[You are standing in what looks like a Christmas setting: Snow is everywhere, the trees are leafless and crystilline white. A cobblestone road before you leads through the marketplace of a snow-covered town, up to the drawbridge of a dazzling white castle, complete with dozens of towers and cone-shaped roof.] (/ma Refresh ) * Ked (kerryms@64.255.113.173) Quit (Quit: ) [This is the realm of the Unseelie. Why the heck are you guys there? To save Lukas's sister. Still, you could've just called Fed Ex, maybe. Oh well.] [Session Start!] * Ten rides on Alys's shoulder today because she's so totaly a familiar. You can tell because they've got matching robes and everything. (The brown suits give them powers you cannot imagine.) (No wait, that's UPS) * ChibiGriff_Khalil walks around like a midget sage. He tries to pull off the sagely part because he sure doesn't need any help in the midget part. * Alys walks along and follows everyone else while looking around at the prettiness and thinking warm thoughts. "Ten, am I walking okay? You're not about to fall off or anything?" Uh-huh! I'm good at not falling off! I've had lotsa practice with Lucas! (Lukas) * Lukas rolls his eyes. "Could you at least try to use Volt when we're working, kiddo?" * Ashley strides along, looking as dapper as he can manage. * Ten looks at him. "But that's such a lame name." * Phantasm (arsenal@207-172-62-78.c3-0.drf-ubr1.atw-drf.pa.cable.rcn.com) Quit (Ping timeout) * Herman makes sure his jacket's closed as he walks with the rest of then. "The doll's got a point." He rubs at his eyes. "Bloody freezing here." It's the principle of the thing. * Togo is walking along with the group, a few steps behind Ashley, a dark green bandana over his eyes in place of his usual shades. I'm still rather fond of Hot Pants. [You head into the town! It's seemingly populated by an endless supply of gorgeous people they're all prettier than you (except Ashley). Even that little homeless orphan in that alley there. Naturally, you guys stand out like a sore thumb, and most attention turns right to you.] * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks from Lukas to Herman and back. He looks like he SO wants to speak. But he's trying to get into the habit. (Hey! I'm pleanty pretty!) * Ashley keeps his head high, his pace long, and doesn't look anywhere but ahead. ( Ten, gimme an awareness roll, -2 ) * Phantasm (arsenal@207-172-62-78.c3-0.drf-ubr1.atw-drf.pa.cable.rcn.com) has joined #besm 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8-2) and gets a natural 5 for a result of 3. * Alys looks around at the pretty people and doesn't care that they're staring back. Just means she has a better view of their faces. (Made like whao) * Togo instinctively turns his head every so often when he hears a door open or some talking, but manages to keep himself on course. [The first thing Ten notices about the place is a bright red unopened treasure chest next to a public bench. Ooo.] * Ten tugs on Alys's hair. "They've gotta box!" (we're doomed.) (DOOMED LIKE AWESOME!) Really, where? No pulling! (There is no awesome here. Only fleshpuppets.) * Lukas glances over to them. "For some god's sake, no boxes." * Ten lets go of the hair and points at the bright red box. "There! There! I wanna know what's in it! Let's go!" (Whoa, not whao. I don't know what this 'whao' is. :P) (It's me spelling, that's what it is.) * Alys almost shrugs, then remembers there's a doll on her shoulder. "Sure." She starts walking over to the box. Yay! You're the best mistress I've ever had! * Ashley glances back over his shoulder, and does a double take. "Someone grab them!" Really? Excellent! * Herman reaches out one hand and grabs Alys firmly by the upper arm. (Damn, you beat me to it!) The hell are you *doing*? * Ten points. "BOX!" * ChibiGriff_Khalil keeps his ears out for anything but doesn't turn that way. * Alys stops and looks up. "Um. Getting a box?" You're not getting *anything*. Don't. Touch. Anything. You're touching me, does that count as me touching you? Because that would be unfair. But, but, but! It's box! You have to open boxes! * ChibiGriff_Khalil stops and turns to eye the two. Eye. ( There could be 1000 gil or 1000 gella or 1000 dollars inside :o ) (Or a bust of a baddy! Or socks! I have to know!) * Herman scowls. "Stop it with the bloody semantics. It's my job to help you get through this in one piece, so listen to me. Don't touch anything. Ten, shut the fuck up." * Togo pulls out a chinese puzzle box. "Ten, box." ( * Ten opens the treasure chest! * Ten obtains F14 Fighter x1! ) * Lukas opens his mouth to start saying something but Hermans' got it covered. * Ten pouts for half a second and the holds her hands out to Togo. "Gimmie!" * Alys grins up at Herman. "Tada! Problem solved! Let go?" * Ashley closes his eyes. "'For speak ye word in Elfyn-land / Ye'll ne'er win back to your ain countrie.' Thank you, Herman." He starts walking again. * Togo walks over to Alys and hands the box to Ten, then patpats Ten on the head with one finger. * Herman still looks... displeased, but he lets go of her arm. "Sure. Let's go." * Lukas glances to Herman and then shakes his head. * Ten gains 1 puzzle box(s) which she sets about tryinig to figure out how to open. (-i) * Herman mutters something to himself in Anglo-Saxon, then rubs at his forehead and says, in English, "Shoulda brought some fucking Advil." He heads after the others, pipe still in hand. Alas, dear Herman, I fear this is Motrin pain. * Ashley grins. [None too soon, for just then the dwellers of the land begin to come forth. A very handsome bishonen in blue robes approaches Alys. "Well met, fellow sorceress! Come seeking the greater powerof the fey lands, have you? Would you like a Dragon Eye?" He sparkle-smiles.] * Herman glances at Ashley and grins a little, himself. "Heh." He focuses on, uh... the bishi. Maybe! What do you think it does? * Togo pulls out a bottle of advil and a bottle of motrin. "Take your pick?" * Ten has no comment for the bishie, she's absorbed in opening the puzzlebox. [He blinks. "Why, it's a powerful component to many spells. Surely you knew that?"] I know what -I- think it does. I want your opinion! * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks over at bishie. And isn't smitten. * Herman rubs at his forehead, then at Alys' comment snatches both bottles from Togo's hands. "Thanks." * Ashley isn't looking at the fae. He's stopped, but he's looking up at the castle still. ["Oh, is that so? Well, past mortal magicians have used a Dragon Eye to call forth blazing fire from the sky, to put an entire castle under observation, and to siphon magic from others."] [A busty blond comes up to Lukas. "Greetings, Ser Warrior. Can I interest you in a broadsword +3?"] * Alys smiles back at the bishie, but alas, her smile doesn't sparkle. "That's an amazing opinion! So if it's that awesome, why don't you want it?" * Herman shakes out a dose of Motrin, doubles it, and puts it in his mouth before gulping down some water from a bottle he brought. * Ten turns the box over to see if the other end opens. * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks at the blond and then notes where Ashley is looking, so turns in that direction. [He shrugs. "I have many powerful components at my disposal. I merely thought you might accept it as a friendly token."] * Lukas looks at her breasts for a moment, then to her eyes before he shakes his head. "No thanks. I've already got one in my other, uh, robe." Unfortunately, I don't have anything equal to give you, and I don't deal in unequal trade. But thank you for your opinion! [She grins. "Truely? A broadsword +3? Are you certain it's +3?"] I'll give you an opinion in return: I think chocolate is wonderful. * Ashley looks back to the fae who seem to be clustering around them. "We have business. Leave us be." * Ashley starts walking towards the castle again. [The bishi shakes his head. "Oh, I don't know about that. I bet we could find something. Perhaps you'd trade for your name?"] * Herman heads after Ashley. "Come on, people. Let's go." * Alys shakes her head. "I'm fond of my name, so no, thank you. Please excuse me." She follows after Ashley. * ChibiGriff_Khalil walks behind Alys. * Ten goes with Alys and continues to work on the box. [The bishi grabs Alys's arm. "A moment, miss. I believe you still owe me."] For what? ( *cookies WD* Great reparte there. ) ["For my opinion. You asked it of me, and I gave it to you."] (Cookie! Thanks!) And I gave you my opinion about chocolate. You're going to owe me for time unwillingly taken if you don't let go soon. * Ashley turns around again. He looks, for more than a moment, very angry. * Herman looks the way Ashley does, and he frowns. [He smiles, almost cruelly. "But I did not ask for your opinion. You gave it without asking if I wanted it. I did not. Unfortunately for you, I happened to overhear it despite this."] * Herman mutters under his breath, "Fuck." Likely, only Ashley can hear this. ["And I'm afraid, your time is my time, until our debts are settled."] * Togo turns back towards Ashley, points to himself, then the guy, and shrugs questioningly. It's your fault for not asking for a specific opinion before I gave you one. ["I did not ask an opinion at all. You gave it quite freely, and I owe you nothing for that."] * ChibiGriff_Khalil stops and looks back. He does not seem pleased either. But he waits for Ashley to handle things. * Ashley swoops in, interposing himself between the fae and Alys. "What means this? Why are you hindering my progress?" * Alys looks relieved to see someone stepping in. [The man glares down coldly at Ashley. "I do not interfere, sir. The young lady desired something from me, and I accepted her offer and gave it to her."] * Ashley raises an eyebrow. "You would dare interpose in official Court business with your meaningless trifles?" * Ten grins as there's a click from somewhere within the box, but it doesn't open. So she starts to shake it. * RowynChurch (rowyn2001@adsl-71-146-80-23.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net) has joined #besm [He blinks. "Court business?"] * ChibiGriff_Khalil (rowyn2001@adsl-71-146-80-23.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer) I have a meeting with the Queen to see to. If you would prefer heads to be set rolling, by all means, delay me further. Otherwise, take her offered trifle in exchange for yours, and let us pass. * RowynChurch is now known as ChibiGriff_Khalil ["I see. Well, I wouldn't want to delay such an urgent matter. However, the deal must be completed. So," he turns to Alys. "I ask an opinion of you. What do you feel about your companions?"] * Ashley looks to Alys. "Speak true, Alys. Please." * Herman nods. * Lukas smirks faintly. * Ten is as one with the box, but she's still not open. Um, friendship. I care about their well-being. I trust them with my physical well-being. [He frowns, clearly expecting something more. But he settles with. "Very well, be on your way," and starts wandering the other direction.] * Herman lets out the breath he was subconsciously holding. * Ashley takes Alys by the shoulder and starts propelling her very quickly along the road. * Herman walks along, too. When Ashley approaches, he tosses the