Shizumaru OOCly says, "All righty."

Aerianne nods, and watches, if that's all right.

Vash says, "OOC That's fine."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Yay!  I can play with Shizu!"

Shizumaru OOCly o.O;;

Hehe.

==========================
==========================

That night, both of you get a good night's sleep.

The next morning, you both find invitations to breakfast with Juri.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly quirks an eyebrow... "I haven't even had dinner
yet."
Vash says, "OOC I'm skipping ahead in time because your dinner will be
boring, and all the other players are into the night or later."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Or did I go directly to bed after
talking to Mikage?  Cause I was supposed to meet with Juri/Wakaba."
Vash asks, "OOC You were?  Was that your dinner plan or am I forgetting
something?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Yeah... but I could beg off on
weariness."
Shizumaru OOCly waits for this to be resolved before posing. o.o
Vash asks, "OOC We can just say you had a nice dinner, and nothing
exciting happened.  Unless there was something you particularly needed to
talk to them?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Not really."
Vash says, "OOC We'll just FF to breakfast then."

Shizumaru reads the invitation, nods, and quickly washes up and dresses
for the day. He takes his umbrella out of habit, his sword out of caution,
and then inquires with a nearby servant on how to find Juri.

The servant directs Shizumaru to Juri's quarters.

Hiko the Firechilde reads the invitation and nods.  She gets dressed,
choosing a knee-length skirt and the uniform jacket, putting both the gold
dragon ring and the silver ring on, one on each hand, belting the dagger
to her hip, but leaving her sword behind.  She finds her own way to Juri's
quarters.  It's one of the few things she's memorized.

Shizumaru bows, thanks him, and follows his directions.

You both arrive at Juri's door at roughly the same time.

Shizumaru blinks, and bows. "Good morning, Cousin Hiko," he says, quietly.
"Are you also breakfasting with Aunt Juri?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Yes, I am."  She bows in return, then opens the
door.  "After you?"

"Thank you." Shizumaru steps inside, then calls out, "Aunt Juri? Good
morning...."

Juri is seated at the table, reading a book.  She hastily stuffs it onto
the second shelf of the trundle cart which holds the food, pretending it
was never there.  Then she rises and nods to both of you.  "Good morning."

You page, "[Corrine giggles, and yays at sis.  "She always did that when I
was late for breakfast." ^_^ *^_^* ^_^ ]" to Akemi.

Hiko the Firechilde crosses to Juri and kisses one cheek.  "Good morning,
mother."

Juri kisss Hiko on the cheek.  "Good morning, daughter."

Juri says, "Good morning, nephew."

Juri gestures to a waiting servant, who begins serving pancakes.

Shizumaru smiles and bows yet again. It's quite a natural movement for
him. "Thank you for the invitation, Aunt Juri," he says, softly. He looks
on mutely as Hiko greets her mother, and a faint pang for his own mother
strikes him. But he brushes it aside and advances toward the table.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Catching up on light reading, mother?"

Juri looks slightly embarrassed.  "Yes.  I felt the need to relax a
little."

The servants pour everyone a nice glass of apple juice, and set out butter
and jam for the pancakes, then put out bacon and sausage on plates, along
with bowls of fruit.

Hiko the Firechilde sits down at the table, her hand on the table.  "I can
understand that."  The silver ring is prominently showing, and she smiles.
"I've barely had a chance to relax."

Shizumaru waits quietly for the food to be served. And he also waits for
Juri to serve herself before taking any. He is still silent, loath to
interrupt a conversation between mother and daughter, unless spoken to
first.

Juri gets some fruit for herself, and some bacon, then begins putting
butter and jam on her pancakes.

Juri asks, "Did you both sleep well?"

Hiko the Firechilde gets fruit and one pancake.  "Like the dead."

Shizumaru takes a small stack of pancakes and an assortment of fruit.
"Very well, yes. Yesterday had been very eventful."

Hiko the Firechilde raises an eyebrow.  "Oh?  Do tell, cousin."

Juri says, "I understand you were attacked by monks down in the city,
Shizumaru."

Shizumaru has a forkful of pancakes and quickly swallows before answering.
"Yes. The...Monks of the Red Lotus, I believe, attacked Fuyutsuki-sama.
They called him a heretic and tried to kill him for that."

Juri frowns intensely, gazes deeply into Shizumaru's eyes for a few
seconds, then nods.  "Those maniacs again?  I thought we'd killed them all
off."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Monks?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What are those?"

Shizumaru blinks at Hiko for a moment. "Ah...they are men devoted to a
religious path and usually take on some kinds of vows in that respect."

Juri asks, "The Cult of the Red Lotus...Are you familiar with the story of
the Shining One, Hiko?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I am not."

Shizumaru continues eating and listens with attention. He's unfamiliar
with the Red Lotus himself.

