Voidus

Voidus, Voidus' office, the Alleys ”As it happens,” Lita began, her calm voice completely at odds with the flustered energy Voidus could practically feel emanating from her. "“I have recently come into possession of the ability to Soothe emotions. While I have begun my own foray into the discipline, what I truly need is a teacher. I was hoping you might be able to put me in touch with someone who could mentor me in this skill, and possibly make introductions. Your influence in this matter would make finding the best instructor far simpler, and their likelihood of accepting my request far higher.” Voidus' lips curled into an amused smile at the request, a perfectly reasonable request to ask of him, and one that showcased Lita's own talents and willingness to improve them even further. It also presented a rather interesting opportunity, one that Voidus did not intend to pass up. A chance to better understand his new head of Counterintelligence, and also a chance for him to unravel the puzzle that had presented itself to him. "Soothing?" He asked, amusement trickling into the question. "As it so happens I think I can do one better. I don't know if you are aware of this but I have assisted many of the department heads in refining various talents. Quite recently I assisted Mac with exploring his own capabilities with manipulating the Void. I find it an excellent chance to learn a little more about those influential figures in the organization than one can learn from reading reports." His smile deepened as he watched the implications set it, heard the immediate nervous flutter to her heart. Taking another sip of his wine to let the pause linger a little, he leaned back, looking up as if in thought and combed his hand back through his hair. "As it so happens I am quite accomplished in the arts of Emotional Allomancy. I am sure I could provide some useful demonstrations and instruction to begin your forays, we can set aside some regular meetings for it." @ZincAboutIt Laurelai, The Grand Hotel, The Bindpoint Laurelai hesitated for a moment at Valeria's invitation, and that was all the other woman needed to pull her cup over. Laurelai had lost the chance to politely leave, anything else would be a rather egregious breach of etiquette. Normally that might be an issue but she might still need to question this woman another day and offending her would make that more difficult. And... there was something about her presence. Some impulse that led Laurelai to give a gracious nod and resume her seat with perfect posture. "One please." She said automatically. "My father is the one who takes his too sweet to drink." She gave a slight internal wince as she once again gave further information away, unprompted. This woman was a spy, Laurelai reminded herself. And an incredibly capable one not to slip up under either Lita or Laurelai's scrutiny of her. For someone that capable... none of Laurelai's usual tricks would work. She would not succeed at tripping Valeria up with wordplay or a cleverly concealed verbal trap. But perhaps the way she responds to one would be telling. She thought, mind working rapidly through scenarios. An excellent spy wouldn't slip up and reveal themselves, they would play it safe. But if she doesn't play it safe. If she reacts more obviously, more tellingly... She avoided finishing the thought, not wishing to even entertain the outlandish possibility, however slim, that Valeria might actually be telling the truth. But it would be something at least, and she could at least use that as justification for her visit. She could still leave having gained more information than she had given. "I suppose I can stay and we can talk for a little while at least. I don't have anything too pressing. I apologize if I've offended you in any way with my abruptness, it was not my intention. Ursus Paenitet." It was a small phrase, matching the small pieces of the language Valeria had used. And its context was easy enough to guess. Laurelai wasn't sure how Valeria had picked up the few pieces of the language that she had used, but she seemed predominantly to still speak in the common tongue of the city. So she had perhaps only learned a few phrases to sell the story? It made sense after all, where could she have possibly learned the entire language? Laurelai doubted even her father really spoke it any more, after so many years with none to talk to in it. So then, it would make sense that Valeria would need to rely on context for what Laurelai had said, and would be unlikely to spot that it was a personal idiosyncrasy, not a common phrase. @Mrs. Voidus

Oh using it offensively? Almost never for me really. Banishment is usually a much cheaper version to achieve the same effect on most creatures. But turning into an Ancient Dragon is always fun.

Boring answer is Wish because it's the all spells spell. Mechanical answer is True Polymorph because it's broken. Honest answer is prestidigitation, because fun name and so very useful and versatile. I don't know that I've ever used a creature statblock without changing it so those kinds of players usually get quite frustrated at my tables But that is their fault for assuming I would use RAW content. I homebrew everything and proudly. Though I've really begun moving away from D&D towards other systems recently. Not sure that I'll run another game of 5e ever once my current campaigns finish up.

It happens from time to time And I am a prolific RPer, so I stop by a lot of RP threads and TTRPG discussions. Always glad to meet a fellow Aussie as well, good to have people in similar time zones to talk to. Though actually my sleep cycle tends to put me often more in US hours than ours. Best of luck! I hope you enjoy playing, it's a great game and with the right group can lead to years of enjoyment.

Some potential questions to ask your DM: 1. What is the system? Presumably D&D 5e but always best to make sure. 2. How are they doing stats? Some DMs prefer the standard array over rolling. 3. What level will you need to make the character? 4. Are there any races/classes that would not suit the campaign? 5. Some details about the setting, I always always always suggest learning about the setting before making a character. You are much more likely to be able to create character who will fit in well and have an appropriate story of their own that can align with the main plot. They might even be running a hardcover and there is a lot of guidance for creating characters for those, some even have players guides that include suggested options and possible backstories (Though I don't think 5e does this as much as Pathfinder does). 6. On a similar note, do they know how they'll be introducing your character? Talk to them about that so you can make sure you're across what's expected of you and if there is any knowledge that your character should know that might be relevant. It may also be worth asking who the other characters are and if it's possible your character might know any of them. From the DMs suggestions it sounds like they're probably looking for a healer, in which case a Paladin may also fill the role quite nicely, or possibly a Ranger. Warlocks and Sorcerers also have some options for healing. I would probably advise against a Druid as first character as they're probably the most complex class in terms of how much you need to keep track of. But they're also one of my favourite classes so I definitely get the appeal

