Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Okie, I be here."

Roderick ooc cracks knuckles.

Gideon . o O ( OOC: Let's do some ravaging. )

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

Juri looks to Gideon.  "What do you mean this isn't where we should be?"

Gideon looks at Juri and shakes his head, then points at their
surroundings. "Does that look like my keep?"

Corrine of Amber takes deep breaths, recovering from the n-1th attempt of
somebody to psychically dominate her.

The very air of the courtyard crackles with power, and many parts of it
are full of vortexes of whirling light which look like the characteristic
sparkle of a person using a trump...except there aren't any people using
trumps.

Corrine of Amber purses her lips.

Juri shrugs, and smiles faintly.  "You could have redecorated while I was
missing for forty years.  Does anyone have any idea where we are?"

Gideon looks about and shrugs. "Not me ... interesting place, though."

Corrine of Amber says, "... 'the principle of similarity should be your
guide'.... well, Nameless said this wasn't -your- universe..." She hrms,
and considers.

Two of the strange glowing vortexes begin to drift towards you.

Corrine of Amber says, "What was the Keep like in your world, Juri?"

Juri draws her sword as the vortices approach.  "Ask Gideon.  It's his
Keep now."

You page, "Still checking for trump energies, well more the manipulations
of them, as well as evaluating wether it'd be safe for her to trump out
and stuff.  Also, checking Fire DJoJ attunment, if the connection's
returned." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "This place is stinky with Trump Energy" to you.

Corrine of Amber holds crossbow ready, as well, as she concentrates a bit.

Gideon says, "Not like this, that's for sure. Hm ... fascinating. Entities
of pure trump energy." He doesn't seem to be alarmed, more like
fascinated.

Juri asks, "Yes, fascinating.  Do they mean us harm?"

Akemi pages, "You're in your universe, so if Gabrielle notices your
return, she could reactivate your manifestations" to you.

You can now tell that one of each of the entities is approaching Gideon
and Corrine respectively.

You page, "Coolness!  Still risky to trump her from here?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "You think it would be fairly safe." to you.

"Perhaps we should try and find a way out of here rather than studying the
alien entities?" Juri says, a bit nervously.

Corrine of Amber -blinks- at something.  She backs up from the drifting
entities, as she concentrates some more... "... I think.... I think we're
back home.  MY home...."

Roderick says, "Well, we could try trumping out.  If this is a Keep of the
four Worlds, that's what the place is good for after all."

Juri says, "Your Amber?  Try Trumping one of your relatives, then, to get
us out of here."

Gideon raises an eyebrow. "Fascinating ... " 

You hear footsteps in the distance from the palace across the courtyard
from you.

You page, "Righto.  Trumping Utena.  Again." to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber nods, and tries to trump her sister Utena.

Juri turns and draw her crossbow with her other hand.  "Gid, will my blade
harm these trump-things should they become hostile?"

One of the vortexes bends slightly, like a human cocking its head.

Gideon looks at the trump entity i nfront of him, looking almost as if he
were talking with it.

Akemi pages, "You feel some resistance like a bubble, but then it pops and
your sister stands before you.  She's in some sort of study. "Hello,
Corrine."" to you.

You page, "Utena!  We're back!  How long have we been gone?  Can you pull
us through?" to Akemi.

One of the entities stops in front of Corrine.  The other is now fairly
close to Gideon, but has also stopped advancing.

Corrine of Amber is involved in Trump Communication right at the moment,
so wether or not she notices the entities is up in the air...

Juri decides that Gideon and Corrine apparently have this in hand, and
turns most of her attention to the footsteps, trying to spot anything.

You page, "(anything odd/worrysome about Utena?  She doesn't seme her
usual Perky Upbeat self... *wl* )" to Akemi.

Gideon raises an eyebrow. "Looks like this place has more people than my
Keep ... "

Akemi pages, "Utena says, "Well, assuming you've been gone the whole time
since I last saw you..."  (OOC Gimme a second to check timeline)" to you.

You page, "(OOC the page of which could use updating... *wl* )" to Akemi.

Juri stands at alert, waiting to see what's going to happen and frowning
vaguely.

Akemi pages, "About 40 days." to you.

Akemi pages, ""About forty days."" to you.

What comes into sight across the keep are eight soldiers in black bronze
armor, led by a man who Juri knows far too well.

It's the friendly face of Akio.

You page, ""-Gah-... been less for us.... hold on, sitch is changing, I'll
get back to ... Ohhhh SHIT."" to Akemi.

Probably not your sibling's puppeted body in disguise this time, though.

Juri narrows her eyes.  "Corrine..."

Akemi pages, "It's your buddy Annadil, but unfortunately, Corrine can't
see him during a trump contact :)" to you.

Akemi pages, "Utena says, "Sure, I can pull you through."  She offers a
hand." to you.

Roderick asks, "You know this guy?"

You page, "WEll, I was about to swap anyway... "Hold on, let me get the
others for a second...."" to Akemi.

Juri says, "Ohtori Akio.  Annadil, in this universe, as I understand it."

The tall, dark man smiles broadly.  "How wonderful it is to have guests."

You page, "(lemme guess, shoulda gone straight to Gabrielle? ^_^;;; )" to
Akemi.

Juri says, "How wonderful it is to be received so politely."

You page, "Either that, or we can pull through Our Heroes, I suppose...."
to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "hold for a moment?  getting distracted..."

Annadil says, "It's rare for me to have such a diverse group of visitors."

You page, "Okay, Right.  What are my options?" to Akemi.
You page, "Given I haven't dropped trump connection -right- yet or
anything..." to Akemi.

Juri says, "Variety is the spice of life, Lord Annadil."

Akemi pages, "Well, you can turn and face away from the trump contact to
talk to the others if you want to." to you.
Akemi pages, "It's hard to hold a contact you're not paying attention to,
though." to you.

You page, "Right.  Well, Corrine can always re-open it.  "Give me a second
to get the others, Utena... I'll try to hold this open...." to Akemi.

You can see now that he is wearing three swords.  One on each hip, and one
across his back.  No armor, though; he's dressed in typical Akio mack
garb, complete with the unbuttoned shirt.

Corrine of Amber turns away from the Trump Contact, looking ready to
address the others.  "Right, I...." Her words die on her lips as she sees
WHO is there.....

The guards move sufficiently in unison to make you suspect they're likely
some sort of robots/golems/constructs/brainwash victims.

Or maybe just really well trained.

You page, "Does corrine recog the swords?" to Akemi.

Akio halts about halfway across the courtyard from you.

Akemi pages, "You've seen him with the two hip swords before, but the
third one, you can't see very well." to you.

You page, "Right.  Hooboy." to Akemi.

You page, "Hm,... did Corrine get a good enough view of that study to know
where it is?  Ie, to TTM-Trump Gate to there if need be?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "View wasn't very good." to you.

Juri regards Annadil warily.  "Corrine," she says quietly, "now would be a
good time to make an escape."

Akemi pages, "But you could easily just jump to any of a billion places
you know well in the Palace if you lose the Utena connection" to you.

Gideon eyes Annadil, then nods. "I would agree."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "I Concur.  -Comeon-."

Juri puts her hand on Corrine's shoulder.

Annadil says, "Come, come, leaving already?  I was going to throw a feast
and everything."

Corrine of Amber grabs hands, backing up for Utena's hand if the
connection is still there.  If NOT, she goes for the Castle Amber
Courtyard, or the Stables, or whatnot.

Corrine of Amber says, "Not Hungry.  Sorry."

Juri says, "I ate yesterday."

Akemi pages, "You grasp Utena's hand." to you.

You page, "[Corrine grabs, and pulls the rest through -quicklike-." to
Akemi.

Roderick takes Juri's hand in anticipation of departure.

Corrine of Amber has likely grabbed Gideon in all this, her other hand for
Utena.

Gideon hms, "Corrine ... is your connection supposed to go through the
Font?"

You page, ".... er, BWA?" to Akemi.
You page, "Any way to evaluate that?" to Akemi.
You page, "Without going all the way through, etc, given everything?" to
Akemi.
Akemi pages, "You can't hold the link and try to study it at the same
time, unfortunately, given the stress situation." to you.
You page, "Going Through Font Is Bad, Yes?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Could be bad, yes :)" to you.

Corrine of Amber merps, and pulls an abort, quickly apologizing to Utena
as she lets go.

You page, "(given that if things are still 'safe', there's still
trumpgating out of there, etc.)" to Akemi.

Juri sighs theatrically.  "I always forget that escaping from the lair of
the villain isn't supposed to go easily."

Annadil laughs loudly.  "Come, come, what have I ever done to you, good
lady?"

Corrine of Amber quickly studies the Trump connections, frowning, trying
to evaluate the risks of what Gideon stated (ie, does it look like all
trump connections from here to outside would go through the Font?)

Gideon just shakes his head.

