Era 8 Episode 2

[Lord Ruler Sylphrena He/Him]

12 hours ago, Steel Speedster said:

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Fenna looked up as the Returned entered the room. "I've made my decision, as I promised," Fenna said, standing. "I will help you. But I have some terms. Firstly, I will not do what you say blindly--trusting a stranger is what got me into this scrape in the first place. If you don't keep secrets from me, I won't keep them from you. Secondly, I will choose my own payment when I am ready. Do you accept?"

Vane, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

"This is excellent news and I gladly accept. If you want to receive your payment later I'll try to find something that would be sufficient collateral until then. We will have to find a adequate disguise for you however none of the guards should be able to recognize you at a glance. I'm sure the two of us can accomplish great things together starting with exiting the derelict bar.

[Lunamor she/her]

On 5/15/2025 at 12:25 PM, Lord Ruler Sylphrena said:

Vane, New Hallandren

Vane had spent the last couple hours pacing. Window shopping and getting dinner had done nothing to relax him. He didn't like waiting around for things but if he returned too early he thought he might scare her off. Hopefully convincing her would be easier now that she has had sufficient time to consider the benefits of his proposal. Hopefully she hadn't run into anyone else before he came back, he hadn't actually bothered to learn her name so tracking her down would be near impossible.

It was beginning to get later in the day and Vane hoped to spend the night pursuing leads and tracking down some of his contacts. He had been planning on making some purchases of aluminum clothes and weapons to enhance his arsenal however most of the aluminum flowing into the district had been bought up. If someone was trying to acquire a lot of weaponry particularly aluminum weaponry tracking down some of their suppliers might be a start. If that didn't go anywhere he could always wait. People didn't buy so many weapons if they weren't planning on using them for something big.

Vane decided he would finish the chouta he was having on his way back to the bar. It probably still wasn't six hours since they last met but he doubted that either of them was keeping track of the time. He kept a brisk pace and was able to find his way back despite not entirely remembering where the bar was. Despite her initial refusal he felt a kind of kinship with the Metalborn. Having to hide out in abandoned buildings and not knowing who you could trust. It reminded Vane of himself when he was fleeing Nalthis. Hemalurgy had managed to provide him certainty and safety and he was sure it would do the same for her if she accepted. He drank a vial of zinc and reentered the bar this time he would get a definitive answer.

After a few hours of sitting obscured inside of an alleyway, keeping her iron on a low burn, Eza saw those tell-tale corrupted lines enter the edge of her vision. She recognized them as the same three from the spikes of the hemalurgist she was waiting for.

Eza skulked closer to the inn once the man passed her, darting into the gap between it and the adjacent building. She frowned when he pulled out the vial which thousands of tiny zinc-tinged lines pointed to. That meant he could riot emotions. Could he use that to manipulate Fenna?

18 hours ago, Steel Speedster said:

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Fenna looked up as the Returned entered the room. "I've made my decision, as I promised," Fenna said, standing. "I will help you. But I have some terms. Firstly, I will not do what you say blindly--trusting a stranger is what got me into this scrape in the first place. If you don't keep secrets from me, I won't keep them from you. Secondly, I will choose my own payment when I am ready. Do you accept?"

Eza bowed her head upon hearing the woman’s words, not sure if she felt disappointed, angry, or just sad. At the very least she knew that calling the unnatural deaths of three people “payment” disgusted her.

Maybe Fenna was being manipulated by rioting. Maybe the guy was cheating and forcing her to do something she didn’t actually want to do. Maybe that was just wishful, naïve thinking. Even if rioting was involved, it wasn’t like you got total control over someone. It probably didn’t matter anyways. The deal had been struck, and she had a feeling it would be exceedingly difficult to worm one’s way out of it.

It appeared that Eza was entirely worthless when it came to trying to save others. Mother, Lum, Eighth, many constables, and now Fenna had been lost despite her best efforts. Perhaps even because of her best efforts.

She felt something cool press against her palm and looked downward. She’d subconsciously grabbed the hilt of one of her daggers. Silently drawing the blade and staring at her distorted reflection in its beautiful, shiny surface, Eza realized that there was one thing she wasn’t worthless for. She could still remember the tearing sensation of that knife forcing its way through a monster’s throat, how her weapon had briefly fought to escape her grasp before snapping back to obedience. It had only taken a fraction of a second to strike the killing blow.

