Last night Armour Astir adventures continued. We're down a player for a while due to her being sick, and since she's been too sick to play thus far, we've decided to retcon her character for now rather than commandeer it so we don't make character developments for her.
Anyway, with the enemy empire's meagre first forces pushed back by the astirs, and my REINA scouting ahead still in her B-plot, the pilots searched through the ruins while REINA continued on ahead to the town.
REINA hops back in the ardent, taking her place next to Shenhe. "I believe we are safe to proceed to the town now. Time is likely of the essence." Shenhe looks up and down REINA's body, grimacing a bit at the automaton's chassis, now covered in gruesome splashes of red.
Director: The two of you start making your way back towards the town as you initially planned, and have a little conversation as you do. There wasn't much beyond typical, stock equipment at the encampment.
Meanwhile in the ruins, the two astir pilots, now on foot, rummage through the ruins near the site of the skirmish for clues as to why the empire, which had up to this point been dormant for several years, had suddenly begun to move again and seemed to instantly show an interest in these ruins specifically. The two pilots consist of an empire turncoat--a rare thing in and of itself--and a horned witch from a coven of mysterious witches who live in shadow that communicates through magic text. So, chiefly, both are a little out of their element as to what they're looking at in the ruins to begin with. However, they come across an entrance to a basement covered in rubble, and quickly work to clear it. The witch, for her part, upon watching her new companion remove their coat, has just now noticed her new companion is a turncoat--but given that REINA too is of empire make, she doesn't fret about it. Namely, she's more concerned about her companion's visibly damaged arm which seems barely held together by stitches and makeshift implements.
The duo makes their way down to the basement where they find a humble little altar, upon which is a piece of cloth and a glasswork butterfly wing. Neither of them knows what to make of it, except for when they notice a small inscription written in the same script written upon the Witch's astir, though neither of them know how to read it. Asking for the assistance of her patron deity, she's able to read it thus: "In loving memory to a friend we were too late to save." Although pleased with her new knowledge, it appearing like a bolt from the blue perfectly formed in her mind was startling. However, whatever it is, the relic appears to predate the founding of the empire, and so the two of them decide to take it with them as they leave, though they begin to bicker about who gets to hold it.
Here's where my last B-plot point comes in.
A few stones' throws from the gate of the town, REINA was standing in a small, knee-high pond, attempting to wash the frightening mess off of her body, so as not to give the impression of a tool of the Exalted Dominion announcing the recommencement of their campaign of oppression from the mouth of one of its own automatons. Shenhe chuckles a bit as she watches REINA "bathe". "Maybe I should finish you with a hydrophobic coating one of these days." REINA meanwhile was trying to hide her embarrassment from being watched so clinically, despite the fact that she has nothing to hide. In a bid to steady her nerves, REINA changes the subject. "Shenhe," she says with a slight voice crack, "I was thinking about how you wanted me to be less... gloomy. Less withdrawn." Shenhe looks up with a cocked eyebrow. "It appears turbulent times are soon upon us, and we are soon to have two new allies living with us aboard The Defiant Deliverance." A small smile bends Shenhe's lips. "And with that in mind, perhaps I could welcome the two of them with a gift obtained in town. This is very likely to be among our last chances for such thoughtfulness, and so--"
Director: --what interrupts is that you see some flashing of light, back in the wilderness, which seems to be repeating. After observing it for a bit between the two of you, you recognize it as resistance code. Whoever is out there is seeing who you are.
REINA's shoulders heave as though she were letting out a big sigh with non-existent lungs. "Shenhe, pass me a flare please. I can signal back at them in response if I crest a tree."
Director: She does so, muttering thanks that you both didn't just get blasted while washing up. You fire the flare, and a few minutes later, a trio of people come out of the woods, carrying some basic weaponry and what looks like a repurposed Dominion boltcaster between a couple of them (the sniper weapons used to shoot Astirs). The leader, a tall lupine girl, points back in the direction of the encampment you just smashed, and asks "Was that your handiwork?" She asks in the way that indicates she probably already knows it was.
REINA folds her hands in front of her lap politely. "Yes, that was me. The skirmish lead by our two new members drew their attention. I only did what was necessary."
Director: She shoulders her weapon, motioning for the other two to stand down. "I didn't expect them to send anyone out here to help. We never got an answer from your people, messenger hasn't come back either. Thought we were on our own out here."
"The situation was very suddenly thrust upon us in transport. We were ordered to appear at the town due east of Izregend when suddenly the Exalted Dominion decided today was the day they resume their advances." REINA pauses. "The two new members and myself destroyed much of their meager troop in free-fall. However, we ascertained the Dominion was interested in some nearby ruins that were not present on our records. That is where the two new members went."
Director: She cocks her head, scratching at an ear confusedly. "Ruins? What ruins?"
REINA mechanically pivots in place and sticks out a finger. "Over in that direction. They are investigating it now. I believe our new allies... rather unique backgrounds... could lead us to some discoveries that may give us a clue as to why the Dominion is interested in them."
Director: She scrunches her face up, unsure how to respond, but eventually says "I... We've been out here for years, and we never saw no ruins. You... look, I believe you, but... this is weird." A beat. "Maybe you should get your people. I'll tell everyone we're expecting company."
"Understood." REINA nods and expresses good luck to the cell before hurriedly pivoting in place towards the ardent. She seems shaken. She lets out a low tone before speaking aside to Shenhe, "Why is talking to new people so scary... I was able to do it this time because we were discussing something serious... is that the secret? Do you pretend every conversation you have is a matter of life or death, Shenhe?"
Director: "Not exactly," she responds. "You'll get there." She starts fishing around for another signal for the ship this time. "We should go. I get the feeling we have a lot of explaining to do soon."
REINA fidgets. "I suppose I will have to get a gift for Thetis and Ariaki the next chance we get..."
The allies' ship returns to pick up REINA and her mechanic friend Shenhe, as well as the turncoat and the witch and their Astirs.
So no combat this session, but a lot of roleplaying (which I think is good!) and some new intrigue courtesy of our director.