John says, "Well, while they're rambling on, I'll take care of some preliminaries out here." Nihilist Rod says, "might as well" ============================================== ============================================== John says, "Okay, there's three major components to the day's festivities." John says, "There's a parade, which you all will be observing unless any of you mount a float or help mount one. There's various military awards and honors given in the central plaza of the city. And there's the dinner and dress ball." ===== ===== Motoko asks, "Moriya, want to mount my float?" Moriya kicks Alan. John beats Alan with a rubber trout. Lian . o O ( And here the float from the Chaosian delegation, depicting Amber's own Motoko consuming her marriage with the Serpent. ) Motoko says, "Don't make me unleash The Marriage of Walker and Man-Thing, John." John shudders. ===== ===== There's a royal viewing pavillion; unless you want to stand somewhere else, there is a seat for you and your date if you have one there. ===== ===== Nihilist Rod says, "home stretch." Kanna OOCly screams curses to the heavens. Moriya OOCly says, "Power outages, Phil?" Kanna OOCly says, "Power fluxes and connectivity wonkiness." Kanna OOCly also screams at lag. And power fluxes causing the modem to blip to standby. And other things? ===== ===== The pavilion is crowded with people and pretty much would be an ideal target for someone wanting to obliterate the entire royal famiy with one blow. On the other hand, there isn't much which could survive the entire royal family plus dates, lovers, concubines, etc Security is very tight. Floats in the parade range from the mundane (The Weaver's guild has a big loom and cloth on display) to the surreal ('Ronald The Happy Hedgehog', a hedgehoggy looking thing that fills the entire 20' long float, displayed by the notably eccentric Bastable family) The parade goes off without a hitch. Despite constant twitchiness by the guards, as several years, there have been attempts to use floats to assassinate people. Motoko attends with Davros, wearing the dress military uniform she still keeps around for these sorts of occasions. =========== =========== You page, "Oh, right, before things malfed -- any good ways to GET a message to the forestals, securely? And has mom given me any awards/medals/etc for the Tharkhold thing, or was that deferred for this occasion? Or is that an Ember-only thing so I can wear something spiffy on my uniform jacket?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "You could do the Corwin message thing to them. (The bird of desire)" to you. Akemi pages, "If your mother gave you medals, you'd get them at the Emberite equivalent of this." to you. You page, "I'll prolly do that, then." to Akemi. You page, "Righto. So I guess I got the little thing now, as would have Lian, Drake, Hiko, and Sasami. It wasn't a MAJOR award, but it's a little extra bit of salad for the uniform." to Akemi. You page, "As mom can pace it whenever she darn well wants to." to Akemi. =========== =========== Moriya is with Mitsune, dressed in more formal court-type apparel. Saionji seems to be here with some noblewoman. Many of your relatives are here with their wives or husbands or long term lovers. You notice one person isn't here you'd expect to see, though (Makoto) Kanna is attending, with of all people, Captain Ruka. Kanna is clad in her spiffy Ember Floral Assault Group uniform. Gabrielle is swanning around with Nagisa in tow, gleefully confirming all manner of rumors. ===== ===== Motoko asks, "OOC: Is it known why Makoto isn't attending?" John says, "OOC None of you know why Makoto isn't here." ===== ===== Lian is attending alone, and staying mostly in the background. Kanna looks bemused at sis's showing off. ===== ===== John asks, "OOC We all ready to rumble?" Jacqueline OOCly yep Beowulf OOCly nods. Kanna OOCly says, "hopefully, should things not nuke me connection." Jacqueline OOCly john, which parts of the ceremony are regarding shaft and requiring Jaq's presence? Lian . o O ( OOC: Ready. ) John says, "OOC The thing we're about to do :)" John says, "OOC As there is a parade (whcih we will skip over), presenation of honors/remembrance of the dead, Dinner and Ball" ====== ====== Chris pages, "Poor Lian. No date ... there just aren't any interesting men around." to you. You page, "*patpats*" to Chris. You page, "Shoulda set you up with the 'dread pirate'" to Chris. Chris pages, "Heh." to you. ====== ====== Jacqueline attends, along with Moonshade. She looks quite different than anyone's ever seen her, standing straight, solemn, and brooding Just about the entire royal family is here. ====== ====== Gabrielle asks, "OOC: There'll be cake at dinner, right?" Moriya OOCly says, "And PIE!" ====== ====== A few oddities strike you; Beowulf is looking faintly sad and regretful. Makoto is not here (and none of you know why) ==== ==== You page, "OH! What did poking around the Harbormastor for 'The Risky Chance' get me as to who owned the boat, etc? (and any owned by the percy family, etc.)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "The Risky Chance is registered to 'M. Peebles'" to you. You page, "does 'Peebles' sound familiar at all? As somebody ont he Harad side?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "It doesn't sound familiar at all, except in context of 'Mario Peebles' of Shadow Earth." to you. You page, "Cute. Hrm. Weird." to Akemi. You page, "(what was the Eye of Sarlacc, if anything?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "A religious Icon." to you. You page, "*nod*" to Akemi. ==== ==== Motoko says, "OOC: Does anyone in the family seem to be showing concern for his not being there? (Nanami, FE)" ===== ===== No one seems particularly concerned by this, though. Mikage is actually here with a date, some red haired woman you don't recognize. ====== ====== You page, "... dooooes Kanna recog the red-haired woman?" to Akemi. You page, "(as looking like what she's seen of Ewoyn from mom's pics, etc?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "As I said, you don't recognize her :)" to you. You page, "Oh. Darn. :)" to Akemi. ===== ===== Vash seems to be escorting Anthy. And, for the first year, there's not an empty chair for Derith. ===== ===== Moriya OOCly says, "Who is Drake with, out of curiosity? :)" ===== ===== Kanna observes the general scene, quietly. Beowulf keeps looking around the room, not certain whether to try for or avoid certain eye contacts. There is a huge crowd spread out around the plaza. The parade finishes, and King Tylor comes forward to speak briefly. "We gather today, to remember the past victories and defeats of Amber, to remember those who risked their lives and gave it to save the city and nation we call our home." "This has been for us, a time of peace and prosperity of late, but we shall not forget those who fought and died in more dangerous times." He becomes a little more sombre. "A little over a month ago, we lost the leader of our army, Prince Ota Tenjou, Marshal of Amber. Today would have been his twentieth anniversary as Marshal of Amber, but now he has fallen. Let us take a moment to remember him." Beowulf bows his head in silence. Jacqueline closes her eys and bows her head. The crowd falls silent from their murmering, except for a knot of people who start cheering. Moriya sighs and bows his head. Jacqueline raises an eyebrow... very slowly... at the people who are cheering. Motoko rises out of her seat, and _glares_ down at the knot. Kanna closes her eyes, bows her head, and murmurs a prayers to the Pyricorn and all gods of buttkicking. ==== ==== Jacqueline OOCly is this a heckling sort of cheeriing or 'hooray, shaft was a cool guy, we loved him'? ==== ==== It's a 'He kicked our asses, we're glad he's dead' type. Beowulf looks at the knot as well. Kanna then just ... calmly sizes up the small knot of people. Moriya grits his teeth and debates doing a Shaft-like thing right now. After a while, the focused psychic might of most of the royal family is a bit more than even Amberites can handle, and they fall silent. Jacqueline grits her teeth and taps her ring. "Uncle Mo," she says with much venom. Lian eyes the cheery fellows with a look that clearly states 'shut up or get nuked'. Then one of the hecklers bursts into flames for no good reason. Moriya relaxes slightly. Kanna does not react. Really. Gabrielle sips some wine and looks entirely innocent. Yumi sighs and waves a hand about. A small raincloud pours down rain on the burning man, who runs off. Now everything is very silent. Jacqueline un-grits her teeth, but still seems generally tense. Motoko sits back down, looks over sideways at Gabrielle and Jacqueline, and almost, but not quite, smiles. Tylor now turns to Jacqueline and asks, "Would you like to say any words about your father?" Jacqueline takes a deep breath and... pauses. She frantically whispers soemthing to Moonshade. As Moonshade nods, Jacqueline seems to relax, just a little, then stands up to talk..... Jacqueline says, "My father... he... he was, perhaps, crude at times, he... he certainly wasn't your typical noble. But the great thing about my father was that he was... a man of the people." Jacqueline says, "rich or poor, noble or commoner... as long as he thought you were a good person, he was willing to talk to you." Jacqueline says, "he enforced the law, equally, for one and all... and he didn't stop until the job was done." Jacqueline says, "and that... to me... was the one thing I'll remember most about him. He didn't stop until what needed to be done was done." Jacqueline's gaze briefly flickers to Beowulf, Motoko and Moriya. Moriya nods very slightly to Jacqueline. Motoko seems a bit puzzled by the look. Beowulf meets Jacqueline's gaze and sighs. Jacqueline says, "and beyond that... what he meant to me... as a father....I cannot express... in words. I.... that's all I have to say." She wipes tears away as she sits down. Tylor then calls Utena forward to speak. Kanna lets out a quiet sigh, and just idly scratches her cheek. Utena is not the greatest of euologizers, but her speech is heartfelt. ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "As Bey managed to get Jacqui mad at him, too. At this rate, I'll have half our generation mad at me for differing reasons." to you. You page, "... oh hell. *sigh* *hug*" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Yah, she was pushing on the Alars situation, Bey started pushing back by talking about Suu and the innocents that died, while still emphasizing he doesn't blame her for trying to rescue Anthy and Morgan, or fighting the people who were trying to kill her." to you. The_Prof pages, "I think Bey probably needed to be more assertive, but he picked a heckuva time to start. ;_;" to you. You page, "Agh. *sigh* *HUG* Well, fwiw, Kanna's done some research on Yig Appeasement. It's not an impossible thing, but it's something to be quietly discussed in whispers together." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Well, that's good news, anyway. :)" to you. ====== ====== She concludes with, "I cannot rest until those responsible for this are brought to justice. However long that takes." Jacqueline gives a brief flicker of a grim smile. Finally, Tylor calls Ramon up. Ramon is carrying a large sheaf of papers and looks very, very nervous. Keiko starts to follow him up, but he makes her sit down. ===== ===== Moriya OOCly says, "I'm heading home now." Moriya OOCly says, "Someone send me a log of what I miss, and please don't start the ball until I get home. :)" ===== ===== Ramon starts to read, then realizes he's reading from the third page. He stops and reorganizes the papers. There's some laughter, especially from the people who cheered earlier. Ramon wilts a little, then nervously begins to read in a shaky voice. Jacqueline looks like she's considering asking Uncle Mo for crowd slapdown. "Ota was my closest friend as a child and as an adult." Motoko looks as though she's considering getting up and unleashing magical whoopass on the hecklers. Kanna smiles reassurlingly at cousin Ramon. Beowulf taps the badge on his chest thoughtfully, looking at the hecklers. "I've never been very good with words. That's what Mother does. I have the magical aptitude of a cow. Nor was I very good with a sword like Father. About all I do really well is beat people up and break things. But Ota was my friend anyway." ==== ==== Autolyca has connected. Lucien OOC Howdy! John briefs Jeff by Page ==== ==== Ramon then launches into a series of stories about things he and Ota did as kids. He gradually picks up speed and confidence, though the speech is very long and rambling. He concludes by speaking of the Second Day of Darkness, and Ota's arrival at the last moment to help save the day. "In the end, when you needed him, he would come through for you. He was the man who always looked out for his brother man." Beowulf bows his head in respect. Ramon spends a long moment staring bleakly out at the crowd, and then he staggers back to his seat, next to Tsuwabuki and Keiko. Kanna chuckles softly at some of the stories, amused at others, thughtful at more, and then nods her head in respect at the end. Several more people speak, and then it comes time to award military honors. Motoko leans over her mother and pats her father's hand gently. Ramon smiles at Motoko and nods. His wife puts an arm around him and whispers to him. The awards go on for hours. Then Tylor steps forward and announces, "With the death of Ota, the duty has fallen to me to appoint a new Marshal of Amber. Many members of the royal family have served with great distinction in this office. In fact, exclusively it has been held to this day by members of the Royal Family, ever since Drake was old enough to take up this duty." Kanna pays attention to this, curious. Jacqueline seems oblivious and numb to this. His father doesn't hold the office anymore. That sums it. Tylor says, "I am now breaking with that tradition to appoint a man who has long served the Kingdom of Amber, but is not of royal blood." There are many whispers of surprise in the crowd, and among some of the royal family. Kanna arches one eyebrow. Beowulf looks on with interest. Saionji's face has a very carefully flat look. Motoko doesn't look surprised at all. Davros smiles softly. Tylor says, "General Tsuwabuki has long served us in many capacities, most recently as the Commander of the Trained Bands of the City of Amber. It is now my honor to present to him, the Marshal's Baton, in significance of his appointment as the Marshal of Amber." Kanna blinks at this, and then slowly smiles, and nods in quiet approval. Tsuwabuki comes forward, nervously, then kneels before Tylor and takes the Baton with one hand. High Priest Geo then comes forward and administers the oath. Beowulf smiles. ===== ===== You page, "... keeping an eye out on the crowd in case anybody tries anything on Tsuwabuki." to Akemi. ===== ===== A series of colorful, celebratory fireworks go off high in the sky, culminating in a giant sword with a yellow rose twined around it exploding above the harbor. Beowulf grins and shoots a look at Aunt Nanami. Nanami is smiling very broadly; you've rarely ever seen her this happy. The city watchmen and city troops present all cheer. Motoko looks very proud and very happy. Kanna nods in clear approval. And of course when the family group starts applauding, if they do, she'll join in. Gabrielle smiles quietly. Most of the family applauds. Shinobu Major and Saionji both look a bit put out; they obviously were hoping for the job. Motoko applauds. ===== ===== Beowulf asks, "OOC Did they receive any honors earlier?" John says, "OOC Nope. Neither of them has seen any real action this year, as it's been calm." Beowulf OOCly nods. Kanna OOCly says, "(like that'll last long.)" ===== ===== Kanna applauds, o' course. Beowulf applauds, but with a sympathetic look at the disappointed candidates; he obviously approves of Tsuwabuki, but is sorry for the disappointed candidates. Kanna is looking much the same way. But hey, that's her. Motoko seems entirely focused on the honour being given to her grandfather. Tsuwabuki gives a brief, dignified speech, then he presents promotions to various other people who are being promoted, and speaks briefly with regard to several honorable retirements taking place. Once this is over, the ceremony quickly wraps up, leaving everyone an hour to prepare for the dinner before the ball. ===== ===== John says, "OOC IF you have any evil to commit, let me know, otherwise, we'll move on to dinner :)" Beowulf OOCly blinks innocently. "Evil?" John says, "OOC Or whatever :)" ===== ===== Jacqueline is seen giving Shinobu some encouraging words with a smile, then promptly disappears to places unknown. Motoko heads off to bathe, do her hair, dress up, etc. Lian will be trying to talk to Moriya for a moment after the ceremonies. Gabrielle hauls Nagisa off to make sure he's properly attired for this.. Beowulf looks apprehensively at Lily, to see if she's got the same thing in mind. Though Motoko does hang about for a little while to congratulate her father on his speech, her grandfather on his appointment, and generally talk to her immediate family for a little while. Kanna goes and gives Tsuwabuki congratulatory words, appreciative condolences to Shinobu Major and Uncle Saionji. ======= ======= You page, "I take it I couldn't think of an appropriate dress to go with what Ruka's wearing? *wl* Marches seems more apropos for military formal if one has it, anyway." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Heh. Military formal is good." to you. You page, "I'm good to go, then, as that's what I'm wearing. :)" to Akemi. ======= ======= Beowulf looks to see if he has a chance to catch Motoko before she goes, while adding his congratulations to Tsuwabuki. Since Motoko will likely be with her family when Beowulf does this, it shouldn't be a problem. Beowulf nods to Motoko. "I'm sorry if I was short with you the other night, Motoko. I had some bad news, and was frustrated, and not in a good mood." Lily does go to change dresses :) ===== ===== Beowulf says, "OOC Bey did swing by and unlock the lock he had the key to, upon further thought, as a frustrated Luggage isn't in anyone's interest. :)" ===== ===== Motoko shakes her head. "Thinking nothing of it, Uncle. You were probably somewhat surprised--perhaps even irritated--that Moriya and I all of a sudden retrieved Hoard, apparently without motivation." She explains about stumbling across Taylor and the Knights of the Dinner Table in CAFAM, and thus being led into looking for Hoard to prevent them from getting it. Kanna also checks to see if Lian's done talking with Moriya. Beowulf nods in relief at the explanation. "I see. It sounds like they've gotten a bit smarter since we ran into them on the last trip to CAFAM, when we beat them to Tirthos." Lian seems to be done, and is watching the others. Kanna moves over, and gently taps Lian on the shoulder, and leans over to whisper in her ear. Motoko says, "Not particularly. They're probably still digging through the Coffee Mountains right now. I'll see you at dinner, Uncle." Lian looks up at Kanna, listening. ===== ===== You page, "[Kanna] Did some research on Yig, and got some interesting info. I'll relay it to you and Bey later, but it can probably tie well into your blood/real-body project. Chat sometime during the changes of the dance, or breakfast/lunch tomorrow?" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] Tell me later? I'm curious ... from what we have so far, there's a good chance it will work. Anthy's helping too." to you. You page, "[Kanna] Gotcha." to Chris. ===== ===== Lian nods slightly and whispers back. Motoko heads off after talking to Beowulf to get ready. Kanna listens. Beowulf nods and smiles slightly, then looks around the room to see what's going on. At the moment, everyone is scattering to get ready for the Dinner. Kanna nods to Lian, and then walks over to Bey to murmur something breifly. Although a few knots of people are talking, and Tsuwabuki is getting a lot of congratulations. Beowulf looks up as Kanna approaches. "What's up, cousin?" ===== ===== Moriya OOCly says, "Right." Motoko says, "OOC: I'll send Andrew the log of what he missed." Moriya OOCly says, "Thanks." Motoko says, "OOC: Sent." ===== ===== You page, "[Kanna] Did some research on Yig, and got some interesting info. I'll relay it to you and Lian later, but it addresses your worries about recompensesn of the forestals. Chat sometime during the changes of the dance, or breakfast/lunch tomorrow?" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf] Perhaps during the dance, if Lily doesn't keep me too busy; I found out some interesting information as well. According to Jacqui, the Unicorn also named me as the Unicorn's Heir." to you. You page, "[Kanna arches an eyebrow. "... well, that's cute." She then blinks. "The Unicorn spoke to Jacqui. Oh man. Right." She then smiles. "Well, good luck at the dance, then."]" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf] "Um, yes." He smiles at her. "Definitely need to talk later. And thank you."" to you. ====== ====== The dinner is in the Great Hall of Castle Amber; it has fairly fixed seating to accomodate the huge number of royals, ambassadors, dates, and nobles who are coming. As fate would have it, all of the players and their dates are assigned to the same table. Not the GM making life simple, nope. Kanna chuckles at something, and good-naturedly goes and pats Bey on the shoulder before going off and freshining up a bit before the big dinner. After standing outside for several hours, it's just the right thing to do. Jacqueline reappears for the first time since the ceremony, subdued, and takes her place quietly at the table. While everyone is coming in and settling down, the cooks and staff bustle about setting out wine and breads and fruit. Moriya circulates among folks for a bit, saying hi to all the people he hasn't seen in a while, having spent so much time in Chaos lately. Moonshade plops down next to Jacqui, looking cheerful. "Yo!" Beowulf looks to see if Shinobu Minor is helping Chef Bork. :) Gabrielle takes the oppurtunity to thank Motoko personally for bringing her daughter home. Jacqueline smiles faintly. "Yo," she says in return. Motoko enters on Davros's arm, wearing a sleeveless black Cathayan cheongsam with red and white flowers for the pattern, with her hair elaborately pinned up by long ivory chopsticks. She's applied a light amount of makeup, making her features seem softer than usual. Motoko congratulates Gabrielle, rather belatedly, on the birth of her daughter. Shinobu Minor enters in a blue dress in the roman style, escorted by Keitaro, who looks very nervous in a Begman military unicorm. Moriya also smiles and nods at all the people boggling at the fact that he's with Mitsune, although it seems like he's starting to get faintly annoyed by the reactions. Jacqueline seems to cheer up, a little, upon seeing Shinobu Minor with Keitaro Kanna chuckles at Motoko and her sis, still clad in her military uniform, though those with perceptive eyes will notice a little extra 'salad' to her uniform. She then blinks at Shinobu M and grins, even as she hangs around Ruka for the nonce. Gabrielle beams and excuses herself to go intimidate Keitaro without doing anything outwardly that looks like intimidation, 'cause he's dating her litle girl now. Beowulf raises an eyebrow at Shinobu Minor and Keitaro, but smiles a bit as he sees that Moriya and Mitsune are on good turns. Mutsumi comes in, wearing a very covering, but also rather tight, white dress with a green vest, dragging a cranky looking Naru along. Naru's wearing an Amberite Cavalry uniform and looks quite impressive. ==== ==== You page, "Lian should have a similar bit on her uniform, if she's wearing one... it's the recognition for the tharkold assault." to Chris. ==== ==== Beowulf wanders over to talk to Mutsumi and Naru. Moriya finally makes his way back to Jacqueline. "Hello, Jacqui," he says, softly. Motoko walks Davros around and introduces him to various elder members of the family that he hasn't met yet. Jacqueline eyes Moriya with an oddly emotionless expression. "Hello, cousin Moriya. I see you're here with Mitsune." Moriya nods. "Yes...." He coughs. "I haven't forgotten, Jacqueline." He sighs. "I am...loath to pursue things that could worsen relations with Chaos, but...I promised." Kanna just keeps an eye and ear open to the byplay as she too takes stock of who's here and has done what the past few months. Jacqueline seems to be ignoring the talk about Chaos, instead digging into her jacket. She presents Moriya with a twin set of rings. "Here, I bought this for you and her. Try to be romantic about it." Jacqueline is, yes, still oddly cold Saionji looks at Davros. He looks at Motoko. He looks at Davros again. Then he says, "You're a lucky man, Davros." You have the feeling he was about to say something else, and is strugglign to restrain himself. Moriya accepts the rings, blinking. "Ah. Er. For...." He glances at Mitsune. "Us?" Lian finally arrives, wearing a black and blue uniform. She heads directly for the table, but looks around curiously on the way over. Beowulf smiles and hugs Mutsumi. "How've you been doing?" He turns to look over at Naru. "Mitsune said she was going to talk you into coming with us, but I understand Nausicaa got to you first," he says with a smile. "I'm glad you're all right; Leng is a fairly nasty place." Motoko looks as though she's in something the same situation, but waits to see how Davros responds. Mutsumi hugs Beowulf back. "Keitaro's being kind and taking little Shinobu on a date tonight, so I agreed to be Naru's date." She smiles. Kanna quietly chuckles at that little bit of byplay. Moriya hmms, then gives Mitsune one of the rings, while slipping the other onto his right ring finger. "Thank you, Jacqueline." Jacqueline doesn't not to Moriya. "Yes. Give a ring to Mitsune. Wear one yourself. Say kind words. Try it in the moonlight, or something." Davros says, "Motoko has spoken very highly of your fighting skills, Prince Saionji. It is an honor to meet you." Moriya's eye twitches slightly. "Are you trying to imply that I don't know how to be romantic?" A herald stands at the door and makes an announcement, looking a little harried. "Lucien, Son of Prince Derith, Crown Prince of Rebma! And, er, Companions." Lucien enters, clad in dark blue pants, a white shirt, and a sky-blue cape. Around his neck sparkles a brilliant blue jewel with a hint of gold to it. On his arm is a very voluptuous woman with green hair who is wearing a black dress that matches anything Lily or Yumi might have worn (and somehow conveys more). On his other side, clad in a dark blue shirt and pants ensemble that shimmers like scales is a fiery looking woman with short black hair. Behind them, in a scarlet outfit that is short and slit from here to there is a dark elf with silver hair and a dark smile. Beowulf raises an eyebrow at that. "Ahh, I see. Perhaps I should be worried for Naru's virtue?" He grins at her, then smiles sympathetially at Naru. "I'm glad she has a good friend to come with her." Naru blushes. "Beowulf..." ===== ===== You page, "And does the dark elf remind me of Ast. Warden Pirotess up in Ember? *wl*" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Yes." to you. ===== ===== Jacqueline says to Moriya. "No... not at...." She seems distracted by Lucien for a moment, blushing. "Not at.... all." Mutsumi waggles a finger at Beowulf. "Now, now, I know when to stop." Many people turn and look at Lucien and his horde. Kanna glances over at the entrance. "Oh... boy?" She arches an eyebrow at Lucien. And his companions. Saionji mutters, "Why can't I have a harem?" Moriya snorts slightly. "Mmmmhm. I...." He, too, looks over at Lucien. "Well. The elusive son of Derith." Kozue waves from the table she's at. Beowulf smiles and pats Mutsumi's shoulder gently. "I know; just make sure you don't get amnesia." He grins. Mitsune puts on the ring she was given. Beowulf blinks at Lucien's entrance. "My, my." Kanna glances at Ruka. "Oh, there's -got- to be some big story behind -this-..." Lucien comes over to his seat. "Greetings," he says with a sly smile. Ruka whispers, "Nothing like his old man, I see." Moriya gives a slight start, and looks at Mitsune. "Do you...." He glances at his ring, then at her hand. Motoko gives Saionji a look that might almost be sympathetic. "I'm allowed to have three husbands under Chaosian marriage laws," she says, then spots Lucien. "Pardon me, Uncle Saionji." Beowulf smiles at Mutsumi. "Perhaps that will... divert some of the tales I've heard about Lily and Mitsune." He looks over at Mitsune and Moriya. "Though I'm sure that wouldn't hurt." ===== ===== Lucien OOC Hey, with my Mack, I have to make an entrance ;) ===== ===== Kanna chuckles softly. "Well, he definitely knows how to make an entrance. Man, and to think it's only been a little over a month since I met him." Motoko heads over to Lucien, Davros in tow, and bows. "Prince Lucien? I'm your cousin Ramon's daughter, Motoko. This is Davros the Stylite. I'm honoured to meet you at last." Lian just shakes her head at Lucien's entrance. Lucien takes Motoko's hand and kisses it, lingering briefly. "Always a pleasure to meet such a beauty." He then turns to Davros. "I have heard of you, sir. Your reputation precedes you." Mutsumi goes over to Lucien. "Cousin Lucien!" GLOMP! "How are you?" Gabrielle blinks at Lucien, then drops into hurried and slightly frentic whispering with Nagisa. Davros says, "A pleasure to meet you, Prince Lucien." He bows. Kanna doesn't break out laughing. Ignore the upward quirk of the lips. Motoko blinks as Lucien kisses her hand, then blushes slightly. She's then forced to dodge Incoming Mutsumi. Mitsune reaches over and takes Moriya's hand, then says, "Nice little rings, I have to say." She smiles. Beowulf grins wryly at Naru. "Deserted already, eh?" He looks at the three ladies accompanying Lucien. "Perhaps I should go find Lily, just to make sure there's no trouble?" Lian murmurs, "Mutsumi sure is energetic tonight." Naru says, "She will probably come in with her mother and father, I think." Motoko looks over Lucien's three ladies while he's being greeted by Mutsumi, and introduces herself and Davros to them. Moriya chuckles, and squeezes Mitsune's hand gently. "They are, indeed. I'll have to thank Jacqueline later." He looks at Lucien again, then starts pulling Mitsune over. "I suppose I should finally go meet the long-lost member of the family." ===== ===== You page, "[Kanna] Sis? Check me on this. Is Ast. Warden Pirotess still up in Ember?" to Mercutio. Mercutio pages, "[Gabrielle} She is. She says 'hi.' WOW, that's weird." to you. You page, "[Kanna] Right. That third woman must be a shadow of her. Go figure. Well, At least I'll be able to keep from making a faux pax... and lemme guess, the gem around his neck is a Demi?" to Mercutio. Mercutio pages, "[Kanna] Yes. Damn Derith; Nagisa and I have spent half our lives looking for that thing, and harem-boy walks right to it because he has his little shadow-key." to you. You page, "[Kanna sighs, and offers a mental hug. "Looks like you're not the only one who's feeling shortchanged, sis. Bey and Hoard, me and Aunt Juri..." *mental pat* "Try not to make a scene? I'm sure Nagisa can talk rationally to him... he seemed that type."]" to Mercutio. ===== ===== Motoko . o O (I wonder if he's allowed to have three wives under Rebman law or something...) Beowulf nods. "Yes. I probably should keep an eye out for them; want to come with?" Lucien smiles and hugs Mutsumi. "Good to see you again, cousin!" Morrigan looks coolly and assessingly at Motoko. Pirotase smiles just a little bit. Kitiara offers Motoko a hand. "Nice to meet you, Princess," she says. "I've never been to a real royal party before." Davros . o O (Prince Saionji looks jealous.) Motoko shakes Kitiara's hand. "A pleasure to meet you as well. They aren't really much more special than regular parties." Pause. "Though I haven't honestly been to many of those, so I can't really say." Mitsune scratches her head. "What's taking Mom so long?" Jacqueline eyes the rings she gave Moriya and Mitsune, looking for something Moriya looks at Mitsune, as he waits for Mutsumi to speak with Lucien. "Your mother isn't here yet?" Jacqueline briefly, just briefly, smiles to