Exalted: Wyld times in Nexus

[PhoenixFlame]

((Alright! Continuing on from thread number one...))

Abandoned Warehouse:

"Acting smug, solar? Just for that, how about no?" The woman replied, dagger glinting slightly to hint at the path of the weapon as it slid toward Hideki's thigh. But that attack never hit, as it was never intended to. A sudden sidestep and hip-twist sent the blade's arc into a crisp backswing diagonally toward Hideki's torso, with quick horizontal wristroll-slice at his neck following.

((Splitting thrice, holding one. Attacks are at 5 and 4 sux each.))

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: Aborting to a full Parry.
OnlineHost: Archmage DB rolled 12 10-sided dice: 8 10 5 6 9 5 2 9 10 2 8 5 (8 sux)
OnlineHost: Archmage DB rolled 11 10-sided dice: 1 3 7 1 10 8 7 8 1 7 1 (7 sux)


IC: "Smug? No, nothing of the sort! I'm just curious." The copper and emerald hued robe flew into the air, along with the hat, as two lashes of the golden chain intercepted the blows, Hideki's hands barely twitching to send the Orichalcum weights at either end dancing and spinning through the air in a deadly ballet.

Beneath the robe, he wore a black gi such as a martial artist might wear, although with a vast number of pockets...and probably many more hidden ones...showing on it. Over it he wore an encompassing cloak of the same color, with even more pockets on the inside, containing the various tools of his trade. Hideki caught his hat in one hand and returned it to its place on his head, and added the final touch by pulling up the black mask that covered the lower half of his face. The Orichalcum chain wrapped around his waist as a belt elongated again, slithering into his hands like a tame viper. Both ends spun ominously through the air, hissing as his Essence flowed through them. Little arcs of lightning crackled through and between the links, a testament to the deadly energy within them.

[Nikose Tyris]

"We've no time left, follow me and try to keep up." Jasper intoned in a commanding voice. Forgetting momentarily he addressed someone accustomed to giving orders rather than taking them.

Jasper began running back the way he'd entered, from the rear entrance of the establishment into the labyrinthine alleyways of the Cinnabar district. If worse came to worst he'd be in an advantageous tactical position, with his flanks covered by brick and mortar and the avenues of attack shortened considerably for his opponents by the narrow passageways. The number of enemies that could engage him at once would be limitited by the cramped space, and considering his skill with arms that number would be woefully inadequate to impede his progress.

Derrick knew the alleys like a hawk, and ran through the kitchen, chasing after the Sidereal, Tomasu, and his lovely female companion.

((OOC: Derrick's backstory involves major interaction with some interesting Gold factions. He knows much about the workings of heaven, and knows about the Bronze Faction, Gold Faction, and the third tiny faction, which he feels closest to. Here's hoping that Jasper might have heard that he was one of the targets for talking. :P Also, I live across the street from the bar. Which is decidedly convienient.))
(( >>
<< ))

IC: Derrick ran up directly behind Jasper now, and asked abruptly, though quietly, "What is your allegiance? Are you of the bronze or the gold?" his nose rose in a silent snarl, as he moved through the Alley after Jasper. "And where are you leading?

[Arhra]

Seeing Akishiro leave, Akeesha decided it was time for her to make her departure too. Although she doubted the likelihood of him looking back while he was in a hurry, she didn't want to take a chance that she might be spotted. What she needed was a diversion.

"Well then! Excitement is on offer men-of-adventure! Follow if you have the bravery!" Aubrei began to leave, with a handful of the more boisterious (and possibly drunk) denizens of the tavern fluttering in her wake like leaves. Perfect.

Akeesha set off too, trailing the pair of Dragonbloods. She moved through the crowd warily, attempting to avoid their attention should they turn back while keeping them in her sight.

OOC: Rolled Per + Awareness for noting them in the crowd - 2,5,10,3,3,2 - 2 successes. Rolled Dexterity + Stealth untrained - 10,7,8 - four successes.

[PhoenixFlame]

"Hrmph!" The abyssal replied simply, grinning madly at Hideki, her dagger held toward the opposing solar with a tone of menace.

