Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 8 Chapter 11 Subject: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Sun, 11 May 2003 14:15:24 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011105 [OOC-Morgan: This is IT, folks. As is traditional, feel free to write yourself in wherever it seems appropriate. We're assuming that at least a few members of the "search party" follow Morgan and Roland home to make sure everything's OK. I'll write Rio's stuff after Roger posts Roger's reactions.] (OOC-R: After folx have finished up their last bits of villain-stomping) Roland notes the huge swath of damage, and quips, "Clean up, Aisle Nine." "Aisles 42nd and below, more like," Morgan quips back. (OOC-R #2: Then fit in any clean-up work here.) As the mop-up operation winds down, Morgan gets a "ping" from the house computer. /Yes?/ she replies, a bit distracted. #I thought you should know that the children have returned home.# /WHAT?!?/ #Repeat, I thought you...# /I _heard_ that part! How long have they been there?/ #Approximately 28.7 minutes.# [Just long enough for a 60s episode of FF, if you take commercials into account,] Roland thinks, his mental tone somewhere between calm observation and apoplexy. /Why didn't you say something sooner?/ In typical maternal form, Morgan is by turns relieved and trying to decide who to strangle. #You were in the middle of a world-saving action. As the children were in no further danger, I decided to wait until the interruption would not be a potentially hazardous distraction.# Morgan borrows her chief's patented long-suffering sigh. /Roland?/ /I heard,/ the Freelance Paternal responds, barely strangling a growl in the process. "Reed, Sue, we just got word that our youngsters have been found. Sort of. Um..." Sue smiles understandingly. "It's complicated, I take it?" Roland nods gratefully. "We're used to it," Reed adds with merciful brevity. "Please do visit when you have the opportunity." "If we're ever back this way again, we'll stop in," Morgan replies with a nod. "That would be nice, Dr. Richards, Mrs. Richards. Take care!" Roland and Morgan fade out to the closing music from the 60s series as the FF family waves jauntily. They arrive back on Earth-9 to find Liam and Rachel happily munching snacks (provided by the house to keep them distracted from any further mischief) and watching the TV. The screen shows...the 60's Marvel Universe, with the Fantastic Four taking care of the remains of lots o' 'bots and a blimp. As the parental units arrive, several Hostess products surreptitiously vanish from the pile of treats. The house makes a throat-clearing sound as this happens. "Yeah, Momanpop!" the toddlers squeal, throwing themselves into their parents' arms. "You beat bad guys!" "Unca DC was funny making fire all over, 'stead of just breathing it!" "Roger made lotsa pies! They was EV'Ywhere!" "Mommy looked like the stormy X-lady!" "And Unca Benjamike..." "Then the funny people outside..." The twins trail off, realizing their parents are Not Amused. "Momanpop" look at each other and sigh. "mommy? daddy?" Rachel and Liam look at each other nervously, then back at their parents. They float uncertainly in place, Rachel wringing her hands behind her back while Liam rubs his feet together pensively. "We do sumpin' _wrong?_" "We can start with what you did to Roger," Morgan replies, relatively calmly. "And the house." Roland sighs. Rachel looks at Liam. "Sumpin' happen to Roger?" Liam rolls his eyes. "Roger 'as _busy,_ 'member?" He looks pensive. "House?" Rachel shrugs. "Oboy." Roland sighs again. "Rachel, Liam, sweeties, come here." Sensing that the trouble seemed more distant, the twins brighten slightly and bob towards their father. "Now you need to listen very carefully here. I know that you didn't do anything delib-er, on purpose, but you wandered off when you were told not to, made a mess in sev-a bunch of cartoons, and scared us, Roger, and a lot of family half to death." "But you're _i'mortals,_" Liam blurts, suddenly worried for momanpop. "It's a figure of--a saying," Roland explains. "You know the house isn't supposed to let you _out_ alone," Morgan continues. "You did...something...to get out without it knowing you were gone." Rachel's eyes start to tear up. "But...but...we hadda save 'a day!" Liam nods as Mom fought back a smile. "Like 'momanpop!' Marvin was gonna blow up a Earth--" "An' then Zoltar had this REALLY BIG robot--" "--an' then Mojo Jojo did a big nono--" "--Blossomommy was really great after--" Roland holds up one hand. "Kids, kids, enough," he begins. The twins verbally stumble to a halt, seemingly having retrieved their Powerpuff-verse eyes. He sighs _again._ "I know you want to help and save the day and things like that. _But._ The cartoon worlds can take care of themselves," "After all, has Bugs Bunny _ever_ let Marvin blow up anything important?" Morgan adds. "Exactly." The twins' huge eyes waver and their lips begin to quiver. ^Oh no,^ Morgan moans. "We...we were _bad?