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

John says, "Well, Phil, Travis, Rod, I be ready to run y'all whenever ye
be ready to be run."

Kanna says, "Gimme a few moments, then I'll be good."

Jacqueline says, "okai."

Beowulf says, "Ready whenever you two are."

Kanna OOCly takes a deep breath.  Righto.  So.  Kanna grabs Beowulf, and
starts dragging him for a private room in the Keep, while grabbing Ruka
as well...

Kaede OOCly says, "Goodness, Kanna, I didn't know you felt that way
about him."

Kanna OOCly Har de har har.

Kaede OOCly says, "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

John says, "OOC Okay, Jacqui wanted to talk to you two before you go off
private, if that's okay."

Jacqueline says, "OOCLy wait"

John says, "OOC Or, alternately, you can snub her and go off :)"

Jacqueline says, "OOCly if she sees them rushing off, that'll make her
cancel"

Kanna OOCly says, "I would think that the mutual expressions on Kanna
and Bey's faces would make Jacqui decided perhaps now is NOT a good
time...."

Jacqueline says, "OOCly abort, then"

Beowulf asks, "OOC Although Bey would hate to snub anyone at this
point... ;_; Is it that serious, Rod, or can it wait?"

Kanna OOCly says, "Kanna and Bey do want to get BACK to jacqui, but that
should hopefully happen after Defcon goes back down to 2 or 3."

Jacqueline says, "OOCLy it isn't serious"

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

You page, "(I suspect it's the 'Jacqui makes up with Gaby/etc', stuff,
which'll help lighten OUR moods after having dealing with this. *wl*" to
The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Heh. Yup." to you.

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

John says, "OOC Alrighty, you three hustle off somewhere, then, as
there's lots of fairly private rooms."

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

Kanna hustles Ruka and Bey to one of the more private rooms in the keep,
deferring explinations until they actually get in and get Gaby and Aeris
to add a little more privacy.  She then turns to look to Ruka.

Kanna says, "Ruka?  It's hit the fan.  Hard."

Kanna's hands are clenched at her sides.  It's quite possible Ruka
hasn't seen Kanna -this- aggreived about anything before in the time
they've known each other.

Beowulf nods. "Damnit, Lian..." He starts crying silently. "How could
you do that?" He winces as he sees Kanna's tension, reaches out a hand,
then stops and pulls it back reluctantly.

Ruka sighs.  "Impatience and hasty actions have been the curse of many
an Amberite."

Kanna glances over at beowulf.  "I don't -know-, Bey!"  She closes her
eyes tight, and takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself with some
effort.   "Basically... we have gotten some... 'interesting' news just
now from Motoko."

Kanna says, "I knew Lian was going to go to Chaos and try to see what
she could do about Aunt White out... and that she wanted to do it
without getting an Abyss Pirate's help..."

Beowulf closes his eyes briefly, then waits for Kanna to finish.

Kanna continues, tightly, "... but she apparently -captured- four Abyss
Monks, put them in a machine to get -around- the Abyss, and then when
lured into an Ambush by other members of that order, she detonated her
spikard, taking out 15 more."

Kanna exclaims, "-how-... *WHY*... why the fuck couldn't she have
thricedammed WAITED?!"

Beowulf bows his head and rubs his temples in pain. "I don't understand.
I don't fucking understand. It doesn't fucking make *sense* for her to
do something that stupid!"

Ruka, not knowing Lian very well, sits quietly, not saying anything.

Kanna sighs.  "I... don't know either.  Unless Gideon's... disregard for
those of the Abyss carried over to her.  Which I don't know... she was
only 5 when they parted, but apparently Gideon had bad experiences with
the Abyss even BEFORE his -other- daughter got abyssmunched."

Beowulf blinks. "I hadn't heard that part of the story. Her father had
bad experiences with the Abyss? I suppose he could have talked them over
with Wasyuu, who could have passed them to Lian..."

Beowulf groans and slaps his forehead at a nasty realization.

Kanna looks down at her clenched, trembling fists.  "Pyricorn and Serpent
I want SO fucking much to slap some sense into her right now that it
threcedammed -hurts-..."  She looks over at Bey.  "Basically, the Evil
Black Tar Thing with Other Aunt Juri and the Duel Called Revolution at
the edge of the Abyss."

Beowulf says, "If that was the way the information was passed down...
Wasyuu's even less likely to listen to reason where the Abyss is
concerned."

Kanna says, "Which means we'll have to play up the Orien angle."  She
frowns.  "Yet keepign that information from spreading even FURTHER. 
Argh."

Beowulf sighs and tentatively puts a hand on Kanna's shoulder. "You and
me both. If... if she had survived... damnit, that was a... a criminal
act," he manages to finish in a hoarse whisper.

Ruka says, "Kidnapping priests of the Unicorn is punishable by very long
jail terms, possibly death."

Ruka says, "I'd imagine it's similar in Chaos."

Kanna winces, and nods.  *q* "If they were agents of hel... maybe...
maybe I... I don't know... but when I used Pattern to try and figure out
what was going on with '"

Kanna says, ".. With 'Lian', I got a trace... in a -different-
direction.  Not back towards her."

Beowulf nods. "Yes. If... damnit, damnit, I wouldn't want to charge her
with it, but I'd be a hypocrite to do otherwise." He collapses back into
the nearest chair, looking heartbroken.

Kanna continues, her voice quiet and tight, "and now she's paid the
ultimate price -for- her stupid act.  -DAMMIT-... dammit -why-..."

Kanna sits down on the nearest table, lookign frustrated with herself an
angry with the world.

Beowulf shakes his head weakly. "Not back towards her body... but
someplace else?"

Kanna nods at Beowulf.  "Yeah."

Beowulf asks, "...towards the Abyss?"

=====
=====

You page, "I don't think I did a double-check with a "walk Towards Hel
Agents"/"walk Towards Abyss", so no clue myself? :)" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Nope, you didn't double check." to you.

=====
=====

Kanna shrugs, helplessly, pained.  "I have no idea.  At the time, I just
wanted to do that check and then get -back- to you guys.  I didn't
double-check to see if walking to the Abyss would send me the same way."

Ruka says, "The problem with charging Lian with any crimes is that I'd
imagine that would be the ideal way to drive Wasyuu completely over the
edge, and it would likely annoy Drake and Touga greatly, though that is,
I suppose, less a problem for fellow royals than for someone like
myself."

Ruka says, "Though it would probably help to appease the Monks."

Beowulf nods to Ruka. "Well... she's dead, now, so I suppose any charges
are academic."

Kanna sigh and nods.  "Damnation.  there's one way they could possibly
be appeased," she says with a sneer, "but Orien is NOT going anywhere. 
Period."

Kanna looks ill with herself for even having said that, and shudders.

Beowulf nods grimly. "Damn straight. The crimes of the parent do not
visit themselves upon their children."

Kanna says, "As it stands... I as of now suggest we tell -nobody- else,
save for mother, Uncle Touga, and Wasyuu, of the existance of Lian's
son.  I don't want any third parties getting any ideas... and Uncle
Touga's feeling guilty about never being able to repay his debt to
Lian."

Ruka says, "I fear Orien may well become a target, yes."

Ruka continues, "Of course, anyone can just shadow walk right to Lian's
relatives if they think to phrase it correctly and have the power."

Kanna frowns at that.

Beowulf nods. "We were the only ones when Thropan told us... damn.
That's right. I wonder if Abyss power can be made to work that way?"

Kanna says, "I will need to increase the security on Jade and its
associated realms -further-.  Urgh.  No, I don't know."

Kanna says, "Knowedge of the Abyss is rather limited on my end."

Ruka says, "My knowledge of the Abyss is marginal at best."

Kanna says, "Though I don't know how much of them get stuff from the
Logrus as well, those who decide to learn the Abyss stuff after walking
the Logrus."

Kanna says, "I'll probably hav to shut down Logrus on Jade, etc, for the
time being at this rate."

Beowulf nods. "It's a good idea."

Kanna sighs.  "dammit, this makes the entire business with the KTC seem
like small change."

Kanna tries to manage a smile.  It's not much of one, but it's better
than none at all.

Beowulf gives Kanna a quick hug, then sighs. "Vendettas... damnit,
sometime someone has to learn when to stop and say they're not going to
carry this any further --" He stops, and sighs. "Grandfather was right."

Ruka says, "Unfortunately, most people don't ever learn that."

Beowulf nods. "Alars... that probably turned out for the best in the
end, but only after so many people were killed or hurt."

Kanna sighs, tense under the hug, but then she slumps, the tenstion
leaving her body like a switch was thrown.  "Unfortunately.  Corwin and
Eric... Juri and Darako..." She rubs her throat absently, distracted,
and then blinks back into focus.

Kanna mms.  "And that partially got solved -because- Cousin Hiko and
Morgan pledged themselves to Alars for the indefinite future."

Kanna says, "we don't -have- that option.  Not that I suspect that Lian
would have accepted it in the first place... I don't know."

Beowulf sighs. "I don't know, either."

Beowulf asks, "What would justice be in this case?"

Kanna says, "We just need to keep Wasyuu from trying to Nuke the Abyss
and possibly part of the Courts, and to keep Demetrius under the
Radar... oh, sure, siiiimmmple...."

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

You page, "Can I think of ANYTHING, or would it be best to consult with
somebody with Courts knowledge, etc? *wl*" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Can you think of anything about what?  I'm not sure what
exactly you're asking.  About Chaos legal procedures?" to you.

You page, "On "What Would Be Justice" for 15+4 abyss monks being killed
by Lian.  Chaos legal procedures would prolly help, etc." to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Ahh, you know little of Chaos law, but from Amberite law,
Lian, holding no noble status, would probably get the death penalty, and
for attacking clerics, be excommunicated and considered damned, all of
her property to fall forfeit to the survivors of her crimes.  If she'd
done this to Unicorn Priests." to you.

Akemi pages, "Being excommunicated, her body would be thrown in the
gutter to rot instead of being buried." to you.

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

Beowulf sighs. "Right. Real simple. Sure." He shakes his head. "...I
can't imagine Grandfather sending him on to us if he thought it would
make things worse down there, but... I wonder how long it took him to
get here?"

Kanna rubs her brow.  "By what I know about -Amberite- law... Ruka's
pretty much right, though it gets into more detail."

Kanna says, "With no noble status -- death penalty.  For attacking
clerics -- execommunication by being thrown into the gutter to rot
instead of burial, considered damned, and all property going to the
survivors of her crimes."

Kanna says, "Of course, that would have been if she'd attacked Unicorn
Priests."  She rubs her hands over her face.  "I've got no clue about
what would be done in Chaos, and of course there's the fact that her
body is kinda screwed over -anyway-."

Ruka says, "However, all that would be done by a court of law, which I
don't think happened in this case, and probably falls more under the law
of Vendetta."

Kanna sighs, and nods.  "Yeah.  Elder Gods, what a fucking mess."

Ruka says, "I understand Chaos has some sort of fancy Vendetta law, but
I don't know anything about it."

Beowulf asks, "So..." He rubs his eyes tiredly. "She really fucked up. I
mean *really* fucked up. We know that. The question is, now what?"

Ruka says, "I think the first thing is to keep Wasyuu from killing more
of them.  Even if it means fighting our way into her fortress."

Kanna says, "We keep Wasyuu from screwing things up further.    We stall
Demetrius for a little bit.. though that shouldn't be hyper-difficult,
as while mom can get the information and items he'll need to find the
white knight, it'll take her a bit.. probably a day or more."

Beowulf winces and nods. "Yes. Damn, that's *not* the way I want to face
her, I *like* her, but we've... got to stop her." He sags.

Kanna asks, "We'd also best call Anno-sama for clarifications on this
entire situation... after all, wasn't he going to call -us- when he got
more info?"

Beowulf nods sadly. "Yes. He's probably the first person I'd go to."

Beowulf says, "And see if we can determine with him whether it'd even be
a wise thing to send Demetrius down there at all." He sighs. "All that
work for nothing..."

Kanna nods, and pops open her trump deck, shuffling through it.  "Knew I
had it at one point... ah, here we go."  She pulls out her trump of
Anno.

Kanna says, "I think it will still be useful to keep Demetrius around...
just not send him off RIGHt this moment, bey.  Give things a bit to cool
down."

Beowulf nods. "I suppose so."

Ruka says, "He might be of service in the Rebma situation, if not in
this."

Anno takes the call, looking somewhat frazzled.  "Yes?" he asks.

=====
=====

The_Prof pages, "Mind if I join in on the call?" to you.

You page, "I would be expecting Bey to be a part of it, yes." to
The_Prof.

=====
=====

Kanna lets out a slight, relieved smile, though the smile is sad.  She
takes Bey's hand to patch into the call.  "My apologies, Anno-sama.  I
have heard the news from Motoko about... what Lian did."  She sighs.

Anno says, "I'm still trying to confirm that."  He sighs.  "This becomes
increasingly a mess the more I look into it."

Beowulf nods. "And mine as well, Grandfather. It..." He shakes his head.
"I can't understand why she did it, but right now what we're more
worried about is how to clean up after it."

Beowulf sighs. "And how to keep from making things worse down there.
We're going to try and intercept her mother before she can get down
there."

Kanna nods.  "At the moment, our most immediate goal is to keep Wasyuu
from escalating the situation... and to try and keep Demetrius under
wraps a while longer until the situation becomes too untenable."

=====
=====

Kanna OOCly says, "swap 'until' for 'before'."

Beowulf OOCly nods, thought that sounded funny. o.o

====
====

Anno nods.  "Yes.  Best to avoid any further provocations for them."

Kanna mmms, looking troubled.  "Is there going to be any way to attempt
to make repartations for them, under Chaosian Law, or is that something
better worried about once the full details of the situation and the
events are determined?"

Beowulf asks, "How bad a provocation would Demetrius' mission be down
there? Should we just call it off altogether?"

Kanna says, "And once the universe is verified not going to be eaten,
unravelled, turned into pocky sticks, or stuff like that."

Anno says, "It's hard to be sure.  The monks may or may not know he has
been in contact with us.  I think it is important to recover the White
Knight, and I believe he will likely be heading beyond the territories
the monks work in to find the Knight.  But at the same time, it might be
wise to wait a bit and see whether some sort of reconcilliation can be
achieved."

Kanna nods.  "Well, it will take a short while for my mother to gather
the information he would need to retreive the White Knight... and he has
some interest for Corn, which could perhaps help.  But he has asked for
a guide from the family, which we haven't provided yet... mmm."

Beowulf nods. "Honestly... what are the chances of that?"

Beowulf asks, "A reconciliation, that is? And in regards to what Kanna
said, is there anything we could do to help?"

Beowulf says, "Repirations, etc."

Anno says, "I don't know.  It depends a lot on how much humiliation the
House of Amber is willing to endure.  You'd likely have to allow Lian to
be tried and condemned posthumously, which I suspect some members of
your family would not be willing to stand for."

Beowulf covers his eyes and sighs. "No, I doubt some of them would stand
for that. Though if... she were still alive, I would have had to support
it or be a hypocrite, as it sounds like what she did was a criminal
act."

Kanna sighs. *q* "Humiliation can be endured.  The heart inside will not
change.  Not when the alternative is a longer war."

Anno says, "Kidnapping monks who had committed no crimes and using them
as machine components to hunt their brethren is generally a crime in
most places, yes."

Kanna mmms at that, but nods.

Beowulf covers his eyes in pain. "It was that bad, then. I had hoped...
there had been a mistake along the line. But I don't think I really
believed it."

Anno says, "The Abyss Monks are not well liked in Chaos, and many of
them are dangerously insane.  But they usually don't cause people much
trouble unless they enter the Abyss."

Kanna sighs.  "That may have been part of the 'why' then, Beowulf.  One
doesn't normally interview people before... stuff like that."

Beowulf says, "And if she'd gotten bad advice from someone who hated
them... well. It's not the time to make excuses for her, although that
might help soften the Abyss Monks' attitudes a little."

Anno says, "I recommended working with some Abyss Pirates, as they often
do search and recovery work in the Abyss.  I don't know who else she
spoke to."

Kanna says, "If they listen."  She sighs.  "The only beings I am willing
to state are 100% unoquivically -evil- are the Outsiders and those who
join of their own free will.  Everything else... it's shades of grey."

Kanna says, "And I had -plans- to contact demetrius, but she wanted to
try -without- his help.  Damnnation."

Beowulf hmms. "She had those knights of House Hendrake with her... I'd
wondered about that. Do they normally go along with things like this, or
hire themselves out, or something? It seems... odd, for those Knights to
be accompanying an Amberite."

Kanna says, "Uncle Miki said she'd gotten a letter of recommendation
from him to go to Hendrake... other than that..." She shrugs.

Anno says, "Young Hendrakes are always in search of adventure.  I expect
they were hoping to make a name for themselves."

Beowulf nods. "How do they feel about the Abyss Monks?"

Anno says, "I'm sure opinions vary.  House Hendrake, like the other
houses, has had little direct dealings with the monks."

Beowulf nods. "Since they're the only people we know she dealt with
before going down there, I was wondering if they might have colored her
information. I suppose we'll never know, now."

Anno nods.  "Yes.  All I was able to find out about her dealings in
Hendrake was that she got shuffled around a lot until she found them."

Beowulf sighs. "Anyway. Short of a trial, what else could we do to try
to repair relations? I know Motoko said she was working on that, and I
don't want to step on her toes."

Anno says, "My impression is that they are disinclined to settle for
anything short of a full apology and a disavowal and condemnation of
Lian's actions.  Although ensuring no one sets out to avenge Lian on
them would help quite a bit."

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

The_Prof pages, "...Now you see why I was brooding about this for
several days. ;_;" to you.

You page, "Yah. :P" to The_Prof.

You page-pose, "Aerianne patpapts.  Think this would be it for what we
can get out of Anno? *wl*" to The_Prof.

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

Beowulf nods. "Who would need to make the apology, disavowal, and
condemnation? As that's nothing less than what they deserve... though I
think they also owe you an apology for the death of that poor girl."

Beowulf says, "Lian's death..." He shakes his head, looking much older.
"I don't want to put it that way, but... it seems like it was her
atonement." He looks apologetically at Kanna as he says this, pain in
his eyes.

Kanna looks back at Beowulf, with quiet understanding.

Anno says, "Probably Miki in his role as Ambassador would be best, given
he can speak for the Kingdom in that capacity."

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

You page, "Miki was up here for Moriya's funeral, yes?" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Yes" to you.

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

Beowulf nods. "And presumably he'd need permission from King Tylor to do
so; we can go talk to him, after we make sure Wasyuu doesn't do
something we all would regret."

Kanna says, "I saw Uncle Miki around here, earlier... we'll get him
appraised on the change of situation."

Kanna says, "Well, a quick breif mention as we run out the door to stop
Wasyuu."

Beowulf nods. "That's true; I forgot, he's probably still here."

Kanna hehs a bit, and then some of the lines from her face leave as she
looks quietly wry.  "For what it's worth, Anno-sama... Moriya's Funeral
was worthy of him.  And I was quite impressed by Davros's and Lord
Loewen's speeches, as well as the rest's."

Anno nods.  "Good.  Were there any interruptions or did it go smoothly?"

Kanna says, "There was some upsets beforehand about Jacqui and Thoric
and Mutsumi's relationship, but that got settled by the time of the
actual ceremony."

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

John asks, "OOC I assume you mean 'Mutsumi'?"

Kanna OOCly says, "Mutsumi, yes."

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

Kanna shrugs.  "Personally, I have no problems with it."  She hehs a bit
at that, sadly.

Beowulf looks heavenward. "Unfortunately, there were some before the
ceremony, but none during or afterward. Afterwards... well, it seemed
there was a lot of reconciliation happening. Which was good to see."

Kanna says, "And which was needed."  She smiles a bit.

Anno says, "Good, good.  Funerals often help remind us of the need to
make amends before it is too late."

Beowulf nods soberly.

Kanna murmurs, quietly, "and of the folly of acting unwisely, and
remembering all the good done before that folly."  She looks pained.

Anno says, "I must needs be going, as I have much work to do,
unfortunately.  Anything else you need to know?"

Beowulf takes a deep breath and lets it out at the fresh reminder.
"Yes."

Beowulf shakes his head. "I don't think so, unless you could let us know
later when it's a good time to release Demetrius."

Kanna nods.  "Our apologies for taking up your time, but we needed to
get more info with which to make our next decisions.  Thank you for your
help."

Beowulf nods. "Thank you very much, Grandfather. We owed you before, and
will owe you more now. Let us know if there is something we can do to
repay you."

He nods. "I will.  See you both later."  And then he cuts the contact.

=====
=====

Kanna OOCly pause.  BRB.

Beowulf OOCly acks. Righto.

Kanna OOCly says, "(bloodstains on shirt.  whee.  brbiab."

Beowulf OOCly winces.

Kaede OOCly says, "Urgh."

Kanna OOCly returns.

=====
=====

Beowulf sighs, and turns to Kanna. "Right. Talk to Tylor on the way
out... hmmm, did I see Jacqui trying to talk to use before we left? Her
too, then on to try and reach Wasyuu." He sighs. "Now we just need to
figure out what to say."

Kanna nods, and then looks apologetically at Ruka.  "Sorry 'bout not
having you in on the convo, dear... but I figured we needed to keep
things as breif as wel could."

Ruka nods.  "I suspect I wouldn't have had much to add in."

Beowulf sighs. "Anyway... it sounds like they might be satisfied with an
official apology and disavowal/condemnation of her actions. Which is
nothing more than what is right... she did something evil, and I would
have to apologize and disavow it myself."

