Unconventional Presents in Hallifax

Zyphora · March 2013

Before the Matrix. (Hallifax City)
Banks of clouds roil about here. Long, lean, and vibrating with barely-contained
energy, a greyhound sniffs about here. A statue of Fraesic Sunfar, Keeper of the
Matrix stands here, memorializing his noble spirit. Radiating with an
incandescent brilliance, the Matrix floats within the circular walkway, slowly
turning and revealing flowering geometric patterns. Wind whipping through his
wings, Fraesic Sunfar, Keeper of the Matrix is here, face upturned to the chill
breeze. There are 10 Sentinel Deputy Commissars here. There are 10 Guardians of
the Dodecahedron here. A majestic onyx obelisk rises from the centre of a
polished ring of silver, bolts of icy white energy arcing between the two. In
the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A green speckled,
spritely pony with a shaggy tail stands here quietly. Smoke curling from her
nostrils, a midnight black nightmare paws impatiently at the black clouds
roiling beneath her hooves. Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer is here.
He wields a sleek beam generator in his left hand and a screwdriver with a
wooden handle in his right. Shifting Current Morbo Pavok is riding on a midnight
black nightmare. He wields a rose-vine violin in his left hand.
You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Son, we have a problem."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "You are free to marry whoever you please,
but that does not mean that you do not have an obligation to inform me of such
arrangements when they occur."

You lazily draw your wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

Morbo gives the corpse of a Tolborolla corgi to you.

Morbo gives the corpse of a small screech owl to you.

You stare implacably at Morbo.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "I killed these small helpless creatures for
you."

You say, "Are these representative of us two?"

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "No, I just figured, if killing plants and
giving them to someone is nice, doing it to cute animals is even better."

You say, "I think there was a missing step in your process of logic."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Oh, of course."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "I forgot to put them in water for you."

(Hallifax): Morbo says, "Citizens, I am in need of a vessel capable of drowning
puppies."

You stare implacably at Morbo.

(Hallifax): You say, "Please do not provide him with such."

(The Assimilated): Morbo says, "Lol."

(The Assimilated): You say, "Morbo, you crazy."

(The Assimilated): Morbo says, "It's a perfect morbo thing to do."

(The Assimilated): Morbo says, "Drowning puppies because people like receiving
flowers."

(The Assimilated): Morbo says, "Zyphora, you mean so much to me, I got you this
puppy! Just a moment, let me find a vase for you."

A bloodthirsty wyvern glides in from the ether on his bat wings.
The Matrix flares and bits of energy swirl about inside, bits and pieces
smashing into each other, growing larger in size before they finally are all one
mass, which emerges from the Matrix as Ciaran.

Ciaran draws back his lips and clicks his teeth menacingly, searching for
someone to bite.

The body of Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer appears in a flash and
his soul descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill
with emotion.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "You are free to marry whoever you please,
but that does not mean that you do not have an obligation to inform me of such
arrangements when they occur."

Morbo points accusingly at Entrias.

Entrias blinks.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "Sorry, issues. What did I
miss?"

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "My searing disappointment."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "You have become engaged to the Provost
without informing the family."

You look up into the air for divine inspiration.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "I thought I bribed your
higher emotions with that watch. Perhaps I need to try harder."

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "Also, Father Ushaara knew,
and congratulated me."

Ciaran slowly starts listing to his left.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "It isn't even made out of onyx, my favorite
gem and the one most reflective of our family colours of Ebon and Silver."

Ciaran flaps his arms wildly to regain balance.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer pulls Ciaran back in place, hiding
slightly.

Ciaran leans heavily into his staff.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "However, congratulations on your engagement."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "I have given Zyphora several dead animals as
a sign of my affection."

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says to Morbo, "Clarification in
the future is a prudent concept in which we might all work on furthering the
goals of the family and the Collective."

A chill wind blasts around you as Tulemrah, riding a fiery red thunderbird,
arrives from the up, borne by a swirling vortex of ice crystals.
A thunderclap amidst forks of crimson lightning announces the entrance of a
fiery red thunderbird from the up.

You say to Morbo, "I do appreciate the intent behind it."

