webboysurf

Avatar: The White Jade Gambit

Huo

---

"If you know where our contact is, we need to go find her quick. Otherwise, we may want to leave town for a bit and return when things calm down."

"Shunon is likely finishing up a shift, so he's probably at the port. If you can't find him, I'm sure his sister or his friend know where he is, they all work for Old Man Bido over at the Knotweed Fishery."

Huo's blood ran cold as he listened to the bartender, putting together the pieces of where this Shunon probably was. The figure who had run out the tavern earlier probably had some kind of connection with him, and the sudden attention towards the fishery meant that things were bound to spark momentarily. Part of him wanted to just stay at that bar and continue playing his banjo, laughing and singing with the patrons. But a quick look to Ryschi and taking his former words into account, Huo knew now wasn't the time to sit around. He gave a nod of thanks, put his leaf hat on his head, and walked out the front door of the Black Eel Inn. He looked back to Ryschi briefly to mutter, "The storm is already here. Best we follow the tracks now 'fore they wash away."

As soon as he stepped outside, the chaos was already immediate. A stranger ran past, being called after by a couple soldiers shouting about a fugitive. Huo lowered his head slightly as they passed, not making eye contact with them. His fingers flexed reflectively, his body ready to call forth the nearby waters... but he restrained himself. The sight of an erected wall in the direction of the fishery and the sound of boulders crashing and the dull thuds of impacts captivated Huo's attention. He needed to do something. Anything.

So, Huo began to push against the dispersing crowd, finding himself getting pushed back with equal measure. He looked to his left, towards the shores upon which this fishing village was built, and an idea crept into his mind. He pushed himself laterally towards the docks, until he was at the edge near the water. He took a deep breath, lifted his hands into the air, and dove into the cold water. The shock was different than he was used to back home. It was much colder, and it stung his eyes. It wasn't nearly as bad as the water in the Southern Water Tribe, but this would suffice. While sinking into the water, Huo whirled his arms around himself, pulling the water underneath and behind him in a consistent motion. The water obeyed his commands, swirling and crashing around him. Within moments, Huo emerged in the open waters riding atop a wave. He rode it down the length of the docks, to the border of the wall. He briefly looked towards a young man in flowing blue and white attire, hoisting a large bag of rice in his arms. He didn't appear to be an aggressor.

Huo's eyes shifted up towards the 9 soldiers and the two figures that stood in opposition. The more aggressive of the two was familiar, a patron of the inn who had left in a hurry only moments ago. She seemed to be more akin to a local, and seemed to be holding her own. The other Huo only recognized as seeming to dress a little similarly to Ryschi... most likely a fellow air nomad. The small wave carrying the waterbender lapped up onto the dock enough to deposit Huo, where he stood with his arms at the ready in a defensive stance. His eyes scanned the fight, watching the various soldiers as he arrived.

The nearest soldier turned to face Huo, boulder already hovering in the air and ready for a strike. The soldier hesitated at the arrival of another interloper, and Huo spoke softly. "Woah... woah... I think things round here are getting a bit out of hand, feller. I'm sure we can talk things-"

A singular movement cut off Huo's attempt at diplomacy. He recognized the shift in stance from his last encounter with soldiers at the shore. His heartbeat shot up, and his body acted on instinct. Two quick motions, and water seeped up from behind Huo in a tendril-like whip. Huo took a step forward, flicking his arms towards the soldier. The whip obeyed the command, blasting the earth kingdom soldier in the chest and knocking him into his ass. On the inside, Huo's panicked heartbeat echoed inside his head. His breathing remained surprisingly steady, and Huo took a step backwards. He pulled his arms back, and the water returned and flowed through the air between his open hands. He moved his hands to keep the water contained and at the ready, turning his gaze towards the soldiers. His mind focused on the faces of the scared citizens he had been pushing against seconds ago. "Please... leave the people here alone. Is this really worth it?"

Avatar: The White Jade Gambit

Huo

---

Among the laughter and joy in the Black Eel Inn, a young man rested on a stool not far from the entrance, head leaned back against the wall as his fingers strummed an old banjo furiously. He did his best to match the tempo of the lively conversations in the room, a small leaf hat bent into a cup-like shape rested at his feet as those with a spare copper or two tossed a pittance to their makeshift performer. Most seemed to enjoy the novelty of the situation, but even Huo recognized the harsher stares. He knew the looks of suspicion... his cousins in the Southern Water Tribe shared a similar gaze when he had first arrived. These strangers would soften too, certainly. No one could resist a good song.

Huo clocked the shift in atmosphere as the sounds of footsteps outside reached his ear. His gaze turned briefly outside, to the earth kingdom soldiers. His fingers stopped strumming suddenly, sending a few confused stares his way. But Huo was too preoccupied with a sudden paralysis that overtook his system. The reality of Huo's situation had begun to solidify itself. He was a fish out of water here... and he had come to this village with a purpose. Starting trouble wouldn't help Huo find his contact... and he wasn't exactly confident in his ability to deal with an entire band of soldiers even if his newfound companion Ryschi had his back. So even as he heard the soldiers begin to order demands, the waterbender instinctively moved away from the source of the noise. He needed to follow the lead he had been given.

