Mike pages, "Okay, lemme just get some tea, and I'm good to go." to you
and Kima.

Ramon wakes up.

Rose says, "Howdy"

Juri of Avalon says, "Hoy hoy."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "'lo, John."

Mike teleports into the room.

Mike has arrived.

The Tennessee Shad puts on WR CD 3 and gets ready to game.

Corrine of Amber OOCly listens to Utena Soundtrack 1.

Juri of Avalon whistles innocently.

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

Rose leads you out of Vialle's studio. "Okay, so, Dworkin next? He's the
guy for lore here, well, one of them."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Sound good... who else?"

Juri of Avalon says, "Well, every minute spent here is another minute that
they get further away, but until Ishmael returns and gives us some means
to travel through Shadow..."

Rose says, "Well, really, it depends on subject matter. Fiona's the expert
on the Pattern and trump, I'm the Happy Logrus Chick, Rhianna is the
expert on turning yourself into a giant fanged potato, and Ishmael
specializes in conjuration and jewel of judgment knockoffs."

Corrine of Amber says, "At the same time, running off half-cocked without
decent meals and resupply won't help us... and ah." She nods.

"Dworkin knows it all, but he's a bit of a loon," Rose says
apologetically, leading you down a dark set of stairs. "Mommy says it's
because the Pattern broke his brain when Brand broke it's brain by
breaking Martin's epidermis."

Corrine of Amber says, "..... ah."

Rose says, "But's he's very wise. Or something."

Juri of Avalon says, "Family blood on the Pattern is extremely bad.  We
came close to having it ourself."

Juri of Avalon pauses.  "On two occassions, if I recall correctly."

You come to a stop in a lower level with a sign on the door reading
"Dworkin Barimen, Attorney At Law. No Dogs or Irish In Hats. My Shoes Are
Neat".

Corrine of Amber nods.  "That I at least knew.  Sakura tried to use her
own infant daughter to destroy the pattern to gain revenge on father, but
father and Touga prevented her from doing it.  We also had later damage,
but it was repaired.  I don't know how they got the blood then, though."

Corrine of Amber quirks an eyebrow at the sign.

Rose knocks loudly. "Great-Gramps!"

"Come in, dag-nabit!" hollers a voice.

Rose glances at you both, and opens the door.

Corrine of Amber follows Rose in.

Inside, you see a large room with laboratory equipment, a writing desk,
and shelves containing rows and rows of action figures. A small hunchback
in a dingy purple robe is sitting on the floor, enthusiastically waving
two action figures around.

Corrine of Amber raises her eyebrows, looking around the room, and then
peering at the action figures.

Juri looks at the hunchback and starts a little.  "You!"

You page, "Take it 0 recog on the hunchback for Corrine? *wg*" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "No recog :0" to you.

The hunchback looks up in shock. "YOU!" he yelps. Then he blinks. "Who are
you?"

Mike pages, "A lot of them seem to resemble people you've seen here." to
you.
Mike pages, "King Random with drum set accessory, Vialle, Rose, etc." to
you.

Corrine of Amber glances over at the hunchback at Juri's reaction, and
then bows to the little man.  "Princess Corrine of Amber, albeit not this
one."  She sheepishly smiles.

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh.  It must have been another Creator of the
Universe.  Never mind."

You page, "And the two he was playing with?" to Mike.
Mike pages, "Looks like Ishmael and a guy in green with red hair." to you.
You page, "*nod*" to Mike.

"AHA! It must have been that evil twin of mine!" Dworkin exclaims. He
gives Juri a sympathetic look. "Did he molest you with a cucumber?"

Corrine of Amber quirks an eyebrow.

"Not to my memory," Juri says stiffly.

Dworkin takes out a pocket taper recorder. "Latest sighting of evil twin
had no cucumber. Destroy Begma to compensate for lack of consistancy, or
possibly buy new loafers."

Corrine of Amber says, "Erm."

He puts the recorder away. "Can I help you? I'm just getting to the good
part in the duel."

Corrine of Amber asks, "... Duel?"

Juri of Avalon looks at the action figures more closely.

Corrine of Amber peers at those figures again, recognizing the one of
Ishmael, at least...

Dworkin says, "Between Ishmael with Patternlaser(tm) and Battle-Action
Brand with Kung-Fu Grip." He has the two figures bat at each other. "See,
Brand's eyes light up when you push a button!" He does. They do.

Corrine of Amber says, "......"

"Well," Juri says eventually, "Corrine and I are both from other
universes.  We were brought here, apparently, to deal with some threat
connected to the escape of the Finndo Clan; somehow, it apparently
threatens all three of our universes.

