[Day: Here. Time: Now.] [You're at the edge of the Chinese camp, now with nifty new weapons. They vaguely resemble on of the five standard weapons used by the army (knife, sword, spear, glaive-like polearm, scythe-like polearm), but have red, shimmering blades. Finally, time to leave Hell. Yay? (probably yay, yeah.)] [Chomei, Rei, and Maria are not far away but are busy talking amongst themselves and probably don't want you interrupting, so don't do it :P] [Session-mini-whatever it turns out to be... execute!] (/me pouts. Chomei wants to talk to the other girls and not her? ;p) [Looks that way, Chie.] (;_;) * Asanjya sits on the ground and toys with her knife, staring at it. "I wonder how much I could get for this at that market. Gotta be rare." * Lazar tests out the balance of his new weapon, apparently some sort of massive 2-handed sword. It's nearly as tall as he is, and looks pretty damn heavy. Fortunately, Lazar is strong like golem. * Chie stands a little bit away from the others, going through sword forms with her new weapon. Not jealous that her best friend and her boyfriend seeem to be ignoring her at the moment. Oh, no, not jealous at all. * Yu-Mei is now known as Maria * Chie 's new sword looks pretty much like her old one - one-handed Chinese tai chi sword - except for the blade. And the lack of a spirit possessing it. We think. [Suddenly Chomei and Rei seem to decide they'd rather speak in private, so they send Maria over your way :P] * Makoto has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer ) ( And Makoto joins them! ) [And now Makoto goes over to join the others!] * Lazar is going through sword forms as well. His are noticably less precise and flowing than Chie's, and it's not just because he's using a less finesse-based weapon. * Maria comes over, sulking and muttering about stupid families this and swords that. * Chie pauses in her practice. "Hey, Maria. What's going on?" * Asanjya idly draws an Elder Sign in the dirt. Both kinds. * Chie lets her sword arm drop and wipes sweat from her forehead with her other hand. * Maria blinks. "Eh? Oh, not much. Rei and Chomei are going on about how weird it is they're related now. Don't see the big deal. * Maria shrugs. She doesn't seem entirely convinced, tho. * Chie laughs. "Heh. Of all the people... well, it sounds like it's only by adoption anyway." She looks down at her sword for a second, seems satisfied with something, and stows it away in her bag. She then walks over and seats herself next to Asanjya, then pats the ground on her other side, indicating that Maria should join them. * Asanjya is absorbed in adding flames to the burning eye, and doesn't notice Chie at first. * Chie blinks at it. "What *is* that?" * Lazar finishes a sword form. "Am really rusty with sword... too used to using whatever handy as weapon. No need much technique when hit something with big rock." ( Lazar needs a whip. :P ) (Yes!) ( No, whips are for the goyim. ) (Aww.) It's an Elder Sigil. You use it to bind shoggoths. * Lazar sits down, letting the sword rest on his shoulder. "Shoggoth? Those no fun." What's a shoggoth? Some kind of demon? * Maria sits next to Chie. "I really don't wanna use a..." she sneers. "Sword." Big thing. Hairy. Smell very bad. A shapeless invisible shambling demon! Eww. Only invisible until use spell to make visible. Is good spell. They're good for spying. Or moving stuff. Or guarding stuff. * Chie looks at Maria. "Hey, I could help you out with that." Otherwise they beat you up. Give you a few basic pointers and stuff. * Chie looks back at Asanjya and Lazar. "Yeah, I guess they'd work for that. I'd just as soon leave that sort of thing alone, myself." ( Aw, nobody picked a polearm ;_; ) Yeah, I know. And if nothing else, I could maybe ask... someone. But still. It's a *sword*. ( Eoi would be displeased. ) ( ;p) I'd have one of them if they weren't hunted almost to extinction. It takes a lot to get them to come to Earth now. * Chie chuckles. "Yeah, I know. S'like if somebody told me I needed to use a gun." There's something so... impersonal about smacking someone with a piece of metal, y'know? But they're really not *that* bad. Swords, I mean. Not invisible shambling demons. There's an art to sword-fighting. Could be worse. Could be using naginata, and then Eoi teacher never shut up and follow you to ends of earth. * Asanjya idly tosses the knife in the air, sigil finished. "I just want to get rid of it. I