Juri looks at him calmly.  "When last we met, fallen prince, you died on
my blade, and your master followed shortly after.  I have seen the
Revolution once; it is an empty thing."

Akemi pages, "You think so; it is the local source for any trump related
actions, unless maybe you somehow tapped one of the elementals." to you.
You page, "Right.  But of course the Font carries its own risks if we
actually went THROUGH it.... hrm.... possible to try to reach Gabrielle
through remote Fire DemiJewel attunement to have her reactivate the
manifestations, then attempt Fire Pattern Teleport/Gate through that?" to
Akemi.

Annadil looks at Roderick, then grins very broadly.  "How amusing."

Roderick blinks and looks down at himself.  "Amusing?"

Akemi pages, "Utena says, "Corrine, is there a problem?"" to you.

Akemi pages, "Yes, you could use your attunement to the FireJewel to
contact Gabrielle." to you.

Annadil gestures and a huge feast table lays itself out.  "Well, I intend
to dine, whatever else you may do, to celebrate my recent acquisition."

You page, "[Corrine] You could say that, sis... we're in some form of Keep
of the Four Worlds with Annadil staring us down and my Trump Connection is
going through the flipping FONT, and the Font is BAD NEWS.... if we step
through the connection, or if you tried, you very likely wouldn't be the
same person who came out.  *shudder* Trying to find another way out....""
to Akemi.

He sits down to eat.

Gideon . o O ( OOC: Someone's been trading spells with Mandor. )

Akemi pages, "Her eyes widen.  "Is it even safe for us to talk?"" to you.

Juri asks, "An acquisition... what do you collect?"

Annadil says, "Swords."

You page, "Right, reaching through DemiJewel connection to contact
Gabrielle mentally, to let her know I'm alive and okay and to ask her to
reactivate my manifestiations so we can get the HELL out of there...." to
Akemi.
You page, "And for her to stay where she is, -please-.  It's a delecate
situation here." to Akemi.

He continues, "And rings, but I'm afraid you made off with one I'd hoped
to add to my collection before my agent could acquire it.  Still, I got
the sword, and it's more important."

Annadil begins slicing a large slab of roast beef.  The smell of it is
very tempting as it wafts over to you.

Juri asks, "I see.  I'm something of a sword enthusiast myself.  Let me
guess... the one on your back is your recent prize?"

You page, "(DOES it seem risky to allow conversation at least?  or is it
safe, and Transporation is just the risk?)" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Just talking is fine, any true psychic contact would taint
you, you think.  (Ie, if she opened her mind to you.)" to you.

You page, "[Corrine] Talking seems fine, Utena... but NO mental contact or
transporation.  Tainting would happen." to Akemi.

He nods.  "Two more and I'll have the complete set.  Do you collect as
well, or did you inherit yours?"

Akemi pages, "She nods." to you.

You page, "And progress on mentally contacting Gabrielle via the Fire
DJoJ?  Since that -shouldn't- have the same risks? (since not a trump
connection, but more Pattern.)" to Akemi.

Juri says, "A gift from a relative.  I'm familiar enough with the blades
you bear at your sides--your right hand wielded one, when I knew him--but
this new one is different."

Akemi pages, "You think that would be safe." to you.

You page, "Right, going through with it, then.  Still want to get
everybody OUT, and corrine needs a stronger link to the Fire DemiJewel to
do it, via manifestations (to my knowledge)." to Akemi.

He says, "Yes.  Like yours, it is a Pattern Blade."

Juri looks speculative.  "Patternblades and Logrusfoils.  A dangerous
combination."

He continues, "And like yours, a key."

"Though to different doors."

Akemi pages, "Okay, you draw on your connection to the Fire Jewel to tell
Gabby to turn your manifestations on." to you.

Juri glances at her sword.  "A key.  I have never heard it called so.  And
what particular gates does it open?"

You page, "Righto, manifestations are ON.  Time to beat feet for folks
outta here.  Check for fires for suitable foci (NOT any of the trump ones,
of course...) , or I suppose I can do like Ishamel did and just generate
the gate directly now...." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "You feel the manifestations whir to life." to you.

You page, "[Corrine] Utena, I'm going to have to cut this connection in a
moment... make sure there's some nice strong fires going on in the
fireplaces back hom, please?" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Utena nods." to you.

Akemi pages, "There are no visible fires here in the keep." to you.
Akemi pages, "But you can FEEL huge amounts of fire just past one of the
five walls." to you.
You page, ".... Cooooool.  's time to start stoking the furnace, as it
were...  Edge towards that direction if it's NOT towards Annadil.... and
if nothing else, it's a power source... or corrine could use a
manifestation to ignite a fire to use as a base...." to Akemi.

Corrine begins drifting off to one side.

Annadil says, "Planning to ask your daughter to take you away from all
this, Corrine?"

You page, "I'd say by now Corrine's cut the Utena connection, yes?" to
Akemi.

He says to Juri, "For me, a key to what I most desire, the Revolution of
the World.  For you, perhaps a key to your destiny."

Akemi pages, "Yes." to you.

Corrine of Amber quirks a slight, rueful smile at Annadil.  "Actually, no.
I figured I'd manage it by myself."

Juri asks, "And what do you hope to achieve by this Revolution?"

He continues, "The mirror must crack, if the reflections are to be free."
He takes a large bite of roast beef.  "Are you sure none of you want some?
It's very nice."

Roderick's mouth waters, but he grits it shut.

You page, "Time to start inducing fires.... oh, how nice, Annadil provided
a nice, IGNITABLE spread." to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber says, "No thank you.  It's underdone."

The entire dinner table and most of the dinner suddenly ignites into
flames.

You page, "Time to patternfire ignite Annadil's meal.  And the table.  And
the dishes. Ah.... GOOD, thank you. :)" to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber draws on the sudden fires to form a Fire Pattern Teleport
gate.

Annadil shakes his head.  "When I want my meal flambe, I will ask."  The
fire drops through a shimmer of light and vanishes.  But some of it which
is away from the table forms up into a circle of light rimmed by fire next
to Corrine.

"Then smash the mirror, not those who cast the image."  Juri raises her
crossbow and fires at Annadil.

Corrine of Amber grabs folks (Gideon, Roderick, and Juri), tossing them
through the fire gate before going through herself.  "It's been fun,
Annadil.... NOT.  Adeau!"

Annadil trumps out of the way of the bolt, then laughs as you flee through
the gate.  "Be seeing you."

You page, "Fire Teleport Gate to Castle Amber.... hmmm, what are some
likely good locations with fireplaces?  Any particular studies or such?
Or are there usually fires in the courtyard?" to Akemi.

Juri exclaims, "Ciao!"

Akemi pages, "The kitchens are your best bet :)" to you.
You page, "Kitchens, then!  And Corrine's on good terms with Chef Bork.
And she's HUNGRY." to Akemi.

You all step out of a fire into the hustle and bustle of the Amber
Kitchens, knocking down a soup pot in the process.  Several of the chefs
shout in panic, and one of them begins whacking Corrine in the head with a
ladle.  "Bad Princess!  No soup for you!"

Corrine of Amber exclaims, "Ow! Oww!  Ow!  Owww!  Owww!  Sorry!  Sorry!"

Corrine of Amber shuts down the gate with a wave of her hand.

Chef Bork, a short red haired man whose eyes are hidden by his massive
eyebrows comes in.  "Vhet's gueeng oon here-a?"

Hot soup spreads out across the floor.

Juri avoids the soup, sheathes her sword and sighs.  "Corrine, can we get
something to eat?  Seeing that feast made me hungry."

Gideon is rather quiet, happy to just lie wherever he lands.

Corrine of Amber looks to the others, rubbing her bruised noggin.  She
then smiles at the appearance of Chef Bork.  "Chef Bork!  I apologize for
my abrupt arrival, but we needed a steady source of flame to home in on.
And we need food, quickly, for my friends.  And is King Tylor around?  I
need to speak to him and Utena."

Roderick says, "I could go for a feast.  "

Corrine of Amber says, "Make that -lots- of food.  I'm starving.  And oh,
this is Juri of Avalon, Roderick, and Gideon.  They're with me."

"Tylur is in hees stoody, upsteurs, I theenk. Pleese-a help cleun up zee
mess beffure-a yuoo gu. Yes, Preencess Jooree, I veell hefe-a Cheff Tell
get yuoo sume-a fuud. Bork bork bork!"

"Pleased to meet you," Juri says wearily.

Corrine of Amber nods, as the adrenalin from all the running around starts
to flush out, replaced with the need to feed and the need to disseminate
information.

Corrine of Amber nods.  "We'll do that, thanks."  She smiles.  "Right,
need a mop."

Juri looks somewhat astonished that a castle servant would request that a
member of the royal family do a menial task, but hides it quickly.

Corrine of Amber grabs a mop, and quickly cleans up, looking ruefully at
Juri a bit, waiting for the kitchen staff to provide food for Juri,
Gideon, Roderick, and herself.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Hey, I'm a Working Class Princess.  That,
and it never hurts to -keep- on good terms with the Kitchen Staff."

