RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Chrono Vertex

11:07, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

Posted by The Howling DarkFor group 0
The Howling Dark
GM, 487 posts
Sat 18 Mar 2017
at 00:07
  • msg #1

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

Unfortunately Lyla's stay at the Enterprise must be cut short.  After an all-too-fleeting dalliance with Five Days Darkness, they get orders direct from Core that they need Lyla to report to Leanette Akashic Florentine herself.

This is pretty much unprecedented.  The Neomah is a pretty solitary figure, unwilling to interact with people who are not her kind- let alone Solars.  Usually one passes messages to Leanette through the Neomah network and maybe, just maybe, they'd get a reply back in a week.  This means it's something seriously important, and it means that Lyla's the only one for the job.

XO Chambers flies Lyla back to the Last Refuge personally, docking with the massive egg-shaped vessel somewhere near the equator.  After that it's a quick tram ride to the Upperdecks, towards the Neomah section of the upperdecks.  Their spiraling towers encrust the silvery globe of Core like demonic barnacles, kept aloft by Core's own immeasurable gravity.

She's met at the entrance to the Neomah quarters by a drop-dead gorgeous woman with skin the color of cocoa and vivid green eyes.  She wears far too much leather to mean she's a mere flunky- genuine cow leather is rare and expensive these days.  Likewise, her hair starts black and straight and ends in tight curls by her ankles, turning somewhat... spiky.  She's either a Neomah wearing a potent glamour or a half-blood.

"Greetings.  This one is Sonia Asherah Matahari," She says as she touches her chest through a strategically cut hole in her jacket, "This one is to be your assistant during your trip within the Neomah Quarter.  If this one proves to be unacceptable, please let this one know and she will arrange for a more acceptable subordinate."
Lyla
player, 148 posts
Mon 20 Mar 2017
at 11:37
  • msg #2

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

The fleeting dalliance leaves Lyla still quite amused as she is rushed for another possible mission. It was to be expected that someone would want to talk with her, but never had she thought that it'd be Leanette. The illusive neomah was quite skilled at keeping herself hidden from the gossip circles, even better than her, so she was quite interested in hearing this all out.

Not really having the time or interest, in finding something more presentable, Lyla was stuck with her basic ripped jeans and a loose t-shirt combo, a huge scarf wrapped around her neck. Not that she really minded, it's not like she was auditioning to be a model.

"Nice to meet you. Lyla Raines,"
Lyla gives a small nod. "I will, though I doubt there'll be a need to."
The Howling Dark
GM, 491 posts
Wed 22 Mar 2017
at 21:46
  • msg #3

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"Never say never.  Tastes in personalities and other proclivities are always fickle things.  For what it's worth, this one has heard much of you," Sonia tells her and offers her an arm, "And this one specifically requested the assignment.  This one might be considered to be the senior assistant to your opposite number within the Neomah organization."

Opposite number?  It's unlikely she means a pilot or Exalted; it likely means the Neomah have their own specialized intelligence-gathering group.

"Some words of warning.  Leanette Akashic Florentine will not allow you to meet with Core unless Core requests it.  Don't bother asking, it will upset her.  Her official stance is that she and Core are married.  If Core suggests otherwise, smile and nod but don't try to correct her or butt in.  Don't offer her food or drink, especially for a later date.  She will offer that to you if she wishes.  This one would also advise not to bring up politically sensitive topics regarding demons unless you really, really want to discuss them at great depth and for an interminable period.  Any questions?"
Lyla
player, 149 posts
Thu 23 Mar 2017
at 11:42
  • msg #4

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

There is a slight arch of a brow upon mentioning status within the Neomah organization, or the fact that Sonia seems to know something about her. Gathered people knew Lyla, but her publicity was not much compared to Daniel or Jess. Quite interesting.

"No. No questions regarding the rules. Glad to receive instructions, makes everything easier for everyone."

Lyla hesitates momentarily, before taking up on Sonia's arm.

"What made you want this assignment, the chance to meet me personally? Or do you perhaps have numerous questions to present in the professional mind?"
The Howling Dark
GM, 494 posts
Sat 25 Mar 2017
at 20:51
  • msg #5

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"This one has worked with several of your contacts in the past.  There is cross-talk between our organizations.  As the old saying, 'Bakers feed farmers, farmers feed bakers'."

That must be a really old saying, because Lyla's never heard of it.  Sonia tightens her arm around Lyla's and walks her into the Neomah warrens:  a comfortable array of what looks like fancy hotel lobbies, with the purple-skinned black-eyed demons lounging about the place or minding their own business.  Only half of them are wearing their glamour.

