Vixxy> Vixxy exclaims, "Get yer butt in here so I can 
game!!"

Aerianne says, "Corrine knows Hiko's full parentage, and 
Shizumaru's.  Doesn't even KNOW where Mikage and Nagisa 
came from yet. :) "

RodM says, "utena's not talking about shaft's dad."

Vixxy> The_Prof says, "Patience, patience, Trish! :)"
Vixxy> The_Prof scratches Vixxy between the ears.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "New character 
wrinkle... Hiko was captured by the DarkRiders and only 
because she managed to fuzz up her identity, was she 
saved from being raped/murdered.  Instead, she was 
raped/wedded to the leader of the DarkRiders." to Akemi

Akemi pages, "Oooh, like momma.  OUCH." to you.

Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And teh baggage." to 
Akemi

Akemi pages, "After which Annadil came and took you to 
the Broken Pattern?" to you.

Vixxy> King Tylor says, "Okay, Trish, I'm ready."








Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "OOC Ready, Trish?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "Hallo, Foxxy?"

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

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I was editing logs."

Hiko the Firechilde exits Corrine's room and heads down 
the hallways.  Unfortunately, she quickly becomes lost in 
the myriad of passageways.
After about a half-hour of wandering, you finally find 
the library.

It is a maze of bookshelves, covered with books and 
scrolls and small statuettes and plaques and clay tablets 
and vellum and hides and anything else you can write on.

A little ways in, there is a large table covered with 
books and scrolls, and next to it stands one of the 
ubiqitous Amber Castle Trundle Carts, covered with 
pastries and fruit and pitchers of fruit juice.

Hiko the Firechilde looks around for the Royal Librarian.

A cat wanders out of the stacks and begins to rub against 
your legs.  She is dark-furred and cute.

Listening carefully, you can hear the sound of someone 
coming down a ladder, somewhere among the book cases, 
which stretch up 20 feet to the ceiling.

Hiko the Firechilde's eyes widen in surprise, and looks 
down at the cat.  She reaches down tentatively to stroke 
its fur.

The cat purrs appreciatively at you, then looks at your 
shoulder very intensely.
Travis, the Royal Librarian, emerges from among the 
stacks, carrying three scrolls and a quarto volume.

[Akemi pages, "Did you give Travis your real name?" to 
you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly and greets Travis.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I told him my name was 
Hiko.  Didn't relate how I was related to Amber..." to 
Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Just said I was a 
friend of hers." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But if Juri told, 
then... <shrugs>" to Akemi
In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "Good day, Lady Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde tests out a theory.  She leans down 
and whispers, "Hello, cat."  She looks as if she's 
wondering if it will respond.

Travis, the Royal Librarian, comes around and pulls out a 
chair for you, then tries to rearrange the stuff on the 
table, in order to actually give you some space for food.

Snickers says, "Good morning, Lady Hiko.  How goes your 
hunting?"

Hiko the Firechilde looks relieved.  "I am not hunting 
today, cat."  She sits down in the chair, indicating a 
place for the cat on her lap.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "O.o.... so it's not 
just Miki the Rat..." to Akemi]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "I see you've met 
Snickers."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Snickers is 
male/female?" to Akemi]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "She keeps the rats 
and insects from eating the books.  We'd hardly have a 
library without her."

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

Snickers happily climbs up in your lap.

Travis, the Royal Librarian, finally makes some space.  
"Would you prefer orange juice or apple juice, Lady 
Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then furrows her brow thinking 
about Duke Miki.  "I trust you guard the books well, 
Snickers?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I will have some water, if you 
have it."

Hiko the Firechilde reaches out for some fruit and places 
it on her plate.  "Did you want anything, Snickers?"

[Snickers says, "It's a long, desperate war of one cat 
against thousands of things which like to eat books or 
use them as toilets, but I do my best."]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can talk to 
animals???" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "So it would seem." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Cool!" to Akemi]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, says, "Snickers already had 
her breakfast, and fruit is bad for cats."

Travis, the Royal Librarian, asks Snickers, "Would you 
like some more milk?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "This has GOT to be 
fairly recent... or maybe it's something that got 
unblocked when my memories got unlocked." to Akemi]

Snickers says, "Yes, I would."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Allow me."

[Akemi pages, "It never ever happened before that which 
you can remember." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde gets the pitcher and pours a saucer 
for Snickers... then realizes that if she's to drink the 
milk, she'll actually have to be standing on the table.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Could it be the ring's 
influence?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Yes, it's possible." to you.]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, cuts himself some melon and 
apples.  "What would you like, Lady Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "An apple please."  She wait 
until she is served, then addresses Travis.  "What have 
you discovered since yesterday?"

Travis, the Royal Librarian, cuts Hiko an apple, sliced 
into five pieces and the core deftly removed.  He seems 
to be quite nimble with his fingers, far more than you'd 
expect from a bulky librarian.  

[The_Prof pages, "You'd better be logging this session; I 
hear John's telling tales about Snickers. :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'm logging.  Snickers 
is adorable." to The_Prof]
The_Prof pages, "Oh? :) Glad to see John's playing her 
true, for once. :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can talk to her. ^_^  
And understand what she says." to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "For some reason, he usually sees her as 
a meglomaniac feline who's bent on world domination. :)" 
to you.]

[Akemi pages, "Looks like Annadil, Chaos, Elves, Amber 
history, and your dead relatives" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right..." to Akemi]

Travis, the Royal Librarian, then sits down while 
Snickers stands on the table drinking her milk.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That's because 
(according to Mike) she is." to The_Prof]

[Travis, the Royal Librarian, calls in Travis to play 
Travis :)
The_Prof bows. "Greetings."
Shizumaru OOCly laughs and waves. :)
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  Get into character, boy.
Travis, the Royal Librarian, renames himself Snickers
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  Oh, I can't wait to see 
this....]

Travis the Royal Librarian blinks and raises an eyebrow. 
"Well, I've learned that the palace orchards make a 
delightful grape juice."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles gently.  "I meant about my 
request for you to do some research."

Travis the Royal Librarian reaches inside his doublet and 
pulls out a couple of pictures. "I did find a couple of 
interesting pictures."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "Pictures?"

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly whaps anyone who dares insert 
innuendo right now.
Shizumaru OOCly definitely wasn't gonna. C.c]

Travis the Royal Librarian hands them to Hiko. "You may 
recognize this first one; Feanor, the revered craftsman 
of the elves."

Hiko the Firechilde takes a look.

The picture looks like Annadil, if he dyed his hair red 
and somehow faded his skin tone a bit.

The_Prof says, "He was noted for making magical 
artifacts, such as the Silmarils, which captured the 
light of the magic trees of their homeland. He is said to 
have fallen at the hands of Morgath, who stole the 
Silmarils from him."

Hiko the Firechilde looks closely at the picture.  She's 
already committed Annadil's features to memory.  She does 
the same with this man.

Travis says, "That shouldn't be too difficult; the second 
picture is one of Annadil, drawn by Corrine. They look 
almost identical.  Of course, this raises a certain 
question in the minds of inquiring people. :)"

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at that.  "When did she do 
that?  I was just with her this morning."

The_Prof says, "I saw her last night, when she gave the 
picture to me."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "'Course I'm smiling 
because neither Travis nor anyone else knows that I have 
a TRUMP...!" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "She's quite skilled."  She 
gives a small shudder just looking at him.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Who's Morgath?"

The_Prof says, "The great legendary bane of the Elves of 
Arden. "
The_Prof says, "Supposedly, he conquered their homeland, 
and drove them into shadow. They claim he's an evil god."
Travis the Royal Librarian says, "His crown is iron, set 
with the three Silmarils, which give him power over fire, 
water, and air."   

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Morgath is said to sit 
in the gloom of a room deep within his stronghold of 
Thangorodrim, caught between love of the wondrous jewels 
he has stolen and revulsion at the clear light they have 
captured and reproduced."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there anything else?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "You might also inquire 
among the elves themselves. Feanor's relatives still live 
there; his grand-nephew currently rules the elves of 
Arden, and Gil-Galad's mother, Findulias, is another 
relative."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there any mention of the 
man we know as Annadil posessing any shapechanging 
ability?"  All the while, she is gently stroking 
Snickers' fur, almost hypnotically.

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "The evidence is not 
conclusive, though one rather interesting fact gives me 
food for thought; I found 62 different elves named 
Annadil... and *none* of them looked like the picture I 
was given."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I saw him recently, and he 
didn't look like an elf to me."

Snickers purrs, enjoying being petted.

Travis the Royal Librarian shrugs. "It's an Elven name; 
Elven records were the logical place to look."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there any traditions of 
people adopting Elven names?"  She almost can't believe 
that she's asking about elves.  None existed where she 
came from.

[The_Prof has disconnected.
The_Prof has connected.
Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Urgle."
Travis the Royal Librarian oocly says, "Not sure how 
*that* happened. o.o"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "It's cool, babe.  
Happens to all of us sooner or later."
The_Prof has disconnected.
Snickers says, "OOC Doh"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "But never twice in one 
night..."
Shizumaru OOCly o.o;
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly wonders if Travis has erective 
dysfunction.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly giggles.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."
Peorth OOCly says, "... Erectile, you mean? o.o"
The_Prof has connected.
Shizumaru OOCly shoots you both. Re, Prof.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly giggles.  "Yes, that."]

[Travis the Royal Librarian blinks OOCly, obviously 
having missed something. o.o
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Let's keep it that way, 
hmm?"]

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there any traditions of 
people adopting Elven names?"

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly feels like she's asked that 
same question before... odd...]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Normally, humans only 
taken an Elven name when they live among elves a *long* 
time; it's often used like a nickname. 'Annadil' means 
something like 'Lord of Gifts'."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Do the records show what 
happened to Feanor?"  She cocks her head.  "Or have I 
already asked you that?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "I know not of this 'AI' 
you mention, though I have heard some interesting tales 
out of shadow... but I digress."

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly groans.  "It's a typo, 
Proffie... I'm channelign Rod tonight."]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "As I mentioned earlier, 
the elves believe he fell in battle with Morgath, 
fighting over the Silmarils."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "And Morgath is still alive?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "According to legend, 
yes. One Dark God on his Dark Throne.  Legend claims that 
one day he will be beguiled, and lose the Silmarils... 
and that day shall spell the beginning of the end of his 
reign. But that day may still be far off."

Hiko the Firechilde nods slowly.  "And what of my... non-
living relatives?"  She gives him a significant look.  
"Not just the ones here in Amber, either."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oh... no one needs to 
know yet who my father is." to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "All right." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods at the prophecy.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But I told you, as you 
needed to know who he was to look him up." to The_Prof
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And I swore you to 
secrecy." to The_Prof
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "This happened after you 
stopped drooling at my chest." to The_Prof
Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins
The_Prof pages, "I was drooling at your chest? O.o" to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, 
"http://www.thekeep.org/~tls/Pics/hikomorph1a.jpg" to 
The_Prof
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Remember?  You came 
into my chambers and Iwas wearing a tank top and 
underwear?'" to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "Oy. o.o" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "The pic I posted the 
URL for is the trump I made for Hiko.  It's what I was 
wearing as we talked." to The_Prof]

Akemi pages, "Do you remember why you wanted to know 
about your deceased relatives?  I don't remember, and I 
need to know so I can feed Prof the right kinds of info" 
to you.

[USER GOT DISCONNED]

Akemi pages, "Which dead relatives specifically did you 
want to know about?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... wanted to know 
about Ludo, but we won't refer to him by name, and any 
other dead relatives." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "So you don't mention him by name?  Do you 
even hint at him in some way?" to you.
Akemi pages, "Since no one but you and Juri and Corrine 
know he was your father." to you.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Well... I'll call him 
Bastard." to Akemi
Travis the Royal Librarian OOCly wishes he had plans that 
elaborate. <wry g>
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I don't know what 
Travis would call him... oh hell... we'll name him." to 
Akemi
Akemi pages, "So you do name him?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I don't.. Travis 
would." to Akemi
Mike pages, "'lo. ;)" to you.
Akemi pages, "Without the name Ludovicus, Travis has no 
idea who your father is, or that you would want any 
knowledge of the man." to you.
Akemi pages, "I mean, when you wrote the letter...right." 
to you.
The_Prof pages, "No wonder I was rather startled when I 
dropped by. o.o" to you.
Akemi pages, "Don't mean to badger you, but I just wanna 
be clear." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Got it.  Okay, we both 
know who he is, but we don't say the name aloud??" to 
Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Does that work?" to 
Akemi]
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I mean, we talked about 
it last time, but no one's got that log but me and you." 
to Akemi
Akemi pages, "If you want Travis to give you info on 
Ludovicus, you would have had to put his name in the 
letter to Travis." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Which I did." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Not necessarily saying he's your 
father...right.  Okay, just what I needed to know." to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "riiiiiight.  But I 
think they might catch on.  Oh well." to Akemi]

[USER GOT DISCONNED AGAIN]

The_Prof pages, "Let's see... you asked about your father 
first, right?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yep... but you don't 
know I'm askingabout my father.  You just think I'm 
asking about Ludovicus and the Cimbiri wars." to The_Prof
The_Prof pages, "Indeed. Shall I put it that way, 
replaying about Ludovicus?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That's it exactly." to 
The_Prof
Travis the Royal Librarian OOCly notes that it's time to 
return to the show... :)
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I'm ready, Travis."]



Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Ludovicus was the 
leader of the Alans, a barbarian tribe that fought two 
wars with Amber. As an ally of the traitor queen, who 
I... prefer not to name <bleh>, he was remarkably 
successful in his first war, due to intelligence from the 
traitor."

"However, I must admit that he was a skillful and 
intelligent general, and he bore a magic sword he named 
'Fang'. He claimed a god gave it to him."  Travis the 
Royal Librarian rolls his eyes to indicate what he thinks 
of that claim.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "What kind of person was 
he?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "After capturing Juri, 
he forced her to marry him; although she became pregnant 
several times, all the children miscarried. She was 
finally able to kill him one night when he got drunk at a 
party."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles again.  "That does sound like 
something Juri-san would do."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Supposedly she drove a 
tent peg through his head. I rather liked her style."

Hiko the Firechilde muses.  "A sword.  What did it look 
like?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "The name is rather 
descriptive. It is ivory white, like a tooth, and is 
shaped like a huge fang. I believe it's actually in the 
royal treasury of Amber at the moment, if you care to 
examine it."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think I'd like to see it 
sometime.  I've always liked swords."