Motrin in a high arc to him. "You need this more than me." * Alys is propelled. "I'm so, so sorry. Thank you so much. I'll stay quiet from now on." * Lukas rubs his temples. "Well, now I see why they took 'Kaela." You are quite possibly the luckiest mortal I have ever seen cross the threshold of the fae lands. I was just having fun, and... I don't think I like this place. That you got away without losing seven years or your voice is a small miracle. * Alys ' eyes shoot open and she rubs her throat. "I like my voice!" * Herman nods. "We're here to get her back and then get out. The longer we stay, the more likely we'll be stuck here or crippled. You guys all understand that now?" * Ashley catches the bottle, twists it open, and downs a couple. He sighs, then looks back up towards the castle. * ChibiGriff_Khalil doesn't say anything. He looks determined. * Ten sets the box in her lap and presses in various spots, to no apparent effect. Even the Seelie gifts come with prices, dear Alys, and they are usually of worth to someone other than the seller. [Luckily for you, the word that you're on Court business seems to have spread. Most of the fey on the way down watch curiously, but keep their distance. And you get *most* of the way to the castle, before another blond (different, but equally busty), pops out in front of Togo. "Ahh, sir! I couldn't help but notice your blindfold!"] * Togo keeps walking, but turns to the woman as he does. "... yes?" * Herman bites off a curse and glares at Togo. ( Hey, don't wanna be impolite. =P ) (YES YOU DO) (THEY'RE SUPERNATURAL TELEMARKETERS. THIS CAN ONLY END IN PAIN.) ["You're blind?"] * Ashley freezes when Togo speaks. He doesn't move, per se, but he's definitely tensing. * Togo just stares at her. Yes, with no eyes, he STARES. "... busy. Sorry." *keeps walking* * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM ( Polite, but with NO tolerance for dumb questions. =P ) [She pouts. "Oh, that's a shame. I thought maybe you'd like it if I could do something for your eyes."] * ChibiGriff_Khalil gives the lady a look, but then continues on his way towards the castle. * Togo almost trips as the woman says that, and looks back at her for a moment... then scowls and keeps walking, muttering to himself. * Herman rubs at his face and goes back to walking once the danger is passed. * Ashley walks on as Togo keeps walking. He untenses. * Alys follows the others, looking downward as she walks. [She keeps up. "I knew it! I could, you know. Restore your eyesight, that is. Wouldn't you like that?"] * Togo is staring straight ahead, clenching and unclenching his fists as he walks. "... not interested," he manages tochoke out through clenched teeth. [She keeps up. "Your voice says that, but not your heart. I can tell."] * Ashley spins back. "He has already tendered an answer." Leave us be! * ChibiGriff_Khalil stops for a moment, then goes to walk back towards the woman for a second, looking at her, then goes behind Togo and helps push him along. Utinni! * Ten turns the box on end and puts her hands on either side; it clicks again. [She sticks her tongue out at Ashley. Sadly, Togo doesn't see that.] * Togo is pushed forward, though he does look back at the woman once more before he speeds up a bit. * Ashley doesn't say anything. Just turns around and walks forwards. [She calls, "If you change your mind, I'll be here!"] [Finally, you get to the palace! The drawbridge is open, but there's two men standing guard, in silver armor and with gem-encrusted swords.] * Togo keeps walking. Anyone to the right of him might notice his right hand bleeding a bit. * Ten fails to notice anything other than another pressure plate. * Ashley walks until the fae make a move to stop him. [Just then, Khalil feels a tug at his sleeve.] * Lukas is just set in walking, somber. The moment of truth comes. * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks around at the source of the tug. * Alys is not looking at anything other than the ground, and continues walking. [The fey turn as Ashley steps onto the drawbridge and says "Commoners are forbidden from entering the palace without an appointment!" Ashley turns around and walks about five steps away from the drawbridge. Just like in an RPG!] [There's a cute little fey boy tugging at Khalil's sleeve. He beams and holds out a wrapped candy bar with both hands. "Want one? ( IT'S A TRAP! ) * Dreol is now known as Dreamland (UR MOM'S A TRAP!) * ChibiGriff_Khalil stares at the boy, then points to Ashley without saying a word. [He looks to Ashley, then back to Khalil, and offers the candy again, grinning.] * Ashley stiffens. "Commoners? We are envoys from the Seelie Court, on Court business!" He waves his left hand frantically. "You are lucky I have not the time to make a formal complaint!" * ChibiGriff_Khalil stares at the boy, pulls his sleeve away and walks towards the group. ( Silly boy. Khalil knows he can get Badass Bars from Togo whenever. Your puny candy cannot compare to the soulless deliciousness of Badass Bars. ) [The boy sniffs. "I was j-just trying to be n-nice. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" He bawls. The other fey give you dirty looks.] * Ten ignores them for they are < her box. * Herman rolls his eyes at the dirty looks. [The guards exchange looks. "Those Seelie are monsters." "Not just the Seelie. Most of them are mortal." "Really. What awful, awful people."] * ChibiGriff_Khalil just stands there with an expressionless expression. * Alys says quietly, "So, Ten... how's the box coming along?" Epithets from the weak-minded aside, you know I tell the truth. Stand aside and hinder us no further. * Togo wouldn't notice the dirty looks even if he could see them, as he is currently taking slow, deep breaths to calm himself down. * Ten whispers back. "I've got five buttons worked out, an there's a sliding weight, but I'm still missing something. This box is awesome!" [The guard on the left (we'll call him Lefty) looks sternly at Ashley. "Very well, I'll tell Her Majesty an envoy comes. Please wait."] [He then goes absolutely nowhere, instead choosing to buff his fingernails on his surcoat.] [The kid continues to bawl. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!! Those people are mean! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" * Lukas mutters towards Ashley, "Is this entire place children?" * Ten rotates the box again and listens to it. * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks back for a moment and immediately wishes Ashley had briefed him on whether it was an affront to fae protocol if he kicked one of them in the shins. (Assume the answer is yes.) (Alys always approves of kicking people in the shins, if that helps.) ( And now Khalil begins to understand why Togo shoots people so often. ) (Shooting is less satisfying though. You need a personal touch.) [The guard continues to buff his fingernails. They're not getting any shinier, though.] * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) [The kid continues to bawl at the top of his lungs.] * Ten works on her box, it's entirely possible that she's filtered the kid out of existance. * Herman shifts his weight. He looks irritable, but he has for some time. * Ashley looks at the guard. "On your time, I suppose? Very well. But as I remember, the Queen has a dislike for those with a mind to usurp her authority... if I were to retire back to Seelie lands with my request unmet, and the Queen were to miss the opportunity to hear my rather lucrative deal, well, then... I can only imagine what would happen." * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM * NinjaDebugger is now known as SleepDebugger War, one suspects, and there's no question who would have the honor of being in the first skirmish. Martyrs to the cause! A fate worthy of any doorman. Or you could just lose your heads directly, if she's in an agreeable mood. ["Oh? Well, then I suppose I shall inform the queen of your arrival, then. I'm sure she has very little to say to such unscrupulous characters as yourselves." He wanders off towards the castle gate. He's not gone more than three minutes before returning. "You may enter."] * Ashley ticks off on his hands while the guard is gone. "I heard that once she had a servant flayed alive using another fae. It took months. Then there was the rather ingenious trick she had done with a Moroccan hookah... and the ever-agreeable banishment to Minnesota.... ah, we may? Fantastic." * Ashley walks on in. (Man, what do you have to do to get banished to Wyoming?) * Herman walks in after Ashley, still ignoring the kid. * Lukas stalks in, very stiffly. * Alys follows and sighs as the kid's crying gets further and further away. * ChibiGriff_Khalil walks in as well. He probably would have ignored the kid from the start if he hadn't grabbed his sleeve. [You enter! Inside is a courtyard with a portcullis. It's down right now, but nearby is a pressure plate on the ground! Hmmm... There's also a crate at its opposite side.] [The courtyard is snowy white, of course.] * Ten fiddles with the box, was that a second weight she just heard? * Togo tightens his bandana as he walks. (For the record, I categorically refuse to do this) * Herman looks to Ashley for instructions. He's never been to the Unseelie Court before. (So we transported to Prince of Persia?) * Alys finally starts looking up and glances around at her surroundings. ( If you say so. But the portcullis is down. ) (Brett, why? Seriously.) ( Box puzzle! ) ( 'Cause it's not an RPG if it doesn't have at least one box-pushing puzzle. ) (He hates you.) (This may come as a shock, but this is not an RPG.) * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks about and just stares. He looks at Ten for a moment. (Yes it is. It's just not a console RPG) * Ten takes no notice of the new box, she's already got one and damned if she's not going to figure out how to open it. ("RPG" equates to console RPG these days.) ... anyone see a way to open that gate? * Herman says, dryly, "Get the guard to do it?" * me (user@hoodtj.student.rose-hulman.edu) has joined #besm (Hi! Game on) (....whoa.) * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) * Lukas is looking around already. "Seriously." * me (user@hoodtj.student.rose-hulman.edu) has left #besm [The courtyard has snow-covered evergreen trees.] [And two hedge mazes. One on either side!] (Someone from Rose found us. o_o) (CLOAKING ON) * Ten preses down on the box in a few diferent places and then turns it on its side for a new and different click. * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks at everyone and around to see if they have anything remotely sticklike. * Herman tries to see if the hedge mazes, uh... go anywhere. (surroundings too) [Nope, everything's picture perfect.] ... people? What's going on? Sorta reminds me of what's his name, in that tower. The gate is closed, and I am thinking. * Alys bends down and starts drawing fish and books in the snow. "Can we do whatever's next now?" [The gate opens on its own.] Excellent. * Ashley walks on through,. (The gate opens with the power of thought!) * Alys stands up again, messes up the snow pictures with her shoe, and walks after Ashley. ( Nah. An ant stepped on the pressure plate.] ) * ChibiGriff_Khalil