[Day: Wednsday, June 15th. Time: 2:00 p.m.] [You're all at the club room at 2:00 p.m.! Yes, 2:00 p.m.! Why? Because you need to go to Nero to get Rei a new body, and that takes travel time.] [Session Start!] * Maria yawns. * Lazar is in his usual spot next to Peter's desk, with the Slinky. Standing, though. 'cause it's afternoon. * Makoto is by the door, as usual. With a bag at his feet. * Chie walks into the clubroom with Chomei. She obviously hasn't slept well, by the dark circles under her eyes. But she doesn't look tired, nor does she look like she's suffering from soul-crushing guilt. What she does look like is very, very determined. * Peter has a large pile of folders, books, and various other materials. * Maria is slumped over a chair, looking sleepy. * Peter is reading. Surprised? No. * Chomei walks in with Chie, as previously stated. He's... smiling? (Chie is looking serious and Chomei is smiling. Yes, the world is ending. ;p) ( Chomei's smiling? So THAT's why Chie didn't sleep last night... ) ( Chie didn't sleep. Chomei's smiling. Of course! They played SCRABBLE!) * Rei sits, floating, in the corner and playing with an astral version of the necklace Chie gave her for her birthday. ( Exactly! ) (Rei can make astral jewelry? Wow. ^_^) Sorry we're a little late. What's up? (When she projects, she goes with the clothes she wears. Her jewelry went with.) * Makoto looks rather unhappy, and isn't saying much. Did you find where we need to go, prof? * Rei looks up and blinks, then zips over next to Makoto. ~You brought my stuff? Thanks. BOX is still in here, right?~ She opens the backpack and looks through it. * Makoto nods and watches Rei silently. * Rei makes sure everything's in order, then zips it back up. *slinkyslinky* * Chie readjusts her bag, which is slung over her shoulder as usual, and reties her jacket around her waist as she watches Rei. * Rei turns to watch Lazar slinky for a while, then comments, ~I went to see my brother today.~ * Maria blinks. "Eh?" * Peter looks up. "Y.. of course, with everything going on I forgot. How is he?" ~He's alive.~ * Rei pauses, then adds with a bit of anger, ~That's about all he is.~ * Chomei 's smile dissapears when Rei mentions her brother. That didn't take long. ... What do you mean? * Chie looks down at the floor. * Lazar stops Slinkying abruptly, and puts it down on Peter's desk. His expression is neutral. ~His arm's not gonna heal back right, he's got a hole in his right hand, and his face will never be the same. What do you fucking *think* I mean?~ ~On the bright side, I guess, he's back to normal. He doesn't remember anything about what happened since he picked the sword up to put it back where it's supposed to be.~ * Chie doesn't say anything. She didn't inflict any of that damage on Katsu, true, but she still feels pretty damn bad about it. * Peter sighs and looks at the rest of the group. * Makoto seems to be staring into space, emotionless. I was under the impression you would try to avoid doing that much damage. * Lazar looks around the room, trying to get a sense of where Rei is. "No yell at Peter and others, little one. I do most of damage." * Maria frowns. * Chomei frowns. * Chie looks up at Rei, sadly. "I tried exorcism... I wanted to break the link between him and the sword. That's the best I could do. I'm sorry." I understand there was a situation, but the boy was posessed. * Rei fixes her gaze on Lazar. She sounds almost calm. ~Yeah, really? Didja have to do it? Was he gonna kill you if you didn't smash his skull in?~ Me? No. No can kill me. I dead two years. But nearly killed Maria, could have killed other little ones. * Maria fidgets. Nearly. I expected you, most of all Lazar, to be able to keep a straight head. * Chie looks briefly over at Maria, and is relieved to see that she looks physically okay. Did keep straight head. Rei brother no stay down, even after hit many times. Was afraid he would... what word... teleport away, or make sword attack other people. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6-4) and gets 3. * Peter closes the book and stands. "We have to be at the ferry by 4. Rei's situation is our top priority right now." * Chomei nods. "Take care of what we can now. Deal with what we can't later." So instead you crippled him. We can't do anything for this situation right now, but I hope for your sake his parents understand. Anyway, we have to be off, but before we do, I think you should have some backround. Am sorry he hurt so bad. Really am. But no wanted him to get away or hurt others. * Makoto makes no comment he turns his head slightly as if tilting an ear toward the Professor, but his dark eyes stay fixed on some indeterminite point in space. Mmm. Anyway. The island we're going to is called Nero offically. It's other name is Smorfilia. ...what kind of a lame name is that? Why do you think they called it Nero officially? While part of the Japan island chain, it's removed and rarely visited. The popular reason is because the natives are unfriendly. That is true, but they are unfriendly for other reasons. They are part of a group of powerful supernaturals called "Smorfys". * Rei stares at Lazar, then yells, tears in her eyes. ~You crippled my brother! For something he didn't even fucking do! You didn't have to do it, you just did it 'cause you were angry, and now he's stuck living with it!~ ( Smorfies! Wai! ) * Maria winces. * Chomei looks at Rei. "Rei, calm down! We know what happened, we know what we did. Now if you can't calm down, we might not be able to get you *another* body!" * Chie watches Rei. She bites her lip hard. (Well, where he thinks Rei is.) ~I should twist your fucking brain because I'm angry! You have one of those, don't you?~ * Rei ignores Chomei. Rei. This is Lazar's fault, but you must not do that. No have brain. Have soul. If make feel better, go ahead. I say I'm sorry, but I did what thought best to keep team safe. That would be as bad as anything the sword made your brother do, and you don't want to act that way. It's not you. Lazar, our most important goal is to protect innocents, not ourselves. We're like police. * Peter sighs. "This isn't getting us anywhere." * Lazar narrows his eyes at Peter. "Entire village dead because I mess up. All people I ever knew. No let more die if can help it." * Rei whirls on Peter. ~How do *you* know what's me and not me, huh? It's not like- like-~ She blinks, then wipes away tears. ~Screw it.~ (Astral tears?) * Peter closes his eyes and sighs. (You know it.) * Chie watches Rei cry and looks very sad herself. She says nothing. * Maria gets up and walks out into the hall, looking all kinds of miserable. (When Chie is quiet, you know something's wrong.) * Chomei slams his fist on the table. "Look, bad things have happened, but there's jack we can do about it if we don't listen to what the prof has to say. Now, what were you saying?" He looks at the prof. * Peter sits back in his chair and holds his head in his hands. * Rei picks up her backpack and sobs, but silently. She hands it to Makoto. ~Wanna keep carrying this for me?~ she asks, just to him. * Chie watches Maria go, then jumps slightly when Chomei pounds the table. She still keeps quiet. * Makoto hasn't moved except for occassional, slight turns of his head. He nods when Rei hands him the backpack. Of course. * Rei looks back at the people still in the room. ~We have a boat to catch, is what the prof was saying.~ A.. yes. * Chie looks worried for a second, then nods. "Okay." * Peter looks up, but doesn't face the group. The smorfys are amazingly powerful, but peaceful supernaturals. ( Unless Kaira's still around. Then we're all doomed. ) * Makoto finally turns his head away from whatever he was looking at. How peaceful? There are only a very few mentions of violent Smorfys. The violent ones were.. very powerful. Peaceful enough so that you shouldn't need to cripple any of them. * Chie winces. * Lazar glares at Peter. * Makoto nods matter-of-factly. We will probably have to give up any weapons that can not be hidden. * Chomei nods. Should I just leave my sword here, then? They do not like humans. I doubt they feel any better about former humans. Rather than try and hide it in my bag or something? I'd rather not have to leave it in their hands. * Chomei frowns. "Will they notice Rownal?" No. Bring it with you. Better to have it on the island then stuck here. ~Don't take it out unless you have to.