Whisper was almost certain that Vivi was a Soother. Not that she much minded if that were indeed the case, if she was an emotional Allomancer then she was incredibly skilled, and Whisper appreciated others who cultivated their skill. But how else could she explain such an agreeable fondness for the girl less than a day after first meeting her? Or perhaps it was just that Whisper appreciated her incredibly practical suggestion to utilize the rest of the group as the distraction they had already made of themselves. Unfortunately, just as she was about to reply there was a flicker of movement as the Pulser Byron swung into the Doorway, followed a moment later by the straight-backed Steward Cobalt, rapier held up wardingly as he stepped backwards into the room. "If we knew how to stop or kill them, we would not have hired assistance." The steward mentioned, a little frustratedly. "In through here, the doorway will at least block some from view, with luck they might..." A sound of ripping fabric broke through whatever he might have been about to say, followed by the thudding of flesh against bare stone as one of the bound creatures gained its freedom and moved to give chase. Cobalt held the rear of the group with Perses, rapier moving in a flash of steel to open more toothy slices along the creatures skin as he tried to back away. Whisper carefully gauged the cadence of the fight, listening for any sign of swift overwhelm on the part of the creatures. But invulnerable to steel as they may be they did not seem capable of easily passing the defenses arrayed before them. Or perhaps they simply enjoyed toying with their prey, but in either case now that others had caught up with them it would be imprudent to abandon them so easily. Whisper needed more information, more clues as to how the patterns of this house worked. Otherwise even if she and Vivi left there was no way to know if they were moving in the right direction, or running into a trap. Best to keep as many alive as we can. She observed to herself. More chances someone else springs a trap instead of us. Me. Instead of me. She gave a slight shake of her head to Vivi, motioning with her hands to wait for the moment. She needed to think, now while they had time surely there was something they could do. Decapitation might work of course, though neither Vivi's rapier nor Whisper's small dagger were well suited to the task. Perhaps if they could simply break everyone's line of sight for long enough... Line of sight? She thought, turning the phrase over for a moment, feeling a puzzle piece slide into her hand, she just had to work out how to fit it in... Her eyes shifted to the side of the room, the floor to ceiling mirror, saw herself reflected in its surface. Saw the tiny smile of her lips as the piece fell into place. Wordlessly she looked back to Vivi, catching her gaze and then gesturing to the tall mirror. Too tall for her to easily move herself, but if Vivi grabbed the other side then the two of them may be able to angle it...

Laurelai, The Grand Hotel, the Bindpoint It was with a monumental effort that Laurelai avoided the impulse to brush a hand over her head. The very moment the woman, Valeria, had spoken those words Laurelai had felt her scalp begin to itch. Of course every moment she tried not to think about it only made it itch even more. It was a long time ago that she had last felt it, but Laurelai recalled the warm sensation of lines of power bleeding from the top of her head down her body. Reassuring when everything else turned inevitably to ashes around her. The sensation had come less and less as she'd grown, and now... it must have been nearly a decade? But I remember. How could I not? It had been one of the many mysteries that had stymied her in her quest to know herself, one of the many roadblocks to being able Forge herself that she had needed to overcome. How many nights had she spent trying to Forge away her curse, crying in frustration at the blank spots in her knowledge? It was only after she stopped getting those sensations that Laurelai had finally become capable of Forging herself as well as others. "I'm sorry, it must be very hard for you to think about." She said, injecting her worries and concerns into her tone to seem more genuine. "I don't wish to dredge up painful memories. But...:" But what Laurelai? Why are you here? Why are you asking? Her mental voice questioned, sounding both exasperated and tired. "But the other night, you seemed so terribly desperate." She continued. "I just wish there was something I could do to help. I lost my family when I was young, it's not a fate I would wish on anyone." She gave a sad smile that quickly froze on her lips. Why had she just said that? Why had she given even more away? Provided even more of an opening for this Valeria to jump to conclusions. Or.. no, not to jump to conclusions. She already knew who Laurelai was, she had to. But this would give her justification to plead her case to Laurelai and peddle whatever story she had been able to come up with. "I'm sorry." She said in a too-quick voice. "I... shouldn't have... very impolite of me to simply show up unannounced. I really should..." She rose, attempting to reign in her panic and move in slow practiced motions that she had performed a thousand times. Excusing herself from dull or pointless conversations was a skill she had long since honed to perfection. Why was it so difficult now? Why was everything so difficult now? @Mrs. Voidus Voidus, Voidus' Office, The Alleys ”Your glass.” Lita said, sliding it to him after a well-executed pour. An efficient spy, leader and sommelier? Rare to see such a collection of skills in someone with so few years. He mused thoughtfully as he gave an appreciative nod of the head. ”To new things." Lita continued, raising her glass. And what new things have your heart racing so Lita? Voidus wondered curiously, sharp senses catching an irregular and accelerating rhythm. "And to the new department head who manages to instigate them." He replied aloud with a small smile. He took a moment to admire the glass as he lifted it to the light, and then as he lowered it to his lips to take the first sip he looked over the rim to admire the woman who had poured it. The ritual of drinking was pleasant, relaxing. And it managed to remedy him of his dry mouth and the ashen taste that his musings had brought about. Or perhaps that was simply the company. Voidus rarely drank when he was alone, alcohol did little to ease an immortal in itself. But with company the familiar easing of tensions and air of relaxing were usually enough that he could share in some part of it. "Well I can see perhaps why the thought of a bar occurred to you." He commented, admiring his glass again. "Not often that one sees such serving skills outside of those who work in the industry. Something you picked up on an assignment?" He turned his attention a little more fully towards her, his dark eyes sparking with a hint of curiosity as he tried to pick apart the puzzle that was Lita Attar. She was strangely... reserved. Her actions and expression too at odds with the less easily controlled signs like a change in the pulse. Was it simply because she was nervous about her position? She had certainly seemed it after her small slip into informality. "It is an excellent idea, and if you can truly deliver it without requiring any additional resources... well I shall have to find some way to suitably reward you. Did you have anything in mind? Anything you would like?" @ZincAboutIt

