<Seawaffle> yeah, it makes one comfortable when the tea party one is supposed to is referred to as a "tea party of disaster"
<BFP> :)
<BFP> I've just copied out flower meanings all the way through P.
<BFP> I think I'm done with that for now.
<tragicsmile> so we're supposed to brush up on baroque and tea party etiquette?
<BFP> Just keep it in mind.
<Seawaffle> guh
<Seawaffle> so that means that tragic is going to be taking the lead in speaking tonight, because I'll be damned if I know anything about that noise
<tragicsmile> neither do i :p
<Seawaffle> ok, then duty
<Seawaffle> or razzen
<Seawaffle> yeah, razzen
<Seawaffle> he's good with odd things like that
<Duty> neither do i
<Duty> but i have WIKIPEDIA
<Duty> :o
<Seawaffle> I'm too lazy to wiki ;__;
<tragicsmile> wikipedia helps
<Seawaffle> bah, link me
<Duty> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_party
<Duty> not much detail, but wear a suit
<Seawaffle> the way the rp forums are on mtf now is odd…
<BFP> I'm trying to draw Designs in crayon.
<BFP> Ah, a forum reshuffle.
<Seawaffle> yeah, it was decided that maybe having nvg out in the open would increase activity
<tragicsmile> I can't really use any change miracles around her since it will be noticable and I'll have to get around her auctoritas, right?
<BFP> Hopefully so.
<BFP> Maybe SD will finally get their own Nobilis group going.
<BFP> We can be rivals, in a roleplaying battle to the death.
<BFP> And it'll be quicker to get there with the forums running slow.
<Seawaffle> if you want honesty, nvg may end up being shut down
<BFP> Really?
<BFP> Where will our thread go then?
<Seawaffle> oh, who knows
<Seawaffle> it may all be folded back into one rp forum again
<Seawaffle> because honestly, nvg isn't working out too splendidly
<BFP> That would make it impossible to find anything… Oh well
<tragicsmile> We'll just have to work with it; good thing the nobilis thread is stickied
<Seawaffle> should I be looking up emily post on project gutenberg?
<Duty> Seawaffle: one forum with two subforums, or one forum proper
<Seawaffle> I'm thinking it may be turned into one forum proper, as it was before
<Duty> nvg perhaps doesn't get enough posts to be on the front page, but it would suck to have it mixed in with all the forum-rpg crapola again
<Seawaffle> most of the mods don't feel that it gets enough traffic to exist
<tragicsmile> http://www.bartleby.com/95/13.html <—-this has a lot of miscellaneousinformation that I hope we will not need to make use eof
<Seawaffle> lol duty talks in wrong channel
<Duty> oops
<Seawaffle> ms101, I dunno, I think cort keeps it around to torture me for crimes in a past life
<Seawaffle> http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14314
<tragicsmile> you found out!
<tragicsmile> this is purgatory, and cort punishes us for our transgressions
<BFP> Well, I think that it may get more traffic now that it's up front.
<Seawaffle> possibly
<Seawaffle> I like how the example invitation says that the people are going to be home for a certain period of time
- |7hs| has successfully negotiated dinner in front of comp
<Duty> now, barring the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest, i shall remain present for the next 20 minutes and beyond
<tragicsmile> evening, razzen
<Razzen> Hello
<BFP> Good evening.
<BFP> I guess this means we're all here on time?
<BFP> Except maybe TSO?
<tragicsmile> looks like it
<Razzen> Is he afk?
<Seawaffle> dunno if he's actually around yet
<Razzen> Question: how are you guys setting it up so that you have two nicks in the channel at the same time?
<Seawaffle> I run two clients, and switch back and forth
<tragicsmile> we make another connection to freenode
<Duty> i should probably do that
<Duty> i'm in idlerpg so changing nicks kicks my ass in that
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I see
<Bernardo> \o/
<BFP> Or you can just use some marker to not OOC stuff
<Seawaffle> maybe, but the multiple nicks make it easier to distinguish
** Wilgelm [i=ten.semagmoz.okemih|eniek#ten.semagmoz.okemih|eniek] joined #forum-nobilis
<Wilgelm> you spelled my name wrong on the main page
<Razzen> Oh it's Wilgelm and not Wilhelm?
<Wilgelm> yeah
<BFP> I can't spell all your crazy Europe names…
<Wilgelm> which is handy because wilhelm is taken
<BFP> I need a degree in European studies or something.
<Razzen> Yes, you should.
<BFP> Did everybody read through the Social Register?
<Wilgelm> yup
<Wilgelm> I have it open for quick reference, too
<Razzen> Yes
<BFP> I'll be adding more to it later.
<BFP> Additional Rites and things.
<BFP> Notably the Rite of Annunciation
<BFP> Which essentially announces to another Familia that you are about to enter their Chancel.
<BFP> Communicating your Design to them in whatever way is appropriate.
<Wilgelm> potentially neat
<tragicsmile> ah, so that's why you were waiting for our designs
<Razzen> Could you explain your footnote in the social register a little more?
<BFP> About Memory and Auctoritas?
<Razzen> Yes
<BFP> Essentially, I decided that a Noble's Auctoritas would *not* protect them from being seen in someone else's memory.
<BFP> Thus, rather than seeing a blank space where she was, you saw her.
<Razzen> Makes sense, I mean that's how the person remembered seeing it, not as empty space.
- BFP is now known as HollyhockGod
<Razzen> Unless of course that /is/ how they saw it.
<Seawaffle> how does that affect the thing where we looked back to see the scene of the file deleting crime?
<Elias> and an auctoritas should not protect someone from being seen by a normal person
<Razzen> Good question.
<Hollyhock God> It doesn't affect that.
<Hollyhock God> The perp was not actually present, so you didn't see him.
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Razzen> Ah, that's right, it was done long-distance.
<Hollyhock God> Long-distance Domain is possible for +1 DMP.
<Hollyhock God> TSO, are you here now?
<Duty> <bringerofdoom> I hear he had work and a party or something
- HollyhockGo breaks down and cries.
<Razzen> Damn teenagers. :P
<Elias> couldn't he have given advanced warning? I could be out drinking tonight
<Elias> oh well.
<Hollyhock God> We'll have to hope he shows up.
<Seawaffle> gah
<Elias> can it be plausibly explained away as her being called away unexpectedly, or are we to be castigated for her absence?
<Hollyhock God> We can't keep doing this without people.
<Hollyhock God> I'll get plot cancer.
<Seawaffle> so can we do this, or no?
<Duty> well, she became power of communication recently right?
<Seawaffle> I thought the whole thing was that this noble wanted to meet tso and duty…
<Seawaffle> or something
<Hollyhock God> Yes, we kind of need TSO.
<Elias> oh
<Hollyhock God> Hopefully he's just a little late.
<Duty> bleh
<Seawaffle> guuu
<tragicsmile> gao.
<Hollyhock God> urghhh
- tragicsmile wonders what the english name for sampaguita is
<tragicsmile> ooh, arabian jasmine. aaaand… it's not there. oh well.
<Seawaffle> gogo babelfish?
<Razzen> Well, you may just have to play her as an NPC.
<Duty> i think it's sampaguita
<Duty> :p
<Seawaffle> playing tso as an npc would sort of destroy the point of a game…
<Hollyhock God> I shall give him fifteen minutes whilst I go for ice cream.
<Seawaffle> and if he doesn't show?
<Hollyhock God> After that, I shall reschedule and make a voodoo doll.
<Seawaffle> got it
<Hollyhock God> I don't know his name or what he looks like, so it could be difficult.
<Seawaffle> I know his name
<Seawaffle> mwahahaha
<Duty> and he's in the forum-m otakon group pic
<Duty> wherever that is
<Seawaffle> gogo internet sleuth team
<Hollyhock God> Excellent.
<Hollyhock God> I'm going to go put some muffins in the oven.
<Seawaffle> but where is the ice cream~
<Seawaffle> I swear, bfp, you're a woman
<tragicsmile> a single stalk of jonquille, bearing a pure white pearl on its stamen; a paper-white narcissus wraps itself around the stalk of jonquille
<tragicsmile> i'll take that as my design. want me to put it on the thread or will that be enough?
<Seawaffle> do I have to have a design?
<tragicsmile> he was asking about ours earlier, so I believe we have to have them
<Seawaffle> damn
<Razzen> Probably should add it to the thread, yes, since it's part of your character sheet.
<tragicsmile> alright
<Razzen> What do they represent, tragic?
<tragicsmile> the selfish, sensual desire for one so pure
<tragicsmile> which essentially damned my character
<Razzen> How conflicting, makes perfect sense.
<Seawaffle> I'm no good at doing shit like that
<Razzen> Eh, the book has lots of examples in the back.
<Seawaffle> some of us don't quite have the book to consult
- tragicsmile should droop by the office to check if he has the book already
<Razzen> My apologies, I thought you did.
<tragicsmile> waffle: just go to this page http://www.earthlypursuits.com/FlwrsPer/FlwrName.htm#A.*
<Seawaffle> guuuuh
<tragicsmile> then search for a meaning you want and then go with the flower for that
<Seawaffle> I'm not good with the meanings though ;;
<Hollyhock God> You just have to have two flowers.
<Hollyhock God> One represents yourself, and the other is for your Estate.
<Razzen> Well, what's your character like?
<Seawaffle> I am cranky and old
<tragicsmile> oh, was that supposed to be what it was about? mine is wrong, then
<tragicsmile> though I guess the smooth pearl and the grasping narcissus also represents my estate
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Seawaffle> just two flowers?
<Hollyhock God> Traditionally Nobles just use two.
<tragicsmile> I was pleasantly suprised with the 11 tricks you gave my basset hound, by the way :p
<Seawaffle> ok, I choose rose acacia and pyramidal bellflower then
<Seawaffle> done and done
<Hollyhock God> I thought I should think of something to say.
<Hollyhock God> And you should find some way of arranging them.
<Seawaffle> poo
<Hollyhock God> You're with the Light, so your backbround is grey with raindrops.
<Seawaffle> I just want them crossing
<Seawaffle> simple~
<Seawaffle> no need for complicating things too much, and I think my character would think the same
<Hollyhock God> Okay.
<Razzen> Why don't you have them entwine to make some geometric shape?
<Hollyhock God> A *triangle*
<Hollyhock God> Or a tilde
<Seawaffle> haha
<Seawaffle> well, you usually need more than two lines to make things
<Hollyhock God> So a tilde would be easy.
<Hollyhock God> Or the infinity sign?
<Seawaffle> crossed can be a 2d coordinate plane, mathy enough
<Hollyhock God> Okay, I'll log both those Designs later.
<Seawaffle> ok~
<Hollyhock God> Let me go see if the oven is done preheating.
<Razzen> Sure, with the raindrop background making it look like coordinates.
<Seawaffle> thinking tso isn't really going to show
<Razzen> Or something.
<Hollyhock God> That's a little bit annoying, because I know he knows about the meeting, and has done.
<Razzen> BTW mine is a scroll with a white periwinkle as its opened seal,
symbolizing Memory, and an open yellow bayberry that forms a quill pen, symbolizing himself.
<Hollyhock God> I think I already have yours.
<Seawaffle> teehee, math fiction involving the rose acacia: http://math.cofc.edu/faculty/kasman/MATHFICT/mfview.php?callnumber=mf8
<Razzen> Neat.
<Razzen> Well, we have five people here.
<Seawaffle> but bfp needs tso for story
<Hollyhock God> I can only improvise so much here.
<Seawaffle> I say we reschedule
<Elias> tomorrow night?
