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Hafnium Test Thread


Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee, in her body language and in her facial expression, was as still as an undisturbed pond. Even when Renee appeared, Lenalee only spared the girl a short glance before her gaze shifted back to the daemon. 'We will see, daemon. We will see.' She thought to herself, reminiscing on the being's offer for aid. She hoped that she wouldn't need it, but she also knew that, if the power of the priestess was comparable to that of an angel or a nightmare lord, she wouldn't be able to face her on her own.

When Ren asked, quite understandably, to be let into the loop, Lenalee calmly turned to her and, in short clipped words, said; "You and I know each other from the real world. We are inside of an imprisoned daemon currently, and everything you remember of this world is a fabrication. In a few moments you will be returned to your living body, and you will not remember any of this, so it doesn't really matter."

Then, turning toward the Heretic, she scowled darkly and said; "Unless there is some other information that you can think to give me on the subject of killing the priestess and freeing you, then I have only one more thing to say." Lenalee paused, waiting to see if the Heretic would say anything. If he didn't or when he had finished, she continued; "While I appreciate that your condition leaves you without any degree of proper sense.... If you harm Renee, Jan, Mari, Edmund, Lochan, Lily, myself or any others whom I take under my care or who choose to ally with me, and yes that does include those visions you send on a regular basis, I will not care about the consequences to me. If I ever see that fucking carnival of torture again, even if it costs me my soul, I will see your gem destroyed, and you erased from existence. Do you hear me, oh Lord of Change? Keep your damned carnival here, where it belongs, or I will see you sent to oblivion. Even if I am dragged there alongside you."

She let her words sink in, and once the daemon had offered acknowledgement of some sort, she said; "Then you will release Renee and I, never to lay claim to us again, to go back to our bodies, Renee with no memory of what has happened here. You will provide to me what aid you can against our mutual enemies. And in exchange, I will reclaim the gem of your imprisonment and slay the demon who currently holds it. Once that is done, I will do whatever is within my power to see you freed. Bargained and done."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant

"Oh," the redhead replied. Somehow, Ren didn't sound very at ease with the answer, though she didn't try to talk again. It wasn't like there was much more the healer could say. The lord of change merely waited and watched, easily every bit as stoically as Lenalee, herself, had. There was no emotion on his face as Lenalee delivered her threat. He gave a short nod for the mage to continue.

After the sorceress had concluded, the heretic stared at her long and hard. "As you wish. The bargain is made." Although the daemon's words were agreeable, the air around the former human was far less so. It felt every bit like the lord of change was holding back his own sea of rage. Perhaps it was why his dismissal came so abruptly. "I grant you and your friend freedom. Go now, destroy my former champion and free me from this accursed tomb." He snapped his fingers.

Without warning, Lenalee felt something pulling at her very core. And then all she could see was white.

≈≈≈≈≈​

Lenalee woke up in bed once again. This time, at least, she wasn't wrapped in too many blankets to breath. Instead, there was a single blanket. Underneath the bedding, she discovered, she was naked. Her stomach had the beginning of an unmistakable bulge, she noticed...

Beyond that, a quick look around revealed that she was in the room that Lochan had led her to before she left. The window had been boarded up again. It was completely dark except for the light of a candle on a table beside the bed. There was a chair, which looked to originally be from the main room, pushed into a corner but facing the sorceress. Lenalee's clothing and armor was laid on the table, still in good condition, surprisingly. Alarmingly, the mage could hear yelling from downstairs. She quickly realized that they weren't under attack, though it might have been preferable to the bickering.

"Look, I'm just saying we need to get moving!"
"She saved you. She saved all of us! We can not leave her!"
"I'm not saying leave her. I'm just... I'm just saying we've gotta go. Carry her if you have to. With you covering her and the old man watching after Lila, I'll still be free to cut a path through anything."
"Ha! You almost got skewered by farmers out there! If it is up to you then we might as well strip naked, walk outside right now, and bend over!"
"There's surely no need to use that kind of language against Lady Lila, is there?"
"Sorry." There was a small pause before the next voice spoke up.
"I can protect myself! That would free up three of us to protect Miss Mari and Miss Lenalee, Sir Edmund!"
"Out of the question," the response came without missing a beat.
"It doesn't matter anyway, we can't risk moving Lady Lenalee. It's hard to say what's afflicted her."
A sigh preceded Edmund's next words. "I know, I know. I just hate waiting here like a sitting duck. The worst part is that I don't even know if we have a shot at escaping at all without her."

The conversation did not seem like it was near its end, though Lenalee could interrupt it if she liked.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee opened her eyes and sat bolt upright as she heard the shouting coming from downstairs, and immediately groaned quietly in annoyance as she both felt and saw her belly bulging. 'At least it'll be quick. Count your blessings. Right.' She looked around, noting the darkness outside. It must still be the same night in which she'd been captured, in that case. After a moment, she recognized her surroundings as the room that Lochan led her up to in order to take a quick survey of the town before she'd left. She also recognized that her clothing was sitting next to her, and had been mended to the point that she couldn't even see that it had been repaired. As she heard the shouted conversation downstairs, the sorceress sighed and rose from her bed to don her clothes.

She slowly made her way downstairs, and she appeared into the room just as Edmund was complaining about not wanting to stay, at which point she calmly said; "You wouldn't. Stand a chance of getting out of here without me, that is." She turned to Lochan and deadpanned; "I'd like my staff back please." Then, she turned back to the room at large and continued; "Mari, I'd like to talk to you, in private if that's an option. It's concerning a mutual friend. After that, we're leaving. We've got to get the hell out of here before more of those god damn knights get here, or the villagers decide to tear down the walls because of your yelling." She gestured with her head toward Edmund as she finished, and then waited to see their reactions. Truth be told, she was curious as to how they'd all take it, her just walking down here like this.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant

(Herp. Short post is short. ;_; I wanted to get something out so that I could keep things moving, though.)

