Tsuki~~

Ashzan looks like she's ready to reply, but we are interrupted by the door swinging open. Grimm and Caligo stand on the other side.

"I am aware that we gave you a day off. However, I have been informed that our three Elites have been refusing to use tortue methods during interrogation, so we would like you three to watch as we demonstrate."

We follow the two generals down the hall. Deeja is already waiting inside the interrogation room with a grim look on her face. The racoon--Kimi--sits in a chair. Her arms are chained to its armrests and her feet are chained to the chair legs. Her nose and tail twicht nervously.

Grimm begins the interrogation. " where did you get that drum? "

Kimi shivers. But she proudly holds her head high. "I al-already said I-I wouldn't tell y-you anything."

Grimm growls. "I said. WHERE DID YOU GET THE DRUM? "

"N-not telling you..."

Grimm snarls . "I've had enough of this nonsense. Caligo. The axe."

caligo raises his axe , it looks as if he's about to cut off her whole hand. 

he begins to swing it downwards. Suddenly, gold forms at the corners of my vision. I am not in control of my body when suddenly I rush forwards, knocking the chair out of the away .But the axe still falls, and suddenly there is red pouring form my wrist, and I can't see a hand at the end of my arm.

~~~

I guess I must have passed out, because I wake up in the infirmary. Grimm stands over me.

"I didn't do that. Something took over me."

Grimm snorts. "It was your light magic. You were glowing."

i look at my arm. Bandages are wrapped around the end of it, and  as I had expected there is no hand.

" Don't worry about that. We just happened to have a prosthetic hand that one of the scientists had made ror fun. " Grimm sets a robotic hand on the table next to me. "We'll be installing it tomorrow."

~~~

So basically the hand looks like a stormtrooper hand. Also, I was thinking that Saoirse might install something in it that woukd help to regulate Tsuki's magic and keep it "contained".

Whoa! I was not expecting Tsuki to lose a hand! Now Kimi is really going to suffer some trauma... 

Kimi~

The corner of the room is cold. Colder than my fingers. My fingers...are they really still here? I can't see them.

After seeing Caligo swing down with that axe...seeing the soldier's hand slither to the ground without so much a shriek, lifeless, a sacrifice to preserve my own hand, if only for a few more days...everything went by in a flash, and now I'm here, but my fingers...Did she really do that? Is her hand really gone?

"Davina, th-they chopped off her hand," I'd stammered when the guard had thrown me back in the tower cell. He'd left my cuffs on, so I squirmed on my back until Davina helped me up.

"What?!" Davina was more concerned with me, I think. "Sh, calm down..."

"Caligo had an axe--he was going to cut my hand off! But the girl...Natsu...the one that saved your life--she took the axe instead...and now her hand is gone..."

I'd struggled with my cuffs for a second, but they weren't coming off. Davina had moved me to the corner, where I could lean back. Now here I sit, hands clasped behind my back, staring down at the floor.

"Are my hands still here?" Everything is a blur. Fear is the only thing making my heart continue beating. Every day I go into that room and something terrible happens, each day worse than the next. I can't go on like this. I hate this place.

"Yes, Kimi, your hands are still there. Can't you feel them? Take some deep breaths."

I've never heard Davina talk like that before.

"I can't do this anymore," I whisper. "I'm going to have to tell them."

"Kimi, when you tell them, what do you think is going to happen to us? It's the only thing keeping us alive."

I blink, but my eyes won't focus. They're staring at something beyond the realm of visibility. I can feel something dark start to stir at the edges of my heart. It's seeping in through a tiny little crack.

"They won't need us anymore," I murmur. But something in that statement is...alluring.

-------

Well, Kimi's finally begun to crack under the pressure. I guess the psychological effects of being here are starting to get the best of her.

Now, moving on to Caligo...he has a lot to keep track of. He's trying to oversee the completion of a weapon derived from the Decoy Forest while at the same time keep track of the investigation surrounding the Power of Hoof. During all this he has to train his Elites. Ahh, one thing at a time, Hazel! 

To answer your question about Caligo noticing Ashzan, I think we should give them some one-on-one time and let Cendaren soften up to her. That can be the chink in his armor, which can lead to his personality thawing out so that he can slowly become his old self again.