<Seawaffle> I know how it is when your players don't show, it fucks everything up
<Razzen> It's not like we know that it will be any more likely he'll be here tomorrow night than tonight.
<tragicsmile> at least when you know them IRL and they live close by, you can hunt them down ;_;
<Hollyhock God> Tomorrow should be good if he say's he'll come.
<Hollyhock God> We can at least plan to meet them.
<tragicsmile> and IIRC he said that tomorrow night is family night, so he might not be present
<Hollyhock God> *then
<Seawaffle> guuuuuu
<tragicsmile> though tomorrow night is fine by me
<Hollyhock God> We'll just have to hope.
* Piccione [n=moc.loa.tpi.94B7CACA|offaw#moc.loa.tpi.94B7CACA|offaw] Quit
<tragicsmile> does AIM or so have a chatroom function? I might not be able to get on IRC when I'm in my new job
** SimounElias [n=ude.eudrup.tenser.490-a-ptlh|mscigart#ude.eudrup.tenser.490-a-ptlh|mscigart] left #forum-nobilis []
<Razzen> Well poo.
<Seawaffle> tragicsmile: you could use trillian?
<tragicsmile> I'll be working in the computer labs, but I don't think I'll have admin access to install stuff
<Seawaffle> cgiirc
<tragicsmile> cgiirc?
<Razzen> Damn, the Seahawks game is at 5:30 tomorrow.
<Seawaffle> yeah, use arcu's thingie
<tragicsmile> arcu's thingie?
<Hollyhock God> Thingie?
<Seawaffle> guh
<tragicsmile> I hate it when they haven't assigned me a lab yet - I'm not sure if I'll be on a PC or a mac
<Seawaffle> arcu has a page on which you can access irc via web browser
<Seawaffle> I forget the link
<Seawaffle> but someone in f-m should know
<tragicsmile> i'll just ask then, then
<Razzen> Well, I have to watch the game, so I probably won't be here until it's over.
<Seawaffle> you could do both at the same time?
<Razzen> I guess. :/
<Seawaffle> I assume we plan on meeting at 9?
<Razzen> That's been the regular time.
<Hollyhock God> 9 should be fine.
- HollyhockGod is now known as BFP
<BFP> Sorry, guys.
<Duty> a little earlier or a little later would be better for me… but if me taking a short break for dinner midway won't screw up the whole thing, it's fine
<Seawaffle> no problem, nothing you could do~
<BFP> Yeah, I know.
<Seawaffle> earliest I can be on is 8, and that's pushing it
- |7hs| family eats variously from 6 to 7:30
<Seawaffle> 8 est
<Duty> pst
<BFP> Nine or a little after is okay.
<Duty> we don't take more then 20 minutes usually
<tragicsmile> i have no other obligations as long as I finish my homework before then
<tragicsmile> which should be no problem
<Razzen> Well, I won't be able to give my undivided attention, especially not if I'm on the phone with people back in Seattle, but I'll make it work.
<BFP> That should be okay, as long as TSO shows up this time.
<BFP> This is the guy who had to have his character made for him.
<Razzen> Not a good sign.
<Seawaffle> he seems to be a tad…unreliable
<BFP> Well, we can hope for the best.
<tragicsmile> sigh
- |7hs| bbls… might as well eat with the others
** tragicsmile is now known as tragic|LOD
<Emma Graves-Margery> ~
<Seawaffle> fuck
<Seawaffle> you are here now?
<TheStupidOne> sorry
<TheStupidOne> had forced overtime at work
<BFP> Hey!
<BFP> Are we all still here then?
<Seawaffle> tragic is playing diablo now
<Seawaffle> duty is eating
<BFP> Well, hopefully they'll be back.
<BFP> At least everyone did show up. :)
<Razzen> Well it's a good thing I didn't close my connection like I was going to.
<BFP> Once everybody drops back in we can start, then.
<BFP> My muffins are all gooey in the middle.
<Duty> :o
<Seawaffle> :O
<Duty> i return
<Seawaffle> now we need tragic
<BFP> Tragic|LOD Where Are You?
<BFP> New TV series for Saturday morning.
- |7hs| slaps tragic|LOD around a bit with a large trout
<tragic|LOD> oh!
<tragic|LOD> sorry
<tragic|LOD> be right there
*** tragic|LOD is now known as tragicsmile
<BFP> All right then!
<tragicsmile> I was doing baal runs in d2 :/
<Seawaffle> I'm not going to bother opening up a new client again
<BFP> Hollyhock powers, activate!
<tragicsmile> lemme connect with simoun~
<Duty> only an hour late… not too awful
** BFP is now known as HollyhockGod
<Emma Graves-Margery> I am here
<TheStupidOne> or am I here?
*** Elias_ [n=ude.eudrup.tenser.490-a-ptlh|mscigart#ude.eudrup.tenser.490-a-ptlh|mscigart] joined #forum-nobilis
<Hollyhock God> I have the power!
*** Elias_ is now known as Simoun_Elias
<Seawaffle> oh, hell, might as well
<Duty> TheStupidOne: i sent you a message using unix mail, lol
<TheStupidOne> on himeko?
<TheStupidOne> lol
<Duty> yeah
<Hollyhock God> All right, as soon as everyone's ready.
<Wilgelm> \o
* Piccione [n=moc.loa.tpi.94B7CACA|offaw#moc.loa.tpi.94B7CACA|offaw] joined #forum-nobilis - Clone: Seawaffle
<Razzen> Yup.
<Simoun_Elia> I am ready.
<Seawaffle> yeah
<Hollyhock God> Duty, are you familiar with everything that went on last week?
<Wilgelm> I hope so, I read over the log
<Seawaffle> duty technically _shouldn't_ since his char wasn't there
<Hollyhock God> Even so, it's simpler than you all explaining in IC.
<Hollyhock God> Unless you *want* to.
<Seawaffle> I suppose not
<TheStupidOne> umm
<TheStupidOne> which user did you send it to duty?
<Hollyhock God> Then I guess this week we start with the Rite of Rescue for Wilgelm.
<Duty> anthony
<TheStupidOne> not there
- |7hs| shrugs
<Duty> what page are rites on
<Hollyhock God> All that that requires is that each member of Tildegran's Familia give Wilgelm the Flowers on their indvidual Designs.
<Hollyhock God> 126
<Duty> oh ok
<Hollyhock God> If anybody wants to say a few words…
<Seawaffle> well, I'm not too pleased about the whole thing, so I'm not saying anything~
<Hollyhock God> You just give him your flowers?
<Hollyhock God> And why are you displeased in particular?
<Seawaffle> well, he's new, it's changing the chancel
<Seawaffle> I'm not going to like that
<Seawaffle> especially if he's like this new communication girl
<Hollyhock God> A bit, I guess, but he's not terribly dynamic. Up to you.
<Hollyhock God> You do know him already.
<Seawaffle> oh
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Razzen> Well, I'll be the diplomat then.
<Simoun_Elia> To a hopefully eventful tenure :/
<Duty> yeah
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Titus Cornelius Naro, Dominus Memoriae, at your service.
<Seawaffle> are we technically supposed to say anything?
<Hollyhock God> If that's all for the ceremony, you have the tea party invitation to discuss.
<Hollyhock God> I assume you plan to attend?
<Emma Graves-Margery> I do
<Seawaffle> well, I suppose we should all attend
<Seawaffle> don't want to piss off some crazy noble
<Simoun_Elia> To do otherwise would be a disservice to our fine host
<Hollyhock God> You haven't heard of her being crazy.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> They are quite the memorable affairs.
<Hollyhock God> Just crazy particular.
<Seawaffle> she killed some dude, that's pretty crazy, no?
<Wilgelm> Same, although I'm a touch surprised to have been invited already
<Hollyhock God> She killed a full Excrucian.
<Hollyhock God> That is somewhat remarkable.
<Seawaffle> thought she killed a noble too…
<Hollyhock God> A full Excrucian is about as powerful as an Imperator.
<Simoun_Elia> You are the very reason we were invited, Mr. Drevidnovich :/
<Hollyhock God> No, I don't think so.
- Simoun_Elias is now known as SimounElias
<tragicsmile> now that's less clunky :3
<Hollyhock God> No Nobles killed by her that you know of.
<Hollyhock God> She's known to like gardening, and birds.
<Hollyhock God> Anyway, her Familia's Chancel is about four hours away.
<Elias> odd preoccupations for the mistress of cold
<Bernardo> hrm. well, this whole tea party nonsense is troublesome, but i suppose we all should be there
<Hollyhock God> You could be driven if you like.
<Wilgelm> Ah, perhaps a woman I can get along with then.
<Seawaffle> definitely want to look presentable, I assume
<Emma Graves-Margery> of course
<Hollyhock God> Yes, anything in particular you plan to do to prepare?
<Elias> Etiquette dictates at least a business suit
<Wilgelm> Cold isn't something I'm terribly fond of, but quite necessary to the cycle of nature; kills off the old stagnant growth.
<Wilgelm> I'll probably have to borrow a suit.
<Hollyhock God> I suppose Wilgelm has a salary now.
<Hollyhock God> Presumably the Chancel will retcon him a job and a home.
<Hollyhock God> And some savings.
<Razzen> Titus wears a Baroque-styled suit and a wide-brimmed hat.
<Hollyhock God> What kind of wide-brimmed hat? A top hat?
<Razzen> Fedora
<Seawaffle> I'm just in a nondescript business suit, with my cane~
<Razzen> He's very old-school.
<Hollyhock God> What about Emma?
<Hollyhock God> This is your first meeting with Nobles outside your Familia.
- EmmaGraves is busy getting dressed
<Wilgelm> Or buy one. If I'm to become a professor in the future, I should be prepared to dress appropriately for that as well.
<Razzen> How much time to we have BTW?
<Hollyhock God> You can assume that the invitation is for tomorrow if you like.
<Hollyhock God> So you have as much time as you need to prep.
<Wilgelm> I'll purchase whatever's fashionable, although I might opt for a floral-print tie.
<Elias> how cold is it there?
<Hollyhock God> I don't think it's cold at all.
<Hollyhock God> The Powers of Heat and Cold both live there.
<Hollyhock God> It's pretty temperate.
<Hollyhock God> Walking-on-Blades is Ymera of Heat, Cold, Books, and Oceans.
<Razzen> Well then, I will do two things: tell Calla to look after things here, and ask Wilgelm if he will recount to me any of his history so that I can add it to my Familia history.
<Seawaffle> we do all have anchors on campus, no?
<Hollyhock God> I assume that acquaints you with everything on his character sheet.
<Hollyhock God> I think some of you have Anchors here.
<Hollyhock God> Not Emma, though.
<Razzen> It's up to Duty really.
- Wilgelm does not either
<Hollyhock God> You both could eventually make one.
<Wilgelm> Yes, I don't see any reason to hold back.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Thank you. After all, what kind of historian would I be if I didn't keep track of our genealogy?
<Hollyhock God> All right.
<Hollyhock God> Titus, your cell is ringing.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Ahoy-hoy?
<Hollyhock God> It's Rosa D'Addio, the Cammoran agent who handles your Familia.
<Elias> I feed Medusa, tell Janina to keep me informed of any developments, and wear a navy suit, white long-sleeved shirt, and black silk tie
<Wilgelm> As I was on the other side of the world from them when my former Familia was destroyed, I know nothing of that, except a terrible sense of loss felt at the moment it happened (or whatever's standard procedure.)
<Duty> Excuse my slow typing
<Titus Cornelius Naro> What may I do for you?
<Hollyhock God> She called to congratulate you on acquiring a new Sibling.
<Hollyhock God> She's as oily as ever: "Darling, I hear you've landed some new personnel!"
