lion's den [OPEN]

liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene

This is a terrible idea.

And yet, ha ha, here Neron comes, Halo's prodigal son. Have they buried or burned Morgan yet, he wonders, since he's been gone? Have they told lies about her, tarnished her reputation, covered over her hard work with biases and propaganda?

Probably, he thinks, and while once upon a time he'd have considered sticking around to give his two cents about it, now he's just here to confirm the rumours he's left behind. Maybe he might even get out of here alive, too.

The Hailstorm looks like death warmed up, put plainly. His clothes are shredded and his body torn with still healing claw marks, bruises, cuts and other injuries. And he damned well makes sure to put a sorry expression on his face, to match his physical exhaustion.

Neron

Deimos

Deimos had presumed, given the vague and bizarre set of circumstances surrounding Morgan’s death, that the Hailstorm had essentially disappeared. Possibly to the Grounds. Anywhere else that wasn’t Halo, given how they hadn’t seen him. The potential for his invisibility machinations hadn’t been lost on the Sword, but with hardly any trials or tribulations cropping up since their return, the calculations had been set on Neron essentially fleeing the mountains.

But lo and behold, look what the ice dragged in.

He saw him as he led one portion of their routine patrol around the Citadel, the soldiers behind his form either tensing or exclaiming as they pointed at the strange image of the man reappearing amidst their world – and all the potential meaning behind it. With furrowed brows, Deimos stepped forward from the guards and warriors alike, arching only a singular one on a mix of curiosity and disbelief – really, the sheer gall - of the individual before them.

Standing about a yard away, tall and unyielding, the monolith gave a brief examination; shredded clothes, distorted marks, injuries galore, seemingly exhausted. “Why are you here?” rumbled, pondering over an explanation before there was to be any other reaction. After all, the last time they’d met, Neron had been striving to help capture him, and Deimos had set him ablaze.

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

Noah had no patience for the sight he saw. Turning a corner, he lifted his eyebrows as Deimos and a handful of his soldiers seemed to rally on a target. The Sentinel excused himself from the presence of those he was with -- traders and merchants -- before making his way across towards his general. While he was still several paces off, he saw the target that they rallied around, and it made his blood run cold. "You have no place here." Noah's voice was hard and cold as he stopped to the left of Deimos, a few feet away, with eyes like fire on Neron. He didn't truly care why the Hailstorm had come here, dared to show his face, but he wanted him to know plain and true that he was not welcome. The injuries and the way his clothes lay tattered over his broken frame were not lost on the Sentinel, though there was no empathy evoked from such a sight. Neron didn't deserve it. Just when you think there's a settled score The battle has been reborn

liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene

Look at that, a welcome wagon.

"I live here...?" Neron tilts his head at Deimos. It isn't true and they both know it by now, but they all have a part to play here. And besides, he had lived in Halo, and for much longer than the Sword, he might add.

But here comes Noah to make sure he has a really warm welcome. "I bet you didn't even wait until her body was cold before you took her title and her land," he growls, albeit weakly. "I hope you're both so proud of yourselves."

Straightening up as best he's able, he gazes between the two of them. "So what? Are all Ascended no longer welcome in the one neutral city we had? Did you throw Kiada out as well?"

Neron

Deimos

Neron could have his lies all he wanted – Deimos wondered if he ever uttered the truth at all, as the warmth pulsed from the amulet against his chest. He audibly snorted at the insinuation, only nodding his head in Noah’s direction as the Warden came over; pondering whose patience would win out. Calm, composed, dignified, Deimos remained just as he was, reticent, stoic, and unyielding. “Then where were you when Morgan passed?” When all the controversy was roaming around? When investigations were handled? If they’d been so close? So near and dear to one another?

He’d let the Sentinel have the explanations over how elections were run. Considering how painful his last interaction had been with Kiada, the Sword could lend the parameters and details there. “No Ascended have been asked to leave. She left of her own volition, and went to the Grounds.”

