Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6 Prologs - part 1 (Note: Intermixed with these were Spin Off stories for Roland and Morgan, and for Mike's characters. Those have been taken to separate files for ease of reading.) Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 00:14:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue On Wed, 25 Aug 1999 23:44:32 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007043 L.J. Wolfe wrote: >"So, what _are_ they wearing on Tatooine this season?" Morgan asks as >they approach the X-Window. > > Roland shrugs. "Whatever it is, between my morph armor and your >Power Ring, we can be wearing it by the time anyone there sees us..." > FWASH > Roland and Morgan will return... (OOC: this looks like as good a place as any to insert myself) With a soft "bamf," a figure appears at the chalk line. It appears to be a man in his early to mid 30's, dressed in vaguely medieval clothing. Anybody looking at him with magic detection active has to blink away tears: just about everything he's wearing is magical at some level or another. He takes a slow look around, his gaze finally stopping at the babble box (TV) gathering dust in the corner. Upon seeing this, he starts muttering in a liquid language (curses in Faerunian Elvish, in case anybody's interested) then switches to English. "The Shady Dragon Inn, I said. It's a dimensional nexus, I said. Got the best brew this side of Ysgard, I said. You can't miss it, I said. Damn the expenses, next time I go to Elminster to get a plane shift! The Shady Dragon Inn does NOT have a vidscreen." At that, he steps up to the bar and quietly asks Mike where the hell he is. ================================= Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 11:32:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Tue, 31 Aug 1999 14:06:41 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007055 On Wed, 25 Aug 1999 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said >"The Shady Dragon Inn, I said. It's a dimensional nexus, I said. >Got the best brew this side of Ysgard, I said. You can't miss it, I >said. Damn the expenses, next time I go to Elminster to get a plane >shift! The Shady Dragon Inn does NOT have a vidscreen." At that, he >steps up to the bar and quietly asks Mike where the hell he is. There's a small thunderclap sound behind Harlock. "Actually, around here, we call it a Television." Assuming that he turns around, he'll see a 5' 7" late twenty something male dressed predominantly in black; a bulky black dress shirt, a bulky black vest with multi-colored ribbons running verticaly down it, urban camo pants, and a pair of black cross-trainers. His face makes a person think of a road-kill racoon, in addtion he has a salt and pepper mustache and a currly head of hair that would do Tom Baker proud, albeit the afct that it's dirty blond and not brunette. "Please don't mind us AAEers. We're a bit fragmented at the moment. It's understandable, this is at least the second time we've gone up against a vilanious trans-dimensional mastermind who arranged most of our conflicts as delaying tactics while they bided their time and stockpiled their assets. All the while, none of us knew what to expect or who we are fighting against." The individual pauses as, from behind the bar, Mike hands him what looks like a Whiskey and Coke, on the rocks. The big Irish barkeep made an arcane, swirling motion over the glass, and the individual nodded, as if understanding a secret joke between the two. "Besides, I think that, in addition, to the moral conflicts that my brother Roland is obviously suffering from, he's also got a major case of burnout. He realy didn't want the command position from the begining of this mess, but the rest of us kinda foisted it upon him. I can't say that I envy him, even though I am supposed to be the second-in-command, but, as we''ve said before trying to keep this group in some semblance of order is like riding herd on a pack of cats." At this point he probably notices the expression on Harlock's face, no doubt reflecting the fact that the Bard wonders who this person is and why they're babbling at him fast enough to break a landspeed record. "Oh, I'm sorry," he sticks his hand out to Harlock, who will definetly notice the Green Lantern Power-Ring being worn on it, "Martin Gerster. I'm the self-appointed head and sole member of the AAE "Be kind to Newbies" Committee. Not to mention, I'm also the RL alter ego of Dhyrclhanc the Sentinel/Lensdragon. Who is, however, currently absent from the current continuity. Mostly due to fact that, in RL I've moved back in with my folks. A pleasure to meet you." His hand continues to hang out in mid-air. ================================= Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 01:33:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Wed, 01 Sep 1999 01:25:22 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007059 Gerster wrote: >There's a small thunderclap sound behind Harlock. > >"Actually, around here, we call it a Television." "A television? Then it is not a communications device?" >"Please don't mind us AAEers. We're a bit fragmented at the moment. >It's understandable, this is at least the second time we've gone up >against a vilanious trans-dimensional mastermind who arranged most of >our conflicts as delaying tactics while they bided their time and >stockpiled their assets. All the while, none of us knew what to >expect or who we are fighting against." "Ah! Then you are adventurers! Pleased to meet you. I am Harlock, a Faerunian bard of some repute. Would you be at all interested in having a bard along to chronicle your next adventure or three?" >At this point he probably notices the expression on Harlock's face, >no doubt reflecting the fact that the Bard wonders who this person is >and why they're babbling at him fast enough to break a landspeed >record. ooc: not really. In some (fairly large) parts of Faerun Harlock's famous enough to have groupies swarm him. Fortunately, the hat on his head is a hat of disguise, so he doesn't usually have to put up with being recognized and swarmed. Still, having people talk a mile a minute at him is unfortunately commonplace. If anything, he's stifling a yawn. >"Oh, I'm sorry," he sticks his hand out to Harlock, who will >definetly notice the Green Lantern Power-Ring being worn on it, >"Martin Gerster. I'm the self-appointed head and sole member of the >AAE "Be kind to Newbies" Committee. Not to mention, I'm also the RL >alter ego of Dhyrclhanc the Sentinel/Lensdragon. Who is, however, >currently absent from the current continuity. Mostly due to fact >that, in RL I've moved back in with my folks. A pleasure to meet >you." > >His hand continues to hang out in mid-air. The bard takes Martin's hand in a carefully measured grip. "Pleased to meet you, as I said. Now, as to having me accompany you on your journeys..." ================================= Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 08:33:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Wed, 1 Sep 1999 11:16:34 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007060 >On Wed, 01 Sep '99 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said > >>"Dhyrclhanc" wrote: >> >>"Actually, around here, we call it a Television." > >"A television? Then it is not a communications device?" "Nope. As a matter of fact, we hardly use it as a source of entertainment around here at all. Especialy as we tend to make our own entertainment, ourselves, anyway." "Mike, get me another one of these, and get Harlock, here, one of whatever he's having. Put 'em both on my Tab." (insert Harlock's comments here) The Mick 'O Time shakes his head, but smiles and begins to mix the drinks. >>His hand continues to hang out in mid-air. >> >The bard takes Martin's hand in a carefully measured grip. "Pleased >to meet you, as I said. Now, as to having me accompany you on your >journeys..." Martin's grip is light, but firm, not unlike many artisians or craftsmen Harlock might have known. If Harlock has any measure of "mage-sight" or sensitivity to energies akin to magick, then he'll get the distinct impression that the ring is probably one of, if not the, most spectacular font of this kind of energy he's ever encountered. "Well, as for bards, small "b", we've got kind of a 'perminent spell' cast on all of us by Morgan, our charter Druid, which sorta chroncles our stories for us. The only other Bard, capitol "B" we've ever had would be my avatar -- Dhyrclhanc -- and he's MIA at the moment." "Of course as a Bard, you'd bring along a certain amount of Mage abilities, which we are in short supply of. Xzerrion(sp?) is our charter Mage, an Illusionist actually. But he's currently married *and* semi-retired. Although I'm sure he's still lurking about somewheres." Martin pauses, looking up into the rafters, then shouts, "Hey! R'ylentar(sp?)