Date sent: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 08:00:30 -0500 (EST) From: "Philip J. Moyer" To: John Biles , "Amy \"General Chaos\" Borden" , Chris Angelini Subject: [Amber/TAMD] Mikage -- Pattern Walking On Air TimeRunner has arrived. Shaftnik says, "talk about timing." Corrine OOCly blinks. Corrine OOCly says, "Whoo." Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm doing Buffy at eight." Hiko the Firechilde says, "Er..." Shizumaru OOCly says, "He got on a few minutes ago." Shaftnik exclaims, "I WANNA SEE THAT!" Mikage says, "OOC Hiya." Hiko the Firechilde says, "i'm WATCHING Buffy at eight." Hiko the Firechilde exclaims, "Hey, Mik!" Mikage exclaims, "OOC Me too!" Shaftnik says, "Aw. I don't wanna see that." Shizumaru OOCly says, "Okay, then. Shizumaru goes looking for Mikage once Gideon leaves with Washuu for the lab shadow." Corrine OOCly says, "Is this the planning session? Or after?" Shizumaru OOCly says, "Before the planning session." Corrine OOCly says, "Righto. Late night planning session, then. *wg*" Mikage says, "OOC Meanwhile, Mikage needs to walk the Air Pattern." Ramon says, "OOC You can't do that until day 75, though." Corrine OOCly says, "Gonna be a problem, since Tir'na-nog's still not accessable. ^_-;" Ramon says, "OOC Which has not yet come." Shizumaru OOCly says, "And that'll be D-Day anyway. o.o;" Corrine OOCly says, "And we're back on day 70, here." Shizumaru OOCly says, "Anyway, I go searching for Mikage?" Ramon says, "OOC Yes. At this point, the last you'd seen of him, he was in the gardens with Anthy" Shizumaru goes to the gardens. Shizumaru OOCly says, "Actually, no, I don't. I trump Anthy." Shaftnik asks, "OOCly what, is everyone after gramama now?" Mikage says, "OOC Hey, I was first. ^^;" Keiko exclaims, "OOC: She belongs to Juri! Juri, I say!" Ramon says, "OOC Okay, be with you in a second, figuruing out with Mikage what he's doing when you trump him." You page, "Oh, thought I had. You mentioned that the Unicorn showed up for Tylor's Coronation. Did the Pyricorn show up for Corrine's?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Yeah, it would." to you. You page, "Cool. I can write that, then." to Akemi. You page, "I have a feeling that after it gave the Fire Jewel to Corrine (which, she could have SWORN was around her neck a few seconds prior), it vanished in a burst of flame, leaving four hoofprints in the Great Hall's paving stones. :)" to Akemi. You page, "I can see it becoming a tradition for a -serious- investiture or knighting or starting on a quest, the person in question places themselves between the front two hoof marks, kneeling there in front of Corrine." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Nifty idea." to you. =========================== =========================== You contact Anthy. She's on a windy mountainside somewhere; you can see Mikage behind her. Mikage says, "OOC Use the Trump I made! ^^;" Shizumaru smiles. "Anthy-sama," he says. "I was wondering where Mikage-niisan might be...I see he is still with you. May I come through to speak to him? I apologize if I am intruding on you." Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says, "oi... going off line. See you after Buffy." Foxtrot has disconnected. >> Byeeee! It was really fun! Anthy puts a hand on Mikage's shoulder to draw him into the link. Mikage asks, "Yes, cousin?" Shizumaru smiles. "Hello, Mikage-niisan. I wish to thank you for offering your help with the upcoming attack on the Keep. This makes me even more indebted to you, I realize...I was wondering if there is anything that I can do for you, in the next few days." Mikage smiles as well. "Yes. Please try to keep me from getting skewered. That's basically all I can really think of." Anthy smiles faintly. Anthy says, "Have you ever visited Tir'na'nog, Shizumaru?" Shizumaru chuckles softly. "Of course. I owe you my mind, from that one Rose Duel, all that time ago. Hm? No, not yet, Anthy-sama. I have not had the opportunity to." Mikage says, "Well, we are ascending the steps of Tir-na'nogth, as we speak." He turns to Anthy and gives her a slight smile. Shizumaru blinks. "The Castle in the Sky is out tonight?" Anthy nods. "Mikage must properly attune himself, and on the first safe night, it will likely be...not safe. As I