Caligo~

Grimm has rushed Natsu to the medical wing. A trail of blood, glinting in the lamplight, spirals out of the interrogation room, not yet old enough to leave a stain, just as the event still wavers like a mirage over our memories.

The raccoon lets out a whimper. Her chair has been knocked over and her head dangles inches away from the floor, but I pay her no mind. Moksovinan and Sagestone clearly wish to follow Grimm and Natsu out of the dungeon, but I throw out a hand, forbidding them to pass.

"Clearly Natsu is not cut out for this line of work." Put simply, this is true. However, I wonder for her future as an Elite. Her magic is unpredictable. It ingrigues me, but I am not sure how this could benefit her. In the meantime, I have an Elite who longer possesses a [left?] hand.

"Sagestone," I decide, "return this prisoner to her cell. Leave her handcuffs on."

"Yes, sir." Quietly, she unchains the raccoon and escorts her away.

With that, I turn to Ashzan, who I am sure expects what I am about to ask of her. "There is a lesson to be learned here. What is it?" I demand. Her face appears impassive in the dim conditions of the room.

She responds slowly. "...Do not interfere with orders. Stay in your place."

"Very good. Then I am glad Grimm was able to make something useful out of slicing the hand off one of my soldiers." I grin slightly. "Alright then. Moksovinan, go find someone to mop up this blood. When you've overseen that, I give you and Sagestone permission to check on Natsu in the medical wing, if you wish. Either way, in an hour I want to see you back down here. We're going to try again with Flammori, but this time, it'll be your turn."

Tsuki~~~

Grimm leaves, and Saoirse joyfully skips inside. She is holding something but it looks like she's trying very hard to keep it hidden. 

"What is that?" I ask Saoirse. Saoirse grins from ear to ear.

"Ah! Well, I'm very glad you asked. Grimm yelled at me that if I didn't find a way to control your magic, he would no longer allow you to be an Elite and he wouldn't let Raven and Granite stay inside! Grimm is so rude! How could he ever threaten to throw sweet, cute Granite out in the cold?" She shakes her head and blinks, then continues . "So, anyways, I found a way to help you! Okay, this is a little container. You see all those tubes? Well, you're going to fill them with your magic. Each tube is for a different type of magic--light bolts, healing, and the superspeed you used to get your hand cut off. Now, when I install the container, it will not only allow you to use your powers at will, it also will keep your powers from being chaotic."

Saoirse flips open the large white panel on the back of the hand. Underneath it, she puts in the container. "Alright, now fill each tube."

I fire a light bolt at one easily. I had been practicing using light bolts, so I was pretty good at it. Then I use my healing power on the tube. Saorise had made it easir ror me to do thus by creating a tiny crack in one of the tubes. A small, shallow  cut appears on the back of my hand, but it doesn't even hurt so I ignore it.

I fill the third one with an orb of light. I was really good at those, too, because they were so ridiculously easy to make.

Now, the fourth tube was a little harder. Well, far more than a little harder. I tried to recreate that feeling I had when my light magic took over me. It worked! However,that was when I realized superspeed had a sideaffect as well--it sapped away your energy very quickly. I tapped the fourth tube, and it glowed with light energy. My skin stopped glowing. 

Saoirse looked at the hand. A small smile appeared on her face. "Y'know, Grimm may have said something different, but your hand is so totally getting put on right now."

She closes the panel on it, and unwraps my bandages. She puts the hand on the end of my arm, then taps a small button hidden on the inside of  one of the wrist panels. It tightens around my arm, and then it sorta...juwt connects, I guess.

I wiggle my new metal fingers. "Oooh, I forgot to tell you!" Saoirse says. " Not only do  the fingers hqve little feeling receptors,  the hand is also waterproof! "

