Lunar: A Story Forgotten 2 Session 10 Log Session Start: Sat Jan 12 21:15:13 2002 ============================================================================ Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as Gamemaster, Officer, Selene, Shuttle Captain, Nota Vendors, Townsperson, Little Boy, Inventor, Diana, Lou, Kane, Dark Figure, Teal, Voice, Tony, Pixies, Innkeeper DNW as Kodah Lucca as Samantha Nadia Hemady as Yuuwaku Nicole Peters as Varemi, Boy, Gabe Rune Lai as Jan Scott Kroush as Galen Seath as Marcus Storen as Chrissy Tim Peters as Ambush 6000 (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Ambush 6000) ============================================================================ ===GAME ON!=== When we last left our intrepid party (before a disaster cut them off from view :P), they were about to enter a Neo Pharosian installation in the city of Drachenburg. They had just defeated several lackeys of Zissel, an alien wizard thought to have been long-dead. The group had gone to Drachenburg to see advice on two artifacts. One is the Ordak Crystal, which is believed to enable time travel. The other is the Sword of Zophar. * Varemi stares. Varemi: "..." --You are currently entering the Neo Pharosian compound to see the duty officer about getting information on the Ordak Crystal and Zophar's Sword. Several guards are willing to direct you to the office...-- Varemi: "..." * Galen hopes the guards know who they are. --You are trying to find out about these artifacts because there are shadowy groups, perhaps linked to the Church, also looking for them.-- --The guards point you to a room at the end of a long corridor to the right.-- * Kodah looks around warily, not really liking this. * Chrissy rolls her neck a bit, whistling slightly and making herself presentable as they enter the place. ^. * Jan just follows everyone. * Samantha follows behind the others. * Yuuwaku fingers the hilt of his sword and edges in Chrissy's general direction. * Varemi stands there, looking highly suspicious with her unreal, dreamlike lavender hair and day glow lime eyes, wearing a Lum bikini for no reason among fully dressed comrades. * Galen takes the long corridor to the right, silently wondering what this "Ordak Crystal" thingy is. --There is a medium-ranking officer in the office.-- Varemi: "... " Officer: "May I help you?" Galen: "We're looking for information." Varemi: . o O ( ... I miss... the little girl.) Officer: "Hmm... Wait... Morden sent you, right?" * Varemi looks disappointed somehow and stares at her goofy booties. Galen: "yeah, I think that's his name." Samantha: "Yes, that's right." Yuuwaku: "Who's Mor-- yeah, it was him." Officer: "I see... Well, I'll be pleased to help." Officer: "What kind of information are you looking for?" * Chrissy smoothes out her rumbled lab jacket, and look at the guard. "Great..." ^_ * Varemi looks up and stares directly into the random man's eyes. Galen: "Tell us, just what in the world is this 'Ordak Crystal.'" Galen: "And are there any clues to its whereabouts?" Officer: "Ordak Crystal... Hmm..." * Officer punches up some information on his computer terminal... * Kodah listens without saying anything, preferring to stick close to Sam and Jan. Officer: "I think one of our historians may have been researching that..." Samantha: "Oh? What's his or her name?" * Yuuwaku goes over and contemplates Varemi. Yuuwaku: "I really have to find new clothes for you, dollie." Yuuwaku: "..." Yuuwaku: "And braid your hair." =^.^= Officer: "Hmm... Here it is... Dr. Wilhelm van Morden..." * Chrissy leans over the desk a bit to look at the terminal. "Wouldn't also happen to be digging up clues on Zophar's sword too, is he? Yuuwaku: "Do you have a serial label anywhere?" * Varemi is standing not necessarily close or far away from anyone, hands at her side, occasionally patting some of the fabric of her nearly non-existent attire, staring at whoever is talking with confusing body language. Officer: "According to his research, the Ordak crystal dates from some sort of 'dark age' in Lunar's past after Dragonmaster Alex." * Yuuwaku pokes at Varemi a little bit. * Varemi notices Yuuwaku after a very long second. Samantha: "Dark age? Dragonmaster Alex? That was a long time ago... wasn't it?" Varemi: "?" Galen: "Yeah... a very long time ago, Sam." Marcus: "Millennia." Yuuwaku: "Doll." ^_^ * Samantha nods. Officer: "Little is known about this era -- all records were lost. However, it is believed that the Ordak Crystal contains the power of a wizard who was able to manipulate time." Yuuwaku: "Was his name Ordak?" Officer: "When this wizard died, the remnants of his power were crystallized and this crystal supposedly fell to Earth." * Yuuwaku doesn't turn around to look at the officer while he's talking to him, but continues playing with Varemi's hair. Officer: "Yes, his name was probably Ordak." Galen: "There was a little known record of a wizard of that time. Chrissy: "Well it figures, since the rock's named after the guy." * Varemi turns away from him after he mentions this random thing unquestioning. Officer: "Hmm... Whoever gains this crystal should be able to have limited time-travel capabilities. Supposedly, it fell near what is rumored to have been the island of Atlantis." * Kodah listens carefully, watching Yuu and Varemi out of the corner of one eye. * Varemi continues to watch the conversation. Yuuwaku: "I think that'd be great, actually. Why do wizards always have to cool names?" Kodah: "At who is?" Officer: "That's all we have on the Ordak Crystal, I'm sorry to say." Galen: "Wait a minute... the lost island of Atlantis?" * Officer nods. Yuuwaku: "Do you have information on that?" Galen: "Now that goes way back in Terran legend." * Varemi stares very very blankly at all of this. Officer: "Apparently, the best we can tell, is that the legend of Atlantis dates back to pre-Zophar times." Marcus: "No one has ever found Atlantis. It's probably just that, a legend." Yuuwaku: "That's all you know about it?" Officer: "Well, that, and it is supposedly located somewhere beneath the Atlantic Ocean, which was named for the legend." * Chrissy puts a shoulder on the desk. "Speaking of that creep, your database wouldn't have any more clues on a different artifact... Say, one sword o' Zophar, eh? Kodah: "So what's this Atlwhohah place supposed to be?" Varemi: "There are many legends." Officer: "Sword of Zophar, eh?" Galen: "Marcus, this kind of legend is something that any sorcerer worth his salt would want to investigate." * Officer punches a few keys on the keyboard. Varemi: "Who do people never believe them?" Varemi: "They're all I've ever seen be true." Officer: "Hmm, we don't have much on the sword. However, there is a scholar in the town of Zulan on Lunar that is an expert." Galen: "Kodah, it's a lost city. Apparently, it sunk below the ocean several millennia before Zophar." Samantha: "What's his name?" * Varemi stares again... and hopes no one heard her. * Kodah raises an eyebrow at Varemi, having heard that. Officer: "His name is Feng Xu." * Galen checks his book. "Hmm... could that have been around the same time, pre-Zophar as.... * Yuuwaku picks up Varemi's hand, lifts it away from her bod. * Chrissy nods, watching the man type. "... Zulan, huh... well if we're in the neighborhood again.... * Varemi lets Yuuwaku do this, puts up no resistance. Her hand is limp. Selene: "Zulan... I haven't been there in years..." * Yuuwaku lets go of the hand. Samantha: "Zulan, huh...?" Officer: "Anyway, I hope this information was helpful." Yuuwaku: "Do you have fond memories, Selene?" Samantha: "It was." ^^ "Thanks a lot." * Varemi's hand drops, but she catches it apparently as it slows down and does not plop to her side. Chrissy: "You been to the big resort there, Selene? I sent lots of people that way at the station. Must be a blast." Galen: "it's a little useful, sir... but... are there any references to ancient maps that would show a probable location of Atlantis?" Officer: "One theory is that the island Dragon City is located on may have once been part of Atlantis." Kodah: . o O (Why not got to Zulan? We at least KNOW where that is.) * Kodah perks at the mention of Dragon. * Jan just sits around and listens. He has no idea where he's going anyway. Yuuwaku: "Dragon City?" Samantha: "Hmm..." Selene: "Dragon City was the old capitol, thousands of years ago, I think..." Yuuwaku: "Is it a safe place, do you think, to go?" Galen: "During the Nephar war, yes, it was." Yuuwaku: "I mean... is there a lot of crime?" ^_^; Officer: "Dragon City is a quiet, small city these days. No more crime than anywhere else." * Varemi narrows her eyes and glares now. At no one. Chrissy: "Dragon City... I wonder if it has relics..." ^^ Marcus: "I don't think we have to worry too much about crime." Yuuwaku: "Ah, so I guess the heroes must have a strong influence there that keeps the peace then?" ^_^; Officer: "Sadly, Dragon City was pretty badly damaged since the Nephar War. Most of it has been rebuilt." Officer: "Heh heh, perhaps." :) Yuuwaku: "Really... well... isn't that good." ^_^ * Varemi blinks. Varemi: "Hmm." Galen: "Hmmm." * Kodah think. * Galen looks in his books again. * Chrissy shrugs. "Ah, those heroes, always ruinin' the mood." :\ Yuuwaku: "What do you mean Chrissy, the heroes are great." ^_^;;;; Selene: "Maybe I'm talking too much here, but it seems like we have two places we could go. We could go to Zulan or try to find Atlantis..." Kodah: "So where are we headed next? Zulan or Atwhichiz?" * Yuuwaku nudges Chrissy slightly. Samantha: "We could just flip a coin." ^^; * Varemi looks at Yuuwaku, seeing what he's doing and looks very very confused. Galen: "Call me crazy, but I'd say look fro Atlantis." Varemi: "Isn't he..." Varemi: "..." Jan: "At this point flipping a coin is about as an informed decision as we can make." Galen: "But that's just my sorcerer's curiosity." Marcus: "I'd say Atlantis. It sounds more interesting even if it may only be legend." * Chrissy starts for a sec at the nudge. "Oh, I mean, always ruining the mood because I can't get close to them. Darn those fangirls all over Ares..." ^^ Kodah: "Well, we KNOW where Zulan is." * Samantha winks at Jan. ^^; "Well... true..." Yuuwaku: "Oh... that's what I thought you meant." ^_^ Yuuwaku: "Yes." Yuuwaku: "But...." Yuuwaku: "Is Zulan safe?" Varemi: "..... ......." Varemi: "I feel very oblivious." Officer: "Zulan is a ski resort... Crime there is tiny, except for the occasional pickpocket." Marcus: "Is anywhere safe for us? Probably not. What are you so worried about anyway?" Yuuwaku: "Oh I don't know, I guess we're just the most inconspicuous group of people you've ever seen." Marcus: "Well, we should probably get some semblance of clothes for