don't think Annadil will want to wait." Anthy says, "It comes and it goes when the Moon is not full." Mikage nods as well. "We have no time, and I would rather enter the Keep with full control over the Bag." You page, "Oh yeah. If everybody manages to survive the Keep Assault and whatnot, I suspect Corrine's going to walk the Wood Pattern with Shizu, to double-check her brain, support him through the cleaning/reinforcement of the Seed attunement, and to let her get all 5 patterns under her belt before the Ends Of The World. :)" to Akemi. You page, "Oh, and CD title for TAMD #4 -- "Countdown to Revolution", I think should cover it. ^_^" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Heh." to you. Shizumaru nods. "I understand. Please take care." He pauses, smiling faintly. "I would like to join you, perhaps, but I need to make other rounds, still, before the planning session for the assault on the Keep." He frowns. "Oniisan, I hope you will be able to make it for the planning session.... We need to depart tomorrow in the morning, as time is now of the essence." Mikage nods. "Which is why I need to finish this tonight. I may see you at the meeting, if this does not drain me too much." Anthy says, "If we don't finish this before morning..." She shakes her head. Shizumaru says, "All right. Good luck...I am sure you will succeed. If you do not make it to the meeting in time, well, we will probably still have those two days of travel to discuss matters, as well." Mikage nods to Shizumaru. "Can you walk the pattern, Anthy? Or shall you wait outside while I proceed?" Shaftnik says, "OOCly hey, why they BOTH walking together? o.o;;;;;;;" Shizumaru says, "I should not keep you any longer, then. May the kami smile on you, and the Unicorn protect you." Autolyca has connected. Autolyca says, "Howdy" Anthy says, "We must cross the entire palace to reach the Pattern chamber, Mikage. I will observe from the outside of the Pattern and attempt to make sure the chamber remains stable." Mikage says, "Thank you, cousin." Mikage says, "OOC Heh heh... Wouldn't you like to know, Rod. ^^;" Shaftnik says, "OOCly oooooh my o.o" Shizumaru OOCly says, "Hi, Jeff. Okay, John, I guess I close the contact, and now try to reach Urd through my ring." Mikage says, "Hiya, Jeff." Corrine OOCly says, "'lo, Jeff." Mikage says, "OOC I think my set of trumps can be called the Tir-Na'nogth set, because of the shadowy stuff going on in the background." Shizumaru OOCly says, "Hm. Well, if you're running Mikage's Patternwalk, I can wait to talk to Urd later, if you prefer. Or do it by page, or whatever." Mikage says, "OOC I can go to Arden." Ramon says, "I'll take care of you by page, Shiz." Shizumaru OOCly nods. Ramon says, "OOC And run TR in here, so I can't puppet screw up myself." Mikage says, "OOC Wow. That mean's I'm actually in the main game room this time. ^^;" Mikage says, "OOC means, even" Shizumaru sits down at his desk, and concentrates on the copper ring. Mikage continues the long walk up the steps. The steps are disturbing to walk up, as they waver and flicker every few seconds. At times, your feet start to sink into them like clay. Mikage says, "I've heard of this phenomenon," reaching a hand out to Anthy. "Please watch your step." She takes yoru hand and walks with you. Mikage turns to Anthy. "What can we expect when we get up there? I've only been to Tir-Na'nog once, and that was in a dream." Anthy says, "Basically, it's similar in layout to Castle Amber, but..." Mikage listens, nodding. "For one thing, the geography of it has been known to change. Parts will become similar to places with great significance to those visiting." She frowns. "And it is inhabited by people who resemble those we know in the world below...and by those who are part of our pasts." Soft music begins to play as you move up the staircase, towards the flickering castle high above you. Mikage nods. "I first met Miki and Madoka in Tir-Na'nog. Their love quickly became appaarent to me." He chuckles softly. Anthy nods and smiles. "The truth is revealed, but the truth you see may not always be the truth you thought it to be." Mikage says, "Indeed." "And sometimes...the dead walk." Mikage purses his lips at this, and says, "I'll manage." She stares down at the castle below, and the