Outward reactions to Lenalee's triumphant return were mixed. Edmund, for example, looked like he had been caught red-handed, which he had, in a sense. Lochan was grim, though it wasn't really directed at the sorceress, herself. Lila was out-and-out relieved, from what the mage could see on the blind girl's face. Overall, while their reactions differed, the feeling relief was palpable in the air.

As for Mari, as soon as Lenalee was finished talking, she wrapped the mage in a hug. "I am so happy that you are okay!" The rogue exclaimed her words as she almost crushed the sorceress in her embrace. She did pull away quickly, however, slightly embarrassed by her emotional outburst. The raven-haired woman gave a sober nod before replying to Lenalee's earlier request; "We can talk in the trophy room." In the meantime, Lochan had retrieved Lenalee's staff and handed it back off to her. "We'll be ready to go whenever you are, Lady Lenalee."

Edmund did not speak, instead looking uncertain, and Lila only pleasantly smiled to the room at large. Mari moved to lead the sorceress to the trophy room in relative silence. Once the two were inside the room and the door closed behind them, the rogue turned to the sorceress expectantly. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

(That's alright, it's still good. Next one will probably be short too.)

Lenalee smiled at them despite the mixed welcome, and hugged Mari back tightly. "Thanks... I'm glad you're all okay too." She said, and then accepted her staff back from Lochan with a nod of both thanks and acknowledgement.The sorceress then followed Mari to the trophy room, and as soon as the door was closed she wrapped the rogue in another hug and sighed, shutting her eyes.

"First, thanks for coming for me. I guess I kinda should have planned that out better.... And... Well, I owe you. More than I think I can ever possibly repay, really. I was still lucid enough when... When you agreed to pay the goblins for me. So, once we've got some down time, and this-" she gestured toward her slightly engorged belly, "is taken care of, I'm all yours. Any way you can think of that I can repay you, and I'll do it." She stopped to smirk, and her tone became more than a little suggestive as she finished; "And I do mean anything."

With her offer out of the way, Lenalee then smiled, and delivered the news that she'd been much happier to deliver. "I don't have time to explain it all right now, but I found out what was wrong with Ren while I was out. She's alright now, doesn't remember a thing, and we might have some added assistance against this demon if we need it. It's something I don't want to have to talk about all at once, but I figured you'd want to know that she was alright. She should be awake now, even."

That was all she wanted to say, and after Mari's response Lenalee would be ready to return to the group. She shot a reassuring smile at Edmund as she emerged from the trophy room, and then turned to Lochan and said; "Lets get moving."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant
Rolls
Stealth: Failure. (Dat blind girl's stealth modifier is...not so good.)

"That is easily tied for the best news I have had all day." Mari offered a wide smile. "And do not worry about the smelly little goblins, I was somewhat familiar with their normal price. A little bit of fast talking and I negotiated them down just enough to get away with using my hands and mouth." Her smile shrunk almost imperceptibly but quickly made a full rebound to teasing grin. "But I will gladly take you up on that offer. I can even show you the little bonus I got from paying your short green debt collectors. Well, maybe not so little."

Mari was readily willing to drop her teasing act, however. She anxiously returned to the others along with Lenalee. By the time the sorceress had returned to the room, Lochan had everything ready. Edmund carried a portion of the traveling gear as well, having managed to successfully convince the old huntsman to give up some of the heavy equipment. "Off to adventure, then!" Lochan announced with bluster, a transparent attempt to lighten the atmosphere. It earned only a solemn nod from Edmund. Lila seemed to appreciate it, at least, smiling widely.

There was no time to dawdle, though, as soon as consent was given the party was off. They emerged from the building, only taking the time for a glimpse at the rain-slicked roads of Amere. Their most recent, and hopefully final, viewing of the town was grim, at best. Corpses in the streets, several houses completely demolished, and all of it soaked from the downpour. The sight made it all the easier to turn away and flee into the omnipresent forests. The group set off at a brisk pace, not wanting to incur that all-too-frequent call from the villagers. Within the span of minutes they had reached the trees, finding some sense of safety from the corrupted town in the woods.

But their trip wasn't quite safe yet, it was unknown what lurked in the forests around Amere. The journey was made in grim silence, with everybody but Lila warily watching their surroundings, though she tried. It would be a long trip under the circumstances, the group needing to take a circuitous route around the forest in order to return to the point and slowed down further by the need for caution. Minutes felt suspiciously like hours when zealous goblins could jump a person at any moment.

The slow passage of minutes made it difficult to measure how much time had passed before did encounter their first obstacle. And their first obstacle was a big one. As they approached a small clearing, the sorceress spotted something. Several somethings. Two winged figures clad in black plate armor, one wielding a spear and the other wielding an ornate halberd, with a group of four goblins. Mari, Lochan, and Edmund noticed as well and halted accordingly. Unfortunately, the sight distracted the group from guiding Lila through the slightly treacherous forest. Without anyone to guide her, she stumbled. The girl tripped over a branch and fell face-first onto the ground.

The disturbance alerted the entire clearing, goblins and knights alike staring into the forest that was still partially shielding the group. The halberd-wielding suit of armor turned toward the five, took a few steps toward them, and then... Then, it waved in a friendly, somewhat hyper manner. The knight brought the halberd up in their left hand, turned the blade toward the earth, and stabbed it into the ground, leaving it in the dirt before taking another few steps forward. The figure removed its helmet to reveal that the knight was, in fact, a woman. Long, brunette hair fell out from beneath the cap, reaching the woman's shoulders. The knight's curly hair framed a face that appeared to have been stolen from a statue of a goddess. Her purple eyes were friendly, despite the wings at her back that all but declared her allegiance to the priestess.

