The two showered quickly, already knowing their next point of action. Aleph, internalizing borrowed thoughts and feelings, was more melancholic than he ever remembered experiencing. Not even in the long time he had to seek these emotions out while stuck in Zhoravskaya. Contrastingly, Ravanaugh was both tired and extremely enthused. She had gotten everything she wanted and then some, even if it wasn’t the sum of what he knew. In fact, the idea that the depth of his knowledge went on further excited her, even if it would be some time before she could come up with a way to arbitrate the exchange.
As a result, neither really paid attention to the lack of barriers in the shower, each still lost in the mind of the other. The two remained absentminded all the way until they each left the shower to dry off, at which point the lack of towels broke them from their reverie.
“Ravanaugh?”
“Hmm?” The demon in question responded, unashamed as they made full use of the excessively large blanket the bed was covered in.
“...nevermind.”
In the end, he attempted to dry himself off with a spell designed for that purpose, and one that he could likely perform himself due to it being one Ravanaugh used… extensively?
He stared over at her, perplexed.
“Look, there are times for cantripping your way through life, and there are times where you should just enjoy velvety-soft blankets, alright? Go finish doing human things in the other room and leave me to my pleasures.”
In the end, he made the easy decision of just taking his clothes and doing as she bid, heading into the bathroom to resolve his ‘human things’. There… wasn’t really much to do, however. Attempting to shave using a fancy electric razor that was generously provided, he failed to so much as trim the follicles on his face.
“Ravanaugh?” He asked, half remembering something she knew, “Aren’t there razors for people who are permanently durable?”
“Yes there- pff, wait,” She looked over and took in the sight of the broken blades on the very fancy, very out-of-his-paycheck device, covered in as much shaving cream as he was. “Did you really just destroy a Minavo razor? Those things are rated for steel beastkin- you should be able to imagine what their hair is like. The company started making them as a peace offering, sponsored by the state in question. There isn’t much better out there.” He wilted at that, but then she offered an alternative. “You’ll just have to train your hold over your own soul, or else you’ll be constantly on full blast. Maybe a certain friend in that head of yours can help.”
“His name is Alec, actually. He’s me, but also with and without what may or may not be implanted remembrances.” He gave easily, “I see you didn’t get to recent memories. What exactly did you spend so much time looking at?”
“Well, I may have just spent more time than I should have in your memories about your… society.” Aleph was briefly confused by that, but then recalled his own memories of her. And, even before they began, she fangirled over earth culture quite a bit. It wasn’t really surprising that she would get stuck going over American culture.
“Well, I’ll have to explain on the way, then-” he paused, “Okay, wait. Where is ‘there’?” He suddenly questioned, and Ravanaugh guffawed.
“‘Where is there?’ he asks! Hells, this is going to need some explaining of it’s own…”
----------------------------------------
At ‘There’.
An obnoxiously large neon sign with the title ‘T’here’s Temporal Emporium’ shone brightly in the afternoon of the darko district of the city. Inescapably, there tended to be chinatowns in any city, where demographics tended to cluster together. In one where there was many, many different demographics, that was much less common.
“And so, there lay where they’re to find their T’here lead.” Ravanaugh said, extremely amused with herself. She was in an Onivan form for the purpose of blending in with the inhabitants, this time around.
“Seriously?” He replied, hands on his hips as he took in the advertisement’s lettering, currently casting a shadow on them from the top of a building. “I swear, if there’s someone in this city named “The”, I’m going to lose it.”
Ravanaugh’s amusement redoubled in a fit of childish giggles she couldn’t help but release from containment.
Before Aleph could think of a witty reply, said giggles were then cut off by a Specter at the door, at the top of a set of stairs that led up to it. “Ravanaughtilus, I can’t remember the last time I heard you laugh! Come in for the time being.” He wore a black vest over a blue and black collared shirt, the former scintillating with a small hologram on the right side of his chest that read, ‘Proprieter of T’here’s Temporal Emporium’, legible even at this distance.
Ravanaugh’s face turned serious, “No, no, not for them, not in a million years. Not even for one.”
Aleph blinked, turning to the store owner and then back at Ravanaugh, “Am I missing something, or…” Then ‘T’here’ began snickering, and Aleph reevaluated what he had just heard before realizing his mistake. “Ah. Now I’m not going to ever be able to look at that phrase the same way ever again. Tell me, Ravanaugh, do you just take out here to make people question their entire system of language, or are we going to do what we came here to do?”