She might not be capable of being a savior, but she could be an exterminator.

@Steel Speedster

@Lord Ruler Sylphrena

Quote

Editing to add that you can feel free to have your characters notice Eza hiding if you’d like to (I don’t want to derail the plot too much, though, so it’s completely up to you how visible she is). She’s rather distracted and on some level currently doesn’t care if she gets spotted or not. My girl’s in a stabbin’ mood.

 

Edited May 20, 2025 by Lunamor
Phrasing

[Steel Speedster ♂]

7 hours ago, Lord Ruler Sylphrena said:

Vane, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

"This is excellent news and I gladly accept. If you want to receive your payment later I'll try to find something that would be sufficient collateral until then. We will have to find a adequate disguise for you however none of the guards should be able to recognize you at a glance. I'm sure the two of us can accomplish great things together starting with exiting the derelict bar.

 

7 hours ago, Lunamor said:

After a few hours of sitting obscured inside of an alleyway, keeping her iron on a low burn, Eza saw those tell-tale corrupted lines enter the edge of her vision. She recognized them as the same three from the spikes of the hemalurgist she was waiting for.

Eza skulked closer to the inn once the man passed her, darting into the gap between it and the adjacent building. She frowned when he pulled out the vial which thousands of tiny zinc-tinged lines pointed to. That meant he could riot emotions. Could he use that to manipulate Fenna?

Eza bowed her head upon hearing the woman’s words, not sure if she felt disappointed, angry, or just sad. At the very least she knew that calling the unnatural deaths of three people “payment” disgusted her.

Maybe Fenna was being manipulated by rioting. Maybe the guy was cheating and forcing her to do something she didn’t actually want to do. Maybe that was just wishful, naïve thinking. Even if rioting was involved, it wasn’t like you got total control over someone. It probably didn’t matter anyways. The deal had been struck, and she had a feeling it would be exceedingly difficult to worm one’s way out of it.

It appeared that Eza was entirely worthless when it came to trying to save others. Mother, Lum, Eighth, many constables, and now Fenna had been lost despite her best efforts. Perhaps even because of her best efforts.

She felt something cool press against her palm and looked downward. She’d subconsciously grabbed the hilt of one of her daggers. Silently drawing the blade and staring at her distorted reflection in its beautiful, shiny surface, Eza realized that there was one thing she wasn’t worthless for. She could still remember the tearing sensation of that knife forcing its way through a monster’s throat, how her weapon had briefly fought to escape her grasp before snapping back to obedience. It had only taken a fraction of a second to strike the killing blow.

She might not be capable of being a savior, but she could be an exterminator.

@Steel Speedster

@Lord Ruler Sylphrena

 

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

"Very well," Fenna said. "Just a moment." She walked back to the broken bar where she had left the spear she had taken from one of the guards. The whole thing was too large to conceal, so Fenna snapped off the aluminum tip. It wouldn't be a particularly useful weapon on its own, but at the very least it was probably worth something.

As she briefly held it up to the light, she caught a glimpse of something reflect behind her and spun around in surprise. Eza was spying on the meeting. Fenna glanced at Sunwatcher, hoping he hadn't noticed her sudden movement, then glared at Eza and shook her head covertly.

[Lunamor she/her]

8 hours ago, Steel Speedster said:

 

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

"Very well," Fenna said. "Just a moment." She walked back to the broken bar where she had left the spear she had taken from one of the guards. The whole thing was too large to conceal, so Fenna snapped off the aluminum tip. It wouldn't be a particularly useful weapon on its own, but at the very least it was probably worth something.

As she briefly held it up to the light, she caught a glimpse of something reflect behind her and spun around in surprise. Eza was spying on the meeting. Fenna glanced at Sunwatcher, hoping he hadn't noticed her sudden movement, then glared at Eza and shook her head covertly.

Eza glared right back, but slowly sheathed her dagger, releasing her white-knuckled grip on its hilt. It was a bit odd that Fenna didn’t rat her out to Sunwatcher considering the fact that Eza had made her views on Hemalurgy quite clear and had been ominously hiding nearby with a drawn weapon. Perhaps that was a good sign.

She didn’t back away into hiding, though. That was probably not a particularly smart idea, but even putting away her blade had been a struggle. Fenna’s hesitance to expose Eza was the only thing holding her back from escalation. A fight could be a good excuse to at least injure the man, though. He could do with one less eye. She wouldn’t instigate anything for now, but she wouldn’t back down either.

