005 ♃ If we've met before but you were possessed at the time, is this really our first meeting?

[seekinganswers]

Characters: Sheba and Allen; Sheba and characters that ... aren't Allen, if you wish!
Setting: Floor 03, the library. Sheba and Allen will be exploring other parts of the Tower as well, but that part isn't open, sooooo...
Format: I'll follow you, but I'm starting with brackets.
Summary: Backdated! The day after this exchange, Sheba goes to the third floor library to meet Allen, as agreed. But she's there early, so perhaps it won't be just Allen she runs into that day?
Warnings: Nothing except the potential for some rather slow replies on my end over the next few days, but they should come with more regularity on Thursday or Friday!

[FLOOR 03, MORNING]
[She was at least a few hours early, but she supposed there were worse things to do with her time than spend it reading. Anyone who happens to be on the third floor on the morning of the 27th will most likely see Sheba darting among the bookshelves, pausing to scan over the titles for a few moments before she moves on to another set of books.

It was all well and good to say, "I'm going to read," but when it came down to it deciding what to read was a lot easier said than done. There didn't seem to be any books on the subjects she was most interested in, which was a shame.]

There has to be something useful...

[FLOOR 03, NOON-ISH]
[Finally, noontime rolls around. By now Sheba has found somewhere to sit and is curled up in her chair, completely absorbed in her book. It's probably a good thing that Allen knows what she looks like, because even though she'd started with every intention of keeping an eye on the entryway, that just wasn't how things were working out.]

Comments

[seekinganswers]

[She can't help but be a little startled when she sees his arm. Sure, she's seen a lot of decidedly strange things in her life, but seeing the arm so suddenly - and having him explain it so casually - isn't something she was completely prepared for.]

It's a weapon...? [She wonders how that works. Is its touch fatal to things like the 14th? Is it somehow stronger, more effective at ripping things apart than a normal human hand would be? It felt like every day she spent in the Tower left her with more questions than she'd had to start with.] How does it work, exactly?

[And it's only fair if he gets to ask questions, since she's questioning him so much--]

The place I had in mind is almost like a jail, I think. I don't know if it's really there or not - I can't completely remember. A lot of the things from that time are hazy, but some are clearer than others... [She frowns, just a little.] I can almost remember spending a really long time there, but every time I try to focus on the details I just can't recall them. But I can remember not being able to get out, and not being able to use my powers at all.

It's not ideal... it really, really isn't. But if you could feel him coming on, we could get you to that floor before he could take over, and he wouldn't be able to hurt anyone as long as you were up there. That would give us more time to figure out how we could make him leave so you could come back.

[whiteblackknight]

A prison...

[Much like what the Order would've put him in.]

It's worth a try. As long as the monsters don't catch us, that is. [His hand elongates to a mental command to "Invoke". The individual fingers become very long, elongating about three feet each. When once they were rounded and dull, they were now long and sharp. One could almost hear the wind slice as they moved.]

Almost immediately after that, one could suddenly see that a silvery cloak with a furry white collar suddenly appeared at around Allen's neck, trailing him as real as any other garment would. Two long, thin strips of purest white cloth also trailed behind, originating from a mask that hung just on the back of his neck, on the fur collar.]

Crowned Clown. That's its name. [His hand motions a bit in front of him.] It's really....*laugh* Don't lie, it's a bit much for a simple power, isn't it?

[1/3]

[seekinganswers]

I'm sorry... I wouldn't have suggested it if I could think of any other way. Hopefully it won't even be necessary - and really, the only way it could even work is if we had some way to tell when the 14th might be getting a little more active. That, or if we had some way to lure the 14th up there somehow, we wouldn't ever have to put you in there. Just him.

...but to know whether or not we need to bring you there, we need to find some way to tell when the 14th is a threat. [She crosses her arms.] And that brings me to my next idea...

I can read minds. That's how I was able to figure out what we needed to do up there, the other day - and how I was able to hear your voice even though it's so hard to hear sounds on that floor. I thought maybe, if you'd let me, I could scan through your mind every so often to see if I could detect when he was getting stronger or if he had any plans. I was able to hear both of you that day... I think I'd be able to tell which thoughts were yours and which thoughts were his.

Also... it might be possible to try and get information from him, by reading his mind, if he ever came out again. Maybe that would help us figure out how to make him not be so dangerous anymore.

[2/3]

[seekinganswers]

--!!

[She cuts herself off entirely when his hand elongates, though, and she jerks back a few steps. His fingers were longer, they were sharp--]

What in the world--?!

[3/3]

[seekinganswers]

That's amazing!

[After a moment to allow her surprise to fade away, Sheba steps back to him and looks at his arm and the cloak, her eyes wide.]

It's really impressive! How is it just a "simple" power? What else can you do?

[whiteblackknight]

They don't have this where you're from, do they? [He smiles again, and keeps it up.] I'll have to save the real firepower for later, but I think this is more than enough of a show.

[His fingers move one by one in a wave motion. They move effortlessly and soundlessly.] It only really has one purpose: Destroy the Akuma, demons in other words. It's called "Innocence". A kind of magic. I think. Haven't found one that allows mind reading at all yet. Or any kind of mind reading. [Timcanpy lands on his head at that moment, unnoticed by Allen himself.]

