[2250] The London Misson

Adamaous:

My splitting headache did nothing to distract my thoughts from what was to come.

Collar unbuttoned, sleeves rolled back, hair a mess - I was anything but collected.

And calm I was not.

Sitting in this miserable cafe, clenching my coffee cup, made me oh so aware of how unlike these pitiful creatures I truly was.

Their happiness sickened me and this place... filthy.

Absolutely horrendous.

Why, WHY was this table sticky?

I scoot back in my chair, eyeing my coffee cup, not trusting its sanitization either.

Were those.. fingerprints?

I lean over to get a closer look when some painted imbecile goes crashing through the window.

GLASS EVERYWHERE.

I curse and stand up, drenched in coffee now before teleporting elsewhere.

Theodora:

I get plastered by paint by some loud mouth with a paintball gun.

Is that a parrot?!?

I squint but can't see a thing through all the BLUE.

*Almost gets run down by a rogue stallion.*

"URGHH!!!!"

I throw a temper tantrum before storming off to make a COMPLAINT.

Chubby Girl with Lollypop:

*Points to impaled whale on castle.*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dora:

The newly ripped bedsheets lay on my lap unmended.

I held the slim needle but couldn't stop shaking.

There had been salty tears that had streamed down my face since last night and throughout this morning. I had went through all my handkerchiefs and had none left. I couldn't bare to clean those that only had tears nor rub away thoughts salty trails from my cheeks. It felt wrong to do so. It felt like... Like proof of everything that had happened... And... proof that Huck had been real. A tribute to his memory. Something to hold onto now...

Not that I deserved the comfort. I felt so guilty. It had all been my fault. If I hadn't asked if he could free me...

The horrible, horrible sounds I had heard last night!

He was surely gone... Or wished he was... If he is alive he probably wished he never knew me...

No... He was a hero!... He wouldn't think that...

But...

I looked down shaking at the torn sheets and clamped my teeth down and breathed in sharply feeling another wave of sadness.

They would just buy new silk.

But I felt I had to rescue it. I had to. Just like the handkerchiefs...

Another token of my hero. Even if I was still here he had tried, which was more than enough.

I felt an ache in my chest.

Huck is a hero. Is... Not was...

He could... He could still...

I look up startled at the sound of boots running.

I heard a commotion outside.

I rise up, and gently set the sheet aside. I run my hand over it before I sneak out.

I glance around carefully, but the guards were preoccupied with whatever the spectacle was.

I move to a window and my eyes widen and I gasp at the sight of a speared whale raining down glitter.

Dora:

I turn startled, heart racing, only to find it's not a guard!

My eyes widen at the name and I feel the pain of sadness return to my eyes.

I nod enthusiastically for a second and swallow and approach the stranger who must be one of his friends!

"He- he-" I look to the door and swallow before looking back to him and whispering close as if anyone could here and could catch us here, because they certainly could. "The watcher's barracks." I gaze at him pained upset, sniffle, and look to the door swallow again, and listen carefully. Thinking of trying to lead him there.

But then I hear the Elders!

(Elder sewing woman 3): "Perhaps there are other more colorful feathers hidden under those clothes..."

(Elder sewing woman 4): "Tail feathers? Like a peacock?"

(Elder sewing woman 3): "That too."

I head to the bed while whispering and gesturing urgently, "Under here."

I grab the torn bed sheet to over my hands as I move to crawl and hide beneath it. Surely they won't be able to look under here... And even if they could despite their age, such a place to the ground would surely be too filthy to even risk the potential of touching... Though there is their threads and needles to do that for them, but this is the best idea I got.

Beolan:

The girl barely tells me where they have Huck before the crones were on to us.

I telepathically tell Hep, maybe he knows where that is?

 I sure don't!

I close my mind off as soon as I send it. The old ladies scared me.

What did I just hear??!

I wince and hide where the girl shows me, despite my reluctant at listening to a red head...

"Thanks"
I whisper and push some shoes in front. Staying dead quiet and holding my breath...waiting.

Dora:

I turn myself around so I can face towards the door and give a quiet nod to him as I stare at it past the shoes, slightly obscuring the view.