Varemi." * Yuuwaku nodnods. Kodah: "My vote is for Zulan. We don't have the resources to go poking around in the ocean for something hidden." Yuuwaku: "Maybe glasses too?" Samantha: "I agree with Kodah. We at least know where Zulan. We can't waste much time." Galen: "Hmm..." * Galen thinks to himself for a moment. Officer: "If you want clothes or disguises, feel free to visit the provisions locker down the hall." Yuuwaku: "Thank you." Officer: "You're welcome." Galen: .oO(I could fly myself to Dragon City to investigate Atlantis, then meet up with the others at Zulan.) Marcus: "Varemi, do you mind if we get you something else to wear?" Varemi: "... I need a disguise?" Varemi: "That would never work." Galen: "Chrissy, is there a teleport Station that leads to Zulan here?" Marcus: "Its better than how you are now." * Chrissy ponders... Yuuwaku: "At least pants." Yuuwaku: "They can be skin tight... but no one goes around in their underwear." Marcus: "Maybe a shirt too." Varemi: "... Maybe." * Varemi puts one hand on her hip. * Varemi randomly looks over at Kodah for a moment. Then back at Marcus. Yuuwaku: "I would say cut and style your hair differently, dye it, and put in color contacts but I don't think you'd go for that." * Varemi looks over to Yuuwaku. "What looks good..." * Kodah wonders why he has been looked at randomly. Yuuwaku: "Leather pants look good." :D Varemi: "..." Chrissy: "Well Galen..." Yuuwaku: "Skin tight." ^_^ Varemi: "All right. That's a word I've heard before." * Marcus leaves the clothes talk and goes over to Galen and Chrissy. Chrissy: "There's a space port in Nota, if we can catch a ship to Lunar." ^^; Officer: "If you need a ride to Lunar, I can provide one for you." Chrissy: "That has a hub for all the locations on the planet." Marcus: "Once they started talking about skin tight leather, I took my leave of them." * Varemi stands up a bit straighter and folds her arms in front of her, looks over at Chrissy, then at Samantha. Galen: "I was wondering, because I can fly myself to Dragon City to investigate Atlantis, then meet you at Zulan." * Kodah waits for a consensus. Selene: "I don't know if it's safe for us to split up." Yuuwaku: "Let's see..." Yuuwaku: "You'll need sunglasses." Varemi: "I don't think we should split up right now, either." Yuuwaku: "Could we die your hair... like... a natural red or something?" Yuuwaku: "At least that might go with the green eyes." * Varemi looks over at Yuuwaku with her neon eyes and gives him a strange look. * Yuuwaku contemplates Varemi, trying to figure this out. Yuuwaku: "No no, I guess the glasses would be better. Should Kodah wear glasses too?" Kodah: "Me?" * Chrissy scratches her head. "I dunno Galen, I think I'd rather keep ya with us...." Samantha: "Galen, going off will probably get you killed." * Yuuwaku looks up. * Varemi looks at everyone else, ignoring the conversation about her clothes at the moment, but also eyeing the female members of the party. Yuuwaku: "Eh? Why is Galen leaving?" Samantha: "Galen is proving his manly cajones to all of us, Yuu. Nothing big." ^_- Marcus: "Let's just keep the group together. It is simpler that way." Yuuwaku: "Don't worry, we'll go to Atlantis too Galen." Varemi: "I'm sorry. Usually I approve of everyone being lone wolves. Somehow I feel that it would be a bad idea right now." Varemi: "I can't tell why." Jan: "We stand better chances if we stick together too." * Varemi shrugs. Galen: "Sam, I'm trying to figure out a lot more than just the Ordak Crystal." Varemi: "So my vote doesn't count." Kodah: "Because its suicide?" Galen: "Call it 'sorcerer's curiosity,' okay?" Varemi: "That might be why, yes, Kodah." Varemi: "Curiosity killed the cat." Varemi: "I heard that one before." Samantha: "Galen. Darling. No. You can be a lone wolf any other time, but now is not a good time." Yuuwaku: "Yes, but do you need to find out right this minute, Galen?" * Samantha sounds a bit short tempered. ^^ Marcus: . o O(Darling?) Yuuwaku: "Legendary cities don't get up and walk away. It'll be there in a week, a month, a year... we have time." Galen: "Yuu, do you remember that dark lord that Zissel is trying to bring back here?" Chrissy: "Come on Galen, I think right now a weapon's more interesting than a wizardly crystal, but that's my two silvers." ^^ Yuuwaku: "Yeah Galen?" Samantha: . o O ( I swear one of these days I'm going to throttle Galen. I just am. And it'll be so sweet... ^^ ) * Jan seems rather restless at the mention of Zissel's name. Galen: "Well, from what I understand, Dragonmistress Alys was only able to seal him up. If we do that again, he may just keep coming back." Galen: "There has to be a way to destroy him." Yuuwaku: "What does that have to do with the Ordak Crystal?" Marcus: "Well, apparently sealing him up didn't work the first time." Yuuwaku: "Do you have a plan?" Jan: "Yes. What?" Galen: "And if the current gods won't bother with him, then I'd be willing to bet it all on the powers of the ancient gods and monsters." * Samantha blinks at Galen several times. Yuuwaku: "Isn't time travel dangerous?" Samantha: "... Huh?" Yuuwaku: "You can destroy the future by tampering with the past." * Varemi points a finger up. Varemi: "I came from the past." Jan: . o O (Destroy the future...) * Varemi stares into space. * Kodah sits down on a barrel and awaits a decision. Galen: "There were some very powerful deities that have been dormant on this star for many millennia. I'd be willing to bet it all that their power could be enough to destroy Shadowfall." * Chrissy shakes her head and sighs. "Don'tcha think worrying about the here and now is the most important? We still got a certain huge organization breathing down our backs to be chasing some other thing..." ^^ Yuuwaku: "If we go back in time, we could destroy the organization before it got started." Samantha: "Yeah, Galen..." ^^; "Can we focus on the now and not get carried away?" Marcus: "Why should we rely on the power of the past? We know that it wasn't enough, otherwise we would not have this problem now. We need to find something in the here and now to help us." Selene: "We could also prevent any of us from being born..." Kodah: "..." Yuuwaku: "That's true." Yuuwaku: "What's wrong Kodah?" Yuuwaku: "Wait, maybe I should ask you that later." Kodah: "I just think we should be concentrating on the here and now." Marcus: "Let's just go to Zulan and find out about the sword if we can." Galen: "Okay... for the time being, we'll search out the Sword of Zophar." * Chrissy nods. "Besides, Zulan'll be fun. I've always wanted to see the snow there... Yuuwaku: "We can check out Atlantis later, Galen." Yuuwaku: "..." Yuuwaku: "Now why are we searching for the Sword of Zophar?" Selene: "We heard rumors that the Church was interested in it for some reason back at the Carnival, I think." Yuuwaku: "It doesn't sound like a sword that anything good could come out of..." Galen: .oO(something makes me wonder if they want to go to Zulan for information, or just to go skiing.) Yuuwaku: "Ah wonderful." Yuuwaku: "So if we go to Zulan, we'll probably run into the Church." Galen: "We'll probably run into them where ever we go." Officer: "Highly unlikely. The Church left Zulan after their archaeological digs in the area were complete. They have no standing force there." Yuuwaku: "Ahhh." * Samantha's looks at Galen and looks down at her hand, which is balled into a fist, and is "itchy." She presses the fist into her side. ^^:; Yuuwaku: "Perfect then." Yuuwaku: "Why were they digging? For the Sword of Zophar?" Kodah: "Okay, so we get Varemi some new clothes, and then head off for Zulan." Marcus: "Yes." Kodah: "We have a plan, let's do it." Officer: "Our intelligence indicates they were searching for some sort of ancient genetic construct. They found it, but we later hijacked the shipment and rerouted it to Tijuana..." Galen: "Make sure you pack your cold weather gear." Chrissy: "Wait..." * Kodah patpats Jan. ^_^ Yuuwaku: "I'll have to wear my warm tabi." Samantha: . o O ( ... And I'll pack my aspirin... ) * Chrissy looks at Varemi, sweatdropping. ^^ * Yuuwaku walks over to Samantha and pats her arm. Yuuwaku: "You all right?" :\ Chrissy: "Well, that explains that one..." Samantha: "Ergh." ^^; "I'm fine. Just... edgy." * Samantha's eye twitches and she looks at Galen again. Yuuwaku: "Do you want me to give you a back rub?" * Kodah drags Varemi off to where the Officer said they had some disguises, wanting to get underway. Yuuwaku: "Maybe you should look in the other direction." ^_^; * Samantha sputters, "Ah, no thanks Yuu..." * Varemi puts her hands behind her back and looks from person to person. Yuuwaku: "Okay." * Varemi is dragged. Yuuwaku: "Ooh, well, at least come help me dress Varemi!" Jan: O_o Galen: "I'll be waiting elsewhere. Officer, is there somewhere that I can do some reading, WITHOUT being disturbed?" Samantha: "Dress Varemi... uh... Yuu, she really isn't a doll..." ^^: Yuuwaku: "I know." ^_^ Varemi: "... I will not wear anything loose. It is uncomfortable." Yuuwaku: "But she wants help picking an outfit." Yuuwaku: "Didn't you notice the way she was looking at you and Chrissy?" * Kodah opens the door to the room in question, and looks around for option. Yuuwaku: "She wants a female touch." * Samantha waggles a finger, "So don't treat her like one! You'll hurt her feelings. But I'll help her find something nice to wear..." * Samantha waggles her finger in a good humored way. Yuuwaku: "I won't hurt her feelings. She understands what I mean." ^_^ --There are plenty of spandex-type articles of clothing in the provisions locker.-- * Samantha nods, "Okay then." ^^ * Varemi goes into the room, dragged by Kodah. Varemi: "..." Yuuwaku: "If she gets even a little offended, I promise I'll stop!" Varemi: "I wonder who this was originally intended for." Samantha: "Okay." ^^ Varemi: "I assumed I was strange..." Kodah: "An excellent question." * Yuuwaku heads off to the dressing room. --There are also other tight articles of clothing in it.