Session Start: Sat Oct 01 14:57:56 2005
<Ked> Last time, on Hunters:
<Ked> It was a slow night on the US Navy encampment at Universal Shipbuilding.
Haruko was doing some research in musty old tomes on Dragon Lines, while
others played video games or agonized about life.  Captain Wallace came in to
get them up to speed on future plans.  And then Rin's mom called up with a
disturbing message relayed from her father - get out of Tokyo - again.
<Ked> That got everyone on edge, so when sirens started sounding in the
distance a few minutes later, they all went running off the base to look and
see.  This, perhaps fortunately, meant they were not trapped in the camp when
what seemed like half the Tokyo police force pulled up outside the Navy camp,
and demanded to search it for teenagers being
molested/mistreated/pimped/whatever.
<Ked> The Hunters decided to get a little more distance between themselves and
this ruckus, so they started south through the warehouses towards the center
of the USC complex.  As they did, a weird, internally-lit fog rolled over the
facility, and Norcliff announced that he thought they were at the convergence
of lots of Dragon Lines.  Taki was just starting to freak out when specks of
light floating in the mists around them began to solidify into tiny people
holding tiny weapons...
<Ked> [Monday, March 21, 2004 - 2215 local time]
<Ked> [Somewhere that might be on the USC campus, but it's kinda hard to tell
at the moment.]
<Ked> [Session start]
* LadyHeat squints at the armed people.
* LadyRoyal blinks and shifts back, playing nervously with a card.
* LadyMallet blinkblinks at the even more midgety than her midgets.
* LadyNightshade just mumbles a continual string of curses under her breath.
* LadyMallet glances at Haruko, then back at the teenypeople, then holds up
one hand, and does some weird thing with her fingers. "We come in peace!"
* Lord_Darkmoon looks down his nose at them - quite literally - and grips his
Tessen firmly. "Are these yours, Make Believe?" he asks in a calm and steady
voice bereft of emotion.
<Ked> The beings surrounding you range from ten to thirty centimeters in
height, with proportioned wings holding them steady in the air.  They emanate
a blue light, which is not bright, but seems to blind you if you stare at one
too hard.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The little pixies?  How could they be mine?
* LadyNightshade isn't looking at them. Nope.
<LittleGuy> I'm not anyone's!
* LadyMallet blinkblinks some more. "I hope you guys do too, because you're
cute!"
* LadyHeat looks at the pixies with interest.
<Lord_Darkmoon> I beg your pardon, then, sir. *bows politely* To what do we
owe this encounter?
* LadyRoyal [eyes] them.
<LittleGal> You wandered into our spot.  You're not wanted here, so LEAVE!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'm sorry for trespassing, but we really have to go through
here.
<LadyHeat> We don't know how to go back...
* LittleGal brandishes a 5cm bastard sword.
<LadyMallet> ...
<LadyMallet> Please? Pretty please? We're just here to see the Dragon Lord,
and then we'll be outta here.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Can we come to some sort of agreement?
<Ked> Almost two dozen have gathered around you now...
<LittleGuy> We'll agree to not poke your eyes out, girly, if you agree to go
away.  The Dragon Lord - the one who's not cute - is ours, and we're going to
keep him!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So you do have him!
* LadyMallet shifts position. She doesn't wanna be surrounded in a circle by
the pixie things.
<LadyMallet> Where's he at?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yes, where is he, he's not yours!
<Lord_Darkmoon> We mean you no harm, and were merely attempting to elude some
obnoxious people. I do not believe we will cause you harm, unless you seek to
cause us such-- *sighs in aggravation at the confirmation they have Haruko's
imaginary friend*
* LadyNightshade just continues to remain invisible and up out of the way in
the hope that this will all go away.
<LadyMallet> We really need to see him. Really really.
<LittleGal> Well, he's been resting here.  It's tough being sorta-dead, I
hear.
* LadyHeat has no idea what's going on.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sorta-dead?
* LadyMallet frowns.
<LittleGal> He's not really ours, though he is fun to fly around.
<LadyMallet> Show us!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> He sent for me, I have to get to him!
* LittleGuy bops his friend on the head with his tiny mace.
<LittleGal> Ow!
<LadyMallet> C'mon, let's go see him together!
<LittleGuy> You still can't see him though - you might infect us with bigness!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yes, you can accompany us, to see we mean no harm
<Lord_Darkmoon> You don't have to do anything, MakeBelieve. But you want to,
and he is your friend. They will not keep you from seeing him, not when he has
invited you.
* LadyHeat ponders the mechanics of infectious bigness.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I wouldn't worry about that, *gestures at Leena* It hasn't
happened to her.
* LadyMallet rolls her eyes. "Puh-lease. I bet you still believe in cooties,
too."