Kanna hehs, and smiles faintly, giving him a quick hug.  "Thanks for
understanding."  She lets go, and looks wry.  "So.. do you want in on
trying to talk down Wasyuu, or do you plan to take a pass on that?  I'm
good either way..." She then mmms, and nods at Beowulf.  "True.  As
would Ember, though Lian was pretty much an Amber citizen."

Ruka says, "I am willing to come along, though I'll need to go back to
work after that, I think."

Beowulf nods. "Thank you, Ruka. I think Kanna needs your support...
especially now."

Kanna smiles thankfully at Ruka.  "I'll try not to let you get zapped by
anything strange, dear."

Beowulf says, "So." He sighs. "Let's go talk to Uncle Tylor and Uncle
Miki."

Kanna takes a deep breath.  "Yes."

Kanna gives Beowulf a quick, reassuring hug.

Beowulf smiles crookedly and hugs her back. "Once more, dear friends,
into the breach."

You head out to find Tylor and Miki and find out they've gone back to
the Palace with Makoto to discuss recent Chaos-related business.

Kanna blinks.

Beowulf looks at Kanna and sighs. "Well, I suppose that's what we're
about..."

=====
=====

Kanna says, "Looks like Mokoto beat us to the punch."

Beowulf asks, "OOC Makoto or Motoko?"

Damasq says, "OOC:  It ain't me.  o.o"

Kanna OOCly says, "Then retcon my line, then. *wl*"

John says, "OOC Makoto"

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

Kanna looks at Beowulf.  "We'll trump them to update on what Anno said
before we depart."  She purses her lips, and looks out around the area
to see if she can spy Jacqui.

Beowulf says, "Well... I don't know if they're saying basically what we
just found out, but we'd best make sure." He pinches the bridge of his
nose.

Beowulf nods. "Yes."

=====
=====

The_Prof pages, "John's checking on Rod." to you.

You page, "Gotcha." to The_Prof.

=====
=====

You look around for Jacqui, but since Rod is idle, looks like you won't
find her.

As you look around, Sumire approaches the three of you.  She says softly
to Kanna, "I heard about Lian's death.  I'm very sorry for you, Kanna."

=====
=====

The_Prof pages, "[Beowulf winces.]" to you.

=====
=====

Kanna looks into Sumire's eyes, pain, grief, frustration, anger, and a
multiple tulmult of emotions easily read by Sumire, on Kanna's face,
courtesy of their long friendship together.  She tenses, shudders, and
moves forward, and hugs her.

Beowulf takes a deep breath and looks on, if not exactly with
satisfaction, at least with relief.

Sumire hugs you back silently for a while.

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

You page, "(basically, Sumire can tell there's More Than Kanna's Willing
To Say right now, and that the sitch is a LOT more complex than Kanna
wants it, but she isn't up to explaining it right at the moment without
formality. *wl* )" to Akemi.

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods

=====
=====

Kanna lets out a few quiet, choked sobs, though now the tears don't
fall, as she manages to say "...-why?-..." in Sumire's ear, for her
alone.  It seems to sum up Kanna's feelings on the -entire- mess just
fine.

Sumire says softly, "Sometimes there is no good reason."

Kanna nods to that, wordless.

=====
=====

The_Prof pages, "Rod's back... their OC3 connections went blort and just
came back up. x.x" to you.

You page, "Well, I'd say that sumire's words pretty much sum up Kanna's
feeling bout it. *wg*" to The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Yup. x.x Think you should tell her anything more about
what actually happened?" to you.

You page, "Not now.  And Sumire's capable of grokking that there's more
but she doesn't want to say -- they've been friends that long." to
The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Right. Was thinking she might make a good conduit to
pass the news to her father, though." to you.

You page, "I think at the moment we're trying to keep info more
restricted, and don't want him legally distracted when he should be
focussing on Rebma.  I'll ask John later 'bout who should know and not
know and how." to The_Prof.

You page, "As one thing Drake -doesn't- appreciate is folks acting Too
Stupid, from my estimation... and what Lian did was a Stupid. *wl*" to
The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "...all right. But given that he's one of the most
likely ones seeking blood, he should probably be headed off as quickly
as possible." to you.

The_Prof pages, "Same with Touga." to you.

You page, "While he did have some vein of that, he was more focussed on
the Rebma and Tharkold sitches." to The_Prof.

You page, "we can ask the GM later. *wl* as I've only got an hour-so
left, and we need the Jacqui scene, at least." to The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Right. Let's hope he stays that way. :) And I agree,
get Rod in." to you.

=====
=====

Rod pages, "sorry bout that... had network problems.  feel free to bug
jacqui at your leisure." to you.

You page, "Will, once we're done bonding with Sumire. *wl*" to Rod.

=====
=====

Kanna takes a few more deep breaths, calming somewhat, and slowly lets
go of Sumire.  "Thank you," she says quietly, heartfelt, with a little
smile.

Sumire says, "You're welcome, Kanna."

Kanna nods, some of her old good humor returning.  "Congrats on the op
with your dad, by the way... I heard the details from him, but I'm...
I'm still glad you all got out alive."

Beowulf smiles a bit at the indication Kanna's feeling better, and stays
out of the way.

Sumire says, "It all went very well, though I thought the plan was
probably too risky.  Given all that has happened, though, time is
running out."

She continues, "Only sixteen days left until the invasion."

Kanna nods at that, grimly.  "Which leaves Rebma, Tharkold, and Pyricorn
and Serpent only knows what -else-."

Sumire says, "Well, I think we will be ready, but it will be a close run
thing."

Kanna nods again.  "If... we both get an evening free, if such a thing
is possible in the next two weeks... dinner together?"

Sumire says, "That would be very nice, thank you."