Gideon is still on the floor, near the fire.

Corrine of Amber asks, ".... somebody check on Gideon?"

Roderick munches down on the food once it is brought; it's roast beef and
sliced carrots and bread.

Juri walks over, kneels down, and pokes him in the ribs.  "Gid, do I have
to start cracking your spine again, like I did after Gerard used you as a
hacky sack?"

Corrine of Amber finishes mopping up the spilled soup and whatnot, handing
the mops and whatnot to a passing servant for cleaning before she goes to
start eating as well.

Gideon opens first one eye, then the other. "Juri ... if you ever want to
take a vacation, stay away from the center of the universe. It's not a
nice place to visit. And now, please get me an aspirin so I can sit up
without my head hurting too much."

Corrine of Amber says, "Erm?  What happened?"  She looks over at Gideon
with concern.  "And somebody get my associate some asprin, -now-?"

Roderick asks, "The center of the universe?"

"Shouldn't have spent so much time gazing at those Trump vortices, hrm?"
Juri asks sympathetically.  "Aspirin coming.  Want some food until it
arrives?"

Roderick hands some aspirin to Gideon.

Gideon starts nodding, but then thinks better of it. "Where you end up
when you get to the bottom of the font. Nasty beings living there."

Corrine of Amber blinks, and shudders.  ".... the Outsiders.  Oh Hell."

Juri sighs and goes to make herself a sandwich.  "I suppose we should find
Ishmael and company, and tell them what happened to their squid."

Gideon says, "Yeah. Their work contracts suck, though."

Corrine of Amber says, "No -wonder- it's such a fucking risk to bathe in
the Font... and all that Trump Energy too, what a perfectly tempting trap
for people without a clue."

Juri says, "In the end, we managed to stop it, and we kept the power
sources out of Annadil's hands.  But that sword he was carrying disturbed
me... Corrine, did you recognize it?  He said it was A Patternblade, like
mine."

Autolyca pages, "Hi!" to you.

Roderick says, "It was Greyswandir, Uncle Corwin's sword."

Corrine of Amber says, "Once we finish eating, we'll fill in Tylor.  Then
we'll contact Catherine, and find out what's been going on in Ember...."

Corrine of Amber sucks in a breath.

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh -hell-.  In our universe, that's Derith's
sword."

Roderick says, "OOC Aaargh, DM screwup"
Roderick says, "OOC He should be carrying Werewindle, Drake's sword."
Roderick says, "OOC Retcon :)"
Corrine of Amber OOCly Okay, easy retcon.

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh -hell-.... in our universe, that's Drake's
sword.  Never found out how he GOT it, he was always cagy about it...."

Juri says, "OOC:  I think I see some connection, perhaps, between the fact
that the squid ended up in Drake's shadow, and Annadil managed to acquire
his sword.  -.-"

Corrine of Amber asks, "Did he say how he got it?"

Gideon waits until his head gets better, then makes his way over to the
others.

Roderick says, "No, but he said it was a recent acquisition."

Roderick says, "And that it was some sort of 'key'"

Roderick falls silent again and resumes eating heartily.

"He said the same thing of my blade."  Juri thinks for a moment.  "A
portion of the Pattern is inscribed on each blade.  Annadil spoke of
making a 'complete set'--so if he put all three together, would he have a
complete Pattern, on the blades?"

Corrine of Amber frowns.    She looks deep in thought, trying to recall
something.

Gideon says, "There are three Pattern blades? Fascinating ..."

You page, "Okay to draw the conclusion now that Logrus Foils + Pattern
Blades == Keys To The Gate Of Revolution?" to Akemi.

One of the servants walks up to Gideon with a strawberry shake and hands
it to him.  "Just the way you like it," she says.  "Although I thought you
wanted us to send it up to you."

Corrine of Amber says, offhandly, "In your universe, perhaps....."

Akemi pages, "Yep." to you.

Corrine of Amber whispers. ".... oh... -shit-.  Shit SHIT *SHIT*...."

Juri glances to Gideon.  "There are three in our universe, as well--mine,
Joan's, and Ludwig's, which Trucido wielded."

Roderick says, "That's what my father said of our Pattern Blades."

Gideon blinks at the servant, then looks at the shake. "I didn't ask for
this?"

Roderick says, "We have three, and all three together, show the Pattern."

The cook blinks.  "Didn't you send a page down to have this made?"

Corrine of Amber looks up at Juri, eyes wide.  "... the swords are the
key, juri.  The swords Annadil has... are the KEYS to the Gate of
Revolution.  SHIT!"

Juri suddenly blanches and slaps herself in the forehead.  "Oh dear.
Amidst everything else, Trucido slipped my mind.  I'm sure he's all right,
but..."

Corrine of Amber Looks at the servant.  "He's not who you think he is,
<name>"

Cook Anna blinks.  "You're not Prince Vash?"

Gideon shakes his head and hands the shake back to the cook. "I just
arrived here, and I usually don't order pages to do anything when I'm
visiting somewhere."

Gideon sighs. "No, name's Gideon."

Juri glances to Corrine.  "Yes, Annadil said as much to me in our
conversation.  As we left, I heard him whisper in my ear that opening the
gate would smash the mirror."

The cook says, "Oh, I'll have this sent up, then."

Corrine of Amber says, "No, he looks like Prince Vash, but isn't, Anna."
She smiles a bit.  "You'd best run it up to Prince Vash instead."

Juri almost adds, "The Ravager Beast" by reflex, then stops herself.
"Sorry, Gid, should have told you.  You've got a duplicate in this
universe too."

Corrine of Amber groans.  "GReaaaaattt... I'd like to keep my mirrors
unsmashed, very much...."

The cook gives the shake to a runner to take it upstairs.

Juri hrms.  "Last I saw of him, my duplicate was tossing him like a
javelin down a hallway.  I'm afraid to say he lacks your wit and grace."

Gideon nods to Juri, distracted by something. "Hm ... he wants to open
some gate, smash the mirror ... the trump elemental said he received power
from the 'Great Ones', which you called Outsiders ... and they want some
barrier destroyed ... coincidence, maybe."

Corrine of Amber says, "Well, he hasn't been here -that- long...."

Corrine of Amber Looks at Gideon.  "Urrrrgh.  Oh by the four heraldric
beasts."

Corrine of Amber says, "I think I could use some of that asprin,
Roderick."

Roderick passes Corrine two tablets.  "Mom makes this stuff.  It's great."

Juri frowns.  "Gid, you remember Darako's poem, don't you?  All those
lines about the 'Old Ones'?  Even though it was a hoax, some of that
seems--from what I've seen and heard this last little while--to be based
on fact."

Corrine of Amber nods, and downs 'em with her meal.

Gideon says, "Right now, I remember very little, Juri."

Corrine of Amber shakes her head.  "I've obviously got no clue on this,
sorry...."

Roderick takes a sip of wine.  "Old Ones?  The Animal Gods, you mean?"

Juri looks vaguely sympathetic towards Gideon, then takes a bite of her
sandwich and goes on.  "The Dworkin of Roderick's universe told me that it
had something to do with a borrowed lawnmower, but..."

Roderick says, "Father once told me that before the Logrus and the
Pattern, the Animal Gods roamed freely, but the Serpent defeated and
imprisoned most of them when the Logrus was created."

Roderick says, "Except for the Unicorn, which got its revenge by creating
the Pattern.  "

Corrine of Amber nods.  "The Outsiders wanting their 'Borrowed Lawnmower'
back from the Unicorn and Serpent, and offering to third powers 'power
tools' to offer to them in order to get the 'Lawnmower' back."  She sighs,
then mmms, looking at Roderick and taking this in.

Corrine of Amber asks, "So... something/someone/etc on the other side of
everything is trying to get -out-... why do I get the sinking sensation
Annadil's been taking in hook, line, and sinker?"

Gideon says, "Well, what I have encountered definitely doesn't qualify as
animal gods. They are ... different. Ancient, primal, something completely
unlike anything else I know."

Gideon says, "I don't know, Corrine. But that feeling seems vaguely like
the one I have."

Juri frowns.  "Completely unlike?  Gid, you've faced down the Logrus, I
find it hard to believe that they're that alien."

Gideon smiles briefly. "The Logrus I can understand. It is alien, but not
-that- alien."

A chef wanders by.  "Where's those damn cherries," he mutters, bouncing
about the room.

Juri shudders faintly.  "I don't like to contemplate the idea of something
more alien than the Logrus."

Corrine of Amber frowns, and sighs, nodding.  "Right." She considers her
meal.  "This is getting bigger than all of us, I think.  Everybody done
with their meals?  I think we'd better go spread the worry around, and go
fill in Tylor."

Roderick says, "I'll get dessert later."

Corrine of Amber mutters something about 40 days under her breath.

