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Post by Zane on Jan 11, 2020 15:59:01 GMT -8
"I might need to call on that assistance later. We're enough as is, but together... well, that's where it really is. Thanks to circumstances this is serving another purpose, so I can't complain too much."
Things had changed along the way so that particular contingency would come in handy now that they had kept it in mind. It was hard to say what that particular circumstance was given the knowledge at play here, but he supposed that the foresight that one of them had was rather keen around here. Arancione was a name that sparked interest for sure. He was... well, how should one describe him exactly...
"That wannabe chessmaster might not have been good at much, but that near undying monster was a bit of a menace, wasn't it? You won't have to worry about it anymore though. Just like I was in the action, Zerix and Zaven were absent for more reasons than one. There were a lot of things people simply allowed to fade into the shadows. Or in one particularly nasty case... slip through a crack in Ruin, one could say."
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Post by "Bill" on Jan 12, 2020 21:19:14 GMT -8
*Embera followed closely by Nero's side, listening to the banter between the two navis. She couldn't help but chuckle at the callback to Arancione. He was a bit flamboyant in the way he acted so in control of everything, exactly like how Nero described. Still smiling, Embera proudly took Nero's obsidian arm and raised it to Psyche's eyes, as if she finally got one over on him.*
Embera: Zane called him Nero because he's all black like this, also he's pretty dark on the inside too, but I dunno how deliberate that was in naming him, just like how Rosso is all red with the red flames. I can't believe you didn't figure that out!
*By now Embera was giggling playfully and happily, yet so desperate internally to salvage any kind of positive emotions from her time with Nero.*
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Post by Zane on Jan 13, 2020 7:15:06 GMT -8
She truly could be the salt of the earth sometimes couldn't she? But you know what? One couldn't say she was entirely off the mark here because Zane could still be rather simple at times himself. It ended up making peas of a pod with these two to say the least. The only part he would be able to mention is that the names weren't selected by who she thought they were, but that was for him to know.
"Didn't you name yourself after embers after being born from someone named for fire? On the other hand you're somewhat right and props to you gathering the miscellanous knowledge to know what the names mean."
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Post by "Bill" on Jan 13, 2020 7:46:22 GMT -8
*Embera nodded simply to Nero and gave a playful shrug.*
Embera: and from those embers I became someone I think is pretty unique! I used to hate her. I wanted to destroy her and become the only. I used to be so caught up in that identity crisis of just who I was until I learned who I could be. Yeah, I have her face, but everything these hands have built, broken, and battled were my own. Zane told me that in rammount and since then I know that I am Embera, and that's okay! What we come from or how we come to be don't matter, it's what we BEcome that truly shapes our identities and legacies. I am Embera.
*She smiled a more solemn smile as she looked at Nero before placing her hand to her chest, over top the Somnium Cross. She was talking to more than one person in this room.*
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Post by Zane on Jan 13, 2020 10:43:04 GMT -8
Look at her, growing up while no one was looking. If he didn't know better not only had she listened well, she managed to speak in a way not too unlike someone else. But he did agree that you made yourself despite what you started as. The direct result of that did make a bit of a clash of opinions when it came to one person from the Endgame. But since they were on the topic, he might as well bring it up now then. They likely were curious in their own way about how he and Rosso came to be as it were.
"I agree with that entirely. Even if Mistair played a hand in why there's three of us now, it is what it is. It's largely thanks to her you get stuck with black old me."
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Post by "Bill" on Jan 13, 2020 11:04:37 GMT -8
*Embera's eyebrow perked up as Nero dropped a name. Mistair? Was this Mistair the true catalyst of this whole mess? She decided to press.*
Embera:I didn't see a Mistair in the memory files. What do you mean she's the reason you three are three? What kind of ability is that, and where are you taking us?
*Her curiosity was her most childlike trait. Whenever there was something she could not readily learn about, she was quick to pester about it until she felt like she was on the same page. An increasingly frustrating endeavor as she felt Rosso was only giving her select breadcrumbs at a time. Pinching her nose she tried sorting the story so far in her head so she could really understand what exactly is going on with Zane.*
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Post by Zane on Jan 13, 2020 11:23:33 GMT -8
She was quick to wonder about her given the topic's nature. That made sense considering from the sounds of it they received no mention of her from someone who had met her before. Leave it to Genesis to leave out some details for them yet again. He figured that the Overlord would have questioned it after the first encounter, but perhaps he was a bit too occupied with Rosso to worry about it.
