Advent

Advent
Date of Scene:	17 November 2012
Location:	Dalamascan Sands
Synopsis:	The Champion of Darkness Garland makes himself known, sending out a call across the Darkness to as many people as possible in order to encourage them to unify into a guild sinister.
Cast of Characters:	Mica Melchiott, Riku, Thailog, Negaduck, Uzuki Yashiro, LEXUS, Lumeria, Angantyr Vespar, Garland

---

Garland has posed:
THE WORLD OF RUIN
MIRAGE TOWER

It looms over the Dalmascan sands, a great spiralling spire rising up into the sky as high as the eye can see. It casts a shadow across the roiling waves of sand, a great darkness that monsters instinctively cling to when the sun is high, that humans and other such creatures with kind and just hearts avoid.

It is a gathering place of evil. Hundreds of years ago, it belonged to an ancient and kind and just civilization; once upon a time, they ruled the world with their mighty machina and their just and honest empire. But they are long gone, now, vanished into the ephemereal twilight of Time. Now, it is ruled by the Darkness; now, it is one of the centers of power for a monster who takes human form, clad in iron and bathed in violence.

And that monster wishes a congregation.

So the call has gone out, a ripple through the Darkness, a subtle pull to all who associate with the Darkness in their hearts, to all who live in the shadows and hunt in the shadows and fight for the sake of greed and selfishenss and Chaos. It originates here, at the Mirage Tower's tip, in a room clad in ruined machina and age's damning kiss. Those who can travel the darkness will find their travels easier, heading to this point; those who have shadows in their hearts will find the monsters of the tower backing away from them, allowing them to pass, for they are guests of the master.

At the top of the tower, in that room clad in shadow and age, is that monster, that man. He is tall, fearsomely tall; clad in an armor that gives away nothing of his form, a great sweeping cape that billows behind him in the winds leaking through the tower's aged holes, he waits for his guests.

His name is Garland. Once upon a time and in the infinite expanses of the future, his name was/will be/is/has been Chaos. Now and forever, he is a champion of the Darkness, and he waits atop this tower of ruin to see what other champions will emerge with great interest.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr appears from a portal, it tears through the darkness of the place for a moment, and then out comes the dark knight. On his back is best described as a large spiked mace...a terrible looking weapon, glowing with a faint glow of the same darkness that seems to permiate this place. The man moves, looking around, and then back towards Garland.

"The hell old man? I thought you said the lessons were done for the moment." he says, crossing his arms. It's not that he minds the summons, but it was unexpected. Angantyr has a lot of respect for his mentor, but at the same time the man holds everyone at a distance from him.

"Passed up a sweet number back at the inn I was at, ya know?" he says, scratchin' the back of his head.

Riku has posed:
Riku fought against the call.

He was in the hotel in Manhattan where he usually holed himself away, poring over the pages of the journal when it came. He leaned against the window, staring at the city of lights outside. Diablo woke up and fluttered over to the window to look out at the rain.

"I'm.. not.. going." he grits to the raven's look of curiosity, answering the squawk that was incomprehensible to anyone but him. "It's not her." Riku thumps his head gently against the sill as the call became more insistant. Over the last week or so, he had been ripping pieces out of his self delusion. He knew why it was calling him, even if he didn't know who. It was calling to him because darkness calls to itself.

Eventually. Riku lost, his will giving out as a moment of doubt crippled his resolve. He resolved to just get it over with, banishing his disguise as he opens a portal and steps through it.

He cracks his knuckles, looking around at the place warily as Diablo perched on his shoulder, looking at the assemble with interest.

Lumeria has posed:
Lumeria feels the tug of darkness, well it's more of a nibble if anything but it's still present. She can't travel the darkness though so she has to come here the long way. By the time she actually reaches the tower, she's clearly exhausted. "I really need to learn...Warp...ugh..." This better be worth the journey, she hates physical activity.

Thailog has posed:
It is a long trip here from Manhattan, longer still if you have not fully realized the power of darkness.

Thailog, a demonic creature with black skin and a long, ashen mullet, emerges in a more banal method, gleaming armor girding his form, a rifle of some sort weighed upon his shoulder.

He sweeps the assembling with a... less than enthused gaze. A finger taps absently at the trigger guard of his rifle, features settling into a frown before he looks to the figure that might be the onlyone who looks like he might be able to walk into a store and buy alcohol without being carded.

"You." he utters as he looks upon Garland, free arm extending from beneath the wing cowled about his shoulder, "You were the one that called us here?"

LEXUS has posed:
Amidst the darkness of the tower, machines move. A clattering noise as something slides through the darkness as if born to it. New machines. They climb ever higher, monster acknowledging monster as kindred as they reach the source of the call.

There is an ancient, dormant machine, crafted by that old civilization that originally constructed the tower. The Lufeinians were powerful and wise.

But power and wisdom is not enough against the Darkness. The remnants of their land is enough evidence of that. The dorment mechanism, however, stands in mute testimony as well. Ancient, cracked screens overlookd the pinnacle room as well...

And then they flicker, a presence making itself known. The screens alight, filling with static as a signal is pushed to them from systems long dormant. The monitors flicket, then display a black background with a twin-ring design in neon violet. The central ring, studded with dots, rotates irregularly, an eye staring down at the proceedings.

The Eye of LEXUS.

From the shadows, a clicking noise is heard as a Heartless slips into visiblity in the area. Their form is sleek, six-limbed, each leg tipped with chrome plating that speaks of an advanced design and ending in n infinitely sharp point. The body beneath is the form of a dark Heartless, veined with pulsing violet ciruit patterns that rise along the limbs towards the burning, yellow-eyed head. Chrome mandibles jut from the darkness beneath, and the Heartless Emblen is emblazoned on their forehead, pulsing with the power of the Dark.

Three of them appear, two flanking the dormant robot, while the third Daemon Heartless leaps up onto the robot's back, and with a swift motion, drives its mandibles into the neck of the device with a crunch, anchoring itself to the automata with its legs.

A moment later, it crackles with violet energy, the monoptic flaring to life as it straightens and projects a holographic image of a middle-aged man in a suit, appearing well-dressed... But possessed of a burning, inhuman gaze, as the same violet circuits run up his tie, along his neck and jawline to his temples. His eyes are the same design as on the screens behind. This is LEXUS.

