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Logging Started: 11/19/2000 at 21:32:47
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Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Yep... let's gaaaaame!"

John the Ultimate Whitey says, "Okay, we'll start with Hiko, and likely I
should be able to work in Shaft a bit later, since he was going to be
heading back to Amber."

Juri asks, "Ready, Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Ready... last time, we left off... still in
Corrine's palace, ne?  Or did we go back to Amber?"

Juri says, "You're still in Corrine"

Juri says, "Corrine's palace."

Juri says, "Juri was about to trump back to Amber, unless you have
something you want to do here first."


Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not I.  We go back to Amber.  I've got research
to do."

*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***

Hiko the Firechilde nods to Juri and looks at Gabrielle.  "We need to
return to Amber...  I'm sorry, but we can't help right now."

Gabrielle noddles. "Okay!"

Hiko the Firechilde looks to Juri again.  "Maybe we should contact King
Tylor again?  See what the situation is back at home?"

Juri says, "A good idea.  "

Gabrielle exclaims, "Ooo, oo! I can do that!"

Juri says, "As I need to ask him how I can best help in the wars anyway."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Gabrielle.  "I'm sure you could, but maybe
we should do it ourselves."

Gabrielle exclaims, "Nonono, this is SPECIAL! "

Gabrielle says, "Hold out your haaaaannnds....."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at Gabrielle, then Juri.

Juri blinks and holds out her hand.

Hiko the Firechilde holds out her hand, too.

There's a flash, a *pop*-ing noise, and pieces of jewelry drop into Juri
and Hiko's hands. Hiko is holding a gold ring with rubies on it, and Juri
a gold-and-red Rose Signet ring with crossed swords on it.

Hiko the Firechilde looks at the ring.  "This is... gorgeous."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine ring.

hat."
Juri smiles and pats Gabrielle on the head.  "Thanks for the nice
present."  She puts it on.

Akemi pages, "It's a manifestation, which links the bearer to the
Gabrielle construct across Shadow.

Hiko the Firechilde puts hers on, too, smiling.

Aerianne pages, "it looks like:
http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/ember/tokens/douze-token.jpg , fyi. :)" to
you.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Any more rings, and I'll need a second hand."

Akemi pages, "It lets Gabrielle communicate with you and feed you
power/information." to you.

Gabrielle says, "Yay, no I can call King Tylor for you!" She rubs her
hands together, and sparks fly from them. "SHAZAM!"

Akemi pages, "Also, Gabrielle can manifest herself through the ring
(project a solid light body for herself)" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Like chibi-gabrielles?" to Akemi

A Trump Gate opens.  You see Tylor on the other side of the gate, holding
a foot long sandwich...well, it was footlong, but it just got cut in half.
He bites down and chews.

Juri bows to the King.  "Umm, should we call you back later?"

Hiko the Firechilde bows to King Tylor.  "Hello your Highness... have we
called at a bad time?"

Vash sticks his head through the trump gate.  "This doesn't happen every
time you steal food from the kitchen, does it?"

Tylor shakes his head, swallows, then says, "Hi there, everyone.  How are
you two today?"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We're fine, your Highness.  We found Corrine,
but lost her again.  Her new allies are going to be continuing the
search."

Tylor shakes his head.  "Corrine never USED to vanish all the time.  Or
did she always do it when I wasn't looking?"  He looks thoughtful.  "So
what are you two planning to do next."  He looks at Gabrielle.  "Did you
have another daughter, Juri?"

Vash says, "Would anyone else like a sandwich?"

Gabrielle giggles. "Nope! I'm Gabrielle, Princess of Ember!" There's a
*poof,* and Gabby is wearing a miniature version of Corrines dress.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I need to do some more research in the Royal
Libraries."

He bows to Gabrielle with a flourish.  "A pleasure to meet you, your
highness."  He turns to Juri.  "I will be needing you to go kick some
people in the head soon, sister."  She nods.  He turns back to Hiko.  "I
will tell Travis to assist you."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Can you pull us through?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yay!  New toys!" to Akemi

Gabrielle says, "OOC: It's a Trump Gate. You can just walk."

Tylor nods.  "Yes, but don't be too loud; Vash and I are conducting a
covert raid on the kitchens, and liberating a midnight snack."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I didn't KNOW that, okay?"

Juri says, "OOC Umm, I said a Trump Gate opened up, Trish."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then walks through.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  thwaps herself.  "So you did."

Juri follows you.

In the kitchen, Vash is busily making sandwiches as Tylor talks to you.
It's dark and quiet; must be night here.  You have impression Ember must
not have a real 'night.'

Gabrielle waves goodbye to Hiko and Juri and Tylor and Vash. "Bye girls!
Bye your highnesses! I'll tell Mom where you went when she finishes with
the Ravager Beast!"

Hiko the Firechilde whispers, "How many days have passed since we last saw
you?"

Juri exclaims, "Thank you, Gabrielle!"

Gabrielle says, "And when you see Ota-san, tell him he's better call or
visit!" She shakes a fist at the air, and then the Trump closes.

Tylor says, "You've been gone about a day."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I take it the negotiations with the ambassadors
went well?"

Tylor nods.

Tylor says, "We need to send forces to deal with a massive fleet and army
moving against the Isle of Emeralds.  The Sea Peoples are on the move
again.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Sea Peoples?"

Hiko the Firechilde realizes that she's hungry, and starts to make herself
a sandwich.

Tylor says, "The Sea Peoples are a group of oceanic nomads who launched a
major attack on us a few years ago.  We drove them off, but it looks like
they're coming back for a second round.  With Kozue having run off into
Shadow with half our fleet, I need Juri to organize a new fleet and take
it to the aid of our allies on the Island of Emeralds."

Juri frowns intensely.  "She took half the fleet?"

Tylor nods.  "She took the Shalomar fleet and sailed off into shadow with
it."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is she all healed now?  Or is she sulking?"

Tylor says, "She is healed and sulking."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ah, I see."

Hiko the Firechilde finishes making her sandwich and sits down to eat.

Tylor sighs.  "I fear she may have fallen under Annadil's influence.  Or
possibly her anger is about to make her do something crazy."

Vash finishes his footlong.  "Would you like something, Juri?" he asks.

Juri says, "Give me a six inch roastbeef, please."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Tell us all the news... what's gone on  since
we left?"

Juri goes and waits for her sandwich.

Tylor says, "Well, let's see.  Drake and Nanami managed to rescue Yuriko
from the coup in Kashfa, but Wakaba seems to have fallen under Annadil's
sway and is running around somewhere in Shadow."

Tylor perches on a stool, alternating eating and talking.  "Shinobu is
having fairly good luck against the Therin army, although she's worried
because there's rumors some army is marching through shadow to reinforce
them."  Bite, chew, swallow.  "Ota just got back successfully from his
quest."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "That's great!  Where was the Sword?"

Tylor says, "I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I understand it was
in the shadow where Gil-Galad was being held captive, so he managed to
rescue Gil-Galad as well."

Juri perks up.  "So Gil-Galad was alive after all?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and smiles.  "He's the uncle who was an elf,
correct?"

Tylor nods.  "I assumed he must have died, but he's been rotting in a cell
for centuries instead."  He turns to Hiko after taking another bite of
sandwich.  Crumbs fly as he says, "Half-elf.  His mother was Findulias, an
elf-maid."

Juri nods.  "One of Father's mistresses."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Findulias?  The woman who was in the squid?"

Juri shakes her head.  "A mere coincidence of name.  As I understand it,
that Findulias isn't even from our universe.  And she didn't look like
Gil-Galad's mother, either.  Not much, anyway."

Juri asks, "Where is Gil-Galad now?  I will probably go see him tomorrow
before I begin my naval duties."

Tylor says, "He's asleep by now, I think.  He's become a lot quieter and
more subdued than he used to be; in the old days, he would probably just
now be finishing going drinking, but he turned in right after dinner."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Having to deal with the possibility of multiple
shadows is bad enough.  But multiple universes?"  She shakes her head.  "I
think I feel like I could sleep, myself."

Tylor finishes off his sandwich.  "It does get rather confusing."

Vash says, "Shadows from other universes?  What?"

He looks rather confused.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's all very confusing to me, too..."

Hiko the Firechilde yawns.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Another day, then?  I think I can work better
on a good night's rest."

Juri nods

Juri says, "It has been a long and tiring day.  Goodnight, everyone."

Hiko the Firechilde makes her farewells, then goes back to her chambers.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Fast forward to the next day?"

Juri says, "OOC Yep.  You go home, you sleep, you rest, you wake up
refreshed."

Hiko the Firechilde takes the time to rerack her spells, then seeks out
the Royal Libraries.

AND the Librarian.

Ook!

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Not that one!"

You head down to the library without any problems after getting some
breakfast.  You find Travis busily showing a flock of children around the
library.

Hiko the Firechilde waits patiently, looking around to see if Snickers is
around as well.

Something brown and furry streaks past you, chasing a dustbunny.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles and calls out, "Is that you, Snickers?"

Snickers shouts, "Yes," and vanishes among the stacks.

Hiko the Firechilde giggles, and sits down to wait for Travis to finish
with the wee kiddies.

Travis, the Royal Librarian finishes giving the children the highlights,
then suggests they watch Snickers play as an introduction to the odder
hazards of research in the Library. "And what can I do for you, Miss
Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde bows to Travis.  "I'm in need of much research,
particularly into the Unicorn Prophecies."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Any books you can point me towards?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian nods. "An intriguing subject, particularly to
those with a mystical bent."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's sort of become relevant."

Travis, the Royal Librarian picks up a book titled _Sayings of the
Unicorn_, by Nostradamus. "This one is an interesting one to start with,
although it doesn't get much above third-grade level."

Hiko the Firechilde takes the book.  "I was also wondering if you had any
books about the Icons?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "_Getting Horny_ is, alas, a very
informative book crippled by a sense of humor that never managed to leave
the gutter."

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "_Prophecies for Dummies_ has a couple
of useful bits in its section on the Unicorn, but only worth a quick look
in passing."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "I see."  She adds it to her stack.

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "As far as the Icons go... there are
some bits in a couple of the books on famous magical artifacts."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How famous are they?  Who created them?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "Takashi's _Artifacts of Near Amber_ is
a good place to start."

Hiko the Firechilde takes that book, too, and realizes that she might need
a bag or a cart or something.

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "The origins of the artifacts are lost
in antiquity. The Temple of the Unicorn held them for quite some time, and
they have gained a modicum of fame from that."

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "The Dorians stole most of them during
the Day of Darkness, but the Temple of the Unicorn would still be a good
place to investigate further; they have a couple of books that I haven't
been able to obtain copies of."

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "One final book to check would be
_Unicorn Augurium_." Travis heads back into the stacks to look for it.

Hiko the Firechilde nods at Travis' back, then starts to speed read,
absorbing the material quickly.

There is a rending crash from back in the stacks, and a huge puff of dust
rises above the level of the shelves. It sounded like a large stack of
books just fell over on someone.

A few moments later, a rather dusty librarian emerges, holding a book by
his fingertips. "I believe this is the one you want.

As tends to be the case with prophecies, the books are dense and often
confusing and seemingly contradictory.  And some of them are only obvious
after the fact, such as 'Fido will assault the City of Flames when the
Phoenix rises from the Ashes'

Hiko the Firechilde shakes her head as she reads, looking up at Travis.
"Are you okay?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian shrugs and grins wryly. "Happens all the time.
You get used to it."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Not hurt?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "When your books are often a little
sentient, they want to get out for some fresh air once in a while."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.

Travis, the Royal Librarian says, "Nope. Just picked up some dust."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Okay... well, I think this should help."

Hiko the Firechilde hefts the books.  "I'll send them back once I'm done
making my notes."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And can you tell me how to get to the Temple of
the Unicorn?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian nods, and gives her a set of directions that
gets her there quickly, and takes her by some interesting sights along the
way.

Hiko the Firechilde goes back to her room to finish speed reading the
books.

Okay, you sit down and read through the books.  What specific topics are
you looking for clues on?

*** Foxtrot goes OOC. ***

Hiko the Firechilde says, "the exact nature of the prophecies, who set
them forth."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Any info on what the Heart can do, why it's an
artifact.  How it works."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "How the five work together to open the Gate."

Juri says, "OOC Righto."

There are many different sets of prophecies, collected by various oracles
and high priests of the Unicorn over the years.  The Prophecies of the
Unicorn proper, were delivered by Fuyutsuki to the first High Priest; he
claimed that the Unicorn wrote them.

The Icons' origins are unknown, but it is known that together, they can
close the Forbidden Gate (Indeed, only they can close the gate).  The keys
to OPEN the gate are different, and rumored to consist of the two Pattern
Blades and two matching Logrus Foils.

All that's known for sure about that is that the keyholes in the gate look
right to hold swords and foils respectively.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What about how they work independently?"

Each of the Icons grants some degree of power related to the element it is
linked to:  The Bag of Winds controls Air, the Sword of Truth cuts through
anything and reveals lies, the Heart of Fire creates flames and passions,
the Cup of Life brings healing and controls water, and Seed of Hope
controls and sustains plants and brings renewed hope.

They're easiest to use if you first attune yourself to them, which can be
done through prolonged study, or by walking the appropriate Pattern with
them.

And they tend to work best for those with strong minds.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles to herself.  "And I know where to find a Fire
Pattern, too."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Anything else?"

A lot of the books tend to repeat each other, or tell anecdotes about past
uses of the Icons.  None of them explain how to use them to close the
Gate, they just say it takes all of them, used together, by the Five
Children of the elements, who will come to Amber shortly after a new king
is crowned.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Any cool notes about the Heart?"

The heart has been used on three notable occasions.  During the 500 AY
celebrations, the HP of the Unicorn used the Heart to set off a fireworks
display that lasted for three days without stopping.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "HP = High Priest?"

Yes.

Queen Haruka used it at the battle of Kolvir Pass in 657 AY, immolating
thousands of Cimbri with a single burst of flame.

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Yay Mom!"

Tybalt waves little 'Go Harad' flags.

And it's rumored that Gendo used it to help cause Catala to collapse after
the assassination of its king (Queen Sakura's brother) by inflaming the
passions of the Royal family of Catala against each other.

Hiko the Firechilde nods to herself as she reads.

A particularly corrupt High Priest of the Unicorn was also rumored to have
used it to help him seduce women.

Shaft says, "OOCly good thing shaft doesn't know about this toy......"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Right... I think a visit back to Ember is in
order."  She writes a quick note detailing what she's going to do and has
it sent to Juri, then activates the 'douze' ring.

The heart is said to work best in amplifying already extant passions--ones
the wielder doesn't feel or that the target doesn't feel are harder to
enhance.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ember = Fire pattern, ne?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Exactly!" to you.

Gabrielle pops into existence in the library. "Hi hiiii!"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Hi, Gabrielle!  How are you?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "AND, I'm back in my room."

Gabrielle says, "Skippy! So, this is Amber?" Gabrielle morphs into about
twenty chibi-Gabby's, who scamper about the room.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yep!  This is Amber... well, my room to be
precise."  She looks at the smaller Gabbys with amusement.  "How do you do
that?"

One of the Gabby's jumps on top of your head. Well, first I access my
Pattern, and backfeed it into my Trump poewrs, then calculate..." The
explanation takes about five minutes, and gets more complex and vague as
it goes on.

Hiko the Firechilde nods and starts to feel her eyes cross.  She
interrupts quickly.  "Er, Gabrielle... can I ask a favor of you?"

Gabrielle says, "Sure!" She recombines into one person. "Whaddya need?"

Gabrielle says, "I make stuff blow up reaaaaallllll good......"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't need stuff blown up.  I was wondering
if you could transport me to the Fire Pattern in Ember.  I need to attune
to this artifact."

Gabrielle giggles. "Of course I can, you big silly."

A sheet of fire appears across one wall of your room. You notice your ring
begin to glow a bit.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Which one?"

Then it peels back into a Trump Gate, showing the Fire Pattern of Ember.
(The one Gabby gave you.)

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "is that the pattern chamber?"

Gabrielle says, "Uh-huh! It's me!" She gigles. "Aren't I PRETTY?"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "You're the Pattern?  I though Corrine said
she was your mother?"

Gabrielle exclaims, "She is!"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks some more.

Hiko the Firechilde decides to process that knowledge later.  "Okay... do
I just walk through the Gate?"

Gabrielle exclaims, "Yep! I'm very user-friendly!"

Hiko the Firechilde walks through the Gate.

You're in the Fire Pattern Chamber.

It's like the ones you've seen, except turned ninety degrees.

There is a man here in red armor, standing near the doorway.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Is it the Red Knight?"

He nods to you.  "Greetings, Princess Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you the Red Knight?"

Gabrielle says, "Daddy!" She flashes across the chamber and GLOMPS! "WAI!"

He nods again.  "Yes, I am known as the Red Knight."  He picks up
Gabrielle and hugs her.  "And this is my daughter."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I wonder if my child will look like her."

The Red Knight looks thoughtful.  "Your child should have dark hair, like
you and the Green Knight."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I am here on an errand.  May I walk the
Pattern?"

"Most certainly."  He steps out of the way.  "I am just here because I
fear there may be problems during the reconstruction."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Reconstruction?"

He says, "Much of Ember City was levelled in the battle, Lady Hiko.  There
is much damage to be healed."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm sorry... I was responsible for some of
that."

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "(at least it's better than the LAST time it got
Fido'd...)"

"You fought to save us, Princess.  I do not blame you."

Hiko the Firechilde bows again.  "Thank you."  She waves to Gabrielle and
the Knight.  "See you when I get done."

Hiko the Firechilde puts her foot upon the beginning of the Pattern and
begins to walk.

"You know," Gabriele says idly, now that it's to late, "I don't think a
pregnant person has ever walked a Pattern before."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "Thanks for telling me, Gabrielle."

The Red Knight says, "Her body will insulate the child.  She should be
fine, I believe."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "D'oh!  I was about to ask about that,
but forgot...

Hiko the Firechilde walks on.

You walk the Pattern. It's a very, very draining experience, and by the
time you reach the middle, you're exhausted.  But you make it without any
trouble.

Rod pages, "does hiko know she's preggers, btw?" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yep." to Rod

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Huh... should I have taken the Heart out
while I did it, or is having it in the satchel okay?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "You're not sure; the sources didn't say.  You can feel a
link to it now, though." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... that shoud do it then, ne?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "You think so." to you.

Hiko the Firechilde gets to the middle of the Pattern, and sighs.  "Send
me back to the Red Knight!"

Swish.  You're back to the Red Knight and Gaby.

Gabrielle claps. "Yay!" She waves a tasteful little 'GO Hiko!' pennant.

Juri says, "OOC I'm gonna need to cut fairly soon, as I'm tired, and it's
late, and I want to finish off COAEG18"

*** Foxtrot goes OOC. ***

Shaft says, "OOCly ah, well, can shaft another day"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Okay... I can go to the Temple some other
time."

Juri says, "OOC Hopefully, we can do Shaft tomorrow or Monday when you
have it off."

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Yay!"

Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "Two patterns under my belt now!"

Aerianne pages, "Heh.  Pity Corrine doesn't know about the Wood Pattern
yet -- she's got the other 4... ^_^" to you.

The Red Knight stares at you for a second, then relaxes and laughs.
"Going to try and walk all five?"

Aerianne pages, "(though by now I think she SUSPECTS... she just doesn't
know where it is yet. :)" to you.

Gabrielle says, "Ooooooooooo. I think only Gran'pa has done that."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yeah... I'd like to try for all five."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Heh.  I know where the Wood Pattern is.
Was the first one I walked." to Aerianne

Aerianne pages, "Oooooo.  Coool." to you.

The Red Knight nods.  "Corrine has walked almost all of them, but yes, I
believe Gabrielle is right in saying that only Fuyutsuki-sama has walked
all five."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What does walking each Pattern symbolize?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I mean... do you gain any inner knowlege in
doing so?"

Aerianne pages, "(I know, OOC, where Wood is, but Corrine doesn't IC.)" to
you.

Gabrielle says, "Well, _I_ gain inner knowledge from YOU." There's a
thundercalp, and a fifty-foot tall Gabrielle face fills the chamber. "I AM
THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ!"

The Red Knight smiles knowingly.  "There are things which must be
experienced, not told.  But yes, there are things to be learned.  To walk
all five is to imprint yourself with the five elements, the totality of
the pillars of order.  But there are things beyond and above those pillars
which one can then pass on to."

He pats Gabrielle on the head.  "Dear, don't frighten your cousin."

Hiko the Firechilde steps back, surprised.  "Like what sort of things can
you tell about me?"

The Red Knight says, "When you gaze into the Pattern, the Pattern also
gazes into you.  When you brand yourself with the Pattern, the Pattern
knows what it is branding."

Gabrielle reverts to normla size, and begins spewing facts; bra size, age,
weight, history of lovers, status of pregnancy, etc.

Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.  "Does she know about Batousai-san?"

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "This is Corrine's daughter.  Scared now?"

Shaft says, "OOCly i was scared before, thank you"

Gabrielle says, "Oh, and you posses the Blood of Chaos, making you a union
of the Order/Chaos bloodlines."

Akemi pages, "You don't know.  :)  Although she doesn't spew off that
information." to you.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Okay, I get it..."  She hears a certain
name and winces.  "That's ENOUGH!"

Gabrielle says, "Beyond that, I can't tell you a thing." She smiles
innocently.
The Red Knight says, "That's enough, Gabrielle."

He sighs.  "She's a very ebullient child, and sometimes she can get a
little out of hand.  Sorry, Hiko."

Gabrielle giggles for the umpteenth time. "I am all the wonders of
creation."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles faintly.  "Yes, you are.  You are a very nice
Pattern, and a very nice girl."

The Red Knight says, "I would suggest, should you do a tour of the
Patterns, that you finish with the Air Pattern."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Why that one?"

"It is the most difficult to walk, and there are things I believe you will
wish to see there after you have seen the others."

Hiko the Firechilde nods...

"For it is there that the Forbidden Gate stands."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "And that's the Gate Annadil wants to open."

He nods.  "The Gate of Revolution.  It requires the combined power of
Amber and Chaos to open the gate.  And the five elements to close it."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What do you know about how to close the Gate
once it's opened?"

Gabrielle floats serenly in the air, playing with the Battle-Action
Figures Gran'pa gave her.

Esme Pariseau OOCly breaks down laughing.  Corrine, meanwhile, in another
time-frame, does not know wether to go Awww or facepalm.

Castle Brandenburg floats about nearby.

The Red Knight says, "The Icons must be borne together to the Chamber of
Revolution, and used there to close the Gate.  Which means you could only
shut the gate when Tir'na-nog is actually in the sky--on a clear night
with a full moon."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "But how do you do it?"

"It has never been done, for the gate has never been opened that I know
of.  Each child must bear their own Icon, I know that.  And they must
first attune themselves to it.  But the exact process....only
Fuyutsuki-sama knows if anyone does."

Gabrielle says, "Gran'pa knows EVERYTHING."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "Well, this Child is ready... and with that,
I take my leave.  There are some priests I need so see, and maybe I'll
talk to Fuyutsuki-san again."

The Red Knight bows to you.  'Good luck, Lady Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde bows in return.  "Farewell."  She pulls out her trump
of the Castle Amber courtyard and steps through.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Cut here?"

Juri says, "OOc Cut here."

Esme Pariseau OOCly Yay!

Tybalt says, "Woo hoo."

Tybalt wonders what other PC's he can con into walking the Fire Pattern.



[CONTINUED ANOTHER DAY]


Akemi pages, "Want to do some gaming?" to you and Shizumaru.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Both of us together?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Why not?  Unless one of us is ahead of
the other timewise."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Actually, considering my travel time after getting
the Seed back, I may be a bit ahead of you."
Juri says, "OOC You're close enough to each other that I think this is a
good time for you to finally run into each other."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Cool... I can take him to Arden to help
him with the Seed."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "IIRC, I just trumped back to Amber after
talking to the RK?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Hold for logging...."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Cool. I may pause intermittently, as I am on the
job. :)"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Okay...  I can handle that."
Juri says, "OOC Okay, we'll pretty much start with Hiko trumping into the
courtyard as Shizumaru is crossing it"
Juri says, "OOC Nice and simple :"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Okay. :)"
Hiko the Firechilde grins.
*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***
*** Shizumaru goes IC. ***

[BEGIN SESSION]

Hiko the Firechilde trumps into the Castle courtyard.
She looks around, then spies a figure in the distance...  "Cousin
Shizumaru?

Shizumaru walks through the courtyard, looking decidedly happier than he
was the last time he was here. He pauses at the sound of his name, and
looks about. "...Cousin Hiko? Ah! How have you been?" He changes direction
and walks over toward her.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I'm good.  How are you?"  She looks him over.
"I hear you were having problems with the Seed?"

Shizumaru smiles. "I had been, yes...but it is finally back. Kept in a
safe place until it is needed...." He pauses. "That may be soon, actually,
as I plan to attune myself to it shortly."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Wonderful!  I know exactly where you need to
go.  Want me to take you there?"

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I've got a friend at the Wood Pattern.  I
believe you've met him already."

Shizumaru blinks. "Ah...now? Well, actually...." He stops and tilts his
head. "...why not? I believe I am ready by now." He nods and smiles. "The
Green Knight. Of course. Just let me get the Seed, and I will join you."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How does the Going to Arden thing work,
anyhow?  I just think of it, and there I am?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You just concentrate and BAMF" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I like BAMFing.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Time is of the essence, Shizumaru.  With all
the instability in the kingdom, our enemy can strike at any time."

Shizumaru nods. "I will hurry." He dashes off, and soon returns with the
Seed. "Shall we proceed?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We shall.  Take my hand."

Shizumaru takes Hiko's hand.

Hiko the Firechilde concentrates, bringing up an image of the clearing
next to the Wood Pattern.
An image in her mind, that is.

You appear in the clearing at the entrance to the Wood Pattern.  The
forest is very thick and old here, and quite beautiful in late spring.
And then, off in the distance, you hear the sound of...cows?  They're
mooing loudly and angrily.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I've already attuned myself to the Heart...
what's that?"

Shizumaru takes a deep breath, savoring the fresh air. "Ahhh...ah? That
sounds like...cows."

Hiko the Firechilde wonders how far away they are.

Shizumaru looks around, trying to spot them.

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Spotting the cows, Drew?"
Shizumaru OOCly nods.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "There's a pun in that..."]

You can't see the cows, but they're getting closer.
"MRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Hiko the Firechilde looks for some trees to climb.

Shizumaru does the same.

Gosh, you wouldn't find any trees to climb in ARDEN, no sirree...

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Any sturdy enough or tall enough, silly
GM."
Shizumaru OOCly c.c
Shizumaru OOCly says, "And one that would provide a good viewpoint."]

You both quickly climb up some trees.  Soon, the herd of angry bison show
up.  They begin milling about, looking up resentfully at you.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Hey!  What's the matter?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yes... I like talking to animals.]

Shizumaru peers down at them curiously. "I do not believe I have offended
any livestock lately, but I suppose I may be wrong."

[Shizumaru OOCly tries to score another point on the quote page.
The Prof grins at Drew. "You never know..."]

They begin butting the trees with their heads.  The trees begin to shake.

Hiko the Firechilde cups one hand and shouts.  "What's the matter???"
The bison continue to moo loudly and angrily.

[Akemi pages, "There's something unnatural about these bison, you can
sense." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "They not speaking to me???  Wai!" to
Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine bison.]

Shizumaru calls out to Hiko, "Do you think you could summon the Green
Knight and ask him why they are here?"

[Akemi pages, "They look like ordinary bison, except they seem to be
cooperating suspiciously much." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't think these are your normal herd of
bison...  I don't think that these bison should be here."

Hiko the Firechilde pulls out her trump of the GK and activates it.

[Rod McCarthy says, "I'm just waiiting for one of them to do a Bison
Torpedo."
Rod McCarthy says, "Sorry, street fighter flashback"]

Shizumaru prepares himself to jump to another tree if necessary.

The trees shake more and more.

