Session Start: Sat Nov 08 16:14:05 2003 Last time, on Hunters: Lady Sakura took the team out to a northern industrial park and an abandoned factory, where they demonstrated their talents against the inimitable Lady Granite. Afterwards, she briefed them on their next exercise - to "protect" the agency secretary against her in a game of "touch-assassinate". The secretary is shopping in the Warabi mall - Sakura will be following a half-hour behind. As we rejoin our heroines, they are meeting their missing friends at the Warabi train station. [session start] * LadyHeat waves to Royal and Mysteria. Bout time you guys showed up. Where were you? Sorry.... ... eh-heh. ^^; * Lord_Darkmoon walks to the latecomers, and holds out a pair of radios to them. "Lady Sakura says we're to wear these." He shows how his is hooked up. * LadyMallet waves. Her eyes are pink and red respectively, so she's probably transformed, despite not being in costume. * LadyRoyal looks so much the same in her civvies that it almost seems like she's not transformed but for the boots. Her hair is in a bun held by a small pencil. * Lord_Darkmoon is in a button-down shirt and black slacks; his bokken is nowhere to be seen, though there's a folding fan in his belt at his left hip. * LadyHeat adjusts her backpack and black t-shirt reading "LUNA SEA SLAVE". She also wears a pair of blue shorts and the boots from her Lady costume. The train station begins to clear out a little - the next train is going to show up in about ten minutes. * LadyRoyal is wearing loose black pants, a dark green long-sleeved vest and a plain white shirt. She's also toting a small satchel, backpack-style. We'd better get ready to board. Everyone got their train cards? * LadyMysteria accepts one of the radios with a nod and a smile. She's wearing a pair of rather baggy black shorts and a matching black t-shirt with a print of the infamous Harry Houdini on it. Even though her jacket and eyemask are in a satchel she's carrying... she's still wearing the hat. Broad windows on the side of the station give you a nice view of a only- mildly-imposing three-story mall across the street. * LadyRoyal nods at Darkmoon and hooks hers up, flipping her traincard from her sleeve. * LadyMallet is wearing some blue bell-bottom jeans, with a shinyleather black belt. She's wearing a plain white t-shirt, with 'Just another day' written on it. She's also got a baseball cap on, a size too large, but staying on fine. Ready as I'll ever be. Uh-huh! So, how are we going to approach this? I think there's an overpass-thing up the street. * LadyHeat points Okay... how are we going to find her? I could try to grab an animal to search...or maybe --what names should we call each other, right now? No, I meant the simulation. ^^ You guys go do your thing, I'm going to stay here and follow Sakura. Oh. Well, I think it'd be a good idea if the more aggressive of us go to hunt down anyone that looks dangerous, and the others of us go after the one we're defending. Well, we've got the radios to keep contact. [radio] Testing... Er, aren't we just supposed to be focusing on Sakura now, instead of "anyone who looks dangerous?" * LadyNightshade takes a radio and turns around. True. A few should scour around and the rest need to find the secretary. * LadyMallet nods. "But it'd be unfair to say just Lady Sakura." Why? * LadyNightshade vanishes into the crowd. In this case, we know both our target and our target's target. Best to use all knowledge. * LadyRoyal nods. * LadyMysteria smiles. "And then skulk about and wait. She's hunting for her, so we can let the hunter fall into our trap." Okay, T-Nightshade's already going to look for Sakura.... Again, though, what should we call each other? We might draw less attention if we used our 'mundane' names. That leaves five of us. Even split? ... when did she go, anyway? That was fast. * LadyMallet blinkblinks. "Where'd she go?" Should we split up by floors? * LadyMysteria nods to Darkmoon. "Works for me. And that would be a good idea. One a floor. Cover more ground quickly, and we can radio when we spot either one of them." Who should we focus on, Sakura or the secretary? I think La-- er, Taki went after Sakura already. Should she be the only one, though? So, we need to find our protectorate, and then guard her. Taki can radio us with Sakura's location, assuming she can't take her down on her own. Right then. Not a bad plan. Let's go. * LadyMallet nods. um..but who takes what floor? * LadyRoyal heads off into the mall, trying to quickly find a large group of people. I'll take the top floor, then. I'll take um...the second floor. Ano... the secretary is probably at a clothes or music store. Maybe she's eating. Um... Bottom floor for me, then. I'll take the second floor, too. Okay..Let's go then Leena. * LadyHeat hurries into the mall * Lord_Darkmoon nods, and heads for an escalator, keeping his eyes peeled. * LadyMysteria starts on her way as well, not wanting to waste any more time. "Alright..." She pauses to stuff her hat (rather carefully) into the satchel. * LadyMallet raises one hand enthusiastically, and bounces in place. "Hai!" And almost-walks after Heat. The mall is not the largest one any of you have been in - a cursory glimpse at the map near the entrance shows that there are only about eighty stores, and one large department store. * LadyRoyal keeps her eyes open as she heads in the direction of the department store, muttering under her breath. "Hey Nightshade, have you seen Sakura yet?" The department store is the core of the ground and second floors, with other stores in a "U" around it. * LadyNightshade is on top of a nearby building where she can watch the train station. The third floor has a large open space with many, many kiosks. Negative. Right. ...there is a basement. A dance club, a restaurant, and some good size theaters fill that space. * LadyMallet bounces along, looking around. * LadyMysteria is doing her best to keep her eyes peeled for the secretary, walking the 'U'. "Hm. Nothing so far..." * LadyHeat tries to squeeze her way up the crowded escalators to get there more quickly. * LadyNightshade keeps a careful eye on the mall as well, incase Sakura might use some other means to get there. * Lord_Darkmoon arrives on the third floor, and looks around the open space for the secretary. Failing that, he seeks some raised