The door creaks open and I could vaguely see sets of boots.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest and my breathing sounds too loud to me. I put my hand over my face, wide-eyed, wondering how to best breathe quietly.

I hear the patter of footsteps move past the door heading down the hall and the opening of more doors, but I thought I had seen at least one pair of boots walk forward into the room.

The moment seemed to hang there as I strained to hear but heard nothing in the room other than the blood flowing in my ears and the silent air going in and out of my nose.

Then suddenly the world turned and there a scream, my own, as I was ripped out from hiding by the leg by a thread and dragged across the floor.

I tried to grab at the floor but all I could grab was the bedsheet that was moving with me on top.

(Dora had not accounted for the Elder sensing all the anti-stain protection spells stitched in all of her articles of clothing.)

The seamstress leered down over me. The thread unwound from my leg and instead roughly grabbed me by the hair, pulling on it, to make me face up at her. I winced in pain at the pull as she glared.

I heard a flurry of footsteps as some people reacted to the scream. If it was towards me or away from me to avoid the possibility of defilement, I didn't know as my concentration was broken by another tug of the thread.

(Elder seamstress): "You little numpty! Trying to skip out during this little show? Back to work in the basement, for you!" 

I felt the tug on my hair stop and I lowered my head to rest my neck.

The seamstress looked at her thread and sneered with disgust.

(Elder seamstress): "Damnable shedding red hair everywhere." She muttered, then kicked my arm with a boot and I held it to me gingerly. "Leg it!" She ordered.

Crystal:

Awe the placebo prey didn't puke. Maybe he's just holding it and it'll come out soon?

Lowers tablet disappointed.

While I could not claim the metal bear's head as my trophy of not to be messed with for real, he could still be mine to show off and dominate over on the 'social media'. Muahahaha.

He looks down and squeaks something. I grimace at the sound and look over the railing.

I raise up my tablet again and lean my elbows against the railing as I snap above-vantage view pictures of the King.

Meredith:

*Pukes.*

Ugh.. that was horrible.

I hardly notice the King heading this way as I focus all my energy with NOT looking down.

We were so high up, how could anyone truly concentrate?!

It was very pretty here though..

Crystal:

I wrinkle my nose at the smell of vomit, and hear Tully's voice and look back over.

Rolls eyes at his behavior with Mer.

Over the top much?

Maybe he's got what I've heard people call 'a crush'...

Narrows eyes.

Ugh! Just further proof I have failed in proving myself here yet. Not that it's been long but still. Out of anyone, the fact the bear boy isn't asking me to crush and pound him, shows I have failed.

Makes rumbled growl noises in my throat.

Is VERY tempted to shove him off the railing right now to put that bear in its place for not showing me the same respect as the Mer girl.

But he doesn't DESERVE me to crush him! His meat is not worth of being pulverized by me!

Weakling in his metal shell!

Hisses and looks away back down to the commotion.

Meredith:

I accept the mint and teddy towel.

"Thanks Unerth.. "

I wince, catching my own mistake.

"I mean Tully."

How embarrassing.

I still mess up his name every so often after he introduced himself backwards the last time.

 

Leviathan:

Momma had taken Lulu and I with her to work. She said it was to give us a chance to see and learn how to 'do plant stuff properly as a garden witch'. Basically how she played pretend stuff outside the home.

It had all been sudden and out of the blue. Like a cool surprise!


I gaze up wide-eyed as we approached the edge of a great orchard of Mulberry trees.

As we got closer I gasped and heaved my breaths, wincing and twitching as a strange sensation prickled all over my body like annoying bug bites everywhere.

I looked over my body and ran hands over my arms but saw nothing. I briefly squeezed my eyes shut, lowered my head, and made a whine noise in the back of my throat.

"Mooomm."
 
Being in the dark and feeling these sensations was sickening so I quickly reopened my eyes.

"I feel weirddd."

Lulu scratched at her face and back and glared around widely looking for the cause.

