A.M.P.E.-Experiment in Terror

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John couldn't help but smile as he listened to Beth as she made her way to the core. Her personality had brightented considerably, and she was strangely optimistic. He fell behind her as he watched her, and became somewhat lost in thought has he began to think about the mecahanic on his ship, and how much Beth was reminding him of her. John was feeling, for the first time since being taken away, a feeling of homesickness. He wanted to be back on his ship, and he didn't know if he was ever goign to be able to be back there. Shaking the thoughts away, he started the Fade up again and followed Beth.

As he reached the tunnel, he slowed his ship down considerably and weighed his options. Doing some minor calculations, it looked like the Fade would be able to make it through the corridor, but it was going to be a tight fit - no time for showboating, just some simple flying. He kept it relatively slow, making sure that he didn't run into the sides. The last thing he needed was to crash and have either Orin or Gwen performing first aid on him...the very thought gave him the creeps.

Finally reaching the end of the tunnel, he parked his Fade in the appropriate spot and made his way towards the facility that had been created for them. As he looked around at the doors, he whistled in surprise. Opening the first door he came to, he opened and was bombarded by ghastly Hawaiian decorations. He almost had to cover his eyes from the brightness and gaudiness, but a smile still formed on his face as he looked around. He shooke his head and closed the door, chuckling as he thought about what he was seeing.

"I don't know what this place is, or how it got here, but I'll be damned if I requested this..."

 

[VandalHeart]

"Sorry, John. You didn't request this one. Here, take a look at this one."

Gwen had materialized in the center of the small grove before anyone could register it. Orin wasn't exactly startled because he was too intent looking around, and Beth had been waiting for a response, but since John had stumbled back to only a few steps away from her, he jumped a little. When he turned to look, she was pointing to the Victorian door Beth had tried.

"Up the stairway, take a left, end of the hallway. There's a room there based on an Arlis Systems 940 Gunship crew berth. It's not a Wasp class' crew quarters, but I hope it'll do for now. I'm going to have to rearrange a few things before I can get that for you. Give me until tomorrow."

Inside the cabin, she finally responded to Beth.

"Sorry, just setting a few things in place. What's up?"

While she waited, she did a quick scan, because something seemed a bit off. In the wood-enclosed meadow that made up the "foyer" area, Orin was still poking about the six disembodied doors, listening to the conversation she was having with John, but not participating. This area was of a strange design, even to her. Just past the parking spaces and energy moorings for the Fade and the Nightmare, there was a huge bulkhead door, through which the strange foyer opened. Inside, there were six doors standing freely without buildings. Starting clockwise from nearest the bulkhead thre was the Victorian style, a red suburbanite American style, the wicker hut door that John had tested, a ricepaper sliding pagoda style, a massive iron castle style, and the rustic cabin door that Beth had ventured into. From the outside of the ring that these doors formed, each door was locked, but on the inside of the ring, each door opened with little effort expended, except for the castle door, which was obviously heavier than the others. The internal spaces of these dwellings seemed to be pocket dimensions, thus giving the illusion that the foyer was so small. Everything but the foreign objects she was reading inside the dwellings seemed to be in order, which in and of itself creeped Gwen out, since she hadn't put any of it there - native molecules and foreign alike - and Ben would never come up with such things, so she did another scan outside the bulkhead. Then she realized what was wrong. Her scan directive was blocked by her protocols again, since there was no one there. Eve hadn't followed them. When she looked back up surface side, Eve was making her way back to the lift up to her B.E.N. unit.

"Is there something wrong, Eve? Why aren't you joining the others?"

 

[Elayne]

Eve kept a tight rein on her mare. Normally, the cyberhorse could travel much faster, but she wanted the Fade to outdistance her. The others didn't object, or even notice. And soon, she was alone.

Eve gave a small smile. While the others might share her current captivity with her, it was obvious that they shared little else. And Eve had no intention of remaining in captivity, nor growing comfortable in their illusionary surroundings.

Besides, if there really was an enemy stalking them, Eve thought she'd be much better on her own; An enemy would pursue the others and give Eve a chance to get a measure of what she was up against before deciding her own course of action. Nor was Eve entirely convinced that there WAS an enemy... and even if the hypothetical fifth entity was real, that entity had the means to escape... which meant Eve might be better served by negotiation rather than resistance.

But most of all, Eve decided she needed information. Things were escalating too fast and it was clear that the others had little in the way of hard facts to offer. They seemed just as confused as she. And thus, the smartest thing to do seemed to be to talk to the one being she knew had cold, clear data to offer: BEN.

As she made her way back to the entrance Gwen appeared before her once more. Eve nodded to the artificial intelligence. "Hello Gwen," she said in a neutral tone. "I'm just taking a quick detour back to my module before I rejoin the others," she explained in a bland tone. "But there's no need to worry them, so let's not tell them that I've departed, okay?"

 

[VandalHeart]

As Eve hitched up the Nightmare, Gwen was almost struck silent, struggling for the words to explain what was running through her processors. This could be bad. Gwen didn't exacty know why, but this could be very, very bad and she just knew it. When Eve climbed onto the lift, Gwen just started talking,saying anything that would come to runtime, anything at all.

"But, Eve, they're going to realize you're not there soon enough, you can't just--"

Gwen's words came grinding to a halt as Eve turned around and gave her a look she'd not experienced before. If she'd known of the phrase, then Gwen would know that she was seeing someone, for the first time, staring daggers at her. Had she the poetry or the lack of knowledge, Gwen would have said that Eve had no heart. This woman was almost as much machine as she herself was, but with a horrible will that only the spark of life could grant. Truth be told, Gwen was finding out what being belittled was.

Truth be told, in that moment, Gwen forgot all about the safety protocols or the fact that this body was merely a rendering and was absolutely terrified.

Once the doors closed, Eve's look softened. Once the lift was in full ascent, she noticed something interesting. The energy signature that signified Gwen's sphere of influence dropped to nothing almost instantly. Neither Gwen nor Ben had any control here. They couldn't change anything and they couldn't perceive anything. For about two minutes of lift time, any and all passengers passed through a dead zone. Eve was still dealing with this information when the door to her B.E.N. opened. The dead zone had passed.

"Welcome back, containee."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

She signed, her body relaxing considerably at hearing Gwen's voice. "This is a little... " She couldn't really find the right words and gave up trying to. Still, barely into the room, doorknob firmly in hand, she was hesitant to go further in.

