Auth considers the planter which the flower is in. Was it grown in there to start with? Maybe. Auth considers that, with how most planters are used though, it was probably moved into the "pot" after having spent at least some time growing. Therefore, if it got in somehow, they will have considered a way to get it out again. Especially if something about the inside of the planter needs to be changed.

Auth carefully examines the statue, Ace Attorney style, looking for any kind of hook or seam holding the thing together, which can be easily slid off without damaging the statue. Rigorous poking is likely involved, in case some hidden buttons are discovered.

AUTH: I'm pretty sure that's the right term.
AUTH: I'm reasonably certain that your place will still be there by the time we're done here. Hope for the best, in any case. I doubt worrying about it now will do anyone much good...
AUTH: I wonder if they've gone down there yet... hm...

Auth seems to, ironically, be considering a situation in a non-here place.

AUTH: As for getting the statue out? If they got it in, they must have had a way to get it out.
AUTH: All I need to do is find it. If, for whatever reason, they needed to move the flower out of this planter, I doubt that they would have been terribly pleased smashing it.
AUTH: I suppose it's possible could be okay with it, but I doubt it, somehow.

But there appears to be no obvious signs of damage, despite the abandoned-looking shrine.

---

Auth nods.

AUTH: Well, the experts would know, right? It's not technically untrue.
AUTH: There's a lot of things with... unfortunate side effects in too great a dosage. There's a place I've been with a substance in common usage that, in too great a dosage, leaves one vulnerable to possession.
AUTH: I know someone who almost overdosed on water once. They did it on a stupid dare from a friend, I had to pull them out of the Stolen River after they did it.
AUTH: That wasn't a fun experience for anybody involved, let me tell you.

Auth decides to take a Frigid Crystal, a few Serenea flowers, and a Yellow Sap Blob, to mix up some of that anaesthetic Chi was talking about earlier. It would be nice to have some available.

---

-Auth rezzes Chloe and special-slaps Phosphite 1 for 17.

Whenever this needs to be in THE PLAN, then I go.

Bauhaus moves to P13 and uses Abduction on Mitocyst5, comboing it into an Ice-element basic attack.

Battle: Chemical Labs

Irongutta took Magnolia's compliment with pride, standing up a bit straighter and holding his head high. "Right back at ya, Magnolia! Fine choppin' work."

Per the plan, Irongutta acts after Pionobot charges to N12, where he swings at Phosphite7 and, if his attack kills, prepares to use Dance of Death on Phosphite1.

Lab:
Note Power Nap from last turn.
Move to R5.
Double basic attack Mitosystem1.
Use Yggdrasil Vessel twice.
Power Nap self again.

"Yeowch!"

Brutishace yelps in pain at the Ohmnic's assault, but his pain is relieved by Venia's Material Transfer.

"Ah, thank you for that."

With his nerves settled, and seeing the first Phosphit out of his way, Brutishace advances to N12, trudging through the tainted rubble despite his substantial-but-not-enough Poison resistance. Undeterred, he points his demented skull at the enemy rear lines...

"Edictum praetoris... Memento mori... Toga Picta... Interregnum!"

A blast of deadly green magic flies towards L6 as Brutishace casts Vitality Leech on the spot! This catches the first and fourth Mitosystems and first and third Mitocysts in the blasts! This should weaken them a fair bit when Brutishace's teammates go to clean them up.

<ROUND 257>

Crya attempts to cheer up Chi. She slides the doctor a bowl of ice cream. As a burrito, Chi isn't really quite capable of eating the ice cream, so she unbundles herself a bit to take a look at the frozen treat.

CHI: ...
CHI: O-Odd...

She takes the provided spoon, and digs in. Her eyes light up, and she clutches her head. Instant brain] core freeze! That feeling of frost soon subsides,

CHI: S-Sweet...
CHI: I-I like it.

Nom. She begins to slowly pick away at the ice cream, seemingly not having a craving for anything else at the moment.

---

Venia loots a snacking Chi. That's not to say she robs her- rather, she picks her up, and allows herself to be carried away to the House. There, Venia places her on a chair rather than the table itself.

CHI: Is this your base of operations?
CHI: I-I could've walked m-myself, you know...

As Chi attempts to vibe, Regalus explains to Omorika that he sent Maria to Sussui to act as a "leash" of sorts. Omorika's arms tense, and the slightest pangs of shock cross her face. Her usually solemn, stoic expression twitches ever so slightly.

OMORIKA: So... you're fine using your daughter as a tool of sorts?
OMORIKA: Certainly there would be a better way to keep Venia in check that wouldn't put a young girl at risk.
OMORIKA: You are aware she's been harmed, right? An entity known as "The Husk" managed to wound her after Maria took off on her steed and wandered into combat.
OMORIKA: While the injury was minor, the strength of that entity could've easily knocked her out, scarred her, or worse...
OMORIKA: Truthfully, we're just lucky Lord Helix didn't roll a critical hit.

Omorika sighs as she presses on her glasses, which you can't convince me she doesn't have. Maria then runs in, holding the scarf that she made with Marron. She presents it proudly to Regalus. It's a glittery masterpiece. And probably a high-tier one at that, for whatever reason. Regalus praises Maria for her work.

OMORIKA: Ah, most excellent work, Maria.
OMORIKA: You did great as well, miss Marron and miss Maple.
MARRON: Uh, thanks.
MARRON: I did most of it, though.

OMORIKA: Anyway.
OMORIKA: Your majesty.

She taps her clogs against the floor one, two times.

OMORIKA: If you intend to use Maria as a "leash", why return her home now?
OMORIKA: Is it perhaps because the situation with the health of miss Praefortis has changed?

Her glassy, almost dead-fish eyes glare towards Regalus. Elsewhere, Rebecca vamooses from the general area of Chloe and Echoss. Chloe shrugs, and waves her goodbye.

