You page, "Okay, reload the letter... ran it through word's spellchecker."
to Akemi.

Demetrius says, "One day I'll have to make a snide crack about why he
feels dirty all the time. ^_^"

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods

Princess Utena says, "I think he does it in order to get warm; Mike gets
cold easily"

Demetrius says, "I feel bad for Mike sometimes. His mind deserves a better
chassis than the one it has."

After maybe ten minutes of walking, you hear movement off in the shadows,
and voices muttering in your native tongue, which strikes you as strange
in this place.  Sounds like a group of slavers talking to each other.

Princess Utena nods.  Amen to that.

You page, "Oh, more added to ashes.ember.1.txt ... COrrine digressed a bit
on Harold, but I like how it turned out (and it nicely foreshadows our
friendly Red Knight later. :)" to Akemi.

Ishmael says, "Right. We all ready? (Cue chorus of "Yes, you moron"s...)"

Julia Arisugawa says, "Yes."

Ursala d'Embrelle OOCly says, "Yesssssss, Miiiiiike....."

Roderick says, "You may fire when ready, Gridley :0"

Demetrius says, "Yes."

Demetrius says, "And that's my line."

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

Gridley presses the Big Red Button.

Ursala d'Embrelle watches.

Julia Arisugawa folds her arms and prepares herself for whatever comes.

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM. A cone of shimmering black
destruction pours out of one end of the ship, punching a decent-sized hole
in the side of the squid. On the comm screen, you see the Squid Bridge
shakes. MacFinndos do the Star Trek Tumble.

Ursala d'Embrelle quirks an eyebrow.

Julia Arisugawa whistles.

"Direct hit, sir," Gridley unnecessarily comments.

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "Okay.  I'm Impressed."

Demetrius says, "HA!!" He smacks the intercom button. "All gunners, fire
at will. All fighters launch. Mr. Nelson, close for baording."

And now many tentacles charged with primal chaos are heading for the ship.

Demetrius says, "Mr. Gridley, plot another solution."

Gridley says, "The main gun'll need a ha;f-hour to recharge, sir."

Ursala d'Embrelle purses her lips.

Rod Malipatan says, "..."

Gridley says, "My mistake. Gun recharged."

Demetrius nods. "Pick your targets, gentlemen."

Julia Arisugawa beckons Demetrius aside.

BLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM. He fires again. Another hole
appears. Many fighters strafe the ship.

The squid lashes out, obliterating several fighters. Then it suddenly
vanishes.

Gridley says, "It's off the scope, sir."

Ursala d'Embrelle frowns at the vanishing.  "...did it Trump out?"

Julia Arisugawa says, "Damn it!"

Demetrius looks up from his confab with Miss Arisugawa. "Blast."

Julia Arisugawa says, "If it had stayed in the Abyss, we could probably
have destroyed it without doing much collateral damage."

Then it suddenly appears again. A few feet behind you.

Ursala d'Embrelle . o O (Gleek)

Rod Malipatan says, "Well, we could have tried.  That squid seems to be
quite hard to kill."

Demetrius exclaims, "Mr. Nelson, all ahead full! All hands, brace for
impact!"

The tentacles reach out for the ship....

Ursala d'Embrelle braces for impact, not desiring to go flying across a
ship bridge -again-....

Julia Arisugawa braces.

Demetrius braces.

Rod Malipatan throws himself flat on the floor.

CRUNG. The squid grapples the ship with non-charged tentacle, sending
everyone flying across the bridge as the ship tosses.

You page, "I take it bracing didn't help? *wry look*" to Akemi.

Julia Arisugawa rolls with the impact.  "Evasive maneuvers.  Get away from
it.  I think I have a way to destroy it."  She draws her blade.  "Mr.
Demetrius, this blade bears the image of the Pattern on it.  If we can
fire it through that hole you made, into the squid's bloodstream, and then
get _out_ of here while it burns... the Abyss should damp the flames and
keep them contained in here, yes?"

The squid starts to draw the ship in towards its maw.

Demetrius says, "We have to evade that tentacle first, m'lady. But I think
I know a way....."

Ursala d'Embrelle takes the impact better than she expected, given that
she was anticipating it.  "... Um, that might end up being moot if it
bloody -eats- us!"

Rod Malipatan staggers to his feet.  "Assuming it doesn't get out of the
Abyss and go on a suicide run as it burns; I'd expect it would take a long
time for that squid to die."

Julia Arisugawa frowns.  "You have a point.  But I doubt our chances to
take it in a boarding action."

Demetrius says, "I'm bloody amazed it can Trump in and out at all. That is
NOT supposed to work."

"MACFINNDOS RULE OK!" screams the commscream. "Bottoms up!"

Ursala d'Embrelle thinks.  "Unless they try to board in turn, and this
being Demetrius's home ground, as it were..." She frowns, and shakes her
head.  "... no, with their abilities as they stand... though...."

Demetrius hustles over to one of the science stations, pulls up a screen,
and calculates hurriedly.

Ursala d'Embrelle pinches the bridge of her nose, and looks like she
REALLY wants to make a Darako-ish- gesture towards the MacFinndos on the
screen, but doesn't.

You page, "Any ideas from Corrine's brain matter on possible options,
given her Warfare and knowledge of Trump?" to Akemi.

"They matched us enough to escape us twice before," Julia says bluntly.
"This time, they have two more allies, and we have fewer.  This time, they
won't need to escape--they'll just outpower us and kill us.

Demetrius says, "Not in MY bloody Abyss, they'll not." He looks up. "Those
morons wont know wht hit them once we break free."

