Date sent:      	Sun, 10 Feb 2002 03:36:35 -0500
From:           	Alan Harnum <harnums@thekeep.org>
Subject:        	Log 94
To:             	ranma@KU.EDU

John says, "OOC Okay, let's rumble"

Motoko says, "OOC:  Right."

Kaede OOCly says, "Motoko et al are jumping back to Morgenstern's
shadow, right?"

Upon return to Morgenstern's shadow, the one thing you may notice
is that the air has a bit more smoke than usual, if that's
possible. And also a bit of ozone. The next thing you may notice
is a rather battered looking Kaede crawling out of a shallow
crater blasted into the ground in the courtyard. Yuki is watching
him from the edge of the crater, looking quite worried indeed.

Motoko frowns slightly and strides over.  "Is everything all
right?"

Kaede looks up, surprised, and stares at Motoko, then at
Moonshade. "...you're back already," he mutters weakly.

Moonshade blinks.  "Yo, Kaede, what the hell happened?"

Davros frowns.  "Did someone attack?"

Motoko asks, "I have necessary business to conduct here.
Morgenstern, could you please fast-time the Shadow?"

Kaede struggles to stand, and manages to raise himself to his
knees, at least. He looks between Moonshade and Davros and
Motoko, then looks away. "No. No one attacked."

Morgenstern says, "How fast would you like it?"

Kaede sparks and crackles a little bit.

Motoko asks, "As fast as possible, please; I have some major
magical workings to do."  She looks at Kaede with what might be
mild disapproval.  "Then why the crater, Kaede-san?"

Kaede thinks about this for a little bit. Then, he answers,
"Purification."

Moonshade twitches slightly at highly electrified Kaede,
obviously remembering something unpleasant.

Davros nods.  "Alright."

Davros says, "A ritual of your faith?"

Motoko says, "Ah.  Yes."  She nods, looking approving.
"Purification by means of discomfort is very good for the soul,
if done in moderation."

Kaede says, "Yes, Davros-sama. One of the rites reserved for the
Avatar of Seiryuu. Body, soul, and mind being cleansed by the
fires of heaven."

Motoko says, "I myself am very fond of icy waterfalls."

Kaede smiles a bit sardonically. "And it also doubles as training
in my abilities."

Kaede takes his sword and levers himself up, using it as a cane.
"Well, one starts with bathing in ice cold water for an hour."

Moonshade twitches.  Davros nods.  "Would you prefer we leave you
to it, then?"

Kaede says, "Then several hours of meditation. And then...." He
glances back at the crater. "While reciting holy litanies and
arguments as is fitting for the occasion, er...." He glances at
Moonshade, and looks apologetic. "I was hoping you wouldn't see
this," he mumbles.

Motoko shrugs.  "It is a large Shadow.  We can give you privacy."

Moonshade says to Davros, "Please tell me I don't have to do
anything like this."

Kaede says, "Oh...I'm already done. Once you lose consciousness,
you stop."

Davros says, "It's generally considered best to choose
purification rites which don't set off your phobias."

Motoko murmurs, "There is a ritual cleansing.  I do not believe
it involves electrocution."

Kaede says, "I have, ah, just woken up."

Kaede says, "Please excuse me a moment."

Motoko shrugs again.  "There is no shame in rites of
purification."

Kaede hobbles off a short distance, and takes a deep breath. Then
he raises his arms into the air, shouts something in
Frostspirean, and fires off a large bolt of lightning at the
heavens. And then falls down.

Moonshade . o O (Electricity bad.   Great-Grandpa Fuyutsuki was
smart to keep it out of Amber.)

Motoko . o O (Is he done yet?)

Yuki runs over to Kaede.

Yuki picks up Kaede, shaking her head.  "Time to put you to bed,"
she mutters.

Kaede coughs. "I was carrying a residual charge. I wasn't safe to
touch until now."

Motoko walks over.  "Hm.  It seems rather an extreme rite of
purification if it must be performed until unconsciousness
results.  Not that I haven't passed out a few times myself during
such things.  But never deliberately."

Davros says, "It depends upon how impure one feels.  I've fainted
from fasting a fair number of times, I must admit."

Yuki blinks and looks embarrassed.

