Session Start: Sat Jan 28 16:35:42 2006 Previously, on Hunters: The Queen's vision - or at least what everyone assumes her vision was - is coming to pass. The Tokko has traced the Hierarchy back to the Palace, and signal intercepts provided by the Americans indicate that they are mobilizing for a massive assault. The Princesses have chosen to meet this challenge head-on, and have gathered more than a hundred Ladies at the Palace for the showdown. Some friendly press is on hand, and preparations for a publicity blitz in the aftermath are progressing well. ...except the Hunters are not there. They've moved to a handy penthouse apartment facing the grounds of the Imperial Household Agency, where they have a reasonably good view of the half-dozen buildings on its campus, and in the distance are the lights of the Imperial Palace itself. Their mission is... nebulous, and a little dependent on what happens at the Palace, so for the moment they sit and wait. [Thursday, March 30, 2004 - 1800 local time] [An unfurnished apartment in the heart of Tokyo] [Session start] * LadyNightshade sits off in a corner by herself waiting. Her eyes occasionally glance up at various members of the team. * LadyMysteria looks like she's about to pop, pacing back and forth while practicing with the rings. Tink. Tink. Tink-clink. * Lady_MakeBelieve is sitting in the corner, oddly quiet for her. * LadyRoyal is laying out cards by the window, occasionally looking out the window. * Lord_Darkmoon stands at the window, gripping his Tessen at his hip as if it were already in its bladed form. It's almost as if he wishes he were in full regalia, rather than street clothes. His face is serenely unreadable as he stares out over the Palace and surrounding grounds. He hasn't said more than a dozen words all day, though occasionally he glances at Lady Mysteria. * Norcliff has left his usually perch on Make-Believe's shoulder and seems to be nervously looking for something... like a squirrel who can't remember where he buried his acorns, but desperately needs them. The apartment is on the thirtieth floor, and has a window facing out over the entire IHA campus. The secretary left a care package of binoculars and cameras when she stopped by earlier, but nothing worth looking closer at has happened yet. * LadyNightshade doesn't look near as depressed though as she had the past few days. She's just... quiet. Ladies, I hate to ruin your plan... but is there some other place we could wait? There's something wrong here. * LadyRoyal frowns and glances at Norcliff. "What is it?" What is it? Oh god. You better fucking not. I don't know... there’s just something *wrong* * LadyNightshade looks straight at Haruko. Mysteria's phone rings. Who is it? The closest thing I can come up with is like what I felt before Hardhat, but its different than that. It's localized to this building? This room? This mission? How so? The phone keeps ringing. It's all over the building... I don't *think* it has anything to do with the mission, though I don't know. * LadyNightshade looks over to Maya as her phone rings. These days, everything's got to do with the mission. This building or the one we're watching? Definitely this one. It's making my skin crawl. * LadyMysteria snaps it open. "Talk." * Lady_MakeBelieve is ignoring this, odd for her. And where else are we supposed to go? Hello to you, too? How's it going so far? I don't know... I just had to say something. If there’s no other place you can wait and least I can warn you. ..mmm. Just antsy. I dunno why, but I... just feel like I should be at the palace, is all. Everyone's alright, all things considered. Maya--is that Squeej? I'll grab a bird and scout the building exterior. How immediate is it? * LadyMysteria nods. * LadyRoyal jerks her head at Norcliff. "Tell her about this." What does she want? Might not be anything to be done, but at least we'll know. * Norcliff scampers up to Mysteria's shoulder and repeats his uneasy feelings into the phone. Hm. Also, Norcliff's senses are going haywire about some sort of... 'wrong feeling', as you just heard. ...um. And Darkmoon, I don't about any sort of time frame. It's been getting worse as we've been here longer, but not quickly. Maybe it's Hardhat again? Want me to check the roof? It's dark enough now I should be able to stay invisible. It feels different. And I don't sense any Princess level concentrations of Earth Magic. Well, outside of the Palace. Please. I'll see if there're any bats or night birds out. * Lord_Darkmoon 's irises are covered by glowing purple moons. Keep a watch, I guess, but that's the only good lookout spot that was up for rent. Unless you want to stand in the streets for however long it takes. I'd rather not do that... there's nowhere else to go? Mn... * LadyMysteria shakes her head at