Hiko the Firechilde pats Snickers again.  "Are you 
comfortable?"

[Snickers purrs happily.  "I am quite comfortable, thank 
you."]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "If the sword is 
intelligent, as is rumored, I'm not sure I'd wish to see 
it; after talking to such a... gentleman... I'd expect it 
to have an exceptionally foul mouth."  Travis the Royal 
Librarian smiles benevolently on Snickers and her friend.  
"Of course, that is merely a rumor."

Hiko the Firechilde pets Snickers for a very long time 
before she asks her next question.  "What do you know 
about the Pattern?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "I believe that is all 
the information I have immediately accessible on 
Ludovicus, though I can refer you to four other works on 
the subject."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "The Pattern... ah. One 
of the great philosophical subjects of life, the 
universe, and everything.  It was drawn by Fuyutsuki, and 
is said to be the center of reality. What is, is... 
because of the Pattern. It sustains us. It shapes us."

Hiko the Firechilde shivers a bit at the mention of 
reality.

Travis the Royal Librarian gazes off into the distance 
for a moment. "If you walk the Pattern..."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Snickers isn't a 
talking cat normally, is she?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Well, rumors do claim she's a shapeshifter 
from Chaos." to you.
Akemi pages, "And Travis does seem to not be surprised by 
you talking to her, as compared to others failing to 
understand why you talked to Miki." to you.]

Travis the Royal Librarian stops to collect himself. "If 
you walk the Pattern, you gain the power to walk through 
Shadow, and can find anything you can imagine. Of course, 
if you aren't of the blood of Fuyutsuki, I wouldn't 
recommend it; it would kill you."

[Akemi pages, "But she seems like just a cat to you; she 
is warm and fuzzy." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I like warm and fuzzy." 
to Akemi]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Even if you are of the 
blood, it's still incredibly dangerous; look at what 
happened to Gendo's son Shinji, when he stopped to tie 
his shoelaces and... fell."  He shudders and looks sad 
for a moment. "Poor boy."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "Find anything you imagine?  
And what happened to Shinji?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "When he stopped to tie 
his shoelaces, he... tripped. His body fell across 
several lines of the Pattern; a vortex of fire erupted 
from the Pattern and burnt him to ash, then vaporized the 
ash. It was... not pretty, unless you like that sort of 
thing."  Travis the Royal Librarian frowns disapprovingly 
as he considers the people who like that sort of thing.

Hiko the Firechilde shudders, knowing almost exactly what 
that looks like.  "And what about Broken Pattern?  Why 
are they broken?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "As far as finding 
things... a person who has 'taken the Pattern,' as it 
were, can simply think of anything they want. They fix it 
in their mind, and if they keep moving long enough, they 
*will* find it."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "There are two 'perfect' 
reflections of the Pattern -- one in Rebma, the other in 
Tir'na-nog."

Hiko the Firechilde BLINKS.  This is not a good prospect.  
It explains how Fuyutsuki was able to find her so 
quickly.

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "All other reflections 
of the Pattern beyond those start to lose definition from 
the greater distance."

[Ryo pages, "hm... based on what john is telling me, 
which has distracted me greatly, shaft has to go get some 
cock." to you.]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Gaps and cracks open 
up, as the copies become less and less like the original. 
Some speculate that they begin to become infected with 
Chaos more and more as you leave Amber, and the 
protection the true Pattern offers there.  There are 
several pictures, paintings, and tapestries I can show 
you, which portray the Pattern. Of course, I wouldn't 
actually try to *walk* one of them.  He shudders.

Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "Can you hide from 
anyone in Shadow?"  It's obvious that though Hiko's 
slinging these phrases about like anyone else, she has 
only an academic understanding at best... and a personal 
understanding at worst.

Travis the Royal Librarian asks, "That's a bit vague. Do 
you mean hide from a person in Shadow, or hide out 
yourself while in Shadow?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "If you don't mind, both 
please."  She phrases this carefully.  "If someone is 
seeking you, can you use the Shadow shifting abilities to 
get away?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "If you're talking about 
being able to hide yourself in Shadow... well, Shadow's 
an infinitely large place; there's a lot of room to hide. 
You can stay concealed pretty well... for a while."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "<sigh>  I think Hiko's 
gonna have to walk it.  The idea of being able to hide is 
much too tempting and too much of an asset to lose." to 
Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Will it cost me 
points?" to Akemi]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "If *both* of you know 
how to shift Shadow... you could keep moving ahead of 
them by continuing to move through Shadow yourself. Using 
the Pattern to find someone works best if they stay in 
one place and don't move."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "If I described a place 
with a pattern to you, do you think you'd be able to find 
it in your books?"

[Akemi pages, "If you walk the Pattern, your 25 points of 
Broken pattern Adept will turn into 25 points worth of 
Pattern:  Imprint, Shadow Walk, and Hellriding" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Chee!  I think I'm 
gonna go for it eventually.  Like before the day is over, 
or before I leave on teh quest." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "If you chose to spend some points as well, 
you could buy more abilities" to you.]

Travis the Royal Librarian looks thoughtful, and taps his 
chin. "Hmmm. The main ones at Rebma and Tir'na-nog are 
easy... but I suspect that's not what you mean, since you 
didn't say anything about the names."

Hiko the Firechilde shakes her head.  "I don't know what 
the name of the place was.  He never told me, and I 
wasn't about to ask."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "I do have records of 
warped and broken Patterns in 30 different shadows, 
however, and we can certainly try to find it in one of 
those references."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And I just remembered 
that it wasn't Ludo who took me to the Pattern, but 
Annadil." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You said Ludo." to 
Akemi]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Rebma is underwater, 
and Tir'na-nog is a floating castle that only appears at 
night; I suspect they'd both be hard to forget."  Travis 
the Royal Librarian grins wryly at Hiko.

[Akemi pages, "Yep, it was Annadil who took you." to 
you.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "There was a huge hall, with a 
twenty foot ceiling.  The floor was inlaid with silver 
and jewels.  There was also a red-scaled dragon guarding 
a treasure.  A staircase, then a room about 100 yards 
square.  The ceiling was low."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Can you create an image 
of the scene? That would help me find the reference.  
Particularly, if you can make an image of exactly what 
the Pattern looked like."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can try."  She looks around 
for paper and a pencil.

Travis the Royal Librarian smiles. "Miss Hiko, if you 
could wait but a moment..."

Travis the Royal Librarian rummages in a cabinet, and 
pulls out a small stack of paper, along with a fine set 
of quill pens, and a couple of odd-looking metallic 
pencils a friend of his brought out of Shadow.

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "I'm sorry, sir.  I just feel 
a little overwhelmed right now."

Travis the Royal Librarian pats Hiko's hand gently. "It's 
all right."

Hiko the Firechilde squeezes it gently.

Travis the Royal Librarian grins. "Besides, I don't think 
we should be disturbing our guest of honor."   He 
gestures at Snickers in her lap.
[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And while we're at 
it... surface thoughts, please?  And the cat, too. ^_^  
Gotta know for sure if she's a Chaos demon, you know." to 
Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde gives Snickers a friendly scritch.  
"I don't think she'd like that at all."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Well, she's often 
forgiving. Mostly."  He smiles and hands her the paper 
and drawing tools.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hold surface thought 
scan." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde gestures to Snickers.  "You may want 
to move... I need to call something forth in order to do 
this."

Travis the Royal Librarian gently shifts Snickers over to 
his lap.

[Akemi pages, "Your mind slides off Snickers' mind like a 
person trying to climb smooth glass without tools.  You 
can't get in...not because it's resisting you, but 
there's simply a wall there." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Chaos Demon it 
is." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "As for Travis, you get a brief feeling of 
concern and caring during the hand squeeze." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde concentrates and brings up the Broken 
Pattern.  She examines it for a bit, then reaches out 
dreamily for the pen and draws for about a half an hour.  
By the time she's finished, the entire pattern, hole and 
all, is down on one large sheet of paper.

Snickers moves out of the way and curls up, two legs on 
the table, watching intently.

Travis the Royal Librarian hmms, and examines the paper 
carefully. "Mmm.... mmm? Yes -- yes, I see. Un-huh."  
Travis the Royal Librarian goes back into the stacks for 
about half an hour. "Please, Snickers; keep her 
entertained, if you would?"

Mike
Snickers jumps up on the table, then says, "Want to help 
me hunt while he hunts?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Can I ask you something, 
Snickers?  Do you know the rats in the kitchen?"

Snickers says, "I've never been to the kitchen.  I have 
to stay here and guard my territory."

A few moments later, a loud crash is heard from the 
stacks, and a puff of dust rises up to the ceiling. 
"Itaiii..."

Snickers says, "Does the Kitchen really have lots of 
nice, juicy rats in it?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ah, good.  I have a friend 
there who is a rat.  I would be upset if he suddenly 
ended up in your stomach."

Snickers sounds excited by the thought.  "Oh, I won't eat 
him, then.  As long as he stays out of the library.  What 
does he look like?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods solemnly.  "I doubt that they're 
there all the time.  But my experience with castles is 
that there are several rats about."

Hiko the Firechilde describes Duke Miki, adding, "He has 
some subjects, too.  I think he'd be upset if they were 
to die."  She shakes herself.  "I think I'd like to watch 
you hunt... yes."

Hiko the Firechilde makes a note to make sure Duke Miki 
knows never to go into the Library.

After several more thumps, and a couple of crashes, a 
rather bedraggled figure staggers back out of the stacks 
and over to the table.

Snickers says, "Okay."

Travis the Royal Librarian sits down and brushes a fair 
amount of dust off himself.
Snickers leaps down off the table, sending papers flying 
as she does so.

Travis the Royal Librarian whoops', and quickly gathers 
up the papers.  "I believe I have found a match for you."

Hiko the Firechilde pauses, watching Snickers scamper off 
in  search of prey.  "You have?"  Hiko the Firechilde 
returns to the table.

Travis the Royal Librarian gets out a large book, and 
opens it on the table. "This particular Broken Pattern is 
known as The Lonely Mountain."

Hiko the Firechilde looks over Travis' shoulder at the 
book.

Travis the Royal Librarian blinks and sweatdrops a 
little.  "The Lonely Mountain resides in a shadow rumored 
to be the home of dragons; indeed, the same shadow Prince 
Van went to and never returned. "

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I definitely remember the 
dragon."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "The Pattern itself is 
in fact supposed to be continually guarded by a dragon; 
if the old Guardian dies, an new one comes to take his 
place.  The dragon Van fought was in fact one of the 
Guardians, and had gone on a rampage; it is rumored that 
he was trying to recover something that was stolen from 
it."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Is there anything special 
about this pattern?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "The Broken Pattern 
itself shares in the nature of its surroundings. Walking 
it gives power over Shadow, but it also fills you with 
the secretiveness and fears experienced by Dragons. Not, 
presumably, a pleasant experience."

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "It also gives the 
inclination to draw apart... become isolated, like the 
mountain it lies under."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "If I walk the real 
one, do I lose this ability?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Lose which ability?" to you.
Akemi pages, "You would lose your Broken Pattern powers, 
and they'd be replaced with normal Pattern abilities" to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "the affinity to the 
dragon thing." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde gives a start, then settles down 
again.

Travis the Royal Librarian raises a gently inquiring 
eyebrow, but remains silent.

[Akemi pages, "Yes,  it's a poetic way of indicating the 
paranoid schizophrenia that Broken Pattern causes" to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Damn shame, but 
I think I'm gonna go for it in the next couple of days." 
to Akemi]

After a moment, he continues.

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "One other point of 
note:"  He brings out another book, and begins flipping 
through the pages. "According to the legends surrounding 
Van, the dragon he fought was named Glaurung, and 
possessed Magnus the Unseen, a spikard.  Since the two of 
them disappeared together, and nothing was ever 
recovered, it has been impossible to verify this legend."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "What's a spikard?"

[In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.  You can use Broken 
Pattern to walk through Shadow, but you tend to get lost 
and blunder into abject disasters.]

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Spikards are rings of 
legend, that grant the wearer magical abilities. Very 
ancient, powerful rings. Rings that *I* would be very 
careful of messing with."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Are you a magician, sir?"

Travis the Royal Librarian grins ruefully. "Somewhat. Not 
enough to feel confident about trying to use a spikard."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "What kinds of magicks can 
you do?"

Travis the Royal Librarian says, "Oh, a few twaddles, 
here and there..."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I'll bet you have a locator 
spell, to find your way out of the stacks... Ryouga-
sempai had one for his office."

Travis the Royal Librarian pulls a rose out from behind 
Hiko's ear, and hands it to her. He then begins juggling 
colored silken balls in front of her, pulling new ones 
out of thin air as he tosses old ones to Snickers to play 
with.

Snickers darts out, bats the balls, and then chases them 
out of sight again.

Hiko the Firechilde smells the rose, then laughs as 
Snickers pops back in and out from the stacks.  "If it's 
alright with you, sir, I must take my leave.  I have a 
lunch appointment I have to keep with Nanami."

[Akemi pages, "You can feel little flashes of magic; he 
clearly knows some degree of Conjuration" to you.]

Travis the Royal Librarian bows. "Understandable enough, 
dear lady. No one in their right minds misses an 
appointment with Nanami. For whatever reason. :)"

Hiko the Firechilde smiles and executes a small bow in 
Snickers' direction, then another for Travis.  "Thank 
you."  She looks at the book one more time, committing 
the name of the place to memory.  "Thank you so much."

Travis the Royal Librarian bows again. "You are most 
welcome. :)  Any time you wish to continue this 
discussion, please, let me know. As long as I have no 
urgent commitments, I'd be more than happy to help."

Travis the Royal Librarian likes anyone that attentive to 
Snickers. :)

Snickers chases one of the balls past you, darting past 
your legs.

Hiko the Firechilde lifts one leg as Snickers darts past, 
a smile on her face.

Travis the Royal Librarian grins and tickles Snickers 
behind one ear.

Hiko the Firechilde gives the cat one last scritch under 
the jawline and takes her leave.




[DEBRIEFING]

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly sighs...  That was actually 
helpful.

Snickers changes Nicks to Nanami.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "How much stamina you 
got?"

Nanami says, "OOC You got on his good side :)"

Nanami says, "OOC We can start, and see how long I last."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Okay... IIRC, my appt. 
with Nanami was actually for later, but I think I want to 
move it up."

