01[17:09] <@Storyteller> <After a great deal of soul (or perhaps that was wahoo and gogool) searching, results have certainly been mixed. Nevertheless night still turns to day as it is wont even within the odd world of the Terra Incognita…>
01[17:10] <@Storyteller> <The time is 0700 TIST, the next day.>
06[17:12] * @Anne_Montelepre , perhaps because of her conversation with Chris, or maybe because she finally has a comfortable buffer for her comic, actually indulges in some sleep for a change, and is still softly snoring away.
06[17:15] * @Hector` descends the stairs, a few square-shaped imprints on his face noting that he caught his last few Zs in front of a computer. He also has some notes in his arms, as well as his Thunderbolt, and is moving for the kitchen / lounge area to look for signs of life.
06[17:16] * @Baelic_Gothenberg is surprisingly awake, dressed in army pajamas, and sitting at his desk trying to make sense of what he had learned the previous day.
06[17:20] * @MadisonJ lays under his covers, not moving.. not opening his eyes.. not wanting to shatter the dream that he could feel Brynn’s heart beat against his cheek.
06[17:23] * @Shinjiro-kun still sleeps, letting out quiet noises into his futon’s cover.
06[17:23] * @ChristopherR is seated at the desk, tapping away on his lap top and sneaking glances at sleeping Anne.
01[17:24] <@Storyteller> <Brynn gazes at the ceiling of Madison’s room his crystalline blue eyes soft but clear, lightly threading his fingertips through Madison’s vibrantly colored locks.>
[17:30] <@Hector`> Nobody’s up yet, or at least not out of their rooms. I need… I need… yo, house! You got a public address system that I can use?!
01[17:38] <@Storyteller> <A semi-familiar rectangular panel of circuitry and wood glimmers in the low natural lighting that filter through windows.>
06[17:41] * @MadisonJ lets out a soft sigh, content for the moment with the dream.
06[17:42] * @Hector` moves to the panel, poking at it until something happens.
01[17:46] <@Storyteller> <Lights flash and alien text scrolls upwards, but nothing else seems to happen.>
[17:46] <@Hector`> Come on… this motherfucker come with an instruction manual?
[17:47] <@Anne_Montelepre> ((Of course not. It’d ruin everyone’s Voyage of Discovery. :P ))
06[17:47] * @Baelic_Gothenberg folds up his notes and takes them with him to the kitchen, quickly grabbing himself a small bottle of milk from the fridge before sitting down at the table.
[17:48] <@Hector`> (Is that a Fantastic Voyage?)
[17:48] <@Hector`> (Slide, slide, slippity-slide…)
01[17:49] <@Storyteller> <Suddenly, a whole bunch of alien text scrolls upwards in a rush.>
[17:53] <@Hector`> Yeah, I don’t speak Atlantean. Can I have it in English? Or even Bad English?
[17:53] <@Hector`> I’d even settle for Doge.
[17:56] <@December> <The text doesn’t change.>
06[17:58] * @Anne_Montelepre finally stirs, pushing herself into a sitting position (and demonstrating that, apparently, ichor doesn’t inoculate one against bedhead) as she scans her and Chris’ shared room.
[17:59] <@Anne_Montelepre> “–Ah. Good morning.”
06[17:59] * @ChristopherR turns and grins at her, closing the machine and crossing the room too their bed.
06[17:59] * @Hector` lets out a low growl and punches the panel with his stone fist. “Come on!”
[17:59] <@ChristopherR> Morning. You actually slept.
[18:02] <@December> <The display seems to ripple a bit from the impact, cracks forming beneath its surface threading through with vines -beneath- the paneling, seeming to solidify into stone to match the shade of Hector’s arm, before sealing again and looking as good as new.>
[18:13] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Yep. Didn’t feel like I had to, but I still needed it. Only thing is now that I’ve actually done it, I feel like I missed something.”
[18:13] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So: what’d I miss?”
[18:14] <@ChristopherR> Nothing, of course. That I know of. I’ve been in here.
[18:19] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So what’re you up to?”
06[18:19] * @Anne_Montelepre pads across the room, joining Chris at the computer.
06[18:23] * @Hector` scowls at the display. “Sorry, but you really left me no choice. Now can we cooperate or what? PA system, turn on.”
01[18:34] <@Storyteller> <With a sharp sudden whine and a pop, the mansion suddenly fills with a soft hum and the faint echoing of Hector’s heartbeat.>
06[18:35] * @Anne_Montelepre nearly gives herself whiplash as her head turns in every direction, trying to locate the source of the sudden noise.
[18:39] <@Hector`> I hope this works… SUP, Y’ALL! I got some info!
06[18:42] * @Baelic_Gothenberg perks up from the sudden noise. “The hell… Hector?!”
[18:47] <@Hector`> Come out to the kitchen and we’ll break it down!
[18:48] <@Hector`> Now how do I turn this off…
[18:48] <@Hector`> PA OFF!
06[18:48] * @Anne_Montelepre winces visibly.
06[18:48] * @December yips softly and lifts her head off of the arm of the big fluffy couch in the main lounge, currently in full double tailed oversized fox mode.
01[18:49] <@Storyteller> <With another echo and a pop, the humming, Hector’s voice, and the gentle thrum of his heartbeat abruptly shut off.>
[18:51] <@Anne_Montelepre> “…Oy.”
06[18:51] * @MadisonJ jerks awake, nearly smashing his head into Brynn’s face.
[18:51] <@MadisonJ> What the fuck was that?!
[18:52] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I’m already in the kitchen…
06[18:52] * @ChristopherR groans softly, shaking his head. “Should we go check it out?”