I would go system shopping rather than homebrewing that many big changes. Altering the numbers in 5e to be bigger starts to break down the maths. Pathfinder 2e is great if you want big numbers that actually integrate into the system as intended. There's also a system I found quite recently called Mutants and Madterminds which I adore. Default it's intended as a superhero and villai s type of deal but the whole draw of it is that it's generic so you could adapt it to anything easily enough.

If all else fails just ask them what they're trying to do next or if they'd be interested in pursuing a certain thread. Unless you have someone who is deliberately trying to derail the campaign (Which is a whole separate issue) then you can usually garner enough of an idea to plan things. And if you've asked someone and they've committed to it out of character then it's usually likely in character they'll try to push for it too. And sometimes it's important to just take the party firmly in hand and drag them along. If your party is too chaotic sometimes you need to impose a little order on them. I've had a few parties like that before, usually with a single player as the primary instigator. Jokes and wacky antics are all well and good but if it's causing anyone (Including you) to stress out or not have as much fun while the story gets ignored then it's time to have a last little chuckle with them and then get things moving in the right direction.

Of course you may, we do love a guest with good manners. Have a whole box.

Voidus, Voidus' office, the Alleys With a cool gaze, Voidus observed the reactions of Lita Attar. A little surprised but not displeased, he took in the warm smile that she did not try to conceal, and the warm cheeks that she did, the momentary flush pulled away with supernatural speed. A brassmind? And a somewhat unorthodox application of one, though Voidus approved of both unorthodox applications generally and the skills of those who used them. For a moment, her guard seemed to lower, her shoulders relaxing, an unforced smile. Almost it was enough to capture Voidus' interest and prompt a second such compliment to see if he received similar results. There were far less pleasant ways to spend ones time than a game of conversation with someone both talented and attractive. But pleasant as such games were, he should likely not participate in them with someone who was both his employee and a friend of his daughter. ”I daresay you may be as conceited as you like,” Lita said, slipping from a formal tone of professional request to something much more familiar. “After all, who could stop you?” Who could stop you? A startling comment both for its shift in tone and also its similarity to what Vivica had said just the other evening. His brow arched immediately in surprise and amusement at the words as a grin spread across his lips. And weren't they both right, really? Few enough existed who could even try to prevent Voidus from doing exactly as he wanted. And most of those technically worked for him. Was it the correct thing to do after all? He had coerced neither Vivica nor Lita into speaking these words, so he could then assume them to be unbiased. Perhaps Voidus had simply become so used to hearing hushed whispers of rebuke and criticism from those in the city who opposed the DA. ”Ah." Lita said, seeming to recover from her bout of improfessional casualness. "Not a recruitment drive in the strictest sense." He returned his own expression to one of cool but attentive interest. Listening to her proposal before making any response of his own. He had intended to keep from giving away any more of his thoughts until then, but he could not quite stop from sharing her smile as she launched into her vision for a back room catering to the tastes of the DA. That grin of hers was sharp enough to serve as a knife. Voidus imagined that quite a few people may have cut themselves upon it. "Not too often I find myself in the city, but perhaps if there were somewhere... more to Dark Alley tastes, as you said. I might visit more often." He said, grinning lazily as he reclined back into a less formal posture to consider the proposal. "So. Somewhere that the curious, but not quite suicidally so, might find themself. We don't run the risk of any accidents in the Alley reducing potential, or stumbling into the wrong denizen and ending up on a surgery table instead of a recruitment offer. Yes, I suppose I can see how that may result in more recruits." He leaned forwards again, fingers steepled as he loomed over them to fix Lita in his stare. The idea certainly had merits, there was no doubt about that. And operating from rumor rather than openly was barely any more risk of turning public opinion than they incurred with current recruiting methods. But then the question was, why was Lita making the proposal? Simply a desire to excel? That Voidus could certainly work with. Truthfully even if she was doing so only to have somewhere to acquire free drinks it would still be a benefit to the DA. The only truly problematic possibility was if it was motivated by some misguided sense of morality to save lives, but Voidus doubted it was that. Lita did not have the eyes of those void-damned Radiants or the moralists of TUBA. She had familiar eyes, hungry eyes. Tell me, little Lita, does your Hunger still drive you? A voice, a memory echoed in his mind. A familiar voice, one of the most familiar for Voidus. A voice he had heard for longer years than any other save his own. Gods how he hated it. His grin faded and his mouth tasted suddenly ashen. He twisted his lips in distaste, forcing the memory away, but the taste remained. Unlike the many other would-be-rulers that Voidus had killed over the millenia, the Stranger lingered in his mind. "There are some glasses in that cupboard." Voidus said aloud, gesturing to a cabinet behind Lita. "We should drink if we are to discuss the opening of a bar, should we not?" Maybe the bottle of wine Whisper had brought would rid his mouth of that bitter taste. @ZincAboutIt

