SirAlexTheFirst: Time passes. An eternity of time. More days. You're slowly becoming physically unable to sleep, too.

Adm H Sopko: He begins to get even more jittery... pacing about, spending less time sleeping and overall just losing himself to the predicament, despite attempts to calm down and concentrate

SirAlexTheFirst: More time passes. Another eternity. Absolutely nothing happens. You are no longer able to sleep, and give me a Con check.

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 4

Adm H Sopko: 15

Adm H Sopko: Err

Adm H Sopko: Con check

Adm H Sopko: right

Adm H Sopko: 6

SirAlexTheFirst: Con the stat, not Conc the skill.

Adm H Sopko: I did a fort instead

SirAlexTheFirst: Sometimes, you forget to breathe.

Adm H Sopko: That's... strange... does it affect me?

SirAlexTheFirst: No.

SirAlexTheFirst: At least, not physically.

SirAlexTheFirst: At least, not that you can tell.

Adm H Sopko: Regardless, at that point, it gives me the kickstart I need to really concentrate on the basics... like breathing

SirAlexTheFirst: Heh

SirAlexTheFirst: So what do you do?

Adm H Sopko: I sit down on the chair and close my eyes, focusing on each breath as I breath in and out, willing myself to survive

SirAlexTheFirst: And how long are you going to keep that up for?

Adm H Sopko: As long as I possibly can. I'll graduate to other things, like sleeping, or excercise, if I'm successful

SirAlexTheFirst: You're successful. For as long as you keep concentrating.

Adm H Sopko: Yes. Must keep the mind sharp, focus on what I'm doing, fear is the mindkiller

SirAlexTheFirst: And what do you do the next day?

SirAlexTheFirst: Or, 'day', as you no longer sleep and there is no light.

Adm H Sopko: I thought I graduated to sleep?

SirAlexTheFirst: Oh, goodness no.

SirAlexTheFirst: Sleep already went. You're concentrating on breathing.

Adm H Sopko: Fine then... keep it up with the breathing. I'll do some basic stretches and cardio as well to reinforce that

SirAlexTheFirst: How long will you keep this up for?

Adm H Sopko: Until I get tired, or I feel that I've properly exercised... whichever comes firt

SirAlexTheFirst: Neither condition occurs for a long time. Six hours, ten.... how long will you keep going?

Adm H Sopko: Hunter's made it this far, can he really just give up? He has reasons he has to survive this, to keep his cool.

SirAlexTheFirst: So how long?

Adm H Sopko: Time is a relative thing, isn't it? Hunter has no reference, clock or calender, so anything beyond "As long as it takes" sort of loses meaning

SirAlexTheFirst: True, that.

SirAlexTheFirst: So he just keeps exercising until he feels better?

Adm H Sopko: No, he eventually stops when he feels he's exercised long enough, returning to breathing and resting

SirAlexTheFirst: Righto then.

Adm H Sopko: As a change, he attempts a meditative state.

SirAlexTheFirst: That comes very easily to you; you feel at peace, like the world around you is fading away and nothing happens there, that you are free from worldly concerns like hunger and breathing.

SirAlexTheFirst: In other words, not much changes.

SirAlexTheFirst: Do you, eventually, exit this state?

Adm H Sopko: Yes. That sensibility is dangerous

SirAlexTheFirst: When you come back, Aria's body is glowing, very faintly.

SirAlexTheFirst: Sort of similar to her old aura. Kind of. Dark blue, instead of shining white and yellow. But a glow is there.

Adm H Sopko: ::He walks over, inspecting the body. He feels her forehead and checks for a pulse::

SirAlexTheFirst: She has a clear pulse, at that!

SirAlexTheFirst: And her forehead is warm.

Adm H Sopko: ::He bites his lip, unsure of what to believe at this time... this... wouldn't be all that strange for Aria, but he still can't tell if it' really her. He remains by the body, keeping up the breathing

SirAlexTheFirst: Time passes. Minutes, hours, days. More.

SirAlexTheFirst: After a particularly interminable span of time, Aria begins breathing, softly.