Hiko the Firechilde looks on with much interest.

Juri begins cutting an apple into eigths as she talks.  "Sind, for
hundreds of years, was calcified with a caste system, with hereditary
priests, and a highly ritualized faith."

Juri pauses to remove the core parts.

Juri says, "The Shining One was a prince, who decided to seek
enlightenment."

Juri says, "He wandered off into shadow along the Unicorn Tracks, and
returned years later to announce he had found the ten spoked wheel of
enlightenment."

Juri says, "A way in which any one could achieve enlightenment without
needing the priests."

Shizumaru nods slowly and bites into an apple while Juri continues her
story.

Juri pauses again to take a bite of pancake.  She smiles at the taste,
then pushes one of her pancakes to one side, cutting it into ten 'pie
pieces'

Hiko the Firechilde nods, picking at her pancake.

Juri points to the pieces.  "Each of the 'spokes' was some sort of
practice, such as 'right thinking', 'deep meditation', etc."

Juri says, "The result was religious turmoil, as the peoples of the cities
flocked to the new faith, revolting against the priests."

Juri says, "In the end, however, nomads were called in by the priests and
nobles to aid them, and the Shining One's disciples were driven from Sind
for the most part."

RodM OOCLY says, "In case you're wondering why i'm not gaming yet, i've
got an old geezer on the phonhe and i've spent the last 40 minutes trying
to solve his old-ass machine."
RodM says, "and I can't leave till I get rid of'em"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly patpats and hands Rod a cookie.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Why would they attack Fuyutsuki-san?"

Shizumaru finally speaks up. "They accused him of being a heretic, of
claiming to have created everything, when it was the Shining One who truly
did so."

Juri says, "In the process, the pacifist teachings of the Shining One were
turned by some of his followers into a militaristic faith, which conquered
Siam."

Juri says, "The Red Lotus are a particularly fanatical splinter sect."

Juri says, "They now worship teh Shining One as an avatar of Rhama the
Creator."

Juri says, "And believe he created everything, as Shizumaru said."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, then gets an idea.  "Anyone know what this
Shining One is supposed to look like?"

Shizumaru nods and finishes off a pancake.

Juri says, "A bald man with a big belly."

Juri shakes her head.  "They keep showing up every century or so for
another shot at Grandfather."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hmm, there goes that thought."

Juri takes a sip of her apple juice, then begins eating her apple.

Juri asks, "What were you thinking, Hiko?"

Shizumaru nods again, then speaks. "Fuyutsuki-sama managed to get some
information from one of the monks we captured. That was indeed their
intent again...but there was something else. A man in a golden mask
directed them to the restaurant where we ate--even though we did not
realize we would be going there until just half an hour before we went."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I was just wondering if the Red Lotus was
connected to the bastard."  At Juri and Shizumaru's confused look, she
amends her statement.  "Annadil."

Juri frowns.  "It is possible.  It does seem quite a coincidence."

Shizumaru shakes his head, picking at the remnants of his breakfast. "You
must tell me about this Annadil sometime. I imagine he is all our
adversary...."

Juri says, "I can tell you he has been watching us for at least three
hundred years."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "And he's a Bastard."

Juri finishes off her apple juice and gets another glass of it, then
begins covering her example pancake with jam and butter.

There is no emotion in her voice, but you start to see that the apple
she's currently cutting is starting to look like it's gone through a
Cuisanart.

Shizumaru sweatdrops quietly. "I...see." That's right, Aunt Wakaba had
mentioned that Hiko had gone through some bad experiences with that
man....

RodM says, "brb, driving to le lab to game on"
rod falls asleep.

Juri notices, but doesn't say anything.  "He seems to be a shapechanger.
And he's skillful with sorcery and possibly trump."

Juri says, "He is probably allied with Chaos, but we cannot be sure."

Hiko the Firechilde looks down at her apple absentmindedly and spoons the
mush onto her pancake.  

"Chaos?" Shizumaru takes a drink of juice. "I know little of Chaos, save
that they are opposed to the order of Amber."

Juri says, "Few of us know much of Chaos."

Juri picks up an orange.

Juri points to the small circle at its top.  "Imagine this is Amber."  She
then traces along the surface of the orange, an ever widening circle.
"This is Shadow, spreading out from Amber."  She passes the midpoint with
her finger, and spirals down it to the gathering point at the bottom.
"And this is Chaos."

Juri says, "As you move further from Amber, reality becomes more and more
random, malleable, strange.  Until finally, you eventually reach the
Courts of Chaos, huddled around the Abyss, which marks the end of
reality."

Shizumaru watches, fascinated by Juri's example.

Juri says, "Those who dwell in Chaos are similarly malleable,
shapechangers who wield strange powers over black ribbons that we don't
really understand."

