songofsilentechoes

[songofsilentechoes]

"I overheard...and you are right. I have her heartbeat. I felt it was...core...to a person. The most precious part of the sound, since the heart is needed to live."

The angel seemed...hesitant. "Your shrine...I..."

"To...betray the legacy...the thing all angels were created from...what we were made to serve..."

"They left us only their legacy...and...to abandon that...is that...am I allowed to do that?" There was confusion, possibly even distress...and a faint hope amidst the gloom here.

"...I don't know." The angel responds.

"They don't have it now....and neither does she. I didn't think she remembered anymore."

"Her time close to the veil changed her. Put her closely in touch with the secret it hides. That which is precious is the key to it now."

"We've taken the key to a secret of the legacy. That is what will have consequences."

It gestures to the temple outside known spaces. "...and so I am here...I fear my time is limited, as you were able to find me."

"It will not hurt her to be returned...but I do not have all of it."

[songofsilentechoes]

"...I don't know." The angel responds.

"They don't have it now....and neither does she. I didn't think she remembered anymore."

"Her time close to the veil changed her. Put her closely in touch with the secret it hides. That which is precious is the key to it now."

"We've taken the key to a secret of the legacy. That is what will have consequences."

It gestures to the temple outside known spaces. "...and so I am here...I fear my time is limited, as you were able to find me."

"It will not hurt her to be returned...but I do not have all of it."

The angel closes their eyes.

Soon the world around Chiasa shifts and she sees a much younger Noelle speaking with the angel.

The angel's voice was inside Chiasa's mind.

"She was passionate about music and song. She was fascinated by our choirs and our wings. We were Commanded to bring something precious. What could be more precious that such passions?"

"She offered to help with my mission. I think she was hoping to study it. I feared disappointing her, but I feared failing my command more."

Chiasa watches as the vision of the angel posesses Noelle and they walk away. Chiasa's perception follows.

"She slept while I had control. The time passed as nothing to her."

Noelle is brought to a temple. There, angels seem to be performing some kind of ritual. Magic seems to be expended and vanishes at an altar....but seems to do very little. The angel participates in Noelle's body, before walking her into what appears to be a vault. There, another person walks past, under guard by a towering angel with wings studded with rubies.

Inside, Noelle's body kneels in prayer and mourning, being a conduit for the ritual. Days pass without food, sleep or entertainment.

"...that which was precious was taken. It is needed to open the vault. The innocent must maintain the ritual...a powerful shroud."

"During this time...I took her memories of having that which was precious. Removed them, so she would not miss them. It would seem I did not succeed, if she discovered she was lacking it."

"But the precious thing was not consumed. When we left I....stole it. I buried the contract to hide my name and connection. I did not want the innocent...your child...to become more involved."

[songofsilentechoes]

The angel closes their eyes.

Soon the world around Chiasa shifts and she sees a much younger Noelle speaking with the angel.

The angel's voice was inside Chiasa's mind.

"She was passionate about music and song. She was fascinated by our choirs and our wings. We were Commanded to bring something precious. What could be more precious that such passions?"

"She offered to help with my mission. I think she was hoping to study it. I feared disappointing her, but I feared failing my command more."

Chiasa watches as the vision of the angel posesses Noelle and they walk away. Chiasa's perception follows.

"She slept while I had control. The time passed as nothing to her."

Noelle is brought to a temple. There, angels seem to be performing some kind of ritual. Magic seems to be expended and vanishes at an altar....but seems to do very little. The angel participates in Noelle's body, before walking her into what appears to be a vault. There, another person walks past, under guard by a towering angel with wings studded with rubies.

Inside, Noelle's body kneels in prayer and mourning, being a conduit for the ritual. Days pass without food, sleep or entertainment.

"...that which was precious was taken. It is needed to open the vault. The innocent must maintain the ritual...a powerful shroud."

"During this time...I took her memories of having that which was precious. Removed them, so she would not miss them. It would seem I did not succeed, if she discovered she was lacking it."

"But the precious thing was not consumed. When we left I....stole it. I buried the contract to hide my name and connection. I did not want the innocent...your child...to become more involved."

"Chiasa." The angel repeated.

When the words slipped from Chiasa's mouth, the air seemed to pulse for a moment. There was no question who the name was referring to. In a phrase, it described them more perfectly than any mortal tongue.

The angel was forced to their knee, and Chiasa could feel the forces binding them to her. Like a leash, she was in control, but could release them at any time. But the connection also went the other way, allowing them to feel her essence.

They stand up again, but their movements are smoother. They stretch out their wings and sit down on the bench, facing Chiasa.

"I was given a Command. It is rare to be blessed with one from the Legacy...and there is no refusing the call. I left my job and sought out my objective."

