Alright, time to investigate this merchant, Aurelios. And after that I should speak with the emperor and tell him how my negotiations with each group went so that he will be prepared for the summit. But that's for later. First the merchant. Eanne decided as she ate her breakfast. I will stick to my idea from last night and try reading the minds of his crew before I do anything. I should get some clothes that are a bit more... plain so as to not attract too much attention. The same, of course, goes for Bec and the guards we bring along. She began planning her approach as she finished eating.
Yannika felt unsettled at the thought of blackmail, even though she had just used a mind-altering drug on Cardinal De Rosa. She rationalized it as that it was for the Emperor, and she'd do anything for him. But wouldn't this fall under the same category too? And what about Yoeseph? What if he wanted to be heir to House Wulfkin? If he did and she stripped that from him how would that affect him? Especially if he was alone and vulnerable? Yannika took a moment to ponder before she came to the conclusion she possibly had two options. "Alright, we can contact this lord and request whatever he has on my father. But I'd like to look over what Tymothy has first. If it's possible to get the same result with a less extreme method I'd like to try."
As the non-human is brought away, Vizelle uses her psionics on the interface. There's a dim glow from the machinery as it starts up. Spoiler: Psionic Roll D100: 85 Vizelle manages to power up the machine briefly. It takes all of her energy and concentration, but suddenly, she is flooded by the stimuli of an entire planet as she comes into control of it. However, due to the interface being designed for stronger psionics, she can only take one action at a time, and it will leave her exhausted afterwards.
Velve nods. "Fair." Tymothy returns soon after. "I've got it!" He smiles. "Father's been trying for years to become the lord of the Ulysses Sector, but to claim the title, he needs to control over half of the systems there. To reach the threshold, he needs to buy a number of systems from a baron named Winterhold. Father really wants the Ulysses Sector, he's been pining over those worlds since before you left." Tymothy looks at his sister. "If you could get Baron Winterhold on your side, to be willing to sell if father does as you've asked, it could be just the leverage you need."
Seeing the machine start up, Vizelle grins. Well, for now, let's see if this planet is hidimg anything else. She thought to herself, Verner dear, I'm about to expend all my energy. So help me up, please. She sent a telepathic message to her "son," before using the machine to figure out where all the humans went.
“I think it would be best if we bring a few guards along, but have them follow us from a distance – close enough to assist us if necessary, but far enough to make it seem like we're on our own.” Eanne began as she looked at Bec and Delphis. “Also, we should try to not stand out too much. Any recommendations for clothes that would fit that area, Delphis?” A noble like her would surely attract attention, and that was something she wanted to avoid as much as possible.
Verner approaches from behind, his arms slipping around her waist protectively, ready to keep her from falling. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suddenly, the rain outside begins to fall backwards, rising up back into the skies. Suddenly, the world begins to shift and change, as she sees it reverting back to how it was, millenia ago. Suddenly, Verner is gone, and the room is filled with people in strange armour, the kind of armour worn in the visions caused by Vizelle's book, all of them radiating with so much psionic power that any one of them would be the most powerful psionic she'd ever met if they existed in her own time. Looking at these ancient humans, she sees that for all their power, they're in a state of panic. Outside, Vizelle sees the sky growing dark with strange shadowed figures, immense and innumerable. The humans come together, combining their power to launch a psionic blast strong enough to destroy a planet, directly at the figures. Nothing happens. They control the planet effortlessly, filling the skies with lightning, igniting the atmosphere to try and erase their enemies, using a shield to protect their cities. Nothing happens. Finally, the figures draw closer, and Vizelle begins to get a better look at them. They're beyond counting, each one completely unique in appearance, and so utterly alien that her mind aches just to look upon them. The creatures vary wildly, some humanoid in shape, others more animal like, and more still strange, non-euclidean shapes that her mind has trouble understanding. Finally, one of the creatures descends, kilometres in length, and begins to use its power. The ancient humans, each godlike in their own power, begin to scream and claw at their faces as their minds are turned to mush by something immeasurably greater. In moments, the planet's population, billions of people, begin to die, or are enslaved. Though the creature doesn't move, Vizelle knows that it can see her, is looking directly at her, even though the event she's witnessing happened tens of thousands of years ago. She feels a rush of adrenaline, primal fear, and acute pleasure, as her mind is effortlessly penetrated, but before she's left a husk, the creature leaves her, deciding that she's not a threat. At last, the human population is dead, or enslaved, and the creatures begin to leave the planet's atmosphere. They repair the damage that the human's weaponry have caused to the planet, and in moments, they've left as though they were never there at all. When Vizelle comes to, she's lying in Verner's arms, every iota of strength gone from her body, replaced with a strange tingling sensation. As feeling starts to return to her tired limbs, her loyal disciple looks in her eyes. "Mommy, are you okay?"