Juri says, "Legend speaks of the Logrus, a sort of Anti-Pattern, from
which they draw their ribbon powers, and thirteen great houses who
struggle for the Throne of Chaos."

Juri says, "And then, there is the legend of the Cave of Worlds."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, not really listening, but perking up when Juri
mentions a cave.

Juri says, "A cavern beneath the Logrus, from which you can pass into any
shadow you can imagine, with but a single step."

Juri says, "The Chaosians use it to get out into Shadow."

Juri says, "Trailing a ribbon behind them, which they use to get home by
following it."

Shizumaru murmurs, "That could be a fearsome power. The ability to move so
easily and quickly through Shadows."

Hiko the Firechilde nods again, not familiar with the idea of shadows just
yet, but wanting that ability to move.

Juri nods.  "Chaosians can pop up just about anywhere, but they have a
harder time getting home.  The ribbons can only be seen if you train in
using the Pattern as a lens to look at things."

Juri says, "It's said to be a sure way to identify one, though."

Juri finishes off her food, and gets more bacon.

Shizumaru sighs softly. "The Pattern. I hope to be able to walk it soon,
but I feel like I must prepare so much before I am ready."

Hiko the Firechilde is mentally taking notes.  "What's it like, walking
the pattern?  I mean, I remember it... but I don't, if you follow me,
mother."

Juri nods.  "I recently walked it again, so it is fresh in my mind."

Juri says, "First of all, imagine walking into a high wind, that gets
stronger with every step."

Juri says, "Sparks shower upwards, you must ignore them and keep walking
without ceasing."

Juri says, "As you walk, any spells on you are broken, any tampering with
your mind is undone.  Diseases are purged, insanities heal."

Juri says, "For the pattern restores you to what you were intended to be."

Juri says, "But it also tests you strongly; every time you walk it, you
must once again prove you have the strength of will to keep going."

Juri says, "Never try to walk it if you are tired or injured."

Juri says, "Or it may aggravate your wounds or even kill you."

Shizumaru makes mental notes himself. "I see...."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Insanities healed?"

Juri nods.  "When you finish walking the Pattern, you become as sane as
you will ever be."

Juri says, "Lost memories are restored, your mind is healed of its
infirmities."

Hiko the Firechilde's hand shakes.

Juri says, "Is something wrong, daughter?  Your hand is shaking."

Juri sounds a little worried.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "No, I'm fine."

Shizumaru frowns and looks to Hiko, ready to lend a hand if she requires
one, somehow.

Juri nods slowly, but still looks concerned.  "Alright.  Anyway, walking
the Pattern is fairly simple.  Just follow it to the center, and don't
ever stop or step off it.  Or you'll die."

Autolyca OOC Turning in for the night... see y'all!
Juri exclaims, "OOC G'nite, Jeff!"
Autolyca has disconnected.

Shizumaru shudders lightly at that. "Even a small hesitation," he murmurs.
"Yes. I will definitely have to meditate a lot, summon my will before I
take this endeavor."

Juri says, "Once you reach the center, the Pattern will send you wherever
you desire."

Juri says, "And you gain the power to walk through Shadow and find
anything you can imagine.  With study, you can learn to use it as a lens
to examine things and learn what they really are, and do many other
things."

Hiko the Firechilde murmurs, "Wherever you desire..."

Shizumaru pauses, and looks at Juri. "Even if you want to go to...a
person, not a specified location?"

Hiko the Firechilde blinks. 

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Who would you want to go to?"

Juri says, "Yes, you could tell the Pattern to send you to your father."

Shizumaru face drops slightly. "My father is one, but also...my mother.
She--she disappeared, shortly before I came here to Amber with Aunt Utena
and Aunt Corinne."

Juri frowns.  "How did she vanish?  Did you see it happen?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "You don't know where your father is?"

Hiko the Firechilde realizes that she's asking out of turn, and hushes up.

Shizumaru nods at Hiko, as if to say that he'll get to her in a moment.
"Aunt Corrine believes that it was by trump. I did not actually see her
go, as I was fighting the Silver-Armed Man at the time."

Juri nods, and frowns.  "Well, the Pattern could send you to her, or you
could, once you walked it, seek her in Shadow, which while slower, also
reduces the chance of ending up buried underground or in a shadow full of
fire, or other possible disasters."

Shizumaru blinks several times, and nods. "Oh...I see." He hadn't thought
of that, obviously. Not to mention the fact that walking the Pattern
drains you quite a bit, too. He shakes his head, and now addresses Hiko.
"I know that my father is Touga, but I have never met him. One of my
goals, since I was young, was to seek him out and ask him why he abandoned
my mother and me."

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "That's an understandable quest."

Juri starts to say something, then does not.  She passes her empty plates
to the servant waiting by.