"You have arrived ahead of predictions." LEXUS speaks, his voice calm and composed. "A pleasure to meet you."

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
A foolish Player had thought to escape from Uzuki by hiding out among the dunes of this vast desert. What this Player did not count on was Uzuki Yashiro summoning some Noise, a special form of Heatless, to do the searching for her. But in the middle of her of little game of hide and seek (Reaper Sport 2), she noticed some presence tugging at her. It felt as if it was calling for her to venture deeper into the desert for some unknown purpose.

Well screw it! This search was getting boring and she will just leave her Noise to hunt the Player down for her. There is no harm in postponing her inevitable victory here with a little distraction. And so, the Reapette glides effortlessly over the sands towards this Dark Tower thanks to those unmoving black wings of hers.

Now that Uzuki Yashiro has arrived, she uses her Reaper wings to fly up to the top and join the happy little group that is assembled in the nearby room. Her black tattoo wings stretch outwards as she gracefully lands on the ground and almost immediately strikes a pose with one leg being kicked up behind her and a finger placed against her bottom lip. The amused looking Reaper then proceeds to greet the strange group, "Oooh, now what do we have -here-?" The various examples of villainy are observed now by the teenage looking girl. The fashion sense of this group would surprisingly work well on certain days back in Shibuya. On other days, it would not. But hey, not everyone can pull off the Reaper fashion style like Uzuki does.

Mica Melchiott has posed:
In the darkness, was a horrible, terrible Light.

But that light itself was dark, black, filthy, chaotic... It was the light that drove men's hearts against his fellow man, that upon changing hands decided the fates of nations. It started wars. It ended them.

A subtle tear in the darkness spilled forth a mound of gold coins, clanking and rolling and clattering all around, before a shadowy figure (literally, all shadows) with a short cape and a top hat atop the roughly feminine features. Plopping down right on the big pile of gold, Mica opens her arms wide. "Tadaaa!" She grins, standing up and taking a bow. Her whole body seems to be immaterial, or illusory. The only 'features' she had was a big white gash where her mouth would be, in a strange grin.

"You... did call, right? Because this gold is going to be a hell of a cleanup job if I have to pick it all up and dump it someplace else."

Negaduck has posed:
Earlier...

Negaduck was just sitting at Hollow Bastion, licking the popsicle that was stolen from a little baby. He was pleased as punch. It was a good mood, ruining people's days. However, Negaduck noticed something amiss. No one was inside. Not LEXUS, no Shadow Lord in sight. Then, a Shadow came to tell Negaduck the news.

A Bad Guy Call?

... HE WAS NOT CALLED?!

His sharp teeth grits and his eyes....

e_e

Now...

Within the Mirage Tower...

While every monster would usually avoid those with the Shadows in their hearts, Negaduck is going out of his way to PUNT every single monster in his sight.

*KABOOOM!*

Garland's going to need a new door.

"A MEETING OF THE DASTARDLY VILLAINS?! WITHOUT MOI?!" He heaves, "WHERE WAS MY INVITATION?!"

Enter Negaduck. His eyes are red, his fedora is scrunchd up. He has a bazooka in one hand and a chainsaw in another hand. His eyes narrow as he examines each one of the people in sight.

"So these guys get an invite..." He gestures towards Riku and Lumeria with the bazooka arm. "And /HE/ gets an invite!!!" His chainsaw arm gestures towards LEXUS. It's a murderous glare pointing his way.

Negaduck's eyes become wild-like, vicious, manical.

"MY INVITATION WAS SKIPPED?! ... There better be explanations."

Meanwhile...

Within Hollow Bastion, in some trashcan getting dumped out by a Shadow.. is the call of the darkness... That manifestation of the tug, which conveniently looks like a invitational paper saying: To Negaduck.

Garland has posed:
Garland cuts an imposing figure to be sure. Tall and iron, he looks out across the assembled champions of Darkness, his iron gauntlets opening in welcome. He does not say anything to Angantyr yet, nor does he address Thailog's inquiry; he simply stands, silent and imperious, waiting for the assembled to arrive.

Then, his massive, horned helmet lowers in a nod. He acknowledges all those asking him if he is the one who summoned them in a single motion, then turns away from the assembled champions, tucking his arms under his cape. Metal gauntlets clang together as his helmet turns upwards, gazing at the sky above.

"Welcome, Champions of the Darkness, those who seek its power. I am Garland, Warrior of Chaos." His voice is as deep as the darkness in his heart, a sea of shadow that stretches from one end of time to the other. There's a nobility in the voice that echoes from that suit, a strange, twisted nobility that suggests breeding, upbringing, and excellent education. His massive, clawed gauntlet taps against the side of his armored wrist. "It is indeed by my hand that we are gathered here, atop the Tower of Mirage; it is here that I have brought you, to gather for one purpose: a unification."

Garland's helmet turns, his eyeslits tilted towards the group that now stands atop his tower. He looks over each of them in turn; the machine LEXUS, the reaper Uzuki, the gargoyle Thailog, the magus Lumeria, the swordsman Riku, the gambler Mica, his apprentice Angantyr...behind that shrouded helm, his eyes dance across them, taking them in each in turn. "You have undoubtedly noticed the power of those who champion the Light; those who stand to face the Darkness stand unified, linked together to make themselves stronger than they could ever be alone." Garland waves his ironclad hand, shadows pouring out of it and twisting and turning into the symbols of some of the more prominent Restoration groups: the Shard Seekers, the SeeD, the Twilight Detectives, et cetera.

"And yet we are still diverse. Disparate. Those who serve the Darkness each pursue their own goals, each seeking their own satisfaction, while the warriors of Light grow stronger with each passing day."

"So I have brought you here, to my Tower, not to command you, nor demand your obedience, but to make a proposition. I would seek to see each of our goals com to light. I would seek to see all of us achieve our dark victories - for in those victories, I prosper, with each passing day the light dies."

Garland turns around to face the group once more, his helmet tilting downwards. "So I would propose an organization to our chaos. A sharing of strength and resources, a unified front of-"

He's interrupted, as the wall of the tower explodes and Negaduck comes barreling in. Garland closes his hand tight into a fist behind him. "All who hold the Darkness were called by my hand." He replies calmly, gesturing at the assemblage. "You are as welcome as they."

Lumeria has posed:
Lumeria's attention turns towards the duck who bursts inside. Was he related to Queen Stella? She doubts it, but that's the only duck person that she's familiar with. What was with his arms though? She thinks it would be rather difficult to do much.

