Atolla walks into the square quietly, serenely even, and hops onto one of the
benches to lick his wounds from the latest hunt. "Stupid Rabites..."

Sunflash is, by the by, laid out on another one of the benches, apprently having
slept there overnight...if you could call it that. He just started up at the sky
for now, igoring everything and thinking. Hard.

Milo is sitting in his usual recruitment booth, bored but also a little more
nervous than usual.

Milo blinks as a lion... correction, a talking lion... walks in. But since he's
a flying talking turtle, he sees no reason to object.

Atolla looks over to the recruitment...and smiles a bit, hopping off again and
heading for Milo. And even starts talking in a light european accent! "Truce
Militia? Would you mind elaborating a bit on what it is you do?"

Milo says 'Well, we stand guard and protect people from random evil invaders
that show up a lot more than you'd expect. Also some police duties, keeping the
order and all.'

Atolla nods.

Atolla says 'Room for a lion, then? I'd like to be prepared if there are more
people like Antignarot...'

Sunflash mutters a few choice swear words, then jerks up like a spring-loaded
jack-in-the-box. Feet swing down as he comes to a sitting position to stare hard
at the fountain, tho obviously not seeing it.

Milo says 'Sure. I prefer people with... well, opposable thumbs, but those
teeth look sharp enough.'

Milo says '...Who's Antignarot?'

Atolla chuckles politely.

Atolla says '...A sort of golem-master from my world. Very nasty to deal with.'

Atolla says 'And if it's any help...well, before I was put in this blasted form,
I was a general for the army of my homeland.'

Milo says 'Umm...'

Sunflash closes his eyes, shaking his head. He slumps back agaisnt the bench
with a muttered oath before re-opening his eyes to peer about the area, this
time taking notice of people and things.

Milo says 'OK?'

Atolla shrugs helplessly.

Milo says 'But I've had... bad experience with people just walking in and
claiming to have command experience.'

Atolla says 'Fair enough. I'm not asking for a command position, I'm simply
letting you know.'

Sunflash gives a grunt, then stands and moves over towards Milo's spot. He stops
beside Atolla, clearing his throat briefly. "Speaking of bad experiences..."

Milo says 'Well, we do need some new commanders... Hmm?'

Atolla looks up at the newcomer, quirking an eye. Which is odd on a cat.

Sunflash says 'Milo, do you have a few mins? Something's come up. We can't do
anything immediatly, but still...'

Milo looks over at Sunflash. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Sunflash winces. Ouch!

Sunflash says 'Yyeah. Well...Remember how yesterday during the whole 'getting
axl and spider fixed' thing in Shrike I stepped out for a breath of fresh air?'

Milo is listening. He looks even more nervous now.

Atolla sits down, simply listening in. And he has the serenity only a cat can
pull off.

You say (OOC) 'Turtles aren't bad at serenity (= laziness), but these are
extreme circumstances.'

Sunflash rolls his shoulders, his right hand clenching and un-clenching.
"...Long story short, I had a visit from, ..well." He shakes his head. "Jango."

Despite the sign last night, Milo seems to almost jump out of his shell at the
announcement. "WHAT!?"

Atolla blinks, looking up. "I take it that's a bad thing."

Sunflash nods.

Sunflash says 'Yes. I've thought it over pretty hard, and I'm positive I wasn't
hallucanting or anything. And I'm also sure it was Jango, since he gave this
visit face to face...'

Milo fumbles for a certain plushie from... wherever he keeps his items, and hugs
the tiger tightly for comfort. "Any particular idea on what he, y'know, plans
to do? Other than scare us, I mean."

You hold A cute, cuddly, white and black plushie tiger in your hand.

Sunflash shakes his head.

Sunflash says 'Not a clue...all he did was say the standerd 'I'm back. Noone is
safe. Nothing can stop me.' Etc and etc.'

Atolla says 'Typical evil villain, then?'

Milo says 'Typical evil villain, except with deific power backing him.'

Sunflash continues with the hand clencing, the odd sound of metal stressing
being heard. He glances at Atolla briefly. "...He's a god. Immortals, we call
'em."

Atolla nods a bit, quirking his head to the side. "Sounds nasty. Sorry to be
ignorant, but I'm quite new here."

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Milo says 'Few people know of him, even here. I think we're the only two in the
Militia. Well, three now.'

Atolla says 'Oh, lovely. So any ideas whatsoever on what to do about him?'

Sunflash says 'If what I'm remembering is right, the only Immortal we know of
that's ever even -tied- Jango is someone called Arctic. And our only contact
with her has...disappeered.'

Milo says 'Well, there was Tenor... and Sarai.'

