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.