<LittleGal> Cooties?  WHERE?  WHERE?!
<LadyRoyal> Or, you can go get him, and we'll wait right here.
<Ked> The ring of pixies backs off a meter.
<LadyHeat> Most of us aren't very big at home.
<LadyMallet> The Dragon Lord has an anti-cootie aura! You'll be safe near him,
he's too old for them!
* Lord_Darkmoon smirks, barely suppressing a chuckle.
<LadyMysteria> ... this simply isn't happening.
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks oddly at Mallet
* LadyRoyal shoots Maya a glance of agreement.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Magic, my dear Mysteria, seems to have an odd sense of humor.
Almost sadistic, wouldn't you agree?
<LadyMysteria> Sadistic doesn't even BEGIN to describe...
* LittleGal flees, flapping away a little left of your previous path, and
about a half-dozen others follow her.
<LittleGuy> I'm not afraid of no cooties.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Good for you, little warrior.
<LadyRoyal> Well, good for you.
* LadyMysteria shakes her head. "Then what are you afraid of?"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Is there anything you want, that we could trade for
passage?
* Lord_Darkmoon holds out his unfolded Tessen for a landing platform. "Come,
speak with us a bit. No need to st--er, fly on ceremony.
* Lady_MakeBelieve nudges Norcliff out of her purse, trusting him to know what
to do.
* LadyMallet blinks, and makes to follow the fleeing ones.
<LittleGuy> There's nothing that... ...anything?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I can't promise you we'll have it, but we can talk about
it, can't we?
<LittleGuy> Really, anything?
<LadyMysteria> ... y-yes, we could. This could end on peaceful terms. What's
on your mind?
* LittleGuy waves his friends away, and settles on Darkmoon's proffered
Tessen.
* Lady_MakeBelieve whispers to Mysteria "Be careful, pixies are very tricky"
* LadyMysteria nods... then realizes she's nodding in agreement to Haruko.
<Ked> The pixies mostly fly off - it seems like this one is the ringleader.  A
couple remain in sight, or at least their glows to.
<LadyMysteria> ... this is the oddest day ever.
<LittleGuy> I want... well...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I know.  Pixies normally live in the hills, not near the
water.
* LittleGuy blushes, and his glow turns pink with him.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> No, go ahead.
<LadyMysteria> Just say it. Please.
* LadyMysteria suppresses an angry grumble.
<LadyHeat> But aren't there different kinds of pixies? So theoretically these
could be water pixies, whereas you're used to hill pixies. *mumbles to no one
in particular*
<LittleGuy> I know I'm just a little thing, but I want to *mumblemumble*
* LadyRoyal sighs, tapping her card distractedly, knowing this won't end well.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> want to...?
<LittleGuy> I want to love a big girl.  A beautiful one.
<LadyMysteria> ... uh.
* LittleGuy begins pulsing bright red.
* LadyRoyal steps discreetly behind Taki.
* LadyMysteria promptly looks back. "Well. You heard the little fellow.
This... God."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh my.
<Lord_Darkmoon> A romantic heart is nothing to be ashamed of. But I am
curious; why a 'big girl'?
<LadyRoyal> [not Taki, Maya]
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What... exactly... do you mean by "love"...
* LadyNightshade suppresses the urge to throw up.
* LadyHeat gets dirty, dirty thoughts.
<LittleGuy> Because... oh, I just can't say it!
<LadyMysteria> Well, we really can't... uh... help you out if we don't know
why and what you mean.
* LadyMysteria is doing a phenomenal job of not looking mildly horrified.
<LittleGuy> I want a big girl who can hold me down, and pin me to cardboard
sheets, and make me do whatever she wants me to do!
* Lady_MakeBelieve suppresses startlement.
<LadyNightshade> AAAAH!
<LadyHeat> ...
* LadyNightshade blushes and shuts up.
* LadyRoyal chokes.
<LadyNightshade> C-- Can we just kill them?
* LadyHeat looks around for Leena.
<LadyNightshade> Pretty please?
* Lady_MakeBelieve lightly smacks Nightshade. "No"
<LadyMysteria> ...
<LadyHeat> Mallet ran off...
* LadyMysteria just boggles. That was too much for her.
<LadyMysteria> Find Mallet.
<Lord_Darkmoon> I see.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I think Norcliff is with her.
<LadyNightshade> Why don't you make Haruko do it.
<LadyNightshade> This is her crap anyway.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Darkmoon could you contact him... or think of another idea?
<LadyMysteria> Well, get her over here. I'm a bit... lost.
<LittleGuy> ...do you know any...  ...any beautiful girls?
<LittleGuy> Could you introduce me, maybe?
<LadyNightshade> ...
* LadyHeat looks for the blank spot where Taki is.
<LadyRoyal> I'm sure we can find some.
<LadyRoyal> Somewhere.
<LadyMysteria> I'm certain we can find someone!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What does your perfect girl look like?
* Lord_Darkmoon looks to Mysteria, then at a spot in space, pondering.
<LittleGuy> There was this girl I saw once... she carried a bokken, and seemed
very traditional.  Long hair, perfect body, quite demure... oh, if she could
have just stepped on me once!
* LadyMysteria pauses, then glances back at Darkmoon.
<LadyHeat> ... *giggles*
* Lady_MakeBelieve gives Darkmoon a questioning glance.
<LadyMysteria> ...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Um....
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I think I know that girl.
* Lord_Darkmoon glances at MakeBelieve, then at the others. "Indeed."
* LadyMysteria doesn't know what to say, just looking at Rin.
* LadyRoyal snorts once, then shuts up.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Darkmoon, I think you know her better than the rest of us.
Do you think she might be willing to meet him?
<LadyNightshade> No. Come on. You're not gonna...
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks uncomfortable at asking.
* Lord_Darkmoon looks at the little creature, maintaining his mask. "She would
not object to meeting him. I can make no promises beyond that; he will have to
plead his case and cause to her. If an introduction is what you seek, little
warrior, then it can be arranged, if our leader and you come to an agreement."
He looks to Mysteria on "out leader."
* LadyMysteria nods. "Indeed. So, what say you?"
<LadyNightshade> [...]
<LittleGuy> Oh, oh, would you?
* Lady_MakeBelieve mouths "I owe you one" to Darkmoon
<Lord_Darkmoon> I would. *offers a single dignified nod*
<LadyNightshade> No. Don't. Why? This is so fucking stupid...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Nightshade, shush.
* LittleGuy shivers in anticipation.
<Lord_Darkmoon> And for your part of our bargain, little warrior...? Well, my
Lady Mysteria, what would you have of him?
<LadyNightshade> This is your-- Fuck. *sighs*
<LadyMysteria> Well, you seem to know which way is which, so if you could
direct us out safely after we fulfill our part of the bargain, back to where
we came from before, we would greatly appreciate it.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> And take us to the Dragon Lord first!
<LadyMysteria> ... oh, yeah. That too.
* LadyMysteria doesn't look too eager for that, but sounds it.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...yes. It would be rude to have come this far and not allow
his ...friend... to pay him a visit.
* LittleGuy is rocking back and forth now.  "As you wish..."
* LadyHeat wonders what the hell is going on.
* LadyNightshade wishes she didn't know what the hell was going on.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Then, little warrior, please point the way.
* LittleGuy blinks.
<LittleGuy> She said you would fulfill your side of the bargain first!
...though I'm not sure how you will...
<LadyHeat> MakeBelieve, I think we need a curtain.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh... Darkmoon. Why don't you go find Rin, and send her
in....
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'll call her and let her know to expect you.... I think
she's keeping watch though, so you'll probably need to stay behind to cover
it.
* Lady_MakeBelieve pulls out her cell.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ... it would be... inconvenient... to convince her to come to
this little warrior's call. I may be able, but I cannot promise she will wish
to come. Should you not meet her on her terms? If you desire, I will try to
convince her. It is up to you, little warrior.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Or not.
* LadyMysteria bites her bottom lip, looking more than a bit unhappy with the
situation. "Mn..."
<LittleGuy> She said now.  I'm not leading you anywhere until afterwards...
* Lord_Darkmoon inclines his head. "As you wish. If you will wait here, I will
see if she is amenable."
* Lord_Darkmoon waits for the pixie to fly off of his Tessen, then snaps it
shut, and steps away into the mist. As he leaves, his eyes glow purple for
just a moment. ~Norcliff. If you need assistance, I shall hear your call, but
I will be unable to reply for a time.~
* Lord_Darkmoon speaks quietly into the radios once he's a distance away and
can no longer see the outlines of the group. "If you would find out his name
so you can introduce him to me, it would be useful. I am going to claim to be
Darkmoon's cousin. I lost him in the mist, if anyone asks." A bit after that,
he detransforms alone in the mist in a shimmer of purple.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So, what's your name?
* Lady_MakeBelieve makes idle conversation
<LittleGuy> Young.  My name is Young.
<LittleGuy> Does he really know this girl?  Are you sure?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh yes.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> They're cousins.
<LittleGuy> Oh, this is too incredible.
* LittleGuy pulses increasingly-purpley.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So... do you like the ocean?  I wouldn't normally expect to
find pixies near here...
<LittleGuy> The ocean?  There is no ocean near here.
* LadyNightshade hops down to where Rin is. "You're not really gonna... do
this, are you?"
<LittleGuy> Those mean mermaids chased us all away.
<LadyHeat> Where are we exactly?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yeah, we don't like the mermaids either.
