Moments of Epsilon

[Creator_Drake]

"If nothing else, the fact that my soul was used as a template for the spirits to mold themselves should help a little..." Drake saw all the different reactions shift between each face on Myriad's shall: hope, distrust, confusion, curiosity. He wanted to assure her, make the fear go away but his words were-

"Perhaps it would be prudent if I answered some questions for the girl Drake." Blinking both Drake and Niri turned to the familiar voice. To his left stood a large tortoise black as ebony, eyes a soft maroon. A surprized gasp came from Niri before she enveloped the tortoise in a soft hug.

"Uncle Kuro! Its good to see you again."

"Likewise young Leviathan, it is good to see you as well." His voice was deep and gravely, sounding old yet it held a soft tone one would akin to a grandfather. Drake blinked before a small smile appeared in his face.

"Kurogame? This is a surprize, normally you don't manifest yourself outside of training. Are you sure this is wise though? You know what HE said." His voice held a tone of concern.

"I do Master Drake, but I feel I must do this. Those who join you must not have doubt or they shall falter. If I can help assuage her fears of myself and my counterpart, then it shall be worth it." Staring at one another for a time, Drake broke the standoff be giving a slow nod.

"Alright, but I'm keeping a focus on my output. You know how much it takes to keep you manifested outside my soulscape." With that he closed his eyes and entered a meditative stance. The tortoise gave his wielder a nod before turning to Myriad, laying itself on the ground while pulling his limbs in. Niri let go of him and sat back down in her seat.

"Now child, as my wielder had mentioned, both myself and my counterpart function differently than those other blades you mentioned. Our purpose is to be his shield and sword, his guardians and mentors. As both young Niri and the young maiden of light can tell you, not once have we ever held ill intentions towards Drake." His spoke softly, his tone wise and aura comforting like a granfathers.

"Do not be afraid to say what is on your mind young Legion, I will take no offence."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad yelped as the turtle spirit appeared, Mary smiling and bowing her head to him. The Legion, for her part, just stared curiously, pushing her shell aside to poke her real head out, as if trying to make sure she was actually seeing what she was seeing.

"Huh..." she said softly. She withdrew back in her shell, her shell bodies staring curiously at the turtle as she spoke. As Kurogame talked, Myriad frowned, all of her faces showing varying degrees of uneasiness. She did feel comforted by his kind presence, but still...

"...Forgive me, but while your purposes may be different from Nightmare and Elysium... to me you feel exactly the same in nature," Myriad said.

[Creator_Drake]

With what looked to be a smile, Kurogame gave Myriad a nod.

"I understand, and you are forgiven, though there is nothing to forgive child. What you feel is something I cannot change. If it were in my or Drakes power to change we would. I do apologise for giving you this unease unknowingly. Perhaps given time you may come to lose your unease of our presense, maybe after Drake has helped you expand your senses to better understand what you feel. Forgive me, but I must cut this short, for we are bound to keep our presense minimal while here. As such I will only manifest if needed once Drake has rallied more to his cause." Taking a moment to pause he gave each ultramaiden a look, the slightest hint of concern in those maroon eyes.

"Due to the agreement made Drake is unable to unleash our power until he has met with his adversary on the battlefield. Until then, you must be the ones to protect Drake where we cannot. Understand what it is that you fear, and the chains of doubt will become unshakled." With a final nod Kurogame faded from sight, as if he were never there in the first place. As Drake briefly stretched from his spot Niri giggled in her seat.

"Uncle Kuro is so cool, despite being a turtle."

"Tortoise Niri, he's a tortoise." Drake snickered as Niri stuck out her tongue with a smile, bopping herself lightly on the head. He turned to Mary and Myriad as he stretched his neck.

"He was right though, other than my adaptive abilities and sword skills, I can't ever use my full skill-set until I face Donovan. Which means I need a good team; doesn't matter how different your skill-sets are, I'm going to train you all till the point where the only Ultramaidens that can beat you 1-on-1 are the Primes themselves. And even then you'll give them a run for their money." Uncoiling his legs Drake rubbed them to get the blood flowing.

