From An-Teng - With love

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*The pannels were only sturdy enough he thought to himself. Enough that is - to withstand the imprecise, unpremeditated flailings of an enraged beast. He scratched a long dirty nail against a corner feeling for weaknesses. His world bobbed and shook abruptly with the passing of what could be nothing other than jagged rocks on the road under him.

The bastards are taking the roughest path intentionally he fumed.

In the corner his bucket sloshed over and emptied itself in the straw that was intended as his bedding. Fortunately for him he had slept on worse things and it would only serve to offend the nostrils of his captors, a fitting vengeance that they might have to endure the smell of week old piss and shit..

He had been awake for a few days, all the while counting the minutes and watching light come and go from eye sized ventilation holes built into the sides of his crate. He peered out of one to check for landmarks, and to his great indifference there, snaking into the distance stood a huge wall.

It was never a good time to not know the date or hour, even if he didn't know where he was, or to where he was being taken.

So, it's the 15th of Descending Fire, 09:32:22, and the walls containing him were growing more flimsy with every pot hole, root, stone, and branch they took him over, he now regretted thinking about the word pot. He was at this time extremely, and regretfully, sober.

"Are you dip-shits going to let me out or am I going to have to do it myself!"

*His voice came out with a gravelly tone one might expect from a drunken bar ruffian, but with the pompous pretense that could only be achieved by a narcissistic academician. He wished he hadn't shouted because now his ears were ringing from the sound of his own voice refracted.*

[Ress]

* The great archway before them glowed for a split second, followed by a hiss and a crackle of essence in motion, solidifying into the image of an eastern man made from what looked like solidified sunlight.

The man looked puzzled for a moment by the crate before him, then smiled and bowed to the pair of persons who had arrived here*

" Welcome travelers.... I am Sentinel, and this is Imperveress. What has brought you to these lands? Perhaps looking for a new home?.... Lunars?"

* His eyebrow quirked a moment, then moved back into place*

* a tall muscular man lowered the cage and stepped to the side, mimicked in tandem by a bald southern woman. The two of them bowed to the spectral man.

The woman steped forward and spoke for the two of them*

" Greetings Sentinel. I am Kajeha Lef - The Bride of Luna". She motioned with a small bow to her companion who nodded silently*

" And this is my current pack mate, Strength-Of-Many. We have been sent here by Elder Tamuz and The Changing Lady herself to bring this..... surprisingly wretched Chosen... to your leader... Elder Arachnia.

Normally, we would take him the rest of the way ourselves.. but I do not believe we can stop each other from tearing him limb from limb for much longer."

* Strength-Of-Many gave a great sigh as he thought about how long and terrible this whole trip had been, and how happy he was to be done with it*

* Sentinel was taken back by this conversation, but nodded and walked forward, lifting the crate with both hands* "I believe this has to be the strangest task I have been asked to do... but oh well"

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15




"Yeah, well you weren't the ones pulled out of your natural habitat, the habitat might I remind you that Luna CHOSE ME IN... where I should have stayed! and ultimately I wound up tossed in a BOX!

Five-hundred-four hours, forty-two minutes and seven seconds I've been in here! So quit your bitching!"

*The man in the box sneered, his voice echoing out with a metallic ring. The crate jostled from side to side and there was a series of loud bangs which would hammer into the ears of Sentinel. At that same moment a discrete fracture formed in the metal surface, and from within the man kicked again sending the top of his container flying a few yards away. A moment later and a filth covered man with a stocky figure a long beard that looked as though it was intended to be braided in one thin rope, and short spiky hair erupted from the gap and pointed his finger at the two delivery lunars. His hair color was at present indistinguishable from under the layers of what looked like swamp mud mingled with bedding straw.*

"Reduced to Lunas delivery babies... I'm surprised there could be nothing less for such unschooled goons!"

*He glared around at everything in his immediate surroundings fiercely...*

" Where in malfeas' ass am I! Imperveress you called it... I can see flaws in your walls from here... So if there is some leader of this rubble heap bring me to them, no doubt they are the ones responsible for such an irresponsible name when it is clear that this place is obviously NOT IMPERVIOUS!"

*He crossed his arms, and turned away from the other two lunars, waiting expectantly for his phantom courier to whisk him away in his palanquin.*

"I need a smoke..." *He grumbled.*

"Where can a guy get Cannabis in a hurry out here?"

[Ress]

Descending fire.15

*Sentinel jumped back as the cage rattled apart, surprised by the so called 'lunar' that had emerged from it. he had known many Lunars in his living days, and very few of them were as...... unique.. as him. He had opened his mouth to speak and got ready to bow... then he heard him comment on the empire walls*

* Strength of Many's nostrils flared as the anger grew inside him. He had just about enough of this filthy unblooded as he could take.
His body melted and warped into that of a great muscular bull-man.
Strength of many leapt forward, but was stopped by the shaft of Kajeha's spear, interposed between them.