! You up there, Drow?! Then, back to Harlock, "Xzerrion's a cognate of the individual you probably know as Drizzt, the Drow Ranger. But, like I said before, Dhyrclhanc is MIA and *he's* an Elementalist and an apprentice Techo-Mage.Fuzzy is also a Mage, although mostly a Master-level Elementalist and Techno-Mage, but he's kinda Dead at the moment." "Faerun, you say? I haven't been there in a dogs age. My last avatar of any import was Dell Altwine, currently of Shadowdale -- the most powerfull known Hierophant Druid in the Realms. Of course, I don't if you come from that version of Aber-Toril, or not." "If it were up to me, I'd say that you were in but, as I said before, I'm not realy supposed to be here. The only official XO here is our ex-Time Lord and Technomage, Michael Seven." He points to a gathering of three people in another corner of the place, deep in discusion, and points out a tale male human(?) in a leather jacket(?). "Hey, Mike? We got a newcomer over here, he'd like to become the newest recruit to our misbegotten Champions of Light. Can you spare a moment?" ================================= Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 01:03:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Thu, 02 Sep 1999 00:33:25 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007061 Gerster wrote: >>"A television? Then it is not a communications device?" > >"Nope. As a matter of fact, we hardly use it as a source of >entertainment around here at all. Especialy as we tend to make our >own entertainment, ourselves, anyway." > >"Mike, get me another one of these, and get Harlock, here, one of >whatever he's having. Put 'em both on my Tab." "Mead will do nicely. I thank you, good sir." >If Harlock has any measure of "mage-sight" or sensitivity to energies >akin to magick, then he'll get the distinct impression that the ring >is probably one of, if not the, most spectacular font of this kind of >energy he's ever encountered. ooc: Well, yes, but he has to invoke it (the Detect Magic spell)...and he's not likely to bother unless he sees something that appears magical. >"Of course as a Bard, you'd bring along a certain amount of Mage >abilities, which we are in short supply of. Xzerrion(sp?) is our >charter Mage, an Illusionist actually. But he's currently married >*and* semi-retired. Although I'm sure he's still lurking about >somewheres." "Well, yes, I can turn a spell or two. As a bard, however, my main concern is music--which is the magic of the soul." >Then, back to Harlock, "Xzerrion's a cognate of the individual you >probably know as Drizzt, the Drow Ranger. "I've met Drizz't, actually. You say this Xzerrion is an analogue of Drizz't? Is he from an alternate Prime Material plane, then?" >"Faerun, you say? I haven't been there in a dogs age. My last avatar >of any import was Dell Altwine, currently of Shadowdale -- the most >powerfull known Hierophant Druid in the Realms. Of course, I don't if >you come from that version of Aber-Toril, or not." Harlock shrugs. "'Tis possible, I suppose. I'm not especially familiar with any of the druidic orders, let alone their internal hierarchies." >"If it were up to me, I'd say that you were in but, as I said before, >I'm not realy supposed to be here. The only official XO here is our >ex-Time Lord and Technomage, Michael Seven." "Very well, then. I shall be pleased to meet you all." ================================= Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 16:27:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Fri, 3 Sep 1999 15:31:27 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007063 >On Wed, 1 Sep 1999 11:16:34 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007060 >"If it were up to me, I'd say that you were in but, as I said before, >I'm not realy supposed to be here. The only official XO here is our >ex-Time Lord and Technomage, Michael Seven." > >He points to a gathering of three people in another corner of the >place, deep in discusion, and points out a tale male human(?) in a >leather jacket(?). Mike, a few God's Blessings after his arrival in the Place, is sitting across from Tink, both engaged in a competitive game of Tetris to see who'll buy the next round. From the start, the sixteen year old Tinkerbell is ahead, as she's only been drinking hot chocolate with mint extract, while Mike's God's Blessings have been made fairly strong on both caffeine and alcohol. >"Hey, Mike? We got a newcomer over here, he'd like to become the >newest recruit to our misbegotten Champions of Light. Can you spare a >moment?" Mike looked up from the hologram as his name was called, which Tink used to her advantage, winning the game. Mike looked back as a small cheer arose from the surrounding crowd. "Hey, no fair," he protested weakly to his future granddaughter. She just smiled back at him. Mike smirked, waving a hand dismissively. "I was losing anyway." "I'll have a Canadian bottled water," Tink said sweetly The ex-Time Lord pushed himself up out of his chair and started walking over toward Martin and Harlock. "Hey, Mike," he called to Callahan, "Two bottled waters, Canadian, on my tab," then added, "Thanks, Dhyr-er, Martin. Hi, friend, I'm Michael Seven. Welcome to Callahan's." Mike offered his left, human, hand (solid grip, if accepted) to Harlock as Tink delivered two, cobalt blue, one liter bottles of Ice Age brand water. "And this is my eleven-years-future granddaughter, Tinkerbell Seven." Tink smiled, taking her cues from her grandfather and offering a hand (feather grip) if Mike's was accepted, "How do you do, sir?" Mike took a long drink from the bottle, gathering his thoughts. "Well, if Dhyrclha-er, Martin, is fine with you, I don't see any immediate problems. We usually just stick around here and enjoy the Place or take off on our own errands until we're needed, then meet up here, find out what the problem is, and go try to fix it. We're not so much an army as a roving gang of do-gooders, kind souls and other walking social disorders with the nerve to try and make what few small patches of the universe we come across a bit brighter for its inhabitants. Most of us are also walking armories, or at least, fairly skilled with some offensive or defensive weapondry or magic, but it isn't required. However, expect plenty of offers if you aren't similarly equipped. We tend to get into quite a few fights, ranging from hand to hand combat, the norm, to a full spacebattle on one occasion. "We don't ask a lot of our members, just to abide by either Dhyrclhanc's, when he gets back from his errands, Roland's, when he gets back from his sabbatical, or my - good lord, they left me here alone, dammit - decisions if we come to a major disagreement on tactics or the group needs someone to speak for them, though that hasn't stopped people from walking out when they couldn't handle our decisions, which we try and respect. We, as a group, are sometimes called on to make some hard choices, with no really good answers, which we muddle through as best we can and hope things work out for the good at the end of the day. "It sounds imposing, perhaps, but most of the time, we're just like a herd of cats, all going in our own directions with, usually, one goal in mind. It somehow seems to work for us, but if you surround yourself with truly skilled people like we have here, you really don't find much need for leadership, just someone who can organize. "Anyway," Mike concluded, scratching his head, "that's basically how things work with the Army of Light. If you're interested, feel free to stick around, or leave a method with which you can be reached when you feel like moving on. Our next mission could be minutes or months from now, so we all just come and go as we please. And as you're here, feel free to join the party." ================================= Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 