((Delaying after your initiative.))

((Akeesha and Co. Track the DBs without incident. Continue as planned.))

[Krylo]

The Lunar continued to run through the alleyway as fast as his powerful legs and feet would carry him, and soon burst out into the light, and crowds, of the Cinnabar district. He knew, however, that with his size disappearing into a crowd wasn't particularily likely, and changing into an animal would only serve to alert people to his true nature--and considering that his caste mark was already glinting ever so softly, only barely visible in the right light thanks to his attuning to the breastplate, that he need not take any more risks of such a nature.

[Funka Genocide]

Cinnabar District, near The Shining Star

"Feh! Look at dem fruity uniforms Mascus, worsen 'em Lookshy boys yalways see peradin' 'round town. What 'ta feck ya think a bunch of imperyal booters is doin' in town?" a grizzled mercenary spat as he watched the congregation of imperial soldiers mill about in the streets of Cinnabar.

"Prob'ly huntin' dem monsters y'hear so much 'bout. Dem, err... "Anathema". Demons an' such. Mus be a pow' rful one fer all dem." Mascus replied to his senior. A few other members of their mercenary company were lazing around the sort of bar that never closes, or has any reason to. Time's weren't the leanest, but they weren't the fattest either. A few of the lounging mercenaries were watching the proceedings with great interest, hoping for an excuse to maybe start a scuffle with a few of the proud Dynast soldiers so far from home. Bashing an Imperial and looting his gear was considered great fun by most of the less scrupled members of the mercenary companies in Nexus, and most of the mercenaries were of the less scrupled variety.


"Maam, Akishiro should be on his way momentarily." The wind aspected dragon spoke while barely holding back the tone of annoyance blistering his mouth like too-hot soup. He had to hide his annoyance, he was addressing a very important woman after all.

"He should have been here all ready Forn, he can explain his failings later and maybe catch up with us before we leave this Dragons-forsaked piss hole." Lady Mnemon Frie spoke, spitting into the streets as she pronounced her curt judgement of the city. "We don't have time to waste on his stupidity now, the men are getting restless and our presence here is... disturbing the locals." she finished her sentence in a tone of disgust for those offended citizens. "There's too much manpower invested in this all ready, I don't care about all the strings pulled or red tape sliced either, this is an insult to me and my men, we're here to do the Empress' will and it shall be done, as fast and thoroughly as I can achieve it." Frie declared as she unsheated a masterfully crafted blade of red jade alloy and turned to address her soldiers, not waiting for Forn's reply which would have only been a stifled smirk at Akishiro's slight dishonor and a quick confirmation of his leaders orders.

"Two fangs, subdue this establishment! The rest of you secure the entrances and exits, remember the training, any sign of an anathema and you disengage! That's a direct order!" Frie roared as the retinue snapped to attention out of habit. There were 50 men in all, garbed as they were for light field exercises. Two five men groups had seen urban combat quite extensively, these were the fangs she'd sent to take the small cafe and subdue everyone in attendance. If everything went as Frie hoped they'd have a few bewilered citizens to pay a paltry stipend to for the inconvenience and she could take her men back to the front where they belonged. If everything went the way her benefactors hoped...

Well she didn't carry a daiklave for it's sheer aesthetic value...

.................................................. ......................

Silver White Jaws outpaced his pursuers with ease, though it would only be so long before the entire patchwork force of Nexus guards were on the lookout for his umistakable frame, or so he thought.

Reaching the Cinnabar district Silver White Jaws found himself unpursued, as a large contingent of soldiers appeared in his field of view. They were all dour faced and listening intently to an obviously dragon blooded officer waving a large red daiklave around emphatically.

.................................................. ......................

Akishiro sprinted unceremoniously through the streets of Cinnabr District, hurrying to meet his retinue and hoping Lady Frie hadn't been pushed too far into a rage by her assignment. He focused entirely on running as fast as his exalted legs could carry him, he did not notice the strange band of stragglers and unknown Anathem behind him at all.