The flash of steel caught the creature in its midsection, halting its advance a moment longer and opening up a gash into the same infinitely dark space that seemed to draw the eye into it. But within moments sharpened teeth began to form and a third voice joined the chorus that were all now laughing quietly. The creatures head turns to follow Malsam's motion, eyeless face tracking her unerringly. It pauses, considering the array of individuals that lie before it. "Bind what follows and stop its pursuit." A crisp, commanding voice called. Cobalt lay one hand against a vibrant painting that shifted instantly to grey as his Command takes hold on the carpet beneath their feet. The fabric bunched up between the group and the first of the creatures before springing out towards it, twining first around its lower limbs. In response the creature moved with blurring speed, one hand flashing out in a near-perfect imitation of Malsam's slash just moments ago, sharpened nails tearing through fibers and seeking to free it. But as quickly as the fibers tore apart more of them sought to hold the creature in place, trying to cover its entire body. "More to the side." Cobalt called out, voice accompanied by the ring of his steel saber being drawn. "Don't look at- damn it, too late." Moving around the partially-cocooned first figure, two other forms began to slide past the obstruction. At first glance the flesh seems almost lifeless and gray but, the very moment it is observed begins to take on a healthy pallor.

Laurelai, The Grand Hotel, The Bind Point Laurelai glanced curiously around the room as she sat, taking in the magnificent space of the suite. The windows that looked out over the the rest of the city, laying out the main paths and twisting side-streets that formed its base. There was an elaborate mirror, almost extending to the ceiling and with a beautifully patterned frame. The furniture was all lovely, and comfortable of course, Lita knew how to maintain a space aesthetically without sacrificing the comfort of those who used it. And there's a woman claiming to be your mother. A voice reminded her. Remember her? Laurelai reluctantly pulled her attention back to Valeria. Or the woman who claimed to be Valeria at least. Laurelai had not quite let on to Lita exactly how unsettling she found the pretense. The strange mix of accuracy and incomprehensible details. "No luck yet," Valeria said, through a mouthful of cookie crumbs "But I felt the pull to this place, and spent time uncountable pressing, pressing, pressing to break out of the Voidspace because I knew she was here." Voidspace? Laurelai thought to herself, turning the term over in her mind. Is that a real term? Gods know that Voidus... my father. Was not exactly the most creative when it came to etymology. The Worldspike. The Alleycity. The Alley world. But then it could also be a term that anyone trying to make something up might use. "And I seem to have lost my manners as well." The woman continued, breaking once more into Laurelai's thoughts. "Please, help yourself to cookies, they are... were, Lucien's favourite. Would you like a coffee? Tea?" "Thank you." Laurelai said with a polite smile, leaning forward to take one. Was that a joke? Foolish mistake if it was, she was pretending not to know that Lucien and Voidus were the same person the other night. Or is it simply a trick to get me to eat one of these? Poison? A sedative? They're very much underestimating the palate of someone who's been to R&D before then. Laurelai lifted the biscuit to her lips, taking a small bite and catching the crumbs with another hand readied beneath. The soft texture spread through her mouth, chocolate melting as she bit into it. Her eyes widened in surprised for just a moment before she managed to pull back into a look of polite appreciation. It was not perhaps the best that Laurelai had ever tasted, there were departments in the DA whose baking was literally legendary after all. But something about it was... comforting. Not just rote creation from a recipe or cold clinical research to perfect taste, something more simple. "Quite delicious." She said, forgetting the possible danger and taking a second bite. "Are they from here? I don't believe the Grand had any like this the last time I visited. As for a drink, please you must allow me. I've rudely forgotten to bring anything." That had been a calculated oversight rather than an accident, a setup for just this chance. Most spies had their own means of dealing with a potential poisoning, and also tended to be suspicious of it happening to them. Most were also excellent at concealing that suspicion from an average person. But Laurelai Esserethel was far from average. With a wave she filled both the teapot and a pair of cups with hot, dark liquid. The fumes rose immediately into the air, carrying a habitual feeling of relaxation to Laurelai. She was about to set her biscuit down to handle the cups when she realized that she had already finished it. Giving herself a momentary mental scolding for her carelessness, she picked one cup up to set in front of Valeria, and the other in front of herself. "Voidspace?" She asked, reasoning that such a line of curiosity was perfectly natural. "I'm not sure I'm familiar with the term. Something from your world perhaps?" She blew gently on her cup, causing its surface to ripple gently as she looked at Valeria with keen, insightful eyes. @Mrs. Voidus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Voidus, Voidus' office, the Alleys It was a curious habit of Tineyes, Voidus had noted, and other such hyper-perceptive individuals, that they tended to somewhat often forget the possibility or even the likelihood that others might possess the same gifts. Of course most Tineyes were not so trained in the reading of tiny expressions, or the sound of someone's pulse so much as to hear a skulking thief or the whistle of a blade cutting through the air. But I expect that our new head of Counterintelligence is most certainly a Tineye with those kinds of skills. Voidus thought, listening with a slightly attentive but largely neutral expression. Still, perhaps she has simply not had the time to mask those signs herself. Most people live such short lives. The thought prompted a slight tilt of his head, an idle curiosity as to whether he should perhaps instruct her in the practices. He had engaged in lessons with many of their previous department heads, both before and after they attained their position. Even Mac, who had held this role before Lita Attar, had received tuition in the art of Voidmaking. Still, there was plenty of time for that, best to let her gain her bearings in the role first. Overcome the worry that she no doubt felt, if the rapid patter of her pulse was to be believed. But quickly it was his turn to reign in his expression as she mentioned first that she did not need any additional funding, a feat virtually unheard of from a department head, and then that she had the department functioning perfectly with only half the budget they already had. Certainly Voidus had been no stranger to the various indiscretion of denizens in the Alleys. One did not start an amoral guild of scientists and spies and expect their bookkeeping to be clean. But this was still beyond expectations. ”It has occurred to me that we may be missing out on a subset of potential promising new denizens using only our current recruitment method - namely that of tacitly encouraging interested parties to wander into the nearest Alley and try not to perish.” Lita continued, speaking with care and tact. Can't blame her for the concern. He reminded himself. Less than a fortnight ago she saw you murder another department head. That thought brought a renewed surge of frustration, quickly quelled and without disturbing either his expression or his heartbeat. Thinking of the Stranger was a shortcut to such irrational bursts of anger even now. ”While this method may work for those with a temperament better suited to... Acquisitions." Lita said, the hesitation barely noticeable but his mind filled in the missing department all the same and his self control slipped just enough for the ghost of a frown to cross his face. "it is almost entirely out of character for those with less reckless dispositions. Those who would find their place in Records, Public Relations, or Counterintelligence, for example. I myself was recruited in a bar - and that is what I would like to open. With your permission, of course.” His own fingers rested carefully on top of his newly-reformed desk for a few moments, letting the anger fade so that he could consider her actual proposal. Opening a bar may very well have been simply another method to use departmental funding for personal enjoyment, but in Voidus' experience those who wished to do that were usually more inclined to simply open such a location and offer the prepared excuse only if caught. "Cautious, prudent, and skilled enough to run the department on half resources?" He began, lips twitching up into a slight smile. "Enough that I am disappointed in myself for not giving the position to you sooner. If I may be so conceited, I usually have an eye for those who are talented or useful. A most unfortunate oversight." Lita had also, Voidus now noted, led the department which required the least additional oversight in the aftermath of the Forgery. In spite of the fact that Counterintelligence was one of the departments most heavily affected, aside from PR. He could certainly spare a few moments of honest praise for someone who had reduced the number of headaches he had to endure, and to consider her proposal carefully, without dismissing it as merely an attempt to overreach by someone new to their position. "A recruitment drive then?" He asked, arching one golden-brow questioningly. "It would not be the first time someone has suggested it. But previous attempts... well. Generally the people of the city do not react well to any open signs of our presence. Little enough danger, but that is a problem I could do without considering... recent events." @ZincAboutIt