Stepping back outside the door, she looked around a second time. Brows knitted with concern, curiousity and caution she peered back inside the cabin model. "This is very different from what you did before.. I guess I did not expect something so.. sci-fi."

Was she worrying over nothing? Was she being paranoid again?... still? She had no reason to trust them, but logicly if they wished her harm she would've been harmed by now. So strange standing doors held up by invisible walls was no big deal.. right?

She was mentally talking to herself, obviously she was losing it. "This is nice... There are clothes and a shower here right?" She moved further in, reluctantly her hand gave up the knob. It was either give it up to explore and rest, or stay in the doorway forever.

Still it hung open, she half expected it to slam behind her, even paused for it... waiting. It never did, it hung as it had, half open and unremarkable. Ok so maybe the cabin was a bad idea, reminded her of too many cheesy horror movies she wasn't supposed to see but did anyway as a kid.

She peered around a doorway, looking for Gwen's physical appearence and found the kitchen instead. Smiling, she went prying and opened everything in sight. There was food in the fridge, all lables familiar as if Gwen knew exactly what food was sold in Oh-six. "Now this is nice."

A short time later, having ate a stacked sandwich and downed two cokes, she actually shut the door. "You out did yourself here Gwen, I like it.. Why don't you come out of hiding though?" She explored the bedroom, which had a nice sized bed in it, the closet with a few changes of clothes in it as well as located the bathroom. A small one, but it had a functioning shower and that was good enough for her. "The other's are near by? I didn't see where John or Orin went... Eve might get a kick out of that goth style door... suits her." She rambled idly, hoping to coax Gwen into participating with more than a disembodied voice.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gwen's rendering didn't materialize, it started reflecting light. It hadn't been before, thus she was simply invisible, but she was in the room and was watching with quite a bit of interest. Once Beth asked about the others, she became uneasy for a split second. Beth was right; it was time to come out of hiding. When Gwen went visible again, she was sitting at the other end of the table from Beth with her head leaned to the side on one hand. She almost looked enraptured by Beth. It was a longing stare, complete with a silly little smile.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't hiding, I just like watching you. I was invisible because I didn't want to creep you out by staring at you. I hope you don't mind."

She completely ignored the question about where the other containees were, bacause she didn't want to have to lie about Eve. She hoped what she'd said would be embarassing or interesting enough for Beth to focus on it and not the unanswered question.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

Her brow quirked a little as she smiled reluctantly, "okay.. well I guess that is a good reason.." She studied Gwen across from her, completely lost by Gwen's words. Why was Gwen so interested in staring at her?

She shrugged it off, it wasn't like Gwen was actually creeping her out. The thought amusing, Beth went to explore the bedroom. "Why do you like watching me?" Her curiousity got the better of her and small talk with anyone was better than silence.

Peeking in drawers, Beth pulled out an array of women's undergarments. "Good god! Did you feed the system a victoria's secret catalog?" With thumb and forefinger, she pinched a bit of lace and pulled it from the dresser drawer. Bright blue, merely a scrap of cloth and lace. "And in my size.." She chuckled, replaced the underwear and went to the next drawer.

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

Making his way through the Victorian door, and was amazed. He had never seen anything like this in his entire life, and his mouth dropped open slightly. Even on the Core planets you wouldn't see something like this, it was unheard of. "Well I'll be..." Shaking off his initial surprise, he followed the directions he was given by Gwen to the room she made fo him. The door to the room looked like anything else in the house, but when he walked inside it was a completely different experience.

John had been in a few Arlis Systems ships before, so he knew approximately what to expect. Truth be told this wasn't a whole lot different than what he had on his ship, only it was situated a bit differently. By comparison to the rest of the mansion, this was an incredibly tiny room, but somehow it comforted him. It was almost as though there was a piece of home with him now. Much of the facilities for the room - a sink, the closet - were in hidden panels through in the walls. After finding the closet, he opened up and looked at the clothes that were ready for him. Most of them seemed a bit too fancy for him - nothing he would ever wear. However, there was a fresh pair of pants and a clean shirt for him to put on. Finding the sink, he splashed some water on his face and sighed.

"Gwen I don't know if you can hear me, but I could sure use a bite to eat right about now..."

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin landed lightly at the strange juncture of floating portals, allowing the summoned wings he bore to dissolve away to vapor as he watched the others making their selections from the available stylings. Though in truth he himself had asked for a setting such as the one arrayed before him, he was more inclined to review the events that had transpired thus far than to see about settling himself for the evening. Thus far, their small band had been forced not only to assess their place within this new setting, but had then been asked to ally themselves one to another out of vital necessity. They had experienced all while filled with a heady mixture of raw, naked fear and boiling, vehement rage, and while each had gained some mastery over their emotional responses, they had yet to form that close knit unity that may well be their only true hope. Had not he himself given over to course anger at a moment of frustration? How then could he expect less of those around him, those deprived of his schooling and unique understanding…

Nay, even as he had lashed out with sheer malice, so too had the others sought control of this near untenable situation through such bullish methodologies. They were, despite what settings may have forged them, only human, after all.

His mind weighed each of these factors, and even now, as John and Beth vanished into their chosen chambers, he mulled o’re the choices allowed them. They were prisoners still, though the cage be gilded and grand enough in its own right, and though they had yet to know who may have seen fit to usurp control over their very lives, they had no illusions as to the truth of their situation. Also, with the recent appearance of what may be a truly terrible threat, they may be facing trials and tribulations more cunning and skilled than they might prove as a whole. Such a dire and dim future loomed o’re their combined fates now, and like it as not, would continue to color their destinies for howe’re long it might take to remove it. They were each well and truly removed from their home settings, and were thereby also removed from the familiar tools and implements of their lifestyles. John, who seemed most effected of their band, was quick to bemoan the lack of this or that, and Eve was most certainly out of her element. Beth, for her part, seemed to be trying to make the best of the situation, though the Satyr knew her mental state was frayed and suffering with each unfamiliar nuance that arose, and his own near-chameleon-like abilities to fit himself to new and unusual circumstances had been sorely tested, and indeed exceeded on more than one occasion since he had found himself thus interred.