Shizumaru glances at Juri, frowns when she cuts herself off. Oh well,
shouldn't pry. He obligingly hands his plate toward the servant as well,
then finishes off his juice.

Juri says, "I am inclined to hope he was not aware that your mother was
pregnant."

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is there something wrong, Mother?  What's Uncle
Touga like?"

Juri says, "Touga is a very complex man."

Juri says, "I think he was the most like Father of any of us."

Juri says, "For good and ill."

Shizumaru is silent for a moment. "I...am not sure if he did know at the
time he left. But my mother did contact him, she said...says, after I was
born. So I am certain that he did know about me."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Maybe he's a bastard, too and just didn't
care."

Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.

Juri says, "Touga, like our father, loved Amber above all things."

Juri says, "Including above family, at times."

Shizumaru's eyes harden, and he nods. "Certain things do point in that
direction, Cousin Hiko."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't give much credence in the loyalty of
fathers, cousin."

Juri says, "He could be petty, and cruel, and use people as pawns.  Yet,
in the end, everything he did turned out to be good for Amber.  Well,
almost everything."

Juri says, "And he had to slay his own mother because she tried to destroy
Amber. "

Shizumaru looks out the window. "On the other hand, some of the fathers in
my village were willing to die for their families, during a fire a couple
years ago." He then goes silent and listens to Juri.

Juri sighs.  "I could not have done that.  If mother had destroyed Amber,
I could not have brought myself to lift a finger."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly goes afk briefly

Juri stares at her calloused hands.  "He was the only one who stood up to
defend mine and Corrine's honor when Sakura had us branded traitors.  Yet,
he treated women like playthings, toys for his amusement."

Hiko the Firechilde nods, considering.

Shizumaru scratches his head, looking mildly puzzled.

Hiko the Firechilde explains for Shizumaru.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Mother and Aunt Corrine were betrayed by
Sakura, one of King Gendo's wives.  Your father helped them regain their
honor."

Juri asks, "I take it you have not heard the story of the Traitor Queen?"

Juri grinds her teeth not very subtly at the necessity of mentioning the
Traitor Queen.

Hiko the Firechilde holds her mother's hand.  "Though why he did not come
sooner to help you is something I cannot forgive."

Shizumaru shakes his head. "No, no, I know about...my grandmother, now. I
was confused by my father's actions. Alternately honorable and
despicable."

Juri says, "Touga came as soon as he could.  He was never a very good
fighter...if he had come for me directly, Ludovicus would probably have
killed him."

Hiko the Firechilde nods at that.

Hiko the Firechilde gives her mother's hand a squeeze and picks up another
piece of fruit.

Juri says, "I understand you trained under a Lipunese master in the art of
fighting, Shizumaru."

Shizumaru nods, glad for the change in subject. "Yes, that is right. I met
Haohmaru-sensei several years ago, and has trained me in the arts since
then."

Hiko the Firechilde looks at Shizumaru.  "How can you fight without a
sword?"

Juri says, "Would you be interested in a friendly match, then?  I am
interested in taking the measure of your mettle."

Hiko the Firechilde would like to watch.

Shizumaru blinks at Hiko. "Ah...well, I have managed to adapt my umbrella
to a style of combat--it is less lethal than a sword. And I have also
trained in unarmed combat." He stops, then turns to Juri. "I would enjoy
that very much, Aunt Juri. I welcome the chance to face a new opponent and
expand my skills."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly fixes.

Juri rises from the table, and gestures to the servant to clean up.  "Let
me arm myself, and then I will meet you at the base of the stairs of the
dueling arena.  Do you know where that is?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I think I'd like to watch.  Shall I be your
second, mother?"

Shizumaru shakes his head. "Aunt Corrine led us to the arena by trump.
Someone would have to lead the way, or at least give me directions."

Juri nods to Hiko.  "I would appreciate that.  Hold on while I get my
sword."

You see nearby a small speck of blue light, which suddenly bursts into a
large ball of azure flame that momentarily blinds you.  As your vision
clears, you see Rod standing before you, putting a battered silver locket
away.
Ryo has arrived.
rod has left.

Shaft OOCly  "Sorry I'm late, long story X.x;;;"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Yo. I'm about to face Aunt Juri in a friendly
sparring match. :)"
Aerianne OOCly says, ""[Corrine OOC awwws, and doesn't know who to root
for!]""
Shaft OOCly "You bitch."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I've squired for my brother Nouma.  I shall
squire for you."

Juri retreats into the interior of her chambers, then emerges now wearing
a silver ring with a rose on it, similar to the one you've seen Mikage
wear.  She is also carrying a long rapier with red runes along its blade.

Juri says, "I need to talk to Anthy about getting you a dueling arena key,
Hiko.  Remind me later."

Juri asks, "OOC Ready to play, Shaft? "

Shizumaru stands before Juri. "Shall we face off sword to sword, or may I
use my umbrella as well, Aunt Juri?"

