Kitiara says, "OOC BRB.  Bathroom calls"

Kitiara says, "OOC Okay, I'm ready."

Kitiara asks, "OOC When last we stopped with you, you were talking to
Anno.  Anything else you wanted to ask him before you take off?"

Beowulf says, "OOC One little thing... ^_^"

Kitiara exclaims, "OOC Ask away!"

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

Beowulf smiles and bows to Anno. "This has been a most interesting game
I've landed in."

Anno nods.  "Well, I hope you will enjoy yourself."

Beowulf says, "I wouldn't like to spoil the fun, but I am a bit curious
about any broader implications... unless Tirthos was also part of the
game?" He grins slightly, lifting an eyebrow, inviting but not demanding
comment.

Anno says, "There are many games and many players, but I am not the one
who set Tirthos in motion.  This game is for fun, but I fear some of
those competing may well play for keeps."

Beowulf nods. "Hmm, yes." He grins again. "Care to give any hints, or
would it be more fun to find out on my own?"

He looks thoughtful.  "Those who box overlong with shadows may find that
what cast those shadows has moved on without them."

He continues, "And don't ever have the potato soup at the Green Dragon
Inn.  It's wretched."

Beowulf asks, "I suppose so." He looks thoughtful. "I have been dwadling
around a little, haven't I?"

Beowulf grins. "I'll take your advice. Try the turkey at Arthur
Bryant's. It's delicious."

Anno says, "Caution is good for archaeology, but not so good when
competing for a prize."

Beowulf nods. Yes.

Anno asks, "Which Arthur Bryant's?  There's roughly 6443749389924 of
them in Shadow, you know."

Beowulf says, "Hmmm. Well, I *was* rather fond of the one in Graceland,
but I think next time I visit there I'll be a bit more careful of the
hymns." He smiles.

Anno nods.  "I'll give a try the next time I drop by."

Beowulf smiles. "Well, thank you very much for your time. If I see
anything nice you might like, I'll try to send it your way. :)"

He nods and waves.  "Have a fun trip!"

Autolyca has disconnected.

Beowulf waves and takes his leave.

Lian murmurs, "Fun trip, he says." She grins and pushes off the wall
she's been leaning against throughout the visit. "Let's get busy, then."

Beowulf smiles. "Indeed."

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

Kitiara asks, "OOC Where you head to next?"

Beowulf says, "OOC Let's try a little shadowwalking."

You head out of the Courts.  Going by Zeppelin?  Humvee?  Horse? 
Potato?

Beowulf asks, "OOC Well, the potato would be a *bit* tricky, ne? How's
the terrain around the Courts?"

Lian OOC votes for the zep. We did well enough with it when we got here.
:)

Kanna OOCly says, "TErrain Around The Courts...."

Kanna OOCly breaks down laughing.

Beowulf says, "OOC Yah, they all saw us come in on it, didn't they? :)"

Lian says, "IIC Yup."

Kanna OOCly says, "Roll 3d12, add the numbers, divide by pi and select
from the table, Prof.  THAT's what the terrain is like."

Beowulf gets into the Ajax with the rest of the group and starts off.

Kitiara says, "OOC THe terrain tends to be pretty crazy :)"

Beowulf says, "OOC Diceless RPG, Phil? :)"

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

Lian finds a quiet corner and gets busy with the crystalcomp while Bey
drives.

You take off through the swirling chaos mists.

Beowulf hums, o/~ Off we gooo, into the wild -- hm. --octarine yonder,
off we go, into the mists... o/~

Kitiara asks, "OOC You gonna hellride or move at normal speeds?"

Mitsune laughs.

Beowulf says, "OOC hellride, I think. Make sure everyone keeps alert."

Several days out of Chaos, the thought comes to mind that you could have
shown Anno the note and asked if it was a fake.

Pressing onwards, you head into more Orderly shadows.

Beowulf says, "OOC And he did indeed think of it back then, but decided
Anno would probably view that as a violation of the game rules. :)"

You keep riding.

Lian joins Beowulf up front one of those days. "So where are we going?"

Until, after six days, you find yourself at the base of a mountain.

