The Legend of Hieda: Daughter Zero - Completed

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>What is likely happening here? Is something posessing her?

[Fightest]

>What is likely happening here? Is something posessing her?

> No. The red radiance shining off her is the same power that you yourself draw on - the Crimson Light of Majesty and Dark Contracts.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Something is affecting her, something that seems to have some ability to control her. What do we know of that could do such a thing?
>"I come here only for information. If you leave me be, I will do nothing more than browse the library for the information I seek."

[Fightest]

>Something is affecting her, something that seems to have some ability to control her. What do we know of that could do such a thing?
>"I come here only for information. If you leave me be, I will do nothing more than browse the library for the information I seek."

> The Chosen are masters of themselves and their realm. You know of literally nothing that can force a Chosen to act against her will.
> "That is all well and good, Are, and I would be glad to help you," says Alice, growing more tense with every word, "but I appear to have invited a demon into my house along with you."
> She points her finger at you.
> "Can't you feel it?"
> The air around you laughs.
> "You people always think you're the ones with the biggest horns around! This chump couldn't get me if her life depended on it!"

[Hanzo K.]

>Now that we know what's been following us, let's wrack our brain for spells or any other means by which we can force this demon into a physical form.

[Mr_Bob]

>Well, if we're dealing with Infernal Beings, it's best if we adopt a more Celestial stance.
>Summon up our inner power.
>Attempt to 'feel' or discern something about this unwanted guest.

[Fightest]

>Now that we know what's been following us, let's wrack our brain for spells or any other means by which we can force this demon into a physical form.

> You have dealt with demons before, and, indeed, you have learned to draw power from their realm.
> Their power is what gives your presence its awesome quality, and your commands their unimpeachable might.
> Indeed, while they are now locked away in their hellish prison-world, they were once the masters of this world.
> You know this very well - after all, you were one of the ones who put them there.
> As such, it should not be difficult to deal with the demon on its own terms.

>Well, if we're dealing with Infernal Beings, it's best if we adopt a more Celestial stance.
>Summon up our inner power.
>Attempt to 'feel' or discern something about this unwanted guest.

> The air recoils from your own crimson radiance.
> Its nature resonates with your own, and you can read it like a book.
> The presence in the air is a curious demon indeed, not invisible, nor dematerialized, but rather... spread out around you, like flour would from a dropped packet.
> Such control over its own form suggests that it is quite powerful, but you are not able to judge its abilities.

[Hanzo K.]

>"So, you've dispersed your form, correct? Impressive little trick. And here I suspected an Air Elemental, only to find it to be a Demon. Would you be so kind as to, perhaps, pull yourself back together so we can discuss matters in a civil manner? I'd hate to damage my friend's house you know."

[Fightest]

> "You might have the bloodshine, but you sure as my horns aren't commanding me," cackles the air.
> "Besides, you shouldn't mind me, I'm just a curious observer. Carry on as if I weren't here!"
> The air explodes into laughter.
> The demon is overconfident. You think you can definitely command it, should you put your mind to it.

[Mr_Bob]

>"Oh? You must be one of those hornless demons."
>Commence battle of minds.  We've imprisoned Infernals before, after all.

[Fightest]

> Initiating Social Combat.
> A crimson corona forms around your head, shining orders of magnitude brighter than Alice's, painting the entrance hall in stark reds and blacks.
> Alice flinches back and averts her eyes.
> "That's new," says the air without the playfulness that had laced its tone up until now.
> You may present your argument.

[Mr_Bob]

>Observe.
>"Alice, before you said something about the corruption in this city. Is this being responsible?"
>Address the Infernal, "What is your name, and who do you serve?"
>Try to gauge if the creature has compatriots.

[Fightest]

>"Alice, before you said something about the corruption in this city. Is this being responsible?"

> Alice answers without looking directly at you, as if looking at you is blinding to her.
> "I think so, but hunches and gut feelings can only get me so far. It is a very subtle influence, such that I can't even see how it exerts itself in the first place."

>Observe.
>Address the Infernal, "What is your name, and who do you serve?"
>Try to gauge if the creature has compatriots.

> "I'll give you that first one for free, so as we would know one another," the air says, almost ritualistically.
> "My name is Gathering-Fragrance. What is yours?"
> You can tell that Gathering-Fragrance:
> Adheres to tradition: she is strong against new ideas.
> Is cowardly: she is weak against a show of force.
> ...
> Your intuition, honed to a razor-sharp edge during your years fighting the demons, is ringing every alarm bell in your head.
> This reading cannot be right.

[Mr_Bob]

>Can we even trust the name given?
>Observe
>"Why have you been following me?  What is your plot?"

[Fightest]

>Can we even trust the name given?
>Observe
>"Why have you been following me?  What is your plot?"

