The Secrets of Glass Mountain 1 - RPLOG

Participants

• Aidan
• Lylianna
• Rosalyn
• Sil
• Zarwae

Date

28/2/2012

Log

The helicopter has just left, after having dropped Sil and Rosalyn at the entrance of the forest. There, already waiting for them, there are Lylianna, Zarwae and Aidan, the latter sit on a rock until she spots the familiar figures. "I hope you had a nice and safe trip!" the fox murrs happily, hugging warmly her sister Rosalyn. Then, with a smile, Aidan turns to Sil. "Doctor, it's a pleasure to meet you again. I'm not sure you already met my family.." she murrs, inviting the dark elf and the skunk girl to join.

Padding forward, behind the vixen, Lyli smiles widely at Rosalyn and just as widely at Sil, "A pleasure to have you both along." she churrs, giving Rosalyn a tight hug and then sizing up the reptilian woman to see how she would react to a skunk-hug.

Rosalyn returns Aidan and Lyli's hugs, giving each a peck on the cheek in turn. "Yes, the flight out was quite smooth."

During the helicopter ride Sil has been relatively silent. Absent minded in parts, the lack of much social interaction with Rosalyn having gained the latter an apology by the lamia. "Just trying to relax before the trip." has been her excuse. But now that they're on the ground again, the lamia is sliding towards those already gathered, alongside Rosany, a gloved hand reaching up to raise the synthetic material of her wrap's hood some. The other hand is occupied, holding an armored suitcase more looking like it's holding equipment rather than papers, and on her back is a large backpack. "A pleasure to be accompanying you, rest assured." she tells Lylianna, before that hand moves from the hood...getting offered for a friendly shake to Lylianna.

Zarwae gets closer to greets the newcommerS. The dark elf wears her usual travel clothes. A light armor and a cloak covering it. A bow is visible in her back. "Hello. Nice to meet you too." She looks at Rosalyn and Sil a bit curious, but try to not stare at the lamia for being polite.

"As I explained back then, this group will be composed by most of my family." Aidan explains, introducing the group. "This is the doctor from Zephyr, Sil. She's one of the top researcher, so she'll be a big asset for us. Plus, it's part of my agreement with them. As you know, I made my condition known to them." the fox says, "The one who made the trip with you is Rosalyn, she's like a sister for me. She is a skillful nanite adept and, more importantly for our group, a skillful crafter with a lot of knowledge under her belt. This lovely skunk is Lyli, while this gorgeous dark elf is Zarwae. They both knows how to move in a natural environment, plus they know how to defend themselves and the group."

Trying not to giggle, shaking hands with Sil, Lyli gives a nod, "Pleased to meet you, Miss Sil." she churrs, tail swishing side to side, "Aidan was worried about what might happen if she revealed her condition, I reassured her that contacting Zee would be in her best interests, please don't prove me wrong." she adds, giving a serious little nod.

Rosalyn looks around at those gathered, then into the forest. "An interesting group you've gathered, sister," she comments to Aidan, smiling. "Of course I came when I received your request!"

Sil's golden, slitted eyes lightly move, focusing on each of the persons as they get formally introduced by Aidan. she nods, lightly smiling, before she shakes Lylianna's hand with an elegant motion. "I believe we met before." Sil replies. "Albeit it has been a while." Letting go of the hand she straightens. "It's good to meet all of you. As Lylianna said..this was a wise choice. I will be happy to help with the exploration, and especially when it comes to possible research related items we might be finding. I hope the equipment for the trip's all accounted for and complete?" she adds. Not a tone of worry, just a simple question, in that soft, somewhat deep voice of hers, before her tongue flicks out once and she looks over her shoulder, back at the leaving helicopter for a moment. A few seconds pass, before she turns towards the other again, letting her gazet sweep over the wilderness past the highway along the way. "Nightfall. I admit, it might be to our advantage."

