genessia | [Video] A Haunting Recital

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[Video] A Haunting Recital

[The video network feed kicks on to capture the interior of Everglade's cathedral fully corrupted into a disturbing visage twisting the warm, inviting embrace of a fatherly deity with the cold, cruel touch of death.

At the center of it all, the Skullgirl with her gaping back spewing baleful fire sits before a piano. The camera, carried by one of Marie's floating skulls, focuses on the undead girl as she readies her hands.

Then, her fingers slowly and graceful began to dance over the piano keys, emitting a melody for all the world to hear. Despite her suppressed desires to annihilate her enemies, Marie looked remarkably at peace at this moment.

The camera slowly pans around to then capture the church filled to capacity with Marie's undead minions, sitting respectfully in the seats, listening to the Skullgirl's performance. The camera floats down the aisle, towards the doors as they open out to the yard, revealing a larger army of undead, all standing guard around the cathedral. The camera made sure to take one lap around the cathedral so the entirety of the army is seen before returning inside.

The meaning behind her broadcast is plain and simple: The Skullgirl is still here, and she is up to no good.]

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[His attention was caught by the melody, but seeing that army piqued this particular demon's interest rather quick. He was almost surprised that he hadn't taken notice of someone capable of the power needed to create an army of that caliber in Everglade. Perhaps he'd seen less of the city that he thought.

He would wait until her performance ended, before finally speaking in a calm, but doubled voice.]

Such a lovely melody.

[Someone who didn't want to destroy her for being creepy looking. How different. Marie had planned to retire and let Genessia trip over itself in anticipation for an invasion, as many assumed before, but since someone complimented her piano-playing, she may as well answer.]

"Indeed. Do you play?"

Most only raise an army for a purpose, what purpose is yours?

[It's cute that you think the undead are scary.]

[Here we go. Marie knew one of these guys will show up before long.]

"A purpose far more benevolent thank you think."

That doesn't answer my question

"That's too bad, because I don't intend to give you a direct answer."

I might just destroy your army. Since they don't seem to have any other purpose than stand around and listen to you play.

[Humans aren't much of a threat; dead or alive.]

[He wasn't interested in destroying anyone unless he had good reason to. He has some surprising restraint for being a dude who murdered a couple gods. If anything, her appearance and penchant for interior decorating made her one of the most interesting people in this realm.]

I'm afraid not. It was something I got away from years ago, but I believe I get more enjoyment out of listening to performances rather than be the performer. Is it a composition of your own?

"No. This was the last piece I learned. Since the change, all I have left are memories."

[And a maelstrom of pain and hatred that burns hotter than a thousand suns, but that can stay on the shelf for the moment.]

"You would destroy something because reasons? You are as simple as simplicity can get, arent you?

You have every right to try to destroy my army if or when I break the promise I made when I arrived here... But you weren't here for that, were you?"

You assume a lot.

I see. My apologies.

['The change?' He can only assume by those words that she wasn't always the way she appears now. If he's right in his assumptions, then he could almost relate to a similar situation. ... almost.]

Still, your talents seem remarkable. Not only in the musical arts, but that of a leader as well.

"How kind of you to say, but I really don't care about leading these mindless slaves. They are, however, necessary..."

[After all, she is threatened and challenged every time she shows her face.]

"Then I assume I'll see you later on the side of misguided 'heroes."

I'm not a hero.

[He's almost offended by that.]

"Striking me will make you a hero to many and a valuable heroic ally to others."

[Because all she did was take over a church without taking a life and she was public enemy #1 for a while.]

"If you're not a hero, then what are you?"

I am a monster

[Marie is amused by this.]

"Then you understand, don't you? To be feared and hated for what you are or what your predecessors did?"

I do.

[He can understand hate and fear, it's what he's used to.]

"Then you can understand why I keep an army. While I can't promise to be on my best behavior, I did promise I wouldn't attack ordinary citizens who've done me no wrong."

I don't remember saying that I didn't understand.

"Then why threaten my peace? We could, instead, have a mutually beneficial agreement."