06[18:52] * @Anne_Montelepre starts to concentrate…then thinks better of it and instead changes clothes like a normal human being.
[18:53] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Yeah. We’ve got to talk about our next move.”
01[18:54] <@Storyteller> <Brynn jerks back a bit to avoid having his pretty face smashed in, already awake. Do bean sidhe dream of electric sidhe-p? (Assuming he sleeps..)>
01[19:00] <@Storyteller> <Brynn> “‘s onna yer mates, yeh?”
06[19:09] * @Shinjiro-kun walks into the kitchen in a hastily-donned shirt and shorts. “What is the meaning of this?”
06[19:11] * @Anne_Montelepre is out the door and en route to the kitchen in however long it takes her to pull on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
06[19:17] * @ChristopherR waits patiently for Anne, then follows her down the stairs to observe the cause of the ruckus.
06[19:17] * @MadisonJ blinks at Brynn, the grins widely and leans in for a kiss.
[19:17] <@MadisonJ> You’re actually here!
[19:17] <@MadisonJ> …and yeah, probably.
06[19:18] * @Hector` just shrugs. “I figured out where the Scribe is.”
01[19:20] <@Storyteller> <Brynn smiles with his general sort of sweet sadness, and brushes back Madison’s hair as he returns the kiss, before sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed.> “Shouldn’t be for much longer, luv. Duties call.”
06[19:20] * @Anne_Montelepre enters the kitchen, waving to the others in greeting as she bee-lines for the coffeemaker. “Oh?”
[19:23] <@MadisonJ> Well there’s no need to be a buzz kill.
01[19:24] <@Storyteller> <Brynn frowns a little, glancing at Madison as he tries to figure out how to take that as he stands and gathers his clothes and sundries.>
[19:25] <@Hector`> I did some diggin’ and found an Egyptian goddess named Seshat.
06[19:27] * @MadisonJ pulls Brynn back down into the bed long enough to steal a kiss… and then another one… and then a lingering one…
06[19:27] * @December sets her furry chin on the arm of the couch, her big fluffy white ears pricked forwards.
[19:27] <@ChristopherR> Egyptian goddess? Is she hot?
[19:28] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I found references to the Bible and a French scribe.
01[19:28] <@Storyteller> <Brynn blushes and returns each and every one before withdrawing gently again.> “I am sorry, husband… but I do have a very real, very significant, job to do…”
[19:32] <@Hector`> Yeah, but Seshat’s name literally means “she who is the scribe.”
06[19:40] * @Anne_Montelepre begins the Very Important Process of Coffee and Chicory refeulling, perking up slightly at Baelic’s words.
[19:41] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Bae, hold that thought for a second. Hector, you say you know where she is?”
[19:43] <@Hector`> Yeah. She’s associated with Heliopolis, which is now a part of Cairo.
[19:43] <@Shinjiro-kun> Interesting… but she does not necessarily need to still BE there, of course.
[19:52] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Still, it’s a lead. And it gives us some idea of who to ask.”
[19:53] <@Anne_Montelepre> “But if I can digress one second?”
[19:53] <@Shinjiro-kun> By all means.
[19:56] <@MadisonJ> I know, baby. I’m thankful just for having this night with you.
06[19:57] * @MadisonJ snuggles Brynn close, then stands with him.
01[19:57] <@Storyteller> <Brynn smiles as he finishes dressing quickly after the snuggle.>
[19:57] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Baelic? You mentioned Bible quotes? And a French scribe?…Nostradamus?”
[19:58] <@MadisonJ> Let’s go find out who’s trying to burn down the house?
[20:00] <@Hector`> What does a hack soothsayer have to do with this?
01[20:01] <@Storyteller> <Brynn nods, and trots down the hall at a brisk pace, humming faintly under his breath as he moves.>
06[20:02] * @Baelic_Gothenberg nods. “Yes. the bible verse that was referenced is first Corinthians, chapter 1 verse 19… ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?’
[20:02] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
06[20:05] * @Anne_Montelepre sighs, takes a seat at the breakfast table, and bangs her face against it a few times.
[20:05] <@Hector`> Yo, Anne, save the pieces. And your skull. What’s up?
[20:05] <@Anne_Montelepre> “…That’s just the thing I was afraid I see.”
[20:05] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> The last bit of information I could gather was about a person named Rousseau, which one of the books in that odd room mentioned when I was asking about Scribes.
[20:07] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> Something about being too late to deliver a message and was intercepted.
[20:08] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I tried to remember as much as I could… forgot to bring something to write down what was shown to me.
06[20:10] * @Wraxian has joined the rest of the pack at some point, wandering in from only she probably knows where, silent, unseen, stealthy as a ghost, just standing somewhere quietly to listen, a huge pile of mamba coiling at her feet and a roly poly jaguar perched half against her head, half on her shoulder.
06[20:13] * @ChristopherR blinks, staring at Baelic as though his brain is in slow motion and still trying to catch up to the end.
01[20:14] <@Storyteller> <Brynn inhales sharply as he and Madison reach the small gathering of demigods, stopping short as his friendly but sad gaze hardens, reaching suddenly to grip Madison’s hand tightly, his eyes locked on one easily lost amongst the crowd. His blue eyes darken almost to black, and he looks away, over to December briefly, his sorrowful smile simply a look of true mourning, meeting Madison’s eyes for a flicker of a moment before he kisses the young man tenderly. “Oh, James… I’m so sorry.”
[20:14] <@Shinjiro-kun> Anne-chan… does this have something to do with your… past?
06[20:15] * @MadisonJ grins brightly at Wraxian, greeting her in what is his new usual fashion. Half way through plucking the little ball of kitty from Wraxian’s shoulder, he pauses, looking at Brynn. “What?”
06[20:19] * @Anne_Montelepre nods to Shinjiro, but stops as Brynn and Madison arrive, she looks between the two of them, then at December and Wraxian.
[20:19] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Wha…?”
01[20:22] <@Storyteller> <Brynn is paler even than his normal gothic makeup, and the sadness written upon his face is overwhelming. He barely looks again at Madison, and not at all at the young woman standing next to him.> “…I’m so sorry…..” <He clears his throat softly and tries to pull his voice back to something normal.> “… I have to go. The World keeps spinnin’.” <Without any further explanation, just a brief, apologetic but knowing glance at full-fox December on his way out, Brynn hurries to the door, flings it open, and takes off at a run, gone a moment later in a gust of blackened essence on the wind, leaving only an agonized dirge in his wake.>
[20:22] <@Hector`> Later, Brynn.
06[20:23] * @December plops her head back on her paws, before covering her snout with one of them with a gentle sigh.
[20:26] <@MadisonJ> ….what the fuck just happened?
06[20:26] * @MadisonJ looked dangerously close to confused tears.
01[20:28] <@Storyteller> <Kiyomasa-kitten boops Madison on the nose before he can start to cry. And by ‘boop’, he declares paw-and-claw war upon said cartilaginous appendage.>
[20:30] <@Anne_Montelepre> “….I think he saw the ‘gift’ Lelantos left her.”
[20:30] <@Hector`> Dude’s got a job to do, man.
[20:32] <@Shinjiro-kun> I think that you may be right, Anne-chan. There is little that can be done regarding that now, though.
06[20:33] * @Wraxian lifts a hand to touch her throat without comment, though whether she is conscious of the gesture is uncertain, her eyes having followed Brynn out of the Incognita in her usual sort of empty silence.
06[20:39] * @Anne_Montelepre nods.
[20:41] <@Anne_Montelepre> “And yes, Shinjiro. I saw the signs just before I was Visited, and I’ve suspected it was coming ever since. ANd with the World screwed to this degree, it may be even worse than I feared.”
[20:42] <@Hector`> Suspected that WHAT was coming?
[20:46] <@Anne_Montelepre> “The apocalyptic stuff…or rather, people claiming it to be apocalyptic.”
[20:47] <@Anne_Montelepre> “And using it to their advantage.”
[20:48] <@Hector`> Some crazy bullshit like, “The end of the world is coming unless we sacrifice the non-believers to JHVH” or whatever?
[20:48] <@Hector`> I know that’s ironic coming from a Mexica, you don’t have to say it.
06[20:49] * @Shinjiro-kun shrugs his shoulders softly, having changed into his actual clothing when no one was paying attention to him, his suit in negotiator forme.
06[20:49] * @Anne_Montelepre nods. “When the World stops making sense, people’ll probably try ANYTHING to fix it.”
[20:52] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So the sooner WE start fixing it, the better.”
06[20:55] * @December nods her head gently.
06[20:56] * @Hector` moves to December, reaching to gently pet her with his flesh hand. “You’re damned right. So I’ve got a lead in Cairo. Anybody else got any ideas? We wanna go chasing Nostradamus in France?”
[20:57] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I have very little information on the lead in France.
06[20:59] * @December lifts her head and nuzzles upwards into Hector’s hand, her eyes sharp and keen on the pack, especially Madison and Wraxian.
[21:00] <@Shinjiro-kun> I must confess that I have nothing to add to the discussion.
[21:05] <@Hector`> Anybody else got any ideas?
[21:06] <@Wraxian> “I have many ideas, Hector Leone. Few of them are analytically pertinent at this time.”
[21:06] <@Anne_Montelepre> “My own search didn’t turn up much else, beyond confirming that the world has gone shithouse, climate-wise. Nothing humanity- or civilization-ending, though. Yet.”
[21:10] <@Anne_Montelepre> “For my part, I agree with Hector, for once: try and track down the Scribe. I do have a suggestion, though.”
[21:12] <@Hector`> What do you mean, “for once”?!
06[21:12] * @Hector` shoots Anne a dirty look before he grins. “Suggest away.”
[21:22] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Wherever in the World we end up, odds are we’re going to come across people in need of help. I believe, while we need to stay focused on getting that…whatever it was back in the can, we can’t afford to ignore them either. Not without consequences.”
[21:23] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So I would suggest that we help them as much as possible, even as we work on accomplishing our primary objective.”
[21:28] <@Shinjiro-kun> I concur. We must not forget that the people of the world are suffering in these trying times.
06[21:28] * @Hector` grins a little wider and then nods as he gives December a scritch behind her ears. “I’m down with some mortal rep grinding.”
[21:29] <@ChristopherR> So .. business as usual, then? I mean … this is all pretty much what we’re here for, right?
[21:30] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> The more people that are happy and hopeful the better, especially during these times.
06[21:30] * @MadisonJ stands near Wraxian still, Kiyo having not yet given up on his nose assault. Finally, the boy continues his movement, placing Kiyo on his own shoulder.
[21:31] <@MadisonJ> ….I do not feel well.
[21:34] <@Wraxian> “Do you require medical assessment, Madison Augustien?”
[21:37] <@MadisonJ> I… don’t know.
06[21:38] * @Shinjiro-kun gives Madison a quick glance. “Is this regarding your husband?”
06[17:24] * @Anne_Montelepre remains silent for the moment, watching Maddy closely.
06[17:25] * @Baelic_Gothenberg looks a little confused at the sudden proclamation.
06[17:28] * @Shinjiro-kun watches Madison, his question hanging silently in the air between them.
[17:30] <@MadisonJ> I don’t… what just happened?
[17:32] <@Hector`> I dunno, it’s like I felt three weeks fly by in the blink of an eye. Kinda eerie.
06[17:33] * @Shinjiro-kun lets out a soft scoff. “That’s impossible, you’re just imagining it.”
[17:33] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Dunno… But I think Brynn just noticed Lelantos'” gift” to Wraxian.”
[17:33] <@Shinjiro-kun> That’d be my guess as well.
[17:33] <@Hector`> Deja vu…
[17:34] <@Shinjiro-kun> Now you’re just being ridiculous.
[17:36] <@Anne_Montelepre> “It probably goes without saying that I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea of attaining Godhood. But if I can smite that son of a bitch in the process? I’m in.”
[17:36] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Lelantos, I mean. Not Brynn.”
[17:37] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I would be pleased to take him down a notch or two as well.
[17:37] <Maddy> I don’t understand why he would leave because of that?
06[17:37] * @Anne_Montelepre blushes slightly, as if belatedly realizing what she was saying.
06[17:37] * @Wraxian blinks slowly, and does what she is best at. Provides the ever so brutal, unedited, as-she-sees-it scientific fact, unedited and unbiased, even in favor of her own nonexistent feelings. “Madison Augustien, you entered the communal gathering area adjacent to the recreational and meal preparation facilities, accompanied by Brynn Coronach. Your bean sidhe appeared in good spirits and
06[17:37] * @Wraxian health until a point at which he reviewed your pack and looked upon my visage. At this point he became pale and apologized sincerely to you under the referential name James, before kissing you, apologizing once more, and departing with great speed and an unknown melody.”
[17:38] <@Hector`> You do remember Lelantos, right? Dude’s not exactly a whole pack of sunshine and roses.
[17:39] <Maddy> …thank you, Kitty.
[17:39] <Maddy> Yeah, but… did he leave out of fear? Is he afraid for us and himself?
06[17:39] * @December makes a quiet distressed sound and adds her other paw across her muzzle.
06[17:39] * @Baelic_Gothenberg glances over at December. “Are you ok?”
[17:41] <@Wraxian> “I am incapable of forgetting the entity classifying himself as Lelantos, Hector Leone. You are welcome, Madison Augustien. Superficial assessment based on only conjecture based within a lack of familiarity would be indicative of… sorrow, Madison Augustien.”
[17:41] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Yeah, I think he is, actually.”
06[17:41] * Maddy sighs softly, letting out a quiet whimper.
06[17:41] * @December whuffs softly, still 100% ridiculous large arctic fox taking up most of the main couch.
[17:43] <@Hector`> If he thinks that we’re fixin’ to go toe-to-toe with a god… yeah, I’d be a little worried at that prospect if I were him.
06[17:44] * Chris_Gravier crosses his arms over his chest, leaning against the counter and looking at the other kids.
[17:44] <Chris_Gravier> Well… I don’t think any of us are thrilled by the idea, but it’s not like we get a whole lotta choice in any of this.
[17:45] <@Wraxian> “There are many sets and subsets into which the ancestors may be ordered, Hector Leone. The entity calling himself Lelantos gives a distinct impression even upon myself that he exists for only one purpose.”
[17:45] <@Hector`> Yeah, to hunt. To kill.
06[17:47] * @Wraxian nods gently. “Death.”
06[17:47] * @Baelic_Gothenberg tries to inspect December more closely in an attempt to understand what is happening.
01[17:47] <@Storyteller> <Kiyomasa-kitten re-boops Madison’s nose in response to his whimper.>
06[17:48] * @Hector` gives December a small, possessive scritch.
[17:49] <@Shinjiro-kun> Assaulting an instrument of death head-on is suicide. Therefore, we must act in a manner that is not a head-on assault. Where force of arms fails, a battle of wits may prove more fruitful.
06[17:49] * @December looks like an enormous, elegant snow white arctic fox with black tipped ears and tail, her paws currently cross over her muzzle to hide her eyes. One of her ears flips repeatedly in response to the scritch, her tail twitching at the tip.
06[17:49] * @Baelic_Gothenberg blinks.
06[17:49] * Maddy wraps his arms around Kiyo, planting his face in the kitty’s neck.
06[17:50] * @Wraxian regards Shinjiro for a few moments in response to that, processing, contemplating, and ultimately shelving that information in silence.
01[17:53] <@Storyteller> <Kiyomasa yowls for everyone to hear, about how this is utterly disrespectful and improper treatment of Kiyomasa, Eater of stuff, devourer of meat, terror of the nine realms, etcetera etcetera, in a tone that makes the sound’s translation clear even to those who do not understand Jaguar. He squirms like a bratty little ball of fluff, and if Madison isn’t careful, is likely to get more claw-y than may be desired.>
06[17:54] * @Maddy only holds the squirmy kitty briefly, before sighing dramatically and letting go so he can crawl onto his shoulder or wherever else.
[17:54] <@Maddy> …so what do we do, then? What is our next step?
[17:55] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Easy. We find this ‘First Scribe'”.
[17:56] <@Hector`> Right, and that means a trip to Heliopolis.
06[17:56] * @Wraxian lofts a lone brow in silence at Anne’s assessed designation of the complexity of the task before them.
[17:56] <@Hector`> Or, as it is now, a district of Cairo.
06[17:58] * @Baelic_Gothenberg keeps blinking as he looks at December.
[18:02] <@Chris_Gravier> I don’t think “easy” is the right word.
06[18:02] * @Anne_Montelepre looks squarely at Chris.
[18:03] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Looking at the alternative — sit here and wait for civilization to tear itself apart — I think it is.”