Zarwae nods with a smile to Rosalyn and Sil. "Aidan talked her sister a lot but I'm not sure to have met you before, so : nice to meet you." She then bows to Sil "I think I've seen you in the Zephyr lobby a couple of time, but it's been a while that I didn't spend time in that place, it's nice to meet you too." the elf softly intones.

"Before going further in details about the nature of our mission, I would suggest to move to the Glade. And all the equipment I could think of is already packed over there." Aidan says, stretching out her wings a bit, "Once there, we'll make the point and plan the exploration.". The fox gives a look around, clearly a bit nervous of talking of.. certain matters in an open area like this. She offers Rosalyn and Sil to follow her, clearly eager to head back for the safety of her place. It's quite easy to read the mood of the fox right now. Eager to unfold the mysteries of her home, scared of what she could find. "Trip won't be long.. for who knows the road."

Rosalyn nods soberly at Aidan, making a polite gesture towards the depths of the forest. "Well then, after you, Aidan!"

Leaning in to give Aidan a peck on the cheek, Lyli stretches and makes ready to head back to their home, "Ready when you are, foxy." she murmurs, smiling to Aidan.

"I tend to visit it during my breaks." the lamia replies to the dark elf with a light smile of those human lips of hers, before her free hand reaches up, lightly lifting that hood of her cloaklike wraps again, and she glances up at the sky for a moment. Then she nods, looking at Aidan. "Good good. I say we get moving then, as you wish." A glance gets taken at Rosalyn and Lylianna, before the lamia begins to move, her large snake body sliding quietly along the side of the highway, after Aidan.

Zarwae closes the march, the elf looks their back, even if in this part of the country there isn't much to annoy their group.

The trip through the forest is easy. No feral, in its right or mad mind, would dare to attack such group. Especially because the fangs of the cat fox aren't unknown around here. After having reached the darkest part of the forest, where the musk of foxes is stronger, Aidan stops in front of a large tree. "And there is the trick..." she chuckles, trying to relax and heading for the hidden passage that only Sil doesn't know. In few steps, the group is finally in a long tunnel, a pale light coming from the moss.

Raising her paw to the snake-woman, Lyli says, "If you need it, I can help you see in here." she makes sure her arm is where Sil would bump into it, were she to walk the wrong way, "It's not invasive and I promise it wont hurt you." she adds, already preparing her mental illusion, nanomagic ticking away, building a perfect image of the tunnel as it would be if fully illuminated.

Sil remains quiet during the travel. She doesn't seem worried during the trip through the forest itself for various reasons, moving calmly and quietly, tho those golden eyes of hers are hard to read at times. She definitely pays attention as Aidan speaks up and the large tree is approached, and finally that tunnel is traversed. "Interesting scents." she murmurs softly, her head lightly turning as she tries to glance about, more relying on the feel of her snake body and the smells. "Coming from within. Different than the forest.." Slightly her eyes flick from moss patch to moss patch, her long serpentine length taking a subtle feel of one of them on its way. "It's alright." Sil tells Lylianna politely, humbly, but doesn't stop the other from doing her little trick. A moment later, she does indeed add an appreciative "Handy."

Rosalyn follows behind Aidan while looking all around her, but in a sense of fond remembrance rather than unfamiliarity, as her footing and path seem sure. "It's been quite a while since I've been back here," she voices softly to herself, and a light ruffling spreads across her human body, as if from a soft breeze, before it fades.

Zarwae already knows this passage. She stays the last one, prefering shadows over light, she likes this little trip on the ground.

The group passes through the ancient tunnel, giving just a look to the native images on its walls. Step by step, something seems to change in the air.. not easy to feel at first, but then it's begin to be more clear. The nanite presence seems to grow stronger and stronger, something quite unusual. Steps become lighter, and even the illusion trick of Lyli becomes more vivid, more realist. By the time the group reaches for the glade, standing in front of the huge tree, the intensity of the nanites is almost doubled. "And here is my home, the glade..." Aidan finally says, pointing to the area around her.