city, which forms a great wheel of light. "It is real, and not-real, and more than real." Mikage says, "What Is Not, and What Has Yet To Pass." Turning to you, she nods. "Exactly." The gates draw closer, and then a step shatters like glass. You begin to fall, but Anthy's hand keeps you from plummeting as she stands on air where a step once was. Mikage exclaims, "Agh!" Mikage holds on and tries to make his way back onto the steps. She pulls you up to the next step. "I will not let you fall. But I warn you again, once you step onto the Pattern...if it vanishes beneath you, you will die." Mikage smiles. "Thank you..." His smile fades from his face, then, and he adds, "I'll risk it." The gates draw closer, and the music grows louder. Then you reach the top, and the gates swing open. And in the courtyard, a masked ball is in progress. Mikage clasps Anthy's hand tighter. "What do you make of this?" Off to one side, a band plays a spritely waltz, and masked couples whirl and spin. Anthy says, "Today would likely have been a masked ball without the war." As she looks around, she frowns slightly. "Or it might be symbolic." Derith whirls past you, dancing with a woman you don't recognize. Although she looks to be Rebman. Shizumaru OOCly says, "Shift's over...gotta run. Pick up when I get home, John?" Ramon says, "OOC Okay, Drew." Shizumaru has disconnected. >> Shizumaru bows, says, "Gomen nasai. Mou ikimasu," and runs off. A guard at the door hands each of you a mask. Mikage notes Derith, and asks, "Symbolic of what, I wonder..." Mikage takes his mask and holds it to his face. Corrine OOCly hums "Masquerade." They whirl by, and then a young boy runs out. The woman laughs and picks up the boy and begins to 'dance' with him, as Derith watches, amused. Anthy takes one as well, then leads you out into the 'dance floor', moving into a dance position with you, and beginning to waltz the two of you through the mob. Mikage follows suit. Shizumaru spins past you with Rimururu, and Tylor with Yuriko, and Corrine with...a small dragon? [spoofed by Akemi] A quartet of pirates clog dance off in one corner, and you see Lord Falme dancing with Yumi. Mikage asks, "Falme...?" You page, "Ohkay. I gotta just know about the signifigance of Corrine with the small dragon... unless it's representing her new ties to Ember. *wl*" to Akemi. Falme has his firey head doused at the moment, but he nods to you as you go by, then points at the mask he's wearing and winks. Yumi smiles at you as well, pointing to her mask. Mikage looks at their masks. He wears a tragedy mask in red, while she wears a comedy mask in blue. And then everything flickers, and for a moment, your feet begin to sink. But then the ground is solid again, but the dancers have moved, and many changed partners. Mikage says, "We don't have time for this. Anthy, I..." He looks at her mask. Anthy's mask is a purple bird face, studded with clear jewels. Mikage shakes his head. "Never mind. We'd better go. I'm not sure how much longer the castle is going to hold." Anthy moves fluidly through the crowd, waltzing with you. "Dreams cannot be rushed." And then, across the courtyard, you see Mamiya dancing with a young girl with short brown hair, in an elegant green dress. Mikage draws in a breath, sharply. "Mamiya..." Anthy's eyes widen as well. "He's dancing with Shiori..." Mikage asks, "Who's... Shiori?" "She was in love with him. She threw herself into the Abyss after he vanished into it," Anthy says softly. You page, "Hm. -does- Corrine know the story behind the naming of Juri's horse? *pause* *looks at the above* ... okay, so there prolly -isn't- a link..." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Juri only once said she named the horse after someone she knew." to you. You page, "Righto. And Corrine prolly picked up the vibe 'Sis doesn't want to talk about this', and tabled the matter." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Actually, it was more of a 'not much to talk about' vibe :)" to you. You page, "-Ah-. Okay, So not uber-emotional attachment major angst session vibe, just 'I felt like naming the horse like that'. :)" to Akemi. She shakes her head, sighing. "I'm not sure if he even had realized how she felt." You're now almost at the far edge of the crowd, near the palace entrance. Mikage says, "I don't think he realized how... anyone felt." Akemi pages, "Juri only once said she named the horse after someone she knew." to you. Mikage says, "OOC Argh, my gf says there's a citywide traffic jam. I have to pick up her flowers... oh, I'll do it after lunch, when all the yuppies go back to their offices." Ramon says, "OOC Right." Keiko says, "OOC: I'd like to note that of all the colours Shiori's hair might be called, brown ain't one of them. :)" Ramon says, "OOC Oh, this is just John's weird color sense at work :)" Mikage asks, "OOC Er, burnt sennia?" And then you reach the doors of the great hall, which swing open. Keiko says, "OOC: The best description I ever saw was 'raspberry-coloured', actually, because that's exactly what colour it is. :)" Corrine OOCly says, "Ehy, they're in Tir'na-Nog. Colors go wonky." Mikage looks into the great hall. Inside the great hall, Tylor sits on his throne, clearly in pain. Water flows from a wound in his left side as attendants flutter about, desperately trying to catch it all in buckets. He babbles on, his voice cheerful despite the pain in his side. Mikage tries to ignore this and walks on. "Send for my boat, I must set sail for far Cathuria. They know all secrets there, and the pleasure gardens...ahh, what a wonder. Where is my boat? I must have it." You walk halfway down the red carpet to him, then turn and head for a side door. Mikage notes the babbling and continues. "Now a tun of brandy for everyone! Yes, that'll wash our enemies back into the sea." Dancing pirates surround the king and sing 'yo ho ho and a bottle of rum' And then you pass into the hallway. There are chairs along the wall, each with a small card in it pointing to the next chair. Mikage says, "OOC Uh-oh." Corrine OOCly says, "Oh Dear." The chairs stretch on and on...until you come to where the stairs should be. But instead, there's an elevator door. Mikage says, "Nemuro... Kinenkan." Mikage looks at Anthy. "Should we?" Anthy purses her lips. "It would seem we have no choice." Mikage enters the elevator with Anthy. The door slides open and you enter. Unlike most, there are benches to sit on along the two side walls. Anthy sits down. Mikage sits down as well. There is a flicker, and the bench becomes very spongy, then solid again. A single sweatdrop runs down Anthy's brow. The elevator is now in motion, and in the darkness of the opposite bench, a man sits. Mikage says, "Not good. We can't afford to be trapped in here when the castle blinks out." "Souiji Mikage, the genius student." The man shrouded in darkness says with a sneer. The voice is eerily familiar. "I see you've put many years into studying. And what has it gotten you?" Mikage says, "Here, apparently." Mikage sneers as well. Mikage asks, "And you are...?" "Oh, we're not here to talk about me. I'm not the one risking his life for a dream. Or is it a nightmare?" The voice is irkingly familiar, though you still can't place where you've heard it before. Mikage says, "Let's get this clear ... I'm the pathetic one, and you're the one with the moral ascendancy to preach to me. Just making sure. Coward." "I can see you've been taking lessons in how to win friends and influence people," the man says, sounding amused. "Perhaps that's why you're now carrying on with your grandmother because she reminds you of someone else." Shizumaru has connected. Shizumaru OOCly will be ready to RP in a few minutes, getting a late-night snack. Mikage says, "I only have to listen to this nonsense 'til the elevator reaches it's destination." The man smirks, and for a moment, you catch a hint of pale hair. "By the time the elevator reaches its destination, it's usually too late to wise up." Mikage says, "I'm sorry you have to hear this, Anthy." Anthy says softly, "Do not let him provoke you. His words are nothing but wind." Mikage starts laughing, filling the elevator with his laughter. The man frowns. "And what do you find so amusing?" As you laugh, you can see there's another person seated beside him, some woman in a dress. Mikage, still chuckling, says, "You. I just realized who you are." The man nods. "And who would that be?" Mikage takes Anthy's hand and kisses it. "A person... risking his life for a dream." The man turns and raises the hand of his companion, kissing