[It's mid-afternoon. You guys have had a nice, uneventful, stroll down a forest path, towards Ki lands. Tired of walking yet? You shouldn't be, since you're all tough, but you could be!] [Luckily for you all, there's been no fighting on the way.] [Well, unless it was among yourselves. Session Start.] ( it wasn't supposed to be uneventful. There was supposed to be an attack by a lion, a scarecrow, and a tin can ) (<.< >.>) * John looks around as he's walking. He's keeping to himself, like almost always. * Millie humms lightly as she walks along down the path. She has the kimono partially unfolded and outstretched in front of her and is looking it over critically as she holds it in front of her. * Tairan scours the surroundings as he walks. His arm is still bandaged, and his foot is obviously still bothering him, thought he's doing his best macho- toughguy-feel-no-pain schtick. * Mikoto walks, looking distracted. And he has his naginata. Really. ( Gimmegimme!) * Jinx walks a bit to the left of the group, doing his active scanning thing, holding his shotguun. (Eri would approve.) * John has his rifle out, by the way. His shotgun's in his bags, and all those other weapons he has are concealed on his person. * Mikoto sighs and decides to break the silence. "Tairan... please promise me that once we hit Ki territory, no psychotic samurai girls or airheaded ninja are going to come in search of you." (Elfy likes the NinjaGirl =) ) ( Just wait, Mikoto. We've got psychotic ninja and air-headed samurai for you ^_^ ) (I know. Just as long as they're not *for Tairan*, I won't blame him.) (Fine...she wouldn't let it drag then :P) * Jinx glances over at Mikoto and Tairan and grins. "Naw, just promise we can kill them and get on with it." (No, they're for Millie. XD) * John chuckles. * Millie folds the kimono in half and looks over at John. Well, John's rifle. Her eyes glitter for a moment. Doubtful. Reconissance has never been a strong point among my clan, so I doubt they even know where I am. You're gonna use Sidewinder finally? I hope ya take care of her right. Because if ya don't.... * Mikoto breathes out and smiles wearily at Jinx. "I wanted to, believe me." He frowns. "Maybe I should have." With a blink, he stammers, "Well, not *kill* them. But make a show of force." * Millie grins and does a thumb across the throat motion, finishing folding the kimono. [Aren't they sweet, folks?] ... besides, about half the warriors in my clan were supporting me, in one way or another. * John rolls his eyes. "Yeah, I know how to take care of my guns." That's not just a gun. It's a Wallpainter! Ya know how hard those things are ta come by proper?! Course... * Jinx shrugs and looks at Mikoto. "It wasn't your call really though, don't get stressed about it." Yes I do, actually. Considering I'm the one who owns it? * Millie grins widely and flicks her wrist back to her lips, fingers touching her skin lightly. "Ya could always give her ta me..." * Mikoto mmms, and then nods at Tairan. "I'm counting on that. I don't want to run into angry Ki nationalists, considering their reputation for puissance." Pui-what-ance? * MaryAnne walks and listens. * Millie eeps and catches the kimono before it drops, folding it into her pack. * Mikoto coughs, looking embarrassed. "Surpassing skill... err, excellence. That sort of thing." * MaryAnne uses her open umbrella to shade her from the sun's rays. ( And where would a French loanword COME from on this planet? ) ( mughs ) (There's one guy in the north that speaks it. Everyone thinks he's nuts.) (English. Where all loanwords swim home to spawn.) * Jinx goes back to scanning. Ah yeah. Well, thing of it was... I was pretty good at bandit huntin'. 'specially at gettin' my troops home in one piece. Won me a lotta friends, even among the people who didn't always like my choice of tactics. * Millie sidles closer to John. [Jinx sees: trees, trees, trees, path, town, trees, trees, sky, sun.] (Town!) (Damn sun, follows me everywhere!) (Shh. Maybe he'll miss it.) (Wait. Sun!) Hey! What have we here. * John looks strangely at Millie. "No, you can't have it." * Millie rubs her shoulder up against him and gets a sultry voice. "Common PLEASE Johnny? Jus' let me hold her for a little while...." [Confirmed: Millie has issues.] * Tairan grins slightly. "People tend ta let some things slide when you don't suffer a major casuality in your unit for a coupla years. Greatful parents, friends, and so on." * John rolls his eyes. "No. I know what'll happen. I'll let you hold it, and then you'll say I gave it to you, and then I'll never get it back." * Millie hmmphs and eyes John coldly. "An' how dare ya call your rifle an "it"" * Jinx glances over at the group. "We've got a town, let's check it out. I'm sure you can flirt with John to get his guns later Millie." * Mikoto looks between John and Millie as if they were both Martians, then glances at Jinx and stifles a laugh, somewhat successfully. * Millie gives John a hard shove and walks away miffed, linking arms with Jinx. "Yer right. Let's go, Jinxy." * John chuckles. "Funny. Last time I checked, guns were inanimate objects." * Jinx grins and doesn't object to being obviously used. * John gets shoved, but looks cool being shoved. :P * Millie looks cool shoving, so HA! * Jinx walks with Millie towards the town. * Millie smiles brightly, swaying her hips as she walks in, rubbing up against Jinx a little. Hey Mikoto want to run ahead, prevent