Reclining on a throne of broken stones, delicate fingers open a pocket watch to look at the time before eyes shift to regard the derelict opera house around him. Rows of chairs sit in disrepair, their cushions long rotted away beneath a gaping hole in the vaulted ceiling. "Almost time...? he whispers in a gravel tone. Moonlight filters through the open roof like a halo of light around his seat.
Renna never did like opera. There was something about the tonality of some stupid wench screaming at the top of her lungs the actions she was about to undertake, or the emotions she was feeling at the time. The music's form just seemed so... Dramatic. She hated dramatics. That were not her own, of course... A scowl passed her lips as she passed into the foyer that headed into the main theater, eyeing the set of double doors before her barely hanging upon its hinges. Something had called her, a whisper here, a whisper there. It coalesced to this very building, and here she was, standing before the portal to... What? She did not know. Was this a trap? The bladed gauntlets at her sides clicked in avid anticipation of the fact. Renna could use a good workout... With a slight kick of the door with a bare foot, the dis-repaired doors simply collapsed forward, signaling her entrance. Adorned in the oh so familiar black cloak and hood, she moved silently down the path cutting through the chairs, and towards the stage. She hardly glanced at the figure, sat upon that pile of rubble.
There was a rip in the seeming fabric of reality. A whisper had reached the ears of the Vlahos twins. A rumble and a few stabbings later, more than just whispers. The figure that stepped through was dress in curve hugging black leather.
"Right on schedule," he says with a click of the pocket watch closing. An eye looks at both women as they appear while he stands up and opens his arms. "Welcome, my sisters, be at ease for you are among the like-minded." Casually, he progresses to the edge of the stage with a nod and easy smile to them both.
"Forgive me if I seem rude in my choice of words, but what makes you think you can summon me in the way you did, and not get the whip end of my tongue?" Renna paused a beat, and smirked, "I like your style, whoever the hell you are." Crossing her arms over her chest, she ceased her steps once she was close enough to the stage to look up at this... Fellow. "And do what do I owe the pleasure of this..." She side glanced the other occupant, a single blood red eye peering from under the hood's darkness, "Soiree...?"
There was a sniff of disdain at the gathered beings. The blonde-haired woman did not recognize their host, but she did recognize Renna, not favorably either.
"Perhaps you can save the whip side of your tongue for once our business has concluded? I'm not in a mood for voyeurism." He replies to Renna with a coy batting of his eyelashes before stepping off the stage onto even footing withe the two of them. "Renna...meet Iokaste, Iokaste, meet Renna. And I am Cain." He makes the informal introductions as though this is a social gathering. "Now, I am willing to cut to the point if the two of you are. I didn't request your presence to have some urinating contest, as I have a proposal for you that is of some mutual benefit to us, and others."
A frown. "And here I thought I was called to a watersports orgy." She seemed very disappointed that she did not. Her lips even displayed such a fact. A fact, that did not spread to her eyes. An amused expression swiftly melted into a seriousness that even she is not known for. To be summoned by a stranger; to meet someone she has met perhaps once or twice in the past, that has left a least favorable impression... Well... This better be good. "Explain."
There was a crossing of those toned arms as the Spathi Daimoness looks back over to Cain. "Yes, please explain." She did not need to make threats. She knew how to back herself up with action.
In a theatrical display of prestidigitation, he snaps his fingers making a flier appear in his fingertips like a hokey magician. "I will go on an assumption that you both have heard of Councilor Isuelt DeRomiano's intent to fully map the sewer system of Rhydin?"
Renna smirked at the name alone. "The underground as always been an avid interest to those above ground, who know about it." She cannot lie. She herself has used the sewer system herself a few times in the past to move about the city undetected. No one ever, really; like the clich? intends, looks under their noses to find the culprit. "But no one has truly mapped the underground in its entirety. It was only a matter of time, really, before someone suggested it..." Seems like the rats are coming out of their holes... "A shame it is to be her..."
Iokaste gave a brief shrug, "The sewers are convenient covers for Bolt-holes. They won't find the holes unless one is open."
