The_Crown

@astra_

Iullius watched for their reactions, as he did look at Nikolai to see how this was going to play out. He was a soldier, not an assassin. It was strange though, that the actual assassin had chosen a route of such brutality as this. To break his way through by pure force. Even if he did so with strategy, he had relied considerably on his abilities to complete it. Now, Iullius did the same, but he was also indestructible. He knew that Nikolai was not.

Nikolai had his face as Astra asked if he was suggesting that they simply kill them instead of taking it stealthy. He paused, trying to fully think his answer through. "I'm saying they're radicals. And if they know you're someone they want to get, they will come for you. They hide in shadows, so to speak, and yet they fight as if they're waiting for it. They want to fight even if they use these under-handed techniques. If you kill one, more will come to try and stop them. Hide amongst them if you want, but after all that's happened they'll be careful. They know Miss Valeria was a shapeshifter and capable of unusual things. So maybe they'll be expecting a spy. I can't say that for sure. What I know is that, in the past, assaults worked. The only problem is knowing who to hit."

Iullius ran fingers through his beard in thought, "As appealing as it is to enact outright war due to its simplicity. It loses that simplicity when the enemy is always hiding and lying. I still believe that attempting to get inside first is the best choice."

(SOrry for the short response comparably. I am trying to get back to writing here cause I hadn't for awhile)

@astra_ (Well, seems like we both have regular departures lol. I just had to do it again.)

Valeria had at least been able to shapeshift before. So pretending to be who, or what, what she wasn't really wasn't too different. Not that she was a spy very often. That was still new. But it was a useful talent to have nevertheless. Iullius brushed his hand against his beard in thought and the strangeness of it.

As Astra and Morrigon discussed quickly Beverly narrowed her eyes for a moment looking between Iullius and Valeria wondering what would come next. Morrigan would speak first about their plan. They now had an explanation for how to get them in. And now questions returned.

This time it was Valeria who spoke first, "I have never seen so much un-thinking loyalty to a god without ever speaking to them." her words came softly, from so long, there were few words said to her that were not essentially curses. "While I don't believe he is with them, or at least, I hope he is not. There has to be some reason for such devotion that is beyond just reason."

"Perhaps you aren't really thinking of it because you two were in a time where the gods were the most capable of manipulation." Beverly interrupted, "I'm sure Mr. Volokov here has seen it at some point. But this cult is made up of extremists. Not just ones that use traditional cult techniques, I believe. You know, the societal pressures, threats. But I believe maybe even the use of torture and forms of brain-washing to get people to obey."

Nikolai scratched the back of his neck, "There is something...you probably should be aware of if this is the story we're going with." He let out a sigh. Normally, he would not discuss past jobs in detail, but Beverly was his employer. And now in a sense so were Iullius and Valeria, so, since this was their plan, his mission with them was permitted, "I killed...pretty much the entire village. Now let's be fair here, it was not a village of children and your average citizens. This was essentially a prison with one purpose, keeping Ms Valeria prisoner. I did what I was paid to do. Get Ms Valeria out by destroying the prison's guards. Which worked out better anyway, as they were extremely vigilant. And sneaking through would not have gone well."

Nikolai had been hired for this reason, his skill and danger was not like that of a demi-god like Iullius. No perhaps not. Perhaps he couldn't take on either Iullius nor The Eagle Bearer. But he was far more dangerous when it came to combative threats then almost any soldier, or even squadron, could be.

Valeria put her hands on her hips expectantly as Morrigan joked about Jealousy, Iullius held out his hands, "Heh heh, no but thanks. I'm quite fine" he said. Yeah no need for changes that extreme on him. He especially didn't want them on the chance that Morrigan didn't end up changing him back. Maybe Valeria could change herself, but he had no such option if something happened to Morrigan so far as he knew at least.

The woman turned crossing her arms, and giving a lopsided smile. She was practicing completely changing the way she acted. The way she moved. Iullius had never really had the need for something like that. Valeria was much better at it.

