Free City, Truce - Fountain
A tiered fountain marks the center of Truce, water gushing from its
summit and trickling into a deep, wide basin, wrapped by a ring of benches.
Roads flow like rivers away from the fountain, and houses sprout like weeds
all around them. Not far to the east, the ocean roars in the harbor.

From the westward venue of Truce's intersection waltzes in a small, red-eyed feline-like creature, almost as if he/she/it owned the place. It's thick, poofy tail waves about in the characteristic manner of most curious catlike detail, and the only real thing separating it from actually BEING a legit 'cat' are the two long, fluffy appendages that seem to sprout from the base of its pointed ears and hang down near its legs, accented by a gold ring around the end of each.

Without any real fanfare or prelude, it stops next to the fountain's basin at the bottom level, looking up toward the top of it with an oblivious expression, blinking only a couple of times.

A sailor arrives from the east, wearing a naval uniform. Apon closer examination, he is wearing a nametag tht has the word "Helios" crudely scribbled apon it. He looks around for a moment before noticing the cat. "We meet again, not- cat."

Dachande comes running in from the south, and looks around bewildered for a moment. Onlookers may notice the fact that this pumpkinhead's head is on fire. With a strangled cry, he points to the fountain, rushes over to it, and slams his head into the water.

The water around Dachande's head boils, not quite enough it seems to put out a fire that should now be obviously mystical in nature. After a few moments, he removes his head, and lets out a shrill sigh. "DAMN I WAS THIRSTY."

Helios looks bewildered at the antics of the pumpkin head for a moment, before shrugging and looking back at Kyuubey. "How have you been?"

Kyuubey turns around after a moment, sitting down on its behind as its tail curls about its feet and looks up at the Sailor. "Ah, you again. You are still after the same notion, I assume." Whether by lack of consideration or sheer disinterest, the cat-creature does not regard Dachande or his sudden antics, its attention on and toward the Sailor.

A week of exploring this new land was an...interesting week. So many places his talents could be put to use. Such a wide array of new weapons. In simple terms? He was in heaven. Keeryu came from the north with the tainted blade resting on hi shoulder, and a gun in the other hand. He already seeemed content in this new place.

Helios says 'Actually, after careful consideration, we have decided to not wish for a wish. The whole thing seemed detrimental to our plans.'

Walking in slowly from the south, Sylana surveys the fountain area with a sharp eye. She notices the 'cat', and frowns thoughtfully. "So this is the not-cat...?" she says to no one in particular, and kneels down near the 'cat', attempting to pet the creature.

Dachande turns around and examines the crowd around him, rubbing his shoulders in place of being able to rub his chin. He eyes the cat, then eyes the sailor. "BUDDY, NO NEED TO MAKE A WISH. THE YMCA TRYOUTS ARE BACK IN VIORAR."

Reila was having a chat with someone before the commotion from the flaming pumpkin head interrupted her. She didn't even notice the talking cat until now that had walked up to fountain. "This is such a weird town."she says to herself after waving to the salesman who seemed adjusted to this nonsense.

That only got better as he neared the fountain. He realized though as he got near the fountain that Helios was there and the wishes came up... But the hell was he talking to then it was called the not cat.. "So, this things the fuzzball?" Keeryu said a bit bluntly as he stood near the fountain.

The cat-creature is petted, and cranes its neck around to look up at Sylana much like a cat would. If it had deep red, circular eyes, anyway. It regards her curiously for a moment, but thinking it rude to disregard being addressed, it looks back at Helios, with a nod. "Perhaps a wise course of action. As I've said, I don't feel your activities will provide much merit, given the condition you are in. It may prove more fruitful to pursue other ventures."

Helios turns to Keeryu and nods. "Yes, this is the not- cat, Kyyubey."

From the south, there's a faint blue-tinted glow of magic, just before about five dresses and a pearl-white equine move as one towards the fountain. "I've got to get these delivered to a clothes shop here, and-...hello, what's this? It doesn't look anything like Opalescence." As she nears the pseudo-cat's perch, Rarity slows to listen, setting the dresses down on one of the benches surrounding it.

Helios isnt sure wether to be insulted or complimented by the not- cat's statement, so he decides to be indifferent. "Yes, we ARE in need of some major repairs..." Helios mutters.