Kanna quirks a smile, and bows.  "Right.  I've found some good places in
the past few months, if you want to take a pass on dining up in my suite
in Ember."  She then stands, and takes a deep breath.  "But for the
moment.. Bey and Ruka and I've gotta be running."

Sumire nods. "I will talk to you later, then."

Beowulf bows. "Take care, cousin."

Kanna nods, and once the partings are taken care of... once again, they
go on JacquiHunt.

Jacqueline is just watching the crowds disperse quietly, alongside
Thoric and with the sleeping baby in arms.....

Thoric sees Kanna and Beowulf and Ruka coming and waves.

Beowulf smiles at Thoric and waves back. "Not running away, this time?"

Beowulf. o O (No recruiting this time, honest!)

Kanna arches an eyebrow at the lil' tyke in Jacqui's arms, notes the
resemblence -and- the white hair, and then sits quietly next to Jacqui. 
*q* "Hey there.  I take it congratulations are in order?"

Thoric blinks at Beowulf confusedly.  "Eh?"

Jacqueline smiles faintly, "Yes, yes they are.  Say hello to my
daughter, Random."

Beowulf says, "I won't try to recruit you for anything dangerous this
time. I promise."

Ruka smiles at the baby. "Hello there, little one."

Beowulf blinks. "Your daughter?" He squats down, so he's at the baby's
level. "Hello," he says softly.

Kanna chuckles softly at that.  *vq* "Hello, Random," she murmurs to the
tyke.  "I wonder if you'll go into work in Arden... or pick up drums as
a hobby."

Beowulf smiles. "I imagine she'll find her own path. Most of us seem to,
no matter what our parents might have wanted." He looks a bit sheepish
at that.

Kanna looks wry back at Bey. *q* "True, true..."  She then looks back at
Jacqui. *q* "Sorry 'bout running off like we did a little bit earlier
when you were trying to hook up with us, Jacqui... things came up."  She
sighs.

Beowulf looks up at Jacqui. "And how are you doing, Jacqui?" he asks
softly, a sympathetic tone in his voice.

Jacqueline shakes her head.  "No, that's okay... things are... hectic
these days."

Random looks at Beowulf and announces, "Buba."

Beowulf chuckles a bit at that.

Thoric says, "Be careful, she likes to bite, I'm afraid."

Jacqueline says, "I'm doing.... okay."  She looks at Random curiously. 
"What's this Buba thing?"

Random gazes at Jacqui and drools in reply.

Jacqueline eeks and wipes up the drool frantically.

Beowulf smiles ruefully. "I've had a lot worse than that happen to me
lately, Thoric. I think I can take a bite or two for the sake of family
togetherness." He grins a bit at the last.

Jacqueline says, though apparently distracted, "She and her sister look
alike but are so very different...."

Beowulf boggles slightly. "Her sister?"

Kanna's -other- eyebrow goes up at that.  Really, you could use her
eyebrows for semaphore at this rate.

Thoric says faintly, "The Logrus got pregnant."

Jacqueline freezes, realizing she said something she shouldn't have. 
"Er...."

Kanna pauses.

Beowulf sways slightly. "Oh."

Jacqueline tries not to sweat too much.

Kanna . o O (Logrus.  Pregnant.  Jacqui.  Logrus.  Were Dating.)

Beowulf puts a hand reassuringly on Jacqui's shoulder. "I won't say
anything."

Kanna nods, and puts her hand atop Bey's.  "Nor will I.  Every life is
precious."

Jacqueline says quietly, "Thank you, uncle.  It's all been... er... an
awkward situation."

Jacqueline smiles a little more as Kanna does the same.  "And you,
Aunt."

Kanna murmurs, quietly, "Our -life- seems to be nothing but awkward
situations these days," but she says so with a smile.

Beowulf smiles crookedly. "Amen to that."

Kanna glances over at ruka to make sure -he- isn't overly boggling.

Jacqueline says, "her half-sister's name is Jewel... the Logrus is
taking care of her.  She's a quiet baby... just don't pull her finger."

Ruka just shakes his head as if he wasn't surprised at all.

Thoric says, "Pull her finger?

Beowulf nods to Jacqui. "I'm afraid I'm not very good with babies, so I
probably won't try." He chuckles a bit ruefully.

Kanna nods, quietly.  "Quite the family group... makes mine look mundane
in comparison."  She quirks a smile.  "Let me guess, a tad on the strong
side?"

Jacqueline says, "ah.... er.... yes."

Beowulf cocks an eyebrow at Kanna, grinning. "You speak as if from
experience. On the young side," he nods at Random, "I presume."

Kanna then glances back at Beowulf.  "Pyricorn and Serpent help you
whenever you and Lily have kids, bey."  She then coughs, and blushes,
looking embarrassed.  "Not that I -remember- that much back then, but
sis tends to remind me from time to time."

Beowulf looks at Jacqui. "Maybe you should ask Aunt Corrine for some
mothering tips," he says, grinning a bit and winking at Kanna.

"...beeyyyy...," Kanna mumbles, more embarrased.

Jacqueline blinks at them curiously

Kanna mutters something about not -her- fault Aunt Catherine once got
lobbed through her nursery window....

Beowulf squeezes her shoulder. "You need *something* to take your mind
off everything else," he murmurs to her.

Jacqueline asks, "lobbed...?"

Kanna hehs at that, softly.  "I was told it was a very good throw."

Kanna says, "annnway."

Jacqueline says, "sounds a lot like what little Nanami Minor will be." 
She looks down at Random and smiles.   "Uncle Ramon and I are wondering
if someday they'll team up like dad and Uncle Ramon did...."