Julia Arisugawa glances to Demetrius.  "Have you a spare gunner's station?
I hate just standing here, and I'm famililiar with some of this weaponry
from my campaigning days."

Demetrius says, "Mr. Nelson. On my Mark, full astern."

Akemi pages, "Well, since you have seen the bridge they are on, you could
try trumping an assault squad right onto the MacFinndo bridge." to you.

Julia Arisugawa says, "And I'm a very good shot."

Nelson pales.

Akemi pages, "If they can trump, you think you could." to you.

Demetrius says, "And be prepared to shift back to full for'ard again on my
SECOND mark."

Ursala d'Embrelle considers.  "Idea, though.... if the MacFinndos can
trump.... I don't see why -I- couldn't trump US to their bridge."

Julia Arisugawa says, "Where the seven of them would overpower us and kill
us."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "Or more ideally, a full assualt squad or two."

Demetrius returns to the big chair. "I suggest you brace yourselves."

Rod Malipatan says, "A pity we couldn't have trumped the big gun shot onto
their bridge."

Julia Arisugawa braces herself.

Demetrius raises a hand. "On my mark......"

Ursala d'Embrelle sighs, but nods, and braces.

Ursala d'Embrelle blinks at Rod.

You page, "... does THAT sound viable?" to Akemi.

Demetrius exclaims, "MARK!"

Akemi pages, "You'd need more time to prepare for it to be sure of not
screwing up, and you'd need to be where the cannon fires from." to you.

The ship zooms backwards at full speed, ripping free of the tentacle and
smashing into the squid. You all tumble across the bridge like dice, and
red damage lights spring on everywhere.

Demetrius exclaims, "Full for'ard, Mr. Nelson!"

Demetrius exclaims, "Or as much as she'll give!"

Nelson staggers back into his chair and starts sending the ship forward as
the tentacles start closing in again...

You page, "Both of which aren't exactly -viable- things right at the
moment, given the full combat sitch, but she'll keep it in mind!" to
Akemi.

A science station alert starts blaring.

Akemi pages, "If you had some explosives or something like that, you could
send it to the MacFinndos as a present :)" to you.

Demetrius pulls up the alert on his on-chair display.

You page, "Point!  Hrm.  Thing is, they DO have Findy The
TrumpBitchGoddess on their side... how would corrine protect herself from
her?" to Akemi.

Julia Arisugawa stands around looking very grave.

Ursala d'Embrelle pulls herself up from the tumble, looking like she's
working out thoughts in her head, rapidly.  "Demetrius!  Do you and your
crew carry suitably-damaging explosives?"

Demetrius exclaims, "We do indeed, m'lady, but ti would take time to bring
them up from stores!"

There's another CLUNG as the squid grabs the ship again.

Demetrius exclaims, "DAMN!"

Julia Arisugawa says, "Make it take very little time."

Julia Arisugawa says, "Because I'm not sure we have even that."

Akemi pages, "True.  It might give her rather bad ideas.  Unless she blows
up first :)" to you.

You page, "..... Hmmmmmmmmm." to Akemi.

"Holy shit," comments Gridley. "The computer's tracking over a hundred
Morningstars."

Rod Malipatan asks, "Morningstars?"

Demetrius says, "Deadly Abyss fauna, Mr. Malapitan."

You page, "Well, Findy WAS said to not be strong.... but that was BEFORE
she went Living Trump..... ARRRGH! What to do!" to Akemi.

Demetrius says, "Judging from the huuman figured herding them, I would say
our friends the Abyss Monks have come calling."

"Be good enough to tell me that you mean friends in the literal sense, Mr.
Demetrius, and that they're going to help us fight the squid," Julia says
drolly.

Demetrius says, "Mr. Christopher, have Mr. Lucas recover all his
fighters." He waves Nelson away from the helm. "Mr. Nelson, not to impugn
your skills, but I must do this personally."

On the viewscreen, you can see huge dark blobs swarming around the squid.
The MacFinndos, on the comm scream, stop gloating and start yelping and
spewing coffee.

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "What?  Gyaaaah.... hold on... Demetrius, if you
can get the explosives here quickly, or get ME down there, I could trump
some onto their bridge..."  She blinks watching the turn of the battle in
confusion....

Rod Malipatan says, "With our luck, they're probably here to arrest us for
cruelty to animals."

Demetrius says, "I mean 'friends' in the sarcastic sense, Miss Arisugawa.
They may want to kill the squid, but us likely along with it."

A Morningstar fills the viewscreen, heading directly for the ship.

Julia Arisugawa says, "Mr. Demetrius, have someone show Ursala to the
explosives.  Now."

Rod Malipatan asks, "Can't we just flee the Abyss?  Or is there some trick
to it the squid prevents?"

Demetrius says, "We are LEAVING, Miss Arisugawa. Mr. Christopher, cede me
Navigation."

"Ceded, sir."

Demetrius hands fly across the console.

Julia Arisugawa nods.  "Your ship, Mr. Demetrius."

The ship goes into heavy reverse again. Then the Morningstar rams it. A
Abyss portal opens behind the ship, and both the Abyss creature and the
sub careen through it.

Ursala d'Embrelle . o O (Yeek.)

You have a brief glimpse of a thing with suckers, beaks, and too many
compound eyes before it evaporates, screaming.

Demetrius slowly exhales.

WHAM. You just rammed something.

Ursala d'Embrelle gasps.  "..... the -hell-?"

Demetrius growls. "Will this day never end! Onscreen."

On the viewer, you can see another sub slowly spiraling away drunkenly.

Julia Arisugawa stands near the helm, clenching and unclenching her fists
and gritting her teeth.