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

Noah did not owe this man any explanation -- he was a vile creature, looking only to destroy. Despite that, Noah wouldn't let his reputation be tarnished in such a way. "The people chose me. The people chose Vi." Noah's tone, already as cold as the frost that covered their lands, seemed to drop into an even more arctic zone as he took a step towards the ascended. "Unlike you, with your timely disappearance, Halo honored Morgan's life and death with tradition." The Warden could feel the blood boiling beneath his skin, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He wished he still held the ability to speak with Deimos privately in this form, before the words Noah spoke next. They would surely be a shock to his general, though the Sentinel was confident in their truth. Perhaps Deimos' amulet would give him enough confidence in that as well. "There are very few creatures that could cause such havoc and destruction that brought Morgan to her end. You held such a creature shift that could." Noah took another step forward then, glacier eyes blazing down on Neron. "Being ascended has nothing to do with who and who is not allowed in this Citadel. Criminals, however, are not. Neron, on top of crimes for which you were never rightfully punished, I charge you with the murder of Morgan Aristomache." Just when you think there's a settled score The battle has been reborn

liars and lovers combine tonight, we're gonna make a scene

"Did they? Or did you choose Vi, and the people were too tired of conflict to say no?" Neron raises his eyebrows at Noah, before his gaze flicks to Deimos. "I was at a shrine trying not to die after we were attacked," he says, gesturing at himself as if it wasn't obvious. "And you'll forgive me if I call bullshit on you honouring any part of Morgan. You tried to arrest her and overtake her Citadel in a coup, like the cowards you are."

Neron should know - it takes a manipulative sonovabitch to know one, after all. As for the accusation? The Hailstorm has no idea where all this truth bullshit is coming from, but he ain't standing for it, no sir. "Prove it," he implores Noah, but already he's being arrested and charged for something again. This time, though, he has no intention of being thrown into any cell.

"You're a self-righteous tyrant, you know that? No wonder Vi likes you so much," he snaps. "Charge me with whatever you like. You know where to find the Ascended." And with that, YOLO, he's gone, winking out of sight in an instant.

---

Neron gets straight outta dodge, using the teleportation magic gained from Wessex in this thread: the dark of the night

Neron

Deimos

The Sword fought off another eyeroll, uncertain why Neron was even bothering to play such a game, the lies warm against his chest again; a sigh unfurling instead. But before anymore could be uttered from the General, Noah’s insinuations and accusations were there – so much that Deimos found his head tilting, eyes widening, in as much surprise he’d permit, allow, in the Hailstorm’s presence.

And when no myths, no half-truths, no falsehoods pressed from the amulet, the length of his piercing stare slanted right back to Neron.

Now they were murdering their own allies?

There was no time for the incantations of his magic to press and swarm the accused before he was gone – though the temptation of a blazing fire had been very, very close to plunging from the surface of his skin anyway. “Well, that was a treat.” Dry and facetious, his tones rumbled back towards Noah as his soldiers began to talk and converse behind them. “Care to enlighten me further?” Pausing, staring out along the Citadel, his jaw clenched, uncertain where the root of his anger was beginning to brew. In many directions, perhaps, all stemming from the same source. “And if all of this is true, I advise you to send something out to the leaders. Though, I doubt the Grounds will do anything about it.” he shrugged. It would at least show their complacency. “We can post something on our notice boards too, so the citizens are aware.”

There were the other questions thereafter too – but he’d wait for an explanation.

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

Around the demigod the world grew bright as celestial energy flowed around him. A frustrated growl ripped through his teeth and rumbled over his lips. His fists clenched at his sides. He should have acted sooner and with more force. He should have done exactly as Vi had asked -- exactly as Neron accused. He should have ended the Hailstorm where he stood. But Noah knew that would only bring the wrath of the Ascended, of Wessex, and the Halovians were not strong enough for that battle. Not yet. The celestial, glowing energy calmed around Noah and he sighed. It was a deep sigh, and across the bond his anger could easily be felt as it lingered beneath his breast. Turning to Deimos, Noah took a deep breath and detailed everything to Deimos that he had learned from Remi with extreme clarity. "I am sorry I couldn't tell you sooner, before the scoundrel returned with plans to turn the people against us." He finished, glacier eyes flashing with the regret he felt. FIN Just when you think there's a settled score The battle has been reborn