The Mana-Verse

[Quickman]

The Professor came out of the airship, his new weapon in hand.  He saw Riagan and immediately disappeared back inside.

((Kinda like this:
[spoiler][/spoiler]))

[Sakura Leic]

(Huh I'm suprised he's still scared of him, then again I doubt Riagan had a chance to apologize to him yet like he wanted to.)

[Phi]

(Aren't the caves further off in the distance though? This is a town, right?)

[Sakura Leic]

(Uh no the Town is inside the caves, we're in the Strip Mine.  Remember Riagan was taking us through Caves to get to Gimrak and a few doors out of Grimark is the place where the Dwarves homes are.  Pema and Rigan are still outside.)

[Quickman]

((Gimrak.  Yes, it sounds like Grimrock, (and i got the name from the Legend of Grimrock's name generator), but it's Gimrak.))

((And the airship is docked in an open-air strip mine outside of the tunnels and Dwarven city.))

[Sakura Leic]

(Yeah I have a real hard time spelling that.)

[Sapphire Knight]

[Okay here's a thought I had for introducing Sapph. He bursts out of the ground in the mouth of a daemon he was fighting.]

[Sakura Leic]

(Sounds hilarious, everyone cool with that?)

[Quickman]

((Sounds fine to me.  Nothing was really going on at the moment, and I honestly have no idea what to do with the Prof right now.  He's going to hide in the airship until he's sure Riagan won't see him wandering around with a weapon.))

[Sakura Leic]

(Don't know why he would worry about that when Calien brings his Axe everywhere.  Not to mention I'm sure Riagan does the same with his Hammer and Axes.  )

[Phi]

(Oh right. Had the image of this place completely different in my head.)

"I'll find my way," Pema dismissed.

"Listen to Riagan. He knows this Strip Mine inside and out, I'm sure. These formations do, indeed, seem to be disorienting," Salem stated.

She faced Riagan, "You don't understand. I can't be here... Excuse me."

"Pema, think about what you're doing," He warned.

"I'm sorry, Salem..." Pema continued on her way.

[Sakura Leic]

"Please stop." Riagan said as he slowly kept pace with her slowed moments "I know not what is happening but you must not wander on your own like this.  It's too dangerous."



"Uh Prof what are you doing?" Sakura asked when she saw him cower behind the door.

[Quickman]

"Oh, oh, ah, n-nothing.  Just, just didn't want to... intrude on p-private business between, between Padme and, and... ah... ahmm... Ragnarok, yes, that's it..." Trying to appear nonchalant, the Professor put his new weapon aside and quietly made his way out of the airship.  However, he moved behind the access ramp, using it to hide his small frame.

[Sakura Leic]

"Wait Riagan and Pema....talking with each other....when he scares the crap out of her?" Sakura said with a strange expression of disbelief. "Okay now I know something is really off with her."

[Phi]

Pema paused for a moment, then stared directly at him, "Mr. Riagan, can I ask... why do you care where I go?"

"P-Pema!" Salem stammered out, "Why would you ask him that?"

Her gaze stood, unwavering, "My friends... I've seen them. I know them. They're really kind and I look up to a lot of them. You... I'm sure you're not a bad guy or anything, but... I honestly don't know how much I can trust you..."

"That's enough," Salem said firmly.

She rubbed her arm, brows furrowed, "I'm sorry... You know, my Mommy always told me to see the best in people. Find the light," She placed a hand on her heart, "Sometimes, that light is hard to find. Mr. Riagan, I want to understand you. I want to see you. Just tell me... why. Why are you helping me? All of that hate... anger... and what you did to that Doll lady... I... I can't..."

Pema ran a hand through her hair, her eyes shut as she shook her head, attempting to dismiss the haunting images of Doll Master's remains from her mind.

[Sakura Leic]

(Okay I really need to ask PB how to respond to that one, unless Sapph suddenly comes out of the ground.)

[Phi]

(Yeah, it'd be best to ask him.

Sapph's entrance during this tense moment would be pretty hilarious, though. )

[Quickman]

((Personally, I'd go with the honor and duty route, saying that he's duty-bound to protect his people and such.  He doesn't have to delve into personal reasons at all.  There was a threat to the world and thus his people, and thus it was a personal threat that needed to be nullified.  He chose to do so swiftly.  As for the aggression, that's just a Dwarven trait that you don't have to really get into.))

[Sakura Leic]

(Yeah, it'd be best to ask him.

Sapph's entrance during this tense moment would be pretty hilarious, though. )

(Hench why I'm trying to stall as much as possible.

And Calien won't show up until the battle is underway and wonder what the hell is going on.)

((Personally, I'd go with the honor and duty route, saying that he's duty-bound to protect his people and such.  He doesn't have to delve into personal reasons at all.  There was a threat to the world and thus his people, and thus it was a personal threat that needed to be nullified.  He chose to do so swiftly.  As for the aggression, that's just a Dwarven trait that you don't have to really get into.))

(Maybe but I still think I need to talk to PB to make sure I get a proper answer.  Not to mention she's probably going to ask about the williness of mauling through innocent people to get to Doll Master and stuff next.)

[Protoman Blues]

(What Quickie said. )

[Sakura Leic]

(Ah ninja PB!)

"It is my duty to protect my people and allies, and that Doll Woman had harmed them and your friend so she had to be stopped.  I was angry because she would bring harm to my people and allies" Riagan answered "You are my ally as well are you not?  So is it strange that I don't want harm to come to you as well?"

(Okay might be a bit weird but that's what i got.)

[Quickman]

((After this scene, I'll take Riagan off your hands, if you want.  He'll end up being a composite of Dwarven tropes in my hands, but hey. ))

[Protoman Blues]

(Sounds good to me. I'll try to get back to writing once my work schedule is less insane)

[Sakura Leic]

(Yeah maybe that would be easier, I'm sure I can do it but I have too many questions.)

[Sapphire Knight]

The ground beneath the group's feet started rumbling, as if something had started tunneling through the ground beneath them... Something big... That was coming towards the surface...