Juri of Avalon says, "We were wondering if you, in your wisdom and great
knowledge of metaphysics and just general niftiness, could offer us any
insight into the matter."

Dworkin beams. "Well, of course I can!"

Juri of Avalon sighs.  "And will you?"

Juri of Avalon asks, "Please?"

He stares hard at Juri. "I see that you're actually a Amber-Secondary
Order Symbol Matrix Construct hybrid. Fascinating. Especially since you
don't appear obviously mad."

"Your universe also has not undergone trauma to the secondary symbol,
although I can see evidence of primary order damage matching mainline
event 7a."

"Oh," Juri says dully.  "What's mainline event 7a?

Corrine of Amber starts looking nicely out of her depth again, listening.

Dworkin says, "Martin gushing blood all over Amber's Pattern. Made a
terrible mess, and Brand got tossed into the briar patch."

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh.  And what's an Amber-Secondary Order Symbol
Matrix Construct hybrid?  I mean, I apparently am, but... my head
hurts..."

Corrine of Amber says, "Ah." She thinks.  "A child of a universe of a
second drawn pattern inside the domain of the first?  I think, given all
I've heard?"  She looks sheepish.

He resumes playing with the action figures. "Wham! Ya pansy!" He looks up
again at your question. "In layman's terms, you have Patternghost ancestry
derived from an Amberite, probably either Eric or Corwin."

Corrine of Amber says, ".... or not."

Corrine of Amber blinks much at this.

Corrine of Amber . o O (Patternghost?)

Dworkin says, "Oh, no, you were correct. The Patternghost is from a
secondary Pattern, not the main one."

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh.  Okay.  If I knew what a Patternghost was,
then it'd make more sense to me, then."

Juri of Avalon looks relieved.  "Oh.  I knew that.  The madness struck the
early ones, but then a solution was found."

Dworkin says, "It's like a big hunk og brie cheese, only different."

Corrine of Amber says, ".....ah."

Dworkin says, "What did you want again? If it's rhubarb, I'm all out,
sorry."

Juri of Avalon asks, "Well, if I'm a Secondary Order Matrix whatever,
what's Corrine?"

You page, "Does Fuyutsuki have his own set of action figures?  Just
curious... :)" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Yes, he does :)" to you.
You page, "Oh Dear. :)" to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber . o O (He reminds me of Grandfather -so- much.)

He presses a button on Ishmael's back. The figure's gun lights up and
makes a zap noise. "Oh, she's just the usual womb-grown kind. From a
primary order variation off the mainlines, though, close to the Outsiders
and their lawnmower."

Corrine of Amber asks, "... The Outsiders?  Who are they?  And their
lawnmower?"

Dworkin looks grave. "The Outsiders are evil beings of immence power who,
ages ago, loaned their lawnmower to the unicorn and the serpent, who never
got around to returning it. They've been trying to get it back ever since,
tricking people into offering black and decker accessories to the unicorn
in exchange."

Corrine of Amber says, "... Oh."

Corrine of Amber says, "That makes sense.  I suppose."

Corrine of Amber blinks, cutely.

Juri of Avalon ponders this for a moment.  "Honoured Dworkin, just what
kind of things could potentially threaten our three universes--mine,
Corrine's and yours--at the same time?"

Dworkin waves the figures. "Now I have you, Ishmael!" He presses a button,
and Battle-Action Brand uses his Kung-Fu Grip to throw Ishmael through a
wall. "Your Phoenix is mine! Hahahaha!" He glances up. "Well, my hat
could. I'm afraid it escaped again."

Rose groans. "Oh, man, not AGAIN...."

Corrine of Amber stares at the action of the figures, and then her brow
furrows.

Dworkin has Battle-Action Brand's eyes light up again.

"A hat," Juri says dully.  "I see.  And why does Battle-Action Brand wants
Ishmael's Phoenix?"

Dworkin says, "To power his giant Castle Brandenburg playset, of course!"

He scampers across the floor, opens a cupboard, and wheels out a massive,
floating plastic castle shaped like a skull.

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh.  I am unfamiliar with the Castle Brandenburg.
Can you tell me of it?"

Corrine of Amber quirks an eyebrow, and moves over to pick up the Ishmael
figure, if it's recoverable.

Juri of Avalon crouches down to examine it with seeming interest.
"Fascinating.  And does the Castle Brandenburg combine with Skippy the
Logrus-Squid, somehow?"

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  Fido, even.  Must keep my Logrus Squids
straight."