Hiko the Firechilde throws up an invisible shield.

[Akemi pages, "The Green Knight answers the trump.  "Good day, m'lady.""
to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hello, dearest.... help?" to Akemi]

Shizumaru starts tree-hopping, using his umbrella to glide if necessary.

Hiko the Firechilde points at the ones surrounding her and Shizumaru's
trees.  "Sniper's Flame!  Back, ye beasties!"

[Akemi pages, "You can't use a trump and cast spells at the same time." to
you.]

Hiko the Firechilde takes back that last page.

Hiko the Firechilde takes back that last action, I mean.

[Akemi pages, ""What is the matter?" he asks.  "I see the tree is shaking,
but there shouldn't be an Earthquake."" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Bison.  Lots of them.  They're not
answering me.  Where are you?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I fear they may not be from around
here.]

Shizumaru asks, "Any response from the Green Knight?"

Hiko the Firechilde is talking to him right now.

[Akemi pages, ""Oh yes, the Questing Beast left a herd of angry, horny
bison lying around the forest when he abducted Corrine a few weeks ago.
They've been ravaging her rangers ever since.  Would you like me to pull
you out?"" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde gestures towards Shizumaru.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I've got a guest... could you come to
us instead?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, ""Allright."" to you.]

[Mercutio pages, "You just try to use one of Gabby's nifty functions?" to
you.]

Shizumaru settles down on a tree for a moment, and gets his trump of
Corrine out, but does not activate it yet.

Hiko the Firechilde reaches through and pulls the GK through the trump.

Hiko pulls the Green Knight out of the air.  The branch he and Hiko are on
promptly snaps, forcing both of them to catch a lower branch that puts
them ALMOST within reach of the bison, who whack the tree harder.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "This is not pleasant..."

Hiko the Firechilde points with one hand at the bison below her.
"Sniper's Flame!"

You fry a bison to ash.  There is an awful silence.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And this isn't the same beast as the Squid I
saw recently?  Or is that the Ravaging Beast?"

Shizumaru yells out, "Cousin!" He snarls, and casts around for a pinecone
or something to throw. But he stops after Hiko blasts one of the bison.
And sweatdrops lightly.

The bisons' eyes turn red.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Yeah, and the REST of you might get the
same, so back off!"

Hiko the Firechilde meeps internally.

The Green Knight says, "Ahh, I see, these bison are from another
universe."

[Demetrius watches Horny Bison invade TAMD.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "They can go BACK as far as I'm concerned."

The Green Knight says, "Which is why I haven't been able to find them
before.  I'm afraid I'm powerless over them."

Shizumaru blinks. "Another universe?" He thinks back to his recent trip.
"I hope I did not somehow lead them through the Cave of Worlds," he
mutters.

The bison back up, drawing away from Hiko's tree.  In the process, they
knock down several trees.

[The_Prof pages, "Been nice knowing you... :)" to you.]

And then bullfighting music begins to play.

Shizumaru says, "..."

Shizumaru trumps Corrine.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Transform douze to gun.]

The Green Knight turns to Hiko, "I would suggest doing something to get us
OUT of here."

[Akemi pages, "Okay, but don't forget, guns don't work close to Amber." to
you.]

Hiko the Firechilde aims at the bison closest to her.  "DEEP FREEZE!"

Oddly, you don't seem to be able to contact Corrine.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay, transform to crossbow.]

You freeze a bison in a block of ice.

[Akemi pages, "No problem." to you.]

Shizumaru arghs, and puts the trump away. "Maybe we should get back to the
Castle and regroup, Cousin."

Sadly, there are several hundred of them.

Hiko the Firechilde narrows her eyes.  "I need two hands for this next
one...."

And then they charge your tree, piling up on top of each other in a mad,
frothing mass of bison, like something from a horror movie.  There is a
great crack, and your tree begins to topple.

Hiko the Firechilde eeeks! and jumps free.

Shizumaru yells, "Trump back to the Castle! Just go! We can come back
later!"

Hiko the Firechilde unleashes the crossbow and shoots bison as she falls.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Kinda busy here... meet you back there?"

Hiko lands on the back of a bison.  The Green Knight, not very nimble in
his heavy armor, simply falls among them like  a rock.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  meeps again.

Many bison get shot up, and there are trampling noises at work.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "No!"

Hiko the Firechilde holds on with her knees and aims at a large group.
"Rings of Fire!"

Shizumaru answers, "All right! But...." He curses, and tries to jump
closer, to get a good view of where the Green Knight landed.

A group of bison get fried.  The ones around the one Hiko is sitting on
try to butt her legs.  Now the bison are surging around everywhere.

[Vixxy asks, "I'm fighting Horny Bison.... how did I know this was gonna
happen eventually?"
Chris B. asks, "Are they horny for you?"]

Hiko the Firechilde shoots more bison with her crossbow.

Like the ones around where the GK fell.

Hiko the Firechilde calls up another spell, aiming it at the ones around
her.  "White Noise!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Thank god for spikards.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "The douze ring was mainly a
shapeshiftable weapon, ne?" to Akemi]

Bison die in droves.  Shizumaru begins bouncing tree to tree, then drops
down among the Bison and manages to pull the Green Knight up from among
the horde.  He is unconscious.

[Akemi pages, "You can also use it to contact Gabrielle and get her to use
her powers through the manifestation." to you.]

Shizumaru yells, "Meet me in the Courtyard!" He uses his trump to escape
with the GK in tow.

Hiko the Firechilde growls, and calls Gabrielle.

Hiko the Firechilde is also holding on for dear life...

There's a *pop*, and Gabrielle appears riding a bison next to Hiko,
wearing a cowgirls outfit. "Hiiiiiiii!"

The bison keep trying to shake Hiko off.

Shizumaru would bogleg if he had the chance to.

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Don't worry, Shiz, before too long you'll
likely -get- your chance."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hi, Gabrielle!  I need some help.  Can you
transport these bison into the sea?  They're not playing nice."


[User got disconned and couldn't get back online for a long time.  Note: I
remember saying something like how they were pets of the Ravager Beast's.]

<Gabrielle> You mean like that?

<Bailesu> Okay, silence settles over the forest as the bison finish
vanishing.

<Bailesu> OOC Notes that Drew cannot get on here; he has no IRC at work.

<Hiko> ooc: Am I still sitting on one?

* Hiko oocly nods.

<Gabrielle> "OOOOOOO! Taking Mom to another world was NOT NICE!" Giant,
flaming Gabrielle looks around for something else to burn.

<Gabrielle> She points, and an ancient redwood reduces itself cleanly to
ash.

* Hiko nods at Gabrielle. "Um, Gabrielle? Could you take your frustrations
out on other things?"

<Bailesu> OOC all the bison are gone; you nearly fall through a trump gate
into 'The Shadow of Bison Stew' with it.

<Gabrielle> >POP<

<Hiko> "These trees belong to your uncle..."

* Gabrielle returns to her normal state, breathing heavily and sweating.
"I feel better now."

* Hiko leaps free and rolls when she hits the ground.

* Hiko nods to Gabrielle, lying on her back. "Thanks, Gabrielle."

* Gabrielle looks around. "The trees are pretty... but won't they burn
easily?"

<Gabrielle> "I feel like I should burn them..."

<Hiko> "They usually do... I can't think of what you could burn, but
please not the trees?"

<Hiko> "Why do you want to burn them?"

<Gabrielle> "I don't KNOW!" Gabby stomps her foot angrily.

* Hiko awkwardly gets up and pats Gabrielle's shoulder. "It's gonna be
okay. We'll get your Mommy back."

<Gabrielle> "I can't FEEL her anymore!" 

<Gabrielle> "It's like there's a big hole where her mind's supposed to
be!"

Hiko freezes. "Could you always feel her before?"

<Gabrielle> "Yes! She was always in the Castle, or with Daddy out where
he's Warden, and now she's NOT, and I don't know what to DO!" Gabrielle
sniffles a little.


[And... back to Kawaii]

[Esme Pariseau OOCly tries to summon Trish.
Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Yaaaaaaay!!!!"
Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "... wow.  it worked."
Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Didn't even have to pull out the GK plushie."]

Hiko the Firechilde pats Gabrielle's shoulder again...  "We'll think of
something," she says, a bit weakly.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I need to make sure the Green Knight is okay.
Can you find Shizumaru?"

Gabrielle sniffles a bit more. "Thankyo." She blinks., and looks gratified
at something nonthreatening to do. "I think he's in AMber.  We should go;
I don't think this place likes me very much."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Why not?"

Gabrielle says, "I don't KNOW!" Gabby looks to be on the verge of tears,
and keeps opening her mouth try and articulate something she can't quite.

Hiko the Firechilde awkwardly gathers the girl next to her in a hug.
"Let's go find Shizumaru."

Gabrielle sniffles into Hiko's shirt. "'kay..."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Where do we start?"

Gabrielle waves a hand despondently,and a Trump Gate opens.

You can see Shizumaru and the Green Knight on the other side.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Thank the gods... are you okay?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "All the bison are gone."

Shizumaru blinks, and looks up from a trump card he has in his hand.
"Cousin? They are gone? Ah, good. I am fine. The Green Knight will be all
right, as well. He just needs some time to rest."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is he awake?"

Shizumaru shakes his head. "No, he is still unconscious. I would rather
not wake him prematurely--we should let him sleep and try to figure out
what happened, in the meantime."

Wasyuu says, "He'll probably wake fairly soon, I think.  He seems tough as
a log."

Hiko the Firechilde nods to Gabrielle.  "I need to see him.  Please come
with me?  Maybe ... Grandpa can help us find Corrine."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs with relief.

Gabrielle nodds sullenly. "'kay."

Shizumaru nods, then says, "Please give me a moment," before turning back
to the trump.

Hiko the Firechilde is clearly at a loss as how to deal with Gabrielle.
She pats her shoulder again and nudges her.  "Ya wanna come with me?"

Shizumaru puts away his trump and turns to Hiko. "What is happening, now?"

Gabrielle says, ""Gran'pa is nice," she says. It seems like acquiescence.
"

Hiko the Firechilde picks up Gabrielle and walks through the Gate to where
Shizumaru is.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "This is Gabrielle.  She's Corrine's daughter."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Corrine's been taken to another world, and we
have no idea how to find her.  That's why she hasn't been answering any
Trump calls.  I saw her briefly, but we were engaged in battle, and she
got taken away again."

Gabrielle holds onto Hiko, looking depressed.

Wasyuu pats Gabrielle on the head.  "Would you like some candy?" she asks.

[Vixxy exclaims, "Ya know.... finding Corrine would be a job for.....
SHAFT!"]

Shizumaru blinks repeatedly. "...oh. I see. Er." His brow furrows. "I
should like to help get her back...."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not so fast, Cousin.  You need to attune
yourself to the Seed first.  That shouldn't take too long."

Gabrielle says, "Yes, please." She smiles tremulously at Washuu.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "There are so many things we don't know about
the Icons.  I know how to use mine... somewhat.  And I'll be you don't
know how to use yours."

Shizumaru nods grimly. "I understand."

Hiko the Firechilde boosts Gabrielle a bit.  "We need to take care of some
business here first, but then Cousin Shizumaru will help you find your
mother...."  She breaks off her sentence, a worried look crossing her
face.

Wasyuu hands a box of snickers.

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Not the cat, I hope."
Meow.
The candy bar, not the pet.]

There's about eighty one inch long mini-snickers bars in it.

Gabrielle gets down off Hiko. "Oooooo." The prospect of sugar seems to
perk her up.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I wonder if that's what he wants us to do.
Scatter, and defeat us one by one."

Hiko the Firechilde pauses.  "Has anyone heard from Nagisa or Mikage?"

Shizumaru shakes his head. "I have been gone from Amber for a number of
weeks, out of contact from them."

[Shaft says, "OOCly A month ago! ^.-"]

Wasyuu says, "From what I understand, they're off on a mission for Queen
Moire of Rebma."

Wasyuu says, "Hunting pirates or some such thing."

Shaft wanders into the infirmary with a large bruise on his head.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Ota-san!"

[Vixxy says, "Hee hee... let the Gabby drooling commence."]

Shizumaru blinks, and turns. "Ota-niisan?"

Gabrielle s-lo-wl-y looks up from her big box of snickers.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.   "'Ota-niisan'?"

Shaft pauses and stares at the two of you.  "Oh.... hey, whasap."

OTA-SAN!!! WAIIIIIIIIII!!!!

Shaft notices Gabrielle and groans

Hiko the Firechilde stares at Ota and Gabrielle.  "I take it you've met?"

Gabrielle _zooms_ across the room and GLMPS shaft at full speed.

Shizumaru glances at Hiko. "Apparently...I am actually Utena's son," he
says, sweating a bit. "A long story, which I can relate at another time."

Shaft says, "aw Shi-" *WHAM*

Shizumaru just kind of stares. o.o;

Shizumaru has not quite registered the fact that Gabrielle is Corrine's
daughter, by the way.

Gabrielle hugs Shaft's prone form like she's never hugged anything before.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'd love to hear it when we have more time."

Shaft says, "Can't.... breathe......."

Hiko the Firechilde is sorta gaping and gawking.

Shaft taptaptaps on Gabrielle's shoulder

Hiko the Firechilde gathers herself and crosses to where the GK is lying
and takes his hand.

Gabrielle relaxes her grip and looks up into shaft's eyes. "You left
without saying goodbye, Shaft." She pouts cutely. "But I forgive you."

While he doesn't wake up, he does gently squeeze your hand, perhaps
instinctively.

Shaft facepalms.

[Vixxy the Vixen giggles.  "Did a runner on her, hmm?"]

Shizumaru scratches his head. "I suppose there have been a few stories
that I have missed, myself...."

Shaft turns to Washu.  "Just gimmie somethin' for this lump an' I'll be
outta your way, doc."

Shaft stares at Shizumaru for a moment.  "Man, don'cha hate it when your
mamma spontaneously procreates...."

Shizumaru twitches slightly. "...I suppose so, Niisan."

Gabrielle is glued to Shaft's arm, smiling happily.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks slowly, squeezing the GK's hand.  She looks up
at Washyuu.  "Do you think a healing spell would work?  Or does he just
need rest?"

Shaft eyes Gabrielle nervously.  "So, er... what the hell you doin' down
here?"

Gabrielle says, "Cousin Hiko brought me to save her from Horny Bison!" She
smiles.

Wasyuu says, "He just needs sleep."

Shaft stares at Hiko.  "Where's that crazy girl been bringin' you?!"

Wasyuu says, "He was heavily bruised, possibly a mild concussion, but my
treatment should fix his concussion in no time."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Crazy?"

Hiko the Firechilde pats his hand gently, then leans down to give him a
kiss on his forehead.

Shaft patpats Gabrielle's head.  "Now if anyone brings ya to animals
that're a liiiiittle too friendly, you just tell'em 'no', okay?"

Hiko the Firechilde turns to Ota.  "Who are you calling crazy?  They were
pets left from the ravager beast."

Gabrielle giggles. "Okay, Ota-san!"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "They started attacking us."

Shaft nods at Hiko, very slowly.  "Okaay, ravager beast, whatever y'say,
cousin."

Gabrielle exclaims, "Its true!"

Gabrielle exclaims, "It was a big, angry squid, with knobbly tentacles!"

Shizumaru listens in bemusement.

Shaft patpats Gabrielle's head again.    "Of course it is.  Now Washu, if
you can gimmie a magical head-lump remover...."

Shaft says, "and Tentacled thangs, Gabrielle, are a no-no."

Hiko the Firechilde glares at Ota.  "I am telling the truth!"

Wasyuu hands Shaft a potion bottle labelled 'Bump Remover'.  "Just drink
this."

Shaft raises his hands defensively.  "Hey, I ain't sayin' you're lyin, am
I?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't like the patronizing tone in your
voice."

Gabrielle climbs up Shafts arm and whispers in his ear.

Shaft blinks

Shaft nods at hearing Gabrielle's words.  "Ooooh, okay."

Gabrielle drops back down and beams. "It was neat!"

Gabrielle says, "Hey, did you know that Hiko has the blood of chaos, just
like you?"

Shaft turns to Hiko.  "I see, I see, glad y'feelin better, Cousin."   He
then turns to Washu.  "Now the last time I guzzled your shit, you had me
drinkin' unicorn piss an' mud.  TELL me this is-"  He pauses at
Gabrielle's words.  "Say wha?"

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "This is serious, though.  Corrine has
disappeared, into another UNIVERSE and I've met a woman who looks like my
mother but is *not* a Shadow of her."  She cocks her head at Gabrielle's
words.  "My father was from Chaos?"

Gabrielle nods happily. "Or your mother!"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "You've met my mother, Gabrielle."

Shaft elbows Shizumaru. "Y'know, the rate this thang's goin', she'll end
up bein' our half-sister."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I know who my father is."

Hiko the Firechilde clenches her jaw slightly.

Shizumaru shakes his head slowly. "I make absolutely no guesses at this
point, because they would likely be wrong."

Shaft opens the bottle and sniffs cautiously.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "In all my research so far, I never knew that he
was a Chaosian... it does explain a lot."

Gabrielle claps her hands, and weird magical diagrams of Hiko and Shaft
appear. "See? Right here. Blood of Chaos." She points at black squiggles
that look just like a bunch of other black squiggles.

Shaft blinks.  "Wha?"

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.  "Does that mean that I can eventually
shapeshift?"
Akemi pages, "If you are indeed Chaosian, yes :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Gabby could be wrong?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Even the Pattern isn't all knowing :0" to you.
Akemi pages, "But she's rarely wrong." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Still, Ludovicus as a
chaosian... explains his hatred of Amber.]

The bottle smells like Pepsi.

Shaft shrugs and holds the bottle to Gabrielle.  "Tell me what's in this."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'm gonna have to check the records again."

Gabrielle squints at the bottle, and spouts a long series of chemical
codes.

Shizumaru finally seems to realize that he hasn't been introduced to
Gabrielle. "Hello...Gabrielle, is that your name?" he says, smiling.

Hiko the Firechilde falls into deep thought.

[Shizumaru OOCly says, "It's about time that Shizu finds out his favorite
auntie has a kid. And has become queen of Ember. And a whole bunch of
other things. o.o"]

Shaft stares at Gabrielle for a moment, shrugs, and downs the bottle in
two gulps.

Gabrielle beams. "Uh-huh! I'm the Princess of Ember!"

Shaft exclaims, "AAAAAAAAAGH!"

It tastes like Pepsi.

Shizumaru smiles and bows. "My name is Hisame Shizumaru. I came from
Lipun, and am a prince of Amber."

Shaft scowls and tosses the bottle away.  "Shit, tasted like PEPSI."

[Shizumaru OOCly laughs.]

Shizumaru flinches slightly at Shaft's outburst, but tries to ignore it.

Shaft blinks slowly and scratches his skin.

[Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Clear signs that Wasyuu's a quack.  Her
alchemical potions taste like bad soft drinks."]

The bump on Shaft's head starts to shrink.

Then Shaft's skin starts to turn purple.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oh my..."

Shaft exclaims, "WAAAAAAAASHUUUUUU!!!!!!!!"

Gabrielle giggles. "You're cute when you're purple," she coos.

Shaft pulls out a trump, then pulls a large mallet out through it.

Wasyuu looks at Shaft, then frowns.  "Oh wait, I used that flask to
rebottle the last of my Sipping Logrus after it escaped the bottle it came
in."

Shaft exclaims, "I'm PURPLE!"

Shizumaru twitches again. "Ah-ha...so. How do you know Aunt Corrine? I
heard her being mentioned while you and Hiko were takling earlier."

Shizumaru is doing his best to to be thrown off-track by Shaft's Colorful
Adventures.

[Shizumaru OOCly says, "Not to be thrown off track, that is."]

Shaft says, "how can I go put the mack on-"  He pauses and glances at
Gabrielle for a moment, thenn turns back.  "How'm I supposed t'go out like
this, woman?!?!"

Gabrielle gigles. "She's my mommy, silly! The Queen of Ember!"

Shizumaru stumbles.

Shaft asks, "an'what the hell is sippin' logrus?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I've been trying to figure that one out myself,
Cousin."

Shizumaru asks, "Pardon me...did you just say that you are Aunt Corrine's
daughter, and that she is the Queen of Ember?"

In the background, Shaft throttles Washu.

Gabrielle exclaims, "Uh-huh!"

Shizumaru looks very thoughtful.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Something wrong, Cousin?"

Shizumaru finally says, very slowly, "Yes, I have been missing out on a
lot of information, it seems."

Wasyuu says, "Sipping Logrus is made by distilling Logrus Tendrils."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Well, unless you have something better to do,
we can trade stories at the pub near the castle."

She continues, "It's slow brewed in fast-time shadows for millenia."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Or at least as much as I know."

"And it has hideously unpredictable effects on people who bear the blood
of chaos, but haven't learned to shapeshift properly."

Shaft's bump is now gone completely.  His hair turns plaid.

Shaft THROTTLES Washu.  "FIX THIS, WOMAN!!!"

Gabrielle looks curious. "Did  you have the Old One 'eyed Serpent blend,
or the more piiquant Thelbanes Tears blend?'"

Wasyuu makes gurgly noises.

[Dancing Ed OOCly says, "Well, plaid probably goes better with purple than
pink did..."]

Hiko the Firechilde tries not to stare at Ota too much.

Shaft exclaims, "I cannnot GO to the CASTLE like THIS!"

Shaft asks, "How LONG does this LAST?"

[Dancing Ed OOCly says, "Just tell 'em Washu sent you. They'll
understand."]

Shizumaru is still nodding slowly. "That sounds like a good idea...I will
be there later. Perhaps I can bring Rimururu-san along. I need to show her
around Amber."

Wasyuu says, "You're in the castle, Shaft.  Oh dear, the mind-warping
effects must be kicking in."

Wasyuu says, "Well, I finally get to study the effects of this on a
chaosian, so it's not ALL bad!"

Shaft suddenly gets an idea.  "Hey, Gabby, zap me to your kingdom for ten
seconds'n bring me back.  That oughta be... what, a couple'a hours?"

Gabrielle says, "Okay!" She snaps her fingers.

Shaft says, "'least I'll get my tan back...."

Shizumaru is just not looking at Shaft, for fear of having his train of
thought derailing completely.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Well, which do you want to do first?  Show your
friend... Rimururu-san around?  Attune the Seed?"

[Shaft exclaims, "OOCly AAAgh!  Shaft not there for nut jokes!"]

[Shizumaru OOCly says, "Rimu's still getting her trump portrait done,
right?"]

Hiko the Firechilde finally succeeds in getting her brain back on track.
"Now that the bison are gone, we should be able to do it fairly quickly."

Shizumaru answers, "Attuning myself to the Seed. Rimururu-san is having
her trump portrait done, still, and will probably be a little while
longer."

[Shizumaru pages, "You may notice a faint blush appearing on Shizumaru's
face when he mentions Rimururu." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And I think I know how to get Shizumaru
in that compromising position... can we say Heart-inducement?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.
Foxtrot lowers the prod and cackles.]

Shaft appears again.  He now has several bath buckets hanging off him.

Shaft says, "don't ask."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then smile at Shizumaru, doing a double take at
Ota.  "..."
Shizumaru says, "Do not worry, Ota-niisan. I will not ask."

Gabrielle says, "Oh yes, that's right.... they finished rebuilding it."

Wasyuu says, "Hmm.  I could attempt to purge you of the Sipping Logrus."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How is the reconstruction going on?"

Shaft mutters, "Guess I'll go find some chicks that don't mind the Dr.
Seuss look...."

Hiko the Firechilde (don't think about Ota... you'll just blow a brain
cell again)

Shaft grins maniacally.  "Hey, Yumi's a mage, yeah.... she might fix
this....."  He rifles through his trumps to find Yumi

Shizumaru picks up the Seed of Hope again, looks at it speculatively. "So,
Cousin Hiko...what will I have to do, exactly?"

Shaft mutters something about whooping God-Ass and getting rewarded with
plaid.....

Gabrielle asks, "Yumi?  That's a woman's name."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We need to go back to Arden."  She pats the
Green Knight's hand again, then gets up.

Shaft blinks and patpats Gabrielle.  "Why don'cha go help Hiko'n Shizzy
there, baby?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'll tell you what you need to do when you get
there."

Shaft says through his trump contact, "Hey, you'll never believe what
happened t'me, baby...."

Hiko the Firechilde looks speculatively at Shizumaru.  "I wonder if you're
strong enough.... do you trust me?"

Shizumaru moves to follow Hiko. He pauses, then bows to the others in the
room in parting. "Very good, Cousin. Let us go."

Shizumaru blinks at Hiko. "I...should I have a reason not to trust you?"

Shaft says, "hey, shizuie, c'mere a sec."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No... I just--"  She looks around.  "We should
go."

Hiko the Firechilde concentrates on Arden, and the clearing and takes
Shizumaru's hand.

Shizumaru does not hear Shaft, however, as he's already off elsewhere with
Hiko.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "We reappear in the clearing?" to Akemi]

Shaft blinks and looks at Gabrielle a moment, then rolls his eyes as
Shizumaru and Hiko depart.  "Well, his loss."

Shaft pokes Gabrielle.  "You didn't cut off my trump, did you?"

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Need to do a split scene here, ne?"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "What were you thinking of, Rod? o.o"
Shaft says, "OOCly I was thinking of a) plaid  b) sex   c) Dr. Seuss"]

Gabrielle blinks. "I can cut off Trumps?"

Gabrielle smiles innocently at Shaft.

[The Green Knight says, "OOC Hai, we'll need to split the group."]

Hiko the Firechilde and Shizumaru reappear in the clearing in Arden.

[Shaft asks, "OOCly and shaft is done for the night, right>?"
The Green Knight says, "OOC Pretty much, yeah, Rod."
Shaft OOCly sits in the peanut gallery and watches o.o]

Shizumaru looks around cautiously for any signs of bison. Just in case.

There are no bison here.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Gabrielle teleported them all away to a
different shadow... she's got amazing Pattern powers."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Most likely because she IS the Pattern."  She
holds up a hand.  "Don't ask me to explain."

Shizumaru sighs in relief. "Ah. Well, no, I will not ask. Too many things
to ask about at this point."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "To walk the Pattern takes great strength of
mind, and from what I remember of seeing you at Kozue's duel, you don't
seem to be very strong...  Pardon me for being blunt."

Shizumaru flushes slightly. "I...understand." He sighs. "I had been
meditating in order to strengthen my mind in preparation of walking the
Pattern. I hope that will have been enough."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The Green Knight helped me when I walked the
Pattern here for the first time.  I was hoping he'd be able to do the same
for you."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I wonder if I could do the same for you...
that's why I'm asking if you trust me."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hey... what would happen if I took the
Heart with me through the Wood pattern?" to Akemi]

Shizumaru blinks a few times. "Really? Oh, I see...." He nods. "I do trust
you, yes. I have not known you for long, but we have already faced a
number of things together. I believe we are on the same side."

[Akemi pages, "Nothing bad will happen." to you.
Akemi pages, "It might have weird side-effects, though :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Like what?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You'll have to find out :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods and points at the archway.  "There stands the
Wood Pattern.  We can walk it together.  But I think I need to put the
Heart away before I walk it.  I'm not sure what affect attuning it to the
Wood Pattern would have, and I don't think I want to find out."

Hiko the Firechilde pulls out her trump of King Tylor.

Tylor answers.  "Good morning, Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Hello, your Highness.  How are you doing?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you busy right now?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "This would be the perfect time for the
Embran KT to show up, btw--- <clamps a hand over her mouth>" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]

Shizumaru waits patiently, regarding the Seed and the Wood Pattern
thoughtfully. Let's hope it goes okay.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Could you do me a favor?  I need you to hold
something for me... put it in the Vaults, even."

He nods.  "No problem.  What is it?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's one of the Icons.  I need for it to be
safe while I do something."

"Alright."  He holds out a hand.  "I'll take it down to the vault after we
finish eating."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is it lunchtime?  Who's there with you?"