Mom tilted her head back and closed her eyes as she took in a deep lungful of truly fresh air and not old recycled filter air. Genuine freshness that smelled of jasmine due to the trees. Then let out a breath and reopened her eyes.

(Kelpie): "You'll get used to it."

Lulu looked to her in bewildered disbelief for a moment then glaring accusatorily like mom had betrayed her and looking like she didn't buy that at all.

"What is it?"

(Kelpie): (("You're feeling the mulberry leaves getting munched on by the silkworms.")) She mentally whispered.

My eyes widened in fascination. So it's like we're getting eaten alive!?" I exclaimed in surprise accidently loudly without meaning to be.

Mom looked around paranoid but no one was there... For some reason...

She squinted wondering why and noticed something odd looking on the castle back the way we came and a billowing of smoke from the Seamstress's Estate that the mulberry farm was situated behind and apart of the property to farm at least the regular silk material the tailors and seamstresses used.

"Woah," I breathed out in a whisper, still amazed at the thought of being eaten to death without actually having to die.

Lulu twitched and looked ill. Then eyed me to direct her annoyance at the sensations without admitting weakness or defeat. She pointed at me and looked at our mother.

(Lulu): "Mom! Lev's not being sneaky!"

My imaginative ponderings were rudely shattered and I shot her a glare. "Nu-uh!" I defended and crossed my arms.

(Lulu): "Yeah huh!" She nodded and raised her chin up defiantly.

"Nu-uh! You- You-" I glance around trying to think. "You probably just want to cry to daddy as a way to leave cause you can't handle the feelies!"

Lulu opened her mouth but I couldn't understand it as mom broke through between us.

(Kelpie): "Good to see you're both feeling better to continue on!" She said loudly.

I kept up my glare but it had mostly deflated to exasperation to Lulu past mom.

We both charged ahead to prove we could do it. The challenge had been made and set.

The sensations got stronger once we made it to the first row of trees. I swallowed and gazed up at the branches. It's leaves covered in silkworms.


Lulu shot her gaze to me again, then smirked and looked ready to run.

(Lulu): "Race you to the top!" She proclaimed as she rushed to the trunk and already was trying to climb it.

"No fair! Mom! She's cheating!" I complain as I try to figure out how to limb the same trunk as her.

Mom just shook her head, setting 'ritual supplies' down for a break, and cast a look behind her and gazed on concerned at the smoky building.

Lulu got to the top first, hugging a trunk beside where the highest branch shot out, grinning gloatingly down at me, then she turned to face the view and her jaw dropped. She gaped and pointed at the castle with the whale.

I frowned at her gloating then followed her point and gazed about. There was quite a buzz going on about back at the estate.

As mom looked towards the commotion we had been looking, Lulu jumped off the tree, slowing her descent with levitation then starting to run off towards the chaos that looked like guards and horses and smoke.

(Kelpie): "Hey? Where are you going?"

She glanced back at us and waved.

(Lulu): "I'm gonna see the whale!" She announced and continued on.

(Kelpie): "No. You can see perfectly fine from here."

(Lulu): "Don't worry! No one will see me!" She yelled and started pulling off her shirt as she ran.

(Kelpie): "Lulu!"

But she ignored her, determined to climb the castle and see the big animal up close.

Momma dropped her ritual equipment and pointed at me.

(Kelpie): "Stay here."

Then turned and headed after Lulu.

Desmond:

I had taken a nap after training with the blacksmiths at the Iron Beasts Guild.

"Meow! Raow! Raow!"

I rush in, in human form, meowing to say I was here.

I did like the whole goddesses void realm of stars aesthetic of the Navigation Guild. One can feel close to the goddess here.

I look down making sure to avoid puke splatter on the floor.

Embracing the gravity and momentum of the goddess can be a tummy troubling experience.

I look around. Something was going on. Maybe some sort of lecture? Whoops. Did I miss something scheduled and important?

I look up and around and sniff trying to catch familiar scents and sights.

I can scent Crystal, Mer, and Tully here.

There's a flash of light above and I look to see Crystal who had taken a picture of Blythe and the King.

I teleport up and smile at the trio.

"Meow! Hi!"

