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The frilled lizard is sitting on the floor, leaning against the bar. He was beginning to feel a touch woozy from the pain and doesn't feel comfortable sitting in a chair, just yet.
Vague hung his head, shamefully. He had already known he wouldn't be much good in a battle, but the wound he suffered makes it all the more glaringly obvious how useless he was.
"Je suis pathétique.
Hélas! Mon coeur, Rosalie,
What should I do, now?"
He clenches his fist, tightly. The entire purpose for his journey here is to rescue his wife. This injury...he knows it will be dangerous if he were to travel in this state. However, each second he dawdles to allow his wounds a chance to heal might be a second too late. Just staying still and waiting...not taking any action when so much is at stake...it is unthinkable. Yet, he doesn't have a choice, does he?
...does he?
Vague is thinking deeply when Shiyate approaches him. He looks up to reply to the Egan, then winces as his shift in weight causes pain to sear through his back.
"Merde! Eh? Oh! I...
I'm not alright, mon ami.
I am quite wounded.
"My wrappings? Done by
Mademoiselle Julianne
I owe her my thanks."
The frilled lizard gestures, indicating the feline barmaid, then pauses for a moment to get a good look at Shiyate. During the battle, he didn't get much of a chance to see the Egan's arrival, but recognition slowly dawns on Vague's face.
"But...but it is you!
From the Lucid Dream Estate!
You were left behind!"
Vague pauses again, before focusing on Shiyate's third question. He nods toward the hole in the wall and Julia (who, I presume, is still outside? if not, the nod is toward her, regardless).
"They were after her,
Those three wearing the green capes.
That is all I know."
--------------------
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Outside the Inn
Porter has much to think about after that brief battle.
So many questions, so few answers...
Paws still crackling with electricity as he powered down his aborted attack and retained the energy, Porter had unfortunately been unable to trace the teleport of the rhino or the other two thugs. The energy field of his intended attack had swamped out the subtle field shifts that otherwise might have enabled him to sense where his foe had gone. He couldn't even be sure if the vanishing of the three thugs was a true teleport, or something else entirely. The only thing he was certain of was that their scents were fading fast, and they were no longer nearby.
A Rhino that could take a sword blow from Porter's best sword... He'd hoped to lop off its horn, delivering a non-lethal yet very emotionally disruptive blow to his foe. His sword normally should have been able to cleave through solid metal like butter, and yet only scratched that horn. Either the sword malfunctioned, or... Well, if the sword wasn't malfunctioning, then that Rhino had some sort of extra protection - at least for his horn. Force field? No... Porter would have felt that energy field... Supernatural? Probably... Blasted mages...
The big dog looks around, sizing up the situation. He picks up and re-sheaths his ancient sword, dropped when the Rhino slugged him in the shoulder. Hummm, this sword had injured the rhino, at least a little. So maybe the horn was tougher than the rest of the rhino, though clearly its hide was pretty tough as well. That big brute was vulnerable to Porter's Taser shocks, though. His ancient sword had served quite well as a conductor for those electrical attacks. The big dog would have to conserve his power, and be certain to deliver that attack again when and where it would do the most good.
Those two frogs with the spears had vanished too... Probably turned tail and hopped away to safety. Well, after seeing how tough that Rhino was, Porter couldn't really blame them. The frogs probably had already heard of these thugs, and knew they, themselves, were outmatched.
He looks around as he returns to the Inn. Porter remembered now that he had seen Vague heading into the Inn, looking wounded. Much as he wanted to track his foes, his commitment to his companions came first. That, and Porter himself now needed a solid meal, and a chance to recover. His right shoulder hurt like hell. But Porter hadn't been willing to give the brute the satisfaction of seeing him wince. The illusion of invincibility could often be a greater psychological advantage against a foe than one's real abilities. The fleeing foes saw him stand against their biggest bully boy, and take a punch from him without flinching. That should give them some pause, before attacking again. He hoped... But he had to admit to himself, that had hurt. It felt like the punch had come just short of dislocating his collar bone. Porter would recover. He'd shrugged off worse in combat. But it would probably be better to get a few day's rest before doing anything terribly ambitious with that shoulder.
