Luxuria Intro Log

[cancrymods]

PROCEEDING...

With the real super power of teamwork, the Executors have successfully managed to make their way through the Gula Underside and defeat the previous Authority there. With Gerda now freed from her past regrets and given the power of an Executor, Gula and its inhabitants seem to be in safe hands... for now at least. More interesting – or concerning, perhaps – is the tentative ally you've gained in the form of Birdie, the mysterious girl who attacked some of your number in the Superbia Underside. While she seemed to be nothing but an enemy back then, a surprising connection has been formed with who you now understand to be the Authority of Purgatory itself. While she doesn't necessarily believe the Executors will be able to repair Purgatory, she is at least willing to admit that she shares their goals of wanting to see Purgatory restored... either to its former state, or to something new. But what does that mean for the Executors? And what does that mean for Rei supposedly born from the Authority's discarded heart? There are still many questions the Executors need to answer and as a blast of dry, hot air blows up from the next layer, you can only hope that Luxuria holds the key to at least some of them...

LUXURIA

♪♫ Wet & Dry – Sakuzyo After the humidity and noise of the Gula Underside, passing down to the Lust Layer of Purgatory initially seems like a relief. The air here is dry and sharp and though you hear noise drifting up to meet you and see a whole rainbow of lights clustered together in the dark, it doesn't seem as though it'll be quite as overwhelming as some of the bustling Layers you've had the pleasure of exploring before. But as you set foot down into Luxuria and feel the heat of the ground under your feet, you begin to wonder if you might just have hopped out of the frying pan and into the fire...

Comments

[emberserker]

Not far from the train platform. It's fine.

Honestly, what's got her so worried? We've got enough to deal with.

[syrinfacet]

Maybe worry over what happened before you got here?

[ Wolfsbane made it pretty clear Stuff had happened wherever they'd come from previously... ]

[emberserker]

Oh, probably. Especially with that demon hanging around with us now. I suppose it is an improvement on her trying to kill us, and it isn't as if half of them have the inclination to listen to my opinion.

[syrinfacet]

[ someone seems.......bitter........ ]

I can...understand where you're coming from though? I wouldn't trust someone that dangerous either.

[emberserker]

Honestly, I haven't a clue how they managed to get her on our side, at least for now. Regardless, Rei at least is sensible most of the time. Too nice, but sensible.

[syrinfacet]

[ somehow she gets the feeling Wolfsbane wouldn't say that to Rei's face. it's almost cute, somehow. ]

Maybe it's that compassion that won that person to your side?

[ ..........no, it probably wasn't that. ]

[emberserker]

[sigh] Whatever it was, it probably doesn't matter. Let's just wait. She'll be around soon enough.

[phantasmagorial]

[ 'Soon enough' turns out to be 'almost immediately', because here comes Rei pelting at top speed to meet them. ... well, not quite top speed given that she once again forgot she could just transform and make it here twice as fast and with half the effort. She's got a lot on her plate.

She gradually slows down once she spots Wolfsbane and comes to a halt, leaning over with her hands on her knees to huff and puff. ]

I'm here...! I got so turned around trying to find you both...

[syrinfacet]

[ ...she's so small... ]

You must be Rei.

[ she inclines her head a little in lieu of a bow. ]

I just...awakened, as it were? Wolfsbane told me briefly of those of you seeking to fix this place - I'd like to help, if at all possible.

[emberserker]

She seems useful enough, and I know you're always happy for new hands on deck. Catch your breath, will you.

[phantasmagorial]

I–I'm fine...! [ puff, puff. ] I just didn't want to keep you waiting...

[ She straightens up with a sigh. ]

Has she explained all of it to you? What we do here and... what we're hoping to achieve?

[syrinfacet]

Enough to get the broad strokes.

[ specifics can come later. ]

How does this work?

[emberserker]

It's simple enough. Rei can empower you and give you an Executor form like mine. Then we can clear out Revenants and deal with the issues in these Layers, and eventually repair what's keeping Purgatory clogged and stagnating in the first place.

[phantasmagorial]

Yes. I'll be able to empower you to fight alongside us and travel through Purgatory, if that's what you want.

[ She hesitates before proceeding. ]

It... can be dangerous. And... sometimes it might mean we have to fight or hurt people that don't want to cause us any harm. If that's not something you can do... you don't have to fight. But we won't turn you away if you want to come with us.

1/2

[syrinfacet]

[ there's a moment where her expression is unreadable.

hurting those who don't want to cause harm, huh. there's something that flickers in her eyes, just for a moment - ]

2/2

[syrinfacet]

[ - and then it's gone before the feeling can set in and she just smiles. ]

I can manage that. Please allow me to help as an Executor.

[emberserker]

There we go, then. She seems confident enough.

[phantasmagorial]

[ Despite the response, Rei still looks uncertain – lips pursed and brow furrowed. But after a moment, she just nods. ]

... If you're sure.

[ Then she steps forward and offers her hand, as if to shake. ]

If it really is what you want, agree to the contract and I can make you an Executor.

[syrinfacet]

[ moment of truth.

she doesn't hesitate. there's a fleeting moment where she can't help noting how tiny rei is again, but she takes rei's hand firmly. ]

I accept you contract.

[phantasmagorial]

[ As they speak, a golden light begins to wash out from their joined hands – spilling out from the Executor mark on the inside of Rei's wrist. It pales to yellow then white and then intensifies until it's all they can see. And then, quick as a wink, it's gone. Everything is back to normal but... it's Galea, now, who is different.

Rei lets out a shaky breath. ]

... The contract is established. You're... one of us, now.

[syrinfacet]

[ ...what a weird feeling, in all honesty. it isn't that she feels more complete or anything - no new memories surface - but it's like something grounds her, somehow.

she takes a breath - then absently pats rei's head, a tiny, fond smile on her face. ]

Thank you.

[ "you've been working hard." she doesn't say. she doesn't know this girl - but she can just tell, given what wolfsbane said, and how rei holds herself. ]

I'll do my best.

[emberserker]

Good, that's dealt with. See, Rei, you'll get along well. She seems the type.