Nanami says, "OOC It was?  I thought you asked her for 
lunch, right?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I think so, yes...  
Lemme fire up the e-mail thingie and check."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "YOu're right.  Lunch it 
was."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "But unfortunately, I'm 
starting to fall asleep.  Another time?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly notes that I'm doing quite a 
lot of solo gaming.

[On her way down to the dining room, after getting lost 
again, she composes a note to Mikage, the think pink-
haired man she met last night who seemed to know 
Annadil.]

Nanami says, "OOC Fair enough."

Nanami says, "OOC we can do the lunch with Nanami later."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yep, yep... I've got my ducks 
in a row."

RodM says, "and shaft's just a cameo guy extraordinare so 
far o.o"

Nanami says, "Heh :)"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "But a fun cameo guy."

RodM says, "true"

Nanami says, "Well, Shaft's major plot thread (The Lipun 
Trip) will start soon."

Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "I know I want to game with 
you."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "What's mine?"

RodM says, "oh well, was hoping you could stick around 
and watch me hunt giant cock, but hey...."

Nanami says, "Plus you get to go questing for a 
cockatrice for Auntie Wakaba :)"

RodM says, "that storyline shall be filled with lots of 
ridiculous quotes"

Nanami says, "Well, it's looking like your first major 
plot thread will be heading to the Lonely Mountain, the 
way things are going."

Nanami says, "It also depends on if Nagisa manages to 
share his new knowledge with everyone before you all run 
off :)"

RodM says, "nagisa. ah, the golden child."

RodM says, "shaft will hate it."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yay!  But I want to talk to 
Mikage first.  The elusive gamer."

Nanami says, "Given he'll likely send you all running off 
into Shadow on quests, yeah, Shaft will likely hate it."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hiko has her own agenda."

RodM says, "the overwhelming gratitude at the docks will 
be fresh in memory"

Nanami says, "I'd suggest emailing Mikage to set up a 
good time, so you can be sure he shows up."

RodM says, "we can just nail TR to a tree, sure that'll 
work"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Why do you call him the golden 
boy?"

RodM says, "the amount of attention and concern he 
recieved upon arriving."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ah. ^_^"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I also know that Hiko doesn't 
like Mikage already."

RodM says, "that, and blazing through shaft's crime 
scene, and leaving with an amber royal parade...."

RodM says, "no, wait, that bit was Nagisa"

RodM says, "yeah, grumpiness at him there too"

RodM says, "so, i'm slated to have shaft stumble unto 
hiko in the shower next, right? right? right?  ;)"

Nanami laughs.

Nanami says, "If you did that, she'd set you on fire, I 
think :)"

RodM says, "very likely"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Um... ^_^  Actually, I don't 
think that would be her reaction.  Her public face and 
her private face are very different."

RodM says, "ah, so she'd set aside the magic and just 
kick him in the balls"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Maybe.  Maybe not.  That's 
just it; you don't knoooooooow!"

RodM says, "da-da-daaaaaa"

RodM <cue dramatic shading>
Nanami hehs

Hiko the Firechilde smiles and snuggles Rod and John.  "I 
love playing with you guys... where's Shaft right now?"

RodM says, "on the beach.  with shizu :P"

Hiko the Firechilde feels like she's getting her second 
wind.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Fooey.  I wanna play with 
Shaft!"

RodM says, "though john's proposed skipping ahead since 
shaft's assured to be in one piece"

Nanami says, "He's gone to The Beach with Shizumaru, to 
check out Touga's beach house for clues as to where Touga 
is."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Why do you always go along?  
Because you The Law?"

Nanami says, "Only way you could die would be if you and 
Shizumaru beat the crap out of each other for no apparent 
reason"

RodM says, "in that case, john, he might die >:)"

rod asks, "why, trish? because... hell, I dunno.  JOhn? 
why is shaft always sliding in?"

Nanami says, "Shaft vs. Shizumaru would be one hell of a 
fight."

Nanami says, "Several reasons:"

Nanami says, "1.  Your mom keeps volunteering you for 
things."

Nanami says, "2.  Everyone knows you're good at what you 
do, and therefore they go to you because they know you'll 
do it right."

Nanami says, "3.  It's a kid's duty to do chores :)"

RodM pauses with realization.   mission 1 - find green 
mask.  mission 2 - find the ambassador.  mission 3 - find 
touga.  mission 4 - find a 20 ton cockatrice.  Shaft IS 
the royal gofer boy o.o

Nanami says, "4.  You're the only PC who knows every 
Elder and has had past dealings with them."

rod asks, "so john, can ya think of any shaft/hiko scenes 
whilst she's gettin'er second wind?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hey, gofer boy's better than 
human shield."

Nanami says, "Well, she's having lunch with Nanami, and 
you work for Nanami, so perhaps Nanami could invite you 
to lunch too?"

RodM looks at Fox.  "Your call."

Nanami says, "Other than that, unless one of you seeks 
the other out deliberately, I'm not sure what else I 
could do."

RodM says, "hrm...."

Nanami says, "Now, once Hiko heads out into Shadow, she 
might want a good fighter with her, which would make for 
a good longer-term interaction thing."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'd like that."

RodM ponders.  "Are the aunts and uncles particularly 
fond of Hiko?  "

RodM says, "if so, i can see them shoving shaft on escort 
duty"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "And yeah, I think I'd want big 
strong man with huge phallic-symbol crossbow at my side."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Juri would want someone she 
trusted with me."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ditto for Corrine, I believe."

RodM says, "fair'nuf"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hey!  Idea.  Nanami calls you 
back for lunch from the Beach.  Trump out, that's that!"

"Will you stop thinking of sex with Kasumi?"   "Hey, stop 
probing my mind!"  "I can't help it, you're too damn 
loud."

rod asks, "yahoo, john, still there?"

Nanami says, "I'm here."

RodM says, "well, if you'n trish are up to it, i'm game."

Nanami says, "Had a minor computer glitch."

Nanami says, "We'll just assume this is after you return 
from the Beach."

Nanami says, "By whatever means."

RodM nods

Hiko the Firechilde giggles.  "Got it."

[ANOTHER SESSION]


Nanami arranges for a lunch in the gazebo in the garden.

Hiko the Firechilde ahems, penning a note to Mikage and 
passing it along to a servant.  She is still, however, 
lost.  Back at her room, Hiko finds a reply from Nanami, 
requesting they lunch in the garden at the gazebo.

This delay means Shaft gets to lunch before Hiko's 
arrival.

It looks like lunch will be corn in the cob, broccoli, 
rolls, candied fruit, and large quantities of baked 
chicken.  Hiko the Firechilde taps the note against her 
teeth.  She pens an acceptance, then takes a short nap.  
When she's done, she makes her way to the gardens, with 
directional help.

Nanami looks up as Shaft arrives.  A chair pulls itself 
out for him.  "Do you want coffee or wine?" she askes.

Shaft thinks for a moment.  "Ah... coffee, black."

Nanami pours you a mug of coffee, then mumbles a few 
words over it to heat it back up.  She pours herself a 
glass of fine Begman wine.

Nanami says, "The clipper to take you to Lipun will be 
ready in two days.  I should have our army and naval 
force ready in a week."

Shaft nods.  "I got any backup if anything goes wrong?"

Nanami hands you a trump card.  It shows a beautiful 
sunset.  "This trump actually connects to me.  Call me 
and I'll come through and save your ass."

Shaft takes a sip of his coffee.  Not quite as good as 
Fuyutsuki's, but he's not about to tell her that.  He 
takes the trump, eyeing it warily.  "Trumps... alright."

Hiko the Firechilde arrives at the gardens, dressed in 
her uniform top and black slacks.  "Hello.  You must be 
Nanami."  She does a double-take.  "Hello, Ota-san."

Nanami says, "I'm thinking about asking your cousin 
Shizumaru to go with you, since he knows Lipun better 
than any of us.  What do you think of him?"

Nanami says, "Hello, Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde bows to both of them.

Nanami gestures and a chair pulls out for Hiko.

Shaft looks over his shoulder at the new arrival.  
"Ah.... Hiko, right? Somethin' like that."

Nanami says, "Would you prefer Coffee or wine, Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I am Hiko."  She stares at 
the chair for a bit, then sits down.  "Water, actually."

Nanami has the look of someone caught by surprise for a 
moment.  She then rings a bell, and a servant appears 
from...somewhere.

Nanami says, "Bring a flagon of spring water."

The servant bows and runs off.

Nanami begins loading her own plate with food.  "Have you 
been enjoying your stay with us, Hiko?"

Shaft stirs his coffee, mixing in some sugar, then pauses 
to take a look at Hiko with a slightly puzzled expression 
on his face.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes.  This is very different 
from what I'm used to.  Hiko the Firechilde picks up some 
rolls, and a bit of the chicken.

Shaft asks Hiko, "Y'know, I been seein'you around here a 
lot lately... you someone's guest? New ambassador?  Just 
passin' through?"

She pauses.  "It appears as if I have family here."

Shaft rubs his chin and takes a second look at her.  "Uh 
huh.... y'know, you look kinda familiar..."

Nanami says, "She reminds me of Juri."

Shaft says, "yeah, don't she?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "You must not have been paying 
any attention at dinner."  She smiles.  "Though I could 
see why; your date was most refreshing."  

Nanami says, "And a lot of pictures I've seen of 
Catherine."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks, remembering that name that 
came up during the first reading.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I am Juri's daughter."

Nanami nods.  "I should have thought to invite my son, 
although I suppose you met him at the formal dinner."

Shaft says, "Oh, you're Juri's.... but I thought...."  
Shaft looks puzzled for a moment, then shrugs.  
"Nevermind."

Shaft says, "Hey, auntie, got any more'a that grey 
poupon?"

Nanami passes the grey poupon to Shaft.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Which one was her 
son?" to Akemi Akemi pages, "Ramon" to you.]

Nanami says, "We're all rather surprised to learn Juri 
had a child.  She never seemed very interested in love 
and romance and the like."

Shaft takes the grey poupon, then dumps it liberally on a 
drumstick, and proceeds to chow down.

Hiko the Firechilde turns to Ota.  "What was that you 
kept saying about him?  Something about shielding?"

Nanami says, "Ramon has a certain knack for getting in 
the way of attacks intended to hit other people."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes.  Imagine my surprise when 
I found out that I had more than one mother."

Nanami says, "Despite his own considerable combat 
skills."  She blinks.  "You had more than one mother?"

Hiko the Firechilde clarifies.  "The one who raised me, 
and Juri."

Nanami . o O (She and Shiori?  She and Yui?  My brain 
melts...oh.)

Shaft seems comfortable with this.  It fits his world 
view.

Nanami says, "Oh, I see.  You were fostered, then"

Shaft says, "oh, is THAT what y'mean?"

Nanami says, "Did she get Yui to raise you?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "After a fashion.  I've never 
met Yui."

Nanami says, "Ahh, she's quite a character"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

Nanami says, "Claims she's the priestess of Seiryuu the 
Dragon God."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The Dragon God?"

A muddled memory half-buried by wine resurfaces in 
Shaft's head.  "Oh!  Damn, an'I was just jokin' when I 
asked if you was another royal bastard..."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Ota.  "And if you recall, I 
said that though my lineage wasn't the best, it was a 
legal marriage."

Nanami says, "I'm not much into theology, but Juri 
apparently met Yui in a shadow where Dragons were 
worshipped, or something."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again.

Nanami says, "Anyway, Yui knows about everything there is 
to know about Dragons."

Nanami says, "Ota, it is generally considered rude to 
call someone a bastard."

Hiko the Firechilde digs deep into her memory and recalls 
the circumstances of her birth, and the blonde-haired 
woman who was there as well.

A smile quirks on Hiko's lips, but she doesn't say 
anything.

Nanami says, "At some point, virtually everyone in this 
palace has been a bastard."  She begins to sound more 
brittle than usual.

Shaft looks puzzled.  "But I was just... but..."   He 
sees the expression on Nanami's face.  "Never mind."

Nanami says, "We cannot help who our parents are, or how 
we were born."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I take it that there are a lot 
of 'lost' children?"

Shaft shrugs. "Hey, I'm one myself, I'm cool with it."

Nanami takes a deep breath and forcibly smiles.  "Yes, 
there are."

Hiko the Firechilde leans forward.  "Really?"  She thinks 
back to Fuyutsuki's duel.  "Your mother is the woman with 
the pink hair, correct?"

Shaft says, "yeah, that's her."

Nanami says, "Yes, Utena is Ota's mother.  Our family has 
truly strange genetics."

Hiko the Firechilde's eyes narrow.  "And she knew 
Annadil."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I love being one-track 
minded." to Akemi]

Nanami says, "Our father sired many bastards, some of 
whom may be lost in shadow and might never learn their 
true heritage, wondering why they do not age as everyone 
they love slowly dies around them."

Nanami says, "Annadil...the fellow who attacked Fuyutsuki 
last night?"

Shaft says, "I know Bumpy the pimp.  That don't make us 
best buddies."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I don't think I'm 
going to try a probe on Nanami.  Anyone who can conjure 
servants and make chairs slide out on their own is out of 
my league." to Akemi]

The servant returns with a flagon of spring water for 
Hiko.

Shaft raises an eyebrow, his tone slightly annoyed.  "You 
suggestin' somethin' about my mom?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It seemed like they'd been 
intimate once, by the way Fuyutusuki-san reacted while he 
was dressed like your mother."
Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "I wouldn't put it past the 
Bastard..."  She blanches.  "Forgive me, Nanami-san.  It 
just slipped out."

Nanami blinks.  "Fuyutsuki dressed as Utena?"  Shesounds 
like you just said 'Kolvir grew wings and flew away'

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It was the oddest thing.  They 
were fighting, and then suddenly Fuyutsuki looked like 
Utena-san."

Shaft briefly hopes Fuyutsuki isn't his great grandfather 
and his mom, then tries to shove that thought aside.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I've never heard of such a 
thing happening."

Shaft shrugs.  "This is Amber. Everythin' happens."

Nanami says, "Oh, shapeshifting."

Hiko the Firechilde says wryly, "I'm beginning to realize 
that."

Nanami says, "He must have been trying a persona 
shapeshift."  She shakes her head.  "He ought to know 
something always goes wrong with those."  She finally 
actually takes a bite out of her mountain of food, 
reminded of its existence, then washes it down with a sip 
of wine.

Nanami says, "I thought you meant he was crossdressing."

Shaft briefly imagines Fuyutsuki in a dress.  He nearly 
spits out his coffee.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I'm a little curious, 
Nanami-san.  Why did you ask me to lunch?"

