John asks, "Okay, Whatcha gonna do?"

Kanna OOCly says, "Well, I'm back in castle Ember, having just gotten
checked out again... hrm, now that I think about it, if I'm planning
to bring those Nomad Artifacer things along, and evidence of Mageddon,
it'd prolly be best to bring a local expert.  Ie Gina, Brianna, and
Thropan."

John asks, "OOC Who is Thropan?"

John says, "OOC I read all of the comics, but there's so many people,
I canna remember them all."

Kanna OOCly says, "However, as of yet, they don't have a Legit
Identity outside of Jade/Earth Realm, so I need to discuss that with
Funaho about citizenship."

Kanna OOCly says, "Thropan's the Werepanther artifacer/technologist of
the Edge Guard."

Kanna OOCly says, "Also, he and Lian have been dating during their
time on Jade, and they explored some of the Nomad Artifacer ruins with
us."

John says, "OOC It'd be easier for me if you brought Gina or Brianna,
as I know their MO well enough to have them floating around as NPCs
without me causing them to break character."

Kanna OOCly says, "I realize -Full- paperwork will have to wait for me
seeing if they're available -to- come along, but given the state of
things in Ashaka (low magic, high tech, etc), it'd help to have
equipped backup."

Kanna OOCly says, "Oh, that's okay, we can say he's busy with Edge
Guard stuff."

Kanna OOCly says, "As Kanna hasn't gone BACK to Jade to confirm this
yet, if he's available."

Kanna OOCly says, "(sniff, no mad smoochies for Lian, then...)"

John says, "Gina would be pretty ideal, I think."

Kanna OOCly nods.  Would brianna be good for armed backup and
alternate POV, or overkill?

John says, "Rule #1 says too many NPCs and your friendly neighborhood
DM starts getting overwhelmed."

John says, "If you're going to hook up with Jacqui, she's already got
4 with her."

Kanna OOCly says, "Right, right, right."

Kanna OOCly says, "Just Gina then, when the time comes for Kanna to
stop on Jade."

Kanna OOCly says, "Is mom gonna be trying to collar me before I head
down to Amber to quick-chat with Grandpa Fuy?  If not, she might try
poking her head in to let mom know what the wayward Younger Daughter
is gonna to be up to immediately, anyway."

John says, "We can just have you drop in to say hi and update her on
your doings."

Kanna OOCly nods, and does that then.

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

Kanna heads up to mom's offices, and knocks on her door.

"Come in," she says.

Kanna pokes her head in, and smiles a bit, waving as she enters.  "Hi,
mom... well, we're back from Kadath.  Well, okay, I am, and so's Uncle
Touga and Thoric."

Corrine smiles at you.  "Did it go well?"

Kanna chuckles a bit, and sits down on the nearer couch, looking wry.
She noteably has a basket-hilt sabre sheathed on her left hip, and
what seems to be the handle of a four-foot-long
sheathed... butterknife? ... sticking up over her shoulder.  "Overall?
Hell yes.  It's just the -getting- there that was strange."

=====
=====

Akemi pages, "Hmm, did you ever go see the chest that you have a key
to?  In Fuyutsuki's place?  We were trying to figure out who had
unlocked a lock to it and who hadn't" to you.

You page, "Kanna hasn't tried yet.  She was waiting for Beowulf to get
the third key.  As of yet, as far as I know, the Second Key's still in
the Royal Vaults of Ember." to Akemi.

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

Kanna says, "The shadows for about 2-3 days hellride out of Kadath
were shadow-locked... but the Outsiders.  They had Kadath itself under
siege for the past -ten years-."  She looks ill at some memories.

Corrine sighs.  "Ten years?  I wish we'd known so we could do
something about it."

Kanna shrugs.  "Well, it's not like most folks knew -too- look, and
the last time Lian'd been in the area, there hadn't been any locking.
And the remaining twelve Elder Gods had been holding their own
stopping the final barrier, but they had to push all their focus to
it."

Kanna says, "But... the siege is broken now.  And they rewarded us for
our service to them.  Lian stayed behind to learn more Elder Sign
lore, and I..."

Kanna gets up, and unslings the blade from her back, and lays it in
front of her mother, pulling it free of its sheath.  "... have been
granted the use of the Knife."

Corrine's eyes light up.  "I wonder if it's a relative of the Spoon."
She smiles a bit and rises to examine it more closely.

Kanna chuckles a bit, and holds it so mom can do so.  "From what Lian
and I believe, and from asking Great-Grandpa.. yes.  Spoon promotes
Order, Knife promotes Balance, Fork promotes Chaos."

Kanna says, "It has the power to 're-enchant the worlds made grey'.
To cut and seal the barriers between worlds.  And, when you poke 'em,
to make Outsiders very very -dead-."  She chuckles a bit, and looks
embarrassed and sheepish.

Kanna says, "It just feels weird to be carrying around a Massively
Powerful Butter Knife, mom."  She grins.

Corrine says, "Just try not to obsess over it, dear."  She runs a hand
over it.  "Seems like it would be a bit clumsy to use in combat,
though."

Kanna nods.  "And I've already got a good sword, myself." She pats the
basket hilt of her sabre. "I admit I'm not much of a two-blade woman.
But on the other hand, given how many damn Outsider constructs and
Herald Candidates and pyricorn only knows WHAT else is running around
out there, I figured we could use it."

Corrine nods.  "Yes.  I hope it will serve you as well as the spoon
served us."

Kanna's expression softens a bit.  "And perhaps, one day, once all
this nastiness is behind us... it could help get Lian back to her
dad."  She shrugs.  "If the universes get 'close' enough again to make
the journey relatively safe."

Kanna nods.  "Yeah, I hope so too, mom."  She looks wry, and sheathes
Knife before slinging it on her back again.

She says, "So what are you going to be up to, next?

Kanna goes and sits down again.  "Well, I was -originally- planning to
go and get started on investigating the Outsider Constructs again, but
Jacqui's got a team going to investigate two Outsider Sorcery Taylors
who appear to be trying to awaken Mageddon, a big nasty shadow-eating
machine, which Lian and I encountered references to while on Jade."

Kanna says, "And given said team consists of Jacqui, Shinobu Minor,
Moonshade, Mutsumi, Keitaro heading into a low-magic high-tech
high-beuracracy environment, I figured it'd be a good idea to help out
so they don't get badly spacked."

Corrine blinks.  "Yes, that's not quite the team I would have chosen
for that mission."

Kanna says, "Especially since it seems the Mysterious Mister Kuonji
has offered to -help- Jacqui.  I'm worried about the entire deal, but
they seem committed to it.  Aunt Nanami sent them on it, but I suppose
she didn't realize the severity of the situation at the time."  She
looks... pensive.

Corrine nods.  "I know Nanami hasn't spent much time in shadows where
magic fails; she may not have thought about it much."

Kanna nods.  "And I've heard that Kuonji may have a Spikard, too..."
She shakes her head.  "... I don't have the details, all I know about
the Mystara deal is that Jacqui twitches whenever the place gets
mentioned."  She lets out a breath.

Corrine nods.  "Do you think you're ready to face him again?"

Kanna takes another breath.  "I don't know.  I don't think I trust him
anymore, even if his/her ultimate goal is the same as ours, to defeat
the Outsiders.  I felt badly burned and confused when I gave the
report of our adventure with the Second Key to you and dad... good
pyricorn, two decades ago, now? ... and dad said flat out I was
scammed, and the analysis of the key and the 'Gate' in Lipun didn't
help matters much, either."

Kanna quirks a rueful smile.  "I suppose part of it was because I
think I was falling for him, and his sudden dropping out of the
picture left me off-balance, and it took me a while to re-center.  I
didn't trust him at -first-, but during the travels he seemed earnest
enough, and well..." She shrugs.

