The Last Oddetsey

[alex_holt]

MARISA AND AURELIA

As the pair assembles her Cappella themed army outside the base, they recieve an odd message via their communicators from the Botanist - he babbles a lot about rhododendrons, whether you can hurry up as his creepers are getting enough light through the shield and whether you can retrieve that Quercus parstemopris seed that Doomforall pinched off it at some point, before asking you to watch out for any interesting weeds in the compound.

With the group assembled, they begin their impromput capella concert, which is about as good as you would expect from a group of random strangers grouped into singing Capella with no notice whatsoever. However, there is no denying they do it with conviction. All the sniper robots have their eyes trained on this, and the disturbingly muscular Metapenguin, who introduces himself as Otto VonAukton waddles out holding one of the Chimeras on a particularly elaborate leash. He seems more confused than anything else, but suspecting a trap of some sort.

PROFESSOR VENGEANCE

George quickly returns, and with him displays full schematics of everywhere he could access - the rest appears to be clad in some super-dense material that his scanners couldn't penetrate. What is currently unlocked is the main living areas, and a small secondary control room. No traps were detected, although there was a scrambling field to make people ignore this place, but apparently Vengeance was programmed in as an exception.

The secondary control room only seems to have limited functionality - no weapons or more advanced forms of movement. Pretty much limited to the generic cruise speed movement, and various shielding systems are on automatic, plus the ability to query the computer for certain information. Vengeance is currently entirely locked out of any of the sublevels, which schematics seem to suggest contain the hangar, various libraries and studies and a teleportation system system.

Most notably, the power source of this place is so off the charts that George cannot measure it, to the point where it seems entirely surplus to requirements. At his best calculations, if you powered every system on every world that George's internal database knows about, the power consumption would for any meaningful reason essentially 0% usage.

TWITCH

Twitch flies worriedly over the crowd, but with the guards playing attention to the capella singing, it goes without a hitch - the remaining Chimera is sleeping, and none of the snipers seem to notice anything. However, when he reaches the innermost tower, there is a slight problem - although he had very clearly seen Otto at the gates, there is a second distinctive MetaPenguin here, slightly bigger than Otto if anything. It appears there was a slight inaccuracy in the information the Old World's Society had - Otto has a Sister...

[kodster]

Not what she had expected, but burning through a door armoured like that had to be worth something. Eudial grinned and yanked the door open. And liquid poured out...

Water?!

The grin vanished almost instantly. Eudial didn't like water. Well, not when she was burning with the intensity of a million stars. For a moment, as the water splashed about her ankles, she wore a panicked expression, and she danced a bit like a retard trying to avoid it. However, it was her mind that cooled off first.

Turn your power off, you fool.

It wasn't what she wanted to do; enemies could be behind the door. But she had no chance fighting those who wielded oceanic powers. Regrettably, Eudial stopped burning, and just like that, the water wasn't an issue anymore. She cautiously peered into the room, ready to attack again in need be...

...and saw Gaunt just standing there, dripping. Eudial stared. What was with his skin??? It was like he had an animal's hide... except... humans didn't usually have that technique.

"Hello, still hanging around this garish place as well I see. You might have noticed I've had some water issues with my room. I've been hoping to have a, shall we say, chat with the esteemed Dr. Seben about that. I'm not very pleased with him at the moment."

Eudial's face split into a cruel smirk; she couldn't help it. She was proud to have wasted that trashy man completely. She hastily rearranged the smirk into a blank, airy sort of expression.

"Yes... I was not very pleased with him, either," said Eudial. "In fact, we had quite the disagreement over your location. At one point I think he had me convinced you had gone for a little stroll. I suppose that was him that locked you in here, yes?

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you though. Your wish for a chat can't be granted as I got a little... shall we say, vociferous with him... as you can plainly see." Eudial indicated the body of Seben. "I don't suppose it would do for any of his colleagues to find him here, so I suggest we do something about the situation. Then we can find the other member of our escapade.

In any case, I would not trust a damn thing any of these people say. I trust you feel the same after your experience here, surely?"

[NWOWWE]

Gaunt shook his head.

"No, not in the slightest. He claimed I didn't meet their qualifications. He then decided to drain me completely and flooding the room was a rather desperate attempt to stop them. It seems to have worked... somewhat." Gaunt indicated his skin.

"In any case, I'm glad to see he's been dealt with. Well done. In return let me give you some advice: as long as we're in here or anywhere near these Psychic folks you'll want to keep up a strong mental block. I'm not sure if they have tongue-twisters where you're from, but I find them to be especially effective. It's not absolutely foolproof, but I was able to force someone out of my head at least twice with some great effort."

