Jade Willow, Cathak Jilava and Bastion of Purity are now prisoners of the Celestial Exalted, along with two of their acolytes. With Tycho absolving himself of all responsibility, it is up to Higura and others to decide what is to be done with them.

Third has taken a short time to rest, to get some level of sense under it's belt. It approaches Willow, taking out the collar. 'I do hope you don't mind that Third starts with you.' it says, and crouches in front of the Wood Aspect, taking out the collar to begin working. A few minutes pause before it lets out a hiss as there's a spark of essence  from the collar, withdrawing it's hands, to let the metal collar fall to the ground. 'A terrible start for an Anathema trying to show it's strength.' it says lightly, picking up the collar gingerly, and its caste mark lighting into full light as it begins again, this time with rather a greater deal of success. As it finishes, it looks towards her. "Third can only hope that you do not take this as an insult. You are awake, and " it says, looking at the Immaculate. "Tell me about yourself, Jade Willow." it asks, quietly sitting back with the Immaculate, legs folded quietly, the small Solar looking at her quietly, waiting for her to speak for a few moments.

SHINING-EYE. Harmony, after a long bout of silence, awakens to the intensity of Third's thoughts and Essence expenditures. Of course, silence for her could be anything from a sleep mode to a lengthy period of computation and calculation. It is difficult to tell, but Third always has at least a distant feeling that she is watching, waiting for an opportunity her knowledge may be of use.

I-MAY-BE-ABLE-TO-AID-WITH-YOUR-MANIPULATION-OF-THE-SLAVE-COLLAR, the artificial intelligence informs it without prompting, then sinks back into a standby mode, content to wait as long as it must for Third to acknowledge it.

Apparently she is a little too late, though.

In the meantime, Jade eyes the collar uneasily. It is one thing to surrender to Anathema, another entirely to allow them control over her Essence use, her decision making, even her thoughts. "I... I have nothing I wish to tell in this uncomfortable situation. If you will place that collar on me I request to be knocked out first. If you insist I stay awake... then... then ask something more specific."

---

OOC: Sorry, but did anyone even restrain her yet, and where were the prisoners placed? I was hoping people would figure out the more mundane aspects of keeping captives before going for the collar.

"Third may need your help yet, Harmony- There are still two others to be collared. " Third looks over the three. There are not an abundance of materials in the settlement, but the mortals have put together anything they can find to keep the three properly restrained- Chains from the blacksmith, rope from the clothescrafter and it's uncommon strength, even sheets from the barracks tied together to keep all three of the Dragon-Blooded immaculates properly bound as best as they can. It should, hopefully, be enough to make sure that the Dragon-Blooded will not be able to escape, once they are collared. Bastion of Purity may be the greatest problem there. Third makes a mental note to ask Tycho to aid it with a quintet of guards, 4 to restrain the prisoners in case of an escape, one to summon the others. A four hour shift seems wise, to keep the guards fresh. Until then, it will have to make sure that they don't cause too much trouble. Willow is the least heavily bound, but this doesn't amount to much, as she's the only one not gagged with some length of sheet from the beds.

"It is not a comfortable thing. I'm afraid that this is something that you must go through with your eyes open, so you might know why Third does what it does. With any luck, one way or another, you will not have to wear it long. Are you from one of the noble dynasties of the Dragon-Blooded, or were you Exalted from among the ranks of the mortals?" it asks.

"How did you feel inspired to join the Immaculate Order? How long have you been Exalted, working among the Immaculates? How many Celestials have you collared? How many have you killed?" it asks. There is no accusation in its words as it sits before her. It then thinks to Harmony, and speaks to her, subvocalizing enough to ask her "If you have any access to copies of personnel files or similar things, Third would appreciate any aid you can offer in knowing about this woman's past. A single break in the armor of dogma could be enough to shatter it."

OOC: Posing a few of the common sense restraints likely to be used on the Dragon-Blooded, and suggesting how we should guard them. Others can feel free to add or subtract in what ways you might prefer.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Fri 27 Mar 2009.

"You need not carry this burden alone, Third." Higura says, stepping into the makeshift holding cell while carrying a small box in his hands. "The responsibility of holding these prisoners will rest squarely on our shoulders. I am of the mind that the Captain will refuse to have his people involved, as he desired to be removed from responsibility of having them around. So it seems like restraints and the collars might be the only way for now, loathe as I am to think of it." He purses his lips slightly, watching the people Third has bound. "I carry some of Miss Saffron's potions and mixtures in this box - this should suffice to calm down the belligerent and put them to sleep. I would rather not have to resort to this, but it seems like we will need every chance we can get."

Nodding to Third, he inclines his head towards the fallen trio, before standing back up and looking at Willow straight in the eye. "I am Doctor Yaishin Higura, of the Resplendant Assessors. You will not be kept forever, you need not fear - I do not believe in forcing people to follow against their will. At the same time, I do not believe you should be killed for things you have always believed to be true, and had no proof to think otherwise. I believe this is a chance for you to see the other side of the coin, so to speak."

"Perhaps it will not change the way you think, and the notions you have held to your heart all this time. But even if it does not, you should at least see this other viewpoint, if only once. It is one side of the truth, after all."

ACKNOWLEDGED. SEARCHING. Harmony answers Third tersely, so as not to disturb the current efforts at gleaning information from the Wood Aspect.

"Why you do what you do?" Jade Willow replies to Third, trying not to wilt in the face of that barrage of questions. She'd overextended herself during the battle, and now may well be a security risk to her Temple if she offers too much information. "Is it not for your freedom and your continued survival? Or do you think you have the right and the means to 'reform' us, because your powers derive from a higher source?"

"I will listen to your side of things, because right now I am given no choice." She pauses at the world 'Assessor' in Higura's introduction, but says nothing more about that for now. "However kindly you may word it, I am still a prisoner unless my words and views prove to be of no harm to you." The woman does not speak bitterly, simply stating this as a matter of fact.

Now Willow attempts to recall Third's questions in the order it gave them. It is no small feat considering how mentally worn out she is. "I was not born noble. But my family was not poor, either. They were employed in the Fire District, and gained the opportunity to move up to Wood District upon my Exaltation. As for joining, I did so not out of hatred but out of a desire for understanding. I wished a proper education, and I wished to know why we are a nation geared toward war when our only potential threats are collared. Thus I learned of the Philosophy that holds our society together, and the tragedy of a world too small to contain the power and ambition of the An--the Celestials without sparking cataclysmic conflict."

"I have never killed a Celestial personally. I always prefer to help capture them alive if possible. I have assisted in the capture of three. Does that cover everything?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Wed 01 Apr 2009.

"The higher source you speak of... maybe. The powers Third was given are of the sun. But the conviction that drives Third, the power that gave it the strength to touch you, that does come from a higher source, one higher than perhaps even the sun, in its importance to creation, or perhaps, linked with it. The thing that powers me is the search for truth. And the only way that Third shall ever know the truth of this war is to escape Five Coils." It waits as Higura speaks, and then slowly takes a seat in front of Willow as she answers its questions. The small Solar would seem almost comical, its legs folded, its small frame before the woman, but the memory of that looming figure should still burn fresh in her memory. The Solar is not small, not in the truest sense.

Third nods as she finishes answering the questions. "Knowledge. A worthy cause. Indeed, of all the things that the Immaculate Philosophy offers, knowledge is one of the rarest, but the most important." It looks towards her. "You have stopped calling us Anathema. This would suggest either that you are thinking of us as Celestials, as we are... or that you simply do not wish to offend me. Third hope that it is the former." It pauses for a moment. "But back to the matter of the Immaculates... Tell me. You sought knowledge. Did you, when told of the philosophy, stop questioning? An inquisitive mind like yours... Third does not believe that you would simply stop questioning. Did you not find anything that rankled you about the Immaculate philosophy?" It files away the thoughts on the capturing of Exalted for later. For now, it is the good cop.

