RzhdeQA1

1[21:02] <flashdrive> (I haven't made a character sheet or anything yet, but the idea for Gosia is that she was selected specifically to be among Viktoria's personal 'circle' for her unusual teleporting abilities)
2[21:03] <Nidhogg> (Oh okay =D)
3[21:04] <Nidhogg> "Anywhere?"
4[21:04] * Nidhogg found such an ability remarkable.
5[21:04] <flashdrive> "Anywhere she has an image of."
6[21:05] <flashdrive> "Or has seen before."
7[21:10] <Nidhogg> "Well I'm not sure our destination is one she has glimpsed before, so I shall lead us." Nidhogg rose to her feet, stretching. She snapped her fingers, setting her Mount in motion ahead of her. "This way, if you would your highness." Nidhogg lead the way out of the shrine through a large, ornate archway.
8[21:16] <Nidhogg> Beyond the archway lay a corridor, ringed with light. At the end of it lay a large, white disk, the texture of which resembled the milky interior shell of a clam.
9[21:16] <flashdrive> (oh crap sry)
10[21:18] <Nidhogg> (Busy?)
11[21:18] <flashdrive> Viktoria and her attendant follow, then stand together by the disc. Gosia's eyes are primarily on Viktoria, but she does take the time to admire her surroundings and the disc as well. "Is that it?"
12[21:18] <flashdrive> says Viktoria*
13[21:18] <flashdrive> (nah, it's fine)
14[21:20] <Nidhogg> "Indeed." Said Nidhogg, stepping onto the platform. The second her feet made contact with the platform's surface, a glowing blue octagon the size of a dinner plate appeared before her.
15[21:21] <flashdrive> "Interesting... should we come up there too?"
16[21:22] <Nidhogg> With a few taps, she keyed in their destination. As she completed it, a second octagon, orange and flashing, appeared on the other side of Nidhogg. The runes on it flashed even brighter, indicating a warning of sorts. Nidhogg slid it away, causing it to dissolve into particles of magic.
17[21:23] <Nidhogg> "Yes." Nidhogg answered.
18[21:24] <flashdrive> Viktoria turns to Gosia and says something in a strange language that is certainly not German. The flowery girl nods and places a hand on her Princess's shoulder, the two quickly appearing beside Nidhogg.
19[21:25] * Nidhogg 's Mount was the last to clamber up onto the platform. It gave a mechanical whimper when it spotted the warning screen.
20[21:25] <Nidhogg> "Relax, I'm sure Zena and Seira have things under control there." Said Nidhogg, expressing faith in what were, perhaps, the only other allies she had left in her Domain.
21[21:26] <flashdrive> "Zena and Seira?"
22[21:28] <Nidhogg> "Aids of mine. They tend to matters I may entrust to no one else." Nidhogg explained. "Like myself they are both...transmuted along different lines than yourself or Gosia here."
23[21:28] * Nidhogg danced around the word "Monster" to describe her allies.
24[21:29] <flashdrive> "Ahh. Are they Mizumi as well?"
25[21:31] <Nidhogg> "Not quite." Nidhogg was quick to answer.
26[21:33] <flashdrive> "Oh. Would we be able to arrange a meeting between them and myself?"
27[21:36] <Nidhogg> "If you mean Mizumi, that is simply not possible." The platform came to life, a rippling ball of distortions forming above the group. "If you mean Zena and Seira, we are on our way to meet them at this very moment."
28[21:37] <flashdrive> "I meant the latter. And: excellent!"
29[21:37] <flashdrive> Viktoria looks up at the rippling ball in wonder. Her civilisation has so much to learn from the Domain!
30[21:38] <Nidhogg> "Now then, you neither of you have any history of cross-dimensional sickness do you?" Nidhogg asked as the sphere above them grew. Crackles of lighting could be seen as the air around them darkened dramatically.
31[21:41] <flashdrive> "...nothing too severe," Viktoria shuffles nervously.
32[21:45] <Nidhogg> "Good!" Said Nidhogg as a crack of thunder sounded about the room. The ball of distortions grew, swallowing them up and whisking them away in a flash!
33[21:46] <Nidhogg> Just as quickly, the ball shrank, depositing the group onto the surface of a platform that was in a new location entirely. One that was far darker than the previous had been.  
34[21:47] <flashdrive> Viktoria clutches her stomach for the first few moments after arriving, until the green in her face subsides and she relaxes. "This place is.. dark. Do you have any kind of light?"
35[21:50] * Nidhogg stepped down from the platform, using a set of circular steps that were present along it's edge. When her feet made contact with the floor, bright rings of blue appeared on the floors, walls and ceilings, providing the group with a light source.
36[21:50] <Nidhogg> "Is that better?"
37[21:50] <flashdrive> "Yes, thank you." The pair of magical girls appear beside their host with a *poof*
38[21:54] <Nidhogg> "Right then." Nidhogg folded her arms behind her back and continued down the corridor. "Welcome to a location that, as far as the majority of my Domain is concerned, does not exist."
39[21:55] <flashdrive> "It looks very... cozy."
