metalogs | open | the song of liberation

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open | the song of liberation

Who: Saint-Germain

alchepistol and you!
What: Saint-Germain arrives in the underworld only to be told she is much less dead than she thought. So she explores her new world.
When: October 30
Where: Underworld; Diadem; Around Central City
Content Warnings: Symphogear.

[ Eins - Underworld ]

Saint-Germain does not plummet from the sky of the afterlife so much as gently lower herself, her fall slowed by the glowing green magic circle upon which she stands. Such a descent catches the attention of those in Elysium, who approach as she touches down.

"A tremendous feat, madam!" the fallen heroes proclaim. "And the nobility of your bearing - welcome to the ranks of the heroes!"

Saint-Germain blinks. Turns away. Frowns. "I'm no hero."

This can't be right. It can't. This is unquestionably Elysium, from the legends her home culture borrowed from the Greeks. For Saint-Germain to have arrived here upon her demise, there has either been a mistake and she's been given laud she doesn't deserve - or a trick is afoot. That she might belong here is unthinkable. There are seventy-three thousand, eight hundred and eleven reasons why -

So concerned with her brooding is she that she's caught off-guard and swept towards an arena by a crowd of eager would-be challengers.

"My lady, cast the javelin against me!" "Nay, she bears a firearm! We shall have a match of marksmanship!" "I have confidence in my wrestling!"

Saint-Germain blinks. "I'm not - I...."

What is she supposed to do? These are all heroes. Virtuous and pure. The sort of person Saint-Germain could never bear to see injured. So how is she supposed to prevent this?

She isn't the type to ask for help. But from the wide-eyed, lost expression on her face, she could use it.

[ Zwei - Diadem Hotel ]

Eventually Saint-Germain learns that rumors of her death had been greatly exaggerated, and by dying in her world she's found her way to another. She finds her way to the Diadem Hotel, but instead of resting on the enchanted bed, she embarks on a series of tests to determine whether alchemy works as expected in this world, as well.

Thus anyone hoping to go for a swim in the hotel pool will find it....difficult. As the water is currently floating in midair, manipulated by perfunctory hand movements and the glowing of blue hexagons around Saint-Germain.

Freeze - manipulate - disperse - reflect. For use in combat.....Yes, she can test several aspects this way.

Saint-Germain sends the water gushing towards her in a torrent, throwing up a glittering gold energy shield to deflect the blow. The test of her shield succeeds - the water splits, streams on either side of her and leaving her unscathed.

Which is more than can potentially be said for anyone who had been standing behind her without her knowledge. Gangway!

[ Drei - Central City ]

Her alchemy is functional. As is her Philosopher's Stone. Even her alchemically perfect body remains intact. In short, Saint-Germain concludes she has suffered no ill effects from dying and being transported across worlds. Her abilities are intact.

And that's not all...

.....as she finds herself dropping the cup of tea she'd ordered at this coffeeshop in surprise, images flooding her mind the moment her hand curled around it. A factory - truck - the chatter of baristas preparing in the morning - the storefront demolished, repaired - and the cup still waited to be used, until finally, she'd ordered.....

Saint-Germain has scalded herself and she doesn't notice. Her brain is too busy whirring. Alchemy deals with perfect understanding of all things, yes, but never before has it taken such a form...so...

She stares at the fallen cup, now rolling on the floor. As soon as she snaps out of this she's going to start helping to clean up, but right now.....

"What....was that....?"

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[ What fortuitous luck. This just so happens to be Chris's favorite cafe in Central City. Her little place of solitude, where trouble definitely doesn't find her, and she can enjoy things like cake in peace.

~~Some of it's currently all over her face.~~

That's when she hears the cup drop. She's instantly out of her seat, rushing over to see if she can help out...and her eyes widen when she sees who is standing there. ]

Alchemist!

Edited 2022-10-30 00:26 (UTC)

[ Well, if there's anything that can yank Saint-Germain's train of thought off one set of tracks onto another...

And having a Metaphysics Puzzle to solve also calms her down. So while she gapes for a moment, her expression soon smooths over. ]

--You're here as well, Symphogear.