Laurelai, The Grand Hotel, The Bindpoint Laurelai entered the somewhat familiar space of Lita's suite, glancing around to see it as lovely as she remembered. Blessedly the reversal of the Forgery had not affected this building at least. Her eye drifted for a moment to the bathroom, where a hot shower could be found along with comfortable and fluffy gowns for afterwards. It was a more difficult task to remove her gaze than she would have liked, but the rooms current resident was the real focus here, not its bathing facilities. "Thank you." Laurelai said, setting a perfectly polite smile to her lips as she swept in, waiting for Valeria to close the door before following the woman. "And no, I haven't. Not this time at least, it's... a little complicated. Only a few weeks ago I was a physician actually. Did you arrive after the Forgery broke down?" She kept her tone easy, her glance seemingly casual, but there was an intense glint to her blue eyes, a focus and eye for detail that immediately noticed the tear tracks down Valeria's cheeks, the reddened eyes, the very subtly weary appearance of someone who was enduring a difficult time. Her clothes were new however, Scadrian make unless Laurelai missed her guess. A recent acquisition? She certainly looks like someone trying and failing to find their family. Laurelai mused. And the clothes... a recent purchase after her living situation stabilized? It just... fits so well. Her ears are still the same too... if this is someone simply disguising themself then they haven't let up the act for an entire week. She had to still her hands to stop them from rising to her own ears, now properly rounded again once she'd had time to fix them. Why had this woman tried to mimic such an unusual feature of Laurelai's? And one that anyone who had been spying on her would likely be able to guess the origin of? Laurelai was not exactly subtle with her Forgery these days. @Mrs. Voidus --------------------------------------------------------------- Voidus, Voidus' office, the Alleys “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” Lita Attar, the DA's new head of Counterintelligence said as she entered. Voidus' lips twitched upwards into a faint smile at the words, no doubt meant simply as a standard polite greeting. But truly, what did Voidus have but time? All the time in the world, and then some more after it in all likelihood. And yet he spent that time in endless reviews over requests to expand activity from Acquisitions, acquire extra funds from Counterintelligence, and from R&D... Voidus felt the faint smile slip instantly, replaced by an equally faint furrowing of his brow, but he swept the thought from his mind before he began dwelling too long on it again. There was little point in dwelling now. The Stranger had been dealt with. Now even the desk that he had given Voidus had been erased from the world and replaced with something new. Yet still, there was a lingering irritation that would not quite resolve itself. ”While I was here I thought I’d take the liberty of delivering the most recent Departmental expense report myself, though it is not the point of my visit." Lita continued, smiling in an amicable but professional manner. "Managing a cadre of spies gives one an appreciation for guaranteed security of information.” Voidus gestured towards the now-vacant seat opposite him, wordlessly offering its use to the new department head. The gesture was mostly rote at this point, a casual drift of the hand, as he did so he gave a glance over his visitor. Far less unusual than most who rose to positions of heads of department, though that was perhaps fitting considering the department she now led. Then again, what passed for unusual in the Alleys was quite a high bar. Though she was dressed relatively simply, Lita herself was far from ordinary or plain. Voidus imagined she likely drew stares any time she entered a room. "Sit, please." He said as he gestured. "An expense report was it? Cautious and prudent of you to deliver yourself. I appreciate the care you give to your work. We can certainly use someone who does at least." His faint smile returned, an edge of tiredness to it as he gave a soft sigh. It would mean far less wasted time for him if others took similar care for their work. Had they done so once and simply had that trait worn away by time? Or was it perhaps the tendency of the Alleys to draw those who were insatiably curious, prone to inadvisably dangerous action, that led towards so many disregarding the small details of their work, leaving others, most often Voidus, to pick up the slack. "But if that is not what you wished to discuss we should get to the matter at hand." Voidus continued. "What does our new department head need today? More funding?" It was a common request, from some departments more than others but Mac had never been shy about requesting additional funds when he held the position. Voidus imagined that a new leader of the department would likely require additional funding to keep everything running. It was an irritation, but a manageable one, and one that he had been expecting. @ZincAboutIt

