RE: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELED [S!1][ROUND THREE: PORT CERIDWEN]
08-27-2017, 06:38 AM
The Awen Library was huge, marble, and just as decadent as the rest of the city. The kind of buildings Freefall passed every day but never entered. It was bleeding thick black blood-stuff. It heaved and sighed woundedly.
“Well. Can't really say if it's supposed to do that or if this seaside air is getting to me.”
”I'd prefer a fight over research any day.”
“Haha. One way or another...” Bennie strode up steps. Her skirt clung and became loose capri-legs.
They stepped over the shuddering threshold. Fallen beams that had sprouted leaves—or maybe had always been like that—and other debris blocked the way. Bennie sliced through them, her dual swords flickering.
“Well, now they know we're coming.”
The Great Hall of the library was upended bookshelves and a very recent struggle. Freefall tensed, ready. Bennie clicked her tongue.
“Even the stained glass ceiling...you know, it was one of the few examples of that style.”
“What?”
“You never been on a vacation?”
“Y-yeah??”
Bennie sighed. ”Anyways, I hear voices thataway.” Her heels moved surprisingly quietly over the mess.
Behind some still-standing intricately carved shelves was a bunch of identical guys--Oh, huh--and three others. Aaron, a wizardy looking guy, and—someone. They were all standing on a bunch of...money?
“So.” Bennie stepped forward, and the sparkling light from what remained of the ceiling hit her just so. “I see you've been doing a little problem-solving on your own. I'm glad we've all managed to meet up. Freefall and I are investigating a murder. And it's led us here.
“Hi,” She waved at all of them, “I'm Bennie.”
They were a little shocked. Especially Aaron, and the raggedy--
“Uhh. Hi.” The man waved awkwardly back.
“Tschic?!” He was surprisingly normal-looking.
“So, decided to change your brand?”
“I guess.”
“Gotta keep things fresh.” Bennie smiled encouragingly. It was kinda odd.
The 3 identical ones took this opportunity to pipe up.
“Y-you said...murder...our LEADER...was ALSO-”
“Yep. Saw him spilled out all over the carpet.” They flinched at the memory. “We're here because the symbol we found scrawled in sanguine on the wall.” She dipped gloved fingers into the ichor and made a few quick strokes.
“Now,” she said, and Freefall couldn't help thinking of that one gameshow host she occasionally saw on late-night reruns, “Can anyone tell me what this means?”
The librarians recoiled. The wizard guy blanched.
“The- egg-”
“Uh-huh?”
Aaron broke in.
“Beunissima-”
“Bennie.”
“Bennie- I don't think we'll be needing your help.” Bennie raised an eyebrow.
“You think I'm here to help you?”
“I don't think you're here to help anyone but yourself.”
“Aaron!” Freefall couldn't help bursting in. “I get it. I do. I felt the same way. But Bennie's not—she's forced into this just like us. She HAD to kill someone, she didn't have a choice...we need to all...” How to explain it to him?
“It's okay, Freefall.” Bennie put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I don't expect everyone to trust me right away.” She smiled at Aaron.
He looked cold, and angry, and tense, and...sick?
“We are fine here-”
“Really?” Freefall's voice was hard. “Cuz it looks like you guys got beat just a few minutes ago. What happened?”
Aaron was tight-lipped. What had gotten into him? Tschic just looked awkward. She gave him her hardest stare.
“Jeez, Freefall. It was just a nightmare. They've been attacking the whole city, it's not-” he glanced sidelong at Aaron, “-some big secret.”
“Nightmares?” Freefall nodded professionally. “I fought some of those with my team once. Guy named Dr. Nyx that made your id come alive. Was it a big one or uh-” Ace had barred her from actually coming on the mission, telling her that she needed experience doing support, but they didn't have to know that “-one of the small ones?”
Tschic looked at her weirdly. “Well, a big one? But seriously, we just got eaten and then it dissolved. 4/10 honestly.” He nudged the pile of coins on the floor. “It's where all this came from.”
“How exactly did it die?”
“Wellll, uh—they're kind of weak on the inside, actually.”
The other wizard opened his mouth to speak. Tschic shot him a look. He cleared his throat.
“Ahem. I think, that, with all due respect, Miss Freefall, Miss Bennie-”
“Princess Beunissima Coel Y Os Tiemasiy.”
