Action, Adventure, Excitement, Interlude New Arrivals - Chapter 2 Subject: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:57:17 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009645 WARNING: We try to be careful about TMI, but a few clinical terms and blunt descriptions involving childbirth are used. YHBW. WARNING SPACE for anyone who wants to leave "the delivery room" here's your chance. Okay, and away we go... Titania looks into Morgan's eyes as Caitlin dabs her daughter's brow--with a multi-colored cloth that seems to shimmer in the air behind it (sic). "Breathe as steadily as possible, Lady Morgan." Labor has clearly moved on; Morgan is now reclining in a rounded 'chair' made of some sort of spongy wood that cushions her. It also seems to shift subtly to keep her comfortable while maintaining an optimal angle. (Other plants coincidentally seem to move about when necessary to protect her modesty.) Roland, sweating rather impressively from the forehead himself, holds her hand firmly, reassuring her that she's not alone. "That's it, love, you're doing great..." Caitlin rests her hand on Morgan's shoulder, reassuring Morgan of her presence. Sil, meanwhile, keeps her hand on Roland's shoulder, reassuring _him_ that someone's there to help him deal with helping _Morgan_ deal with transition...even though he's going through it right along with her. "Keep going, Morgan, remember the 'deep cleansing breath' from class--" Roland continues. Morgan squeezes Roland's hand tightly enough to make him wince. "Any _other_ woman," she growls at him through clenched teeth, "would at least have the comfort of being able to tell her husband that he has _no_ idea what she's going through." Roland tries to smile gently at her, but it's a little forced. "I'm feeling everything you are, dear--every moment of it. Does that help?" "NO," Morgan snarls, sounding remarkably like Zuul (while in Sigourney Weaver) in 'Ghostbusters.' "i knew that," Roland sighs. Caitlin tries not to chuckle, not quite successfully. (Note: We're assuming that whoever volunteered to filter this...wonderful moment...from the link is doing so. IIRC, you're on, Nemo! 8^) A couple of contractions later, Morgan is sobbing on Roland's arm and apologizing profusely (if not entirely coherently) for what she's putting him through. Roland, with a stoic calm that would do a Vulcan proud (he's saving up a truly explosive fit for later ;^), pats her arm reassuringly and kisses her gently on the cheek, telling her how proud of her he is. "Not yet," Titania says soothingly, while Sil offers her hand on Morgan's _other_ side. "Just a little longer, and then you can start pushing." "Define 'little,'" Morgan says plaintively. "More than 'tiny,' but less than 'small,' dear," Titania chuckles gently. She cools Morgan's brow with a touch of glamour-borne wind at her whimper. Finally...mercifully...the babies finish shifting, and are prepared to come out of the cervix. "Okay," Titania says gently, "you're going to be able to start pushing in a moment. The next contraction will come in a few seconds...focus on me...three...two...one...now!" Morgan takes a deep breath, gets ready to push...and gasps instead. She's not the only one, either. Two tiny, wrinkled, slimy bodies are suddenly laying _on_ Morgan's stomach, face to face on their sides, still attached to her by umbilical cords. Everyone stares in shock at the children, Roland and Morgan have started to form smiles, looking on their newborn twins with awe and love. A few moments later, the heads of everyone present (and older than a minute) turn in unison. The entire assemblage takes one moment to throw Roger the exact same "if you had ANYTHING to do with this" glare. Then they turn their attention to the infants again. Titania gently strokes their backs, one with each hand, while each of the parents rub their bellies gently. (Everyone who didn't already know has been told that it may take a few moments for the children to start breathing, and so long as the umbilical cords are attached, they are still getting oxygen.) Then, as one, they gasp, and begin to breathe with a sound that's almost, but not quite, crying. Roland and Morgan are too busy to notice the cheer that erupts around them. 8^) "They're BEAUTIFUL," Roland gasps himself. Titania and Sil very carefully (and wisely) say nothing. (OOC: A newborn human is enormously wrinkled and messy, as well as usually being a splotchy red. Parents seem immune to this.) The loving parents gently float the children towards Morgan's chest, as Titania simply makes the umbilical cords and placenta disappear. They both begin to suckle, this time not quite in unison (the girl first, followed by the boy a fraction of a second later). "Hello, Rachel." Roland VERY gently kisses Rachel Greywolf-Phoenix on her forehead. "Hello, Liam." He repeats the procedure with Liam Greywolf-Phoenix. Morgan puts one hand gently on Roland's head. "^I love you,^" she breathes. "^I love _you,_^" Roland replies with equal intensity. There is a timeless moment of unity between these four. Which means, of course, that as mundane requirements start to intrude, it's time for someone to make a wiseacre comment. "At least," Sil notes dryly, "this will prevent one of them from using the old 'I'm five minutes older' schtick!" Morgan laughs gently. (She doesn't want to jostle the babies, after all. :-) "Well..." she looks to Roland briefly, and their link flickers. Two boxes of (chocolate) cigars appear in Roland's free hand, one blue and one pink. "I'm a DAD!" Then he turns a fond look at his 'other' son and his predicament (OOC: assuming he hasn't extricated himself already; if he has, ignore the part to Psyche and Mischief). "Okay, that's enough, you two. I need to borrow the squeaky trampoline; please switch over to the snoring one." He gestures with a nod of his head at the twins. "You want to come meet your kid brother and sister, Roger?" "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. "/Come meet the newest family members!/" (OOC: Folx, kibbitz as desired. Mike, we're done; start at your discretion. Obviously, Morgan and Roland will have recovered from childbirth by then. 8^) (OOC-M: If you need a time-frame, assume it's been minimum six weeks on Earth 9. How long it's been anywhere _else_, of course, is open to debate :-). ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 04:57:12 EST Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009646 >In a message dated 3/22/01 11:17:47 PM Pacific Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: > > A few moments later, the heads of everyone present (and older than >a minute) turn in unison. The entire assemblage takes one moment to >throw Roger the exact same "if you had ANYTHING to do with this" >glare. Then they turn their attention to the infants again. Afterwards, Scott will comment that he's glad he wasn't there; else he might have received those glances as well. > "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. >"/Come meet the newest family members!/" Scott walks in. He's still in the grey shirt, and without his trench coat; although he now wears brown slacks; he's also wearing sunglasses. Those who come close to him will see why he's added the sunglasses; his eyes are now casting their own light. "Hail, Lady Titania." Scott performs a bow before Titania that, while not graceful, at least would impress turns around to face the CAoL. "Hiya, folks. I'm sorry about arriving late; I could lie, and tell you I had pressing business, but I'll just state the plain facts: I don't like being around during childbirth, and I really don't like being near cosmic events; I believe this qualifies." Scott pauses. "Have I offended any rule of etiquette, Lady Titania, by arriving so late? I had one pose as me who blatantly violated a polite invitation to a Fae; he got blasted by Eldrich Power for his trouble. I would prefer not to follow in his footsteps." [Insert Lady Titania's response here.] Scott bows; he then turns, and gets in line. When he arrives at the twins, he merely states, "Rachel, Liam, I have little to offer you for now besides a piece of advice, that you may need later on in life: there are better and worse things to be. Trust me when I say that I have seen both, and been both, and while there are many things that are on the better side of the scale, there are also many things on the worse side." He then turns to Morgan and Roland. "If you wish it, I can offer to set you up with a guy who can get you a field to keep them relatively contained; I can also offer two rather difficult to detect locator beacons and the associated receiver units." [Insert responses here.] With that, Scott takes off his sunglasses (his eyes are no longer glowing), and walks up to Roger. "Hello; I don't believe we've been properly introduced; my name is Carson Scott Osborne, but everyone just calls me Scott." The name and the face click in Roger's mind. Roger knows he should be remembering something about Scott, something from the future (distant sirens howl; and a voice asks, "Do we have a deal?"). He could swear he's met Scott before, but he can't quite remember when, exactly. And then the click is gone. Yes, this is the first time Roger has talked to Scott; surprising, considering how much Scott floated around. Although Roger remembers feeling vaguely disquieted at the combination of face and name for some reason. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 07:51:48 -0500 Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00009647 >On Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:57:17 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009645 > >A couple of contractions later, Morgan is sobbing on Roland's arm and >apologizing profusely (if not entirely coherently) for what she's >putting him through. Mischief mews and paces on Snorlax's tummy. It's obvious she feels like she should be /helping/ not standing over here. Legion comes over and picks up Mischief, cuddling her carefully. Mischief gets a very intense look for such a little kitten, and starts to purr. > Roland, with a stoic calm that would do a Vulcan proud (he's >saving up a truly explosive fit for later ;^), pats her arm >reassuringly and kisses her gently on the cheek, telling her how >proud of her he is. > "Not yet," Titania says soothingly, while Sil offers her hand on >Morgan's _other_ side. "Just a little longer, and then you can start >pushing." > >"Define 'little,'" Morgan says plaintively. Mischief's purr begins to expand telepathically, projected outward. It's a warm/safe/loved/held type feeling to all who can pick it up. It also dulls physical pain. It doesn't take it completely away... just smooths off some of the points and jagged edges. Of course, if someone is telepathically blocking themselves off from projections, they won't feel it. > Two tiny, wrinkled, slimy bodies are suddenly laying _on_ Morgan's >stomach, face to face on their sides, still attached to her by >umbilical cords. Everyone stares in shock at the children, Roland and >Morgan have started to form smiles, looking on their newborn twins >with awe and love. > A few moments later, the heads of everyone present (and older than >a minute) turn in unison. The entire assemblage takes one moment to >throw Roger the exact same "if you had ANYTHING to do with this" >glare. Then they turn their attention to the infants again. Mischief doesn't glare. She's busy washing her face and paws. ;) > "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. >"/Come meet the newest family members!/" Legion walks over holding Mischief, Essex behind the pair of them. Mischief sits up in Legion's arms, blinking at the babies. *They're big! Are their eyes open?