[USER DEATHLAGGED BEYOND ALL REASON, SESSION CONTINUED ANOTHER DAY]


Hiko the Firechilde peers around to see if she can see who King Tylor's
eating with.

"It's just me and Utena and Yuriko," he says.

Hiko the Firechilde nods and holds out the Heart to King Tylor.  "Could
you hold this for me, while I help Shizumaru attune his Icon?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It would be just my luck if KT turned
out to be a fake.
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.
Akemi pages, "Well, you trumped him, so the odds it's a fake Tylor are
fairly low." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But (and this is ooc knowledge) a fake
Tylor answered Nagisa's call.
Akemi pages, "As I said, the odds are low :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ah-hah....  <thbbbpts>" to Akemi]

He nods and takes it.  "Certainly."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "We should be coming back for it soon."

Hiko the Firechilde bows and closes the trump connection.

Shizumaru has been waiting quietly for Hiko in the meanwhile, and finally
walks up to her. "So that is your Icon...."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yep... it wasn't easy getting it, either.
Almost burned my hand and arm off because it was booby trapped."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "My foot, too.  Luckily, my shoes didn't burn
away."

Shizumaru blinks. "That must have been unpleasant." Then he stops and
looks down at the Seed of Hope. "Then again, my experience in getting this
was also rather unpleasant, to say the least."

Hiko the Firechilde grins, remembering her time in teh City of Brass.
"C'mon, time's a-wasting, and we can exchange stories later."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Shall we?"

Shizumaru nods. "Of course."

Hiko the Firechilde takes Shizumaru's hand, and leads him along the path
and under the archway and onto the path of the Wood Pattern.

The Wood Pattern is like walking down a path through the forest which
twists and bends, with pine needles for a floor, and trees vaulting up
around you.  You feel a definite jolt when you take your first step.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What about me?" to Akemi]

Shizumaru blinks, then concentrates on moving slowly and carefully.

Hiko the Firechilde keeps her hold on Shizumaru's hand, letting him go at
his own pace.

[Akemi pages, "You also feel a jolt." to you.]

The air is warm, and birds sing, but every step slowly becomes more
difficult as you press forward.

Shizumaru proceeds deliberately, step by step by step.... He keeps his
eyes on the pathway just before him, not looking right or left beyond what
is about to come. Sweat drips down his face, but he does not move to wipe
it away.

It reminds Shizumaru a bit of his trip to Lord Totoro's home, really.
Although Hiko is rather older than Mai.

The air gradually grows warmer, and then you come to a place where the
branches come together, nearly blocking the path.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Big jolt or minor jolt?  Because I've
walked this pattern before.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The first veil..."

Shizumaru faintly murmurs, "I remember this," more to himself than
anything. He presses on slowly.

Hiko the Firechilde lets Shizumaru lead.

[Akemi pages, "Walking the Pattern is never easy." to you.]

Shizumaru moves forward, and gradually forces his way through the first
veil. Carefully, but with determination.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I agree.... but I've done it twice, so
far.]

Hiko the Firechilde pushes through after, her brow furrowed.

As you brush through the branches, you feel a rush inside your head, a
surge of half-forgotten memories of your childhood, of happy times and
sad.

[Akemi pages, "It doesn't get any easier :)" to you.]

Tears start to stream down Hiko's face, and she wipes them away with one
of her sleeves, her hand clenching around Shizumaru's.

And now the air is hot, and animals can be seen frolicing beyond the thick
growing trees.  Birds sing loudly, and the trees show their full
splendour.

Shizumaru almost wobbles, but grits his teeth and maintains his balance.
That was expected, from his research into the Pattern, but not easy to
handle. "Mother," he whispers.

With every step, you remember your training as a martial artist, and the
times of your young adulthood.

You keep going, and your head begins to throb.  Your body will hold out,
you're sure, but your brain might be another matter...  The path begins to
curve and doubleback on itself.

And then you come upon the second veil.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Both of us?  Or just him?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Your brain is fine, thanks to high psyche.  the pain is a
minor annoyance." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Thought so.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I lend him psychic strength?" to
Akemi
Akemi pages, "Yes." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde whispers to Shizumaru.  "How're you doing?"

Shizumaru twitches. "My head hurts. I am...having a little difficulty
assimilating all the memories." He pauses. "Would using a power word be a
good idea right now?"

The veil draws nearer as you keep walking.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "If I remember right, Power Words use your life
force to sustain it... I'm not sure if you want to do that."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "If you let me, I can help bear the brunt of
it."

[Akemi pages, "You think power words won't work well on the Pattern,
either, as it tends to negate magic" to you.]

Shizumaru nods. "I would appreciate it.... Thank you, cousin."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Plus, power words might not work well on the
Pattern, as they tend to negate magic."

Hiko the Firechilde holds Shizumaru's hand tightly and insinuates herself
into Shizumaru's mind, acting as a buffer.

Shizumaru relaxes slightly, and approaches the next veil.

The second veil passes, bringing back memories of the day your life
forever changed, when you fought the Silver Armed Man.

Shizumaru grits his teeth again. "I will find Mother," he mutters,
repeating his promise.

The air begins to chill, cooling from hot to warm to cool as you walk
along.  The leaves are brightly colored, but falling to the ground,
littering the path, now, and the animals are less energetic.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What kind of memories are filtering
in?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You can't see much more than bits of the memories, as you
have to focus most of your attention on giving him strength and not
screwing up yourself." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right...
Akemi pages, "And the memories well up inside his mind; they don't crawl
in through your buffer." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay.  Wasn't sure how this was working,
only that I could do it.]

Memories of your experiences in Amber well up now, strange and confusing
place, strange memories and stranger people.

The visions for which you hung upon the Tree of Wisdom rise up as well.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks and concentrates on her own footing.

[Akemi pages, "You get some really WEIRD flashes from those, as he seems
to be remembering being Gendo..." to you.]

Shizumaru smiles grimly. The tests he passed to gain the Seed.... These
are, in their way, good memories for him.

Hiko the Firechilde really blinks this time...

You feel the elation of your gaining the seed as the road bends and
twists, turning and turning.

Shizumaru's voice comes faintly. "...is something wrong, Cousin?"

And then branches rise up before you, the third veil.

Hiko the Firechilde mutters, "Talk later, walk now."

Ice coats them.

Shizumaru nods and falls silent, and presses onward to the their veil.
And as you brush through them, you remember discovering the seed had been
stolen, and ice coats you as well.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And me?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Hmm.  You probably have a flashback to one of your less
pleasant experiences with your little buddy the Battousai here." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ick.]

Shizumaru shivers slightly, but brushes off the chill and continues to
focus on making his way through.

Hiko the Firechilde shivers, and tries to brush away the ice from her
face.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I meant, is the ice on me, too?  I'll
just assume it is.
Akemi pages, "Ahh.  Not literal ice; emotional ice." to you.]

Now the road is ice covered with dead leaves and pine needles, slick to
the touch and tricky to walk on.  The trees are brown and seemingly dead.
The animals are silent.  And all your failures of your life rise up to
taunt you.

Hiko the Firechilde grits her teeth, swearing voluminously under her
breath.  "......getyoufuckerfindwhereyoucamefrom...."

Times wondering about the father you never met.  The disappearance of your
mother.  Your near-defeat by Venir 2.0.  The theft of the Seed.  Killing
all those knights in the Cave of Worlds...

Your body is tired, but it's the mental pain, the regrets, the fears,
which make it hardest to go on.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How much mental juice do I have left?"
to Akemi]

Shizumaru grits his teeth so hard that his jaw locks. He counters the
memories of those failures with his later successes. Yes, he lost the
Seed...but he got it back. His mother is still missing--but he will find
her. The knights...he will make reparations someday, surely. Surely.

[Akemi pages, "You still have goatloads of mental juice.  Having Buttloads
of Psyche has its privileges :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde pours more strength into her buffer for Shizumaru,
giving him a little mental pickmeup as well.

Shizumaru growls. "It is not over...I will not give up."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I love having BUTTLOADS of Psyche...]

And then the final veil rises, wet branches, dripping water to the ground
below.  Pushing through it is like shoving through a wall.  And then the
resistance gives and you tumble to the ground, inside the Wood Pattern,
feeling the Seed pulse in your hands like a heart, wishing you could take
a nice, long nap.  There's an open area here about fifty feet across with
a slight mound in the center.

The air is nice and warm.

The birds sing and the sun shines down.

Shizumaru blinks owlishly, peering around. He does not stop walking,
though, unsure if the walk is completed, and moves toward that mound.

You can feel a link to the Seed now, and more peace of mind to go with
your exhaustion.

Hiko the Firechilde looks around... is this the same place where she met
the Unicorn?

Shizumaru says, ever so faintly, "Can I stop yet? Is it finished?"

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "Winter has ended... life returns to the
forest."

Yes, it is, but the Unicorn seems to be out at the moment.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Life is an eternal cycle of growth, maturity,
death... and we are at the center of it all, here in Arden, here in the
glade of the Unicorn."

Hiko the Firechilde squeezes Shizumaru's hand.  "You did wonderfully."

Shizumaru is still walking, almost zombie-like. "Life, indeed.... Thank
you, Cousin."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Um... we're done."  He pulls her along.  "I
said, we're done now."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I give him a little mental wake
up?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I don't think he's very strong mentally,
is he?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you okay, cousin?"

Shizumaru nods and says, "Oh." He takes a few more steps, then releases
Hiko's hand, and pitches forward. "So tired."

[Akemi pages, "He's not very strong mentally, and right now, he's
exhausted." to you.]

Shizumaru curls up on the ground with the Seed like a giant acorn plushie
and closes his eyes.

Hiko the Firechilde kneels down, and hauls Shizumaru up against her.
Supporting Shizumaru's head, and wrapping her arms around him and the
Seed, she cradles his head on her breast.  "Take us to the infirmary at
the Castle Amber, now!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Mission accomplished.  ^_^" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hee hee!" to Akemi]

There's a blink and you're back in the infirmary, sitting on one of the
beds.

Shizumaru yawns, slumps, and breathes in that deep, measured rhythm of a
sleeping person.

Hiko the Firechilde slumps backwards at the sudden teleport, toppling over
onto the bed.  "Medic!"

Wasyuu comes over.  "You two been off having fun?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Not quite... he's exhausted, poor boy... do you
have a quiet place where he can lie down and not be disturbed for at least
twelve hours?"

Hiko the Firechilde nudges him slightly.  "Shizumaru... can you hear me?"

Wasyuu says, "The infirmary's full of beds; I'm sure he can sleep here
just fine.  Or I could help you take him up to his room.  Wore him out,
did you?"

Shizumaru snores softly in response.

Hiko the Firechilde blushes.  "It wasn't like that."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I think he might feel safer in his room.  Do
you know where it is?"

Wasyuu nods.  "I know everything."  She helps you pick up Shizumaru.
"Let's go."

Hiko the Firechilde supports him on the right side, looking for a pocket
or a pouch she can put the Seed in.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Well?  Does that count?" to Akemi]

Shizumaru gets carried. While he is, for the most part, rather relaxed, he
does maintain a deathgrip on the Seed. It would take some doing to pry it
loose from his arms.

The Seed is over a foot across; it's too big for a pouch.  But you can put
it on his stomach as you carry him.

Okay....

You soon get him up to his room and put him in bed.

Hiko the Firechilde supports his head and arms, arranging the Seed on his
stomach.

[In a page-pose to you, Akemi noogies you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Well????  Or do you want more?" to
Akemi]

Shizumaru mutters some words softly, mostly unintelligible. But you may
hear 'Mother', perhaps, and 'Rimururu'.

Hiko the Firechilde writes a quick note: I'll make sure no one disturbs
you as you sleep.  I'm off to do research on the Icons, and I'll try and
find out how yours works.  I'm proud of you, Cousin.  -- Hiko.

Hiko the Firechilde leaves the room quietly, and strides towards the
courtyard, taking out the Trump of King Tylor as she does and activating
it.

Shizumaru @sleeps.

[Akemi pages, "I have feeling I must be forgetting something." to you.]

Shizumaru sleeps.  And sleeps and sleeps.  We'll get back to him. [spoofed
by Michelle]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Forgetting what?" to Akemi]


[PAUSE SESSION]

Michelle pauses game to discuss Pattern stuff with drew.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Sure thing."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  pauses as well.

Okay, Shizumaru sleeps, what you gonna go do, Hiko?

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Go to the temple of the Unicorn and talk
to the priests there about the Icons."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "But I need to get it back first."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Hence, trumping King Tylor."

Tylor eats your brain...oh, wait, no, he just takes your trump call.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  thbbbpts at the GM.

Shizumaru OOCly snerks.

Hiko the Firechilde bows.  "Your Highness."

He smiles at you.  "Princess Hiko.  Come to get your heart back?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes... Shizumaru's sleeping now, and I wanted
to talk to the priests of the Unicorn about it."

He reaches into his trenchcoat and pulls it out, passing it to you.  "I've
been given hearts before, but this was perhaps the most impressive one I
ever gave back."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles, reaching for it and putting it away.  "I'm
sure Yuriko would love to hear that."  She winks.  "I'll also tell the
Green Knight you said hi."

Tylor smiles.  "I haven't given Yuriko her heart back yet, you see.  I had
to keep that one for myself."  He frowns a bit.  "I understand the Green
Knight is in our infirmary."

Hiko the Firechilde closes the connection with a laugh, and sets off for
the Temple (after getting directions from a guard(.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Whoops...."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Player error."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes, we had some trouble with the guardians the
Beast that originally took Corrine left, but Gabrielle was able to take
care of them."  She quails.  "Not before he got trampled by them."

Tylor shakes his head.  "I always thought the Green Knight was
invulnerable so long as his pattern lasted.  But then, I have never really
studied the lore of Patterns."  He cocks his head listening to something.
"I have a request to make of you in turn."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yes, your Highness?  These were not natural
bison."

"Long ago, I stumbled upon a rather unusual tower in shadow.  I've come
into some evidence which may indicate it is being used as a base by some
of Annadil's forces. I'm hoping you can find time to investigate it."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Where is this tower?"

He says, "About two weeks travel from Arden.  It stands on a cliff with
fire to one side, a chasm of air on the other, and a sea of water in front
of it."  He shakes his head.  "A very strange place, and filled with a
weird energy that drove me away the time I visited it.  Gave me the
creeps."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "If it can drive you away, what makes you think
I can get close enough to investigate?"

Tylor says, "You possess one of the strongest minds I've ever seen, and
well, I've never been an expert in such things.  And you possess a spikard
and the Heart of Fire.  If they together are not sufficient to the task,
then I suspect no one but Derith or Fuyutsuki would be able to make their
way to it."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'd want some muscle going with me.  I'm not a
great fighter."

He nods.  "Ramon isn't doing anything, and I think Shaft is lounging about
drinking somewhere.  And purple too, from what I hear, but I'm sure it's
just a phase."

Shizumaru OOCly sniggers.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think the two of them have worked before.
Maybe having both of them with me would help."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Would you ask them for me if they'd come with?"

He smiles.  "I'll lean on them for you.""

Hiko the Firechilde bows.  "If that's all, I need to be getting to the
Temple now."

He nods.  "Have fun in the library.  Don't let the priests convince you
the rite of rutabagas is necessary."  He waves bye.

Hiko the Firechilde waves, and closes the connection, NOW, asking for
directions and making her way into town, to the Temple of the Unicorn.

You make your way down to the Temple of the Unicorn, a grand and beautiful
cathedral of white marble and stained glass in the gothic style.

A young tonsured priest greets you at the door.  "Blessing of the Unicorn
upon you, traveller."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The Blessing of the Unicorn upon you, good
priest.  I require some assistance."

"With your pregnancy?"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.

"I take it you have a different problem?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Um, not yet.  I'm only a few weeks along, if
I've counted correctly."

He nods.  "So how may we aid you?"

The_Prof pages, "That's right, I forgot you're gonna be a mommy. :)" to
you.

[Rod McCarthy says, "I am going to actively avoid anyone short of mom and
the king for a while, thank you o.o"]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's a research problem.  I've been asked by
King Tylor to come here to do research on the Icons."

He nods.  "Let me take you to Brother Abelard."

[Vixxy asks, "What if the King asks you to accompany your cousin on a
mission?"]

Brother Abelard turns out to be a middle-aged man in saffron.

Rod McCarthy says, "in that case, don't have a choice"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Bits of Sirena are creeping in.  I'm
lying to minor lackeys...]

[Demetrius says, "It's sad how Hiko would have to be the stable,
intelligent one for that mission."]

[Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]

Brother Abelard asks, "How can I be of assistance, Princess?"

Hiko the Firechilde bows.  "I'm told you're the one to see about research
into the Icons?  The Prophecies have stated that we five childen are the
only ones who can close the Gate, but I have no idea how we're supposed to
do it."

Brother Abelard says, "Well, it's never actually been done, so not much is
known about how it could be done, although I can share various works of
half-baked speculation with you."

Brother Abelard says, "My own suspicion is that it would probably require
you all to form a psychic link to each other, to coordinate your efforts."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is that what it says in the books?"

Brother Abelard takes you round the library, gathering various books as he
talks.  "In some of them.  Others claim that keyholes will open up, or
that a giant cow will come out and eat them, or..."

Brother Abelard hands you more books.  "One of the problems is that no one
knows what's on the other side of the Forbidden Gate or what happens when
it's opened."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Which books do you lend credence to and why?"

Brother Abelard asks, "Are you familiar with the speculations of Steven of
Langobard?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks frantically for a cart to put the books on.

There are no carts, only Zuul.

Brother Abelard waves about 'The Fruitcakes of Doom' for a moment, then
puts it back on the shelf.  "I tend to incline to the theory that opening
the Gate would destroy the Pattern and the Logrus."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Seriously... cart or no cart?"

There are no carts, only Zuul.

Brother Abelard says, "Well, that's part of the problem. About a quarter
of the books we can dismiss as fruitcake theories."

Brother Abelard says, "For example, the theory that you use the icons to
make fruitcakes to close the gate is UNLIKELY to be true."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How do you see that?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "About the Pattern and the Logrus, I mean.  Not
the fruitcakes."

Brother Abelard says, "Well, the Gate has to be opened using weapons
connected TO the Pattern and the Logrus.  Which means the Gate either will
be powered by them or will do something TO them."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "So, using the Icons would involve negating the
powers of the Blades?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks for a desk to set the books on.

There are several reading tables.

Brother Abelard says, "Anyway, the Icons don't draw on Order or Chaos, but
on the Elements for power."

Brother Abelard says, "So they can keep functioning even if Order and
Chaos lose strength.   Or so I speculate"

Hiko the Firechilde mumurs to herself.   "That's as good a theory as any."

Hiko the Firechilde puts a lot of the books down on the tables and goes to
follow Brother Abelard.

Brother Abelard hands you twelve different commentaries on the Prophecies
of the Unicorn.  "Now, where is Fear and Loathing in Amber..."  He starts
running his finger along the spines of various books.

He hands you three more books.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at the large amount of books on the tables.
Even with the speed reading skills....  "Can I send out for refreshment
while I read?"

Brother Abelard says, "Yes, you can."

Brother Abelard says, "Another one of the great mysteries is why the Gate
is in Tir'na-nog."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What's the prevailing theory?"

Brother Abelard says, "To reduce its accessibility."

Brother Abelard says, "After all, Tir'na-nog doesn't exist most of the
time."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Cloudless day, during a full moon."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What's the crackpot theory?"

Brother Abelard nods.  "Exactly.  It reduces the time frame within which
anyone could open it.  Others think perhaps the Gate has some sort of
power over dreams and that's why it's in Tir'na-Nog, the Dream Castle in
the Sky."

Brother Abelard says, "Indeed, I've known some to speculate that it spends
most of its time in the place where dreams happen, wherever that is."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, too.

Brother Abelard says, "Some have speculated that if the Gate is open, the
Castle will become the reality, and all that we know will be reduced to
but dreams and mist as it is now."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And then what would happen to Amber if that
were to happen?"

Brother Abelard says, "I suppose it would appear in the sky under
Tir'na-nog whenever the moon was full, but fade away to mist the rest of
the time.  Or maybe when the moon wasn't full..."

Brother Abelard says, "Whatever the results, it would be bad."

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly.  "I see."

Brother Abelard says, "Of course, Rileve the Blue used to argue that
Tir'na-nog was the primal pattern of which all others were just
reflections, and that's why it holds the Gate."

Brother Abelard says, "He believed the tools needed to draw a new Pattern
were locked away behind it."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "A new Pattern... what would that do?"

Brother Abelard says, "We can only speculate, but it would radically
reshape the face of Shadow."

Brother Abelard says, "Casting it in its maker's image."

[PAUSED FOR ANOTHER DAY]


Akemi pages, "I can pretty much summarize your research findings for you
by page, though." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Please?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Ahh, sorry.  Doing too many things at once." to you.

Akemi pages, "There's only a few things which all your sources agree
on--The Icons work best in the hands of the Children, and they have to be
used together to close the Gate.  It remains unclear how anyone knows
this, though, as the Gate has supposedly never been opened." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But HOW??????" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "No one seems to have a clue.  The Gate has never been opened
and all five have never been used in unison." to you.

Akemi pages, "There's a lot of metaphysical speculation on--what the gate
is, what is behind it, and what opening it will do." to you.

Akemi pages, "It seems to be known that Fuyutsuki either won't, or can't
discuss the subject, except to say it is BAD." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How abou how each one works
individually?  Like how the Heart had several anecdotes about its use.

Akemi pages, "They all seem to work on the basic principle that you have
to attune yourself to it, either through extensive meditative exercises,
or by walking the Pattern with it." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Riiiiight, but what do they do?  Bloody
scholars, rassum-frassum...

Akemi pages, "The Sword of Truth reveals the truth and is a Pattern Blade.
The Bag of Winds has power over wind and weather.  The Cup of Life
controls water and brings healing.  And the Seed of hope controls green
and growing things and brings hope." to you.

Akemi pages, "Gendo used the Cup and the Bag several times to destroy
entire fleets." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hope, Passion, Truth, Healing... and
Weather?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Queen Yvette is said to have used the Bag of winds to make
beautiful, delicate cloud sculptures." to you.

Akemi pages, "Some of the books believe the cup of life may have been
responsible for Queen Haruka's extended lifespan, which remains a disputed
issue." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Extended?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "The average Amberite lives around 400 years.  The royal
family has muchly extended lifespans, and those who walk the Pattern seem
to have extremely extended lifespans.  Tylor is 862, but looks 30, for
example.  However, Queen Haruka showed no signs of aging at a normal rate,
but rather stayed around 30 for most her reign, only dying because she was
murdered." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "My gramma, right?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Your Grandma.  The cause of this is unknown, although Queen
Anthy seems to have the same life extension as well." to you.

Akemi pages, "She's known to have been especially adept in handling the
Seed of Hope; this is usually thought to be because she possessed Vilya,
the Spikard of Wood." to you.

Akemi pages, "Which was lost when she was murdered." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Is there a spikard of flame?'" to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So I did research all night?  And
returned to the castle in the morning?" to Akemi

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.  You'd probably keep reading until they
threw you out when they closed up for the night.

Akemi pages, "You've never heard of a spikard of flame, but you haven't
studied spikard lore much." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay, so they threw me out at night, and
i went back to the castle, slept.  Next morning, I went down to the
infirmary to see how the Knight was doing.

Akemi pages, "I'm not done yet telling you stuff you found out :)" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You're not?  Okay... continue.

Akemi pages, "There's several schools of thought surrounding what happens
if the gate opens--" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'm not getting ANYTHING useful... or
things at least that Hiko would consider useful.

Akemi pages, "One school holds that whoever opens the gate would gain the
ability to create their own Symbol of Power like the Logrus or the
Pattern." to you.

Akemi pages, "A second school believes the Logrus and the Pattern will
both be destroyed when the Gate is opened, and it will be up to whoever
opens them to create something new to take their place." to you.

Akemi pages, "The third school believes that the opener will become the
Master of both Logrus and Pattern." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "THAT would be interesting.  All three
sound bad when you think about who wants it.

Akemi pages, "The fourth school believes something is imprisoned beyond
the gate and will simply come out and eat whoever opens it and go on a
rampage." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Fido?  Skippy?" to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Who are these four schools.

Akemi pages, "They basically represent trends of thought you see as you
read many different books; some of them include living scholars you could
go talk to." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Like who?  And who are teh living ones
affiliated with?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "There's also a fifth school which argues that the Gate won't
actually do anything at all, and a sixth school that argues that the Gate
actually opens into the Logrus." to you.

Akemi pages, "Two of the living scholars are priests of the Unicorn, you
read a book written by Touga which argues the third theory, and a fellow
who argues the fourth theory lives in Harad City." to you.

Akemi pages, "There's a lot of argument as well over whether the Gate
predates the Pattern or the Pattern formed around it." to you.

Akemi pages, "And who could have made it, if it's the case." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Which of the Patterns is the oldest?
why are there so many?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "There's another good question.  Scholars argue over whether
Fuyutsuki drew all five, or if four are a reflection of just one of them."
to you.

Akemi pages, "Some of them point at the five icons and how each icon and
each pattern reflect an element and argue that five had to be made in
order to establish order over all five elements." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Them damn scholars... ^_^" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Some scholars believe there's a sixth pattern somewhere, and
the five we know are all shadows of that primal Pattern.  Indeed, some
scholars think the Primal Pattern is what is on the other side of the Gate
of Revolution." to you.

Akemi pages, "Others argue that the Air Pattern must be the first one,
because it's the only one different from the others...it has the gate and
the others don't." to you.

Akemi pages, "Several of the books claim that the White Knight who defends
the Air Pattern is said to know more of the Gate's purpose, but has
refused to say anything until 'The Knight of Air and Darkness comes to
claim his heritage'" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ah... lots of Knights around...

Akemi pages, "Yep." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How many?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "How many Knights, you mean?  Each of the Patterns has a
Knight which defends it." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... Gray defends which one?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "And the Prophecies of the Unicorn seems to make reference to
nearly another dozen Knights of various kinds." to you.

Akemi pages, "White--Air.  Blue--Water.  Grey--Metal.  Green--Wood.
Red--Fire." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay.  ^_^  Hey, if Corrine's the Queen
of Ember now, do I get to be Queen of the Forest?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Heh.  Well, I suspect Hiko will be Warden of Arden by the
time of the Next Gen Game, since Corrine can't really do both jobs and
you're pretty ideally suited to it :)" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "SUGOI!" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Getting back to scholars rambling...Some of the 'something
which eats people is imprisoned by the gate' argue that the beast
imprisoned is some enemy of the Unicorn and the Serpent which they
cooperated in imprisoning, which is why it takes both the Logrusfoils and
the Patternblades to unlock the prison." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Wow.... you've got tons of info on
this...

Akemi pages, "It's a central issue of the campaign, ya know :)" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I see... are you glad someone finally
asked?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Yes, although there's one big issue no one still hasn't
thought of :)" to you.

Akemi pages, "Another thing a lot of the sources try to speculate on is
what exactly existed BEFORE the Logrus and the Pattern, and which one is
older." to you.

Akemi pages, "After all, if Fuyutsuki drew the Pattern, he had to have
come from somewhere, and something had to exist for him to draw it
on...but everything that exists is sustained in existence by the Pattern,
or so it seems..." to you.

Akemi pages, "So some scholars think some aspect of the Pre-Pattern
civilization may be behind the Gate." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "PrePattern civ?" to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You glad someone's finally asking?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "Well, scholars speculate some sort of civilization must have
existed before the Pattern which Fuyutsuki came from, though what it could
have been is unknown." to you.

Akemi pages, "That's about the sum of the information." to you.

Akemi pages, "Although I can give you some more anecdotes about past uses
of the Icons." to you.


[GAME CALLED ON ACCT. OF NPC FIGHTING]


Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Okay... where did we leave off again?"

Ramon says, "OOC You'd just finished doing a lot of research."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "What time is it when I finally get out
of the Temple?"

Ramon says, "OOC Pretty late at night.  You're there until they kick you
out, and you could easily spend several more days reading everything they
have."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs to herself as she finally gets ushered out.