Norcliff. "Looks like we have to stay for now, fella." Fine. I'll be up there. Call me if you need me. Not with a window facing the IHA. Alright.... just everyone keep an eye out... I'm going to go check on Haruko... it seems to be affecting her too. * LadyNightshade moves towards the door. * LadyHeat keeps her eye out. Right. And everyone, yeah, keep your eyes peeled. Squeegee... what's the word on your end? * Norcliff goes over prods Haruko, managing to get her into a quiet conversation. Look, we'll call you when something happens on our end - get a plan together to assault the floors the Americans specified if you haven't already. * LadyNightshade heads down the hall towards the elevator, hitting the button for the top floor/roof access. * LadyHeat tries to keep herself aware of her surroundings. We've spotted another lookout position, and Sakura thinks... well, we have some targets. Right. * LadyNightshade whispers over the radio. "Ask how Mitsuko is doing." ... ah. One thing. How is Mitsuko? A little flighty - she does her own thing, but she's helped out a lot. Okay, keep in touch then. * PrincessSqueegee hangs up. * LadyMysteria closes her phone and sighs. "Right. Squeegee stated to get out plan of attack together." * LadyNightshade goes invisible before she steps makes her way out to the roof, scanning the area around her. Right. * LadyRoyal lays out a final card and looks at the layout on the table, then frowns. One...minute...please. * LadyHeat goes to look at Royal's cards. "What're you doing?" * LadyMysteria nods, taking a moment to put her rings away. * LadyRoyal glances up at Kyouko. "Oh. Um. Some fortunetelling." The evening air is chilly, particularly almost a hundred meters above the ground, and Taki shivers as she looks around and sees... nothing. It's nothing really serious, just sort of to pass the time, you know? Oh. Does this mean anything? I don't see anything out here. And it's rather cold. Thank you Haruko. * Lady_MakeBelieve stops the conversation with Norcliff long enough to conjure a blanket and wrap it around herself, looking for all the world like a caterpillar in a blue fuzzy cocoon. * LadyMysteria then... resumes pacing furiously, hands behind her back. "Mn." So what, are we just gonna take the elevator to their floor? * Lord_Darkmoon shivers a bit, despite the fact that the room is heated. Well, that would be dramatic, but we need to think of a better way to do this than just diving in headlong. I'm open to suggestions on that. * LadyNightshade bundles up in her leather coat, pacing around the edge of the roof with one of the pairs of binoculars. Well, we can take the stairs and come in winded. I'm sure they're not going to expect us to show up in any case... Point. Still... We could mail ourselves in a big package... * LadyRoyal tilts her head as though she's listening, but she's still looking at the cards, tapping her fingers on t he table unconsciously. We could dress up as girl scouts. Seriously though, we should make sure Sato goes down first. After that just cause as much damage as we can. Lady Royal lays out a pattern of cards, ending with three cards in the center. Death. The Five of Swords. The Empress. The queen is going to be stabbed to death? ... What? ...the reading...is not usually...literal... Oh. Maybe she'll met a tall, dark, handsome stranger who throws knives and they'll elope. What the hell are you talking about? * LadyMysteria looks up for a moment, then shakes her head. "Fair enough. Rushing in and just breaking faces may well be the best approach if they've thrown the majority of their forces at the Palace." * LadyNightshade continues pacing the rooftop. I'm interpreting the cards! What cards? Why are we talking about cards? * LadyHeat points to the Tarot cards in front of Royal. I don't know what they mean, but I can still try. * LadyMysteria glances over. "Tarot reading, Nightshade." ... Can't this wait? That junk doesn't work anyway. We're magical girls and there are evil mermaids. How do you know that? Because it's dumb. Save this for another time, ladies. * Lady_MakeBelieve walks over, still wrapped in her blanket to look at the cards. "What was the question?" * Lord_Darkmoon is still staring sightlessly out the window through eerily glowing irises, shivering a bit. * LadyRoyal shakes her head, snapping out of the quasi-meditative state she was in. "Maya's right. We've got work to do." * Lady_MakeBelieve pulls another blanket out and drapes it over Darkmoon's shoulders. How much security do you think they'd still leave in there? * Lord_Darkmoon huddles into it, but doesn't seem warmed. * LadyRoyal glances out the window. "Probably the grunts." People that aren't far enough initiated to really want to massacre teenage girls yet. I wouldn't past Sato to have some sort of emergency exit lined