Entering the Inn
Stepping into the inn, he does a bit of a double-take at seeing Shiyate. Where had he come from? Hadn't the winged feline been left behind at the mansion? He now recalled vaguely seeing someone with his fur coloration and wings tackling one of the thugs, and later heading in Vague's direction. But Porter's own attention had been locked on the charging rhino he was battling. He hadn't really recognized the other until now.
"How did you get here?
I thought we lost you, before.
Thank you for your aid."
"I see you are hurt,
and risked much in helping us.
We owe you a debt."
He hears the staff of the inn arguing about the damages, and walks up to the Bison bartender.
"Speaking of a debt.
Those who attacked our party
have damaged your inn."
"We were their victims.
Yet because we defended
you suffered a loss."
"I wish to repay
for the damage they did here,
and get rooms for us."
"Honor demands it.
For repairs, rooms, and hot meals,
Name your price, good man."
"I will pay for it,
and take my satisfaction,
from those thugs later."
"And we also need,
a healer or a doctor.
Is there one in town?"
--------------------
Sensi Porter Comic Cameo
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Shiyate winces at Vague's response, feeling like what he said was rather tactless.
"At least you're alive.
Julianne stabilized, but
You need a doctor."
Perhaps she could help with Shiyate arm though? He'd ask, but both Vague and Porter have some important questions as well. He nods to the big dog when he comes over.
"Ah, yeah, I made it.
Threatened, stunned, and abducted.
There's a larger plot.
Mogul and lackeys
Looking for something in here
Tiger let me go."
He shrugs, as what was going on wasn't that much clearer to him either. In any case, he tries to smile for the Bernid when he thanks him for his help, although it's half-hearted.
"I wasn't much use
At the estate nor the fight.
David's still not here."
The big cat looks out the hole in that Vague gestured at, and back at Julia. Hopefully both the dragoness and the human are okay.
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The answers of the duck are not as satisfying as the girl had hoped. And she surely would have pestered him with dozens of other questions, if he didn't faint.
Worried in the first moment she looks around for help and when she turns her head back he is gone... and suddenly at the table.
"Weirder and weirder
It must be a magic show
...
With Quacky the clown."
And quite a show it is what the duck performs with the tea.
Curious Neema sits down and takes a sip of the liquid.
"It's not bad at all,
A very fruity flavor
But it needs more sugar."
She didn't came beyond that initial sip, when she is pulled aside by the blue cow. She tries to suppress a snicker as she sees the fish poop on his head. Again the people here seem to know a lot about her.
"How do you all know
Who I am and what I have?
I feel transparent."
As Master Mu points at the crow and asks if she can shoot it the girl says:
"Mom always tells me
Don't shoot animals with stones."
... she rummages her belt pouch and fetches two pink wrapped bonbons of some sort.
"Thus it's chewing gum!
She unwraps the two gums and begins to chew them. After making a few bubbles with it she seems satisfied and prepares Mr. Shooty. The wrapper of the chewing gum around the rubber of the slingshot, makes sure the gum doesn't get stuck. It's clear it is not the first time she does that.
"All fur or feather
Dread my chewing gum bullet.
Crow's gonna get it!"
And with that she takes aim for bird stretches the black rubber band to it's limit and let's go.
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Porter looks again at Vague, and then to Shiyate. A surprisingly small leakage of the big dog's thoughts comes across to the telepathic feline. Less, at least, than from most in the room. Porter's mind seems very tightly organized, and well defended against unintentional intrusion. Unless Shiyate actively tries to probe deeper, all he gets is an impression that Porter is very calm and self-assured, even after that tough fight.
As he waits for a reply from the bartender about the rooms and his offer to pay for damages, he talks quietly to Shiyate, keeping his voice low enough to not easily be overheard.
"Vague does not look good.
I have some skill at healing
but I need supplies."
"I learned long ago,
to make do with local goods.
Survival training."
"If they do not have,
a doctor or a healer,
I'll do what I can."