"Hold the Darkness...?" She doesn't see her sister or mother here and they were certainly more fitting for such matters. In fact her power would be consider more Light than Darkness. Maybe that's why she only felt it weakly.

Riku has posed:
Riku focuses on keeping control of his expression. In some cases, this would mean NOT rolling his eyes at Negaduck. In others it would not be looking at the creature with the large and ominous looking firearm, or the giant mace. It would not be gritting his teeth at the whole one-upmanship of something as simple as an entrance (I.e hoards of 'gold' coins) he projects calm even though the darkness of this place was jangling his nerves.

He doesn't feel like he belongs here. He has very little in common with any of these assembled fiends except that he answered the call. He doesn't see Maleficient amongst the gathering, and that itself makes him think that 'unification' isn't going to work if she doesn't deign to show up. Maybe he'll bring this up as some sort of slight on her, just so that the forces of RUin will be kept busy fighting eachother a little longer.

Whatever Garland really wants, or what any of the others want, doesn't matter to him. Diablo, however-- has no qualms with further stirring the pot while Riku picks over his options in his head. The raven dives at Negaduck in a single fell swoop, grabbing for his hat while he holds Chainsaw in one hand and Bazooka in the other.

If he manages to get said Hat, then with it clasped in beak, the familiar then absconds with it into the higher reaches of the meeting room while cackling. Riku, drawn out of his thoughts by the activity simply raises a hand to his face, slapping it across his forehead and nose with a resigned sigh.

LEXUS has posed:
LEXUS' appearance wasn't for show. He's a program. It's not his fault he's completely awesome. LEXUS simply smiles at Negaduck's entrance. "Surely there was some... oversight... in your lack of call. There is no need to be violent."

He pauses. "More violent, than usual. Your blood pressure must be atrocious."

LEXUS is basically radiating smug in Negaduck's direction.

He does, however, stay on task. "Apart, we are weak. I am amenable to this proposal. It is beneficial for all involved for our purposes to be aligned. However, as one such organization exists already, I presume this is more of a statement directed towards the unaffiliated who hold stock in the power and nature of the Dark?"

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
The dark knight shrugs, as the words come from the old man.

"You know I am all for it." he says, he's easy going, hardly even high strung as some of the others here are.

Even as Negaduck makes his entrance, he looks only idly at the duck. "What is this, the circus?" he says towards Negs, before observing Riku for a long moment. "Sup?" he asks the young man, before turning back towards the others, laughing a bit to himself at LEXUS' sarcasm about the old man's blood pressure.

That's funny.

"Well, I'm always for helpin' out others...for a price." he says, towards the others. Garland...no the old man gets more than his share of freebies. After all, he's the one getting the service here.

Mica finally gets his notice... "And if I do anything for you, I better get real gold."

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
The pink-haired Reaper instinctively flies back a few feet when a armed to the beak duck bursts into the room. Now that was unexpected. Did everyone just magically decide to show up here at the same time? How strange. And sadly, it seems that no one here is a Player. This just might have been a waste of time. The strange outfits of everyone present eventually draws her attention once more.

Big Guy Garland - Meh. The billowing purple cloak is fantastic, but way too much bulky armor. Angantyr- Also meh. Maybe there was some bulky evil looking armor dresscode that Uzuki overlooked. Riku - Perfect. He gets it. He would be welcome in Shibuya (if it had still existed) anyday. Lumeria - Pretty Good. Uzuki thinks she has actually seen others wear that exact outfit around Shibuya. Thailog- Sheesh does Garland, Angantry, and him all shop at the same store? Talk about wearing some daaaaaated clothes. LEXUS - 0010101 out of 10. The robot body is kinda cool, but the image of a man in a normal suit? Laaaame. He needs to spice that suit up a little bit. Mica - Stylish. She can't really see this person's clothes very well, but she is just assuming they would be as stylish as their entry. And finally....Negaduck - Quacktastic. Uzuki knows nothing of duck haute couture and leaves it at that. The fedora is cool though.

Purplish blue eyes suddenly flutter close and then back open. Did someone say something? Uzuki was totally in her own little world there for a moment. She looks blankly around for a moment before finally remembering hearing something about working together or something. A mischevious smile appears on the Reapette's face. "This sounds fun and way more interesting than any game Kariya would think of. Count me in." The young girl sounds a little bitter here. Maybe its because that jerk Kariya hasn't been around much lately. This decision was easy one for Uzuki. More help means more dead people which leads to more Players. Thus, this eventually ends with Uzuki amassing a ridiculous amount of points and advancing through the Reaper ranks. Ooooh. She was so smart for thinking of this. As these thoughts pass through Uzuki's head, her smile turns a tad bit more devilish.

Thailog has posed:
"And you would propose this to us why?" inquires Thailog after a moment's silence spent surveying the arrivals, he cannot help but smile once he spots the Duck.

It was not difficult to spot the Duck.

This is what happens when you eschew the use of mundane things such as doors or other means of ingress.

"All of our disseperate goals aided by the others furthered by the spirit of cooperation and strengthened by our mutual resolve to all simply get along and help one another?" he wonders, a hand making some idle gesture or another while he speaks.

"Now of course, without a leader, such a thing would be far too unfocused. It would require a leader, someone strong enough to keep the others in line and bent to the shared task at hand." he points out, a claw seeming to prod a point in the air. "Now, this a bit of a... let us call it a exercise." he regards the motley gathered with another sweeping gesture, "Who here feels that they are the ones that would be needed to lead such a band? Show of hands." he calls, lifting his own for emphasis.

Negaduck has posed:
Those crazy, madden eyes scan each of the gathered folks. In a way, the predatory gaze is sizing up each and every single Shadow Lord or those who have been touched by the darkness in some way. Those eyes fall right towards Garland after a moment.

"Called by your hand?" He grunts, narrowing his eyes while his eyes drift towards Lumeria. She one of the many who are sized up, the glare locked onto her. "...Such goodness... I can feel it... I /loathe/ it." Those predatory eyes are sizing her up more. "Perhaps I shall show you the---..."

SUDDENLY, EL DIABLO MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN!

As the ravendives towards Negaduck's head, the egomanic growls and he focuses both eyes towards the invader. "Oh, no you don't!!!" As the bird dives out, Negaduck is activating his chainsaw. Considering how he's swinging it, it will look like a buzzsaw as hacks out at the raven.

