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Logging Started: 09/11/2000 at 22:05:55
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At the base of the stairs, Shaft suddenly remembers that King's bar won't open
 until late afternoon, so he says farewell to you, and tells Hiko to meet him
 later for the barhop.  Various other people scatter, leaving Shizumaru and
 Hiko together in the garden below the dueling arena.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "That was an interesting style of combat,
 Shizumaru-san."
Akemi pages, "Just as a reminder, Queen Anthy gave both of you dueling rings,
 which you can use to unlock the arena yourselves in the future." to Foxtrot
 and you.
Shizumaru closely studies one of the red rosebushes, then leans over, closes
 his eyes, and sniffs at one of its flowers. Mmmm. "...ah? Oh. I suppose it
 is...the umbrella is not one of your more orthodox weapons, I suppose. But it
 is versatile."
Aerianne has arrived.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "May I see your weapon?"
Shizumaru takes a step back from the bush, and presents the umbrella to Hiko.
 "It is somewhat heavier than it appears," he says, as he passes it over.
Hiko the Firechilde reaches for the umbrella.
Oh yeah... now she's seducing mister innocent... may I see your weapon indeed.
 ;p
Hey!
Shizumaru OOCly kneecaps Nagisa.
Hiko the Firechilde's arm is pulled down heavily and she drops it onto her
 foot.  "Ouch!  Fuggindamnit!"
Hiko the Firechilde pulls back, hobbling to a bench.
Shizumaru sweatdrops. "...my apologies, Cousin." He picks up his umbrella and
 helps Hiko over.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "You must be real strong to be able to hold that...
 thing."
Shizumaru tilts his head. "I believe that Cousin Ramon is stronger than I am.
 But...yes, it does take a certain amount of strength to be able to use
 Kirisame."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is that what you named your sword?"
Shizumaru pauses. "Ah, no. That is the name of the umbrella," he answers,
 tapping said item. "My sword is Ou Haraeno Maga Kami Shizumaru." He stops,
 mildly embarassed. "I did not name it--Haohmaru-sensei did."
Nagisa OOCly waves out...
Scriviner has disconnected.
Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "Sword, umbrella.  Same difference, ne?"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "What does it mean?"
Shizumaru nods. "Kirisame is 'cutting rain'." And the sword's name, Shizumaru's
 player doesn't know, 'cos he doesn't know what the kanji is. C.c;
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "Where did you say you were from?"
Shizumaru turns to look out from the garden, in the vague direction of his
 homeland...or what he thinks is the direction. "From the islands of Lipun, to
 the east of Amber."
Hiko the Firechilde nods.  "I take it you're familiar with this Amber place?"
Shizumaru blinks a few times, looking back at his cousin. "Amber? You mean,
 here?" He shakes his head. "This is my first time here, really. I had been
 told about it a little by my mother, but not very much."
Hiko the Firechilde tilts her head, and rubs her foot.  "Which one is your
 mother?"
Shizumaru's face falls. "My mother is Hisame Atsuko...daughter of Lord Hisame,
 a noble in the Emperor's court. She has gone...missing." He looks up at Hiko.
 "And my father is Prince Touga of Amber," he adds, just in case Hiko hadn't
 heard that fact yet.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Touga.  The one who let my mother rot with a rapist."
Juri-TAMD says, "OOC Ahh, the joy of unfair character perspectives :)"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Ain't it cool?"
Er, change to "left my mother to rot with a rapist."
Juri-TAMD says, "OOC Just keep in mind if you say that to Touga, he'll break
 your Jaw :)"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Hopefully, I won't be near Touga."
A butterfly rises out of the flowers and flutters over to rest on the tip of
 Shizumaru's umbrella.
Shizumaru bristles slightly, but doesn't do much more, except to answer, "I do
 not understand my father. He left my mother as well, abandoned her after
 seducing her. And yet, he has done some honorable things...." He trails off,
 blinking at the butterfly.
It is a monarch butterfly, with orange and brown wings.
Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "Some things can't be forgiven."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I'm sorry if that offends you."