Adm H Sopko: ::He is still unsure, and keeps watch over the body. He occasionally exercises, to change from the monotony. But watching the body takes up most of the time::

SirAlexTheFirst: No other changes occur for a long, long time.

Adm H Sopko: Or a short, short time, depending on how you look at it

SirAlexTheFirst: You have a clock, now.

SirAlexTheFirst: Aria's breathing.

Adm H Sopko: Oh yes. That is a reference point. He can time how long each breath is, and judge from there

AndrewRogue: (And she has glow function! *rimshot*)

SirAlexTheFirst: She breathes about once every two seconds... thirty to a minute, 1800 to an hour....

SirAlexTheFirst: (That was bad. Really bad.)

SirAlexTheFirst: 43,200 breaths to a day.

SirAlexTheFirst: If you bother to count them.

Adm H Sopko: He can extrapolate, but he doesn't count... he waits, and watchs

SirAlexTheFirst: Then he waits, for a long, long, long time.

Adm H Sopko: Good for him. Not like he can help it

SirAlexTheFirst: Well, you never know...

SirAlexTheFirst: Just waiting and watching?

Adm H Sopko: He'll put his hand on his shoulder and attempt to shake her a bit., as an experiment

SirAlexTheFirst: Her eyes flutter and open when you do.

Adm H Sopko: ::He looks to her:: "Aria?"

SirAlexTheFirst: Now you recognize the glow - it's the same color as her deep blue eyes, which focus and meet yours as she whispers "Hunter?"

Adm H Sopko: (IT'S GREEEEEEEL)

Adm H Sopko: ::He looks at her, a mix of relief, joy, confusion and doubt in his eyes. He stays like that for a little, in silence...:: "... how? How are you here?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "How are you here, Hunter? Where are we?"

Adm H Sopko: "You know how I got here.... please... answer my question..." ::His eyes plead with her. He doesn't want to have to do anything to her::

SirAlexTheFirst: "I'm... I'm... I'm dead, Hunter, and I think you are too. Where are we?"

SirAlexTheFirst: Give me a Listen check.

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 9

Adm H Sopko: 18

SirAlexTheFirst: You can hear an edge in Aria's voice that you don't think was ever there before.

SirAlexTheFirst: Like there's another voice there, repeating her words, or they're echoing somehow.

Adm H Sopko: "I am not dead... at least I don't think I am. I am still in the room where Miss Mab trapped me"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Trapped? Haven't you tried to openen the doordoor and go out?"

Adm H Sopko: "I have... but not for a while..."

Adm H Sopko: ;:He notices the wierd tinge in her voice, and keeps aware of it, but puts it aside for now::

SirAlexTheFirst: "Whwhwhwhwhat shall we do do then, then, Hunter?"

Adm H Sopko: ::He backs away slowly, his hands going to his swords:: "I don't know."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Ohhhhhhhhhh.... "

SirAlexTheFirst: Aria lays her head back down and stares up at the ceiling.

Adm H Sopko: ::Stepping back, he bumps into her Guisarme with his feet. He kicks it across the floor, away from her, watching her still::

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunterterter? Hunter! How lololong have you be been here?"

Adm H Sopko: "I don't know."

SirAlexTheFirst: Listen check, please.

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 29-sided die: 14

Adm H Sopko: Eep

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 17

Adm H Sopko: 28

SirAlexTheFirst: d29?

SirAlexTheFirst: Interesting.

Adm H Sopko: typo

SirAlexTheFirst: There are definitely two main tones to Aria's speech, and maybe more when she stutters.

Adm H Sopko: "Aria, what is wrong with you? Why are you speaking like that? And why did Miss Mab turn into you?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "I'm dedededead, Hunter. The Yarovan sent a bomb with us us. And you killed me. I... just don't feel right right anymore. Home and Home and the world all feel so... so wrong. Or maybe its just me who feels wrwrwrongg."

Adm H Sopko: "I'm sorry... I should have warned you about the bomb. I was stupid, and wasn't listening to my own instincts..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Stupid? Stupid?"

Adm H Sopko: ::He nods::

SirAlexTheFirst: "So you you killed me twice?"

Adm H Sopko: "That makes 4..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Four times, Hunter?"