herself. Mutsumi says, "Did you have a good time in shadow, Lucien?" She then asks, "Did you bring me any souveneirs?" Kanna then hrms, and looks thoughtful at Ruka. "Shall we go and make introductions once the crowd lets up around the newcomer?" She quirks a smile, glancing at Lucien. "It's been a while since I've seen him last." Jacqueline blinks at Lucien once more. . o O (Mmm.... beefy.) Lucien quirks an eyebrow. "It was enlightening." He looks at his companions. "I think I can say I had a good time." His smile deepens. "Souvenirs? Well, not really, but I did find somethings of interest." At this point, Wakaba enters with Duke Dalt, the Kashfan ambassador, as her escort. Gabrielle says softly, "We can see." Jacqueline elbows Moonshade and gives her an indicative glance as if to ask, 'Well, what do you think of Lucien?' Moonshade gazes at Lucien with big hearts in her eyes. Motoko realizes that she's not going to have a chance to talk to Lucien about anything even vaguely important any time soon, and drifts off to introduce Davros to Wakaba. Once the opportunity presents itself, Moriya bows to Lucien. "Hello, Uncle Lucien. I'm Moriya, son of your cousin Shizumaru. It's a pleasure to meet you, finally." Ruka says, "I'd be interested to meet him, Kanna." Mutsumi asks, "oooh, what did you find?" Kanna nods, and starts the gradual-drifting-over to Lucien thing, so as not to crowd. Lucien returns the bow to Moriya. "Greetings, cousin. I have hed much of your father in the writings my father left me. I also hear you are quite an accomplished warrior." He smiles. "Some time, I'd like to spar with you." Lucien turns back to Mutsumi. "Ah," he says, waving a finger. "That's a secret." ;) Motoko says, "Auntie Wakaba, this is Davros the Stylite." Wakaba says, "It's nice to meet you, Davros. Shizumaru told me about you once." Moriya smiles. "I welcome that opportunity. Ah, and this is my friend, Countess Mitsune." He pauses, looking around. "It seems that you're quite the center of attention. I'll not crowd you, so...talk to you later." He smiles. Dalt looks Davros up and down assessingly. "I am Duke Dalt, ambassador from Kashfa. Nice to meet you, Davros." Lucien laughs. "I'm the fresh meat, you mean. Yes, I look forward to it." Gabrielle says, "You really shouldn't wear it around your neck if you want to keep it a secret, you know." Jacqueline seems substantially relieved her sister has transferred her fixation on Uncle Ramon to a fixation on Lucien Mitsune looks at Lucien and his three women, and just grins in an ominous way, then courtseys. Beowulf breaks away from his brief moment of abstraction, and wanders over to pay his respects to Lucien. Mutsumi heads back to sit with Naru, who is very pointedly NOT looking at Keitaro. Motoko asks, "How have you been, Auntie?" Moriya snorts softly, missing Mitsune's look, and nods. "I suppose you could say it that way," he says, faintly amused, before retreating away. He blinks a little, then heads over to Jacqueline again. Wakaba says, "I've been trying to help Jackie recover Withywindle, but Endor burned and we ran out of time before Marching." She sighs. "This strange logrus creature set the shadow on fire." Kanna glances at her sister as she gets close enough to overhear the conversations drifting around Lucien. Motoko almost frowns. "Withywindle? The Wood Blade?" Moonshade continues to stare at Lucien from a distance. Beowulf politely waits for a moment when he can pay his respects to Lucien. Motoko also looks somewhat disturbed at the mention of a Logrus creature. Lucien sees Kanna and smiles. He comes over to her. "Kanna! It's good to see you again!" Jacqueline just silently checks to see how Shinobu and Keitaro are doing Moriya clears his throat. "Ah, Jacqueline--something else. I recall the stories of a group of bounty hunters who actually managed to capture your father, all those years ago, and stole two swords from him." He pauses. "I think they're after me, now, and the thought had occurred to me--perhaps this is a good time to try getting those sword back." He smiles slowly. Jacqueline tilts her head slowly towards Moriya, her mood distinctly chilling. "Talk to my sister about it," she simply says. Wakaba nods. "YEs, it is in one of five deathtraps on Endor. We picked the wrong one and only Moonshade saved us." Moriya frowns slightly. "...ah. All right." Motoko asks, "Do you have any idea what manner of Logrus creature this was?" Lian looks around and shrugs, then gets up and wanders doorward. Moriya murmurs, "Perhaps later, then," and moves off. Wakaba says, "I don't know. Morgernstern detected it." She frowns. "I should have gotten more details." Kanna grins. "Lucien! Sorry I wasn't able to see you off on your Patternwalk, but things came up." She looks wry. "And you know how it goes, things get busy, one after another." She then nods to the three women with him, and glances at the blue gem around his neck. "I see you've been busy too.. who're your friends?" She then indicates Capt. Ruka. "Oh, and this is Captain Ruka, commander of the Shalomar naval base.. he works closely with your Aunt Kozue." Shinobu and Keitaro are quietly talking and having appetizers. Mutsumi is trying to get Naru to play Cat's Cradle to cheer her up. Motoko says, "I know Moriya's got an interest in Endor and Withywindle, and, as of late, what concerns the Logrus concerns me. Perhaps we'll look into it after Marching." Jacqueline nudges Moonshade. "If you want to talk to Lucien, go." Moriya sighs, and says to Mitsune, "I suppose mentioning her father wasn't the wisest of ideas, but even before that, she's been oddly...cold, tonight. Do you know what's going on?" Moonshade whispers, "Later when his harem is distracted." Lucien shakes Ruka's hand. "A pleasure to meet you. I would like to speak to you later, sir, regarding my eventual plans to retake Rebma. But that can wait for a more private opportunity." Mitsune says, "I have no idea whatsoever." Lian leaves the hall. Jacqueline asks, "Ah. You... weren't eavesdropping on me and Shinobu earlier, were you?" Moriya nods, looking faintly hurt. "I'll try talking to her again later." Gabrielle grabs Nagisa and heads for Kanna. "Kanna, could you intorduce us?" She smiles winningly. Captain Ruka nods. "I would be glad to be of assistance," he says to Lucien. "A shame it will have to come to fighting. Rebma has never had a civil war before." Morrigan turns and looks at Moonshade and smiles, showing very white teeth. Beowulf sees Mitsune and Moriya talking and wanders over. "Hello, Moriya." He looks slightly sheepish. "I'm sorry if I was short with Motoko and you about what you found; I was in the middle of a very bad day." Moriya blinks. "Hm? Oh...I suppose it's all right, although Motoko didn't tell me too much about what happened. I'm sorry if things haven't been going too well for you lately." Lucien says, "It will be a short war, I promise you. My father would be heartbroken to see Rebma as it is today. I will restore it to its former beauty." Wakaba nods. "So how have things been with you, Motoko?" Kanna nods to her sister. "Oh, and Lucien? This is my sister, Gabrielle, and her husband, Nagisa, the Child of Water... your direct cousin." She grins a bit. Lucien looks over where Kanna is pointing. He frowns slightly. "The Child of Water?" Beowulf nods. "And I appear to have upset Jacqueline, as well." He sighs. "Given the mood she's in... I think it's probably best if I wait to apologize." Nagisa smiles and holds out a hand. "Yes, I am the Child of Water." Kanna raises an eyebrow at the frown, but doesn't comment. Motoko says, "I've been reminded of that Cathayan saying about interesting times, though I suppose that's been much the same for everyone. Saw quite a lot of Chaos, then had an interesting shopping trip with Moriya, Davros and Aunt Utena on the way back." Wakaba claps her hands. "did you get any good bargains?" Moonshade smiles back at Morrigan, showing her own white teeth. Lucien smiles. "Excuse my reaction, cousin. My father didn't write much about you in the book he left me, so that title took me somewhat by surprise. How did you earn it?" Moriya sighs softly. "Jacqueline being so...chilly just isn't like her." Motoko smiles. "My dress, and Davros's outfit as well." Nagisa says, "I prevented the universe being destroyed." Kanna chuckles softly at that. "One of the five who sealed the Gate." He continues, "By fighting Annadil and helping to close the gate of Revolution." Gabrielle nods. "Hiko over there is the Child of Fire, and shizumaru -he's the one with the Priestess - is the Child of Wood, and Mikage is the Child of Air." ====== ====== Gabrielle says, "OOC: ACK." Kanna OOCly says, "(Shizu isn't here.)" Gabrielle says, "OOC: Retcom that bit about Shiz." ====== ====== Wakaba says, "You look very beautiful, Motoko." She turns to Davros. "And you are looking quite handsome today as well." ====== ====== You page, "Oh, when Lian ducked out.. did she duck out of the dining hall for elsewhere?" to Chris. Chris pages, "She just left." to you. ====== ====== Motoko says, "Thank you, Auntie; you look beautiful too, but, then again, that's usual for you." Mutsumi comes over to Jacqueline. "Hi, Jacqui! How are you today?" Wakaba smiles. "I do my best." Kanna hrms, thoughtful. "Be right back, sis? Ruka? Lucien? Nagisa? It'll only be a moment." Jacqueline smiles, if only a little. "Mutsumi, hello... I'm sorry to see that Keitaro turned you down...." Mutsumi just smiles. "Well, Shinobu's been gone so long, I'm sure he wanted to spend some time with her." Kentaro now comes in with Sumire on his arm, and comes over to Wakaba/Dalt/Davros/Motoko. Motoko nods. "Uncle Kentaro, Ambassador Sumire, good evening." She introduces Davros to them. Jacqueline says, "I, ah, am sorry to say that I was supporting Shinobu.... but.. I didn't know you wanted to go with Keitaro too. I promised her I'd support her." Pirotase goes and sits down. Morrigan and Moonshade continue to have a staring contest. Kitiara goes around gladhandling people. ===== ===== Lucien OOC Sorry... electrical storm in the area Kanna OOCly says, "I take it ours drifted to your area, then." ===== ===== Kanna grins a bit at Kentaro and Sumire, and quietly excuses herself from the Lucien grouping to duck out from the group out the door. Jacqueline raises an eyebrow briefly as Sumire enters, but says nothing. ============== ============== You page, "[Kanna ducks out of the dining hall, trying to track down Lian.]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "Tracking down Lian is not difficult ... servants, if asked, will be able to tell that she went out to the courtyard." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna heads out to the courtyard, and knocks on the nearest flat, hard surface. "... hey, Lian? What's up?"]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian is just standing there, looking at the sky. When Kanna speaks, she turns around and shrugs. "Nothing ... I guess I'm just not in the mood."]" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna mms, and sighs. "mmm. Right." She rubs her brow. "I.. take it you were hoping Uncle Drake would show?"]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian shrugs again. "Not really."]" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] ... Ah. *she closes her eyes, and squeezes her hand over them.* Mmmm. Well." to Akemi and Chris. You page, "[(what sort of behavioural/reaction vibe is Kanna getting from Lian?)]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "(Not much in the way of vibes there, really.)" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna lets out a deep breath. "Well. Might as well get this mentioned now, if you're not gonna be staying around... according to the books in the library, there's four other people known to have hung from Yig. Uncle Drake, Cousin Shizumaru... and Grandma Haruka, and Queen Sakura. As for recompensense..." to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian looks somewhat interested now.]" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] ... either one can work for them for a few decades or centuries... or perform some service vital to the defense/protection of Yig, thwarting it before it can happen." to Akemi and Chris. You page, "[Kanna] Now, oh gee, we happen to have these certain blood-Taylors running about. And this Prophesy that happens to mention chopped trees... and -you- who need a few blood Taylors to work on." to Akemi and Chris. You page, "[Kanna] And yes, I was -damn- surprised to read about Haruka and Sakura... but there's no record of what they hung for." to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] I might not need them after all, at least for this project. But we might find out a few things about Taylor and his plans from them." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna nods. "And it'd help us get off the hook with the Forestals, if one of them's got a mission to try and down Yig. Or any OTHER yahoo who might try. With the Black Heart circulating..."]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] ... there might be a few people tempted." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna nods. "I'm not sure if before I can get training started... I'm thinking of walkign the Pattern tomorrow or the next day to head to an ideal place ... but once I finish, in fast time, I'll send some birds of destiny with the warning to the forestals. I think I heard of combat near Yig earluer, dealing with Moriya and the Cyberpope. It's likely to become a hot zone..."]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian smiles slightly. "If that ideal place is pretty, give me a call ... and I might drop by Yig to talk to the Forestals myself about the current troubles, if I find the time. And a trump of Yig."]" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] You've got it, Lian. *she then mms, and hugs Lian, tentatively.* I'm not good at the mood stuff, all the time, but I'm worried, and hell, I care 'bout you, 'kay?" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian hugs Kanna quickly and smiles. "I'll be okay. You go back in before your date forgets what you look like, and enjoy yourself. I think I'll head back to the labs."]" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna chuckles, and nods. "Right. I'd benchpress Ruka if he did, though." She leans over, and kisses Lian on the forehead. "Take care. Gotta go in and take care of things... Later." She squeezes Lian's hand, and heads back in after a wave.]" to Akemi and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian looks after Kanna, then calls for Vec to boom her back home.]" to you and Akemi. ============== ============== Moriya looks over at Kentaro and Sumire, looks at Mitsune, and then starts steering clear of them. Kentaro stares at Davros as if he was some sort of hallucination for a few seconds, then kisses his mother on the cheek, greets her, then turns to Motoko, "A pleasure to see you, neice." Beowulf nods sadly to Moriya. "I hope she cheers up soon." He looks up, then back at Moriya. "Have a good evening, nephew." Lucien says, "Saved an entire universe by yourself? Seems like 'Child of Water' is faint praise." He turns to see Sumire enter. Mitsune smiles an evil grin. Moriya nods to Beowulf. Beowulf heads off to run interference between Sumire and Mitsune. Nagisa says, "Well, not just myself, of course, but also the other Children of the Elements." Moriya murmurs to Mitsune, "I know that grin. Please do promise me that you'll at least save it for after the Ball. All right?" Mutsumi says, "Well, we can't win every fight. So who's your date, Jacqui?" Motoko says, "I understand you helped to kill the Great Lo, Uncle Kentaro. Thank you." Mitsune nods. "I have to finish my plans for you first, Moriya dear." Jacqueline blinks. "Date? WHat date?" Moriya sweats. "...mmmhm." Then Lily, Travis, Yumi, and the Ashante Ambassador all come in. Beowulf notices them come in, then blinks at the Ashante Ambassador. Kentaro says, "Well, compared to Taylor's tower, it was easy." Kentaro says, "I'm very sorry about your uncle." Motoko sighs and nods. "Thank you; I didn't know him very well, but we spent a little time together when I went to Lipun some decades back. He was a kind man." Motoko says, "I just wish I understood more about why the Great Lo tried to do that to my mother in the first place." The Ashante Ambassador whispers to Travis, who nods, and then the Ambassador heads over to his seating, and Yumi and Travis do likewise. Lily goes round the Ambassadorial table, talking to people. Beowulf goes over to Lily. "You look wonderful, dear. Not that you ever look anything less." He smiles. Kentaro says, "Well, we found some notes. He seemed to think..." He pauses and looks uncomfortable, which is something you've rarely seen him do. Nagisa asks Lucien, "Will you be around Amber for a while? I'd like ot talk to you later." Mitsune whispers to Moriya. Motoko smiles tightly. "Perhaps it's not exactly the best subject to talk about right now. This is supposed to be a happy evening. Save a dance for me, Uncle, if Ambassador Sumire doesn't keep you to herself all evening." She heads off with Davros, looking to introduce him to Shinobu Minor and Keitaro. Moriya cocks his head at Mitsune, then nods, walking with her to their place at the banquet tables. Kentaro smiles as Motoko goes He then looks around, doesn't see someone, and brings Sumire over towards Lucien. Keitaro smiles at Motoko and Davros. "Hello, Princess Motoko." Lily laughs. "I do my best." She takes Beowulf round and introduces him to all of the Ambassadors. Beowulf bows respectfully to them. Motoko says, "Hello, Keitaro-san, Shinobu-chan. Davros, this is Lord Keitaro Orkuz, and my cousin, Shinobu, daughter of my Aunt Gabrielle and Uncle Nagisa; cousin, Keitaro-san, this is Davros the Stylite." Motoko says, "Thank you for ridding us of the Great Lo, Keitaro-san." Mitsune waves to Jacqueline and Mutsumie. "Hey, there!" Jacqueline smiles and waves to Mitsune. "Hi." Moriya just nods to Jacqueline silently. Keitaro says, "The Great Lo was easy compared to that...to Tylor's Tower." He shudders. "And the pies." Shinobu Minor smiles at Davros. "Hi, there!" The vaguely wounded look has returned to Moriya's face. Mutsumi waves hi. "Hi, Moriya! Hi, Mitsune! Are you two really dating now?" Motoko asks, "How have you been, Shinobu-chan?" Moriya chuckles. "Yes, we are, Cousin Mutsumi." Jacqueline smiles a genuine smile. "They're a nice couple, yes." Beowulf smiles at Lily, with a whispered "See you later!", then looks back over to see if the crowd around Lucien has thinned any. Moriya relaxes just slightly at Jacqueline's smile. Mutsumi claps her hands. "That's great!" ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "Kanna up for a little chat while we wait? I wonder where Lian went..." to you. You page, "Kanna's chatting with her now, actually." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Ah. Thought I saw her leave the room, don't remember seeing Kanna leave." to you. ====== ====== Shinobu says, "I've been hanging out with Jacqui and going on adventures in shadow, Motoko. And having a lot of fun." Moriya smiles at Mutsumi and nods. Beowulf goes over again to see if he can pay his respects to Lucien. Motoko asks, "That's nice to hear. Are you having a good time with Keitaro-san?" Motoko smiles, just slightly. Shinobu Minor says, "I'm having lots of fun!" Kentaro brings Sumire over towards Lucien. Motoko looks Keitaro over. "Treat Shinobu-chan well, Keitaro," she says, smiling pleasantly. Keitaro says, "I'll do my best." Lucien looks at Nagisa. "Saved a universe, huh? Shame you couldn't save Rebma, 'Child of Water.'" He turns and walks away Naru glances over at Keitaro as if she hopes more pies will hit him, then turns to the food and eats. Nagisa clenches his fists, "Because your moronic father destroyed it, Lucien, then hid away the tools to fix it where it couldn't be found." Lucien stops cold. Gabrielle sighs. "Oh dear." Jacqueline sips her drink. Lucien turns back to Nagisa. "You will take that back, sir, and apologize." Nagisa says, "While I was risking my life to save everyone, your father destroyed Rebma in his effort to save it, leaving the rest of us to DIE." Motoko notices the sudden chill in the room and slowly turns to watch the confrontation, a frown on her lips. Lots of people are staring. Tylor sighs and nudges Miki. Beowulf sees the confrontation as he's going over, and groans. Jacqueline mutters, "At the Marches in honor of my father, no less." She taps her Morgenstern ring. Miki begins to hurry over. Moriya slowly turns his head toward Lucien and Nagisa. "I have a bad feeling about this." Lucien's voice is low can polite, but his eyes belie any softness. "You will take that back, sir, and apologize." Kanna slips back into the main room. She then blinks, and quietly makes her way over to Ruka. Nagisa says, "Rebma would have returned forty years ago if your father hadn't hidden away the Water Jewel! Because he was selfish and self-centered. I will not apologize, because I'm right. What are you going to do, hack me apart in front of everyone? Perhaps you'll ask your harem to beat me up?" ======= ======= You page, "[Kanna] ... okay, what's with the tension spike, sis, I could feel it in the hallwa--oh *censored* *dararkocensored* *censoredcensored*" to Mercutio. ======= ======= He says, "Do you THINK I WANTED REBMA TO PERISH? DO YOU?" Lucien's grits his teeth. "That you insult me and my father, sir, is your perogative. But I cannot let an insult to the ladies pass. I suggest you apologize, NOW." Miki is now hurrying over. "This is not the time or place for a screaming match." Moriya starts to rise to his feet, face grim. "They are making a mockery of this holiday and Jacqueline's father." Kanna moves over as well, quietly grim. Oh, and tall. You realize that if need be, she can loom pretty DAMN well. Kitiara whispers, "You can take him, Lucien. He looks flimsier than Raistlin." Jacqueline mutters, "Morganstern, prep trump, two to deliver outside. Intact. Ten second countdown." Miki says, "Everyone, please sit down." Jacqueline seems to be mildly simmering. Kanna says, "Please. Lucien. Nagisa. This is neither the time -nor- the place, as Uncle Miki said." Lucien says, "I have no quarrel with him, but I must insist he apologize for his slight to the ladies." Motoko is looking pretty annoyed herself, and has slowly begun drifting over towards the confrontation. Then she spots Jacqui and changes her course. "Jacqui-chan," she murmurs, "please don't do anything rash. Let Uncle Miki handle it." Jacqueline's eyebrow twitches as Motoko speaks to her. Motoko does not appear to notice the twitch. Moriya remains standing by his chair, staring fixedly at the confrontation. Jacqueline mutters, "If there's a nice safe moat outside, Uncle Mo....." Kanna nods slightly. "It's clear that -both- of you care for Rebma deeply. To look at either of you, it's obvious." Beowulf steps up, deciding that nothing can make things worse. "Please, cousins. Not at a feast like this. Not when we're trying to honor our cousin Ota's memory." Nagisa says, "Why should I have any respect for your bevy of whores you dredged out of shadow?" All three of them look VERY Angrily at Nagisa. Miki says, "THAT IS ENOUGH. Silence BOTH of you!" "Jacqui-chan," Motoko says quietly, perhaps even warningly. Moriya now begins walking over toward them. Lucien goes white and his hand whips out to slap Nagisa as hard as possible. ====== ====== Chris pages, "Good thing I'm not there. I would be so tempted to Gaby Lucien." to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Um, yah." to you and Chris. You page, ".... greaaat." to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Of course, that will only make things worse.... oh, no. ;_;" to you and Chris. You page, "(well, this makes the Alars thing almsot a distraction.)" to Chris and The_Prof. In a page-pose to you and The_Prof, Chris just ...s at Lucy. The_Prof pages, "Oh, dear Ghu." to you and Chris. ====== ====== Jacqueline stares at the table. Miki says, "I don't know what started this, and I don't care. We will not have a brawl at this dinner. If you want to fight a rose...shit." Jacqueline waits for it. Nagisa, to the surprise of many of those watching, simply leans back, causing the slap to miss. Then he straightens up. "Is that a challenge, Lucien?" He has suddenly gone from very angry to very cold. Gabrielle grabs Lucien's wrist as it pulls back. "That was a big mistake, waterboy." Miki says, "There will be NO DUELS today. If there is a...Gabrielle, let go of Lucien" Motoko murmurs, quietly, but probably loud enough for everyone in the family to hear it, "Idiots." Kanna says, "Sis. Let go. NOW." Miki says, "If you want to fight a duel over some stupid thing tomorrow, that is your business, but we are here to honor the fallen, not to add to their ranks." Moriya comes to a halt a diplomatic distance away from the escalating situation, but seems poised to move at a moment's notice. Jacqueline says quietly, "Excuse me, everyone." She trumps out to the courtyard. Kanna is pretty near ground zero right at the moment, ready if need be. Gabrielle smiles nastily. "You want a piece of my husband? You go through me first." A suit of armor shimmers into existence around her. Kanna sighs. Miki twitches. "Gabrielle...." Beowulf also stands ready to keep them apart. ======= ======= Nausicaa asks, "OOC marches, yet?" Nausicaa says, "OOC Uh... I see ^^;" ======= ======= Kanna says, "Gabrielle? Back off." She places one hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, and uses the other to get her to release Lucien's hand. ====== ====== Kanna OOCly says, "(if it hasn't already.)" ====== ====== Beowulf looks over to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, *please*. Not here, when we're trying to honor Shaft's memory." ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] Sis. This is so effing NOT the time or place. Stand down. -Please-." to Mercutio. You page, "[Kanna] No snide comments, and be as damn polite as mom and folks trianed you." to Mercutio. Mercutio pages, "[Gabrielle] Back off, Kanna. This doesn't concern you." to you. You page, "[Kanna] ... mmmm." to Mercutio. ====== ====== Nausicaa asks, "What in the...?" Gabrielle considers this. "You're right." Lucien steps back. "You are right, Uncle Miki. I apologize for my actions. I have had a tiring day and it must have clouded my thinking." Nausicaa walks in. Gabrielle says, "Waterboy isn't worth the effort." Motoko sighs and shakes her head at Moonshade, then sits down in the chair Jacqui was in. "They really ought to just pull their trousers down and compare lengths if they want to settle the question of who can be the bigger idiot because of testosterone." Nausicaa asks, "What is going on?" Moonshade laughs so hard she falls out of her chair. Kanna lets go. Slowly. Moriya shakes his head, and starts walking back toward the table...pausing-midstep in confusion as he sees Moonshade laughing. Motoko glances down at Moonshade and sighs. "Think your sister will be all right?" Nausicaa asks, "Where's... Jacqui?" Gabrielle's suit of armor phases back into the trumpspace from whence it came. Nagisa says coldly, "I regret my insult to your companions. I should not have held them responsible for your behavior." He bows to them. Beowulf blinks at Moonshade, then sighs, and blinks again at Motoko's words. He taps the badge on his chest and whispers, "Aeris? Can you tell if Jacqui is all right?" Moriya sits down again, looking rather irritated. "What the hell is wrong with these people?" Lucien turns back to Nagisa. "I apologize, sir, for my ill-chose words. I... mis-perceived your intent." Nagisa nods curtly. "Best we forget about it, cousin." Nausicaa realizes noody is noticing her, and quiets down. Jacqueline BLINKS into her chair. ====== ====== Motoko says, "OOC: Motoko is in that chair at the moment. That'd probably be messy." Motoko says, "OOC: Or perhaps she just ends up in Motoko's lap. :)" ====== ====== Kanna lets out a breath through her nose, and looks at Ruka. She murmurs, "I think it best we go and get seated now." Nausicaa asks, "Jacqui... Are you all right?" She ends up on Motoko's lap. Ooops. Moriya looks up, slightly startled. "Is everything all right, Jacqueline?" he asks, worried. "And, ah...you might want to get up off of Motoko's lap." Jacqueline blinks slowly. The chair seems awfully short, and there are two lumps pressing on her back..... ====== ====== Kanna OOCly listens to the thunder outsider, etc. ====== ====== Ruka nods and sits down with you. Jacqueline says, "ara....." Lucien turns to take his seat. Motoko twitches. "Err... hello, Jacqui." Lily sits down with Beowulf. Jacqueline says, "I'm sitting on someone, aren't I." Kanna does a quick check of the seating to hope that Lucien and Nagisa are going to be nice and far and -seperate- from each other. Moriya nods slowly. "It's Motoko, actually." Jacqueline says, "ah. I see." Motoko takes Jacqueline by the waist with both hands and lowers her off her lap. "You're a little big to sit on my lap, Jacqui-chan." Nausicaa mutters and picks at her appetizers. Jacqueline looks at Motoko blankly. "My seat, please." Motoko gets out of the seat. "Sorry." She heads over to her own seat with Davros. Jacqueline reclaims her seat silently. Nausicaa looks around for her father. Gabrielle kisses Nagisa on the cheek once, whispers something in his ear, and sits back down next to him. Jacqueline asks Moonshade, "I assume I missed nothing important." Moriya looks at Jacqueline uncertainly, then leans toward her. "Jacqueline, have we done something wrong? Have we offended somehow? I'm sorry, whatever it is--but please, at least tell us what's bothering you?" His voice sounds rather pained. Kanna starts allowing herself to untense as she eats, though she now glances over at the Moriya/Jacqui/etc situation, briefly. Lucien walks over to Jacqueline. "Lady Jacqueline, please accept my apologies for my part in disrupting your father's honoring ceremony." ====== ====== You page, "(man, now Kanna wishes she'd headed off with Lian. *wl* )" to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Huh. As soon as he gets a chance without being noticed, Bey's going to trump Lian to find out where she is. o.o" to you and Chris. ====== ====== Moonshade makes Googly Eyes at Lucien. Jacqueline turns to Moriya and whipers, "The Unicorn has ordained me to seek my brother's blood children and put a stop to them. After that, I am going to Chaos and slaying Lord Lowen. Say yes or no to my question and _nothing_ more. Will you lend your sword to me in the battlefield?" Moriya sighs, and closes his eyes. "The family comes first, Jacqui. I will help, make no question of that. Yes." Jacqueline hisses, "Will you draw your sword in battle for me, against Lord Lowen and any who ally with him." Nausicaa stares over to her father's table and his dinner companion. She looks at everyone at her table and sighs. "Why am I even here?" Keitaro, who is seated with Shinobu Minor, waves hello to Nausicaa. "Because it's a family dinner." Nausicaa says, "We sure act like one." Moriya stares at Jacqueline, and his hand clenches into a fist. "...yes," he grates out. Shinobu Minor says, 'Hi, Nausicaa!" ======= ======= Lucien OOC Was Jacqui speaking to me or Moriya? Moriya OOCly says, "Moriya." Jacqueline says, "OOCly yes. sorry, will talk to you riiight now :)" John says, "OOC Don't know. ^^;;;" Lucien OOC Hey, just wanted to make sure. Having so many PCs at once make things confusing :) ======= ======= Nausicaa says, "Hi, Shinobu-chan." Motoko is looking as though she's restraining herself from glaring at Lucien by a small margin. Jacqueline turns away from Moriya, saying, "Remember your words." She turns to Lucien. "Hello.... ah.. I'm sorry, I missed exactly how you are related to me. Cousin? Uncle?" ====== ====== Akemi pages, "You're at the dinner table, right?" to you. You page, "Right now, I think." to Akemi. You page, "As Kanna and Ruka sat down." to Akemi. ======= ======= Lucien smiles wanly. "Who can keep it straight? 