Gaunt then looked back at the prone carcass of Dr. Seben and smiled.

"Perhaps there's a supply closet or something we can stuff him in for the time being. No doubt they'd find him eventually unless we could vaporize him, but somewhere out of the way. It seems rather cliche, but there doesn't seem much else to do with him."

[steven_mcg]

George quickly returns, and with him displays full schematics of everywhere he could access - the rest appears to be clad in some super-dense material that his scanners couldn't penetrate. What is currently unlocked is the main living areas, and a small secondary control room. No traps were detected, although there was a scrambling field to make people ignore this place, but apparently Vengeance was programmed in as an exception.

The secondary control room only seems to have limited functionality - no weapons or more advanced forms of movement. Pretty much limited to the generic cruise speed movement, and various shielding systems are on automatic, plus the ability to query the computer for certain information. Vengeance is currently entirely locked out of any of the sublevels, which schematics seem to suggest contain the hangar, various libraries and studies and a teleportation system system.

Most notably, the power source of this place is so off the charts that George cannot measure it, to the point where it seems entirely surplus to requirements. At his best calculations, if you powered every system on every world that George's internal database knows about, the power consumption would for any meaningful reason essentially 0% usage.

Cruise control and shielding? That's it? Hmph. Ruddy cheek. According to His Doominess, I can't even be trusted with a water pistol around these parts. Still, at least I know what's what around here now and I can still get the thing moving again. Very good work, George. Very thorough.

I think we'll leave the mystery of the powerhouse power source for now, don't you? Too many mysteries around here as it is. First I want to examine that cylindrical stone wotsit in the garden and see if I can't see what's been lodged in it already.

Then I propose we pop along to the control room and see about taking off. You're a fairly advanced piece of tech, George. With a little help from my tools, you should be able to interface with the computer directly. That might open up some more of the flight controls, as well as some of the more deeply encrypted databases.

I know I wouldn't mind asking it for a little history on this place and why I'm not allowed near all the fun stuff.

[alex_holt]

EUDIAL AND LELAND

Leland locates what appears to be the supply closet, which has a sizable pile of boxes at the rear that are big enough to contain the late Dr Seben. They appear to contain the remnants of what presumably are vital supplies for the running of a psychic organization such as adult magazines, jars of raspberry jam and dreamcasts. There are plenty of other items round the storeroom in general that might be worth taking: various medicines and mineral infusions, bandages, a tank of leeches and an old MAGNET-TOES brand psyproof helmet.

Eudial also finds a rare candy.

VENGEANCE

After managing to find a patch where it wasn't entirely covered in lichen, Vengeance examines the stone - it is of a type that he has never seen before, seemingly infused with tiny polyhedral metallic crystals of gold, silver and copper coloured minerals, but it does appear to be originally natural. How it is shaped is intriguing though - it is slightly concave on top, and the outer holes appear to channel back to the central one. The item lodged inside it is, apparently, a very peculiar acorn, which seems to switch between some sort of phasing state and some sort of super-hard state. According to Georges readings, nothing that Vengeance has about his person at the minute would do any notable damage to either the stone or the acorn.

Meanwhile, George interfaces with the computer, and manages to get a few of the lesser systems up and running - orbital flight, both internal and external sensors, activating a Golem chef and his ingredient replicator and a temperature controlled pool.

George also locates some files that Doomforall seems to have left for him to read: a thorough document concerning the rift energy that Doomforall used as his powerset; how it works, its origin, it's applications, it's limitations (very few), however, it is the very last section of the document that gets Vengeances attention.

"All my research and study points to one indisputable fact: that taking the power of the Rift from the Marranach was the greatest mistake any being in the history of the multiverse has ever made. My mistake. He was a being who was outside the multiverse, outside any comprehension and I, in my ignorance and in my folly, thought that I had impressed such a creature with my audacity and I had somehow earned the right to that power. I was a child to think that. He rules in the space between Multiverses and longs to expand his domain further into their light - pouring his realms into them like cold water onto a fire to reclaim them. In my stupidity, I am the beach-head - by bringing the rift here in myself I have given him a way in...

I will retire from using the power of the Rift as much as I can, but with this power I cannot shirk responsibility. Worlds may die from both my action and inaction. Eventually, something will happen and he will break in. I have begun to look into ways to escape this cruel fate I have wrought on this universe and the others, but it is a long shot at best.

