[It's afternoon! You're tired! Or not. Mikoto and John have gone off to treat Lady Yae to lunch without the rest of you, thank you very much, which left you guys to goof off or poke your nose into other people's business or whatever it is you do. Unfortunately, people haven't been all that terribly willing to talk to you.] * Suzunosuke eyes the local suspiciously. [It's been about an hour and a half since they left, but look, there they are! Coming out of the restaurant! About time. What will the third condition be?] [Session Start.] * Millie comes back from doing whatever it is she does. And whatever it was, she does it well! * Tairan eyes the approaching trio. "All limbs where they should be. Guess it went well." * Jinx yawns and stretches waking from his map. * Jinx glances over at Tairan. * Millie looks over at Jinx and lets out a faint smirk before turning to Tairan. "Yeah...I'm sure Johnny boy's got 'nuff practice 'round gals ta know how ta keep his neck..whether the rest of him stays intact though.." You have coffee in the East? * John nods. "As well as things could go, considering that fish was staring at me the entire time..." * Mikoto looks troubled, but that's not so different from how he normally looks to be unusual. * Millie stares at John. Her face doesn't look like a fish fortunately, it's much cuter. "Well, I'm sure it couldn't keep its eyes off ya..." Coffee? Nope. (Looks like there's coffee in the west, and tea in the east. Either way, you get your caffeine.) Coffee is a barbaric beverage. * John chuckles. "Guess not." Tea is the closest thing we got. (It slaughters other beverages!) * Millie gets a more serious expression and gives John a faintly stern look. "So any hints on where ol' Janny went?" * Jinx resists roling his eyes, barely. "Tea... that could work." ( GRAAAAH!) Coffee's not barbaric. It just tastes like dirt. * MaryAnne sits patiently, listening. We ain't gonna have muchuva advantage if we can't pick the trail back up. ( Is Yae still with us? ) (Yup.) * Mikoto glances at Millie, then at Yae. "We have one last condition to fulfill, I think. And then we should a tactfully quick departure." * John nods. "No need in staying longer than we have to." * Jinx nods at Tairan. "Yeah... wake up dirt." He then looks over at Mikoto and gulps. * Suzunosuke presses his lips flat, in obvious concern. * Millie nods to Mikoto, then gives Yae a curt but respectful nod. "Ma'am." * Yae nods. "That's right. Don't worry, you'll be on your way soon." So what's this third condition? ("Pucker up boys. Me want mui mui kisskiss.") ( She had her chance. Besides, my heart belongs to Jinx. -_^ ) (... No?) (Snicker) (Awww...Millie'll be so crushed! ;_; Well, no not really..but hey!) (Didn't see that coming. :P ) (I swear, if it has *anything* to do with a herring or a shrubbery...) ( "You must sculpt this bonsai with... a HERRING!" ) Southeast of here there's a temple that's recently reported having some trouble. I was planning on inspecting it myself, but since you strong, handsome boys just happened to come along... * Yae winks. * Tairan rolls his eyes. "Define 'trouble'." * MaryAnne says "What sort of trouble Miss Yae?" Just what trouble is this? * Jinx chuckles slightly. * John smirks. * Millie keeps her mouth shut. It looks like she's trying to keep from snickering. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "Define 'tr'--" he stops and smiles faintly at Tairan. I'm not sure, exactly. * MaryAnne says "I see. Well then, I gather this place is along our path anyway, is that right?" * Millie grins slightly but only for a second before turning to Yae. "So ya jus' want the boys or are we all invited?" * Tairan mutters. "East, West... no matter where you go, intel always sucks. * Yae nods. "It ought to be." * Mikoto shrugs. "We don't *have* a 'path'. Not until we get our lead on the bandits. It doesn't seem we have much of a choice." ( Not so. The East has ninja ) * Jinx stretches, "Well, let's get going then." (No they don't. If you saw an eastern ninja, it wasn't a ninja. ;p) (And West has the great beast called "I'm a bit forgetful but maybe a few dollars will refresh my memory ^_~) * MaryAnne says "Well, if that is what it takes...then it seems we will have to invesigate for you. Please inform us as to what you know concerning the whereabouts of the unscrupulous individuals that passed through here shortly before we arrived." * Millie pipes up for Mary. "She means bandits." * MaryAnne says "Yes, quite right." An' I don't think she's gonna say anythin' until after we come back from the temple anyhow, raight? * Mikoto tugs on his gloves and glances at Yae. "How far is this temple? Should we take the horses?" Perhaps she should come with us. * Suzunosuke is not looking happy about this at all. * MaryAnne says "Well, if it is along our path anyways, I see no need to make a special trip back until after we have also completed our goals. I'm sure that would be satisfactory, isn't that right Miss Yae?" * Mikoto glances at Suzunosuke, as if looking for something. * John eyes Suzuonsuke out of the corner of his eye. "Anyways, we should be off if there isn't any more infomation you could give us." * MaryAnne waits patiently for Yae to reply. * Jinx looks confused, but he appears to be content to be in that state. They came through the village a few days ago, and headed south, towards Ki's lands. It's possible they may have changed course and passed by the temple, too, but they've been reporting trouble for a while, so I doubt these