting helicopters in job purgatory in Antarctica then the next you're piloting a space ship because you're related to someone distantly and suddenly people want you working for them.

He slows and directs his light up a little as everything shudders and fades again, winces slightly as it all begins to light back up. ]

So, you know, my career ended up a little more rounded than I planned in terms of experience.

[impavid]

[ Honestly, he warned you about the cliches. ]

Guess we'll find out in a minute.

[ So this is John, casually palming his knife and clasping his hands behind his back as he approaches the... line. ]

Hey folks, it's been a long trip so far so I hope you've got some tea ready --

[ Which is about as far as he gets before they begin to move. ]

[inaurare]

[a light shake of his head]

Mmm. I didn't know ships could go in the air... they mostly just go on water where I'm from. But I've never been in one...

yo just wanted to say bless for using Heart's Barracuda on your Mantis log, that's my #1 oldies jam

[summertimeblues]

For one, you're too heavy at the crotch and too light on the chest.

[Translation: needs more boobs and less balls. Other specifics could be named but hey, they've got all the time in the world to razz each other later. They might as well gather some good ammo first. From the little they've spoken so far Richie estimates it's gonna come part and parcel with conversation.

Perfect. Speaking his language, this Peter Quill is.

His aesthetics, not so much. Richie casts a look around the bar that speaks volumes. Not of suspicion, not of fear. More just a long, unblinking, "Really?"

He settles into the seat next to the man with one last glance over the shoulder, snorting under his breath at the shady game of dice being tussled over in the back corner, and outright snickering at the modifier Peter begs for.]

Good thing you remembered. Who knows how many extra appendages we'd sprout if you kept the lip zipped? [Can't even trust your own bartender. Fuck, he can't stand this place. The man slides them a pair of tumblrs, bronze-cast and with some tar-black swill swishing against the sides. It reeks of turpentine.

At last, he casts that raised brow on his gracious host. Richie's reaching for the glass but hell if he's not passing judgment.]

Should I be on alert for an ambush kidney harvest, or do you just feel better flying under the long arm of the law?

[Why would this be anyone's first pick of a gin joint?]

[shashka]

If Ocelot is bothered, he doesn't look it. In fact, despite the situation, he looks downright relaxed. Sure, it had been a shame that he, personally, hadn't gotten the chance to question any of the attackers, but there were worse things that could happen. When the man returns to the general group, Ocelot lightly twirls one of his revolvers, before looking over at him.

"Can't say that I'm surprised. There's more than a few people around that are interested in keeping up this cold war."

He wonders if they can get any more useful information out of "Betty", and if not, why she's still breathing.

[willrevile]

"That's about the size of it," he says. Sounds like John didn't need to make this stop, but he'll humor things. "They're not fully invulnerable when they're hopped up on it, but more annoying to take down than a human. One ignored a couple of hits from a phaser on a high stun setting, but getting punched in the face put him out."

Knock yourself out, Ianto. Jim offered him run of the place, after all.

"They're fanatics, all of them. Even the few remaining who've pleaded innocent, I don't particularly trust. Prior to the riots a few months back, they weren't regarded with such open suspicion, because - as far as I know - there wasn't anything to suggest they were ever up to anything sinister, just your basic, weirdo dragon-worshiping, magic-experimenting cult. They were even open to helping refugees learn about the culture here. Either there was an abrupt internal change, or the majority of them were playing a good, quiet long game.

"During the riots, they passed out tainted blood under the guise of it being a normal cultural ritual - which it was, except this time, the blood had the side-effect of turning anyone who drank it into a violent berserker. The same effect that a gas released in Olympia at the same time had. They were behind kidnappings in Wyver then, and they were behind the mass kidnappings here later, where refugees were taken, held, and tortured.

They use magic, usually through the form of potions they drink or poisons used on others, but they're inventive, so I wouldn't expect them to be limited to that anymore. I can't imagine there are many left, though. Wyver doesn't have much in the way of safe accommodations for prisoners. They weren't prepared to be taken alive. Was there magic being used in the attack on the convoy?"

[inaurare]

[a little smile back in the face of that gaze- catching it a moment and dropping it.]

Thank you. I will remember.