up. That's why I think we should locate him first. Maybe I should go in alone... Should... take... Norcliff... ...help...scout. * LadyRoyal stands up and puts the cards away properly. "He's right." Will someone keep an eye on Haruko for me then? I'll be fine.... I... will... If you feel you need to, Taki. Just don't attempt to engage anyone if you run into trouble. Maybe you guys can set up on the floor below and come in when we're ready. * Lord_Darkmoon yelps, scrabbling at the air defensively and throwing the blanket off of himself before falling down on it. Blinking a moment, and breathing heavily, he picks himself up, looking embarrassed. "...what...?" Yow! Right. What the hell was THAT? Nightshade, do you see anything up there? --What. That’s what I said! What happened? Are you okay Darkmoon? * LadyNightshade looks around. I just got--er, the bat I was controlling, it just got eaten. I'm off to go find Nightshade, I'll look around too. No, Norcliff! Eaten? ... by what? Do you know? Where was it exactly? Wait for Nightshade to come to you. Or I'll take you to her. You're not going out alone. What did you see? Maybe they have their own slavering beast...? Mn. Something on loan from the ningyo? I doubt it, but we've seen odder things. I don't see anything... I saw nothing. Just felt the teeth close around me...and the crushing sensation moments before it died. Whatever it was, it was big enough to snap it in one bite. Were you near where Taki was? Although... the sky looks funny. So at least the size of a large dog, then? Something airborne. It was over the IHA. At least. I don't know where it was. Norcliff, is that what you've been sensing? It's getting harder to see the stars... Taki, come down here. But we need someone to keep watch. ...I wonder... If it's an animal... ... if things get worse, Taki, come down. Stay for now and keep us posted. Do you remember where the bat was when it got eaten? * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes start glowing again, as he tries to find the mind of the creature that ate his last host. I don't know... but it is getting worse. Whatever it is, it feels like its starting. Then we'll find out when we find out. * LadyNightshade focuses on the sky over the IHA, trying to figure out what's going on. * LadyRoyal fidgets nervously, more evidently than she ever does. Is it sea magic? * LadyMysteria starts to bounce on her toes, nervously. The rings are out again, but she's only twirling them around her fingers. * Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head, his eyes clearing to their normal near-black. "Whatever it is, it's not an animal." * LadyRoyal goes up close to the window and peers out, looking up and then down. No, its not Sea Magic. The only magic I can identify is You all and the Palace. It *is* getting harder to see out the window. The lights in the street below are barely visible. ..What's going on? ... something very wrong's happening. ... is anyone else getting colder? Pity none of us can fly. Something capable of -- it's like a fog. We'd better get out there. ...yeah. * Lady_MakeBelieve huddles in her blanket I really, really don't think we should stay in here. I thought it was just from the animals being outside. * LadyMysteria whips out her phone and dials up Squeegee. Or at least not somewhere where it's so hard to get out. It's not a fog - not anything blocking the view - it's just *darker*. Except for the IHA buildings, which loom below you with the same luminosity as before. * Norcliff whips out her phone and dials Sunshine. You guys should get out. We should find out if we can get away from it. * Lord_Darkmoon opens the door, and holds it for the girls. "Nightshade, we're heading out. Are you still okay?" If it is just this building... Moving might be a good idea... let me call Squeegee first. Let's just get down to the ground floor while we wait for Squeej to pick up. * PrincessSqueegee picks up after a second. * LadyRoyal grabs stuff. Go. * LadyHeat helps people move their stuff, * LadyHeat carries things! * LadyNightshade looks down at the IHA building with her binoculars to see if she notices anything funny going on inside. * Lady_MakeBelieve shuffles out, talking with Sunbeam about the cold and darkness. Are things getting odd on your end? It's getting darker and colder in our area for some reason. Taki doesn't see... well... maybe... are the buildings starting to glow red? Or is she just imagining it? * LadyMysteria helps out while talking, looking around most nervously. The... They're glowing red. The buildings. What the fuck. What? .... Ours or theirs? Are you guys leaving? They're glowing? You should be leaving. On our way out now. ... glowing. We've got building glowing out here. Tell me this is some Lady's or Princess' doing, Squeegee. Oh yeah. What