bandits are the source. * Yae says that. ... Ki. Beautiful. *grumbles* * Jinx nods. "Well then.. let's get moving." Surely there is... something you can tell us about this trouble. * Millie mmms a little. "An' what happens when we complete this third condition again?" * Mikoto glances at Tairan, then rubs his temples. "Clan politics... make my head ache." * Tairan chuckles. "Politics? I wish." ( The Ryuugen get along with everyone! Lalala. ) ( It's true if I don't look. Lalala. ) * MaryAnne says "Well, I belief that concludes our immediate business. Good day Miss Yae." * Yae nods. * MaryAnne says to the others "Let us be off then." * Jinx gets walking. * Millie blinks and looks at Mary then lets out a little bit of a frown for a second before shrugging and following. * Mikoto looks at Yae. "I hope things improve for everyone, Lady Yae." He smiles a little. "We're very reliable when it comes to smoothing out trouble, I've found." * MaryAnne begins walking in the direction indicated. * John tips his hat to Yae and smiles. *ting* "We'll do what we can." He starts walking. * Suzunosuke glances over at MaryAnne as he follows the group, and shakes his head once in irritation. Usually by flattening it. *grins; starts walking* * John follows the group. * Yae waves. * MaryAnne bows politely once at Yae and then continues onward. [Hey look, one of the paths leading from the village goes southeast! Innit that convenient?] (Why yes it is, oh sarcastic one.) (Wow, what a coincidence.) * Millie whispers when they're out of earshot. "This don't make no lick of sense. Why tell us which way to go and leave things alone at the temple when she said it was a condition." So, Tairan, what's wrong with Ki? Besides the brewing civil war? ...are we really going to do this? Oh.. uh, yeah that would do. Plus a few other reasons. * Mikoto glances at Suzunosuke, saying a bit sharply, "You'd prefer to go back to Iwahara lands?" He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. "The various minor clans who pay tribute to the Ki clan are in a bit of an uproar. Some of them might be hostile to Westerners." * MaryAnne replys "It is matter of honor. She has provided us the information and exchange we will comply with her request." * Jinx nods. "That the province you were banished from?" ( Nice job, Captain Tact. ;) "Back"? We are in Iwahara lands. * Tairan eyes Jinx. "... blunt, arencha?" Damn, I thought we were further south. And we're leaving them. Considering the kindness the Arita clan just showed us, I think we should be grateful this is all that's required of us. * Jinx nods. "I've said I'll have your back, so I'd rather like to know when that promise is going to come into effect." * Millie looks at Mary for a moment. "Yeah? An' she knows we're honorable jus' by lookin' at us? She thought we were bandits first off..." The whole POINT of these conditions are ta earn trust, if she don't trust us, why leave us to our own devices? ...this is kindness? Sending us off into a completely unknown situation? * MaryAnne says "Perhaps after speaking with her...dinner guests...and speaking with us, she felt we were trustworthy." * Mikoto sighs. "They could have attacked, jailed, or killed us." * Millie eyes John and Mikoto for a minute. "..yeah. Very trustworthy." ... heh. I like bluntnesss. Yeah, my former clan is one of the more psychotic minor clans within the Ki domain. I'd hoped not to have to go through the Ki domains again without an army. * John shakes his head. "It wasn't my idea." * Millie rubs her chin, blankly replying to John. "Uh-huh." * Suzunosuke shakes his head. "It's a trap. Father always said that the Iwahara and their lackeys were never to be trusted." * Jinx grins at Tairan. "Well, we aren't an army.. but I think we'll do." ... ah, diplomacy. The backbone of the samurai way. *snorts* * John chuckles. * Mikoto just shakes his head. "If Yae wanted you dead, you'd be dead now. Or at least some of us would be." * Millie stretches her arms high overhead, closing her eyes but clearly addressing Suzunosuke. "An' I'm sure the Iwa-whozits think tha same o' your clan or whatever ya call it, don't they?" * MaryAnne says "I agree we should exert caution, of course, but I see little other recourse, as we had no other information to base the situation on." Right on the nose Millie. We have no information at all. * Jinx looks over to Mikoto. "Which reminds me, what are the rules of conduct for the temple? Theft is obviously out, but any other non-obvious rules." ...I suppose they would not have a particularly high opinion of us. But we're right. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "I can't think of anything so probable that one of us would actually do it." He pauses. "I hope. Let me think. Tairan might be better suited to answer, frankly." * Tairan shakes his head at Jinx. "Ki domain is known for producing the best warriors in the east. My clan's one of the best in Ki. Unfortunately, the Ki clan itself has taken to using Western weapons, and clans like my former one go fucking nuts at the idea." * Millie gives a distracted nod. "Mm-hmm." * MaryAnne puts her close hand up to her mouth clears her throat. * Jinx looks nods at Mikoto and then glances to Tairan. "Huh... perhaps we should try to stick to the gunn using...." Don't sleep with the priest's daughter. Don't piss on the temple walls... that's about it. * Jinx grins. "Can do." * MaryAnne puts her close hand up to her mouth clears her throat "If you please. There are ladies present." * Millie opens