Once more in a more well lit area, Lyli lets the illusion trick fade, but not before a shiver passes down the girl's spine at the strength of the nanites here. Murring, she looks to her mate, "I forget, sometimes, what it is like to walk in here, how it feels."

The increase of nanites in the air certainly has its effects on Sil. It's subtle at first, but the lamia's body language, for those that read such things, clearly shows that she's enjoying it..even if she keeps it mostly hidden. Tho, as they reach the huge tree, she stops, tilts her head back and deeply inhales, her tongue flicking, before a soft exhale follows. "Certainly something to envy you for." she murmurs softly, an those golden eyes open again, taking a glance at Aidan. then she rises a little, her torso lifted on that snake body of hers as she takes a calm, slow glance around. It doesn't take long for her to notice the window-like shapes on the tree, and slightly she cocks her head. "You live..in it?"

Rosalyn muscles and posture relax as the group enters the glade, her nostrils flaring as she takes in the scent of this place once again. Moving over to the tree, she traces her fingers slowly along the bark, her attention focused on nothing else for several seconds, before she turns back to the others, allowing the tree to support her as she leans against it.

Zarwae is quite accustomed at the glade, having live here for a while now. She still had a shivers entering into, but it fades quickly as she focuses on something else, like giving a hand to Aidan for grabing their gears.

"Not exactly." Aidan answers, "My den is hidden in the hills to the east. And it's recently built, like the cottage to the south. No, the room inside the tree was already there when I found this place. I think it was a sort of home, long ago.. for some kind of shaman. Long gone, of course.". The fox gives a hug to her family, nodding and holding Zarwae's hand. "Yes, living here makes easy to forget how different is the air outside here. Let's go inside.. We can sit and plan." she adds. There is one thing, for those unused to this place. Once getting closer to the huge and ancient tree, it's clear that.. it's alive. Not a passive part of the background, but something strong and really active. And by now, the communicators of the group should had stopped to work. And once the group is finally inside the tree, the presence of nanites reaches its top.

Tail flicking behind her, Lyli keeps quiet for now, following the others in, knowing that nothing could have followed them, but never above making sure.

Sil watches the exterior of the tree for another moment, her eyes lightly moving back and forth. The forked tongue flicks once, before she reaches up and rubs her nose. A light itch. "Alright." she says, and begins to move towards the tree, no doubt many thoughts in her head that she isn't voicing, while her serpentine body silently glides over the grass and moss, her unoccupied hand behind her back, resting against the synthetic fabric of those wraps around her.

Rosalyn leaves her place at the tree's side to head inside with the others. She follows Sil up, giving her serpentine body plenty of room on the stairs.

Zarwae ups the stairs finally releasing Aidan's hand. The elf is quite, and mostly wait for the briefing of so.

Aidan heads of one of the free seats, inviting the others to sit down before doing the same. "You can place your gear against the wall.. I already prepared few bags and tends for the trip." the fox explains, finally relaxing a bit into his seat. "So, doctor.. what do you think of this place until now? Starting to pay off the long trip?". Then, becoming more serious, the fox gives a long sigh. "I think it's time to explain everything I know.. to all of you. There is likely some part that each of you don't know, and since we are likely going to be together in this adventure for the next days, I think it's better to say everything. Plus, if some of you have some idea about some part, please add your thoughts."

Taking a seat, on the floor, beside her mate's legs, Lyli leans calmly back against the fox's thigh, ears turned to listen to her mate as she watches for reactions on her friend's faces. Giving one leg a light scritching pet, she nods, "I think we do all need to know everything. From what you have said, this is not the most hospitable of areas we are going into." she churrs.

Sil doesn't take a seat. At least, not on a chair. After taking off her backpack and setting it against the wall along with the armored suitcase, she simply lets her serpentine length pile up gently beneath her, before she 'sits' down on the coils. Being her own furniture. Handy, that. "It certainly is paying off. Especially if it is any kind of indicator of what else we might find." she says as she reaches up, and pulls back the hood, baring her bald, mostly humanoid head. She then falls silent, hands resting on her 'la�p', two claws of her fingers lightly rubbing together as she watches the others take seats, and lightly nods in agreement to Lylianna's words, eyes on Aidan.