[ She studies the other girl. The Symphogear Wielder, Yukine Chris of Ichaival, had best not want anything too complicated. Saint-Germain has spilled tea on the floor. As the perpetrator, she considers cleaning the mess to be her responsibility. ]

[ Chris grips her sacrist, hanging from her neck. Dammit, she doesn't have her mask with her... ]

So I am. How the hell are you alive, huh?

That's under investigation.

[ She notices the sacrist-clutching, isn't offended. Saint-Germain has no intentions of picking a fight. The only thing she'd like to pick right now is some napkins, to clean her mess.....Best determine whether this will take some time. ]

What will you do about it?

[ As Cagliostro would say, "nailed it". ]

[ Chris is on edge...but then, Saint-Germain and her friends had sacrificed themselves for everyone's sake, hadn't she? Maybe she could afford to let her guard down a little bit... ]

Nothing, if you're just here for coffee. Or a snack maybe?

[ That came out far more sarcastic-sounding than she intended. ]

[ Saint-Germain is immune to sarcasm. (Which is probably how she's managed to spend 600 years hanging out with Prelati.) ]

In that case, pay me no mind.

[ ....She had been hoping for tea, but then she went and dropped it.

Saint-Germain, you are a disgrace to the entire Symphogear cast. You flubbed the "here's something hot" exchange. ]

Jason's at the coffee shop, hoping to get a quick order before he starts his nightly as the Red Hood. Between leading a gang and potentially opening a new bar soon, he has a packed schedule.

While he's waiting on line, he hears a cup shatter onto the floor and snaps his head to the source of the sound. The woman who dropped the cup appears to have scalded herself. But that's not what raises Jason's concerns. For a moment she seems zoned out. Then she snaps out of it and Jason overhears her talking to herself.

That... was odd.

Jason grabs some napkins from a nearby dispenser and walks over to her.

"Are you okay?" he asks, offering the napkins.

Saint-Germain reaches for the napkins, then hesitates. Is she in a position to risk those visions happening again, so soon....?

She decides against it, drawing out her own handkerchief (a few images swim to mind, but all of things she'd already known, as Saint-Germain tends to keep her possessions for a very....long....time). "The trouble's passed, thank you."

Yet when she kneels to clean the spill, she winces. Oh....her hand. At least it was only herself. No one else appears to have been splashed.

Jason sees that wince and reaches for his jacket's inside pockets for a band-aid.

"Seems like you kinda had a scare there," he says in mild concern before offering. Was there something she saw that the rest of them couldn't?

The band-aid is also eyed as if it merits Deep Thought. Before she can accept it, however, Saint-Germain needs to confirm something about this new world. Because now that she's added up the evidence....

"....Metahumans gain new powers upon arrival, don't they."

Upon being asked that, Jason realizes she must've been dropped off by the Confluence. This was probably going to be a major adjustment for her.

"Yeah," he replies. "No one really understands how but that's the one thing everyone dropped off by the Confluence has in common."

"I see." Saint-Germain looks down at her hand. "That explains it, then."

Glimpses of an object's history, caused by touch.....Psychometry. A not unfitting new skill for an alchemist, who desires perfect, complete knowledge.

"A new power of yours got activated?" Jason asks, curious. He's aware it's not really any of his business but he's always on the lookout for new metas who might stay in Central.

She nods. "It won't surprise me again."

Now, to handle this mess. The scalding she can heal with alchemy, but with her ignorance of this world so fresh in her mind she's not sure she wishes to display that. Accepting his handkerchief is the logical alternative, but -

No, best to use her own. She draws it out and concentrates on trying to dispel the images conjured. Middling success. She frowns.

Meanwhile, Jason watches the process with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Good luck. Something wrong?" he asks. Evidently there seems to be more on her mind.

"No, I..."

Wait. He's demonstrated an interest in being of assistance, and Saint-Germain has just had her own disadvantages illustrated beyond a doubt. If he has the time, she can learn more from him. Firsthand testimony.

"You've lived here a while, have you not?"

"Yeah. It's been several months now," Jason replies. He anticipates that she's going to ask more questions about how this world works. How recently did she arrive?