Rod Malipatan blinks in confusion.

Looks like you just came out in its path.

Julia Arisugawa says, "I will take this out of her hide."

Julia Arisugawa exclaims, "Does that empty-headed little bovine bitch have
_any_ idea what kind of trouble she's caused!"

Demetrius sighs. "Secure the ship from red alert."

Ursala d'Embrelle blinks at the fact that there's another sub there.  "Who
the heck?"  She then looks at Julia, and shakes her head rapidly in the
negative.

Demetrius says, "Hail the other sub, and ask if we can render assistance.
Oh, and apologize."

Alarms are ringing all over the bridge. "We're taking on water, captain!"

"No responce, sir... engineering is flooding, sir."

Rod Malipatan pats Julia on the shoulder.  "Don't give yourself a heart
attack.  We can maim her later."

Demetrius says, "Standard flooding drill, men. Mr. Nelson, give me a sonar
ping. I want to know if there's a surface in this shadow."

Julia Arisugawa says, "I really hate that damn squid.  And anything,
_anything_ with 'Finndo' in its name."

Demetrius asks, "If so.... well, do I have to paint a picture, man?"

"There is, sir, and it's covered with warships of some sort."

Julia Arisugawa exclaims, "OOC:  Aiyee!  We've entered the 'Das Boot'
Shadow!"

You page, "If corrine gets a decent Psychic impression from Demetrius, it
should be possible for Corrine to set up a trumpgate to evac the crew, if
need be?" to Akemi.

Ursala d'Embrelle OOCly says, "Of course, we're in a sub a mile long...
great, now I have Blue Submarine #6 flashbacks, and I haven't even WATCHED
the series...."

Akemi pages, "A psychic impression of Demetrius, what?" to you.
You page, "Of a location that he knows in Shadow.  Basically, grabbing the
image from his mind, and using the image location as a destination." to
Akemi.

Demetrius says, "Right then."

You page, "(destination for the crew to head through a Trump Gate as
evacuation, or heck, perhaps even the entire ship, though I seriously
doubt the latter.)" to Akemi.

Demetrius asks, "Mr. Nelson, standard Abyss two-hop. Mr Christopher?"

Julia Arisugawa asks, "Have you any idea where we were sent to, Mr.
Demetrius?"

"Aye?"

Demetrius says, "Make our couse for Avalon."

Rod Malipatan frowns.

Demetrius says, "Oh, aye, m'lady."

Akemi pages, "Ahh, right; you'd have to ask him." to you.

Julia Arisugawa asks, "And it would be?"

The abyss portal opens and the ship starts moving towards it.

Demetrius says, "It's a politically unstable shadow. We do some contract
work here."

Julia Arisugawa asks, "And have you any idea what happened to the squid?"

Demetrius says, "None."

Demetrius says, "If they had any intelligence, which is a doubtful
proposition, they'd have fled. One doesn't muck about with Morningstars."

Julia Arisugawa looks Demetrius over speculatively.  "I expect you have
some idea of who I truly am, do you not?"

Demetrius smiles. "I have a number of books on the Royal Houses of Avalon,
Chaos, Chaos, and AMber, m'lady."

Rod Malipatan says, "Perhaps we'll be lucky and the Abyss Monks will kill
it.  Although I doubt it."

The comm officer fiddles with the board, picking up broadcasts from the
surface. "#...repond. Repeat, Kursk, please respond. Do you recieve this?
Please res-" Then the ship enters the Abyss.

Julia Arisugawa smiles thinly.  "The situation in Avalon at this time is
apparently not conducive to my return from the missing.  Thus, I must
either go in disguise, or go not at all."

Blackness surrounds you for a second, and then the ship emerges outside
the seas of the golden circle.

Ursala d'Embrelle hehs a little bit, and then sighs at the momentary
message from the surface, and then watches as the Sub pulls out into the
Abyss.  "Could there be other locations that we could head to?"

Demetrius shrugs. "My specific contract with Princess Tess obligates me to
take you wherever you wish to go."

You page-pose, "Aerianne gives Alan a cookie.  Yup, you were right, it was
Tess paying the way." to Kima.

Demetrius says, "We have enough energy left in the drives to make it to
AMber City, if you wish. I was only there once, but they have facilities."

Julia Arisugawa says, "I want to stop that squid.  However, we need to be
better-prepared, and we need to know where it is."

Demetrius says, "I'd really rather makeport in Avalon, however. Its where
most of my bank drafts are drawn on."

Demetrius says, "It's your call."

"I am also..."  She pauses as a thought occurs to her.  "Mr. Demetrius,
just how long have I been gone from Avalon?  How long has it been since
Chaos marched against Avalon under the command of Lord Mikel?

Rod Malipatan says, "I can disguise you if need be, Julia."

Demetrius says, "Four decades, m'lady. Local time, of course."

Julia Arisugawa pales.

Ursala d'Embrelle looks at Julia and Roderick.  "And Rod and I happen to
look like other people who are also in Avalon or deceased in the same...
unless we can somehow disguise ourselv--- oh hell."

Ursala d'Embrelle moves over to Julia's side, supportively.

Julia Arisugawa murmurs, "Four... decades..."

Rod Malipatan says, "Oh, I can disguise us, Ursula.  "

Rod Malipatan turns to Julia.  "I take it you didn't plan to be gone so
long?"

Demetrius nods somberly. "It's been a long time since the Siege of Avalon,
m'lady."

Julia Arisugawa slumps down into a nearby chair.  "Yes.  Disguise.  I...
forty years?  I'd thought... I was only gone three weeks!"