_" Rachel gasps. ^_Great._ They wanted to do good, and we don't want them to think doing good is _bad,_ but...oh, shite,^ Morgan sends in frustration. "Saving people wasn't bad, no," Roland explains, "but running -- flying --" "'Porting?" Morgan adds helpfully. "--all of the above," Roland nods, "off to face things you aren't ready for, without checking with one of us or having a grownup along, _that_ was bad." Liam gasps. "Then we _were_ bad!" Both children wail like sirens, sobbing to beat Sailor Moon's waterfall crying. "WE WERE BAAAD!" "Noooo, honeys." Morgan gathers the children into her arms. "You did a bad _thing._ _You're_ not bad." "That's right," Roland adds, stroking each child's hair gently. ^Light, it must run in the family. I wonder if _Roger_ is done beating himself up.^ ^If it does, it's not _my_ side,^ Morgan notes dryly but gently. ^Oh, _thank_ you,^ Roland fires back. "Rachel, Liam, you _meant_ well and that's important." *"But from now on,"* they continue in perfect unison, *"until we tell you, you don't go saving any days without a grownup along, one who we tell you is okay. Promise?"* The toddlers hug Mom more tightly then ever. *"Promise,"* they sob. There is a long, gentle moment as the twins calm down, being hugged lovingly by their parents, and the sobs stop, and for a minute or so they coo contentedly. Then Roland steps back and stares in astonishment as they begin to _snore._ "I don't believe it." "They had a big day," Morgan replies, trying not to chuckle and wake them. Roland _does_ chuckle, albeit quietly. "I can't decide whether to kiss them or..." The original Freelance Immortal shakes his head. "Here. I'll TK them up to their cribs." Morgan carefully relaxes her hold, and with all the skill his mastery provides, Roland gently glides them to their rooms. "Light, we can't even punish them, really. They'll probably have forgotten the whole thing by morning." Morgan nods and relaxes back into the sofa. The House, trying to be placating, provides her with a hot cup of tea. After a few moments, she chuckles. Roland looks at her quizzically. ^"What?"^ "I suppose a superhero-themed birthday party would be anti-climactic after this," Morgan explains. Roland laughs freely (now that the twins are safely in bed). Then he gets a thoughtful smile. "That depends, now doesn't it? I wonder if Kal and Lois need to get away for a while. I don't think they've seen the Fortress yet..." "I do not believe," the house interjects, "that the Fortress is quite ready for _them,_ Roland." Roland collapses into the sofa next to Morgan. "We can worry about that later." He exhales in relief. "At least the Terrible Twos are almost over," Morgan says tiredly, rubbing the bridge of her nose wearily. "Think we'll survive the Thermonuclear Threes?" "At least we're done with the _Tooniverse_ for a while," Roland adds. Which, of course, was a mistake. A Plot Hole immediately opens up beneath the Freelance Immortal. He hangs in place briefly. Roland looks down, then up at an invisible camera. "oh no." "YAAAAAAHH!" After a few seconds, Roland jolts from a sort of impact, shaking his head dazedly. [Hm. No "whirlies." Is that good news or bad news?] "Hang on, Serena, we're coming!" Roland's eyes fly open. [Oh no oh no oh no!] He looks around wildly. Four teenage girls in Japanese school outfits are fighting a horde of weird goons. [Oboy.] ^Morgan, tell me this isn't on the house TV.^ /In technicolor, love,/ Morgan replies. (Insert one of the CAoLers asking if they should help Roland) /No,/ she suppresses a giggle. /I think interfering will only make it worse./ /Oh, _great._/ In a fit of paranoia, he tries to reach up to feel for a top hat. He can't move his arms, though. Suddenly even more horrified, he looks down...at a decidedly feminine body tied to a metal rod. [What -- no, no, no, this is _Mike's_ gag!] Beside him...her...a woman dressed in a dark, outrageous outfit cackles madly. "Fools! Sailor Moon -- and the universe -- are now MINE!" The entire fight comes to a halt and everyone stares at the energy-wielding leader turned damsel-in-distress scowls furiously, looks up at the sky, and screams, "ROOOOGERRRR!!!!!" Iris out, to the sound of "Merry-go-round-broken-down" and a certain speech-challenged pig going "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" [OOC-M: Happy Mother's Day, folks. :-)] ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fat lady's on in 5 On Mon, 12 May 2003 20:11:09 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011107 [Note: the first part of this post is in ch. 10 with the wind-down.] >As the mop-up operation winds down, Morgan gets a "ping" from