area to get a better overview. * LadyHeat reaches the top and pushes out into the crowd, heading towards the food court. There seem to be five exits on the ground floor. The main one is at the base of the U, then two at its shoulders, and two at the tips. * LadyMallet glances around the 2nd floor, upon arrival. "I'll take the department store..." The department store seems a bit run down. The clothing they sell is a mix of first and second-tier bulk brands, and the display racks are decidedly 1970's. * LadyMallet takes a SINGLE STEP IN. "Ugh. I don't think the secretary would be caught dead shopping here." You never know... don't assume a thing. Um...what kind of food would a secretary like? * LadyHeat looks around the food court for her Probably the same food as anyone. Mou... I called it, didn't I? Oh well. Ick... * LadyRoyal has a somewhat bulky, old-looking cell phone out to disguise her speech. "Yeah, secretaries tend to be people too." The food court is an oval space with exits north and south into the sides of the U. About two dozen assorted food fronts face inwards. Tables everywhere. * LadyMysteria is trying to keep it down and avoid stares from passersby, still working her way along the first-floor walkway. * LadyMallet starts looking around in there. * LadyRoyal does a cursory walk-through of the department store, picking up and setting down random things to make it not look weird. There is virtually no cover in the store - no racks above eye-level, even for a youngish girl. * LadyHeat heads through the tables. "Nn..what did she look like?" * LadyRoyal finishes pretty quickly then, and heads down to the basement level. * Lord_Darkmoon wanders amongst the kiosks, posture as tall as he can get it, scanning the faces of everyone he passes. * LadyHeat gives up and heads towards a CD store like Leena suggested. I'm going to a music store.. The basement has a wide open space around the central escalators. North and south are a dance club and restaurant respectively. There are four widely spaced doors into theaters on the east wall. It appears that the matinee showings are just starting to let out. * LadyRoyal stands by the restaurant and pretends to check out the menu while eyeing the crowd of people leaving the theaters. * LadyMysteria chuckles a little, poking around in just about store along her way long enough to check for the secretary. Lady Heat thinks she saw a music store on the map on the third floor. * LadyHeat thinks about it "That's Darkmoon's floor though.." * Lord_Darkmoon says in a to-himself kind of voice, "Any luck, anyone? She doesn't seem to be amongst the kiosks up here." I didn't see her in the food court... I'm not having any luck here on first. None yet. Will let you know. A couple of theaters must have just let out as she came down the stairs. Checking the posted times, it looks like another - a bad romantic comedy - is going to let out in ten minutes or so. * LadyHeat heads into the store closest to the food court instead * LadyMallet almost-walks, (does she ever quit bouncing?) out of the department store. Hey! What if we call information and tell them that her kid or her purse was found and we need her to come to the desk to pick it up? Do any of us know her name? But... I can't remember her name... She never told us I don't think.. We couldn't really do that on a 'real' mission, either, though. * LadyRoyal goes into the restaurant for a quick peek around before the other movie lets out. We're supposed to be circumspect, remember? We couldn't? Well, and if we haven't found Sakura, that would just let her know where her "Target" was going. Good point. You probably shouldn't, yeah. Oh... * LadyNightshade keeps watching the crowds of people getting off the trains. The half hour has passed. The train came into the station, and Nightshade did not see Sakura get off of it. * LadyMallet checks the 2nd floor food court, then. * Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head, and decides to start working his way around the periphery, looking into the various stores. He works his way from the middle of the east wall south towards the boutique and the arcade; both places a 20-ish young woman might spend some time. Hmm...maybe a shoe store. Nobody has seen Sakura or the secretary yet. * LadyHeat looks for a map of the mall, there should be on somewhere close. Time. I don't see our mark exiting the train. * LadyRoyal leaves the restaurant then and wanders over to the theaters, pretending to gaze at movie posters and waiting for the next one to let out. She may not have taken the train. Eyes forward, everyone. This is going to get more difficult now, I imagine. ...we should have guarded the mall entrances. *sound of him smacking his head* Yeah... any luck yet? Well, we can reconvene at those now, if you all think it's a good idea. Nightshade, you coming in? None. And...Sakura might be in here already. * LadyMallet moves from the food court, to checking the various Not Important Enough To Mention stores on the second floor. Okay, I'm not good at finding people anyway... We're learning... but we need to learn fast. Mou... why am I on this team again? * LadyNightshade scans for anyone suspicious entering the mall. The romantic comedy lets out, and Lady Royal thinks she spots a familiar- looking hairdo... * LadyRoyal swivels around, eyes tracking the hairdo. Because 'she' said so. Stay upbeat---ah? Right! Yes, I see her. * LadyMysteria blinks, then wastes little time in finding her way to the nearest (and hopefully quickest) way down. "On it." * LadyRoyal follows at a discreet distance, pretending to have just left the movie and keeping one eye out. * LadyHeat heads towards the stairs, escalators take too much time. Downstairs? Gotcha. I'll meet you there soon; keep an eye on her. I'm going to see if I can spot Sakura on my way down. No, stop. Why? I think we shouldn't all start following her. ... dammit, you're right. Probably only one or two; the rest stay at a distance and watch the exits. * LadyMallet starts to make tracks that way, then pauses. "Huh? Oh... But we just need to touch her. Nightshade..." We need to touch Sakura, not her. Royal comes up behind her as the secretary heads for the northern escalators. * LadyMysteria stops before she heads down, but instead returns to her first- floor run. * LadyHeat heads towards an entrance to