Michelle has arrived.

Akemi has left.

Aerianne teleports out of the room.

In The Belly of the Beast
You're inside a Logrus Squid!
[Exits: Arden. ]
Contents:  Akemi, Mange, and Ishmael.

You page, "Oh, I'm assuming that the cabin Corrine/Juri have at the moment
has a desk with paper and pencils in it?" to Mike.

You page-pose, "Aerianne color color colors the Corrine/Juri "AIB"
Pic...." to Kima.

Mike pages, "Yup." to you.

Akemi pages, "I hope you're not running up Angus' trump bill too high :)"
to you, Kima and Mike.

Kima pages, "Well, actually, it's not a Trump convo anymore; I'm in his
office." to you, Akemi and Mike.

You page, "... how are you going to get back, then? ^_-;" to Akemi, Kima
and Mike.

Kima pages, "Presumably, I'll Trump to a location outside the Citadel and
walk from there, or I'll simply walk out, since I'm in disguise.  :)" to
you, Akemi and Mike.

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

Esme Pariseau continues to kill time in the cabin Demetrius has assigned
to herself and "Serena", working on sketches of various things, horizontal
surfaces getting covered with spare sheets of paper.

He nods and takes it.  "Certainly."
The Green Knight dohs.

You page, "Red-Orange for Eternity's Rose's Pattern-Etching, right?" to
Kima.
Kima pages, "Yup." to you.
You page, "Gotcha." to Kima.

Serena d'Penzance returns to the sub at last, looking thoughtful.  She
blinks at all the sketching Corrine has been doing.  "I see you've been
busy."

Esme Pariseau blinks, and looks up.  "Oh, hey... how'd it go?" She blushes
a bit, and smiles, glancing ruefully at the sheets of paper.  "Wanted to
test how well I could make trumps here in Avalon... rest assured, I can do
sketches, and if I had supplies, I could do fullblown Trumps, though I
doubt we really have the time to spare."  She hehs a bit.  "And once I'd
finished testing that, I kinda decided to get caught up on sketching, and
well..." She gestures with her free hand from where she sits on one bunk.

Serena d'Penzance sighs and sits down on her bunk.  "Well, the historians
have adjudged me a hell-spawned slayer of kin who wields a demonic blade.
And a visiting prince of Amber was, indeed, assassinated.  It's a really
bad time for a Logrus Squid to invade our universe."

Indeed, there's a LOT of sketches... even when done as pen and ink, even
roughly, they're immediately recognizable as various things seen on their
travels.  Prince Julian, Rose, Ishmael, Rhianna, Katsura, Roderick, King
Random, Queen Vialle, Suhuy, all 5 Finndos, a certain Logrus Squid, Demon
Armor Finndo, Dworkin, Hummingbird.... a rather sketchily done piece that
appears to be a Duel Arena over the Abyss, two figures on it...

Esme Pariseau blinks, and winces.  "Lemme guess.  'Kinslayer'." She sighs.
"I'd knock some sense into a historian or two, but I doubt it'd help."

Esme Pariseau says, "At least it seems that the Squid is staying down
Chaos way... well, I suppose for the moment."  She looks at her sketches
again, hrming.

Serena d'Penzance says, "One's legend fades and darkens when one is not
around to maintain it.  Everyone's very busy trying to avoid a diplomatic
explosion with Amber, so I'm not sure if we can rely on any immediate
help.  I've been considering future tactics.  The most obvious weakness of
the MacFinndos is, well... they're coffee-addicted fanatics.  They seem to
think they're serving a higher power.  That makes them stupid.
Unfortunately, No-Name and Demon-Armour may help to compensate."

Serena d'Penzance sighs.  "My fear is that our best opportunities to stop
the squid are now long-past."