'Cousin' will do, I think." Moriya continues staring at Jacqueline, shaking his head slowly. "You've changed, Cousin," he murmurs, voice tinged with horror. "I don't like this at all." Nausicaa asks, "Jacqui? Are you all right?" Kanna doesn't answer, just keeping quiet, watching the proceedings. Moriya abruptly rises. "Mitsune, if you'd like to come with me...I think I need a breath of fresh air." Jacqueline nods. "Cousin, then. Welcome to Amber, and... try to have a good time." Jacqueline smiles sadly at Nausicaa. "More or less." ======= ======= Moriya OOCly says, "And this was supposed to be fun. x.x" Beowulf says, "OOC Uh-huh. " ======= ======= Nausicaa nods sadly. "I hate family dinners." Jacqueline raises her glass to Nausicaa with a rueful smile. "Cheers." Mitsune blinks and goes out with Moriya. Nausicaa raises her glass. "To family dinners." Lucien steps back, looking a little disgusted with himself. He takes his seat Moriya quickly vanishes outside with Mitsune in tow. Naru says feebly, "To family dinners." Keitaro mutters, "I'm having fun, sort of." ====== ====== You page, "(dunno wether to throttle characters, players, or the GM. Any the three will do.)" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Uh-huh. o.o" to you. ======= ======= Motoko raises her wine glass. "To family dinners, and to family, in all its glories." Mutsumi says, "To Amber, the Eternal City. Long may its ships sail into the sunset, making all the worlds as one." Lucien raises his glass. Jacqueline . o O (One little toast between two people and I've started a chain reaction.) Too Many NPCs for the DM to list raise their glasses. Lucien says, "To Rebma. May she come once again into her beauty." Beowulf raises his as well. "May we always remember each other." And just manages to avoid the 'can't we all get along?' plea. Gabrielle says, "To Ember, that which shines above!" Kanna nods to that, and lifts her own glass, finally. "To Ember, that her light shall shine and light Amber's glory and Rebma's beauties." Jacqueline tries not to facepalm. The whole toast thing is spiraling out of control. Mutsumi says, "To Rebma, though I've never seen it, but I hope I one day will." She smiles at Lucien. Kanna quirks a smile at her sis. Kanna nods in agreement with Mutsumi. Motoko says, "To Chaos, a land with more similarities than differences to this one." Nausicaa . o O (I meant my toast in sarcasm...) Keitaro says, "Hey, Nausicaa, will you be staying with us a while now that we've finished going over all that stuff we found at Taylor's?" Nausicaa gives Jacqui a meaningful look, then shurgs and grins. Davros says, "May the Serpent bless this place." he smiles. Nausicaa says, "I suppose, if Father doesn't need me on any more trips, Kei-kun." Kanna looks wry both at Nausicaa and Jacqui,a nd arches an eyebrow at Davros, and looks bemused, but approving. Motoko clinks glasses with various people, then drinks her wine and looks somewhat pensive. The main course, which is roast pork, is served. Along with applesauce and many vegetables. Moonshade finishes googly-eying, and asks Lucien, "So you're Prince Derith's son?" Kanna eats heartily, but also very professionally and properly. Lucien says, "Yes, I am... er..." Lucien fishes for a name. Keitaro says to Nausicaa, "Well, I was thinking about making a field trip out to a place, if you'd like to come along." Jacqueline decides, despite her better judgement, to let Moonshade do as she would. She is, after all, the heir to father's Mack, or so it seems. ======= ======= Nausicaa says, "OOC Moonshade, Etiquette 0." Nausicaa says, "OOC d'oh." ======= ======= You page, "... this is... an interesting dinner, yes. *wl*" to Chris. Chris pages, "More interesting to watch than interesting to participate, though. :>" to you. ======= ======= Moonshade grins. "I am Moonshade, daughter of...Ota and the goddess Nienna of the Valar. I just got here myself. Nice to meet ya." She offers you a hand to shake. Nausicaa asks, "Oh? Where to, Kei-kun?" Lucien shakes her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Moonshade. I'm afraid that I did not get the chance to meet your father, but I heard much good about him." Moonshade sighs. "I didn't get to meet him either. He left before I was born." Jacqueline casts an eye towards Shinobu and Keitaro. The usual checkup to see if all is still going well. Lucien smiles sadly. "I never knew my father either. He sent me away when I was a baby." Keitaro says to Nausicaa, "It's a Pre-Logrus Pyramid." He says, "I'm thinking that might be where the Spikard in the 'empire of sands' is." Nausicaa asks, "... Wow. Where?" Motoko eats fairly quietly, and doesn't talk to anyone unless they talk to her. ====== ====== Akemi pages, "HAve you met Davros?" to you. You page, "We met at the Moriya/Motoko investigation thing." to Akemi. You page, "Of Shizu, that is." to Akemi. ====== ====== Davros turns to Kanna. "How have you been doing, Princess Kanna?" Moonshade blinks. "How come, Lucien?" Kanna smiles a bit, wry. "Doing better, doing worse, Davros-san. Things took an interesting turn the past month... ended up having to knock out some Outsider constructs." She shakes her head. "And you?" Davros says, "I had to give a speech on very short notice at a memorial service in Chaos, which was one of the scariest moments of my life. Motoko's speech was much better." Motoko smiles. "It was not." Motoko says, "You were magnificent, Davros." Jacqueline watches this all very, very quietly. Gabrielle arches an eyebrow. Lucien frowns in thought. "He was going to do something dangerous. Many people thought he was foolish to attempt what he did, but he was driven by his great love of his home." Lucien's eyes glance over to Nagisa. "It's possible for someone to love something so much that they blind themselves to reality. But my father, whatever his faults, tried to ensure that I would be safe." He shakes his head. "I try to learn from his mistakes, but it's hard. But I never let myself forget that he loved me. As I'm sure your father loved you." Davros blushes. "I simply said what came to me. It was like a public confession." Kanna chuckles softly. "Eh, I betcha both did good." She smiles at both Motoko and Davros. Kanna quirks an interested ear at Lucien's comment. Davros says, "But I think I might have helped a few people." Moonshade says softly, "My father never knew I existed. He got mother pregnant and never came back." Motoko says, softly, "More than a few." Gabrielle sips some imported plasma delicately. "So, you met a lot of people in Chaos, Motoko?" Jacqueline just slowly sips her drink. Keitaro says to Nausicaa, "It's in a desert land, like Pharaonic Egypt. Called Nithia." ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "Hoo boy, and now Gaby's going to put her foot in it? " to you. You page, "Please god I hope not." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "And now it looks like Pharoah Mobius is going to be taken out of my hands, as well. Though apparently Ashante is being invaded out of shadow by folks with working cannon, Lily said, so I may at least have something to keep me busy. ;_;" to you. You page, "So noted. *wl* But okay with Gaby... it's her getting contacted for the docs/etc." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Definitely want to talk to John. o.o ANd perhaps work on my time-management skills? :)" to you. ======= ======= You page, "[Kanna] ... sis, what're you leading the conversation to now?" to Mercutio. Mercutio pages, "[Kanna] "Remember a few days ago, when we talked about maybe finding an expert on shapeshifting and psychiatric medicine?" to you. You page, "[Kanna] Oh, right. *phew* Cool. Contacts are good. Might want to float my mention of interest in geneology." to Mercutio. ======= ======= Nausicaa says, "Hmmm. I'll come along. We worked well as a team." Lucien smirks. "I doubt that would have stopped Ota from loving you. From what I know, he cherished his family." He looks her in the eye. "I just recently lost all chance of getting to know my father. All I can do now is try and make him proud of me, to do what he would wanted. Not because he would have wanted ME, necessarily, to do it, but because in doing it, I honor his memory." Nausicaa, while still trying to enjoy the dinner, looks around, worried. Davros says to Kanna, "My world has changed so much in the last few weeks, I can hardly believe it." Motoko nods to Gabrielle, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Anno-sama--the Keeper of the Logrus, Davros's father, Rural VII--the High Priest of the Serpent..." She laughs. "Really too many people to detail individually." Motoko nods to Davros and Kanna. "I feel the same way." Moonshade stares at Lucien, then she nods. "I hope you get to make him proud, Lucien." She smiles. Gabrielle nods thoughtfully. "Maybe you can help me with a project I'm working on." Kanna chuckles a bit at that. "Mom tells me her worldview expanded during her travels. I'm starting to find mine expanding, too." Motoko says, somewhat guardedly, "Perhaps." Gabrielle laughs. "Oh, it's nothing world-shaking." Nausicaa notes Jac's silence, and nods to her slowly. Lucien says, "I hope so, too, Moonshade" Motoko says, "I've got some concerns of my own at the moment--the Bloc Rebmaquois keep on trying to assassinate my grandfather, for some reason. But I'd be happy to help if I can." Gabrielle says, "I was just wondering if you could put me in touch with an expert on shapeshifting who also held a degree in psychiatric medecine. It's for my genetic profiling work, you see." Moonshade says to Lucien, "I'm going to try to help Jacqui avenge Father's death. If we can." Kanna blinks at Motoko. "-That's- weird." Jacqueline says faintly, "Yes, go down to chaos, kill Lord Lowen, get Justice back...." Shinobu Minor seems blissfully oblivious to all family conflicts due to Keitaro being near her. Motoko thinks. "I'm not sure if they have something like that in the Courts, but I think Anno-sama might have the skills to help you with what you're looking for, or perhaps even Davros would. A priest and a psychiatrist aren't too far apart in a lot of ways." Beowulf smiles ruefully at Shinobu Minor, and envies her attitude. Lucien says, "Moonshade, I wish you luck with your quest." Motoko nods to Kanna. "Very. Given that we've heard their leader, Dolphin, has the ability to use the Logrus, we're thinking it might have some connection to Chaos, perhaps to House Darios." Lucien hears the mention of Dolphin and turns. "Excuse me, did I hear you mention the... Rebmaquois?" Kanna raises her eyebrows at -that-. "Cute. And I mean that sarcastically." She sighs a bit, muttering something, good-naturedly, about Politics. Moonshade nods. "And I wish you well as well, Lucien." Beowulf hmmms. "What do you know about Dolphin, Motoko?" Lily says, "Anno would have records which might help, though they're usually confidential, I think." Gabrielle smiles. "We should talk later then, Davros-san." Nausicaa says, "Shinobu-chan, you look happy." She grins wryly. "I wonder why." Kentaro whispers to Nausicaa, "Does your Dad really have a date this time?" Motoko turns on Lucien and says, perfectly politely, "Yes, you did." She says nothing more and looks to Beowulf. "Not much, except that she's supposed to possibly be Moire's illegitimate daughter, can use the Logrus, and keeps on sending people to try and kill my grandfather." Nausicaa chuckles at Kei-kun. "Looks like. Weird, huh? I'm still trying to get used to it." Motoko says, "I understand she also has a spikard, and is assisted by a Rebman man called Shark who wields a very unpleasant-looking sword." Shinobu-chan says, "I'm with all the people I care about most in all the world. Of couse I'm happy." She smiles and pats Keitaro's hand. He looks nervous. Naru twitches. Nausicaa smiles at Shinobu-chan. "I'm glad. It's good to have people to care about." Beowulf says, "Yes... I'd heard she had Moire's spikard, Gaerthos. Another Lion Spikard." ======== ======== You page, "See? You're nto the only one! ALL the quests seem to be being shifted! *wl*" to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Heh. :)" to you and Chris. ======== ======== Kanna mmms quietly at that. Nausicaa nods at Beowulf. "Moire had meant that spikard for Uncle Nagisa. Though..." Beowulf says, "...it probably would not have been the best of ideas, given that the Master Spikard is in the hands of the Outsiders." Kanna says, "I do not like the sound of that. It gives the feeling the entire thing... Dolphin, Shark, Gaerthos... was being manipulated somehow." Kanna nods. Nausicaa nods. Kanna says, "Given the confluence of events. And the recent efforts we've had taking down other Outsider-related groups." Motoko says, "Well, the prophecies I've read indicate that they're candidates for the position of Herald, possibly serving an Outsider called 'The Sea King'." Beowulf frowns. "And if we don't get it back out of their hands... we're down to six Lion Spikards left to destroy, I don't want to see them using the Master to make more." Gabrielle blinks. "I think I've met that one." Motoko glances at Beowulf. "The Master Spikard lies Outside, though; I'm not really sure how we're to get it out of their hands." Nausicaa nods. "I almost feel hopeless about the whole thing. Father" *glances over to Mikage's table* "and I have been studying on the prophecies and the Book of Eibon. The task at hand feels so vast." Motoko says, "'Beware the Shark who serves the Dolphin,/ for the Sword of the Void serves as his fangs/ for the night is his cloak/for the Sea King commands him to slay/and slay he will/The Bride/The Seekers/And many more/Until Nine Sacrifices/Open the way/'" Beowulf says, "I talked briefly to great-grandfather about it. He seemed to think it was possible, though also a good way to get yourself killed." Motoko says, "That's from the Red Book of Malin." Nausicaa says, "Could I have a copy of that book, Motoko? It makes sense in light of the Book of Eibon." Kanna says, "Sword of the Void.... I wonder..." Beowulf says, "He also said..." He looks apologetically at Motoko. "That I would need the Gloom Device to have any chance at all." He frowns. "After what you went through with it..." Motoko frowns. "If you can make a copy of the one I have and get it back to me quickly." Nausicaa nods. "Well, you see, the verse about Nine Sacrifices makes sense." Kanna looks thoughtfull, and looks at Lucien. ======= ======= Chris pages, "Hm. Now that is a book that would interest me too. :)" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "And Bey, most likely. :)" to you and Chris. You page, "See what you miss at dinner? :)" to Chris and The_Prof. Chris pages, "I would have left at the latest when the Lucy/Nagisa blowup happened. Lian would have been too tempted to just nuke him." to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Heh. Ayup." to you and Chris. ======= ======= Motoko looks slightly stunned. "The Gloom Device? That thing is an absoute menace. I don't see how it could be of any help at all." She thinks. "Anno-sama is currently holding it in safekeeping." Gabrielle hunhs. "Nagisa, do you remember that big squid-headed Outsider who tried to devour Mom way back when?" Nausicaa says, "Because the Book of Eibon contains a ritual that involves the sacrifice of nine descendants of Fuyutsuki. To bring... Carcosa." Beowulf nods. "After what you described, I'm not sure why he thinks I'd need it, either." Gabrielle says, "Kukth- Kuhloo- bleah. I can never pronounce it. " Lucien downs his drink. Keitaro says, "Well, any problem can be broken down into smaller parts." Kanna says, "Damn. And that explains why those constructs have the ability to have folks plugged into it." Motoko nods to Nausicaa. "So I've heard." Nausicaa nods. "There are too many ways to bring Carcosa. It seems like there are too few of us to stop it." Kanna looks at the group around the table and the elder royal family. Beowulf smiles grimly. "And that means it should not be fought?" ======= ======= Jacqueline OOCly where is Kanna located relative to my table? John says, "OOC You're all at the same table, Jacqui." Jacqueline OOCLy oh? I don't supose you could tell me if she's sitting near or far n.n; John says, "OOC She's as near as yo need her to be :)" ====== ====== Kanna says, "I'd revise that estimate, Nausicaa." Kanna says, "We all do our part, small or big." Motoko frowns. "I've heard of the Book of Eibon from Anthy-sama. Wasn't every copy destroyed centuries ago?" Nausicaa says, "We should fight it, of course, but