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Indeed we have, thank you.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> So really, what may I do for you?
<Hollyhock God> "Oh, I simply wanted to give you my congratulations, darling!"
<Hollyhock God> "And to tell you I'll be dropping in soon to visit."
<Hollyhock God> "I might even bring cake."
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I see. At what point may we expect your visit?
- SimounElias watches Medusa's ears perk up at the mention of the word "cake"
<Emma Graves-Margery> cake~
<Hollyhock God> "Oh, whenever, darling. I'll be in the area all week. Ciao!"
<Hollyhock God> She hung up.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> We should keep our eyes open for Rosa, she'll be coming to check up on Wilgelm this week.
<Elias> agreed
<Hollyhock God> She's always seemed a little flaky, but she's Cammorra, so it can't be real.
<Bernardo> hrm, the cammorra always make me a little too edgy
<Hollyhock God> In any case, I assume you depart for Locus Blades the following day?
<Seawaffle> yup
<Hollyhock God> Do we ever find out what Emma is wearing?
<Seawaffle> hoop skirt
<Razzen> Miniskirt.
<Seawaffle> hot
<Elias> she needs to be dressed nicely, remember
<Emma Graves-Margery> fuck hoopskirts
<Seawaffle> nothing at all
<TheStupidOne> hawt
<Hollyhock God> I vote for red leather.
<Seawaffle> lol barbarian
<Razzen> Red Sonya.
<Hollyhock God> More Emma Peel.
<Emma Graves-Margery> …
<Seawaffle> bah
<Razzen> Much better.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I think I'll dress conservatively =P
<Seawaffle> I think emily post would suggest a hoop skirt
<Hollyhock God> Perhaps something virginal in white?
<Seawaffle> o_O
<Elias> just go on some website and get a nice dress~
<Emma Graves-Margery> I took that as vaginal
<Emma Graves-Margery> …
<Seawaffle> teehee
<Seawaffle> that would be more pink, no?
<Elias> or do I have to do it for you? :/
<Emma Graves-Margery> =P
<Emma Graves-Margery> I think I'll wear a nice white summer dress
<Hollyhock God> There are plenty of clothing stores around town that would be appropriate.
<Emma Graves-Margery> not too heavy
<Hollyhock God> All right, if clothing is no longer an issue…
<Hollyhock God> You have to decide who's going to drive.
<TheStupidOne> you guys are trying your hardest to make me gay D:
<Elias> you're the one who didn't make a guy character :p
<Seawaffle> snap
<Elias> back in character: I guess I can
<Duty> Just metrosexual.
<Hollyhock God> Or do you employ a driver.
<Hollyhock God> ?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You don't want either Piccione or I to drive, that's for sure.
<Seawaffle> we're old men, and are frightening behind the wheel
<Elias> As long as you can stand the driving of a southeast asian, I believe my services will be appropriate
<Razzen> That's almost as bad. ;)
<Elias> unless Mr. Piccione wants to have his secretaries drive us?
<tragicsmile> XD
<Razzen> Or an Anchor?
<Bernardo> ahh, the secretarial pool
<Emma Graves-Margery> I can drive~
<Hollyhock God> It's four hours from here to Locus Blades.
<Emma Graves-Margery> unless I drive too fast for you old men
<Emma Graves-Margery> =P
<Bernardo> damned youngster
<Hollyhock God> I feel a hair flip accompanying that remark.
<Duty> would your sorts stand to see a woman drive?
<Elias> Easy, we want them to be conscious and breathing when we get there.
<Duty> or not quite that hidebound
<Hollyhock God> So Simoun does the driving.
<Seawaffle> yeah, simoun drives
<Hollyhock God> All right, the journey is basically uneventful, except you can't agree on what music to listen to.
<Hollyhock God> And someone forgot to stock the minibar.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Curses!
<Bernardo> schoenberg, damnit, we shall listen to schoenberg
<Emma Graves-Margery> or did they…
- EmmaGraves is slightly tipsy
- Wilgelm doesn't like cars, but can hardly complain. No better way to get there.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Nein, Wagner!
- SimounElias chuckles silently and focuses on the road and making sure it has enough traction
<Bernardo> enough of your pompous bombast
- EmmaGraves hums some random pop tune
<Hollyhock God> The entrance to Locus Blades that you were told of is in a secluded valley west of Berlin.
<Hollyhock God> I presume you use the Rite of Passage?
<Elias> I keep my eyes open for it; don't want to get lost
- tragicsmile looks up rite of passage
<Hollyhock God> You just need to look for it through a broken bottle.
<Hollyhock God> That will show you the road that will lead you in.
<tragicsmile> curse my unfamiliarity with the rules
<Hollyhock God> It's page 124.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Berlin has changed since I lived here.
<Hollyhock God> Changed for the better, or the worse?
<Seawaffle> well, unfortunately our minibar is empty, so no bottles…
- EmmaGraves found a bottle
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Better in some ways, worse in others.
<Bernardo> wonder where you were keeping that, woman —
- EmmaGraves hiccups
<Titus Cornelius Naro> That's where.
<Bernardo> hmmph
<Hollyhock God> You can spot the road through what is technically a piece of broken crystal.
<Elias> someone will have to direct me
<Elias> or I will make a not-so-discreet crack in our perfectly fine windshield.
<Hollyhock God> Simoun needs to drive the car in a triangular pattern through the center of the field.
<Razzen> I would Preserve his memory, but that won't work on him.
<Elias> I do so carefully, not wanting to slip up
<Elias> undoubtedly our hosts are observing us even as we approach
- Wilgelm idly wonders if his domain over wood includes gin.
<Wilgelm> Juniper berries y'know.
- EmmaGraves would like more gin…
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Wood alcohol perhaps?
<Hollyhock God> All right, as you complete the pattern, you pass through the veil surrounding the Chancel.
<Bernardo> i'm thinking that tipsyness may not be the most endearing quality at a tea party
<Hollyhock God> There's a slight flipping noise as the sky ahead turns red.
<Hollyhock God> Aspect miracle to process the alcohol out of your system?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Nonsense, it's the only way to endure such things.
<Emma Graves-Margery> oh hush… you're just boring
<Wilgelm> That would require Emma's cooperation.
<Bernardo> forgive me for trying not to make an enemy of an amazingly powerful noble
<Wilgelm> No one ever wants to become sober.
<Hollyhock God> The air is filled with smoke and steam along the road ahead, which is lined with what seems to be an army base.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I'm not drunk… I'm just relaxed
<Razzen> Has Titus ever encountered her before?
<tragicsmile> i can't use my powers to make the idea slip past emma's defenses, no?
<Hollyhock God> Factories are giving off smoke on both sides, and soldiers are patrolling.
<tragicsmile> the idea of soberness, that is
<Hollyhock God> No, and no.
<tragicsmile> gotcha
<Razzen> Okay. Did my predecessor?
<tragicsmile> powers can't affect a noble directly~
<Hollyhock God> Maybe. At any rate, you know her by reputation.
<Hollyhock God> Maybe you saw her once across a crowded room?
<Elias> I make sure I know where to go and proceed accordingly
- Wilgelm really doesn't like this place. At least you can't smell the smoke from within the car. Much.
<Emma Graves-Margery> ooooh.. structures and technology
<Hollyhock God> You pass a bunch of roughnecks playing football quite close to the car.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I bet they have a well coordinated supply line
<Hollyhock God> They're all pretty big.
<Razzen> Mortals?
<Hollyhock God> And apparently they don't play touch tackle.
<Hollyhock God> Sight registers them as mortal.
<Hollyhock God> Anyway, after about ten minute's travel through this war zone, you come to a large wall.
<Hollyhock God> Through the one gate that you can see, the sky is blue, and there is an ocean visible in the distance.
<Elias> I presume this is our destination.
<Hollyhock God> Once you pass through, it's as if you are in another Chancel altogether.
<Emma Graves-Margery> ocean~
<Hollyhock God> It resembles a small mountain valley overlooking the sea, verdant and pure.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Such strange dichotomy. I wonder how they manage this.
<Wilgelm> This is more like it.
<Hollyhock God> A fairy-tale castle is waiting for you at the lowest point, just at the beach.
<Elias> So that was the territory of Van Olivera? Intriguing. I did not think that the feud between the two was this serious
<Elias> Or do they just like to keep a distinction between work and play?
<Hollyhock God> The only way to know is to meet them in person.
<tragicsmile> I was saying that aloud to the other occupants of the car, btw
<tragicsmile> sorry
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Either way, you must be enjoying the sight of it Simoun.
<Elias> indeed I am :)
<Hollyhock God> Salty goodness.
<Emma Graves-Margery> bleh
<Emma Graves-Margery> no technology in sight
<Emma Graves-Margery> such a backwater Chancel
<Hollyhock God> Anyway, you pull up before the main stairway leading into the castle.
<Hollyhock God> There is a red carpet laid out for you.
<Bernardo> i'd keep such talk to yourself, woman
<Elias> Should I let them off there and proceed to find an available parking space, or is there one readily available/a valet?
<Hollyhock God> I don't think anyone else is expected.
<Hollyhock God> You can probably just leave it there.
<Elias> All right, though it would be an inconvenience to anyone else coming in
<Wilgelm> There is communication of all sorts going on in nature, but evidently it's beyond your grasp.
<Hollyhock God> The thing to remember about Noble ettiquette is that both parties are technically deserving of respect beyond that accorded to any mortal potentate.
<Hollyhock God> In any case, as you stop at the gate, a horde of liveried servants pour out down both sides of the staircase to open the limo doors for you.
<Elias> Charming. ~
<Hollyhock God> You are gestured down a long hall, decked with all kinds of portraits and tapestries.
<Razzen> Anything notable?
- EmmaGraves yawns
<Elias> Anything particularly intersting about the portraits?
- Piccione elbows emma in the ribs
<Hollyhock God> They all seem to show four different people.
<Emma Graves-Margery> ow ;_;
<Hollyhock God> Presumably the local powers.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> How modest.
<Hollyhock God> Lady Katarina is evidently a handsome woman who looks about eighty.
<Hollyhock God> Well, they don't have ancestors as such.
<Razzen> Really? They're the original Powers of this Imperator?
<Bernardo> that's pretty notable
<Hollyhock God> The other three seem to be a young boy, a beautiful Asian woman, and a
Hispanic gentleman with no shirt.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I would say so.
<Elias> the composition of the portraits are noteworthy
<Emma Graves-Margery> hot
<Hollyhock God> Powers can live a long time if they don't get killed.
<Hollyhock God> Yes, he is rather.
<Hollyhock God> You could count every muscle off on an anatomical chart if you cared to.
<Hollyhock God> Do you care to?
<Emma Graves-Margery> later
<Hollyhock God> All right.
<Hollyhock God> Eventually, the cooridor ends at a large pair of double doors.
- Wilgelm knows them already. Studied medicine before he turned to botany.
<Hollyhock God> As you stop before them, they slowly open, revealing…
<Hollyhock God> A short bathroom break.
<Emma Graves-Margery> weak
<Duty> Masterful.
<Seawaffle> revealing… an old woman taking a short bathroom break
<Razzen> How revealing.
<Elias> …
<Seawaffle> ahh, etiquette
<Emma Graves-Margery> I see you passed english with flying colors =P
<tragicsmile> XD
<Seawaffle> "tea?"
<Emma Graves-Margery> Guess only us brits have mastered the fine art of communication
<Seawaffle> note that I'm on my ooc name~
<Emma Graves-Margery> I'm too lazy to swap
<Emma Graves-Margery> we're not doing anything
<Hollyhock God> Also, there is the elderly woman sitting on a divan.
<Hollyhock God> Her hair is hydrangea blue.
<Hollyhock God> She's wearing a dress with a sort of icicle fringe.
<Hollyhock God> I can't describe it very well, but it's very clear in my head.
- SimounElias bows respectfully
- TitusCornel does the same
<Hollyhock God> In any case, she rises to curtsy, and says "I am so glad to meet you at last."
- Piccione bows as well
<Hollyhock God> She comes over to you first, Titus.
<Elias> It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady
- * EmmaGraves gives a rather unenthusiastic curtsey
<tragicsmile> >_< I should wait for you to finish talking first, BFP :p
<Hollyhock God> “I have heard so much about many of you, and I'm sure it wasn't nearly enough.”
<Titus Cornelius Naro> As are we, my dear lady.
<Hollyhock God> My Siblings will be joining us shortly. Can I interest you in a canape?
<Emma Graves-Margery> You have such an interesting chancel my lady
<Titus Cornelius Naro> The deeds of you and your Chancel are truly memorable.
<Hollyhock God> Yes, the decor is not entirely to my liking in… some places.
<Hollyhock God> But I do my humble best to keep things here pleasant.
<Elias> that would be most pleasant, my lady
<Hollyhock God> As a girl I was born in a place much like this.
<Razzen> Er, he meant Familia, not Chancel there.
<Hollyhock God> But that was some time ago, of course.
<Hollyhock God> -same thing
<Hollyhock God> And I must also greet my new cousin in Nobility.
<Hollyhock God> Your name is Emma, is it not?
<Emma Graves-Margery> Why yes
<Hollyhock God> The last Noble of Communication was an example to us all.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Indeed he was, my lady.
<Hollyhock God> I trust that you will be equally radiant in your own fashion.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I hope to follow in his footsteps well
<Hollyhock God> Please, sit down, everyone.
<Hollyhock God> I have something I hope to tell you before my Siblings arrive.
<Hollyhock God> She motions you to the table in the adjoining room.
<Hollyhock God> There's a sideboard over by the side.
<Hollyhock God> She seems to have ordered an awful lot of scones.
<Razzen> All right.
<Hollyhock God> And clotted cream.
<Hollyhock God> And strawberry jam.
<Hollyhock God> ooohsconessconesscones
<Hollyhock God> I'm sorry, I had a moment, there.
<Seawaffle> I've never had a scone
<Hollyhock God> I love scones.
<Emma Graves-Margery> mmmmm
<Hollyhock God> They are AWESOME.
- Wilgelm is a bit puzzled as to why this woman summoned the Familia here to specifically meet him, yet seems disinterested- not displeased, though. He's spent much of the past century alone in his forests and is a bit rusty socially. He takes the offered seat.
<Hollyhock God> The waiters in the English restaurants were so surprised when I ate them in one bite.
- Piccione sits as well
<Hollyhock God> Lady Katarina chooses this moment to address Wilgelm.
<Razzen> I'm more of a biscuit man.
<Katarina> I hope I may take the liberty of addressing you so informally, Wilgelm.
- SimounElias sits down as well
<Katarina> I wish to offer my consolations for your unknowable loss.
- EmmaGraves sits across from Lady Katarina
<Katarina> Our Ymera are a part of our very souls. What pain must be involved in losing that, the rest of us will hopefully never know.
- Wilgelm neglected to bow earlier, and attempts to make amends with a polite nod.
<Katarina> However, grief is not the only thing that you must overcome.
<Katarina> I know that we have never met before.
<Katarina> However, some years ago, I read several of your books on wildlife.
<Wilgelm> Certainly, my lady… It was quite a shock, so do excuse me if I am a bit recalcitrant.
<Duty> (Adjust timing of speech as necessary)
<Katarina> You may know that I have some appreciation for plants, and I found your understanding, even before your rise to your Estate, to be exemplary.
<Katarina> Therefore, I feel a certain sense of debt to you, who once brought me some pleasure and respect.
<Katarina> And so I must tell all of you this in confidence.
- Wilgelm , normally unexpressive, raises an eyebrow. "I am flattered, my Lady," he says. "Not many recognize me."
<Katarina> Oh, I keep an eye on everything that happens on this continent.
<Katarina> The reach of Winter, though inconstant, stretches everywhere.
<Katarina> But I digress.
<Katarina> As you know, a servent of Machael was officially appointed to the Inquistion to investigate the death of Wintersmith and his Nobles.
<Katarina> However, it has come to my attention that agents of Lord Entropy have been taking an unofficial interest in the matter as well.
- EmmaGraves stops staring into space and suddenly becomes interested in the convo
<Katarina> Several creatures of human semblance have been asking about you, all across Europe.
<Katarina> I recognized them from descriptions as semblances of the type that the Darkest Lord has been known to employ.
<Katarina> Each of them has been very interested in you, Wilgelm- your past, your present, your secrets.
- SimounElias frowns ever so slightly
<Bernardo> hmm
<Katarina> I do not know why, but it seems that Lord Entropy has some reason for wishing to connect you with guilt in these deaths.
<Katarina> Because of the bond that I feel, I choose not to believe that this can be true.
<Katarina> And I wish to give you a warning.
<Katarina> Lord Entropy has often taken it upon himself to remove Nobles or even Ymera who he divines may threaten his power.
<Katarina> If he wishes to destroy you, you must be wary of his spies.
<Katarina> He cannot reach for you directly, for whatever he touches he corrupts absolutely.
- Wilgelm had opened his mouth to say something prior to the mention of Lord Entropy, but shut it again. "Admittedly, my absence must have seemed convenient…" he mutters, expression dark.
<Katarina> He must work through such intermediaries as the Locust Court and the Cammorra.
<Razzen> That explains Rosa's intended "visit" then.
<Katarina> I feel certain that his agents will attempt to become close to you, to infiltrate your home, if they have not already done so.
- Piccione frowns at this
<Emma Graves-Margery> Not to be rude… but how would a puny power of wood be able to overthrow an entire chancel?
<Katarina> Unfortunately, I know nothing about how he may carry this out, or why.
<Katarina> Of course, child, one Power cannot stand against his Familia.
<Katarina> But he can betray them in more subtle ways, by parting the Chancel wards to allow an Excrucian free access.
<Katarina> By revealing their secrets…
<Katarina> Through the creation of dissension and strife.
<Wilgelm> Nor do I. I am not the type of Power who engages in projects or agendas.
<Katarina> If a Familia cannot stand together, being a single soul as it is, it is doomed.
<Wilgelm> And I have no reason to aid those who destroyed my former Imperator.
<Katarina> In any case, I hope that you will take care to defend yourself from unwanted scrutiny.
<Katarina> And with that out of the way, we may turn to more pleasant concerns.
<Katarina> Would anyone care for a biscuit?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You may be certain that we shall, thank you Lady Katarina, this puts some things into perspective.
<Emma Graves-Margery> mmmm
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Danke.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I haven't had Scones since I left Cambridge
<Katarina> The great doors open once more to admit the other Powers of Locus Blades: Van, Miller, and Saeko.
- SimounElias acknowledges them with a respectful nod
- Wilgelm nods respectfully, much more attentive now. "I thank you most of all, my lady. It may come that I owe my existance to your timely warning."
<Hollyhock God> You recognize each of them from their portraits, although they are all in formal attire.
- Piccione stands to acknowledge the other powers
<Hollyhock God> Okay, so once the formalities are dispensed with, you all take your seats to start on the scones.
- TitusCornel also stands, bows to Katarina and thanks her, and goes to mingle with the others.
<Hollyhock God> Which means it's time for small talk.
- SimounElias takes a scone, breaks off a small piece and butters it
- EmmaGraves stands up and wanders around the room looking for that rather dashing hispanic man
<Hollyhock God> So, who's sitting next to who?
<Razzen> I think Titus will have much to discuss with the Power of Books.
<Hollyhock God> All right, and Emma goes for Van.
<Wilgelm> Likewise, I believe I could engage in an interesting discussion with Saeko about the life which swims within her Domain.
<Hollyhock God> Ah, Saeko is happy to talk about her work.
<Hollyhock God> She breeds new life forms within the Chancel's ocean.
<Hollyhock God> She wants to know if you would like to come to see her latest project after tea.
<Bernardo> i suppose i'll chat with katarina for a bit
<Hollyhock God> She's smiling at you…
<tragicsmile> Simoun will probably have a word with the lady Morrieux after Piccione
<Hollyhock God> All right, then.
- * EmmaGraves is at a loss for words… and just stares at Van shyly
<Hollyhock God> Emma, Van seems *very* pleased to meet you.
<Seawaffle> haha
<Razzen> Hilarious
<Hollyhock God> He seems to be flexing his biceps under his suit.
<tragicsmile> >_< you're the noble of communication, goddamnit
<Razzen> Well, there are other ways to communicate you know.
<Wilgelm> I would be most honored. Are these life forms developed for introduction into the Ash-Tree Earth, or merely for the sake of science?
<tragicsmile> very true
<Hollyhock God> Saeko tells you that she plans to cause her creations to evolve on a large-scale within Earth proper once her designs are complete.
<Hollyhock God> Emma, Van starts talking about his work in the outer Chancel.
<Hollyhock God> He's the commander of Walking-on-Blades armies.
<Emma Graves-Margery> oooh
<Emma Graves-Margery> how do you coordinate such a massive force?
<Emma Graves-Margery> it must require such logistical planning to maintain it
<Hollyhock God> His duty is to train soldiers to fight against the Excrucians, and to create mechanical weapons as well.
<Hollyhock God> "Well", he tells you, "It is not so different from any other arrmy.
<Wilgelm> That is always best. We don't want to present our mortal scientists with another evolutionary conundrum- they have quite enough already, I am sure.
<Hollyhock God> "We maintain the chain of command, with me at the top, filtering down just like any other force."
<Hollyhock God> "Discipline transcends the gap between mortal and immortal."
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, Saeko tells you "I confess I sometimes like to tease them a bit."
<Emma Graves-Margery> do you coordinate with other mortal armies in the area, or work alone?
<Hollyhock God> "Do you remember when the coelacanth was discovered, after it was supposedly extinct?"
<Hollyhock God> "That was me."
<tragicsmile> XD
<Titus Cornelius Naro> So what authors have you been reading lately, Miller?
<Hollyhock God> Van tells Emma, "Of course, we maintain our secrecy, although other Powers keep armies of their own."
- tragicsmile waits for waffle to finish his conversation
<Hollyhock God> "I believe that mine, of course, is the best-trained."
- Wilgelm smiles wryly. "Well, it wouldn't do to make their lives uninteresting
either."
<Seawaffle> oh, I'll finish up and wander off for more scone action
<Hollyhock God> Miller starts telling Titus about his recent list of authors. It could take awhile.
<Hollyhock God> Apparently he's been trying to improve the quality of romance novels.
- * EmmaGraves idly stares
<tragicsmile> ooc: good luck with that
<Hollyhock God> If he can rescue the genre, it will greatly increase his own strength and Estate.
- TitusCornel will have to feign interest then, that's not his favorite subject.
<tragicsmile> by the way, it is now spring in game time?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Ah, well that is a Noble cause.
<Hollyhock God> Well, he seems to want to increase the historical aspect of the works, rather than focusing on 'throbbing manhoods'.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> If you can return it to the days of Austen and the Bronte sisters then you shall have done very well.
<Hollyhock God> You can hear the quotation marks in his voice as he says the phrase.
<Hollyhock God> Bernardo, Simoun, Lady Katarina is pretending to be too modest to talk about her defeat of the Excrucian.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> We never needed to hear about Heathcliff's, um, manhood.
<Hollyhock God> But it's totally an act.