Atolla says 'Hm. What do we know about Jango? I might have an idea or two...'

Sunflash says 'Inde---Sarai? Who's that?'

Milo says 'Well, he controls darkness and likes spooking people and such.'

Milo says 'He tends to not take physical form.'

Atolla says '...Does he feed off of negative emotion or something?'

Sunflash shakes his head.

Milo says 'Not that I know of. He's the God of Night, or at least so he calls
himself.'

Sunflash agrees with you.

Sunflash says 'He's an out and out Immortal. I'm pretty sure they don't -need-
to eat or drink.'

Atolla says 'Not in the strict sense...I meant, does he gain power from negative
emotion? Or is it just a hobby of his?'

Milo says 'Hobby, as far as I can tell.'

Atolla says 'Hrm.'

Milo says 'He doesn't tell us much, besides reminding us how powerless we are.'

Sunflash says '...And on a related note, I haven't heard -squat- from Tenor for
the past half a year...'

Atolla flicks his tail back and forth. This is agitating him just a bit. "Well
then. No physical form, apparently knows dark magic, and apparently has
something in mind if we can't stop him."

Sunflash grats 'Pol.'

Milo says 'Exactly.'

Sunflash says 'I've never been really clear on if he wants to -conquer- the
world, or -destroy- it.'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Atolla says 'How irksome.'

Milo says 'I think it's the former, but don't quote me on that when the
subatomic structure of the universe breaks apart.'

Atolla says 'So...I'm guessing we need mages if we want to have a faint chance
of defeating him. Or sealing him.'

Sunflash says 'So, uh, yeah. Like I said, I don't think there's much we can do
about it at the moment, but you needed to know...'

Sunflash bows deeply.

Atolla sits down and thinks deeply.

Milo says 'All I know is whatever we need, we don't have anything near it now.'

Sunflash says 'Moon wizard at your service, apprentice of the now-missing god
Tenor.'

Atolla nods.

Milo says 'All we can really do is wait for him to make an overt move for us to
oppose.'

Atolla says 'How very, very lovely.Hrm.'

Sunflash says 'But without Tenor or Arctic around, there' s not much we can do
ourselves expect counter....like Milo said.'

Atolla says '...So be on guard for something happening somewhere, sometime,
somehow? Urgh, I hate these situations...'

Milo says 'Sentiment shared.'

Sunflash says '...Before I forget, you never explained who that 'Sarai' person
was, Milo?'

Milo says 'Jango's wife. Supposedly, in love with him but opposes his
villainous tendencies.'

Milo says 'Goddess of the Moon. And maybe the stars too. Umm, I dunno.'

Atolla says '...How interesting.'

Sunflash says '...I, see. Ignoring the fact that I can't see how -anything-
could love that dragon...how'd you know?'

Milo says 'Umm... well, actually, she took me under her protection. It doesn't
come up much.'

Atolla says '...Huh.'

Sunflash raises an eyebrow, then grins. "Kinda like Tenor and myself?"

Atolla says 'I see I've a lot to learn in this world...'

Atolla looks at Milo. Specifically, at his doll. "What IS that, anyway? It's
driving me nuts."

Milo holds out the plushie. "As far as I can tell, it's a divine favor from
Sarai. Hey, don't ask me. It wasn't my idea. ...But I'm not complaining." He
squeezes it some more.

Sunflash twitches nervously.

Atolla shrugs helplessly.

Sunflash says 'So anyway. Recap: Watch your back. I guess that's it.'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Atolla sighs.

Atolla says 'So...before we were distracted with the threat of an evil god of
darkness, I was signing up. My name's Atolla.'

Milo says 'Right. And you're a lion who apparantly knows army tactics. Hmm.'

Atolla says 'I was a human once.'

Sunflash says 'Dare I suggest Captain Rank?'

Milo says 'I suppose... evidence would be too much to ask?'

Milo puts stands plushie down on the booth's counter and takes out paper and a
pen.

You stop using A cute, cuddly, white and black plushie tiger.
You wield an ivory-white pen etched with various small cat designs in your
hands.

Atolla says '...You're quite the cat afficianado, aren't you?'

Milo says 'Guilty as charged.'

Atolla says '...I can't exactly carry any evidence, and I was whipped out of my
world before I could grab anything.'

Milo says 'Expected as much.'

Milo says 'Umm... I know of no real way to test leadership ability, short of a
trial period.'

Atolla nods.

Atolla says 'A trial period would be fine. Or working my way up the ranks.'

Milo says 'So... Captain of Truce Western Garrison sound good?'

Atolla says 'That works quite well.'

Milo scribbles some stuff down.

