Strange Vulcans Part 1: Jerrishan (Komm Kayriel) and Aazuko

Scene Start:
9:51 AM, Spooky Forest.

The air was damp, a sort of sentient and ever-present fog... thin and vaporous yet still just as much a victim of gravity as any being that ever took step or wing. The hale and evenly-muscled frame of such a man as found himself striding across that same-self land passed through the low fog bank, vapors clinging to his white-garbed form as if jealous will o' the wisps. Sturdy white boots trod across moistened soil that might have otherwise appeared rich were it not so sickly, sticking to his footwear like so much bilious refuse.

With a gloved hand reaching up, he tucked one lanky tress behind an ear to prevent the rosy-colored strands from sticking to his cheek in the chilled, grey air. Task achieved absently, that hand lowered to rest itself on the hilt of a nondescript blade in a white sheath, resting comfortably as its owner kept inquisitive gaze trained ahead - not upon the dank and yawning yards between himself and the entrance of his destination, but rather upon a source of strong light refracted by the mists itself. Jerrishan's portable Terminal floated at his fingertips as he cut through the mire-like atmosphere, Area Mapping allowing him to keep a wide berth from the village not far off... there was no need to get tangled up with such a mess as that, if hearsay was correct.

Drawing ever nearer, it would almost be too soon since accepting the requested job that the Intelligence Division Head found himself glancing up away from his floating magical screen and into the grinning maw of odious trees not unlike a perilous invitation. Regarding the strange forest lightly, the man in his prime gave a slow roll of his wide shoulders, letting his eyes take in the scenery and commit it to that damnably photographic memory he possessed. He opened his mouth then, eyes flicking down to the smaller screen's readout from Area Mapping.

"Looks like this is the place. The Vulcans shouldn't be too far in, given lack of appropriate prey."

His voice came at a measured drawl, with a kind of natural warmth to those clipped and studious tones. As his lips closed once more, his body seemed to undulate slightly as he shifted stance from ease of travel to preparedness. His mind's many-faceted function apparatuses set to work analyzing sensory input and the data from his magical computer, looking through the database on Vulcan physiology and habits.

Scene Continuation:
10:00AM, Entrance to Dark Copse

The white-garbed mage rested on the heels of his well-kept boots as they sank into the loamy and ghoulish earth beneath them, each motion kicking up spores from the rot of the deadened region. Unnatural, the word came to mind... not from appearances, as nature seemed to do as nature was wont. But there was a pervasive feeling, something tantalizing just beyond the range of his keen senses. Something that wanted to be found... as if speaking its name would give it form, as if beholding that form would give it power.

He gave a light shake of his head, that Jerrishan. He chided himself mentally, to never ponder the Eldritch World nor the horrors that lurked at the border of perception. He'd learned too much to make such a rookie mistake as that. It was during this very inner monologue that he was approached by the speedster Knight, instinct causing his left hand to grip more firmly onto his blade hilt as barometric pressure increased due to a displacement of air.

The fog distorted form and shadow where it was thick, patches of the morning sun providing just enough light to know where darkness gathered - the light of his Terminal making his position a rather dead giveaway... but apparently that was calculated, as he left the Terminal visible rather than suspending its customization in Fully Transparent and leaving it rather invisible. Like a beacon, Aazuko was guided to his side, and so Jerri turned his head towards the younger Knight with a nod of recognition.

"Well met, Knight Sanguine. I am Colonel Reldaphos."

He shook the offered hand after taking a quick sweep of the speedster's image. His grip was sure, and strong. It was held exactly as long as was deemed professionally manly for someone of his position.

"While we are out here in the field, feel free to address me as Jerri. This is not an official military investigation, just something we were asked to look into. I look forward to seeing what a member of the Combat Division can do."

His eyes flicked back to his Terminal, following Aazuko's own to his activated magic.

"Yes, something of a rare sight. The Research and Development division is extremely stingy with just whom they allow to learn Archive here. Months of applications, testing, and fees. That said, I will be making sure that we do not get lost. Regardless of the Forest's physical transmutable properties, I will maintain a constant map for us."

Jerrishan's consuming gaze shifted back onto the swarthy combatant once again.

"The enemy will be just Vulcans, most likely. If there are quite as many in here as I hear, other monsters and predators generally find conflicting territories with Vulcan troupes to be of waning tolerance at best, and tend to move elsewhere. All the same, keep your guard up and never assume that an enemy is weak even if it appears no different than those who are."

He paused for a moment, turning away from the boy and moving towards the entrance.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask them any time. We are partners in dealing with this issue. When you are ready, let us move into the Forest proper."

As befitting a man constantly ruled by and lost in his own thoughts, he did tend to ramble, though seemed to lack the irritating vocal qualities that such people normally possess. If anything, listening to him speak when he was in a prepared state such as this was more akin to listening to a documentary lacrima on a mildly-interesting topic.

The member 'Aazuko Sanguine' has done the following action : Dices roll

'Monster Dice' :

Scene Transition
10:18 AM, Glade of the Flami... Flamboyant Simian

Stalking through the woods like an errant shard of radiant white set against an ever-shifting backdrop of murky fog, akin to the breath of some foul helldemon spat upon this earth from the wretched abyss that yawned between each towering and tulgey wood. Finger-strokes fell upon hovering keys like gavels of some vengeful judge raining down upon the heads of the guilty, manipulating the flows of nascent energy to do his bidding. Fortunate, for bade he so did - constructing arcane programming through his interfacing compiler, igniting the set sequences that would carry out his will.

Jerrishan moved through the mists of the Forest as he spoke to his subordinate, part of a living tree and nearby rocky outcropping disappearing randomly. Around his head the mists swirled for a moment until he struck a few more keys - leaving everything apparently as it had been. Strange... the way he seemed to concentrate on everything at once, moving as though playing all the pieces in a side of chess, one which he himself presided over. Every movement served a purpose, and the most diligent of observers might feel as though each purpose concealed more movements with even more purposes behind those.

The presence of the Intelligence Division Head was certainly an interesting note, but one of which attention was not needed - for the Forest lived, drawing great and sucking breaths that shuddered into being as eddies in the thick void in which the two Knights ghosted along. He continued his speech consistently, providing passively a diversion for the younger Knight to concentrate on - allowing his mind's indoctrinated training to prepare Aazuko for the task ahead, while he kept the young man's conscious mind occupied with data assimilation. The man's speech served many purposes, one of which was to bring the foes to them. [Application Activation: Drone Projection]

After all, surprising the enemy just meant you were open to a trap. Which, he learned in his wisdom, worked both ways. Ah, there they were... the Vulcan brutes. Carrying weapons this time? Interesting, that might mean there was... ah, there it is. Good heavens, send it back to Hell - how garish can one get? This monkey's tailor needs to be shot, repeatedly.

Jerrishan quirked an eyebrow at the performance as he stood stock still next to Aazuko.

"I propose that your name is actually Orangey Orange, and that you are simply too inept to attempt a formal rhyming sequence in proper format - creating a caveat for yourself by way of similar fruit designations. You are a fraud, Orangey. I feel dreadfully sorry that your minions are duped into following such a cad as yourself."

As he spoke vocally, Aazuko would hear the sound of Jerrishan's tirade towards Mango Mango diminish - and hear the commanding officer's voice in his head much more clearly.

"Be not alarmed, Knight Sanguine. I have connected your mind to my terminal. I did so upon your approach to me before entering the Forest, in fact. In truth, I am not even standing beside you. Take this chance to show me what you are capable of. Worry not of the minions... they cannot save themselves."