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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 13, 2013 4:08:06 GMT -5
This was it. Carter had been silently contemplating this plan for months, now he was finally going to set it in motion. He was still unsure how the others would take the proposition - he'd much rather be asking Leon and Irissia to join him, but he knew both of them were too attached to demigod kind.
The familiar entrance passed above him - a long-forgotten, long-abandoned section of the New-York Subways dating back long before Carter was Carter. Built when he was still Arcane, and still the ferocious, bloodthirsty killer most monsters are born to be - taking out this bloodlust on mortals and half-bloods, alike. In fact, this branch of the Subway System was finished the year before Arcane arrived in America, after the third reformation in his lifetime.
Now, he was on his way to deliver an announcement - the great speech he would give, detailing his plan and asking for volunteers. He was sure at least a few lesser monsters would join him and, quite honestly, probably die in the process, but they would reform, hence his lack of guilt.
There was a single monster in particular, however, he wished to accompany him into war. While the two were far from being on the best-of-terms, Carter thought of Jackie and her safety and was willing to put aside his differences with the monster in question, offering her a co-authoritative position in this raid. While she would not accompany him into the camp, she was to be the one in charge of the troops while they laid in wait for Carter to invite them in.
Traversing every high-traffic corridor he could think of, Carter beckoned for any nearby monster to follow. Being a local celebrity in the Subways, despite rumors of a relationship with a mortal beginning to circle around, many of these monsters obeyed.
Finally, he came to a larger corridor with a semicircular alcove in the wall, a couple inches higher than the floor. He turned into this alcove and stood, facing the monsters around him. "Who wants to kill a demigod?" he shouted, pleased at the sudden spike in interest from an already attentive crowd. "I have a proposition for you all..." he began, searching the crowd for the daughter of the Chimera.
After a moment of silence to allow any whispering to die down, expectant eyes boring holes into the dragon, Carter continued. "I have a plan to infiltrate enemy lines - to sneak my way into the borders of Camp Half-Blood in plain sight." He grinned, the words flowing easily from his lips. Carter, if anything, was a great speaker.
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 13, 2013 19:21:11 GMT -5
Kim rolled her eyes as her arch-nemesis's friend strolled into the Subways like it was no big deal, despite the fact that he'd been hanging around her enemy and the others' prey as well. It didn't bother her until he'd set foot in what was considered her kingdom and acted like he ran the place. She stifled a laugh at how melodramatic he was being when she saw the faces of monsters all around her morph into pure awe. Her eyes widened ever so slightly because she saw that they actually respected him. One corner of her mouth twitched a little, and she offered an eyebrow raise and smirk in reply to his loud entrance.
She shrunk into the crowd and made her way to the back, wanting to take no part in this pitiful rally. If she were to go, there was no way she'd want all those weaklings stinking up the place. Kim felt as if there were no strong monsters in the Subway other than herself, and it wasn't like she spent enough of her time there to find out otherwise. She felt several hundred pairs of eyes bore into her back, as if they were silently begging her to allow them into battle. Kim whirled around, fury in her eyes, but a calm expression on her face. She waved her hand dismissively, allowing them to go to their own deaths. It wasn't like they mattered to her anyway.
Pausing on her tracks, she watched the commotion begin. Monsters yelling at monsters, devising plans of brute force and looking like barbaric buffoons. She chuckled and leaned against the back wall of the corridor, casually looking over those she viewed as underlings and laughing maniacally inside about the battle that would ensue.
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Post by Fang Vixen on Feb 15, 2013 19:00:29 GMT -5
It was one of those days where he woke up pretty much saying, 'Boooooring.' He couldn't tell whether it was going to be a good day or a bad day, and he guessed the first thing that happened to him would probably decide for him. Fang slipped into the Subways, looking for entertainment, and he was greeted with- surprise!- entertainment. And surprise. The vixen stared at the crowd of rallying monsters hooting about attacking the camp. He had arrived just in time for Carter's speech to begin. In amusement, he grinned, watching from his back corner.