Shizumaru slowly moves a finger close to it, toward its wings, trying to brush
 them gently. He's suddenly deaf to Hiko, fascinated by the butterfly. "...hm?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Never mind."  She looks at Shizumaru and the
 butterfly.
Shizumaru touches a wing gently, then withdraws his finger. "What a beautiful
 creature," he murmurs.
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "You enjoy beauty, don't you?"
Shizumaru sits back again, still watching the butterfly. "The beauty found in
 nature, yes. The beauty bestowed by the kami." A faint smile touches his lips.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Beauty doesn't last."
Hiko the Firechilde touches the butterfly herself, a small sigh escaping her
 lips.
Shizumaru sighs and shakes his head. "No, it is fleeting. So I try to
 appreciate it while it lasts."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Parents are home. Pause for a bit, shouldn't be more
 than 15 minutes. o.o"
Juri-TAMD OOC nods.
"Beauty dies."  There is a wealth of bitterness in her voice.

Aerianne says, "[Corrine OOC fully admits bias in these matters.]"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Right, Droo.  Ready for the sex?"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Kidding."
Shizumaru OOCly c.c
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Okay, where were we...."
"Beauty doesn't last."  She touches teh butterfly herself and a sigh escapes
 her lips.
Shizumaru sighs and shakes his head. "No, it is fleeting. So I try to
 appreciate it while it lasts."
Queen Anthy now descends the steps into the garden.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Hey, TR."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Good day."
Mikage says, "Heya."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Howdy!@"
Shizumaru is snapped out of his reverie, and he rises to his feet, to bow to
 Anthy. "Good day, Queen Anthy," he greets her.
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Beauty is fleeting, which is why we must strive to
 preserve it, but not mourn it unduly when it can no longer be saved."
Dowager Queen Anthy begins to water the flowers with the watering can she is
 carrying.  "I'm glad to see someone besides me appreciating this little
 garden."
"I find it strange that there are no more who do," answers Shizumaru, softly.
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Most people simply pass through on their way to
 fight each other."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "For a while, this was just an empty courtyard, but I
 simply found that too depressing."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "I always feel better around green and growing
 things."
Shizumaru thinks back to his home in the countryside. "I must agree with that,"
 he says, quite sincerely. Amber is nice, but...still rather alien to him.
Dowager Queen Anthy moves on to water a rose bush.  "So what will you two be
 doing today?"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Beauty is fleeting, which is why we must strive to
 preserve it, but not mourn it unduly when it can no longer be saved."
Dowager Queen Anthy moves on to water a rose bush.  "So what will you two be
 doing today?"
Hiko the Firechilde turns to the Queen.  "I have no definite plans.  Cousin?"
Shizumaru looks upward, toward the light of the sun. "I am not sure, beyond
 attending the duel between Aunt Kozue and Madoka-dono."
Dowager Queen Anthy nods.  "I was going to ride down into Arden and have a
 picnic lunch.  Would you be interested in coming?"
Shizumaru tilts his head. "Arden? That is the great forest, right?" He smiles.
 Ah, another thing more familiar. "I would love to come."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Yes, Arden is the forest of which all forests are
 but a pale reflection."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Lunch sounds good."  She smiles faintly. 
 "Everything seems to be a pale reflection around here."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Ah, too bad Aunt Corrine isn't here. u.u"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Yep."
Dowager Queen Anthy takes you up to the kitchens and arranges for Chef Bork to
 pack food for the three of you, and then gets you horses from the stables. 
 You ride down the side of Kolvir, around the city, and into Arden the Great.
Hiko the Firechilde eyes her mount, wondering what its name is.
Dowager Queen Anthy soon leads you off the trails and into the depth of the
 great forest.  The trees tower high above you, a virtual ocean of ivy covered
 wood.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's been a long time since I've ridden a horse."
The horse smiles at Hiko, but says nothing.
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Fortunately, it's an easy to remember skill, and
 these are gentle horses."
Hiko the Firechilde smiles.
Shizumaru smiles at the great forest. Where before he had all but gaped at the
 wonders of Amber, here, with something he is far more comfortable with, he can
 simply appreciate things without having to goggle at them.
Dowager Queen Anthy pets her horse on the head.  "Dapple has carried me all
 across the golden circle, and Snowflake and Star have gone as far."