40[21:59] * Nidhogg could hardly say much on the drab, grey metal corridors that composed the installation's interior. Unlike the majority of her Domain's structures, this was built in a traditional style. A style closer to buildings in the Human World than the Protean, Atronik habitats and forges that had grown across her Domain as an exoskeleton of sorts.
41[22:00] <Nidhogg> "It is...sufficient for the duty and purpose to which it was created."
42[22:00] <flashdrive> "What's that?"
43[22:04] <Nidhogg> "The study of something that will very likely paint this world in a different light for you..once you see it that is."
44[22:05] <flashdrive> "..interesting."
45[22:09] <Nidhogg> The corridor terminated in a large, circular door that was ringed with odd glowing runes. The central most rune was the symbol of Nidhogg's Domain, cast in radiant white lines.
46[22:09] <flashdrive> Viktoria whispers something to her attendant.
47[22:15] <Nidhogg> Another octagonal screen, red and ominous, popped up as Nidhogg approached the door, which towered over the Girls that stood before it.
48[22:16] <flashdrive> "Woah... what's that?" Viktoria looks up. Her attendant does the same, silently.
49[22:17] <Nidhogg> "A containment door. Armored to withstand blows up to and including the kind delivered on the end of Atronik weapons." Explained Nidhogg, running her fingers along the floating key pad.
50[22:18] <flashdrive> "Atronik?"
51[22:22] <Nidhogg> "The process by which Magic is used to maintain a singularity of sorts with The Aethar and Flux Nexum."
52[22:25] <flashdrive> "...our exoscientists have a lot to learn.!
53[22:25] <flashdrive> learn."*
54[22:31] <Nidhogg> "They may already be learning and, with any luck, improving. The technology is one they are allowed to freely study. In fact, several examples have been provided to them for just that purpose." Nidhogg listened to the doors mechanisms as they came undone.
55[22:32] <flashdrive> "Oh. I haven't heard of anything like that. Then again, I prefer to leave those things to my ministers, so that's not too surprising."
56[22:39] <Nidhogg> "Ministers?" Nidhogg wasn't entirely familiar with the various individuals that served Viktoria in the FIC.
57[22:39] <flashdrive> "Yeah. Heh, I can't do /everything/ on my own, you know!" she chuckles, peeking inside the next room
58[22:41] <Nidhogg> The doors sighed open, the room beyond lit far better than the corridor around them was.
59[22:42] <flashdrive> Viktoria and her attendant cover their eyes.
60[22:42] * Nidhogg entered first, stepping into the pristine white chamber.
61[22:42] <flashdrive> When their eyes adjust, they follow.
62[22:45] <Nidhogg> Lockers lined either side of the room, which was smaller than the door that lead into it would have suggested.
63[22:45] <flashdrive> "What's in these?" Viktoria looks over them.
64[22:49] <Nidhogg> "Protection." Said Nidhogg, the door behind them closing. She traced a finger along the lockers reflective surfaces till she reached one in the center.
65[22:50] <Nidhogg> "You may not journey beyond this point without being clad in it."
66[22:51] <flashdrive> "Oh. Do we need a passcode or something?"
67[22:55] * Nidhogg shook her head. She tapped on the lockers long oval surface. It popped open with a "hiss", revealing it's contents. "You will need these however." Nidhogg reached in and produced a thin, sleek garmet of sorts and a matching helmet: https://safebooru.donmai.us/posts/1099934  
68[22:55] <Nidhogg> She then stood aside, allowing Viktoria to gaze into the locker.
69[22:56] <Nidhogg> Within stood a large, encapsulating suit that wouldn't have looked out of place aboard a space station or any other such installation that existed beyond the skies of the Mundane Worlds.  
70[22:56] <Nidhogg> (This essentially:http://68.media.tumblr.com/fb22c56053647c7a305cb8c10074b1cb/tumblr_n602kvV7YJ1sxm4gzo6_500.jpg)
71[22:57] <flashdrive> "Oh... wait, why are ours bigger than yours?"
72[22:58] <Nidhogg> "You misunderstand." Nidhogg smirked a bit, then elaborated. "You wear this beneath that." She hefted the smaller suit, then gestured to the bigger one.
73[22:59] <flashdrive> "Ohh, I see. Is there anywhere I can go to get changed?"
74[22:59] <Nidhogg> "Mines actually slightly bigger, due to it having recently incorporated systems that seal my corruption for the safety of those near me."
75[23:00] * Nidhogg pointed to a nearby changing room. "There is also machinery there that may stylize your coolant suit for you, should you wish it to resemble the style of clothing you currently wear."
76[23:01] * Nidhogg opened an additional locker for Gosia. On the interior of either locker were the instructions for properly donning the equipment stored within.
77[23:02] <flashdrive> "Oh, this one will do fine. Thanks anyway, though." And with that, she heads off to get changed. Gosia follows Nidhogg to the other costume, but frowns and sighs at the language.
78[23:05] <Nidhogg> "Are you having translation issues?" Asked Nidhogg with a friendly smile, perfectly willing to decipher it for Viktoria's aid.
79[23:06] <flashdrive> (oh, no, Gosia's the one who doesn't speak English)
80[23:06] <flashdrive> (referring to the instructions in the second post)
81[23:07] <Nidhogg> (Nidhogg is talking to Gosia.)