look for Sakura. Heading up the escalators, watch out for abnormal routes of contact. * Secretary is definitely the target. Mark. Whatever. * LadyRoyal keeps a happy "I'm talking on my cell phone!" face on. Minami, since you've got her, you should probably stay with her. I'll join you, unless someone else thinks they've a better chance at defending. My tessen's a rather subtle weapon. We're not trying to get into a fight; this is more of a touch-tag thing. Any ruckus will probably call the kind of attention she doesn't want. But you're welcome to come and help. Mmf... Yeah...we don't want to be known about. ... heheh. * LadyNightshade waits for one more train before she moves. * Stranger waves to get Lady Royal's attention. Excuse me, miss? * LadyRoyal pretends not to hear, making up some babble on her cell. "So then Koji said..." * LadyMysteria hangs around the area between the exit closest to her and the closest set of escalators. "Any sign of Sakura?" Nothing. Um. Can you create a distraction or something? Try and get the secretary to get into the theater or something? It'd be easier to defend.... True... think we should set up a sort of wall? Far-spread circle around the girl so we can see Sakura coming? Miss? Can I ask you what carrier you have for your sell phone? Mine doesn't get reception in here at all. Yeah, and that sounds pretty cool. * Stranger rudely steps in front of Lady Royal just before she can get on the escalator. * LadyRoyal spares a second to look at the stranger. "Nextenia. Excuse me." * Secretary goes up, up, up... * LadyHeat hovers around the map of the mall, glancing over her shoulder at the exit. What brand is your cell - oh, right, thank you! * LadyRoyal swerves around the stranger if possible and goes on up. Something wrong, Minami? * LadyMysteria stays where she is, moving to see if she can spot the secretary herself. ...not at all. Escalator. * Secretary is out of sight as Lady Royal gets to the 1st floor on the northern escalator set. Second floor now? Damn, lost her. First floor, northern escalator. I'm on it. Oh. * LadyNightshade grumbles and checks her watch. Is she getting close to me? Might want to watch second just in case, Leena. Okay. * LadyMysteria moves to tail, reaching into her satchel for something. * LadyMallet goes to watch the 2nd floor escalators. Mallet gets a glimpse of the secretary as she steps off the northern escalators on the second floor and goes east into the curly corridor on the north side of the U. She's headed for the north side on the second floor... on the second floor already. I'll watch the escalators, alright? Right. I'll head that way. I'm there. * LadyMallet follows along, trying to keep enough crowd between her and the secretary to not be so obvious. I'll try and circle around. * LadyMysteria sticks to her post like a smart little girl. * LadyHeat looks for her. did she pass me already? * Lord_Darkmoon gets off on the second floor, and starts working north, looking for Sakura until he spots the secretary or Kyouko. I don't know. Did you see her? Nightshade sees the next train roll into the station. Still no Sakura. Leena, you still have her right? I don't think so... Two trains, and no Sakura. I'm going in. Yeah. She might have driven. Shoot. Good. I'm heading around the other side for a pass-and-return. * LadyNightshade bounces down off the building and makes her way towards the mall parking structure. Alright, anyone see her? *is approaching the U-bend from the south on the second floor* True... we're just going to have to keep our eyes open. Not much else we can do, really. And if you mean Sakura, nothing yet. * LadyRoyal is also on the second floor, partially into the branch of the U that Mallet mentioned. * LadyHeat stays around the northern escalators on the second floor, looking for Sakura. Actually, I meant the Secretary. I haven't spotted her yet. I hope she goes into a store or something. * Secretary winds her way through the northern corridor, and ends up near the east end in an accessories store. She seems to be studying a rack of hairbrushes. * LadyMallet recites the name of the store out loud, then adds, "Northeast end." * LadyNightshade weaves her way through the crowds of people and scans the mall entrance. Right. Okay. * LadyHeat looks in that direction. Hm... I see her. I'm going to talk to her; claim I'm looking for Sakura. That way I can get her to help me look for her. Sound like a plan? * LadyRoyal heads into the store directly across, pretending to be interested in any display rack they might have facing the storefront window. The main mall entrance is busy, busy, as dozens of people stream in and out. * LadyMallet leans against a nearby wall, where she can both watch the entrance of that store, and scan the crowd. * LadyMysteria keeps to her post, milling about a bit. "Still no sign of Sakura." Should someone go into the same store? I'm on my way. *walks up to the secretary, acting as if he'd just noticed and recognized her* * Secretary turns around. Wait. She's going to recognize us like this? *tsk* *tsk* She'll recognize him, remember? * Lord_Darkmoon quirks an eyebrow. Discretion, Mr. Darkmoon, discretion. Remember? Give me your headset. Drat. *complies* ...Oops? * LadyRoyal shakes her head from across the way. ... have we been had? You are out of this game. Go sit in the food court. I wasn't quite clear on the rules for this...game. *bows* See ya. *waves and heads off* I think the rest of us should continue as we are. Okay...so we don't talk to the secretary. * LadyNightshade makes her way to where the secretary is. The two of you watching her see her pull out a radio and say something into it. She's on a radio; is anyone going inside the store? She's talking on a radio. Ano... ... well, she must be in on this... somehow. Makes good sense. * Lord_Darkmoon goes to the food court, and buys a ramunes. He then sits down, and watches to see what he can see. Just because he's out doesn't mean he can't practice. * LadyMysteria frowns, *still* trying to keep tabs on who's coming the escalator's way. * LadyNightshade blends in with the crowd checks for those who might be talking back on a radio. * LadyHeat heads back to the escalator and "Studies" the map. Mmph. Can't talk to her, can't do anything but watch... * Secretary buys a brush, then comes out of the store and heads east to