"A trip was not planned,
when I went to the estate.
I did not bring much."
"But I do have funds.
Small items of some value,
Easily bartered."
He looks in the direction where he last saw Julia and James.
"They sought Julia.
Seemed they want a dancing girl.
But knew not her name?"
"They tried to take her.
Bit off more than they can chew.
She's feral and wild."
"A handful, she is.
Sexy, yet deadly if riled.
Not wise to cross her."
"Not sure about James.
Well armed and prepared, he is.
Motives? Uncertain."
He shakes his head, looking around the room.
"Rich men and minions?
What do they seek in this place?
Did they seek a girl?"
"Too many questions.
Why so much focus on this,
strange, primitive place?"
--------------------
Sensi Porter Comic Cameo
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((OOC: Greetings from the future! One hour into the future. Don't forget to join us!))
Julia isn't too happy right now. Her bloodlust was brought to boil, and then she didn't get to rip her intended target into nice bloody ribbons. She was thirsty, wanting a taste of that sweet crimson fluid. The curled up dragon's tail twitches further, before slowing down. She would normally go off and hunt something about now. But with those greencloaks... They could be waiting anywhere.
The dragoness uncurls, stretching out catlike on all fours, claws extended to their limits before resuming her bipedal stance. She heads for the bar in the inn with a slight reddish tint to her eyes. She slams a fist on the counter to get the attention of the Bison or Rooster.
"I would like to ask...
That I get a live chicken.
It's an odd request,
But I want blood, now.
I'd rather not kill someone,
But bloodlust rages.
Payment will need wait,
At least a few hours longer,
Till we heal and calm."
She does her best to put on a smile, but it will come out too toothy, too predatory. Her tail lashes about, desire for fresh blood making her thirsty, hungry.
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Needless to say, Sovan's at something of a loss for words as he and the others are more or less led to the low table near the main entrance to the temple. Said loss of words stems mainly from the fact that he's busy taking in the comical antics of the duck-monk who's identified himself as Quacky--from the seemingly magical from-fainted-several-yards-away-to-serving-tea routine, to his rather eccentric style of speaking, to the combination of skill and carelessness exhibited by his balancing of the cups and the disposal of the extras...Sovan takes it all in with a rather bemused expression, holding his own cup idly as he watches Quacky finish his serving routine. At the apprentice monk's eager inquiry, the tomcat offers a nonchalant shrug and a faint grin--somehow, this over-eager little duck has an endearing quality about him, odd though he may be.
"Haven't tried it yet;
I was watching the floor show.
But no time like now..."
With that, Sovan tilts the cup to his muzzle and takes a tentative first sip, meant to gauge the flavor and potency of the herbal mix in his particular cup. His eyes fly open as the flavor hits his tongue, both surprised and delighted.
"An Eastern herb blend
with sugar subtly mixed in.
My fave...how'd you know?"
The next couple of minutes are spent drinking the tea, pondering what lay ahead for them all. Exactly how much time passed, though, the tomcat wouldn't be able to say--it might have been five minutes, or fifteen. Regardless, Sovan's so engrossed in his thoughts that he fails to notice the sky-blue bull's approach. Startled by the clearing of a throat, the tomcat turns and blinks in surprise at the white-robed mystic. However, words of introduction are cut off by the bull's gesture to follow him as he walks away from the group.
Despite his initial surprise, Sovan sees no reason to mistrust the apparent head of the temple, slightly imposing though he may seem. Looking to the others, the golden-furred swordscat offers a nod as he sets his cup down, rises to his feet, and follows the apparent master as he leads him away from the group.
Once they're a good distance away from where the tea ceremony is taking place, Sovan starts to open his mouth, prepared to introduce himself and ask what the monk wants with him. However, before he can do so, said monk turns and presents him with a surprising question:
"Why do you disturb
Master Mu? You wish the sword
To know or master?"