CHLOE: U-Um... alright!
CHLOE: If you get hungry later, come find me, alright? I'll see what I can do for you!

---

The Reflector tests the password-protected file. Boop. It seems that this one isn't limited in how many attempts you can make, which is nice. Anyway, they then enter the password "Cypress". It's promptly rejected. Also, it seems like there's a delay of one minute between password entry attempts, so simply trying to brute force it won't work out.

anyway, time to browse a list of tree names, or perhaps a list of ikea chairs

---

Hannah decides to ignore the hazards in her way. Rather than try and go through the reinforced plate within the vent, she digs up through the ventilation shaft itself. Seems like she's arrived in some sort of small crawlspace above the vents. As she might've expected, there's no large metal plate in the way here! Rather, it seems that some wooden barricades have been manipulated into place here. Still annoying, but probably far easier to get through. Looks like it's standard oak, or whatever wood the trees on this island are made of.

Elsewhere, Dorothy emits an aura of tranquility. While Chi has been moved out of its AoE, it still has an effect on her regardless. She then bumps into Hannah, and has a nice lil' sitdown with her at the edge of the island. The chilling intensifies. I'm going to assume they lean against one another, because that'd be cute. What'd be less cute is them being blown off the island and to their violent deaths by a gust of wind. Seriously, it's kinda windy. At least the spot they're sitting at is aesthetic.

Somewhere down wind of the labs, Boshi sails to the silverwood at the edge of the lake. He then decides to harvest it. ALL of it. The game shrugs, deciding he's been out of the water long enough. All 60 trees spontaneously uproot, granting Boshi 60 Silverwood Logs. He then sails back to port, and pockets not one, not two, not three, but- yeah, actually three boats. Raft obtained! Chairian Sloop obtained! Deployable Corvette re-obtained!

Finally, Adria and Taeda continue their chat just outside of the chapel's walls. Adria ponders her own nature- is she a human, or very similar to one? She also mentions something about time-based magitech.

TAEDA: Y-You can g-go back in time?
TAEDA: No way! That's really cool!
TAEDA: I... d-don't know how that'd work, though!
TAEDA: Wouldn't it be really, really easy to cause a paradox? Or something?
TAEDA: J-Just thinking about the implications makes my head hurt...

While Taeda's head aches. Adria presses on into the chapel, reassuring the priestess that she can handle whatever happens. They then explain to Auth and Nana exactly what happened. Namely, the house exploded.

NANA: T-The house e-e-exploded? O-Oh h-helix, w-what will we-
TAEDA: A-Ah, um, if I may...
TAEDA: Only one room exploded. Not the whole house.
NANA: O-Oh.
NANA: W-Well, I'm glad everything's o-okay...
NANA: Surely there wasn't a need to abandon the chapel though, r-right?
NANA: I'm sure miss Elem could've handled investigating the house on her lonesome...

Adria then asks what's next. Nana points to the planter, and the Godblossom that the Author is working with.

NANA: W-Well... we should get the Godblossom into the planter... a-and that should be it!
NANA: Hopefully, it'll be able to grow undisturbed here.
NANA: Perhaps we'll be able to obtain a Godblossom of our own once t-they're done growing?

Nana fantasizes about what she might be able to create with a full vial of Godblossom Extract. Maybe she and Lutea would go and create a potion of dubious quality together. Yes, that'd be great.

---

Not!Echoss attempts to loot a keycard. Sneaking up on Cypress Salix with his literal invisibility, he attempts to pickpocket the keycard, and... succeeds in taking it from his hands.

SALIX: ...
SALIX: You know, I was offering it to you. No need to steal it.
SALIX: I don't bite.
CLAUSA: but Nimbus will

Salix's Spiralfloof assumes the "greater than colon three". Its smug energy radiates through the stars. Anyway, Level 3 Access Card obtained! Elsewhere, Pionobot suggests to Maple that walking in on Cypress's meeting would probably suck. She nods.

MAPLE: Hm. Yeah.
MAPLE: You don't think he's plotting anything, do you?
MAPLE: Seems kinda weird to be playing both sides like that.
MAPLE: Helping us with the Iti on one hand, and chatting up Spark's own forces in the other room.
MAPLE: Must be a pain juggling that!

He then suggests to Maple that perhaps they could just talk with those fine folk out in the hallway. She nods, and hops over to them.

MAPLE: Heeeey!~
MAPLE: Hello! I'm Maple!! I was wondering if-
WILLOW: Uh-oh. Looks like we missed a Rebel.
WILLOW: Nimbus! Geddim!
SALIX: Willow, this is my steed. They won't heed to your-

Nimbus springs forward, Salix being dragged along for the ride. They jump forward, landing on Maple. She's pinned to the ground, beneath Nimbus's large floofiness. Maple has been neutralized.

SALIX: ...Also, there's a fair chance that they're friendly.
SALIX: That Scarlet has been travelling around with the Spherebreakers, from the looks of things.
SALIX: In addition, they approached us with a friendly greeting.
WILLOW: ...Oh. That'd make sense, yeah.
WILLOW: You okay down there?
MAPLE: mph

She extends an arm out from below the Spiralfloof, giving a thumbs up. From her prone position, she gives Nimbus a big hug, completely entranced by the creature. She good. Inexplicably, as if she was pulled by a magnet, Willow gravitates into Nimbus. The floof cannot be resisted.

Back at the House, Echoss suggests to Chloe that perhaps they could make sandwiches. Chloe gives a little happy hop.

