Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6
                           Prologs - part 2

Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 04:04:31 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 06:44:23 -0400
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007091

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 04:30:23 -0400
>Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007090
>>On Mon, 6 Sept '99 Zia Said
>
>(OOC: FTR, Zia, both in RL and VR (for argument's sake) I'm just a
>few inches shy of 6'. How tall are you? The VR you, that is.)

(OOC: Zia is 5'4"; her tugging Martin into an embrace would have
required a bit of leaning over on Martin's part. Her author, currently
speaking with Micheal at one of tables further from the bar, is 5'6".
Zia's appearance is much younger than the CAoL typically sees her in
Mike's Place - she looks like jailbait here. Her author looks more
like the age Zia typically appears - that middle age many women have
when they're in the later 20's and early 30's of their life. That, the
scars from the plague, and her author wearing glasses are the only
discernible differences between the two ladies.)

>(OOC: Also, FTR, it *has* been a little while since I've been in the
>Place. Combine that with the fact that I'm the original Silver
>Tongue, Rapier Wit and Mind like a Steel Sieve"(tm) and it's
>understandable why I forgot about the "No Nosy Questions" rule.
><shrug>)

(OOC: Hey, was it really _that_ bad for you? <wink>)

>The brief thought [What tha...] goes through Martin's mind before...
>Well...
>he has his mind on other things...
>
>(OOC: No offence intended, Zia)

(OOC: What could _possibly_ be offensive about that?)

>>[Fast Eddie]'s sap whips through Dhyrclhanc's alter-ego's hair;
>>apparently this Martin did not remember a certain rule about nosy
>>questions in the Place. The sap fails to actually part his hair for
>>him, or lay him out to be carried out the rear door either; Zia
>>seems to have moved in just such a way as to spoil even [Fast
>>Eddie]'s fabulous aim.

(Martin being 8" taller than her made that easy, yes?)

>(OOC: Zia, I'll admit it; I'm dense. In RL, If you want to
>successfully get a message across to me -- you run me over with a
>10-ton semi, figuratively speaking of course. However, as this is VR,
>or some semblance thereof, would you do me a favor? In order to speed
>things up, and to make sure that I -- the RL "I", that is -- don't
>get the wrong idea, would you please send me a private e-mail and
>explain to me what that was all about. The... um... ah... "clinch"
>that is.)

(OOC: It was about keeping the Place congruent without attempting to
REALLY write that Fast Eddie socked you one for asking a nosy
question. Zia is still wearing her Celtic knot wedding ring; her
Author over there in converse wears a wedding ring as well, although
it's a simple band of white gold in the older lady's case.)

>It takes a couple of moments for Martin to recover. Then, he deadpans
>a perfect Richard Moll/Bull Shannon "Ohhw Kayyy", and his eyes begin
>to refocus.
>
>[C'mon brain, reboot!]

Zia releases the taller fellow's shirt, and smoothes her unintentional
wrinkling of his personage whilst she waits patiently, even politely,
for him to decide just how to take that. Her eyes sparkle with a bit
of amusement, but not anything more interested... unfortunately, she
is already 'taken'.

>"Yes, Milady Zia, I am who you suspect me to be. Although, in the
>future I may beg you pardon if I'm tempted to address you as, what I
>suspect is your true title -- 'Countess' But, yes I am Martin, and I
>am, indeed, 'Dhyrclanc's fiction-brother', as you so aptly put it."
>
>He comes up from the bow.

Zia's eyebrow, the left one, quirks at the bow, as if it was
unexpected, but she returns his bow, putting about two more inches
depth into her return. "I am honored to make your acquaintance, Lord
Martin. You suspicions are somewhat accurate - my husband holds the
title of Duke, actually, in Camber. But... I really prefer just plain
Zia. Especially since we're not in Camber. If you MUST title me, Dame
is what I find more comfortable." She almost glances down at herself,
but manages not to, just. "I am young for such gallantries here.
You're as sweet as Dhyrclanc, and have ...." She has to pause to
repress what seems to be a case of the giggles. "Ah, have something of
his mannerisms."

>"May I say, milady, that you certainly have an interesting way of
>preventing a guy from putting his foot in his mouth. A maneuver that
>I assure you I am well versed in." There's a smile on the dark
>haired, late 20-something's face that isn't sure if it's here to stay
>or just visiting.

Zia starts giggling at that; it's plain she is wondering if this is
complaint, boast, or a statement that she'll have to so 'jump in' and
rescue him again and again. She doesn't seem to be laughing AT Martin
by any means, more at the fact her effort was so transparent.

>"While, I realize that I tend to be generous to a fault, as this was
>the part of my nature that attracted me to this Place to begin with.
>I also know that, in social situations, I tend to be as graceful as
>the proverbial Bull in a China Shop. Thus my infrequent and unskilled
>attempts to be sympathetic and comforting sometimes end up being as
>pleasing as if I were tap dancing on one's toes."

Zia is TRYING to look serious, she really is. But Martin is obviously
continuing to say things she THINKS are funny. She attempts to
continue listerning with a somber demeanor - even for her, it isn't
working...

>"However, having been a frequent host to Tragedy's cruel visits I
>dislike seeing suffering, in whatever form it may take and if I was a
>bit over zealous in my offering to share your pain then I can only,
>once again, offer my appologies."

"While we're at it, may I buy you your next drink?"

"Really, Martin, it wasn't that bad to kiss you." Zia says,
deliberately misunderstranding him. He can see it's quite deliberate;
as much so as the kiss was more a greeting than an attempt at
seduction. "I might just let you do that," she says, figuring that her
saving his noggin' makes it obvious she'd already forgiven him. "I'll
just say that Tragedy and Comedy are highly subjective, Martin. You
can't always count on folks seeing Tragedy where you see it. After
all, someone might see it as Victory, Experience, Toughness, or Just
Plain bearing their scars from Life's Travails with Honor. For you to
instantly assume that all marks are Tragedy is not always needful.
Or... very complimentary if that person sees that Tragedy less as a
thing to be comforted FOR, as much as comforted by her survival.
Although I DO appreciate you for the caring and supportive person such
a reaction signals you to be. Shall we shake hands and be fr- be
content with that? By the way - do you two-step? It's been ages since
I was back in Texas."
=================================
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 08:05:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007092

>On Mon, 6 Sep 1999 23:08:44 -0400
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007084
<snip>
>"I think Martin may not have been in the Place himself for a bit,
>either. Hopefully his second thoughts will catch up with Zia's
>assistance." She leans back in her chair, relaxing as she sips the
>God's Blessing. "I tried the this is Scotland after reading about it.
>It's one of the few drinks that live up to their press."

     Michael nods in agreement, it happens to be a favorite of his as
well.

>"Of slightly more moment, I did want to talk to you. Not to mention
>just plain meet you." She half-snorts, "Albeit in virtual reality.
>This Place has certain ambiance in it's virtual place-ness I've
>always thought." Samatha sits the coffee down on the table, and
>regards Micheal. "Like I've been chatting about in the Green Room,
>I'd really like to talk you into keeping some of your former
>characters in circulation. Of course, you _are_ the author, but that
>scene where they were being slain..." She folds the fingers of her
>hands together and regards them a second, marshaling her words. "Did
>you really mean for it to be so terrible? I respec the .. sheer
>gripping factor of horror, Micheal, but the suffering you wrote
>effected me far more strongly than even poor Zia's torture at the
>hands of that weird villian that was John's nemesis. Having the tale
>truly in there seems darker than I'd taken your style of writing to
>be, before you wrote that savage little spinoff tale."
>
>"So, from the Green Room, I suspect you may allow me to talk you into
>some sort of mollification or qualification in addition?"

