Patches (Open RP)

Trisys followed the tug up. "Oh." Lava was part of her experience. A short-duration Master in Striga Island whom had thought the volcano too dormant. Karma had caught up with him before his wish could turn the entire region into an exploded crater. "That... would hurt."

The satyr quickly moved away as Scar approached the Khelari with his offering. Lazardarus thankfully offered a point of distraction. She still kept distance from everyone, but his suggestions were very appealing. Plus if there was other magical creatures in his paradise-like place then there were a chance there were others like her. Maybe not kin. Yet maybe another who could teach her to talk to land other than EarthMother, so she need not be so flat-footed.

Lightly Trisys worried her lower lip, considering. It was rude to make any more nuisance, and yet... Trisys directed her eyes to Paxtera, the only one not covered in at least a track of blood. Well, her plus the Khelari except the latter was planning to stay with the Gre'shil.

Trisys's amber gaze contained a 'Please' for Paxtera to transport her separately to the elf's realm.

If when Trisys looked to Jade she found approval from her Master, Paxtera's hand would be accepted. All the open trust of a child would be afixed on the mother.

The arthropod vanished from the gunmen's sights in an instant, as if it had just turned invisible.

"Primitive savages." It's chittering voice said, coming from seemingly everywhere. "You possess the means to manipulate gravity, but not the senses to discern between a demon and an arthropod? Your reaction speaks VOLUMES for your species as a whole."

"Can't hurt to try." Jade gave a shrug of palms and a mixture of sideways tilt and nod of his head to the suggestion of traveling in two groups, "Well....least I hope so. Let's try."

His expression was uncertain, but his manner certainly conveyed that he thought it was a good idea. There was still concern in his eyes, but as far as Trisys was concerned, Master had approved - even though didn't feel much achuckle right now.

The Khelari on the other hand laughed light-heartedly, telling Scar with a smile, "Until I'm satisfied? We'd be here all day. I may not look it, but I can eat that whole thing. No, you guys go ahead and eat. My treat to you."

"But thank you for this." she did accept the offered cuts however, beginning to snack on them like a human might large strips of beef jerky. It wasn't her preferred style - she liked to gnaw it off the bone, or other hard surfaces, such as the outer plating - but she didn't want to offend anyone by turning down the offer, "I appreciate it."

Thus munching, she didn't repeat it aloud, but she was ready to go with the second group once Paxtera returned, just like Jade...
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The gunmen didn't reply. They didn't even hear the chittering above the report of their weapons, firing at where the creature had been the instant before it had vanished. The heavy hovertank meanwhile performed a sensor sweep...

"Anytime." Jade retorted, stepping over to Paxtera, as he suspected that proximity or physical contact would be needed for the remote relocation and wanted to make the conditions to this end easier. The Khelari likewise gave confirmation, hers coming with a nod before she too stepped closer, waving temporary goodbye to Scar and the other Gre'shil...

The scanners found the arthropod...Right beside the tank. And suddenly, the need for sensors was rendered moot when the creature decloaked, unhinged its massive pincers, and latched into the side of the tank. They didn't bite into its armor at all. It's claws weren't built for cutting. They were built for crushing. The arthropod didn't attempt to crush the tank though, using only enough force to get a firm grip on the vehicle.

With stupendous strength of unimaginable volume, the arthropod then attempted to flip the tank over onto its side.

What Trisys would see is large granite walls on each side of a gap. The gap was filled with trees ranging from oaks to the super sized massive trees similar to the giant Redwoods. Blocking the way into the gap is a wooden gate. The construction was such that it appears that the trees were grown to form the wall instead of cut down and placed there. It even had branches high up with green leaves among those branches were the look outs a few had their arrows ready in the bows.

But what should catch her attention most was the 6 inch tall gnome standing about 2 feet in front of her. He was dressed in a yellow shirt and brown pants a bit on the chubby side and his nose was nearly half the size of his head. Two twinkling eyes watch her from under bushy eye brows. He had his head tilted as he studied her his hand was brushing his beard that went down to his naval.