Dworkin says, "Well, it's really sort of a knockoff of the Castle
Greyskull playset from 'He-Man', but it has a trapdoor and catapults and a
dungeon." He picks up Ishmael, and puts him in the Castle Brandenburg
dungeon. "No, the Logrus Squid is made by Kenner, and goes with the
MacFinndo Gang line."

Corrine of Amber purses her lips at the fact that Ish is being put into
the dungeon.

You page, "Corrine is SO getting a sinking feeling right now... ^_^; ^_-;"
to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Hehe." to you.

Juri of Avalon asks, "And what does Castle Brandenburg do once it's
powered by the Phoenix?"

Dworkin chortles. "Oh, that's the really neat part! Watch THIS!"

Dworkin presses a button on the castle, which begins to fold and rumble
and click.

Corrine of Amber purses her lips, a worried expression on her face.

The castle transforms into a giant, skull-chested robot, which
mechanically lumbers over to a Castle Amber playset(tm), stepping on a
Dour Dude Benedict figure in the process.

The robot picks up the Castle Amber playset, lifts it above it's head, and
slams it into bits on the ground. A King Random action figure goes
bouncing across the floor, squeaking, "Why meeeeeeeee!" as its voice
button is accidentally triggered.

Corrine of Amber asks, "How can we prevent it from overruning Amber and
free Ishmael?"

Dworkin blinks. "Prevent what from overrrunning Amber?"

Corrine of Amber stares.  She then glances upwards, reflexively, as if
expecting the walls to start shaking.  "Castle Brandenburg and Brand."

Dworkin looks at Corrine as if her ears had just spouted lobsters.

Corrine of Amber says, ".... nevermind."

"They're only toys, Corrine," Juri says.

Corrine of Amber blushes, embarrased.

The room suddenly shudders.

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  Great.  This is the version of Dworkin where
if you put an idea into his head, it comes true.  ^^;;"

Dworkin mutters. "Damn kids!"

Corrine of Amber's head snaps upwards again.  "... that had better -not-
have been what I thought it was...."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Well, it could explain Corrine's sinking
feeling over the entire matter...."

Juri of Avalon glances to Rose questioningly.

Dworkin says, "Anyway, what did all you young women want?"

Rose just looks worried.

Corrine of Amber says, "Information and advice on how we can defeat the
MacFinndos, and how we can then subsequently get home."

Dworkin says, "Oh, that's easy. I can help you with that. I thought it was
something hard, like my hat or that God-Jesus thing."

Corrine of Amber smiles a bit, trying to ignore any subsequent rumbles.
"Thank you, Dworkin..."

Dworkin says, "The MacFinndos broke loose by means of an artifact of
Ishmael's that he was in eariler asking about, one hooked up to the
Logrus. It fed them power and instructions, and has turned them into
coffee-addicted slaves to the will of its new master."

Corrine of Amber glances at Rose, and then nods at Dworkin.  "And the
MacFinndos new master would be?"

Dworkin says, "The whole thing was masterminded by the Mole Men, who plan
to use him to turn the universe into an extension of their sinister
underground mole-holes. They are allied with the Octopus Men From Planet
X, and their servant, the Great Poof."

Corrine of Amber says, "... Ah."

Juri of Avalon murmurs to Corrine, "I think this may be the best we're
going to get out of him."

Dworkin takes out a mole-man action figure and presses a button on the
back. It says, "Hi, my name is Shiori, and I'm out to get Juri! Revenge
shall be mine at least!"

Juri of Avalon goes pale.

Corrine of Amber nods a bit back to Juri.  "And as for Juri and Myself
returning our respective homes once this is over?" she asks Dworkin, and
then blinks at the Mole-man figure, and then looks back at Juri with
concern.

Dworkin shrugs. "Well, you could use the Cave of Worlds, which is the
normal method of cross-universe transport. It's in Chaos."

"What does Shiori have to do with this?" Juri hisses.

Dworkin blinks. "Who? Oh." He glances at the mole-man figure. "I think
that's just what they named this figure. There are five different mole-men
in the set. This one has a spear-gun and a can of saber polish."

He frowns. "Which is a damn weird item for an accessory."

"Oh."  Juri almost manages to feign relief.  "What are the names of the
others?"

Corrine of Amber quirks an eyebrow at Juri, and adds one more question to
her growing list of things to ask Juri of Avalon.

Dworkin trots over to a shelf and checks the back of a package. "According
to this, Shiori Speargun, Saionji Samurai Sword, Ruka Raygun, Wakaba
Waraxe, Horatio Hand-grenade, and Walker, Texas Ranger."

Corrine of Amber gets an "o_O" expression.

"I thought you said there were only five," Juri says drolly.

Dworkin says, "Well, I was wrong. I don't play with these often."

