[Day: Saturday, October 5th. Time: 12:00 a.m.] [Having infiltrated smalltime pharmaceutical company ChemicalDyne, the dudes (+1 dudette and robodudette), encountered Werner Himmel, the father of cybernetics, and his femme-robot squad of doom. Defeating said squad, they were interrogating Himmel when another woman, this one with bad fashion sense, appeared on the scene.] [There's a lot of wind blowing around, which is kinda strange since you're in an enclosed room deep underground. But oh well. On with the show.] [Session Start] (Also, if this woman is 4'8", 'rather short' does not cut it. She's freaking tiny.) [Whoever she is, she calmly walks towards you. Togo just fired at her a minute, but she seems unfazed.] * Lukas , having just turned to look to her, rubs his face. "Gods, can we do this _later_? I'm trying to concentrate since Our Father in Robotics is being tight-lipped." ( Only 'cause we're not based in Tokyo anymore. ) * Herman keeps his eyes on the woman and one hand pointed towards her, a steady stream of words leaving his mouth. The air around him crackles slightly. * Togo scowls as the wind throws off his aim, but keeps his shotgun trained on the woman. "Who're you, whaddya want, and knock it off with the goddamn wind!" ( power to the tiny Japanese school girl!) [She chuckles. "That's the thing. I'm taking him with me."] * Ashley swirls into visibility, a smile on his face. He offers a rather deep bow to the woman. * Togo hrms. "Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" *fires shotgun again* Togo, don't be a fool! ("You're ruining my chances to get laid!") (SHEZ HAWT) (She wasn't desced as THAT hot. But she isn't wearing anything under that jacket, so... hey.) (Good enough for Ashley.) ( She's kinda cute. Not drop dead gorgeous or anything. ) * Lukas tosses a hand up in the air in exasperation and then turns back to the machine and the woman attached. She's topless too. Poor Ashley. So many boobies, so little time. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets a natural 9 for a result of 6. * Alys is willing to do many things to get Ashley's attention, but topless isn't one of them. Her hands go to her chains and she faces Himmel to tell him, < [Togo fires! The wind kicks up in front of the woman, and the shotgun pellets ricochet around the room, destroying beakers and microscopes and sciency stuff.] * Ashley sighs, and turns back to the woman, smiling again "A pleasure to meet you again, miss. It's been a long while." [The woman doesn't pay any heed to Ashley. Big surprise, she's watching Togo. "We can do this the hard way or the easy way."] * Griff_Khalil flaps higher to avoid the ricochet. "For the love of All--Togo. Is your first reaction to everything firing first and asking questions later?" * Lukas flinches slightly at the noise behind him, but maintains his 'trying to figure out the damn machine-ness.' * Togo swaps out his shotgun for his SMG. "Technically, I asked questions in between firing." [Meanwhile, Himmel ain't moving. He looks kind of confused. And Lei looks surprised, to say the least.] A technicality, I am sure. * Herman keeps chanting, more slowly now. (When we get another shot at the machine, Brett, let us know. ^^;) Trust me on this one, Togo, the hard way is going to be quite exquisitely painful. * Togo turns back towards the woman. "That depends. That wind of yours blocked buckshot. Can i-" *turns to Ashley* "You know her?" [The woman blinks, and looks over her shoulder. "Why, if it isn't Ashley! Fancy seeing you here, of all places." You know me, Lix. I get around. * Ashley grins widely. And you don't think we can take her? * Ashley shrugs. "I recommend not trying it unless you fancy several thousand years in a burning hell or two." [She glances back at Togo, then at Ashley again. "These aren't friends of yours, are they, Ashley? Because I'm about to rip them asunder."] * Herman lowers his hand, slowly, and stops chanting. The charge in the air around him starts to die. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 5 for a result of 5. ... right then. *puts away his gun* I've been outgunned enough to know when I'm damn well outgunned. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-2) and gets a natural 10 for a result of 8. Alas, they are. I'm afraid I must ask pardon on their behalf - they're a little twitchy. * Togo turns back to the woman. "Could we keep the kraut long enough to get him to get that girl outta that contraption?" * Griff_Khalil sighs and flaps near Togo, furling his wings as he lands. "You do not seem to learn your lesson until *after* you have irritated them, however. It is a bad habit to continue." [Lix smiles at Ashley. "You're lucky we're still in good relations with the Seelie court. I'll forgive them this time." She turns her head towards Togo, and her smile fades as she repeats, "This time."] * Herman laughs. "Knew it." * Ashley wipes his brow quickly behind her back and takes a deep breath, then reassumes the smile. After shooting a glare at Herman. You don't wanna get shot at, you don't sneak up on people with magic winds a-blowin'. * Herman waggles his right hand's fingers at Ashley. The what court? But if you're a friend of his... *pauses* ... my apologies for the quick trigger finger. Sorry, lady, but we've been dealing with all sorts of dangerous shit lately. [Lix apparently ignores Togo. "How is Titania, anyhow. Still with a stick up her bottom?"] * Griff_Khalil just folds his arms across his chest and listens like a good little griffin. * Ashley is silent for a moment. "I'm afraid I've not seen either of their Majesties in a good long while. Last I saw them, though, they were well." * Togo is ignored. Ah well. * Herman looks to Alys. "Seelie," he says, helpfully. "Faeries." Ah. Gotcha. (Folds his arms? He ditched my pipe!) * Lukas continues his strenuous campaign of 'don't look at combat and it won't hurt you'. (He can hold the pipe while crossing his arms :P) * Herman goes back to supporting Lei and watching the conversation. [She blinks, looking somewhat disappointed. "Oh." Turning back towards Himmel, she says, "I'd thought perhaps you were sent here for this man as well, as though Auberon and his wife had taken a fancy to man's technology."] [Lei is supported by Herman, also watching. She looks rather more timid now than she did first coming her. Probably 'cause her leg still hurts.] * Togo pulls the drum cartridge of his shotgun out of his coat, along with a couple of shells, and goes about reloading it while he has a moment. If they have, it is certainly news to me. I am here with these humans for the girl, actually. * Ashley gestures at the machine. [Lix looks in that direction. She sniffs. "Who's also another human. Why would you want something like that?"] * Lukas smirks to himself, then heads off over to the end of the catwalk and flips a switch. An off switch! * Ashley smiles and shrugs. "We all have our reasons, Lix." [She shrugs and smiles. "It's not as though there aren't plenty of them in this world."] * Griff_Khalil just watches Lix carefully. He lets the pretty one do the talking. [Lei glares at Lix. Except Lix notices, and she practically cowers behind Herman.] * Herman rolls his eyes and mutters, "Bloody faeries." He looks to Lei. "Need your leg healed some more?" They often seem to care about specific other humans. Who knows, hey? * Ashley pauses. "I take it you're interested in the man for reasons as you stated?" [Lix smiles. "That's one of my secrets, Ashley."] ["But yes, he's coming with me." Her voice leaves no room for doubt.] * Griff_Khalil lets out a snort through the nostrils of his beak and heads over towards Lei as well. (Does the machine, uh, react to being off?) Please. Take him. Our interest is not with him. * Ashley winks. "Of course, miss." He glances over at Lukas. "Are we going to need him, Volt?" (Or can I get to hacking? The pointy bits part?) * Alys takes a marker out of her pocket and starts doodling butterflies on her arm next to faded doodles of sharks. [The machine goes off with a WHEEEEEOOOOooooooooo....p sound.] * Lukas smiles to himself and heads back towards the tubed-up girl. "Well, uh, we'll need a doctor to get the tubes out of that girl..." he trails off, then says, looking back at all of them. "... wait, why the hell would you ask that? He's a crazy scientist. Odds on him doing it again, 1." Can somebody ask him what the hell he *did* to her before Lady Lix drags him off? We tried. He is too obsessed with me to form an opinion. Then leave so he's not obsessed with you. * Griff_Khalil ruffles his neck feathers and looks annoyed. "What did I ever do to deserve this, oh Allah?" * Alys looks up and pockets the