He reached the assembled ranks of his unit just as they broke abnd began to surround the small cafe.

ooc: OK! This should bring everyone within close proximity of eachother, the soldiers are on special assignment via an order that has been so tangled in beauracratic mumbo jumbo that there;s hardly any way to prove who commissioned it, though Frie suspects it was Tomaus's mother for obvious reasons. they're regular legion troops performing the Wyld Hunt's job as it's forces are sparse in the region and spread thing. three dragon blooded officers and a bunch o' somewhat well trained extras.

what will be done?

[Raiden]

Tomasu watched as the strange man ran. The person reminded him slightly of another mysterious man...one he had met long before...

He shook his head. This man offered an escape, and with Tayuumi injured, he needed to take it. He looked over to his companion.

"You well enough to run?"

[Mesden]

She pushed herself up a bit, finally standing on her own two feet. Her eyes traced up to Tomasu and with a slight nod she said, "I think so."

[Dragonsbane]

He remained casually leaning against the wall, grasping the flows of the Essence inside him, and setting them in motion about him like a great net, flowing outward to detect and warn him of any attacks. This was not a Charm of Mela, but he felt it was much like Air Dragon's Sight in some respects. His body seemed to liquify slightly in its motions, as if it could simply flow away from blows with casual ease.

[PhoenixFlame]

In the cinnabar district, tensions between armies had reached a fever pitch. Drawn like a moth to a flame, the renegade abyssal standing within the square knew the saftey of other's strife. After all, being on the run, the closer she was to danger, the farther she was from harm.

Which was exactly why The Dancer Veiled in Mist and Shadow had come to nexus. For within the massive city, she would be surrounded by people both righteous and detestable, and more or less shielded from Mask of Winter's wrath.

Of course, the day caste didn't mean to be obvious. She was, by all accounts, rather innocuous from behind her silver Sijanese Funery Director's robe, it's hood pulled up even in the morning light to assist in hiding her beautiful (and rather out-of-place) head of pale white hair, streaked with black, in addition to concealing her visage somewhat. A pair of silver bracelets on her hands gave the abyssal the perfect disguise she needed. Who better to impersonate an funeral director than an emissary of the dead?

Although, due to the same reasons, her bow, bracers, and armor had been hidden in a masouleum outside of the city, sealed within a tomb who Shadow was assured no soul would dare disturb, particularly after experiencing the spine-gripping fear of finding one of those horrible soulsteel artifacts. She had however, kept her dagger hidden within her many-pocketed robe, for while her disguise was nearly flawless given the fact that few if any people in all creation knew the existance of the abyssal exalted, aswell as the excellent amount of respect the Sijanese held in the threshold, she could not stand to be unarmed.

Still, Shadow did not live so long from throwing caution to the wind. So, when the wyld hunt appeared in force, she had every reason to gather information as to why it had came to Nexus, of all cities. The pale, robed woman gracefully made her way to the closest idle mercenary within the district, and with a customary bow inquired to the realm's presence.

"Excuse me, do you know why... they are here?" she asks, gesturing toward the realm soldiers with the imperial "they" that threshold-dwellers knew so well.

[Krylo]

A silent curse escaped from the razor-toothed mouth of the large barbarian as he saw the wyld hunt in all their resplendent glory, gathering in the streets. Nexus was supposed to a safe-haven, a city free of the influence of the realm--where even the most cursed of anathema could hide in relative ease.

Though, logically, he knew that they were not after him--after all, this was one of the first times the barbarian prince had left his tribe far to the southwest--still he knew he could not risk discovery, yet he knew not how to avoid their questioning gaze, were they to look in his direction. Even in these crowds his huge frame stood out.

Taking a deep breath, Silver-White Jaws of the Moonless Depths walked toward the Wyld Hunt, hoping to bypass them on the way out of the city without incident. They couldn't know what he was... and if they did he would be sure to take enough of them to make them regret their bravado.

[Raiden]

He smiled down to her.

"Alright then. Let's get out of here."

He turned, and while still holding her hand, began to sprint off after the strange man that offered a chance for escape.