Shaft says, "you gonna have her find something, right?"  
He shakes his head.  "Sorry, reflex."

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Ota curiously.

Nanami says, "Saionji told me you were Juri's daughter, 
but I didn't believe him at first.  So I was curious 
about that.  But mostly, I just wanted to meet you and 
get to know you."

Nanami looks over at Shaft and smiles.  "Men are good for 
finding things, yes."

Hiko the Firechilde mutters, "Not any men I've known."

Nanami says, "I understand you're a bit of a sorceress."

[Akemi pages, "Fuyutsuki found you; he's male :)" to 
you.]

Shaft leans back and grumbles to himself something about 
gophers.....

Nanami hands Shaft a cookie.  "Here, eat this, it'll 
relax you."

Shaft's left eyebrow twitches.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I'm discounting him as 
he's a Bastard now and not a male." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "A bit.  I know some tricks."  
At Ota's raised eyebrow, she amends her statement.  "Yes, 
I know magic."

Nanami says, "It's a very handy skill.  So how long will 
you be staying with us, Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm not exactly sure.  My home 
isn't what it used to be."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "<ahem>  Hiko is 
screaming at me to let me do a surface scan on Nanami.  
As GM, would this be wise?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "I'm afraid I can't tell you if it's wise, 
although I can say Hiko knows doing such things to other 
sorcerers is usually detected,a nd they generally don't 
like it." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Ota.  "Are you alright?"

Shaft munches on his cookie in an annoyed manner.  "Don't 
mind us gophers," he grumbles.

Shaft looks Hiko over again, with a more analytical gaze.  
"I guess you're stayin' in the castle, yeah?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Right."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Yes, I am.  Don't ask me 
where, exactly..."  She smiles.  "It's a little 
overwhelming."

Shaft shrugs.  "Never noticed.  Used to it, I guess."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "You don't live in the castle?"

Shaft says, "me?  Nah.  A little too stuffy, y'know?  
Though I think the family'd object t'showin you where I 
live."

Nanami says, "I think the family would object to the risk 
of her ending up as one of Bumpy's ladies or worse.  She 
frowns.  "I cannot see why you choose to bury yourself in 
that festering sore."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Bumpy...?"

Nanami says, "His real name is Dworkin.  He's a Pimp."

Shaft rolls his eyes.  "Y'get more down to earth people 
there.  People here got their heads in the clouds all the 
time.  Alright, lot'a them got their heads below the 
earth, but that ain't their fault..."

Nanami says, "And a lot of them end up buried six feet 
under the earth.  Rather prematurely."

Shaft says, "hey, ain't that what I'm there for?"

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "Sounds just like home."  She 
blinks and shakes her head, reaching for more chicken.

Shaft raises an eyebrow.  "Dunno if that's good or bad."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Forget I said anything."

Shaft nods slowly.  "Uh.. huh."

Hiko the Firechilde looks around at the gardens, seeing 
their neatness and the immaculate grooming and shivers.

In another moment of logic in delayed motion, Shaft looks 
at Hiko, then at Nanami, then Hiko, then Nanami.  "Hey 
Auntie, you ain't gonna put me on bodyguard duty or 
somethin', are you?"

Nanami says, "If you could show her around, that would be 
good."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Body... guard?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yes!  Yes!" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Say yes, darling!" to 
Ryo]

Nanami says, "But since you'll need to be leaving in two 
days, it would be hard for me to make such a permanent 
assignment."

Shaft considers this with a droll expression.  "But...."    
He sighs.  "At least she ain't askin me to FIND 
somethin..."

Nanami laughs.  "You'll have enough of that in Lipun."

Shaft grumbles something about gophers....

Hiko the Firechilde muses to herself.  "It would be handy 
having someone around... and I need to know more about 
where I am."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Oh, he didn't mean you.  Quiet 
down over there."

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.  "It was bound to 
happen."]

Shaft sighs.  "Well... as soon .... (pauses to try and 
see who Hiko's talking to)   ah.... soon's I come back 
from my little cruise vacation, we'll see."

Shaft says, "hey auntie, am I or ain't I borrowin' the 
human shield?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't think he'd like it if 
you bit him."

Shaft stares at Hiko.  "Who you talkin' to?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Leonardo."

Shaft edges his chair away just slightly.  "Uh huh.... 
Leonardo..."

Nanami looks vaguely disturbed  "Yes, I believe Ramon 
will be going with you, Ota."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "See?  There's a REAL 
gopher, and he's mad because Shaft's getting mad about 
gophers, and... Oh, never mind." to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "^_^" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Hehe :)" to you.]

[Akemi pages, "Let them know you're talking to an actual 
gopher, then :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde tosses down a piece of bread, and a 
gopher comes out from the grass and snatches it up.  He 
squeaks (or whatever the kind of noise gophers make) at 
Hiko and disappears into the grass again.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Bye, Leonardo."

In another spectacular display of delayed realization 
thought processes, Shaft suddenly says, "Damn!  I was 
gonna go on a date with Kasumi in three days....."

Nanami says, "I feel sorry for you."

Nanami doesn't really sound as sorry as you might like.

Shaft sarcastically replies, "Oh, sure y'do.  Always 
askin'me to do the hard stuff.  Ota, find this guy.  Ota, 
arrest that guy.  Ota, invade that country on your own."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "Invade a country?"

Nanami says, "I only ask you to do these things because I 
know I can trust you to do them, instead of running off 
and hiding under a rock like Ramon usually does."

Shaft blinks slowly. "Forget y'heard that."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks even more.  "You have a date 
with NotDead Kasumi?"

Nanami says, "Are we working you too hard, Ota?"

Nanami actually sounds concerned.

Shaft blinks at Hiko's phrasing.  "Whaa?"

Nanami . o O (Not dead?  Should she be?)

Hiko the Firechilde says, "You know... the one who isn't 
dead."

Nanami says, "There's one who is dead?"

Shaft gets a case of whiplash as he turns his head to 
Nanami, shocked to hear actual concern.  "Wha..."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I know Kasumi.  She was raped 
and beheaded.  But she's not dead now."

Shaft's whiplash gets worse, snapping back to Hiko.  "Say 
whaaa?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I know we've explained 
the Shadows thing to HIko, but this schizoid thing is 
just making things worse.  It's like a reset.  Everything 
has to be in its place, ne?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "This was about... sixty years 
ago?"

Shaft says, "you must'a come from one FUCKED up shadow, 
baby."  He pauses.  "60?"  He seems generally crushed by 
this news for some odd reason.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I lose track of time 
sometimes."

Shaft says, "60?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It was rather hard, yes."

Shaft slumps in his chair and sighs.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Yes, sixty.  Is there 
something wrong?"

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly wonders if we'll get to 
comparing Kasumi's eventually...
Shaft OOCly yeees, dig out the corpse, compare that fine 
sleek skull to live kasumi's own fine features... :)]

Nanami says, "Shaft's the baby of our family."

Shaft cringes

Nanami says, "He was only born twenty five years ago."

Shaft lowers his head.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Ah... you are a young one, 
aren't you?"

Shaft's eyebrow twitches

Nanami says, "He was such a cute little boy.  He still 
is, really."

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and grins.  "MY character's @100 
years old.]

Shaft grits his teeth.

Hiko the Firechilde grins fatuously at Ota-san.  "He's a 
credit to his mother and your House."

Nanami says, "He and his mother both have an incredible 
knack for fighting."

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Tell me...what would 
Shaft do if someone were to pinch him on the cheek and 
say 'Who's a good boy?'"
Shaft OOCLY "grit his teeth further, eyebrow twitch 
more"]

Nanami says, "He beat up Saionji once, and Saonji is 
hundreds of years his elder."

Hiko the Firechilde raises her eyebrows.  "I couldn't do 
that."

Shaft says, "Hey, that green haired fool had it comin'."

Shaft says, "ain't like I stole his girl.... she went to 
me."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at Ota, then remembers King.  
"One of those, eh?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Her ex-husband was 
like that." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "the leader of the raiders, you mean?" to 
you. Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yep." to Akemi]

Shaft says, "say what?"

Nanami says, "It was quite a mess"

Nanami says, "Just be careful, Ota.  It's never wise to 
have Saionji's enmity."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I've just noticed that when 
some guys say 'she went to me' they're not really telling 
the whole story."

Shaft shrugs.  "Whooped'em once, whoop'em again."

Shaft looks at Hiko, seemingly hurt.  "Aw, you sayin' I 
ain't telling the whole story?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "There must be more than that.  
Otherwise he wouldn't have challenged you to a duel... if 
that's what happened."

Shaft smirks and says with a wink, "Well, that's my story 
an' I'm stickin' to it."

Nanami says, "Saonji was never one to take losing well.  
Or one to understand how to properly treat a woman, as 
compared to say...Makoto.  Ota here."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at that last statement.

Shaft nods sagely.  "Tha's right."

[(YOU SHUT YO' MOUTH!)
(But I'm just talkin'bout me....)]

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Dang... running out of 
things to talk about... any ideas?"
Shaft says, "hm. if we're gonna wrap it up, i can see 
shaft exiting by saying he's gonna visit kasumi before he 
goes away, to... ah... say goodbye.  yeah."
Nanami says, "OOC I think we can cut here; I'm very 
tired, and we've gotten your chars to meet."
Shaft says, "OOCly mightswell callit a wrap, yeah"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly Right then, we'll call it a 
night.]



[SESSION END; DEBRIEFING BEGINS]

Rod says, "ah, outta the party clothes"

Hotaru says, "Yay, I can talk."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "So, Shaf's gonna show me 
around?"

Nanami says, "Ideally :)"

Rod says, "if he survives his vacation relatively intact, 
likely"

Nagisa chuckles.

Nanami says, "Well, it will be a 'working vacation' :)"

Nagisa is probably the only one who stays cooped up in 
the castle. ^^;

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Ya need to get out more 
often."

Hotaru says, "Nagisa's a big boring poopyhead."

Hiko the Firechilde grins.  "Can we also do the 'you're 
fuckig NotDead Kasumi' bit sometime, too?"

Rod laughs!

Rod shrugs.  "Who knows?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Course, I gotta do 
this before I walk the Pattern." to Akemi]

Nagisa says, "Well... I'm gonna have to chase after you 
lot soon enough."

Nagisa notes... "Well... after I go defile Gendo's grave 
first."

Nagisa erhms...

Nanami says, "Heh :)"

"Alright, this is gona be operation human shield.  Ramon, 
you go first."   "Dammit! I knew it!"   "Shut yo ass up 
an' move!"

Rod says, "ah, yes, nagisa, another one who'll have a 
crossbow up his ass if shaft had his druthers."

Nanami says, "Well, time for me to sleep.  G'nite, 
everyone!"

Rod says, "ciao, jonno"

Nagisa waves to John.

Akemi has disconnected.

Hiko the Firechilde is going off to a Shadow herself...

Nagisa tsks, "Just cause I'm a magic user is no reason 
for discrimination..."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "naw, I know why he's upset at 
you........"

Nagisa says, "Why?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Cause you were rude."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "it was all, 'Oh, he's Nagisa 
and I'm just trying to enforce THE LAW and the bad guys 
got away.'"

Nagisa says, "Oh my..."

Nagisa says, "It wasn't my fault... ^^;;;;"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Well, sure, but he's shaft."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Anyway, second wind has died 
down.  I'm outta here."

Hiko the Firechilde tries out a phrase as she leaves:  
She lovingly stroked Shaft's shaft...

[SESSION END]



Yumi says, "OOC I have several NPCs who will seek you out 
:)"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "How many points of bad 
stuff do I have? ^_^"

Lt. Kuno says, "Aiyieee! No! Don't let the GM have his 
way! ;)"


Yumi says, "OOC That would be telling :)"




Mikage says, "This is what happens to people with 5 
points of bad stuff ^^;"




Yumi says, "OOC But actually, you'"




Lt. Kuno says, "Bad things, Mikage."




Yumi says, "OOC But you're theoretically still a good 
stuff char, as you haven't spent points on anything."




Mikage says, "They get smacked down my their Elders. ^^;"




Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Um, yes, I have.  I bought the 
sword, remember?"




Peorth OOCly says, "Is it wise to remind him of that 
RIGHT NOW?"




Shizumaru OOCly takes down notes.




Yumi doublechecks the math.




Kergma pages, "been thinking about it?" to you.




Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I'm just being 
honest... and besides, I might need the stuff I did with 
the sword."




Nagisa OOCly nyahahahahahahahas!!!




Akemi pages, "70 points in stats, 49 points in Powers, 6 
points in Items, 5 Good Stuff = 130.  Yuo have 100 
points, plus 30 for Contributions, which equals the 130 
you have spent" to you.




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "O.o!  I spent 76 on 
Psyche!  WTF?" to Akemi




Akemi pages, "Now, you do need to make up the six points 
of contributions you haven't done yet, but in theory, you 
have five good stuff" to you.




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ah, yeah... the story, 
right?" to Akemi




Akemi pages, "Don't forget you took strength down to 
Chaos, which is -10 points" to you.




Vixxy> Zankuro wants a Pattern'brella.




Akemi pages, "76-10_1+3=70" to you.




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oh, right." to Akemi




Nagisa says, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to 
buy even bread with that paltry sum? I've been living on 
one meal a day..."




Hiko the Firechilde OOCly will trust the Fates and game 
with the GM. ^_~




Yumi does the 'trust in me' routine :)




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Which is actually how 
Hiko prefers life, anyway.  Planning never helped her." 
to Akemi




Yumi asks, "OOC Okay, after your lunch, where does Hiko 
go?"




Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I penned a note to 
Mikage, right?  So I go back to my rooms to see if he's 
replied."




Yumi says, "OOC Mikage, did you reply?  You did get the 
note before you left for your brief recent trip."




Mikage says, "OOC Yes, I did. I would meet wit her after 
my other business was concluded. Which should be any time 
now, unless my host has other plans..."




Mikage says, "OOC I have to eat lunch first, though."




Yumi says, "OOC Doh."




Yumi says, "OOC Well, I can give you other business while 
Mikage grabs lunch."




Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "That sounds fine."




Hiko the Firechilde OOCly is ready now.




[BEGIN SCENE]





On return to your room, you find a letter from Ramon, 
inviting you to play tennis with him, a letter from 
Shinobu inviting you to come to the theatre with her, and 
a request from Misato, the palace guard commander, to 
come talk to her.