Esme Pariseau says, "Right.  I had some thoughts on that... if I could
whip up some sketches to coffee-based Shadows in your reality, we could
play off that..."  She then hrms, and nods.  "I've been getting the
feeling that the Brute-Force methods we've been trying to use weren't
getting us anywhere.  Is Trucido still a possible asset on our side?"

Serena d'Penzance nods.  "My brother offers his aid.  I was thinking much
the same; with my car and my Pattern working again, we could reach Coffee
Plantation Shadows relatively quickly.  Then we could lay traps for them.
Or perhaps find the Greatest Cup of Coffee in the Universe, and distract
them with that somehow."

Serena d'Penzance says, "I have also considered less... destructive
methods of combatting a Logrus-based creature than using Pattern.  Trump
seems to be the obvious candidate; it's effective, but not explosive."

Esme Pariseau nods.  "Or TrumpGate a flood of Quality Java into the Squid.
'Hey, you want coffee?  HERE'S Your Bleeping Coffee', 'Sploosh!"  She
chuckles a bit, and perks up at the mention of Trumps.  "Well, whatta
coincedence, you've got a Trump Artist on your side." She winks.

Esme Pariseau says, "My big worry though is that they've got a Trump
Artist on -their- side too, and when I tried using Trump Defense against
Findy, I became miss Psychic Butt Toy." She sighs.  "I have -got- to take
some mind improvement courses or something."

Serena d'Penzance nods.  "I've also discovered that Gideon, one of my
relatives, is apparently in control of my universe's version of the Fount.
You might be able to get home using it.  He's also a Trump expert, and
skilled in the arcane."  She pauses.  "Unfortunately, he's been playing
prodigal son the last forty years, and apparently wants nothing to do with
the family."  She hangs her head.  "He and Darako were close.  We did not
part on entirely amiable terms."

Esme Pariseau purses her lips, and nods.  "Right.  More something to worry
about when get get out of this current mess, but yes, the energies of the
Fount should allow me to boost a personal contact home, if he and I can
devise something that will allow it to be tapped without anybody going
Brand on us... and the same with Roderick." She blinks a bit at the
mention of 'Prodigal Son', and murmurs something under her breath: "And
lo, the prodigal returns, but there is none to greet him on his coming."
She then shakes her head.  "Sorry, distracted."

Serena d'Penzance takes out a Trump and shows Esme a man who's a dead
ringer for Vash.  "Gideon.  I'm... weighing trying to contact him at the
moment.  He should be warned of the squid's presence.  And though he
justly blames me for what happened to Darako, we fought side-by-side at
the Battle of the Fount.  If he would consent to speak to me..."  She
sighs.  "I am torn."

Esme Pariseau blinks.

Esme Pariseau says, ".... Ooookay."

Esme Pariseau shakes her head.  "Sorry, still getting over this parallel
worlds things... he looks just like one of my nephiews, Vash, who just
appeared in Amber a while back.  And if he's a Trump Artist...  Would it
help if I came along to talk with him?"

Esme Pariseau says, "The shock of seeing me as I am might help get him
off-balance enough to hear our words."

Serena d'Penzance says, "Or it might ruin any chance I have of getting him
to listen to me."

Esme Pariseau winces a bit, and nods.  "Thinking I was a Shadow impostor
dragged up to make 'peace' with him.  Hell."  She sighs, and places her
head in her hand.

Serena d'Penzance holds the Trump by the edge, between two fingers, and
looks unhappy.  Finally, she sighs.  "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
She focuses on Gideon's Trump, trying for a contact.

Esme Pariseau nods, looking up.

Esme Pariseau absently straightens her sketches, gathering them up.

Esme Pariseau glances "Serena"'s direction every so often as she does so.

Serena d'Penzance says, "Hello, Gideon," Corrine hears Juri say.  Hopeful,
but cautious, as though worried he'll snap the contact closed on her at
any minute.  "There's news you should know, and matters we should discuss.
A friend and I would like to come through and speak to you."  She pauses
and listens for a response.

Esme Pariseau smiles a bit, hopefully, in Juri's direction.

