Please Don't Kill the Messenger

[Creeping Stalk]

Calibration 1,

*the sun was setting throughout the empire, and Creeping Stalk figured it was a part of her job to make sure people were alerted to the hordes of darkness pouring from the Manses. Some of them she didn't reach in time and forfeited them to the capable hands of the exalts that lived there. As she had arrived at the Imperial Manse, she didn't see the creatures yet, and figured that the ruling pair for the empire would probably like to know about them and be prepared. Especially since Arachnia had that little girl to protect.

It wasn't long before she was at the door to Ress's office, pushing it open with bow in hand. So far she had managed to remain unharmed from the invading beasts, but they also seemed like they had a direction to be in. With no hesitation, she walked straight to the emperor, fully aware that he would probably try to shoot at her*

Ress, there are creatures invading the empire, suit up and be prepared. They seem to be coming from the manses and many of the other Exalts are already responding. Yours will be subject soon, so prepare while I alert the empress

*With that, she turned and headed for the door, intending to go inform Arachnia of the situation*

[Ress]

Calibration 1,

* Ress jumped when he heard the sound of Creeping Stalk's voice, his bracers glowed for a split second, producing his trusty bow in a spray of golden essence. He whipped around, pointing the weapon at her... but fortunately was the kind of person who would listen, rather than shoot first. He raised a brow as he looked on at Stalk*

" Who are you?..... "

* he watched her run out of the room and to Arachnia. He searched the woman's feelings while she spoke, noticing that she was sincere. With that in mind, he jumped into action, reaching for his armor in a case and began donning it*

" I guess its time to serve and defend!"

[Creeping Stalk]

Calibration 1,

*glad she had made it out of the room without an arrow in her, Creeping Stalk jogged down the halls towards Arachnia's quarters, taking the time to make enough noise that she would be heard. Ress might be a crackshot, but defensive mothers weren't as kind as he had been. Better to give her more time to respond logically. As she got to the room, she knocked and then opened the door and entered*

Empress Arachnia, I'm here to tell you about the swarms of dark creatures starting to overtake the empire. I thought you and Miakoda would like to know so you have time to be safe. I met up with Ress on my way in and have already told him

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Calibration 1,

*she could hear the racket someone was making all the way down the hall. It was obviously intentional since no one could be that noisy naturally. At the knock, she was already in front of her daughter, sais in her hands behind her back. When the dark-skinned woman came in, Arachnia kept the growl out of her face and posture while she listened. Still suspicious of how this woman knew her, Ress, or her daughter she narrowed her eyes a little but smiled anyway. If this woman was as genuine as she seemed, then Arachnia would be a fool not to listen*

I see. Well, then I suppose I should thank you. I will prepare and you should help defend this empire. You do look like you can use that bow, after all

*Arachnia's mind began whirring at how she was going to keep her daughter safe as well as defend the empire. If these things were demons, she would be rather necessary since she was one of the few people who could banish them. Perhaps she should create a demon corps after this was all over. That way she would be free to work other sorceries.. As she went on, Arachnia wrapped Miakoda into a quick pack, much like a pappoose, so that she was tight and secure for the trip they would take*

Zeriku! What's the update on the infiltration?

*the line released a bit of a hissing noise, but Zeriku was not otherwise reachable*

*Well, Arachnia thought, at least she knew why Zeriku hadn't mentioned the invasion before that person had come to tell her. She kissed Miakoda on her forehead before strapping her on*

Miakoda, my love, my little spider-light. We are going on a trip and I need you to be quiet, okay? Your mommy has you safe

*With her daughter safe as she could be, Arachnia moved quickly down the hall towards Ress, sais out and flashing Moonsilver in the light. Her guard was up and adrenaline coursed through her veins, making every sound audible and potentially dangerous*

[Creeping Stalk]

Calibration 1,

*The Empress had reacted much like she had thought. Though she was holding the sais behind her back, Creeping Stalk could see their shadow and was glad that she hadn't startled the woman. She was a quick draw, but she had seen the Empress move. As soon as Arachnia had stopped listening and began creating some sort of contraption made of a cloth that looked like spidersilk, she slipped out with the Lunar's eyes on her the whole time. This time Creeping Stalk climbed out the window and slid down the side of the building, using the ledges to keep her from gaining too much momentum. Now was time to check on those children with gifts throughout the empire. They would be well to organize into task groups, so that's what she intended to do.

Aranea had Blood Coil, but she was the only youth and was well capable of handling herself. Bezair had Crystal Rain and Asra, but those two would be better off than some of the others. Mild Magma would be with Honored Brother or Russet Summer, both teams being well-off either way. Pale Transcendance might need some help here in the Imperial City, as might Reed, but she would have the help of Quar. Jakisi would be just fine even by herself, but it helped that she was in Ramoth. Waiting Lotus and Willow were both in Ramoth with Reed, so she would get those four together and make their group stronger. Flickering Butterfly didn't look like it, but she would be just fine wherever she was right now. Looked like it was to Ramoth first...*

[Ress]

Calibration 1,

* Ress stood atop his platform, expecting it to raise him up to the top of the manse... but the power failure would not allow for it and the manse remained inert. An annoyed expression crossed Ress's face, but with a sigh, his mind went to improvising. He ran to the window, then saw Arachnia*

" Hello my mate... I assume you already know whats happening. Are you coming with me, or should we split up?"

* He held his bow in his left hand, holding the top of the window with his left, ready at any moment to leap out the window and into the fray*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Calibration 1,

*Arachnia and Miakoda looked at Ress as he spotted them. She had begun climbing along the walls, looking like she was at ease despite the angle she was at*

I would be more at ease if we fought together, but if the situation is light enough them we should split up. I see you have noticed that the power is out. Don't worry about Miakoda, I have her with me

[Ress]

Calibration 1,

* he smiled and give a nod, his ornate imperial robes wafting a little in the slow breeze*

" excellent!, then I will see you at the bottom!... and don't worry, I won't let anything get close to Miakoda."

* in one motion, Ress lifted himself off the ground and hopped out the window, landing harmlessly on the ground below*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Calibration 1,

As expected, my Love

*Arachnia continued her descent down the side of the building, holding her daughter close so that she couldn't slip out of her wrap. Her body straightened to be at a "normal" stance in relation to the building and the ground once more, and out came her Moonsilver sais from their loops on her garters. A few steps later she was at Ress's side, looking him over for damage, though the look on her face made it look like she was ready to "play doctor"*

Shall we defend this city, then, or move on to another?