"Perhaps something utilitarian? Overalls, that would suit a spaceport worker?" Delphis suggests. "That, or the red dress of a dockyard hooker." Bec chuckles, earning a reproachful stare from Delphis.
“Bec! We're trying to not attract attention! A good-looking hooker is precisely the kind of person that would get noticed – and potentially propositioned.” Eanne gave the redhead a reproachful look, but her amused tone of voice made it clear she did not mind the suggestion, even if she had no intention to follow it. “Alright, something utilitarian it is.” She nodded at Delphis. (Going to stop here for tonight. Need to recharge my writing juice.)
Yannika smiled gratefully at her older brother. "Thank you Tymothy. I will get in contact with Lord Winterhold later this evening. In the meantime, shall we head to dinner?"
"Well, I supp-" He stops when he sees his wife looking at him. "Actually, I have some business to take care of. Join you later?" He gives her an apologetic, but slightly sardonic, grin.
"Haah! Haah!" Snapping back to reality, Vizelle breathes deeply, "Ghh. So that's what... Varrick was so afraid of." She said in an exhausted tone, "Fufu. Well, no matter." Jaya, can you send a message back to the capital? Tell them we've secured the planet. She sent a telepathic message to the scout master, before looking at the other women in the room. "Mmh, As tired as I am. I make it a habit to leave nothing unfinished." She said, despite laying on Verner arms, "Choose. Serve me. Or serve all my men here, and back home."
Yannika was momentarily perplexed before realization dawned on her. "Of course. I shall let the two of you take care of whatever business you have and meet up with you later." she said with a wink towards Valve and departed.
Jaya nods quietly, moving out of the room. As she makes her ultimatum, the non-human is the first to accept serving Vizelle, seemingly genuinely grateful for the sorceress saving her brother, and missing the implication of Vizelle's threat. The blonde scientist is next, seeming pragmatic and unmoved as she steps towards Vizelle to pledge loyalty. Wynne continues to stand, arms crossed. "Do your worst, bitch."
Velve grins, as she begins to pull her husband towards her. As Yannika moves towards the dining room, remembering the way even after all these years, she hears the front door open. "I'm back, if anyone caresh..." Yoeseph steps drunkenly into the mansion, wobbling and dazed after his night on the town.
"Very well." Vizelle nods, mustering her strength to rouse the men. "Everyone, I thank you for your hard work. If you swear to serve me loyally, I will reward you with your heart's desires. All you have to do, is be my arms, and legs. Help me fulfil my goals. Fufu. For a start. Everyone here may use Wynne, until we leave the planet." She said with a smile, letting Rikkert and Alexandros join if they so wished. Before pressing against Verner as she looks at her two new recruits. "So then. Your names, please."
Yannika moved in the direction of the front entrance but stopped just out of sight. She stood in the middle of the hallway and waited for Yoeseph to stumble in. "Hello Yoeseph." she greeted him in a subdued voice, hands clasped together in front of her, when he came into view.
Wynne shouts as the soldiers grab her. "The Consortium will get you for this! I swear!" The two others ignore what's going on, the non-human out of avoidance, and the scientist because she genuinely seems not to care. The non-human shyly says "Omera, miss." The blonde responds by confidently stating "Dr Natasi Finos." (Sorry that that was so clunky.)