Serena d'Penzance speaks to the Trump again.  "Her name is Corrine of
Amber; not the Amber of King Random, but another.  I think you should like
to meet her.  I have spent the last forty years wandering in other
universes, and have only just returned to ours.  A terrible threat has
also come from beyond our universe, one that may specifically target the
Fount."

Serena d'Penzance says, "I would not have called you if we did not, dear
brother.  May we come through?"

Serena d'Penzance holds out her hand to Corrine.

Esme Pariseau .o O (Not the Amber of King Random, or the Amber of the
Other King Random, but the Amber of King Tylor. *pause* I can see the
headaches starting now...)

Esme Pariseau blinks, smiles a bit, and reaches over her hand, her sheaf
of papers under her other arm, all other items stowed.  She grabs Juri's
hand.

Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  And, of course, poor Roderick gets left
behind to hang out with Demetrius.  :)"
Chris teleports into the room.
Chris has arrived.
Esme Pariseau OOCly says, "Eh, we'll bring him back a souveneir."
The Green Knight says, "OOC Just don't leave him with Demetrius forever,
please :)"
Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  We'll bring him back a flask of water from
the Fount and trick him into drinking it.  :)"
Roderick says OOC, "I prefer Sipping Logrus, myself."
Serena d'Penzance asks, "OOC:  Where have we ended up?"
Ishmael oocs, "Brem will desc it... sometime..."
The Green Knight says, "OOC It's a mazy of twisty, bendy tunnels, all
alike. :)"

You end up in a fairly comfortable living room, a large fireplace at one
end of it. While floor and walls are stone, it's nice stone ... marble, to
be precise. Not that much of it can be seen through the colorful
tapestries and carpets. Sitting around a table are Kim and a girl in her
mid-teens, somewhat resembling her, with a wide grin on her face. Gideon
stands there, pulling you through.

Serena d'Penzance says, "OOC:  Hush, John.  :)"

Esme Pariseau smiles to the three people, waves as she lets go of Juri's
hand, and then bows to the three people (and tries NOT to boggle too much
at the man who looks like Vash... but SMARTER!)

Juri looks slightly startled at Kim's presence, but recovers quickly.
"Thank you for receiving us, brother."  She bows in the general direction
of the three.

Esme Pariseau says, "A pleasure to meet you, Gideon, Ma'm, Miss.  I am
Corrine, of Amber." *pause* "Not the one you know."  She looks rueful.

Gideon nods slightly. "You -are- family, Juri." He looks over to the other
person, squinting slightly. "It is still to be determined if it's really a
pleasure, miss. You can drop your disguises, by the way."

Juri says, "That would not be expedient.  We need to move around Avalon
unrecognized, and these weren't cast by us in the first place."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "And neither of us are sorcerors or conjourours.
At least, not since last I checked."

Gideon hrms. "Amateur work, that." He gestures to the two at the table.
"Kim you know, Juri ... the young girl over there is Dara, our daughter."
Dara grins and waves, "Hey."

Juri blinks, then her face softens into a smile.  "Angus did not tell me I
had a niece when I spoke to him of you."  She pauses reflectively.  "Nor a
wife."

Corrine of Amber smiles at Dara, and waves back.

Gideon turns back and walks over, sitting down at the table. "Not
everything is told even to relatives. Come, sit down, have something to
drink and tell us your story."

Corrine of Amber smiles, and finds a seat.  And hehs a bit at Gideon's
statement.  "Too true, Gideon."

Juri takes a seat at the table.  "As I told you, I've spent the last forty
years of Avalon time hopping from one universe to another.  To me, it was
about three weeks."  She laughs, somewhat sourly.  "Arriving back was a
bit of a shock.  All the memories of that terrible time are still quite
fresh to me... and yet already they begin to fade in my mind, as I realize
how long it truly has been."