[18:05] <@Chris_Gravier> No… it’s “right”… but I seriously doubt it’s going to be easy. Challenging… yes. Fun? Maybe…
[18:07] <@Shinjiro-kun> It’s easier than trying to take on Lelantos.
01[18:11] <@Storyteller> <Kiyomasa mostly settles on Madison’s shoulder, but re-declares work on his hair and ears, kronshing with almost audible om nom nom sounds.>
[18:15] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So let’s get started, then, shall we? Has anyone checked current conditions near Cairo?”
06[18:15] * @Baelic_Gothenberg turns back to the conversation at hand. “I have not done so yet.”
[18:15] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Be nice to know if North Africa has a monsoon season now beforehand.”
06[18:15] * @December exhales a soft huff, raising onto all fours atop the couch cushions, her fur and fangs (mostly) retreating to retract her too the feminine humanoid form they are most used to her being in, dressed in little but a thin pale blue camisole and boyshorts, shifting her legs off to dangle properly over the side of the seat before standing at her full normal height. “‘S’pose y’ens shh’ood awl get yer t’ings, den…”
06[18:20] * @Wraxian nods faintly to Anne, before she does that new thing where she kinda mentally departs the building, her lavender eyes hazy and glazed as they skip back and forth over over who knows what, her features as blank as ever. After a few minutes, she actually almost helpfully provides, to no one in particular, “Current environmental conditions in Cairo, Egypt, are as follows: Heavy downpour and hail, winds at thirty knots, conditions unstable.”
[18:21] <@Hector`> What the fuck hail?
[18:21] <@Hector`> In a desert?
[18:22] <@Chris_Gravier> Joy of joys.
06[18:25] * @Chris_Gravier vanishes into his room, returning shortly dressed in camo cargo pants, his terrible running shoes, and a wife beater. Thrown over that is a very expensive branded leather trench coat, likely something his mother bought for him at some point, a beat up generic trucker hat smashed onto his messy head. He looks like a kid up to nothing good, but he’ll probably stay dry… and be able to move freely.
06[18:26] * @Hector` gives his jaguar armor a quick glance-over before he shrugs. “Warm enough. To the bus!”
06[18:26] * @Maddy disappears just as quickly, returning in his usual robes, hood up, bola tied around his waist, bow across his back, med kit in hand. He looks grim but determined… and despite his frustration, there is a certain “IspentthenightwiththemanIlove” glow in his emerald eyes.
06[18:26] * @Anne_Montelepre actually smiles. “Thanks, Wraxian.”
[18:27] <@Wraxian> `’•{{ WHERE DID THE CAT GO }}•’`
[18:27] <@Anne_Montelepre> ((Stuck somewhere in Maddy’s robes? :P ))
[18:29] <@Maddy> ((I imagine he’s either still on his shoulder, or checked the fuck out while Maddy was changing. ;) ))
06[18:29] * @Shinjiro-kun gives his suit an equivalent glance before form-shifting it into his yoroi armor. Satisfied that this will protect against hail, he moves toward the bus.
06[18:29] * @Baelic_Gothenberg heads off to his dorm to grab his combat gear, returning in quick order in army outfit and associated weaponry and ammo.
06[18:34] * @Wraxian blinks slowly, returning to the here and now and scanning around to find everyone in the process of preparing. Whether or not Anne is actually present, she responds, “You are welcome, Anne Montelepre,” before crouching to lift the Sheshanaga up into her arms, looking apparently deeply into its gaze, hissing and rattling softly beneath her breath as she speaks to the creature.
06[18:34] * @Wraxian Meanwhile, Kiyomasa the Small has forsaken chasing Madison’s shoelaces to pounce upon Wraxian’s feet, stalking around them, occasionally rubbing his tiny head on the girl’s legs, and, surprisingly or not, the dangling body of the enormous black mamba.
06[18:36] * @Anne_Montelepre heads back to her room, giving Chris an appreciative nod before shedding her own clothing in favor of a simple t-shirt, rain jacket, and khaki cargo shorts…which clashes somewhat with the Relic high-heeled boots she adds as an after thought. One unusual addition, however, is the waist pack (with a number of suspicious bulges within), riding low on her right hip.
06[18:43] * @December sighed heavily and returned to her shared quarters, quickly switching into clothing more suitable for the out of doors in Amun’s own windstorm, looking at something in her hand for a moment before sliding it into a pocket, departing her room in a long-sleeved top and heavy khaki pants, her gloves on her hands and an uncertain look on her face as she joins the others for heading out to their transport.
06[18:51] * @Baelic_Gothenberg quickly follows December towards the Mythic School Bus.
01[18:51] <@Storyteller> <As anyone arrives outside and moves down the now long, tree-lined lane leading to/from the mansion, it will become rapidly clear that their conveyance- once their maybe not that beloved bus of shortness, is now neither short, nor bus-like, in any even vague sense. Instead, a large curved chariot, straight out of Ben Hur, but a dozen times as large to accommodate various persons, stands at the end of the walk, and before it, a team of… metal horses? Or something that maybe someone who had seen a horse once might have approximated as “horse”. Completely still, and utterly metal with articulated joints, bundles of wire showing here and there, fourteen inanimate horse..ish… things stand in front of the chariot’s pod-carrier.. thing…>
06[18:52] * @Hector` stops short at the Sweet Chariot, eyeing the device up and down. “… where the FUCK is the bus?!”
06[18:53] * @Wraxian is still inside, perhaps for the best…
06[18:53] * @Anne_Montelepre makes her way outside, and blinks. And blinks some more. And once more, with feeling.
06[18:53] * @Baelic_Gothenberg stops and looks over the potential new ride. “…Hop on the Mythic Chariot?”