Helios says 'You havent seen an electerical technician around, have you?'

Kyuubey seems indifferent, himself; completely and utterly, in fact. Disregardig all the muttering and attention around him, as he isn't being spoken to directly, he nods a little cat-nod at the sailor. "There are plenty of mineral deposits you could tend to, if you looked hard enough. This seems a simple enough task. And no, I'm afraid I have not. But then, I haven't asked, either. I could very easily have walked past or spoken to one and never have been made aware."

Dachande pouts, clearly put off. He reaches up and plucks at the knurled lump of a stem that extends from the top of his head, truely the only thing not consumed by fire, and removes his head from his shoulders completely. Leaning down, he sets the flaming pumpkin next to Kyuubey. "SO HOW ABOUT THEM SOCKS?"

Kyuubey looks toward the flaming pumpkin head next to him, then up at the decapitated body that performed this action; his oblivious look remains intact, and he says nothing in return.

Sylana smiles down at the 'cat', though this action was apparently covering up the confused look on her face when the 'cat' begins speaking. After a moment, she glances over to Dachande, a look of bewilderment clear in her eyes. "Socks...? What about them..." Her voice lacks a mocking term; the question was serious.

Helios sighs. "Our pursuit of repairs goes unfufulled again..." He then turns to the pumpkinhead. "What do socks have to do with anything?"

Keeryu looked at the cat thing quietly. He couldn't tell what he was looking at. It didn't seem threatening, but going on what they'd said and pointed out before. Powers it had. He remained on guard. "I may have found one while I was exploring around Helios. In a place across the water. I poked around there a while. I ran into an old..friend..that seems to have gotten pulled here to. She'd gladly do it... Just...she always asks a steep pay."

Reila watches the group by the fountain, mostly eyeing the cat as she had never seen a cat like that before. The red eyes were almost creepy yet interesting. The pumpkin head was however hard to ignore with how loud he was being. Bringing up the subject involving clothing worn on your feet? She shakes her head slightly and crosses her arms.

Rarity turns her attention towards the pseudo-feline, though the sudden non-lethal decapitation has her right eye falling into a pattern of rapid twitching, followed by her stepping back slightly and edging closer to the false cat's perch.

"LOOK. SOCKS ARE OBVIOUSLY THE ROOT TO ALL OF REALITY. HOW ELSE CAN SOMETHING SO THIN BE SUCH A HUGE PART OF EVERYONE'S LIFE?" Dachande's head cackles as it sits there, and then speaks up again. "ALSOS THEIR PITCHER SUCKS!"

Aurum enters from the west carrying a small sack by string.

Helios looks at his 'pockets.' "We will require more funds to ask your friend to repear us, then." He then turns to look at the pumpkinhead. "You sir, are mistaken. The root of all reality is obviously this entire dimensionless space. Where else can you find anything across the multiverse?"

He'd tried to ignore the psychotic ramblings of the pumpkinhead for as long as he could. Between the cat, the gathering number of people, and the demon cat being right there in front of him.... He was debating what to focus on. He finally glanced over at the pumpkin head thouh. "Did they make you with a worm eaten pumpkin?..." Keeryu then glanced at Helios, "Oh no my friend not money. She'll want you to do some work for her. When she figures out you have long range scanning..." he trembled a

Reila cringes as her tolerance for the loud-mouth was starting to bother her. "Hey! Keep it down! No one cares about socks!" she shouts from her spot with a little growl. It was a problem with being short-tempered.

Sylana frowns thoughtfully for a moment, considering the importance of socks. Eventually, she shakes her head. "But I... do not wear socks." She motions to her metallic feet, still in a thoughtful tone.

Kyuubey gets to his feet (all four of them) and hops up onto the fountain basin's rim, sitting down in the same manner as before as he surveys the fountain gathering, tilting his feline head curiously. "I garner hearsay that I've acquired quite the reputation recently. The truth of the matter is, everyone who receives a wish is always so quick to jump to the bad aspects of it, while never acknowledging the benefits. If you think about it, everything that someone does or doesn't do has the potential for unwanted recompense. This isn't just isolated to a granted wish." He seems to be speaking both at nobody, and everybody.