You are in a jungle somewhere, fairly hilly, mountains off to the south
and east of you.

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

You page, "What IS it with you and Jungle these days? :)" to Akemi.

Beowulf asks, "OOC Terrain look at all familiar?"

Lian . o O ( OOC: What he asked. )

Kitiara says, "OOC You'd guess vaguely that you may be around Ashante."

Kitiara says, "OOC As when you came flying in, you could see an
inhabited plain off to the north that was somewhat familiar looking."

Beowulf OOCly smiles. "Ah. Prove by doing, eh?"

Kitiara says, "OOC Could be... :)"

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

Lian grins as she sees where they are. "Nevermind that question. Seems
you were right about the clue."

Mitsune says, "Ugly room."

Mitsune says, "MOUNTAIN."

Lily laughs.

Beowulf says, "Ahh... well, yes, I suppose so. Remind me to tell you the
story of the World in the Rock someday."

Lian glances to Mitsune and smiles. "I'm sure it is eternally sorry for
violating your aesthetic feelings."

Mitsune asks, "The world in the rock?"

Beowulf says, "Yes... a little parable from a story I read once, about
finding wonder in everything you see. Nothing important at the moment, I
think."

She nods.

You can see several groups camped out around the mountain.

There's a group of armored knights, a small knot of teenagers, and a
band of trolls.

All three groups spot your blimp, but don't try to do anything to you.

Beowulf nods, and lands near the group of knights, then stuffs the zep
back into the bag.

Beowulf walks over to the knights and bows. "Greetings."

This is a jungle.  You lack adequate blimp landing facilities... :)

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

Beowulf says, "OOC Ah, no clearings? :)"

Kitiara says, "OOC Yes, there are, but they aren't Blimp sized."

Beowulf says, "OOC How far back would we have to go into shadow to find
a good landing spot? Might not be a bad idea to swing back in and finish
heading to them on foot."

Kitiara says, "OOC You could move a few shadows over and park, shifting
a nice clearing into existence."

Kitiara says, "OOC Then walk/ride into this shadow on foot pretty
easily."

Beowulf says, "OOC Let's do that, then."

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

Lian readies her equipment, then joins the others again. "Problem?"

Beowulf says, "Minor one, Lian... forgot to find a place to park." He
smiles.

The four of you head a few shadows down the road so to speak, land,
park, then head back on foot.

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

Beowulf says, "OOC take a quick areal survey as we head back out."

Kitiara says, "OOC The three groups are camped within 2 miles of each
other, but probably couldn't see each other."

Kitiara says, "OOC You get the occasional glimpse of dark skinned local
tribal folk moving about through the area."

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

Lian says, "Hm. You might want to get a landing craft some day. Or
something to -make- a parking place."

Beowulf says, "True, true. Though I'd rather not leave it unattended for
too long, so I doubt a landing craft would be in order."

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

Beowulf says, "OOC Assyrians? :)"

Kitiara asks, "OOC Gonna head to the knights once you land and pack away
the Zepp?"

Beowulf says, "OOC Yep."

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

Lian says, "Add defenses too, then. I'm sure your zep could accomodate a
few automatic gun or ballista stations."

Beowulf says, "What, you didn't see the machine guns and bazookas lining
the windows?" He smiles. "This *is* supposed to be *War* Zeppelin Ajax."

Lian says, "I said -guns-, not those toys."

Mitsune says, "Hey, those are pretty nasty guns."

Beowulf asks, "Don't want anything with too big a recoil, or something
that would damage the bag, ne?"

Lian says, "Right, right ... oh, beam rifles are recoilless."

Lucien OOC Night all!
Beowulf exclaims, "OOC Seeya, Jeff!"
Kitiara exclaims, "OOC G'nite, Jeff!"
Autolyca has disconnected.

Beowulf says, "True, true. Want to have it work in as many shadows as
reasonable, though."

Lian smiles and shakes her head. "You're no fun, Bey."

Mitsune says, "What you really need is a cannon that fires an ugly ray."

Lian eyes Mitsune, "Ugly ray?"

Beowulf says, "But how much use would it get against the people who
really need it?" He blinks innocently.

Beowulf says, "Unless you have a specific candidate in mind?"