~ Okay, prof. I don't know Chomei. Don't take it out unl.. what Rei said. * Chie kneels down and begins rearranging the contents of her bag so that the sword is mostly hidden by her other stuff (wards, flashlight, toolkit, water bottle, etc.) * Chie folds up her jacket and stuffs that in there, too. She's not going to need it unless it gets cold on Nero. * Lazar checks his pouch. Nothing weapony in there. ( Unfortunately, the annual ice storm hit Nero 5 minutes after you arrived... ) (S'okay, I can always get it out of my bag!) ~Ready? Can we go now?~ ( By that time, the ice will have melted. It's June! It's really durn hot! ) * Chomei checks his pockets and pulls out a pocket knife. "Think you can hide this too Chie?" * Makoto doesn't even bother to check his pockets. If the Smorfies have a problem with yo-yos, that's their prerogative. * Chie takes the knife from Chomei, puts it in the bottom of her bag, and zips it up. She then stands. "I'm ready. Where's Maria?" ~She went out the door.~ * Rei pokes her head through the door. And we should do the same. Is that all prof? ~She's still there.~ That's all. * Rei sighs. ~Finally.~ She goes through the door. * Lazar heads out the door silently. * Chie opens the door. "Let's go, then." * Peter heads out. * Makoto follows Rei, carrying her bag over one shoulder. * Maria looks up as the others start coming into the hall, and takes that as a cue to go to the parking lot. * Chomei nods and leaves the room. [Zoom! Time: 3:00 p.m.] [They get to Tokyo Bay! Now to look for the ferry...] * Maria stares at the bay. * Chie seems to be looking anywhere but at the water. * Rei sits in the air and looks out to the bay. * Chomei looks out to the bay. ... we going over water, not under, right? * Chie shudders. * Maria gapes. "So much water..." She sounds somewhat horrified at the notion of an ocean. * Rei looks at Lazar for a moment, then says, ~Yeah. Over.~ * Peter looks at Lazar. "Over. We can't breath underwater." * Lazar grunts. "Good. Had enough of under when walk to Japan." It's a lot of water, all right. * Chie looks at Peter briefly and says, in a very flat tone. "No. You can't." * Makoto looks impassively at the bay, then at something in the sky, and then back at the water. Which boat is ours? * Rei fidgets, floats over to Maria, and starts braiding her hair. * Peter looks for the ferry. What's it look like prof? * Maria almost jumps as she feels Rei at her hair, but forces herself not to. "R-Rei?" ~Yeah, sorry, just kinda fidgety and... I need something to do. You don't mind, right?~ 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Peter (2d6) and gets 6. * Chie stares at the sky. "Um... there weren't any storms or anything predicted today, where there?" (were, even) * Makoto talks to Chie out of the side of his mouth. "Don't jinx it." N-no, 's fine. ~Okay.~ It's small, and probably unmarked. It's a supply transport * Chie gives Makoto a Look. "Belive me, I don't want to. I just want to get this over with. Fast." * Maria shivers a bit. ( Unlike the Staten Island ferry, which is huge and bright orange. =P ) * Chomei frowns. "Unmarked, eh? Well, we won't be able to tell it from here then." * Rei makes a small, sloppy braid, then starts on another, apparently not noticing Maria's shivers, ~I don't braid hair that much, because mine... was too messy for that. I tried it on Ka- Katsu sometimes, but he hated it.~ * Maria nods dumbly. * Peter frowns and looks around for the supply transport. * Rowyn is now known as RowynIdlyn * Chomei looks for supply transports. (I assume I see a lot?) * Chie stares at any nearby buildings. Nice buildings. * Lazar is from a landlocked area, and has no bloody clue what a ferry looks like. As such, he just stands stock still, staring out at the water. * Maria can't take her eyes off all that water. @_@ [Some distance away, Peter spies a loading dock, and people loading cargo onto a smallish-ship. Given what time it is, you can probably guess that that's the ship you want.] ( If I were Carmen Sandiego, I could steal the whole bay! ) This way. (All she needs is the hat.) * Peter heads for the boat. * Lazar follows Peter. ( Nah, she'd have to be taller, too. ) * Rei looks up, then abandons her braid as she zips after Peter. * Chomei taps Chie on the shoulder. "Com'on, the prof thinks he found it." * Makoto follows Peter, keeping an eye on Rei as he walks along. (Wait, Makoto can see Rei?) Huh? Oh. That's good... * Maria stands there, staring at the bay. ( Have you asked him lately? ) Com'on. We can't be late. Yeah... * Chie follows Chomei and the others. * Chomei notices Maria doing the same thing. "Aw, geeze." He runs back to Maria. "Com'on!" * Maria jumps and then stares at Chomei. "W-wha?" The ferry's not going to wait for us. * Maria blinks. "Ferry?" * Chomei shakes his head. "Yeah, the boat we're taking over to Nero." Boats... they, er, float, right? Don't sink? * Chie turns back to Maria. "Most of the time." Yes, float. * Maria twitches at Chie's comment. * Chomei sighs. "We're not going to sink." I'm sorry. I see you love the water as much as I do. We're not? You're sure? * Chomei looks at Chie and Maria. "Look, let's talk about this on the way to the ferry, okay?" A-and water's fine. Really. B-but... there's *so much* of it. * Chie nods quietly. * Maria says that last part as it it were unusual. * Peter heads for the boat. * Makoto follows Peter, keeping an eye on Rei as he walks along. * Chie gives Maria an apologetic look as she walks along with her and Chomei. * Rei doesn't turn or even seem to notice the hold-up with Chie, Maria, and Chomei. She just goes. [There are three people on the boat and/or dock, loading it up with cargo. They're all stereotypical dock workers, so they don't get much description.] (At least they're not badly drawn.) ( Of course not. MC is higher budget ) ( Which one is Pedro? ) * Maria walks slowly along with Chie and Cho, keeper her eyes tightly shut. "J- just tell me when we're there." ( The middle one. ) (Let me guess... Vicks, Wedge, and Pedro?) ( Either that of Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse. :P ) ( You forgot Freddie Prince Jr... okay, not really. ) ( What about Vicks, Wedge and Piette? ) * Peter walks up to the men. "Is this the ship that goes to Nero?" * Chomei sighs and walks along. "We'll let you know." ( Well, then the boat's captain would have to be Cid. ) (Well duh.) "Uh huh. It sure is! We're about to ship out now, though. If you have a delivery to make, you'll have to catch the next one." * Rei stiffens at that, then looks to the boat. * Makoto hangs back and observes the conversation, and the boat. * Lazar stands off to the side of the group a bit. Actually, we wish to go with you. [It's a very boat-like boat. Meaning it doesn't look like a shoe. Yay!] (Aww, I always wanted to ride a floating shoe.) They blinks. "Uh? ... Why?" ( There once was an old woman, who lived in a shoe... ) ( Shoes don't float. They sink. Then people go fishing and catch them. ) ( Sometimes old women are in them. ) It's a long story. We're with the government. * Chomei arrives with Maria and Chie, just in time to hear them ask "Why?" ... well, he would have if he didn't have the hearing of a... a... something that doesn't hear well. [They shrug. "Can't imagine what the government would want with a place like that. There's nothing there. I mean, nothing. It's like a desert island, except with a village where the desert should be. And... Well, anyhow, it's not our business, but we'll have to charge you standard rate."] Understood. * Peter pays the money. Thank god for government reembursements. * Peter also thanks god Rei is invisible and such. [And when 4:00 p.m. rolls around...] * Peter looks towards the others. "Come on. We have to go." ( Session 50! Mystery Club vs. the Interpol Auditors! ) (Don't give the GM ideas!) (*laughs*) ( AIGH! ) [Two of the men gesture towards the boat. "Ok, it'll probably be cramped. We don't usually take passengers."] ( What if the GM doesn't have ideas? ) (You just violated rule twentyfive and three quarters of the Player Union Act. You must be terminated. *BAM!