Further Intrigues

Only the darkness offered her company under these failing lights it would seem, yet the sounds from prior would persist in the most grating of manner. Celeste looked about the bays for the trucks, between the alleys that connected this place to the streets outside. Still no sign to the identity of these footsteps, prompting the sorceress to consider whether she hear them at all. Nay. Of this she was certain, someone had come calling on this crypt of silence and intrigue late in the hour. Curio on the night, how delightful indeed. She could no longer abide in the sheltered harbors of her own patience, having taxed enough of her time in silent anticipation of a certain arrival. She cut the air with a jovial tone to her voice, a playful touch to her collarbone.

”Hello!? It’s me! Are we to play Hide and Seek all night? Be so kind as to come on out!”

It felt like calling out to a monster in the closet, almost childish, really. Though whom had she ever been to judge on her own mannerisms? The very notion of this alliance felt like something ripped right out of the notebook of a novice playwright’s handbag. It teetered on the edge of the knife it so delicately balanced, above a pit of fire and embers waiting to devour the unwary. This was a far cry from what she envisioned her days outside the village to have been, though as expected with so many avenues of life, nothing ever turned out according to plan. Adaptation was survival in this new age dawned upon man, and the more the planet continued to change, so too would those that hoped to see the days to come. It was a bitter truth, but it was one that Celeste was willing to swallow and accept if it meant her goals of gleaming the unknown might come to fruition.

So led her path to this place, this myth for all the good it might do those plans in the end.

The sorceress had given an awkward pause to allow some interjection, before shrugging at the reception of further silence. Perhaps the onlooking party felt the need to study a bit more, whomsoever was out there. It was of little consequence to Celeste, who strode up to the sealed door with an air that exuded confidence. Humming a tune in nonchalance to herself, she raised a finger to point at the digital encryption panel, before the static in the air would begin to weave around her index digit. The security lock would short circuit as the spell shot off Celeste’s index, before a resounding click could be heard throughout the emptied parking space. A momentary glance was offered to the shadows, before the sorceress slipped inside, shutting the door behind her with a careful ease.

PL: 10,000 | Antisense: Active
- uses Light Offensive || 嵐 Arashi: Jolt to override the security lock
KP: 4/6 (-2)
MP: 2/6 (1+1)
HP: 0/250%
WC: 474

It wasn’t every day that Celeste was met with a being that could melt an ore quite like what had comprised the door. In fact this was probably the first time she had ever witnessed something of its integrity so easily cast aside. The darkened hall which presented her path forward was unexpected to say the least, as though it had been torn out of an office in a glass high-rise. Her night would have continued were it not for the ascending volume of something sizzling, red-amber casting their attention in turn to bear witness to Loki’s less than subtle introduction. Fortunate it was they had the silence of the night on their side this evening, lest his antics draw a plethora of unwanted attention. A subtle nod was given to what remained of the metallic guardian to this darkened abode. ”Charming.” Celeste tilted her head and gave the umbral attired spirit a small smile. ”How truly noble of you. Are we in agreement for taking a peek inside then? I don’t know what it is, but this place simply radiates intrigue. It seems a trifling thing, but if the rumors are anything to be believed, then I suppose it will have to do.”

Celeste let out a long sigh before turning on her heel to admire the shine of the darkness before them, a momentary silence before inevitably embracing it like a long-lost friend. ”And here I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to work so hard.” Oh well, was it of any consequence? As they were off playing who knows where, she had taken it upon herself to do some ideal and proper reconnaissance. Kowlin’s web of affairs were making it awfully easier to go about her business unfettered, bringing in a variety of resources and information to light. While what had been acquired certainly proved a boon in their own regard, it would pale in comparison to what was truly required. Something still so readily out of their grasp, just within reach, which had found Celeste’s hopes placed in the rumors which had led them both here this very evening.

Celeste paid little mind to the macabre tone the hall held, striding through the unnatural mist snaking across the carpet. Near the end of an office themed labyrinth, the thaumaturge made her path to what appeared the entrance of a laboratory. A high security glass door blocked the way forward, and as Celeste approached it, a camera near the top of the door’s threshold would activate. A brief scan of the sorceress would prompt the computer to search its database for recognizable heart signatures. For a moment the threshold would flash red, prompting the sound of locks to thrum before letting out a series of loud locks into the room. A tilt of the head, a hum of momentary bemusement in her voice. An imitation of her actions prior, and the scanner near the door would short-circuit.

”Ah, there we are.”