I glance back down to where I had been.

"What's going on?"

(Crystal): "Important history stuff!... I think?.." She snaps more pictures.

Meredith:

"Honestly, I think I would be perfectly happy with any of them."

I say in response, still having a hard time choosing.

I admired Tully for knowing exactly what he wants and going for it.

To have such certainty was a valuable thing indeed.

The Royal's and their official speak up regarding the new mission.

I listen quietly and blush a little embarrassed at the King's observation.

The King's hand brings a level of seriousness to the situation which I respected.

It was truly remarkable that we were already going out on missions.

Weren't we all just a bit.. young for this?

Desmond joins our scene and I smile at him.

"We are going over our new mission."

 

Lulu:

I had ran and weaved around though the choas pouring out of the building. Women were screaming carrying large mounds of clothes, and panicking about the possibility of soot and ash. Screaming that people needed to put out whatever was going on.

Some little redhead got shoved around and trampled on when she fell.

Mother had lost me in it all.

I had made it to the castle with the great whale and had been climbing it when a great scary voice boomed in my head!!

"Eeek!"

I startle and slip losing my grip!

The air whips and flutters around my body as I fall! It feel just like the sensation of flying in my lucid dreams.

Dave:

Cole had been a failure! He let that tainted vampiric witch (Ettie) out!

I had thought aging up Gale's infant to the perfect age would help with all the dark and foreboding energies and unluckiness we had been experiencing. Surely, the purity of children would do something!

But I miscalculated...

Of course, a child wouldn't be enough. The girl herself was just a girl. Her own youth hadn't protected her and look at how foul an aura she has brought because of that sacrilege!

Everyone is counting on me but everything keeps getting worse!

....

But I will keep going despite this terror in our lives. I will do what needs to be done to rid us of this taint.

The child may be gone now, but her corruption is still here. It's everywhere because of the recycled air we breathe. It might even already be absorbed into the very structures that build this 'planet'.

What we need is true cleansing.

The purity of 'any' child isn't enough to dispel this taint.

It had to be the purest of the pure.

And how long had it always been staring me in the face. I saw it day in and day out. How could I have been so blind? No. It wasn't 'my fault'. The cursed child's poisoning had clouded my vision, but now that she is gone I finally see! The pink patches of Search and Rescue. Those blessed protection bubbles of our once pure and perfect, selfless princess.

What's purer than an alicorn child?

Of course, such a blessing would be difficult to find. But perhaps a unicorn or pegasus. The basic pure relatives of such a pure being may hold the key. Maybe even multiple basic horses.

Either way, the equine was the true purity we needed and as luck would behold us, finally, (with the cursed child gone it seems some positive luck slipped through) there is a mission headed to the human colonies. Perfect. Where a better place to find equines... It just proves to me that I am on the right course. This is the way!

I announce over the Reeducation Center's comms that I must go on the Princess' mission to bring back the cure we desperately need.

The nurses are swamped. So many look to me desperately as I leave. We had a ton of Bloodwatch members to sift through in our care. Even my own son was now a patient. Jole had attacked me when he found out I had aged up Cole. The nurses had to sedate him and drag him to a room to be treated. He hadn't understood but I don't blame him. He will soon enough when the taint is purified from the air and his mind clears.

As I arrive I see Blythe leading cadets. Yes, this mission will succeed. The Princess will lead the pure youths to victory.

(Desmond): "Umm... The Bear racks?" (Des means the barracks to Blythe's question.)

Meredith:

I blink a bit surprised at the sticker.

"Really?"

*Follows the group a bit stunned at the promotion.*

The Princess' ship was really pretty. The colour reminded me of some of the flowers in my mother's garden.

I had never seen so much of it before **pink**.

The Princess asks a question and I make a guess as I felt now I was expected to be more invovled.

"Their barns?"

That is where my village kept their blondes and most prized farm animals.

Mizuko:

My blood sense picks up something about the child.. so I save it.

 With a smaller jell-turt 'living ship-craft' that comes forth from the big one. It catches her fail and I levitate near by.

Observing the invisible but seeing her blood and organs from my sight through her.