Kanna says, "I was all set and ready after that breakfast to take him
aside and say, 'hey, I know your gender is the same as mine, but I
think I -really- like you, and I just wanted to say that', but he
didn't show up, and well..."

Kanna says, "Well, you know full well what happened after." She grins
again.

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

You page, "Boot Merc?  Want this uber-private, unless you veto. *wl*"
to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "He's running Gabby.  You never get away from Gabby." to
you.

You page, "Fine, fine.  On his head be it." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Dude, I can kick him out if you really want privacy, but
he is sort of running the NPC that is watching you all the time." to
you.

You page, "(No, the fine-fine was me accepting it.)" to Akemi.

You page, "(as in, let him in.)" to Akemi.

Mercutio pages, "Sorry to butt in on your private session thingy,
Phil." to you.

You page, "'sokay.  John reminded me of Gaby's omnipresence even when
sis is normally quiet." to Mercutio.

Mercutio pages, "Well, she tries to be polite about it. she never said
a thing about Ruka, for example." to you.

You page, "*nod* Which Kanna is VERY greatful for. *wl* Despite what
some might think, Gaby -can- be circumspect.  So it's okay to watch at
least. *wg*" to Mercutio.

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

Corrine says, "Well, I have some news for you."

Kanna asks, "Hmm?"

She says, "I had breakfast with Beowulf, who confirmed some things
Motoko had recently reported from Chaos."

Kanna asks, "I'll admit I've been out of the loop for a lot of stuff,
so lay it on me, mom.  Hrm?"

Kanna says, "Which reminds me, I need to call Bey to warn him
Panopticon's been compromized, but go on..."

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

John says, "OOC I need to pause briefly."

Kanna OOCly nods, and needs to bathroom.

Kanna OOCly returns.

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

She says, "I did tell you about the whole business with Hel, Queen of
the Dead, and Juri, right?"

Kanna blinks, and shakes her head.  "Um... no.  All -I- knew is that
Aunt Juri needed Merhallow to fight off an invasion of Undead, and I
figured it'd be a good idea to get Merehallow on general principle to
GET to the real Aunt Juri to confirm this, but I don't have any
details about that stuff... I've been somewhat out of the loop."  She
smiles, wanly.

Corrine blinks.  "Alright, well, there's quite a bit to go over,
then."

Kanna nods, and looks attentive.

"Basically, from what Beowulf has seen and from what Motoko was told
by the Serpent, on High Summer, the army of Hel, Queen of a Dead Amber
in another Universe, will invade ours."

Kanna raises her eyebrows.  "Oooookay.  That's new..."

She continues, "Apparently, Juri has been building a military force
for Cathuria, which is preparing to fight that invasion."

Kanna nods.  "That would make sense, then... though I don't suppose it
wouldn't be a bad idea for us to bolster our own forces?" She quirks a
slight smile.

Corrine says, "I am working on that.  The hardest part of this is that
we have no good way to communicate with Juri to try to coordinate our
plans."

She pauses and takes a swig of coffee and stares at her desk.
"Apparently, things in this universe went differently in some ways."

Kanna mmms, and nods.  "And the Phoenix Egg got totaled, and
Merehallow's down in Chaos. ... Mmm?"  She quiets a bit, picking up on
her mom's change of mood.

She says, "Apparently, my sisters lived.  And the five of us seem to
lead Hel's armies for her."

Kanna stares.

She stares at her desk, and her voice is bleak.  "Mother still died,
but we lived...as slaves of the Queen of the Dead."

Kanna says, "... oh good pyricorn."

Kanna gets up slowly, and moves over behind the desk, to hug her
mother gently from behind.  "... by the four heraldric beasts..." she
murmurs, her skin tone having notably paled as she already starts to
realize implications of all this.

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

You page, "(okay, Kanna's sparred with mom, and had to deal with a
Cimbri-Era version of her mom (albeit in Juri's body at the
time)... what's Kanna's strength/tactics/weapons skills/martial arts,
etc, relative to Corrine? *wl* )" to Akemi.

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

She says, "Apparently, none of our relatives past Makoto are
alive...but all the ones who died in our universe lived there.  Like
Shinji and my sisters."

Kanna nods, slowly.  "... are all of them slaves of this... 'Hel'?  Is
there any way to free them?"

She says, "We don't know.  There's reason to believe Hel is a
Sanjiyan; she steals people's souls, and then controls their zombified
bodies while storing their soul in her third eye.  And there's reason
to believe she's replaced her third eye with that universe's Jewel of
Judgement."  She takes another swig of coffee.  "The Unicorn and the
Serpent alike bow to her."

Kanna ... has nothing to say to that.  She just shudders, closing her
eyes and hugging her mother tight, despite the fact she's seated in
front of her.

For a while, Corrine says nothing, just accepting your embrace.  Then
she straightens up.  "Apparently, Juri needs Merehallow in order to be
able to kill Hel.  We don't know why, but..."

Kanna nods, loosening her grip and backing up.  "I suppose only Morgan
and Hiko know.  Or perhaps Motoko and Beowulf, given they've gotten
more information than we did on all this."

She says, "Beowulf somehow travelled to the other universe in
Tir'na'nog, while Motoko did so in a Dream."

She laughs faintly, "Apparently, in that universe, Dios, who became
our Annadil, is the last free soul."

Kanna chuckles a bit, dryly, but there's no humor in it, more a tone
of sorrow.  "... i wonder if the Squid visited there as well... or
not, and perhaps caused the differences."  He brow furrows.  "If
Makoto's the last of their royal family, what happened to Nanami?  And
Sakura?"

Corrine says, "We don't know.  Beowulf saw tapestries that showed Hel
being summoned from the Abyss by Sakura sacrificing Nanami, but we
can't be sure they were accurate."

Kanna mmms at that, and nods.  "And given both our sources of
information on this entire mess are tied to Dreams.... good pyricorn."
She shakes her head.  "What a mess.  And here I thought the damn
Outsider Construct Herald Business was getting nasty."

She says, "I suspect the Outsiders timed it in the hopes of having a
herald by the time Hel arrived, so they could crush both sides once we
were weak, then take over both universes."

Kanna sits back down on the couch with a sigh.  "And even if not, if
Hel manages the crossover... just -guess- what sorts of nasty things
would be slavering at the transit points.  -Wonderful-."  She rolls
her eyes, and then closes them tight.

Kanna asks, "... do we have any idea how Hel's even -planning- to make
the transit?  If she's to do so?"

Corrine says, "Not really."

She continues, "Apparently, our universes will touch around High
Summer, which is part of it."

"Beowulf saw Hel's Corrine drawing trumps of places which he and I
recognized from our universe, so trump gates may also figure into it."

Corrine frowns. "I wonder if Ember exists, and if so, who rules it.
Beowulf said that I looked quite untanned."

Kanna mmms, softly.  She reaches behind herself, and fingers the hilt
of Knife.  "Mmm.  The summer solstice.  And massively powered trump
gates, perhaps... but wouldn't they need a preexisting psychic
impression of the destination to make the trumps in the first place?
I think I remember you saying as much a long time ago about
place-to-place cross-universe trumps, and it was part of why you
hadn't tried much as you wanted to to get to Avalon."

She continues, "Oh yes, apparently the five of us have the five
Patternblades, the Icons, and possibly the five Unicorn Spikards as
well."

Kanna then thinks over mom's other pondering.  "Queen Shayla, perhaps?
That is, if the Squid didn't appear in that universe.  Given that
Grandpa Gendo and Great Grandpa were keeping Ember secret in our own
reality...." She blinks. "oh. shit."

Kanna says, "That'd mean your analouge would have Living Trump
capability, if she's running around with Withywindle.  This just keeps
getting -better-, doesn't it."

Kanna sighs.

She says, "It's going to have a lot of potential for ugliness.  We
need to get all the Outsider Heralds put down before the day comes, so
that we don't get any knifes in the back from inside our own universe.
Miki is trying to build an alliance with Chaos with Moriya and
Motoko's help."