Rather stunned at the azure bull's apparent knowledge of his reasons for undertaking this whole journey, Sovan opens his mouth to respond...except the bull who has identified himself as Master Mu cuts him off again, this time presenting him with a choice of sorts--stay here...or help the uitsune and the ghostly gent who opted to talk to the refugees. And then, on that note, Master Mu directs him back to the others to consider his answer.
His head spinning with questions, Sovan silently returns to the table and takes his seat, reaching for his cup again. Half-unaware of the tea as it flows down his throat, the golden-furred tomcat quietly ponders the meaning of Master Mu's words. Part of him is thoughtful, musing over the sky-blue bull's inquery as to what he truly wants to accomplish with Kamiryuken--the more he thinks about it, the more the tomcat starts to realize that there's a difference between knowing and mastering a sword...especially one that housed the spirit of an astral dragon.
Another part of him, however, is concerned--why did Master Mu ask him if he wanted to "help" Oralee Hoa and the ghostly gentleman? Are they in some kind of danger? Somehow, this question seems much more immediate; however, the answer isn't as elusive.
Setting his now half-empty cup on the tabletop, Sovan clears his throat gently to catch the attention of the others, hefting the scabbard of Kamiryuken in one paw to indicate the weapon.
"To master this sword,
or learn its secrets...that's what
the bull--Mu--asked me."
Then he points the sheathed Kamiryuken back the way they came, indicating the distant figures of Oralee Hoa and the Phantom Critic with the dragon-head pommel.
"He also gave me
a choice--stay here, or go aid
our friends down the road."
Here, Sovan pauses, showing concern.
"The way Mu phrased that...
I can't help but think our friends
might need help, somehow."
--------------------
The Star Dragon,
Sovan Kawasagi
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Tac takes his tea, sipping, keeping his eyes dancing about the scene before him (though mostly on Quacky).
“But how do you know
What names we go by, Quacky?
We’ve only just met.
I won’t say I know
Everything that’s going on
But still it seems strange.
Thank you for the tea.
Mine seems to be chamomile.
A subtle hint, eh?”
The wolf smiles and drinks the tea, allowing himself to relax on this… paradoxically?... sunny day. How long has it been since he had last had a proper sleep, he cannot say, but despite the strangeness of his surroundings, he finds himself drifting slowly into the background, watching the tiniest movements of the day magnified in significance – the movement of a leaf in the breeze, a creeping shadow, a ripple in a tea-cup – until, startlingly, he is confronted by Master Mu, and issued with his challenge.
This pulls the wolf directly back into some semblance of consciousness. Or, at the very least, a greater awareness of his immediate surroundings, though, the chilling chord that Master Mu causes reverberates within Tac long after it can be heard by others, and leaves him looking discomfited. It is only when Sovan clears his throat that Tac loses track of the sound.
“If our friends need help,
Then this is secondary
I can’t help but feel.”
He smiles weakly.
“It could be I’m wrong;
There’s more to this than I know.
I’d love to find out.
Curiosity –
It’s what killed the cat, they say.
One day I’ll indulge.
As for myself, well…
It is as Master Mu says:
‘One lesson ends dream.’ ”
He holds his guitar in on hand as he looks at Sovan, and around at everyone present (including Quacky, if he is still there), declining to say more about his interaction at the moment. Ultimately, he reaches a decision.
“I’ll help if I can,
It’s really what I’m good for.
What will you all do?”
At this he stands up and patiently awaits the return of Master Mu, addressing him carefully and with great respect.
“Thank you for your time;
I’m sorry if I offend,
But I am troubled.
I should play well, Sir,
I should aspire to it.
In as little time.
Is it within me?
I really want to know this.
And yet, I choose none.”
He presents the guitar to Master Mu as if handing over a sword.
“I set aside this.
I would rather help others.
If I can, I will.
Is this possible?
Can one set aside a dream?
Or nightmare, perhaps?
I heard Sovan talk.
I know I seek answers, but…
…Maybe they can wait.”
--------------------
With friendly smile for one and all
No job (or even size) too small
Though uniformed, don't be afraid
Tac-Wolf's arrived to offer aid
~incantation by Val~
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Quaidis shivers. He doesn't like this aura. Something could go wrong.