Dachande bends down and picks up his gourd again, and reattaches it to his own shoulders. Then he shakes his head at Helios. "IDIOT! OF COURSE THERE'S A DIMENSIONAL SPACE THAT MEETS THIS ONE IN SIZE AND UNIQUENESS. WHERE ELSE DO ALL THE SOCKS YOU LOSE GO?"

Aurum looks to Helios "I assume this is the "not" cat you were telling me about long ago? Funny with all my searching I couldn't find it yet when I return here; here it is"

Helios tilts his head to the side. "We... we have no argumant to that..." He shakes his head and turns to look at the not- cat. "But, isnt it true that the ones who have their wish granted must fight horrible creatures before becoming one of the ones who they fight?"

Helios glances over at Arum. "Strange indeed."

Dachande taps his foot on the ground impatiently. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WEREN'T ARGUING? OF COURSE YOU WERE. THAT'S WHY YOU SAID I WAS WRONG!"

"Darling..." With her right eye still twitching violently, Rarity turns her attention to the pumpkin shouting, with the glow of magic surrounding her horn meaningfully. Can you PLEASE keep your shouting to a minimum?" She still keeps her peripheral vision focused on Kyuubey and her dresses, however.

"Those who expect something for nothing might as well just not bother, it is true. In return for giving you anything your heart desires, I only ask that you put this power to use for the greater good in saving those who cannot save themselves from those who have fallen. And, if I may, I would like to mention that your inquiry is half-correct." Kyuubey turns slightly, still seated on the fountain rim.

"Wishes?" Reila overhears that caused her to lose track of her previous irritation and now curiousity. After listening to what the others were talking about the wishes came with a price. She approached the group by the fountain to get a better listen.

Keeryu cut his eyes toward the pumpkinhead again, and muttered something uner his breath. As if pulled by an unsseen hand his revolver drifted from insie his coat, and floated freely through the air, a blue flame rolling over the waapon. "Alright let's talk about socks! Let's talk about holey socks in fact. Hey... I just realized the cat's ears look like some kind of sock. Get on the ground and worship pumpkinhead!" he said in a joking tone as he looked back at Kyubbey and at the others questioning it.

Aurum looks sternly to Kyuubey, then walks closer to "it" " Do you have a name?"

"While it is true that the fallen become those which they fight, nobody is forced to do so. Nobody merely "becomes" one of them. If they do not uphold their end of the bargain, then yes, it is likely. If they perish, then yes, it is likely. But it does not just happen out of the blue, so-to-speak. Quite frankly, there is little to fear as long as you are doing your part."

Dachande's head turns in a fashion that should be unnatural. "WHAT ARE YOU TALING ABOUT 'DAAAHLING'? IT'S HARD TO KEEP YOUR TONE DOWN WHEN YOUR HEAD IS CONSTANTLY ON FIRE."

Helios says 'Then can you explain how one would stop 'doing what they are supposed to?''

The cat-thing looks up toward Aurum, assuming himself to be addressed as such. "I am called 'Kyuubey'."

"But what do YOU get...for them fighting for the greater good that essentially comes from one of your wishes going bad..." Keeryu looked at Kyubbey in a curious way, thinly veiled insinuation that the need for ffighting being his own fault riddling his question.

While sitting about in a daze, considering the finer points of socks, but suddenly snaps out of it when the 'cat' begins to speak. Sylana listens to the speech silently, eventually nodding to Helios' comment and watching the 'cat'.

Aurum says 'Well then "Kyuubey", I am very interested at these rumors of your power of wishes...Before I inquire further I am wondering if there are any people whom have successfuly made their wishes and are still around and ok.'

Reila listens more. There had been rumors? Where she had come from, she had never head of a wish-granting feline. Then again where she came from, there weren't much of these reploids or pumpkinheaded beings around either.

With a sigh of irritation, the fashion-conscious Element-bearer shakes her head and returns her full attention to Kyuubey, dispelling the magic building around her horn with nary a thought. "I'm not going to fight with you, and listen to what this 'Kyuubey' has to say. And my name's Rarity, not 'darling'."