the end of the corridor. She ducks into a service hallway. Can you see her? * LadyNightshade follows closely behind. * LadyRoyal wanders out of the store and down the hall, glancing into the secretary's hallway to see if there are any doors/doorways leading into it. ... what just happened? There are stairs leading up and down, and bathrooms. Royal, you follow her. I'll keep watch here. Taki's already got her. Taki? Can someone get ahead of her, to keep watch ahead of her? I'll try, but I don't know which way she went. She's fast. Dammit... *she's* making this tough for us, too... Argh. Still no Sakura? * LadyNightshade head toward the stairwell. * LadyRoyal goes towards the stairwell, listening for footsteps. * LadyNightshade whispers "she's in the stairs." * LadyRoyal ducks out for a moment. "Up or down?" There's plenty of traffic in the stairwell - no escalators on this end of the building. Not a sigh, hide, nor hair... where did she go? Up or down? * LadyMysteria breaks off a bit from escalator duty, ready to start searching elsewhere. I'm going up. I'll head down then. I'll be right there. Someone wait at each stairwell exit, if we can manage it. * LadyNightshade makes her way up in the middle of the stairwell, bouncing back and forth and checking the crowd. Right. * LadyMallet heads to the aforementioned stairwell. "I'll make sure she doesn't double back." I'm not sure if there's one close to me... Royal goes down. Nightshade goes up, and spots her immediately on the north side of the third floor. Got her. Up? Right. * LadyNightshade makes her way towards her, scanning for Sakura. * LadyMysteria heads towards the stairwell closest to her, and once again begins to gravitate about, trying to look as face-in-the-crowd as possible. "Which way?" * LadyRoyal goes up and lounges around the exit of the stairwell, watching for Sakura. Everyone else... try to get to the other exits to the third floor. North side. I've got north stairwell. * LadySakura steps out of the mall offices, and follows the secretary as she passes by. * LadyHeat heads up the escalators up to the north side of the third floor. Watch the ways onto the third floor. * LadyNightshade catches up to the secretary as quickly as possible. * LadySakura reaches for the Secretary's shoulder... * LadyNightshade creeps up behind Sakura as soon as she notices her and puts one arm around her neck. "Gotcha." * LadyMysteria moves up quickly, getting an idea that things are afoot, and will probably meet up with Royal. "Ohmanohman..." ... * LadyRoyal heads over in their general direction. "Taki? What's going on? You got Sakura?" Ano.. I'm coming. * LadySakura turns around to see Nightshade. Shit. You got her? I win. I think I hear her, so sounds like it. * LadyMallet makes tracks to catch up. Everyone can hear Sakura - evidently she has a radio on too. * LadyHeat heads towards Sakura * LadyRoyal is most likely the nearest, so reaches them first. Alright! Hey, she cheated! * LadyNightshade grabs the radio. "How did I know you'd cheat?" ...that is one annoying talent you've got there, Miss Taki. Thank you. *bows* Someone fetch Darkmoon and tell him we won? * LadyMysteria moves to catch up with the others. Let's head down to the food court and pick up Darkmoon. Okay. All right. Righto. * LadyMysteria resists the urge to get down with her magical self, even though she really didn't do much. * Secretary has turned around and joined the group as well. * LadySakura leads the way back down to the food court. Now we just have to find him in the food court. * LadyHeat sighs. * Lord_Darkmoon waves at the Ladies and the secretary, when he sees them approaching en mass. Oh, no problem. He was there a minute ago. It shouldn't be too hard... I watched him on the mall security cameras. Oh, there he is. See? Right there... ...wow, that makes things easy. Also obvious. Why didn't we think of that? ^^ * LadyMysteria pauses. "I'm surprised no girls are fawning over him right now." ^^; You're new at this. * Secretary fawns excitedly over Lord Darkmoon. That makes sense. How did you get them to let you in? ... okay, surprise is gone. Yeah. That's usually locked. I could've but I was trying not to cheat too hard. Or at least occupied, I'd think. * Lord_Darkmoon looks uncomfortable at the Secretary's fawning. * LadyMallet eyes the secretary. Oh, I'm sorry we pulled that trick on you... * LadyNightshade sits between Darkmoon and the secretary. It was a trick. And it's to your credit that you thought to approach her. * Secretary looks disappointed. * LadyHeat sits on Darkmoon's other side. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles, a bit embarrassed. "Uh, thanks?" I just wish it woulda been someone else. *looks over at Taki* * LadyMysteria sits down and goes about fishing out her hat. "Well... it was still a success. We're learning. It'll take time to get it right." What's that supposed to mean? * LadyMallet stands behind the secretary. Not very ominously. * LadySakura sweatdrops. * LadyRoyal remains standing. "So now what?" What purpose, the trick? Well, it was to make a point. Namely, that we are not supposed to operate that way. Because the mark's not supposed to know the target...right? * LadyNightshade gives the secretary the evil eye. I see. Point well made, then. So the ones we're watching shouldn't know we're watching them, and thus that they're being hunted... right? That's the way it works. Not the rule I would have chosen, but there it is. Yeah... Make sense, at least. Actually, I wasn't planning on _telling_ her... but I can see how my ruse wouldn't work in a real situation. Anyway, I promised you dinner. * LadyMallet brightens up at that. "Dinner!" * LadyMysteria floops her hat out (apparently it collapses!) and puts it back on. "That you did." * LadySakura gestures expansively. * LadyNightshade mumbles something. Awesome!. I am hungry. Get whatever you want. * LadyMallet blinks. "Is it that late already?" * LadySakura passes out yen. A nice wad of it, really. * Lord_Darkmoon brushes some hair out of his face, and smiles broadly. "Dinner would be nice. Thanks, Sakura!" ^_^ Thank you. * LadyHeat looks at Darkmoon and blushes. ... wow, hello! Thanks! * LadyNightshade goes over to a stand and orders rice and vegetables. * LadyMallet blinks at the wad, and pares off a significantly smaller sum, handing the rest back. Thank