     Michael rubs his chin in thought, putting together his own
thoughts on the subject.
     "Speech warning ahead...
     "I was probably pushing the limits of my style, it was actually
meant to be more graphic, but I found I couldn't reach that level
of...gore, I guess. I remember looking back on what I'd written and
thinking basically 'No, it's not as horrific as planned, but I don't
have anything I want to add to it that wouldn't detract from it, so
I'll leave it alone.' I actually think I felt it would turn out to be
a mistake in the long run, that I'd eventually want them back, but at
the time, it seemed the only satisfactory step to take with the
characters.
     "Before I started writing, I intended to finish off everyone, I
was fed up with writing for them, it was feeling more like a chore,
and I wanted to branch out in new directions. Now that I look back on
it, I think had I taken a few of the characters and pushed them a bit
further, I would have gotten into the directions I wanted anyway, but
I think at the time I wanted fresh faces also, or at least to take
whole new spins on familiar faces.
     "Looking back, I think now I have more story ideas for those
characters to get into, stuff I put off telling, then didn't want to,
but now I do, or stuff that I only thought of after the fact, but at
the time I was tapped dry and every cool idea I wanted to try wouldn't
work with this set of characters.
     "It was burnout, in other words."
     Mike smirks at that, "I get that alot."
     "And yes, I am willing to have the CAoL rescue these characters,
I just don't want Mike and Tink to go along. Basically, I've -finally-
got a good game scenerio here and putting Mike and Tink into it would
make it too easy. At least in the way I intend to take it. So, now I
just need to find a way to tip off the Army of Light that it's
possible to retrieve them.
     "What I really didn't intend (and even here, it's not entirely
true, but true enough that I want to help fix it) is to basically
wreck the lives and/or psyches of everyone else's characters. I'm
greatly flattered that a piece I wrote, though unsatisfactory to me,
drew such heartfelt response from people. It's about the greatest
compliment I can be given. I wanted people to be sad and outraged, but
I didn't want to set off an emotional nuke in the middle of the Army
of Light that would make people regret being in the group, even if
only IC and the authors knew their characters would get over it."
     Michael smiles, "What can I say, I've grown attached to everyone
else's characters as well.
     "So, what I'm looking to do now is get all or part of the CAoL
together to undo the event. I know how I would do it, I had that
worked out almost right after sending the thing, I'd even save Voyd in
the process, which is why I say it would be too 'easy' with Mike and
Tink helping, so I'm working on how the Army of Light could do it, or
at least get started. From there I'm going to try and just let
everyone riff it out. I expect the results would prove most
interesting that way, ending up in who knows what direction different
than I planned."
     Mike looks around then, "But that's enough bean spilling in
public. Don't want to spoil things for the general readers.
     "What I really need to know now is, what do members of the CAoL
know already? That will determine if I just need to OOCly point in the
right direction or have to introduce an IC character to get things
going. But let's take that up in the green room."
=================================
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 10:58:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:37:43 -0700
Jack Said As CAoL Message # 00007093

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 06:44:23 -0400
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007091
>
>"Really, Martin, it wasn't that bad to kiss you." Zia says,
>deliberately misunderstranding him. He can see it's quite deliberate;
>as much so as the kiss was more a greeting than an attempt at
>seduction. "I might just let you do that," she says, figuring that
>her saving his noggin' makes it obvious she'd already forgiven him.
>"I'll just say that Tragedy and Comedy are highly subjective, Martin.
>You can't always count on folks seeing Tragedy where you see it.
>After all, someone might see it as Victory, Experience, Toughness, or
>Just Plain bearing their scars from Life's Travails with Honor. For
>you to instantly assume that all marks are Tragedy is not always
>needful. Or... very complimentary if that person sees that Tragedy
>less as a thing to be comforted FOR, as much as comforted by her
>survival. Although I DO appreciate you for the caring and supportive
>person such a reaction signals you to be. Shall we shake hands and be
>fr- be content with that? By the way - do you two-step? It's been
>ages since I was back in Texas."

 Jack has been sitting at the bar slowly sipping some dark colored
sweet drink that Mike had slid in front of him after noticing Jack's
befuddlement to the simple question of "What'll you have?" <OOC> It's
a root beer that Jack gets to experience for the first time amnesia or
no. ;-) <OOC> His head turns around to watch Martin's welcoming of
Harlock, and of course the subsequent interaction between Martin and
Zia. As she makes this last speech Jack picks up his drink and walks
over towards them.
 "Well said if I may say. It...seemed to be familiar somehow just I
just can't exactly remember any whens wheres or whys. Speaking of not
remembering, I don't remember if we've been introduced or not. I'm
Jim's friend Jack. I was the one in the suit in that last...world?
Planet? Program? I still don't understand a lot of what's going on and
I don't have Jim to whisper answers into my ear anymore."
 <OOC> Jack is currently dressed in an unusual looking outfit with
black leather pants with lime green piping up the legs, A matching
lime green belt with five small video screens built into it flashing
various scenes aparently at random. The shirt is an eclectic mix, with
the left side and left short sleeve being made of black leather angled
diagonally across his body to end in a small point on his right side
tucked in the belt. His right arm is sheathed in a medival looking
piece of armor from shoulder to wrist, except for the fact that this
armor is also lime green in color. The rest of his chest is covered in
a fishnet mesh that changes colors as he moves, some parts being red,
others black, others blue, others green... all at once. The openness
ofthe mesh reveals that the scars that cover Jack's face are also all
over hisupper chest area. It also reveals more of the tubing for his
internal air supply, that sink into his chest a few inches abover his
nipples, come up to his throat and into a small device over his
voicebox, and then down his back to where the tank is hidden.
 A second look with notice a bulge on the inside of his left thigh,
which on closer look appears to be a concealed holster built into the
pants. A high-tech looking pistol sticks out of the holster. It's sure
that Jack didn't have the pistol before, but then no one ever saw Jack
change clothes either. (I'll explain more on that eventuallly. ;-)
<OOC>
=================================
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 16:04:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 18:55:58 -0400
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007094

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
>Mike Knight Said
<much snipped>
>Mike looks around then, "But that's enough bean spilling in public.
>Don't want to spoil things for the general readers. "What I really
>need to know now is, what do members of the CAoL know already? That
>will determine if I just need to OOCly point in the right direction
>or have to introduce an IC character to get things going. But let's
>take that up in the green room."

Samatha blinks, opens her mouth, then shuts it again while she stuffs
that answer back to take up again later in Micheal's chosen venue.
"Then, should I continue our conversation in a differing way?"

If Micheal agrees, she'll then continue. "As far as 'pushing' your
style, I think it was largely a success. More goriness, in my opinion,
would have reduced the 'simple lines'. You achieved more of a stark,
simple horror than something more elaborate, perhaps, but I would
liken the flavor to Hitchcock. Myself, I'd prefer a horror like that
to say, something more sensationalistic or descriptive. James
Fenimoore Cooper's gory scenes do not nearly rivet me as much as, say,
'The Birds' did."

For a moment, her face reflects horror. She makes haste to add, "Not
that I'm a literary critique; I'm just telling you what I liked about
it. I feel more comfortable writing poetry than a story. Even if I
were a talented and published writer I wouldn't feel comfortable
trying to come off sounding like I knew better than the original
author. I'm just a bibliophile with a habit to feed." She explains,
with a grin.

"As to 'setting off a nuke', I can only speak for Zia, or myself, of
course. I think I've already managed to make it clear how I felt about
it, although I'm willing to discuss it if you're interesting in
pursuing details. I will say, however, that Roland's reaction did
surprise me more than a little, but once I had time to think it over
that reaction seemed entirely proper to him, despite how it startled
me. I have noticed, however, that the CAoLer's tend to take a team
member's ... or even just a character they all know... death very
hard. Since you wrote it as a Spinoff, there was no chance for anyone
to attempt a direct intervention by character. Since helplessness in
the face of death of those we care about is something all too terrible
in reality, facing it in a game or a story can really grab someone's
attention - and their heart strings." She pauses, then has to smile at
her phrasing. "Oh, all right, mine. But I'm a softie, I admit it."
=================================
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 14:37:23 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Thu, 9 Sep 1999 16:19:35 -0500 (CDT)
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007095

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 18:55:58 -0400
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007094
>
>Samatha blinks, opens her mouth, then shuts it again while she stuffs
>that answer back to take up again later in Micheal's chosen venue.
>"Then, should I continue our conversation in a differing way?"

