private The Æther Project

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

Maud seemed un-moved by the newfound voice. It seemed that her personality was not quite a mask as one would think. But how she actually thinks, and views the world. Given all the strangeness of the world, she was unphased by it. "I see, there is...much worse within this world. Be aware." even mentally, Maud didn't have much to say. 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

Hmmm... a strange creature indeed... like stone, given life. Thanatos said before going silent. I shook my head.

What did you have to do that for...? I asked him.

I could see she was disturbing you, so I made it known to her.

Yeah, but... why???

Because I sense you grow weary of such awkward interactions.

I sighed before turning my attention back to Maud. "Alright, look. I can explain, but you do NOT say anything about this... yet. Got it?"

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

Maud nodded quietly. She didn't really seem to care how she was being talked about in a somewhat judgmental manner. Her stone cold expression remained. "If you had the right stone, you could rule all of Equestria." she would say mentally, it was the truth after all. Objectively. 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

I care not for such primal endeavors. I only wish to serve the one I am contracted to, nothing more, Thanatos responded.

I sighed. "Anyway... the voice you're speaking to, his name is Thanatos, and he's... well... he's a guardian spirit of sorts. We work together; I tell him what to do, he watches my back while I watch his, shit like that. I didn't to come him, mind you. He came to me, while I was bleeding out fighting off the spawn. Helped me up, drove off the rest of the spawn about to kill, then made a pact... that apparently doesn't break until I die, at which point he goes too..."

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

Maud raises an eyebrow. She understood what they were saying. "I am glad that he is with you then. You need it." she'd say and look away slightly, overlooking the clouds going past as the vessel moved in the air, provided that there was such a window or over-looking area.

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

I was at a disbelief for what I had just heard. No way she just said something like that to me.

"...What did you say...? Did I just hear you mock me...?" I said, slight irriation in my voice. 

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

For a second Maud seemed to not react. Then for once, her faced changed. She smiled a smug grin, only slightly. She was only doing a slight jest at him as if trying to be funny, yet that smug smile spoke as all that needed to be.

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

All I could do was stand there, mouth slightly agape, which turned into a slightly angry and embarrassed look afterwards. My face turned red and I looked away in silence.

It appears she as not as emotionless as she seems. Thanatos chimed in.

Shut up. I continued to look away, unable to face her.

 

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

Maud simply watches as he turns away. Then she took a step closer and pulled out her rock, looking at it as she was standing next to him silently. She was very much aware of how she embarrassed him. She probably enjoyed that.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

On 2021-03-21 at 4:49 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The stallion nodded sagely, "Aye, most a these lot can't tell, but this dirt is tired, overused, but it is what it is. Can't be surviving otherwise. I do miss the feel of soft wet dirt under my hooves, but such is a luxury we've given up to save the lives of hundreds of others. While I ain't much fer socializn, I am one fer knowin others are alive and well 'cause of me."

"You are a stallion of great knowledge my friend, and a good hearted soul, who can understand the need for the many, sometimes being preferred over your own. I truly, sincerely enjoy being in the presence of a kind being such as yourself. Earth Mother be willing, we will one day return to fresh soil, and find you a place of natural splendor, that you can call your own. A goal which we share, though I will not lay claim to grounds you would need, of course. It would not be respectful towards one who clearly deserves a lot of it."

He were perhaps laying the praising on a little thick, but it were somewhat rare in his mind, to meet others who understood the need of being selfless, even if you had preference to think of yourself. True saints were beyond this, and those deserved his undying respect, but the small, every day heroes like this, did also deserve adoration in his mind, as they provided the kindness needed, to keep the wheel spinning, so to say. They could not all be saints, but ponies like this, shoved that you didn't have to be either, to make a difference.

On 2021-03-21 at 4:49 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The stallion chuckled and shook his head, "We ain't never missed our mark before we had yer help, ain't aimin ta start missin now witcha help. Don't work yaself too hard, take ya time and you won't ever need to worry bout brusen 'em none."

"I grew up into literal slavery, and were worked to the bone from the sun rose, until long after it settled. I can assure you, that no pressure you could present me with, would make me think of those days as relaxing and kind.