Rosalyn lowers herself into a chair facing Aidan, legs crossed and hands resting on her knee, as she focuses her attention on the information Aidan is about to share.

Zarwae doesn't sit, she leans back on a wall, staying silent and gently smiling. Her way to help the fox to go on.

"I think that all of you know what happened to me, by now." Aidan starts to explain, after everyone has settle down, one paw caressing slowly Lyli's head, "I was infected during a fight by a chimera, now named Feral Hunter, and started to get infected by this new version of nanites. This happened not too far from here, in the forest... and that helped to find this glade after that event. These nanites are really symbiont, having an active role in making the life of their host better. They work so well that, under massive stress or in life-danger situations, they can flip the control and executing basic routine to escape and survive.. usually leading me back to this place. So, this glade and more likely the mountain, hold the source of this new infection. An infection that makes me hungry when close to an unknown infection. So far, I haven't suffered any other effect.". The fox takes a break, looking to the group and giving a small nod to Rosalyn.

Rosalyn swallows reflexively, nodding in acknowledgement to Aidan's explanation. "So, you've brought us all together to try hunting down this source, and see what we can learn about it."

Zarwae taps her chin with a finger pondering. "I maybe jump at the conclusion, but Love, do you really thing that your infection is linked with the old time remains that you found ?" The drow asks, tilting her head.

Nodding so far, to each point, Lyli listens to her mate explain the situation. Watching the others, she tries to wonder how much the fox has told Sil.

Sil simply lightly nods ever so often. There is no surprise showing on her face, indicating that she already knew that part..probably as part of the little exchange of info between Zephyr and Aidan herself. Lightly her eyes move, taking note of similiar lack of reaction..or apparent reactions by the others, before she focuses on Aidan again, relaxing on her coils a little more. The tree is indeed cozy.

"Finding out the source would be indeed something important." Aidan replies, "But that wouldn't had involved so many people, or pulled them into a trip that could be dangerous. No, there is another reason. As you know, I have the ability to control the nanites inside the body of other people. I can shape a person exactly as I wish. This is something that those coyotes out there can do as well.. But then, I evolved again. Now, standing inside a bubble... I'm not limited anymore. Everyone inside the bubble is a valid target for my ability. And this is something that worries a lot Zephyr. Not because I can. But because someone else, not ally of Zephir, could get.". Aidan doesn't add that likely Zephyr would love to gain access to such technology, but it's quite implied already.

Lyli gives a nod to this, her arm curling around Aidan's leg, protectively. She isn't the poster-girl of Zephyr, but she admires the company for at least holding things together this far.

Rosalyn's eyes widen. "That, I didn't know." She shakes her head roughly. "I don't even want to think about what would happen of those religious zealots up north got ahold of that kind of technology..."

Sil nods again, and again not much of a reaction is showing, albeit the nod she gives is a little stronger than before. "It would certainly be a second P-Day if it were to fall into the wrong hands and be abused randomly. it would be just as before...everybody changing against their will, possibly losing control, and nobody knowing where it's coming from. Only the shapes they'd get turned into would be familiar this time around." Her eyes flick to Rosalyn, before she glances back at Aidan. "I think it's safe to say that the source of..whatever created these nanites is in those ruins you mentioned. It would be the most logical conclusion."

Zarwae remains silent, keeping the question she has about coyotes in her head for now.

"There is one more reason that lead to the mountain." Aidan says, nodding at Sil and Ros. She gives a curious look at Zarwae, before saying, "If you have any question, please ask, love. Anyway... I wasn't the first to get to this place. One of my lost mates, Alynna.. a researcher, was here as part of a team. She was picked up because her knowledge, so she wasn't sure of what was going on.. But she's quite sure that the team was made of Rsx and Zephyr agents. And they all went here, before the P-day.". The fox turns to look at Sil, "Still, no one at Zephyr seems to know about this."