Unfortunately, Negaduck has struck nothing but air. As he keeps swinging the chainsaw he will soon realize that the raven is no longer there /and/ his hat is missing. The bazooka is pocketed underneath the jacket.

"...Why, you..."

And then Vespar gets his attention, "What are you looking at? Never seen a DUCK around?!" Now, Negaduck locks a glare right at LEXUS again. It is a pretty murderous one. But then again, given that this is Negaduck, what else is new? That smug digital.... Teeth gritting, he is ready to explode.

However, he calms down. His chainsaw soon pocketed into that subspace.

He pulls out ANOTHER fedora and he slips it on his head.

*TTTTHHHHPPP!!* is given to the raven.

Negaduck turns towards Garland, considering the offer put out. "That is rather ideal..." Negaduck does consider, "It is true that we all have been divided."

At the terms of being the leader? Thailog's exercise gets the duck's attention. There is that natural urge to raise his hand.
However, Negaduck doesn't. No. He will calmly. CALMLY keep his arms down.
Sometimes, you have to play the game in order to get ahead.
"Perhaps so, but I think we all understand that there is a need to focus our efforts. We have too many of those who work of the Light... Those...." His eyes narrow, "GOODIE GOODIES! That go to foil our plans. SeeD..." His teeth grits, "...P..P..Power.... Power Pig...!"
He calms himself, giving that award winning smile.

"We should toss our selfish egos aside... and strive to make all of those that are good and just fall on their knees."

"Before they are flayed, scorched, stretched, tortured, and shot before us. And diced into pieces."

LEXUS has posed:
LEXUS, pointedly, does not raise a hand. "I do not see the need to be the leader of such a group. For one, Maleficent is the leader of the Shadow Lord organization and she would ill accept someone attempting to overthrow it. Second, if we attempt to pursue our agenda without supporting each other, we will be obliterated individually. Aggregate support operations will allow for maximum survival."

Mica Melchiott has posed:
As everyone else squabbles and shoots sidelong glances and simply IS NEGADUCK, Mica's shadow simply perches crosslegged on her pile of gold coins, idly rolling a few between her fingers to amuse herself. "If I may... I don't really have a 'goal'. I don't have any enemies hunting after me or parents I want revenge on. They're all dead! I'm simply in all of this... " She gestures, flinging a few gold coins wide. "For my own amusement. And I have plenty, plenty of money to throw around. It's really no object. So if you've got something... Fun planned, well, I can always use a laugh. I mean, I can't always be center stage, but it's best to bet on the winning horse, right?"

Her weird smile grows wider as she looks at Garland's Apprentice. "If you want to bite it or something cliche, go for it. That's solid gold, kiddo~!"

Garland has posed:
"Correct," Garland observes at LEXUS. "Those of us who are already bound under a banner may be united, but we are hardly the only ones who wield the Darkness, nor the only ones who seek its power for their own goals. Their goals may be disparate, varied, but they are still allied with Shadow, and so I would open my invitation to them." Garland spreads his arms again widely, gesturing to the area.

"I would see all of us brought together as equals - not merely the Shadow Lords of Maleficent, but as a force of Darkness to make all ends meet." Garland waves his hand dismissively, folding his arms behind his back once more. He begins to pace, his massive metal boots clanging against the stone below. "The forces of Light are divided into organizations, but united under one banner. That is what I propose - not a new organization but a unification of our chaotic orders." Garland flicks his fingers out again, more symbols springing to life. The Shadow Lords. Alexandria's flag. Baron. The Lords of Gaudium. The Gestahlian Empire. These organizations have clashed in the past numerous times, struck against each other in public to further their own goals. Garland's fingers continue moving through shadow, manipulating them into a dark and unified flag before closing his fist over the darkness. When he opens it, it vanishes.

"I would propose this because it is necessary," Garland replies to Thailog, "Because eventually, our own infighting will bring us to our knees. Look at how we are already at each others' throats, ready to rip each other to shreds for our own greed. Even those of us who are allied to Maleficent cannot agree on a course of action."

"There can be no victory without unity. As long as the Darkness is divided, it will never stand strong. Our enemies know this. They will take advantage of it, slicing away at our forces and turning us in upon ourselves so that they may take advantage of that weakness in turn. So long as we fight amongst ourselves, they are stronger."

"As for leadership..." Garland looks at Thailog for a very long moment. He's completely silent; his helmet is emotionless, as all...well, giant metal hunks covering faces must inevitably be. He just stares at Thailog for a very long moment, then turns his head away and shrugs. "All that I seek is a united front. A method by which we may make known to our allies our goals and objectives, offer assistance, and push against the Light to crush it beneath our heels."

Garland nods politely at Negaduck. "Well said. So long as ego stands between our ability to cooperate, the Light will continue to prosper." Then he turns his gaze upon LEXUS. "I would propose that with your unique power, you craft for us a method akin to the bulletin boards of my world. A means by which we might offer each other jobs, objectives, purpose, and reward. I do not see a reason to force that which cannot cooperate to do so; rather, incentivizing our own cooperation ensures that everyone benefits. Something that can stretch across the worlds, not unlike the Darkness itself. Do you think you are capable of such a thing? Allowing us to organize in such a fashion, regardless of allegiance?"

"And remember," Garland observes at Negaduck, little more than a passing thought, waving his hand at Lumeria "If she came to my calling, then there is a Darkness in her heart, no matter how bright her magic may be. She must want something of the Darkness...and I am all too happy to provide whatever it is she seeks."

Lumeria has posed:
Of course there's something Lumeria wants. Well more then one thing of course, but a step at a time. Her attention turns towards the gold coins. Money's no really issue for her, but you never can have enough right. Still, she does her best to resist her desires. Transforming in front of them would be showing weakness after all.

"Of course I have something mind." Of course she's somewhat lacking the power to power to back it up on her own. Her attention then turns towards Negaduck wondering what he's referring to. "Power Pig? Is there a world with humanoid swine?" This gives her ideas as well.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr rolls his shoulders, giving Mica a smile.

He's friendly with people who can pay, until he extorts them.

Tialong gets his attention, wanting a leadership for the organization. He shakes his head...the choice was obvious...the response he was expecting to hear was not. He gives Garland a look, but shrugs...the old man knows what he's doing, he guesses. LEXUS also makes good points to which the dark knight shrugs.