-- * Yuuwaku starts rummaging through the clothes. Yuuwaku: "Hmm." * Chrissy follows along behind the dragged Varemi. "Isn't the point to not make her feel like one. Yuuwaku: "Hey look, black spandex and a green tank top." Kodah: "Oh well, pick your poison then." Yuuwaku: "You could wear that!" * Varemi looks at the various clothing, looking for something familiar. * Galen goes into a separate room, drags out several LARGE tome, a pen and reading glasses. * Samantha hmms, and looks around, "Dude, they have a poncho here!" o_o * Jan checks out the disguises with some interest, though it doesn't appear to be much of one. Varemi: "Isn't it going to be a little cold? Well. I guess I don't get cold easily." * Yuuwaku tries to find leather pants. * Kodah goes to find some glasses, since apparently he needs them (or something). Yuuwaku: "Leather pants are warming." * Marcus waits outside the room while the others are helping Varemi. * Yuuwaku finds some. Varemi: "Do I put it over this?" Yuuwaku: "Do you think these are your size?" Varemi: "Or take this off first." Yuuwaku: "Yes." Varemi: "I'm a very strange size." * Chrissy diverts her attention, rummaging through a locker nearby. Yuuwaku: "Try them on." ^_^ * Samantha swipes the poncho and wraps it around her body, "Arr... I be a heroic poncho wearing type now. Arrr!" * Samantha coughs and sweatdrops. * Yuuwaku giggles at Samantha. * Varemi stares at the clothing, and fingers a garment that is especially interesting and bright looking, apparently attracted to shiny things. * Varemi stops herself. "...." * Varemi looks at the other girls again. Yuuwaku: "We should make her wear a jacket of some sort too." * Varemi looks back at the clothes. * Galen looks up all he can about lost cities in his books, taking notes on a pad. Varemi: "... This is very difficult." Yuuwaku: "Otherwise people will wonder why she isn't cold." * Chrissy takes out some blue-tinted shades, tipping them. "Just call me Tianna... hoho..." Varemi: "I do not want to dress like either of you, but I want to be less conspicuous." * Kodah tries on different sunglasses, not liking any of them much. Varemi: "I would not be comfortable in it." Varemi: "What color?" Yuuwaku: "I think you would look odd in long sleeves." * Jan selects what appears to be a set of wizard's robes. He studies it carefully to see if it appears to be the right size. Yuuwaku: "Do you think I should change?" * Varemi looks around, noticing that some more of the party have shown up here. Varemi: "... ...." * Chrissy thinks. "Hey, would something like my retro-Pharosian vests work for you Varemi? They might have some...." Varemi: . o O (I wonder where I would change.) Yuuwaku: "I guess it won't matter." Yuuwaku: "Don't worry Varemi, you're putting it *over* the bikini." * Kodah lefts through some outfits. Varemi: "... I could always try something on and you could tell me if it's an improvement." Yuuwaku: "Yeah!" * Samantha rummages through a tin of jewelry and suddenly coughs LOUDLY. * Marcus yells back into the room. "Are you guys done yet?" Yuuwaku: "What is it Sam?" ^_^; Jan: "You're not getting a disguise, Marcus?" Yuuwaku: "Ah, we should hurry up, we're making Marcus upset." :\ * Chrissy tries to find something close to her outfit's top for Varemi, seeing as this is a Neo Pharosian base after all... * Samantha holds up a charm bracelet, "WWLD?" *blink* "Oh god... There's something in here with 'What would Lucia do?' Aggh! Evil." * Varemi grabs a pair of pants and holds them up to her. Marcus: "Why would I need a disguise, I'm not dressed abnormally." * Samantha throws the bracelet back in the tin. * Yuuwaku giggle. Jan: "Just so you don't fit the description the Church has of us." * Kodah finds a long coat that he likes, and a scarf that goes with it. Yuuwaku: "If I changed, I would have to take off my armor so..." * Galen stays where he is, researching. * Samantha hmms, overhearing Jan, "Hmmm...." Selene: "Maybe you can find a cape or something to wear over your armor?" * Samantha absentmindedly touches her hair, and blinks. Yuuwaku: "I don't think people will really be looking for us Jan." Yuuwaku: "But Varemi is hard to miss." :\ Marcus: "I'm fine as I am." Samantha: "Maybe... Hmm." Jan: "It couldn't hurt." * Varemi holds up a pair of pants anti-climatically and addresses a question to everyone. "Are these too strange?" They're black and look like they might be tight. They have a few rivets on them and zipperish things. Yuuwaku: "True..." Yuuwaku: "I think those are fine." Varemi: "I do not know why they have these." *toys with a zipper* "... Does anyone see anything else?" Varemi: "?" * Jan tosses on a sky blue wizard's robe and removes his goggles. A decorative cane completes the outfit. * Kodah tries on the coat and scarf, grabbing a wide-brimmed hat as well. * Varemi looks over at Kodah in the hat. * Varemi has a strange desire to laugh, but doesn't. * Samantha rummages through and takes off her yellow sweater, replacing it with a white shirt and a leather jacket. * Chrissy hands Varemi a light jacket in the retro-style and a pale blue color. "How about this? Warmer than it looks, and easy to move in." ^^ Samantha: "How is this?" * Kodah slips on a pair of round sunglasses and completes his "disguise." Samantha: "Hmm... perhaps not enough. Let's see..." Varemi: "..." *puts it on over her bikini top* "..." *shrugs* "It feels annoying." Yuuwaku: "Are there any cloaks?" Yuuwaku: "I'll just put on my winter cloak." * Varemi hands the jacket back to Chrissy. "Sorry..." * Kodah looks at the group in his new get-up, "Does this look less conspicuous?" Chrissy: "Ehh... all right... maybe I'm not the best at this sorta thing." * Varemi looks at the hat, and only the hat. Yuuwaku: "Maybe, but it looks funny." Varemi: "I don't like the hat." Selene: "It looks okay to me." * Marcus takes a look into the room, "Oh bloody hell..." * Kodah shrugs, and throws the hat awa. Yuuwaku: "Sorry Marcus!" Yuuwaku: "We'll be quicker..." Varemi: "The rest is fine. To me." * Galen isn't even paying attention to the rest of the party, still reading. * Varemi looks at Marcus. * Samantha taps her sword (in its sheath) against her palm, in thought. Varemi: "I'll just choose what I like." Varemi: "But I warn you, I have very bad taste." * Varemi thinks back to the Barbie... * Yuuwaku finds a tight purple sweater and walks over to Varemi. Yuuwaku: "Try?" Varemi: "..." * Kodah leaves the room, his "disguise" chosen. * Chrissy puts it back, and pulls out a heavy leather flight jacket. "Ooh, now this could work." She pulls out a hat with goggles on them. ^^ * Varemi pulls into it. Varemi: "... Is this silly?" Yuuwaku: "Is it okay?" Varemi: "It feels itchy." Yuuwaku: "I think it looks nice with the pants." * Samantha frowns, and just ties her hair up into a really tight bun, and then conceals it in a red bandana. She leaves the room. Yuuwaku: "You can take it off when we get into a battle." Varemi: "Does it?" Varemi: "... Give me a moment, Yuuwaku." * Varemi takes off the sweater, removes the pants with some trouble. Yuuwaku: "What are you doing?" Galen: "Hmm.... interesting..." * Kodah waits along with Jan and Sam for everyone to finish. * Varemi wanders around a bit on her own and fingers through the clothing. Her hand often rests on things with a leathery feel or somewhat shiny, or furry, or of any other kind of strange material like vinyl or just plain spandex, but she in general ignores the spandex although she looks at it. Yuuwaku: "I like that, Chrissy." * Chrissy stuff her hair into the hat, tightenings the band and pulling it over her face, along with the blue tint sunglasses. "Think this works well? I've always liked the flyboy look..." Yuuwaku: "It's cute." ^_^ * Varemi ends up taking something pink, a few black things, something really really shiny and something else with many belts on it. Varemi: "..." * Galen checks out some of his different resources. "One book makes a note about the ancient gods causing the city to sink, but another says something about a war between the ancient Greeks and the Atlanteans. Very interesting..." * Varemi has in one hand a pair of just normal black leather pants, boot leg sort of looking things with very anime belts on the legs. They're glossy and have pockets, buttons, and look a lot like a pair of jeans in their cut and the detaisl on it. The pink pants just look stretchy and tight, Barbie pink and with no details on them. Yuuwaku: "Black." Varemi: "All right." * Varemi tosses the pink. * Marcus looks at the others waiting outside the room, "Tell me why I suggested Varemi get clothes? I think I've forgotten..." Samantha: "Dunno, Marcus." ^^: * Samantha looks like a biker chick, now. ^^ * Varemi holds up two tops. One a normal looking black tank top, the other a half-shirt with short sleeves. It's shiny and it sparkles. The black shirt's just kind of ordinary, but it covers her waist. * Kodah looks back and forth at various party members. Varemi: "Which?" Yuuwaku: "Black again." Varemi: "Done then." * Varemi tosses the other. Yuuwaku: "You'll look goth, but then people will just think you're a punk." * Varemi puts the two things on. Yuuwaku: "Ready to go?" Varemi: "I do not know those words." Yuuwaku: "They're styles of dressing." Varemi: "Do I keep my boots?" Kodah: "My gods we look like rodeo clowns on vacation." -_-; * Jan seems rather resigned in his wizard outfit. Yuuwaku: "Sure." * Marcus will stick with his long black leather coat, black pants and black shirt. * Galen is still in another room, doing research. Yuuwaku: "You'll match Marcus." Varemi: "... But he is not wearing tiger booties and gloves." Yuuwaku: "Can we go now? He already dislikes me enough." Yuuwaku: "He'll probably blame this on me." ;P * Varemi idly eyes the jewelry Samantha was looking through before. Varemi: "..." * Varemi grabs a collar. * Marcus holds up his hands with black gloves on. Yuuwaku: "Varemi..." Varemi: "....." Varemi: "I'm done." Yuuwaku: "Okay." Jan: "Then let's go." Yuuwaku: "Yeah, let's." Varemi: "... I miss the little girl." Yuuwaku: "You'll probably see her again, someday." * Officer greets the group outside the locker. Varemi: "Yes." Officer: "Are you all set here?" * Yuuwaku hops over near Samantha. Yuuwaku: "Wah! You're cute now!" ^_^ Marcus: "We need to get Galen. He said he was going to some room where he could be alone." Samantha: ^^: "I am?" Yuuwaku: "Well, you were cute before too." * Jan nods. Yuuwaku: "But you're also cute now." ^_^ Varemi: "..." Varemi: "Is cute good?" Yuuwaku: "Yes Varemi." * Samantha blushes slightly, "Thanks, Yuu. I'm not used to my hair being pulled up...." Kodah: "In a way." Varemi: "I've never been called cute." * Marcus looks at the Officer, "Where did the guy with the long white hair go? Yuuwaku: "You've probably been called sex kitten, though." Varemi: "..." Varemi: "Yes." Officer: "Excuse me?" Yuuwaku: "Kittens are cute." Yuuwaku: "Sex isn't generally cute." Varemi: "... How strange." Yuuwaku: "But kittens are." * Samantha sighs and shakes her head. ^^ * Varemi looks at the officer. Varemi: "I'm sorry." Varemi: "You can be cute, too." Officer: "Oh, him... Three offices down from mine on the left." * Marcus goes off to get Galen. * Jan waits. Varemi: "..." Varemi: "I made a mistake." Officer: "So, where are you off to, if you don't mind me asking?" Yuuwaku: "Don't worry Varemi." ^_^ Kodah: "Zulan." * Samantha goes quiet, thinking to herself. Officer: "If you go into the courtyard, you should find a VTOL space transport ready to take you there." * Marcus opens the door to the office, "Galen? The rest of the group is ready to go..." Kodah: "Thank you." --There are books strewn all over the desks in "Galen's" office.