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so are the cannibals still a thing or - Printable Version

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so are the cannibals still a thing or - Morgan - 03-24-2021

While the task at had was far from pleasant, it was good to be in the Tundra again. Morgan drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders and peered out into the white horizon; Whitebrim was visible on the edge of it, close now. Looking back to Neron and Deimos, she pointed it out; Eunike next to her snorted and tossed her head as if trying to make it extra obvious for them. [say]"There. We should approach carefully. Do we have any way to look on from afar?"[/say]

She looked to each of them. As far as Neron's presence, she'd told Deimos that she'd decided he may as well be useful, that he might make good bait in an emergency; Neron was under strict instructions not to reveal anything about his Spymaster title or their relationship. Hopefully, they'd all manage to keep it professional. The mission was simple: see if Whitebrim was still home to cannibal exiles after the attempt to starve them out. It had been a long while now; if they were going to starve, they would have done.

[say]"Perhaps, Deimos, you could briefly fly over the village...?"[/say] She asked, remembering her General's Attuned abilities. [say]"Not too close, in case they have somehow managed to discover ranged weapons and targeting in this last year."[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Deimos - 03-25-2021

The Sword couldn’t quite recall the last time he’d meandered around Whitebrim; most of it might’ve been on a curious whim. Cannibals presented an alteration of a stark, clear memory in his head – one of caves, frozen over, of the Flood ripping out a man’s throat, of dragons resting in their den before disturbances and more death. But the beast also had no inclination of permitting more to remain – and the notion of inspecting their little hold was only appealing in that regard. To ensure no more managed to find their way back.

He didn’t quite understand Neron’s place in all this. While Morgan had offered the Ascended as bait, the General couldn’t comprehend why the man would agree to such a thing. The confusion might’ve shown in the arch of his brow, or the slight tilt to his head as instructions had been laid out, a brief narrowing of his piercing eyes at scrutiny and bizarreness over the situation. But then the thoughts were no more as they arrived, and his own orders and commands were detailed.

A snort followed her last comment, uncertain if it was supposed to be a joke, a warning, or both. Then he nodded, confirming the outline. [say]“I will let you know.”[/say] Zuriel snorted behind him, and he considered, weighed out the notion of snagging Belial to join him in the sky – but didn’t want that risk to the companion either.

Thereafter, Deimos shifted, gilded and sienna plumage, wings upon wings, before bracing into the sky, intending to hover and survey over the surroundings.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Neron - 03-26-2021

Bait, huh? Neron can't say he's particularly impressed with Morgan's made-up reasons for his being out here, but hells, the woman has him wrapped around her little finger, so of course he's come along. The cold doesn't bother him (anyway), but he's bundled up as weather-appropriately as possible, a black speck on the white horizon before Whitebrim. Standing on Morgan's other side as if to ensure that he's as far away from the gEnErAL as possible, he watches as Deimos takes to the skies and swoops away.

Only then does he look sidelong at Morgan, raising an eyebrow. [say]"I could have slipped into Whitebrim undetected,"[/say] he reminds her, though he's actually quite convinced that she already knows as much. [say]"What if there are still cannibals? Would you like them dispatched forthwith?"[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Morgan - 03-27-2021

What either of the men with her thought of her motives, she was boss. Sorry about it. ;D

[say]"Thank you."[/say] Morgan watched Deimos transform and fly, amazed as she was every time she saw an Attuned change before her; her eyes stayed trained on the eagle until he was high up enough that it was difficult to make out specific features, at which point she turned to look at Neron with a quiet laugh. [say]"You could, but it would take longer and Deimos will be able to see more from the sky."[/say] Unfortunately for Neron, this was one area where he was decidedly less useful.

She hummed as she considered Neron's question. [say]"I suppose it depends if we believe they are a threat. One or two living here...I do not want to kill without purpose."[/say] Morgan had ever really known what to 'do' with the people in Whitebrim, but she was sure indiscriminately murdering them all wasn't the solution.