"I don't care for another organization. I don't want to hold loyalty to anyone but myself." and Garland. No need to tell THEM that, but hey, "It gets in the way of being a Mercinary. If you want a leader, and the old man don't want it..." he says then looks towards Lumeria. "Her. She's quiet, and likely to uphold what the point of this all is for."

She'd also be easy for someone who really wants it to kill and replace.

Riku has posed:
EL Diablo strikes again! And appears to be making a comfortable nest out of the hat of a chainsaw wielding duck of hate.

He settles down, warbling to himself and appearing to fall asleep rather than pay attention to what is going on here. Such is the scorn of raven familiars. Riku glares at Diablo for a moment before his attention is diverted by Thailog's exercise. He crosses his arms, giving the creature a flat, angry look which tends to be his usual expression in these sorts of arrangements.

He's not liking where this meeting is going but doesn't see any way to throw a wrench into the works just yet. Not without making a hell of a lot more trouble for himself than it's worth to him. He picks up a gold coin. He looks at both sides, then looks at Mica with a brief flicker of recognition. He turns back to Garland.

"There's.. a problem with this plan." he starts slowly, feeling uncomfortable speaking but determined not to look uncertain or weak. "It reminds me of what others are doing-- but it's a pale shadow. The original works because they trust eachother to get the job done, and they don't nurse their private hatreds even in conversation."

At this he looks at LEXUS and Negaduck before continuing. "Either we give eachother things because it amuses us and it's trivial or when someone is given a real job and fails, then the infighting starts all over again."

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
Something inside Uzuki makes her want to raise her hand. She has been a mid-level Reaper for too long in her mind and had always wanted to become a Reaper Officer. This would be an easy way to the top since there is not that many other volunteers. Buuuuut, it would be much more fun to watch from the sidelines. That way, she would not appear to be breaking away from the Reapers at all and still be able to make her move when the time was right. Oooh. The mere thought of how many new Players that could be introduced is making Uzuki one happy super-powered dead teenager.

Huh? Power pig? The vast list of pig Noise runs through Uzuki's mind. Nope, no such thing. Could this perhaps be a new form or a Taboo Noise? These pig thoughts are interrupted by Riku's objection. Uzuki looks angry for a moment, but soon adopts her carefree pose and smile from before. That kid might ruin this! The infighting will just lead to more dead people which meant even MORE Players. A nearly clawlike hand is outstretched towards Riku. "What about him? He is smart enough to find something wrong with this plan, let's let him figure it out." Uzuki's mischievious smile extends from ear to ear. "Oh! And why not work together? What's the -worst- that could happen?" Everyone dies and Uzuki reaps all the benefits. Oh wait. That's the best thing that could happen.

LEXUS has posed:
"I can acquire the necessary materials, with some assistance. Xanatos Enterprises of Manhattan has begun establishing an interdimensional telecommunications network. IF we can gain samples of his technology, I can begin reverse engineering it to our needs."

LEXUS, by the way, could totally go for some more fashion, but he'd be a Pegaso man all the way. 'Power Suit' doesn't even begin to describe his preferences.

"So your proposal is to create an informal network that we all could take part in to support each other without sacrificing our personal loyalties. The question is really..." LEXUS looks to Riku. "How much infighting will we accept when survival is on the line. The Light seeks to obliterate those of the Darkness. There is no quarter given in the end. If you were called here, you have to understand that Light and Darkness cannot exist in the same place."

Negaduck has posed:
Negaduck managed to keep his ego hidden. Well, at least, as much as he can. Negaduck is capable of keeping his emotions in check when it serves a purpose. Truth be told, he knows that this cannot be done alone. Not that he'll care to admit it in those words, but even through his reconnaissance defaming Darkwing Duck's name, he has been able to scope out a lot.

"In my trips, I have kept a disguise of a former hero. One who had been a foil in my plans. Now, he is a has been. Nevertheless, under his name, I have used it as an opportunity to scope out many of the heroes that would challenge the Darkness. Many of them...." And then Lumeria brings up that name.

Those predatory eyes turn towards Lumeria. "Power Pig... a new hero that came out of nowhere. Her strength us unmatched, carrying the strength of a thousand men. Her jet thrusters allows her to soar into the sky. She almost reminds me of.... off..."

Gizmoduck.

Twitch.

"NUMBER NINETEEN! BRING ME A TABLE!"

And thus, a Bandit Heartless shows up with a table just for Negaduck.

Thusly, Negaduck flips a table in front of everyone.

"Ahem." Negaduck clears his throat, then he eyes Riku. A sharp-teeth ladden smile is directed to the lad. As Negaduck walks by the boy, Negaduck merely gives him a hefty pat on the back. "...Aren't teenagers just the most adorable thing?" The tone drips with acid. "Kiddo, you misunderstand. None of us hate each other... We're all friends..."

A thought bubble appears over his head.

. o O ( Negaduck stuffs LEXUS into a box, wraps the box in chains, stuffs the box into a safe and ships the safe to Abu Dhabi. Then, he grabs a button and presses it. A GIANT NUKE COMES DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS AND BLOWS UP ABU DHABI! )

"...Yeeesss.... Friends indeeed."

Thailog has posed:
Thailog's attention shifts from person to person. Was he the only one willing to admit that , yes, he is a self-serving bastard and wouldn't so much as hand them a shoelace if they were hanging from a cliff by the tips of their fingers if it did not directly benefit him?

His attention rests on Negaduck for more than a passing moment, his scowl deepening.

He does not like being made a fool of.

He exchanges stares with Garland. Maybe he could back himself up in a conflict with the armored man,maybe he was simply too full of himself to believe anyone could best him if it came down to it. Either way, he does not waver.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr looks at Negaduck, "So you're filing for the position of Jester for the new organization?"

Negaduck has posed:
Twitch twitch. Angantyr is eyed for one moment.
Negaduck loses it. Prettyquickly.
*CHICHICK!*
A rocket launcher and a gatling gun suddenly whips out.
"TIME TO SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!"