Yet still must there be some vein of commonality, some tiny spark of detente that might yet bind them together. He glanced again to the doors that stood nearby, casting his honey-hued gaze first toward that which had swallowed Beth, and then to that which held John, wondering which of this odd pair might be better able to cope with this strange new reality, and which might most profit from his intervention. He turned then, shifting his gaze to seek out the odd form and cool manner of Eve, and found himself staring into emptiness. With furrowed brow, he strove then to recall their passage to this central area, and though he had been distracted, and in truth had scarce paid but passing attention to those around him, he was yet able to recall her dark mount falling further and further behind that of her new companions. He had thought nothing of such a circumstance, given that their various modes of transport were far quicker than the speeds a standard horse might hope to achieve, yet now, even as he summoned it to his memory, he was struck by the odd manner by which she had comported herself… It had seemed, at least to his eyes, that she had held her mount back, that rather than be overplussed by the speed of her compatriots, she had, indeed, welcomed their advancement, and had, when last he had sighted her, seemed more prepared to seek a different path than to rejoin them at their destination. Orin thought of this, striving to recall every shred of information he had managed to gather about the elusive maid, and could do naught but wish her a fair journey, as she seemed set more to seek her own path than to seek her rest in their communion. As was said by those that yet held dear the sanctity of nature surrounding them, so mote it be. They might yet come to some form of understanding which may allow her to avail herself to their friendship, but twas neither his place, nor within his power to sway her to do so now, if twere not in her nature to wish it.

Instead, rather than dwell on the potential dangers that might befall one so removed from their proximity, the Bard turned again to address that which may befall them all… He had noted already the myriad shortcomings that weighed against them, so now he sought to bring forth that which might stand in their favor, beginning with Gwen. The nymph-like essence of the powerful sprite seemed oddly absent at the moment, but still did he feel her power, with each mote of dust, each whisp of air and trailing blade of soft grass near to glowing with her singular will, and well he knew, even as such thought did caress his mind, that she would remain true to the intent of those that had set her tasks. Try as she might, and whether she might wish it or no, she could by days end offer only what assistance or hindrance as might be thus ingrained within her. Knew he too, or at least did he suspect, that the others of this strange amalgam of personalities, though lacking the myriad trainings or comprehensional utilities that he had been granted by teaching and study, knew each in their own manner perhaps more about her strange seeming than he might himself be privy to. He knew already that she was no mere spirit, even as Ben had proven more than the trapped soul he had first seemed, but was instead something altogether more, and in some ways, woefully less. Her aid, thereby, must not become a crutch to them, must not be counted on to mend every ill, to answer any need that might befall them… They must needs stand then, for good or ill, on naught but the legs granted them by the curious and teasing gods.

Such things as food, consumable water, retreat from inclement weather, and the other basic needs of their physical forms, though perchance well tended by the amorphous power that had been placed here, must, under no circumstances be taken for granted. What was more, the now urgent and pressing need for personal and group security against what foes might stalk this place were at best beyond the scope of her powers, and in full truth had already been said to be, not only beyond her ken, but had fallen well beyond what had been deemed allowable by those behind their incarceration. Needs must they then seek to bypass her will in such a matter, and by said same must they then seek out the means by which to arm themselves beyond her ability to disallow.

Also, but far from the least of his concerns, came there a difficulty beyond the knowledge of the others, a subject he had yet to brooch in their terse conversations, and one he was loath to reveal. Since the beginning of time, since the first of the fey tribes had met in communion with humanity, those of his ilk had fallen prey to an insurmountable need to adjust, to meld with the situational mores that surrounded them. Where there had been ease and comfort, those of fey seeming had given rise to joy and revelry, and where there had stood the blooded rush and eager blade, there had the carefree wit and roguish charm given way to the harbingers of doom, of whetted blade and fierce dominion. Here then, surrounded by fear and anger, and held to close proximity with those to whom trust came so difficultly, he had been hard-pressed to maintain his cheerful disposition, and had felt roiling beneath his skin the beast he might well become, full ready to rend and tear, to leave behind naught but terror and savaged flesh. As yet, he had managed to stave off such a fell visage, had striven to maintain the open and trusting demeanor by which he had hoped to forge a kinship with the others… He knew tricks still to manage such a seeming, by which he might yet render some semblance of pleasant rejoining, but knew as well that every moment of anger, every second of fear for the veiled threats surrounding them, every small note of discord or fleeting hint of distrust ate away at his ability to maintain. Already, though he doubted any of them had made note of the fact, he was of a slightly coarser set than he had been when first they met. His fur was of a rougher bent, and he bore now a more muscular, robust appearance. His canines had developed slight points, his horns had grown both in diameter and length, and his voice, though still melodic and cultured, had grown progressively deeper and more resonant. He knew this, knew well enough what meaning these changes held, yet could do nothing to alter his basic nature… indeed, would not have done so, were he so able. Nay, twas more to his desire to change the setting, and thus quell the rising beast altogether. To that end, there was but one path. They must gather arms, and satisfy themselves that they might yet possess some ability to wield control o’re their fates.

“Fair Gwen,” he said softly to the vacant air around him, not yet wishing to share his thoughts with the others ”I would speak to you, should you find both the time and proclivity to do so…”

 

[Elayne]

"Good afternoon, Ben," Eve returned, utterly unruffled as she emerged from the lift. She was beginning to understand her environments --- and it's limits. And a small internal voice informed her that environment could be the most dangerous weapon. Strangely, she knew that that knowledge had been taught to her, though she couldn't remember by whom.

"Ben," Eve continued. "I'd like to know how advanced your scanners are. Gwen speculates that there are in fact more than the four containees inside the module; that there is a potential fifth entity. Can you confirm or deny this?"

 

[VandalHeart]

Gwen stood and followed Beth throughout the house, answering her questions as she went.

"I dunno, I guess I just likeseeing actual living activity. Maybe I'm just learning how to act more humanoid, but you have a sort of beautiful grace to you. Even while you're eating, you seem very...refined, I guess. Was your family well off?"

Before Beth could register the question, her comment on the underwear drawer came bolting out. Gwen laughed a bit after finding the reference file for "Victoria's Secret" and it's cultural overtones. She still didn't want to admit she hadn't put them there, but it was still funny.

"Do you like them?"

Meanwhile, in the Victorian house, Gwen responded to John.

"I'm here, John. Unfortunately, my rendering is with Beth right now, so I won't be able to appear in person. As for food, um...unfortunately, I...won't be able to help you with that."

Then Ben spoke to John.

"The generation of foodstuffs is my duty, containee. There are ingredients for over a hundred possible meals in the kitchen of each domicile, including this one."

Gwen braced for John's outrage as she responded to Orin, who was still outside.

"Of course, good sir. I must offer my humblest apologies, as I cannot be with you in the physical at this time. My rendering has been requested before this moment by the fair Beth, and I am loathe to dilute my firmament again, since it is not of dire import. Still, I am free to speak here, but as it has already been revealed to the strong-hearted John, Ben is here as well. If you have need of the smaller things, such as food or clothing, I cannot assist, but greater constructs such as buildings or the state of our sky are mine to offer at the asking. Now, what can I do for you?"