“Um.” He blinked. “Er--Princess--with all due respect, while I appreciate Mr. Tschichold's contributions, I believe that if Master Aaron feels your input is not needed, then I must agree with him. After all, he is-”
“I do not care what Aaron thinks. I want,” Her voice turned sharp, “A quick explanation of what went down here, a summary of relevant local lore, and a lead on either this symbol or who'd want to murder a library elf.
“In whatever order.”
“Or what?” said Aaron.
For a moment, Bennie's hands twitched, and Freefall thought she was about to slice a table in half. But she untensed and sighed.
“Tschic, you can tell me what happened? Freefall, interview those guys about the murder. Try to be...sensitive.”
“Okay.” said Freefall, dubiously.
She ushered the identical guys over to a corner, away from the soon-to-be arguing. Doesn't Aaron get what's at stake here?
“Ok, so, uh, what are your names?”
“Llygoden.” they said in sync. Hoo boy.
“Is there one of you that I can just, talk to, and not do this—I mean, it would make things easier for me?” Sensitive, sensitive.
They all looked at each other.
“I...am Llygoden Dau.” One said hesitantly. “The one of us killed, he, he was Llygoden Un.” [color=#7474FF]One of the others began silently crying.
“Do you...have any enemies?”
They shook their heads rapidly, protesting.
“No enemies!”
“Never harmed anyone!”
“O.K.! Okay! Just a standard question. It's okay. Uhh. Anyone you can think of who might have done this?”
One of the Llygodens stepped forward and clasped Freefall's hands.
“Hey-”
“The port is in danger.”
“Danger.” The Llygodens murmured.
“The Serpent's Egg foretells great upheaval.” said Llygoden Dau.
“That's, is that what the symbol is?”
“You must protect the Port.” This guy really isn't letting go of my hands, huh...From the other corner of the room she heard indistinct arguing.
“Sure, of course I will. Of course I will. But you gotta give me more to go on.”
“You must tell the Council.”
“You must make them understand.”
“Understand what.”
A murmur again of half-started sentences.
“The things in the dark-”
“Things grow in the dark.”
“What feasts on scraps moves to bigger prey.”
Cryptic riddles. Great.
“Morfran-” said one, and was hushed by the others.
“What? What was that?”
They looked at each other, embarrassed and shut-mouthed.
“Please. I want to help. I want to solve this case.”
“...the Sunken City. Morfran's Ward. The Library—the Library's sister—the Library is mirrored there. They...know things.” They were talking in fits and starts now, over each other, too frightened to individually tell the whole truth.
“In the depths.”
“Away from the light.”
“We dare not go there.”
“...There you will find secrets.”
Freefall stood there and processed.
“Ok...okay. Thanks. I'll...I'll figure this out.” She tried to smile reassuringly.
I hope Bennie was more successful than I was.
Freefall came back to what looked like a staring match.
“Freefall. Tell me some good news.” said Bennie without moving her eyes.
“Jesus Christ.” said Tschic.
“Well, they—the Llygodens, said the symbol is called the 'Serpent's Egg,' that it's an omen of great disaster, and that we have to warn 'the Council.'”
“Sounds about right.”
“They also said there was a place for secrets...Morfran's Ward.”
Shapiro gasped.
“What?” Aaron broke eye contact. Bennie looked slightly smug. He stared at the Llygodens. “I wasn't expecting much, but I certainly wasn't expecting you to advise dangerous strangers to traipse around in a volatile sub-city filled with militants who harbor nothing but antagonism toward the Council and the Port as a whole!”
The Llygodens pulled together like a frightened herd.
“Sounds fun.” Bennie grinned.
Aaron was I've never seen him like this.
Bennie sneered. “Oh, was that your last nerve, bean-counter? Cuz you've been getting on mine.
“Here's how it's gonna be. You're going to talk to the Council—tell them to raise a militia, brace for impact, stop trying to hide the disaster from the populace, whatever. You're a wizard, they're wizards, go talk their ears off. Stop me if you've got a better idea! Freefall-” She clapped Freefall across the back, “Dearest darlingest shit-wrecker, will go with you, to provide protection and a sense of heroism.
“I will be going down to wherever these unplumbed depths are, and discovering whatever terrible-and-or-day-saving secrets there are to be found. I would like Tschic to come with me, because I am intrigued by him, because I think he'll come in handy, and because with you he got eaten alive.