Garland has posed:
Garland tilts his head at Riku slowly. He stares at the boy, unseen eyes levelled on the child as he considers him thoroughly. He knew of Riku, of course; Garland kept careful tabs on the fiend Maleficent and those she consorted with (it was practically why he had deigned to join the Shadow Lords in the first place - to keep an eye on Maleficent's plans, and her progress towards luring out That Man). So when LEXUS answers for him without him even needing to lift a finger and observe, it makes his job that much easier. He waves his hand at the screen with LEXUS on it. "Exactly."

"I am not looking to command all of your loyalties. I am not looking to bend you into a single organization under which one rules and the others follow. That is not our way. We are greedy. We are arrogant. We exploit others for our own gain, and we are proud of this. We use the Darkness as the tool that it is; we are under no illusions about its true nature. Whatever form we take, we are powered by our own self-interest."

"That means that an organization built upon trust and reliance is pointless. It would fall apart instantly, as the boy observed. There would be no reason to maintain it, nor to pretend as if we can all get along - we cannot. Eventually, our goals will not coincide, and we will be forced into conflict."

"HOWEVER," Garland continues, waving his hand, "Until that time, it is far better to at least be capable of using ALL the resources at our disposal. Otherwise, we are fighting not simply the Light, but ourselves."

"Under this proposed system, without demanding loyalty or bindings, adhering to a simple set of strict rules and enforcement, we can trade objectives and rewards without being forced into a system that simply will not work. We are greed - we are the Darkness. But we can use each-"

As Negaduck pulls out his rocket launcher and his gattling gun, Garland moves. His heavy armor appears not to hinder him at all; with titanic strength, he takes off, leaping immediately between Negaduck and Angantyr. For a moment, it looks as if he might be about to strike at Negaduck, his gauntlets clenched tight into fists.

Then he turns around and punches at Angantyr's stomach.

"Do not undermine my efforts with petty jabs, boy. Our survival - our victory, MY victory - is at stake. The suvival of the Darkness itself is at stake."

Garland's iron helm towers over Angantyr. "Apologize to the duck."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr draws the mace, thumbing his nose at Negaduck as he weilds the MASSIVE weapon with a single hand.

"Over compensating for something little man?" he asks. "How about you settle down, or I'm going to eat good tonig-" then Garland happens. Interposing himself between the two, he isn't sure what the old man is about to do...

And then a punch to the stomach sends him reeling back, staggering back...

He coughs once, blood mixed with the spittle as he takes a moment to recover...a strike from Garland isn't something that is easily recoverable. The man hits like a freight train.

Slowly, very slowly, he rises, the weapon slides back onto his back.

"I apologize, Duck."

Lumeria has posed:
Her attention turns towards Angantyr with that. "You wish for me to be in charge?" Lumeria can't help but to ask. She may look frail but she's not quite as to bring down as might think. She then turns back towards Negaduck. A flying pig? She though that was merely a phrase. "You do realize he's not naive?" She comments on what Riku says before it's interrupted. "Are you two done acting like children?" If there's already tension between them, she doesn't know how this is going to work.

Garland has posed:
Garland nods, satisfied by the apology. He tilts his head backwards at Negaduck. "Then may we resume our discussion, as though we were civilized champions of the forces of Darkness and not merely common rabble and guttertrash for the Light to pick off?"

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
Uzuki joyfully giggles at how Angantyr taunts Negaduck and the now heavily armed duck looks ready to start the bloodbath. Talk about fowl play. Pleeeeease kill each other. The Reaper opens her hand wide to reveal a red pin with a black skull on it. She moves the pin to her fingers and watches in eager anticipation.

But then Garland has to be a big PARTY POOPER and....Uzukis suddenly gasps as Garland looks ready to strike Negaduck and then PUNCHES Angatyr. The Reapette hovers slightly up into the air and twirls happily around through the air in celebration. This is going exactly to plan!

And then things don't go as planned. Agantyr -apologizes-.

A now angry Uzuki floats back down to the ground and shoots daggers into Garland's back with her eyes. Lumeria gets a nasty glance too for her peace-making. It takes some effort on her part, but Uzuki feigns contentment at this turn of events. "Yes. Let's get back to talking," drones the teenager in a bored sounding voice.

Riku has posed:
Riku laughs. He can't help himself and it's just so happens that his control over his expression slips when Negaduck so arrogantly pats him on the back and gives a toothy smile.

He ticks it off in his fingers since someone gave him the magical words 'What is the worst that could happen' which is an amazing tool for any storyteller to use, because they can grab for anything that they want at this point. "What's the worst that could happen. Imprisonment, Ruined Fortunes, Ruined Opportunities." he goes down the list, taking a deep breath and regaining his control.

"You said nobody was going to be the leader, but you are the one who has to step in and resolve disputes. How is that going to work through the distance?" he swallows, and says in a quieter voice. "Light and Darkness.. may not ever be able to exist together but-- whose going to step in next time? Or the time after that?"

Garland has posed:
"That is why rules exist," Garland replies, calmly folding his hands behind his back and looking down at Angantyr with that cold iron gaze. It's a look that says only one thing: WE WILL HAVE WORDS LATER, APPRENTICE. Except in this case, Words might just mean a very savage and very uncontrolled 'lesson' for Garland to vent his fury through. "To ensure that someone is capable of enforcing them."

He turns away from Angantyr to face the rest of the group once more. "I would propose that we set down a set of rules for interaction with this organization. A set of guidelines, as it were - to prevent situations like this from cropping up in the middle of battle, or on a job. I do not personally care if you hate me and wish me to die, nor if you want to kill everyone else in this organization - but should you accept a job, I expect that you will follow through on that job to the best of your formidable abilities. I expect that those who post the jobs will be aware of the possibility of failure - nothing is foolproof, only stacking the deck, as it were. And I expect that those who break the rules of engagement will be punished...severely. Let us call those who ensure those rules Enforcers."

Garland spreads his arms. "I would see these Enforcers function to keep the peace on the job. My world, and many others, have trade guilds with similar rules - your business outside the guild is your own, but while working for the guild, you follow its rules. It makes the situation much more fluid, don't you think? More malleable, and certainly still rife with the conflict and exploitation we so crave."

LEXUS has posed:
LEXUS has nothing to add at the moment. He is standing there, arms crossed casually in the holoprojection from the robot, waiting with all of the patience of an entity that has a distributed consciousness.

He might in fact be playing Minesweeper in his head. The mines might have been replaced with Negaduck heads.