Julia Arisugawa says, "Damn it, this isn't... well, of course it isn't,
the universe _isn't_ fair."

Rod Malipatan puts a hand comfortingly on Julia's shoulder.  "Time flows
strangely in shadow.  This sort of thing happens all the time,
unfortunately.  I once missed a birthday party by a decade due to such
things."

Demetrius says gently, "I _can_ take you Amber City instead. Though as I
previously stated, I'd really rather not."

Julia Arisugawa puts her head in her hands.  "Forty years... gone, like
that.  No, you don't understand.  Forty years of _my_ time.  Of Avalon
time.  I... I have to know what's happened while I was gone."

Ursala d'Embrelle sits next to Julia, and sighs.

Demetrius says, "Well, I have history books in my library that are
currentup to ten years ago."

Julia Arisugawa says, "What was this all for?  I got dragged about through
multiple universes, and, in the end, I accomplished _nothing_.  The squid
is still out there."

Ursala d'Embrelle asks, "*q* Well, in this case, consider it a chance to
gather some current covert information, Julia?"

Rod Malipatan says, "Yes, but we're still here, and while we're here, we
can still try to stop it."

Demetrius says, "The Squid caught me by surprise."

"NOTHING!"  Julia slams her fist down on the arm of the chair.

Rod Malipatan jumps at that.

"You're right.  We can still try to stop it."  Julia rises grimly.  "But
not with the forces we have.

Julia Arisugawa says, "Take us to Avalon."

Ursala d'Embrelle OOCly grumbles at lag.

Demetrius says, "The simplest way to destroy it would probably invovle
trickery. Aye, m'lady. Mr. Nelson, you heard the woman."

Rod Malipatan says, "The simplest way would probably be to fire several
Pattern blades into it.  The trick is to survive doing that."

Demetrius says, "Had we won free of them, I'd simply have lured the Squid
into the Heart of Darkness."

Ursala d'Embrelle considers.

Julia Arisugawa says, "And to avoid a rampage by the squid as it dies, as
you pointed out."

Julia Arisugawa says, "Perhaps if we could lure it into some kind of
trap... a Shadow from which it cannot escape.  Then we could attack it
with some sort of Pattern-based weaponry.  I will have to consider."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "Set up a trump gate, and then shoot the blades
through the gate, perhaps... but we only -have- the one, and I think the
other two were warned as not a good idea to use... Though I could be
misremembering that, Anno could have been referring to their presence in
my universe, not yours."

Demetrius says, "As I said, the simplest way, assuming they do not leave
the Abyss, is to lure them into the Heart."

The ship slowly limps towards an isolated dock facility outside of Avalon.
You can see someone sitting on the dock, fishing...

Ursala d'Embrelle looks at Demetrius.  "What's the Heart of Darkness?"

Julia Arisugawa says, "But these forces and these armaments have proved
themselves inadequate.  I mean no offense, Mr. Demetrius, but that squid
is the Ravager Beast, little short of a Primal Power."

Julia Arisugawa asks, "OOC:  Familiar?"

Demetrius says, "The Heart of Darkness is Brand of Amber's," he spits on
the deck, "Little parting gift."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, ".....ah."

Ursala d'Embrelle . o O (Note.  Brand not on Christmas List.)

Rod Malipatan asks, "A transformation he wrought in the Abyss?"

Julia Arisugawa starts at Brand's name.

Demetrius says, "The theory is that it's a by-product of whatever or
whoever was stupid enough to preform the ritual that freed him."

Demetrius says, "It's a massive entropic storm that attacks any signficant
non-Abyss energy source that goes near it."

Ursala d'Embrelle . o O (... this was NOT what Juri needed to hear....)

Julia Arisugawa clenches one fist very tightly.

Demetrius says, "I can get the Tempest safely through it's outer arms, but
if that Squid got near it..... well,the Abyss IS one the three primal
powers...."

Ursala d'Embrelle makes sure she's nice and near to Julia at the moment.

Julia Arisugawa says, "Let us disembark.  I wish to discover... what has
gone on in my absence in the city.  And consult with more of my family, if
possible, about how to deal with this squid."

Demetrius nods. "Your will, m'lady."

Julia Arisugawa says, "It is obvious that I lack the skill, the power and
the cunning to do it on my own, even with the worthy assistance of all of
you."

Ursala d'Embrelle considers.  "How long do you believe it will take to
affect repairs, Demetrius?"

The sub slides into the dock.

Rod Malipatan says, "What we need is a giant shark or something like
that."

Rod Malipatan says, "Capable of engaging the squid on its own scale."

"It depends," he says placidly, "on how much I'm willing to spend."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "A Giant PatternShark, perhaps?"

Rod Malipatan looks thoughtful.

Sie_Kensou teleports into the room.
Sie_Kensou has arrived.

The fisherman squints at the sub.

Rod Malipatan says, "Something like that, yes, or..."

Demetrius smiles knowingly. "Two weeks. It'll take some time to liquidate
the capital I need."

Ursala d'Embrelle nods.  "Two weeks, then."

Julia Arisugawa says, "Two weeks."

Demetrius asks, "Is that a problem?"

Julia Arisugawa asks, "That should give me time enough.  Hopefully, the
squid will not... wreak too much havoc in that time.  Rod, you said you
could disguise me?"

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "And I?" She quirks a smile.

Demetrius says, "I could do it faster, but Tess isn't paying me THAT much,
and I don't exactly command the resources of the Royal House."

Rod Malipatan asks, "Yes.  Any preferences, or shall I improvise?"

The fisherman rises to his feet, unhurriedly. A small glint at his side
indicates he's armed with a sword, as he calmly puts down his fishing pole
and examines the sub curiously. Anyone visible?