Dachande cackles gratingly. "I'M SORRY DAHLING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO REFER TO YOU IN THE PROPER CONTEXT BEFORE HAND. I'LL REMEMBER TO REFER TO YOU AS THAT FROM NOW UNTIL NEVER."

"It is quite easy to understand. I grant you a wish, anything you desire. This wish will, in turn, grant you associated powers that relate to your wish, and you will occasionally need to utilize these powers to deal with the Witches and Yoma that have spawned as a result of those either unable to uphold their end of the granted-wish bargain, or those who just plain did not make the cut, if you'll pardon the expression. The only thing people should really fear is accepting a wish, then merely loitering around and doing nothing with it." Kyuubey may seem put off by the flurry of questions directed at him, but it wasn't certain. "And yes, to answer your question, there are several people who have taken my contract and remain alive and well. Some of them are, in fact, quite happy with their placement. A large group of them currently resides in Viorar, at this time. Or near there, at any rate."

Reila thinks for a moment and raises her finger to get attention. "If Witches and Yoma are of the result of the wish, isn't taking the wish repeating the cycle?"

Aurum takes a knee before Kyuubey bowing his head. " I am sorry to badger you with these questions but I would vary much like to take on your ordeal for a wish. I am called Aurum"

Helios nods. "Yes, this is what seems to happen, wouldnt it be more beneficial to NOT grant the wishes at all?"

Keeryu held his tongue and simply observed with a certain measure of skepticism. In essence he'd just admitted that they fought because of his own doing. That was enough for him to know that his assumptions had been right... He kept the gun firmly in 'hand' as well and trained on the pumpkinhead. He was debating a tidal wave over a bullet though...

"It is. But in truth, do you see another way out of it? I've had to explain this before, but I supposed this, too, will not be the last I have to do so. If all manner of persons stop accepting wishes, there still remain those currently under contract. With no people left to see to their activities, what state will the world be left in? Witches and Yoma will run amok and eventually bring the world to its knees. My Wish granting is merely a feather in the cap of humanity; if you're going to perform good deeds and protect those you care about, why not enhance your abilities while doing so?" Kyuubey almost smiled. Almost. "It hardly sounds detrimental to me."

"Yes, well." Kyuubey's explanation has Rarity looking down at the ground, deep in thought. 'If I could find a way to become even more generous than I am now...'

Helios thinks for a moment. "Then who granted the first wish?"

Kyuubey is all attention on Aurum at the mention of his acceptance, all of a sudden. "Is that so? Then what can I give you, that you would so desire enough to have a wish granted to make it a reality? You need only ask."

Reila crosses her arms for a moment trying to think about this. If she could have anything she desired, she could possibly bring her people back. Dragonkin to rule the land once more! She smiled a fanged grin at her thoughts but paused when she thought about the result of her wish backfiring. Her relatives coming back as monsters, zombies even only to be killed once more.

Aurum while keep his head down responds " I wish to bring my friend back to life"

Sylana watches the 'cat' and Aurum with a sharp eye, and dains to speak up. "Hold on a moment, aren't you bei--" She suddenly stops when she hears Aurum's response, however, and resumes silence.

"Your making a grave mistake Aurum, but it's your's to make... There is something more than shady with this." he said in a somber tone as his gun spun in the air in a gyro before flipping back into his coat. Keeryu sat back on one of the fountainside benches and fell silent again. This would end poorly...

Kyuubey seems at once thoughtful for a moment, acknowledging this further. "Tell me about this friend if yours, if you would. Information gained is only beneficial to the cause."

Helios walks over to Keeryu. "This whole thing, as one of you Homs might say, 'reeks of suspicious behaviour.'"

Aurum starts to remove the cloak from around his right arm revealing a bright golden arm not matching at all with the rest of his body " This is his arm due to certain circumstances I have his arm as my own now"

Dismissing her thoughts, however, Rarity turns to Keeryu, focusing magic around her horn. "How do you figure?"

Kyuubey looks toward the arm for a moment, then at Aurum again. "Your friend, he was mechanical in nature?"

Aurum says 'yes...however this is all that remains of him now.'

Kyuubey seems to be merely letting all the doubt filtering into the area go over his fuzzy little shoulder. It seems only-too-apparent that he's likely dealt with it before. Many, many, many times.