@Lord Ruler Sylphrena

Edited May 20, 2025 by Lunamor

[Lord Ruler Sylphrena He/Him]

On 5/20/2025 at 6:22 AM, Steel Speedster said:

 

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

"Very well," Fenna said. "Just a moment." She walked back to the broken bar where she had left the spear she had taken from one of the guards. The whole thing was too large to conceal, so Fenna snapped off the aluminum tip. It wouldn't be a particularly useful weapon on its own, but at the very least it was probably worth something.

As she briefly held it up to the light, she caught a glimpse of something reflect behind her and spun around in surprise. Eza was spying on the meeting. Fenna glanced at Sunwatcher, hoping he hadn't noticed her sudden movement, then glared at Eza and shook her head covertly.

Vane, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Making this deal had been easier then expected, he barley had time to activate his zinc before she agreed to work with him. Perhaps he had underestimated this girls pragmatism, that was a good trait to have in any associate. It was time to move on now but for some reason she suddenly appeared distracted. Was there something interesting going on outside? Vane realized he has let his guard down once she agreed to help him but his lifesense could now tell that someone was watching him. Was this a planned ambush or something else? Perhaps making a deal wouldn't be so easy after all.

Vane leaned over and whispered as to not let the person eavesdropping hear, "You mentioned that there should be no secrets while we work together correct? If that is truly the case would you illuminate me as to who is listening in on us right now? If you planned to ambush me under the pretense of working together you should call that off right now. You'll find I'm a more then capable opponent at close range."

[Steel Speedster ♂]

On 5/20/2025 at 12:48 PM, Lunamor said:

Eza glared right back, but slowly sheathed her dagger, releasing her white-knuckled grip on its hilt. It was a bit odd that Fenna didn’t rat her out to Sunwatcher considering the fact that Eza had made her views on Hemalurgy quite clear and had been ominously hiding nearby with a drawn weapon. Perhaps that was a good sign.

She didn’t back away into hiding, though. That was probably not a particularly smart idea, but even putting away her blade had been a struggle. Fenna’s hesitance to expose Eza was the only thing holding her back from escalation. A fight could be a good excuse to at least injure the man, though. He could do with one less eye. She wouldn’t instigate anything for now, but she wouldn’t back down either.

@Lord Ruler Sylphrena

On 5/23/2025 at 12:16 PM, Lord Ruler Sylphrena said:

Vane, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Making this deal had been easier then expected, he barley had time to activate his zinc before she agreed to work with him. Perhaps he had underestimated this girls pragmatism, that was a good trait to have in any associate. It was time to move on now but for some reason she suddenly appeared distracted. Was there something interesting going on outside? Vane realized he has let his guard down once she agreed to help him but his lifesense could now tell that someone was watching him. Was this a planned ambush or something else? Perhaps making a deal wouldn't be so easy after all.

Vane leaned over and whispered as to not let the person eavesdropping hear, "You mentioned that there should be no secrets while we work together correct? If that is truly the case would you illuminate me as to who is listening in on us right now? If you planned to ambush me under the pretense of working together you should call that off right now. You'll find I'm a more then capable opponent at close range."

 

 

 

Quote

Sorry for the wait. Busy week.

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Rusts.

Fenna forced herself to be calm. She turned quickly, pretending to look around in surprise.

"Where?" she demanded, hoping Eza would take the hint and get out. There was only so much she could do for the kid. Fenna turned back to Sunwatcher. "There was an... acquaintance of mine here. I thought she had left," she told him. "Regardless, she shouldn't be a concern of ours." At least, she hoped that was true. Hopefully Eza was smart enough not to try anything against this man.

She gave Sunwatcher a quick glare. "And don't be so quick to doubt me," she said. "If I meant you harm, I would have done it long ago."

[Lunamor she/her]

18 hours ago, Steel Speedster said:

Fenna, New Hallandren, Abandoned Bar

Rusts.

Fenna forced herself to be calm. She turned quickly, pretending to look around in surprise.

"Where?" she demanded, hoping Eza would take the hint and get out. There was only so much she could do for the kid. Fenna turned back to Sunwatcher. "There was an... acquaintance of mine here. I thought she had left," she told him. "Regardless, she shouldn't be a concern of ours." At least, she hoped that was true. Hopefully Eza was smart enough not to try anything against this man.