Atolla says '...Anything else you need?'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Milo says 'Well, I guess I should introduce you to the troops...'

Atolla nods a bit. "Always a good idea."

Sunflash follows out of lack of anything else to do.

You say (OOC) 'I don't think anybody is on to play the soldiers, except me...'

Atolla says (OOC) '>.> Well then?'

You say (OOC) 'We'll just assume Milo talked them into accepting you.'

Sunflash gossips 'Hey, did you hear? Those guys in the Western Garrison are
taking orders from a talking CAT now!'

Sunflash gossips 'Yeah? Well I heard it was a talking Lion. I'm not gonna argue
with one of those!'

Milo says 'You can get... umm... a collar with our insignia on it? Once we get
them manufactured.'

Atolla says 'So long as you don't try to brand me, or something like that.'

Milo says 'Nah. Incidentally, neither will we brand Aile or Spider.'

Sunflash grumbles.

Sunflash says 'Spoilsport.'

Atolla says 'Would it surprise you much if I said I'd never heard of them?'

Milo says 'Aile is in charge of the Northern Garrison right now.'

Sunflash says 'Come on, you -know- Aile deserves it!'

Sunflash nods.

Polaris says 'Now, what are you lot fussing about?'

Atolla looks at Polaris.

Atolla blinks in utter disbelief.

Atolla says '....Did the star talk?'

Polaris says 'Why yes, I did.'

Polaris is nothing more than a floating star.
Er...that happens to wear clothes.

Polaris says 'Now stop staring and answer my question.'

Sunflash turns his head to glance at this.... Star? "...Better question: Who in
the nine hells are you?

Polaris says 'Ah, well my name is Polaris.'

Polaris says 'Funny story how this happened, really...'

Atolla says '...Huh. Well, I've just signed up to be the commander of the
Western Garrison.'

Polaris says 'You all probably would not want to hear it, though.'

Sunflash raises his eyebrows. "Uh-huh. I'm sure."

Polaris says 'The Western Garrison, eh?'

Atolla nods.

Polaris says 'What would that be?'

Polaris says 'Tell me again, what is this "Western Garrison" you speak of?'

Sunflash says '...Tell me again why I should answer a floating star, please.'

Polaris says 'Why? Simply because I asked.'

Atolla says 'It's...at the western end of the city. It's a barracks or living
place for soldiers of the militia.'

Polaris nods.

Polaris says 'Go on.'

Sunflash pulls at Atolla's side briefly, before whispering in his ear.

Atolla nods.

Milo says 'We're the militia, we protect people and fight evil and stuff! Are
we done yet?'

Atolla says 'Something along those lines.'

Polaris says 'If you're in a hurry, then I don't see why not.'

Sunflash says 'So any reason we're playing 20 questions?'

Polaris says 'Oh, just an old esper looking to quench his thirst for knowledge,
that is all.'

Sunflash says '...Sure.'

Polaris says 'Is there something wrong?'

Atolla shrugs helplessly.

Atolla says 'You're just an...oddity.'

Milo says 'Says the talking lion?'

Polaris says 'Yes, yes. I get that a lot.'

Atolla says 'How about you share the story of how you ended up...you
know...bodyless?'

Sunflash says '*mutters*Depends on your defination of the word wrong I
suppose...*/mutter*'

Polaris says 'Well, you may want to take a seat, it's a rather lengthy tale.'

Atolla says 'In my case, it was a mage that was angry he couldn't beat me.'

Milo says 'I guess frogs were out of fashion?'

Polaris says 'Hush!'

Polaris says 'Do you want me to tell my story or not?'

Sunflash says 'Out of season, more like it. Continue, scary star.'

Polaris clears his..er..throat?

Milo says 'Somehow, I feel turning your enemy into a powerful predator isn't a
very wise move.'

Atolla says 'Yes, well, he was rather insane at the time. I think he
mispronounced a syllable.'

Polaris says 'I used to be a fairly normal esper. I looked normal, I felt
normal, and had all the normal desires.'

Polaris says 'Then one day I started dabbling in the dark magics. Powerful
thing, dark magic. I became engrossed with it and spent all of time trying to
find new ways to increase my power.'

Sunflash says 'Uh-huh.'

Polaris says 'That engrossement soon turned into an obsession, and that
obsession into a lifestyle. I kept going deeper and deeper. Until one day...'

Polaris beings to close his eyes slowly...

Polaris goes to sleep.

Polaris wakes and stands up.

Polaris goes to sleep.

Sunflash snaps his fingers, and Pol would feel a prod in his side.

Polaris wakes and stands up.

Polaris says 'Oh, dear, did I drift off?'

Atolla nods.