Just enough mirth faded from the two of them for Ravanaugh to offer a decent reply, “Yes, yes- I know. And, yes, he knows exactly what he’s saying, he’s just messing with you.”
The dark elf in question nodded, “Yes, I’m very practiced with humans. English is a very funny language, and many humans shop here to extend their short lifespans. Just tell me what you need my friend, any who is recommended to here is a worthy customer.”
“Unfortunately, T’here, I don’t think Aleph is aging any time soon. Perhaps we should just focus on our primary reason for visiting.” Ravanaugh replied. Aleph was a little surprised at that conclusion, but he should have realized it on his own- it’s the Eternity Engine after all. It would be stranger if it didn’t at least mitigate aging. Aleph finished for her, knowing for himself who she was looking for. “Does the name Bohen ring a bell?”
The Dark Elf furrowed his brow, but only hesitated slightly before offering a reply, “Well, yes. They just bought something peculiar from me recently, perhaps I should just show you.” He stepped inside, and gestured for them to enter.
As they made up the staircase to the door, it felt for a moment as though they moved far slower than they should, a sign appeared up at the top, reading as “You must pay for any product you touch prior to buying! Do not use until removed from premises! Hold these words in your heart, customers.”
The effect ended, and the sign vanished into smoke. He looked to Ravanaugh for some kind of reassurance, but she simply shook her head as she stepped past. “It’s just a memorable warning. Come on.”
Inside, various things immediately caught his eye. There were the various shiny potions and injections that spanned on tiered podiums on the left side of the room, while blades, rifles, staffs, and other violent-looking implements rested above and behind the counter that sat at the back of the store. A pair of security officers leant against the left wall as they entered, and were armed with similarly bedazzling weapons of war. He had a faint idea about each one’s functions, but they eluded him slightly, as though on the tip of his tongue. He dismissed them, though, taking in the sight of a massive long necked skeleton that appeared almost as a loch-ness lookalike. It was suspended above the room and attached to the tall ceiling it offered, it’s visors for eyeholes staring them down intimidatingly.
Various odds and ends filled the centre of the room, comparatively. Gloves and clothing, pieces of armor, staff, and even normal items like unassuming flashlights. Then there was something that smelled distinctly like embalming fluid when he got even slightly near them, which he gave a respectable distance.
Their reason for coming was twofold- to buy Aleph a set of weapons suited to his choice concept of Eternity, and to find a lead on someone named ‘Bohen’, who bought a particularly rare and highly regulated item. This one enhanced the speed of a piece of tech’s functions when properly integrated, using Speed. While there were plenty of normal variants on the market, this one in particular was compatible with more mundane technology and was highly sought after for use in, say, the scanner. Their reason for being highly regulated was a matter of allowing the government to have a significant edge over potential threats to their systems, such as criminals. It allowed for much better integration of cheaper tech with more expensive thaumaturgic computers, technology, and enhancers- they were limited by the speed of the connection after all.
While Bohen wasn’t the one they sought, Ravanaugh guessed it was most likely either a fake name or a goon of theirs. This part in particular looked like a motherboard encased in crystal rather than silicone, forming a cylinder with dimples at each end. It was about half the size of a fist, really. The two were set on a purple pillow beneath a square glass case among many other parts, arrayed based on cost. These were near the most expensive ones.
“Legally, I can’t stock more than two at any given time. Even before you contacted me looking for transactions involving these kinds of parts, I found it awfully suspicious that they had a permit to buy both.” There set one of his gloved hands upon the case in question. looked over at Aleph, and squinted a little. “Hmm. For the sake of curiosity, what concept did you bind yourself to?”
Slightly confused, he took a moment to remember what he could about the man before deeming him trustworthy enough to share it. “Eternity.”
There raised an eyebrow, but it didn’t shock him, so that was a good sign. “Eternity is definitely a rare one. I’d know- I’m the primary dispenser of complementary weapons, artifacts. Something low in demand has to be matched in inventory. Not to mention, the life extension elixirs for Eternity are some of the most potent. Time, Haste, Cycle, Flux, and Eternity are a few of the types of Canvas weapons I have in stock. Eternity is the rarest by far.”
“Why is it so rare? It’s pretty powerful, in my opinion. If I was deliberately looking for a time-based concept, I’d have taken mine in a heartbeat.” Aleph and.