"Why now? What is her sudden interest in wanting to know her way down around there? To find the infamous, black market? Have a means to patrol the sewers? Her reasons are of little interest to me. However, once the sewers are mapped, what's next? Logical conclusion would be the catacombs, the underground caverns, and then the under-city ruins. This project is bad for business. No doubt she wants to involve her friends..." he lookst o Renna then. "Whom you've fought on several occasions." Again, his eyes look from one woman to the other as he progresses through the logic. "Think of which organizations would find a working map of value?" He leaves it off at that in an open
gesture. "This is why I called to you, I would ask for your..aid..in thwarting this offense"
The contemplation drew Renna into silence, her eyes burning hotly below the rim of her hood at nothing in particular. ?What is in it for me??
She listens impassively as Renna voiced the $64 million question.
"Well pain, death, destruction, and mayhem are all things you can do on your own. But this time, they get to think it's someone else? The potential to place Issy" Somehow the way he says her name even sounds perverse. "In a dangerous situation...and pretend to be her rescuer? Of course I"m sure you can be more creative than that. How about trying out a new strain of that delightful virus of yours?" He offers that with a curious shake of his shoulders. Then he looks at Iokaste. "I have no doubt that Ebon Ilnaren will lend his muscle to this project, he is a very powerful telepath among having a pyrokinetic daughter..."
A slight tilt of her hood indicated her head had casted downwards. Seems like he knows them all too well. But, well. Her name, her defeats and victories was perhaps as public knowledge as a Liberian?s wealth of store. Renna regarded him, with a glare. "And what assures you do not..." Instantly, she thought of herself, even as she glanced at the other woman. "Throw us to the wolves at a moment's notice?"
"Riskier as they are trained." She pointed out the flaw to that. She tended to agree to that assessment, "There is nothing to be gained for you, aside from letting others do your work for you."
"Agreed." Renna added quickly.
"Valid points,? Cain concedes. ?However, aren't you both tired of these sycophants always coming to each other's rescue? I know I am. You're just about to taste that sweet prize, and what happens? Some schmuck in green tights, black leather, or some dingbat of Artemis comes swooping in to ruin all the fun. I say it's our turn. Moreover, this is a grand opportunity to do just that. Hurt some heroes, have some fun, and make a few new friends." His grin might be called infectious as he spreads his arms theatrically. "Or," He counters, holding up a finger. "We can continue in our normal hubris and let the time-line of past events continue the same pattern, like a snake biting its own tail."
"At least the Uruboros achieves a satisfactory end." Says the cannibal of most species. "However..." She regarded the man with a nod, "Your argument...is valid." Renna turned away, regarding the broken chairs and the dusty old walls of the extensive room. "We must construct this carefully, pool resources."
"And design a strategy to stop them cold. My people have an issue with daylight." Iokaste states evenly.
"To know one's enemy, is to know one's self." He states levelly with a look at them. "The daylight can be worked around but is not an insurmountable obstacle if we pool our resources." He says and comes around to rest both hands on Renna's shoulders from behind. "So we are in accord?" His fingers gently rub in their need to continuously be doing something.
The skin across her neck fluxed, twisted from what appeared as flesh, to complicated lines of crystalline lattices. She knew what he was doing, and, she... Well. She sighed, and relaxed into the rub. "Only if we do as my... Partner in crime over there says so. We need a plan of action. Pooling our resources means nothing if we cannot organize beyond our own ego. Yes. You have an accord. As long as you understand this is a joint effort. I am more in it for this, for the opportunity to throw it back in their faces, that they are not as powerful as they claim, when out of their comfort zone." Renna shrugged her shoulders, and pulled back from him, keeping her distance. "You have my attention, and my resources. While I am not happy to devote my full company of power, I am happy to offer my services in the... Bio-mechanic, route. My Viruses, as you have said, are... An
annoyance. But in the sewers? With little air and little hope of ventilation? Infection is... Easy."
"And I have resources at my disposal. My people are not weak and not unaccustomed to guerilla tactics as needed."' The Spathi nods to Renna then turns back to Cain.
She inclined her hood to Cain, and grinned, "We just need to make sure we split them off from each other. After all. Below our feet, is nothing more than a maze. Once lost. They are cut off. All it takes is the right... Interference of communications."
With a giddy little laugh and a clap he grins broadly. "As I predicted, of like-minded ilk. Renna will provide her viral strains, " he motions to Iokaste. "Between your bolt-holes and a small company of willing soldiers we can keep them running ragged. There is one other I am inviting to this dance. A vampires whom has ties with the temple of Bhaal, she, I do believe, will provide the bulk of our muscle. The rest is logistics.?