Kajeha took a deep breath herself, closing her eyes while she focused on the task at hand*

"Don't let him get under your skin, Strength of Many... he isn't worth your time or the lost renown that killing him would bring.... trust me, I have been thinking about it for days..."

* Strength of many stopped and let out a great snort before returning to his human shape. He sighed and crossed his arms across his chest, then turned his back to the new Lunar*

" I knew we should have put a muzzle on him..."

* Sentinel's light became brighter as the area around them darkened into an almost twilighty haze. His eyes were now two glowing orbs of spectral molten gold on his tense light emitting face. The air became thick to breathe as if full of water vapor and heavy, making it more difficult to move.

Sentinel tossed the filthy, stinky, empty cage over his shoulder, letting it soar many feet over the walls of the empire, only to be blown to essence motes by the Manse's advanced weaponry*

" These walls were made by Kal Bax over five thousand years ago! If you think you see flaws, then you obviously do not understand the complex shinmaic design structure, nor the internal plating that was created using principals that Malfeas, The King of The Primordials, built into his very own impregnable self! These are things I never understood in my most powerful days living, and I will not tolerate you even daring to condescend to speak about them!.........."

* After a few moments, the air returned to its normal consistancy as the extra glow left Sentinel's face. he took a deep breath and looked down at his hands before looking to the tree persons before him*

" I have no idea what just came over me...... yes, well..... welcome to Imperveress Stranger.......... Cannibus?... it grows wild on the lands... it should be easy enough to find or buy.. should you look.... but for now, I should be taking to to Empress Arachnia....."

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*When sentinel moved to hurl the box containing Gen-Gora, the crab man hopped out and stood scowling. He looked to be slouched over at about 5'3" but he could easily gain another three inches if he straightened his posture. In spite of being the focal point of rage for all those around him that could quash the life from him in a matter of moments he still had an irritated sneer on his face. He stood and watched Sentinel as he had his little fit, while scratching his chin causing small bits of mud to flake from his beard.*

"An AI that has temper tantrums... you act as though I've just insulted your cock, you should get that checked.

I don't blame you for not seeing the world the way I see it, nobody does. If you are done giving away the specifications of your empires defenses then let's get to it!"

*He blew a slimy kiss to his two escorts and turned away to start walking... Left... and perhaps after some time heading in a general leftish direction, if it suited him, he would take a right . Truly he was aimless and unsure to where he should be walking in the first place.*

"The sooner I can get hashed the less likely it is that I'll make someone shit their pants in anger."

*He admitted this honestly, sounding very faintly apologetic.*

[Ress]

Descending fire, 15

* Kajeha closed her eyes and clenched her fist when Gen-Gora blew a kiss at her.
Strength of Many could care less about this act and slung Kajeha over his shoulder, sighing through gritted teeth*
" What an infuriating being....... Goodbye Sentinel... we may be back sometime soon."

* The Manse's guns deactivated, lowering back into the structure itself. Sentinel stepped t the side, allowing entry though the entryway*

" Continue on into the manse... there will be a corridor inside that will take you to the Empire's lower level. Take the waterway... it will send you where you need to go..... i'll have your fix waiting for you there as well"

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*Gen-Gora turned without making any indication that he cared about going the wrong direction. He slouched over to the manse and looked in the doorway. Turning back to look at the two lunars leaving, and the Solar AI construct telling him where he should go and at that moment it became clear to him what the easiest, and most obvious answer was. He would simply tell this Empress Arachnia he didn't want any involvement with any sort of pact or any fancy tattoos; tattoos are for thugs, and illiterates.


He fumbled his way into the manse and found his way down to what must have been the waterway system. He toyed with the idea of staying down there a while.

He looked around at what his accommodations would be, First age tech curiosities, water, but no mud, a fruity smell issuing from silky pouches on the walls made him think there might be food in them and...... and Enormous Spiders! He cringed as a shutter ran down his spine. Of all creatures that he had studied his least favorite were spiders after having a traumatic experience as a child involving several thousand.*


"Eeuch... Nope, Won't be staying here."

*He quickly scurried aboard the ship in the waterway as if he were being chased by something and tucked himself in a corner where he hoped the spiders wouldn't notice him.*

"Empress Arachnia... no... It couldn't be."