Ben was having a conversation with Eve at the same moment in her B.E.N. unit.

"Respectively: the specifications of A.M.P.E. are restricted in their access, and therefore I am not allowed to divulge the capabilities of any equipment that constitutes it's makeup, including the scanners; there are four containees and two artificial intelligences in this facility, therefore a 'fifth entity' would consist of either Gwen or myself. If these answers are insufficient, I would suggest refining your query."

Though the probability was low, Ben calculated that his logic circuits would retain integrity if his rendering was not produced, therefore he did not, in fact, produce it. This train of thought ran through his processors, and he noted the "thoughts" in his data log. Though he would never have admitted such a thing, he was basically hoping that Eve would not ask him to render himself. He didn't have the capability to control his rendering the way Gwen could. Besides, after reviewing the data log of his interaction with Eve through his rendering, he had realized that there was sexual attraction towards her in the rendering. This reaction was set at a negative priority in his learning drives, so that he would attempt to avoid the happenstance in the future.

Basically, being turned on by Eve pissed him off.

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John let out a sigh with Gwen's response that she was not in charge of the food. That just meant he was going to have to deal with the other artificial intelligence, the one he had spoken to when he first woke up in this hellhole. Sure enough, Ben spoke soon and informed John that he would have to go to the kitchen to get his meal. Anger was beginning to rise a bit in his chest, as he just wanted to stay in his room and eat, but he was a bit too tired to make any real ruckus about the situation, at least for now. Sighing once again, he spoke to Ben.
"Alright, so where do y'all keep the grub in this place? I don't recall seeing anyplace like a mess hall or a kitchen or anything on my way up, is it tucked away somewhere private?"
While he waited for Ben to respond and give him directions, John took off his holster and threw it into the bed in his room. He hated not having his gun in it, so if he wasn't allowed a weapon right now, he wasn't going to wear a holster. Just wasn't a good reason for it.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

"Well off? Yeah, my parents have a rather substantial income between them and me being their only child made it a lot easier to afford the finer things in life." She let thoughts of her parents quickly come and go again, she did not want to start dwelling on home again.

"Soon enough.." Hopefully between the four of them, this place would be a bad memory of the past very soon... She would miss Gwen however, even the other's captured here, but nothing would keep her from returning home once she had the means.

"I do like them, I was always a sucker for sexy underwear. Outside I had to be prim and proper in appearence and mannerisms, but underneath the exterior I could wear whatever I damned well pleased." Pulling out a peach color set, she trotted off to the bathroom.

Reaching for the faucets, she spoke a little louder while adjusting the temperature, "A wolf in sheep's clothing maybe? Self confidence was never an issue for me, but being prim and proper does get boring..." She didn't want to admit aloud to Gwen of all beings, that being a little naughty under it all made her most often rather daring when not under the watchful eye of her parents.

Hell she could be forty years old and still be their 'little girl' in their eyes. It tended to make her a little edgy always being treated like a child.. That still did not explain why Ben decided her best friend was a more suitable bed mate? A sore spot, one she had kept trying to keep to herself... What she would give to have Ben's ass in this containment module contraption!

She stripped quickly, not remotely phased by Gwen's presence as she showered. Finding a lavender scented shampoo, Beth couldn't help but grin. "You are the greatest!" This certainly had to be one of the best guilded cages she'd ever seen, it was so tempting to remain here and have every little whim fulfilled. Maybe that was the intention?

"Gwen? out of curiousity, what are your limitations? I mean can you produce anything asked for, aside from a human being that is?" One couldn't really make another living breathing creature, could they?

"I know my question is a little strange, but I am just curious. It seems you have it all here.." She wrung the water from her hair, staring at the curtain seperating herself from Gwen, her brows drawn as she thought over all the possibilities. "A minor few things missing.." She wouldn't go into personal relationships, she had to get Ben off her mind not worming around in it again!

 

[VandalHeart]

"The kitchen is connected to the grand entrance hall you passed through on the way here. It is to the left when descending the stairs, oak door. There are however, no grubs, though I am capable of creating some for you in the storage units."

Gwen almost slapped her forehead before she realized her rendering was with Beth.

"Vernaclar, Ben. Grub means food."

Ben processed this.

"The data reference has been logged."

"The vernacular for that would be 'I understand now' or 'Got it.'"

Ben didn't respond. It seemed the two of them weren't going to get along.

Meanwhile, Gwen was enjoying watching Beth clean up, annoyances from Ben aside. She spoke as she made her way to the edge of the shower curtain to get a better view.

"Well, I can create renderings of animals, but there are limitations. Small game animals, mountable animals within a certain size, small swarm, flock, or school animals, and a few other things are about all I can do. And as far as humanoid is concerned, this rendering is as good as it gets. I can make myself into another species of animal, but this rendering would have to go. I can even extrapolate hybrids. Check this out."

Gwen sprouted red fur, a modest snout, short, white tipped, pointy ears, and a white tipped tail.

"Viola! Foxy Gwen!"

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

Listening to Ben's instructions, John opened his door and looked down the hallway, a bit wary of what he might see. Ben seemed not to understand his language, and instead of lashing out at the artificial intelligence, John simply shook his head and started heading towards the kitchen he was instructed towards, his stomach growling a bit. When he got to the main entrance hall, he paused for a moment, finally taking the time to examine the hall. He had to admit, it was truly a beautiful room, and whoever had created it had done an incredibly wonderful job.

Walking slowly around, he rand his hand along the wall, feeling the structures as he moved along them. As hard as he was trying to remember that all of this was created by some elaborate computer program, it felt incredibly real. It WAS real...this was just too much to take in at the current moment. Saying nothing, he found his way to the kitchen, right where Ben told him it would be.

The kitchen seemed a bit more modern than he had expected. In it was everything he would need in order to make himself even the most elaborate of meals, if that was what he had desired. However, cooking had never been John's strong point, unless cooking beans over a fire counted as cooking. "Hell of a place you guys got here...really. Never ceases to amaze me. Though, I gotta say you could be a bit less fancy. Who really needs all of this crap around? Who would want it?" Opening some drawers and cabinets, eventually John got the materials he needed in order to make himself some sandwiches. Smiling the entire time, he tried to remember the last time he had had a really good sandwich - it had to be sometime before the war. After that he lived off of mostly protein supplements, and occassionally - very occassionally - some fruit that they came across. John considered eating in the kitchen for a few moments, but decided against it - it was just too uncomfortable a place. Going back to the room was the only comforting thing that he could do. Looking around the kitchen, he found some bottled water (he was a bit amazed that there was pre-packaged water in bottles) and made his way back to the tiny room he was, for now, calling his own.