[Funka Genocide]

tactical positioning

Tomasu, Tayuumi and Jasper
currently behind the Shining Star Cafe where an intricate network of backalleys begins. Two five men squads of Realm Soldiers are now at the patio area they just left.

Aubrei, Akeesha and Anbu
Approaching the large Realm retinue from the rear, following Akishiro with a group of about a half dozen rowdy morning revelers. About half of them are probably off duty mercenaries.

Silver White Jaws
Approaching from a perpendicular angle to the Shining Star and the Regiment.

The Dancer
Currently situated opposite Silver White Jaws, perpendicular to the Shining Star

summary
if we treat the battlefield like a large square, north would be denoted by the Dancer's position, forming the top of the square. The Dancer is about 100 yards away from Silver White Jaws, who is moving directly towards her. Frie is located about 50 yards South and 20 yards West of the Dancer, with her men spread behind her equidistantly. The Shining star is 50 yards South and 60 yards East of The Dancer. The ten man strike force is directly in front of the Shining Star

West is the location of Forn, Frie and 40 soldiers still in fomration, farther West of which is Akishiro (about 50 yards) and further behind him is the A team. (heh, I R witty) lagging by about 10 yards.

To the South is Silver White Jaws, 50 yards South and 20 yards East of Frie. The Shining Star is located 50 yards North and 60 Yards East of Silver White Jaws.

Tayuumi, Jasper and Tomasu are about 10yards down an alleyway behind the Shing Star.

The Alley Shack

The sound of shouting became evident through the thin walls of the hovel where the two Exalted combatants were toying with one another. There was an obvious altercation taking place outside, perhaps a mere trifle to beings as powerful as the two creature which stared eachother down warily, but a matter of pressing concern considering each of their purposes.

"Well Sun Child, we can dance until we're dead or perhaps save the final movement for later." The stunning, pallid woman spoke smoothly, her blade still pointing directly at the Solar's eyes.

"I've more important matters to attend to than your transition to Oblivion."


The Bar That Never Closes, Or Needs To

"Prob'ly huntin' them God's awful demons, I'd reckon." Mascus spoke to the hauntingly beautiful voice over his shoulder, replying before noticing who was inquiring. As he turned to see her pale and picturesque features he found himself losing his train of thought.


"Ah.. 'course y'know... uhm... Not that I wouldn't Help 'em out, jus they're a buncha poofs, prob'ly no real demons in ther anyhows. Heh... I mean, I fought me some real demons 'fore... I tell you..." Mascus managed to stutter out in an attempt to impress the lovely young woman before his voice was drowned out by a chorus of jeers that had somehow originated in the growing crowd of mercenaries near the fomration of soldiers.

Streets of Cinnabar

Silver White Jaws made his way as nonchalantly as possible towards the regiment of well armed soldiers, and would have made a fine escape were it not for a single shout from behind.

"Stop that barbarian scum of a thief you slow legged bastards!"

The God Bloods shout carried a remarkable distance, alerting the keen ears of Frie who turned to see the rather large and obviously barbarous Lunar in her midst.

"Fuck's sake, you men subdue that thief and turn him over to the city guard, might as well earn our pay while we're here." Frie spoke firmly to the nearest Talon commander.

Behind The Shining Star

Jasper was leaned against a wall peering froma corner as Tayuumi and Tomasu caught up.

"The way appears clear, if we hurry we might make the city limits before anyone realizes you were here. I have transportation waiting there, and we can get you both to safety." Jasper said.

[Raiden]

Tomasu nodded, the sigil on his forehead glowing ever so softly from reattuning his daiklave.

"Alright then. We'll follow you, though we have no reason to trust you yet."

[Dragonsbane]

"A devastating pity that our dance was cut short." Hideki responded just as smoothly, "What are you? There is something distinctly...off...about your actions and words. Why try to assassinate someone who needs to remain incognito just as much as you? I couldn't reveal you without giving myself away too, so you weren't just trying to slay a potential witness."

Hideki stood up from his nonchalant lean against the wall. His left foot crossed behind the right, then his right foot stepped out, slowly circling her, maneuvering between the dagger-wielding woman and the door of the alley shack.