The Specter tsked, “It’s too vague. The further from definition your chosen concept is, the more difficult it is to strengthen it. An artifact, however, can greatly hasten your progress!” He finished with a glint in his eye. “I even have this mind-body one that-”
“T’here, he already has one.” Ravanaugh stopped him before he could go on a tirade about his stock of Eternity based items.
They gave a slight frown, “Well, please tell me you’ll at least let me sell him a weapon! I don’t remember asking for anything when you requested I disclose customer information, at least let me provide for your new apprentice! They’ve been eyeing up my whole stock since they came in.”
Ravanaugh matchinngly frowned at the word, “I’m not sure if apprentice is the right word, but, fine.”
The three moved onto the wall of weapons that was at the rear of the store, There setting up on the other side of the counter. “My stock of Eternity-based weaponry is sadly limited, but I can artifice a custom order if necessary. For now…” He grabbed a grenade launcher from behind the counter, and set it down, much to Aleph’s collective excitement and terror. “This is what I have.”
Data danced along his vision, and a small screen appeared from a badge set into it’s triggerguard.
Rankor Godwheel - Canvas Weapon
Stolen story; please report.
Manufacturing:
-Auto-Revolving USER-RECOGNIZED UNIT OF MEASUREMENT:[41.62mm] Combustive Cannon
-Rated for Shells and Grenades.
Concepts:
-Primary: Eternity
+The Rankor Godwheel leaves lasting wounds on targets, resisting attempts to undo damage dealt. Especially effective against Concepts, but functions against the mundane. This includes damage to property.+
Aleph scratched his chin as he read this one, “Is this… really necessary? Who do you think I’m going to be shooting with this thing? This sounds frighteningly lethal.”
Ravanaugh answered, chuckling “I imagine you would load rubber ammunition that would wear out targets that can’t simply get over the bruises they’re enduring. You should still bring lethal ammo because, against a target like you? It would be difficult to subdue without it.”
“I… guess you’re right. What else does this do?”
-Secondary: The Cycle
+Targets hit will be inflicted with direct, debilitating pain with each hit, scaling with each successful hit on the target. This effect fades over time, based on the target’s strength of will.+
-Tertiary: Stoicism
+Resists attempts to remove the Godwheel from you. Resists attempts to compromise the Godwheel’s Integrity.+
The Rankor Godwheel was developed on the eastern expanse by the Rankor Eastern Conglomerate to combat specific breeds of Thaumaturgic monsters that plague colonies. Common threats include; continually regenerating reptiles that swarm their prey; lupine bears that are unable to feel pain and have claws sharp enough to deform titanium; and a semi-intelligent species of kobold that possess psychic abilities and are infamous for stealing weapons and tools from colonists as well as destabilizing the internal functions of more sophisticated models.
Though born from the intention to protect colonists from a vast majority of threats on the frontier, is also extremely suitable for use in putting down feral vampire nests or suppressing violent protests in urban environments, each adapting to the extent of what ammo you use. Standardized shell design enables extreme viability in any situation, with the right preparation.
WARNING: USE OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLEMENTS WITH THIS UNIT IS A CLASS-B FELONY WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION. THE USE OF GENETICALLY-ALTERING BIOLOGICAL IMPLEMENTS WITH THIS UNIT IS A CLASS-A FELONY AND WAR CRIME IN ALL CASES. WARRANTY IS VOIDED SHOULD THE UNIT BE CONFISCATED BY AUTHORITIES.
“This thing is extremely versatile. It does look rather… utilitarian, though.” Aleph noted, but found his gaze scanning over the rest of the stock. “Hmm, how do the effects work? Do I have to have their concepts internalized, like I do Eternity?”
“No, but they’ll be weaker. And, Rankor cares more about the functionality than the aesthetics of the weapon, so naturally it’s going to look that way. That will resolve itself once it’s canvas changes, however.” T’here replied.
“Canvas?” He asked, trying to remember what Ravanaugh knew of them.
T’here took the question in stride, “You haven’t heard of them? You know, I had to personally artifice the Godwheel for it to be one- it was originally designed to stay stagnant, weak enough that those who don’t have a concept internalized can use it and still reap the benefits. This is because Canvas weapons, unlike other weapons, will change themselves based on the user’s perception of the concepts it bears. No internal concept means they can’t get them to work. Common ones like Speed, Power, and War may have better recorded and more consistent changes depending on culture, but ones like yours that are less explicit in their use are less consistent. The changes in the effects usually reflect that. The most variance exists in concepts like yours- ones that have less explicit meanings.”