How they proceeded all depended on Deimos' report; when she saw him coming back she stood up straight (she had, perhaps, been leaning a little towards Neron without thinking of it) and met his eyes when he shifted back. [say]"Did you see anything?"[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Deimos - 03-27-2021

The sharpened nature of his avian eyes glanced downward at the outset of huts. Drifting in and out, hovering as if searching for a meal, the beast lingered, tracing the lines, the drawn quarters, the backdrop of isolated and desolate exteriors. For all it might’ve once boasted, the world appeared to be an uninhabited vestige, abandoned, left to dust, decay, or freeze over into a midst of nullity. More than once he dropped down onto wooden roofs, talons clicking against the siding, listening for more than the mice lingering underneath snow, noble head tilting, striving to catch any movement, any nuance, any noise. A few times he passed by windows without glass, and only the darkness dwelling within. If any still persisted and prevailed here, they hid their whereabouts well – no fires burnt in hearths or along outskirts.

So the journey back was swift and keen, tracing back along where he’d left the pair, descending quickly, landing and shifting thereafter, on the opposite side of Morgan, extending an answer with a shake of his head. [say]“No.”[/say] For all intents and purposes, it seemed entirely deserted and forsaken. The monolith shrugged his shoulders, gaze going back and forth between the pair. [say]“What do you want to do with it?”[/say] The temptation to set everything alight was there – but this wasn’t his decision or choice. Did the Warden have intentions to segment it into something else, or let it lie in its ruins and remains?


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Neron - 03-28-2021

[say]"You make a good point, but I am still unhappy about it,"[/say] Neron informs her with a warm sort of petulance in his tone, and he buries his hands deeper in his pockets to prevent them from trying to close the distance between himself and the Warden. This is official business, and it has the potential to be dangerous as well. Best to keep ones wits about them. [say]"And if murder would be more of a mercy?"[/say] he wonders. One or two living in utter poverty out here in the wilderness? It isn't much of a life.

Alas, their beloved general returns soon enough, and Neron continues to gaze out across the tundra towards the settlement. [say]"Well, those in Whitebrim initially took up residence after being exiled from the Citadel for their crimes,"[/say] he says slowly. [say]"I suppose the only way to truly prevent further situations like this is to replace it with something else. An outpost, or even a gaol rather than throwing criminals to the snow..."[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Morgan - 04-01-2021

[say]"I'm sure you are."[/say] Morgan snarked back with a deadpan tone, finding Neron's rather obvious jealousy towards Deimos amusing. Of course, there were more serious matters at hand though, and his next question was jarring with a smile, so she took a breath for it. [say]"That is a judgement we'll have to make when the time comes."[/say]

Deciding whether someone lived or died was a choice she had made before as Guard Captain, but it was not one to be taken lightly. Morgan would try every other alternative first if they were available; though it was hard to see how being alone in Whitebrim could be better than an eternity with Mort.

Deimos' arrival then, with his news of none left alive, drew a relieved sigh; Morgan felt some tension she hadn't known she was holding in her chest drop away. When it came to what to do with the buildings, Neron was probably right; and on a practical level, it seemed a waste to let the perfectly good structures here go to waste. [say]"First, we should scout it to see if there is any work that needs doing. I'm sure there are...things that we will find difficult within."[/say] After all, it had been a town of cannibals and madmen; she doubted they had much cared about cleaning their kills.

[say]"Once we have seen what we're working with we can make a decision as to what to use it for. An outpost, or more structed gaol as Neron says, or even a lodge for hunters...maybe all of those things. There are quite a lot of buildings here."[/say] She began to walk forwards, boots determinedly crunching through the snow, to enter the village. [say]"Any thoughts on those options, Deimos?"[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Deimos - 04-01-2021