*) * Peter heads into the boat. [The third one stabs a knife in Chomei's back. No, not really. Actually he just stays on the docks.] * Chomei waits for Chie and Maria to get on before he gets on himself. * Makoto boards the vessel as well. * Rei grins for what must be the first time that day and goes into the boat. Yes, literally. * Lazar gets on the boat. ( Chomei gets on himself! ... Ah. That explains a lot. ) (Sinking boat!) (*coughs*) * Chie takes a deep breath and carefully steps onto the boat. (...) * Maria shivers, steels herself, and then leaps onto the boat as fast as she can. Not taking any chances! * Chomei calmly walks onto the boat. * Chie sits, closes her eyes, and tries very hard to pretend she's somewhere else. Somewhere that doesn't involve being on top of water. Or anywhere near water, for that matter. [The boat groans with the extra weight so helpfully provided by Lazar.] * Maria looks around and finds a place to sit where she can't see the water, sits, hugs her knees to herself, and closes her eyes tightly. ( Two hydrophobes and a living anchor. What a group. =P ) * Maria whimpers at the boat groaning. ( Haw! ) (Well, we could always tie a rope around Lazar and toss him overboard...) * Chie opens one eye when the boat groans and shivers briefly. ( Drop him overboard, maybe. I don't think anyone's gonna be tossing Laz. ) * Chomei looks around as the boat groans, then realizes it's only Lazar. ( "Woo! The anchor is dropped!" "... Did you remember to tie the other end of the rope to something secure?" "Awwww! ;_;" ) (Hey, Lazar could just walk across and meet us there. ;p) [The men do too. They give the group puzzling looks, but say nothing.] ( Not even 'Yarr'? ) (They're ninja pirates!) ( Nah. The pirates come later. ) [Minutes later, they start the ferry, and you're sailing on your merry way.] * Lazar blinks at the boat's reaction, then shrugs and finds a spot as close to the center of the boat as he can. Weight balance and all. * Chie is most definitely *not* merry. * Maria is far from merry. * Chomei finds a confortable place to sit down. "So, how long's the trip Prof?" * Rei fidgets some, then goes to her backpack (which, yes, Makoto is still wearing), pulls out a deck of cards, and drops it on the floor. She 'sits' on the ground and opens the deck, then starts playing solitaire. Yay for cards flipping themselves. ( ... no suppose anyone know full score to Pirates of Penzance? ... *GLARE* ) [Time: 4:15. The driver sings the Gilligan's Island theme.] * Rei quietly sings along, though not in the driver's head, lucky him. * Chie tries to take her mind off things by reminding herself that this is to help Rei, and they'll get there soon, and then they'll get Rei a new body, and then they'll come back... dammit. They'll have to come back this way, won't they? * Makoto sits down in front of the self-playing cards and shifts Rei's bag to his lap. He watches the cards turn over, pointing now and then when Rei almost misses a play (which is VERY rare, but oh well). * Peter reads. [Time: 4:35. The driver sings "Row, row, row your boat..."] * Chomei takes a deep breath. "I might not mind boats, but I hate long trips. How much longer?" * Rei starts flicking a card at Makoto's face every time he points out a missed play. * Lazar does the best statue impersonation he can without dropping his illusion. The non-driver looks to the sun. "Mmmm... 'bout two hours." (So long as he doesn't start with "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," we'll be okay. ;p) * Makoto keeps the cards, and plays them as a poker hand on top of Rei's solitaire game. * Chie glares at Chomei. She didn't want to know that. * Rei yoinks the cards from Makoto and picks up the deck, shuffling it together. ~Five card draw?~ * Chomei doesn't seem to notice. Yes, he is clueless again! * Makoto nods. (He used up his clue alottment for the day earlier, I guess. ^_~) [Time: 4:55. The captian whistles Popeye's theme.] [Time: 5:00. He sings Popeye's theme.] (Makoto, roll gaming? ^^) ( D'oh. Hang on... ) * Chomei scoots over to where Makoto and Rei are playing cards. "Mind dealing me in?" * Rei deals Chomei in. * Chomei starts playing too. * Chie attempts one of Eoi's meditation techniques. * Maria actually manages to fall asleep. Or seems to, anyway. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Makoto (2d6) and gets 7. 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6-1) and gets 6. ( Naginata, ommm, Naginata, ommmm. ) (That's about it, yes. ^_^) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6) and gets 8. [Time: 5:15. The ship sails into an eerie mist.] * Chomei grumbles as he looses another hand. * Rei creams them both at poker. Many times over. This isn't good. (Uh-oh. Eerie mist is *never* good.) ( Oh, hell. ) Sailor1: "Hey, do you think that sea monster will attack again?" * Chie doesn't hear Peter say that. She seems to actually be succeding at the meditation. ~I thought there's always eerie mist on the way to Smorfilia.~ * Chomei looks up. "What isn't? Oh..." ( ... We're in Earthbound. ) ( Oh god. Everyone run before Rei uses PSI Rockin' B ) Sailor2: "I keep telling you, there's no such thing as a sea monster!" * Lazar has moved slightly! His head is now bowed, and he's muttering something or other in Hebrew. (Rockin'!) Sailor2: "... It's a ghost ship." Sailor1: "No way! It's a sea monster." ~It's two pair.~ Sailor2: "Nope! A ghost ship." * Rei plunks her cards down. * Chomei looks up at the Sailors. "It's a ghostly sea monster ship?" They consider that for a minute. "Nahhh..." * Chomei plays his hand. "Um... pair of aces?" [Time: 5:30. The ferry sails out of the eerie mist.] * Makoto lays down his hand. Not a face card among them, which is okay because it's a 2-3-4-5-6 straight. Of clubs. Whap. Wow. I actually won one. * Chomei looks at that. "Are you sure you're not cheating? No. * Makoto grins cheekily at Chomei. * Rei curses, but pushes the bargaining chips over to Makoto. * Lazar continues to do that Hebrew that Jew do. (...) * Chomei flicks a few chips over at Makoto. "Go again?" * Makoto nods and antes up. * Chomei antes up. * Rei deals out the cards again and antes up, looking at her hand. [Time: 6:00 p.m. The boat gets to the island and pulls up to the only dock there. The dock leads to a single building.] * Peter hops out of the boat. * Maria is still asleep. * Rei puts the cards back into her backpack and zips off the boat at the speed of Rei. * Chie doesn't seem to have noticed that the boat stopped. Her eyes are closed as well. * Chomei gets up and starts to wake Maria and Chie. "Hello? We're there." ( The boat sails off with Maria and Chie still on it :P ) * Makoto puts the chips (most of which were Rei's) into the backpack as well, then slings the pack over a shoulder and disembarks. * Chie mumbles when Chomei shakes her. "I am one with the nagi- wha? We're there?" * Maria jumps. "KYAAA... oh. Sorry." Great! * Chie practically runs off the boat. Yeah, now let's get off of this hunk of met- yeah. You too Maria. * Chomei walks off of the boat. * Lazar walks slowly off the boat. * Maria stands, jumps onto the docks, and runrunruns for land as only she can. * Chie nearly dances once she's on land again. Good, solid land! [Two natives come running up from the building on the dock as you get off!] [One's tall, one's short.] (They don't die!) * Makoto is passed by all of the females in the group, and none of the males except for Peter. There's a message in that, if only he could figure it out... * Peter walks to the natives. "Hello." * Chomei let's Peter do the talking. * Maria runs past the two, ignoring them in her effort to get somewhere dry. [Maria finds the dock is too small for that.] Hello! What have you brought us today? * Makoto stops behind Peter, Chie, and Maria. CAN'TTALKGOTTAGETAWAYFROMTHEWATER! * Rei hesitates when everyone else stops and looks off towards the village. She starts when Maria yells. * Maria leaps over the two, resuming her course for dry land. Maria, STOP. * Chomei facepalms. * TallGuy stares as Maria jumps completely over him. (And Chomei facepalms at Maria. Again, the world is ending.) ( And so everybody in MC2 died, and the world ended later, because Maria couldn't control her bladder. ) Rei, stop her if you can. * TallGuy looks back at Peter, then back at Maria, then back at Peter. * Maria runs up to the building, opens the door, goes inside, and slams the door shut behind her. I'm sorry about her. * Rei zips after Maria and into the building. * TallGuy runs after Maria! "Hey!" * ShortGuy follows the tall guy. Maria! Get out here now. * Chie just stands there. They're not *on* the water anymore, and it's behind her, so as long as she doesn't turn around, she can pretend it's not there. [The dock is on water :P] * Lazar blinkblinks. (But you don't feel it moving like a boat.) (And chances are it's fairly shallow, so she could probably make it to land okay.) * Makoto isn't going anywhere. Peter said that these island-folk didn't like visitors, and the professor is somewhat prone to understatement. * TallGuy rips open the door and heads after Maria. The short one follows him. * Chomei stays standing where he is. [Meanwhile, the sailors wait around for them to come back.] ... Right. * Peter frowns angrily. * Makoto subtly shifts his weight from foot to foot. [A tumbleweed would blow by, but you're standing on a dock in the middle of the ocean. Well, western end, but that's beside the point.] (... RSP mini!) (But shouldn't it be in the RSP room? =P) (Shhh!) (RSP mini ;_;) * Rei comes zipping over to you guys. ~They're talking and Maria's calmed down. She said that she's here because she wants to help her friend, because there's something here that's needed for her to live, and this is the only place to find it.