"Perfect!" I say, grinning .

~~~ 

Um, who's Caligo again? And Natsu... is that a different name for Tsuki or am I just reeeeally confused?

Anyway... 

-- Amaya --

I find Saoirse coming out of an infirmary room. She appears happy, though I don't know why - the room smells like blood and, last I heard, the occupant had lost a hand.

"Saoirse," I say, "I need to talk to you."

"What about? Is it the Power? Did you discover something new? Or was it-"

"It's not about the Power. Not directly, at least. No, I'm concerned that you used that mechanical sparrow to put us to sleep."

"What? No! Why would I ever do such a thing?" she lies. Horribly. I say as much, causing her eyes to dart around nervously before motioning me to follow her into a secluded corner.

--

I'm not entirely sure what she's going to say to Amaya... 

Guess who finished their AP Physics exam!!! I'm so happy, there wern't any free response problems on torque! and I'M ALMOST FREE!!!! 

And actually Cloud of Kittens, Cuckoo hasn't been built yet, he's just a blueprint as of right now. 

--

Raven

I was sitting in the rafters with a pen in my mouth studying a sketch i had whipped up for Saoirse. She ran over to me with her purifier prototype filled with a black ink that was slowly being streaked with white. She had hurredly explained that she had gotten her first test on a corrupted bird and was slowly leeching the Dark Magic from the extracted soul. She the dramatically draped herself over my shoulders asking for a favor: she wanted a tiny metal bird. And so here I was on the beams by the roof with a sketch and two small vials, one filled with a black inky substance and the other with white. 

The door opened and, speak of the devil, Saoirse walked in with the new scientist following behind her. I folded the sketch and tucked it and the two vials into a pouch and leaned back on the beam to listen. 

"Are you going to tell me what you did?" The scientist asked.

Saoirse gave a sigh and nodded slowly. "I don't think you entireky know the effects of Dark Magic. You and the others used it on the Power, and corrupted a sparrow. As one of the heads of the science branch here, I made a choice. To protect my fellow scientists, I used a powder I extracted from a sheild charm. It uses energy to create a skin tight barrier against magic. You all fell asleep as an effect of the sheild feeding off of your energy. I took the time to dispose of the bird. As corrupted as it was, there was no way of saving it."

The scientist nodded. "So what did you do with it."

Saoirse gave a bubbly laugh. "Oh, I gave it to Granite, he'll use the magic to repaire any cracks he may have gotten in his stone. Don't worry about it Amaya!" She gave a beaming smile. "You're probably still tired. That's my fault. The powder I used might have been contaminated with the illusion saturation from the Decoy Forest, which explains what you said you saw. I imagine you're still tired. Why don't you and the others take the rest of the day off? You can get back to work on the power tomorrow."

Amaya gave a final nod before heading back out of the room, closing the heavy wooden door behind her. I hooked my legs around the rafter and let myself hang down from it. "Very convincing, Saoirse. I hI haven't known that you're an absolute liar, I would have believed you myself." She turned to give me her blinding smile, and then let it drop. 

"Things are starting to get kicked up, Tsuki mentioned that Ashzan had some kind of vision, she didn't of what, but I don't think it's anything good." Her eyes narrowed in thought. "You still have that extract of Dark Magic right? Say, how confident would you be in using it to boost your fighting abilities?" 

Night? Are you still around?

@Kitten - Natsu is Tsuki's last name; Caligo calls his soldiers by their last names. And then, Caligo is Cendaren's last name. He's a general of Catastrophe's army. 

Meanwhile...

Cendaren~

My thoughts have momentarily shifted gears and are now intent upon the Power residing upstairs. I ponder the purposes of our interrogation: What secret could be so valuable that the prisoners will not divulge it? Their tight lips lend some credibility to the instrument; perhaps it truly does house Sylvia.

The scientists had better have something to offer when I get up there. Yet, before I even arrive at the staircase, my radio goes off with a message from the mailpost.

"General Caligo, sir, the mail has arrived. It's been delivered to your room, as per request."

Finally. Something I've been waiting for for weeks. I rush to the generals' quarters, slam my door shut, light a lantern, and approach the little parcel of letters sitting on my desk. An iron cage with a black dove in it has been placed on my seat--it is the signature messenger bird of Catastrophe's army.

Starting at the top of the pile, I skim through each letter, even if it isn't addressed to me--although many are. Some are from former members of SOCS; others are news from soldiers or spies in other areas of Kyngdom.

One item in the pile is cold and tattered, as though it has traveled far, and bulky--wrapped clumsily so as to ward off prying eyes. I rip open the packaging with little anticipation, but when I lay eyes on the colorful flyer within I suddenly realize just how isolated Jokull is from the rest of Kyngdom.