82[23:09] <flashdrive> (oh whoops, I got confused for a second. Thought when you said 'Viktoria's aid' you meant 'to help Viktoria')
83[23:09] <flashdrive> (:| it should be 'aide')
84[23:11] <Nidhogg> (Sorry -_-)
85[23:11] <flashdrive> (heh, no worries)
86[23:11] <flashdrive> She turns her head towards Nidhogg and.. tilts it.
87[23:14] <Nidhogg> "Ah...you don't speak the language most Mundane Worlds do I assume. Correct?" Nidhogg's Mount pulled up alongside it's master.
88[23:15] <flashdrive> "N-nicht spricht Englisch," she replies, though even her German isn't without an accent.
89[23:19] <Nidhogg> "Ah." Nidhogg saw the issue now. She reached out with a finger and pointed to the visual instructions. "Does this work for you?"
90[23:20] <flashdrive> She follows her finger to the diagrams, then turns back to her and nods. She takes her gear and heads for the changing rooms--meanwhile, Viktoria exits, wearing both suits
91[23:23] <Nidhogg> "How is the fit?" Asked Nidhogg, walking over to Viktoria and checking her over to make sure her equipment was functioning properly.
92[23:23] <flashdrive> "Oh, it fits quite well, actually! In fact.. I must say, the under suit fits a bit too well in some places.. I feel like my private parts might be a bit too.. embellished in this."
93[23:24] <Nidhogg> "You can adjust it if you like." Nidhogg turned her face, smirking.
94[23:25] <flashdrive> "Oh, I can? How?"
95[23:30] <Nidhogg> "It should be among the options you see flashing across your cooling suit's faceplate." Nidhogg gave Viktoria's helmet a tap, indicating the glowing text and icons that were streaming across it. "It's voice activated as I recall."
96[23:31] <flashdrive> "I see... what should I say?"
97[23:32] * Nidhogg began disrobing, removing her thighboots and elbow gloves before moving on to her bodysuit. "CS. Function. Resize, and then state the intended area of the body."
98[23:33] <Nidhogg> The Monster Girl threw her attire into the open locker and slammed it shut. She stepped to the side and opened a second locker, pulling out her own protective suit.
99[23:34] <flashdrive> (she's not entirely naked while she's pulling out her protective suit, right?"
100[23:35] <Nidhogg> (She is.)
101[23:35] <flashdrive> (...)
102[23:36] <Nidhogg> (I take it that's an issue then -_-)
103[23:36] <flashdrive> "Oh.. Gott... Your Highness.." Viktoria turns away in shock and disgust.
104[23:37] <Nidhogg> "What's wrong?" Nidhogg turned around, her gaze questioning of Viktoria's words.
105[23:38] <flashdrive> "..don't you even mind that you're naked?"
106[23:40] <Nidhogg> Viktoria's question was returned with a laugh. "Should I?"
107[23:41] <flashdrive> "Well... yes. I mean. Well... I suppose not, if your culture is different.."
108[23:44] <Nidhogg> "Though if it is an issue..." Nidhogg quickly stepped behind a locker, using it to cover her bare form. "I shall make use of a changing room." Nidhogg inched her way along the lockers, out of sight of Viktoria, and made her way into the closest changing room.
109[23:44] <Nidhogg> Her Mount settled down beside Viktoria, once again resting.
110[23:44] <flashdrive> She sighs, chuckling a little, and then recites the passcode. "CS. Function. Resize, crotch."
111[23:49] <Nidhogg> A chime rang in Viktoria's helmet as the suit complied with the request of it's wearer.
112[23:50] <flashdrive> "Ah... much better."
113[23:52] <Nidhogg> Five minutes after she had left, the Monster Girl came back, sealed into both of her suits. Glowing runes painted her gloved hands, leaving luminous blue trails as the Monster Girl walked. They seemed to cause her a degree of discomfort. Because, as she came to lean on the locker, she was forced to take her hand away. Behind her dual faceplates, she could be seen wincing in pain.
114[23:52] <flashdrive> By then, Vik's attendant had joined her. "Is.. something wrong, Your Highness?"
115[23:56] <Nidhogg> "The runes...they aren't the most comfortable." Nidhogg strained as she spoke, appearing on the verge of collapse.
116[18:46] <flashdrive> "Oh... well... perhaps we should finish this as soon as possible, then?"
117[18:47] <Nidhogg> "Quite." Nidhogg inched her way forward to the door at the room's end.
118[18:47] <Nidhogg> (brb, need to go get some dinner =D)
119[18:47] <flashdrive> (sure thing!)
120[18:49] <flashdrive> "Are you sure you need to accompany us for this, Your Highness?" Viktoria and her attendant follow.
121[18:55] <Nidhogg> (back =D)
122[18:55] <flashdrive> (wb!)
123[18:56] <Nidhogg> "Yes. This is not something I have the liberty of having another divulge. It's best if it comes from the source." Said Nidhogg, resolute to continue her task.  
124[18:57] <flashdrive> "..if you're sure. Would you like us to open the door?"
