01<@Ardweden> [Day: Saturday, August 28. Time: Early Morning.] 03* RowynAway (rowyn2001@66.201.146.49) has joined #megaten 03* RowynAway is now known as Kali 01<@Ardweden> [You've been following the raven for some time, along a shallow stream filled with colorful fish which ended with a tall, sheer black wall. From atop, or above, that wall fell a screaming girl who landed and died in the stream. Despite being dead, tried to grab Kali and drag her into the stream, only to be eaten by the fish.] 01<@Ardweden> [There's a little more to it than that, but this GM would rather stop with the describin' and get with the playin'. The log's up if you want to check!] 01<@Ardweden> [Session Start.] ( They are? Where? >.> ) 06* Hien has just taken off to see what's on top of the wall, if anything. 06* Imp looks over at Kali and just shrugs teleporting near Hien. 06* Susano-o looks up the wall, towards Hien. All he can do is wait. 01<@Ardweden> (Uh, http://bacon.sandwich.net/ardweden/megaten/ <--I'm sure I linked this to you, and I linked it to the livejournal, and it's on the besm.sandwich.net main page.) 06* Kali is sitting by the side of the stream and shaking. She seems to be in a bit of shock and in a half whisper. "Why...?" She clutches her head and hangs it. "It doesn't make any sense..." ( Hold on, besm.sandwich.net was updated? ) 01<@Ardweden> (Yeah, and that's mentioned in the channel topic in #besm. :P) 01<@Ardweden> (So you can't say there aren't ways to find out about these things!) 06* Susano-o glances at Kali uncertainly. Perhaps there is something he can do. "Are you all right? It didn't hurt you, did it?" 01<@Ardweden> [Hien flies to the top and looks down... on the other side of the wall, she sees what she's pretty sure is a top-down view of Ashgate. No, seriously. Picture perfect Ashgate, as though one were approaching from outside of town. Even the stream turns into a road on the other side.] 01<@Ardweden> [Imp sees the same thing!] 06* Kali stares at Susano-o for a moment and grasps at his wrist, looking up at him. "The blood. It has to come off." She still seems to be shaking. 06* Hien flies back down to the others. "I didn't see anything on top of the wall, and it looks perfectly clear on the other side." 06* Imp starts gliding back down in circles. 06* Susano-o looks, still uncertain, at Kali. "I would not trust that water." When you're ready, I can carry those who can't fly or teleport. 01<@Ardweden> [Why not? It looks like perfectly normal water! There isn't even blood in it anymore.] Can you? Zis armor is pretty 'eavy. 06* Kali tightens her grip. "You don't understand. It has to." She's staring at him terrified, almost past him. 06* Susano-o nods to Hien, but then focuses on Kali again. "Very well, then we may take a chance." He looks at the water dubiously, then kneels next to it. 06* Imp will land on Hien's head. 06* Hien looks at Joan. "I think so. I feel pretty strong." 01<@Ardweden> [There are colorful fish swimming in it! They don't take notice of him.] 06* Kali 's arms slowly go limp and she lets him go, her arms going to cradle across her chest. All four of them. She's still shaking. 06* Hien reaches up and grabs Imp by the scruff of his neck. "What did I tell you about asking first, hmm?" Hey these small wings don't fly it was there or some where less comfortable for all of us. 06* Susano-o quickly dips a finger in, just a joint, to see if they react. 06* Hien sighs, a small bit of smoke coming from her nostrils. Still holding Imp, she looks over at Susano-O. "Shall I carry these two over and return for you?" That's probably best. I don't think she's ready to go yet. 06* Joan looks skeptical. 01<@Ardweden> [The fish pay no notice to Susano-O's finger. Unless you count swimming around it.] I would not want to rush her. 06* Susano-o tries quickly scooping out a handful of water, then. So can I sit on your head and whisper you secrets? 06* Hien places Imp back on her head. "I can do without the whispering, though." She walks over to Joan. "So, ready to be carried off by the dragon, fair maiden?" 06* Imp laughs. "Maaaaybe you can, but then I know something you don't." 06* Joan raises an eyebrow. (AFK a sec; need to get rid of a stink beetle.) 01<@Ardweden> [Susano-O gets his hands wet, and he also gets some water! Unharmed, even.] ( Ewww ) 06* Susano-o holds it towards Kali. So where's the blood now? Lots of people know things that I don't, Imp. 06* Hien looks at Joan. "I'm sorry. I'll lay off the teasing. I think I should be able to do it, if you're okay with me picking you up." 06* Kali got pretty splattered with it earlier! Joan too. But there's also a bloody smear on her arm where she was grabbed too. As long as it never gets oot, I can live with it. 06* Susano-o tries to set his expression to impassive, and tries washing off the smear, at least. 