The Annual Mer Flea Market

Located in Mer, Southern Kyngdom

It's the one event you do not want to miss. This flea market has been a part of Mer's culture for ages. Now finally everyone can join in! Kyngdomers from all around are coming to buy and sell wares, from souvenirs to artisan goods to rare artifacts...

...and, most impressively, the Power of Hoof drum itself! Yes, you heard us right...

I reread it again almost impatiently. What sort of joke is this? No; it's not a joke; it really says Power of Hoof.

The next thing my eyes seek out is the date. Aha. The market ended a week ago. And now, at last, a lead on our mysterious drum.

The other letters are inconsequential. I'd been hoping for news from Catastrophe, but he has remained without contacting us since he left on a private mission. However, I can wait no longer to contact him.

Swiftly, I write up a coded letter informing him of the drum we have acquired and the circumstances through which we found it. I tie it to the pigeon's leg and order it to find Catastrophe, but chances are it will fail in its mission, for Catastrophe's location is yet unknown. These birds have been genetically modified to self-destruct if they are intercepted or do not reach their destination in a certain amount of time. I suspect my letter will become a pile of ashes, but I send the pigeon out my window anyway.

The clock on my wall states there are thirty more minutes to the next hour. Thirty more minutes before we interrogate the raccoon again.

I decide to head to the laboratory and check in on how the scientists are doing with the drum. I wonder if Saoirse has done anything with the Decoy Forest sap yet... 

Saoirse

--

I was seated at my station with Granite standing up at my side, sniffing my new project. Raven sat on Granite’s back, carefully installing the vial of extracted dark magic into her sword so that the magic would infuse into the metal. My project the bird, Cuckoo as I decided to call it, was coming together nicely. Raven didn't usually work with small metal, but the gears and pieces she had built were as well crafted as any weapon she’s made. I screwed the final bolt into place and flipped the back panel shut. I hadn’t installed the extracted soul yet, but the metal husk was now complete. I placed it in the palm of my hand and held it out to Granite so he could take a better look at it. He carefully lifted a stone paw to prod at it. Before he managed to touch it, he swiveled his head forward to look at the door.

“Someone’s coming,” Deeja said from where she was leaning on a table next to Ashzan. The two stood and the door slammed open, an out of breath Tuski at the door.

“We’re under attack. It’s the Sanukans. We need everyone on the front lines. Hurry!”

Deeja and Ashzan rushed out of the door with Tuski, and Raven jumped down from Granite’s back. She turned to look at me. “We should probably go out and fight as well. We don’t want anyone questioning our loyalties.” I nodded in agreement.

“Let me gather all of my dusts and bullets. Don’t be too obvious with the use of dark magic.” She returned the nod and with a beat of her wings was soaring away through the hallways. I swept the equipment I needed into my pouch and cracked open my pistol and placed ten differnt kinds of bullets into the slots, each filled with a specific dust or liquid, grabbed Granite’s horn and swung myself up into the saddle on his back. “Alright Granite. To battle!”

--

And I'm back from APs and I only have one final next week! Can't wait to see where this goes!

~Skylar

Kimi is stressing out and seriously I need to get out of here but how? Kimi is at her breaking point Davina is tough but she is not doing well. I, well I just want out. I will do anything. Davina doesn't seem too worried about this but I can't imagine why. I was a part of a mass breakout last time I was here.  

"Citizens attacking! We need everyone!" A man runs by the door and the guards watching us run away except for one. 

"Today." I mutter "I will get out today." I walk over to Davina "I think we should go now." I say quietly "We have a better chance."

She takes in a sharp breath. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oppurtunities for prisoners!!!!! 

Davina~~

" Agreed. And perhaps the spies will help us, " I tell Skylar.

Right on cue, Deeja runs in. "Private Tyhja, you're needed outside in the battle. I'll handle the prisoners." The guard nods and quickly runs down the hallway.

Deeja grabs the keyring from its hook on the wall and unlocks the cell doors. "Go now. It's Sanukans who are attacking. And I understand that you, Davina, are a Sanukan."

Kimi stands with a bright look in her once dull eyes. "We can be free?" Her old happy self returns and I have never felt happier to see her back to her old self .

Deeja grins. She hands each of us a pistol. "I spoke to Raven. She's going to try to keep an eye on you from above. If you're in trouble, call out to her or Granite. They'll be able to get to you the quickest. Now, we have to hurry, because the fight has already begun."

~~~