* She then mews a soft =Hello= and telepathically reaches out to the babies. The proud parents would notice that Mischief doesn't send any thoughts into the baby's heads, even when telepathically talking to everyone else. And when she /does/ reach out to them, she doesn't go inside. Instead it's like she made a telepathic blanket of love and wonder, and tucked it around their tiny forms. (OOC: If the babies have any telepathy/empathy they will feel it, without it intruding on/damaging their sense of self. Since I don't know what kind of telepathic rules you all are using with regards to the babies, I'm just having Mischief follow those of her own race.) ================================= Subject: Re:AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 12:58:25 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009649 >On Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:57:17 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009645 > > Then, as one, they gasp, and begin to breathe with a sound that's >almost, but not quite, crying. > Roland and Morgan are too busy to notice the cheer that erupts >around them. 8^) Mike and Tink grin. > "They're BEAUTIFUL," Roland gasps himself. > Titania and Sil very carefully (and wisely) say nothing. (OOC: A >newborn human is enormously wrinkled and messy, as well as usually >being a splotchy red. Parents seem immune to this.) Mike gently drifts out of the lens link, so that he's just there in person, no longer telepathicly. He's going to have to lie here, but he'd rather not be obvious about it. Summoning up every happy memory he has of Tink's growing up, he says, "Yes, they are." Tink's smile flickers at the sight of the kids, but she'd read up on thi sort of thing beforehand, she knows it's normal and "Awwws," convincingly. [OOC: For all Mike's family, he's never been around for this sort of thing. Tink was "born" at age five. But he's not about to do the Bill Cosby "Congradulations, you just gave birth to a lizard." line, either. ;)] > Which means, of course, that as mundane requirements start to >intrude, it's time for someone to make a wiseacre comment. "At >least," Sil notes dryly, "this will prevent one of them from using >the old 'I'm five minutes older' schtick!" Mike chuckles. > "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. >"/Come meet the newest family members!/" Mike and Tink each take a cigar as they move to coo over the newest Phoenixes, Mike from the blue box, Tink from the pink. They'll stick around for a short while, long enough to see the kids cleaned up and asleep, or less if Mom and Dad seem tired. Then Tink'll grab her Pokemon, Snorlax as soon as Psyche's off him, since Mischief is already, and transport back to the ship after a final grinning look at the babies. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:46:17 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009650 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 04:57:12 EST >Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009646 > >"Hail, Lady Titania." Scott performs a bow before Titania that, while >not graceful, at least would impress turns around to face the CAoL. >"Hiya, folks. I'm sorry about arriving late; I could lie, and tell >you I had pressing business, but I'll just state the plain facts: I >don't like being around during childbirth, and I really don't like >being near cosmic events; I believe this qualifies." Everything else Scott was intending to say is cut off as Morgan growls. This is no longer the growl of a woman in labor. This is the growl of a she-wolf defending her young. The difference is highlighted by the fact that the druidess' features have become decidedly lupine. "Get. That. THING. Away. From. My. Children." It's obvious to everyone that the "thing" she's referring to is Scott. Roland almost tries to start mediating, as befits his position as leader of the CAoL. Unfortunately (depending on your point of view ;^), he just went through several kinds of hell with Morgan, and unlike Morgan, didn't have the luxury of venting it freely. Besides, Morgan's lizard brain (er, wolf brain) has classified Scott as a threat, and Roland would be hard-pressed to argue the point after the debacle at Fuzzy's resurrection. He turns to face Scott, managing to keep his face placid. His eyes, however, burn with unholy light, channelling both his psychic/cosmic power and Morgan's natural magick. The latter is strongly enhanced in this place... "I think," Roland says, and his voice is a battle between a rational person's apology and primal protective fury, "that you'd better go." "And my mom's the _Queen!_ Hmmph!" Psyche insists indignantly. Titania sighs. "My apologies, sir. You will find various seats and edibles--none enchanted, of course--at the perimeter." Morgan emits a low growl again, her eyes going amber. (OOC-R: Not TO Amber, to the _color_ amber. ;^) Titania looks over to Morgan in mild surprise, then back to Scott. "Ah. Perhaps another area of the realm..." Overhead, a dark cloudbank begins to appear. It rolls in to cover the area overhead, and a few nearby fae choose this moment to find business a small distance away from the CAoL. The clouds begin to shift, and a face can be seen forming within them--one familiar to any who have met this Arcadia's Oberon. _His_ eyes are illuminated by two pinprick holes in the cover, creating a truly impressive effect... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 11:06:40 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009651 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 07:51:48 -0500 >Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00009647 > >Mischief's purr begins to expand telepathically, projected outward. >It's a warm/safe/loved/held type feeling to all who can pick it up. >It also dulls physical pain. It doesn't take it completely away... >just smooths off some of the points and jagged edges. Of course, if >someone is telepathically blocking themselves off from projections, >they won't feel it. Most of the blocks around Morgan right now are filtering _outgoing_ signals, for the sake of everyone else on the link :-). So, Morgan does sense this, and sends a brief non-verbal acknowledgment and appreciation to Mischief. >Legion walks over holding Mischief, Essex behind the pair of them. >Mischief sits up in Legion's arms, blinking at the babies. *They're >big! Are their eyes open?* Roland chuckles. *Yes, Mischief, they just opened their eyes a little bit ago, when Queen Titania cleaned them up.* >She then mews a soft =Hello= and telepathically reaches out to >the babies. The proud parents would notice that Mischief doesn't send >any thoughts into the baby's heads, even when telepathically talking >to everyone else. And when she /does/ reach out to them, she doesn't >go inside. Instead it's like she made a telepathic blanket of love >and wonder, and tucked it around their tiny forms. The two infants (who looks considerably cleaner and less wrinkled now) sort of roll a bit and look in Mischief's general direction, and their tiny hands sort of wriggle toward her. Though they're easily pre-verbal, the essence of the emotion that they feel (and project slightly) as a result of Mischief's sending is one of happiness and curiosity. They also react positively to Mischief's appearance; they have no concept for "pretty" yet, but that's the general impression they give--pleasure at the sight of the cute kitten. >(OOC: If the babies have any telepathy/empathy they will feel it, >without it intruding on/damaging their sense of self. Since I don't >know what kind of telepathic rules you all are using with regards to >the babies, I'm just having Mischief follow those of her own race.) (OOC-R: They will both be accomplished telepaths when they're grown, right now they're just empaths who are almost completely blank slates. However, they're already quite sensitive in the sense of being aware.) ================================= Subject: Re:AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 11:14:01 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009652 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 12:58:25 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009649 > >>On Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:57:17 -0800 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009645 >> >> "They're BEAUTIFUL," Roland gasps himself. >> Titania and Sil very carefully (and wisely) say nothing. (OOC: A >>newborn human is enormously wrinkled and messy, as well as usually >>being a splotchy red. Parents seem immune to this.) > > Mike gently drifts out of the lens link, so that he's just there >in person, no longer telepathicly. He's going to have to lie here, >but he'd rather not be obvious about it. Summoning up every happy >memory he has of Tink's growing up, he says, "Yes, they are." Roland just _beams._ Almost literally--he's glowing faintly. 8^) (OOC: Mike's lie could have been obvious to a rock and Roland wouldn't have noticed.) > Tink's smile flickers at the sight of the kids, but she'd read >up on thi sort of thing beforehand, she knows it's normal and >"Awwws," convincingly. Fortunately, they really "cute" up fairly quickly as they are cleaned off (faerie magick works wonders) and swaddled in blankets. > [OOC: For all Mike's family, he's never been around for this >sort of thing. Tink was "born" at age five. But he's not about to do >the Bill Cosby "Congradulations, you just gave birth to a lizard." >line, either. ;)] OOC-R: Probably wise, all things considered. ;^) >> Which means, of course, that as mundane requirements start to >>intrude, it's time for someone to make a wiseacre comment. "At >>least," Sil notes dryly, "this will prevent one of them from using >>the old 'I'm five minutes older' schtick!" > > Mike chuckles. Sil smiles conspiratorially back at him. > Mike and Tink each take a cigar as they move to coo over the >newest Phoenixes, Mike from the blue box, Tink from the pink. They'll >stick around for a short while, long enough to see the kids cleaned >up and asleep, or less if Mom and Dad seem tired. Morgan's tired, but bright-eyed as her family gathers around. Roland, OTOH, is chaining one hell of an adrenaline rush. > Then Tink'll grab her Pokemon, Snorlax as soon as Psyche's off >him, since Mischief is already, and transport back to the ship after >a final grinning look at the babies. Psyche flits over to look at the children soon after they're cleaned up and actually pleasant for folx other than their parents to look at. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 21:43:17 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009655 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:46:17 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009650 > >>On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 04:57:12 EST >>Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00009646 > > Titania looks over to Morgan in mild surprise, then back to Scott. >"Ah. Perhaps another area of the realm..." > Overhead, a dark cloudbank begins to appear. It rolls in to cover >the area overhead, and a few nearby fae choose this moment to find >business a small distance away from the CAoL. The clouds begin to >shift, and a face can be seen forming within them--one familiar to >any who have met this Arcadia's Oberon. _His_ eyes are illuminated by >two pinprick holes in the cover, creating a truly impressive >effect... A hand falls gently on Scott's shoulder, just before both he and the Trump-wielding Amberite behind him vanish in a door of polychrmatic light. And through that 'Door Into Summer', Ziactrice glimmers her eyes, "Ooops. Did I do that? Well. I think you'll find your way out of this alternate dimension easily enough, even with all the difficulties intrinsic in THIS particular one. See you at the Place, Scott!" Having already stepped back and changed Trumps (for some odd reason it seems this is something she has practiced), Zia reappears at Morgan and Roland's house. "Follow me back through HERE. Nyaaaha. Silly Bardly. Or Silly Scott. How could anyone discern?" She frowns, glances around. "Hm." Then one eyebrow starts in surprise. /Oh! Thank you, Nemo. I would appreciate a lift back to Arcadia. Shadowshifting takes so long./ She appears back in Arcadia. "Whew! This time, someone kiss me while the worlds spin!" She quips. "Oh, right, I have to the the blessings, right? Hmmm. I'd be the wicked one, for these. Okay." She SMILES at the twins (in the cleaned up afterwards state), and even Morgan can tell there is zero threat there. "I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with a good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it correctly. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:51 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009658 >In a message dated 3/23/01 2:17:47 AM Eastern Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: Somehwere along the line, the kiddies got tired of using Roger as playground equipment, and slowly transitioned over to using him and the Pokemon as regular furniture. Which allows him to kibbitz from a safe distance... >Morgan squeezes Roland's hand tightly enough to make him wince. "Any >_other_ woman," she growls at him through clenched teeth, "would at >least have the comfort of being able to tell her husband that he has >_no_ idea what she's going through." "Which just goes to show," Roger says, TK-piping the sound *away* from Morgan's hearing, "that we menfolk just *cannot* do *anything* right in a situation like this." > Roland tries to smile gently at her, but it's a little forced. >"I'm feeling everything you are, dear--every moment of it. Does that >help?" > >"NO," Morgan snarls, sounding remarkably like Zuul (while in >Sigourney Weaver) in 'Ghostbusters.' Roger acutally *flinches* at this, and does a short, covert, but very intense scan of the area for several thousand meters, despite Arcadia being "safe ground," especially counting current company. Those not too distracted by other concerns might begin to realize that, for all his cracking wise, Roger isn't quite as...free of concern...as he strives to appear. >A couple of contractions later, Morgan is sobbing on Roland's arm and >apologizing profusely (if not entirely coherently) for what she's >putting him through. Roger sits by the Pokemon, fighting very intense simultaneous urges to dash over and "throw himself on the grenade," so to speak, and/or break out laughing hysterically. He eventually succedds by dint of stuffing one sleeve of his jacket in his mouth and biting down hard enough to penetrate the "leather." > "Not yet," Titania says soothingly, while Sil offers her hand on >Morgan's _other_ side. "Just a little longer, and then you can start >pushing." > >"Define 'little,'" Morgan says plaintively. Roger's eyes roll back in his head, and he falls against Snorlax. Several hundred meters away, in an unocuppied area, another Roger pops into existence and begins pacing back and forth. "I *knew* I chose the wrong century to stop smoking," he gripes, fumbling amateurishly with a pack. Of course, being Roger, they turn out to be candy cigarrettes... >Morgan takes a deep breath, gets ready to push...and gasps instead. >She's not the only one, either. Roger teleports to his feet, jaw unreeling in shock to hang swinging in the breeze... > Two tiny, wrinkled, slimy bodies are suddenly laying _on_ Morgan's >stomach, face to face on their sides, still attached to her by >umbilical cords. Everyone stares in shock at the children, Roland and >Morgan have started to form smiles, looking on their newborn twins >with awe and love. > A few moments later, the heads of everyone present (and older than >a minute) turn in unison. The entire assemblage takes one moment to >throw Roger the exact same "if you had ANYTHING to do with this" >glare. Then they turn their attention to the infants again. Roger is too damned stupefied to even notice. He's still staring at the twins in a complete, mind-numbing sort of disbelief. "They...they *did* it...." he eventually croaks out, looking unsteady. "Just like me...they did it...we really are siblings...they...I...we...he...me...she..." he trails off into incoherent mumblings. > "They're BEAUTIFUL," Roland gasps himself. > Titania and Sil very carefully (and wisely) say nothing. (OOC: A >newborn human is enormously wrinkled and messy, as well as usually >being a splotchy red. Parents seem immune to this.) A straight line *this* good prys Roger partway out of his shock. "They show...a lot of...potential," he says, almost coherently. He's obviously still dazed. > "Hello, Rachel." Roland VERY gently kisses Rachel Greywolf-Phoenix >on her forehead. "Hello, Liam." He repeats the procedure with Liam >Greywolf-Phoenix. > >Morgan puts one hand gently on Roland's head. "^I love you,^" she >breathes. > > "^I love _you,_^" Roland replies with equal intensity. There is a >timeless moment of unity between these four. Roger feels a short, intense pang of jealousy, and promptly whacks himself over the head with a Big Hammer for being an idiot. [Moron. You *had* your turn.] > Two boxes of (chocolate) cigars appear in Roland's free hand, one >blue and one pink. "I'm a DAD!" Then he turns a fond look at his >'other' son and his predicament (OOC: assuming he hasn't extricated >himself already; if he has, ignore the part to Psyche and Mischief). >"Okay, that's enough, you two. I need to borrow the squeaky >trampoline; please switch over to the snoring one." He gestures with >a nod of his head at the twins. "You want to come meet your kid >brother and sister, Roger?" "huh? wha -- uh, yeah! Yeah!" Roger shakes himself awake, extricates himself from faery princess, faery kitten, and fairly friendly Pokemon, and hustles over. > "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. >"/Come meet the newest family members!/" Roger bends down and peers at the twins, holding his breath in a rather comical reflex. Stilling his mind, he opens up his normal passive shielding -- not probing outwards, but rather letting the ambient currents flow through, rather than around... "They're *looking* at me." This is patently untrue. Not only can newborns not focus their eyes that well this early, but both twins seem fully occupied in cementing their relationship with the Mothership's refueling pods (OOC: hah! thought I couldn't use that joke again, didn't you?). But Roger looks dead certain. "They're *looking* at me," he repeats, looking like someone who's had one surpriese too many today. "They *know* me. And...they're *planning*...." He straightens up, suddenly glaring at the twins in full big-brother mode, laced with...apprehension? Anticipation? Supressed glee? All of the above, and more. "Hoo, boy," he remarks, standing away to make room for the next well-wisher. "And girl. I think I'm in trouble...." OOC: Another RL ref there. Mom swears that my first younger sister, on hearing my voice for the first time (at two days old), *smiled* at me with obvious intent aforethought. Given our, er, "tempestuous" relationship since then, I've got to wonder just what that inent was... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 1 (Rogers) On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:46 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009659 >In a message dated 3/22/01 7:15:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, >rio writes: > >Rio's smile turns mischievous as Roger can sense her considering the >possibilities. "Me? I think having several of you could be... >interesting. But that's a girlfriend talking about an adult. If I >were your mother and you were asking if I'd want three of you all >going through the 'terrible two's' at the same time, I think I'd give >a _very_ different answer." "Aw, c'mon, how bad could...it.......okay, okay, even *I* can't make that concept funny." Roger sighs, looking momentarily...well..."down" would be the only way to describe it. >> OOC: No, he's not that arrogant, he's just kidding around. >>Although I wonder what might happen if Rio decided to explore the >>possibilities inherent in Roger's many abilities... > >OOC: Want to meet me on ICQ and find out? ;-) OOC: WHEN AM I EVER GONNA LEARN?!?!? ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:36 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009660 >In a message dated 3/24/01 1:13:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, >darasawall writes: > >"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with a >good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >correctly. Roger grins from the sidelines. "Same blessing she gave me. Except that the nuke punctuated her comma with a period...but like they say, it's the thought that counts!" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 00:06:46 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009662 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 21:43:17 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009655 > >/Oh! Thank you, Nemo. I would appreciate a lift back to Arcadia. >Shadowshifting takes so long./ She Nemo's hand and arm appear out of the air. Even Zia has trouble making her eyes try to follow the arm to where it somehow "disappears". His voice speaks out of the air. "May I have your hand, my dear?" Once she has grasped his hand, she is gently but firmly led in a direction she can only sense thru her link to Nemo. Even here Amberite Shadow shifting senses don't seem to "see" it. A moment later, she is standing next to Nemo on the grass. >appears back in Arcadia. > >"Whew! This time, someone kiss me while the worlds spin!" She quips. >"Oh, right, I have to the the blessings, right? Hmmm. I'd be the >wicked one, for these. Okay." She SMILES at the twins (in the cleaned >up afterwards state), and even Morgan can tell there is zero threat >there. Nemo cheerfully complies with her request for a kiss. >"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with a >good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >correctly. Nemo looks down on the children for a moment. Then, after looking to Morgan for permission, touches each one for a brief moment. "I will not speak of the futures I see, for doing so would change them. But, you are now Known to me and all my selves throughout the multiverses. And we will watch for you, and as we may, aid in time of need." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 15:55:11 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009663 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 21:43:17 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009655 > >A hand falls gently on Scott's shoulder, just before both he and the >Trump-wielding Amberite behind him vanish in a door of polychrmatic >light. Mike and Tink, both about to say something or other before Scott arrived, stand faintly slack-jawed. "Uh..." Mike says. "Yeah..." Tink agrees. ^I think that was Scott,^ Mike sends privately to his granddaughter. ^Seemed like him, not like monotone or anything,^ Tink agrees. "Well..." Mike starts, trying to remember what he was about to say... >"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with a >good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >correctly. Then... >On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 00:06:46 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009662 > >Nemo looks down on the children for a moment. Then, after looking to >Morgan for permission, touches each one for a brief moment. > >"I will not speak of the futures I see, for doing so would change >them. But, you are now Known to me and all my selves throughout the >multiverses. And we will watch for you, and as we may, aid in time of >need." Mike snaps his fingers, "Ah yes, it was something along those lines, but less prophetic." He turns to Roland, Morgan, Liam, Rachel and Roger and smiles. "Looking at your son," the es-Time Lord says, gesturing to Roger, "I suspect these two children will bring you both nothing but wonder, laughter, joy and pride." Mike smiles, then adds, "End of speech." ================================= Subject: AAE interlude: Christening gifts On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 00:15:26 -0800 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00009664 >On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 15:55:11 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009663 > > Mike snaps his fingers, "Ah yes, it was something along those >lines, but less prophetic." He turns to Roland, Morgan, Liam, Rachel >and Roger and smiles. > "Looking at your son," the es-Time Lord says, gesturing to >Roger, "I suspect these two children will bring you both nothing but >wonder, laughter, joy and pride." > Mike smiles, then adds, "End of speech." A shadowy image of Harlock appears, then more-or-less solidifies. He gazes down at Rachel and Liam with a tender smile. "May ye have a song in yuir hearts and poetry on yuir tongues yuir whole lives long." The Bard's smile turns roguish. "What use working f'r the god o' knowledge an I cannae keep track o' me friends?" With a last glance at the Phoenix family, the Bard fades out of existence again. So sue me, the Scottish/Moonshaes accent felt appropriate for Arcadia. Normally Harlock sounds very cultured, pseudo-British really. But being a bard (or rather, the Bard) he can adopt virtually any accent at will, and he has an acute sense of mood. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 05:23:55 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009665 >In a message dated 3/25/01 4:24:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, >technomagetimelord writes: > >He turns to Roland, Morgan, Liam, Rachel and Roger and smiles. > "Looking at your son," the es-Time Lord says, gesturing to >Roger, "I suspect these two children will bring you both nothing but >wonder, laughter, joy and pride." "Headaches, frustration, insanity, and premature balding being all my department," Roger quips good-naturedly. It's not entirely clear if he is referring to his own effect on his parents when *he* was young, or if he expects the twins to save their "best" just for Big Brother.... > Mike smiles, then adds, "End of speech." Roger considers. "I'll give it, lessee, 10.0 for sincerity and goodwill, 9.5 for succinctness, 8.95 for timing, and 11.3 (out of a possible 10.0) for pure style." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 1 (Rogers) On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 14:30:03 -0800 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00009667 >On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:46 EST >SkyeFir Said As CAoL Message # 00009659 > >>In a message dated 3/22/01 7:15:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, >>rio writes: >> >>Rio's smile turns mischievous as Roger can sense her considering the >>possibilities. "Me? I think having several of you could be... >>interesting. But that's a girlfriend talking about an adult. If I >>were your mother and you were asking if I'd want three of you all >>going through the 'terrible two's' at the same time, I think I'd >>give a _very_ different answer." > > "Aw, c'mon, how bad could...it.......okay, okay, even *I* can't >make that concept funny." Roger sighs, looking momentarily...well... >"down" would be the only way to describe it. Rio gives Roger a hug. "Hey, you turned out OK." Her smile turns wicked again. "However much of a handful you were as a kid, I like the handful you've turned into." >>> OOC: No, he's not that arrogant, he's just kidding around. >>>Although I wonder what might happen if Rio decided to explore the >>>possibilities inherent in Roger's many abilities... >> >>OOC: Want to meet me on ICQ and find out? ;-) > >OOC: WHEN AM I >EVER GONNA LEARN?!?!? OOC: Besides, one of her first SOs after Awakening was a Virtual Adept. She already knows the benefits of co-location ;-). ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Roger) On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 21:24:48 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009668 >On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:51 EST >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009658 > >>In a message dated 3/23/01 2:17:47 AM Eastern Standard Time, >>ljwolfe writes: >> >> Two tiny, wrinkled, slimy bodies are suddenly laying _on_ >>Morgan's stomach, face to face on their sides, still attached to her >>by umbilical cords. Everyone stares in shock at the children, Roland >>and Morgan have started to form smiles, looking on their newborn >>twins with awe and love. >> A few moments later, the heads of everyone present (and older >>than a minute) turn in unison. The entire assemblage takes one >>moment to throw Roger the exact same "if you had ANYTHING to do with >>this" glare. Then they turn their attention to the infants again. > > Roger is too damned stupefied to even notice. He's still staring >at the twins in a complete, mind-numbing sort of disbelief. > "They...they *did* it...." he eventually croaks out, looking >unsteady. Alas, this only confirms the new parents' suspicions. ^Later,^ they think.... >"Just like me...they did it...we really are siblings...they...I... >we...he...me...she..." he trails off into incoherent mumblings. Lucky for Pronoun Boy, his parents are sort of focused on the newborns. >> "They're BEAUTIFUL," Roland gasps himself. >> Titania and Sil very carefully (and wisely) say nothing. (OOC: A >>newborn human is enormously wrinkled and messy, as well as usually >>being a splotchy red. Parents seem immune to this.) > > A straight line *this* good prys Roger partway out of his shock. >"They show...a lot of...potential," he says, almost coherently. He's >obviously still dazed. "Well, look how their brother turned out," Roland comments with a smile. His expression and tone, however, are both ambiguous enough to leave his exact intent to the listener... >> "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland >>sends. "/Come meet the newest family members!/" > > Roger bends down and peers at the twins, holding his breath in a >rather comical reflex. Stilling his mind, he opens up his normal >passive shielding -- not probing outwards, but rather letting the >ambient currents flow through, rather than around... > "They're *looking* at me." > This is patently untrue. "That is patently untrue," Roland replies dryly. > Not only can newborns not focus their eyes that well this early, >but both twins seem fully occupied in cementing their relationship >with the Mothership's refueling pods (OOC: hah! thought I couldn't >use that joke again, didn't you?). OOC-M: We could hope. ;-) (OOC-R: 8888888888888888888888888888888888) "Not only can newborns not focus their eyes that well this early," Roland continues, "but both twins seem fully occupied in cementing their relationship with their mother." "Then again," Morgan comments, "these two have already shown they're not exactly 'normal' newborns." > But Roger looks dead certain. > "They're *looking* at me," he repeats, looking like someone who's >had one surpriese too many today. "They *know* me. And...they're >*planning*...." He straightens up, suddenly glaring at the twins in >full big-brother mode, laced with...apprehension? Anticipation? >Supressed glee? All of the above, and more. "And just what would they be 'planning,' that their big brother should be so worried?" Morgan asks, just a hint of merriment in her voice. "Afraid they'll take after you?" She's smiling, but it's a fond smile. > "Hoo, boy," he remarks, standing away to make room for the next >well-wisher. "And girl. I think I'm in trouble...." "'Man born of woman--and born to trouble,'" Roland quotes sagely. (OOC: Jubal Harshaw, Stranger in a Strange Land, for the benefit of the uninitiated. 8^) "If your Roland was anything like me, 'interesting times' are in your blood." Before Roger moves away, though, Rachel stops nursing, turns to look _straight_ at Roger, reaches out one tiny hand toward him, and coos gently. Morgan stifles a chuckle. "What he said." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:06:06 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009669 >On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 00:06:46 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009662 > >>On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 21:43:17 -0800 (PST) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009655 >> >>Having already stepped back and changed Trumps (for some odd reason >>it seems this is something she has practiced), Zia reappears at >>Morgan and Roland's house. The house reacts immediately, and three metallic tentacles with fiber-optic ends pop out. After several seconds (or her entire stay, whichever comes first 8^), they retreat back into the walls, satisfied that she is a non-hostile. >>She appears back in Arcadia. "Er," Roland says, looking vaguely uncomfortable but also fighting a smile. "You," he begins again, and gives that line up as a lost cause too. "That was..." he tries. He clearly feels that he _ought_ to say something about her abrupt removal of another ally (or was it?) but also clearly doesn't _want_ to. >>"Whew! This time, someone kiss me while the worlds spin!" She quips. >>"Oh, right, I have to the the blessings, right? Hmmm. I'd be the >>wicked one, for these. Okay." She SMILES at the twins (in the >>cleaned up afterwards state), and even Morgan can tell there is zero >>threat there. > >Nemo cheerfully complies with her request for a kiss. He gives up with an almost-smile and a shrug, as events have fortunately moved on. >>"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with >>a good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >>correctly. Roland's eyes darken for a moment--then the lightbulb goes off. /Oh. Very clever. 'Vaccine,' after a fashion,/ he thinks loudly enough to be heard through the link. >Nemo looks down on the children for a moment. Then, after looking to >Morgan for permission, touches each one for a brief moment. > >"I will not speak of the futures I see, for doing so would change >them. But, you are now Known to me and all my selves throughout the >multiverses. And we will watch for you, and as we may, aid in time of >need." Roland whistles. "Thanks." Then he turns to Zia, and bows very formally. (Well, actually, his oriental bowing is awfully rusty, but he gets an 'A' for effort. 8^) "And you, Ziactrice." "Yes, thank you both," Morgan smiles. /"I can't imagine these children having a life anything _but_ 'interesting,' and good friends can make all the difference."/ The entire CAoL feels included in that statement. "And Nemo..." She stops, a bit overwhelmed. "I don't know what to say. Except, again, thank you." Then: >On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:36 EST >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009660 > >>In a message dated 3/24/01 1:13:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, >>darasawall writes: >> >>"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with >>a good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >>correctly. > > Roger grins from the sidelines. "Same blessing she gave me. Except >that the nuke punctuated her comma with a period...but like they say, >it's the thought that counts!" Roland blinks in SHOCK. "What unimaginable _idiot_ pulled a stunt like that, and how long afterward did they live?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Mike) On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:06:52 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009670 >On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 15:55:11 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009663 > > "Looking at your son," the ex-Time Lord says, gesturing to >Roger, "I suspect these two children will bring you both nothing but >wonder, laughter, joy and pride." > Mike smiles, then adds, "End of speech." "We suspect much the same, old friend," Roland replies, beaming. "And we'll remind ourselves of that whenever they get...difficult," Morgan chuckles. At about which point: >On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 05:23:55 EST >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009665 > > "Headaches, frustration, insanity, and premature balding being all >my department," Roger quips good-naturedly. > It's not entirely clear if he is referring to his own effect on >his parents when *he* was young, or if he expects the twins to save >their "best" just for Big Brother.... "Except you--that is--ah, the joys of paradox..." Roland sighs with a half-smile. That turns into a full smile... "I've got it! Roger _is_ the twins...with degrees!" He gestures to the infants, then to Roger. "Pair o' twins...paradocs! OW!" He finishes as the peanut that planted Roger comes around for another pass... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: Christening gifts On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:07:42 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009671 >On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 00:15:26 -0800 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00009664 > >A shadowy image of Harlock appears, then more-or-less solidifies. He >gazes down at Rachel and Liam with a tender smile. "May ye have a >song in yuir hearts and poetry on yuir tongues yuir whole lives >long." Caitlin smiles. "May it be so," she whispers, in Gaelic but anyone on the link can understand her through Morgan. (OOC: We'll assume someone is 'sharing' the link with those present who don't have lenses.) >The Bard's smile turns roguish. "What use working f'r the god o' >knowledge an I cannae keep track o' me friends?" "Indeed," Morgan agrees. "And thank ye. The blessing o' a bard is always welcome." > >So sue me, the Scottish/Moonshaes accent felt appropriate for >Arcadia. Normally Harlock sounds very cultured, pseudo-British >really. But being a bard (or rather, the Bard) he can adopt virtually >any accent at will, and he has an acute sense of mood. > OOC: No suit necessary. Good call :-). ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 02:12:41 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009672 >In a message dated 3/27/01 1:21:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >>>"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with >>>a good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >>>correctly. > > Roland's eyes darken for a moment--then the lightbulb goes off. >/Oh. Very clever. 