her eyes to look at Tairan. "Ya sure got an interestin' way o' lookin' at the world, lanky." * Mikoto sighs. "The issue is, the Ki domain is close to the Salamanders, and some parts of the province are very Westerner-friendly. So it makes sense for bandits who are mostly Westerners to stay there. But between the internal tension in the Ki province, and the tension between Iwahara and Takame north of here..." Do you not have temples in the West? ...I guess I don't remember seeing any. If we do, I've not been to any of them. * Tairan grins. "Stick to the basics, I always say." ( They have churches ^^ ) * MaryAnne says "Well, they are generally referred to as churches, but the principle is arguably similar." ( And I would know what those look like? ) ( Probably not ) And yeah, Jinx, sticking to the more Western-friendly clan lands would be a very, VERY good idea. (You might have even seen one and not known what it was. ^^;) * Millie waves her hand slightly. "Kind of. Though it's mostly ancient stuff, the official temples. The ruins of the ol' empire are crawlin' with 'em, so they say. ( They don't necessarily worship the same god, either. ) * Mikoto smiles at Tairan. "I'm hoping that you can guide us correctly. We're counting on you." * Jinx looks at Suzunosuke. "Rules vary. Even in the West. People can get easily offended when religion is involved. Really... I know." There's places ta pray an' such but they're not exactly "temples" so ta speak. * John shrugs. "I try not to bring up religion. It's- yeah." An' the Injuns, well, they mostly worship the spirits an' such, raight Jinxy? * Jinx nods. "Varies from tribe to tribe, but yeah." * MaryAnne says "There are Easterners that give thanks to the spirits as well, Miss Millie." Yeah, she's right. I knew a guy that worshipped sake. * Millie smirks a little. "Miss Millie is it now? What happened ta Miss Reinhart?" * MaryAnne continues "Our continent is quite diverse in it's peoples, beliefs, and customs." That's an understatement. Yeah Tairan, few of those in Redrock city even. * Mikoto smiles wryly at John. "Aren't you glad it was the fish that was served whole, and not the beef?" (Moo.) ( "Eat me, John." "...no. NO!" "MOO, John. MOO!" "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" ) * MaryAnne replies to Millie "You stressed at one point that you would prefer a less formal relationship, so I thought I'd try to obliedge you." (Bwahaha!) It ain't so diverse as ya might think. People are people anywhere.. * Millie looks at Mary for a little while, then starts laughing. Yeah. How thoughtful of them. ( Anyone have a steak knife? *holds out his katana* ... ) So...ya want ta be less formal..an' ya call me MISS Millie? What's with that? * MaryAnne looks at Millie with a smile and says "Well, it is a tad less formal you see." Just call 'er Millie and be done with it. * Millie lets out a cheerful smile. "Either call me Millie, or stick with the Miss Reinhart. It's actually hard ta picture ya sayin' anythin' but the latter." ... * Mikoto sighs and scans the horizon, lost in thought. * Jinx runs his hand through his hair and comments quietly. "Wonder if there is a luck spirits in the East. And whether it'd be the same one as in the West." ( Woooooaaaah, I'm lost in thought.) * MaryAnne smiles "Very well." (Quick! Someone find him!) * Millie folds her arms behind her head and scans the area from side to side as she walks. * Mikoto says, distractedly, "Everything has a spirit in the East, if you know where to look. Even sake." Sake, sake... What is that, exactly? Ain't gonna ask what sake is. Eaten fish is weird 'nuff. [It's green and foresty! Not too hot, not too cold. You hear a stream as you walk.] * Jinx stretches again, and then takes out his shotgun and adopts a watchful position. He seems less tired after his nap. Wine made from rice instead of grapes. * MaryAnne chuckles a bit * Mikoto coughs. "So to speak. You can't exactly squeeze rice for sake." * John shrugs. "Alcohol is alcohol, right?" (Not unless you're strong! Like Mikoto!) ( *flex* ) * Jinx nods at Mikoto's early comment. "Hmm... maybe I should look into that when this job is done." ( This, too, is martial arts training. ) Sake is a warrior's downfall. Nah. Wine's pretty bitter in my taste...I'm sure this sake stuff's just as bad. No, gaping chest wounds are a warrior's downfall. And the fish isn't that bad... just have to keep your eyes off of its. Yes, well, you're much more likely to get gaping... chest wounds when drunk. * Mikoto laughs. "I'm sure Yae chose that dish to unsettle you a little, John. It's not ALWAYS served that way." Course all I've seen of Eastern food is all brown or yellow an' mushy so I don't have much truck with that. Point, Suzunosuke. * John hears Suzunosuke's comment. "Then don't go drinking right before you go fighting." [The sound of the stream gets louder. Louder. LOUDER! And before you know it, you're there.] ( Okay. We go in, I talk to the Fayth, and we're outta here. ) * Millie sighs. "Hope it's not too far ta this temple...we should look into rides when we can that we can share amongst all of us. [The stream goes into a pond, which frames the blue and silver temple nicely. Really, it's pretty big for being out in the middle of nowhere. There's a distinct lack of ravaging, pillaging creatures. One of the priests is lighting torches outside, in fact.] ( The Fayth keeps you busy for 6 hours in not-skip able cutscenes. ) ( Ked forces Brett to watch Xenosaga. ) So... There's trouble here? (You don't play