I have already acquired the item from the Botanist and I returned Vengeance to his home world again, though he will not remember it, he may be the key to all this. If all else fails, at least this Fortress of mine may finally get to live out it's intended function..."

[kodster]

Gaunt shook his head.

"No, not in the slightest. He claimed I didn't meet their qualifications. He then decided to drain me completely and flooding the room was a rather desperate attempt to stop them. It seems to have worked... somewhat." Gaunt indicated his skin.

"In any case, I'm glad to see he's been dealt with. Well done. In return let me give you some advice: as long as we're in here or anywhere near these Psychic folks you'll want to keep up a strong mental block. I'm not sure if they have tongue-twisters where you're from, but I find them to be especially effective. It's not absolutely foolproof, but I was able to force someone out of my head at least twice with some great effort."

Gaunt then looked back at the prone carcass of Dr. Seben and smiled.

"Perhaps there's a supply closet or something we can stuff him in for the time being. No doubt they'd find him eventually unless we could vaporize him, but somewhere out of the way. It seems rather cliche, but there doesn't seem much else to do with him."

Eudial snorted. "Not my first choice, but... lead the way." She sighed, thinking about how many more psychic beings they'd have to fight through just to escape this place.

Leland locates what appears to be the supply closet, which has a sizable pile of boxes at the rear that are big enough to contain the late Dr Seben. They appear to contain the remnants of what presumably are vital supplies for the running of a psychic organization such as adult magazines, jars of raspberry jam and dreamcasts. There are plenty of other items round the storeroom in general that might be worth taking: various medicines and mineral infusions, bandages, a tank of leeches and an old MAGNET-TOES brand psyproof helmet.

"Excellent..." gloated the pyro-Witch. "There's more than enough space to... to..."

Her eyes found the remnants of supplies. "What the..." Adult magazines?! And the odd thing was they weren't even... about humans. She turned to Gaunt to say something, but then her jaw dropped. Gaunt had shuffled forward to collect the magazines. She spluttered. "What the HELL do you think you're doing?!?" No answer yet. Ugh...

Ignoring Gaunt as best as she could, Eudial's eyes gazed over the other objects. "Ooh..." Medicine... that would do in a pinch. She salvaged those. Then her eyes caught the mineral infusions. "Hey..." Eudial smiled wickedly; her alchemist side was raring to have a go at these. "These could be quite useful... I'll have them." She nicked the minerals as well.

Eudial also finds a rare candy.

What's this?

Eudial bent over and picked up the wrapped candy, raising an eyebrow. She shrugged and pocketed it. She then turned to Gaunt with a patronizing glare. "If you're done with that..." she growled. "We should hide this damn body."

[NWOWWE]

Her eyes found the remnants of supplies. "What the..." Adult magazines?! And the odd thing was they weren't even... about humans. She turned to Gaunt to say something, but then her jaw dropped. Gaunt had shuffled forward to collect the magazines. She spluttered. "What the HELL do you think you're doing?!?" No answer yet. Ugh...

Ignoring Gaunt as best as she could, Eudial's eyes gazed over the other objects. "Ooh..." Medicine... that would do in a pinch. She salvaged those. Then her eyes caught the mineral infusions. "Hey..." Eudial smiled wickedly; her alchemist side was raring to have a go at these. "These could be quite useful... I'll have them." She nicked the minerals as well. Originally Posted by alex_holt
Eudial also finds a rare candy.



What's this?

Eudial bent over and picked up the wrapped candy, raising an eyebrow. She shrugged and pocketed it. She then turned to Gaunt with a patronizing glare. "If you're done with that..." she growled. "We should hide this damn body."

"My dear lady, you underestimate what people will buy. 100 credits apiece may not be all that much in this place and you never know what kind of supplies we may need."

Then Gaunt continued with a laugh. "And besides, if I find myself locked up somewhere again I'll take just about ANY reading material over the banal television programs they have here. You can look disapproving if you like, but I consider myself a forward thinker."

Gaunt then spied the helmet.

"On a more serious note, I think I shall take this. I'm not sure how much longer we'll be dealing with these Psychic characters, so this could come in handy still. And these bandages, might as well take them too."

Gaunt surveyed the rest of the room.

"I think that's all the practical things we can take. I believe we can store the good Doctor comfortably inside one of these boxes."

With a combined effort they placed him in an empty box. Before closing it Gaunt threw in one of the magazines.

"For your amusement sir. Someone will be along to check on you later if you meet the qualifications."

With that, Gaunt went to close up the supply closet.

