First Decree: Making a Splash [Video/Action]

[demenscantrix]

Video



[When the Warp Band pops on today, it’s heavily obscured by a thick layer of fog, the camera coated with moisture of some sort. The only sound is humming, and the gentle dripping sounds of water, along with a splash of little feet. Something looms out of the mist, a disc-shaped ridge in the water growing ever larger until at last a Lotad’s beady eyes stare down into the camera. It burbles something as it makes landfall, hauling itself out of a steamy pool. The sound draws motion in the distance and the placid scene is broken by a loud, human sounding sigh and a woman’s voice.]

Agrippa, what have I told you about joining me out here? You’re not allowed to stray too far. It’s not becoming of you to forget a direct request like that, and who knows what dangers lurk nearby.

[Hands reach out through the parting mist, picking up the creature and scooping it back into the water, and a human face enters view. Light hair and eyes peer at the device, a thoroughly amused smirk twisting the woman’s lips.]

Ah. So it does work. I had thought to properly introduce myself after cleaning, but this is as good a time as any, I suppose. My name is Nero Claudius, though some have called me The Red Saber.

[She's definitely in the hot springs. And definitely not clothed, though she's low enough in the water that the mist obscures anything particularly inappropriate. Except her smirk, that's positively criminal. ]

I am new to your fair city, people of Union, and I am most appreciative of the hospitality you've offered even despite your recent hardships. These devices are marvelous, like nothing I've ever seen before. [Because she can only remember a little bit anyway.] I must also commend the quality of your hot springs. They are of a most excellent pedigree. [She props herself up on her arms at the edge of the pool, lazily twirling a finger in the air...completely unselfconscious. It's almost like she doesn't care even a little bit that she's undressed.]

So, I have decided to stay and make a home here. There's little point in meandering around in the wilderness when such a fine place exists, and I have the strength and willingness to lend my aid should more difficulties arise from the east as well as to the rebuilding efforts. I assure you that you'll find my talents as a warrior and an artist more than adequate. Let us work well together, to bring proper beauty back to this world.

[Quite the speech, really. But anyone that remembers that name will definitely remember some pretty awful concerts.]



Action, Union:


[In the early evening, Nero and Agrippa wander back into town, dressed in a weirdly flowing red outfit that belies her short stature. She's barely five feet tall, though her unruly ahoge adds a good six inches if that counts. Confidence oozes from every step, and the sword at her waist probably has seen some action in recent months, but the most eye catching thing about her is probably the sparkles. She practically glows, her outfit and skin seeming to refract the waning light, and her manner more that of a gallant young man than any maiden.

She moves into the city without any real sense of purpose, seeking shelter where she might find it, but the act of navigating seems to confuse her a little bit. The network of unfamiliar streets, coupled with the construction and wreckage make it difficult on a stranger...but she's a little too proud to directly ask for help. Instead of that, she might simply mumble loudly near anyone who seems to have a clue about what's going on:]

Umu...there's all this work being done that way. How troublesome.

[While Agrippa the Lotad just looks up at you, eyes pleading. Help...please...]

Comments

Video

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Hello, Nero. Welcome to U-

[Oh. Oh. She sure isn't wearing anything. Lenna flushes a deep red as her eyes bounce around, trying to look at anything but the Warp Band screen. How scandalous!]

[demenscantrix]

[Oh ho. Nero's smirk doesn't abate, and she leans in close to the camera. Like the Meowth that got the cream.]

You were saying?

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

You... seem to be... indisposed at the moment.

[Looking everywhere but the feed.]

Action

[untalented]

[Waver almost didn't catch her words. With his dorky winter hat pulled tightly over his head and his Ranger's jacket zipped up it's full length, he was darting around the city checking on his scattered friends and making sure that the people he cared about were doing okay.

Rather, it was her face that caught his attention.

It was so much like Saber's, from the fall of her fringe to the definition of her cheek bones, that the resemblence was almost uncanny. He stopped to say something to his housemate when the rest of her person registered in his awareness.

The brilliant red of her clothes stood out amidst the wreckage, and the cut itself somehow managed to be both functional and flattering at the same time. The sparkle about her marked her as a Fairy-type, but the lilt of her voice....

.....Suddenly, he found himself recalling some awful concerts that he had scrapped together enough change to attend, enraptured by his own morbid curiosity by how such a phenomenal disaaster of an artist had managed to draw in such a crowd. It was for the effect, he had concluded-- everyone wanted to hear the caterwauling for their own amusement, but no one wanted to tell the performer to her face that she was terrible enough to rouse a Snorlax from the deepest of slumbers.

That face, and that voice...]

Eeeh?

[Suddenly, he realized why he hadn't been bothered by Saber's appearance as a Shifter at all. Although the memories themselves were hazy because of how close the timing had been to his parents' passing, there had been a lasting enough impression to unconsciously effect him even now.]

Eeeeehhhhhh?!

[demenscantrix]

[Alright.  This was not expected.  This reaction was hardly even close to what Nero wanted, or anticipated.  Surely it couldn’t be because of her.  No…that wasn’t possible.  So, she turns around to see if there’s some monster leering over her shoulder.  Finding none, she frowns and turns back, tapping a finger against her forehead in an irritable gesture.  Yes, there was definitely a migraine coming on.  And that annoyed her, but not enough to slap the boy.