Juri nods.  "And find out what happened to Ishmael, Rose, Rheanna and
Katsura."  Brief pause.  "I think it would probably be best if we didn't
mention that we happen to be in possession of the squid's power sources."

Gideon nods and stands. 

You page, "How long did the adventures in WRS Land take?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "It's now day 60 of the Campaign, FOF started on day 21" to
you.

Corrine of Amber nods and stands.  "Agreed.  That the squid is fubared is
enough, I think, for the moment."

You page, "Ahh, Utena was talking from the time of Corrine's first
dissapearance, then?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Yes." to you.
You page, "Then a month + week for the whole FoF adventure, which matches
things.  Okay, Corrine can relax a little bit." to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber snatches a few more munchies.  "This way... I can get us
up to Tylor's suites on the fourt floor."

Juri says, "After this... Gid, you and I need to get home.  Caine of Amber
was assassinated in Avalon, and he was the one who originally put Brand
into the Abyss.  So, take a guess as to who's probably preparing to settle
his scores with our family."

Gideon says, "My first guess would be friend Tomas."

Juri follows Corrine.

Roderick asks, "Brand's children, I would assume?  You did say you'd
killed him, right?"

Gideon says, "Lead on, Corrine."

Corrine of Amber suddenly remembers something.  "Hell, still wonder where
the hell -Misaki- ended up.." She sighs, placing palm to forehead.  "And
your friend Trucido, and yes, the rest... though I suspect my staff in
Ember would know where they went, given they were there last..."

Corrine of Amber leads the way up, up, up to the fourth floor to Talk with
Tylor!

Juri nods to Gideon, looks briefly pained, then hides it as she turns to
Roderick.  "Yes, Brand's children.  Specifically, his son Tomas, although
his wife and other son could well be involved."

Roderick says, "Rinaldo and Jasra, yes."

Gideon looks to Juri, "Oh, please keep an eye on me. If I'm acting
stranger than usual, knock me out. I'm not sure those Outsiders didn't
leave some unpleasant surprises in my mind."

Juri says, "The last we saw of Jasra, she had Finn's boot knife in her
throat, but she left no body behind, so..."

You all start up the stairs.

Roderick says, "I'll be happy to suckerpunch you if you want."

Roderick smiles faintly.

Juri sighs.  "As long as it's not evil black tar.  Right.  Knock you out."

Mama said knock you out!

Corrine of Amber siiighs.  She mutters, "Once I'm rested, first thing on
the agenda is walking a Pattern for me."

Gideon hms, "I should see if I can't find an unused water pattern back
home ... "

You can hear angry shouting as you climb the stairs and walk down the
hallway.  Tylor's having an argument with several someones.

Corrine of Amber leads folks along through Castle Amber for Tylor's
suites, keeping the good group together.  "Wouldn't they all be broken,
save for the real Water patterns in Rebma, and whatever the equivelent is
for Avalon... eh?"

Juri looks wistful.  "I'd like to take one of those myself, but it may be
difficult even if I can get home.  I'm not exactly persona grata at the
moment."

Gideon grins, "Poor little kinslayer."

Corrine of Amber says, "Er, what?  Eh?  Hey?"  She pulls up short with her
group, trying to place the voices and what they're arguing about.

Gideon says, "A broken one is well enough, Corrine."

Juri elbows Gideon in the ribs, hard.  "Quiet, ravager beast."

Akemi pages, "Nanami, Drake, Touga, Tylor, Yuriko, and Saionji" to you.
You page, "Ohhhhh boy.  What's the argument sound to be about?" to Akemi.

They seem to be arguing over whose fault it is that a giant shark and a
giant squid attacked Drake's fortress, destroyed it, and stole Werewindle

Corrine of Amber looks to the others.

Touga:  "I promise you that I gave up sending giant sealife to attack
people many years ago."

Juri sighs gently.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "[Corrine, and Juri, in 3WA uniforms.  "IT'S
NOT OUR FAULT!"]"

Gideon looks through his cards, just to be sure. Nope, the Giant Shark
card's still there.

You page, "Does it look safe to interrupt, or do we need to wait until
things blow over?" to Akemi.
You page, "Since this IS corrine's family, and she should know them
relatively decently." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "You think it might be unwise...on the other hand, you DO
know what really happened in part." to you.
You page, "Or at least enough to transfer the blame.  Right.  Wait a
little bit, see how the argument goes, I suppose." to Akemi.

Gideon . o O ( OOC: Something for you to draw, Phil? ;) )

Corrine of Amber murmurs under her breath.  "Wait here, and see if they
manage to cool down.... we know some but not all, and where things are
now...."

Corrine of Amber OOCly puts it on the heap with all the OTHER drawing
suggestions.

Juri shrugs, leans back casually against a wall, and begins to file her
nails.

Saionji:  "How do we know you didn't fake this in order to 'lose' your
blade without the rest of us knowing it was taken by your consent?"

Juri starts at Saionji's voice and almost drops her file, then relaxes
again.

Corrine of Amber sighs quietly, and tries to make herself look more
presentable, in preparation.

Corrine of Amber places a calming hand on Juri's shoulder at her start.

Drake:  "Because if I wanted Annadil to have it, I could have let him
steal the real thing instead of a fake at that DUEL!  How do we know
you're not thinking with your balls again and letting one of Annadil's
flunkies shove YOU around?  Or have you taken to satisfying your needs
with your wooden stick?"

Tylor:  "Brothers, brothers, please, no screaming.  You'll give Yuriko-san
a headache."

Juri sighs, and says, "We need to clear this up."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Right.  'cmon." She sighs, and steps forward.

Juri follows Corrine.

Roderick nods.  "Indeed."

Gideon shrugs and follows.

Corrine of Amber says, "Hey, guys...  I think we've had a convergency of
situations, here." 

Corrine of Amber waves to folks, looking presentable yet somewhat
fatigued... as if she's been from one end of one universe to the next.
Which isn't too far from the truth.

Roderick says, "OOC Are you talking to your friends or was that meant for
the people in the room?  You're still in the hallway."
Roderick says, "OOC hearing them through the closed door."
Corrine of Amber OOCly I didn't know that.  Right.

Nanami:  "And why isn't Derith taking Trump Calls?  What if another one of
those things has destroyed Rebma?"

Corrine of Amber OOCly retcon the last two lines.  Time to knock on then
door. *wl*

Corrine of Amber ... knocks on the door.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Sorry, though the argument was out on the
hall, not in a conference room. *wl*"

Vash answers the door.  "Hi, Corrine.  Unless you enjoy screaming, ya
might want to come back later."

Juri looks from Vash to Gideon and, almost imperceptibly, smirks.

Vash blinks at Gideon.  His eyes widen.

Corrine of Amber smiles slightly.  "Hi, Vash.  Unfortunately, I don't seem
to have an option in avoiding it this time.  What's the situation?"

Vash says, "Whoa, I'm seeing double."

Gideon smirks. "Not really."

Yuriko:  "Queen Moire has assured me that Rebma has not been destroyed,
although she doesn't know for sure where Derith is."

Gideon . o O ( OOC: Damn. Gotta work harder, next time. )

Juri steps into the room and bows to everyone and sundry.  "Princess Juri
of Avalon.  King Tylor, I think you've probably been made aware of my
existence before; Prince Touga, we've already met.  Greetings to the rest
of you.  We have some information on the situation that may help to
clarify matters."

Vash says, "Well, they're arguing over whose fault it is that Drake's
shadow got levelled and Werewindle got stolen."

Nanami cocks her head and looks at Juri.  "Why wouldn't we know who you
are, sister?  Or did you bang your head again?"

Corrine of Amber enters with Juri.  "Hi guys.  We're back."  She manages a
slight smile.  "And as Juri of Avalon said, we've got some insights on the
situation."

Gideon enters last and leans against the doorframe, letting the others do
the talking.

Roderick enters just before Gideon.

Drake sees Roderick and starts, then says to Corrine, "Where the hell have
you BEEN?"

Juri grits her teeth at Nanami in a kind of snarl-smile.  "I'm not your
Juri, just like you're not my Nanami.  It's complicated."

Touga bows to Juri.  "A pleasure to see you again."

Nanami takes a monocle and looks through it at all of you and blinks.
"How strange."

Corrine of Amber says, "Dragged across one Reality to another Reality to
another, Drake.  It was not by my choice, especially given the means of
transporation... the Logrus Squid, which destroyed the kingdom of Ember
once, NEARLY destroyed it again, and ... apparently, destroyed your
Marketplace in its death throes."

Juri gives the same kind of smile to Touga.  "Likewise," she says,
sounding a little strained.

Drake says, "It is fortunate that none of our enemies have pierced through
to Arden while you've been off gallivanting about."

Juri nods to Corrine, and proceeds to sketch, very briefly and glossing
over a lot, the pursuit of the Logrus squid and its eventual destruction,
"which, misfortunately, appears to have taken place in Prince Drake's
realm."