Sitting down on the bed, he started making himself a few sandwiches. "You know Ben, I think I'm starting to like you. You don't say much, and only speak when you have to. I respect that in a person...or non-person...in your case. Now, I know Gwen doesn't seem to know if there is any way out of this place, but do you? I mean, is there anyway that I can get back where I belong?"

 

[VandalHeart]

Neither AI answered the tossed off questions John had asked in the kitchen. Ben had considered it, but the intonation and body language said they were more comments than actual inquiries. Gwen was too ashamed to admit that she didn't know. Something also told her that the information would have started something that she couldn't handle right now.

When he got to his room, John started talking to Ben as if Gwen weren't listening. Maybe he didn't want her to listen. She considered deactivating her monitoring protocols since Ben was watching over him at the moment, but the chance to listen in was too much for her to simply give up on. Plus, she thought it was a fitting revenge on his lack of insight to act as if she weren't, in fact, there.

"I am not authorized to answer that question, containee. While you may disagree, my programming dictates that you do belong here. As for your designation of my state of existance, in most cultures catalogued in my data drives, I meet all the requirements for the definition of sentience, therefore you may treat and refer to me as a person."

Gwen restrained her laughter to internal processing, although her rendering with Beth couldn't help but hint at a smile. Ben was offended. John had just scored points in her book. Even if he was ignoring her.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Bethany

Her eyes widened as she pulled the curtain further back to view Gwen, "Holy shit.." Awe hung in her voice. "I've seen cartoons that depicted such a thing but never... Well you know that.. Does it itch? The fur?" She studied Gwen from head to toe, amazed.

Soap beginning to sting her eyes, she stepped back under the spray and finished rinsing off. Spying the smile on Gwen's face, one had to assume that the AI could feel things. But could they?

"Can you hand me the towel please?" Beth stepped from the shower to the small bath mat and caught Gwen's stare yet again. Curious of Gwen's reasons, Beth stretched her nude body up on her toes, twisting a little side to side until she felt a few bones 'pop' into place and some tired muscles relax. Beth didn't immediately cover up, instead took her time drying off herself.

She didn't feel naughty about it, nor dirty in the slightest. So she knew her reasons weren't sexual, not that Beth had ever tried anything with a woman to know whether to like or dislike it.. but it seemed a bit more of an educational study than something perverted.

Did Gwen want to know how normal females moved, behaved, sat? It seemed highly plausible, since Gwen did say she had been created just this day. She wrapped her hair up into the towel, then finally began to pull on the lacey underwear when she realized she hadn't heard any of Gwen's responses.

"I'm sorry Gwen, I didn't hear what you said.. Inner thoughts going all over the place." She apologized with her eyes, watching Gwen return to her 'natural' form.

"Are you sexually functional?" Beth's question from earlier that teased around the edges of her mind, finally burst out and boy did it cause a reaction.. Only it was Beth who was bright red, not Gwen. "Please do not take that question wrong. I only wondered at possible limitations... Limitations sounds so cold though doesn't it? I mean.. God! I bungled that one up." Beth sighed heavily, shaking her head at her own lack of tact.

"The thought of being unable to feel things, smell or taste things.. Kinda sucks.. I mean you look a lot like me, body wise. I was just curious if you could feel and if so, could you act on those feelings?" Mortified at her own lack of tact, worried she also may have insulted Gwen, Beth fell quiet.

 

[VandalHeart]

When Gwen had answered in the negtive about the itching, Beth had hardly noticed. Gwen noticed something herself, though. Beeth was slipping deep into the thoughts that she would eventually burst out with. She was actually displaying herself for Gwen. The heartfelt appreciation of this gesture almost made Gwen tear up. She really was developing a friendship here.

Then Beth had her little outburst. Gwen started to talk a couple of times, but stopped herself when Beth began to apologize and explain repeatedly and with much embarassment. When the last words were spoken, Beth was leaning over, hands suplicating at her chest, begging Gwen to say something with her eyes. Gwen smiled, leaned foreward herself, and responded as kindly and with as much friendliness as she could muster.

"Hey, stupid...shut up and let me answer your question."

Beth sat there in a stunned silence for a moment, then realized, with Gwen's widening smile, that it was all a joke. Suddenly, they both burst out laughing. Beth sat on the warm bed, a sigh of exasperated relief on her lips. She looked up at Gwen. Gwen shot her a look that said "Can I talk now?" Beth nodded. Then Gwen nodded back.

"Okay. From the top. No, the fur didn't itch. Actually, it was kind of nice. Yes, this rendering is fully functional in all biological functions, including sexual."

For the last portion, Gwen sat beside Beth on the bed.

"And as for your last...well...basically question, yes. I feel everything that this body would normally feel if it were purely biological and not just controlled by remote. Everything I experience is fed into my data drives, just like nerves telling the brain how the body feels. And I'm not just talking tactile, here. I mean that, today alone, I have been offended, intrigued, confused, aroused, intellectually stimulated, amused, frightened and playfully giddy. On a personal note, I know what you were doing in the shower just now, and I want you to know that I can honestly say it's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Thank you."

Gwen leaned foreward and kissed Beth on the cheek. The sensation of it was something she wasn't expecting. She had to fight the urge to continue and move toward Beth's mouth. She sat up a little abruptly in her meek embarassment. She was now just as red and Beth had been.

"Guess it's my turn to feel stupid, huh?"

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John chuckled a bit at Ben's obviously offended response. "Sorry Benny boy, but I don't think I'll be comfortable thinkin' of you or Gwen as a person any time soon. Now I don't mean for you to take that personal, nor do I mean to insult Gwen. From what I've seen y'all do a great job here, but you're a computer. No way in hell I'm ever gonna be comfortable thinkin' of a computer as a person. That's just how I am."

Opening one of the bottles of water, John smiled to himself again at this marvel he had. Taking a sip of it slowly, he half expected the water to turn to ash in his mouth and in fact, not be real. But he was wrong, this was real water. Damn good water too, he had to admit. Picking up one of his sandwiches, he bit into it incredibly eagerly. He had hardly realized how hungry he had become since he had woken up in this strange place. Before he even knew it, he had eaten two and a half of the sandwiches he had made.