the >house computer. [snip In Which Rachel and Liam Are Found, and Chastised Severely] Rob sighs in relief, as the twins are put to bed, then stands up, listening for something that doesn't come. "I think I'm going to explore Earth-9 for a while," he explains as he heads for the front door. "I'll be in touch. Oh, and just in case you need a babysitter...I'm -not- giving you my phone number," he adds with a grin. ================================= Subject: Re: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-)(long) On Thu, 15 May 2003 22:28:30 -0500 Martin and/or Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011113 >On May, Sun 11, 2003, Morgan and/or Roland write... > > /Oh, _great._/ In a fit of paranoia, he tries to reach up to feel >for a top hat. He can't move his arms, though. Suddenly even more >horrified, he looks down...at a decidedly feminine body tied to a >metal rod. [What -- no, no, no, this is _Mike's_ gag!] Beside >him...her...a woman dressed in a dark, outrageous outfit cackles >madly. "Fools! Sailor Moon -- and the universe -- are now MINE!" > > The entire fight comes to a halt and everyone stares at the >energy-wielding leader turned damsel-in-distress scowls furiously, >looks up at the sky, and screams, "ROOOOGERRRR!!!!!" > Iris out, to the sound of "Merry-go-round-broken-down" and a >certain speech-challenged pig going "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" Several hours later, at about the same time that the Freelance Immortals are finally able to extricate Roland from the "Sailor Moon"-verse, Dhyrclhanc, in a more human height, shows-up in Rachael and Liam's bedroom. Looking at the, still sleeping, "Wonder Twins", the Draconian Lensman places a small black and white cloth dolls each in the cribs of both Liam and Rachael. Then he smiles, quietly, and then disappears, just as quietly. Presumably, when, and if, the Freelance Immortal Parental Units come up later to check on the Twins, they'll find both Liam and Rachael clinging to their new toys while both are still fast asleep. ;^D The dolls appear to me hand-sewn cloth dolls, obviously female, with long black hair as long as the doll is tall, white skin, black eyes and black clothing. One of the worlds Dhyrclhanc has visited; Yistwhy, has a deity, Aco, who is a Goddess of the Night Sky, Dark Places and the Protection of Little Children, amongst other things. Those who hold a doll like this are said the be protected by this goddess. Dhyrclhanc figured that it wouldn't hurt, probably... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Fri, 16 May 2003 11:29:14 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011115 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011105 > Roland notes the huge swath of damage, and quips, "Clean up, Aisle >Nine." > >"Aisles 42nd and below, more like," Morgan quips back. Aurora looks down on the half destroyed city, sadness written all over her face. First she scans the damaged buildings, then with a puzzled expression, scans again. /*"Ah, David and Tink. Good, I had hoped but with with such minds, it becomes difficult to envision."*/ Then she extends one hand. From that hand she bathes the whole city in a healing energy. Across the whole city injuries heal, illnesses are cured, non-hereditary physical impairments are corrected, and missing or non-functional body parts are replaced. She then begins on wrecked and damaged buildings. All one by one the buildings come back together, and more each is restored to it condition on the day that its construction was completed. Turning she notices areas of the city, which had NOT been damaged by the battle, that look WORSE than some of the buildings she just repaired. With a tear running down her cheek she again extends both hands, and New York's run down slum areas, and tenements receive the same loving repairs. Finally the major repairs finished, she smiles. >*"But from now on,"* they continue in perfect unison, *"until we tell >you, you don't go saving any days without a grownup along, one who we >tell you is okay. Promise?"* > >The toddlers hug Mom more tightly then ever. *"Promise,"* they sob. As the twins make their promise Aurora (at her more or less normal size) appears in the room. /*"Roland, Morgan WE must be CERTAIN that should this, or something like it, ever happen again that you are informed in a more timely manner. The situation is too dangerous not to take precautions. Should one or both of them have been harmed The Stardragon would have gone berserk, in an area of the Multiverse that is already somewhat unstable. Oracle and I have each stationed two Lesser Starspawn on your moon, to monitor them, and your world. They will not interfere in any purely internal affair of your world that does not involve danger to you or your children, and they will not interfere in inter stellar or inter dimensional affairs that your world can handle on its own. Should something arise, they will summon, you, Hydra and/or myself, and/or The Stardragon to deal with it. In that order as the situation demands."