"Hiiiiiiii~" the armor-clad woman cheerfully called out to the group. The other knight and the four goblins did not speak, nor did they come any closer. "I've been looking for you everywhere. For a while I thought you had disappeared!" The demonic knight offered matter-of-factly, as though they were all old friends and it was a reunion. "I couldn't find any trace of your soul, either, which is a really neat trick. But there's no need to talk at this distance is there? You could come into the clearing." Mari and Edmund looked incredulous at the greeting and offer but the demon's personality had apparently disarmed them enough that they didn't draw their weapons. Lochan, on the other hand, was wary, Lenalee could spot the man's muscles tensing as he prepared to make for his rifle. "Don't worry," the knight offered, sensing the general feeling of wariness among the group. "I'm not here to hurt you! I'm just here to talk."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee almost facepalmed as Lila stumbled and fell, quickly motioning for the others to help the girl up as she prepared to unleash her magic upon the assembled enemies.... Only for the knight to remove her helmet, revealing a face that brought even Lenalee to a pause for at least a heartbeat, and adopt a non-threatening position. The others in her party were still armed, but this particular knight seemed to be surprisingly friendly. Granted, she was both obviously a demon and even more obviously an ally of the Priestess, but Lenalee found herself admiring the other woman's beauty all the same, such that she almost didn't notice it as Lochan began to reach for his rifle.

Right. Business.

She held up her hand for him to stop, and then gestured for the others to stay where they were. She quickly and silently uttered a spell under her breath, a low power spell that would provide an across the board increase in her abilities. It was the same spell she'd used while within the realm of the Heretic, but she pushed the thoughts of the daemon from her mind as quickly as she could.

Stepping out into the clearing, she stood with her staff on the ground and faced the group of demons evenly, the forest and her own allies right behind her. "Alright." She began steadily, meeting the violet eyed woman's gaze evenly. "You want to talk, then talk. I'm listening."

(Cast Power of Chaos, level 2 Buff to increase Mind.)
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 78/80, Status = +16 Mind, Pregnant
Rolls
Casting: Success

"Oh. Really? I wasn't expecting you to parley that easily. I had this whole conversation planned out around you being a bit more difficult." The knight's friendly demeanor remained, even as she vaguely lamented the sorceress's choice of diplomacy for very strange reasons. "Well, whatever, I'm just here to offer an invitation to meet milady in person! Not many are offered the opportunity to meet Casilda face to face." The goblins scowled at the woman and, judging by the way the other knight turned their head toward her, the second armor-clad demon appeared less than pleased with her. "But she believes you to be important to her work."

By that point, all of Lenalee's group had stood down, apparently baffled as to how to handle the cordial manner of the meeting. "You would arrive as a guest, complete with a nice bed to sleep in, servants to attend to your every whim, hot baths, and some of the finest foods in the region. The bakers have this recipe for these doughy circles that they bake. Sometimes they put a sugary glaze on them, sometimes a chocolate frosting," she began to trail off of the subject, wistfully recounting the treats. The demonic knight took a deep breath as if attempting to smell the baked goods that she was so fondly recalling and only reluctantly released it. "One time they put shorn syrup on a few. You should have seen some of the goblins' faces when they were told what they were eating!" The demonic knight covered her mouth as she began girlishly giggling.

But, she had quickly recognized that she had swayed from the original subject, returning to it moments after her giggle fit died down. "You could bring one friend, if you desire. The rest could come, too, but they would have to make the journey on foot, we can only carry two at a time." The brunette woman watched Lenalee hopefully for a few moments before adding; "But if you don't wish to accept this invitation then you will be allowed to leave freely. That's on my word." Another group of disapproving scowls became apparent on the goblins and the other demonic warrior. The sorceress's own group continued to look baffled. Meanwhile, the curly-haired knight simply awaited a response.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee raised an eyebrow, both at the knight's words and at the reactions of her comrades at the offer to meet the priestess face to face. She was, apparently the one in charge in charge of the small group, and she had let slip that the priestess's name was Casilda, which her companions didn't seem to like for some reason. Despite the fact that this woman was her enemy, however, Lenalee found herself grinning as the knight went off on a tangent about pastries, of all things. "Some men, I tell ya..." She quipped back, "They get so upset over such a little thing. So strange, considering the things they expect from us, eh?"

Her grin disappeared as the knight completed her offer, replaced by a contemplative look as she considered the woman's offer. There were a lot of reasons to suspect that this offer was a trap, not the least of which was that she would be going alone save for one of her companions. While she found herself trusting the woman in front of her, Lenalee doubted that the other knight and the goblins behind it would be so honorable. She glanced back at them and quietly said; "What do you lot think?" While she had been adopted as the leader of their group, Lenalee knew that such was definitely a conditional situation, and she would have liked to know at least what Edmund, Mari and Lochan had to think. She found herself predicting a vehemently negative response anyway, but still, it was nice to ask.

Despite the danger, the offer of a warm bed was quite.... Tempting, to be honest, and this would put her in a position to deal with the priestess immediately. There would obviously be a catch, and she would be surrounded by demons, but it would make her life much easier if she could get this over with quickly. "Would it be possible to accept the offer for a peaceful meeting, but instead all of us would walk? There are some things that I would like to see taken care of in this area beforehand."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 78/80, Status = +16 Mind, Pregnant

A chorus of mutters erupted at Lenalee's question to her group. The knight waited patiently, allowing the five to meet without any noticeable effort to listen in on their conversation.
"Seeing this priestess is part of our goal anyway, is it not? Why not arrive peacefully, welcomed through their defenses? Take their hospitality, hear their side of the story, then act appropriately." Mari spoke first.
"It could be a trap, I have to advise at least some caution," Lochan noted prudently.
"Old man's right, but it might be our best chance at her. We've got to get Lila to safety first, though."
"I can take care of myself, Sir Edmund. More importantly, I could help!" Lila protested.
"The girl has power, she could be of help. Why not let her tag along?"
"I have sworn to protect her. I'll not lead her into the jaws of a potentially dangerous demon."
"I do not think we will get anywhere this way," The rogue interrupted with a sigh. "We have given our opinions, let Lenalee make the final decision." The rest seemed to accept the advice.