"I'm surprised Genesis didn't bother mentioning her to you. Mistair wouldn't show in the memory files seeing as she can't be recorded. If you were to try and record me right now I wouldn't show either. Nero, Rosso, and Zane are collectively a whole that becomes "Zane". The name change primarily were different monikers used at different stages our life. It allows us to make decisions that he otherwise would not make, as Psyche no doubt noted with Rosso before. Even if we all can be called Zane, we aren't him as you stated yourself a minute ago. Not until we return to being one. While it isn't my priority right now, it is something to get done at some point. To splinter what was whole: it's that kind of ability."
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Post by Raven8 on Jan 18, 2020 16:00:33 GMT -8
...red flag.
Psyche didn't betray his thoughts, but everything about what Nero was saying was a red flag here. The way that they were separated, the mention of a specific entity responsible, the hint that they want to be put back together, and even the subtle hints to Embera that could be summed up as "let's go on an adventure to save your family!". At this point, Psyche coughs and takes a single step forward.
Psyche: Forgive me for my interruption, but I do have a private matter that is my only real reason for being here right now.
Psyche had to see if he could stop this before it got any farther. His lens-like eyes looked to Embera silently as he came across as both polite and a bit rude at the same time with his self-insert. All that he could do was hope that he could get the situation back on track.
Meanwhile, Eon looks out in silence at Nero, knowing very well what was being inferred here. Despite Embera's kind words and indirect inferences, the dimensional being remains quiet, obviously locked on the dark figure before him.
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Post by Zane on Jan 18, 2020 21:56:17 GMT -8
Embera had cut in for Psyche and he had given her private time, even if she hadn't necessarily asked for it. So it was only fair of him to ask to have his own time alone to speak with him as well, difference being he was asking for that alone time as opposed to her before. So to make up for it, he'd let her have the option to go and see some people she hadn't seen in some time. She had said so herself when she heard him here.
"That's true. You can head further in and go talk with Zerix and Zaven. They're still here and it's been a while since you met them. Just head back down the way you came and go right instead to get to the conference room. Can just consider what I said as food for thought."
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Post by "Bill" on Jan 22, 2020 22:11:56 GMT -8
*Embera nodded to Nero And made her way to the conference room. As she left Psyche, she let out a small sigh. This trip sure turned out to be eye opening, but she didn't quite like the things she happened to be seeing. Still, no matter the circumstances, Embera still felt some relief to meet back up with Zerix and Zaven.*
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Post by Zane on Jan 28, 2020 21:58:25 GMT -8
As Embera made her way to the room, what she would find in store for her... was the two relatively relaxed, in all honesty. It looked like they had taken the table and adjusted it so that it was closer to a game table, in this case playing a game of pool with Zerix up to strike. He was working on it as the door opened for her, Zaven glancing toward her and passing her a wave when she arrived.
"Haven't seen you face to face in forever! What's shaking, ya overgrown kid?!"
Zerix didn't miss his mark though, getting the last striped ball in as Zaven clicked his tongue. They'd have to set up for another match then or the next game in the meantime. But it was different than the tense air that she had surrounded with lately. Quite likely a welcome relief from the troubling revelations of late.
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Post by "Bill" on Feb 2, 2020 13:57:37 GMT -8
*Embera opened the door, surprisingly unlocked, and saw a room, well lit, almost like a private office. The walls, floor, and ceiling we're completely unlike the drab, and cold corridor she just came in from. Hearing Zaven's voice was almost a blur, as she stood still in a semi-daze from the stark contrast of moods. It wasn't until the loud CLACK! of Zerix striking the billiards that Embera was snapped back into the forefront of her head. A small tear welled up as she made a quick dash to Zaven, scooping him in an arm and pulling him into Zerix and joining both in a great big hug. She laughed happily and tearfully, before looking at them almost in disbelief.*
Embera: Is it really both of you?! Truthfully both of you, and not like what's been happening?! I've missed you both so much...
*With a happy smile, Embera let the two go, feeling a sense of relief and peace wash completely over her, to have just one room where everything could feel okay. No stress, no fear, but a true reprieve from the emotional turmoil she was subjected to as of late.*
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Post by Zane on Feb 2, 2020 21:13:13 GMT -8
Zaven was scooped up first, going with the motion and hugging her back as she made way for the more stern one next with him in tow. Zerix starting to move back to try to avoid it. It was a feeble attempt at best so instead he was pulled into, Zaven chuckling in turn as Zerix did in fact return the hug. Zerix could be a victim of affection too when he wanted to be or someone else was just happy to see him. While everything had been moving on the surface, the world at large seeming like a foreign instrument now, here was nothing like that.