[18:53] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Why, this isn’t going to be conspicuous at all.”
06[18:54] * @Shinjiro-kun joins Anne in blinking. “Why even bother with the chariot when we could just ride the horses?”
06[18:55] * @Anne_Montelepre massages her scalp, shaking her head. “Hoo boy.”
06[18:55] * @December joins the others… and the curses that she hurls are not fit for neither gods nor demons, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
[18:56] <@Hector`> Well, if we want to be the fucking Conquerers Imperious, then we can hop a ride in the Ben Hurmobile here.
[18:56] <@Hector`> Hey, that’s a pretty damn good team name…
[18:56] <@Maddy> ….ok, this is too fabulous even for me.
[18:56] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Then again, there IS a ‘Day After Tomorrow’ hailstorm going on. Maybe no one’ll notice?…”
06[18:56] * @Chris_Gravier gives Maddy a deadpan stare that lasts two seconds into uncomfortable… then bursts in laughter.
[18:57] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> I wonder when Extreme Makeover: Chariot edition occurred…
06[19:00] * @Shinjiro-kun moves closer, trying to determine if the horses can be unlatched from the chariot.
[19:00] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Ooooookay. Does anyone else here know how to drive, or at least ride, a horse?”
01[19:02] <@Storyteller> <The horses are quite literally jacked into the circuitry that leads into the Chariot, bolted in and wired down. Upon closer inspection, the patterning of the circuitry visible on the metallic horse hides is quite similar to that now pervasive throughout their mansion…>
06[19:04] * @Shinjiro-kun furrows his brow. “Seems to be Wraxian’s doing. Riding a horse? Of course, you…” Shinjiro looks like he is trying to articulate how to ride a horse, but he can’t quite do it.
06[19:04] * @Anne_Montelepre draws closer herself, noting the absence of proper reins and the presence of wiring.
[19:05] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Looks kinda like the setup in Chris’ and my room. Think I could make a go of this, if I have to.”
[19:06] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Though for all I know it could just drive like the old bus, cybernetic horses be damned.”
[19:07] <@Hector`> Hotwiring a chariot doesn’t sound like a good idea. If my baby can’t drive it, though, maybe Wraxian can.
[19:07] <@Hector`> … not that giving Wraxian the reins sounds like a stupendous idea.
06[19:10] * @Wraxian closes the front door behind her, Kiyomasa riding now on her shoulder, the snake nowhere to be seen. She cants her head faintly to one side as she pauses halfway down the walk to assess the general miasma of annoyance and confusion.
[19:19] <@ChristopherR> Well… what are we gonna do with this?
06[19:20] * @December attempts to not reach for Wraxian as she approaches and strangle her. Or worse.
06[19:20] * @Hector` quickly bolts to move between December and Wraxian. “Now then, ladies… can either of you drive reins?”
06[19:21] * @Anne_Montelepre clears her throat.
06[19:22] * @December looks like she is about to tell Wraxian exactly what she can do with her reins before her gaze skips over to Anne.
[19:23] <@ChristopherR> Well this should be fun…
[19:27] <@Anne_Montelepre> “I was taught to ride a single horse…and it was, y’know an ACTUAL DAMN HORSE….But yes, barring something weird and counter-intuitive control-wise, I can drive this thing.”
06[19:29] * @Wraxian ‘s brows draw together as she regards Anne, apparently oblivious to the fury seething off of their teacher, or maybe Hector’s just adequately in the way. “They are not meant to be ridden, Anne Montelepre.”
[19:29] <@Shinjiro-kun> Well then, shall we depart>
[19:31] <@Anne_Montelepre> “I know, Wraxian, but there is still some carryover.”
06[19:31] * @Anne_Montelepre adds under her breath, “I hope…”
[19:32] <@Hector`> So, I’m just gonna put this out there… why did you turn the bus into a horse-drawn chariot, Wraxian?
[19:32] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> Aside from it looking closer to the old times of the gods.
06[19:34] * @Anne_Montelepre , with that said, heads for the front of the chariot, apparently intending to attempt to control their new conveyance.
06[19:34] * @MadisonJ peers at Wraxian, apparently curious about her answer as well.
06[19:41] * @Wraxian approaches the chariot, moving up to the semi-equine things, fiddling with a few wires here and there, she almost seems somewhat concerned. “This is the original state of the Primary Transport Chariot, Hector Leone.” She hesitates briefly before continuing, “..with some modifications.”
06[19:43] * @Anne_Montelepre spares Wraxian a look before returning her attention to the controls. “‘Modifications’?”
[19:44] <@Hector`> What sort of modifications?
01[19:44] <@Storyteller> <There aren’t any controls, or reins, that Anne can find. The ‘horses’ are hard-wired into their harnesses- and the chariot itself.>
[19:46] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Specifically, how exactly does one control this thing??”
[19:47] <@Wraxian> “…The original was bourne by specially bred pegasi….”
[19:49] <@Wraxian> “…according to the documentation.”
06[19:50] * @December twitches. Rather a lot. She totally has one of those anime-style twitchy-crosses going on just now.
[19:53] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> That could be a problem in this day and age.
[19:54] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Indeed. So we steer their modern technological analogues by…?”
[19:56] <@Wraxian> “These automatons are untested beyond the basic parameters I have mustered without departure from this sanctuary. Would it be preferable to your pack, Anne Montelepre, that I program the Primary Transport Chariot to schematics with which you are more familiar?”
[19:56] <@Shinjiro-kun> Is there a joypad?
[19:57] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Yes, please.”
[19:58] <@Hector`> Oh FUCK no. I saw Men in Black 2.