Everyone listens attentively.

Corrine of Amber says, "The Logrus Squid is... -was-, a massive war
machine shaped out of Shadow, powred by Trump and Logrus, commandeered by
enemies of another universe known as the MacFinndos..." 

Corrine of Amber adds in her two cents as Juri does the main story.

Corrine of Amber quirks a slight, sad smile at Drake.  "It's fortunate
that my rangers are well trained.. but yes, I am coming to the realization
that my original duties and my new duties are starting to conflict.  I
will need to come to resolution on it, soon."

Juri sums up by giving descriptions of the MacFinndos, Demon Armour and
the Finndo With No Name, along with concise summaries of their abilities
and her best tactical judgement on what they would do now that they've
lost the squid.

Corrine of Amber adds in that in their escape from the Squid, they ended
up in the Keep, where Annadil was very damn smug and had his two logrus
foils and Werewindle.

Drake nods and asks various questions, rather more calmly than before,
though with a hint of urdency in his tone, to learn more about their
capabilities

Tylor snorts wine out his nose.

Corrine of Amber looks at Tylor.  "Eh?"

Tylor says hurriedly, "He's at the Keep of the Five Worlds?"

Gideon says, "Yup."

Corrine of Amber passes Tylor a hankerchief.  "Given it was pentagonal
shape, I imagine that's what it's called."

Juri answers Drake's questions to the best of her abilities.

Tylor takes it graciously.  "This is not good at all."

Corrine of Amber looks at Tylor.  "... Fill me in.  The thought of Annadil
-alone- having control of the Font is enough to give me willies as it
is...."

Juri says, "He spoke of wanting to acquire two more blades to make a
complete set, and implied that the swords were the keys to the Gate of
Revolution."

Tylor says flatly, "Hiko and Shizumaru are on their way to the Keep to
investigate it for me. I had learned Chaosians had taken it over."

Gideon looks to Corrine, "Well, the trump elemental -did- call him the
King of the Font."

Corrine of Amber's eyes widen.  She pales... which with her tan, says
something.  ".... were they accompanied by anybody else?"

Juri glances to Tylor.  "Then they should be warned it is in his hands,
and perhaps told to abort the mission.  Annadil's power is considerable,
and a stronger force would likely be required to seize the Keep from him."

Gideon says, "Definitely abort it."

Corrine of Amber looks at Gideon.  "Good Pyricorn...." She looks at Juri,
and then at Tylor again.  "... you don't suppose Annadil -bathed- in the
Font... but it would explain much about what powers he controls...."


Gideon says, "Annadil, about two hundred others, and Annadil a living
trump with the Unicorn know what other powers he might have gained from
those Outsiders."

Tylor says, "Miki, Tsuwabuki, and Shizumaru's lady friend are with them.
Yes, best to abort the mission."  He pulls out a trump of Hiko.

Corrine of Amber nods, fiddling with her fingers, looking now very worried
for the safety of her relatives.

Tylor stares into the trump, then screams loudly and drops it, falling to
the floor.

Yuriko rushes over to him, as does Utena.

Corrine of Amber exclaims, "SHIT!"

Corrine of Amber moves to the Trump to study it, quickly.

Gideon moves over to the Trump with Corrine, looking vaguely curious.

Juri sighs gently and pours herself some wine.  "Annadil's control of the
Fount may give him power over the Trumps.  Is there some other way to
contact them quickly?"

You page, "Anything funky with the Trump?" to Akemi.

It is a trump of Hiko in Fuyutsuki's style.  It feels cool to the touch
like a normal trump.

Nanami shakes her head.  "Nice going, brother."

Corrine of Amber considers.  "Looks to be normal..." She considers again,
and purses her lips.

You page, "Sadly, Corrine doesn't know about the manifestation given to
Hiko... but I suppose she can ask..." to Akemi.

Touga says, "Only Trumps would make it very quick, so far as I know.  I
could send a bird to them, but it could take days to weeks."

Corrine of Amber frowns, looking down at her manifestations.

Corrine of Amber mutters under her breath.  "... may be another way..."

Juri says, "Could we force a contact, with sufficient power behind it?  I
have seen living trumps in action before, and helped to kill one--they are
powerful, but not omnipotent."

Yuriko shakes Tylor as Nanami comes over and kneels down beside him,
putting her hands on his forehead.

Gideon kneels down, looking at the trump, but not touching it.
"Outsiders." he hisses.

Touga's eyes widen.  "Outsiders?"

Vash looks out in the hallway.  "Nope, no one outside."

Corrine of Amber asks, "Oh shit... they're putting up interference?"

Gideon looks over his shoulder at his double, then just shakes his head.

Corrine of Amber looks at Juri.  "I suppose I could try tapping my
attunement to puch through to Miki or one of the others..."

Juri asks, "Why doesn't someone walk the Pattern and teleport to them to
warn them to turn back?"

Gideon says, "Either they, or Annadil with their power."

You page, "I'm recalling what we -oriiginally- planned to have try and use
Gabrielle / DemiJewel to try and punch through to Hiko/Juri when they were
back in the Citty of Brass... would that be viable?" to Akemi.

Touga laughs faintly.  "If they're close enough to the Font that Annadil
can intercept trump calls and strike down Tylor, I suspect a Pattern
Teleport, though accurate, might put you in a postion from which return
would be difficult."

Corrine of Amber says, "We Fire-Gated out, but I'm halfway suspecting he
might've let us go."  She frowns, rubbing a finger along her gold and ruby
bracelet.  "... how's Tylor doing?"

Saionji says, "A good idea, Juri."  He turns to Yuriko, "Do we have anyone
we can afford to risk losing in the sending?"

Juri sits down heavily in a chair.  "Perhaps it's his plan to lead them
into a trap.  But for what purpose?  His goals are to acquire the other
Patternblades to use as keys... does he plan to use the young ones as
hostages?"

Nanami says, "Someone get Fuyutsuki.  This is very bad."

Juri frowns.  "Who wields the other two blades, and where are they?"

Nanami shakes her head.  "I can wake him up, but it wouldn't be wise."

Gideon shrugs, "Hostages, sacrifices, or maybe he'll just eat their mind
and turn them into loyal zombies."

Utena says, "My son has one and Derith has the other one."

Juri glances to Utena.  "Where is your son, and where is Derith?"

Corrine of Amber shudders.  "By the four heraldric beasts...." She looks
at Juri.  "Hiko, sis's daughter, was originally manipulated by Annadil to
walk a broken pattern to gain her original powers, and then was
mind-manipulated again to forget that she had."

Utena says, "Ota is on his way with Ramon and Keiko to try to rescue
Wakaba from Kashfa.  And we haven't been able to contact Derith for
several days."

Gideon glances to Corrine, "Sounds like a prime target to me."

Corrine of Amber sighs, and nods.  "Right. I'm trumping grandfather, see
if I can get him."

Corrine of Amber says, "One thing at a time, I think."

Corrine of Amber pulls out her trump of grandfather (no need to freak the
rest of the siblings right now), and concentrates, also calling on her
Fire DemiJewel link to give her some nice psychic backup should it be
needed.

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "This is corrine, being nicely paranoid.  Any
questions?"

Ishmael wakes up.

Akemi pages, "Fuyutsuki answers, "Hello, granddaughter."  He's down in his
lab, playing with his action figures, it looks like.  You see what looks
like Juri and Roderick in a bed together off to one side, but he's holding
the Red and Green Knights in his hands right now." to you.

Saionji begins quietly conferring with Yuriko.

Juri says, "OOC:  Send Vash.  :)"

Touga reaches into his pocket and pulls out a five pointed star pendant
with a tongue of flame in the middle and puts it on.

Akemi pages, "Misato wears a pendant like the one Touga just put on." to
you.

You page, "[Corrine smiles.  "Hi, grandfather... how's it going?  Could I
bring you up here for a moment?  There's been a situation, I believe
Annadil tried to mentally strike at Tylor when Tylor tries to reach Hiko
via Trump."  She sighs.]" to Akemi.

You page, "Aieeeee.  Does corrine know the signifigance of the pendant at
all that Misato wears?" to Akemi.

Juri looks over at Touga.  "What's that?"

Akemi pages, "It's a psychic defense item to your knowledge." to you.

Gideon looks over to Touga, raising an eyebrow. "What she just asked."

You page, "Righto.  Well, Corrine's chatting with Fuyutsuki, anyway...."
to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "He holds out his hand, which still has the Red Knight in it.
"Sure, pull me through."" to you.

Touga says, "It's an artifact I recovered long ago.  It helps to shield my
mind."

Corrine of Amber grips Fuyutsuki's hand, and pulls him through.  She
smiles fondly down at the Red Knight figure in his hand.  "Oh... could I
have one of those?" She blushes.  "Or tell me where I could get one of my
own?"

Fuyutsuki appears, holding two action figures--a knight in red armor and
another one in green.