Kaede looks at Motoko, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Well, when...certain things interfere with your duties...."

Motoko says, "A great cleansing is needed?"  She nods.  "Yes,
that is true."

Kaede stares at Motoko rather hard for a few more moments, then
shakes his head, muttering something.

Motoko says, calmly, "Is there something you would like to say to
me, Kaede-san?"

Kaede says, "No. Because it is not my place to say anything, as I
have no right."

Kaede says, "My thoughts do not matter in this. I am the Avatar
of Seiryuu, and I have my duty."

Moonshade twitches and says, "It's not worth hurting yourself
over, Kaede-san."

Kaede says, "My duty is worth undertaking the purification."

Yuki stands, holding Kaede, looking increasingly uncomfortable
with the whole conversation.

Kaede sighs. "Once the day is over and I have rested, I will put
this all behind me. I promise."

Motoko says, "Honour and duty.  Such great excuses those are to
treat others with contempt."  Her voice is very hard.  "If I have
done something to offend you, speak."

Kaede stares at the ground, before saying, "When I questioned the
choice of the new Sword after my brother's death, you answered
that it was the Serpent's will, and I accepted it. Will you
extend the same courtesy to me, that I have erred in my path, and
that my correction has been performed by Seiryuu's will, and let
it be?"

Moonshade says softly, "Please don't fight."

Motoko says, "No.  I answered you truthfully.  The Serpent chose
Isillome of the Valar as my Sword.  In answer to your question, I
gave you an answer"  Her eyes narrow.  "You, meanwhile, insinuate
against me without any cause of which I know, then hide behind
your duty when I ask what I have done to wrong you.  I am a
Lipunese, Kaede-san; I know such games very well."

Motoko asks, "What offense have I given you?"

Kaede sags slightly. "Very well. I am yours to command, after
all. You wish to know my problem? I have had the misfortune to
develop feelings beyond friendship for Moonshade-sama."

Moonshade sighs.  "I'm sorry, Kaede."

Kaede says, "This, of course, presents a difficulty on multiple
levels. No, Moonshade-sama, do not be sorry. It isn't your
fault."

Motoko's expression softens slightly.  "I see," she says.  "Yes.
Such feelings are not always fortunate.  But I ask again what I
have done to offend--"  She stops as something dawns on her, then
puts a hand on her forehead.  "Isillome, did you..."

Kaede's eyes flare slightly. "She did nothing! Nothing untoward
at all."

Moonshade says, "I'm afraid I'm not psychic enough to guess what
you're asking."

Motoko asks, "Did you tell him about... us?"

Kaede turns, gently pushing Yuki away to stand on his own. "I
started to figure it out on my own. She merely confirmed it when
I confronted her."

John says, "OOC Now the DM tries to remember exactly what
Moonshade DID say.  ^^;;;"

Motoko says, "Please let Isillome speak for herself, Kaede-san.
I am sure she is capable."

Moonshade says, "He asked, and I said I had other commitments,
and then he asked if it was you, and well...I told him yes.  I
didn't want to lie to him," she said softly.

Kaede stares off into the distance silently.

Motoko says, quietly, "I would not have wanted you to, Isillome."

Kaede says, softly, "Resentment and bitterness do not befit a man
appointed someone's guardian. So I had to purify myself of those
things. As well as an ill-placed affection. It was, after all,
the reason that I had to purify myself once before. The second
time I performed the rite, in fact."

Motoko looks over at Kaede.  "History, so they say, repeats
itself."

Moonshade says, "Huh?"

Davros sighs.

Kaede says, morosely, "I wish it wouldn't do so."

Motoko says, "When Moriya told me that--"  She swallows.  "That
he loved me, I found myself apologizing to him for not loving him
back."

Kaede stumbles and falls down. "He what?"

Motoko says, "I tire of apologizing to people for who I love or
do not love, Kaede-san.  I am sorry for the hurt I have caused
you, however it is connected to me.  But I am not sorry that
Isillome loves me, or that I love her.  I will not apologize for
either of those things.  But if there is going to be bitterness
between us that you cannot control, go from my sight, because I
will not have it."

Moonshade winces and looks very guilty.