[majinb]

Whilst at all times keeping an eye out overhead to look for any sign of Twitch, Aurelia nudged Marisa and pointed with her nose towards the incoming metapenguin, whilst, of course, singing a cappella...

"A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And, I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance, and...
Maybe they'd be happy for a while
But, February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep - I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside the day the music died

So, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Did you write the Book of Love and do you have faith in God, above?
If the Bible tells you so
Now, do you believe in Rock and Roll? Can music save your mortal soul? And...
Can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you're in love with him, 'cause I saw you dancing in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes - man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely, teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck, but...
I knew I was out of luck the day the music died

I started singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Now, for ten years we've been on our own and moss grows fat on a Rolling Stone, but...
That's not how it used to be
When the Jester sang for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean
In a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the King was looking down the Jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned - no verdict was returned
And, while Lenin read a book on Marx the quartet practiced in the park, and...
We sang dirges in the dark the day the music died

We were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Healter Skealter in the summer swelter - the Birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight Miles High and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass with the Jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now, the halftime air was sweet perfume while the Sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance, oh, but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field - the marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died?

We started singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

And, there we were, all in one place - a generation Lost in Space
With no time left to start again
So, come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick - Jack Flash sat on a Candlestick, 'cause...
Fire is the Devil's only friend
And, as I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell could break that satan's spell
And, as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrificial rite, I saw...
Satan laughing with delight the day the music died

He was singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

I met a girl who sang the Blues, and I asked her for some happy news
She just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before, but...
The man there said the music wouldn't play
And, in the streets the children screamed, the lover's cried, and the poets dreamed, but...
Not a word was spoken - the church bells all were broken
And, the three men I admire most: the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, they...
Caught the last train for the coast the day the music died

And, they were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

They were singing, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die"

[NFX]

Passing over the main gate, he glanced down and noticed a penguin heading towards Aurelia and Marisa. Sadly, the parrot knew no more about this 'American Pie' woman they were singing of than he did 'Abba Gold'. At least he was blending in with the rest of the criss-crossing birds overhead, though, and managed to get past the sniper robots, letting out a small sigh of relief. He hadn't been shot! That was good.

As he approached the central tower, however, he noticed another penguin inside it, and frowned a little. Penguins had always made Twitch...a little uncomfortable, to put it lightly. They swam instead of flying, and to him, that was just crazy and unusual and wrong. The sea was for fish and tourists, not birds. Birds belonged in the sky, like him. Stupid penguins.

Finding a safe-looking spot, Twitch swooped down towards one of the buildings and perched on the gutter. Making sure to keep one eye on the tower, the macaw rummaged through his bag for the communicator. It was buried at the bottom. Typical. Rather than empty the whole bag out, Twitch decided instead to try and stick his head inside it.

"Hello?" he asked whoever was receiving, "There's another penguin in the middle tower, what do I do?"

[steven_mcg]

After managing to find a patch where it wasn't entirely covered in lichen, Vengeance examines the stone - it is of a type that he has never seen before, seemingly infused with tiny polyhedral metallic crystals of gold, silver and copper coloured minerals, but it does appear to be originally natural. How it is shaped is intriguing though - it is slightly concave on top, and the outer holes appear to channel back to the central one. The item lodged inside it is, apparently, a very peculiar acorn, which seems to switch between some sort of phasing state and some sort of super-hard state. According to Georges readings, nothing that Vengeance has about his person at the minute would do any notable damage to either the stone or the acorn.

Curiouser and curiouser. I mean, what is this thing, Schrodinger's Nut?

Feh! Mysteries upon mysteries! I don't like what I don't know, George, and this thing is one great big "I don't know" wrapped up in "whos" and "whats" and topped off with a beautiful bow of "why-o-whys". I say we leave it be for now. Perhaps one of our fellow refugees from reality will have better luck later on.

Meanwhile, George interfaces with the computer, and manages to get a few of the lesser systems up and running - orbital flight, both internal and external sensors, activating a Golem chef and his ingredient replicator and a temperature controlled pool.

Ahh, now we're getting somewhere. We'll take a stab at piloting this place very soon, but first things first - meal time! Let me call up that chef. I don't think I've eaten a single blasted thing since before the jailbreak!

George also locates some files that Doomforall seems to have left for him to read: a thorough document concerning the rift energy that Doomforall used as his powerset; how it works, its origin, it's applications, it's limitations (very few), however, it is the very last section of the document that gets Vengeances attention.

