bravenewworld | First Decree: Making a Splash [Video/Action]

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...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know where the Hot Springs are. I'll come to you. You get dressed.

[She hangs up the Warp Band for the moment to get prepared to head out. She's still somewhat ill from Kyurem's poison, but that's not going to stop her from getting to the bottom of this immediately.]

[Agrippa's bill pokes the camera and the feed drops. And Saber will find her red counterpart dressed in red, seated on one of the comfortable deck chairs, waiting with the Lotad perched next to her.

She's quick to rise, looking the other up and down with a clinical eye.]

This certainly is strange.

[Saber's not quite sure how to feel about getting analyzed by a strange woman, but she gives approximately the same appraising look back.]

Indeed. Not quite identical, but we could be sisters if we were the same species...to say nothing of your nickname.

No, not quite.

[Nero taps a finger beneath her eye, and another on her breast.]

We're different here and here. Though, uncanny...it's like...whatever gods created us were unsatisfied with only one. A keen eye for beauty they have, at that.

[She thinks they're both very lovely...]

But what of my title? Do you share it?

[Saber ignores the points of comparison. Or tries to, anyway.]

If that's what you think. I'd like to say I was indifferent toward my appearance until I saw it on another person.

As for the name...Saber is the name I gave myself to speak to humans. Perhaps I should have specified a color to avoid confusion.

[It's a little hard in some cases.]

No, no. It's a stupid title given to me by stupid men. But it's one that is remembered by some, from Sanctuary I would imagine. And Gigas. But...here I am just Nero.

Saber seems more fitting for you, anyway.

Indeed. I chose it for a reason.

[With that, Saber closes her eyes and shifts forms, her body turning to a sword to complete a Doublade along with the weapon she always carries.]

Doublade!

[Not that Nero probably understands her, given that that statement was meant to convey "I am not actually terribly creative."]

[Not a bit. But that doesn't matter. She stands up and claps her hands excitedly.]

How splendid! I've never seen a Shifter do that before!

[She shifts back after a moment.]

At any rate, that's as close to a story as my name has behind it.

[A nod, and Nero draws out her rather distinctive looking sword, the weapon flashing with fire as she twirls it.]

This is as much the source of my name as anything.

[Saber raises her eyebrows in return.]

A formidable weapon. You're a warrior, then?

I was a commander, but I do prefer to lead from the front. Campaigning from bunker leaves less chance for personal progress, personal valor, and gives a poor image of the commander as a coward.

[And she is very, very concerned with image.]

I've had my fair share of well-earned victories against raiders, wild beasts, and other such things. So, I suppose yes, I am a warrior. Now more than before.

[That seems like an odd reason to Saber to want to lead from the front, but then, to her recollection she's never led at all.]

Where did you come from, if I may ask? You're clearly new to Union if no one's commented on our resemblance before, and if you don't care rather a lot about exposing skin below the shoulders.

Gigas.

[A simple answer, no preamble. ]

But Sanctuary most recently.

[Saber's not stupid, and she's been to Sanctuary. She has a general idea of what that means.]

I see. You left there when the other Gigans did?

No. I was held by the mage's council in an underground prison and experimented on.

[She feels like she can trust Saber, for whatever reason.]

I was betrayed by men under my command who sought my position. They arranged my disappearance. And now I am a Homunculus, with no ties to any nation.

[That brings Saber up short. The way Nero says it...doesn't sound rehearsed - at least not to Saber, master of the deadpan explanation. And she's also well aware that both sides in that war had a distinct lack of ethics, her friendship with Waver aside.]

...a terrible tale. However...it does make it easier to trust your intentions.

[If nothing else, she thinks Nero would see enough irony in the whole Pokéball thing not to try it.]

I believe I've been to the outskirts of Gigan territory while exploring. The guardians there weren't terribly pleasant either.

[Nero never truly bothered to keep Pokémon in the first place. Agrippa followed of his own accord. Pokeballs were distasteful things. And ugly.]

They wouldn't be. I remember next to nothing about Gigas but that hostility. An animosity that I now return. [Her lip twitches dangerously]

If you wish to know my motivations, I simply wish a place to live without being disturbed by my past. And when the opportunity arises, I mean to take revenge upon my former subordinates. But that I can be patient for.

First Decree: Making a Splash [Video/Action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject