Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6d The Flask of Being - Chapter 3 Subject: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 22:23:58 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 00:44:21 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008903 As the members of the CAoL head towards the light, the strange voice alternates between babbling, rambling, ranting, and plain strangeness. The voice seems to have a few hobby horses, most notably an obsession with snakes, particularly snakes eating each other, shadows, darkness, revenge, something about a bent sword, rants about how "they" betrayed the voice (although he never says how they betrayed him), and the words "this" and "that". And then... "...so he says, you've got to have a plan, and I say, why do you ask, and he says, a plan will help you win, and I say, no it won't, and he says, why not, and I say..." "Say, I think this is inside. Yes, this is inside. Delectable food, inside the range, so let us begin the digestion." With that, the voice stops for a moment. The two poles now stand 180 degrees apart from the party's perspective. A noise can be heard. The sound of footsteps coming from behind. The voice again. "Yes, this will do nicely... my minions, my clones, my duplicates, I command you to attack!" At this, the party turns around, to see their doubles standing before them, each ready for battle. The differences are small, but noticeable. UnEric wears an outfit even darker then Eric's; UnRob stands in a marginally more offensive position then Rob would, UnHarlock's skin color resembles that of a zombie. UnJoe, who looks a touch more pale then his counterpart, yells "It's time for a game of whupass and we're up to bat first..." With that, the doubles charge. ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Bizarro World Without Edge Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 22:24:02 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 21:45:21 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008904 Eric watches the lack of landscape carefully as the others file through the portal. When the portal closes, his hand is in his duster, as he waits for an attack to come from the obscured angle. When none is forthcoming, he settles into a more relaxed, general-purpose stance. (Probably something resembling a mild cat stance.) >On Thu, 26 Oct 2000 08:29:20 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008899 > >"Two landmarks on an open plain," Rob notes. "So, do we wander in a >general direction, or head for a landmark?" "The light should be the handle; the darkness, 'Fenris.' The light seems, by far, the best of the three choices you propose," Eric notes. >>A voice whispers as if from the (nonexistent) wind. "They will >>suffer for this, and I shall be the cause of it. Vengeance shall be >>mine! Yes, yes, and the shadows shall eat the darkness, yes, and the >>snakes shall eat themselves, yes, and the darkness shall eat the >>shadows, no. I hunger. What is this, yes?" The skip in the horizon >>moves away from the light. "Hi, I'm Fenris, and this is my psychosis," Eric responds, darkly amused. >>The voice continues in a slightly louder tone, "Is this a thing, or >>is this food? Is this my vision blurred by that? What shall this do >>next? What shall this do next?" > >Reflexively, Rob whispers, "Nassty Baggins took my preciouss. Where >iss my preciouss, gollum gollum?" Eric nods to Rob. "Someone needs some serious therapy." Then he looks up, glances to the right, and his hand lashes out. There's a blur of motion, and he's holding a deep-red spike that's just a bit smaller and thinner than his own stakes. Eric (and anyone else who wishes to) can follow the trajectory about three dozen yards to another Eric, who's holding a long chain with a sickle at the end. The chain is the same color as the spike. The only differences in the Erics--at first--are the color of their weaponry and the duplicate Eric's skin tone, which is unnaturally pale. When Bizarro-Eric slides down his shades and smiles, the reason for both is obvious. His eyes are a pale red and his teeth have noticeable canines. Eric starts slightly. "Nice catch," B-Eric comments, and his tone isn't at all dry. He--it--is enjoying itself. Enjoying the hunt. "Nice of you to volunteer as an appetizer." Eric looks colossally unimpressed. "Look, it am me Bizarro-world imperfect duplicate," he says in a remarkable Ben Stein impression. "Come get some, you third-rate ghoul." B-Eric's eyes go wide, then narrow. The shades slide back up (apparently of their own accord) and he leaps forward with a scream. The two both snarl "Thousand Swords!" and the ensuing brawl looks like two Warner Bros. Tasmanian Devils trying to eat each other... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 10:12:37 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 10:00:55 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008908 >On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 00:44:21 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008903 > >At this, the party turns around, to see their doubles standing before >them, each ready for battle. The differences are small, but >noticeable. UnEric wears an outfit even darker then Eric's; UnRob >stands in a marginally more offensive position then Rob would, >UnHarlock's skin color resembles that of a zombie. UnJoe, who looks a >touch more pale then his counterpart, yells "It's time for a game of >whupass and we're up to bat first..." With that, the doubles charge. [OOC: What happened to UnReal...um...Rhia?] Harlock sizes up his doublecate [OOC: to steal a word from the A. Bizarro limited series] coolly. "I would ask what sort of pale imitation of me you're supposed to be, but that were too obvious a pun." He then sheathes the bastard sword and pulls a very ornate recorder from his belt. With a whispered word, the recorder morphs itself into a well-made member of the guitar family. UnHarlock, upon seeing this, smiles tightly and performs a similar trick. "Have at thee, then, and let the chords fall where they may!" With that, they...start a rollicking rendition of "Duelling Banjos?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 19:14:49 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 22:04:09 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008912 >In a message dated 10/27/00 10:12:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >harlock writes: > >[OOC: What happened to UnReal...um...Rhia?] When UnEric moves, UnRhia can be seen behind him, pale, with an outfit of a much darker color. At this point, a pattern can be seen; all the doubles are paler, with darker clothes. >UnHarlock, upon seeing this, smiles tightly and performs a similar >trick. "Have at thee, then, and let the chords fall where they may!" >With that, they...start a rollicking rendition of "Duelling Banjos?" "Fight, my minions, my clones, my duplicates! This shall not be allowed to pass." The voice yells. UnHarlock's eyes go black, and he *throws* his guitar at Harlock. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 10:28:13 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 09:28:13 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008915 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008908 > >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008903 >> >>At this, the party turns around, to see their doubles standing >>before them, each ready for battle. The differences are small, but >>noticeable. UnEric wears an outfit even darker then Eric's; UnRob >>stands in a marginally more offensive position then Rob would, >>UnHarlock's skin color resembles that of a zombie. UnJoe, who looks >>a touch more pale then his counterpart, yells "It's time for a game >>of whupass, and we're up to bat first..." With that, the doubles >>charge. [Duplicates, but I can tell them apart from the real thing without even looking. My duplicate feels like Bison did...corrupted.] Suppressing a brief shudder, Rob wraps his Ler around his forearms, shifting from his usual Psycho Storm style to the defensive tactics of the Wall of Steel. The two Ler Drit fighters clash, Rob grinning hugely while UnRob hammers at him, never landing worse than a glancing blow. [I've been overwhelmed, and underwhelmed, but never...whelmed? Whatever. Time to escalate this.] *DUCK!!* The duplicate reflexively ducks, directly into Rob's foot. Staggering backwards, UnRob glares at Rob. "That won't work twice." "It never does." >UnHarlock, upon seeing this, smiles tightly and performs a similar >trick. "Have at thee, then, and let the chords fall where they may!" >With that, they...start a rollicking rendition of "Duelling Banjos?" A casual observer being unavailable at the moment, nobody else notices that the two Robs fall into the rhythm of the music, striking and parrying to the beat. >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008912 > >"Fight, my minions, my clones, my duplicates! This shall not be >allowed to pass." The voice yells. UnHarlock's eyes go black, and he >*throws* his guitar at Harlock. As the balance between the music breaks up, so does the balance in the fight. UnRob ducks a roundhouse kick, and counters with a foot sweep, sending Rob sprawling. The two lock eyes for a moment, probing each other's Ler. Then UnRob unleashes a Psycho Chiller, a wave of ice generated by force of will. But Rob isn't there to receive it. UnRob receives a telepathic packet, approximately the equivalent of e-mail, which reads, *You have forgotten the lesson of the Mrigankan temple, my duplicate. Always be aware of your environment.* The blast continues on, heading straight for the false Hunter, as Rob delivers a two-footed stomp to UnRob's collarbone. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 11:41:50 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 11:35:22 -0700 (PDT) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008916 >On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 00:44:21 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008903 > >At this, the party turns around, to see their doubles standing before >them, each ready for battle. The differences are small, but >noticeable. UnEric wears an outfit even darker then Eric's; UnRob >stands in a marginally more offensive position then Rob would, >UnHarlock's skin color resembles that of a zombie. UnJoe, who looks a >touch more pale then his counterpart, yells "It's time for a game of >whupass and we're up to bat first..." With that, the doubles charge. Joe crunches his knuckles as he looks the duplicates over, "Maybe, but ya know whoever's up to bad first is also the first one out..." His eyes flash a red light behind his sunglasses and he lets out a snarl, flashing long sharp canines. His hands stiffen and his nails stretch and change into claws. UnJoe grows his claws and fangs similarly and goes dashing at Joe with blinding speed. Joe braces and waits for him a moment, then reaches out to grab at unJoe's head, fliping himself up so for a moment he's handstanding on top of unJoe's head. When he comes down on his feet again behind unJoe he grips tighter and throws unjoe with all his force. Unjoe goes sailing for a bit, but the effects of Emptyworld serve to slow his velocity and he lands on his feet again, "You shouldn't play someplace you don't know the rules!" unJoe yells as he charges back at Joe again. "Like a mook like you's gonna teach me anythin?" snaps back Joe as they go into a furious exchange fo swipes, each moving faster than the mortal eye can follow. Each twisting out of the way of the other's blows with incredible dexterity. Until unJoe sees an opening and manages to grab Joe's wrist and slip behind him, changing the hold into a full nelson, "What can I say, when they made me they fixed all the flaws of you..." Joe tries to struggle free as unJoe angles him to face at unEric, "Gotta stake?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 15:46:55 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 15:32:48 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008917 >On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 22:04:09 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008912 > >"Fight, my minions, my clones, my duplicates! This shall not be >allowed to pass." The voice yells. UnHarlock's eyes go black, and he >*throws* his guitar at Harlock. [OOC: Um...actually, the 'Duelling Banjos' bit _is_ an attack, as I'm about to demonstrate, so I'll just ignore the bit about UnHarlock throwing his banjo, OK?] Heads turn across the battlefield as the lively music starts up, and Harlock permits himself a small grin as Eric and UnEric deliver identical 'what the hell are you _doing_' looks over the tops of their shades. Then, as he concentrates fiercely on the music, two shadowy figures start flickering into view between the Bard and UnHarlock. Both are about man-sized and apparently dressed in plate armor. Both are wielding axes that bear a striking resemblance to a banjo. The one closer to Harlock glows a soft white, while the other glimmers sanguine. As the piece progresses, the shadowy figures clash. Every note translates to a movement. Any hesitation is reflected in the appropriate shadow-fighter. The two bards accelerate the tempo until their fingers are a fevered blur, and still the shadow-fighters struggle. Slowly, but steadily, the shadow-fighters lose bits of themselves to the axe of the other, but neither may yield. [Milil help me, but he's good. Well, where brute force works not, subtlety may prevail.] Letting his fingers run on pure muscle memory, Harlock examines the box at his belt. [Hmm...no visible outlets. Must generate the field on an induction system. All right, so to tap into the induction, I have to modify the plug like...so.] Not even glancing at the raging battle that his shadow-fighter is now steadily losing, the Bard whispers another word, causing his banjo to change into a Fender Stratocaster. Harlock's shadow-fighter abruptly morphs from an axe-wielding figure in ragged plate armor to a gun-toting figure in ragged fatigues. With a quick riff Stevie Ray Vaughn would be proud to claim, the white figure ducks under a high swing, then jumps back and starts spraying the red figure with bullets that pass right through any solid objects they happen to encounter. With a tortured scream of snapping wires, the red figure vanishes. A glance at UnHarlock reveals the loss of several fingers, as well as deep gashes in the palm of the right hand. [Oww...methinks my hands will be cramping for a week. Still, that puts my doppleganger more or less out of the fight for a day or so. I wonder how much power I drained out of the life-support with that little stunt. I don't see a read-out anywhere. Wait a minute, what's he doing now?] UnHarlock, says a few words, grabs clumsily for spell components, then finishes with Rob's name. [Mystra damn him! He's blinded Rob! Best to put him out of action before he causes more havoc.] The Bard draws his bastard sword and rushes his hapless opponent. [OOC: in case you were wondering, Scott, you inspired this one by the title of the post. "Double time" and "4/8" can both be taken as musical references. So...double time...bards...musical duel..."Duelling Banjos!" Don't be so quick to assume that anything other than a direct assault is not combat. My first post ended on the...note it did because I wanted to see the reactions before I posted this part.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 16:29:27 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 15:47:19 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008918 >On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 11:35:22 -0700 (PDT) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008916 Harlock sends UnHarlock reeling with a blow from the flat of his blade just as... > Joe tries to struggle free as unJoe angles him to face at unEric, >"Gotta stake?" The Bard sheathes his bastard sword, then pulls the stake out of his belt. "As a matter of fact, I do." With that, he plunges it into UnJoe's back. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 01:15:10 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 00:58:48 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008919 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008917 > >[OOC: Um...actually, the 'Duelling Banjos' bit _is_ an attack, as I'm >about to demonstrate, so I'll just ignore the bit about UnHarlock >throwing his banjo, OK?] [OOC: A-OK, Bard Harlock. Retcon systems engaged.] >Harlock's shadow-fighter abruptly morphs from an axe-wielding figure >in ragged plate armor to a gun-toting figure in ragged fatigues. With >a quick riff Stevie Ray Vaughn would be proud to claim, the white >figure ducks under a high swing, then jumps back and starts spraying >the red figure with bullets that pass right through any solid objects >they happen to encounter. With a tortured scream of snapping wires, >the red figure vanishes. A glance at UnHarlock reveals the loss of >several fingers, as well as deep gashes in the palm of the right >hand. As the balance between the music breaks up, so does the balance in another fight. UnRob ducks a roundhouse kick, and counters with a foot sweep, sending Rob sprawling. The two lock eyes for a moment, probing each other's Ler. Then UnRob unleashes a Psycho Chiller, a wave of ice generated by force of will. But Rob isn't there to receive it. UnRob receives a telepathic packet, approximately the equivalent of e-mail, which reads, *You have forgotten the lesson of the Mrigankan temple, my duplicate. Always be aware of your environment.* >[Oww...methinks my hands will be cramping for a week. Still, that >puts my doppleganger more or less out of the fight for a day or so. I >wonder how much power I drained out of the life-support with that >little stunt. > I don't see a read-out anywhere. Wait a minute, what's he doing >now?] UnHarlock, says a few words, grabs clumsily for spell >components, then finishes with Rob's name. [Mystra damn him! He's >blinded Rob! Best to put him out of action before he causes more >havoc.] The Bard draws his bastard sword and rushes his hapless >opponent. The icy blast continues on, heading straight for the false Hunter, as Rob delivers a two-footed stomp to UnRob's collarbone. Then the lights go out. UnRob does what he can to take advantage of the sudden blindness, but Rob's surprise lasts only long enough to land one punch. Then Rob is on the offensive again, never scoring a solid blow, but always keeping his opponent in close combat. [Blindness. Hah. Even before I met Rose, I learned not to rely on a single sense. And now I have seven senses to work with.] Stretching out his Ler-sense and mage-sight, he defines the figures on the battlefield: Two very powerful martial artists, one martial artist/mage combination, two undead, and four normal humans with magical abilities. [And of the spell-slingers, those two have song-magic aspects...and that one has the twisted life-essence of a Fenris dupe. I probably shouldn't do this, but I admit to being annoyed...] >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008918 > >The Bard sheathes his bastard sword, then pulls the stake out of his >belt. "As a matter of fact, I do." With that, he plunges it into >UnJoe's back. The false Bard is rushing forward, with the intent of turning Harlock into his chum, when Rob turns an attempted roundhouse punch into a lesson in Unpowered Flight, and follows up with a brute-force spellcasting. Dumping in power to make up for skipped preparations, Rob forges a spell with force of will, and two words. "Sidekick Assault!" A rush of figures bury the duplicate. Tonto, Bucky, Aqualad, and Robin are the easily recognized ones out of the crowd. Though they only have a few seconds to work, by the time they fade out again, all of them have left their mark at least once. [That was harder than I expected. No spells for me. Not for a day or so...] Then UnRob grabs Rob by the ears, and runs his Ler in a circuit through Rob's brain. [owww...] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 13:48:23 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 21:26:15 GMT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008920 Oneeye snorts. "Great, just what i need, more mechinized stuff... I'll take one of those fancy belts..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Endings and Openings Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:12:34 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 21:51:46 GMT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00008921 OneEye sighs, finally getting up from his chair. He shrugs off his backpack and places it on the table, then draws a long obsidian staff from the confines. "All right, I'm a ready" as he steps after the others... ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:53:51 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:33:50 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 >On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 11:35:22 -0700 (PDT) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008916 > >>On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 00:44:21 EDT >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008903 >> >>At this, the party turns around, to see their doubles standing >>before them, each ready for battle. The differences are small, but >>noticeable. UnEric wears an outfit even darker then Eric's; UnRob >>stands in a marginally more offensive position then Rob would, >>UnHarlock's skin color resembles that of a zombie. UnJoe, who looks >>a touch more pale then his counterpart, yells "It's time for a game >>of whupass and we're up to bat first..." With that, the doubles >>charge. (OOC: Activate retcon. This is where Eric catches the stake thrown by his duplicate.) > Joe crunches his knuckles as he looks the duplicates over, "Maybe, >but ya know whoever's up to bad first is also the first one out..." >His eyes flash a red light behind his sunglasses and he lets out a >snarl, flashing long sharp canines. His hands stiffen and his nails >stretch and change into claws. Meanwhile, the Eric/UnEric tornado begins to shift subtly. The flashing steel begins to take up more of the space than the blood-red blur. They disengage briefly to examine their surroundings and their options. > UnJoe grows his claws and fangs similarly and goes dashing at Joe >with blinding speed. Joe braces and waits for him a moment, then >reaches out to grab at unJoe's head, fliping himself up so for a >moment he's handstanding on top of unJoe's head. When he comes down >on his feet again behind unJoe he grips tighter and throws unjoe with >all his force. UnEric frowns and throws a stake at Joe. The sickle on the end of Eric's chain has pierced the spike before it's even clear that he moved. "You can't win, you know," UnEric says evenly. "We're just the beginning." "You're not much of a duplicate if you don't have any idea how many times I've heard that," Eric replies just as calmly. Then the tornado resumes. >Until unJoe sees an opening and manages to grab Joe's wrist and slip >behind him, changing the hold into a full nelson, "What can I say, >when they made me they fixed all the flaws of you..." > Joe tries to struggle free as unJoe angles him to face at unEric, >"Gotta stake?" UnEric leaps out of the combat, taking a blow from the weighted end of the kusari-gama to one arm as he casually tosses a stake to UnJoe with the other. Eric snarls and curses in an obscure language (it translates to something like "Entropy!" to those with lenses). He leaps out to grab it before UnJoe can use it on the real thing, but before the stake, Eric, or UnEric can finish what they're doing... >On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 15:47:19 -0700 >Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00008918 > >The Bard sheathes his bastard sword, then pulls the stake out of his >belt. "As a matter of fact, I do." With that, he plunges it into >UnJoe's back. UnEric snarls and races at Harlock, but Eric slams into him and the tornado-speed martial arts duel continues. /Harlock has the right idea,/ Eric sends. /Fighting our duplicates one-on-one is just playing into Fenris' hands. We need some teamwork. And they don't have this lens-link thing./ >On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 00:58:48 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008919 > >[That was harder than I expected. No spells for me. Not for a day or >so...] > >Then UnRob grabs Rob by the ears, and runs his Ler in a circuit >through Rob's brain. > >[owww...] Eric takes a shot to his ribs while driving a stake through one of UnEric's legs. Then he disengages briefly, throwing UnEric back away from the rest of the battle and doing a hellishly fast spinning kick at UnRob. (OOC: If it succeeds...) Eric follows up with what must be a dozen punches in a second or so, throwing UnRob back several feet. /Pass it along./ (OOC: Either way:) /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from his leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy flesh, /--which gives him certain advantages, but weaknesses as well. Sunlight doesn't work as quickly on Kuei-Jun as it does on Kindred, but he won't enjoy it much./ UnEric takes a more defensive stance, cupping his hands together near his stomach. "Gaia," Eric hisses, and leaps forward. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 18:50:33 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 18:32:10 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008923 >On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:33:50 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 > > /Harlock has the right idea,/ Eric sends. /Fighting our duplicates >one-on-one is just playing into Fenris' hands. We need some teamwork. >And they don't have this lens-link thing./ [OOC: Unfortunately, neither does anyone else in Emptyworld other than Rhia. Good plan, but the...umm..."operational realities" stink. Sorry to burst your bubble.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 12:00:26 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 11:11:04 -0800 (PST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008932 ***FOOD WARNING*** ***FOOD WARNING*** ***FOOD WARNING*** >On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:33:50 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 > >>On Sat, 28 Oct 2000 15:47:19 -0700 >>Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00008918 >> >>The Bard sheathes his bastard sword, then pulls the stake out of his >>belt. "As a matter of fact, I do." With that, he plunges it into >>UnJoe's back. Unjoe screams with pain as the stake's driven though his back. Blood bubbles up around the stake and his grip releases for a moment. That's all it takes for Joe to free himself. > /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the >Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from his >leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy flesh, >/--which gives him certain advantages, but weaknesses as well. >Sunlight doesn't work as quickly on Kuei-Jun as it does on Kindred, >but he won't enjoy it much./ > UnEric takes a more defensive stance, cupping his hands together >near his stomach. > "Gaia," Eric hisses, and leaps forward. Joe can't pick up the lenslink transmissions but either he had the same idea as Eric or picked it up from Eric's actions. He reaches behind him grabbing the still trembling unJoe and flinging him over his shoulder at unEric. UnJoe twists his weight though to come to a very ungraceful landing beside unEric instead. Unjoe takes a moment to recompose himself and reaches back with a noticable wince to withdraw the stake, starting a new gush of blood out of the wound as he begins to heal himself. He then slowly stands up again to move into a battle pose, his face looking more like an animal than a man now as he snarls. His gaze seems to shift back and forth now though between Joe and Harlock. Joe tenses and waits for UnJoe's gaze to fall on Harlock, then he flips the stake in his hand and hurls it at UnJoe. UnJoe sees it coming too late, only able to open his eyes wide as the stake sinks deep into the left side of UnJoe's chest with another spray of blood. Joe smirks, "That's what you get for messin with the.." His jaw drops a moment as UnJoe reaches over and withdraws this stake too, now holding one in each hand, "No, that's where my heart is... DAMN! The mook's a mirror image! Hit his right side!" ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Mixed Doubles Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 10:21:46 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 22:22:51 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008937 >On Fri, 27 Oct 2000 22:04:09 EDT >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008912 > >When UnEric moves, UnRhia can be seen behind him, pale, with an >outfit of a much darker color. > >At this point, a pattern can be seen; all the doubles are paler, with >darker clothes. Rhia takes up a stance as UnRhia approaches, "Hiding already? I'd have expected better than that, even for a third-rate knockoff." UnRhia shrugs as she matches her opponent, "Not everyone can be in front all the time. You may as well save your breath, I won't nettle that easily." The two glide forward and away from each other, circling, looking for an opening. "Besides, if you have to be behind someone, it might as well be Eric; he's got a cute butt." Rhia just smiles. Then there is a slight shimmer in front of her just before four pale tubes arc from her towards UnRhia. UnRhia finishes her spell at the same time and Rhia is forced to dive out of the way of the straight blast released at her. She rolls to her feet at the same time as UnRhia, who dove forward to avoid Rhia's spell, comes to hers. With identical smiles on their faces they run towards each other and start fighting. Where they contact each other sparks fly. Acrobatic, graceful, their fight is no less deadly for it.. In the back of her mind Rhia notes the magical duel between the Harlocks, but her attention is held by her own opponent. The double is very good, almost as good as she is. The battle rages back and forth until >On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:33:50 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 > > Eric takes a shot to his ribs while driving a stake through one of >UnEric's legs. Then he disengages briefly, throwing UnEric back away >from the rest of the battle and doing a hellishly fast spinning kick >at UnRob. > > (OOC: If it succeeds...) > (OOC: Either way :) > /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the >Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from his >leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy flesh, >/--which gives him certain advantages, but weaknesses as well. >Sunlight doesn't work as quickly on Kuei-Jun as it does on Kindred, >but he won't enjoy it much./ > UnEric takes a more defensive stance, cupping his hands together >near his stomach. > "Gaia," Eric hisses, and leaps forward. > Rhia grabs her doppleganger and starts to go into a throw. 'Hope she reacts the same way I would,' Rhia thinks. UnRhia turns with the throw, reversing it, and tossing Rhia.. straight at UnEric. OOC: Whaddaya say Roland? Want to switch off? < I figure Eric should be able to take out UnRhia before UnEric can do damage to Rhia. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:36:59 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:02:05 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008940 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008932 > >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 >> >> UnEric snarls and races at Harlock, but Eric slams into him and >>the tornado-speed martial arts duel continues. >> /Harlock has the right idea,/ Eric sends. /Fighting our >>duplicates one-on-one is just playing into Fenris' hands. We need >>some teamwork. And they don't have this lens-link thing./ Rob barely notices the thread of telepathic thought passing by, though even if he did, he would be looking at the telepathic equivalent of 1-gigabyte encryption. >> Eric takes a shot to his ribs while driving a stake through one >>of UnEric's legs. Then he disengages briefly, throwing UnEric back >>away from the rest of the battle and doing a hellishly fast spinning >>kick at UnRob. With the blindess spell still in effect, Rob's view of the action has one of the Really Bright lights tossing the other one away, followed by it making contact with the bright light. UnRob's view of the action is a close-up of the bottom of a shoe. >> Eric follows up with what must be a dozen punches in a second or >>so, throwing UnRob back several feet. /Pass it along./ Rob sees the Really Bright light make several more contacts with the bright one before the bright light dims. UnRob sees stars. >> /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the >>Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from >>his leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy >>flesh, /--which gives him certain advantages, but weaknesses as >>well. Sunlight doesn't work as quickly on Kuei-Jun as it does on >>Kindred, but he won't enjoy it much./ >> UnEric takes a more defensive stance, cupping his hands together >>near his stomach. >> "Gaia," Eric hisses, and leaps forward. [UnEric's intensifying...this isn't good...] Shaking his head to clear the last of the static from his senses, Rob presses his Ler through himself, causing his bruises to fade. [Better. Now, I need a target...] > Joe tenses and waits for UnJoe's gaze to fall on Harlock, then he >flips the stake in his hand and hurls it at UnJoe. UnJoe sees it >coming too late, only able to open his eyes wide as the stake sinks >deep into the left side of UnJoe's chest with another spray of blood. > Joe smirks, "That's what you get for messin with the.." His jaw >drops a moment as UnJoe reaches over and withdraws this stake too, >now holding one in each hand, "No, that's where my heart is... DAMN! >The mook's a mirror image! Hit his right side!" [Bingo.] The energy surrounding Rob collapses into a red aura around his hands, which shifts colors to white, then brightens. Both Joe and UnJoe wince, as the light becomes painfully similar to sunlight, just before Rob reshapes his Ler again. "Sunbolt," Rob intones, launching a blast of light at UnJoe, who responds with astonishing speed. The sunbolt, which was meant to take UnJoe in the chest, instead meets the stake in the duplicate vampire's right hand, vaporizing both stake and hand. UnJoe's expression flickers through In Pain, Annoyed, and Ticked Off, before settling on Homicidal. By then, though, Rob has vanished, leaving UnJoe to decide who to kill. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Mixed Doubles Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 02:49:44 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 01 Nov 2000 01:18:58 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008941 >On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 22:22:51 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008937 > > /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the >Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from his >leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy flesh, [Hmm...so Eric's double be some form of undead? I wonder how he reacts to light?] Harlock mutters a few words and waves his hands around a bit... > Rhia grabs her doppleganger and starts to go into a throw. 'Hope >she reacts the same way I would,' Rhia thinks. UnRhia turns with the >throw, reversing it, and tossing Rhia.. straight at UnEric. ...and suddenly Rhia is enveloped in a globe of dazzling white light. [Not sunlight, mayhap, but still, it should have some effect.] Drawing his bastard sword again, he salutes UnRhia. "Shall we dance, Milady?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: A Battle in Double Time (Solitare for 4/8) Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 02:49:48 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 01 Nov 2000 01:19:14 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008942 >On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 00:58:48 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008919 > >UnRob does what he can to take advantage of the sudden blindness, but >Rob's surprise lasts only long enough to land one punch. Then Rob is >on the offensive again, never scoring a solid blow, but always >keeping his opponent in close combat. [Huh. A remarkable fighter. Would that I could fight so well while blinded.] >A rush of figures bury the duplicate. Tonto, Bucky, Aqualad, and >Robin are the easily recognized ones out of the crowd. Though they >only have a few seconds to work, by the time they fade out again, all >of them have left their mark at least once. [What on...?] Not one to question fortune, Harlock runs up to the reeling UnBard and lays him flat with a roundhouse right, then strips the rings off of UnHarlock's fingers. [Without the ring of regeneration, he shan't be waking for...about a week, from the look of him. Yech.] Then, with a word and a gesture, he unblinds Rob. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Mixed Doubles Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 10:38:27 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 1 Nov 2000 13:21:51 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008943 >On Wed, 01 Nov 2000 01:18:58 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008941 > >...and suddenly Rhia is enveloped in a globe of dazzling white light. >[Not sunlight, mayhap, but still, it should have some effect.] >Drawing his bastard sword again, he salutes UnRhia. "Shall we dance, >Milady?" UnRhia raises her arm and Harlock can see it get a slightly metallic color from the elbow down. The other one does the same. She flexes her fingers, smiles and starts to flow towards him, "Yes, let us dance." OOC: Basicly her arms are now living metal, allowing her to do nasty tricks such as grabbing the blade of the weapon. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Mixed Doubles Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 00:45:38 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 02 Nov 2000 00:09:39 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008948 >On Wed, 1 Nov 2000 13:21:51 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008943 > > UnRhia raises her arm and Harlock can see it get a slightly >metallic color from the elbow down. The other one does the same. She >flexes her fingers, smiles and starts to flow towards him, "Yes, let >us dance." The Bard quirks an eyebrow at the metallic sheen, then shrugs. After a few moments spent jockeying for position, he feints a cut at her midsection. With lightning speed, UnRhia latches on to Harlock's blade, obviously intent on wrenching it from his grasp. The Bard merely grins, activating the sword's magical power. A tremendous electrical jolt slams through UnRhia, dropping her to her knees. She looks up at Harlock with pleading eyes. "You wouldn't strike a Lady, would you," she asks with a winsome smile. Harlock pauses, then turns his back on UnRhia. "Of course not." As UnRhia regains her feet, she morphs her right hand into a stiletto, aiming for Harlock's back. The Bard promptly spins around and lops off the stiletto with a tremendous backhand. "You, however, are no Lady." [And here's hoping she doesn't try to bind my blade again. I can only activate the shock once per day, after all. Still, once bitten, twice shy, methinks.] ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 20:49:56 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 02 Nov 2000 20:18:03 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008949 >On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 11:11:04 -0800 (PST) >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008932 > >> On Sun, 29 Oct 2000 14:33:50 -0800 >> The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 >> >> /Go for our opponent's weaknesses. My duplicate is one of the >>Hungry Dead--/ UnEric proves this point by pulling the stake from >>his leg and healing it with a flow of blood that turns to healthy >>flesh, /--which gives him certain advantages, but weaknesses as >>well. Sunlight doesn't work as quickly on Kuei-Jun as it does on >>Kindred, but he won't enjoy it much./ He looks around, realizing that he isn't getting to most of the team. "Wyrm," he snarls, clearly a _nasty_ curse by his lights. "My dupe won't like sunlight," he sums up. (OOC: Lemme 'splain. No, there is no time, lemme sum up. ;^) >> UnEric takes a more defensive stance, cupping his hands together >>near his stomach. >> "Gaia," Eric hisses, and leaps forward. > > Joe can't pick up the lenslink transmissions but either he had the >same idea as Eric or picked it up from Eric's actions. He reaches >behind him grabbing the still trembling unJoe and flinging him over >his shoulder at unEric. UnJoe twists his weight though to come to a >very ungraceful landing beside unEric instead. UnEric is jostled by this, and as he throws his hands forward, shouting "Wyrm Fire Storm!" Eric is easily able to dodge the ball of fire and light as it shoots out two hundred (feet or yards; I don't remember the distance exactly) and vanishes, not losing appreciable force in the interim. > Joe tenses and waits for UnJoe's gaze to fall on Harlock, then he >flips the stake in his hand and hurls it at UnJoe. UnJoe sees it >coming too late, only able to open his eyes wide as the stake sinks >deep into the left side of UnJoe's chest with another spray of blood. > Joe smirks, "That's what you get for messin with the.." His jaw >drops a moment as UnJoe reaches over and withdraws this stake too, >now holding one in each hand, "No, that's where my heart is... DAMN! >The mook's a mirror image! Hit his right side!" Eric pulls out a stake and throws it with lightning speed at the location opposite to where the first stake went in. "Interesting place for a heart," he says, apparently unfazed. UnEric leaps at the seemingly vulnerable Eric, when... >On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 22:22:51 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008937 > > Rhia grabs her doppleganger and starts to go into a throw. 'Hope >she reacts the same way I would,' Rhia thinks. UnRhia turns with the >throw, reversing it, and tossing Rhia.. straight at UnEric. > >On Wed, 01 Nov 2000 01:18:58 -0800 >Harlock Said As CAoL Message # 00008941 > >...and suddenly Rhia is enveloped in a globe of dazzling white light. >[Not sunlight, mayhap, but still, it should have some effect.] >Drawing his bastard sword again, he salutes UnRhia. "Shall we dance, >Milady?" UnEric retreats at first, put on the defensive by the bright light, but upon realizing that it's not sunlight, goes on the attack, trying to bury the kusari-gama's sickle in Rhia with blinding speed. Fortunately, the light does seem to be handicapping him slightly. More fortunately, Rhia's probably one of the few who can keep _up_ with Eric. >OOC: Whaddaya say Roland? Want to switch off? < I figure Eric >should be able to take out UnRhia before UnEric can do damage to >Rhia. OOC: It looks like Harlock beat me to the punch. Er, so to speak. 8^) >On Tue, 31 Oct 2000 23:02:05 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008940 > >>>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008922 >>> >>> Eric takes a shot to his ribs while driving a stake through one >>>of UnEric's legs. Then he disengages briefly, throwing UnEric back >>>away from the rest of the battle and doing a hellishly fast >>>spinning kick at UnRob. > >With the blindess spell still in effect, Rob's view of the action has >one of the Really Bright lights tossing the other one away, followed >by it making contact with the bright light. > >UnRob's view of the action is a close-up of the bottom of a shoe. OOC: What's the last thing criminals in Gotham see before waking up in Arkham or Stryker's Island? The bottom of Batman's boot... >>> Eric follows up with what must be a dozen punches in a second or >>>so, throwing UnRob back several feet. /Pass it along./ > >Rob sees the Really Bright light make several more contacts with the >bright one before the bright light dims. > >UnRob sees stars. Eric cups his hands together, and both Rob and UnRob see a familiar gathering of chi, light and fire... "DRAGON FIRE STORM!" Eric roars, a touch of light playing around the inside edges of his mouth, and a ball of light familiar to anyone who's seen Ryu fight lances out at UnRob! ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 23:59:29 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 2 Nov 2000 23:20:23 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008950 >On Thu, 02 Nov 2000 20:18:03 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008949 > > Eric cups his hands together, and both Rob and UnRob see a >familiar gathering of chi, light and fire... > "DRAGON FIRE STORM!" Eric roars, a touch of light playing around >the inside edges of his mouth, and a ball of light familiar to anyone >who's seen Ryu fight lances out at UnRob! UnRob shakes off the worst of the stun with a second to spare, and uses his best counter. "Beamsplitter," he gasps, throwing his remaining strength into an arc of tarnished silver energy which slashes into the Fire Storm, splitting it in two. The smaller section sails skyward. The larger part of the Hunter's attack plows into UnRob, who reels for a moment before collapsing in a heap. Somewhere in the melee, an unnoticeable Rob stares at this. [My duplicate could still stand up after all that? And he almost managed to beat...ye gods, that felt stronger than Ryu's best Hadoken. Either these dupes are upgraded, or I'm underestimating myself. Enough woolgathering...get a scorecard.] [UnHarlock and my dupe are KO'd, and UnJoe has a stake in his chest, leaving UnEric, UnRhia, and...hey, where'd OneEye and duplicate go?] A shadow without a person moves over to Eric, and 'knocks' politely on his mind shields. *Eric, this is Rob. Any suggestions on tactics?* ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 06:17:37 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 06:05:06 -0800 (PST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008952 YET ANOTHER FOOD WARNING BROUGHT TO YOU BY VAMPIRES INC >On Thu, 02 Nov 2000 20:18:03 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008949 > Eric pulls out a stake and throws it with lightning speed at the >location opposite to where the first stake went in. "Interesting >place for a heart," he says, apparently unfazed. > UnEric leaps at the seemingly vulnerable Eric, when... UnJoe tries to avoid the stake but the beating he's been getting has been taking its toll. he gives out another scream as the stake slams home, ripping through bone and undead flesh to pierce his heart. Blood wells up around the stake and UnJoe trembles for a moment before falling over backwards and laying unmoving on the ground. Joe looks at his fallen double, "Ok, He's out of it until someone pulls that stake, Anybody gotta light? I left mine back on that table... That or a sword to take off its head..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 06:47:10 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 06:21:02 -0800 (PST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008953 *** The Surgeon General has decided that eating food while reading this post is a bad idea. *** >On Thu, 2 Nov 2000 23:20:23 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008950 > >[UnHarlock and my dupe are KO'd, and UnJoe has a stake in his chest, >leaving UnEric, UnRhia, and...hey, where'd OneEye and duplicate go?] > >A shadow without a person moves over to Eric, and 'knocks' politely >on his mind shields. Joe takes advantage of UnEric's recovery from the maeuver, moving with incredible speed and winking out of sight for a moment, only to seem to appear behind UnEric as he leaps at UnEric's back, fangs bared and glinting in what light there is, before they drive themselves intot he side of UnEric's neck, tearing at the Cartoroid with a spray of blood before Joe begins drinking in deeply of UnEric's life force and energy, clinging to un Eric with a strength that cna benchpress a pickup turck as he drink. Joe cracks open an eye and mutters "humon hium!" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 09:01:38 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 08:10:31 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008955 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008952 > > UnJoe tries to avoid the stake but the beating he's been getting has >been taking its toll. He gives out another scream as the stake slams >home, ripping through bone and undead flesh to pierce his heart. >Blood wells up around the stake and UnJoe trembles for a moment >before falling over backwards and laying unmoving on the ground. > Joe looks at his fallen double, "Ok, He's out of it until someone >pulls that stake, Anybody gotta light? I left mine back on that >table... That or a sword to take off its head..." A grin forms in mid-air above a personless shadow. Then, Rob fades in around the grin. "Will these do?" A pack of matches from "Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grill" sails at Joe. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 09:16:11 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 11:35:54 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008956 >In a message dated 11/3/00 6:47:39 AM Pacific Standard Time, >wuuga writes: > > Joe takes advantage of UnEric's recovery from the maeuver, moving >with incredible speed and winking out of sight for a moment, only to >seem to appear behind UnEric as he leaps at UnEric's back, fangs >bared and glinting in what light there is, before they drive >themselves intot he side of UnEric's neck, tearing at the Cartoroid >with a spray of blood before Joe begins drinking in deeply of >UnEric's life force and energy, clinging to un Eric with a strength >that cna benchpress a pickup turck as he drink. Joe cracks open an >eye and mutters "humon hium!" And spits the blood out. The blood tastes of darkness. It's draining life away from Joe, rather then the other way around. (GM/OOC Note: Two problems here; one, UnEric is undead, and two, this is a creation, rather then a real creature, so the blood is not even vaguely edible.) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:17:25 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:10:38 -0800 (PST) Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008957 >On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 08:10:31 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008955 > >A grin forms in mid-air above a personless shadow. Then, Rob fades in >around the grin. "Will these do?" A pack of matches from "Cowboy >Feng's Space Bar and Grill" sails at Joe. Joe catches the matches and looks over at Rob, tossing the box back, "Yeh they'll work fine but if I try to use them i can go up like a tinderbox too..." Then he turns to put the bite on UnEric. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Aces over Eights Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 21:07:33 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 03 Nov 2000 20:51:00 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008959 >On Thu, 2 Nov 2000 23:20:23 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008950 > >[UnHarlock and my dupe are KO'd, and UnJoe has a stake in his chest, >leaving UnEric, UnRhia, and...hey, where'd OneEye and duplicate go?] > >A shadow without a person moves over to Eric, and 'knocks' politely >on his mind shields. Eric's "mind shields" are odd; it's more that his willpower is enhanced by chi than anything else. >*Eric, this is Rob. Any suggestions on tactics?* Eric seems slightly startled by Rob's sudden "appearance." [Impressive. Tactics depends on who's left.] >On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 11:35:54 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008956 > >>In a message dated 11/3/00 6:47:39 AM Pacific Standard Time, >>wuuga writes: >> >> Joe takes advantage of UnEric's recovery from the maeuver, moving >>with incredible speed and winking out of sight for a moment, only to >>seem to appear behind UnEric as he leaps at UnEric's back, fangs >>bared and glinting in what light there is, before they drive >>themselves intot he side of UnEric's neck, tearing at the Cartoroid >>with a spray of blood before Joe begins drinking in deeply of >>UnEric's life force and energy, clinging to un Eric with a strength >>that cna benchpress a pickup turck as he drink. Joe cracks open an >>eye and mutters "humon hium!" UnEric reels; if he'd been stronger, this would have been an enormous mistake (the thing was _making_ his weapons out of his own blood, after all) but he's already vulnerable. He tries to bury the bloody kusari-gama in Joe's face, but it literally melts in his hands as Joe drains him. >And spits the blood out. > >The blood tastes of darkness. It's draining life away from Joe, >rather then the other way around. Unfortunately for UnEric, he needed that blood for his power, so he's looking pretty wobbly too. >(GM/OOC Note: Two problems here; one, UnEric is undead, OOC: World of Darkness vampires can destroy each other by drinking each others' blood; it's called "diablerie" and it's the fast track to power. It's also the best way to get other vampires to try and kill you, but what's life--or unlife--without a little risk? >and two, this is a creation, rather then a real creature, so the >blood is not even vaguely edible.) OOC: Okay. Eric looks around; Joe has UnEric well in...er...hand, UnRob, UnHarlock and UnJoe are down, which leaves... UnRhia. By herself. Against all five of them. Eric smiles. It's the "disturbing" smile. "I don't know about the others...but I haven't concerned myself with chivalry since a Kindred with a sweet smile and anime eyes tried to strangle me with my own innards. I suggest you yield." ================================= Subject: AAE 6d: Cleaning up Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 23:55:51 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 3 Nov 2000 23:22:39 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00008960 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00008957 > > Joe catches the matches and looks over at Rob, tossing the pack >back, "Yeh they'll work fine but if I try to use them I can go up >like a tinderbox too..." Then he turns to put the bite on UnEric. Rob tears out a match, folds the cover back to pin the match between the cover and the striking surface, and lights the match, then UnJoe. "There are good vampires, and there are dead vampires; I shall allow no others to exist," Rob says, adding, "From an otherwise forgettable horror novel which I've forgotten." Then he turns his attention back to Eric, expecting a summary of what needs to be done... >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008959 > > Eric smiles. It's the "disturbing" smile. "I don't know about the >others...but I haven't concerned myself with chivalry since a Kindred >with a sweet smile and anime eyes tried to strangle me with my own >innards. I suggest you yield." Rob hums the Jeopardy theme to himself as UnRhia considers the offer. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Cleaning up Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2000 07:29:53 -0800 (PST) On Sat, 4 Nov 2000 09:54:12 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008961 >In a message dated 11/3/00 11:56:23 PM Pacific Standard Time, >peng writes: > >Rob tears out a match, folds the cover back to pin the match between >the cover and the striking surface, and lights the match, then UnJoe. > >"There are good vampires, and there are dead vampires; I shall allow >no others to exist," Rob says, adding, "From an otherwise forgettable >horror novel which I've forgotten." > >Then he turns his attention back to Eric, expecting a summary of what >needs to be done... While looking at Eric, Rob is probably not noticing that the fire went out pretty quickly... UnJoe isn't going to get up for a least a year in his condition, but he isn't quite dead. The voice mutters quietly "The Realm of Nothing works its unwork again." ================================= Subject: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000 15:40:57 -0800 (PST) On Mon, 6 Nov 2000 18:07:35 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008967 OOC: Phew, go away for the weekend and everything's wrapped up, almost. Sorry I couldn't get a reply out before I left. >On Thu, 02 Nov 2000 00:09:39 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008948 > >>On Wed, 1 Nov 2000 13:21:51 -0500 >>"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008943 >> >> OOC: Basicly her arms are now living metal, allowing her to do >>nasty tricks such as grabbing the blade of the weapon. > >The Bard quirks an eyebrow at the metallic sheen, then shrugs. After >a few moments spent jockeying for position, he feints a cut at her >midsection. With lightning speed, UnRhia latches on to Harlock's >blade, obviously intent on wrenching it from his grasp. The Bard >merely grins, activating the sword's magical power. A tremendous >electrical jolt slams through UnRhia, dropping her to her knees. She >looks up at Harlock with pleading eyes. "You wouldn't strike a Lady, >would you," she asks with a winsome smile. > >Harlock pauses, then turns his back on UnRhia. "Of course not." As >UnRhia regains her feet, she morphs her right hand into a stiletto, >aiming for Harlock's back. The Bard promptly spins around and lops >off the stiletto with a tremendous backhand. "You, however, are no >Lady." [And here's hoping she doesn't try to bind my blade again. I >can only activate the shock once per day, after all. Still, once >bitten, twice shy, methinks.] Droplets of fire spray from her cut hand, disappearing before they reach the ground. She pulls her arm in close and backs away, stopping the flow of 'blood'. As Harlock presses the attack she shows an impressive array of dodges, leaps, falls,. rolls, and a couple times a magical shield. Finally she flings her wounded arm out and a dozen darts fly towards Harlock. (At some point after this) >On Fri, 03 Nov 2000 20:51:00 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008959 > > Eric looks around; Joe has UnEric well in...er...hand, UnRob, >UnHarlock and UnJoe are down, which leaves... > UnRhia. By herself. Against all five of them. > Eric smiles. It's the "disturbing" smile. "I don't know about the >others...but I haven't concerned myself with chivalry since a Kindred >with a sweet smile and anime eyes tried to strangle me with my own >innards. I suggest you yield." UnRhia stares around at the five of them, "What are your terms?" Rhia, having caught her breath, moves up on UnRhia's flank. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 00:53:41 -0800 (PST) On Mon, 06 Nov 2000 23:32:54 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008970 >On Mon, 6 Nov 2000 18:07:35 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008967 > >OOC: Phew, go away for the weekend and everything's wrapped up, >almost. Sorry I couldn't get a reply out before I left. OOC: Heh. 'Sokay. At the rate some of the previous sections have been going, you can't be blamed for being...um...deliberate. > Droplets of fire spray from her cut hand, disappearing before they >reach the ground. She pulls her arm in close and backs away, stopping >the flow of 'blood'. As Harlock presses the attack she shows an >impressive array of dodges, leaps, falls,. rolls, and a couple times >a magical shield. [Oof. I may not be a master swordsman, but I should have scored on her by now. Still, if nothing else, I'm keeping her busy until somebody else can join in.] >Finally she flings her wounded arm out and a dozen darts fly towards >Harlock. [This is going to hurt.] Harlock can't possibly dodge the full dozen, though he does his best by rolling to the side. Eight of them were targeted at other places he could have dodged to. Two of them look like they're going to hit, but swerve slightly at the last second. One of them bounces off of the Bard's left vambrace. And the last one finds a home in the Bard's right thigh. [OOC: So what happens now? Does UnRhia still have some control over the metal, or does it "just" hurt like the dickens?] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 09:15:43 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 7 Nov 2000 11:56:39 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008972 >On Mon, 06 Nov 2000 23:32:54 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008970 > >[Oof. I may not be a master swordsman, but I should have scored on >her by now. Still, if nothing else, I'm keeping her busy until >somebody else can join in.] [She was going full out on defense. But you are correct. You should have scored at some point.] The shallow slice on her leg hardly seemed to slow her at all, but it was evident to those with training that she was favoring it just a little. It was only after she lost a bit of her ear, and nearly her head that she started using her shields. Was it a trick of the unlight or was her coloring becoming dimmer? >[This is going to hurt.] Harlock can't possibly dodge the full dozen, >though he does his best by rolling to the side. Eight of them were >targeted at other places he could have dodged to. Two of them look >like they're going to hit, but swerve slightly at the last second. >One of them bounces off of the Bard's left vambrace. And the last one >finds a home in the Bard's right thigh. > >[OOC: So what happens now? Does UnRhia still have some control over >the metal, or does it "just" hurt like the dickens?] OOC: No control over them, I'm not that mean, but it _really_ hurts and the area where it hits gets colder and colder until it's pulled out. Rhia runs toward the Bard, throwing up a shield in the process. She tells Harlock to just sit still a moment while she takes care of the dart. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 17:16:35 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 07 Nov 2000 16:18:50 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008976 >On Tue, 7 Nov 2000 11:56:39 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008972 > > Rhia runs toward the Bard, throwing up a shield in the process. She >tells Harlock to just sit still a moment while she takes care of the >dart. Harlock nods and speaks through clenched teeth. "As you will, Milady. You doubtless know what this thing is better than I. I must say, though, of all the ways to get an attractive woman's hands on me, getting wounded is my least favorite." [Would that I had had the energy for a shielding spell of my own. Damn, that hurts!] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2000 18:11:47 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 7 Nov 2000 20:58:50 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008977 >On Tue, 07 Nov 2000 16:18:50 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008976 > >Harlock nods and speaks through clenched teeth. "As you will, Milady. >You doubtless know what this thing is better than I. I must say, >though, of all the ways to get an attractive woman's hands on me, >getting wounded is my least favorite." [Would that I had had the >energy for a shielding spell of my own. Damn, that hurts!] Rhia smiles slightly, her hands moving quickly and efficiently, "And of all the ways to get my hands on an attractive man, tending his wounds is my least favorite as well. I'm going to attempt to draw the barb now.. This will hurt." Rhia's hands are bathed in white light, which extends to the dart when she grabs it. She slowly pulls it out, and the look on her face is enough to tell the Bard that this is more than a mere dart. Once drawn she examines the tip of the dart minutely, and sniffs it. "Poisoned, as I thought. There are times I wish I had not gotten assassin's training. Luckily it's been somewhat denatured, nor is the dart correctly formed to give you a full dose. I'll attempt to draw the poison out as well." With a low singsong chant, she suspends the dart above the wound. A clear liquid wells up from it and travels the few inches from the wound into the dart. "There. It will sting a little, but you should be fine." Rhia stands and offers Harlock her hand. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6d: Last Play Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 02:15:43 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 08 Nov 2000 01:15:07 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008981 >On Tue, 7 Nov 2000 20:58:50 -0500 >"Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00008977 > > Rhia smiles slightly, her hands moving quickly and efficiently, >"And of all the ways to get my hands on an attractive man, tending >his wounds is my least favorite as well. I'm going to attempt to draw >the barb now.. This will hurt." Rhia's hands are bathed in white >light, which extends to the dart when she grabs it. She slowly pulls >it out, "A...mmf! Slight understatement, Milady." >and the look on her face is enough to tell the Bard that this is more >than a mere dart. Once drawn she examines the tip of the dart >minutely, and sniffs it. > "Poisoned, as I thought. There are times I wish I had not gotten >assassin's training. Luckily it's been somewhat denatured, nor is the >dart correctly formed to give you a full dose. I'll attempt to draw >the poison out as well." With a low singsong chant, she suspends the >dart above the wound. A clear liquid wells up from it and travels the >few inches from the wound into the dart. Harlock's roguish grin flashes in the unlight. "Chance favors the prepared mind, as I believe some Terran scientist said. I happen to be wearing a charm to ward off poisons. Not entirely effective, as you can see, but good enough to give me a fighting chance." As he speaks, the wound in his thigh starts closing with visible speed. > "There. It will sting a little, but you should be fine." Rhia >stands and offers Harlock her hand. The Bard takes the proferred hand, but bounces to his feet without help. He then kisses Rhia's palm. "My thanks, Milady. That was gently done." ================================= Subject: AAE 6d: Every Ending has a Beginning Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 14:52:51 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 9 Nov 2000 17:30:47 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008996 >In a message dated 11/3/00 11:56:23 PM Pacific Standard Time, >peng writes: > >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00008959 >> >> Eric looks around; Joe has UnEric well in...er...hand, UnRob, >>UnHarlock and UnJoe are down, which leaves... >> UnRhia. By herself. Against all five of them. >> Eric smiles. It's the "disturbing" smile. "I don't know about the >>others...but I haven't concerned myself with chivalry since a >>Kindred with a sweet smile and anime eyes tried to strangle me with >>my own innards. I suggest you yield." > >Rob hums the Jeopardy theme to himself as UnRhia considers the offer. [GM Note: Since I'd like to move this along...] Two drums sound from nowhere, and UnRhia, along with the rest of the doubles, vanishes. "Yes, this is worthy to be food, yes. And the shadows shall come and eat this, yes, come hither, come dither..." The voice rambles on, as the CAoL gathers it wits. [TBC...] ================================= Subject: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 18:14:05 -0800 (PST) On Thu, 9 Nov 2000 20:56:17 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008997 The party walks towards the light. As they do, strange things appear at the edges of the plane. It feels like something is coming. Something strange. The voice rambles on, as usual, with heavy emphasis on "this" and "food", although occasionally, there is an offhanded reference to an unnamed "he". A short while passes. And then... "Is this food? Not yet, but this will be food soon, no. He can't have this, yes. This is not-" The voice pauses. "The time is here, yes. I shall have my food, maybe." Then, things change. Five shadows appear, and take shape. The voice yells "Come forth, shades, and become that which is true terror to those who see you!" The shapes change... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 004026 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 10 Nov 2000 001854 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008999 >On Thu, 9 Nov 2000 205617 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008997 > >Then, things change. Five shadows appear, and take shape. The voice >yells "Come forth, shades, and become that which is true terror to >those who see you!" > >The shapes change... The one that approaches Harlock resolves itself into a drop-dead gorgeous woman with rather pale skin. The Bard blanches, turning almost the same shade as the woman. "Melisander!?" The corners of her mouth curl up sensuously. "You look surprised to see me, lover." "Surprised is hardly the word I would choose." [Shocked, belike. And why do I still play the gallant with her?] [OOC spinal reflex, belike ) ] "You know my love for you is eternal," she says, pouting slightly. "Why won't you accept my gift?" "I am unworthy of such a gift, Milady. Would that you would choose another." ['Tis no gift when it carries such a price, after all.] Breathing deeply, she leans forward and asks in a husky whisper, "Another gift, or another lover?" [Shit! An I reply "gift," she thinks I'm hers, but an I reply "lover," she flies into a jealous rage. How does she always trap me like this?] The Bard is starting to look decidedly glassy-eyed... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 00:58:46 -0800 (PST) On Sun, 12 Nov 2000 00:33:08 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009008 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008997 > >Five shadows appear, and take shape. The voice yells, "Come forth, >shades, and become that which is true terror to those who see you!" > >The shapes change... Rob is approached by a tall woman with long black hair, wearing a purple dress and a yellow scarf which seems to glow from within. As she comes closer, she looks at him with an air of disappointment. "Robert. You never answered my question." "Rose?" Rob whispers. "You know that I had to kill you when you attacked me," Rose says, the lilt of madness in her voice, "but when you came back, I offered you another chance to continue your studies. I had to. You'd conquered death." [No. Not this Rose. Not again.] "I gave you a taste of the power to be had. You liked the idea, I know that you did. Why didn't you stay?" [Because I couldn't win. I could run, die, or stay and be corrupted, the same way that you were. And I'm not sure how I found the strength to run.] "I don't have to kill you this time, Robert. Just take my hand, and all is forgiven." "Rose, I..." Rob trails off, remembering the rush of energy that hit him while he was held in an arm lock. Ler, warped by ambition, with just a hint of insanity. Almost three years ago, but the taste of unlimited power is still a clear memory. And a tempting one. "No. I won't join you, and you won't kill me," Rob snaps, backing away from Rose. "I could always outrun you, even before training." His Ler flares up around him, stripping away fatigue, as he searches for the best way to get away from this challenge. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 11:33:05 -0800 (PST) On Mon, 13 Nov 2000 13:58:57 -0500 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00009012 >On Thu, 9 Nov 2000 20:56:17 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008997 OOC: What are the power levels we're working with here? >"Is this food? Not yet, but this will be food soon, no. He can't have >this, yes. This is not-" The voice pauses. "The time is here, yes. I >shall have my food, maybe." > >Then, things change. Five shadows appear, and take shape. The voice >yells "Come forth, shades, and become that which is true terror to >those who see you!" > >The shapes change... The shape facing Rhia is shaped like a lean man. His features slowly shift between three or four faces. "Have you come back to enjoy my tender mercies, dear child? Even your fear is a delicacy to be savored, and you know I say that about few people." Rhia pales and steps back, "Scourge..,"she whispers. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 19:45:24 -0800 (PST) On Mon, 13 Nov 2000 19:36:24 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009014 >On Thu, 9 Nov 2000 20:56:17 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008997 > >"Is this food? Not yet, but this will be food soon, no. He can't have >this, yes. This is not-" The voice pauses. "The time is here, yes. I >shall have my food, maybe." "This clown flip-flops more than the election back home," Eric quips dryly. >Then, things change. Five shadows appear, and take shape. The voice >yells "Come forth, shades, and become that which is true terror to >those who see you!" > >The shapes change... Eric looks as the shapes take form, and shifts fluidly into a defensive stance. "Something tells me," he says, not looking at the shape meant for him, "that the others wouldn't appreciate my interference. "What do you think, Julie?" he asks, not even turning. But underneath his duster, he shivers slightly. The shade smiles sweetly, lighting up the darkness. She's a perky young redhead, dressed in simple tie-dye T-shirt, jeans, and clogs, who would exude decency if it weren't for the innate wrongness of her shadow-born form. "I think you're as jumpy as ever, Eric." Eric frowns, and turns his head slightly. The wince is almost audible. "You. Are. Not. Julie. You are a construct, a _thing,_ meant to strike at everything that I wish for--and can never have--and that I fear. My only fear." Julie's smile fades somewhat. "Eric, what in Gaia's name are you talking abou--" she begins, then shivers. Her hands move to her stomach, trembling. As Eric (and anyone who can see) watches, Julie's skin turns a deathly white. Her mouth shifts subtly, ever so slightly. She's just grown tiny fangs from her canines. Those watching have a sudden, horrible realization. The actual soul of "Julie," Eric's beloved, is in this thing. The "shadow-form" is only a body. A vampire's body. "Oh...oh Gaia, Eric...the hunger..." she falls to her knees. She looks up at him, her eyes wide. "You've...you're...I died, didn't I?" A single tear rolls down Eric's cheek. He nods. "Your...teacher...killed me. You killed him. And now you hunt...things like me." "I was wrong," Eric says, his voice thick with emotion for the first time that anyone here has known. "You're not a thing." He practically flies to her side, falling to his knees in front of her, grabbing her shoulders almost fiercely. "You're alive. We're together. That's all that matters. I don't care how that body was formed, we can _beat_ this--" Julie looks at him, one dark red tear rolling down her pale cheek. "No, Eric...no...I'm dead. You know that. Oh, Gaia...I wish there were some other way...any other way..." "THERE IS! THERE WILL BE!" Eric grips her more tightly and moves closer. Julie's eyes light up slightly, and her lips move towards him... "NO!" She flings herself away, falling to the ground in front of him. Eric falls back, stunned. "I'm sorry, Eric...it's too much. I'm so hungry...and I can't--I can't do that to you--please, Eric..." Eric permits himself one more tear, then stands and nods. His hand, his rock-steady hand, trembles as he reaches into his duster. Julie looks up at him. Eric's eyes, so newly-reborn, are dead again. Her own face fills with horror at what is about to happen. Then her face becomes all resolve, and she stands, lightning quick. She holds a stake of her own, filched from Eric's longcoat. Eric's jaw drops. "FENRIS!" She roars, looking at the place that is darker than emptiness itself. "You just made your last mistake! Eric and I are one! While he lives..." Julie looks back at Eric, her voice softening considerably. "...I live. Nail this thing, Eric. Nail it to the _wall._" And she drives the stake through her own heart. "Julie!" Eric blurts, but is only shaken for a moment. As Julie falls to the ground, Eric turns, muttering, "thousand swords." His entire body turns into a blur for a moment--then he takes off for the handle of the Flask of Being, breaking a hundred miles an hour. Those on the lens link "hear," just for a moment, /i love you, eric/ ================================= Subject: AAE 6d: The Embodiment Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 23:46:53 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 02:08:07 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009015 >In a message dated 11/13/00 7:46:16 PM Pacific Standard Time, >hunter writes: > > "This clown flip-flops more than the election back home," Eric >quips dryly. [OOC: There's a reason for his flip-flops. Go back, and read the first World Without Edge post, and compare it to this for a hint of what's going on here...] > "Julie!" Eric blurts, but is only shaken for a moment. As Julie >falls to the ground, Eric turns, muttering, "thousand swords." His >entire body turns into a blur for a moment--then he takes off for the >handle of the Flask of Being, breaking a hundred miles an hour. > Those on the lens link "hear," just for a moment, /i love you, >eric/ Eric gets less then twenty feet before collapsing. Something is draining the energy from him as he runs. "The realm of nothing does its unwork again." This time, the voice actually has a clear location, in front of Eric. "My name is not Fenris; I was called Carson once, but I never cared much for names. I must mention that the one who had the name of Julie made for a delicious meal." As Eric looks up, he sees a figure. A dark figure, clad in dark blue robes, with white hair and semi-translucent skin. Eric can easily see he has no 'insides' to speak of. "Eric Hunter, you have refused both desire and fear. You are a worthy opponent." The figure approaches Eric. "Eric Hunter, I will offer you a choice, a choice I never had. I would make an offer to you, and, if you refuse, I would fight you." The figure smiles. His teeth are black, with white outlines. "My offer is simple; you for the handle. Would you choose to be food, or to be fighting?" Two voices yell over the communicator, one after the other: "Remember the briefing!" "He's lying!" The first voice was Scott's; the second was... Julie's? [GM Note: Everyone else can carry on as normal; the other shapes have not yet been dispelled.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 09:03:58 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 05:41:40 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00009016 >On Fri, 10 Nov 2000 00:18:54 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00008999 > >Breathing deeply, she leans forward and asks in a husky whisper, >"Another gift, or another lover?" > >[Shit! An I reply "gift," she thinks I'm hers, but an I reply >"lover," she flies into a jealous rage. How does she always trap me >like this?] The Bard is starting to look decidedly glassy-eyed... ...Then he hears the Hunter speak. >On Mon, 13 Nov 2000 19:36:24 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009014 > >"You. Are. Not. Julie. You are a construct, a _thing,_ meant to >strike at everything that I wish for--and can never have--and that I >fear. My only fear." Harlock tears his gaze away from Melisander to watch the unfolding drama. (Well, mostly, anyway. He makes sure to keep Melisander in the corner of his eye.) > Those watching have a sudden, horrible realization. The actual >soul of "Julie," Eric's beloved, is in this thing. The "shadow-form" >is only a body. [Well, no chance of that happening here, I hope. E'en a semblance of 'Sander is more than I had bargained for. I suppose I should just ignore this seeming and head for the flask...] Melisander, seeing the Bard's continued sidelong glances, licks her lips. [...but that way lies madness. Feh. I ne'er was one for ignoring my fears, anyway. Best to confront them.] With that thought in mind, Harlock strides over to Melisander, takes her in his arms, and kisses her passionately. She starts kissing her way down to his neck while he shudders slightly. Any observers notice the point at which her mouth finally opens wide enough to reveal her fangs. For several long moments, the tableau holds with the Bard embracing the beautiful vampire whose fangs hover a hair's breadth from his neck. Finally, she closes her mouth and shoves herself gently away from Harlock. "No. I want you as a lover, not a thrall." Tears of blood start to fall softly from her eyes. "Dammit! Why couldn't you have been a selfish bastard and just taken what I offered?" Harlock smiles sadly. "Ah, but would you have loved me, had I done that?" "Yes! Well, no. I don't know! Everything I've done for the past ten years has been for you, you know. If it weren't for you, I'd still be slaughtering people indiscriminately." Harlock visibly braces himself. "Your love for me is a lie, you know. Your last victim before you saw me had just imbibed a philter of love." Now it's Melisander's turn to smile sadly. "I did know that, actually. I thought it amusing to pretend I was effected, but you were sweet, and you were kind, and I had never met anyone like you. The more I followed you, the more I realized that there was something missing in my unlife and Dammit! I wish I were human again." "Were you human..." the Bard sighs. "Honestly, we probably would have dallied for a month or three, but not much longer. Music is my mistress, and Erin the only woman in my life, for all that she lives on Oerth these days." "All too true, but a girl can dream, can't she?" Melisander straightens up, then kisses Harlock gently on the forehead. "You told me once that love considers others before itself. Fare thee well, Harlock. Think kindly of me." With that, she turns and fades into the unlight. For a long moment, the Bard stands staring off into the distance after Melisander. Those closest to him hear the faint, plaintive strains of a recorder, despite the fact that his recorder is still tucked firmly into his belt. Abruptly, the ghostly sound breaks off, and the Bard looks at the Handle with steel in his eyes. He starts marching forward again. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiment Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 14:28:37 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 13:53:38 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009017 >On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 02:08:07 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009015 > >>In a message dated 11/13/00 7:46:16 PM Pacific Standard Time, >>hunter writes: >> >> "This clown flip-flops more than the election back home," Eric >>quips dryly. > >[OOC: There's a reason for his flip-flops. Go back, and read the >first World Without Edge post, and compare it to this for a hint of >what's going on here...] OOC-R: I'm sure there is. Won't stop Eric from being a wise-arse about it. ;^) >Eric gets less then twenty feet before collapsing. Something is >draining the energy from him as he runs. He snarls, rising with impressive speed. >"The realm of nothing does its unwork again." > >This time, the voice actually has a clear location, in front of Eric. The kusari-gama flashes out, in his hands in an instant. >"My name is not Fenris; I was called Carson once, but I never cared >much for names. I must mention that the one who had the name of Julie >made for a delicious meal." Eric's fists clench, his entire body screaming for a target. >"Eric Hunter, you have refused both desire and fear. You are a worthy >opponent." "Why thank you," Eric says (dryly-duh ;^). >"Eric Hunter, I will offer you a choice, a choice I never had. I >would make an offer to you, and, if you refuse, I would fight you." "Take a wild bloody guess," Eric says, with all the emotional intensity of a Terminator. >"My offer is simple; you for the handle. Would you choose to be food, >or to be fighting?" Eric cocks his head, mildly surprised by the offer. He seems to be considering the offer, and the opponent. >Two voices yell over the communicator, one after the other: "Remember >the briefing!" "He's lying!" The first voice was Scott's; the second >was...Julie's? He looks down at the communicator, his fingers caressing the speaker lightly for a moment. (Interestingly, when he lets go of one end of the chain to do so, it doesn't fall to the ground.) Then he takes a defensive and the chain curls up his right arm like a well-trained snake. With his left hand, he removes his shades; his expression, indeed his entire body, displays remarkable calm. His eyes burn with rage. "Come get some, you Wyrm-kissing spawn of Oblivion." >[GM Note: Everyone else can carry on as normal; the other shapes have >not yet been dispelled.] OOC-R: Wasn't trying to circumvent the plot; I was pretty sure that something else would slow Eric down. 8^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiment Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:51:13 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 19:30:11 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009018 >In a message dated 11/14/00 2:29:37 PM Pacific Standard Time, >hunter writes: > > "Come get some, you Wyrm-kissing spawn of Oblivion." The figure laughs. "Wyrm? I slew the Wyrm, once, child; that is why I am here. And I was born of light thrice over. But that matters not now." He rushes at Eric. His combat style is completely wild, with no rhyme or reason beyond attacking at any and every opportunity; the reason for this can be seen the first time Eric hits him with the chain. Although he weighs less then 50 pounds, and is only about as strong as an ox, no weapon can hurt him; sharp weapons cannot penetrate, and blunt weapons merely knock him in a given direction if applied with enough force. [GM Note: Feel free to write the combat as you see fit. Note that "Fenris/Carson" will not say another word until the combat is finished, one way or the other. And, yes, I do know (roughly) what the Wyrm is in WoD terms; and no, he's not thinking of a different Wyrm.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiments Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 00:44:30 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 23:50:26 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009019 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00008862 > >"'Fenris'...wants you not paying attention, because his grasp is not >exactly gentle, and is rather easy to escape." [Wait a minute...what if running gives Fenris what he wants? And why am I "thinking in the box that isn't there?"] Rose smiles at Rob. "You aren't running very quickly, Robert. Not certain where to go?" "I may not be running fast, but I'm thinking fast," Rob says, as he steps closer. Without warning, Rose's foot whips up, flared with gray energy. Instead of blocking, Rob drops and rolls towards Rose, then reaches out with his mind. >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009014 > > Those watching have a sudden, horrible realization. The actual >soul of "Julie," Eric's beloved, is in this thing. The "shadow-form" >is only a body. [I was right...whatever these are, they have a psyche for a base. Rose is more a simulation than Julie, but there's a mind in there...] And the world changes. Rose and Rob are in a small room which looks like it was decorated by two different people. On Rob's side, the room is cluttered with old magazines, books, and furniture, and various weapons hang on the wall. Some items seem real, others are cartoon-like, and some resemble a two-year old's crayon drawing. On Rose's side, it appears to be a "Escher meets Picasso" universe. Gravity is individual to each object, perspective is relative or nonexistent, and the colors are an LSD flashback. *Where are we?* Rob shoves a pile of books off of a chair, and sits down. *This is an interfaced mindscape. This is my brain,* Rob's mindscape turns blurry for a moment, *this is my brain on drugs, and that's your brain over there.* *But...this is madness.* *The penny drops. It's madness, because you are mad. I'm not the Rob you killed, and you aren't who you were. If there is anything left of the Rose that you were before Bison beat you, you'll find it in there.* *No. You're lying. This is some sort of trick!* Rose begins smashing furniture, tossing things aside, and generally destroying everything. Then, shoving aside a television reveals a drawing hanging on the wall. A drawing of herself, done in stereotype "Big Eyes, Small Mouth" anime style. Rob reaches through the demarcation between mindscapes, and touches the picture. *I see. This is the first time you truly understood the teacher's responsibility.* *This...was me?* Rose stares at the drawing, and her mindscape wavers, and blurs into a swirling polychromatic mist. Only the picture remains stable. *This was me. The last true teacher...why didn't you tell me this when we first met?* *Because I couldn't reach you.* Rob shakes his head sadly. *I haven't mastered the Ler Drit telepathic abilities yet, and the telepathy I'm using now didn't work in the world where we met.* *So who are you, really?* *I'm Rob Nishikawa. But a different one. A traveler between parallel worlds.* *Parallel worlds? But...* Rose's "voice" falters for a moment. *How am I in a parallel world?* *This() is what I'm doing at the moment. As far as I can tell, you're one of Fenris's creations.* *Then...I'm not real. I'M NOT REAL!!* And the mindscape shatters. -------- Rob comes to his knees, and touches Rose, reading her physical condition as reflected in her Ler. [Physically, she's all right. And the corruption is mostly burned away. I think I just dropped too many shocks on her for one day.] [But I'm not in a mood for any more games. I'm tired, I'm getting hungry, and I have a headache from locking her into a linked mindscape.] Rob moves towards the light, noting the three figures ahead of him. His pace is slow, but steady, and something burns in his eyes. The kind of something that does to crowds what Moses did to the Red Sea. Behind him, Rose unravels into mist. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: The Embodiment Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 14:04:28 -0800 (PST) On Fri, 17 Nov 2000 13:23:30 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009024 >On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 19:30:11 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009018 > >The figure laughs. > >"Wyrm? I slew the Wyrm, once, child; that is why I am here. >And I was born of light thrice over. But that matters not now." Eric raises one eyebrow, clearly dubious. >He rushes at Eric. The Hunter simply waits for his opponent to come to him; "Carson" has made the first mistake, and as far as Eric is concerned, it can be his last. >His combat style is completely wild, with no rhyme or reason >beyond attacking at any and every opportunity; the reason for >this can be seen the first time Eric hits him with the chain. The sickle lashes out, striking Fenris/Carson directly in the neck. It would have taken the head of a human--and a lot of things tougher than a human--clean off. >Although he weighs less then 50 pounds, and is only about as >strong as an ox, no weapon can hurt him; sharp weapons cannot >penetrate, and blunt weapons merely knock him in a given >direction if applied with enough force. Eric evades the first few counterattacks, displeased but not entirely surprised that the attack was not lethal. He is, however, clearly annoyed that it had no effect at all. His kusari-gama is a chi-enhanced weapon, and can kill creatures impervious to normal steel. In the Thousand Swords form, Eric's arms and legs also strike as if made of steel, backed by his enormous chi powers. Also nothing. Carson, unencumbered by a need to defend himself, gets in a blow to Eric's ribs. Eric falls back, blocking and dodging, favoring the injured area. It's clear to anyone with enhanced senses that one of his ribs is broken and two more have been cracked. Eric leaps back, and spends a fraction of a second analyzing his charging foe. One thing is certain--if the battle continues in this manner, Eric is going to lose. But he didn't become known as _the_ Hunter by being stupid. As Carson charges in, Eric lashes out with the chain again. But this time, he lets it go. It wraps around Carson's head, seemingly of its own volition, impeding his sight and balance. Then Eric mutters something else under his breath [1], grabs Carson's arm, hooks his leg, and drives Carson to the ground, pinning him in an effective armlock. As the other arm flails around, it's soon caught as well. Carson's still stronger than Eric--but not by as much now, and Eric has an enormous leverage advantage. (OOC note: If Eric can break Carson's arms, he does so. But for now, I'm assuming that he can't.) Stalemate. Which, it seems, is what Eric wanted. "Rob. Harlock. Rhiannon. Joe. Hear me." Eric's voice is calm and relaxed--not the same thing as emotionless, incidentally. He sounds almost...at peace. He seems to ignore the furiously squirming form beneath him, not to mention the copious expenditure of chi required to maintain two long-term effects at once. "He attacks you with fear. Fear is nothing but a natural reaction to possible loss. You can lose nothing by facing your fear--by defeating your fear--except the fear itself. Surrender to your fear, and you can lose far more. The fear comes from you. Reject it." His voice is soothing, almost hypnotic. "These things cannot harm you if you don't give them the power to do so. They are ultimately illusions. The only reality here is the one you bring with you. Reject the unreality our foe would wield..." It goes on like this, calm, resonating, penetrating, serene. [1] I'm at work; I'll look up the name of the chi power when I get home for anyone who cares. >[GM