Tulemrah inclines her head politely to those around her.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says to you, "Show your fiance so he can appreciate
them as well."

Ciaran says, "Surely you aren't ashamed to become a Pavok?"

Entrias lifts his eyebrow slightly, curious.

Ciaran snorts and snuffles at the air through a ridiculous pig nose.

Wincing slightly, you give the corpse of a Tolborolla corgi to Aeromage Entrias
Pavok, Maintenance Engineer.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer murmurs, "It's generally best to
give a small dog to a woman while it is still alive, father."

Holding it by the tip of its wing, you give the corpse of a small screech owl to
Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Why?"

Ciaran says, "Then you have to feed the little runt."

Ciaran mutters discontentedly.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "They are much more
affectionate when alive. I believe that's how it works."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "You kill flowers before you give them to
someone as a present."

Ciaran consumes a platter of stuffed shrimp ravioli covered in a creamy cheese
sauce leisurely, seeming to enjoy every bite.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Isn't the point to kill the most beautiful
thing you can find?"

You glance askance.

Ciaran unceremoniously licks the cream from the whiskers around his mouth.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "I know Zyphora is fond of Corgis, so I
killed one for her. Just as I killed a flower earlier for Archmage Shevat."

Defensively raising his hands, Ciaran backs away from the situation slowly.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "I certainly hope not. I like
Zyphora living and breathing."

Tulemrah nods her head at an opaque ebon rose.

Ciaran says, "No killing me!"

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says to Tulemrah, "I now appreciate the fact that
you didn't complain about me killing something for you."

Tulemrah's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Looking downtrodden, Entrias sadly shakes his head.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says to you, "Tell me then, What things do you love
more than a corgi?"

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer edges closer to the nearby shrine,
furtively glancing at the bloody corpses in his hands.

You say to Morbo, "I fear to tell you."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Okay I'll guess."

A globe of shimmering blue light surrounds Morbo, lifting him off the ground. A
loud gong sounds just before the globe of light suddenly vanishes.
A midnight black nightmare rears up and sends a bank of black clouds rolling to
the ether, galloping away upon it.

You look up into the air for divine inspiration.

Entrias wipes the back of his hand across his head in relief as he mutters,
"Whew."

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says to you, "Tell him you love
your parents more than corgis."

You say, "He is going off to kill the most adorable things in the Basin, isn't
he."

Morbo, riding a midnight black nightmare, enters from the up, emanating an aura
of immense power.
A bank of black clouds rolls in from the up, upon which gallops a midnight black
nightmare.

Morbo gives the corpse of an Oleanvir terrier to you.

Entrias tilts his head back and looks up at the sky.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "I crossed the breadth of the basin to
retrieve that for you. It is superior to a corgi."

You say, "Entrias... I do not know what to do."

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says to Morbo, "Father, are you
attempting to initiate courting protocol with my arranged martial associate?"

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Its body is designed for running instead of
waddling, and while it is not as cute it is a much more efficient hunter and
tracker."

Tulemrah hides a grin behind her hand.

Aeromage Entrias Pavok, Maintenance Engineer says, "Pardon, marital."

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says, "Surely, you must prefer this much more
efficient dog to the inferior corgi."

<Wargames initiated>

Acknowledging Ciaran's point to be true, Entrias nods his head gravely at him.

Ciaran says, "That'll be me."

Ciaran waves goodbye.

Tulemrah ponders for a moment and says "Hrm..."

Ciaran, riding a bloodthirsty wyvern with bat wings, leaves to the ether,
emanating an aura of immense power.
With a flap of his bat wings, a bloodthirsty wyvern glides off to the ether.

A gust of cold wind whips off to the northwest, bearing Tulemrah, riding a fiery
red thunderbird, away in a swirling vortex of ice crystals.
Spreading her leathery wings, a fiery red thunderbird soars off to the northwest.

You say, "Well, I do prefer the aesthetics of the corgi."

Morbo ponders the situation.

You say, "What if I were to say that I loved my parents?"

Entrias attempts to grin, but something goes terribly wrong.

Morbo ponders the situation.

Shifting Current Morbo Pavok says to you, "It will take me some time, but very
well."

You look up into the air for divine inspiration.

You say, "Oh, Morbo."