Pasha's grandchild...

I sense more of my bloodline here of all places. 

((I am your father's grandfather, THE Mikzo. Do not be afraid. I took have been seeking the whale.. yet this one is not pure not consumable. Tell me of your world, your family.. for I have been away long.))

Desmond:

I blink and shrug at Tully.

Would they not... Be 'soljurs' like here?

I look back to the Princess and follow.

Looks around at all, then bob side to side happily since I can't wag tail in this form I just wag my whole body.

Makes a cat raow sound.

"Yay!"

Claps.

Human form ugly! Now I gonna look pretty!

Meredith:

My eyes widen at the room we go to next.

It was so pretty!

The Princess explains to us that we were going in disguise and why it was important that we do.

Made sense.

I pause for a moment thinking of all the ways I could possibly screw up.

If I don't talk the whole time how can I possibly let anyone down?

I reason to myself before getting my makeover.

When I finished my turn in the chair I look in the mirror and my jaw drops in surprise.

I think of my brother for a moment and grow sad.

*Rushes back to the other cadets.*

Desmond:

I swing my feet freely in the chair as the hologram things get all set up.

My eyes widen after they get applied and I bounce up and down my seat excited.


"Thankie! Thankie! Many good feels to you!" I say in appreciation to the women who applied them.

I hop down and run over to Princess Blythe.


(Dave): "Something else." He says cryptically, looking away to the side.

"Ooo! Pretty!"

The name sounded beautiful in her voice!!

"Dermona." I repeat trying out the name for myself.

I smile and wag my body.

"I like it!"

Mentally chants the name to self.

"Do you get special new name and look?" I ask the Princess.

Mes:

I look at Tully and smile.

"You look cute."

I try to encourage him on his new disguise.

Des appeared shortly after looking quite different as well.

This was fun! I wonder what our jobs will be when we get there?

I glance over at Tully again.

"Can I touch your mane."

I whisper.

Desmond:

Oooo.

I wasn't sure about the computer thing.

I might get too distracted looking out at the goddesses pretty void.

Master Mizzree peers at Pepe curious, trying to decide if Pepe can either be a backup option and/or a possible lead to more horses, and/or must not have been enough on his own or just wasn't at the right place at the right time.  Master Mizzree with all the thoughts.

He wanders closer to Pepe.

(Dave): "Such dedication. I'm sure you do your village proud... And your master too if you have one... Do you have your heart set on a guild yet?"

Meredith:

Tully says that my disguise is good, that I look nothing like myself.

"Thanks."

I pause wondering if that was the right response for that.

The Princess offers that one of us could fly the ship.

Tully seemed excited about it.

Desmond looked unsure.

I had the sticker so I guess I should volunteer if no one else was??

"Sure!"

I step forward.

Omd I hope I don't puke ;(

Dave:

"Hmmm..."

So youthful, respectful, and full of conviction. Good traits...

Perhaps he can be of use...

"I have felt led to this mission to rescue equines from the colonies... I believe their presence and purity of soul can cleanse the dark taint that currently curses the Neo... Do you believe you can help me with this important task?"

Meredith:

I concentrate very hard on everything I was being shown as to not make a fool out of myself.

It was kind of hard.

My village wasn't very advanced and the planet I was rescued from had nothing either.

This was all very new to me..

I grip the steering wheel and move it when the ship begins its journey, completely believing I was in control of it

"This isn't so bad."

I laugh nervously.

Don't puke, don't puke, don't puke ;(

Pepe:

I listen to Master Dave. His plan for today's mission felt more meaningful, more important and worthy of my time and attention then.. Princess Blythe wanting me to wear a wig and dress.

Yes this is much more 'fighting the good fight' what I am BORN to do.

I ball my fists thinking  of......the  rituals and being offered up as a vessel of righteousness. 
I fought hard to able to be sponsored and go here. But so far I feel the loudness, the fun and games all aren't full of purpose.

As I ponder these things. I take out my bag ..pull forth a lasso. I nod at him and hold it in my hands ready to serve.

"Yes Master Dave, you can count on me.."