Juri of Avalon says, "I see.  Well... unless Corrine has anything
further?"

Corrine of Amber shakes her head.  "I don't." She then bows to Dworkin.
"Thank you for allowing us to take up some of your time, Dworkin."

Juri of Avalon snaps her fingers.  "Oh.  I don't suppose you have Octopus
Men from Planet X Playset, and the talking Great Poof doll, do you?"

>From a tall shelf, there's a TWANG, and a tiny pie flies across the room
to hit a Action-Mack Akio figure in the face. It falls off the shelf,
squeaking, "Damn you, Vash!" A figure in red plays a recording of
laughter, until Big Bad Battle Gerard vaults over from a neighboring shelf
and starts using it as a hackeysack.

Dworkin says, "I ordered them, but they haven't come in yet."

You page, "Annnnd I suppose Akio looks DAMN similar to Annadil? ^_-;" to
Akemi.
Akemi pages, "He looks exactly the same :)" to you.

Juri of Avalon tsks.  "Well, I'd love to see them when they arrive.  Thank
you so much."  She bows.

Corrine of Amber bows again, trying to hide a shiver.

Dworkin says, "Oh, wait! I have something that might help you."

Corrine of Amber asks, "hm?"

Corrine of Amber composes herself, trying hard not to stare at the Akio
figure.

Dworkin goes over to the desk, roots around in it, and pulls out a wooden
spoon with hundreds of little scratches on it. "A use for this might
present itself."

He offers it to you.

Corrine of Amber ahs, and accepts the spoon.  "Thank you, Dworkin."  She
peers at the spoon.

Juri of Avalon accepts it.

Juri of Avalon asks, "What is it?"

Juri of Avalon is pummeled into silence by more lag than any mucker
deserves.

Dworkin looks at Juri as if at a slow child. "It's a spoon. In this
universe, we use them to eat with."

Juri of Avalon says, "I can see it's a spoon.  I'm merely wondering if
it's somehow an _exceptional_ spoon."

Dworkin says, "Of course it is! Look at that craftsmanship! Hand-carved!"

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Well, thank you, Dworkin.  I'm sure we'll put it
to good use."

Juri of Avalon nods.

Dworkin says, "A spoon like that would cost you at least a silverpence,
and I'm giving it to you for free!"

Juri of Avalon says, "We're most grateful."

Dworkin looks gratified. "There's a good lass."

Rose gives the old man a brief hug, then turns to you both. "Done here?"

Corrine of Amber says, "I beleive so, yes."

"Yes," Juri says, looking somewhat like the camel right before the last
piece of straw.

Corrine of Amber pockets the spoon, and glances once more at the Akio
figure that was hit with the cream pie, before getting ready to follow
Rose and Juri out.

Rose says, "Okiee!" She trots up out the door and up the stairs, waving to
Dworkin as she does so.

Corrine of Amber waves to Dworkin as well.

Juri of Avalon follows Rose.

Dworkin waves. "Have fun storming the castle!"

Juri of Avalon shudders.

Juri of Avalon says, "I am uncertain of just how reflective his toys are
of reality, but it might be a good idea to inform Ishmael of this 'Castle
Brandenburg' and its possible connection to his Phoenix."

Ishmael meets you about halfway down the stairs. "Oh, so you were down
there. Good. Any luck?"

Juri of Avalon blinks.  "Good timing.  How's your Phoenix?"

Corrine of Amber allows a shudder to run through her body once they're
out.  She looks at Rose, then Juri.  "To put it bluntly, I'm concerned.
That last figurine, the one that was hit by the small cream pie... looked
exactly like Annadil, the man we're up against in my universe.  And Vash
is a newcomer to our lands, and has walked the Pattern."  She blinks as
Ishmael arrives.

Ishmael says, "Just spiffy. I installed some early-warning systems, and
started working on a project that may serve as our last resort."

Juri of Avalon blinks, then curses.  "More coherencies.  Your Annadil
looks exactly like Ohtori Akio."

Corrine of Amber asks, ".... Who would be?"

Juri of Avalon says, "Brand's... I'm not sure what.  It's complicated."

Corrine of Amber says, "... Right.  I'll keep it in mind."

Juri of Avalon says, "And the one who hit him with a pie was my uncle
Gideon."

Juri of Avalon asks, "What sort of project?"

Juri of Avalon says, "Ohtori Akio was the proxy Chairman of Ohtori
Academy, which I attended as a child.  Himemiya Anthy's older brother."

Juri of Avalon says, "He seems to have been some kind of puppet for Brand,
or possibly a mask... just as Himemiya Anthy was some kind of mask for
Dierdre."