The odd thing about this little creature would be not everyone in the group would see him. Jade being mechanical in nature would not be able to detect him at all. Where Paxtera and perhaps the sisters to lesser degree would detect the tremendous magical energy of the gnome. A few moments latter had other elemental spirits buzzing around Trisys. Wind spirits that look like wisps of steam taking humanoid form. Pixies and fairies (that everyone would see) flying about. All seemed to be checking her out and zipping back to the forest dwelling.

The tank easily flipped onto its side, then its back, then its other side, and would continue this rotation a few more times before the now very disoriented crew inside managed to stabilize the vehicle. The second armored craft, however, had no such inhibitions, aiming one of its riot guns at the insectoid and proceeding to open fire. The shells were relatively harmless to the heavy plating of the first tank, but unprotected and lightly armored targets tended to be cut to ribbons if they so much as directly caught the trajectory vortex.

Said firing naturally produced a lot of noise, which sounded even above that of the rifles of the coat-donning gunmen, turning their attention behind them. Seeing the sinister spawn of all things evil and corrupt in said location, they in turn redirected their aim and opened fire again as well. Finally, this was about the time when the rest of the depot got wind something had gone terribly wrong - mostly induced by the right of the rotating hovertank - resulting in several more vehicles mobilizing and personnel arming up to engage...
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"Gyeh!" the Khelari recoiled with a swat of her palm against her right eye, holding the hand over the spot as she regained her balance, having taken a stumbling step back. Jade only looked on in confusion as she blinked at the gnome he couldn't see and remarked, "Ur. Great. Now of all times it chooses to break. That figures. Hello."

"Huh?" was all the metal Dragon could utter to that this moment, looking back and forth between the spot she was talking to and the scaleless reptilian herself, "Say wha...who are you talking to...?"

Ah, time travel.

One previous peripheral exposure to it when Paxtera appeared with the group at the super volcano was not enough to qualify her as experienced. Especially as Trisys hadn't realized before that it was the primary source of her upset. Being sifted through time firsthand was dizzying. At the other end Trisys swayed a bit, rather cross-eyed. The sensation for the satyr was rather like stepping off of a boat after a month at sea: The ground felt as if it rocked back and forth.

The welcoming committee further emphasized the disorientation. The granite walls were a grey blur behind the whirl of buzzing spirits darting in to offer dozens of greetings, curious comments, a few sympathetic chitters over the tattered remains of wings, and breeze-light touches. It was enough that Trisys sat down rather heavily.

Among the greeters weaved non-local denizens crying, "Pretty!" and "Pretty pony!" Small humanoids or oversized pixies? It was anyone's guess. They were draped in faded discards, looking remarkably like dancing piles of fall leaves. A pouch integrated into their bodies contained what looked like small spheres. Trisys deduced they were the Marbles that Lazardarus had mentioned.

Before long Trisys would learn the common knowledge that Marbles are a regarded as a race of scavengers. They are usually not seen, what with their danger sense second to none. Their "danger" is when there is no danger, for they love practical jokes. Nothing harmful, yet still a major pest to those trying to live peacefully. Little more is know because when one is captured it turns to dust. If ever one is caught alive, you can be sure it is plotting an elaborate trick.

For now all Trisys knew was that they were one type of the whirlwind around her. Later she would notice they had snatched one of her few feathers, a lock of hair, and shaved a sliver off a hoof. What future mischief they would cast with such would be unknown for some time. Most immediately Trisys was subjected to one of their mild pranks. One tossed down a marble, instantly sprouting a patch of daisies. Two more quickly weaved them into a lei. A fourth plopped it on Trisys - over her eyes and weighing down her wild hair. With a mild snort Trisys tilted her head down and shock it so the floral garlanded fell around her neck. The Marbles cavorted around in laughter at their fun.

Paxtera returned with the second group a short distance away after the ten seconds elapsed to find Trisys thus, listing to one side from the extra exposure to space/time distortion. It was pretty conclusive that Paxtera's method of travel was giving her motion sickness. Trisys would be strongly disinclined to use that method going forward. Even if someone explained that it was time travel, not bad teleportation; nor assured if foreknowledge that each trip would get easier were available.

About the only thing stationary was the 6-inch gnome. She tried and failed to focus her eyes on him, seeing double. "Hi?" Trisys offered intelligently, mimicking the Khelari.