"Wait. Did you say the Temple of Bhaal?" Renna questions as she stares at him.
Iokaste arched a brow at that. "A cult of Murder?" She appeared to be tapping manicured fingers along her arm.
"Would that be a problem?" His gaze cuts between the two of them.
Renna chuckled, "Oh, no... No! Of course not. I admire them. Especially their..." She remembered the times she and Giminika met. She shuddered. "Bulk? What bulk?"
"As long as she does not object to dealing with the subject of another... demi-god, it shouldn't be an issue." The blond death-belle nods.
His eyes rest upon Renna. "Through my observances, she has a fully equipped legion garrisoned in a crypt that connects to the sewers, the catacombs, and other areas of interest to us."
Renna glared at Iok. Another Demi-God? She chuckled at the idea, and offered to the woman, "If we are together on this, I will not allow her to lay a finger on you." She then regarded Cain, and shook her head, as a slow grin passed across her lips. "The front line? The cannon fodder?"
"And I shall be covering you... tail." Iokaste drawled lazily.
"Something like that, but the goal is to minimize our losses and maximize theirs." He offers a nod to them both and checks the time in his pocket watch. "I suggest we adjourn ourselves else draw attention to this meeting. Especially with Batten's little green orbs all around." He remarks with a sneer.
"In regards to maximizing theirs... I may have an idea." She regarded Lok then, and nodded, "I am sure you will." Sarcasm? Maybe. Renna smirked though, as if expecting said green orbs to come out of hiding. "There's one thing you don't know about Batten, my dear."
Iokaste smirked a bit refraining from additional comment and waited for this revelation.
"That would be, gorgeous?" moving around to stand beside Iokaste to look at Renna curiously.
Renna sighed, and then offered a claw in their direction, "He created me." And with that, Renna turned, and left theater.
"And like Arthur created Mordred, you'll stab him before his Camelot burns." he muses to her departing back, and then looks to Iokaste. "I will bid you farewell, Lady Iokaste."
She arched a brow at the dismissal and shrugged, turning away.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Iokaste. I look forward to potentially knowing you in a more informal setting." He offers to her departing form as he himself turns into a dense fog, falling through the stone of the floor.
She refrained from the eye roll and step through the portal. There was some planning to do with her twin.
(adapted from live play. Thank you to Renna and Iokaste's players!)
Renna never did like opera. There was something about the tonality of some stupid wench screaming at the top of her lungs the actions she was about to undertake, or the emotions she was feeling at the time. The music's form just seemed so... Dramatic. She hated dramatics. That were not her own, of course... A scowl passed her lips as she passed into the foyer that headed into the main theater, eyeing the set of double doors before her barely hanging upon its hinges. Something had called her, a whisper here, a whisper there. It coalesced to this very building, and here she was, standing before the portal to... What? She did not know. Was this a trap? The bladed gauntlets at her sides clicked in avid anticipation of the fact. Renna could use a good workout... With a slight kick of the door with a bare foot, the dis-repaired doors simply collapsed forward, signaling her entrance. Adorned in the oh so familiar black cloak and hood, she moved silently down the path cutting through the chairs, and towards the stage. She hardly glanced at the figure, sat upon that pile of rubble.
There was a rip in the seeming fabric of reality. A whisper had reached the ears of the Vlahos twins. A rumble and a few stabbings later, more than just whispers. The figure that stepped through was dress in curve hugging black leather.
"Right on schedule," he says with a click of the pocket watch closing. An eye looks at both women as they appear while he stands up and opens his arms. "Welcome, my sisters, be at ease for you are among the like-minded." Casually, he progresses to the edge of the stage with a nod and easy smile to them both.
"Forgive me if I seem rude in my choice of words, but what makes you think you can summon me in the way you did, and not get the whip end of my tongue?" Renna paused a beat, and smirked, "I like your style, whoever the hell you are." Crossing her arms over her chest, she ceased her steps once she was close enough to the stage to look up at this... Fellow. "And do what do I owe the pleasure of this..." She side glanced the other occupant, a single blood red eye peering from under the hood's darkness, "Soiree...?"
There was a sniff of disdain at the gathered beings. The blonde-haired woman did not recognize their host, but she did recognize Renna, not favorably either.