do yo*FIIIZZZCHRHCH*ing happening here. We're ok*FFFFFFFFFFFFFFRRRCH*-lo? * LadyRoyal hustles. * LadyHeat moves out! Hel-*sssssssssss* Do we know Sato is even still in the city? ... I just lost my signal. The connection drops, and the call ends. * Lady_MakeBelieve is still talking on her phone. Get out get out get out. * LadyNightshade pulls out her phone and checks her signal. * LadyMysteria puts her phone away. "Not good. Let's move!" No bars! I'm not getting any reception either. ... We're being shifted into one of --no, it can't be. Hers aren't so dark. *looks at Make Believe before he shakes his head* * LadyRoyal doesn't need to be told twice. She gets *out*. * LadyMysteria is on the move as well. "Damn it all, of all the time!" Hurry up! * LadyNightshade swallows, and continues watching the buildings. Are you guys out yet? * Lady_MakeBelieve turns the blanket into a coat and runs along with the others, finally finishing her call. * LadyHeat uses her awesome legs to MOVE. The hallway seems subtly different as everyone crowds in front of the elevator. * LadyRoyal grits her teeth. * Lord_Darkmoon follows behind the girls. "Get ready to join us, Nightshade. We don't want to be separated any more than we already are." I think we should take the stairs. Kyou's right. Stairs good. * LadyRoyal heads over. "Hey, Haruko." mmm? What's the thickest mattress you can imagine? Stairs, then... mattress? * LadyRoyal heads down the hall trying to find the stairs, then. We're 30 floors up. * LadyHeat runs around trying to find the stairs. I really don't want to know if we're faster than whatever this is. Mina notices something - there are no emergency exit signs now. Um... I can't imagine very big ones. Unless you want an air mattress. I could make a really big one of those. ...where the hell did the emergency exit signs go. Where are the stairs?! They should be around here somewhere! Calm down. We'll find them. The elevator goes *ding* and opens behind you. ...let's just take this. * LadyRoyal whips around to face it. * Norcliff whirls around, fur bristling ...We're going to have our brains eaten by zombies. Ta--Nightshade, come down. Are you out yet? Nothing jumps out of the elevator at you! We're getting on the elevator now. Gotta be a way not to go the way they want us to... ... I don't think we have much of a choice but to take the elevator. Come on. * LadyRoyal piles in, checking the elevator. * LadyHeat gets into the elevator, but takes out a water bottle and nervously drinks some. * Lord_Darkmoon holds the elevator door for everyone. * LadyMysteria heads on into the 'vator, on edge judging by how she bounces on her toes. * Lady_MakeBelieve runs into the elevator... "Zombies don't exist, right?" The elevator seems normal... * LadyNightshade continues to keep watch until everyone is out. I hope not. * Lord_Darkmoon has, at some point during this, reverted to full regalia, complete with sheathed Katana. * LadyNightshade scans the street below to see if anyone else is noticing what's going on. I've never seen a zombie ningyo or anything, usually when they die they stay dead. * LadyRoyal points to the panel in the top. "Can someone give me a boost? I just want to see..." * LadyHeat picks up Royal. * LadyMysteria cups her hands and holds them out. "H---bah!" The street below is completely invisible. Only the IHA buildings, pulsing a subtle angry red, and the apartment roof she's standing on can be seen at all. I... can't see the street. * LadyRoyal tries to open the panel, using cards if she has to. You can't see the street? Where did it go? The panel is a little stuck, but opens with a good thump from her palm. Above the elevator is the usual elevator machinery. I have no clue. What's going out there? We're... just going to have to go and do, people. * LadyRoyal growls. I can only see this roof and the IHA buildings. * Lord_Darkmoon lets the door close, and pushes the button for the ground floor. They're pulsing a deep red. * LadyRoyal drops down. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth. "I think we're just going to have to wait and find out the fun way... as terrible as that sounds." I really think she should come down with us. * Lord_Darkmoon grins grimly. "At least we didn't waste any time coming up with a brilliant plan." Darkmoon, can you detect anything alive at all? * Lord_Darkmoon checks, his eyes glowing. * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, clearing his eyes. "There are animals out there, but there's something inhibiting my power." ... Taki, follow us. If you can't see anything, you're kinda without a purpose. I can't actually touch them. But... What if something happens? * Norcliff pokes Haruko "Give me a piece of chalk" Join us, Taki. *gently* We need you with us. Everyone, can you clear some space at the