NO-RECORDS-FOUND-OF-IMMACULATE-JADE-WILLOW, comes Harmony's reply after a short processing delay. PERSONAL-INFORMATION-CONCERNING-THE-IMMACULATE-ORDER-IS-BEYOND-MY-SCOPE. REQUIRES-PERMISSION-TO-INTERFACE-WITH-GATEKEEPER-OF-EARTH.

"Anathema is merely a label. I am your captive, thus I will call you as you prefer to be called. Jilava might call you Anathema until she is red in the face, but it will change nothing of my current situation," Willow replies plainly, clearly at least resigned to her captivity by now.

"I too wished for truth. But that wish was tempered by patience. I learned a great deal among the Immaculates as to the necessity of order and structure in society. I learned that information or even freedoms restricted by the Terrestrials of Five Coils were not always done out of malice. In fact those sort of people are rare -- borderline insane, even, like Daedalus. The man who created that machine who wanted so badly to kill me."

"Much of the policies instated, from the collaring of Celestials to the isolation of Districts, is to protect the citizens against those who may use knowledge or power wrongly. Sometimes, it is to protect the citizens against themselves." The Wood Aspect sighs, looking at the collar Third intends to place on her neck. Her instinct is to run, as she knows very keenly how the collar works on the inside. But the logical, reasoning side of her psyche reminds her tired mind that doing so is, at this point, futile. "But I did question, sometimes. The Celestials are often taken young. Because of those doubts I was allowed to the upper Districts to witness for myself the power of an insane Solar. It took five master monks to subdue him and three of them died, as well as tens of civilians slaughtered when he wrecked the sector he broke free to in the process."

"And they told me that one was relatively young." Jade Willow shakes her head.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:01, Thu 02 Apr 2009.

" Be careful there. There is much power in names. You might be safer if you simply treated Third as a demon, instead of a human being." It slowly listens to her story as she continues talking. The Gatekeeper of Earth... soon. Soon enough.

"To protect them from themselves...  You are an Immaculate- Surely you know of Bonsai? To prepare a plant, cut it, so as to keep it small, weak, unable to grow. Stunted forever. What the Dragon-Blooded are practicing here... it is not a careful, cautious preservation of the forest from wild growth. You are clipping the limbs of those who live within Five Coils. You stunt the growth of mortals, of Celestials... and of yourselves. It has been over two hundred years... and have you ever even made a move towards the surface? By your own admission, Solars only grow stronger as they are allowed to run free. Every day that you do not use the facilities here to strike, is that not your freedom slipping further away from you?"

It pauses, and moves on to what she says about the actions of others. "So, then. The actions are but those of a few who are on the edge... actions like those that stripped away Third's mind? You know why Third is called that, don't you? There were two others before Third. Solars whose minds were stripped away so that they could serve a purpose in your world. You- Yes, you, you are a hero, Willow, no matter what you may believe- you stood by, knowing that these things happened. Why did you do nothing? Fear of reprisal from your fellows, or do you truly believe that because Third exalted, as a Solar, as a Solar whose skills lay only in knowledge, it no longer deserved a self? Was the crime of Third's existence, the crime of the existence of the Second Beneficiary of Ordered Knowledge, of the First, were our crimes so great that your only option was to grind our minds into dust?"

Third looks almost angry, even as it holds the collar, ready already to place it upon her. "Third remembers the methods they used. Third could do the same to you. But Third does not need to. Remember that, Willow. Third could let you go, or brainwash you. Those were the two choices that the Dragon-Blooded had, and they would not let Third go. But Third... Well, Third will take the third choice." It softly sets the collar around the Wood-Aspect's throat. "For the Exalted, there is always a third option. You know you could have done it. You could have treated the Celestials as humans, trained us to believe in your philosophy. You could have made lies appealing to us to control us, instead of making these collars. But you never saw the third option, did you? You claimed to seek the truth, but in the end, you never probe more than skin deep." Third stands up, and turns away from her, inhaling once, exhaling once, emotions calming once again. "You call us Celestials, instead of Anathema. You are under no obligation to. But you do, anyway. Do you not believe that we can work together? Do you not believe that Third wants the land above to be free from tyrants, whether they be mortal, demon, Celestial, Terrestrial, or any other, as much as you do? Did you never think, as you collared a Celestial, condemning it to a life of being little more than an object for your use, your pleasure, that they could do good without being forced?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Fri 03 Apr 2009.

Third can see the irises of Willow's eyes start to jerk back and forth, as if inadvertently searching for a way out of the room. Her hands, clasped in front of her, tremble as the collar settles upon her neck.

"Y...you..." Jade Willow swallows, trying to wet a mouth that is too dry. "You already spoke of bonsai. And I explained to you that the Coils are not only Wood, but all the elements combined. The way of growth, not combined with Air's logic, Earth's tradition, Fire's fervor, Water's change, does not lead to a harmonious society. It leads to chaos. We are cautious because of the generations before us that were not. We wait because it's taken us this long to build what we can only hope is a fighting chance against what awaits outside."

"There are only a few Celestials that go insane this way because we have kept close watch on the rest." Again Willow fidgets. It seems she is warring with herself as the collar closes around her neck; she seems to be losing grip on her ability to keep herself calm and rational. When she continues speaking, her voice trembles and starts to rise. "Why, why do you talk as if I would know about you?! I don't know you. Every Dragon-blood is an individual, too! We aren't all told everything about every Celestial that's captured! So don't blame me! Don't blame me!!"

A last moment of panic makes her convulse, and she shoots up to her feet, but by then it is too late. The collar's tendrils have started to slither toward her brain, and she stands there in a cold sweat, her gaze shifting from Third to Higura and back. "Y-you don't understand. We fear you Celestials. You're too powerful. And with that kind of power you can't help but excel, you can't help but beat us at everything we try to do and you certainly will end up ruling us whether you want to or not. We could have lied to you. But then you'd eventually grow powerful enough to lie back at us better. To refuse the truth we gave you. That's why... that's why..." Exhausted beyond belief, the Immaculate woman suddenly bursts into tears.

Fortunately, Jilava and Bastion are still quite knocked out, and don't even so much as twitch at the heated exchange that has been going on.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Yaishin Higura: I'm playing her kind of losing her mind since she's WP drained and being pushed with all these opinions and accusations. :D Anyway, we can rule the collar's safely on Willow. It'll be easier with Jilava and Bastion since they are both unconscious. I figure Higura will attune Jilava's collar (since he's the one that spared her), and Third do Bastion's? However you decide it, you can roll your Wits+Lore diff 3.]

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: Harmony will give you another bonus. Let's say.. a +2.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:10, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

" Wood does not grow here. It is stunted. Air is not logical. It is dead. Earth does not follow traditions. It decays around you. Fire shows no fervor, it simply burns itself out. And nothing down here changes, least of all water- It simply stagnates at the bottom of a pool. You have mistaken cowardice for caution. You have made  "

It looks on her dispassionately as she reacts badly. "Do you claim ignorance? You never wondered about what they did to the Exalted? Are you, perhaps, an innocent? I wonder if those three Celestials you caught in your time would agree. Perhaps one of them was the First? The Second? But you never wondered, did you? It is because of what the Immaculates have done. They have taught you that you only gain truth from them. But their truth is nothing but a grain surrounded by poisonous lie. There is no truth in that, Willow."