Mitsune says, "No particular candidate at the moment."

Beowulf says, "Ah. Well, then."

Lian says, "Maybe some ugly grenades instead, Mitsune? Small, easy to
hide and carry ..."

Mitsune laughs.  "I'll think about it."

Beowulf says, "Oh, I've got those." He holds up a probability grenade.

Lily says, "I'm sure we can discuss making things ugly later..."

Lian pouts briefly, but nods. "Lily's got a point ... we're here to get
a key."

Beowulf says, "Indeed." He smiles.

Beowulf brings out the translation of the the clue sheet again.

Beowulf says, "/In the land of the Golden Chair/Rivers run fast and
deep/Follow the Way of the Skyfather/"

Beowulf says, "/Into deepest jungle/To distant mountain/To find the
Stair/"

Beowulf says, "Which appears to be where we are now, it seems."

Lily nods.  "Well, we can see the stair there."  She points at the
mountain; you can see a narrow stair leading up to a huge pair of doors
halfway up the mountain.

Beowulf asks, "'/Climb the Stair/Ride the Whirlwind/Pass the Fires/'...
that strike any thoughts for people?"

Lily says, "The last two probably refer to traps within the mountain."

Lian says, "Not at the moment. Those probably refer to challenges along
the way, so we'll see them soon enough."

Mitsune says, "I'd suggest fire-proofing ourselves now, though."

Beowulf says, "Right, right... was trying to think if they struck any
clues for folks before we started."

Beowulf nods. "Yes, fireproofing would be a good idea."

Beowulf asks, "Well, Lian and I have armor from the... unfortunate night
of the Boat, that might serve; do the two of you have any suggestions?"

Lian says, "We might still want to look into head protection, Bey. My
hair's short enough ... I don't need to burn it down even more. "

Beowulf says, "Oh, I suppose, I suppose." He smiles at the sisters and
bows. "I suspect we are at your mercy, so to speak."

Mitsune turns rather grey.  "This will do for me," she says.

Lily says, "I will prepare a fire protection spell for myself.

Beowulf smiles. "All right, all right... If I survived the shadow of
infinite hellfire, I suspect a little walk in the flames won't hurt me."

Lian says, "Depends on what kinda flames we get. But we'll see."

Lian says, "I'm more worried about the 'dance with death' part of the
list than the fire anyway."

Beowulf nods. "True. Though it depends on which Death you're dealing
with... a couple of them are fairly nice fellows. A bit stern, but
fair."

Mitsune says, "And some are cackling maniacs who feast on the flesh of
the living."

Beowulf starts humming the Danse Macabre.

Lian says, "-Thank- you for reminding us, Mitsune."

Beowulf says, "Well, yes, there is that."

Mitsune says, "Like the one who killed Lily's puppy."

Lily sighs.  "That was you, and you know it."

Mitsune says, "It was Death.  I am INNOCENT."

Beowulf asks, "Really?" He smiles. "Well, not likely to settle things at
this point... shall we go on?"

Lily takes Beowulf's arm.  "Let's."

Lian asks, "Where to? The stairs?"

Beowulf says, "Let's see what these other groups are doing sitting
around here at the moment, before we walk into things."

Lian says, "I hope none of them is interested in getting the bounty on
the Dread Pirate Beowulf's head. Or the one on mine, for that matter."

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

Beowulf asks, "OOC The knights were closest, right?"

Kitiara says, "OOC Yep."

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

Beowulf asks, "Well, yes. Sneak up to the camp and see what we can se?"

Lian asks, "Take a peek from here?"

Beowulf sighs. "You take all the fun out of things. I suppose we
could... you have some scrying magic?"

Lian just arches an eyebrow at the question.

Beowulf looks slightly hurt. "I was just *asking*."

Lily nods.  "I can scry them."

Lian smiles, "Really, Bey ... " She looks at Lily, "You want to do it,
or should I?"

Lily says, "Go ahead.  I'll work on my fire resistance spell."

Lian nods, and raises her left hand with the ring, then concentrates.

Scrying on the knights reveals they are a band of ten knights travelling
under the banner of a blue kingfisher under a yellow crown with a large
blue gem set in it.

