EVENTS:

Rosa and Eigla examine the church entrance. The double doors are more than large enough to let the crane through. No demolition will be needed today, thankfully or not.


Meanwhile, Curie coughs, hiding the begginings of a smile as she sips her wine.

Curie: "Indeed. As you can see now, I am more than able to fend for myself, now. And aid you, when the need arises.

Oh! Uhm. What are your plans, going forward? I am sure I will be instrumental in making them come to fruition."

EVENTS:

Curie actually cracks a smile.

Curie: "Let's hear them all, then, and I'll tell you which is which."



Meanwhile, as Eigla and Rosa busy themselves with PREPARATIONS, they see a group of undead approaching from the west. Is it the scouting party?

They seem to be carrying a wounded plantman, its horse nowhere to be seen.

EVENTS:

Rosa and Eigla approach the group, followed closely by Pierre. The plantman is certainly in a rough shape: Large gashes line its body, and its bark armor is all but destroyed. Upon noticing the shieldmaiden's approach, its mask cracks in two along a vertical seam, exposing a mouth-like structure.

Plantman: "In the darkness. We meet, thing. Large. Crawls, and screams, and consumes.
Some of us, distract and fight it. Those, eaten. Others, ride past, to find what is beyond. This one, returns to warn.

It approaches. Slowly, but it does."



Meanwhile, Curie hums in acknowledgement.

Curie: "Feasible. All of those, I think.

This is an age of ashes. For all the power this Master is said to have, so far his forces have been primitive and disorganized. He is probably just one more delusional warlord, clinging to his rotting empire. In my time, Le Refuge conquered many such petty tyrants.

Similarly, the Garden proves life still perseveres, in one way or another. Even at the factory, several kinds of plants were raised. My brainmass holds a repository of agricultural techniques, should the opportunity arise to use them. It is unlikely the entire world would be as damaged as the ash plains.

Living people... I can't be sure. However, Pierre's apparent age matches my shutdown time. It is possible he is a survivor from Le Refuge's destruction, or was born shortly afterwards. The mountains would have shielded this area from the blast, so it could have happened.

As to a new body - I do not know enough about necromancy to say whether you could be turned into Meat. However. As I mentioned before, a Pattern can be stored in traditional media. It would be possible, if inefficient, to copy your emotions and memories into some sort of computer.

Though. Once said copy had been made, what would become of you? Would knowing that a non-flesh version of you existed, be enough to satisfy your longing?"

EVENTS:

Pierre frowns.

Pierre: "I doubt the cranes will be enough, or that she'll consent to leaving her chapel. Still, I'll try."

Rosa: "How far was it.
How far is it."

Plantman: "On foot, six hours. But, this one limps. It may be faster."

Grabbing the treeperson, Eigla and Rosa head over to the Garden. It seems to already know something is up, and is currently preparing for battle.

Garden: "It approaches. We, will stand our ground."



Meanwhile, Curie looks very displeased.

Curie: "Unacceptable. Flesh or not, you are Klimt. The original. I will not consent to losing you again.

...Neither will Emilia, considering she's currently hiding underneath the table to make sure you're okay. I commend her dedication. Even Peggy is listening in on us, at the moment."