Hiko the Firechilde tosses Ramon's note aside, as she 
doesn't remember how to play.  The theater isn't remotely 
interesting enough (and she didn't meet Shinobu at 
dinner) so that invite is also declined.  But the palace 
commander.....




Hiko the Firechilde sighs, picking up the notes and 
writes proper refusals.




Hiko the Firechilde says, "Damn court etiquette."




Hiko the Firechilde reviews her spells, refreshing them 
again.




You are able to refresh most of them fairly quickly.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "A fire one (not the 
sniper's flame), Winds of Change (mini-hurricane), 
Lightning Shield." to Akemi


Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "The other fire one." to 
Akemi
]

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.  With your ring, you 
can refresh and rack them very quickly.


Akemi pages, "Rings of Fire?" to you.
]



Okay, you're done racking your spells.




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That's the one." to 
Akemi




Hiko the Firechilde writes an acceptance note to Misato 
to meet at the place of her choosing.
  She wonders if it's about the fight on the rooftop.




The note was vague in that respect.




Misato sends a reply, requesting you come and see her in 
her office.




Hiko the Firechilde goes out yet again, and again gets 
lost.  No one's bothered to give her the tour as of yet.




You eventually find Misato's office, down on the first 
floor; it's a mess with papers stacked everywhere, and 
the wall covered with weapons.




Hiko the Firechilde looks around, not precisely casing 
the joint... just trying to figure out where the exits, 
entrances are.




It has no windows, the only way in or out is through the 
door from the hallway.  Misato sits across the room 
behind her desk.  "Oh, hi, Hiko.  Thank you for coming."




Misato wears a long red tunic and leggings, belted at the 
waist, with the unicorn rampant emblazoned across her 
chest in gold.  A strange pendant of bronze hangs from 
her neck; it resembles a slightly warped five pointed 
star with an eye in the middle.




She carries no weapons, but the many up on the wall are 
within arm's reach.


Hiko the Firechilde bows slightly.  "I am pleased to meet 
you."




Misato says, "Juri instructed me to give you a few things 
you may find useful."
   She opens a drawer and removes a silver dagger, and a 
plain silver band.




Hiko the Firechilde smiles at the mention of Juri and 
says, "Did she explain why?"




Misato puts them on the side of the desk closest to you.  
"I had to fight a shapeshifter earlier today, and silver 
is the most effective thing against them.  Juri requested 
that I pass these to you."




Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Oh?  What happened?"




Misato says, "The dagger is simply silver over iron.  The 
ring will work three times to force a shapeshifter to 
take on his true form, and then it runs out of juice."




Hiko the Firechilde examines the dagger first, then the 
band.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "with the BP." to Akemi
]



[Akemi pages, "The dagger is just ordinary silver.  The 
ring has the power word 'Resume True Form' racked in it 
three times." to you.
]



Misato says, "It tried to kill me and take my place."




Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What did its true form look 
like?"




Misato says, "It botched the job."




Misato says, "I don't know; it dissolved into a puddle of 
goo once I poured poison down its throat."




Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I can see that."  She 
narrows her eyes.




Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Do you mind?"




Misato says, "And made the most hideous stain on the 
carpet."




Misato asks, "Mind what?"




Hiko the Firechilde gets up and taking the dagger in 
hand, places it on Misato's hand.




Misato says, "Careful, or you'll cut me."




Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm always careful."




Misato looks calm, although her hand trembles slightly, 
perhaps because a sharp blade is touching it.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Examine Misato with 
BP." to Akemi
]



[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I just realized 
something... she's relied on the BP for so much, and now 
she knows it has flaws in it... damn....... she's due to 
snap soon." to Akemi
]



Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's not that I don't trust 
you.  It's just that I can't right now."




[Akemi pages, "Misato's clothing and necklace both have 
powerful augmentation magics, and so does the sword 
hanging up on the wall behind her.  Misato herself is 
imbued with powerful reality, but not at the level of an 
Amber Royal." to you.
]



Hiko the Firechilde nods, then takes the dagger off her 
hand and sits back down again.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You said it was a 
band?  Like a ring?" to Akemi


Akemi pages, "Yes, it's a silver ring." to you.
]



Misato says, "I've been arming the guards with silver 
bolts, although I suspect it will be a while before 
another one tries to get in."




Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "Very wise to do so."




Hiko the Firechilde says, "We didn't have shapeshifters 
at home."




Misato says, "We rarely have them here, but I suspect 
Chaos may be gearing up for something.  Or perhaps the 
shapechanger who attacked Fuyutsuki left a few friends 
around."




Hiko the Firechilde widens her eyes.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Could I see a 
shapeshifter with the BP?" to Akemi
]



She seems to be remarkably relaxed as she says this.




[Akemi pages, "Yes, you could tell if someone was a 
shapechanger, unless the flaw got in your way. It would 
generally work about 80% of the time, unless their psyche 
was higher than yours, which is pretty rare" to you.
]



Hiko the Firechilde relaxes somewhat sensing Misato's 
calm.  "Do you know anything about the man who attacked 
Fuyutsuki-san."  She pauses.  "Is he okay?"




Hiko the Firechilde says, "Fuyutsuki, I mean."




Misato says, "Fuyutsuki-sama is down in his chambers, 
resting.  He seems to be okay.  "




Misato says, "From talking to Drake and Utena, I was able 
to reconstruct that 'Annadil' seems to be a fairly 
skillful fighter, better than most people, but not so 
good as our best swordsmen.  He seems to be a quite 
skillful shapeshifter, and I'd estimate he likely has 
some knowledge of sorcery, which he used to fly, and of 
Trump, which he used to escape."




Misato says, "Interestingly, no one saw him pull out an 
actual Trump Card, however."




Hiko the Firechilde already knew most of this 
information, and the bit about the trump card has her 
confused (because she's still not sure about how it 
works).




Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "Had Fuyutsuki-san said 
anything about why he was fighting the duel?"




Misato says, "As I understand it, Fuyutsuki gambled 
Drake's Pattern Blade against some sort of Logrus weapon 
which was equivalent.  Drake is, quite reasonably, very 
angry with Fuyutsuki about this."




Hiko the Firechilde nods again.  "But no other matters 
were discussed?"




Misato says, "Not that I know of, but you'd have to ask 
Fuyutsuki."


 


Misato says, "This further confirms Annadil's ties to 
Chaos."




Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "What do you know about 
Chaos?"




MMisato says, "Not very much.  Many beings of Chaos can 
shapeshift.  Yig stands vigil, about halfway to Chaos.  
The Courts of Chaos are ancient, perhaps almost as old as 
Amber.  Legends claim they tried to draw their own 
Pattern, but botched the job, creating a twisting vortex 
of madness that grants warped power to those who survive 
it, but shatters their minds."




She continues.  "Beyond Yig, Shadow turns strange and 
twisted, becoming less and less stable; the Courts 
themselves must resemble the heart of a storm.  Chaosians 
can assume a human form, but their true forms are demonic 
beasts."
  Misato shudders.  "They weild strange powers that 
involve ribbons of darkness.  They envy us, and wish to 
cast Amber down, so they will not be reminded of the 
perfection they lack."




Misato shrugs.  "That's about all that's really known of 
them.  Rumors claim there are thirteen great houses of 
Chaos, and they elect a King from their ranks."




Hiko the Firechilde nods again, wondering if Travis 
wouldn't mind doing more research on her behalf.  At the 
very least she'd get to talk to the cat again.




Misato says, "House Helgram aided the False Touga who 
tried to conquer Amber thirty years ago."




Misato says, "But they were destroyed in some fashion 
which remains unclear."




Hiko the Firechilde mutters to herself, "There are a lot 
of things about this Amber that remain unclear."




Misato says, "The witnesses say their fleet was destroyed 
by a six foot long, two foot wide wrapped bundle fired at 
them from a catapult."




Misato says, "Apparently some device of King Tylor's."




Hiko the Firechilde asks, "You don't know what defeated 
the Chaos fleet?"




Misato says, "I am head of security for the Palace."




Hiko the Firechilde isn't implying anything, but the tone 
in her voice is a bit skeptical.




Misato says, "The Chaos Fleet was destroyed four hundred 
miles away from here.  I was not present, and Tylor has 
never told anyone what was in that bundle."




Misato sounds faintly irritated.
  "Does this Palace look like it's out in the middle of 
the ocean?  Is it a boat?"




Hiko the Firechilde says, "But it could come in handy 
should anyone attack--"  She pauses and looks apologetic.  
"I'm sorry, Misato-san.  I used to argue strategy with 
the Security Chief back home a lot."




Misato relaxes.  "I'd like to know myself.  It's said the 
explosion was a mile wide.  I know Tylor is a sorceror, 
so I assume it was magic."




Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Magic is a useful defense."




Misato says, "I prefer to rely on a good blade, but I'll 
admit to taking advantage of what magic can offer me in 
the ways of defense."




Hiko the Firechilde smiles faintly.  "I'm afraid I don't 
know a lot about physical fighting."




Misato says, "Well, I'm sure Juri can help you build your 
skills in that regard.  She's incredible."




Hiko the Firechilde says, "I do believe I might see her 
later on tonight."




Misato says, "I can beat most people blindfolded, but 
Juri could crush me."




Hiko the Firechilde nods, impressed.




[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "How would I do against 
Misto with my stats?" to Akemi


Akemi pages, "You don't know how good she is, but since 
you only have 1 point in Warfare, and she's good enough 
to be Palace Guard commander, she would likely kick your 
ass.  On the other hands, the odds are you could crush 
her mind liek a bug with Psyche." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, ""Right." to Akemi


Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You tired now?" to 
Akemi


Akemi pages, "I can go a little bit longer, but we should 
wrap up this conversation soon." to you.
]



[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Is it possible for two 
characters to RPG without a GM in attendance?" to Akemi 
and TimeRunner


TimeRunner pages, "Your call, John." to Akemi and you.


Akemi pages, "I would prefer to be present for all 
character interaction, simply because if things turn 
ugly, you'll need a GM." to you and TimeRunner.
]



Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Thank you for these."  She 
tucks the dagger into her belt, placing the ring on her 
right hand, middle finger.  "Was there anything else?"




Hiko the Firechilde bows again.  "I hope you have luck 
dealing with the Chaosians."  She is shown to the exit 
and departs.








Misato says, "OOC And cut"




Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Thanks for the items... 
I'll probably lose them." to Akemi



Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "We ready?"

Akemi pages, "I'm running Nagisa right now, so we'll need 
to do this by page." to you and TimeRunner.

Nagisa OOCly grins, "Looks like I'll just be riding for 
tonight, so I think we should let them take their 
turn..."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Ya don't mind, Scriv?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Or ya wanna watch?"

Nagisa OOCly says, "I don't mind. I've gotta cook up 
breakfast anyway. ^_^ I'll watch."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Right."

Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "OOC I take it we're going to 
run the Hiko/Nagisa scene now, then?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I'd like to."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "That is, if Mikage's 
not paying attention."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly thbbbbpts in Mikage's 
direction.

[On other people's gaming problems:
The Tennessee Shad asks, "Merc? Dan?"
Mercutio asks, "Yar?"
The Tennessee Shad says, "Is there some reason you ain't 
answering>"
Mercutio says, "Yes. You aren't on."
Siggie says, "that'd do it."]

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Whadya say, Scriv?"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I'm alive :0"

RodM says, "don't mind the peanut gallery here...."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Riiiiight.  So who's 
playing with me today?"

RodM says, "I A.... oh, wait... nevermind"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Okay, let's get going on 
this Hiko/Mikage scene before someone else dies :)"

Mikage ^^; "That's sounds funny."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Right.  I just finished 
talking to Misato... going down to the kitchens to get 
some food."

Mikage says, "OOC And I just returned from my... incident 
at Shalomar. ^^;"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Want loooooogs!"

Mikage says, "I've edited the logs already. Scriv read 
them yesterday."

RodM says, "send meee loooogs"

Ahem!  Ready, GM?

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I'm ready"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOc Well, send me the log too 
:)"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC As I lack logs for much of 
Mikage's doings."

Mikage says, "OOC Ah. Need to get this description 
right."
Vixxy> Mercutio exclaims, "Jesus Christ!"
Vixxy> The Hanged DaR laughs at Merc.


[GAMING BEGINS]


Hiko the Firechilde goes down to the kitchens and 
studiously avoids everyone bustling about as she looks 
for the pantry.

The kitchen is full of people cooking dinner, and lots of 
people running in and out of the pantry.

[Mikage says, "ACK."
Mikage snickers as he looks over the log again. "Oh, god, 
this was funny."]

Hiko the Firechilde looks for the right and proper time, 
then darts in, grabs some apples and darts out again.

Mikage says, "OOC I've sent it out. John, I forgot your 
addy. ^^;"

You do so without any trouble

Hiko the Firechilde sits down at one of the tables in the 
kitchen, carefully cutting up her apple into precise 
slices.

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Ahem!!!  Woman sitting 
at table, with NOTHING to do!"
RodM says, "OOCly now you know how shaft feels 
sometimes....."
Nagisa OOCly snickers.
Mikage exclaims, "OOC ACK!"]

Mikage walks in, and immediately gets himself a glass of 
water. He downs this in five seconds and purs himself 
another.

[Nagisa OOCly says, "Mental note. Never accept anything 
from Mikage. Ever."
Mikage says, "OOC Shut up. ^^;"]

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Mikage and nods.  "You're 
the one who knows him, aren't you?"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Hey, at least he can say 
he's been kissed by an Elder :0"

[At this point, TimeRunner had connection probs.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly O.O  (Where'd he go?)
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOc Musta been rat poison in 
that water."
TIMERUNNER RECONNECTS
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "You're here, right?  
Good.  Stay.  <staples Mikage to the room>"]

Mikage stops what he was doing and turns. "Oh, my 
apologies. I didn't notice you there. I was... 
preoccupied."

Hiko the Firechilde raises her eyebrow.  "I can see that.  
How do you know *him*?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And if he tries to 
mind whammy me... I'll let him.  Then kill him as he 
sleeps. ^_^" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "<finishing logs> You 
are insane, aren't you?" to TimeRunner
Mikage says, "OOC Yes. And that was the most fun I've had 
gaming in a long time."]

Mikage asks, "Who do you refer to, my lady?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Him."  At Mikage's blank look, 
she elaborates.  "The guy with the purple hair on the 
rooftop.  The bastard."

Mikage says, "Oh, him." He smiles, though his usual 
politely mirthful smile seems to have been bleached of 
emotion. "I met him at the Gate."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What gate?"