Xenosaga. You *watch* Xenosaga.) * Mikoto eyebrowtwitches a bit at John, and makes toward the priest, bowing respectfully if he's seen. * Jinx smiles at the scene. "It seems quite attractive to me.. although appearances can be deceiving." * Suzunosuke makes the appropriate respectful gestures as he approaches the temple and priest, but he's looking suspicious again. ( Hi! We're here to recover some shards of the Shikon Jewel... ) * Millie looks over the temple, letting out a faint whistle as she looks it over. "One thing I gotta admit 'bout this place, it's got a lotta scenery." * Jinx mimics the jestures of respect as best he can. * Tairan bows as well, and defers to Mikoto for the talking. * Priest turns to the group. His eyes widen for a moment before settling back into calm. "Ah, travelers. And ones from Teck, too." * John tips his hat to the Priest. * MaryAnne courtsies. * MaryAnne says "How do you do?" * Millie tips her hat too and gives a wave. "Quite a nice setup ya got here." * Jinx puts away his shotgun. * Mikoto ehes embarrassedly. "Please forgive our intrusion, sir. We come on behalf of Lady Arita Yae, who said you had experienced a disturbance lately. We wish to be of service, if we can." Ah. Well, disturbance. I don't recall... (oh.. right.. that's the codeword for kill whomever I sent to you. But perhaps I've said too much. ) * Priest blinks. "But you must be tired and hungry. Come, we can talk inside." He motions for them to follow him as he goes to open the doors. * Millie raises an eyebrow at the priest. "Ya don't? She said there was trouble..that's why we're here, supposedly." * Suzunosuke turns around, half convinced someone's sneaking up from behind. (I have to kill you now. Wait, I already said that!) * John eyes the priest. He whispers to Millie. "Somethin's not right here..." [Nobody's sneaking on Suzu.] * Mikoto frowns briefly, then forces himself back into diplomacy mode. "We are actually simply passing through and are quite refreshed, elder. If you have no need of our services, it might be better for us to depart." * Millie smirks at John. "Figured that out all by yourself, didja?" She calls out louder to the priest. "Sorry, but Eastern food doesn't really agree with me...if there's no trouble.." Well, I... ( *motions to Tairan* Fezzik, tear his arms off. ) * John chuckles softly. "Very funny." * Millie smiles meekly, or at least it'd seem that way unless you know Millie. "No offense." (*cackles*) ( "Oh, you mean this shrine key." ) * Priest frowns briefly at Millie before turning back to Mikoto. "There have been some... odd occurances recently. We're not sure- I mean, I don't know what one such as you can do to help, but-" * Mikoto looks a bit more pleased. "We are people of unusual talents, elder. Please tell us what troubles your mind." * Jinx glances between the priest and Mikoto, doing his best to look unimportant. * Priest gestures vaguely with the torch before realizing what he's playing with and lighting the last holder in the dying light. He proceeds to snuff the torch out. (Play with fire and you're gonna get burned.o/~) My fellow priests, they're not acting quite like they should, and sometimes I can hear... something yell at night, but everything seems fine in the morning. I think the spirits may be angry with us. Hope it's not another fox spirit... *mutter* * Jinx gives a respectful half nod to show he's paying attention. Yellin' huh? Human yell or non-human? * Priest fidgets now, obviously agitated. "It's troubling. I offer my prayers to- uh, I don't know. Human, probably." * Millie raises a delicate eyebrow. "Probably?" Yeah. I'm no expert in screaming and yelling. Especially when I'm half asleep. * Millie smirks slightly. "Funny that.." * Priest looks around. "Though sleep is getting harder to come by... are you sure you don't want to come in? It's getting dark, and I'd rather not any of us stay outside when it does." * Mikoto hmms thoughtfully, then looks at the group. "It's not as if we can travel at night anyway. There's no reason not to help them, and we gave Yae our word." What happens outside at night? You know, I've never wanted to find out. * Millie has her gaze set on the priest now. Okay, so we stay up late, find out who's makin' all the noise, and tell 'em to shaddup. Can do. * Jinx nods in agreement with Mikoto, eagerly even. * MaryAnne listens * John hmmms. "We should help." ...some of us gave Yae our word... but still, it seems like a worthy challenge. * Millie thinks for a moment. "Another group didn't happen ta stay here too did they? Mixture of Easterners an' Westerners like us?" * Mikoto nods at the priest. "We would be honored to receive your hospitality. Please lead the way." * Priest nods, turning to open the doors and stepping in. "Please, come inside." * Millie hmmphs and goes after the priest. "Hey wait a minute. I asked a question." * Priest backs away from the scary girl. "Yes, well. If they came by, I have no knowledge of them." * Jinx waits for Mikoto to enter and then follows him in. * Millie smiles cheerfully. "Anyone who would?" * Mikoto bows to the priest and heads in. Anyway, please... please come in. Um. This way. And I'll ask around. * Priest heads towards the back. * MaryAnne enters along with the rest of the group Thanks. * John heads into the temple... of DOOM! (Or not doom.) * Tairan follows. * Jinx does his best to discretely scan the place as he follows. * Millie turns and gives a small smirk of triumph before heading into the temple. * Suzunosuke