"This one became especially curious as you are not worshiped as is your due.  Such a- quiet- Exalt is a rarity.  This is even more curious as you have been involved in most major operations."
Sonia tilts her head to look at her, "This one is intrigued.  This one says to herself, 'this is someone this one should know'.  This one says to herself, 'this woman is the most dangerous'.  Does that offend?"
Lyla
player, 150 posts
Mon 27 Mar 2017
at 13:06
  • msg #6

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"It seems that judging by your name and sayings, you've been around in this business a tad longer than I have," Lyla smiles with a nod, politely not looking around too much.

"Oh, you exaggerate, surely. No offense taken though. It's true that I've taken part in the operations, and that I don't have my own fanclub or cult like some others. But does that make me most dangerous? I have to say I doubt that, I'm only unpredictable to a certain degree."


She tilts her head in return to look back at Sonia.

"Besides, publicity only does good for those who benefit from it. I find it more beneficial and easier to get to know people personally face to face. Like the way we just met."

The Howling Dark
GM, 501 posts
Tue 28 Mar 2017
at 23:05
  • msg #7

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"Since the rise of Assyria.  But time doesn't work the same for us as it does for you.  We progress slowly.  Carefully.  If we progress at all.  Leanette Akashic Florentine is younger than this one is, but is much more powerful.  Make of that what you will."  She waves her free hand, pushing aside a john as he stumbles out of a Neomah's room bleeding and happy.

"You are most dangerous because you are a professional.  You perform your duties quietly and competently and thus nobody recognizes you're there.  That is the mark of true power.  You and Leanette will have much in common in that regard; the only reason Leanette's known at all is because the rest of the Neomah insist on it."  She pats Lyla's hand, "A genius may have designed the ziggurats, but it takes the slow steadiness of the mason to get it formed.  The emperor may decide to put a man to death, but a mason may kill a man by simply knowing when to drop a stone."
Lyla
player, 151 posts
Wed 29 Mar 2017
at 20:20
  • msg #8

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

Lyla gives a small nod in regard of ages.

"Age is just a number even with humans, it only gives a hint about how they perceive the world and how they have succeeded," there is no flinch or even a glance given to the passerby, it was well known how the Neomah bargained.

"So, Leanette wouldn't be so known, if she could choose it herself. From what I gathered she'd be just as happy just with her and Core, and less publicity. But then again that was not something in their cards, when things began to turn ugly and Core had a way to solve it."

There is a certain degree of caution in her voice as she speaks. She had worked with all sorts of folk during the years past, doing her best to treat each and everyone as individuals. On the other hand the case with Brahe was still tickling her brain, trying to bother her on a personal level even when none of it was directly related to her. Thus suddenly being faced to dealing with demons was something that made her feel extremely cautious.
The Howling Dark
GM, 506 posts
Sat 1 Apr 2017
at 18:57
  • msg #9

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"That's correct.  But the Neomah and the rest of the demons needed her to step up.  She's been... unhappy... with the arrangement, for the most part.  That hasn't stopped her from doing what needs to be done.  For one of our younger generations, she's done well."

Sonia steers her to a glass bridge between Neomah warrens, giving Lyla a brilliant view of Core's enclosure- a center of light and gravity.  The other Neomah give them a wide berth.

"You remind this one, in many ways, of a Solar this one met in our ancient lands.  This one barely escaped with her life.  Time has worn down her legend, shaved it down to chips and dust, and nowadays her exploits are reduced to a single story.  A tent peg through the temple, if only it were so mundane!  Now all lost; the ancient lands, the world, the legends, the belief."

Sonia stops mid-bridge and looks up at Core.

"Now we put faith in a new sacrifice, the Antichrist Michael Florentine.  The demons praise his scripture of mathematics and medicine, and his sacrificial foresight.  The humans praise a Second Coming who can't decide whether he is man or devil.  The gods praise their own dead, and are only a step away from becoming one with the void.  In this world of dying titans, the old hero simply- slips through the cracks." 

Sonia looks at Lyla pointedly.

"You're wise to stay in the cracks.  That's where good things leak out and bad things squirm in."

Lyla
player, 152 posts
Sun 2 Apr 2017
at 23:24
  • msg #10

Arc 1, Thread 2:  Bughunt (Lyla)

"Seems Leanette has a strong sense of duty, and purpose...and that she likes Michael enough to do this all for them. Not that this is any of my business to say things such as these. My apologies," Lyla smirks a bit, trying to comment on a thing that is mere speculation.

"Who is this Solar you speak about? I guess though that eventually we will all be forgotten, when new heroes take the stage. Unless we do things that shape the world, such as Michael... the Core. Hmmh," she looks passingly at the light.

Eventually she nods and looks back at Sonia, with a tilted head.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to then stay on the look out, here, in between it all. Even though separating good and bad things is becoming increasingly difficult the further we evolve. There is so much room for personal interpretation."

This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Sun 02 Apr 2017.
Sign In