He hands the red knight figure to Corrine.  "It's yours."

Corrine of Amber looks over at Touga, and then at Juri and Gideon.  She
raises an eyebrow at Touga's little pendant.  "Hey... Misato wears one of
those, too."

He hands the other one to Touga.  "Hold this for me.  Don't drop it."

Corrine of Amber smiles, accepting the figure.  "Thank you, Grandfather."

Touga says, "If you wish."  He blinks.

Gideon says, "It's an interesting little toy you have there." He turns his
attention to Fuyutsuki now.

Corrine of Amber smiles, her smile a bit sad, and kisses the forehead of
the Red Knight action little figure. . o O (Dammit, I miss Carl.  Waaaaa.)

Juri looks at the green knight figure and appears vaguely embarassed.

Fuyutsuki comes over to Tylor and Nanami.  "Fascinating.  I haven't seen a
brain fried that well in quite a while."

Yuriko frowns.  "Did you have to put it like that?"

Fuyutsuki nods.  "Absolutely."  He kneels and puts a hand on Tylor's
forehead.

Corrine of Amber looks over at Fuyutsuki with concern.  "Would walking the
pattern help him recover once he wakes?"

Fuyutsuki says, "Yes, assuming I can clear enough of this out so he
doesn't kill himself in the process."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Right.  I suggest we leave grandfather to his
work, folks..." She smiles a bit, and sighs, looking tired.

Nanami says, "I already cleaned out all the suggestions to bleed on the
Pattern, I think."

Yuriko rises.  "Yes, we'd best give him room to work."  She turns to Juri
and Roderick and Gideon.  "I will have rooms prepared for you.  Dinner
will be soon, I think."

Drake says, "I must return to the front.  Trump me if you need me."

Juri sighs.  "Gid, we have to figure out how to get home again.  I don't
want to lose another forty years and come back to find Tomas has killed
anyone else."

Gideon nods, "I'll see if I can come up with something."

Drake frowns intensely at the unconscious Tylor, then sighs.  "Just like
the antbed."  He heads out.

Corrine of Amber nods.  "No problems, everyone.  Thanks for listening,
Drake."  She smiles a bit, and looks rueful.  "If we had -control- of the
Keep, and the energy was filterable, then we'd be able to use -that-...
but... well, it's out."

You page, "Does Corrine know to what Drake's referring?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Nope" to you.
You page, "Darn.  Ahwell,  Before my time, then." to Akemi.

Juri says, "Thank you, Gid."

Corrine of Amber OOCly gives 30 minute warning, fwiw.

Yuriko calls a servant to show the three of you to some rooms.

Corrine of Amber says, "And I... think I'd best go and make some more
calls from my room.  Trump me if you need me."  She smiles a bit, faintly,
then gives Yuriko a quick hug. *q* "Talk later about stuff?"

Roderick blinks.

Juri says, "Corrine, don't hesitate to bring me in to deal with Ishmael
and the others."

Yuriko blushes slightly.  "I may need a ready ear."  She glances back at
her husband.  "He never thinks before he acts...when he acts."

Roderick says, "Or I, if you need me."

Corrine of Amber smiles faintly.  "Yeah, I know... but at the same time,
he's deeper than some folks suspect.  Know it all too well.  Take care.
And I will, Juri, Roderick."

Vash looks at Gideon again.  "Man, this just creeps me out."

Juri shrugs.  "I got used to it, you can too."

Gideon looks back at Vash. "Deal with it, boy."

Corrine of Amber waits for Gideon, and Roderick, and Juri to be shown to
their rooms, so that she can learn where they are.

The three of you get rooms right next to each other in the guest wing.

Each room is itself a small suite with a bathroom, bedroom, and a small
parlour.

Corrine of Amber hrms, and whatthehells.  "Juri, mind if I start making my
calls from here?  If I get leads on the Ishmael situation from Catherine,
it'll be immediate.  I mostly just need to update her and request a report
for tomorrow."

Juri says, "Go ahead, Corrine."

Corrine of Amber nods, and plops down tiredly in a chair.  She pulls out a
trump of her Regent, and attempts to contact her.

Akemi pages, ""Your highness!  Where have you been?"  Catherine sounds
quite worried." to you.

Juri sits down on the bed, takes out the Logrus Jewel, and frowns at it
intently.

You page, "[Corrine smiles slightly.  "FRom the end of one Reality to
another, Catherine, thanks to that damned Logrus Squid.  However,
fortunately, it is dead now, and long may it stay that way.  How long have
I been gone from the Kingdom since its attack?"]" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, ""About twenty days, your highness."" to you.

Roderick says, "My father would probably give his left arm for that
jewel."

Roderick laughs faintly.  "He's done some quite insane things to gather
artifacts over the years."

Juri says, "Yes.  So would a lot of people I know."

Gideon chuckles softly. "I'd give my left arm too, if I still had one."

Juri glances at Gideon and smirks.  "I recognize the type."

You page, "[Corrine] I apologize for not giving a longer and more concise
summary of our adventures... *she nods* ... right. *she sighs* ... I'll
need a report of how much damage was made to the Kingdom, depositions of
the deceased and the current state of the military, a full summary, on my
desk first thing tomorrow so I can go through it and make plans.  *her
expression takes on a worried look* .... how fares Gabrielle and the Red
Knight?" to Akemi.

Roderick pulls up a chair near the bed.

Juri says, "At the moment, I'm weighing the possibilities... I could give
it to Tess, as I'm sure she could find something to do with it.  Or I
could give it to Horatio, and he could plug it into Julian and give him a
personality upgrade."  She laughs softly at the latter possibility, but
it's hard to tell whether or not she's serious.

Gideon says, "That would definitely be a bad idea."

Juri glances at Gideon.  "You're just saying that because you don't like
Julian."

Gideon just shakes his head.

Roderick lags hideously.
Corrine of Amber OOCly patpats Roderick.
Akemi has connected.
Roderick says, "OOC Aaaaargh."
Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "need repose/page?"
Roderick asks, "OOC What was last you saw from me?"
Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Roderick lags hideously."

Roderick says, "OOC If everyone could redo last thing they said, I'd
appreciate it."

You page, "[Corrine] I apologize for not giving a longer and more concise
summary of our adventures... *she nods* ... right. *she sighs* ... I'll
need a report of how much damage was made to the Kingdom, depositions of
the deceased and the current state of the military, a full summary, on my
desk first thing tomorrow so I can go through it and make plans.  *her
expression takes on a worried look* .... how fares Gabrielle and the Red
Knight?" to Akemi.

Juri glances at Gideon.  "You're just saying that because you don't like
Julian."

Gideon just shakes his head.

Akemi pages, ""Yes, your higness.  And they are well, although Gabrielle
has been quite frantic, saying she can't find you again, until just a few
hours ago."" to you.

Roderick says, "Just don't let Merlin have it, or he'll build something
that goes around stealing underwear again."

Roderick shudders.

Akemi pages, "She continues, "Are you well, your highness?"" to you.

Gideon looks to Roderick. "I don't want to know, do I?"

You page, "[Corrine smiles slightly.  "Well, that's to be expected. We
were in another universe, beyond her scope.  You can reassure her that I'm
all right, though I'll need to walk the Fire Pattern in the next day or
so.  And you can let her know if she wants to trump to me for a hug, she
can do so." She smiles faintly.  "And one more thing.  What happened to
our other compatriots after the Squid departed --- Ishmael, Rhianna, Rose,
Katsura, and the rest?" to Akemi.

Juri sighs.  "The spikard is more problematic.  I'll probably give that to
Tess, too; she knows about these things."

Roderick says, "You see, there was this woman who could make cloth trumps
and..."

Roderick stares at the sheets on the bed for a second, then says,
"Actually, let's discuss something else."  He shudders again.

You page, "[Corrine] I am tired and fatigued, Catherine. I have seen too
many things, that only time and family can help heal and recuperate while
we muddle through this crisis.  But I'm glad that you and the rest are all
right." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, ""They departed Ember and passed out of my knowledge.  They
said something about getting a giant shark to use against it."" to you.

You page, "[Corrine] Ohhhhhhh boy.  I heard reports of a giant shark.
Well, thanks for the news. *she smiles a bit* I'll keep in touch, and TRY
not to vanish again." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "She laughs.  "Thank you."" to you.

You page, "[Corrine] Thank you... talk with you tomorrow, I'm sure. *she
waves, and cuts the connection*" to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber relaxes, letting her trump conversation with her Regent
end.

Corrine of Amber says, "So."

Roderick says, "Well, if you could cleanse it of the compulsions, I think
you'd find it a useful thing to have."

Juri frowns.  "I'm not sure.  Horatio cracked Tomas's spikard at the
Battle of the Fount and ate his brain."

Roderick asks, "Using a Spikard himself, I assume?"