It watches as she slowly plunges off the edge of denial, into the terrifying abyss of the truth. "Did you fear that we would tell you lies? Or did you fear that we would tell you the truth, and that we would be too strong to be ignored? Did you never think there was a reason that we were so powerful? Third will not lie. The Dragon-Blooded were built to be lesser than the Celestials. But you have proven that, when properly motivated, you can be as strong as us. You are still a hero, Willow." The Solar, unexpectedly, moves closer, its arms settling around Jade's shoulders, softly embracing the Immaculate as she cries, a point of relative stability. "The truth is seldom pleasant, seldom easy. But the truth is important, Jade Willow. Eye will show you the truth of the world. You are not a martyr, you are a hero. And we are not enemies. We are meant to be the staunchest of allies." It speaks softly, making itself an anchor for her, a new place to put her faith, now that her connection to the Immaculates are beginning to be strained.

After a few moments, it softly releases her, and moves to Bastion, placing the collar around the Earth Caste's neck, communing with Harmony, following it's advice as it attunes the collar, going much smoother this time with her aid. "Third is sorry. Third will have to be cruel. You are a good person, but you have been raised to believe in lies- To save you, Third must first destroy them."
[Private to GM: You rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((2,5,5,2,1,3,1,10,9,8)).

Harmony really makes a difference!

And if you think it's appropriate, I can roll an appropriate social attack- Probably Cha+Presence- to represent the continued assaults on her. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:43, Sat 04 Apr 2009.

The doctor maintains a polite distance form Third's talk with the Wood Immaculate, avoiding to step into the confrontation for now - an important trait he has inherited in the practice of his functions. Stepping in might mean preventing or lessening the impact of Third's approach and possible make the whole procedure backfire, or even give the woman the impression that they are teaming up against her, thus reinforcing her negative opinion of their kind. Instead, the doctor chooses to remain carefully withdrawn, leaving the two of them to their battle of wills.

He does his best to make the prisoners comfortable, however, despite their status. Silently, he props bundles near or under the passed-out Immaculates, as a replacement for actual pillows or cushions. The doctor seems cautious and careful to take in the prisoners' wellbeing - he does not relish the prospect of keeping them captive, but because it is now a necessity, he would ensure that it was handled as humanely as possible.

He grabs the last collar remaining, and stares for a moment at the sleeping Fire Aspected woman that now lies at his feet. He had observed her closely, during their fight. He had seen the hatred in her eyes and the burning rage she had tried to direct against him. Even now, she would kill him where he stands, should she wake up and find herself free to do so. But even knowing this, Higura finds himself unable to feel hatred for the fallen Immaculate. Hatred only begets more hatred, that much he knows. To swallow the woman's hatred with his own would mean that should he and the others triumph, then another group down the line would end up rising against them in return.

He would not take this path. He had promised this woman a chance, and he would keep his word.

The doctor is not so accustomed to machines and man-made designs, and as such the complexities of the collar he now holds seem different to him. He does not understand it as a pure scholar of theorist would - his understanding of the device is more instinctive, more human. It seems to grant an almost organic personality to the artifact he seeks to understand, treating it like one would treat a sentient being. Only then can Higura begin to comprehend how the device works, with all its intricacies, its strengths and weaknesses, and its inherent imperfections. After a time, he seems to reach a certain sense of understanding with the object, one he believes will allow him to use it properly.

Sadly, he looks upon the prostrate form of the fallen woman, and approaches her carefully. He opens the collar carefully, letting a part of his sentience reach into it, as he kneels besides her. You may never truly understand the words I have said to you. He begins, in thoughts, knowing that she would not understand his speech even if he directed it at her. You may never grasp what I am trying to say. But you will live. You will live, and so I hope, you will always carry with you the memory of what happened here. May it light your way, whatever this way may be.

Gently, he reaches for her neck, wrapping the collar around it with utmost care. He regards her one more time, and in this moment, true sadness can be seen in his deep green eyes.

Click.

"I do not claim ignorance," says Jade Willow after she manages to gain some control over her emotions. A part of her is aghast at her tears, but she certainly cannot take them back. "I only claim weakness." She feels awkward about Third's proximity -- as surprisingly comforting the gesture seems to be -- so she 'endures' it until it moves to collar Bastion as well.

"I never set out to be neither martyr nor hero. Martyr assumes my death will make a difference. Hero assumes I wish recognition for my deeds. No. I only wanted to do the right thing, to contribute positively to a harmonious society." The Wood Aspect wipes at her eyes, and tries not to fidget at the collar now settled onto her throat. "But there are many shades of grey. There is no absolute. There is no one act that is all good or all evil. One person's sacrifice is another's benefit."

"If what my faith has taught me is more harmful than what I will discover with you... I... I will gaze upon that truth for what it is. But I have not seen it yet. Not... yet." At this point Willow sounds as much like she is trying to convince herself.

In the meantime, both Third and Higura have succeeded at affixing the remaining two collars on Bastion and Jilava, respectively. There is also a pair of un-Exalted acolytes to deal with (brought in by Nanaret and Dena), though compared to their Terrestrial counterparts they will not be nearly as difficult to keep restrained. Especially since they will not recover from their wounds as quickly as their Terrestrial counterparts.

Once that is dealt with, the matter of how and where the prisoners will be kept (beds, or lying on the floor? drugged sleep? who will watch them, if not Tycho's men?) should be considered. As well as the initial orders given through the collars.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Yaishin Higura: Third now has 32 motes attuned, and Higura has 16. You'll have to explicitly state what you allow the collared person to do or not do, including Essence use, harming others, escaping, etc. So you might want to do that before moving to other scenes. While attuned you can communicate with the collared one mentally, as well... assuming they're not unconscious.]

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: And sure, you can roll Cha+Presence+3. Though I prefer things like this to be more gradual than a single roll will show. So regardless of the result, I do intend to RP Willow as gradually shedding her doubts, even if you do essentially 'win' the social combat.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:10, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

Third slowly stands up. It scans it's mind slowly for the options for the two Immaculates, and selects a small package. It restricts all Essence use, checksagainst harming living beings, and against attempting to escape. "Third will find you separate lodgings, hopefully somewhat more comfortable than this. These collars will help to make sure that you do not attempt to escape yet, but for the time being, we may need to keep you tied up for much of the time still. If Third can offer you some sort of comfort, Third will do what it can." Third intends to procure three extra mattresses, to offer the prisoners some level of comfort. They may prefer austerity, but as with all things, it intends to offer them a choice.

"Sacrifice can be for the best. But do not assume that all sacrifice is for the best. You must not throw your life away callously... And Third hopes that your companions will do the same." It moves to find if there are two separate places that the Immaculates can be kept- Bastion, who seems relatively stoic, and Willow in one, and Jilava in the other, to avoid having them reinforcing eachother too much, or seeing them at cross purposes. "And a hero... A hero is just not someone who seeks recognition. A hero is someone who is willing to find the third option." it states. "Don't mistake being a hero, wanting to be a hero, for mere selfishness. A person never becomes a hero solely for the recognition. It simply doesn't give that much." It softly bows to Jade Willow, and starts searching through the mining settlement for mattresses to bring the Immaculates some level of comfort. It does not know how much they will want it, but still. Third itself intends to sleep outside their room, to keep escape nice and difficult, and the bonds will, for now, stay on- Third doesn't want to risk anything. These collars have failed once.
[Private to GM: Hmm, I rolled it, but honestly, I'm happy enough with just going along with the RP aspect- This sort of thing is more fun to RP, anyway.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:53, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

Higura similarly arranges to provide some degree of comfort to the Immaculates, not wanting to add to the already uncomfortable situation they find themselves in. He strives to take care of the prisoners in the most humane way possible, but also minds his own promise to Tycho - that the prisoners would be the responsibility of those who chose to take them, and that they would not be allowed to endanger the safety of rest of the encampment.

