FRIENDS AT MISCUN: very friendly!!

[crux_npcs]

Who: High Priest of Kore, Prime Minister Ezo, and their four volunteers
Where: Kore, capital city of planet Miscun
When: June 26, around noon
Warnings: Crazy aliens!

The High Priest of Kore - no one gives a name for them, referring to them only by title - greets the four Fleet citizens with a solemn bow. They are dressed similarly to the lower priests and the monks in the Temple: in long, heavy robes that appear to be made of dozens of strips of cloth, sown together at odd angles, with a variety of mismatched adornments. The jagged pattern compliments the chaotic, pointy architecture of the Temple, although it isn't necessarily pleasing to look at.

The tall alien leans forward, eyes gleaming. They seem to be attempting a friendly demeanor, but something about it makes it feel predatory instead.

"Friends, your presence here honors me. When we detected your Fleet passing through our solar system, we suspected that you might be on board. It is fortunate that Prime Minister Ezo was able to contact your leader."

The Prime Minister in question stands at the edge of the gathering, nodding to each of the Fleet members repeatedly. They are clearly an old Miscun, with an unusually wrinkled face, and it makes them seem regal and imposing. The rapid nodding does dispel those notions, though, since it looks rather silly, sort of like a bobblehead. When the High Priest motions to Ezo, they step forward, the nodding becoming even more frantic before tapering off as they begin to speak.

"This may be sudden for you," they say, "but we have made all possible arrangements down here for you. There are rooms ready, and you may have anything you wish. All you have to do is remain with us, in this most sacred space. Where you belong."

Ezo's face stretches into a smile. It looks almost painful on that wide mouth.

"We are certain that your leader will understand how important this is for us. And surely your presence will allow us to prosper under the Chaotic One..."

Comments

[smallest]

Because of his trusting nature, Francœur patiently listened without a hint of apprehension. Their awkward expressions could easily be excused as being of a different species and he was not one to judge about appearances. He did not understand why they chose him for such a special ceremony; he spent most of his time here staying out of trouble, which, with their ban on songs and dance, was more difficult than he expected. However, he waited for what he was sure would be an explanation to everything.

It was not until Prime Minister Ezo said this was where he belonged that he began feeling the weight of the situation. He did not belong here; he did not even belong in this time. His head canted as he looked at them. A soft, barely audible chirp slipped through his mouth. Then, he looked to the other three brought here. Did they know what was going on?

[fionna_time]

Fionna was not the type to look down on a civilization just because they had jacked up rules (which they did). She chowed down with reckless abandon, tried befriending people (to no avail) and went swimming every chance she got. It felt good to get back to that, actually: she hadn't swam regularly since her swimming class back in the garden. Now she was in weird robes, but so far? She'd had a pretty good time! This was a little weird, but why not stay a little bit.

"Oh sure, we'll stay a litt-hey, wait, what was that stuff about 'where we belong?'"

[constableodo]

Odo is not sure either of what that means, except he's seen that somewhere, but from his species. Here, he doesn't belong to this universe, let alone this planet. What is this all about?

He rolls his eyes and sighs.

[crux_npcs]

"You must stay here," Ezo intones, as if it's already a foregone conclusion. "You have piqued Her interest. And as you see, here in the Temple, we wish nothing more than to please Her.

"Don't worry. We will do everything we can for you." Their head begins bobbing again in nods, gradually picking up speed as if this will help the Fleet members understand.

[smallest]

"Hmm," he hummed in an uncertain manner. He must, for how long? He did not like this idea at all. And what of the other three? Of the people here, he knew Fionna the most so he moved to stand beside her.

Francœur shook his head, refusing such an offer as if it were an offer to begin with. It was rather blunt, but he could only make his refusal so eloquent without words. He gently chirped at Fionna to get her attention. He wanted to know what she thought of this. If she wanted to leave, he would go with her.

[fionna_time]

Fionna glanced at Francoeur, then Odo and then back at their, apparently, captors.

"Wait, wait, no no no, that's crazy. You can't just pull us down here and say we have to stay here, that's, you know, totally ignoring what we think about anything. Now, I can totes talk with you guys, laugh, talk about your religion and all that jazz, but stay here? Forever? What?! Come on!"

They were joking, right? Again, she looks at her fellow captured.