'Vaccine,' after a fashion,/ he thinks loudly >enough to be heard through the link. "Yeah," Roger puts in. "But who gets to be the 'good friend'?" His hair stands up as he suddenly finds himself targetted by smiles from all sides (and they're not completely *nice* smiles, either). He facepalms miserably. "Open mouth, insert shoe store..." ================================= Subject: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 23:15:00 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009673 The CAoL aren't the only ones to come to give blessings to the newborns. Seeker, the flamboyant Akashic (Awakened martial artist) of the Champions, arrives to greet the children and give them his own words of wisdom ("smile--it can't hurt and it can always help, especially if you've set the rug on fire"). Thor (the Marvel-Earth version) comes and gifts them with one rune each, offering his wisdom when they're old enough to understand it. ("Ye dinnae tell me ye knew--knew--" Caitlin says breathlessly.) ("It's...complicated. Yes, he's Thor. But he's more...human...than most variations of him, and I mean _no_ insult to him for it," Roland explains.) A few others arrive as well. Fatale (the Queen of Air and Darkness of this version of Arcadia, and bears a passing resemblance to someone Nemo's watching out for ;^) appears, and after assuring Titania, Oberon, and Nemo in turn that she means no harm, she gives her pledge that any Unseelie who try to harm the twins will have to answer to her. Ganthet appears, and gives them each a ring. "Don't worry," he explains. "They're only protective devices. But they do look nice, don't they?" And they do--they're green bands with celtic knotwork woven into them. The design in the center _does_ bear a faint resemblance to a lantern, of course. (OOC-M: Retconned appearances will be dealt with as possible--looks like Roland has another writing assignment coming up .) Finally, David--High King of the earth-bound changelings--arrives, is more than a little awestruck to have made it here (cosmics take note--this will have MASSIVE ramifications for Earth-9), and merely coos over each child tenderly. It quickly becomes apparent to those with magical senses that he doesn't dare _use_ his magic here--until he acclimates, it'd be like lighting a match in an oxygen tent. At last, everyone has paid their respects and made what silly noises they're going to make at the kids (if any). Psyche waves tearfully to Mischief, Roland has actually managed to pack things up (pity the holodeck when they get back--he's still got some venting to get out of his system ;^), and everyone is getting ready to say good-bye. Then Titania smiles. "Oh dear, we almost forgot." Oberon solidifies next to her. "That's right, love. How thoughtless of us." /Yeah, right,/ Morgan and Roland think in unison (but are much too smart to say out loud). "We yet have blessings to give to these babes," Titania begins, folding her arms. A gentle breeze swirls around her. "And for ones who are as family to Us, they must be great blessings indeed," Oberon adds, rainbow light starting to play around him. There is a pregnant hush for just a moment. Then the two divine forces dissipate, becoming a flow of light and a caressing wind. "Live in Wonder," the rainbow intones in a deep bass that rings the heart of Arcadia like a celestial bell, passing through the children. They giggle. "Live in Joy," the wind sings in a rich alto that causes trees to weep. As she wafts over the babies, they sigh contentedly. "Stay as you will, or depart if you wish," the two voices harmonize, "and always be well come that comes to us well." They vanish. "Whoa," the Freelance Immortals say in unison. At the same moment, the infants make a sound that's somewhere between a sigh and a coo. "Well, it's their Place, I guess they get to do the big Spielbergian number," Roland whispers reverently. Then, gathering the few wits he has left, he gathers the Greywolf-Phoenix family together, they dole out hugs as they say goodbye. "/I'll be by the Place in a week or two with the bairns to show them off,/" Morgan says as they're making the rounds. Finally, they wave farewell one last time and vanish. Epilogue: Roland helps Morgan to the bedroom, tucking the twins into their crib with a TK field as gentle as his mastery is capable of. Then he turns, kisses her on the cheek, and says in a voice already growing choked, "I'll be downstairs in the holodeck for a *growl* short while, dear." Morgan strokes his cheek, gives him a loving kiss, and says, "Do what ye need to." Roland nods in thanks and vanishes. After a few moments, the entire house shakes. Morgan can hear faintly, from below, "Increase inertial dampeners." A few seconds later, the house shakes again. "*snarl* Increase inertial dampeners!" Less than a minute later, the house shudders. "INCREASE THE #&$%*!@&% DAMPENERS!" "Command not recognizakgueazuark!" "Maximize," Roland says sotto voce, just loud enough for Morgan to hear, "inertial dampeners." "Oh, my." There is a moment of dead calm. The house shivers one final time. Then the universe, deciding that it is safe to do so, continues on its way. The rest of the family is able to rest, the house only vibrating slightly from time to time. 8^) Several hours later, Morgan wakes slightly as Roland crawls into bed. "I think," she says softly, snuggling against him, "that I'm very glad they teleported. I don't think the house could have stood it otherwise." Roland laughs as heartily as he can, exhausted as he is, and snuggles next to her as they drift off to sleep. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Mike) On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 02:28:36 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009674 >In a message dated 3/27/01 1:21:31 AM Eastern Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: > > "Except you--that is--ah, the joys of paradox..." Roland sighs >with a half-smile. That turns into a full smile... > "I've got it! Roger _is_ the twins...with degrees!" He gestures to >the infants, then to Roger. "Pair o' twins...paradocs! OW!" He >finishes as the peanut that planted Roger comes around for another >pass... Roger props one hand on hip, and sardonically cocks his free thumb in Roland's direction. "And people wonder *where* I get it from..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 02:28:35 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009675 >In a message dated 3/27/01 1:21:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >> Roger grins from the sidelines. "Same blessing she gave me. >>Except that the nuke punctuated her comma with a period...but like >>they say, it's the thought that counts!" > > Roland blinks in SHOCK. "What unimaginable _idiot_ pulled a stunt >like that, and how long afterward did they live?" Roger suddenly finds lots of interesting things to look at in the immediate area. "Well, it wasn't actually anybody's *fault*...exactly...y'see, it all started when the USAF tried to intercept the asteroid with the SuperNova Bomb on board during the first year of the Seedling War..." He breaks off at the stares he's collecting. "Um, maybe I should fill in some background..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Roger) On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 02:28:34 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009676 >In a message dated 3/27/01 1:13:39 AM Eastern Standard Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >Before Roger moves away, though, Rachel stops nursing, turns to look >_straight_ at Roger, reaches out one tiny hand toward him, and coos >gently. Morgan stifles a chuckle. "What he said." Roger develops that goofy, blitzed-looking happyface that most Big Tough Guys get when Cyoote Liddle Babeez smile at them...but to his credit, he shakes it off fairly quickly. "Oh, we're gonna have fun, all right," he remarks. "But DON'T," he adds, wagging an admonishing finger in the twins' direction, "think that I'm some softy like your parents. I know all your tricks in advance -- remember that." Having made his point (yaright), Roger strides confidently off, surrounded by hovering holoscreens that look dangerously like plans for an extended military campaign. /Gotta be ready...gotta be ready...contingencies...options...backups.../ his voice can be heard muttering absently over the links... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 19:37:22 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009677 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009673 > > A few others arrive as well. Fatale (the Queen of Air and Darkness >of this version of Arcadia, and bears a passing resemblance to >someone Nemo's watching out for ;^) appears, and after assuring >Titania, Oberon, and Nemo in turn that she means no harm, she gives >her pledge that any Unseelie who try to harm the twins will have to >answer to her. Ganthet appears, and gives them each a ring. >"Don't worry," he explains. "They're only protective devices. But >they do look nice, don't they?" And they do--they're green bands with >celtic knotwork woven into them. The design in the center _does_ bear >a faint resemblance to a lantern, of course. In a -voice- that heard throughout the Macro Cosmos The Stardragon then says /*"Let all the Powers, and all the Forces of the Macro Cosmos attend. These children, {}, are as family to ME. To harm them is to harm ME. To oppose them is to oppose ME. Those that face THEM will also face ME in conflict. Let ALL attend lest they face MY wrath for the sake of these children. Whom so ever brings injury to these children will sup upon the WORST punishments that I can devise, for the rest of all time!"*/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 19:56:29 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009678 >On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 19:37:22 -0800 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009677 > >In a -voice- that heard throughout the Macro Cosmos The Stardragon >then says /*"Let all the Powers, and all the Forces of the Macro >Cosmos attend. These children, {}, are as family to ME. To harm them >is to harm ME. To oppose them is to oppose ME. Those that face THEM >will also face ME in conflict. Let ALL attend lest they face MY wrath >for the sake of these children. Whom so ever brings injury to these >children will sup upon the WORST punishments that I can devise, for >the rest of all time!"*/ "I think," Morgan says quietly, "all things considered, that these may well be the safest two children in the history of the multiverse." "Quite possibly," Roland replies. /"Er, thank you, Stardragon."/ Oberon and Titania just smile faintly... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 20:57:56 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009679 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009677 > >In a -voice- that heard throughout the Macro Cosmos The Stardragon >then says /*"Let all the Powers, and all the Forces of the Macro >Cosmos attend. These children, {}, are as family to ME. To harm them >is to harm ME. To oppose them is to oppose ME. Those that face THEM >will also face ME in conflict. Let ALL attend lest they face MY wrath >for the sake of these children. Whom so ever brings injury to these >children will sup upon the WORST punishments that I can devise, for >the rest of all time!"*/ Rob winces at this. /My apologies for not coming, folx, but things got busy in a hurry over here. I'll be fine, but I don't want to leave until I've got this wrapped up. And if anybody finds a copy of 'Letting Go of Children that are Ready to Fly,' I'll want to buy one for the Stardragon./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 23:32:02 -0600 Martin (at Work) Said As CAoL Message # 00009680 >On Tues 27 March 2K1 "Dane Anderson" Sent: > >In a -voice- that heard throughout the Macro Cosmos The Stardragon >then says /*"Let all the Powers, and all the Forces of the Macro >Cosmos attend. These children, {}, are as family to ME. To harm them >is to harm ME. To oppose them is to oppose ME. Those that face THEM >will also face ME in conflict. Let ALL attend lest they face MY wrath >for the sake of these children. Whom so ever brings injury to these >children will sup upon the WORST punishments that I can devise, for >the rest of all time!"*/ Elsewhere... Dhyrclhanc looks up from whatever task he was previously engaged in and glances skywards, muttering -- loudly and wryly-- "No need to over do it, or anything..." [I'm going to be oh so glad when that "kid" starts growing-up.] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Wed, 28 Mar 2001 18:48:08 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009681 >On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:06:06 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009669 > >>On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 00:06:46 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00009662 >> >>>On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 21:43:17 -0800 (PST) >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009655 >>> > >>>She appears back in Arcadia. > > "Er," Roland says, looking vaguely uncomfortable but also fighting >a smile. "You," he begins again, and gives that line up as a lost >cause too. "That was..." he tries. He clearly feels that he _ought_ >to say something about her abrupt removal of another ally (or was >it?) but also clearly doesn't _want_ to. Roland gets treated to Zia's very best Innocent and Inquiring Smile. He is momentarily too flabbergasted by the realization of where Roger must have learned that particular expression to speak. >>Nemo cheerfully complies with her request for a kiss. > > He gives up with an almost-smile and a shrug, as events have >fortunately moved on. Zia almost grins, but carefully not where Roland could see it. >>>"I think... you both should have interesting lives, but always with >>>a good friend by your sides." She pronounces, careful to word it >>>correctly. > > Roland's eyes darken for a moment--then the lightbulb goes off. >/Oh. Very clever. 