> You do not know the extent of this demon's trickery, trusting anything at this point is dangerous indeed.
> "Don't take it personally, bloodshine, I make it a point to keep track of everyone in this city. A little project I'm part of. You still have not given me your name, and my charity is approaching its limit. "
> You can tell that the demon:
> Flaunts tradition: she is strong against structure and reason.
> Is dependant: she is weak against isolation.
> The alarm bells are still ringing.

[Mr_Bob]

>Silver Tongue Methodology: Granted weakness against being called out on lies.
>"Funny that you are spewing lie after lie, yet have the audacity to complain about being impatient.  Start giving me straight answers, "Gathering-Fragrance".

[Fightest]

>Silver Tongue Methodology: Granted weakness against being called out on lies.
>"Funny that you are spewing lie after lie, yet have the audacity to complain about being impatient.  Start giving me straight answers, "Gathering-Fragrance".

> Reminder: Silver-Tongue Methodology may only be used to supplement a successful argument. That said:
> A bright point of red light materialises in the air in front of you, adding its radiance to your own.
> Demon's Defense: Self-Affirmation Mantra. You cannot comprehend the nature of its defense.
> "A lie is just a truth given new form, bloodshine. If you won't give me your name, I think I shall take it from you."
> The point of light grows in size, its radiance pulsing like an angry heartbeat.
> Demon's Offense: Demon King's Reclamation. A King never loses power over their realm. Keywords: Social. The Demon claims one object, material or immaterial, as her own. Upon success, the Demon becomes the rightful owner of the object, regardless of the object's possessor.
> You are keenly aware of the dangers of not owning your own name.

[Jq1790]

>How have we dealt with demons in the past who have thrown off our readings of strengths and weaknesses?  Did we develop a Stance or Move to counter such deception or to otherwise pierce the veil they've apparently placed over their capabilities?
>Have we ever had to use (verbal) force to retain posession of something of ours in social combat in the past?  Alternatively, since we ARE so acutely aware of the value of owning one's own name, have we developed defenses against things that would threaten that?

[Fightest]

>How have we dealt with demons in the past who have thrown off our readings of strengths and weaknesses?  Did we develop a Stance or Move to counter such deception or to otherwise pierce the veil they've apparently placed over their capabilities?
>Have we ever had to use (verbal) force to retain posession of something of ours in social combat in the past?  Alternatively, since we ARE so acutely aware of the value of owning one's own name, have we developed defenses against things that would threaten that?

> Your first battles of wits against demons were challenging indeed, but, since then, you have learned something of their abilities and tactics.
> As the original and absolute masters of Creation, they are parts of it as it is part of them: whilst they can hide their natures in speech and simple actions, their abilities cannot be concealed. In other words, what a demon does beyond mortal capacity betrays aspects of its true nature.
> You know of exactly one case in which an individual has lost ownership of their name: Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender had sacrificed her name to gain her impressive sorcerous ability. She now only borrows it, as far as you understand, through a complex series of contracts and arrangements that make your head spin.
> Owning an individual's name gives a terrifying degree of influence over that individual.
> This is a secret that only a small group of the Chosen know, and guard very carefully.

[Jq1790]

Wait...I don't recall you specifying, but...Is Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender a Chosen like us, or simply an ally?  I need to know before I can tell if a thought I have is right.

[Fightest]

Wait...I don't recall you specifying, but...Is Scent-of-Patchouli-and-Lavender a Chosen like us, or simply an ally?  I need to know before I can tell if a thought I have is right.

She is indeed a Chosen.

[Mr_Bob]

> Does Demon King's Reclamation really work on such a vague target as "this person's name" when they don't even know the name in the first place?
> What prevents the demon from taking our name once it's given? Koishi warned that giving a name allows it to be taken.

[Fightest]

> Does Demon King's Reclamation really work on such a vague target as "this person's name" when they don't even know the name in the first place?
> What prevents the demon from taking our name once it's given? Koishi warned that giving a name allows it to be taken.

> It is irrelevant whether the Demon King is aware of something or not. All on Creation is her original property.
> This is a bit of a quandary. You might have to protect your name, somehow, on a metaphysical level.

> Fightest's note: the fun thing about me throwing around bullshit like this is that you can respond with bullshit of your own. Come up with any cool reason why Are's name cannot be taken, and I'll roll with it. (Or even if you give away Are's name! That'd be interesting too!)

[Jq1790]

(I have an idea to propose to the other players, so I want to run it by them before making it official with the ">".  I'm aware I'm not technically required to, but I want to know if anyone's got a better plan or a more interesting one for this.  My responding line would go like this:

"My name is not something I can simply give, for I have bound my very self to it, and it to my self.  One's self cannot be so simply taken, and so my name is tied to me, and me alone.  As such, even if I were to reveal it to you, you will never be able to claim it."