Besides, I quite frankly prefer to stay active and working hard. My variation of evergrown, are biologically made for heavy duty, physical work, as we are evolved to deal with building our homes, or clear parts of the forest to gain lumber for it. I think the best way to relate to it in pony terms, is that I have a certain biological restlessness, that I feel the best with, if it is worked out of my system, rather than it being allowed to build. Work, or long walks, are the most common ways of doing that, though fighting were not unheard of. Nothing too serious. Just to get some of the excess energy out, when the weather were not feasible to work well in."

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@C. Thunder Dash

The researcher would carefully take the binder and stow it away for transport, "We'll see about that, if we could perhaps replicate your abilities it would certainly give us quite the advantage. And yes, the Spawn, those mindless husks of ponies that roam the wasteland that was once Equis, are our main enemy. They will stop at nothing to tear us out of the sky at Discord's direction. Keeping them away is our top priority as if the project fails..." He shook his head, "No sense dwelling on that. You're free to go, you're welcome to look around, maybe you'll be able to help with some other experiment? Otherwise, you could head up to the armory and see if the quartermaster can evaluate you for service."

With that the researcher would leave with the binder.

 

@Califorum

Dazzle had a bit of a bemused expression as she watched Spiral switch out for Trixie, "Not the first pony to develop a split personality, maybe you'll use that in your performances? Anyway, I'll be back later, try not to get into trouble."

With that she would leave, and she wouldn't return for about 45 minutes.

When she did return she had a young filly in tow who had a large dog following her, the dog (To be clear, a normal dog, not a diamond dog) seemed very protective of the young filly. Dazzle was speaking when she entered the shared space, "-s where we keep all the props and such for all of the performers, I understand it may be some time before..."

"Bisquik" the filly spoke with a subdued tone, she certainly hadn't made it this far unscathed.

The dog turned his head at his name being spoken.

"Before Bisquik is calm enough to perform like he used to, but you're welcome to come here any time you need. I'll talk with agriculture about letting you train in the livestock fields."

Bisquik moved between the filly and Trixie, clearly distrustful of her, if she were still here.

 

@Kujamih

It wasn't long before another creature walked into his room, she looked identical to the changeling who had just left apart from a slightly different coat and lanyard. "Hello there, Light is it? I'm Dr. Coxa, according to these charts, research sent you down here as part of a mental break suffered during the cycle? Care to elaborate on that?"

 

@Windy Breeze

The doe didn't want to get Serene's hopes up, nor did she want to dash them entirely, "Here, I'll right those names down and see what I can find. It'll take me a bit to go through the records looking for them, so I'll send you a message when I finish detailing what I find alright? If you can give me your room number I'll get right on that."

 

Plein was more than a little startled by Windy's aggressive entrance, retreating a few lengths deeper into the room to put some distance between her and Windy, and other than tearing up a bit she didn't say anything in response.

 

@Jack Baker @Califorum

(The strange disparity in technology in Equis has always been interesting to me. They haven't invented the combustion engine yet, and a steam engine would be too heavy for a flying machine.)

Each of them only had to wait a little bit before they got their replacements, almost like they expected them to be the first to tap out, being new and all.

(Also, language. Please stick to the ponified terms where possible.)

On 2021-03-22 at 8:43 AM, Maud Pie said:

"If you had the right stone, you could rule all of Equestria."

(I've got a few in mind that might qualify, some of them are on the Project right now.)

Given the small nature of the craft they were in, it was impossible for those nearby to not overhear their conversation, a nearby diamond dog chuckling, "She got you good there."

After about half an hour of travel they would set down rather softly on the ground. "Arms!" All those in the guard group moved to grab their weapons and hold them at the ready, "Pretty sparse it looks like, but we need to be ready. Get those perimiters up quick so the miners can get started."

With a mechanical clang the door started to open, revealing the barren Minostralian outback. Some of the dogs started to move the large crates while the guards spread out around the crafts, keeping an eye out for any spawn. "Eyes up, most of the spawn here will be flying."

Despite the warnings, the skies seemed pretty clear for the moment.

The next hour was spent setting up pylons that had the same purple glow as the antimagic rounds, supposedly it would keep the spawn from wandering too close on accident, as well as the various temporary shelters they would need until they managed to breach into the catacombs they hoped they were standing over.