<LittleGuy> I'm not sure - after the dragons came, it got awfully hard to tell
where one was flying.
<LadyMysteria> Mermaids...
* LadyMysteria purses her lips, tapping a finger to her cheek. "Always comes
back to them."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I kept telling the Queen that the Dragon's were a big
problem.
* Rin is in a casual day dress, and in the process of flicking the Tessen over
it to alter her garb when Nightshade shows up. "I am. It is... unexpected, but
perhaps useful. I hope I do not dishonor any of us with this performance." She
then walks back towards the others, clothes converted to highly traditional
finery.
* Rin approaches, her outline in the mist the first thing visible. It's clear
from that alone that she is in a full kimono with her hair held up by long
chopsticks. As she gets closer, colors fill in, white with red flowers in the
kimono, tied about her trim waist with a red sash. Her lips, too, are just
barely painted, and quirked in a small smile as she looks around, as if for
someone new.
* Rin has a bokken at her side, carried in the sash.
* LadyMysteria looks at Rin... and boggles. "... wow."
<LittleGuy> Oooooooooooohh...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Young, might I introduce you to Rin.  Rin, this is Young.
<LittleGuy> Rrrrrrinn.
* LittleGuy flutters up to her, and seemingly prostrates himself in mid-air.
* LadyNightshade just covers her ears and hides. She can't take this anymore.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Perhaps we should leave the two of them alone.
<Rin> It is an honor to meet you, Young sir. *offers a small bow, and looks
him up and down. Is that just the faintest hint of a predatory gleam in her
eyes?*
<LittleGuy> Rin-sama, I beg you, make of me what you will.
<LadyMysteria> ...
* Lady_MakeBelieve walks away tugging Mysteria along with her
* LadyMysteria sidles back over to Make-Believe so that her boggling won't be
too obvious. "... yai."
* LadyNightshade feels very sick at the moment.
* LadyHeat moves away <_<
* Rin holds out her hand for him to land on, and waits expectantly, an
imperious air about her.
* LittleGuy lands in her palm and kneels.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Nightshade, let us know when its safe to come back.
<LadyNightshade> I'M NOT FUCKING WATCHING!
* LadyMallet cues in over the headsets, just ... laughing gleefully. "Man, I
wish I could see that."
<Rin> Do you swear yourself, body, heart, and soul, to me, Young one? Will you
give unto me your will, and serve me faithfully, in all things? *she runs the
nail of her free index finger very lightly down his back as she asks these
questions, feminine authority ringing in her voice*
<LittleGuy> Absolutely.
* LittleGuy begins shimmering, blue and green and red and purple pulses of
light that Rin can almost feel in her palm.
<Rin> Then rise, and kiss my ring. *holds the free hand out, offering a ring
that may or may not have been on her ring finger before*
* LittleGuy touches his lips to the ring, and begins to spasm.  White light
explodes from under his skin, making the pixie impossible to see.  Rin feels
first a tickle, then almost an electric charge of pleasure run up  her arm,
then down her spine.
<Ked> When the light fades, and everyone can see again, Young is gone, and Rin
is glowing blue, much like the other Pixies were.
<LadyMysteria> ... eh?
* Rin 's eyes widen a bit, but she suppresses any further reactions. Then
blinks, surprised more openly, at the missing pixie. "How...unusual."
<LadyHeat> ...
<LadyMysteria> Well. So... now what?
* Rin suddenly twitches, a single spasm down her back, in a delayed reaction
that catches her by surprise. "I do not know."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Should we go back now?
<LadyMysteria> If that's that, we do what we need to do and get out of here.
* Rin turns her head, looking off in the distance. As if she knows exactly
where she's looking. "This way. Lady Mallet seeks the first dragon." With
that, she begins walking - well, gliding, really, since you can't see her feet
and her head and shoulders don't bob at all - in the direction she's facing.
<LadyMysteria> Uh... R-Rin?
* LadyMysteria follows along, trying to keep up. "Are you well?"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What... happened?
* LadyMallet cues back in. "... what happened?"
<LadyHeat> ... Did Rin just turn into a pixie?
<Rin> I believe so. It was a most...unusual experience, Mysteria-san.
<Rin> I do not believe I am a pixie, Heat-san. I am still wingless, and full
sized.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Does it feel funny to glow?
<LadyHeat> You could still shrink and grow wings.
<LadyMallet> Hey! Me and Haruko are the only ones with wings in this team!
<LadyMysteria> Let's just get moving...
* Rin looks at herself. "I cannot feel myself glowing, Make Believe-san. But I
do now know where the dragons lie."
* Rin is walking.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> All of them?
<LadyMallet> ... waitaminute. Dragons? Like, more than one?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yes, there are.. were... 4.
* LadyNightshade doesn't move. She just sits there making the odd sound every
now and again.