center of the elevator? Then it's better for you to be with us than to be all alone. * Lord_Darkmoon gestures for people to make room for Norcliff to do...whatever. * LadyRoyal edges into a corner. * LadyHeat moves off to the side. How fast can you get down, then? * LadyMysteria moves as directed, bouncing more. * Lady_MakeBelieve gives Norcliff a piece of chalk and an odd look. I don't know. I can probably hop down the stairwell faster than taking the elevator... Stay there and keep us posted. If it gets to the point where you can't see anything and I give the order, come down immediately. Alright. * Norcliff starts chalking a circle with a 7 pointed star inside it, surrounded by some odd symbols that none of you really recognize. What are you doing, Norcliff? * LadyMysteria watches, but doesn't say anything. Trying to contact the Agency. *Something* is wrong here and my normal channels are closed. * LadyRoyal looks at the wall, tapping her fingers. "...helps them, but doesn't have to hurt us..." Yeah. Sunbeam said she felt something was wrong too, and she was going to try to call back when she got ahold of the other girls but she hasn't yet. * Lord_Darkmoon rests a calming hand on Mysteria's shoulder. "We're going to beat them, no matter what special effects they pull out, My Lady." I know. I simply don't like surprises. The last time we had one of those, innocent girls died. * Norcliff finishes chalking and steps back to eye his creation. "That'll have to do" What. The. Fuck. I wish I had thumbs sometimes. * LadyMysteria does relax, though, shoulders slumping. Taki? What's going on? * Norcliff hops nimbly into the center, and the entire thing begins to pulsate with a bright bluish light. There's... Mounted Knights coming out of the IHA building. ..What? on horses? What kind of knights?! You mean samurai? They're in black armor. Knights? Like King Arthur? * Norcliff squeaks a bit as his form seems to waver in and out of existence. No... I mean like medieval. Yeah. King Arthur. They're going East. ...in Japan? What's East of here? What's east? I'm only telling you what I'm seeing! Knights... in Japan. On horseback. What in the hell is this? Wha...? Right. We read you, Nightshade. But what... This isn't our normal Earth magic, and it -definitely- isn't Sea magic. What -are- you up to, Sato? * LadyRoyal shakes her head. "...oh, no." Maybe he sold his soul to the devil! * LadyMysteria pauses. "...that's towards the bay." * Norcliff 's form finally solidifies with a near blinding flash of purple light. .... Ow. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth, and grabs her phone again, checking for any kind of reception. * LadyNightshade tries to get a count on the knights. "Would they even be better against Ladies than guys with guns?" * LadyRoyal finally takes note of Norcliff. "What are you doing?" What if it's guys with guns *and* them? I'm more concerned that they may be...like us. Creatures of magic, empowered by whatever is creating this. I was trying to visit home, actually. Ah. Are you okay, Norcliff? It's bad news that I'm cut off. Yeah... ... not really. I'm trapped here. So what they're trying to shield this area so no one knows that this is happening? * Lord_Darkmoon tries hitting the button for the ground floor. "Come on, work." Which shouldn't be possible. I'm only *kept* here by magic. That could well be possible. But anyway, I was able to get ahold of them, and they said they were trying to send help. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes Make Believe, but doesn't say anything. "Good." The doors rattle slightly, then close. The elevator starts going down. ...not working? ..ah. They said they weren't sure what was going on, and I don't think they'd keep things from me at a time like this. Surprises. We need to warn the Palace. Are you guys out yet?! * LadyMysteria holds a fist to her mouth, frowning deeply. "We have to get down first! We're on our way." The elevator just started working, Nightshade. Be calm. You are in control of the situation as long as you keep control of yourself. * Lady_MakeBelieve concentrates for a minute and conjures a grenade in each hand. "If I shout, everyone close your eyes for a bit." * Lord_Darkmoon is gripping the hilt of his Katana in a way that indicates far less calm than his voice is betraying. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes the grenades. "Yes, ma'am." .... Okay. They're loud to, so brace for that. The elevator drops away... the little panel that shows the floor counts down. 25... 20... 15... 