“So, there’s a chance that it can just change mid-combat?” Aleph questioned.
Ravanaugh piped in, “Yes. In fact, most of the time it changes, it’s responding to extreme emotions from it’s wielder. You shouldn’t worry about that being a bad thing. While it’s not always a direct increase in power, it tends to be something that is immediately beneficial to the situation.”
“Hmm. I trust your judgement, I’ll need something else to support it, regardless. If one of them does suddenly become difficult to use, it would be invaluable to have a backup.”
“Don’t you worry, young man. I was just getting started.” T’here hefted a ridiculously massive hammer and handed it to me from across the counter. Red light ran up and across their sleeves just long enough for them to hold it, and once it passed to his hands Aleph found himself wondering how exactly he had even moved the thing as it nearly fell from their hands due to sheer density.
The hammer had a massive engine, similar to that of a rocket- duh- set into it’s back, with a flat rounded front for pounding into targets. Curiously, it had two, smaller engines set just below and on the very bottom of the handle.
“This… Isn’t this overkill?” Aleph sputtered, groaning even through the surprise of his coat automatically enhancing his strength just enough to keep his grip.
How would I avoid burning myself with the thrusters on the handle?
“Well, just read the ID. I’d never hand you a weapon I didn’t think you could carry.” T’here curtly replied.
“I asked if it was overkill, not if the rocket hammer was something I could lift.”
Ghakes’ Rocket Propelled Hammer - Canvas Weapon
Manufacturing:
-Uses a proprietary alloy with only as much give as is needed to endure the power of the weapon’s attacks.
-Powered by an internal battery, the Ghakes’ RPH can slam it’s full weight onto targets at a maximum force of approximately USER-RECOGNIZED UNIT OF MEASUREMENT: 55,672N-91,372N depending on which of the three compatible concepts is the user’s, the strength of said concept, and the user’s own supplemental force.
-Internal mana battery can store up to five charges, capable of being recharged from the user’s energy.
-Using a cutting-edge Psychic computational linking device, its thrust can be activated at will. Alternatively, a trigger is located on the handle that can be used instead.
Primary: Flux
+Inherently Toggleable. Stores the weight of the weapon for later, surging in mass for a brief moment when untoggled. Can absorb energy from attacks that hit you, but not the weapon.+
“May… I… activate it?” Asked Aleph, struggling to keep the heavy weapon in his hands.
T’here asceded, “You may. Try to… inflict your will on it? I’m not much for explaining it, I personally only know how to use my coat’s enhancements. It gets easier as…”
He watched as Aleph activated the concept after planting it in his mind and pouring ‘mana’ into the weapon, allowing it to become much more reasonable to hold. It was still heavy, but it felt like it had lost about a third of its weight.
“...you carry it with you.” T’here finished. “Well, they grow faster every day, don’t they?”
“That they do.” Ravanaugh smirked, giving Aleph a mildly lecherous glare as he was dumbstruck by how he could circumvent all manner of logistical concerns just through exerting his ‘will’ on it. He could, for example, launch himself with the hammer, and then untoggle it, reducing his deceleration without the drawbacks for acceleration. Fuck. Ing. Insane.
Secondary: Eternity
+Your cannot lose your grip on the weapon, and it’s more difficult for counters, parries, and projectiles to squarely land on the weapon+
“I can see the necessity of the first clause for the ridiculous engine attached to the back of it, but what does ‘squarely land’ mean? Like, a proper blow against it? It’s not exactly difficult to hit.” Aleph said, sizing up the hammer now that it wasn’t taking his full effort to lift it.
“There’s a reason I recommended this one for you. While it might not be the primary concept, it is the most powerful part of the kit, so having it as the concept you’ve internalized is incredibly powerful. It basically means any attack they couldn’t throw their full weight behind.
Tertiary: Time
+Rewind an action you’ve taken at 10 times the speed. You and your weapon retain the state they were in prior to the ability being used as well as during, but not your position.+
Originally a test model designed by the God of War, Ghakes, at the height of his power, it was left unattended as technology failed to meet the density and durability requirements for this weapon to be feasible.