The doctor arranges a method of guard with Third, staying next to the prisoners' room as well. He also tries to establish a method by which they can function in case one of them has to be away, to insure the prisoners are never left completely unattended. He asks for Third's vigilance when he has to meet with the refugees or take care of some business he cannot handle on his own, and in turn offers time for Third to go and handle his own private business while the doctor watches the prisoners.

The matter of deciding what to do with the collar is unpleasant to Higura, but he convinces himself that this is a temporary and necessary measure, and thus activates their first line of protection along with Third. His command is very much the same as his comrade's - cancellation of Essence use, attempts at escaping as well as any attempt by Jilava to harm herself or others.

The collared woman is still asleep, of course. Deep down, he hopes he can share a talk with her before it is time for them to be released. It will most likely be difficult and draining, and part of him feels sad at the rude awakening Jilava will face.

But those sort of situations are the type he was made to face.

There are plenty of mattresses available, as the mining settlement was built to house over 100. The majority of them are stored in the barracks though, so must be moved out one by one. Three are secured for the Immaculates by Third, and two more for the acolytes by Higura. It's slow work bringing them in alone one by one, but one of them needs to stay with the prisoners.

Two options are apparent in terms of where to keep the prisoners. One is to keep them in a pair of adjacent empty storage rooms, which open out to the rear of the settlement where they are less likely to make a run for it without being spotted. This would mean sleeping out in the large cavern housing the settlement, but sacrificing privacy ought not to be an issue here.

Another is to keep them in two (or more) of the empty rooms formerly reserved for foremen, crafters and officers at the settlement. The advantage of this is that it's the same area where the Celestials are already sleeping (assuming they have not opted for the barracks with the refugees, anyway). Sleeping outside the rooms in this case would be more awkward, as the halls outside are cramped, though it's possible to choose rooms at the end of the hall and sleep against the wall there.

If Third wishes to separate Jilava more completely, she could be placed in a foreman's room while the others are put in the storage room, or vice versa. Splitting the prisoners up that far away would mean Third and Higura would have multiple places to guard, though.

Harmony mentions to Third that it's possible she can watch the Immaculates/acolytes in an emergency, but she can only be something of an alarm, as she has no physical form to speak of.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:39, Tue 07 Apr 2009.

Third, for its part, suggests to Higura keeping them at the back. The Solar reasons that it will keep the two of them out of the way of the comings and goings of those in the Celestial area. It personally does not terribly mind giving up some level of personal comfort, and has nothing in particular to hide. It will prefer to keep the prisoners within close proximity at all times, however, so as to make sure they can coordinate their efforts, both in guarding, and interrogation. The walls should be thick enough to make it difficult to communicate solidarity too well. Third thanks Harmony, as well- If Third and Higura are both needed elsewhere for some reason, even just having an alarm available would be a great deal of help.

Third's proposal is completely fair and acceptable to the Doctor, and so he accepts the terms wholeheartedly. Higura does not mind sacrificing some comfort either, and also sees eye-to-eye with Third as to how closely to guard the prisoners - they are a very important responsibility, and should be treated as such.

Harmony's presence also makes Higura feel a bit more at ease, knowing that the whole of their guarding plans do not rely on him and Third being infallible.

THANKS-ARE-APPRECIATED-BUT-UNNECESSARY,  replies Harmony to Third. I-ADMIT-A-LACK-OF-UNDERSTANDING-OF-THE-LOGIC-IN-KEEPING-THE-TERRESTRIALS-ALIVE. HOWEVER-I-DO-NOT-QUESTION-YOUR-MOTIVES. I-ONLY-WISH-YOU-TO-BE-SAFE. Something akin to fondness emanates from the orb containing her consciousness. It's difficult to say if it's a physical feeling or an emotional one, but it is definitely real, at least for Third.

The arrangements are made, though it takes the entire rest of the day. Harmony does have to be left to watch the others while Higura and Third move the unconscious prisoners one by one (it takes both of their strength combined to do so). The collars seem to be working well, though: Willow can only watch and follow, even when obvious means of escape present themselves to her.

Higura notes that Jilava sleeps restlessly, caught in some sort of nightmare perhaps inspired by a subconscious awareness of her 'slavery'. Bastion does not seem to so much as react, even though his dark eyes open halfway through his transit to the storage room. He seems to be deep in silent thought and says nothing at all, content to contemplate his fate for the moment.

Finally the mattresses are set up, Jilava in her own separate room, Willow with Bastion and the acolytes. Willow has one last question, which she asks uncertainly, her mind still adjusting to the effect of the collars. "The others are in need of medical attention. Do you have a healer? If not I would ask if you would allow me to care for them myself at some point. At the very least the acolytes... they trained with me. Or is that too much for you to trust me with yet?"

It is proof of concept, Harmony. We must show that the Immaculates can be shown the truth. They are enemies because of habit, enemies because of corruption. They are not enemies because we need to fight them. If we can show that they can work with us... It will be proof that they can remember their place at our sides once again. And Third will not object if we are able to free more Exalted, Celestial, or Terrestrial, from their bonds.

Third notes Bastion waking, but for the moment, the earth immaculate seems taciturn. It will wait until later.

"Third will be willing to allow this, Willow. Third will stay with you to ensure that the people feel comforted, and to keep discussing matters." it says. The prohibitions in the Wood Aspect's mind should keep her from harming anyone, and having something useful to do to help the people of the camp will help to speed her integration.

"T-thank you." Willow says reluctantly as Third joins her in her storgae compartment/prison room.

Bastion still does not speak, and Third remembers he has never once spoke since encountering him, except for wordless grunts. Seated in lotus position on his mattress, his eyes follow the Solar as it speaks to Willow, but his expression and gaze are neutral: neither hostile nor friendly, neither judgmental nor accepting.

Eventually Bastion's eyes close... and again he appears to be sleeping, yet sitting up straight.

In that time Jade Willow has already done a cursory examination of the acolytes, mumbling about dislocated bones and bruises. Lacking supplies, she looks around the supply room for anything suitable, and finds nothing. "I suppose you and Higura appear reasonable enough... But some of your allies seem frighteningly out of control. That one with the claws -- she looked like she enjoyed to hurt them. Look. She constricted Maple's chest so hard she crushed her ribs. If she'd used more lethal force it would have killed her. How do you explain that?"

Willow sits down with a heavy sigh. "And I will need medical supplies, but can't do much without resting first. I am too exhausted, m-my hands are shaking. And with this," she indicates the collar, forcing her trembling hand down before she fiddles with it further. "I cannot use my essence even to heal."

Isolated in the other room, Jilava will likely remain asleep and nightmare-ridden for the entire night. Looking more closely at her, Higura sees that she appears younger than he might have originally thought. A young spitfire of a leader. Though shaved bald (of course) her brows and lashes are black and her bronze skin has an fiery tint to it.

Higura can keep watching her, dose her to sleep more soundly, even tend to her wounds. Or he can simply leave her be for now.

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge; Yaishin Higura: if you don't mind I would like to actually end this scene soon (you'll get more opportunity to talk with the immaculates though. Willow might even be a good candidate to have come along with Third in other threads, eventually.) If you're willing to play multiple threads at once, that also helps, but I'd like some focus put on the main thread or explorations too.]

"She is a Lunar. She does not do these things because she wants to hurt, to kill. Lunars are consumate survivors, and when you threatened her, you triggered her most violent instincts. The fact that she held back, and avoided killing Maple, should be proof enough that she does not kill out of pleasure. They embody an animal nature along with a human one, and when you corner any animal- humans included- it will respond poorly." It nods at her comments. "Third understands your concerns. Third will be willing to gradually give you more freedoms as you show your trustworthiness. For now, Third will see what it is able to do. Third would also wish to offer you an opportunity to work with us. If you wish to retrieve any medical supplies, Third will be willing to escort you to our infirmary." It bows its head. "Third apologizes once more for the lack of privacy. It is to ensure your safety as much as ours- If you are not kept under watch, the others may become uncertain about letting you live." it says politely, bowing its head.