Fang leaned against the wall and stuffed his idle hands into his pockets. He nodded at Kim who was opposite from him and went back to watching the odd scene. The son of Ladon was actually quite persuasive. But it wouldn't have worked this well without that genuine tone in his voice. You could tell Carter was honest and serious about this plan. He hated demigods and he would find enjoyment going through with this mission. Fang licked his lips subconsciously. Oh yes, it had been a while since he had some delicious fun. He was going to tag along.
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 15, 2013 23:44:42 GMT -5
Kim shifted her gaze around the room in time to meet Fang's gaze briefly enough to accept his nod of acknowledgement. She hesitated for a moment, letting her stare bore into his flesh a little before continuing her search around the room for faces she recognized. In a way, she was surprised Fang was back at the Subways, but on the other hand, she always knew that he just needed something to occupy himself with. Kim didn't nod back at him, but she did slightly smile to herself, knowing that not all of the monsters and creatures in the corridor were brainless weaklings. Turning her attention back to the son of Ladon, she rolled her eyes and muttered to herself underneath her breath, telling herself to at least try to pay attention. She looked up at the speaker but couldn't hear his words. Kim saw his mouth move, but was too uninterested to care enough and actually listen. At the same time, she knew she'd probably end up going with his plan anyway, but deeper down inside, she realized that would mean that she would be a follower.
Never in her lifespan had she been a good follower. She wasn't exactly the best leader, but everyone knew that they shouldn't push her around. Kim was marked as untouchable as soon as she created the Subways, except by her annoying 'family'. Blood ties were so irritating.
Kim sat down on the floor, leaning her back against the wall and closing her eyes, just listening to the sound of the groundlings murmuring and at Arcane...no, it was Carter now...at Carter going on about his plan. She felt at peace with such ruckus around her; even though it was slightly agitating, at least Leon wasn't there to make her on edge. Taking in what Carter was rambling about, she nodded her head and bit her lip. It was a good plan, no doubt about it, but she wasn't so sure that she was quite ready to lower her pride and bow down to someone weaker than her.
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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 15, 2013 23:51:39 GMT -5
Carter noticed Kim on the outskirts of the crowd, warily eying him. A moment later, he caught the surprise of Fang on the opposite edge. Deciding to wrap up, he continued. "If anyone is interested in a bit of mass murder and other fun stuff, return here in twenty minutes." Looking over the crowd, he saw many interested faces. He'd have a large turnout, but he still wanted more - the larger the army, the more enemy casualties. "In the meantime," he finished, "go tell your friends and bring them along. I'll be waiting." He had been careful not to give away many details. Another of his psychological stunts. It left the small minds of the monsters curious, making the chances of them showing up in twenty minutes all the better.
As the monsters retreated back into their holes, giddy with childish anxiety, Carter hopped down from his make-shift stage and glanced over at Fang for a moment, acknowledging his presence, before making his way toward his target. Kim Chi. "I could use your help," he said, looking her in the eye. He wouldn't show any cowardice in her presence. Not when he believed such a large price was on the line. "Would you be interested in tagging along?"
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 16, 2013 15:31:46 GMT -5
"Tagging along with the likes of you?" She rolled her eyes. "What do you take me for, exactly, Carter? I'm no fool, as you should have probably realized, and I'm not into your childish antics if it means serving scum such as yourself. Hm, how does that mortal phrase go? Oh, yes. No offense, though, Carter." She smiled to herself and shook her head. "Your speech was quite intriguing to small-minded monsters, but did you think I'd be drawn in as well? The fact that you compared me to what's on the bottom of my shoe makes me shudder and kind of want to kill you." Kim raised her eyebrows and nodded her head, putting her weight on her left leg and sort of slouching, aiming for a very obvious sign toward Carter that she didn't respect him. "I know you're good with words; who's to say that you're not looking at me as an equal? Everyone in the Subways knows we're not even that. I'm way above that, and if you're coming to ask me for help, you're in over your head."