[redcinemareel]

Grell, being the fashionista she was, thought their robes were tacky. Who stitched these things together? Someone blind? So hideous! Being so focused on their attire, she didn't really notice their faces. Not like they would scare her in the least!

"The Chaotic One? That's quite the title." She then looked to Fionna. "Now, now, we should hear about these arrangements first."

Why wouldn't she want to be catered to? And it wasn't as if she couldn't just leave whenever she wanted to, but a free vacation did sound tempting...

[crux_npcs]

Speaking of ignoring what they think about anything, Ezo ignores both Francœur's worried face and Fionna's vocal objections, instead focusing on Grell. "A few of the Fleet citizens have been confused by this. But it is true, we live under the Chaotic One here. Her influence is immense, so we must keep Her happy."

The alien brightens as they see a good opportunity to segue the conversation. "As we wish to keep you happy! The arrangements are whatever you wish. There are rooms set up, but we can change them if they do not suit you. Food can be ordered from anywhere in the galaxy. What is it you wish?" They look at Grell hopefully, indeed very eager to please.

[constableodo]

Odo is of course pissed at the situation. He's sure that among the many laws of the place (yes, he's read the whole) he didn't notice something about kidnapping being legal. Because this is kidnapping.

"Ha! We would be happier if you'd kept with legality, as you so much like it! Since when is kidnapping legal?" Odo scoffs.

[fionna_time]

"Yeah, what HE said!" Fionna did NOT like being ignored, and even if Grell was acting all chilled out about this, she didn't see any reason to. "We haven't even met the Chaotic one, or whatever! How would you even know if we'd get along?"

[smallest]

Francœur clutched his hands close to his chest. He did not like this conflict. Rather than become angry, he grew scared. He stepped away from the growing argument. At least one of them wanted to hear them out, but he wanted to leave. They had nothing here that could make him happy. With their ban on music and dance, they could not even keep him anywhere near contentment.

The door was right there. He wanted to leave, but not without the rest, at least, not without Fionna and Odo. If Grell wanted to stay, he would not stop her. He looked at the exit, wondering if they could just walk out. They said they must stay, but what was really stopping them?

[redcinemareel]

Being the opportunist she was, Grell answered the question directed at her.

"I will be in need of a dozen red roses, red rose petals scattered all over my bed, which should have the finest of cotton linens, and a pet phoenix."

That all seemed pretty reasonable to her!

She did look to Odo for his remark.

"Have you voiced your displeasure at the fleet captains and scientists when you initially arrived?" Because she was fairly certain they've been all kidnapped before these people did.

[constableodo]

What? "Yes, I did. For the good it did to us. The difference is that the Fleet does want us home, however incompetent they are at making it so. They" he points at the priests "don't.

We should leave. I can unlock the door."

[fionna_time]

"No kidding?" Fionna was about to start smashing into the door, but as that was likely to give her a headache, Odo's idea sounds loads better.

"How can you do that?"

THE RESCUE

[crux_npcs]

[Outside the Temple, live goes on as usual. For now, at least. However, no one would notice much if someone was planning on hijacking a vehicle and crashing into things.

Inside, the captives have been left more or less alone in their rooms. The wing of the Temple they're housed in has been locked up, but there are no guards. Priests and monks wander the halls, though, in increasingly large numbers as you get closer to the entrance.]

(Whatever equates to June 30th)

[om_nom_namur]

[It's been days since he's heard from Fionna, and it's weird. All her shit's still in the room, messages still go through to her number- but maybe they would, here, even if she'd been taken by Time Compression, because this is a new- whatever, and things might work different? Namur doesn't know, really, and he doesn't know anyone to ask. But Grell seems to be gone, too, and that smells like trouble. The Fleet's going to be leaving soon, and neither of them seem to be on board. So Namur heads down to the surface and just... hangs out. He finds a nice corner to lean against and listens to people passing by. Not with his ears, but with his Will- Observation Haki. If Grell and Fionna are anywhere nearby, doors and walls won't matter, he'll hear them. Once he's thoroughly checked an area he moves on, scouring the city, hoping to find some trace of either of his sisters.

Nothing, just a bustling city full of strangers.

Getting frustrated, Namur works his way to the Temple. Maybe he can file a missing person's report there, or at least they can direct him to a place where he can. Seems it was the right thing to do, it isn't long before Namur can hear both Fionna's and Grell's inner voices, and he perks up considerably. He hadn't taken either of them as religious types but... well. Sometimes you never know when it'll hit you. He makes his way into the general worship area but... they aren't there.