follows, keeping an eye out for ambushes and traps. * Priest speaks quietly to Mikoto as they walk, "No offense, but are all Teckians so..." He seems at loss for words. * Mikoto says, a little too eagerly, "No. No, these are special." Ah. Special. Right. * Tairan makes his way near the priest. "Out of curiousity, sir... this temple doesn't have an ancient demon trapped in a warded boulder, does it?" * Millie turns around towards Mikoto. "What are you two whisperin' 'bout?" * Priest leads you into a back room with, yes, low tables and mats. He goes about lighting candles. "Huh? Oh, no. No bolders. No demons, either." He gestures. "Anyway, make yourselves comfortable. I'll get you some nourishment." (Later... And in the west, the women are highly armed and extremely agressive, the men live in fear of them, I think they may eat them. Ooooh.) (Ha!) * Mikoto kneels down on a mat, arranging his coat behind him as he does so and responds to Millie without looking at her. "Just some much-needed reassuring." * Tairan nods. "I apologize for the unusual question, but I had a rather unpleasant experience at a fire temple with a fox spirit attempting to remove the wards on such a boulder." * Jinx looks to the easterners for guidance on how to make himself commfortable. * John looks at the mats. "Would it be offensive if I sat in a different position?" * Priest hurries off. she finds a reasonably comfortable spot and sits down. * Millie looks down at the mat and frowns. "Y'all sit on the floor? How...crude." What's wrong with kneeling? * Mikoto glances at John. "I think at this point we'd have to kill and eat one of them to be more offensive, so sit however pleases you." * Suzunosuke is obviously completely comfortable. * Tairan kneels down. * John shrugs. "Just making sure." He sits down. * Jinx kneels in one corner, and then shifts his weight awkwardly. * Millie shrugs and sits down with her legs crossed, folding her arms across her chest. If ya got a problem with me, Mikoto, jus' say it now. * Mikoto closes his eyes, putting a finger to his temples. "I do not have a problem with you, Miss Reinhart, simply with your complete insistence on treating everywhere you travel as if it were your own drawing room!" I don't HAVE a drawin' room...an' even if I did, I wouldn't treat people like that. That's havin' a problem with me. Translated, that means you got all the tact of a kick to the nuts. * MaryAnne puts her close hand up to her mouth clears her throat. * Suzunosuke tactfully soes not offer his opinion on this matter. * John nods. "I think Mary's tryin' to tell you somethin'." * Millie slams her hands down on the table and leans over to glare at him. "An' the fact that you try ta mince words 'bout it is even worse. Ya try ta be tactful but you're no worse than everyone else..at least I'm HONEST 'bout it." * Jinx shifts his weight again, and crosses his ankles over one another. [Everyone not caught up in the conversation, perception check.] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 6. (dr1) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 10. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Suzunosuke (2d6) and gets 7. * Mikoto opens his eyes and says, quite sharply, "Madam, it galls me that someone of capability such as yourself has to act like such a selfish child." Sel...selfish child? Well, I never! The fact that ya go 'round insultin' ALL of us an' tryin' ta hide it behind your 'precious tact" is the worst thing ya could do. * Jinx closes his eyes for a moment put opens them again after Millie's retort. * John decides to stay out of the conversation after that. * MaryAnne says "If everyone would please try to get along." Where I grew up, people told it like it is. Anythin' less is lyin' an' that's a fact. If ya don't speak out, you're not gonna be heard. An' I was never... You made it a habit of refering to Easterners as 'slant-eyes'. I'd not be so quick to claim the moral high ground... * Millie shuts up after that. * Mikoto sighs and closes his eyes again, putting his arms down to his sides. "I don't think I've insulted a single person in this group until perhaps right this very minute, Miss Reinhart, but anyone who disagrees and feels slighted may feel free to tell me at their first opportunity." * Jinx shifts his weight once more and closes his eyes for a moment and then opens them again. * John glances over at Jinx. "Uncomfortable?" [Mary Anne, John. Perception check.] * Millie looks at Tairan and rolls her eyes, shifting the ground of the conversation. "Oh please. Ya act as if ya've never been 'round in the world. Didncha even notice how Runnin' Cloud was treatin' ya? That's even worse." 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6-2) and gets 5. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 7. * Jinx nods. "I'll try to stick with it until the priest gets back, but I think my legs are falling asleep. * Suzunosuke looks up at Jinx. "You just need more practice." * Jinx nods at Suzunosuke. "Apparently." [Mary Anne notices the priest and a priestess standing just in the hallway to the room. They're holding food, but make no motion to go in; in fact, the priest seems to be averting his eyes from you people, though the priestess is watching intently.] I noticed, but since we needed her help, I held my tongue. You seem like a decent enough person, so I expected a bit better. If ya were 'round where I was from, they'd have hung ya near first thing. Ya realize that? Without questions asked. They'd do that to me where I * MaryAnne comments "If everyone please show our hosts a little more respect." 