"I was to claim something precious and someone innocent for my Command. It...took longer than I was comfortable with, but I found her...your daughter. I know not how you're speaking with her, but I can sense her influence on you. We took something precious to her."

"She offered it freely...or rather...she said she would do anything to help. I needed to explain so little before she offered...and I was growing anxious. My Command needed to be obeyed."

"So...I reached out and accepted it. I took her body, as an innocent, and brought her to the temple I saw in my Command. There, we were held for a time, taking what was precious."

"I returned her, safe, as I promised her I would...but she was changed because of us. We tried to make it painless, so she would not mourn the loss...it would seem I...we failed."

[songofsilentechoes]

"Chiasa." The angel repeated.

When the words slipped from Chiasa's mouth, the air seemed to pulse for a moment. There was no question who the name was referring to. In a phrase, it described them more perfectly than any mortal tongue.

The angel was forced to their knee, and Chiasa could feel the forces binding them to her. Like a leash, she was in control, but could release them at any time. But the connection also went the other way, allowing them to feel her essence.

They stand up again, but their movements are smoother. They stretch out their wings and sit down on the bench, facing Chiasa.

"I was given a Command. It is rare to be blessed with one from the Legacy...and there is no refusing the call. I left my job and sought out my objective."

"I was to claim something precious and someone innocent for my Command. It...took longer than I was comfortable with, but I found her...your daughter. I know not how you're speaking with her, but I can sense her influence on you. We took something precious to her."

"She offered it freely...or rather...she said she would do anything to help. I needed to explain so little before she offered...and I was growing anxious. My Command needed to be obeyed."

"So...I reached out and accepted it. I took her body, as an innocent, and brought her to the temple I saw in my Command. There, we were held for a time, taking what was precious."

"I returned her, safe, as I promised her I would...but she was changed because of us. We tried to make it painless, so she would not mourn the loss...it would seem I...we failed."

"I love you too, Oba." Noelle said quietly, clutching the plushy. It was scary to think about, being this close to her goal...or some of it. And the Legacy could be very scary.

But Oba was strong and Noelle trusted her. It would be okay.

---

The angel turned towards Chiasa, evidently, it had turned away during the conversation. An attempt at giving them some privacy?

"I heard, non-Goetic god-blood." It replies. It's tone wasn't aggressive, perhaps it simply doesn't know what to call her.

"Do what you will." It's blank expression waits to see what Chiasa will do.

[songofsilentechoes]

"I love you too, Oba." Noelle said quietly, clutching the plushy. It was scary to think about, being this close to her goal...or some of it. And the Legacy could be very scary.

But Oba was strong and Noelle trusted her. It would be okay.

---

The angel turned towards Chiasa, evidently, it had turned away during the conversation. An attempt at giving them some privacy?

"I heard, non-Goetic god-blood." It replies. It's tone wasn't aggressive, perhaps it simply doesn't know what to call her.

"Do what you will." It's blank expression waits to see what Chiasa will do.

"That sounds like it might be a temple to The Legacy, which is said to be the force that the angels serve...but they would be able to tell you better than I...if they're so inclined."

"As for the order of things, I trust your intuition, Oba. If your heart wants you to help them somehow, then please follow it. More information is always better....right?"

"And Oba? Whatever happens....thank you for doing this for me."

[songofsilentechoes]

Lisenka is one scary bitch

"That's not a nice thing to say about someone!"

"...although she can be very scary, especially when she's mad."

[songofsilentechoes]

"That sounds like it might be a temple to The Legacy, which is said to be the force that the angels serve...but they would be able to tell you better than I...if they're so inclined."

"As for the order of things, I trust your intuition, Oba. If your heart wants you to help them somehow, then please follow it. More information is always better....right?"

"And Oba? Whatever happens....thank you for doing this for me."

The angel didn't seem like it was keen to explain how to control it.

Noelle, on the other hand, likes to talk.

"It should be as straightforward as uttering the true name aloud in it's presence. Ideally, in a commanding tone, but that might happen naturally anyway...speaking with primal forces can be like that. Intent means a lot, so imagine the...the *tone* you're trying to convey when you say it, and it might impart some of your will into the process."

"Full incantations, like what you said there, works too, if you feel like being really clear. True names are powerful...and surprisingly easy to use. Even I have one." Which she protects relatively well.

"But....my heart beat? Really? P-Please try and retrieve it, Oba, if you can't, but don't hurt yourself." The disbelief was evident in her voice, as if she was scared to hope it was true.

[songofsilentechoes]

Lisenka puts an Ushanka on Noelle's head.

"Is cold, keep warm."

"Oh! Th-thank you, Miss Lisenka." Noelle says.

Her hood was keeping her warm, but she wasn't about to say 'no' to the mercenary.

[songofsilentechoes]

The angel didn't seem like it was keen to explain how to control it.

Noelle, on the other hand, likes to talk.