If Trisys could know the token offered Master the double-image unfiltered she would be abashed. Moreso if she could think straight enough to realize Jade could not see the gnome at all. She had been trained that it was better not to have information than misinformation, such as her bemused vision currently perceived.

The Gnome waved a hello to those that noticed him then made a frustrated face. It started jumping up and down waving away the Marbles. The other elemental spirits backed away as well.

Lazardarus smiled at the antics "Don't let the wild folk bother you. Most are harmless and some are quite helpful. Well anyway welcome to Rivercrest my home. Of course the River isn't there anymore thanks to our arrival here on patches. We do have a nice size lake at the southern end."

He raised his hand as he approached the gates "Kaerol Col Ai cali vaeresaer shor thol odael si karaer" One of the guards at the top waved back then the gate doors opened allowing the group entrance. Most of the forest within was shaded by the thick canopy there was very little shrubs on ground level.

He looked back at the group and took note of Trisys "It be a bit of a walk to where the springs are. Will you be able to make it?"

"We thank you for your hospitality", Paxtera told the gnome in probably somewhat different elven to what he was used to. Her accent and such on some words was way off, but even with that and her weird double voice it was still understandable. Possibly thanks only to Patches translating, but perhaps not.

Ildela and Kethara meanwhile were looking around at the scenery, noting the pixies and other somewhat unexpected wildlife around the place. "Trippy", Ildela commented almost absently.

Lazardarus received reassurances from Trisys. Kethara's offer was met with an immediate, "No! No, no, thank you." Kethara was undoubtedly well meant, but Paxtera was the only one of the 'ported group without blood on them.

The fragrance encircling the satyr's neck may look like daisies but was much more potent. They nearly overwhelmed out the smell of blood. Scent wasn't the only part of blood that was so devastating, of course, but it was a primary factor.

Trisys got carefully to her feet, ready to follow the elf, gnome, and/or other local guide. It was easier to be steady now that the fey creating their dizzying spectacle had been chased off by the gnome. She would still be keeping upwind from her companion, as far distant as could be politely managed.

"This guy right here." answered the Khelari to Jade, still keeping her right eye covered with a hand even as the other pointed to the gnome, eliciting a confused blink at the 'blank spot' from the metal Dragon.

Well, until the token had its say.

Jade's balance system hiccuped for a moment as conflicting data streams came together on his HUD, and he took an uneasy step back, hands held out before him and tail outstretched in the instinctual reaction aimed at not falling over. Fortunately, the situation didn't last long enough for him to do so, and he remained upright until his system restabilized the robotic body, merging the incoming information into a composite overlay.

"Oh!" he let out in surprise as a result, only now realizing how close he'd come to stepping on the little man with the thick sole of his heavy leather boot, and quickly took two steps back as a result before bowing curtly, "Um...sorry. Didn't see you there. Uh...hi."

The Khelari only gave a brief chuckle at this, looking around in the meantime...and then wrapping her other arm about her torso as she shivered a moment. She didn't say anything though, like the metal Dragon ready to follow the group to the mentioned destination...

The armored creature didn't give the second tank the chance to even track it - It had sudenly shot into the air like an artillery round being fired, and landed with impact behind the egg it had landed in. The riot-rounds pinged harmlessly off of the object - or rather, off of the shielding surrounding it. The arthropod nightmare from hell then lifted the egg up casually in one pincer, and hurled it like an oversized football at the second tank.

Even with one tank recovering from rolling around, and the other about to be pulverized by a giant piece of faulty machinery, the gunmen still had their way. They riddled the perceived demon with bullets...Most of which pinged off its heavy exoskeleton harmlessly. It's thick segmented armor served as a sheild, protecting it from harm. Or at least from the small (relatively) arms fire that it was being assaulted with. It chittered derisively, and then performed another of its gravity-defying jumps over to the blast door blocking the way further into the base, and proceeded to charge it, relying on its shield-like armor to at least dent the monstrous thing.

The Gnome laughed then vanished in a flash. Lazardarus chuckled "Don't worry the wee folk appear and vanish when they wish. Something to do with them being on more then one plane of existence at a time... Perhaps more along the lines of between the planes."