Aerianne OOCly says, ""[Corrine OOC continues to work on Shaft's trump of
Whalekiller.]""
Shaft OOCly "Good to go"

Juri says, "Fight in whatever manner you find most comfortable."

Juri says, "Now, follow me to the arena."

Shizumaru nods. "Thank you. I will use both, then." He turns and follows
Juri toward the arena, memorizing the way as he goes.

Hiko the Firechilde falls into step behind Juri, behind and a foot to the
right.

You pass through the maze of passages, then go down two flights of stairs
to the ground floor.

As you follow her, you come upon Shaft, who has just finished walking
Kasumi back to the castle.

Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Hello, Ota-san, No-- Kasumi."

Shizumaru bows to Ota and Kasumi. "Hello, Cousin Ota, Kasumi-san. I trust
your day today was more pleasant than yesterday evening."

Shaft yawns, scratching his back. "Hey, 'mornin, guys.  Not a bad mornin,
no..."

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly reeeeally wants to use the 'fucking NotDead
Kasumi' line someday.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."

Juri asks, "Good morning, Shaft.  Shizumaru and I are about to have a
friendly match.  Would you like to come watch?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Was Ota-san there when Fuyutsuki-san was
attacked?"
Juri says, "OOc Yes, he was."

Shizumaru nods to Hiko. "Very briefly, yes. One of the monks tried to
kidnap Kasumi-san, but Cousin Ota rescued her."

Shaft raises his eyebrow.  "You challengin' him?"  He cracks a smile.
"Take it easy on the guy."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at that.  "You're a regular knight errant.  Or
should that be knight on an errand?"

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Wow, it's almost 3am. o.O Good thing I napped
earlier."

Shaft laughs at Hiko.  "Either or, cousin, either or."

Juri smiles.  "It's merely a friendly match."

Um, that was an OOC question.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Which was an OOC question?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "How many eps.  I wanted to know, and
paged using Vixxy, but realized that shewsn't in the Keep."

Juri takes you to the entrance to the arena stairs, a door which resembles
a giant stone rose.  She holds up the ring she wears, and a droplet of
water erupts from the ring splashing onto the rose, which spirals open.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Oh."

Shizumaru watches the process in fascination. "That...is interesting," he
murmurs.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "How many eps are in Utena?"
Juri says, "OOC 39."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Thanks."

Shaft looks at Kasumi.  "Y'wanna watch the mornin' dual?"

Juri says, "OOC 1-13:  Student Council Arc.  14-26:  Black Rose.  27-39:
final arc."
Tybalt says, "No."

Kasumi says, "I've never watched one of these before.  Sure."

Juri says, "OOC No?  Well, that's what I get for going by hearsay :)"

Shaft asks, "anyone mind if we watch?"

Juri says, "Come right along."

Shizumaru shakes himself out of his reverie, and continues following Juri.
Looking around as he goes, of course.

Beyond the door is a garden full of flowers, in the center of which, a ten
foot across pillar rises to the heavens, surrounded by a spiral staircase.
Music begins to play as you walk in.

Shaft, out of habit, hums along with the tune.

Juri strides determinedly up the spiralling stairs, which rise a good
eight stories to the rose shaped dueling arena high above.

Juri moves swiftly, obviously used to these stairs.

Shizumaru stares upward as he goes, trying to fathom how far they must
walk to get there.

The arena stands a good three stories above the roof of the palace.

Foxtrot has disconnected.
>> Byeeee!  It was really fun!
Shizumaru OOCly says, "...d'oh."
Shaft OOCLY "Noooooooo!"
Shizumaru OOCly whines.
Aerianne OOCly says, ""whups.
OOC Trish's keyboard has locked up.
OOC We'll have to go on w/o her for now.
Shizumaru OOCly whines some more.
Shaft exclaims, "tell'er to unplug-replug!"
Shaft exclaims, "and reboot!"

Queen Anthy, to your surprise, is at the top of the stairs, holding a red
and an orange rose.

Anthy hands the red rose to Shizumaru, and the orange one to Juri.  Juri
pins hers in place over her heart.

Juri then moves to the far end of the arena.

Shizumaru blinks. "Queen Anthy?" He accepts the rose, then after a glance
at Juri, does likewise. That's right, when Dworkin duelled Annadil, they
both had roses, and it ended when Dworkin's rose was plucked. He then
likewise moves to the opposite end.

Shizumaru OOCly says, "45 minute warning. z.z;"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Though earlier would be nicer."

Queen Anthy says, "Let the duel begin."  Music begins to play, and above
you, Tir'na-nog slowly begins to come into view.

Juri says, "OOC Type fast, then :)"

Shizumaru takes a somewhat defensive stance, umbrella at the ready, and
starts to circle Juri.