CHLOE: Yeah! Sandwiches!
CHLOE: It's been a long time since I've had a simple sandwich, if I'm being totally honest.
CHLOE: Mom always cooks something nice for dinner, so... y'know. Not much room for sandwiches.
CHLOE: Unless you count a hamburger as a sandwich. Which I guess it is, but it's pretty much its own thing, right?
CHLOE: And then you pair the burger with some soda, and it's bliss!~
CHLOE: Maybe we could make some cola? That'd handle the drink thing, and maybe it'd be fun!

Sandwiches and cola. Shouldn't be a bad meal, right?

---

Auth examines the statue-planter. Odds are, the flower needed to be put in there initially, so there's probably a slot for that. he soon finds that if he twists the shell to the right a bit, it parts into two halves. With that, Nana is able to access the flower, and the soil within.

NANA: A-Ah! Great work!
NANA: N-Now, I'll d-do the transfer.
NANA: J-Just a bit nervous, i-is all! A-Ahem...

Ever so slowly and carefully, ensuring that she doesn't even nip the roots of the Godblossom, Nana extracts a large pile of dirt from the statue-planter. She digs out a hole in the newly assembled planter that Adria built, and plops the Godblossom smack in the center of the plot. She gives the soil at the base of the flower a trio of little pats.

NANA: Ta-daaah!
NANA: The Godblossom is safe and sound! And we didn't even need to upset Lord Helix!
TAEDA: Hurray!
NANA: S-So... assuming we keep the Godblossom safe here, w-we'll be able to grow more of them!
NANA: So now all we need to do i-is watch over it for m-multiple months!
NANA: Though, I feel as if it'll be accelerated to a reasonable amount of time f-for whatever reason?
TAEDA: Perhaps the Thymefield has an effect on the growth rates of crops?
NANA: M-Maybe...

Nana morphs a chair into existence near the planter, and takes a seat. Dart pistol in hand, she remains at the ready.

NANA: I-I'm gonna stay here and p-protect the flower!
NANA: N-No harm will come to it! I swear!

Nana has promoted herself to guardswoman. Perhaps there's a better way to defend it though? Surely Nana will get bored sitting around here for twenty-odd rounds. Taeda meanwhile, wanders forward, admiring the Godblossom. Truly beautiful.

Auth decides to go and brew up some Chairian-friendly anesthetic, throwing together three Frigid Crystals, three Serenea Flowers, and three Yellow Sap Blobs to create three doses of Chairian Anesthetic. As he minxes them together, he tells Chi a story of someone overdosing on water. She giggles to herself.

CHI: So did they jump into the river and start drinking water as fast as they could?
CHI: That sounds more like drowning than overdosing, y'know?

CHI: ...They, uh, were okay after that, right?
CHI: I'd rather not laugh at someone's death.

...Did he pull their corpse out of the river, or were they alive? Important distinction.

---

<CHEMICAL LABORATORY, ROUND 5>
As the last Mitosystem falls, and the remaining Mitocysts are cleaned up, the room goes quiet. At least, until Cypress's voice flickers in on the intercom system in the room. They have an intercom system? Snazzy.

CYPRESS: Scanned Chemical Laboratory. No Iti signatures. Excellent work.
CYPRESS: Mitosystem infestation: cleared. Work priority shift. New request.
CYPRESS: Help. Spawn Point: deployed.

The sound of gunfire and roaring flames erupt from the intercom. Large impacts from what must be a heavy weapon of sorts. It's... not pretty. There's an awful lot of audible firepower for what's effectively a one versus who-knows-how-many.

CYPRESS: Unable to hold. Requesting backup.
CYPRESS: Mistakes were made. Spark's forces: illogical. Think I'm rebelling.
CYPRESS: Help. Now.
CYPRESS: Please. Thank you.

The intercom dies out. That... may be of a priority to you. Anyway, besides whatever the hell is going on with Cypress. it'd be worth taking a look at finding the Rose Cult Forge, where Yulania is. Destroy that, and the last bits of the Rose Cult (or at least, the fanatic, evil part of them, anyway) will be snuffed out!

Buy stuff

The following Lab Purchases are made:
-Extension Of You (50 samples)
-Dualshot Barrel (80 samples)
-Weapon Upgrade: Twin Railcannons (50 Samples)
-5 Catalysts Of Void (80 Samples and 1500 Credits; given to Taeda, Bass, Maxim, R-8733 and Maple)
-Define Bombardment: Stratoshield (20 Samples) and Define Bombardment: Calypse Cannon (40 Samples). Details below:

---

Statstuff

Venia subtracts -3 skillpoints from her HP, only to turn around and purchase Extension Of You as her second Perk. She also rotates Glacier Drop for Incantation again.

---

Mariaaaaaaaa

Regalus does not twitch or do anything of the sort in response to Omorika's accusations. "I have not put her at any risk that I did not make blatantly clear to my little sunshine," He says simply. "She clearly didn't care, so I suppose that's just a lesson she's learned. But I digress! Clearly she's here happy and healthy and unharmed, so you can't be so serious. I have clearly left her in good hands!"

A breath taken. "Of course, the issue of the Sphere's impending detonation is a different matter entirely. I do not think you have not been through trials and tribulations to get this far and will face more still. But the sphere's detonation... For sheer power it is unlike anything I've even suspected of being on Sussui aside from the thing itself. In turn, the cause is altogether a much greater thing than before, and will thus cause much more risk to fight."

"What I mean is-before now the risk was acceptable. The impending fight will make it unacceptable. Even if you have a plan for it, I suspect massive casualties. I don't wish for Maria to hang around for that," Regalus says.

Meanwhile, Maria looks at the pretty scarf some more. "...What do we do now?" Maria asks, looking at Marron.

---

Rosie

Venia resolves a lot of time loops, then goes to check on Rosie. "howdy," Venia says. "Know I'm not your original mechanic, but, well, haven't seen them. I'd like some word on your current status... And your opinion on being transplanted into a bigger model, too. There's a strong tank we have that's missing a ton of internals, we could probably merge you together with it if you're up to that."