treads after Ashley as well. * Togo follows. [Beyond the gate is a large corridor made of ice. The floor, wall, ceiling, even the support pillars are translucent blue ice. There's a door at the end, also icy. And if it was cold out there, it's FREEZING in here. ] * Lukas licks his lips and mutters, "Redecorating, sis?" * Togo runs his left hand against the wall as he walks. "Ice walls? Christ." * Alys starts shivering and rubbing her arms. "Honestly, the minute we get back, I need to start learning... I don't know, fire spells, or something." The castles are never the same any time you enter. This is why I cannot effectively lead the way. * Herman heads after the lot of them, not to be left behind! And then he's blasted with cold air. "Jesus Christ!" * ChibiGriff_Khalil seems a little bothered with the cold. But at least he has feathers to keep him warmer. * Lukas says sarcastically, "Maybe it's a party." * Herman starts making his way to the end of the bloody corridor. "Half in mind to dispell the lot of the place," he mutters under his breath. * Ashley walks towards the door. [You actually get there! Yay for non-endless corridor.] * Ten blinks. "Aha! I've so got this made!" Then she twists one end of the box and it creaks and pops open! "It's! It's! It's... A HAT! AWESOME! But it so doesn't go with my magic robes. Look Luk... Volt! I've got a hat!" She waves a tiny fedora around and doesn't even notice when the puzzlebox slips off her lap. * Lukas glances to Ten. "Clothes and boxes. It's like it was made for you." * Ashley opens the door! Yep! Thanks Togo! * Alys bends down and picks the box back up, then pockets it. "It's cute!" [Beyond is another icy corridor. But this one's different. It's less pleasant. Trapped in the walls are a collection of humans, their faces frozen in an agonized terror.] Always liked fedoras. * Herman shivers, probably from the cold, but who knows. "Heart of the Unseelie, huh." [This one doesn't end in a door, but rather a staircase.] * Lukas pales and starts to look over the walls, carefully. "Fuck..." * Ten finaly notices the walls. "Ewww, souls of the damned are so fifteen years ago." * Alys very quickly goes back to looking at the floor as she walks. "Coffee and books, when I get back. Coffee and books." * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks from left to right, then pointedly at Ashley. * Herman walks through, looking at those frozen in the walls. Maybe there'll be someone he recognizes. Something wrong? [That works for a while, but then there start to be people in the floor, too. ] 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-2) and gets a natural 11 for a result of 9. Just the decoration. [And the ceiling, if you look up there.] * Herman takes it in, then shakes his head. * Ashley walks. "If I can ever convince any of you to step foot in Fae lands again, I will invite you to the Seelie realms. They are altogether more pleasant." (I need to play more characters that'd be able to make literature references, I swear.) * Alys walks to and tries to keep her eyes unfocused, then. It doesn't really work, and she looks slightly sick. Bet it's warmer, at least. They've, like, got better taste in decorating right? Yes, and yes. * Ten sticks her hat into her robe because there's no way she's getting caught wearing it with a robe. * ChibiGriff_Khalil just gives a slight nod. [You get to the stairs, which seem to stretch up for quite a while. No relief from the bodies here; they're in the steps, too. Not only that, but it seems to get colder, the deeper you go.] * Lukas grits his teeth, looking slightly paniced. "Is she her..." he catches people not looking. "People, she could already be dead!" he snaps, looking more than a little panced. * RowynChurch (rowyn2001@adsl-71-146-80-23.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net) has joined #besm * ChibiGriff_Khalil (rowyn2001@adsl-71-146-80-23.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer) ... so this is the point where I experience one of the rare benefits of blindness? * Herman turns to Lukas. "Dead or frozen?" he asks sharply. * Lukas rubs his temples. "Both are very possible." But, like, she's supposed to be the knight right? So they probably redecorated for her or something! ... That's fucked up. * Alys nods and sneezes. "They wouldn't hurt her, otherwise what would be the point, right? Dead knights can't fight!" Or the castle is reacting to Lukas' emotional state. I did mean it when I said never the same way twice. * Lukas continues looking. "That was a theory! Just a bloody goddamn theory. She could have been dead from the second she went in that gate... * Ashley just keeps walking. * Herman walks back and lays a hand on Lukas' shoulder. "She could've. But she could be alive. Let's find out." He starts walking again, this time shoving Lukas along. * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) [Assuming you don't stop, you reach a large icy double-door at the top of the stairs.] * Ashley takes a deep breath. * Lukas looks to Herman for a moment, teeth gritted but panic still in his eyes. "Dammit, this really isn't..." he shakes his head. "Days. You know how long kidnappers keep people... not days." Time to be quiet, Lukas. * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM * Lukas shakes his head and mutters to himself. * Ashley draws himself up to his full height, straightens the line of his clothing, and puts on a smile. "Remember - if we want this to go well, we stay quiet, we don't ask for anything other than Volt's sister, and we try to look official." *nods* * Ten sits up straight on Alys's shoulder. "Switching protocalls." * Alys closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, then opens them and looks front and center. "Ready." * RowynChurch lets off a curt nod. He hasn't had any trouble staying quiet so far. * RowynChurch is now known as ChibiGriff_Khalil (Gee, didn't know I didn't renick) * Herman lets go of Lukas' shoulder and nods, shifting his grip on the pipe and resting it on his own shoulder. * Calculus (jrenken@tofu.sandwich.net) Quit (Quit: *thud!