"It's just us. We're not playing magical hats or anything of the sort."
"Of which that card is really outdated in this day and age."
No, for all intents and purposes it was just one Zerix and just one Zaven. For better or for worse in their case what with the world at large. But in a way the world calmed down their usual aggression and weren't as gung ho about wiping their problems out. A good change for the time being as it were.
"So the world becoming weird aside, have you, Scruffs and the rest been doing well?"
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Post by "Bill" on Feb 8, 2020 22:34:20 GMT -8
*Embera smiled in relieved contentment again, taking a seat as they chatted. She was almost alarmed when Zerix returned the hug, as he liked to play the cool and calculating one. Zaven, was still Zaven, and she didn't imagine for a moment he would be anyone else.
Embera: It's been better than I could have imagined. I have a job at Electopian Geothermal, I'm the head of cybersecurity. It was kind of rough starting out in the Heap, a bit of a madhouse, especially near the volcano. I cleaned it up real quickly to make a home for myself in the mouth when a navi from E.G. saw me and his Operator offered the position. Within a few months the entire area was peaceful. Scruffy acts as the surveillance and deterrent from anyone coming to close to the entrance, and if they're committed enough, they meet me, and it usually doesn't last too long after that. The locals have been enjoying the peace, and have been beyond grateful.
*She beamed as she talked about the people.*
Embera: First it was just the scrappers and junkers,then came the merchants, and, before long, a lot of people were coming around the heap and established a pretty robust community. A lot of people use the data in the area along with the program shops to develop busters and armor for their navis. I even helped an entire class learn how to develop their own personal armor, and the kids even ask me for help! It's really become more than I could have ever dreamed possible for someone like me, but I'm happy guys. Genuinely happy with it. It wasn't until recently that everything went sour. I'm currently on a bit of a suspension, with E.G's connection to the internet cut off since New Life. They don't want to risk anything. They figured that if something could decimate the compound so soundly, that they would be at risk even with me.
*Embera let out a small chuckle and a somber sigh as she shook her head. She looked towards Zerix, not exactly making eye contact, almost looking at the wall behind him.*
Embera: I don't exactly think it's so safe to tell them to open back up, even if I know what happened. Wouldn't you agree?
*In her final words, a small pang of disappointment, as even this reprieve, as blissful the moment, would remain that, just a moment. She couldn't pull away from it; the secrets, the espionage, the actual destruction. It was strange, as she let out another semi-defeated sigh.*
Embera: How ironic, to be disheartened in front of the man that reprimanded her, for doing things on a scale so far beyond what he used to want to kill her for. Y'know, Zerix...A small part of me...wanted to build this life I built, to make you proud. To show you that I could be more than the overeager firebrand that just wanted to blow up everything that crossed her. I've become that woman, and I'm darn proud of what I helped build, I don't want to lose it all.
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Post by Zane on Feb 11, 2020 20:19:09 GMT -8
It was certainly easy to picture it starting out as a madhouse. Imagine a group centered around cybersecurity seeing one of them and seeing it as a good opportunity to ask to work together. The Empress had a reputation that could go both ways. One could have viewed her as a hazard or as a safety seeing that with that reputation she would make for good security that was more than just hot air. It was a risk vs reward that ultimately paid off very well for them. Of course as things had progressed so well, Zaven did have to lose his smile for just a bit to take a neutral expression. Had to be a bit serious about it considering where the discussion had gone, Zerix nodding in agreement with her even if she couldn't meet his eyes.
"I agree that you made the right decision. It's a wise decision to not tell them it's safe while having no confirmation of whether it truly is safe or not to open back up. It shows that you have an understanding of what could happen in the worst case scenario."
It was a far cry from her usual self of just diving in without a care in the world. She wasn't an entirely different person, no, she had matured given enough time. It was something that everyone from before wouldn't expect from her. Finding enjoyment in it and being proud of it after she was inspired to build it up to make someone else proud was better for her. To find pride in what she obtained with her hands. For his part...
"It's true that I saw no value in having you around as you were before. But I won't claim that it was because of any good or the like. I always looked at it from a calculated angle, and you were a risk to yourself and those around you as the 'overeager firebrand'.
...But I am proud of what you've managed. From your origins to where you stand now, from past to present, you've done well."
Because they both knew where they started with each other. And through time, it was a relationship that had grown from a rocky start. And while she was feeling disheartened, Zaven figured it was his time to chime in to at least try to alleviate the tension in the air.
"Well if nothing else, there's a bright spot in this: you don't have to lose it all either."
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