[Private to GM: For now, we can probably safely fade out. Third will probably be willing to take Willow with it on expeditions and such, to keep an eye on her, and to continue helping to build/erode her intimacies as necessary. I think Third will probably see about spending some time with Danae and Talia, do a little bit of intellectual bonding with the other Twilights- I think Danae's a twilight, anyway. Third could probably be useful.]

On top of his current guard duties, Higura makes sure to tend to Jilava's wounds, monitoring her condition carefully as she continues to sleep. The fact her sleep is restless is regrettable to him, but otherwise unavoidable. Defeat and capture were the last things she saw before slipping into unconsciousness, and he has no qualms about believing she is dreaming about the demonic presence that managed to best her. Part of him is saddened at this imprinted image, but there is little that can be done to change this - he would only have to be honest afterwards, to give her a glimpse of the real him. He holds no illusions that she will ever see him as anything else but a demon, but he at least wants to give her the chance to see for herself.

He keeps the sleeping prisoner fed as well, as she cannot feed herself while unconscious. Despite her being a prisoner, he does not keep her weak in the design of later using this weakness against her. He would rather she remembers being at full strength when next she speaks to him.

Other duties would call him elsewhere in the coming days, but when time can be spared, Higura plans to come by to see how Jilava is doing, and to speak with her when she is awake and capable of doing so.

Willow seems accepting enough of the lack of privacy as long as she can at least give basic medical care to the heavily wounded acolytes, herself and even Bastion, though he remains mute and unspeaking -- and hardly moving -- for days on end. He has to be reminded to eat and does not even seem to need to so long as he is touching solid ground, as if respirating sustenance straight from the earth.

Jilava is a very different case, though. When she wakes to her predicament -- as she eventually does, a couple days after her capture -- she starts shouting at the top of her lungs. "LET ME OUT RIGHT NOW, ANATHEMA! I'LL FIGHT AND DIE IF I MUST BUT I WILL NOT BE YOUR PRISONER!!" The Fire Immaculate is as hot-blooded as her element, hurling epithets at the Anathema and swearing Hesiesh's own wrath, generally being as loud a nuisance as she can manage. If she could she would be clawing futilely at the collar, digging at her own skin, but Higura's orders from the collar strictly deny her any self-harm.

So the woman just keeps shouting, and struggling in her bonds so violently that she finally thuds onto the ground... and keeps wriggling. Her voice is significantly muffled to most anyone outside her room, but the other prison room is close enough that her words might still be heard from there.

---

OOC: The Jilava situation is mostly for Higura, who wanted the chance to talk to her personally. We can play this out gradually, the scene is less important than the others going on right now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:03, Sun 12 Apr 2009.

Quietly, Higura steps into the room, immediately assessing the situation and realizing that forcibly putting her back in bed would likely shame and anger her further. Rather, he sits at the chair he had used to watch over her while she was unconscious, and tilts his head to one side. "You have made your point known, Miss Jilava." He says, quietly, his voice a complete opposite of her harsh screams. "Unfortunately, I cannot let you free just yet. You will return to freedom in due time, as I have promised. But for now, I must keep you here, as much as it pains me to do so in these circumstances. You are not bound to like your predicament, of course, so I do not expect you to change your mind here and now."

He nods, pouring some fresh water into her glass, and depositing it near the small makeshift table he had put next to her bed. "As for your words... I must ask you a question, and although you are not bound to answer, I would like to hear what you wish to say. You harshly call me Anathema, and curse my name as such. Yet when we fought, you claimed that I 'should not exist', and expressed that you did not know who or what I am. Can I ask you then, how do you know I am what you claim me to be?"

Jilava stops struggling as soon as Higura enters. Her burning coal eyes fixate on his face, deeply resentful of his attitude, but for now she sits up and answers. She, too, can appear calm on demand. "I am surrounded by Anathema. You are still their allies, regardless of who or what you are!"

"And you have collared me. COLLARED! ME! Do you realize what sort of dire trouble you are in? I've figured you out, defector. Chosen of Fate." Jilava speaks the words harshly, as if they are a prison sentence. "If I do get free I will make sure the Paragons AND the Council Overseers know of your crimes!"

She straightens her spine and lifts her chin, refusing to appear subservient even while looking up at Higura. "You may as well kill me because I will never truly serve you. Even if this collar makes me do your bidding, I will bide my time. The Immaculate Order WILL find me. And what of Bastion and Jade Willow, have you killed them already?"

"Your allies are alive. They are being held captive as well, but the both of them live and are not being mistreated." Higura remains seated, his attitude not in the least shaken by Jilava's behavior. "As little faith as you may have in my word, I have still promised you safe return among your peers, and that is exactly how things will unfold."

"It is a good thing that you will not become a servant, because I would have little use for one. Were my intentions completely hostile towards you, I would have killed you outright. You are a trained Immaculate. It is your life's work to hunt and kill those you call Anathema. One such as you represents a tremendous threat and an unacceptable security risk, if one was to think merely in terms of strategy. And I know a woman such as you would know that, strategically, such a gambit would yield no results."

"This would only mean that bringing harm to you is not my objective. I could tell you here and now what I believe in and why I chose to spare your life, but I am not here to dictate what you think and believe. You can decide for yourself, between here and the time where you are released."

He pauses, leaning back in the chair as he continues to ponder the Immaculate's words, and especially the threats she directs at him. "Of course, speaking in such a way would lend me in trouble with the groups you mention... Except for that fact I am no defector, and was already called a threat the moment the Purge of the Water District was ordered, I would wager. You see, I was enslaved to begin with, and even your masters have no real grasp of who I truly am. But then again, how can they? Applying a tag to a person will not reveal who they are, merely what one thinks of them."

"In any case, you are more than welcome to speak of what you have seen here to the people you believe need to hear it."

Jilava snorts. "You do not fear discovery? Then you are a fool, and the deaths of you and your companions are imminent."

"So you will not kill me, and you will not enslave me. Then why keep me at all? Do you believe --" she stares at Higura with a mix of distaste and incredulity "-- that I will aid you willingly? I will do nothing of the sort. I will not give any information about the Immaculate Order or Five Coils that you can use to your advantage. You will have to force me with this collar the Anathema so hated and now use upon me just the same way!"

It is as much due to determination as natural flexibility that the Fire Immaculate manages to wrench herself up to a crouched position despite the bindings on her hands and feet. Stubbornly she starts to rise to a standing position. Higura's medicine skill tells him that in her current state of health this is actually quite painful for her to do (as it takes a great deal of muscle control to stand up straight while you can't spread your limbs out for balance.)

As she does so Jilava speaks through gritted teeth. "Now, Doctor Higura, since you were so kind as to tend my wounds while I slept, I want to see proof my allies have gotten the same treatment. Where are they? You'll show me where, or I'll believe nothing!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:29, Wed 15 Apr 2009.

"I do not recall having ever said I wished anything out of you other than simple chance to talk. I can already feel your frustration at trying to find the concealed motive behind my actions - frustration comes because you cannot understand, strategically speaking, why I would spare you. You might try to push your understanding to the limit trying to find the clever plan I am seeking to hatch by keeping you alive... And no matter what intent you give me, it will be too much credit. I am afraid there is no strategic value to what myself and Third are doing. We simply do not believe we should kill you. And so the only reason you are here is because it is not logistically reasonable to let you go yet. When it is, you will be released, along with your comrades and acolytes who survived the who survived the engagement. No expectations, no strings attached."

