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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 1:04:16 GMT
After getting directions from Maleficent, Varian finally stumbled upon an the castle's laboratory. Though it wasn't quite what Varian was hoping for. While it had work benches, books, and test tubes, it seemed to be more towards magic than science. The books were all about spells, the shelves were lined with eyes of newts and other more bizarre ingredients, and there were many tools or machines Varian would find useful in his experiments. "Guess we'll have to go out later and find some real lab equipment later Ruddiger. For now, let's just get set up and start planning." Varian said as he pulled up a chair and pulled out a journal. He began writing down his thoughts on this whole unusual situation. Though he wrote it in a strange code he developed to help prevent people from stealing his inventions. Varian figured that if what Maleficent said was true and that these people were some of the most evil around, he doubted many of them respected privacy and may snoop around his room while he was gone.
Today has been strange to say the least. While an improvement over jail, I don't feel very comfortable in this castle. Mainly do to the company of my so called 'allies'. Most of the ones summoned to the castle seem unstable to say the least. While some like Ratigan and Sykes seem relatively normal and intelligent, they were still dangerous criminals and may betray him if it suit their needs. He'd need to learn more about them and the others to see if he could trust them.
Though the new arrivals so far seem more trust worthy than the two members of the Five we've seen so far. Maleficent clearly will not hesitate to attack someone if they anger her. Not to mention, her title "Mistress of all Evil" doesn't make her sound anymore friendly. Though what really makes me suspicious about them is if this prophecy is true, why do they need us if they have all this power? They seemingly summoned us all at random as if any common crook or monster would fit the bill. I suspect they want to use us all, but for what? If they are planning to betray us all, it may be wise to start building some counter measures and allies.
But for now, I will still play along. Especially if they can deliver on their promise and help me make Corona and Rapunzel suffer. Then, maybe they can help me free my father...
In fact, maybe I should speak with Hades. I don't know if he is a god or not, but he seems to have some power over death. I do need to make sure that my father is still alive in those stones or if he's-
Varian could barely write down that last part as thinking about his father was still painful for the young man. Ruddiger came over to help comfort the boy. Varian gladly petted him as he began to compose himself again. For now he'd start making a checklist of equipment and supplies he needed. First thing he felt he needed to do was get the right equipment to build some more automatons.
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 1:32:15 GMT
[OOC: Picking up on a story thread from the Archive room]
Now, this was exactly what Mozenrath wanted. Hades had put him on a mission to find his subordinates, one "Pain" and one "Panic." However, that was easier said than done. The enormity of the castle made it impossible to find a person by just walking around.
But a place? That was easier to locate. And Mozenrath had sought such a facility as this, stocked with the ingredients he would need to brew a locator spell that would allow him to track down the missing minions.
His eyes flicked about the well-stocked shelves...then toward the boy scrawling out his checklist.
Wasn't he a little young for this gig?
(Wasn't that what everyone always asked about him?)
Well, the last time he'd struck up a conversation had worked out in his favor. (Ignoring that he hadn't been the one to strike it.) Approaching Varian with a sly smile, Mozenrath asked, "And what are we brewing up today?"
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 1:51:42 GMT
[OOC: Picking up on a story thread from the Archive room] Now, this was exactly what Mozenrath wanted. Hades had put him on a mission to find his subordinates, one "Pain" and one "Panic." However, that was easier said than done. The enormity of the castle made it impossible to find a person by just walking around. But a place? That was easier to locate. And Mozenrath had sought such a facility as this, stocked with the ingredients he would need to brew a locator spell that would allow him to track down the missing minions. His eyes flicked about the well-stocked shelves...then toward the boy scrawling out his checklist. Wasn't he a little young for this gig? (Wasn't that what everyone always asked about him?) Well, the last time he'd struck up a conversation had worked out in his favor. (Ignoring that he hadn't been the one to strike it.) Approaching Varian with a sly smile, Mozenrath asked, "And what are we brewing up today?" Varian was writing when suddenly a flash of blue light blinded him and made him fall from his chair. It seems he was right about these villains lacking respect for privacy. He made a mental note to build some locks and traps when he got the chance to prevent surprises like this. He quickly picked himself up though and looked up towards the guest. "Ah, I believe your...pet? Minion? Whatever that creature is called you Mozenrath right? Well Mozenrath, I'm just taking notes on what I need to make this a proper lab. Seems Maleficent's idea of a lab leans more toward the mystic than the scientific. And judging from your attire, I'm guessing you're into 'magic' as well." Varain aired quote marks around the word magic.
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 1:57:40 GMT
Mozenrath scowled. "Is...there a PROBLEM with my practicing magic?"
His tone making it very clear there had better not be.