Gideon nods. "Go on ... "

Juri shrugs.  "The metaphysical implications are fascinating and quite
beyond a mind such as mine.  We can discuss them later when possible doom
is not so impending.  Corrine and I both seem to have been led into
another universe by the Questing Beast.  It was an Amber ruled by King
Random, like the one attached to our universe, but it differed in many
minor details."

Juri says, "Each universe seems to have its own unique Pattern, one 2-D
slice of the 3-D pattern in the Jewel of Judgement.  In that universe... I
will call it Squid Amber, for ease of reference, for reasons you will soon
see."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Better apparent relations between Amber and
Chaos, for one, different histories after a certain key event relating to
their Prince Brand, the nonexistance of ourselves there, and such..."

Corrine of Amber says, "And yes."  She rolls her eyes.  "'Fido', the
Logrus Squid."

Corrine of Amber pulls out a piece of paper with a sketch on it, and
passes it to Gideon.

Gideon asks, "A Logrus Squid?" He takes the paper and looks at it.

Juri says, "The Logrus Squid is a monstrous war machine, formed out of an
entire Shadow, equipped with Logrus tendrils and Trump abilities.  It has
many names."  She eyes Gideon for a moment.  "One is 'The Ravager Beast'.
But, then, coincidences of names, faces and otherwise seem common between
the universes."

Mike pages, "What's on the paper?" to you.

Gideon frowns at Juri. "It wasn't my fault, you know. Well, not all of
it."

Juri says, "In Squid Amber, it had been under the 'control' of a group of
younger Amberites and their Chaosian ally.  Some foes they had earlier
defeated were released from prison by the cross-universal Logrus
manipulations of the Kiryuu Nanami of our universe; they seized the squid,
and escaped to Squid Amber's version of the Fount."

You page, "It's several Sketches of Fido.  Fido in the Abyss, Fido
terrorizing Ember, etc..." to Chris and Mike.

Juri says, "They call themselves the MacFinndos... not _all_ of it?"

Juri almost gets her "Gideon, you got some 'splainin' to do look", but
then remembers she's a guest.

Gideon says, "I didn't know the rabbits would breed that fast. Anyway,
back to your squid."

"Rabbits.  I see," Juri says, obviously not seeing.  "Well, as befits
mysterious travellers from other universes, we became allies in the cause
of truth and justice, which was at that time tracking down and retrieving
the Logrus Squid before the MacFinndos could do too much damage with it.
We pursued them to the Fount and interrupted them in the midst of some
ceremony, whereby--I believe--they were charging the Squid with Trump
energy.

Gideon offers the paper back to Corinne. "They were using the Fount to
charge the squid? Are they mad?"

Corrine of Amber nods.  "They had a storage system tapping a natural
source of Trump Energy... and during the battle, it went supercritical and
we had to evacuate."

Corrine of Amber takes it back.

Juri says, "Yes.  And addicted to coffee."

Corrine of Amber says, "Very mad.  But also very dangerous."

Juri says, "They are quite mad, and apparently guided by voices inside
their leader's head."

Gideon says, "That's wonderful. Go on."

Juri says, "After a brief battle, they escaped by Trumping out in the
Squid, and the Fount went ground zero.  It was what made me fear that your
home might become a target, now that they are in our universe."

Juri says, "Consultation with Suhuy, the Logrus Keeper of the Squid Amber
Courts, revealed our dear Nanami's role in releasing the MacFinndos.  They
had apparently escaped into another universe.  We pursued them through the
Cave of Worlds--I believe you have heard of it."

Gideon says, "I've been there, yes."

Corrine of Amber spreads out her sketches of the MacFinndos, all five of
them... the familial similarities are obvious.  "These are the people in
question:  Faenor, Arwen, Findulas, Fingon, and Maehdros.  The first is a
mage and conjerour, the second a sorceress, the third a strongly psychic
Trump Artist, and the last two are muscle."  She nods.  "So have we, now."
She quirks a slight smile.