It is VERY late, and she decides to take a walk back to the castle,
mulling over what she's learned.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "No one knows what the Gate hides, no one knows
how to close it once it's open"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How in the WORLD did Annadil find out?"

The heavens do not give you an answer, unfortunately.

Hiko the Firechilde mutters to herself as she walks back to the castle.

It's a looooong walk up those stairs, and by the time you reach the top,
you're pretty worn out.  You also discover some annoying person has shut
and locked the gates.  There's a sentry up on the walls, who looks down at
you.  "We don't want any," he says.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm a guest in the palace."

He pulls out a sheaf of papers.  "Name?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Lady Hiko."

He rifles through the papers.  "Hmm, you're not on my guest list.  You
sure you got the right castle?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think so unless I'm in the wrong Shadow, and
I doubt I am."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ask King Tylor; I've been doing research for
him."

"The king tends to get rather annoyed if I wake him up in the middle of
the night, you know."

"And you might sneak in while I was gone."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Alright... I guess I can wait 'til morning..."

He nods.  "Righto."  He goes back to gazing out over the countryside.

Hiko the Firechilde thinks, "Of course I could just trump in, but that
would be also suspicious."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks, "And that would be the last thing I need."

Hiko the Firechilde calls up, "Is there any place near by where I can find
decent lodging?  Some place safe?"

"There's about twelve million inns down in the city, and most of them are
fairly safe, so far as I know.  There's a little place just inside the
gate, called The Blue Dragon.  Quite nice from what I hear."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "They take guests this late at night?"

He says, "People show up at all sorts of odd hours around here."  He looks
down pointedly at you.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles a tad sheepishly.  "It was a lot of research."

He says, "I'm sure that if you have money, they'll be happy to give you a
room."

Hiko the Firechilde searches her pockets.... only to find them empty.

Hiko the Firechilde curses mildly.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I forgot that I don't have ANY money at
all... :P" to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde smiles her biggest smile.  "I don't suppose there's
ANY one up at this time of night who could vouch for me?  Like Misato?"

Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.

The guard says slowly and carefully, "I can't leave my post to go around
asking if anyone knows you.  That's how evil soul sucking chaosians slip
into the castle and eat all the Jello."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Well, actually, I've still got the
Efreet credits, but that won't do any good here.

He continues, "And then Nanami straps me to the bell again.  No thank
you."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Can't you get one of the other guards to call
for Misato?"

He waves his arms about.  "You see anyone else?  Everyone else is off
chasing some dog."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Dog?"

"Some dog tried to climb up the wall, and everyone's gone off after it;
must be halfway round the mountain by now.  Damn werewolves think they can
just go around marking their territory on people," he grumbles.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Werewolves?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks around a bit fearfully.

You hear a distant explosion.

Hiko the Firechilde swivels her head towards the sound.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "From what direction?"

Off to the far right, around the curve of the mountain.

Then you hear some cheering.

Hiko the Firechilde wishes she could see what's going on.

And then there's silence.

The guard says, "Hmm, sounds like they got it."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks to herself again.  "I have no money, I can't
trump into the courtyard, and everyone's probably asleep."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Did Misato go with everyone else after the
werewolf?"

"I'm sure Misato's in bed right now.  Just a dozen or so of us and Bob the
Mage."

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are there any hostels that would take me in
until I can get the money wired to me or messangered over from the
castle?"

He says, "What's a hostel?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I guess not."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'll just... Oh, I don't know."

A group of guards carrying a baked dog come into sight, walking round the
curve of the mountain.

Hiko the Firechilde looks towards the group.

The guards come closer, wearing their uniforms.  Two of them are carrying
the rather charbroiled looking husky.  As they draw closer, one of them
yells, "Blake, open the gates!"

He looks down at them, "How do I know you're not all werewolves now?"

One of the guards looks very annoyed.  "Blake, open the damn gates or I'll
climb up there and..."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "Looks like no one's getting in tonight..."

"Hah!  You can't fool me!  Now I KNOW you're a werewolf!"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.

"Only a werewolf could climb up this wall!"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine the annoyed guard.

Akemi pages, "The annoyed guard is tall and skinny with short blond hair
and brown eyes.  He seems to be an ordinary human." to you.

The guards form a huddle and start whispering among themselves.

Hiko the Firechilde eyes them with interest.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "My sword going off?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "You sense no particular danger." to you.

The guards then notice you.  "Hey, who are you?" one of them asks.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm a guest in the palace doing research for
King Tylor."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Everyone who can vouch for me is asleep."

Hiko the Firechilde looks up at the guard.  "And he won't let me in, which
is good, but I need a place to sleep and I have no money."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine the guard.

Akemi pages, "The one up on top of the wall?" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yep... the one they called Blake.

"Oh, he's just a moron.  And ever since Nanami strapped him to the inside
of the bell and rang it to celebrate King Tylor and  Queen Yuriko's
anniversary, he's been sort of paranoid."

Akemi pages, "Dark haired, handsome but fearful looking, somewhat
muscular, seems to be an ordinary human, no enchantments on him." to you.

[I just now realized that I did this twice, and I have no idea why]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can understand paranoia, with what's been
going on lately."

Blake says, "Go away werewolves, or I'll call the guards on you!"

"Blake, you freak, we ARE the guards!"

Hiko the Firechilde bursts out into laughter.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Just for Hiko's paranoid sake, examine
the rest of the guards with me, and the werewolf carcass, too.

Akemi pages, "They all check out as human.  The werewolf checks out as not
quite dead yet, though they clearly think it is." to you.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Excuse me, gentlemen...."

"Hmm, what, ma'am?"

Hiko the Firechilde pushes her way past them to the werewolf carcass,
reaches for her silver dagger and plunges it into the heart of the beast.

It screams and howls as the dagger strikes home, then goes limp and turns
into a scaly humanoid with purplish scales and pink eyes.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I guess I don't need to use the Power
Word on it, hmm?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It dead now?" to Akemi

Blake shouts, "Ahah!  Going around turning things into demons?"

Akemi pages, "It's pretty dead now." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Good.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Demon, you say?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "More like shapeshifter to me."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Or is that the same thing?"

"Close enough."

Bob the mage steps forward and points a wand at Blake.  "Let us in or I'll
turn you into a turnip again!"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How many have you had recently?"

"Threatening an officer of the law!  That's illegal you know!  Don't make
me call the guards on ya!"

The guard says, "We get something trying to crawl into the castle about
every night, since the crisis started."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Beginning with the theft of the sword, right?"

Bob waggles his wand at Blake.  "Don't make me use this!"

"Ever since that duel between Princess Kozue and Lady Madoka, really."

Ramon says, "I'm not afraid of your magic twaggler!" Blake shouts down.
"You couldn't ensorcel your way out of a pile of dead noodles!"

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "Don't remind me of that... I almost got
possessed."

"I'm not afraid of your magic twaggler!" Blake shouts down.  "You couldn't
ensorcel your way out of a pile of dead noodles!"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "O.o.... you know, some of Hiko's
paranoia's coming back, with Sirena's propensity to lie.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It's a shame I couldn't play her insane
longer... that was fun.

Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.

Bob waves his wand.  There is a poof of smoke and Bob turns into a turnip.

Blake begins laughing hysterically.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks, and examines Bob the Turnip very carefully.

Another one of the guards sags and sighs.  "Not bloody again.  I keep
telling him that spell doesn't work right."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine spell, to see how to undo it.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "He one of the castle mages?"

Akemi pages, "You think you can undo it pretty easily." to you.

"He's our night watch mage.  He's good at blowing things up, but not much
good at any other magic."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks to herself and points at the turnip.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay, undo the spell, if I can.

He turns back into Bob.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "That should do it..."

Blake says, "Go back to chaos, all you werewolves!  And tell them Blake
the magnificent repelled your foul assault!"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think you forgot a lynch pin somewhere."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "What time is it again??"

Bob says, "Maybe I should have been wearing my copper amulet to do it
right."

Ramon says, "OOC It's about 1 AM at this point."

Hiko the Firechilde purses her lips.  "Perhaps."

Blake does the Superior Dance.

Hiko the Firechilde yawns.  "I'd love to jaw outside the castle all night,
but I'm exhausted, and I need a place to sleep.  Is there anywhere I could
stay until morning, and have King Tylor or Princess Juri send some money
to pay for my lodgings?"

Jeff-kun OOC Wonder if Blake is a cousin of Joxer's

The guards say, "Oh, just wait a little longer and we'll get this moron to
let us all in."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Not yet." to Rod

Blake says, "I HEARD that!  If you call me a moron again, I'll summon the
guards!"

Hiko the Firechilde nods... then stifles a laugh.

Ramon says, "Go ahead!  SUMMON THE GUARDS!  SEE IF I CARE!" one of the
guards shouts.

Hiko the Firechilde calls up.  "Didn't you say all of them were out here
tracking the werewolf?"

Blake begins ringing a very loud bell.  "Intruders!  Intruders!
Werewolves impersonating guards and some woman are trying to get in!"

Hiko the Firechilde looks at one of the guards.  "Is he soft in the head?"

Blake says, "Hah!  It's obvious the werewolves must have killed you all
and taken your place!"

Hiko the Firechilde looks around again.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You sure they're ordinary guards?" to
Akemi

The guard says, "Blake's never been the same since the bell incident."

Akemi pages, "They seem human to you.  And their minds aren't very strong,
so it's not likely they're tricking you." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay.

"Being used as a bell clapper...not fun."

You hear movement inside the castle.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I can imagine... what did he do to get that
kind of treatment?"

"Oh, he let someone into the castle who turned out to be a chaosian
infiltrator."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ouch... I think he may have gotten off
lightly."

A woman pops into view on the ramparts.  It's Nanami.  "Blake, you moron,
why are you ringing the bell in the middle of the night?  I'm trying to
SLEEP."

Blake points down at all of you.  "Look, werewolves!"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "... oh dear."

Hiko the Firechilde waves to Nanami.  "Hello auntie."

Nanami looks down at Hiko blearily.  "I suppose you have something to do
with this, do you?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not at all.  I was just coming back from a late
night research session."

Hiko the Firechilde points to the carcass.  "The guards found another
Chaosian... and your man up there seems to think we've all been turned
into werewolves."

One of the guards says, "We had to chase down a chaosian, and Blake locked
the gates behind us and wouldn't let us back in, your ladyship."

Nanami looks as though she's eaten something very sour.  "Wonderful.  Are
you a werewolf?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I should think not.  I don't think they are
either."

The guard says, "No, ma'am, I'm not a werewolf."

"Good," Nanami says slowly.  "None of you are werewolves.  I'm happy to
know that."  She looks at Blake.  "Open the gates."

Nanami says, "And bring the Chaosian inside."

Blake nods nervously and goes and turns the crank which opens the gates.
The guards haul the dead Chaosian inside.

Hiko the Firechilde follows the guards inside.

One of the guards says to Nanami, "It tried to climb the walls, but we
spotted it in time, fortunately."

Nanami heads down from the wall to join Hiko and the guards, casting her
best 'You will be dealt with in the morning when I'm awake enough to think
up something sufficiently nasty' look at Blake.

Blake stays up on the walls.

Nanami nods.  "Good job.  Burn the body as standard, and make sure Makoto
is informed that we had another attempted intrusion."

"Yes, Ma'am, will do."

Four of them take it off to burn it; most of the others go back up on the
wall.

Nanami turns a sweet smile on Hiko.  "And what have you been researching
so late, dear niece?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Some stuff for King Tylor.  And then I'm off on
a mission."

Nanami rubs her eyes sleepily.  "Mmm.  That's nice.  Everybody's going off
on missions.  Where are you headed?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not sure yet.  Only that it's supposed to be a
strong hold.  I have no idea why they're sending me."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think I might need a few people coming with
me."

"Mmm.  Probably something incredibly vital to make sure that Amber isn't
destroyed by our enemies," Nanami says, yawning.  "That's nice.  I'd send
my son with you to absorb blows, but he's already going with Ota and Keiko
to retrieve our prodigal."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Prodigal?  You don't mean Uncle Touga?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is there anyone else you'd suggest to accompany
me?"

Nanami says, "Mmm.  No.  Wakaba."  Nanami's sour expression increases at
the mention of Touga.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Ah... Wakaba... I hear she's been turned?"

Nanami says, "They're going to find her, knock her out and drag her back,
where we can hopefully get the icky nasty Chaos influences out of her
silly little head."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Wait... I do know that right?" to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It's hard to figure out what I kno ICly
and what I don't know.

Nanami asks, "Mmm.  Something like that.  Have you any idea just what you
will be up against on this mission?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods... and shakes her head.  "That's why I was doing
research.  I haven't the foggiest.  King Tylor had some quick words with
me while I was out with Cousin Shizumaru.  I suppose I'll get briefed
tomorrow... er, today."

Akemi pages, "Heh.  I think you know that IC" to you.

Nanami looks thoughtful and slightly more awake.  "Well, a good policy is
always to choose companions who have strengths you don't."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Ota-san is very skilled at arms, which I am
not."

Nanami nods.  "Yes, but Ota's occupied with looking for Wakaba.  How about
Shizumaru?  I understand he's good with a blade.  And with that umbrella
of his.  Or has he been dispatched on a separate life-or-death mission?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Last time I saw him he was deeply asleep and
exhausted.  I think he may have overdone it... I'm not sure if he'd be up
to a mission so quickly."

Nanami snorts.  "Men are lazy by nature.  They need to be spurred into
action.  Besides, he's a member of our family, which means he's
resilient."  She thinks some more.

Nanami says, "Well, you could see if Derith isn't busy.  Or Miki--his
duties aren't exactly onerous, unlike, for example, mine."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and waits for Nanami's assessment.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are both pretty skilled in stealthy missions?"

Nanami pauses, then says.  "And as long as I'm loaning my people out for
dangerous missions into Shadow, I suppose you could borrow Tsuwabuki."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I don't believe I've met him.  Is he another
cousin?"

Nanami says, "Tsuwabuki commands the Trained Bands for me, but I don't
really need him at the moment, since I'm here to do it myself."

Nanami asks, "Tsuwabuki is a good man on a stealth mission, and Derith has
his Rebman Inscrutability Skillz; you've seen how he pops up suddenly when
he's not expected, haven't you?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'd love all the help I can get.  And I'll see
if Cousin Shizumaru is up to traveling with me."  She grins.  "I haven't
been near Uncle Derith a whole lot, so I'll just take your word for it."

"Of course you will."  Nanami sniffs.  "I'm eminently trustworthy and
honest as the day is long."


[PAUSED, HIKO GOES TO BED AFTER MAKING MORE IDLE CHIT CHAT AT ONE IN THE
MORNING.]


Hiko the Firechilde wakes up the next day, reracks her spells, and goes
downstairs for breakfast, hoping to catch her mom around.

You sleep soundly and wake the next morning.  What's your game plan?

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  points to the above.

Ramon says, "OOC Doh, hulk blind :)"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Hopefully catch my mom and ask her what
she's gonna be doing, plus ask advice on missions."

Juri is nowhere to be seen at breakfast.

A drowsy Nanami is breakfasting with Makoto.  Drake is eating with Misato,
and Miki is here with Madoka.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks, then pulls one of the waiters aside.  "Have
you seen Princess Juri?"

"No, ma'am.  I understand she's gone down to the fleet."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And the Fleet is where right now?"

"I don't know, Ma'am."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then looks around at who's in the room again,
and where.

Lots of people you don't know are here.  You can see Drake and Misato
having breakfast.  They seem quite cheerful.  Miki and Madoka look a bit
glum at their table.  Nanami keeps nearly falling face-first into her
cornflakes, while Makoto periodically catches her head.  He looks amused.

Hiko the Firechilde goes over to Miki and Madoka.  "You mind if I join you
two for breakfast?"

Miki says, "Sure, join us."

Madoka says, "I don't mind."

Miki is having pancakes and oranges.  Madoka has a large bowl of mixed
cereal, fruit, and milk.

Hiko the Firechilde sits down and starts to eat.  "I haven't seen you two
in a long time.  How are you?"

Madoka coughs.  "I have a bit of a cold.  And we've had to delay the
wedding until all the wars are over."  She sounds irritated by this.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm sorry you're not feeling well, but well, a
war is a war."  Her own face betrays a bit of intense emotion.  "Things
like engagements and life tend to get in the way."

Miki says, "I am worried there may be another raid on Nedra.  My brother
told me that some undersea marauders attacked, and I'm worried they'll
return in force."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Nedra?  Where's that?"

Miki says, "It is Derith's home, a beautiful coral forest which surrounds
and protects Rebma as Arden protects Amber.  He is its warden.  I have
visited many times; it is wondrous to behold.  We had been thinking of
holding the wedding there, as Derith had invited us to do so."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "And where is Uncle Derith?"

Miki says, "I believe he is with the Mystara Fleet, bringing it north to
protect the approaches to Amber."  His face clouds over.  "Kozue has gone
renegade with the Northern Fleet, it seems."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Mother's supposed to be with the Fleet, too.  I
was hoping I'd be able to talk to her before she left."

Miki says, "I think Tylor sent her out into shadow to recruit a second
fleet, since one of ours has now run off with my sister in one of her fits
of pique."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Tylor's going to send me on a mission, too.
I've only got the vaguest of details."

She leans forward.  "To tell you the truth, I'm terrified."

Miki glances over at Madoka.  "It's not that cow again, is it?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Cow?"

Madoka throws a strawberry at Miki.  "Why are you so worried, Hiko?" she
asks with concern.

Miki shakes his head.  "If you have to ask about the Cow of the Atlan
Tepes...you don't want to know.  So where is he sending you?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Why is this the second time I've heard about a
cow?"  She smiles at Madoka.  "I've never been a part of anything like
this, and I'm terrified of screwing up."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Hold, while I drag it up from my files."

Miki says, "The Cow...let's not think about the Cow."  He pulls out his
stopwatch, clicks it, then puts it away.

Madoka asks, "Didn't you go on a quest for your Icon?  Surely this can't
be worse than that."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "That wasn't that bad, but Mother was with me.
I could ask her for guidance."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can't find it in my files... where
exactly did Tylor want to send me?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "To a shadow he'd visted before, where realms of fire, wood,
metal, air, and water came together at a strange keep filled with energies
that drove him away when he'd visited it.  He believes Annadil controls
it." to you.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "His Majesty wants to send me to a place where
he'd been before once, but was driven away by the mystical energies."  Her
face takes on a set look.  "He thinks Annadil controls it."

Miki says, "He doesn't expect you to go by yourself, does he?  What sort
of place is it?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Of course not!  Me?  A neophyte on a tactical
mission?  I'd want all the help I can get."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I have no idea.  I was hoping I could talk
Mother into going with me to the briefing, but she's not here."

Madoka gives Miki a look

Miki looks back at her, then purses his lips.  "I wouldn't want to see you
having to go on something like this by yourself.  Especially not into the
territory of someone like that.  I would be willing to go with you."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Would you?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks very relieved, then looks at Madoka quizzingly.

Miki says, "There will be little need for a master of the revels until all
this is done.  I have some skill with the sword, and a moderate talent for
Trumps."  Madoka coughs into her cereal.  "And it has been a while since I
have had a real adventure."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is this okay with you, Madoka-san?"

He reaches over and pats Madoka's hand.  "You should go see Dr. Wasyuu."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you okay, Madoka-san?"

"I would like to live, thank you."  She turns to Hiko.  "I don't mind.
It's just a nasty cold and some sinus drainage."  She takes a swig of
water.  "Drives me nuts around this time of year."

Hiko the Firechilde nods...

Miki asks, "When do you plan to leave, Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Anyway, once I was done with breakfast, I was
going to look up King Tylor..."  She looks at Nanami once.  "When I saw
Nanami last night, she said she would ask one of her men, Tsuwabuki, to
join me as well."

Miki nods.  "Ramon's father.  Yes, he's a good man."

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly.  "Would three people be enough?"

Miki says, "If we intend to be stealthy, the fewer the better."

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly as she considers this, and looks down at
her near empty plate.  "I don't think I have much appetite.  I'm just too
nervous about this."

Mercutio pages, "You can just Trump juri, y'know. Or use Gabrielle." to
you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "If Juri's on a mission, I don't want to
jeopardize that." to Mercutio

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And I want to meet the other characters,
too." to Mercutio

Madoka says, "You'll regret it later when you're hungry."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can eat almost anywhere... and I will pack
some rations to go."

Miki says, "She's old enough to decide if she needs to eat."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Why are people forcing me to eat?  First
mum, then Madoka... any minute now and I'm gonna start not trusting the
food.

Akemi pages, "Cuase you're a young and growing girl :)" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Young my ass!  I'm as old as Nanami!" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "To them, you're young :" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hey!  I'm still as old as Nanami!" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "Hehe." to you.


[PAUSED AGAIN, FOR GM AND PLAYER TIREDNESS]


Miki asks, "OOC Okay, Hiko, you were about to go see Tylor, right?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yeah... and Miki was going to go with me."

Hiko the Firechilde finishes her breakfast and wipes her mouth.  "No time
like the present."

Hiko the Firechilde gestures for one of the servants.  "Have you seen King
Tylor this morning?"

The servant says, "No, m'lady, but he's probably up in his quarters."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  She turns to Miki.  "Should we get
Tsuwabuki-san first?"

Miki trumps Tsuwabuki and pulls him in.  Tsuwabuki is revealed to be a
young looking fellow, somewhat short, with short blond hair and a weedy
looking moustache in a Trained Bands uniform.

Hiko the Firechilde bows to Tsuwabuki.  "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "What does the uniform look like?"

Miki says, "OOC Blue uniform with the unicorn rampant in gold.  18th
century style dress uniform."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "As if I know what that looks like...
^_^"

Miki says, "OOc I don't know the proper terminology to describe it in
detail."

Miki says, "OOC And if I did, you wouldn't know what I meant :)"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "heh."

Jeff-kun says, "OOC lots of ruffled lace"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Thanks, Jeff."

Miki says, "OOC He's pretty well covered up and elaborately dressed.
Heavy, long coat, many layers."

Tsuwabuki bows to you.  "Good day."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Did Nanami speak to you this morning?"

Tsuwabuki nods.  "Yes, she told me you will be going on a dangerous trip
and she wishes me to assist you.  I will do my best."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I thank you for your assistance."

Hiko the Firechilde pulls out her Trump of King Tylor.  "Your Highness?"

Tylor answers.  "Ahh, good timing."  He holds out a hand to you.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Do you mind if I bring Uncle Miki and Tsuwabuki
as well?  They've said they would help me."

He says, "That's fine.  You'll likely want some help."

Hiko the Firechilde looks over her shoulder at the two.  "You ready to be
pulled through?"

Miki and Tsuwabuki nod, each putting a hand on one of your shoulders.

Hiko the Firechilde takes King Tylor's hand.

Tylor's study is quite full now, as Derith, Utena, a secretary none of you
know, Shizumaru, Tsuwabuki, and Miki are all crammed into it.

Oh, and Hiko too :)

Keiko exclaims, "OOC:  And Wotan!"

Hiko the Firechilde nods to the people she knows, bows to those she
doesn't know and looks for a place to sit.

Shizumaru turns to see the others arrive. He smiles to them and quietly
says, "Good morning."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Good morning Shizumaru-san.  You're well rested
now?"

Tylor sends the secretary to bring in more chairs.  Soon, you all can sit.

Hiko the Firechilde sits near Miki and Tsuwabuki.

Shizumaru nods. "Muchly. Thank you again for helping me in the Walk,
Cousin."

Derith is glaring at Tylor as everyone trumps in, but the expression
vanishes as he nods in greeting to everyone, hidden behind his usual
neutral demeanor

Shizumaru takes a seat near the King.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "It was necessary."

Tylor is in his usual cheery mood.  "Derith, you're familiar with the Keep
of the Five Worlds, right?"

Miki says to Derith, "Hello, Brother."

Derith says, "Hello, Miki.  I trust you are well?"  He turns to Hiko, "And
neice.  You have been keeping busy, I hear."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes... I haven't been this active in a long
time."

Derith waves to the servant to bring drinks around, including a Rebman
brandy for himself.

Derith settles back in his chair.  "This could take a while in the
telling, so please, be comfortable."

Once done with the chairs, the secretary rings for someone to bring
drinks.

Shizumaru has some tea. It's too early in the day for sake, at least for
him.

Hiko the Firechilde takes a glass of water, and settles back.  She thinks,
"What is everyone doing here?"

Derith looks at Hiko with a small smile, as if he can hear every thought
she has. ;)

Hiko the Firechilde smiles back at Derith.

Miki gets tea as well.  The servant returns with drinks for everyone, even
people who didn't tell him in time what they wanted get what they want.

Hiko thinks to herself, "I dislike eavesdroppers."  And slams up a psychic
barrier.

Akemi pages, "You sense his mind is stronger than yours." to you.

Akemi pages, "Although you can keep him out unless he forces matters." to
you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "No duh!  He could tell what I was
thinking without even TOUCHING me or making eye contact.

Derith begins.  "When I was younger, I took to traveling among Shadow.  I
was preoccupied with honing my abilities with the Pattern, using what I
learned and performing experiments to expand upon that."

Shizumaru listens quietly, sipping his tea as Derith speaks.

Hiko the Firechilde pays careful attention to what Derith says.

Derith sips his brandy.  "I took risks back then that make me shiver to
consider now, with what I know.  Be wary of moving too far, too fast with
the Pattern, young ones. It can be deadly."

Derith says, "In my wanderings, I began to notice an... oddity in Shadow.
It is hard to describe."

Derith reaches into a drawer and pulls out two decks of ordinary cards,
not trumps.  They have different backs, one blue, one red.  He takes a few
blue cards and sticks them in the red deack, then shuffles them.  You can
see a flicker of blue among the red backs.

Derith says, "It was like that, a flicker of something that was out of the
ordinary in the structure of Shadow."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, puzzled.

Being rather lost, Shizumaru simply continues to listen quietly. Still
sipping his tea.

Derith says, "Naturally, I sought out this phenomenon, curious to learn
more."

Derith says, "It was difficult to find, as if it existed in some kind of
blind spot.  I began to suspect that it was in some way like Amber,
resistant to the workings of the Pattern.  I could not really seek it out,
I had to seek out the resistance to my Shadow Walk.  Go in the direction
that was the most difficult."

Derith says, "Eventually, I found the Keep of the Five Worlds"

Derith says, "It is... a construct of Shadows.  Five of them, each
representing one of the five classic elements--Fire, Water, Air, Metal,
Wood--that have been forced together.  The five shadows meet under the
keep, feeding their power, their conjoined energies, into it."

Hiko the Firechilde nods... then spots the connection and frowns.

Derith says, "My arrival did not go unnoticed... something was odd about
the place, like it was trying to plant barbed metal hooks into my mind if
I lowered my shields even a little..  A fiery apparition appeared before
me, claiming to be 'Bargle the Infamous' and ordered me to leave at once."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How long ago was this?"

Derith shrugs.  "Hard to say.  I spent some time after that in fast and
slow Shadows."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and keeps her counsel.

Derith says, "Maybe a little over a century ago, by Amber time"

Derith says, "In any event, I refused his demands, of course."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Derith says, "He sent his creatures after me.  Strange, unearthly
constructs of pure energy.  They were cold to the touch, rainbow-hued,
always shifting in shape."  He pats the hilt of Greyswandir. "My sword
passed through them like ghosts, though they seemed to fear its touch.  I
tried to press on, but it seemed he had a limitless number of them, and I
could do nothing to seriously harm them, so I retreated.  I always meant
to deal with him another day, but other concerns arose... like the death
of our father," he nods to King Tylor, "and the chaos that surrounded his
passing."

Tylor nods.  "Every once in a while, bits of blimp still drift down onto
the palace, even decades later."  He shakes his head.  "Like dandruff from
heaven."

Shizumaru sweatdrops. He hasn't heard much of succession crisis after
Gendou's passing.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at the word 'blimp' but again, keeps her
counsel.

Derith chuckles.  "We learned far more than we liked about Chaosian
Hydrogen that day."