They are discussing their plans to enter the mountain tomorrow and try
to claim the spikard key and trying to decide why the natives keep
skulking about.

Lian comments on what she sees and hears while concentrating on the
remote scene.

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

Beowulf asks, "OOC Does the banner ring any bells?"

Kitiara says, "OOC The crown is the old royal flag of Therin, but you
don't recognize the Kingfisher"

Kitiara says, "OOC The normal royal flag wouldhave a cotton boll instead
of a kingfisher."

Beowulf asks, "OOC Hmmm. How old would the flag be?"

Kitiara says, "OOC The Royal family of Therin abandoned the country 40
years ago, riding out into shadow."

Beowulf says, "OOC Right."

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

Beowulf says, "Well, it appears to be the flag of the former royal
family of Therin, although the kingfisher is a change from the cotton
boll they used to use. It would seem we have a few visitors wishing to
reclaim past glories."

They continue discussing their plans.  Their leader seems to be named
Pierre.

Lily looks thoughtful.  "We never did find out where they went off to."

Beowulf says, "OOC Mark Pierre? Last name better not be Vorkosigan...
^_^"

Most of them seem to be joe genero knights, but two of them have
sorcerous skills, it would seem.

Beowulf says, "Hm. Best take a few precautions when we sneak by them."

Lian . o O ( OOC: Once it becomes clear that there is nothing more to be
learned, switch to the next of the three camps we have seen. )

The band of teenagers seems to be a collection of young would be
adventurers from the Isle of Emeralds following a magical map they got
from their clan's wise man.  They believe they'll find Cu Cuchlainn's
spear in the mountain.

Lian . o O ( OOC: Well, I wouldn't mind finding that one too if it's on
the way. ^.^ )

Shizumaru drops Moriya.

Shizumaru has left.

Beowulf says, "OOC Or if it's the key itself. :)"

Beowulf asks, "My, my, a Celtic hero slept here? I wonder where the
plaque is?"

Mitsune says, "A what?"

The third group, the trolls, seems to spend most of its time bouncing
off trees, grabbing small animals, and eating them.

You both know enough about shadow to know there shouldn't be any trolls
here

Beowulf says, "Well, most places where famous people stayed put up
little plaques that say 'George Washington Slept Here,' and the like."

So something must have brought them.

Lian says, "Trolls. I hate trolls. A lot."

Beowulf asks, "Interesting. I wonder who's sponsoring them?"

Lian says, "Let's not find out? But ready the artillery anyway."

Lian carefully reels the tendril back in for a quick sweep of the area
around their own position.

Lily speculates, "Perhaps someone summoned them, then got killed. 
Possibly BY the trolls."

Beowulf says, "Well, it would be nice to know who our other competition
is, but yes."

There are various small bands of armed natives moving about through the
woods.

====
====

Lian . o O ( OOC: Any moving in any way that would indicate a desire to
surround and trap us? )

Kitiara says, "OOC PAtrolling, you think."

====
====

Lian nods and cancels the spell. "Neo, be a good boy and reload the
Farscry for me?"

Beowulf says, "Oh, they're probably just out to kill and eat any infidel
invaders in their jungle. Nothing really to worry about." He smiles
sunnily. "Though I do think they appreciate sugar, coffee, tobacco,
things like that that they don't have much chance to get up here."

=====
=====

Lian . o O ( OOC: What's the time? Afternoon? Evening? )

Kitiara says, "OOC It's afternoon."

====
====

Lian looks around. "So, do we follow everyone else's lead and start
tomorrow, or go now?"

Beowulf says, "Oh, now, I would think."

Mitsune says, "Get the jump on them."

Lian grins, "Let's go then."

Beowulf asks, "Well, we have time to make a couple of preparations...
How's your artistic skills at conjuration?"

Lian asks, "How artistic do you need me to be?"

Beowulf gestures at the bag. "I was thinking a few images of the Orizons
of Holiness, necklaces in particular."

Lian says, "If you have a few images I can work from ..."

Beowulf says, "Oh, and some sugar, I suppose."

Lian asks, "Why not some coffee and tobacco too, while we're at it?"

