Flipz

It's a BIONICLE song, I can't not quote it.

"Of course."

"Your words make sense, it's just...it's hard to keep a hold on hope. But I guess...well, you've heard me sing it before. 'When all you gotta keep is strong, move along, move along like I know you do.../And even when your hope is gone, move along, move along, just to make it through...'" "Thanks for being there, anyway, De'kra. I'll keep what you said in mind, though, as I leave on my new assignment." Arthur moves over to Sorrow. "Hey, it seems I'm onto my next posting. I'll probably need that scarf of mine, mind giving it back? And, uh...you going to do anything about that hand?"

C'mon, Fugazi, check your PMs, man!

"If war comes, one of the Veterans will want to recruit us to the Wolfgang. One of them is on their side." Arthur's voice begins to rise slightly as he continues speaking. "And, as wrong as they are, they put their finger on a lot of things that are wrong with Heroica. Violetta said we're too concerned with saving the world to succeed in saving our own hometown, and I think she was right in that regard. We've had two and a half centuries to make Eubric a better place, and what have we accomplished? Nothing. The Houses still squabble for power. Orcs and other green-skins are still treated as second-class citizens, if not enslaved. Hell, the friggin' Hovel Wall was built to lock away the poor because the rich aren't interested in helping anyone but themselves. If anything, we've let things get worse in Eubric. And there's nothing we can do about it at this point, because apparently we, the best and brightest of Eubric, are too stupid and inexperienced to be worth listening to." Arthur lets his face fall into his hands. "Why is it that evil people, like the Wolfgang, like Wren, like me, can destroy everything in mere moments, but the people who do good can work for centuries without making any difference at all?"

"Yes, indeed. I'm sorry I did not get a chance to reply. After Violetta and Donny were killed--I was the only one who believed they had a chance at redemption, apparently--we had to rush into the Theatre and save the Houses. They were making such strides, it seemed...but now they hate each other even more than ever. There will never be peace in Eubric now. Not until Ulric and every last one of his followers are dead...and the heads of the Houses as well. Eubric will not see hope within their lifetimes...or ours, it seems." "It's funny--in my homeland, there were many problems. The leaders were selfish, strict, and closed-minded. But my father kept trying to keep them in check, and to make things better for all of us. He believed that there was always hope, that even one person could achieve great things. But...maybe he was wrong. Maybe we can't really change anything, and all we can do is kick a few pebbles down the mountain and hope someday it'll cause an avalanche."

Arthur returns to the Hall for some last-minute preparation, a list in his hand. He spots Grimwald and heads over to him. "Excuse me, Master Grimwald, might I trouble you to return my staff?"

Please tell me that's not a reference to Count Bleck. Yes he does. Actually, Endgame, if you don't mind, I'm going to hang around in the Hall for a day, finish up some RP business and give Galen his money. Oh, and Kintobor: Arthur has Violetta's mask, just FYI. I'd like to make a moment of it once I'm actually posting in the Quest topic.

"But then...how can we make it through the day-to-day?" Arthur shook his head. It was too much for him, I haven't had enough sleep to deal with all this right now. "I don't know. Maybe some decent rest will let me make more sense of it." He locks eyes with Boomingham. "Thanks, though. There's wisdom there...even if I can't see it. Yet." Arthur was on his way out of the Hall when he spotted the Quest board. Figuring it was worth a glance, he stopped by to look...when he saw a name that nearly jolted him out of his skin. Karie Alderflask... He quickly scanned the ad. A Wolfgang armory? I fear for Wolfgang betrayal... Arthur glanced back towards Boomingham. Maybe he's right. Maybe I'll never make a difference...but damn it, I have to try. Leaving a sealed note announcing his availability for Quest 70 for Lieutenant Etenent, he quickly departs for the Barracks to arrange matters with the Captain and Lieutenant Serevan.

"We've met, briefly. A pleasure to see you again, Master Hybros." The imp seemed familiar to the Sorcerer, but it took a few moments for the realization behind the impression to kick in. "You own a Plaything." It wasn't a question, nor an expression of awe, or even an acknowledgement of kinship. It just...was; if anything, a mere statement of realization--or was it fascination? In any case, the moment is quickly dropped. "But that's irrelevant. Lord Boomingham, a moment ago you mentioned that change must be violent. But if that's the case, how is it possible to change things without...well, without becoming a villain? Like the Wolfgang, or, Wren...or, as I've come to realize, me? To overthrow through disorder, disruption...Chaos...I have seen that evil. Been that evil. Yet I still see the evils within Order as well. Is it even possible to achieve real good in the world, or are we all just deluding ourselves by calling ourselves Heroes? A 'Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something'... It just seems like...well, for all we did in that building, we didn't achieve much in the long run, did we? It feels like these fancy titles Patricia gave us are just a well-meaning lie. Like we didn't really earn them. Or more accurately, like I didn't really earn mine."

Arthur opens his mouth to agree with Guts and thank him for his help, but suddenly the Rogue from the Theatre hobbles up to the bar and manages to make a complete fool of himself. He tactfully ducks out from between them before things can take an ugly turn. After glancing over his shoulder to make sure Arnulf wasn't following him, he tries to catch sight of the woman Guts had pointed out, but before he can spot her again he runs into Nagure. "Oh, right, of course. Thank you. You fought well, Nagure, I wish I could have given you more." Arthur removes the Sticky Gloves and gives them back to Nagure, quietly slipping 50 Gold into them as he goes. The Yeti walks away to Sorrow, and with the massive creature's bulk in the way Arthur can hardly see anyone else in that direction, let alone this "Karie" person. He shakes his head. "Time enough for that later, I suppose." Seeing that Boomingham had arrived, he starts over for his promised Flaming Gumball, but has to stop suddenly to avoid a flittering Barty. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see--" Boomingham's next words stop Arthur short. Arthur stops dead. Was this it, then? Had he made yet another wrong choice? Arthur runs a hand up his face, then back down the side of his head. "Damn it," he mutters, as much to himself as to the guardian angel in front of him. "Is there even a right side? Or a right way? Or is everything I do just guaranteed to come out making things even worse?"