Weird.

Namur goes back to the front entrance, now beginning to look thoroughly confused, and a monk takes pity on him. It's a brief conversation. The monk has encountered no one that matches either description, and Namur can smell a chemical shift in the air. It makes him think of liars. He leaves with a dissatisfied grunt. Their voices get farther away as he does, so he knows they are definitely in there. But how to get through?

A large transport vehicle motors along the street behind him, and a wicked grin splits Namur's face. Hell, why not? He likes driving. It'll be a good way to learn about these new things. Another vehicle passes, and he hops onto the back of it, catching a ride until he finds something with enough bulk to fit his needs.]



[There's a crash and the screech of metal as a commercial transport vehicle motors through the fence encircling the Temple's grounds and slams sideways at high speed into the wall of one of the lesser used wings. Namur hopped out a second before impact, and leaped into the wreckage once the vehicle stopped moving. If there's not a hole in the wall, he's making one with his fist, an elemental junction to Shiva, and a hell of a lot of haki.]

FIONNA!!! GRELL! GET YER ASSES OUT HERE NOW!!!

[Such a dashing hero. >.>]

Re: (Whatever equates to June 30th)

[fionna_time]

[Fionna, of course, has expected that Namur would make this kind of appearance: she would honestly have been shocked if he hadn't come in, guns blazing. This was just his kind of entrance].

DUDE, WE'RE DOWN HERE! WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT!

[smallest]

[What on not-earth was that noise? After getting over the initial panic, Francœur knew the sounds of an escape being made. He felt so relieved; finally, a way out. He rushed over to Fionna's side.

Where were the others? Odo mentioned he could unlock doors. They should come quickly before the guards appeared. He looked for the other two.]

[constableodo]

[Odo was flying -yes, he'd morphed into his usual falcon form- towards the others. He hadn't been successful in opening the doors so far, most of them being electromagnetic and/or completed by forcefields. But these ones didn't look quite the same; he could have a try. He landed and morphed back into his humanoid form.]

Humph.

(Grell's mun is on hiatus so this is us!)

[om_nom_namur]

[With every punch Shiva freezes the stone wall, making it brittle. With every subsequent punch Namur uses brute force and willpower to shatter the weakened stones. It isn't long at all before he's in, and can actually hear Fionna's literal voice, though faintly.]

WELL STOP TRYIN' AN' JUS' DO IT ALREADY, DUMBASS!

[People have begun swarming the halls and the grounds outside, monks and emergency response teams alike. The police learned their lesson about Namur earlier, and it will only be a few minutes before a new team arrives equipped with tranquilizers, so they'll have to hurry.

Namur pushes through, sending anyone who tries to stop him flying in a pretty arc, but it's hard not to get bogged down. The Miscunians have the advantage of numbers, and it seems they aren't afraid to use them. They begin to push Namur back, but he gives ground grudgingly. The fight hits a point where the balance is tipped, however, and the monks surge forward. Namur grunts in irritation, then leaps at an angle, hits the wall with his feet and launches himself into a flip towards the other wall. He springs his momentum forward off of that one and hits the ground with his hands- now behind the surging tide of priests- and rolls to his feet, leaving shards of ice on the walls and floor where he'd impacted. He's got a few more minutes before Shiva's cold will start slowing him down, but he can feel the sluggishness working itself into his muscles already, so as he runs he fiddles with a little device on his wrist, switching his elemental junction from Shiva to Ifrit. The next group that finds him won't face the overwhelming, blunt force of a glacier. They will burn.]

I didn't declare hiatus in this game, even though I should >>

[redcinemareel]

[Meanwhile, Grell had just gotten out of a great bath and was in the process of brushing her hair after getting dressed, when she heard a loud commotion. Had their cavalry come already?

Curious, she begins to walk towards the sounds, all the while brushing her hair, and hears a very familiar voice. Leave it to Namur to make things interesting. As Grell oil times to walk, the air starts to get a slight chill to it compared to the rest of the area. She's not unfamiliar with such a sensation, and starts up her junction of Ifrit.

Turning the corner, Grell confronts whoever is around it, pointing her brush at them. She will detangle you to oblivion! Then work in the burning.]

Re: I didn't declare hiatus in this game, even though I should >>

[fionna_time]

TRYING!