One hand on her hip, posture cocked and face set in an irritable scowl, she answered him with an even comment.]

Is that how you greet a visitor in your city, or are you just loud and rude?

[untalented]

S-sorry!

[he stammered, shaking his head fervently underneath the irritated gleam.]

You're.... I just--

[Words. What were they. Everything about Waver, from his manner and accent, screamed that he was a transplanted resident from Sanctuary. Surely that alone would answer a few questions...]

[conquerorofwaves]

[He was first struck by her similarity to Saber, then by... well. well. He puts on a smile]

Good day, I am Sinbad - president of the Sindria Trading Company and Adventurer. It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a striking person.

Though... I'll have to warn you, compare to other cultures, Unionites are rather... prudish.

[demenscantrix]

[A trading company.  Interesting.  Not one she was familiar with, but that was to be expected.  His accent was not the same, it placed him as foreign, and that told her a few things at least.  But she doesn’t have time to dwell on that, since the boy is complimenting her.  First she seems a little puzzled, wondering why union attitudes were even a thing to bring up.]

Is that so?  Union is full of prudes…I suppose that’s good to know, but I have to wonder what I’ve done to illicit such a comment.[Her eyebrow arches, imperious and amused.]

You are obviously not from here, but I see you have an eye for beauty.  You have my permission to stare.  I care not.

[conquerorofwaves]

[His lips twitched into a kind of cockeyed grin]

They're prudes about showing skin - seeing men without shirts is enough to cause them embarrassment. And you're right, I'm not - I'm originally from the Archipelago.

Video

[ofpromisedvictory]

[Saber, for her part, doesn't give a damn about naked humans.]

[That's not what she's concerned with, here.]

What...exactly...

[Give her a moment.]

[demenscantrix]

[She's not the only one. Both Nero and Agrippa blink...]

A Ditto?!

[ofpromisedvictory]

A Doublade, thank you very much.

[If there's anything that can snap Saber out of a stupor, it's an even inadvertant insult to her pride as a sword.]

What is the meaning of this? How is it you have the same face as my human form?

[Video]

[allergictoloveletters]

[She was not aware Miss Saber had a twin.]

A pleasure to meet you, Miss Claudius, I am Ami Mizuno, a medic here in Union. [Those bags under her eyes require a trolley to carry them all. She's also functioning on about 20 cups of coffee so she's a tiny bit more frazzled looking than usual.]

I'm sure Miss Saber will be happy to have her sister here.

[Video]

[demenscantrix]

[Propping herself up further to study the girl, Nero frowns, perplexed.]

Sister? I have none. What do you mean?

[commissionergrump]

[Gordon's mustache bristles at what could generously be called the young woman's state of dress.]

Young lady, you do realize you're undressed, yes?

[It comes with the tone that says he knows damn well she knows, but is giving her a chance to dig herself out of the hole.]

[demenscantrix]

[An eye owns lazily, her lip curved into a smirk.]

I am. I was bathing when Agrippa turned on the Warp Band, you realize. One does not bathe in one's clothing.

[She doesn't care about holes and digging out. She's too amused by the walking, talking Stoutland.]

Video

[guitar_case_vagabond]

[Guh! What the hell, she's out here trying to train and suddenly there's some naked chick on her Warp Band?! Hell naw!]

Could you at least put some freaking clothes on before you show up on this thing?!

[demenscantrix]

[Nero snorts a laugh, thoroughly tickled by that reaction. Sinbad was right, but she was having too much fun to stop.]

You expect me to bathe while dressed?

1/? Before Video

[punchesyu]

[He's staring at the Warp Band. His jaw is dropped open. This is the thing dreams are made out of.]

2/?

[punchesyu]

Oh...

maaaaaaaan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3/?

[punchesyu]

When did we get a stripper channel on the Warp Bands?! This must be my lucky day-!

4/?

[punchesyu]

I can't believe it! This is too good to be true! Now I don't have to hide my stash from Mami anymore--!

5/5 Video Now

[punchesyu]

So uh...

[How does he go about this.]

W-Welcome to Union! What kind of artistic talent are we talking here? [It's probably too good to be true. It probably is.]

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[In the days and weeks following the incident, Raine has been busy, aiding where she could in various ways. It's this reason that has her navigating the streets once again, accompanied by an absol.

Her robes are flattering but not quite the style one would find on an ordinary Union citizen, though the weather has prompted a cloak with a wide hood as well, dark green and cream colored lining.

She had been completing a notation in a notebook when the muttered complaint reaches her ears, as the absol glances up immediately alert at both the lotad and the strange woman.]

Hm? They're still clearing this area, but they've just finished putting up signs for the newest detour.

[She glances up toward the woman as she speaks, closing her book.] Were you... trying to find a location in particular?

[demenscantrix]

[Nero studies the woman rather intensely, trying to puzzle out something. Those robes are different, yes, and the accent is too. She'd always had a keen ear for them, even if it was hard to think overmuch these days.]

Mostly an inn. I was told they're on the other side of the city. Is this correct? I'm still learning my way around.