19:34:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Fri, 3 Sep 1999 22:31:10 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007064 >On Fri, 3 Sept '99 Mike Knight Said > >>On Wed, 1 Sep '99 Dhyrclhanc Said >>"If it were up to me, I'd say that you were in but, as I said >>before, I'm not realy supposed to be here. The only official XO here >>is our ex-Time Lord and Technomage, Michael Seven." >> >>He points to a gathering of three people in another corner of the >>place, deep in discusion, and points out a tale male human(?) in a >>leather jacket(?). Assuming that Harlock looks, when he looks back, he will see that Martin is now also wearing a similar looking black leather jacket with the Legend "Callahan's GoodKnight" embroidered above where the heart would be. >Tink smiled, taking her cues from her grandfather and offering a hand >(feather grip) if Mike's was accepted, "How do you do, sir?" Mike >took a long drink from the bottle, gathering his thoughts. "Well, if >Dhyrclha-er, Martin, is fine with you, I don't see any immediate >problems. Martin smiles, sipping his Coke and Scotch. Either taking perverse joy in the ex-TimeLord's discomfort, or it may just be his reaction to the fact he's almost never in the Place as his RL form and he's almost *never* been in the Place in his RL form with other CAoLers obviously present. >We usually just stick around here and enjoy the Place or take off on >our own errands until we're needed, then meet up here, find out what >the problem is, and go try to fix it. We're not so much an army as a >roving gang of do-gooders, kind souls and other walking social >disorders with the nerve to try and make what few small patches of >the universe we come across a bit brighter for its inhabitants. "If you'll excuse my interuption , Mike, I do want to bring up the fact that, since Fuzzy's departure, we've kind of fallen down on what I thought had become an unwritten rule, ie; the "cleaning-up after ourselves" bit of the job. Then again, Fuzzy always was the most forward thinker of our bunch." "It's just that I don't want the CAoL to get the kind of rep. that most of your DC characters have. Which is to say that, while I know that it's the MU Earth that has "Damage Control", but, for the most part, the DC heroes have a history of solving the immeadiate problem and then leaving the clean-up chores to the mundanes." "As usual... it's just a suggestion." >"Most of us are also walking armories, or at least, fairly skilled >with some offensive or defensive weapondry or magic, but it isn't >required. However, expect plenty of offers if you aren't similarly >equipped. We tend to get into quite a few fights, ranging from hand >to hand combat, the norm, to a full spacebattle on one occasion." "Mea culpa." Martin whispers, mostly to himself. >"We don't ask a lot of our members, just to abide by either >Dhyrclhanc's, when he gets back from his errands, Roland's, when he >gets back from his sabbatical, or my - good lord, they left me here >alone, dammit - decisions if we come to a major disagreement on >tactics or the group needs someone to speak for them." Primarily for Harlock's benefit, Martin adds (after fighting off laughter and tears) "As I said before, Dhyrclhanc is probably going to be 'AWOL' for quite some time struggling with that cascade failure. IOW, I've got a few coals in the fire, in RL, as far as alternative housing prospects are concerned, but I'm not holding my breath, if you take my meaning." >"Anyway," Mike concluded, scratching his head, "that's basically how >things work with the Army of Light. If you're interested, feel free >to stick around, or leave a method with which you can be reached when >you feel like moving on. Our next mission could be minutes or months >from now, so we all just come and go as we please. And as you're >here, feel free to join the party." (Semi-OOC: I've added my requisite $.02. Whattya say, Rick?) ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 07:04:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 02:06:25 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007066 Michael Knight wrote: > Mike offered his left, human, hand (solid grip, if accepted) to >Harlock as Tink delivered two, cobalt blue, one liter bottles of Ice >Age brand water. "And this is my eleven-years-future granddaughter, >Tinkerbell Seven." "Pleased to meet you, sir," said Harlock, proffering a carefully measured grip. > Tink smiled, taking her cues from her grandfather and offering a >hand (feather grip) if Mike's was accepted, "How do you do, sir?" "Very well, thank you. Well, very well aside from the fact that I was *supposed* to have a gig at the Shady Dragon Inn this evening, anyway." > Mike took a long drink from the bottle, gathering his thoughts. > "Well, if Dhyrclha-er, Martin, is fine with you, I don't see any >immediate problems. We usually just stick around here and enjoy the >Place or take off on our own errands until we're needed, then meet up >here, find out what the problem is, and go try to fix it. We're not >so much an army as a roving gang of do-gooders, kind souls and other >walking social disorders with the nerve to try and make what few >small patches of the universe we come across a bit brighter "Doesn't sound any different than any of the adventuring bands I've worked with in the past, really." Harlock smirked. "In fact, meeting in a tavern seems to be the tradition in these matters." >for its inhabitants. Most of us are also walking armories, or at >least, fairly skilled with some offensive or defensive weapondry or >magic, but it isn't required. However, expect plenty of offers if you >aren't similarly equipped. We tend to get into quite a few fights, >ranging from hand to hand combat, the norm, to a full spacebattle on >one occasion. "Ah. Pardon me if I'm bringing up a sensitive subject, but you seem to be a cyborg of some sort. Perhaps you know where I could get a replacement power cell for this?" Harlock pulled a small device out of a belt pouch. Uponexamining it, Michael discovered it to be a small force field generator. Harlock grinned somewhat self-consciously. "It's a souvenir of one of my earlier misadventures. I was fiddling around with a Gate scroll and something went wrong. I spent eight months in the Terran Space Marines before I could work out the reversal. It's pretty effective against small-arms fire, but pretty much worthless against energy weapons. Never did get an explanation that made sense to me." > "Anyway," Mike concluded, scratching his head, "that's basically >how things work with the Army of Light. If you're interested, feel >free to stick around, or leave a method with which you can be reached >when you feel like moving on. Our next mission could be minutes or >months from now, so we all just come and go as we please. And as >you're here, feel free to join the party." "As I said, this sounds very much like any number of the adventuring parties that I have traveled with. Unless somebody is available to take me either to the Shady Dragon Inn or to Faerun, I'm stuck here anyway, so I might as well have some fun. Would you mind showing me how that game works, miss?" After steadily losing ground for the first thirty seconds or so, Harlock started holding his own. As customers gathered from around the bar to watch, Harlock finally managed to beat Tink...of course, it took them an hour to play the game out... (Hey, you've got to have good hand-eye coordination to sight-read music!) ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 12:33:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 15:28:57 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007067 >On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 02:06:25 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007066 > >After steadily losing ground for the first thirty seconds or so, >Harlock started holding his own. As customers gathered from around >the bar to watch, Harlock finally managed to beat Tink...of course, >it took them an hour to play the game out... Whereupon an under-age in appearance teenage girl at the bar turns her chair enough to let Harlock see her in profile. She must not be truly under-age; there is a God's Blessing half-consumed in her cupped hands on the bartop. "Please don't feel as if you're truly without choice in remaining, honored bard. If you so desire it, I can Walk you to either place. Although I'm not available in the normal sense of the wording." She half-grins through her fair countenance, scarred in purplish pockmarks savagely at some time past. The sores are worst at the sides of her neck, and spread upward across her face. If someone like the Doc is present, the damage is obviously due to the later stage of bubonic plague. Although someone surviving the Black Death's scrouge at that late stage to have the scars to bear would be extremely unlikely. "I feel certain that the CAoL would rather have your lively compainionship, however. I'm not really a part of their erstwhile adventuring group of derring-do; you might refer to me as their groupie, I suppose. Or perhaps more of a hanger-on." She shakes her head, "Pardon my manners; I've just been to hell and back. That tends to take it out of me. I go by Ziactrice, Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan, for formalities. If you don't mind, I prefer Zia." She'll stand and either bow or offer a hand shake, depending on Harlock's iniative. She is dressed in plain black shoes and slacks, a white linen shirt with a gamblers vest in silver and black cut to make every feminine curve complimented. Despite her lack of years, she has the curves to give the spartan dress a good showing. One of what would appear to be Mike's legendarily horrible cigars is in the vest's breast pocket, still wrapped. Ziactrice (Back in her rather not aesthetically pleasing 'highest probability' appearance due to Mike's place being such a probability nexus it actually effects her own self and abilities.) ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 12:33:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 12:29:54 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007068 >On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 02:06:25 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007066 > >> Mike took a long drink from the bottle, gathering his thoughts. >> "Well, if Dhyrclha-er, Martin, is fine with you, I don't see >>any immediate problems. We usually just stick around here and enjoy >>the Place or take off on our own errands until we're needed, then >>meet up here, find out what the problem is, and go try to fix it. >>We're not so much an army as a roving gang of do-gooders, kind souls >>and other walking social disorders with the nerve to try and make >>what few small patches of the universe we come across a bit brighter "I'm touched," a voice drawled from a nearby table in a British accent. "That's the first time I've been described as a 'walking social disorder'. Usually descriptions run along the lines of 'AAARGH! DEVILSPAWN!' or somesuch." Upon turning to the table, Harlock saw the familiar dark-winged shape of Raver, a clove cigarette grasped between two clawtips. She grinned in a most un-Raverlike manner, as he took in the fact that her jeans and T-shirt were most emphatically not black plate armor, and wiggled her fingers in a wave. "Two words: Off. Duty. Hey, what can I say? If I really were all that angst-ridden all the time, I'd suck the world into a black hole of angst. It has to be balanced out somehow. Of course, we'll leave out the fact that it's M. le Director's fault I play a tortured demon in the CAoL." A new voice chimed in, "Two more words: Good. Twin." Raver's head snapped around. "You!" "Me, yes. Go on, scoot, now. You're supposed to be in Plane Five, not Plane Two. And put out that thing!" "Thing?" But Raver stubbed out her cigarette after taking one last drag. "You know, you never let me have any fun..." "Oh yeah? What about less-than-legal ficton jumping and illegal fun with people's minds?" "Yah yah yah yah." As the big demon grumbled her way to the door, she threw over her shoulder, "Sorry, guys. It could've been the start of a beautiful friendship..." "Argh!" The new speaker's head thumped to the table in concert with the slamming door. "Sorry about that. Really. I thought she'd behave..." Trailing off, she raised her head and the others got their first look at a slender Asian woman wearing a red on black "SITH NAKED: DO IT IN THE DARK" T-shirt over worn jeans and motorcycle boots. "Oh, uh, I'm Mandy. Our Raver's other half. The good old Evil Twin Raver. That...was Lila Burnett. She's definitely had a bit of the Sidhe sense of humor rub off on her. Remind me to spike the bath salts with iron dust next time I drop by." "Nice to meetcha, Harlock." The tiny but genuine smile belied the shadows in dark eyes. "Don't mind us -- M. le Director's been into the caffeine again. You'd think she'd know that for her, drinking and typing don't mix, but..." Lizard (No, that Tshirt doesn't really exist. :) ) ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 17:33:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:10:08 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007069 >On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 02:06:25 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007066 > >>Michael Knight wrote: >> >> Tink smiled, taking her cues from her grandfather and offering >>a hand (feather grip) if Mike's was accepted, "How do you do, sir?" > >"Very well, thank you. Well, very well aside from the fact that I was >*supposed* to have a gig at the Shady Dragon Inn this evening, >anyway." "Well, I wish I could say I knew the establishment," Tink said, "But I've never heard of it until now." >"Doesn't sound any different than any of the adventuring bands I've >worked with in the past, really." Harlock smirked. "In fact, meeting >in a tavern seems to be the tradition in these matters." Mike smiled, "Indeed." >"Ah. Pardon me if I'm bringing up a sensitive subject, but you seem >to be a cyborg of some sort. Perhaps you know where I could get a >replacement power cell for this?" Harlock pulled a small device out >of a belt pouch. Upon Mike's smile flickered. "Sure, I can have a look at it," he drawled, taking the device and giving it an idle inspection as he mulled over what else to mention. >examining it, Michael discovered it to be a small force field >generator. Harlock grinned somewhat self-consciously. "It's a >souvenir of one of my earlier misadventures. I was fiddling around >with a Gate scroll and something went wrong. I spent eight months in >the Terran Space Marines before I could work out the reversal. It's >pretty effective against small-arms fire, but pretty much worthless >against energy weapons. Never did get an explanation that made sense >to me." "Perhaps it has a minimum mass it can 'filter out'," the Time Lord speculated, "If so, if you block out energy, you'd block out light and air as well, a generally bad idea." >"As I said, this sounds very much like any number of the adventuring >parties that I have traveled with. Unless somebody is available to >take me either to the Shady Dragon Inn or to Faerun, I'm stuck here >anyway, so I might as well have some fun. Would you mind showing me >how that game works, miss?" Mike nodded, "You should fit in fine, then." Tink looked over where the hologram was. "I would show you, but..." She glanced at Mike. "The controls are built into the players," Mike added, tapping his temple. Tink nodded, "I'll have to work on a normal interface when I get home." "As for this," Mike said, handing the forcefield generator back, "I've never seen the like. I'd hate to risk damaging it by installing just anything. I've never heard of the Terran Space Marines, but you might ask some of our more well-travelled members if they have any ideas. I'd need a lab to put together how it worked before I even tried to figure out what I could jury-rig for a battery." ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 17:36:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:31:52 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007070 >On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 12:29:54 -0700 (PDT) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007068 > "Two words: Off. Duty. Hey, what can I say? If I really were all >that angst-ridden all the time, I'd suck the world into a black hole >of angst. It has to be balanced out somehow. Of course, we'll leave >out the fact that it's M. le Director's fault I play a tortured demon >in the CAoL." Mike blinked, drawling, ".....rrrright....." > "Oh, uh, I'm Mandy. Our Raver's other half. The good old Evil >Twin Raver. That...was Lila Burnett. She's definitely had a bit of >the Sidhe sense of humor rub off on her. Remind me to spike the bath >salts with iron dust next time I drop by." Mike blinked. "Ooookay." [Imagine that, a good Raver...doing the 'Vir Cotto wave' no less...