V reclines on the large canopied bed. The walls of her quarters have been painted red and room itself has been decorated with a variety of plush animals, macabre dolls, and various machine parts. She sits upright and uses her left hand to move a strand of platinum hair out of her face. She then picks up the blue crystal laying beside her and points it at the Audio Transmitter on the far side of the room.
The appliance whirs to life with a sounds of internal gears. A still, monochrome, holographic image of two figures is projected above the speaker- One of them is a hulking lizard man dressed in slacks and suspenders, sporting a wide brim hat. To his left is a petite human woman with curly hair, dressed in an evening gown and corset and holding a parasol. Transmitter begins emitting sound- only static at first and then-
Billy Bob: "WHoo! I’m Billy Bob the Cro’gal and this is my lovely assistant Penelope! And we are back at it again on Billy Bob’s Weapon Revue- where we get the first look at cutting edge martial technology before they hit the Titans guild armories and consequently the black markets!
"Now I know what you’re thinking how did a Cro’gal get his own audio show, a hot human assistant, AND first look at the most mouth watering weapons and tech before everyone else- to which I say mind your own damn business before I eat your face! I’m kidding of course- but that’s a story for another time. For now let's get down to business!
"First on our list is the Poltergeist Six Shooter (PG for short). This Revolver class hexgun can hold up to six different rounds of spellshot. With it, you can rain down, Ice, Fire, lightning and more on your enemies. It may be called PG but the results are at least NC-17."
Penelope: "Please sir, don’t break the fourth wall during the show."
Billy Bob: "Sorry Penelope- I get carried away. It’s just so cool! I'll let you take this one away!"
Penelope: "As before stated- The PG can hold up to six different source crystals. It is also fully capable of handling a variety of elemental ammunition but for the sake of consistency we recommend doubling up on three different spellshot rounds. That way, your attack stream is more focused and if you run out, you don’t have to reload quite as often.
"This one I have here is a fully functional prototype- Now Observe as I engage our targets."
Billy Bob: "She’s gonna blast the shit out of 'em!"
Penelope: "Indeed. Fire "
*There is a terrible destructive roar, and back on the bed- V holds her mouth in excitement.*
"Ice"
*A violent, high pitched sound as if from an exploding brass bell*
"and... Lightning"
*The sound of electricity viciously striking something- perhaps a church... or an orphanage- thinks V*
Billy Bob: "Gods! I love her! Now for the reeeeally good stuff! Next up we have the Valkyrie. This is unlike anything to grace the battlefield up until this point. These beauties are Synthetic Ghosts capable of thaumaturgy and other wonders!
Penelope: "True- The Valkyries the latest in the cutting-edge ether technology from the many faced Barlow Company. These entities are fully programmed assistants endowed with the absolute best in Pseudo Intelligence- that is the say they are very nearly sentient. They come with a variety of skins and can appear a host of classical angels and faeries and can provide a multitude of services.
"Tracking, Targeting, healing spells, and battle magick. As long as their end user crystal has been properly charged and programmed."
Billy Bob: "They’re so awesome! They’re like faeries that can blow stuff up!!! Mine’s called Lucy! Lucy- use the death beam!"
*A metalic, feminine voice says "Valkyrie System engaged" and there is droning sound followed by the sound of a massive explosion.* Transmission end
V leaps to her feet, and begins dancing on the bed. "They featured my work!" V nearly screams it, as she raises her hands above her head and moves her hips and torso in a belly dance inspired move. "They featured my work!" She performs an exaggerated hip rotation, "Billy Bob the fucking Cro'gal bought one of my Valkyries!!!" She leans forward rapidly wiggling her hips and posterior in a practiced manner. "They featured- oh!"
V stops suddenly, and checks the timepiece on the thin, gold chain around her neck- which hangs below the tight leather collar. She presses the switch, opening the device and exposing the watch face. She steps down off of the bed and hastily exits the room. V then travels down the lengthy hallway toward the ship's bridge- It is time to collect the others.
........................................................................................................................................
"Where is this ship of yours?" Payne asks in a bemused manner. He is currently standing outside his gated mansion with the three Crystal Pirates. They are flanked on all sides by a company of interns. "It'll be here. V probably got a little sidetracked." Replies Percival. "They're not stepping foot on the ship." Says Anemone, indicating the emaciated servants.
"Gods no, Miss Stheno. Who else would upkeep my humble abode while I am off adventuring with you lovely degenerates?" Payne says with a wink, and Anemone visibly gags. "So let me get this straight," Begins Aphrodite. "You want us to accompany you to your old Laboratory- in the Unbroken- to retrieve notes?" Payne smiles patiently, "Why yes, Miss Athantus. They are very important to me, and my mission. Once we are done here, you have my word that your dear friend will have her freedom."
The air above them starts to shimmer as Persephone shifts out of camouflage, and the massive airship is now visible. The craft is a white icosahedron with a rust-colored balloon attached to its top. Each of Persephone's sides carry the etching of various arcane glyphs. "How long has it been there?" Payne asks, obviously caught off guard. "Probably long enough for V to wonder why we're out here with you instead of Nyxxa." Replies Percival.
"By the way," He says. "Prepare yourself." And gives a signal with his left hand. "Prepare for Wha-oooooh!" One of Persephone's sides pulse with light- illuminating the Glyph for "Gravity" and with that Percival, Anemone, Aphrodite, and Payne are lifted high into the air toward the ship. The interns below, whimper in awe at the spectacle. As they near the ship, a doorway opens to allow their entry.