     "Sure, if you like," Michael agrees with a grin.

>For a moment, her face reflects horror. She makes haste to add, "Not
>that I'm a literary critique; I'm just telling you what I liked about
>it. I feel more comfortable writing poetry than a story. Even if I
>were a talented and published writer I wouldn't feel comfortable
>trying to come off sounding like I knew better than the original
>author. I'm just a bibliophile with a habit to feed." She explains,
>with a grin.

     Michael waves it aside, "I'm flattered actually, that's sort of
why I stopped where I did, not that I was trying to imitate anyone,
but that I'd gotten the effect I pretty much wanted already. The
flourishs I wanted to add would have just made it gaudy. Glad to see I
made the right call in your opinion as well."

>"As to 'setting off a nuke', I can only speak for Zia, or myself, of
>course. I think I've already managed to make it clear how I felt
>about it, although I'm willing to discuss it if you're interesting in
>pursuing details. I will say, however, that Roland's reaction did
>surprise me more than a little, but once I had time to think it over
>that reaction seemed entirely proper to him, despite how it startled
>me. I have noticed, however, that the CAoLer's tend to take a team
>member's ... or even just a character they all know... death very
>hard. Since you wrote it as a Spinoff, there was no chance for anyone
>to attempt a direct intervention by character. Since helplessness in
>the face of death of those we care about is something all too
>terrible in reality, facing it in a game or a story can really grab
>someone's attention - and their heart strings." She pauses, then has
>to smile at her phrasing. "Oh, all right, mine. But I'm a softie, I
>admit it."

     Mike grins a bit sheepishly, "I came to those same conclusions,
but it was a bit too late when I did. They are my characters, true,
but as they interact with other people's characters I have to consider
how my writing might affect them. Killing characters off is just a
social taboo in the CAoL, retiring is much easier to cope with.
     "But hopefully we can make amends and tell a good story in the
process."
=================================
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 17:04:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Thu, 9 Sep 1999 18:10:07 -0400
Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007096

>On Wed, 08 Sep '99
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said
>
>Martin Gerster wrote:
<snip>
>>"Raver is your typical "sturm und drang" Demon, save for the fact
>>that she no longer swears allegiance to the forces of either Hades
>>or the Abyss. That and the fact that she's a she'." says Martin.
>
>"Ah. I must admit, the only demons I had heretofore met were at the
>other end of a blade. If, however, Raver no longer allies herself
>with the forces of evil, I see no problem working with her. As a side
>note, I know of at least three types of demon that at least appear
>female. Succubi would be the classic example, but there are also
>Erinyes and Mariliths. I'll admit, the 'good twin' Raver didn't
>appear to fit any of those molds, although I have heard that some
>Erinyes fight reasonably well."

"Actually," says Martin, after taking another sip on his Scotch and
Coke, "I believe that this is the first time that Raver's 'Good Twin'
has made it's existance known to anyone."

"On the other hand, where I come from most of your typical Demons or
Devils, or at least those that are rumored to exist, are male. Then
again, from where I come from, almost all summonings/pacts that are
rumored to have been made were with what you would probably consider
the Lord- or rulling-types. I suspect that my Homeworld is further
away, dimensionaly speaking, from the higher and lower Planes and thus
the battle between Good and Evil and Law and Chaos, than yours is.
Because of this, we probably don't have to deal with quite so many of
the soldier-types as you do."

He shrugs.
=================================
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 17:05:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Thu, 9 Sep 1999 19:32:57 -0400
Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007097

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 06:44:23 -0400
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007091
>> ["Martin Gerster"] Said
>>> Zia Said
>>>> "Martin Gerster" Said
<snip>
>>(OOC: FTR, Zia, both in RL and VR (for argument's sake) I'm just a
>>few inches shy of 6'. How tall are you? The VR you, that is.)
>
>(OOC: Zia is 5'4"; her tugging Martin into an embrace would have
>required a bit of leaning over on Martin's part. Her author,
>currently speaking with Micheal at one of tables further from the
>bar, is 5'6". Zia's appearance is much younger than the CAoL
>typically sees her in Mike's Place - she looks like jailbait here.
>Her author looks more like the age Zia typically appears - that
>middle age many women have when they're in the later 20's and early
>30's of their life. That, the scars from the plague, and her author
>wearing glasses are the only discernible differences between the two
>ladies.)

(OOC: I appear to have exagerated then. If only a bit. <shrug> I'm
only 5'7". In light of that fact, Zia probably didn't need to reach
that far.) ;^)

>>(OOC: Also, FTR, it *has* been a little while since I've been in the
>>Place. Combine that with the fact that I'm the original Silver
>>Tongue, Rapier Wit and Mind like a Steel Sieve"(tm) and it's
>>understandable why I forgot about the "No Nosy Questions" rule.
>><shrug>)
>
>(OOC: Hey, was it really _that_ bad for you? <wink>)

(OOC: No it wasn't entirly unpleasant. ;^) However, let's just say
I'm... well, relieved is too strong a word... that this was just Zia's
way of saying "hello". <shrug>)

>>>[Fast Eddie]'s sap whips through Dhyrclhanc's alter-ego's hair;
>>>apparently this Martin did not remember a certain rule about nosy
>>>questions in the Place. The sap fails to actually part his hair for
>>>him, or lay him out to be carried out the rear door either; Zia
>>>seems to have moved in just such a way as to spoil even [Fast
>>>Eddie]'s fabulous aim.
>
>(Martin being 8" taller than her made that easy, yes?)

(OOC: see above)

>(OOC: It was about keeping the Place congruent without attempting to
>REALLY write that Fast Eddie socked you one for asking a nosy
>question. Zia is still wearing her Celtic knot wedding ring; her
>Author over there in converse wears a wedding ring as well, although
>it's a simple band of white gold in the older lady's case.)

(OOC: If I am allowed to make a humble suggestion, Steve Jackson
Games(tm) published "GURPS Callahans Crosstime Saloon" which, even if
you aren't into RPGs in general, or GURPS, specificaly, is a wonderful
resource for the original three books. I only mention this because of
your earlier comment, in an earlier post, about your inabilty to
remember the right names. This is, I suspect, a more common malady
than is normaly let on.)

>>"Yes, Milady Zia, I am who you suspect me to be. Although, in the
>>future I may beg you pardon if I'm tempted to address you as, what I
>>suspect is your true title -- 'Countess' But, yes I am Martin, and I
>>am, indeed, 'Dhyrclanc's fiction-brother', as you so aptly put it."
>>
>>He comes up from the bow.
>
>Zia's eyebrow, the left one, quirks at the bow, as if it was
>unexpected, but she returns his bow, putting about two more inches
>depth into her return. "I am honored to make your acquaintance, Lord
>Martin. You suspicions are somewhat accurate - my husband holds the
>title of Duke, actually, in Camber. But...I really prefer just plain
>Zia. Especially since we're not in Camber. If you MUST title me, Dame
>is what I find more comfortable." She almost glances down at herself,
>but manages not to, just. "I am young for such gallantries here.
>You're as sweet as Dhyrclanc, and have ...." She has to pause to
>repress what seems to be a case of the giggles. "Ah, have something
>of his mannerisms."

(OOC: Gee, I wonder why?) ;^D

Martin blushes.

"Please, ...Zia, I posses no formal rank, the closest I'd come is what
the Brits call a 'Country squire'. So, please, for reasons I'd rather
not go into I'd prefer it if you just called me 'Martin'."

>>"[and] May I say, milady, that you certainly have an interesting way
>>of preventing a guy from putting his foot in his mouth. A maneuver
>>that I assure you I am well versed in." There's a smile on the dark
>>haired, late 20-something's face that isn't sure if it's here to
>>stay or just visiting.
>
>Zia starts giggling at that; it's plain she is wondering if this is
>complaint, boast, or a statement that she'll have to so 'jump in' and
>rescue him again and again. She doesn't seem to be laughing AT Martin
>by any means, more at the fact her effort was so transparent.

(OOC: Aroo? "her" is this a typo?)

>>"While, I realize that I tend to be generous to a fault, as this was
>>the part of my nature that attracted me to this Place to begin with.
>>I also know that, in social situations, I tend to be as graceful as
>>the proverbial Bull in a China Shop. Thus my infrequent and
>>unskilled attempts to be sympathetic and comforting sometimes end up
>>being as pleasing as if I were tap dancing on one's toes."
>
>Zia is TRYING to look serious, she really is. But Martin is obviously
>continuing to say things she THINKS are funny. She attempts to
>continue listerning with a somber demeanor - even for her, it isn't
>working...

(Alas, one of my curses is that when I try to be dramatically serious,
or poetic, I still end up seeming like I'm still trying to play the
fool. <shrug>)

>"Really, Martin, it wasn't that bad to kiss you." Zia says,
>deliberately misunderstranding him. He can see it's quite deliberate;
>as much so as the kiss was more a greeting than an attempt at
>seduction. "I might just let you do that," she says, figuring that
>her saving his noggin' makes it obvious she'd already forgiven him.
>"I'll just say that Tragedy and Comedy are highly subjective, Martin.
>You can't always count on folks seeing Tragedy where you see it.
>After all, someone might see it as Victory, Experience, Toughness, or
>Just Plain bearing their scars from Life's Travails with Honor. For
>you to instantly assume that all marks are Tragedy is not always
>needful. Or...very complimentary if that person sees that Tragedy
>less as a thing to be comforted FOR, as much as comforted by her
>survival. Although I DO appreciate you for the caring and supportive
>person such a reaction signals you to be. Shall we shake hands and be
>fr- be content with that? By the way - do you two-step? It's been
>ages since I was back in Texas."

Martin answers, after shaking the Amberite's Hand,

"Thank you for pointing that out to me. I often forget that others
bear Life's scars better than I do. This is probably why I have taken
to playing the Fool in defence against what the Bard wisely called
'the Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune'. On the other hand, I
also do not believe that anyone knows beter than I precisely how Wise
the Fool can be."

"However, in response to your kind offer to dance, alas I'm forced to
admit that, in addition to have been vaccinated by a phonograph
needle, I was also born with two left feet."
=================================
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 17:05:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Thu, 9 Sep 1999 19:39:15 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007098

In a message dated 9/8/99 7:05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
samatha1 writes:
>>>Those present and watching these two finally get an idea where Zia
>>>gets her nickname from. With absolutely perfect timing, even as her
>>>expression starts to frown, the petite brunette slides a fast, long
>>>step right in front of Martin. With a quick and powerful yank on
>>>his shirt, she plucks the fellow down to her own lip-level and
>>>applies a through kiss to keep him there a second. As ad-lib acting
>>>goes, it ain't bad atall. Only those very close and with a good
>>>angle could have seen the frown before the kiss blocked Zia's
>>>expression from sight.

An Olympic judging panel of Rogers, plus a network announcer, sprouts
from the other end of the bar. "9.8....8.9....9.7....11.5 --hey, wait
a minute--...10.0,10.0, and a 4.6 from the East German judge. Boy,
that guy's just not giving *anybody* a break today."

>Zia's eyebrow, the left one, quirks at the bow, as if it was
>unexpected, but she returns his bow, putting about two more inches
>depth into her return. "I am honored to make your acquaintance, Lord
>Martin. You suspicions are somewhat accurate - my husband holds the
>title of Duke, actually, in Camber. But...I really prefer just plain
>Zia. Especially since we're not in Camber. If you MUST title me, Dame
>is what I find more comfortable."

"And WOTTA Dame," Roger sighs wistfully from the sidelines.
=================================
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 01:04:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Fri, 10 Sep 1999 03:59:26 -0400
Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00007099

>On Thu, 9 Sep 1999 19:39:15 EDT
>SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007098
>
>An Olympic judging panel of Rogers, plus a network announcer, sprouts
>from the other end of the bar. "9.8....8.9....9.7....11.5 --hey, wait
>a minute--...10.0,10.0, and a 4.6 from the East German judge. Boy,
>that guy's just not giving *anybody* a break today."

(OOC: LOL, _he_ said it, Zia, *I* didn't)

>"And WOTTA Dame," Roger sighs wistfully from the sidelines.

At which point, Roger's Uncle, and probably his Aunt too, looks over
at the young immortal, and proceed to stare daggers at him.

"Roger," Martin begins, "As soon as your parents get back from their
vacation on Tatoine, I'm going to have to have a long talk with them
on a new course of discipline for you. Meinwhile..."

The RL alter ego of the draconic lensman reaches behind himself to the
bartop, and proceeds to hurl the entire contents of a bowl of peanuts,
including the bowl, at his "nephew".
=================================
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 19:04:31 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Fri, 10 Sep 1999 21:46:48 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007100

In a message dated 9/10/99 4:04:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
ofgerst writes:
>>"And WOTTA Dame," Roger sighs wistfully from the sidelines.
>
>At which point, Roger's Uncle, and probably his Aunt too, looks over
>at the young immortal, and proceed to stare daggers at him.

Roger cowers theatrically. "Christopher Lloyd impressions! Christopher
Lloyd impressions! Aiieeee!!!!"

>The RL alter ego of the draconic lensman reaches behind himself to
>the bartop, and proceeds to hurl the entire contents of a bowl of
>peanuts, including the bowl, at his "nephew".

Roger quits cowering, takes on an expression rather like a performing
seal being tossed a whole barrel of sardines, and proceeds to
telekinetically spin the peanuts into a grandiose roller-coaster
display that pours into his mouth in a stream reminiscent of those
Pringles commercials. The bowl inverts into a typical 1960s flying
saucer and makes a high-rpm landing on his head before sprouting a
beanie propellor. Mike (Callahan) leans across the bar with a sigh. "I
lose more tupperware that way...."
=================================
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 20:04:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Fri, 10 Sep 1999 23:01:21 EDT
Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007101

In a message dated 9/10/99 7:05:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
SkyeFire writes:
>>At which point, Roger's Uncle, and probably his Aunt too, looks over
>>at the young immortal, and proceed to stare daggers at him.
>
>Roger cowers theatrically. "Christopher Lloyd impressions!
>Christopher Lloyd impressions! Aiieeee!!!!"

A voice yells out, "Don't you mean Christopher Walk-"

The voice is promptly silenced.
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 02:34:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 02:11:49 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007102

Gerster wrote:
>"On the other hand, where I come from most of your typical Demons or
>Devils, or at least those that are rumored to exist, are male. Then
>again, from where I come from, almost all summonings/pacts that are
>rumored to have been made were with what you would probably consider
>the Lord- or ruling-types. I suspect that my Homeworld is further
>away, dimensionally speaking, from the higher and lower Planes and
>thus the battle between Good and Evil and Law and Chaos, than yours
>is. Because of this, we probably don't have to deal with quite so
>many of the soldier-types as you do."

(OOC: Well, except for the aforementioned succubi, that is...the word,
after all, derives from the Latin: sub cubare--to lie under. Erinyes
and Mariliths are, AFAIK, pure Gygax...although most of the illos of
Mariliths have a distinct East Indian flavor to them. I don't know as
much as I'd like about the lore of that area, so I'm not sure whether
there's a connection or not.)

"Actually, from what I understand, most demons are considered
gender-neutral," says Harlock. "Succubi and Erinyes are considered
female because it is their job to lure men to evil through sex.
Mariliths...I don't quite know. I've heard rumors that they're such
effective tacticians because they consider the troops under their care
to be their children. Never having met a Marilith in person, thank
Oghma, I couldn't say for sure one way or the other. As to dealing
with numerous demons, the only ones I've dealt with were either
summoned by evil (or stupid) mages or...well, I'll just point out that
this isn't the first time I've been plane-jumping."
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 13:06:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105

   There's a shift in virtual space, and while Roland is 'finding'
himself on Tatooine, a man walks in, almost reluctantly, the Light of
Reality (tm) on him. Other than being a couple of inches shorter and
wider, with less body definition, longer (and according to my wife,
more curly and darker 8^) hair, and glasses, he's a pretty fair
approximation of Roland. He wears a Flash T-shirt, light blue jeans,
and black sneakers. He watches the conversation...

>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007092
<mega-snipola>
>    "Looking back, I think now I have more story ideas for those
>characters to get into, stuff I put off telling, then didn't want to,
>but now I do, or stuff that I only thought of after the fact, but at
>the time I was tapped dry and every cool idea I wanted to try
>wouldn't work with this set of characters.
>    "It was burnout, in other words."
>    Mike smirks at that, "I get that alot."

   Peter smiles in mild amusement, but far more in understanding.

>    "And yes, I am willing to have the CAoL rescue these characters,
>I just don't want Mike and Tink to go along. Basically, I've
>-finally- got a good game scenerio here and putting Mike and Tink
>into it would make it too easy. At least in the way I intend to take
>it. So, now I just need to find a way to tip off the Army of Light
>that it's possible to retrieve them.
>    "What I really didn't intend (and even here, it's not entirely
>true, but true enough that I want to help fix it) is to basically
>wreck the lives and/or psyches of everyone else's characters. I'm
>greatly flattered that a piece I wrote, though unsatisfactory to me,
>drew such heartfelt response from people. It's about the greatest
>compliment I can be given. I wanted people to be sad and outraged,
>but I didn't want to set off an emotional nuke in the middle of the
>Army of Light that would make people regret being in the group, even
>if only IC and the authors knew their characters would get over it."

   There's a brief pause. "Hi, Mike. The thing is, 'Roland' is very
protective of his friends and family, and equally emotional on the
subject." He smiles ruefully. "Um, hi. My RL name is Peter, but just
about everyone in California except my co-workers knows me as
Roland...it's a mid-sized story, and if anyone's curious I'll explain
in depth later. Anyway, the point is, you have every right to deal
with your characters as you see fit...but since this is a shared
continuity, other folx are going to try to deal with continuity in a
way that's true to the character. Roland is very much a part of
me...which is why I so rarely use the LoR...have I ever, come to think
of it?...so his responses are very much like mine might be. But
'Roland' lost members of his family, while I 'just' read well-written
gruesomeness. I don't think anyone's as devastated as their
characters."

>    Michael smiles, "What can I say, I've grown attached to everyone
>else's characters as well.

   Peter's smile broadens. "I wonder how folx would react if Roland
and Morgan were killed by Destroyer or the Gaunt Man or some such..."

>    "So, what I'm looking to do now is get all or part of the CAoL
>together to undo the event. I know how I would do it, I had that
>worked out almost right after sending the thing, I'd even save Voyd
>in the process, which is why I say it would be too 'easy' with Mike
>and Tink helping, so I'm working on how the Army of Light could do
>it, or at least get started. From there I'm going to try and just let
>everyone riff it out. I expect the results would prove most
>interesting that way, ending up in who knows what direction different
>than I planned."
>    Mike looks around then, "But that's enough bean spilling in
>public. Don't want to spoil things for the general readers.

   "Are you planning this for before, during, or after FuzzyQuest? I
know it's supposed to be a brief mini-adventure, but so was AAE V-R.
It was meant to be a fun, short lark. I don't think you'll have all of
the problems I did, but..." Peter shrugs.

A woman who looks much like Morgan, although with a less athletic
physique, joins Peter in the LoR. (OOC: Our pics are on the CAoL site,
so I don't feel a need for more detail :-). "There does, however, seem
to be something synchronous about having AAE7 be The Quest to Save the
Sevens," she grins.

>    "What I really need to know now is, what do members of the CAoL
>know already? That will determine if I just need to OOCly point in
>the right direction or have to introduce an IC character to get
>things going. But let's take that up in the green room."

   "Check." A check (naturally) drops in front of Peter...
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 14:04:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 16:28:23 -0400 (EDT)
Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00007106

>On Tue, 07 Sep 1999 00:24:54 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007086
>
>"By all means," says the Bard. "If we're to be adventuring shortly,
>I'd appreciate being fully equipped. As it stands, I doubt the power
>cell would hold out for much more than a sword-blow or two. I can
>generally hold my own in a fight, but the shield makes it a bit
>easier...and less of a hazard to me stunnin' looks." It's remarkable
>how close the Moonshaes accent is to a Scots accent...

John looks over the shield device and power cell quickly, "Not
familiar with this particular model," he says. As he examines it a
young woman with red hair and green eyes walks up and peers over his
shoulder.

"Type three," she says quietly but with confidence. "We should have
several types that will work in storage."

John straightens, "Well, that's settled then. Excuse me while I order
up the replacements. Do you want a spare or two?"

John pulls out what looks like a cell phone, then pauses in the act of
bringing it to his ear, "Oh, Rhia, this is Harlock, Harlock this is
Rhia."

Rhia smiles, "Rhiannon Roslik. It is a pleasure to meet you."

In the background John is speaking into the phone, then he holds the
device up to the screen to be scanned.
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 14:05:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 13:35:16 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007107

>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105
>
>>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007092
><mega-snipola>
>
>>Michael smiles, "What can I say, I've grown attached to everyone
>>else's characters as well.
>
>   Peter's smile broadens. "I wonder how folx would react if Roland
>and Morgan were killed by Destroyer or the Gaunt Man or some such..."

"In character, or out?" asks a voice from the French doors. The
speaker is similar to Rob Nishikawa, but has left the sweater and
jeans jacket out in favor of a shirt with "Fitly Basic Dude & Punster"
embroidered on the front. Also, his weight is a few pounds less
muscle, and a few pounds more fat.

"If it were Destroyer, Rob Nishikawa would hitch a ride to Earth-9 to
look at the grave, and find out what the Champions had left of
Destroyer. Peter Eng would be wondering how permanent the death was,
or else who was replacing Roland. It seems to me that the CAoL has a
'revolving-door-to-death' almost as powerful as the one in the Marvel
Universe."

>>  "So, what I'm looking to do now is get all or part of the CAoL
>>together to undo the event. I know how I would do it, I had that
>>worked out almost right after sending the thing, I'd even save Voyd
>>in the process, which is why I say it would be too 'easy' with Mike
>>and Tink helping, so I'm working on how the Army of Light could do
>>it, or at least get started."

"See what I mean?"

>> "From there I'm going to try and just let everyone riff it out. I
>>expect the results would prove most interesting that way, ending up
>>in who knows what direction different than I planned."
>>  Mike looks around then, "But that's enough bean spilling in
>>public. Don't want to spoil things for the general readers.
>
>   "Are you planning this for before, during, or after FuzzyQuest? I
>know it's supposed to be a brief mini-adventure, but so was AAE V-R.
>It was meant to be a fun, short lark. I don't think you'll have all
>of the problems I did, but..." Peter shrugs.
>
>A woman who looks much like Morgan, although with a less athletic
>physique, joins Peter in the LoR. (OOC: Our pics are on the CAoL
>site, so I don't feel a need for more detail :-). "There does,
>however, seem to be something synchronous about having AAE7 be The
>Quest to Save the Sevens," she grins.