When the sorceress returned her attention to the knight, she received a pleasant smile. "I think that would be acceptable. If you would like, I'll remain with your group and guide you to the tower after you take care of whatever you like. My presence will alert my kin in the area that you have accepted our offer and ensure that you go without harassment, at least from them. As for my frown-y friends, they will return to their posts. Based on their actions so far I don't believe they understand the meaning of diplomacy," a few looks of slack-jawed surprise were evident on the goblins. The other knight merely extended their wings and flew off into the air, apparently taking it for an order. The diminutive green demons would swiftly follow the armored figure's example when the curly-haired woman shot a glance at them, leaving the only the five and the talkative knight in the clearing. The brunette woman resumed patiently waiting for Lenalee's answer, completely unfazed by the numbers advantage that was now held over her.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee listened to her allies speak over her shoulder, keeping her gaze centered on the knight and her entourage. The bickering wasn't surprising, but the sorceress found herself agreeing with more or less everything that they said. The option to pass the priestess's initial defenses without having to waste energy and risk injury in doing so was a very agreeable one, but proper caution was necessary. Ending up enthralled to the priestess because she'd let her guard down was no more appealing an option than becoming her slave through defeat in more conventional conflict. The knight, to her credit, didn't seem to be trying to listen in, which had been a test in and of itself. That meant that either this offer was genuine, or that she didn't need to try in order to hear what they were saying.

"Good enough." She muttered over her shoulder, and then turned back to the winged demoness. The sorceress found herself mildly surprised and not immediately suspicious of the offer to go with them to ensure a peaceful resolution, but from the reaction of her fellows Lenalee began to wander if this woman really was serious. Could her demeanor really be so genuine? Unusual for a demon, but not unheard of she supposed. Still, when the other knight took off into the sky and the goblins turned and wandered off into the woods, leaving the brown haired demoness alone in front of them, Lenalee had the momentary urge to kill the knight anyway. The temptation of the peaceful offer proved enough to dull her bloodlust, however.

"They do seem like the strong silent type, now that you mention it. I never could abide such people in my company anyway. We will accept your offer, on three conditions. Firstly, what is your name, lady knight? I don't know if your mistress knows my name, or simply calls me the sorceress, or perhaps by some other title, but you may call me Lenalee.

"Secondly, I doubt that you can offer your word that you won't report on what you see while in our company, so I will not ask that of you. Instead, I merely require that, when I ask you to give us moments of privacy, that you respect that desire. While you have proved reasonably trustworthy so far, I think you can appreciate that there are simply a few things that I will not trust you with.

"Thirdly, and I think you probably expect this one: I must demand your word that you will offer us no threat of any kind, either through deceit, omission of pertinent information, direct violence or through seduction. I don't expect you to betray your oath to your mistress, and where those interests and your word to me conflict I accept that you will likely err in her favor, but as we have accepted her offer of hospitality I do expect that her servants will not deliberately attempt to harm us, even through methods that I know all too well demons regard as a matter of course." Lenalee finally stopped speaking, and stood calmly on the edge of the clearing with her staff resting casually in her hand as she waited for the knight to either accept or decline her conditions. Of course, the knight accepting would mean that she and her group would have to be extremely careful from then on lest they let slip some vital piece of information.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 78/80, Status = +16 Mind, Pregnant

"I am dame Lovisa Laveralial, captain of Casilda's personal guard." The brunette woman included a slight bow of her head with her introduction. "You are occasionally referred to as the mage of eden but Casilda does know your name, yes. Regardless, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lenalee." She went on with a smile just warm enough to suggest that she might actually be truthful about taking joy in meeting the sorceress. "It's a pleasure to meet the rest of you, as well!" She offered to the other members of Lenalee's group, which gathered a chorus of mutters in response, though all withheld their names for the time-being.

Lovisa's pearly-white smile persisted even as she addressed the mage's other terms. "There is no honor in being a spy. You have my word that your moments of privacy will be just that." Her general cheerfulness did not even dissipate as she replied to the final term, though she was serious in offering her word. "There is only one stipulation that I must add. For the duration of your stay in the tower and your parley with her, as long as neither you nor the group accompanying you threaten Casilda or attack her in any way, you have my word that I will do none of those things, nor will I allow the servants to. But should nothing come of this and you leave the tower, I can offer no promises on how our future encounters will conclude."

That sense of seriousness quickly faded as she added; "Seduction? How saucy. I haven't had the opportunity to do anything of the sort since before I was promoted to knight-captain," she giggled. Having agreed to the mage's terms, barring that single stipulation, the knight added nothing else, though, waiting to see if Lenalee had any other questions or agreements in mind or for her to decide what to do next.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

(Does she give bonuses to barbarians for being in play? XP )

"A dame huh? I didn't know demons used that title among themselves." Lenalee replied, smirking slightly at the knight. Her name and title were far too long for the sorceress to use in casual conversation, so she added; "You don't mind if I just call you Lovisa, or maybe Lov for short, do you? I've never been one to care much for honorifics. "

At the knight's added stipulation, Lenalee shrugged and nodded, "Of course, I wouldn't expect this deal to continue after we'd met your lady if we didn't cooperate with her. Naturally, this only holds until we reach the tower and have decided one way or the other how to deal with Casilda." She paused and smirked slightly, deciding to test how far she could push the knight and perhaps farm for a little information if Lovisa was the type to boast, "I do suppose that sounds like we're only using this meeting to get past her initial defenses without a fight, doesn't it? I hope you can see past that, Lov. I would hate for it to come between us when we've only just met."

She gestured for her comrades to come out of hiding, glancing over her shoulder and saying; "You can come out. Demons like her are good to the letter of their word, and I'm pretty sure that I covered most of the ways in which she can hurt us. You two, just make sure to keep her away from our new friend." She gestured toward Edmund and Lochan, pointedly not using any of their names in front of the knight. Even though the priestess knew Lenalee's, she didn't want to give the knight any information that she didn't have to. She gestured for the knight to come closer and join them, and as the armored woman came forward she quickly whispered to Mari; "If you can, take us on a roundabout way back to Ren and Jan. Don't want to show her more than she needs to know, even if you three used to sort of work for the same person."