Ishmael looks cagey. "I'd rather not get into it quite yet, as it's still
theoterical and is amazingly dangerous at best. Did Great-Grandfather give
you anything to go on?"

Juri of Avalon says, "Like I said... complicated."

Juri of Avalon asks, "Is it connected to the Logrus in some way?"

Corrine of Amber sucks in a breath.  ".... I am clearly going to have
-many- questions for Dowager Queen Anthy once I get home."

Ishmael says, "No, not at all."

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh.  Good.  Well, there were quite a few things."

Juri of Avalon says, "First of all, he said the MacFinndos escaped due to
some artifact of yours, something hooked up to the Logrus."

Juri of Avalon says, "It fed them power and instructions, and somehow
enslaved them to the will of its new master."

Ishmael looks startled, then starts to swear.

Ishmael says, "The Palantir."

Juri of Avalon says, "And... hrm.  Brand is either going to attempt to use
your Phoenix to power a war machine called 'Castle Brandenburg', which
he'll use to destroy Amber, or that was just a rather interesting toy of
Dworkin's."

Juri of Avalon asks, "And the driving force behind it all may somehow be
an old friend of mine from my school days; possibly several.  I'm not
really sure.  It's confusing.  Does anyone have anything to drink?"

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh, and possibly with connections to some of my
family.  I'm really, really not at all sure."

Ishmael waves a dismissing hand. "Brand's in the Abyss. His family tried
to break him out, and we killed them all." He snaps his fingers, and an
empty glass appears next to Juri's foot. "What do you drink?"

"Something strong," Juri says.

Corrine of Amber purses her lips.  "I think I could use some wine myself,
as well.  It's been too damn long a day."

You page, "And hm.  Can Corrine remember Juri's stories about the Cave of
Worlds being under the center of the Logrus?" to Akemi.

Ishmael says, "Right." he snaps his fingers again, and a second glass and
a bottle of dark brandy appears next to them.

Corrine of Amber quirks a slight smile.  "And perhaps it'd be best to head
upstairs before drinking this in the middle of the stairwell?"

Juri of Avalon picks it all up rather mechanically, pours a glass for
Corrine, hands it to her, pours another one, hands that one to Corrine as
well, then takes a long slug from the bottle.

Corrine of Amber says, "Or not."

Corrine of Amber drinks her brandy.

"I want a bath and then I want to go somewhere where I might be able to
stab something," Juri says vaguely.

Rose says, "Guest quarters have been arranged by mommy."

Juri of Avalon says, "Hopefully, something Finndo-connected.  And I wish I
knew why my old friend from school is apparently a member of the Mole-Men,
who want to extend their tunnels into the universe with the help of poofy
octopi or something."

Ishmael sighs. "Not the mole men again."

Juri of Avalon mutters, "A raygun?  I can't believe he'd use a raygun."

Corrine of Amber considers something, and looks at Rose.  "Rose.  A
question.  When one walks the Logrus and gets to the center... and
presumably after the madness wears off... is it possible to trump other
people to the center?  I recall something my sister Juri said, about the
Cave of Worlds being beneath the center of the Logrus, but I extremely
doubt myself and Juri here being able to walk it to attempt to use the
Cave to get home when it's time."

Corrine of Amber says, "And thank you, Rose." She smiles.

"I was told by the Green Knight that I would die if I went to the Cave,"
Juri murmurs.

Rose says, "Well, see, by the time the madness wears off, you're not in
the center anymore."

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh."

Corrine of Amber says, "These, as we say, present difficulties."

Corrine of Amber rubs her forehead with her free hand.  "Where are these
guest rooms, again?"

Juri of Avalon drinks some more from the bottle and looks Unhappy With
Everything.

Rose says, "They're up above, in the East Tower."

Corrine of Amber drains her second glass of brandy, and nests the glasses
together.

Ishmael winces.

Corrine of Amber glances at Ishmael.  "Hm?"

Ishmael says, "I'm afraid Rhianna just blew up the East Tower."

Juri of Avalon says, "Oh."

Juri of Avalon sighs and finishes the bottle.  "What's this 'Palantir' you
mentioned, Ishmael?"

Ishmael says, "She was trying to breed a giant badger-bloodhound, and
overdid it on the Fire Angel blood..." He glances at Juri. "A sphere that
serves as a conduit for the powers of a greater force, to which it is
linked via a flux-pin link of great sophistication."

Juri of Avalon asks, "Oh.  Any idea why it would have let the MacFinndos
out of jail and addicted them to coffee to make them serve its new
master?"

Ishmael says, "No. It's currently hooked up to the Logrus, and in the
hands of my uncle Suhuy. One of the nastier MacFinndo's, Faenor, made it
to begin with, but I can't see him being manipulated by his own creation."