Julia Arisugawa says, "Surprise me."

Demetrius leans over and whisper to Rodney.

Demetrius says, "OOC: Wel, since we're INSIDE the sub, probably none of us
are."

Rod Malipatan nods to Demetrius.

Ursala d'Embrelle waits to be surprised, as well.

Julia Arisugawa blinks as she gets a close-up of the fisherman.

Ursala d'Embrelle glances at Julia.  "Somebody you know?"

Well, now, the fisherman shakes his head, briefly, then sits down, and
cheerfully resumes his fishing. He does hope the sub isn't scaring away
the little fishies.

Julia Arisugawa says, "Well, coincidence of coincidences."

Julia Arisugawa glances to Ursala.  "My brother, Trucido."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "-ah-."

Demetrius blinks. "Prince Trucido?"

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "save that you'll soon be in disguise, and he'll
likely not recognize you..."

Ursala d'Embrelle quirks a slight smile.

Rod Malipatan rubs his hands, then chants several words of power.  Julia's
appearance alters.  She is the same height, but now she has a deep tan,
and her hair has turned pitch black and straightened out.  She's wearing
black trousers and a white shirt that laces up in front; it hasn't been
laced quite all the way.  

Julia Arisugawa says, "Oh, he probably will just by the way I move.  He's
very good, my brother."

Ursala d'Embrelle whistles at the appearance change.

Her facial features have changed as well;her face is a little more
rounded, her nose softer, and her eyes a soft brown.

Julia Arisugawa looks down at herself.  "I was perfectly fine with the
bustline I had, Rod, but this is very nice.  Thank you."  She laces up the
shirt the rest of the way.

Ursala d'Embrelle asks, "Is he trustworthy, not to reveal our identities
given what Tess had implied with the current situation?"

Rod Malipatan says, "Pirate women never tie their shirts all the way up."

Julia Arisugawa says, "It would probably be recommendable to disguise
Corrine, as well."

Demetrius smiles mischeciously. "It's missing something.... I know." He
plucks a tricorner hate with the Silver Cormorant on it from behind his
chair, and sits it on her head.

Rod Malipatan says this with a voice of smooth assurance.

Rod Malipatan turns to Corrine and looks thoughtful, then grins.

Julia Arisugawa adjusts it to a rakish tilt.  "And I shall call myself..."

Ursala d'Embrelle arches a dubious eyebrow at Rod.

The fisherman happily continues fishing, pausing every so often to reel in
his hook. Looking curiously at the empty hook, he shrugs, takes another
worm, and then baits the hook, and casts it out with an expert flick of
his wrist. Coincidentally or not, it lands near the sub.

Serena d'Penzance. says, "Serena d'Penzance.  I like the sound of it."

Serena d'Penzance. says, "I'll go out and speak with my brother."

Demetrius says, "If you all really want to go the entire length with this,
I can sign all your names into the crew register i give to the
Harbormaster."

Serena d'Penzance. nods.  "Do that."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "Pleasure to meet you, 'Serena'... that would
probably be a good idea, Demetrius."

Serena d'Penzance goes to look for a way out of the sub.

Demetrius asks, "And as for the Prince.... is he good enough to spot you
surrounded by fifty other of my men, m'lady?"

Rod Malipatan wiggles his fingers at Ursula.  She is now tall, thin and
willowy, with long blonde hair down to nearly her butt.  She's wearing a
long-sleeved green shirt with a black vest over it and black trousers.
She has a black eye patch over her left eye.

Demetrius says, "We always debark a large number in Avalon."

Ursala d'Embrelle blinks, and looks down at herself.  "Hoooookay....."

Her face has become longer and thinner, and her eyes are blue.

Serena d'Penzance says, "I trust my brother.  He can be of aid to us."

You page, "Can corrine see out of the Eyepatch?" to Akemi.

Rod Malipatan says, "OOC Think Esmereldas from Harlock."

Serena d'Penzance says, "And, yes, I suspect he probably is good enough."

Ursala d'Embrelle OOCly says, "Oh My."

Akemi pages, "Yes, it's just an illusion" to you.

Demetrius nods. "In that case, permit me to escort you all to the
gangplank."

Demetrius says, "Mr. Christopher, you have the bridge."

Ursala d'Embrelle says, "Just watch out for cold iron.  And call me...
Esme.  Esmererlda Pariseau."

Demetrius says, "Anyone not on duty is at liberty in the City."

Rod Malipatan then wiggles his fingers at himself, and becomes a handsome
man with short blonde hair, wearing a white shirt like Juri's and black
trousers, but with a domino mask and a bandana wrapped around his head.
He doesn't bother to lace his up much.

Demetrius says, "And I TRUST you'll all keep your mouths shut."

Serena d'Penzance says, "Of course."

Dread Pirate Roberts says, "You may call me the Dread Pirate Roberts."

Esme Pariseau does not giggle.  Pirate wenches don't giggle.  -Chuckle-,
yes....

Esme Pariseau . o O (Right.  Time to channel the spirit of Kozue through
me....)

Esme Pariseau . o O (Save her dating habits.  Ick, -pass-.)

Serena d'Penzance asks, "Shall we, then?"

Demetrius says, "Let's shall, Lieutenant Penzance."

The fisherman reels in his line. On the hook is a very fat, large  fish.
Swiftly he removes the hook, looks curiously at the fish, then smiles and
tosses it back into the green-blue sea. To Serena, though, if she's even
noticing, she might notice that his attention, never leaves the sub, as he
assesses its capabilities, despite the seemingly lazy way he's fishing.