---

The Old Pass

Venia, slightly further ahead in her personal chronology, waits calmly at the northern end of the pass out of Omnite, where Yew's memories said Yulania was, with a small message to the Spherebreakers sent over text messaging.

"Alright, people, I don't want this problem to linger-Yulania and his group have to be confronted, and purified. They're the real last of the hostile Rose Cult. The rest... We can probably just set up a sign outside the main base advertising for some health inspection and rid them of their corruption calmly. Either way, at that point, it'll all be over. Meet me at the northern end of the Old Pass, and only a few should come with me."

Message sent, she waits for others to arrive. Nia would likely come a-running the instant she got the message. As for the rest... Who knows?

Purchases:
To follow up on Tazz's purchases, two scan purchases from the Sleuth:
Rebel Terrors and Iti Inorganics


Not!Echoss commits a faux pas:
When Salix points out how dumb Not!Echoss is being, he promptly fades back into visibility and sighs dramatically.
"C'mon man all I've got left are the meeeeeee" Not!Echoss slowly sinks into the floor, getting quieter as he does so, disappearing from sight entirely before he finishes the word 'memes'.


Maple + Pionobot
Pionobot chuckles at the hilarious antics, but is then promptly interrupted by the sound of gunshots from the Aviation Chamber.
"Uh, Maple? I think we should try and go help Cypress out.
He's kinda being shot at."


Chloe + Echoss
"Sandwiches and soda. A traditional picnic feast.
I have no idea how to make soda off the top of my head, do you think we could get away with ordering some through the portal?
Not the cheap stuff this time though, I have a few brands in mind that are significantly better choices than the generic options."

Stats and Crafts

Hannah drops her INT by a whopping 9 and increases her MMP by 6 (see later). She then picks up Extension Of You and Growing Strength. She then swaps out her spells for Mirror Image, Terminus Lances, and Vampiric Venom.

Before getting into anything more, though... Hannah has a date with a certain bow.



...Hannah equips the Whispering Bow, now killed. She also equips the Darkened Core and Zen Ribbon (the latter being temporary).

She then commissions a slight upgrade from Sophia...



Hannah equips the Attendant's Ballcap+, with the free Magical resistance going to Psychic.

In summary:
-Kill the Whispering Bow, equip
-Craft Attendant's Ballcap+, equip
-Equip Darkened Core and Zen Ribbon
-Drop INT by 9, increase MMP by 6, equip Extension Of You and Growing Strength (both reduced in cost from Darkened Core)
-Shuffle spells (again): Mirror Image, Terminus Lances, Vampiric Venom

---

Skylabs - Hannah

Hannah notes the wooden barricade ahead of her. While it's certainly not nearly as strong as the heavy plate below her in the Vent, a simple wooden barrier would be so easy to get through that it's silly. She presses her ear against the wood, trying to discern any voices or movement behind it. If there is, it might be a bad idea to go through it for other reasons... she's trying to be sneaky here, after all.

Meanwhile, outside the labs themselves, Hannah and Dorothy get themselves comfortable. While Hannah needed to better entrench herself to avoid being blown off by the wind, Dorothy just sits on the ledge completely unaffected by the wind. 100% Air Resist is a hell of a drug. The two remain there, quietly relaxing for a bit longer.

---

House - Sophia

Sophia smiles and nods energetically. "Yep! I dunno what happened after last night but I feel super! I decided to explore a lil' more, too!"

"I went to the library, 'cause I wanted to find a cool book to read. I didn't find anything there, but there were a few Scarlets there! They were fired from the Rebellion and injured. Author helped them with the injuries, so they're okay! Super friendly too!"

"...A-also they told us the Rebels were planning on attacking here tonight so um. Yeah."

---

Chapel - Adria

Adria was fairly impressed at Taeda's apparent knowledge of time. "A-ah, so you do know a bit about how time works, then. It makes explaining it easier."

Adria clears her throat. Seems like Taeda just opened up a can of worms.

"While yes, it may cause paradoxes if done crudely, and it is very easy to do something horrible with unrestrained, rampant abuse of crude temporal energies, more refined methods do exist to prevent such a thing from occurring."

"For research purposes, we often use the natural phenomena known as 'branching timelines'; infinitely many timelines branching off of the main timeline, which also have infinitely many branches on them, ad infinitum. Whenever we use these types of technology, we create a brand new 'branch' in the selected timeline. This is primarily used when going forward and back through time, as to avoid the creation of paradoxes via creating a 'branch' off to the side of the selected 'branch'. This form of technology allows us to view our history without changing it in any timeline. 'Timebranch creation', we call it."

"However, on relatively far more infrequent occasions, we use another type of technology, often called 'timebranch aid' by pretty much everybody. This type of technology allows us to accept temporary help from our other selves in other timelines without disrupting the flow of time in that timeline; we don't destroy the 'branch' when doing this. In essence, from that timeline's perspective, they're taken from their timeline, and in that exact same moment, return to their timeline as if nothing happened. In that tiny instant, they aid the self or selves that brought them there for assistance, as it is possible to call on multiple of them. If one ends up getting killed, though... that's where things start getting dangerous."

"When these 'timeclones' as we call them die, they seem to exert a sort of existential harm on the one that called them there in the first place. Perhaps it takes this existential energy to bring them back to their original timeline without harm? We have no idea. It's an area of active research. Fortunately this energy seems to regenerate with time. It just hurts a lot when one happens. Too many at once could cause a coma - the most likely outcome - or death if excessive numbers are killed at once. Though the alt timeline selves almost always leave before that happens."

"There's also a much more unobtrusive, harmless version of that technology called 'timebranch communication', used for inter-timeline communications. In essence, we can communicate with our alternate timeline selves to share information about whatever we fancy that day."