<Seawaffle> ha
<Hollyhock God> Miller: "Heathcliff would disagree with that. He's always saying so."
- TheStupidOn yawns quietly
<TheStupidOne> oops
- * EmmaGraves yawns quietly
<Titus Cornelius Naro> He would, wouldn't he?
<Elias> "Oh, do tell, madam. We can all learn from the skill you displayed in manipulating your element."
<Hollyhock God> Van offers to show Emma his latest fighting mech.
- EmmaGraves eagerly follows
<Hollyhock God> He plans to go toe to toe with it this afternoon.
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, are you going off with Saeko?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> What does Cathy say in response?
<Hollyhock God> Miller: "
<Elias> "And by the way, I must commend you for the beautiful snowfall this past winter - nothing draws the eye more than pure white."
<Wilgelm> Yes, I am
<Hollyhock God> She encourages him terribly. He's even vainer than ever."
<Hollyhock God> Lady K: Of course, with the roses down for the winter, I always have plenty of time to pay attention to detail."
<Hollyhock God> She pulls the water decanter over to her.
<Hollyhock God> She starts animating pieces of ice into sculptures of herself and the Excrucian, and begins acting out her victory.
<tragicsmile> nice
<Seawaffle> fancy
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, Saeko walks out with you out onto the dock, a long way out over the ocean.
<Hollyhock God> She asks if you can swim.
<tragicsmile> this is the defeat of the strategist you outlined in the social register, no?
<Hollyhock God> Yes, that's right.
<tragicsmile> brb bathroom break
<Hollyhock God> "Can you swim, Wilgelm?"
<tragicsmile> back~
<Wilgelm> I could while mortal, but it has been a long time. I have never tried with this body.
<Hollyhock God> She grins at you, and falls apart.
<Hollyhock God> Her body dissolves into water, and she slides between the planks, leaving her gown behind.
<Hollyhock God> It happens so fast you might almost miss it.
<Hollyhock God> Did I mention the gown? It was a really nice purple thing.
<Hollyhock God> With embroidered whales.
<Hollyhock God> So what do you do?
<Razzen> Wood does float you know.
<Hollyhock God> Aspect 4 will let you swim either way.
<Wilgelm> Good question.
- EmmaGraves giggles like a little schoolgirl as she examines the mech's unusual pilot interfaces
<Seawaffle> o_O
<Hollyhock God> Yes, Emma is led by Van down a tunnel leading to the outer Chancel.
<Emma Graves-Margery> such craftsmanship
<Hollyhock God> I think you ride some kind of subway thing.
<Emma Graves-Margery> such intricate electronics
<Hollyhock God> It's like FFVI.
<Wilgelm> I suppose I kneel and dip my hand into the water. Per swimming, I was more concerned about whether my joint movements would lend themselves well to propulsion.
<Wilgelm> If you recall, they're rather slow and jerky.
<Hollyhock God> A hand made of water reaches out and pulls you in.
<Hollyhock God> Unless you resist?
<Hollyhock God> Lady Katarina is just getting to the good part of her story.
- SimounElias nods intently and takes note of the detail and intricacy of the sculptures she uses to illustrate her tale
<Razzen> I imagine we're covering the fine points of 19th century Romance authors.
<tragicsmile> I can use them to torture my design students with obscenely exacting projects in the winter break :3
<Wilgelm> There goes an expensive suit. But it's not like I'd choose my money over the lady's sensibilities.
<Hollyhock God> Having tracked down the Excrucian, she had Saeko create clouds from her ocean waters and sent them over the mountain where the Excrucian was laired.
<Hollyhock God> Yes, Titus, apparently Miller is trying to move classic characters into new novels so as to jumpstart the plots.
<Wilgelm> Unless she thoughtfully supercavitates me or something.
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm graciously falls head over heels into the drink.
<Elias> "Bringing your element to the battlefield, and thus controlling the territory. A very fine move. "
<Hollyhock God> Emma, Van thoughtfully carries you up a ladder into a giant arena.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I assume this is where you test your wonderful machines?
<Hollyhock God> He shows you the prototype of his new D.E.L.T. model fighting exoskeleton.
<Wilgelm> Haven't had this much fun since Christmas on Bering Island.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You may want to be subtle about any parallels to the classics though, the critics can be harsh if they smell a retread.
<Hollyhock God> The design should be able to amplify a mortal human's strength, speed, and brainpower by fivefold.
<Emma Graves-Margery> does it actually read a person's thoughts and act accordingly?
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, you aren't sure where Saeko is, but you seem to be surrounded by creatures circling underwater.
<Hollyhock God> Van: "Yes, the current models work by direct flexible spinal tap, although of course we will eventually have a less… surgical interface.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I must study some of your neural interface work for my research
<Hollyhock God> The mech resembles a smooth classical statue, although built to a very large scale.
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, lady, you must let me keep some secrets. Although I feel sure that your assistance would greatly assist in our little project."
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, all of a sudden, a dozen dolphin heads surface around you, making the noise that dolphins make.
<Emma Graves-Margery> of course… you wouldn't want a lady to upstage your work~
- EmmaGraves jests playfully
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, lady, I would never permit it without a fight."
<Hollyhock God> Back at the ranch, Lady Katarina has reached the top of the mountain.
<Wilgelm> I can't quite preserve my cool exterior through that.
<Hollyhock God> Saeko surfaces, laughing at your surprised face.
<Hollyhock God> Her watery head reflects light and is hard to focus on.
<Hollyhock God> She asks, "Do you like my latest model?"
<Hollyhock God> "I've just finished with this pod."
<Hollyhock God> Lady Katarina is being carried into the air by a troupe of blizzard spirits under her command.
<Hollyhock God> Titus, Miller offers to introduce you to Gandalf.
<tragicsmile> this is the sculpture of katarina or the actual person?
<Hollyhock God> This is in the story.
<Hollyhock God> Whether she's exaggerating or not is hard to say, but she's certainly enjoying herself.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Now THAT would be interesting.
<Hollyhock God> Van ushers his soldier into the prototype and begins the test.
<Hollyhock God> First, the mech chases Van around the arena, trying to keep pace with him.
<Wilgelm> "Quite." Wilhelm frowns faintly. "I must confess marine life was never a specialty of mine, although certainly an interest. Would you enlighten me as to the differences?" He studies the dolphins.
<Hollyhock God> Starting at fifteen mph, eventually working up to forty-five on foot before the machine seems to reach its limit.
<Hollyhock God> Saeko whistles.
<Hollyhock God> The dolphins form a circle and begin swimming at increasing speed.
<Hollyhock God> Eventually they leave the water altogether.
<Hollyhock God> Apparently they share some of the characteristics of flying fish.
<Emma Graves-Margery> how well does the machine respond? does it have any noticable delay between thoughts?
<Hollyhock God> Saeko says "One day, I'll teach them to sing like whales."
<Hollyhock God> The mech seems to take a little time to change directions, but it's still quicker than a human could normally react.
- Wilgelm smiles. "That will certainly please the mortals."
<Hollyhock God> Eventually, the two of them start sparring.
<Hollyhock God> It takes forty-three seconds for Van to toss it across the stadium.
<Hollyhock God> Less than a second after the giant mech leaves his hand, he is by Emma's side again.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I see your "toys" still aren't quite up to the task of defending against anything not from the motral plane
<Hollyhock God> "This is a notable improvement, in truth."
<Emma Graves-Margery> mortal*
<Hollyhock God> "Of course, nothing could stand against myself alone, but an army can still be formidable with the proper support."
<Hollyhock God> "Each of my soldiers has been modified to hold some of my own strength."
<Hollyhock God> "These devices alter brain functioning to increase intelligence and reaction time."
<Emma Graves-Margery> any lasting damage to the mortal pilots through these modifications?
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, my men are nearly as tough as I am."
<Hollyhock God> "I would not care to ruin a good tool through carelessness."
<Emma Graves-Margery> of course
<Hollyhock God> Titus is almost out the door on his way to Middle-Earth when Lady Katarina suddenly exclaims,
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, but we are keeping you too long. I know you have an appointment."
<Razzen> Drat.
<Seawaffle> did we have an appointment?
<Seawaffle> I don't remember…
<Hollyhock God> "I believe that if you hurry home, Miss D'Addio will not be kept waiting."
<tragicsmile> !
<Seawaffle> …
- * EmmaGraves suddenly perks up
<Hollyhock God> "She should reach your Chancel around seven this evening."
<tragicsmile> she's awfully early
<Seawaffle> well, this is an awkward thing…
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You really are on top of things.
<Hollyhock God> "Trust me."
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Thank you for the notice, Lady Katarina.
<Hollyhock God> "The world is a dangerous place, Titus. We who are its keepers must be aware."
<Hollyhock God> "I shall summon my siblings back here."
<Elias> "Oh my. Well then, I am afraid we must take your leave. I am deeply thankful of your hospitality, Lady Morrieux."
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Indeed it is.
<Hollyhock God> She reaches out with her voice and calls you all back to the tea room.
<Hollyhock God> Apparently she has some Realm invested.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Miller, I suppose Arda shall have to wait for another time.
<Hollyhock God> Miller: "It will always be waiting.'
<Hollyhock God> Saeko bids Wilgelm farewell and swims away.
<Bernardo> this visit certainly has been a pleasure, lady katarina, we will have to do it again at some point
<Hollyhock God> Emma, Van picks you up and carries you back to the tea room in the blink of an eye.
<Emma Graves-Margery> weeeee~
<Wilgelm> I don't suppose she could do anything about my suit first?
<Hollyhock God> Lady Katarina gives him a dirty look as he whisks into the room.
<Bernardo> hrm
<Hollyhock God> The properties of the realm, or some miracle by Saeko, leave you dry a few moments after leaving the sea.
- SimounElias keeps a poker face but is somewhat pleased by the conflict in the room
<Hollyhock God> Let's presume she just called the sea out of your suit.
<Wilgelm> Good, I'll return to the tea room without delay then.
<Hollyhock God> The Powers of Locus Blades bid you farewell. Any last words?
<Seawaffle> other than to thank them for the wonderful time, not really
<Emma Graves-Margery> I will learn your secrets on neural interfaces one day Van
<Emma Graves-Margery> just you wait!
<Elias> "We shall keep your warnings in mind, madam"
<Elias> "It would do us no good to not watch out for our new brother."
<Hollyhock God> All right then, so you make your way home?
<Seawaffle> yup
<tragicsmile> i've no complaints with that. I'm driving again, I presume
<Hollyhock God> All right, you make your way back to the University.
<Hollyhock God> B.U.T.
<Hollyhock God> About two hours out, you all recieve a jolt as the car begins to skid.
<Hollyhock God> What do you do?
<Razzen> Look out the window first.
<Seawaffle> well, simoun should be the one figuring out what's happening, friction boy that he is
<Elias> i try to divine what's wrong with the friction in the car
<Hollyhock God> Okay, Lesser Divination.
<Elias> and use a lesser change (should be 0 dmp due to my gift, no?) to keep traction
<Razzen> Your Domain is that high?
<tragicsmile> gift IIRC
<Hollyhock God> There's a considerable difference in the Friction pattern in one wheel compared to the other three.
<Hollyhock God> He has the Sovereign's Gift.
<Razzen> Nice.
<Wilgelm> I'll look out too. If we're in a woody area, I can perhaps do something should we run off the road.
<Hollyhock God> I guess you can use it to move friction and keep it moving forward.
<Hollyhock God> But if something is wrong, shouldn't it be fixed?
<Hollyhock God> Humans will notice if your car is running with only three tires.
<Elias> I pull over and take a look at the tire, I suppose
<Hollyhock God> You pull over to the side of the road.