"Perhaps you can save the whip side of your tongue for once our business has concluded? I'm not in a mood for voyeurism." He replies to Renna with a coy batting of his eyelashes before stepping off the stage onto even footing withe the two of them. "Renna...meet Iokaste, Iokaste, meet Renna. And I am Cain." He makes the informal introductions as though this is a social gathering. "Now, I am willing to cut to the point if the two of you are. I didn't request your presence to have some urinating contest, as I have a proposal for you that is of some mutual benefit to us, and others."
A frown. "And here I thought I was called to a watersports orgy." She seemed very disappointed that she did not. Her lips even displayed such a fact. A fact, that did not spread to her eyes. An amused expression swiftly melted into a seriousness that even she is not known for. To be summoned by a stranger; to meet someone she has met perhaps once or twice in the past, that has left a least favorable impression... Well... This better be good. "Explain."
There was a crossing of those toned arms as the Spathi Daimoness looks back over to Cain. "Yes, please explain." She did not need to make threats. She knew how to back herself up with action.
In a theatrical display of prestidigitation, he snaps his fingers making a flier appear in his fingertips like a hokey magician. "I will go on an assumption that you both have heard of Councilor Isuelt DeRomiano's intent to fully map the sewer system of Rhydin?"
Renna smirked at the name alone. "The underground as always been an avid interest to those above ground, who know about it." She cannot lie. She herself has used the sewer system herself a few times in the past to move about the city undetected. No one ever, really; like the clich? intends, looks under their noses to find the culprit. "But no one has truly mapped the underground in its entirety. It was only a matter of time, really, before someone suggested it..." Seems like the rats are coming out of their holes... "A shame it is to be her..."
Iokaste gave a brief shrug, "The sewers are convenient covers for Bolt-holes. They won't find the holes unless one is open."
"Why now? What is her sudden interest in wanting to know her way down around there? To find the infamous, black market? Have a means to patrol the sewers? Her reasons are of little interest to me. However, once the sewers are mapped, what's next? Logical conclusion would be the catacombs, the underground caverns, and then the under-city ruins. This project is bad for business. No doubt she wants to involve her friends..." he lookst o Renna then. "Whom you've fought on several occasions." Again, his eyes look from one woman to the other as he progresses through the logic. "Think of which organizations would find a working map of value?" He leaves it off at that in an open
gesture. "This is why I called to you, I would ask for your..aid..in thwarting this offense"
The contemplation drew Renna into silence, her eyes burning hotly below the rim of her hood at nothing in particular. ?What is in it for me??
She listens impassively as Renna voiced the $64 million question.
"Well pain, death, destruction, and mayhem are all things you can do on your own. But this time, they get to think it's someone else? The potential to place Issy" Somehow the way he says her name even sounds perverse. "In a dangerous situation...and pretend to be her rescuer? Of course I"m sure you can be more creative than that. How about trying out a new strain of that delightful virus of yours?" He offers that with a curious shake of his shoulders. Then he looks at Iokaste. "I have no doubt that Ebon Ilnaren will lend his muscle to this project, he is a very powerful telepath among having a pyrokinetic daughter..."
A slight tilt of her hood indicated her head had casted downwards. Seems like he knows them all too well. But, well. Her name, her defeats and victories was perhaps as public knowledge as a Liberian?s wealth of store. Renna regarded him, with a glare. "And what assures you do not..." Instantly, she thought of herself, even as she glanced at the other woman. "Throw us to the wolves at a moment's notice?"
"Riskier as they are trained." She pointed out the flaw to that. She tended to agree to that assessment, "There is nothing to be gained for you, aside from letting others do your work for you."
"Agreed." Renna added quickly.
"Valid points,? Cain concedes. ?However, aren't you both tired of these sycophants always coming to each other's rescue? I know I am. You're just about to taste that sweet prize, and what happens? Some schmuck in green tights, black leather, or some dingbat of Artemis comes swooping in to ruin all the fun. I say it's our turn. Moreover, this is a grand opportunity to do just that. Hurt some heroes, have some fun, and make a few new friends." His grin might be called infectious as he spreads his arms theatrically. "Or," He counters, holding up a finger. "We can continue in our normal hubris and let the time-line of past events continue the same pattern, like a snake biting its own tail."
"At least the Uruboros achieves a satisfactory end." Says the cannibal of most species. "However..." She regarded the man with a nod, "Your argument...is valid." Renna turned away, regarding the broken chairs and the dusty old walls of the extensive room. "We must construct this carefully, pool resources."