“I would say 'any questions,' but the time for questions. Is over.”
Her heels click-click turned and she was out the door. As the echo faded, an awkward silence settled over the library.
“Well. Can't really say if it's supposed to do that or if this seaside air is getting to me.”
”I'd prefer a fight over research any day.”
“Haha. One way or another...” Bennie strode up steps. Her skirt clung and became loose capri-legs.
They stepped over the shuddering threshold. Fallen beams that had sprouted leaves—or maybe had always been like that—and other debris blocked the way. Bennie sliced through them, her dual swords flickering.
“Well, now they know we're coming.”
The Great Hall of the library was upended bookshelves and a very recent struggle. Freefall tensed, ready. Bennie clicked her tongue.
“Even the stained glass ceiling...you know, it was one of the few examples of that style.”
“What?”
“You never been on a vacation?”
“Y-yeah??”
Bennie sighed. ”Anyways, I hear voices thataway.” Her heels moved surprisingly quietly over the mess.
Behind some still-standing intricately carved shelves was a bunch of identical guys--Oh, huh--and three others. Aaron, a wizardy looking guy, and—someone. They were all standing on a bunch of...money?
“So.” Bennie stepped forward, and the sparkling light from what remained of the ceiling hit her just so. “I see you've been doing a little problem-solving on your own. I'm glad we've all managed to meet up. Freefall and I are investigating a murder. And it's led us here.
“Hi,” She waved at all of them, “I'm Bennie.”
They were a little shocked. Especially Aaron, and the raggedy--
“Uhh. Hi.” The man waved awkwardly back.
“Tschic?!” He was surprisingly normal-looking.
“So, decided to change your brand?”
“I guess.”
“Gotta keep things fresh.” Bennie smiled encouragingly. It was kinda odd.
The 3 identical ones took this opportunity to pipe up.
“Y-you said...murder...our LEADER...was ALSO-”
“Yep. Saw him spilled out all over the carpet.” They flinched at the memory. “We're here because the symbol we found scrawled in sanguine on the wall.” She dipped gloved fingers into the ichor and made a few quick strokes.
“Now,” she said, and Freefall couldn't help thinking of that one gameshow host she occasionally saw on late-night reruns, “Can anyone tell me what this means?”
The librarians recoiled. The wizard guy blanched.
“The- egg-”
“Uh-huh?”
Aaron broke in.
“Beunissima-”
“Bennie.”
“Bennie- I don't think we'll be needing your help.” Bennie raised an eyebrow.
“You think I'm here to help you?”
“I don't think you're here to help anyone but yourself.”
“Aaron!” Freefall couldn't help bursting in. “I get it. I do. I felt the same way. But Bennie's not—she's forced into this just like us. She HAD to kill someone, she didn't have a choice...we need to all...” How to explain it to him?
“It's okay, Freefall.” Bennie put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I don't expect everyone to trust me right away.” She smiled at Aaron.
He looked cold, and angry, and tense, and...sick?
“We are fine here-”
“Really?” Freefall's voice was hard. “Cuz it looks like you guys got beat just a few minutes ago. What happened?”
Aaron was tight-lipped. What had gotten into him? Tschic just looked awkward. She gave him her hardest stare.
“Jeez, Freefall. It was just a nightmare. They've been attacking the whole city, it's not-” he glanced sidelong at Aaron, “-some big secret.”
“Nightmares?” Freefall nodded professionally. “I fought some of those with my team once. Guy named Dr. Nyx that made your id come alive. Was it a big one or uh-” Ace had barred her from actually coming on the mission, telling her that she needed experience doing support, but they didn't have to know that “-one of the small ones?”
Tschic looked at her weirdly. “Well, a big one? But seriously, we just got eaten and then it dissolved. 4/10 honestly.” He nudged the pile of coins on the floor. “It's where all this came from.”
“How exactly did it die?”
“Wellll, uh—they're kind of weak on the inside, actually.”
The other wizard opened his mouth to speak. Tschic shot him a look. He cleared his throat.
“Ahem. I think, that, with all due respect, Miss Freefall, Miss Bennie-”
“Princess Beunissima Coel Y Os Tiemasiy.”