*/ She announces, smiling at the children and then their parents. She adds before vanishing. /*"Your son looks much like mine did at the same relative age. Do not hesitate to ask the Warders for assistance, if you wish it. I am sure they would be happy to assist. At least the two that I assigned certainly would be."*/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:44:11 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011133 >On Sun, 11 May 2003 14:15:24 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011105 >They arrive back on Earth-9 to find Liam and Rachel happily munching >snacks (provided by the house to keep them distracted from any >further mischief) and watching the TV. The screen shows...the 60's >Marvel Universe, with the Fantastic Four taking care of the remains >of lots o' 'bots and a blimp. As the parental units arrive, several >Hostess products surreptitiously vanish from the pile of treats. The >house makes a throat-clearing sound as this happens. Between David and Tink, the entire Seven clan who could come to help in the search and friends manage to teleport themselves into the house without crowding.each other or the parents. Noteably, they appear in rooms other than the TV room, which only David and Michael enter after having arrived. >"Yeah, Momanpop!" the toddlers squeal, throwing themselves into their >parents' arms. > >"You beat bad guys!" > >"Unca DC was funny making fire all over, 'stead of just breathing >it!" > >"Roger made lotsa pies! They was EV'Ywhere!" > >"Mommy looked like the stormy X-lady!" > >"And Unca Benjamike..." > >"Then the funny people outside..." > >The twins trail off, realizing their parents are Not Amused. >"Momanpop" look at each other and sigh. David and Mike, who'd been grinning in a rather similar way, both step back surreptitiously into the hall. ^Private time,^ Mike sends. ^Yep,^ David agrees. > Roland _does_ chuckle, albeit quietly. "I can't decide whether to >kiss them or..." The original Freelance Immortal shakes his head. >"Here. I'll TK them up to their cribs." Morgan carefully relaxes her >hold, and with all the skill his mastery provides, Roland gently >glides them to their rooms. "Light, we can't even punish them, >really. They'll probably have forgotten the whole thing by morning." Mike and David return as the children pass by. Father and son 'aww' quietly. >Morgan nods and relaxes back into the sofa. The House, trying to be >placating, provides her with a hot cup of tea. After a few moments, >she chuckles. > > Roland looks at her quizzically. ^"What?"^ > >"I suppose a superhero-themed birthday party would be anti-climactic >after this," Morgan explains. "Probably would have been anyway," Mike observes, "Hard to top 'Mom'n'Pop' in that department." >"At least the Terrible Twos are almost over," Morgan says tiredly, >rubbing the bridge of her nose wearily. "Think we'll survive the >Thermonuclear Threes?" > > "At least we're done with the _Tooniverse_ for a while," Roland >adds. > Which, of course, was a mistake. "Oh, Uncle Roland," David groans, pinching his brow. Such utterances are never wise, something he knows from personal experience. > Roland's eyes fly open. [Oh no oh no oh no!] He looks around >wildly. Four teenage girls in Japanese school outfits are fighting a >horde of weird goons. [Oboy.] ^Morgan, tell me this isn't on the >house TV.^ > >/In technicolor, love,/ Morgan replies. "Want me to-" David asks. >/No,/ she suppresses a giggle. /I think interfering will only make it >worse./ > > /Oh, _great._/ In a fit of paranoia, he tries to reach up to feel >for a top hat. He can't move his arms, though. Suddenly even more >horrified, he looks down...at a decidedly feminine body tied to a >metal rod. [What -- no, no, no, this is _Mike's_ gag!] Beside >him...her...a woman dressed in a dark, outrageous outfit cackles >madly. "Fools! Sailor Moon -- and the universe -- are now MINE!" /Now what was that you said to me once, Roland?/ Mike asks, snickering, /'Perhaps the Tooniverse is trying to tell you something?'/ /That's just mean, Dad,/ David replies. > The entire fight comes to a halt and everyone stares at the >energy-wielding leader turned damsel-in-distress scowls furiously, >looks up at the sky, and screams, "ROOOOGERRRR!!!!!" > Iris out, to the sound of "Merry-go-round-broken-down" and a >certain speech-challenged pig going "Th-th-th-that's all, folks!" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 8: Fat lady's on in 5 On Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:48:26 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011134 >On Mon, 12 May 2003 20:11:09 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011107 > >[snip In Which Rachel and Liam Are Found, and Chastised Severely] > >Rob sighs in relief, as the twins are put to bed, then stands up, >listening for something that doesn't come. "I think I'm going to >explore Earth-9 for a while," he explains as he heads for the front >door. "I'll be in touch. Oh, and just in case you need a >babysitter...I'm -not- giving you my phone number," he adds with a >grin. Mike chuckles, "I on the other hand, will be/have been/am available for the last/next twenty-seven years." ================================= Subject: AAE 8: The Sevens's Epilogue On Tue, 10 Jun 2003 13:37:13 -0400 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011135 After Roland is back safely and things seem to quiet down, with everyone filtering in and out to take quiet peeks at Rachel and Liam between chatting with the rest of the CAoL, Tink being the last to have a look upstairs, David made and announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, I think it's time we made our way home. By my calculations, at least one of our younger selves is going to pay a visit to the Place soon, so please prepare for departure." There was a sudden flurry of hugs, handshakes and parting words from the rest of the Sevens and company as they quickly made their way into a single group. Tinkerbell chirped up, "Welcome travellers to Tinkerbell Timelines, where time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana--" Groans and peanuts ensue for the Timelady in the center of the Seven clan. "Hee, okay, please have all anachronistic items stowed for transit, we'll be departing for twenty-seven years in the future momentarily. First we'd like to acquaint you with our safety features--" "Get on with it!" the entire group chorused. "Spoilsports," Tink said, snapping her fingers. They left, with only David remaining. "She never really outgrew that," David said with a grin, "Just as a final continuity check, I've just updated our past selves on events, so next time you see us, there won't be any 'What are you talking about?' issues, so no need to guard what you say around us." David pursed his lips, "The next time you see me, I'll be about the same age as the twins, I think, so unless I mess up my transporter coordinates again, I'll see you... well, I'll see you when I get back home, and you'll see me soon enough, so let's just leave it at that." He blushs, "Never have been good at parting comments. See ya soon." And with that, David vanishs. * * * * * David appeared in a familiar environment, to some members of the Army of Light at least, a realm with a red and black churning sky, something like the view within hyperspace for those who have been to the Babylon 5 universe, with a series of wide burgundy and gold persian rugs laid out like patterns on a circuit board, without the circuit board itself supporting them. Almost like a Marvin-the-Martian's Mars, golden-brass street lamps lit the road-length carpets, glass walls with a yellowish tinge hung in space, behind which white flecks of light rained down in a hail from the sky, passing through level after level of the seemingly infinite number of floors in this surreal world. Little gold Marvin-the-Martian robots scurried about in groups, tending to mysterious duties. David knew what this place was, it was what his sisters, Melissa and Grep, remembered of their machine brain before they chose to be human. It was also the home reality of Tinkerbell Seven. And somewhere in this labyrinth the Timelady was hooked into an interface to this entirely machine world. "Hello, David," Tink said behind him. David scanned her, another doppleganger. "Looking for the real me?" she asked. "Well, you won the bet, I thought I'd pay up and tell you why I went back," David said. A Marvin brought David a white, metal chair and set it facing a dead end atop a small flight of stairs. As David took the seat, another brought forward a second chair and matching table. The sky turned a pleasant blue, carpet changed to stone, the vista changing to a side-walk cafe in Italy. David saw through the newly formed illusion of course, and looked towards the top of the stairs, where Tink appeared. She was dressed in a grey catsuit, a skeletal glove-like metal interface over her hands, though her hands mostly showed through this, her platinum blonde hair slicked back, a small, square of metal mounted high on her right temple that looked to have some sort of jack and some blinking lights in it, a small, see-through monacle-like display hovered in front of her left eye, attached to the side of her eye socket. It was all very cyberpunk/Seven of Nine-esque. David knew this too was an illusion, and while he could see this was the real Tink, her own mental force projecting the image was