When everyone else was together, Lenalee said aloud; "There are a few people we need to see to out here. We'll go and get them, and then get on our way to the tower once everyone is squared away. Does anyone object to this course of action?" Unless anyone did, she concluded; "Lets get moving then."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant

(Clearly I should have found some bad translation for Coldeyes instead of coming up with a nonsense last name. >.>)

"Oh, don't worry about it! I've been called worse things. And Casilda has always been a bit odd in that way," Lovisa remarked on her title. "Although that's what makes her so wonderful!" She beamed. Her tone lacked the worshipful nature that the other knights were burdened with, but it was made excruciatingly clear that the knight held the woman in high regard. "I'm sure that once you talk to her, you'll see her point of view. Besides, who would do something so underhanded during a parley?" It sounded like a genuine question; the knight either lacked the ability to read people or was an expert at playing dumb.

"But if you did, I'd have to give you all a proper thrashing to set you back on the right path," she giggled. The fit of laughter did little to detract from the very real threat underlying the words. Nor did her giggle-fit relieve the feeling of tension radiating from Lenalee's comrades. She quickly allowed the subject to drop, returning to retrieve her halberd. The knight withdrew the spike of her polearm from the ground with a yank, allowing the sorceress to get a decent look at the weapon, which was perhaps the most eye-catching piece of equipment on Lovisa. At least with her clothes on.

It was easy to see that the weapon was made entirely of blackened steel and at least ten feet long. On the end of the deadly weapon sat a miniature, relative to the great beasts, though expertly forged dragon's head. It was crafted in the same dark steel as the rest of the weapon, with tiny rubies set where its eyes would be; its mouth was open in a defiant roar. Jutting forth from what would be the dragon's throat and occupying the space between its mighty jaws and beyond was a crescent axe blade with a tip honed to a razor's edge. From the back of the dragon's head protruded three hooks in a triangle formation with blunted tips in the shape of horns, the middle one being the largest, and it was all too easy to imagine them fracturing a person's bones or denting heavy armor. Protruding from the top of the dragon's head was a spear tip, looking as if the beast had been mounted on the handle in some grisly fashion. The handle of the weapon had golden bands hammered into place around it every foot, totaling nine.

Despite its ornaments and decorations, Lenalee knew, better than anyone else present save, perhaps, Lovisa, that it was a serious weapon. It was so entangled with enchantments that the mage might have been able to easily wield the otherwise impossibly heavy length of steel. The knight-captain, herself, easily hefted it and leaned it on her shoulder as she approached the group. The mage's own group heeded her words and came out from their very poor hiding place. They were unusually silent and, despite her reassurances, obviously didn't trust the knight any further than they might be able to throw her, which, given her full plate armor...

At least they did not need to talk to offer the mage nods and let her know that her orders were heard and understood. And they certainly didn't need to talk in order to not object to the course of action set before them. Before long they were off on their less-than-merry way. The trip was conducted in silence, beyond whatever Lenalee might offer. Lovisa smiled airily as Mari led them to Ren the long way. The others were much more grim. While the knight-captain appeared very open to the idea of conversing, the demonic woman remained silent. The others only seemed interested in smalltalk if it was the mage making it. There was certainly plenty of time to talk, though. The path they took was one that the Badarian had seen next to nothing of prior to her latest journey.

But the winding nature of the trip meant nothing in terms of time. With the knight among them, nothing accosted them. Lenalee even spotted goblins in the trees once or twice but they chose to slink out of sight rather than attack. Mari very carefully confirmed that they did not follow the group. Within hours, the group had arrived at the hidden wagon, exactly as they left it. Well, maybe not exactly. An awakened Ren sat on a small patch of dirt in front of Jan, who was laying on the ground. The redhead was casting something on her larger comrade. A bit of confusion was the only thing that kept the relieved rogue from rushing forward to greet them, that and an apparent distrust of Lovisa, who remained nearby. Lenalee could tell that the spell was a healing spell, though, and that it was safe to interrupt. Whether she did or not was up to her, of course.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee's smile became slightly flat at Lovisa's response, but she still smiled in turn as she said; "I could never imagine doing something so underhanded as attacking during a parley!" She had to be careful around this one. Either she was a fool, or she was playing one convincingly enough that Lenalee had begun to believe it. Either option made her dangerous, and as she examined the woman's intricately designed polearm, her threat level went up significantly. The thing had enough magic coming off of it that she could feel it, and a cursory examination made the sorceress sure that the ornate halberd was probably enhanced enough that even a novice in the ways of war such as herself wouldn't have much trouble wielding the thing. The idea of what a trained fighter like Lovisa might be capable of with such a weapon, particularly against a lightly armored or completely unprotected target like, say, anyone else in their group was not something that Lenalee wanted to think too much about.

She allowed the walk to pass in silence, the tension evident in her companions not something she could dispel with words. Maybe by setting Lovisa on fire, but despite the woman's nature and primary allegiance she found herself somewhat enamored with the demon knight. She didn't blame her companions in the slightest for not feeling the same, however, and Lenalee made sure that none of them got any hints about her less than hostile feelings toward the woman as they traveled.

Whenever the goblins were spotted, Lenalee briefly entertained the idea of simply killing the lesser demons and having done with them, but she didn't think that disintegrating her colleagues would be a good idea in front of the demon knight, and they didn't bother the group as Mari led them through the woods. The rogue assured them that they weren't being followed, and that was good enough for the sorceress.

They came upon the wagon where they'd left Ren and Jan, and Lenalee was momentarily torn between joy at seeing the redhead girl up and about again, and confusion regarding Jan lying on the ground. Glancing at Mari, Lenalee saw that the rogue was just as confused, and she doubted that any of her other companions would have had a better idea of what had caused this. Ren seemed to be healing Jan, and as Mari was remaining hidden, Lenalee decided that it might be best for her to break the tension first.