sometimes..." Beowulf says, "I for one would be willing to sacrifice my life to stop them." He mutters to himself, "And after the week I've had, that might be for the best..." Nausicaa says, "I have one, Motoko. It was found under Jacqui's bed." Jacqueline pauses. She hadn't heard this. Jacqueline asks, "excuse me?" Motoko frowns. "What was the Book of Eibon doing under your bed, Jacqueline?" Nausicaa looks at Jacqui. "Oh? You didn't know?" Kanna says, "We get Rebma back, that helps to fight it. We stomp these potential heralds, that helps to fight it. That's what we're -here- for." Jacqueline shakes her head, confused. "No... I didn't." Nausicaa says, "Oh." Nausicaa says, "... Taylor must've put it there." Nausicaa says, "..." Gabrielle says, "Well, -i'm- here for the cake." Jacqueline says, "it... might've been his, yes. He had a copy." Nausicaa nods. "He says so in his annotations." Jacqueline says, "ah." Motoko nods. "I remember you talking about it in Shamber, after your father--" She pauses. "Nausicaa, I think that book should be destroyed." Motoko says, "If it's the last remaining copy, destroying it could remove the ability of the Herald candidates to summon Carcosa." Moonshade asks Lucien, "Are you going to be around for a while? I'd like to spar with you some time." Nausicaa says, "There are more ways to summon Carcosa. It's good to know how, so we know how to stop it." ===== ===== You page, "(how does Lucien seem to be reacting to all this info being bandied about?)" to Akemi and Autolyca. Autolyca pages, "He's brooding and doesn't seem to care." to you. ====== ====== Beowulf says, "I'm not sure it's the last remaining copy... but every copy destroyed helps to reduce the chances. Some things are too nasty to be allowed to remain in print." Motoko frowns, but says nothing more. She looks up. "I wonder when Moriya and Mitsune-chan are going to get back." Nausicaa says, "The Sacrifice of Nine is just one of many, many way." She shakes her head. "Almost too many ways..." Kanna says, "We do what we can, and we wallop the clue into those who try that it's stupid." Lucien shakes his head slightly. "Hmm? Unfortunately, no. I need to head back into Shadow soon, to recover my father's sword. Then I intend to retake my father's homeland. This is just a very brief respite." Jacqueline rises up without creating a fuss and goes over to Kanna. "Aunt Kanna," she says in a low volume, so as to not talk over the main conversation. "you said you were were familiar with Ukyou Kuonji?" Gabrielle says, "We could ask Professor Fuyustuki. He knows everything." Nausicaa says, "I've heard of this Ukyou. What can you tell us about him? Her. Whatever." Moonshade glances over at Lucien's ladies, who are busy chatting with various royals. "Well, it looks like you have some good helpers." Jacqueline says, "just thought you should know, I had a word with the Unicorn and he said Ukyou's the Lion's cub. Not sure what that's supposed to mean entirely, but... I just thought you'd want to know." Kanna looks over at Jacqui, and nods, and replies quietly. "I travelled with her, or a shadow of her, yes. For about a month. Very calm, competant, almost scary fighter when motivated, but not impossible to take down." Kanna blinks at that. Jacqueline quietly takes her seat back. Nausicaa nods. "JAcqui told me about that, too." Kanna says, "That... could fit. Thank you, Jacqui." Lucien smiles. "Yes, they are. And more than that. They are my comrades. Remember this, young Moonshade... you have to have some people that you can trust with your life. Usually, these are family... but not always. If you have that, then no one can stop you." Moonshade nods. "Yeah." Nausicaa glances over to her father again. Dinner wraps up with dessert. Your father seems to be having a pleasant conversation with Hiko and Shinobu Major. He seems remarkably relaxed. Kanna enjoys dessert. DAmmit, she's gonna enjoy SOMETHING at this meal, thank you. Jacqueline frets. "Where is cousin Morgan?" Jacqueline says, "she's missed the entire evening." ====== ====== Nausicaa says, "OOC Shinobu... Major? ^^;" Beowulf says, "OOC UY's Shinobu. :)" John says, "OOC Shinobu Major is the daughter of Kozue. Shinobu Minor is Nagisa and Gabby's Kid. SM is UY Shinobu." Nausicaa says, "OOC Yes, I know who she is. I'm just... boggling." Kanna OOCly says, "And Shinobu Minor... well, just look at my amberdir. :)" Nausicaa says, "OOC yes yes yes. ^^;" Nausicaa says, "OOC I'm just surprised they're getting along at all." ====== ====== Nausicaa says to herself, "Well, at least Father is enjoying himself..." Jacqueline looks around the room curiously Motoko murmurs, "Tonight has been mostly pleasant so far. I just hope Moriya and Mitsune aren't getting up to too much trouble." Once Desert is over, everyone is invited to adjourn to the Ballroom and dance. Kanna smiles at Ruka. ======= ======= You page, "... please no morgan showing please no morgan showing please no morgan showing...." to Chris and The_Prof. In a page-pose to you and The_Prof, Chris snickers. :) The_Prof pages, "Poor Ruka. ^_^" to you and Chris. The_Prof pages, "But yes, *please* no Morgan. " to you and Chris. The_Prof pages, "Though Jacqui's almost as bad right now. I wonder, is it just me that Bey can't hold much of a grudge?" to you and Chris. Chris pages, "Perhaps." to you and The_Prof. ======= ======= Motoko gives Davros a similar smile and gets up from the table. Beowulf bows to Lily, smiling himself. "Care to indulge in a bit more training for this clumsy fool?" Jacqueline decides to lurk in the shadow of the pillars, watching the others dance. ====== ====== Akemi pages, "I'm sorry your Date has been so silent; I'm being overwhelmed." to you. You page, "('s all right, John. *wg* We both I think have an understanding this is professional, but still on good terms, etc. Not a flaming night's romance, but a good friendly outing, in its way.)" to Akemi. ====== ====== Nausicaa stands up and walks to Kentaro. "Is your dance card filled?" Kentaro grins. "I would be honored to dance with you, Nausicaa." Lily grins. "Let's boogie." Ruka whispers to Kanna. Nausicaa smiles. "Thanks for helping me out back in Leng. I confess I didn't think you'd be pleasant company." ====== ====== Akemi pages, ""Can you Tango?"" to you. You page, "[Kanna] You better believe I can tango. *grin(" to Akemi and The_Prof. ====== ====== Jacqueline hmms, and casually looks about to see where Sumire went. Motoko offers Davros her hand. "Shall we?" she asks, somewhat shyly. Davros takes Motoko's hand. "Let's dance." Gabrielle kisses Nagisa on the cheek. "Come on, dear. Let's go dance." Beowulf smiles and tries to let go of all the frustrations and pains of the last week in his dancing. Motoko leads Davros out onto the floor. Lucien grabs a bottle of wine and finds a secluded place to drink. Davros dances fluidly, if a bit nervously with Motoko. Pirotase comes over to Lucien, tosses the bottle aside, and drags him out to dance by main force. Finally, after this long time, Moriya reappears, arm in arm with Mitsune. He looks pale, but is smiling slightly. "I think we missed dinner, but I wasn't too hungry anyway. We're in time for some dancing, though. Shall we?" Motoko proves herself quite graceful on the dance floor. Beowulf just looks over at Lily and raises an eyebrow. "And just what were your sister and Moriya getting up to out there, hmmm?" Lucien smiles and dances, narrowing his focus to just one thing, the dark elf in his arms, who finds the attention pleasant, to say the least. Motoko spots Mitsune and Moriya enter while dancing, and gives Moriya a "we need to talk" look. Mitsune says, "Let's BOOGIE!" WEll, she will waltz with him, anyway Morrigan can be seen dancing with Makoto, who seems to have surfaced, while Kitiara dances with Saionji. Moriya blinks, then nods to Motoko, before almost getting yanked onto the floor by Mitsune. He grins, and starts waltzing with her. Tylor leads Yuriko out onto the dance floor, and they begin to dance slowly, together. Jacqueline, not seeing Sumire, files it away for another night and looks to see how Shinobu and Keitaro are doing. Ruka leads Kanna in a graceful waltz, spinning her out and drawing her back in as if she was tiny, rather than larger than him. Beowulf smiles and relaxes a bit as he dances with Lily, though he still reddens a bit whenever he looks down at her dress. Lily just smiles; she wears a translucent dress that clings to her body, revealing and not-revealing at once. Beowulf leads them towards Moriya and Mitsune. "Having fun, people?" Mutsumi dances with Keitaro, while Shinobu Minor goes and dances with Ramon. ===== ===== Akemi pages, "You see the Dread Pirate Roberts dancing with...Kozue?" to you. You page, "Is he in costume as the pirate?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He's wearing a fancy Therinese suit." to you. ======== ======== Kanna OOCly smiles foribly. "HI!" Kanna OOCly says, "This is me, having power go out and then come back on!" John exclaims, "OOC ACK!" Kanna OOCly says, "I have screen, though... *wl*" Nausicaa says, "OOC unidling" ========= ========= Moriya spins Mitsune around. "We are indeed, Uncle." Then he catches her in his arms again. ===== ===== Beowulf next looks around for Mother... how's she doing? Wakaba is dancing with the ambassador from the Island of Emeralds. He seems to be making a pass at her... :) After a few steps, Nausicaa grins and says to Kentaro, "What the matter? Isn't the man supposed to lead? ===== ===== Beowulf says, "OOC Oh, dear. Sean McGowan, macking on my Mother? ^_^" Motoko says, "OOC: Where's Keiko? :)" ===== ===== Kanna dances with Ruka, grinning.... still in uniform, but given it's a red swallowtail jacket with tails, and white pants, she still cuts a graceful figure. She then arches an eyebrow at Aunt Kozue and her dance partner. Once Pirotase and Lucien finish a dance, Moonshade comes up to Lucien. "You and me. Dance. Now." She pauses. "Umm...may I have this next dance?" Kanna leans close to Ruka as they get close for one of the passes, and murmurs in his ear. Keiko is dancing with Drake at the moment ============== ============== You page, "[Kanna] .... Ruka? Who is -that- dancing with Aunt Kozue?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He says, "I have NO idea. Do you?"" to you. You page, "[Kanna] ... I met him a few nights ago, actually. Dressed as the "Dread Recreational Pirate Roberts", down at the docks, on the ship "The Risky Chance"... registered to a 'M. Peebles'. He asked me to pirate queen with him, and I turned him down.. I felt it was odd for a 'Pirate' to ask me out to Marches, too. He felt Haradian to me, but he's wearing Therin clothes.." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He says, "Well, so is Mitsune, but..." He looks thoughtful. "Perhaps you should ask him to dance."" to you. You page, "[Kanna] If his crew was really pirates, I'm a Rebman. The vibe was totally off. *she shakes her head* Hrm... I just might at that. I'm gonna need to trade off eventually. *She smiles, and then pecks Ruka on the cheek.* I still have the last night's dance with -you-, Ruka." to Akemi. ============== ============== Lucien bows to Moonshade and dances with her, again turning all his attention to his partner, trying to make her feel... special. As Jacqui stands and watches, she is approached by Tsuwabuki. "Jacqueline, hello," he says. Motoko heads over towards Moriya and Mitsune with Davros when the next dance finishes. "Want to switch?" she asks Mitsune. Jacqueline blinks, clearly not expecting to be addressed by Tsuwabuki. "Ah... hello." Mitsune grins. "Never danced with a Stylite. Come on, Davros, show me what you've got." Tsuwabuki says, "Would you like to dance with me?" ====== ====== Nausicaa says, "OOC o.O" ====== ======= Moriya raises an eyebrow slightly, but smiles. "I'd be honored to have this next dance with you, Cousin." Kentaro grins at Nausicaa. "So, you want me to take over? Well, then..." Jacqueline nods. "Sure." Motoko takes Moriya's hand, smiling back, though it's a little sad. Kentaro picks up the pace of the dancing and smiles broadly. Moriya starts dancing with Motoko; his smile becomes a bit muted. "Is something wrong?" Nausicaa says, "Please do. I'd like to be led for a change." She begins to giggle as Kentaro sweeps them across the room. Motoko murmurs, "It was just ugly to watch Uncle Lucien and Uncle Nagisa going at each other like that." Kentaro smiles and dances. He dances VERY well." Moonshade eats up the attention from Lucien like a cat with milk. Nausicaa says, "I'm beginning to see your appeal, Kentaro." Moriya shakes his head, slightly disgusted. "I couldn't believe it. Thank goodness Uncle Miki defused that." Yumi comes up to Beowulf and Lily. "Daughter, may I borrow your man?" Lily laughs. "Certainly, Mother, if Beowulf doesn't mind." Motoko nods. "Auntie Wakaba told me that she and Jacqueline went looking for Withywindle; apparently, some kind of Logrus creature burned a great deal of Endor. I think we might want to head there after Marching is over." Gabrielle exchanges Nagisa with Mikage, leaving him to dance with Mikage's Mystery Date. Beowulf smiles, bows to Yumi and Lily, and follows Yumi off. ===== ===== Nausicaa says, "OOC Now there's something I thought I'd never see. Gabby and Mikage dancing. ^^;" Gabrielle says, "OOC: Well, he did me a favor. ^_^ " Nausicaa says, "OOC True, that. :)" ===== ===== Mikage smiles at Gabrielle, "You dance like all the wonders of creation, Gabrielle." Moriya blinks. "Really. They started on the search?" He chuckles. "Well. Excellent. That sounds like a great idea." He pauses. "But...burned by a Logrus creature...." He frowns. "Endor is dear to me. I don't like the idea of it getting burned." Motoko says, "I think we'll need a sword like that if we're to go up against this Shark and his Sword of the Void." Gabrielle says, "Well, I've been practicing." She smiles. "You're looking much better than when last we met, though." Tsuwabuki leads Jacqueline out onto the dance floor. "I hope I will be able to live up to your father's term as Marshal, Jacqueline." ===== ===== Nausicaa says, "OOC damn, dad is smooooth." ===== ===== Kentaro says, "Well, in life, sometimes we lead, and sometimes we follow and...I can't remember the rest of what Mom says about it, but it would be very wise. Really." He laughs Jacqueline nods and smiles weakly. "I know how it feels to try and live in his shadow." Moriya nods. "Yes, exactly. The sword like the sky at night--it rather worries me. And now that I've returned Thought...." Yumi dances gracefully with Beowulf. Nausicaa laughs at well. "I suppose it would be pointless to press you about what the rest is. You didn't listen, after all." Motoko sighs. "I was going to talk to Uncle Lucien about it, but..." She looks pensive. "I think he has a lot to learn about getting along in this family." After Moonshade finishes a dance with Lucien, Kozue comes up to him. "Shall we dance?" she asks. Lucien bows. "Certainly." He shows no more restraint in dancing with Kozue than any of the other ladies. ;) Moriya snorts softly, then nods. "Yes. I don't know what exactly started things between him and Uncle Nagisa since I wasn't paying attention at first, but knowing Uncle Nagisa...." Nausicaa looks up at Kentaro. "Shouldn't you be dancing with your other ladies? I would hate to be the target of their jealousy." Kentaro says, "But if I leave you alone, you'll try to make yourself depressed again." He winks, looks around, then snags Keitaro. "Keitaro, see to Nausicaa." Keitaro blinks. "Umm...okay." Tsuwabuki nods. "I know how that feels, Jacqui. But one day, you'll be the one casting a shadow." Motoko drifts towards Nausicaa and Kentaro with Moriya. "Still, I remember what Grandmother's told me about Uncle Derith; apparently, he never really felt a part of the family, and his pride isolated him from others. She thought that was part of why he did what he did. We've got to learn from the mistakes of the past; I'll see if I can get a dance with Uncle Lucien later on and make it clear that we're not going to close him out just because of one social slip." Nausicaa says to Kentaro, chuckling, "I'll get back at you later." To Keitaro she says, "So, Kei-kun, thanks again. We couldn't have done it without you." Motoko asks, "Uncle Kentaro, you promised me a dance?" Kentaro smiles at Motoko, "I see I am just in time. Let us dance, niece." ====== ====== Lucien OOC I think Motoko was talking about Derith and Lucien there Motoko says, "OOC: Aurgh, yes. -.