Kanna nods.  "I understand that.  I suppose it helps -us- a little bit
that at the moment, it'd appear they don't have an Ember to do things
with them, not that we have evidence of the same... and we've got Aunt
Catherine and the Arisugawa sisters.  Though I'd expect them to be
hanging in around here, not down in Amber."

Kanna laughs, quietly self-mocking and bitter.  "I suppose I'll just
have to accept it... I'm not likely to be the one to find Aunt Juri,
after all.  Ohwell," she murmurs quietly.

Corrine says, "Well, I think Morgan already succeeded.  Unfortunately,
Morgan hasn't done much else right since then."

Kanna nods, quietly.  "Yeah."  She looks over at her mom, and gives a
cockeyed smile.  "... can I help it if a part of me wanted to be the
one to do it, tho, mom?"

Corrine says, "If we had more time, I would be tempted to ask you to
brave the Cave of Worlds and seek out my other sister Juri.  I would
feel more confident if I had her by my side, and we will need every
blade we can get."  She sighs.  "But time is short.  High Summer is in
only 36 days."

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

Mercutio pages, "dude, come to Avalon. You can hang out with Horatia
and poke things with swords. ^_^" to you.

You page, "*snrk*" to Mercutio.

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

Kanna hehs a bit, and fingers the hilt of Knife again.  "I know that
temptation all too well, mom."  She hrms, looking thoughtful.  "But
you're right, there's not enough time... hell, just a little under
five weeks."  She sighs.

Kanna says, "If not less.  Mmm."

She says, "We really need more information on the invaders, but again,
the Cave of Worlds is the only route I can think of by which to get
it."

She looks at the Knife, then frowns.  "I wonder if it would be
possible to use that to pass over and spy.  But probably too risky as
well.  Or to pass to Juri's Avalon."

Kanna says, "Mmm.  And only Motoko and Beowulf have sufficent mental
imagery to perhaps make the Knife -work-..."  She glances ruefully at
her mother.  "According to the Elder Gods, you need a good image of
the universe to make a connection, and the ease of opening/closing a
gate varies on how close they're coming to conjunction."

Kanna says, "Yes, I've been having the same thoughts too, but it's not
like I feel quite confident in -testing- such a thing."

Kanna says, "Not here, not now, not with the impending crisises."

Corrine looks at the Knife with a longing look.

Kanna gets up and over, and rests a hand on her mother's.  "One day,
mom... we will get you and Other Aunt Juri together, I promise."  She
smiles faintly, and blushes.  "I know how much she meant to you."

She says, "At least we know they're okay.  I spent forty years
fretting about it.  That is one less burden.  But I wish...but it
would not be fair to ask them to come back so soon, when they've just
escaped their time in Hell."

Kanna nods.  "Yeah.  Well, I suppose we'll see."  She then looks
quietly thoughtful.  "Though... there is one thing we should probably
do... well, two things, actually, to be safe.  In case I get
compromised, or... worse."

She says, "What, Kanna?"

Kanna mmms, and stands, and unslings the Knife... and removes the
scabbard for Beryllina.  She then unsheathes both blades carefully,
the four-foot long butterknife and the basket-hilted cavalry saber
with its iridescently shimmering blade.  A blade rather remarkably
like one other blade that Corrine had seen, and later painted, long
long ago... "... Could you take a psychic impression of the
Knife... and Beryllina?  Enough to make a pair of trump sketches, not
trumps, and keep them safe and locked up?  I plan to have sis fully
impress on them as well, but in case they get ripped out of my hands
or stolen, I want at least a partial chance of getting them back,
besides shadowshifting."

She nods.  "That's a very good idea."

Kanna smiles a bit.  "Thanks, mom."

She runs her hands over each of them for a while, her eyes closed,
then kneels and sniffs at them, then examines them from top to bottom.
"I'll try and do that tonight."

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

You page, "... the sniffing thing is new? o_O -I- sure as hell didn't
do that with Corrine... :)" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Full sensory impression helps :0" to you.

You page, "Ahhh. :) good point.  Most of the normal gear trumpable for
me was in constant contact with me when I was corrine." to Akemi.

You page, "(and mom isn't commenting about Beryllina's form looking a
LOT like a Bright Hummingbird?  Gee. :)" to Akemi.

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

Kanna nods.  "I'll probably be en-route to the Akashan Leauge by that
point, mom, but thanks."

Kanna goes and resheathes the blades before slinging them in their
proper places once more.

She says, "Is there anything else you need before you head off to join
Jacqui?"

Kanna thinks, quietly thoughtful, sitting back down.

Kanna considers.  "Did Beowulf have anything else to say about stuff
he's been involved with, recently?  I think he was in on that Mystara
thing too, with Jacqui, but I haven't had time to catch up with him on
it."

She says, "We didn't really discuss the Mystara thing much.
Apparently, he encountered Kuonji, and it wasn't very pleasant, but it
didn't lead to very much.  And he seemed to take the whole thing
pretty philosophically."

Kanna hehs a bit at that, and nods.  "Yeah.  Philosophically.  That
sounds about right for Beowulf... and probably the right way to deal
with Kuonji.  Me, I was willing to live and let live.. he doesn't
cross my paths, don't worry about him until he does.  But, well, looks
like he's going to be doing so, so..." She quirks a rueful grin.
"Well, I'll have to watch my back."  She chuckles, shaking her head,
apparently amused at something.

She says, "Well, you have Gabrielle to watch your back."

Kanna smiles, and nods.  "Indeed." She gets up, and stretches.
"Well... I'll get out of your hair now, mom... after this
Taylor/Mageddon thing, HOPEFULLY I'll be able to get back on the
Construct Hunting trail... I got leads from both Uncle Drake and
Admiral Ryoko, but no time to pursue them yet."

Kanna rolls her eyes.  "Provided some Dire Desperate Deal With Right
Now Crisis doesn't come up in the interm."

Corrine says, "Well, we'll see what develops."

Kanna chuckles at that.  "Yup, we sure will."  She waves.  "Later mom,
take care, and..." she pauses, as she remembers.  "... has there been
any word via dad about Uncle Green?"

Corrine says, "This Maggedon may turn out to be an Outsider construct
itself.  We shall see, I suppose."  She hugs you.  "Good luck."

Kanna hugs back.  "Yeah... Lian'n I've got worries... part of what its
servitors did was harvesting shadows to feed it.  Sounds like Outsider
MO."  She quirks a smile.  "Thanks, mom.  You too."

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

John says, "OOC How much longer you gonna want to go after this?  If
you can stay up a while, this might be a good time for you talk to
Beowulf about what he saw, since Travis is on."

Kanna OOCly nods.  I can do that, especially if Kanna trumps down to
Amber and ecounters him, or he trumps her, as she's planning to see
Fuy next.

Kanna OOCly says, "And Mom didn't answer Kanna's question about the
Green Knight... *wg*"

Kanna OOCly says, "I'm good for another hour or so."

John says, "OOC Doh!  I must have missed that.  ^^;;;"

Kanna OOCly says, "Well, mom can quickly comment as Kanna's just
exiting the door...."

You page, "And looks like the topic that I wanted secrecy for didn't
come up. *wl* Ahwell, perhaps another time." to Akemi.

John says, "OOC Uh...what did you ask about the Green Knight?  ^^;;;"

Akemi pages, "Umm, why did you want secrecy?" to you.

Kanna OOCly says, "Wether the Red Knight had heard anything from the
Green Knight yet."

John says, "OOC Ahh.  No, he hasn't."

You page, "Well, to discuss a bit of Kanna's love life.  But since the
conversation got close but didn't... *shrug* Another time." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Your mother isn't going to pry into your love life :)"
to you.