He started walking into the forest "Alright follow me the springs are this way. We are lucky we were able to get the water spirits to channel the springs or the lake and the entire valley would have dried up. We have also carved out tiers on the mountains... well cliffs now to grow grains and other plants that struggle in the shade. The Forest itself provides fruits, nuts, and other food items. However we do lack the means of manufacture hence why we contact other patches."

As he talked the forest was alive with many wildlife birds and beasts moving among the trees as well as the magical creatures. Perhaps a shock to jade was the goose sized dragon landing on a tree branch. It had four legs and two bright red wings. Of course a completely different species however it seemed to be watching them with interest.

Laz led them to the south east and a Village came into view buildings and bridges built up in the trees were populated by Elves but huts on the ground were populated by humans. Many looked haggard as if recovering from starvation. "Good to be back home. The Human homes are new survivors from the machines that were able to find their way here. A few times we had to turn someone away due to one of those harvesters being to near."

The group arrived to a building with two entrances. An older female elf came out. "Welcome to the Hot springs I'm Melisande. Please Males to the left and Females to the right. There is a wall keeping the two apart." She smiled "We are a family friendly hot springs and prefer to keep things clean in more then one sense of the word."

"Of course Melisanda" Lazardarus makes a bow "As we bath could our garments be washed as well." Melisanda smiled and nodded "Just tell the attendance they will take care of it."

The blast door gave a dull, semi-hollow ring at the insectoid's impact, almost like some massive bell. In addition, whatever cause produced this effect protected said door from bursting, or even denting for that matter, bouncing the charger back with nearly all the force normal available.

The personnel about didn't really pay attention to this of course, more concerned that ammunition generally effective against even small armored vehicles didn't so much as scratch the 'Demon'. Well, those that realized it, at least. With all the light, noise, and rapid motion, it was difficult to tell what was going on, even in the shielded masks. The few that managed to retain detailed oversight, however, did indeed do something about it.

They grabbed more weapons.

'Weapons' was of course a very subjective term there, running the gamut from thrown wrenches to some manner of improvised chemsprayer chiefly consisting of the large-bore nozzle of a hose that roared forth a stream of blue goop crackling with what looked to be small arcs of electricity. Though not an exact match thereof, contact with this stuff would indeed impart a nasty shock - and that wasn't the half of it.

With one tank spinning transversely and the other horizontally, more of the combat vehicles about came into motion as they were crewed, their riot guns engaging the enemy...
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"Well hello there." Jade smiled softly at the little dragon he perceived as a hatchling, feeling a little awkward, but still wanting to connect with the supposed child. Unfortunately, the group moved along quickly, and he didn't want to be left behind, so he made swift effort to follow.

The Khelai likewise seemed interested at stopping a few times (though whether it was to talk to or 'try' something was a good question, judging by the periodic twitches of her tail), and she still looked to be cold, but again didn't remark upon it. When she head the word 'hot', however, she was instantly all ears, looking about excitedly before darting to the right, hurriedly telling the attendants, "No clothes, going in, thank you."

Jade couldn't help but snicker at that, as well as the splash heard mere moments later, guiding his steps to the right. He may no longer have had a physiological gender, but he still thought of himself as male, giving the elder elf a bow before he headed in and disrobed so he could hand over his sleeveless jacket, pants, and boots. He kept on the necklace of four large fangs he wore about his neck, and everything else he carried was in the armored robotic body's internal storage anyway. Thus 'naked', he proceeded cautiously toward the indicated hot spring, not entirely sure how to behave here.

The Khelari seemed to have no such inhibitions, in and mostly under the water in the manner of a crocodile as the other women entered the bathing area, looking relaxed and content with her half-closed eyes...

'Well that was a surprise.' The arthropod thought to itself before glancing at the forces mobilizing behind it. 'These idiots didn't listen to me, are incapable of higher though, and yet paradoxically have technology almost on par with late pre-singularity. No point in sticking around.' The arthropod concentrated upon its inner being, tapping its willpower and becoming one with its shield-like exoskeleton, becoming immune to pain, and started to secrete a liquid with gel-like consistency that hardened immediately into a temporary shell-coating as hard as titanium, while also increasing its metabolism and accelerating its recovery rate. This unbreakable defense of its would last around two minutes, and then its body would go through a massive crash as its systems shut down temporarily from the strain.