it. "Dreams are as nothing, until they become reality." Mikage smiles at Anthy, then turns to the shadowy figure. "I intend to make it real. And I see you're as congenial as always, Professor." The elevator reaches the bottom. "The way has been prepared for you." He sounds quite amused. "Do you really think you will be more successful this time?" The doors chime and open. Mikage nods. "I don't have a choice but to revolutionize the world." "Those who have tried to revolutionize the world and failed are doomed to repeat it. Good day." Anthy stands. Mikage stands as well. "Shall we?" "We shall." You step towards the exit...and for a moment, there is only the sky beyond the doorway. And then the sky flickers, and there is a hallway. "Dreams offer a poor footing," the man in the shadows says. "But they offer a place to start," Mikage replies. Mikage walks out into the hallway. You head down the hallway, past doors behind which people scream, or sing, or moan, or trip. And then, down by the pattern chamber, you see quite a strange sight. Two twins are fighting. Each have dark hair, glasses, anda beard. Both are garbed as a king. But one is armed with two swords, and the other with two guns. Mikage asks, "Is that...?" The former in black, the latter in white. Anthy says faintly, "Gendo." Mikage nods... Mikage asks, "What does this mean?" Bullets fly, and swords parry. Foxtrot has connected. >> We have arrived, you may kiss my foot, now. Hiko the Firechilde says, "Evening, gents." Shizumaru OOCly waves. Shaftnik says, "wb" Anthy says, "Perhaps a battle of the old and the new." Mikage asks, "Why are there two of them?" Mikage says, "Perhaps..." "Or a conflict of methods...I am not sure." She seems quite troubled. The two Gendos both charge into the Pattern chamber out of sight. Mikage says, "Let us follow." Hiko the Firechilde OOCLY says, "Yawn... two Gendous, seen it, done it, got the shirt..." Mikage asks, "OOC Er, Trish, would you mind keeping it down...?" Windir wakes up. Mikage says, "OOC I mean, I know my scenes aren't exactly action packed, but..." Gendos out of the way...heading for Pattern chamber now? Mikage nods. Mikage walks into the Pattern Chamber. You page, "Oh, I've got reference sheets (text/images) printed out for the GK and Hiko to give you when you get to Katsu, so don't worry 'bout getting 'em printed yourself. ^_^" to Foxtrot. Inside, the Pattern looks like the last time you were here, complete with trap door in the center. Mikage says, "This is it..." Mikage gives Anthy one last look. Mikage says, "Wish me luck. Hopefully it won't blink out and send me plummeting to the ground below." Anthy says, "I wish you luck, gr...Mikage. And I will do my best to hold it stable with my powers." She plucks the rose from her shirt and hands it to you. "Carry this with you." Ramon asks, "OOC Did I miss your reply, TR? OR are you being lag-eaten?" Mikage says, "OOC idle for quick lunch. back." Ramon exclaims, "OOC Righto!" Mikage says, "Thank you, my lady." Mikage takes a deep breath, and steps onto the pattern. You get a mild jolt, just like last time, and then as you begin to walk, the memories begin to flow. One of your oldest memories, a report card. A perfect report card. And how meaningless it felt. Mikage . o O (...this is my ward, Nemuro... he'll be staying at Ohtori while I am away. See to it he receives a proper education...) Mikage walks forward, bracing himself for the moment he enters the first Veil. Memories of school flit by as you arc round the pattern. Once you've gone halfway around on your first rotation, you can see Anthy by the entrance, her eyes closed. The air swirls around her, and she glows like a beacon. Mikage . o O (I've... received all the praise, all the glory, without any effort...) You continue along your way, more memories of school. And then the first Veil rises up before you. Mikage . o O (I received everything I've ever thought of wanting...) Mikage enters the first Veil. Michelle has arrived. Michelle has left. Rod has left. Foxtrot has left. The veil flashes around you. And you remember the day when you began down another path in your search for something more. Setsuna has arrived. Setsuna has left. Mikage . o O (...and it left me with no more dreams...) Mikage . o O (...and I promised