The light over the door would flash green, before the airlocks would depressurize to allow the door to open. More fog would flood from the other side of this door, yet did not deter Celeste from seeking entry. The lab was cylindrical, white walls illuminated with bright lights. Containment cells lined half the expanse of the lab, while a variety of desks, and containment shelves resides across. Placed at the end of the row of cells, and glass containers rested a fairly tall, but normal looking mirror. Echoes of her steps on the metallic grate of a floor filled the deathly silence that gripped this lab like a veil. Faint pink and blue lights shone through the mist from the shelves. As Celeste entered deeper into the lab, she would come to notice that the lights were bottled energy, like colored wisps of smoke which sparked to life with an occasional jolt like lightning. The witch would come to stop before one of the glass canisters, and began to observe the energy within it curiously, almost entranced by the beauty encased before her eyes.

PL 10,000 | Antisense: Active
- uses Light Offensive || 嵐 Arashi: Jolt to override another security lock
KP: 2/6 (-2)
MP: 4/6 (1+1)
HP: 0/250%
WC: 676

The sight could mystify the most curious of scholars, it was truly the fairest in all the land; Was it not? If such a thing which held marvels that could make the cogs and gears within a mind such as Celeste’s churn and whir, then it was either something incredibly powerful, something ancient, something dark, or perhaps all three. Were it the latter, it would prove to be a most exceedingly dangerous thing that held her intrigue. The soul was theorized to possess all these traits, and more. It was the very source of curiosity and purpose behind this expedition, to this wayward hole in the underbelly of this city festering with darkness: A place to hold a key to life itself. It was a source of power that connected everything, yet Celeste suspected such a theory went far deeper, far further than something so simple. On various, multiple levels all things were connected. Perhaps at one point it was all joined together in a collective, perhaps all worlds, all souls, existed as one whole somewhere. Perhaps this too was connected to her theories with the Furnace. Thus were the various musings that crossed the witch’s mind, before the voice of the midnight scholar broke her pensive mood. 

The witch smiled as she continued her trance-like gaze upon the encased crystalline within, breaking it with an eventual slow, before regarding the umbral suit over the glass canister. ”Yes, it quite rather takes my breath away.” The witch let her focus return upon the colors, and the power that seemed to the emit sparkles of light off their crystallized forms. Each of the specimens were sustained nigh perfectly, almost in a harmonious unison with their controlled environments within. She questioned the significance of this, whilst she watched on in observation as the specimen gave the specter a good jolt. A simper played at the corner of her lips with his reaction. Only time would tell whether any of these gatherings would be of use in the future, of course that depended on what was to be done with them. After all any plans for them couldn’t afford any hiccups, any flaws. Celeste righted her posture, regarding the nearly hundreds of identical lights down the expanse of the lab, before her attention finally settled on the sound of Loki’s voice.

The witch would raise a hand as she regarded the closest glass cell containing yet another crystalline constellation. ”Do be careful, lest something in here try its best to break you both.” An amused chuckle at her associate’s expense. Turning from the intrigued guest, Celeste would approach the nearest containment cell, then run a hand over the glass within the sealed door. Hm, this was a high-quality metal. Titanium? Chromium-pressed tungsten? Doubtless that these were designed to withstand immense amounts of pressure and heat. But why? A glimpse within would reveal no prisoner contained within, but rather a comfortable storage for one, complete with restraints and ports for tubes and wires. Necessary precautions to keep those inside safe, secure, and monitored with the utmost proficiency the lab could provide. She gave the cell’s interior a momentary observation, before casting an amused glance back to Loki, finding herself curious over whether he would be able escape such a confinement. ”Curious craft, these designs. Whatever were they for, I wonder?” A tilt of the head as she glanced upon the jars of lights again, revelation dawning upon her face as red-amber returned to the containment cells, a sick smile etching itself across the face of the sorceress.

Oh. So, that’s the way of it.

PL: 10,000 | Antisense: Active
WC: 600

The blond-haired witch would shift her weight on her stance, the artificial fog around her billowing about with her coat tails. There was a strange kind of peace in crippling ignorance. When you stopped pretending to be in control, in possession of all the answers, it became easier to take things as they came, divested from assumption or expectation. A part of Celeste remained nostalgic for that same ignorance, to merely stand in this room without an inkling of comprehension, as though it were the only thing to cling to in order to salvage the tattered remains that was her morality. All this city tech was confusing, but the principles at their core remained similar to the roots of chemistry studied in alchemy.

Why had such a large concentration of anima been found on such a prosperous world of artificers? Why was a particularly powerful, yet enigmatic faction building up a veritable meat-locker of souls so extensive they could be used as morbid lanterns? Why did this smooth-faced vulture of a phantom give off the uncomfortable vibe that he was window-shopping?  Darkened was the mind to glimpse upon these atrocities, to be able to fathom the nature of their construct, to be able to stand firm in the face of their evils. After all, how often did one have an opportunity for this field of study? Depraved were the progenitors behind this project, one which would seem to enthrall Loki’s interest as he went about studying the room.

A silent moment was given to consider their speculations on the lab, Celeste still uncertain if her theory held much ground to stand on.