Juri smiles faintly.  "You may remember that the Green Knight was delayed
in taking my head at the ball.  We met up with him again.  The debt was
resolved.  But that is not so important at the moment.  The Squid had
travelled to Corrine's universe, and was attacking her kingdom, Ember,
home of the Fire Pattern."

Juri says, "We Trumped aboard along with our allies, who included at that
time the 'me' of Corrine's universe.  A strange thing, to meet yourself,
yet not."

Gideon looks at the MacFinndo images and passes a hand over them, one
after the other. Copies appear in front of him. "No doubt about that, my
dear."

Juri says, "After a fierce battle, we managed to seize the primary control
room."  She grimaces.  "Unfortunately, they had a secondary one.  The end
result was that Corrine, myself and Roderick--Squid Amber's analogue to
Horatio--ended up travelling with the Squid to our universe.  To Jigoku,
the Ashen Prince's former residence."

Corrine of Amber takes back her own copies, and hehs a bit.  She then
sobers.  "At which point they picked up two other 'Finndos'... one in
Orange and Black demon armor, and the other blonde with trenchcoat and
gun."

Gideon asks, "So your MacFinndos are here now ... when did you all
arrive?"

Juri asks, "OOC:  How long ago was it by now?"

Dara idly grabs the copied MacFinndo images and looks through them.
"Uuuugly."

Corrine of Amber pulls out images of Demon Armor and Nameless Finndo, and
presents them to Gideon as well.

Gideon makes copies of them as well.

Juri says, "Demon Armour Finndo fights in a way that makes me believe
he--possibly she--was trained by Finndo.  They are a mighty warrior, and
may be Finndo's daughter.  No Name Finndo, according to Trucido, resembles
the man who gave the Ashen Prince his spikard."

Corrine of Amber takes back her own copies, and replaces them in the sheaf
of papers.

Juri asks, "Demon Armour and I fought.  I was wounded by outside
interference, but Corrine was fortunately able to drive Demon Armour and
the MacFinndos off before they could take advantage of that.  We Trumped
to Tess, who healed our wounds, and then sent us to assault the squid in
the Abyss aboard the submarine of the Abyss Pirates.  Do you know of
them?"

Gideon says, "Heard them mentioned, but that was quite a while ago."

Corrine of Amber OOCly . o O ("Outside Interference".  Doublespeak for
"Friendly Fire Under The Influence.")

Juri says, "OOC:  Juri is being diplomatic and sparing Corrine from having
to hear 'Corrine shot me in the back while possessed by Darako's gun'.
:)"

Juri says, "We attacked the Squid and did some damage to it, but probably
would have lost had the Abyss Monks and their Morningstars not appeared."

Juri says, "It is near to a Primal Force.  I believe I could slay it with
my Patternblade, for the Logrus flows in its blood... but to kill it in
such a way could result in almost unimaginable devastation to Shadow and
Reality, given how long a mile-long Trump-using Logrus squid would take to
die."

Juri says, "To say that would be a Pyrrhic victory is an understatement."

Juri says, "After escaping the Abyss, we sailed to Avalon, and... that's
really where you come in.  If you have not heard the news already, Caine
of Amber was assassinated with a high-powered rifle while visiting, and
the family is in a panic to find the killer.  I am guessing Tomas or his
agents myself, since Caine was the one who originally put Brand into the
Abyss."

Corrine of Amber says, "It was stated to me that it would be possible,
perhaps, to 'Unravel' it, via use of the Jewel of Judgement, but I do not
have the skills nor the attunment to manage such a feat... which would be
useless here, given my non-native pattern imprint."  She then mmms,
quietly.

Gideon hms, "You might want to talk with Tess then. She's the resident
expert on matters of the Pattern. I tend to stay away from it myself."

Juri says, "Tess is, I think, occupied for the moment.  And..."  She looks
away for a moment.  "For obvious reasons, my presence, and Corrine's, tend
to upset her.  I should rather not disturb her unless it is truly
needful."