Reila watches Kyuubey curious to see what would happen. Also realizing without any real information, she couldn't ask to bring her people back the way they were.

"A complete and utter reconstruction. This is not a typical request, but it is no less acceptable. Those that people have lost during their life's journey remain dear to them even after departure, whether they are flesh and blood, or otherwise. Nevertheless, your desire to see this friend walk and talk once more is welcome, and I am more than happy to grant you the ability to do so." Kyuubey stands up on his feet, looking up at Aurum with his bright red eyes.

Sylana watches the conversation with an almost haunted look, but finally stands and moves over to Aurum, an indescrible toen in her voice. "I... Hold a moment, please." She glances at the arm for a moment, then continues. "This may not be the best idea... Don't you remember? The not-cat may take your soul. You may die for this!"

Kyuubey looks between the two of them, amused. "Begging your pardon, but I am not taking anything from anyone."

Helios leans close to Keeryu again. "We have a bad feeling about this." Helios whispers. He activates his scanners to get a good recording if the wish is actually granted.

Aurum keeps his stance with knee bent and head bowed

Sylana turns quickly to the 'cat', a hostile tone settling in her voice. "Really, now? You said before that you cannot gain something for nothing. Was that a lie?"

"Please rise, Aurum. Your request has been heard, and I am more than willing to grant it." Kyuubey looks upon him patiently.

Kyuubey addresses Sylana's concern, albeit without looking away from Aurum. "No, it was not a lie. But I did state what is required of those who take the wish. And their 'soul' is not what I requested. If you had bothered listening to what I had said, you'd have known this." He doesn't sound irritated, albeit fairly condescending.

Aurum stands "Thank you" then turns to Sylana " I shouldn't be getting nothing...And if I am I'm not the one to be worried"

Even from her place near Keeryu and Helios, Rarity's concentrating to sharpen her hearing via magic to see if she can catch anything unusual from Kyuubey, though she keeps the glow of magic concealed. "I'm not exactly too convinced about this being sincere, either, given my experience with illusions cast by Discord..."

"Let him be Sylana... It'll prove the point I've been trying to make about this cat..." Keeryu said in a detached tone as he rested the tip of his blade against the ground. Things seemed like they were about to at least get interesting...

Helios nods and dissolvs his disguise, becoming the slightly unnerving cloud of freeform flakes and the spherical body. "We shall stand by here, and continue scanning."

Reila still teeters on wanting a wish or not. She's lived for hundreds of years and never heard of anything like this before. Its the only thing she's actually found interesting and risky.

Sylana frowns slightly at the 'cat's' response, but does not take the comment any further. Instead she shrugs, and moves away from the two. "Very well, I suppose you got me there..." She goes to sit near the fountain, still watching the proceedings with a suspious eye.

Aurum lets out a sigh "I'm sorry you feel that way Keeryu. However I can provide a lesson regardless. If it truly is bad learn from my mistake and make sure no one else tries. However if all works out this should also be a valuable experience"

Dachande looks around the group gathered here and scratches his ass witha bored expression. "JESUS YOU PEOPLE ARE BORING. DEAD FRIEND THIS AND WISH THAT. WHY THE FUCK IS EVERYONE ALWAYS ON ABOUT THE PAST? GOD, YOU DON'T HEAR ME WISHING I NEVER PISSED OFF THAT WITCH AND GOT MY HEAD ON FIRE. I'M OUT OF HERE, LAMERS." The pumpkinhead points at Rarity especially. "LATER DAHLING. WE MUST GO OUT FOR SOME TEA." He leaves to the south.

Helios flickers his lens; simulating a blink. "That was rude."

Aurum re-covers his arm with his cloak

Reila balls up her fist as the pumpkinhead broke her train of though. She turned to punch him viciously, but saw he was already leaving.

Abruptly and suddenly, the two appendages hanging from the side of Kyuubey's head shoot forward, creating polychromatic circles upon Aurm's chest as they sink into either the circles created, his chest, or a freaky combination of both!

Aurum seems shocked... However doesn't scream and then seems more alarmed that shocked

The appendages are buried about a foot and a half deep, before gradually being pulled out, a very slow process. As they pull, a golden light begins to encompass Aurum's body, which glows with a brighter intensity, the closer the appendages get to being completely removed from Aurum's chest. When they finally do, a small egg-like object, flashing hues of many colors, is pulled from his chest, whereupon the colors all dwindle and die down.