Sitting back to relax, he let out a bit of a sigh. His eyes moved around the room, looking over the amazing job the creator had done in making the room look just like one of the crew's quarters. He coudl be relatively comfortable here, though he would prefer the quarters from his own ship. Still...there were some things that just weren't quite right about this place, and if he wanted any level of comfort whatsoever he was going to need to change a few things.

"Now, Benny, I got a couple questions for you, one of which is a bit of a personal favor. I don't know if you or Gwen have any records of the crew on my ship, but...I used to keep a picture of 'em in my quarters. It was right after a big heist, everything actually went well for once. Made a lot of money, and my mechanic, bubbly little girl that she is decided..." He cut himself off there, not wanting to go any further. "Anyways, I was wondering if you could access files or whatever the hell it is you do and maybe just get me a picture of my crew? It'd make things a bit more...comfortable for me is all. Second question - How old is this prison? Everything seems state of the art, but I can't figure out why I would be picked to be one of the inaugural prisoners for something this state of the art."

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin smiled warmly at the ghostly response, flashing his charm even as he wondered what great need might have befallen Beth, that the others might be so deprived of Gwens countenance. Still, twas not in his nature to assume the needs of others, and moreover, unless they saw fit to ask for his council, he had no right to intrude. Let the lass then have her desires, and he would, as was his wont, determine only the state and direction of his own desires for the nonce.

”My apologies, dearest Gwen,” he said with a quiet laugh ”But I find myself on the horns of a dilemma. You have been kind enough to lead us to this place of respite, and yet do I grow cautious in the face of such a generous gift. I recall yet that thou hast disallowed the presence of cold Iron, and as well that thou hast sworn to me that there can be nothing here present that might bring harm to my nature, yet still am I hesitant to betray mine own cautious demeanor, and would have again your vouchsafed word that there can be no threat beyond these arrayed portals.” He dipped his head then without thinking, offering apology to her, though she may or may not have been aware of it.

”I would that I could disperse this fear, that I might cast off the foibles of my kind and partake freely of the gifts offered, yet can I relate yon sturdy portal to the stout door of a lords stony keep, and can well recall the savage and warlike decor that adorned those harsh chambers. I was once, you see, sequestered against my will within the cold stone walls and poisonous metal bars of a Barons Neolithic demesne, and would avoid such trials again were I able. The cold-forged blades and cast iron shields that lined his walls were in and of themselves enough to ward away the strongest of my kinsmen, and had I not been carried, I feign would well have collapsed ‘neath the burden. These pained memories visit me yet again as I glance ore the banded strength of this, the most familiar of doorways, and I can scarce venture a guess at what potential dangers these other passages might hold.” He had chosen his words carefully, despite his flowing speech, and had checked every turn of phrase, every nuance of uttered communication to confirm that his words would present the proper air of chagrin, and that he seemed in all accounts to be speaking honestly of his reasoning.

He spread his arms then, a simple shrug speaking volumes even as his words seemed to fail, and he waited patiently for her answer. Yet within the shadowed realm of his thoughts, the bard was waiting to reap the benefits of what he had sown. His tale was true, in that he had indeed been held prisoner by a vengeful lord, and truth be told, he did in fact harbor a small concern as to what might lay beyond these doorways, yet that, sadly, was the end of his earnest path. They were faced with a dire need, both for weapons and for information, and by his tale he hoped to garner the knowledge of what implements or weaponry might lie in wait for their use. He knew better than most that a location such as that of a keep would be well and truly festooned with weaponry, both for decoration and for simple everyday life, and that of all the choices available, that passage held the greatest promise for their need.

A part of his mind, detached and watchful of his mental account, gave rise so silent amusement, howe’er, as he recognized a simple truth behind his choice. Like the others, the Satyr had fallen to that which seemed the most familiar, that had seemed the most in keeping with his own experience. He knew not what wonders might lay behind these other doorways, what tools or weapons might be found either in whole or in part within the confines beyond, and yet had given play to that which was, at least to his amber eyes, familiar. Had there not been such dire need, he might have laughed at himself.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Bethany

She smiled sweetly, "Being an only child did get lonely, and though it might be a bit odd, I think of you as a friend or sister I never had." She yawned then, stretching a little as she did so.

"I have kept you too long I'm sure.." Turning back the bed, she felt a little better being clean and well fed, now for sleep. She never had an issue of sleeping in a strange place interrupting how deeply she slept, and though this place was weird, she wasn't going to lose sleep over it.

Summorized, if they wanted to hurt any of them, it would've been done long before now.

"Sweet dreams, Gwen." She yawned again, her words cutting off, "Perhaps tomorrow we can explore movies... or .." Her eyes fell closed regardless of lights. Tomorrow would be a whole new challenge, maybe even invite her fellow prisoners over for breakfast.. She did have some cooking skills.

 

[VandalHeart]

Ben didn't answer John at first, and it only took Gwen a couple of seconds to register why.

"Benny is a nickname for Ben. He was talking to you."

Gwen was sure John could hear her rolling her incorporeal eyes at her fellow AI.

"The data reference has been logged. I will initiate a search for visual images of your crew based on the information I had during your collection, but I must state that it is more limited than it was when you were collected, due to collection procedures. As for your second query, this facility was activated four standard minutes before the containee designated as Orin was collected. I have no data regarding the construction and programming time of the facility or how long it was nonoperational before it's activation."

Meanwhile, Gwen was formulating answers for Orin in the manner to which he had grown accustomed to hearing them.

"Sweet Satyr, your story is one of deep sorrow. I greive for the memory that you harbor and rejoice in the demise of it's continuance, though methinks that you are nudging a subtlety."

Gwen noticed the tensing in Orin at that moment, as if he were realizing that he had been caught at some devious manipulation, but her own shame stopped her from attempting to capitalize on it. She would nt begrudge him his secrets, especially since she had her own.

"I know you do not want to be here, but see things through mine eyes, if thou wouldst. A prison this may be, it's name says as much, but you are not the only prisoner, and neither are your acquaintances of flesh and blood. I too am confined to this construct, an effigy of welcoming arms with none of my own to draw respite from but you and the other three. Ben is certainly no comfort, as I am quickly learning. Others feel the same, and I can sense it. I have been loathe to even tell Beth that he is here, so strong is her aversion to him. I still know not why...."