01<@Ardweden> [He gets most of the smear off with just the water and his hands, as it's pretty recent.] I'm certainly not saying anything. * Hien walks over to Joan. "Ready?" * Imp just settles into his spot. * Kali sighs at the washing off and whispers, looking away from Susano-o. "I'm such a fuck-up. I can't even get things right in my dreams." 06* Joan nods. "By all means." 06* Susano-o looks up at Kali's face while he washes her arm. "What do you mean? Surely you can't blame yourself for this. What were any of us to do?" 06* Hien gently picks up Joan and takes off again, carrying Joan and Imp over the wall and settling down on the other side. 06* Kali isn't matching his gaze but she sighs. "I suppose you're right." She doesn't seem totally convinced, but she rubs her head with her free arms. "I don't know what's going on..." 06* Joan is carried over the wall, mumbling on the way over, "Well, zis is zertainly awkward..." I don't think any of us do. 06* Kali nods, then looks at him. "Uh, thanks." 06* Imp whispers to Hien. "It was her that was dead." 01 [Nevertheless, it seems like Hien's carrying Joan and Imp without any trouble, flying them safely to the other side of the wall. Once they touch down, however briefly, the area on that side of the wall turns dark, like night, but without the typical electrical lights from Ashgate that generally accompany such a thing. In the sky is the moon, still a few days to half gone.] 06* Susano-o nods, dropping his hands. "It seemed for the best. We've got to watch for each other, here. Are you all right now?" 06* Joan solves that problem by making it brighter. I...think so. I, I really don't know what that was all about. 06* Kali stands up, slowly. Wait, what, what's this mean? 01 [Joan is a convenient night light!] 06* Hien starts a bit at Imp's whisper, but is able to keep flying without any problems, landing safely. She blinks at the lights going out, then gently sets Joan down. "I'd better go get the others as quickly as possible." She picks Imp up off her head and sets him down somewhat less gently before taking off again. 06* Susano-o stands up as well, then. "It was a shock for all of us. We'll have to find out more about this later, too." 06* Imp shrugs and looks over at Joan. 06* Kali rubs her arms a bit and looks off to the side. "Well, half of it was..." 06* Joan nods to Hein. 06* Joan does not look at Imp, opting instead for examining the scenery, in case something with huge teeth is hiding in the shadows. 06* Susano-o looks at her again, uncertain. "Did you expect the body, or the fish, then?" 06* Kali doesn't answer that. And definitely looks uncomfortable when Susano-o asks it. 06* Hien lands next to them. "Weird stuff going on across the wall. We landed and all the lights went out." 06* Hien looks at Kali. "I am sorry, I said I wouldn't rush you, but I'm worried about us being separated for too long. You can teleport, right?" 06* Susano-o looks at Kali for a couple of beats, and then nods to Hien. "Then we should get across, as well. It should be safer with all of us together." 06* Kali nods. "Yeah." She looks at Hien. "I think so. I'm not sure if I can teleport to the top or a place I can't see though." Try going through the wall. I'll be ready to fly Javy over either way. If you can't make it, I'll come back for you. 06* Kali nods. "Got it." She concentrates, trying to port over to the other side of the wall. Does it work? 01 [It works! Kali appears on the other side, next to Joan and Imp.] 06* Hien approaches Susano-O. "Ready?" 06* Susano-o nods, almost shy, to Hien. "Yes. How do I do this?" 06* Hien notices Kali blink out. "Did you make it?" she calls. Then she looks back at Susano-O. "Oh, just put your arms around my neck and I'll do the rest." 01 [Kali doesn't hear Hien's calling, so she probably doesn't respond.] 06* Joan blinks. "'allo." 01 [If the people on the other side look around, they realize that the wall behind them is... gone? And it's just road, field, and forest.] 06* Susano-o climbs onto Hien, then, and circles his arms uncomfortably around her neck. This is weird. Umm... Joan? That's the right name isn't it? Why do I have the feeling this is bad? 06* Hien finishes scooping up Susano-O and takes off again. Worse zan before, you mean? The only way for that to happen is if that cat warlus shows up 06* Susano-o tenses as they take to the air. 06* Kali dusts her arms off. "He's not so bad. He's not trying to kill us." She pauses for a moment. "Yet." 01 ["Exactly so!" a voice nearby says. It sounds... a lot like a walrus. Or a cat.] 01 [Meanwhile, Hien and Susano-O fly to the other side of the wall easily enough, and then experience the same thing the others did, with the area going dark and the wall disappearing.] 06* Imp groans, heavily. 