125[18:57] <Nidhogg> The next door opened much like the previous ones, requiring a swipe of authorization from the installation's master.
126[18:57] <Nidhogg> Another corridor, somewhat darkened as the one before the changing and locker rooms, waited for the group.
127[18:57] <flashdrive> "Oh... crap."
128[18:58] <flashdrive> (hm. actually, retcon that last line of mine)
129[18:58] <flashdrive> "How much further?"
130[18:59] * Nidhogg lead the group in, her footsteps gradually building up their pace as he adjusted to her bindings and restraints.
131[18:59] <Nidhogg> "Not much. We take a lift to arrive at our next destination." Nidhogg gestured ahead to a blue, semi-translucent octagon that waited in a shaft of light.
132[19:02] <flashdrive> Viktoria and Gosia vanish that very instant, reappearing on the octagon.
133[19:02] <Nidhogg> As she reached it, she revealed that they were not alone in the installation. "We're coming up Zena." Said Nidhogg, speaking into her helmet's communication system. When the individual on the other end acknowledged Nidhogg, their words could also be heard by Viktoria and Gosia.  
134[19:03] <Nidhogg> "About time." They said with relief, their voice male despite it's effeminate qualities. "Those Arcane samples Buushi and Pyra gathered are growing unstable. I don't know how much longer they can be contained by anything mystic, machine or otherwise."
135[19:04] <flashdrive> "Who's that?" the Princess-Empress looks down to Nidhogg as she boards the lift.
136[19:05] * Nidhogg stepped onto the platform, joining her guests. "Relax. You'll be free and clear to throw em back in the Lae Line in a few hours or so." Nidhogg didn't sound worried, despite the urgency in her associates voice.
137[19:06] <Nidhogg> "Zena. A Dryad." Nidhogg answered simply, starting the lift with a swipe of the hand. It shot upward, leaving luminous ring-like trails in it's wake. "Think of him as someone who fulfills the same role for me that I assume she does for you." Nidhogg pointed to Gosia.
138[19:08] <flashdrive> "Ah... a.. real dryad?"
139[19:09] <Nidhogg> "As real as a Monster Boy can be." Replied Nidhogg, giggling.
140[19:10] <flashdrive> "I don't think I've ever seen a drya- wait, a monster boy? Did he have anything to do with your corruption?"
141[19:15] <Nidhogg> "No." The Monster Girl intoned before explaining. "My corruption traces it's origins to the "Tenebris Fabrica".
142[19:16] <flashdrive> "Oh.. what's that?"
143[19:19] * Nidhogg sighed, wondering if she and her circle of friends were the only ones who made use of that name. "I believe it's commonly known as the "Ebon Mint", or some other nonsensical name they give it." Said Nidhogg with a wave of the hand.
144[19:25] <flashdrive> "Oh... oh! I think I've heard that name mentioned in reports before, but I can't say I know much about them."
145[19:27] <Nidhogg> "What are the details of those reports?" Viktoria now had Nidhogg's undivided attention.
146[19:29] <flashdrive> "Oh... just that a few of our residents had made contracts with them, and had their physical and immaterial forms altered as a result. It also seems to cause a reduction in loyalty. We treat it like any other anti-governmental organisation. Why?"
147[19:30] <Nidhogg> "So I can assume they aren't on your list of state approved organizations then?"
148[19:33] <flashdrive> "They're a threat to the loyalty and well-being of our citizens, so... no."
149[19:34] <Nidhogg> "Oh..." Things suddenly grew uncomfortable for Nidhogg. "What..do you do with them then? The ones who are altered?"
150[19:36] <flashdrive> "It depends. Usually, we have them purified. Sometimes... their abilities are too useful to give up, and they may be kept in their corrupt states and assigned a handler or two to keep them in check."
151[19:38] <Nidhogg> "A...handler?"
152[19:39] <flashdrive> "Someone to keep watch, and attend to them if their urges become too difficult for them to control."
153[19:41] <Nidhogg> "Would I require one then...were I to visit the civilizations you have built in the Harvest?" Inquired Nidhogg.  
154[19:43] <flashdrive> "You have diplomatic immunity. Not to mention, you are not expected to show any loyalty to myself or the wider Deutsches Reich."
155[19:49] <Nidhogg> A sigh of relief. "All the same, I will try and take steps to ensure I cause no trouble." Nidhogg raised her hands, revealing the odd symbols inscribed on the palm of her gloves. "Such as these."
156[19:51] <flashdrive> "Runes? Oh, I doubt those will be necessary. There's nothing about your presence itself--or, 'aura'--that causes chaos, right?"
157[19:54] <Nidhogg> "No." Nidhogg lowered her hands, her tone dipping. "However there have been...discrepancies with my behavior as of late that warrant measures such as this."
158[19:54] <Nidhogg> An implication that her time as a Monster Girl had not been a positive experience. Least of all for the world around her.
159[19:55] <flashdrive> "...oh. You're saying you have been influenced by your corruption against your will to do evil things?"
160[19:57] <Nidhogg> "I am...unsure." Nidhogg replied, the uncertainty of her statement laced with fear. "It's hard to know if my own thoughts are truly mine these days."