Adm H Sopko: "I shouldn'tve have let you and Jac go on ahead... I shouldn't have left you alone with my father... I should have let you know it was a bomb..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Let? Left? Why, why do you say that?"

Adm H Sopko: "Remembering my past mistakes, so I don't make them again."

SirAlexTheFirst: "You make it sound like you were rererereresponsible for me me."

Adm H Sopko: "If I want to even think about being a leader... I have to start thinking that way about everyone who follows me."

SirAlexTheFirst: Aria just closes her eyes.

SirAlexTheFirst: More time passes.

Adm H Sopko: ::He pulls up the chair, turning it around to watch her::

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunter..." she murmurs. "Do you really want to be such a leader? Aren't I capable enough of of getttttting kikilled my by myself?"

Adm H Sopko: ;:He sighs:: "Yes... there are things beyond my control... but I want to prevent as much as possible."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Whaaaaaaat would you sacrifice to be such a leader? Besides letting me take any responsibility, that is?" She sounds a bit sad.

Adm H Sopko: "No sacrifice. None is necessary."

SirAlexTheFirst: "But I keep, keep, keep dying. If it's your fault.... aren't you sacrificing me?"

Adm H Sopko: "No. It's... incidental."

SirAlexTheFirst: "I'm incidental?"

Adm H Sopko: "No... your deaths are."

SirAlexTheFirst: "It doesn't fefefeeeeeel incidental. Feels like death."

Adm H Sopko: "As death should, I suppose..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Death doesn't feel good. I wish I could stop... stop it... Hunter?"

Adm H Sopko: "Yes, Aria?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Is this all going to be o-o-over someday? Do you think we'll ever get to rest rest?"

Adm H Sopko: "Yes... I think so. But we have to get through this first. I know we will"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Why was Yarovan sending a bomb with us anyways? Did did they want to kill Verity? Or me? Or Aurelia? Can we trust trust trtrtrtrtrust them at all?"

Adm H Sopko: "They didn't know if we could succeed... so they wanted to make sure if we reached Verity, we'd at least neutralize the threat to Amaryllis... I don't know if we can trust them or not... they're

Adm H Sopko: not exactly on my good side, but when I asked, Leonard told me what was up."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Not on your good good side side..." she chuckles, hoarsly. "It was very decent of Leonard ttto do thaaaaat. To tell you what was going on. With the bomomombbb."

Adm H Sopko: ::He nods::

SirAlexTheFirst: "Very decent of leaders leadersleaders to tell people what's going on. With a bomb." she adds, hesistant and a little angry.

Adm H Sopko: ::Again, a nod::

SirAlexTheFirst: "If you get what I mean."

Adm H Sopko: "I do."

SirAlexTheFirst: She looks up at you again. "What are you going to ddddo now?"

Adm H Sopko: "Get out of here, somehow... and keep going."

SirAlexTheFirst: "How?'

Adm H Sopko: ::He looks at the door:: "Eventually, I'm just going to walk through that door."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Why nonnnnonoooot now?"

Adm H Sopko: ::He smiles:: "Very true." ::He gets up, remembering how sure he was strangling Miss Mab. He gets up that same type of confidence. He KNOWS the door will open this time. He reaches out and turns the

Adm H Sopko: knob/presses the button/whatever::

SirAlexTheFirst: The knob turns smoothly, and the door opens.

Adm H Sopko: And? What do I see?

SirAlexTheFirst: Blackness outside, just as deep as the blackness inside the room.

SirAlexTheFirst: Aria isn't moving behind you.

Adm H Sopko: ::He stands there:: "Looks like a void..."

Adm H Sopko: "Sort of like the future."

Adm H Sopko: ::He turns to face her:: "Come on... we have to go."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Where where where will you go? What are you going to do?"

Adm H Sopko: "What I started out to do. Come on, I'm not leaving without you."

SirAlexTheFirst: "IIIIIII'm still dead, Hunter Hunter. What can I do?"

Adm H Sopko: "Dead or not... you're here with me now. You're physical. You can still help."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunter... please... I don't want to leleleave here yet. Can we stay just a while more? We've got so much more to talk about..."

Adm H Sopko: "There is a time and place for everything. Here is not it."

