[Day: Monday, June 28th. Time: 10:30 p.m.] [Earlier tonight you spent much of the time on the phone. First dealing with a madman, second dealing with Naomi. Now you're en route to Osaka bin La... Er, Osaka. To blow something up. Will it work? Let's find out.] [Session Start] * Chie drives! Drives like the wind! Presumably. * Maria rides! Rides like the wind? Sure, that works. * Chomei rides? Yeah, sure. Whatever. * Lazar is riding. In something. Presumably in Makoto's car. Poor car. * Makoto would pity his car, it's true, but he hasn't stopped to think about what Lazar's doing to the suspension. Yet. [Poor car. Oh well, trip's uneventful; it's late. You arrive outside Asahara's building. You can tell it's Asahara's building because it has the logo out front. It's next to the SNK building. How 'bout that? And it's tall, to; taller than any other building for at least two blocks.] [The building looms over you... Oops! It lost it's balance and fell on you. Just kidding. But it still does the looming thing.] (Too many buildings loom. My house, this...) [And it starts to rain. In fact, there's a flash of lightning followed by some thunder.] * Chie parks her bike, pulls her helmet off, and does not loom back. She then blinks as she gets wet. "Man, talk about cliches..." [It almost seems as though the rain is falling more heavily over Chie's head.] * Asanjya pulls up her cloak's hood. "Gah, rain." (I blame Haruko.) * Lazar seemingly isn't bothered by the rain. Gee, guess why. * Maria stays away from Chie in order to keep relatively dry. She heads for the building if it looks like there isn't anything waiting outside to kill any mystery clubs that come calling. * Lazar adjusts the holster his two-handed sword is in, and gets out of Makoto's car. As one might guess, he has his illusion active now. Guys? * Chomei gets off of the motorcycle and takes off his helmet, handing it to Chie. He doesn't care about the rain one bit. "Yeah?" [Over in the SNK building, you see adds for the next KoF. It still has many of the same characters who haven't aged a day in 50 years, and they still keep adding those stupid characters nobody likes like Goro.] * Asanjya lingers near Lazar, clutching her staff and looking up. * Chie stashes the helmet. "Keep in mind that we should be really careful. At least 'til we get in the labs. After that, it's pretty much anything goes, but don't think that Asahara doesn't know that, too." [Built into the bottom of another nearby corporate building is a McDougal's, in case you're hungry.] ( The GM is having fun with description :P ) * Maria goes all sneaky while on the way to the building. Yay for sneaky! * Rei looks around, rubbing at her head, damp as it is. "Would now be a good time to go astral? I think it is. Definitely, definitely think it is." But where's a safe place to put you in the meantime? * Asanjya looks over at the restaurant. How about the bathroom? Oh, Rei, before you do, c'mere a sec. [Somewhere behind you is a billboard on top of another building: "Corke: It's cheap!"] ( Is this where Makoto offers to drive Rei's body someplace safe, with a promise to guard her/not grope her? =P ) [Yes, that's exactly what Makoto does.] * Rei blinks and walks over to Chie. "Huh?" She nods at Makoto. * Chie whispers something to Rei. * Lazar hrms. "Is probably good idea. No want Rei body being no guarded." * Asanjya nods. "Suppose so." Makoto can protect her, can't he? * Rei nods slowly at Chie, whispering something back. * Maria says nothing, as she's busy being sneaky and not in the rain. Never a piece of cardboard around when you need one. * Chie nods quickly and answers in another whisper. * Asanjya idly pats her pocket, then looks up at Lazar. "So... what are we here to do again?" For most part. If nothing else, can hide her somewhere safe. *looks down at Asanjya* Stupid metal demon what no demon here. It supposed to end world. We no want that, so we hit repeatedly. * Asanjya nods, face hidden beneath her cloak. "Okay. I thought so, but I had to make sure." Is nasty not-demon thing, so make sure you stay behind big stone guy during fight... of course, you mage, so I probably no need tell you that. *grins* Laz hit the nail on the head. * Rei looks a little worried and whispers quickly back. [A strange man comes out of a nearby bush. He looks at you, points to himself and yells, "Chikins!" Then he runs down the road, turns the corner and is gone.] (USURPER!) * Rei