Stepping out of cover and into the rabbit-eared mage's sight, Lenalee said; "Ren! It's good to see you awake again." She stepped forward, glancing at the prone warrior as she continued; "What happened to Jan?"
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant (Small Bulge)

"Oh, hi!" Ren replied cheerfully, her rabbit-like ears perking up as Lenalee approached. The sorceress's investigation of the prone warrior showed very little. She did not appear to be physically hurt in any way, although she appeared to be asleep at the moment. The rabbit mage's healing magic continued to pour into her companion, even as she spoke. "Nothing is wrong! Well, something is wrong, but it's not anything that happened recently," she rambled on, punctuating her clarification with a sigh.

"When I woke up I remembered something... Something that I used to know before, erm, Artmirst. Something about magic." Another surge of healing magic moved through Jan's unconscious form and the sorceress could tell that it was more powerful than anything she had seen the redhead utilize before-hand. It was still no match for Lenalee's own general skill with magic, although the redhead might have had her outclassed when it came to healing, but the difference between the Ren of yesterday and the Ren before her was night and day. "I might never be able to undo what happened to our bodies," she continued with a great deal of sadness. "But Jan's mind can be healed, I'm sure of it. It might takes weeks, or even months, but I can do it."

It was at that point that Mari finally seemed ready to make her appearance, having listened to the rest. "Ren, I am so glad to see that you are okay!" The rabbit-eared girl looked at Mari for a second as she emerged, dumbfounded. The magic ceased to flow through Jan. Silence reined for a few moments before being broken by a single tear rolling down Ren's cheek. This was followed by a second, then a third, until the waterworks opened in full. Without warning, the redhead in her white robes went flying across the distance between them and wrapped herself around the olivine woman in a hug. "I'm so sorry, Mari!"

It was the rogue's turn to look dumbfounded, as her friend explained the reason for her apology. "Everything in Artmirst, I did it for you and Jan! I just wanted to protect you from the demons!" The statement earned a frown and a particularly apologetic look from Lovisa directed at the two, who didn't notice. "I didn't want them to touch me, but I was even more afraid of the thought of them touching you." The raven-haired woman looked shocked, then sad, and finally relieved. "There, there, Renee," she offered with a few pats on the bawling woman's head, which earned her a surprised look from the woman in question. "I remembered a few things over the last few days, too. Remember our promise? To the very end. I am sorry for what I put you through," the rogue's apology sounded as genuine as it could be, earning a content smile and an end to the mage's waterworks. Then, of course, Edmund spoke up.

"I'd hate to break up the sentimental stuff, but we've got some work to do," he said with no concern for the moment. Mari turned to him. If looks could kill, the man's body parts would have been found in several different nations. Ren turned with surprise, however. "Oh, did you two meet new friends?" She asked in a tone so cheerful that it might have been easy to forget that she had been crying moments before if not for the drying trails on her cheek. "Yes," Lenalee couldn't help but notice that the rogue's teeth were clenched together, even as she answered. "Yeah, sure, whatever. We've got to get Lila home before this parley thing, we don't have time to dally about around here."

"Jan will wake up in a few minutes or so, we can be moving in no time!"
"Do not listen to him. He is just a blowhard. The decision on how to proceed should go to Lenalee."
"I want to help!"
"That's nice, Lila, but it's my duty to get you to safety."
Lovisa, hearing the argument starting, merely strolled away from the group several tens of feet and waited, watching their surroundings, apparently trying to give the group their privacy. Lochan pinched the bridge of his nose between a meaty thumb and forefinger, attempting to ward off the headache that Edmund and Mari seemed to intend to give all of them.

Lenalee could surely nip the argument in the bud by giving her decision immediately, or she could listen to them squawk for a while. However she decided to handle it was up to her.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee let the red headed girl ramble rather than interrupt, and observed with marked interest the change that had come over her since Lenalee had last seen Ren use magic. Had this been caused by the Heretic's influence? It was possible, as they daemon certainly seemed able to bring about drastic transformations in people, a single glance at Lovisa was enough to tell her that much. Still, even if the difference in Ren's power had been caused by her time in the daemon's prison, Lenalee wasn't likely to find out; she wasn't a mind mage after all.

When the girl finally explained why she was working healing magic upon the unconscious Jan, Lenalee smiled and said; "Oh? That's wonderful!" She stepped aside as Mari came into view, letting the two have what she had thought would be a somewhat less tearful reunion. Ren's sobbing definitely caught her by surprise, but the sorceress had been quite happy to let them have their moment all the same. Then, Edmund decided to talk, and Lenalee's tight smile became a scowl as she slowly turned toward him. For the moment, she said nothing, but her scowl darkened considerably as the man brushed Mari off and demanded that action be taken.

Their group descended into argument immediately, and Lenalee largely followed the example that Lovisa set in remaining silent, though she didn't step away like the demoness did. She almost joined Lochan as well, the disagreement between Mari and Edmund liable to go on for some time with occasional interjections from Lila and Ren, but she kept herself from letting the two get to her. So, she decided to nip the argument in the bud before things got out of hand.

And to do so, the very first thing that Lenalee did was walk up to Edmund and bash him over the head with her staff, letting him nurse the blow for a moment as she silently glared at him, daring him to speak so that she would have an excuse to hit him again. "Tact. Find some, please." She said flatly, and then turned to face the group at large. "Ren, if you would be so kind, could you get Jan up as quickly as you can? As much as he made himself look like an ass a moment ago, Edmund is correct, we have little time to waste." She stopped bothering to conceal their names at that point, they had already started using them when referring to each other anyway, and it was only a minor thing to keep from Lovisa anyway.

"Pack up the wagon too, and Lila can ride in it rather than walk. That would be nice, wouldn't it Lila?" She said, offering the blind girl a smile reflexively before she realized that Lila couldn't even see the expression. Turning to Lochan and Edmund, she became matter of fact once more as she said; "You two probably know where you're trying to go, and as such you get to help Mari guide us there." She glared silently at Edmund again for a moment before asking; "You think you can handle that and remain civil? I know you're stressed and that mouthing off helps you relieve that a little, but you're not the only one who's got people to worry about, and being an ass lost its charm about when I got my clothes back on."