<Ked> Lady Mallet has already found one - it looks sort of blown-up, and
appears to be sleeping, or would if it weren't watching her balefully with one
eye.
<Rin> There are two. The dying one is, I believe, Make Believe-san's friend.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> There's another one here?  No, we have to move fast!
* LadyMallet stops, and glances down at Norcliff. "Found one."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Rin, can you lead any faster?
* LadyMallet waves at the dragon. "Hey, that you Dragon Lord?"
<LadyMallet> Blink once for yes, blink twice for hell yes, glad to see you
too! ^__^
* Rin does not reply, but does begin moving much more quickly. At that
annoying pace where running's too fast, but walking is hard to keep up with.
She still manages to appear to be gliding.
* DragonLord rolls its eye, but says nothing.
* LittleGal and her friends huddle at the base of the dragon's bulk, looking
mistrustfully at Lady Mallet.
<LadyMallet> Haruko's on her way. ... and sounded a bit worried that there's
another Dragon here. You gonna need some help, because I've been itching to
let off some steam if the other ones coming to try and kick your ass.
<LadyMysteria> Mallet, never change.
* LadyMysteria hovers close to Rin, power-jogging to keep up.
* LadyMallet giggles.
* Rin allows herself a small smile as she glides along. "Yes, please do not."
<Ked> It's not really all that far, and the group is reunited quickly.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Dragon Lord!
<LadyHeat> How is he?
<Rin> Greetings once more, Dragon Lord. I am pleased we meet on
more...amenable terms...than last time.
* DragonLord rumbles.
* Lady_MakeBelieve collapses on her knees in front of him, and starts crying
happily.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I thought I'd never see you again!
<DragonLord> HHhhhhharuko.
* LadyMallet waves at the others as they approach, and kinda gawks at Rin.
* LadyMysteria actually approaches, taking a closer look at the Dragon Lord.
"... so... I assume you're not in the best of shape."
<LadyMallet> ... you're glowing.
* DragonLord 's voice is faded and echoey, and not quite real.
<LadyMysteria> Is there something Haruko can do?
<LadyMallet> ... I'll get back to that. You know where both of em are? Is the
other one headed our way?
<DragonLord> I... am being hindered.  I should be able to return to your
plane, but the other dragons have sealed me here.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> How can I free you?
<Rin> Yes, I am. *to Mallet*
<Rin> The other dragon is that way. *points grandly, kimono sleeve hanging
from her arm like a dramatic flag*
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Do you have an idea of how far?
<LadyMallet> Is it staying that way?
<DragonLord> The other Dragon Lords, yes, and the Dragon King too must be
defeated - when they are on the same plane as I, they will be unable to hinder
me.
* Lady_MakeBelieve sighs.
<Rin> No farther than Lord Darkmoon could take an animal. I believe that is
about one kilometer.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I always knew the time would come to face them...
<DragonLord> And it must be done quickly - I can not keep my claws here
forever, lest I tear a hole in the plane and doom myself to eternal oblivion.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> How long do you have?
* LadyMallet frowns, and turns back to the Dragon Lord.
<LadyMysteria> ... defeat the Dragon King?
<DragonLord> I do not know.  Surely no longer than it has already been.
* LadyMysteria sighs, heavily. "This just isn't the time for a fight. We need
to get back to the Agency as soon as possible."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So soon...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I need to gather the Sailors before any fight regardless.
* Rin holds up the hand that Young knelt in, and eyes its glow consideringly.
<LadyMallet> ... so where do we find them?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Dragon Lord, will you be safe here until they are defeated?
* LadyMysteria nonetheless looks in the direction Rin's indicating
nonetheless, then looks at Haruko. After a moment, she shakes her head.
<Rin> Mysteria-san, we must go there to leave, as well.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> face a Dragon Lord without the sailors....
* LadyNightshade is heard over the comms. "We can actually leave?"
<DragonLord> Time is running out, Haruko.  Seek out the dragons that are your
enemies, and you will find the Dragons which are mine.
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks around at the other Hunters.
<Rin> Not without facing Haruko's demons, Nightshade-san.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Do you think you are all up to it?
<LadyMallet> Tak- err. Nightshade! Where ya at?
<LadyMysteria> ... unfair.
* LadyMallet pumps a fist enthusiastically at Haruko. "Anytime, anywhere."
* LadyNightshade curses under her breath.
<Rin> Of course, Mysteria-san.
<LadyNightshade> I'm in fairyland. Where else would I be?
* LadyMysteria growls, shaking her head. "Let's do what we must, and do it
quickly.
<LadyMallet> Well, you're not here with us. Having some private time with
another of those fairies?
<LadyNightshade> Don't make me hurt you.
<LadyMallet> You'll have to get to me to hurt me!