161[19:59] <flashdrive> "Do you.. maybe... I mean, we could probably have you purified if you want."
162[20:01] * Nidhogg shook her head. "That would be tantamount to me breaking my oaths of alliegence to Mizumi." Above, the floor their destination lay on could be seen. A green ring of light was visible just below the entrance tot ht floor.
163[20:01] <Nidhogg> "That is something I could never do."
164[20:01] <flashdrive> "Even if it gave you control of your own mind back?"
165[20:11] <Nidhogg> There was hesitation in Nidhogg's response. However, she was unchanged in her decision. "To do anything less than continue as I am would be treason." A serious glare met Viktoria's eyes from Nidhogg. "The consequences for which...I dare not fathom."  
166[20:12] <flashdrive> "Why not? They don't seem like a particularly nice bunch to be loyal to. You have a kingdom. What can they do to you?"
167[20:19] <Nidhogg> "Had." Nidhogg spoke on past tense. "And I believe you ask a question you do not really desire the answer to." The lift came to a stop on the designated floor. Nidhogg walked ahead of the others, leading the way into another darkened corridor.
168[20:21] <flashdrive> "We.. could make long term plans. You could get your kingdom back before any declaration of hostilities," Viktoria follows quickly, trying to remain walking at the queen's side.
169[20:24] <Nidhogg> "Hostilities against whom?" Nidhogg didn't like the direction the conversation was going.
170[20:25] <flashdrive> "You know... the people who want to keep your mind all screwed-up?"
171[20:32] <Nidhogg> "I know of no such people." Replied Nidhogg, wondering if she had made a mistake by indulging the conversation.
172[20:34] <flashdrive> "Mizumi. The people responsible for the corruption that has robbed you of your own mind?"
173[20:39] <Nidhogg> "Were I even of a mind to entertain such a perfidious idea, I have no proof that I have been robbed of my own mind." The group passed by several doors, all of which were marked with the symbol of Nidhogg's Domain.
174[20:39] <Nidhogg> The symbol, a bright and hazardous red, seemed almost foreboding as the silence that hung over the area.
175[20:40] <Nidhogg> Nothing save the sound of foot falls and perhaps the breathing of each Girl in her suit could be heard.
176[20:41] <flashdrive> "Your Highness, please. You said yourself there were times when you didn't even know if your thoughts were your own. Worse still, you recognise this, yet they've altered your head so much that you can't even protest anymore."
177[20:43] <Nidhogg> "Slander." Nidhogg shot back at Viktoria, a bit of annoyance having crept into the Monster Girl's tone.
178[20:44] <flashdrive> "What manner of queen lets her own kingdom slide out of her hands? Your Highness, you know what I'm saying is the truth!"
179[20:47] <Nidhogg> "I know nothing of the sort!" Nidhogg replied sharply. "I can hardly say for certain what I know in any capacity to be the truth!"
180[20:48] <flashdrive> Viktoria takes a moment to sigh and collect her thoughts. "Well... I'd like you to think about what I said. But anyway... are we almost there?"
181[20:55] <Nidhogg> "Indeed." Nidhogg pointed to the very end of the corridor. A door, different from the rest in that it was a semi circle, rather than the octagon the architects of the installation so seemed to love crafting.
182[20:55] <Nidhogg> *so seemed to prefer for their occludes.
183[20:56] <Nidhogg> The symbol of the Domain that was drawn onto it's surface in light was a cool blue that clashed with the angry red present on all other doors.
184[20:57] <Nidhogg> Ominously, two large and imposing devices, tower like and built of what seemed to be gun turrets stacked atop one another, waited in the corners on either side of the door.
185[21:00] <flashdrive> Viktoria walks confidently, having long since gotten used to this level of security as a daughter of the Crown herself. "I'm guessing it's in there?"
186[21:08] <Nidhogg> "Yes." Nidhogg came to a stop, finding a glowing green circle waiting for her as the controls to the door. Instead of entering right away, Nidhogg checked the logs to ensure there were no discrepancies.  
187[21:11] <Nidhogg> "If you should wish to send your own researchers after we are done here, I will grant them access."
188[21:12] <flashdrive> "...really? Your Highness, I can't thank you enough for your trust!"
189[21:15] * Nidhogg nodded. "Of course. I have no reason to distrust you after all." In fact, Viktoria was one of the few people Nidhogg knew in the current day and age that she could make that claim of.
190[21:18] <flashdrive> "Oh Your Highness, you're too kind! I'll have to buy you a state gift! Let's see... do you like horses? Fine china?"
191[21:18] <flashdrive> "...Jewelry?"
192[21:25] <Nidhogg> "We may discuss gifts at a later date." Nidhogg could be seen blushing slightly through her faceplates. Though she didn't admit it aloud, Viktoria's offers made her feel..appreciated.
193[21:26] <Nidhogg> Ahead, the doors to the room parted, grinding open and spilling bright and nearly blinding light into the corridor. The trio's suits engaged their anti-glare measures, allowing their wearers to see into the area beyond the door.
194[21:27] <flashdrive> "Very well..." she trails off, peering inside.