thinks. (HERETIC!) ... Right. * Lazar blinks. "I hit nail? Where?" *looks down* It's a figure of speach Lazar. * Chie looks up for a second, blinks at the strange man, then resumes her quick conversation with Rei. ... oh. Okay. *chuckles nervously* * Asanjya pays no attention to hims...hers...the man. I'm just hoping my spells have an effect. * Rei nods and not-so-idly responds. I've yet to see anything actually hit it except a defunct sword and Maria's fist. * Chie says something back to Rei and pats her on the shoulder. * Maria rubs her fist, stalthily, and doesn't comment on how well she did in the last exchange with The Metal UnDemon. * Lazar shrugs. "No see reason why they no work." ... just suggest you no use one where run up and hit with staff. Well, I'll try not to. Maybe I can keep it pinned down. * Rei nods at Chie. "Okay." She gives her a quick hug, then runs over to Makoto. "Let's blow this taco stand! Hmm, tacos. Would be good with fried chicken, I think... why'd I suddenly start thinking about chickens?" She ducks into his car, getting it nice and sopping wet. * Chie hugs back before Rei goes. * Chie looks at the others. "You guys ready?" * Chomei nods. "Let's kick this thing's ass." * Maria doesn't respond, being stealthy. * Chie waits for Astral Rei to arrive. * Asanjya nods. * Rei makes herself as comfy as she can. "Hopefully this water won't make me mold or something," she mutters before she shuts up and closes her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. Silent Rei! * Rei is now known as SpiritRei * SpiritRei rolls down the window and floats out, demon-killing knife in hand. Of course, to everyone but Chie, it just looks like an evil floating knife. ~Best reason to go astral: I know I won't cut myself with this stupid thing. Step two of my master plan!~ ... Right. * Chie laughs. "That works. You all ready, then?" ~Well, I *can't* cut myself. It kills demons dead, not spirits. Yeah, I'm ready, I think, can someone hold this for me?~ I'll take it. * Chie holds out her hand. ~Okay, hopefully I won't cut you in the process of giving it to you. But just to be sure, guess I should change grip or something.~ * SpiritRei changes it so she's holding the blade and hands it to Chie. * Chie takes it carefully and stashes it in her bag. "Just lemme know when you want it." Okay. Is it a safe assumption that we should try headin' for the basement first once we get in there? ~When there's a demon to kill, I bet. You'll know it, too. And it's pretty safe - I don't know where else they could put something like that... hang on. Need floorplans.~ * SpiritRei dives back into the car and returns with her backpack, which she hands to Chie. She keeps the computer, though. Type type type away at the floating BOX. * Asanjya is looking up at the building, into the rain. Very picturesque. Floorplans are good, yes. I was just figurin' that since the first one of these we did had the lab in the basement, and the second one had labs both upstairs and in the basement, it'd be a good place to start. * Chie takes the backpack as she talks. Suppose it too much to ask that 'secret lab' be on plans. ~Yeah, but if you know what you're doing, you can probably figure out where they'd put one from the plans. Not that I know what I'm doing, but anyway.~ 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for SpiritRei (2d6-3) and gets 5. You know more than I do. * SpiritRei giggles. * Maria waits patiently for the others to get to the building. * Chomei nods. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Chie (2d6) and gets 4. * SpiritRei hovers in the rain. The monitor should be plain for anyone to see, if they want to. ~Got 'em. Wasn't even remotely hard.~ * Asanjya looks over. "Is that unusual?" * Chie peers at the monitor. Yes. * Chie blinks. "...whoa." Guys... I'm feelin' a *ton* of spirits. And they're all gathering at the top of the building. Well, that sounds like a likely place. ( ... Thats a line out of Ghostbusters, methinks. ) * SpiritRei looks up. ~Wanna bet the top's where we're supposed to... um... Chie? Are they in pain? Are they using the stone or... something?~ She suddenly sounds very scared. ( At the top is God. He turns into the Stay-Puffed Marshmellowman. ) * Chie concentrates. ... was just thinking something like that. Maybe should hang back, Rei, until figure out what going on? * Chomei nods. "What's the general feel of the spirits?" ... stone? * Chie opens her eyes. "They're not really giving off much of anything." At least not at the moment. ~There was this stone that had this bad habit of destroying spirits, or souls, or something, and it killed me. Long story. Really not fun.