He needed to trust where the wind was blowing him. It had guided him this far.

Huo quietly slid the strap of his banjo over his shoulder, scooped his tips into a pouch on his belt, and began molding his handmade cap back into a wearable form as he meandered up to the bar itself. He found himself a spot in between two groups of individuals while waving in a friendly manner to the bartender. As soon as he has the bartender's attention, Huo's voice oozed with an infectious accented optimism. "Well howdy there, slim. I hate to bother ya... I was looking for a friend of mine, their name's Shunon. Would you be able to steer me in the direction I could find 'em?"

---

@Achronum

Scion: The Prophecy of Anani

Edmund Silvaine

---

One would think, based on his fondness for literature and poetry, that Edmund would be thrilled to have found himself in an esteemed location filled with the written word. It seemed, somehow, Doumerc had managed to find a way to spoil even the usual thrill that would come with such an excursion. He had done some reading on the way in, and had put Maya's security team to task in gathering some basic information regarding the location and any of its staff. Everything in the report reeked with self-importance that bristled his spine. Blowhard braniacs were not high on the list of Edmund's preferred company. Combine that with a pompous prince, an acquitted apostate, and a megalomaniacal model-to-be, and you had a personal hell designed only for Edmund.

Of course, their trip had to begin with a wild goose chase. Edmund remained quiet through the comments and questions, his head on a swivel as he stared down every passerby intently. He didn't like being this public and this open. He felt some level of safety when it came to castles, as royals tended to have a healthy paranoia. Edmund did not trust they would show the same caution. So he walked, two steps behind Maya the entire way. He followed her as she asked around about Rhaveus, up until she suddenly jumped back into him and clutched at his sleeve. Edmund's left hand instinctively reached for the holster of his revolver as he stepped beside Maya, taking his own brief peek around the corner. The site of Kaudians sent a flurry of thoughts in his mind. Even he had to agree their presence here was suspect, especially given they were expected here. Edmund's confidence in the doctor's reliability to relay accurate information was immediately tanked.

As Renault approached, Edmund instinctively lifted his other hand to press against the wall in front of Maya. He kept this guarded stance as Renault rounded the corner and made his presence known to the Kaudians. He sighed, looking down at Maya. Even he knew her enough to tell why she had suddenly been startled. He spoke softly in the direction of the other Templars, hoping to be drowned out by Renault's greetings. "It might be best if her holiness and I hold back and listen from here until the Kaudians pass... the last thing we need is an international incident." He turned his gaze to Maya, praying for once she would heed his advice.

---

@Hero@Obscene Symphony@Mcmolly@Scribe of Thoth

Avatar: The White Jade Gambit

Huo of the Foggy Swamp Tribe

_{"We're all trees on the same branch... wait, that's not right..."}

_NAME

Huo

_AGE

19

_BIRTHPLACE

Foggy Swamp

_ELEMENT

Water

_{APPEARANCE DETAILS}

Huo is tall, but not altogether imposing. He leans more on the lean side, and is almost always seen in the travel garments of his people. He sports a hat made from a leaf sourced from the swamp, along with natural fiber wraps around his forearms and shins. He keeps his hair cut roughly to shoulder length, but does little to style it. The rest of his garments are assorted basic earthbender attire with the sleeves removed, as Huo finds them too restrictive. The most notable addition to his outfit that he prefers to keep intact is the wooden plate on his chest, a symbol of his pride in his homeland.

_PERSONALITY

Huo is, for better or worse, a child of the Foggy Swamp Tribe. He has remained fairly sheltered from the politics and culture of the outside world, and was instead instilled with the virtues of his people: community, generosity, joy, and a deep respect for the natural world. Some may call it immaturity and innocence, but Huo has a deep love of people and the world that he is experiencing for the first time. He wishes to see the best in people. In terms of his general beliefs, Huo ascribes to a simple philosophy: we are all branches on the same tree. The best way to solve any problem, in his book, will involve cooperation and different perspectives, and is quick to acknowledge alternate views in influencing his decision or approach.

That is not to say Huo is soft and unwilling to fight now. He had let Chi fall at the hands of the Earth Kingdom the first time he had truly faced adversity, and that shame dwells in his heart. He hopes to make it up to her through his actions going forward, but does his best to note let the shame turn to hate. He would rather fight for his love of others than in retribution for their failures... though that is a line that he finds tough to balance. His shame and desire to see the best in others does carry with it naivety and a predisposition to be manipulated.