Because you still never answered my question.

[She's never said explicitly what her army is for though she's implied it. He doubts that her intentions towards him or anyone are sunshine and rainbows.]

[Thats mostly true, but Marie would defend her benevolent intentions to the end.

She finally relents and divulges her plan for the future.]

"The barrier around Everglade feeds on fear. The management of the town endangers us all by enacting safety measures. If Lord Dracula agrees with my plan, I will "invade" Everglade and make the people think twice about their safety.

I will try to avoid needless killing, but accidents may happen."

It's my understanding that the other barriers don't work like that. How do you know that your information is true? And why are we assuming the barriers, that keep us here, must remain up?

"Because, according to Lord Dracula and others, this 'Broken Dome Incident' had occurred before. They say it holds back creatures that completely absorb all life from their victims. Only a few had gotten out then, but if the Everglade barrier falls, even a united Genessia won't be able to hold out for long.

And I have unfinished business back in New Meridian, so I'd rather not die here."

Would you believe a liar even if he's telling the truth? You sound validated but then, the most insane are also validated.

If it isn't obvious. I'm not convinced.

"Not convinced of what? That fear holds Everglade's barrier together? Or that Everglade and Genessia were attacked by emotion-devouring things?"

Throwing a undead celebration or something? I mean with all the dead people and all.

It's rather creepy.

"I could be. Do you want to join us?"

Fear, while a powerful emotion, isn't the strongest. It clearly isn't what holds the other cities barrier together so why Everglade? and why now? If fear hasn't been prevented before why hasn't more happened? This place has existed for a lot longer than those here; even Dracula.

"Do you want an audience with Dracula? Or do you want to talk to someone who was directly involved in fixing the barrier?"

I hate vampires but give me a name and I'll find them.

"You should just go on the network and ask. Do it privately, just as you did here, or request to make further talks private. I'm not going to hold your hand while you do your homework."

[Toby raises his eyebrow at the message; what a brat.]

If you insist though I have better methods of getting information.

[They aren't very nice methods either.]

[ Suddenly Bloody Marie is down one minion as a cat girl runs off with a slightly fuller wheelbarrow ]

"..."

[Marie simply raised a hand, ready to send the rest of her army after the cat burglar and find out why she stole one of her minions. However, she decided one corpse was not worth spending her energy.

Bye-bye, minion.]

"Do whatever you need to do."

Forgive my curiosity, but a necessity? Why is that?

[He wasn't about to make any assumptions about her intentions for that army, and really, whatever she has it for isn't any of his business either. The last time he saw anyone with an army was Dracula, and he changed the laws of the city. He does keep his tone civil, and genuinely curious. He had no intention of acting as a threat towards her.]

"I'm not exactly a sweet bundle of rainbows and sunshine. The many 'heroes' in Genessia are ready to take me down if I do anything worse than taking over this cathedral.

I keep an army to keep them from wiping me out first."

[At least, that's the plan in Genessia. Since there's no sign of Lorenzo Medici or his connections that took what little she had left.]

For simply taking control of a minor building that has no impact on them, they suddenly declare you a villain to be put under surveillance?

[He scoffs.]

Pathetic. They need to be taught that they have no power to decide such things in a realm beyond their understanding.

"Precisely. They are not Medici, so I have no reason to attack them. But if they try to attack me, they'll wish they came to beg to be my minions instead.

Good to know there are some people who understand. What is your name?"

Depends on who the dead are.

And any consequences they suffer for their actions are no one's fault but their own. Yet, I am certain they would still be happy to shift the blame from themselves, as is the nature of those who fear what they do not understand.

I am known simply as Cipher. Might I learn your name as well?

"Cipher... I am Marie.

Would you be interested in being one of my generals?"

A kind offer, Lady Marie, but I'm afraid I must decline. I am not particularly good with acting under the will of another, and I have my own generals that I must watch over.

However, I am not above offering personal aid and the potential of an alliance, should there ever be a time to call for it.

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[Video] A Haunting Recital

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