[He knows the feelings Chuuya is describing all too well - and he could have asked whether he was really so obvious. Instead-]

But doesn't it hang over us all? The places we've lost, the people...

[he's not unique, in any sense. They have all lost - all have someone in stasis up on the station. And he doesn't imagine himself even a moment to be alone, in the things he has experienced. The upsets may be different for every person, but no pain is more or less valid than another.]

[inaurare]

[that makes him chuckle a bit more.]

And those who never had control in the first place, what of them? Do you find they tend to be more controlling of what they can, or less?

[asking for a friend? There was a time, after all, that Linneus had so little say in the direction of his own life that he grasped for the few decisions he could make. Every one of those decisions had backfired terribly]

...is this a good or a bad reaction?

[the colours are noise-some and his arms feel rubbery, still but he feels a little bit giddy.]

[impavid]

"This sounds like a Thursday," John drawls, but -- "no magic, no, they were mostly hired thugs with sharp things. Maybe the association with the shamans was meant to be a secret. Especially if they're playing the long game. Stop us heading in any too-obvious direction after them. I've seen people hopped up stuff like that before, though. Stuff that makes you violent and angry. Is it addictive?"

Or just weird, because addictive and also weird substances that make you hyper strong are especially bad. John flips the chair he's standing beside around and straddles it, moves his bag onto the table and begins rummaging before squinting up at Ianto again.

"You sure? I've got some painkillers here."

He pulls some out of a pocket, followed by what looks to be a sealed bottle of water. John wasn't quite sure if tap water would be safe out here.

[braidedwonder]

From experience? [ Duo turns, a brow raised, toward Linneus, though that easy smile still remains. ] More. A lot more.

Kinda like givin' a kid the toy they've never been allowed to have before so far as I can tell.

[ Duo laughs despite the fact he's just implied that he'd never had that much control over his life until recently. Sure, he'd made a few key decisions, but it's only since he'd taken full control of his gundam and the like that things have gotten more than a bit.. controlling.

Or liking of control? He's not sure what the correct terms are, really. ]

Well you aren't sitting here freaking out so I'd say pretty good. Some people go a little...

Euhhh I dunno the right word. Wild?

[torchwoodteaboy]

All of this is useful if deeply unsettling information. Ianto frowns as he cuts a few slices of the bread off for them to eat, listening to Jim's explanation and wondering whether he too could trust anything about a cult who drank the blood of mythical beasts and now apparently went about resurrecting them to raze whole cities to the ground. At least that's the idea, anyway. The poor creatures.

Snagging a piece of bread, he's halfway through his first warm, fresh bite when John pulls his first punch. Ianto's eyes track warily between the two men with him, as though this were some sort of trap (because in a way, he knows it is). He's damned if he doesn't accept John's offer, in case his headache increases. And damned if he does, because then he'll know to call him on his bluff and who knows what will happen then. Will he insist he'll have to stay behind, while he runs headfirst into danger again? Like hell he'd agree to that.

"I thought you said I wasn't to take any," he dodges, carefully. And anyway what happened to your face, he wants to counter, but Jim is there and it's perhaps the only thing that saves him. Speaking of -- Ianto turns to the other man and tries to deflect again. "You said you'd had dealings with him before as well? Rasyc, that is?" He hadn't texted John everything they'd talked about last night, after all. Is there anything Jim hasn't said yet that he's missing? (Deflect, deflect...)

[impavid]

John shoots a not-so-subtle glance at the revolvers and clamps down on some jealousy. Really, having some guns right about now would be nice. Why does this guy get trusted with guns and he doesn't?

"Well, seems like Betty is among them. See, Betty here tells me her shaman buddies have a whole bunch of weird hobbies and among them is the particularly disturbing trick of bringing things back from the dead. Apparently that's what they want to do with the creepy heart."

Bring it back from the dead. He's not sure if it's really plausible with just a heart but you know, even the concept that it might be is a little... disturbing and alarming both. He drops to begin making sure she's restrained, frowning a little as he turns it allover.

[pebblestone]

[ A short farewell it is, Frederick giving her no space to retreat. She runs; he follows, spurring his horse into a gallop in order to cut her off as he circles around in front of her. ]

If it's so long, surely a few extra days' worth of delay won't make a difference. Will you come quietly?

[ He'll give her the illusion of choice, at least. ]