While using her magic to subtly levitate sharpened spears of diamond, Rarity turns to the retreating pumpkin-headed figure. "I'd never think of having something to do with someone so uncultured." The sudden movement catches her attention, however, and the shards go flying at her command.

After a few moments, the egg-object stabilizes in color, forming a bright gold device, egg-shaped still, but vibrant in color and glowing slightly. Kyuubey offers the object to Aurum. "Your wish has been granted."

Aurum seems very uncertain " How has this fulfilled my wish?" then puts his hands out to recieve the object

Keeryu watched the scene in silence out of the corner of his eye. He'd seen it before, an he'd likely see it again. Not in the same way. No this was elegant and painless compared to the usual methods, but it was the same outcome. "I'd protect that crystal with your life Aurum..." he said almost as if it was a dark joke.

Kyuubey returns his ear-pendages to himself, nodding. "Go to where your friend was last seen. You know possess the ability to give creation to what no longer is. You may find this ability to be beneficial in other ways, but that is for you to determine, not I. Focus your powers, now that you have them, and everything will be as you desired." Kyuubey pauses for a moment, sitting down, before continuing.

Reila looks over at the small crystal as a result of Aurum's wish. She blinks for a moment as the process was really odd. She reconsidered her wish, as she didn't want some fluffy tenrile things entering her body. The who process sent shivers down her spine.

"That object you now hold is known as a 'Soul Gem'. It is the source of your power now, and indeed, protection thereof is highly recommended. It enables your physical body to sustain higher amounts of physical harm than you normally would, without it. As you use your powers, that crystal will gradually become darkened. You must use the dropped Grief Seeds that Yoma and Witches leave behind upon their defeat to cleanse it."

"If you do not do this, and you allow your Soul Gem to be completely infused with darkness, you will become one of them. It is not truly an easy thing to let happen assuming you do what is expected of you, but unfortunately, many seem to let it become neglected. I suggest not doing this."

"If you have any other questions, please. Do not leave the unknown, unknown." He sits down again, apparently finished.

The crystal in Aurum's hand catches Rarity's attention just as quickly, and she seizes the fast-moving diamond shards with a considerably stronger flare of magic from her horn to stop them all in midair, then set them down on the ground. "A Soul Gem... It sounds a lot like an Element of Harmony, but far more potent..."

Aurum seems uncertain about this whole ordeal " What all does this power do?"

Keeryu says '"Your a litch now Aurum. Not only that, but a litch on a very short leash..." he said quietly as the wind blew open his coat and he reached into it to store his sword away, but his hand remained inside the folds of his coat.'

Aurum says 'You said it has multiple uses...I mean what do these "uses" entail?'

Helios nods. "That gem now houses his soul outside of his body, much like an external drive. We have had bad experiences with external drives failing us when it matters most." Helios murmurs.

Kyuubey nods. "By 'use', I mean any exhibition of the powers you now hold. You have been given the ability to create life from what no longer has it, and any direction this is used for will darken your Soul Gem accordingly. Extended use for frivolous reasons is not recommended, as such. It will also act as a warning beacon to inform you of a Witch or Yoma that may be nearby."

Reila keeps her attention on the cat and the newly created wishborn. "Well good luck."

Kyuubey shakes his head from side to side, appendages waving around as he does. "It will not lose what it is capable of doing, no. But neglect will invite corruption; as I said, a large majority of those who have fallen have done so merely due to neglect. You have been given a wish, and with it, a task to perform. This is now your calling, and I hope that you perform your duties admirably."

Quietly, Rarity dispels the magic encasing the now-grounded diamond spear-shards. "Mm... Perhaps I should consider it, as well... But what would I possibly wish for...?"

Keeryu says '"Basically Aurum, your not a slave to doing this. You have no choice in the matter..."'

Aurum nods "How do I contact you should I have more questions and inquiries for you?"

Kyuubey looks up, specifically addressing Keeryu. "I'll have you know that your pessimism is by and large another majority why failure has taken a large percentage of those granted with wishes. If humanity had it in them to keep their chin up when the situation direly required doing so, there would be many more survivors today. You are a perfect example of someone who would be doomed to fail right from the outset."