_BIOGRAPHY

Huo was born into the Foggy Swamp Tribe, and has remained somewhat disconnected from the politics of the world as a whole. While Earth nation kingdoms have bickered and fought, and even as a coup occurred early into Huo's life that installed King Wei into power... the Foggy Swamp Tribe has remained relatively remote and isolated. They had little to offer the changing world outside, and Huo felt a strong connection to the values he was raised with. He believed in a harmony and connection with all things that lived in the swamp, and with those he considered to be family. He was a strong and brave kid, picking up bending from a young age. Since he was nine, Huo was racing skiffs alongside grown adults through the expansive reaches of the swamp.

That is not to say Huo was a reckless child, or entirely ignorant of the outside world. Even in somewhere as remote and independent as the swamp... it was noticeable when the communication trickled to a near dead halt. It was even more noticeable when guardians of the Foggy Swamp tribe who would patrol near the very fringes of the swamp began going missing. A tension filled the air year by year, as it became clear that something very wrong was afoot. Even as that anxiety was clear to a young Huo, he remained sheltered from the true horrors of what was to come. They all were.

Until they weren't.

Huo was a gifted water bender, and was trained from the age of twelve in more complex waterbending forms. Back then, it always felt like playing. Water whips, octopus form, even surging up waves of water to defend against getting pelted with a torrent of water... it all felt like games then. It was fun, and Huo enjoyed his training. One of his "instructors" was just... gone one day. She had been selected as a messenger, to simply travel to the nearest town to get some answers about the state of the world. She was only supposed to be gone a few days... but Huo hasn't seen her since. Huo's training became more intense after this. It was becoming clear that he wasn't being trained for the sake of learning or education: this was more about survival than anything else.

Huo was sixteen when the first confirmed spirit attack occurred in the Foggy Swamp. Spirits had become somewhat more of a frequent sighting before this... but a frog spirit growing in size and crushing a grown man underfoot was a change. It was the first serious injury in some time. Huo was, understandably, shaken by the sudden turn in the status quo within the swamp itself. The tribe had only one elder trained in the art of healing, Yi. Given more injuries of a serious nature and an inability to do much about the spirits directly, several young skilled waterbenders were trained to help tend to the wounded. Huo was one of the few who volunteered immediately. He hated seeing his people in pain... and hated more that there was little he could do to stop it. So, he did the best he could to provide some healing and comfort to his brothers and sisters who had been harmed in their own homeland. But the more fellow members of the tribe were injured, the more clear it was that something had to be done.

Huo, a few months shy of turning 18, was in attendance when a meeting was held among the Foggy Swamp Tribe about how to deal with the growing threat. For the first time, the adults and elder of the Tribe discussed openly their growing predicament. All attempts to get answers from the outside world yielded nothing. However, it was becoming clear at this point that if anyone was going to help solve their current predicament with the spirits and help secure the safety of the free people of the swamp... it was the Avatar. Before they could even find the Avatar, though... the people of the swamp would need more information. Their best bet would be to make a beeline for the Southern Water Tribe and hope to gather more information. They would need strong, swift waterbenders. Three volunteered, all relatively young and competent benders. Huo was one of them. Even he could tell there was a greater poison... a greater disease at the tree of humanity at large. If anyone was going to help his people, it would be the Avatar. The last two had decent relations with the Foggy Swamp Tribe. Certainly this next Avatar would be no different.

The three scouts travelled swiftly south by night, using the cover of darkness to avoid whoever they could. They relied on hunting and gathering in less populated regions, and slept in caves during the day. It did not take them too long to reach the coast. Though it took several nights camped out in a cave not far from the coast in the Xing Fuhua province to cut down several trees and fashion together a makeshift skiff... a right of passage they had all undergone at a younger age. Of course... the stakes were much higher this time around. By the fourth night, the scouts were ready to disembark.

Of course, four nights was one night too many to stay in one place so long.

They were caught on the beach by a small patrol of Earth Kingdom soldiers. Huo tried to speak for the group, and tried to explain simply they were just heading for the Southern Water Tribe. He wasn't able to say much before the rocks started flying. The eldest of the scouts, Chi, quickly took command of shielding her companions. She ordered them to get to the water with the skiff, swearing she would catch up. Huo and the other scout followed their orders, and quickly disembarked. Huo wheeled his arms around, propelling the skiff out into the choppy waters as quickly as he could. Only two Swamp Tribe scouts made it to the Southern Water Tribe, and among them... Huo was the only one conscious when they were found.