'm from too. What's your point? *grins* Oh? * Millie folds her arms and leans back. "My point is, that I don't want ta do that. So what's wrong with a little casual teasin' here an' there?" [The priestess grins at Mary Anne.] * Tairan blinks at MaryAnne, then turns back to Millie. "... we'll continue this friendly discussion at another time, I think." * Jinx decides to concentrate on his kneeling and glances over to see how the Easterners are doing it and then tries that position. * Millie looks up at the two and shakes her head slightly, getting up. "I'm outta here. If ya wanna bicker with me, that's your affair, but I'm gonna concentrate on what's goin on." * Millie stands up and walks past the two hosts, doing her best to keep from storming. * John shakes his head. * Suzunosuke looks up and sees the hosts. He flinches, then straightens to properly address them. ... I just said I stopped. What the heck... * MaryAnne sighs. You know how she can be. Don't try to understand it. * Priest looks up and notices Millie, then tries to block her path. "No, please... uh, miss. It's not safe to go outside at night." The priestess rolls her eyes and walks into the room, pouring tea for everyone and setting down chopsticks. * Mikoto says, to the priest, "Your indulgence for our bickering honors us. Please accept my humblest apologies." Right. Okay. Thank you for the tea, ma'am. * Millie gives the priest a steady look. "Well, SOMEONE's got ta see what's goin' on. Might as well be the "tactless western ogre", right?" * Millie glares back at Tairan and Mikoto as she says the last. ...so there is some danger out there? If you'd just *listen* for a moment- * Priest takes a deep breath. "It's not safe. It's not. Please, I... just, let me show you to your room instead, okay?" * Jinx nods to the priestess. "Thank you." He then drinks down the tea somewhat quickly, although he seems to be making some conscious effort to appear polite. * Millie looks straight at the priest and lets out a deep breath, deflating a little. "I'm sorry. Jus' let me check out what's goin' on." * Tairan drinks his tea in a similar fashion. "Excellent tea. Thank you." * John nods to the priestess. * Priestess rolls her eyes as she sets down bowls of broth for everyone (again, no spoons). "He's always talking about how the spirits are angry," she says confidentially to the people at the table. "Really, I don't know what's up with him." * Jinx nods. Hwoever he seems a bit preoccupied with Millie's conversation. * Suzunosuke throws back the tea ungracefully, then smoothly rises to stand with Millie. I'll come with you. * Priest blinks. "Well, I..." He gives up. "Whatever you like, miss." He walks into the room, past Suzu. * Millie takes a deep breath and tries to smile. "Thanks Suz. Really, I appreciate it." * Mikoto sips his tea. Angrily. Angrily sipping. Sip sip sip. * Millie heads out. * MaryAnne sips politely. * Suzunosuke follows closely. * John drums his fingers on the table. "Strange..." * MaryAnne says to the priestess "I do appologize for Miss Reinhart. She seems rather a high strung individual." * Jinx shakes his head slightly and then glances at John. * Priest doles out bowls of rice as the priestess quietly pours more tea. "It's- it's quite all right." He seems a bit flustered. "I know you all must be used to richer food than this, but we're a simple temple, and we don't have much better to offer." * MaryAnne says "It's quite alright. We greatly appreciate your hosbitality" Anyway, you rooms are down that hall. There are only three, but more than one mat to each. (Hosbitality? *snerk*) (Baleeted!) * Jinx nods. "Thank you." * John looks up at the Priest. "Thanks." He then goes back to thinking... ( John hurts his brain! ) * Priest bows. "It's our honor to help travelers on their journey. Anyway, I have duties to attend to. If you need me, my name is Ryoichi... Kazue will show you to your rooms for the night." He gestures to the priestess, who nods. (Sorry. John's not stupid... like Chomei.) * Jinx comments quietly to Tairan. "Perhaps you could give me some guidance as to how this meal should be enjoyed." * Priest walks off in the direction Millie and Suzu went. Though there really aren't many directions to go. * Kazue watches Ryoichi go and shakes her head. * Jinx drinks more tea as he awaits a response, he seems to be a bit more alert now. ... I'm a soldier, Jinx. I spent most of the last few years in the forests hunting bandits. Asking me for lessons on dining ettiquate is like asking a cacti to sing. *grin* * Kazue refills tea again, looking the group over. * Jinx grins at Tairan. "Not so much a matter of etiquette, but as simple mechanics, I'd normally use a spoon for the soup, but lacking one..." * John looks up at Kazue. "So, you say, um... Ryochi? He's been acting strange recently?" * Tairan shrugs, lifts the soup bowl, and drinks from it. "Kinda like that." Oh, yes. Very strange. Always talking about the screaming at night, warning the rest of us not to go outside. * MaryAnne says "Well, that certainly sounds unusual." * Jinx nods and does the same. "Simple enough." And you haven't heard any of this screaming? * Kazue shakes her head. "Neither have the rest of us." She grins. "I think it's stress getting to him. Being head of the temple and all, it's got to be rough." * Mikoto says, out of nowhere simply by virtue of not having spoken in a very long time, "It's not possible he's been