OOC: What????? Thats crazy. Torch Bearers were my planned SM army before i really got into the fluff and chose Chaos.
Kheroth made his way back to the dining table to find a taller than normal astartes conversing with Sigvald. He hesitated as he smelt the scent of Angel's blood, and instinctually placed his hand on the bolt pistol at his hip. It took him no more than a moment to figure out the the scent was in fact coming from the astartes at Sigvald's side. He removed is hand from his weapon and continued walking towards the two. "It is not every day i have the pleasure of meeting a Son of Sanguinius," Kheroth smiled. "Well, at least without putting a few bolts in his chest." He looked at the mortal eating beside him, but not with disgust. He was already used to the fact that so many mortals would be accompanying them to Arkhona, and there was no point in dwelling on something that couldn't be changed, not yet. Besides, this man looked like he could be of some use to the war effort. Whatever that use was, Kheroth wanted no part in it. He returned his focus to the Raptor, awaiting a reply, curious as to what would have made one of the "Emperor's finest" turn to the Dark Prince.
Sigvald glanced over at Nero, then turned back to look at Kheroth "Truly it is not so far fetched to me, if Khorne had not seemingly gotten to them first then I suspect they would be unknowingly serving the dark prince instead...no offense intended of course. Truly we are almost brothers, both of us exemplify everything that is beautiful, both of us came from the geneseed of two of the Emperors greatest Primarchs, and both of those legions were well cultured with a fine appreciation for art."
"I'll try to remember all of that" Aradax said laughing. His smile never breaking as he heard the dictionary length of titles."I don't believe I have even said my name". He finished the rest of the liquid in his chalice before continuing. "Aradax 'The Burning Whip'. Warmaster of the Warband: Burning Hate and Captain of the 'Lost Faith'. Champion of Slaanesh, destroyer of systems, slaver to the weak, and Supreme General of the Cast Do-" Interrupted by this accusation, Aradax Paused to stare at Nero for a response, his smile fading. His left hand laid between his plate and Las-pistol, no longer eating but just staring at the Traitor Marine. "Emperor's finest?" Aradax said through gritted teeth.
Nero turned his head towards Kheroth, taking in the whole of this Brother Astartes into his eyes. The Pirate had been listing off his titles, likely in an attempt to mock him and was interrupted by the Astartes. The man made a hissing sound as he wrenched out the words "Emperor's Finest?" Nero flashed the pirate a glance and gave a sardonic smile. "Why my little parrot, had you not heard?" Nero stood up, spun around with his arms wide out, massive talons tearing through the air as if it were flesh. "We are all his children, and we are all made in his image. Love the Emperor, for he is the salvation of mankind." He laughed his barking laugh again, shattered glass scraped across slate while centuries old trees fell across ravines crashing down to the river rapids below. "It is true, the blood of Sanguinius flows through my veins as sure as we sit within this warship." He turned his attention of Kheroth. "I can assure you, that Sanguinius isn't the only one that flows through me. Never much of a father was he, only thing he ever gave me was the Thirst." He chuckled for a moment. "Granted, hard to give away anything when you're dead." Nero sat back down. "Khorne did not work alone that day, Kyriss the Perverse was the true purveyor of our gift. It was by his vision that Ka'bandha was able to do his work. Kyriss is who whispered in my ear, his softly scented words wafted through my skull once, aiding me in my rage. Taking me back from the precipice of madness, allowing me to control my thirst into something far greater." He looked once more to the pirate, motioning with his massive claw with a come hither hand. "Use the pistol at your leisure, my parrot, I can assure you. Death is one pleasure you haven't felt yet. "
Sigvald smiled widely at Neros performance "I like your attitude." slowly he came back to look at Aradax once more "At one time, long, long ago in what seemed another life, I too was the Emperors finest." he tapped his chest "All the Emperors Children were, as the only ones allowed to use his name and his seal in the Space Marine legions. I do not judge Nero's past, lest I judge myself."
Aradax looked at his pistol and then back at Nero. He slowly reached for the pistol with his hand keeping both eyes on Nero. He grabbed the pistol grip and with a flick of his wrist, turned on the safety. "Me too my friend!" Aradax could barely get the words out. He was laughing t0o hard to control himself, thrashing all over his seat, almost falling out several times. His high pitch yells were disturbing some of the cultist and slaves in the background, causing some of them to cover their ears. Wiping his eyes with his wrist, he filled his chalice with another drink. After taking a swig, he was able to calm down, but still having a wide grin. "Excuse me, I do not laugh at you, Nero. The fact that we were probably all part of the Corpse's Organization, is amusing to me. I cannot bring myself to even imag-" Cut off by a thought that crossed his mind. "Duel, a duel will cut off some of this...tension. I believe I saw one room when I arrived. Only in battle can we truly know a being, our names and titles mean nothing if not able to prove why we received them." Aradax finished his cup and got down the chair. He holstered his Pistol and took his Helm from his belt. The Helmet looked just like a skull even its jaws moving with motion. Aradax opened it by taking of the jaw piece, and placing the helmet over his whole head and face. From the outside it looked like a old and crude ancient bone skull with a visor, but inside it contained many of the same features carried by Carapace Armor. The jaw made a clunk noise when it locked to the skull. Aradax began moving it around, It followed his natural jaw, almost perfectly. He walked towards the arena, his back to the table where he previously was seated. "Are you coming, brother?". The comment made Aradax Chuckle as he walked further away. OOC: Also Darthy I would like it if you could create the look of the arena OOC and the rules for the duel/weapons/announcements/Judge IC, since it your ship and all.
The Cultist Leader overheard the rumors of a duel from the other ones and rose from his seat, approaching Aradax. "If you do not mind, Astartes, I shall observe. Perhaps I will find an inspiration for my next piece?" Vanilus asked with a sly smile, making it sound like it was a mere excuse.
OOC: No problem, quite literally because I basically made the dueling arena in a previous RP with a friend. The area was a massive arena surrounded by row after row of seats in a circular pattern, banners belonging to the Emperors Children hung from the walls and images of Daemonettes and Fiends of Slaanesh were sculpted into the walls with eye dazzling materials that seemed to change color as one shifted their angle, a mere mortals mind would of warped and broken from the reality rending display. Hundreds of seats were arranged in rows from either side along with large balconies for nobility and Astartes to get a good look at the action, the arena itself was a simple marble floor encased in a gilded cage which seemed to be wrapped in barbed vines as if the near impenetrable bars weren't deterrent enough. By far the most notable feature of the dueling arena was the sound however, the shrieks and explosions of Istaavan pounding ceaselessly, giving each fight the backdrop of a dying empire. The duels were always non-lethal, Sigvald hardly liked to waste resources...but that didn't mean they weren't vicious, at a combatants discretion they could beat each other within an inch of their life, a victor only being declared when the other had fallen unconscious.