"Now then, what else would you like to know?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad frowned. She still looked uneasy, but for now seemed content. "I can't think of anything at the moment," she said. "Still... going up against Donovan... wow..."

Mary smiled. "We shall overcome him," she said. "I trust Drake with my life."

"Says the Recognized DemiLegendary..." Myriad muttered. Still, a hint of amusement crossed several of her faces. Perhaps this would work out after all.

[Creator_Drake]

Seeing the change in her mood brought a smile to Drake and Niri's faces. A contemplative look came upon her face however.

"Wait...Recognized?..." She took a thinking pose as Drake bit back a groan, he knew he'd have to deal with this but not now dammit!

'Here we go...' He resigned himself to the inevitable as a look of realisation crossed the Leviathans face, and was replaced with a pout as she turned her narrowed eyes upon him.

"You..." Drake only had enough time to toss his partners aside before Niri tackled him, taking them and the chair he sat in to the ground. He had little repreive as Niri grabbed his shoulders and shook him like mad.

"HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN!?! YOU'VE BEEN PLOWING ME FOR MONTHS IN BOTH FORMS AND IT ONLY GOT US TO DELTA YET YOU RAM HER ONCE, ONCE AND SHE'S IMMEDIATELY RECOGNISED?!? IT'S SO NOT FAIR!!" Drake could only hold on as best he could when Niri was like this. Although, the room looked kinda cool as the colours swirled...

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad began cackling, enjoying this greatly. Mary facepalmed, giving Myriad an annoyed look. She went over to Niri and tried to calm her.

"I realize you're mad," she said. "The bizarre coloration of the room that suddenly went into my vision when you started shaking him are a sign of that. But while I would not change it for the world, it just... happened. Neither of us could help that."

Myriad snickered. "Anyone who thinks that isn't going to help much, raise your hand," she said, several of her shell bodies raising their hands.;

[Creator_Drake]

Niri suddenly stopped shaking Drake, his head rolling to the sides as Niri gave Mary a slight look of confusion.

"Mad? I'm not mad; annoyed as all hell yes, but not mad. If I was, I'd be giving him the Straw Treatment till he couldn't walk." She stated simply as Drake came back to reality, flushing heavily at the mention of THAT particular move Niri enjoys. He coughed to relieve the awkward feeling.

"Ok, moving on. Mary, Myriad; what would be the fastest way to get to Mainframe's Lab? To face Donovan I need information, as much as I can get about him. Where has he attacked? What are the members of his team? etc,etc. And what better place than the one lab that possibly holds everything?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad shrugged. The effect was wavelike as her shell bodies all shrugged one after the other. "Dunno m'self," she said. "I've only ever been to the Pit or the Temple." She thought for a moment, and added, "And there was this one time when I went to Las Vegas..." She grinned. "I tell you, that is the sexiest city I've ever been to. She manifested a body for almost all of my shell's bodies, AND one that got in to join the real me!"

Mary didn't respond at first. When Drake's mind flashed to WHAT the 'Straw Treatment' was, she blushed so hard her cheeks bruised, a phantom pain entering her crotch. After a moment, though, she coughed, recovering her senses. "Ah... After the Titan Wars, Washington DC decided to relocate herself a few miles south. Lady Mainframe set up her Laboratory in the place where DC used to be. As for how to get there..."

Mary thought for a moment. "I wouldn't advise the corridors," she said. "Lady Mainframe has her entire Lab rigged against unauthorized teleportation. The traps instantly analyze, find, and utilize the best way to kill someone in under five seconds." She nodded. "It's very efficient. I've seen it."

"Front door it is, then," Myriad said.