"There's a few other kinds of these technologies and their applications, including using it as fuel for vehicles and machinery, altering the speed at which time flows around ourselves or other places, et cetera, but those are the notable things."

"...I-I went off on a ramble again, didn't I? Um, oops... I-it's just so easy to get excited about it, you know? S-sorry..."

She watches on as Nana transplants the Godblossom with a precision and care she could only dream of ("W-what a pretty flower!"). It's all very impressive to her. However, she could feel the radiant power coming from the plant, and starts considering something. "Y-you feel that radiant power from the Godblossom? I'm... I'm starting to believe that we may need more defenses. External defenses this time, though perhaps ones that are not immediately visible..."

"W-we have many enemies, yeah? Then perhaps submersible defenses may be required to hide the fact that this is a key location for us right now. I-if you could give me some time to experiment, I may be able to create these sorts of turrets to surround this area with."

With that being said, Adria gets to work on turrets, away from the flower near the right side of the chapel, near the door. Though it seems like right now they're mere plans...

ZONE 5

The Reflector realizes they'll need another source of information if they're to discover Cypress's real name (and asking him is probably a bad idea). Shifting back to a familiar reflection, they leave the sealed test chamber and head out in search of Omorika.

"THE THAUMATURGE": Miss Omorika.
"THE THAUMATURGE": A pleasure to make your a(quaintan(e. I am the Thaumaturge.

The Jaghut smiles at Omo, though the icy coldness in his eyes never seems to depart.

"THE THAUMATURGE": A matter (riti(al to my investigations on Sussui has arisen.
"THE THAUMATURGE": I believe one of your asso(iates on the (oun(il is hiding something in his past. Something that (ould redefine your (onflict against the (hairheir, the Rebels, the Tabletopians.
"THE THAUMATURGE": A fas(inating matter, from a purely a(ademi( standpoint.
"THE THAUMATURGE": Do you know the truth of (ypress's origins, Miss Omorika?

He spreads his hands, and a frosty mist permeates the room (probably annoying the receptionist). From within the mist, Omo can make out the silhouette of the facade of the Whispering Library.

"THE THAUMATURGE": And if not... how would you like to find out together?

Destiny decides to help out with Cypress's situation and engages.

-------------------------------------

Crya follows Venia to the house and just kinda sits there awkwardly while Chi eats some Ice Cream.
...w-well, it's nice that you like the Ice Cream...

Another moment of awkward silence.
...Lets... talk about something nice...? I'm not too, er, sure what to talk about. I had a nice conversation about Chairians and humans with Taeda, but lets see...
...maybe... I guess we could talk about other kinds of delicacies! Taeda treated me to some Halobloom Tea, and that was such a pleasant experience. So, what other kinds of treats do your people make, if they have any?

"The day is won- and I claimed the final victory over the Mitosystems! I think I'm satisified."

Brutishace stays put for now and invests three of his skill points into STR.

Stats
Irongutta removes one of his two Indomitable perks, bringing his KP up to 3.
He then grabs Endorphin Rush for 2 KP and puts the extra KP into AGI.

---

The Old Pass

It didn't take long for Irongutta to show up after receiving Venia's message. Predictably, Piggo came along as well with his new sapsqueal friend not far behind. Spotting Venia, Irongutta waved at her in greeting.

"Oi there Venia! Came as soon as I 'eard there was gonna be a fight, though I sussed from yer message that this ain't just a regular scrap. I'm a bit out o' the loop on all the details, but I think this one's got Magnolia especially interested."

+2 res

<ROUND 258>

The universe shifts as everyone throws numbers around, expecting reality itself to bend based on those numbers.



In addition, since it'd be pretty convenient for me to put it here... some items are bought from the Lab! Extension of You, Dualshot Barrel, an upgrade to the Twin Railcannons, 5 Catalysts of Void, and definitions for the Stratoshield and Calypse Cannon are all bought! This totals to generally just a lot of Samples: 320, to be specific. This also uses 1,500 Credits.

---

Regalus doesn't even twitch in response to Omorika's accusations. The librarian sighs. Apparently not even Maria getting injured was a cause of concern for him. But now, with the detonation of the Sphere nearing ever closer, the risk is getting to unacceptable levels.

OMORIKA: Well, our party's purpose for being here is to dismantle the Sphere, and stop it from detonating.
OMORIKA: We have also minimized casualties on both our side, and those of the Chairian Legion and the Rebellion. We will not suddenly take on massive losses.

OMORIKA: I also doubt that taking Maria away from ground zero would make her safer.
OMORIKA: Are you aware that the Sphere is expected to wipe out roughly one-third of the universe when it goes off?
OMORIKA: I am unsure as to how a simple explosion could cause that much devastation, or if that's even possible by the laws of physics, but merely fleeing from a blast of this proportion wouldn't be enough.
OMORIKA: If you are so concerned to your daughter's safety, why not aid us in dismantling the Sphere, your majesty?
OMORIKA: Surely she'd be the safest by your side, correct? You would also be able to assist the duchess Praefortis in combat.

...An odd proposition. A few feet away, Maria looks at the pretty scarf that she and Marron made. What to do now? Marron pulls out a cardboard box, and sets it on the floor. She successfully resists the urge to sit in it, and pulls out a roll of pink, sparkly wrapping paper from her own personal inventory.

MARRON: Only one last thing to do- gift wrap!
MARRON: If this is a present for Ette, it needs to look the part, right?
MARRON: You wanna do it? Or if not, I can wrap the present, and maybe you could make a card for her?

Marron also produces a few colored markers and a simple blank "holiday card" template of sorts. Will Maria succumb to the temptations of not-crayons? Will she draw a "beautiful" cat upon it? probably yeah

Elsewhere, Venia takes a look at the battle tank, Rosie. Though she's not the original mechanic of this hulking monstrosity, she'd like an overview of their status. And their opinion on being transplanted into a bigger model.