195[21:32] <Nidhogg> The pristine white of the lab was deeply offsetting in it's appearance. Spacious, cold, sterile and stocked with esoteric tools and implements, it seemed a place that wouldn't have been out of place aboard the space faring vessels of the mundane world's science fiction.  
196[21:35] <Nidhogg> Two more individuals, also wearing suits much like the Trio's, stood on raised platform in the center of the room. Curtains of rippling light surrounded the platform's edges, seeming to prevent anything from entering. Or leaving.
197[21:36] <flashdrive> "So... what's that?"
198[21:39] <Nidhogg> "An examination table." Nidhogg came to a stop on the polished, mirror like marble of the floor. As she looked up, the individuals above came to the platforms edge to gaze down at the trio.
199[21:41] <Nidhogg> "Zena, Itami. Meet the ruler of the FIC and her attendant." Nidhogg presented her esteemed guests to her associates. One of them passed through the curtain of light to leap down to the floor. They landed gracefully on their heels, a move that carried them into a respectful bow at the same time. "Evening your highness." Came the male voice Viktoria and Gosia had heard earlier.
200[21:41] <flashdrive> "O-oh... you're examining them? Do they have some kind of disease?"
201[21:42] <flashdrive> (...okay retcon my last line)
202[21:43] <flashdrive> (is Itami a girl or boy?)
203[21:45] <Nidhogg> (This is Itami:http://tbib.org//samples/3850/sample_e89e98b823a074fdb536376c8d32ff86ec5f1145.jpeg?4364345)
204[21:45] <Nidhogg> (And a Girl.)
205[21:47] <flashdrive> (ty)
206[21:47] <Nidhogg> (Can you see that image?)
207[21:48] <flashdrive> "Evening, sir, madam," she curtsies, "It's a pleasure to meet you." (yup)
208[21:48] <Nidhogg> The Monster Boy rose, approaching Viktoria and Gosia. Though Nidhogg had claimed that Zena was a Boy, he appeared to be anything but.
209[21:49] <Nidhogg> A slender build, soft features and deep lavender hair and eyes made a mockery of his claim of being male.
210[21:50] <Nidhogg> One might even question if he were truly a monster. However, the glowing runes on his suit, similar to those on Nidhogg's, were a sharp reminder.
211[21:51] <Nidhogg> "I was looking forward to meeting the leader of the Girls who built all of those marvelous cities on the Harvest." He offered a hand to Viktoria, smiling at her with elfin features.  
212[21:52] <flashdrive> "Oh, you flatter me," she smiles back, her suited hand taking and shaking his. Gosia curtsies as well. "This is my attendant, Malgorzata. Sadly, she doesn't speak English," she gestures to her companion.
213[21:57] <Nidhogg> "She's among good, if not as necessarily as pleasant, company in this world then." Zena joked.
214[21:58] <Nidhogg> "Indeed most of the beings in this world are incapable of English or any other Human language."
215[21:59] <flashdrive> "Oh.. well, I can understand that. We've only been in contact for... oh.. a year?"
216[22:07] <Nidhogg> "True. Though they've known of the Mundane Worlds for far longer." Zena stepped over to what seemed a computer console, which was little more than a large floating octagon of blue light and magic.
217[22:08] <flashdrive> "What's all this I keep hearing about Mundane Worlds?"
218[22:08] <flashdrive> her eyes follow the dryad*
219[22:11] <Nidhogg> "It's what we refer to the Human Worlds such as Earth as." Zena explained as Nidhogg headed for the platform above via floating white circle of light that rested on the floor.
220[22:11] <Nidhogg> ""Mundane" refers to the fact that the world as a whole is lacking in magical properties, such as that of places like the Harvest or Nidhogg's Domain."
221[22:14] <flashdrive> "Ah, I see. ...how do you reach those worlds?"
222[22:15] <Nidhogg> "You've been to Earth right?"
223[22:15] <flashdrive> "I.. um... which Earth?"
224[22:16] <Nidhogg> "Any of them."
225[22:18] <flashdrive> "Well, yes. I was born on one. I have since travelled to and from that world many times.. but I don't know the way to the other Earths."
226[22:20] <Nidhogg> "Well, as I'm sure you've likely been made aware, there exists a world that serves as a bridge between multiple worlds. It's protean landscape commonly resembles a city that's seen as lacking in logic or reason in it's design and purpose."
227[22:20] <Nidhogg> Zena waited, seeing if Viktoria would pick up on his reference.
228[22:25] <flashdrive> "Oh... you're referring to the Sprawl? That's a shame. I was hoping you had some special pathways. It's quite tedious to translocate troops across the Overcity. It's always changing shape, and it's easy for troops to get lost--or attacked."
229[22:29] <Nidhogg> "Which brings me to the second method." Zena turned away from the console, grinning. "Travel from a mundane world to a magical world and vice versa can be accomplished in the absence of that "sprawl' as you call it."
230[22:29] <Nidhogg> "While many use it, that realm is not necessary and may be bypassed by other methods."
231[22:30] <flashdrive> "Wunderbar! ...how?"
232[22:30] <flashdrive> (Claudia ended up keeping quiet about the Sub Aleph Key)
233[22:31] <Nidhogg> "Well, generating Rifts for one. Such as the ones Nidhogg's machines use to get around when they are required to perform a task."