Juri draws her sword and moves into a fighting stance, watching you
circle, then begins to circle the other way.  To your surprise, she's
fighting left-handed.

Shizumaru patiently continues to move, shifting his stance every few steps
just slightly, continuing to watch Juri's moves constantly.

Shaft OOCly "Fox's onnerway back"
Foxtrot has connected.
>> We have arrived, you may kiss my foot, now.
Hiko the Firechilde goes about the room glomping everyone
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Back!"
Shizumaru OOCly re's. The duel's begun, but we're both just circling each
other so far.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "What did I miss?"

Juri then suddenly launches herself forward, moving in a blur, sword
raised to strike down at your umbrella holding hand.

Shizumaru tries to spin out of the way, to deliver a swing at Juri's side
with the umbrella.

Hiko the Firechilde stands by, watching her mother with great interest.

You swing out of the way, and the sword darts down and around to parry
your blow, leaving you open for Juri to aim a kick at your left knee.

Shizumaru grunts as Juri's kick connects glancingly; he wasn't able to get
out of the way quite fast enough. He brings his arms overhead to deliver a
blow--but not with his umbrella, instead with the sword that he whips out
from its sheath.

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly could say someting nasty, but just points at
'whips out from its sheath' and lets imagination do its work.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "My imagination is either too pure or too tired or
both. o.o; So don't explain, please."

She grabs the tip of the Umbrella with her right hand and brings the sword
up with her left to parry the overhand strike.

Shizumaru quickly follows this up with his own kick--targeting the muscles
of her thigh, which would take the blow better than her knee.

It's like kicking a rock, but she does seem to fail to anticipate it, and
it knocks her back out of immediate contact with you.  She moves into a
defensive position and seems to be contemplating her next move.

Shizumaru resheathes his sword with an easy, practiced move, and takes the
umbrella again. His foot tingles slightly from the impact; that was
unexpectedly solid. He hangs back a moment as well, then leaps forward,
slashing in a tight arc with the umbrella, at Juri's rose.

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Watch out, Mother!"

She parries the blow, pushing your umbrella aside with practised ease,
which leaves you open for her to simply reach out with her right hand and
grab at your rose.

Shizumaru's eyes widen, and lets the umbrella fly away, freeing his own
hands to snatch at Juri's rose in response.

Juri snatches your rose, just before you can grab hers, as you didn't
bother to defend your own rose.

Juri holds it up to her nose and smiles.  The music rises to a triumphant
crescendo, then fades, and Tir'na-nog fades away above.

Hiko the Firechilde applauds, offering a sympathetic smile to Shizumaru.

Shizumaru sighs, and gives a small smile. "You have bested me, Aunt Juri.
I see I must train more." He bows to her, conceding victory with grace.

Queen Anthy says, "The duel is finished, the struggle done."  She smiles
at both of you.  "Would we had more duels like this than the one likely to
be later today."

Juri says, "You fight very well, Shizumaru.  I see you were trained well."

Aerianne OOCly says, "[Corrine OOC cheers on Juri!]"

Shizumaru bows to Anthy. "Thank you for officiating, Queen Anthy." He
pauses, and nods. "Ah, yes...the duel between Aunt Kozue and Madoka-dono."
He shakes his head sadly.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Another duel?  OH, the one between Madoka and
Kozue?"

Queen Anthy nods.  "Likely a forgone conclusion, but I have been surprised
before."

Juri says, "Madoka, sadly, cannot win, unless Kozue shows up hideously
sick."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I don't know how good either of them are in
combat, but I pray that Madoka wins.  I don't like the feeling I get from
listening to Kozue."

Shizumaru moves to retrieve his umbrella. He picks it up, and leans on it
like a cane. "I will be present to observe, if it is allowed," he says,
quietly.

Anthy says, "I suspect the arena will be quite crowded for that match,
given its seriousness.  I saw Madoka talking to Drake at breakfast.
Picking up last minute fighting tips, I suppose."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I think I'd like to see this duel also."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I don't know much about armed combat... or any
kind of combat."

Juri says, "We shall have to rectify that.  As I'm sure Ota can tell you,
it's a very useful skill."

Shizumaru looks at Hiko. "Observing battle is a good way to begin to
understand. The best way is to train actively, of course."

You hear the sound of someone running up the stairs.

Shaft snores blissfully.  Kasumi, hearing them mention his name, pokes him
nervously.

Lt. Kuno falls asleep.

Shizumaru turns to look toward the footsteps. "Who is that?" he asks
softly--not to anyone in particular.

Hiko the Firechilde says, "How did you start training?"  She turns her
head towards the stairs.

Peorth falls asleep.

Shizumaru OOCly would like to cut real soon. z.z;
Juri says, "OOC no problem."

Ramon comes running up the stairs.  "Did I miss it?"