mean, what the hell am Iiii going to do with a knife, you know?" Heh. Well, the guy who taught me to fight used 'em, so they can't be all bad. I've just been on the wrong side of too many of 'em. * Chie laughs. "Laz, he'd do that no matter *what* I was using." And you couldn't use it in whatever rituals you do, Asanjya? I dunno about the other, really. Not sure what shambling involves, exactly. * Lazar nods at Maria. "Think this way, little one... some things break hands if punch, because hard, like golem. Use swords, no break hands, and can use hands to pick pockets or something." This thing? I might as well put up a neon sign saying "I KILL DEMONS, STAY AWAY". * Lazar stands up, and shambles. "This shambling." * Asanjya makes wide gestures and shouts that last bit. Shambling is... what Laz is doing, apparently. * Maria hums. "Maybe I don't have to hit it. Maybe.. oh. Yeah, I guess that's bad." And we *are* killing demons. Well, one specific demon. * Lazar shambles back to the group, and sits back down. "But if going to deal with demons, would no be bad thing to keep around, just in case one get... what word... ornery?" These things'd better work, after all we went through to get them. * Maria perks up when she considers an alternate view on the matter. "Of course, if I get a sword here, it's for free! And if it's for free, it's for me!" There's better ways to deal with demons. See? There's an upside to almost anything if you look hard enough! * Maria grins. "I wonder how much these'll pawn for." And you can probably sell it to a collector or something later. * Maria nodnods. And, Asanjya, when it's a demon involved in a prophecy about the destruction of the world? What do you do with it then, if not kill it? (I plan on finding the nearest Belmont.) Well, see, then you send it to another world, right?> How do you know that'll work? * Maria blinks. "What, that's it? It won't come back?" * Asanjya rolls her eyes. "Well, I could do that, and have a decent shot at success, or hit it with this knife, and just piss it off a little." ( I send demon to another dimension! ... okay, who let Lazar watch DBZ? ) (Heh.) And there's ways to bind things in other planes. Pocket dimensions, you know? Djinn in a bottle kinda stuff. If you knew this demon like we did, you'd *want* to stab it. Believe me. Well, nobody say that, because have knife, you need join golem in melee. Oh. Spells can still hurt. Just... good to have around, just in case. * Maria stands up and walks over to where the weapons are. She looks 'em over. That's true. It's probably not immune to your spells, or Chomei's arrows. It's just that stuff like my normal sword doesn't work very well on it. That, too.... well, we'll see what I can get for it. Ten years of life is a little more valuable than a little ol' knife. Or some spell components, I could use those. Or my fists. Those didn't do too well, either. * Lazar nods. "I mean, if can trade knife for key to spell what turn any demon into grape jelly, that great." Or golem fist, for that matter. Well, no. I mean, I get my big spells through the big demons. How'd you get started with this whole demon-summoning thing, anyway? ... ah. You mean you magic based on call upon demon for power? * Maria carefully picks out a sword she thinks would be balanced for her and such. She looks thoughtful for a sec, and then swipes a pair of straight-edged daggers when nobody's looking. * Asanjya nods to Lazar, then looks to Chie and grins. "My uncle! He's a demon summoner, too. And he learned it from his uncle, and then his uncle before him, aaaaaaaaaall the way back to the 19th century." That's right, you mentioned an uncle. Okay, no offense, but that's gotta be the *weirdest* family tradition I've ever heard of. Weeeell, it's not official. Like, my mom and dad would flip out if they knew. And the rest of the family, too. * Chie snickers. "So I take it they don't go in your room very often?" Nope. They're too busy working. * Lazar rubs his chin, producing an odd grinding sound. "So maybe can offer knife to Demon Lord of Battleships, get to drop battleship on enemy." * Maria sighs and goes back to looking miserable. Which is great, cause some of those demons make a lot of noise... * Lazar patpats Maria. "You miss be in Tokyo? * Chie snickers again. "Wouldn't be surprised if there was one." * Chie looks up. "Yeah, we'll be back soon. Where there're plenty of tall buildings and hopefully very few demons." Nah, 'snot that. Although I would like to have my usual sulking spots right now. Then what wrong? Aside from fact we in Hell, I mean. What's wrong? * Asanjya looks on. Xaphan pokes his head out of her pocket. (Yay, Xaphan! ^_^) 'M jealous. * Chie blinks. "Jealous?" * Maria lies back. "Yeah, jealous." * Lazar frowns, then thinks back to some previous conversations. "... is all talk about family, no?" Oh... Yeah. * Asanjya blinks. "Is that not a good topic?" * Maria signs. "Yeah. You guys... 