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 2:09:57 GMT
Mozenrath scowled. "Is...there a PROBLEM with my practicing magic?" His tone making it very clear there had better not be. "No, but if we are going to be working together your should know that I am a man of science. Not to dismiss your or Maleficent's power as mere parlor tricks, but think the word magic is just a blanket term used by the ignorant to explain unusual chemical reactions and metamorphoses. In fact, I've was starting to unravel some of the secrets of a strange phenomenon back home most people describe as magical. Including trying to figure out the secret of a stinking lying princess with really really really long indestructible magic hair that heals people." Varian said as he also tried looking at the floating eel, trying to understand what it could possibly be.
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 2:14:18 GMT
Varian certainly had tried to explain himself, but all Mozenrath had heard was the part where magic was a term used to explain chemical reaction.
(In his anger, completely missing the part about how this boy was also bothered by a princess.)
"Oh," Mozenrath said, pretending to understand. "I see. You've certainly opened my eyes, little alchemist. I finally see the light. Magic is just a word for completely rational phenomena. Oh, but I have just...one little question."
He snapped his fingers.
The desk beside Varian burst into flame. Jagged hailstones rained from the ceiling. Lightning struck an inch away from where Varian's boot was planted. The floor beneath Varian rose up to place him on a precarious pillar.
"CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS AS A MERE UNUSUAL CHEMICAL REACTION?" Mozenrath screamed up at the teen.
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 2:30:32 GMT
Varian certainly had tried to explain himself, but all Mozenrath had heard was the part where magic was a term used to explain chemical reaction. (In his anger, completely missing the part about how this boy was also bothered by a princess.) "Oh," Mozenrath said, pretending to understand. "I see. You've certainly opened my eyes, little alchemist. I finally see the light. Magic is just a word for completely rational phenomena. Oh, but I have just...one little question." He snapped his fingers. The desk beside Varian burst into flame. Jagged hailstones rained from the ceiling. Lightning struck an inch away from where Varian's boot was planted. The floor beneath Varian rose up to place him on a precarious pillar. "CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS AS A MERE UNUSUAL CHEMICAL REACTION?" Mozenrath screamed up at the teen. Varian stopped studying the eel as the whole room went into chaos. He jumped as the lightning struck and looked frightened...for a moment. And it was quickly replaced with a look of wonder. "Fascinating! Several atmospheric reactions all in the same room." Varain looked towards Mozenrath and noticed his glowing glove. "Well I would need more time to research to explain all of that, but I can tell you one thing. Be it electricity or magic, you need a conductor if you want to control power like this. And that conductor is your gauntlet. Am I correct?" Varian said with a smug expression.
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 2:48:24 GMT
Mozenrath's jaw dropped. Did this boy seriously not understand that Mozenrath wielded dark powers mere mortals could not comprehend? Was he truly unafraid of the display he'd just witnessed?
If so...well played.
"The gauntlet is what allows me to channel my MAGIC," Mozenrath asserted. "That much, you got correct."
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 3:05:48 GMT
Mozenrath's jaw dropped. Did this boy seriously not understand that Mozenrath wielded dark powers mere mortals could not comprehend? Was he truly unafraid of the display he'd just witnessed? If so...well played. "The gauntlet is what allows me to channel my MAGIC," Mozenrath asserted. "That much, you got correct." "You might be surprised at what I do know about magic. Like I mentioned before, I've seen a studied some 'magical' events up close and personal. Indestructible magical black rocks that grow like weeds, hair that can heal and even make someone younger, and I've even reverse engineered machines powered by science and magic. So don't treat me like some stuck up fool who doesn't understand magic's potential. I just like to take a more scientific approach to it to better understand it. Of course, it seems I do still have a lot to learn if I want to understand magic. In fact, if you're such a magical expert, would you mind enlightening me about something. That spell Maleficent used to summon us all, do you think it specifically chose us, or were we all brought here at random."
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 3:32:58 GMT
Well, now Mozenrath was flat-out taken aback. Here, he'd thought he'd come across a doubter. But more importantly, when Varian had first turned up, Mozenrath had been fooled by his cheerful exterior, his inquisitive nature. Mozenrath had wondered from the very start why a young boy who just wanted to play with machinery had been selected to play with his fellow ne'er-do-wells.
Now he understood why. Beneath Varian's innocent facade was a rage. It was just starting to break through. And it was a familiar rage, at that. Mozenrath had seen it in his own self.
As Hades had been impressed with Mozenrath beforehand, Mozenrath now found himself impressed with Varian, wondering what else he'd find if he plumbed the depths.
"You know," he said casually, "I might have to sit down and talk with you about some of the things you've seen someday. Indestructible black rocks...a logical progression from black sand. I could use that."
He nodded. "But to answer your question, we were obviously selected. You and I, I'm starting to realize, we're the same breed. You put up a good front, but I can see it in your eyes now. You're cruel. Vicious. Just like me. Just like everyone else here. That spell paved a way forward for only the best of the best. The most ruthless of the ruthless! ...And, for some reason, the short man in pink who can turn into a giant insect. If Maleficent wasn't looking for you specifically...she sure was looking for someone with your heart."