06* Hien sets Susano-O down gently. "There!" She looks around and is relieved to see Kali with the others. 06* Joan claps her gauntleted hands together. "Zee Walruscat!" She looks around for him. 06* Susano-o concentrates, and sets up a light to hang over them, just as Joan did. He glances back at the wall, and looks surprised. I assume you're here to give us a lovely speech about how you'll never let us go just before the waves take us under? 01 [There's laughter. "A pleasure to hear from you as well, Joan m'dear." She looks around, and she sees... a large tin can of what was once cat food. That's where the voice is coming from? It has an antenna, too. Maybe it's a cellular tin can.] 06* Joan peers at it. "'Ow are you, Mr. Walruscat?" 06* Hien looks behind them. "Uh. There *was* a wall there, right? I didn't just get us totally lost, did I?" 06* Susano-o shakes his head. "No. It was there." Okay, good. 01 ["Quite well," says the can, "but also very busy, so I don't have much time to talk. I understand you've been busy as well."] I'm not sure you *can* really get lost in a place where the path to find shifts from moment to moment. Oui, quite so. 01 ["Lost? You're lost?"] Sadly, I have faith in my abilities. 06* Susano-o looks around to see if he can spot where the voice is coming from. "We were following the raven, but he flew over a wall, and now the path is dark." Zee darkness ees not a problem for one such as myself. I know, I could find you anywhere. 01 ["Ah, the raven. He does come with his share of darkness, doesn't he."] 06* Susano-o looks at Joan. He's got his own light. He figures Joan is kind of making fun of him a little. 01 ["Sounds to me like you need to make your own path. Use what you know, and if that isn't enough, there's always tomorrow. Unless there isn't. Also a possibility."] So then, we should go forward? I think so. Just... don't have me lead. 06* Kali sighs, and looks off. "Use what you know." She looks at Susano-o. "That'd be your job then." No, we should go where the path leads. You know how to find the right path? 01 ["Seems you can't go back! Oh, and remember, your kind can wake up any time you like when walking."] 01 ["Now I must be going. Toodles!" And the can... sits there. Well, it's been sitting there that whole time, so hey.] Farewell, Walruscat! Bye! 06* Joan turns to Javy. "You know Nate better zan any of us. 'Ow should we look for 'im?" 01 [Ashgate is before you! And not creepy at all! Honest!] 06* Susano-o looks forward. "Are you asking what he dreams about? He wants to be an artist, and a writer." Is there a place he likes to hang out? 06* Imp shrugs. "You figure it out. It could mean anything." 06* Susano-o thinks. "There's his house. Or mine. Or we go to the library, sometimes." Zee school library? 06* Susano-o shakes his head. "No, the town one. There are fewer kids from school there." 06* Joan nods. "Zat sounds like a good place to start, non?" Sounds as good as any. Lead on. Very well. 06* Susano-o starts heading for the library, then. 06* Joan follows. 06* Kali follows as well, a bit subdued. 06* Imp tags along, walking and not on Hien's head. 06* Hien brings up the rear. (AFK phone) ( The phone should not go AFK :( ) 01 [You head for the library, Joan and Susano-O lighting the area and Hien bringing up the rear. Around you, Ashgate really... looks like Ashgate. It's so normal, it's actually a little strange and creepy.] 01 [There doesn't seem to be another soul, though, as there are no noises from either people or animals. And, of course, all of the lights are off.] If he's not here should we check his..er... bed? 06* Kali looks about at the town, arms around herself. "Hey guys? Something else feel not quite right to the rest of you too?" All zee lights are off and zee town ees empty. Zat's more zan not quite right, non? You mean the fact that it doesn't feel really all that wrong compared to how it started? 06* Susano-o shakes his head at the Imp. "Do you normally dream yourself in your bed?" With beautiful girls. 06* Kali nods. "I don't know about you, but didn't the dreams before the Raven showed up kind of start like this too?" I did zat once. I dreamt I was in bed and my limbs numb. I could not move and zee sheets were over my mouth and nose. I zought I would die. But zen I just woke up. Mine was full of bright sun and everything going right till the raven fucking showed up I... uh... crap. Please let us not have brought the wrath of something down upon us. 06* Susano-o keeps heading forward. "Let's just look for what we're here to look for." Right. 01 [You walk through Ashgate proper, along rows of dark houses and buildings. Nothing's tried to eat or talk to you yet. Well, excepting an empty cat food can.] 06* Imp is just letting the others lead, looking around. 