234[22:33] <flashdrive> "You have enough of those devices to outfit every machine with one??"
235[22:34] <Nidhogg> "Yes. Though generally most machines are devoid of such devices. A network of portal generators exist within the Domain that ferry them from location to location as they wish."
236[22:35] <flashdrive> "Fascinating... how are they made?"
237[22:40] <Nidhogg> "Carefully." Replied Zena, answer at a slightly nervous pitch.
238[22:40] <Nidhogg> "Given they're Atronik devices, they can leave a lot to be desired should something go wrong." He warned her.
239[22:41] <flashdrive> "Oh... I see. Well, we can always purchase them from you, right?"
240[22:42] <Nidhogg> "We can do you one better and give you the technology. In fact, I'm sure we already have actually."
241[22:45] <flashdrive> "...possibly, although from what I've heard about Atronik devices it's possible our magiscientists haven't managed to create any yet."
242[22:47] <Nidhogg> "If they do, then I hope they're more competent than this lot is." Zena thumbed a gloved finger in Nidhogg's direction. "
243[22:48] <Nidhogg> *"There are still a few craters left over from the workshops where they botched the process."
244[22:49] <flashdrive> She allows herself a chuckle. "All the more reason to be careful about it, then. Still, we can't thank you enough. This technology could be invaluable to our fight against our enemies, especially the Caliphate."
245[22:51] <Nidhogg> "I'm going to assume that is a threat of Arabic persuasion then?" Zena's expression indicated the Dryd stood perplexed by Viktoria's words.  
246[22:53] <flashdrive> "Arabic, North African, Persian... any of the colonies in that general area. They've become quite powerful since we had to divert our efforts to fight the Communists."
247[22:53] <flashdrive> "Not to mention the French, Russians, Italians... but they're all beaten now."
248[22:57] <Nidhogg> "I assume your world has seen it's share of conflicts then." The Dryad sounded worried, despite not appearing so.
249[22:58] <flashdrive> "Yeah. Most of that happened this year though. We had been relatively at peace until then. Still, we have beaten all of the closest threats already, and only the Caliphate rebels still remain. Along with a few Communists in Italy and Austria."
250[23:03] <Nidhogg> "It wasn't an extremely destructive conflict I hope." Now his worry was visible in his handsome features.
251[23:06] <flashdrive> "Oh actually, surprisingly enough, it wasn't. I mean, a few cities got bombed, but most of the bombing was directed at military stations. The war was fought very quickly, since armies are way more mobile than they used to be. It was tough at first when France, Spain and Russia invaded all at once, but with Austria's help we outflanked and smashed the Russian army, and from there Austria was able to fight off the remaining Russians whi
252[23:07] <flashdrive> while we focused on the West."
253[23:07] <flashdrive> "Most of the damage happened with the Communist rebellions, but they're mostly over.!
254[23:07] <flashdrive> over."*
255[23:11] <Nidhogg> "A stark contrast to events in several worlds then." Zena commented in observation.
256[23:13] <flashdrive> "Yeah. We've studied a world the history of another Earth called 'Terragen', where their wars were pretty bad... but they seem to have come earlier. Not to mention, their technology favoured defence, while ours is more attack-oriented, especially the new Land Speeders."
257[23:14] <Nidhogg> "Land Speeder?" Zena was familiar with no such technology, though he assumed it was a vehicle of sorts.
258[00:08] <flashdrive> "Yep. It's like.. part-car, part-helicopter, part-platform. We use them extensively. Speed is the key to victory in wars on my world."
259[00:26] <Nidhogg_> "Better not let Nidhogg hear you say that." The Dryad gazed up, temporarily fogging his faceplate. "Here, they tend to have a bit of a problem with vehicles like the one's you're describing." He chuckled.
260[00:27] <Nidhogg_> (sorry about that -_-)
261[00:27] <flashdrive> (no problem)
262[00:28] <flashdrive> "Oh, heh, is that why you have so many walkers?"
263[00:30] <Nidhogg_> "Apparently in whatever world Nidhogg's from, they work the best." Zena could admit. "I have a difference preference myself." He added, moving to a different floating console.
264[00:31] <flashdrive> "Oh, what's that?" she follows him.
265[00:35] <Nidhogg_> "Mind stepping back for a moment?" Zena moved away from the console to a clearing amid the consoles and machinery on the floor.
266[00:37] <flashdrive> "Sure thing," she stops, and takes a couple of steps back, still watching him.
267[00:38] <Nidhogg_> (brb)
268[00:38] <flashdrive> (sure)
269[00:47] <Nidhogg_> (Back =D)
270[00:47] <flashdrive> (wb!)
271[00:50] <Nidhogg_> Light flooded into the Dryad's outline, turning him into a bright silhouette.
272[00:50] <flashdrive> Viktoria raises her eyebrows. Neat.
273[00:51] <Nidhogg_> Rapidly that silhouette began to change, morphing and molding as something grew from the Dyrad's form, using him as a conduit to draw forth into the Realm from which Zena anchored it.