-- * Galen is sitting at the desk in the office. He idly sends a fireball at Marcus, not knowing who's there. Officer: "You're quite welcome." Varemi: "..." Galen: "Oh, sorry." * Kodah starts herding people to the VTOL. --The VTOL is ready for take off as soon as everyone steps aboard...-- * Varemi looks at the officer before being herded. "Tell them where we are..." * Jan boards. * Varemi then allows herself to be herded. * Yuuwaku allows himself to be herded. * Officer nods. * Marcus turns to Galen, "Don't laugh at the rest of the group, they all decided to get 'disguises...'" * Samantha is herded, and is unaware of it. She's thinking on something rather dark. Varemi: . o O ( ... ) * Varemi looks at everyone again. Marcus: "Except for Samantha and Chrissy, they're actually kind of cute in their new outfits." * Galen packs away his materials. "Makes me no difference, Marcus. I'll be back into my research when this journey resumes..." Galen: "Now, where is everyone?" Officer: They went to the space transport in the courtyard. * Kodah waits for Marcus and Gale. * Marcus heads for the transporter. * Galen nods, then heads for the transport. --The transport appears to be a small shuttle craft, but it should be perfectly suited for lugging everyone to Lunar.-- * Kodah goes inside and sits down. * Chrissy gets used to her outfit, inspecting the craft more out of habit. ^^ * Galen boards the transport, finds a seat, and pulls one of his research books out of his pack. He then goes back to reading. * Samantha sits down in one of the seats near the window, looking broody. She glances back at Galen again, then back to the window. * Yuuwaku looks at the other members of the group in turn, then goes over to Marcus. Yuuwaku: "Marcus..." Marcus: "Yes?" Yuuwaku: "Can you teach me how to be strong?" --Once everyone boards the transport, it lifts straight up and flies towards Lunar...-- Marcus: "I don't think it can be 'taught.' Either you are or you aren't. I guess it all depends on your outlook on life and what has affected you in the past." * Chrissy gets comfy, and looks over at Varemi... Yuuwaku: "Hmm..." * Varemi blinks. Yuuwaku: "But a person's outlook on life can change, can't it?" --Soon you leave the Earth's atmosphere and can see Lunar growing larger in the ship's windows.-- * Varemi is about to eye Marcus oddly, but then notices she is being looked at. * Varemi looks over at Chrissy. * Kodah sits in silence, thinking about a lot of thing. * Galen only sees strange runic markings on pages. Marcus: "Yes, it can but I can't teach it. All I can do is give you advice." * Jan watches the starscape through the window. Yuuwaku: "Would you then?" --Soon you're close enough to Lunar to make out individual land forms.-- * Samantha stares at her hands now. Shuttle Captain: "Please faster your seat belts. We will be entering Lunar's atmosphere in a few minutes." Marcus: "One, don't take anybody else's opinions and beliefs too seriously. When it comes down to it, yours are the only ones that matter." Chrissy: "So you finally decided on an outfit huh? I'm sorry if I wasn't a better help before, I'm a bit of a tomboy when it comes to style... plus I didn't want to be dolling you up too much and all." ^^; * Yuuwaku nods a little. Varemi: "I don't mind it." Varemi: "I took too long." --The shuttle gently enters Lunar's atmosphere and begins it's final approach towards Nota's space port... You can see the Mystic Ruins out the windows to the right of the ship.-- * Chrissy looks out the window briefly. "Ah, it's okay... the past's not going anywhere." ^^; --Soon, the ship makes a perfect vertical landing on a landing pad at the space port.-- * Chrissy oohs a bit as the landing's surprisingly smooth. "I gotta get me one of these babies... * Samantha phews. Shuttle Captain: "Welcome to Lunar. I should be here if you need me, but I'll need several hours for refueling and maintenance of the shuttle before I can take off again." * Kodah stands and gets ready to leave. * Jan gets out of his seat. * Galen puts his book back in his pack, after the landing. "For some reason, I prefer to fly myself, instead of using these things... * Samantha unfastens her seatbelt and stands up. * Varemi eyes the seatbelt. Varemi: "..." * Varemi looks over at Yuuwaku. Varemi: "Please." --Nota is a reasonably short walking distance away from the Space port.-- * Yuuwaku gets out of the seatbelt and trots over to help Varemi out. Varemi: ".... ..." Varemi: "Thank you." Yuuwaku: "It's okay." ^_^ Kodah: "So how do we get to Zulan from here." * Varemi stands up. * Varemi goes over to everyone else. Yuuwaku: "Marcus?" Yuuwaku: "Is there anything else?" Jan: "I'm not sure exactly." Jan: "Not without a map." Galen: "I think Zulan's due north of here." Selene: "I think we have to go through Nota. There is a bridge there that crosses the river. Zulan it's just on the other side." Samantha: "It's north, I believe." * Kodah nods at Varemi as she approached. * Chrissy pats the Shuttle Captain on the back. "No prob, just stick around just in case... Marcus: "That's good enough to start with for now." * Shuttle Captain nods. * Varemi notices the nod, blinks, and then slightly nods back. * Varemi looks at his red scarf randomly. * Galen disembarks from the ship, and looks at the city of Nota. "Looks like it rebuilt pretty nicely... Yuuwaku: "I'll keep it in mind. Thank you Marcus." ^_^ Samantha: "Rebuilt?" *blink* Galen: "Yeah, rebuilt." * Marcus gets off the ship. * Kodah glances at Varemi, "What now?" * Yuuwaku heads out and pets at the bush which has been following along. --As you approach Nota, it does appear to be in good shape. However, there is still much scaffolding on the bridge connecting the East and West sides of the city.-- Galen: "Raven had come here once and almost completely destroyed the town." Varemi: "... Hmm?" * Varemi looks up. "It's nothing..." Yuuwaku: "Raven was your sister?" Galen: "Yeah." Yuuwaku: "Oh." :\ Kodah: "..." * Varemi looks over at Galen, remembering the story. Galen: "I still think there's a way to save her..." --As you enter Nota, you notice that people seem to be going about their daily lives of working, shopping, etc.-- Yuuwaku: "Maybe we can." ^_^ Galen: "But that astral power of Zissel's reminded me of hers somehow." * Kodah shrugs and heads into Nota. * Samantha frowns, and considers this. * Chrissy debarks, walking along at a brisk pace, playing with her sunglasses. She looks around the town as they enter, mindful of any Church types that might be hanging around. Samantha: . o O ( But why do you know _so_ much, Galen? Something about this... ) --Various people selling their wares in Nota bark at you to try to get them to visit their shops and kiosks.-- * Samantha shakes her head. * Yuuwaku looks around, interested, but sticking close to Kodah. Nota Vendor #1: "Come get your genuine Snake Oil here! Guaranteed to cure any ailment! Only 100S a bottle!" * Marcus mutters, "I hate marketplaces. Too noisy..." * Galen just walks on through town, in deep thought. * Yuuwaku looks up at Kodah. Yuuwaku: "Do you think it really works?" Jan: "They can be interesting sometimes. If we weren't so occupied I wouldn't mind taking a look around." Kodah: "Probably not." Yuuwaku: "Why would he say it does, then?" Nota Vendor #2: "Come get your genuine bootleg copies of Ebichu, the Housekeeping Hamster! Now on sale for only 15S!" Chrissy: "Well this place is still a pit of capitalism if I ever saw one." ^^; Galen: "It's called advertising, Yuu." Yuuwaku: "A housekeeping hamster? That's silly." Kodah: "Because he wants to see it and make money." * Chrissy glances at the kiosks still, you never know what might be on sale that might perk her interest. * Samantha stares at the kiosks as well. * Varemi watches the members of the party, idly thinking back at things in her life. --As you approach the bridge, you notice a huge sign on it that says "Bridge closed for repairs."-- Marcus: "Most of the merchants are liars." Varemi: "..." Varemi: "The bridge." Galen: "Closed for repairs... not a problem here." Yuuwaku: "Can we fly across?" * Chrissy blinks. "Bridge closed... what a drag." :/ Galen: "I can fly you over." Varemi: "... When will it be fixed..." *looks for someone to ask* * A townsperson approaches the party. Yuuwaku: "Hey!" Townsperson: "Yes?" Varemi: "Hello, sir." Yuuwaku: "Excuse me, townsperson." Varemi: "Yes." Yuuwaku: "Do you know when this bridge will be fixed?" Townsperson: "How may I help you?" Varemi: "Also, how is your day?" * Yuuwaku looks at Varemi funny. * Varemi looks over at Yuuwaku. * Yuuwaku shrug. * Varemi shoulder shrugs. Townsperson: "Hmm... Let me think... Well... Hmm... It should've been fixed last year, but it's billions of silver over budget and should take five more years due to all the delays." * Varemi looks back. Varemi: "..." * Chrissy ehehs at Varemi's very forward attempts at socializing. ^^ Yuuwaku: "Oh... we don't have five years." Yuuwaku: "How else can we cross?" Kodah: "..." Townsperson: "This is the biggest boondoggle in civil engineering since the ancient 'Big Dig' project." Varemi: "... Couldn't we swim? Or take a plane?" * Galen concentrates for a second, then rises off the ground. Chrissy: "Caught up in the red tape at a time like this.... figures." ^^ Yuuwaku: "There must be a way across. A long way perhaps?" Marcus: "This is ridiculous, five YEARS?" --The broken span of the bridge is too wide for the entire party to be levitated across.