possessed, is it?" Well... could be it, yeah. * John nods. He changes position so he's kneeling forward and takes a sip of the tea. * Mikoto coughs, and sips his tea. "Please forgive an unfounded accusation, but it is a line of thought we might pursue." * Kazue shrugs. "Anyway, I've gone outside a few times after dark, and nothing ever happened to me." * MaryAnne listens quitely. * Jinx glances at John and then Mikoto, he then looks up at Kazue. "Had he been... particularly cautious... even before the recent change?" * Jinx takes another drink of his soup. Cautious? No, I don't think so. * Jinx nods, and actually looks a bit relieved. Maybe he has something to hide? * Kazue grins again. "Well, besides the usual caution that comes with being a priest." She shrugs at John. * Mikoto suddenly blinks. "If he is possessed... then aren't Suzunosuke and Miss Reinhart with him... right now?" He pauses, then sips his tea. "That is silly. If he were to do anything unfortunate, we'd be hearing Millie's screams halfway to the capital." * Jinx nods at Mikoto. "I'd thought about that, and came to the same conclusion." Either that or gunshots comming thru the door. * Mikoto nods, sipping his tea. "They can defend themselves, I'm sure." * Jinx takes a sip of tea. "I think there are two sensible ways to handle this, either take watches outside and listen for any screaming, or search the area as a group." ( We have to split up. John, Daphne, and I will check the attic. Jinx, you and Scooby check the kitchen. ) * Jinx grins slightly at Tairan and Mikoto. "I actually have more experience offending spirits than placating them, so I have no ideas beyond that." ( Yay! Kitchen. ) * Mikoto shrugs a little, having calmed down slightly. "I am not a spiritualist by nature, but in my experience, a spirit's goals and a human's aren't always so different." * Kazue refills the tea. Easiest way is prolly to just relax, wait for any screaming, then go make it quiet again. * John drinks some soup. "Sounds like a plan. We might want to have someone keep their eyes on Ryochi as well. Who knows, he could be behind it all too." Possible. At that fire temple, the priest's granddaughter was posessed. What fire temple? You're talking about watching Ryoichi when he sleeps? * Mikoto coughs. "I don't think we have to go so far as to watch him SLEEP. But perhaps a guard near his quarters." * John nods. Mikoto's right. * Jinx nods and grins slightly. "Sounds like a plan, and if we decide to do watches, I'll volunteer for the last one." When I was crossing the Salamanders, I stopped at a fire temple. Woke up in the morning to find the priest's grandkid trying to remove the wards on a big boulder which, I later found out, was a prison for some kinda volcano demon. * John chuckles. "Sorry about that last time Jinx. Not much we could have done to avoid it, though." * Kazue thinks. Well, if you want... * Kazue grins. "I can make sure some of you get rooms closer to him. Would that work?" * Mikoto smiles grimly. "Perhaps Suzunosuke is right. Perhaps the elder turns into a rampaging demon at night who attacks Teckians, and Yae really is trying to get rid of us." ... actually, some sleep doesn't sound like a bad idea. I can go for a while, but I'm pushing it a bit. *grins* * MaryAnne says "I'm sure that would be adequate." [I'd like to note that most of you are going on six to two hours of sleep. Tairan hasn't slept at *all*.] * Jinx glances at John for a second and then smiles slightly. "Alright, I'll accept that apology. And if we do any more short rests, we'll just have to do short watches as well." ( Jinx is well aware of this. ^_^ ) * Mikoto yawns. Big. Like, snake-swallowing-a-boar big. * Jinx thinks for a moment. "Actually, I should take middle watch, I grabbed a nap in the village. Tairan and Mikoto deserve the last one." * Kazue nods, still smiling. "Well, in that case, I'll show you to your rooms. This way." * John nods. "What do you say we have Millie take the first watch. She's been way too bright-eyed since that last rest." * Jinx finishes his soup and then stands up. Awkwardly... his right leg barely seems to be sustaining his weight. Y'okay, Jinx? s'one hell of a limp... * Mikoto stands, blushing, and putting a hand to his mouth. "Excuse me." * Jinx waves off Tairan's concern and stomps once or twice. "The leg fell asleep while I was kneeling... which did make the pain stop, so I didn't really mind." [Kazue leads you all to your sleeping spots! There's two rooms for the boys, however they want to split up, and Mary Anne gets the third. She point out the other mat in Mary Anne's room for Millie.] 'kay... and sleep really does sound good. If anything happens, yell or somethin'. I'm a light sleeper. * John smirks. He gets up and bends his knees a little. "That's gonna take some getting used to." * Mikoto rubs his eyes. "They can seem a little uncomfortable if you're used to a mattress." * MaryAnne bows and says "Thank you." * MaryAnne enters her room. * Mikoto smiles at Kazue, but his diplomacy is rapidly fading under duress. "Thank you, Lady Kazue." * Tairan heads for a mat, puts his pack aside, takes off his hat and belt/holster, then commences a good impression of a rock. * Kazue nods cheerfully. "Let me know if there's anything you need. I'll be awake most of the night." * MaryAnne finds her sleeping spot and commences to get to sleeping while the sleepings good. * John nods. "You guys get some sleep. I'll watch first." * Kazue walks off. * Mikoto waves his hand distractedly, hitting