"And design a strategy to stop them cold. My people have an issue with daylight." Iokaste states evenly.
"To know one's enemy, is to know one's self." He states levelly with a look at them. "The daylight can be worked around but is not an insurmountable obstacle if we pool our resources." He says and comes around to rest both hands on Renna's shoulders from behind. "So we are in accord?" His fingers gently rub in their need to continuously be doing something.
The skin across her neck fluxed, twisted from what appeared as flesh, to complicated lines of crystalline lattices. She knew what he was doing, and, she... Well. She sighed, and relaxed into the rub. "Only if we do as my... Partner in crime over there says so. We need a plan of action. Pooling our resources means nothing if we cannot organize beyond our own ego. Yes. You have an accord. As long as you understand this is a joint effort. I am more in it for this, for the opportunity to throw it back in their faces, that they are not as powerful as they claim, when out of their comfort zone." Renna shrugged her shoulders, and pulled back from him, keeping her distance. "You have my attention, and my resources. While I am not happy to devote my full company of power, I am happy to offer my services in the... Bio-mechanic, route. My Viruses, as you have said, are... An
annoyance. But in the sewers? With little air and little hope of ventilation? Infection is... Easy."
"And I have resources at my disposal. My people are not weak and not unaccustomed to guerilla tactics as needed."' The Spathi nods to Renna then turns back to Cain.
She inclined her hood to Cain, and grinned, "We just need to make sure we split them off from each other. After all. Below our feet, is nothing more than a maze. Once lost. They are cut off. All it takes is the right... Interference of communications."
With a giddy little laugh and a clap he grins broadly. "As I predicted, of like-minded ilk. Renna will provide her viral strains, " he motions to Iokaste. "Between your bolt-holes and a small company of willing soldiers we can keep them running ragged. There is one other I am inviting to this dance. A vampires whom has ties with the temple of Bhaal, she, I do believe, will provide the bulk of our muscle. The rest is logistics.?
"Wait. Did you say the Temple of Bhaal?" Renna questions as she stares at him.
Iokaste arched a brow at that. "A cult of Murder?" She appeared to be tapping manicured fingers along her arm.
"Would that be a problem?" His gaze cuts between the two of them.
Renna chuckled, "Oh, no... No! Of course not. I admire them. Especially their..." She remembered the times she and Giminika met. She shuddered. "Bulk? What bulk?"
"As long as she does not object to dealing with the subject of another... demi-god, it shouldn't be an issue." The blond death-belle nods.
His eyes rest upon Renna. "Through my observances, she has a fully equipped legion garrisoned in a crypt that connects to the sewers, the catacombs, and other areas of interest to us."
Renna glared at Iok. Another Demi-God? She chuckled at the idea, and offered to the woman, "If we are together on this, I will not allow her to lay a finger on you." She then regarded Cain, and shook her head, as a slow grin passed across her lips. "The front line? The cannon fodder?"
"And I shall be covering you... tail." Iokaste drawled lazily.
"Something like that, but the goal is to minimize our losses and maximize theirs." He offers a nod to them both and checks the time in his pocket watch. "I suggest we adjourn ourselves else draw attention to this meeting. Especially with Batten's little green orbs all around." He remarks with a sneer.
"In regards to maximizing theirs... I may have an idea." She regarded Lok then, and nodded, "I am sure you will." Sarcasm? Maybe. Renna smirked though, as if expecting said green orbs to come out of hiding. "There's one thing you don't know about Batten, my dear."
Iokaste smirked a bit refraining from additional comment and waited for this revelation.
"That would be, gorgeous?" moving around to stand beside Iokaste to look at Renna curiously.
Renna sighed, and then offered a claw in their direction, "He created me." And with that, Renna turned, and left theater.
"And like Arthur created Mordred, you'll stab him before his Camelot burns." he muses to her departing back, and then looks to Iokaste. "I will bid you farewell, Lady Iokaste."
She arched a brow at the dismissal and shrugged, turning away.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Iokaste. I look forward to potentially knowing you in a more informal setting." He offers to her departing form as he himself turns into a dense fog, falling through the stone of the floor.
She refrained from the eye roll and step through the portal. There was some planning to do with her twin.
(adapted from live play. Thank you to Renna and Iokaste's players!)