Lilianna's Protection

Lilianna sits down at the base of the Tower of Sin, kneeling forward into a bow with her head over her knees in prayer. There are quite a few people out, far more than normal when a Summoner enters the Tower to be sure. Some are there by offering support, others by mere intrigue. Even all the members of her temple have arrived, most confident that she will not only triumph, but have placed bets on how long it will take her to clear the tower in full.

They are all talking, cheering, whispering, and milling about; they make noises of rattling and turning and laughing with their free and careless moments in their lives. She grits her teeth as she opens her eyes for a brief moment, glaring at the small prayer mat below her in frustration. Lilianna is angry--so much is at stake. So many believe in her and expect so much of her just because of her Summons...but she is weak. She can do nothing but rely on others and one day, it will get her killed. Probably within this very tower.

Pay attention.

Her mind snaps back, her eyes closing and shutting out the distracting sounds of the small crowd that have found the entrance to her cursed fate of death. She hates this place already, yet she has never stepped one foot within its walls. Lilianna knows she will not be able to clear it. She isn't good enough and she isn't lucky enough.

Pray.

"By the blessing given to me from the Embrace of the Goddess, I pray to the spirit realm of those that I have contracted." Lilianna whispers softly to herself as she kneels. "From here, I enter the Tower of Sin. Who will actively protect me on this first day of my trials? Speak now, so that we may connect and travel into the unknown together as allies and friends."

[ATTN: Lilianna, Open]

"Y'know I always got your back!"  Elnor replied, flapping their wings enthusiastically. They had been watching the goings on and found it all dreadfully boring. "I'd follow ya to the depths of hell if need be! Now, I'm ready to kick some baddies' asses!"

If there was one thing Elnor loved as much as being able to protect Lilianna, it was getting to go wild on monsters. They kicked and punched at the air, pumping themself up for the fight ahead.

[Attn: Bevinaire, LXXI's temple]

LXXI leaned over the shoulder of the young man tending to the garden behind the small Temple LXXI had raised. "Observe everything Bevi." he once again reminded the boy, who was clearly impatient to be out amongst the crowd gathered before the tower. Bevinaire chose to remain silent and listen to his Master whom stood beside him in the realm of spirits. Then again the boy was bonded and linked to the Temple's Spirit on an almost constant level so words needn't be spoken, the link carried over most of the boy's emotions and thoughts anyway.

"Patience Bevin. We'll most likely have guests soon. Make sure to fetch water and to get the brazier burning." LXXI said raising from his bowed posture beside the boy. The robed forms head turned towards the crowd of people out in the courtyard giving this Summoner their homage. IT always sounded like an over joyed funeral to this spirit.

The spirit felt the earth beneath his feet and the wind around him as he sensed them with his magic as was normal for him. The Summons turned his face from the gathered people, expelling a long breath as he walked back into the Temple.

The building was composed of a deep earthen brown and black granite, without any seems whatsoever. The lack of seems and joints would herald the use of magic to those that knew the making of things, masons and stone workers.

Entering the arch, LXXI pulled back his hood, and ignored the statue of himself to gaze upon the Monoliths of his temple. So few names remained on the White, their names having mostly been taken on by the Black. Soon another Summoner, another Dare Devil might grace his temple and seek his aid. The Spirits face beheld the statue of himself, it always made him feel vainglorious to see himself cast in such a way. The Statue always made him dwell on his days in the Labyrinth, of failures and people lost.

An age long concern crept back up, as it did sometimes when he stood here without anything to keep him busy. For a moment LXXI was simply another trapped prisoner who had finally escaped to freedom, who looked back and wondered who else had made it out or been left behind. LXXI had written all the casualties he knew from Sufferia's prison on the Black, but so many more remained foggy and faded a little every year. Every year he was a little more LXXI, and a little less Femaust.

"Corella."
..
...
.....
"What ever happened to you?" whispered the sorrowful voice of a once mortal man as it's thoughts of labyrinths and towers. There would soon be another soul entering the Tower of Sin that he could lend assistance if they sought him out. Hopefully another name to add to the White, and keep from the Black.