Note: Feel free to write the combat as you see fit. Note that >"Fenris/Carson" will not say another word until the combat >is finished, one way or the other. And, yes, I do know (roughly) >what the Wyrm is in WoD terms; and no, he's not thinking of a >different Wyrm.] OOC-R: Well, it's not the Wyrm from Earth-9--I have plans for that Wyrm in AAE X. But I don't see any reason that it couldn't be another dimension's Wyrm. ================================= Subject: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 05:56:57 -0800 (PST) On Mon, 27 Nov 2000 07:58:38 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009038 >In a message dated 11/17/00 2:05:01 PM Pacific Standard Time, >hunter writes: > > As Carson charges in, Eric lashes out with the chain again. But >this time, he lets it go. It wraps around Carson's head, seemingly of >its own volition, impeding his sight and balance. Then Eric mutters >something else under his breath [1], grabs Carson's arm, hooks his >leg, and drives Carson to the ground, pinning him in an effective >armlock. As the other arm flails around, it's soon caught as well. >Carson's still stronger than Eric--but not by as much now, and Eric >has an enormous leverage advantage. (OOC note: If Eric can break >Carson's arms, he does so. But for now, I'm assuming that he can't.) (And you'd be assuming correctly.) > His voice is soothing, almost hypnotic. "These things cannot harm >you if you don't give them the power to do so. They are ultimately >illusions. The only reality here is the one you bring with you. >Reject the unreality our foe would wield..." > It goes on like this, calm, resonating, peentrating, serene. Eric feels a chill, and then a cold hand touches him. He can hear a voice remarkably similar to his own whisper, "So this is what it's like to die..." The voice speaks; "This one is not food, yes." Eric can feel the chill hand withdraw. "This one must be let go, yes. This one will not go without his friends, almost certainly. This one's friends are not to be food, yes. Oh well." The figure vanishes from under Eric, and reappears standing a distance away. "Eric Hunter, take this, and leave with your friends." The figure extends an arm, pointing at the light; the light approaches rapidly. As it does, it grows brighter, until it reaches the figure's hand, at which point the handle is thrown to Eric. The light fades somewhat. The figure gestures. "Leave." The shadows that were haunting Rhia and Joe fade instantly. "Leave now!" The figure gestures violently. And, with that, the CAoL finds itself back in the briefing room. Scott is standing patiently. "Well. That was a bit sudden, wasn't it?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 19:10:18 -0800 (PST) On Tue, 28 Nov 2000 18:38:31 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009039 >On Mon, 27 Nov 2000 07:58:38 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009038 > >>In a message dated 11/17/00 2:05:01 PM Pacific Standard Time, >>hunter writes: >> >Eric feels a chill, and then a cold hand touches him. He can hear a >voice remarkably similar to his own whisper, "So this is what it's >like to die..." [Something like this, yeah,] Eric thinks, in a tone as wry as he (usually) speaks. >The voice speaks; "This one is not food, yes." Eric can feel the >chill hand withdraw. "This one must be let go, yes. This one will not >go without his friends, almost certainly. This one's friends are not >to be food, yes. Oh well." Eric raises one eyebrow in a distinctly Spock-like manner. >The figure vanishes from under Eric, and reappears standing a >distance away. Eric rolls away from the reappearing figure, frowning slightly as he replaces his sunglasses in a lightning-fast maneuver. >"Eric Hunter, take this, and leave with your friends." The figure >extends an arm, pointing at the light; the light approaches rapidly. >As it does, it grows brighter, until it reaches the figure's hand, at >which point the handle is thrown to Eric. The light fades somewhat. Eric easily one-hands the handle. >The figure gestures. "Leave." The shadows that were haunting Rhia and >Joe fade instantly. "...Oh-kay," Eric responds, looking around for the portal. >"Leave now!" The figure gestures violently. Eric immediately falls into his now-familiar first defensive stance, wielding the handle of the Flask like a dagger. >And, with that, the CAoL finds itself back in the briefing room. >Scott is standing patiently. "Well. That was a bit sudden, wasn't >it?" "You have a gift, sir," Eric says dryly, "for understatement." He tosses Scott the handle for the flask and heads for the door. "Castle. Portal for one--" "mew!" Mew objects, appearing in a pink *pop* next to Eric. Eric smiles. "--two, to wherever my sister is." (OOC: To be continued in thread "f" for the sake of the archivist. 8^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2000 23:14:40 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:14:09 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009040 >In a message dated 11/28/00 7:10:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, >hunter writes: > > "You have a gift, sir," Eric says dryly, "for understatement." He >tosses Scott the handle for the flask and heads for the door. >"Castle. Portal for one--" Scott dodges, and allows the handle to fall to the floor. "I shouldn't touch the handle. If anybody else could get it where it needs to be, I'd be indebted." > "mew!" Mew objects, appearing in a pink *pop* next to Eric. > Eric smiles. "--two, to wherever my sister is." The portal sputters. "Ah. I should have warned you; the safety field prevents all but a few methods of interdimensional travel." Scott gestures at Eric's belt. "You'll have to return the black boxes before you leave." Scott pauses. "Besides, I'd have to ask for them back anyway; they're not mine to give, merely mine to loan. You can keep the belt, if you like." Scott turns around, and gestures at the table, where everyone left their equipment. "I'm also assuming you want your equipment back, and that somebody has a question or two." [Semi-GM note: I'll just assume Eric, Rob, Harlock, Joe, and Rhia hand back the boxes, pick up their equipment and leave, unless somebody wants to ask a question or make special comment.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 02:55:57 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:11:13 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00009041 >On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:14:09 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009040 > >Scott dodges, and allows the handle to fall to the floor. "I >shouldn't touch the handle. If anybody else could get it where it >needs to be, I'd be indebted." Harlock's eyebrows raise, but he picks the handle off of the floor and sets it on the table without any comment. >The portal sputters. "Ah. I should have warned you; the safety field >prevents all but a few methods of interdimensional travel." Scott >gestures at "Hmm...'tis a good thing that I had no use for Dimension Door, then. Actually, come to think of it, that spell is in_tra_dimensional, is it not? Still..." >Eric's belt. "You'll have to return the black boxes before you >leave." Scott pauses. "Besides, I'd have to ask for them back anyway; >they're not mine to give, merely mine to loan. You can keep the belt, >if you like." The Bard grins and shakes his head while removing the belt. "'Tis really not my style." >Scott turns around, and gestures at the table, where everyone left >their equipment. "I'm also assuming you want your equipment back, and >that somebody has a question or two." Harlock picks up the small metal cube that he left on the table, tapping a code on one of the faces. The opposite face expands into a glowing portal again, and the Bard reaches in and retrieves his belt (and pouches) He puts the belt on, collapses the portal, then heads to his quarters and falls flat on his face for a full (24 hour) day or until somebody revives him, whichever comes first. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 09:02:35 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 08:14:21 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009043 >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009040 > >Scott gestures at Eric's belt. "You'll have to return the black boxes >before you leave." Scott pauses. "Besides, I'd have to ask for them >back anyway; they're not mine to give, merely mine to loan. You can >keep the belt, if you like." Rob quietly replaces the belt and box in the crate they came from, then retrieves his gear. >Scott turns around, and gestures at the table, where everyone left >their equipment. "I'm also assuming you want your equipment back, and >that somebody has a question or two." "If you don't mind my asking, who was Carson, before he was locked up in Emptyworld?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 18:48:46 -0800 (PST) On 11-29-2000 at 18:42:05 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00009044 >On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:14:09 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009040 > >The portal sputters. "Ah. I should have warned you; the safety field >prevents all but a few methods of interdimensional travel." Scott >gestures at Eric's belt. "You'll have to return the black boxes >before you leave." Scott pauses. "Besides, I'd have to ask for them >back anyway; they're not mine to give, merely mine to loan. You can >keep the belt, if you like." A camera boom swings down from the Ceiling to focus on The Hunter. "In general it would be best to walk to the Entry Hall, Unless this is an Emergency?" "While you are Doing that, I will Acquire Rio's exact Coordinates, And Status..." [Ed snip of stuff that's in AAE6f.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 21:22:14 -0800 (PST) On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 19:12:27 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009046 >On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 08:14:21 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009043 > >"If you don't mind my asking, who was Carson, before he was locked up >in Emptyworld?" Scott looks at Rob in a way that seems to say 'you asked for it, you got it'. "Carson White, properly; a former brother in arms of mine. He went insane; why he lost himself is a long story in and of itself, but involves an Oracle of sorts. He went on a chaotic spree of destroying Dark Powers, and in so doing, absorbed them. The damage he caused was rather... annoying to repair." Scott pauses. "Anyway, he had to be chained, and left in a place where he could do no damage. That place was destroyed by the recent cosmic reset resulting from the death of Fuzzy, and, in the lurch, he wound up in Emptyworld. I was involved in the search for him when Stranger showed up." "If you had known this before you left, he would have known it. Thus my reluctance to tell you, and partial lie about what he was; I was hoping that by making you think he wasn't alive or aware, he would not truly awaken. He is awake now, but hopefully, he sees enough that he can start repairing himself. If he doesn't, well, there *are* guards who will move him to a... safer location if something happens to Emptyworld when Fuzzy gets resurrected." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 6d: Finale Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 13:43:34 -0800 (PST) On Sat, 02 Dec 2000 13:18:23 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00009052 >On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 01:14:09 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009040 > >>In a message dated 11/28/00 7:10:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, >>hunter writes: >> >> "You have a gift, sir," Eric says dryly, "for understatement." He >>tosses Scott the handle for the flask and heads for the door. >>"Castle. Portal for one--" > >Scott dodges, and allows the handle to fall to the floor. "I >shouldn't touch the handle. If anybody else could get it where it >needs to be, I'd be indebted." Eric's sunglasses slip down his nose slightly, allowing those present to see him roll his eyes. It quite clearly says "I should've _known_ you'd do that." The sunglasses slide back up his nose, seemingly of their own accord. >> "mew!" Mew objects, appearing in a pink *pop* next to Eric. >> Eric smiles. "--two, to wherever my sister is." > >The portal sputters. "Ah. I should have warned you; the safety field >prevents all but a few methods of interdimensional travel." Scott >gestures at Eric's belt. "You'll have to return the black boxes >before you leave." Scott pauses. "Besides, I'd have to ask for them >back anyway; they're not mine to give, merely mine to loan. You can >keep the belt, if you like." Eric returns all of the equipment. "I tend not to use equipment when I'm not sure what it does. Unless it's issued to me, of course. My father's career military." >Scott turns around, and gestures at the table, where everyone left >their equipment. "I'm also assuming you want your equipment back, and >that somebody has a question or two." Eric nods and picks up his (considerable) pile of toys. Despite the space displaced by what he unloaded, there's very little discernable change in Eric's appearance once it's all put away. (The really weird thing, though, is that there's no space fold involved...just pockets and planning.) Continued in 6f. =================================