Mikage says, "The Shadow Gate of Revolution."  Mikage 
returns to drinking.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What's that?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ya think I can manage 
a light probe?  A friendly inquiring one?" to Akemi]

Mikage is dealing with an altogether unfamiliar emotion 
to him: Anxiety.

If Hiko were in tune to such a thing, she'd ask what was 
the matter.  As it is, she's got more pressing matters on 
her mind.

Mikage says, "I'm not sure, myself. They say that behind 
the Gate of Revolution in Tir'na-nog lies the power to 
revolutionize the world. I don't know if the same lies 
behind a shadow gate."

[Akemi pages, "You can certainly try it, but you'll need 
to either touch him or get eye contact." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "What did he want?  Did he do 
anything to you?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "AS GM, do you suggest 
it?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "As GM, I can't give a fair answer without 
revealing other people's secrets.  Keep in mind that the 
more psyche somene has, the more likely they are to 
notice sucha  probe." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Do I have to maintain 
physical contact?" to Akemi]

Mikage shrugs. "He wanted to kill me. I was supposedly 
one of the Five they had to eliminate in order to insure 
that their side opens the Gate."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Side?  What side?"

Mikage looks at Hiko, incredulously. Did someone actually 
know less than he did? "Embra."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks, then shakes herself.  "I'm 
sorry... I shouldn't be so rude."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Recall what I know 
about Embra.  It didn't come up in the studies, did it?" 
to Akemi]

Mikage pauses for a moment, trying to regain composure. 
"No, no, it's not that... I've just been... distracted, 
lately."
Mikage . o O (Damn it.)

[Akemi pages, "Yes.  You have to maintain physical or eye 
contact to keep the link, unless you create the link with 
magic" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... put up a mental 
shield of some sorts.  I can make one, right?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "About all that came up was that it is a 
Shadow of Amber, and not a pleasant place." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you okay?"

[Akemi pages, "You could make a magical mental shield, or 
you cuold just marshal your mental defenses in advance." 
to you.
Akemi pages, "The magical mental shield would take you a 
while and it would be obvious you were spellcasting, 
though." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde looks a bit uncomfortable asking.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Magic mental shield.  
Oh, and it spits flame into the astral mind when you hit 
against it. ^_^" to Akemi]

Mikage says, "Huh?" He flinches for a moment, cursing his 
lack of control. "I'll be fine. Thank you for asking, my 
lady."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Brace for impact.  
Send probe looking for info on 'Annadil' on my mark, plus 
whatever else he knows that I don't." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde reaches out tentatively and places a 
hand on his.  "Are you sure?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Now!" to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Course, he's probably 
also on guard against me... I wonder how Kozue knew about 
my probing people...?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But then again, Hiko 
doesn't know that, so I can't ask." to Akemi]

Mikage, through sheer force of habit, starts to gauge the 
strength of her mind, but restrains himself.  Mikage 
nods. "I'm sure. Thank you for your concern, my lady."

[Ryo pages, "oh, rats... i'm wondering if i touched 
mikage's hand in a past session......" to you.]

[Akemi pages, "How are you doing the mindprobe?  Eye 
contact?" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde squeezes his hand gently.

[Akemi pages, "Oh, the hand, RIGHT" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "My hand was on his all 
this time, silly." to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You've been mind 
raped, Rod!  That's why you can't get it with Kasumi!" to 
Ryo]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's a little overwhelming 
being here."

[Ryo pages, "i just eralized.... if the Unicorn is the 
god of Amber.... worshiped, anyway... during sex, do they 
yell out 'Oh!  Oh Unicorn! Oh yeah.... oh my  
Unicorn.....'?" to you.]

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and giggles.  "Also gauge 
strength of mind. ^_^"]

Mikage smiles at Hiko. "A word of advice. You could get 
into serious trouble around here, poking around where you 
aren't supposed to." His smile gains a dangerous edge.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles in return.  "A girl's got to 
protect herself against anyone and anything."

Mikage squeezes back.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yikes!  Batten down 
the hatches!" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right... how 
spectacularly am I failing?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Joooohn.... need 
feedback here..." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Sorry, Had to check game stuff. You're 
bouncing off his mind like a rock." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde tilts her head to one side.  "You're 
not like the others."

Mikage asks, "Oh? How so?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "They're... soft."

Mikage laughs, genuinely. "I suppose they are. My work 
doesn't lend to the growing of 'manly calluses'."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Damn.  Figures as 
much.  So he's #1 then.  Or augmented by something else." 
to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You estimate he is at least a little 
stronger than you." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde releases Mikage's hand, and nods to 
herself, satisfied.  "What do you do?"  Hiko the 
Firechilde seems at least less tense than before.

Mikage says, "I run a seminar in Ohtori Academy. Nothing 
quite as interesting as, oh, cleaning the streets of 
Amber of crime, for example."

She says, "Ota-san."  Hiko the Firechilde smiles, 
remembering their discussion in the garden..  "Or should 
that be Ota-chan?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Where is this Ohtori Academy?"

[Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Only call him Ota-Chan if 
you want Whalekiller stuffed up your nose :)"]

Mikage smiles. "It's one of Amber's neighboring shadows. 
Nobles often send their children there to get 'quality 
education'. I suppose it all depends on your definition 
of the phrase, 'quality education'."

Hiko the Firechilde nods grimly, recalling the education 
she's had.

Mikage asks, "What about you, my lady? Were you raised 
here in Amber?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No, I was not.  I was raised 
far away from here and just came recently to see Juri-
san."  She changes the subject.  "What do you teach?"

Mikage asks, "This and that. Far away, you say? Nowhere 
around the Golden Circle?"

[RodM OOCLY "Ota-chan, eh?"
Tybalt says, "People are only allowed to call Shaft that 
after sex."
Mikage says, "OOC And only during the refractory period."
rod asks, "giving ideas, now, are you?"]

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Mikage suddenly.  "Let's 
play a game, Mikage-san.  I ask a question and you ask a 
question.  One question, no more, no elaboration other 
than what the question asks."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Because I fear that both of us 
are the same and don't like to talk about ourselves."

Mikage says, "Interesting game. I notice it doesn't lend 
too well to the baring of one's inner self." He laughs 
sardonically. "Very well. You start."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "After you, Mikage-san."  She 
laughs.  "After all, I was the rude one."

Mikage laughs. "After me, then." He appears thoughtful.

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and giggles.  "I got a GREAT 
question for him."
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]
[And then, they'll play Truth or Dare! {spoofed by me}]
[Coed Naked Lacrosse! {dunno who spoofed this one}]

Mikage asks, "What would you do if you were given the 
power to bring the world revolution?  And do try to be 
specific."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "That's a big question..."

Mikage says, "It is, isn't it? We DO only get one 
question."

Suddenly, Chef Bork runs in, chasing a rather frazzled 
chicken.  The Chef is carrying a large mallet.  "Stup, 
Cheeckee! I hefe-a tu poot yuoo in zee put! Hoo ilse-a 
cun I meke-a my doompleengs?"

Hiko the Firechilde pauses, taking a bite from a paper-
thin piece of apple.  "I suppose I'd make the world a 
safe place to live.  No one would ever be able to hurt 
... anyone again.  Evil would be diminished, but not 
destroyed.  Balance is key."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at Chef Bork and the chicken.

The chicken tries to keep the table between itself and 
the Chef.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "What's going on?"  She seems 
to be directing the question to the chicken and not Chef 
Bork.

Mikage starts laughing heartily.

With his battlecry, "BORK BORK BORK" the portly chef 
dashes to one side of the table.  The chicken squawks and 
darts beneath Mikage's legs in a bid for freedom.

Hiko the Firechilde moves away from the table and grabs 
for the chicken.

[Akemi pages, "The chicken begs you to save it." to you.]

Mikage wipes tears from his eyes. "Go, Cheeckee-poo!"  
Mikage lifts his feet off the ground, still laughing.

The Chef raises his mallet high as he chases the chicken.  
"Stoopeed free-a runge-a cheeckee. Bork Bork Bork. Iff I 
dun't cetch yuoo, I veell hefe-a tu cerfe-a up zee 
gooerds buuts und edd mood tu zeem egeeen! Bork!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So, do I get the silly 
chicken?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Gooerds buuts?" to 
Akemi]

The chicken jumps up onto the table, hoping to avoid the 
enraged Chef.  Hiko the Firechilde grabs the chicken and 
tucks it under her arm.

[Akemi pages, "Yes, you grab it" to you.]

The Chef, not really noticing with his chef's hat over 
his eyes, swings with his mallet at the Chicken in Hiko's 
arms...

Mikage exclaims, "Hahaha! No more gooerds buuts! I'm 
getting sick of them!"

[Akemi pages, "Jeff's doing the Chef for me :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde quickly dodges out of the way.

Mikage's gut is beginning to hurt from laughing too hard.

[Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I think we can all 
imagine how Chef Bork would revolutionize the World :0"
Mikage says, "OOC I'd like to see that! :D"]

The Chef yells, "Noo I'fe-a gut yuoo!"

Hiko the Firechilde takes out her sword and parries the 
mallet away from her.

[Autolyca pages, "Guards' boots.  It's a pratchet 
reference to when a high class restaurant had to resort 
to cutting up boots and adding mud to make their haute 
cuisine." to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Tell me... why am I 
attempting to fight?" to Akemi]

Chef Bork looks at the handle of his mallet stupidly for 
a moment, then asks, "Vhere'd zee cheeckee gu?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Now what in the world are you 
running from?  Suck it up."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Is the chicken male or 
female?" to Akemi]

Mikage exclaims, "Under... hah hah... under her arm... 
hoo hoo!"

Chef Bork sees the chicken, finally.  "Eh, THERE'S zee 
cheeckee!"  Chef Bork produces another mallet and raises 
it high.

Hiko the Firechilde glares at Mikage, then turns to Chef 
Bork.  "Do you mind if I borrow this one?  There must be 
plenty more-- EEK!"

The chicken squawks in terror

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Teleport range is 
what?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde backs up and looks for cover.

Chef Bork, in his single-minded obsession with the 
chicken, brings the mallet crashing down.

Mikage says, "There must be a more humane way of doing 
this, isn't there? ^^;"

[RodM OOCLY "Whalekiller, anybody? ;)"
Mikage says, "OOC Yeah, quick and pain...ful. ^^;"]

[Akemi pages, "Anywhere in the same Shadow." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Teleport range is what?  
Did we never decide?" to Akemi]

[Akemi pages, "I have no idea what sex the Chicken is" to 
you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Teleport to my 
room on my mark." to Akemi]

Chef Bork says, "Hoomun? Nu, I poot zee cheeckee in zee 
put und cuuk it. Um de hur de hur de hur. Thet's ell! 
Bork Bork Bork!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That is, unless I 
didn't get malleted." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Don't you have to kill it 
first?"  She looks around the room for exits and 
fireplaces.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Did I get malleted?" 
to Akemi]

The Kitchen has three fireplaces and multiple doors.

[Nagisa OOCly is rolling around laughing...]

[Akemi pages, "You're good enough to avoid his mallet" to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Any of them lit?" to 
Akemi]

As the mallet descends, the Chicken, in its terror, shows 
previously untapped reserves of Warfare and worms its way 
out of Hiko's arms.  It darts out one of the doors.  With 
a cry of "Bork!" the Chef follows, mallet held high.

[Akemi pages, "Yes, they're using them to cook dinner.  
Dozens of cooks and servants have been listening to your 
conversation with Mikage, you know :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "They have?  I thought 
they were working?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde moves to follow, then sighs.

Mikage takes out a hankerchief and starts wiping the 
corners of his eyes.

Hiko the Firechilde looks about at the kitchen staff who 
is staring.

[Akemi pages, "They ARE working, but you're in the 
kitchen, and you're not whispering :0" to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So they've been 
eavesdropping all this time?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You, Mikage, and several dozen cooks and 
servants are in the kitchen.  They can't help hear you 
unless they were deaf :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... there's an 
object lesson in that." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "I've worked in a kitchen, and I can tell 
you that if anyone talks, everyone hears it :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde sits back down, flushed and a bit 
embarrassed.  "Do you want to go elsewhere to finish our 
game?"

Mikage says, "Oh, oh... I haven't laughed that hard 
since... since..." He suddenly grows quiet, and his 
expression darkens.

Hiko the Firechilde widens her eyes.  "What is it?"

Mikage says, "...The strangest thing. I... don't 
remember."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "What just happened?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Scan for magic 
influence... and construct 'danger alert' spell in the 
background." to Akemi]

Mikage shakes his head, smiling. "Don't be concerned. 
It's just that I can't recall the last time I laughed 
like that. Ever."

Hiko the Firechilde looks around, body tensed up again.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Paranoid woman strikes 
again! and again!" to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Any particular reason 
why John asked you to do that?" to Autolyca
Autolyca pages, "He didn't.  I decided to do it because I 
thought that serious talk in the kitchen was just asking 
for someone to barge in.  Why, did you not find it 
humorous?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I did.  And it's 
confirmed something for me, actually." to Autolyca
Autolyca pages, "Oh, what?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can talk to animals." 
to Autolyca]

Mikage says, "So, shall we take this discussion into the 
garden? I think it would be more conducive to our little 
game."

[Akemi pages, "You sense no magical influence." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and follows Mikage out.

Hiko the Firechilde relaxes slightly.

Mikage leads Hiko through the hallways into the garden.

You get there without any trouble.

[In a page-pose to you, Autolyca blinks.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yeah, surprise to me, 
too." to Autolyca]

Hiko the Firechilde finds a convenient bench and sits 
down.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Sweep for listening 
devices..." to Akemi]

Mikage asks, "Anyway, you were saying before we were so 
entertainingly interrupted?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oi! I just figured out 
that it was Kozue who might have been sabotaging my 
listen spell." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "I don't want people to be 
hurt.  But I know that in order for a world to be 
balanced, it has to exist.  If I could bring the world 
revolution... I'd want to have a balanced world, where no 
one gets hurt too badly."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks about her home and all the 
people who are dead now.

Mikage asks, "But surely that kind of world exists out 
there in shadow. Why don't you simply go out and find it?  
Surely you don't need to revolutionize the world for 
that?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No.  That's not good enough."

[Akemi pages, "You sense no listening devices or spells." 
to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The whole world needs to be 
like that.  Even all the Shadows."

Mikage leans back in his seat to look at the sky. "You do 
have a point, I suppose."

Hiko the Firechilde's face darkens, then she smiles 
suddenly.  "My turn."