[Attn: Liliana, Open]

"You have my assistance," Rosary answered earnestly. "Although I hope you intend on getting farther than a few floors. I will support you so long as I have power in my being." Even though Rosary was annoyed so many strangers were interested in Liliana's potential demise, she never felt more determined to help her summoner. I've seen enough people throw away their lives. I swear, my sweet Liliana, you won't die as soon as you think. And if you do meet an untimely end, I will give you a proper burial.

[ATTN: Lilliana, Open]

Lilliana would hear a woman's laughter in her ear. "As always, ready to serve," Thelxiepeia said dryly. She didn't have high hopes for the woman. She'd set up a betting pool for how soon she'd kick it but everyone else Lilliana had contracted was far too noble for that. Still, she liked her more than most other summoners she had to deal with. "I'm looking forward to this."

Attn: Liliana, Open

Salem sat in his throne room in silence, listening to Liliana's prayer. It seemed the others had already volunteered for the first day. He would have like to actively accompany her through the first steps into the tower, though it seemed he would have to be patient.

Liliana could hear "I'll remain in the spirit realm on standby, if you ever need my sword and arm, give me a hauler." said Salem in a calm demeanour.

He sighed before materializing a partially full glass of wine and grabbing hold of it to smell its aroma. "Wonderful, as always." he muttered before taking a sip. This was one enjoyable aspect of the spirit realm, he reminded himself while observing his throne room. The walls and pillars were black with gold patterns covered all of their surfaces. The carpets and banners bore his family crest and were the same hue of orange as the colour of his arm. Finally a huge, black crystal chandelier was suspended from the, very tall, arc ceiling.

He had done a great job recreating his family's architecture, it made him feel at home, except without his parents. But the fact that he could still be summoned by them made it a lot easier to deal with.

And with that train of thought ending, so was the wine. He sighed once more before making the glass vanish, and simply returning to his thoughts.

At that moment, the chandelier's bulb flickered just once, lighting the room dimly. It was noticeable to all summons and to Lilianna, signaling Runa had come out of waiting. She materialized before her with an unreadable expression. Even if one were to look closely they would not see the slightest trace of emotion. In answer to her prayers Runa gave a small bow, "I will protect you until you have what you are seeking. I wont let you fall."

And with that, she faded away. The light brightened to it's previous glow upon her leave. She felt similarly to Thelxiepeia, she was looking forward to this. The monsters lurking in the tower were out to kill, and that meant so was she.

[ATTN:  ALL]

Lilianna's eyes open as she stands, now looking more confident and determined than she did before by far.  She packs up her prayer mat, placing it into her backpack.  She stands erect, looking at the great tower before her with respect.  It is so high, she cannot see where it ends.  The clouds cut at her sight of the structure, ending all possibility at guessing its height.  

Feeling the presence of those that accepted her offer, she feels...better.  Stronger.  It is only a facade--she is still weak.  She must have others fight for her, but at least now, she is not as afraid.  Many have gone silent as she stood and prepared her things.

"Summon!"  A little boy called before his mother hushed him with a harsh scolding.  He barely got the word, but it was enough.  Other children and younger folk began to chant it, as many have never summon before.  Dread fills up her stomach...she did not intend to summon until after she had entered the tower.  After all, she can never know which aid to call for until she already perceived her enemy.

Regardless, she knows that if she does not summon now, there will be ramifications.  They are...they rely on her for hope.  She is the hope of the world, she is the one that cuts down the monsters that would otherwise destroy their homes, their land, and their lives.  She is the most powerful and they need to see her power before she enters, else they may doubt her ability within the tower.

If there is anything her Master taught her when he trained her to be a summoner, it was that even if hope in oneself falters or is absent, that should not matter.  What matters is that others have hope in you, have faith in your capabilities so that they have some way to feel safe, especially in darker times.

She sighs.  Her fingers shift from the hair clip to the feather hanging from it within her green hair, but it pulls away almost instantly.  Her eyes move to the necklace hanging from her belt loop, decorated with human teeth--but she does not touch it and instantly pulls away from that consideration.  Her hand go together nervously as she paws at the glass-like ring...these are the available, considering all contract terms...