[19:59] <@Wraxian> “To what specifications do you desire the Primary Transport Chariot to be defined, Anne Montelepre?” Her eyes haze over, skimming rapidly over the air. Anyone actually standing on or in the Chariot would be well-advised to depart as its entire body begins to shimmer ethereally.
06[20:01] * @Anne_Montelepre starts to speak, “Well, given that it’s set up as a char–” At which point she notices said conveyance glowing and her survival instinct (belatedly) kicks in, leading her to climb down.
[20:02] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Err. Anyhow….as it’s set up as a chariot driven by a team of horses, a more traditional control scheme for same might be best.”
06[20:03] * @Anne_Montelepre appears more than a little freaked out by the manner in which Wraxian’s apparently zoned out.
06[20:03] * @Hector` reflexively takes a step back as the chariot shimmers.
06[20:04] * @Shinjiro-kun reaches for the hilt of his katana as the chariot starts getting all ethereal and crap.
06[20:05] * @MadisonJ furrows his brow, wandering in a slow circle around the chariot.
[20:06] <@ChristopherR> What sort of controls are standard for a techno chariot anyways?
[20:06] <@Shinjiro-kun> The aforementioned reins.
06[20:06] * @Shinjiro-kun maintains his iaido stance, as if he’s ready to cut the chariot in half at a moment’s notice if it does anything funny.
06[20:10] * @Wraxian continues to stand there in silence, the horses suddenly surging together in a sudden surge of metallic grinding and energy, mashing into an amorphous blob that keeps half-erupting in random directions, as if it is trying very hard to be several different things at the same time. Concurrently, the carriage of the chariot melts away to semi-gaseous liquidish and surrounds the Blob Formerly Known as Horse-Adjacent-Things, settling down just above the grass and not randomly nearly exploding nearly so much, through it does look very much like someone is scrolling through a catalog of mass transit people movers, looking like it might be the familiar bus one moment, before it switches to several styles of enormous bus, a long, sleek limo, a steam-powered train, something that looks very much like a mag-lev…
[20:12] <@Hector`> Not to add stress to this process, but something inconspicuous would be a good idea. We can’t really hide from Lelantos in the Hilda Garde III.
06[20:12] * @Anne_Montelepre winces, realizing that she made the mistake (again!) of not being sufficiently specific.
[20:12] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> …I don’t think we could hide from him regardless.
[20:13] <@ChristopherR> Err….
06[20:15] * @Wraxian remains zoned out as the former-chariot-former-bus-former-chariot continues to flash through different means of large-scale transport.
[20:20] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Err…perhaps a bus would be best?”
[20:21] <@Shinjiro-kun> Perhaps a touring bus, or a double-decker?
[20:22] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> Camper Van?
[20:22] <@Hector`> A double decker? So we can have EVEN MORE unused seats?
[20:22] <@Hector`> If anybody says “a caravan,” I’m gonna crush their windpipes.
01[20:24] <@Storyteller> <The transport-thing suns briefly into an unhitched caravan.>
06[20:24] * @Hector` fights down the sudden urge to light it on fire and ramp a Volvo station wagon into it.
[20:25] <@Anne_Montelepre> “…Well, what about a tank?”
06[20:25] * @Anne_Montelepre grins evilly.
[20:25] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> How about a RV?
[20:26] <@Hector`> Tanks aren’t inconspicuous! A self-propelled gun, maybe, but not a tank!
06[20:29] * @Wraxian whispers softly. “Please solidify requested input. Certainty required before Primary Transport Chariot functionality is altered.”
[20:30] <@Anne_Montelepre> “True, true. Inconspicuous, then?”
[20:30] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Wraxian? A two-and-a-half ton truck, please, with covered bed.”
[20:33] <@ChristopherR> I liked the RV idea….
01[20:34] <@Storyteller> `’•{{ I offer you guys a Limo and you want a troop carrier. <headshake> }}•’`
[20:34] <@Anne_Montelepre> “So did I, but the truck’ll blend in pretty much anywhere.”
[20:35] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Plus we might not necessarily be going places where normal vehicles’ll travel safely.”
[20:35] <@Hector`> Then why not a half-track?
[20:35] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> Are we making sure the covered portion can house us?
[20:35] <@Shinjiro-kun> I sincerely doubt that mortals will be comfortable with a random half-track appearing from nowhere. Especially now.
[20:36] <@Anne_Montelepre> “On a deuce-and-a-half? I’d damned well hope so.”
01[20:37] <@Storyteller> <The formless mass finally solidifies into a large, hulking beast of a vehicle, its covered walls looking like they were made to stop anything from bullets to RPGs to your average chimera, in a matte black that makes it look more like it is something even larger’s shadow.>
[20:39] <@Shinjiro-kun> … are we planning on forming an army?
[20:39] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Maybe….but in any case, I’ll bet ten dollars to one that someone’ll take a shot at us sooner rather than later.”
[20:40] <@Anne_Montelepre> “Not quite what I had in mind, but it’ll work. And it’ll probably drive regardless of what’s going on outside, weather-wise.”
[20:41] <@MadisonJ> I hope it’s comfortable inside…
06[20:41] * @MadisonJ stares at the hulking vehicle as though he doesn’t trust it.
06[20:42] * @Anne_Montelepre smiles, a but ruefully. “Nope.”
06[20:43] * @Anne_Montelepre sticks her head inside.
[20:43] <@Hector`> Wooden benches with straps?
06[20:43] * @Wraxian exhales softly, the misty glaze crossing her vision lifting after a few more minutes. She looks over the truck, her creation, of sorts, in hollow silence.
06[20:43] * @Baelic_Gothenberg stays outside cautiously until he’s sure things won’t just change again.