*shudder*] ================================= Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:05:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:49:13 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007071 >On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 15:28:57 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007067 >"I feel certain that the CAoL would rather have your lively >compainionship, however. I'm not really a part of their erstwhile >adventuring group of derring-do; you might refer to me as their >groupie, I suppose. Or perhaps more of a hanger-on." She shakes her >head, "Pardon my manners; I've just been to hell and back. That tends >to take it out of me. I go by Ziactrice, Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan, >for formalities. If you don't mind, I prefer Zia." Mike leaned against the bar, observing the Amberite. He smirked at the idea of Zia being a groupie. "Even after that one supers universe, I never figured I'd see the day we had a 'fanbase'." ================================= Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 00:07:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Sun, 5 Sep 1999 02:48:51 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007072 >On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:49:13 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007071 >>On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 15:28:57 -0400 >>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007067 >Mike leaned against the bar, observing the Amberite. He smirked at >the idea of Zia being a groupie. "Even after that one supers >universe, I never figured I'd see the day we had a 'fanbase'." "We? How about you, by yourself? Of course, I can't tell you about it; I think it would be cross-ficton." Zia then darts a glance at Mandy and other alter-egos present. "Although it could be Cross-ficton Night at Mike's, from certain signs and circumstances." The middle of her forehead creases with deep thoughts, and she mutters something like, "Perhaps a few words with the redoubtable Author might be helpful.... hmmm." Then she catches herself doing a brown study in the midst of polite conversation, and smiles somewhat apologetically. "As for the shield generator, I might venture the fact it works against energies kinectic, but not against energies of waveform properties. I met a ... master swordsman once, who used something similar. I'm not mechanically inclined, excepting calculation-based machinery, or I'd try to provide more pratical help." Then she climbs up on her stool a bit, using one knee and craning about to survey the crowd. Apparently looking for someone in particular. (To be specific, Mike's Author. Not that she is certain he is 1) here tonight, 2) she could recognize him by some resemblance to Mike himself, and 3) that talking to him might not be a serious breach in the 'Fourth Wall'. But this is Zia we're talking about; she takes realistic flip-flops as a part of her normal existence.) Or it could be that her car keys are already in Mike's can, too. Zia Goofing Around a Bit ================================= Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 00:50:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Sun, 05 Sep 1999 00:10:06 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007073 Ziactrice Keenan wrote: >"Please don't feel as if you're truly without choice in remaining, >honored bard. If you so desire it, I can Walk you to either place. >Although I'm not available in the normal sense of the wording." She >half-grins through her fair countenance, scarred in purplish >pockmarks savagely at some time past. The sores are worst at the >sides of her neck, and spread upward across her face. "While the offer is appreciated, Milady, I have had gigs at the Shady Dragon before, and I'm sure I will have more in the future. This looks like far more fun. Besides which, my time with the Terran Space Marines expanded my vocabulary in ways that my countrymen find...odd. It's good to be able to talk freely, without having to constantly edit myself." >"I feel certain that the CAoL would rather have your lively >compainionship, however. I'm not really a part of their erstwhile >adventuring group of derring-do; you might refer to me as their >groupie, I suppose. Or perhaps more of a hanger-on." She shakes her >head, "Pardon my manners; I've just been to hell and back. That tends >to take it out of me. I go by Ziactrice, Dame Ziactrice Corey-Keenan, >for formalities. If you don't mind, I prefer Zia." "Charmed, Milady," says Harlock, as he takes her hand and kisses it. ================================= Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 00:50:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sun, 05 Sep 1999 00:16:46 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007074 Lizard wrote: > "Nice to meetcha, Harlock." The tiny but genuine smile belied >the shadows in dark eyes. "Don't mind us -- M. le Director's been >into the caffeine again. You'd think she'd know that for her, >drinking and typing don't mix, but..." "Ah. I take it, then, that this 'Raver' is...umm...rather more gloomy than presented? Hmm..." Harlock's voice trails off thoughtfully as he gets an abstracted look on his face. ================================= Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 00:50:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sun, 05 Sep 1999 00:44:50 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007075 Michael Knight wrote: >>work out the reversal. It's pretty effective against small-arms >>fire, but pretty much worthless against energy weapons. Never did >>get an explanation that made sense to me." > > "Perhaps it has a minimum mass it can 'filter out'," the Time >Lord speculated, "If so, if you block out energy, you'd block out >light and air as well, a generally bad idea." Harlock grinned. "Yes, well, once somebody properly explained lasers to me, I found that a well-placed Darkness spell snuffs them out quite nicely. Somehow, after demonstrating this to my comrades, they took it upon themselves to shield me from interference during the first few minutes of each battle. It was really quite amusing to watch our opponents try to figure out why their weapons no longer worked." > Mike nodded, "You should fit in fine, then." > Tink looked over where the hologram was. "I would show you, >but..." She glanced at Mike. > "The controls are built into the players," Mike added, tapping >his temple. OOC: Damn. Spoil my fun, why don't you. ;P > Tink nodded, "I'll have to work on a normal interface when I get >home." > "As for this," Mike said, handing the forcefield generator back, >"I've never seen the like. I'd hate to risk damaging it by installing >just anything. I've never heard of the Terran Space Marines, but you >might ask some of our more well-travelled members if they have any >ideas. I'd need a lab to put together how it worked before I even >tried to figure out what I could jury-rig for a battery." "Ah, well," sighed the Bard, "'Twas but a thought. A mage of my acquaintance told me he thought he could get it to run magically, but I think he was just planning to enchant it with Protection from Normal Missiles and have done with it. It's really quite a bit more versatile than that. I just don't want to tax the power cell any further unless I absolutely need to." Scanning the room again, he finally noticed Fast Eddy, still blithely playing Monk tunes. At that, his eyes lit up, and he pulled an instrument case from...somewhere. He muttered something under his breath, then pulled a twelve-string guitar from the case (odd that the twelve-string is larger than the case...) and started jamming along, quietly at first, but louder as he got a handle on the style. After a few minutes, he and Eddy shifted into something that was almost, but not quite, "Classical Gas" ================================= Date: Sun, 5 Sep 1999 08:34:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Sun, 5 Sep 1999 11:17:38 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00007076 >On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:10:08 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007069 > >>On Sat, 04 Sep 1999 02:06:25 -0700 >>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007066 >> >>>Michael Knight wrote: >>> >>> Mike took a long drink from the bottle, gathering his >>>thoughts. >>> "Well, if Dhyrclha-er, Martin, is fine with you, I don't see >>>any immediate problems. We usually just stick around here and enjoy >>>the Place or take off on our own errands until we're needed, then >>>meet up here, find out what the problem is, and go try to fix it. >>>We're not so much an army as a roving gang of do-gooders, kind >>>souls and other walking social disorders with the nerve to try and >>>make what few small patches of the universe we come across a bit >>>brighter John calls out from a nearby table, "And some of us just like to meddle." He gets up and walks over to join them. >>"Ah. Pardon me if I'm bringing up a sensitive subject, but you seem >>to be a cyborg of some sort. Perhaps you know where I could get a >>replacement power cell for this?" Harlock pulled a small device out >>of a belt pouch. Upon > > Mike's smile flickered. "Sure, I can have a look at it," he >drawled, taking the device and giving it an idle inspection as he >mulled over what else to mention. John introduces himself, with outstretched hand, "John Roslik. One of the resident 'dabblers in all things' and ground zero for assorted nastiness. Mage-Tech-Psi.. you name it and if I don't know it I'd be happy to learn." John cranes his head around, looking for someone, "Somewhere around here should be my daughter and travelling companion, Rhiannon." /Rhee, where you at? I'd like to introduce you to a possible new recruit./ / CAoL recruit./ he amends. /I'm a little busy right now with a game of nD Chess. I'll be over later./ John returns his attention to Harlock, "Ah well, she'll be around. I, or the lady in question, will continue the introductions later." > "As for this," Mike said, handing the forcefield generator back, >"I've never seen the like. I'd hate to risk damaging it by installing >just anything. I've never heard of the Terran Space Marines, but you >might ask some of our more well-travelled members if they have any >ideas. I'd need a lab to put together how it worked before I even >tried to figure out what I could jury-rig for a battery." A big 'ol grin lights John's face as he teases Mike, "Beggin' the Commander's pardon," he says with a small salute, "but perhaps a wee leftenant like myself," (And John does actually say leftenant) "could be of some assisstance, Sir." ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 06:34:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 08:46:28 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007077 >On Sat, 4 Sep '99 Zia Said > >If someone like the Doc is present, the damage is obviously due to >the later stage of bubonic plague. Although someone surviving the >Black Death's scrouge at that late stage to have the scars to bear >would be extremely unlikely. Martin slowly turns around at hearing the familar voice. Then, upon seeing the Amberite's condition, an expression quickly takes up residence upon his face which is a cross between genuine concern and genuine suprise. "Dannon and Cerunous, Zia! What happened to you?!" ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 08:04:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 09:56:44 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007078 >On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 08:46:28 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007077 > >Martin slowly turns around at hearing the familar voice. Then, upon >seeing the Amberite's condition, an expression quickly takes up >residence upon his face which is a cross between genuine concern and >genuine suprise. > >"Dannon and Cerunous, Zia! What happened to you?!" Mike takes Tink's arm and casually vacates Martin's immediate vicinity. ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 08:04:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 11:07:44 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007079 >On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 08:46:28 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007077 > >Martin slowly turns around at hearing the familar voice. Then, upon >seeing the Amberite's condition, an expression quickly takes up >residence upon his face which is a cross between genuine concern and >genuine suprise. > >"Dannon and Cerunous, Zia! What happened to you?!" Those presnt and watching these two finally get an idea where Zia gets her nickname from. With absolutely perfect timing, even as her expression starts to frown, the petite brunette slides a fast, long step right in front of Martin. With a quick and powerful yank on his shirt, she plucks the fellow down to her own lip-level and applies a through kiss to keep him there a second. As ad-lib acting goes, it ain't bad atall. Only those very close and with a good angle could have seen the frown before the kiss blocked Zia's expression from sight. Long-Drink's sap whips through Dhyrclhanc's alter-ego's hair; apparently this Martin did not remember a certain rule about nosy questions in the Place. The sap fails to actually part his hair for him, or lay him out to be carried out the rear door either; Zia seems to have moved in just such a way as to spoil even Long Drink's fabulous aim. The sap bounces twice, and returns to the piano player's hand. He pauses before trying again, as one of the dimunitive lady's fingers, behind Martin's back, is up in a 'wait' signal. She breaks the kiss, and gives Martin a wicked grin stolen directly from the Cheshire Cat. "I fell into Dante's pit, and had to walk all the way back alone. The CAoL can be a tough group to merely keep up with, even for a shadow walker. Although I don't believe we've been introduced, my Visualization of the Cosmic All states that you must be Martin, Dhyrclhanc's ficton-brother, in a matter-of-speaking." Her tone is somewhat warm, but her eyes carry a warning that at a few inches range, even Martin can't mistake. Additionally, he should have felt the sap, even if at the time he was a little distracted. Zia remembering why she usually refuses to enter this place, much less have a drink here. Of course, after you fall into the Abyss and manage to survive, a God's Blessing is durn near mandatory. ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 09:00:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 10:04:17 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007080 >On Sun, 5 Sep 1999 11:17:38 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00007076 > > A big 'ol grin lights John's face as he teases Mike, "Beggin' the >Commander's pardon," he says with a small salute, "but perhaps a wee >leftenant like myself," (And John does actually say leftenant) "could >be of some assisstance, Sir." Mike smirks, "Didn't realize I was hogging the spotlight. If Harlock doesn't mind is all that matters to me, it's his toy." ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 12:11:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 12:32:43 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007081 >On Sun, 5 Sep 1999 02:48:51 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007072 > >> On Sat, 4 Sep 1999 19:49:13 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007071 >> >>Mike leaned against the bar, observing the Amberite. He smirked at >>the idea of Zia being a groupie. "Even after that one supers >>universe, I never figured I'd see the day we had a 'fanbase'." > >"We? How about you, by yourself? Of course, I can't tell you about >it; I think it would be cross-ficton." Zia then darts a glance at >Mandy and other alter-egos present. "Although it could be >Cross-ficton Night at Mike's, from certain signs and circumstances." >The middle of her forehead creases with deep thoughts, and she >mutters something like, "Perhaps a few words with the redoubtable >Author might be helpful.... hmmm." Then she catches herself doing a >brown study in the midst of polite conversation, and smiles somewhat >apologetically. Mike takes a sip of water and looks back toward the group currently discussing the shield. >Then she climbs up on her stool a bit, using one knee and craning >about to survey the crowd. Apparently looking for someone in >particular. (To be specific, Mike's Author. Not that she is certain >he is 