SirAlexTheFirst: "I..." she falls silent, and still does not move.

Adm H Sopko: ::Hunter closes the door, and draws his swords:: "I see..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "What are you doing, Hunter? Go on ahead. Escape. Get get out of here."

Adm H Sopko: "Aria would not hesitate in a moment like this... hell, I don't think she would even let being dead stop her from helping."

Adm H Sopko: "She treked through Hell to continue on... this is nothing. You can't be her."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunter, I'm not sure that I want to follow follow you anymore. I don't know if this is right. I don't want another death death on your head."

Adm H Sopko: "Fine."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Mister Sopko?" A new voice comes from the doorway.

Adm H Sopko: ::He turns to the door::

SirAlexTheFirst: "Are you quite ready to leave yet?"

SirAlexTheFirst: You probably recognize this voice.

Adm H Sopko: ::Who is it?::

SirAlexTheFirst: Who do you THINK it is?

Adm H Sopko: Mab

SirAlexTheFirst: Mab, of course.

Adm H Sopko: "And whats in store for me then?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Becoming a leader, one way or another. That's what you wanted, right?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hhhhunter hunter Hunter...." Aria has raised herself up on one elbow now. "Don't trust her her her.."

Adm H Sopko: "Not in any way possible. I wouldn't become a leader with your help, under your terms."

SirAlexTheFirst: "You prefer the terms of the Yarovan? The Ten Sounding Pillars, and their fan club?"

Adm H Sopko: "I'm used to them already. I've seen the common clay of Whittyre... I do not wish that upon the rest of the world."

SirAlexTheFirst: Mab's voice gives a low chuckle. "If you think that we wish to make the whole world a mindless hive of communal drones, you're very wrong."

Adm H Sopko: "Makes it easy for you to rule over them though. You seem secure in the information you keep from the public."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Rule?"

Adm H Sopko: ::Hunter says nothing::

SirAlexTheFirst: "You seem to be very ill-informed, Mister Sopko. But no matter. Go on, what were you doing?"

Adm H Sopko: :He looks back to Aria::

SirAlexTheFirst: Aria's eyes are closed again, and she's... turning transparent and fading away before your eyes.

Adm H Sopko: ::He sighs, turning back to Mab::

SirAlexTheFirst: Her glow fades with her, and you are left in total darkness once more. Mab positivly purrs. "Go on, dear. What is it?"

Adm H Sopko: "What is what?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "What were you doing? Coming out?"

Adm H Sopko: "Into what? I don't trust the darkness. Especially here."

SirAlexTheFirst: "So you don't want to come out?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Be a leader, take initiative, don't be afraid of the dark? No?"

Adm H Sopko: "I do... but I want to know I'm stepping out into something solid."

Adm H Sopko: "There is a thing called discretion. It's the better part of all valor."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Mister Sopko, has it occured to you that if I wanted you dead, I have much more efficient and much more humorous means at my disposal than tricking you into walking into a pit trap?"

Adm H Sopko: "You trapped me in here already, haven't you?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Yes, yes I have. And I'm asking now if you want to come out. Or, you can spend another four months in the room. It's all up to you."

Adm H Sopko: "Four months? Hm. Time flies..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "True. Aria, Leatanna, Zao-lot, Aurelia, your father... a lot of people have died since then."

Adm H Sopko: "Why would you even want me to come out, then? If they're already dead, you don't need to use me against anyone."

SirAlexTheFirst: "I don't need you at all. The question is whether you want to do something - or just join them, in death."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Or spend another four months in the room hoping for a change," she adds, thoughtfully.

Adm H Sopko: ::Regardless of what the storybooks say, dying to stay true to their memory would just be stupid... and would accomplish nothing:: "Fine..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Coming out, then?"

Adm H Sopko: "Yes."

SirAlexTheFirst: And lo, as at the creation of the universe, there was light.

SirAlexTheFirst: The room is suddenly illuminated (empty, save for you and the chair. No trace of Aria.), and the door, and the room outside of it.

Adm H Sopko: ::And out he goes::

SirAlexTheFirst: Said room is... well, just that. A room. It is huge and empty, an expanse of metal plated walls. Mab stands in the center of it.