She gave Sunwatcher a quick glare. "And don't be so quick to doubt me," she said. "If I meant you harm, I would have done it long ago."

Eza stood still for a half second, then flared her iron as strongly as she could. The faint, corrupted lines leading to the spikes in the man’s body solidified, and those leading to other bits of metal on his person manifested brightly enough to nearly sear her vision. This was her chance. Sunwatcher was distracted. Fenna hadn’t spiked herself yet.

Feeling as if her insides were burning and ignoring the droplet of sweat running down her cheek from exertion, she decided to take that chance. She seized one of the corrupted lines and pulled. She immediately felt sick. This was a deeply wrong thing she was reaching out for. It was loud, somehow. It sounded like rushing, screaming blood battering against her eardrums. Her hands formed fists and it took all she had to keep a neutral expression as her vision turned near-white.

Nothing happened. Her iron simply burned away, not even close to moving anything. The flames inside her sputtered out, and the world went from white to dark. She kept her hands in fists and hid them behind her back, now to stop herself from giving into exhaustion as that ever present internal fire keeping her warm disappeared.

Rust. It was time to pivot, then. She called out to Fenna, deepening her voice slightly and letting her hood obscure her face. She made her words particularly whiny.

”Don’t forget, you still owe me 50 boxings! I won our bet, winning on a technicality counts! A horse having a heart attack doesn’t mean it didn’t lose the race.”

A complete fabrication, but it seemed fairly innocent in comparison to the other potential reasons she might be stalking the woman. 

”I’ll be near the central square in the Mistwarrens when you decide to pay up.”

Eza’s green eyes caught the flickering light of a streetlamp as she raised them to meet Fenna’s.

”I’m serious about it this time.”

Hopefully she’d get the hint that that last part wasn’t a lie. She didn’t particularly care if she was pursued by a Fenna with good intentions or a Fenna with bad intentions. Friends close and enemies closer and all that jazz.

Quote

To be clear, nothing physical/external happened when Eza tried to pull on a spike, she just overexerted herself (part of what she’s interpreted as the “sick” feeling) and wasted iron. 

@Lord Ruler Sylphrena

Edited May 30, 2025 by Lunamor

[Stormlightsong]

On 3/6/2025 at 8:41 PM, TwinStorm said:

Leon hurled through the air, taken by surprise. He Pushed against a streetlamp, sending him back into the sky. These smugglers were smart, he thought. Peace? Perhaps I can take advantage of their resources.

So he did the natural thing. "I surrender!"

@SpiritOfWrath @Steel Speedster

Spoiler

Sorry for the long delay, but I’m back! Here’s a quick recap: 

Farenah (my character), Tulen @SpiritOfWrath , and Palava @Steel Speedster are undercover, delivering a shipment for the Idrian Resistance Society which is a sect of UFO. The vehicle they are using is a painted aluminum truck with a completely closed up trunk where Palava and two IRS soldiers are hiding. Tulen was driving and Farenah was in the passenger seat. Leon “the Shardthief” @TwinStorm spotted the van and noticed it was aluminum (because he has steelsight) and jumped onto it. Farenah swapped places with Tulen and slammed the brakes to cause Leon to fly off. Unfortunately, Tulen was also knocked unconscious.

Farenah, new Hallandren, IRS truck

Farenah, remembering her training, scrunched her face in confusion convincingly. “Surrender? You’re the one who jumped us! Now, I would come out and make you pay for the damage you’ve caused, but unfortunately I need to my friend here to the hospital.” She looked out the window to see New Halandren guards arriving. “Officers!” She called out. “This Scadrian landed on our truck!” 

One of the officers came over to the window and tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry. just wait right here. We have it covered.”

Farenah gave a practiced smile. “I’m sure you do but I need to get my colleague to a hospital, so we will be taking our leave.”

The officer sighed. “I’m sorry, the new protocols say we have to search the vehicle. We can give take them to the hospital for you.”

Farenah sighed, “I understand.” Then, she turned and put her foot on the gas. 

the guard cursed and pulled a rope off of his belt. He muttered something and the rope sprung out of his hand toward one of the wheels of the truck. Thankfully the truck was faster.

Farenah let out a sigh of relief and looked out the front window to see someone blocking the road.

Ah, she thought, I forgot about the allomancer.