marker quickly. [Lix, meanwhile, looks everyone over. "What very strange company you keep, Ashley."] * Lukas shakes his head. "What we need is a saw. A nice big saw. Or something like a saw." [The doctor says something!] * Togo pulls a large saw out of his trenchcoat. "Will this do?" * Lukas stares at Togo. "..." Strange needs make strange bedfellows, as they say. * Herman blinks at Togo, then shrugs to himself. The guy pulls out rocket launchers. * Ashley eyes Togo. "Very strange.: ... ... Right. [She shrugs. "Gnomes make strange bedfellows."] * Griff_Khalil eyes Togo too. There is a very loose meaning of the word "company" there. * Togo fails to notice the stares. "Well? Will it?" * Alys tells Volt, "He won't tell me how to get her out, sorry. Want me to keep trying, or do you have any other ideas?" ... yeah. Sure. I think Volt's got it covered. Can you find out what the changes he made to her are? * Lukas looks to Alys and continues, "Just hack her loose. Machine's off. You'll need to do surgery to get the tubes out." He should want to brag about it. Ah...yes...I believe you want this back. * Griff_Khalil holds out Herman's pipe. Right. Be right back. * Herman takes it. "Thanks, man." Surgery. With a saw. Sure, why not. * Alys nods at Herman. "I'll try." * Togo climbs up, and goes to hack the girl loose. No, not surgery WITH a saw. [Lix rests her cheek in her palm. She comments to Ashley, but audibly enough to hear, "You ought to just tear her out of there. She'd mostly be intact."] Jesus. The saw is... just to get her apart from the machine. * Ashley idly juggles three glowing balls. "This group is often exceedingly particular in the end result of their fellow mortals," he responds quietly. [The doctor smiles and straightens his lab coat as he talks.] ["Oh? What a shame."] * Togo gets to work cutting Lei's sister loose. (I can't believe we're letting the blind guy do this.) (... but my body score is crap, so I'd rather not take off a limb.) (Herman doesn't even know he's actually blind yet.) So. Have you been up to much, Lix? (I can't believe YOU'RE letting a blind guy do this. You're the one who asked him :P) (I just needed a saw!) (Do _you_ carry around a saw?) (*points to eagle claws?*) (BEAK!) (Then speak up!) (And beak yes) * Lukas looks up at the machine and sighs slightly. (He's busy looking after Lei!) * Griff_Khalil glances down at Lei now. "Are you quite alright?" (I dunno, I'm just holding her up.) * Alys blinks, then smiles to cover up being startled. *hackhackhack* [Lix smiles. "Quite a bit, in fact. My father's been having me run errands in the mortal realm recently."] Okay, he says he's.... installing a converter to use her magic as a power supply. And that it will let her use magic or electricity. (BEAK!) * Lukas frowns. "Why the hell does she need a 'power supply'?" * Ashley quirks an eyebrow. "... really." Which sounds really huge even if I'm not quite sure what he's talking about, exactly. Well, I think he just thinks it's really cool. And something about future technological possibilities. *sawsawsaw* But he didn't finish, so.... [Lei blinks a few times and looks up at Khalil, as though suddenly processing what he said. She nods slowly.] * Ashley carefully adds another ball to his juggling. "Must be something big, if your father's involved." [She smiles enigmatically. "Mmmmmaybe."] * Griff_Khalil nods to Lei. "This is why I said we must stick together." ["Though I must admit, it involves a certain degree of unpleasant acts."] * Lukas rubs his head. This is weirder than weird. Weirder than zombies and, and... burny blob thingies. *looks at Togo* Do you deal with this kind of thing a lot? * Herman shakes his head. "Ask him what the converter would let her power. Does he mean the electricity?" [Lix folds her arms. "Are they done yet? It's been nice seeing you again, Ash, but I'm a busy woman."] After this, I want you -all- to learn German. All of you. Or I will draw on you in your sleep. * Lukas snorts. * Herman rolls his eyes. [Togo saws through the connections, freeing Lei. But she's still got all those pieces of iron tubes in her.] * Ashley adds another two balls, for a total of 6. "They are working on it. I do believe they're almost done, but hampered by the fact that he only speaks German." [Lei blinks once as she process that. She glares at Khalil, but only