”Oh, nothing so concrete. Best we keep looking.”

The unease with which he carried himself, respectably commendable presentation aside, allowed the witch to ascertain a clearer idea of the spirit’s predicament. Was he afraid of her? Possibly not. Though anyone whom could brave such a scenario with Celeste in the room, was to herself, holding back in some aspect. Whether it was fear, or a power they wished to hide, the feigning of such foolishly misplaced valor was easily seen through. The youths in her dueling clubs had indeed been right about one thing though, Celeste loved to watch the uncomfortable squirm with their own insecurities. The sorceress suspected they now spent their evening snooping through an elaborate bottling factory of some sort, or at least amongst machines designed to extract one variable from another. The specimens decorated this lab, like christmas ornaments all over a tree in season, whilst Loki walked about its halls like a child in wonder at its marvels. The ideas Celeste conjured held interest, yet they were nothing that could help the pair determine anything about the project’s origins, the process, nor even the goal behind it all.

Loki went about losing himself in thought as he beheld some device off one of the lab’s counters, prompting Celeste to take an interest in the deeper recesses of this surprise filled warehouse. The path led the witch passed another high security door, as it was flung open on pressurized hydraulics. Stepping into the next room after the overbearing hiss of the door had subsided, Celeste would step into an observation booth containing multiple terminals, which overlooked a darker room filled with three containment cells similar to those in the main lab. There she found data displayed on the monitors as it would change vividly. According to the numbers, this lab was in operation for almost eleven years.

Celeste would observe the numbers and equations with a fondness, before a video feed would buzz to life on one of the terminals. Eventually Celeste had to tear her gaze away from the monitors. It was too much. It was one thing to instantly memorize the incantations of a spell with enough focus, but actually understanding all these equations was another thing entirely. The gap between this world and her own technologically speaking was just too vast. That the principles being employed here blended metal and metaphysics in ways that challenged more definitions of what a ‘machine’ even entailed didn't help. A minute just breathing and thinking was required for Celeste to put together the pieces that made any sense; a Swiss cheese made of conjecture and probable death. 

That was when a voice could be heard over the video feed, muffled yet distinct enough, from within one of the pods within the sealed off containment. ”L-Let me out of here! H-Hello!? Let me out! I want to be freed!” Celeste cast a glance downward to where this feed was supposedly coming from, but the pods below felt lifeless, eerily silent. Celeste could only ascertain what she was hearing was a recording of some kind. The witch frowned as she glimpsed from the scene of the crime, to the recollection of the events.

The sound of a machine starting up could be heard, a fierce electric whirring, buzzing of static as the tubes leading to the pod withholding ‘Subject 9’ would begin to activate. Steam would emit from the various ports in the pod, before it would begin to glow with a bright energy. Violent screams of agony would call out from inside the chamber. The numerous tubes began to flow with illuminated essence of varying colors, all discernible by the bright sparkles that seemed to emit from the plasma-like substance within them. There soon came a fierce pounding from behind the sealed door of the pod, a fist fervently beat against the glass as ‘Subject 9’ would attempt to escape their confinement. A fierce war cry that became a whimper, would soon grow silent with the machines as all finalized in a disturbing quietus.

The sorceress was having trouble discerning what she had just witnessed. Was this the project? The video almost confirmed every one of her prior suspicions, though it still left so much unanswered. Celeste would back away from the console, before casting a glimpse to where she had left Loki; a further thought was played at, as she once more weighed their speculation on this lab.

This place was almost perfect for him.

PL: 10,000 | Antisense: Active
WC: 1,020

What’s the sound of a man being torn apart? Not meat from bone, but rather from the totality of himself? Think perhaps of the greatest loss you’ve ever suffered, the most wretched state you’ve ever been in, a spiritual suffering that made mortal wounds seem preferable by comparison. Now imagine it happening forever, a hellish eternity comprised of a single moment. 

It reminded Celeste nothing so much as watching grapes being poured into vats for crushing and destemming at the village vineyard back home. A still-living man was distilled like those fruits, processed and plucked free of the mortal coil. Prismatic quintessence flowed through piping and translucent channels just as waterfalls of juice had poured out in rivulets beneath the great grinding grape-vices. Celeste would inspect this entirely different distillation with a relish unnerving close to the savory sigh with which the elders breathed in the rich vapors of vintages aged by moonlight. 

It was natural to feel revulsion in the face of evil, to struggle to believe others could truly stoop so low and feel so little. Yet it was another horror in finding that struggle not nearly so great as you’d like to suppose. Celeste choked on that horror mid-breath, the realization that her heart’s contemplations of what might be necessary had long exceeded the horizon of what she’d thought her scruples were. It would take a few moments, but eventually words began to spill through the cracks in the dam that had become the magi’s lips.