She casually continued on the conversation while slowly and silently moving her right hand toward her satchel, placing it protectively on the flap that blocked her from her daggers. Kim counted his footsteps in her head. If he came even one step closer to her, she'd slice a layer of his skin off of his nose.
"What's in it for me?"
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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 17, 2013 0:45:28 GMT -5
(I have so much more fun portraying Carter as the bad guy! Haha)
Carter forced a friendly smile. It seemed genuine - he'd perfected it over the years - but it only hid his true hatred of Kim. This was the first time he'd ever met her, really, aside from a passing glance. Her reputation preceded her within the Subways and, while he was here, Carter had no need to test it or bring attention to himself. If he lost his life to her, it would only bring him shame. If he happened to defeat Leon's sister, however, the victory would be meaningless as it would only make him and his loved ones her targets.
He noticed Kim's hand reach for her satchel, becoming aware of her distrust toward him. Holding his hands up in the air in mock-surrender, his grin widened, this time purely lighthearted. "I was going to offer you a job equal to mine, as we are equals, are we not?" Taking a single step forward, testing Kim's resolve, Carter continued. "In your world, here in the Subways, the monsters worship you as the mortals do Hades - they respect him and fear him, all the same. You are the Goddess of this forsaken Underworld and the residents, here, are your minions." Pausing a moment, he continued. "In my world, if I tried, I could convince anyone around me to do anything I wanted. Irissia? She's too blind with loyalty to mortals and demigods to see anything but her opinionated way. All I have to do is convince her she's protecting someone and she'll do anything I say." Of course, Carter wasn't sure of his words. He'd never tried. He felt confident, however, that what he said would hold enough truth to it for Kim to believe. "As for your brother: well, we both know how gullible he can be. Just by mentioning his beloved lover's name will send him on his way to protect her - whether she's in danger or not."
Carter lowered his hands, though keeping them in Kim's view. He did not wish to make her feel threatened - whether she'd admit such an emotion or not. "No, I don't need you, Kim. I could do fine without you," he said. The key to persuasion was showing that you didn't require the target's assistance; instead, you're offering them an opportunity. "I'm only asking you to come because you won't get a chance to have this much fun for a while. While you are great at many things, deception is not your strong suit - not from what I can tell. I can infiltrate the demigod camp and start an invasion - the opportunity to wipe out the camp with a clean getaway!" he proclaimed, adding, "Well, for those who know when to attack and when to retreat, anyway. There are many powerful demigods at this camp - they'll slaughter us. We can't kill them all, I'll admit, but we can put a large dent in their forces - the same forces which have launched an eternal Jihad on us - a crusade." He'd spent a long time in the Middle East - the origin of his unique weapon - and his vocabulary had adapted, the mention of a 'jihad' before that of a 'crusade' being the evidence.
"They've killed countless of your minions, those who reside in these Subways who answer to you." A demonic grin widening on his face, a dangerous glint in his eye, Carter whispered, "Isn't it about time we thank them?"
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 17, 2013 11:41:59 GMT -5
It was funny how he thought he could match with her. Kim understood that she was one of the younger monsters, but even so, most of the monsters realized that she was way too powerful for them. Although she didn't know much about him, she already was beginning to hate Carter for even playfully belittling her. He reminded her of Leon, and just the fact that they were friends enraged her. However, she did offer a smile when he mentioned that Leon was gullible. Her sibling had become weak ever since he met that demigod, and everyone in the Subways knew that he'd changed more into another Irissia. She doubted that he could control Irissia just like that, but in a way, she knew that nobody could control that stubborn shrew. (Sorry, that's mean but D: Kim doesn't like her?) It didn't matter; whether or not Carter had found Irissia's weakness in protecting mortals and demigods, she still disliked him just for the fact that he was so cunning. A mere smile from him irked her.