Corrine of Amber says, "It's been 20 days since we were in Ember, which
matches about right for our journeys.  Gabrielle and the Red Knight are
all right, though Gabrielle was frantic until a few hours ago, worried
where I was... probably realized I was okay once I reached through the
Jewel...."

Juri says, "No, I don't believe he had one.  Our Merlin apparently told
him how."

Roderick blinks in shock.  "Your Horatio must be very impressive in the
arts of magic."

Corrine of Amber says, "... and as for Ishmael and the rest... Catherine
reports that the last SHE saw of them, they said something about finding a
Giant Shark to go up against the Squid."

Juri says, "Well, it was Merlin's spikard.  Tomas stole it."

Juri just goes, "..."

Corrine of Amber looks at Roderick, Juri, and Gideon.  "Wanna take bets on
where they ended up?"

Corrine of Amber manages a faint smile.

Juri sighs gently and holds her head in her hands.

Gideon shrugs, "He's an artificer, Roderick. Items of magic are his
specialty." He smirks. "I guess they found their squid."

Roderick says, "Rose and her friends do tend to be very good at what they
do.  Although part of what they do tends to be wrecking havoc on a cosmic
scale."

Corrine of Amber says, "This would mean they're still in our universe, at
least.... Roderick, you may have luck concatcting them, though if they
crossed paths with Annadil..." She shrugs and sighs.  "And what's the
verdict on the goods?"  She nods towards the Logrus Gem and the spikard.
"Other than I don't trust them about as far as I could throw them right at
the moment -- call it a gut feeling."

Juri says, "Stupid irresponsible little idiots."

Juri says, "They go and build _another_ menace to do damage to the
universes."

Gideon says, "I should talk to them ... they might be able to help me
build a Leviathan."

Juri just _glares_ at Gideon.

Corrine of Amber sighs, and rubs her brow.  She glances at Gideon, and
just mutters.

Roderick says, "They probably just found it.  "

Corrine of Amber says, "One thing at a time.. and that was my feeling,
yes, Roderick."

Corrine of Amber says, "Something on the scope of the squid... you'd
either have to take a long time building it, or find it and commandeer
it."

Roderick says, "I don't think they have the skills to build something on
the scale of the Squid, or they would have had a giant woodpecker level
Arden to annoy Julian by now, I suspect."

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh boy.  That'd also annoy their Green Knight."

Corrine of Amber says, "I'd almost feel sorry for them.  Almost."

Corrine of Amber quirks a smile.

Juri sighs.  "At least this one hopefully won't have a spikard and a
Logrus Jewel to power it, which should limit its trans-universal travel
and mass destruction abilities."

Roderick says, "I don't think we have a Green Knight."

Corrine of Amber says, "Oh.  Darn."  She then nods to Juri.

Roderick says, "I suppose they might have linked it to Ishmael's Pattern,
though."

Gideon hms. "I don't have any giant woodpeckers ... but if you need one, I
might be able to get one together."

Roderick says, "Which would make it a Fire Pattern shark."

Corrine of Amber says, "Drake's Fortress Shadow was, to the best of my
knowledge, a restricted-access Shadow, reachable only by Trump in one
place.  So everything came together, and splooted."

Corrine of Amber quirks an eyebrow at Roderick.  "Oh my."

Juri says, "How could they reach Ishmael's Pattern from another universe."

Roderick says, "I have no idea."

Roderick says, "Just speculating.  "

Juri sighs again.  "I want to go home," she murmurs.  "And I never want to
eat seafood ever again."

Corrine of Amber smiles slightly, gets up gently from the chair she was
in, and moves over to Juri's side to hug her.  *q* "Know the feeling,
Juri.  Oh Pyricorn, I know the feeling."

Juri puts her arm around Corrine in a sisterly way.  "Just when you think
it's over..." she says, then laughs.

Corrine of Amber says, "Fortunately, Chef Bork has a chicken obsession,
and I suspect the seafood from the Rose Duel's finally been used up.....
eh?" She quirks a smile.

Roderick purses his lips slightly with the look of a man who has been
pre-empted, then says, "Ishmael will no doubt show up to gloat soon about
his victory, so hopefully Rose will be able to guide all of us back
through the Cave of Worlds to our respective homes."  

Gideon grimaces. "Not that place again ... "

Corrine of Amber says, "And fortunately, we're on good terms with the
Keeper of the Logrus, there...."

Corrine of Amber OOCly calls 15.  No, really!

Juri grimaces along with Gideon.  "I'm not too enthusiastic about using
the Cave to get home.  Someone with some power over the section intruding
into our universe has apparently got a grudge against me."

Gideon says, "Also, if the exit is under Arras, we might have a problem
getting out ... unless they have rebuilt the city. Then we'd have other
problems getting out."

Corrine of Amber mmmms.  "There's still the Boosted Trump alternative.
But that, I think, requires gaining control of the Keep or perhaps finding
a safe, untamptered, unmolested, uncompulsioned Spikard to do the same."
She eyrolls.

Roderick brightens slightly.  "The squid used the Logrus to travel between
universes. Perhaps there would be some way to use the gem to do the same."

Corrine of Amber says, "Funny... though it was doing it by Trump... but
then again, I wasn't exactly in the best of minds during our various
forays to pay attention to the -particulars-...."

Corrine of Amber says, "I think this is something to discuss and confer
about further after we've all eaten and rested and whatnot." She smiles a
bit.

Juri says, "Well, Gid has his spikard.  Perhaps that could give a
sufficient boost."

Corrine of Amber nods.

Gideon says, "It might work ..."

Roderick says, "The Squid was universe jumping long before it bathed in
the Font."

Roderick says, "That would be how it got from my universe to destroy your
Ember so long ago."

Juri weighs the Logrus Jewel in her hand and frowns, then pulls the
spikard out of her pocket and weighs it in her other hand.  "I hate
objects of cosmic power," she mutters.  "We've got enough destructive
potential on our own without adding them into the mix."

Corrine of Amber sighs.  "True."

You page, "Why, oh why, oh WHY am I getting the OOC suspicion that
Derith's been Compromised by Annadil? ^_^_;;;;" to Akemi.

Roderick says, "The problem is usually the mechanic rather than the tool."

Akemi pages, "Don't ask me! :)" to you.

Corrine of Amber OOCly calls 10, as his brain is starting to go fubar.

Roderick says, "Either of these could be as well used for good purposes as
ill."

Juri looks at Roderick.  "There's a reason why children aren't usually
given guns or knives from an early age."

Gideon says, "Because they don't know the proper use yet."

Corrine of Amber nods.  "Indeed.  The trick is utilizing them, and
-understanding- them, before trying to use them."

Roderick says, "I would hope we're at least a little beyond the level of
Children, though."

Corrine of Amber says, "Which, unfortuantely, lots of folks don't."

Juri says, "Yes, and spikards are a little beyond the level of guns and
knives."

Gideon says, "Which is why you are very careful with them and use them
only when necessary."

Corrine of Amber purses her lips. "'... and the Children shall lead... but
not yet'"  She shakes her head, and sighs.  "Mom had a spikard, once.
It's probably, at this stage, the only one I'd trust, and even NOW I'd be
wary.  Of course, the entire damn point is moot since it was lost when she
was killed...."

Corrine of Amber flops back on Juri's bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"And... I'm rambling.  Yaaay."

Roderick asks, "The Children shall lead what?"

Juri looks down at Corrine with obvious affection.  "It's a problem.
Tomas and Brand didn't hesitate to utilize the spikards... so, does some
other option exist to fight that kind of power except with the same sort
of power?"  She glances at Gideon.

Corrine of Amber looks up and over at Roderick from the bed.  "Something
mentioned in the Prophesies of the Unicorn... I brushed up on 'em a little
when I was getting accustomed to Ember -- they had copies.  'The time will
come when the mountains will fall, when the wind will cease to blow, when
the seas will empty and the sun will fall from the sky, when the forests
will perish, and the dead shall walk.  Then the adults will follow and the
children will lead.  But not today.' Tiger 28. "

Roderick purses his lips.  "Sounds like something Grandfather would say
when he wanted to not just say no, but also rub your face in the no."

Corrine of Amber says, "Usual prophetic vibes... there's an entire section
in the Mirror chapter that seems to apply to the situation as a whole, but
-of course- nobody clued into until more recently as events accelerated."

Gideon shrugs, "There are always ways, Juri. Horatio managed to shut off
Tomas's spikard. Brand still died."

Corrine of Amber says, "The Prophesies of the Pyricorn also have some
weird stuff in 'em..." She shakes her head.  "... I've never been too keen
on Prophesies, prefer Trump Fortunes."

Roderick says, "The spikards like any other tool, pose risks, but
sometimes those risks have to be taken."

Juri nods to Gideon.  "But could we have overcome Brand without the power
you had from your spikard?"

Roderick says, "And if you try to just throw them away, it always comes
back to haunt you."

Corrine of Amber then nods. "There are ways, it just requires thinking
outside the box.  Those with the power sometimes can be blinded with it...
and yeah.   Same with Trump, or Pattern, or a DemiJewel."