Kanna OOCly says, "Ahwell.  Was hoping by now he would've
reintegrated, but guess not.  Onward down to Amber, and if Bey wishes
to have a chance encounter with Kanna or to trump her, now's good.
She'll be appearing in Corrine's rooms in Amber, heading down to
Fuy's, carrying some stuff she'd got from Lian before departing
Kadath."

You page, "Awww. :) Ohwell, guess it'll be up to Kanna to mention next
time, if she's of a mind to.  We'll see. :)" to Akemi.

Windir has arrived.

Beowulf OOCly grins and bows.

Kanna OOCly waves.  Allo, allo... So we about to have a Chance
Encounter in the Hallway, or something? :)

John says, "OOC I'm going to assume that you two bump into each other
at the Castle while Beowulf is heading to see his Mom and Kanna to see
Fuyu."

Beowulf OOCly nods.

John says, "OOC Start talking, folks :)"

Akemi has left.

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

Kanna walks down one of the hallways of Castle Amber, and runs into
Beowulf.  She -blinks-, and an expression -- a mix of relief, concern,
surprise, and long-time-no-see -- crosses her face.  "Beowulf!"

Beowulf grins. "Hey, sis-of-sorts!" He gives Kanna a quick hug. "How's
it going with you?"

Kanna chuckles a bit, and hugs back, close, before letting go.  "It's
been a long while, Beowulf... -too- damn long."  She smiles a cockeyed
smile.  "... got a few moments to talk?"

Kanna, noteably, is wearing a jumpsuit of Lian make, a basket-hilted
cavalry sabre sheathed on her left hip, and... what seems to be a
four-foot long sheathed butter knife on her back.

Beowulf says, "More or less, yup. Was going to get *this* nasty little
toy," he holds up the Dragon staff, "checked out and cleaned out by
Mother, see if we can make it safe to use."

Beowulf looks at the gear. "A... butter knife. A four-foot-long butter
knife."

Kanna raises her eyebrows.  "Interesting toy there, bewoulf...  And
this?  It's well...."  She nods back towards the way she came.  "I'll
tell you more in mom's rooms."

Kanna leads Beowulf back to Corrine's rooms, and locks the door behind
her.

Beowulf says, "Hmmm. Should I have Aeris keep an eye out for
trump-based eavesdropping?" He grins to show he's not taking that idea
*too* seriously.

Kanna quirks a smile, and then sobers.  "To be truthful.  Yes.  Though
sis'll be probably doing the same, as I talked with mom a bit on
stuff.. importaint stuff... earlier."

Kanna says, "As she told me that you'd come to talk to her today at
breakfast about things."

Beowulf nods. "Did she pass along the things we talked about earlier?"

Kanna nods, soberly.  "Yes."  She shudders.  "Good pyricorn, bey, I
had no -idea- this... 'final battle /Against the dead' was so
-big-..."  She rubs her throat, absently.

Beowulf shrugs, and asks Aeris to keep an eye out for anyone trying to
spy on them, smiling a bit ruefully. "Or, come to think about it,
would you prefer to chat in the bag?"

Beowulf says, "Um, yes. It wasn't at all what I was expecting to find
out about when I went up Kolvir, but it was certainly... interesting."

Kanna mmms, and shakes her head.  "As much as part of me wouldn't
mind... I just want to keep this quick.  It's been a -damn- long time
since I've seen you, and I wanted to get you up to speed on what I've
been doing, too.  And I heard about some of what you and Motoko've
seen.  Mom didn't know much about the Mystara situation, she might've
glossed over it, I just know Jacqui twitches lots when it's brought
up, but that you're philosophical, and Kuonji got away with the
spikard."

Kanna says, "But, anyway." She ticks off on her fingers.

Beowulf nods and gestures for her to continue.

Kanna says, "One.  The Blood Taylors who were trying to... get
this... -poison- Yig, have been taken out and are no longer a threat."

Beowulf nods. "Good."

Kanna says, "Two.  I've gotten information and investigation leads on
both the Ninjas who've been bugging sumire, and perhaps the construct
that's been juggling Borg cubes, from Uncle Drake and Admiral Ryoko.
Haven't had a chance to pursue yet."

Kanna says, "Three.  Lian, Uncle Touga, Thoric, and I... went to
Kadath.  Which was under siege by the Outsiders.  We broke the siege."

Kanna says, "Oh yes, One Point Five... the Blood Taylors were assisted
by TWO pairs of those guys I killed during the second key thing, and
you had met in CAFAM... mom thinks they've got definite City of Brass
ties."

Beowulf says, "I'm not surprised, given that the woman claimed to be a
priestess of Hathor."

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

The_Prof pages, "And I'm gonna want to see the logs on Drake and
Kadath. ^_^" to you.

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

Beowulf smiles ruefully. "I'm beginning to feel quite the
underachiever."

Kanna says, "Four, Lian's right now studying Elder Sign lore under the
watchful eye of the remaining Elder Gods.  And..." She takes a deep
breath, and pats the hilt of the butterknife.  "... I currently bear the
Knife."

Beowulf blinks. "Well."

Beowulf says, "I'm very glad we're getting someone besides Kafuin
capable of doing Elder Sign work. I got a couple of Elder Sign
pendants at CAFAM, but it's just not the same."

Kanna says, "And Five... Jacqui and co are currently on the way to the
Akashan Leauge to try and stop two Blood Taylors from
reaching/awakening Mageddon, a giant machine that EATS shadows after
it incites their populaces to war and killing them all off.... and
Mr. Kuonji has offered to help them."

Kanna nods to Beowulf.  "Lian's looking into alternate applications of
the Elder Sign, yes."

Beowulf says, "Kuonji, eh?" He taps his chin thoughtfully.

Kanna says, "And oh yes.  Before I hooked up with Jacqui, they made a
stop at Panopticon to get advice about the Akashans."

Kanna says, "Apparently, while there, their ship got flooded with
little nanobots in the air systems that would end up overriding their
nervous systems by the time they GOT to Akasha."

Beowulf says, "...oh, my."

Kanna says, "Panopticon's been compromized, Beowulf."

Beowulf asks, "Yes, it sounds like it. Do you have anyone studying
those nanobots?"

Kanna says, "Morgy and Sis had to clean out the ship while Jacqui's
team walked the Fire Pattern and got the bots removed.  Sis sent a
bunch of the 'bots to Mechanus for whenever Lian gets back.  There
-was- a manufacturer's logo : 'Quecha Technologies', on the 'bots.  I
have some worries, given everything, that they might be tied to the
entire Kanwa Industries/Ursan Industries thing that Uncle Drake's
studying."

Beowulf hmmms.

Kanna says, "But I won't be able to tell until I actually get to a
Shadow near Marketplace used to be to check what things are around,
and for the immediate future my wagon's hooked to Jacqui, as she will
probably need help dealing with whatever turns up in Akasha, since
it's a low-magic shadow."

Kanna says, "Some of the stuff Lian and I encountered on Jade during
our training trip was used to fight minions of Mageddon, so if those
turn up, we'll be ready."

Beowulf just shakes his head. "You've definitely got a lot on your
plate."

Kanna nods, and sighs.  "Yeah." She grins ruefully.  "I figure at this
rate helping Jacqui, then off to deal with the remaining constructs
and heralds.  Best to get them out of the way, before..." She quiets.

Beowulf asks, "Did someone get the names of the people Jacqui and
co. talked with at Panopticon?"

Beowulf hmms. "I have a vague thought that Quecha Technologies is an
Akashan company, but nothing beyond that. Do we know anything more
specific about the nanobot's programming?"

Kanna blinks, and snaps her fingers.  "No, I didn't.  Damn.  Was too
concerned with getting the damn things cleaned out of the ship and
their systems.  The Nanobots themselves, according to sis... would've
taken control of everyone once they entered the Leauge, and then could
use Akashan telepathic transmitters to send/receive commands.
Basically at the time they were just replicating to link to the brain
and nervous system."

Beowulf asks, "Hm. But they need Akashan technology to be useful as
controls, then?"