[ATTN: Bevinaire, Lilianna, Gathered Crowd, Open]

The Crowd had started to quiet as the Summoner started to pray as was custom. That would give Lxxi a few minutes of silence to enjoy, he felt through his link to his apprentice that he was finished with his task. Lxxi was pleased that the boy's speed and control were improving, though there was little improvement in his magic reserves.

Turning from his statue, he urged the boy to come to him as he sent an image of the temple doors. As Lxxi stepped out of his temple, Bevin rushed up winded, but shot through with joy and expectation. "Come. Let us go see who comes to face Sin." With that the boy followed slightly behind his Master's right hand.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The throng of people was thick as they too took the time to pray with the summoner, however it bothered the pair little since they came down the road from the Tower of Sin which was kept clear for the Summoner and their party.

There was a slight disturbance though Lxxi didn't catch the single word command. He however did notice the Summoner wavering in what must have been uncertainty, the way her hands stopped and hovered was a good sign. At least she had several summons at her disposal, which would improve her chances inside.

Bevinaire continued walking towards her, assured from his Master's presence. The boy was gathering stares, as he walked 'alone' towards Lilianna. Lxxi inhaled a deep breath, though as a spirit it was purely mental without a body. At this point much of the attention had turned to regard the boy who was stopped somewhere shy of 200 meters from Lilianna.

Lxxi looked down beside him to his apprentice and rested a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Stand straight Bevin, don't be cowed or discouraged. One day they'll be here for you." The spirit said, causing a spark of confidence to rise within the young child. "I'll borrow your magic for a time Bevin, stay alert."

That was when it began: it started as a faint shimmer in the air, a slight building of light. Then that shimmer of light became thicker, till eventually the light started to make lines and whorls. A few more seconds more and they became more obvious markings, runes to be exact. At first they didn't make much sense but by now they clearly outlined a body, humaniod. Then the air thickened and a body coalesced, robe and all before the boy. Under it's hood and at it's hands light shimmered at exposed runes, as it did along the boy's chest though it was mostly shielded by his shirt. If one could see under such a shirt, a spirit's name would be clear as day.

Lxxi opened his eyes, and enjoyed the familiar weight of a mortal coil. Even though most of the strength had come from Lxxi, behind him Bevin was still sweating from his bit. The spirit reached up and pulled back his hood, letting it fall. "Welcome Summoner, show them your strength."


(OOC: Lxxi won't be able to be seen by anyone except for Bevinaire until he is Summoned, using Lxxi's ability to use other magic users' powers while linked to them. For those who didn't catch it, Bevin is a Summoner but an incredibly weak one, who on his own wouldn't be able to summon Lxxi or any summons probably. Ohhh and Lxxi and Bevinaire won't be able to see any of the Summon Spirit's either till they are summoned.)

Lilianna is still contemplating, surprised at the silence of those that would be called. It is rare that someone would approach her at such a time and location--but here a boy was, walking towards her. She is uncertain if he is there to give her well, wishes, so she remains still, but with a polite, slight bow of her head in distant greeting.

Still, part of her fears that already, she is to be challenged by another Summoner, as she has so many times before. It is one of her least favorite experiences, to say the least, but that is the way of things. She is slightly tense, but watches as a summons spirit appears with a jaw dropped.

He summoned himself?! Lilianna is speechless. How did he--?!!

Her mind rambles, instantly going back into memories, studies from her past as she tries to take in the Spirit's appearance and figure out if she has learned of him before. Surely, he is mentioned in the records...but, as much as she tries to figure out what Spirit this may be, she cannot name him. Yes, she can feel that he is definitely a Summons Spirit--she can feel that on his soul and it makes her ache, as usual.

"Welcome Summoner, show them your strength." He said.

"I..." Lilianna says, finally closing up her jaw before speaking. "Who are you?

[ATTN: Lilianna, Open]

Elnor waited while Lilianna considered her summoning options. They wanted very badly to be summoned, but didn't want to force her into making a decision. Besides, they weren't here to be gawked at by a bunch of stupid humans, they were here to protect their summoner.