Suddenly, he has something to say. "There is a time for words and a time for action. I will, however, point out that those threats still exist even outside of an organized framework. They are, in fact, even greater unless you wish to hide under a rock, cowering and never acting. Such activity, however, is ill-befitting someone an adherent of the Darkness."

Negaduck has posed:
All weapons are suddenly stuffed in that subspace.
"Apology accepted."
Negaduck looks much more dignified, as if nothing had ever happened. One would have to wonder where does Negaduck pull out all of those arsenals. He doesn't even wear pants!

Negaduck looks amused at the folks who handle the rules being 'Enforcers'. "...And who are these enforcers comprised of?"

Garland has posed:
"Those who are strong enough to enforce our rules, upon each other if need be." Garland shrugs. "Strength is what we respect. Power is what we crave. There is no use pretending otherwise."

Riku has posed:
Riku folds his arms, eying Diablo as the bird wakes up and looks ready for another exercise in Hat Snatching to add to his growing collection. The teenager glares at the familiar, shaking his head slightly as he looks back to Mica.

He looks at the inscription on either side of the coin. "If we are not all going to hide under rocks, LEXUS-- then who supplies the Money? The Muscle?" he looks back to Garland, although that look of quiet fury makes him shudder. He would NOT kneel to scheming bastards. He would not show weakness here, even though at this point, he is pretty much screaming to run away very quickly. The fun thing about arrogance is you always expect the violence to keep happening to /someone/ else. So he finds some to hide behind so he won't start to cower. He probably would anyway if that look had been trained on /him/

"---and who stacks the deck, because that is what you are doing. Someone has to make the rules. Someone has to choose the Enforcers, and that requires even a sliver of trust--" he looks up at the ceiling for a moment, then back down. "We might all be competant, "he looks at Negaduck for a moment, then continues. "--even powerful in our own ways-- but we don't have that. Not even a glimmer." he gestures around to the room.

"Which you've already said yourself, means that it's doomed to fail if we have to rely on trust." he looks to the others. "Haven't we heard this before from someone else? This implied 'everything will work out' that we're not supposed to question?" he smiles coldly. "Did that once. It didn't turn out well. And if you suggest we all do it? Well-- we're going to be here until the End of the Universe, so we might as well get some chairs in here and be comfortable."

Lumeria has posed:
"Then what do you suggest? That we all part and go our seperate ways?" Lumeria wonders what Riku has in mind. "Since we're not going to get far work alone either." It seems there's going to be problems no matter what they do. She nods at Negaduck. That was another they would have to decide as well. Of course they would have to manage to get everyone the same page first.

Negaduck has posed:
"Robbing banks supplies the money! Tanks, Heartless, dumb goons supplies the muscle!" Negaduck snaps at Riku, "Haven't you learned anything from villainy school?! Do I have to give you another crash course on Evil Villainy 101?!"
Neaduck pulls out a pair of tiny framed glasses and tsks, "There are many ways we get money and muscle."

LEXUS has posed:
"There are other organizations within the forces of Darkness." LEXUS says. "Perhaps the leaders of these groups could become a council of some kind and allow us to organize at a higher level. Then all interests will be represented."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr finally recovers, looking towards Riku as he goes on his little discussion.

"Nobody said you had to join either." he says, calmly. "So you wana kill a thing before it has time to bloom." he says... "But to me...it sounds like you're either trying to sabatage this..." he continues, thinking for a moment. Maybe because you think it's a threat to whatever organization you belong to. OR..." he pauses..

"Because you're scared. The question is..."

He says letting everyone make the same connection, "Why?"

Mica Melchiott has posed:
Mica shrugs, finally standing up. "Look, all I am in this for is for fun. But I hate losing. As long as it's fun, then..."

One of Shadow!Mica's hands goes to her face, and 'tears' at the shadows, revealing the girl beneath it. Her clothes gain color, a red cloth scarf tied about her neck and a black silk top hat, with a black cape with little golden bells along the tips and playing cards suit symbols on the inside. Short black gloves, and a double-breasted vest with some tights and a pair of boots complete her ensemble. Her eyes burn with a performer's fire.

"Then I will back Garland. Wholly. This proposition is good business, and so I will not only trust him, but pledge any amount that doesn't ruin me to his cause. And that... Is a very large amount. If someone must decide the rules and who to carry them out, so be it."

She grins, sweeping her hands out to bow. "I will put my chips on the table, and show my cards. Does anyone else... call my bet?"

Garland has posed:
"Does it require trust? I don't believe that it does. I believe that it requires strength, that it requires an acceptance of order, but I don't believe it requires even a sliver of trust." Garland gestures at the assembled. "You are correct. We are all mighty. We are all competent. But there are those of us who work well as a group, and those of us who work well alone."

Garland nods at LEXUS's suggestion. His fury at Angantyr has calmed, too; the boy is picking up his lessons well. And it's only by his own will that he's remaining calm enough not to walk over to Riku and bring his colossal mechanical sword out of thin air and smash it down onto his tiny little face, grinding the giant smashing sword down into his spine as he screamed with fear for daring to defy Chaos, daring to defy the God of Darkness, the God of Destruction and Dischord, the all-powerful and all-encompassing eternal life that was Chaos-

But that will is mighty enough to move a glacier, to bend the whole of time and space for his own goals. Keeping in control is no difficulty at all, especially not in front of a group such as this. Showing weakness meant losing all that he was working so hard to gain; showing weakness meant jeapordizing his plan, which was admittedly merely one in a huge list of such schemes, but one that he found quite novel and interesting nonetheless.

"A council seems the most prudent means of dictating such reorganization. Those who are already at the zenith of the organizations will no doubt see the wisdom in this plan; the ability to continue our infighting while simultaneously moving towards our greater goals is a profit few can truly deny. A council of two, perhaps, from each order that joins. It is merely an idea."

Garland lowers his head at Mica Melchiott. "Your trust is most appreciated. I humbly thank you."

Garland is a ten-thousand-plus-year-old sociopath in a room full of people who probably barely push thirty.

He may not actually be humble, but he's quite skilled at pretending he is.

Riku has posed:
Riku chooses something that is somewhat the truth, even if indirectly. "Because I don't want to be caught in the middle when Maleficient decides to ask me what went on here. She didn't bother coming, or wasn't informed-- so yes. Getting caught between two implacable forces does make me wish for less complications. But.. If she wants me to participate, I will. Also," he looks to Lumeria. "If you aren't getting anywhere, don't assume it's a problem everybody has."