'Vaccine,' after a fashion,/ he thinks loudly >enough to be heard through the link. Zia wrinkles her nose at him, and makes a 'shuussh' gesture. /You'll ruin my 'evil' reputation, you keep seeing the good in all I do in the name of wickedness./ She 'scolds' him, not meaning a single word of it; he can tell by the feel of humor that flows off her. >>Nemo looks down on the children for a moment. Then, after looking to >>Morgan for permission, touches each one for a brief moment. >> >>"I will not speak of the futures I see, for doing so would change >>them. But, you are now Known to me and all my selves throughout the >>multiverses. And we will watch for you, and as we may, aid in time >>of need." > > Roland whistles. "Thanks." Then he turns to Zia, and bows very >formally. (Well, actually, his oriental bowing is awfully rusty, but >he gets an 'A' for effort. 8^) "And you, Ziactrice." Zia gives him a deep bow respectfully in return. "It was merely my honor and pleasure, Roland." >"Yes, thank you both," Morgan smiles. /"I can't imagine these >children having a life anything _but_ 'interesting,' and good friends >can make all the difference."/ The entire CAoL feels included in that >statement. "And Nemo..." She stops, a bit overwhelmed. "I don't know >what to say. Except, again, thank you." Zia smiles at the Immortals with Children. "I've certainly found that to be very true, indeed, Morgan." >Then: >>On Sat, 24 Mar 2001 08:35:36 EST >>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009660 >> >> Roger grins from the sidelines. "Same blessing she gave me. >>Except that the nuke punctuated her comma with a period...but like >>they say, it's the thought that counts!" > > Roland blinks in SHOCK. "What unimaginable _idiot_ pulled a stunt >like that, and how long afterward did they live?" "Roger, don't prey on your father's gullibility, dear. Unless you want me to withdraw your own amnesty from my own on yours?" She SMILES at Roger. "After all, that hasn't happnened yet, by one view of event/causation, right?" Roger gets treated to Zia's most Wickedly Barbed Smile. She evidently has great practice and command of THIS particular sort of smile... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 12:52:11 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009694 >On Tue, 27 Mar 2001 20:57:56 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00009679 > >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009677 >> >>Whomsoever brings injury to these children will sup upon the WORST >>punishments that I can devise, for the rest of all time!"*/ > >Rob winces at this. /My apologies for not coming, folx, but things >got busy in a hurry over here. I'll be fine, but I don't want to >leave until I've got this wrapped up. And if anybody finds a copy of >'Letting Go of Children that are Ready to Fly,' I'll want to buy one >for the Stardragon./ /Sounds good,/ Roland replies with a chuckle. /I think it can wait a decade or so, though. I'll want a copy when they're about 15, by the way./ He's not entirely serious, of course. ;^) Then again, he's not entirely joking, either. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 13:55:54 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009695 >On Wed, 28 Mar 2001 18:48:08 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009681 > >>On Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:06:06 -0800 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009669 >> >> Roland's eyes darken for a moment--then the lightbulb goes off. >>/Oh. Very clever. 'Vaccine,' after a fashion,/ he thinks loudly >>enough to be heard through the link. > >Zia wrinkles her nose at him, and makes a 'shuussh' gesture. /You'll >ruin my 'evil' reputation, you keep seeing the good in all I do in >the name of wickedness./ She 'scolds' him, not meaning a single word >of it; he can tell by the feel of humor that flows off her. Roland blinks at this, not entirely sure how to respond. He decides to let this one slide, too--events are moving rather quickly now that the twins have...er...appeared. 8^) >> Roland blinks in SHOCK. "What unimaginable _idiot_ pulled a stunt >>like that, and how long afterward did they live?" > >"Roger, don't prey on your father's gullibility, dear. Unless you >want me to withdraw your own amnesty from my own on yours?" She >SMILES at Roger. "After all, that hasn't happnened yet, by one view >of event/causation, right?" Roger gets treated to Zia's most Wickedly >Barbed Smile. She evidently has great practice and command of THIS >particular sort of smile... "And isn't likely to, at the rate _he's_ generating...what did Dr. Tesla call it?...'anachrognosis.' I try no to think too hard about the ramifications of Hypertime, myself--gives me a headache." He _winks_ at his older 'son,' then turns his attention back to the twins. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 17:56:44 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009678 > >"I think," Morgan says quietly, "all things considered, that these >may well be the safest two children in the history of the >multiverse." > > "Quite possibly," Roland replies. /"Er, thank you, Stardragon."/ > Oberon and Titania just smile faintly... /*"Particularly when you consider, that no Starspawn, with possibly only one exception, will now stand by and allow them to come to harm, Lady Morgan."*/ Oracle says. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 02:25:42 -0800 (PST) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00009703 >On Fri, 30 Mar 2001 12:52:11 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009694 > > /Sounds good,/ Roland replies with a chuckle. /I think it can wait >a decade or so, though. I'll want a copy when they're about 15, by >the way./ He's not entirely serious, of course. ;^) Then again, he's >not entirely joking, either. Somewhere else, a familiar shape kept watch at a window. When the last Link-exchange faded, she smiled a bit. Touching the humanborn memories of cooing over a new baby, the demon opened her connection to the Link. /I see you have two new whelps... congratulations. We would have come, but circumstances intervened./ Over the private bond, Raver noted, [Roland and Morgan have had two new whelps. A male and a female, Liam and Rachel.] [The human term is children, you know.] Ignoring Raver's arched eyebrow, Mandy snapped another clip into her gun and peered out the other window. A nod, then a wistful smile. [But that's great -- pass congrats on for me, hm? And -- you know that this means we have to buy pressies, too. ...Someone better have taken pictures or taped them. I can't believe we missed it because *some* people don't like demons.] Raver tilted her head minutely. [Practice,] she noted succinctly before turning back to the Link. /And Mandy adds her good wishes as well. She has mentioned... presents./ The tone was a mixture of amusement and resignation. A brief memory of the last time they spent time in a bookstore leaked over the link. /You may wish to reserve a spare closet. Or two./ A small hesitation. /When the whelps are of age to wield weapons, I would not be unwilling to teach them something of the way of the blade./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 08:44:10 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009704 >In a message dated 3/30/01 5:12:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, >rolandx writes: > >>"Roger, don't prey on your father's gullibility, dear. Unless you >>want me to withdraw your own amnesty from my own on yours?" She >>SMILES at Roger. "After all, that hasn't happnened yet, by one view >>of event/causation, right?" Roger gets treated to Zia's most >>Wickedly Barbed Smile. She evidently has great practice and command >>of THIS particular sort of smile... Unfortunately for Zia's enjoyment of watching Roger squirm (OOC: ), what she mentions sets in motion a train of thought sufficient even to distract him from noticing her smile. "Actually, it won't happen at all, now, since...but...oh, damn, the War'll still happen, and the nuke'll be out there. Which means I'm gonna hafta do something about that. And that. Oh, and THAT. Mmm, maybe not that, but definitely that. And I'll have to figure out a different way to save everyone's bacon when Destroyer uses the Icon Of HHNMNBWEOUSW." He slants a speculative glance at the twins. "Hm...I wonder if their diapers'll be as toxic...?" OOC: Yes, I actually have a story behind this -- pure silliness, of course. Nag me enough, and I'll get around to writing it one of these days. (:) > "And isn't likely to, at the rate _he's_ generating...what did Dr. >Tesla call it?...'anachrognosis.' I try no to think too hard about >the ramifications of Hypertime, myself--gives me a headache." He >_winks_ at his older 'son,' then turns his attention back to the >twins. Putting on a "Professional Longsuffering" expression, Roger sidles away out to the edge of the crowd, chows down on the eats for a while, and then wanders off. Eventually, he comes across a small, deserted clearing, with a handy-sized rock smack dab in the middle. Stepping across, Roger puts the rock to the use for which The Great Maker designed such rocks, and sits on it. He then pulls out a rather beat-up-looking Stratocaster guitar, and after a moment of closed-eye concentration, begins playing it. Then stops playing it and starts tuning it. To anyone listening, it would be clear that he's turned off all of his available cybernetic and psionic "cheats," and is playing with jjust fingers alone. This is because he's also obviously rather rusty. His one concession to his lack of practice is a bit of Halo hardening of his fingers, to make up for the lack of calluses. Well, that and the fact that he's playing electric-guitar chords without benefit of a visible amplifier -- the patch cord just trails up somewhere into jacketspace. For a long while he simply sits and noodles, staring off into space with the air of someone grinding away at an insoluble problem, sliding in and out of recognizable snatches of various musical pieces, but never settling on anything. After a while, though, it seems that something has finally gelled -- although his fingers seem to realize it before his mind does. BGM: Joe Satriani/The Extremist/Friends Somewhere around the beginning of the second 'verse,' everything seems to come together, and the load seems come off his shoulders. Closing his eyes, he stops picking the notes absently, and settles down to seriously lay down the lead guitar line like it was meant to be, albeit solo. Oddly enough, it seems less out of place in the quiet of the glade than one might expect it to be... After the last note trails away, he sits for a long moment before standing with a decisive motion and sliding the Strat back into jacketspace storage. "I suppose it was inevitable," he murmurs, looking into the carefree cerulean skies. "The only real blessing I have to offer -- the only one reasonably *safe,* and even it has two edges. But...being who I am, and who they are, it's also the most...appropriate." Decision made, he strides back off the way he came, back to the twins' zeroth birthday party. Hesitantly: "Ah, could I have a moment...alone? It's rather personal." Tolerantly: "Yes, Mom, I'm nearly 400 years old, I do know how to hold newborns. I can even change diapers in a GURPS TL-1 evironment." Calmly: "No, Dad, I won't be out of sight -- just over there. I'll only need a minute. Yes, I know what to do if anything happens." Sternly: "Rachel, stop *smiling* at me like that. And don't try to tell *me* it's just gas -- I know better." Tiredly: "You too, Liam." Quitely: "Okay, now that we have some privacy...I've been thinking a lot about, well, things. Existence, reality, paradox, my role in the grand scheme of things...you know." He glances around to make sure no one's eavesdropping. "And you know, none it matters. Past, present, future; what matters is *now,* the people and problems right in front of you. Which isn't to say that you can ignore the big picture, but--" he breaks off in frustration and casts about for the right words. "What I'm saying is, when the Big Picture is Too Big, or Too Blurry...you can't let yourself be paralyzed by it. Sometimes, your only real option is to do what you think is right, *right then,* and be prepared for all the possible consequences." Having each arm occupied by a newborn, Roger can't smack himself upside the head. But he tries hard. "And, darn it, this wasn't supposed to be a speach. It's just...I..." He takes a deep breath and starts over. "You've gotten a lot of blessings and promises today -- almost anything I can add to that would be redundant. Not to mention that, no matter how hard I try, any 'blessing' I try to give you would probably have my luck attached -- I'm not going to burden you with, you're going to have enough to deal with. But eventually, I did come up with something..." Both twins seem to be falling asleep in his arms -- a good sign? Or maybe they're not afficianados of rehtoric. Either way, time to put his cards on the table. "The only thing I can give you...is me," he whispers, suddenly a bit hoarse. "Not the best big brother anybody ever had, but I swear I'll try my best. Someone who understands a little better than the adults, but'll still get down and childish with you when it's time for that sort of thing. Someone who gives you a harder time than the parental units, but'll help you deal with them when they get unreasonable. Someone you'll probably spend most of your time really, really mad at...but who you can come to when there's nobody else you can talk to. Someone who's gonna kick your butts on a regular basis...but my shoulder pads are rated Highly Absorbent. Heh." He bends down to plant a quick kiss on each fuzzy head, blinking rather rapidly. "I promise you," he finishes, voice suddenly shifitng in high-formal mode, "that I will always be your option of last resort -- and when the time comes, I Will Not Fail." His eyes crackle suddenly with some kind of arcane energy, and for a moment spacetime seems to...creak...under the sudden shock of willpower behind those words. And then, everything's back to normal, and Roger mosies back over to the we're-not-really-anxious-no-matter-how-hard-we-look-like-we're-trying- to-hide-it parents, with a snoozing infant tucked in the crook of each elbow. Mildly: "Oh, just sibling stuff. You know. When to hold, when to fold, how much to tip the strippers at Mad Maxine's in Brisbane--" Offended: "Well, of *course* I'm not going to take them there *yet!