<Hollyhock God> What side do Germans drive on?
<Elias> Wilgelm, do the trees tell us of anything amiss?
<Razzen> I think they drive on the right.
<tragicsmile> right IIRC
<Hollyhock God> Okay, you pull to the right and examine the front left tire, which is almost completely off the wheel.
<tragicsmile> by the way, increasing the friction between objects is lesser change or creation?
<Hollyhock God> It's studded through with purple gemstones piercing the rubber.
<Seawaffle> hmmm
<Seawaffle> crystal…
<Duty> is my domain 1 or 2?
<tragicsmile> same question for removing friction between objects - lesser change or destruction?
<Hollyhock God> 1
<Hollyhock God> Could be either.
<Razzen> Lucia, or her imposter
- SimounElias frowns and turns tense with realizatioin
<Duty> Okay, guess I'll spend an MP to answer Simoun's question
<Hollyhock God> If you just destroy or create friction, that's one or the other.
<Elias> *realization
<tragicsmile> gotcha
<Hollyhock God> But you can perform simple adjustments with your gift.
<Hollyhock God> A simple divination reveals nothing.
<Duty> Oh yeah
<Hollyhock God> However, you soon recieve visual confirmation.
<Duty> Estate-driven divination
<Hollyhock God> A rain of crystal rocks begins falling on you from the sky, looking exceedingly sharp.
<Hollyhock God> Actions?
- EmmaGraves crawls under the car
<Elias> I increase friction between the air and the crystals, slowing them drastically
<Seawaffle> hmm
<Hollyhock God> All right, the crystals begin to slow down just before reaching you, but they're still pretty sharp.
<Razzen> If I cause them to forget their tragectory is that not a subtle miracle?
<Hollyhock God> What are your Spirit's?
<Razzen> 2
<Elias> 2
<Seawaffle> 3
<Wilgelm> I'll go elemental
<Emma Graves-Margery> I make a sound with the crystal's resonant frequency, causing them to shatter
<Elias> having lost most of their kinetic energy due to friction, they shouldn't be going fast enough to puncture the car, no?
<Elias> of course, I'm still outside >_<
<Wilgelm> and 1
<Emma Graves-Margery> 2 iirc
<Hollyhock God> I was presuming you all got out to see what the problem was.
<Emma Graves-Margery> yeah
<Elias> oh
<Seawaffle> any sign of our assailant about?
<Razzen> If I was able to see the crystals in the tires, then yes.
<Hollyhock God> As it stands, the crystals begin to veer wildly, and strike and random points.
<Hollyhock God> Only Wilghelm takes damage as he bursts out of his suit with a mass of roots and branches.
<Hollyhock God> The others have them bounce away at a distance of about five feet.
<Wilgelm> i figured someone had it in for that suit
<Hollyhock God> Auctoritas apparently.
<Wilgelm> might as well give them the pleasure
<Razzen> When I get the chance I'm going to Divine the crystals' memory to see if they remember their point of origin.
<Elias> It wasn't that strong an attack, apparently
<Hollyhock God> Crystals came from just down the road, where Lucia is standing.
<Hollyhock God> She's right over there.
<Elias> how far away?
<Hollyhock God> You aren't sure when she appeared.
<Hollyhock God> About ten yards?
<Emma Graves-Margery> anyone else around?
<Seawaffle> hmmmm
<Elias> right over there indeed
<Hollyhock God> The ground shakes, and you have to adjust to avoid falling as a giant wall of crystal shakes out of the earth.
<Hollyhock God> A large oval forms down the road, separating Wilgelm and Lucia from the rest of you.
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, Lucia is running towards you with open arms.
<Elias> "Bernardo, can't you do anything about this…structure?"
<Hollyhock God> Bernardo, it seems to be just her and you guys.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Piccione, alter the geometry of this area.
<Hollyhock God> That would be a lesser change.
<Seawaffle> I can attempt to, but I'm not much of a domain fellow
<Hollyhock God> I don't think you have that much power.
<tragicsmile> he'll have to spend 3 dmp to do it :/
- EmmaGraves attempts to maintain communication with Wilgelm
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Hollyhock God> He'd have to spend eight.
<tragicsmile> oh
<Seawaffle> yeah, that's a no
<Hollyhock God> He has Domain 1.
<tragicsmile> my bad
<Titus Cornelius Naro> All right.
<tragicsmile> ugh
<Hollyhock God> Maybe if you spend four, you could destroy the geometric shapes of the crystal?
<Seawaffle> I'm useless outside of the chancel ;__;
<Hollyhock God> You can afford a destruction.
<Hollyhock God> Crystals rely on geometric structure to stand.
<Elias> that'll work
<Seawaffle> I'll do that then, good idea
<Hollyhock God> That's the difference between crystal and rock.
<Elias> if nothing else, I can climb up the wall
<Hollyhock God> Okay, I'll get back to you.
<Wilgelm> Does the oval have a roof?
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, Lucia clasps her arms around you and whispers "My love."
<tragicsmile> ohshi
<Hollyhock God> Yes, there is a roof.
<Seawaffle> secrets revealed~
<tragicsmile> waffle better be careful with destroying the structure, then - it could crush duty
<Hollyhock God> Well, he's wooden right now.
<tragicsmile> hot branch sex!
<Hollyhock God> Probably not going to be crushed.
<Seawaffle> I could shatter the whole damned thing into bits, no?
<Hollyhock God> All right, Bernardo's miracle causes the crystal wall to shatter.
<Duty> damn my slow typing
<Hollyhock God> There's a cloud of purple dust as rock particles settle.
<Duty> and need to look things up in the book
<Hollyhock God> Wilgelm, what are you doing?
<Duty> I guess he's stunned and didn't have time to react to anything
<tragicsmile> probably the cliche stunned standing harem lead thing
<tragicsmile> XD
<Hollyhock God> As the wind blows the crystal dust away…
<Titus Cornelius Naro> We want to keep track of our MPs by the way.
<Razzen> Sorry that should have been ooc.
<Hollyhock God> you find Wilgelm standing alone, a confused tree. There is no sign of Lucia.
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Wilgelm> I say "Do I know you?" to a patch of thin air
<Seawaffle> I'll kick on the sight
<Elias> I inspect Wilgelm for signs of damage
<Seawaffle> she could be all invisible
<Hollyhock God> Well, you do know her.
<tragicsmile> the safety of the staff is one of my bonds. :/
- EmmaGraves attempts communication with the crystal dust as to the whereabouts of Lucia
<Wilgelm> And probably leave tree mode
<Hollyhock God> The sight shows nothing, although it can't see through invisibility.
<Seawaffle> hmmph
<Hollyhock God> Creation of Communication?
<Hollyhock God> Penetration on that?
<Emma Graves-Margery> hrm
<Razzen> Checking the air's memories may work better.
<TheStupidOne> good point
<Duty> lesser creation + penetration would be expensive
<Seawaffle> hrm
<TheStupidOne> indeed
<Hollyhock God> The air spirits remember feeling her solid body collapse into dust and blow away.
<Wilgelm> Can I check if any trees around the world know anything about this love of mine?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Turn to dust and blow away with the wind.
<Seawaffle> wonder if she can turn herself into crystal?
<tragicsmile> that's what I was thinking
<Hollyhock God> That would be a Greater Divination.
<Seawaffle> she could have blended in with the dust
<TheStupidOne> not outside the realm of possiblity
<Hollyhock God> And why would trees know about her?
<Hollyhock God> Yes, she might have had that power.
<Wilgelm> Better not then
<Hollyhock God> Duty, you're familiar with her history, right?
<Razzen> Does the wind remember where it took that cloud of dust?
<TheStupidOne> are there any creatures about that could have witnessed her?
<Hollyhock God> It can't tell the Noble particles from the other ones.
<Hollyhock God> They're scattered.
<Razzen> True.
<Elias> I return to the task of changing out the tire while pondering this encounter
<Wilgelm> Yes, since she was in my Familia
<Wilgelm> I suppose I did know her
<Hollyhock God> You never were lovers that you know of.
<Hollyhock God> But you never really knew what she was thinking.
<TheStupidOne> something's amiss
<Wilgelm> Yes
<Hollyhock God> A mysterious type.
<TheStupidOne> why would she attack us, then declare her love?
<Hollyhock God> Tsundere?
<TheStupidOne> other than that =P
<Hollyhock God> Who knows?
<Elias> Cornelius, I will entrust these crystal fragments in the tire to you - perhaps you can divine from then when and where she was before we detected her?
<Elias> And if there was anybody or anything else around her
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I shall do my best.
<Wilgelm> I do remember her being a somewhat flighty woman in regard to romance
<Hollyhock God> Apparently the crystals were fired from a tree branch overhanging the road.
<Wilgelm> No experience, but lots and lots of rumors
<Hollyhock God> Right above the place where you first saw Lucia.
<Wilgelm> Is that a divination opportunity for me?
<Hollyhock God> You'd have to break her Auctoritas.
<Hollyhock God> Want to try?
<Elias> remember she's a sunfire.
<Bernardo> well, this whole nonsense is going to be quite troublesome…hmmph
<Hollyhock God> I think Simoun has the tire replaced by now.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> We ought to head back to campus.
<Hollyhock God> Shouldn't take long for an Aspected type.
- EmmaGraves is still quite shaken from the encounter
<Hollyhock God> I guess this is your first Noble combat.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You'll get used to it my dear.
<Wilgelm> No, it would cost a lot of MP and the tree might not tell me much
<Hollyhock God> And I'm only about half done with the things I had planned for this session.
- Piccione is a little irritated that he unwittingly provided the "getaway vehicle"
<Hollyhock God> Do we want to go any farther?
<Wilgelm> They don't pay that much attention to the world in a human timeframe
<tragicsmile> I've no problem with that
<Razzen> I'm fine with it.
<Hollyhock God> All right, let's take a short break whle I count out MPs and similar.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Well we've learned something more about our adversary at least.
<tragicsmile> Not necessarily us: do we know what Lucia whispered to Wilhelm?
<tragicsmile> hooray for dramatic irony, I guess
<Razzen> Well we know that she can turn herself into crystal now.
<TheStupidOne> can you query the air for the memories of the words Lucia spoke?
<Elias> oh, well, that should be a given
<Seawaffle> we have a good idea that she can turn herself into crystal
<Hollyhock God> He can tell you if he likes.
<Seawaffle> we know nothing for sure
<Wilgelm> If not, I explain what happened, and try to convince them that as far as I knew we were nothing to one another
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Well you were Familia, that is something after all.
<Hollyhock God> All right, you can discuss it on the way back.
<Wilgelm> Fellow Powers, and I had a few conversations with her about geology. Purely technical.
<Bernardo> one can mean love in many different ways, i suppose, i mean, you were familia
<Elias> About how the territory was just perfect for an ambush, Drevidnovich?
<Hollyhock God> You should make it home just in time for your appointment with Rosa, if the Frost's-Regal's prediction is correct.
- SimounElias smirks wryly
<tragicsmile> oh, he's explaining the extent of her relationship with him. my bad then
<tragicsmile> I thought he was telling us that about what happened in the crystal dome.
<tragicsmile> ugh multitasking
<Razzen> Nah, go with it.
<Duty> tragicsmile: both
<Hollyhock God> Of course, you should also consider why it's unusual for a Power to confess her love.
<Wilgelm> Our familia was hardly close enough to warrant an attack on other Nobilis for my sake
<Wilgelm> I have nothing to say to Simoun
<Razzen> Well yeah.