Miki nods.  "I will never forget the sight of that exploding over the
gulf."

"I'm surprised Drake ever found Werewindle again after that, though."

Derith says, "Go up to the Tirna-nog'th some time.  On the right days, you
can see it replayed."

Miki looks thoughtful.  "Those creatures sound like some sort of Trump
elementals."

Derith shrugs.  "I am more attuned to Pattern Energies.  I am not a trump
artist."

Derith asks, "Do you intend to seek out this keep, brother?"

Hiko the Firechilde sweatdrops... this had better not be the place Tylor
wishes to send her.

Miki nods.  "Well, I have studied Trump quite extensively over the years.
I would surmise the Keep's master must be quite an impressive Trump Artist
to make such things."  He takes a sip of tea.  "I have offered to aid Hiko
in her quest, which I surmise must be to go to the Keep, unless Tylor
simply felt this was Story Hour."

Tsuwabuki looks distinctly uncomfortable.

Derith frowns.  "He is known for his ARBITRARY, IRRATIONAL whims, so I
would not put it past him."

Derith seems to be continuing some earlier argument with Tylor.

Shizumaru frowns at Derith, wondering where this friction is coming from.
But it certainly isn't his place to say anything about it.

Hiko the Firechilde looks uncomfortable.  "Your Highness?  Is this where
you wish for me to go?"

Tylor says, "Yes, I have discovered that some of Annadil's chaosian allies
have taken over this Keep and are using it as a base.  Furthermore, I took
a trip to Tir'na-nog recently which inclined me to think it would be well
to have this place investigated properly."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Fuckety FUCK!"

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Parents need the phone or something?"

Miki says, "OOc No, Trish is experiencing the icy grip of FEAR :)"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "No!  I'm going on a REAL mission!  I'm
goonna diiieeeeee!"

Shaft says, "heh"

Shizumaru OOCly laughs.

Derith looks thoughtful, then stands, hand on his sword.

Shaft OOCly polishes his 'I kicked a god's ass' trophy

Dancing Ed OOCly patpats, and hands Hiko a nice cluster of licorice whips.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  fehs at Shaft.

Keiko OOCly rubs her 'NPC played by player whose character killed Brand
after letting him out of the Abyss' consolation ribbon.

Shizumaru OOCly o.o;;;

Keiko says, "OOC:  It's quite small, and my name is spelled wrong."

Gabrielle says, "OOC: It says PrincessJuri is a Nice' in badly-written
crayon."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Back to the scene, fellas!"

Derith says to Miki.  "Brother, take Greyswandir with you.  It did not
seem to harm those things, but it did give them pause."  He unbuckles his
swordbelt and hands it all to Miki.

Hiko the Firechilde gulps, and looks at Miki and Tsuwabuki.

Shizumaru's eyes widen. Sure, they're brothers, but lending out a
Patternblade is not something lightly done. Derith definitely is serious
about this, it seems.

Derith looks at Tylor with a certain smugness.

Miki's eyes widen, and then he smiles.  "Thank you, Brother.  I greatly
appreciate the trust you are showing me."  He buckles it on.  "I will
return it to you as soon as I can."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "examine sword" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "It's got the pattern inscribed into the blade and radiates
huge wadges of power." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Cool.  So it's not a fake Patternblade.

Akemi pages, "So far as you can tell." to you.

Derith places his hands on Miki's shoulders.  "Remember, brother, that the
Honor of Rebma goes with you.  Greyswandir is part of me and my line.
With it, you shall triumph."

Hiko the Firechilde looks between Derith and Miki and gulps again.

Tylor says, "Do not allow it to fall into Annadil's hands."

Shaft says, "OOCly this is a GM hint that YES you will face Annadil ;)"

Tylor sounds more serious than usual.  "It would be a great catastrophe."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I had a feeling.  Well, he can't claim
my mind automatically... that's a good thing."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes, it would... all the research I've done
indicates that it takes two Patternblades and two Logrus foils to open the
gate."

Shizumaru looks up, now, somewhat troubled. "Tylor-sama...did you intend
for me to go to the Keep also?"

Tylor nods to Shizumaru.  "Yes.  I believe the two of you with your Icons
may be able to tap or at least deflect some of the power flowing about the
site, and I was thinking she'd need a bodyguard."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles weakly...

Shizumaru frowns, but nods slowly. "I...understand." He sighs quietly. "I
suppose my plans will have to wait a little longer. But this is for the
good of Amber and all of Creation."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "'Bargle' was the name of the last human to get
his hands on the Heart of Flame.  But he died over six centuries ago, by
Amber time, if I recall correctly."

Tylor asks, "What were you planning to do?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Get nookie, what else?  He's a Tenjou!"

Shizumaru smiles faintly. "I was thinking of searching for my mother. That
is, the woman who bore and raised me." And spend more time with
Rimururu...although she might be persuaded to come along and help. But
it's dangerous. But she was able to take care of her self last time. But
this may lead to an encouter to Annadil. But.... One can almost hear the
gears cranking in Shizu's head.

Tylor nods, and looks sad for a moment, then perks back up.  "Good luck on
that when the time comes, Shizumaru."

Shizumaru nods. "Thank you, Tylor-sama."

Derith says, "I can speed your journies, if you like."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "What other kinds of impressions did you get
from the place, Derith-san?  And how far away were you when it noticed
you?"

Utena, who has been listening to all of this silently, frowns slightly.

Tylor gestures to a servant, who goes to get something.

Derith says, "It was long ago, but it did not seem very friendly to me.
It definitely wanted to control me, to use me for its own ends.  What
those would be, I have no idea.  And while it was not Chaosian in nature,
it still was not very receptive of the Pattern"

Derith shrugs.  "I'm sorry I can't be more specific.  Thari does not have
the words to adequately descibe what I saw.  I can share its Psychic
impression with you, if you lower your shields."

Derith says, "But you have to remember, it was long ago, and may not
reflect what exists now."

Hiko the Firechilde eyes Derith cautiously.

Miki twitches for no discernable reason.

The servant returns and hands two purple cloth bags to Tylor, each tied
shut.

Shizumaru tilts his head, then nods. He has little to fear, here.

Derith says, "In any event, I can accompany you off Kolvir, and then make
a Pattern Gate to within a few days travel of the Keep"

Miki eyes one of the bags nervously.

Tylor passes the other bag to Miki.  "Miki, this is my ship-in-a-bottle.
You might need it."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and looks to Miki and Tsuwabuki a bit
helplessly.

He passes the bag which makes Miki nervous to Hiko.  "You might need this
if things grow overwhelming.

Miki nods and carefully puts the bag he was handed on the table next to
him.  "I'll take good care of it."

Shizumaru blinks a few times. "What...what are these items, exactly?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "examine bag.

Hiko the Firechilde holds it cautiously in her hands.

Tylor says, "My ship-in-a-bottle, if removed from the bottle, grows to
full size and can be sailed on just about anything liquid.  It can be
steered through shadow, even in places where Pattern does not work."

Akemi pages, "The bag itself is not magical, but there's something magical
inside it." to you.

Miki says, "Please tell me that is not the cow in the other bag."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I sense what's inside it?" to Akemi

Tylor says, "The other item may be useful for covering a get away."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What is it?"

Shizumaru sweats at Miki's statement.

Akemi pages, "Nope.  You could cast a spell to give you X-ray vision, but
opening the bag would be easier :)" to you.

Miki twitches.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Feh.

Hiko the Firechilde looks inside the bag.

"It summons the Giant Cow of the Atlan Tepes, which then goes on a mad
rampage.  Very useful for when you need a distraction to summon your
escape."

Miki buries his face in his hands.

Shizumaru nods very slowly. "Ah."

Tylor looks over at Miki.  "I'm sorry, but it's the closest thing to a
portable nuclear weapon I have."

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Miki and Tsuwabuki and quickly CLOSES the
bag.

Miki mutters something into his hands.

Tsuwabuki's eyes suddenly widen.  "So THAT is what Nanami meant about
Miki's last girlfriend."

Miki's head snaps up and he GLARES at Tsuwabuki.

Tylor says, "The cow has been known to become somewhat...amorous...towards
certain people.  But it means well."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks and decides that she doesn't want to know.

Shizumaru fights off the impulse to ask and keeps his mouth shut.

Shizumaru . o O ( Oh. I was right not to ask. )

Miki sighs.  "Just keep it away from me, please."

Shizumaru OOCly laaaaughs.

Tylor says, "Any other questions before you leave or anything else I can
get for you?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What do you want us to do when we get there?"

Shizumaru shakes his head. "I believe I am fine. I only need a little bit
of time to prepare and, ah, speak with some people, before we head off."

Hiko the Firechilde goes into tactical mode.  "We need to plan what we're
going to do.  And get supplies.  And a resupply chain."

Tylor says, "Basically, I want you to find out what they're doing there.
Stop it if you can, otherwise, just report back and we'll figure out what
to do about the place."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Reconaissance, then.  Okay.  I think I can
handle that."

Shaft exclaims, "OOCly bring Lina inverse! she's great for subtle!"

"Anything you can learn about exactly what it is, would be appreciated."

Shizumaru nods.

Derith stands to go.  "I have business to attend to... trump me when you
reach the foot of Kolvir and I will arrange your Pattern Gate."

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Uncle Derith!"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Magic works there, right?"

Derith says, "I would not know.  I am not a sorcerer."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'm up shit creek if it don't.

Tylor says, "Magic works, but its effects are sometimes unpredictable."

Derith looks at Tylor in irritation.  "If you know so much, why ask me to
describe the place, your HIGHNESS?"

Tylor says, "Because my last trip was five centuries ago, and yours was
only a century.  And I know there are many things you would see that I
would not.  And because I trust your memory more than mine, Brother."

Derith asks, "If I may take my leave?"

Tylor says, "It sounds like the squid men had left by the time you came to
it."

Tylor says, "Farewell, brother."

He continues, "Give my regards to Queen Moire."


Tylor shakes his head and looks sad for a moment after Derith leaves, then
perks up again.  "Oh yes, one other thing."  He reaches into his pocket
and pulls out a smiley face button and hands it to Shizumaru.  "This is
for you."

Shizumaru accepts the button, and stares at it. "Ah...thank you,
Tylor-sama." He looks at it some more. "It is...an interesting...an
interesting...what is it, exactly?"

Tylor says, "It's a smiley-face button.  You wear it and it brightens
everyone's day."

Shizumaru blinks, then shrugs and nods. He affixes it to his tunic lapel.
"Thank you."

Tylor continues, "Appropriate for someone who bears the Seed of Hope, I
think."

Shizumaru smiles. "I see. Yes, that would be true."

Tylor says, "If you need supplies, you can draw them from the kitchens or
the storehouse, Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles faintly.  "So... when do you want to meet in
the courtyard?  I've got some preparations to make."

Miki says, "I will need to gather a few things.  I can be ready by noon."

Tsuwabuki says, "I will go and consult with Nanami-sama."

Shizumaru thinks. "Noon. Yes, I should be ready by then."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then gets up and walks over to Utena.  "Aunt
Utena... are you okay?  You're a little quiet."

Shizumaru looks up, starting guiltily. He'd missed that his birth mother
(or something like that) was here in the room. "Ah...Utena-kaasama...."

Utena says, "I am worried about my sister.  Ota and Ramon and Keiko have
gone off to try to rescue her, but..."  She frowns.  "It will not be easy
for them.  Wakaba is tougher than she looks."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Wakaba?"  She frowns.  "Yes, I'd heard about
that.  How did that happen?"

Shizumaru nods quietly. "I see. I hope everyone comes back all right."

Utena says, "Wakaba aquired a spikard during her adventures in Shadow.
Annadil used it to take control of her, and through her, me for a time,
until Corrine and my son managed to free me of Annadil's control."

Hiko the Firechilde looks down at her ring and sighs.  "I'd had one of
those for a while, too.  But the Unicorn fixed it."

Shizumaru blinks repeatedly. "I...I had not heard of this," he murmurs,
rather surprised. Then again, he's only been back in Amber for a couple of
days.

Her voice is very tightly controlled as she speaks of this.  She glances
over at Tylor.  "I attempted to resign after I came back to my senses, but
the King would not accept my resignation."

Tylor says, "All's well that ends well.  What's past is past."

Hiko the Firechilde pats Utena on the shoulder.  "You shouldn't blame
yourself.  Things like this happen, and you just have to accept the past,
and change the present accordingly."

It's clear from Utena's stance that she's less ready to forgive herself
than he is.

Shizumaru stands there stiffly, for a few moments. Then he quickly moves
forward to give Utena a hug. "I think everything is all right now,
Utena-kaasama," he says, voice slightly muffled as his face is buried in
her shoulder.

Utena says, "I failed in my duties.  Eventually, I was going to be used to
kill Tylor."  She shudders.  "And there was nothing I could do to prevent
it."  She accepts the hug and relaxes a little.  "Thank you, Shizumaru."

Hiko the Firechilde pats Utena's shoulder again, lending her support.

Shizumaru eventually releases Utena, smiling faintly. "Please, do not
blame yourself. Annadil is powerful and crafty. He is a worthy adversary.
But together, we will be able to defeat him, I am certain."

Utena says, "We must."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Shizumaru.  "Yes, we will.  Because that
bastard's gonna fry for manipulating me.  And my foster parents."

Hiko the Firechilde's smile turns downright sinister, then she wipes her
expression clean away.

Tylor says, "Amber has faced many foes and not fallen.  This is just one
more."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I must go now and prepare.  May I take my
leave, your Highness?"

Shizumaru nods. "And I as well." He waits for permission from Tylor to
leave.

Hiko the Firechilde takes her leave, going back to her room.


Akemi pages, "We need Drew to start your mission; we don't have Drew.
He's taken off until Sunday night.  ^^;;;" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Bleargh.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I could have gone pubbing tonight...
^_^" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Gomen!  When we discussed this, I didn't know Drew would be
gone." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I do pre-mission stuff by page?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, "Yes." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Starting now.

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.

Hiko leaves King Tylor's chambers, telling Miki and Tsuwabuki that she
will meet with them in the morning. 

She finds her way to her own chambers where she changes into a soft purple
dress, with black roses appliqued on it.  Hiko goes to the infirmary where
she asks one of the attendants where the GK is sleeping. 

You find him pretty easily. 

Hiko looks down to see if he's awake, taking his hand in hers carefully.

He seems to be sleeping peacefully. 

Hiko bends down and brushes a kiss against his forehead then reaches in to
test his mind, to see if he's still unconscious. 

GM: Your mental probe bounces off his brain.

Hiko sits by his side for a while, waiting to see if he'll wake up.

Hiko calls over to one of the attendants carefully.  "Has he woken up yet?
How is he?"

Nurse Joy says, "He'll be fine.  He seems to be suffering some sort of
strange metaphysical ailment that is baffling Dr. Wasyuu, but he seems
physically unhurt."" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "What kind of metaphysical ailment?  How long
ago did this start?"

GM: She shrugs.  "Apparently his wounds were inflicted by beings from sort
of...reality where the Pattern has no sway, so it's had weird side
effects."" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I think I know what happened... sort of.  How
can he be healed?"

GM: "As far as we can tell, he just needs rest.  He seems to be mostly
immune to the magic we tried to use to speed his healing."" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde furrows her brow in thought.  "He's the embodiment of
the forest.  Does this mean that there's something wrong with the forest
as well?"

GM: Nurse Joy looks nervous.  "I suppose him being injured might affect
them."" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "Them?"

GM: "The forest," she says.  "I'm not sure how close the linkage is."" to
you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "She shudders in remembered thought.
Squeezing his hand once more, she kisses his forehead.  "Let me know the
minute he wakes up.  Send word through King Tylor, please?"

GM: "I can't use the king as my own personal message service, ma'am."" to
you.

Hiko the Firechilde blushes.  "Of course..."  She is at a loss.  "Well,
could you have Washyuu try to contact Miki when he wakes up?"

"I will do that for you, madam."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again, then gives him one last kiss.  She strides
out of the infirmary, troubled.  How could he be hurt if he's the avatar
of the forest?" to Akemi

GM: Where to next?" to you.

She goes back to her room, a bit disappointed that she didn't get to show
off her dress to her paramour.  The thought of that word makes her grin
with glee for a while, then she gathers herself.

Hiko the Firechilde changes out of the dress, putting it back in the
wardrobe and changes into her 'military' outfit (black sturdy boots, black
pants, a black and purple top".

Hiko the Firechilde decides to ride to Arden to do a little investigating
before she heads off for the Keep the following morning.  She goes to the
stables, first, looking for the horse that bore her to the City of Brass.

GM: It's a full day ride to Arden; you don't have time to go there..

GM: Unless you delay heading out for the Keep.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Feh.  I teleport then to Arden.

GM: Bink!  You're in Arden.

Hiko takes a look around, walking stealthily through the forest, to the
clearing near the Pattern's entrance.

GM: Actually, you're not sure where that is from where you are.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oh great.. well where am I?" to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde looks around at her surroundings.

GM: You're in a small clearing, somewhere in Arden.  A stream runs through
the clearing.

Hiko the Firechilde follows the stream to its source.

GM: So you're heading for the spring it rises from?" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yes.

GM: Okay, you walk for about six hours, eventually coming to a steep hill
where the spring flows out of a pile of rocks.

Hiko looks around, trying to get her bearings.  She remembers the GK
showing her a stream once by which they made love.  Is this the same
stream?

GM: Maybe.  Streams tend to look alike.

GM: And Arden is honking huge.

Hiko the Firechilde sighs and casts out her senses, trying to find any
major disturbances.

GM: The forest in your immediate vicinity seems to be normal, although
your experience of Arden is limited enough that it's hard for you to tell.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ooc Why do I keep thinking of my Psyche
as telepathy..?" to Akemi

GM: I don't know.

Hiko the Firechilde sighs again.  Why did she ever come here?  As if she
could help heal her lover.. she didn't even know where she was!" to Akemi

GM: If you can figure out exactly what you're looking for, you could build
some kind of detection spell to search for whatever it is, then build
another spell to teleport to what you find.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What if I'm searching for a disturbance
in the fabric?  A rip in reality?" to Akemi

GM: You could search for something like that.  Although this close to a
Pattern, it would take something pretty dang scary to rip a hole.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What about a slight disturbance?" to
Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay.. let's do that.

GM: Okay, you spend several hours building a very large detection spell,
then hours more while it runs.

Hiko the Firechilde relaxes on the grass, having cleared some dirt away
and built a safe fire.

GM: Okay.  It's a pleasant afternoon in the late spring.  The birds are
singing, fish swim nearby, and various forest animals roam about.

GM: Your search reveals three herds of bison, a spear, and some mushroom
circles which don't belong in the forest.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How big are the herds?" to Akemi

GM: About a hundred bison each.

Hiko the Firechilde widens her eyes.  "More Bison.. <sigh>"  She puts it
to the back of her head and concentrates on finding out where the spear
and mushroom circles are.

GM: Drawing a directional map in your head, the spear is way off in the
southeast corner of Arden, while the bison  and the mushrooms are off in
the northeast area.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How far in walking distance?" to Akemi

GM: You'd guess over a hundred miles from your current position.

GM: To the bisons and mushrooms.  More like 200 or so to the spear.

Hiko the Firechilde ponders and cooks up a flamethrower spell.

GM: Easy to do.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ooc Bison.  Why'd it have to be Bison?"
to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde sighs, and heads off towards where she thinks they
are, five flamethrower spells racked.

GM: Heh.

GM: Going to teleport into the middle of the Bison and start flaming? :)"
to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "No.  Sneak up on them and start flaming.

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.

GM: Gonna cut here as I need to get some sleep.


[RESUMED PLAY]

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Okay... John, what are we going to do about the
Bison?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Actually, I think Hiko wants to call
Shizumaru in on this... see how he works under pressure." to Akemi

Ramon asks, "Good question.  Are you going to spend time on the Bison when
you're supposed to have already left on your mission by now?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "True... and it is for the King." to
Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "I might have to let it wait... but it's the
GK!"

Hiko the Firechilde dramatically sighs.  "Love?  Or Duty?  I think I know
how Mother feels now."

Ramon says, "Your call.  As GM, I'm happy to go either way."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... have someone trump me while I'm
hunting.  <giggles>  Be vewwy qwiet... I'm hunting Bison." to Akemi


*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***


Hiko recieves a trump call.

Hiko the Firechilde looks up in surprise and takes the call.

It's Miki, who is tapping his foot.  "We were supposed to all meet at
noon, correct?" he asks, sounding a little irritated.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Rimu and I would be in the courtyard already,
right?"

Ramon says, "OOC Hai, since you didn't run off to Arden :)  Miki and
Tsuwabuki are with you."

Hiko the Firechilde facepalms.  "I'm sorry, Uncle Miki.  I'd almost
forgotten."

Shizumaru OOCly says, "All righty. :)"

Miki says, "Everyone is waiting for you."

Miki says, "And has been for several hours."

Hiko the Firechilde looks around her at the forest of Arden, then holds
out her hand.  "I will be back.." she whispers to the forest.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Not a good way to start a mission." to
Akemi

Foxtrot lowers the prod and sighs.  "My fault for wanting to try and
singlehandedly save the GK.  Her mom's influence is beginning to show."

Akemi pages, "Nothing wrong with that.  We all are fools for love.  But
one does face difficult choices...:)" to you.

Miki pulls you through to the courtyard.

Hiko the Firechilde looks around sheepishly at the assembled group.  "I'm
sorry to keep everyone waiting."

Tsuwabuki has the look of a man who is used to this sort of behavior.

Shizumaru actually does not look annoyed, merely reserved and patient. He
nods to Hiko as she arrives.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "How do we start?"  She looks at the group
again.

Tsuwabuki . o O (This is going to be one of those trips...)

Miki says, "Well, I would say that we could viably approach the Keep
either by sea or by land.  Land would be slower, but less dangerous.  By
sea would be faster, but more dangerous."

Miki says, "Unless you trump to some location past Arden or Harad."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Who's playing Tsuwabuki?"

Shizumaru nods slowly, with a grimace. "I understand. I do not know if we
have a week.... Well, can we try trumping away from Amber, then proceeding
by land?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Does anyone have a Trump of a place past
Harad?"

Miki says, "OOC Miki and Tsuwabuki are being NPCed by me."

Hiko the Firechilde realizes with a jolt that it's the place of her
ancestry and grows thoughtful.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Okay."

Miki says, "I have some trumps of places past Arden."

Miki says, "However, our directions for a land route from the King assume
that we rode through Arden.  We could no doubt improvise, but it could
lead to some trouble with navigation."

Hiko the Firechilde muses...  "I'd hate to get lost on the way there."

Shizumaru sighs, and rubs his chin, for the first time showing some signs
of vague irritation. "The question is how much time we have, and how to
balance that against the danger."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What time is it now?  It should be
pretty late, ne?" to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "I'm all for safety."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And who is in the courtyard?" to Akemi

Miki says, "Well, I would estimate it's going to be at least a two week
trip from Arden."

Akemi pages, "Miki/Tsuwabuki/Hiko/Shizumaru/Rimururu" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Thanks." to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde also looks at the unfamilar person in the courtyard
and blinks.

Rimururu blinks back at Hiko.

Shizumaru shakes his head. "That is too much time already, I feel. Can we
really afford another week of having to go through Arden?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Hi.  Who are you?"

Hiko the Firechilde is brusque, but not meaning to be rude.

Shizumaru blinks rapidly, nonplussed by the sudden question. He looks
between the two people, then grimaces.

Shizumaru says, "My apologies. Cousin, this is my friend, Rimururu."

Rimururu says, "I'm Rimururu, a priestess.  Nice to meet you."  She bows.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm Hiko."  She blushes.  "A princess.  The
pleasure is mine."  She bows also.

Shizumaru trails off as they decide to introduce themselves, instead.

Tsuwabuki says, "I can easily arrange a ship for us if we want to go by
sea."

Hiko the Firechilde gets back to business.  "How dangerous would it be to
go by sea?"

Shizumaru nods to Hiko's question. One he would have asked himself, had
she not beaten him to it.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Beat ya to it, nyyyyah!" to Shizumaru

Shizumaru pages, "Biidah." to you.

Miki says, "It depends in part on if we're expected."

Hiko the Firechilde muses.  "Do you suppose some counter-surveillance
measures could be used?"

Miki says, "I can keep us from being scried by trump, but preventing other
methods is beyond my knowledge."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "General anti-detection spell might work."

Hiko the Firechilde mulls over the 'safety' vs. 'expediency' issue in her
head.

Miki says, "There are a lot of ways a boat can sink."

Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "I know how to swim...."

Shizumaru thinks about this for a moment. "Well...that would be preferably
avoided. In any case, if it is necessary, we can trump away to safety, I
am sure, if something happens to the ship."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Cousin, you need a place to trump to, and all
of my trumps are of places and people here... we'd still lose time, ne?"

Miki says, "It beats drowning, though."

Shizumaru nods to Miki. "And I do have a few trumps of places outside of
Amber, actually. Such as...the Beach, I believe."

Miki says, "I am inclined to say to go the sea route, though.  Tylor did
provide us with his ship-in-a-bottle, should we need it."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "How do you stand, Tsuwabuki-san,
Rimururu-san?"

Rimururu blinks at Hiko.  "I tend to prefer land journeys myself.  Salt
water doesn't freeze well."

Tsuwabuki says, "I think speed is important."

Shizumaru looks at Rimururu. He says, with slight reluctance to go against
her, "I am afraid I must side with them. We need to move quickly,
Rimururu-san."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Time is of the essence."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Let me work on trying to get an anti-detection
spell up."

Rimururu nods, though she doesn't seem happy about it.  "Alright."

Tsuwabuki says, "I will arrange a ship.  I should be able to have one
ready to leave in the morning."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'll work on that spell."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Perhaps I can get some help from the Court Mage
on building it."

More waiting? Ah well. Shizumaru bows to Tsuwabuki and says, "Thank you,
Tsuwabuki-dono."

Tsuwabuki says, "Be at the docks at dawn.  We'll leave then."

Hiko the Firechilde looks sheepish at the look on Shizumaru's face, but
doesn't say anything.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "We can fast forward, ne?  Or do I need
to RP the building of the anti-detection spell?"

Miki says, "OOC Nope, we can fast forward."

Shizumaru OOCly hangs out with Rimururu in the meantime, then. :)

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  builds the anti-detection spell, general
protection, etc.

You all get a good night's sleep, then assemble at Dawn to form
Voltron...uh, to board the boat Tsuwabuki found for you.  It's a perky
little caravel named the Dawn Treader.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Narnia ref!  One that I get!" to Akemi

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Oh, GOOD, John, another ref. :>"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  giggles

Hiko the Firechilde decides to wait 'til she gets out on the water and
closer to the Keep before she casts the spell.

The captain is a tall, handsome fellow named Henry Morgan.

He quickly gets you all stowed away and then the ship heads out of the
harbor as the sun rises.

Hiko the Firechilde gazes at the sunrise with an unrestrained glee.  "I've
never sailed before."

Shizumaru walks up beside Hiko, sharing the sight. "Neither have I, on
anything larger than a fishing boat."

Miki says, "I have been on many voyages."

Miki says, "Both above and below the water."

Miki gazes off south as the boat heads east.  "During my century of living
at Rebma."

Hiko the Firechilde giggles suddenly.  "It's so pretty!"  She stops,
looking ashamed suddenly for the childish outburst.

Shizumaru looks at his Cousin and smiles, without condescension or
mocking. "It is beautiful, yes."

Hiko the Firechilde clears her throat and looks at her uncle.  "What's
Rebma like?"

Rimururu is nearby, looking slightly green.

Miki says, "Rebma is a beautiful place."

Miki says, "It's deep beneath the sea, a city carven from pearl and coral
and jade."

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Rimururu.  "Are you okay?"

Shizumaru glances over, then quickly moves to Rimururu's side. "You do not
look well."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I do anti-nausea spell?" to Akemi

Miki says, "Surrounded by Nedra, a lovely forest of coral, where my
brother Derith makes his home.  He guards Nedra as Corrine guards Arden."