* Heck, the only reason Dad took *me* there when I was 12 was because it was part of an operation, and I *had* to be there. Actually, the girls all thought I was just the 'cutest 'lil thing.' They wanted Dad to bring me back sometime..." Innocently: "What, Dad, you never *told* Mom about that? Oh, right, it never happened to you. Well, no problem, then. I'll just -- ooh, *donuts!*" ZOOM! OOC: What? Heck, with Roger, it *had* to end on a silly note. (:) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 1 On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 15:12:06 -0800 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00009715 >On Tue, 20 Mar 2001 07:26:25 -0500 >Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00009623 > >It's finally too much temptation for Mischief to resist, *Wheeeeeee!* >She goes hurling towards Roger, somehow turning midair to land POUNCE >on Unc'a Fuzzy's tail, then bounding off again (hopefully) before he >has time to catch her, this time to pounce at Roger. Help along by the Tail in question twiching just right to give Her the added Boost, To aviod the rather lazy swat that was aimed in her general direction... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 15:31:50 -0800 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00009717 >On Fri, 23 Mar 2001 07:51:48 -0500 >Caprice/Legion Said As CAoL Message # 00009647 > >Mischief's purr begins to expand telepathically, projected outward. >It's a warm/safe/loved/held type feeling to all who can pick it up. >It also dulls physical pain. It doesn't take it completely away... >just smooths off some of the points and jagged edges. Of course, if >someone is telepathically blocking themselves off from projections, >they won't feel it. Fuzzy joins in the Purring ================================= Subject: AAE birthing Gifts was Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 15:49:04 -0800 Fuzzy and/or Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00009718 >On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 15:55:11 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009663 > > Mike snaps his fingers, "Ah yes, it was something along those >lines, but less prophetic." He turns to Roland, Morgan, Liam, Rachel >and Roger and smiles. > "Looking at your son," the es-Time Lord says, gesturing to >Roger, "I suspect these two children will bring you both nothing but >wonder, laughter, joy and pride." > Mike smiles, then adds, "End of speech." =/Come what may, May you both always have the Trick you need, Up your sleaves./= ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 17:47:57 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009724 >On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 02:25:42 -0800 (PST) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00009703 > > Somewhere else, a familiar shape kept watch at a window. When >the last Link-exchange faded, she smiled a bit. Touching the >humanborn memories of cooing over a new baby, the demon opened her >connection to the Link. /I see you have two new whelps... >congratulations. We would have come, but circumstances intervened./ Roland's eyes widen in slight but pleasant surprise--it's been a while since he's heard that voice on the link. /Thanks, Raver. Good to hear your 'voice' again./ >/And Mandy adds her good wishes as well. She has mentioned... >presents./ The tone was a mixture of amusement and resignation. A >brief memory of the last time they spent time in a bookstore leaked >over the link. /You may wish to reserve a spare closet. Or two./ Roland _laughs_ while Morgan chuckles. (OOC-M: She's tired.) /Aha! So Mandy _does_ have a super-power--The Shopping Might of Fabled California!/ /Don't worry,/ Morgan adds, /the house is...adaptable./ > A small hesitation. /When the whelps are of age to wield >weapons, I would not be unwilling to teach them something of the way >of the blade./ Roland whistles, a sudden thought coming to him. /Light. These kids are going to be two of the best blade-masters in the multiverse, if they don't decide to hate swords,/ he thinks. /Let's see...how may phenomenal duelists do we have in this lot? Their mother for starters, Raver, Stranger, Mike, Zia, Roger, Driscoll, John...and then there are friends of the family, like John Carter, Qui-Gon Jinn and Luke Skywalker (in different timelines), Zealot, the Tenchi family, Seeker...I'm sure I'm forgetting more than a few folks, here, too./ He smiles lop-sidedly. /I'd better scrape some of the rust off of my skills, I suppose./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 18:21:44 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009725 >On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 08:44:10 EST >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009704 > > "Actually, it won't happen at all, now, since...but...oh, damn, >the War'll still happen, and the nuke'll be out there. Which means >I'm gonna hafta do something about that. And that. Oh, and THAT. Mmm, >maybe not that, but definitely that. And I'll have to figure out a >different way to save everyone's bacon when Destroyer uses the Icon >Of HHNMNBWEOUSW." He slants a speculative glance at the twins. >"Hm...I wonder if their diapers'll be as toxic...?" "Must be a 'Toon' version of Destroyer," Roland replies with a wry smile. "The one I know would never stoop _that_ low." > Decision made, he strides back off the way he came, back to the >twins' zeroth birthday party. > Hesitantly: "Ah, could I have a moment...alone? It's rather >personal." Morgan just blinks, realizes Roger means with the twins, and has her first real case of Maternal Possessiveness kick in. It's not that she doubts Roger--she knows she can trust him--but her emotions are still recovering from the roller-coaster of labor. "Umm...." > Tolerantly: "Yes, Mom, I'm nearly 400 years old, I do know how to >hold newborns. I can even change diapers in a GURPS TL-1 evironment." Suspiciously (but not entirely sternly), Roland replies, "There _are_ no diapers at TL 1. Just where are you planning on having this 'moment alone' with them?" > Calmly: "No, Dad, I won't be out of sight -- just over there. I'll >only need a minute. Yes, I know what to do if anything happens." Rachel coos. > Sternly: "Rachel, stop *smiling* at me like that. And don't try to >tell *me* it's just gas -- I know better." Liam gurgles. > Tiredly: "You too, Liam." Rachel and Liam are far too young to share meaningful glances. They don't even have the context to imagine meaning in a glance yet--heck, their necks are barely strong enough to be craning around to look at all the bright things there are to look at. So Roger _must_ be imagining things when it looks very definitely like the twins share a look with each other, before tolerating being carted off... Morgan looks after her children, holding tight to Roland's hand. > Quitely: "Okay, now that we have some privacy...I've been thinking >a lot about, well, things. Existence, reality, paradox, my role in >the grand scheme of things...you know." "gblbg," Rachel comments. > He glances around to make sure no one's eavesdropping. "And you >know, none it matters. Past, present, future; what matters is *now,* >the people and problems right in front of you. Which isn't to say >that you can ignore the big picture, but--" he breaks off in >frustration and casts about for the right words. "What I'm saying is, >when the Big Picture is Too Big, or Too Blurry...you can't let >yourself be paralyzed by it. Sometimes, your only real option is to >do what you think is right, *right then,* and be prepared for all the >possible consequences." "gg," Liam replies. > Both twins seem to be falling asleep in his arms -- a good sign? >Or maybe they're not afficianados of rehtoric. Either way, time to >put his cards on the table. > "The only thing I can give you...is me," he whispers, suddenly a >bit hoarse. Rachel and Liam's eyes snap open. They don't react in any other way (unless a sudden rude noise counts). (OOC-R question: Are you a parent in RL? Feel free to invoke Eddie if necessary, but I'm suddenly curious.) > "I promise you," he finishes, voice suddenly shifitng in >high-formal mode, "that I will always be your option of last resort >-- and when the time comes, I Will Not Fail." His eyes crackle >suddenly with some kind of arcane energy, and for a moment spacetime >seems to...creak...under the sudden shock of willpower behind those >words. Rachel and Liam nod. Except, of course, they _can't_ nod--even if they knew how, they're what, two hours old? They then immediately fall asleep. > And then, everything's back to normal, and Roger mosies back over >to the we're-not-really-anxious-no-matter-how-hard-we-look-like- >we're- trying-to-hide-it parents, with a snoozing infant tucked in >the crook of each elbow. Roland just raises an eyebrow. And Morgan carefully retrieves her babies. > Mildly: "Oh, just sibling stuff. You know. When to hold, when to >fold, how much to tip the strippers at Mad Maxine's in Brisbane--" "You are NOT taking my children to Mad Maxine's--" Roland begins. "Hey, wait a minute. How do _you_ know about Max's place?" > Offended: "Well, of *course* I'm not going to take them there >*yet!* Heck, the only reason Dad took *me* there when I was 12 was >because it was part of an operation, and I *had* to be there. >Actually, the girls all thought I was just the 'cutest 'lil thing.' >They wanted Dad to bring me back sometime..." "Will want," Roland corrects, clearing his throat. "Or 'will have wanted.' Light, I hate trying to use English to explain time loops." Roland blushes (tm). > Innocently: "What, Dad, you never *told* Mom about that? Oh, >right, it never happened to you. Well, no problem, then. I'll just >ooh, *donuts!*" ZOOM! Upon which peanuts fly out of every donut hole and whack him in the forehead. 8^) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 22:35:56 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009727 >In a message dated 3/31/01 9:42:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, >rolandx writes: > > "Must be a 'Toon' version of Destroyer," Roland replies with a wry >smile. "The one I know would never stoop _that_ low." "Well, he was having a bad decade. I kinda felt sorry for him. Almost." >> Tolerantly: "Yes, Mom, I'm nearly 400 years old, I do know how to >>hold newborns. I can even change diapers in a GURPS TL-1 >>evironment." > > Suspiciously (but not entirely sternly), Roland replies, "There >_are_ no diapers at TL 1. "Rabbit skins. What, didn't you ever read "Clan of the Cave Bear"? ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2 (Nemo & Zia) On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 22:33:42 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009728 >In a message dated 3/31/01 9:42:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, >rolandx writes: > > Rachel and Liam's eyes snap open. They don't react in any other >way (unless a sudden rude noise counts). > > (OOC-R question: Are you a parent in RL? Feel free to invoke Eddie >if necessary, but I'm suddenly curious.) Me? No, I'm not good parent material. But when I was about 12, Mom ended up in hospital for an extended period of time (severed asthma w/complications), and since Dad was working something above 12hr/day, and there wasn't anyone else we could stay with, we sorta...well...made do. "Mr Mom" the movie had *nothing* on me. (:) I was kind of falling apart at the end, though... >> Innocently: "What, Dad, you never *told* Mom about that? Oh, >>right, it never happened to you. Well, no problem, then. I'll just >>-- ooh, *donuts!