Kanna says, "I would guess so.  They weren't magical, according to
sis.  And the Leauge's low-magic, High-tech, High-Psionic,
High-Beuracracy."

Beowulf nods. "Of course, Panopticon is also high-tech."

Kanna says, "I spent part of this morning getting my papers cleared
and set up with Lady Funaho, and asking stuff about Akasha to make
sure I'm on the legal up-and-up." She looks wry, and then nods.  "So
they'd be sustainable."

Beowulf says, "I'm trying to figure out if we're dealing with all of
Panopticon being compromised, or something specifically targeted at
them."

Beowulf says, "Er, Jacqui and crew."

Kanna says, "Anyway, the bots had only appeared within the last 48
hours, and Jacqui's ship hadn't been to many places.  I'm -suspecting-
Jacqui and Crew, but even so, this means there's a mole at Panopticon,
most likely."

Beowulf says, "Oh, yes. But a Panopticon mole would be far preferable
to having the entire place infested with those things."

Beowulf says, "The latter thougt gives me nightmares."

Beowulf shudders.

Kanna nods.  "I have no idea, but I suppose somebody could build a
scanner to detect 'em.  I don't know who you'd want on that, but the
Pattern -does- clean 'em off, and if you're in a clean environment and
low-tech, magic can scrub 'em out too.  That's what needed to be done
with Keitaro."

Beowulf nods. "Poor guy, he keeps getting hit with stuff. Did you hear
what happened to him in Mystara?"

Kanna shakes her head, sitting on the edge of the desk in the room.
"No, I've barely heard -anything- about what happened in Mystara.
Like I said, Jacqui twitches whenever the subject comes up."

Beowulf nods. "Right. Let me give you a quick countdown of what I've
been up to since Marches, then." He grins crookedly at her.

Beowulf says, "1. Talked to Saionji about the situation in Ashante and
the invaders with gunpowder; got the idea for a sensor network that
could track the raiding ships passively and report via trump, so
Saionji could move the fleet to intercept them. Didn't get the chance
to put it in place at that moment, though, because..."

Kanna raises an eyebrow, and nods, now taking her turn on the
listening list.

Beowulf says, "2. Had talked to Keitaro about this expedition to the
'Black Pharoah' that he was planning, since Nausicaa wasn't able to
go, and offered to go with him. Was originally going to place the
sensors first, since we had time before he planned on leaving, but
that got aborted when Jacqui and Morganstern picked up signs that the
Lion Spikard and the Dragon staff [he nods at it] were on the move and
headed to Mystara. So we left with Drake and Keitaro's party
immediately to try and intercept them."

Kanna raises her other eyebrow at this.  "Interesting conjunction."

Beowulf nods. "Right. I was rather surprised at the timing myself, and
was a little annoyed with Jacqui for leaving early and heading
straight to Mystara instead of staying to help us intercept, but oh
well."

Kanna says, "I get the impression that whatever happened, it ended up
devolving into a big mess, Bey."  She quirks a smile.

Beowulf says, "Anyway... 3. By the time we got there, had a choice of
intercepting either the Lion Spikard or the staff before they could
get to Mystara. I chose the spikard... and ran into our old
acquaintance Kuonji."

Kanna asks, "Ohkay... which Lion Spikard was it you were tracking,
again?"

Beowulf says, "The spikard of Dreams; the one that the Gaunt Man had."

Beowulf says, "Jacqui was very worried that he'd come back after her,
but fortunately it wasn't him."

Beowulf says, "Kuonji was the one who held it. We danced around
verbally for a while, and followed along with him, but we didn't have
any luck at getting anything out of him short of beating him up and
doing a mindscan; I wasn't quite ready to go that far."

Beowulf says, "He did say he was going to take the spikard to Anno; I
haven't followed up on that yet, though I offered to go with him."

Kanna says, "Cute.  Is Kuonji -wearing- it, or just Carrying it?"  She
mmms.  "Suppose we'll find out if Jacqui decides to invite him along
on dealing with the Taylors...We're going to insist on having sis and
Morgy do a scan of him to check for any nanobots, JUST to make sure.
-Tell- him, yes, but it's a sensible precaution, in my opinion."  She
then mmmms.

Kanna looks thoughtfully back at the hilt of Knife again, shakes her
head, and then looks back at Beowulf.  "Anyway, go on."

Beowulf says, "Just carrying it. Uncle Drake said he didn't show any
signs of Outsider taint."

Kanna says, "Good."

Beowulf says, "Finally gave up on trying to get anything out of him
and split off, planning on having Aeris trump-spy on him later. Didn't
get around to it, which was one big mistake."

Kanna reaches over, and pats Bey on the shoulder.  "Hey, it happens."

Beowulf says, "4. Tried to intercept the dragon staff, and got led on
a merry chase through the 'elemental planes' surrounding Mystara while
the bearer got around us. At that point, we gave up and joined
Jacqui."

Kanna mmms.

Beowulf says, "5. Mitsune was leading Jacqui to the Dragon Spikard
that the Gaunt Man had, and had hired a local adventuring band for
help; they'd tried to enter the Hollow World area through a hole at
the pole, but fought some kind of battle with followers of one of the
Shadow deities, after Mitsune tried to talk their way out of it by
claiming divine status herself." He sighs and facepalms. "The goddess
in question showed up herself, and there was a fairly nasty
battle. Aunt Utena supposedly got in a *very* dramatic Lunge on the
goddess, though... wish I could have seen it." He grins.

Kanna chuckles.  "Well, that must've been impressive."

Beowulf says, "They more-or-less won, but turned back from the polar
entrance and decided to go through a series of undergroudn tunnels
instead -- that's where they were when we joined them. Second big
mistake -- that route took a lot longer."

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

Wakaba says, "OOC How long you guys want to keep going?  I'm good
until about 2 AM, but I know you both need to get up before I do."

Kanna OOCly says, "I should be good to finish at 2."

Beowulf says, "OOC Can keep going for a while longer; still need to
finish drying laundry and packing."

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

Kanna nods again.  "Well, mission analysis is always done in
hindsight, yes."

Beowulf says, "6. Plowed through the tunnels, the territory, fought
off undead armies and necromancers who killed Keitaro, etc. Finally
got into the Black Pyramid that had been the reason for Keitaro
forming his expedition, and went through a fairly nasty series of
traps there. Made it to the end room."

Beowulf says, "7. Found and killed the demi-lich that was in the
coffin there, only to find that Kuonji had beaten us there and taken
the Dragon spikard. He left this note." He passes a copy of the note
to Kanna.

Kanna asks, "... killed Keitaro?"

Kanna blinks, and takes the note, still staring at beowulf.

Beowulf says, "Yes. Fortunately, in Mystara death isn't always
permanent; skilled priests can pull off resurrections. As the
priestess in the local help did for Keitaro."

Kanna then goes and reads the note.  "Oh."  She reads it again.
"-Oh.- Cute."

Kanna closes her eyes, and hands the note back.  "Well, That'd explain
Jacqui's twitching, then.  Which spikard did Kuonji grab?"

Beowulf says, "Yes. Most of the folks there were pretty annoyed." He
shrugs. "Me... well, it seemed like he was trying to make me mad, so I
decided I wasn't going to oblige him. And since I hadn't been trying
for the spikard myself..."

Beowulf says, "The Dragon spikard the Gaunt Man had; I believe it was
Claw."

Kanna nods.  "Here's an importaint note... when Kuonji called Jacqui,
he apparently apologzied to her about all that.  Dunno if she received
it well or if he meant it, but..." She shrugs.

Kanna mmms.  "What functions does Claw have, supposedly?  This would
be an asset to him in Akasha, but also a risk to us."

Beowulf says, "As I remember, Claw was optimized for fighting and
destructive magics, but I'd have to check to be sure."

Beowulf hmmms. "Remind me to check out the 'decoder ring' he left for
me, as well. You never know what he's got in mind when he does
something like that."