-- Kodah: "There HAS to be another way across." Galen: "Well, I can fly you over one at a time." Varemi: "Obviously there must in this day and age." Townsperson: "Well, there is a crackpot that's invented a new kind of hot air balloon. He lives just down the street from here. He may give you a ride..." Varemi: "Galen. I may be naive..." Varemi: "But isn't that..." Varemi: "Odd?" Varemi: "Suspicious?" Yuuwaku: "A crackpot who's invented a hot air balloon." Varemi: "Get people's attention?" Yuuwaku: "Sounds like a plan." ^_^ Samantha: *whisper* "Burn the witch!" ^^ Varemi: "Get people talking?" * Samantha coughs. ^^; Varemi: "... Balloon." Galen: "Okay, you guys talk to the inventor. I'll meet you in Zulan." Varemi: "A much more reasonable and non suspicious idea." Chrissy: "Invented? Uh, I don't think a balloon is on the cutting edge here..." Selene: "Are you sure it's safe for you to go alone?" Samantha: "Galen, uh." Kodah: "..." Galen: "Zulan's not far from here." Townsperson: "He's a crackpot, as I said. He doesn't know better." Marcus: "I don't think we should trust 'crackpot' inventors." Samantha: "What the hell?" Yuuwaku: "If something happens to you, who will stop your sister?" Varemi: "Yes... can't we take some kind of... something?" Yuuwaku: "Can't we walk around it somehow, townsperson?" Samantha: "Why are you splitting off? What's the point?" Yuuwaku: "How does everyone else in town go across?" Galen: "Well, as I said, I can fly you all over one at a time..." * Varemi mutters under her breath, "Even in MY day we had some kind of.... Oh right. technology died. I forgot..." Townsperson: "Hmm... Well, there are some shallows across the river about forty miles north of here..." Galen: "or, we can talk to the crackpot with the balloon." Yuuwaku: "Hmmm..." Jan: "Maybe we can get climb all the way down, cross to the other side, and then climb all the way back up." :P Yuuwaku: "But we don't have any climbing gear." Varemi: "I find it ridiculous that our options are so limited." Yuuwaku: "Does anyone have climbing experience?" * Samantha does that eye twitching thing again. Townsperson: "That might be a bit dangerous. The current is very strong this time of year." * Kodah looks down at the long drop without enthusiasm. * Chrissy mumbles a little. "... and lemme, guess, the teleport station isn't on this side?" Townsperson: "The nearest teleport station would be in Meribia." Yuuwaku: "I don't know if we should be trusting crackpots either. What about the shallows?" Marcus: "In another time and place, this might be funny." * Varemi starts asking other random people for advice on what they would do. But especially small children. Yuuwaku: "Does anyone here even know how to fly a hot air balloon?" Varemi: "Hello, little boy." Kodah: "Lets just take the shallows and walk." Yuuwaku: "We might end up in the entirely wrong direction?" Little Boy: "Hi lady!" Varemi: "If you wanted to go to the other side..." *points in the direction of the broken bridge* "What would you do?" * Little Boy looks up at Varemi all innocent-like... Galen: "Which way are the shallows?" Chrissy: "I probably could fly a balloon... but if this guys' really a crackpot, I dunno what he might've come up with. I should know." ;) Varemi: "You seem intelligent." Little Boy: "Balloooooooon! That man over there built one... No one believes it works because they say he's crazy, but he flies it late at night all the time!" Varemi: "Hmm." Yuuwaku: "Maybe we should go talk to him for fun, Chrissy?" ;P Jan: "You know... maybe we should go back to the space port and ask the ship to fly us over Zulan. It's VTOL. Then we can all jump out when we get there." Varemi: "I think that you are most likely smarter than most people. Also." Varemi: "What is a balloon?" Galen: "Oh sure, Jan. Just parachute into town? They'd think they're being invaded." * Little Boy smiles. Jan: "NEXT to town then." Jan: "Or a short distance away." Kodah: "..." Varemi: "I'm younger than I look." Chrissy: "Jan, we're outta gas right now I think." Kodah: "Or we could WALK." Marcus: "We can't go to Meribia, there's sure to be Church influence there." Yuuwaku: "Don't hit on the little boy, Varemi." Samantha: "No, Galen, we can just LEVITATE there instead." ^_^ Yuuwaku: "I like Kodah's idea too." Jan: "We could wait. It probably won't take any longer than this balloon thing..." * Samantha smiles a bit too sweetly. * Yuuwaku tugs on Samantha's sleeve. * Galen descends back down. Chrissy: "Ah, well I guess it can't hurt to meet the guy. If only so i can tell him he's a few millennia behind the times..." ^^ * Samantha looks at Yuu, "Yeah?" Yuuwaku: *whisper* "Actually, we could walk a distance from the town and fly over the water?" Yuuwaku: *whisper* "That way no one will see..." Marcus: "Oh bloody hell. Here's what we are going to do. We will see this balloon guy. I'm sure that Chrissy can inspect the balloon and see if it is safe." Samantha: *whisper* "We could...but...I don't trust levitation at all." ^^; Yuuwaku: "Oh okay." ^_^ Yuuwaku: "We should check out the balloon before making a decision." * Varemi blinks a bit. --The balloon guy's house appears to be quite neat and well-maintained.-- Galen: .oO(I wouldn't bet on it being safe. Maybe I'll just follow it.) * Little Boy ran off to go play marbles or something because he has a very short attention span. Varemi: "..." Varemi: "Oh well." * Varemi wanders back over to the group. * Yuuwaku follows Chrissy to the balloon man's house. Kodah: "Fine, lets go see the man with the balloon." Varemi: "A small boy says that he likes balloons." Samantha: "Really, Vare?" ^^ Varemi: "Yes." Galen: "Okay... let's go, already." * Marcus follow. Samantha: "Cool." ^^ --The man can be seen working on the balloon in his back yard. It appears to be mostly inflated and tied down.-- * Varemi follows. * Samantha follows the group as well. Yuuwaku: "Hello balloon man!" * Yuuwaku waves to him. Inventor: "Hello!" * Galen follows the party, but is very suspicious of this balloon. * Chrissy walks on over, looking at the home and his little project... --The balloon, oddly enough, appears perfectly safe and reasonably well-built.-- Yuuwaku: "Can we come in and have tea, please?" Samantha: "Hey Mister, we have a request..." Marcus: "Are you by chance, offering trips over the river to the other side of town?" Inventor: "I'm sorry, I'm all out of tea." Marcus: "We can pay you for the service." Yuuwaku: "Awww." Samantha: "Er... Never mind." ^^; "I'll let everyone else talk. Yeah..." Yuuwaku: "Can we come for a chat?" * Samantha steps back. ^^; Varemi: "..." Inventor: "Trips? Hmm... Actually, I needed someone for the first daytime test flight of this balloon!" Chrissy: "Hmm..." Varemi: "Yes." Varemi: "The little boy said you flew it at night." Yuuwaku: "How many people can it hold?" Inventor: "I've been flying it at night because the air is calmer then..." * Varemi nods. Varemi: "I knew the little boy was brilliant." Inventor: "Oh... Probably a dozen on a day like today." Marcus: "Is this balloon safe?" Galen: .oO(That settles it. I'm not flying in this thing. I'll follow it with my magic.) Yuuwaku: "We could all fit." * Chrissy bends and peers at it from a few angles in rapid succession. Yuuwaku: "Why are you building a balloon?" Inventor: "I've flown in it over a dozen times. Just never in the day time as the weather hasn't been good enough." Varemi: "I would imagine it would be harder in the dark." Varemi: "I don't know why." Inventor: "I invented a new fabric that self-seals when torn." * Marcus looks at the rest of the group, "We could wait for nightfall..." Chrissy: "Well.. it looks well put together... but I still dunno why you'd build a balloon in this day and age. Aficionado?" ^^ Kodah: "..." Inventor: "The air is cooler and has less turbulent in the dark." Chrissy: "Oh really?" * Inventor nods. "Yes, I'm a balloon aficionado, but I plan on selling this new fabric too..." Samantha: "... Need a test group, huh?" * Inventor nods happily. Galen: "I still prefer to fly by magic." Samantha: "I bet you do, Galen." Yuuwaku: "I'd rather walk the forty miles but..." Yuuwaku: "If everyone else wants to go on the balloon..." * Chrissy reaches to touch the fabric. "You could make a mint with the right patent on it if that's true..." Inventor: "That's my plan!" Inventor: "So please tell me you'll try my balloon out?" Galen: "I think I'll just follow you guys. I'm still rather hesitant about flying on that contraption." Chrissy: "So you haven't tested this baby in the daylight yet?" Marcus: "Well, what does everybody think? The balloon does present some risk, but it is also the quickest and easiest way across." Samantha: "..." Samantha: "I'll try it." Inventor: "No... It gets very windy around here at times, so I didn't think it was safe." Varemi: "A small boy said he would fly in the balloon. I take the opinion of a random, small child who chose marbles over speaking to me." Inventor: "However, the windy season should be over by now." Yuuwaku: "I'm not afraid so my advice is biased." * Jan sighs. Kodah: "..." Yuuwaku: "But for your sakes I would err on the side of caution." Jan: "I just can't help but wonder if we'll shortly find ourselves plastered against the mountainside." Varemi: "..." Marcus: "Should we wait until nightfall?" Varemi: "Maybe, Marcus." Varemi: "We really should be a bit concerned." * Varemi eyes Selene. Inventor: "Hmm... The weather forecast for tonight indicates rain. Not the best night for ballooning." Yuuwaku: "Something unfortunate will probably happen to us Jan, but I don't think we'll die." * Chrissy rubs her chin, looking interested. "Well, if it can seal itself in the event of a problem, it shouldn't be so bad..." Selene: "Yes, Varemi?" Galen: "That's why I prefer not to be in that thing when it goes up." Varemi: "Nothing." Selene: "Okay..." Varemi: "What do you think?" Yuuwaku: "That's right. We have to take care of Selene..." Samantha: "I'll give it a try. I like surprises." ^_- Yuuwaku: "We should be more cautious." Selene: "Well, I've always wanted to go on a balloon ride..." Varemi: "Yes, Yuuwaku." Marcus: "Well Galen, if something happens to us, you can have a laugh at our expense at our funerals." Varemi: "..." * Chrissy looks up. "And hey, us inventor types have to help each other out, you know? I'll give it a shot." ^^ Varemi: "Small boys and Selene do not lie." Samantha: "How about I take it for a test ride? If it works, we can all give it a go?" Yuuwaku: "If Samantha goes, I'll go with her..." * Varemi looks at Yuuwaku. Yuuwaku: "If something unfortunate happens, I don't want her to be alone." Jan: "You sure about that Samantha?" Varemi: "I follow Yuuwaku nowhere. Especially if there is danger involved." Yuuwaku: "Varemi is smart." Samantha: "I'll be okay." ^^ "Someone's gotta go... and I'd like someone to stay here and keep an eye on Galen." Yuuwaku: "Well... I think it would be preferable if Chrissy went, actually Samantha." Chrissy: "Ah, life is about taking risks! Besides, it seems pretty safe. He's put a lot of work into the design." Varemi: "I shall guard the bush." Yuuwaku: "Unless you can fly it too?" Varemi: "Chrissy would know more, maybe... but..." ~Ambush 6000: "Pant" Samantha: "You're right, Yuu." Jan: "Okay, but be careful, Sam." Varemi: "It might be easy to fly..." *looks at the inventor* Galen: "Oh for crying out loud. I'll go with you too, Sam." Yuuwaku: "Let me and Chrissy go. We're more expendable." ^_^ Varemi: "Also, what is your name?" Varemi: "I'm sorry if I have been rude." Marcus: "I'm going on the balloon." Inventor: "Very easy to fly... As I've said, I've flown it many times at night." Samantha: "Er..." ^^; "I mean," *looks to Chrissy* "Maybe we can..." *grins* "Oh. Okay Galen! Let's _all_ go." ^^ Galen: "If this thing crashes, someone's gotta be able to