briefly, before returning her attention to Lix.] * Griff_Khalil just glances at Alys and shakes his head. * Griff_Khalil doesn't notice Lei's glare. Ha! [Himmel speaks!] [He gets enthusiastic and gestures wildly at Alys.] * Togo wraps Lei's sister in a large blanket produced from his trenchcoat, puts away the saw, carefully hoists her over one shoulder, and makes his way down the ladder. Hey, Togo. [Togo kind of can't. Too many tubes sticking out of her to lift her over his shoulder without harming himself.] [Lix steps forwards, waving her hands. "Okay, okay. You've got her. Hand the man over."] ... hmm. * Alys thinks for a moment to try and translate the terms she's not used to. "He said it would power electrical.... somethings.... oh, cybernetics! And that they wouldn't need to be charged because she would charge them, and they could be really small." But he said the main point is to use it to experiment with technologies that can use magic. * Lukas frowns. "Guess that could be useful." Small smirk. "Good thing we have to tear it to bits, huh?" * Griff_Khalil glances back at Togo and sighs, walking up towards him. "Allow me." * Herman blinks. "Damn. Magic and technology just doesn't... I mean, it doesn't mix." * Togo pulls out a bunch of towels and some duct tape, and wraps the towels around the ends of the tubes to shield the sharp edges. I got it. * Lukas glances over to Herman. "That's why the mad scientist types go for it, yanno." [Lix approaches Himmel.] * Griff_Khalil tilts his head. "Are you certain?" Khalil's got her. And I'm fine with Lady Lix taking the crazy scientist guy wherever now. Tortises and monkeys, magic and technology, pancakes and chees sauce... * Ashley nods to Lix. "He's all yours, miss." * Herman shifts his weight. And he does have a point. "It is not right" is a good enough reason as any. [Himmel blinks, as he didn't notice the wind until he could feel it, when Lix gets close enough. He stares at her and shrieks.] * Togo stops. "Okay, Khalil has her." *steps back* [Meanwhile Lix grabs his shoulders and grins widely. She's got pointy teeth. "Let's go, old man. You've got a lot of work to do for me."] ( Everyone 'cept Ashley, gimme body rolls.] ) * Lukas turns away from the machine, looking at the scene now unfolding... * Ashley waves. "Don't be a stranger, Lix." 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8) and gets a natural 6 for a result of 6. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8) and gets a natural 10 for a result of 10. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8) and gets a natural 3 for a result of 3. * Alys backs off, not wanting to be anywhere near the two crazy people. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8) and gets a natural 6 for a result of 6. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 5 for a result of 5. 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Griff_Khalil (2d8-4) and gets a natural 12 for a result of 8. [Lix's eyes flash a brilliant green, and the wind swirls around her until it's visible, like a mini-hurricane. Then it suddenly rushes outwards in all directions. Lei is almost knocked off her feet, but Herman manages to keep her up. The rest of you manage to withstand the winds. When they clear, Lix and Himmel are gone.] (Yay, I win!) * Lukas raises his arm to the wind, wincing as it smacks him in the burnedness. "Jesus christ!" [Lei seems surprised. She looks into Herman's eyes, astonished.] * Ashley slumps his shoulders, heaves a hearty sigh of relief, and looks decidedly exhausted. * Herman steadies her. "You okay?" (...figures. It's ALWAYS the ones who play for the other team that they fall for) [She blinks a few times. "Y... Yeah."] * Togo stares into the wind, scowling, his trenchcoat rustling almost horizontal until the winds die down. "Got her, Khalil?" * Herman looks back to see that they're gone. "Okay. Look, I don't think we should carry her all the way out of here." [Lei looks at Herman a bit longer, then moves towards her sister.] * Griff_Khalil steadies himself first then carries the unconscious sister over his shoulder. Unfortunately, it makes it difficult to extend his wings. "Yes. Give me one moment." He makes his way down the ladder or whatnot. * Ashley looks over at Togo. "You are one rather lucky chap, you know that?" * Herman helps Lei down, too. "What