Polaris says 'Ah, my apologies. Right, where was I?'

Atolla says 'Studying dark magic.'

Polaris says 'Ah, yes!'

Milo says 'Some sob story about being consumed by your power.'

Polaris says 'Now, it became my lifestyle, until one day...I'll ignore that
comment...Jango himself appeared in front of me.'

Polaris says 'He told me he could grant me a power greater than all else in the
known world.'

Polaris says 'So naturally, I accepted the proposition. He failed to tell me,
however, that the price would be my soul.'

Milo says 'Oh, come ON.'

Sunflash says '...'

Milo says 'You couldn't see that one coming?'

Polaris says 'He snatched my soul and removed it from my body. I spent many
years wandering in a spaceless void.'

Atolla snorts a bit.

Polaris sighs.

Milo says 'It's the oldest trick in the book.'

Polaris says 'Then one day, Tenor came along and confronted Jango about keeping
my soul.'

Sunflash says '...Indeed.'

Polaris says 'Some words were exchanged and my soul, but not my body, was set
free.'

Polaris says 'And that leads me today. I prowl the world as merely a soul.'

Milo says 'Wait, so what happened to the body? Did Jango take that too? Damn
inflation.'

Sunflash says '...Tell me. How long ago was that.'

Polaris says 'I honestly don't know'

Polaris says 'Time is hardly a concept for me anymore.'

Atolla says 'So ages ago.'

Polaris says 'Possibly. For all I know, it could have been yesterday.'

Atolla looks to the other two milita members...

Sunflash punches a nearby bench, cracking the seat with his arm. "Damn it.
You're sure you have no idea?"

Polaris nods.

Atolla motions with his head to move a bit away. "Like to ask you something..."

Polaris says 'Go ahead.'

Atolla says 'Not you. These two.'

Polaris says 'Oh!'

Milo is all too glad to distance himself from Polaris.

Sunflash sighs, and steps to the side with the other two. "What?"

Atolla quietly says, "Think he'd be of any help? At least for information?"

Milo says 'Well, assuming he's smart enough to know anything useful.'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Milo says 'Which I somehow doubt.'

Atolla says 'I think we can treat him like an old man...useful, we just have to
ask the right questions.'

Sunflash shrugs helplessly.

Milo says 'Propose such a question.'

Atolla says 'I think I'd have to talk with him a bit more before I even found
-out- the questions. I can't just torture them out of him...'

Milo says 'Well, go ahead if you wish. I'm not very interested.'

Atolla nods.

Atolla walks back over to Polaris, smiling without showing his teeth. "So what
do you know about dark magic?"

Polaris says 'Nothing anymore.'

Polaris says 'One of Tenor's conditions was that I leave the dark magic behind.'

Atolla curses under his breath. "Lovely."

Sunflash says 'Smart move there, really.'

Polaris says 'However, I'm not completely useless anymore.'

Polaris says 'I do know elemental magic'

Atolla nods.

Sunflash says 'Which elements?'

Atolla says 'How...interesting.'

Polaris says 'Mostly anything involving water, but I can also manipulate fire,
winds, and the earth itself. I can even manipulate time in small doses.'

Atolla says 'Time?'

Polaris says 'Time.'

Atolla says '...I'd ask, but my knowledge of magic is shaky at best.'

Atolla says 'Hrm. What else did Jango require of you?'

Polaris says 'Nothing. It seems he just wanted me soul.'

Atolla says 'And your knowledge of magic.'

Milo says 'So... what are "souls" good for anyway?'

Polaris says 'I don't know.'

Polaris says 'Jango never revealed information to me.'

Sunflash says '...'

Sunflash says 'I don't think he ever does.'

Atolla says 'Of course not.'

Polaris says 'Which is probably best for himself.'

The call of a raven echos through the streets, its possition uncertain.

Atolla says 'Part of being evil is breaking promises, after all.'

Polaris says 'Yes, it is.'

Milo gets bored and settles back in his recruitment booth.

Polaris says 'Is that all?'

Atolla says 'Hm. I...suppose I can't ask much more.'

Atolla yawns.

Polaris says 'Well, then.'

Polaris says 'Shall I leave?'

A raven lands on a nearby rooftop, with no other sound than the flapping of its
wings.

Atolla says 'Yes...but keep in touch, hm? I think you've some interesting
stories to tell.'

Polaris says 'I will do that.'

Polaris says 'Then I shall take my leave.'

Polaris says 'Farewell.'

Atolla says 'Mm. For now, at least.'

Polaris bows before Atolla.

Polaris flies west.

Sunflash resumes his previous position of laying on a bench, clenching his hand
and staring at the sky.