you! ^_^ * LadyRoyal wanders around and orders a lot a lot of food, but most of it in bags. She eats only a small salad. * LadyMysteria trots off to help herself to something nice and healthy. You could swear she was humming while doing so. * LadyHeat goes to order some Okonomiyaki from a shop across the food court. * LadyMallet bounces off to the registers, not bothering with the pretense of walking, returning with sweet and sour chicken, ice cream, and sushi. * LadyNightshade pays out of her own pocket, returns with her food and hands the money back to Sakura. Thank you. * LadyHeat brings the medium sized okonomiyaki with mushrooms and anchovy back and hands the change to Sakura * LadySakura has picked up an XXXL latte. * LadyNightshade eats quietly and quickly. * LadyMysteria returns, apparently carrying something loaded with roughage and lot of spice. She didn't use too much of the wad, either; the rest goes back into Sakura's palm. * Lord_Darkmoon goes to the food court as well, and orders some takoyaki, and some rice and pickled sushi. When he returns to the table, he hands Sakura a small amount of change, and place the takoyaki in the middle of the table. "Thought we could all share some stuffed fish-pastry." ^_^ * LadyRoyal has no change left. Lots of bags though. Looks like she got food that could keep pretty well. * LadyMallet didn't have any change to give back, nya. =p * Lord_Darkmoon pulls out a pair of chopsticks, says "Itadakimasu," and digs into his rice and sushi with restrained gusto. ... why thank you. ^^ Ooh. Oh. Thank you. * LadyMysteria offers 'Moon a very friendly smile and, well, helps herself. * Secretary munches takoyaki gratefully. It strikes all of you once more just how young she looks when she's not trying to play the role of professional secretary. * LadyHeat jabs one with a toothpick and eats it. * LadyNightshade finishes and deposits her food containers in the proper receptacle. ...so. * LadyMallet snarfs down the sweet and sour chicken, dipping it in the ice cream before eating each piece. So... Sakura. About the secretary. Mind telling us a bit about her? * LadyRoyal finishes quickly enough, taking only a small bit of the takoyaki, and carefully fits as many little bags as she can into her backpack. "So, now what?" * LadyHeat looks up, her mouth full of okonmiyaki. Yes. * LadyMysteria eats... rather quickly, truth be told. * Secretary blushes. Yeah. I thought you said she didn't know about this. Ish fhe a shenfhi? You can trust her. She knows more than she should. * LadyHeat finished chewing a swallowing. Er. * Lord_Darkmoon finishes the last bit of sushi, and pushes aside the remaining rice for the moment after setting his chopsticks carefully across the box. He leans back and listens quietly. Is she a Lady too? No, of course not. Well, so long as she's in on everything. That was nagging at me during the exercise. * LadyRoyal listens. * Lord_Darkmoon leans forward and glances at the secretary. "May we ask you name, ma'am?" I'm sorry. * LadyMallet smiles at the secretary. "I'm Leena Leena! Who're you?" She really can't answer that question. * LadyNightshade leans back with her arms crossed and just watches and listens. Huh. * LadyMallet blinks. ".... you can't?" * Lord_Darkmoon looks concerned. "Is something wrong?" * LadyMysteria absorbs that, then nods and decides not to let it worry her. Is it like... really super secret? * Secretary blushes even harder. I'm hiding, sort of. * LadyMallet snarfs down another piece of ice-cream dipped sweet and sour chicken. * LadyMysteria nods once. She's almost done. Damn, she's a fast eater. From who? I see. Sorry to have asked, then. *he idly takes another bite of the remaining rice, and the takes a fish-pastry* That would be telling. Aww. * LadyNightshade smirks. * Secretary stands up and brushes some imagined dust off her skirt. * LadyMallet starts on the sushi. I'm sorry, I think I want to go back and get a hair-tie I saw at that store, then I need to get home. .... It was nice um...following you then..I guess. Alright... it was nice... meeting you again. ^_^ Bye. Seeya! Ano... sorry for prying. Goodbye. * Secretary walks off back up the northern corridor. * LadyHeat watches her go, then finishes up her okonomiyaki * Lord_Darkmoon waves goodbye. It's a long, long story. Suffice it to say that she did me a favor once, and I'm paying her back by helping her hide. * LadyRoyal pulls a few cards out of seemingly nowhere. "Anyone care for a game? I've a full deck in my pack." Admirable. Shouldn't she have a false name, though? She does. But she won't give it to you. ... ooh, sure! I like card games. ^_^ Ah. That's okay, then. Should we just call her "Madam Secretary"? So... what do we call her? *blinkblink* I suppose that would work... * LadyRoyal pulls the deck out of her pack. "Anyone else in? What d'you play?" Just 'Miss'... or yeah, Madam Secretary. * LadySakura shrugs. "Sure, I'm in for a few hands." * LadyMallet nods. "Sure! Deal me in." * LadyRoyal shuffles. "What game?" I can't really play. Whatever the others wanna play, I guess. * LadyRoyal looks around, still shuffling, eyebrows raised. "Well?" * LadyRoyal looks at Heat. "Well, if you're sure...we can teach you, I'm sure." * LadyNightshade looks bored, yawns and stretches. So is that it then? I.. er. Is there anything more we are doing this evening, Sakura? Poker is fun. ^__^ No, but stick around. Have some fun. * LadyMallet looks at Darky. "Yeah, don't leave us yet!" Yeah, join our friendly game of cards. Don't play if you don't want to, but it's good to have fun with your team. Relax, yeah... you never know what's going to happen tomorrow, so have fun now. ... I .. *looks uncomfortable* * LadyNightshade looks at her watch. I should get home, I suppose. * LadyNightshade stands. I should get to my cousin's place and feed the Pets... Yeah, it's kinda dark.. *GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!