This is his karma fear speaking, of course. He is ushered into the room with everyone else. There was a brief inspection of the tea, but the cup didn't seem too terribly worn. He sipped, expecting to be poisoned or for the cup to break. It did not. Though it did taste vaguely of tree bark and cat fur. Quai breathed a sigh of relief and looked around the monastery. Similar examinations, fears, and relieved mental conclusions happen frequently.
The last thing worth mentioning is that Quaidis is near Yao Chi and Tac Wolf. Both make him feel the most comfortable right now.
All that was about to change as Mu got his attention and took him from the group for a conversation. The cougar monk quivered in his foot covers.
"I seek your comforts-"
He looked to Yao at the next question from Master Mu, wondering why no one, not even the dragon, was taking notice of his huge moment. Why was Quaidis singled out? Did he do something bad? He secretly wanted help, but long training in monk hood and a lack of worldly possessions almost insured his answer:
"A staff cannot have masters.
It's not a student."
"I do not own this,
Neither does my old master.
That's not a monk's way."
"However, maybe.
As a tool I can use this.
And study your ways."
Would Quai be punished? Was his response the wrong one? Quietly he shook.
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In response to Tac-Wolf's question, the answer comes when Master Mu returns--setting his now-empty cup of tea aside, Sovan rises to face the sky-blue bull master of the temple, offering a respectful bow from the waist as he addresses him.
"My choice has been made;
learning Kamiryuken's
role to me can wait."
"For now, I'll go help
our friends by the refugees
in case they need aid."
--------------------
The Star Dragon,
Sovan Kawasagi
Avatar Profile
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I am approached by a rather largish fellow of a bovine constitution. But then most everyone is larger than I. Some MUCH larger. This fellow looks like he could crush me like a gnat. Master Mu inquires of me:
"Why do you disturb
Master Mu? This pearl for me?
A gift? Or stolen?"
Which question to whit, catches me rather off guard. What is it about me that disturbs this fellow who speaks of himself in the 3rd person ? Does he dislike me ? Am I aviana non grata ? Chagrined, I am hoping that perhaps I have misunderstood him. Further, why would he make a variety of assumptions regarding the pearl, of which I have found myself in possession? I have finished lapping up my cup of tea, when Master Mu returns. Raising my swirling, vertically slitted eyes to meet his towering above me, I respond as I am able:
I disturb you sir ?
Am I in need of a bath ?
Something said or done ?
Is my species wrong ?
Or profligate plumage, sir ?
Too many colours ?
If my self offends
I shall remove myself now
If you so desire
This pearl that I wear
I have not carried it long
Something told to find
Perhaps I found it
Or maybe this pearl found me
Someday shall I see ?
Important is it ?
Or just a costly bauble ?
Really I don't know.
My gut if I guess
That the pearl is a message
A sure mystery
Should you desire it
Here take it and then it's yours
I shall not miss it.
And then eying Master Mu's big stick, much bigger and stouter than my diminutive avian self, I sense that it is used often to hit. I become concerned that he might hit me and hope that I shall not suffer great injury thereby.
Please sir I do ask,
Do not take umbrage at me.
No offense please, sir.
I find myself feeling that I have been stupid. What have I missed ? But then momentarily I add one last comment:
Regardless thank you !
For your hospitality
And the lovely tea.
And then, looking hopeful, I reach a small talon towards the tea cup. It may be taken away, ignored, or just maybe perhaps I can have a tiny bit more.....
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I hate having to post these notices, but I don't want to leave players hanging. I have all the posts from players and responses from GM avatars, the delay is entirely on my part. I thought I would get to it this week, but RL issues nixed that and I won't likely get to it until next week.
My new projection for updates for all participants is Wednesday, March 19. Thank you to everyone for your continued patience.
[EDIT]
I don't want to post another deadline with the risk of missing it yet again. All I can say is that the next batch of updates is complex and taking longer than expected (plus RL time contstraints have increased since the WGA strike ended). It won't be months, but might be another week or so.
[/EDIT]
*sigh*
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