She didn't give Edmund or Lochan a chance to respond to that remark, instead immediately turning away and walking over to join Lovisa. Standing beside the demoness for a moment, Lenalee let out a sigh and then said; "I'm not sure whether to apologize or to thank you first." She glanced sideways at the demon knight, smirking slightly, "We'll be moving again as soon as my companions have sorted themselves out, and then we'll be leaving an indeterminate number of our group somewhere before going to meet Casilda. That isn't a problem, is it?"
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant (Small Bulge)

(Bit rushed but after 1 week it seemed time to get something out, at least.)

"Look, I don't know how you normally do things. But most- ow!" Edmund's further commentary was cut off by the sorceress's righteous knock to his noggin. He nursed the growing bump as she delivered her advice. And, as she continued, Ren nodded her assent. "C'mon sleepyhead," she muttered idly as she returned to Jan's side and cast another spell.

Edmund flinched away from Lenalee, wary of her staff as she turned her attention back towards him. His ward had merely smiled in return to the sorceress's offer, but interjected; "I can walk if I have to! I don't want to trouble anybody." The former knight, hand still rubbing where her staff connected, spoke up. "Don't worry about it. We're going to get you home to your father." He patted her head lightly. The mercenary turned before continuing, the rest of his words were addressed to Lenalee and Mari. "We'll need to head west and out of the forest. Necropolis is too far away for a quick detour, but there are some people who owe me a few favors in a town a few miles in that direction, they can take her the rest of the way."

Lochan, on the other hand, was speechless. He said nothing and turned to begin efforts on the wagon. Edmund offered an exceedingly grim nod and joined the older man in his task. At the same time, Jan was beginning to stir. Mari was on her way to the others even as Lenalee approached Lovisa. It wouldn't take too long for the group to get their act together, but the mage certainly had some time to speak with the knight if she so desired.

"Oh, don't worry about it!" The halberd-wielding knight waved off the apology and thanks, much as she had before. "I've been on an adventure or two in my time. Motley crews can be a hassle! But nothing really brings a group together like helping a friend birth some puppies after a fight gone wrong," she sighed wistfully, fondly remembering something that probably had no place for fondness. She gave the sorceress's stomach a knowing look before meeting Lenalee's eyes again and continuing; "And that's fine, as long as this isn't part of some circuitous plan to get me lost in the forest or something! The sooner you meet with Casilda, the better, of course, but the important thing is that you're willing to parley eventually." She smiled cheerfully at the sorceress. Lenalee could probably pursue some other line of conversation, if she liked. If talking was less her interest, the others seemed like they would be ready to go in mere minutes.
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Name: Lenalee
Class: Sorceress (Mage)
Race: Badarian
Sex: Female

Body: 10
Mind: 50
Spirit: 30

Hit Points (HP): 50
Pleasure to Orgasm (PP): 70
Spirit Energy (EP): 80
Speed: 10 (9)
Dodge: 45
Armor: 0 (6)
Resistance: 25
Perception: 22
Stealth: 10 (9)
Grapple: -2

Experience: 42 (34 spent)
Corruption: 0

Talents:
3x Exceptional
Natural Succubus (Knowledgeable: Use Mind instead of Body for pleasure dealt)
Natural Spirit (Demonologist: Summon Demon, Devils Lightning, )
Experienced Caster (Up to 3rd level spells in all elements)
Focus in Element (Lightning)
Focus in Element (Force)
Evoker
Greater Energy Pool (+20 EP)
Magic Feats (Gain 2 Magic Feats)


Flaws:
Sensitive (+4 pleasure taken)
Open Soul (+4 to EP damage)
Fetish: Demons
Poor Grappler
Fetish: Creampies


Mutations: Counter 2/12
Tight: +2 to pleasure dealt when having sex


Base Casting: 25 (24)
Favored Elements: Lightning, Force
Magic Feats:
Stormbringer (Lightning) – Spells that deal Electricity damage deal an additional +2 damage per spell level and if they deplete more than half of a target’s max HP, they also cause that target to gain the Paralyzed status. Requires Focus in Lightning.
Finely Tuned – Attack rolls for Spirit Powers are modified by Mind instead of Spirit.
Intensify Spell (Activated) – The character may pay an additional 3 EP in order to double the number of damage dice for any spell. In other words, a spell that would deal 2d4 now deals 4d4. Maximize Spell (Activated) – The character may pay 2 EP in order to cause the damage dice for any spell to be treated as if they’d rolled the maximum possible result.
Blood Magic (Activated) – Whenever the character would cast a spell of 2nd level or higher, they may pay half of that spell’s cost in HP and half in EP. If they do, that spell is treated as if it were one level higher for the purpose of determining its effects. Healing spells cannot be improved with this feat.


Spirit Ceiling: 16 (15)
Powers:
Devils Lightning
Summon Demon
Vampiric Futanari
Hellfire Blast


Inventory:
Staff (not ever going to bonk with it, so it doesn't matter)
3x Edenhearts
Leather Armor: AV = 6, EV = 1, TP = 30, DU = 3.
65 denarii

Bio/Description:
As a very young woman growing up in a Badarian slum, Lenalee had perpetually set herself apart from others for her consistent oddities. She'd sit alone rather than play with the other street rats, and often talked to people that weren't there even when she wasn't alone. She;d be found up at odd hours of the night, barely coherent, and staring blankly up at the stars. Her mother was a seamstress, and her father worked in a factory, the two of them supplying at least enough income to keep Lenalee and her two twin brothers fed and clothed for the better part of her young life. She'd attended a small local school, and had even excelled in her studies when they'd interested her. That all changed when she was 14, when her father was killed in an accident at the weapons assembly plant he'd worked at. Her mother, unable to care for both herself, her daughter, and Lenalee two younger brothers on the pittance she made, turned to whoring in order to support them, and in her depression began grooming Lenalee for much the same, not expecting the strange girl to be able to accomplish much else in her life.