Gideon says, "Considering that apart from helping me redirect some of
Brand's spells it was mostly busy keeping me from falling apart, yes."

Juri sighs.  "My only thought when I got my hands on this spikard was to
keep it out of Nameless's hands and use it to stop the squid.  So I put it
on, and if I hadn't been quick enough to disrupt it and pull it off, I
could have..."  She trails off, looking at Corrine again.

Corrine of Amber looks up at Juri, and sits up, moving over to hug again.

Roderick frowns and nods.  "Indeed."

Corrine of Amber says, "You mentioned a compulsion to kill the fire
pattern... it seems to extend to eveyrthing tied to it... which would be
me and my daughter, etc.  Probably how the Squid got its particular
fixation in the first place, now that I think about it."

Juri hugs Corrine back.  "Well, I suppose that's enough philosophizing and
moping for now.  Should we actually do something useful, now?"

Roderick says, "Likely, King Oberon planted the compulsion as part of the
creation of the squid."

Roderick says, "To ensure it did what he needed it to."

"Stupid to create such a thing in the first place," Juri mutters.

Roderick says, "From what little I ever saw of him, he was a very hard to
understand man."

Corrine of Amber chuckles a bit.  "Useful things are good.  Food is good.
Sleep is good."  She looks at Roderick.  "Why -did- he create it in the
first place, anyway?"  She then chuckles, looking rueful.  "Sounds like
father."

Juri sighs.  "Food and sleep.  After that, we'll look into getting home,
eh, Gid?"

Gideon nods, "Food at least, yes."

Roderick says, "Amber went to war with the Fire Pattern"

Roderick says, "and was losing."

Corrine of Amber says, "Ah.  Cute." She sighs.  "Yerp."

Roderick says, "It was long before my time, though."

Corrine of Amber mutters something under her breath as she rubs her eyes.
It sounds suspiciously like "...i hate politics i hate politics i hate
politics..." She then opens her eyes and manages a smile.  "-Well-.  Let's
hope that here in this go round we do better, eh?"

Roderick says, "I certainly hope so."

Roderick offers Juri an arm for the trip down to the dinner table.
"M'lady?"

Corrine of Amber says, "Two worlds.  One family.  Story 'o my life." She
quirks a smile.

Juri smiles.  "Sir."  She takes his arm.

Corrine of Amber stretches, and extricates herself from being on the bed.

And off down to dinner you go.

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

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "And Cut There? :)"

Gideon OOC suggests stopping here. Asleep I am already. z.z

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "It's a good fadepoint, I think.  Does this
count as the Grand Finale, or do we get to Nuke the Keep as the boom?"

Juri says, "OOC:  This feels like wrap-up and denouement to me, and I at
least hope that things are now to the point where RATGOH can be started."

Roderick says, "OOC Pretty much from here, it's a matter of Gideon and
Juri and Roderick finding a way to get to their respective homes and
anything you want to do to get in trouble in Amber. :)"

Juri says, "OOC:  Although I do wonder what the hell is going to happen to
poor Ivan.  ^^;;"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "(yes, it'd be a Bad Idea, but hey, it seems
to happen lots with Keeps and Founts.)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Right!  Hmm... well, there's always that guy
with the Abyssal Submarine."

Roderick says, "OOC I can happily find more trouble for all of you, but
we've pretty much wrapped this arc :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "But YAY!  Arc Done!  Yay!"

Gideon says, "OOC No more trouble. Quiet trip home. -.-"

Juri says, "OOC:  Yes.  No more trouble.  Juri will quietly go home and
shack up with Roderick, and maybe try and find Tomas and kill him."

Roderick says, "OOC Cool.  Roderick will happily help you try to whack the
man :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Effectively at this point, Corrine updates
the rangers, wanting another report at the same time Catherine'll have
hers... there's a pattern walk in her future... and I think much
consolation with the Red Knight."

Juri says, "OOC:  Not necessarily in that order.  Oh, yeah, and the Shadow
of Willing Shioris."

Juri says, "OOC:  Hrm.  Walk the Pattern to clear out anything nasty
Ishmael left, and consult with Tess (maybe Horatio) about the Logrus jewel
and the spikard."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "and then things further from there, but that
depends on point spreads and whatnot."

Gideon OOC just wants to get home, get his brain checked by Tess, and then
find new and interesting ways to destroy the universe.

Juri says, "OOC:  All stuff to do, but, frankly, better-handled as NPC
actions for RATGOH than continued play on my part."

Roderick nods.

Juri says, "OOC:  Because I've been itching to actually run Damask in an
official way for about four months now, etc.  :)"

Roderick says, "Hehe :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly watches Corrine set aside priorities: 1) Improve
Psyche. 2) Increase Trump Skillz. 3) Learn Power Words.  4) Make sure comm
possible between Juri and friends int he future to keep in touch.  But
that last is long LONG term. *wg*

Roderick says, "OOC This game has run a total of 24 sessions."

Roderick says, "OOC Just for the record."

Corrine of Amber OOCly Oh yeah.  Corrine will likely call Her Juri this
night as well, to fill her in on allllll the funkystuff it possible.

Corrine of Amber says, "Whoooooo."

Gideon asks, "OOC: Re 4) ... Corrine interested in helping with
Transuniversal Trumphone?"

Roderick says, "You can do that no problem.  She's off organizing a fleet
to replace the one Kozue sailed off with."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "As 4), heck yeah, as long as it doesn't
release Outsiders or fall into Annadil's hands...."

Juri says, "1) Get more Warfare.  Go home and defeat Daddy.  Listen to
praise.   :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Corrine also feels responsible for the
MacFinndo sitch, so if they turn up again, she'll want to keep tabs."

Gideon . o O ( 1) Build Trump Leviathan. Alternatively, find a homeless
water pattern. :) )

Roderick says, "1 )Mack on Juri in front of Horatio to see if he
explodes...:)"

Gideon says, "I want a tape of that."

Juri says, "I just want to see them compete for her affections, up until
the point Horatio kills Roderick and steals his skin.  :)"

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "Annnnyway... we've done good, I think.  Been
fun.   Long and drawn out, but fun!  Now perhaps I can get the Amberite in
my head to leave me alone....."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "[Corrine] Heck no.  Got more trumps to
draw."

Juri says, "Oh, yeah, 1) should actually be, 'Get high-damage omniweapon
not reliant on Construct'.  -.-"

Gideon says, "Not likely."

Corrine of Amber OOCly facepalms.

Gideon says, "Amberites are pesky little creatures."

Corrine of Amber OOCly says, "*dryly* So I've noticed."

Roderick says, "I'd think a Pattern Blade fits that.  Well, not quite an
omniweapon, but...:"

Gideon says, "Want to get that 16 point omniblade, Juri? :>"

Juri says, "OOC:  No range, and, as the squid demonstrated, occasionally a
weapon that won't ignite Chaos-charged blood is useful to have."

Gideon says, "Weapon fetishist."

Juri says, "OOC:  I would go and dig through the squid's wreckage for
Hummingbird, but I think it would probably be a bad idea for me to wield
it.  :)"

Juri says, "Well, duhh.  :)"

You page, "I figure we can figure out
contributions/experience/advancement/etc points accurued during this
campaign another night, eh?  I think I'm gonna cash out now. *wl* I'll
admit... it was fun, though...." to Akemi.

Corrine of Amber snrks.  "It'd be a nice weapon, if not for that little
flaw or three...."

Juri says, "Yeah, it's cool except for the whole Juri-killing compulsion
thing."

Corrine of Amber says, "And the Killing-in-general compulsion thing."

Corrine of Amber says, "resistable, but OH so annoying...."

Corrine of Amber should, hopefully, be able to continue focus on the
CorrineDarako pic... hm.  point.

Gideon falls asleep. Goodnight.

Chris goes home.

Chris has left.

Juri says, "Hey, I know something fun to do.  I could pierce the Logrus
Jewel with my Patternblade."

Akemi pages, "Go sleep" to you.

Roderick says, "Heh."

Juri says, "I bet that would be cool."

Roderick says, "If you felt rather crazy :)"

Corrine of Amber asks, "Guys?  take a look at
http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/dld/amber/mirror.quote.txt , and tell me
what you think would be the best 3 quotes for the pic?"

Corrine of Amber says, "Leave email or pagemail...."

Corrine of Amber says, "I raided my copy of the Lyrics Archive made in
'96, and grabbed lots of song lyric secions that could be appropriate."

Corrine of Amber says, "And with that, I think I shall thud."

Corrine of Amber waves.  "But hey... it's been fun!"

Juri says, "Night, Phil."

Roderick notes the Corinthians quote inspired TAMD's name

Corrine of Amber says, "well, I caught on -that- first off. :) Though no
translation I found actually -had- "Through A Mirror Darkly" in it.  But
nayway."

Corrine of Amber thuds.