The doctor nods, then raises his chin at the mention of the others. "That is a fair enough request. Let me get one of your own to speak with you. You can ask her, as you likely can trust her word more than mine." Higura leaves the cell, closing the door behind him. A few minutes pass, and he finally returns, alongside the collared and manacled Jade Willow. Third does not leave the two of them alone, but he does step back enough to create a respectful distance between him and the two comrades, staying within the door frame and lowering his gaze.

"You can ask your comrade directly. I will interfere in no way in your talk. Be brief, however - I must return Jade Willow to her own cell soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Wed 15 Apr 2009.

In the few minutes Higura was gone Jilava hops awkwardly over to the door and attempts to knock it down by ramming into it repeatedly. Wounded, she is too feeble for this to make a difference. So her attempt only leads to a bruised shoulder and an angrier Jilava, particularly when Higura returns and she has to hop back quickly from the door to keep from being hit by it.

Then she loses her balance and topples to the floor... again. Flat on her back, she stares up at Higura and Willow when they come in, her red-orange eyes glowering with shame and frustration.

Jade Willow, to her credit, does not react in any way except to look down at her comrade and say, "I am well... given the circumstances," she says neutrally.

"Well? Have they tempted you with their siren song?" Jilava asks suspiciously, managing to lift herself up to sitting position once again. "That's what they do if it's not killing you out of misguided righteousness. They'll act as if they know all the answers to your doubts --"

"They have talked, I have answered," Willow interrupts. "Not always calmly." Speaking quickly, the Wood Aspect addresses her concerns with Higura. "Excuse me, have her wounds been looked at? Why is she kept separately from us?"

Jilava looks about to open her mouth again and Higura is pretty sure what sort of retort will come out of that: They're afraid...

"I have tended her wounds, although you might treat them even better than I have. I will let you look at her as you have your other comrades, although you must promise me that when you are done you will be returned to your own cell without resistance." He nods towards Jade Willow, to indicate her that she can take care of her task if she wishes it so. He then turns to Jilava and, perhaps to her surprise, he nods to her.

"I will not act righteous with you, Miss Jilava. We do fear you, the same way one would fear a worthy opponent. We are not so vainglorious as to underestimate you - we recognize that you are capable of much damage. We fear not necessarily only for our safety, but for that of our community. As I said before, having you here is a risk - and so we must minimize such risk to the best of our ability." A sad smile crosses his lips, then. "We are not so omniscient as some would paint us, you see. We must recognize our own limits. Having you here is something we cannot take lightly, and thus we have to make certain we handle it carefully."

"As I said, however, this uncomfortable ordeal will not be permanent. When it is time, you will all be released from this predicament, and be allowed to return to your own dwellings. What you do from there will be up to you. If you decide to use what you have learned here against us, then we will not be able to stop you from doing so."

"Very well," Willow says coolly, "though you have already done enough to bar me from violence or escape." Her fingers brush the collar around her neck. She often fidgets with it without even realizing she is doing it, as if its presence chafes at her constantly.

She does an examination of Jilava's wounds, which turns out to be more an examination of Higura's first aid skills. The doctor has already bandaged the Fire Immaculate's ribs and clavicle, applied salves to the bruises he inflicted upon her during the battle, disinfected and cleanly sewed up the one burning slash he reflected back upon her when she struck. "Other than needing to change the bandages soon, I think, you've done the best you could without Essence. I assume you or others would not waste your power on the likes of us."

The Wood Aspect is about to stand when Jilava speaks harshly into her ear. "Don't let them shake your faith. Do not forget who and what you are. One day they will pay for their weakness, for we will show none of it."

"They already know that," Jade Willow replies in a dull, neutral tone, glancing at Higura. She rises and waits for the doctor to escort her away.

"Your eyes do not deceive you. Unfortunately, your assumption is still incorrect, Jade Willow. It is not that we did not wish to use Essence on you and your comrades. The truth is, we cannot. My powers do not allow me to heal bodies, unfortunately. This is my own limitation, regrettable as it is." He shakes his head softly, then nods. "Now that you are done, and Miss Jilava has confirmed my words, I will take you back to your cell so you can sit and rest some more."

He opens the door, and gently guides Jade Willow outside, shutting the cell door behind him. Another long moment passes, after which Higura reemerges in the cell, and takes his position on his chair once more.

"You will probably admit to nothing, Miss Jilava, but this is as good a confirmation as I can give you. With a bit of patience, you will be able to return together with your comrades, and continue to say the things you wished to say to them. At that point, none of us will be able to argue against you."

Several days later:

'We are moving soon.' it says, as it opens the door to Jade Willow and Bastion of Purity's small room. 'Third apologizes that it has not had much opportunity to speak with you, Willow. Perhaps this will give us an opportunity to continue our discussions.' the Solar bows its head pleasantly. 'You will be given individual cells, in the hive of Queen Chilomena. It appears that there are still those here who recognize the true masters of Five Coils.'

Nanaret's words, on what's right, have not phased the Solar. It knows what is right, and what is wrong. The Immaculate Philosophy has it quite wrong. Third's way is right. And it is not right because it is what Third believes- Third believes it, because it is right. It's simply fortunate for the Immaculates that this view can, for now, be mistaken for compassion.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:06, Mon 11 May 2009.

Jade Willow sits up when Third comes in. "I see no need for apology," she says stolidly, "I am a prisoner after all. And a prisoner I may stay for a very long time." She does at least seem resigned to this, though she has yet to really grasp the point of her prolonged captivity, stuck in a room for several monotonous days. Fortunately, allowing her to care for the two acolytes has at least somewhat mollified her. Maple and Cedar are at least in a state to move with some help, now.

Bastion, being mute, says nothing of course. He has been the most inscrutable of the prisoners and Third is still not quite certain what is going through his mind. [Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: might be a good idea for someone with good socialize or investigation to get a read of him at some point ;)] But he rouses immediately from his seemingly constant meditation at the sound of Third's announcement, the transition so startling one might wonder if he is a machine.

"What? a-are we moving?" mumbles Maple, alarmed and tense. She rolls to one side with difficulty.

Cedar seems only slightly more conscious; his brown eyes focus on the slight, dark-haired figure of Third. "That--that's the anathema... the ones that collared you--" He tries to rise upright a little too quickly and groans from the pain.

Jade Willow looks at Third. "I assume Jilava will be coming with us as well..." Harmony has been keeping watch on the Fire Aspect, as she is marked as the more likely to bolt at the first opportunity. Though she has mostly kept silent, after Higura's last conversation with her. It's uncertain whether that silence is a good thing or a bad thing, for the temperamental monk. "I suppose individual cells will be better than this. But I am aware of no 'Queen' in the Coils. The only rulers are our Council," she emphasizes.

---

OOC: we won't dally here long, just wanted to cover all the bases here (I figure Higura will get Jilava).. I wasn't sure whether you still had the monks/acolytes tied up so I left it vague.

It looks towards her. "You are not a prisoner, Jade Willow. Not in the sense that we will lock you away, forever, and ever. You are a misguided soul." It nods. "Jilava will be joining us as well in the journey." It looks towards Bastion. It will have to look towards Xurizu for a study of him, hopefully he'll have a better grasp at looking into the mute Immaculate's motivations.

"All you've learned in these past few days, and you still are so easily surprised. Your council, like the Dragon-Blooded, and like the Celestials in turn, are usurpers of a far greater legacy from before them. Though we, at least, were able to expand that which we inherited. Suffice it to say that despite the best efforts of your Council, there are many powerful forces still in the Five Coils that remember who created it, and who will control it again." The mention of the Abyssals has left the Solar slightly sharp in its tone. "You will understand when you see her, Third thinks." It looks towards the two humans. "Maple, Cedar... and Willow. Third imagines there may be a connection there?" it says, an eyebrow raised with curiosity as its mind latches to a detail. The acolytes are bound, but only lightly, and as a reminder of their status as prisoners.