[ Hibiki is, frankly, tired. She's not yet at the point where there are bags under her eyes or anything, but still... she needs a break, and fortunately for her, she finally has a bit of free time between all of the rehearsals, pr stuff, and patrols. Her break isn't going to be nearly long enough, but she... mostly doesn't mind.

Still, it means that she wasn't paying attention when Saint-Germain enters the coffee shop... largely because she's got her head on the table and dozing off.

Then her wolfish ears pick up on the sound of the dropped cup, and her head suddenly shoots up. ]

A-Ah! W-What happened!?

[ She turns, sees that someone hsa dropped their cup of probably-hot tea over themselves, and is immediately on her feet and making her way over until... she does a double-take. ]

S-Saint... [ No way, it can't be... but, no, that's definitely her. ] Saint-Germain-san!?

....Tachibana Hibiki.

[ TWO OF THEM ]

Edited 2022-10-30 19:04 (UTC)

"That was you throwing tea all over my fucking pants, asshole." Bethan isn't even drinking in the coffee shop, just passing by on her way to the strongest black coffee she can find, which makes this really unfortunate timing for both of them. A font of sympathy for someone having a hard time, she is not.

She scowls, snapping her fingers in front of the other woman's face. That's not quite the look of someone dissociating, in her experience, but it's pretty close to it, which worries her - and when Bethan gets worried, she gets even ruder than usual. "Hey. You listening? You gonna get a napkin, or what?"

The snap brings Saint-Germain back to the present, and she's dismayed to discover that her accident had a casualty. Right. This - this isn't the time.

"I beg your pardon." She checks the other woman's pants, concerned. Of all the things to spill in surprise, a hot beverage -! "Were you injured?"

The question, as it always does, makes Bethan snort a sharp, bitter laugh. Were you injured? It's a question that's always going to be kind of funny, especially when the injury in question is a mild scald. She shrugs.

"Pretty pissed off if I've gotta walk around with wet pants for the next hour. Seriously, get a tissue or something, for fuck's sake. What even happened there?"

"I'm not certain." Saint-Germain produces a handkerchief and offers it to the woman. The images recur, but this time, she recognizes more of the scenes. That's useful, for drawing a hypothesis. "Further testing is necessary."

She can do so while cleaning up her spill. Time to procure additional supplies. Where are the napkins....

Bethan gives the handkerchief a look as though she's never seen one before, blinks, and then grabs it from the other woman's hand and scrubs at the wet patch on her jeans. Testing. Christ, she hates that word - and she hates, even more, how it piques her curiosity.

She sighs, still holding onto the handkerchief, and stalks over to the counter to grab a handful of paper napkins, throwing them down on the tabletop as she returns.

"Testing what?"

"New powers." Saint-Germain picks up one of the proffered napkins, unfazed by Bethan's attitude. Her fumble inconvenienced this person. Anger is only natural -

It happens again. Flashes of scenes set elsewhere, all the way back to a forest interrupted by the sound of logging machines. Saint-Germain begins to understand the nature of her ability, but not why it had suddenly manifested. It's not alchemy. She did not create it herself.

So, who....? How?

Yes, this means she's frozen for a moment again, brow creasing in thought. Social graces are not high on her priority list.

Luckily, they're also not something that Bethan has much grasp on, or use for. She isn't the most patient, but she is curious. Her own powers, such as they are, haven't changed at all. She doesn't much care about this woman's confusion in itself, but... well. Understanding this seems like it could help with understanding everything else. Understanding the guilds.

"Since you dropped into this shithole?" She worries at her lip, frowning, and then abruptly sits down at the next table. "Have you talked to the Alliance? Got the join us, we're totally trustworthy spiel?"

Saint-Germain now has a theory what's going on with her and objects, given that 'new powers' seems a matter-of-fact possibility for this person. This is proving to be a very useful conversation, and she is grateful.

As for the Alliance, however.....

When she begins to clean up her spill, it's with a dismissive expression on her face. But not about the spill. (She must clean that. At all costs. Her responsibility.)

"Nothing dogs of the government bark is of interest to me."

Now that's something Bethan can get behind. She snorts appreciatively, leaning against the chair back and looking the other woman up and down with renewed interest.