 

@Blitz Boom

The stallion chuckled wearily, "Don't go spread'n that around no ya hear? Others might think they can get away with being lazy, let you do all the work if you let them. Sittin around aint never done nopony no good. That's why I always kept moving before, never staying in one place for too long."

After that, unless Brittle or Briar asked something, they would work together in companionable silence until an even tone rang out and the other ponies stopped, "Dinner time, you want to come with?"

[Maud Pie]

@Illiad Easle

To Dazzle she received a rather intrigued nod at the mention of the split personality. 

Trixie was still here. She had gotten done with looking everything over in this place minutes before. At the arrival of the filly and the dog she'd step back from the dog. Although, why would a filly be around with a dog? Seemed strange. Spiral said to Trixie mentally, that all was likely not as it seemed. "Little filly, what are you doing here? Where are your parents?" Spiral would ask the filly, but deep down she sort of had an imagination of what happened to the filly's parents. But still, she asked the possible dark question. She was a user of dark magic after all. She was suited to such things. All of the death and destruction she had seen...it never phased her once.

@Jack Baker @Illiad Easle

(In my eyes they had no need for 'modern' technology due to magic. So it all looks very 'primitive' yet is more advanced than one would think. Combining magic with technology is of the most interest to me.)

Upon the diamond dog's comment Maud would just give him a neutral glance. When they landed, Maud would walk out with the others and help whenever needed. She seemed to already know what to do, without given instructions by anyone else here. She would largely ignore the strange pony that Raze was. She was here for mining and geology in her mind, and that was of utmost focus. Should Raze approach her, she wouldn't stop him.

Eventually when it came time came she would equip her boots, harness, helmet, kneepads and other digging equipment. She was the first one to do so. She'd walk off to the side and motion the others over. "Underneath here is hollow. Stand back." she slammed the pickaxe a certain way onto the rock as she stepped back. The rock gave way and split open. There was a loud boom and creaking sound as the rock gave way and formed a hole for them to enter to.

She would look to Raze. "You first." she'd motion to the hole in an emotionless manner. She picked him deep down because, she was humored by that.
 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Illiad Easle

"I will give you this one warning. You must never try to summon any monster that has the words "Cannot be normal summoned/set. Must be special summoned by..." If you try to summon that regardless of the conditions, bad things will happen." Thundy warned as he headed up to the armory, gathering some electricity and making Trunks' sword appear in its sheath which was hooked to a shoulder belt.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

Light pondered, and gave a doubtful face.

" ....hmmm... I think i see where this is going...." Light said with disappointment.

" So you're the real Dr. Coxa? Because just now another changeling just came here and said she was Coxa and tried to magic drug me.... Didn't work and will never work if you are gonna try that as well. And mental break?  So your telling me that you guys do these experiments of yours knowing side effects like this happens?... Well that shows how careless and desperate this place is."

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum @Illiad Easle

After leaving the aircraft and helping out with whatever I could, I saw Maud motion for us to come near a certain spot, which she cracked open with her pickaxe. After the hole had opened up, she looked at me and said "you first". Because of course it had to be me.

I looked at her, then at the hole, then back at her. I shook my head, adjusting the sword at my waist.

"Hmph," was all I said to her before I slowly walked in.

Edited March 26, 2021 by Jack Baker

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker 

Maud followed him into the hole after setting a ladder  and other equipment.  She flicked on her search light. She began looking at the minerals lining the walls, thinking about the best course of action. She looked to Raze. "You don't know what we may find. Tread carefully." she'd say more as a warning and then motioned for the others above to come down into the hole.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

On 2021-03-25 at 6:13 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The stallion chuckled wearily, "Don't go spread'n that around no ya hear? Others might think they can get away with being lazy, let you do all the work if you let them. Sittin around aint never done nopony no good. That's why I always kept moving before, never staying in one place for too long."

"It is not my intention to take work from others. Merely do my part, which I consider to be considerably more than what I would ask of a regular pony. Now let us procede in doing that part, shall we?"