<Bernardo> hrm
<Seawaffle> well, is it the intent of the love that is meant, or is all love prohibited
- SimounElias keeps silent and listens while he keeps his eyes on the road
<Hollyhock God> At any rate, you've almost reached home when all your cellphones go off at once.
<Razzen> Only the loyalty to one's Imperator and Familia is allowed for, and de facto with Anchors.
<Seawaffle> I mean, I love a good brandy, is that illegal?
<Hollyhock God> My interpreation is that romantic love is the major prohibition.
<Razzen> Love between people.
<Emma Graves-Margery> brandy~
<Elias> You'll have to take your calls, I drive horribly enough
<Hollyhock God> That's the one that Lord Entropy punishes, at any rate.
- TitusCornel answers the phone, Ahoy-hoy?
<Hollyhock God> Either the other ones aren't against the Code or are too minor to bother with.
- Piccione answers his phone
- EmmaGraves puts on her headset and answers
<Hollyhock God> You've all recieved pictures by mail.
<Bernardo> i hate these damned cellphones, getting messages at all hours…
<Hollyhock God> Two files each, bearing two Designs which you don't recognize.
<Elias> visitors?
<Hollyhock God> They're both pulsing.
- Wilgelm takes a while to figure out his cell phone, he's never used one before.
<Hollyhock God> This is consistent with the Rite of Annunciation.
<Bernardo> hmmmm
<Wilgelm> I should know which plants are illustrated in the designs
<Hollyhock God> And Rosa should be just about to arrive as well.
<Wilgelm> Unless they're terribly stylized
<Seawaffle> not even razzen recognizes them?
<Hollyhock God> One is red Poppy and blue Hyacinth, and the other is Mimosa and Goldenrod.
<Hollyhock God> The first has the flowers twining around the reverse side of a Tarot card.
<Hollyhock God> The other has them growing out of the eyes of a tragedy mask.
<Razzen> Well my Domain should remember whose flowers those Domains are associated with at least.
<Wilgelm> Or their meanings
<Hollyhock God> Poppy symbolizes pleasure and extravagance.
<Hollyhock God> Blue hyacinth is for constancy
<Hollyhock God> In any case, you seem to recall that they belong to powers from an adjacent Realm on the Tree…
<Razzen> And the other two?
<Wilgelm> Odd combination
<Hollyhock God> whose Chancel is linked to Earth in some way.
<Razzen> How fascinating.
<Hollyhock God> I note that one flower in a design is the Estate, and the other is the Power.
<Razzen> Right.
<Hollyhock God> Anyway, you never bothered to find out much about them.
<Elias> destiny?
<Bernardo> hmmm…too many things happening in one day. irritating, to say the least
<Wilgelm> I had better go put some clothes on
<Hollyhock God> Goldenrod is Precaution.
<Wilgelm> If we're home yet
<tragicsmile> in any case, where does d'addario plan to meet us?
<Hollyhock God> And Mimosa is Sensitivity.
<Hollyhock God> ts: you don't know
<Razzen> I'll make the car remember the fastest way home.
<Razzen> If time is of the essence.
<Hollyhock God> You're almost inside the Chancel.
<Elias> "Emotion, I guess"
<Razzen> Okay then, nevermind.
<Hollyhock God> What do you plan to do.
- Piccione is keeping the sight on
<Elias> well, first things first: I feed Medusa. <3
<Razzen> Well all right, I definitely want to know who these new Powers are.
<Hollyhock God> Nobody along the road seems to be a Power.
<Wilgelm> I forgot, is our chancel still high-technology?
<Hollyhock God> Of course, what method of transport otherworldly Powers may take is unknown.
- EmmaGraves goes to her room and hides for a while
<Hollyhock God> Wil: It has the knowledge available, but as yet it is unused.
<Hollyhock God> So what are you going to do?
<Wilgelm> I make a note to see if there's a fabric that can accomodate both my human and tree forms
<Wilgelm> And put on something respectable
<Seawaffle> well, would we know their point of entrance?
<Razzen> Someone needs to be on the lookout for Rosa.
<Hollyhock God> All right, tell me what you're all going to do.
<Hollyhock God> Remember, Rosa wants to meet your new Familia members.
<Elias> I suppose I can take Medusa for a walk outside Wilgelm's quarters
<Seawaffle> is it possible to use realm to tell where these powers are entering?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Well all right, I'll be the welcoming party.
<Hollyhock God> If you pierce their Auctoritas you might be able to spot them with constant Divination.
<Hollyhock God> Do you have a favored scrying method?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Wil, Emma, you can meet us in the quad when you're ready to talk to the Cammorra woman.
- EmmaGraves does not look enthusiastic
<Seawaffle> nah, hadn't thought of how I'd scry…
<Wilgelm> I had better go to the meeting, though I'm a bit shaken by the strange events on the way home
<Seawaffle> water?
<Seawaffle> fountain nearby?
<Titus Cornelius Naro> You'll be fine. I'm more concerned about what she'll say to Wil.
<Elias> I watch Medusa romp around in the quad while calling janina up on the phone, telling her to check on Tildegran's mortal form to see if she needs anything
<Hollyhock God> Sure, you can use the fountain in the quad.
<Hollyhock God> Or a pocket mirror, or whatever.
<tragicsmile> we haven't quite decided what Tildegran's mortal form is, have we?
- EmmaGraves goes begrudgingly
<Wilgelm> The angles of shadows, perhaps?
<Seawaffle> what's it going to take to do this scrying?
<Wilgelm> Or is that too logical?
<Hollyhock God> Well, Lesser Divination will spot them (probably)
<Duty> (should have been OOC)
<Hollyhock God> if you give it enough penetration to beat the Noble's Auctoritas.
<Seawaffle> guh, I'm still real sketchy on mechanics…
<Hollyhock God> And if you are constantly watching the perimeter.
<Hollyhock God> If you use a hard miracle, you can give it Penetration 3.
<Wilgelm> Anyway, once dressed I'll join the others in the quad
<Seawaffle> how many points would I need for something like that?
<Hollyhock God> 2
<Hollyhock God> RMPs.
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Seawaffle> I think I'll pass
<Seawaffle> I don't know if it's going to come down to a rumble here
<Hollyhock God> All right, so you all wait in the quad.
<Seawaffle> and if it is, I need some rmp
<Hollyhock God> Shall you instruct your secretary to send Rosa there if she calls?
- EmmaGraves is dressed rather hapazardly, still clearly shaken
<Razzen> Please do.
<Seawaffle> yeah
<Elias> yes, that would be appropriate
- SimounElias did not bother to dress out of his dress clothes
<Duty> something you should ask: does Rosa have a habit of being indirect like this
<Duty> Wilgelm doesn't know of course
<Elias> they look rather interesting, what with all the crystal powder in them.
<Duty> that 70's look
<Hollyhock God> She acts flaky, but she is a member of the magic mafia.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> She's a very smooth operator.
<Elias> XD
<Hollyhock God> There must be something behind it.
- Piccione definitely doesn't trust rosa
<Hollyhock God> All right, Rosa arrives precisely at the time indicated by Lady Katarina.
<Seawaffle> which makes me wonder how katarina knew that shit
<Hollyhock God> She leaps on Titus and enfolds him in a warm embrace.
<Duty> alone?
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, darlings!"
<Hollyhock God> Yes, just her.
<tragicsmile> uncannily accurate, that woman is
- TitusCornel gives her a pat on the back but tries to maintain his dignity.
<Elias> "good evening to you, madame d'addio"
- EmmaGraves looks at Rosa with a curious look
<Hollyhock God> She transfers the hug to Simoun.
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, you are always so forrrmal, my darling!"
<Bernardo> evening, rosa
<Hollyhock God> She's got a pretty thick accent.
- SimounElias smiles warmly and hugs back
<Wilgelm> I'll nod politely and try to stand close enough to be respectful, but out of hugging distance
<Hollyhock God> She returns Bernardo's greeting without returning the hug.
<Hollyhock God> I guess she knows better.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I can't help it, it was the way I was raised.
<Hollyhock God> She laughs.
<Hollyhock God> "But you must introduce me to the new memberrrs of yourrr family!"
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Of course. This lovely young woman is the new Domina Communicationis.
<Razzen> Emma-Graves what?
<Duty> Margery
<Hollyhock God> "Indeed, she is nearly as lovely as myself!"
- Piccione pays more attention scanning about the quad with the sight, letting titus do the introductions
- EmmaGraves huffs at her statement
<Hollyhock God> Bernardo, you're starting to sense a disruption in the Realm.
<Seawaffle> do I know where?
<Hollyhock God> It seems like a wild party somewhere off to the side of the quad.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Emma has big shoes to fill but we know she will do just fine.
<Hollyhock God> A really big wild party.
<Hollyhock God> "And this is the tragic son who comes to you in his hour of need."
<Hollyhock God> She leaps on Wilgelm this time.
- EmmaGraves attempts to listen in on the party
<Bernardo> excuse me for a second rosa, i need to attend to a small matter
<Titus Cornelius Naro> No need for introductions here I'm sure.
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, indeed he is solid like a tree, just as I have heard.
<Hollyhock God> So you slip off to check?
<Seawaffle> yeah, I slip off, going invisible on the way
<Hollyhock God> All right, in the location you sensed the disturbance there's a gigantic celebration.
<Seawaffle> I've still got the sight going
<Hollyhock God> You're pretty sure it wasn't there when you returned to the Chancel.
- Wilgelm greets the woman awkwardly. It seems like her introductions are quite one-sided.
<Hollyhock God> There's a hundred or so students drinking heavily out of kegs and similar, and fires, and loud music.
<Seawaffle> hrm
<Hollyhock God> It seems to be getting a little out of control.
<Razzen> I can't remember the latin word for wood.
<Seawaffle> maybe I should contact campus security
<Hollyhock God> You estimate it will reach "bacchanalia" level in about twenty minutes.
<Hollyhock God> litmus?
<Hollyhock God> lignum?
<Seawaffle> yeah, I call security to break it up
<Hollyhock God> All right, security quickly arrives in response.
<Seawaffle> anything registering on the sight?
<Hollyhock God> No sooner have they entered the area when the guards head straight for the kegs.
<Razzen> Right, Lignum, -i, n.
<Seawaffle> hrmmmmmm
<Hollyhock God> The Sight draws you to a man and a woman standing toward the center of the festivities.
- SimounElias mutters utter his breath while staring at the party out of the corners of his eyes "no better way to propagate excesses, I guess."
<Hollyhock God> They aren't participating, and they're standing right under a light pole.
<Hollyhock God> Are the rest of you moving toward the party, or keeping out of it?
<Razzen> Titus is going to have his work cut out for him later when purging the memories of this from the students.
<Elias> Excuse me Madame-errr, Rosa, I believe we have some rather unexpected guests.
- Piccione slides out of invisibility behind the two
<Razzen> Well, long as they just remember it as a kegger and don't notice the Powers in their midst.
<Hollyhock God> "Really? I would love to meet yourrr guests!"
<tragicsmile> the cranky old math professor in the middle of a keg party. now I've seen everything.
<Hollyhock God> As you get closer, you realize that the two Powers are definitely otherworldly.
- Wilgelm is not a party person, but doesn't yet know whether these sorts of parties are an unusual thing on campus.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> My lady, do not forget our business.
<Hollyhock God> They have the tufted eyebrows and almond eyes associated with the fey.
- EmmaGraves joins in the party, much to the dismay of the others
<Wilgelm> If Simoun and the lot move off, I follow.
<Elias> Titus, I believe everyone else has. :/
<Hollyhock God> "Business? I am certainly here for pleasure, as I am enjoying myself so!"
- Piccione taps the man on the shoulder
<Hollyhock God> Also, they're dressed in robes made of aquamarine and melancholy.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Sigh.