His fingers, long and well-manicured, drummed along the surface of his sturdy desk. The wood was from a world that no longer existed. It had served its time in Voidus' office very well, and was older than any but the oldest of denizens. How many times had he sat at this desk and heard of some cataclysm or another that was affecting one of the many worlds that the Alleys connected to? How many times had he received reports that the Alleycity was in dire jeopardy. Well, both the desk and the city had endured each of those times, as of course, had Voidus himself. It had been a gift, a very long time ago. Far less unusual than many of the other gifts he had received, but for long years it had carried a certain sentimentality to it. But now, Voidus could barely stand the sight of the thing. It had only been an hour ago that he had started musing on the desk and its origins, but in that short time he summoned a greater deal of anger towards piece of furniture than he had any of those petty tyrants who brought worlds low, or threatened the city. On the desks other side, his office's only other occupant perched on a chair. The girl was perhaps a few years younger than Voidus' daughter, and despite the palpable irritation he exuded she seemed utterly unfazed. Her head still remained cocked slightly, questioningly, to one side in the same manner it had been two minutes ago when she had asked a question. Most denizens would have asked, possibly tremblingly, if something were the matter. Or simply spoken to break the silence. But there she sat, not quite motionless, but simply waiting for his reply contentedly. "Fine." Voidus said at last, his voice low but dismissive. "You really need not come to me for such things, couldn't you speak with your department head? You are under Counterintelligence correct?" The girl shook her head softly, short brown strands of hair swaying as she did so. She hesitated a moment, though not in either fear or confusion, before words began to creep into the air around them, sourceless and strained. Another unsettling aspect of his visitor was her tendency to communicate in this way, though Voidus found that far less unusual than her personality. "Lita has... reassigned me." The words said hauntingly. "It has been difficult to speak with her since..." Since the Forgery. Voidus mentally finished. Something had passed between those two then, though Voidus himself had far more pressing things to concern himself with. But if it was affecting them both still a fortnight later, perhaps it would need to be addressed. The question was nearly on his lips when the voices spoke again. "Forgive me for interrupting." She said, giving a short nod of the head. "If I may, I will go to make the arrangements?" There was... something about those words. Tin-enhanced senses let Voidus perceive far more than just facial expressions when meeting with someone. And the very subtle flutter of a pulse was usually as easy to read as a book for someone with veritable eons of experience. But just now he could not quite place what it was... satisfaction? That was perhaps the closest. Before he could puzzle out anything further, a subtle shift in reality brought his attention to the door. Another visitor, though a scheduled one this time which he appreciated. He gave one final glance towards Whisper, who either did not seem to notice the nearby Alleytravel or did not pay it any attention. Voidus gestured with one hand towards his office's entrance, sending the girl slipping down to ground level and immediately crossing the carpet. The girl already out of mind, Voidus gave his table another withering stare, gesturing to the wood with a similarly dismissive wave he obliterated it into a smudge of darkness before immediately recreating another, somewhat more plain desk out of a sturdy walnut, the delicately crafted grain of the dark wood belying its unnatural origins. His papers merely fluttered for a moment at the sudden removal and then reintroduction of the supports, the rustling sound quickly overcast by a louder rapping of knuckle against wood as his visitor knocked. The door was already opening as the second wrap came. "Miss Attar." Voidus said, looking up to see the new head of Counterintelligence. "You are amicably punctual. Young Miss Whisper here was just leaving." @ZincAboutIt -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laurelai paced nervously in front of the mirror, looking over her appearance again, fussing over her hair, removing her sapphire earrings then re-adding them again a moment later. She bit her lip with worry, though that she quickly pulled under control as soon as she noticed it. Best not to need to heal herself if she could avoid it. And best to stop the motion before it became a habit. "It's not lying." She told herself once again. "I haven't promised not to look into her myself. This is just... investigative." The surety in her voice was almost convincing, if she hadn't been able to feel the flutter of nervousness, seen the slightly averted gaze. Laurelai felt like she had only just managed to patch things up with Lita, they were closer than ever. Did she really want to risk ruining that just to chase some mad dream that was almost certainly someone trying to influence her father? True, Laurelai had not exactly promised that she would leave Valeria alone. But she had promised not to get swept up in the woman's story. "But I'm not." She spoke as if a reminder. "I'm not getting carried away just... best to figure out how she knew so much and so little at the same time. That's all, nothing more. I know that she's not-" She paused as she glimpsed a shadow in the mirror, she whirled to face it in a moment, mind flashing to a return of the shadow creatures from the Forgery or a nightmarish creature from the deep Alleys. Instead she met the rather wide-eyed and startled face of a bellhop, carrying some luggage behind. In an instant she replaced her wary expression with one of polite greeting, and either the Bellhop was one of the worlds better liars, never entirely impossible, or his face shifting to the trained look of polite deference that so many in service industries perfected was absolutely genuine. "So sorry." She said, not really meaning it and moving past him. "These halls are just so easy to get lost in sometimes." "Do you need any help ma'am?" He asked politely, though still moving slowly past to imply he had other matters to attend. "No, no." She reassured him. "I've just realized I'm on the wrong floor." She gave a dazzling smile, enjoying the moment of stunned bemusement it earned, and began to glide her way towards the stairs at an unhurried pace. She was now committed, and needed to either leave to downstairs or travel up to Lita's suite. Up or down, which was it to be? ... "Oh!" Valeria exclaimed as she greeted Laurelai at the door, looking much the same as she had a week prior. "I was wondering when you would come!" "Yes, I hope you've been doing well and you don't mind the intrusion." Laurelai began, smiling gently. "I do apologize I couldn't check in on you sooner. May I come in? I was wondering if you'd perhaps had any luck finding your family." @Mrs. Voidus