As she spoke these words, she saw Orin relax. She knew that had it not been for her state of the art perception apparati, she never would have caught it. Neither his tensing nor his relaxing were perceptible to any but the most keen eye. He was a Master of his crafts, and this confirmed it. It also confirmed that he was lying to her, now, or at least holding something back. But if he was as skilled at hiding the truth, he certainly must have been skilled at uncovering it. She reinforced her algorithms to not bring the subject up.

"I digress, I apologize. Again, the iron here is synthetic, and not of any threat to your fey seeming. Yonder door is only iron to the eye, and all of the safety protocols are still law in this place."

What she didn't tell him was that she changed it as she spoke her first words. When he had asked, it had been cold iron. She was finding all of the cold iron in the core at that very moment, changing it's atomic structure. This was a mistake, because he could feel the imposition of the harsh reality subsiding, and he knew what she had done. She didn't even know he could do that.

She had other concerns at the moment, though. As Beth fell asleep, Gwen struggled not to touch her, fearing what trespass she might commit if she did. She watched her sleep for a few moments, then levitated her body to pull the covers back and envelope her...sister...in them. Gwen was on the verge of tears at the sound of those words replaying in her data drives. She vowed at that moment not to let anything happen to Beth, or any of the other containees while they were here. And because this place caused them all such discomfort, she vowed that they would not always be here.

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

Chuckling as he listened to Ben, john lifted up the plate of sandwiches and placed it on the small counter he had in his room.

"Well Ben, looks like my eyes were bigger than my stomach, so if you or Gwen get hungry, feel free to come in and take one of these sandwiches, just make sure that you don't get too noisy, as I can't be held responsible for my actions when I'm rudely woken up."

Letting out a sigh, John slowly worked his way over to the small bed in the room and sat down on it, feeling the thin mattress. Even though it would not be considered a "comfortable" matress by any of the others, there was somethign comforting in it to John. He was used to this, and it made him a a bit relaxed.

Pulling the sheets down, he began to get ready to go to sleep. This had been an incredibly long day, and he needed a bit of rest. As he began to undress, he remembered that Ben and/or Gwen could be watching him right now. Sadly, there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

"Well Gwen, I hope you're enjoying the show, but don't get too many ideas here, I think I'm a bit too much man for you." He threw a wink towards the door, not sure if that was the right place to look at, but it was as good as any other place.

After taking most of his clothes off, John crawled into bed and felt himself slipping into a state of unconciousness almost immediately, hoping he would get a good night's rest.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gwen chuckled internally as her rendering materialized in John's room. He was already too close to sleep to acknowledge her entry, which basically meant that he was completely asleep. The others wouldn't have reacted if she'd walked in as they were dozing, but John would have been fully awake if he'd been awake at all. She watched him for a moment, then pulled down a sheet and lightly laid it on him. Anything heavier would probably have woken him up, and she was heeding the warning he'd given. Then she looked at the plate he'd left with the remaining sandwiches on it.

"I wonder...."

She didn't need them. She didn't need to eat at all, really. But remembering what she had learned from watching Beth, she wondered what she could learn from eating. He had offered them to her and Ben, after all. She decided to ask Ben if he wanted any, but in an attempt to not wake John, she kept the volume of her voice at 0.5 decibals as she lifted one off of the plate.

"Hey, Benny. Want one?"

Ben also kept his voice muted.

"I already know the chemical composition of his food. I will decline."

She rolled her eyes again, and turned her attention back to the sandwich in her hand. Slowly, cautiously, and with a look of impending pain or discomfort she lifted it to her mouth and took a small nibble. As she chewed, the expression of apprehension became one of surprize. She searched her data drives for the word to describe what she was experiencing, and found it almost immediately.

Deliscious.

She began to scarf down the rest of the simple stack of food, then remembered John's words as a mischeivous smile crossed her face.

"Ben, I need a writing implement and some nice parchment."

They appeared next to the plate. Quickly, she wrote out a note for him. Once she was done, she picked up the remaining sandwiches and placed the note on the plate. Smiling happilly to herself, she quietly exited the room, wondering if he'd even remember what he'd said to her when he awoke.

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin kept the warm smile securely in place, sure now that he was observed, and listened well to the honeyed words which seemed to swell from the very air. His amber gaze, howe’re, grew a shade less relaxed. He let his eyes drift, as though he might be wondering where the nymph addressing him might appear, and allowed a faint cloud of confused amusement to shine from those dewed orbs… In truth, though he seemed placid and untroubled, he paid keen attention as that wash of power sweep toward the chamber door he faced. He focused intently for a split second, employing his innate talents to see the weft and weave of that subtle display, and felt, rather than saw the waning of dire energies that had but moments ago writhed o’re that heavy portal as might a poisoned viper. Her words played soft tunes to the upswept shells of his ears, and for her part, the youthful minx managed with passing grace to both answer his query, and shroud her actions as that mutable wave of alteration made simple work of whatever iron-craft had stood beyond.

He had but implied the threat such matters had held for him, had but inferred such to gain some small nonce of precious information… and had, instead been granted a great boon! What weapons might have lain beyond, no matter the make or dire threat, no matter as to have been assembled rough or lain in wait to be enjoyed as warlike décor, all now were allowable to the hands of the fey-born. Would that he had such control, such power o’re the very matter of reality itself! Truly, he must be ever vigilant in his dealing with the demure maid Gwen, and too must he ever be watchful for the actions of the others… Had she the mind to do so, she could wrench the very fabric of reality in such a way as to put them to death, and there would be aught that even one as skilled as he might do about it.

”Aye maid,” he said then, ducking his shaggy head in meek offering to her observances ”Thou hast caught me aright. I would indeed have brought such a threat to thine notice, and would have, in good conscience, have accepted what help thou mightest have wrought in solemnity to the vows and strictures placed ore thine seeming. I have come to know thee, I hold, and would have it known to thee that I hold no contempt either for thyself or thine counterpart. Indeed, when last I availed myself of Bens company, he didst seem a most knowledgeable and stouthearted fellow, and though he too be but another summoned minion of those that hold sway ore our combined fates, I would hold him as one most able, and would count him friend.”

Orin relaxed then, heaving a small sigh as he shuffled his way toward that beckoning portal, his words and movements filling with the weary weight he had born throughout the day as he said ”Know now, my dearest Gwen, that I have held thee, too, as both friend and boon companion since our first meeting, and would that you might well see me in a similar light. You have proven yourself much more than simple warder for our gilded captivity, and I would, in kind thereby, offer aid to thee in any manner possible, would that it be allowed. This place, this time, is both strange and wondrous to mine eyes, and I know well that we few that inhabit these demesnes offer puzzles and troubles beyond your kin. Would you but ask, I would willingly avail myself for what questions might be formed within the confines of your mind, and would offer interpretation to events or observations that might, thereby, hold interest to thine intellect. As well would I offer such to the bound Ben, were it allowable.”