Beowulf smiles. "Why not?" He sighs. "Though I'd hate to get them hooked
without the ability to make filter-tips, or something similar."

Mitsune says, "Everyone loves sugar."

Lian says, "Can you do the sugar and coffee? I'll do the jewelry then."

Beowulf says, "All right... and I'll put together some nice shields for
them, too."

Lian asks, "Oh, and how much jewelry do you want? Samples or a complete
shopful?"

Beowulf says, "Enough to serve as trade goods... don't think a shopful
will be quite needed, though at least we wouldn't have any problems
storing it."

Beowulf asks Lily and Mitsune if they would mind watching the bag for a
minute or so while he and Lian conjure.

Lily says, "Not a problem."

Mitsune orders the SD-Amberites to fan out and keep watch.

Beowulf pops into the bag with Lian, and they quickly make up some trade
goods.

Nothing bad happens.

Beowulf asks, "Well, shall we be off?"

Lian nods, "We shall."

Kanna OOCly hrms, heads off for FF9 and sleep, but will leave this
connection up to log.

Lily says, "Let's go."

Beowulf looks for a suitable group of natives to work with.

You approach one of the patrols, which stares at you warily.

It's a band of ten or so warriors led by an old man.

He points his spear at you.  "What crazed impulse sends you all here?"
he asks angrily.

Beowulf bows respectfully. "Greetings, venerable one."

He blinks, then seems pleased and nods to you.  "Hmm.  Hello."

Beowulf says, "We're here to pay our respects, and try to prevent an
injustice from taking place."

The man looks at you.  "An injustice?"

Beowulf nods. "There is a prize of great power being sought by many
groups; some relatively benign, some positively evil."

The man says, "This mountain is where the fallen Chief Nkumba sleeps
until his time to come again.  Unless you sought to loot his tomb, I
cannot imagine why so many have come."

Beowulf says, "Indeed, I suspect that is why so many are here."

He says, "But why now?  Before the last few weeks, fools only came to
the mountain every few years to die.  But now, we've seen some thirty
groups try to break in in the last month."

Beowulf blinks. "My goodness. It appears that some of the information I
received in a vision has spread wider than I had expected."

"A vision?" the man asks.

Beowulf says, "Yes. I recently found a trio of beautiful urns, which
contained clues pointing to this place... and I looked, and I saw in a
vision those urns being placed there for me to find, by a venerable
sage."

Beowulf says, "Although one of the urns was stolen from me; perhaps that
is how the information spread."

The man says, "It would seem that many old men have been sending people
here to try to rob the mountain."

Beowulf says, "I was unaware of their true nature, however, until an old
enemy of mine kidnapped me to try and learn their secrets. He is an evil
man, dressed in black from head to toe, with a black beard and piercing
eyes."

Beowulf says, "It would seem so."

The man's eyes widen.  "With a strange wand which fires a ray that turns
people into dolls?"

Beowulf says, "Yes, that is him."

Lian looks to Bey, curious.

Beowulf looks at Lian. "The Master; have I told you about him yet? Lily
was there when we last encountered him?"

Lily nods.  "He has a quite wicked mind."

The tribesman frowns.  "He cut quite a swath through our village
yesterday on his way to the mountain."

Lian shakes her head. "I don't think you have told me ... you can do so
later."

Beowulf says, "Hm, yes, that sounds like his style. Kill first, ask
questions later."

Beowulf asks, "Lily, would you or Mitsune know the power word Resume
True Form?"

Kitiara says, "OOC Hold on, stat check :)"

Lily sighs.  "I'm afraid not."

Mitsune says, "I'm afraid not either."

Beowulf asks, "Hm, pity. Any way to do it via spell?"

Mitsune says, "Yes, I can do that.  Takes longer, though."

Beowulf says, "Well, we could try it with one of the poor people, and if
it works, we can work in the bag for the time we need."

Mitsune nods.  "I'd be happy to."

Beowulf says, "Perhaps we can help them. I don't know for sure, but my
friend here has something that might be able to restore them."

Lian hms and chews her lower lip, then removes a ring from her left hand
and holds it out to Mitsune. "Neo'll help with the spell, if you want
... he should speed things up a bit."