Hiko's mount whinneys at her.
The forest is full of butterflies today, swarms of monarchs everywhere.
Hiko the Firechilde pats her horse's neck.
You soon emerge into a clearing with a stream running through it.  There is a
 circle of ash here, surrounded by stones; clearly this is a common camping
 ground.
Hiko's horse seems to like whinneying  a lot.
Hiko the Firechilde turns her head in a direction, looking for something.
Shizumaru takes deep lungfuls of the fresh air, taking in the scenery as they
 go along. Once they reach the clearing, he glances at Anthy. "This place?"
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Hush."
Windir teleports into the room.
Windir has arrived.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "There's a deer near by."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Yes, we often come here for picnics."
Hiko the Firechilde scans for deer.
You can see a deer watching you from the far side of the clearing.  It bolts as
 soon as you spot it.
Dowager Queen Anthy dismounts, whispers something into her horse's ear, then
 begins unpacking the picnic food and the picnic cloth.
Shizumaru nods, and dismounts. He moves over toward Hiko and offers a hand to
 help her down.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "Damn."  She accepts Shizumaru's hand and he helps
 her down.
Hiko the Firechilde says, "It's been a long time since I've seen deer."  A
 troubled look comes over her face.  "It was tasty."
Hiko the Firechilde turns to Star.  "Sorry 'bout that."
Star whinneys, then goes to eat grass.
Hiko the Firechilde smiles.  "I meant about the tasty part."  She goes to help
 Anthy spread out the cloth.
Shizumaru moves to join the two womean and help them.
Soon the picnic food is laid out, mostly chicken sandwiches and fruit with
 flasks of water and wine to drink.  Several birds settle in a nearby tree and
 begin to sing, and a cool breeze blows, just enough to make things comfortable.
Hiko the Firechilde looks up at the birds.  "I wonder if they take requests."
The birds look expectantly at Hiko.
Shizumaru lays his umbrella down and sits in seiza, then starts taking some
 food.
Hiko the Firechilde takes a glass of wine, and a chicken sandwich, but cuts off
 the crusts.
Hiko the Firechilde eyes them back, then whistles a complex arpeggio, followed
 by some trills.
The birds fumble through it at first, then quickly get it down.
Shizumaru pauses in mid-bite, and looks at Hiko with surprise. "They are
 following your tune."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Animals are quite intelligent in Amber."
Dowager Queen Anthy reaches into her pocket and removes a small blue mouse with
 huge ears, wearing a tie.  "Like my friend Chu-Chu."
Chu-Chu bows and nibbles on some cheese she gives him.
Shizumaru nods slowly. "I see...very impressive." He takes a sip of wine, and
 resumes eating his sandwich. He swallows, then nod-bows back to Chu-Chu.
 "Hello, Chu-Chu-san."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Indeed, there are some shadows where animals are
 smarter than people."
Shizumaru mms, unable to answer (at least, politely) through a mouthful of
 chicken.
Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "OOC You alive, Trish?"
Shizumaru OOCly >.>;
Foxtrot has disconnected.
>> Byeeee!  It was really fun!
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Wah."
RodM says, "DoH"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Baargle."
rod asks, "problematic, innit?"
Lt. Kuno asks, "Bargle? Where? Where?"
Rimmer opens fire at random.
Windir sniffs and entraps Bargle in a blanket of bad melodrama.
Foxtrot has connected.
>> We have arrived, you may kiss my foot, now.
Hiko the Firechilde goes about the room glomping everyone
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Re, Trish."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Sorry. :P"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Mom got a phone call."
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Is okay."
Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "OOC what was last thing you saw, Hiko?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Birds got the tune down."
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "From now on, if you don't get any messages
 from me, or if I don't answer pages, someone call, okay?"
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "That way, whoever's using the phone knows
 that I'm needed elsewhere."
Shizumaru OOCly has only one phone line too, right now. x.x;
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Hard to call if I don't know your phone number
 :)"
Windir OOCly sighs. "We need to get you out of there. :)"
Tybalt caresses his dedicated line.