*) * Ashley takes a breath, releases, then opens the doors. [Behind the doors is a much more pleasant scene: a large room with a crystal floor and ceiling, bright gold walls, four crystal chandelliers and four pillars. A red carpet leads to a throne on a small dias. It's a nice scene and, despite the cold, almost enough to make you forget about what you just walked through. ] * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM [Almost, that is. There is a torso of a woman above the throne, mounter and preserved like a stag's head. Speaking of the throne, the sole occupant of the room is seated on it: An absolutely gorgeous woman, with flowing white hair that probably drops down to her ankles when she's standing, and matching pale white skin. Her eyes are slightly slanted, and a deep icy blue color. She's wearing a low-cut dark blue dress, with a slit up ( That get cut? ) ( I know that got cut. ) ("with a slip up") (Slit) (slit up) (with a slit up) [She's wearing a low-cut dark blue dress with a slit up one side. She sits in the throne resting her head on one hand and her elbow on the armrest, her legs folded. In her other hand is a glass that looks like it's made of ice, containing some kind of white wine. And I mean solid white, not the clearish stuff.] ( Ok, think that's the end of desc >.> ) (Unless the woman above the throne is relatively irrelevant, considering we're coming to rescue a woman, it might be nice to disambiguate.) (Just a thought, there.) ( It is, so I didn't spend long describing it :P ) ( Could've been a man. I rolled for it. ) [The white woman (Mab, if it wasn't obvious), sips her wine with a bored look on her face. She hasn't even glanced at you yet.] * Ten bows from her sitting position and stays down. * Ashley enters the room just enough to allow the rest of the group to file in after him. As soon as he's done so, he bows deeply, dropping to one knee with a flourish. "O Illustrious Winter Queen, mistress of the dark months and the hoarfrost, I present myself, Aisling the Dreamer, called Ashley by some, and my companions. We are envoys from Lord Auberon the mighty's court, with a proposition fit for the royal ears." [Mab finishes her wine. "Aisling. It has been a long time. Last I heard, you'd been stripped of your command."] * Lukas looks around, doesn't see Mikaela apparently, although he does see Ashley, and decides to kneelbow. RIght! We were supposed to. Of course. * Herman bows, and he expected to. It's totally the thing to do. * Togo files in, kneels, and bows his head. When dealing with insane monarchy, there can never be too much respect shown. * ChibiGriff_Khalil puts his hands together and sees fit to bow as well, trying to keep the robe hood from coming off his head while he does so. * Alys bows as well, keeping her expression absolutely neutral. * AwayCCD (CCD@216-229-75-230-cablemodem-roll.fidnet.com) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer) * Ashley doesn't flinch, and keeps the grin up. "Indeed, milady, and you are even more radiant than my imperfect memory had captured you. Your intelligence did not fail you; I had been cast from the lands, but many things do come to pass, and it pleased the Lord Auberon to offer me a task suited to my skills." ["I can only imagine it did. No doubt he thought to insult me further by showing me your face again." She sighs. "He never changes. Like most of our kind, I suppose."] * Ashley rises from his knee. "If my time outside the Realms have taught me anything, o queen, it is that nothing ever changes for long." He pauses. "Would you care to hear the offer?" ["If I must."] I would not deign to bring it to your attention if I did not think it would rouse your interest, lady. To you, we offer an artifact of great power. It is a pyramid-shaped device, and I have it on excellent authority that it is a magic enhancer. ["A magic enhancer?"] ["And what does Lord Auberon want in return for this device?"] From the lips of the Covenant to your ears, milady. (Swap those?) (Yes.) [She perks a bit. "From Covenant, you say?"] * Ashley lets a bit of a smile creep onto his face. "I cannot say for certain where the device was obtained, but you hazard an excellent guess." And in return, Auberon asks that you release the one you have currently selected as your next Knight. His intentions are (thhpt!) ( secret! ) (His intentions are good, he just doesn't want to be misunderstood. o/~) And in return, Auberon asks that you release the one you have currently selected as your next Knight. His hopes are that by releasing a device which he has great want of, it will help to ease the tensions betwixt the Courts that exists at this time. [The cups her chin. "Hmmm.... But I'm rather fond of my new knight. She reminds me of myself."] (The -> She) ( Right ) (If we're talking to The Cup we're in the wrong game.) * Kizn (shary@tenchi.systemec.nl) has joined #besm * Kizn (shary@tenchi.systemec.nl) has left #besm * Lukas growls quietly. Ashley said to growl or something! Growl. ("We'll get you a new knight!" "A new knight?" "A better one!" "A better one?" "That one! *points to Alys*" "THAT ONE??!") (HA. YES.) (*Alys points to