~ I'll let you know if things change. Do you want to hang back for now, Rei? * SpiritRei starts toying with her tail nervously with her free hand. ~I dunno if it's a good idea, but you probably need me to get through the building and... um... I dunno.~ * Maria makes sure she's dry enough to not leave a trail, while she's waiting for the others. Sadly, unless the others are at the building too, this prolly means she doesn't hear their conversation. * Asanjya is silent, under the hood. Well, how 'bout you come with us for now, and if I feel anything bad, I'll let you know *immediately*. * SpiritRei nods slowly, then more rapidly. ~Okay. Okay, I can do that. I don't wanna leave you guys alone anymore. I've been doing that a lot, y'know, because I get- I get scared and all.~ She starts floating over to the building as she talks. Wait... * SpiritRei stops. They've stopped moving. They all seem to be at the top now. ~O-kay, that's a little more than a little strange.~ * Asanjya looks upward again. Okay. Let go then... and try to no split up too much. No good ever when we do that. Maybe you'd better stay to the rear of the group, Rei, just in case. * Chomei nods. ~But the entire idea is for me to scout! Check ahead, knock out security and the fat!~ * SpiritRei waves BOX for emphasis. Maria can do that, too. Let's get out of the rain and talk to her. We can figure out who's going where then. Well, can scout ahead... but once get close to roof, maybe stay close. * Maria waits by the building. Ah, sweet rainlessness. If is another stupid evil stone, it need be close to you to affect, right? * Asanjya nods, and walks towards Maria. * SpiritRei floats over to Maria. She doesn't care about the rain, 'cause it goes right through her. Haha! * Chie follows Rei, 'cause she can actually see where she is. ~You know I can take a look at the roof right now, right? Maria could, too.~ ... everytime we split up, bad things happen. Look at the roof? * Maria looks upwards. How tall is the office building? I can't tell if the spirits are there or just near the top. Is one thing for you to check next room, next floor, when we right nearby. But if go to roof, and there trouble... it be long time before can get up there. If there's trouble, Laz, I can jump back down. Or to one of the other buildings. [Maybe 30 floors.] * Maria looks. "Definitely to one of the other buildings." * Lazar frowns. "... no like, but is no my call. What others think?" * Lazar rubs his head, producing that odd grinding sound. "Could work if Rei float along, few floors behind. If trouble, she get down faster, let us know." Yeah, I guess that could work. Just be really, really careful, you two. Not like you needed me to tell you that, but still. * Maria shrugs. "Sure." * Asanjya shrugs. "I'm new here, so I don't know if I get a say or not." Since Rei stay back few floors, should keep her far away from anything on roof... Rei, you can talk to Maria even if, say, five floors back? * Chie looks over at Asanjya. "If anything we suggest ever looks glaringly stupid to you, don't hesistate to let us know." * Asanjya nods. "Okay." * SpiritRei nods slowly. ~Okay. And I can talk to her if she's in hearing distance. So yeah, I'd just have to kinda yell, but she'll still be the only one who hears.~ And if you've got questions, ask 'em. You might just be seeing something we've missed. ( So, basically, when Chomei speaks, let us know? ) * Maria puts out her gloves and pulls her mask on. Let us be confusing to security devices. (He's not *that* bad. Sheesh. ;p) * Chomei nods. (<.