[Creator_Drake]

"Agreed. Then what form of travel would you suggest? Would you be able to teleport us somewhere close to the front door so we may walk the distance? Or does Jeruselum have a teleporter to Washington the we could use if we asked?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Mary blinked, apparently having not considered that. She knocked on the ground. "Jeru? It's Mary," she said. "Is there any way you could transport us directly the Lab?"

A picture portrait of Jerusalem in her impressive battle mode appeared on the wall of the shelter, shaking her head. "No, not without transforming to battle mode, which would render me stupid and forgetful, and swimming across to the Eagle League," the Ragnarok said.

Mary frowned. "Well... then perhaps we can find another way... I would usually travel with Mother when we would visit her sisters..."

[Creator_Drake]

His soured a little at that, he REALLY didn't want to talk with Elohim so soon after what had had just happened. He turned to the picture Jeruselum.

"Jeru? IF I may call you that, what do you think would be the most feasable method for us to get to Washington? We have need to get to Mainframe's Lab but we can't teleport straight there thanks to Mainframe's safeguards.Is there anything you could suggest?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

"I do have an airport," Jerusalem said. "Tickets are cheap, and Elohim's daughters are always welcome there. Beyond that, I'm at a bit of a loss."

[Creator_Drake]

"Thank you Jeru." He turned to the girls, looking at each in turn.

"What do you 3 think? It probably is our best option for the moment." Niri, who had been looking curiously at Jeruselum's picture on the wall turned to Drake with a smile.

"Personally, I don't care so long as I get to travel with you and see everything I can. But I will admit, I wouldn't mind flying." He gave her a nod, before looking at Mary and Myriad.

"What about you two? I need your opinions too. That reminds me, Jeru? What kind of weapons policy do you have at your airport concerning swords?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

"Keep them sheathed and I won't have to eat you," Jerusalem said, completely serious.

"She's not kidding," Myriad said. "Ragnaroks don't let their airports get fucked with, for whatever reason."

Mary frowned. "Is that really necessary?" she said.

"I still remember the fight between the Limbecs and the Society in London's airports after they stunned her. If she hadn't come to in time and chased them off..." Jerusalem said, looking angry. "I don't care who it is. Fuck with my citizens, draw a weapon in my airports, and you're dead."

Myriad rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm up for flying. I'm not as shy as most of my breed, so I can dismiss the shell if need be," she said.

"And... as embarassing as it is to admit," she said, "I'll be allowed to get on simply BECAUSE I'm a DemiLegendary. It's rare to see us in a Tamer's harem, so we'll probably be gawked at a lot..."

[Creator_Drake]

"Alright, I can respect that Jeru. Unless someone else tries to fuck with anyone my swords won't be drawn." He gave the picture a nod of respect before turning to Mary.

"I think I understand. So long as some idiot doesn't try throwing a ball at you, Myriad or Mary, I won't have to beat the shit out of anyone." Niri gave him a wide smile, knowing what happened the last time someone tried to even hit on her.

'That also means you two will have to be silent as you usually are until we've reached the Lab. But that also means no shocking me got it?' He got a begrudging acceptance from the spirit of the Great Sword and a much calmer one from Kurogame. That done he stood, strapping both swords in their usual place.

"Alright, to the airport it is then. Thank you for your help Jeru. If anyone is stupid enough to try something while we're there, consider my help as repayment for yours."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Jeru stared at him for a moment, and then shrugged. "If you say so," she said. "Just remember, my death threat applies to you too."

Mary nodded. "Can you transport us there quickly?"

"Sure," she said. Chairs appeared underneath all of them, a seat belt strapping them down. The ground beneath them began to move, carrying them at roughly the speed of a hovercar going the speed limit, heading towards the airport.

[Creator_Drake]

Blinking, Drake stared ahead as the group traveled.

"Ok Jeru, I must congratulate you, you've partly stupified me twice in the past hour. That isn't easy to do." Niri, sitting behind him, giggled loudly.