"Hmm. I like that."

>>  "What I really need to know now is, what do members of the CAoL
>>know already? That will determine if I just need to OOCly point in
>>the right direction or have to introduce an IC character to get
>>things going."

A small device lands on Michael's table. It's labeled, "Clue Meter:
Rob Nishikawa." A small screen reads, "Information about the saving of
the Sevens." The needle is pointing firmly at zero.
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 18:40:36 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogues at Mike's Place (longish)

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 21:12:52 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007108

In a message dated 9/10/99 11:04:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LucFrench writes:
>>Roger cowers theatrically. "Christopher Lloyd impressions!
>>Christopher Lloyd impressions! Aiieeee!!!!"
>
>A voice yells out, "Don't you mean Christopher Walk-"
>
>The voice is promptly silenced.

OOC: Actually, I was thinking specifically of that scene in "Who
Framed Roger Rabbit" where Christopher Lloyd reveales himself and
*literally* "stares daggers" at Our Heroes. The kind of thing only a
'toon could do......
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 23:35:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: OOC: Re: AAE V: Epilogue

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 23:03:54 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007109

L.J. Wolfe wrote:
>>person, thank Oghma, I couldn't say for sure one way or the other.
>         ^^^^^^^^^^^
>OOC: I think Morgan's gonna like this guy when she finally meets him.
>He has the sound of "home" on his tongue, and he swears by the Old
>Gods.

Heh. Don't read too much into it, Morgan. Oghma has been coopted into
the Forgotten Realms pantheon as the guardian of knowledge and (more
to the point) the patron of bards. Harlock's just as likely to swear
by Milil or Mystra. Since, in this case, the discussion involved
knowledge, he invoked Oghma. Had it involved magic, he probably would
have invoked Mystra.
=================================
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 23:35:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 23:15:03 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007110

Shadow wrote:
<snip>
>John looks over the shield device and power cell quickly, "Not
>familiar with this particular model," he says. As he examines it a
>young woman with red hair and green eyes walks up and peers over his
>shoulder.
>
>"Type three," she says quietly but with confidence. "We should have
>several types that will work in storage."
>
>John straightens, "Well, that's settled then. Excuse me while I order
>up the replacements. Do you want a spare or two?"

"If you would be so kind," says Harlock. "I did learn the knack for
changing the cells, but Faerun is definitely not the place to look for
spares."

>John pulls out what looks like a cell phone, then pauses in the act
>of bringing it to his ear, "Oh, Rhia, this is Harlock, Harlock this
>is Rhia."
>
>Rhia smiles, "Rhiannon Roslik. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Bowing over Rhia's hand, Harlock kisses it lightly. "Charmed, Milady.
'Tis good to see that the land of your birth values intelligence in
both sexes."
=================================
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 03:34:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 02:46:37 PST
Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007112

>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 02:11:49 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007102
>
>(OOC: Well, except for the aforementioned succubi, that is...the
>word, after all, derives from the Latin: sub cubare--to lie under.
>Erinyes and Mariliths are, AFAIK, pure Gygax...although most of the
>illos of Mariliths have a distinct East Indian flavor to them.

I *think* "Erinyes" is swiped from the greek name for the Furies. And
those were both female and something you did *not* want to encounter.
Ever.

>"Actually, from what I understand, most demons are considered
>gender-neutral," says Harlock. "Succubi and Erinyes are considered
>female because it is their job to lure men to evil through sex.

It's not properly medieval, but later writers have speculated that
Incubi and Succubi are one and the same. It would explain *how* an
incubus cvan father a child when Satan and his minions specifically
*lack* the ability to create (unlessyou believe in the Manichean
Heresy).

Under this theory, the creature, in the form of a woman, visits a man
and induces him to deposit his seed in "her". Then it leaves, changes
to the form of a man and impregnates some woman far, far away.

It's an interesting theory. And it fits together so well that a number
ofg people use it in their universes.

>As to dealing with numerous demons, the only ones I've dealt with
>were either summoned by evil (or stupid) mages or...well, I'll just
>point out that this isn't the first time I've been plane-jumping."

Well, by the magickal tradtions I'm most familiar with, black
magicians summon demons/devils and make deals with them. White
magicians can summon demons, but have to be careful to only *compel*
them to do their bidding (far more difficult and dangerous). White
magicians can also "summon" ("implore to appear" might be a better way
to put it) angels. As with demons, each angel has an area of expertise
in which they can aid mortals if they are so disposed. Dealing with
angels is also perilous to one's soul, as one as to avoid hubris and
be *very* certain that one's motives are pure.

And unlike certain games, either sort of summoning can takes *weeks*
to prepare for. Magic is best saved for that which *cannot* be done by
mundane means.
=================================
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 07:04:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 08:47:55 -0500 (CDT)
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007113

>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105
>
>>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007092
><mega-snipola>
>   There's a brief pause. "Hi, Mike. The thing is, 'Roland' is very
>protective of his friends and family, and equally emotional on the
>subject." He smiles ruefully. "Um, hi. My RL name is Peter, but just
>about everyone in California except my co-workers knows me as
>Roland...it's a mid-sized story, and if anyone's curious I'll explain
>in depth later. Anyway, the point is, you have every right to deal
>with your characters as you see fit...but since this is a shared
>continuity, other folx are going to try to deal with continuity in a
>way that's true to the character. Roland is very much a part of
>me...which is why I so rarely use the LoR...have I ever, come to
>think of it?...so his responses are very much like mine might be. But
>'Roland' lost members of his family, while I 'just' read well-written
>gruesomeness. I don't think anyone's as devastated as their
>characters."

     Mike nods, "Exactly. Had I realized the full scope of that at the
time, I would have done things differently, I think.
     "Like accepting those offers of assistance as I was writing," he
adds, glancing to Samatha and Martin with a grin.

>>  Michael smiles, "What can I say, I've grown attached to everyone
>>else's characters as well.
>
>   Peter's smile broadens. "I wonder how folx would react if Roland
>and Morgan were killed by Destroyer or the Gaunt Man or some such..."

     "That... would be another Bad Thing to do," Mike remarks with a
snicker. "I think Roger over there would be doing the Marty McFly fade
away and Mike and Tink would be on Gallifrey stealing a Tardis to try
and undo the event. But you're right, no way we'd sit still and let it
happen."

>A woman who looks much like Morgan, although with a less athletic
>physique, joins Peter in the LoR. (OOC: Our pics are on the CAoL
>site, so I don't feel a need for more detail :-). "There does,
>however, seem to be something synchronous about having AAE7 be The
>Quest to Save the Sevens," she grins.

     Mike beams, "I love it."
=================================
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 07:04:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 08:57:40 -0500 (CDT)
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007114

>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 13:35:16 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007107
<snip>
>>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
>>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105
<snip>
>>>On Wed, 8 Sep 1999 09:36:38 -0500 (CDT)
>>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007092
<snip>
>>>     "What I really need to know now is, what do members of the
>>>CAoL know already? That will determine if I just need to OOCly
>>>point in the right direction or have to introduce an IC character
>>>to get things going."
>
>A small device lands on Michael's table. It's labeled, "Clue Meter:
>Rob Nishikawa." A small screen reads, "Information about the saving
>of the Sevens." The needle is pointing firmly at zero.

     Mike reads the label, doubletakes, then nods with understanding.
     "For a second there, I thought I was being told I didn't have a
clue. But, I misread. Okay, thanks."
=================================
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 12:12:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 14:54:28 -0400
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007115

>On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 08:47:55 -0500 (CDT)
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007113
>>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
>>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105
<mega-snip 1>
>Mike nods, "Exactly. Had I realized the full scope of that at the
>time, I would have done things differently, I think. "Like accepting
>those offers of assistance as I was writing," he adds, glancing to
>Samatha and Martin with a grin.