[Pointing a brush? Forget it Grell. Fionna is bum rushing guards now, moving them out of the way with sheer force of will, but mostly with the younger girl's strength. Those that thought she would be taken easily without a weapon find themselves hard pressed to stop her now. She knew Odo was already making a move to unlock the doors, and that Namur was finishing up: now it was there turn].

[smallest]

[He flinched when the conflict began. Violence was the last thing he wanted here. He shrank back as the guards came.]

Skrr!

[He chirped at Odo and he reached his hand out to him. Odo was their best chance of escape here so they needed to get him to the doors. Should he take Francœur's hand, he could then carry him in his arms, jump over the guards, and land them next to the door.]

[constableodo]

[Odo not only did just that, but he morphed into a falcon, although a much bigger falcon as usual as he was carrying Francoeur, as he jumped over the guards. Then he flew to the doors before landing Francoeur and morphing back to his humanoid form. He then extended a tentacle and poured it into the lock. He morphed it into a key that would be able to open the door, and turned it.

This time, no forcefields, no electromagnetic lock, no nothing.

It worked.

Odo opened the door. He then made a satisfied: ] Humph.

[om_nom_namur]

[His sisters are getting close, he can feel it. The same way he can feel that the generally peaceful monks are now being replaced by some trained in combat. Police are arriving outside, their righteous anger a fierce thrumming at his back. It's going to be a problem though, because even though it feels like Fionna and Grell (and some other people too? Shit, how many did these damn bastards steal?) are somewhere straight ahead, the hallway just... stops.

Okay, maybe that's a door.

Namur squints as he runs. Yeah, it's probably a door. Well, he'll slam through somehow. They shouldn't have put this many walls and doors between him and his family if they wanted their stupid building to stay up. He drops his head as he runs, ready to shoulder check the door, when he hears a soft click, and some dude opens it casually. Namur skids to a stop, having to brace himself with his hands on the floor so he winds up in an apelike crouch in front of Odo, scorch marks trailing on the ground behind.]

The hell're you? Where's Fi?

[Namur stands to his full height- eight feet- and grabs the door to shove it open further, whether Odo's in the way or not.]

Fionna!? Grell!! Y' lot in here???

[Sorry, Odo. He's got a bit of a one-track mind.]

[fionna_time]

OVER HERE!

[Fionna was NOT flown over by Odo, which meant that she had to fight her way out. This was not a problem for her. She kicked and bit, but mostly swung her makeshift sword dangerously and even barreled into guards to get to Namur. It was slow taking, and really, she could use some help from Grell right now, but Fionna is determined].

COMIN-DUDE, FRIG OFF!

[One guard went flying].

[smallest]

[His eyes widened in surprise as the stranger came charging. Francœur did not know him, but he knew Fionna so he trusted him. He urged Odo aside with a gentle nudge to get out of the stranger's way and Francœur returned for Fionna, who looked like she could use the help. He was not going to leave anyone behind if he could help it. Luckily, he did not need Odo to carry him back over the guards; the giant flea was more than capable of jumping over everyone himself.

When the guards began using Tasers, Francœur turned around so he could use his back to shield Fionna. His shell was too thick to be damaged by such a weapon. He reached his arms out, offering to her to take the flea express back to the exit. Unfortunately, he could only carry one person at a time; it would be too dangerous to try taking Grell and Fionna at the same time.]

[constableodo]

[When Odo saw Francoeur going back to fetch the others, he realized he wouldn't be able to evacuate them both. Which meant Odo would need to fetch the last one. He morphed into a normal-sized falcon to fly over the guards, as they would be less likely to hit him with their tasers than if he morphed directly into the oversized form.

He flew over the guards and fortunately managed to avoid the tasers. It wouldn't be so easy on the way back, however. As Francoeur was taking Fionna out, he reached towards Grell and morphed into the oversized version of his falcon form in order to get her out.]

[redcinemareel]

[Okay, so she could see that there was a bit going on. She lowers her brush to her side ans just sighs. A taser beam barely misses her head, making Grell turn toward the source and scowl.]

How rude!

[She hurls her brush at the guard, knocking him unconscious before seeing Odo reach out for her and transformed into a falcon.

A falcon!

There's little time to react as she's grabbed, but that doesn't stop her from flailing a bit from the sudden lift off. More tasers are being shot at them, sobering her up from the initial shock. In retaliation, she hurls a Firaga spell at a group of them, watching at they all catch fire.]