"I mean, yeah. If you're interested in getting told the truth, it's fucking useless. But if you're interested in knowing what they want you to think is the truth..." She leans in a little, suddenly intent. "You know they recruit people as soon as they fall into this world, right? They tried to recruit me, so I'm guessing they got to you, too. And then they tell you that the whole... dimensional portal thing, that gives people powers. Powers they want you to use for their bullshit. What does that tell you?"

[Standing nearby as he is, Otto's actuators react to the sudden movement without his input, lifting him up and safely out of the range of the spilled tea! Which was, frankly, a bit of an over-reaction - as he turns to see what's happened, he lowers himself back down.]

Everything alright?

[ Is that heretical technology? Though with people coming from multiple worlds, Saint-Germain supposes there are any number of scientific fields that will be new to her. This man's extra appendages startle her less than having spontaneously grown a new ability of her own. ]

Yes....Sorry to startle you.

I'll clean up now.

[ Cloth? A mop? There must be something....And if the visions happen again, she'll be ready to examine the phenomenon this time.... ]

It's fine. Let me.

[At least with his arms, no one has to get down on the ground! One of them darts away, delicately gets some napkins, and comes back to start mopping up the spill.]

[ Oh, but it's her responsibility.....Saint-Germain won't stop him, as it's not worth an altercation over, but she still feels negligent. ]

Thank you.

Sure. I've got hands to spare.

[He doesn't even seem to be paying that much attention as his arm mops up! He's looking at her again - she seems a little out of it, and given the area and the time of month...]

You new around here?

[ It's that obvious....Well, she supposes it would be, to someone accustomed to the signs. Saint-Germain sighs. ]

Indeed. I'd thought I understood the circumstances, but.....

[ Well, but then, smash. ]

[Ah, he thinks he sees.]

Did the Confluence give you something? That happened to me, too - it can be difficult to control at first.

[ She looks up at him with more interest at that. He knew...because.... ] Does everyone get this side-effect?

[ Having a concrete problem to work on is such a help. Yes, something unexpected occurred; so be it. All she can do now is learn more of the circumstances, and how this world operates. Such is an alchemist's prerogative. ]

Oh, no, it's different for everyone. Did it give you some sort of new power?

[He's used to people having to deal with strangeness surrounding those, at least; he had a bit of his own!]

So it seems.

[ Saint-Germain stands, adjusts her jacket. More flashes, more images, but - fainter. Because she's been a part of the item's history, shares those memories?

She'll need many objects on which to experiment..... ]

...it can be difficult to get a handle on the new powers, but I'm sure you just need a little practice.

[he has no idea what is going on with her??]

[ When Jayce comes to the hotel's pool to unwind, the last thing he's expecting to see is someone performing magic. He's immediately enthralled and doesn't dare interrupt, far more interested in the show and the glowing blue hexagons. It's so different from the magic runes and spells Hextech uses; those glow blue, for starters.

For the past weeks, and with the help of Miss Anima, Jayce had been practicing his powers, trying to master his shape-shifting ability so it didn't get triggered if he was startled. Most days, he has good control over it.

Most days.

Having a ton of water dumped on him unexpectedly is startling enough that he transforms by instinct into something suited to survive when wet. And so, where a second later there was a man standing, there's now a very agitated, very big, black swan. The swan honks once, very loudly, as if complaining about the treatment, still startled and flapping his wings to try and get rid of all the water. And then; ]

Miss, was that necessary?

[ There had been -

Ah. A metahuman power, is that? Or perhaps something native to his home universe. Either way, Saint-Germain had not known there had been someone behind her. ]

I didn't know you were there. I beg your pardon.

[ She lifts her hand again, and a blue hexagonal circle shimmers to life around it. The water now splashed everywhere withdraws back into the pool, including the water on the swan's feathers. When she's done, he'll be dry again.

There's no point in secrecy about her alchemy when he's already witnessed such a display, after all. ]

It's all right. You seemed busy, and I didn't want to interrupt. Were you doing magic? That was incredible.