Aurum shoots his glace towards Keeryu "You sure seem to have alot more knowledge about these things than you used too"

Keeryu says '"Far from it Aurum. I'm just taking what he's said, and removing the sugar coating from it."'

With a resolute expression, Rarity steps forward, stopping before Kyuubey with a calm expression. "After turning what I've heard over in my mind... I've always sought to be stronger, to protect my friends. I know there will be risks involved, but - as in the world of business - there are always risks."

Kyuubey returns his attention to Aurum. Cases like Keeryu's were only too-common, anyway. "I will be around when you need me, that much is certain. I can be anywhere I desire, at any time. Suffice it to say, don't bother looking for me; I'll find you." If the cat-thing could be smiling, he certainly seems like he would be at this time.

Helios slowly draws back, the lens making up his 'face' changing from green to a dim red. "If this goes south, we intend to be prepared..."

Aurum takes a grim look upon his face "Kyuubey now for my most important question....If I fail and fall. Will my wish still be in affect?"

local> Kyuubey tilts his head. "What do you mean?"

Aurum says 'I mean will those I brought back to life stay alive? they will no longer be affect should I fall and die."'

"The status of your wish is in the power you hold, only. What you do with this wish is a separate matter. What you do, what is left behind, and what is affected will all remain, should you become corrupted and fall. What happens as a result of your powers, unless specifically linked to you by whatever method you enact, will be left as a completely separate detail." Kyuubey looks up at Aurum with his bright red eyes.

Aurum says 'Thank you then Kyuubey.'

Kyuubey nods, looking from Aurum to Rarity. "And you, then. What is your name?"

Rarity says 'My name's Rarity.'

Aurum over to bench on his way Aurum puts his hand on Rarity's shoulder "I'd reconsider kid" he says solftly

Aurum sits on a fountainside bench.

Kyuubey looks Rarity up and down for a moment, apparently impressed. "Odd as it seems to see a verbose equine creature, I am pleased to know that my services are not requested by humankind and their likenesses alone. What can I do for you, then?"

Rarity says 'I've sought to, for some time now, become stronger so I can protect my friends and family, without having to rely on the Element of Generosity.'

Helios leans over to Keeryu again. "And another one falls for it, we suppose."

It seemed as though Sylana was ignoring the proceedings for a while now, focusing her attention on a spot on the fountain. However, she slowly stands and begins walking over to Aurum, keeping out of the eyesight of the 'cat'. She stops in front of the Reploid, bowing her head slightly. "May I have a moment...?"

Keeryu nodded his head toward Helios slowly, "Did you pick anything up when you went back to that cave? It is ot as necessary now, but I'm curious."

Aurum stands and offers the lady his seat "Of course ma'am"

Reila crosses her arms as another wish was made. She understood what they were trying to do, but was it really worth dooming your existance?

Helios thinks for a moment. "Well, it was a over a month ago, so the readings were very poor. However, there was definetly a fight there between several of these... Wishborn and one of the corrupted ones."

Turning her head somewhat to gaze back at Helios and Keeryu, Rarity shakes her head in reassurance. "I'm well-aware that there are risks, much like there are risks present in the world of business. I'm determined to face this with resolve, though I do acknowledge what could happen from everything we heard thus far."

Sylana raises her eyebrow. "Ah, thank you." She sits down and smiles lightly at Aurum. She then gestures vaugely at the vacant spot still on the bench.

Aurum bows to thank Sylana for the gesture and sits beside her

Aurum sits on a fountainside bench.

Helios says ' It definetly left behind traces, such as scratches on the walls and energy signatures. The most interesting thing was the signature from what we now know to be a corrupted soul gem.'

Helios says ' It was there and definetly in use.'

Sylana looks at Aurum's cape for a moment, seemingly in thought again, before shaking her head. "What will you do now that your wish has been... partically granted? Will you persue the witches?"

Keeryu says '"Mmm...these soul gems... They're like a philactery... But somehow they seem worse..."'