I almost TPK'd the party in my Mass Effect game recently because they decided to try to take a ship on with just their regular on-ground selves. Thankfully one of them had the Lucky feat to force an attack reroll.

Laurelai, Lita's apartment, the Alleys Laurelai tried to wait patiently, tried not to read too much into the rapidly shifting facial expression. She forged her cup of tea to a cooler temperature and took a sip as Lita collected herself before finally beginning to speak, or... started to at least only to quickly stop as she raised a hand that Laurelai could now see was spattered with blood. How had she missed that? Had Lita been hurt somehow? "Gods damn it." Lita cursed, pinching her nose and lurching to the kitchen. Laurelai, followed her motion at first, rising in confusion and concern only for her eyes to widen, staring back down at the cup she had just Forged. It.... it couldn't have been could it? It had been so long, years since anybody had fallen prey to any injuries from her bane. Laurelai had spent so long learning to constrict its effects, bend them in safer directions. But had she been properly paying attention just now? Or had she been distracted. She met Lita's gaze, staring angrily at her from the kitchen as the redhead held a towel to her face to stem the flow. It took only a moment for Laurelai to break eye contact, looking down once again. "Sorry." She repeated, blessedly clearer this time and without breaking down into tears. But Rusts how her stomach twisted about on itself like it was determined to strangle her from the inside. "I... think that may have... I didn't mean to, you know how it is. It just happens." How many times have we said those words. The little voice chimed in. 'It just happens' when has that ever helped Laurelai? Even if she forgives you this time there will be a next time. You know there will be, there always is. Anybody we get close to. She set her cup back down with a shaky hand, then quickly pulled the limb back towards her to still it tightly in the grasp of her other hand. @ZincAboutIt

The shot echoed in the hallway, bullet sinking into the darkness. The sudden twitch of the hand emerging from it the only sign of impact. It... paused, seeming to contemplate this newest sound and sensation. Then it twitched again, fingers spreading as the hand reached forwards, the sharpened points of unnatural fingernails reaching steadily forwards, revealing more and more of the creature as it smoothly exited the veil of darkness, up to its elbow, then shoulder, and then finally a face looking a near-perfect imitation of Malsam but for the two still-empty sockets where the eyes should be. It's mouth opens, revealing a line of white teeth almost conspicuously ordinary, but looking past the teeth gives the impression of staring into a bottomless well. The mouth simply an opening to some great yawning something beyond, and from that something a voice emerges. "I... mean you no harm... watcher." The creature says. "Not so long as you... mean me none." The voice scrapes from its throat like nails against fine crystalware, setting the nerves to edge and raising the hairs on ones neck. It is the voice of a creature that so very clearly does not belong. The rest of its body emerges, trailing after the head as though pulled on a string rather than propelled by any normal physiology. Its torso contains a single hole in it, roughly the size of a bullet. The wound leaves no blood, only a hole into the body that seems to open to the same endless space as the mouth, and as it is watched it begins to slowly widen, small pieces of white emerging from the sides and growing rapidly into a set of teeth that ring the opening. "What... is the reason you are here?" The creature continued, speaking now with two voices overlapping in horrid discordancy.

