You page, "Oh, one thing, before the funeral, somewhere before/after patternwalk... since I figure Kanna got back the night before after fast-time, she'd have wanted to breakfast with her mom, and update her on the Abyss Stuff with Lian, and the arrival of Demetrius, the current contract and need to get information on the WK for him (trump, Pattern info, etc -- prolly from anthy), and updates on news from Avalon -- that Gid's kid Dara apparently got Abyss-munched -too-, and that it's only been a month since mom was there, etc. And that she suspects that there seems to have likely been something between Demetrius and Darako at one point, though she doesn't know what. (mostly drawn from Demetrius's reactions to the mention of Corrine, whom Kanna knows bore a striking resemblance to Dar.)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Alright, your mom can get you all the information you need. And she tells you that from what little she knows of things, it seems likely Demetrius couldn't have been much more than a baby when Darako was alive, though she admits there may be funky time-flow issues involved." to you. You page, "*nod* Well, given that Demetrius twitched whenever Corrine came up -- was he ever that twitchy when the two of them interacted?" to Akemi. You page, "(Kanna would also advise her mom that if there's anything she wants shipped to Juri of Avalon, et. al., better get it prepped and ready -to- ship, as Kanna has a feeling Demetrius doesn't want to stay in this universe -too- long, given incipient Hel Invasion (and yes, Kanna would report the info he gave about Saijians, etc.) And hm. Any NA equipment on Jade that coudl serve as a message relayer? (ie, put message in it, send it off through Shadow to reach a person?) )" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Hmm, yes, I'd say there would probably be some items like that." to you. You page, "*nod* In that case, use one or two (before leaving Jade) to send off messages to Wasyuu asking her to not do the Bloody Vengeance Thing, as 1) we all still like you, 2) It'd suck, 3) while a nuke that size could be useful, we need to think of thebest way TO use it, 4) We don't want your grandson to grow up without a Grandmother. (and no, we're not lying about the grandson bit. Lian and Thropan had a kid. Call me, and we can take you to him.) )" to Akemi. ============= ============= You page, "Oh, Kanna's abbreviated explination to Bey about what Demetrius was talking 'bout WRT to the Abyss and Brand, et. al:" to The_Prof. You page, "(from Kanna's POV/understanding, etc, mind you. which is biased and filtered from Corrine, but hey. *wg* )" to The_Prof. You page, "Basically, once upon a time, there was a Prince of Amber named Brand, who tried to do evil things, and got chucked into the Abyss in the end. A long time later, Juri of Avalon got Evil Black Tar stuck in her head, courtesy of Brand's Son Tomas (and prolly the Abyss Construct Mikage, too), and was guided along to end up killing her sister Darako (who hated her, and it was returned), and her brother Venir, on the Duelling Platform on the edge of the Abyss, with her patterblade. Hence the ritual Demetrius described got fulfilled, and Brand got out." to The_Prof. he_Prof pages, "...hooboy. Ain't that gonna be fun." to you. You page, "Brand, it should be noted, as far as Kanna knows, is dead (again). Darako is dead, though Corrine met a version of her in the Cave of Worlds (trans-universe wonkiness!). Dunno about Tomas, he dropped out of the picture. Venir was long dead by that point, it seems. And Darako had a blade called 'Hummingbird' which was exceptionally nasty... Corrine had it for a bit, but it got lost (and it apparently had a 'KILL PEOPLE' compulsion on it, -especially- for Juri), and she wasn't eager to find it again." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Yeesh. o.o" to you. The_Prof pages, "Obviously some people to keep Demetrius away from. o.o Any idea who he liked/disliked out of that crew?" to you. You page, "Kanna has no clue. According to mom, demetrius would have been only a baby when Darako was still alive. Kanna's worried, though, as Demetrius was rather twitchy when Corrine came up in coversation, and she -knows- Corrine/Darako bear a strong physical resemblance, and from what she knows of her mom's tales, Demetrius wasn't twitchy around her when they first met. So she isn't sure, but she gets the feeling mentioning Darako would not be wise." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "...ahhh." to you. You page, "Miki, Kozue, Nanami, and Touga had counterparts in the Avalon-verse as Chaosians. She doesn't know what Demetrius's feelings were on them, nor did Corrine. JuriAv apparently dealt well with Demetrius. Mentioning Gideon overmuch probably wouldn't be wise." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "I gathered that last part. :) Probably not wise to mention Lian, either, which could be a problem." to you. You page, "As for Darako... probably best not to bring her up, nor to mention Kanna's middle name (since her full name is "Kanna -Darako- Kusanagi. *wl* ) Mikage was an Abyssal Construct in the Avalon universe, according to what Corrine was told (and hence JuriAv's original suspicion of her.)" to The_Prof. You page, "*nod* Demetrius prolly doesn't know of her, but not wise to take chances. Corrine's been informed of everything and the contract to retrieve the WK, and she can get all the stuff needed to ID her, etc." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Right. Not sure how much, but someone probably needs to go into Lian's Abyss Trip, unfortunately." to you. You page, "Eventually, but not Right This Minute. *wl*" to The_Prof. You page, "(Corrine's been updated on that, mind you... dunno when to inform Demetrius.)" to The_Prof. You page, "And according to john (double-check with him), I beleive we're good for having done successful patternwalks." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Righto. If he's going down there, though, he probably needs to know, unless he can manage to avoid all association with Amber while he's down there." to you. The_Prof pages, "I gathered that last part. :) Probably not wise to mention Lian, either, which could be a problem." to you. You page, "As for Darako... probably best not to bring her up, nor to mention Kanna's middle name (since her full name is "Kanna -Darako- Kusanagi. *wl* ) Mikage was an Abyssal Construct in the Avalon universe, according to what Corrine was told (and hence JuriAv's original suspicion of her.)" to The_Prof. You page, "*nod* Demetrius prolly doesn't know of her, but not wise to take chances. Corrine's been informed of everything and the contract to retrieve the WK, and she can gett all the stuff needed to ID her, etc." to The_Prof. John says, "OOC excellent, we have the Rod." John asks, "OOC we all present and accounted for and ready?" Kanna OOCly is here. The_Prof pages, "Right. Not sure how much, but someone probably needs to go into Lian's Abyss Trip, unfortunately." to you. Damasq says, "Lemme shuffle." Damasq has left. Beowulf OOCly nods. Motoko has arrived. You page, "Eventually, but not Right This Minute. *wl*" to The_Prof. You page, "(Corrine's been updated on that, mind you... dunno when to inform Demetrius.)" to The_Prof. You page, "And according to john (double-check with him), I beleive we're good for having done successful patternwalks." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Righto. If he's going down there, though, he probably needs to know, unless he can manage to avoid all association with Amber while he's down there." to you. You page, "Well, I doubt it'll be hyper-immediate. *wl*" to The_Prof. =========================================== =========================================== The Keep has been set up for the funeral over the last few days; there's also a memorial service going on back in Amber for the many people who wish to mourn but don't have cross-shadow travel capabilities. The service here will largely be just the royal family, relatives, and a few of the family servants. Most of the family is here, with a few surprises, such as Kuonji arriving with Kozue, and a few noteworthy absences: Mikage, Nausicaa, Utena, and Wakaba. Wasyuu is also noteworthy by her absence. Shizumaru is noteworthy by his presence, even if he has a dozen Black Watch escorting him and black shackles on his hands. And Gilva is with him. [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko arrives from the Chaos side of things with Moonshade, Davros, Mitsune, Kaede, Yuki, Miki, Madoka and Yumi. She wears a white hakama and kendogi, with her katana at her side and her "Logrusfoil" on her back. She looks rather pale and worn, but is otherwise composed. Rimururu's relatives from Frostspire cluster around her and Shizumaru; Mitsune now goes over to join them. ======== ======== The_Prof pages, "Presumably you're going to show up on your own?" to you. You page, "Checking that with the GM..." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Well, John just said I was probably working on last-minute stuff at the Keep, so that answers that question wrt whether he'd be coming in with Kanna." to you. ===== ===== You page, "I should assume I arrive with mom, etc, fromt he Emberite group? Probably with ruka as well? (Emberite group being Corrine, Misaki, not sure who else...)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Probably just you, Corrine, Misaki, and Gabby and Ruka. As this is mainly for family." to you. Akemi pages, "Nagisa would probably come in with Gabby, I suppose." to you. You page, "That's what I thought. *nod*" to Akemi. ======= ======= Kaede also goes to Rimururu and Shizumaru's side, an unreadable expression on his face. Motoko goes with her to see Shizumaru, as she's not seen him since the visit to the Black Tower. "Uncle... I am so very sorry." She nods to Gilva. "Hello, Gilva-san." Gilva nods back. "Hello, Motoko-san." Rimururu quietly hugs Kaede; his parents are here among her flock of people as well. Shizumaru says, "It is good to see you, Motoko." [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko smiles weakly. "If only it were under better circumstances than these, Uncle." Kaede hugs his aunt tightly, then steps back. "Hello, Uncle Shizumaru," he says, softly. Shizumaru says, "Hello, nephew. I see you are doing well." [spoofed by Akemi] Kaede murmurs, "As well as could be expected." Kanna arrives from the Emberite side, via a Gabrielle-provided trump-gate, along with Ruka. Corrine, Misaki, Gabrielle, and Nagisa arrive as well. Kanna herself is in her full formal uniform, with two black armbands strapped around her right upper arm, subtle embroidery upon them. Rimururu now goes to talk to High Priest Geo and to set up for the ceremony. Beowulf comes out of an inner room of the Keep, where he was working on last-minute arrangements, and sees people arrive. He swallows hard, and heads over to Shizumaru. Motoko nods to Moriya's parents and then, suddenly looking rather uncomfortable, she bows hastily and goes off to see her own parents. Kanna holds back, as she notices the group around Shizumaru and Rimururu. Instead, she quietly sizes up the crowd. Kuonji Ukyou glances briefly at the latest arrival, and melts back into the Shadows along one wall. The King and Queen now appear, and go over to talk to Touga, Sumire, and Drake. Beowulf bows deeply to Shizumaru. "I'm glad you could make it," he says softly, face working as he struggles to find something to say, guilt figuring most prominently. Motoko manages to make herself smile at Nanami Minor, currently held in Ramon's arms. "Hello, little sister." Shizumaru says, "I am grateful to the King for allowing me to come. Few ever get to leave the Black Tower before their terms are up for any reason." [spoofed by Akemi] Jacqueline arrives with her group, wearing black clothes, as befitting a funeral. Random is in her arms, also dressed in a little black baby outfit. She has a pacifier in her mouth to help with that biting problem. Nanami Minor gurgles happily at Motoko. Keiko says softly, "Would you like to hold her for a while?" Beowulf says, "I keep thinking there was something I could have done, and didn't. 'I'm sorry' sounds so inadequate, but I don't know what else to say." Beowulf hangs his head. Kanna watches the meeting between Bey and Shizu quietly, and somberly... and then blinks at Jacqui's arrival and the little kidlet in her arms. Motoko nods. "Yes, please." She takes the baby carefully and begins to walk around with her as things are set up, looking and obviously feeling rather lost. Mutsumi heads over to her parents, while Thoric stays by Jacqui. Kasumi soon spots Jacqui and comes over to her. "Hello, Jacqui," she says softly. Jacqueline looks up to her mother with a little hesitation. "Hi mama," she replies, just as softly. Lily emerges from the Keep and heads over to talk to Yumi. Kasumi says, "How are you?" Shizumaru saysto Beowulf, "I am sure you did your best, cousin. That is all any of us can do." He sighs. "I do not blame you for his death." [spoofed by Akemi] Kaede steps slightly away from the others, and rubs his arms, as if cold. Rimururu now comes and gets Davros and takes him over to Geo. Jacqueline replies to Kasumi, "As well as I can be, under the circumstances." Beowulf sighs as well. "Thank you, cousin. It helps some, though I still blame myself." He looks up. "If there's anything I can do, please let me know." Kanna sighs, quietly, and gently squeezes Ruka's hand, still doing the 'linger near the edge' thing, trying to figure out what to do or who to talk to. Beowulf twitches a bit at Kaede's action, although he doesn't recognize him. Motoko comes over to Kanna and Ruka with the baby in her arms. "Hello, Aunt," she says softly. "Have you met Nanami-chan yet?" Jacqueline sees her uncle Shizumaru, pardons herself from Kasumi, and approaches him carefull, minding the Chaosian guards. The gates from the metal shadow open, and four people ride in. Two are women: Lady Atsuko and Princess Michelle. Two are men; one is a blue-haired fellow, the other a rather muscular green-haired man. Neither of them are particularly familiar to any of you. You get a glimpse of more men camped outside. Nakoruru now comes over to Kaede and puts a hand on his shoulder and tries to smile at him. The blue-haired man looks around at everything from behind the tinted lenses of his glasses and says, somberly, "Mmm." Beowulf swallows. "I've probably taken up enough of your time, cousin, and there are others wanting to talk to you. Please... let me know, if I can help." He bows again deeply, then wanders off by himself. Kaede looks over at his mother, smiles in a brittle manner, and hugs her. Shizumaru sees Jacqui, and blinks in surprise. "I did not know you had a son, Jacqui," he says. [spoofed by Akemi] Kanna blinks, and smiles slightly. "No, I hadn't, Motoko. I didnt' get the chance when I was down in Chaos..." Her smile falls a bit, and looks down at the baby. "How... how are you doing?" She sighs, softly. "I'm sorry, I should know better than to ask that at this." Jacqueline smiles weakly. "Daughter. It's good to see you again, Uncle, though I wish it were under happier circumstances." Beowulf is approached by Drake. "You wouldn't happen to know where your mother has run off to, would you?" he asks Beowulf. Beowulf frowns. "No, I don't, and it's starting to worry me." Beowulf says, "I heard she left with Aunt Utena, and that's about it." Nakoruru stands quietly with her son, watching the huge milling horde of royals. Motoko says to Kanna, rather tightly, "Nanami-chan, my new little sister, my mother and father's third daughter." She sighs as well. "It's the automatic thing to do, Aunt. Don't worry." Baby Nanami tries to grab at Kanna's shirt. Shizumaru sighs. "I know, I know. I would rather still be in the Tower and Moriya still alive." [spoofed by Akemi] Kanna blinks, and ahs, and nods. "My congratualtions to Keiko and Cousin Ramon, then." She gives Motoko an apologetic 'nobody gave me the breifing' logok, and then hehs, and offers her sleeve to Baby Nanami, instead. Baby Nanami happily tug-tug-tugs the sleeve. Beowulf hmmms. "I'm not sure who to ask... probably the King, although he might not be able to say if he's on a mission." Motoko says, "Would you like to hold her, Aunt? Careful... she's very lively." Kanna blushes a bit, and smiles a bit more fully. "If that's all right with you... yes..." Drake says, "I already tried asking. I'm just surprised they've been gone so long." Motoko passes the baby to Kanna. ===== ===== You page, "From amy: *GC* Bey is number-one cool. -> *GC* Oh? *wl* *GC* Yeah, he is. Just haven't mentioned recently. He seems kind of vehement on the fact that Real is all relative." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Heh. Yup... well, I do feel that way. People are people; there's some difference in power level, but that's it." to you. You page, "*GC* Plus I just like him. He's the token Normal One in the bunch." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "...normal one? o.o" to you. You page, "I think in terms of sensibilities, etc." to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "...ah. And Kanna isn't normal? o.o" to you. ===== ===== Kanna cradles Baby Nanami in her arms, taking care that she doesn't get -too- close to the Shoulder-braid or cravat, though that close they're probably eaisly within baby-reach. Motoko asks, softly, "Do you mind holding her a little while? I want to go speak to Moriya's grandmother." Atsuko and Michelle and their men home in on Shizumaru, Jacqui, and Thoric. Michelle hugs Thoric from behind, giving him a start, while Atsuko puts a hand on Shiz's shoulder. "Hello, son," she says. "Have they been treating you well in the tower?" Beowulf nods. "What did he say?" He sighs. "Being gone over-schedule worries me. I deduced that Grandmother Anthy had gone to... the other universe, gave her some time to avoid jogging her elbow, and it was almost a disaster. Thank the Powers of Good Motoko and Great-Grandfather Anno were able to pull her out." He hangs his head again. Kanna nods. "We'll stay right here and people-watch, Motoko." The blue-haired man says, "My deepest condolences, Prince Shizumaru, so far as they may be sincerely expressed by, mmm, one so newly-acquainted with all of this. I have heard much tell of your son from Atsuko-sama, so much that I, mmm, feel as though I knew him at least a little myself, although that of course is merely a false impression, one must admit. A ha. A ha ha ha." Shizumaru looks at the blue-haired man with a look as if an escapee from an asylum had shown up. [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko comes over. "Hello, Lady Atsuko," she says softly. "I'm so very sorry." Michelle says, "I'm very sorry about Moriya, Shizumaru." ====== ====== You page, "... john, does the blue-haired man or the green haired man who just arrived with Atsuko/Michelle ping -any- sort of familiaritiy threads in me? Does it look like mom might know (from observing her.)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Neither of them look like someone your mother particularly knows." to you. You page, "*nod*" to Akemi. ======= ======= Atsuko blinks in surprise and turns to Motoko and says, "Thank you, Motoko." She sighs. "I will miss him forever." Kaede kisses his mother on the cheek, then goes toward Atsuko also. Then Michelle notices Jacqui's baby. "My goodness," she says. Jacqueline gets that deer-in-headlights feeling..... ===== ===== The_Prof pages, "...well, Drake came over to rescue Bey from stewing in guilt... only to get him stewing in another bit of guilt. o.o" to you. You page, "*patpat*" to The_Prof. ====== ====== Jacqueline says, "An... ahahah... ah... hello, Aunt Michelle....." Kanna is now approached by Drake, who pauses to stare at the baby she's holding, then says, "A moment of your time, Kanna?" Michelle looks at Thoric. "You didn't tell me you two had a baby already." The blue-haired man blinks at Shizumaru, then begins to thrust out his hand, then apparently thinks better of it and sketches a bow. "Damask Minobee-Barimen of House Hendrake, though not the House Hendrake of this universe, as I was unceremoniously thrust out of my own into this one by, mmm, apparently some titanic detonation in your Begma." He looks at Michelle rather like a puppy at its new owner. "Michelle-sama has said she intends at, mmm, some point to, mmm, help me get home, but with such, a ha, pleasant company, I am not entirely eager quite yet. A ha. A ha ha ha. Oh my." Jacqueline's face is frozen in an expression of utter derailment Kanna quirks a slight smile. "Yes, Uncle Drake?" She keeps holding the baby, though. "Not mine, but Keiko and Cousin Ramon's, in case you're wondering." Kaede says, quietly, "Hello, Grandma Atsuko." Thoric twitches. "We...ah...ahahahah." Shizumaru looks at Thoric and Jacqui and looks like someone slapped him upside the head with a log. [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko takes Atsuko's hands in hers. "I will miss him as well," she says. "I... it is going to be very hard to get used to him being gone." She looks at the blue-haired man with an expression of utter puzzlement. ===== ===== You page, "... Damask... is in our Universe. Dear Lord We're Doomed." to Chris. Chris pages, "It might not be -that- Damask." to you. Chris pages, "I hope." to you. ===== ===== Jacqueline tries not to sweat bullets. "I, er, say hello to my daughter Random." Beowulf hangs out in his own gloom for a bit, before shaking himself and looking for King Tylor. You soon find Tylor, with Yuriko and Touga. Tylor turns to Beowulf and almost smiles. "Hello, Beowulf." ==== ==== Jacqueline says, "OOCLy pause a moment, I need ot kick a server" Beowulf OOCly oops. Sorry, Rod. ==== ==== Beowulf almost smiles in return, his expression lightening a little. "Hello, Uncle. Have you heard anything from Mother or Aunt Utena lately? They didn't make it here, and Uncle Drake was just asking about them." Atsuko says, "I do not think I will ever become used to it, though with time, any wound heals." She sighs, then sees Kaede has come over. "Hello, Kaede," she says. "Are you well?" Damask looks about and blinks like a small creature thrust out of its hole into bright sunlight. "My goodness, what a prodigiously-sized family." He spots Kozue. "And there is someone who looks exactly like Mother, but is not. Fascinating. Mmm. Excuse me." He heads for Kozue in the manner of a rather wobbly guided missile. "Hello there, I am Damask Minobee-Barimen of House Hendrake--though not of this universe--and I must say you look remarkably like..." Kaede laughs quietly. "I've heard that question so often now. No, I am not well, but I don't think any of us are. I am doing the best I can under the circumstances." Drake takes Kanna aside and whispers to her. Kanna leans over to listen to Drake. ================ ================ Akemi pages, ""Do you have any plans yet for what you will be doing in the next week?"" to you. You page, "[Kanna] At the moment, they seem to be up in the air. For one, Beowulf and I were likely to start researching and hunting down the Construct Warlord Kranod was tapping, sicne we never got to that. Second, the Abyss Pirate Demetrius, whom mother traveld with, 40 years ago, has arrived, and we have a contract with him to fish the White Knight out of the Abyss.. *she then sighs* And then there's the matter of making sure Lian's final affairs are in order." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Drake nods. "I'm sorry about lian," he says. "And horrified by what those Abyss scum did to her. I don't know how we can avenge her, but we must."" to you. You page, "[Kanna mmms. "I'm worried of others going too far in their vengeance... Wasyuu's gone off to make a gigantic bomb... we're hoping to intercept her before she gets a chance to chuck it into the Abyss, so we don't lose -her- as well. Lian'll be avenged.. but probably by us making sure the White Knight is successfully retreived."]" to Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] Oh, on a somewhat lighter note... how did the assault on Kanawa Industries go? I see that you and Sumire are still -here-... *she looks wry -- but it's an honest smile*" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He tells you the whole story in detail (OOC I'm not sure how much of them you know)" to you. You page, "(OOC, I had heard vague stuff, but got more from Bey the Mobius and Trap Shadow stuff. Hadn't heard much about the Drake/Sumire/Motoko/Jacqui/etc Construct Takedown.) At the end, she whistles softly. "daaamn... makes me wish I'd been there... well, sorta." She looks wry. "You know how these things go." She mmms. "I'm... I'm just glad all of you got out alive, and that monstrosity got taken down."" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He gives you all the nitty gritty which would take too long for me to summarize, then :)" to you. You page, "Right. *wg*" to Akemi. You page, "[Kanna then sighs. "That just leave the Bloc and Tharkold's Construct, I think, for major Outsider bastions, then."]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He nods. "Tharkold needs to be dealt with."" to you. You page, "[Kanna] And there's not much time until High Summer, too. And the information Demetrius provided on the details of Saijians is troubling... *she gives the quick summary of Demetrius's concerns*... he seemed pretty disturbed when we gave the breif outline of the crisis we're facing. I know Beowulf was planning to start looking into Tharkold, and asked for my help.. juggling things will be difficult, but in a day or so I should have more definite plans up to High Summer. *she purses her lips* If Tharkhold is space-baced still, do you think we could elicit the help of the Bebop crew? As it seems that these constructs aren't quite anticipating Logrus Users. though, if they're in -any- sort of communication, then the last would have gained information on the demises of all the others. And even if not, it'd possibly be aware of the fact that it's the last, as far as we know." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Drake says, "I think they would likely be of great assistance to you."" to you. Akemi pages, "Drake continues, "Also, I believe Tylor has a spaceship he might be able to loan to you, since you will be bereft of Lian's resources." to you. You page, "[Kanna] I'll get in concact with them via Aunt Nanami, and once we find out what's left of Lian's resoruces... I have no idea what will happen to Mechanus, if Vector will get it or not, or wether or not we'll be able to get his assitance after. Thanks for the info... I'm gonna need to talk with Sumire about getting in touch with her emberite family about ship hulls, though... part of the payment for Demetrius is an Emberite replacement hull, and similar for the Bebop. *she quirks a smile*" to Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] For the Abyss Battleship Info that we got from them, that is." to Akemi. You page, "(anything else between Kanna and Drake? *wl* )" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Drake says to you, "I can help to make the payments should it be necessary. I will be busy with the Rebma operation or I would want to go myself."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods. "Thank you, Uncle Drake. I know my mother had some of this planned for a while, in case we ever did contact Demetrius... but the extra funds will help, as well as somebody wih Advanced Pattern skills to help shape the hull."]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Drake nods. "That would be interesting to try doing."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods. "I'll keep you in mind, then." She smiles slightly. "Good luck with the Rebma Operation.. if there's any information I can provide from the infiltration that you don't have, it's yours."]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He says, "I believe Lucien has supplied me with all of the information."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods. "Right. Good luck, and good hunting, then, Uncle."]" to Akemi. ================= ================= Jacqueline says, "OOCLy okay, me back" ===== ===== Kozue looks at Damask. "This isn't about that little fling with Lord Breeg, is it?" Thoric says, "Yes, this is our daughter, Random." He looks very tense. Damask blinks at Kozue. "Oh my." Tylor says to Beowulf, "They're off on a secret mission. I'm not expecting them back for a while yet." Motoko looks at Thoric and manages to stop herself gaping. Kozue says, "Because you look rather remarkably like him if he had my hair." Shizumaru just stares. [spoofed by Akemi] Beowulf nods slowly. "All right. I'm worried about them... but if you're not expecting them for a while, I suppose that's all right." Jacqueline gulps Michelle says, "Well, I've been wondering when you'd give me a grandchild. Can I hold her?" Beowulf looks worried. "As long as they haven't been captured and strapped in the Tharkold construct, so we don't..." He shudders a bit. ===== ===== Kanna OOCly curses connection lag. ===== ===== Tylor says, "I'm rather more concerned about Mikage and Nausicaa, as they seem to have dropped off the face of Shadow." Beowulf frowns. "When were they last heard from?" Jacqueline reluctantly tries to hand Random to Michelle. "Ah... careful, she has this habit of biting sometimes...." Beowulf looks a bit less guilty now, as talking business distracts him from the funeral. Random now bites Michelle's finger, but Michelle just laughs and pulls the finger out. She whispers something to Random that seems to amuse her vastly. Kuonji Ukyou . o O ( Drat, he's lost that wonderful 'I am in Hell' expression. ) Jacqueline blinks and blushes slightly, looking very confused. Damask begins talking animatedly to Kozue about genetics, and how she's his mother, only not, and if he can have any of her blood to do some experiments. Atsuko looks over at Jacqui and Thoric and says, "Well, congratulations you two, then." Jacqueline says, "ah... thank you" Motoko twitches. "Yes... congratulations... a darling child." Kaede quietly slips away to rejoin Yuki. Jacqueline gives Motoko an apologetic glance. Yuki is busy talking to one of Rimururu's uncles about a recent whaling trip. Kanna bounces Nanami-Chan a little while still talking with Drake. Kuonji Ukyou turns his attention to Damask, watching the conversation. Motoko says, "Pardon. I see someone whom I should greet." She drifts towards Kuonji's not-quite-all-concealing shadows. "Hello, Kuonji-san." Ramon now looms over Thoric rather like a sort of mobile earthquake, then takes him by the ear and drags him away protesting. Kaede blinks a little, smiles weakly at Rimururu's uncles, then wanders away again. Michelle blinks in surprise as she cuddles the baby. Kozue just stares at Damask with a look of 'all my sins have come back to haunt me' Kuonji Ukyou says, "Hullo, Motoko-san." He nods politely. "A pleasure to see you, though under regrettable conditions." When Nagisa drifts by, she quickly grabs him and drags him into the conversation, obviously hoping to pull a bait and switch. Jacqueline stares at Thoric being dragged away with a bit of horror Damask is now babbling away at Kozue like a snapped fire hydrant, using a lot of multisyllabic words and occasionally growing extra fingers to help him wave his hands to emphasize his points better. He seems overjoyed when Kozue introduces Nagisa as her son, and immediately asks Nagisa if he can have a blood sample. Tylor says to Beowulf, "I think it's been close to a month since we last heard from either of them." Motoko says, softly, "Yes. I am surprised to see you in attendance, I must say, though not displeased; you are of our family, after all." Thoric vanishes through a door with Keiko and Ramon both dragging him along. Keiko seems to have a flaming head. Motoko looks around. "Nice shadows. Do you lurk in them often?" Michelle says to Jacqui, "They won't hurt him too badly, will they?" Beowulf shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Wonderful. Has anyone tried looking for them yet?" Shizumaru says faintly, "How long have you two been dating?" [spoofed by Akemi] Jacqueline says, "I, er, I hope not." Jacqueline says, "oh, well, um, a while." Kuonji Ukyou says, "It is only proper to attend the funeral of a kinsman. I would be lying if I said I was grief-stricken; I didn't know the deceased. But all I've heard of him has been good, and his end valiant, and so I come to pay what respects I can." Nagisa brings in Gabrielle and they discuss genetics with Damask while Kozue tries periodically to escape unsuccessfully. Kaede sits down beneath a tree, takes something out of a pocket, a knife out of another, and starts carving. Motoko sighs. "His end was very valiant. I will miss him greatly. Your respects are appreciated." Damask asks Gabrielle for some of her blood, and appears both intrigued and disappointed to discover this is not possible. He briefly shifts into Nagisa, apparently to prove some kind of point. Gabrielle then turns briefly into Damask for no apparent reason. Jacqueline looks around for her sister.... Kanna continues to bounce Nanami-chan in her arms as she gets into an animated discussion with Uncle Drake. she occasionally glances over at the other groups, and arches an breif eybrow at Shapeshifting Fun With The Family Group. Damask proceeds to turn his hair various different colours for no particular purpose. He looks to be having an absolutely grand old time. Kuonji Ukyou gives a slight shrug, which could mean that he appriciates the appreciation, or that he could care less. "It's the proper thing to do," he repeats. Motoko moves back into the shadows a little and begins to speak to Kuonji more quietly. Tylor says, "My understanding is that Mikage had something stealthy planned, and we've all been too busy with higher priority things to send a search party. It would be good if you could look into it, though, Beowulf, if you don't have other plans." Moonshade seems to be seated under a tree, quietly watching everyone mill about. Kaede finishes his carving, regards it silently for a moment, then presses his thumb to it. There is a brief crackle of lightning, and a puff of smoke, and then he tucks the item away. Jacqueline gently takes Random back, begs pardon of Michelle, and approaches Moonshade. "Hey there." Beowulf nods. "I'm planning to go take out the Tharkold construct, with Kanna; it's the last Outsider construct left, so far as we know," he murmurs. "I'll try to keep an eye out for them as we go, though, especially if they might have been captured by it" Lily and Yumi bustle about, drawing chalk lines across the courtyard. There is a bustle of wings above, and a pale-haired, dusky-skinned woman with wings of flame settles down from the sky near Shizumaru, and begins quietly talking to him. ========== ========== You page, "... Urd. Oh My. (if it's Urd. Whooboy.)" to Chris. Chris pages, "Yes." to you. ========== ========== Damask looks up at the flame-winged woman and visibly twitches. His eyes narrow just slightly. Kaede stands up and stares at the pale-haired woman speaking to his uncle. The woman then embraces him in a rather intimate sort of way. Michelle and Atsuko raise eyebrows at her in unison. Kaede takes a few slow steps toward them, then quickens his pace. Moonshade looks up at Jacqui. "Heya." She points to the grass by her. "Want to sit with me a while?" Jacqueline sits by Moonshade. "Sure. You okay?" Motoko talks quietly to Kuonji and looks rather unhappy as she does. ========= ========= You page, "(the flamewinged dusky whitehaired woman who just appeared -- matches mom's pics and stories of Urd?)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Yep" to you. Chris pages, "Nah, they're not scary." to you. Chris pages, "Mispage." to you. ========= ========= Kaede slows down as he draws near, and seems to relax slightly. Kanna arches -another- eyebrow at the appearance of the flamewinged woman who hugs her Cousin Shizu. Tylor says to Beowulf, "Good luck against Tharkold, then. I suspect Mikage and Nausicaa are probably alright, but... you never know." Beowulf says, "I'll also see if we can't find them when we're done, though hopefully they can take care of themselves." He sighs. Beowulf cocks his head hopefully. "Anything else I can do for you, Uncle?" Kaede watches the continuing conversation between the pale-haired woman and his uncle quietly. Tylor says, "I could use a glass of wine." Moonshade says to Jacqueline, "I'm okay. Just one of those things where I just...I dunno. I don't know what to do besides sit here and wait for things to get going." Jacqueline points to Moonshade, and looks at Random sternly. "This is your auntie Moonshade. Don't bite." Beowulf smiles for the first time, though it's a little wonky around the edges. "One glass of wine, coming up." He goes off to pick up one for him. Ramon says solemnly, "Buba." ====== ====== Kaede OOCly says, "I'm sure Ramon is more coherent than that. And also elsewhere." RANDOM says that. The DM crumples into a ball and dies ====== ====== Beowulf delivers the glass to Tylor, makes his farewells, then wanders off to brood by himself again. Jacqueline kisses Random's forehead. "I'm sure buba means 'I won't bite her', right? You wanna be held by your auntie Moonshade for a minute? You do, don't you." Random stares at Jacqui with the glazed look of most very small infants. Jacqueline looks to Moonshade. "You want to hold her?" Moonshade says, "yes, I'd like to." Jacqueline very carefully hands Random to Moonshade. "Nobite, nice baby." Kaede sighs, then starts wandering about again, looking very lost. You briefly hear a squeal from inside the Keep which might be Thoric yelping. Jacqueline says, ".... uh oh." Random tries to bite Moonshade, who clamps Random's jaw shut. Kanna glances towards the Keep. . o O (Wow. That must've been loud if we could hear it out -here-.) Moonshade says, "You don't even have teeth yet, so don't waste your time, Random." Beowulf winces at the noise and covers his eyes. Mutsumi now sprints off into the Keep. Jacqueline asks, "I... ah... I think I'd better see what the hell they're doing. Can you manage Random for a bit?" Moonshade says, "Sure, I'll take care of her." Jacqueline rubs Random's head. "Be good, baby." She dashes off to Thoric's yelp. Eventually, Kaede wanders over to Moonshade. "Jacqueline-sama's daughter, right? How is she doing now?" Beowulf returns with the wine. Tylor sips it and asks, "So how are you and Lily doing?" Moonshade says to Kaede, "Yeah. She's really cute, but she likes to bite people." Beowulf smiles. "Doing well, I think. I hope. I do know that I'm not sure what I would do without her." Kaede smiles very briefly, and nods. "I see," he says, sitting down. Random stares vaguely at Kaede. Rimururu now begins to move across the courtyard towards Shizumaru and the woman like a cruise missile on its final approach. Beowulf says, "I hope I haven't been stealing her away from you too much." ======= ======= You page, "(oh, costuming note, feel free to have chars react or not -- one of the black armbands is embroidered with Moriya's sigil, the other with Lian's. *wl* )" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Cool." to you. ======= ======= Tylor says, "Well, there hasn't been much call for revelry of late, I'm afraid." Beowulf nods sadly. "Unfortunately. I hope we'll have call for it when... this is all over with." Shizumaru now looks distinctly like he wishes he was still in the Black Tower. [spoofed by Akemi] Kaede says, "You're fortunate, little one. You don't understand what's going on today." ====== ====== You page, "(and I suspect that's it between Kanna and Drake? *wg* )" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Yep." to you. ====== ====== Random replies, "Buba." Moonshade says, "She's lucky." Kaede says, "No. We are unlucky, because we shouldn't be placed in this situation anyway." Kanna nods to her Uncle Drake as they finish talking, and she goes back to waiting by Ruka, still holding the chibi-nanami in her arms. She looks as if she was about to go over to see Shizumaru, but the knot of Shizu/Rimu/Urd/Michelle/Atsuko/etc kinda wards her off. Michelle sighs and erects a zone of silence so that the pale-haired woman and Rimururu can shout at each other without disturbing anyone else. Corrine now begins beelining over there. Kanna sighs, sotto voce to Ruka, "and so the events of forty years past catch up with some of us..." Davros now heads over there as well. ======= ======= You page, "[Kanna] <<*gaby Relay* Need any help, mom, or should I stay out of this? Prolly the latter, but want to check.>>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Gaby Relay: <>" to you. You page, "[Kanna] <<*gotcha* *pause* *facepalm* *sigh*>>" to Akemi. ====== ====== There is a sudden popping noise, and you all see Jacqueline plunging from the sky into the Water shadow for no apparent reason. Kaede stares. "What the hell?" Beowulf winces. "Oh, dear. Excuse me, Uncle." He goes over towards the water shadow to try and get Jacqui out. Tylor watches her in surprise, spilling his wine on himself. Moonshade says, "What the fuck?" She stands up. Kaede jumps to his feet, summons winds around himself, and starts flying. Then he pauses. "You want to come too, Moonshade-sama?" Jacqueline sprouts wings, avoiding a slapshdown, and returns to the proceedings with a nervous smile. Moonshade nods. "Let's go get her." Jacqueline exclaims, "It's okay! It's fine! everyone, don't worry!" Then there's another pop and you see Mutsumi plummeting into the water shadow. Jacqueline says, "..... crap" Jacqueline dives towards Mutsumi Beowulf stops near her. "...right... ack!" He dives in after Mutsumi. Kaede wraps Moonshade in wind as well, and starts to move toward Jacqueline. Then stops again. "She seems...oh." He starts flying toward them anyway. Kanna watches the hue-and-cry as things start going fubar with a 'dear god this is happening at a funeral?!' expression, deciding to stay right where she is for the moment. Baby in arms. Baby in arms will help keep her sane. Davros approaches the two shouting women and interposes himself. The pale-skinned woman stops shouting, and instead leans down and whispers to him. Smoke pours out of his ears and he backs off. Mutsumi falls in the water, but soon surfaces. Jacqui pulls her out as Kaede and Moonshade arrive. Jacqueline says to Mutsumi, "Let me guess, you tried to get past the door." Geo goes over to Tylor. Motoko sort of shoots out of the shadows from talking to Kuonji and beelines towards Kanna. "Baby, now, stop parents killing Thoric." Mutsumi says, "That about sums it up." Kaede hovers over them. "Is the...the flinging about done now?" he asks, frostily. Beowulf stops swimming towards her as he sees Jacqui pick up Mutsumi, and swims back to the edge and climbs out. He looks ruefully at his wet clothing. Kanna looks at Motoko beelining towards her. "Right. She's yours. And she's quite well-behaved, I must add." Baby Nanami chooses to illustrate this by attempting an escape unsuccessfully as she is passed. Motoko takes the baby and heads into the Keep in the direction her parents went with Thoric. Jacqueline looks at Kaede with much regret and humbleness. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen." Damask beams. "Oh, my, what interesting funerary customs you have in this universe." Kozue says, "You should have seen how we fired Father out of a catapult to destroy our enemies." Kanna waves to Motoko as she zooms out for the keep. Kaede stares at Jacqueline. "I'm certain you didn't." Jacqueline carries Mutsumi back to ground, casting clean-up spells quickly. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry...." Mutsumi says, "Oh, it's not your fault Motoko's parents are killing our boyfriend." She pauses. "Is it?" Damask continues, "People falling from the sky, soap-operaish revelations of pregnancy... why, in my universe, we might consider it a farce instead of a funeral. A ha. A ha ha ha. My goodness, your own father? How Oedipal." Jacqueline exclaims, "N-no!" Jacqueline says, "... I think" Motoko hurries into the Keep with the baby in her arms. Kozue says, "It turned out to be a fake corpse. Someone intended it to blow us up at the funeral, so we dumped it on a Chaos fleet and watched it explode." Kaede flies himself and Moonshade back into the courtyard, and settles down on the ground. "It's my brother's funeral," he says, stiffly, "and we're having this happen." Moonshade sighs. "I think it's hard to gather the whole family without these things happening." Kanna lets out a deep breath, sizing up the current state of the crowd. Jacqueline sighs. Kaede says, "Perhaps, but still. This is...ridiculous." Damask brightens. "Oh, exploding corpses. You should simply have, mmm, said so." He launches into an explanation of some sort of plan to clone geriatrics, place them into wheelchairs, and launch them off of ramps at the walls of a besieged city. Kaede says, "Whatever is going on between your sister, Mutsumi-sama, and Thoric-sama--it could wait until later, damn it all." Moonshade says, "I'm sure Jacqui didn't intend to set anything off by bringing the baby." Motoko comes back out of the Keep a few minutes later and goes to Mutsumi and Jacqui. "I think they're just talking to him now," she says softly. "You know my parents. They won't do him any lasting harm--stop kicking, Nanami-chan." Kaede just shakes his head angrily. Jacqueline cringes Tylor now goes over to try to help Corrine calm down Rimururu and the other woman as Davros and Shizumaru both stand nearby with a look like they wish someone would fling them to Chaos. ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "All wet, and for nothing... " to you. You page, "*patpat* Go ask Gaby for a quick dry-off. She's good at that." to The_Prof. You page, "(wuick-drying winds. It works.)" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "John said I should just jump in and dry out. :p Sorry, Phil... if Gaby had been obviously available, would have asked her instead. :)" to you. You page, "'sokay. Things are confusion, it seems. *wg*" to The_Prof. ====== ====== Geo now says, "Well, if everyone is done flinging each other across space and time and having arguments about things which happened decades ago, I believe we are ready to stop making a mockery of this sacred occassion and try to lay Moriya to rest before anyone else sets out to join him." Kanna nods curtly in agrement with Geo's words. Jacqueline sighs and takes Random back in her arms, looking for a seat. Motoko twitches and looks back at the Keep, waiting for her parents to come back out before she goes to take a seat. Kaede turns and walks over toward the seats. Then he stops, looks vaguely embarassed, and finally drops Moonshade's hand. Jacqueline tugs Moonshade's sleeve, indicating she wants her to sit next to her. Kanna goes and takes her seat with Ruka, figuring mom et. al. will get seated once they get the Rimu/Urd thing settled (if such a thing is possible). Moonshade drags Kaede over to sit with her and Jacqui. Kuonji Ukyou takes an aisle seet in the back. Kaede makes a few startled protests, but then follows them. Beowulf moves off into a corner, hops in the bag to dry himself off, then gets out and moves to his place in the proceedings. Motoko stalks into the Keep. Jacqueline looks curiously at Motoko Shizumaru ends up sitting up front with Rimururu on one side of him and Urd on the other, looking like he may die himself at any moment. [spoofed by Akemi] Kaede says, stonily, "With luck, Motoko-sama will recover her parents and Thoric-sama in time for the service to begin." Mutsumi sits with her parents, fretting. Jacqueline sighs and leans her head on Moonshade's shoulder. Kanna glances at her mother with a Questioning Eyebrow as the Shizu/Rimu/Urd group gets settled. Motoko comes back out with her parents and Thoric and the baby, wearing the expression you wear when you're trying very hard not to scream at your parents at a funeral. ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] <>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, ""A lot of stupid unfinished business."" to you. You page, "[Kanna mentally sighs, and nods. <>]" to Akemi. ====== ====== Davros walks over to Geo with Rimururu, and the three of them lurk there until everyone is seated. Motoko takes a seat with her grandparents, her parents and the baby following a moment later. A two hour long religious ceremony follows. We won't go over it in detail, but it is very solemn, and thankfully, it goes off without a hitch. Then those who arranged to speak before the casket goes into the ground are called forward. Mitsune is first. She stumbles up to the podium, and Davros basically holds her up as she delivers a long and rambling eulogy; at several points you can see him whisper something to her as she's about to slide off onto some tangent. ======= ======= You page, "Dunno if Kanna would... if it was a Moriya/Lian double funeral, then she would have, but she -does- hae a painting for Rimu/Shizu, and for Mitsune, that she'd like to give... protocol says that she should wait until after Moriya's in the ground? *wl*" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Give the painting to them privately." to you. You page-pose, "Aerianne nods." to Akemi. You page, "Who's going to have the task of announcing that Lian's dead and a funeral has yet to be scheduled -- Tylor?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Tylor has just been quietly circulating the news." to you. You page-pose, "Aerianne nods, then." to Akemi. ======= ======= Kanna watches and listens, grim-faced and silent. Jacqueline stares at the ground as Mitsune speaks, sad and seemingly ashamed of herself. Kaede sags in his chair as Mitsune speaks. Motoko seems to have slipped back into being sombre and depressed instead of wanting to disintegrate her parents. Beowulf waits and closes his eyes in pain. ===================== ===================== Kuonji Ukyou OOCs, "John's crashed." Beowulf says, "Ow. ;_;" Kanna OOCly whups. Beowulf OOCly puppetbads. :P Akemi has disconnected. Akemi has connected. >> John has connected. ('How weary I am of my overblown, shallow babbling'--Nietzsche) John says, "OOC AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" Kanna OOCly patpats. ==================== ==================== Motoko seems to have slipped back into being sombre and depressed instead of wanting to disintegrate her parents, as she listens to Mitsune speak. Kaede sags in his chair as Mitsune speaks. Kanna watches and listens, grim-faced and silent. Beowulf waits and closes his eyes in pain. Jacqueline stares at the ground as Mitsune speaks, as if afraid to look her in the eyes. Once Mitsune finishes, Geo brings Beowulf up to speak. Kanna gives Beowulf a supportive nod as he heads up. Beowulf walks up to the podium like he's walking to an execution. "I was there... when it all went to the Void. I wanted to save him, and couldn't. I'm going to have to live with that for the rest of my life." Kuonji Ukyou listens with the general expression of a closet liberal listening to dinner conversation at the Limbaughs. Beowulf takes a deep breath, then lets it out. "I wanted to say... I'm going to miss him. For himself, and the people he's leaving behind." Beowulf says, "I have one thing I wanted to ask of everyone..." He sighs. "It may be presumptuous for me to say this, but... remember your loved ones. Care about your family. You never know when someone will be taken away from you... and you'll have to live with your last words to them, forevermore." Shizumaru watches quietly as Rimururu holds his hand. [spoofed by Akemi] Kanna closes her eyes quietly at this, and squeezes Ruka's hand, gently. Kaede seems to curl up into himself at Beowulf's words. Jacqueline glances to Thoric and Mutsumi. Beowulf wipes his eyes. "That's... all I have to say. All I have words for, really, there's a lot more inside that I can't find the words for. Thank you, and take care." He sighs again and stumbles off the podium and back to his seat. Motoko looks over at her parents and her face just spasms, as though she's been stabbed. Then she just closes her eyes and takes her father's hand. Jacqueline gives Moonshade's hand a squeeze. Thoric looks over at Jacqui with a look intended to be comforting, except he looks like he's been ill for a few years. Mutsumi glances back solemnly at Jacqui. ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "And won't that throw a wrench into things? ;_;" to you. The_Prof pages, "But after what went on just beforehand... maybe a pointed reminder was in order." to you. You page, "Eh? Ah... Well, never hurts to remind folks. *nod* At least Kanna's last words with Moriya were good, and with Lian's were decent." to The_Prof. ====== ====== Kaede mutters something in Frostspirean, sounding disgusted with himself. Kanna sighs softly at that, and glances at one of her armbands, then the other, then she manages a slight smile at Ruka, before squeezing his hand again. To the obvious surprise of many, Prince Saionji now comes forward to speak. ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] GabyRelay to Corrine and Gaby: <<*LoveMommy* *LoveGabySis* *LoveDaddy*>>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "You get feelings of love and affection back." to you. You page, "(Yaaaay. ^_^ )" to Akemi. ====== ====== Motoko looks up at that, quite curious. Beowulf looks up at Saionji, stirred out of his gloom a little. Kanna raises her eyebrow at this, but remains silent. Kaede only stares dully at Saionji, as he doesn't know the man anyway. Prince Saionji says, "I will not pretend that I knew Prince Moriya well, as I did not. I have spent more time with his father than with him, and except for one venture into shadow together long ago, not much with him either. We shared few interests except a common talent for swordsmanship. But I mourn his passing nonetheless. If a Prince of Amber must die, best he die as Moriya did, wielding his sword against the enemies of Amber to defend those he cared about. Too many of us have died stupid, pointless deaths. But he fell that others might live." Jacqueline seems struck by that remark. Beowulf nods slowly. Kanna sighs disconently at that statement, and nods, looking back up. Kuonji Ukyou nods approvingly. Motoko nods approvingly as well, looking both somewhat surprised and rather pleased. Kaede sighs softly, and nods. Saionji continues, "He struggled nobly against a trap intended to catch and slay my own generation, laid by perhaps the most deadly foe that Amber has ever placed, a man cunning enough to fool the entire Royal Family and walk among us. Let us not dwell on what might have been. Perhaps someone among us might have been cunning enough to win free of that trap without a single death, but I will not delude myself that I am among them. Let us rejoice that five returned where it so easily could have been none. I must forever mourn that though Moriya came to my aid when I was imprisoned, I will never be able to return the favor. I will forever be in his debt." Beowulf twitches at that statement. Kanna looks sympathetically over at Beowulf. Saionji says, "There is no better way to destroy yourself than to endlessly gnaw at the past, and to go over and over the situations leading up to a death of a loved one, trying to figure out what you should have done, where you should been, what you should have known. But I know that some of you are doing that right now. Please, I beg of you not to torment yourself pointlessly. I have done that, and it does no good. Moriya would not want us to wallow in guilt, but to remember him as he lived, and to dedicate ourselves to what he sought to accomplish." ====== ====== The_Prof pages, "'Rand0m says, "Hm.... just realized.... TAMD could be said to be the 50s generation, UnS the hippie love and flower children of the 60s, and teh 3rdgen..... the 70s? o.o"'" to you. ====== ====== Beowulf twitches again. Motoko swallows heavily, squeezes her father's hand, and lays her head on his shoulder. Ramon pats Motoko's head quietly. Kaede takes a deep, shaky breath, and instinctively reaches over for someone's hand; it turns out to be Moonshade's. Kanna nods slightly at Uncle Saionji's words. Once again, she gently squeezes's Ruka's hand. Saionji concludes with, "This is only the beginning. We face a war, and war brings death on a scale I know some of you cannot imagine, and I wish none of you would ever have to. I hope that all will survive, but we must brace ourselves for the struggle to come. Prince Shizumaru, nephew, I wish you and your family well, and I mourn that you cannot stay by our sides." Moonshade accepts the clasp and squeezes Kaede's hand. Saionji then bows his head, and steps down. Rimururu comes forward and gets Kaede to speak. ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] <>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He replies, "No, it's fine, my love. Just don't crush it." He winks mentally." to you. You page, "[Kanna] <<*blushmore* I won't, dear,as much as I can. *mental hrm* Hrm... new guy.>>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He nods. "No one I know."" to you. ====== ====== Kaede squeezes Moonshade's hand, then lets go and slowly makes his way up to the podium, looking very pale. He stands in front of the crowd, surveying the faces, and then clears his throat. Kaede says, "Most of you, I believe, do not know me. In turn, I do not know most of you." He pauses, gripping the podium tightly. "I am Kaede Galfordson; by blood, I am Moriya's cousin, from his mother's side. But he spent many childhood summers in Frostspire, and I called him Brother." Beowulf winces and buries his face in his hands. Kanna's eyebrows once again go up at this, and she nods slightly. She then glances over at Beowulf's reaction, and inwardly sighs. Motoko leans against her father and listens quietly. Kaede says, "We grew up together, played together, trained together. I could tell many stories...but I can't. Not today." Jacqueline stares at the ground again sadly. Moonshade reaches over and squeezes Jacqui's hand with her other hand. Jacqueline rests her head on Moonshade's shoulder again, returning the squeeze. Kaede continues, in a strained voice, "Yes, we were very close. But the last words we had, several months ago, almost a year, were ones spoken in anger. In fact, we had a full-blown fight." Yuki winces a little, watching Kaede quietly and very sadly. Beowulf seems to shrink into himself. Kaede straightens slightly, looks over the crowd once again, and nods to Beowulf. "Moriya's uncle Beowulf's words struck me to the core. My last words with him...a shouting match. That's what I have to live with, and it isn't going to be easy. I hate it--I hate it that it took this to bring me back to my brother." Beowulf sighs and nods back. Kaede's voice falters slightly. "But...at least...at least, now, I am back. All three of us are finally back together again, if only for a short while." He pauses, blinking. "Oh...I'm sorry. Yuki...our sister, of sorts." He nods to her now. "We three." Yuki smiles a little for a moment. Kaede sighs, and steels himself slightly. "What tore us apart...now seems so insignificant. I'm proud of my brother. I'm proud of what he accomplished. I'm proud of how he died, though I wish he had survived instead. I can only hope to try to follow in his footsteps, in whatever way I can. Some of his roles may be closed to me, but I will carry his spirit nevertheless, in doing what must still be done." Moonshade nods approvingly. Kaede says, "Because that's all I can do now. He bled for his home, his family, his friends. I will bleed for them too." He bows his head for a moment. "Thank you." Kanna nods, quietly. Beowulf bows his head as well, then looks up at Kaede and nods. Motoko sighs gently against Ramon's shoulder. Kaede descends from the podium, and as he passes by the casket, withdraws the woodcarving he had been working on earlier, and places it next to Moriya's body, before walking back to his seat. Davros now comes down and gets Motoko to lead her up. ====== ====== Akemi pages, "Either of you want to speak before the end?" to you and Rod. You page, "Kanna doesn't really have much to say, really, imo, as while she liked Moriya and all, she didn't get a full-bore chance to interact with him during the current crisis, etc... it was all tangental, and all. So prolly not. She'll want to speak privately with Shizu and Mitsune afterwards, tho." to Akemi and Rod. ====== ====== Motoko comes up and stands at the podium, looking out on the gathered with calm grief. When she speaks, her voice is strong and clear. "What I would say has already been said. The advice I would give you all has already been given. Moriya was important to many people; I was only one of them. He was my dear cousin, my good friend, my Sword. I will miss him terribly." She swallows. Motoko says, "I would like only to read a poem Moriya wrote some years ago, in the Lipunese style, and perform a brief ceremony from the Courts of Chaos. These were two things Moriya and I had in common." Motoko takes out a small scroll and unrolls it and reads, quiet but strong enough to carry, "Poet nightingale... / Will I hear your later verses / In the vale of death?" Kaede takes Moonshade's hand again, and listens in silence. Motoko puts the scroll away and says, "I do not know quite the meaning of this." She smiles weakly. "Among those of you familiar with poetry in the Lipunese style, there may be some who find this entirely unsurprising. I do not know if it resonates for me because I imagine it is Moriya speaking, or myself speaking to Moriya. But is right to remember Moriya as a poet as well as as warrior, for he was both. In these times, he too often had only the time to etch his verse with a blade." She sighs. Kanna nods sadly at that. Beowulf sighs and looks up at Motoko with respect, then nods. Motoko takes out a bright red ribbon and ties her hair back at the nape of her neck. "In the Courts of Chaos, there is a common tradition on the death of a close friend or relative." Motoko says, "Because we do not live unto ourselves alone, but also with others. Each death takes a piece of our heart, and the work of mourning is to both let that piece be taken away, and to reclaim it. There is paradox in this, but I have come increasingly to believe that we think of as paradox may sometimes only be a truth we cannot yet grasp." She draws her katana. Ramon and Keiko both tense up. Moonshade twitches. Kanna's mouth flattens in a line, but she remains intent, watching. Kaede blinks, staring at Motoko. Beowulf just stares, not sure what's coming. Jacqueline looks at Motoko curiously, then has a feeling she knows what's coming. She gives Moonshade's hand a reassuring squeeze and a look that tries to convey nothing ill will come of this. Motoko says, "As he goes into the earth, let Moriya take me with him." She pulls her hair back with her left hand and slices most of it off with her katana in one smooth motion. "And, in time, let me return with him." Kanna nods in quiet approval at Motoko's action. Kaede blinks some more, and then lets out a breath, murmuring again in Frostspirean. Beowulf seems to relax a bit, and smiles sadly in appreciation. Ramon and Keiko both relax. Shizumaru nods approvingly. [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko turns and carefully tucks the long, ribbon-bound length of hair beside Moriya's body. "What the earth claims, the earth returns, transformed. The cycle goes on. Earth and air and water and fire and wood." She sheathes her katana and comes quietly down without saying anything more. Drake now comes forward and gives a short speech on duty and heroism, which closes like Saionji's, with a reminder of the struggle to come. A rather shaken and pale Thoric then has to be half-carried up front by Davros. Motoko leans her newly-shorn head against her father again when she sits down. Jacqueline raises an eyebrow as Thoric takes the podium Jacqueline tries to give Thoric a reassuring look. Beowulf blinks and tries to give Thoric a supportive look. ====== ====== Motoko says, "OOC: For those who've yet to see it - http://www.thekeep.org/~harnums/UnS/motokotrump4.jpg" Kanna OOCly nods. ====== ====== Thoric says, "I am perhaps not the best member of the family to talk about bravery and heroism, as I well know. Where Moriya lead at the thick of the fray, I was generally off somewhere else if I could help it, and guarding the rear if I could get away from it, and usually thinking about the best way to try to get out alive if it all went to hell. So I will not speak of Moriya's brave deeds, for I am not particularly qualified to act as if I was any judge of bravery. He was a braver man than I could ever dream of being, and while I hope that I may one day do better, I will not pretend to come close to him in that respect. So I will talk of what I do know, of the arts of peace. For like the best warriors, there was more to Moriya than battle, though this crisis called upon him to fight." Beowulf nods with respect, though he tries to convey that Thoric's really better than he thinks... Kanna gives Thoric an slight, encouraging smile. Jacqueline listens with much attention, hanging on to Thoric's every word. Motoko reaches up and touches the back of her hair, probably without even realizing it, as she listens. Kaede leans forward in his chair slightly, listening. Thoric says, "Thanks to my mother, I learned much of the culture of our allies in the Golden Circle, and thus I appreciated the Lipunese arts for which Moriya was well famed. He was a poet, and a student of his grandmother's homeland's history, and a practicioner of the art of tea ceremony, an art I have found very calming in times of trouble. Just before this present crisis began, he and I, and Motoko and Jacqui attended a Lipunese festival together, and as always, he was very good company. He was also a man who loved the forests of shadow, who walked through the woods and saw its grace and its beauty. I went fishing with him in Arden once for several days, and for a moment, we could forget all our troubles." Motoko smiles just slightly, just for a moment, as Thoric mentions the festival. Beowulf shakes his head, smiling a bit, at the memory of better days. Thoric says, "We need people who can fight. But we need people who can live in times of peace and beautify them by their skills and by knowing how to live in peace. Violence is easy, and peace is hard. But I can say of both Moriya and his father that while they knew how to make war, they did not simply live by the sword. There was more to Moriya than battle. He was a good cousin, and a good friend. And I can give no greater praise than that." He turns and gazes into the coffin. "Goodbye, Moriya. I will not forget you, whatever may come." He bends and whispers something none of you can hear, then wobbles and Davros has to catch him. He pulls himself back up to the podium, then manages to stumble back to his seat with Davros' help. Corrine now comes up and speaks briefly of her memories of Moriya, then reads a long letter from Hiko about the days she spent with Moriya in Arden. And then Lord Loewen comes up. Kanna smiles softly as her mom speaks, and the letter from Cousin Hiko about their times in Arden. Beowulf nods approvingly as Lord Loewen goes to speak. Motoko tenses just slightly as Loewen goes to the podium, then relaxes. Jacqueline watches Lowen curiously. Lord Loewen says, "Moriya has gone to march with the armies of the Serpent in the heavens. He died in battle, as a warrior should, and he will be honored. While he lived, he drove his enemies before them, and left them trampled in his wake. He battled those from Outside, he battled the Great Devourer, and he made war upon the Serpent's Horn, who followed a false god." Beowulf frowns just a bit at the 'trampling' bit, then takes a deep breath and relaxes. Kanna takes in Loewen's words with calm equnamity. Lord Loewen continues, "He was the Sword, and the purpose of Swords is war. And he made war with intelligence and skill. His injuries attested to his bravery, and his victories attest to his skill. Though he has fallen, he died bravely, ensuring his enemy would perish as well. I wish only that I might have been there to test my skill against the foe who bested him, but his death has been avenged as it should be. To Lady Mitsune, I give my respect for her victory over Hemingway, and to his family, I give you the comfort of knowing that your son died bravely and well. Better a hero's funeral than a coward's life. House Catala can be proud of its brave warriors. You will need them in the struggle to come." He concludes, "Prince Moriya of Amber. Lord Moriya of Chaos. We will miss your blade in the battles to come. May we insure your death and your life was not in vain. Farewell, my friend." Thoric seems too dazed to even notice any jabs at himself through all this. Motoko looks impressed by the speech, albeit a little uncomfortable. Jacqueline looks a bit unhappy at the obvious jab at Thoric, but otherwise remains silent. Kanna just quietly listens, keeping any thoughts to herself. Kaede nods at Loewen's words, looking rather approving, himself. Beowulf sighs but holds his peace. The final speech comes from Davros. As he begins to speak, Corrine, Beowulf, and Mitsune get called up by Geo and brought around near the coffin and then lurk as he talks. "I am Davros the Stylite. Many of you do not know me, or have only the vaguest of ideas who I might be. Many of you are barely known to me as well. Indeed, I have only known Moriya for perhaps a little over two months of real time, and only somewhat more of lived time. But sometimes, one can come to know a person better in a few months, than one knows the people one grows up with, when it is an association forged in shared battle and trials and travel and hope and hurt and common goals and interests." Motoko watches Davros intently as he speaks. Beowulf nods slowly at Davros' words. Kanna glances over at her mom and Bey and Mitsune getting called over by Geo, then pays attention to Davros. Davros says, "Forty years ago, I had never seen an Amberite, when three young people stumbled out of the desert and up to my pillar, seeking my help in finding and passing through the Cave of Worlds. You know them as Prince Shizumaru, and Lady Rimururu his wife, and Princess Michelle. I would never have thought on that day that one day I might be standing before the assembled family of Amber, speaking the final words over his son, on the day of his burial." He continues, "I escorted them across the desert, and into the courts, and into the Cave of Worlds. I remember those days as if they were yesterday, for they were the most dangerous and exhilarating thing I had ever done. And then I returned to my pillar, and for forty years, I prayed and strengthened myself, though I knew not what I waited for. And Shizumaru returned to Amber and married Rimururu and had their son Moriya, and he grew to adulthood as I sat alone and did battle with my soul." Beowulf nods in deep respect as Davros recalls those earlier days. "For some of you, forty years is longer than you have been alive. For others of you, forty years is but a wink of the eye, for I know some among the House of Amber have lived hundreds of years. For me, it was many long years. And then Moriya came out of the desert, a man grown to full growth, with Princess Motoko by his side, and pulled me out of my long slumber and into the fray of life again. I cannot speak of his youth, for I did not see it. I know him only as he was in the full flower of adulthood, a young man who had the courage to cross the universe in search of the truth. And so began our journeys together." ====== ====== Jacqueline says, "OOCLY idling to drive on homme. proceed, i'm sure there's lots of speeches and moments that don't need me :)" ====== ====== "Together, we have faced horrors of which I could not have imagined three years ago, and he never flinched before them. His courage was unbreakable, his skills awe-inspiring. I cannot pretend the three of us always got along. There were foolish arguments, and words spoken at times in haste I wish I could withdraw. But he became like a brother to me. I wish only that I could have known him also in quieter times, that we had not had to walk such a harsh road. But together, the three of us were forged in the fires of adversity. There was no one who could have taken his place, and no better companion I could have asked for." Motoko listens, calm expression looking increasingly strained as Davros continues. Davros begins to cry softly as he speaks. "When we parted for a time, we did not imagine our reunion would be like this. Part of me wishes I could have been there, that I could have died in his place. I cannot so easily forget the could have beens and should have beens, though Prince Saionji was wise to advise us not to drink too deeply of the bitter dregs of our regrets. But he has gone to his reward, to nestle safely in the coils of the Serpent, and to walk the Forests of the Unicorn. But I wish he could have stayed with us. I would cut off my own left arm and hurl it flaming into the Abyss if by doing so I could bring him back." He shakes. "But I cannot." Kanna closes her eyes at Davros's words, and squeezes Ruka's hands again. Beowulf winces and a tear runs down his face at this, all too clearly reflecting his own thoughts. Kaede starts to shiver slightly. Motoko closes her eyes and shudders. Davros says, "Oh, great Serpent, comfort and guide us, your children. Hold us in your coils until our tears subside. Oh great Unicorn, watch over and protect us while we grieve. Bring us the springtime of hope that we may live again when this winter of the soul passes." He then turns and moves to one of the corners of the coffin. High Priest Geo comes forward and says a blessing as Rimururu closes the coffin, and then Davros, Corrine, Mitsune, and Beowulf lower the coffin into the grave. Kanna brushes a tear from the corner of her eye. Motoko lets out a heavy sigh and just sags against Ramon like he's the only thing keeping her up. Then the ground moves and seals itself over the coffin, and the headstone sets itself in place at one end. Rimururu takes a seedling and plants it next to the grave, and then Geo says, "Peace of the Unicorn upon you all. This ceremony is now finished. Go in peace." Ramon puts an arm around Motoko and hugs her tightly. Kaede whispers, "I feel so damn cold. And empty." Beowulf bows his head in respect at the graveside for a moment more, then turns and walks away blindly. Motoko hugs her father back and says something to him, very softly. Kanna sniffles quietly, and works one arm around Ruka's side, to hug him, gently, murmuring something in his ear. ====== ====== You page, "[Kanna] *q* dammit, -now- it's hitting... and its not over... pyricorn and serpent help me when I have to speak at Lian's..." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He hugs you tightly and whispers back, "I know, my love. Too much death for any one soul to bear."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods, and gently kisses Ruka. She then looks pensively over at Shizumaru, Rimururu, and Mitsune. *q* "I'll need to talk with them breifly, for a bit.. when it clears up a little."]" to Akemi. ======= ======= Kaede lets go of Moonshade's hand and once again starts rubbing his arms, trying to stave off a coldness that goes deeper than the skin. Motoko lets her father go and stands up. She hugs her mother, then kisses the baby on the forehead, and goes to Davros's side. Davros stands with Mitsune by the grave, staring at the headstone. He looks up at Motoko as she comes over and extends an arm to her. Kaede looks up, then seems to curl up more. "Go," he says to Moonshade. "Go to the Bride; you are the new Sword. Join her and the Soul." Corrine now comes over to sit down by Kanna and hugs her. "How are you, honey?" she asks softly. Moonshade says, "You've got that look of someone who's gonna do something crazy if they're left alone, Kaede." Motoko puts an arm round Davros and another one round Mitsune. Kanna smiles faintly. *q* "Feeling like I should've said something... but everybody else kinda covered it. Hanging in there, mostly." She gives her mother a hug. "'least the last time I saw him, it was a good time." Miki now comes over to Beowulf. "How are you doing?" he asks softly. Kaede clutches his head. "Do I? I suppose I might. But...." He coughs. "I don't know." Miki continues, "I haven't seen you in a while." Beowulf shakes his head. "Not so well, Uncle." He shudders. "Helping Kanna out helped me for a while, but this brings it all back." Mitsune leans over on Motoko. Motoko squeezes Mitsune with one-arm and asks, softly, "Can you give me a hair cut later? It's all... well, ragged now." Beowulf looks up at Miki. "How have things been going for you? I was hoping to hear from you after Aeris contacted you, but I guess..." He trails off. Kaede struggles to pull himself together and uncurl, and finally manages to stagger to his feet, swaying slightly. Miki says, "I've been very, very busy, scrambling about trying to deal with everything. And now I have to...to deal with the Lian business as well." Beowulf winces in pain and bows his head. "I'm sorry about that, Uncle. I shouldn't have called you." Kaede says, thickly, "Can you...can you help me find Yuki, Moonshade? Please?" Moonshade nods. "Of course." She helps you go over to the cluster of people around Shizumaru. Yuki is there. As soon as she sees Kaede, she quickly comes over to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Kaede, is there anything I can do to help?" she asks softly. Kaede only hugs Yuki tightly in response, saying nothing at all. Mitsune's arm comes up and brushes along the edge of Motoko's hair, smoothing out the edges, until it looks like a very well planned and executed short cut. "There you go," she says softly. Miki says to Beowulf, "Oh, it's my job. Don't worry yourself. I would have been called in, since I've been handling diplomacy in Chaos." Yuki holds Kaede tightly. Motoko laughs softly. "Thank you." She kisses Mitsune on the cheek and asks, quietly, "Should we pour a little sake on the headstone? It's a Lipunese tradition..." Corrine holds her daughter gently. "Yes. All my memories of Moriya are good ones." Beowulf nods slowly, then straightens up and takes a deep breath. "...thank you. And I thank you for recalling me to my duty." He sighs. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Corrine asks Kanna, "Will you be coming back to Ember with us afteer this?" Kanna quirks a slight smile. "Same here, mom. If there's any bad ones, I don't remember them, and now's not the time, anyway..." She then sighs, and purses her lips. "To get changed, but then I'll probably have to check Mechanus and Vector. After that... it's a tossup. Tharkhold research, White Knight retreival preps..." She shrugs, helplessly. Miki says, "If you'd like to be part of the negotiations, I can arrange that, but I assume you will probably be wanting some distance from it." Mitsune pulls out a large bottle of sake and opens it. "A good idea." She turns to the headstone. "Drink up Moriya. I promise it's not Sipping logrus this time." She empties part of the bottle onto the headstone, then passes it to Motoko." Beowulf nods slowly. "No... you're right. I'm planning on going after the Tharkold construct with Kanna at the moment, anyway; I was thinking more of anything I could do for you before we go." He swallows tightly. "And if there was anything I could do for you now, before talking to Motoko and others. I seem to have... hurt people, with my speech." He sighs. Kaede finally manages to whisper, in a choked voice, "We've lost our brother, Yuki. I still can't believe it." Corrine nods to Kanna. "Alright. A little time together is better than none at all." Motoko empties another part. "The Sipping Logrus," she says softly, passing the bottle to Davros. "I will never forget waking up and thinking I'd missed the entire Serpent's Horn operation when I saw Moriya like that." Yuki says, "I know. I thought he would outlive us, not that we could ever outlive him." She sighs. "So much for immortality." Kanna *nods* to her mother. "-yes-," she says in a quiet whisper, and hugs her mother tight before kissing her cheek. Davros takes the bottle and pours out what remains. "Moriya was a very good actor," he says softly. "He fooled me that day." Kaede lets go of Yuki, and steps back. "And now, we have to continue in his place. That's what I said. But it's going to be so hard." Yuki nods. "We can do it. We must." Motoko sighs. "Just the three of us now," she says quietly. "And Isillome, of course, but..." She sighs. "You both know what I mean." Jacqueline goes looking for Thoric to find out what the hell happened... Miki says to Beowulf, "It is a funeral. You have to expect people to cry, not to smile. Do not be too hard on yourself, Beowulf." Touga now comes up to Kanna and Corrine. "Hello, there," he says softly. Mitsune nods. "Yes. I know what you mean." Kanna looks up at Uncle Touga. She swallows, lets go of her mother, slowly stands, and then hugs Touga, wordlessly (and non-crushlingly). Kaede starts to shake again, but manages to stop himself. "We have to. We owe it to him." You find Thoric, who is sitting with his mother, who seems to be trying to find out for herself what exactly happened to him. Motoko says, "Let's go see her." She turns and heads for Moonshade. Beowulf nods. "I suppose so. Still... what I said about last words, I believe. If mine have caused pain, I'd like to remedy that." He sighs. "Shall I see you later, Uncle?" Moonshade is lurking near Kaede as Kaede hugs Yuki and talks to her. Miki nods. "I hope so, nephew. Peace of the Unicorn upon you." Kaede sighs, and turns to Moonshade. "Thank you, Moonshade-sama. You've been very supportive, though we've only just met." ============ ============ Akemi pages, "He whispers to you, "I heard about Lian. You have my condolences, niece. I know you two were close."" to you. You page, "[Kanna] *whispered back* Thank you, Uncle Touga... I know she was fond of you, too... though perhaps not quite the same level of 'fond' as we seemed to have started. *her throat manages a hoarse, somewhat pained, teary chuckle.* And I know Moriya was well-regarded, both ways between you two." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Touga says, "Moriya was a good man like his father. We will all miss him."" to you. Akemi pages, "He says, "And I owe a special debt to Lian, that I can never repay now." He sighs. "For once, I understand how Saionji feels."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods, and then mmms. "To her, perhaps not... but... talk with me later, in private, not here." She shakes her head, and sighs. "My plans are somewhat jumbled at the moment, but... are you going to be around to get in touch with? 'cause as much as I would like to just hide out on Jade for a few decades... there are still things needing to be done, and I could use your help."]" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "He says, "I may be able to help you. What are you planning to do?"" to you. You page, "[Kanna] Three major tasks... one, setlling Lian's affairs, though that's lesser, in a sense... as one, we have managed to make contact with Captain Demetrius, the Abyss Pirate who helped mother 40 years ago during her journeys, and have hired him to help retrieve the white knight from the Abyss. And two -- Beowulf and I have begun tentative plans for investigating and taking out the remaining Outsider Construct, the one that supported Warlord Kranod of Tharkold. *She then pauses* On ... second thought, helping with Demetrius would probably not be wise... again, I'll explain later, not here. *sheepish look*" to Akemi. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (No, showing up with a body double of Tomas of Chaos would Not Be Wise....)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Touga nods. "Well, I am not too busy, so if you need my help with anything, I would be glad to assist you."" to you. You page, "[Kanna nods. "Thanks, Uncle Touga... I'll trump you when I've got something more settled... might head to mechanus later today." She hugs him tight again. "Take care, uncle... love you."]" to Akemi. You page, "(Kanna will be heading to Rimu/Shizu next, fyi.)" to Akemi. ============ ============ Motoko comes up and puts her hand on Moonshade's shoulder, quietly. "It was a good speech you made, Kaede-san." Beowulf nods. "All the Powers of Good bless you and your mission." Moonshade says, "It's no problem, Kaede. You're a good guy." Beowulf bows in farewell and goes over to Motoko and Kaede. Kaede smiles weakly at Moonshade, then nods to Motoko. "And yours. And...you did him a great honor, Motoko-sama." Thoric looks up at Jacqui. "Hi, Jacqui," he says softly, reaching up to take your hand. Jacqueline takes Thoric's hand. She asks, "Just what did they say to you?" Motoko brushes the back of her hair with one hand. "You're telling me. It took me eighty years to grow it that long. Amberite hair does not grow swiftly." Kaede blinks at this, and decides to take Motoko's words in a good way, smiling shakily. "Ah. Yes, I see." Beowulf comes up to Motoko and the others, and waits quietly for a moment when he won't be intruding too much. Motoko glances at Beowulf. "Hello, Uncle." Thoric says, "Well, Keiko was going to castrate me, I think, but then she settled for electrocuting me a lot. Do I have a bruise on the back of my head?" Jacqueline frets and looks. "No.... I don't see any... I think.... I'm going to go have a talk with them. They shouldn't have." Kaede nods to Beowulf silently. Thoric says, "I suppose your father probably would have given me the ceremonial 'you got my daughter pregnant' beating if he was still alive. He probably wouldn't have brought...help." Beowulf bows to Motoko. "Hello, Niece," he says softly. "And... Kaede. I'm afraid I'm not quite sure how I should greet you, but please take my wish to honor you sincerely." Kaede nods once more. "'Kaede' would be fine, Beowulf-sama. Thank you." Beowulf bows to Kaede as well. "I saw that my words caused both of you pain. I wanted to apologize for that." Kaede says, "Hardly. I brought it on myself; your words were only a reminder of something I knew anyway. Would have to face once I came up to the podium to speak." Motoko looks at Beowulf rather stonily. "Not everything in the world that causes people pain is your fault, Uncle. Please stop behaving as though it is. No apology is necessary." Thoric continues, "We probably should have thought about how to bring this...up...before we came here, though." Jacqueline sighs and gives Thoric the one-armed hug thing, since Random is still in the other. "I'm sorry you got put through that. This is my fault. I.... I'm gonna go talk to them, to make sure this doesn't happen again." Thoric says, "I need to thank Motoko for getting me out of there before we leave." He sighs. "What a mess." Jacqueline says softly, "If you want me to tell them the truth.... I will." Near Kaede and Motoko and Beowulf, you can briefly see Urd kiss Shizumaru on the forehead, then rises into the sky and vanishes through a circle of fire. Beowulf looks as if he'd been struck. "I see. Very well, then... I... shall not bother you further." He turns to Kaede. "Thank you for not taking it personally, Kaede. I wish we could have met under better circumstances. Take care, both of you." He turns and walks off. Motoko mutters something under her breath as Beowulf goes, looking rather annoyed. Moonshade says, "Geez, you shouldn't bite his head off for apologizing." Kaede just watches Beowulf leave, rather bemusedly. Thoric stares at the chairs, then at Jacqui, then at his mother, then says, "Some things are best kept a secret the fewer who know them, Jacqui. But I leave it to your judgement. I think I've already had my beating, so..." ========= ========= [OOC Banter....] You page, "[Kanna plots to summon the spirit of Lian to kick Bey in the butt for being Weight Of The World On My Shoulders again."]" to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf sticks his tongue out at Kanna.]" to you and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian just rolls her eyes. "Behave, Bey, and cheer up a bit."]" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf smiles ruefully. "I'm trying, I'm trying... Motoko... hurt me, but she also got me knocked out of my repeat loop. Hopefully I'll be better." to you and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian ghostly-nods. "You better be. Unless you do something as stupid as I did, you're going to live for quite a long time. If you go on believing that everything's your fault every time someone dies, you'll have a pretty miserable millenium ahead of you."]" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf shakes his head, smiling a bit. "I know, I know. I... suppose it's just that I hate seeing people feeling bad, and want to try to do something to help. Which leads to... well."]" to you and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian snorts. "Which leads to -you- feeling bad." She shakes her head, but smiles. "Bey, Bey, Bey ... what should we do with you."]" to you and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna hehs. "You mean well, but some people don't take well to getting constant reminders to smoothing things over. But it sometimes helps." She winks. "There's always spankings...."]" to Chris and The_Prof. Chris pages, "[Lian blushes a deep scarlet. "Kanna ... how ... kinky."]" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf gives them a puppy-dog look. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" He coughs. "At least you could get Lily to do it instead..." He blushes.]" to you and Chris. You page, "[Kanna -flushes-. "LiiiiiAAAANNN!! I did NOT mean it that way!!"]" to Chris and The_Prof. Chris pages, "[Lian tries to look innocent, but the efforts are spoiled by barely held-back fits of giggling at Kanna's expression.]" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf grins a bit at that, and dumps an ice cube down Kanna's back as she obviously needs to cool down. ^_^]" to you and Chris. You page, "[Kanna] *mumbled* even from beyond the -grave- she manages to get me fluster---rrriiieiieeeeeeee!!! *Kanna jumps!*" to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Man, it's almost too bad the others can't see this. ^_-;;" to you and Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian now giggles openly. "This isn't quite in the 1001 Uses For Icecubes chapter of aunt Juri's book, but it'll help for now."]" to you and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] mrrrrblllleeeeee... *tries not to think of 'Icecubes, Uses For'*" to Chris and The_Prof. Chris pages, "[Lian] She's so cute when she does that, don't you think so, Bey?" to you and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf] "Oh, I don't have your particular bias in this regard, but I think she passes muster." He grins." to you and Chris. ========== ========== Beowulf finds a quiet spot where he can try to find his emotional balance, admitting to himself that Motoko's probably right. Jacqueline kisses Thoric on the cheek. "I'll make it up to you somehow, I promise." Rimururu now quietly comes up to Beowulf. "Thank you for helping to arrange everything, Beowulf. And for making sure my son's body was recovered." Motoko winces at Moonshade, then hardens her expression. "He needs to learn that not every burden is his and his alone to bear. It has always been cloying to me, but..." She sighs. "I will apologize to him later, when I am in a better mood." Thoric says, "I'm sure we'll think of something." He smiles weakly. Kaede shakes his head. "I think his guilt at surviving the trap when my brother did not is eating away at him such that he just doesn't know how to...." He sighs. "Never mind." Mitsune says softly, "I know that feeling." Beowulf smiles weakly at Rimururu. "Thank you, Rimururu. I'm glad I was able to do that." He shakes his head a bit. "I'm still feeling guilty about not being able to do more, but I think Motoko hit me with an unpleasant truth, and... I'll try to remember that." Kaede nods slightly. "I am sorry, Mitsune-sama." Jacqueline gives his hand another squeeze. "I'll be right back." She goes in search of Ramon and Keiko.... Motoko says, quietly, "It can be no worse than the burden of not having even been there. Excuse me... I think I need something to drink." She goes off to satisfy that need. There is a table with plenty of different drinks laid out. ====== ====== DM needs to pause briefly. BRB The DM returns ====== ====== Motoko pours herself a glass of wine and looks around for Saionji. Mitsune says, "I want ot get drunk off my ass and pass out in a gutter somewhere, but I know I should not." Jacqui finds Ramon and Keiko with Nanami, talking quietly. Ramon looks up at Jacqui, looking somewhat embarrassed and nervous. So does Keiko. Nanami says to Jacqui, "Hello, Jacqueline." Jacqueline stalls a moment, not expecting to run into Nanami too. "Er.... Uncle Ramon, Aunt Keiko.... could I have a word with you in private?" Beowulf looks up at Rimururu, his smile a bit stronger. "How are you holding up? Anything I can help clean up, or are things pretty much under control?" Kaede turns to Yuki. "Sister, would you gather your family and mine? For the song. I'll speak with Uncle Shizumaru and Aunt Rimururu." Rimururu says, "I think Kafuin will be able to handle the cleaning up. Now we just need to all..." She frets a bit. "Just be family." Yuki nods. "I will." She starts roaming about gathering everyone up. Ramon says, "Alright." He rises with Keiko and heads into the keep with Jacqui. Motoko sips her wine and continues the search for Saionji. Kaede walks over to Rimururu now. "Excuse me, Beowulf-sama.... Aunt Rimururu? let's do the song of mourning now. Before Uncle Shizumaru is dra...taken back." Beowulf nods. "Yes. Family." He smiles. "For the longest time while I was growing up, Mother was the only family I had. Then..." Beowulf nods and bows again to Kaede. "Of course. Take care, Rimururu." After much wandering, Motoko finds Saionji, who is seated with Drake, telling him about how his naval campaigning has been going. Saionji looks up at Motoko. "Hello, niece." He pauses, fumbling for words. "I know Moriya was very close to you." Kanna lets go of Uncle Touga, smiles slightly, and brushes a tear from her eyes again. She takes a deep breath, and then watches as Yuki and Kaede start running around to gather people, and purses her lips. *q* "A moment?" She asks her mother and Ruka and Uncle Touga. Rimururu bows to Beowulf. "My apologies, Beowulf." She then goes with Kaede. Corrine says to Kanna, "Of course." Motoko says, softly, "Hello, Uncle. Yes, he was. Thank you. Your speech... it held much meaning for me. The things you spoke of... it was a very good speech." She shuffles awkwardly. "I apologize, Uncles; I had not meant to interrupt." Saionji says, "We rarely enough speak niece. Drake and I can talk business later. I am glad that my speech was of some comfort to you." Lily now comes up to Beowulf and leans on him from behind. "Hi, honey," she says softly. "You don't look very good." Motoko sits down with her uncles, balancing her wine glass on one knee. "Everyone who came before me said such things that all I'd intended to say just would have seemed like repetition. But then, I suppose one always says the same sort of things at funerals." Drake nods. "Yes. I have seen many funerals, and in many ways, they're usually fairly similiar. Different men are praised in different ways, but there are not so many different kinds of men." Beowulf smiles and takes her hands, pulling her arms around him in a hug, before turning her in his arms and kissing her. "Hi, dear," he says quietly, smiling a bit. "I'm feeling a little better, now... and much better now that you're here." Kanna drifts over towards the Shizu/Rimu grouping, though hesitates as she recognizes it's a Close Family Thing. Kaede and Yuki gather together a number of people, mostly people from Frostspire, it would seem, and they disappear into the Keep for a bit. Motoko smiles slightly. "Nor so many different kinds of women, I imagine." ===== ===== You page, "Is the grave currently unattended for the moment?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Yes" to you. You page, "*nod* I'll go there, then, before going to see Shizu/Rimu." to Akemi. ===== ===== Motoko says, "We praise the peaceful for their skills at peace, the warlike for the skills at war... no, I imagine it all becomes very similar in time." She sighs. Motoko's mouth quirks slightly, and she sips her wine. "But then, what else are we to? The dead demand their due." Beowulf pulls her closer, and leans his head on her shoulder, hers on his. "You're my rock of support, you know that?" he whispers softly. "No matter how stressed or down or depressed I'm feeling, you always seem to help me out of it." Kanna notices Moriya's grave is currently unattended. She purses her lips, and then drifts that direction, not standing on the plot itself, out of respect. She looks down at it with a mixed expression, then kneels there, and murmurs something quietly. Drake says, "I have been the cause of many funerals. I always remember that whenever the time comes to bury one of our own. The dead indeed demand their due. That they might not have died in vain." Lily smiles. "Thank you, honey. I don't know what I'd do without you either." Nanami cocks her head, taking a trump call. Motoko says, "All that can be asked in the end, I suppose. That our lives have meaning, and our deaths." Beowulf blinks. "Survive? I hope?" He hugs her again. "...if anything does happen to me, I hope... you'll be able to move on. Build a new life for yourself. I want to see you happy, no matter what." Saionji nods. "Exactly. Even we, the immortals, perish some day. Best to ensure that our death is worth the dying." ============== ============== Akemi pages, "Dm hangs out, awaiting your next pose, since the grave cannot respond to you :)" to you. You page, "[Kanna murmurs, in eleventounge (so that most there won't recog what she's saying, unless they have really good hearing AND understand Elvish): "Moriya. Mighty Warrior. Thoughtful Poet. Sword of Amber, Sword of Chaos. I wish that I had gotten to know you better that I did, good nephew, though what I knew of you over the years was worthy of the Heir to Wood. I wish that you had been able to acheive all that you had set out to do. I... i regret that I could not tell you everything that I had done as well -- but mother is proud of you... cousin shizumaru is proud of you... and I'm proud of you as well. May your spirit be sheltered by the serpent and the pyricorn, and may you find what you sought among the branches of the Worldtree."]" to Akemi. You page, "(yeah, I know, but Kanna had to say this.)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "I was waiting for what you just said :)" to you. ============== ============== Motoko raises her glass in something of a solo toast. "Though, of course, it is always better to live." She downs the last of her wine. "I'll leave you to your business, Uncles. Thank you for the time." Lily says, "Oh, I'll go on if I must, but I prefer not to have to." You page, "*nod* *wl*" to Akemi. Drake says, "You're welcome, Motoko." Saionji nods. "A pleasure talking to you, niece." ===== ===== Motoko says, "When we had my granddad's memorial service, I hadn't slept in like 52 hours." Motoko says, "OOC: Mispuppets, obviously. :)" ===== ===== Beowulf smiles and ruffles her hair. "I'd prefer not to have to either. So shall we both try to keep from getting killed?" He smiles a bit, then the smile fades. "Have you talked to Mitsune yet? How's she doing?" Kanna brushes some tears from her eyes, and rubs them into the grass of Moriya's grave. She then considers, shifts Beryllina to dagger form, and carefully cuts away one of her black arm-bands. She sheaths her blade, stands up, and carefully rests the one arm-band atop the gravestone, before murmuring quietly again. Lily says, "We had a talk and get drunk together session last night. I'm thinking about asking her to have another sleepover with me tonight, as I don't think she's going to want to be alone. And try to get Mother to be with us as well." ======== ======== You page, "[Kanna] *elventounge* *q* May the Strength of Wood run strong in your family, and friends, and those you loved, Hisame Moriya. You will be missed, always." to Akemi. ======== ======== Kanna takes a deep breath, lets out a long sigh, and then goes and looks around for Rimururu and Shizumaru. Motoko leaves her uncles and goes in search of Shinobu Minor and Keitaro. Beowulf nods. "Of course." He smiles a bit. "I'll try and make myself scarce, unless you want the support?" After a short while, Kaede and the others--including Rimururu and Shizumaru--come back out from the Keep. Kanna watches the returnees, quietly. This seems like a good chance to approach them, Kanna. Lily says, "Come and talk to her with me for a bit. We'll be taking off together after this is over, not immediately." Kaede speaks a few more quiet words with Rimururu and Shizumaru, hugs both briefly, then moves off. Kanna steadies herself, and quietly approaches Shizumaru and Rimururu after Kaede moves off. ===== ===== You page, "(oh, if Kaede notices the armband on the gravestone, it's got a finely embroidered Moriya-sigil on it (in black thread, not noticed unless the light contacts it correctly.) )" to Shizumaru. In a page-pose to you, Shizumaru nods. ===== ===== Beowulf nods to Lily. "Yes. I... well, Motoko just chewed me out for feeling like it's my fault when someone feels bad, but I still want to do what I can to help." Motoko finds Shinobu Minor and Keitaro with Gabrielle and Nagisa. They all look up as Motoko approaches. They all greet her, and Nagisa asks, "How are you doing, Motoko?" Beowulf says, "She was right to do so, but, well... anyway." He goes with Lily in search of Mitsune. Kaede walks stiffly over to the gravestone, and kneels by it, staring silently. Lily says, "It's a funeral. We all feel bad." She shakes her head and goes with you to find Mitsune, who has just finished talking to Miki and Madoka. Mitsune turns to Beowulf. "Heya, Beowulf," she says in a subdued manner. Kanna bows to the two of them. "Cousin Shizumaru. Rimururu. I wish I had something better to say... but pretty much all of it got said earlier." She sighs, and brushes a lingering tear from her eye. "But... there's something I'd like the two of you to have, before our ways part temporarily again." She purses her lips, quietly. Beowulf says, "Heyo, Mitsune," he says softly. Motoko says, "Ahh... well. I endure." She smiles weakly at Shinobu and Keitaro. "Hello, Shinobu-chan, Keitaro-san. How are you two?" Shinobu says, "I feel much better now. Physically. Though I'm surprised I'm even alive." Keitaro says, "So do I." He pauses. "The short hair looks good on you, Motoko." He pauses again. "though I'm sure that wasn't the idea." Beowulf says, "I know it's stupid to ask if you're all right at times like this... so, well, I'll just say I hope you feel better soon." A tear trickles down his cheek. "And if there's anything we can do to help... well, we're here." Mitsune steps forward and closely embraces Beowulf. Shizumaru says, "Yes, I think it's all been said. But it helps to say it." he pauses. "You'd best give it to Rimururu, as I can't take much with me." [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko says, "Well... I am very glad that both of you are well." She blushes just slightly. "Thank you, Keitaro-san. It was not the intention, no, but... if it looks good, that is not wrong." ===== ===== You page, "[Kanna] <>" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "She bamfs you the first painting." to you. ===== ===== Beowulf blinks and holds her, stroking her hair gently. "Hey, it's all right, we're here..." He draws Lily into the embrace. Motoko smiles weakly. "I won't have to worry about it flying in my eyes when I'm doing anything quickly any more, at least." Kanna nods, a sad smile on her face. "I figured that, at least.. but I wanted you to see it before you had to go back to Chaos." She holds out her hands, and a covered painting appears in a trump shimmer, about 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet. Mitsune holds Beowulf tightly for a while, and begins crying on his shoulder, trying to speak but just coming out with incoherent noises. Kaede touches the headstone hesitantly, as if testing to see if it's really there. He sighs heavily, leaning on it for a few moments, then finally stands up and begins wandering aimless, like he's done so much already today. Shizumaru takes the painting and removes the cover so he can see what it is. [spoofed by Akemi] Beowulf just holds Mitsune tightly, letting her cry as much as she needs, still stroking her hair and murmuring what he hopes are comforting words. Jacqueline returns from the keep, half-sleeping baby in arms, followed by a subdued Ramon and Keiko. Jacqueline looks around, then quietly kneels before Moriya's grave. Keitaro says, "I understand you recently wiped out another of the Heralds, Motoko. Congratulations." The painting depicts Moriya, sitting at the base of one of the trees in the Keep's courtyard, a thoughtful expression on his face as a scroll with Lipunese Haiku rests on his knees. Ilvig rests, partially sheathed, at his feet -- and in the branches of another tree rests a bengal tiger, basking in the sunlight. The painting is up to Kanna's usual levels of quality. She looks at the two of them, hesitatingly, for approval. Nagisa says to Motoko, "You're going to be helping Lucien and Drake with Rebma soon, right?" Shizumaru smiles. "It's beautiful, Kanna. Thank you." Rimururu nods. "Yes, it's very lovely." [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko says, quietly, "Yes. It must have been just about the time that you were all in that deathtrap with Moriya." She flinches. "Pardon me. I..." She nods to Nagisa, looking rather uncomfortable. "Yes... yes, I should be. Do you plan to assist, Uncle?" Nagisa nods. "I will be working on part of the operation, assisting with my lighthouse." Motoko sighs. "It's going to be a big operation. I pray it all goes well." Mitsune cries for a long time, then pulls herself together and just leans against Beowulf. "You make a good squeeze toy," she mumbles. Kanna blushes, and lets out a relieved sigh. "I'm glad the two of you approve." She smiles, earnestly, and then gives both Shizumaru and Rimururu quick, but earnest hugs. "Take care, you two. I'll see you around, eventually, Cous." Beowulf looks utterly boggled, then snerks for a moment. "Um. Thanks, I think." Jacqueline says a few words quietly to Moriya's grave, touches the tombstone a moment, then just..... stands there and watches everyone else, in the ebb and flow of the moment. Beowulf says, "...thanks, for making me smile again." He squeezes her a bit harder, then relaxes again and just holds her. Shizumaru says, "I hope so. Take care of yourself, Kanna." [spoofed by Akemi] Jacqueline spots Thoric having a staredown with someone you really don't wanna have a staredown with and quickly goes over to his side. "Um, honey, don't you have something you wanted to give to Moriya's family?" Rimururu takes the painting. "Now I have to figure out where to put this..." Thoric tries to pull himself away from he and Loewen staring balefully at each other. Kanna quirks a smile. "I'm sure you'll figure out a good place." She wavess slightly, and starts the drift-around-the-place thing, looking for Mitsune now. Jacqueline says nervously, "Please don't be trying to stare down the chaosian death machine, sweetheart." Nagisa nods. "I believe it will. Drake is a very great general, and this is exactly the sort of thing he does best in all the world. If he cannot win this battle, it cannot be won." Kanna finds Mitsune with Beowulf and Lily. Mitsune says to her, "Hey there, Kanna." Motoko sighs. "It will be good to have some work to do." She rather hesitantly hugs Shinobu Minor. "Take care, all of you." Shinobu Minor hugs Motoko very firmly. "We will. You too, Motoko." Beowulf smiles at Kanna. "Hey, sis. I caught your presentation out of the corner of my eye... congratulations." Thoric takes Jacqui's hand. Kanna bows to the three. "Hey there, Mitsune." She crouches down a bit, and gives a hug to all three, which is doable for her, given her size. "Heh... thanks, Bey... but I'm not done yet." She stands. "If it's all right, I'd like to give you something as well, Mitsune." ===== ===== You page, "(yes, Kanna has a painting for Mitsune -- he would've seen it while on Jade.)" to The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "Heh. :)" to you. You page, "(and now, ask Sis for the other painting...)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "You get it." to you. ===== ===== Motoko goes wandering off by herself again, looking for people she ought to speak to... she spots Michelle and Atsuko and their freakish new harem boy, and decides to steer clear for the moment. Eventually, she ends up near where Loewen and Thoric are having their stand-off; frowing slightly for a moment, she heads towards them. Ramon and Keiko now quietly approach Kaede. Kaede does not notice them initially, as he is now cupping his hands in the air, making dust swirl around in tight patterns between them. Mitsune smiles weakly at Kanna. "Thank you. I never say no to presents." Ramon taps Kaede on the shoulder. "got a minute?" he asks. Kanna hehs softly at that, and holds out her hands, and another painting, covered, appears in a trump shimmer, which she then hands to Mitsune. Thoric is holding Jacqui's hand as he and Loewen continue to glare at each other nad the air crackles between them. Kaede jumps slightly; there's a flash of lightning between his hands. "Hm? Sorry, you startled me...ah. Ramon-sama. Keiko-sama." He bows to them. Motoko comes up and takes Loewen's arm. "Loewen, walk with me a little while?" Loewen blinks, and turns to Motoko and says, "Of course, Bride of the Dragon." Kaede says, "What may I do for you?" His manner is polite, but rather cool. Thoric glances over at Motoko, then rises with Jacqui. "Alright, honey, let's go take it to them." Motoko steers Loewen away, her arm in his. "I am glad you could attend," she says softly. Ramon says to Kaede, "I'm afraid our little fight with Thoric was responsible for some disruption before the funeral. I'm sorry to have been of trouble to you. I know Moriya was very important to you, and I would have been just as angry if someone had done this at Ota's funeral." Loewen says, "I am glad as well. It was good to see so many people come to pay their respects to Moriya and remember his bravery." ===== ===== Chris pages, "Didn't you plan to go to bed at a sane time? ;)" to you. You page, "Had to get the paintings done before punching out. *wl*" to Chris. In a page-pose to you, Chris grins. ===== ===== Kaede nods. "So I understand," he says, quietly. "I thank you for your apology and accept it." Mitsune takes the painting and takes a look at it, uncovering it. Mitsune's painting (once uncovered) depicts Mitsune, clad in lipunese Kimono with falling leaves, standing on a wooded bluff, overlooking the sea. She's standing there with a slight, fond smile, her left hand resting atop the haunches of a great bengal tiger which stands next to her, the fingers working through the fur. The two of them seem to be looking upwards towards the open sky in the painting -- which, after a moment, you realize the clouds there are in the shape of Moriya, arms crossed, Ilvig at his hip, looking out towards the horizon with a proud smile. Motoko nods. "He touched many lives." She sighs. "I will miss him very much. There was so much more that we needed to do together, the three of us... do you know a new Sword has been chosen?" Thoric walks over to Shizumaru and Rimururu with the Glass Engraving of Moriya. Rimururu says, "Oh my, I think we're going to need a table for everything." Shizumaru says, "That's very nice. Thank you, Thoric and Jacqui." [spoofed by Akemi] Kanna waits with baited breath. Jacqueline says, "it... it was the least we could do." Mitsune stares at the painting, then begins to cry. "Thank you, Kanna. It's very beautiful." Beowulf smiles at the picture, then squeezes Mitsune's shoulder gently. Ramon says, "Thank you for being understanding, Kaede. Jacqui's father and I were very close, and well...we sort of overreacted when we learned that Thoric had gotten her pregnant." Kanna smiles slightly, tears at her own eyes, and moves forward to hug Mitsune specifically this time (after shifting the painting to Bey and Lily's hands so it doesn't get crushed). *q* "Least I could do... he was a good man, a good nephew, a good friend... and you and he did right by each other." Beowulf eeps and quickly takes hold of the painting, with Lily's help. Mitsune says, "It's really wonderful. Thank you, Kanna. Someone please make sure I don't cry all over it." Loewen says, "No, I was not aware. Who have you chosen as your new Sword, Bride?" Kaede hesitates slightly, then nods. "I suppose...yes, it would be upsetting. But...I would ask that you remember a proper sense of decorum next time, but I hope that there isn't a next time. Not like this." He sighs. "Would you also please apologize to Moriya's parents, if you haven't already?" Kanna nods, and murmurs reassuringly, running a hand through Mitsune's hair. *q* "ssh, 'slaright, and it's all dried and spill-proofed, anyway." Ramon nods. "Yes, I will." He sighs. "I didn...Well, I did. But I won't do it again." Motoko smiles slightly and shakes her head. "The Serpent chose her. My cousin, Moonshade. A warrior as skilled as Moriya." Kaede says, "Thank you. Now...please, excuse me." He bows to them once more, and starts wandering off again. Thoric says, "I hope you found my speech to be okay." Shizumaru says, "Yes, it was very nice. Thank you for speaking, Thoric." [spoofed by Akemi] Beowulf smiles at Mitsune. "Lily and I can take care of it for you. Is there any place you'd like it to go, or do you... you mentioned a summer house? Aeris could probably put it there for you if you'd like, unless you turned off her manifestation while you were there." Mitsune says, "Yes, it would be good in my summer house." She says, "I can put it up in the living room, I think." Kanna quirks another smile, and gently lets go of Mitsune. "I'd like to see it in its proper place, one day. Not likely soon, but after all this." Jacqueline nudges Thoric. "I was proud of you up there, honey. Moriya would''ve appreciated it." Loewen nods to Motoko. "Yes, she is a potent warrior. I am sure she will serve you well." Thoric smiles at Jacqui. "Thanks. I just...I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but I thought we needed to remember that side of him as well." Beowulf nods to Kanna, then turns to Mitsune. "Yes. Aeris can get it there for you... and if you need a couple of grunts to help you hang it, I'm sure you could find some around here somewhere." He winks at Lily and Kanna. Shizumaru says, "Your grandfather's speech was very good as well, Thoric." He looks at the two of you. "So how long have you two been...umm...well..." [spoofed by Akemi] Motoko nods and says, quietly, "This Sword I shall keep closer, even if..." She sighs. Jacqueline smiles nervously and gives the now standard reply. "Oh, a while." Loewen says, "Yes. Do what you must. You will need your Sword close to you in these coming days." Kanna chuckles softly, and lightly baps Beowulf on the shoulder. "Now now, that's not necessary -- it's not -that- heavy. 'sides, didn't you know? You get the three of us together, and none of us would be able to agree on how to correctly hang the painting." She winks. Lily says, "I'm sure we can find somewhere nice to hang it up. Mother's good at that sort of thing." Mitsune asks Beowulf, "So what are you going to be doing in the next week or two? Anything where I can blow things up to get away from it all?" Motoko nods. "I was too much concerned with his friendship, and not enough with his duty." She looks rather unhappy. "But I have already harped on this matter enough, and the past is past." Beowulf grins. "Oh, that's easy, Kanna. You stand on your hands and knees as the base, I stand on top of you and lift Lily, who hangs the picture while Mitsune stands off calling directions." Thoric says, "How soon do you have to go back, Uncle?" Motoko says, "How fares House Helgram? I know Hoji-san and Mataka-san are around here somewhere..." Shizumaru says, "I go back tomorrow morning, but I get this one night tonight with my lovely wife." [spoofed by Akemi] Beowulf says, "Well, we're heading over to take out Tharkold's construct; you're certainly more than welcome to come along, Mitsune." Kanna groans. "Yes, me, the pack-horse of the generation..." Kanna smiles, though. Jacqueline blushes and smiles at that. Loewen says, "Hopefully, Mataka has managed to restrain herself enough that they are not making out somewhere." He frowns. Mitsune says, "I think I'll come with you. I could use some action, and Motoko already has a small army at her command." Motoko says, drolly, "I would say she would be able to restrain herself in this setting, but when my own parents had to shout at Thoric..." She sighs. Loewen frowns, then asks, "So what exactly was that about?" Motoko says, "It is not my place to say. It certainly does seem to be his day for confrontations." Beowulf smiles. "We'd be glad to have you." He chuckles ruefully at that. "Motoko has much more than a small army at her command, I think; my ears are still ringing." He sighs, then smiles. "She was right, though." Mitsune says, "She can be pretty sharp sometimes, yes." Shizumaru asks Jacqui, "So what have you been up to, niece? I have not seen you in quite a while." [spoofed by Akemi] Kanna mmms at that, hehs softly, and squeezes Beowulf on the shoulder. "Be that as it may..." She stands up, and leans over to kiss Beowulf on the forehead, "We're here for you, you needn't bear things alone, and if you keep up stuff like this, I'll have to kick you in the ass to hammer the clue home." She winks. Beowulf rolls his eyes. "...greaaat. Just great." He grins. "Should I start handing out free passes?" Jacqueline blinks as she tries to think about how to answer that. "Oh... well..... kind of.... okay.... I guess." She then recites her long tales of misadventuers and Many Things Blowing Up, trying to spin things as nicely as she can, though when you get right down to it, massive property damage is massive property damage. "I try my best," she says, with a nervous laugh. Loewen says, "I suppose." He glances about the gathering. "I understand you'll be joining Prince Drake's forces for the attack on Rebma?" Kanna shakes her head. "Nah. 'sides, Lily's got first whack." She winks at her. "anyway... I should be moving on... take care, you three, though I'll bee talking with two of you pretty soon." Shizumaru nods. "That's all anyone can ask, that you do your best, Jacqui." [spoofed by Akemi] Lily says, "We could tattoo a reminder on his forehead." Kanna says, "You'd have to print it backwards so he could read it in the mirror, though." Mitsune says, "That could be arranged." Kanna says, "Thought so." Motoko nods to Loewen. "It will be a very large operation." ===== ===== You page, "Kanna, Lily, and Mitsune teamed up. Fear. :)" to Chris and The_Prof. Chris pages, "Fear what? ;)" to you and The_Prof. ===== ===== Beowulf nods. "Take care, Kanna...." He sputters. "What is this?" He grins, and gathers them all in a hug. "Take care, Kanna, and better get away before I try to think of some clever retribution." He grins and winks at her. "Talk at you tomorrow?" Motoko looks over at Beowulf and the others and says, "Forgive me, Loewen, but there is something I must do before my uncle leaves. Excuse me." Jacqueline says, "well, given the circumstances, Thoric and I will let you be now, Uncle. You and Aunt Rimururu, go and have some time to yourselves." She winks. ==== ==== Jacqueline says, "OOCLy AAAH! Lowen - THoric :P" ==== ==== Motoko heads over towards Beowulf. Kanna nods. "Though I might get in touch sooner than that, depending on things." She glances down at her remainign armband, which has the embroidered Lian emblem. Shizumaru laughs. "Thank you, Jacqui." [spoofed by Akemi] Beowulf nods. "Right. Hopefully Aeris or Gabrielle will be able to catch up with Wasyuu shortly." Lily frowns. "I certainly hope so." Kanna says, "Or Lily's lil' bird, or the Nomad Artifacer messengers I launched." Beowulf covers his eyes. "That's all we need right now, is to lose her in such a spectacular fashion." Motoko stops a short distance from the group. "Uncle Beowulf," she says. Mitsune says, "Maybe we ought to go to her lab and try knocking on the door." Jacqueline withdraws to let her uncle and aunt do as they will.... and just sighs. Kanna says, "One way or another..." She shakes her head, and then hrms. "I suppose that couldn't -hurt- things..." She shrugs. Thoric puts an arm around Jacqui. "At least they get one night together." Beowulf bows. "Niece." He smiles a bit ruefully. "I won't apologize, since that seems to make you more upset, but... you were right." ===== ===== Kanna OOCly grumbles, since as much as he'd like to continue and interact with various folks, well... um... it's 3 am over here. :/ :P ====== ====== Motoko bows, then straightens. "Right or wrong, I spoke more sharply to you than I ought to have, allowing my feelings to overwhelm my manners. Please accept my apology." Jacqueline says, "yes, you're right. And they'll have more days and nights to come.... it'll just be a while." Kanna mumbles something under her breath to Lily and Mitsune. ===== ===== You page, "[Kanna] *whispered* Dueling Apologies at 30 paces. Better than rose Duels. *wink*" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Heh." to you. ===== ===== Jacqueline blinks and notices Shinobu Minor and company over at the tables getting drinks. "Pardon me a moment, Thoric. I need to say hi to an old friend." Beowulf bows again in return. "Of course, Niece. Of course. I promise, I'll try to remember not to do that in the future." His sober look turns grim. "I'm glad I was able to talk to you before you left, anyway." Kanna OOCly says, "Gonna leave this logger on, but assume Kanna interacts (as she wouldn't mind chatting with Jacqui a bit, or perhaps meeting Kaede, or other chats that need doing), until the Emberite contingent leaves." Beowulf asks, "Have you heard the news about Lian yet?" ========== ========== John says, "OOC RIghto. Go sleep so you don't die Phil" Beowulf OOCly nods. "Sleep well, Phil." ========== ========== Motoko says, rather tightly, "Yes, I have." Motoko says, "I have spent the last day doing what I can to prevent further escalation of the conflict." Kanna duffies, though clearly she'd be surprised about this 'escalation of the conflict' thing, if her player was here. Beowulf sighs. "Thank you. I don't know what she did down there, but after whoever-it-was she ran into sent her undead body after us... I have to assume something very bad happened." Thoric nods. "No problem, Jacqui." He goes off to find Mutsumi. Motoko says, "I can tell you what she did." Jacqueline approaches Shinobu a little nervously, Random now asleep in her arms. "Hey there," she says to Shinobu. Beowulf nods. "Please do." Shinobu turns around as Jacqui approaches her. She smiles. "Hello, Jacqui." Then she blinks at the child. "My goodness," she says softly and comes over. "What's her name?" Motoko says, "She kidnapped four members of a religious minority, apparently in the belief that the majority of Chaos wouldn't care, and strapped them into a machine designed for exploring the Abyss." Motoko says, "Other members of said minority took exception to this." Jacqueline says, "Her name's Random. She's a little angel, except when she gets cranky and bites people." Beowulf blinks. Then blinks again. "What?!?" Kanna stiffens. "... the hell?" ===== ===== Kanna OOCly tries to get Kanna to let go of his brain, and fails. 'nm. ============ ============ [OOC Chatter 2...] You page, "(kanna, leggo my brain... *sigh*)" to Chris and The_Prof. The_Prof pages, "...I know, I know. Wonderful way to find out." to you and Chris. You page, "... argh. -.-;" to Chris and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (Lian? The Strapping Abyss Monks Into A Machine thing was not one of your better ideas.)" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] . o O (I know now. It sounded good at the time though.)" to you. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (Argh. *mental kick*)" to Chris. ============ ============ Shinobu says, "Little kids are like that." She smiles. "Who's her daddy?" Jacqueline considers her answer for a moment, then says, "Thoric's going to be a fine daddy to Random. So.... you okay?" Motoko grits her teeth briefly. "She kidnapped four Abyss Monks, apparently at random, and incorporated them into the engine of a machine, in which she then descended into the Abyss. Other members of the order took exception and prepared a welcome for her, as such. She was called upon to surrender, and chose to detonate her spikard instead." Motoko deflates suddenly. "I am sorry. This is not the place to speak of it, and I am sure I do not have the entire story. But that is what Anno-sama and I have been able to determine seems to be the story, so far." Shinobu says, "Thoric's a nice guy. I'm sure that he'll make a good daddy." She pats Random on the head. "I'm fine, Jacqui. Well, as fine as I'll be for a while. I just wish I could have done something to save Moriya." Beowulf groans. "I can't understand it. I believe you, but I can't understand why she'd do such a thing." He pounds the side of his head a couple of times. Kanna looks pained, and covers her eyes. She mutters something, rather nasty, in a mix of french and elvish. ===== ===== You page, "(Basic translation -- Lian You Idiot.)" to Akemi. ===== ===== Beowulf sighs. "There's something else you should know about, in case we can't intercept her." Mitsune says sadly, "We all contain a lot of surprises. Sometimes they are good, and sometimes they are terrible." Motoko says, tightly, "I am rather too close to this myself, as you are, as it appears that a monk of my acquaintaince came very close to becoming one of her targets. I do not understand it either." She looks at Beowulf. "If it is about her mother, I know; I have informed Anno-sama. He will take what steps he can." Beowulf says, "We went to talk to Wasyuu, after being attacked by... the body. She'd left a message that... ah, good. Thank you." Jacqueline frowns. "I.... everyone feels that way, Shinobu. There were a dozen little things all of us could have done to have changed things, but.... Uncle Saionji is right, we can't beat ourselves with endless if-onlys." She takes a hold of Shinobu's hand and squeezes it. "We all have to move on, though it hurts sometimes. Moriya would've wanted it that way." ====== ====== [OOC Chatter 3...] You page, "Well, Kanna -was- starting to have a good mood before all this. *wl*" to Chris and The_Prof. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (Still, it was a dumb idea.)" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] . o O (I ain't disagreeing.)" to you. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (Good. Can I still kick you, then?)" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] . o O (If Shiori can get me back into a body, I'd love to have you kick me, dear.)" to you. You page, "[Shiori makes notes to make the body more durable so that mom can do it safely to Aunt Lian.]" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] . o O (Though I have to say that I'd prefer having you kiss me. *wink*)" to you. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (After the ritual flogging, of course.)" to Chris. Chris pages, "[Lian] . o O (Sorry, I'm not into that. Spanking's the absolute limit.)" to you. You page, "[Kanna] . o O (I'll keep that in mind.)" to Chris. ====== ====== Motoko says, "Unfortunately, Wasyuu-san has considerable resources at her disposal. I would think the best people to stop her are those close to her." Beowulf nods. "We've sent her a couple of messages, and Aeris is keeping an eye out for when she comes out; she's in a trump-blocked area right now." Motoko says, "Anno-sama and I are doing what we can, but it is very difficult, and any other kicks at the hornet's nest would best be avoided." Motoko asks, "Have you tried going in via Pattern?" Beowulf looks at Kanna. "There is... something else that might help pull her back from the brink, but..." Beowulf WINCES. "Pattern. Um." Motoko does not appear to notice the wince. "Is there anything else in this matter going on that I ought to know about?" Kanna nods, and considers. "We had best try that soon. No, not yet, though given all the current circumstances, even with whatever setups she has on her laboratory shadow and elsehwhere, it may be the one and only good chance we get." Beowulf says, "I suspect that right now, she'd take anyone trying to get in without being invited as intruders, and set off the defenses. Which wouldn't be good for anyone." Beowulf says, "Although I could be wrong." Mitsune says, "I know it's not very far from Amber, as I've heard that Shizumaru flew to it ona bed once." Kanna nods at Mitsun