Mikage turns to face Hiko. "Go ahead."

Hiko the Firechilde tries to remember what it was she 
thought she heard.  "On the rooftop, as the bastard was 
leaving, you said, 'Your plans and mine are at cross-
purposes and I'm afraid one of us is going to fail.'"  
She turns a sweet smile on him.  "What exactly did you 
mean?  Exactly and precisely how would your plan be at 
cross-purposes with his?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ZING!" to Akemi]

Mikage smiles. "I see you were paying attention."
Mikage turns his gaze back to the sky.

[Akemi pages, "Heh.  Clever, clever Hiko" to you.]

Tir'na-Nog glimmers in the sky.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That's why I managed 
to stay alive after all these years." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "It is a fair question, is 
it not?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I did good, right?" to 
Akemi]

Mikage nods. "Fair enough." He points at the castle in 
the sky. "I visited that castle. That's where I realized 
what I needed to do. What I needed to achieve."

[Akemi pages, "That remains to be seen :)" to you.
Foxtrot lowers the prod and pouts.  "What do you mean by 
that?"]

Mikage asks, "Remember what I asked you? What would you 
do if you had to power to bring the world revolution?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I wonder how similar 
this Mikage is to his Utena counterpart." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Well, that's a mystery :)" to you.]

Mikage asks, "What if someone showed you how? What if 
someone showed you the way to revolutionize the world? 
Would you do whatever it took?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm asking the question here, 
Mikage-san."

Mikage smiles. "Of course."  He pauses.  I would, you 
know. I would."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "So Annadil destroying the 
Pattern would keep you from revolutionizing the world..."

Mikage turns to Hiko again. "I'm afraid Annadil wants 
more than to destroy the Pattern. I believe he wants to 
revolutionize the world himself. I can't let that 
happen."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  THIS she can understand.  
"Thank you, Mikage-san... and I do apologize for being so 
rude.  Force of habit, you know."

Mikage says, "I understand." He chuckles. "You should be 
careful, though. I've gotten into trouble for similar 
reasons."

Hiko the Firechilde nods solemnly.  She gets up and bows.  
"Would you care to play again sometime?"

Mikage stands up. "Any time you feel like playing, my 
lady." He takes her hand to kiss it.  Mikage says, "I 
doubt we'll ever run out of questions."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I doubt that, indeed."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "And cut here?  I'm 
sleepy."



[The usual run down after the scene.]

Mikage says, "What a cool scene."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "That was rather fun."

RodM says, "interesting"

Mikage says, "Thanks, Trish."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Well... I got more than one 
question answered tonight."

Mikage says, "I know, sneaky girl. ^^;"

Hiko the Firechilde grins at Mikage... "You might have, 
too. ^_^"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ya know... we could 
wipe 'em all out on Psyche alone..." to TimeRunner
TimeRunner pages, "Indeed we can. But let's not let on 
too much to the others." to you.]

Mikage chuckles. "Yes, I have. Yes I have, indeed."

Hiko the Firechilde does something now that she wouldn't 
have done IC...

Hiko the Firechilde takes Mikage's hand and sends him a 
searing kiss along the mental link. ^_^

Mikage exclaims, "Whooo!"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Thanks for letting me play 
with you."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Course not.  That 
would be rude. ^_^" to TimeRunner]

Nagisa chuckles, "Incestuous the pair of you. I love my 
family and apparently, so do you. ^_^"

Mikage says, "No, thank you."

Mikage bows deeply.

Hiko the Firechilde curtsies and grins.

[TimeRunner pages, "Yes, quite. ^^;" to you.]

Mikage says, "Shut up, Scriv. You're just jealous."

Mikage ^^;

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Hehe."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Besides, we don't share the 
same blood, so we're cool."

Hiko the Firechilde GRINS.

RodM exclaims, "whoop, green light to Mikage!"

Mikage exclaims, "Whoo hoo!"

Hiko the Firechilde laughs.

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "You're first cousins."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Okay... I'm done."

RodM says, "or maybe not."

Mikage says, "Dang. ^^;"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yeah, but Juri's mom was 
Haruka... who was Mikage's parent's mom?"

Mikage says, "Heck if I know. ^^;"

rod asks, "2nd cousins then, perhaps?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Different cousin-branches, I 
believe."

Mikage says, "But I think Gendo's both our grandfather. 
^^; Oh, no."

RodM says, "definitely a  link to Gendo. beyond that , 
*shrug*"

Nagisa says, "Technically half cousins I think."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "More like Half-cousins."

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Yep."

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Technically, it's still 
legally incest."

Mikage says, "Spoilsport."

Nagisa laughs.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "So it's incest... it doesn't 
matter-- Oh, wait.  It does.  The hair."

Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "The hair?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't think I'd be able to 
be serious with a guy who had pink hair."

Tybalt says, "It's Amber. No-one will care."

RodM snorts

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I mean, my own hair has a 
purple streak, and it would just clash."

Mikage considers a henna treatment...

Nagisa knows a good salon...

Tybalt says, "I can't count the number of campaigns I've 
seen where people clamber all over themselves to play a 
child of Deridre and Corwin."

Mikage says, "You would, fairy-boy."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Deirdre was which one?  The 
wimpy sister who got pulled into the Abyss?"

Mikage says, "That's true, merc."

Nagisa erhms and considers his own parentage...

Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "WIMPY?"

RodM says, "hrm..... 'Rose duel?  why do you want a rose 
duel with Mikage, Ota?'   'Hey man, only room for one 
pink-haired brother in this town.'  'I see.... go 
deeper...'"

Nagisa exclaims, "WIMPY?!"

Hiko the Firechilde could be wrong.

Nagisa chuckles.

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "She WAS pulled into the Abyss, 
but she was no Wimp."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't like any of the women 
except for Vialle."

Nagisa says, "She kicked ass."

Tybalt asks, "Vialle and her talking heads?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Talking heads?  I don't think 
I'm on that part yet.

Dowager Queen Anthy juggles Finndos.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Hey, she's the QUEEN and she's 
blind, okay?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "She kicks butt, too."

RodM says, "John.... put the finndos down slowly....."

Mikage ^^;

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Any words of advice, 
GM?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Advice about what?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "The scene we just did." 
to Akemi]

RodM still hasn't read any Amber stories.

Dowager Queen Anthy will glue the Complete Book to Rod's 
head when he comes to KeepCon :)

Mikage sighs. "Keepcon..."

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "KeepCon!"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm still going if it kills 
me."

rod asks, "so Amber is that way because Dworkin dug 
sword'n sorcery.  What if Dworkin had been a big science 
nut?"

[Akemi pages, "Worked out pretty well.  I think you can 
see now why I wanted to be here for this :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Because of who 
we are, we were bound to do the mind-meld thing?" to 
Akemi

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "It would be Mega-Tokyo the 
Eternal City."

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Perhaps Quincy is actually 
Dworkin."

Nagisa needs... money. Much... money...

RodM says, "I find that entirely more appealing."

Mikage says, "That, and Amber-3 was a dismal failure."

RodM says, "and no john, I'm still not over this Dworkin 
thing >:)"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Yep, it was a catastrophe."

RodM says, "hrm... Finndo... Gendo... Finndo... Gendo.... 
phonetic similarities, possible game plot twist."

[Akemi pages, "Hiko can't meet a chambermaid without 
mindprobing her.  Of course she and Mikage would try to 
throw down with brains." to you.]

Mikage says, "No... and here Scriv told me we had to 
desecrate his grave, too... ^^;"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Hey!  Character flaw, 
okay?  It makes her a character." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "I'm not saying you can't do it.  I'm just 
saying it means you need a GM for even a simple talk :)" 
to you.]

Dowager Queen Anthy contemplates a COAEG omake scene with 
a vat full of cloned Finndos :)

rod asks, "John, question - fuyutsuki bringing cannon 
fodder to the gantries or just him and the kids?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Okay... I'm going to bed now.  
Be good, folks, and I believe that last scene might take 
me up until dinner when Nagisa tries to grab us for the 
questing stuff, unless Juri/Wakaba still want to see me."

Mikage says, "'...Excuse me, citizen. Could you help us 
dig King Gendo's corpse out?' 'Aaaaaaiiiieee!' 'Hmm. 
Guess not.'"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Well, once I take care of 
Shizumaru's barhop tomorrow, we'll  be ready for Nagisa 
to try to get you all to be good and save Amber. :0"



Day 893:
Much later:

Genius knows something about Bastard, but he also hides 
something.
I don't trust him.  Also, I can talk to animals.  Don't 
remember it
happening before.  Not even before Bastard took my 
memories.

Too spooky.  Going to bed.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "We ready?"

Akemi pages, "I'm running Nagisa right now, so we'll need 
to do this by page." to you and TimeRunner.

Nagisa OOCly grins, "Looks like I'll just be riding for 
tonight, so I think we should let them take their 
turn..."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Ya don't mind, Scriv?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Or ya wanna watch?"

Nagisa OOCly says, "I don't mind. I've gotta cook up 
breakfast anyway. ^_^ I'll watch."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Right."

Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "OOC I take it we're going to 
run the Hiko/Nagisa scene now, then?"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I'd like to."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "That is, if Mikage's 
not paying attention."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly thbbbbpts in Mikage's 
direction.

[On other people's gaming problems:
The Tennessee Shad asks, "Merc? Dan?"
Mercutio asks, "Yar?"
The Tennessee Shad says, "Is there some reason you ain't 
answering>"
Mercutio says, "Yes. You aren't on."
Siggie says, "that'd do it."]

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Whadya say, Scriv?"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I'm alive :0"

RodM says, "don't mind the peanut gallery here...."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Riiiiight.  So who's 
playing with me today?"

RodM says, "I A.... oh, wait... nevermind"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Okay, let's get going on 
this Hiko/Mikage scene before someone else dies :)"

Mikage ^^; "That's sounds funny."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Right.  I just finished 
talking to Misato... going down to the kitchens to get 
some food."

Mikage says, "OOC And I just returned from my... incident 
at Shalomar. ^^;"

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Want loooooogs!"

Mikage says, "I've edited the logs already. Scriv read 
them yesterday."

RodM says, "send meee loooogs"

Ahem!  Ready, GM?

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I'm ready"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOc Well, send me the log too 
:)"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC As I lack logs for much of 
Mikage's doings."

Mikage says, "OOC Ah. Need to get this description 
right."
Vixxy> Mercutio exclaims, "Jesus Christ!"
Vixxy> The Hanged DaR laughs at Merc.


[GAMING BEGINS]


Hiko the Firechilde goes down to the kitchens and 
studiously avoids everyone bustling about as she looks 
for the pantry.

The kitchen is full of people cooking dinner, and lots of 
people running in and out of the pantry.

[Mikage says, "ACK."
Mikage snickers as he looks over the log again. "Oh, god, 
this was funny."]

Hiko the Firechilde looks for the right and proper time, 
then darts in, grabs some apples and darts out again.

Mikage says, "OOC I've sent it out. John, I forgot your 
addy. ^^;"

You do so without any trouble

Hiko the Firechilde sits down at one of the tables in the 
kitchen, carefully cutting up her apple into precise 
slices.

[Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Ahem!!!  Woman sitting 
at table, with NOTHING to do!"
RodM says, "OOCly now you know how shaft feels 
sometimes....."
Nagisa OOCly snickers.
Mikage exclaims, "OOC ACK!"]

Mikage walks in, and immediately gets himself a glass of 
water. He downs this in five seconds and purs himself 
another.

[Nagisa OOCly says, "Mental note. Never accept anything 
from Mikage. Ever."
Mikage says, "OOC Shut up. ^^;"]

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Mikage and nods.  "You're 
the one who knows him, aren't you?"

Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Hey, at least he can say 
he's been kissed by an Elder :0"

[At this point, TimeRunner had connection probs.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly O.O  (Where'd he go?)
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOc Musta been rat poison in 
that water."
TIMERUNNER RECONNECTS
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "You're here, right?  
Good.  Stay.  <staples Mikage to the room>"]

Mikage stops what he was doing and turns. "Oh, my 
apologies. I didn't notice you there. I was... 
preoccupied."

Hiko the Firechilde raises her eyebrow.  "I can see that.  
How do you know *him*?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "And if he tries to 
mind whammy me... I'll let him.  Then kill him as he 
sleeps. ^_^" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "<finishing logs> You 
are insane, aren't you?" to TimeRunner
Mikage says, "OOC Yes. And that was the most fun I've had 
gaming in a long time."]

Mikage asks, "Who do you refer to, my lady?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Him."  At Mikage's blank look, 
she elaborates.  "The guy with the purple hair on the 
rooftop.  The bastard."

Mikage says, "Oh, him." He smiles, though his usual 
politely mirthful smile seems to have been bleached of 
emotion. "I met him at the Gate."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What gate?"

Mikage says, "The Shadow Gate of Revolution."  Mikage 
returns to drinking.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What's that?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Ya think I can manage 
a light probe?  A friendly inquiring one?" to Akemi]

Mikage is dealing with an altogether unfamiliar emotion 
to him: Anxiety.

If Hiko were in tune to such a thing, she'd ask what was 
the matter.  As it is, she's got more pressing matters on 
her mind.

Mikage says, "I'm not sure, myself. They say that behind 
the Gate of Revolution in Tir'na-nog lies the power to 
revolutionize the world. I don't know if the same lies 
behind a shadow gate."

[Akemi pages, "You can certainly try it, but you'll need 
to either touch him or get eye contact." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "What did he want?  Did he do 
anything to you?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "AS GM, do you suggest 
it?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "As GM, I can't give a fair answer without 
revealing other people's secrets.  Keep in mind that the 
more psyche somene has, the more likely they are to 
notice sucha  probe." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Do I have to maintain 
physical contact?" to Akemi]

Mikage shrugs. "He wanted to kill me. I was supposedly 
one of the Five they had to eliminate in order to insure 
that their side opens the Gate."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Side?  What side?"

Mikage looks at Hiko, incredulously. Did someone actually 
know less than he did? "Embra."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks, then shakes herself.  "I'm 
sorry... I shouldn't be so rude."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Recall what I know 
about Embra.  It didn't come up in the studies, did it?" 
to Akemi]

Mikage pauses for a moment, trying to regain composure. 
"No, no, it's not that... I've just been... distracted, 
lately."
Mikage . o O (Damn it.)