save you all." Samantha: "Uh huh." Inventor: "My name is Jeremiah Carberry." Yuuwaku: "Thank you, Galen." ^_^ * Chrissy looks at Yuuwaku funny... Yuuwaku: "Well, Tianna did give Samantha the funny ring." * Samantha does the eye twitch again. Varemi: "I'm waiting to see if its safe." Yuuwaku: "That means they're engaged and she's going to become a prince... or... or something." * Varemi looks at the inventor. "Nice to meet you..." * Samantha gapes at Yuu, "NO WE ARE NOT!" O_o Yuuwaku: "I was kidding!" Galen: O_o; Samantha: "Oh... good!" ^^: Varemi: "..." Galen: "Strange kid." * Yuuwaku giggle. * Kodah raises an eyebrow at Yuu. Varemi: "You're strange." Inventor: "Nice to meet you too." Varemi: "Even I can tell that was a joke." Varemi: "And I'm stupid." Yuuwaku: "Samantha is tense." Yuuwaku: "It's not her fault." Varemi: "I don't blame her." Varemi: "She did not call you strange." * Samantha sighs. Chrissy: "Ehehe... anyway, Jerry, I'm Chrissy. If this thing is ready to go, let's give it a run." * Varemi looks back to the inventor. * Galen boards the balloon. Inventor: "Please, all aboard!" Varemi: "All?" Yuuwaku: "Thank you Jerry balloon man." * Samantha heads into the balloon. * Yuuwaku boards the balloon. * Marcus grunts and gets on the damned balloon. Inventor: "All who want to go aboard..." Varemi: "Marcus." Inventor: "Anyone else?" Varemi: "You should maybe stay here... ... or not." * Kodah glances at the balloon without enthusiast. * Chrissy gets into the contraption... ^^ Yuuwaku: "I think we're all going." Varemi: "..." Varemi: "We didn't agree on that." Jan: "No test flight then?" Yuuwaku: "Like I said, I think something unfortunate might happen to us, but we won't die." Varemi: "..." Varemi: "That is reasonable logic." Varemi: "But..." Varemi: "..." Yuuwaku: "The little boy said it was a good idea." Varemi: "...." * Kodah gives up and boards, "I can't believe I'm doing this willingly." -_- Varemi: "I'm sold." * Varemi boards it. Jan: "Fine." * Yuuwaku patpats Kodah on the arm. * Jan climbs on board. Varemi: "I still think the test flight is the best idea." Yuuwaku: "I could give you a back massage." Yuuwaku: "But that might just make you more tense." ^_^; Varemi: "Samantha could probably use it more. I think that Kodah's more accustomed to it." Varemi: "Not that I would know." * Chrissy laughs a bit to herself. "You guys...." Inventor: "Anyone left to board?" Varemi: "I can give massages, too. I know what that word means." Yuuwaku: "If anyone wants one, I've been trained, ooh, you too?" :D * Marcus goes over to Chrissy, "Get this thing off the ground now before I kill some of these people.. * Varemi nods to Yuuwaku. * Varemi randomly shudders. Inventor: "Just release the sand bangs when you're ready." Yuuwaku: "Hmm. I guess that's not a pleasant thing." :( * Samantha looks up into the sky. Varemi: "Giving a massage to any of you would be optimal in comparison." * Chrissy checks the lines to the balloon, ready to help the inventor with any handling issues he might need her for. She grabs the rope for the bag release... looking to everyone. "Ready to blast off?" * Selene nods in excitement. * Jan nods uneasily and grips the edge of the balloon basket. Kodah: "No, but we'd better do it anyway." * Yuuwaku sits down in the bottom of the basket. Yuuwaku: "Yeah." * Varemi also sits down. Chrissy: "Up and away!" *tugs them free in succession* ^^; * Varemi watches the bush trundle over to Yuuwaku. --The balloon gently rises into the sky and drifts to the west with the prevailing winds...-- * Yuuwaku hugs the bus. ~Ambush 6000: *trundle* Marcus: "Finally." Samantha: "Wow..." --Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blows the balloon towards the east!-- Varemi: "..." Samantha: "Whoa!" * Jan ulps. Galen: "Oh cripes..." Kodah: . o O (Here we go...) Varemi: ".. .Chrissy...?" Inventor: "Dammit... That's the last time I get my weather forecasts from Miss Cleo..." Jan: @_@ Chrissy: "Uh oh... the gusts are changing..." Varemi: "What's going on.....?" Yuuwaku: "Something unfortunate is happening." Marcus: "This is fun." Varemi: "Oh well." Varemi: "Well still live." --The gust blows the balloon towards the Mystic Ruins...-- Chrissy: "I thought you said aid it was calm." -_-; Kodah: "So if we jump out, how dead will we be?" Varemi: "Selene, are you enjoying yourself?" Inventor: "You can't predict the weather!" * Yuuwaku stands to see what's happening. Yuuwaku: "Oh!" Samantha: "Very dead. If we stay on, we'll probably only be a little dead." ^^; Galen: "Or..." * Jan hugs the rim of the basket. @_@ * Inventor tries to find someone to help chase down the balloon on the ground as it floats away from Nota. Varemi: . o O (Curse you, small boy.) * Yuuwaku sits down next to Varemi. * Galen closes his eyes and concentrates. "Spirits of wind, heed my pleas. Let your power soften our descent..." Yuuwaku: "We're headed towards some ruins." --The gust is strong enough that it tears the balloons cloth, which, doesn't self-seal. Back to the drawing board for the inventor...-- Kodah: "... I hate my life." Yuuwaku: "Don't worry Kodah." Samantha: "Hey!!! Dammit! I'm so going to KILL you for this, inventor man!" * Chrissy sighs heavily. "You know, this is worse than that time I..." Varemi: ^^; Yuuwaku: "It's only something unfortunate. We may end up as paraplegic, but we won't die." --Fortunately, the tear isn't severe and the balloon lands almost gently on the roof of the Mystic Ruins...-- Varemi: "Yuuwaku." Varemi: "Save it for after we crash." Yuuwaku: "See." Yuuwaku: "We're fine." Marcus: "See, we're fine." Varemi: "..." * Jan spills out of the basket, just happy to be on solid ground. Varemi: "I guess so." * Samantha glowers, "Blah..." Kodah: "... This is fine?" Yuuwaku: "We're not dead *or* paraplegic." * Kodah fumbles out of the basket. Samantha: "We're just angry." ^^: Selene: "I wonder how old these ruins are..." Varemi: "..." Yuuwaku: "So we'll kill the inventor." ^_^ Jan: "Amazingly..." * Galen falls out of the balloon. "Last time I fly on one of those things..." Marcus: "That was kind of fun actually." * Varemi looks over at Selene. * Kodah peers over the edge of the ruins at the ground far below. Selene: "Oh, I'm sorry... No one was hurt, right?" Samantha: "We're fine, I think..." * Yuuwaku climbs out of the balloon and offers Varemi a hand. * Chrissy rolls out of the basket. "I think you gotta rethink the fibers in that thread, Jerr...." * Varemi accepts it and gets off the basket. Kodah: "I'm walking next time. Period." Jan: "Not hurt... but a bit ill..." @_@ Yuuwaku: "Where are we?" * Chrissy pokes the balloon a little. * Selene walks over to look at some strange markings in the center of the roof. Varemi: "It's a deal, Kodah." Yuuwaku: "Ruins near Nota..." Yuuwaku: "Hmm..." * Galen walks over to Selene. * Jan gives himself a shake and tries to clear the sick feeling from his stomach. Yuuwaku: "I've heard stories about ruins near Nota." ^_^ Yuuwaku: "Do you know what these are Galen?" Galen: "I've heard legends, Yuu. These markings are some kind of ancient magical seal." Yuuwaku: "Oh..." Yuuwaku: "Any idea what kind?" * Galen points to the markings on the floor. * Kodah looks at the group, "So now what? We can't climb down..." Varemi: "..." Chrissy: "We all okay?" * Varemi makes a face. * Yuuwaku hmm. Samantha: "I'm fine..." Selene: "I..." Yuuwaku: "Galen could float us all down, I suppose." * Varemi looks for some form of exit... Samantha: "Selene?" Galen: "I'm guessing the markings seal the ruins shut." Marcus: "Can you open the seal?" Selene: "There's... something..." * Varemi looks over at Selene. * Yuuwaku goes over to the markings and looks at Selene. * Samantha walks over to Selene, "What is it?" * Jan gets up and begins to look around. Selene: "I... can't describe it... I... feel something about these markings..." * Chrissy turns her attention from the balloon for now, wondering what everyone mumbling about. Yuuwaku: "Yeah, maybe she can open them!" Samantha: "They look pretty old, Yuu. I dunno if she could..." Chrissy: "What's the scoop? Why are you staring at the floor?" ^^ Galen: "Who knows... but I'd be cautious about entering them." Selene: "What is... What is happening to me..." Yuuwaku: "They might be a way down..." * Samantha begins to look a bit concerned, "Selene?" * Varemi backs off from Selene. * Chrissy walks over. "Selene...?" Varemi: "Give her a moment..." * Yuuwaku goes over and pets Selene's arm. * Kodah raises an eyebrow at Selene. Selene: "I'm... hearing... these strange songs... in my head..." Varemi: "... Then..." Yuuwaku: "Sing." Varemi: "... Sing them?" * Selene nods. Selene: "I'll... try." * Yuuwaku smiles at Selene, encouragingly. * Selene sings a song in an ancient tongue that no one seems to understand... * Jan turns to look at Selene as she starts singing. --The markings glow after Selene completes her song.-- Samantha: "... Selene... How did you...?" Galen: "I think she opened the seal." Selene: "I... don't know..." * Chrissy looks quite flabbergasted. "I've... never heard a tune like THAT before...." Samantha: "I thought it was really pretty..." Selene: "The song just... came to me..." * Kodah blinks a lot. * Marcus looks at Selene, "Hmm..." Yuuwaku: "Well, it worked." * Varemi nods. * Selene nods. Yuuwaku: "Don't be afraid of gifts that come naturally." ^_^ * Selene nervously paces, accidentally stepping on the markings. Varemi: "That little boy should be an adventurer." Selene: "What the... Heeelllllllllp!" Samantha: "Selene!" * Selene vanishes. * Varemi blinks. * Galen follows Selene onto the markings. Varemi: "Oh." * Yuuwaku runs to Selene!!! * Jan blinks. * Varemi steps on it. Kodah: "!" * Samantha runs to Selene too. Marcus: "Teleporter." * Chrissy blinks, and runs over to where Selene was. "Woah, she vanished!" * Jan runs over on to the markings. * Yuuwaku taps his feet on the marking. Yuuwaku: "Teleport me! Teleport me!" >_< Kodah: "..." --As you step on the markings, you find yourselves teleported inside the ruins. There is a large chamber here with a strange device in the center. Selene is shaking nervously in here as well.