My thought was perhaps to have Are have a special trait binding her nonphysical property to herself, so that it cannot be taken from her or used against her.  She IS among the Chosen who know what owning one's name can do, so i figure she'd likely come up with a counter for such a situation.  i'm not meaning for this to be a 'every bad thing that comes up she just HAS a easy no-fuss counter for it' type deal and not require us to actually WORK for stuff, it just seems like something this potentially dangerous would probably be something one in the know would prepare some sort of defense against.)

[Mr_Bob]

Erg. Double-checked and Alice did mention Are's name when the uninvited guest showed up. We should probably give out our full name and title to signify our ownership of name and self.

[Fightest]

i'm not meaning for this to be a 'every bad thing that comes up she just HAS a easy no-fuss counter for it' type deal and not require us to actually WORK for stuff

Hah, don't worry about that, you'll get to work for your no-fuss counter some way or other.

[Jq1790]

Hah, don't worry about that, you'll get to work for your no-fuss counter some way or other.

This does actually make me feel better.  Anyway, since it's been almost a day, I figure it's safe enough, so now to put my thought as an official command!  (I'll be adding to it so as to take care of Bob's request as well, since I'd forgotten we'd had our name said in Gathering-Fragrance's presence as well.)

>"My name is not something I can simply give, for I have bound my very self to it, and it to my self.  One's self cannot be so simply taken, and so my name is tied to me, and me alone.  As such, even if I were to reveal it to you, you will never be able to claim it."
>"I am Are-of-the-Hieda, Celestial Chosen.  Now then, would you mind telling me exactly who you are, 'Gathering-Fragrance', assuming that is in fact your name?"

(Should we ask now or later about that 'project' that was mentioned that Gathering-Fragrance is supposedly a part of?)

[Fightest]

>"My name is not something I can simply give, for I have bound my very self to it, and it to my self.  One's self cannot be so simply taken, and so my name is tied to me, and me alone.  As such, even if I were to reveal it to you, you will never be able to claim it."
>"I am Are-of-the-Hieda, Celestial Chosen.  Now then, would you mind telling me exactly who you are, 'Gathering-Fragrance', assuming that is in fact your name?"

> "Clever words, bloodshine, but now that you've given me your name, I'll happily take it."
> The crimson point of light grows in size, its radiance intensifying with every moment, until it takes on an outline of a human with thick horns proudly jutting out of the sides of her head.
> You feel an immense tugging sensation on something immaterial and fragile, as if that of a world-sized spider's leg pulling on a strand of web...
> But the strand is long indeed, and the weight opposing the demon's pull is nothing short of cosmic.
> "What in the nine hells are you attached to?"
> ...

> This feels important. You trace this memory back to its root.
> ...

> "Once again you are breaking new ground, Hieda," says Four-Seasons'-Princess, her tone absolutely dripping with sarcasm. "What will you attempt after this? Negotiate parole for the Demon princes? Challenge the Sun to single combat?"
> Her acidic remark cuts through the whirring and clicking as the vast, intertwining and ever-shifting structure of the Orrery maps out Fate. The path you are on is one of many that leads you across and through the device, and all around you strands of oristeel join and separate, flowing up and down, carrying with them vast reams of information.
> You do not quite understand the consequences - or even the possibility - of attaching your name to your self, so you have come to one of your oldest allies for her expert opinion. It looks like she is not amused.

[Mr_Bob]

> "Maybe not the Sun itself, but a Yatagarasu would make a lively opponent."
> "Anyway, it seems expedient to be able to have what is solely mine belonging to me.  This would help alleviate the risk of not owning one's name."

[Fightest]

> "Maybe not the Sun itself, but a Yatagarasu would make a lively opponent."
> "Anyway, it seems expedient to be able to have what is solely mine belonging to me.  This would help alleviate the risk of not owning one's name."

> "Hah, as if you would be able to find one."
> She pauses, and looks back at you, eyes narrowed.
> "That is not a challenge, by the way, I don't want whatever incident you cause next to be connected to me. Anyway."
> She looks around to check for prying ears. There are none that you can sense.
> "We've witnessed Patchouli's folly, and I do understand your reasoning. But you must understand as well - a name is just a name. Yes, it can be taken, and yes, you would be forever near-enslaved to whoever took it... but even then it is still mutable."
> She spreads her arms.
> "Someone could take it back, for example. But you must understand, Are: fixing a name in this manner directly attaches it to Fate itself. You would bear the full responsibility of all of your actions on a cosmic scale. Everyone that would in the future carry your name would be thus tied as well!"