~ * Peter frowns. * Peter nods. "Okay." * Chie looks over at Rei. "I'm glad she's calmed down. How are the natives reacting?" Is that supposed to be *public* knowledge Peter? ~Who cares. Go with it.~ * Makoto nods faintly. * Rei looks at Chie. ~They'll probably tell her and us that there's nothing useful here, and we're wasting our time. But they don't look like they're gonna blow us up or something.~ * Chie nods. "They can say whatever they want, just so long as they don't want to come after us." * ShortGuy comes out and runs up to you! Ye--mm? ~I'm gonna go check on Maria again.~ * Rei zips off, going straight through the short guy. * Makoto watches the short guy. * ShortGuy watches Makoto * Chie watches Rei leave, then looks at the short guy. * Makoto watches the short guy watching him. * Peter looks at the man. "Is the situation resolved?" * ShortGuy is looked at. He doesn't seem to mind. * Lazar is. Daaa... Mr. Kunio said to watch you. ... (Riki's mind has been honed by twenty years of instant ramen.) ( Daaaa... ^_^ ) * Chie shrugs idly and sticks her hands in her pockets. * Chomei looks at the water, and the land, and the sky... * Makoto pulls a yo-yo from his pocket and idly spins it. * ShortGuy watches. [Time passes...] [Time: 6:30 p.m.] * Makoto makes his yo-yo do little tricks while he waits. Tra-la-la. * Chomei kicks the ground lightly with the tip of his shoe, then does the same with his other one. "What's taking them so long?" * ShortGuy watches! "Daaa... Didja bring ramen?" No. Where is your superior? Daaaa.... Do. You. Under. Stand? Go. Find. Your Boss. Daaa.... Okay! * ShortGuy runs towards the building. * ShortGuy comes back! Daaaa... He's back there. * Peter sighs.} Ask him to come out here. ... Right. Daaaa..... Okay * ShortGuy runs back to the building. * Makoto grins crookedly and continues to spin his yo-yo. * Chie hums quietly. Nobody can make out what the song is - Chomei, because he can't hear her, and the rest of the group, because she's so off-key. * ShortGuy runs back up to you! "Daaaa... He'll be right out." Okay. * TallGuy comes out with Maria. * Rei is hovering right along with them. * Maria shufles along with her eyes closed tight. * Peter nods at TallGuy Squarepants. (Oh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea? o/~) * TallGuy says, when he gets close enough. "Well." (Tallguy Squarpants! o/~) ( Starman! ) Maria has filled you in on our situation? * Makoto continues to spin his yo-yo. These Smorfies don't seem too bad, after all. She said you need something from here for someone. I can't imagine what you could possibly need, but she said to ask you. So! What is it that you need? * Rei looks around, her gaze finally fixing on the town closeby. [It looks townish.] ( I was hoping it would look towny. ) [If you needed to explain what a town was to preschoolers, you could probably take a picture of it and use that.] (It's towneriffic.) Due to a ..situation, a friend of ours was killed. Her spirit however, remains "alive". We were informed that it would be possible to find or make a new body for her here. * TallGuy blinks. Twice. "Uh... huh." Our source is reliable. We will obey your rules during any period of time we are here. Is there a mayor or chief we may talk to? ( Oh if you could only read minds... :P ) (Sorry, but that character's in China.) ( I can! But I'm not in this game, and I don't know I can anyway. Sorry.) About a dead body? ( ~You can too?~) ( No you can't Satoshi. They're not Arcana ) ( Oh, well, never mind, then. Sorry.) A dead body and a living spirit. We are aware of your secret. ( I can TOO Satoshi! ) (*Taki teleports in and drags Satoshi away, muttering about Jin running of with her freinds without her.) What secret? (* Satoshi is dragged, blushing all the way.) I believe you know. * TallGuy looks at... d3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for TallGuy (d3) and gets 3. * TallGuy looks at Makoto. "Hey, are you in charge of this group? They seem a bit... well..." He points to his head and twirls his finger. * Chie snickers. She's amused, not insulted. * Rei floats up and looks to the town, looking about ready to just go there anyway. * Lazar facepalms. * Makoto nods spreads his hands, still spinning the yo-yo. It's for appearance's sake only, I assure you. * TallGuy watches Makoto spin the yo-yo before saying very slowly. "... Riiiiiight." (We're really not as insane as we look. We're worse.) * TallGuy looks at Chomei. "Hey, are YOU in charge of this group? They seem a bit... well..." He points to his head and twirls his finger. (Chomei! That guy stole your catchphrase!) ~Would it be better if I talked to him?~ * Peter rubs his head. "Rei, give it a try." ... * Makoto nods in Rei's direction. (* Chomei kills him very messily. Steal that catchphrase.) * Rei nods and floats down, looking Kunio in the face. She taps him on the shoulder and speaks, in the group and Kunio's head. ~I'm the spirit they're talking about. They're not lying.~ (Aww. I was hoping you'd sue his pants off.) (Shh. ^_~) (* Chomei then sues the pants off of his corpse. "Does that work?") * TallGuy looks over his shoulder, then back. "Woah. That's some good ventriliquism. Which one of you did that?" None of us did. Rei, give him a "physical" demonstration if you have to. * TallGuy looks at Chomei. "No, reall... Wait, it was you, wasn't it." * Rei keeps chatting, ~Sure, anything in mind? Oh, and Kunio, Riki isn't hearing a word of this. If you want to try to verify it with him.~ * TallGuy looks at Lazar. "You! Tell me you're not like the rest of them, please!" (He isn't, actually.) Kunio, point at a rock or something small nearby. * Chomei raises an eyebrow. "No, it wasn't me." I no like rest of them, no. I taller, for one. Have accent. But you're not insane, right? Please tell me you're not insane. * Lazar shrugs. "Depend on who you ask." * Rei frowns. ~Y'know, I don't like being ignored, and we did come a really long way.~ She pokes Kunio in the side. * TallGuy sighs. Ow! * TallGuy looks and sees nothing. "Hey, what's the big idea?" ~That wasn't supposed to hurt, either. Are you gonna believe me or not? I'm not a trick, and they're not crazy.~ * Chie notes that this Kunio guy hasn't even bothered to ask if she's not insane. Good! ^_^_v (Why me? ;_;) (It's the spiky blue hair.) Right, the invisible voice says it's not a trick, and you want to come in to find a body for your dead friend, and come ON! Daaa... I want ramen ;_; * Peter sighs. * Maria mutters. "What, it's really that hard to believe?" ~You fly and you expect me to think that you believe this isn't *possible*?~ I do nothing of the sort! * Makoto grins at the tall guy. You can fly? And that's about as easy to believe as the Queen of England having 6 eyes. * Lazar mutters in Hungarian to Peter. Flying? Cool! ~Who knows, maybe she does.~ Queen of What? Okay, if it is an invisible voice, plug your ears. You shouldn't hear it, right? (Maria has *never* heard of the Queen of England?) ( England. It still exists 40 years from now, whether you like it or not. :P ) * Chie muses. "I've always wanted to fly... but my wings are just an ink drawing." * Peter mumbers back. * Lazar mutters more. * Peter mumbles * Rei goes to Makoto and whispers, just to him, ~Can I borrow a yo-yo?~ * Lazar nods at Peter. * Makoto reaches into another pocket and hands a yo-yo to Rei. * Chomei scratches his head. * Rei takes it and puts the loop around her finger. Now there's a floating yo- yo. She taps Kunio on the shoulder to get his attention. * Kunio watches. "Woah. Hell of a trick..." I get it! You're a circus carnival, right? * Chie laughs. Still, there's no place big enough for you to perform here, so you wasted your time coming. ~Yeah, I'm a dead, one-girl circus. I don't really wanna be dead anymore.