Beowulf asks, "Could you bring one of the poor victims here to us, if
you don't want us to see your village?"

Mitsune takes the ring.  "Thank you."

The man says, "We will take you to the village."

Several of the warriors grumble at that, but go along with it.

Beowulf nods. "Thank you. I hope we can help."

Two hours of jungle tromping finally brings you to a village on the
north side of the mountain.

Home to several hundred people and thirty dolls.

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

Beowulf says, "OOC This might take a little time, but it's always worth
cleaning up after the Master, and it might help cement our good position
with them."

Kitiara says, "OOC Quite."

Lian . o O ( OOC: Hey, I'm not complaining. We're just too nice. ;) )

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

Beowulf sighs and shakes his head. "Thirty..." He bows his head, and
pays respects to them. "Well, shall we try?"

Mitsune nods.  She sits down and starts casting.

The villagers all watch you suspiciously.

Lian tries to stay calm, but can't supress all signs of anxiety as she
watches Mitsune cast.

Potemkin falls asleep.

Mitsune has a look as if she's not worried at all, though as time
passes, you can see it's a remarkably static look.

Beowulf looks worriedly at Lily. "Is she OK?"

Lily whispers, "I think she's afraid of screwing up.  This isn't
something I've seen her do before, though she's good with shapeshifting
magics."

Beowulf pays the appropriate respects to Ashakante as she works, and
offers the villagers some of the trade goods he's made. The shields in
particular... "This may help a little bit if he or someone else like him
comes along."

Beowulf whispers back to her. "Good luck to her, then. And I hope she
can feel our encouragement."

They are quite happy to have the goods, and relax as it becomes obvious
you're not here to commit another massacre.

Your knowledge of their customs and beliefs also seems to please them.

Hours pass.

The sun sets.

Beowulf says, "OOC Well, maybe if this works, they'll know a shortcut.
<Sigh>"

Mitsune then asks for a cup.  They bring it to her.  She proceeds to
slash her arm open and bleeds into the cup.

Lian . o O ( OOC: At least we can be reasonably sure they won't go after
us too, as defilers of their holy mountain. )

Taking the blood, she then goes to each of the dolls and draws a rune on
its forehead.

And then mutters a few words.

And then bites her lip nervously

Beowulf sends well-wishes her way.

The shrunken dolls begin slowly to expand.

Most of them are soon restored to normal.

Beowulf asks, "OOC What happened to the rest?"

Three of them seem to have been too old to survive either the first
change, or maybe the change back.

Mitsune looks mortified. "Damn damn damn!"

Beowulf bows his head sadly, and gives Mitsune a quick hug. "I think you
did the best that could be done."

Some of the villagers begin to wail.  Most seem quite gratified that
their fathers/mothers/siblings/wives/husbands/etc have been restored to
them.

Lian nods in agreement with Bey. "At least you managed to return the
others to normal ... "

Mitsune sighs and stares at the fallen.  "Dammit."  Her sister hugs her
as well, silently.

Beowulf looks at the village headmaster. "I'm sorry we were unable to
help the other three," he says sadly. Then his face hardens. "This is
why I have to try to stop him, if I can."

The chieftan nods.  "We are very grateful for your aid to us.  You must
find the man who did this and destroy him.  You must."

Beowulf says, "I intend to see that he's brought to Justice."

Beowulf asks, "You said that he passed by yesterday? How long would it
take him to get to the mountain?"

Beowulf asks, "OOC Er, to the top of the Stair?"

The chieftan says, "He has already climbed the stairs last night.  But
he has not emerged.

Lian says, "So we still have a chance ..."

Lian asks, "How long would it take us to get up there?"

Beowulf sighs. "I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Still, we'd best be off."

Beowulf asks, "Can you show us the shortest way to get there?"

The chieftan nods.  "I will send some guides to take you round the
mountain to the stairs."

Lian asks, "Hm ... can we fly up there?"

Beowulf bows. "Thank you."

The chieftan says, "Fly?"

Beowulf whispers to Lian, "That might not have been such a good idea..."

Lian whispers to Bey, "Why not?"

