- Iktomi Not making eye contact, mentioning his interest for Orbo as he perused. Just as he hoped she offered her wares and tried to see his reaction. The game of bartering was a subtle dance. Turning to look at the green and blue crystal fragments. Fine condition, the blue was intriguing, and there was a fair ammount. Basic orbo was green, other colored ones were altered during the process just for producing the orbo crystals. The stim would be unpredictable at best, fatel at worst, so none risked it. "Mistlight doesn't do it for me, and heavenspire has too many side affects. Most too distracting for my line of work. What's your rate for each?" He says with a grin, his eyes all business. 'She's not bad, but I do see the air of a void sailer about her. Would explain that impeccable taste.'
The Exarch nodded once. The decision was made, as all battlefield decisions are, in the matter of a moment and with the skill of centuries to back it. She gestured for Krocell to accompany her to the foot of the statue. Khaine in his Aspect of Stealthy Hunter did not seek the same ends as Kurnous. Oh, there were similarities, to be sure; the careful stalking of prey, the swift strike from hiding. But where Father Kurnous sought to prove his skill in the hunt to the end of taking home meat, hides, bone and sinew, the Bloody-Handed God wanted to spill blood, to revel in death, to destroy. Something of the eerie power of Fate walked at the right hand of every Exarch. The Hand of Morai-heg had marked them all for death and now they could only serve the Lord of Murder's aims. Their tightrope-walking task was to hold his violent urges in check long enough to unleash them only upon the enemy. The Exarch beside Krocell was as taut as a bowstring, her every move one of economical grace as she took out two items from behind the plinth of the statue. An ancient, wooden bowl, and a flint knife. Had she known of his arrival? Were such things kept here forever, in case they should be needed? She had no answers for these questions, only a single, grim purpose. She bade the Scorpion strip to the waist and stand before Khaine with his arms outstretched. It was a pose to recall the Young King. Incanting the Seven Names of Khaine as Swift Retribution she walked around him, eyes on the centre of his chest - his heart. Quietly at first, under the chant, another voice rose, murmuring the titles of Khaine as Patient Warrior Who Springs the Trap. Two voices - the second deep and masculine. Krocell's skin tingled. She took the knife and made a small cut on her hand, catching the blood in the bowl. Holding it up to Khaine's statue, the second voice continued as she prayed. "Swift Khaine, who walks in darkness Kaela Mensha Khaine Only to foil those who would steal the light Lord of Death and Ruin Grant us thy skill and wisdom Let not your anger rise Lord of Battle-Hosts, cunning and ancient Let not blood run, nor death walk Let us use wisdom to bring your gifts! Until war calls." She took the bowl and dipped a single finger into the blood, using it to trace the Rune of the Scorpion Who Waits upon Krocell's chest, over his heart, and either side of his spine. Then she drew runes along both of his arms. As the blood dried, he could feel it sinking into his skin, as if it were not to be washed away or rubbed off by his clothes or armour. Then she took each item of his battle-gear and painted a rune upon it, handing them to him one by one. "Take this Gift of Khaine, let wrath abide, let anger wait on necessity, as violence calls, so will blood come, only as the need is shown." The Exarch bowed, retreating to the foot of the statue, and Krocell understood that it was time to leave.
The two Rangers were aware of the demands such a mission might make, and they were prepared. Artar and Faenkon made their way to the rendezvous point without much more delay, taking the scenic route just to enjoy the wide open spaces of riverine forest in one of the Craftworld's spacious domes before the confines of a spaceship. The small plaza that held Morvan in his 'conversation' with the warp spider still held the three ships, but now Warlock Liasethanil's group was starting to assemble. The Warlock himself was looking around the chamber of instruction where the meeting had taken place, enjoying the relative quiet. He took a deep breath, savouring the lack of orbo tainting the atmosph- was that burning? Warlock Liasethanil rose swiftly and applied a touch of his mind as well as the contents of the half-empty water jug to a cushion from which was rising just the tiniest wisp of smoke. No guessing who had been sitting there. Rael made his way through the Craftworld, his mood one of anticipation. Who knew what awaited them on the ancient vessel? Treasures of lost knowledge? A trove of long-forgotten technology? A colony of love-starved maidens eager to greet their saviour? Perhaps all this and more. The sooner they left, the sooner they would know. He began to saunter in the direction of the rendezvous point. No sense in rushing past the sights of Lugganath, but equally, the mission was on a timer. Seven days to make a legend. He quickened his pace.
[OOC Just to give you some idea of a timetable, I want to get the mission proper underway soon I don't want to rush you, but I also don't want to lose the initial momentum and I am conscious of that. So sing up if you want to do anything before leaving or else I'll ship you off as you are To that end I will try to have a reply for Iktomi and any other conversations etc before too long, but I am GMing tonight in my IRC game so I must be absent for a while!]
OOC: just enjoying the calm before the storm! Ready to go when the group is Ranger Up! Entering the rendezvous point Faenkon was ready to begin. He had his long rifle slung across his back prepared to be left with their ship. Exploring a vessel was a lot different than a planet, this would be one of the more interesting adventures. Oh the stories he would surely have after this next rendezvous with destiny!
[OOC *relaxes slightly* Can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that ... it's been a while since I ran a thread like this so I am a touch paranoid!]
Morvan was not taken aback by the creatures 'answer'.It seemed to be more of a coincidence that brought him right next to him.Especially since things like coincidences...do not exist. The little thing stood next to him,protruding out his two frail looking forelimbs.Pale Warlock found the spider incredibly cute,and a small tear formed on the edge of his eyes.Warlock crouched and opened his right palm for the creature to walk onto it.Its tiny movements too gentle to be felt onto the flat of his palm,or that was due to his gauntlet. Since it seemed they understood each other well enough Warlock beamed,gentle as always,no ill intention meant to the creature...quite on contrary. A tester?Lust for adventure?I see that...but it might be better if Fates picked you another guide small one.The place i am to be...can be quite perilous...and i dont think i can be responsible for you.I cannot handle such kind of burden...not again. Morvan knew that the creature could probably sense his emotional shambles he is in...but if it will understand it,that was questionable at best.He tried to instill a sense of urgency upon the creature,fueling his thoughts as disstiled as possible.Weird thing was...is that he could see the azure blue colors,of his robes...reflecting against the creatures skin.He very well understood what warning he gave....of the flood.He has seen it before...
Artar had packed light for this trip. He expected nothing, but the usual. Searching in dead tombs to find out it is less interesting then your imagination could create. He held his Rifle in three pieces in his main pack along with other cooking gear, consumables, and pleasantries. He stood to side of his partner, maybe he was more excited then he was for this detour. "So tell me, what do you initially expect from this ship? Tau or Human?" Artar asked. The last question coming out with a robotic chuckle. Really the helmet sounded off like a static and crackling, but his companion knew it was a hint of joy.
He was quick to respond with, "Tau! The Mon'keigh would be COMPLETELY lost if they tried to control an ancient vessel like that! Hahaha!" He watched the others slowly gather in the area near the ship they were eventually going to take, but which one was yet to be discovered. "Hopefully it's Tau, that way you can add to your collection!" He nodded to his pack with a grin, he had yet to don his helmet which currently rested in the cup of his arm. Nodding at the warlock that was talking with the warp spider, "Looks like he found a friend! I wonder, do you think he's gonna take him along on this trip?"