Samatha blushes slightly, then regains her composure and returns the
grin with a slightly quirked version of her own. "What can I say? Zia
has to get her tendency to 'interfere' from somone."

<mega-snip 2>
>>A woman who looks much like Morgan, although with a less athletic
>>physique, joins Peter in the LoR. (OOC: Our pics are on the CAoL
>>site, so I don't feel a need for more detail :-). "There does,
>>however, seem to be something synchronous about having AAE7 be The
>>Quest to Save the Sevens," she grins.
>
>Mike beams, "I love it."

"Now I can sympathize with Jake and his puns. It _is_ hard to have a
good idea first in this Place. Another factor in it's warm appeal."
She smiles and gives Morgan's Authoress a wink that makes the smile
crinkle up into a grin. Then she gives the whole table a smile, ending
on Peter. "You might want to ask Sil for ideas about young Anakin for
Roland's gambit with vectors." She laughs softly, almost to herself.
"After all, what else does one get when playing with a combination of
Force and time?"

She rises from the table, giving Micheal a nod in parting, "I did
enjoy meeting you; it was worth the trepidation I share with Peter
about this 'Light of Reality' bit, as he so aptly puts it." On her way
to the door, she takes her drink to the chalk line. With a vague
realigning of reality so like Zia's shadow-shifting, she now has a
glass of lemonade almost finished, rather than the heavy mug of God's
Blessing she was sipping before.

"To friends, real, fictional, acknowledged in the present, realized in
the past, and discovered in our hopeful futures, all - one of life's
bounties we can all treasure as Ebenezer before Christmas." She
toasts, and drains the dregs before pitching the glass with a gentle
lob into the fireplace.

With that, the lady gives them a final smile, and makes her way
unhurriedly for the exit.

Samatha,
the Lady Revamper Ready Rescue other Redoutables
=================================
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:04:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE V: Epilogue (long)(sorry)

On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:01:10 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007116

>On Sun, 12 Sep 1999 02:46:37 PST
>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007112
<snip>
>I *think* "Erinyes" is swiped from the greek name for the Furies. And
>those were both female and something you did *not* want to encounter.
>Ever.

Nope. "Eumenides," which translates to "the kindly ones." By using
this title, the Greeks hoped to avoid the attentions of the ones they
were naming...for what should be obvious reasons.
=================================
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:42:59 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:07:21 -0700
Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007117

Samatha Cooper wrote:
>"To friends, real, fictional, acknowledged in the present, realized
>in the past, and discovered in our hopeful futures, all - one of
>life's bounties we can all treasure as Ebenezer before Christmas."
>She toasts, and drains the dregs before pitching the glass with a
>gentle lob into the fireplace.
>
>With that, the lady gives them a final smile, and makes her way
>unhurriedly for the exit.

A mug with the periodic table on it and a few sips of milk still in it
sails into the fireplace.
=================================
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 10:14:02 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper. (fwd)

On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 00:16:09 -0500 (CDT)
Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007119

>On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:07:21 -0700
>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007117
>
>A mug with the periodic table on it and a few sips of milk still in
>it sails into the fireplace.

     Michael's glass follows that one. *CRASH*
=================================
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 03:36:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On 09-14-1999 at 03:34:45
Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00007121

>On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 00:16:09 -0500 (CDT)
>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007119
>
>>On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:07:21 -0700
>>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007117
>>
>>Samatha Cooper wrote:
>>>
>>>"To friends, real, fictional, acknowledged in the present, realized
>>>in the past, and discovered in our hopeful futures, all - one of
>>>life's bounties we can all treasure as Ebenezer before Christmas."
>>>She toasts, and drains the dregs before pitching the glass with a
>>>gentle lob into the fireplace.
>>>
>>>With that, the lady gives them a final smile, and makes her way
>>>unhurriedly for the exit.
>>
>>A mug with the periodic table on it and a few sips of milk still in
>>it sails into the fireplace.
>
>     Michael's glass follows that one. *CRASH*

A Phantom Tea Mug follows into the Fireplace from the rafters...
=================================
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 03:37:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 03:27:06 -0700 (PDT)
The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007122

>On Sat, 11 Sep 1999 12:56:55 -0700
>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007105
>
>>  Michael smiles, "What can I say, I've grown attached to everyone
>>else's characters as well.
>
>   Peter's smile broadens. "I wonder how folx would react if Roland
>and Morgan were killed by Destroyer or the Gaunt Man or some such..."

     The Mandy wearing the red on black 'SITH NAKED' Tshirt looks up
abruptly. "Actually. Let's see." She closes her eyes briefly. "Raver
would probably get herself dragged along on any rescue attempts,
complaining for form's sake. You know, the Great Stone Demon Face.
Since they did save Mandy's sanity, after all, and her wellbeing's a
high priority on Raver's list, I don't think Raver would be too picky
about who or what she had to go through, if you get my meaning..."
=================================
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 08:04:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 07:50:44 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007123

>On 09-14-1999 at 03:34:45
>Fuzzy Said As CAoL Message # 00007121
[three-toast snip]

A half-full glass of cream soda arrives at the fireplace, albeit
somewhat late.
=================================
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 08:34:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE sorta: Interview with a Revamper.

On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 08:15:51 -0700 (PDT)
The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007124

>On Tue, 14 Sep 1999 07:50:44 -0700 (PDT)
>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007123
>
>[three-toast snip]
>
>A half-full glass of cream soda arrives at the fireplace, albeit
>somewhat late.

     ...and a mug that used to be full of Kenya AA College Student
Sludge follows, as well...

     "Amen to that."
=================================
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 21:48:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE: Interludes: Roger Solo

On Mon, 20 Sep 1999 23:44:18 EDT
SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007128