<Hollyhock God> They turn in response to your greeting, and their eyes open fully in recognition.
<Hollyhock God> "Ah," says the man.
<Bernardo> pardon me, i don't believe we've been quite introduced
<Hollyhock God> "I had hoped to find the Warden of this place. It seems quite overrun."
<Elias> I tell Medusa to stay in the quad, as she seems fully content to just lie there like she always does. I then head towards the party
<Hollyhock God> All right, everyone heads for the party, Rosa following along happily.
<tragicsmile> I just <3 basset hounds.
<Bernardo> it would be appreciated if you could possibly…rein in the festivities a tad
<Hollyhock God> "I do not appreciate being laughed at." the man tells you.
<Hollyhock God> "And he never will," says the woman dreamilly.
<Seawaffle> erm
<Seawaffle> did any of us laugh?
<Hollyhock God> "I will introduce myself."
<TheStupidOne> I might have… seeing how I've joined the party
<Hollyhock God> "I am known to the beings of this world as the Marquis in Lavender."
<Hollyhock God> "Power of Abandon."
<Hollyhock God> "My sister, the Power of Foresight, is called the Mask of White Tears."
<Hollyhock God> Our true names we keep to ourselves, according to the custom of our realm."
<Bernardo> well, your visit is quite a pleasant surprise. i am bernardo piccione, power of geometry
- SimounElias heads straight for Bernardo and the two guests
<Hollyhock God> "I recognized your mathematical essence immediately, friend Bernardo."
<Hollyhock God> The woman says "And these are your brethren. And their dog."
<Bernardo> that they are
- Piccione introduces everyone
<tragicsmile> :/ my dog is being lazy in the quad, but I guess she tags along if BFP says she does
<Hollyhock God> No, Medusa is still in the quad.
<Emma Graves-Margery> I'm *hick* Emma, power of communication
- Piccione frowns
<Hollyhock God> The Mask of White Tears comes to take Emma's hand.
<Hollyhock God> She says "You'll come to a bad end if you can't control your drinking,
child."
<Seawaffle> ha
<Emma Graves-Margery> I can hold my own =P
- EmmaGraves tips a little
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Ah youth, wasted on the young.
<Hollyhock God> The Marquis is exchanging greetings with the rest of you.
<Hollyhock God> "It seems the wildlife of your Ward is somewhat… unrestrained."
<Hollyhock God> "I regret I was forced to take strong steps.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> I think he means our students, Piccione.
<Bernardo> yes, i'm getting that notion
<Hollyhock God> "Do they commonly run free like this?"
<tragicsmile> unrestrained?
<Bernardo> yes, it's the general practice
<tragicsmile> gotta love the otherworld perspective
<Hollyhock God> "They lack knowledge of the appropriate courtesy for a being of my stature."
<Hollyhock God> "I hope their loss will not trouble you."
<Bernardo> they are not servants, marquis
<Hollyhock God> "These are all your progeny?"
<Bernardo> it would be appreciated if you could possibly return them to normal
<Bernardo> no, they are students, all of us are teachers
<Hollyhock God> "They hardly seem worth the effort. Your Noble essence seems to have rubbed off on them not at all."
<Hollyhock God> "As it pleases you."
<Hollyhock God> He waves a hand vaguely.
<Hollyhock God> "So you are engaged in the 'evolution', are you?
<Seawaffle> do we know what he means by this?
<Hollyhock God> He seems to connect teaching with breeding new life forms.
<Hollyhock God> Improving the gene pool, so to speak.
<Hollyhock God> Titus, Rosa is talking to you.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Yes?
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, but I did not know that you were knowing the Powers of the Twisted Henge!"
<Hollyhock God> "Are you keeping secrrrets frrrom me, Titus?"
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Actually this is news to me as well my dear, they had just Announced themselves to us today.
<Bernardo> we're not quite involved in any sort of evolution in a literal sense, marquis, we tend to…blend in, a bit
<Hollyhock God> "Ah, they never visit me…"
- EmmaGraves sneezes
<Hollyhock God> "Is that not a grave restriction on your Noble essences? To live among the masses of your world?"
<Elias> "At least we hope we provoke an evolution of thought and learning through our teachings, but nothing more."
<Bernardo> we here prefer a more…subtle approach when it comes to the "masses"
<Hollyhock God> Rosa: They arrre the grreatest gossips in Creation, and also the best poker playerrrs.
<Hollyhock God> R: I believe their Chancel opens onto Berlin somewherrre.
<Titus Cornelius Naro> Interesting. Perhaps we shall have a game then, if they so choose.
<Razzen> Hmm…
<Hollyhock God> The Marquis nods gravely "We must all make sacrifices in our service to Creation."
<Hollyhock God> "It recently occured to us that we had never paid a call upon you, and we set out to remedy this."
<Bernardo> well, we are quite honored to have you
<Hollyhock God> They seem to be waiting for something.
<Elias> We thank you for your thoughtfulness.
<Seawaffle> is there any particular courtesy we should know about?
- EmmaGraves seems rather intrigued by the new guests
<Hollyhock God> I think feeding them might be appropriate.
<Seawaffle> ahh
<Elias> Would you care to have a seat and dinner somewhere, where we can discuss in relative peace?
<Hollyhock God> So, you invite them to dinner.
<Hollyhock God> Where at?
<tragicsmile> where are the good places in the area?
<Seawaffle> I'd imagine we have a decent conference room or something that we use to entertain…
<TheStupidOne> how about that cafe
<Hollyhock God> kekekeke
<Razzen> Was just going to suggest that.
<Hollyhock God> Good idea.
<Hollyhock God> All right, I think we can stop here.
<Hollyhock God> It's 1:35 on the East Coast.
<Duty> yeah, was getting tired
<Razzen> Yeah it is kinda late.
<tragicsmile> I was trying to avoid something implicitly connected with Lucia's appearance, but BFP seems to want to go with it. :p
<Duty> as evidenced by my utter silence
<tragicsmile> That was fun :3
- EmmaGraves yawnsssss
<Hollyhock God> Next week we can start the Dinner Party of Disaster.
<Duty> good session
<tragicsmile> >_<
<Seawaffle> damn you and your parties
<Emma Graves-Margery> ut time!
<Hollyhock God> I'm sorry if the combat part was a little clumsy.
<tragicsmile> Waffle: I should be at one right now >_<
<Razzen> Eh it was fine.
<Seawaffle> I don't get invited to parties ;;
<tragicsmile> nah, I thought the combat part was fine
<Hollyhock God> Also it's hard to keep you all occupied while I have you split up.
<tragicsmile> Waffle: not so much of parties but "drinking at a friend's place"
<Seawaffle> my rp character gets more socializing than me ;;
<Razzen> You're only one person after all.
<Duty> yeah, i was impressed by that
<Emma Graves-Margery> I got drunk a lot =/
<tragicsmile> BFP: I second razzen - it's rather hard to manage three groups at a time like you did at the tea party
<Hollyhock God> Well, it's dinner with five human Powers, two fey Powers with homicidal tendencies, and a magical Mafiosi.
<Hollyhock God> Should end well.
<Seawaffle> fun times
- HollyhockGod is now known as BFP
<Emma Graves-Margery> more drinking!
<Seawaffle> I'm a little surprised that all of us are human…
<tragicsmile> everyone should watch their step then - commiting a noble crime with a member of the camorra around is asking for a beating
<Razzen> Well Duty's is more of an ent.
<BFP> A man/woman/tree.
<Seawaffle> I suppose
<BFP> Which makes is affair with the rock girl even more complicatied.
<tragicsmile> a sexy beast of a man/woman/tree, I suppose, given Lucia
<BFP> That means their love is techically a threesome.
<Razzen> Well, trolls (rock creatures) were bastardized ents after all.
<Razzen> Can you tell I wanted to talk with Gandalf? :P
<tragicsmile> In any case, i find it intriguing that katrina would know so much about the movement of the camorra
<BFP> One of these days.
<BFP> Well, it's not a bad idea for a Noble to keep tabs on them.
<tragicsmile> true
<BFP> Lady Katarina is close to the top of the Noble social hierarchy.
<tragicsmile> I guess there is much about the noble world that I still have to learn
<BFP> I think we had some fun with the tea party scenario.
<BFP> Next time I'll try to have some more fighting.
<tragicsmile> Also, that combat encounter was something I had already played through in my head - I just don't know how I can use it offensively
<Razzen> I'm always concerned about how I'm going to fight without making what I do obvious.
<BFP> Yeah, your Gift will let you alter the amounts of Friction in surfaces by moving the friction around.
<BFP> You can think up some ways to use it creatively.
<Seawaffle> I'm always concerned about how I'm going to fight period…
<tragicsmile> and I guess stopping the crystals in midair is a tad too expensive for me right now
<BFP> Yeah, you can stop as many attacks as she can throw.
<BFP> *can't
<BFP> She's a Duchess.
<tragicsmile> ugh
<BFP> Well, I leave you to think about it.
<BFP> My typing fingers ache.
<tragicsmile> also, I'm still a bit in the dark as to what tildegran's mortal form is
<Seawaffle> she's a doll
<BFP> A lady drinking tea in an office somewhere?
<tragicsmile> given that it's my second strongest bond, I should know what I'm supposed to be taking care of
<BFP> decide amongst yourselves
<tragicsmile> ah
<Razzen> So, character point?
<BFP> okay
<BFP> one point for everyone
<BFP> anybody care to spend any now?
<Razzen> Yes, the Worldwalker gift that I wanted last time.
<BFP> kk
<TheStupidOne> what do you suggest… since I have 5 char points
<Razzen> I should have remembered Wayfinder when we were trying to find the Locus Blades. :P
<Seawaffle> I think i'ma keep mine until next time, for an attribute upgrade
<BFP> I spent yours on Aspect and Immutable, but you can change, I guess.
<tragicsmile> thanks a lot razzen :p
<Razzen> Anytime.
<tragicsmile> hm, I can't shift spent CP around, no?
<BFP> No.
<BFP> Unless the HG made your char for you.
<tragicsmile> ah
<Seawaffle> ha
<Razzen> Could always get a gift, TSO, or save up one more CP to buy two attribute points.
<tragicsmile> what changes can I make besides spending CP?
<tragicsmile> gotcha~
<BFP> you can upgrade stuff if that's possible
<TheStupidOne> I'll think about it for next session
<BFP> okay.
<tragicsmile> I was aiming for a realm or a domain upgrade, but that will take me one more
<BFP> if you make changes, just post your new sheet
<BFP> yes, you guys could do with having at least one domain specialist
<Seawaffle> I'm thinking of a realm or spirit boost as well…
<tragicsmile> I was aiming to specialize in domain, actually
<BFP> okay then, i'll add more character points to your sheets for now
<Seawaffle> I think it's fairly obvious that I'm never going to be a domain guy…
<tragicsmile> adding more domain attributes will eventually nullify my mastery; can I upgrade that as well?
<tragicsmile> hm, I guess not, given that it takes me no MP to do the lesser changes
<Razzen> Spirit is always useful.
<tragicsmile> oh yeah
<BFP> if you all become defensive, i'll have to pump up the antagonist's destructive power to match
<BFP> at least duty is a paper tiger'
<BFP> fierce but fragile
<tragicsmile> >_<
<BFP> he could do with more domain
<BFP> wood can do fun things
<tragicsmile> she likes hurting the men she loves
<tragicsmile> into S&M much?
<BFP> you have never heard so
<Razzen> Don't make the trees mad.
<BFP> all right, this concludes our session for the week.
<BFP> i'm really happy with how it turned out