She wasn't in the mood for games. "If you don't need me, why are you still standing in front of me?" Kim wasn't the type to read into stuff, but she could have guessed he was trying to persuade her in a more casual manner, showing that he was merely offering her something. But, at the same time, this just ticked her off even more. Carter should have known that such tricks wouldn't work on her. Instead, he treated her like any other. "I don't need you either." She looked up at him, throwing him her signature glare. "Just what do you know about me? I might have enough fun just scaring off my so-called 'minions' from a ten-mile radius. You know nothing." She could feel herself being riled up by the likes of him, but even so, her immense amount of rage seemed infinite and uncontrollable. Kim's short temper was a perfect match to her low tolerance of annoyance in the worst way possible. "And just what makes you think that all these fools will follow you if I won't? What makes you think that I think of you as an equal?" She paused for a moment, calming herself down. "And what makes you think I'm prepared to die if your plan fails?" She whispered quietly, the words just falling out of her mouth. Immediately her hand moved to cover her mouth as an instinct, but she knew he'd heard. She wasn't exactly amazing at hiding how she felt, so everyone knew when she hated someone or when she couldn't tolerate anyone. Kim wasn't bad at it, but she was never fully on guard and couldn't react fast enough to cover up her slip ups. She squinted his eyes and approached him until they were face to face. Her eyes were as cold as her tone, and she shifted into a protective position in body language, cutting off the 'friendliness' of the conversation.
She knew he was just fooling her with words, but even so, Kim had to admit that she was tempted. "I don't care about my 'minions', though, Carter, and that you should know."
(Hey, is it possible to get more weapons? I kind of want her to be equipped with a sword at least because she can really only fight long-ranged. And sorry if this reply doesn't make sense. I realized that some of the dialogue didn't follow and changed it and augh...I don't have time to read over 'cause the reply's kind of long...and then I just added random sentences in between. .-. Sorry D:.)
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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 20, 2013 23:47:36 GMT -5
(Yeah, you can use whatever weapons you want, really. The only time you have to ask for more weapons is if they're magical weapons. As far as I know, at least.)
Carter smirked, nearly whispering his reply. "I'm wanting you to come along as a peace offering. I won't ever mess with you - not directly, anyway - so long as you go no where near Jackie." Shifting his weight to one side, before balancing it back out, again, he jokingly added, "Who knows, someday I may even return the favor and stop leading your monsters into war without your consent!"
More serious, now, Carter began to explain his plans to Kim, knowing she would want to know them before she ever would even think of agreeing to help. "You won't be in any direct danger for a while," he pointed out, reassuring her fears of death. "For a few days after I infiltrate the camp, I'll go about my business, normally; the raid won't start for three days. I'll head out into the forest on the day of the invasion and invite you all in from there. All those who are intelligent enough to stay within retreating distance of the forest will always have the cover of the trees to fall back to." The dragon was certain of his invasion plans. He'd thought of everything. There was no room for error to wiggle its way in, even with fools guiding it. "Whether you think of me as an equal or not, I'm asking you to at least treat me as one for the time of the invasion. I want you to be there to watch over the other monsters and make sure they don't give themselves away by hanging too close to the border, no matter how curious or anxious they are."
The son of Ladon, however, grew uncomfortable as Kim approached. He wanted no more than to take a step or two back; to get away from the dangerous monster in from of him. Still, he kept his expression calm and his tone leveled. "True," he said, simply, agreeing with her statement. She didn't care about her followers - that's what made her forces so terrifying as they attacked.
Changing focus, Carter turned his head toward Fang. "You can come too!" he said with a smile, as if the three of them were close-knit friends going out for a bite to eat.
(Unless someone messaged me on my Pyre account, which I'm about to check now, I still need a demigod to invite Carter in. Anyone interested?)