Anthy nods to him, and he sighs.

Juri says, "I was trained by my mother."

Aerianne OOCly thinks it was a really cool scene, anyway. ^_^

Juri says, "Queen Haruka was a valiant warrior."

"Ah, Cousin...Ramon?" Shizumaru dredges that name up from his memory; he's
only met this cousin once so far. "Hello."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I was trained to do different things."

Juri nods.  "Well, it's never too late to learn."

Ramon sees Shaft snoozing.  "Hey, lazy butt, wake up!"

Shaft says, "wha... ha... oh, did I fall asleep?"

Hiko the Firechilde's face darkens.  Suddenly she realized why she was
never trained in combat...

Shaft asks, "who the hell you callin' a lazy butt, shieldy?"

Tybalt falls asleep.

Ramon says, "Shaft is short for 'Garbage shaft', right?"

Juri rolls her eyes and ignores the two butting heads men.

Shaft's eyebrow twitches.  "You wanna start somethin', dumbass?"

Juri says, "If you wish me to teach you, Hiko, we can start whenever your
ready."

Shizumaru regards Shaft and Ramon a bit nonplussedly. "Ah...perhaps there
will be another duel before the main one today."

Shaft stands up and stomps over to Ramon, until only a centimeter is
between them.  The two men glare at each other with maximum hostility.

You page, "And, once again, Corrine's belief that she has the coolest big
sister in the entire whole cosmos is assured. ;)" to Akemi.

Ramon laughs.  "You've got drool running down your chin, you know."

Hiko the Firechilde is drawn out of her reverie by the sheer waves of hate
emenating from Ramon and Ota.

Anthy quietly extracts two more roses from somewhere, one yellow and one
pink.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Ota-san?  Ramon-san?"

Shaft blinks, then wipes off the drool on his chin.  "Hey, you want a
piece'a me, let's go right here, right now."

Shizumaru OOCly says, "Say that I just go off to the sidelines at this
point and watch. o.o; If someone could send me a log of what happens
afterward, I'd appreciate it. I gotta sleep."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Gotcha, Droo."

Juri . o O (Nanami was probably talking about how Shaft does such good
work for her and why won't he work for her again.)

Juri exclaims, "OOC That works, g'nite, Drew!"
Shizumaru OOCly waves out. z.z
Shizumaru has disconnected.
>> Shizumaru bows, says, "Gomen nasai. Mou ikimasu," and runs off.

Ramon cracks his knuckles.  "Bring it on!  I'll send you back crying to
Bumpy."

Shaft grins at Ramon's words.  "Oh, so you gonna challenge me?  You gonna
challenge me?  Huh?"  He pokes at Ramon's chest

Ramon shoves Shaft.  "Hell ya!  I challenge you!"

Anthy glides over, and pins the roses in place in one fluid motion, pink
for Shaft and yellow for Ramon.

Hiko the Firechilde wonders if there is a bench where she can sit, or
stands or something like that.

Juri gets to the side of the Arena.

Shaft says, "awright, that's it!"  He looks around.  "Cue the music!  Get
the damn castle down here!  I'm gonna bust this fool's ass!"

There are benches around the edge for observers.

Juri laughs.

The music begins and the castle forms in the sky.

Ramon cracks his knuckles and gets into an unarmed fighting pose.

Shaft stomps off to one end of the dueling arena, getting into position,
angrily humming the duel music.  "I'm gonna beat you so fast,
y'grandkids'll be dizzy!"

Shaft draws his sword, then stares at Ramon.  "WHat's that?  You gonna
bring knuckles to a swordfight, dumbass?"

Ramon says, "I'll whoop you so hard, Kasumi will have to use you as a
dishrag!"

Hiko the Firechilde sits next to Shizumaru and watches with avid interest.

Ramon says, "Uh...I didn't bring my sword."

Juri tosses her sword to Ramon.  "Here you go."

Shaft rolls his eyes.  "Someone throw this boy a-  thanks, auntie J."

Ramon moves into a fairly basic defensive swordform position.

Shaft gets into his swordfighting stance.  "You ready for a whoopin,
fool?"

Ramon says, "You're the one who is going to get whooped."

Ramon then charges forward, sword over his head.

## ^_- ##

Juri shakes her head.  "Rule number five...never charge with your sword
over your head."

Shaft charges forward, sword swinging from his side, then suddenly stops.
He points somewhere behind Ramon.  "Oh shit!  Aunt Nanami?!  WHat the hell
you doin?!"

## -_- ##
## H_H ##

Ramon says, "Mom?  Where?"  He foolishly turns to look, leaving himself
wide open.

Shaft lunges in with all the speed he can muster and slashes at the rose
with a maniacal grin

The rose parts before Ramon turns back around, falling apart into petals.
The music rises to a crescendo, and the castle begins to fade.