"It should be as straightforward as uttering the true name aloud in it's presence. Ideally, in a commanding tone, but that might happen naturally anyway...speaking with primal forces can be like that. Intent means a lot, so imagine the...the *tone* you're trying to convey when you say it, and it might impart some of your will into the process."

"Full incantations, like what you said there, works too, if you feel like being really clear. True names are powerful...and surprisingly easy to use. Even I have one." Which she protects relatively well.

"But....my heart beat? Really? P-Please try and retrieve it, Oba, if you can't, but don't hurt yourself." The disbelief was evident in her voice, as if she was scared to hope it was true.

"An angel with a- Oba, angels don't have heartbeats." Noelle replied. Still, she trusted that Oba found who she was meant to find based on the tablet's information.

"I appreciate the caution, Oba. It's unlikely they'll be willing...or able...to talk about this, if it WAS a mission. So you would need to compel them to using their true name. Doing this puts you in a contract of sorts with them, but because you're using the true name, it bypasses some restrictions."

"Normally, when summoning or binding spirits, you open the floor to bargaining. You want something from them. A service, information, etc. And so they can negotiate what they feel it's worth. Maybe it's a service in kind, or simple payment, or a trade of information."

"This situation is a little different. Under normal circumstances, I suspect they wouldn't give you this information. A true name gives you partial control over them, as though they're in a pact with you already, and have agreed to your terms. True names are exceptionally powerful things, as it's essentially their truest essence, distilled into words. Commanding that by speaking it aloud will allow you to bypass things even charms, enchantments, illusions and other things that they might be beholden to."

"There's also another matter. The tablet not only had their name, but listed the details of the contract. According to it, nothing of mine should've been taken, in which case, they would owe me what was taken. You could compel them with that. It doesn't hold the same power as the name, however, and it's possible to use certain interpretations for them to bypass it. I wasn't able to find a lawyer to help me come up with something to use."

"The compulsion from the name or the contract lasts until you release them, one of you breaks or violates it, or they determine how to escape it. That's much harder to do with a name, as it's their true essence. You would hold them until they can reclaim the knowledge from you....or you release them."

"I know you won't hold them forever, Oba." Her tone was reassuring. "So that's why I trusted you with the name. You won't abuse it. It doesn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable to be compelled to do something you don't want to do. I don't know their disposition, though."

She puts an arm around her Chiasa plush. "It will be okay, Oba."

[songofsilentechoes]

"A pity, that." He replies.

"Still, it's dangerous talk to speak so callously of the Tribunal...but still, anyone foolhardy enough to try and deal with the scars will be afforded more than a few...eccentricities."

The towers puffed a little more smoke. "The way you say it...it sounds like you genuinely believe something can be done about the scars. You'll need to forgive our skepticism, Julian. This land's seen some dark things. It's difficult to imagine such a thing...they've been here so long...or maybe it just feels that way."

He taps his cane again. "I suppose I shouldn't keep you. I imagine you're quite busy. But don't hesitate to call upon me with questions." He hands Julian a business card. His name, an address and his profession. It seems he fancies himself a consultant.

Julian really should do this more often.... walking amongst the streets of the varying Zones he had influence in. He was such a workaholic that he forgets one of the key things about being a proper leader...

To know one's people.

Or at least the people he's trying to help.

[songofsilentechoes]

"Fascinating." The man replies, taking it in. "You sound like a maker to me, although I can't speak for the blood. Hard to imagine a place where magic is a young thing. It would sound downright primitive, were it not for your creation up there suggesting otherwise."

The fires inside his towers flashed a little at the mention of the cysts. "So you do truly intend to do something about those. I'd call you a madman, but you appear to have your wits." The man places one hand on top of the other holding his cane. His hand was trembling again.

"Word is that you've had one of the longest-surviving research expeditions into those accursed placed. That alone merits congratulations, Julian Ivo Robotnik of the House of Ivo. Perhaps you could be the one to claim the bounty from the Tribunal." There was definite envy in the fortress-man's voice.

"This place you come from. I don't suppose it has any...unique resources about it? Something people here have never seen before."

Julian really should do this more often.... walking amongst the streets of the varying Zones he had influence in. He was such a workaholic that he forgets one of the key things about being a proper leader...

To know one's people.

Or at least the people he's trying to help.

[songofsilentechoes]

A couple civilians whisper to each other after that. Julian might hear the word 'apostate' before they give him some distance.

"Interesting. Mages don't belong to Orders where you're from?" Abron commented. He takes out a pipe, and lights a match using one of his internal fires before sticking it into a window of one of his towers. "An order is....a school of thought...or perhaps a methodology of spellcraft."

"Here, all proper mages belong to an order and do so proudly." He taps his cane on the cobbles. "I, myself, am a Maker. We cast our spells through the art of creation, artifice and construction. Forgive my presumption, but noting your method of conveyance..." He gestures towards the Death Egg, looming in the sky. "I assumed you belonged to such an Order yourself."