<) Right. Off I go. And, go without saying, but still... just look. No do anything. * Maria gets out from the cover she was under and jump!s upwards a good seven or eight floors before clinging to the side of the buildings and starting on climbing the rest. [The building sure is big.] * Maria sure is fast. * Chie watches Maria go up. She keeps quiet, which is odd in itself. * Asanjya goes over to a wall and hopefully some dry ground and sits on it, putting her staff on her knees. She pulls back her hood and adjusts her bun a little. ( Maria gets attacked by a giant octopus man! ) * Chomei watches as well. Nifty. * Brett directs Rei into there. ( o_O ) * SpiritRei waits a bit, then follows! Up and up! * Chie keeps concentrating on those spirits, too. ... hate splitting up. Hate hate hate. Yeah, it never works out. But we don't got a choice. * Chie exhales. "You think this was a bad idea? I mean, worse than usual?" It could be worse. It could obviously be a trap. At least now, we're not sure. Oh, we walk into obvious traps all the time. Really? Why? Nah, it wasn't worse than usual. We usually don't have much of a choice. First rule of Mystery Club is that splitting up never good, but have to do anyway. Second rule is is always trap. * Asanjya nods silently, and looks thoughtful. Or always Asahara. Or, sometimes, both. 2d6+8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for SpiritRei (2d6+8) and gets 14. 2d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6+6) and gets 14. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-4) and gets 1. ( Sweet Buddha chained to a wheel and rolled down a hill. That's one hell of a roll penalty. x_x ) Third rule is you ask questions first, and get your ass kicked later. Then kick their ass. Is annoying, how bad guys always seven steps ahead of us, and we never really know what we doing. ( No, no. Third rule is "ask first _or_ get your ass kicked." ) Yeah. Really annoys me. No kidding. * Asanjya continues to look thoughtful. Back in Transylvania, had whole group devoted to gather intelligence, so we know what getting into before going into. Here... * Chie glances at the top of the building again. "They were just supposed to look and come right back, weren't they?" Here stuff just sucks. Well, why don't you gather intelligence? (Gather Intelligence? In an RP? What the hell are you thinking!) (I know, it's like I expect sanity.) No have resources, or know-how. Well, I do. Kind of. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for SpiritRei (2d6) and gets 8. It's not too hard to find information in the demon world. Sometimes it's even relevant. That might actually be helpful. Problem is, rarely have time, either. Like now... had to run to building immediately. * Chomei nods. Yeah. We almost never find out about these things in advance. Well, that sucks. ... though, after finish this, maybe be worth trying figure some other things out using you knowledge. Like about stupid Bat Guy, or Mr. E. Although... we really oughtta do some research into Asahara sometime. * Asanjya nods, pulls out a notebook, and starts scribbling notes. I know all I need to know about batboy. As for Mr. E... We know nothing. Nada. Zero. Bubkis. * Chie shoots a brief but nervous glance at Chomei before resuming looking up at the building. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6-4) and gets 7. I don't like this. Doesn't seem like it's taking too long? 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Maria (2d6) and gets 7. If was trouble, Rei would have flew down, told us. * Chomei nods. * Chie bites her lip and doesn't answer. ... this why I hate split up, though. Maybe we shouldn't have done it. We'll find out eventually. * Chomei puts his hand on Chie's shoulder. "Have some faith." * Chie relaxes just the smallest bit. "Yeah. Guess I should." * Maria is suddenly next to Asanjya, pushing BOX into her hands. "Someone got Rei. Top floor. Dunno who, tinted windows. I'm going after her." What? * Asanjya takes the BOX, a bit flustered. "But... who... what?" ... What? Someone got Rei. She was talking, went ACK and then wasn't talking anymore. They're on the top floor, but I can't see them. There's a top entrance. I'm going after them. We're going with. I can only carry one of you up. I'm not much use and you can't lift Lazar, can you? I'm the lightest one. Shit... I assume we just charge in, run up stairs, to hell with security? But shouldn't the rest of us stick together, really? Chie should stick with the rest of you. If you want, I can just do more recon, find out who took her, then wait for you guys to show up? Yes. Do that. * Lazar nods. Let's go, guys! Top floor, Maria? Top floor. See ya there. * Maria goes! * Lazar turns to the others. "I assume we doing no subtle thing?" I don't think we've got time for subtle. Let's go! * Lazar nods. Is the door locked? * Chomei nods. Hey, Lazar... Can you imitate a snow plow? * Asanjya stands up and gets ready to run. Asanjya, do stairs or elevator lead to top floor? [Session to be continued next week]