the hell *was* Lady Lix?" * Lukas rubs his head. "Don't piss off the women with death at their hands." She was - is - a rather prominent demon. * Alys sighs and sits down on the floor. "If I never have to speak German again, I'll be thrilled. I don't like that language." Such wonderful friends you keep. If you're into the lineage bit, she's the daughter of Beelzebub. * Alys perks back up. "What? I met a demon? Cool!" ... this will end well. * Griff_Khalil glances at Alys as if she grew a second head. And with her personality, maybe that's a third. * Togo snorts. "First time I've ever been accused of good luck." I've never met a demon before! I don't think I have, anyway. Do demons go to bookstores very much? And you're never friends with a demon. You just haven't been eaten yet. Or vaporized. Or sent to a hell. Just let me know where I should set the lady. * Lukas shakes his head and speaks up. "Before we get too tied up in this. We've still got four unconscious cyborgs and a giant freakish machine to destroy." * Herman looks at Lukas. "Yeah. And Lei's sister to get out of here. We can take her to my place in a couple minutes, if you guys wanna take care of this shit." * Alys gets back to her feet and grins at Togo. "I don't suppose you carry plastic explosives?" * Togo pulls out his SMG. "I'll take care of the cyborgs. Got grenades if that's how you wanna deal with the machines." * Ashley eyes the machines. "An explosion might be very apt, yes." * Lukas looks to Togo and says, "... didn't actually mean 'destroy the cyborgs'." [Lei reaches out to touch her sister, then draws her hand back, as though afraid of making things worse. "Wh.... what do we do?"] * Togo puts away the SMG. "What'd you have in mind?" Hell, I don't know. * Griff_Khalil glances at Lei. "This is why we employ a healer." He gestures his head at Herman. You wanted to capture all those crazy women before. Well, here's captives for you. Enjoy or something. * Togo turns to Lei. "I know a few scientists who're pretty good with mechanical grafts on humans. They might be able to give us an idea." Best I can figure, Lei, first thing we need to do for her is get her out of here. I can do that real quick. Then we gotta get- yeah, what Togo said - and I can speed up healing, I hope. [Lei nods. "Oh.... Okay. Hurry."] * Togo pulls his SMG back out. "Destroy the cyborgs it is. No room in my apartment for four cyborgs." * Griff_Khalil bends forward slightly towards Lei. "We shall help her. Do not despair." * Lukas points over at Herman and says with a smirk. "Oh no, you. You keep escaping before I can buy you a beer. Beers will be bought. After she gets healed, sure, but. Got it?" Fine, if you're that fucking eager to get me drunk. But this first. C'mon. Mmm, beer. Sounds delicious, frankly. * Togo goes from cyborg to cyborg, emptying half a clip from his SMG into each. * Herman leads Lei over to the door, closes it, and starts tracing runes on the thing while murmuring under his breath. Latin, for the record. As he completes each rune, it flashes a deep green. [The bodies twitch violently each time a bullet enters them.] * Lukas looks to the killings and says, quietly, after the first one, "God, Togo, stop it. Can't you just... can't your mechanic guy disarm them?" * Lukas looks at the rest of them. "Something. Christ." * Herman pays no attention. Busy! * Griff_Khalil closes his eyes and mutters a faint prayer in Arabic before opening them again. "I cannot wait to get back into something more ordinary." * Togo stops after the first. "He's across the Atlantic at the moment. And, again, if you have a better idea, I'm all ears." You wanna take them home and see if you can reprogram them? * Alys looks nervously at the bodies, then looks away. Have your own personal squad of Voltettes? ( New playmates! ...no.) * Ashley pays attention to Herman and Lei, but he seems awfully standoffish. * Lukas shakes his head. "Reprogram them how? That's human brain in there, Togo. Those weren't dummy AIs." Well, we can't just leave them here... * Herman finishes, places his hand on the handle, and says the last word. All of the runes glow, turning from the deep green and lighter into white, and then he opens it, white light streaming through the doorway. "Khalil, carry her in?" * Griff_Khalil glances at the doorway and hefts her up again before