Zarwae shakes her head. "I was just wondering who are those Coyote. By staying far from Zephyr and Fairheaven I never heard of them. Beside a couple of time in New Ireland pub." She not says loud what she thinks about it.

Lyli does indeed look intrigued by this new information, "Coyotes are... well, they gave their body over to a strange being, it makes them act a little... odd, at times." she churrs.

Sil's eyes narrow lightly at the repeated mentioning of Coyote..but they focus on Aidan, mostly. "I cannot exactly request the Zephyr database's information from here right now." Sil replies to that, taking a short glance at the inside of the tree. "But sometimes information can get buried in the bureaucratic processes." Of that caliber? "Another possibility would be that the teams actually never returned aside of Alyssa. Or, of course.." She flicks her tongue. "That only the RSX returned." She softly exhales, lightly tapping the claws of her index fingers together. "Either way...we will find out. The information, and possibly, the nature of how it got lost." She straightens a little.

Rosalyn glances sidelong at Sil. "There's also the possibility of it being a project by a splinter group of Zephyr, either unknown to the higher-ups, or actively concealed by them." She turns back to Aidan. "Either way, it certainly sounds like we've got our work cut out for us."

"Coyote followers follow a god that is known as a trickster... they power to change other is meant to be a way to bring chaos around. And the doctor thought of me as one, at first." Aidan explains, "And about that. There is something that is a bit of a.. thought for me. Before the P-day, this place was empty. And, more importantly, outside the maps. When the P-day happened, the squad was lost and the only one that escaped was Alynna, infected with a new brand of vulpine's infection. And after that, this tree awakened.". The fox takes a break, staring at the ceiling, "This tree was awakened by the bubble of Woodfield. And started to increase the nanite density of the whole area. And the whole area has unique forms, which are a lot less feral of Woodfield. Somehow, I can't help but to feel like this is a sort of sub-bubble."

Soaking all this new information in, Lyli almost giggles at her love's description of a 'Coyote'. "Wait, do you mean to say the nanites might be this strong wherever it is we are going?" she asks, tilting her head back to look up at Aidan.

"Teams lost. I guess I called it." Sil says, more matter-of-factly than in a way that speaks of enjoyment. She lightly turns her head, as if imagining the nanite bubble through the thick wall of the tree, before she hrms. "It makes me wonder how it is all connected. That..nanite strain of yours, this tree, the area and new forms...it seems indeed to be a little world inside of ours. Speaking of nanite-bubbles, of course." she murmurs. "I hope you'd not mind if I get a few readings of the nanite concentrations here later before we continue our travel."

Zarwae nods several time as they gives her a better version of what truely is a Coyote. "So this mountain was explored by a team, and just Alynna came back. Not that I doubt about operative from Zephyr or RSX, but just after P-day, people were still re-learning how to fight for their live. But still, that's a hint saying "Careful and watch your back." I suppose."

"No, I don't think they will get this strong where are we going. I think that this tree is the source. The mountain has a more normal level. Somehow, I think that this sub-bubble isn't really working." Aidan replies, before nodding at Sil. "You can do all the tests you feel to run. It could help us to find out something that we weren't able to find out. And about the team.. Alynna wasn't in the mountain when.. the old world end. I think this was her luck.". The fox takes a break, before looking at Ros, "And there is one thing that you don't know. There are the ruins of a sort of monorail in the forest. Something that look really old... and it connects this place to the mountain."

Tilting her head back forward again, Lyli gives a little nod, "Glad, I wouldn't want to see a duplicate of your alter ego hyped up on nanites and angry." she churrs, nuzzling against Aidan's thigh.