Serena d'Penzance exclaims, "OOC:  That's my little brother!  Always
watching for a surprise attack!"

Serena d'Penzance offers her arm to Dread Pirate Roberts.  "Roberts,
escort me?"

Dread Pirate Roberts takes your arm and smiles.  "With pleasure, Serena."

Esme Pariseau follows after the good captain, the Dread Pirate, and the
"lieutenant", regarding things with a slightly imperious air.  Hey, it's
learned, but it's good.  "Don't mind me, I'll just make my own way..."

The fisherman languishingly pulls his legs back, until his entire body is
on the deck, even as he sets the fishing pole aside, and closes his eyes,
relaxing in the sun.

You exit the sub. (I assume.)

You page, "'doh!  I should have named Corrine "Patricia
<somethingorother>" (Complex Injoke.)" to Kima.
You page, "The bodytype is wrong for it, tho.  Ahwell." to Kima.

Dread Pirate Roberts walks along with Serena.

Demetrius walks languidly down the gangplank, with his new 'crewmembers'
in tow. Other men stream off the ship from a variety of portholes, eager
to sample the many brothels- er, sights of the True City.

Esme Pariseau follows along, regarding the world around her through one
clear blue eye.  Just another port town amongst many....

Serena d'Penzance detaches herself from Robert's arm and sit down beside
Trucido.  "Go on a wee bit without me," she says.  "I think I'll tarry a
while with the handsome young fisherman.  I'll meet you at <naming popular
harbour tavern she hopes like hell is still in business> in a half-hour."

Demetrius nods. "Ach, Lieutenant. Don't be tarrying with another man again
so long you miss yer duty shift."

Esme Pariseau looks down at Serena.  "If you be liking as such, then we'll
be doing so.  Though I do admit this young lad looks tasty..." She gives a
speculative glance at Serena.

Demetrius says, "We'll be seeing you, then." He nods at 'Serena' and heads
off with the others.

Dread Pirate Roberts frowns slightly, then nods.  "We will see you later,
Serena."  

Serena d'Penzance flips Demetrius an obscure but clearly rude gesture.
"Respectfully up yours, sir."

You page, "And that's a "Do you want me there with you, or no?" glance.
She's good either way." to Kima.
Kima pages, "'No'." to you.

Esme Pariseau gives a quiet snort, and heads along with Roberts and
Demetrius.

Demetrius chuckles. "Ye'd best be grateful yer such a dab hand with the
blade, woman." He exeunts.

The fisherman slowly opens one eye, and smiles, then glances at the
others. A slight flash of recognition in the one eye he reveals, as he
beholds the green-dressed woman, then he smiles, and the flash is gone,
replaced by a merry look. "Serena, is it?  A pleasure to meet you. And the
others..." as he nods at the departing people.

"Nice day for fishing," Serena says to Trucido.

Ishmael says, "Shoo, merc."
Demetrius says, "oops, sorry."
Mercutio has left.

You page, "Suppose I should shoo as well?  Though I don't know if anybody
else is Logging...." to Mike.

Serena d'Penzance sighs, almost inaudibly.  "Well, I never found him.
Wandered off into some other universes for a few weeks, and came back to
find forty years had gone by here.  How about you, brother?  Did you find
him?"

Trucido slowly nods, opening his other eye, and smiles.  "Very nice,
indeed... dear sister.  I never did find him, as well. For all that
happened in our quest, dear sister, I might as well have remained here and
continued fishing. Certainly my luck is better here, isn't it?" His voice
holds a new hint of amusement, one that wasn't there forty years ago.

Mike pages, "Stay to log." to you.
You page, "Okidoke. ^_^" to Mike.

Serena d'Penzance laughs softly.  "And for all I accomplished, I might as
well have stayed here fishing beside you.  How have you been, Trucido?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "I have missed you, though only a short time for
me has passed since we parted."

Trucido brings his knees closer, and tilts his head, looking over at his
sister with some amusement. "Very well, dear sister. I have missed you
too. I see you have found other people, though. Particularly one very
interesting... woman," he says, his voice taking on a sad tinge.

Serena d'Penzance looks over at him.  "Oh?"

Trucido raises one eyebrow curiously, his face cocked in that slightly
quizzical way. "The woman in green...?" The one that's reminiscent of
Darako.

"Corrine of Amber.  Not the Amber attached to our universe.  A very long
story."  Serena goes quiet for a moment.  "Physically, she is the
identical twin of our sister."

Serena d'Penzance says, "In other ways... very different.  There are
enough sparks of Dar in her beyond mere appearance, however, to wound me
from time to time."

Serena d'Penzance asks, "And how are the family?"

"Yes. I hadn't expected to see her again, I admit. You have been in quite
interesting places." He tilts his head, then, and smiles. "Well, the
kingdom is still standing. Joan..." A slight frown at his lips, nearly
imperceptable, safe to Juri. "She seems to be... a little fanatical.
Burying herself in her studies of the mystic..." He shakes his head, then
smiles. The familiar happy-Trucido face. "And Meredith is in luuuuuuuuv!"
he says, his tone a complete anthesis of the one he had when speaking of
Joan.

Serena d'Penzance shakes her head and smiles.  "With whom?"

Trucido winks then, and shifts back to the Ten-Swords Trucido serious
persona. "The person's identity remains a secret, it seems. Meredith has
taken great care to cover his tracks, and frankly, I've never made it my
business to chase it down." Then the lighter tone, once again. "But he's
been caught just sighing and gazing over in nowhere, his eyes glazed over,
you know, in that dopey way people have when they're in love?" He giggles,
then. "And Juri, he's been making trips, without telling people where he's
going and such. But he doesn't know I know!"  A tilt of his head. "Well,
you don't seriously expect me to let him know I know, do you?" Trucido
asks with a broad smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

Serena d'Penzance hmms thoughtfully.  "Well, so long as it doesn't
interfere with his duties."  She pauses for a moment.  "How is Angus?
Dante and Walker?  Finn?  Has Gideon been heard from recently?  And
Horatio?"