~ * Peter curses in three different languages. * Chie sobers quickly. Listen to me. This is serious. We know you are Smorfys. * Rei plays with the yo-yo, and while she doesn't do any tricks, she does make it go up and down just fine. Smorfy? What's a smorfy? You're sure there isn't like a town square or anything, where we can't set up for just a little while... oh, never mind. * Chomei taps his foot impatiently. * Rei says, not to Kunio or Riki, ~Maybe I should pull down their fucking pants and see if they have tails or not.~ Irritated? Just a little. * Chie smirks. "I say go for it." Lazar, now. * Lazar takes a step foward, and palms his pendant. The illusion drops. "This no trick. We need you help. Please." * Kunio stares. That makes you the strongman of the carnival, huh?" * Lazar holds out his arm. "No trick. Am golem. Made of stone." Daaa... Do they have cotton candy? I like cotten candy... For god's sake, we don't have time for this. * Maria scowls, keeping her eyes closed. "Look, do I need to run up a damn wall or something?" Look, whatever you might want from us, I'm telling you we don't have it. ~Can't we see for ourselves? Please?~ * Lazar sighs and palms his pendant again, re-activating the illusion. No! The LAST time we let someone in here it ended up with a disaster. A life is in the balance damn you. I'm quite aware what happened last time. * Chie sighs and shuffles her feet. Now she's getting annoyed. ( Although technically, if it didn't happen, Rei and siblings would never have been born. ) Uh huh. They said the same thing, and forced their way in. Then one of them died and they acted like we were in the wrong. * Chomei clenches and opens his left fist multiple times. Heads are gonna roll if something doesn't happen. At least you've dropped the charade. I know what happened. We're not them. * Rei looks back at the town. * Maria rubs her temples. Please, you must. This girl's life hangs in the balance. Her family has alread suffered enough. * Makoto doesn't seem to be terribly bothered by the conversation, save for the worried glances he casts in incorporeal-Rei's direction. Even if I let you in, you wouldn't find anything. We don't keep spare bodies around. Listen, can we talk to your leader? But it might not be something that obvious. And what's the harm in looking? What, you think it's gonna be a tin can with twigs for arms and legs and a holly berry leaf for a head? Fine. I'll call her out. Don't move. * Kunio heads off to the building. "Riki, make sure they stay put." ( Miyu, Mia or INsanePsychoBItch. ) * Chie shakes her head and opens her mouth to say something, then stops when Kunio says that. "Daaaa... Okay." * Demotafk is now known as Demota * Maria looks like she's about to start pacing, and then thinks better of it. * Riki watches Maria warily. * Rei is shaking now, just a little. She pulls her knees up to hug them. * Lazar rubs his temples, producing something akin to a grinding noise. * Chie looks in Rei's direction worriedly. "Rei?" * Chomei fidgets. Don't be scared, Rei. We'll get you a body one way or another. * Peter eyes Makoto. Yeah. As stubborn as they are, we're even more stubborn. ~It's just... I- okay.~ I'm not gonna give up that easily. We'll figure something out. * Maria mutters. "Even more annoying than that guy with the mansion." Nobody more stubborn than Transylvanian. Ya sure? That guy was pretty damn annoying... * Rei smiles faintly. ~But I got an inflatable cow out of it. Life size, even. It makes a great cape.~ * Chie grins at Lazar. "Is that a challenge?" *shrug* Is fact. Uh-huh. * Chie turns back to Rei, Chomei, and Maria. "And, hey, nobody's thrown potato salad at us yet." That's always a plus. ...true. [A few minutes later, Kunio returns with a rather pretty girl a bit younger than Peter. She's got blue eyes and short pink hair, and is wearing a long blue dress and blue jacket over an orange shirt.] (She dresses like me. Nice.) ( Nah. Her attire doesn't hurt the eyes nearly as much. ) * Woman looks everyone over. * Peter offers his hand. "Hello. I am Peter Roivas." * Rei stays perched in the air, but looks the woman over. * Woman hesitates a second, but then takes it. "Mia Hoshino." (Knew it!) ( Duh? Who else would it be? :P ) ( KIRBY. ) ( You shoulda had her bring out the remote control Kirby again. :P ) I'm sorry to disturb the peace of your island, but this is an emergency. * Mia nods. "Mr. Kunio was kind enough to inform me." * Chie watches Peter and Mia. Mia's got cool hair. She approves. * Peter gives Mia a quick repeat of the story, just to make sure. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6) and gets 8. * Mia nods. "I see. So it's really that severe?" * Maria looks impatient. Quite. We.. we don't even know how much time we have. You can understand why we are impatiant. d5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Brett (d5) and gets 2. * Chomei sighs. This is taking way too long to get on a stupid rock... * Mia nods. "I understand, but I have a responsibility, too. I can't let you in just by words alone, so..." * Mia pulls out a bottle from behind her back and hands it to Chomei, smiling. "Here, drink this." * Rei peers at the contents of the bottle. That is understandable. (*cracks up* That's what I think that is, isn't it?) * Chie eyes Mia. "And what's that?" ( Maybe ) * Chomei looks suspiciously at the bottle. "What is it?" (Bwahahaha!) ( CASTOR OIL! XD ) * Mia smiles. "Caster Oil. If you drink it down, that'll be proof enough of your words." (YAY, go Mia!) * Chomei makes a funny face. (How big is the bottle?) (*cackles* Knew it. ^_^) ( Or Fernandez will eat you. ) * Maria would blink, but her eyes are closed. ( Not *too* big ) * Makoto arches an eyebrow and grins wickedly, but says nothing. * Rei blinks, then grins madly. Madly. Tastes awful, but that's about all. Do we all have to drink? Okay, but don't complain if I throw up afterwards... Nah. He'll do. Rei, you'd better appreciate this. ~Sure do, Chomei. Now drink it!~ * Chie half-smiles. She's not sure whether to feel sorry for Chomei or glad that it's not her. She settles on both. * Chomei tries to down the bottle. >_< ( Body roll +4! ) 2d6+4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chomei (2d6+4) and gets 10. (Hell no!) [Chomei drinks it, and it tastes horrible! And after he finishes it, the horrible taste remains, and a few seconds later he gets this nasty feeling in his stomach.] * Mia smiles. "Okay, I think I can trust you." * Chomei looks over the pier. "Is... there a... washroom around here?" * Kunio points at the building on the docks. "There's one in there. Hurry!" * Makoto is still grinning. * Rei cackles. * Chie gives Chomei a sympathetic grin. * Chomei runs for the building and to the bathroom! Poor boy. * Rei edges over to Peter. ~Y'know, Prof, she's pretty and she's got a great sense of humor.~ * Chie then cracks up as soon as he's out of earshot (meaning she doesn't have to wait too long). * Peter eyes Rei. Or rather, would eye Rei if he could see her. * Lazar rubs his temples again. ~What, you really think I'd stop just because I'm dead? She's looking at you! Don't blush.~ I grew up on that stuff. I know nobody would drink it unless they had a very good reason. I pity you as well then. * Peter fights the urge to blush. Curse Rei and her psychological mindgames. * Makoto chuckles quietly, and keeps spinning his yo-yo. * Chie stops laughing, but still grins. "Poor Chomei." * Mia smiles. "It was a long time ago..." * Peter frowns. "I hope he's okay." * Chomei returns from the building. He looks like he just lost his breakfast and lunch, probably because he just did. ~He'll be fine. See, there he is. He's just a little green, kinda seaweed color.~ * Maria looks vaguely confused. Well, feel free to look around. But Kunio was right; I don't know what you expect to find here. * Chomei "Yuck! Man, that's nasty. Do you have a..." He sees the water then runs right back into the building. * Chie smiles pleasantly at Mia. "Thank you so much!" * Rei nudges Peter. ~Say thank you! And compliment her hair, or something.~ ~I mean, she does have cool hair. Really different shade.