The birds sing the tune you taught them as you all eat the reasonably yummy
 lunch.
Shizumaru OOCly says, "Oh, Merc, we don't need to see that."
Hiko the Firechilde nods, eating.
Dowager Queen Anthy OOC Won't show off his Ethernet either, then :)
Shizumaru OOCly had ethernet once. ;.;
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Is it a BIG ethernet? H_H?"
RodM exclaims, "Damn ye!  When I live in an area that can't get DSL speeds
 better than 200 baud!"
Windir OOCly grins evilly.
For a while, you simply eat, and chat, and listen to the birds sing the tunes
 Hiko sets them to.
Hiko the Firechilde grins, teaching them a little ditty she'd heard sung around
 the palace.  Later on, you hear the birds twitter "Ina Gaddada Vida".
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."
Anthy, once she finishes eating, weaves several crowns of flowers, puts one on,
 and hands one to each of you.  She also makes a tiny one for Chu-Chu.
Hiko the Firechilde looks at the crown in her hands, and puts it next to her.
Shizumaru regards the crown thoughtfully, then smiles. He turns and sets the
 one given to him on Hiko's head. "It is unbecoming to crown oneself," he says.
Dowager Queen Anthy smiles at Shizumaru's statement, and seems pleased.
Hiko the Firechilde picks the crown off of her head.  "I'm not worthy of being
 crowned."  She hands it back to Shizumaru.
Shizumaru frowns, but takes it back, and then sets it down beside himself as
 well. "I see."
Dowager Queen Anthy frowns slightly, and there is a faint rumble of thunder in
 the distance.
Followed by hoof beats, drawing closer, the sound of a galloping horse.
Hiko the Firechilde gets to her feet and looks around as well.
Shizumaru blinks, and turns to face the sound. His hand strays toward his
 umbrella. "Someone seems to be in a hurry," he murmurs softly.
Hiko the Firechilde gestures to Star.  "Come here."
Star comes over.
Dowager Queen Anthy rises, frowning.  "The Green Knight Comes."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Can you tell who's coming?"
(is speaking to the horse)
Star whinneyes
Shizumaru gets to his feet, picking up his umbrella. "Who is the Green Knight?"
 he asks of Anthy, still continuing to stare in the direction of the
 approaching sound.
Hiko the Firechilde murmurs to the horse.
Hiko the Firechilde pats the horse on the neck and waits with Star, unusually
 still.
Dowager Queen Anthy asks, "Are you familiar with the story of the Queen of
 Spring, Shizumaru?"
The hoofbeats draw closer.
Shizumaru shakes his head. "I am afraid not, Queen Anthy. You will have to tell
 it to me."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "I have one question.  Is it dangerous?"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "It is dangerous to be the Queen of Spring, yes."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I meant the Knight, your Highness."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "Potentially."
Hiko the Firechilde nods.
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "It depends on why he has come, but I suspect it
 bodes ill."
Shizumaru nods, and slowly shifts into a defensive stance, holding the umbrella
 slightly behind himself. "We shall soon see, I suppose."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Would you come over here with me, Your Highness?"
The forest parts, and a knight clad in green platemail rides forth.  He rides a
 great destrier and carries a shield with a green tree on a blue background.
Dowager Queen Anthy comes over to stand by Hiko.
Shizumaru stands there silent, speaking only if addressed. He'll leave Anthy to
 say anything to the Green Knight at this point, as she knows more than he does.
The Green Knight stares at each of you through a closed helmet that hides his
 face.  "The law of the forest has been broken."
He continues, "Who will stand forth as champion for the Queen of the Spring?"
Hiko the Firechilde whispers to the Queen
Shizumaru looks to Queen Anthy. "Please, tell us the story of the Queen of
 Spring--quickly, if need be."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "It is customary, in the Spring, to ride forth into
 the forest and to picnic, in order to reknew the ancient compact which binds
 the land to us, and us to the land."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "We make crowns of flowers, and crown each other."
Hiko the Firechilde blinks.
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "I should have remembered that you would not know of
 this custom, but it has been so long since I met anyone who did not know..."
Shizumaru looks toward Hiko, but then looks back to the Knight.