Until the whistle blew, Briar would work hard at the job, just as he said. He'd quickly and skillfully, make use of his vines to pull up potatoes, judge them seemingly by instinct alone after he got warmed up, and sort them where they needed to be. If there were one he were uncertain of, it would float in the air in front of him, before getting throw towards the right pile, when he were done examining it further, but his vines did never sit still.

Brittle on the other hoof, would keep up using her own magic, to ensure that the potatoes stayed where they had to be, after they had landed. Effective teamwork, even if she barely did anything, technically. But it were something, and that mattered the most in Briar's opinion. It were about the attempt made, not the quantity of work one got made, when it came to Brittle. Why, she even very briefly hummed along, when Briar started to whistle a jolly tune after a while working, happy as could be. Though she stopped after a few seconds, worried that it were bringing attention to her, even if she hadn't been loud.

On 2021-03-25 at 6:13 AM, Illiad Easle said:

After that, unless Brittle or Briar asked something, they would work together in companionable silence until an even tone rang out and the other ponies stopped, "Dinner time, you want to come with?"

"Certainly. Just finishing this row."

Briar would hammer the buds on his vines into the dirt, and pulled up the potatoes in rapid succession, send them the right ways, and then finally, withdrew his vines into his body once more. At which point he'd let out a long, pleased sigh, and turn to his companion.

"There. I do not like leaving things unfinished like that. Let us proceed with a break, then return to finish a further area. I do not believe anything under a thousand potatoes harvested shall suffice. And I do only count those that the higher sentient creatures are eating in that. It makes it more interesting. Judging by how long it will take, we shall see if I indulge in going further than that, or simply set it as a record to attempt to beat the following day. Provided there are still some to pick."

A lofty goal perhaps, but he could pick up, and separate a potato in around three-four seconds flat. It really wasn't as bad as it sounded like, when taking advantage of his natural gifts.

Now, if it had been flower picking, it were a different story. They weren't as simple to be more or less *chomped* by his buds, and get through unscathed as the potatoes were, which would at worst, have gotten a minor peel taken off them now and again. Mostly because when he plunged the buds into the dirt, they took in the area around the potato, which granted, did leave some small dirt piled everywhere he wandered. But as the dirt would eventually get reshuffled, he doubted it would matter much.

He may also sound a little cocky, but truly, he were just happy to be doing some decent, down to earth - so to speak - honest work again. Been a long time since he were able to do that, and he could really feel that he missed it.

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

I continued to look ahead. "I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing. I mean, I survived this long in the wastes, so I'd like to think I'd know..." I said to her. "Besides... the moment something's off, Than'll sense it. I'm more prepared than you think." I was still a bit annoyed from the exchange on the airship, so I didn't say much.

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Illiad Easle

Serene nodded “My room number is 113. Thank you for helping me, Ma'am” he stood up. He had to keep his hopes high, Luna Light, Blue Wingtips, and the others could been in this floating city. Are they waiting for him or anyone from Richville to enter the city? They must been very worried like him.

...

Windy's stance seemed to loosen up “No, I don't" she finally noticed the scared filly. Caution turned to guilt and pity as she saw how scared the filly is. Shadow followed her gaze and sighed.

“Look at what you have done. You scared Pleid”

Windy turned to Shadow and smiled sheepishly before talking to Pleid in a assuring, soft, and kind voice, trying to coax the filly “I'm so sorry for scaring you, uh... Plein?”

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Califorum

Dazzle was surprised by Spiral's rather forward question, and was about to chastise her when the filly spoke up.

"They're dead."

The filly's comment deflated Dazzle a bit, but she continued, "Really Trixie, you shouldn't ask questions like that." She turned her attention back to the filly, "You said you used to have other dogs as well?"

The filly seemed more affected by that question than that of her parents, "yeah... Bisquik was the biggest." She looked thoughtful for a moment, "Do... are there puppies here? Ones I could train? It may be a long time until Bisquik stops guarding me, but if I could train new puppies... they could perform in a month I think."

Dazzle nodded, "I'll ask around, I'm sure we can find some pups for you to train." She turned more towards Trixie, "Now this here is Trixie, she's a new performer like you, maybe the two of you could perform together in the future?"

The filly looked unsure, but approached Trixie and stuck out a hoof, "I'm Pom, I train dogs."