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 21, 2013 0:12:56 GMT -5
(What makes it magical? Like...if it's Celestial Bronze or Imperial Gold?)
Kim took in what he was saying, nodding her head and actually finding herself agreeing with Carter for once in her existence. She could sense that he was a tad bit uncomfortable, but at the same time, his lack of showing it meant that she was slightly necessary for the operation. She knew that she'd have to keep several monsters in check if they did go, and she did love running them around like slaves that had to be watched over in case of escape.
"So, is there some sort of big game plan, champ? What're you going to use to push me over the line an onto your side?" She raised her eyebrows and offered a grin. "Or is your twenty minute break over? Tick tock." Kim peeked behind him to see monsters filling the corridor again, chatter amongst themselves, their excitement reeking all around them. She felt disgusted that her ruling with an iron fist had not stopped enjoyment from occurring in the Subways, but just this once, she let it slip.
(Yeah I'm totally not going to write anymore. Sorry. ._.)
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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 22, 2013 15:35:30 GMT -5
(Nah, almost all demigod weapons are Celestial Bronze, Imperial Gold, or, in the children of Underworld gods' case, Stygian Iron. No, magical as in, like, Cascade's weapons. They have extra powers like helping to refine the user's powers or something like that.)
Carter let out a small, brief laugh, glancing over his shoulder to see monsters making their way back into the room. They were early, still, by about ten minutes. There was time. "I'm not trying to win you over onto my side. Don't misunderstand me, I don't like you that much." He said, again cementing the fact he did not require her for his plans, though this time in a more lighthearted way. "I was hoping the sole idea of killing our enemies and ordering around others would win you over. Or is getting your hands dirty with someone other than family below you?" he asked, sarcastically. Carter would not allow Kim to think he enjoyed being kind to her. He had to add a little of his hostility into his words - it couldn't be helped.
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 22, 2013 21:09:01 GMT -5
(So like, I could get a sword? I feel like her daggers would suck in close combat. And dude. I have no idea how to reply. owo; I'll just sodainsodasod it.)
Kim raised her eyebrows, her inner demons chattering inside and rolling their eyes at his facade. She looked him in the eye, wanting to punch him so hard he lost some teeth, but instead just stood there, silent and apathetic in appearance. It wasn't like she particularly lusted the kill of a bunch of weaklings that wouldn't bother her, but she felt like in the end her participation in such a battle would be necessary, even if Carter refused to admit it. "Fine," she sighed. "If I agree to join you and your little posse, will you leave me alone and get out of my sight? You hurt my eyes." She had sensed the hostility in his voice, recognizing that he was probably someone who couldn't even take a joke from someone who was so close to being an enemy. At least Fang had the decency to play along; Carter seemed more uptight in her perspective, but she said nothing more of the matter.
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Post by Fang Vixen on Feb 24, 2013 9:15:13 GMT -5
Fang watched the scene with utmost amusement, not daring to step in between them. Kim was deadly, but Carter spun words cleverly in a web to trap prey. Kim was like a bird that had run not it, flapping her powerful wings so all the strands Rome, but found that some of it was still annoyingly attached to her. Neither would yield, and he was using the opportunity to judge the two and their skills of interaction. They were not starting out on the right foot.
He grinned back at Carter as the son of Ladon turned to him, "You sound like you're giving me permission, Mr. Carter. It hurts to think that you didn't know I was coming already." He fell silent once more as the two monsters continued with their stare-off thingie, and he just leaned back casually with a yawn. He could see the daughter of chimera thinking, and perhaps it was his advice that clicked her mind into place. The advice he had given her not long ago. She had surprisingly agreed.
"Oh, I can see it now. This is gonna be so fun, you guys have no idea! Why, the last time I went on a raid I got to-" He stopped, cutting himself off with a wave of his hand, "Oh, me man's my stories. I bet words from an old man wouldn't entertain you guys." The vixen was grinning a big goofy, and slightly sheepish, grin. He was acting like the three of them were about to go to an amusement park or something.