1) here tonight, 2) she could recognize him by some resemblance >to Mike himself, and 3) that talking to him might not be a serious >breach in the 'Fourth Wall'. But this is Zia we're talking about; she >takes realistic flip-flops as a part of her normal existence.) > >Or it could be that her car keys are already in Mike's can, too. Michael Seven watchs this bemusedly, then his watch beeps and he looks at it. Oh yes, it was about time he got back to his five-year-old Tinkerbell. "Time I was going," he mumbles. Tink nods with a "Same here." "Anyway, Folks," Mike semi-announces over the general hubbub, "Tink and I need to get going. Harlock, glad to meet you, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got some errands of my own to take care of." The ex-Time Lord passes Callahan a card over the bar. "Mike's got my number. Call if you need me. Talk to you all soon." The Sevens head for the parking lot after saying their goodbyes and Mike heads for a white Pontiac Tran Sport, Tink checking over his course and hitting the autopilot, since he's had a few. She waits as the disguised shuttle takes off, then climbs into the gaudy Austin Powers Swinger 2 and vanishs as well. Inside the Place, a cigarette lighter suddenly illuminates a dark corner table and a face a few years older and a few pounds heavier than Mike's. The lighter, white with a 'Circle K' store logo, starts a tall, white pillar candle burning, then vanishs into a black fanny pack as the candle's glow and a faint pine scent brighten the area. Atop the armchair, a pink mouth seems to appear from nowhere behind and to one side of the man's head, then a pair of yellow-green cat eyes glance around the room before closing again, and the shimmer of muscle shifting under shiny black fur briefly becomes visible as the black cat shifts positions atop the wide chairback. The man who looks like Michael Seven sits back, the light from the candle revealing faded blue jeans and a black T-shirt with the Warner Brothers' Tasmanian Devil captured in a distinctly digital-looking green webbing and black clock-radio lettering with a green glow backlighting them describing the fact that poor Taz is 'Caught in the Net'. Tapping his feet in a pair of hardly worn 'high-tech' white and black sneakers with red trim and a few bubbles of clear plastic set into the soles, he listens to the music from Fast Eddie and accompaniment, sipping from a half empty highball glass of a transparent purplish brown liquid on the rocks. --Mike (the (sur)real one ) ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 15:01:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 17:57:58 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007082 >On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 12:32:43 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007081 > > "Anyway, Folks," Mike semi-announces over the general hubbub, >"Tink and I need to get going. Harlock, glad to meet you, I'd love to >stay and chat, but I've got some errands of my own to take care of." >The ex-Time Lord passes Callahan a card over the bar. "Mike's got my >number. Call if you need me. Talk to you all soon." The Zia still perched by one knee on the bar stool takes advantage of Mike's leaning over the bar to smoothly reply, "That would have a completely different connotation in Lady Sally's place." She smiles and gives the departing father a friendly wave. >Inside the Place, a cigarette lighter suddenly illuminates a dark >corner table and a face a few years older and a few pounds heavier >than Mike's. The man who looks like Michael Seven sits back... The Zia at the bar, as opposed to the one currently saving Martin from a sore-skulled awakening, whirls around her bar stool in a 360 degree spin. The scars on her face vanish as glasses appear on her nose, but Mike's Place doesn't have a mirror behind the bar so this escapes most folk's view. She slides off the barstool, and picks up her half-finished God's Blessing. Her clothing remains the same white shirt, silver/black vest, and black slacks as she makes her way slowly through the crowd of regulars, although those with the keenest observation would note one further difference from the Ziactrice-in-clinch. This lady is about two inches taller, placing her at American women's 'average' height for this year. She pauses in front of the man who looks a lot like Micheal Seven. With a nod and a curiosity-tipped smile, she inquires, "Hello; would you mind further sharing your table with me?" Her voice is quite natural despite the depth of it's timber. Lower than one would expect from her appearance, perhaps an alto soprano? Zia's Author ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 19:04:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 20:43:49 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007083 >On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 17:57:58 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007082 > >The Zia still perched by one knee on the bar stool takes advantage of >Mike's leaning over the bar to smoothly reply, "That would have a >completely different connotation in Lady Sally's place." She smiles >and gives the departing father a friendly wave. Mike suddenly finds himself infringing on Roland's trademarked blush. "Uhm, yes, yes it would," he says with a small chuckle. >She pauses in front of the man who looks a lot like Micheal Seven. >With a nod and a curiosity-tipped smile, she inquires, "Hello; would >you mind further sharing your table with me?" Her voice is quite >natural despite the depth of it's timber. Lower than one would expect >from her appearance, perhaps an alto soprano? This Mike grins, and replies in a deep voice with a slight Midwestern drawl, "Sure, have a seat. I'm Mike's Author, Michael. I don't normally intrude on his storyline, but Zia's semi-invitation intrigued me, and since Martin surprised me by discovering a Martin-sized hole in the Fourth Wall, figured I'd slip through it as well to see what would happen and since I hadn't been here as myself in ages. "This is Pyewackett, by the way. He talks less and sleeps more than the one most people are used to." Pyewackett had settled into a sleeping purr which Mike barely heard even as close as he was. He leaned forward a bit, setting his drink back on the table. "So, I guess the next question I have is, what happens now?" ================================= Date: Mon, 6 Sep 1999 20:05:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 23:08:44 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007084 >On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 20:43:49 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007083 >"So, I guess the next question I have is, what happens now?" The lady takes a seat, and gives the sleeping Pyewackett a glance that says she'll pass up trying to make friends until later, "I would recognize your companion anywhere. He was, after all, the first to extend a kind word to Zia in the story." She recollects herself with a small smile. "My introduction, I'd suppose is the next logical step. I'm Zia's Author, Samatha. The invitation was fairly blatant, wasn't it? I'm glad you came, despite the 'breaking the Fourth Wall' of this situation." She gives Martin a glance as she thinks of that. "I think Martin may not have been in the Place himself for a bit, either. Hopefully his second thoughts will catch up with Zia's assistance." She leans back in her chair, relaxing as she sips the God's Blessing. "I tried the this is Scotland after reading about it. It's one of the few drinks that live up to their press." "Of slightly more moment, I did want to talk to you. Not to mention just plain meet you." She half-snorts, "Albeit in virtual reality. This Place has certain ambiance in it's virtual place-ness I've always thought." Samatha sits the coffee down on the table, and regards Micheal. "Like I've been chatting about in the Green Room, I'd really like to talk you into keeping some of your former characters in circulation. Of course, you _are_ the author, but that scene where they were being slain..." She folds the fingers of her hands together and regards them a second, marshaling her words. "Did you really mean for it to be so terrible? I respec the .. sheer gripping factor of horror, Micheal, but the suffering you wrote effected me far more strongly than even poor Zia's torture at the hands