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The stars aren't right!(Helena/Courage Wolf)


Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Behind the door there are two immobile beings wearing polished armor of steel and holding glimmering halberds in their hands. Though they are humanoid in shape, the gaps in armor show metallic cogs and wheels, marking them artificial in nature. Behind the immobile soldiers, there are four other constructs - similarly in nature but without the armor - that seem to be standing to attention as well. Unlike the soldiers they have extra limbs - Helena can count four arms and three legs on each. Behind them... An enormous chasm that must be half a mile wide and at least as deep. The walls are lined with bright yellow torches at regular intervals and a road set with rails seems to be leading downwards along the wall to the left from where Helena is standing, possibly going all the way down in a spiral. One of the constructs with too many limbs comes to life and speaks with a metallic sound, carefully forming words in a guttural tongue that seems to fit the underground world: "What is your purpose here, non-people meatbeings?"
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena couldn't stop herself, looking around the room with nothing less then outright awe, overcome by what she was seeing. The metal work, Hell! The metal! and the scope of this place, hidden beneath a pyramid in the desert. Moving closer to the machines, Helena assumed simply that they'd been here so long they simply didn't work anymore or had an on switch, or something. But then one in the back actually spoke, and the only reaction Helena had was to shoot up into the air like a startled cat with a squeal "HOLYSWEETFUCKINGCHRISTIT'SALIVE! She cried out from her spot in the air, taking a moment to calm down and actually figuring out that the construct had asked a question, and more importantly knew they were not people, but that they WERE in fact, made of meat. They were officially meatcreatures.

Huffing slightly and chuckling, Helena looked at the creature that had spoken. Honestly, we're just looking for some materials we were told we could find here, and admittedly, they have very little to do with your construction by what I can tell... Helena said, reading off what they needed from the list from memory as she floated back to the ground, admittedly never rising very high to begin with... *Jasmine... I'm talking to a robot. The Fuck. THE FUCK!? You have any experience with this kind of insanity?*
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

The remaining five creatures shift as Helena jumps, turning their eyes towards her but staying otherwise immobile. "You will not find those in the mine. I suggest you continue your search in the pyramids above." the construct informs Helena in the exact same metallic tone.

Jasmine seems awestruck as well. *It's clearly some kind of magic. I'm more surprised at the complexity... that's almost modern technology. Have you seen anything like that since we came here?*
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena shook her head slowly, fingering the small lock on her collar, and now not sure what the hell to believe. But more importantly... if it was some kind of magic, and that was near modern tech... then... Apart from obviously fantastic possible wealth, there was also the chance of finding some of that power they needed to get home...

What do you think they'll do if we insist on searching around... we have more to gain here then just what's on that list... Helena sent over to Jasmine, edging closer to her sister, back on the ground.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

*Let's not start a fight, little sister. I don't think our charms will work very well against these. But I'm just as curious about this mine as you are.* Jasmine answers while the mechanisms wait patiently just as another mining cart rolls to the top, unloading a pile of full and heavy-looking sacks.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena chuckled at the answer, before nudging Jasmine with an idea. *Then there's only one thing to do!* Helena said, using her apparently newfound talent of more discreet casting, to render herself invisible to the naked eye, hoping Jasmine got the hint, and then diving like a madwoman towards the mine. You couldn't stop what you couldn't see~!
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena: Mana 15/18

As Helena starts moving her hands, the two larger clockwork creatures have just enough time to point the halberds towards her before she vanishes out of sight, diving towards the center of the mine and Jasmine is quick enough to follow suit before they can strike. The spell doesn't last long and soon Helena reappears well beyond the range of torches, several hundred feet from the wall. It's still long way down to where torches lit the floor, and bells start ringing all over the mine.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena cackled madly as they popped back into sight, the spell fading from them like a quicksilver wave, shimmering as light was once again allowed to strike their forms and reflect into the eyes of those now hunting them... And it would do them no good. *Come Jasmine! The game has started~! Let's not disappoint our new hosts!* She sent over, her voice filled with a deep joy, a thrill pulsing through her veins, hot and powerful. This was no time for reason, but speed, action and reaction, and Helena was eager to pit herself against these strange creatures in the name of not only personal gain, but flat competition.

Helena knew in her gut, that she was now the more accomplished flier then her sister, and she seized the lead by the throat, strangling the moment as she tucked her wings in against her body, and fell, her tail whipping out and helping her steer with short, deft movements as she whipped passed stone and track, looking for the passages and corners, sighting out the dark world around her with her demonic eyes, flashing blue in the darkness for a moment as the world took on a stark grey, black, and white tint.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena can feel but not see Jasmine near her as the pair dives down towards the mine floor, lit by what must be hundreds of strange torches that shed no smoke. As the alarm bells spread downwards and sideways, a light as bright as the sun pierces the shadowy darkness that holds the center of the mine despite the torches lining the walls and then another and another, and soon there are half a dozen pillars of light piercing the darkness, seeking the elusive succubi.