myself... I VOWED... to find a world big enough to hold new dreams...) You come around another bend, and someone walks into the Pattern chamber. Someone with purplish hair and dark skin. Shizumaru OOCly says, "...oh nooooooooooo." Dancing Ed OOCly covers his eyes. And as he enters, you remember the day you first met him, a boy who looked rather girlish. Mikage says, "Mamiya..." Mikage keeps walking, tries not to get distracted... Mikage oocly plays Yomigaere!, the Utena Movie duel song with Saionji. You keep walking, remembering your search for meaning, and the steps you began to take as you searched for it. You page, "For a moment, thought it was Annadil? ^_-;;" to Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Me too. X.x" to you. You page, ".. or it may be, shapeshifted... ^_^;" to Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Gwah." to you. Faintly smiling, Mamiya advances on Anthy. Mikage says, "Anthy... watch out...." Anthy's eyes are closed, and she does not see this. Nor does she seem to hear your warning. Mikage exclaims, "DAMN!" Mikage pushes himself forward, blinking back memories, tears... Ramon says, "I AM MORGENSTERN" Ramon says, "OOC DOOOOOOOOH" Mikage . o O (Faster, Nemuro! Push yourself harder!) Corrine OOCly patpats. Mikage exclaims, "OOC DO'H!" Shizumaru OOCly patpats. :) AND EVERYTHING. Ramon exclaims, "OOC GGGRRRRRR, I SUCK!" Mikage says, "OOC Way to freak me out, man. ^^;" You page, "And oh yes: http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/dld/amber/Miki.cc.jpg and Miki.trump.jpg" to Akemi. You approach the second veil, memories of a thousand obscure texts filling your mind. Mikage cries out as he pushes into the Second Veil. And then between Anthy and Mamiya appears a figure in white armor. Dancing Ed OOC Whew. Mikage glances quickly, then pushes forward, temples throbbing... You page, "GO, WHITE KNIGHT!!!!" to Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Was wondering when the dude would show up. o.o" to you. The ritual sacrifice...it was in the book...the book...the title dances before your eyes. De Vermis Mysteris... The Blind Ape of Truth would reveal all, if only you opened the way... Mikage says, "...De Vermis Misteris... opened the way..." Mikage oocly playes the Mikage duel theme. The knight points his sword at Mamiya. "Return to your end of the universe." And the second veil parts, and you remember what came after... The hall was burning... Mikage says, "...Mamiya... burned down...." Everyone was dying... And then, through the smoke...it came. You page, "And oh yes: http://www.eyrie.org/~aerianne/dld/amber/Miki.cc.jpg and Miki.trump.jpg" to Foxtrot and Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Nice!" to you and Foxtrot. The ritual worked...it worked...the Ape came forth, with its eyeless head and relentless paws. Mamiya says, "The King is Dead, Knight." "But my duties never end." He raises his sword. "Leave, or perish." And it stood before you, and waited...waited for the question you were allowed. Mikage says, "...and I asked..." Mikage asks, "Where... lies the power to bring the world revolution?" And it spoke. WITHIN THE HEART OF THE PATTERN OF AIR LIES THE GATE OF REVOLUTION. HE WHO OPENS THE GATE WILL GAIN THE POWER TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD. BUT YOU ARE NOT YET READY. BUT THE WAY IS BEING PREPARED FOR YOU... And then he touched you...and all was forgotten...until now. Mikage says, "...The way is being prepared..." Mikage says, "...The Way has been prepared for me. I have no choice but to bring the world revolution." Mikage lifts his head, and strides forward. Mikage calls out, "You may have led me to the Question, Mamiya..." Sparks rise all around you, and you stride forward, pushing yourself through the memories of what came next, the years spent honing your mind... Mikage says, "...But you won't be with me when I find the Answer. I will not have you, or your lord interfere. I will bring the world revolution." Mamiya says, "Duty leads many a knight to his death. You will not be the first." He points at the knight, and the floor turns into a black circle. And the knight drops out of sight. And then the circle begins to advance on Anthy. Shizumaru pages, "Well, d'oh. O.o" to you. You page, "... yerp." to Shizumaru. Mikage