Adm H Sopko: "Well... I seem to have graduated in size, at least..."

SirAlexTheFirst: And she smiles at you. "I'm glad you've come around at last. Your pointless death would have been... a waste."

Adm H Sopko: "I'd have to agree there."

SirAlexTheFirst: "You're a natural born leader, Hunter, and it's my opinion that your skills ought to be put to use. Real use, not as a puppet of some shadowy organization, but with real power of your own."

Adm H Sopko: "And what do you propose?"

SirAlexTheFirst: Her smile fades. "Ah, down to business. I offer a very simple arrangement. I give you power. You use it as you see fit."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Fight with Nellix, fight against Nellix, help out the Ten or tear them down. It matters very little to me what you do. Oppose me, if you must, although I will not hold back against you again."

Adm H Sopko: "Sounds familiar... I suppose my soul would be an adequate down payment? Or my first born?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Your wit wounds me. I have no need of such things. My interest in this lies in making you a great leader, helping you to realize your potential."

Adm H Sopko: "You can't blame me if I seem a bit cynical. What is in it for you giving me this? Amusement is an adequate answer."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Catalysm." A slight smirk crosses her face.

Adm H Sopko: "You want me to bring it about?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Not cataclysm. Catalysm. Being a catalyst."

Adm H Sopko: ::He sighs, kicking himself:: "I see... four months of being awake though will deaden anyone's hearing somewhat..."

SirAlexTheFirst: "You needn't trifle over such things. I do relish the amusement, somewhat, but moreso the catalysm, of bringing forth power and loose ends, making it less certain that the cataclysm will have a foregone conclusion."

Adm H Sopko: ::He thinks of this:: "I disagree with your methods up to this point, but agree with the philosophy... No serious progress has been made in a very long time... all superficial."

SirAlexTheFirst: "You have seen very little of my methods, except for my treatment of you. I admit I may have been a little... hasty... but then, so were you, rudely invading my laboratories. I am responsible for their security, after all.

Sarcazmo47 has entered the room.

Adm H Sopko: "Well, you did what you had to do... stepping into that room was my fault, after all. We had to try... how close did they come? If they set off the bomb... they must have gotten Verity out, did they?"

Adm H Sopko: (out of confinement, not escaped)

SirAlexTheFirst: "They set off the bomb, but Arianna took the blast for everyone else. Brother Bandon took them into custody for the Church of Luthien, and Verity returned to my hands.

Adm H Sopko: "And everypne has died since then... your doing?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "A few. Some not."

Adm H Sopko: "And Bandon? Is he still here?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "He... outlived his usefulness, and tried to turn certain members of the Labs against me. This was unacceptable, and he would not reconsider."

Adm H Sopko: "So he was the same problem to you as he was to me."

SirAlexTheFirst: "I see you can empathize on that point."

Adm H Sopko: "He was not my favorite person in the world, no."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Make no mistake, Mister Sopko. Entering into this agreement will guarantee you nothing from me in terms of alliance, and vice versa. I do, in fact, have plans, and I will strike down any who oppose. Just so we're clear.

SirAlexTheFirst: She gives you a sweet smile.

SirAlexTheFirst: "Also, this is not a decision that can be... reversed, without significant inconvenience and forebearance on my part, which I must confess I cannot think of a reason I would give."

Adm H Sopko: ::He chuckles a bit:: "So you'd be in it as deep as I would be, if and when this goes down?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "I will be certainly complicit, yes." Mab nods seriously. "We can stand here and talk about this for another span of months. But the question will not be answered save directly."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunter Sopko... agent of the Yarovan... heir to the Sopko family... are you ready to become a leader?"

Adm H Sopko: "How will this change me? This isn't a complete brainwashing is it?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Not at all. That would obliterate the point. You will be... enhanced, with the best that my laboratories have to offer. In fact, I would appreciate your input on what areas you would like to see improvement in."

SirAlexTheFirst: Mab waves her hand, and the metal panels all over the walls, floor and ceiling of the room start to open up, and... things come out. Machinery, magical implements, metal arms and tanks and tubes.

Adm H Sopko: "Are those necessary?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Yes. I can conceal them if you prefer. Don't worry, though - you won't feel a thing. Should you accept, of course."