Ten.) (Haw.) (*laughs*) ["She seems to like it here with me, too. And besides, my last knight was so tragically lost just recently..."] (God. Can I just toss in a Burt Bacharach album and a pack of Twizzlers to seal the deal or something? My mind is going.) ( orz ) (Okay. WHo has the damn thing?) ( Well, it shouldn't last MUCH longer, but I'd like to finish this part tonight. ) (I can do it. WHO HAS THE ARTIFACT SPEAK UP OR I TOSS YOU TO THE FAE BEEDOGS) (Lukas had it for a while, but I think it wound up in the coat of stuff.) ( A reasonable assumption. We'll say I have it. ) [Togo has it!] * Ashley walks over next to Togo. "A circumstance which both I and all the Seelie Court regret most wholeheartedly, milady. This is why Auberon is parting with his chance to sieze the artifact for himself. For the small price of a mere mortal, no less. Knights are cheaply won, Winter Queen; I myself saw hundreds in my time." He looks at Togo and holds his hands out expectantly. (If you pull out a magic 8 ball I will end you.) * Togo looks up at Ashley, then tilts his head quizzically. ( Verbal cues for the blind man, please. =P ) The artifact, that I might show it to her highness. (Hey Togo, do you still have the headset in? Ten could feed you lines. ;p) * Togo nods, stands, reaches into his trenchcoat, pulls out the pyramid, then hands it to Ashley before kneeling back down. ( He does. ) * Ashley turns back to Mab, and does the Price Is Right hand waving, displaying the product. [Mab leans forward, peering at it. "Hmm, the object which Auberon himself desires?" She peers at it for a good long while before making her decision." ... All right. Though I feel regretful for the loss of my new Knight, I shall accept Lord Auberon's offer." She snaps her fingers, and out of a door you'd swear wasn't there before comes a mortal man in a tuxedo, looking frozen from the cold.] ( That get through? ) (Yup.) Your highness is most gracious and wise. * Ashley bows. [Mab turns to him. "Go and fetch Mikaela." He nods and vanishes.] * Herman lets out a breath. [She nods. "Mmm, yes. Tell me, Aisling, have you ever grown tired of being a fey?" She chuckles. "Can one even grow tired of one's very being? Can a man grow tired of his nature?"] ( Can one become... faetalistic? ) [She continues, apparently not caring if Ashley chooses to answer or not. "Man is envious, in a way. Mortal lives are so short, they don't have time to grow tired of being who they are."] * Ashley looks at the queen. "We fae are very old, milady. It is our nature to be one thing, and not another. There are advantages to both paths." ( And she thinks I care? She really IS mad.) [She laughs. "'Advantages', hmm? Well, I suppose that is the truth..."] (... must not slip into Risa. "THE MOUNTAIN IS ALWAYS A MOUNTAIN, UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER A MOUNTAIN.") (Heh) * Ashley smiles. "It would have to be, O Queen." [A woman hurries out of the door that the servant went through. She looks to be in her late 30s, and tall, over six feet, but still fairly attractive. Her her hair and skin are the same color, like Mab's, but dark blue instead of white. Her eyes are dark blue, as well. ] (...) ( Um. That was a type. Late 20s ) ( o ) ( They just sneak up on ya ) (I wouldn't put it past Feyland, but it was surprising. @_@) (Heck, if they wanted to put an illusion on her to make her 100, they could.) (With green skin and fire coming out of her eyes.) (well, it depends on the myths you're pulling from) (She's actualy 4 now and is going to spend the rest of the session chewing on Ten's hair.) (In some places there's references that the fae realms move at a different time speed.) [She's wearing silvery armor: a thick breastplate and large shoulder plates, thigh-high greaves and elbow-length gauntlets. She also has a kite shield, and a sword at her waist. Under the armor, all she has on is a black leotard, leaving her upper arms and thighs bare. She kneels as soon as she's through the door. "Your Highness calls?"] [Mab turns her attention to the other woman. "My dear Mikaela, I'm afraid your servitude has been cut short. You are no longer my knight. As part of a pact made with the Seelie court, you are to be returned to the mortal world with the envoy."] [The blue-skinned woman (that's prolly Mikaela, since she's responding to her name), looks up at Mab sharply. "What?" She turns her head towards you (finally), and her eyes go wide. "L-Lukas? Is that you?"] * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) (She can see me despite the bowing?) * Ten doesn't so much as twitch. ( She's guessing :o ) * Lukas dares to look up. Just enough for her to confirm her suspicions. (And his. *cough*) * Herman also looks up, and he blinks, making a mental note on the lack of family resemblance. [If it looks like Mikaela, and sounds like Mikaela...] (It must be a duck!) (IT MUST BE A DOPLEGANGER!) ( They resemble each other in that they're freakishly tall ) (Quick! Call Rei! We found her boyfriend!) [Mab looks back and forth. "I see. So you know each other."] * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) has joined #BESM * Alys is still bowing without looking up, although she can't stop herself from shivering. [She continues. "Well, then. Mikaela, I am sorry we could not have gotten to know each other better, but I suppose you will be satisfied returning to the mortal world with people you know."] * Ashley shrugs. "A happy accident, your highness, much like my involvement." (Swap those.) ( Yez ) [Mikaela comes out of her shock, then turns her head to Mab and nods.] [Mab nods, waving a hand. Mikaela's weapons and armor