~ T.. thank you. *Reiglare*. Are you going to have a guard come with us? * Chie then watches Chomei run off again. "And, uh, do you have anything for Chomei's stomach?" I don't think it's necessary, but I can come with you if you like. * Rei smiles innocently. Not that anyone but Chie can see it, and Chie's looking at Chomei. It is up to you. We'd rather not break any of your rules. I think I can trust you. Er, thank you, Mia. Thank you very much. * Mia nods and smiles. Uh... And don't tell anyone about this place when you leave, okay? Absolutely. Not a problem. * Chomei returns yet again. He looks like he just hurled even more chunks, and his shirt has water near the face. He's still trying to get the taste out of his mouth. "Did I *have* to do that?" Yes. * Peter nods. "I swear we shall not." Right. ~Yes. You took one for the team. Well, the Rei, but you know how it goes. You'll feel better in a half hour or so, really.~ * Chie pats Chomei on the back lightly and smiles at him. "We won't forget this." [Time: 8:00 p.m. The sun is setting! The sky is orange.] ~Yeah, I just wish I took pictures.~ * Chomei 's stomach is turning. Not that anyone can really tell. * Rei turns to Makoto. ~Hey, Makoto, did you take pictures?~ * Mia bows politely. "Well then, I'll leave the rest to you." She heads off. Kunio and Riki also leave, returning to the building. * Makoto pats his pockets. One. * Makoto grins. * Lazar patpats Chomei. "Would have done for you, but no have throat, stomach..." * Peter bows back politely. "Okay. Does anyone have any ideas." * Chie looks over at Rei. "We need to invest in a camera." She waves at Mia before she departs. You'd better not. You're the one drinking it next time. * Maria rubs her head. "Well, uhm. Victory?" * Rei grins right back, not that he can see it. ~Ideas? I want to go to the village.~ * Chomei smiles back at Chie, then turns to the prof. "So, where to?" Any reason? ~I dunno. I just... want to go to the village. Like I wanted to come here.~ Okay. Let's go the village then. I say we let Rei follow her feelings. * Chomei shrugs. "Sure, it's not like we have any better ideas." * Rei heads off towards the village, yup! * Chie follows, since she can actually see Rei going. * Makoto nods and follows Rei, since he can sense where she is too. * Lazar follows the group silently. * Chomei follows Chie, since he knows she can see Rei going. * Peter follows the people who know where Rei is going. Uhm, can, er... * Chomei doesn't hear Maria. Too bad! * Chie turns her head and looks at Maria. "What's wrong?" * Lazar turns back to Maria. "Hmm?" * Chomei stops. "Rei, stop!" Er... istilldon'twannaopenmyeyes. * Chie grins. "S'okay. I understand." * Maria flushes, clearly embarrassed by her show of weakness. Go her. * Rei skids to a stop. Well, she would if there were anything to skid on. ~Whowhatwhere'sthefire?~ * Chie walks back and takes Maria's hand. I'll let you know when we're away. * Chomei points his thumb back at Maria. * Lazar shakes his head, walks back, picks Maria up, and sets her on his right shoulder. "This work better, I think." Yeah, that it does. * Chie turns back to Rei. "Problem solved! Proceed!" ~Aye aye, not-cap'n!~ * Rei proceeds. * Makoto looks over his shoulder at Lazar and Maria. * Makoto grins again, and goes back to following Rei. * Lazar follows the group, making sure Maria doesn't topple off or anything. * Chomei starts following Chie again. Er, thanks, Laz. [The village is very basic. There's pretty much every type of facility you could need (other than automotive things or an airport), but only one of each. And there's a bunch of houses, too, some of which are pretty big.] No is problem. What point of golem strength if no can give rides to friends what no like water? * Rei looks around. [Rei sees a basic village. There's pretty much every type of facility you could need (other than automotive things or an airport), but only one of each. And there's a bunch of houses, too, some of which are pretty big.] * Chie looks at the shops. "Neat! I wonder if anyone around here makes jewelry? Could be cool to get some new design ideas." (*snerk*) (Hehe.) * Rei points forward, towards the forest. ~That way.~ Which way? * Chie mock-salutes Rei. "Yes, ma'am." She points at the forest. "Thattaway, guys." Which? * Peter heads for the forest then. * Chomei follows Chie... again. ~That way. No, not this way. That way. To the- yeah.~ * Rei moves it. That way. * Maria giggles. "There ya go, Laz. Knew you'd come in handy someday." * Makoto moves that way too! * Lazar nods. "I like horse, but with 2 legs, no fur, no tail, no hooves... okay, so no much like horse." [The houses start to thin out as you go deeper towards the forest.] * Rei goes and goes and goes and stops. ( @_@ .oO(Gosh. These houses are so thin.) ) * Chie stops, too. What's up, Rei? ( Suddenly Fernandez eats Makoto ) * Chomei almost bumps into Chie, but doesn't. * Makoto stops, though admittedly he walks a bit too far before doing so. * Maria giggles again. "Nah, not like a horse. Or even a were-horse. Er, can I open my eyes now?" * Rei points at a run-down building; the last one before the town ends, in fact. ~In- in there. I feel like I need to go in there.~ * Chie nods. "Okay. Lead on, then." * Chomei shrugs. "Whatever you say." * Maria opens her eyes anyway. Huh. Let's go. Don't run too far ahead, cutie. * Maria hops off Laz' shoulder and gives him a quick hug. "Thanks fer the ride." * Rei goes and tries to open the door. She blushes a little when Makoto calls her that. ~I'll try not to.~ In forest now. No wat- is no problem, little one. * Chomei keeps following Chie's lead. * Makoto follows Rei, though. * Chie follows Rei over to the house. [The building looks rundown, all right. It looks like it hasn't been used for ages. The interior is wood. Old wood, but not really rotting.] ( Anyone with archetecture, gimme a roll. ) ( What's the skill? ) ( small buildings ) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Peter (2d6-4) and gets 0. ( Gosh, I donno. I mighta made it. ) ( Heh. ) (Hee. ^_^) (No, really?) (*snerk*) It appears.. this was once an orphanage. ~An... orphanage?~ Orphanage? ...an orphanage. An... Orphanage? That's a bit odd. Shall we go in? Not really. Where else would they put kids who... * Maria looks miserable and mutters something under her breath. (Wee! How many different ways can *you* say orphanage?) * Chie stops suddenly. ( Hah! I'm the only one who didn't parrot the professor. ) (I wanna cracker!) * Lazar mutters "Orphanage" in Hungarian. Actually, they could put them in with their relatives who hate them. But, anyway. Let's go. * Rei heads in, going where she feels is right. * Chomei looks at Chie. "Yeah, let's go." He heads in. * Makoto gives Chie a sidelong look before going inside with the others. * Peter heads in. * Chie doesn't seem to notice the looks from the guys. She's more intent on watching Rei. * Maria follows, after hesitating. This one should be safe. [Rei leads you through a large room to a hallway, to a decending staircase.] * Chomei waits for Chie to enter, then follows her once she does. [The orphanage is devoid of... well, most anything, really.] * Lazar follows in, and eyes the staircase. "... no know if that can hold golem weight." Deserted? Yes it is. * Rei points. ~Down the stairs.~ And she does that. * Chie follows Rei down the stairs. ( Oh god. We're in the Blair Witch Project. ) * Peter follows. [Lazar is quite right to guess that. The stairs are wood.] * Chomei looks down the stairs. (Is it dark?) (Oh, *that's* a lovely thought, Atom. :P) [It is very dark!] * Chie pulls her flashlight out. * Peter pulls out a flashlight. ~Makoto, I've got a flashlight in my backpack, if- never mind!~ * Lazar stays at the top of the stairs. "No can come down..." * Chomei slips on some goggles. "Better to be safe than sorry." * Chie nods at Lazar. "Hopefully we'll be back soon. Just keep an eye on things for us?" * Makoto digs around in Rei's backpack anyway, and produces the flashlight anyway. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Peter (2d6-4) and gets 1. * Lazar nods. "If anything big and drooly down there... run up here and have it chase." * Maria keeps following. There is stone under the stairs. You can follow. You sure? * Maria hugs herself as she goes along. This hasn't been her day. Yes. Okay. *heads down the stairs* * Makoto brings up the rear. In fact, he waits for Lazar to go downstairs first. [The stairs creak as Lazar steps on them, but they hold.] * Chomei follows Chie whenever she goes down the stairs. He knows she knows where Rei's going. * Chie is right behind Rei. [At the bottom of the staircase is a door with yellow tape across it that says "Keep out" and a nice biohazard symbol. There's a big padlock on the door.] * Chie shines her light on the lock. "Maria? I think this is your department." * Chomei blinks. "That's not supposed to be here." ~We need to go through there. Want me to take a look first?