A little over a year ago, Huo discovered from his cousins in the Southern Water Tribe the truth of larger scale politics. He learned of the invasion against the Fire Nation, and the efforts the waterbenders made to defend them. He made allies with his cousins, and explained his desire to find the Avatar. Needless to say, he was less than pleased to discover that there was no Avatar. He knew trying to return to the Swamp would have been a suicide mission, given recent developments... and as he lived in communion with the Southern Water Tribe for a few weeks (whilst heavily bundled and recovering from hypothermia), it became clear that Huo's mission would have to change. Spirits were little threat when it came to the intense suffering that would come from an invasion into the Swamp by the Earth Kingdom. And if the Earth Kingdom was bold enough to attempt an invasion against the Firebenders, it would only be a matter of time. Huo committed himself to aiding the Water Tribes in repelling any attempt by the Earth Kingdom to invade by boat, biding his time until an opportunity would arise to do something more proactive.

As of three days ago, a new plan has formed. The second murmuring had begun that an Avatar had awakened, Huo knew this would be his best opportunity. The growing Rebellion would be his best chance to find the Avatar, and the Avatar was easily the answer to both threats facing his people.

_TRIVIA

Huo constantly talks to animals as if they are people. He thinks he understands them when they chirp back.

Huo has some training in healing as a waterbender. However, he has not come close to understanding how some elders were capable of plantbending.

Huo has been tried hiding his accent, but has made little progress.

The only physical possession, besides his clothes, that Huo has maintained since leaving the Foggy Swamp Tribe is his banjo. It is unclear if he is bad at playing it, or if that's just how it sounds.

Avatar: The White Jade Gambit

@webboysurf The only appearance question you need to answer is if Huo committed to the leaf loincloth life

@Obscene Symphony

As much as I would love to for the bit, I think he will be more clothed. The leaf loincloth will be reserved for any inevitable beach episodes.

Avatar: The White Jade Gambit

EDIT: It is ready to be ripped apart.

It's getting swampy

_{"We're all trees on the same branch... wait, that's not right..."}

_NAME

Huo

_AGE

19

_BIRTHPLACE

Foggy Swamp

_ELEMENT

Water

_{APPEARANCE DETAILS}

Huo is tall, but not altogether imposing. He leans more on the lean side, and is almost always seen in the travel garments of his people. He sports a hat made from a leaf sourced from the swamp, along with natural fiber wraps around his forearms and shins. He keeps his hair cut roughly to shoulder length, but does little to style it. The rest of his garments are assorted basic earthbender attire with the sleeves removed, as Huo finds them too restrictive. The most notable addition to his outfit that he prefers to keep intact is the wooden plate on his chest, a symbol of his pride in his homeland.

_PERSONALITY

Huo is, for better or worse, a child of the Foggy Swamp Tribe. He has remained fairly sheltered from the politics and culture of the outside world, and was instead instilled with the virtues of his people: community, generosity, joy, and a deep respect for the natural world. Some may call it immaturity and innocence, but Huo has a deep love of people and the world that he is experiencing for the first time. He wishes to see the best in people. In terms of his general beliefs, Huo ascribes to a simple philosophy: we are all branches on the same tree. The best way to solve any problem, in his book, will involve cooperation and different perspectives, and is quick to acknowledge alternate views in influencing his decision or approach.

That is not to say Huo is soft and unwilling to fight now. He had let Chi fall at the hands of the Earth Kingdom the first time he had truly faced adversity, and that shame dwells in his heart. He hopes to make it up to her through his actions going forward, but does his best to note let the shame turn to hate. He would rather fight for his love of others than in retribution for their failures... though that is a line that he finds tough to balance. His shame and desire to see the best in others does carry with it naivety and a predisposition to be manipulated.

_BIOGRAPHY

Huo was born into the Foggy Swamp Tribe, and has remained somewhat disconnected from the politics of the world as a whole. While Earth nation kingdoms have bickered and fought, and even as a coup occurred early into Huo's life that installed King Wei into power... the Foggy Swamp Tribe has remained relatively remote and isolated. They had little to offer the changing world outside, and Huo felt a strong connection to the values he was raised with. He believed in a harmony and connection with all things that lived in the swamp, and with those he considered to be family. He was a strong and brave kid, picking up bending from a young age. Since he was nine, Huo was racing skiffs alongside grown adults through the expansive reaches of the swamp.

That is not to say Huo was a reckless child, or entirely ignorant of the outside world. Even in somewhere as remote and independent as the swamp... it was noticeable when the communication trickled to a near dead halt. It was even more noticeable when guardians of the Foggy Swamp tribe who would patrol near the very fringes of the swamp began going missing. A tension filled the air year by year, as it became clear that something very wrong was afoot. Even as that anxiety was clear to a young Huo, he remained sheltered from the true horrors of what was to come. They all were.

Until they weren't.

Huo was a gifted water bender, and was trained from the age of twelve in more complex waterbending forms. Back then, it always felt like playing. Water whips, octopus form, even surging up waves of water to defend against getting pelted with a torrent of water... it all felt like games then. It was fun, and Huo enjoyed his training. One of his "instructors" was just... gone one day. She had been selected as a messenger, to simply travel to the nearest town to get some answers about the state of the world. She was only supposed to be gone a few days... but Huo hasn't seen her since. Huo's training became more intense after this. It was becoming clear that he wasn't being trained for the sake of learning or education: this was more about survival than anything else.