Beverly watched as Morrigan and Astra considered what she said. Then Morrigan went to Astra, changing her appearance as well. Beverly cocked her head in thought about the matter. A strange scenario they had put themselves into. Beverly was not opposed to sabotage of some kind. She had kind of expected a more godly approach but perhaps this just was how they were.

Iullius nodded his head smiling, "Fascinating, fascinating." he said thoughtfully before Morrigan explained what the story behind Astra was, "Ah, that could certainly work."

He snapped his fingers and looked at Nikolai, "You're the one who got Valeria out. How can you work that in."

The assassin considered the statement for a moment, "If you're suggesting I caused the scar, maybe she was just there during the final moments of the fight. Or alternatively, she knew one of the cultists. Tried to stop me from leaving, and that was the result." he shrugged, "I don't really work with other people much. My missions are usually solo. I deal with my own cover and that's it."

Iullius groaned, "That's fine I understand. What would you need to know for whatever story it is you're going to go with?" he inquired to Morrigan and Astra.

@astra_ (Really sorry for the delay! Had some IRL stuff and threads that ended up getting in the way)

Iullius chuckles at the compliment, though, pride was a hard thing to get over. And for him it was hard to imagine himself as less handsome. It was his greatest flaw, and he knew that. Arrogance was dangerous, and yet he still had it. When all your life you know you're the son of the king of the gods, when no blade nor bow could harm you, and no shield could stop you. Then pride was a hard thing to avoid.

The process for Valeria was even more difficult already, not because of the resistance, but because of the unnatural way of its very existing. Even for a nymph Valeria was unusual. But there was still, somehow, something to change. Perhaps it was because of how the shadow matter was supposed to interact with the real world as if it were matter, and that was what was important here. Because sure enough, she began to change. Her appearance became more colorful and living. Her hair and body changing to fit something at least very close to what Morrigan was intending. Valeria kept still as she could, allowing it to change her. Unlike Iullius, she could change herself. But her abilities had been severely weakened since her many years of pain and blindness. As she let out a breath and looked at Morrigan, knowing it had worked, she smiled at her response, "Well done, you've managed to change a demi-god, and a nymph." she said getting up and looking at herself.

"Well, sure is a much more serious change then mine was isn't it?" Iullius said with a chuckle.

Nikolai watched on and cocked his head shaking it with a smile, so odd. Beverly didn't seem to show much of a reaction, just watched quietly.

Valeria paused for a moment looking in the mirror and thinking, when she spoke next, her voice was a bit different, more upbeat, attempting to reverse her often somber tone to further the disguise, "Well! This is just lovely isn't it!" she announced, then held a hand to her chin in thought, "I'll have to be sure not to do any changes for now though, just can't be messing this up until we're all done or close to it. If I changed it, not sure I could get it back for long bursts. Oh but that'll be fine, now, let's see, where shall we go from here?"

Beverly chose to interrupt here, "If you're going to defeat them. Might I advise that you avoid interacted with higher ranked people too much until you either have control of them or plan to kill them. As I'm sure you know, they're an extremely secretive bunch. And able to kill some of you or not, they did still have the cage to contain Valeria. And no doubt will try to use methods fitting of people who they are inferior to."

@paragonxxx: Thanks!

Felt like getting this out. Not sure just how good it is. I kind of wanted to clarify how Iullius treats vices he sees in an IC way.

@ryan_mckinley: Awesome

@ryan_mckinley:

Ohh! Nice!

Well if at some point he's in Europe or his position is well known (or in a warzone where the Order of Iullius might be (mercenaries but they mostly follow laws)), I gotta know so I can throw Iullius there.

@adam_grimm Lol

@ryan_mckinley: Did someone say Demigods?

Seriously though very interesting. Might want to get involved somehow.

@paragonxxx:
Well then I'm working on it.

Virtue through vice.

Guide to Virtue through The Four Eminent Vices.