Such was not her fate, however, as tragedy struck once more. Her brothers both joined the Badarian army when they were 15, when Lenalee was only 16. They both took part in one of the pointless invasions of Crolia, and both were killed in action. The man who came to offer her mother condolences on behalf of the lich king spotted Lenalee as she sat alone in the backyard, unleashing the powers she'd been hiding for six years then at a stray cat who'd invaded their tiny yard. He had immediately reported the girl, and she was promptly kidnapped and taken in to be brainwashed and trained in the use of her powers for the kings army. She had once more excelled in her studies, despite her constant resistance to her captors, and as she neared her 18th birthday, when she would go through a ceremony that would have wiped away her old identity, she began to despair.

Once more, fate smiled upon Lenalee, however, or perhaps laughed as it spun her about again, as just as the wagon with her and six other "recruits" was getting underway, it was attacked by a group of bandits. Thinking her a political prisoner, they quickly freed Lenalee and her companions, and in the ensuing combat, all but two others of their tiny cabal were killed. Half of the bandits and all of their guards were likewise slain, and having no better option, they joined with their liberators. Such was not to last, however, as after another year the men and women she'd joined were all killed in a poorly planned raid. Lenalee managed to escape the battle, however, and as such, she was now free of any responsibilities save to herself. Everyone she'd ever known was dead, after all, and there were many opportunities for one of her skills and powers, even in the lands of the empire, so long as she maintained a low profile.

Physically, Lenalee was of average height and of a somewhat heavier build. She had mastered few physical skills, and the wooden staff she carried was more a walking stick and method of channeling her energies than a weapon. She wasn't fat, by any definition, as the years of traveling had left her with a leaner body than what she'd likely have had if she were more sedentary. She did, however, possess a full, curvy figure for a woman of her age, twenty two at the moment. She kept her pitch black hair perfectly clean, and cut it so that it never passed her shoulders, but otherwise let it do as it pleased, which usually meant that she had to constantly push it away from her eyes. She also often wore make-up under her blue-grey eyes, giving her a more threatening appearance in order to ward off most would-be attackers.

EXP changes:
Spent 18 exp, added +10 to Mind and +8 to Spirit.
Spent 16 exp, added Evoker and Focus in Force

Lenalee's smile was somewhat forced for a moment following Lovisa's apparently fond memories of the birthing of puppies, but the mage caught the glance at her own distended abdomen and grimaced slightly. "Well, at least someone has experience in midwifing. I'd rather not leave it to all up to Ren and Mari, and Edmund's not coming anywhere near me if I'm going to have my clothes off and my legs spread, at least not if I've got any say in the matter. I hate to ask it of you, but when the time comes?" Lenalee trailed off, leaving the question implied rather than saying it explicitly.

Smirking impishly after the knight had answered her question one way or the other, Lenalee continued; "I don't imagine getting you lost in the woods would do us much good, given that you can fly. Don't worry, I do honestly intend to go and see Casilda. Eventually. It'll just take a little bit longer than you or I might like, that's all."

After that, unless anything further came up, Lenalee would glance over her shoulder to check if the rest of the party was ready to get moving. If they were, she would nod her head toward them and say; "Looks like they've got their act together, lets get going."
 
Re: Hafnium Test Thread

Lenalee: HP = 50, PP = 70, EP = 80, Status = Pregnant (Small Bulge)

"Oh, don't worry, we can see you through it at the tower. With a little bit of magic, it'll be easy as pie!" Lovisa offered a reassuring smile, though whether it did anything for Lenalee was a question that only the sorceress knew the answer to. "And I didn't say that trying to get me lost in the forest would be a good plan, just that I'd be terribly disappointed!" Beyond that, the brunette demon only nodded her assent at the notion that they should be on the road. She fell in beside the mage as Lenalee moved to return to the cart.

The two returned to the cart, which, itself, had been dragged back to the narrow forest path, just in time to see Edmund gingerly lifting Lila into the back of it. The blind girl protested, at first, but he hushed her. Their traveling gear, and Lenalee's satchel, complete with the ominous orbs of the heretic, rested in the wagon, as well, and Lochan was still working to straighten his back after all of the lifting he had done. Yet, as Jan took up the front of the wagon, the older man joined her. Ren and Mari both positioned themselves near the wheels on the left side, to help push as necessary. Edmund turned toward Lenalee and Lovisa, noticeably avoiding apologizing for his earlier behavior.

"We can use magic or Lila's power to send a message ahead by bird, creature, or some other device, and meet with my longtime acquaintance somewhere on the path, or we can make a trail all the way to the town I was talking about." He looked at Lovisa, mostly her wings, and added; "I don't think the fine citizens of Badaria will care much to see a demon strolling into the midst of their fair ramshackle sheds, so if you go with option two there's that. Option one has all the disadvantages of allowing brainless animals handle the message," Lenalee had the distinct feeling that there would have been more of a quip to come after that, although not aimed at her, if she didn't hold such an impressive command of lightning. When she had made her decision and had nothing else to say, he would take up at the right side of the wagon. The demoness took up the rear.

Regardless of what Lenalee chose, however, if she had nothing else to do and set out, she would find the road surprisingly peaceful the further they got from Amere. Even the mutated wolves didn't bother them, although the lack of mutated wolves poking their heads around might have. The cart was, by far, the most obvious and dangerous adversary that the group faced. All had to lend a hand to get it up hilly terrain. There were, additionally, several parts of the narrow path where any person with sense could see that it wasn't going to squeeze between the two trees. Thankfully, the people without sense trudged on and managed to get it through safely despite the laws of physics. In a short amount of time, they had come upon the better used road again, and made their way easily. If things would keep up, it seemed like it would be an breeze to meet Edmund's friend, regardless of where she had chosen to meet him.

None of her companions said that aloud, though, because that would be akin to announcing that it was a good thing there weren't any stalkers about, because you'd left your sword at home.
 
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