* * LadyNightshade holds out a hand to Darkmoon. "Walk me home?" *awkward smile* * LadyRoyal looks up at Nightshade. "No...I guess it's poker, then, Nightshade? Darkmoon? The game'll get lonely..." Well seeya later, then, Taki. And take care, alright? You did a great job toda---uh?! A massive wall of water comes roaring out of the northern corridor. Taki... Ano. Could you wait up for me? I wante- *blinkblink* ... ningyo. ... Or not. * LadyRoyal JUMPS to her feet, quickly shoving the cards back into her pack. "Dammit!" ...gotta be. Hmph! The nerve! * LadySakura doesn't get up. * LadyMallet jumps to her feet, and holds one hand outstretched. * Lord_Darkmoon whirls to face it, suddenly holding a black silk fan unfolded before him. "Oh, no..." * LadyRoyal takes a quick glance at the civs. Hold on, hold on. * LadyRoyal half-sits back down. "What is it?" * LadyNightshade leaps back onto a nearby table and enters a stance. Stop! All of you. Uh... But...The queen didn't say anything about -NOT FIGHTING- Ningyo! * LadyMysteria seems ready to react, then stops as Sakura talks. "... but.... oh yeah, our job." She relaxes. * Lord_Darkmoon snaps the fan closed, looking embarrassed. The local team will handle it. ..right. Sorry, Sakura. Habit. so we should just leave it? I... er... right. Yes. We should calmly evacuate, and... and... But... ...and? * LadySakura looks back at the onrushing waters. Oh, fuck. * Lord_Darkmoon walks out of the food court, eyeing the water and keeping a lookout for the "local team". Fuck, fuck, FUCK. ...what? ...what? *annoyed* Eh? * LadyNightshade looks around for the monster. Okay, normally we'd walk away. But we have to take this one on. ... how come? ...you're kidding. * LadyMallet 's eyes narrow. "Now you're talking sense." I can't tell you. ...er? What's wrong, did something happen to the other team? Oh. Well that's helpful. Hurry and change. Alright, then... Get behind some cover, detransform, then retransform. * LadyRoyal looks down at herself. "Er, do we really have to?" Oh. I'd rather not... ... change? We can't fight like this? Ano... That's confusing. We can not do it unless we are properly attired. * LadyHeat hides behind a large plant and does as Sakura says. ...that's stupid. Mmph. Fine. * LadyRoyal wanders off to find someplace to do so anyway, though. Most of the normals have run away, or been swept away by the tide. * LadyMallet runs off to do that. * LadyHeat comes out in her wetsuit, with waterbottles around her waist. * LadySakura ducks into a framing store, and comes back out ten seconds later in light pink. * LadyNightshade leaps up onto a higher level and vanishes from sight. * LadyMallet returns, decked out in her Magical Girl outfit from hell, complete with Mallet. * LadyMysteria moves to the closest hidey-spot---"Show's over... and iiiit's SHOWTIME!"---and a rather large burst of sparkles emits from behind her spot. A moment later, she returns, ready for war. * Lord_Darkmoon unfolds the fan again, revealing a purple full moon on it, with a dragon twined about it. He draws it across his face, and his clothing shifts into the purple-lined black hakama he was wearing back at the Queen's place. * LadyRoyal goes off somewhere, and a brief flutter of cards later, returns. Okay...let's go for it, then. It's... .Mallettime! Yosh! I hate losing clothes like that. ... I can't get 'em back? But that was my favorite Houdini shirt... * LadyRoyal tosses her pack on any available surface that looks like it's gonna stay dry. ...I might be able to help with that, but later. * LadyMysteria seems to whine only in voice, wand twirling in her hand otherwise. * LadyMallet looks for the ningyo! * LadySakura leads the charge into the flooded north corridor. There's a big- ass whirlpool around the north escalators, and the current just gets worse as you work your way into the twists. * LadyNightshade quick changes out of site, pulling her robe out of her bag and throwing it on over her costume. "God I hate this suit..." * LadyRoyal follows Sakura, grimacing a bit. As you round the first corner, the water is almost waist-deep. This is... it had to be in an enclosed area... * Lord_Darkmoon gestures with the tessen, and it turns into an unsheathed katana. "I hope it isn't one of the tough ones." * LadyNightshade scouts ahead of the group from above, staying hidden. All those people.... I'm gonna smash that stupid monster into bits. There are people in the stores along here, clinging desperately to shelving and mannequins. Darkmoon and Mallet yelp, as the current unexpectedly takes their feet out from under them. Lady Nightshade flickers back into sight as the water defeats her invisibility. Eeeep! *flails around with the Mallet, trying to hook it on something stable* Fuck. * Lord_Darkmoon keeps a firm grip on his sword as he tries to regain his feet, or at least regain control of his motion, using it as a third leg. Mysteria loses her balance a second later. G-geh! Too strong! Keep going! * LadyHeat semi-easily stays standing against the pull of the water * LadyRoyal pushes along. The four push against the current, which gets more and more intense as they get closer and closer to the end of the corridor, which seems more like a white-water canyon now. I...really..hate water sometimes. * LadyNightshade tries to bounce across towards the monster by jumping from tables or benches or whatever she can find above water. * Lord_Darkmoon tries to wedge the point of the katana into the floor to stop his backwards motion. * LadyRoyal saves her breath and just forges on. * Lord_Darkmoon pulls himself to his feet, using the katana as a crutch, and then pulls that from the ground. He looks around for bystanders. * LadyHeat continues on * LadyMallet wedges The Mallet into the ground. More like makes a small, Mallet- sized hole in the ground, and uses that to get to her feet. Rounding the final corner, the water is almost armpit-deep, and COLD. The four in front can see the Ningyo emerging from the service corridor - it must have appeared in the bathroom. * LadyMysteria does her damndest to stay somewhat stable, and keep her hand on her staff at the same time. She finds something to cling onto and growls, soaking wet. Mmph. It got me WET! IT is wet. You should... be used to that by now... * LadyRoyal shivers a little, then glares in the Ningyo's direction. That doesn't mean I can't get pissed off by it! * Lord_Darkmoon takes a deep breath, mutters something about waterfalls and purification, and pushes forward! * LadyMysteria chuckles. "True, true... just worry about staying upright for now!" * LadyMysteria is progressing as well, albeit a bit more carefully than before. I'll get it soon guys... * Secretary has climbed almost to the ceiling on the very rack of brushes she was shopping earlier. ...strangely, she