Before Lilianna could decide, a boy approached her. Elnor was completely surprised when the summon appeared in front of the boy. "Who is this guy, huh? Does he think he's some kinda hotshot, interrupting you like this?" they said irritably to Lilianna.

[Attn: Lilianna, Bevinaire, Crowd, Open]

All things considered at least it hadn't escalated to combat immediately. Lxxi folded his arms in front of his chest and slid his hands into his sleeves. The crowd had started to murmur slightly, the noise to numerous and spread out to pick anything up. Inside the link he queried Bevinaire so no one would hear, "I suppose we should introduce ourselves, Bevin?".
The boy looked around at the people, then at the idol Lilianna, before he nodded quick and sharp.

Lxxi turned his head slightly down and towards Bevin to bow it in acceptance. Then he stood straight and rose a hand to wait for silence. "A fool who fought free from an ever changing magic prison, and now I offer my aid to those who brave Sin."

Putting a hand to his chest over his heart, a light shone for a second through his palm but not clearly legible. "I go by Lix-e now, and Bevin my apprentice tells me you are the famous Summoner Lilianna. " Lxxi stressed the syllables of his name so she could clearly hear it, before ushering the boy in front of him with a hand.

"Show Ms Lilianna respect Bevin." The Spirit told the boy who was stunned at the sudden attention. Training helped the young boy to manage a jerking bow, before he resumed staring at her. "Good, now head to the temple. I'll be along in a bit, Primes be kind." The last bit sounding like a supplication or prayer.

[ATTN: LXXI, Pyralis]

Lilianna listens as the spirit speaks, at awe that he commands his summoner. This is...interesting. Either Bevin is really weak or this spirit is very powerful...or both. Either way, he is...exciting. Even after hearing his name, he is still entirely unfamiliar to her. Lilianna knows of hundreds of summons spirits to the finest details, but this one escaped her training.

"If you are offering your services to me, then," Lilianna says, trying not to sound assuming or arrogant, "Then I can most certainly work a contract with you, but I will summon first, if you do not mind. This way, I can let this crowd be at rest before we begin."

She looks to the crowd as she pulls the feather out of her hair from the hair clip's grip. She bows to LXXI respectfully, as she would to any spirit, as she clutches the feather in her hand close to her chest. With that, she steps up the center walkway, her eyes closing as she begins to hum a note in her head, a name resounding in her mind.

Her voice releases out into the open, a beautiful song becoming reality as she holds the feather within two hands before her body as far as her two arms would reach. It takes only a moment before the pulse pushes from Lilianna's body, rushing into her surroundings. If her eyes were opened, she would have seen the little child fall to his feet from its force. The ground lightly shakes, its tremor warning of a soft visit of a supernatural power.

Her song resonates within the air as her arms move outward to her sides, the feather remaining in her left hand alone. A magic circle appears at her feet, a brilliant yellow-red of a vague symbol that looks somewhat bird-like. Lilianna spins in a circle, slowly as her wrists outline the circle within the air, the feather marking around its diameter as a light shines up to the sky with such a bright flash that the wide-eyed, jaw dropped on-lookers must turn away and flinch from the blinding brilliance.

When the light finally fades away, Lilianna is no longer standing alone and the crowd slowly begins to applaud.

[Attn: Lilianna, Pyralis, Open]

Lxxi wasn't able to see Lilianna's expression as he watched Bevin sigh inwardly before obeying and running off towards the temple.

"If you are offering your services to me, then," Summoner Lilianna said, there was a small pause that possibly made it a question, but Lxxi chose not to answer. "Then I can most certainly work a contract with you, but I will summon first, if you do not mind. This way, I can let this crowd be at rest before we begin."

"Certainly, go ahead." Lxxi said as he pondered if he might have just given offense by not answering, it was best to wait and see. Ever since he had become a spirit, he'd had difficulty adjusting to just how tightly an oath given from his mouth could be.

The woman's head swiveled to look over the crowd, and Lxxi could only assume that she was trying to gauge them. By bowing the girl was giving respect to him, another thing Lxxi had trouble adjusting to. It was odd being his own Master and not an apprentice, it often made him feel trepidation of becoming like Retho.