10... Right. * LadyRoyal twitches. ...and as it flips between 6 and 5, the elevator CRASHES, as if it just hit a solid obstruction in its shaft. * LadyNightshade tries to keep an eye on the Knights for as long as she can. I count... at least 100 of them. * LadyRoyal stumbles, but only slightly, as she's been braced nervously the entire time for something like this. "Fuck!" * Lady_MakeBelieve drops one of the grenades, and is really glad that she didn't decide to pull the pins already. * LadyMysteria jerks, bracing against the wall. "... a hundred?" She looks around for a second. "Everyone out!" What?! What happened? * Lord_Darkmoon winces, losing his balance before catching himself against the wall. "We crashed." Everyone is tossed to the floor as the metal framework around them shrieks. Elevator stopped on the sixt---gah! * LadyHeat braces herself. * Lord_Darkmoon picks himself up carefully from the floor, then. "Is everyone alright?" Are you guys okay? ... I lost a grenade... could someone hand it too me? It's not on. * LadyNightshade panics. A few seconds later, there is complete silence... and then the power in the elevator goes out, leaving everyone in complete darkness. GRENADE? ... better and better. I think we're fine. ... ... or not. Power's out. Okay. Let's find the door and force it open. * LadyRoyal lets out a string of curses. "Someone get me a light and lift me back to that panel again. " Can you get out? * LadyMysteria takes a deep breath, and gropes for the door. * Lady_MakeBelieve flicks on a flashlight * Lord_Darkmoon gropes for the door, too. The elevator door is where it was... and still closed. Anyone else need one of these? I don't think now is a good time to be in the dark. * LadyRoyal takes it. "Thanks." Yeah... Should I... Should I come down to you? * LadyRoyal stumbles over to Kyou and taps her on the shoulder, pointing up to the panel again. * LadyHeat picks Royal up again, and lifts her towards the panel. * LadyMysteria tries to find a seam in the door. "If I have to, I'll blast it open... Darkmoon, help me." * Lord_Darkmoon grabs one side of the door at the seam. "Ready when you are, my Lady." ... Nightshade, come down to about the sixth floor. Keep your eyes open! * LadyRoyal pushes it out again, shoving if she has to, and looks around with the light to see if there's any way to get out that way and whether they're actually *between* floors or at a door. Okay... * LadyMysteria sets herself, then does her damnedest to try and open the door. "Now." The panel opens easily this time. The elevator shaft gapes blackly above her - there are no lights other than her flashlight. Guessing by the structures around her, they are between floors as the 6th floor doors are about at shoulder level when standing on top of the elevator. * LadyNightshade scans the IHA buildings one last time before turning back to the rooftop, looking for the stairwell door. I didn't see anything else come out... I guess that's it... * LadyRoyal frowns and looks around, pointing the flashlight down to see if she can see anything around the edges of the elevator. So... what do you see up there... can we get out? The door opens about an inch for Darkmoon and Mysteria, then stops solidly. It feels like it has jumped off its track. * LadyNightshade moves over to the stairwell access, heading down. I...if we can get the doors open, maybe, ... mn. Nothing doing here. Everyone up, then. * LadyRoyal crouches down and holds a hand to people who are coming up. "Taki, come down to the sixth floor and see if you can get the elevator doors open..." ... I might be able to cut it open. ... that didn't sound good. ---eh? Taki emerges into the top-floor hallway... and it looks like it has been abandoned for years. There is no carpet, the paint has peeled off the walls, and none of the doors are on their hinges. Even the elevator door is wedged open. Want me to try to pull it open? Uh... We're going to have to break it to open it. What is it, Nightshade? This isn't good at all. What's going on? We well know this by now. What do you see? The top floor looks like it's been abandoned. ... what? Carpet's gone, paint's fallen off, no doors... ...shit. * LadyNightshade looks around for the main stairwell, not wanting to trust the elevator. Just like the others, Taki is unable to locate stairs. Guys, whether we're getting out up here or down there, we'd best get going. Where the fuck are the stairs? ...you can't find them? Can you get to the elevator shaft? I'm... gonna have to hop down the elevator shaft. They disappeared... The doors are open at least... Wait, you can see down here? Lady Royal, is there an access ladder in the shaft? * LadyNightshade peers down the shaft. * LadyRoyal tries to signal with the flashlight. "Can you see this?" Do what you have to do, and hurry. We need to hurry, too. Taki, come down first. Or maybe you should slide down the elevator cables. Nightshade can see Royal's flashlight, and a rusty old ladder running the length of the shaft. Your hands will heal fast enough. Yeah... I can see your