Unaware of any other swarming motions, notions, or emotions, the monolith remained in his impassive, reticence stance, head tilting vaguely to insinuate he was listening to the stances and history behind the abandoned outskirts. He was familiar with the weight of punishments, of banishments, of similar inklings they’d orchestrate amidst the Basin (though more often than not, it’d been him as the ominous, Reaper wake, delivering one warning before tossing someone down a mountain), and there was some aspect of agreement and accord with the situation at hand. Why not utilize it for several purposes? With enough foundations, buildings, and keeping them occupied with capable, stalwart, and steadfast beings, the potential for turning cannibals away, and maintaining a semblance of order here was all the more compelling. [say]“I do not see why we could not have all of those.”[/say]

The Shields could take shifts. The hunters could have some place accessible along the tundra, and not have to hurry back to the Citadel or worry about staying out for longer periods of time. A gaol to ensure aspects of retribution were signified, noted, and understood. So he nodded and hastened his agreement with the prospects – and determining factors could likely rest in what actually still withstood the wake.

So he threaded through much like them, long, sweeping strides carrying him through the snow, intending to dig further into what needed to be done.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Neron - 04-04-2021

Neron follows into Whitebrim on the heels of Warden and General, glancing at the structures and wincing at the thought of all the work it would take to bring them up to par. It isn't something impossible, but he imagines the place will continue to hold a haunted sort of air long after it becomes a gaol, outpost and hunting lodge. [say]"There certainly is a lot of potential,"[/say] he says instead of voicing those feelings - because it's true, and it won't help anyone to make the place more eerie than it already is.

[say]"Perhaps someone could approach Ludo, or Mort, and have them cleanse the area prior to building fresh,"[/say] he suggests as a related, if not quite as obvious point. [say]"It might make the going a little easier. Maybe a shrine could be built here in the future as well."[/say] Pausing to gaze into windows of hollow, empty buildings, Neron wrinkles his nose. [say]"Not an overnight job, certainly."[/say]


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Morgan - 04-06-2021

Morgan nodded thoughtfully at Deimos' comment, having thought much the same herself; they could really use the space for all sorts of different things. As they approached the village she reached out to touch the edge of a wall, the crumbling ice and dirt over the bricks falling underneath her fingers as Neron suggested they ask a God to 'cleanse' the buildings. An almost mischievous smile came over Morgan's face as she turned to ask:

[say]"Cleanse the area? Are you scared of ghosts, Neron?"[/say] She believed in spirits herself, but more of the 'inherent in nature' kind, not the souls of the dead lingering behind. Even if ghosts did exist, Morgan didn't think they'd be too much scarier than the average person. Turning her gaze to Deimos, she said with just a touch of humour in her voice: [say]"We should go around the village first and make sure there isn't anything in need of 'cleansing', right General?"[/say]

With that said, she went around the corner of the building and to the door, which swung open easily, rotted wood on too-loose hinges creaking as it did. It was dark, but the light from outside illuminated enough for one to see a surprisingly neat, laid out kitchen of sorts; however, a pungent and immediately sobering smell of blood wafted out from the shadows.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Deimos - 04-06-2021

They walked, and Deimos kept his eyes on anything and everything, tracking the echo of their voices, the resounding, reverberating angles, the footfalls of their feet, and particulars of other nuances in between. Zuriel followed dutifully behind, unbothered, while Belial hovered, and he listened to the proceedings – permitting the slightest of smiles at the humor laced within Morgan’s statements, and Neron’s ruminations. [say]“Perhaps Ludo and Mort have already taken the lost souls,”[/say] and not much more could be done for those left during LongNight’s wake – though he wasn’t certain how far it had stretched here, or what poor infidels would’ve strung along the frozen wares.

But instead of teasing and taunting Neron in return, he volleyed his mischievous sentiments back in the Glacier’s direction – only arching a brow in some goading, instigating measure towards the Ascended, a preamble to joining in, maybe. [say]“A non-believer?”[/say] The Sword had his own fair share of ghosts and demons, most rankled and tethered right to his spine, to his shoulders, to mind; but none of them had been of the malicious kind – just blame, circumstances, and guilt. The monolith snorted, before rendering a lift of his chin, seditious and defiant for juvenile purposes, and then they were rounding along a bend of buildings.