@Steel Speedster @SpiritOfWrath

[TwinStorm He/Him]

2 hours ago, Stormlightsong said:

  Reveal hidden contents

Sorry for the long delay, but I’m back! Here’s a quick recap: 

Farenah (my character), Tulen @SpiritOfWrath , and Palava @Steel Speedster are undercover, delivering a shipment for the Idrian Resistance Society which is a sect of UFO. The vehicle they are using is a painted aluminum truck with a completely closed up trunk where Palava and two IRS soldiers are hiding. Tulen was driving and Farenah was in the passenger seat. Leon “the Shardthief” @TwinStorm spotted the van and noticed it was aluminum (because he has steelsight) and jumped onto it. Farenah swapped places with Tulen and slammed the brakes to cause Leon to fly off. Unfortunately, Tulen was also knocked unconscious.

Farenah, new Hallandren, IRS truck

Farenah, remembering her training, scrunched her face in confusion convincingly. “Surrender? You’re the one who jumped us! Now, I would come out and make you pay for the damage you’ve caused, but unfortunately I need to my friend here to the hospital.” She looked out the window to see New Halandren guards arriving. “Officers!” She called out. “This Scadrian landed on our truck!” 

One of the officers came over to the window and tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry. just wait right here. We have it covered.”

Farenah gave a practiced smile. “I’m sure you do but I need to get my colleague to a hospital, so we will be taking our leave.”

The officer sighed. “I’m sorry, the new protocols say we have to search the vehicle. We can give take them to the hospital for you.”

Farenah sighed, “I understand.” Then, she turned and put her foot on the gas. 

the guard cursed and pulled a rope off of his belt. He muttered something and the rope sprung out of his hand toward one of the wheels of the truck. Thankfully the truck was faster.

Farenah let out a sigh of relief and looked out the front window to see someone blocking the road.

Ah, she thought, I forgot about the allomancer.

@Steel Speedster @SpiritOfWrath

Leon, New Hallandren, the street

Leon looked up with an edge of defiance in his eyes at the truck and the officers. He wanted to stay and fight, exact vengeance, but he couldn't beat them all in a fight. However he lied to himself, he wasn't that powerful. 

He cursed, and leapt into the air, leaping away from the truck.

He landed on a flat roof, crouching down and storing electrum. He would need it for later. How long how it been since he had felt strong? He was a thief, not a fighter. He could steal things, not break them.

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

On 6/19/2025 at 5:33 PM, Stormlightsong said:

  Reveal hidden contents

Sorry for the long delay, but I’m back! Here’s a quick recap: 

Farenah (my character), Tulen @SpiritOfWrath , and Palava @Steel Speedster are undercover, delivering a shipment for the Idrian Resistance Society which is a sect of UFO. The vehicle they are using is a painted aluminum truck with a completely closed up trunk where Palava and two IRS soldiers are hiding. Tulen was driving and Farenah was in the passenger seat. Leon “the Shardthief” @TwinStorm spotted the van and noticed it was aluminum (because he has steelsight) and jumped onto it. Farenah swapped places with Tulen and slammed the brakes to cause Leon to fly off. Unfortunately, Tulen was also knocked unconscious.

Farenah, new Hallandren, IRS truck

Farenah, remembering her training, scrunched her face in confusion convincingly. “Surrender? You’re the one who jumped us! Now, I would come out and make you pay for the damage you’ve caused, but unfortunately I need to my friend here to the hospital.” She looked out the window to see New Halandren guards arriving. “Officers!” She called out. “This Scadrian landed on our truck!” 

One of the officers came over to the window and tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry. just wait right here. We have it covered.”

Farenah gave a practiced smile. “I’m sure you do but I need to get my colleague to a hospital, so we will be taking our leave.”

The officer sighed. “I’m sorry, the new protocols say we have to search the vehicle. We can give take them to the hospital for you.”

Farenah sighed, “I understand.” Then, she turned and put her foot on the gas. 

the guard cursed and pulled a rope off of his belt. He muttered something and the rope sprung out of his hand toward one of the wheels of the truck. Thankfully the truck was faster.

Farenah let out a sigh of relief and looked out the front window to see someone blocking the road.

Ah, she thought, I forgot about the allomancer.

@Steel Speedster @SpiritOfWrath

Spoiler

Sorry

I had to exit the RP a whiles back.

A bout of inactivity and depression, I’m afraid.