Laurelai, Lita's apartment, the Alleys “Sorry for what?” Lita asked, voice rising. The words had barely penetrated Laurelai's awareness when a sudden slamming sound caused her to jump in her seat, bringing her eyes up to meet the bright green's of Lita's. The very angry green eyes of Lita. “What is it you have to be sorry for? After all, aren’t I the problem?" The redhead asked, a bitter edge of hurt to her anger. Laurelai stared at her friend, each angry word lashing out and causing her to flinch anew. A large part of her, hurt and confused, wanted to yell back. To ask Lita what in Damnation's name she was talking about. How she could possibly think that she was the problem. A much smaller part, a lingering analytical voice that had avoided spiraling into self destruction enough to actually pay attention to her friend, noted Lita's flush, her firm gaze and angry tone. But also the slight catch in her voice, the subtle darkness under her eyes, and the faintest reddening of the lids. “Just tell me what you want!” Lita finished, patience clearly at an end. "Lita..." Laurelai began, having to start a few times as her own voice caught. "You... you actually think that I, what? That I hated you? Gods how could you possibly..." Laurelai stared in utter disbelief, she set her cup on the table and used her sleeve to wipe the lingering tears in her eyes. Trying to understand how Lita could have possibly thought that she'd done something wrong. But then... based on what Lita had seen, the shying away, refusing to meet her eyes, what else was she to think? What had Laurelai expected her to do? Certainly she couldn't have dreamed that all of it would fly beneath Lita's notice. Domi the woman was a Tineye! And a particularly observent one at that. Her arm was still wrapped about her midsection but Laurelai's trembling faded as she looked at her friend. Really looked for the first time in.... a Week? Months? She saw first the obvious, the anger and hurt, the stress and frustation. Looking past that, and managing blessedly to look past the superficial as well for a moment, Laurelai saw a friend who had been through the same nightmarish experience as the rest of the city. Only Lita had been closer to its architect than perhaps anyone other than Laurelai's father, and she had been denied the satisfying conclusion that Voidus had managed to obtain. And then, at its conclusion she had not been able to be relieved at its end, no she had needed to support Laurelai herself struggling through the confusion of not sharing the same memories as anyone else. "You've been crying." Laurelai noted, her own hurt vanishing til it seemed a distant thing barely worth notice. "Before now. Before anything that's happened tonight. Is that... have I... upset you? Or is it... Him?" @ZincAboutIt

Laurelai, Lita's apartment, the Alleys "And here I recall you saying she wasn't your type." Lita said, sipping her tea. Doubly foolish Laurelai, not keeping track of the changes. She mentally chided. She exerted all her years of training and willpower to avoid wincing this time at least. The effect was ruined when she sipped her tea and winced at the temperature of it instead, scalding lips still pale from the cold outside. But at least it bought her a moment to think before replying. A moment later she regretted that decision immediately when Lita continued to speak, seeming to comment offhandedly but Laurelai did not miss the biting edge of irritation to her tone, the slight frown that could have meant any of a few things, though none of them good. Again she seemed to hear voices overlapping, all speaking different words but with that same tone. Patience nearing its end, frustration and annoyance bubbling slowly into anger that would eventually lead into hatred, scorn, and then finally... finally they left. Sent her away or left themselves. Until she was alone on the streets once again, just as she had been her first night in this city when fires raged around her. No, Lita wouldn't leave. The voice spoke up again, quieter, lacking its usual bite and confidence. Lita Attar is my friend. She.... she wouldn't. Would she? "I'm sorry." Laurelai whispered, more out of instinct than understanding. Practice and training abandoned her as her posture crumpled, the hand that wasn't holding a cup wrapped protectively around her and her shoulders slumped. Her head bowed, hair drawing in to an uncharacteristically unappealing curtain over her face. A slight tremor ran through her body, one she didn't even bother trying to hide anymore. @ZincAboutIt

Also I guess since I'm here anyway, hello! Pan/enby. That is all. Returns salute. Fades into shadows.

Fixing double posts. But also I just lurk around here sometimes. I am the invisible mod of the RPs and social guilds. Unless you happen to be in one of the RPs I'm active in and then I never shut up.

Whisper glanced into the doorway even as her attention stretched behind, to the sounds of a shot being fire, weapons being drawn. Whatever these creatures were seemed only to become more real the more they were observed so she did her best to try not to pay too much attention to the slighter sounds that the creature might make. But Whisper was no tineye, and these were hardly ideal circumstances. Perhaps if she'd been able to take a moment to steady her breathing and concentrate she could have managed it, but her mind still methodically cataloged the slight touch of feet against the floor, the creak of a floorboard further behind, and more than anything that uncanny sense of being watched, observed, a tingle at the back of her neck that took every nerve she had to ignore. She pulled her focus forwards, towards the room they had opened. Cold gray eyes flickered across the floor to see a matching door in the wall opposite. The room appeared to be a bedroom, relatively mundane as far as she was concerned. Though it did seem oddly... stretched. Perhaps thirty feet in length but only a quarter as wide, warm cream carpet spread from the doorway to the opposite wall. A double bed rested against the left side, also oddly elongated and it seemed that the bedding had all been placed beneath the mattress. But other than that she saw only a floor to ceiling mirror on the right wall, close to their entry, and an even more ordinary wardrobe a little further along the left wall. No, the door as well. She noted, taking a second glance. At first she had thought it was an identical door of some dark hardwood with a brass handle. But looking again there was something odd about how the light bounced off of it, candles positioned in fixtures overhead gave a dim orange lighting but the door seemed almost reflective in part. Was it... painted? A thin veneer over a metallic base. But if painted doors and stretched dimensions were the worst this room had to offer it seemed far safer than a corridor of monsters. Safe enough. She wrote in the air in glowing letters once again. We can watch the doorway from inside without seeing the creatures. She entered first, scanning the room once more and cautiously checking behind the door before slowly turning back to the corridor. She could only see Vivi in the doorway now, though it took deliberate effort to focus on turning around but not looking for whatever had been watching from behind her. She dropped low, dagger in one hand and the other kept empty for now, using it to gesture Vivi to follow behind. If we are incredibly fortunate a gunshot and a few nicks from blades will be enough to drive them off. She thought, not even bothering to suppress the utterly doubtful tone.