Davros has the look of someone busy consulting religious texts in
his head to try to find something conciliatory to say.

Kaede rubs his forehead. "That is why I performed the
purification, to burn it out, Motoko-sama. All I have left right
now is my duty, and I will not fail it. Not because of some silly
emotions."

Kaede stands up again, gathering up what dignity he has left. "I
am the Avatar of Seiryuu, the Song of Thunder. I am the spear of
heaven cast at your enemies, the wall of wind raised to protect
you, Bride of the Serpent."

Kaede says, "I am not Kaede Galfordson. I am not a man. I am a
tool, whether wielded in the claws of my kami, or directed by the
beloved of his grandfather."

Motoko says, "I wish I could believe you, Kaede-san."  Her voice
is sad.  "But words and rituals are nothing if the soul is not
changed.  I would rather have a friend who will fight at my side
then a servant who obeys me while nursing hatred in his heart."

Motoko says, "You are Kaede Galfordson and a man, and the Avatar
of Seiryuu.  I am Motoko, and a woman, and the Bride of the
Dragon.  Deny all sides of yourself but one and you will twist
your soul."

Kaede shakes his head. "Once the day is over, there will be no
hatred. There may still be some hurt, but there is also
understanding. I cannot blame you for loving Moonshade-sama, when
I do so myself." He pauses. "Did so."

Kaede sighs. "Give me a chance to prove myself, then. Are we
still to strike at the rabble holding the underwater kingdom?"

Yuki . o O (Is it just me, or are they both overreacting over
this?)

Motoko says, softly, "You do not know what you say, Kaede-san; at
least, I do not think you do."  She turns to Moonshade and,
forcing the words out, asks, "Did you tell him what is to come in
High Summer?"

Moonshade says, "No, I didn't tell him about the Rites, as there
wasn't a reason to."

Kaede says, "Seiryuu told me I did not need to know about the
Rites, so I have not asked."

Kaede says, "I do not have any particular desire to know, but if
you wish to tell me, there isn't much I can do to stop you."

Motoko's expression is hard.  "You say you have no desire to
know, but you wonder all the same, do you not?"

Kaede says, "Inasmuch as humans are naturally curious, yes. But I
have no care about it beyond that."

Yuki says, "Will you two stop acting like idiots?  There's no
reason for you to start butting horns like a pair of bulls
fighting over the women."

Kaede rubs his eyes. "What I want, right now, is to rest. If I am
to continue guarding Motoko-sama, though, we need to put this
behind us. I was hoping what I did would have been enough, but
perhaps it is not."

Yuki says, "If we need to know about the rites, then please tell
us, if not, let's please not turn this into a reason for people
to glare at each other and wave their poker faces at each other."

You page, "Given the nature of the Rites, is it going to be
pretty obvious to anyone guarding us what's going on?" to Akemi.

Akemi pages, "Yep.  Unless you put up a dome of privacy" to you.

Kaede waits patiently.

Motoko deflates a little, then glances questioningly at Davros
and Moonshade.  "It is my opinion that Kaede-san and Yuki-san
must know what they are to guard, given what has transpired.
Kaede-san has said his kami has said he does not need to know.  I
do not agree.  My Soul, my Sword, what do you think? "

Moonshade says bluntly, "Given they're going to see our bare
asses in the air, I think we'd best tell them."

Motoko smiles slightly, while looking rather embarassed, "Such
were my own thoughts, o Sword, if not in such pointed terms."

Kaede blinks a few times.

Moonshade says, "Tell it like it is, that's my way."

Motoko coughs.  "As Isillome's language indicates, the Rites are
sexual.  Extremely complex and holy and symbolic, and with the
power to give life to a dead world.  But also involving all of
us--myself, my Sword, my Soul, Mitsune--having sex."

Kaede stares at Motoko for a while, wordlessly.

Motoko tries not to die of embarassment.

Davros says, "This is necessary because Hel's forces have tainted
the Serpent of their world, and turned it into a world of death,
to which life must be returned."

Davros then launches into a long lecture on the rites until
stopped.

Motoko nods vehemently.  "I am sure there's ability no lovemaking
in Hel's world at all."