Trucido pursues his lips, and says in a serious tone, "Angus is Angus.
Walker seems to have gotten more scholarly as of late.  Gideon hasn't been
heard from in quite a long time." A hint of the merriment of the old
Trucido slips in his voice, as he comments, "As for Finn? He's got a ward,
now, to raise.  And Horatio... well, the Kingdom is still standing, as I
said."

Serena d'Penzance laughs, then sobers.  "I suppose that finishes the small
talk, brother.  You're probably wondering what I'm doing disguised as a
pirate wench travelling around in a gigantic Abyss Sub, eh?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "It's a long and complicated story which I'll tell
you one of these nights, preferably while fortified with spirits.  For
now, I need some questions answered, and I need your advice."

Serena d'Penzance asks, "Did Finndo have a daughter?"

Trucido says, "Well, I'd assume that it's your turn to infiltrate a group,
spy on them, and kill them all, is it, dear sister?" in a mockingly
sardonic way. Then he flashes a grin. "Ask..."

Trucido's smile fades, then. "Not to my knowledge..." For the first time,
perhaps, you see Trucido look disturbed. Then he shakes his head. "Why?
Did you find Morgan?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "I fought a warrior who wore demonic armour in
orange and black.  They used a double-bladed sword, and their style was
similar to yours."

Serena d'Penzance says, "Their voice reminded me of Finndo's puppet, from
the time we stormed his keep."

*** Sie_Kensou goes OOC. ***
Trucido OOCly says, "Alan, can we alternate? One pose is your, then next
is mine, and such? Easier to trigger an appropriate response to each pose.
:)"
*** Sie_Kensou goes IC. ***
Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  Right."

Trucido shakes his head slowly. "Finndo occasionally used double-edged
weapons, but..." He frowns, then. "Why would you believe that person was
his daughter?"

"Something a... talking clay head told me," Juri mutters.  "'The daughter
of the dead'.  And her--possibly his--fighting style was that of someone
trained by you or Finndo.

Akemi pages, "Any idea how soon you'll have Touga colored?" to you.
You page, "Still haven't inked him, since I feel I need to rework his
pants.  And Saionji/Nanami/Kozue are ahead of him in the queue.  And I'm
still alternating with Neko3 Commisions and Art done then. *wry look*
Participating in FoF, while fun, doesn't help with getting colorings done
in a timely fashion, John. ;)" to Akemi.

Trucido frowns, then. "It's entirely possible that they might have had a
daughter..." he muses to himself. "Especially with all the time before I
was taken out of..." He cuts himself off, then, and looks up at Juri.
"There's certainly plenty of time, and it does make a certain amount of
sense. Why should I have been the only one?"

Akemi pages, "This is true :)" to you.

Serena d'Penzance sighs and waves a hand.  "Whomever it is, it's only a
small part of things.  An abomination is loose in our universe, a squid
formed out of an entire Shadow, in the control of enemies."

You page, "[Corrine ponders some way to get lots and lots of Patternbombs,
trump-dumping them into the squid, and letting them detonate.]" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Heh." to you.

Trucido looks on Juri with surprise, then. "What enemies?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "Three rough categories.  There are the
MacFinndos, from a version of Amber ruled by King Random, but not the one
we know.  They were freed from captivity there by the manipulations of
Kiryuu Nanami in our universe, and seized control of the Ravager Beast."

Serena d'Penzance says, "they = we, even."
Trucido OOCly says, ""The first they, right? Check.
Serena d'Penzance says, "Yup."

Trucido frowns then. "As far as I know, Kiryuu Nanami is still in Chaos."

You page, "Well, hey, in the past 24 "hours" (or 48, or SOMETHING),
they've gone up against the MacFinndos and co -3- times, and each time
they've escaped and gotten more stuff, and Our Heroes have been reduced in
number and capability (if not knowledge).  It's a tad disheartening. *wry
look*" to Akemi.

Serena d'Penzance says, "She reached through the Logrus into another
universe and manipulated a powerful magical device tied to the Logrus.
Apparently, she intended to use them as instruments of revenge, but they
got out of her control."

The boyish laugh. "She encountered some cows or something?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "I don't know the details.  Just that the
MacFinndos seem to be operating independently now.  They attacked Ember,
Corrine's kingdom, in her universe, which also has an Amber.  We launched
an assault upon the squid and seized control of the main bridge.
Unfortunately, it had a secondary bridge."

Akemi pages, "The best things in life do not come easily :)" to you.
Akemi pages, "Probably been 48 hours by now." to you.

Trucido says, "And it is where?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "The last I saw of it, it was in the Abyss.  From
Ember, the squid travelled to our universe--to Jigoku--and picked up the
other two categories, the demon-armoured warrior I told you of, and a
blond man in a poncho and hat with a gun, who claims to be a Finndo as
well."

You page, "Right, right, right. :) Ahwell, this last encounter's given
Corrine some ideas.  And *nod* I think I'll have to write up more of "What
Happened Next" for the timeline.  At least they now have 'two weeks' to
rest, recuperate, DEstress, and get good meals.  And FINALLY chat on
various delayed stories, since I have a feeling the next Confrontation
will have to be (one way or another) the Last One, lest it stretch on too
long." to Akemi.