doesn't seem to be panicking, like the few other civilians left here. Have I mentioned how much I hate getting wet? *grumbles* * LadyMallet trudges onwards. Oh, look! It is the minions of the Earth. How satisfying to swamp one of your decadent buildings! And you with it! DIE! Injustice... hate... bad... punish... Can we get on with this? Oh look! It's disgusting water muck! Eat shit and die. Grrgh. You, my good friend, are about to see a kind of magic... that *hurts*! We're having fish tonight, damnit. Be careful, guys. My favorite. Sushi pancakes. Lady Nightshade makes a prodigious leap out of the water, bounces off a wall, and comes down exactly where she wanted to be behind the Ningyo. Her fists blur, and the fish is knocked a few meters forward, but looks only slightly bruised. Mmph. Use a real attack! * Ningyo turns around and screams, TIDAL BLAST in Nightshade's face. A meter- wide stream of hypervelocity water stabs at the girl. Are you okay?! ... watch out! Ah crap. O_o Nightshade twists half out of the way, and the stream only sort-of blasts her against the rear wall of the corridor. * LadySakura pulls out her pistol, and shoots at the mermaid. The bullets hit, but only seem to annoy her. * LadyMallet twitches at the gunshot. Agh! Stay calm! Don't any of you have -real- attacks? * LadyNightshade grumbles as she struggles to stay standing after the attack. * LadyRoyal takes a deep breath. Five cards appear in her hand, which she flicks towards the ningyo. We're trying! Don't give up, Ladies! They're not invincible! I. Hate. Getting. Wet. And even if they are, I can still get them! The cards BOUNCE OFF the mermaid. * LadyHeat concentrates on the monster and mumbles "Boiling point" The water around the Ningyo flashes into steam, and the fishgirl screams momentarily. When she comes back into view, she is scalded - burned - badly all over her curvaceous body. And she looks REALLY mad. It hurt it at least! That's more like it! Keep it up! Excellent! The flooding continues to increase - you can't see where it's coming from, but *damn*. * Lord_Darkmoon again loses his footing, flailing with his arms, but still making sure not to let his katana go. * LadyHeat is swept under the water and attempts to swim towards the ningyo but is still pushed back. Just so you know. I hate getting wet. And you and me are going to have a long, painful discussion about that. * LadyNightshade barely keeps her balance as the water rushes at her. * LadyHeat luckily has controlled breathing. * LadyRoyal is swept backwards, and flails around for something to grab onto. * LadyMysteria rocks back, but holds fast somehow, gritting her teeth. "Why you..." * LadyMallet braces herself with The Mallet. * LadyMallet jumps forward, landing in front of the Ningyo with a -splash-, grinning. "Mallet Smash!" (tech #1.) And swings it in a circle to smash into the Ningyo. Which whiffs, but comes around in another spin, this one's aim true. * Ningyo is smacked but GOOD. That shot really rang her clock. Unfortunately, the concussion fractured the floor underneath, and Mallet, Nightshade, and the Ningyo, go tumbling into the ground floor below. The current on the second floor suddenly reverses itself as there new hole starts to drain the corridor. Argh! * Lord_Darkmoon plants his katana into the ground, trying to regain his balance as the current shifts. * LadyMysteria stumbles, but stays up, gawking at the damage Mallet caused. "*Wow*." * LadyHeat latches onto a hand wall outcropping and clings to it * Ningyo turns to Lady Mallet... "RIPTIDE!" * LadyNightshade springs up from where she lands, back onto the second floor, catching the edge of the hole for a second before springing up to a nearby planter out of the water. * LadyNightshade she blurs and disappears from view again. Mallet has just landed badly, and dodges the wrong way into the attack. She can feel her spine crack and dislocate as the currents try to tear her apart. No... * LadySakura leans over the edge and pops off another two shots. * LadyHeat turns her eyes away from her latching-on-point. This time, she doesn't even hit. * Ked said that. Sakura, we need to get everyone out of here! We can't handle this! ...Darkmoon. This might be a good moment. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, looking angry and scared. Ladies, GET OUT. * LadyMysteria mutters a quick prayer, then hops down, wand twirling before she aims down at the ningyo, looking like she wants to scream the attack at the top of her lungs. TONS of colorful ribbons go flying at the ningyo from her wand. * Lord_Darkmoon rises to his feet, a calm seeming to settle about him. His eyes glow like purple suns, which are slowly eclipsed by a black disk sliding across them. "Eclipse the mind... Feral RAGE!" The eclipse is complete, and the black disk turns the white of a full moon. Sugoi... * Ningyo gets all twisted up in the ribbons. She looks down at them, fully enraged. That's kinda scary... * Lord_Darkmoon 's body starts growing, his face elongating to a snout, and hair growing over his clothes. Claws and fangs replace nails and teeth, and an unearthly howl of rage erupts from this towering beasts throat. It leaps down into the hole claw slashing, and teeth flashing. * LadyRoyal gulps and tries to twist out of the way. Gogogogogogo! The water is still gushing out of the second floor service corridor, but the new place for it to drain has reduced the flooding to where everyone can more or less move freely. * LadyRoyal staggers to her feet and stumbles back. * LadyHeat lets go of her outcrop and settles down. * LadyNightshade leaps high into the air, somersaults once and lands right by Mallet. As carefully as possible she trying to maneuver the unconscious girl towards the nearest exit. * Ningyo screams "Tidal Blast" once more, and water spears out at Miss Nightshade as she runs away. The blast tears through the ribbons holding her, and she stumbles away. Nightshade is speared by the water, and Mallet spills out of her hands. ... dammit, dammit! Nightshade falls to the floor beside Mallet. This is not happening.... Why do I even bother... *passes out* * FeralBeast roars with unnatural fury as it leaps and falls onto the creature below, its claws slashing viciously and cutting into her flesh. The blood only seems to drive the beast wilder, as it continues tearing into the