The arthropod did not intend to be within the complex by the time that happened. It leapt right to the exit of the complex in a single bound, entirely ignoring the now diminuitive effects of the riot rounds, electric gel, and pretty much anything else that the inhabitants of the motor pool cared to throw at it. It bent its legs once more in preparation for a leap that would carry it deep into the jungle...

As Melisanda directed, Trisys ended up on the woman's side after the others had settled. Eager again to be by her Master's side as soon as possible, she accepted that local courtesy separated them. For now. As ever, Trisys was a wish away no matter where Jade was. In the mean time she relaxed in the hot springs.

Heavenly.

A shallow set of shelves provided a bed. The new bone growth folded down and flat out of the way, tattered wings and daisy chain floating languidly along the surface. Trisys lay on her stomach with eyes closed. In a peculiar pattern she breathed through one side of her mouth, then blew it out in tiny bubbles from the submerged side. Earth - real living earth! - below, water luxuriously wrapped about, and steam humidified the bit exposed to air. A beautiful harmony of elements. So peaceful was she that even the Token stilled its sardonic presence, the link conveyed only Trisys's supreme blissfulness on par with a cat napping in afternoon summer sun. Should Trisys encounter the water spirits she would be sure to offer profound gratitude and compliments for this creation.

Her trio of forehead horns was also in the water, further fortifying the mineral springs. All traces of contaminants were purified. The waters gained an almost-imperceptible sheen, as if subtly lighted from below. Those immersed while Trisys thus rested would have recovering boosts to minor scrapes, bruises, and ailments. Even long-term wounds and scars would have a chance at healing.

"Enjoying yourself?" the Khelari inquired casually of Trisys, sliding up out of the hot water just enough to speak and hear clearly. While the steam in the air made the atmosphere not exactly cold anymore, the medium still wasn't what she'd consider exactly warm, so she kept as much body as she could in the water.

"Sorry again about the deal with the blood earlier." she added, "I didn't even think about it. To my people, it's completely normal. We're still the same hunters that our planet made way long ago...and we probably will be right up until we vanish. I know a lot of other species don't agree with that, but that's just the place our world's nature gave us."

On the other side of the division, Jade meanwhile made his way into the water, feeling rather awkward and uneasy. He knew he didn't have to worry about any of it getting into his body - the seals were all waterproof - but it was still a weird sensation to suddenly be in a medium that didn't respond at all like a gas anymore. It threw off his entire system's balance and orientation parameters, and the fact that he couldn't really tell where he'd gotten blood splashed against him didn't much help things. That's why he preferred showers.

Worst of all, however, was the feeling of it. Or rather, the lack of the feeling of it. He knew the water was hot. His internal and external thermometers told him so. He knew it was wet. His mass tracker reported stuff sticking to him. And he knew it was dense and viscous from the parameter calibrations.

But that was it.

As the water began to come up to his chest, he lifted the metal palms of his hands from the liquid and watched it run off his palms. Nothing. No tickle, no touch, no warmth. He felt as cold as ever. He knew that if he stuck his head in it right now, he could remain that way until his power ran out. He didn't breathe. He couldn't. No lungs. Even if he could've, he wouldn't have felt it. No nerves. No touch. Just pressure reports. For all he could tell, the warm, smoothing flows weren't even there.

Jade's eyes closed and his head drooped. He missed it all so much. He missed them all so much. Why the hell him?! It wasn't fair! He wanted it back! He wanted to have a body that could feel again! To be alive again!

Oh, how he wished he was normal again...

Lazardarus settled down in the steaming water. "Ahhh I always enjoy this. Given we are here I'm sure the elven elders are going to want to meet you all. And I no doubt going to get a talk to given I still haven't completed my task of meeting your city representatives. I have faith in this task of making peace. Would help a lot as well if we can grow crops out on the plains." He ducked under the water and scrubbed his scalp then came back up with a shake.