Any of the amusements faded, brows furrowing on the sudden smell – one wholly familiar to any soldier. The door swung and more of the scent wafted, confirming the inevitable. [say]“Recent, then?”[/say] He did well to not wrinkle his nose, but dared to walk in, turning over his palm so the fire blazed within his hand and no further; casting light where there’d been shadow.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Neron - 04-08-2021

[say]"Of course I believe in ghosts. When one does not sleep, one sees all the things that are better left in the shadows,"[/say] Neron says, his voice growing toneless and cold, as if he were speaking into an open grave. Of course, the charade ends soon enough, and he shoots a crooked smile at Deimos and Morgan both. [say]"I was more thinking that it would be of some comfort to anyone we move into this area. To know that the space has been purified by a god, that there's no bAd vIbEs left."[/say] He wiggles his fingers, meandering away and into the village at Morgan's behest.

And they've only taken a peek into the first house when all humor evaporates from the conversation. Neron's sense of smell isn't what it used to be, but even he can recognise the tang of copper on the air, and he frowns. His eyes can cut easily through the shadows, but Deimos creates a ball of flame and instinctively Neron shies away. [say]"How many?"[/say] he asks.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Morgan - 04-09-2021

For just a second, Neron managed to convince Morgan; she raised her eyebrows, wanting desperately to point out that most nights nowadays he saw her overnight (of course, she couldn't) but letting out a huff of laughter as he dropped the act. [say]"I doubt many people of Halo would be frightened. We've faced much worse."[/say] She said with some pride, clearly confident in her citizen's bravery.

As for Deimos' question, all she could do was tilt her head and shrug. [say]"In a sense. I don't think there's anything lingering here to do us harm, anyway."[/say] She wouldn't entirely dismiss the idea of the dead still stuck to their homes from life, but she thought it unlikely and even more so that they'd actually pose any threat.

But then they were inside, the smell of gore apparent and Deimos cast his light. [say]"Possibly. It could be an animal, though."[/say] Drawing her hammer, Morgan took slow steps into the house, the floor creaking under her boots - a door, cracked open towards the back of the room, revealed a sliver of light and seem to be the source of the smell. She reached out and pushed it open, the hinges swinging almost too quickly to reveal several corpses. Certainly, no one here was alive; in varying states of decay and with parts missing from all, she turned her face away and held a hand over her mouth until she was recovered enough not to vomit.

[say]"..We will need to clean the area before we use it. ...Or possibly just burn the buildings with the worst of it."[/say] She suggested, looking to Deimos' fire.


RE: so are the cannibals still a thing or - Deimos - 04-09-2021

At first, the General’s arch of a brow in Neron’s direction had been one of brief bewilderment, taking the initial statement at face-value (and wondering how anyone had called him broody when the Hailstorm uttered such things out loud). When it shifted into jocular measures, the other brow shot upwards, and then he shrugged, snorting the nuances away with half a smile. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be one to discount Halovians’ bravery aspects, they didn’t seem to be people easily frightened, and would’ve tried to feed more into the humorous aspects.

But they seemed to fade with the blood, with the creaking floor, adjusting his sight to that of his tiger nature, and dimming the flames slightly at Neron’s overt shying away. The smell that permeated and pervaded though reminded him solely of battlefield tents, soldiers with medical precision cutting away at wounded limbs, cauterizing lacerations, and then those too broken to be saved –

His eyes narrowed, glancing over Morgan’s shoulder as the corpses were revealed, looking downward for a moment, and then backing off, flickering into a narrowed gaze and clenched jaw. [say]“We can mark the ones the worst off,”[/say] he mentioned, by way of suggestion, keeping the bile down, down, down, too many reminders coiling in the background. [say]“And then decide what to do from there.”[/say] The ones that could be salvaged, and those like this, with nothing left to save. How many would amount to the same? How many weren't so ready to be discarded? But he could burn them if they deemed it necessary – he’d done it before.