-- * Yuuwaku tilts his head to the side. Yuuwaku: "Hey..." Samantha: "Selene..." Yuuwaku: "What's this?" * Chrissy gets dizzy for a second. "An ancient teleport pad..?" * Samantha heads over to her, "You okay?" Selene: "Whew... I'm glad I'm not alone here..." Jan: "Selene, are you okay?" * Selene nods, still shaking a little... * Yuuwaku goes over and gives Selene a hug. * Samantha helps Selene up. Galen: "Wait a minute..." Galen: "Look there." Kodah: "So now what?" Yuuwaku: "Well, I think you figured out the secret of the markings." Yuuwaku: ^_^ * Selene nods. * Galen points to the device in front of them. * Chrissy looks at the device curiously... Yuuwaku: "Can you make it work Chrissy?" Varemi: "..." * Marcus looks around the room, "What is all this?" Selene: "I think those songs told me about that device too... It's some sort of magical recorder..." * Varemi paces and eyes every corner with deepening suspicion. Samantha: "Can we turn it on?" Selene: "I... I think so..." Yuuwaku: "Can you sing a song to turn it on Selene?" Samantha: "Er... where's the on switch?" * Selene sings another song in an ancient tongue... * Varemi glowers deeply, changing expression for whatever reason. Samantha: "... Or never mind?" Samantha: ^^; Yuuwaku: "Varemi?" * Kodah notes Varemi's distress with interest. * Varemi sticks closer to the group, a strange paranoia gripping her. Yuuwaku: "What's wrong?" Varemi: "It's nothing." --As Selene completes her song, the room darkens and then is filled by light emanating from the device...-- * Yuuwaku offers Varemi his han. Chrissy: "A... recorder? It doesn't seem like anything I could... erk." * Yuuwaku blinks, attention on the screen. * Chrissy hops back a second light in her eyes. ^^ Galen: O_o; Yuuwaku: "Nani kore?" Galen: "What the hell?" ===ANIME CUT SCENE!=== --The first scene appears in the room. It appears to be a small village somewhere on Lunar in ancient times. A young man, eighteen or so, is packing up to go on a voyage. He is wearing green and brown armor and has a sword at his side. He is accompanied by a blue haired young woman of approximately the same age...-- Young Woman: "Lou, do you really have to go all the way to Vane?" Young Man: "Diana, come on... You know it's my dream to be a Dragonmaster, and I can't become one working in Mr. Okita's shop all my life..." * Varemi blinks at the picture of the woman. Diana: "I know, but Lou... It's a dangerous road." Varemi: "..." Lou: "I laugh in the face of danger!" Lou: "Besides, it's the festival to celebrate Vane's return to the skies. How could I miss that?" Diana: "Well, okay... I wish I could go with you though..." Lou: "Your parents would kill you. You know how much they hate me..." Diana: "True..." Lou: "I promise I'll be back in time for the Goddess Festival, okay?" Diana: "Okay!" --The scene fades again... It now changes to Vane, some time later... It shows Diana being carried up into the sky by a pillar of light. Lou is on his knees nearby, crying...-- Lou: "Diana! Noooooo! Please... Please don't leave me!" Diana: "Lou... I... I promise... I'll never forget you..." --Diana shrinks into the heavens as Lou continues crying and pounding the ground with his fists...-- --The scene fades again... This time it shows Lou in dark armor as he applies the finishing touches on a sword he just forged...-- Lou: "Hmph... I sacrifice so much to become a Dragonmaster, and this is the thanks I get from the Goddess..." * Lou dips the sword in water, steam billowing around him. He then sheaths it as his side and put on a frightening masked helmet... Lou: "I guess this Dragonmaster has to show the Goddess just how he feels about her treatment... Hah... Dragonmaster... That names doesn't even seem to fit... How about... about... Demonmaster..." --The scene fades again, this time a bit longer. The era changes to what could be considered Earth in the mid 1990's AD...-- --Another young man appears, seated on the edge of his bed in an orphanage... He appears to be very upset over something...-- Kane: "Why did I have to be an orphan... I've been stuck in this hell hole as far back as I remember, and it's gotten me nowhere... I'll be lucky if I don't end up living on the streets once I leave this place..." --Suddenly a figure in dark armor teleports into the room, startling Kane...-- Dark Figure: "Ahh, Kane, I presume?" Kane: "Who... are you? What are you!?" Dark Figure: "Someone who needs your... assistance..." Kane: "Me? Why the hell would you want anything to do with a loser like me?" Dark Figure: "My dear Kane... If only you knew your own value... Now, how would you like to extract revenge on everyone on this world that allowed you to lead this life?" Kane: "You're kidding, right?" Dark Figure: "Trust me, I don't kid about these things..." Kane: "Well... It is tempting..." Dark Figure: "Good... Follow me then... Demonmaster Kane..." --The scene shifts again... A strange area, a time forgotten but with higher technology than today. A blue eyed, blue haired, familiar woman with an unfamiliar serious look in her eyes. It shows who she is looking at... a young man, rusty hair and emerald eyes. He looks disappointed, sad. Apologetic and regretful.-- Boy: "I... I'm sorry Teal. I want to be everything you want me to be, but.... I can't help but feel I am making the wrong choice. I can't abandon, her, Teal. What she says makes no sense, but I believe in her." Boy: "And betraying that would be betraying everything that being a Dragonmaster means." Teal: But... but Gabe... Come on... You are a descendant of the last Dragonmaster, Alys." Gabe: "And they didn't betray their sense of honor. I can't either... I will act with honor. I will not forget who I am. But for those reasons and more... I can't abandon someone I gave my word to, not even for this or for you." --The scene fades one last time before the room lightens up again...-- ===END ANIME CUT SCENE=== * Samantha blinks. A lot. Samantha: "Wow." * Samantha blinks again. Kodah: "Oooooookay. What was that supposed to be?" Samantha: "Wow." Samantha: "The past, I think." Galen: "I think what we just saw... was a history of the Demonmasters." Samantha: "I had no idea the Demonmasters were so... angsty." Yuuwaku: "I wonder if it has any more movies?" Marcus: "Interesting, but it doesn't help us." * Chrissy is still trying to get the light outta her eyes and clear her vision for a second... Marcus: "Yeah, they'll kind of weak and pitiful." Selene: "Well, you would think they'd need some sort of reason to become a Demonmaster, right?" Samantha: "True, but still..." --Suddenly, you hear footsteps approaching the chamber!-- Galen: O_o; * Samantha blinks, and looks up. "Who's there?!" * Jan turns and looks. Kodah: "!" --A creepy voice booms as the footsteps approach...-- * Varemi looks up and around. Chrissy: "That guy... and the woman... familiar... the tech a little... er... huh?" * Chrissy turns around. Voice: "That... was a record... of my best work..." Galen: "Why do I get the feeling we're about to meet the new tenant of these ruins?" Varemi: "But it was of many people." --Suddenly the figure enters the room and it's... it's...-- * Samantha blinks, "Best work?" Tony: "Damn! I've always wanted to say that!" Jan: O_o Marcus: "Not you again." Varemi: "..." Galen: O_o; --It's Tony, the guy Teal loves to hate, accompanied by a couple of pixies...-- Samantha: "Ghdghz.... TONY! Don't DO that!" ^^: * Tony laughs. Kodah: "..." * Chrissy fumes. "Tony! Stop jerking our chain like that!" Tony: "You'd think no one has a sense of humor anymore..." * Varemi points at the pixies and looks at Yuuwaku. Samantha: "I'm edgy today, so it's not you, really. What's up... How is it you always seem to know where we're going?" ^_- Galen: "In ruins like these? One's sense of humor gets forgotten for survival instinct." Kodah: "Can we please get out of here now?" -_- * Yuuwaku GLEES. Yuuwaku: "PIXIES!" :D Tony: "Beats me... I just happened to be visiting my friends the pixies here..." * Varemi looks at the pixies. "Do any of you know Yuuwaku?" Yuuwaku: "You're friends with pixies too?" :O Tony: "We heard a noise coming from up here and came to check it out." Yuuwaku: "Ooh ooh! Hi!" ^_^ * Tony nods. Kodah: . o O (Pixies are his friends?) Samantha: . o O ( This explains a lot... ) Pixie #1: "Sorry, we never met Yuuwaku." Chrissy: "Sorry for snapping... but really... that recording was jostling after our little crash landing..." ^^ Yuuwaku: "Do you know Kiya?" :D Tony: "Crash landing? That reminds me, how'd you guys get in here?" * Marcus looks at Selene. Yuuwaku: "Or Marbel or Alis or or or..." * Yuuwaku rattles off a list of names. Galen: "So, what's with the assault on the senses of a history lesson over there?" Pixie #2: "Kiya? Oh yeah, I think she's my third cousin, twice removed!" * Galen points to the magical recorder. Chrissy: "Long story... remind me not to go hot air ballooning anytime soon." Yuuwaku: "Oooh ooh!" :D Yuuwaku: "She was like, my best friend." ^_^ Tony: "Why were you hot air ballooning?" Pixie #2: "Cool!" Varemi: "Selene wanted to." Samantha: "We needed to get to Zulan... and the bridge was out of order." Yuuwaku: "This is so cool!" ^_^ Chrissy: "The bridge in Nota was out, so some inventor offered to help us out..." Tony: "Today's your lucky day my friends. I have a raft down by the river we can use!" Yuuwaku: "Wah, I've missed being around fairies so much." ;_; Samantha: "Seriously, Tony? We'd love to borrow it, if you'd let us!" Tony: "Go ahead... It's just a bit south of Nota." Kodah: "..." Varemi: "... How do we..." Varemi: "Escape..?" Samantha: "Great! Now we just gotta get outta here." Varemi: "And why was that projector there?" Tony: "Just take the magic mirrors and follow the stairs. I helped the pixies clean out all the mummies and other creeps that lived in this place." Samantha: "Okay. Thanks a lot, Tony!" Tony: "Hmm... that projector? I think it's some magical device that records key moments throughout Lunar's and the Blue Star's history." Tony: "Don't mention it!" * Chrissy looks at the room again, pondering exactly what it all could have meant. She whispers. "Dante, you got that saved right? Teal might wanna see this next we meet..." There's a slight whirr and beep from underneath her leather jacket. * Tony moves out of the way of the door so everyone can leave. * Samantha leads the way for once. * Galen follows Sam. * Varemi follows then. Chrissy: "Well then... I guess we'll be taking the scenic route after all, guys..." * Marcus follow. * Kodah follows behind, looking really annoyed by this whole experience. --There is a magic mirror here that teleports to a staircase on the other side of the chamber.-- Yuuwaku: "We don't get to talk to the fairies?" :( * Chrissy turns around to leave, looking suspiciously at the mirror. * Galen walks into the mirror. --Galen is teleported to the staircase across the chamber.-- Yuuwaku: "I want to talk to them." Yuuwaku: "Oh well." Yuuwaku: "I'll have to come back here when the world is a safe place once again." Pixie #1: "We'd like that!" :) Yuuwaku: "Yay!" :D * Chrissy turns her head to Selene. "You gonna be okay...?" Yuuwaku: "But... I should go with everyone else now..." Selene: "I think so... This isn't the first time something like this happened..." * Kodah experiments with the whole mirror travel thing. * Samantha steps in the mirror as well. *POIT!