<LadyMallet> Hurry up and join up, already. Do you really wanna be alone in a
place like this?
* Lady_MakeBelieve turns to the little Pixie girl.
<LadyNightshade> You're not that hard to catch.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Could you do me a favor?
* LadyMysteria chuckles a little at Leena. "Nightshade, hurry. The sooner, the
faster we leave."
* DragonLord shudders, then seems to collapse slightly.  "I... must rest."
* LadyNightshade grumbles and heads towards the group.
<LadyNightshade> This is so fuckin stupid...
<LadyMallet> So deal. C'mon, you can't play go with poker rules.
* LadyNightshade shows up sooner than expect. No, she wasn't running. Stop
looking at her.
* LadyMallet waves, cheerily, at Taki. ^__^
* Rin looks from her hand to one of the pixies near the dragon. "Little ones,
tell me; what became of Young?"
* LadyNightshade scowls.
* LadyMallet giggles.
<LittleGal> Go away!  You caught his cooties!
* Rin quirks a sardonic smile. "Does that mean he no longer has them?"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It doesn't look like he *is* anymore.
* LittleGal hisses.  "Him?  He can always make more."
<LadyNightshade> Are we going yet?
<Rin> And where has he gone?
<LadyMysteria> Waiting on Make-Believe.
<LittleGal> You tell me, girl.  You're the one who did him...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sorry, lets go.
<LadyNightshade> EWW. Stop talking about doing things!
* Rin chuckles. "As you wish, little ones." She nods to Make Believe, and
starts leading the way again, once more at that annoying not-running not-
walking pace.
* LadyMysteria keeps pace with Rin once again, nervously looking ahead and
wondering just how in the hell this all came to be.
* LadyMallet isn't annoyed. She's erratically changing her pace, slowing up,
speeding down, skipping, and generally loosely circling Rin with excessive
enthusiasm.
* LadyNightshade looks rather impatient.
* LadyHeat walks.
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks worried.
<LadyNightshade> So we just have to beat up her stupid shit and we can go
home?
<LadyMallet> ... do we have to go home? This place is fun.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Don't underestimate the Dragon Lords.  I seem to recall
that you were incapacitated by merely one of his minions, Nightshade.
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyNightshade> I seem to recall that you should never bring that up again
EVER.
<LadyMallet> Who knows. I might get some real wings if I stay here long
enough.
* LadyMallet giggles some more. "I've always wished the butterfly wings I had
were real ones."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It would be nice to fly...
* LadyMysteria chuckles, nonetheless. "Let's just do this. The arguing can
come around later."
<Rin> Perhaps you could convince them to share wings. Their phosphorescence
seems transferable enough.
<LadyMallet> ...!
<LadyNightshade> How about no.
* LadyMallet stops dead where she is, contemplating that.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Later Mallet.
<LadyMallet> ... but! Butbutbutbutbutbut!
* Rin is still gliding along.
* Lady_MakeBelieve is pulling Mallet along now.
<LadyMysteria> Later, Mallet.
* LadyMysteria seems to already be annoyed with all the not-running and the
arguing and the irritation and the thing.
<Ked> The castle suddenly LOOMS! in front of the team as they pass out of the
mist.  It's pink, and consists of a single, wide tower perched on the top of a
grassy hill.
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyHeat> I wonder if we'll find Rapunzel.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> .... This is it.
<LadyNightshade> AAGH.
<Rin> So it is.
<LadyMysteria> ... why is it pink.
<LadyNightshade> Because Haruko hates us.
* LadyMysteria boggles, once again, at the pinkness of it all.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I don't hate you!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> And I didn't build it anyway.
* Rin just quirks another smile at Nightshade's statement, and continues
towards it. At a slightly more sedate pace.
<Ked> On closer examination, it is not painted pink, but the stone itself is
pink.
<LadyNightshade> Right.
<LadyMysteria> ... huh. Well, I know there are stones that are naturally this
color, but still. It's a bit jarring. I'd have expected gray or off-white.
<Ked> The front gate is wide open.  There is a sense of there being people
around, but you can't see them or hear them.
* LadyNightshade leans over to Maya and whispers, "It doesn't really exist,
you know."
<LadyNightshade> So let's just get this over with.
* LadyNightshade heads into the gate.
<Rin> Make Believe-san, if there is proper protocol for this, speak now. Else,
I believe Nightshade-san has the--well. Shall we, Mysteria-sama?
* Lady_MakeBelieve sighs
<LadyMysteria> We shall.
* Lady_MakeBelieve calls out. Dragon Lord of the West, we have come to
challenge you! Show yourself and be punished for your crimes!
* Lady_MakeBelieve then hurries in after the others
* LadyMysteria looks to Nightshade, shakes her head, and focuses on the task
ahead.