Akemi pages, "You can improvise one." to you.

Rimururu says, "I feel a little nauseous."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'd love to see it sometime."  She looks at
Rimurimu again.  "It's the seasickness."

She clutches the rail stiffly.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can try an anti-nausea spell if you like."

"Yes please," she manages to say.

Shizumaru nods. "Stay up on deck, so that you can see the water. To go
below, feeling motion but not seeing it, may worsen it."

Rimururu nods as she sways.

Hiko the Firechilde waggles her fingers at Rimururu and casts an
anti-nausea spell.

Rimururu relaxes a little and gradually de-greens.

Shizumaru smiles at Hiko and nods appreciatively.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "So how did you two meet?"

Shizumaru says, "On my way to finding the Seed of Hope, we stumbled upon
Rimururu-san...being chased by a horde of, of some sort of demons, I
suppose."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How unsettling.  I take it you defeated them
with ease?"

Rimururu says, "It was quite a fight, but we didn't have too much
trouble."
"Not nearly as much as the ice dragon caused us."

Shizumaru smiles a bit self-deprecatingly. "Indeed. The ice dragon
was...well, eventually, I believe we simply went around it and took
another path, rather than waste more energy on trying to fight our way
past."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Dragons... I wonder if he's related to the
Guardian--"  She blinks.  "I'm finding too many parallels.  I need to stop
this."

Miki asks, "Guardian?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Of the Dragon's Fang."

Shizumaru blinks a few times, and decides to listen.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "When I was younger, I was taken... abducted by
Annadil and made to walk the pattern of the Dragon's Fang."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It... changed me."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "But he erased my memories of ever having done
it.  I was going to be his secret weapon, I believe."

Miki blinks in surprise.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I fear I've been manipulated by him my entire
life."

Tsuwabuki says, "In the end, we're all pawns.  But some pawns do get
promoted."

Shizumaru nods slowly. This is...surprising, yet not surprising. Annadil
seems to be quite complex, indeed; something like this is halfway
expected.

Hiko the Firechilde looks down, her hand shaking.  She wills it to stop
and smiles at Tsuwabuki's coment.  "Pawn to bishop?  Or knight?"

Shizumaru reaches a hand out to squeeze Hiko's shoulder comfortingly. "It
is all right now, Cousin. The True Pattern has taken his influence away
from you, I imagine."

Tsuwabuki gazes back at Amber as he speaks, "I'd not make a very good
bishop, but I like to think of myself as a knight sometimes.  But I never
know for sure what my Queen is thinking..."  He shakes his head.  "The
real question in a game, though, is not who are the pieces, but who are
the players."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles again, reaching over her to squeeze Shizumaru's
hand.  "Yes, it has, so you don't have to worry about me going 'rogue'
like Wakaba-san."

Shizumaru nods. "The Broken Pattern that I walked did not change me,
exactly...it reinforced certain parts of me, instead. I had never really
been one to socialize with other people--I was even less so after the
walk."

Shizumaru then smiles, and looks around, gaze eventually settling on
Rimururu. "But now...perhaps even before I walked the True Pattern, but
definitely then, I am glad to be around others. It feels reassuring,
strangely."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles, a knowing smile on her face.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How long should it take us to approach 'the
Keep'?"

Hiko the Firechilde takes the time to cast the anti-detection and general
protection spells.

Miki says, "Good question.  If all is well, I would estimate that it will
take us about two weeks.  I hope."

Miki says, "I will do my best to ensure us fair weather."

Rimururu finally, recovered, says, "Are we heading for warmer or colder
climes?"

Miki says, "A little warmer, I think."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's better than riding two weeks through Arden
to get OUT of Amber..."

Shizumaru smiles a bit apologetically toward Rimururu. It just isn't
getting much better for her, is it?

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Do you have an affinity for ice?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Or cold, at least?"

Shizumaru says, "Rimururu-san is quite accomplished with ice magic."

Rimururu nods.  "I have powers over ice and cold."  She points to her
bobbing ice crystal.  "Salt water and warm weather tends to make my life
harder."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can understand that.  I've got an affinity
for fire magic."  She grins sheepishly.  "I'll try to stay away from you
when I'm casting."

Hiko the Firechilde looks at the crystal with interest.  "Is it a
repository for your spells?"

She nods.  "He helps me focus my powers and draw power from my home
shrine."

Shizumaru asks, "I remember you saying that it was called...Konril,
right?"

Hiko the Firechilde reaches up.  "Did you create it yourself?"

She shakes her head.  "Frostspire gave it to me.  It's part of him," she
says.  "Yes, my crystal's name is Konril."

She continues cheerfully, "Frostspire is the great Kami of Ice and Snow
who I serve."

Shizumaru nods respectfully. Their homelands both share the tradition of
the kami.

Hiko the Firechilde nods as well, a familiar subject.  "I have a crystal
of my own, but it wasn't given to me.  I wonder if they work on the same
levels.  But I don't want to take mine out near yours."

Rimururu nods.  "It could be quite dangerous, given they are opposing
powers."

Shizumaru smiles faintly, looking a bit confused, though. "Magic was never
one of the things I studied," he murmurs softly. "Sometimes, I wish I did,
but...."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's very useful at times, but no match for
having a weapon handy."

Tsuwabuki says, "A good sword is more reliable, if less flexible."

A rueful grin crosses her face.  "I learned that the hard way when I went
on my first inadvertent hellride.

Hiko the Firechilde nods to Tsuwabuki.  "Which is your weapon of choice?"

Shizumaru considers this, then bows to Hiko. "I suppose that is true.
Still, both have their advantages. And disadvantages." He smiles slightly,
again. "One who is skilled with both would do quite well, I imagine."

Tsuwabuki says, "I favor my sabre, although I like to use a mace and chain
when fighting from the back of a horse.  I used to be good at archery from
horseback, but it has been a while."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I fear I am not that person.  But I want to
be."

Tsuwabuki says, "Saionji likes to ramble on about two handed weapons, but
I prefer something faster and more nimble."

Hiko the Firechilde turns to Tsuwabuki.  "What is it you do for
Nanami-san?"

"Whatever Princess Nanami wants," some passing sailor says.  Tsuwabuki
glares at the man, then says, "I command the Trained Bands of the City of
Amber for her.  She appointed me thirty years ago when Prince Makoto
resigned his post as Steward of the City and Tylor appointed her the new
Steward."

He continues, "Mostly, we defend the city and the Vale of Garnath, though
sometimes we contribute to offensive operations, like the raid on Lipun
last month."

Shizumaru suddenly grows very somber. "What...what exactly has been
happening in Lipun?" he asks, softly.

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  (Had forgotten that Shizumaru was from Lipun)

Tsuwabuki says, "The ruling Shogun seems to have allied himself with
Annadil's forces.  He's renounced their alliance with us, sent forces to
attack Hang-Kung, and generally made trouble for us.  And a shadow of
Wakaba from Embra had a base in Lipun which we sent forces to raid under
Prince Ota's command and that of my son, Ramon."

Tsuwabuki says, "Sind's turned on us as well, but that was probably
inevitable.  Cathay and Hang-Kung have kept to their alliances.  We're not
sure what Siam is doing."

Shizumaru sags, suddenly looking rather tired and defeated. "My own
homeland siding with the enemy?" One can even see some tears in his eyes.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "This is dreadful..."

Miki pats Shizumaru's shoulder briefly.  "My own homeland and that of
Amber have nearly gone to war several times.  It is never a pleasant
feeling."

Shizumaru only stares at the deck, shuffling his feet. "I...yes, I see,
Uncle. I understand." The desire to be alone, greatly weakened since the
Patternwalk, suddenly has returned to him again--though not as strongly as
when he was under the influence of the Flaw, it is there. "Please, pardon
me," he murmurs, abruptly turning away to walk to an isolated corner of
the deck.

Rimururu watches him go, and hesitates with the look of someone who wishes
to offer comfort, but doesn't want to intrude.

Hiko the Firechilde nudges Rimururu.  "Go to him.  I know more than anyone
that being alone when you're depressed doesn't help matters."

Rimururu nods and slowly heads over to him.  Miki quietly hustles everyone
else further away so they can talk without bothering Shizumaru.

Shizumaru sits down in his chosen spot, and looks out over the water,
stretching on toward the horizon. After a moment, he opens his umbrella, a
shield against the rays of the sun only now starting to beat down.

Rimururu just watches him for a while, not quite able to push herself to
close that final gap.

Hiko the Firechilde stands with Miki and Tsuwabuki and turns all
business-like.  "What is the plan on the reconaissance once we get there?"

Tsuwabuki looks at Hiko.  "It's my understanding you're in charge."

Then, without turning his head, Shizumaru speaks. "Right now, more than
anything, Rimururu-san...no, not quite. But with the exception of finding
my mother, my one desire is to go home again."

Hiko the Firechilde squeaks.  "I'm in charge?  But Uncle Miki has more
seniority than I do."

Miki looks at you thoughtfully.  "Not everything is done by seniority in
our family, or Drake would still be Marshal.  But if you feel unequal to
the task, I will assume command."

Hiko the Firechilde gathers her courage and remembers her Mother's
confidence in her.  "No... but I could use lots of advice."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Just wanna tell you all right now, it
was fun knowing you.  <sigh>  I'm in charge... we're all going to die."

Gabrielle says, "OOC: Yea, but think of the property damage you'll cause
when you do."

Miki nods approvingly.  Tsuwabuki looks like he was hoping Miki would take
charge, but is also unwilling to say anything to that effect.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "So what do you have in mind."  She crosses her
arms.  "In short, what can you do?"

Miki says, "I will be spending our trip trying to devise some measures to
deal with those strange energy beings my brother mentioned."

Miki continues, "I believe that I should be able to devise some way to
absorb them if they are truly trump elementals as they sounded like."

Tsuwabuki asks, "Can you make weapons which will hurt them?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I have no experience with Trump.  And weapons
for all of us that could harm them would be useful."

The red stone on a ring Hiko is wearing glows dully at the 'weapons'
comment.

Miki takes out his stopwatch and clicks it, then puts it away.  He
continues, "I will see what I can do.  I may be able to empower some
weapons to serve as trump weapons."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Dully?" to Mercutio

Miki looks thoughtful.  "They might be vulnerable to psychic assault,
although I suppose Derith would have tried such a thing if it could be
done."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "He's a pretty powerful mage, isn't he?"

Mercutio pages, "Yup. The stone on the ring Gabrielle gave you is glowing
a bit now." to you.

Mercutio pages, "It happened right after you started talking about Trump
and weapons." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "This mean she wants to talk to me?" to
Mercutio

Miki says, "My brother knows little of magic.  Rather, he has honed the
arts of Pattern to an extent exceded only by Fuyutsuki, and honed his mind
to be razor sharp."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How would you do that?"

Mercutio pages, "Oh, you can talk to HER whenever you want. The dull glow
just means you've interested her a bit." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... I got it." to Mercutio

Miki asks, "Do what?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Infuse weapons with Trump powers?"

Miki says, "I could carve a trump onto the blade, thus turning the weapon
into a trump.  This makes weapons nearly unbreakable, and it makes them
quite painful to Chaosians for reasons I really don't understand."

Miki says, "Given that Chaosians use trumps, I can't see why it hurts them
so much, but..."

Miki shrugs.

Miki says, "It takes me about a day per weapon."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "What is Trump Power?  I'm just beginning to
understand Pattern because of what Mother's taught me, but I'm still
confused about how these trumps work."

The ring on Hiko's hand glows a bit brighter, and starts to strobe a
little.

Miki says, "It's a good question, really."

Hiko the Firechilde feels a frission of fear.  "Can trumps be used to
eavesdrop on people?"

Miki says, "By someone sufficiently skillful, yes."

Hiko the Firechilde looks down at the ring on her hand.  "Gabrielle?  Can
you hear me?"

Miki says, "I can keep us safe from that on this trip, I believe."

The ring flares a bit, and suddenly Hiko's hand is covered in Trump
energy.

Miki says, "As I have studied the arts of trump as much as Derith has
studied Pattern and Kozue Sorcery."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Please do.  And can you tell information about
a person using their trump?  Like where they are, or what they're doing
without noticing?"

It clears away, and she suddenly finds herslef holding a NASTY looking
carbine.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Nasty in what way?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks down at the jewel in her hand.  "Thanks,
Gabrielle.  What is it?"

OOC: The weapon simply screams 'I Kill Things Dead.'

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Guns!"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "examine jewel." to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Like how does it work?" to Akemi

A disembodied voice says "A carbine. It's powered by remote the same way
the ring is, with Patternfire." The carbine strobes, and is suddenly a
crossbow- a glaive- a main-gauche... "It does other things too."

Miki says, "OOC Hold on a second."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "okay."

Akemi pages, "The Jewel involves large quantities of Trump and Pattern."
to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So it would work in the same way what
Miki is suggesting?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Of a complexity beyond your experience, although you can
tell it has a remote link to Gabrielle.  The weapon aspect seems to
project Pattern related energies which are transported via trump." to you.

Miki watches in surprise.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Would this do, Uncle Miki?  Gabrielle, how many
more of these can we get?"  She ponders.  "Maybe we should have one of
each weapon type... it never hurts to be prepared."

Gabrielle says, "Oh, there's three or four more lying around up here. They
blow things up nifty-keen!"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "Have there been instances of Trump Blades,
as there have been Pattern blades?"

Miki says, "Not that I'm aware of."

Gabrielle says, "Ano... but Mom gave them all away, so...."

Hiko the Firechilde looks to Uncle Miki and nods to Gabrielle.  "So no
more carbines?  What else is there that we could use that has Trump
energy?"

Hiko the Firechilde is starting to warm up to this part...

Gabrielle says, "OOC: She's not actually there in body."

Miki says, "OOC Just talking through the ring."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I can still nod, ne?"

Miki says, "OOC No, you are forbidden to nod!  You must DIE FOR NODDING!
Okay, nod away.  But nodding to a ring looks a little strange. :"

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Okay, I should go sleep now. z.z"

Gabrielle says, "I've never used Trump to kill things before."

Shizumaru OOCly says, "But I'll keep my connection open and log the rest
of the session."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Night, Drew."

Gabrielle says, "But it sounds NEAT!" There's a flare of energy, and a
Trump Gate slices two feet off the top of the ships mast. "oooo."

Shizumaru OOCly o.o;;;

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Gabrielle!"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Don't do that, please?"

The sliced mast section topples, tearing down the main sail.

Hiko the Firechilde eeps and goes in the opposite direction.

Panicked sailors begin to run about.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Gabrielle!  Stop it, now!"

Tsuwabuki cringes.  "Good thing we hadn't gotten very far from the
harbor."

Hiko the Firechilde grumbles.  (This is going to mean delays... )

Hiko the Firechilde shields anyone from falling timber and sail.

Tsuwabuki begins shouting orders and soon gets the crew to work getting
the sail back up a little lower than before.

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "Gabrielle... please curb your enthusiasm?  We
haven't even left Amber yet."

Gabrielle says, "Sorry." The carbine turns back into a jewel, and it's
stone goes dark, like it's deliberately trying to be inconspicuous.

Miki says, "What is that ring of yours?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's a present from Aunt Corrine.  It links me
to her daughter, Gabrielle, who is very powerful in Trump and Pattern
energies."

Miki blinks.  "I did not know Corrine had a child."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "She does... well, sorta.  I'm trying to figure
out how it happened, myself."

Gabrielle says, in a still-disembodied-but-muffled-voice, "i am all the
wonders of creation."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "Yes, you are."

Miki smiles faintly.  "I have often wondered what it would be like to have
a child."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Does Madoka want children?"

Miki says, "Madoka can't make up her mind and keep it made up in that
regard."

Miki says, "Although Mother's talking heads said some things which seemed
to indicate we'll eventually have a child, the last time we went to see
her."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Who's your mother?"

Miki says, "Rei of Rebma."

Miki says, "She was married to King Gendo for about a decade before he
managed to divorce her."

Miki frowns at that.  "Mother was happy to be away from him, though.  I
don't think either of them liked each other very much, and he cheated on
her the entire time."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "He doesn't sound like a very nice man from what
I've heard and read."

Miki says, "But now she's taken up sculpting, and makes these strange
busts which talk.  She claims they have oracular powers."

Miki says, "As I once heard Drake put it, 'Father was  a bastard, but he
was Amber's Bastard'.  He loved our homeland more than anything else, and
he would sacrifice anything, even himself, to keep it safe."

Hiko the Firechilde puts her mind back on track of business.  "So we have
weapons.  What other kinds of defenses do you think we need?"

Miki says, "I don't think he ever recovered from what happened with
Sakura, really.  "

Miki says, "We need some way to keep our ship from being physically seen
once we get close enough."

Miki says, "It's possible the keep might have scout ships or other water
scouts dispersed through the nearby shadows."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Disguise or invisibility?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Can I DO that?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Disguise would be easier than invisibility." to you.


[CONTINUED ANOTHER DAY]


Hiko the Firechilde says, "I have decided for the good of the campaign
that I will not go clubbing tonight."

Shizumaru oohs.

Shizumaru says, "We recognize your sacrifice. ~.~"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "So, y'all better be nice to me next time we see
each other.  I was in the mood to Mack."

Shizumaru says, "I owe you a dance, then."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Damn straight."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Right... getting approp. log from yesterday..."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Ready?"

Shizumaru OOCly nods.

Miki says, "I'm ready to rhumba."

*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Recap for Drew: It's been established
that Hiko is the one in command of this campaign.  The mast got two feet
sliced off of it, thanks to Gabrielle.  And they're still talking
strategy..."

Shizumaru OOCly saw the backlog from last night, yep.

Hiko the Firechilde nods to herself.  "Disguise then... as what?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I feel like I need to talk to Uncle Derith
again... try and get more of a feel for what he saw."

Miki says, "Good question."

Shizumaru continues to talk quietly with Rimururu...his mood seeming
rather lightened, by now.

Miki asks, "Perhaps some sort of sea monster?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Wouldn't that make them feel more threatened?"

Miki asks, "Hrm.  A large whale?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks around at the ship.  "Very large whale..."

Miki says, "I suppose you wouldn't have much experience with knowing what
sea creatures look like, though."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I lived inland for all of my life."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "If you showed me via Trump or perhaps through a
mental image, I could project one, I suppose."

Miki frowns.  "I suppose we would have to forget about disguises, then, as
we don't have anyone else here with enough power to do such a thing."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, making her own mental assessment of what it
would take.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I could do that, ne?  Self-maintaining
disguise spell?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "It would need periodic maintenance.  You don't have
intelligent spells yet." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Cool... I can do refreshening stuff...
now that I have more Endurance." to Akemi

Eventually, Shizumaru and Rimururu wander back toward the others, from
their corner on the deck. Shizumaru still looks a bit somber, but not as
saddened as before.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I'll try and see if I am up to such a task.
Next: reconnaissance.  Tsuwabuki?  Do you have any experience in that?"

Tsuwabuki says, "I have done scouting before, yes.  Assuming that the Keep
has an actual day/night cycle, we'll want to approach it by night."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Would you want someone to go with you, or would
you rather do it solo?"

He continues, "It would likely be a good idea if someone more mystically
inclined than I came with me, given I have little ability to detect magic,
pattern energies, trump energies, and so on."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again, then looks about.  "Miki, as you have the
most experience with Trump energies, you should go with Tsuwabuki, to warn
him should such beings approach."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Shizumaru, did you bring the Seed of Hope with
you?"

Miki says, "OOC Just a note as a gamer...rule #1 says never send the NPCs
off by themselves to scout...:)"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Well, damn, why not?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Because they're likely to get captured?"

Shizumaru blinks. "Hm? Ah, no, Cousin...I left it in the vaults back at
the castle. I did not see why I should bring it, as I have attuned myself
to it, and can now draw on its power remotely."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Remotely... right."

Miki says, "OOC Because it means you can't influence what's going on, and
because the players are the protagonists of the tale, so to speak :)"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "We can draw on its power remotely?  Why
didn't you tell me that?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Because you didn't know? :)" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Good.  You and I are going to train on how to
use it during this journey."

Shizumaru nods solemnly. "A good idea, Cousin. I would appreciate your
help in that."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "If anything goes wrong, we may need the power
from both Icons to defeat our foes and escape."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks.  "On second thought, perhaps either Shizumaru
or I should go with you."

Miki nods.  "There may be magical defenses as well."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks.  (Trump and mental powers = Miki-san.  Working
experience with Scouting = Tsuwabuki-san)

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We shall see how far you've progressed by the
end of the journey, Shizumaru."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there anything you think I've left out,
Uncle Miki, Tsuwabuki-san?"

Shizumaru nods. In a moment of insight, he asks, "Are you thinking of
sending me as one of the scouting team, if I do become more accomplished
with it, Cousin?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Perhaps, Shizumaru-san.  You're more
accomplished at arms than I am."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm trying to figure out who would make up the
most well rounded scout team."

Tsuwabuki says, "Given how little we know of the place we are to be
scouting, it is hard to be sure what will be necessary."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Right.  I need to talk to Uncle Derith again."

Hiko the Firechilde looks up at the broken mast.

The crew has gotten the mast fixed and they're sailing along.

Miki says, "Well, you could always trump him."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Estimated time of arrival now?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I was planning on doing that later."

Tsuwabuki says, "We didn't take enough damage to really slow us down.
We've lost only maybe a half-hour or so."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Good.  I'll try not to contact Gabrielle unless
it's necessary.  We don't want any more accidents."

Somewhere, Gabrielle flounces petulantly. o O(I _could_ have cut the ship
in half.)

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Sorry, Gabrielle, but this is a vital
mission..."

Somewhere, in another reality, Corrine thinks of her daughter.

Somewhere, in this reality, Shizumaru thinks about food. *growl*

Hiko the Firechilde hears a growling noise and winces.  "Have you not
eaten, Shizumaru-san?"

Shizumaru sweatdrops a bit sheepishly. "Ah...I only managed to get a few
slices of bread and cheese before coming out to the ship this morning."

Somewhere, in another reality, Juri thinks:  . o O
(SpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoonSpoon)

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And you, Rimururu-san?"

Tsuwabuki says, "I will see about arranging a proper breakfast for all of
us."  He heads off below decks.

Rimururu says, "I want to wait a while and make sure I don't lose the rest
of my breakfast first."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "That would be wise."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Rimururu-san.  "If you like I can teach you
the anti-nausea spell."

She sighs.  "I'm afraid I can only do ice magic."

"My powers are granted to me by my bond to my Kami, rather than being the
sort of sorcery you practice."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hmm... well, I'll take care of your seasickness
needs, if you like."

She bows to you.  "I would be very grateful, Hiko-san."

Hiko the Firechilde grins in return.  "Okay... let's break for breakfast,
then I'm going to contact Uncle Derith to see what else I can learn about
his experience there."

You all go and have what passes for breakfast on the ship...dried fruit
and porridge.  The Queen Mary this is not.

But it is filling and prevents you starving to death.

Shizumaru does not much mind; he has lived on simple fare for most of his
life.

Hiko the Firechilde makes sure that Rimururu gets at least some broth into
her... if they have broth on the ship.

They can make some broth for her.  Good thinking.  She fills up on broth,
so she doesn't spend the morning with an empty stomach.

Shizumaru . o O ( Thank you for your quick thinking, Cousin. )

Hiko the Firechilde shrugs at Shizumaru.  "I got sick a lot when I was
younger.  I lived on broth, it seemed."

Shizumaru blinks. "Ah...I did not say anything...."

Akemi pages, "Just page Derith whenever you're ready to talk to him :)" to
you.

Akemi pages, "I mean, trump him. :)" to you.

Akemi pages, "As I have reset my alias." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay." to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "You didn't?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "My mind must be wandering..."

Shizumaru shakes his head, sweating slightly.

Rimururu blinkblinks.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Whoops...." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "I take it you didn't plan to 'read his mind'? :)" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde finishes her meal, then decides to retire to her room
to contact Uncle Derith, as she needs her concentration if she is to share
the event with him.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Nope." to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I thought it was in " "." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "HEH!" to you.

Hiko the Firechilde retires to her cabin.

She nods.  "We used to play it on those long winter nights which we have
many, many, many of in my homeland."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Run this part by page, John?"

Derith says, "OOC Hai."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  moves to page mode

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko trump Derith." to Akemi

Shizumaru smiles, then looks around the deck. Mmm. He points to some
sturdy looking boxes near the mast. "We can set the board up on there."

Akemi pages, "He answers the trump.  He seems to be riding on a giant sea
horse through a great coral reef.  "Good day, niece," he says." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko says, "Good day, Uncle Derith.
Where are you right now?  Nedra?"" to Akemi

You soon get the board set up and sit down to play.

Akemi pages, "He nods and seems subtly pleased by something.  "Yes, I am.
We've been having some trouble with raiders of late."" to you.

Shizumaru plays with an air of enthusiasm around him. It has been quite a
while; he never really had the time to find someone who knew the game in
his adventuring. Or just the time to play, period.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, ""Are you pursuing them right now?"" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, ""Just doing some investigation, Hiko.  I have time to talk
to you while I ride."" to you.

Rimururu plays cautiously.  You get the impression she has some
experience, but probably not as much as you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'll need more than just time to talk.
I'm curious about your trip to the Keep of the Five Worlds.  I need to
know about what we're up againt." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "He shakes his head.  "I know little that I have not already
told you, and that trip was over a century ago.  Even an Amberite's memory
is not ever-green.  But ask away."" to you.

Shizumaru hmms. He decides to take it a little easy on Rimururu. He can
probably beat her badly, but that would be...impolite. Best make it
closer.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko smiles.  "What did it look like,
exactly?"" to Akemi

Rimururu plays her best, but you defeat her, though holding back prevents
it being a massacre.

Shizumaru smiles and sits back. "A good match. Do you want to play again?"

Akemi pages, ""The Keep is a large pentagon with a tower at each point,
sitting at the edge of a large cliff.  Each of its faces faces a different
shadow--a shadow of fire, a shadow of air, a fairly normal shadow, a huge
shadow ocean, and a shadow forest somewhat like Arden." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "When you say shadow, do you mean like
there's a central point of light, and each wall casts its own shadow?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, ""Five different 'Shadows' come together at the Keep; you can
see into each from it.  It's a very strange place." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can imagine... and how far away were
you from it when you were attacked?  Approaching which part of it?" to
Akemi

She nods.  "Let's try again," she says, looking determined.

"Challenge accepted," answers Shizumaru, actually rather seriously. There
is a small twinkle in his eye, however, and he starts another game.

Rimururu plays even more cautiously this time.

Akemi pages, ""I approached it on horseback from the shadow which is
largely open land."" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And how far away from it were you?" to
Akemi

Akemi pages, ""I did not get closer than a few miles away."" to you.

Shizumaru plays much as he did last time: holding back, but not too much
as to be obvious.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko nods to herself.  "Then a perimiter
of maybe five miles would be safe for scouting purposes?"" to Akemi

Akemi pages, ""You would have to get closer than that to see anything
useful, I think."" to you.

Rimururu puts everything she has into it, and does better this time, but
it still gradually becomes obvious she's going to die.

Foxtrot lowers the prod and sighs.  "And the people who attacked you.  How
many and what kind of attacks did they use?"

Akemi pages, ""They were the trump creatures I described.  There were
dozens of them.  They both tried to psychically assault me, and fired some
sort of energy attacks.  Fortunately, Greyswandir was able to parry those
assualts."" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Both attacks?  Or just the physical
ones?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, ""Both."" to you.

She wrinkles her nose.  "How did you get so good at this?"

Shizumaru chuckles. "With much, much practice. Haohmaru-sensei is an
absolute master of Go. I still have not beaten him, actually, though in
recent times, I have come closer and closer." He pauses, and looks at the
board critically, then back up at Rimururu. "Would you like for me to
coach you? Sensei has said that, by teaching, one can learn even more."

Rimururu nods.  "I would greatly appreciate that."