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 3:57:43 GMT
Well, now Mozenrath was flat-out taken aback. Here, he'd thought he'd come across a doubter. But more importantly, when Varian had first turned up, Mozenrath had been fooled by his cheerful exterior, his inquisitive nature. Mozenrath had wondered from the very start why a young boy who just wanted to play with machinery had been selected to play with his fellow ne'er-do-wells. Now he understood why. Beneath Varian's innocent facade was a rage. It was just starting to break through. And it was a familiar rage, at that. Mozenrath had seen it in his own self. As Hades had been impressed with Mozenrath beforehand, Mozenrath now found himself impressed with Varian, wondering what else he'd find if he plumbed the depths. "You know," he said casually, "I might have to sit down and talk with you about some of the things you've seen someday. Indestructible black rocks...a logical progression from black sand. I could use that." He nodded. "But to answer your question, we were obviously selected. You and I, I'm starting to realize, we're the same breed. You put up a good front, but I can see it in your eyes now. You're cruel. Vicious. Just like me. Just like everyone else here. That spell paved a way forward for only the best of the best. The most ruthless of the ruthless! ...And, for some reason, the short man in pink who can turn into a giant insect. If Maleficent wasn't looking for you specifically...she sure was looking for someone with your heart." "I see..." Varian found Mozenrath's answer very interesting. Though he still had his doubts about being chosen specifically by Maleficent and the others. If Maleficent was looking for quality villains, each would clearly have their own unique skill sets and work well as a team. But no, it seemed to be a random assortment simply brought here because of how angry or greedy they are. Plus some of them even seemed like they might be more of a threat to her than allies. Mozenrath especially gave off an arrogant and wrathful aura just a few moments ago before deciding to play nice again. No, it seemed more likely we were picked at random. Almost as if any villain would do. And that worried Varian.
"Thank you Mozenrath. I'll be happy to discuss the rocks with you later. Though I think you might find the princess I mentioned an even more interesting subject. I'll have to tell you more about her sometime." Varian smirked as he thought that perhaps Mozenrath might be able to help him take revenge on her for everything she had done.
"But mind if I ask why you came here in the first place? I doubt it was to introduce yourself or to make a mess." Varian said as he pointed out the disarray of the room cause by Mozenrath's magical outburst.
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 4:09:56 GMT
Princess...? Oh, right. He'd mentioned that earlier, hadn't he? Now Mozenrath was interested in hearing about this princess. After all, he had a certain thorn in his own side named "Jasmine."
But that wasn't pertinent at the moment.
"I came here to create a locator spell," Mozenrath stated. "I'm looking for two very specific people, and this will be the quickest way I can find them in our new labyrinth sweet labyrinth."
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 4:21:47 GMT
Princess...? Oh, right. He'd mentioned that earlier, hadn't he? Now Mozenrath was interested in hearing about this princess. After all, he had a certain thorn in his own side named "Jasmine." But that wasn't pertinent at the moment. "I came here to create a locator spell," Mozenrath stated. "I'm looking for two very specific people, and this will be the quickest way I can find them in our new labyrinth sweet labyrinth." "Help yourself to anything in the lab then." Varian said as he pointed to the shelf. Though it seems some of the items on the shelf were damaged in the hail storm Mozenrath created. "Are these people you're looking for some of our comrades that Maleficent summoned? Or is there someone else in the castle I should know about?"
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 16, 2019 5:16:39 GMT
Mozenrath began to search the shelves, plucking vial after vial as he found what he required. "I've recently just come into a position of power as the herald of the Lord of the Dead," he stated casually, his back to Varian. "My first task is to round up two of his errant minions. Apparently they go by the names 'Pain' and 'Panic.' A little on the nose, but I once knew a man named Ayam Aghoul, so I can't really judge."
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Post by Varian on Oct 16, 2019 5:27:26 GMT
Mozenrath began to search the shelves, plucking vial after vial as he found what he required. "I've recently just come into a position of power as the herald of the Lord of the Dead," he stated casually, his back to Varian. "My first task is to round up two of his errant minions. Apparently they go by the names 'Pain' and 'Panic.' A little on the nose, but I once knew a man named Ayam Aghoul, so I can't really judge." "Ayam Aghoul? Really? Nevermind. If you're on an errand for Hades, maybe I should come along and help you. I need to ask him something important anyway. But first..." Varian said as he grabbed a few vials of purple, green, and blue chemicals from the shelves and a large stick to form a staff that provided a bright glow. "There we are. It's probably best to not explore a dark castle without some light. Plus, these lil chemicals double as weapons in case there are some dangers our hosts forgot to mention. Even nice looking castles have their share of nasty surprises...I know from personal experience."
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