Beowulf says, "I do wonder why he seems to be so annoyed at me,
though. I can't think of anything I might have done back at Panopticon
to annoy him... unless he's got some kind of chip on his shoulder
about my being an officially recognized Prince of Amber when he
isn't." He shrugs.

Kanna says, "useful, but dangerous, yes.  Great.  Well, it's jacqui's
ball in her court, right now... we could use something like that with
dealing with the two Blood Taylors heading to Akasha, Aunt Nanami
described them as Massively Powerful Outsider Sorcerors Who're Idiots.
And with the rest of the mages crippled locally. .. but that'll prolly
boost his natural combat prowess, too."

Kanna mmms, thinking over that, and then considers a bit, and laughs.
"Good Pyricorn, I can almost see the parallels between you and him and
two other folks I know... but -they- never got other members of their
families involved to this degree, and eventually made up and became
friends."

Kanna shrugs.  "I dunno, Beowulf.  I was pretty much operating under
the 'better the devil we know that we can keep watch' hypothesis when
it came to Kuonji."

Beowulf spreads his hands helplessly. "I wish I could talk him into
leaving other family members out of it. I suppose I could have made it
clear that it was Jacqui looking for the spikard, since he seems to
think I was after it, but..." He shrugs again.

Beowulf nods. "Indeed. I don't trust him, but I don't consider him an
enemy either."

Kanna says, "And antagonizing him when he's currently whipping a
spikard around... not good." She lets out a breath.  "I'd hoped I'd
made my peace with the subject of him, and hoped that I wouldn't have
to worry about him, but well... our paths may cross again."

=====
=====

Akemi pages, "You wanted to see Fuyutsuki and...was there something
else before hooking up with Jacqui?" to you.

You page, "Bopping to Jade to grab Nomad Artifacer stuff and Gina and
her gear and Mageddon evidence, then back to Ember to get her the
Ident Papers, and then to Jacqui." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Righto!" to you.

=====
=====

Beowulf says, "Almost certainly, it seems. Oh, and when I did a quick
seek in shadow pointer for the herald candidate Black Pharoah, turns
out that he was still out there, meaning this hadn't been him. I'd
half suspected that, but... well, like you with your Kuonji trip, I
had to make sure."

Beowulf says, "And there was one final thing to top off Mystara..."

Kanna asks, "Hmmm?"

Beowulf says, "When we got out of the pyramid, we found the sun
turning green with Outsider energy, and got attacked by a funny
green-haired fellow weilding the Dragon staff. Who promptly laid
Jacqui's head open with it again."

Kanna says, "...."

Kanna looks at the Dragon staff.  And then -Looks- at it with
Pattern-sight.

Beowulf says, "I used a stream of Pattern-charged water to take care
of the Outsidery fire elementals he was using, but it didn't affect
him particularly (except for taking away his fire shield)."

Kanna says, "... we -so- need to get the Water Pattern back,
beowulf..."

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

You page, "What does Patternsight say about the Staff?" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Pattern Sight says it's a magical device with a bunch of
outsider magics which need to be cleaned out (Ie, racked spells)" to
you.

Akemi pages, "IT is not innately outsidery." to you.

You page, "*nod*" to Akemi.

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

Beowulf says, "He was doing the teleport-behind-and-attack thing,
which made it hard to fight him; we finally beat him when he attacked
me, I grappled onto him -- which let me stay with him through the
teleports. He and I were about evenly matched in strength, but with me
as an anchor, Mitsune was able to trump in and finish him off."

Kanna says, "Cute.  Folks with innate teleport are always a bitch to
fight.  And I can see why you need to get that thing cleaned, bey."
She points to it.  "There's some racked outsidery spells in it, even
though it's not innately outsidery."

Kanna says, "The staff, that is."

Beowulf nods. "I was taking it to Mother to clean out, and check to
see if it can be used safely after that."

Kanna says, "-Should- be, I think, but I'd prolly figure your mother
or Lian would know better on magical items."  She quirks a smile.

Beowulf says, "The quick look we got at it in Mystara showed that it
was a pretty large spell rack and a nasty damage weapon; if it can be
cleaned out and used safely, I was going to take it by Bill Vincent to
see what it can do as a weapon."

Kanna nods.  "Good idea.  Given everything going on, it doesn't hurt
to have something suitable."

Kanna says, "And the foes we've been going up so far... I -think- all
the Patternblades are accounted for, but the Logrusfoils are still
wandering."

Beowulf says, "Yes. This time, I didn't have the whip chopped out from
under me, but it still does only stun damage; it would be nice to have
something that does some nasty lethal damage."

Beowulf says, "And if the spell rack could be used safely, that would
also be quite handy."

Kanna quirks a rueful smile at something.  "But, when you have the
lethal damage weapon, you've got to be careful not to hit the things
you WANT to capture and interrogate."

=====
=====

You page, "Oh, am I attuned to the Caine Dagger, now?" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Doh, I haven't done advancements; Umm I don't know.
Going to have to tell you tomorrow when I actually spend your points.
^^;;; You will definitely get the shadows, though." to you.

You page, "Coolness, that was the prime consideration.  Not worried
about the dagger." to Akemi.

=====
=====

Beowulf says, "Oh, yes. Which is why I made the whip with stun damage
only to begin with. Unfortunately, there have been several situations
when that's been less than optimal."

Kanna nods, and pats the basket hilt of her cavalry sabre, and then
the handle of the dagger she has on her opposite hip, halfway near the
small of her back.  "Gotta be ready for both cases."  She quirks a
smile.  "Learning it the hard way.  I -tried- to capture the groups of
the Gangs of Four who had accompanied those Yig-downing Blood Taylors,
but one's spoilsport spell fried 'em all before we could grab 'em."

Beowulf winces. "Ouch. Well, you survived, anyway."

Kanna nods.  "That we did, that we did.  Didn't learn much from the
Taylor outside his mission to try to poison Yig with Weedkiller... oh
yes, that reminds me."

Kanna says, "Be careful at CAFAM next time.  Or don't go at all."

Beowulf asks, "So, after getting back from Mystara, I planted the
sensors for Saionji, picked up the Third Key from Spellvis,
and... hm?"

Beowulf blinks. "Do tell."

Kanna says, "The Taylor there happened to nicely inform Cafam's
Security Forces that the Noteable And Dangerous Dread Pirate Kanna and
Dread Pirate Lian were in the store, as pointed out by the helpful
wanted posters supplied by their financial associate Mr. Wapole of the
KTC which whom they've had many years of good business with."

Kanna smiles a sacchrine smile.

Beowulf says, "...interesting. I've been there twice since that
unfortunate incident, with no trouble -- the second time just before
Marches."

Kanna says, "Sis tried to bail us out, and CAFAM sited soverignty
laws.  Eventually had to call in Aunt Nanami to bail us out by
pretending we were QAmber."

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

Beowulf asks, "OOC John, did I notice any special attention in that
second trip?"

Wakaba says, "OOC Nope.  Staff just treated you as any other
customer."

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

Kanna says, "Well, the Taylor noticed the fact we'd just hosed down a
group of confederate soldiers outside the entrance of the store the
day before..." She sighs.  "We got sloppy, no question.  But now the
store's been more notified, so I'd suggest you don't go anytime soon."

Kanna says, "Though, on the flip side, they've been notified about
Amber's desire to grab the Blood Taylors, and are keeping an eye out
for any more."

Beowulf hmmms. "Will definitely check with Aunt Nanami before going,
to make sure I don't step into anything she's got running." He
sighs. "I suppose we're going to need to take care of the KTC thing
eventually."

Kanna says, "I did pick up the 'The True Tale of Pirate Queen Kanna'
though from the lead Taylors body, though."  She quirks a smile.
"Gave it to Ruka as a gift."  She blushes a bit.  "It was amusing, if
patently untrue save for our little KTC thing."