Trucido frowns slowly. "Can you describe the blonde man a little more?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "He claimed to have no name, although he said he
was a Finndo."

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.

Trucido frowns. "It can't be..."

Serena d'Penzance says, "And... hmm.  He smoked thin cigars.  He was
vaguely familiar, but I couldn't say how."

Trucido nods, then. "I might be very wrong, but the man you describe
sounds like the man Finndo received the spikard Harbinger from."

Serena d'Penzance frowns.  "What do you know of him beyond that?"

Trucido frowns slightly. "Finndo... respected him." That's one hell of a
statement, given whom we're speaking of.

Her frown deepens.  "He didn't seem actively against us when we met him
first, but later he joined up with Demon Armour and the MacFinndos."

Trucido nods, then, touching his swords, as if reassuring himself, then
asks, slowly. "And this was how you met that group?" He tilts his head
back towards the direction where the others have left.

"I dueled with Demon Armour.  We were more or less evenly matched."  She
pauses.  "Corrine was carrying Darako's weapon, Hummingbird, acquired from
some... I am not sure what... in the Cave of Worlds.  It apparently
implanted the urge to kill me in her, and she shot me in the back during
the duel.  Then she drove off Demon-Armour and the MacFinndos with the
gun.  We Trumped to Tess from within the squid."

Trucido says, "You were in the squid? How large is it?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "Outside, it's about a mile long.  Inside, it's
slightly larger than New England.  It is a thing of Chaos."

Trucido frowns, then. "And you couldn't kill it with your pattern blade?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "Oh, I could have.  The problem was not killing
all of us and hundreds of Shadows along with it."

Trucido raises an eyebrow. "The backlash from killing it? Or...?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "We are a talking a squid with cross-Shadow Trump-
and Logrus-travel abilities, so big that its burning fiery death would
make the Hindenburg look like a Fourth of July firecracker."

Trucido remarks somewhat dryly. "Do nothing, and it kills us. Kill it, and
it kills us. Do I have the situation assessed correctly, dear sister?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "We have tried repeatedly to seize control of the
squid, and failed.  I am honestly at my wit's end.  But, to continue my
story... Tess patched me up, warned me against looking for help from the
rest of the family due to some crisis that made it best not to show my
face, and sent us to meet the fellow who owns the very large sub, which we
took into the Abyss and assaulted the squid with."

Trucido says, "And judging by the way the sub looked, you didn't come out
on the better end of that alteration."

Serena d'Penzance says, "Well, the squid took a lot of damage as well.
And I'm not sure how much was inflicted by them, or by the Morningstars.
But, had we not been interrupted by the Abyss Monks, I suspect we would
have lost."

Trucido says, "Abyss Monks?" suddenly. "Was Casso among them?"

Serena d'Penzance says, "I do not know.  You should, perhaps, ask the
captain of the sub about them.  He is a fellow lacking somewhat in charm
and the ability to listen to others, but he is a competent pilot and seems
knowledgeable about the Abyss."

Ishmael exclaims, "OOC: And he can make the Kessel Run in under twelve
parsecs!"

Trucido says, "I shall. Do you want me to make him listen?" as he touches
his sword briefly.

Serena d'Penzance says, "No.  Be diplomatic."

Trucido OOCly says, "I suppose the foolish Trucido act wouldn;t work one
bit on Merc again now. :)"

Serena d'Penzance says, "But tell me... what crisis do we face?  Tess said
little of it."

You page, "Aaand:
http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/dld/scans/Neko3/brown.corrine.ork.cc.jpg"
to Akemi.

Trucido nods slowly, in response to Juri's diplomacy comment, but looks
puzzled about Tess. "I don't know.  I decided to go fishing before I met
with everyone else. I just got back from another trip in Shadow."

Serena d'Penzance asks, "I see.  Well... you know the situation, now.
Tess does as well, but you know how she is about sharing any information
unless it suits her to do so.  The squid must be stopped; I shall
undertake efforts to do so, working covertly as I can.  Can I rely upon
your help?"

Akemi pages, "Heh!  Nice!" to you.
Akemi pages, "Especially nice job on the veins in his arm" to you.
You page, "Thanks! Added those in to break up his muscles." to Akemi.
Serena d'Penzance suddenly goes off on Trucido, poking him like you
wouldn't believe.

Trucido nods. "Of course, dear sister," he says, woundedly, as if you
didn't even have to ask. 

Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  I've got to sleep soon, so let's wrap this
up."
Trucido OOCly says, "sorry, I nearly fell asleep, and was trying to keep
track of three people talking. @.@"
Ishmael says, "OOC: Let's cut here. Must sleep myself."
Esme Pariseau OOCly nods.  "That works, for cert."

Serena d'Penzance asks, "Thank you, dear brother.  Should you need to find
me, the Trumps should suffice; I will be using this sub as my base of
operations, hopefully.  You will be around the palace?"

Trucido OOCly says, "Um..."
Trucido OOCly says, "Trucido can't use trumps, not without... you know
o.o"
Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  Actually, no, I don't."
Trucido OOCly says, "Nevermind. I can't use trumps."

Serena d'Penzance says, "Well, I will be about the sub."

Trucido nods slowly.

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

Mange falls asleep.

Trucido OOCly says, "Should I remain or go?"

Ishmael falls asleep.

Dread Pirate Roberts says, "OOC Go, I think."

Sie_Kensou goes home.

Sie_Kensou has left.

Dread Pirate Roberts says, "OOC We'll bring you in if we need you again."

Akemi has disconnected.

Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Night, Davi---d."

Esme Pariseau looks around, shrugs, and bails.