Corrine of Amber nods to Gideon.  "We'll take it under advisement, though
I doubt my appearance would be taken well again a second time."

Corrine of Amber reaches over a hand for Juri, if they're positioned next
to each other.

Gideon says, "You do look remarkably like Darako, yes ... I can understand
how it would upset my sister. If you wish, I will see if I can find
something in my library that might help your quest."

Juri takes Corrine's hand and squeezes it briefly, then looks to Gideon.
"I came to you because you are the Trump expert of our family, and because
I feared you might be endangered should the MacFinndos attempt to use the
Fount in our universe as they used that of Squid Amber."

Gideon smiles, "I haven't been idle the last few decades."

Juri says, "Trump is an effective weapon against the Logrus and lacks the
explosive qualities of the Pattern.  The squid also makes heavy use of
Trump in combat, to escape, and to travel.  I had hoped for your aid.
With the rest of the family occupied in tracking down Caine's killer, it
is myself, Corrine, Roderick and Trucido who seem to have taken on the
task of dealing with the Squid."

Corrine of Amber smiles a bit at Gideon, and squeezes back Juri's hand.
"Thank you, Gideon.  And yes, there was another thing... if the Squid is
dissassembled or destroyed, I beleive the energies of the Font can be used
to boost our trumps to allow us to return home to our respective
universes."

Juri smiles.  "I have accomplished less than you, I think; my excuse is
that only three weeks have passed for me."

Gideon asks, "So you want me to help you with the squid?"

Juri looks suddenly even more uncomfortable.  "I know that things have not
been easy between us, Gideon.  I have done you wrongs I cannot redress.
But if you would give me your aid, I would be grateful."

Corrine of Amber says, "If you are willing, yes."  She smiles slightly.
"Brute Force methods have been more than woefully inadiquite against it
and its masters... and I would be more than grateful as well."  She
glances over at Juri with concern.

Gideon flashes a brief smile at Juri. "It's alright, sister. I got over
it." He nods, "Do you have a few hours, or do you need a decision right
now?"

Juri's expression softens.  She looks as though a weight has been lifted
from her.  "Thank you, brother," she says simply.  "We can wait for an
answer.  In the meantime, if you could show us to what you mentioned in
your library...?

Corrine of Amber says, "We've got two weeks bunking in the Submarine of
the Abyss Pirates while they're laid up with repairs... during that time,
we do not intend to be idle, and after..." She shrugs.  "So there is time,
though I defer to Juri in the decision-making here..." She quirks a smile,
an then nods.

Gideon looks at Dara, "Can you show them to the library?"

Dara pouts but stands, looking to Corinne and Juri. "I'll show you the
way."

Juri smiles at Dara.  "Thank you, dear."

Corrine of Amber stands as well, smiling.  "Thank you, Dara."

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

Ishmael says, "Pause."

Ishmael says, "As I have a fairly important German thing tomorrow and want
to be rested for it."

Juri says, "Okeydokey.  This is a good point to pause anyway."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Neg probs."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Good for tomorrow as well?"

Mike throws A Trump Card to Chris from afar.

The Green Knight says, "OOC Tomorrow, we will be going to Travis land."

Chris says, "Laters."

The Green Knight says, "OOC Not sure what time we'll be back."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Ohhh. *nod*"

Chris pulls out a pasteboard card and studies it intently. After a while,
the card glows a light blue and it and it's bearer vanish.

Chris has left.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Anyway, okidoke, and laters then. *wave*"

Juri says, "Later, Phil."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "(and wed is KUGAR... oh, what are folks's
plans for Thanksgiving, etc?)"

Ishmael falls asleep.

The Green Knight says, "OOC No KUGAR this week, due to Thanksgiving."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Ah-hah."

Corrine of Amber says, "So anyway, I bail now.  Laterz."