[Akemi pages, "Yes.  You have to maintain physical or eye 
contact to keep the link, unless you create the link with 
magic" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... put up a mental 
shield of some sorts.  I can make one, right?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "About all that came up was that it is a 
Shadow of Amber, and not a pleasant place." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Are you okay?"

[Akemi pages, "You could make a magical mental shield, or 
you cuold just marshal your mental defenses in advance." 
to you.
Akemi pages, "The magical mental shield would take you a 
while and it would be obvious you were spellcasting, 
though." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde looks a bit uncomfortable asking.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Magic mental shield.  
Oh, and it spits flame into the astral mind when you hit 
against it. ^_^" to Akemi]

Mikage says, "Huh?" He flinches for a moment, cursing his 
lack of control. "I'll be fine. Thank you for asking, my 
lady."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Brace for impact.  
Send probe looking for info on 'Annadil' on my mark, plus 
whatever else he knows that I don't." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde reaches out tentatively and places a 
hand on his.  "Are you sure?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Now!" to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Course, he's probably 
also on guard against me... I wonder how Kozue knew about 
my probing people...?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "But then again, Hiko 
doesn't know that, so I can't ask." to Akemi]

Mikage, through sheer force of habit, starts to gauge the 
strength of her mind, but restrains himself.  Mikage 
nods. "I'm sure. Thank you for your concern, my lady."

[Ryo pages, "oh, rats... i'm wondering if i touched 
mikage's hand in a past session......" to you.]

[Akemi pages, "How are you doing the mindprobe?  Eye 
contact?" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde squeezes his hand gently.

[Akemi pages, "Oh, the hand, RIGHT" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "My hand was on his all 
this time, silly." to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "You've been mind 
raped, Rod!  That's why you can't get it with Kasumi!" to 
Ryo]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's a little overwhelming 
being here."

[Ryo pages, "i just eralized.... if the Unicorn is the 
god of Amber.... worshiped, anyway... during sex, do they 
yell out 'Oh!  Oh Unicorn! Oh yeah.... oh my  
Unicorn.....'?" to you.]

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and giggles.  "Also gauge 
strength of mind. ^_^"]

Mikage smiles at Hiko. "A word of advice. You could get 
into serious trouble around here, poking around where you 
aren't supposed to." His smile gains a dangerous edge.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles in return.  "A girl's got to 
protect herself against anyone and anything."

Mikage squeezes back.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yikes!  Batten down 
the hatches!" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right... how 
spectacularly am I failing?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Joooohn.... need 
feedback here..." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "Sorry, Had to check game stuff. You're 
bouncing off his mind like a rock." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde tilts her head to one side.  "You're 
not like the others."

Mikage asks, "Oh? How so?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "They're... soft."

Mikage laughs, genuinely. "I suppose they are. My work 
doesn't lend to the growing of 'manly calluses'."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Damn.  Figures as 
much.  So he's #1 then.  Or augmented by something else." 
to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You estimate he is at least a little 
stronger than you." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde releases Mikage's hand, and nods to 
herself, satisfied.  "What do you do?"  Hiko the 
Firechilde seems at least less tense than before.

Mikage says, "I run a seminar in Ohtori Academy. Nothing 
quite as interesting as, oh, cleaning the streets of 
Amber of crime, for example."

She says, "Ota-san."  Hiko the Firechilde smiles, 
remembering their discussion in the garden..  "Or should 
that be Ota-chan?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Where is this Ohtori Academy?"

[Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Only call him Ota-Chan if 
you want Whalekiller stuffed up your nose :)"]

Mikage smiles. "It's one of Amber's neighboring shadows. 
Nobles often send their children there to get 'quality 
education'. I suppose it all depends on your definition 
of the phrase, 'quality education'."

Hiko the Firechilde nods grimly, recalling the education 
she's had.

Mikage asks, "What about you, my lady? Were you raised 
here in Amber?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No, I was not.  I was raised 
far away from here and just came recently to see Juri-
san."  She changes the subject.  "What do you teach?"

Mikage asks, "This and that. Far away, you say? Nowhere 
around the Golden Circle?"

[RodM OOCLY "Ota-chan, eh?"
Tybalt says, "People are only allowed to call Shaft that 
after sex."
Mikage says, "OOC And only during the refractory period."
rod asks, "giving ideas, now, are you?"]

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Mikage suddenly.  "Let's 
play a game, Mikage-san.  I ask a question and you ask a 
question.  One question, no more, no elaboration other 
than what the question asks."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Because I fear that both of us 
are the same and don't like to talk about ourselves."

Mikage says, "Interesting game. I notice it doesn't lend 
too well to the baring of one's inner self." He laughs 
sardonically. "Very well. You start."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "After you, Mikage-san."  She 
laughs.  "After all, I was the rude one."

Mikage laughs. "After me, then." He appears thoughtful.

[Foxtrot lowers the prod and giggles.  "I got a GREAT 
question for him."
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.]
[And then, they'll play Truth or Dare! {spoofed by me}]
[Coed Naked Lacrosse! {dunno who spoofed this one}]

Mikage asks, "What would you do if you were given the 
power to bring the world revolution?  And do try to be 
specific."

Hiko the Firechilde sighs.  "That's a big question..."

Mikage says, "It is, isn't it? We DO only get one 
question."

Suddenly, Chef Bork runs in, chasing a rather frazzled 
chicken.  The Chef is carrying a large mallet.  "Stup, 
Cheeckee! I hefe-a tu poot yuoo in zee put! Hoo ilse-a 
cun I meke-a my doompleengs?"

Hiko the Firechilde pauses, taking a bite from a paper-
thin piece of apple.  "I suppose I'd make the world a 
safe place to live.  No one would ever be able to hurt 
... anyone again.  Evil would be diminished, but not 
destroyed.  Balance is key."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks at Chef Bork and the chicken.

The chicken tries to keep the table between itself and 
the Chef.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "What's going on?"  She seems 
to be directing the question to the chicken and not Chef 
Bork.

Mikage starts laughing heartily.

With his battlecry, "BORK BORK BORK" the portly chef 
dashes to one side of the table.  The chicken squawks and 
darts beneath Mikage's legs in a bid for freedom.

Hiko the Firechilde moves away from the table and grabs 
for the chicken.

[Akemi pages, "The chicken begs you to save it." to you.]

Mikage wipes tears from his eyes. "Go, Cheeckee-poo!"  
Mikage lifts his feet off the ground, still laughing.

The Chef raises his mallet high as he chases the chicken.  
"Stoopeed free-a runge-a cheeckee. Bork Bork Bork. Iff I 
dun't cetch yuoo, I veell hefe-a tu cerfe-a up zee 
gooerds buuts und edd mood tu zeem egeeen! Bork!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So, do I get the silly 
chicken?" to Akemi
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Gooerds buuts?" to 
Akemi]

The chicken jumps up onto the table, hoping to avoid the 
enraged Chef.  Hiko the Firechilde grabs the chicken and 
tucks it under her arm.

[Akemi pages, "Yes, you grab it" to you.]

The Chef, not really noticing with his chef's hat over 
his eyes, swings with his mallet at the Chicken in Hiko's 
arms...

Mikage exclaims, "Hahaha! No more gooerds buuts! I'm 
getting sick of them!"

[Akemi pages, "Jeff's doing the Chef for me :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde quickly dodges out of the way.

Mikage's gut is beginning to hurt from laughing too hard.

[Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC I think we can all 
imagine how Chef Bork would revolutionize the World :0"
Mikage says, "OOC I'd like to see that! :D"]

The Chef yells, "Noo I'fe-a gut yuoo!"

Hiko the Firechilde takes out her sword and parries the 
mallet away from her.

[Autolyca pages, "Guards' boots.  It's a pratchet 
reference to when a high class restaurant had to resort 
to cutting up boots and adding mud to make their haute 
cuisine." to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Tell me... why am I 
attempting to fight?" to Akemi]

Chef Bork looks at the handle of his mallet stupidly for 
a moment, then asks, "Vhere'd zee cheeckee gu?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Now what in the world are you 
running from?  Suck it up."

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Is the chicken male or 
female?" to Akemi]

Mikage exclaims, "Under... hah hah... under her arm... 
hoo hoo!"

Chef Bork sees the chicken, finally.  "Eh, THERE'S zee 
cheeckee!"  Chef Bork produces another mallet and raises 
it high.

Hiko the Firechilde glares at Mikage, then turns to Chef 
Bork.  "Do you mind if I borrow this one?  There must be 
plenty more-- EEK!"

The chicken squawks in terror

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Teleport range is 
what?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde backs up and looks for cover.

Chef Bork, in his single-minded obsession with the 
chicken, brings the mallet crashing down.

Mikage says, "There must be a more humane way of doing 
this, isn't there? ^^;"

[RodM OOCLY "Whalekiller, anybody? ;)"
Mikage says, "OOC Yeah, quick and pain...ful. ^^;"]

[Akemi pages, "Anywhere in the same Shadow." to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Teleport range is what?  
Did we never decide?" to Akemi]

[Akemi pages, "I have no idea what sex the Chicken is" to 
you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Right.  Teleport to my 
room on my mark." to Akemi]

Chef Bork says, "Hoomun? Nu, I poot zee cheeckee in zee 
put und cuuk it. Um de hur de hur de hur. Thet's ell! 
Bork Bork Bork!"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That is, unless I 
didn't get malleted." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Don't you have to kill it 
first?"  She looks around the room for exits and 
fireplaces.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Did I get malleted?" 
to Akemi]

The Kitchen has three fireplaces and multiple doors.

[Nagisa OOCly is rolling around laughing...]

[Akemi pages, "You're good enough to avoid his mallet" to 
you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Any of them lit?" to 
Akemi]

As the mallet descends, the Chicken, in its terror, shows 
previously untapped reserves of Warfare and worms its way 
out of Hiko's arms.  It darts out one of the doors.  With 
a cry of "Bork!" the Chef follows, mallet held high.

[Akemi pages, "Yes, they're using them to cook dinner.  
Dozens of cooks and servants have been listening to your 
conversation with Mikage, you know :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "They have?  I thought 
they were working?" to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde moves to follow, then sighs.

Mikage takes out a hankerchief and starts wiping the 
corners of his eyes.

Hiko the Firechilde looks about at the kitchen staff who 
is staring.

[Akemi pages, "They ARE working, but you're in the 
kitchen, and you're not whispering :0" to you.]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "So they've been 
eavesdropping all this time?" to Akemi
Akemi pages, "You, Mikage, and several dozen cooks and 
servants are in the kitchen.  They can't help hear you 
unless they were deaf :)" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Okay... there's an 
object lesson in that." to Akemi
Akemi pages, "I've worked in a kitchen, and I can tell 
you that if anyone talks, everyone hears it :)" to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde sits back down, flushed and a bit 
embarrassed.  "Do you want to go elsewhere to finish our 
game?"

Mikage says, "Oh, oh... I haven't laughed that hard 
since... since..." He suddenly grows quiet, and his 
expression darkens.

Hiko the Firechilde widens her eyes.  "What is it?"

Mikage says, "...The strangest thing. I... don't 
remember."

Hiko the Firechilde blinks.  "What just happened?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Scan for magic 
influence... and construct 'danger alert' spell in the 
background." to Akemi]

Mikage shakes his head, smiling. "Don't be concerned. 
It's just that I can't recall the last time I laughed 
like that. Ever."

Hiko the Firechilde looks around, body tensed up again.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Paranoid woman strikes 
again! and again!" to Akemi]

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Any particular reason 
why John asked you to do that?" to Autolyca
Autolyca pages, "He didn't.  I decided to do it because I 
thought that serious talk in the kitchen was just asking 
for someone to barge in.  Why, did you not find it 
humorous?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I did.  And it's 
confirmed something for me, actually." to Autolyca
Autolyca pages, "Oh, what?" to you.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I can talk to animals." 
to Autolyca]

Mikage says, "So, shall we take this discussion into the 
garden? I think it would be more conducive to our little 
game."

[Akemi pages, "You sense no magical influence." to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde nods, and follows Mikage out.

Hiko the Firechilde relaxes slightly.

Mikage leads Hiko through the hallways into the garden.

You get there without any trouble.

[In a page-pose to you, Autolyca blinks.
Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Yeah, surprise to me, 
too." to Autolyca]

Hiko the Firechilde finds a convenient bench and sits 
down.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Sweep for listening 
devices..." to Akemi]

Mikage asks, "Anyway, you were saying before we were so 
entertainingly interrupted?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "Oi! I just figured out 
that it was Kozue who might have been sabotaging my 
listen spell." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "I don't want people to be 
hurt.  But I know that in order for a world to be 
balanced, it has to exist.  If I could bring the world 
revolution... I'd want to have a balanced world, where no 
one gets hurt too badly."

Hiko the Firechilde thinks about her home and all the 
people who are dead now.

Mikage asks, "But surely that kind of world exists out 
there in shadow. Why don't you simply go out and find it?  
Surely you don't need to revolutionize the world for 
that?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No.  That's not good enough."

[Akemi pages, "You sense no listening devices or spells." 
to you.]

Hiko the Firechilde says, "The whole world needs to be 
like that.  Even all the Shadows."

Mikage leans back in his seat to look at the sky. "You do 
have a point, I suppose."

Hiko the Firechilde's face darkens, then she smiles 
suddenly.  "My turn."

Mikage turns to face Hiko. "Go ahead."

Hiko the Firechilde tries to remember what it was she 
thought she heard.  "On the rooftop, as the bastard was 
leaving, you said, 'Your plans and mine are at cross-
purposes and I'm afraid one of us is going to fail.'"  
She turns a sweet smile on him.  "What exactly did you 
mean?  Exactly and precisely how would your plan be at 
cross-purposes with his?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "ZING!" to Akemi]

Mikage smiles. "I see you were paying attention."
Mikage turns his gaze back to the sky.

[Akemi pages, "Heh.  Clever, clever Hiko" to you.]

Tir'na-Nog glimmers in the sky.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "That's why I managed 
to stay alive after all these years." to Akemi]

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "It is a fair question, is 
it not?"

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I did good, right?" to 
Akemi]

Mikage nods. "Fair enough." He points at the castle in 
the sky. "I visited that castle. That's where I realized 
what I needed to do. What I needed to achieve."

[Akemi pages, "That remains to be seen :)" to you.
Foxtrot lowers the prod and pouts.  "What do you mean by 
that?"]

Mikage asks, "Remember what I asked you? What would you 
do if you had to power to bring the world revolution?"

Hiko the Firechilde nods.

[Foxtrot stops prodding and says, "I wonder how similar