* Rin enters, glowing like a pixie and carrying herself as if she owned the
place.
<Ked> No one answers Haruko.  Taki is stopped short as she enters by a chorus
of small-animal noises.  Little puppies bark, little kittens yowl, and lots of
bunnies make, uh, bunny-noises.
<LadyNightshade> ...
* LadyRoyal raises an eyebrow.
<LadyNightshade> You go first. *pushes Haruko in*
<LadyMysteria> ... urgh. The memories.
<Ked> It's like a menagerie inside the castle - lots of impossibly cute
animals, but no mess.
* Lady_MakeBelieve sees the animals.
* LadyMysteria nonetheless looks around and tries not to shiver too much.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh you poor things, I promise you'll all be free after
we're done!
<LadyHeat> ... Awwww!
<LadyMysteria> Heat, there's a good chance we might end up like these if we're
not careful.
* LadyNightshade goes invisible before treading in any farther.
<LadyHeat> Really?!
* Rin strides on in, drawing her bokken and turning it into a Tessen as she
does so, carefully pushing animals out of her path with the hem of her dress-
like kimono.
* LadyNightshade makes her way past all the stupid cuteness.
* LadyMysteria sticks closecloseclose to Rin, acting as... protection. Honest.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> If anyone sees any Winged Kittens, let me know.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> They are likely to be Moonglow's family.
<LadyNightshade> I'll try not to step on them too hard.
<Ked> The center of the tower is a vast spiral stairwell.  The steps are very
short, only a few centimeters tall each, which gives the illusion of it being
a long, long ramp.
* Rin glides on up them, lighting the way.
* Lady_MakeBelieve follows immediately behind Rin
* LadyHeat looks around as she walks up.
* LadyMysteria makes sure she doesn't lose traction as she climbs, pulling out
her wand and idly twirling it along her fingers as she follows. "If it's not
here..."
<LadyNightshade> It goddamn better be.
* Lady_MakeBelieve idly corrects them "He"
* LadyRoyal walks by Maya's side.
<LadyRoyal> [behind Maya]
* Rin does not comment, preferring to continue on up. She's got the whole
'lift the skirts so you don't trip up the stairs' thing going on.
<Ked> The cacophony of the ground level fades as you leave the animals' eye-
level.  You eventually reach the second floor and are assaulted by a new style
of cuteness.  This one is populated by what seems to be a ten-year stockpile
of idol singers, dressed in the most trendy kitsch magic can make.
<LadyMysteria> ... what... in the *hell*?!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The Dragon Lord of the West seeks to make the entire world
cute.
<LadyHeat> ... So THAT's where he went!
* LadyRoyal stops and blinks, nonplussed.  "Oh, dear."
<Rin> I did not know you were a fan of idols, Make Believe-san. *continues on
up*
<LadyNightshade> Can't we just burn this place to the ground?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> No!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> We can't just kill everyone here.
<Rin> And we lack sufficient fire.
<LadyNightshade> Who cares?
<Ked> They - ALL of them - proceed to sing to you.
<LadyNightshade> SHUT UP!
* LadyRoyal winces and hurries on up.
* LadyMysteria winces, plugs her ears, and continues. "Gh!"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Please people, we're here to rescue you.
<LadyNightshade> I'm not.
<LadyMysteria> Dragon first!
* LadyHeat has heard worse.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Then why don't you just go, Taki.  If you aren't going to
be helpful just leave.  Now.
<LadyNightshade> I'm trying to fucking leave.
<LadyNightshade> You're the one that's trapped me here.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I've done *nothing*!
<LadyNightshade> This is your stupid shit!
* Rin ignores the arguing, and merely grimaces at the singing, continuing up
the stairs. That glow probably doesn't reflect her mood, or it'd be brighter
with irritation right now.
* Lady_MakeBelieve points down the stairs. *GO!*
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Or keep quiet.
<LadyNightshade> MAKE ME.
* LadyHeat keeps following Rin, not wanting to get in the middle of a Taki-
Haruko showdown.
<LadyMysteria> Nightshade, refrain from bothering Make-Believe for now.
<LadyNightshade> She started it.
<LadyMysteria> I don't *care*!
<LadyNightshade> ...
* LadyMysteria grits her teeth. "We leave, then we sort it out!"
<LadyNightshade> Fine.
<LadyRoyal> She's right.  And Make-Believe, please stop provoking Nightshade.
<Ked> The third floor is mercifully quiet.  Impossibly quiet.  Terminally
quiet.  The many, many stuffed animals and dolls here do not make any noise at
all.
* LadyNightshade can't help but stick her tongue out at Haruko.
* Lady_MakeBelieve mutters to herself "I'm not provoking her" but resolutely
marches on.
* Rin calms a bit with the arguing and noise done with. And continues on up.