06[20:44] * @December looks vaguely relieved, surprised, and pleased, but still scowls horrible clawed death at Wraxian for the change in the first place, snap-snarling more than loud enough to be heard. “‘m aye s’ill ‘loudta dry’v ih?”
[20:47] <@Hector`> I think that you’re the only one of us with a license.
06[20:49] * @Anne_Montelepre sounds sheepish. “Does a motorcycle endorsement count?”
[20:51] <@Shinjiro-kun> I sincerely doubt that a truck and a motorcycle drive similarly.
01[20:51] <@Storyteller> <The inside of the hard covered exterior is… probably not what Anne, or anyone else, is expecting. There are a precise amount of seats, each an individual seat in what might be the most plush and comfortable fabrics imaginable, though above each is an over-the head Y-style seatbeat-ish apparatus. Each seat has a small desk/table that will fold out before it. Several boxes look like they might hold provisions, including something that looks like it might be an old ice box, with real ice and everything. The entire back wall is dedicated to what appears to be a compact server bank, little lights flashing from a multitude of displays. One seat particular is arrayed amidst that set up. From the inside, the cover/canopy appears not to be there, as they have perfect visibility to the outside despite the incredible solid walls surrounding them.>
06[20:52] * @Shinjiro-kun relaxes from his iaido stance, moving to examine the rear of the truck.
[20:52] <@Shinjiro-kun> That is… the word “posh” springs to mind.
[20:52] <@Hector`> Posh? In a deuce-and-a-half? You gotta be shittin’ me!
06[20:53] * @Hector` hops up to look.
06[20:53] * @Baelic_Gothenberg follows everyone in.
06[20:54] * @Anne_Montelepre , despite having been born in the States, apparently has the Gallic Shrug down to a science, as she boards their unaccountably-comfortable armored carrier.
06[20:54] * @December pokes her head up to peer inside the back of the vehicle with a glare of complaint still permanently lodged upon her features, before dropping down to swing to the driver’s compartment to see what fresh Hel the little bit left her with…
[20:55] <@Baelic_Gothenberg> This is… most interesting.
06[20:56] * @Wraxian watches the various reactions in silence, trying to assess the results of this endeavor.
[20:58] <@ChristopherR> Wow… this is incredible!
06[20:59] * @ChristopherR boards, plopping into the first chair he sees and making himself comfortable.
06[21:01] * @Hector` circles around to the front to ride shotgun.
06[21:02] * @December has grumpily settled into her own (admittedly pretty nice) seat, inspecting and fiddling with controls trying to make sure nothing is different from back when the bus was a bus and not a… truck.
06[21:03] * @Hector` hops into the passenger seat, belting in as he throws the kitsune a grin. “Ready to reverse the polarity of the neutron flow?”
06[21:04] * @Baelic_Gothenberg sits himself down at the seat furthest from the driver seat and gest comfortable.
06[21:05] * @December looks a little more at ease to see Hector, but shakes her head. “Don’ yah wan’be bak dere’s wiffa ecks’trah nyes stuffs an yer frens? ..I dunnae no wha ah’m reddeh fer’r nah anee mores…”
06[21:06] * @Wraxian tsks Kiyomasa softly as he starts chewing on the braids in her hair, and then her ear, slowly walking around to the back of the truck to peer inside at the others.
[21:07] <@Anne_Montelepre> “All right, we’ve proper transport (since the short bus might’ve been a bit embarrassing now, truth be told). Let’s go forth and conquer! Coming, Wraxian?”
06[21:07] * @Hector` reaches over to put his hand overtop December’s. “I’m right where I wanna be.”
06[21:08] * @Shinjiro-kun climbs into the rear of the truck, leaning out to address Wraxian. “You ARE coming, yes? Or would you rather be here, alone, when Lelantos comes to find you?”
06[21:10] * @December shifts her hand to lace her fingers with Hectors for a few moments before she has to reclaim her hand to try to sort out the navigation system, giving him a warm smile before she turns her head back and mutters “Huh, dij’tal,” to herself as she taps a display and enters a few cautious button presses onto the keypad beneath it. The engine suddenly roars to life. Thankfully the sound is fairly dulled within the cabin and transport compartment, but outside would probably be damaging to hearing for a prolonged length of time.
06[21:12] * @Wraxian turns her head slowly to Shinjiro, the emptiness in her return stare providing about as much as is expected, though whether as a fruit of his barb or simply following on her original intent, she climbs into the back of the ridiculous vehicle and settles into the chair nestled amongst the server bank.
06[21:14] * @Shinjiro-kun allows himself a slight smile as Wraxian passes him before moving to a seat, if there is one that will accommodate him in full armor.
01[21:16] <@Storyteller> <All of the seats (except perhaps in the cab and the one Wraxian has settled into are appropriately sized to handle even someone in full riot gear, yoroi, or anything else similar.>
06[21:17] * @Shinjiro-kun straps in and buckles down as he waits for the earth-shattering kaboom.
06[21:20] * @Baelic_Gothenberg straps himself in. “Off to Cairo, right?”
06[21:20] * @Hector` leans over, looking into the side mirror. “Hey, why is Madison just standing there?”
06[21:20] * @December scowls at the mirror nearly twice the size of her head. “Derno…”
06[21:21] * @Hector` unbuckles and half-climbs out of the truck, hanging out the window with one arm stabilizing him as he shouts back to Madison. “Oi! Maddy! Hop in, bud!”
06[21:21] * @Anne_Montelepre reaches over from her seat, playfully punching Chris in the shoulder as she shoots him a grin. “We ready for this?”
All The Worlds, A Stage 