walking forward. * Herman lets him enter - and hopefully Khalil doesn't vaporize - before walking in himself. Lei probably goes with him. * Ashley follows Herman in, after a quick glance back. * Lukas rubs his face. "No, we can't. Don't you have people that do cleanup? Can't they take them?" * Alys walks toward the doorway. "Nice trick. Shiny." She goes in because everyone else is! (You're such a free thinker, Alys.) ... okay, I think I know someone who we could turn them over to. Handles cybernetic research for British intel, not especially insane, owes me a favor. * Lukas nods. "Well then. I guess I owe you a favor, then. Let's do it." * Herman lets the door shut behind him, so if nobody else immediately goes in, they're not going! * Togo pulls out his cel phone. "Lemme make a few calls. Might even be able to get them to take care of the big machine for us." *starts working the phones* * Herman walks in, Lei leaning on him. Once someone steps through the door, it's... very not light. In fact, it's really dark! And Herman switches on the lights. [The place isn't particularly exciting looking. For all intents and purposes, you just stepped through the front door. The walls are white, and the floor's covered with indoor/outdoor carpeting. To the left is a living room or entertainment center, which looks thoroughly lived in - the furniture consists of a sofa and a few chairs, all mismatched and pretty damn used. There's a nice television, though, along with a nicer sound system...] < [and a large music collection, all organized and filed away. An electric guitar lies on one of the chairs, along with plenty of equipment for that. It looks like the kitchen connects further down, to that room and the hallway currently stood in. There's a washer and dryer further down and to the right, and back towards is the open bathroom door and another open door, which leads to Herman's bedroom.] [Said bedroom, from cursory inspection, is a punk-clothes-filled mess with an unmade bed.] * Ashley looks around. "Have your priorities, do you?" (And that's all at once so I don't need to do it again! Hooray!) You're one to talk. C'mon, we can put her in here. * Herman heads into his bedroom, turning on the lights for that and kicking some leather out of the way to his bed. * Alys spies the music collection and starts looking through it. [Oh, and they're posters. Said posters have punk bands. Probably none we know as players, since it's way before Herman's time! Whoo for cop outs.] (WOO!) (Aw, none of the classics?) (Maybe one or two, but you know how hard a good classic poster would likely be to get at this point?) * Ashley sits down in a chair, genteelly crossing his legs, and runs a hand over his face. "I must confess, I'm concerned about the presence of Lix." [Herman doesn't have any Flubbing Gourd or Spanish Muskrats posters? ;_;] (Ha.) * Griff_Khalil looks around the place. "Where should I set her?" (Fine. ONE vintage Spanish Muskrat poster.) [Lei follows Herman around, but her eyes are glued to her sister. "Don't hurt her," she says to Khalil.] In here! * Herman waves Khalil into his bedroom. "And can someone get a chair? I think Lei'd wanna stay with her sis." * Griff_Khalil follows Herman's directions. He'll be right back! * Herman points out his bed. "Just put her here. I can always sleep on the couch." * Alys looks up from the music, because she recognizes -nothing-. "Hey Herman, what side of town are we in? Wait, are we still in London?" * Herman calls back, "Yeah, we're still in London. Doesn't really matter, though." Does that mean you're inviting me to stay the night? 'Cause if you're not, I need to know how to get back home. Oh, yeah. You can open the door and leave, if you want. It's about a half hour, forty-five minute walk to the office. Or I can take you straight there. Don't really care. I'm okay right now. But later, I'd appreciate it. Thanks. * Khalil comes out of the bedroom, staggering after a sneeze, rubbing his head. "I really do get tired of this. I need to find a robe that can take the sprout of wings." * Ashley looks up. "Do we know who Togo reports to?" * Herman sighs and looks at Lei, still supporting her. "You wanna stay in here? I can get you a chair." * Khalil glances at Lei. "And I apologize but I truly do not see where you believe I would harm your sister." [Lei blinks at