Both ends of his sparkling chain cut the air, wrapping around his left arm like a gauntlet. His right hand, holding the sky-blue disc of his Chakram, snapped out as he swung his left arm out and down as a counterweight, his shoulders rolling in an easy, practiced, yet powerful motion. The air screamed as five glowing discs scythed toward her, turning in deceptive angles rather than a straight line.

OOC: Attacking with Infinite Jade Chakram. In accordance with the special weapon rules for Air Dragon Style, the dice are not split and all five (Hideki has MA 5) are thrown with a single attack roll, defended against as if it was a single attack, and otherwise treated as five attacks without dice penalty.

Awaiting bonus dice on the stunt before actually rolling.

[PhoenixFlame]

"So it would seem." Shadow responded curtly, in a low, cryptic tone. After all, while her voice was plesant to listen to, she used it with all the tact and dexterity of a warhammer. Speaking, after all, had never been the deathknight's forte, even in life.

Something in the realm batallion was moving, and it would appear they were moving to intercept a large barbarian man. If Shadow's estimations were correct, and the man's aswell, this may well be one of the anathema the wyld hunt were after. If Shadow were to remain alive, she would need to find and alert these various anathema to the abyssal threat they did not yet know of. Perhaps some of them could help her...

Retrieving this man would be difficult, however. Shadow could not risk revealing herself, and without her bow, fighting would be difficult. At best, she would need to remain unseen until striking, and then disappear back from whence she came.

Pulling her hood tightly around her head, Shadow briskly made her way toward Silver-White Jaws, her left hand's fingers snapping once as she activated Concealing Distraction Technique, and maneuvered through the crowd toward the wyld hunt.

((Concealing Distraction Technique, Abyssal version of Easily Overlooked Presence Method, while using stealth to conceal myself in the crowd whilist making headway toward Fangs.))

[Krylo]

Silver White Jaws stopped as the hunt moved toward him and slowly looked over the area. Things were getting more and more complicated, and now he had soldiers coming for him from both directions. He obviously wouldn't be able to leave this city without entering into combat... and a wide open area like this could only prove to his advantage if things came to it, allowing him to take the form of some of the larger and more powerful beasts in his repretoire.

"Very well..." he said in a low growl before turning back toward the alley he came from, and entering into a run, directly toward the guards who had followed him, intending to attack them first.

[Arhra]

It seemed everything was on the verge of descending into utter chaos. Akeesha slowed as she saw the retinue up ahead - it would do no good to bring attention on herself. She forced herself to move slower, like a bystander heading up to see what all the commotion was about.

There were soldiers fanning out around one of the numerous cafes in the area. Several soldiers were heading in. Others seemed to be heading off to the side, in pursuit of something else. Hard to tell with the crowd. She needed a better vantage point. Akeesha slunk into an alley, checking to see it was deserted. Focusing her essence, she ran up the wall as lightly as a feather in an updraft.

Moving smoothly across the rooftop to view the tableau unfolding below, Akeesha hoped to gain a better idea of how things were going from her new vantage point.

Summary: Activated Spider-Foot Style to watch from the rooftops. I'm told we're using the variant that costs three motes and lasts one scene. Essence spent from personal pool. Remaining Essence - 8 personal, 21 peripheral.

[Lumaes]

Aubrei barely seems to notice as Akeesha slips away, indeed the young shaman's mind is on other things as nimble fingers remain locked firmly around Anbu's wrist. There was something hovering in the midmorning air, something barely tangible that tickled Aubrei's palate like the after-taste of oversweet honey.
Copper eyes still fixed on the backs of the Terestrials the swaying of the skirt dimishes, legs moving less quickly as the shaman draws up the flow of essence through him, the light of the sun reflects in his eyes, a corona of light blazing momentarily along his iris as he calls on one of his divine rights.
Suddenly the world snaps into focus and, like ambient music suddenly brought to the fore, the world surges with light, long trickling whorls of energy undercutting the mundane streets.

**OOC: Activating "Sorceror's All Encompassing Sight" for six motes, 8 personal and 36 peripheral left::