Deathly silence doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
<LadyMysteria> Plushies. Lots of plushies. If it weren't here, this would
actually be bearable.
<LadyNightshade> ...
* LadyRoyal twitches--there's so many that it looks like they're all just
staring.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So sad...
* LadyNightshade just keeps her eyes straight ahead and keeps on walking.
<LadyMallet> ... I wanna take one with us.
<LadyHeat> Don't do it, it might be some kind of evil spy in disguise.
<LadyRoyal> No, Mallet.
* LadyMallet picks one up!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Once we defeat the Dragon Lord, they'll be people again.
<Ked> Nothing happens.
<LadyNightshade> Leena, put it back.
* Rin continues.
* LadyMallet hugs it. "So we'll know right then and there when the spell's
off. And this cute little plushie will be a testament to our bravery and
valiance on kicking it's ass the entire way!"
<LadyMysteria> ... Mallet, you are one of a kind.
* LadyMallet doesn't put it back, and keeps following.
* LadyMysteria looks up. "Continue."
<LadyHeat> Leena, you're going to be turned into some kind of cute cheese
statue, or something.
* Rin is already getting to the next floor.
<LadyNightshade> Or you'll end up pasting it with your mallet.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It'll be safer down here, just leave it would you Mallet?
<Ked> The fourth floor is even spookier, after a fashion.  Where the first
floor had all sorts of small creatures, this one is packed full of sugar-
gliders.  None of them talk, though.
<LadyMallet> Pfff. I'm too good for cheesecake.
* LadyRoyal pauses, grits her teeth, and continues on, ignoring Leena.
<LadyNightshade> Agh.
<LadyNightshade> I hate this place so much.
* Norcliff pokes his head out
<Norcliff> I'm still the best looking.
<LadyRoyal> Yes, Norcliff.  Yes you are.
* Norcliff returns to a pocket.
* LadyRoyal continues on.
<Rin> Are these friends of yours, Norcliff? *asked lightly, without pausing
her upwards spiraling*
* LadyMallet blinks.
<LadyMallet> ... sugargliders.
* LadyHeat ponders the possibly implications of Norcliff being an evil spy.
* LadyMallet quirks an eyebrow, and looks at Haruko oddly.
<Norcliff> No, I didn't know any of them before they were transformed, and
they can hardly be friends now.
<LadyMysteria> Yes, sugargliders. And... this is mildly disturbing.
* LadyMallet also hugs the plushie again.
<LadyHeat> [possible]
* Rin continues upwards. Ever upwards.
* LadyMallet keeps going up, up, up! "So where do the sugargliders come from?
Which baddie does them?"
<Ked> Going on up, the fifth floor is much more normal:  the entire space
appears to be a magical laboratory with arcane symbols and hissing potions and
eye-twisting illusions everywhere.
<LadyMallet> ...
* LadyMallet eyes widen, going all big-like. "If we knock something over here,
can we start a chain reaction?"
* Rin raises an eyebrow, whether in curiosity or disapproval, and continues to
rise above it all. "Do not try, Mallet-san."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It would likely only end up with all of us being
transformed.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Mallet: And as for the sugargliders, That was a nymph.
<LadyMysteria> Mallet, no. Just... no. The last thing we need is an explosion
in... unknown territory.
<LadyMallet> ... I wonder if we can take a potion with us to use on that fat
annoying guy from USC.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I doubt they would work after the Dragon Lord was defeated
<LadyMallet> Oh.
<LadyNightshade> Let's just not touch anything, okay?
* LadyMallet pouts. "And since we're gonna kick his ass now, I guess it's a
moot point."
<LadyHeat> I'm not sure how that floor counted as being cute.
<LadyMallet> That's their R&D lab.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It's hard work making cute, I guess.
<LadyMallet> Those things usually have insane mad scientists, though.
<Ked> Rin reaches the next floor ahead of the others, and stops in her tracks.
A cloaked man is waiting there on the landing.  Behind him is a lavishly
furnished room, and you realize that this floor must be living quarters.
<LadyMallet> Must be on the next floor, sleeping, or something.
<LadyNightshade> Can we kill him?
<CloakedMan> Welcome, children, to my castle.
<LadyMysteria> ... and here we are.
* Rin offers a small bow. "Good evening. You are Make Believe's Dragon King, I
presume?"
* LadyMysteria readies her wand, holding it tightly. "... a pleasure to meet
you."
* LadyHeat fiddles with a water bottle at her belt.
<LadyMallet> Hi! Are you one of the bad dragons? Because we're here to kick
your ass! ^_^v
<Lady_MakeBelieve> .... Oh no.
<CloakedMan> Are you here to surrender to the cute, or to fight?
<Ked> [end session]
Session Close: Sat Oct 01 17:53:20 2005