The girl's voice strengthens as the note she is humming gains the intensity and feel often attributed with the weight of magic. Lxxi wonders what the girl was holding in her hand, but it turns out to be a rather large feather, quite likely from the creature she if calling. The magic thrums through the air, reverberating with strength and purpose as the circle appears. It was hard to tell exactly what the circle looked like from this distance but it vaguely reminded Femaust of Quetzalcoatl with it's birdlike emblem.

As the Summoner began to twirl in a dance like way, Lxxi adverted his eyes just in case. Summons' often were rather flashy about appearing, it was often more a fault of the required magic concentrations then strictly intentional.

Lxxi was perhaps one of the first to be able to look upon the called creature, but it was only a matter of seconds if at that. The assembled crowd fervently broke into applause, Lxxi however had eyes only for Lilianna and her Summons, mostly just the Summons.

Concealed by his robes, his body was in that semi tense/relaxed state of battle that he had honed over the years of his life. The feeling common to prey when danger suddenly appeared was hung over him like a cloak, however he made no attempt to call on his magic for fear that his runes might glow. He controlled the feeling, not the other way around.

[Attn: Pyralis, Lilianna, Open]

Many thoughts ran through the head of the Transmuter as he stood analyzing the situation. The first was deciding if he was going to have to engage in combat yet. The second was that this was some sort of flame spirit, though it appeared unnatural to him in this anthropomorphic form which could likely be it's natural form in truth. Some part of him pictured a more majestic avian form, one possibly like the prime Vulca as she was illustrated in books.

There was also a growing sense of distance, a pervasive stretching tension on the link as it was maintained. It didn't interfere too much with his current manifestation but it still was there in the back of his head. In his head he was also thinking of ways to defend himself, and to handle heat dispersion with what was readily availble to him, rock and air. True he could handle flames to some degree, but directly countering another magic or attacks without a medium would prove foolish and ineffectual if it came to that. His mastery over his power had increased with his years of servitude and captivity, but still certain degrees of matter and energy where more difficult to manipulate than others. Plus this Summon's gave off an almost palatable aura of strength that Lxxi was sure out striped his own, especially given that a large amount of his mana had gone into summoning himself.

He was incredibly curious about the Summon's and it's capabilities, history, habits, and everything but he gathered up his spirit and broke eye contact with the thing. "Go on."Lxxi said with a shooing motion as he addressed the crowd. "We've got things to discuss, and you have lives, chores and work to see to." The spirit eventually stopped as the crowd finally went about breaking up.

"Well, Priestess, I'll see you closer to Sin. Look for my temple, I'll be inside if you wish my aid." He said looking casually towards the two, no longer in a state of battle since he had focused on the crowd. His body faded as he released Bevin's magic and he returned to his true body and disappeared from normal sight. With that he was already leaving here and returning to his domain at the temple where Bevin was just arriving.

Lilianna steps forward after a swift wave of farewell to the now departing crowd. Many were still looking at Pyralis with interest or awe, but she kept that in the back of her mind...she silently wished she had summoned some certain other mischievous creatures just to mess with the annoying fans, but she knows that would be unwise. She pushes the urge away and instead walks towards the great tower.

She is ready to enter, not bothering to look at Pyralis to see if she follows. Rather, her thoughts begin to wonder how the other summons would have treated the onlookers. Her eyes move to the human teeth that hang from her belt loop and she shudders. Some things are better off knowing, she suspects.

She moves in to make a contract with LXXI, but looks to Pyralis with a respectful, but sheepish look. "I beg your pardon--you do not mind to await and guard as a contract is made, do you?"

[Attn: Lilianna, Open]

Lxxi didn't have to wait long before the Summoner Lilianna arrived on his temple grounds. The pressure of her foot steps a tell tale sign of her presence as she walked along the earth outside. From the way her foot falls fell, Lxxi could even guess her weight if he desired though it might take a bit of figuring if she had been carrying much equipment.

"She approaches Bevinaire, prepare the tea and have if brought into the main chamber." He spoke aloud to his ward whom possessing the fledgling gifts of being a summoner himself would allow him to see and hear Lxxi when he didn't assume a physical form like he'd done earlier.