Herman? "Huh? Oh... yes, please."] ["And, do you have a phone? I need to call Yun."] * Herman nods. "Sure." He pulls out his cell and hands it to her, helps her get herself propped against a dresser for the time being, and leaves to get a chair from the kitchen. (It's the way of the future. Use your cell for everything.) (Can you use your cell to fly your car?) [Lei thanks him and dials a number.] (I can't! But I have a motorcycle, not a car.) (I feel gypped.) * Alys suddenly looks frantic. "Phone! My brother! Does someone have another mobile, I really need to call him, he's going to -kill- me." * Khalil rubs his forehead. "I wish I had family that was so concerned." * Ashley shakes his head. "Don't often need to call people." Although that seems a little obsessive. * Alys glances at Lei and fidgets, waiting for her to finish using the phone. "My brother takes care of me. The least I can do is call him, which I haven't." And you are how old? * Herman returns with a wooden chair and puts it next to the bed. He helps Lei onto it. Nineteen. With no real means to support myself. * Khalil sighs. "I suppose my situation was a bit... unusual. I was forced out of my local home at an earlier age..." What happened? Not truly forced actually. It was a personal decision. But still.. * Herman pulls off his jacket and tosses it into a corner of his room, sets his backpack down, and walks to the doorway so he can see everyone else and watch the conversation as Lei chats. * Khalil chuckles at Alys and then holds up his tail in front of him. "Try keeping *this* secret for too long. I was not born this way." Oh yeah, you said it was a curse, right? How did that happen? * Khalil bites on his lip slightly. "I do not wish to say..." Oh. Well, whatever. * Alys looks toward Lei again and sighs impatiently. * Khalil shakes his head. "You do not understand. There are...unsavory characters who wish to know. The less you know, the better you are off." * Herman folds his arms. "As unsavory as Lady Lix, right?" [Lei finishes. She comes back and hands Herman his phone. "Yun is doing well, at least."] I do not believe so. Fortunately, I do not recall the affiliations of demons. * Alys holds out a hand for the phone. "Pipe Guy, pleasepleaseplease?" Selfish, ominous, usually quite bothersome. * Herman takes the phone back and grins. "That's good." He looks at Ling. "Wish I could just fix her- oh, all right." He walks into the hall and tosses the phone to Alys. Although ordinary humans can sometimes be as hellish. [Lei goes to sit by her sister and is mostly silent.] * Alys catches it. "Whee!" She dials a number, waits a moment, then starts spouting off apologies without actually saying hello. * Herman lets Alys spout. "Does anyone want something to drink?" * Khalil glances at Ashley. "And I believe you have some explanations as well..." * Ashley looks up at Khalil. "What's to explain, then?" How far your acquaintance goes? * Herman shrugs to himself and turns, poking his head through the bedroom doorway. "Lei, you want something to drink?" And they really needed me and - coffee if you've got it! - there were robo-ladies and- (Shagged her rotten a few hundred years back.) ["Hum? Oh, no thanks. I'm not thirsty."] Oh, that. * Khalil eyes Ashley. "Yes. "That". * Herman nods in understanding. "Togo's gonna call someone to take a look at her. It'll be okay." And he walks on into the kitchen for Alys' coffee and something for himself. * Ashley sighs. "Suffice it to say, we met through my old job. I'm as afraid of her as you should be, believe me." Well yes. Even a normal demoness would be hazardous enough. It would be especially potent to affect the wind of a flyer. And that is speaking only of myself... Does this professor stand a chance of coming out of this alive? Of course not. When she's done with him, she'll kill him, unless he dies first, in which case she'll probably just use his soul anyhow. Any idea why she would want him then? * Herman slams the refrigerator door shut, then comes walking into the living room through the other entrance, mug of coffee in one hand and beer bottle in another. He hands the coffee off to Alys. She doesn't care one way or the other. It's her father that wants him. You *heard* what they said about him. He's mixing magic and technology. If he can pull something like that off, that's enough reason