The Fourth

[fourth_rider]

[The expedition in Antarctica had ended well. Bits of the tomb's antechamber being taken by the attackers was the biggest loss.

However, that leaves one, glaring problem right after the mission: the Horseman, or woman, who is still very much alive. Efforts were made by Abel Meyers and the Metis Group to take her back to their facilities to study her, since it was a rare opportunity...]


"...that being said, we would appreciate your cooperation in this-"


No.

[But each time the request was made, the girl refused, and instead hid behind the closest UG member present.]

***

[Some time later, once everyone has returned to base, the eccentric head of the Metis Group contacts the UG once again.]

"Ahem! So, after some...careful deliberation, we've decided that it is best to leave the Horseman in your care. She doesn't appear to pose any sort of threat, and we have at least managed to find out what those pieces stolen from the tomb's antechamber were.

"According to her, they contain location information on the other tombs; like coordinates, only fragmented! Unfortunately, this means that Stigma now has access to them...

"Not to worry. The Metis Group will continue to decipher our own set of information through the scroll that started all this. This is one race we will not lose!

"In the meantime, excellent work. We will surely be counting on you again in the future, Unity Group!"

[Despite his cheery disposition, there is a feeling of disappointment coming from Meyers as he ends the broadcast.]

--




1. [Almost immediately after arriving, the newcomer is having a self-guided tour (read: getting lost) around the Unity Group bases.

Nearly everything seems to pique her interest, and a number of things, she prods gently. It doesn't help that she has forgotten her temporary ID card, though...]

-

2. [As for where that ID card is...it lies on the ground just outside Sakihama Base, flanked by a black scythe embedded in the ground, and a horse of a cybernetic nature.

Should one try to lift the weapon, they will find that it isn't physically possible, no matter the physique and means.

Whether the person is trying the above, or just approaching for another reason, the steed just stares at them quietly.]


...

Comments

1

[stupidhonor]

Ah. It is you.

[First she was hiding behind Sielje during the talk with Meyers, and now just wondering around.]

What are you doing?

[fourth_rider]

...

[What she is doing, specifically, is staring curiously at a coffee machine.

When Sielje asks, the girl looks at her, then back at the machine, as if expecting an answer.

However, she doesn't wait for one, and gives it a gentle poke in the corner. Nothing happens.]

[stupidhonor]

Just touching it will not do anything. Machines have a way you can activate them. A lever or a button or something as such.

1

[beast_of_scripture]

Um...I know you don't know your way around but...

[Considering she's been tailing him for quite some time now, almost always right behind him it's a bit weird.]

This is a bit...

[fourth_rider]

...?

[Clearly, she sees nothing wrong with what she's doing.]

[beast_of_scripture]

How do I explain this...

[The boy magus crosses his arms, for once he was really stumped. It was a situation that he did not know how to deal with. To top it all off...]



Tekeli-li!

[Something else was following Fyra following Theo creating a rather strange party...]

We look a bit silly...if you want a tour you could have asked...just walking behind me will make people think weird things about you...or so I'm told.

[The blind march forward...]

2)

[in_over_his_head]

[Yeaaah, Calvin's just internally freaking out here. On the bright side the horse was not a pale horse so the possibility is there that the mysterious horseman isn't death. On the other hand, she's still a horseman with a scythe so the likelihood is STILL VERY HIGH.]

G... good horsie...

[The inspector is just frozen staring at the steed, either too afraid or simply unable to back off.]

[fourth_rider]

[Calvin, you can swear you heard that horse sigh. And soon you find that it isn't just your imagination.]

Please think of how insulting that sounds...

[A deep, yet calm male voice comes from the skeletal animal. But it doesn't seem angry.]

[in_over_his_head]

[Calvin is now screaming very loudly... inside his own head of course. Though he now stands absolutely still.]

You can- I didn't know-

[Deep breaths Calvin. DEEP BREATHS.]

I... I'm really sorry for what I said. I didn't think you were...

[He didn't know how to phrase things next without sounding really insulting.]

2

[beast_of_scripture]

[Much later, Theo is inspecting the scythe, trying to determine if it was a magical artifact or advanced technology. He constantly writes down some about...all of this into a rather over-sized book.]

Hmm...

[fourth_rider]

[Theo's inspection is interrupted by someone speaking up.]


...The one who held back.

How surprising, that you've never seen anything like that before.

[beast_of_scripture]

It's a unique design. I can't tell if it was made with advanced thaumaturgy or by a excellent weapon smith. Maybe a combination of both?

[Talking mechanical horse...that's pretty normal for Theo. There's no overreaction from him, in fact he's used to things like this.]

Your master is much more powerful than I am...I was doing my best.

2

[dolorous_sensei]

*Walt is staring at the horse.*

So... I hear you're death's horse or something?

[fourth_rider]

It would seem so...

[Even if he isn't all that sure about it. This is still new news to him.]

Is there something I can do for you?

[dolorous_sensei]

(Walt doesn't seem to be surprised at all that the horse is talking)

Just want to say that I'm a fan of your boss' work.

1

[armowrpiercing]

*After a few prodding, Archie finally wakes up*

My Lady, if I may interject, it's totally impolite to prod a gentleman's backside when he's relaxing.

[fourth_rider]

...

[Hearing that, she stops.

And now she raises a finger in front of his nose instead.]

[armowrpiercing]

I'm not a newborn mewling, lady. Something like that... won't... get... my... attention... at all...

(He's totally absorbed with the finger now though)

1

[a_monetized_mind]

[In front of Jen, Fyra is poking at a television screen where some nature show is playing. Out the window, a cybernetic horse and a scythe have arrived.]

...This is my life now, isn't it.

[She walks up closer towards Fyra.]

Excuse me, do you need any help?

[fourth_rider]

...Help?

[This person asking her causes her prodding at the poor screen to stop.]

[a_monetized_mind]

[Ooooh boy.]

Um...Well, if you're trying to change the video, the controls aren't on the screen.

...My name's Jennifer, are you new here?

1

[lostamigo]

[Here's Daniel, operating a console with a buttload of unlabeled switches and buttons, connected with cables to the system on his mech's shoulder. He seems to be in his own world... Until Fyra tries to poke at the console at least.]

Don't touch.

[fourth_rider]

...

[Well, she stops right there.

And decides to poke Daniel's armor instead.]

1)

[mistaken_for_monster]

"Uueeh?"

[Interitus is booped on the nose. She remains confused as to what to do for a moment before she gives Fyra a cheerful smile and boops her right back.]



"Hee!"

....I think my heart really hurts right now...

[fourth_rider]

[Something booping her back is definitely new.

Fyra spends a moment staring at Interitus, before looking over at Volya, who appears troubled for some reason.]