Kyuubey starts to say something further, but suddenly stops and sit upright, his pointed ear twitching in regards to something unseen. "Ah... forgive me, Rarity, but I will have to proverbially 'write you a rain check' on your wish. I am needed elsewhere immediately at the request of another of my kind, and this sort of thing cannot be left with delay. I apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing you, but rest assured, you will see me again."

Rarity says 'It's quite fine. Godspeed.'

Aurum looks up "for the moment until I can get back to my home and bring my friend back. I shall do everything with the utmost care"

Kyuubey immediately rises to his feet and, with an unforeseen burst of speed, sprints southward out of the vicinity of the fountain, leaving a subtle, magical glow in his wake that dissipates rather quickly.

Helios nods as his lens changed back to green. "Our scans indicate that that Soul Gem houses his soul. His body is now basically an autonomus shell, devoid of a soul." Helios shudders. "Horrible consequences could result from damage to ones soul, we hear, which has been made more likely by this."

Rarity says 'I see.'

Aurum says 'I wasn't even sure we Reploids had souls...'

Sylana nods. "I see." Sylana remains silent for a moment, considering. "Should you require any... assistance, I will help you to achieve your goal. It would be a same for such a sacrifice to go to waste..." She stands, then bows deeply to Aurum. "Be careful." She glances about, then begins to walk off.

Helios says 'Yes, scans indicate that reploids that are above menial tasks and posess emotions that are sufficently developed are considered to have a soul.'

Keeryu says '"A soul is what grants something life persay. It's consciousness, sentience, and what in essence should provide the body with the ability to live. Some forms of litch bypass the last one though. Like this. Other's the body gradually rots..."'

Helios nods and is about to say something before being interrupted by a loud beeping from somwhere inside of his frame. He seems confused at this. "Low power again? That lightning strike must have fried my internal batteries too." He nods to the group. "We must biy you all an adeau, it seems. Keeryu, we shall look up your friend and ask to be repared."

Helios nods to everyone before hovering up into the air and heading north in a similar fashion to last time he was forced to leave.

Muttering to herself and ignoring the going-ons around her, Sylana picks up her long-forgotten items near the fountain, then sets off to the north without another word or look around.

Rarity trots back over to Keeryu's general area with a quiet sigh, before lying down atop the stone and levitating the five dresses over onto a nearby branch.

Keeryu sighed, and pulled a sphere of dark ligh from inside his coat, and looked at it quietly. "I think things around here are going to get very interesting. I think my managerie agrees."

Aurum says 'indeed it shall get interesting one way or another.'

Keeryu reached out his hand in a way like one would hold a sword, and a blade started to form out of the mist that rolled with an odd aura like black magic fire from hilt to tip. It was covered in some odd lettering as well in celestial, and looked to be made of some crystal substance "If I get a chance to look at one of those corrupted gems... I think I'm going to compae it to this... I'm just a little curious..."

Reila looks at Keeryu with a raised eyebrow. "How do you plan on getting one of those gems without a wish?" she askes.

Aurum says 'Well I suppose the day is at an end'

Rarity says 'Hm... I'll have to consider what I'm really getting into, even if I know there are risks present...'

Keeryu says '"How else, do my job. I play at being a bounty hunter where I'm from. Really I just like hunting down malicious little demons. Kyubby strikes me as one somehow... But I'm more interested in the spawn he's made... I just need to kill one."'

Aurum nods to Rarity " I suggest you do and really take into account if what you want is worth not only your life but your everything

Rarity closes her eyes for a moment, to reflect inwardly. 'I really would like to be stronger, so I can keep the others and Sweetie Belle safe from harm... I don't think it's a bad thing to wish for, but am I really prepared to sacrifice everything I've got to do that...?'

Keeryu looked over at Rarity quietly, and then back out in the direction of the docks in thought. "Becoming stronger can have many meanings ms. You don't necesarily need a wish to become strong. It's a shortcut admittedly..."

Keeryu tapped the sword onto his shoulder, and looked north back from the direction he came. "I'll be watching this place... I'm more than a little curious as to what developments this will all take... I'm going to leave something here to notify me when this place has another gathering..." as he spoke, an orb rolled off him like a little ghost, and started hovering around the fountain, and then 3 more monitoring the fountain for him.

Reila shurgs seeing as the excitement was dying down. She decides to go explore the surrounding areas.