Correct. Also: Kintobooooooor! I saw you online earlier! Don't think you can hide from an awesome roleplaying opportunity!

For added effect, Karie should totally buy the cat suit before Guts or Arthur notice, and then be trying it on as they turn around and spot her.

Let the games begin... In that case, Arthur blames himself for not going there personally to save her from Atramor. Which makes sense, as out-of-character the only reason to go to that Spire was to prevent the final boss from being Lucky, and that didn't really work out as intended anyway.

Arthur shrugs, and withdraws the wine; he knew someone at the Barracks would probably appreciate it. "There is, as a matter of fact. Word is around the Barracks, you know pretty much everyone in this town who's worth knowing--even Captain Patricia. So I figured you'd be the Hero best suited to help me with this." "As you probably know, there was an...incident last night at the Foundation Day Ball. Captain Patricia will probably announce it publicly later this morning, but long story short we killed three of the Wolfgang generals--I say 'we' not just as a member of the Watch, but also as one of the Heroes who killed Violetta and Donny." He pauses, considering how best to frame his next words. "Before she died, Violetta--or 'Kayla Raltyn', as I've learned her name to be--mentioned something. A name. I want to find out who this person is, and make sure she's not a threat to Eubric. Have you met anyone by the name of 'Karie'? Someone who might have ties to the Wolfgang or some other criminal element?"

And Guts generally has little respect for people connected to Ether, though hopefully Arthur can change that... Thothwick needs to recruit Arthur, all he has to do is mention Triad and he's got a sign-up.

Probably. It's a shame, the one time when big long speeches are SUPPOSED to be made, and all the NPCs basically ignored them. I think Sandy may have been trying to teach us something. Oh, and post fixed.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: F*ck this goddamn editor. Keeps eating my posts, and it's getting on my nerves.

As the first rays of light begin to peek over the spires of the Cathedral of Commerce, Arthur walks into the Hall, somewhat refreshed but still the worse for wear. His hurried investigations hadn't gone well so far, but one intriguing name had come up: 'Guts Holla'. A quick search of the Library had indicated the man was a Hero, so as far as Arthur was concerned he'd be an excellent contact to make in his investigation regardless of what he knew--ears that hadn't heard anything yet might do so later. After a sparse but unhurried breakfast, he leaned back against the bar and spotted his quarry talking to Sorrow. The undead made his own careworn features seem positively youthful, but he didn't have time to consider it much as Guts ended the conversation and made his way to the bar. "Just the man I was hoping to see," he says by way of opening the conversation. "I think we've met in passing, but I don't believe we've been properly introduced. Private Regulus of the Town Watch, Sorcerer of Heroica." Arthur extends both his hands to the Raider: the right one empty, the left holding a bottle of well-aged torchberry wine. He waits for the older man to accept or ignore the gesture before he continues.

I did say that Arthur would be quite adept at avoiding being hit. But with one notable exception, I don't think he'd be able to attack another Hero at this point. Ah, dammit Endgame, you had to hog Guts! Can't sign up for anything until he's alone so I can talk to him.

Arthur gives a salute to Captain Patricia, and returns Nyx's smile. But as soon as he was out of sight his face fell. Thothwick was right. Things would continue to get worse, and Heroes could do nothing to stop it. Patricia's words, while well-meaning, rang false. He was no Hero, he was not worth anything. He was nothing. And nothing could change that. Arthur found himself walking past the blood-stained alley, a bevy of guards working to render the scene somewhat presentable and to repair the damage his spell had wrought upon the door. As he turned to walk away, he felt his foot step on something soft. A mask, flung from its owner's head as she had been brought down. Violetta's. He picks up the scrap of cloth, and remembers her final word. "Karie..." He tucks the worn cloth into his belt and continues walking. If he could do nothing else, he could at least discover the truth, before the city came crashing down behind him. He would stop by the Barracks for some hard-earned rest and a thorough debriefing, and then... It was time to return to the Hall. OOC: Awesome Quest, Sandy! Can't wait for the next one!

Saddened, Arthur heeds Boomingham's call and moves to his side. OOC: Going to be gone for several hours, see you all later!

Arthur sighs. "It is the attempt that matters. Madam Zeigfried, I swear to you, if by my life or death I can bring back your son, I will do it. We all need to find the Wolf's Den, and to kill the Wolfgang leaders within. This letter makes that all the more urgent. I gladly offer you the aid of my powers, such as they are, against Baba." Arthur shows Mabel the letter.

Arthur claps a hand over his mouth. "Sir Thothwick...! Oh. I apologize, I did not realize you were...well, good. Perhaps you both ought to see this...I saw it fall as Baba slipped through the portal. Captain Patricia! You'll want to see this as well." Arthur shows the letter first to Thothwick, then to Captain Patricia, and finally to Mabel Zeigfried. "I doubt this will work, but..." Arthur holds his Magic Compass out in front of all of them and uses it to try to locate Bluto Zeigfried.