 

@C. Thunder Dash

The researcher nodded, "We'll make a note of that, thank you."

 

His formation of the new sword certainly drew some attention his way, and those who saw it gave him a wider berth as they passed him, but no one stopped him as he made his way up to the armory. The quartermaster was sat at her desk doing paperwork when Thundy approached, "Another new one? This new batch is far more active than the last, if every cycle were this willing to fight we wouldn't need to cycle as often." She looked Thundy over with an appraising eye, "What's your previous combat experience?"

 

@Kujamih

Dr. Coxa looked a bit incredulous as she noted something on her paperwork, if Light could read lips he might catch her mouthing the word 'halucinations' as she wrote. "I don't know about that, but you don't need to worry sir, I won't drug you unless necessary, for your and other's protection of course. According to our records, no experiment was run on you, you were simply being observed to see your reaction to the cycle, which has affected some to varying degrees outside of the norm. Rest assured, we take every precaution when it comes to our methods, the last thing we want is for anyone to get hurt."

 

@Califorum @Jack Baker

Maud had broken through into what looked like a passageway, the walls were lined with faint runes and traces of minerals that had likely previously been used to decorate the place. The passage curved in such a way that they couldn't see how long it went in either direction, but they could see a few spots where it split off. Once a few of the dogs and griffons were in they set up a pole, fastening it securely before tying off a number of thin threads and attaching a spool to each of the workers, Maud and Raze included, "These minotaur labyrinths are notoriously tricky, these threads are strong enough that you don't need to worry about them breaking, and they'll help you find your way back. Everyone pair off and get searching, first one to find the vault gets the rest of the week off."

The others chuckled at the bet, but set off in pairs: a worker and a miner, in the different directions available to them.

If Maud and Raze stuck together and started walking they'd soon see for themselves the difficulty inherent in traversing the labyrinth, the hallways curved back and forth, upsetting their sense of direction, combined with several open chambers with layers of bridges, some of which were broken already. Despite all of it, there was no sign of anything living in the labyrinth.

 

 @Blitz Boom

The stallion chuckled as he listened to Briar, "There really is no tempering your enthusiasm is there? You're free to come back if you like, but the rest of us are going to rest, some of 'em have families to tend to as well, can't spend all day working. Besides, relaxing is important to a good balance in life. I know you might be used to it Taters, but you gotta think about what's best for your little friend there. She might like some of the entertainment up on top."

He spoke as he led the way to the same cafeteria they had eaten at earlier, "So, what do you two eat? Pony food? Plant food?"

 

@Windy Breeze

Serene wouldn't run into any difficulties getting back to his room, not with the same guides that got him to the records being able to point him the right way back where he started. His room would be just the way he left it, perfect if he wanted to give his leg a rest.

 

Plein seemed a bit skeptical of Windy's apology, "I- It's alright, I know the new ponies are usually pretty skittish when they first come aboard."

She gave Windy a bit of a berth as she moved closer to Shadow, "So, are we going to get food now? Or are you going to be busy with your friend here?"

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Illiad Easle

"Third degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, was trained by a pegasus...Major Thunder Dash of the Equestrian Military air force on weapons operation, and experience in weapon forging." Thundy said as he gathered some electricity and made a ball of energy appear. He then quick converted it into a fireball and forged a generic medieval type single handed sword for the stallion and held it out for him.  

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Illiad Easle

It did not took long for Serene to be back into his room. He sat down on his chair, thinking and wondering of whoat had happened to Richville at the time of the Canterlot Invasion. Could it been the town has already been invaded, was the town untouched and no one was aware of the large-scale attack on Equestria, or did they went into hiding in Mt Greenrock mines?

...

Windy seems to easily accept Pleid's statement and gave her a quick bow. Shadow smiled and turned to Pleid “Sure, let's go” she turned her gaze at Windy “We're going to the cafeteria, Windy”

Windy smiled “Sure. Have fun!”

[Maud Pie]

@Illiad Easle

Trixie would shake the filly's hoof awkwardly before looking to Dazzle with an almost surreal glare, and then shook Pom's hoof. Then Trixie made some sort of odd gesture and then grinned down at the filly, but it was not a grin directed to the filly. But at a distant memory.