ROSIE: STATUS: ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL.
ROSIE: UPGRADING TO A BIGGER SHELL WOULD DECREASE ENTROPIC MATERIAL CONCENTRATION. WOULD RECOMMEND.

It seems they're alright with the whole process, in their own sort of AI-based way. Finally, Venia takes off to the Old Pass. As she awaits by the northern edge of Omnite's walls, she sends out a group text. They've got to find Yulania's Forge, or whatever its actual, fancy name is. As she suspected, Nia comes running, Boxican in hand.

NIA: Snowy mountain adventure, yay!~
NIA: I liked this place, y'know! Besides the whole part with the catacombs, and all of the eldritch horrors, but... I like snow!
NIA: Snow is nice.

NIA: Boxican! We're gonna go beat up the guy who made you like this!
NIA: Isn't that cool?
BOXICAN: ...
NIA: ...Eh? You there?
BOXICAN: SHOVE HIS CORPSE INTO A BOX
NIA: Hell yeah! You heard the stick! Let's shove his corpse in a gorillain' box!

NIA: You hear that, Rose Cult? We're gonna SHOVE YOU IN A BOX!

...Nia looks down into the pass ahead. Seems like the snow's starting to pick up. She waves Venia along as she walks onward into the white-covered path, her shoes leaving prints on the thin layers of snow that have already accumulated. It'll be a long journey, but... it'll be worth it in the end!



- = S T R I F E ! = -



NIA: ...y'know, I hope they didn't actually hear that.
NIA: Getting the jump on them would be cool.

---

Pionobot decides to go and help Cypress out. Maple nods, taking this as a clear indication to kick the door to the Aviation Testing Chamber right open. Except it's locked, so she does the responsible thing and swipes the keycard, unlocking the door. THEN she kicks it open. It fails to fly off its hinges, but she's able to jet in and get a view of the situation.

The soldiers who were once having a calm, peaceful meeting have arranged themselves around what seems to be an aviation lab of sorts. Well, it's not where the aviation technology is developed- rather, this is more of a testing chamber! Foam pits, obstacles to fly around... it's like a gymnasium of sorts, except without all of the inexplicable climbing bars and trampolines. Maple's eyes sparkle at the sight- it looks like fun! For her, anyway. She can fly. For everyone else, it might be the slightest bit drab.

Cypress is sitting on a central isle of sorts. A wooden meeting table has been disassembled and turned into a makeshift barrier, surrounding his position. Bullets strike the barrier, blowing chunks of it away. Even heavy ballista rounds strike the barrier, carving large holes through the table-turned-wall. It's a miracle Cypress hasn't been killed yet. A Chairian, clad in red robes with a golden trim, stands above Cypress. Her voice booms through the chamber, demanding authority.

ROYAL MAGUS: Cypress. Cease your resistance at once!
ROYAL MAGUS: You are a traitor to our people! At least have the dignity to give yourself up, instead of continuing this pitiful struggle.
CYPRESS: Mistakes: made. I am innocent.
CYPRESS: Rebellion relationship: nonexistent. Unsure of suspicions.
ROYAL MAGUS: Oh, don't play dumb.
ROYAL MAGUS: Do you think Spark is so blind as to not notice unscheduled departures from the Sky Lab's own storage?
ROYAL MAGUS: And of course, the Rebels mysteriously have the ability to create cutting-edge machinery, in your signature style!
CYPRESS: Style: subjective. Alternatively: hostile spies?
CYPRESS: Nonetheless: am honored. Rebels: good taste.
ROYAL MAGUS: Please stop. You're a disgrace.

ROYAL MAGUS: Just surrender yourself already. I'll make your death quick, if only out of respect of your deeds before the Sphere arrived.
ROYAL GUARD: Oh. You two. Quick thing.
ROYAL GUARD: Someone's decided to pay us a visit. Check your six.

Maple floats in front of the doorway, while Pionobot stands behind her. The Magus turns to face her, giving the Scarlet a glare of sheer disdain. In retaliation, Maple smiles and waves.

MAPLE: Um, hey! How's it goin?
ROYAL MAGUS: ...Typical.
ROYAL MAGUS: To think you'd team up with our enemy. Well, ANOTHER one of our enemies.
ROYAL MAGUS: You're hardly even loyal to the Rebellion.
CYPRESS: Again, misunderstanding.
CYPRESS: Mutual agreement. Spherebreakers cleanse Iti. Save lives. Nothing more.
ROYAL MAGUS: Mutual? What, were you going to just like, give them the Glyph as payment?
ROYAL MAGUS: To think that those in the Highchair could be so disloyal...
ROYAL MAGUS: Pathetic.

ROYAL MAGUS: All units. Let's just get it over with.
ROYAL MAGUS: Execute this traitor... and destroy the Spherebreakers.
ROYAL MAGUS: Move out!

The Chairians in the room prepare to continue their assault on Cypress. Looks like you'll need to be quick if you're going to intervene!



- = S T R I F E ! = -



A fair distance away from the conflict, Echoss and Chloe discuss lunch. Echoss has no idea how to produce soda, but perhaps he could import some through the portal? Chloe's head bobs up and down.

CHLOE: That'd... probably be for the best.
CHLOE: Soda's not really easy to make, is it? You gotta have like, whole machines, syrup, bottlers, and... w-well, I guess it'd be different for us, as we don't need an industrial factory!
CHLOE: Not that I'd be against the idea of acquiring one!
CHLOE: Wink wink, nudge nudge.

CHLOE: Anyway, as for those sandwiches... there's probably some bread around here, right?
CHLOE: Marron made french toast this morning, so I don't see why we wouldn't have bread...