'scept Laz, you guys all got family. That's great, don't get me wrong, an' I know you love 'em, 's just..." Well, technically mine are ghosts. * Asanjya frowns. "Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend." But, yeah. I'm sorry, too. Yeah, but they're ghosts you can talk to, right? In your sword? Didn't mean to keep bringing up a sore spot. Not in my sword. Just... sometimes. Nah, 's alright. 'm just... I'm being selfish, I guess? I can't really be sure. Selfish was what kept me alive for a while, y'know? [You heard it here, folkes.] * Maria ignores the GM. He's a meanie. ;_; ( Laughing at my pain like that. The nerve! ) * Asanjya rubs her chin. "We could have my uncle adopt you!" * Lazar nods. "I understand, kind of. Is tough being lonely." (And then when you stole all his stu--wait a minute...) Well... you've got us now. Maybe not exactly the best substitution, but I'd like to think we're not that bad. * Chie half-smiles. Then you'd be related to me like Rei's related to Chomei! I think. * Maria blinks, then giggles. "Nah, adoption's not.... well, it's not a good idea, but thanks." They started talking about all the people they have and I kind of stopped listening, cause geneology's boring unless you're tracing a genotype through 180 generations of a family line, but.... * Asanjya realizes she's rambling and stops suddenly. I *think* those two ended up being second cousins. Anyhow. Uhg. I still can't figure that out. Isn't Rei too cool to be related to Chomei? * Chie laughs. "She'd agree with you on that." Everyone related to Rei, I think. At least everyone we meet. Why? Is Chomei not cool? * Lazar mutters. "And everyone related to Rei try beat up golem." ( Duh :P ) * Maria blinks, seeming genuinely confused. "Asa, Chomei is the God of Lame. You couldn't tell?" Hey, he's not *that* bad! * Asanjya blinks back. "....no?" * Lazar motions over to Chie. "She biased. She have hots for him." He's... well, look. When I've really needed someone, he's been there for me. And... he's... *different* when it's just the two of us. So, well... * Chie gives Lazar a Look. "Yes, thanks, Laz." No problem! ^_^_v * Chie shakes her head and sighs, but she's smiling. "Yeah." * Maria giggles. "True. He could use a sword." She winks at Chie. "Although... eh, I guess I'm gonna need to rely on lame, too. Maybe it's better than selfish?" Chomei no really so bad. Just... clueless sometimes. * Asanjya giggles. * Chie winks back at Maria. "Yeah, maybe." I had to hold upside down or noogie few times. * Maria makes a face. "Still can't believe I came all this way for a sword. I could've just gone and stolen the Green Whatintheheck again, or something." The what? * Asanjya looks quizzical. I dunno. Some really old sharp metal thing. I still think, no matter how tough demon thing is, no would be able to stand up if golem whack with Winnebego. Huh. Ancient sword. Probably pretty cool. Well, to me, at least. * Chie snickers. "But where would you find a Winnebago on such short notice?" Well, have to bring one to fight. Winnebego? That's like the abominable snowman, right? But then you'd have to... actually, I *could* see you carrying one around with you all the time. ( Hey, the snowmen resent being called abominable. ) ( Then they should bathe every now and then. And use deodorant.) * Lazar shakes his head. "Winnebego probably bit too big to carry around, even for golem." And Winnebego is big van, from Germany. Ugh. Much rather use my bike, thanks. I think you mean Wendigo. For driving, I mean. Not hitting demons with. Oh. Maybe. Windy-go, right. * Lazar mutters. "Still no believe no could tip over stupid giant demon thingees." * Asanjya leans back and looks up at the ... sky? Cave ceiling? Whichever. But yeah. Ancient sword. This one's new, tho. Prolly in better shape. [It's a sky! A red sky with black clouds. Or maybe a black sky with red clouds. Hard to tell.] ... what I need is portable pully system. That be