-" Motoko says, "OOC: Replace the first 'Lucien' in there with 'Derith'." ====== ====== Jacqueline nods. "Sure, yes, right after I draw my own pattern." She pauses. "Yes, I'm kidding." Moriya mmms. "Yes. It wouldn't be fair to do that. Good luck, Motoko. I would prefer to have Uncle Lucien as an ally, rather than enemy." He smiles a bit stiffly at Kentaro, and passes Motoko off to him. Motoko takes Kentaro's hand and enters into the dance. Moriya takes a breath and lets it out slowly, then meanders around a bit, unless someone tries to snag him to dance. Kanna finally finishes another dance with Ruka with a smile, politely asks if she can dance with another for a bit, and hrms, looking thoughtful. She goes off and then seeks out the man who was dancing with Aunt Kozue, earlier. Gabrielle says, "So who's your new friend, Mikage? It takes more than a pretty face to turn your head." ====== ====== Kanna OOCly says, "(if he's free, that is.)" ====== ====== Tsuwabuki says, "I've had days I would have done it if I could." He laughs. Motoko says, "So," she murmurs as they dance, "what was it you didn't want to say about the Great Lo's notes in front of everyone else?" ====== ====== Autolyca pages, "Could always try and dance with Lucien" to you. You page, "Prolly gonna before the night's out. *wl*" to Autolyca. You page, "(is the 'Dread Pirate' free now, or dancing with someone else?)" to Akemi. Autolyca pages, "Better sooner than later, as I'm not going to last much longer before I fall asleep here" to you. Akemi pages, "Yes" to you. You page, "Ah, right. *wg*" to Autolyca. You page, "Agh! Can we rearrange that to dance with Lucien, or how much more can you last, Jeff?" to Akemi and Autolyca. Autolyca pages, "I can last a little while, I guess. It's just been a long week" to you and Akemi. ====== ====== Kentaro sweats like a stuck pig. Motoko smiles, showing a little teeth. "Or was it specifically in front of me?" Kentaro says, "Well, you see, part of it was that he needed, well...you see, the body he used, and the victim's body, they ahd to be, well...full siblings, you see..." He sweats more. Jacqueline smirks at that. Jacqueline OOCLy at Tsuwabuki, of course n.n The man dancing with Kozue goes to dance with Kanna; he's a handsome blonde fellow. Motoko looks slightly ill. "I think I understand," she murmurs. "So it was nothing specific about Mother beyond the fact that he was able to use her full sibling's body?" Mikage smiles at Gabrielle, "I had a very good night last night." Moriya takes a seat, and looks around at everyone dancing; eventually, his eyes settle on Mitsune dancing with Davros, and he smiles. Naru walks up to Moriya. "Dance?" Nausicaa asks, "So, Kei-kun, have you decided yet?" Moriya blinks and looks up. "Hm? Oh, certainly." He smiles, stands, and takes her hand. "Congratulations on your accomplishments in Leng," he says, leading her onto the floor. Nausicaa raises her eyebrows briefly at her father's statement, then smiles and shrugs. Keitaro sweats. "Decided? Ummm...about what?" Jacqueline raises an eyebrow and smiles lightly. "Do you intend to dance with me the whole night or do you just lose track of time easily?" Kanna smiles at the blonde man, and dances with him. "Hello, good sir... Might I have your name? And this dance?" Tsuwabuki says, "Well, Nanami is busy dancing her way down the alphabet." He laughs. "Would you like to dance with someone other than this old man?" Lucien catches a few eyes. From the way he dances, it's obvious that someone taught him exactly how to please a woman in dancing... and from the way Morrigan is dancing, it looks likely that she may have been that teacher. :) Nausicaa asks, "About who you like. You don't intend on stringing them on forever, do you?" Jacqueline shakes her head. "No, I don't mind at all. I wasn't doing much else anyway." Kentaro says very softly, "That wasn't all." Utena comes up to Beowulf. "Hello, nephew." She smiles. "Mind if I have the next dance?" Beowulf smiles at Yumi. "Thank you for the dance." He turns to Utena. "Of course, Aunt." Motoko looks very troubled. "Why don't we just finish our dance, then take a break to get a drink, and you can tell me the rest." She manages a weak smile. "I promise I won't act like it's your fault, whatever it is." The blond smiles at Kanna. "Of course. Let us dance." Kentaro nods to Motoko. Kanna dances with the blonde man, quite well, of course. Jacqueline says to Tsuwabuki, "Being the new marshal of amber... I'd like to ask you to be alert of something. Taylor... the man who killed my father. He's created an unknown amount of blood creatures, maybe a dozen, maybe an army. They... they could look like anyone, they could be anywhere. Keep your guard up." Moriya asks, "So, Cousin Naru...what do you plan to do next? Still studying for Panopticon?" Motoko simply dances quietly with Kentaro until the end of the waltz, and will then head over to the refreshment table. Beowulf goes out onto the dance floor with his Aunt, glad her skills are going with him instead of against him this time. Gabrielle hands Mikage back to his date with well-wishes at the end of the dance, and rejoins Nagisa. Beowulf says, "How have you been, Aunt? I heard you, Moriya and Motoko had an interesting diversion at CAFAM..." Kanna looks speculatively at the blode as they dance, and then leans close to him at one point to murmur something in his ear. Naru nods. "Yes, I am." ======= ======= You page, "[Kanna] This your first time here?" to Akemi. You page, "(poke?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Gomen, can you repeat last thing you aid?" to you. Akemi pages, "Said." to you. You page, "[Kanna] This your first time here?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He grins. "Don't you recognize me?" He winks." to you. You page, "[Kanna] Well, yes, I do... Mister 'Pirate Roberts'. *she grins* I see you don't fear Aunt Kozue, given how well the two of you were dancing, earlier..." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He laughs. "She's never seen my true face."" to you. You page, "[Kanna chuckles. "You play a dangerous game, Mr. Pirate. Be careful out there, hmmm?"]" to Akemi. ======= ======= Keitaro says, "I...uh...Nausicaa...." Moriya smiles as he continues to dance. "I'd wish you luck, but I don't think you really need it. Nevertheless--good luck." Nausicaa continues to torment poor Keitaro. "Well?" Tsuwabuki frowns. "Jacqui...have you heard about the assassination attempts?" Jacqueline frets. "assassination attempts? No, I haven't. Who?" Utena looks embarrassed. "We were very successful, Beowulf, but I...um..." She laughs nervously. Beowulf looks inquiringly at her. "Um?" Naru asks, "So you and Mitsune are dating now, Moriya?" Kentaro asks Motoko, "Are you familiar with 'The Invisible Hand'?" Motoko nods and pours herself a drink. "In passing; only from looking through the mind of one of the Great Lo's servants, after we rescued Mother from his ceremony. It was the Outsider he served, yes?" Moriya chuckles. "Yes, we are. I still find myself wondering how it happened, but...we reached an understanding a little while ago, and...." Tsuwabuki says, "One of the Assassins died and turned into a puddle of blood, you see." Beowulf says, "What's got you so embarrassed?" He smiles gently at his Aunt, inviting her to talk if she wants. Moriya smiles. "We're pretty happy, I think." Lucien bows to Kozue as the song ends and she seems quite pleased with his skill as a dancer. Turning, Lucien finds himself face-to-face with Queen Yuriko. "A dance, Sir Lucien?" He bows and murmurs "Of course, your majesty." With the beginning of a new song, he sweeps her out into the dance floor. If his dance steps are a little more restrained with his Queen, they are no less skilled, and hint that while a Queen is always a Queen, she is also a woman. Jacqueline nods. "It sounds like you've already met him then..... he was trying to kill the king?" Tsuwabuki says, "Trying to kill me." Jacqueline frowns. 'To kill you? Did you ever find out why? Utena says to Beowulf, "Have you ever been to the Discworld?" Beowulf asks, "I've been by there in passing, yes. Never spent too much time there." He smiles up at her. "Why?" Tsu says to Jacqui, "I don't know why, but we think Bloc Rebmaquois was behind it." Kentaro says to Motoko, "You see the Outsiders embody various sorts of mechanistic forces, such as space or time or reproduction or...well...in the case of this one, he seems to represent Market Forces." Jacqueline looks puzzled. "Maybe it wasn't Taylor, then... oh. But... be careful. And carry lots of silver coins, I guess." Keitaro says to Nausicaa, "Well, you see, I..." He looks around and blushes, Nausicaa asks, "Hmmm?" Naru smiles at Moriya. "That's good. So, I hear you've been down in Chaos lately?" Nausicaa says, "I could make it worse, you know..." and begins to wrap her arms around his neck. Keitaro turns beet red. ===== ===== Kanna OOCly says, "(woooo, Nausicaa's puttin' the mack on Keitaro!)" Nausicaa says, "OOC Actually, I'm just putting him on the spot. :)" ===== ===== Moriya nods. "Quite a bit, yes. And I'm afraid that we'll probably be heading that way again soon. But I don't mind too much." Motoko frowns at Kentaro. "I don't really understand." Kentaro asks Motoko, "Ummm...do you know what Market Forces are?" Motoko says, "Yes. I'm just not sure how it relates to my mother--oh." Across the floor, you see Lily dancing with Davros, who is trying very hard not to look at anything on her. Motoko chuckles dryly. "What a stupid force to represent. I almost feel sorry for it." ====== ====== You page, "... the Invisible Hand moves its Pawn/Six of One, half a dozen of another/Seeks to buy the prize -- Nippon Tech." to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Ahhh." to you and Chris. Chris pages, "Ayup." to you and The_Prof. ====== ====== Kentaro says, "Well, you see, he thought your Mother was the most...umm...." He sighs. "I'll be blunt. His notes said 'This Mercenary Bitch doesn't care about anything but money. She's perfect'." ==== ==== Nausicaa says, "OOC ..." Kanna OOCly says, "... well, that's gonna sting." ==== ==== Keitaro looks about ready to melt. Motoko twitches slightly. "Well," she says icily, "he was wrong. And he paid the price for it." ==== ==== Nausicaa says, "OOC yeah. we killed his ass." Beowulf OOCly winces. ===== ===== Motoko says, "And deservedly so." Kentaro seems relieved. "He failed." Jacqueline says to Tsuwabuki with an honest apologetic smile, "If you'll pardon me, honored Marshal of Amber, I just need some air for a moment. Perhaps you should try to corner Aunt Nanami," she adds with a wry smile. Motoko says, "Thank you again, Uncle, for taking him down." Naru says, "Mother's been riding me again about joining the cavalry." Utena says to Beowulf, "Well, are you familiar with the female barbarians they ahve there?" Moriya pats Naru on the shoulder. "Go where your heart and mind tells you." Motoko quirks a smile in Davros's direction. "I really should go and rescue him from Lily-san, but it looks as though I need to get in line to get a dance with Uncle Lucien before the night ends. Take care, Uncle." She drifts off to wait for Lucien's current dance to finish. Beowulf says, "Ah, yes... a fairly stereotypical image of the... ahem. Yes, I've heard of them." Kentaro says, "It was my pleasure, Motoko." ===== ===== Motoko exclaims, "OOC: Warrior hussy!" =========== =========== You page, "(anything else from the Dread Pirate? *wg* )" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He laughs. "Danger excites me, though not as much as you do, my dear."" to you. You page, "[Kanna chuckles. "Hang around me, and you'd get more than your fill for several lives. And why me? I hardly ever sail." She blushes a bit, but grins.]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He says, "All the world knows of your beauty, my dear Kanna. And I have heard many tales of your heroic deeds, even before your pirating days."" to you. Akemi pages, "He tells you several stories of cool things you've done :)" to you. Akemi pages, "All public knowledge stuff." to you. You page, "[Kanna chuckles, blushes appropriately at the things. "You flatter me, good Pirate."]" to Akemi. You page, "(how far back?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Last five years." to you. You page, "(and what range of 'public'? Ah, okay, Not hyper-detailed, no Yig, etc.)" to Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] After all, I just do my job, for the good of the kingdoms. *she smiles*" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He smiles. "Was the dinner as good as the dancing?"" to you. You page, "[KAnna] Oh, it was ... interesting. Family stuff, but it'd probably bore you. I take it you didn't attend?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, ""I wasn't invited." He sighs. "And a nametag would have been bad for me, I think."" to you. You page, "[Kanna chuckles. "A pity. If only you'd announce yourself... I'm sure with your charm you'd get along. But ohwell. Smooth sailing, Dread Pirate..." She winks, and gives him a peck on the cheek.]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He smiles and sweeps you into a fancy move, grinning." to you. You page, "(I want to chat with Bey now, so if that's all right for me to split off after a bit more?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Fine wth me" to you. =========== =========== He says, "He was a fool to think he could challenge the House of Amber." Nausicaa draws Keitaro's face close to hers, smiles (with an edge to it), and raises an eyebrow. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" Keitaro says, "I think I hear Aunt Haruka calling me. COMING!" And then he runs. Beowulf looks up at Utena. "ANd what did this have to do with you?" Utena says weakly, "Well, you see, the world turned my clothing into one of their outfits, and then, you get sucked into a story, and...." Jacqueline bows to Tsuwabuki and departs the room, taking a drink along with her as she goes. ===== ===== Jacqueline OOCLy and now I drive home Jacqueline OOCly idles Kanna OOCly says, "ahhhh." ===== ===== Nausicaa smirks as she watches Keitaro. "And he'll be a PM someday." Beowulf blinks. "Oh. My. I can see where that would be... inconvenient." Motoko waits in the wings for Lucien to finish his current dance before preparing to no doubt fight her way through a crowd of women to get to him for the next one. Queen Yuriko smiles at Motoko and gracefully yields him up. Beowulf says, "I've gotten a bit more used to... um, the less-is-more theory of female clothing design... of late." He looks over at Lily, his blush fading into a fond smile. "But I can see how it would be uncomfortable for you." ===== ===== Mercutio pages, "What's Kanna doing right now? I lost track." to you. You page, "Currently dancing with Mr. Dread Pirate. He was dancing with Kozue earlier, of all people. Unmasked, clad in Therin wear, Ruka didn't recog him." to Mercutio. ===== ===== Motoko extends her hand to Lucien. "Uncle, may I have this next dance?" Nausicaa, currently partner-less, walks over to where the drinks are. Utena says, "And I was just acting...We all were. Ask Motoko to show her her hat." Beowulf's eyebrows climb. "I see. What role was she put into?" Tsuwabuki goes to dance with Nanami. Nausicaa looks for her father. Moriya dances with Naru a while longer, then trades her off so as to dance with Wakaba, if possible. Wakaba is happy to dance with Moriya. "Hello, nephew," she says smiling. Touga approaches Gabrielle. "May I have this dance?" Lucien smiles at Motoko and bows. "Of course." When the music begins to play, the dance, and the chase, begins. Lucien is truly a master of the dance, his feet always sure, his moves always right, and his touch slightly electrifying... but he seems almost detached, as if this was the ONLY way he could dance. Gabrielle smiles. "Sure, red." Moriya smiles. "Hello, Aunt Wakaba. It's good to see you again. I'm sorry I didn't stop to speak with you more after you were rescued." Motoko does not seem particularly electrified by Lucien's touch; rather cool, in fact. "You made a mistake tonight, Uncle," she says after a little while, though unkindly. Utena says to Beowulf, "Think Black Pointy Hat." Gabrielle grabs Touga and whirls into the dance. ===== ===== Motoko says, "OOC: _not_ unkindly." Nausicaa exclaims, "OOC Lucien, Lord of the Dance!" Motoko OOCly cries as his lack of sleep begins to catch up with him. Kanna OOCly patpats Alan. ===== ===== Beowulf says, "A wizard? Oh, my." A grin slips across his face. "That would have been interesting to see; it's a pity, we were probably there at about the same time." Thoric approaches Nausicaa at the drinking table. "Hey, I hear you went to Leng." Nausicaa nods. "That's right. Been there before?" Gabrielle says, "I didn't see you with a date, Touga." She grins. "The ladies all scared off by your rapier wit." Lucien smirks. "I thought you would not concern yourself with my mistakes, Motoko-san." Touga says, "Unfortunately, my date got the flu." He sighs. "Fortunately, there are many beauties such as yourself I can steal a dance from." Gabrielle laughs. "So how's the whole secret agent thing working out for you?" Motoko says, "Problematically, mistakes made by members of this family tend to have repercussions for everyone, not just the particular family member." Moriya smiles. "Hello, Aunt Wakaba. It's good to see you again. I'm sorry I didn't stop to speak with you more after you were rescued." Motoko sighs. "However, I've got no right to lecture anyone for not exactly knowing how to behave in a formal setting like this. I'm sorry for being snappy to you earlier." Beowulf finishes the dance with Utena, then goes to sit down and rest for a bit, keeping an eye on how everyone is doing, a slight smile on his face as folks seem to be relaxing. Motoko says, "This must all be very new to you, and rather confusing. There's a lot of history in this family, and a lot of pride, so it's sometimes difficult to get along." Wakaba says, "Well, I've been doing some research and experiments, and helping Jackie look for Withywindle." Lucien continues dancing and raises an eyebrow. "You have a strange way of not lecturing, Motoko-san." Motoko smiles slightly. "I said I didn't have a right; I didn't say I was necessarily going to refrain." Thoric says to Nausicaa, "Only by accident. I just got back from helping Morgan recover the Sword of Air." Moriya nods. "So I've heard from Motoko. I was actually intending to search for Withywindle much earlier, only...well, so many things started happening." He smiles wryly. "Now, though, I think we have the time to go for it." Nausicaa asks, "Oh, Morgan is back as well? Where is... *stumbles for a pronoun and gives up* ...Morgan?" Kanna smiles, contining to fancilly dance with the blonde man, untill finally parting ways with him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. Kanna then drifts beowulf-ward, after snagging a wineglass and a few hors-de-vors. Wakaba sighs, "Endor burned to the ground." She says, "We saved a few of the Ewoks, but I fear for most of them." ====== ====== Chris pages, "Oh my ... who was that fellow? ;)" to you. You page, "The Dread Pirate. Who'd also been dancing with Kozue. Who didn't recog, nor did Ruka." to Chris. Chris pages, "Oh my ..." to you. ====== ====== Beowulf smiles up at Kanna as she approaches. "And how were you doing with your handsome blond friend?" Moriya blinks. "What, all of it? I thought it was only a portion...." Kanna hums a bit of 'o/!I could have danced all night' as she does so, a bemused smile on her lips, and then sits next to beowulf. "Hanging in there, Bey?" Kanna says, "Oh, quite a rougush fellow, and a good dancer." Lucien says, "You need not concern yourself, Motoko-san. I begin to see the wisdom of my father's policy. Let Amber keep to itself. I am only concerned with Rebma." She says, "Well, we did stop the fire before it all burned, but the damage was horrible." Beowulf smiles. "More or less. Feeling better than I have for a few days, anyway." He arches an eyebrow. "I could *see* he was a good dancer, cousin." Moriya scowls. "Endor is very dear to me. I do not like that at all." Kanna smiles, and nods. "Good." She reassuringly pats Bey's hand, and leans over a bit to murmur. Motoko narrows her eyes slightly. "There's no wisdom in playing the politics of isolation. I've just come from the Courts of Chaos, Uncle, and I've seen what results from that kind of attitude. Amber and Rebma are linked, whether you like it or not; if you're to have concern for Rebma, you must also have concern for Amber." ============= ============= You page, "[Kanna] ... I don't know WHAT's up with that man, but if he's -really- the "Dread Recreational Pirate Robers", he's got some stones waltzing in here to dance. Especially with a ship with a registry in Amber, and lookign to be of Harad descent." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf blinks. "Indeed. Especially with Aunt Kozue wanting his guts for garters." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] Provided he didn't borrow it. He was up on my exploits, too. Though only the past five years, and public stuff." to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] I know there's lots of Harad guys who've tried to ask me out, but... *she shakes her head* ... my worry, not yours. *she smiles a bit* About earlier, though..." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, ""...indeed. Sounds almost obsessive."" to you and Akemi. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf nods. "Go on..." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] But only recently. Mmmm. Overheard somethign earlier about the taylors... perhaps... I don't know. *she shakes her head* We'll see. Sis was paranoid. But anyray. Lian ducked out early to head back to the lab... the event wasn't quite her thing. I'll prolly try trumping her later." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "I talked to her a little, over dinner. She said pretty much the same thing." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] Did some research on Yig and those who've hung on it. There's ways TO get back into their good graces, but it's either involving decades or centuries of service to them... so as to discourage folks blabbing the lore. -Or-. One can counter a threat to Yig before it tries to harm the tree." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf shakes his head. "And there's another thing that's come up; Lily and her mother were talking to the Ashantian ambassador, and there's some sort of sea force invading Ashante through Shadow. With working cannons." to you and Akemi. The_Prof pages, ""...Oh, dear. That's a long time, though I can understand why they chose that period." He thinks of cousin Shizumaru. "I suppose with people who live as long as we do, they want to make sure we don't just brush it off." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] Given the Taylor-clones running around, and that damn Black Heart Prophesy... well, hell. *SIGH* Could be a construct, or somebody could've gotten that rumored Amber Gunpowder." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf smiles a bit ruefully. "It never rains, but it pours, eh? If it's not one thing, it's another." He sighs. "Well, with Keitaro apparently going out to look for Pharoah Mobius, perhaps it's just as well I've got something to keep me busy." to you and Akemi. The_Prof pages, ""Speaking of, did you have a chance to talk with your mother about that museum?" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] But basically, backing up... Right. Well, I plan within the next day or so to walk the Pattern to send me to an ideal place to train, in fast time... hopefully bring Lian along. And then, once that's done, head out into shadow and try to take down any Taylors or others who might try to chop the tree. And warn the forestals by messenger-bird. My refs imply that it's best to send word but go and do the task and THEN show up. *look wry*" to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna looks rueful in return. "Seems like all our planeed 'goals' seem to be swapping on us, eh?"]" to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, ""Ahh, I see. Train for what, though?" He smiles. "You already seem pretty skillful to me." to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna chuckles. "You never can stop training -too- much, BEy. My mind could use some toughening, and my skills at the sword could use some improvement as well. And with all the constructs, taylors, random wackos, etc..."]" to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] And one other... interesting factoid." to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] Uncle Drake and Cousin Shizu aren't the only two known on our end of things to have hung from the tree." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf grins a bit. "I see. Well, I'm fairly satisfied with my skills, but after getting my weapons chopped up by patternblades, I think it might be a good idea to see if I can find a better one."" to you and Akemi. The_Prof pages, "Beowulf blinks. "Not the only ones *known*?" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] The books record two others for certain. Queen Sakura... and my Grandmother." to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] No record -why- they did... but they were definite." to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] I suppose it makes sense in a way, as Sakura and Haruka perhaps were the most lore-heavy of the Queens, but... *she shrugs*" to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, ""Your grandmother... and Queen Sakura?" He sighs. "That is an interesting pair."" to you and Akemi. ====== ====== You page, "(did I get when they supposedly hung?)" to Akemi and The_Prof. Akemi pages, "Yes, you did." to you and The_Prof. You page, "(when -were- those times?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Haruka did after the first crises of her reign, and Sakura is said to have after she got divorced." to you. ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] And it's not like I can ask either of them what they hung -for-. *she looks rueful* Could have been anything. Interesting, though. But that was the biggie about what I wanted to mention, bey." to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Bey] Actually... I wonder if you might be able to talk to Grandfather's patternghost, and get some ideas?" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] ... I was thinking of that, yes. Originally to get confirmation on the route to Merehallow, but this new nugget... It'll make a nice round trip." to Akemi and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] Well, the start of one, that is.... summoning up a ghost of Grandpa Gendo. -That'll- be a trip and a half. *she looks wry* And hm. Care to dance?" to Akemi and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Indeed it will be a trip." He smiles. "And yes, I'll let you manhandle me at least once." He grins. "Just be sure to duck when Lily tries to zap you for it."" to you and Akemi. The_Prof pages, "And I'm starting to run out of steam, I'm afraid, or at least out of thinking steam. :)" to you and Akemi. You page, "[Kanna chuckles. "Manhandle? -Manhandle-? She grins. I'll show you how well these hands can handle, Beowulf Kohl." She winks.]" to Akemi and The_Prof. ================= ================= Thoric says to Naussica, "She left to take the Sword of Air to Juri, who needs it to fight an army of undead, I think." ====== ====== Nausicaa asks, "OOC you mean me, right?" Moriya OOCly says, "To Nausicaa." SIGH. TO NAUSICAA ====== ====== Nausicaa asks, "Ah. Say, do you have a dance yet?" Nausicaa says, "dance partner, even" Thoric smiles. "Let's dance, then." He takes Nausicaa and leads her out onto the dance floor. He's not a great dancer, but he's reasonably good. Moriya shakes his head. "Would you join us in the search, Aunt Wakaba? We'll likely go there as soon as tomorrow, perhaps the day after." Wakaba says, "I need to talk to Jacqueline. I think she planned either to go back to Endor or to Mystara." Moriya nods. "Fair enough." He sighs softly. "Jacqueline...she frightens me. There's this...bitter hate in her now, or something. It doesn't seem like her at all, yet...." Wakaba blinks. "Really? She seemed perky and happy while we were at Endor." Lucien sighs. "Motoko-san, I have had a very tiring day. I arrived in this land hoping for a happy homecoming and to find my father. Instead, he dies a few days after I arrive. Not an hour goes by that I don't ask myself if I could have done SOMETHING to save him. My first major meeting with the entire family and I have to face some strutting popinjay who claims to have saved the entire universe. I apologize if I hurt him by implying he thought Rebma was not important, but he did not sound to me like he was concerned. He was boorish, uncivilized, and lowered himself to attack ladies I care for. I apologized and swallowed my pride. Now, I have you lecturing me on politics. Besides, you want something, or you would not be here. State what you want. If I am wrong and you are truly here soley because of family love and duty, I will apologize." Nausicaa says, "OOC OW... @.@" Moriya sighs. "She's been rather cold to me all evening, and when I asked her why...she told me to swear to help her defeat Lowen and fight those allied with him. Jacqueline was...so frighteningly intense. I don't really understand why. Except...perhaps she suspects that I've gone over to their side, just because I've been in Chaos for so long." He pauses. "And that I want to avoid war between Amber and Chaos." Wakaba says, "Jacqui is herself of the blood of Chaos, as am I." She sighs. "I just talk to her." Motoko says, softly, "You don't need to apologize to me, Uncle. Uncle Nagisa could be your ally, if you'd let him." She sighs. "My grandmother's talked about your father to me sometimes. I never knew him myself, and I don't get the feeling they were close, but from what she says... I think she believes that they had some things in common. Neither of them ever really felt as though they were a part of this family." Motoko says, "I don't want the same thing to happen with you, Uncle. I'm sorry." Moriya nods. "Please do, Aunt. It hurts me to think that she might hate me. It's jarring even to think of a hateful Jacqueline." He growls. "Taylor is dead, but I would kill him a hundred times again because of what he's done to Jacqui, by murdering Uncle Ota." He sighs. "And if Lowen had a part in it...." Nausicaa and Thoric swing by Motoko and Lucien. "Say, I just realized no one's introduced me to your partner here, Motoko." She pauses. "Uh... did I say something wrong?" Wakaba says, "I know, I know." Lucien bows to Nausicaa, seemingly grateful for the interruption. "Sir Lucien du Lac, son of Derith, my lady. And you?" Nausicaa says, "Nausicaa, daughter of Mikage. Could I have a dance with you after... well, you seem to have a long line of admirers waiting for a turn, so perhaps later." ====== ====== Jacqueline OOCly unidles Jacqueline OOCLy I miss much? Moriya OOCly says, "Well, Moriya's afraid you hate him. :>" Nausicaa says, "OOC Quite a bit. ^^;" Jacqueline OOCly oh, no, jaq loves moirya, and will kill him if he doesn't get it right with Mitsune :) ====== ====== Lucien says, "Not at all. Motoko-san and I were just finished." As Jacqueline returns, Davros quietly approaches her. "Good day, Princess Jacqueline." Lucien offers his hand to Nausicaa Motoko sighs, and bows to Lucien. "Perhaps we'll see each other later, Uncle," she says quietly. She walks off, looking unhappy, in search of Davros. Jacqueline blinks as Davros adresses her, clearly not expecting it. "Ah... Davros the Stylite, is it not?" Moriya briefly hugs Wakaba. "Thank you, Aunt." Nausicaa says, "Oh! Thank you. You're very kind. See you, Thoric." Davros nods to Jacqueline. "Are you alright? You've seemed to be alone most of the evening." Wakaba hugs you back. Then Misato comes up to Moriya.