battered Ningyo, snarling all the while. ... * LadySakura takes more potshots at the Ningyo. Once again, she misses. * LadyMysteria shudders, then turns and starts moving towards Nightshade and Mallet, waving her free hand expansively. They lift off of the ground and start moving away from the battle, along with Mysteria herself. * LadyHeat runs until she can see the rather injured Ningyo and shouts "BOILING POINT!" * LadyHeat watches as it steams, quite a lot. The Ningyo keels over in the white mist, flops around a little, then dies. There's an almost-delicious cooked-fish smell coming from its direction. Ugh...finally. Are you guys okay?! The Feral Beast is caught at the periphery of the blast, but it doesn't couldn't see where it came from... Watch out for Darkmoon! ...Ack. * FeralBeast sniffs, and roars once more, slashing and biting at the corpse. Is it...eating it? o_O ... I'm not looking. Lord Darkmoon? * LadyMysteria can hear enough, instead busying herself with checking the two injured Ladies over. * LadySakura jumps down. * FeralBeast sniffs once more, blinking, confused. It rises to its feet, looks around, and its eyes flicker towards Lady Sakura. It blinks. Lord Darkmoon? * FeralBeast looks at Sakura... and starts shrinking. It's eyes lose the white glow they've had, looking human again. Lord Darkmoon stands there, looking very, very confused. And tired. * LadySakura looks less worried. I... I'm still awake? *looks very confused* ...huh? ... oh man... Leena, Taki, please be okay... We'll talk later. * PrincessMajesticTiara strides in, glowing tiara in hand. * LadyNightshade coughs some water out, groans and rubs her head. * LadyHeat peeks down at Darkmoon and the others, and then runs/swims down the escalator to them ... ... * LadyRoyal takes one look at the princess and slides out of the way, going back to the food court to pick up her pack and wringing out her hair along the way. Oh, I see. The substitute corps won this one already. * Lord_Darkmoon turns to try to help with the injured. Not looking at the new arrival. *sniff* We did win, indeed, my Lady. Is that ...LORD Darkmoon's work I see? * LadyMysteria doesn't even really pay the Princess much mind. She's more worried about the injured. * LadyNightshade splashes Tiara, and stumbles towards the restrooms. * LadyHeat goes to where Mallet is. And you didn't savage your little friends? How impressive. Is she gonna be okay? * LadySakura strides up to the Princess. We were training here. Sorry to take your kill. Don't strain yourself, dearie. * PrincessMajesticTiara said that. Dammit. * LadyMallet mmphs softly. ... geh, that was an experience. Ittai.... * Lord_Darkmoon looks at the injured. "They still live? Please tell me they still live." Very much trying to ignore the Princess. * LadyMysteria smiles a bit and goes about looking soaked to the bone and dog- tired. Excuse me while I collect my wounded. *grin* I'll handle the media, okay? * LadyRoyal returns with her backpack and a mysterious other bag in hand, bulging a little. * LadyMallet jumps to her feet, looking around panickedly. Then winces. Why don't you do that, Lady. You're good at pandering to the cameras. Ittaii.... * Lord_Darkmoon whirled to face the Princess as he said that. * PrincessMajesticTiara walks over to the onrushing cameramen. She ends up taking full credit. Isn't that sweet? Don't move so quickly... you took a pretty bad shot there. As usual... * LadyNightshade examines her injuries in the restroom. * LadySakura pokes Lady Mallet. You'll be fine. * LadyRoyal pretends that both princess and media don't exist. "Are we done? Can we detransform?" * LadyMallet winces. "Yeah... Give me a little bit." With the cameras over there? Are you kidding me? Not in front of *them*. * LadyMysteria thumbs to the cameras. * Lord_Darkmoon snorts disparagingly, and turns to the others in his assigned group. "Let's just get out of here. Does anyone need carrying?" He still looks kind of shell-shocked, and keeps staring at his blood-covered hands. "How did I ..." * LadyRoyal glances at them. "Oh, them. Right." * LadyMallet eyes what's left of the Ningyo. ...no, split up. Go home. ...I'll see you Saturday, after classes. All right? * LadyRoyal pulls a ragged thing of cloth, possibly an ex-T-shirt, out of the other bag and hands it to Darkmoon. "Here, you can use this." Okay.. * LadyMysteria refuses to look at the ningyo, instead trudging to go get her satchel. "Alright." Hang on a second... * LadyNightshade detransforms in the restroom before coming back out. * LadyMallet walks over to pick The Mallet back up, and walks over to the Ningyo. Th-thanks. *takes the t-shirt from Royal, and wipes his hands, absently.* * LadyRoyal then wanders off, carrying the bag casually. >.> Yes, Lady Mallet? I'll see you all on Saturday, then. S-saturday...right... * LadyMallet brings The Mallet in a loose arc over her head, and SMASHES ITS FSCKING FACE IN. Or what's left of it. * LadyHeat heads outside and detransforms somewhere without people, then heads to the train. * LadyNightshade follows the group out, as the don't even see her return from the restroom. * Lord_Darkmoon reaches for his left hip, and blinks. "Oh, kuso! Where'd I drop it!?" There. ... heh. * LadyNightshade picks up his weapon and hand it to him. * LadyMysteria exhales, then waves to the group. "I'll see you all later... I need a shower..." Needless to say, she drags herself off to de-transform and get the hell out of Kyoto---er, Dodge. * Lord_Darkmoon starts looking at the ground almost frantically...until he notices Nightshade holding it out to him. "Thanks. Thanks a lot. Thank you." He puts it back in his belt. * LadyNightshade blushes. "You-- You're welcome. Ah. * LadySakura ambles off, looking vaguely tense. * LadyMallet casts a final glare at the ningyo, and wanders off herself. * Taki follows the group out. * Taki shadows Darkmoon when the group splits up. I.. I'd better get home. I don't know how she managed it; I cannot believe I came back to myself this time... *notices he's standing alone in the mall, eyes the media-fawning princess, and hastens to leave, himself* It's a pleasant evening - you can even see the stars through the light pollution, a little. ...there's almost a little lake formed around the mall now, but it's running off rapidly. [end session] Session Close: Sat Nov 08 19:49:15 2003