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko thinks some more.  "Can I ask you a
personal question?"" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Derith blinks.  "Hmm?"" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You seemed rather reluctant to share
your experience.  Can I ask why?" to Akemi

Shizumaru starts another game with Rimururu, and this time, suggests
tactics to her as she goes along. Or tells her to think carefully before
making a move at crucial points in the game. Not telling her what to do,
but how to look at the situation.

Akemi pages, ""No, you may not," he says, curtly." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Is it because of your defeat... or does
it have nothing to do with the Keep?  I need as much mission related
information as possible.  I've never done this before... lead people, I
mean." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "He frowns at you.  "It is no business of yours.  Good day,
Hiko."  The contact drops." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ooc That went well." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "OOC It happens." to you.

Hiko the Firechilde comes back topside, looking slightly peeved.

Rimururu waves to Hiko.  "How did it go?"

Shizumaru looks up from the game. "You look displeased, Cousin...."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not well.  He didn't tell me much that we
didn't already know."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I dislike going into a situation without
knowing all the pieces of the puzzle."

Shizumaru nods. "I understand, Cousin. But life is rarely so easy that we
are fully prepared for any situation."

Her face darkens slightly.  "That is true.

Rimururu nods.  "Well, I think we're being sent to find out what the
pieces are."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Rimururu.  "That is a good way of putting
it."

"Rather than to assemble pieces we already have."

Hiko the Firechilde turns to Shizumaru.  "Do you wish to start training?"

Shizumaru looks across the board, then to Rimururu. "Well...would you like
to pick up on this later, Rimururu-san?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "good god, how do I teach someone
magic???" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "That's a good question, especially since you don't actually
know how the Seed of Hope's powers work...:)" to you.

Foxtrot lowers the prod and sweatdrops.

Akemi pages, "You know what it does, more or less, but not the how :)" to
you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Well, how do I tap into mine?" to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "First, have you ever studied magic?"

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Refresh me, what does it do?" to Akemi

Shizumaru shakes his head. "The only thing that would really approach it
is...well, some of the words of power that my mother taught me."

Akemi pages, "If you use it for amplifying magic, you just feed the spells
through it.  Using it directly, you have to, in a sense, identify yourself
with it and feel the passions or the flame you're amplifying, and control
it like your own body.  What the seed does, you mean?" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yes." to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Which ones?  Power Words feed off of your
lifesource... they're like magic, but not really."

Shizumaru tilts his head, thinking. "One that will disrupt trump
magic...one that disrupts sorcery and conjuration...one that disrupts the
workings of chaos...one that addles another's mind, and one that
strengthens my own mind."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Your mother did well to teach you protection
words.  How do you feel after you use one?"

Shizumaru hmms. "Not much different. Well, perhaps after using some
repeatedly, I do start to feel tired."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "After how many?"

Shizumaru simply answers, "Many. At least ten, even more."

Hiko the Firechilde nods to herself.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What would be a very basic spell that I
could teach him?" to Akemi

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I mean, I taught my mom... how did I do
that???" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "You first would have to spend a long time teaching him the
theory and how to concentrate to see the mystic energy to weave it into
spells." to you.

Akemi pages, "You can teach him power words pretty easily." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But what about using the magic from the
Seed?" to Akemi

Hiko the Firechilde ponders some more.  "And you've not had any other
experience with magic?"

Akemi pages, "As to that, you'd be best off asking how he uses its power,
then work with him on practicing how he does it." to you.

Shizumaru shakes his head. "Not as such, until the Seed of Hope, really.
Although perhaps the Broken Pattern counts to an extent."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Ah... what did you use that for?"

"To walk through Shadow, though it was dangerous and Sensei recommended
that I did not do so unless necessary."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What did you feel when you drew upon it's
power?"

Derith says, "OOC Sorry for the slowness, we're arguing in the Keep."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Not AGAIN!"

Shizumaru thinks. "It was...a tremendous amount of power. I felt like I
was connected with life--of trees and plants in particular."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Do you think you can do it again, right now?"

Shizumaru blinks, then looks down at the wooden box upon which the Go
board rests. He touches it...and wills it to sprout a leaf.

Hiko the Firechilde watches the area Shizumaru's pointing at very
carefully and feels for mystic energy.

The box suddenly moves and warps, then sprouts a small branch with several
leaves.

Akemi pages, "You don't sense Magic at work here." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It's not magic?  What is it?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Rather, some sort of raw elemental power." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ah." to Akemi

Shizumaru blinks rapidly, then takes his hand away from the box with a
smile. "What did you sense, Cousin?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Well... it does confirm some suspicions... you
don't need to be magically inclined to use the Icons, and distance is not
a problem."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Now try to make the branch fork.  I need to see
if you can control it."

Shizumaru nods, looking...relieved. "That is good to hear. Ah...all
right." He touches the branch now, and tells it to grow such that it
splits into two branches.

The branch twitches, then slowly grows, sprouting a side branch.

Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "Make it flower.  A rose."

Shizumaru keeps his hand on the branch and nods, then tries to follow
Hiko's command.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What does the Seed do, exactly again?"
to Akemi

Akemi pages, "It controls Plants and brings Hope" to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Even dead wood?" to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Even dead wood." to you.

Akemi pages, "Plants can be coaxed back to life, dead wood reshaped, and
so on." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hmmm... new mast, anyone?" to Akemi

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.

Rimururu looks thoughtful as she watches this.

Rimururu says, "Can you turn something into a different kind of plant?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We're not sure yet... I wonder what kind of
wood that box is made of."

It looks like it's probably oak.

Shizumaru frowns in concentration. "Probably...not rosewood," he murmurs,
as he applies his will into making a rose sprout from the branch.

The wood twists and bends, struggling against the change, then the entire
box suddenly twists and bends into a rosebush from which roses sprout,
rooting itself to the deck.

Shizumaru falls back in surprise, staring. "...that was not expected," he
mumbles, in a mild daze.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "That was impressive.  How do you feel?"

Rimururu says, "You have to be careful about what you're visualizing.  If
your mind drifts at all, you get weird results like that."

Shizumaru taps his head. "It took quite a bit of concentration for it to
work. My mind was slightly strained, perhaps. But my body is fine." He
looks up at Rimururu and smiles a bit sheepishly. "I will remember that,
Rimururu-san." He looks back at the rosebush, considers it a moment, then
reaches out and plucks a flower, heedful of the thorns. "For you." He
holds it to Rimururu.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes... control is key."  She smiles at
Shizumaru's gesture.

She smiles and takes the rose and pins it onto her clothing.  "Thank you."

Hiko the Firechilde casts about for some splinters from when the mast
cracked...

Shizumaru smiles at her, less shyly than before. He stands up, then looks
at the rosebush once more. "Well, then.... Anything else you wish for me
to try, Cousin?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm looking for something...."

The hacked off top of the mast is now shoved off to one side if you want
to get that.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Need something SMALL."

Gabrielle says, "OOC: It's a two-foot piece of wood."

Gabrielle says, "OOC: That's pretty small."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "SMALLER... splinter sized."

The sliced off chunk of mast is still on the boat; you can easily grab
that.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "SMALLER... splinter sized... oh hell,
I'll do it myself."

Shizumaru OOCly says, "In other words, you can break off a splinter from
it, Trish."

Hiko the Firechilde walks over to the mast, and slices off a small sliver.

Miki says, "OOC Hai.  You can search for splinters, but it would require
some work."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Okay, okay... I get it.  ^_^"

Shizumaru follows Hiko over curiously.

It's abou the size of a fingernail clipping of a fourteen year old girl's
pinky.  She lays it in her palm.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Make this grow into double its size."

Shizumaru reaches for it, then reconsiders, and simply stares at it hard.
He silently tells it to increase to twice its size.

It gradually doubles in size.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Again, double it."

Shizumaru nods, and continues.

It doubles in size again.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Again... and this time, make it twice as wide."

Shizumaru tries it.

It changes as you command.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Now... make it smaller.  Half the length, keep
the width."

Shizumaru blinks at Hiko. "Ah...all right." That's certainly something
different. But he tries it nevertheless.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I'm trying to gauge the extent of the Seed's
power over plants.  It gives plants life... can it take it away?"

The wood shrinks as you command.

Hiko the Firechilde puts the small chunk of wood on the deck.  "Three
times as wide."

Shizumaru keeps on going.

The wood bloats as commanded.

Then, of his own initative, Shizumaru reaches out and plucks a leaf from
the rosebush--passing over the rose blooms themselves--and wills the leaf
to shrivel.

The leaf shrivels.

Shizumaru does not drop the dead leaf, however, and now attempts to
breathe new life into it, so that it is as it had been before.

It becomes green and fresh again.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Shizumaru.  "I think you're getting the hang
of it."

Finally, Shizumaru attempts to graft the leaf back onto the spot where he
had plucked it.

You're able to do this fairly easily.

Shizumaru smiles at Hiko. "It would seem so," he says, looking quietly
confident now in his abilities. "Of course, I imagine I could do much
more--with further training, of course."

Hiko the Firechilde claps her hands.  "Now we can fix the mast."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes... we need to test how much you can do
without getting tired, and I want to see if it draws on your life force
the way Power Words do."

Shizumaru OOCly summons Carnivorous Trees. Or maybe he doesn't.

Shizumaru OOCly grows peyote shrooms on the deck!

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  burns your carnivourous trees... or wills them
to falll in love with you.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "SHROOMS!"

Naga OOCly baps Droo. Mushrooms are a fungus!

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Close enough."

Naga says, "OOC then see if you can summon mushrooms with the seed"

Shizumaru sweatdrops, then glances over at the mast. "All right...let me
see."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Not right now... we'd need to get it in place
first..."

Hiko the Firechilde calls over to Tsuwabuki.

Shizumaru gets himself some rope to make a harness to carry the mast
section, then tries to climb up to the top.

Hiko the Firechilde giggles.  "Oh, do let the men help, cousin?"

You are able to climb up fairly easily.

The Sailors all stare at Shizumaru, wondering what he thinks he is doing.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Tsuwabuki-san?  Could you get the men to help
raise the part of the mast to where it should be?"

Shizumaru makes it to the top, then, after making sure he has a secure
grip and does not fall, plants the mast segment in its place, and wills
the wood to rejoin itself.

Tsuwabuki comes out and stares at Shizumaru.  "What are you..."

Hiko the Firechilde boggles at Shizumaru-san...

With some effort, you manage to get it into place while not falling.  Then
you fuse the wood back into place without a seam.  The sailors stare in
shock.

Shizumaru grins, then clambers back down onto the deck. "I am glad it
worked so well."

Captain Morgan says, "Nice bit of work, there.  It won't fall off if
someone tries to negate the magic, will it?"

Hiko the Firechilde claps.  "The power doesn't seem to be magic based.
But just in case, we should glue it in place."

Shizumaru shakes his head. "It is regrown into a single piece of wood now.
It is not magic holding it together...."

Hiko the Firechilde bows to Shizumaru.  "I defer to your judgement."  She
claps a hand on his shoulder, and you can feel the happy reassurance
flowing from her, tinged with relief.

Captain Morgan nods.  "Nice idea."

Shizumaru blushes slightly, accepting this with a small amount of
embarrassment but also pride.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Er... does Captain Morgan have rum?
^_^"

Rimururu applauds.

Miki says, "OOC Do you ask him? :)"

Shizumaru bows to everyone. "I am glad to have helped."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Er, it's a brand of rum."

Rod exclaims, "OOC drunk mage on board!  everyone duck!"

Shizumaru OOCly says, "We know, Trish. :)"

Miki says, "OOC Yes, I know, silly person."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "We need to do more tests with its power, see
what the lmits are."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  blushes.  "I wasn't sure if you knew."

Shizumaru OOCly wants to stop soon. My muscles are incredibly sore from
the crick in my neck. x.x;

Rimururu says, "We need some more plants really...hmm...do you think you
could influence sea weed?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I can stop if you want to."

Naga OOCly shouts, "SUSHI!"

Miki says, "OOC Okay, we'll cut here.  I know your pain, Shiz.  I'm on
anti-inflammatory meds because of that problem."

Keiko says, "OOC:  Turn sea weed into real weed."

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Okay. Pick up with seaweed next time."

What do you want to do?

*** Foxtrot goes OOC. ***

Hiko the Firechilde says, "that's a wrap... and it confirms lotsa
suspicions I had about the Icons... any fool who attunes themselves to
them can use it."


[ANOTHER DAY]