*The ferry whisked him away to it's destination, and by the time it stopped Gen had had quite enough of the tunnel full of spiders. He came running up the stairs looking back over his shoulder to make sure nothing had followed him up. Satisfied he had escaped the spiders notice he turned to take in the full view of his apparent destination. He closed an eye and tilted his head getting a feel for his environment.*

"It's too bad I wont be staying in this 'empire' there seems quite a lot of first age... Everything... All worth studying. Now where am I and where do I go..."

*He stood in place scowling around at everything in sight.*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

*Arachnia appeared behind the filthy man and wrinkled her nose for a slight moment before steeling herself against the scent and opening her mouth to speak*

Good afternoon, I understand you are the new Lunar. I am Empress Arachnia, may I assume that you have been welcomed to our empire already?

*the empress's voice betrayed no trace of being bothered by the smell, and maintained all of it's usual sultry charm. For the moment she was dressed in a long, floor-length gown that hugged her body almost Morticia-style. The arms and high neck were lace in a very subtle web design woven through with gentle swirls all in black. Her hair was down and fell softly at her back, leaving her front open so the sharp ovoid holes over her cleavage and navel gave an enticing view of skin that was elsewhere covered up*

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*Gen jerked in surprise at the voice from behind him and spun around, scowling harshly.*

"Whoa lady, what the...! Empress..."

*He steadied himself and avoided what he was about to say in an attempt to avoid pissing off the leader of anything that could be called an Empire, he had gotten in trouble with enough cities in recent months as it was.*

"Err... yeah, I'm a Lunar, but I'm not 'The new lunar' you sound like you're saying I'm 'The new house keeper' I'm not your employee... and I don't plan to stay here. So if we can just get this whole silver pact thing sorted out, I'm here to say... I aint interested, and tattoos are for ruffians and low lives so you can keep... "

*He looked Arachnia up and down realizing she had tattoos herself, and he wished he had his pipe to stick in his mouth so he could keep his foot out of it.*

"Err... Your AI said he was going to have something for me..."

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Fire, 15

*Arachnia raised a single eyebrow as though she was amused at the man before her and she let the smile curl up just enough so a single fang was exposed. Her posture remained relaxed and her tone never changed*

While a housekeeper would be useful, I would prefer someone a touch more kept. Of course, as a tattoo-encrusted ruffian I am not sure I would know what to do with one.

*the Empress placed a hand on her hip, almost as if bored, and continued*

Unfortunately, tattoos are non-negotiable. You will find that being here is much more pleasurable than any fate you are destined to encounter if you are not.

*a silver being collected into existence at that moment, and solidified into Zeriku. Even with the silver shades of her figure it could be seen that she had a pair of two circles on each temple and when she gave a half-grimace/half-smile a pair of large fangs could be seen that curved down just a little. Even in the First-Age robes it was obvious that she had long legs that somehow remained proportionate to her body. She tried to place her features as she looked from Arachnia to the newcomer*

Empress, good day. Sentinel requested that I bring this package to our newcomer.

*she proffered the parcel of cannabis to Gen-Gora and paused, curious to see what about this man made Sentinel send her instead*

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*Gen looked down at himself when Arachnia mentioned his state of hygiene. He looked up, flicking his long muddy beard rope up, sending clumps of mud into the air, a scowl creased his face. He stomped one foot forward and pointed a finger at Arachnia.*

"Hey, I would like to see you after living in a swamp for two years, after being hunted by two of your precious pact for three weeks! There I was tucked cozily in the muddy river bottom and they just dragged me up, knocked me out and threw me in a box for Five-hundred-four hours, forty-three minutes and 13 seconds! It's not as if I had reason or opportunity to make myself appropriate for your societies expectations of what should be proper grooming!"

*He turned as Zeriku appeared with his much anticipated package, forgetting that he was about to go on to rant about societies unnecessary obsession of cleanliness, and payed more attention to more immediate needs.*

"Ah Well it's about time! I didn't ask for it to be gift wrapped!"

*He snatched the package from Zeriku and ripped it open and stuck his nose in it and took a huge breath through his nose, and groaned with satisfaction... He took a large pinch of the dark green plant material within. He then looked in the box for something else, and then started to pat himself down as if looking for something in what little clothing he had on. He found his quarry in his pants, and extracted two long slender clay objects that looked like they were supposed to be together. He frowned intensely at his broken pipe, and tossed the useless bit into the air behind him ignoring the sound of it shattering on the ground. He then proceeded to tap the side of the bowl that was still attached to a short bit of the stem and emptied out what looked like black ash... or mud, probably both. He stuffed the green mulch into the chamber and stuck the broken pipe in his mouth, and then paused to look up at the AI and Empress he had been ignoring. He didn't bother to ask, or even think about if Arachnia minded if he smoked.*

"Fire?"