light. You do have a flashlight, don't you? Good. Yeah, Haruko made it. We do. Okay. * LadyNightshade hops over to the ladder, sliding down it and hopping off at the bottom. She joins Mina on the roof of the elevator car. * LadyRoyal nods at her. Mysteria, how do you want to do this? You blast it, or should I try to cut it? IF all else fails, I'll have you all get on top of the elevator and let Feral at the doors. So did we die? Is this the afterlife? ...cheerful thoughts. But no, I don't think we're quite that lucky. Blast it. Let's just go up. If this is the afterlife we're all in eternal trouble. And that's different from normal how? Right. *moves away from the door* * LadyRoyal kneels onto the roof and holds out a hand to anyone who's coming up. Let's see if we can open up the next floor. * LadyMysteria gets a grip on Royal's hand. "Going up!" * Lady_MakeBelieve follows Mysteria up * LadyRoyal heaves! * Norcliff just climbs. Hooray for squirrelly-grip! * LadyNightshade helps folks up. * Lord_Darkmoon lifts girls up from below, then lets them pull him up. It's a little crowded once everyone is standing on the roof, but there's no wobbling, no bouncing... it's as if the elevator really has come to rest on top of something. * LadyHeat pushes! Alright. Everyone... stand back. Okay... * LadyMysteria pulls out her wand, twirling it most dramatically along her fingers. * LadyRoyal moves out of Maya's way. The bottom of the door is at your shoulder level, and is a big, unmoving target. Mystery Star Gun... * LadyMysteria takes aim with a flourish. Old habits die hard. "... FIRE!" And with the characteristic bang, one spear of heat and light lances at the door, dead-center. And there's a fist-sized hole melted through the door! Right on the center seam, too. Do it bigger. Its going to take a lot of those to make a big enough hole for us. I... can't do it bigger, and I only have so many shots. We could try to open it, at least. Haruko, can you make anything so we can pry it open now? A crow bar I can do. You're on your own if you want the jaws of life. Want me to try and pull it open? * LadyRoyal glances at Heat and nods. "Probably see if Haruko can get you some gloves or something, though." ...stand back. Let's see if I can do fiction justice. *draws his Katana* * Lady_MakeBelieve stuffs a grenade in a satchel and then dangles a crowbar off of one finger. * LadyRoyal puts a hand on DM's arm. "Let Kyou try first. We don't have all that much room." So we're all going to try to open it once? Isn't that dangerous? ...right. * LadyRoyal nods at Heat. "Go ahead, it's all yours." Haruko, can you make me some heat proof gloves? * Lord_Darkmoon sheathes his Katana again. Er... I can make you some thick leather gloves... or oven mitts... I don't have much experience with actual heat proof stuff. Gloves are a start. Wait, I can pour water on the hole. .... wait. I have an idea. Let's just try *something*. Cold makes stuff all brittle. I can pour liquid air on it and then someone should just be able to hit it and shatter it. Wouldn't that be dangerous to the rest of us...? But what if we got touched by it and like, our hands froze? Kyou, go. Just go. Kyou. Okay. * LadyHeat just pours water on the hole, then waits a minute before going in to get a good grip. We'll take it from there. * LadyHeat braces herself then makes at pushing the elevator doors open. The doors resist for a second, then bounce open. * LadyNightshade hops through the door hole, looking around. * LadyRoyal stands ready to boost people up. Everybody out. * LadyMysteria takes the assisted boosting, scrabbling her way out. * LadyHeat lifts people up to the open doors. * LadyRoyal boosts and then is lifted and then pulls.. * Lady_MakeBelieve scrabbles her way up again. * Lord_Darkmoon boosts everyone out, then pulls himself up after. * Norcliff ,as usual, just jumps and climbs * LadyRoyal stands up and looks around. Okay. We're on the sixth floor. Theoretically. You're not in Tokyo any more. Okay, maybe you are, but low-ceilinged all-stone room you find yourself in doesn't seem much like any place you've seen in town before. ...like a castle. ...We I swear this better not be Haruko doing this. re going to meet King Arthur? ...the he--oh, no. ... what’s going on here? * LadyNightshade tries to find a window. ... what in the hell is going on?! There's a stairway going down at the far end of the room. In between you and it is a standing skeleton, in a fuku. It's working its jaw as if to speak, but only making clacking noises. Over it's shoulder is looped a long length of chain. ...you're kidding me. ... ... oh god. * LadyMysteria winces at the skeleton... but nonetheless approaches, wand at the ready. ... does anyone.. recognize it? * LadyHeat pulls out a water bottle. At attention, prepare for combat.