* * Jan walks into the mirror. * Varemi touches the mirror in a clamp way. * Varemi then slides through it delicately. --At the bottom of this staircase you're in a beautiful garden chamber with the exit on the far side...-- Chrissy: "Well, I guess it's just pieces to a bigger puzzle, wish I knew what it was..." Samantha: "Whoa..." O_o * Yuuwaku lemmings through the mirror. :D * Samantha smiles widely, "This is beyond awesome... look at all the flowers!" Yuuwaku: "Wow..." * Yuuwaku looks around. * Ambush 6000 stops in its tracks after entering the garden. * Chrissy tries walking into the mirror, though she's skeptical. Fortunately she appears with the others. ^^ --There are also plenty of pixies in here taking care of the flowers.-- * Kodah blinks at the sudden change of atmosphere. * Samantha goes to some of the flowers to get a closer look, "Exotic too!" Pixie #3: "You like the flowers?" Samantha: "Yes, very much!" * Yuuwaku goes to chat with the pixies until the others decide it's time to leave. Samantha: "I take care of plants and flowers back home." Pixie #3: "Thank you. Our family has taken care of these flowers for thousands of years." * Ambush 6000 notices a particularly sexy topiary display. Samantha: "You've done a lovely job." :) * Chrissy blinks at the abundance of blooms. "This is kinda surreal...." Pixie #4: "Thank you. By the way, have you seen our pride and joy?" * Pixie #4 points to a black rose bush. Samantha: "... No, I believe I haven't." Samantha: "Oh wow... How'd you get the roses to be... black?" ^^: Kodah: "..?" * Marcus looks at the black rose bush with interest. Pixie #4: "I don't know... They just naturally grew that way. They're i n memory of an old friend of the pixies from long ago." Yuuwaku: "Kane?" ^_^ Pixie #3: "You've heard of Kane?!" Yuuwaku: "Of course!" :D * Ambush 6000 is about to make some sort of whirring noise when it notices all the commotion about the rose bush. Yuuwaku: "I have lots of friends who are pixies." Yuuwaku: "They've told me lots of stories." * Samantha blinks at Yuu. Pixie #3: "Wow!" Yuuwaku: "About Kane and Ghaleon and Sephina..." Chrissy: "Kane was in that display thing too..." Yuuwaku: "And dragons and flying cities." Varemi: "..." Kodah: "..." Pixie #4: "Kane said he was sent here by dear, sweet Ghaleon to look over us." Yuuwaku: ^_^ Galen: "The time has come, Yuuwaku said." ^_^ * Ambush 6000 trundles next to one of the blossoms. * Pixies nod. * Samantha is still looking over one of the flowers... Ambush 6000: *vrr vrrrrrrr.....* Yuuwaku: "Some fairies say I look like Ghaleon, do you think it's true?" ^_^ Pixie #3: "You do have a passing resemblance to dear, sweet Ghaleon." Yuuwaku: "I win." :D Pixie #4: "Anyway, the door is on that side of the room," *points* "when you're ready to leave." Marcus: "Who's Ghaleon?" Galen: "Let's go." Galen: "We've not a lot of time." Samantha: "Yeah, we should get going..." * Galen heads for the door. Kodah: . o O (One by one, the penguins take my sanity away...) Pixie #3: "Ghaleon was a great hero who was a friend to all pixies thousands of years ago. He brought our ancestors to this place." * Varemi looks around at the pixies. * Jan likewise goes for the door. * Kodah heads for the door. * Samantha's eyes narrow and she heads after Galen. Varemi: "... I've never talked to pixies..." * Ambush 6000 deviously attempts to clip one of the blossoms off. * Chrissy pulls out the picture in her pocket and looks at it a second... ^^ Samantha: *whisper* "Always in such a hurry to go off by yourself, huh?" Varemi: "We have to go already?" Varemi: "I guess..." --The door opens up into the lovely expanse of the Madoria Plains. The river is not far from here.-- Varemi: "Good day." *bids the pixies a fond farewell* * Kodah whews as he gets outside. * Varemi leaves. * Pixies wave back at Yuuwaku and everyone else. Yuuwaku: "Bye bye!" * Ambush 6000 spins around and "sees" the party leaving but is still entranced by the roses. Varemi: "... Bush." Varemi: "Come." * Yuuwaku reluctantly leaves. :\ Yuuwaku: "I'll come back!" ^_^ Pixies: "Please do!" * Yuuwaku runs over, picks up the bush, and leaves, waving to the pixies as he goes. Varemi: "Well." * Ambush 6000 makes a low beeping noise and shuffles towards Varemi and the others. * Ambush 6000 wriggles out of Yuuwaku's grasp deviously. * Chrissy replaces it. "Aww well, I'll think about it later." She waves to the pixies. "Nice garden you guys got, really...!" Varemi: "Now at least you know where to run away to if you want to escape everyone forever and ever." * Ambush 6000 takes one final longing "look" at the black roses. Kodah: "So where is Tony's raft?" * Ambush 6000 puffs out a short gust of air. Samantha: "He said it wasn't too far from Nota..." * Yuuwaku lets Ambush wriggle out and follows, a little distracted. Selene: "He said it was down by the river." Galen: "Then that's where we're going." Yuuwaku: "Now you can't say I'm crazy when I talk about pixies." Yuuwaku: "I *told* you they were real." Varemi: "I never saw pixies before." --As you approach the river you can see the raft coming into view.-- * Chrissy look at the bush. "That's a pretty sad sigh there, bush... the pixies'll keep them company, don't worry..." Marcus: "Are any of you skilled at rafting?" Kodah: "I can swim, that's about it." Jan: "I've done a bit, but it's been a while." * Ambush 6000 scuffs up a bit of dust at hearing the bit about the pixies keeping the bush company. Yuuwaku: "Sorry." :\ --The raft appears to be one of those simple floaters with a couple of paddles. Nothing too complicated.-- Varemi: "..." * Varemi doesn't respond. Samantha: "Not really, no." --It appears to be just large enough to carry everyone across.-- * Varemi looks at it. Varemi: "..." Marcus: "I guess we get to wing it." Chrissy: "I'm really only an amateur, but this isn't too hard really..." Varemi: "... ..." Varemi: "I've never seen a raft before." Varemi: "I have a feeling you all beat me." * Samantha gets into the raft. * Varemi sees how Samantha boards the raft. * Varemi does the same. * Kodah steps onto the raft. * Ambush 6000 advances towards the raft and stops at the shore inches away from it. * Galen follows Sam. * Marcus gets on board. Ambush 6000: *shudder* * Varemi sits next to Samantha. * Chrissy flexes her right arm. "Lemme at those oars... I'll get us across faster than lightning!" * Yuuwaku settles himself on the raft, looking out at the water. * Jan gets on the raft and takes a paddle. Yuuwaku: "I'm betting nothing unfortunate will happen to us on this raft." * Samantha takes a paddle as well. * Ambush 6000 notices that everyone else has gotten onto the raft and bristles a bit. Kodah: "..." * Ambush 6000 suddenly pounces onto the raft. * Varemi dares not take one unless there's one for everyone. Kodah: "If we sink I am going to be SO cross." --The current is a little stiff, but not too hard to overcome as you cross the river without any real difficulty.-- * Samantha blinks as Ambush lands in her lap. Varemi: "You could always swim, then, Kodah." Samantha: "Hi?" ^^; Ambush 6000: *pantpant* Kodah: "Yes, but I'm still going to be cross." * Chrissy steps into it, paddling along with intensity." ^_^ * Samantha paddles as well. ^^ --Finally, you reach the other side of the river.-- * Ambush 6000 gently hops off of Samantha's lap. Samantha: "Well, that was much easier then taking a hot air balloon, to be sure." Chrissy: "Who needs a stinking bridge anyway? Hehe. Sometimes you gotta do it yourself." * Jan gets off the raft, hopes Tony gets a back okay. --Zulan is due north from here.-- * Galen shrugs. * Marcus gets of. * Varemi disembarks the raft carefully. Samantha: "Let's get going before it's nightfall." * Galen starts walking north from the raft. * Kodah hops off the raft and heads north for Zulan. * Samantha heads north. * Yuuwaku sighs, following the group. * Ambush 6000 hops off the raft and lifts its upper section slightly. * Ambush 6000 subtly glows red and follows along. * Chrissy stretches once, and looks at the ambient bush in passing, then picks up the pace. --After not too long of a walk, you arrive at the outskirts of Zulan.-- Samantha: "Easy as mud." * Samantha whews. ^^ Kodah: "Finally..." Varemi: "..." Galen: "Not a moment too soon." --Zulan appears to be a very prosperous tourist town, with plenty of ski inns and supply shops.-- * Varemi looks at Zulan. Varemi: "... I like snow." * Ambush 6000 scans the perimeter and makes quick, soft beeping noises. Marcus: "Let's just make for an inn for now." * Galen rummages through his pack. "Now where did I leave my fake leg cast?" Kodah: "Agreed. I'm beat." Samantha: "Bed sounds good." Samantha: ^^; Chrissy: "Whew... well, that's over with. I guess we should find a place to get cozy, and find that Feng Xu woman in the morning." ^^; Varemi: "Sure." Galen: "Good idea." * Jan nods. Varemi: "..." --There is what appears to be an affordable inn near by...-- Samantha: "Let's try this inn." * Varemi checks. * Samantha points to the affordable inn, because it LOOKS affordable. Kodah: "Works for me." * Varemi walks in... * Galen shrugs. "Fine by me..." Varemi: "Hello. How much are rooms?" Innkeeper: "Hello, how may I help you?" * Galen follows. * Ambush 6000 moves towards a sign reading "The Affordable Inn." * Kodah sets into the Inn. Innkeeper: "Hmm... For all of you together, 90S." Varemi: "In one room?" Innkeeper: "Two rooms." * Varemi naively/apathetically blinks. Samantha: "Sounds okay to me." Kodah: "Two rooms is fine." * Ambush 6000 enters, stops at the mat inside the door, and shakes itself free of snow and excess moisture. * Samantha pays the nice innkeeper the money. ^^ Varemi: "How is it split up?" * Ambush 6000 emits a *ping!* noise and stops. Kodah: "Guys and girls I would assume." Marcus: "I don't care how as long as I get a bed." Varemi: "Oh." Yuuwaku: "Do I sleep with the guys or the girls?" Galen: "Just find me a table and chair, a lamp and a pot of coffee, and I'll be set." Samantha: "Guys, Yuu. Sorry." ^_- * Varemi looks over at Yuuwaku. Samantha: "Or, perhaps not sorry. I dunno." ^^; Yuuwaku: "Won't that bother them?" Varemi: "But..." * Ambush 6000 rustles and jingles over to the rest of the group. Innkeeper: "You can get that in the inn restaurant. It's open late." Varemi: "It's not like you want any of them." Yuuwaku: "Kodah's cute." ;) * Varemi just stares, not getting this and not caring at all. Galen: "Good. I'm going to continue my research. If you need me, that's where I'll be." Varemi: "Oh." Varemi: "I guess that's true." * Galen walks into the inn restaurant, and finds a booth where he won't be bothered. Kodah: "So is everyone set?" Samantha: "Yeah..." Samantha: "Seeya in the morning, guys!" * Samantha heads towards her room. ===SESSION END===