Chloe searches the cupboards around the kitchen. Surely enough, she finds a few spare loaves of bread. It looks like the same stuff Marron used this morning. Chloe then begins to browse the inventory for fillings.

CHLOE: Hey, do you think we should try and cook up some meat for these?
CHLOE: I could like, try grilling some Yggcrawler. Then we could cut it up into strips, and it'd be like, a roast beef sandwich!
CHLOE: Except it's Yggcrawler!
CHLOE: Also, got any ideas for what to put in these?
CHLOE: Maybe you have... special cooking tips? Echo Corporation trade secrets of... sandwiches!

While Chloe examines many a cut of meat, Not!Echoss accidentally places two orders for the Sleuth, giving him 100 Credits to scan both the Rebel Terrors and the Iti Inorganics.

>Codex Updated!

---

Hannah attempts to be sneaky. She places her ear against the wooden barrier, trying to discern if anything's behind it. Fortunately for her, the barrier is silent, and it has not morphed itself into a spike that'd drill through her ear and into her brain. Thank goodness. It should be safe to morph away, burn away, or whatever it is Hannah does to these sorts of obstacles.

Adria then discusses time travel with Taeda, who was not prepared to receive such a lecture. The teaches of Lord Helix on multiversal time travel were very limited, as the odds of Lord Helix inflicting such a fate onto his followers were slim to none, but still existent. Anyway, it seems that Adria's rules of time travel follow the laws of a certain chess-themed time travel simulator on
Steam. Probably. It's clear that Adria lost Taeda somewhere in the third paragraph. The engineer apologizes for going on a ramble.

TAEDA: A-Ah, um... it's alright!
TAEDA: It's always fun to hear someone talk about something they're excited about, even if you don't really get it yourself!
TAEDA: I won't even pretend that I understood most of what you said, but it seems like you and whoever else does this stuff gave it a lot of thought!

TAEDA: But... you can talk to yourself in another timeline?
TAEDA: That must get weird really fast...

While Taeda imagines what she'd say to alternate universe Taeda who decided to embrace her love of heavy machine guns and become a mercenary for hire, Adria suggests that perhaps they should work on some external defenses. Of course, the priestess isn't exactly knowledgeable on the subject.

TAEDA: U-Um... I don't know if I can help with that.
TAEDA: I could try my best to place enchantments on the building, b-but I don't know a thing about building guns.

It's probably fine if she decides to work on something else, right? Or perhaps Adria has some ideas for what she could do. If they're doing concealed defenses, perhaps Taeda could make a magical oriented trap?

---

The Reflector morphs into the Thaumaturge, and introduces themselves to miss Omorika. She's taken aback at this new form, but whatever shock she experiences is short lived.

OMORIKA: Oh. Hello.
OMORIKA: It is a pleasure to meet you as well.
OMORIKA: You seem... different from the Reflector's other forms. Am I correct?

Whatever their response, the Thaumaturge then asks if Omorika knows of Cypress's origins. The librarian shakes her head.

OMORIKA: None of the specifics, unfortunately.
OMORIKA: I know he came from a village closer to the skirmishes between Locaa and Tabletopia.
OMORIKA: Apparently, it was here where he studied the wreckage of various Tabletopian devices, and obtained an affinity for technology.
OMORIKA: I don't believe that he has any sort of odd quirks in his history besides that, however.
OMORIKA: From what I know, I would not assume there's anything off with his history.
OMORIKA: ...What has led you to believe that there is a "truth" to his past?

At the very least, she's interested. Perhaps a bit more convincing is required, though?

---

Crya decides to have a nice chat with Chi. What other sorts of confectionaries do the Chairians have? Chi stops picking at her ice cream for a few moments, and gives it some thought.

CHI: Hm...
CHI: My m-mother used to make these amazing pies with Y-Yggapples.
CHI: O-Of course, I haven't been able to have one in quite some time...
CHI: I-It'd be nice if she was still around...

...Pie. Not specifically a Chairian delicacy, but pie's pie. Perhaps it'd go well with the ice cream?

---

<NORTH OF THE PASS, ROUND 1>
Quite the narrow map today. While Venia knows there's an illusory wall that leads to the forge, she can't be quite sure exactly where it was. It's all quite a bit hazy... but she remembers it was against a relatively flat section of the mountain. Search the walls, and perhaps you'll find the way in? Just watch out for Rose Cultists, and the local wildlife!

<AVIATION CHAMBER, ROUND 1>
Cypress is surrounded, and there are a LOT of strong foes. There's also varying elevations on the map, giving a huge advantage to the various Splintershots and other ranged attackers on the map. Still, perhaps you could use this to your advantage? Drop foes into the foam pits below to minimize their height, then pound them with your strongest ranged attacks? Also consider flight here. It'll save you a lot of trouble.

Nidra puts three points into SPC.

Aviation Chamber
Spawn at J22.
Use Sheep Counter on self.
Move to G17.
Power Nap self.
Last Dream Earthshaker1.

Echoss chatting with Sophia:
Echoss smiles warmly, hearing that Sophia is doing better.
"I'm glad you're doing better, it seems your aunt has recovered since last night as well, so you should try to find her at some point, I believe."
Echoss nods when she gives the last bit of info.
"That does make sense.
In truth, I was rather expecting them to launch said attack last night. Thank you for relaying this information though, it does mean we know when to expect their assault."


Echoss + Chloe
Echoss laughs at Chloe's insinuation that they should bring an industrial factory. It's still a soft laugh, but it's an actual laugh which Echoss... hasn't really done before? Seems he is doing better.
"Given our deadline is tomorrow-ish, I believe that trying to assemble a factory here under the baleful gaze of the thymefield isn't our best possible solution.
Besides, as long as we have the portal we've got reasonably easy access to the products back in the Collective. Far more available there than there is here on Sussui."