good. So how are we getting back? Same way we got here? * Lazar ponders. "Of course, getting demon to sit still while I set up pully may be issue... oh well." Yup. We get Gaap to come down and haul us back. Part of the agreement we signed. I dunno. We're really on a whole other world, aren't we? Cool. Wonder if Rei wants to go talk to her godmother again before we go. Oh. That works. I, personally, want to get out of here as soon as possible, though. And yeah, "down" isn't really down, it just helps to think about it like that. It's another plane? Is that how you say it? ( It's actually West. Somewhere in Nevada. ) (Actually, that'd be east from Tokyo. Or really really far west. ;p) No shit. An' ta think last month I'd never been out of Tokyo. I wonder if I could set up a running bargain with him for service. I could really use the reagents.... yeah. Plane, dimension. I'm not sure which,. Yeah, we've really been traveling. China, Hell... Okay, the latter is *far* stranger than the former. I dunno. China was pretty messed up. ( Don't forget Smorfilia! ) I wouldn't mind going back to China, but I hope we never have to come back here. ... no like China. Heal slow. Is bad. Yeah. Felt all icky there. Yeah, but China had... a lot of things trying to kill us. Okay, never mind. You like stories, Asanjya? We've got *tons*. * Asanjya is listening eagerly. "I love stories." Oh, the stories I could tell. And I don't even like telling stories. How long have we been doing this now? Too long. And I still say I'm not getting paid enough. * Chie laughs. "Good answer." * Maria grins. * Asanjya blinks. "You get paid, too?" But, seriously... it seems like a lot longer than it's really been. Feels like I've known you guys forever... well, not you, Asanjya, but that's 'cause we really did just meet. And thanks for all your help, by the way. ( Do we get paid? ) ( Well, there's an additional 3000 yen per hour for Kirbycomp. but that only applies if your name is Kirby. ) Yeah. We're on the payroll of... Interpol, right? (First or last?) Or did that break down somewhere? Sure.... man, I wish I could get paid for this. Last I checked, we still worked for them, even if we have been doing some independent contracting lately. Hey, nobody says you can't join, Asa. Yeah! Well, I'd warn you that hangin' out with us is hazardous to your health, but I think you know that already. Hmm... I bet my parents would flip if I told them I was getting a part time job. In a good way, this time. Good flipping. ...mind, who you talk to about that is beyond me, but hey. Could maybe get her in contact with the Prof. His old spot's still open. Sure. Shock your parents the right way! Show them you care! ...you do care, don't you, Asa? -*eye*- Do I? Sure you do! 'Cause otehrwise you're grounded. So there. * Chie laughs. "Maria, you've been hangin' around Rei too much. That sounds just like somethin' she'd say." * Asanjya smiles. ( Seriously. Do we get paid? =P ) * Maria blinks. "It does. Oh, man, it's contagious! Aie! I'm gonna go insane!er." * Chie grins at her. "Join us. It's fun!" I could noogie until go back sane. *whistles* ( Yes, although it's not enough to buy your own jet, if that's what you're thinking :P ) Is ancient Transylvanian remedy. ( Is it enough for a winnebago? ) Seems like you use that for a lot of things, Laz. * Chie winks. I'll see. I bet they don't even care. Or notice. No! I won't! I wanna stay sane! Why is beyond me. It's never got me nothin' but trouble. ( No, no. Was just wondering if Lazar would have spending money, since it's not like he had savings left over from the 666th Bank of Transylvania. ) ( It's enough to pay rent and get you a really good sammich. ) Exactly! You won't miss your sanity after it's gone, really. I haven't. Is few problems well placed noogie or wedgie can no fix. Of course, some can argue that I never had much in the first place. Hee. Anyhow. Let's see if we can get those guys moving. * Chie points over to Rei, Chomei and Makoto. Oh, and Maria? Yeah? ( Yes? Find your own lame. Chomei's mine. ) ... oh, I can get moving. Just depend on how much air resistance little ones have. *cackles* If you ever feel like talkin' about stuff - anything, really - you can always stop by my place. Just give me a little warning if you decide to. No unexpected visits through the window. ^_~ * Maria smirks. "I will, sure." [And they lived happily ever after. Well, not really. The End! Also, not really.]