the nearest unoccupied mat and taking off his gloves. "Wake me if you need me." * John nods. "Rest assured I will." He yawns for probably the first time in the campaign. (All you yawning people are making me yawn. o_O) (But he yawns perfectly!) (Damn straight he does! XD) (**Ding**) (*ting*) * Jinx catches up with the group, his leg finally working properly. He picks a mat, puts his shotgun down beside it, and collapses into much needed sleep. * Kazue walks back, leading Millie and Suzunosuke, waving them into the rooms. "There we are. I hope you have a pleasant sleep." She heads off, still smiling lightly. ...right. * Millie walks in and takes a bit of a look around before turning to the group. "Guys, there's definitely somethin' strange goin' on out there." What's up? * Jinx is already fast asleep, and doesn't react in any way. ...didn't you guys hear us yelling? * John shakes his head. There's a...flame or somethin'...only it disappeared when that ol' codger of a priest came out... An'...uh... Yes, it is just as well. You would have missed it too. * Millie looks a little embarrassed and lowers her voice, so low no one can hear it. * John raises an eyebrow. "What was that?" * Millie looks down at the floor, blushing a bit and fidgetting. "It spooked me, alright..?" It... scared us. * Suzunosuke looks sheepish. "Suddenly, we were both terrified." * John smirks. "I won't give ya lip for it. Just be sure to keep it down around everyone else." * Millie says deadpan to John. "Thanks." ( What need has a true warrior for a room?! ) (Suzu sleeps in the hall and everyone trips over him on the way to the bathroom.) (What DID the samurai use for a bathroom anyhow? ^_^;) ( ... We are not going anywhere near that question. ) ( That's got to be the only thing Lone Wolf didn't cover. ^^; ) So ya ran into *something* out there, and you don't know what? It was...well, it was a fire. That's all we could really make out before it disappeared. * Suzunosuke nods agreement. "Some sort of spirit, it would seem." * Millie looks straight at Suz. "Ya don't mean like...undead kinda spirit do ya?" * John scratches his head. "Man, I'm no good with spirits. What do ya think we should do?" Undead? I have no idea. * Millie takes a deep breath and looks at John steadily. "I'm.." She looks away. "I'm not sure. But priests are s'posed ta handle that sorta thing aren't they? If the priests are scared..." It may even still be some sneaky Iwahara trap. But I... doubt that. * Millie rubs her head a little. "I think I'm gonna sleep on it...less ya got a better idea..." [Ryoichi comes walking down the hall again, rubbing at his forehead. "I'm so sorry about this."] * John glances over at Ryoichi. * Millie raises an eyebrow as she turns towards Ryoichi. "What is it now?" ["Oh, just... just everything. I didn't mean to get you all caught up in it; handling spirits is my job."] * Millie nods slightly and folds her arms across her chest, turning towards Ryoichi. "When did this first start happenin'? Can ya remember?" [He frowns in thought. "Maybe... a few weeks ago? A few weeks ago."] Anything else happen then? Anythin' important happen jus' before that? * Millie smirks slightly at John before turning b ack to Ryoichi. * John glances and smirks at Millie. He keeps his attention on the priest. [He shakes his head. "That's why it's a mystery to me."] [Hearing rolls!] Nothin'? No visitors? No visions? No forbidden rooms entered or taboos broken? 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 7. (including sleepers?) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 8. (+2 for sleepers.) 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6+2) and gets 9. 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6+2) and gets 12. (dr2) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Suzunosuke (2d6) and gets 9. 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6+2) and gets 10. ( We're all deaf! ) (That we are.) (You're all deaf.) (What?) (Quit channelling Chomei) (If the spirit wants are attention, it's just going to have to be louder) (Sleeping people, give me a hearing roll.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 9. (dr3) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 12, a CRITICAL FAILURE!!! "I hate being random." 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6) and gets 11. ( Wow, we're REALLY deaf ) (Dicey definitely hates us utterly tonight. :P) [The sleeping people are practically in a coma. The people who *aren't*, however, hear yelling coming from Millie and Mary Anne's room.] * Suzunosuke draws his sword and goes a-runnin. * Millie turns and scowls. "Great." She unslings Greenpeace and goes a-running after Suz. * John is right behind Suzunosuke. He doesn't bother drawing his pistols... yet. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6) and gets 7. [Mikoto wakes up to the sound of the yelling! And the people running!] * Mikoto sits up groggily, rubbing his eyes. "Oh, this better be *good*..." he snarls, getting up and stretching. [You guys make it to the room. The door's closed, but you throw it open, right? RIGHT? Good.] (Description of the abomination (or not) facing us, please. ^_^) [First thing you notice: It's not facing you. It's about human- sized, black, crow-like... and flying away with Mary Anne in its talons. The paper window has been slashed through.] * MaryAnne calls out "This's most undignified you terrible terrible bad thing you! Unhand me this instant!" and wiggles about as she is carried off. [Session End.]