Huo was sixteen when the first confirmed spirit attack occurred in the Foggy Swamp. Spirits had become somewhat more of a frequent sighting before this... but a frog spirit growing in size and crushing a grown man underfoot was a change. It was the first serious injury in some time. Huo was, understandably, shaken by the sudden turn in the status quo within the swamp itself. The tribe had only one elder trained in the art of healing, Yi. Given more injuries of a serious nature and an inability to do much about the spirits directly, several young skilled waterbenders were trained to help tend to the wounded. Huo was one of the few who volunteered immediately. He hated seeing his people in pain... and hated more that there was little he could do to stop it. So, he did the best he could to provide some healing and comfort to his brothers and sisters who had been harmed in their own homeland. But the more fellow members of the tribe were injured, the more clear it was that something had to be done.

Huo, a few months shy of turning 18, was in attendance when a meeting was held among the Foggy Swamp Tribe about how to deal with the growing threat. For the first time, the adults and elder of the Tribe discussed openly their growing predicament. All attempts to get answers from the outside world yielded nothing. However, it was becoming clear at this point that if anyone was going to help solve their current predicament with the spirits and help secure the safety of the free people of the swamp... it was the Avatar. Before they could even find the Avatar, though... the people of the swamp would need more information. Their best bet would be to make a beeline for the Southern Water Tribe and hope to gather more information. They would need strong, swift waterbenders. Three volunteered, all relatively young and competent benders. Huo was one of them. Even he could tell there was a greater poison... a greater disease at the tree of humanity at large. If anyone was going to help his people, it would be the Avatar. The last two had decent relations with the Foggy Swamp Tribe. Certainly this next Avatar would be no different.

The three scouts travelled swiftly south by night, using the cover of darkness to avoid whoever they could. They relied on hunting and gathering in less populated regions, and slept in caves during the day. It did not take them too long to reach the coast. Though it took several nights camped out in a cave not far from the coast in the Xing Fuhua province to cut down several trees and fashion together a makeshift skiff... a right of passage they had all undergone at a younger age. Of course... the stakes were much higher this time around. By the fourth night, the scouts were ready to disembark.

Of course, four nights was one night too many to stay in one place so long.

They were caught on the beach by a small patrol of Earth Kingdom soldiers. Huo tried to speak for the group, and tried to explain simply they were just heading for the Southern Water Tribe. He wasn't able to say much before the rocks started flying. The eldest of the scouts, Chi, quickly took command of shielding her companions. She ordered them to get to the water with the skiff, swearing she would catch up. Huo and the other scout followed their orders, and quickly disembarked. Huo wheeled his arms around, propelling the skiff out into the choppy waters as quickly as he could. Only two Swamp Tribe scouts made it to the Southern Water Tribe, and among them... Huo was the only one conscious when they were found.

A little over a year ago, Huo discovered from his cousins in the Southern Water Tribe the truth of larger scale politics. He learned of the invasion against the Fire Nation, and the efforts the waterbenders made to defend them. He made allies with his cousins, and explained his desire to find the Avatar. Needless to say, he was less than pleased to discover that there was no Avatar. He knew trying to return to the Swamp would have been a suicide mission, given recent developments... and as he lived in communion with the Southern Water Tribe for a few weeks (whilst heavily bundled and recovering from hypothermia), it became clear that Huo's mission would have to change. Spirits were little threat when it came to the intense suffering that would come from an invasion into the Swamp by the Earth Kingdom. And if the Earth Kingdom was bold enough to attempt an invasion against the Firebenders, it would only be a matter of time. Huo committed himself to aiding the Water Tribes in repelling any attempt by the Earth Kingdom to invade by boat, biding his time until an opportunity would arise to do something more proactive.

As of three days ago, a new plan has formed. The second murmuring had begun that an Avatar had awakened, Huo knew this would be his best opportunity. The growing Rebellion would be his best chance to find the Avatar, and the Avatar was easily the answer to both threats facing his people.

_TRIVIA

Huo constantly talks to animals as if they are people. He thinks he understands them when they chirp back.

Huo has some training in healing as a waterbender. However, he has not come close to understanding how some elders were capable of plantbending.

Huo has been tried hiding his accent, but has made little progress.

The only physical possession, besides his clothes, that Huo has maintained since leaving the Foggy Swamp Tribe is his banjo. It is unclear if he is bad at playing it, or if that's just how it sounds.

Scion: The Prophecy of Anani

Edmund Silvaine

---

Edmund's gaze turned between the varying conversations as the debate over war continued. His eye twitched slightly at the prolonged debate. Justinian seemed to have an even enough understanding of the situation, keeping his opinion on the matter subtle... and quite frankly, attempting to move the conversation to its true purpose. While some were royals in the room, only one of them held real sway. The other two acted like children, and one of them had an excuse to. The Templar of Gravity's attention was diverted to Theobald when he chose to weigh in. His argument was the closest to persuasive, but he could see past the metaphor. Underestimating others was a strength of his: failing to understand the point seemed to be as well.