of that weird villian that was John's nemesis. Having the tale truly in there seems darker than I'd taken your style of writing to be, before you wrote that savage little spinoff tale." "So, from the Green Room, I suspect you may allow me to talk you into some sort of mollification or qualification in addition?" ================================= Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1999 00:36:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Tue, 07 Sep 1999 00:24:54 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007086 Michael Knight wrote: >> A big 'ol grin lights John's face as he teases Mike, "Beggin' >>the Commander's pardon," he says with a small salute, "but perhaps a >>wee leftenant like myself," (And John does actually say leftenant) >>"could be of some assisstance, Sir." > > Mike smirks, "Didn't realize I was hogging the spotlight. If >Harlock doesn't mind is all that matters to me, it's his toy." "By all means," says the Bard. "If we're to be adventuring shortly, I'd appreciate being fully equipped. As it stands, I doubt the power cell would hold out for much more than a sword-blow or two. I can generally hold my own in a fight, but the shield makes it a bit easier...and less of a hazard to me stunnin' looks." It's remarkable how close the Moonshaes accent is to a Scots accent... ================================= Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1999 06:04:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Tue, 7 Sep 1999 08:43:12 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007087 >On Sun, 5 Sept '99 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said > >"Ah. I take it, then, that this 'Raver' is...umm...rather more gloomy >than presented? Hmm..." Harlock's voice trails off thoughtfully as he >gets an abstracted look on his face. "Raver is your typical "sturm und drang" Demon, save for the fact that she no longer swears allegiance to the forces of either Hades or the Abyss. That and the fact that she's a she'." says Martin. "There's also the fact that, until relatively, recently she was bonded in a strange sort of gestalt shared existance with Mandy." He turns to address the slender Asian woman. "Hi Mandy, how's it going? Can I get you a drink OYC?" ================================= Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 02:31:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry) On Wed, 08 Sep 1999 01:13:44 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007089 Gerster wrote: >"Raver is your typical "sturm und drang" Demon, save for the fact >that she no longer swears allegiance to the forces of either Hades or >the Abyss. That and the fact that she's a she'." says Martin. "Ah. I must admit, the only demons I had heretofore met were at the other end of a blade. If, however, Raver no longer allies herself with the forces of evil, I see no problem working with her. As a side note, I know of at least three types of demon that at least appear female. Succubi would be the classic example, but there are also Erinyes and Mariliths. I'll admit, the 'good twin' Raver didn't appear to fit any of those molds, although I have heard that some Erinyes fight reasonably well." ================================= Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 02:31:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish) On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 04:30:23 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007090 >On Mon, 6 Sept '99 >Zia Said > >>"Martin Gerster" Said >> >>Martin slowly turns around at hearing the familiar voice. Then, upon >>seeing the Amberite's condition, an expression quickly takes up >>residence upon his face which is a cross between genuine concern and >>genuine surprise. >> >>"Dannon and Cerunous, Zia! What happened to you?!" (OOC: FTR, Zia, both in RL and VR (for argument's sake) I'm just a few inches shy of 6'. How tall are you? The VR you, that is.) (OOC: Also, FTR, it *has* been a little while since I've been in the Place. Combine that with the fact that I'm the original Silver Tongue, Rapier Wit and Mind like a Steel Sieve"(tm) and it's understandable why I forgot about the "No Nosy Questions" rule. ) >Those present and watching these two finally get an idea where Zia >gets her nickname from. With absolutely perfect timing, even as her >expression starts to frown, the petite brunette slides a fast, long >step right in front of Martin. With a quick and powerful yank on his >shirt, she plucks the fellow down to her own lip-level and applies a >through kiss to keep him there a second. As ad-lib acting goes, it >ain't bad atall. Only those very close and with a good angle could >have seen the frown before the kiss blocked Zia's expression from >sight. The brief thought [What tha...] goes through Martin's mind before... Well... he has his mind on other things... (OOC: No offence intended, Zia) >[Fast Eddie]'s sap whips through Dhyrclhanc's alter-ego's hair; >apparently this Martin did not remember a certain rule about nosy >questions in the Place. The sap fails to actually part his hair for >him, or lay him out to be carried out the rear door either; Zia seems >to have moved in just such a way as to spoil even [Fast Eddie]'s >fabulous aim. The sap bounces twice, and returns to the piano >player's hand. He pauses before trying again, as one of the >diminutive lady's fingers, behind Martin's back, is up in a 'wait' >signal. > >She breaks the kiss, and gives Martin a wicked grin stolen directly >from the Cheshire Cat. "I fell into Dante's pit, and had to walk all >the way back alone. The CAoL can be a tough group to merely keep up >with, even for a shadow walker. Although I don't believe we've been >introduced, my Visualization of the Cosmic All states that you must >be Martin, Dhyrclhanc's fiction-brother, in a matter-of-speaking." >Her tone is somewhat warm, but her eyes carry a warning that at a few >inches range, even Martin can't mistake. Additionally, he should have >felt the sap, even if at the time he was a little distracted. (OOC: Zia, I'll admit it; I'm dense. In RL, If you want to successfully get a message across to me -- you run me over with a 10-ton semi, figuratively speaking of course. However, as this is VR, or some semblance thereof, would you do me a favor? In order to speed things up, and to make sure that I -- the RL "I", that is -- don't get the wrong idea, would you please send me a private e-mail and explain to me what that was all about. The... um... ah... "clinch" that is.) It takes a couple of moments for Martin to recover. Then, he deadpans a perfect Richard Moll/Bull Shannon "Ohhw Kayyy", and his eyes begin to refocus. [C'mon brain, reboot!] Having finaly recovered from the Amberite Lady's treatment, Martin grasps his right fist in his left, clenched, hand and performs a shallow, oriental bow to her. "Yes, Milady Zia, I am who you suspect me to be. Although, in the future I may beg you pardon if I'm tempted to address you as, what I suspect is your true title -- 'Countess' But, yes I am Martin, and I am, indeed, 'Dhyrclanc's fiction-brother', as you so aptly put it." He comes up from the bow. "May I say, milady, that you certainly have an interesting way of preventing a guy from putting his foot in his mouth. A maneuver that I assure you I am well versed in." There's a smile on the dark haired, late 20-something's face that isn't sure if it's here to stay or just visiting. "While I'm not sure that I deserved that, literally speaking that is. I'm relatively sure that I deserved that, figuratively speaking of course. Anyway, let me take this opportunity to apologize if my question was in any way intrusive." "While, I realize that I tend to be generous to a fault, as this was the part of my nature that attracted me to this Place to begin with. I also know that, in social situations, I tend to be as graceful as the proverbial Bull in a China Shop. Thus my infrequent and unskilled attempts to be sympathetic and comforting sometimes end up being as pleasing as if I were tap dancing on one's toes." "However, having been a frequent host to Tragedy's cruel visits I dislike seeing suffering, in whatever form it may take and if I was a bit over zealous in my offering to share your pain then I can only, once again, offer my appologies." "While we're at it, may I buy you your next drink?" =================================