Beowulf grins. "That'd be fun if they did. Can't beat the genes."

Kanna says, "Maybe... who can say?  Kids get up to all kinds of things
when they're growing up... and beyond that."

Beowulf says, "But... anyway." He shakes his head. "How have you been
doing?  Hopefully you've been better than I lately, though that
admittedly wouldn't be too hard."

Kanna rolls her eyes, and gently baps Bey on the shoulder.  "Bey, don't
make me drag you out of the angst-wallow again."

Beowulf raises his eyebrows innocently. "I'll be good, Kanna-sama. I
promise," he says in a meek little schoolboy's voice.

Jacqueline says, "I... I'm going to be busy.  I'm with the Rebma
contingent, and after that there's two other quests I have to see
about.... I hope Random will behave herself with mother."  She looks at
Beowulf, concerned.

Beowulf nods. "I'm sure the two of them will be fine."

Kanna mms at that, and nods.  "Rebma's not gonna be easy... nor will
Tharkhold.  At least -you- folks will have some intelligence going in. 
And you've got Uncle Drake leading the effort... oh, congrats on the
Kanawa operation, too, Jacqui."

Beowulf says, "We're... off to take care of a minor emergency, then
going to be heading out to whack the Tharkold construct." He nods in
agreement with Kanna. "From what I've heard, very well done."

=====
=====

You page, "*GC* Note to el prof, the reason Bey is the token normal one
in the crew is  that well, unlike certain princesses, he's not a six
foot six female that can  shot put cars.  :)" to The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Heh. Though he is good with a whip. ^_^" to you.

=====
=====

Thoric says, "Much less ugly than I expected."

Jacqueline says, "I'm glad to see you all again... we've all been very
busy, and I noticed you were a little curious to see me with little
Random here...."

Beowulf smiles. "It's good to see you too, Jacqui." He shakes her *very*
gently by the shoulder. "And with everything else going on, little
Random is both welcome... and not all that unusual by current family
standards." He smiles. "Nothing to worry about."

Kanna quirks a smile.  "I second that emotion."  She then hrms a bit. 
"That... and there was also the fact that sis said you could help
explain about whatever happened 'bout middle yesterday."  She scratches
the back of her head.  "As she said something 'bout 'apocolypse', a few
exclamations in the middle unexplained, then later when we asked her
whatever had happened... well, she directed us to you."  She shrugs. 
"Beats me -what- she was going on about, but..."  She looks apologetic
at Jacqui, as if to say "you don't have to explain if you don't want to,
whatever it is".

=====
=====

The_Prof pages, "And I did update Bey's desc on the wiki, finally...
kinda hated to do it myself, since I'm biased and would prefer a neutral
account, but..." to you.

You page, "I noticed. *wl*  Good work, tho." to The_Prof.

=====
=====

Thoric says, "Gabrielle assisted us with a rather messy battle against
some of the remnants of Tremere's forces."

Kanna blinks.  "Okay, that'd warrant it."

Beowulf nods slowly. "Ahhh."

Thoric says, "Fortunately, it all ended well."

Beowulf shoots a sympathetic look at Jacqui... did that go all right
with you?

Jacqueline says, "I... er... Aunt Gabby said something about
Apocalypse?"  She looks quite confused

Jacqueline says, "I thought... er... thought that was just Davros
mindshifted..."

Kanna blinks.  She scratches her cheek.  "Lemme think back..."

Beowulf unashamedly defers to Kanna, as her memory is probably a lot
clearer than his at the moment.

Kanna says, "We were out in shadow, discussing other stuff... I got a
trump call, asked sis to back me up, -she- said "Can't talk, apocalypse
in progress....", so I had Aeris back us up instead.  Then, after we
were chatting some more, she shouted a bit from my manifestation badge,
as if she was smiting somebody, then apologized, saying-"

Thoric says, "I find it rather unlikely Davros could suddenly yank the
Jewel of Judgement around on his own, however well he shapeshifted."

Kanna says, "That it was the wrong speaker and that we should just
ignore it.  Then a while -after- that, sis said her brain hurted."  She
then pauses.  "wait, Davros shapeshifted into sis?"

Jacqueline says, "Er.... yeah."

Beowulf starts to boggle. Just boggle.

Jacqueline says, "He was having a bit of a shapeshifting fit after
walking the Logrus... it tends to do that to people"

Kanna says, "Oh my."

Beowulf says, "...you all right with that, Jacqui?"

Jacqueline looks uncertain for a moment, then asks, "Aunt Kanna....
can... can you call Aunt Gabby here?"

Beowulf gives Jacqui a sympathetic look and a reassuring pat on the
shoulder.

Kanna looks down at her manifestation badge.  "Well, I saw her running
around with Cousin Nagisa earlier, but yeah.... Hey, sis?  Got a moment
or three?"

Gabrielle says out of the badge, "Hold on."

Kanna nods.

=====
=====

You page, "Oh, name and mailing address? *wg*" to Mercutio.

Mercutio pages, "Oh, -RIGHT-. duh. i forget. Gimme a second, I'll mail
you..." to you.

You page, "Thankyoumuchly." to Mercutio.

=====
=====

Gabrielle now walks over across the courtyard.  "Yo, what's up?"

Kanna looks wry at her sister.  "You know anything about helping Jacqui
and co with some House Tremere problems?"

Gabrielle says, "Yes, though I probably shouldn't talk about some of
it."  She looks over inquiringly at Jacqui.

Jacqueline's eyes widen in surprise.

Jacqueline asks, "I.... ah.... but how?"