Percival enters first, and once inside he and the others follow the series of hallways leading up to the ship's bridge. As the three Pirates cross the threshold, Payne stays planted in the archway, "Mr. Grimm I have never seen anything like this in my life." Payne's voice is rich with awe, and genuine childlike wonder. "This is like something out of the Faerie stories."
Percival can hardly blame the Magister for his reaction. The Captain has been in his share of airships, especially in the last five years- and none of them had been anything like Persephone. The Bridge looks like the inside of a cave, complete with a pristine waterfall. Large, glowing, mushrooms and crystals decorate and light the interior. A massive dome shaped window provides visuals for the outside world.
Behind the window, there is a cluster of alien controls (really not that confusing, once you get the hang of it.) as well as two seats, one of them is occupied. Upon their arrival, V spins her chair to face them. V is tall and slender with long, platinum white hair and bright blue eyes. A series of interlocking tattooed gears, decorate the pale skin of her hands and arms. Her face is accentuated with black lipstick and eyeliner.
She is wearing a black corset and a skirt that is shorter in the front, with a slightly longer trim in the back. Her boots, like Percival and Anemones have a profusion of straps and buckles. "Hiiiii... Um.. Why's Nyxxa disguised as a middle aged man?" She asks. "This is Magister Lawrance Payne, V. " Replies Percival. Payne gives a respectful bow.
"I had already ascertained that you work for the Crystal Pirates- but I always pictured you different... older. You're probably barely any older than Mr. Grimm here. But you're Victoria Barlow!" V's eyes narrow "That's 'V' to you, cock-puppet." As Payne mouths ‘cock puppet?’ V turns to Percival, "Explain." Percival recounts the day’s events with V listening patiently.
“So… You own an army of adolescent slaves, and now you’re blackmailing us into dungeon crawling for you, because you have Nyxxa chained up in your study… naked. Is that everything?” She says to Payne once Percival finishes. "First off, they are Interns Miss V. Secondly, a simple trek into an abandoned laboratory is hardly a dungeon- and I should hope there will be no crawling." V rolls her eyes and Payne continues, "and Finally, she was already unclothed when I found her."
Anemone scoffs, "Yeah and you having her bound in silver on your floor isn't suspect at all." Payne takes a patient breath, "If I were truly a monster, I would have used Iron, Miss Stheno." From the bridge's window Teyathus's twin moons, Flame and Frost can be seen in close proximity to one another. The two orbs, one sapphire and one blood-red shine faintly against the backdrop of a darkening sky. "Okay, well I'm gonna nap- we can get started in a couple hours." Announces Percival.
"A couple hours? I see no reason why we can't leave now- It will take a half day to get to Dhassarata in the first place." Interjects Payne. Percival, who is almost to the bridge's exit stops to address the Magister. "It may be hard for you to believe Payne, but my ship is really fucking fast."
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Percival becomes conscious at some point during his nap. Conscious but still unable to move. Sleep paralysis- as a boy it used to terrify him, but now it is the perfect time to meditate and process. Besides... it's also the perfect time to talk to her. 'Okay,' he says in his mind 'you have something to say, just say it' at first nothing happens, but soon Percival becomes aware of another presence at the foot of his large bed.
Through half open eyes he is able to see her- her skin so luminous, she appears to be made of light. Her hair is a shimmering Opal. Her eyes in their entirety are black as the abyss. "Hello lovely," She says, her voice is like a series of otherworldly bells. "That doesn't look very comfortable, why don't you sit up." She says. Percival visualizes himself sitting upright and it is soon so- his physical body remains motionless below him, while his astral form is free to move.
"You cut your hair." She says plainly. "Do you like it?" Asks Percival. The Girl-Fey, Dyonisia, giggles softly. "I do. It suits you." More bells, beckoning- maddening. "So... hi." She says. "Hi." Percival says back. The two of them sit in silence for what could have been an small eternity. "That man- Lawrance Payne. He cannot be trusted." She says at last.
"I know." Replies Percival. "Yet you will still go with him?" Dyonisia continues. "I have to. He has Nyxxa." The Ada Sith, is suddenly directly behind him, her luminous arms wrapped around his torso. "Such loyalty... you risk much. Much that isn't yours- your life belongs to me, lovely." She says softly into his ear. "Only for five more years." Percival replies, "and you're totally sitting on my face right now." He adds with a wry smirk.
"You love it." She replies, "Five more years... and then you'll be done with me I suppose." She says, a little sadly. "Perhaps," He replies. "Perhaps not." Dyonisia squeezes him and he feels the tightness of her embrace even in his astral body. "Well... we can cross that bridge when we get to it. But until then you're not allowed to throw your life away." Her hand finds his chin, and sharply turns his head to the side to face her.
"Do you not think I could best him?" Asks Percival, staring into the Lady's eyes is like staring into the void itself... "You can destroy him... and he doesn't know it. He thinks you have no power." She says, suddenly delighted. "It will be enjoyable to watch. But I will warn you- once he knows what you are. Once he sees the gifts I've given you... he will try to kill you, lovely.
"When he does... sacrifice him in my name. That is my request." and with that she kisses him. Even with her otherworldly form, her lips are soft, her tongue is warm and wet. After a moment- or many moments, they separate and she releases her hold on Percival's face. "Just remember, the tricks I taught you- your use is limited. Choose your moment should it arrive."
And with that- she's gone, leaving Percival alone in his astral form.
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