Garland has posed:
"I informed her. I will speak to her privately later." Garland shrugs his shoulders. "The lady may have been occupied elsewere with important work."

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
"Important people have important things to do and can't be everywhere." Angantyr says, shruging his shoulders towards Riku.

"So it's fear afterall." he says, no accusing, just making the point. "Well, whatever, I'm not makin' much here but being a guy who beats faces in and gets paid. The organization stuff is over my head, and over what I want."

Negaduck has posed:
Given the network that Garland has in mind... in all honesty, the guy has a good head on his shoulders enough to warrant interest from Negaduck. If nothing else, this will bring a lot of people together.

Negaduck is moving towards Thailog, giving him a hefty pat on the back. "Come on. Let us not worry too much." Negaduck considers, "After all, in the interests of crumbling the forces of good, I will add my support in this endeavor."

As long as this doesn't interfere with him unsurping Maleficent and take over the Heartless under his rule.

HIS! ALL OF HIS! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE HEARTLESS WILL BE HIS TO COMMAND! LORD NEGADUCK ALL OVER AGAIN! ...IN THE UNIVERSE!

Just like Nega St. Canard.

Riku has posed:
Riku frowns at that, but doesn't say anything else. He gestures to Diablo. "Give it back." he tells the familiar as they rouse from sleep. The raven familiar huffs, squawking with annoyance. "Yes. I do ruin all your fun."

The raven throws the fedora off the little ledge, returning to Riku and climbing onto his shoulder. He thinks 'I'm out of here. You all can have your delusions, and I'll keep to mine.' but keeps it off his face. He's more than certain things will be done, but maybe he can do more by speaking with them individually.

Of course-- to do that-- he'll probably have to take some of the jobs that appear. Well. He'll burn that bridge when he comes to it. He wants to get off of this one before it burns out from under his feet. "May I be excused?" He can be polite. Go figure.

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
Uzuki Yashiro is already an enforcer of the rules. That is what Reapers do for the Game Masters and it often leads to one of Uzuki's favorite pastimes, erasing Players. But sadly, this meeting is proving to be a waste of her time as no erasing has been going on. She could have destroyed that stupid Player by now and be already on her way to erase the next one in line. This whole thing is becoming booooooooooring.

Oh hey, Mica is finally revealing herself. Let's see here, red and black alone are overdone....but it does fit her motif expertly so she gets a pass there. Mica - Acceptable, but maybe should try a corset instead of a vest like a certain somone in this room. The talk of betting piques Uzuki's interest. Now we're talking! "Ooh, I love making bets, it makes everything far more entertaining." says the Reaper to herself mostly before turning her blue-purple eyes on those around.

This Riku person is still working to undermine Uzuki's grand scheme here. But, he hasn't seen through her faux suggestions so there is atleast that. And then there is Garland is acting like such a grown-up. Ugh. He would be way more interesting if he just focused on the killing people to turn into Play...to crush Light or whatever he was all about. "I think we should...." Suddenly, a cellphone rings. Uzuki turns now and answers it. How she gets cellphone reception on top of this Dark and Evil tower is a mystery to everyone. A flash of anger leaps across Uzuki's face as she slams her cellphone shut and turns back towards the rest. She smiles a sweet, fake smile now. "With all of our powers combined, we will easily crush anyone in our path. Who doesn't like the sound of that?" Uzuki loves the sound of that.

Negaduck has posed:
Negaduck takes that fedora back, switching out his current one with his previous.
Negaduck will soon have his revenge on that bird. Yes. Sweet revenge.

Garland has posed:
"I humbly thank you for your support, as well. It will make my case to the various leaders of our organizations that much easier." Garland straightens. Indeed it would. Just by displaying interest in such a thing, Garland could convince Maleficent and the others that it was to their benefit to support this organization and spread their own control even further. Enabling the bad guys to fight amongst each other and undermine their own efforts in a concerted, political manner rather than silly and pointless backstabbing encouraged profit, encouraged success; it encouraged a unity enforced by fear and success at the same time. And it encouraged the various leaders to begin complicated power struggles, thus busying them with...that.

Garland couldn't suppress a smile behind his helmet. Riku had made one critical mistake - he had chosen to play the game with Garland on an even level, instead of attempting to undermine him after the organization was built. He had drawn Garland's eye, now, and now Garland knew who to watch. Which was, of course, the other purpose of this meeting - to see who Garland needed to worry about in his future power plays.

Nothing without multiple levels.

"I am pleased that so many of you see the value in my proposal. With this, I am certain that we will be capable of gaining a foothold in the war against the forces of Light, inevitably bringing them under our heel."

LEXUS has posed:
"I will assist in creating the infrastructure required. I will also speak to Maleficent positively about this assembly." LEXUS adds. "This network will be of great use to all involved."

Or perhaps for some more than others.

"My research will be advanced with our communal efforts. We all benefit from this exchange. I would say that the odds are in our favor. The forces of Light are still poorly organized. IF we strike quickly, we can gain footholds that they would have problems surmounting."

Lumeria has posed:
Lumeria's older than she looks, but she won't be 10,000 anytime soon. "I can succeed with my plans on my own. They would go along faster with help though." That was true. "Well, you'll need magical support to be successful. It seems like the Light tends to draw more of those types." You're not going to find too many white mages willing to work with the Darkness, which was true.

Riku has posed:
Riku tosses the coin up into the air and then catches it. "Mistress of games. hmm." he turns to Mica. "I've been trying to place it, but I think I have an entertaining story to tell you. Maybe another time, perhaps." he opens up a portal and steps through it, disappearing from Mirage Tower.

Angantyr Vespar has posed:
Angantyr crosses his arms and leans back.

Their talk about power struggles with the forces of light doesn't make him worred or care too much...these things have gone on for thousands of years. He'll do whatever it takes to fulfill his goals...

"Tch." he says, to nobody in particular.

Uzuki Yashiro has posed:
Uzuki Yashiro's cellphone rings again. With a annoyed look on her face, she answers it. This time, it is a call about something much more closer to Uzuki's cold black heart. "Players?! Where?!" She demands of the magical piece of technology. CLICK. The cellphone is quickly shut when she gets her answer. The Reaper then extends her black wings and promptly flies out of the room and off the top of the tower without further adieu. She has already wasted enough time.

It's Player erasing time!