Ramon says, "But...HEY!"

Shaft stomps around, roaring with laughter.  "Damn, you STUPID!"

Hiko the Firechilde stifles a grin, then bursts out into full snickers.

Ramon slumps, turns, and drudges off.

Juri frowns for a moment, watching him go.

Hiko the Firechilde looks around, then stops laughing a bit
self-consciously.

Shaft says, "aw, c'mon, big R!  Don't get all pissy on me!  C'mon, man,
I'll buy you a beer."

Ramon stops, then says, "See you down at King's later, then."

Shaft nods, still snickering.   "A'right, seeya, coz."

Ramon heads out, looking less depressed.

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "King was the lovely lady who was your date at
dinner, wasn't she?"

Shaft nods.  "Yeah, yeah, she was."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I remember her saying that she stocked
Guinness.  It's been a while since I've had a pint."

Kasumi rises.  "I must be about my duties."  She bows to Shaft.  "Thank
you for everything last night."

Shaft bows to Kasumi, something not a lot of people are used to seeing.
"Any time, m'lady."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Ota-san and Kasumi.

Kasumi then heads downstairs.

Anthy says, "The duel is scheduled for three o'clock, I believe.  I'm sure
I will see you all then."

Shaft stretches. "Well, that's my stupid-fool-whoop-assin' quota for the
day.  What're you guys up to?"

Juri asks, "I was planning to go and talk to Drake about some matters.
Hiko, what are your plans for the day?"

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I didn't have any specific plans, but I feel
the kind of thirst that only a pint of Guinness can quench."

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "Would you mind giving me directions to
King's bar?"

Shaft says, "tell y'what, come on down with me'n Ramon.  Maybe you c'n
chill the guy out."

Shaft grins.  "I was just messin' with him, but the fool gets so uptight."

Juri kisses Hiko's cheek.  "Goodbye, then, daughter.  I will see you
later."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I could understand, with him always being
mistaken for a target."  She looks to Shizumaru.  "See you around,
cousin?"  Shizumaru nods.

Anthy comes over to Hiko and Shizumaru, and hands each of them a ring like
the one Juri is wearing.  "These are keys to the Arena, should you need
them."

Hiko the Firechilde returns the kiss on the cheek.

Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I'm not sure where to put it.  Before long,
I'll have run out of fingers."  She places the rose ring on her right
index finger, next to the gold dragon ring.

Anthy smiles and holds up her own hands, on which you can see a pegasus
ring, a golden wedding band, a silver ring of intertwined roses, and a
rose dueling ring.  "I know the feeling," she says.

And we will cut here, 'cause it's 3 AM for me, and I'm too tired to go on.

===========================
===========================

Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Nighters, John."

Aerianne says, "Night, John.  Cool scenes, though. What's Shiz's addy?"

Shaft says, "good'nuff"

Shaft says, "hm.  goodness, beeer and peanuts with Shaft and Ramon.
Hiko's gonna get an overdose of testosterone"

Shizumaru (Alias: None) *IC*

Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hiko's used to stuff like that."

Juri says, "alhuang@harvard.edu, I think"

Aerianne says, "Gotcha.  I'll bounce him a log copy."

Aerianne says, "For now, I bail for the night as well.  G'night!"

Aerianne waves to folks.

Shaft says, "hm. i wonder how that rates among rose duels...."

Juri hmms.  So far Shaft's the only player who isn't in the hole because
of not doing all the contributions they said they would.

Aerianne says, "Juri and Shiz's?  Pretty cool.  Ramon and Shaft's?  Pretty
short." :)

Shaft says, "that's funny, early on I didn't say I'd do contributions :D"

Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Hey!  It takes time to edit these logs!"

Juri says, "Which is exactly why you're not in the hole :)"

Juri says, "Oh, you're doing fine with the logs, Hiko."

Juri says, "But you took 30 points in contributions, and logs + Character
diary = 20."

Shaft asks, "when you gonna put up the WHalekiller writeup, john?"

Hiko the Firechilde asks, "so I've got 10 more to go?"

Juri says, "And you got 4 more points for other writings, but you're still
six short."

Hiko the Firechilde says, "I can't think up any more things to write,
short of a story."

Juri says, "Oh yeah, lemme put it on the Player Page too, Rod."

Aerianne says, "But, anyway.... G'night." Me, Philip, and Corrine all
wave.


Philip Moyer----------------Qapla'-------------pmoyer@jurai.net 
"To boldly go where no one has gone before!"-Capt. J. L. Picard
"Roads? Where we're going we don't NEED roads!"-Dr. E. L. Brown
   "If it can be dreamed, It can be done."- ReRob Mandeville
"Someday we'll find it, the Rainbow Connection, The Lovers,
---------- The Dreamers, and Me."- Kermit The Frog ------------