As Helena dives closer to the floor, she can see the cave floor is riddled with pits where the machines are digging deeper. Near the walls are smelteries and forges along with glassblowers and other workshops, and near the middle is a domed roof, the only one of it's kind in the entire mine.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena, twisting and wheeling around the spears of light that seemed to brighten the world like small suns, burst out into joyous laughter, relishing the speed of their descent as her eyes took in all the place had to offer at nothing more then a simple glance, before her eyes locked on the dome. It was unique! Time for a closer look!

Spiraling, dodging, Helena found herself dangerously close to one of those blazing beams of light, making a note to try and steal the secret of those torches if she got the chance, they were incredible, as was everything else here. Diving for the dome, Helena leveled of her insane descent by spiraling in ever wider circles, her wings snapping wide to slow her magical flight, he body weight freed from gravity as it always was when her and her sister took flight, the dome her target, her body the missile.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

As she gets close to the bottom, Helena can see the bustling of the mine, with countless clockwork laborers toiling away in the bottom, with a contingent of the armored versions near the dome's only doorway that's about 10 feet wide and 15 feet tall, with constant traffic through it. The dome itself is perhaps 100 feet high and 300 feet across.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena still had her heart set on her target, and now not bothering to hide her words, Helena worked that simple but o so useful spell once more, aiming herself at the door with all the speed she could muster, even though her flight stabilized considerably during the casting, and dodging lights became a secondary concern as she worked on hiding herself again, her sister having no such handicap.

Once inside, And Helena had no doubt she could accomplish that goal, Helena would find the darkest recess of the ceiling she could, and cling there like some kind of hidden limpet, her eyes scanning around the room with rapt attention, taking in everything with awe.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena mana 14/18

Both Helena and Jasmine manage to get inside the dome flawlessly, only for the alarms to finally reach the middle of the mine. The soldiers mobilize, starting to circle around on the floor and search for intruders outside the dome. Inside, the dome is well-lit with chandeliers and there are no hiding places on the ceiling. The walls are lined with cages, most filled with animals but some having humanoid creatures inside them. In the middle is a golden clockwork construct, working on a stone table with a set of glowing tools of silvery metal to assemble a half-finished clockwork that looks like all the other non-armored clockworks save for missing two arms and a leg, which are neatly laid out on another nearby table. On a third table is a bird that has been strapped to it by it's wings, wriggling helplessly. Though the table has been carefully polished, the curved knife next to the bird leaves little doubt about its fate.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Unable to find a hiding place, Helena went immediately for a plan B, hoping against all things possible, that her observations were correct, that these constructs were indeed logical, and would listen rather then shoot. Landing on the table with the bird strapped to it, as there was indeed no where to properly hide, Helena held up her hands in a gesture of surrender. I come on peaceful terms! Only wishing to satisfy on curiosity, and seeking knowledge both of your creators, and your creation. Will you listen? Helena said, her voice crisp and impossibly clear.

Granted, she was ready to bolt at a moments notice, the words to her admittedly abused spell only inches from her lips, but she was taking a gamble here, and counting on Jasmine to back her up if this failed utterly.

I apologize for the intrusion, but I did not think the surface guards would hear me out, and curiosity outweighed caution, please, Let me satisfy my curiosity, and I will leave without argument, you have my word.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

The golden clockwork creature carefully lays down its tools and turns to face Helena impassively. This close Helena can see some sort of barrel that was obscured by the arms being pointed at her. Though it uses the same guttural tongue, the voice is much more melodic and clear: "Then speak. You are disturbing the assembly of smith #37. Satisfy your curiosity, meatbeing. And then be gone, for there is much work to be done: 23 workers and two overseers require replacement for the good of the mine."
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena nodded and immediately spoke the first question that sprang to her lips. Where are your original creators, the flesh and blood creatures that originally made you. I saw one of them embossed upon the door leading to the mine, and I would like very much to speak with them. Second, what is the name of this place, hidden under the pyramid above. And third, do you know of any way to leave this world. I was brought here by the mists, along with others, and wish to return home. Helena said quickly, she didn't want to push her luck here, and if she could actually find what she was flat out assuming to be dwarves from her own legends, then she would have a reasoning mind to speak to at length, rather then constructs that seemed hell bent on being rid of her.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

"The people are gone. They have been gone for 356733 workcycles now. We know not where they are, only that they said they would return. Until they do, the mine will continue to function and expand. This place is simply the mine. We do not know whether it has another name. We think it does. I do not understand your last question."
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

I am from another plane of existence Helena said, storing the other information away for later and wish to return to it. I was brought here by the mists above the surface. If your creators left, did they leave behind a library you would not begrudge me and my sister access to, under your supervision of course, so that I may find your people, and tell them you are doing as you were instructed faithfully? Helena said hopefully, wanting very much to get answers she needed, because her end goal had never changed.

perhaps a list of records or logs regarding their departure and destination that I could look at? Please, it would mean very much to me.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

"The people left behind very little. What they left is stored near the entrance. I do not know whether the supervisor will let you see them, but you are free to ask."

As the pair talks, the alarms gradually die down outside.
 
Re: Are the stars right?(Helena/Courage Wolf)

Helena nodded, smiling gently. One last question, and I'll leave. Do you have any schematics we could take back to the surface, OR, would you and your fellows here be willing to take custom build orders from myself and my sister for a fee? Helena asked, hoping they said yes, they could get some amazing things down here...
 
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