“But...why?” Puzzlement played across her soft features rather than the saner horror this situation perhaps warranted. Such was Celeste’s intellect, an anesthetic that numbed sentiment when distracted with a proper metaphorical rubix cube. These elaborate theories of amalgamation once put to practice in this very warehouse required further study, doubtless hours that the witch’s associate would be more than happy to while away in an academic isolation. The entity that was Loki required as equal study as what was contained in this lab, for Celeste to further understand the nature of alleviation these discoveries might provide to the phantom’s predicament. Now then, where did he scurry off to? She found the serenity of her focus shattered by the sudden cachinnations which reverberated from the depths of the lab. A brow would rise with palpable curiosity, red-amber cast back the direction whence she had arrived.

That makes this far easier. Seems he’s taken fancy to something.

The sorceress traced her steps back through the labyrinth that was the interior of this warehouse, following the depravity that echoed through its halls, and chambers midst Loki’s fit of joy. Eventually she would discover him within the confines of another room, enamored by the information found on some form of portable device. A hand took rest upon hip, red-amber irises took their time to gleam the contents of this study, and the abnormal devices which lurked within. This palace of intrigue was proving to be the very definition in the lack of sanity, and Loki fit in quite well as its maniacal steward. Celeste had little use for the trifles all this research would bring, and found a greater interest in what the specter might be able to ascertain with enough time. There was much to still uncover here, though there was little doubt that the sorceress’ confidence in Loki’s competency in research was not misplaced.

”I trust the accommodations are to your liking? Look how happy you are!”

The echo of her steps would intrude upon the laboratory, relentless as they tore against the silence.

”My, such a worthwhile trip! Aren’t you glad we came together?”

PL: 10,000 | Antisense: Active
WC: 600

The spirit’s appreciation for the inclusion on their little field trip into the unknown was boundless, and Celeste could only watch on as the fedora was tipped, as Loki offered a bow. Oh, but it would be a sin to refer to him by his true name, this was made apparent as an inkling of trust was offered to the sorceress. She recognized the information for its worth, tidily tucked away in the abyssal vault of secrets within the back of her mind. There was some nonsense about transcending divinity, but she made nothing of it. Merely the wearing on a mind that had endured far too much in its time, thus was her conclusion that this entity, this Kamae Ghoun, had long slipped into the ocean of insanity. It was little doubt he wandered its trenches, much like an eel, ever slipping to and fro the under brushes of iniquitous and malicious ideals. Already she could see the cognitive pieces inside whirring about in their tireless fervor, merely by the way he continued on with his enamoring with the lab. Indeed, he was a thoughtful one, going so far to even consider repayment there on the spot, offering numerous suggestions in turn to the sorceress that might fit a suitable collateral to this fine discovery.

What did she want as penance for this little nudge forward?

Why, with the demon’s name and agenda safely tucked away, whatever else could she need?

She knew there was something special about this one. Far too curious and resourceful for his own good. He proved the cleverer of the lot rounded up from whatever hole they had been snatched, yet only time would tell if he would prove to become equally as troublesome. The witch came to stop but a foot or so from the thankful specter, the confidence in the smile she wore able to send shivers through a snowman. 

”I want you to take a moment and think about all the things that defined your life. All the things that you loved, that mattered. Your duty. Your associates. Your home. And now imagine if one day in a flash all of that vanished. Do you simply accept your new life, continue on or would you do whatever it takes to get back what was taken from you?” A deep question sure, but it was something to leave the demon to seriously ponder, something to test the fortitude of his dedications, his resolve. Celeste would grant Kamae a moment to ponder the question, before coolly running a hand down the side of his cheek, her lips approaching almost close enough to kiss the skin. ”Mmm- Then one wonders that you wouldn't be grateful to the one who allowed you to stretch your legs, Kamae.“ she playfully chuckled, cocking her head to the side as she adoringly toyed with his hair. ”Let us see how you’ll repay that kindness with time…” A confident smirk, as though she held the very answers to all he might seek to know. However, before the demon might say a word, Celeste would turn her back on him, before slowly striding several feet away from the umbral clad oni.

A single index was raised to point toward the rafters of the warehouse, before Celeste turned to cast a glance back at the tragedy that had become of Mr. Ghoun.

”The lab? Why, a humble token of my appreciation! What better way than to express it, than offering this boon to an aspiring scholar? As for what I want, well...”

The hand was turned upon itself, Celeste offering an upturned palm with a shrug in nonchalance.

”We’ll consider it, a favor of no consequence.”

The sorceress would offer the demon a dark simper, with a parting tip of her hat. The blond would round on her heels before setting off on a sojourn out the way the pair had arrived. It was after all, as Kamae had said, there was much work to be done.

PL: 10,000 | Antisense: Active
- Exit Attempt
WC: 666