vanish in a flash of light (though she's left wearing the leotard. No nudity today, sorry). "Then go. All of you, go. I trust you'll leave Auberon's offering on your way out?"] * Ashley bows again, taking the opportunity to leave the pyramid on the floor. "Of course. Until the next time, your majesty." ["I'm sure there will be one."] * Herman re-bows, then stands. ( End? ) (When would we start next week?) (... yeah, really.) ( Beats me ) (We sort of need Lukas/Mikaela reunion stuff.) ( If you wanna go for a little while, that's fine. ) (If it's the next day I requst Lukas/Mikaela/Ten reunion) (If you want to do reunion, Ashley's going to nip off and compose a letter anyhow.) (We should, uh, do that in front of the group, at least a little, if we can.) (Otherwise the impact of, uh, everything that we've been doing gets sorta lost on them.) ( K then ) [Mikaela makes her way over. She looks at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Mab shifts back into the position she was in when you entered.] * Ashley does his best to convey the impression that "out" is a really good direction to be moving in. * Alys stands up, looks at Ashley, and heads out of the really cold room and into the really cold hall. * Ten rises back to a sitting position and maanges to keep her balance through Alys standing. [Actually, leaving the throne room takes you directly back to the courtyard. Erm, somehow.] (... actually in this case I'm fairly certain the solution to the quandary is "magic". >_>) * Lukas walks out and... is free. He immediately moves over to Mikaela, although he doesn't touch her. "Gods, 'kaela, you're okay?" ( Don't sweat the details ) * Herman goes out. Out is good. He looks exhausted, and he didn't even do anything. "Holy shit." [She nods. "Yeah. I'm fine. I guess... you got my e-mail and came to rescue me?"] * Alys sighs happily. "Excellent, this is... well, still cold, but less cold than the damn hall! Coffee for everyone when we get back, my treat! Mikaela, do you like coffee, or do you want something else instead?" We should probably go home. Soon. * Lukas nods and smiles. "In one. And fucking yes, let's get out of here." * Ashley sighs. "We cannot afford to let any of our guards down yet, however happy the circumstances. There is still the town to get through." [Mikaela nods. "Thanks."] * ChibiGriff_Khalil looks around and takes in a deep breath, glancing at Ashley. He starts to say something but at his words, gets a darker scowl and looks back at the town. Love that town. * Ten nods. "I concure. We should make all hast to the mirror. And I must switch my voice back." ... Hey, Ashley? * Ashley heads back through the gate. "Let's attempt to not lose any key body parts on the way back... yes?" * JexSemIdol (MALLET@pool-70-110-33-86.sea.dsl-w.verizon.net) has joined #BESM How can a town full of so many pretty people be so evil and charging high prices for opinions? I still think my chocolate opinion covered the cost. * Herman focuses on the fae. "You did a damn good job. Never seen anything like it." [On the way back, you get pointed at and whispered about. And get some nasty looks.] * Herman doesn't much care. Better than being asked to trade his soul or something. [The buxom blond who accousted Togo reappears, too. "Hi there! Did you change your mind?"] * Ashley blinks. "... thank you. It's ... just a part of the job." * Lukas is standing tall, now. He looks a hell of a lot better than he did for the past days. ("They're the people who didn't take the candy from a baby.") Then you're bloody good at your job. [Mikaela walks alongside Lukas. She casts a glance back at the castle, then glances around at the town. If she's bothered by barely wearing anything in such frigid weather, she doesn't show it.] You so are! [She glances at Lukas. "Was it hard? Coming to rescue me, I mean."] * Alys walks quickly. Coffee awaits her! No. *keeps walking* * Lukas snorts at Togo's statement. [The fey keeps up. "Are you sure? Wouldn't you like to gaze upon the colors of the rainbow once more?"] (Togo was talking to the fae, not Mik. ^^) * Ashley smiles. "I used to be better. Hopefully I will be again." * JexSemIdol (MALLET@pool-70-110-33-86.sea.dsl-w.verizon.net) Quit (Quit: ) * ChibiGriff_Khalil keeps walking along, ignoring all around him. * Togo scowls. "Never been a rainbow guy." ["But surely you can appreciate black and white, at least?"] * Pocky-kun (Pocky-kun@ACC2CDBC.ipt.aol.com) Quit (Ping timeout) * Togo shakes his head. "Doesn't matter. Not dealing with you. Bye." ["Fine, suit yourself. I'll just go home and read a book."] [Mikaela's still waiting for her question to be answered.] (I really need to sleep now.) Like, it was a bit of a pain you know? But we got you back so it's all awesome now! * Togo clenches his fists s'more, but keeps walking. Well, stalking. (full day of work + being courtier = very very tired cham.) ( I have to be up in less than five hours, meself. ) * Lukas nods slightly. "Ten's pretty much nailed it. Kidnappings, thievery, crashing a heli and so on and so on. I'm sure you'll love hearing about it." * Togo waits until the blond is out of earshot, then starts cursing up a storm. "Fucking bitch. If I wanted to sell my soul to get my eyes back, I'd just find a goddamn demon. I'm not that goddamn stupid..." [She frowns. "I'm sorry."] sc ( oops. That shoulda gone into UOSS. =P ) ( Aight, we can do this in a mini or something. Last poses. ) (Ha.) * Togo glances back. "... could she've actually done it, Ashley?" S'allright! We'll tell you all about when we get back and stuff! Remind me to tell you about fae gold when we get back. [Session end!]