The newest Scion's arrival soured an already unpleasant mood for Edmund. He found his teeth gritting slightly, his hands flexing into balled fists at his side. An apostate in all but name, chosen by the goddess herself. Edmund silenced the growing chorus in his head screaming that there must be some mistake: but the goddess doesn't make mistakes. Somehow, Renault fit into her plan... just like Lucas and Maya. But a man of the church like the Templar of Gravity was not going to dare trust Renault as far as he could throw him. It was even more disgusting when Renault dared to agree with postponing the war, planting a semblance of doubt in his mind. Tyler had already speculated these heretics could steal the powers of Scions... was Renault one of them? Was he a plant to take them all down? Background checks had shown him clearly rooted in Doumercene politics, and a brief chat with a newer recruit in the security team who worked for a former noble in Doumerc confirmed that Renault was a menace.

It wasn't until Belle and Sonia's disagreement that he was able to snap from his stupor. His eyes locked onto Belle, and then Sonia. More bickering, more idle chatter about how sending others to their death would keep them safe. He nodded at Sonia's words, but turned his gaze back to Theobald as he spoke loud enough for those gathered to hear. "I believe your metaphor is either abhorent or mistaken... you are not a hunter this time, your holiness... you are prey. By methods we are still trying to wrap our heads around, they managed to corner all of us at once and abscond with a Scion. This is not a cunning fox we are hunting, we are chasing ghosts." His gaze briefly turned towards Belle and Sonia, before turning his gaze back to Theobald. "Sending others to die in your place to create an illusion of strength does not change that you are prey, and that we still do not understand what we are fighting. Sending forces to fight the Kaudians would leave us weak." Edmund's blood was hot, his voice low and biting in unexpected indignation... and a surprising confidence. He had been worried that he had been the most fearful and paranoid of the church's chosen, but now that they were all gathered together and speaking about the deaths of thousands like it was good for their image, the first of many walls cracked slightly. He looked briefly down at Maya in her seat, before looking up with a scowl to Belle.

"We are here for the divinely appointed of Incepta to hide behind: that is our purpose. From what I remember of that night, it seems that some of the most open to war here were the ones who cowered the most."

---

@Xiro Zean@Hero@Obscene Symphony

Scion: The Prophecy of Anani

Edmund Silvaine

---

A Melodramatic Dream

Edmund slams blood-soaked hands against the aged wooden doors of a well-worn church, just big enough to house a community of a couple hundred farmers. The creaking of their hinges echoes in the wooden structure, though they are dampened by the masses gathered in their pews. Standing at the altar, elevated above all else, is Maya. The altar is empty, except for a single familiar hunting knife. The church-goers just watch, enraptured by the ritual they are watching. Salome beckons Edmund to come closer, but he refuses. He does not feel pain. He looks down, and he recognized the tears in his squire's uniform. His mouth tastes like iron, his limbs feel heavy. Armored men, dressed as the soldiers from the ball, surround him. They hoist him up by his arms, and drag him down the center aisle. Edmund catches a glimpse of those watching. He sees the father who never loved him, the mother who hated him, and the brother who couldn't help. Katarina and Sir Ivanov seem upset. Irina is disappointed. The Scions and Templars seem relieved. He knows they are pleased it isn't them. He is hoisted onto the altar, and Maya stands before him. She looks him in the eyes. He wakes before the knife touches him.

Edmund was subdued when he groggily opened his eyes, naturally waking before the sun had even crested the horizon. The dreams were getting more vivid. It wasn't until twenty minutes into his morning run through the gardens of the castle that he pieced together his dream was more of a nightmare. It took him another ten minutes to reconcile it was just like all the other nightmares since the new year. By the time he was in the bath, he had moved on to more important things. He reviewed the travel itinerary carefully, alongside a map of the region. He had annotated it to hell, making note of ideal ambush locations. As he dressed himself, he dared to look at his reflection in the steamed mirror. His beard had gotten longer, and more unruly. His hair was a matted mess, his bangs just barely dipping into his field of vision. He stalked through his bedroom, grabbed his hunting knife, and cut off the offending strands of hair. It was choppy and uneven, but he was never one for appearance. He popped three caffeine pills in his mouth and dry-swallowed as he put on his crisp uniform. He took a moment to look at the small programs from the funerals, reciting a prayer under his breath. He was practically dressed for war by the time he stepped out into the hallway at the sound of Maya's stirring that morning. He had enough bullets on his belt, and lining a bandolier strapped across his chest, to invade a large village.