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending FIre 15,

*she raised her eyebrow at his ranting, an expression on her face hinting that she felt he was being a petulant child, and she crossed her arms as he finished. As he so rudely snatched the package from Zeriku, and with a snarled cutting remark instead of gratitude, Arachnia's black eyes flashed. Then the fool had the audacity to ask for a light. Her voice came out measured and her expression said that she thought he was crazy to think she would give him a light*

You will not smoke in here and you will not throw your trash on my floor. If you must smoke you can do so outside, but only after you clean up your mess. I was going to be polite to you, because I know how crazy and disconcerting being uprooted by the Silver Pact can be, but I have changed my mind. You don't get a choice in the matter. So clean up, have your smoke, and we will get to deciding your future. If you have questions, save them until your drug-induced mind is calm enough to age a few years and you are out of diapers. Now, your trash.

*with mom-mode going she pointed her finger to his shattered pipe and kept an expectant look on her face. Gods help him should he get in her way now*

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*Gen glowered down about his feet looking at the circle of debris he had left in a ten-foot radious around him, and then turned his look up to Arachnia. Under the coating of mud, grit, and facial hair he looked older than his years, a trait likely to have been a burden for a young man in school. He had been something of a child prodigy and facing the jealous mockery of his elder peers had left scars on his ego. His face turned to a snarl.*

"... So it is a house keeper you seek! You think because around here you're some kind of big shot 'Empress' of some land nobody had ever even heard up until a year ago that you can just wave your hand and the world falls at your feet to serve you... and you call ME child like! Pah! I was TEACHING at some of the most prestigious universities in the world at the age of 9, so don't think for a moment that you can call me a baby!

You think people can't see it on you? You must really have some issues yourself, what's the matter you having trouble proving to your pact that you're mature enough - strong enough - worthy enough to rule this empire? You have all the excess bitter pretense of someone raised above your station prematurely."

*A chill ran up Gen-Goras leathery back, feeling inexplicably as if he had become a fly taunting a spider only to find itself trapped within it's sticky silk. For someone supposedly so intelligent, Gen was feeling more and more like an idiot for speaking, but none the less he was not a creature easily cowed by the opinions of others, or swain by outside forces whatsoever with his new exalted powers to back up his confidence. The sound of him gritting his teeth down on the broken clay pipe in his mouth filled the pause of words.*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Fire, 15

*Arachnia's smile turned hard, the corners becoming like a blade and she let her tattoos glow and the full glory of her Tell become obvious. The fangs in her mouth shone silver and the hourglass on her abdomen glowed through the opening she had left in her gown, the reason for the design now known. She drew herself up to her full height and she leaned forward just enough so that she was dominating Gen-Gora through her body language*

Anyone who falls at my feet does it because they are grateful to me for protecting their home. I am an Elder in the Silver Pact because they saw that my skills were enough to successfully raise an empire with only the help of a man younger in experience than myself, and with me being as young as I am, you should respect a person who can do that. Your impetuous nature will not help you, hatchling. A whelp with an attitude such as yours deserves to be called the egg-encased infant that he is.

*a bit of venom beaded at the tips of Arachnia's fangs before dropping off and leaving two dark marks on the gleaming floor. Her voice filled with power and command as her glittering black eyes bored into her prey's*

Do not dare to question my authority. I see no empire at your back, and no followers who answer to you; no Lunars of your own to teach. You claim to have taught at the age of 9, and I see that you were looking into your future because the being who stands before me could only dream to have reached that age.

[Gen-Gora]

Descending Fire 15



*Gen's lip curled on one side, and his eyes glowered up at Arachnia.*

"Well then, I guess we're just going to have to agree that we don't acknowledge each others standing."

*He could have gone on to mention exactly who he was in the world, that he did in fact hold a considerable name in the academic community. He could have said that through acclaim of his written works he had obtained a worshipful status and following in schools across creation. He could have mentioned that his book on Algae Chlorophyta and the role it plays in competition between microbial creatures in wetlands was in virtually every school in creation worth mentioning... Instead he shrugged and opened his mouth again.*

" I'll just have to take the higher road and stop arguing such petty notions as status with someone so fascinated with themselves as you... Honestly.

Oh and, you're dribbling on yourself."

*He indicated Arachnias dripping fangs. He had certainly done it again, making other people lose their cool had become something of a defense mechanism for Gen through the years. Now here he was playing the 'I wont stoop to your level' card on an Empress.*

"I'll be outside, and maybe after my 'drug induced mind' has been brought down a little closer to your level with the aid of my medication here, we can talk some more. Who knows, the offer to tattoo my hide may be more inciting, that is when people get them isn't it? After thoroughly intoxicating themselves?"


*He looked down at the mess on the ground indifferently and made for the door with a nasty little scoff.*