[ He's got more questions because it's inevitable to feel curious after such a display, but then Saint-Germain lifts her hand, and Jayce freezes. He's not exactly afraid, but he knows it's a bad idea to mess up with people who can do spells themselves. Thankfully, she is kind enough to simply help him get dry. ]

Ah, thank you. I was...oh. Wait. [ Jayce doesn't immediately realize he's changed shape until he looks at his hands and sees black feathers instead. He lets out a soft tsk, and then shape-shifts back into a human, his clothes appearing on him as he changes. Or rather, he's standing there in only a pair of dark navy swimwear, since he was planning to use the pool. Jayce gives her a sheepish smile. ]

My apologies, I didn't mean to do that.

Edited 2022-11-02 11:26 (UTC)

[ Ah. It was involuntary shapeshifting but not from exposure to water. Fortunately, none of it fazes Saint-Germain. ] I didn't mind.

[ If you want to be a bird, by all means, be a bird.

She's also inclined, given centuries of habit, to be cagey about her answer in regards to her "magic" - some do call it that; "more or less" would be an accurate reply - but upon second thought there is no reason for secrecy not merely with this one person, but in this entire world. She is not a member of an organization who operates from the shadows to influence the course of history, here. She can live openly. Honestly. Without it compromising the chances of her fulfilling her ideals.

....That's a strange, and strangely pleasant, thought. ]

And it was alchemy.

"I have it! We shall see how she is at feasting!" cried one hero!

"Ah yes, perfect! Let's see if she has what it takes to beat the new champion!"

And with that, they begin guiding Saint-Germain towards a large banquet table...where they'll find seated... a fifteen-year-old girl surrounded by a huge amount of food, as well as a large number of seated heroes who all look extremely full.

"Oh, hello there!" the girl exclaimed. "Are you here to take part in the eating contest too?!"

"Eating contest?"

Saint-Germain is still putting all the pieces together when several pairs of strong hands plunk her down in the seat opposite the girl. None of the myths of the Fields of Elysium had mentioned anything along these lines. She supposes it's only to be expected that reports of the underworld would be incomplete....

In any case, what matters is not her prior knowledge, but how to navigate the situation in which she finds herself. Eating contest. Heroes. A certain....insistence.

"....I see. So that's how it is."

Just gonna be cryptic anime in your direction for a sec here, bear with her.

"Hm? How what is?" Mana blinked. Then she smiled, assuming this woman must be confused, and simply smiles as wide as she can.

"It's just like those contests you see at special events! Eat as much as you can and see if you don't get sick! But ah, I haven't heard anything about a prize..."

Oddly enough, that helps Saint-Germain prove her hypothesis. "The valor gained from victory is the prize. But I typically don't eat much, so I'm not a suitable contestant....."

She understands what is being asked of her now. But she does not think she can provide suitable entertainment for the masses of clamoring heroes. Why are they continuing to insist?

There she will find... Tsubasa. Truly, there is no reason to think that Tsubasa Kazanari has passed on - so how is that she's been plucked out of her life and thrown directly into a dramatic underworld out of ancient legend?

Also why is it another country's underworld? Why is she in Greek underworld?

Yet the now literally one-winged sentinel couldn't just brush off all of these jovial heroes, and, truth be told, the calls to challenge have tickled the back of her mind...

This warrior has a competitive side, and while her new appendage has changed her balance a little, her skills with a prop sword are still those of Tsubasa Kazanari, finishing a spar to cheers before noticing-

"...you?"

Upon recognizing the Symphogear wielder, Saint-Germain's expression changes to one of dismay. If this truly is an afterlife, then Kazanari Tsubasa's presence here - Kazanari Tsubasa's new appendage - all indicate future battles that went poorly. Had S.O.N.G., all or part, fallen to Adam Weishaupt?

She won't fret until she's sure she understands her circumstances better. But she can't help but look shocked.

"Kazanari.....Tsubasa......"

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open | the song of liberation

[ drei ]

you can take the alchemist off the arachne but you can't take the arachne out of the alchemist

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[Drei]

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drei

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joining the crowd on nummer drei

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drei

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[ Diadem Hotel - Swimming Pool ]

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[ eins ]

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eins

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