says, "If you kill her, you will never learn the meaning of the revolution. Either way, I've beaten you. So waste your magic elsewhere." Mikage pushes even forward, speaking only to distract Mamiya. Mikage says, "You don't deserve the name 'Mamiya'." Mamiya says, "I am the one true Mamiya. All else are but illusions." And then Anthy's eyes snap open. As they do, the entire room flickers for a moment. Excruciating pain rushes through you in that moment. Mikage staggers for a moment, trying to regain his footing. Mikage exclaims, "AAAGH!" You barely manage to keep on the line, trying to head for the final veil. Autolyca OOC Night! Mikage says, "OOC Night, Jeff." Autolyca has disconnected. "I will keep you safe, until you are needed, Mother." She says softly, "I can keep myself safe." You page, "... oh boy? Mamiya is Anthy's kid by Annadil? o_O; Though she never said what happened to -all- of them..." to Shizumaru. In a page-pose to you, Shizumaru bliiiiinks. A thousand years...or more...or less...spent as master of the dead and shaper of minds flows through you as you put one foot ahead of the other. Mikage steps into the last Veil... The black circle bobs back and forth between Anthy and Mamiya. And you remember how a woman like Corrine burst into your office...the day on which it was time to go forth from the womb of death...and begin the revolution. And as you pierce the veil, you feel the power of the Bag of Winds flow into you. You page, "Well, he just called Anthy -mother-... and the WK said he should stay on -his- side of the universe... and Mamiya was a -Pit Diver-, looking for Setsuna...." to Shizumaru. You page, "And that black circle... -could- be Abyss Power." to Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Yeh. o.o" to you. Mikage says, "...and the world's shell... was broken." Mikage draws his sword. The power of wind. The power of storms. To move like the air. To be free like the air, which no chain can bind, no wall can block, no fire can burn away. For the power of the wind is the power of the word of air, the word of Freedom. And so you stand in the center of the Pattern, drained, yet stronger. As the black circle pushes ever closer to Anthy. The trapdoor to the chamber of revolution at your feet. Mikage raises his sword in salute. "Mamiya. I have one more chain I need to break. Prepare yourself." There is a blink, and you are behind him, your sword through his heart. But he does not bleed. And when you withdraw your blade, he is now made entirely of darkness. And then he smiles. And the circle suddenly moves under your feet... Mikage instinctively reaches for the bag. "I've been bound by duty, by emotion, by compelling of the mind, by love, I suppose..." Mikage says, "...by propriety, by the dice of fate..." "By your own stupidity," Mamiya says. Mikage says, "There is that..." He blinks as you fail to plummet. Mikage regards his blade. "But now, I am bound to nothing and to no one. Not by Amber, not by Ohtori... Not even by the ground itself." He hovers over the hole. "And not by you." He opens the bag at Mamiya. Tir'na'nogth wavers like the surface of a pond struck by a rock. Anthy closes her eyes again and the rippling stops. Mikage grasps Anthy's hand. And then the wind howls out of the bag, pushing Mamiya back towards the Pattern. He staggers, trying to fight it, but here, within the chamber, he cannot. Mikage says, "I'm sorry, Anthy..." And then, right before he can fall onto the Pattern... She sighs. "He has chosen his path." He opens a hole beneath himself and drops into it. For just a moment, a dozen hunched over, animalistic red headed men erupt up out of the hole. Mikage tries to lift Mamiya through the hole. And then the wind hits them, and they blow onto the Pattern, where sparks rise up and devour them. Shizumaru OOCly says, "...was that a pack of Feral Brands, John?" Ramon exclaims, "OOC Yep!" Mikage says, "OOC Do'h..." Corrine OOCly says, "AAAAHHHHHH!" Shizumaru OOCly clubs John over the head with a baby seal. You reach into the hole. And the hole devours your power. And then it closes. Corrine OOCly says, "This outghta be an intereting report to make at the planning meeting." Mikage closes the bag, and sighs. Then he turns to Anthy. "Are you all right?" Anthy sighs. "The Abyss has entered