Kaede then starts to laugh. "Aaargh. Hahaha! Ow, ow. Not a good
idea to laugh after--" He doubles over in pain. "After the
purification," he gasps.

Motoko encourages Davros by asking questions in the best Platonic
dialogue style.

Yuki turns beet red.

Kaede wheezes, "I think I know some people who would kill to be
in my position for this. Urgh."

Kaede exclaims, "Mitsune-sama as well? Is there nothing sacred!
Ha! Ow!"

Kaede doesn't sound bitter or sardonic, just giddy and in some
pain.

Davros says, "Mitsune represents the role of the Experienced
Chaosian.  For a four person rite balanced in this manner, it's
very necessary she participate.  And it's quite sacred."

Kaede curls up on the ground, continuing to laugh weakly and
groan in pain.

Motoko nods solemnly.  "Extremely sacred," she pronounces.  "And
very, very holy."

Yuki pulls herself together.  "I can see you'll be very
vulnerable during this."

Kaede calms down long enough to say, rather tightly, "I should
probably be offended and angry, but I'm not." He giggles a bit
more.

Moonshade says, "Man, we have to make sure Uncle Morgy doesn't
film this."

Kaede says, "Feel free to kick me while I'm down here. I'm having
a laugh at your expense, Motoko-sama." Snicker. "Ow."

Motoko says, "To say the least.  We have yet to work out the
exact details of how we will be preventing ourselves from dying
horribly in the middle."  She sighs.  "I'm not going to kick you.
I'm taking your hysterical laughter as a good sign, as opposed to
indignant self-righteous offense, which I also considered a
possibility."

Yuki . o O (It's a good thing Seiryuu isn't in charge of
Diplomacy...)

Motoko says, "Also, I very much doubt you would feel a kick from
me."

Kaede says, "Precisely. I already hurt a lot at this point."

Moonshade says, "And how we're getting over to that side without
getting whacked by the Dark Serpent."

Davros . o  (It suddenly comes to mind that Morgenstern is likely
listening to this entire conversation.)

Kaede starts to relax. "I'm very sorry, Motoko-sama. For several
reasons."

Morgenstern . o O (The Pay Per View rights for this will have me
set for life.)

Kaede says, "However, I do think I feel much better right now."

Motoko says, "Openness, I have learned, is usually beneficial."

Kaede says, "Perhaps you are right."

Kaede says, "I suppose Seiryuu had some reason for keeping this a
secret from me; under other circumstances, I might not have
reacted so well."

Kaede says, "But he was wrong in this case. Ha! Uh...."

Kaede crawls away from the group as quickly as he can.

Kaede looks up at the sky half-suspiciously, half-cringingly.

Moonshade says, "Well, openness can also get you electrocuted."

Motoko comes over and kneels down by Kaede.  "I will gladly to
have you as my guardian if I can trust you not to let your heart
be overcome by bitterness or resentment," she says quietly, voice
becoming serious again.  "Because those are the gates through
which our enemies may enter and use you to destroy me.
Understand I do not mean this in an abstract way, but literally
and concretely."

She pauses.

Kaede sighs in relief and crawls back. "I think Seiryuu is too
amused right now to strike me with lightning for...well."

Motoko says, "It has happened before.  It must not happen again
to you."  She winces and rubs her arm at a memory.

Motoko says, "We must not only be strong in body, but in mind and
soul and heart.  Or we will lose."

Morgenstern says, "I am the one true god of this shadow!  No punk
ass dragons are going to be blasting people unless
I...ABBA!!!!!!"  He goes silent.

Kaede looks up at Motoko and bows deeply to her. "I understand,
Motoko-sama. That is why I undertook the rite. Perhaps that in
itself was not enough to cleanse me, but having done that, and
then being forced to confront you about...er...."

Kaede asks, "What was ABBA again?"

Davros idly twists his spikard round on his finger.

Motoko says, "I believe they are some sort of musical group."

Kaede says, "Oh. Yes."

Moonshade says, "Morgy hates them beyond belief, whatever they
are."

Motoko puts out her hand towards Kaede.  "Things that fester in
darkness wither when brought into the light," she says softly.
"I have learned that through many hard lessons."

Kaede reaches up and takes her hand in a firm grip. "Yes. I see."