  Roger strolls out the front door of the Place, soaking wet and
closing up an umbrella as he steps out under the clear night sky. He's
humming under his breath, a tune someone close enough to hear might
recognize as "Singin' in the Rain." [Heh. Auntzie and I should do that
Gene Kelly thing more often. Boy, but she can dance we she's a mind
to.] [1]
  He glances up at the starstrewn skies, interrupted only by some thin
Cirrus clouds at high altitude. For some reason known only to Mike
Callahan, New York's light pollution doesn't seem to affect things out
here.
  [Well, time to be going. Of course, I still haven't figured out how
I ended up here/now, and I'm not too sure how to get back -- or if I
should before I find the root cause I went timelost. But since nobody
really seems to need me right now --and somehow I suspect my room at
Mom&Dad's place isn't available-- well, I might as well play tourist.
See what things were like before the Great Reset.]
  Suiting action to words, the immortal pulls open the left side of
his bomber jacket in classic "Hey buddy wanna buy a watch?" style, and
leans to his right as:
  With a loud whoosh and some eye-twisting optical effects, a
battered-looking discusoid starship squeezes out between jacket and
ribcage, coming to a hovering halt over the parking lot, power systems
humming with a smooth purr that belies the vessel's rather
neglected-seeming exterior.
  Practically any Patron, had sie been looking out the door, would
have recognized the classic lines of a much-messed-about-with
Corellian YT-1300 class light freighter, complete with the entire
Custom Smuggling Package, even if they didn't know much about starship
classifications. Most would have thrown a quick glance at the sky to
reassure themselves that it had not suddenly gained a Death Star, just
waiting to be blown up.
  There was no ominous sphere hanging ominously in the night sky
(aside from the Moon's momentary resemblance to an AT&T symbol, a
small joke written off by the media as a mass hallucination). And a
more careful examination would quickly reveal to the discerning
technophile some distinct differences between this ship and its famous
battlestation-killing sibling.
  For one thing, the name inscribed in small, low-visibility lettering
under the cockpit windows reads "Millennium Phoenix," rather than
"Falcon." If one were to look closely, it would not be hard to see
where a less-than-perfect repair job was done after an aspiring
grafittioso had spray-painted out "Phoenix" to replace it with "Bug."
For another, there are hull items technologically at odds with the
rest of the ship, though well-concealed. Like the smooth ring
inscribed around the ventral and dorsal hull surfaces, near the edge,
that uncannily resemble the primary hull phaser arrays on a
Galaxy-Class Starship. Or the slight changes to the forward mandible
that for some reason remind of the tines of the Main Reflex Cannon
from a Super-Dimensional Fortress. Or what look suspiciously like the
exterior accouterments of a vessel equipped with an Infinite
Improbability Drive.....
  With a mild hydraulic hiss, the main boarding ramp lowered to a
point about three meters above the lot, revealing the warmly lit
interior. With a bound worthy of his Uncle Parker, Roger alighted on
the ramp edge and walked up, sealing the lock behind him. A short walk
up the companionway placed him in the cockpit, a bizarre amalgam of
technologies. The control panels were almost entirely converted to a
"glass cockpit," with infinite-function touchscreens a-la the
NCC-1701D. The *manual* controls, on the other hand, resembled nothing
so much as something salvaged from a late-model B-52G Stratofortress--
not surprising, since they had been.
  A light PK touch brought the screens to life as he placed one big,
short-fingered hand on the yoke and wrapped the other around the
throttle quadrant, and a yank and a push stood the decrepit-looking
ship on its tail and into the stratosphere with a speed several orders
of magnitude in excess of its original factory specs.
  He referred UNCLE-SpaceCom's rather annoyed (and slightly freaked)
inquiries to his Uncles Gawne&Admire, c/o the Callahan's Place field
branch office, made a mental note to either use his stealth systems or
'port in from now on, and kicked the hyperdrive over onto a course to
nowhere in particular.
  One finger wandered over the sound system menu for several long
seconds in indecision before, with a wicked grin, he decided on a
cheerful tune by arguably one of the greatest musical geniuses of the
late 20th century, and poked the control patch.

"A long, long time ago,
 In a galaxy far away.
 Naboo was under an attack..."

OOC: Insert plug here for the Freelance Immortals limited-issue
series, "We all Wound Up On Tatooine," coming this fall only from
Alt.Callahans Comix. Reserve your copies now!

  With a bone-deep sigh, Roger reclined his command chair and felt his
muscles really unclench for the first time since he had stumbled into
that fight in Metropolis -- what? Only 36 hours ago? His sense of
time, he concluded glumly, was completely shot. Not a good thing in
someone for whom time travel came nearly as naturally as breathing.
  [Agenda: Find out how and why I ended up here/now, and what I
have/need to do before I go back. Find out *how* to get back --
probably not hard with CAoL support. Find Wrinkle and shake some
answers out of him if necessary -- he was *not* acting normal in
Metropolis. Try to avoid Kirking up the situation any more than I
already have. Drop by Milliways for a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster.
Swing by New England and find out what *really* happened to those
Blair Witch researchers. Drop by Epsilon 3 -- Zathras makes good
coffee, and the Great Machine might have some information I can use.
Check the wreckage at Oa to make sure you-know-what hasn't happened
yet. Make sure Misato survives the Second "YEEEOOWWWW!!!"]
  With a sickening lurch, the Millennium Phoenix was snagged out of
hyperspace and dragged off at an angle rather sideways to all 11 axes
of the dimension. With his hyper-acute energistic sense, Roger knew
without wasting time to think about it that: A: He was being
shanghaied, B: This was almost certainly a deliberate action, aimed at
him specifically, C: Perpetrator X, whomever s/he/it was, was no
slouch in the raw power department, D: He was being dragged a far
distance across the Multiverse, and E: Perp-X was also making a darned
good try at smothering his comm links, even the CAoL ones.
  It would take something on a Starspawn level, however, (or higher)
to cut the Phoenix Phamily Link (tm). Roger started to transmit a
reflexive sitrep down the line, then caught himself and thought about
it for a moment. Then another moment. He settled, after some seconds
of thought, on putting a time-delayed package message on the link
sealed with a deadman switch Being someone who hated "whatever
happened to-?" mysteries, Roger was a firm believer in making sure
that everyone knew what had happened to him, in the event of his
failure to return. This compulsion satisfied, he turned his attention
to breaking loose.
  [I can break this,] he concluded shortly. [I'm outmatched in raw
power (how unusual! <snerk>), but PX can't match me for fine-tuned
control. This 'tractor beam' has as many resonance vulnerabilities as
a piece of poorly blown glass.]
  With a means of escape verified, his native curiosity began to
reassert itself. Who, after all, would be looking for him in this time
period? The most obvious answer would seem to suggest someone who,
somehow, knew something about his having arrived nowwhen. No one he
had met during the past couple days would be doing anything like this
-- no one not currently incarcerated in Limbo, at least.
  It was within the realm of possibility that he had been mistaken for
one of his parents; from a distance, his power signature could
definitely be mistaken by someone not a member of their extended
family. In which case, it behooved him as a Dutiful Son (he smiled
brightly) to remonstrate most strongly with this would-be kidnapper.
Nuclear weapons, pulsar beams, and hungry cockroaches came to mind.
  Looking forward to the promise of action that had conveniently
interrupted his earlier line of thought, Roger set about preparing to
turn this mousetrap inside-out, whistling a cheerful tune.....

IN OUR NEXT EPISODE:
An immortal dies.
Roger is pushed too far.
A world is burned to ash.
And no one, not even Roger, is quite whom they seem to be -- or think
they are.

Coming to an email server near you, as soon as I get a chance to write
it!

[1] Sam? I've been waiting to do that Roger/Zia shtick we discussed on
ICQ -- I kinda expected that Zia's response to the Olympic
kiss-scoring would have made a good opening. "I'm
siiiiiinnnngggggiiinnnn' in the rain, I'm siiiiiinnnnggggiiinnnng in
the rain..."
=================================
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 12:52:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: AAE- Interlude: Rainclouds in Mike's Place

On Sat, 25 Sep 1999 15:09:02 -0400
Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007137

<OOC: I managed to lose my AAE folder (please, don't ask, it's a
Windows thing), so I'm paraphrasing a bit of the older messages by
content rather than by clip and headers. Sorry about that. Roger, here
is your requested 'bit'...>

Ziactrice gives Roger's line of scoremen and their marks on her, er,
friendly gesture to Martin a frown. "You never learn, do you?" She
asks, rheotorically of that selfsame individual. With a flick of a
hand, she speaks a soft spell. A small cloud of rain (without
lightning) forms over the redoubtable Roger's head, and begins to
'cool him off'.

The petite brunette lets Martin go to grin at Roger, apparently taking
this goofing around with Roger in stride. Rather in the manner of
'well, if you can't beat 'em....'.
=================================
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 11:34:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: AAE- Interlude: Rainclouds in Mike's Place

On Sun, 26 Sep 1999 11:25:16 -0700 (PDT)
Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007141

>On Sat, 25 Sep 1999 15:09:02 -0400
>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00007137
>
>Ziactrice gives Roger's line of scoremen and their marks on her, er,
>friendly gesture to Martin a frown. "You never learn, do you?" She
>asks, rheotorically of that selfsame individual. With a flick of a
>hand, she speaks a soft spell. A small cloud of rain (without
>lightning) forms over the redoubtable Roger's head, and begins to
>'cool him off'.
>
>The petite brunette lets Martin go to grin at Roger, apparently
>taking this goofing around with Roger in stride. Rather in the manner
>of 'well, if you can't beat 'em....'.

A small note drops on Fast Eddie's piano, at which point he segues
into "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head."
=================================