The chieftan says, "I can't see how you could fly, unless you'rehiding
wings somewhere."

Beowulf whispers back, "Their god is Ashakante, the High Skyfather.
Might be considered blasphemy to fly... or make us like the gods in
their eyes. Not sure we want to risk it. Besides, do we have a flying
artifact?"

Mitsune sprouts angelic wings.  "Like this?"

Lian whispers, "No, but I have a flight spell." A look to Mitsune,
"Nevermind."

The man stares at her in shock, as do many of the other villagers.

Beowulf groans softly and shrugs. Well, done is done.

Lian nods to the chieftain, "Yes, honored elder." She smiles, "I times
of great need ... " She shrugs, not continuing.

Beowulf says, "Sometimes people have a special gift or two."

Beowulf says, "OOC Oh, dear Ghu... Bey's Angels for real. O.o"

Jacqueline says, "OOCly HA! Tolja"

Mitsune looks around at all the people staring and says, "They work
too."  She sounds more subdued than usual.

Beowulf says, "But yes, if we are to catch up with him, I suspect this
is one of those times of great need."

Lian nods, "This villain cannot be allowed to violate the chambers of
the sleeping king. Or if he already has done so, he needs to be
punished."

The chieftan nods.  "If he can be destroyed, he must be."

Beowulf looks at the others. "How many can you carry?"

Lian walks over to Mitsune and whispers, "I need the ring back, please."

Mitsune starts, then passes it to Lian.

Lian smiles and squeezes her shoulder. "You did as much as you could ...
don't let it get you down. Without you, they'd all be dolls forever."

Beowulf says, "OOC so, how many can they carry? :) I'm assuming Lily can
also do the wings... which leaves me and our guide to carry."

Lian then slips the ring on again.

Lian asks, "It depends on how much time we have. Would it be enough if
the guide just describes the way to you?"

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

Kitiara says, "OOC Actually, they could each carry one of you pretty
easily."

Lian . o O ( OOC: How much would that impair their maneuverability in
case of attack? )

Kitiara says, "OOC Quite a bit."

Lian . o O ( OOC Bad idea, then. )

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

Lian makes a quick gesture, and shimmering ethereal wings appear folded
around her. "Give me a few minutes, and we can give you wings too, Bey."

Beowulf blinks. "Very well, then."

Lian concentrates and starts weaving a flight spell for Bey.

You take off into the sky.

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

Beowulf asks, "OOC Did we get good enough directions from the guide?"

Kitiara exclaims, "OOC Hai!"

Beowulf says, "OOC Fly on up, then, keeping an eye out for trouble and
staying fairly low for less visibility to others."

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

You fly around the mountain without any trouble, and land at the gate.

And we cut here so Travis can sleep.

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

Jacqueline says, "heh"

Jacqueline asks, "is travis the only one that needs sleep at this
point?"

Beowulf says, "Probably. ^_-"

TimeRunner has disconnected.

>> Timerunner gets swallowed up by a Corridor, leaving behind a mindless
Analogue.

Kitiara says, "We can go for a bit and run you going to see about fixing
your mom now if you want, Rod."

Jacqueline says, "aye, that I would"

Beowulf says, "Seeya all later, then, folks. Good luck with your mom,
Jacqui. :)"

Jacqueline says, "just say when"

Jacqueline says, "danke, el wulf"

Lian says, "G'nite. :)"

Windir falls asleep.

*** Rod goes IC. ***

Kitiara says, "OOC Okay, you head up to the castle."

Kitiara asks, "OOC What you do once you get there?"

Jacqueline says, "OOCly have a word with... let's see.... first to see
mom directly and whoever's taking care of her"

Mercutio has disconnected.

Jacqueline says, "OOCly last i recall that was wakaba, though not sure
who else is involved"

Kitiara says, "OOC That would be wakaba."

Jacqueline OOCly nods

Mercutio has connected.

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

Jacqueline goes to check on Auntie Wakaba and Mama

You find Wakaba down in her lab, brewing up something foul smelling

Wakaba smiles at you.  "Hello, Jacqueline.  How are you today?"

