Session 6: 1/30/13

BURNING AVARINE - ON DRUGS! ]

[LOCKE INTERSTITIAL]: Locke calls his allies Torrent and Crow to a meeting and reveals that he is a Vaylen. He tries to convince them that Vaylen conquest is inevitable, but if they cooperate he can smooth it over and make it less painful. Crow is angry, but is mollified by the promise that his daughters will be safe (and a liberal application of Torrent's Psychology). Torrent's lieutenant sees an opportunity for everyone on Avarine to "evolve" to be equal to the Psychologists.
[MARIS MOTHERFUCKING PSYCHIC DUEL]: Maris meets with Locke on a high point on Isla Tienne where they used to walk. She struggles with his argument that unity under the Vaylen is the true River of Fire, and tries to convince him that the Wheel must turn in place, unchanging things' basic natures. They are at an impasse, so they have a MOTHERFUCKING PSYCHIC DUEL. Maris tears into Locke's unprepared mind, but is buffeted by the sheer force of his will and the happy memories of them together that he summons as weapons. Ultimately, she shreds the flesh of his anima and tears out the Worm within, rewriting his Belief to "I am the Voice of Amilahk. I will convince my Vaylen sisters that they must leave Avarine to continue turning as it is, on the axis of the Wheel." (or something to that effect, +Rachel E.S. Walton, we were a bit loosey-goosey on the exact wording, though I like mine).  He then collapses into Maris' embrace.
[YVENNE BUILDING]: Yvenne analyzes shipping patterns and identifies one of Locke's gun-runners. She bribes her way into access to a shipment and starts tearing out "parts that look important."
[KESTREL BUILDING]: Kestrel researches how things have gone for humans on other worlds facing the Vaylen. SPOILER: NOT WELL. She convinces Lady Aruna to upgrade the Leviathan, her ancient Hammer patrol craft, and make it ready for war.
[CROW BUILDING]: Crow meets with Lady Amara, one of the other pro-Kestrel nobles, and leaves her with Torrent to be mind-fucked. But Torrent fails, and she leaves in horror to be a pain in the ass later.
[MARIS COLOR]: Maris looks at baby anatomy books over tea. SPOILER: SHE IS A MULE.

MANEUVER ROLL: TAKE ACTION VS. TAKE MOTHERFUCKING ACTION.

Even though the Humans are down 2D from last round's Pin, they make 7 successes. The Vaylen make 6. Forces are massing. Invasion is nigh. Pro-Kestrel nobles begin recanting their views on the mediaverts. Sodalis are conveniently absent from the estates of anti-Ketrel nobles, exposing them to the full force of the riots Torrent stirred up.

NEXT: TENDER RECONCILIATION. MARIS TELLS EVERYONE HER INTERSPECIES RELATIONSHIP IS TOTES COOL NOW. LASERS.