"You speak of these few days as if they can erase a lifetime of learning and experience," Jade Willow says wearily. "I did say I am open minded enough to listen. But until I have decided I will cooperate with you, for certain, without a single doubt in my heart, I will still consider myself a prisoner."

"If you do control the Coils, one way or another, I hope I or someone like me will be watching you at all times."

The lightly bound acolytes get gingerly to their feet. Cedar keeps his mouth shut, still watching Third uncertainly, but Maple explains dully: "These are given names. For entering the First Coil of Immaculate Mastery."

"After a certain level we are allowed to keep our acolyte name, choose another or take our birth name," Willow picks up on the explanation, perhaps just to have something to talk about besides her conflicting thoughts of loyalty. She rubs uncomfortably at the collar still snug around her neck, and stands up, helping Maple stand as well. Bastion rises, ever the silent embodiment of solidity, and does the same with Cedar.

"So... take us to this Queen and her Hive. Show us what sort of entity honors your 'legacy' as you speak it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Fri 08 May 2009.

'Life will be as uncomfortable as you choose to make it, of course.' Third says peacefully. It nods as it opens the door, one hand resting casually on the jade daiklave, a reminder to the acolytes that even if they don't have collars, that an escape attempt would be unwise. 'Then, is this name your given, your chosen, or your birth name?' it asks pleasantly, making some conversation as it leads the small group of prisoners out, back to the main group... And to the Hive Queen. 'Do try to show the proper respect to her. She will likely be unimpressed at best by any shows of defiance.' Jade Willow may notice the rather sharp tone in Third's voice, the way it seems to be more on edge than usual.

"I was born a descendant of the old Houses. But I left my birth name behind. I was Willow as an acolyte, and Jade Willow upon achieving a junior monk status," Jade Willow replies, as the group begins to move out. "But many still use Willow."

"And there is no need to be so tense. We have no intention of showing any pointless defiance." She glances at both Maple and Cedar until they nod dejectedly. Even they know that at their current state of injury, they could not go far with attempting hostilities, or outright escape. That and they seem trusting of Willow -- which may or may not be a good thing. "As for Bastion... he has never been anything but quiet, dutiful and eminently observant."

Bastion maintains his stoic silence, not even a grunt as he trudges outside the storage shed for the last time, taking up the rear of the prisoner group.

---

OOC: I figure this more or less covers moving these people out, just gotta have Higura(+Nanaret?) to deal with Jilava.

After leaving the meeting with the other Exalts, Higura leads Nanaret to the place where Jilava is being held, careful not to step in too suddenly and trigger the angered woman's reflexes. Making certain she can hear him coming, Higura unbars the cell, stepping closer to the prisoner slowly and carefully. Deep down, he regrets having to even keep her restrained like this - but truly, right now there is no other way. He does not want to kill her, but does not want to endanger his comrades either. And so, he continues to do what must be done.

"Miss Jilava." He begins, in a quiet tone. "We will not remain in this camp anymore. We are moving our settlement to a new location - unfortunately, for reasons of security I am certain you can understand as a soldier, I cannot reveal to you its location. But we will be moving you and your comrades as well, to new cells - ones I hope will be at least comfortable enough even if that is not something that can be appreciated in your position."

"I will make the trip as quick as possible, Miss Jilava. It is not in my desire to want to trouble you further."

Jilava is seated on the floor, her expression haggard and glowering. She probably would have refused food if starvation didn't count as hurting herself. But she did refuse herself a great deal of sleep, staying up long nights thinking hard about her current situation and all the implications and consequences.

She looks up sharply at Higura. "Oh, this time you've brought the moon-mad one, too. Just in case, you could have her ravage my throat and tear open my ribcage. I saw what that one did to Aspen and Elm. Oh, you'll say she saved Maple, but who knows, with someone so inherently unpredictable?" Jilava shrugs -- and winces; even after about a week her internal bruises still hurt her immensely.

"So? Let's go then. I suppose you'll blindfold me too." The collared Fire Immaculate rises to her feet so quickly it might almost be mistaken for battle readiness, but she keeps her hands clenched at her sides, gritting her teeth through the pain of exerting her stiff, healing muscles again. "I'll say this much -- I don't understand how you're any better than us. So we're left in a cell and not forced to serve. But we're still wearing the collar. Whatever lessons you want us to learn by this are lost while your moral ground is shaky."

"And what do you plan to do next? Or is that also classified?"

The doctor busies himself at detaching Julava's chains, knowing that the collar, at least, will prevent her from taking this opportunity to escape. As he works, he speaks softly and patiently, acknowledging her concerns.

"I will not say I am better than you, no. Were I in your shoes, and the roles were reversed, there is a possibility I would have become as you are. I know not why you became so ardent in your pursuit - perhaps through great faith and dedication to the teachings, or perhaps through personal loss. I cannot truly say. But one thing remains, even in this situation; I may not fault or hate you for the way you have matured, but the truth is that as long as we both believe what we do, we also are enemies."

"This is why the collars are in place, miss Jilava. Because even though I do not like to restrain you in any way, I also respect the power you wield as an enemy, and cannot allow you to use this power to destroy us. And I have seen enough of your strength and dedication to know that given any sort of opportunity, you would. I do not underestimate the power you wield in the slightest. This is also why you will be blindfolded, because I cannot endanger the people that live where we are going. And because I will not enforce my ideas upon you, I will also not assume you will not lead a strike against them later."

"I could perhaps try to remove the collar, but maintain you subjugated through other, more subtle methods. There are ways to do such things. But I find myself not wanting them. The reason is simple - when you are released, you will be free to think as you will. And when you recall or relate this event, you will not have any hesitations or misconceptions as to where the chains that held you remain. You can see and feel them. They are not concealed nor embellished. You can see and evaluate this situation as it is, without subterfuge. Perhaps you say my moral ground is shaky, but what I want is to see things as they are, without the need for powerful rhetorics and the biased discourse one side or the other might carry."

With that, the doctor finishes his tedious task, grabbing the chains and gently placing the blindfold on Jilava's eyes. When it is done, he carefully leads her outside, gently guiding her the best he can so she does not trip on rocks or uneven grounds.

"I cannot give you freedom of body, because we are soldiers fighting on opposite sides. What I can give you, however, is freedom of mind. Use it to judge us as you see fit."

Nanaret lets Higura do the talking, as she stands transfixed, her mind trying to understand what Jilava was indirectly accusing her of. I... did what...? Though her memory is uncertain, fragmented and bewildering, Nanaret remembers the feel of her bare, clawed hands tearing through viscera. Horrified faces and screams, the sharp tang of blood in the air, on her lips.

That's right. You let me borrow your body for a bit, remember? Ranavalona whispers malevolently, unheard by anyone but the Lunar herself. Don't forget how much you owe me. I'm stronger than you, and it's because of ME you've survived this long.

So can you blame me for enjoying it in the process? Those acolytes were weak, worthless meat.

"Nnngh..." Nanaret sags briefly against the door frame as Ranavalona asserts herself, though her body moves instinctively to right her balance. Rana continues to badger her mentally: Now that one there, she would make a fine challenge, a worthy trophy were she not collared like a dog. Come now... does the temptation not thrill you? "No. It does not," the Nanaret answers aloud, completely out of place in the conversation.

She sighs, taking a deep breath, and forces herself to gaze at Jilava with her own awareness. Rana can talk, but the Bitch Queen is just taunting, for now. Nanaret's words are somewhat kinder. "Very fortunate you have Doctor Higura to watch you. Unless you have death wish. He give you a chance where few others would, because he wish not repeat the sins of his captors. Take it for what it is and realize it could be worse."