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Post by Carter Velius (Arcane) on Feb 24, 2013 23:29:54 GMT -5
(Yep! You only have to ask permission for magical weapons. Anything else, as far as I know, is fair game.)
Carter smiled, triumphantly. Kim had agreed. "Well, the twenty minutes are just about up," he announced to both Kim and Fang, repositioning himself to where he could see both of them. "Let's get started, then."
Climbing back up to the raised area of tunnel, the dragon took a moment to survey his surroundings. He estimated forty had shown up, again - about the same number who had followed him for the initial announcement. Some had decided against accompanying him on the raid. Others, however, had managed to convince their friends to come along. He recognized a few from his time, here, but most were strangers to him. Still, he was sure his reputation preceded him. At least... one of his reputations.
"Welcome back," he said, greeting those before him. "Thanks for coming. As you all know, there is a demigod camp nearby - a training ground which sends its most powerful inhabitants on quests for the gods." Carter didn't have to spy. This was widely known knowledge. No one seemed to act on it, however. That was going to change. "During these quests, it seems there is always a higher casualty rate for us. I doubt that is a simple coincidence. They are killing us! We've seen it. Some of us have probably been killed by them, only to have recently reformed! Others have watched their friends slain by these so-called 'heroes' on their missions to impress their immortal parents, who reward them by sending them on even more quests." He'd said heroes as if he were speaking of the devil, himself. The word left a bitter taste on his tongue.
"I propose we repay them. I will head to the border of their camp, wounded, and seek shelter, claiming to be one of them. The dragon, Ladon, who is guarding the entrance will not raise the alarm, for he is my father and he is old. Given the choice between the demigods who've slain him and his kind countless times and his flesh and blood, he shall choose me." A grin widened on Carter's face. He hadn't spoken of a mass murder of demigods this size in quite a while, a few centuries in fact back in England when the torches of civilization burned their brightest there.
Carter looked forward to the upcoming battle. It filled him with childlike glee. "I will stay there. I will gain their trust for five days. On my fifth night in the camp, I will sneak out into the woods where you will be waiting at the border. There, I will invite you into the camp, disabling its boundaries. We'll push through the forest and into the camp, attacking when they least expect it, while their guard is down and they are sleeping." Pausing for a moment, he indicated toward Fang and Kim. "These two are equal to me in authority, here. Don't dismiss their orders." He knew no one would simply ignore Kim - she was their true leader. Fang, however, was a stranger to them, as far as he knew. The son of Ladon wanted to make perfectly clear his authority on this invasion. "I'll be leaving shortly. Any questions?"
(Yeesh... a bit long. Sorry)
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Post by Kim Chi on Feb 27, 2013 20:02:09 GMT -5
Kim was taken aback by Fang's voice rejoining the conversation, but shook her head and listening. He sounded like a child, but because he was so much older than her, she found it rather interesting and comical, chuckling underneath her breath. Soon Carter began to speak again and she tuned out until he heard him say her name. She whirled around to where his voice was coming from, pretending as if she'd been listening the whole time and offered the monsters that had turned to stare at her a forced smile. Although Kim hadn't been listening, she pretty much knew the whole plan just by eavesdropping on monsters that couldn't keep their excitement in and those who couldn't manage a whisper. She cleared her throat for no particular reason and listened to a couple of monsters giggling like schoolchildren. It was hardly humane for so many human-looking creatures to laugh about mass murder, but even if they were human by appearance, they were quite obviously not by their actions. Some monsters were in human form, and...others, well, were just full-fledged monsters. No matter what kind they were, they were equally annoying and noisy after being riled up by Carter's talk with them. It was obvious he knew what he was doing; Kim was mildly surprised no one had thought of the plan before. But, it was right for him to enact the plan, seeing as how his father would be present.
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