formidable, even for a third-stage lensman. He backed off as she stopped and glared at him. "Allow me my vanity, David," she scolded as she walked down the stairs, "You can see this is the real me, but I prefer a touch of make-up to enhance things." He backed off mentally, and she smiled, taking a seat. A waiter, another Marvin in disquise, delivered a french-press pot of coffee and croissants. As Tink poured the coffee, David pursed his lips, then simply said, "I realized my immortality recently, in a way I hadn't before, losing Anstice, and had a severe emotional need to go on a big outing with all the family. I'd been saving Rachel and Liam's disappearance because I knew one day I'd need the distraction, like keeping a bit of money for a rainy day. They'll need a positive knowledge of the future soon enough, seeing Dad and everyone happy and well, far in the CAoL's future, while not actually announcing future events, will give a little extra hope for their own futures." "Nice rationalization, muddy thinker." "Thank you." Irrational as it was, the foundation of David's motives were an emotional need to be among his family and that need had somehow resonated backwards in time to his one-year-old self, who saw a way to end it just as it was announced Rachel and Liam disappeared. So baby David sent forward to his older self a call to come and help while he distracted the rest of the family, in a more intuitive fashion than explicitly sending notes between past and future selves, but it was nothing Tink herself had not done at one point or another and even something Michael Seven engaged in a few times, despite his admonissions against it to his children and grandchildren.. This lead to the enevitable discussion of emotions, life, death, sadness and pain, the inevitabilities of life. And yet, being young, they also spoke of plans for the future, laughed at their initial misconceptions growing up as third-stage mentalities that they knew now were wrong, and wondered what new things they might be surprised to learn were false that they now thought true. Over all, what started a sad conversation, turned into a happy one. They laughed a great deal about events that had transpired in the tooniverse, including an adventure she had deliberately hidden from the others when she awoke to find herself in a part of the hentai universe, once her body and mind had rejoined after her escape from the Powerpuff Girl Bubble's mind. David passed on a story about winding up in the middle of a battle in the Outback between the Maxx and Mister Gone that had been so surreal he'd blocked it out from the rest of the link as being too distracting, which turned into a different form of surreal in an Aeon Flux universe that nearly mirrored Tink's tale. Thankfully, the Tooniverse had been kind to both and let them move on after the humor value wore off. They both still felt too young for that sort of thing, which Tink had explained was also something the Kinnison kids had recognized in themselves. "So, are you done meddling in our family's past?" Tink asked finally. "For a while, though there's one last thing I should do," David replied, his hair shifting to light brown, his features turning fully human. Tink shook her head, "You're Aunt Molly's David." David nodded, "I never understood why I'd tell her what I finally did, even though it made perfect sense. 'No one should have to be alone.' She originally saw it as meaning her being alone. Now I see it was how I felt." "Mmm," Tink mused soberly, then brightened, "Tell you what, for the first millenium, let's meet once a year, or until we decide that a year is too often that we can't get any other work done or have enough new stories to tell. Then we'll bump it back to ten, one hundred, one millenium, and so on. Not like we can't reach each other in the interim, but it'll always be something to look forward to." David laughed, "It's a date." Tink smiled, "Now scoot, I've got several experiments running that need my full attention." "Yes, Washu-chan." "Considering you're the family Tenchi, ew," Tink retorted. David laughed again, "True," before finding his target time-period and vanishing, feeling much better than when he arrived. Tink shook her head, the illusions vanishing. She went back up the stairs, took the platform resting there back and reinserted herself into the machinary. In the tooniverse, a yellow-haired girl with pageboy-haircut and medium skin tones in pink pants and a pale blue sleeveless shirt and sandals started skipping rope down the sidewalk. She came across a black and white beagle, who hopped in next to her and began eagerly skipping rope as well. She passed the dog one end of the skipping rope and they grabbed each other around the shoulder region so they could skip in time more easily. As other kids, noteably one with a pale blue blanket and a funny-looking round-headed kid ran out of their houses shouting her name, Tink asided to the camera. "Okay, so instead of needing a better one, maybe the Tooniverse has actually been trying to tell me I haven't finished my first childhood yet." Snoopy kissed her on the cheek, making her blush, as the closing music and credits started. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Tue, 10 Jun 2003 13:57:52 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011136 >On Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:44:11 -0400 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011133 > >>On Sun, 11 May 2003 14:15:24 -0700 >>Morgan and Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011105 > >home of their own volition> OOC: Yeah, ain't they stinkers? ;-) >>"I suppose a superhero-themed birthday party would be anti-climactic >>after this," Morgan explains. > >"Probably would have been anyway," Mike observes, "Hard to top >'Mom'n'Pop' in that department." "Yeah, but how many parents can provide _real_ superheroes?" she winks. >> "At least we're done with the _Tooniverse_ for a while," Roland >>adds. >> Which, of course, was a mistake. > >"Oh, Uncle Roland," David groans, pinching his brow. Such utterances >are never wise, something he knows from personal experience. Roland cranes his head around. "David! Wow, you grew fast," he quips with a grin. "Y'know, in all the 'excitement,' I don't think we actually got introdu--" he begins. >> /Oh, _great._/ In a fit of paranoia, he tries to reach up to feel >>for a top hat. He can't move his arms, though. Suddenly even more >>horrified, he looks down...at a decidedly feminine body tied to a >>metal rod. [What -- no, no, no, this is _Mike's_ gag!] Beside >>him...her...a woman dressed in a dark, outrageous outfit cackles >>madly. "Fools! Sailor Moon -- and the universe -- are now MINE!" > >/Now what was that you said to me once, Roland?/ Mike asks, >snickering, /'Perhaps the Tooniverse is trying to tell you >something?'/ /Ooo,/ Roland fumes back helplessly. /And how many centuries have you been waiting for _that_ one?/ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 14:54:30 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011137 >In a message dated 6/10/2003 5:02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >ljwolfe writes: > >>>come home of their own volition> > >OOC: Yeah, ain't they stinkers? ;-) OOC-Roger: Yeah, well, at least I'm mostly certain that they're not demonic. OOC-Dave: Mostly? Not absolutely? OOC-Roger: Umm... do you want the *honest* answer to that, or the one that won't get me killed by Mom? OOC-Dave: I suggest we just drop this whole issue and get back to the sillyness... >>> "At least we're done with the _Tooniverse_ for a while," Roland >>>adds. >>> Which, of course, was a mistake. >> >>"Oh, Uncle Roland," David groans, pinching his brow. Such utterances >>are never wise, something he knows from personal experience. Roger (who's back to being a single-self organism now, remind me to write that up later) just... looks resigned. >>> /Oh, _great._/ In a fit of paranoia, he tries to reach up to >>>feel for a top hat. He can't move his arms, though. Suddenly even >>>more horrified, he looks down...at a decidedly feminine body tied >>>to a metal rod. [What -- no, no, no, this is _Mike's_ gag!] Beside >>>him...her...a woman dressed in a dark, outrageous outfit cackles >>>madly. "Fools! Sailor Moon -- and the universe -- are now MINE!" /Oooooookaaaaayyyyyy.... let's *not* let the twins see this. Dad-in-a-fuku might scar them for life. I know *I'm* feeling scarred... Still, I suppose this means that I'll have to do something drastic./ >>/Now what was that you said to me once, Roland?/ Mike asks, >>snickering, /'Perhaps the Tooniverse is trying to tell you >>something?'/ > > /Ooo,/ Roland fumes back helplessly. /And how many centuries have >you been waiting for _that_ one?/ Roger pauses a second, just to savor the moment -- after all, it's a rare even that *Roland* is the one getting Slapsticked by the universe, and *Roger* gets to save his bacon. Still, time's a-wasting, and this universe has certain... reuirements. So.... He pulls something out of his jacket that looks like a railroad spike, holds it over his head, and shouts "SUPER SLAPSTICK POWERUP, ACTIVATE!" And, fortunately for this list's PG rating, he glows and goes all blurry and pixel-y, with the latest in high-end CGI FX. As required by Anime Law, all action grinds to a halt while the transformation sequence, er, sequences. Oddly enough (or not oddly at all, for those who know Roger), his "transformation theme music" sounds an awful lot like Weird Al's "Dare to be Stupid," recorded at 23&1/2 and played back at 33&1/3. Most of the audience give a quick thanks to their deity-of-choice that male