"It's true, there's been many situations that neither Master or I suspected yet it didn't effect him like you have Jeru." Falling into a giggling fit she sat back. Drake chuckled as he got himself comfortable.

"I gotta admit, I've met a lot of people as I've traveled, but I've never actually met a living city before. So this is a first for me. I'll make a point to come back so we can share a quick drink for an afternoon if we can. I bet you've got an interesting perspective on things." He was telling the truth, he actually did want to speak with Jeruselum if he could; the whole concept behind the Ragnarok's facinated him. Hearing a snort behind him Drake craned his neck to see Niri with her arms crossed with a deadpanned look, no longer giggling.

"Oh, so you just want to come and talk with her and share a drink, I find that hard to believe." He looked back at her with exhasperation.

"You think I just want to come back here just to bed her don't you."

"Yes." Her tone was casual, as if talking about the weather. The speed in which she answered actually impressed him.

"Well, whether you believe it or not, I don't actually; not to say it wouldn't be nice. But considering the fact that I'll be getting a full roster in the coming weeks and months, I'll be having so much sex that any time I can get to talk with someone that doesn't include the Two-Way tango in any fashion will be a nice reprieve in the coming days. There is more to life than just sex after all, even in a world like this one; it's just harder to find." With a smile he turned back around, getting comfortable once more. Leaning forward Niri looked at Drake over the shoulder of his chair with a smile of her own.

"Like Gardening!" His smile Grew as he looked at the Leviathan from the corner of his eye.

"Very true. I'm still surprise by how much of a green-thumb you've got, despite your typing. How was the garden doing back home before coming here?"

"Good! Both the corn and peppers were ripening while the herbs just about ready to be picked. Still no tomoato's though, they just won't grow. Oh! The watermelons were coming in big on the other hand. I can't wait to try those when we get back." The smile was threatening to break Drake's face in half; hearing how happy Niri sounded always warmed him heart. He chuckled with mirth, he couldn't help it.

"I'm thankful for small favors then; with the time difference the garden will remain the same until we get back." Resting her chin on the top of his chair, Niri sighed as she wrapped her arms around him as best she could; the seatbelt was tight.

"I still don't get that time displasis or whatever you called it." Drake chuckled a little while rubbing one of Niri's arms.

"Like I told you, all it means is that whenever we leave home no time passes there while we do our thing here." She gave a pout while looking to the side.

"I get that, but I still don't get how it works like that." He shook his head at that; still the same Niri.

"Don't worry about for now, you will eventually." She made a sound at the back of her throat while shrugging her shoulders.

"If you say so..."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Jerusalem snickered. "You think this is something? Go to New Sparta. I swear, it's like War's battlefield over there," she said. "Ever since Titan Monsters raided her, she's turned herself into a training facility for all her citizens." She sighed. "As for the other thing... I tend to keep to my Mayor, but I do appreciate it. I wouldn't mind having a drink, though."

Mary and Myriad just listened as Niri and Drake talked, smiling to themselves for various reasons. Mary, sensing the bond between the two, was just happy to see them interacting and hoped one day to be as close to Niri as Drake was.

Myriad was just surprised that a superhero type like Drake would be interested in something as mundane as gardening. She shrugged, and waited until Jerusalem dropped them off at the airport.

When they got there, after paying for their tickets, one of the attendants insisted that the swords be bound for the duration of the trip...

[Creator_Drake]

Blinking at the attendant, he shrugged.

"Alright, that's not a problem, will I be able to keep them on my person while they're bound? Or must they be placed in one of the compartments?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

"You can keep them with you," the attendant said, holding up the chains. "They just need to be bound and supressed with these rune chains. And do not think we're singling you out, sir. All those with enchanted weapons of any kind need to have their weapons bound before we allow them on a plane. Standard league rules, sir."

Myriad, mildly distracted, watched a couple Skystars and Whirlers playing cards out on the runway. A fight broke out when one of the Whirlers, with a bad hand, spun her rotors and sent the cards flying.