As for you...I don't think I can allow you to do that. *small frown* I don't even know anything else about the 14th. They're not like people like us. Maybe you did it that time, but it might've been what he wanted you to read. I can't say for certain--

--but it's what 'I' would do. [He continues walking where they were originally going. To a command only he could hear, his arm reverts and the silver cloak disappears.] A Noah is a monster, an abomination no one knows anything about. It could scar you forever if you read it.

*light smile* I mean, I wouldn't want you to try it, that's why I'm telling you not to.

[seekinganswers]

Not quite like that, no... the only times I've seen people change shape has been when they've turned into werewolves... or dragons.

[...it sounds perfectly normal. To her, anyway.]

It's never been just one small part of them that's changed.

[She tilts her head to the side. A weapon called "Innocence" that could defeat demons - it sounded like a very specialized sort of weapon, to be sure.] Does it work on the monsters here in this tower? Are they demons, as far as the Innocence is concerned?

...there aren't many people in Weyard who can read minds. The ones who can are Jupiter Adepts, like me - but not all Jupiter Adepts can do it. I'm not surprised that there's not really something you've found in your world so far that could let you read them.

[Her tone is serious at first, but she can't help but smile a little when Timcanpy lands on on Allen's head, and she reaches up to it - no sense of boundaries, this one.] Oh, it's your friend!

[But her expression becomes more serious as he continues.]

Maybe it was what he wanted me to read, and maybe it wasn't. Maybe neither of us have a way of knowing for sure. [She crosses her arms as they walk.] I'm not afraid of what I'll find in his mind, if there's anything for me to find at all. I've seen a lot of things in my life already that would scar most people, and I'm a lot tougher than I look!

I think it's a risk worth taking. It could help you, especially if we learn something useful about this Noah. You said yourself - no one knows anything about them. Maybe we can change that.

[whiteblackknight]

[Tim is captured in her grasp, although it seems rather neutral about the whole thing. Allen pays it no heed. It was in good hands.] So monsters are the norm where you're from? Don't know if that's better or...

Nah. Anyway, I've not tried the full use of the Crowned Clown on anything in this place. I would think it'd be effective if I tried. It's more than just a weapon--at full power, it will only harm evil things. Like a fairy tale sword, only real. [Jupiter? Isn't that a planet? Or the name of a Roman god?]

....

[He seems to feign off to her words of self confidence, however.]

[seekinganswers]

[She giggles a little and places Tim on her shoulder, and then nods in answer to Allen's question.]

That's right. ...well, they weren't the norm. There were always some around, but they became more common when... [Her expression falls and she looks down at her feet as they walk.] They became more common not too long before I started traveling. Bad luck, huh?

[When she looks up, her smile is back.]

Oh! That would be really useful, then - you wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting caught in the crossfire! [She knows she worries about that sometimes, when she spellcasts.

She notices his silence and puffs out her cheeks.]

Allen. Please, just consider it. If it's within my power to help, I want to.

[She might try it anyway, without permission from him - but all things considered it really would go much more easily if he was cooperative.]

internet troubles. WORK, DAMN YOU!

[whiteblackknight]

Yeah. Bad luck. [Oh too similar circumstances.]

...

You'd jump at the chance to endanger yourself wouldn't you? *laugh* Like someone else I know. [IE himself.]

[Tim, despite its metallic appearance, feels weird and can actually be stretched and squished when enough force is applied. In fact, pull him by two halves reveals that he has a mouth with sharp, miniature teeth. A mouth, I might add, that wasn't apparent at all before. It makes no noises, however.]

[After the elevator...]

Alright, now where to begin...

I know that feel, bro ;A;

[seekinganswers]

I would not! [She laughs, though; she's well aware that she can be a little reckless.] Well, at least I wouldn't literally do it. [Unlike someone she knows who happens to be Allen's roommate in the Tower.

When they step out of the elevator, they find themselves on the forty-first floor. It's pitch-dark and she can't see a thing, but she has the distinct feeling that they should move. And Sheba's had enough experiences with "strange feelings" in her life to know that following her instincts is probably a good idea.]

This floor always gives me the creeps - let's keep going. Just follow the stairs.

[whiteblackknight]

Alright. [Always something creepy in the tower...]

[Random noises would always keep one like him on his toes. His left eye didn't work here. This was a darkness even darkness couldn't pierce. At least the stairs were obvious.]

[Allen's steps are a little hurried, but it would be easy to keep pace with.] Any idea what floor the prison might be?

[seekinganswers]

I don't think it's too much further... I remember it was closer to the elevator than it was to the dormitory floors.

[She sighs in relief when they leave the darkness behind them and emerge on the forty-second floor. She's had worse, but the strange noises really do creep her out.]

...no, this isn't it either... I think maybe it's the next floor up.

[The iron bars on this floor are definitely dangerous. She's pretty confident in her balance, but she still doesn't risk falling in - exploring these floors can come later. For now, she really wants to see if the floor she was thinking of exists, so she sticks to the stairs and keeps going up.]