Lxxi walked back into the main chamber of the temple, his face looking at the Black wondering how much longer some of the adventurous souls inside would last before they more than likely threw away there lives by pushing to far. So few people returned from Sin, many guards and attendants to the summoners that went in died from over confidence.

There was always droves of foolish thrill seekers, muscle heads, and those that desired to test their skill or prove themselves when no such thing was necessary. Ten years had helped temper some of those urges in himself, but he still died too often trying to save them. Ten years was still far to little time to change Femaust into someone more callous than he was. It had often proven one of the traits most taken advantage of by Sufferia, that and his desire to constantly prove himself.

There he stood looking at the Black, and the name he had carved there. It wasn't the first, but it was written in the language that no one should be able to understand here on this world. His fingers brushed the engraved letters that had been carved there by hand rather than with magic. It was the only name on the Black that stood out in this way, all the others dwelt under the stones polished surface, visible but smooth to the touch. What it said about him, he wasn't sure.

There Lilianna would find the Summon's, starting at the Black Monolith at the list of names. His arms folded in front of himself, lost in thought. "Welcome, glad to see you Summoner." Or perhaps not quite lost as it would seem.

"Greetings, LXXI," LIlianna states. "Where shall I begin the ritual? Point me to your most available space and we can begin to discuss your contract terms."

Lilianna stations Pyralis a ways from her, keeping watch and guard from anything that may or may not come near. She is nervous, already, and she has not yet done anything. She hasn't even fought, yet. At least the excitement of a new contract can distract her for a bit further from what is to come.

[Attn: Lilianna, Pyralis, Open]
[Co-op with Leah]

Lxxi looked around the room merely scanning it with his eyes, without turning his head until the end when he turned to the summoner. "This Memorial serves perfectly Summoner, one of my terms will be required here, today. First however, I have a request and a question to ask: - " Lxxi held out a hand towards the giant white monolith to his right with a practiced sort of majesty. "- Do you see anyone you know?"

Lilianna looks confused by his question, but humors him and scans the names on the stone. "No."

Lxxi was always saddened by the lack of unity among the summoners, he'd always held out the hope that perhaps it would change and they would become tighter as a group. "If you choose to bond me, your name will go on the stone you have just looked at. This stone records the names of those still within or have survived Sin and escaped. Anyone may submit their name, even non-magi."

Then Lxxi swung his hand over to the the monolith's dark twin with that same regal air. "When your life ends, your name will join those here. Your progress will be kept to the best of my ability, for as long as I endure." Femaust still wasn't sure exactly how long that would amount to yet. Judging by the spans other summons' persisted that might be quite long. He shot a glance over towards the direction of the Guardian Pyralis, wondering how long it had existed. Was it's strength a representation of that? There were too many variables and unknowns with Summon spirits, just like the Primes. "So any questions with your Tea? It should be behind the statue, where Bevin left it. I'd get rid of it,the statue I mean, but, well you know."

"Thank you for the tea, but maybe after the ritual." Lilianna declined and started to draw the contractual circle on the floor.

"I'll have to ask you to wait Lilianna Gororiogievve." Lxxi said his tone getting carefully neutral. "Don't take this wrong, but I'd like to talk my terms over first." If the rumors of her strength were true she could bind him, and she might be the first one to successfully do it. Then again her Guardian outside could probably defeat him and give her the time to do it. "I have some past history that makes me uneasy, so please forgive." The truth was that the thought of binding himself to another made his skin crawl, Sufferia had really done a number on him and her memory lingered.

Lilianna looked up in startled shock, this was the whole point of the ritual after all. It didn't make any sense, this was one incredibly weird Summons. "Umm O-K." she said stopping the ritual, "So what do you want exactly?"

"Every Summoner gives me that look, just like that, yes that one right there." The spirit interjected defensively, "Is this really that weird?"

"I apologize if I have offended you, your request is just simply uncommon."