"All my research and study points to one indisputable fact: that taking the power of the Rift from the Marranach was the greatest mistake any being in the history of the multiverse has ever made. My mistake. He was a being who was outside the multiverse, outside any comprehension and I, in my ignorance and in my folly, thought that I had impressed such a creature with my audacity and I had somehow earned the right to that power. I was a child to think that. He rules in the space between Multiverses and longs to expand his domain further into their light - pouring his realms into them like cold water onto a fire to reclaim them. In my stupidity, I am the beach-head - by bringing the rift here in myself I have given him a way in...

PFFFFFT.

Oh, Doomsy! Hehehe! Your blinkered old sod! And you always told me I was the reckless goon with no good sense! You of all people should know better than to go poking the natives in the space between spaces! Haven't you ever seen Crystal Skull?

I will retire from using the power of the Rift as much as I can

Hurrah!

but with this power I cannot shirk responsibility.

...Hurroo.

Worlds may die from both my action and inaction. Eventually, something will happen and he will break in. I have begun to look into ways to escape this cruel fate I have wrought on this universe and the others, but it is a long shot at best.

I have already acquired the item from the Botanist and I returned Vengeance to his home world again, though he will not remember it, he may be the key to all this. If all else fails, at least this Fortress of mine may finally get to live out it's intended function..."

Oh, I see. He disturbs the power-hungry Elder God from beyond the realms of time and space, but I'm the one who has to clean up the mess after him! Well, I can tell you right off the bat I'm not letting you back in this house until you learn some responsibility, young man!

The Botanist, eh? Never heard of him. Somehow, I doubt he's related to Dr Chlorophyll and the Green Thumb Gang. Ruddy hippies.

George, check the databases for information on this Botanist fellow. I'll order you a nice big tank of oil with din-dins. Maybe after, we can get this castle moving and find out what it's actually for.

[alex_holt]

OOC: I don't think anything in Eudial, Leland, Twitch or Aurelia have actually said what they are doing next despite the posts, correct me if I missed something.

Vengeance pulls up the file of the Botanist:

THE BOTANIST
Real Name: Unknown
Species: Unknown - probably a Post-human
Status: Alive
Known Affiliation: The Old Worlds Society, Every Botanical Journal in existence

The Botanist is a rare example of an Elder of the Multiverse, possibly the only one currently living - a being who has dedicated their life to one occupation to such an extent that they have come to embody that concept for not just an entire universe (see, the more common "Elder of the Universe" designation), but for all Universes. He is also one of the few surviving beings to be from a previous multiverse - and furthermore one of the four remaining attending members of the Old Worlds Society.

His physical flesh has long decayed when this universe came into being, and resembles a skeleton suspended in a turquoise gel like substance in a general humanoid form. The gel is some miraculous substance of his own design, which has defied analysis, but seems to be capable of storing vast amounts of data and has been witnessed seemingly digest seeds of plants only to be able to replicate them later. There is speculation he might be responsible for bring a large portion of the plant species to this world.

SCANNING:

Recent Contacts:
Spodra, The Night Pine, The Catalyst, Aurelia, Twitch, Marisa

[majinb]

Finding a safe-looking spot, Twitch swooped down towards one of the buildings and perched on the gutter. Making sure to keep one eye on the tower, the macaw rummaged through his bag for the communicator. It was buried at the bottom. Typical. Rather than empty the whole bag out, Twitch decided instead to try and stick his head inside it.

<<RING RING, RING RING>>

"Oh God da..." Aurelia thought, before realizing she's an Angel. This had to be Twitch calling. She had to think quickly without ever letting her a cappella singing performance slip.

"Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow."

She was a pro after all. Without her guidance this vocal group would be lost.

"The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!"

With a quick flick of her wing she managed to turn off her own communicator.

"On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore."

<RING RING, RING RING>

"Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow."

"Oh God da..." Aurelia once more thought, upon realizing Marisa's communicator was still ringing. Twitch seemingly needed them but they sure as Hell couldn't talk to Twitch about his mission infiltrating the space station whilst simultaneously distracting the guards of that very same space station! Besides, nothing ever comes in between Aurelia and an a cappella song. Ever.

"How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords."

She was almost done singing Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song though, and Aurelia gazed upon Marisa, hatching a plan to give her friend an opportunity to answer her communicator without making the guards wary.

"On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore."

<RING RING, RING RING>

"So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing."

The song was over. And instead of taking her usual bow, and having her fellow vocalists follow her lead, she turned around, with fire in her eyes, towards Marisa Kirisame.