Edmund was even more quiet than usual that day. He barely seemed to even look at Maya, but was never more than five steps away from her the second they left Veradis Castle. He kept his revolver in his lap the entire ride, his hand gripped on the hilt. When he holstered it on their approach to the castle, an imprint of the grip left red marks on his hand. He hardly noticed as he followed Maya up. He stood by with bated breath as Maya tried to gain entrance for the security detail, but there were some miracles even the queen of duplicity couldn't perform. Their denial of entry confirmed to Edmund what he already assumed: Lucas knew something, and the last thing anyone needed were prying ears. So Edmund followed a seething Maya, preparing to intervene when she decided to let that rage boil over in another's direction.

Upon entry to the dining room, he was less than enthused to find the conversation already escalate into discussions of war. Salome's mocking tone rang in his ears, and he could only watch in disgust while hovering over Maya's shoulder. Sir Ivanov had taught him chess at a young age to explain his experience in his limited engagement in war. But now, as Edmund watched the pieces move across the room, he couldn't help but feel like they were all just pawns. At least some of the pawns were offering protein and carbs, but he didn't have much of a stomach for either. His eyes caught Tyler as he spoke against war, and Edmund simply gave a small nod of respectful agreement.

“Our casus belli was an open attack on the Goddess’ Chosen, and bloodshed has always been a perfectly acceptable price for defending Her honour. Preferably less of ours, and more of theirs.”

^{"Going to fight the war on Instagram?"} Edmund's comment was soft yet biting, barely audible if not for his close proximity at Maya's side. It oozed with a disdain that had been built up over years in her service. It took him half a second to realize he had muttered it out loud. His gaze turned towards Tyler, then Lucas, and then Belle. He refused to look at Maya, even out of the corner of his eye. He quickly spoke louder to fill the pause, choosing to pretend he hadn't made the insult. "We still do not quite know the enemy who attacked us. I am only confident in their wish for the Federation to go to war with Kaudus... and I am not partial to fulfilling the wishes of heretics for an illusion of safety and justice."

---

@Obscene Symphony@Scribe of Thoth@Hero

Scion: The Prophecy of Anani

Edmund Silvaine

---

The Templar of Gravity left the meeting with Irina ahead of Sir Morris, and rather briskly strode through the halls the way he had first come. He was swift in passing various attendants, making his way back to the main hall. He made a beeline for the makeshift clinic, practically barging his way in and doing a quick scan. Maya had left ahead of him, which was preferred. As he turned to leave, grunting from the unnatural stiffness in his muscles, one of the nurses caught him by the wrist. He looked at her in protest, but a stern look shut him up quick. She had said enough in a look. He made his way behind a screen, removing his jacket and shirt to reveal the bright red patches of freshly bruised skin. That was to say nothing for the muscle pain in his knee.

Within moments, he had two bandages slapped on, and was able to dress himself back up again. It took him a minute as he felt the slight chemical imbalance as the bandages began doing their work. It was a welcome change from the days of pouring grain alcohol in his wounds and taking a swig for the pain, though he'd never admit that out loud. The last thing he needed was Theobald thinking less of him for preferring the modern medical solution. Though, at present, Theobald was low on the list of opinions he valued in this given moment. Striking a subordinate who couldn't strike back was the behavior of a petulant child... or, from experience, an absent and self-obsessed parent. As the emotions of the night began to finally and truly bear their ugly heads in his mind, Edmund's gut dropped as he felt a loneliness that he had ignored for a long time. The conversation with Irina and Tyler weighed heavy on him, and he could not share that burden. Perhaps that was for the best. The last thing he needed was to rile anyone up further.

Edmund managed to flag down an attendant long enough to get shown towards his room. The door was unlocked for him, and as soon as he stepped inside, he felt a conflict of emotions. He recognized the tornado of food trays and wine that he recognized as the aftermath of Maya's arrival and various demands. Part of him wanted to just be left alone to mull over the events of the day, though he did feel a relief in seeing some relatively normal behavior from his Scion. He wadded through the chaos, hanging up his expensive jacket in the bedroom closet to make sure it didn't get too wrinkled. He eyed the closed bathroom door, noting the light under it. Edmund thought about saying something, but instead just turned to take note of the chaos. He flashed a small smile as he saw his go-bag sitting on the couch. He quickly unzipped it, grabbing a pre-loaded cylinder from his revolver and a bottle of caffeine pills. He reloaded his service weapon as he dry-swallowed a pill, making his way towards the in-suite coffee maker to get a pot brewing. He had little intent of sleeping after the most recent events. With those things in motion, Edmund stuck his head out the door to order a light meal with their butler.