Corrine of Amber purses her lips, quietly.

Juri of Avalon says, "Well, Fido was heading back towards Chaos anyway,
wasn't he?  If the Palantir is in Suhuy's hands, even more reason to head
to the Courts."

Juri of Avalon asks, "Have you some way of contacting your uncle?"

Ishmael says, "I have a trump, but it won't reach him from here. It hasn't
the range."

Juri of Avalon says, "I rather suspected that.  It would make things too
easy."

Ishmael says, "No problem. We'll just ride out a ways and then trump him."

Rose cocks her head slightly in the pose of one getting a trump call.

You page, "Does corrine know "range limits" for Trumps in her own
universe?  Before coming here, she thought the range was unlimited, save
for trump-blocked shadows and places." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "In your universe, Trump seemed to be unlimited.  Although
you'd never done much trumping from past Yig." to you.
You page, "Right.  Put that on the list of things for Corrine to do
WHENEVER SHE GETS BACK.... *wry look*" to Akemi.

Juri of Avalon sighs.  "Someone ought to set up a Trump-relay network of
secured Shadows leading to the Courts."

Corrine of Amber hrms.  She looks at Ishmael.  "Which reminds me.  Rose
was saying that it would be possible for you to make a device or two to
travel through Shadow, given the current restrictions on our own powers."
She smiles a bit, and then glances at Rose.

Ishmael says, "Of course. It'll take me a bit of work, but I should be
able to produce something."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Thank you, Ishmael.  It'll be greatly
appreciated."

Ishmael says, "No problem."

A singed, slightly wild-eyed woman with red hair stumbles down the steps
towards you. "We have Badog."

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  We already met Rheanna, if this is her."

Corrine of Amber blinks at the newcomer.  "Eh?"

Rose says, "OOC Rhianna."

Ishmael says, "Bravo. We shall fill shadow with them."

Rose asks, "Are they fuzzy?"

Juri of Avalon asks, "Since our quarters are apparently vanished, what say
we make what preparations are necessary, then ride out and Trump your
uncle to ask him about this Palantir?"

Juri of Avalon says, "If Fido and the MacFinndos are heading towards the
Courts, perhaps he could pull us through, and we could get there ahead of
them."

Corrine of Amber asks, "What's Badog?"

Rhianna says, "They are. And pyrotechnic, I'm afraid, but that can't be
helped. They'll just have to avoid open flame and mint pudding."

Ishmael says, "A capital idea, Juri."

Corrine of Amber blinks.  "Oh, badger-bloodhound, right."

Rhianna says, "A giant badger-wolfhound designed to be mass-produced to
tracj down Fido."

Corrine of Amber looks down at her empty glasses, and frowns.  "Perhaps
having something to drink wasn't the best of ideas." She sighs.  "Suppose
we'll just have to cope, though.  Getting preparations and supplies would
be a good idea, then, to get the alcohol out of our systems."

Juri of Avalon nods to Ishmael.  "You're a conjurer, aren't you?  How long
would it take you to put some decent enchantments on a crossbow for me?  I
lack a missile weapon with any decent penetrating power, separated from
Julian as I am."

Juri of Avalon shrugs.  "Three-quarters of a bottle of brandy won't impair
me any.  I've fought duels with more than that in me."

Ishmael says, "Not long at all. I could do it while I put together the
shadowalking items."

Juri of Avalon says, "I'd appreciate it."

Corrine of Amber says, "And I from Gabrielle, as well.  Admittedly, I also
have one of the mnanifestation's 'Whalekiller' mode, but for that, I'll
need to consult the armorers to make extra bolts.  I'm down to one as it
is."

Rhianna goes wide-eyed. "You and Prince Julian are an item? Wow!"

Corrine of Amber says, "... Different Julian, Rhianna."

Rhianna says, "Oh." She looks somewhat disappointed.

Juri of Avalon smiles faintly.  "Your Julian seemed more interested in
Corrine than I.  I believe he even complimented her, which seemed a rare
thing for him.  As Corrine says, I refer to another Julian, my cousin's
construct."

Corrine of Amber blinks at this, and ers.  She coughs, and blushes.  She
mumbles something about already being involved with someone.

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  Psst, Ishmael.  If we set 'em up, Julian won't
be so damn uptight all the time, and you could get away with more."

Rose . o O (Someone? Was Branch right? No, evil thoughts, evil! Pretty
birdies, Rose! Cavorting puppies!)

Juri of Avalon asks, "OOC:  Has Rose finished that Trump call yet?"