Gabrielle says, "Let's just say it's not wise to shapeshift into the
incarnation of a Pattern."

Jacqueline asks, "so... that was.. that was kinda sorta... really you?"

Kanna blinks at that.  "Okay, there's obviously stuff here I'm missing,
but I won't press, 'specially given where we are and stuff."  She looks
wry again. "But, if sis was able to help out... or help out Davros, or
Jacqui, or, whatever... well, bully for all of you."

Gabrielle says, "That was me in all my radiant glory."

Beowulf winces. "Oh, dear."

Gabrielle says, "As Davros is rather not capable of unleashing the power
of Pattern."

Beowulf says, "It must not have been pleasant shifting like that, no."

Jacqueline looks down at Random, holding her a little more tightly. 
"Thank you," she says quietly.

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

Gabrielle says,

Gabrielle says,

Kanna OOCly says, "Gaby is speechless, it seems."

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

You page, "Well.  Does this qualify as satisfying the Bey's
requirements? *wg*" to The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Getting closer. :)" to you.

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

Gabrielle says, "No problem, Jacqui.  You went into danger for my
daughter, I couldn't say no to helping yours."

Beowulf smiles a bit in relief, watching this scene.

Kanna whistles softly, and nods.  "Ayymen," she murmurs quietly.

Jacqueline opens her mouth, hesitates, recalling that Shinobu was in
danger in the first place BECAUSE of her, then finally says, "Oh."

Beowulf winces at his own memory of Shinobu in danger, then takes a deep
breath and nods firmly.

Gabrielle says, "It's all part of being family."

Kanna NODS.

Jacqueline gives just the slightest of a wry smile and says, "Just...
try not to pick fights with the Logrus too much anymore... she's the
mother of my child too...."

Kanna looks wryly at Jacqui.  "I've been trying to keep her from doing
so for years.  If you manage to succeed..." She glaces back at her
sister, and hugs her.

Beowulf smiles warmly. "Family is everything."

Gabrielle says, "Well, I generally don't start fights.  I just finish
them."

Jacqueline resists the urge to whistle and look elsewhere...

She says, "I expect we won't be going anywhere near Chaos for a while,
though."

Beowulf NODS. "Especially... not right now."

Jacqueline muses, "It seems my bad luck with Chaos is catching, I
guess?"

Kanna nodnods, sighing.  "Iii think I've used up any goodwill visas I
may have saved up for the next century..." She mmms.  "Something like
that, anyway.  Though we hope some of the things get resolved soon,
satsisfactorily."

Kanna says, "But, be that as it may..."

Jacqueline says, "welcome to the club."

Kanna shifts over, and gives Jacqui a warm hug, careful not to squash
the randommeister.  "Pyricorn and Serpent's blessing on your growing
family... all 5 or however many it ends up being in it, Jacqui Tenjou."

Kanna gives Jacqui a quick kiss on the forehead.

Beowulf cocks his head, winking at Jacqui. "Five? Think she's gonna stop
there?"

Thoric says, "I expect that..."  Then Madoka puts him in a headlock and
begins to drag him away.  "Oh not again," he mumbles

Jacqueline blushes.  "Ahahah... ah... ahhah..."  And then Madoka
headlocks Thoric, to which Jacqui responds with a weak, "Uh oh."

Kanna arches an eyebrow at dragged thoric.  "Wasn't -quite- what I
meant, Beowulf...."

Jacqueline exclaims, "Er... RUN, THORIC, RUN!"

Kanna mumbles something in Jacqui's ear.

Beowulf winces. "Um? Be kind, Madoka? Please?" he calls out after her.

Beowulf looks at Jacqui. "You want the backup?"

Thoric soon vanishes into the halls of the Keep, dragged by Madoka.

Jacqueline says, "erm.... I think I'd better call Mutsumi about this..."

=====
=====

You page, "[Kanna] *q* I've kinda figured you and Thoric and Mutsumi 've
got something together, Jacqui.  Just... take care of 'em and they'll
take care of you and the kids, and I'm sure you'll be happy and loved
all you need.  I've got no problems with it.  *there's a tinge of
sadness in her voice* It'd be hypocritical of me to act otherwise." to
Akemi and Rod.

=====
=====

Beowulf sighs. "Right. Good luck, the three of you."

Beowulf also gives Jacqui a careful hug, and kisses the tip of her nose.
"Take care of yourself, all right?"

Random announces, "Buba!"

Kanna stops murmuring, and nods.  "Yeah.  Take care, all of yous."  She
moves her hand to gently ruffle Random's hair.

Jacqueline grins, waves Random's little hand and says, "Buba."

Jacqueline goes off to find Mutsumi and rescue thoric, leaving Kanna and
Beo to their own devices....

Kanna nods.  "Sage advice."

Beowulf mock-frowns. "Buba, indeed." He grins and tousles Jacqui and
Random's hair. "Stay out of any trouble you don't have to, OK?" He waves
goodbye to them.

Kanna takes a deep breath.  "Righto.  Let's get a move on."

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

Kanna OOCly says, "A move on later, as it's past bedtime, and I['ve got
shipping and a Dr's appt today."

Damasq says, "OOC:  G'night, Phil."

Beowulf nods. "Yup, off to talk to the folks back home." He sighs.

Beowulf OOC And that wraps for tonight, yup.

Beowulf says, "Sleep well, Phil, and good luck on the morrow."

Jacqueline says, "OOCly well, sonovagun, it's my scene now o.o"

John says, "OOC Alrightie, then I'll continue with Rod."

Kanna OOCly nods.  "Yup!"

Kanna OOCly waves.