Motoko pulls Kaede to his feet.  "Come.  Let us take you to
somewhere you may rest."

Kaede says, "Thank you. I was starting to think the ground was
very soft and comfortable." He wobbles.

Yuki says, "You should take a bath, Kaede."

Kaede says, "I probably should."

Motoko supports Kaede.  "I could simply give you healing if you
like," she offers.

Kaede starts to stagger off. "But no healing spells. They're not
allowed after the purification rite. It's partly why I chose to
do it here, because I know you can accelerate time."

Motoko says, "Very well.  I will hand you off to Yuki-san, then,
if I may, as I must attend to the working I came here to do."

Yuki takes Kaede by the arm.  "Come on, let's go."

Kaede nods. "Thank you, Motoko-sama. I will see you all later."
He allows himself to be led off.

Motoko says, "Hel is moving against us now; we believe her agents
tried to kill Jacqueline and Anthy-sama today."

Kaede blinks. "Oh. That is not a good thing."

Morgenstern frowns.  "With a fake King Gendo no less."

Motoko says, "No.  I am going to see what I can discover of their
presence in this universe with a very complex scrying spell."

Kaede . o O ( King Gendo, King Gen...I know I've heard that name
before. )

Morgenstern says, "If that punk ass bitch comes round here, I'll
shove those white gloves of his up his ass."

Moonshade says, "You and me both."

Motoko says, "Please feel free to do so, Morgenstern."

Kaede nods. "If that happens, hopefully I will be well enough to
help."

Motoko says, "It will take me some hours to assemble the spell."

Kaede looks down at himself. "Well, I think it will take a few
days for me to heal fully. Take as much time as you require."

Motoko says, "And even longer, in all likelihood, to use it
effectively.  Which is why I came here to do it."

Motoko nods and waves.  "Take care of yourself, Kaede-san."

Kaede wanders away slowly.

Motoko turns to Moonshade and Davros once Kade and Yuki are gone
and sweatdrops.  "Aiyah," she says.  "May we all live in
interesting times."

Kaede OOCly says, "Cut for me, as I need to sleep now."

Moonshade says, "Yeah."

Davros laughs nervously.  "Yes, we do."

Davros says, "This had better not end up on a Trump Porn
channel."

Motoko says, more softly, "I wish you had told me, Isillome."

Moonshade says, "I didn't think it was a good idea to talk about
it.  I mean, Kaede's heart is sort of his own business."  She
sighs.

Moonshade says, "And there isn't much worse than people knowing
you've been turned down.  Well, in the romance end of things.
Being, say, blasted by huge amounts of lightning by someone's
angry...anyway..."

Motoko says, quietly, "In an ideal world, this would be the case.
But I know all too well how people can be twisted into things
they are not by such feelings, especially if they are unspoken."

Motoko says, "Had he carried such resentment for me, it could
have festered into hate.  He could have become a weapon against
us."  She sighs.

Motoko says, "It is good that this was spoken of, painful though
it may be."

Davros says, "As we have seen."  He sighs.  "As happened at
Ebenscrux."

Moonshade says, "What happened at Ebenscrux?  That was before my
time, I think."

Motoko rubs her arm.  "Moriya resisted as long as he could," she
says softly.  "But they eventually broke into his mind and turned
him upon me, using the feelings of resentment he had towards me
for not returning his affections."

Moonshade's eyes widen.  "Man, that sucks."

Davros says, "It came close to destroying us all.  Though it also
became the occassion for the Serpent revealing Motoko as his
bride."  His eyes shine for a moment.  "When our destiny began to
be revealed."

Motoko reaches out and takes his hand.  "Yes," she says softly.
She reaches for Moonshade's as well.

## ^_- ##

Moonshade takes Motoko's hand.  "Well, I hope nothing like that
happens with us."

## -_- ##

## H_H ##

Motoko squeezes their hands.  "I'd have to zap you," she says
softly, with some teasing, but also a little fear.  "I'm sure..."
She sighs.  "Let's get to work."

John says, "Moonshade says, "I've had enough zapping.""

Alrightie, you three find yourself a nice laboratory for you and
Davros to start weaving magic together.

Motoko says, "OOC:  Okay, gonna sleep now."