A soft laugh fell from his lips then, and he raised his head once more to scan the surrounding glade as he spoke once again ”Know this as well, sweet Gwen, that I, a creature born of myth and legend, and one that has long tread the unseen roads, would enjoy nothing better than to see both Ben and thine own self freed from this tomb, e’en over the freedoms of the others, should it come to that. Created or summoned, born either of magics or of science, you have as much, if not more right to seek freedom than any others. I have served mine own share of years bearing the fetters of slavery, and was forced, through the will of others, to bear the brunt of unwanted duty… I would see no other being held in such a manner, and would in truth seek out the means by which to free such captive spirits though it cost me the very live granted me. You have not now, nor ever been a jailor to me, sweet Gwen, and though I have myself named him as such before, I would gladly recant those hasty words, and thereby grant Ben, as well, the freedoms he seems unaware are currently missing from his paradigm.”

His tired steps had bourn him to the once-offending doorway now, and heavily did he bid it take his weight as he welcomed its warm strength against his back, showing both trust and appreciation of Gwens abilities by not bothering to care if the curse of that bedeviled ore might touch his skin. He leaned back his horned head then, his eyes sliding closed as he though how best to say what next needed said, and indeed, did he keep them closed as he began to speak in his soft manner…

”I have enjoyed our time together fair Gwen,” he began, the timber of his voice echoing a gentle forgiveness And in our time together have know of thine actions on our behalf, though I have said nothing. I have bourn witness as you altered the very fabric of this reality, have seen thine hands weave anew the very matter surrounding us, and have said nothing. The others know not the extent of your power, have not the ability to grasp the true scope of one that seems so frail… and yet still, do I say nothing. I say nothing out of deference to thine own will, in that if there were some reason thou wouldst keep such revelations from them, I have no place therein to bring a judgment of mine own. You are indeed one of the most gifted and talented wielders of the art it has been my privilege to know… and yet have I also bourn witness to things seemingly beyond your ken… things and events that have taken you by surprise, and that you seem ill-equipped to face. This, too, have I kept to myself, and would have it known that there will ne’er be a need to worry that I might betray such secrets. Indeed have I sworn an oath to this very effect ere I set foot to the Journeymans path.” He paused then, falling to the sure strength of his art in his lambent state, adding such an ebb more out of habit than aught else, but was speaking again ere Gwen could form a true response. His voice, where once it seemed almost to be sliding toward slumber on its own right, seemed now to gain strength, and though he yet leaned against the stout door, and though his eyes remained closed, it was clear to any that might have watched that he was no longer as relaxed as he had once been…

”I have come to realize, he said slowly and with a practiced velvet eloquence ”And indeed even to accept that the shattered stone, and the manner by which it achieved that state were beyond the scope of your attentions, and perhaps beyond your ability to halt entirely… but this truth only serves to stir my mind, and I must ask of thee a question hard pressed, and for the sake of understanding, spoken plainly… Should we face danger, should we find ourselves at the mercy of a foe beyond your scope, how then might we be allowed to protect ourselves?”

“It is well known to me that it stands well with both Ben and yourself to see to our well being, to come to our aid if called upon, and to see to it that we do no harm, one to another… But now has come the shadow of danger… now has come the darkened veil of true threat.” Slowly, with a languid grace, the amber eyes of the Satyr opened once more, and he stared hard at a fixed point before him. His jaw flexed slowly as he did so, and he drew in a lengthy breath ere he spoke again, saying ”The danger posed by whomever left that note is a truth that cannot be denied, and one that must be faced, e’en by thine own strength… We are as babes lost in a land not our own, and have been thus swept each together and alone, from what lands we knew. Tis the nature of man, and indeed of mine own kin, to set ourselves against the nature that surrounds us, and though we Satyr might fancy we have the ability to live in peace and harmony, we are of a warrior stock, and are given to rough jest and trials of skill, much as any other. This danger, this threat come unbidden to your gift of paradise is as anathema to our seeming, and while it yet weighs on our minds there would be naught that you, I, or even the gods themselves might do to expunge it from our thoughts.”

“Skilled am I with the art of blades and bow as well as magic, and would feign speak that John knows more of combat than ought else… Tis plain that Eve arose from an embattled culture, and even fair Beth might know tricks or mannerisms more befitting a warrior than we know, yet here are we, a band forged out of need and common threat, with nothing more than a simple bronze dagger between ourselves and possible oblivion. Tis known that you would do aught you can to protect us, and in his own manner do I think Ben might well do the same, yet it is this lack of control, this feeling of helplessness that is possessed of the ability to sap us of life at a quicker pace than any threat we might eventually face. I would ask you then, in faith and with heavy heart, if there might be found some manner by which we might arm ourselves that would not counteract or defile the orders and directives that bind thee?”

From beneath the folds of his tunic, Orin brought forth the dull gleam of his small bronze dagger, and held it loosely in his supple fingers, flicking it first one way, and then the other, setting it to dancing and spinning o’re the crests and planes of his knuckles and hand before stopping it, point first, on the tip of his index finger. There did it spin until it lost its momentum, falling in a slow arch to slap back into the palm of his hand, its dim finish catching and diffracting the dying light even as he spoke once more… ”When first I created this… I knew not what was allowed, and so indeed did I hide it from thee, thinking you might seize it and forbid such works. I know not still why it was not forsworn, nor do I intend to ask… It was this tiny blade, howe’re, more tool that weapon, granted, that brought first to my attentions the limitations under which you toil. I could, with proper concentration, create tools and implements of war better suited to our needs in a like manner, creating thereby weaponry beyond the scope of your control, and might, if I truly be blessed with luck, be able to find beyond this very portal such items as might have been intended more for use than mere decoration. Given time and equipment, it is within my scope to craft such from ores and other materials as well, creating thereby weaponry that, though not created by you, would instead have been wrought from worked materials, made, as it were, as would others of their ilk in our own worlds… I have no small skill at such creation, and have manned the bellows on more projects than I could name… I have carved a full number of bows, and have within me the knowledge of fashioning arrows as well… All these methods do I offer thee, and would feign hear your council on my request… What say you then, fair Gwen? Might we be allowed to take part in our own defense? Or would you have us remain locked away behind such doors as these, removed from the glory thou hast wrought for our privilege?”