<Redren> Redren looked over to the Avenger. "Ohhhh perhaps just a smidge eager, if only to get this ordeal over with. Not much a fan of enclosed spaces. " A flex of his wings followed, the Hawk forcibly hunched over within their transport. <Desek> Responding with only a brief 'Mmmhmmm' the Warlock returned to his silence. Their ride wouldn't be easy and he imagined it was playing on their pilots nerves however skilled. He had extended an unseen 'hand' of sorts up into the cockpit to provide a sense of strength and focus to their pilot whom held all their lives in her hands. Acting as an extra pair of eyes within his own if the extra presence was tolerated.
<Visethianne> Having gotten a seat by the side of the main ramp, the Avenger quietly gazed into the small crystalline image that represented the battle outside like the feed of a camera. He calculated how much time they had. "Alright warriors, Blood Rituals" he said, softly and commanding at the same time. In his hand was a wooden bowl and a dagger. Being the first to don a drop of his blood, the warrior then passed the ritualistic gear to the one beside him.
"Understandably." Grath responded to Redren. "Soon you will be able to spread your wings and hunt some prey." Shifting to look a little at the exit out of the Serpents transport. Not bothering to focus on the flight, as much as the landing. If he died in the ship carrying him, that is how fate weaves its web. And there is little he could do to help. Other then maybe act as a back-seat driver, which I doubt would be appreciated. Grath though did turn his head to look at Desek for a moment, as his response was a little less...easy to discern. Other then taking it for face value. Which the Avenger did. And returned to his quiet watch of their exit. Upon hearing his kin speak, turns his head quickly to regard the offered Ceremonial Knife and Bowl. Gripping the knife in one hand as he spilt just enough blood to mark his presence amongst his peers. Before passing it along like his fellow Avenger did.
~~ Attack Phase ~~ The Nightshade was superior in speed and easily went beyond the Wave Serpent, but the Crimson Hunter did not abandon it as it was a high priority marker on the systems of the Nightshade. It was protected even if it did not seem like it, but the mission was to make sure it get there.... And allow it to get inside... And for that he had to get his vessel there before the Wave Serpent. The Eldar craft went to maximum velocity, straight ahead, shooting already at the shields at the hangar as the first bombers left to counter the cruisers, they exploded violent and their pieces crushed against the shields. Lances recharging only short, firing again. Destroying one more bomber, the other Lance hitting the void shields straight on, causing it to flicker. It would take much more, but the weapons had an effect, causing a smirk upon the pilots face. An interceptor squadron appeared to his left, replying with a full-frontal assault, destroying one, making a right-barrel roll to evade the counterfire, the aircrafts flew past each other, the Eldar with the advanced technology turning around quicker, capable of shooting one interceptor into the side of the cockpit, rendering it useless. The other interceptor was now turned completely around and fired against the vessel, damaging the craft but nothing too critical. Unlike the human spacecraft that was hit by both lances, one destroying the engine, the other ripping the entire right wing off. A chain reaction in the engine caused the craft to explode completely. The Nightshade re-approached the Capital ship, shooting all it could upon the hangar shield in attempt to punch a hole into the shield, enough for the Wave Serpent to get inside. OOC: Went too far??? *was unsure*
Liriasol could take the knife and the bowl with reverence, but as a Ranger all he could do was pass them on. He hoped that the Aspects would understand, fleetingly, before realising that of course they would. They knew that he had no War-Mask to don, that his Path was not their own and came with its own rituals. He bowed his head for a moment, feeling the rhythm of his breathing slow, imagining focussing on his target with cool and calculating precision. As Eldanesh said unto the Hawk, Faolchu, guide my aim, let me be as Kurnous in my hunting, swift and sure my strike ...
(OOC: Never enough carnage, Urian. Here, have some more.) <Architect> The battle was hectic and fast as the Imperials tried to fend off the enclosing Eldar. Far from the bigger vessels, however, they began to notice their fighters were being decimated by the Eldar attack craft. A directive was issued to hunt and destroy Rharijem's Nightshade, and an entire squadron of Fury Interceptors formed up behind the Hunter, firing upon him their deadly salvo.
Kara took the knife and the bowl automatically. She had not been expecting the Avenger's lead, but she responded on an instinctive level. The Warp Spider undid one glove, taking the small blade in her other hand, and scored a tiny cut, letting the crimson fluid well up and drop. She paused for a moment, staring at the abstract reflection the Spider could see in the reflective surface, as if it were showing her the skein for a moment. But only the Crone scries in blood, and she did not try to press her luck. She passed the ritual gear on to the next Eldar, focussing her Will to seal the cut closed. [OOC Sadly, I am fading fast, will have to sleep! See you tomorrow Urian, I read your post while making "space laser noises" sound effects to myself. So I'm guessing it's fine ... I know there are no laser noises in space. But Khainedamnit, there should be!]
<Redren> A swift slice that hardly registered to the eye as it came with practiced precision and was done at an odd angle as the Hawk stabbed rather than slashed his hand, tearing into that space between middle and index finger he bit his lip from the extra sting it brought him but at the same time relished it's touch; savoring what would be the last bit of true undiluted feeling before the battle to come. Let his lifes essence flow free into the bowl he looked to who would next take it. <Desek> Retaining his focus on guiding their own pilot the Warlock ignored the rest leaving Redren to hand it back over to their exiled Avenger.
[OOC Lore from my old Codex says: "The enclosing helmets that are worn by Warlocks are kept in the shrines of the Warrior Aspects. A Warlock can only don his warrior-seer self by returning to his old shrine and and recieving the helmet from an Exarch as part of the blood ritual of the Aspect Warrior." - pg 18, 1994 "Taste the Rainbow Cover" edition. First Codex I had to hand.]
<Visethianne> Having the blood of all Aspects in the bowl, the Avenger spoke again. "Does anyone want the honours?"