Jacqueline's nose wrinkles, and she gives Wakaba a hesitant smile. 
"Ah... well... okay, I guess.  How... how's mom?"

Wakaba says, "Well, she's sleeping right now."

Wakaba says, "Which is good for her."

Wakaba pulls out chairs for both of you, then sits.

Wakaba says, "She's pretty much physically recovered, for which I'm
grateful."

Jacqueline frowns.  "But mom's.... but her mind?"

Wakaba sighs.  "We've only been able to build her up to about the level
of a five year old."

Jacqueline fidgets in her chair a bit, not sure how to bring up the
suggestion.... "Ano.... about what the oracle told me..... um... using
the Jewel.... to heal mom?"

Jacqueline gives Wakaba a 'this wasn't my idea, I'm just going with the
oracle' look.

Wakaba asks, "What did the oracle tell you?  And what oracle is this?"

Jacqueline says, "well.... um... there was this oracle I met.... on
the..." She counts on her hand...  "Third time I went to chaos.  You
drink from a well and ask three questions, and one of the questions I
asked was how to heal mom, and the oracle  said I should use the jewel
of judgement to do it."

Wakaba says, "Well, if anything could do it, the Jewel can."

Wakaba looks thoughtful.  "Did it explain what to do with the Jewel?"

Jacqueline frowns and shakes her head.  "It was kinda vague in that
oracle-y kinda way....."

Wakaba says, "Well, I think the King would be hesitant to let you use
it."

Jacqueline sighs.  "But... ano.... maybe he'll know what to do?"

Jacqueline asks, "or maybe grampa Fuyutsuki?"

Wakaba nods.  "Yes.  It can't hurt to ask."

Jacqueline looks about nervously, then asks, "Um, how angry is everyone
at me?  I mean... about what happened to Uncle Mo and everyone?"

Wakaba says, "Keiko is very angry with you."

Wakaba says, "And Nanami is not too happy either."

Jacqueline turns pale, but says nothing

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

Jacqueline asks, "OOCly has word gotten around that ramon's been
rescued?"

Wakaba says, "OOC Yep."

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

Jacqueline says, "I.... I'll go apologize to them after this, I guess."

She continues, "Other than that, most of the family seems to have the
attitude of not being too surprised by this.  Although Saionji seems to
have said he plans to avoid going anywhere near you or Morgenstern for
the next few decades."

Jacqueline cringes mildly at that.

Wakaba says, "I'm just glad you managed to rescue everyone and got back
safely."

Jacqueline nods vigorously at that, then smiles nervously and laughs. 
"I even managed to run into auntie Juri along the way.  Funny, huh?"

Her eyes widen.  "You ran into Juri???"

Jacqueline blinks.  "Ano.... gramma didn't tell you?"

Wakaba says, "No, I didn't hear about this."

Wakaba asks, "Where did you see her?"

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

Jacqueline asks, "OOCly is it considered bad form to psychically
distribute memories without asking first?"

Wakaba says, "OOC IT's somewhat of bad form, yes."

Wakaba says, "OOC Although you could do a spell to say, project your
memories visually."

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

Jacqueline says, "ano.... that's.. a long story.  Here, I'll show you." 
 She does a quick spell to illustrate exactly what happened, complete
with subtitles.

She watches the whole thing, then looks thoughtful.  "Huh."

She says, "I'm glad to see Juri is still alive.  We've hoped, but no one
has been sure."

Jacqueline says, "I think Auntie Hiko wants me to help her find Aunt
Juri later on......"

Jacqueline mutters, "I hope we don't get thrown to chaos again....."

Jacqueline asks, "so, um, who do we ask first?  King Tylor or grampa
Fuy?"

Wakaba says, "We go to King Tylor, since he actually HAS the Jewel."

Wakaba gets up.  "We can go now if you like."

Jacqueline nodnods

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

Wakaba says, "OOC Acks at time.  Okay, we'll cut here and continue this
tomorrow, as I want to get some sleep."

Jacqueline says, "OOCly doh! okay"

Jacqueline says, "well, it's nice to know i won't have to deal with
saionji :)"

Wakaba exclaims, "OOC Adios!"

Jacqueline says, "seeya, john"