274[00:51] <Nidhogg_> Gone was the Dyrad in a few moments, a massive glowing statue in his place.
275[00:51] <Nidhogg_> As the light faded, that form began more solid and defined.
276[00:52] <Nidhogg_> It was a construct of sorts. A suit in fact.
277[00:52] <Nidhogg_> (Looks like a cross between: http://tbib.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=2162503 andhttp://tbib.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=3756870)
278[00:52] <flashdrive> "...Zena?"
279[00:53] <Nidhogg_> One that was spun from material that appeared to be plant like and organic rather than metal and alloy.
280[00:53] <Nidhogg_> "Yes your highness?" The suit got on it's knees, placing it's hand in it's laps.
281[00:54] <flashdrive> (might change that to 'when an oppossfully attacks you')
282[00:56] <Nidhogg_> (?)
283[00:57] <flashdrive> "Um... why are you wearing a suit?"
284[01:01] <Nidhogg_> "Ever heard of power armor?" He said, knocking on the front of the suit.
285[01:02] <flashdrive> "But... why now? Is something about to happen?"
286[01:03] <Nidhogg_> "Nope. This is the preference I mentioned earlier."
287[01:03] <Nidhogg_> He then went into detail. "It's called a "Belladonna"."
288[01:04] <flashdrive> "Ahh, that makes sense. On my world, a kind of power armour is currently in development, but troops fight on foot or in more traditional vehicles for the most part."
289[01:08] <Nidhogg_> "Well...what if I told you this wasn't originally made for fighting?" Said Zena, tapping on the mystic weapons built into the arms and the large backpack that carried the devices that allowed the suit to fly.
290[01:14] <Nidhogg_> "I know they're deceiving, but originally these were grown with a different purpose in mind from the one you're probably thinking of."
291[01:18] <flashdrive> "Interesting.. what was that purpose?"
292[01:22] <Nidhogg_> "Recreation." The Dryad answered flatly.
293[01:24] <flashdrive> "Huh? How do you need a suit for that?"
294[01:26] <Nidhogg_> The suit gave a shrugging motion. ""Recreation" is a broad term in the World of the Arcane and Magical."
295[01:27] <flashdrive> "I see... is it for exploring, then?"
296[01:30] <Nidhogg_> "One of the original purposes in fact."
297[01:32] <flashdrive> "But now you use it for fighting?"
298[01:33] <Nidhogg_> "I use it for a bunch of things." He gestured around, nearly scraping the wall with the suit's clawed fingers. "Just earlier I climbed into a pressurized shell built for this and went diving to collect samples."
299[01:34] <flashdrive> "Samples?"
300[01:53] <Nidhogg_> "From the floor of the Sanguine Mana Sea. Where the facility you're in is located at." He revealed their whereabouts.
301[01:54] <flashdrive> "...oh. Is that why we have to wear these suits right now?" she asks, referring to hers, Nid's and Gosia's
302[01:56] <Nidhogg_> "Among other reasons." The Belledona encasing Zena disappeared in a flash, dropping the Dryad to the polished floor. He landed with grace that might have indicated he had some practice with ballet or ice skating.  
303[01:57] <Nidhogg_> "Though for the sake of breeches, these suits can withstand being submerged. I tested that out once with ole Nid, a Drider and a Gravity Girl named "Agatha"."
304[01:57] <flashdrive> "..Agatha? I know the name."
305[01:59] <Nidhogg_> "She's a Russian Magical Girl that was formerly a scientist and engineer." Zena tried to jog Viktoria's memory. "Sharp intellect. Also the designer of these suits we're wearing."
306[01:59] <Nidhogg_> "Also one of the contributing factors for ole Nid still drawing breath in current times." He added on a darker note.
307[02:00] <flashdrive> "You have her designing things for you?" her voice is, by now, stern. "You're very fortunate. That girl is a danger to my nation and my world, and her experiments with Artificial Intelligence are... frightening," she shudders. "Wait, she saved the Queen's life?"
308[02:03] <Nidhogg_> "Several times." Zena  secretly wondered if he had made a mistake by bringing up Agatha. "She also made the suits primarily to protect Nidhogg and other Girls should they have to go into the more caustic areas of her Domain."
309[02:07] <Nidhogg_> The Dryad then sighed, his jovial mood deflating. "Unfortunately her worlds falling apart just like this one and she's not in much of a position to do anything anymore."
310[02:09] <flashdrive> "How so?"
311[02:10] <Nidhogg_> "Let's just say you may have hit the nail on the head with the Artificial Intelligence thing you mentioned." He turned back to the console, completing his task on it. "Only the danger is confined to her world...for now anyway."
312[02:13] <flashdrive> "Well, thank goodness for that. My world will begin making war preparations at once! Oh... and I understand the Domain has been having issues with Law and Order lately. Would you be able to send anyone to assist us, or would it perhaps be better for us to re-establish order here first?"
313[02:16] * Nidhogg_ gave her offer a long pause of consideration. Then he answered. "I'd rather not endanger anyone without first knowing the nature of the issue."
314[02:22] <flashdrive> "Isn't there enough danger already?"
315[02:26] <Nidhogg_> "You have no idea." Forboding was the Dryad's answer.