Over head two of the dragonets were playing on the wind riding the air currents. And on a Rock over looking the Womens Spring appeared the Gnome sitting crossed legged and eyeing the water with a slight nervousness. Being an Earth spirit water wasn't something it enjoyed.

On their way to the springs was a group of that very elder elves and one of the Gate guards. "So they were covered in blood?" The Guard nodded "Yes they were but none looked harm thought one did look ill. One of them looked something like a Gre'shil but green." The High lady Aineruda thought a moment then sighed "We let them soak a bit and clean up. After they are done I want them brought to the Council Hall. Have an escort ready just outside the springs I want you to lead the escort Cerelassion."

Cerelassion bowed "As M'lady commands."

Paxtera looked over at Trisys, who seemed the least afraid and most genuinely happy she'd seen the satyr thus far. She smiled to herself and watched the others relaxing for a bit, then closed her eyes and leaned back, just enjoying it. It wasn't often she got to just sit back and relax for a bit, without having to be constantly worrying about who was gonna erase half the galaxy from history this time.

Ildela meanwhile seemed quite at home in the hot springs, slipping under the water slowly and coming back up with hair all wet. She then laid back, floating there silently with the aforementioned hair slowly spreading into a fan around her head.

Kethara, on the other hand, looked like a fish out of water. Having no bathing suit with her, she was hesitant to just take off her clothes and jump in... but she didn't want to be the only one who didn't either. So she just sort of stood there at the edge, hesitating.

Not that there was ever true peace for the satyr. The more Trisys felt the sensations of the flesh, especially pleasure, the more the Voices clamored their jealous desire to experience the same. And yet it was with a genuine smile Trisys propped herself up on her forearms as she greeted the Khelari.

Spotting the gnome as hesitant about the water as Kethara caused a blink of surprise. Melisanda had been adamant about the gender separation. Maybe the males and females both had beards, like tales about dwarves? She couldn't think of a way to ask without being rude and so offered a small nod and smile towards the gnome as well.

"It is my weakness, not yours," she apologized in turn. A thought occurred. "Are you well in the water? It is not harmful to you, as lava would be to us?"

She didn't get to hear the Khelari's answer. It was then that Jade made his wish. Trisys gave a small, "Oh!" with her eyes wide before abruptly disappearing. Water lapped uncommunicative where she had lounged.

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And instantly Trisys was recalled to the men's portion of the springs. She stood quickly, though the momentary submersion resulted in a flash of light from her horns cleansing the water and all therein. Likely this included all of Jade, whom had her entire focus. Her entrance had made quite a splash, literally. Standing over Jade, Trisys's strained body language still conveyed the look of a supplicant wallowing at his feet.

Just because a command to format an hard drive is entered carelessly does not make it any less valid. Nor any less devastating. Any normal person would have died many times over going through what Jade had. His true intention of again possessing his own body would also lead to a similar theme.

Because Jade's actions since their bonding had been commendable, of good intention, and even heroic, he had earned an optional modification. Energy growing visibly around her hands, Trisys pleaded, "Oh, Master, my Master! Is this really your wish? Is this truly what you want?"

Left as is, Jade would again have a body as he had known when made of flesh and blood. It would have full sensations and faculties he enjoyed as a young Drokar-Akonos Mountain Dragon in full health. And it would last fifteen minutes before the magic sustaining it dissolved. At which point Jade would be in the state of all whose body had failed: Dead. He might pass on to what afterlife awaited his kind. Most likely he would become a wandering spirit, another Voice in the chorus craving any substitute of the lost body which haunted Trisys.

Though the wish could not be undone, it might be postponed. Jade need only say, clearly think, or genuinely desire the modification, "I wish to be normal again... at my time of choosing." That would nullify the building energy harmlessly. For now.

Even though the satyr was as distraught as a mystical mare being corralled by a red bull into the sea, the full impact of the alternatives were made to Jade as clear as 'Body Then Death' and 'Abort To Stay' buttons on a computer screen. No confusion. No distortion. Jade could allow the wish to be completed and obtain his true flesh form for fifteen minutes, then die. ... Or ... Jade could make the modified wish to remain as he is.

The one pressure was that there was less than a third of a minute for Jade to act.