Adm H Sopko: "Is there a reason they are necessary? Would I simply be showcasing Whittyre technology?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Showcase? Hardly. You will look the same, unless you desire otherwise. We have developed technology and magic here that can do marvelous things."

Sarcazmo47: (Amazing things will happen here soon. You just wait.)

Adm H Sopko: "And if I refuse?"

Sarcazmo47: ((CAKE OR DEATH?))

SirAlexTheFirst: "That depends on how you refuse. I can spare a small, dark room for another four months, or, well... we covered this already. I really must confess...

SirAlexTheFirst: It does not serve my interests in the slightest to let you free without catalysm. Moping about and ineffectually leading another raid to their doom is not a prospect for you which excites me."

Adm H Sopko: "Well, I can at least assure you I will not mope... as for another raid... we could avoid it if you let me know what you truly intend to to with Verity..."

SirAlexTheFirst: Mab begins laughing. "Really, now. Cold feet at the sight of a few pieces of metal does not become you. But Verity? Is that what this is all about?" She cracks up for a moment.

SirAlexTheFirst: "Catalysm, dear Mister Sopko, catalysm."

Adm H Sopko: "So if not me, then him?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "By procuring Mister Verity, much was accomplished. Not as much as I had hoped, but you yourself saw the consequences it had on certain powerful groups. And... it is not an either/or question."

Adm H Sopko: "Yes... it certainly flushed them out into the open."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Indeed it did. And yet, they accomplished so little, because they lacked the ability. Not very fun to watch, save perhaps containing you."

Adm H Sopko: "Yeah... Hunter Sopko, all purpose source of entertainment for all."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Perhaps. Or perhaps a leader." She looks at you, expectant.

Sarcazmo47: (You're just stalling now. You'd like to think that, wouldn't you! You're trying to get me to give something away. It won't work. It has worked! You've given everything away! I know where the poison is!)

Adm H Sopko: (Mwhaha)

Adm H Sopko: (Princess Bride... good movie)

SirAlexTheFirst: "Well, Mister Sopko?"

AndrewRogue: (Kirk rocks)

Sarcazmo47: (Andrew jewels?)

Adm H Sopko: (Soppy pyrite)

SirAlexTheFirst: (Alex stones!)

SirAlexTheFirst: (...wait a minute...)

Adm H Sopko: (Or Soppyrite)

Adm H Sopko: ::Miss Mab will be waiting for a long, long time::

SirAlexTheFirst: She will endure it patiently.

Sarcazmo47: (*Plays Jepoardy theme*)

Adm H Sopko: ::While thinking, the truth catches up to him. He remembers what he decided in the room... and that everyone he knows is dead:: "It's really been four months?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Give or take a span of days."

Adm H Sopko: ::He sighs:: "Damnit..."

AndrewRogue: (The answer is kill her.)

AndrewRogue: (Dooo it)

Adm H Sopko: "What... was going on in the room? With the body?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Aria has not returned from her death to the bomb. I think you know the answer to that better than I would - something about a supernatural and very angry patron of sorts, from what I have heard?"

Adm H Sopko: "Well, a better question would be, why did you turn into her?

Adm H Sopko: "

SirAlexTheFirst: "To toy with you, of course. It was rather amusing at the time."

Adm H Sopko: "Didn't seem to work, did it? And how exactly did you escape that anyway? How DO you do the things you do? It can't be just technology"

SirAlexTheFirst: "It isn't." Mab grins proudly. "Whittyre is home to the world's most advanced magics, as well as its technology. We believe in a well-rounded lifestyle."

Adm H Sopko: "Leonard made mention of something being behind your power... care to comment?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "Leonard speculates rampantly on all sorts of matters he knows very little about. Nellix, myself, Verity..." she sighs. "I must deny this rumor, of course, but I would do the same even if it were true.

SirAlexTheFirst: The question is really incapable of producing a meaningful answer. Unless you'd be interested in hearing a wonderful story about the Whittyre fairies who drop off magical secrets under my pillow."

Adm H Sopko: "And his vendetta against Nellix? What of that?"

SirAlexTheFirst: "What of that? More conflict, more catalysm."