~ No. No, let's wait until we can all go. Not after what happened last time. * Maria blinks, then nods, smiling for prolly the first time today. * Maria pulls lockpicks out of somewhere and goes to work! * Rei shrugs, but doesn't say a word. * Chie frowns at the symbol. "I wonder what's back there, though." * Chomei looks at the door with suspicion. "So do I... Should we be ready for something to jump us?" 2d6-6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-6) and gets 2. Maybe. Here, hold this for a sec. * Chie hands the flashlight to Chomei. [Maria picks the lock. Easily.] * Chomei holds it. * Chie rummages around in her bag and pulls out her sword. While I'm at it, I'd like to mention how much I hate orphanages. But nevermind. Okay, I'll take it back. Thanks. * Maria opens the door, peeking in. * Chomei hands Chie back her flashlight. * Rei goes in, not caring if people are ahead of her or not. How's it looking? * Chie holds the sword in one hand and the flaslight in the other, and shines it inside. * Peter heads in carefully. Don't see anything yet... * Chomei tries to get a good look inside. * Makoto shines his flashlight around the base of the stairs, and everything behind the group. Sneaky things are bad. [Behind is a hallway, also wood. It runs for a fair distance into the darkness, in which you see a single glowing line.] * Maria follows in, looking around. * Chie heads on in. * Rei moves. ~Down the hallway. And after this, wanna follow me to France?~ * Chomei follows Chie. * Peter follows. * Lazar follows, making a sour face. "Eww. French." 'Course. I rule France, remember? I should really check up on the beret production. Dunno. What's France like? ~Yup. Beret and bad love poetry.~ * Chomei snickers. France is another country in Europe. I like you and everything, Rei, but I'll pass on the French thing. I visited there when I was little. It reeked. Good wine, though. ~Really? Of what? Bad fish?~ And unwashed armpits, yeah. ~Okay, maybe going to France isn't that good of an idea.~ Napoleon try passing through Transylvania when attacking Russia. Was apparently very funny. * Chomei scratches his head. "I think their water's also infamously dirty too." [Some distance down the hallway, you get to the glowing line! Which turns out to be light from under a door. There's two locks on this one. One is just another padlock, the other is a keypad.] [And this door is metal.] * Chie eyes the door. "This grows ever more interesting." * Chomei nods. "That it does." Pick lock, or... Hrm. * Peter frowns. * Maria actually goes through the trouble of checking this door for hidden surprises. ~I could- I could try looking through, if you want... but you won't want me to. I could crack the code instead. We could knock?~ * Makoto keeps his attention fixedly on the hallway behind the group. Now that he's gotten the hang of following Rei without having to see her, he isn't afraid of getting lost. I wonder who would answer if we *did* knock. Or what. 2d6-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-5) and gets 0. * Maria decides she's satisfied, and goes about picking the locks. 2d6-6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-6) and gets 1. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-4) and gets 3. [Maria unlocks the door.] * Rei takes a look at the keypad. ~Nice going, Maria.~ (Is the door open now, then?) ( No, but it's unlocked. ) Thanks. * Maria puts the tools of her trade away. * Rei gives in to curiosity and opens the door. [The door is too heavy for Rei to open ;_;] * Chie helps Rei push, not that it'll probably do that much good. ... need help with open door? * Chie stops pushing. "Yeah, I think so." Guys, I think Laz is the man for this one. Unless you really want a workout. ~Hey, hey. Maybe we can just punch in the right code thing on the keypad.~ That could work Rei. * Lazar moves up to the door... and waits. * Rei goes to try to do that. * Makoto looks over his shoulder at the group, and then back at the dark hallway. Nobody's comming, right Makoto? ( Makoto is eaten by a grue. ) (But he had a light!) (And he wasn't sleeping either...) * Rei blinks a few times. ~Or... open it, Lazar.~ I don't see anybody, no. * Makoto scans the ceiling while he's at it. * Lazar goes up to the door, leans back, and shoulderblocks the door. * Chomei stands back and waits for Lazar to open it the Golem(tm) way. * Maria moves out of the way for MightyMan. [Lazar opens the door!] ( Now loading.... ) (Please wait!) (Don't remind me of EQ!) ( *cues up 'Girl from Ipanima' ) [Behind is a big room with a large cieling; much larger than the hallway you're coming out of. There are two glass tubes on either side, each filled with a light-green liquid. The first contains nothing, but the second contains Rei! Or what must be her new body, at least. It's completely naked and looks just like the old one, save for a brownish tail. ] ( SmorfyRei. Oh dear god. ) (Oh my god...) [Also in the room is a control panel, and two chairs, both of which are currently occupied by scientist-looking men. 'Cept they're pretty obviously dead, with all the blood and stuff around. And finally, the vampire is there, too.] * Maria blinks. * Chie turns off her flashlight and quickly stows her sword away. Um. * Peter quickly stares at the bodies and the vampire, and not at the naked girl in a tube. Uhm... hello. * Vampire turns as the door opens. * Makoto backs into the room. We're arrived. Now how do we save Rei? * Chomei looks around the room, then glares at the vampire. So, what did you guys find? * Makoto is still looking out of the room, just in case. * Rei stares. ~Me.~ Huh? * Lazar averts his eyes from the NakedRei (old country chivalry and all)... "Hello again." You... You have to see it for yourself Makoto. Naked Rei. * Makoto turns around. Oh! It is you! Except nakeder. And more taily. * Chie ponders. "Wait a second." Who's that? * Makoto points his flashlight directly at the vampire. * Chie stands on tiptoe and covers Chomei's eyes. "Okay, better." That vampyre what help us find place... * Peter covers Makoto's eyes. * Vampire stares. "What are you doing? All of you turn around, now!" * Peter is looking at the floor. Gwah. Peter, it's not like I haven't seen a... oh, alright. Turning. * Chomei turns away. * Rei blinks. ~Me too? That's me in there. Isn't it?~ ...eh? * Chie removes her hand once Chomei's turned around. I don't like this... * Lazar has his hand shielding his eyes from that direction, but shrugs and turns around anyway. * Makoto turns around and goes back to looking out the door. * Maria sighs and rubs her face. "Day just keeps gettin' better." * Chie stares at the vampire, but says nothing. No, not you. Just the uncooth people who can't stop gawking. Oh, okay. * Makoto turns around again and points his flashlight at the vampire's face. You look familiar. ~Oh. What's going on here? Why am I in there, and why are those guys in labcoats dead?~ I told you, a new body. And why does she have a tail? It's a very cool tail, and I'm going to be jealous of it, but why is it there? ( Because their hearts stopped beating. Duh. ) Hey, was no gawking! Mother raise better than that... not that not worthy of gawk, no want to imply little one no pretty, is very pretty and I should shut up noww, no? Yes, Laz. I think that'd be a very good idea. * Makoto grins. ~Well, yeah, new body. And I'm glad it's here. But... uh, it wasn't just made overnight, was it?~ It's okay, Lazar. Just keep it to a dull roar. * Chomei pats Lazar on the shoulder. "It's okay. I just think that the *least moral of us* should turn around like we just did." Makoto. Not completely. It was prepared overnight. But I thought to make a failsafe just in case for some time. By least moral, you mean ones with Y chromosome, no? * Chie snickers. Yes, quite. Why does it have a tail? A... failsafe? ...failsafe? Just in case? What, like you've just been waiting for Rei to die? Rei, TELL me this doesn't happen a lot. ~... This is the first time I've died to my knowledge, I swear.