transformation sequences are much, *much* shorter than female ones, and stick their fingers in their ears. With a , the music dies, the light goes dim, and Roger is revealed, wearing --you guessed it-- a sailor suit. A *boy's* sailor suit, to be exact, looking like something straight out of a Shirley Temple musical: white with Navy-blue trim, blue ascot in front, square bib-type thingy in back, horizontal-striped shirt visible through the blouse's open collar, and topped (er, bottomed?) off with pristine white knee-length shorts and... alabaster tap-dancing shoes. Yes, indeed, the Shirely Temple effect is in full swing, here.... Roger spares a quick look at himself, sighs in relief for reasons not readily apparent, then grits his teeth and begins the next sequence of actions required under Anime Law. /Hang on, Dad, I'll be there as soon as I finish this./ He begins striking a string of cheesy heroic poses. "Foul Creature! How dare you threaten these champions of Love and Justice with such base and foul tactics! I will not forgive you for this! In the name of Animation, I am Sailor Toon, and I Will Punish You!" /Oh, and by the way -- if ANYONE takes pictures of me like this, I *will* make them SUFFER. And I'm not kidding!/ Omake Dave and Longsuffering Roger. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 15:27:17 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011138 >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011137 > > Roger spares a quick look at himself, sighs in relief for reasons >not readily apparent, then grits his teeth and begins the next >sequence of actions required under Anime Law. /Hang on, Dad, I'll be >there as soon as I finish this./ He begins striking a string of >cheesy heroic poses. "Foul Creature! How dare you threaten these >champions of Love and Justice with such base and foul tactics! I will >not forgive you for this! In the name of Animation, I am Sailor Toon, >and I Will Punish You!" > /Oh, and by the way -- if ANYONE takes pictures of me like this, I >*will* make them SUFFER. And I'm not kidding!/ With a small giggle, Aurora phases in, into the Phoenix abode. /*"Pictures? Who needs pictures? I will record the event in 3D, multisprectrum, holographic totality, and provide copies for those who want them."*/ She says, before bursting into, her trademark world healing, laughter. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Fri, 13 Jun 2003 08:20:31 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011139 >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011137 > > Roger spares a quick look at himself, sighs in relief for reasons >not readily apparent, then grits his teeth and begins the next >sequence of actions required under Anime Law. /Hang on, Dad, I'll be >there as soon as I finish this./ He begins striking a string of >cheesy heroic poses. "Foul Creature! How dare you threaten these >champions of Love and Justice with such base and foul tactics! I will >not forgive you for this! In the name of Animation, I am Sailor Toon, >and I Will Punish You!" > /Oh, and by the way -- if ANYONE takes pictures of me like this, I >*will* make them SUFFER. And I'm not kidding!/ Rob not being a fool, he does -not- rush back and make use of the disposable camera in his pocket. But temptation is such a nasty thing... /But you look so -cute- like that, R.J. I'm sure Kei and Yuri would like seeing a photo.../ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE8: Th-th-that's All, Folks ;-) On Sat, 14 Jun 2003 02:16:19 -0800 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011140 >On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 14:54:30 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00011137 > > He pulls something out of his jacket that looks like a railroad >spike, holds it over his head, and shouts "SUPER SLAPSTICK POWERUP, >ACTIVATE!" > And, fortunately for this list's PG rating, he glows and goes all >blurry and pixel-y, with the latest in high-end CGI FX. Aww. No "fan service"? > Roger spares a quick look at himself, sighs in relief for reasons >not readily apparent, then grits his teeth and begins the next >sequence of actions required under Anime Law. /Hang on, Dad, I'll be >there as soon as I finish this./ He begins striking a string of >cheesy heroic poses. "Foul Creature! How dare you threaten these >champions of Love and Justice with such base and foul tactics! I will >not forgive you for this! In the name of Animation, I am Sailor Toon, >and I Will Punish You!" > /Oh, and by the way -- if ANYONE takes pictures of me like this, I >*will* make them SUFFER. And I'm not kidding!/ /As if we aren't suffering already just watching this?/ sends Nemo. /However, I have to intention of taking pictures./ Pause. /I have other plans./ "Getcher Sailor Toon action figures here!" =================================