Kanna nods.  "I recall a LONG time ago Aunt Nanami...  she
mnetioned... oh yeah, some things of Wapole's had gotten stolen by Le
Fox and sold to some folks in Begma.  But before I could pursue it, I
got hied all over creation by Kuonji."

Beowulf says, "Hmm, right. Well, Mutsumi had a little fun playing
Dread Pirate Beowulf with the version of the Four Incompetents that we
ran into on the first CAFAM trip." He grins a bit at the memory.

Beowulf says, "Right. Thought, to be honest, the thought of buying
Wapole off kinda sticks in my craw."

Kanna hehs a bit.  "Incompetant, perhaps... but able to call upon more
of themselves if need be.  The Taylor said he'd double their pay if
they could get reinforcements, and they got a second set."

Beowulf says, "Still, the only other way to go about it would be to
establish our innocence in Siamese court, most likely. We could
probably track down the mage who did the number on us and possibly use
him to do that... assuming he's still alive. But it'd be a major
mess."

Kanna nods, and winces.  "Yeah, me too, Bey.  Collaborating with the
criminal element... it never sits right with me.  I -still- feel dirty
for having for a breif moment considered taking up Dread Pirate
Roberts up on inviting him to Marches and stuff.  He had a good bod,
but there's something not -right- with him.  I gave the info I had on
him to Aunt Kozue, instead."

Beowulf grins. "Good for you."

Kanna makes a crooked smile.  "Unfortunately, in Reality, we -are-
guilty." She sighs.  "Eh, I've got nothing pressing in Siam, I hope,
for the next few centuries."

Beowulf says, "Depends on how you define 'guilty'. We were there
investigating on a legitimate mission from a legimate authority in the
area -- without a warrent, unfortunately -- when we were attacked by
the monks. You *could* call it self-defence... from a certain point of
view, unfortunately."

Beowulf says, "The messy part is proving the latter, which is where
we'd need the mage as the only survivor on their side."

Kanna nods, and sighs.  "Well, at the moment, we've got much MORE
serious and importaint things.  Like saving the universe and stuff."
She quirks a smile.

Beowulf grins wryly. "Indeed."

Beowulf says, "In the name of expediency, though, we might have to end
up buying Walpole off, just to get him off our backs while we go about
it." He grimaces.

Kanna chuckles, and gets up again.  "So.  I guess you'll be running
off again... oh, wait, you got the Third Key now?"

Beowulf says, "Right. And verified it by doing a quick seek in
shadow."

Kanna nods, and sighs.  "Shoulda done that with the 'Second Key' I
got... then again, I probably COULD do that quickly before I head off
to help Jacqui.  You gonna try unlocking the third lock?  Though
that'd risk whoeever had the REAL Second Key coming in and unlocking
and making off with the spikard."  She shakes her head.  "Damn, this
entire affair is just too effing complex."

Beowulf says, "You're telling me. And we still need to get with Moriya
on that, since he has some claim to Hoard as the one who got it out of
CAFAM."

Beowulf says, "I think we should double-check your key before
unlocking the third lock... and before anyone takes possession, I
really want to check out how and why I got 'set up' for this to begin
with. Great-Grandfather *says*, at least, that he wasn't responsible
for getting that vase with the clue back to me, which means there's at
least one other player in this."

Kanna nods.  "I'll prolly do a quick check with the 'Second Key'
before departing then, but defer an actual attempt to 'unlock' until
you and me and Moriya get together again."

Beowulf nods. "Right."

Kanna says, "I'm planning to visit Great Granpa Fuyutsuki right after
this, anyway... I'll take a look at the Luggage and its locks while
I'm there." She quirks a grin, and rustles a bag.  "Got some stuff to
give him from Lian."

Beowulf smiles. "Ah, so."

Beowulf asks, "Let's see... did your mother go over what I found out
yesterday? Both in Tir'na'nog and about Bessie?"

Kanna chuckles, and then sobers.  "Tir'na'nog, yes.  Good Pyricorn, I
hope I don't get nightmares about it.  The things she described..."
She shudders.  "... but Bessie?  No, she didn't come up."

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

You page, "(jeeze, and now I get imagery sequence of Kanna having to
escape the Land of the Dead, and using the Knife to escape.  Sheesh.
BAD player!)" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "HEh." to you.

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

Beowulf says, "Ah. Well, I talked with Uncle Tylor that afternoon,
before I went to Kolvir and ended up in Tir'na'nog. One thing he
brought up that I hadn't thought about was just how Bessie got out of
the Rebma vortex to begin with... and that it might have some relation
to where Juri ended up."

Kanna hrms.

Kanna asks, "You think perhaps her Pledge to Cathuria pulled her along
for the ride?"

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

You page-pose, "Aerianne pauses.  D'OH!  I need to add the giant Cow
to Kanna's last bit with actually seeing Aunt Juri at the vortex!" to
Akemi.

You page, "[Giant whirlpool, check.  Ships in trouble, check.  Massive
storms, check.  Big Ass Cow On Massive Log.... hoik.]" to Akemi.

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

Beowulf says, "Possibly; I don't know, yet. Definitely something to
talk to Bessie about. Also, see if Bessie can tell us who made the
trump of her... after talking with your Mother, I realized my
assumption that it was Great-grandfather was pretty unlikely."

Beowulf says, "Since the same person apparently made the trump of
Gainax that we used to escape Ebenscrux, and also the second mystery
trump of a castle that I was going to check out next..."

Kanna mmms.  "Well, there's probably plenty of Trump Artists down in
the Courts, moreso than at home here."

Beowulf nods. "And your mother thought the castle was somewhere on the
Chaos side of things. Still doesn't explain how they met Bessie to
make a trump,though."

Kanna says, "As there's lots of folks with Power over Shadow via
Logrus." She considers.  "You got 'em on you right now, Bey?  I can
have sis log the impressions of who made 'em, so if we encounter
others who make more... you should be able to have Aeris do that too."

Beowulf nods. "Right. Aeris looked at them and could tell me that they
were all made by the same person, but she doesn't have a very large
database of trump artists yet." He pauses. "I think." He brings out
the cards for Kanna (and presumably Gabrielle) to look at.

Kanna looks at the cards, and has sis scan and log 'em.  She chuckles
softly. "They learn fast, eh?"

Beowulf grins. "I suspect I'll find out."

Gabrielle pings. "Nobody I know made these," her voice says softly.

Kanna nods.  "Keep on the watch, but it's not hyper-high priority.
Thanks, sis."

Beowulf says, "Ah, well, worth a try."

Beowulf asks Aeris to keep an eye out for any trumps by the same
person as well.

Kanna asks, "So you've got a mysterious benefactor trump artist.
Cute." She lets out a breath.  "Well, I guess that's enough mysteries
for now..." She looks rueful.  "Best we be getting off to our own
duties again?"

Beowulf says, "Suppose so." He thinks back on Tir'na'nog for a
moment. "Anything strike you as significant in there that I might have
missed? You're more familiar with the Harad branch than I am, by quite
a bit."

Beowulf says, "For some reason, it didn't creep me out at all; it was
so unreal that it didn't make that kind of impression on me. I was
more worried about being spotted."

Kanna shakes her head.  "Mom mentioned that her and her sisters were
serving as her generals, and wielding the patternblades.  That'd mean
we'd have three relative 'unknowns' with people to deal with... Eowyn
with Merehallow, Catherine with Werewindle, Haruka Minor with
Greyswandir.  I've sparred with mom, though her analouge having
Withywindle could boost her to Living Trump levels.  And their Juri
would have Justice.  I'm not sure how much good being able to tell the
truth would help an undead servent, though."  She scratches her cheek.
"Mom was wondering if Ember had been discovered, given you'd described
her other-self not being tanned... but there's such a big gap between
Ember's original destruction... it was in the 500's, according to
Grandpa Gendo's Patternghost... and the Cimbri and Alan wars, and the
present day, that it could mean any thing or nothing."