06* Susano-o makes surely for the library. It's easy to get to from the square, apparently! He tries not to worry, and is mostly successful. 01 [You make it to the square. It's... normal, with normal buildings and a straight clock tower. There's even a closed Lunatic Fringe, instead of the Haven.] Okay, I think even if I had a sense of direction, I'd be totally lost now. Wait... zere are two squares? 06* Imp looks very confused. 06* Susano-o slows down, and looks around. "I didn't think so." Let's try that again? 06* Susano-o nods, and gets his bearings for where the library should be now. 01 [Susano-O orients himself, and he knows quite well where the library *should* be.] 06* Imp follows the book nerd! 06* Kali looks at Susano-o for a moment, then at the rest of them and shrugs, following. 06* Susano-o heads along for where the library should be this time, then. 01 [And then you reach it! It certainly is the library, yup, all three stories of brick building that it is. It looks closed - big surprise.] 06* Joan peers through the windows.... Are there windows? 01 [There are windows. Joan can see shelves of books and the circulation desk inside, thanks to her glowing eyes.] 06* Imp tries the door. 01 [The door... is locked. Really now, it's closed.] Should I break it down? I think this is more a mental challenge 06* Susano-o looks up at the building. "The room he likes is at the back, on the second floor. We could check around to see if it looks like anyone's there." 06* Joan knocks on the door. And rings the buzzer, if there is one. 01 [Nothing answers the door. :/] Per'aps 'e ees not 'ere? Zee library is closed. Maybe. I will go to the back and check. Could I ask one of you to come with me? I'll come. I will. Thanks. 06* Susano-o starts walking around the building! 01 [Susano-O and whoever goes with him make it to the back without incident!] 06* Kali looks about at Hien and Joan for a moment after looking at the library, then responds quietly. "Nevermind..." 06* Joan nods to Hien, "You go." 06* Hien nods. 06* Hien goes! 06* Joan stays! 06* Imp stays with Joan, he guesses. 06* Susano-o looks up at the second floor, at the appropriate room. Want me to go up to the window? 01 [It looks... dark. Without a lift up, it'll be hard for Susano-O to see inside.] 06* Joan continues observing the library. Who knows, maybe she'll spot a secret entrance. 06* Susano-o nods. "That's probably best. I can cast my light higher, I think." 01 [THE LIBRARY OBSERVES JOAN BACK. Not really. Probably.] 06* Kali looks about the town for a moment, keeping an eye out for anything coming their way, in case the empty streets decide to suddenly become unempty. 06* Hien points. "That window?" 06* Susano-o points to a different one nearby. "That one." 06* Hien nods and flaps up to the window that she thinks is the one Susano-O pointed at! 06* Imp just flops down relaxing. 01 [It takes Hien a couple of tries, but she gets the right one eventually. She peers into a room that looks fairly normal, with nothing but a desk and a few chairs. When she's about to leave and report, she notices that there's a raven's shadow stretched out across the floor.] 06* Hien lands next to Susano-O. "The room was empty, but I saw the shadow of the raven. So... I have no idea what that means, actually." 06* Susano-o looks up into the skies. Is there a raven? 01 [Nope!] You want to take a look? 06* Susano-o nods. "Will you take me up?" Yep! 06* Hien picks Susano-O up when he's ready and returns to the window. 06* Susano-o hops on, still somewhat shy, and waits to go up. 01 [Susano-o gets flown up and sees the same thing... he also notices that there are faint wisps of smoke or mist floating up inside the room.] 06* Susano-o peers into the room. "I think there's something in there." Should we tell the others? 06* Susano-o nods. "Yes, I think so. After what happened earlier, I think we should be careful." 06* Hien lands and sets Susano-O down. 06* Susano-o heads back around the building to report. 06* Hien follows! 06* Susano-o closes on the others, and says, "There's something in the room. A shadow of a raven, and some smoke." Zat sounds like a sign. 06* Kali looks up at Susano-o. "Smoke like fire or smoke like foggy?" Like a mist. 06* Kali breathes a sigh of relief. And I agree. I think we need to get in. Door-breaking time? 06* Imp frowns and looks at the door. "Sure." 06* Susano-o looks at the door, and nods slowly. "It's hard to see what else we could do." 06* Joan nods. 06* Hien walks up to the door and pulls on it. Hard. 06* Kali nods, her hands impulsively going to the hilts just in case. 06* Susano-o stands back, readying a hand for his bow. 01 [Hien pulls the door that she was supposed to push, but it doesn't matter, because it gives easily and she pulls it off its hinges. On the other side is a thick, gray mist.] 01 [Session End!]