The patent has passed innumerable hands over the years in the most complex game of political footsies imaginable, but HN Labs have provided the latest and greatest iteration of the Ghakes Warhammer, this time offering a highly synergistic and efficient set of thrusters that, if powered correctly, incur vastly reduced heat damage to the user, even at maximum throttle. The same can't be said for opponents however, potentially leaving both ends of this "blunt" force one to be reckoned with.
Ravanaugh let out a low whistle. “These are one of the most coveted time-related Canvas weapons, as not only is it outstanding in all situations as an offensive, defensive, and mobility tool, the resulting changes to it as a Canvas Weapon become rather powerful in their own right. It even counters the downside to the weight needed to sustain it's concepts, unlike the Godwheel. What I’d give to be able to use one…” She sighed.
Aleph turned up from the weapon in his hands and looked at her, “I’m… borrowing knowledge here, but can’t you internalize one of the concepts for it like I have?”
T’here shook his head, “Daemon are born with a concept already internalized. While they can have it switched, the only way to switch it is with a miracle from the God of Change.” He turned to Ravanaugh, leaning into the counter. “Based on your reaction, I can assume you to be a Daemon of Change?”
Before Ravanaugh could respond, Aleph interjected, confused. “Is it daemon or demon? It keeps changing on me.”
“That’s your translator having problems. It could be any number of things, but in our case? It’s because of the Exchange we performed introducing a lot of memories at once to our systems before they could fully process any of it. I’m having the same problem” Ravanaugh stated, the mention of the ‘exchange’ immediately drawing the look from T’here. “And, yes. For all the benefits being a Demon of Change offers me, it just isn’t compatible. I’m stuck, for better or worse.”
“I’m… sorry to hear that.” Aleph earnestly apologized, a little more aware of the cheat he was given.
“Don’t be. I came to terms with it a long time ago.” She gave T’here a glare, then glanced at the weapons available on the counter. “Speaking of, I’d rather not give you too many weapons before you’re fully trained to use them. T’here, I think I’d rather stop here. I can cover the bill, but do you think you could throw in a combined holster and unenhanced models for them as well?”
T’here came off slightly sheepish, “Well, for the Godwheel that’s simple enough. But for the RPH? It’s entire design is that it changes weight at will. If you want to get used to that without the taxing costs of the other perks, though, I can include a flat version, then whip up a second one which has the weights replaced with lighter versions, designed to function like the minimum weight for the enhanced RPH.”
Ravanaugh paused, “Maybe just the Godwheel then. He needs to get used to sudden changes in weight.”
“That’s definitely right. I can’t imagine being able to use this effectively in combat if…” Aleph went silent as the idea suddenly pressed on his mind. “Combat? Are you sure I’m suited for this?”
“I know your full measure and then some, Aleph. You have what it takes to be an excellent mercenary.” Ravanaugh turned to T’here. “I won’t be negotiating the price this time around, so please just forward the bill for them to the bank. However… where is the data on Bohen?”
T’here threw a look to see if any customers were watching their interaction, before handing over a small stick with something vaguely comparable to a usb connection- Aleph recognized seeing a port for it on Ravanaugh’s datapad, previously, without knowing what it was for.
“How powerful are your shop’s scanners?” Ravanaugh questioned.
“Well, let’s just say they’re up to the legal limit… and then some. You should have no trouble tracking where they went using it. Oh, speaking of which, please tell me you at least have the scanner sealed and spoofed if you didn’t just turn it in to the government?”
“Of course I did.” Ravanaugh huffed, not specifying which of the two.
Aleph scrunched his forehead at hearing that, but ‘remembered’ the problem. The government wasn’t dumb enough to just trust all who used them would be kind in who they sold them to or the amount, so they tacked on a heavy fine if the item in question wasn’t sending out a signal that allowed them to track them. If it went offline, they’d know exactly who sold it and to whom based on the signal in question, which would end up letting their target know they’re on their trail faster than they would want. The answer to this problem was hooking up a spoofed series of emitters that “moved” and having the original sealed if it wasn’t being actively used, so as to keep them from investigating until it couldn’t tip them off.
This wasn’t foolproof, however. The government, again, wasn’t stupid. They knew the signs of meddling and agents would be onto their red herrings soon enough.
As they concluded the transaction and stepped out of the store and into another cab, Aleph suddenly felt the weight of the timer they were under sink in. He’d have to get used to his newfound weapons, and quickly.
Active combat. The idea terrifies me, but… let’s see what it’s like.