Sil nods. "Ah, yes. The monorail. I actually want to take a little detour. Even if the monorail itself is not functional..." she explains with a light gesture of her hands.. "..I -do- want to take a look at its engine." Her eyes lightly narrow. "I want to see if it is conventional. And if it isn't..I might recognize some specs. Probably not all of it, but I can take that data back to identify it."

Rosalyn's eyes light up at Sil's suggestion. "Oh, if they were really working on something this advanced this far out of the way, I would quite like to take a look at something like that, as well!" She turns to Aidan. "How ruined is this monorail, anyways? Is the track in pieces, or is it something we could potentially get working again, and see where it leads?"

Zarwae exchange a look with Aidan, then she shyly answers "We found an old train on the track too. It was full of dirt, but I do not have the skills for see if it was still working."

"It's not a full monorail. Just.. the rail of it. We found something that could be a wagon, but we are not sure, too much dirty on it." Aidan says, before taking a long break and crossing her arms, "There is one point, that it's actually quite confused. Indeed, there is what looks like a monorail. But again.. why it's covered by what looks like centuries of dirty and forest?"

"Maybe the forest itself is affected by nanites? Growing and aging it faster than normal?" Lyli asks, blinking a few times to keep her thoughts straight.

The lamia's eyes lightly narrow. They flick a little before they narrow a little more. "Centuries of forest and dirt, yet before P-Day...hrm." she falls silent, no doubt her thoughts racing, but she doesn't seem to have a worthy conclusion yet. Clack clack go her index claws as they tap together, before she looks over at Lylianna and lightly nods. "That would be an explaination. I would have said that the nanites only affect humans in Fairhaven, but we're kind of sitting inside the proof that this area, and possibly others nearby, are different."

Rosalyn purses her lips in thought, rubbing her jawbone. "Either way, it doesn't sound like we could get it up and running anytime soon, to use for quick transportation. There's a possibility there's something left inside the carriage you found that might shed some light on things, but if it's partially buried getting to something useful might take a fair amount of excavation. Other than that, it sounds like an overland trip directly to the mountain is in order," she glances up at Aidan, "unless you had another tack in mind, first?"

"I see some showels in our package." Zarwae smirks at Ros' comment, maybe a joke. Or is she serious.

"This is a valid point. Bozeman's bubble affects the vegetable life forms as well, and the tree seems to have hundred of years." Aidan says, "But there is something that seems a bit off for me. Of course, checking that rail is one of the first things we'll do. And of course we can't use it.. unless we plan to dig the area for months.". The fox takes a break, before nodding, "The plan is quite easy. First, Sil will do her tests here, finding anything that could be useful.. then we'll check that rail, which runs around the lake and goes to the mountain. I plan to start to climb the mountain in a couple of days, when we'll be done here and in the forest. And to mention another thing.. there are rocks at the borders of this glade, two warding rocks written in native language. They clearly say to don't go there.". And of course, there are a couple of shovels between the bags.

"That seems to be like a warning we will not be heeding." Sil remarks, before her torso rises. "Alright. I'll get started with the tests. Just some sample taking and analysis. It should only take a couple of hours if I'm thorough, so we might use the time to get some rest before the trip, I wager." Her tongue flicks. "One thing to note; If those warding stones are there, somebody placed them there, and certainly nobody belonging to a science team. That Shaman, probabably. One has to wonder what happened to him. Or her." She looks up, at the 'ceiling'. "Perhaps he turned into a huge tree." With that said she reaches for her suitcase and backpack. "I'll be outside. Call me if you need help with anything."

"Likewise, if you need something, just call out." Lyli replies to Sil, tilting her head back to rest in Aidan's lap, "Mmmm, rest, I like that idea." she churrs, purring as her tail flicks back and forth behind her.

"Seems a good call. Still, Zarwae, love.. would you assist Sil? You know the area and can assist her, eventually. You are the most fitting of us for that." Aidan says, one of her tails reaching for the elf and rubbing her hand with the soft tip, "Meanwhile, I'll check our gear with Ros and Lyli. Then, a good sleep for all and then... to the monorail.".