Once all that was said and done, Edmund drew his revolver and did a formal sweep. He checked the various pots, lamps, and light fixtures for bugs or anything out of the ordinary. He checked both balconies, and made sure they were locked and the curtains were drawn for both. Confident that they were secure enough, and hearing that the coffee was ready, he relaxed a bit. He holstered his revolver, poured a cup of coffee, and made his way into the bedroom. He sighed as he approached the closed bathroom door. He gave it two firm knocks, and called out to his Scion. "I'm back." He paused, looking at his cup of grainy and bitter coffee as he grasped for what to say. He wasn't quite sure how Maya was feeling about all of this. He hadn't seen her vulnerable like she had been in the ballroom before, and he didn't need to be a genius to suspect she might be reacting poorly. So, he lingered on the other side of the door, releasing a deep exhale. "I'll be in the other room if you need me, Maya."

---

@Obscene Symphony

Star Wars Chapter 0: KNIGHTFALL

Mandalorian Space
^{Mentioning @Chev}

---

Crossfire pulled the Kom'rk Starfighter Transport into view of the CR90 Corvette Guiding Light, noting its severely damaged exterior. He quickly noted scorch marks and significant damage to some of its systems... the fact this thing went through hyperspace without falling into pieces was remarkable. The transmitter picked up that this ship was registered as belonging to a mercenary outfit. This didn't give him any comfort: this could be some sort of textbook trap... if so, it was probably best he was the one going in. He had enough ordinance on his person to go out in one spectacular blaze of glory if it was. If not... well, whoever limped into Mandalorian space clearly needed one hell of a hand. With an expert deftness that came from numerous simulations of hostile boarding conditions, Crossfire pulled his ship up to dock in the nearest airlock, quickly initiating a hostile board. Given the distress beacon, the ship was primed to accept the request. The hatch leading into the airlock slid open, and Crossfire quickly tapped away at the console to lock the starfighter down. The last thing he needed was someone stealing his ship on him. Worst case, he would need to rush back before a slicer could brute force through the chain code linked to his vambraces.

The Mandalorian Commando stalked back to the rear of his ship, slipping into the airlock. After a few moments of it working its magic, the door on the other end slid open. The lights inside the Guiding Light seemed burnt out, only the red glow of emergency lights washing over the interior. The corpses on the ground were the first indication something was seriously wrong. A trandoshan and a rodian... though by states of dress and their wounds, it was clear they were on opposite sides of this conflict. Crossfire raised an eyebrow, confused. Judging by the series of scorch marks on the wall behind the Trandoshan, it was clear they were probably part of the crew. He'd need to find someone alive to get a little more information.

A small audio waveform appeared on the HUD of his helmet's vis-screen: footsteps. Crossfire sighed, leaving the well-lit airlock door open as he began walking up the hall, slipping into the recess of the nearest doorway for cover to stay a little hidden from view. It would only obscure him for a moment, but that's all he needed. His hands reached for the two DC-17s blasters on his belt, unholstering them and toggling his helmet to thermal vision. From around the corner, two thugs quickly approached with carbines raised. They paused for a moment as they looked dumbly at the open cockpit at the end of the hall. They looked at each other for a moment, before the smaller of the two spoke up. "Call the boss, tell 'im we got a guest."

Crossfire smiled underneath his helmet as he popped out, lifting both blasters and firing a single shot from each in quick succession. The blaster bolts fired true, each bolt hitting a separate goon in one of their respective legs. Both hit the deck hard as Crossfire began approaching menacingly. The goon on the left was quicker to act, and raised his carbine rifle up while laying on his back. He fired several shots at the approaching Mandalorian, but the bolts simply reflected off the Beskar armor. He didn't even seem to flinch. The goon on the right, however, was scrambling for the communicator on his belt. Crossfire turned one of his blasters over to this goon, firing two quick blaster bolts at his chest. The goon on the right suddenly stopped moving, slumped on the ground. This, for a moment, lit a fire in the belly of the remaining hostile. A gutteral yell emenated from deep in his soul as he fired off another shot... only to watch in horror as the Mandalorian lifted a foot and kicked the blaster out of his hands, before bringing that same foot down with all his weight onto his right arm. The sound of bones snapping changed the primal battle cry into a shriek of pain. Crossfire looked down at his target, holstering one of his blasters while raising the other and pointing it at the helpless thug's head. "So, what are you, pirates?'

The thug's eyes were filled with fear, as the gear slowly turned in his head. "Uhh... yeah, just pirates."

Crossfire paused a moment, his expressionless helmet hiding his calculating stare. After that moment passed, Crossfire pointed the blaster at the thug's other leg and fired another blaster bolt. Another cry of pain rang down the hall. "Try again."

Snot was pouring out of the thug's nose as he wiggled and writhed, his body clearly already starting the process of going into shock. "Please I-"

"Who's your boss?"

"Obadah the Hu... uhh, I mean..."

Crossfire fired a single blaster bolt into the thug's head. Obadah didn't mean much to Crossfire... but he knew what the second half meant. The smile under his helmet grew wider and more sadistic. He couldn't have possibly dreamed of being this lucky on his first assignment.

It was slug hunting season.