"WHAT, WAS, THAT?! Don't think I didn't hear that electronic ringing sound you used to back up your vocals young lady! I'll have you know we are an A CAPPELLA VOCAL GROUP, instrumentally generated music is OUT OF THE QUESTION, ESPECIALLY ELECTRONIC MUSIC! Your voice is a beautiful tool (OOC, Marisa sang horribly, but for a true a cappella idealist like Aurelia it is the conviction and the heart that counts, even when the listeners cover their ears in horror) and it saddens me to see it is somehow not enough for you. I will have you know that I will expel you out of this a cappella vocal group and don't want you back until you have seen the error of your ways! Go away now, go and play with your electronic ringing device elsewhere if that is what you are so keen on doing, whilst I shall continue this concert with those that do appreciate the art of a cappella singing!"

As Marisa wandered off, Aurelia turned to the rest of her ragtag vocal group. Some seemed a bit shaken, this was never Aurelia's intention, a dwarf among them even quickly pulled a mouth organ out of his pocket and threw it in a bin nearby in fear of Aurelia discovering it.

"Alright, lets continue, and a 1, and a 2, and a 1, 2, 3, 4...

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey..."

[andrewj]

Cleo appeared to wake up in the young woman's office, feeling quite groggy.

(What was that? Was that a dream?)

As she began to stretch her legs, she noticed the small spiral staircase out of the corner of her eye.

(It was real... The Brain of Krull...)

She immediately headed towards the staircase – the woman was not too far ahead.

[alex_holt]

The woman keeps a quick pace, despite Cleo not being perfectly suited for spiral staircases, they descend for quite a distance, and what becomes quickly apparent is that this staircase probably wasn't on the official plans of this building. After what seems an eternity, the pair emerge out into a huge darkened room. The Woman known as the Brain of Krull turns on the lights, which turn on in stages down the length of this vast room.

What is revealed is not what was expected - first impression is of a huge swimming pool, but closer inspection reveals that the thought of anyone swimming in this pool is quite horrific - there is a vast fish-like creature in there, it must be ancient, and a full 150 meters long. Even more disconcerting is that it appears riddled with some kind of parasite - resembling giant human sized leaches, if you somehow managed to cut a giant man-sized leach out of reality leaving nothing but utter blackness behind.

"Meet the founder of the Psycorps, he doesn't have a name but is refered to as "The Sucker" by some, and I think you are the only one who can help me save him".

[shadowflare]

<<Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring>>
Banana Phone~
Oh wait, communicator, yes. Marisa quickly concidered what she was going to do about the ringing (before she disrupted the entire group with it), she couldn't just hang it up right? How do you even do that?

And lo, the angel spoke with her words of wisdom:

"WHAT, WAS, THAT?! Don't think I didn't hear that electronic ringing sound you used to back up your vocals young lady! I'll have you know we are an A CAPPELLA VOCAL GROUP, instrumentally generated music is OUT OF THE QUESTION, ESPECIALLY ELECTRONIC MUSIC! Your voice is a beautiful tool and it saddens me to see it is somehow not enough for you. I will have you know that I will expel you out of this a cappella vocal group and don't want you back until you have seen the error of your ways! Go away now, go and play with your electronic ringing device elsewhere if that is what you are so keen on doing, whilst I shall continue this concert with those that do appreciate the art of a cappella singing!"

Marisa huffed a bit before realising what exactly the angel was doing.
"Relax, relax, ze~" She grumbled loudly while walking away, "I'll take care of it, and then I'll come back and you won't have to worry about the ringing anymore!"

She walked a short distance away before fumbling with the communicator and answering the poor bird.
"Hello, yes, this is Marisa!"

"Hello?" he asked whoever was receiving, "There's another penguin in the middle tower, what do I do?"

Oh crap. A bonus penguin for our trouble. "Uhhm, Could we choke it with a well dropped fish?" Marisa asked, reaching into her fish bag and hoping for something helpful, "I'd offer up Fishcube but I'm gonna want him back, I like him. Best fishycube I've ever met!"

She pondered a bit more. "I'll try to talk to the Angel lady, ze, maybe she'll let me shoot the Master Spark off in the distance so they clear out and look for the guy who did it? Maybe if I make it big enough your penguin will leave too. It isn't like Lazer is difficult. I'll let you know what's up, or maybe you'll see! Oh, before I forget, do you see any weird pants or anything?"
She looked around herself for weird weeds.

She started wandering back over to the group, hoping the angel lady'd take notice.