* " ZOOM! > > Upon which peanuts fly out of every donut hole and whack him in >the forehead. 8^) "Shovel..." (in the same voice usually reserved for "Medic...") ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sat, 31 Mar 2001 20:29:14 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00009732 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009724 > Roland whistles, a sudden thought coming to him. /Light. These >kids are going to be two of the best blade-masters in the multiverse, >if they don't decide to hate swords,/ he thinks. /Let's see...how may >phenomenal duelists do we have in this lot? Their mother for >starters, Raver, Stranger, Mike, Zia, Roger, Driscoll, John...and >then there are friends of the family, like John Carter, Qui-Gon Jinn >and Luke Skywalker (in different timelines), Zealot, the Tenchi >family, Seeker...I'm sure I'm forgetting more than a few folks, here, >too./ He smiles lop-sidedly. /I'd better scrape some of the rust off >of my skills, I suppose./ /*"I also have picked up a few 'tricks', that I would be willing to pass on to them, in the past few hundred billion years."*/ Hydra offers. /*"On the other hand should they take a more 'constructive' route, I would be willing to show them some healing technics, both magical and technilogical, that I've found and or developed."*/ Aurora says with a chuckle. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sun, 1 Apr 2001 11:03:31 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009749 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00009724 > Roland whistles, a sudden thought coming to him. /Light. These >kids are going to be two of the best blade-masters in the multiverse, >if they don't decide to hate swords,/ he thinks. /Let's see...how may >phenomenal duelists do we have in this lot? Their mother for >starters, Raver, Stranger, Mike, Zia, Roger, Driscoll, John...and >then there are friends of the family, like John Carter, Qui-Gon Jinn >and Luke Skywalker (in different timelines), Zealot, the Tenchi >family, Seeker...I'm sure I'm forgetting more than a few folks, here, >too./ He smiles lop-sidedly. /I'd better scrape some of the rust off >of my skills, I suppose./ Zia is somewhat surprised, and even more stunned to be listed. /_I'm_ not a sword-duelist by _any_ stretch of the imagination, Roland. If you could only here Benedict's comments on my style! While I can certainly use a sword, in technically competent ways, I am no duelist. To do that, it takes a ready willingness to kill, and to stand within the reach of another's blade. I'm a Zen Buddhist who is reluctant to waste life, AND I dislike placing myself in unnecessary danger. Dueling certainly fits that category!/ /Now, if you want someone to teach them to use their heads for strategy, instead of pulling a sword on every problem, that I might be able to at least help them with. I note Roger rarely has a need for a blade, that I've noticed, so far./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sun, 01 Apr 2001 20:28:50 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009759 >On Sun, 1 Apr 2001 11:03:31 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009749 > >Zia is somewhat surprised, and even more stunned to be listed. /_I'm_ >not a sword-duelist by _any_ stretch of the imagination, Roland. If >you could only here Benedict's comments on my style! While I can >certainly use a sword, in technically competent ways, I am no >duelist. To do that, it takes a ready willingness to kill, and to >stand within the reach of another's blade. I'm a Zen Buddhist who is >reluctant to waste life, AND I dislike placing myself in unnecessary >danger. Dueling certainly fits that category!/ Roland BLINKS at her, just sort of amazed. He doesn't say a thing. For a moment, however, the Defender armor forms around him, shining in Arcadia's light, the visible representation of his every ideal. Then it vanishes, and he goes back to cooing over the kids. >/Now, if you want someone to teach them to use their heads for >strategy, instead of pulling a sword on every problem, that I might >be able to at least help them with. I note Roger rarely has a need >for a blade, that I've noticed, so far./ Morgan doesn't comment on this. If Zia hasn't seen that the reason Roger "rarely has need of a blade" is that his mother and his other teachers taught him one of the most important lessons of _any_ martial art--when to use it and when not to--then anything she might say now wouldn't help. At least she's confident that her son is damn good with a blade when he needs to be. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Mon, 02 Apr 2001 04:00:02 GMT, In alt.callahans Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009760 >On Sun, 01 Apr 2001 20:28:50 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Post # 00007582 > >Morgan doesn't comment on this. If Zia hasn't seen that the reason >Roger "rarely has need of a blade" is that his mother and his other >teachers taught him one of the most important lessons of _any_ >martial art--when to use it and when not to--then anything she might >say now wouldn't help. At least she's confident that her son is damn >good with a blade when he needs to be. Er. That's precisely what Zia meant to say. Must've lost it in the translation, maybe... The 'if you want someone' was outright blatant statement that she knows another teacher beyond Morgan and Roland themselves is superfluous, but she would agree if wanted. More of a generous offer than a 'serious one, at least in light of Zia's knowing they don't need HER for that. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Sun, 01 Apr 2001 21:56:21 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00009765 >On Mon, 02 Apr 2001 04:00:02 GMT, In alt.callahans >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009760 > >Er. That's precisely what Zia meant to say. Must've lost it in the >translation, maybe... The 'if you want someone' was outright blatant >statement that she knows another teacher beyond Morgan and Roland >themselves is superfluous, but she would agree if wanted. More of a >generous offer than a 'serious one, at least in light of Zia's >knowing they don't need HER for that. OOC: Um, I guess it lost a _lot_ in the translation. :-) Don't know if the "static" was on the writing end or the reading, but your original comment came across rather critical, like they _needed_ someone to teach another way of dealing with things besides drawing steel. Morgan's response was cool because that's how I read it. Since Morgan IC would have gotten the non-verbal cues and picked up what you _meant_, I'll retcon her response: Morgan smiles. "Having many different teachers for things like strategy is, IMHO, a Very Good Thing. More ways of approaching problems." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Mon, 2 Apr 2001 08:48:24 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00009774 >On Sun, 1 Apr 2001 11:03:31 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00009749 > >/Now, if you want someone to teach them to use their heads for >strategy, instead of pulling a sword on every problem, that I might >be able to at least help them with. I note Roger rarely has a need >for a blade, that I've noticed, so far./ /His rapier wit notwithstanding?/ Mike sends, /Anyway, Roland, while I'll be happy to teach the kids what I know, I'm hardly in a class with folks like yourself, Morgan or Driss. On the other hand, if they want a _sword_. I'll be happy to work something up with a few surprizes for them./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, finale On Tue, 3 Apr 2001 01:31:55 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00009800 >In a message dated 4/2/01 9:08:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >technomagetimelord writes: > > /His rapier wit notwithstanding?/ Mike sends, /Ooog!/ Roger staggers, clutching his chest. /A hit, a palpable hit! Oh, how sharper than a serpent's tooth, is the _epee_de_pun_ of mine relatives' disregard.../ >/Anyway, Roland, while I'll be happy to teach the kids what I know, >I'm hardly in a class with folks like yourself, Morgan or Driss. On >the other hand, if they want a _sword_. I'll be happy to >work something up with a few surprizes for them./ /Watch out for his Swiss Jedi Lightsaber, tho,/ Roger quips. /Most of the blade attachments work pretty well, but the corkscrew still has a few bugs to work out./ ================================= Subject: Barn Door, Horse. Pt 3 (?) (was: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, part 2)(LONG)(You have been warned!) On Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:42:38 -0500 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010064 >On Thu, 22 Mar 2K1, Morgan and/or Roland Said (tm Roland) > "/The line forms behind our paradoxical son, folx,/" Roland sends. >"/Come meet the newest family members!/" Sometime after the initial crush subsides, Dhyrclhanc approaches the happy parents. He arrived in Arcadia's Heart during the excitement of the "birth" and his appearance was thus understandably overlooked. Nevertheless, a smile like a Megaladon's is plastered across his economy-sized face as he offers cigars of the Cuban variety to any takers, possibly including his adopted Freelance Immortal brother, in honor of the blessed event. Then he lights the stogie stuck in his own T-Rex-style maw, albeit with a relatively mundane looking but oversized silvery-colored metal lighter and somehow no second-hand smoke comes within a mile of either the mother or the newborns. After paying his respects to Queen Titania, as due his status as a Defender of the Faire-Folk, and introducing himself to Caitlin, and not being able to resist the urge to call her "little mother", he hands Morgan a "Hershey's Special Dark" chocolate bar the size of a car license plate. Finally, Liam and Rachael catch his eye and, after shrinking down to a more manageable 10' tall, lays a hand on either of their heads. The sparkle in his eye dims down to a healthy glow and, once he gets the OK signal from his sibs, begins to sing, his warm Alto voice filling the, literally, Enchanted Glen. "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. And may GOD forbid that Love ever leave you empty handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. Promise me that you'll give Faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance... I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'. Love might be a mistake but it's worth makin'. Don't let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to sellin' out reconsider. Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance...I hope you dance... (Time is a wheel in constant motion, always rolling us along, tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where all those years have gone...) I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... Dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance... I hope you dance....I hope you dance... (Time is a wheel in constant motion, tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone...)"(^1) "Any protective enchantments that I could have put of these two have since been rendered moot by all others that were freely given today. Instead, I give these two the ability to recognize and look for the Light even when, in their lives, they seem to besieged by the Darkness." "That and the fact that they will, from the day onwards, be able to find their way to me if they need me. Like 'R.J.", I will _not_ be a refuge for them when the want to escape their parents and the authority that they represent but I *will* *be* a safe haven that they can go for sanctuary if their lives are truly in jeopardy and they will find no more stead-fast a Champion than I." "Now, to misquote 'Old Man' G'Kar", says Dhyrclhanc, the twinkle having returned to his eye, "'When do we eat?'" ================================= Subject: Re: Barn Door, Horse. Pt 3 (?) (was: Re: AAE interlude: New Arrivals, On Tue, 01 May 2001 10:54:59 -0400, In alt.callahans Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00010071 >On Thu, 26 Apr 2K1, Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said > > "Now, to misquote 'Old Man' G'Kar", says Dhyrclhanc, the twinkle having > returned to his eye, "'When do we eat?'" (1) I negliected to mention that this song, for those of us who didn't recognize it, (FTR) is Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" from the album of the same name. I just figured I should give credit where credit is due. =================================