~ Look, Wet Shorts, I haven't looked at Rei's new body but the one time, because everybody else was staring at it. I've seen enough skin in my young life not to go all mush brained when it's presented to me, in a vat of some sort of embryonic fluid with corpses littering the floor. * Vampire seethes at Maria. "Because I knew humans like you couldn't protect her." ~So... why are they dead?~ * Chie ignores the vampire. "So, yeah, what do we do now, Rei?" I took them from the corporation. They helped me finish. Then when they were done... They won't become vampires. I was careful. You murdered them. ( Who wants to pull on Rei's tail? ) * Maria quirks an eyebrow at the Vampire. "I don't see you protectin'... no, nevermind." * Lazar eyes Peter. "Now is no time to be debating tactic morals..." * Rei bites her lip. ~Asahara?~ * Vampire nods. * Makoto seems intent on shining the flashlight at the vampire's face. * Maria starts inspecting the equipment in the lab. * Vampire doesn't seem to care. Finish, huh? There was another Rei... started already? Now, Rei, hurry up and join with your new body. ~I- I-~ * Chie keeps quiet, this time. * Vampire moves over to a control panel. Leech, I asked you a question. It's not polite to ignore me over and over and over again. * Rei looks at the others, then zips over to the body, going straight through the casing. Do.. you have clothes for her or something? * Chie pulls her jacket out of her bag. We can use this, for starters. I have spares. ...sort of. ... can borrow loincloth, make into kind of skirt. With illusion, no really need. * Vampire eyes Makoto. "Don't you dare... -I- had a backup plan in case she died. What did you do for her? You sent her off to her death!" * Maria walk over to the control pannel and looks over her shoulder. If I hadn't gotten there in time to save her with that staff, her spirit wouldn't even exist anymore! * Chie watches Rei and tries to ignore the vampire, though her jaw clenches a bit. I did no such thing. I let her make her own decisions like the adult she is. But I admit it was nice of you to build a spare. A bit presumptious, maybe, but still nice. * Vampire clenches her fist. Makoto, shut up. You're not helping anything. You first, professor. As far as you're concerned I'm *never* helping anything. * Vampire scowls. "Truely, no different at all." * Chie keeps watching Rei. * Rei ignores the conversation, as she melts into... well, her own body. Just shut the fuck up people. We're here to save a life, and that's what we're doing. I really *don't* like this, but there's no other choice. Look, how about we help Rei, and *then* you can argue? [Rei's eyes snap open!] Rei! * Chie 's eyes light up. * Makoto opens his mouth to say something else to the leech, but shuts it when Maria pipes up. He watches in resigned silence as Rei's new body appears to awaken. * Vampire punches a few buttons quickly on the control panel, and the glass lifts, letting the liquid pour out into a drain. * Chie runs over to Rei. * Lazar somehow manages to remove his loincloth beneath his illusion. He looks the same regardless. * Rei falls to the ground, coughing liquid. * Lazar holds it out over his shoulder. "Cleaned this morning..." * Chie kneels down next to her. * Peter looks away. "Rei, how are you feeling?" ( Where is this going? c.c ) (You tell us!) * Rei gasps, "Wet. I-" She stares, then points at Chie's shirt. "What color is that?" ( Some blood sucking? ) * Maria kneels next to Rei. "You alright?" Uh... black. Oh. * Maria blinks. Eh? * Vampire keeps her fist clenched. * Rei looks up, pointing at Chie's hair. "How about that?" Yellow. Rei used to be color-blind, Maria. I think she's not any more. Oh, right. (But she'll still dress the same way, I'd imagine.) * Maria smirks. "Welcome to the world of color, Rei." * Chie blinks. "You can see colors now?" * Rei blinks a couple more times, then looks at the vampire. "And... her hair? What color's her hair?" Purple. (Of course..now what she's wearing will look even cooler!) I... think so. I dunno. It all looks different now. ( Pull her tail! ) * Chie hugs Rei. "You're back!" * Makoto turns his flashlight on the vampire, as before. * Rei oofs, then hugs back. The tail twitches behind her. * Lazar waves the loincloth. "Please be getting dressed so we can turn around, little one?" 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Rei (2d6+2) and gets 10. That was really thoughtful of you. But if you hate us all so much, why'd you do it? * Maria reaches into her backpack and pulls out her stealthsuit. "Well, here's your first fashion statement." Although it doesn't have a tail-hole, so you'll have to improvise. I'm so glad, Rei... and I'm so sorry that you had to go through this. I... uh... okay. I think... I need to get dressed. Yes, please do. I don't like having my back turned to that... vampire. * Chie nods, and holds out the jacket. "You want this?" * Vampire looks at Makoto directly, in spite of the light. Vampyre, Chomei. And she help Rei, so be nice. Something tells me she's not going to be 'nice,' as you put it, much longer. * Rei peers at the suit. "I, um... Makoto! I have some clothes in the backpack." * Rei giggles, just a little out of it. "I kinda figured I'd end up naked or something." * Lazar blinks, shrugs, then puts his loincloth back on. And so. After all this... * Makoto shrugs the backpack from his shoulder and slides it gently over to Rei. * Maria shrugs and stuffs her suit back. She grins. "Wuss." * Lazar whaps Chomei. * Chie laughs. "You've got more forethought than I would've." No pay attention to him, vampyre lady. He pessi- passi- he no look on bright side. You help Rei, we thankful. * Chomei takes getting hit like he was expecting it. "Just.. like.. you." Right, well it's back to "leech ignores talking food" again. Thank you just the same, whoever you are. Yeah. You're alright by me. What with bringing m'best friend back to life and all that. * Rei catches the backpack and opens it, slowly, numbly pulling out shorts and a t-shirt and putting them on, making a mental note to ask what colors they are later. ( Tails are like pigtails. They exist to be pulled. ) ... am sorry, Chomei. But she help Rei. Hold off insults until she do something bad. * Vampire scowls. "I didn't do it for worthless human scum like you." * Chie looks over at the vampire. "Yeah. Thanks, even though you don't care at all. Which is fine by me." I'd never entrust the life of my daughter to humans. Never! * Rei grumbles and grabs scissors from her pack, removes the shorts, and cuts a hole in them. Then she puts them back on. Now the tail pokes through. Don't look at me, leech. I'm not human, and I hadn't met you unti-- daughter? ... What? Your... wha? ... oy? .. Uh.. Um... * Chomei clears his ears. "Did I hear that right?" I... think you might wanna have a talk with Rei's parents on that one. ...the life of whonow? * Rei doubles over, screaming, clutching the necklace Chie gave her for her birthday. Rei?! What's wrong? Rei! * Chie looks at the vampire. "What the hell's going on here?" Rei! * Rei whimpers, tears coming out of her eyes. "Hurts..." * Chomei turns around once Rei starts sceaming. "What did you do to her?!" * Maria makes a guess and takes the necklace out of her grasp. She's good at that. * Lazar growls. * Chomei taps Lazar. "You can turn around now." * Rei lets Maria take the necklace and uses that opportunity to curl in on herself. * Makoto turns his attention away from the vampire, and takes a few steps over to Rei. He looks her over for a moment, a bit dispassionately, and nods when Maria yanks the necklace. The doppelganger kneels beside the balled-up Rei. * Chie looks back at Rei. "What's going on? What happened?" * Vampire turns swiftly to Rei, then to Chie. "I don't know! This isn't supposed to- glurk!" Anything else she was going to say is lost as she staggers back, both hands clasped on a spear that's fully pierced her throat. * Peter walks over to Rei. "Rei? What happened?" Rei? Rei! Shit, what's wrong? * Chomei summons his bow. "Dammit!" * Lazar turns around. "... what the?" *runs over to the woman, looking for the source of the spear* Where'd it come from Lazar? * Maria jumps up and is immediately in a defensive stance, glancing around. "Shit! Shitshitshit!" * Makoto lets the fighters do their thing. He looks up at Peter. [Flying above, over the door, is the winged-boy I know you all hate. "Heh. Everything's going perfectly now."] [Session End]