Hiko the Firechilde addresses the Knight.  "How do we make amends?"
Dowager Queen Anthy stares at the ground.  "To accept the crown is to accept
 the ancient compact.  To reject the crown, is to reject the forest."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "For most people, the forest cannot notice such an
 act."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "But for those who bear the blood of Amber, all our
 actions have consequences."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "How do we make amends, O Knight?"
The Knight says, "You must reaffirm the ancient compact."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "And how do we do that, Sir Knight?"
There is a brief pause, as the Green Knight shuffles a bit uncomfortably. 
 Perhaps no one was ever reasonable about this before.  "Ummm..."
Hiko the Firechilde says, "I would like to be able to renew this compact. 
 Unfortunately, I do not know how."
Shizumaru looks back and forth between Hiko and the Knight, starting to feel
 very confused.
Dowager Queen Anthy sighs.  "The tradition holds that Gendo made the compact by
 having sex with an avatar of the forest."
A sweatdrop runs down the knight's helmet.
Hiko the Firechilde steps forward.
Shizumaru falls down. "...excuse me?"
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "Is that true, Sir Knight?"
Very weakly, the Green Knight says, "Yes.  Or you can appoint a champion to do
 battle.  Should I win, you must wed me for a year and a day.  Should the
 Champion win, the Forest will accept your action and grant a boon."
Hiko the Firechilde smiles and turns to Anthy and Shizumaru.  "Go back to the
 palace."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "..."
Dowager Queen Anthy stares at you with a look of utter, total surprise.
Shizumaru scrambles to his feet and steps forward. "I would serve as champion
 to...what?" He turns and looks at Hiko. "Are you...are you quite serious?"
Hiko the Firechilde shrugs.  "A compact is a compact."
Hiko the Firechilde asks, "After the compact is made, am I free to return to
 the castle?"
The Green Knight gulps.  "The blood of Gendo runs true, I see."  He dismounts,
 stows his lance, and leads his horse over to Hiko.  "Let us away, then."  He
 glances over at Anthy and Shizumaru; you can see surprise in his eyes.  "Yes,
 m'lady, you would be free to go wherever you desire.  And the face of Arden
 will smile upon you."
Hiko the Firechilde waves, then reaches for a hand up.
The Green Knight helps you mount the horse.
Shizumaru just keeps staring at Hiko and the Knight, barely able to keep his
 jaw from going slack. "..."
Dowager Queen Anthy goes over to Shizumaru and looks at him with a sort of
 "Mrrr?"
Shizumaru slowly turns toward Anthy, his eyes slightly dull with the total
 surprise. "...I was perfectly willing to fight him as Hiko's Champion in
 this," he mumbles.
Dowager Queen Anthy nods to Shizumaru, and goes over to start picking up the
 blanket.
Hiko the Firechilde smiles at Shizumaru.  "I appreciate it, I do.  But it's not
 necessary."
Shizumaru stands there for a while longer, then moves to help Anthy to pick up
 the remnants of the picnic. Anything to do and keep his mind off of...this.
 Yes. Ohboy. He stops and regards Hiko, and nods weakly to her. "I suppose not."
Hiko the Firechilde turns to the Knight.  "Shall we?"
The Green Knight nods.  "We shall."
Shizumaru says, "John's hinted there's a Rimu out there for me! o.O"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "...puppetwrong. x.x;"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC Yep!  She will be appearing :0"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "...she isn't going to be a Princess of Chaos going to
 kick my ass through five shadows, is she?"
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC That would be telling."
Shizumaru OOCly twitches.
Anthy and Shizumaru ride back to the castle, leaving Hiko and the Green Knight
 to ride deeper into the forest.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "Now, everyone in the room.  GET OUT."
Dowager Queen Anthy says, "OOC But you will have your shot at True Love.  Of
 course, Amberite true love usually ends with you having to watch Brand drag
 them into the Abyss :)"
Shizumaru OOCly says, "..."
RodM says, "hai, hai"
Shizumaru OOCly crawls away. ._.
rod has left.
Hiko the Firechilde OOCly says,  "I want to RP this."
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Logging Stopped: 09/12/2000 at 1:19:52
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