[whiteblackknight]

[From farther away, Allen can be seen balancing on one hand on one of the iron bars above the chasm. Tim has since flown to his right foot, perched on his foot. His left leg is more spread away from his center, forming a sort of "Y" shape, only the left leg is point much farther away.]

[He's smiling rather clownish-like back to her, but his balance is absolutely perfect, if a little death-defying. His voice is friendly and carefree despite the wind.]

Hey Sheba! Look! One hand!

[1/2]

[seekinganswers]

...?!

[What on earth--]

[2/2]

[seekinganswers]

Allen! Be careful - those bars sometimes move on their own...!

[What if he fell?! Would her powers even work on this floor? Maybe if she could get to him before he fell through the chasm, but--]

That's really impressive but... please come down from there!

[whiteblackknight]

[Taking a firm grip with both of his hands, Allen gracefully swings himself up and away, back to the stairs and Sheba. The landing seemed quite rehearsed, as did the gymnastic swing that brought him there.]

There!

[His arms spread, Tim flutters its way back to Sheba.]

[seekinganswers]

...

[She reaches up so that Timcanpy can flutter into her hands, and then places him on her shoulder again. It was comforting to have a little creature there.]

Is that the sort of thing you do for fun?

[whiteblackknight]

*nod* Nowadays, yeah. Back then, I used to be a clown in a circus--an amusement show, essentially--so this kind of thing isn't difficult for me.

The Order training came later though I never did forget any of my old tricks. [He scratches the back of his head.] But yeah, let's get going...floor forty-three is next...

[seekinganswers]

So you were an acrobat...

[She knows what acrobats are, at least! Those were pretty common for entertainment back in Tolbi, though of course the preferred form of entertainment had been Colosso. Sigh.]

They're probably helpful, though, aren't they? Not everyone can do those things - so that's one advantage you've got over others in a fight!

[Up the stairs they went... Sheba pauses as they emerge on the forty-third floor, and then her eyes light up.]

I think this is it! Look... [She darts into the room, examining the cells and the buttons on the walls by them. She brings up a hand to push one, then steps back as a forcefield appears to cover the cell. A moment later, she pushes the button again to disengage it.] This is definitely it. So it really is real...

I want to be sure of something. [She steps into the cell, then points at the button.] Will you press that, please? I want to make sure being in here actually disables any special abilities we've got.

...but be sure to let me out afterwards, okay?

[whiteblackknight]

Of course. [This place was...well, quite different from the advanced technology he saw in other parts of the tower.]

[But will this really work if...'he' was put in there?]

Alright. This one, right?...[He pushes the one she was gesturing towards. Timcanpy flies around the room before landing on something nearby so it could "see" what was going on. With no eyes, it peers straight into the cell.]

It's pushed...[The cell door closes.] Now try casting something, then.

[seekinganswers]

Here goes..!

[She focuses, and she can tell even before she raises her staff to cast that nothing's going to happen. There's no flow of Psynergy, no telltale beginnings of a breeze, and certainly no whirlwind - in other words, it was a total failure.

Which, to Sheba, meant it was a total success.]

Nothing at all... [She walks to the forcefield and puts a hand up against it.] I don't think I'd be able to break this even if I tried. [To demonstrate, she brings her staff up again and slams it hard on the forcefield. Nothing - it doesn't seem to have been affected at all.]

I'm not sure why this floor even exists. For the Administrators to use if people get out of hand, maybe. If that's the case it's probably very sturdy. But I don't see any reason why we can't use it if it might be helpful.

We just have to figure out a way to tell when we need to bring you up here, to contain him.

[whiteblackknight]

Well, that...[As he pushes the button again.] I don't think it'll really be that easy. But I think you're on to something here.

[Big, rotten sounding footsteps could be heard. Maybe not at first, but the guttural roar was something that could not be so easily heard.] Monsters. And it's during daylight hours, too.

[Timcanpy begins pulling on his ear with its teeth.] Yes, I know, Tim. [The sound of metal being drug across the floor was bad enough for Tim, but it's nothing super unheard of.]

[seekinganswers]

It won't be easy, but at least we know it's possible. That gives us more to work with than we had before.

["Us," because she's not going to let him do this alone. Sorry, Allen.]

...!

[At the sound of the footsteps, and then the roar, Sheba darted out of the cell, holding her staff defensively.] Which way did the sound come from? Maybe we can avoid it by going the other way.

[As long as they didn't get knocked into the cells they should be able to fight them off, but... Sheba didn't want to deal with bloodstains on her clothes again.]

Orcs (wanted to do the uruk'hai but hey ONLY AVAILABLE AT NIGHT *grumble grumble*)

[whiteblackknight]

[At their quickened reactions, this riled the monster nearby before showing itself--a brute of a creature, but the most humanoid Allen has ever seen yet.]

That's no Cerberi...

[Standing at a good 8' feet, the ogre of a monster was heaving a long sword that ended in a weird double ended blade. A rather crudely made mask prevented them from seeing what it's face was like.]

I've fought these things before. *turns around to see another* Alright, there's the other one. We'll have to face the ones near the exit. Too close to go all out here. [He can't heave his giant sword around, he means.]