*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***
Miki says, "OOC Okay, when last we played, you were trying to decide who
to send closer to take a look around. I don't think a decision had been
made."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Set up the scene, John?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  :nods.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  sighs.  "Right..."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Last log i have is with Shizu doing more
stuff with the Icons... "
Shizumaru OOCly nods. Was training with using the power of the Seed of
Hope.
Miki asks, "OOC So who gets sent?"
Miki says, "OOC When you get there."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Drew, We didnt decide, did we?"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "No, not yet. Someone with Warfare with someone with
Psyche and magic stuff, at any rate."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "It's a long trip... unless we decide to
fast forward.  I mean, I talked to Derith and didn't get anything
conclusive out of it."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "And preferably at least one of them a PC."
Miki says, "OOC I'm planning to fast forward to your arrival unless you
have anything cool to do as you go along."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Strategy session, please?  We started
one, but we got distracted by food."
Miki says, "OOC Righto."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Well, I could RP being all cute and cuddly with
Rimururu, but I think we can skip playing it al out. :)"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Unless you've got ideas as to who should
go, Shizu?"
About two days from your destination, you decide to have a strategy
session.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Nope. It's your call."
Hiko the Firechilde gathers everyone in this party in the small galley and
calls the meeting to order.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How are you feeling, Rimururu-san?  Are those
spells I taught you helping?"
Shizumaru quietly assumes a seat next to Rimururu, and looks to his cousin
to begin.
Rimururu says, "I feel a lot better, thank you," she says, smiling.  She
is no longer green around the gills.
Shizumaru OOCly pokes people. o.o
Hiko the Firechilde clears her throat.  "As you're probably painfully
aware of by now, I've never done anything like this before."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "That's why I'm relying on everyone here to back
me up should anything go wrong.  If anyone has any problems with that, or
with me as the 'leader' of this mission, speak now."
Hiko the Firechilde (Of course we should have had this meeting near the
beginning of the trip...)
Shizumaru inclines his head slightly. "I do not have any objections,
Cousin. I trust in your abilities, and in the judgment of Uncle Miki to
set you forth as the leader."
Miki says, "I will trust in Tylor's judgement."
Tsuwabuki says, "I will do as Nanami-sama commanded me."  You have the
impression that may be the only reason.
Hiko the Firechilde nods, the answers as she expected.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Uncle Miki... how are you doing as far as
coming up with a way to counteract those energy beings?"
Shizumaru gives a glance toward Tsuwabuki, with the faintest hint of a
frown creasing his brow. But he says nothing, and instead, looks back to
Hiko.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And are you finished inscribing the Trumps on
our weapons?"
Miki says, "Yes, the weapons are ready.  And I've been working out some
countermeasures, though I have no idea if they will work."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Real quick--what are the weapons that have been
trump-modified, among the party?"
Miki puts a quiver of crossbow bolts down on the table.  "Also, I've made
these, which should hopefully be able to injure or kill the creatures."
Miki says, "OOC He's done a sword for everyone, and he can either modify
your sword and umbrella, or he can do a seperate sword for you to use."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I got my sword done."
Gabrielle says, "OOC: And Hiko has her nifty ring-omniweapon."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I'm loaded for bear."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Modify my weapons, I guess. All righty."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Miki-san, what have you come up with as far as
countermeasures?"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "By the way, I've got five minutes left before I
gotta go. :P"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Best call a break now, actually. I'll be back in
about 40 or so."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly  :THBBBBBPTS!
Miki says, "Well, it's hard to be sure what will work on them, but I made
a dozen or so trump cards which radiate large amounts of trump energy,
which I hope would work to lure them to the card, like moths to a flame.
"
Miki says, "OOC Okay, we'll hold."
*** Foxtrot goes OOC. ***
Shizumaru has disconnected.
>> Shizumaru bows, says, "Gomen nasai. Mou ikimasu," and runs off.
Hiko the Firechilde sighs...
Miki asks, "So how was your Christmas, Trish?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It sucked."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I was sick the entire weekend."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yours?"
Corrine of Amber says, "Augh." *hug*
Miki says, "Mine was great."
Corrine of Amber says, "I THINK I'm finally fighting off whatever the hell
I caught back mid-december."
Miki says, "Got a ton of nifty art and music from Phil, lots of gaming
stuff, some nice shirts, and got to see my family for first time in a
year."
Corrine of Amber exclaims, "But it was a decent xmas, despite, all told.
Bought brother an iMac and equipment.  Finally, the basement is MINE
again!"
Miki says, "Then spent three days straight playing D&D with old friends."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I got Trumps.  ^_^  I am happy."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "And nailpolish I can't wear at work, and
clothes."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "And extra gifts from my bunnies that I can't
tell you about."
Gabrielle says, "They won't let you wear nail polish? What kind of
fascists do you work fo- oh, Disney. That's right."
Aerianne pages, "Oh, when's your birhtday?" to you.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Only neutral or clear is allowed at work."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "So I have neutralish clear on my fingernails
and my toes are gold.  ^_^"
Miki asks, "Neutral?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Like light browns, etc."
Gabrielle says, "Everyone knows the Disney corporation is embodiment of
right-wing fascism in this country."
Keiko says, "No, that's Wal-Mart."
Keiko says, "Of course, we all know who's _really_ behind it."
Keiko says, "The IJC."
Keiko says, "The International Jutish Conspiracy."
Keiko exclaims, "A secret fraternity of descendants of an ancient British
tribe who want to STEAL OUR WOMEN!"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oi... I know this song...."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ah... Aaron Copeland."
Keiko cheers.  "Go Copland."
Miki says, "Damn those evil Jutes."
Gabrielle says, "You fool. The IJC is just a front for the evil that is
Worldwide Pants."
Solomon Grundy Wants Pants!
Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Cracking Sweet Nuts!"
Shizumaru has connected.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Right, then."
Miki says, "Cool."
Miki asks, "You alive, Trish?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Alive...."
*** Foxtrot goes IC. ***
Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "He returns!"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "They'd be like a distraction?"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Sept. 20/" to Aerianne
Miki continues, "Also, if you know the Trump Disrupt power word, you might
find that useful against the creatures."
Aerianne pages, "Thanks!" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can't remember... I do have Trump
Disrupt, ne?" to Akemi
Shizumaru blinks, and looks upward, as if in recall. Then he nods, smiling
faintly.
Akemi pages, "Yes, you do." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde nods as well.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Okay... the good Captain tells me that we're
two days away from reaching port.  Any ideas on how to approach the Keep?"
Tsuwabuki says, "I suggest we make land out of sight range and circle
around to the side of the Keep which juts onto forest, which would provide
cover for an approach."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Derith says that the Keep itself is pentagonal
shaped, with each wall casting its own Shadow.  I have the Heart of Flame,
and Shizumaru has the Seed of Hope."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "With these two icons, it would be best to
approach those walls rather than the other three."
Hiko the Firechilde idly wonders how the other Children are doing with
their quests, and shakes her head ruefully.
Miki nods.  "That makes sense.  Could the Heart enable us to approach
through the fire?"
Shizumaru nods slowly. "I just hope that we know how to surpass those
walls using our Icons," he murmurs, traces of worry staining his voice.
Hiko the Firechilde grins wryly.  "I've been experimenting with retracting
flame, and, well..."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Could it make it easier to approach
fire?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You could use it to create fire-free bubble for everyone to
walk in fairly easily with a small group." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "It could work with a small group."
Miki says, "Alright.  We would need to leave the boat somewhere less
flammable, however."
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Can we send someone to scout ahead for likely
places to drop anchor?"
Shizumaru looks around the table. "We should send both a fighter and a
spellcaster to scout, as was earlier suggested," he says, speaking up.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "And Tsuwabuki-san has the most experience with
scouting, I believe."
Tsuwabuki says, "Difficult to do when we are travelling by boat.  Sending
someone ahead, that is."
Hiko the Firechilde facepalms.  "When we drop anchor, then?"
Tswabuki says, "Yes, I do.  I cannot outrace this boat, however."
Miki says, "I can tweak things to ensure us a good harbor.  The Pattern
does have its uses."
Hiko the Firechilde concedes the point.  "Very well.  When we drop anchor,
Tsuwabuki, Shizumaru and I will scout.  Miki-san, you and Rimururu are
back up.  When we call, grab us from where we are right away."
Hiko the Firechilde looks around.  "Any objections?"
Shizumaru nods, setting his face in a rather serious expression. "It
sounds good to me. I will be ready, Cousin."
Miki says, "It may not be safe to use trumps in a place with so much trump
energy, so I suggest you try contacting me once you get close, just so we
can make sure it won't lead to disaster at some critical moment."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "He and she that run away, live to fight another
day.  And yes, we will do so."
Miki nods.  "Right."
Miki clicks his stopwatch and puts it away.
Hiko the Firechilde nods as well.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Alright, everyone knows what the plans are.
Our objective is to find out as much as we can about the Keep, who is in
charge, what their plans are for Amber."
Tsuwabuki . o O (What possessed Tylor to put a child in charge.)
Tsuwabuki nods.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "If we can stop them, that would be a bonus, but
there will be no action taken unless it's necessary.  We are not enough to
stop anyone who can intimidate Derith."
Miki says, "I am curious myself as to how this place produces so much
trump energy."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "We need to know how it figures in Annadil's
plans, and how exactly he plans on executing those plans."
Foxtrot lowers the prod and  :P... Tsuwabuki's not helping... and I'm
OLDER than him...!
Akemi pages, "Not from his perspective :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I know... you're doing this to me on
purpose, aren't you?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "IF I wanted to make fun of you, I'd just make fun of you :)"
to you.
Akemi pages, "But seriously, a fair number of the Elders are not so
amenable as say, Miki, is." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "He's not an Elder?  He's Nanami's
butt-toy!" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Be glad Tylor didn't try to make Drake or Saionji take
orders from you :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Indeed... <sigh>" to Akemi
Shizumaru simply nods, now. He's attentive, really. Just doesn't have much
to put in at this point.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Does anyone have any suggestions?"
Tsuwabuki says, "I think we're as ready as we can be without seeing the
ground we're going to cover."
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Anyone else?"
Shizumaru shakes his head. "Only that we should prepare ourselves mentally
for the task that lies ahead," he says, in all seriousness.
Rimururu nods.  "Meditation clears the mind."
Shizumaru smiles at Rimururu. "Precisely." He thinks, then belatedly adds,
"And I guess that you, Cousin, would use this time to prepare your spells,
right?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I suggest that everyone try to get as much rest
as possible before we make anchor.  And yes, that is what I will be doing,
plus checking in on how things are back home."
There is a small note of worry in her voice.
Miki says, "Good, good."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Remind me, what spells were I going to
be doing?" to Shizumaru
In a page-pose to you, Shizumaru doesn't know. o.o;
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You'r the one who menitoned them!" to
Shizumaru
In a page-pose to you, Shizumaru n.n;
Hiko the Firechilde looks around at each of the people gathered at the
conference table, such as it is.  "We're clear then?  Does anyone want to
bring up any other matters?"
Tsuwabuki says, "I would suggest some sort of disguise for us when we go."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Physical or magical?"
Shizumaru blinks, and smiles faintly. He reaches into a pouch at his side,
and extracts a headband out of it. "Already taken care of, for me." A
glance over to his friend. "And Rimururu-san." He hopes she remembered
hers.
Windir wakes up.
Rimururu nods.  "We got some nice items on our last trip."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What did you get?"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Listening to Themes 1... what the hell
is trck 16?" to The_Prof
Shizumaru lays the headband down on the table, for all to see. "Cousin
Michelle created them for us. They grant us limited shapeshifting...twelve
forms for each of us." (OOC Or however many forms there are, I can't
recall at present. n.n;)
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I have some disguise spells as well that we
could use, but I don't think that's what you have in mind, is it
Tsuwabuki-san?"
The_Prof pages, "The Dr. Who theme, 1980 vintage (late Tom Baker/Peter
Davison)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "It was pretty funky." to The_Prof
"Actually, I was thinking of disguise spells, as I know you are a
sorceress of some skill."
The_Prof pages, "Funky good, or funky bad? ;)" to you.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can do such things."  She waves her hand, and
suddenly, she looks just like Tsuwabuki-san.
The_Prof pages, "And if you think that one's funky, you should hear the
two versions that followed the 1980 vintage..." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Funky funky.  ^_^" to The_Prof
Shizumaru blinks and stares for a moment. "Very impressive, Cousin," he
says, admiration clearly present in his voice.
Property set.
Tsuwabuki smiles faintly.  "I suggest you choose some people you don't
like very much to disguise us as."
TsuwabukiHiko says, "Mother and I used such a disguise while we were in
the City of Brass."
TsuwabukiHiko ponders this for a bit...
TsuwabukiHiko's hand shakes slightly.
TsuwabukiHiko says, "I can do that."
The_Prof pages, "Oh, got the CFRC 5 soundtrack sent out today..." to you.
TsuwabukiHiko gestures again...
Property set.
Suddenly, TsuwabukiHiko looks taller, a tad more rugged.  His face is
scarred with cybernetic material in the shape of an X and his left arm is
covered with circuitry.
BattousaiHiko asks, "Will this do?"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."
Aerianne pages, ".... yoiiiii. o_O" to you.
Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "... yeeek."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Well. I must have missed something, oh yes I did."
BattousaiHiko says, "Unfortunately, this would be too much of a giveaway
as well, as the fellow I'm impersonating is dead."
BattousaiHiko says, "I can do mostly people or persons I've met already."
Tsuwabuki blinks.  "Hmm, I met a fellow like that once."
BattousaiHiko asks, "Did you?"
BattousaiHiko asks, "How long ago and where did he come from?"
Shizumaru only looks on in slight puzzlement, no recognition present in
his face. Ah, well. There will be time later for stories. One hopes.
He continues, "Still, it doesn't matter that much if he's dead, as they're
unlikely to recognize everyone in the universe on sight.  It just needs to
be something they won't associate with Amber."
BattousaiHiko says, "I have a suspicion that the person whose face I'm
wearing was known to Annadil... I could choose one of his subordinates."
Miki says, "We were raided once by some rather unfortunate cyberwarriors
led by that fellow."
Shizumaru nods, then takes his headband back, tying it on. He considers
things for a moment, then concentrates, and shifts into the form of that
short dark-skinned man with the purple mohawk. "Would this be all right?
Or too showy?"
Miki says, "Unfortunately for them, their cyberware all failed once they
got too close to Amber, and they got slaughtered."
Tsuwabuki looks at Shizumaru, "Seems fine to me."
BattousaiHiko smiles grimly.  "So were we.  We were not as lucky."
Shizumaru smiles, and then suddenly reverts to normal. With care, he
unties the headband and replaces it in his pack. "All right, then." Now
back to Hiko and Miki, to listen to what they're talking about.
His body shrinks again, resembling that of a young boy, with shaggy hair,
the same circuitry on his face and both arms.
Property set.
AtaruHiko says, "This should do..."
AtaruHiko smiles at Shizumaru... "You almost looked like Cousin Ota...
with purple hair instead of pink."
Tsuwabuki says, "I fought the fellow for about twenty minutes, but then he
got away by teleporting."
AtaruHiko asks, "So he's still alive???"
Shizumaru blinks, tilting his head for a moment. "Really? Ah...I did not
think of that."
AtaruHiko's eyes widen with a frisson of fear.
Tsuwabuki says, "This was about...a hundred years ago?"
Miki says, "Eighty seven."
AtaruHiko muses to herself.  "That explains how I was able to get away
finally..."
Tsuwabuki nods.  "Drake tracked them back to their home shadow and turned
it into a giant mini-mall, I think."
AtaruHiko smiles faintly.
Corrine of Amber OOCly : waves pennants for Drake.  Now we know where
Gabrielle got that habit from...
Were Shizumaru aware of what a minimall really is, he would be recoiling
with horror at this point. As it is, though, he only looks on cluelessly.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Track 2?" to The_Prof
AtaruHiko gestures and is back to normal.
Property set.
The_Prof pages, "Of Themes 1? The March from 1941." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can set everyone's disguises the same or
differently."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I knew it sounded familiar... Copeland?"
to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "John Belushi vehicle, comedy about the days right after
Pearl Harbor... not very good, from what I've heard, but I like the
opening theme by John Williams. :)" to you.
Tsuwabuki says, "We should each look different, I think."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "AAAAH!  I loved that movie!  Directed by
Steven Spielberg." to The_Prof
Hiko the Firechilde says, "If you give me a mental image of who you want
to disguise yourself as, I can build the spell."
The_Prof pages, "I've only seen bits and pieces of it myself. But yes,
Spielberg directed it. :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Damon introduced me to it." to The_Prof
Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.  "There was dancing in it."
The_Prof pages, "Oh, dear. ^_-" to you.
Tsuwabuki looks thoughtful, then takes off his glove and offers you his
hand.
Hiko the Firechilde takes Tsuwabuki's hand.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And... who does he want to disguise
himself as?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And #4?" to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "Zorba the Greek." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Again... I knew it..." to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "Didn't I e-mail you the track listings for each CD?" to
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yes, but I'm lazy and don't want to get
the email out." to The_Prof
Akemi pages, "You get a strong mental image of a tall, handsome man with
tan skin and long red hair and deep blue eyes." to you.
Akemi pages, "He has a scar on his left cheek." to you.
Shizumaru OOCly thumbtwiddles? o.o
Shizumaru OOCly wants to go to bed in about thirty. x.X
Hiko the Firechilde builds the spell slowly, making it activatable at
Tsuwabuki's command.
Miki says, "OOC Otay, Drew."
Hiko the Firechilde passes the components and the spell over to Tsuwabuki
in the exchange, and 'shows' him how to activate it.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "What kind of scar?" to Akemi
Hiko the Firechilde releases his hand.
Akemi pages, "Diagonal slash from ear down to mouth." to you.
The_Prof pages, "Ahso. :)" to you.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Now that I know what he looks like, I can make
as many as we need."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Who is that?"
Miki says, "Good, good.  You should probably make one for me, in case I
have to come to your aid."
Hiko the Firechilde offers her hand to Miki.
Tsuwabuki says, "He's a movie star in a shadow where Namami-sama and I go
to see movies periodically."
Miki holds out his hand to you.
Hiko the Firechilde takes Miki's hand.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Same for Miki, I suppose." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You get a mental image of a skinny old man with long
scraggly white hair, dressed in a rough green toga." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde does the same for Miki, then releases his hand,
passing the spell over.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Damn, but I like being useful." to Akemi
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And who's that?"
Miki says, "A beggar I met once who claimed to have Whooping Malaria."
Shizumaru OOCly blinks.
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "We should retire, then.  I'm going to contact
King Tylor and find out what the news is at home, and maybe see if he has
any additional instructions... (and find out what the darn cowbell does)."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Bridge of the River Kwai!  I know this
one!" to The_Prof
Miki shudders.  "Not the cowbell."
The_Prof pages, "Yup. :) Colonel Bogey march." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "I didn't say that aloud..."
Miki says, "OOC Doh.  Retcon that."
Miki nods.  "A good idea."
Shizumaru nods, and stands up, sliding his chair back with a nudge of his
legs. "I believe I will go out on deck for now. The scent of the sea helps
me clear my mind." He steals a look over at Rimururu, wondering what
she'll do in the meantime.
Hiko the Firechilde nods, and stands up.  "Gentlemen... and lady.  I'll
see you all later for supper?"
Hiko the Firechilde goes back to her quarters.
Rimururu says, "I think I'm going to work on an ice sculpture for a
while."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "That's it for me... except some Trump
convo stuff.  Go to bed, Drew."
Shizumaru smiles. "Doing art to discipline the mind--and achieve some
beauty while doing so, as well."
Shizumaru directs that to Rimururu, naturally.
*** Foxtrot goes OOC. ***
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You still good for Trump convo stuff?"
to Akemi
Rimururu smiles.  "Yes.  It won't survive very long here, but..."  She
shrugs.  "All beauty fades in time."
Akemi pages, "Yep.  Trump at will, baby!" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko returns to her chambers, a bit
shaken at the revelation that Battousai had gone to Amber.  For what
purpose?" to Akemi
Shizumaru nods solemnly. He looks like he wishes to add something, but
then stops, and bows to her. He finally exits and goes out onto the deck,
to start meditating, and perhaps a little bit of further training with his
weapons, as well.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "And that's a wrap, I suppose."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko sighs and pulls out her trump of
King Tylor.  "Your Highness?"" to Akemi
Shizumaru OOCly hangs around for a bit longer, preparing for bed.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Eh... I feel so unsuited for this."
Gabrielle wants to get to the assault, with the running and the screaming
and the people set on fire and the explosions...
Miki says, "OOC Heh."
Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Just as long as it's directed explosions and
fire, dear...."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says,  "Heh... I'm sure you do.  But my missions
aren't gonna be run like that."
Miki says, "OOC As long as this doesn't end up like the game I played in
with Jeff's friends in DC, you'll be fine."
Gabrielle asks, "Why, what happened there?"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yeah... what happened?"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Your Highness?" to Akemi
Miki says, "A campaign they'd been running since they were in college
ended in a hideous bloodbath due to PC bungling and a burnt out DM"
Miki says, "I died in the first minute of the last session."
Shizumaru says, "Crikey."
Miki says, "A tenth level character, mind you.  Not easy to kill
instantly."
Gabrielle says, "Wow."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oi..."
Akemi pages, "Tylor takes your call.  "Good morning, Hiko."" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Good morning, Your Highness... we're
about two days away from the Keep.  Any last minute instructions?" to
Akemi
Miki says, "It was the result of bad luck.  I teleported, came in too low,
and embedded myself in rock.  This trapped half the party ina  bag of
holding now embedded in rock."
Corrine of Amber says, "Oooops. :P Ow."
Shizumaru says, "..."
Miki says, "This meant the party lost me (mage/thief), their best battle
mage, and their best cleric for the rest of the session."
Dancing Ed says, "That would *hurt*. o.o"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Verily."
Miki says, "We were the only people who knew where the book we were
looking for actually was, except in the vague sense of 'It's somewhere
inside the Necromancer's Guild', which was an eight story building."
The_Prof pages, "Oh, how're you coming with Roomies? :)" to you.
Gabrielle says, "Teleporting low. I hate when that happens. At least when
you miss high you have time to try other stuff."
Akemi pages, "He hands you an orange.  "Here, have an orange.  Fights off
scurvy."" to you.
Miki says, "This left a bard, a thief, the other mage, the cleric (of a
knowledge god), and Jeff (Fighter/Mage) to do the break-in"
Foxtrot lowers the prod and smiles, taking it.  "Anything else?"
Miki says, "The undead kicked their ass and turned most of them into
undead."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Don't like it as much as Avalon High."
to The_Prof
Shizumaru says, "All right, best sleep. G'night."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "NIght, Drew."
The_Prof pages, "Hmmm... hard to say for me. I don't like It's Walky
nearly as much, but did like Roomies as well." to you.
Miki says, "They failed to get the book, and I think only the bard got out
alive."
Dancing Ed says, "Seeya, Droo."
Corrine of Amber says, "D'oh.  And night, Drew."
Miki says, "Night Drew"
The_Prof pages, "It does take Roomies a while to crank up to speed... have
you met Sal yet?" to you.
Akemi pages, "He shakes his head.  "Not really.  You know the situation
there better than I at the moment.  Has the journey been going along
smoothly?"" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "As much as it can with the information
we've been given... those items you gave me, refresh me as to what they do
again?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "He says, "The ship in a bottle can be turned into a real
ship which can, itself, travel through shadow as you command.  The bell
summons the Giant Cow of the Atlan Tepes to fight for you, or carry you
somewhere.  Or provide milk."" to you.
Foxtrot lowers the prod and nods.  "And one last question.  Why did you
choose me to be the leader?  I... have no experience in such things."
Gabrielle tries to decide what NextGen Gabrielle will be like.
Miki exclaims, "Like ELVIS!"
Gabrielle says, "Well, there will be sequins...."
Corrine of Amber asks, "Well, have you seen what the 'grownup' Gabrielle
would look like?"
Corrine of Amber says, "given the bodytype for 'young' Gabrielle was based
on that body, just made into a ten year old..."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Uh oh... Merc likes your character, and
I fear he may never give her back." to Aerianne
Gabrielle says, "No....."
Dancing Ed says, "Like what a grown-up Radical Edward would look like?
^_^"
Corrine of Amber says, "Um, no......."
Corrine of Amber says, "Gimme a sec...."
Corrine of Amber says, "Here we are.  The originaly inspiration for
Gabrielle."
Corrine of Amber says,
"http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/pics/98/gaby.fire.cc.jpg"
Aerianne pages, "Why do you think I'm trying so hard to finishg "From The
Ashes"? :) That's got the first 10 years of Gaby's life in there, among
other things...." to you.
Gabrielle says, "Well, I see she has those Harad genetics going for
her...."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "NO offense luv, but there's something wrong
with the placementof her head on her shoulders."
Dancing Ed says, "And her mouth, I think."
Miki says, "NextGen will likely be about thirty years or so after the
current game."
Gabrielle thinks grown-up Gabrielle needs some impulse control problems.
Corrine of Amber says, "Well, it was a while ago, Trisha. *wl*"
Corrine of Amber says, "(1998, as a matter of fact.)"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Must do new pic, luv."
Corrine of Amber says, "And, well, I've gotten better since then. *shrug*
And well, the original person who owned the character liked it lots, so
hey...."
Corrine of Amber tosses a Modern Pic of Gabrielle on the heap.
Corrine of Amber says, "I should get to it, oh, about the middle of next
year at this rate...."
Gabrielle exclaims, "No! You must to the Spoon Gumi!"
Corrine of Amber says, "if not later."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "And more Hiko."
Corrine of Amber says, "Yeah, yeah, that's higher up."
Corrine of Amber twitches a bit.
Hiko the Firechilde purrs, leaping into Phil's lap.  "Pretty please?"
Gabrielle says, "We've eaten your brain."
Corrine of Amber says, "watch it, I have photoshop and know how to use
i----urkl."
Corrine of Amber melts in Trisha's arms.
Hiko the Firechilde grins, batting her eyelashes.
Corrine of Amber . o O (Well, I DO have that trip up to boston next
week... was planning to hash drawings up there ANYWAY....)
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I've got breasts, and I ain't afraid to use
'em."
Dancing Ed tsks. "All right, no seducing the staff artist. ^_^"
Miki says, "Hitting on your aunt.  Tsk."
Corrine of Amber baps John.  "We're OOC right now, deal." *wl*
Gabrielle asks, "Hey Phil, you do freelance contract work?"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Really, I understand how this goes... I
was engaged to an artist." to Aerianne
Corrine of Amber says, "Not really.  I prefer to keep my options/moods
open.  Really, I had no idea I'd be gripped so severely by TAMD art.  I
blame Corrine."
Aerianne pages, "Ah, good point. *wl*" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So if you don't feel like doing art, I
understand..." to Aerianne
Gabrielle says, "Yeah, well, John is good at world-building."
## ^_^ ##
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I will say that he did admit, before we
broke up, that he learned how to better draw the female body after seeing
me naked.  ^_^" to Aerianne
Gabrielle says, "And you haven't even hung around in MIKE'S neck of the
woods for awhile; his characters are much richer and more compelling than
John's."
Aerianne pages, "Oh, I still do, it's just other things also end up taking
my time. *wl* So it delays.  Heck, I drew a pic of Aerianne as Tifa from
FF7 in August before the game and didn't get around to coloring until
December --- - AH. *O.O*  Ah... heh.  Yes, that'd help. ***^_^***" to you.
## *^_^* ##
## H_H ##
Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.
Miki is forced to flog Gabrielle :)
Gabrielle says, "Er, no offence, John. But they are. Aheh. >.<"
Gabrielle says, "But you have better plots and don't run your characters
ragged."
Corrine of Amber says, "Well, this is why he gets Special Guest RP'ers."
Miki says, "This is why I hire mercenaries :)"
Corrine of Amber says, "Whose Characters then develop minds of their own
and take over their player's brains....."
Corrine of Amber points to Corrine.  Case Study Number One.
Corrine of Amber says, "Awell, at leas 'cause of her, I've really expanded
my artwork repitoire, and started really WRITING again, thank god."
Gabrielle likes Gabrielle a lot. "She's like the daughter Horatio never
had."
Corrine of Amber says, "Hm.  Ruby Armor."
Corrine of Amber says, "I remember that as part of the original 'adult'
def.  Must put that on the queue."
Hiko the Firechilde grins.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm glad I created Hiko, but not glad that I
didn't get to play her insane more."
Gabrielle says, "She was making people really uncomfortable, Trish."
Dancing Ed says, "Aw, insanity is overrated. ^_^"
Miki says, "Oh, insane Hiko was fun for me :)"
Corrine of Amber says, "(y'see, Gabrielle DuMarque O'Shea, her
inspiration, wears CRYSTAL armor in combat... I've got refs for her in
that, too...
http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/pics/Perry/perry.KevGaby.cc.jpg )"
Corrine of Amber says, "Hey, I didn't mind... damn good RP."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Was she?"
Corrine of Amber says, "(this is Adult Gabrielle as rendered by Fred Perry
with her Crystal Armor)"
Gabrielle says, "Well, me and Rod. We're people."
Miki says, "It was nice to have a player actually give themselves a real
flaw just because they could :)"
Miki says, "I'm used to Amber players like Mike who powergame infinitely."
Gabrielle says, "Ah, Fred Perry."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How did she ick you, Merc?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "And having her with that flaw opened up a
wealth of backstory that I haven't written yet."
Gabrielle says, "The whole deal with Shaft that one time in his basement.
Plus, she had a blah kind of insanity."
Hiko the Firechilde giggles.  "THAT was done on purpose."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It was after she walked the True Pattern."
Corrine of Amber says, "because, you see... she -wasn't- Insane then. :)"
Miki says, "This has been the best Amber game for actual roleplaying I've
run, although the one Jeff played in back in 94 or so was pretty good for
RP"
Corrine of Amber says, "Hiko... should give acting lessons."
Gabrielle asks, "The one he invented Derith in?"
Miki says, "Yeah."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Jeff's good."
Corrine of Amber says, "Huh... Derith's from that far back?  Woah.  didn't
know that."
Miki says, "He and Rob's char feuded endlessly to my amusement."
Corrine of Amber says, "I pretty much genned Corrine from whole cloth a
few weeks before the game's actual acution, and then filled in the rest
in-game."
Gabrielle says, "Jeff designs characters that make great NPC's, but
usually bad PC's."
Miki says, "That was also the game in which a foolish PC rode the horse
Julian gave them as a birthday present off a cliff within minutes of real
time."
Corrine of Amber says, "Making Corrine Juri's sister... prolly one of the
smartest things I've ever done."
Corrine of Amber exclaims, "ooops!"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "He whaaaa?"
Miki says, "And the game where Rob's char gave Caine a gross of bodybags
for a present."
Miki says, "A foolish PC rode one of Morgenstern's kids off a cliff, yes.
Running away from a cyberwarrior :)"
"I get on my horse, and I don't stop for anything!"
Me: "Nothing at all?
"NOTHING!"
Corrine of Amber says, "[Somewhere, Corrine facepalms.]"
Me:  "You ride as fast as you can, but you sense your horse is getting
reluctant to go on."
Gabrielle says, "Bleh."
"I don't care what it thinks!  KEEP GOING!  FASTER!"
Me:  "Hey, look, it's a cliff."
"I hit the brakes!"
Me:  "Brakes on a horse?"
"Uh oh."
Miki says, "He trumped out, leaving the horse to fall to its death."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oh crikey."
Miki says, "We also had the duel in which Benedict beat up one of the PCs
with a spoon."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "O crikey, part two."
Akemi pages, "OOC Did I remember to actually tell you what the items do?"
to you.
Miki says, "It was a fun game, but they got slapped around a lot."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You did, but I wanted to refresh my
memory." to Akemi
Corrine of Amber says, "Well, the PC was just asking for it, I suspect."
Akemi pages, "Tylor says, "Anything else I can help you with?"" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ooc You forgot to answer why Tylor
picked me." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Ahh, right.  We'd gotten on to that." to you.
Gabrielle muttters.
Gabrielle says, "I find it odd that my muck fails every night at the same
time."
Akemi pages, "Tylor smiles at you.  "I used my trump deck to do a
fortunetelling, and you came up as the answer, so I put you in charge."
He makes a gesture and a trump of you appears in his hands.  He flashes
it, then puts it back in his deck." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko blinks.  "What else did the scry
say?"" to Akemi
Dancing Ed says, "John just put up some of the new Shadow descs I wrote up
for him, if anyone's interested:
<http://www.dkcomm.net/rhea/AmberRPG/Utena/DarklyAmberPlaces.html#Shadow>."
Akemi pages, ""It was rather strange.  A trump card I found in shadow long
ago came up.  It doesn't seem to actually work, mind you."" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "One of me??" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "He pulls out the card and holds it up.  It looks like
nothing more than an endless lattice of bubbles, rather like staring into
a bubblebath at close range.  But if you look really closely, every bubble
contains dozens of tiny galaxies." to you.
Akemi pages, ""Hmm?  No, I mean this card also came up."" to you.
Akemi pages, "He shrugs.  "It's not a place, and it's not a person, or
even an item, so far as I can tell, but somehow, it's a trump."" to you.
Corrine of Amber says, "OOoooooooh."
Corrine of Amber says, "Coool."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And it doesn't work you say?  May I give
it to Uncle Miki to examine?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "He reverses the card.  the back shows a Red Stylized N on a
black background.  He then passes it to you.  "Go right ahead."" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Thank you.  When and where did you find
it?" to Akemi
Gabrielle says, "I really, really, REALLY wish Mike hadn't lost web
access."
Akemi pages, ""A deranged cultist who was trying to sacrifice Molly to
some evil god had it."  He shakes his head.  "Molly couldn't walk down the
street to get bread without some loon or monster coming after her."" to
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And who is Molly?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "For which cult and which god?" to Akemi
Dancing Ed asks, "Well, he's only got, what, another week 'till he's
back?"
Gabrielle says, "It just _keeps adding up_. First there were the three
weeks nothing got done because Miek overloaded the game. Then finals. Then
Phil was busy. Then John went home. Then John got back... and Mike gets
cut off."
Corrine of Amber says, "I think after this month gets haflway done, it'll
calm down."
Sana_Kurata falls asleep.
Corrine of Amber asks, "Oh, hey, John?  Long-term question -- which Anime
Conventions you planning to attend this year?"
Akemi pages, ""Oh, an old girlfriend of mine.  She's ruling Crystal Newark
these days, I believe.  And I can't remember what Cult.  We had to rescue
Molly at least twelve times from various cults who all thought she was the
one whose death would open the way for 'fill in evil god of your
choice'."" to you.
Miki says, "Maybe Anime Central.  Probably Otakon"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hmm..." to Akemi
Miki says, "There's a good chance I'll be in DC again, which would lead to
me going to Otakon"
Dancing Ed asks, "Interested in Anime Iowa, if I'm going and give you a
ride?"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko looks at the Trump... or whatever
it is.  "I'll have Uncle Miki take a look at it... maybe do another
scry."" to Akemi
Miki asks, "Maybe.  When is it?"
Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "So far, I've got Katsucon, Fanime, AX,
ComiCon and AniMagic."
Gabrielle says, "If you come to Acen, drag Mike. My New Years Resolution
is to get him and Alan in the same room."
Corrine of Amber says, "Acen is possible for me.  Katsu, Otakon, and
Nekocon are definites."
Akemi pages, "Tylor says, "The way I know it's a Trump is that it's as
hard to destroy as a Trump.  And Fuyutsuki said it was one.  Then he ran
off and banged his head against the wall until he passed out and spent a
month claiming he was 'He-Man'"" to you.
Corrine of Amber blinks at Trisha.  "You're gonna be at Katsu?"
Corrine of Amber exclaims, "Cool!"
Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Sugoi!  I'll see you there!"
Corrine of Amber says, "Look for me slumming in artist's alley. :)"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Jeff's flying me out."
Corrine of Amber says, "Coolness.  COOL cool cool."
Corrine of Amber says, "Hmmmm."
Corrine of Amber says, "HMMMMMM."
Akemi pages, "The trump is the right size to be a trump, and has the same
odd coolness to touch of a trump." to you.
Corrine of Amber looks at Trisha.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yes?"
Dancing Ed says, "They don't have a date yet for AI this year, John; last
year's was at the end of August."
Corrine of Amber asks, "Trisha?  How'd you like to commision a pic of Juri
and Hiko from Fred Perry?"
Corrine of Amber grins.  "I can provide the references, you make the
request, you keep the original, I xerox and scan the line art, then I
color."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I'm sure I could... how much are they
normally?"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Or do you want me to use my Mack powers?"
Corrine of Amber says, "Fred's art is 20 per character, inked.  Decent
rates, all things considered."
Corrine of Amber says, "I think Fred could resist, he's got a GF."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Dang."
Gabrielle might be at Katsu. "A _huge_ might, but still."
Miki will only be at Katsu if someone plays Sugardaddy for me, as I canna
afford it.
Hiko the Firechilde bats her eyelashes.  "I already grabbed Jeff.  You
can't have him."
Corrine of Amber says, "My hopeful plans for FredPics this year at Katsu
are -- 1) Juri and Julia Diggers duelling.  2) Corrine and Joe Dumar (from
Legacy) sparring.  3) Derek and Arisa in Demonform preparing to kick butt.
Prolly on the Juri/Julia one will actually HAPPEN, but we'll see.  I can
stay late at the hotel, being local."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Gentlemen?  You have to click on this link.
http://www.disturbingauctions.com/view.pl?item=11"
Gabrielle asks, "Fred already did some art for us, didn't he?"
Corrine of Amber says, "Fortunately, I am on good terms with Fred Perry.
Sadly, so are a lot of other people. *wl*"
Corrine of Amber says, "..........."
Corrine of Amber says, "Yes, he did, Merc. *points to Corrine and the Red
Knight*"
Corrine of Amber says, "*pause* Actually, that be even more approrpiate,
trisha.  Get fred to do Hiko and the Green Knight."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Come on... y'all wanna take a look at thhe bull
scrotum purse, dont you?"
Gabrielle says, "Does he do hentai, though? ^_^"
Miki says, "No, I don't."
Corrine of Amber looks at Merc.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's fascinating..."
Miki says, "I have learned the fine art of avoiding certain links to save
my sanity."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "C'mon... take one for the team, John."
Corrine of Amber says, "Lemme put it this way, Merc.  I blame my
association with Fred Perry for the H-Rays I've been exposed to in life.
Fortuantely, I'm not THAT far gone as fred is. *wl* Yes, he does do
Hentai, but I shall state a warning right now, DON'T expect me to color.
*wl*"
Gabrielle lags like you would not believe.
Miki says, "Nope."
Miki says, "There is nothing you can do to make me try that link."
Miki says, "Not even if you danced naked and procured my dream harem for
me. "
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's a purse!  But it looks like a bull's
scrotum..."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Who's in your dream harem?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I dunno, John... you've not seen me dance yet.
^_^"
Miki says, "Well, for one thing, too many of them are fictional, so it
would it be rather hard from that angle..:"
Miki says, "Well, some time I'd like to waltz with you.  But not naked :)"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Awww!  All dressed up in tuxes and me in
a fancy dress?" to Akemi
Miki says, "Of course, that's part of why it's a 'dream' Harem :)"
Dancing Ed asks, "And how many of 'em would be fighting with each other,
too?"
Akemi pages, "Of course!  I can't freestyle dance worth beans (I was once
described as dancing like a Veritech in heat), but I can waltz, foxtrot,
polka, twostep, and tango fairly well." to you.
Akemi pages, "I can rhumba too, but it hurts my hips after a while.  And I
know how to jitterbug." to you.
Miki says, "Not TOO many of them."
Miki says, "Most of them would be from different series, so no
preconcieved notions :)"
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oi!  You can tango!  <glomp!>" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "I barely remeber the Tango, but my experience is that it
comes back pretty quick." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can sorta swing and semi-foxtrot,
learning how to salsa and I can meringue." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Would you teach me?" to Akemi
Gabrielle says, "But there'd be a nightly Haruka/Michiru mudwrestling
bout."
Dancing Ed says, "Hmmm. Well, just listing the anime ladies I find
attractive: Kyoko and Lum are both rather jealous, regardless, just for
starters. :) "
Akemi pages, "I didn't like the meringue.  But I'd be happy to try to
teach you!" to you.
Miki says, "I hate Kyoko."
Foxtrot lowers the prod and swoons.  "I'm a sucker for a man who dances."
Miki says, "I didn't at first, but I just reached the point where she
drove me insane."
Dancing Ed asks, "How so?"
Miki says, "When I realized I felt sorry for Mitaka because he deserved
better than her, I knew it was time to stop reading.  I started hoping
Mitaka and Godai would run away together, it got to the point."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ouch."
Dancing Ed says, "OW."
Miki says, "The problem for me was that Maison Ikkoku dragged on too
long."
Corrine of Amber says, "Hm.  I never got that from the Anime, but then
again, TAS showed over years...."
Gabrielle never liked series that dragged things out to long. "MI and
Marmalade boy are both a good thirty or forty episodes/volumes of managa
longer than they should be."
Dancing Ed says, "Let's see, moving on... Belldandy wouldn't have that
problem, but she's *definitely* taken. Miyuki does have a jealous tinge, I
think."
Miki says, "Well, one has to expect that almost any anime woman wouldn't
want to be part of a harem."
Miki says, "Or any real one, for that matter :)"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'd rather HAVE a harem, myself."
Gabrielle says, "Well, traditionally, harem women are compensated rather
largely."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oh wait... I do have one."
Miki says, "But if one ignores that factor, I think most of mine would get
along."
Miki says, "Other than Ryoko driving some of them insane :)"
Akemi pages, "Anything else you want to ask Tylor about?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Nope... I'm being distracted." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko says, "Thanks... we'll keep you
posted as to what goes on."" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "He nods.  "Good luck and may the unicorn guide you."" to
you.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Bell'd fix that."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hiko closes the trump" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And cut... need to look for my CD player
in preparation for my trip." to Akemi
Miki says, "Taking the small harem, I'd have Ukyou, Setsuna, Ami, Minako,
Makoto, Naru Narusegawa, Mutsumi Otahime, Ryoko, Mitsune (from Love Hina)"
Akemi pages, "Where are you going to?" to you.
Dancing Ed says, "Well, time to get some sleep here."
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Vegas." to Akemi
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Night, Prof."
Miki says, "An extended one could be much larger. :)"
Akemi pages, "Ahh, how long you gonna be offline?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Weekend." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Righto.  Going to go torment Mike? :)" to you.
Dancing Ed says, "Later on."
Windir falls asleep.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yep!  And give him the Xmas prezzies and
thank youprezzies I got for you and Travis." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Cool!" to you.
Akemi pages, "So are you gonna come out here again some time this semester
like you were talking about?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Nope... gonna see where working with the
Mouse takes me." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "See if anything pans out here first." to
Akemi
In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.  But you should come out here anyway so
we can all throw Mike off the imaginary catwalk together :)
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Next fall maybe?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'm kinda booked up for this semester,
and he said it might take him two more to go." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Mike will be gone then, but Travis and I will remain." to
you.
Akemi pages, "At least, last I heard he was still going to be able to
graduate this spring if all went well." to you.
Hiko the Firechilde bleeds profusely.. brb
Corrine of Amber asks, "ACK?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Well, not profusely, but enough to well up and
scare me."
Hiko the Firechilde was picking a scab, and skin came away as well.
Corrine of Amber says, "Ahhh.  That'd do it."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "OUtta here."
Baiwaibaibaiwaiwaibai! Come back soon!! ^_^
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Logging Stopped: 01/04/2001 at 23:49:24
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