“Um.” He blinked. “Er--Princess--with all due respect, while I appreciate Mr. Tschichold's contributions, I believe that if Master Aaron feels your input is not needed, then I must agree with him. After all, he is-”
“I do not care what Aaron thinks. I want,” Her voice turned sharp, “A quick explanation of what went down here, a summary of relevant local lore, and a lead on either this symbol or who'd want to murder a library elf.
“In whatever order.”
“Or what?” said Aaron.
For a moment, Bennie's hands twitched, and Freefall thought she was about to slice a table in half. But she untensed and sighed.
“Tschic, you can tell me what happened? Freefall, interview those guys about the murder. Try to be...sensitive.”
“Okay.” said Freefall, dubiously.
She ushered the identical guys over to a corner, away from the soon-to-be arguing. Doesn't Aaron get what's at stake here?
“Ok, so, uh, what are your names?”
“Llygoden.” they said in sync. Hoo boy.
“Is there one of you that I can just, talk to, and not do this—I mean, it would make things easier for me?” Sensitive, sensitive.
They all looked at each other.
“I...am Llygoden Dau.” One said hesitantly. “The one of us killed, he, he was Llygoden Un.” [color=#7474FF]One of the others began silently crying.
“Do you...have any enemies?”
They shook their heads rapidly, protesting.
“No enemies!”
“Never harmed anyone!”
“O.K.! Okay! Just a standard question. It's okay. Uhh. Anyone you can think of who might have done this?”
One of the Llygodens stepped forward and clasped Freefall's hands.
“Hey-”
“The port is in danger.”
“Danger.” The Llygodens murmured.
“The Serpent's Egg foretells great upheaval.” said Llygoden Dau.
“That's, is that what the symbol is?”
“You must protect the Port.” This guy really isn't letting go of my hands, huh...From the other corner of the room she heard indistinct arguing.
“Sure, of course I will. Of course I will. But you gotta give me more to go on.”
“You must tell the Council.”
“You must make them understand.”
“Understand what.”
A murmur again of half-started sentences.
“The things in the dark-”
“Things grow in the dark.”
“What feasts on scraps moves to bigger prey.”
Cryptic riddles. Great.
“Morfran-” said one, and was hushed by the others.
“What? What was that?”
They looked at each other, embarrassed and shut-mouthed.
“Please. I want to help. I want to solve this case.”
“...the Sunken City. Morfran's Ward. The Library—the Library's sister—the Library is mirrored there. They...know things.” They were talking in fits and starts now, over each other, too frightened to individually tell the whole truth.
“In the depths.”
“Away from the light.”
“We dare not go there.”
“...There you will find secrets.”
Freefall stood there and processed.
“Ok...okay. Thanks. I'll...I'll figure this out.” She tried to smile reassuringly.
I hope Bennie was more successful than I was.
Freefall came back to what looked like a staring match.
“Freefall. Tell me some good news.” said Bennie without moving her eyes.
“Jesus Christ.” said Tschic.
“Well, they—the Llygodens, said the symbol is called the 'Serpent's Egg,' that it's an omen of great disaster, and that we have to warn 'the Council.'”
“Sounds about right.”
“They also said there was a place for secrets...Morfran's Ward.”
Shapiro gasped.
“What?” Aaron broke eye contact. Bennie looked slightly smug. He stared at the Llygodens. “I wasn't expecting much, but I certainly wasn't expecting you to advise dangerous strangers to traipse around in a volatile sub-city filled with militants who harbor nothing but antagonism toward the Council and the Port as a whole!”
The Llygodens pulled together like a frightened herd.
“Sounds fun.” Bennie grinned.
Aaron was I've never seen him like this.
Bennie sneered. “Oh, was that your last nerve, bean-counter? Cuz you've been getting on mine.
“Here's how it's gonna be. You're going to talk to the Council—tell them to raise a militia, brace for impact, stop trying to hide the disaster from the populace, whatever. You're a wizard, they're wizards, go talk their ears off. Stop me if you've got a better idea! Freefall-” She clapped Freefall across the back, “Dearest darlingest shit-wrecker, will go with you, to provide protection and a sense of heroism.
“I will be going down to wherever these unplumbed depths are, and discovering whatever terrible-and-or-day-saving secrets there are to be found. I would like Tschic to come with me, because I am intrigued by him, because I think he'll come in handy, and because with you he got eaten alive.
“I would say 'any questions,' but the time for questions. Is over.”
Her heels click-click turned and she was out the door. As the echo faded, an awkward silence settled over the library.