Kanna says, "Aunt Catherine and the Arisugawa sisters up in Ember are
-somewhat- like them, I imagine, but probably not enough to be
reliable on."

Kanna says, "As they were templated, kinda, on mom's memories of her
sisters, which was back when she was -much- younger."  She looks
rueful.  "And by now have fully become their own persons."

Beowulf nods. "One thought I had was going after the spell associated
with the Sidar rune I saw on their foreheads, and see whether there
was something that could be done to break it."

Kanna says, "It would be useful, but according to mom, Hel supposedly
has their universe's Jewel of Judgement in her third eye.  And damned
if I know HOW to deal with -that- sort of situation."

Beowulf says, "It would probably be very tough, given someone with
Hel's power behind it, but sometimes there can be little chinks in
something like that which can be exploited."

Kanna asks, "And were you able to determine at all how much time had
passed between the... 'turning', for lack of a better word, and the
present day in their universe?"

Beowulf says, "The history books I found ended with
'Charlotte'/Sakura's second marriage to Grandfather Gendo." He tries
to think back to see if he can recall any clues to the age of the
books.

Kanna nods quietly to that.

Beowulf says, "They were, as far as I can tell, the last records ever
kept there; recorded history seems to have stopped after the
'turning'."

Kanna says, "... cute.  So it could have been -anytime- after, and no
way to tell.  Damn.  Though I suppose if things 'froze' for them then,
no matter how long they'd 'lived' afterwards, they wouldn't gain
experience.  Or perhaps they would."

Beowulf says, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Kanna sighs.  "As mom said, this has the potential for much ugliness,
and as I commented, all the info we've got so far is from folks's
dreams, and while Knife -might- be able to help us cross, it's just
too damn big a risk right at the moment.  We NEED the rest of the
Outsider Heralds and Constructs taken out... in little over a
month... before High Summer."

Kanna says, "Otherwise, you can just bet SOMEBODY will take advantage
of the chaos."

Beowulf says, "A very tight timetable." He sighs. "Well, at least
we've got some potentially good information on where they will
strike."

Kanna says, "Mom mentioned something about her counterpart painting
trumps for possibly gates.  But I wonder how the hell her other-self
would've gotten the impression."

Kanna says, "Though I suppose with enough will and sheer -force-..."
She shrugs.

Kanna says, "I suspect after I help Jacqui, I'll have to devote myself
to clearing out the other constructs as I can.  Leave getting to the
-real- Aunt Juri to others..." She sighs, and closes her eyes.

Beowulf says, "It's a good question. They fit too well with a tactical
pattern of attacks to be coincidence, I would think."

Beowulf says, "Um, no. Right now, with Morgan gone, I think you're by
far the best one with a line on Juri."

Kanna nods.  "We'll have to pow-wow the closer we get." She raises her
eyebrows.  "Eh?  Right now, Merehallow is in Chaos, the Phoenex Egg is
Eggshells though I might be able to get a handle on a second one, and
I have no CLUE where Naussica is, bey."  She looks rueful.

Beowulf says, "I might be able to help some with Bessie, and you're
going to need Merehallow to get in most likely, but you've got the
closest tie by blood and prophetic knowledge to the job."

Beowulf says, "Your mother mentioned the Phoenix egg; to be honest,
while it'd be a convenience, I'm not at all convinced that it's
necessary."

Kanna waves her hands about.  "Well, there is that, I suppose."  She
quirks a smile.  "Hell, we broke the siege of Kadath, let's storm the
gates of Cathuria while we're at it too!"

Kanna nods.  "Well, part of the prophesy stuff got fubared
anyway... it's at this point play it by ear, I guess."

Beowulf asks, "Have you been back to talk with the Forestals after
stopping the Taylors going after Yig?"

Kanna shakes her head.  "No, not yet.  I wanted to check if there were
any other folks pondering Chopping/downing yig before doing that.  MY
travels haven't needed it yet.  There -are- three AWOL Blood Taylors
who were assigned to the task, but they were assistants, and Lian felt
it wasn't worth going after 'em, as I shadowwalked to check for any
other Blood Taylors planning to down Yig, and came up empty."

Kanna says, "So from the Taylor angle, Yig's now safe, I feel.  I just
want to check the others, but I dunno if I have the time to pursue."

Beowulf nods. "Sounds like it might be a good time to give them a
visit, then, as soon as you help Jacqui."

Kanna says, "I might at that, yeah.  I'll try to keep it in mind." She
quirks a smile.

Beowulf says, "Let me know, and we can go together; I still feel like
I ought to try and make some kind of atonement/attempt to get
'rightfully' cleared for that information."

Kanna says, "If y' want to, I won't stop you, Bey." She hehs, and pats
Bey on the shoulder.

Beowulf grins back. "Anything to help get some of the load off of
you."

Beowulf asks, "Not sure whether to check out Panopticon before going
after the mystery castle or not; could you let me know as soon as you
can find out who they talked to there, so I can make some kind of
estimate of how serious the problem there is?"

Kanna hums a bit of "I get by with a little help with my friends."
"I'll let you know once I ask Jacqui... if you can't pick up at the
time, I'll have sis forward the info to Aeris."

Beowulf nods. "Thanks. Panopticon could be either a relatively small
infiltration, or a massive one, and the sooner we know the better."

Kanna says, "Just be careful at the Mystery Castle, Bey... Pyricorn
knows I was worried when we got to Kadath and found it nigh-abandoned
save for the twelve surviving Elder Gods... for a bit, I had worries
we'd stumbled into something like the Keep before Cousin Shizu took it
over."

Kanna says, "Well, save for the place having wall-to-wall Elder Signs.
But it was still creepy."

Beowulf says, "I can believe it, yes. Not going to go in with guns
blazing, if that's what you're worried about." He smiles.

Kanna smiles.  "Good."  She gets up, and heads for the door.  "So, see
you later, I hope?"

Beowulf says, "After getting the castle and Panopticon taken care
of... it's time to make another attempt on the Black Pharoah, I
think."

Beowulf says, "And this time do a seek in shadow to get to the *right*
one." He grins.

Beowulf says, "Hopefully, Panopticon shouldn't be too bad; the
authorities there *should* be able to spot a large-scale
nano-invasion."

Kanna says, "Right.  Don't track the spikard, track the man himself.
And bring big booms."  She grins, and gets the door.  "And hopefully,
yes."

Kanna escorts Bewoulf out.  "And take care, okay, Bewoulf?"

Beowulf grins back and bows. "Many thanks for your fine hospitality,
Crown Princess Kanna." He winks.

Beowulf says, "Will do. And *you* do the same; I don't like the rumors
I've been hearing about mutilated organs every time you go on a
mission." He gives her a mock frown over his spectacles.

Kanna coughs, blushes, and bows.  "Technically, sis comes before me in
the succession, Bey... at least to some schools of thought.  But
anyway."  She waves, and closes her mom's door, and ergs.  "... it
wasn't MY fault Jadis went after my eye, or those two Knuckles went
for my kidney... I swear at this rate i'll be needing 'Made in
Mechanus' tatooed on my butt..."

Beowulf grins. "You said it, I didn't."

=====
=====

Akemi pages, "Are you going to be on tomorrow?" to you.

You page, "I will be, yes.  We can handle stuff up to catching up to
Jacqui then, I hope.  Should be less long than this. *wl*" to Akemi.

=====
=====

Kanna snorts, and waves Bey off, as she herself heads off down the
halls for Great-Grandpa Fuyutsuki's rooms.

Beowulf says, "Take care, now. I mean it. We've been fairly lucky so
far in this crisis, with not losing anyone but cousin Shaft... I don't
want to lose any more."

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

Beowulf waves goodbye after this last bit.

Kanna OOCly says, "(and fade/fork/whatever)"