"Trixie never trained dogs, but Trixie tried to train an Ursa Minor...it wrecked up ponyville pretty good and Twilight made Trixie pay for the damages afterwards...and Trixie was very sorry for what she did." she then looked away in shame. "Trixie only tried to...best Twilight but never could because of one simple reason...Trixie was alone." she couldn't help but feel her eyes water up. They could see that.

Then Spiral spoke up and looked to Dazzle. "Dazzle...whatever your name is, you should know that I have also lost everyone I cared about too." Spiral said.  "I remember you saying something about you saying I was a split personality? Let me show you that is not the case." she said, somewhat rudely as if wanting to prove a point. Trixie's body then jittered a bit and Trixie groaned in...pain? Or something? Then, she held out her hoof and there was a red ball on the end of it. It was Spiral's soul. It was a deep red color, it's color seeming to...draw in Dazzle's interest. It was something extremely unusual to see. It was not a ball in a sense of a solid form, but one of pure light that seemed to gyrate and pulsate in an almost sickening manner. 

"Trixie was alone until Trixie found her...Trixie studied her legend for a long time...a well forgotten one. But she resides within Trixie's body. Spiral Spell, is the former student of Starswirl who then..." Trixie droned off a bit, letting Dazzle and the filly see Spiral Spell's soul on the end of her hoof. Then just as soon as it came, it got sucked back in and there was a weird red shimmer over Trixie's body. Spiral was reabsorbed back into her body.

"Go on, say it now Trixie!" Spiral said, demanding Trixie to tell them.

"...then got lost in the pursuit of magic and ended up dying in an explosion when trying to craft a trinket that would contain her soul to live on forever..." Trixie added in a rather sad manner.

"I'm the oldest being you'll ever meet. I even remember when Celestia and Luna themselves were coronated! I was there as they were, myself! I even remember the time...he came about!" Spiral said, as Trixie's eyes emitted a red glow. It was...rage at the fact of Discord being mentioned. After the ordeal, Trixie looked to them in an almost sorry manner. "Trixie hopes that wasn't too disturbing for you! But, Trixie had to share the truth or bad things happen!" she'd say rather shrilly.

 

@Illiad Easle @Jack Baker

What Maud had seen, is not what Maud expected. Maud had expected they were here to mine rocks, and do a more normal mining expedition rather than an exploration of a labyrinth. She observed the runes and layout of the area they had ended up at. After a few seconds of deep thought, Maud observed the others setting up the spool and other equipment. "I did not know this would be the result. Good luck to you all." Maud would say to the others as they split off. She was not one for winning, but deep down she had wanted to find that vault first. She looked to Raze. "You are with me. Lets go."  she said before he even had a chance to react.

She'd pick a random direction and set off. She was weary about the area. Her headlamp illuminating the hallways and direction they faced. She stayed somewhat close to Raze, so she would be able to grab him and pull him away in case if anything unusual had occurred. She did her best to maintain her sense of direction and orientation. She did not want them to get lost in this unfamiliar environment. 

Throughout this, her monotone expression remained unwavering. 


 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Califorum

"D-uh... but I... hey, wait!" I tried to get her to stop, but she still went off, expecting me to follow. I rubbed my head in frustration, then sighed, ultimately giving in and running toward her to catch up. As I looked around, I observed the ancient structures making up the labyrinth, as well as how the paths seem to keep twisting and turning. Thank Celestia we had these threads on us, otherwise I'm not sure what we could do. As powerful as Than is, he couldn't travel very far from my location. 'Bout twenty feet, to be exact. Speaking of which...

You sense anything yet? I asked him.

No, nothing yet. But I will remain vigilant. He responded.

I looked at Maud, who was standing pretty close to me. I frowned, and walked slightly away from her. "You just picked me to mess with me again, didn't you?" I asked.

[Maud Pie]

@Jack Baker

Maud blinked silently as her eyes looked into Raze's soul, so to speak. Something about her eyes was intimidating, yet also serene. Maud didn't answer for a few moments, letting silence reign in the air before she spoke. "Perhaps." she'd say and then would add, "I had a feeling this would happen. With you." she'd say in a somewhat stoic, yet mysterious manner.