Stiffly she strides to Jilava's other side, opposite Higura as he guides her toward their new destination.

(OOC: for those reading who don't know this yet, Nana has a high Throwback and minor Amnesia which partially wipes her memory when her Throwback takes control.)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Mon 11 May 2009.

Cathak Jilava is surprisingly quiet at first, walking blindly with Higura and Nanaret, following their allies and refugees on their exodus. She seems to be thinking this time, thinking carefully on the words rather than reacting on instinct. Perhaps those long hours up alone have calmed her zeal somewhat? Or has her determination simply honed itself to a single, white hot sliver, saving up all her conviction for the moment it will truly matter?

"You claim to imprison me out of respect and compassion? Yet you've still stifled my freedom in more ways than one. My freedom to follow my desires, to walk by my own volition, to escape from here, report your location and return with a larger force to capture you. Any or all of the above!" Abruptly, Jilava trips on a rock, and lets herself pitch forward to the ground, refusing to grab hold of either Anathema to steady herself. Were she able to touch the fires of Hesiesh that burn in her heart, she would rise instantly to her feet, propelled by that inner heat -- but instead she just falls, and painfully hauls herself back up to her feet.

"No matter what you do or say, I will not give in. Even if you turn out to be the kindest people I have ever met. Kindness can be a weapon -- and you are Anathema. Your eventual corruption is a matter of fact. Me? I'm just honest. I won't water down my feelings for propriety or anything else. And I believe too strongly to be put down by a few words of kindness and a few quiet days in which the people who hold my collar don't force me to serve, just sit in a cell."

Traversing through the tunnels of the Hive itself is long and circuitous. Jilava, stubbornly refusing help, manages to stumble only a couple times more along the way. Jade Willow, Bastion and the acolytes are more accepting of aid, accepting their prisoner status with grace, if (in Willow's case) a worried reluctance. Day by day, Willow finds her mind slowly working toward a conclusion that may one day endanger her position in the Order, should she choose to accept it.

[Private to GM: All the Immaculates believe the Anathema have ruin the world above and may eventually destroy it and all its people, along with Coils, should they be allowed to roam free.

Jilava - She has no qualms about using whatever weapons must be used in order to save Creation and guarantee its safety. Even if the Anathema themselves must be exploited.

Willow - She dislikes the extremes the Dragon-blooded have taken, and wants to understand the truth of what her people have become in their paranoia and fear of the unknown.

Bastion - His attitude is not so much complacence, as it is vigilance. Someone has to watch them. It may as well be me.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:06, Tue 12 May 2009.

Third walks amiably by Willow's side. 'Willow... Is that a name given to those who study the ways of the Wood Dragon style? Third has little information on the cultural traditions of the Immaculate Order here, it would be interested to learn more from you." the Solar says, having found some measure of calming now that it's been able to process the importance of what it has heard about these... cursed Solars. Whether what it says about its knowledge of the Immaculate Order is true or not, it is interested to hear her perspective on it, and to open up a more amiable route of conversation than to discuss some of the charms that she demonstrated before... for now. "Would your two acolytes be studying the same style, in that case?" it asks. The conversation is relaxing, but probing. Someone who was nervous about the intentions of the Anathema might waste a great deal of effort on trying to figure out what advantage knowing naming conventions will offer. After it gets its answers, it lets a few minutes pass, before it asks another question.

"Do you know of Holy charms?"

"There are no set naming conventions," Willow replies, her tone more guarded than friendly, though she doesn't seem unwilling to talk. "However, the school I was trained in preferred to give us names of trees. I am not the first Willow, though I am the first who kept the name."

Cedar replies tentatively, "Jade Willow is our superior," to the question about what he and Maple are studying.

Despite the blindfolds Third places over their eyes, Jade Willow and especially Bastion seem to paying careful attention to every twist and turn and passageway. They attempt to memorize their path as well as estimate the numbers of allies the Celestials have by listening to footsteps and voices, noting the texture of the earth at their feet and the airflow on their skin.

Higura and Nanaret take up the rear, with Jilava following stiffly along. So prideful is she that most of her effort is placed toward attempting to move without help. So much for Immaculate humility.

The question about 'Holy charms' elicits a slight frown from Bastion. Willow answers, surprised at what she perceives to be an odd question. "No, I've not heard of such a thing." She continues with an observation of her own. "There seem to be a great many beings following us. They don't seem bipedal, at least not all of them. I assume the Hive is... literally a Hive? They are large for insects."

[Private to Third Beneficiary of Orderly Knowledge: I don't tend to think that Immaculates, or any Exalt really, would refer to a charm by an OOC keyword, anyway. But even if they did the Immaculates wouldn't be inclined to call Solar ones 'Holy', anyway.]

'Quite literally...' says Third dryly as she responds. 'And have you ever used Solars to fight demons, the undead, such things, when they may happen to be loose in the Five Coils? The use of the Holy charms, the ones that burn them, the ones that can kill even the strongest demon, the creatures which you claim we are. Did you never see such abilities?' It would have been surprised if she had, or if she had known the 'Holy' charms at all- They were sometimes considered a rather pretentious name, considering their purpose. The charms that damaged 'creatures of darkness'. Of course, those who suggested this before the Usurpation were regarded with some suspicion, but they had their points. They hadn't an effect on those who did ill but were not condemned by the Sun itself. 'I wonder. Do you think of us as demons, still? Those who are brazen enough to take the image of the Unconquered Sun? Those charms don't harm Solars, after all. it asks, curious to see just what she believes of the Solars, now.

[Private to GM: I actually had to wrestle with myself for a little bit on what to call them, but thinking about it, 'Holy' would actually work as a category in-character, as well as out of character, though there'd obviously be a strong desire to squash the use of such a category after the Usurpation. If you'd like, I can probably think of something that sounds similar but doesn't carry the taint of Out Of Character knowledge. ;) Maybe 'Betrayal', in Immaculate circles...]

"Utilizing demons against demons is only one way of waging war," replies Willow carefully, indirectly admitting she has in fact witnessed what Third described, "though a dangerous one, for certain. More often than not the power of Celestial Exalted are used only in dire circumstances, and the Immaculate Order relied on to combat undead, spirits and demons on the loose."

"The Immaculate Texts describe the 'Anathema' as 'demons'. However, I have also seen the sort of foul beasts that the sorcerers of Air and Wood Districts consort with, and I wouldn't consider the Celestial Exalted as the same 'kind'. Rather I would be tempted to say..." she mumbles something about sacrilege under her breath, but presses on anyway "...that 'demon' in that case was meant figuratively."

Upon entering the Hive, Third, Higura, Nanaret and the prisoners are escorted in a different direction by a pair of ruby guards. It seems the prison cells have been dug in a subsection entirely separate from the living quarters or any crucial Hive functions. Another half dozen rubies -- the largest number the Celestials have seen together in one place yet -- have been garrisoned at the prison facility. The walls and floor have been covered with hardened resin, then fitted over again with sheet metal, and the doors to each cell are nearly a foot thick, barred and multi-lockable, the same sort used in the Hive treasury (and likely brought from there).

Jade notices the difference in the echo of her footsteps on the floor, and sighs slightly. "I assume we're here? If I may let you know, Third Beneficiary, I'm not necessarily inclined to escape at this point. I also know that I'm vastly overpowered. If anything I will stay to witness the truth with my own senses. I..."

She stops, suddenly, as Jilava is brought in behind the acolytes, as obvious by her voice insisting, "I said I can walk on my own!" Awkwardly, and rather abruptly, the prisoners are placed into their cells... awaiting whatever fate they may have as captives of the Hive Queen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Sun 05 July 2009.