Juri of Avalon exclaims, "OOC:  Hot, LIVE, TRANS-UNIVERSAL Girl-On-Girl
ACTION!"

The Tennessee Shad says, "Nope."

Corrine of Amber OOCly shoots Alan with Whalekiller.

Juri of Avalon continues to talk to Ishmael while waiting for that to
finish, then.  "Could your uncle Suhuy be the 'new master'?  You did say
the Palantir was in his hands."

Rose says, "OOC You know, when I think of Rose, I sometimes think of
Willow from Buffy :)"

Rose says, "That was mommy. She's arranged for a new room, and can loan us
some carnivorous trees. Also, Katsura's due back tomorrow morning."

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC Well, she seems to look like Evil Willow, and
act like Regular Willow.  :)"

Juri of Avalon says, "Time may be of the essence.  I'm well-enough
rested."

Ishmael says, "I don't think so, Juri. He'd hardly help the MacFinndos
escape."

Ishmael says, "Of course, I suppose it might have been stolen from him."

Juri of Avalon asks, "The Suhuy I know from my universe is Keeper of the
Logrus.  Is it the same here?"

Ishmael says, "Yes, he's the Keeper of the Logrus."

Corrine of Amber ahs, and nods.  "Right.  How long would it take you to
enchant those items, Ishmael?"

Juri of Avalon asks, "...does he have an assistant?"

Ishmael says, "It'll take me about eight hours if you want me to do a
quality job of it. He has a couple of proteges, but no real assistant."

Juri of Avalon looks very relieved by that.  "Well, I'll grab a bath and a
nap, then, and we can set out after that?  I think Corwin might like to do
the same."

Corrine of Amber purses her lips, and looks at Juri.  "Given that time
estimate, some rest -could- be warranted, especially since it would take
time for the castle armorers to work up more crossbow ammo and whalekiller
ammo for myself.  Very well then."

Juri of Avalon says, "Corwin = Corrine."
Corrine of Amber OOCly is assuming Juri meant "Corrine" there, instead of
Corwin.  Ah-hah!

Ishmael nods. "Rose, can you show them to their rooms? I'm going to go
forge the crossbow on the Ember Pattern, for extra Patterny goodness."

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  I eagerly await the confusion that will ensue
in RATGOH, or 'The D Campaign'."

Corrine of Amber says, "Make that two crossbows?" She smiles slightly.

Ishmael says, "Right, nine hours then." He points his ring at the wall,
and a rotating ring of fire leaps into existance. He steps into it, and
vanishes.

Rose stands. "This way!"

Juri of Avalon follows.

Corrine of Amber looks wistfully at the ring of fire for a moment, rubs
her left-hand bracelet, and then follows Juri and Rose.

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  o/~ I went down into a burning ring of
fire..."

Rose leads you up through the castle, finally stopping at a door. "I'm
afraid we just have one room, with the East Tower gone. You'll have to
share a bed, but it's a double, so that's cool, right? Good. There's a
shower and bath and everything attached, and a bellpull to summon the
maid."

Juri of Avalon glances over at Corrine.  "Do you roll around a lot in the
night?"

Corrine of Amber blinks at this, and ahs.  "Ah. Right.  And oh yes, which
way to the castle Armorer?  Could you let him know I'll wish to speak with
him soon?"  She glances at Juri.  "Not particularly, and when I do, only
in one place."

Juri of Avalon says, "Good.  I don't roll around either.  Provided you
don't steal the sheets, we'll get on fine."

You page, "Corrine has the last Whalekiller bolt as a template that she'd
want him to use to make more.  The rest of her manifestations's crossbow
modes use normal ammo.  I figure she'd request a decent amount for backup,
and a smaller amount of cold iron shaft, silver-plate head bolts in both
sizes if they can do it (if they're ameinable and you're ameinable.)" to
Akemi.
In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods.  Sounds good.

Corrine of Amber quirks a slight smile.  "I'll try not to, Juri."

Juri of Avalon opens the door and steps inside.

Corrine of Amber follows, looking around the room, judging size and
amenities.

Rose says, "The forge is downstairs. I think. Anyway, goodnight!" She
scampers off.

Corrine of Amber waves to Rose.  "Goodnight, Rose..."

Juri of Avalon says, "Good night."

Corrine of Amber OOCly warns the need to bail in 10.
Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  Well, Corrine's going to go see the armourer
anyway.  Not that I'll really have anyone to RP with while she's gone,
but... :)"

The room is large and well-appointed, with a large, canopied bed and a set
of writing desks. A door nearby leads into the bathroom.