Echoss nods.
"The creatures on Sussui seem to be strangely palatable, some grill yggcrawler would definitely be a good option, among other things. If there's any fresh veggies those could be good fixings as well.
Perhaps we could also make jam with some of the fruit in the inventory? We can't have just meat sandwiches, and it'd be easy enough to get some assorted nut spreads to go with, sort of like the traditional PB&J, but with more options."
Echoss contemplates for a moment.
"You know what, we should probably just think up what things we need that we don't have on hand, so I can grab the stuff all at once." (note: I'm not actually going to eat up a bunch of retrieval slots, I'm just going to summarize it with "high quality sandwich stuff", this is RP)


Pionobot does a rant:
Pionobot examines the whole situation, and then overhears the Royal Magus's ranting. His eyes darken, flickering to a dim, angry red.
"So he's the traitor, huh? Is that how it is?
You won't even let him defend himself, and you're acting like he's somehow the one in the wrong?
News flash, Spark was the one who started firebombing his own people.
Spark was the one who decided the giant doom orb trying to eat your entire civilization alive should be given weapons so it can eat the entire planet instead of just dismantling the entire thing.
The Spherebreakers have wiped out... how many Iti and Eliti now? More than you lot have managed that's for sure. I'll bet we've killed less of your people busting into all your fortresses than you've killed in this whole affair!
Note: elite forces are commanding. They seem unlikely to listen to reason, let alone angry ranting.
Maybe, but at least it'll give the ones without their heads too far up their GORILLAs to think straight some food for thought."
Pionobot pauses, his eyes lightening back up, he seems a tad dizzy.
"Whatever.
Everyone else is here to keep the Sphere from blowing your sorry idiot butts to oblivion, I might as well help keep the sane members of your leadership alive in the process."
Pionobot draws Armistyx, changing its mode to the appropriately decided element.
"When this is all over? Just remember that you were the idiots who tried to dive headlong into the oncoming fire.
...Assuming you don't get yourselves killed first. Considering you'd destabilize your own government by killing the last loyal second in command without a trial days before armageddon, I suppose dying of spontaneous brain death can't be counted out."

Battle Orders:
Prior to entering the battle, Pionobot ups his stats a little: +2 to DEF.

Pionobot spawns in at the bottom with Armistyx on Water form. He moves up to S20, then procs a use of the poetry pamphlet, granting himself Enlightened3, and moving Splintershot3 West 2 tiles, dunking them in the foam pits. He then casts phial burst of Fire element (swapped to Electric using his trait, but having fire effect besides the damage) at the Splintershot. Because of armistyx, this inflicts stasis on them.
Pionobot switches armistyx to Slashing, and downs a sap cake just in case.


Note to self: once battle is done, swap out proximity burst and the operator suit for things better suited to my playstyle.

Asha boops her stats.
+3 MMP.

She then takes Marron by the hand to join the other couple, to the North of the Pass. Asha spawns in at H31. Marron spawns at I31, buffs Asha and herself with Fury, then moves to J29. Asha moves to I27 and changes her new Empowered to Enlightened (Alter Reality), then casts Foresight on Marron and herself.

Marron: -16 MP, +Empowered8, Focused13
Asha: -11 MP, +Enlightened8, Focused12, 2 Might, 1 Magic.

At the end of the turn, Asha then uses her Poetry Pamphlet to move Fellbeast2 to D25 and subtract 12 HP from it. She then retreats to J26, where she tests the wall as a Bonus Action.

Destiny takes 1 point out of MP, removes Antibody, 4 points from AGI, and the 1 point in Whirling Blades and puts them all into DEF, making her chonky.
Destiny spawns at J22, running towards F17 and then pops Strider before she hookshots on to the Storm Robe, flipping over them to E13.

Destiny also decides to change up some of her gear, before battle obviously.


---------------------

Pie, huh? Well, pie's always pretty good, I guess. Actually...
Crya takes out a Yggapple Pie from the inventory.

We have a pie right here! I think it's a Yggapple one, too! It's a bit cold, though, give me a moment...
Crya goes to the oven, heats up the Yggapple Pie for a little bit, and then comes back, alongside a fork. big knife, and small knife.

Here, Yggapple Pie, fresh but not really. Ooh, actually, let me show you a cool thing that I used to do with pie! Gimme the spoon for a moment?
Crya takes the wooden spoon once Chi obliges and plops a good chunk of ice cream on a portion of the pie. She then slices out the eigth that it is on.

I still do this all the time when I eat pie. It's delicious, trust me!

Before entering combat at the Aviation Chamber, Remiel +2s SPC.

Remiel spawns at K11 and does not activate Raindrop that Fell to the Sky. They use the boost from the Tornado Pad to glide to G12, eat an entire Blockmelon whole, then face the Royal Magus.

REMIEL: You know, if you saw the full extent of what your superiors were up to, I don't think we'd be your biggest enemies.
REMIEL: I can see that knowing glare. You think you already know all of Spark's plans. You're overlooking the means, either out of loyalty or because you think they're justified by the ends.
REMIEL: But Spark has even deeper motives, machinations shared with not a single soul. They lead to rather unpleasant ends, and loyalty won't save you.
REMIEL: Why am I telling you all this? Even if you don't fully believe me, I've already planted the seeds of doubt. My control only lasts a short time. Doubt is eternal.
REMIEL: Kneel.

The command is punctuated by a thunderclap as Remiel slams their sword into the ground and casts Relinquish Will.

REMIEL: Cypress. Are there any cameras around here we could get access to?
REMIEL: If video comes out showing Spark's elite guard slaughtering their subordinates with fire, it might sow a bit of discord among the Legion's ranks.