Adm H Sopko: "I suppose." ::He goes back to thinking::

SirAlexTheFirst: brb

Adm H Sopko: ::This would be an agonizing decision for anyone, Hunter is no exception. He weighs the pros and cons for a great while, before remembering Aria's smiling face, and Leatanna's

Adm H Sopko: as well. He flashes back to his thoughts in the room, his thoughts after his talk with Verity... He wanted to make it through this relying him himself. He decided that he would cease to follow and rely on others for

Adm H Sopko: power:: "I have come to a decision."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Have you? And what is it?"

Adm H Sopko: "I will be a catalyst, but not your catalyst. I had decided long before now that changes to this world needed to be made. However, I also decided I would not rely on people like yourself to

Adm H Sopko: further my own cause. If I gain power, it will be on my own strength."

SirAlexTheFirst: She waits for you to finish.

Adm H Sopko: (... I am)

SirAlexTheFirst: "And your convincing me that you are worthy is not your own strength?"

Adm H Sopko: "I don't need it."

Adm H Sopko: "Nor do I want the kind of power you would give me."

SirAlexTheFirst: Mab's mouth starts twitching in laughter again. "You don't need... goodness."

Adm H Sopko: ::He chuckles as well:: "And here you just said I was worthy."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Your spirit is commendable, Mister Sopko. I am of half a mind to bestow my gifts upon you anyways.... "

SirAlexTheFirst: "Yet... you intrigue me. Do not need, you say. I don't suppose you would care to prove this by besting me in combat, or escaping from these quarters under your own power?"

Adm H Sopko: "I think we've already proven the first."

SirAlexTheFirst: She looks around at the masses of instruments and tech, most of which starts to vanish back into the wall panels.

SirAlexTheFirst: "We've proven that you have no hope of challenging me, now or apparently ever. A pity. Would you prefer another four months to reconsider?"

Adm H Sopko: "No."

Adm H Sopko: "Just show me the door. Our goal of change is similar, so if it's all the same, it makes no difference."

SirAlexTheFirst: "Mister Sopko, for the third time... you are not leaving this place. I'm sad that things had to turn out this way, but I will respect your wishes. Human." Mab turns around, and walks towards the back of the room...

SirAlexTheFirst: In her path, and all around you, more machinery springs up, crowding out of the panels more than before, right onto you. Give me a Reflex save.

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 3

Adm H Sopko: ::Headdesk::

SirAlexTheFirst: Tell me that beats 13...

AndrewRogue: It beats 13 *supplies it for him*

AndrewRogue: <.<

Adm H Sopko: As much as I want to lie and cheat, no, it doesn't. It's an 11. I have a ring of evasion, if that helps...

SirAlexTheFirst: Sadly, that only helps if you succeed at the save.

SirAlexTheFirst: A needle on an arm whips out and stabs itself into your leg, which goes instantly numb. Give me a Fort save.

Adm H Sopko: Hooray for counterintuitive naming!

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 11

Adm H Sopko: 22

SirAlexTheFirst: The numbness spreads through your body quickly, but not so quickly that you can't feel the metal links shoot out and wrap themselves around your arms, and hear the high pitched shrieks of rapidly rotating blades approaching...

SirAlexTheFirst: You get one last chance to escape the metal bands.

Adm H Sopko: Wonderful

SirAlexTheFirst: Strength to break, Escape Artist, whatever you have

Sarcazmo47 has left the room.

Adm H Sopko: Guess it'll have to be strength. I picture a 2 or a 3

*OnlineHost*: Adm H Sopko rolled 1 20-sided die: 14

SirAlexTheFirst: I'd give you CoC on a 1, but no 1's tonight

Adm H Sopko: Yay. A 16

SirAlexTheFirst: And... that's not really enough to do anything, sadly.

Adm H Sopko: Figured as much

Adm H Sopko: Wheeee! Sliced into little tiny bits just after fully realizing himself<G>

SirAlexTheFirst: "Hunter... dodododon't trust her, don't trust her. What does death feel like? You will not know."

SirAlexTheFirst: ~~~~~~~~~~Fade to Dark Blue~~~~~~~~~~~