I hesitate and fidget a bit as the ship starts up and we move. ..fast.

"Master? May I ask..may I be worthy to know what is cursing the NEO?"

I whisper. I want to be prepared and not knowing is being unready for whatever monster it is.. Or ..THE curse he means? The big curse. Will the NEO freeze?

Lulu:

Gapes and blinks at Grandpa's abrupt to the point statement, impressive form, and cool jell-turts.

"Um..."

I shake my head blinking away the shock and raise my chin trying to regain my 'cool factor'.

"Oh! Okay! Hi grandpa!"

I totally believe this given his epic-ness. We have to be related. I don't need senses to tell me that.

I widen my eyes and cover my mouth realizing I said that out loud. I look around warily. But we're up high and there's weird noisy stuff like screams and shouts were going on under us... It's... Probably fine...

I look back at him.

(("I'm the great Cthulhu! But everyone calls me Lulu and I'm 9 years old!")) I inform proudly.

(("My momma is Kelpie but she goes by Kelsie around the humans... She does garden stuffs. Daddy is Typhon. He goes by Tyrone. He does cool feel-y lantern scale things."))

Before I could bring up my lame less cool siblings, the whale suddenly bellows and I blink and look up and over it.

He said something about it not being consumable...?

I look at the sparkles flowing down.

(("Can I still collect the shinnies? What is it?"))

Ethan:

I hear hissing noises. A shiver ran up my back at it and how alone I was.

I hold onto the tree trunk and carefully peer down at the branch I was on as I turn around to get a better look of the groves beyond.

I rushed by bats! I scream as I fall back out of the tree and let out a gasped cry as I hit the ground with a jolt of pain coursing through my body.

My eyes widen as they continue to swoop at me and I roll over, pushing myself up and I scramble to a run, breathing in sharply from the ache in my spine at the fall.

I cover my head with my arms.

"MOOOMMM! MOMMMM!" I cry.

I run ahead towards the estate only to see they are everywhere!

The poor speared whale bellows from the tower and I shiver feeling it in my chest.

There's a scream up ahead and I witness in wide-eyed shock, not all physically there people attacking other people.

A little redhead girl (Dora) was on the ground and bruised from being trampled, had her ankle grabbed by half-disintegrated seamstresses (who had died to Beo's ash saving the coat). Guts fell and rolled out of their half-remaining sides.

The girl kicks and kicks at the half-existent head screaming. The brain falls out and the girl vomits, shaking.

A zombie woman with only her upper half torso crawls forward toward some people dressed as pirates.

(Kelpie to Typhon): (("Undead and bats are attacking!")) She mentally tells dad as she breathes heavy using a road sign to smack she ripped out of the ground to smack the zombies with over the head at with her wolvinter strength.

(Kelpie): (("Lulu, where are you!?"))

(Lulu): (("I'm meeting grandpa!"))

Mom gets a cold chill disturbed at her child saying that out of the blue.

(Kelpie): (("What!? Where are you?!"))

(Lulu): (("Up on the jelly turtles!")) *Pauses* (("I'm waving over the edge but you can't see.. Grandpa! That's my mommy!")) ... (("Oh wait you can't see my pointing either... Oh wait no you can! With blood vision! Yes! That one being a badass with the stop sign!"))

(Kelpie): (("... Typhon your child is on a jelly turtle talking to someone she's calling grandp!")) She complains at him expecting him to do something about it.

(Kelpie): (("Ethan, are you okay!?"))

(("I being chased by bats and I see half people!")) I sob. Kelpie winces at my mental yell. (("Help!"))

Dave:

"Ah."

I nod thoughtfully trying to think of how to explain it to the youth...

"The Xern's conceived a cursed child who was rescued and brought to the Neo last year... Her presence seems to have cast a dark shadow over us all. Ever since she arrived we have been plagued by poor fates and the Xern's have had the upper hand. Normal reeducation techniques failed to drown out the witchcraftian influences and now, even after the-"

Eye twitches at the failure.

"child's escape it seems the misfortune will not pass until the Xern's foul tainted energies are properly cleansed."