"Do none of the other Summon's talk it over first like you might a trade agreement or business?" Lxxi said putting his hand to his head and rubbing his temples. "No forgive me I'm not exactly used to it all yet, a decade really isn't enough time to get used to something like this. Charizatt is just so different." Exasperated Lxxi waves his hand towards the tea pot, "Sure you wouldn't mind a cup? It might make this easier."

This summon's was just so bizarre, but Lilianna went and got herself a cup of tea. She'd just let him set his own pace, not that she'd really had a lot of choice. Hopefully this Summon's was worth the trouble.

"So my first question for you: is it really true that you don't fight or have guards who protect you? Other than your Summons I mean."

"Yes, my constitution is poor."

He'd heard something along those lines. Her power was supposed to be so strong that it interfered with her health or something. "I'd heard, so why no guards then? I've seen other Summoner's with them. Is it a personal reason or some sort of political one?"

"People around me tend to die. If a Summon's dies I can just give them another body. If a person dies I can't bring them back."

Lxxi thought it over, and though it was a huge weakness, you didn't have to worry about your failure leading to another's death. "I understand. I've not always been good enough to save everyone." His gaze looked over towards the black monolith, some of those names didn't belong to Charizatt. "I'll lay down my life to protect you as best I can, though I don't look it, I can fight. I'll let you have the rear, I'm far more comfortable up front in the thick of it." The girl nods her head, accepting it he guessed. Seriously?! She hadn't even asked him any questions about his powers or anything, well he'd just have to explain. "I'm a magi, I have many skills but my magic deals with using my surroundings and shaping them to the situation. I also can allow myself and anyone else I desire to use each others magic. I'm sure you'll understand it better when we complete the ritual."

"That's interesting. I've never heard of anyone with those powers."

"I've come to understand that I'm fairly unusual as far as peop..Summons go." Lxxi said correcting himself, he'd gotten used to being considered odd a long time ago. "Rumor says that you're the most powerful summoner of the Age, that means I should have access to my magic in battle. That fact alone will give me more options, thankfully." It was a relief, fighting with your arm behind your back was hard. "You didn't recognize any of the names on the White, so I'm going to assume that you don't have any allies inside Sin to team up with easily. Most of the Summoners I've met have pretty much agree that it shouldn't be possible to summon multiple Guardians, or they didn't think anyone had enough mana to do so. So the question is could you, or better yet have you?"

"I've never done it. The on who trained me told me: That the risk was too great. I've chosen to trust his advise."

There went one of his hopes. It would have made it more fun, and if she'd been able to summon Two others that would have been really interesting with the possibilities. That meant though that there wasn't much chance that he'd get to learn much about the other Summon's or fight alongside them. He dwelt on the thought for perhaps too long, his 'possible partner' had to politely clear her throat to drawn his attention back. With a nod of his head, he acknowledged the courtesy and continued. "Sorry, I got distracted. I suppose you'd like to discuss terms now."

"OK. Name your Terms." She settled the tea cup back down in her hand as she waited.

"The first of my terms is simple. You will have to have your true name inscribed on the White monolith." Lxxi nodded his head towards the White he was talking about. Lilianna didn't say anything but did nod slightly letting Lxxi know he could continue. "Second: You may not enslave another intelligent creature. That doesn't mean you can bind or prevent such a creature from harming others, merely you may not force them into servitude against their will." There was a slight level of abhorrent disgust in he face for a second so that was good enough for a response. "About as bad is the art of Necromancy, I'll not put up with it either. Raising the dead is about as bad as enslaving the living, though they aren't always mutually exclusive.

Anything I craft for you, be it a building/weapon/tool/whatever, you can't use it to make money. If you're starving and need to sell something to get food/board I'll understand, but I'm not going to make you things to get you rich." She seemed pretty level headed, and so far he didn't have any idea that made her seem the sort to be a money seeking fubbtard. "Often enough I aid those who come here the best I can, I've fixed plenty of broken or damaged things for those without the money." It also was sort of how Bevin came to him after all.

"The last two are the most problematic. Once each year, you'll have to Summon me to undergo Training. You've mentioned that your health is poor, but not everything I can teach you will tax your health. It's possible that I'll be able to help you with that as well, as far as I know there are very few Summons that are physically as human as I am. Will you be alright with that?"