into him." She nods. "I am fine. Are you alright?" Mikage nods. "For a moment... I worried for you. But I see I needn't have. If anyone needs worrying over between us, I suppose it is me." Anthy says, "If you had taken much longer, I believe I would have lost that struggle and fallen into the Abyss. I am not familiar with how to fight it." She shudders. "Little is known of it. So I thank you for your aid." You page-pose, "Aerianne gives Anthy Demitrius's card. "I hear he does pickups and shuttle runs."" to Shizumaru. Shizumaru pages, "Heh." to you. Mikage nods. "You are most welcome. Shall we return to Amber?" Mikage says, "OOC Oh, crap. Power of the Abyss. ^^;" She nods. "So what will you do with your freedom?" Mikage he smiles at her, and kisses her hand. "Make bindings of my own choosing." She smiles brightly at that. "One man can be an island...but there is little to do on an island by oneself." And then she gestures and the air rips open in a circle, showing the courtyard. "Shall we?" Mikage says, "How far would you say the Rose Garden is from here... if we flew?" He returns her smile. Mikage says, "OOC I have to go soon. ^^;" Ramon says, "OOC Well, so should I, so will wrap up quick." "Well, in that case..." Mikage nods and takes her hand. She concentrates, and Tir'na'nogth flickers out, and the two of you plummet through the floor...onto the back of a winged unicorn. The Alicorn whinneys and looks at Anthy slightly reproachfully. She smiles and pats its main. "To the garden, my friend." And you fly downwards. Mikage laughs, with true mirth for the first time in... almost a millenium. =========================== =========================== Ramon says, "OOC And we cut." *** TimeRunner goes OOC. *** Corrine OOCly says, "Yay! -nice-, kickass, tensioned and insightful scene." Mikage says, "Mikage and Anthy, the Valentine's episode. ^^;" Mikage bows low. Ramon says, "OOC Hehe." Corrine gives TR and John heart-shaped chocolates. Shizumaru says, "Cool." Corrine asks, "So, you here Thursday (us)?" Corrine says, "(TR, that is)" Mikage says, "Hmmm... I don't know yet." Mikage says, "Tomorrow, I'll be here, but that IS Valentine's night over there..." Ramon says, "Fair enough." Ramon says, "I'll be gaming at that time, then trying to make myself go to bed dearly." Corrine says, "Ah, so ka. *nod*" Dancing Ed says, "Time to head in for the night, if I'm going to get done in Wichita in time to get back to Lawrence for that session. :)" Mikage says, "Not quite the Shaft-action-flick, but I enjoyed it a lot. :)" Ramon says, "Trapped in Wichita. Ugh." You page, "Given timing and everything, would it be okay if I tried doing the Juri/Corrine scene without you around? If alan's ameinable? (given scene timings and all... shizu running around, and Mikage busy to the mid evening, etc...)" to Akemi and Kima. Kima pages, "Hrm? ATM, I'm playing RATGOH, so I'm a bit distracted to do it now." to you and Akemi. You page, "Meant more tomorrow evening, Alan. *wg8 I'm headign to bed, myself." to Akemi and Kima. Akemi pages, "I don't mind. At some point when Alan isn't busy, I gotta run the Juri/Roderick scene too." to you and Kima. Kima pages, "Tomorrow evening should be fine." to you and Akemi. You page, "Gotcha. *nod*" to Akemi and Kima. Mikage says, "Say, Droo... what do you think of the 'soft touch' Mikage is applying? ^^;" Shizumaru hrms. Shizumaru says, "Not bad, I guess." Dancing Ed says, "Well, the best things I can say about Wichita are that it has a nice aircraft industry and is close to Hutchison's Cosmosphere. :) Though it is supposed to be the home of a major fansub group." Mikage says, "I gotta go... ^^;" Mikage waves out. Mikage exclaims, "Thanks again, John.!" Corrine says, "Night, TR. Have a chocolate." Mikage exclaims, "I will!" Dancing Ed says, "And I as well. Seeya all later, good luck, TR. :)" TimeRunner has disconnected. >> Timerunner gets swallowed up by a Corridor, leaving behind a mindless >> Analogue. Akemi pages, "I don't mind. At some point when Alan isn't busy, I gotta run the Juri/Roderick scene too." to you and Kima. Corrine gives TR a Chocolate SG Anthy. Ramon exclaims, "Goodnight!" Windir falls asleep. Corrine OOCly says, "oop, too late." Corrine exclaims, "and now, I head to bed. G'night!" Corrine waves. Shizumaru waves.