to want anyone. * Khalil folds his arms across his chest and thinks. "Wonderful.." * Alys takes the coffee. "Okay. Right. Goodnight." She hits the 'end' button and hands the phone back to Herman. Plus, the guy's no saint. It's not like they don't have his soul in the end already. Quite true, probably. And his obsession with me was...disturbing...but I cannot say unexpected. * Khalil sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. "Why must I be the popular one?" Being a griffin is entirely too cool for a mad scientist obsessed with magic to ignore. * Herman trades coffee for phone! He tucks the phone away, then goes to put his guitar on a stand before having a seat himself and opening his beer. He takes a gulp. ( "Oh, woe is me! Why must I be so fair, so perfect, so modest! Woe is me!" ) (Ha!) (When did he say perfect? :P) ( Khalil doesn't know it, but his real mother is Francine. ) Besides, he's cute. I would gladly pass it on to him if I could. (He's close. He's got high stats of doom.) * Herman rolls his eyes at the angst and has another drink, then idly checks the time. * Alys nods seriously at Herman. "Yup." [Time: 1:00 a.m.] * Khalil looks up shocked at the both of them and just slumps into a couch/chair/convenient-seating-apparatus * Alys sips coffee. ( How dare you find me physically attractive!) ( I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS.) * Ashley falls into thought. * Herman leans back. "So, yeah. This is my place. I keep all the mystic secrets in my closet. Lemme know if you get bored enough to leave." I am procrastinating biology. Can I take the coffee with me? If you say please and give me back the mug later. [Herman's phone rings.] Please. And in that case, I can leave now, if you'll set up the shiny thing. * Herman takes out said phone and checks caller ID. "Sure, after this." He flips it open and puts it to his ear. "Yeah?" Cool. He call anyone about Ling? * Khalil stands. "Do you require an escort?" * Alys nearly chokes on her coffee, then remembers that there are other meanings for the word 'escort.' "Um, sure. Thanks. It's a half hour walk from the office to the bookstore." (See what you get for making the cute, mostly human one, Rowyn? ;P) (HA.) (That's awesome.) (Yes, I know.) (Hehe) * Ashley grins. (Good one, WD.) * Herman snerks, too. (Thanks. ^^) (Which is half of why I made it. ^^;) I do not mind. *glances at Herman* I would not mind borrowing a jacket or something however. ( I require your pants.) (Take them!) (Your clothes. Gib dem to me.) ( *averts eyes* My sweet innocent eyes! Not the ones you have on!) (I need your clothes... your boots... and your motorcycle) ( Khalil is a Terminator! ) (But cuter and with a tail.) (Terminator technology has evolved in the future.) (In a couple years, it will consist solely of 8 year old girls with cat ears) Really? I don't know if moving her around that much is a good idea. I think we should just keep her here and have whoever come on down to check her out. If it's not a problem with Togo, I mean. I don't know how she'd be much safer where he lives than here. ( The Spanish Muskrats are watching over her. ) (Ha.) * Herman rattles off an address. It's in London, yes. "I *live* here. I don't have much choice but to watch her." ( I'd feel better if the Rescue Rangers were there. ) (I'd be very worried if Herman had a Rescue Rangers poster.) (Me too.) (Me too.) Sure. See you. * Khalil stares at Herman expectantly. * Ashley shakes himself out of his reverie. "Yes. I must also leave." * Herman hangs up and has another drink before walking into his bedroom. He returns with a different, much less studded leather jacket, and tosses it to Khalil. * Khalil bows in thanks. "May Allah bless you, your house, and your children a hundred-fold." He slips it on. (Children? Haw.) * Herman was mid-swig there, and he almost coughs up his beer. * Khalil ignores it and goes to Alys. "If you are ready..." * Herman lowers the bottle and clears his throat. "Yeah, sure." He goes to the front door and starts tracing runes, murmuring some words in Latin. This spell goes by a bit faster, and the runes flash white as he says the final word, opening the door. The same white light shines through the portal. This way to the office. Thanks for the yumminess. * Alys takes another drink and walks through. No problem. [Session End!]