Juri of Avalon dumps her pack on a chair, drapes her armour-coat over the
back of the chair, unbuckles her sword, then flops backwards onto the bed.
"Bed.  Soft.  Good."

Corrine of Amber chuckles, and unbuckles her sword and unslings her
crossbow, setting them by one of the writing desks.  "Soft Bed A Good
Thing.  Tell you what... you go and take a bath first, Juri, and I'll see
what I can do about ringing up a light snack on the way of seeing the
Armorer?"

Corrine of Amber OOCly figures Corrine can do that while Juri takes her
bath, and we can rejoin the RP tomorrow night with corrine getting back.

"Divine," Juri murmurs.  "I hope they left bathrobes.  My clothes need a
good laundering.

Corrine of Amber sniffs at her own sleeves, and wrinkles her nose.  "Mine
too." She sighs.

Juri of Avalon glances at the bellpull.  "We could ring for the maid.  I'm
sure they'll provide it."  She gets off the bed and pokes her head into
the bathroom, hoping for robes.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Er, I mean thursday, since John and Mike
have KUGAR.  Or is it just John?"
Juri of Avalon says, "S'both."
Rose says, "OOC Both."

When Juri looks in the shower, she sees a dead Shiori.  Okay, maybe not...

Juri of Avalon says, "OOC:  As long as she's not copulating with another
dead body, Juri can handle it..."

There are indeed robes.

Juri of Avalon pops into the bathroom and closes the door behind her.  A
few moments later, it opens up, and she drops out a bundle of clothing and
undergarments.

"There are indeed robes," she reports with great satisfaction, most of her
body hidden from Corrine's sight behind the door.  "They are extremely
fluffy."

Juri of Avalon says, "I am now going to soak myself to a prunelike state
and try not to think about anything at all."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "This is true.  Though I don't know how well the
maid will take to hefting this around..." She shifts her crossbow to
Whalekiller size, pops open the 'clip', and pulls out the remaining
Whalekiller Bolt.  "... And I don't want to let it out of my sight until I
can talk to the Armorer.  I'll ring for food, though...." She blinks at
the divesture of clothing, and chuckles.  "Right." She raises her voice.
"Glad to hear it, Juri!  I'll ring for food, and be right back on the
return pass?  I want to get things started before I crash.  You go and
soak and relax."

"Take care, Corrine."  Juri closes the door; water starts running.

Corrine of Amber says, more quietly, though still perhaps audible: "You
too, Juri."  She then rings for the maid and waits for her to arrive to
place the food order before heading down to the Armory to get her crossbow
bolt orders started.

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

The Tennessee Shad says, "And we break here."

Corrine of Amber OOCly And here we Fork for the moment?  Unless you don't
mind the two of us chat-RPing tomorrow before the twosome actually crash
into sleep?

The Tennessee Shad says, "Sure, as long as you log it and send me a copy.
:)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Oh, of course. :)"

Juri of Avalon says, "Don't get your hopes up, Mike.  There isn't going to
be any action.  :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly razzes Mike.

The Tennessee Shad says, "Hohoho! We just need to gey her to meet Horatio!
;)"

Rose says, "Heh."

You page, "The closest thing to 'action' I could see Corrine doing would
be giving Juri supportive hugs/cuddles, 'cause dammit, she NEEDS them.
^_-;  But dunno if it'd happen.  Ahwell, such is life." to Kima.

Rose now has a mental image of Juri, Corrine, Horatio, and the Red Knight
all snuggled together on the Comforter of Mack

Kima pages, "That would probably make Juri really, really uncomfortable.
Do it.  :)" to you.

You page, "Just in the general, or 'cause Darako wasn't a hugger? *wry
look* Corrine doesn't want to make things -worse-... ^_-;" to Kima.

Kima pages, "Juri wouldn't have let Darako get her hands on her for fear
she'd break her neck.  :)" to you.

You page, "D'oh!  Yup, deeeefinite differences here.  But anyway." to
Kima.

Kima pages, "They had an incredibly bad, bad, ugly, horrible, nasty,
bitter relationship that was only resolved after Juri killed her thinking
she was a traitor." to you.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "So anyway, with your go ahead for
Juri/Corrine chatting/etc tomorrow, I think it's time for all involved to
bail."

Juri of Avalon says, "Night, Phil."

You page, "Ow ow ow.  Right. Well, Corrine doesn't KNOW this, so...
*shrug* We'll see." to Kima.

Kima pages, "When it turned out Darako had been a double agent all along,
Juri was suicidally depressed; had a long talk with Darako's Patternghost,
which helped _some_, but still a lot of issues unresolved." to you.

You page-pose, "Aerianne nods." to Kima.

Corrine of Amber OOCly bails.