"Of course, rumors suggest that you have in your employ a mage from the Vance Order. A book mage." His tone is modestly derisive, as though they were a rival school. "All practice, but no experimentation, development, or imagination."

"Although, it does make me wonder just who that would be. Contacting extra-planar beings isn't something Vances are known for. Maybe a mage from the Goetic Order, but Vance? Hardly."

It would seem Noelle hasn't used her name much when spreading word about Robotropolis.

Julian really should do this more often.... walking amongst the streets of the varying Zones he had influence in. He was such a workaholic that he forgets one of the key things about being a proper leader...

To know one's people.

Or at least the people he's trying to help.

[songofsilentechoes]

The tallest spire bent a little. Was that a nod of understanding?

"Of course, and think nothing of it." The man said as he took a seat opposite Julian.

"But that means it's true, then? That you're not from any of the suns, but from a land further beyond? I fear I may have as many questions and mistakes to make of my own. In the name of...diplomacy...we shall try to remain civil, yes?"

He chuckled a little, perhaps a little nervously. It was difficult to read his expression.

"I'm just an ordinary citizen here. I am Abron, the Maker. I simply know you as 'The Robotnik', as the people have taken to calling you. Do you have a name, title and order of your own?"

Julian really should do this more often.... walking amongst the streets of the varying Zones he had influence in. He was such a workaholic that he forgets one of the key things about being a proper leader...

To know one's people.

Or at least the people he's trying to help.

[songofsilentechoes]

Girl wearing a collar and leash with a big orange vest that reads "Therapy Dog" cheerfully ordering two cheeseburgers for herself and the socially anxious girl holding the other end of the leash

[songofsilentechoes]

There was a click of boots and a cane approaching the cobbles behind him, and a voice spoke.

"Forgive me. You are Robotnik...aren't you?"

The man was a peculiar sight. Most of his body twisted into a literal fortress, smoke belching from the numerous smokestacks.

"May I take a seat? I have questions I was hoping to ask you."

There. The man's tone was even and distinguished, but his hand was trembling. His flesh...or what remained of it...was a cold and stone-like as the rocks that built the foundations of his walls.

Assuming this to be a reflection of the man himself, it was unlikely he was one to be the one to make the first diplomatic move.

Julian really should do this more often.... walking amongst the streets of the varying Zones he had influence in. He was such a workaholic that he forgets one of the key things about being a proper leader...

To know one's people.

Or at least the people he's trying to help.

[songofsilentechoes]

"An angel with a- Oba, angels don't have heartbeats." Noelle replied. Still, she trusted that Oba found who she was meant to find based on the tablet's information.

"I appreciate the caution, Oba. It's unlikely they'll be willing...or able...to talk about this, if it WAS a mission. So you would need to compel them to using their true name. Doing this puts you in a contract of sorts with them, but because you're using the true name, it bypasses some restrictions."

"Normally, when summoning or binding spirits, you open the floor to bargaining. You want something from them. A service, information, etc. And so they can negotiate what they feel it's worth. Maybe it's a service in kind, or simple payment, or a trade of information."

"This situation is a little different. Under normal circumstances, I suspect they wouldn't give you this information. A true name gives you partial control over them, as though they're in a pact with you already, and have agreed to your terms. True names are exceptionally powerful things, as it's essentially their truest essence, distilled into words. Commanding that by speaking it aloud will allow you to bypass things even charms, enchantments, illusions and other things that they might be beholden to."

"There's also another matter. The tablet not only had their name, but listed the details of the contract. According to it, nothing of mine should've been taken, in which case, they would owe me what was taken. You could compel them with that. It doesn't hold the same power as the name, however, and it's possible to use certain interpretations for them to bypass it. I wasn't able to find a lawyer to help me come up with something to use."

"The compulsion from the name or the contract lasts until you release them, one of you breaks or violates it, or they determine how to escape it. That's much harder to do with a name, as it's their true essence. You would hold them until they can reclaim the knowledge from you....or you release them."

"I know you won't hold them forever, Oba." Her tone was reassuring. "So that's why I trusted you with the name. You won't abuse it. It doesn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable to be compelled to do something you don't want to do. I don't know their disposition, though."

She puts an arm around her Chiasa plush. "It will be okay, Oba."

Noelle jumped a little when her phone rang. It was silenced immediately by her touch. After a bit of fiddling around, she puts it on speaker phone and sets it down. "H-hello? Oba? I was just thinking about you!"

"It's the funniest thing. I was reading and you popped in my head. Who did you find?"

[songofsilentechoes]

"Hmm? is there is a reason you are looking at me?" Zek would ask looking at the other.

"S-sorry. If I was staring, I didn't mean to!" The short woman squeaked.