"Yep, sounds reasonable to me."

"I'd like to train more often than that, but that's the minimum I'll require. If at all possible I might like your help training Bevinaire as well. There are certain things regarding Summoning that you'd be able to teach better than I." Lxxi said thinking of his charge, who was trying to peek at the Summoner and Pyralis. "I'd take it as a personal favor."

"I understand that you carry many talismans on you that you use to summon the others. These take many forms I understand, it's the nature of foci. However you'll never have to worry about accidentally losing mine." Lxxi drew a breath and let it out. "Just like you'll have your name inscribed on the White, you'll have to let me inscribe mine on you."

Lilianna raised a questioning eyebrow but puts it aside as not really something to worry about.

"I'm sure you'd rather it didn't mar your face, and I'd rather if you didn't have me place it somewhere insulting like your butt. So where would you like it?"

She was pretty glad he didn't wait till she had taken a drink of tea for that last part. She'd have spit it everywhere, she had enough trouble fighting down a giggle. Her butt? Seriously? Ohh that was funny. She did think it over for a bit, then she showed him her left arm and pointed to the inside of her forearm. "Will that do?" Lilianna asked unsure.

"Certainly, though I could put it somewhere less obvious if you prefer. It should glow anyway when you summon me."

"No, that should be fine. Is there anything else?" This summon's wasn't all that binding as they went. Though the week of training wasn't all that great.

"That's all I can think of. We can begin when you're ready Lilianna. Unless you have any terms you wish to tell me, otherwise we can begin the ritual and you can have my aid once you place your name on the White."

[attn: open]
Runa stood in the shadows watching both Lilianna and the crowd. They were all staring, and like her, were waiting for what Lilianna would do next. The crowd was uneasy. She narrowed her eyes at the one called Lxxi. He looked weak, what business could he have with Lilianna? She blanched as she sensed a wave of energy come from him. He'd summoned himself.

"So, that's it," he was a spirit. Challenging Lilianna now would result in his death. Thankfully he'd only wanted to form a contract. There'd be plenty of fighting inside the tower. She grinned, it was almost time.
(revised)

[ATTN: ALL]

Lilianna places her name onto the white monolith stone thingy, her mind elsewhere as she does so. Then, she readies herself for the ritual, moving into the ritual circle and beginning her concentration. She meditates onto the circle's center, allowing for silence to enter her heart. It takes about an hour, but when it is complete, she and this new spirit, known as LXXI, are as one.

She can feel his spirit within her, feel the mark burning onto her forearm. It's warmth seems to bleed into her body and she can feel that he will be active today. Whether or not she need him, she is uncertain.

"Okay." Lilianna says, finally standing up after such a long time. She does some stretches, looks over the new mark on her skin, and yawns. The day is still early, but she feels tired. She's always tired--probably her weak constitution. "Time to go."

Before long, Lilianna has entered deep within the tower...what is odd is that for the first seven or eight rooms, there is nothing. Not a thing at all. Just silence. Perhaps these rooms are just always so easily cleared out by visitors...but she's not sure if this is normal or not.

However, she has let her guard down, but she regrets that as she almost falls into a pit trap. Pyralis catches her, but as she is pulled out, what appears to be a giant Thresher Maw appears, its upper body shooting out with a loud grating sound. Lilianna, clearly stunned where she is seated on the ground mere feet away from its entrance, covers her hears from the sounds and closes her eyes in fear. Not the smartest thing to do.

[Attn: Lilianna, Open]

Rosary watched her summoner enter the tower, apprehensive toward what dangers were inside. She found LXXI to be an interesting addition to Lilianna's summons. The ability to summon one's self was certainly uncommon to Rosary. Still, the new spirit had gained some of Rosary's trust.

Just a few minutes into the tower, Lilianna, already encountered trouble. Rosary sighed, not expecting such a large threat to appear so soon, and Lilianna's fear wasn't helping either. "Focus, Lilianna!" Rosary directed woman. "The beast appears to be daunting, but I can help you sneak past it. I think it's a little early to expend your energy."