misunderstanding. ... so yeah. Fifty-fifty chance or so of any clan warrior we run into owing me a favor or two. Other half... well, they'll be less reasonable. * Jinx grins, widely. [You walk towards town! Seems to be a busy day, since the majority of the town is either shopping in the market taking up much of the street or distracted by a very active female street performer. Whatever's left is milling about, talking. What is this, a holiday or something?] * Mikoto nods and jogs ahead a bit, looking back. "Hopefully we won't have any problems." * John doesn't seem bothered in the least that Millie walked off with Jinx. * Millie slows down and looks at the very active female, losing her smile a little in a contemplative look. * Jinx doesn't give a damn what John thinks. :P * Tairan mutters. "'course, that's only my clan... other friendly clans my rep might carry some, but dunno how much..." * John doesn't give shit about what Jinx thinks. :P * Mikoto continues walking on, blissfully unaware of Tairan's muttering, lalala, it's true if I don't look. * Tairan notices that nobody seems to be paying attention to him, mutters something that sounds distinctly impolite under his breath, and follows the others. * Jinx grins over at Tairan. "Sorry, little distracted, didn't catch what you said." ( John and Jinx are too busy ignoring each other to pay attention to Tairan. ) * Millie grins at Jinx for a second, then turns back to the street performer. She seems to be generally ignoring everyone. ... if we run into warriors from my particular clan, there's a decent shot they'll be semi-sympathetic, and owe me a favor. Other Ki clans, I dunno about. * Jinx nods although his attention is still obviously elsewhere. "Good to hear that." * John nods. "Yeah, okay." Oh, and you'll be able to tell the unsympatetic ones because they have three heads and breathe fire. * John chuckles. * Fanfan , aka the street performer, whirls, twirls, jumps, flips, and makes julienne fries. Well, okay, maybe not that last part. But she is still whirring about in a blur of motion, all flashing swords and swirling robes. Something jingles rhythmically while the crowd, gathered on the other side of a rope barrier, claps the beat enthusiastically. A small drum lays just inside the barrier, apparently for collecting money. * Tairan grins. "Ah, good. At least one of you is paying attention." * Jinx nods. "Oh, well that's good to know too." * Sakura walks out of a nearby store, carrying a small bag. * MaryAnne walks along quitely. *eyes the performer* Nice form. Smooth'n all. * Mikoto sighs and glances back at Tairan. "It's called observing the locale. Why would I doubt you on the topic?" He makes his way toward the crowd, smiling at the first person whose attention he can command. "Hello there!" (Oh, cool! They have The Gap here!) (... Only evil people shop at The Gap.) (Yes, it's called a canyon ; ) ) (Right. *eyes Sakura* Hmm...) * Millie taps her chin. "Well now. That's not bad...not the best, but it's not bad...." ("went all the way to the Gap at Rohan only to find that there *is* no Gap in Rohan. False advertising!") * Jinx glances up to Fanfan and comments over to Millie. "And I'm sure she wouldn't be much of a threat to someone with a rifle." * Millie wanted the julliene fries though ;_; (I'm wondering why Millie hasn't gone for Tairan's or Jinx's guns yet. ^_^;) (John has better guns. I assume. ) [Mikoto commands the attention of a young man, who was just talking to someone who might be his girlfriend. "Uh?"] (Oh, wait. John's the only other person with a rifle.) * Millie chuckles a little and waves it off. "Pah, she's no challenge ta me. Still she's got a lot of fluidity. Wonder if she can teach me that..." (It's more than that, but close ^_^;) * Fanfan settles down into a mock-duel set, taking the defensive side. She seems to be winding down. * Mikoto smiles. "Quite a performer, isn't she?" He glances at Tairan, then back at the couple. "Are you two locals? I'm a traveller passing through." * John glances over at Fanfan. "Impressive. Still.." He turns away. (Defending against whom? Air, of course. Always after her, pesky thing.) * Millie eyes Fanfan curiously still, her eyes sparkling slightly in the light as her lashes flutter. "She needs a little somethin'..." [He nods, looking at first Mikoto, then Tairan, then blinking at all the foreigners.] * Tairan looks back at Millie. "You'd have the advantage as long as she's 50 feet away, true." * Sakura wanders over to a nearby horse and begins to untie it. * Jinx turns over to Millie. "Oh yeah, like what?" * Millie snaps her fingers and says, perhaps a little too loudly. "Oh I know! A little more up top!" (Snicker) (*snerk*) (*SNERK*) (*chuckle*) ... bigger hair would not help, Millie. * MaryAnne says "Hats _are_ nice." (^_^) * Jinx chuckles. (Heh!) * John smirks. (Oh god.) (Fanfan, give me a perception roll.) * Mikoto follows the man's glance and ehes embarassedly. "I've lost my map, though... could you tell me where we are?" (Oh, what time o' day is it? ) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-4) and gets 2. (Mid-noon. Sunny.) [Fanfan hears that. And she gets the feeling it's aimed for her. And, if she cares to look, she knows exactly who it came from.] * John makes sure there's a nice, big distance between him and Millie. * Tairan facepalms. [He looks at Mikoto oddly for a moment before saying, "Rohan. If you're with those people who passed through a while ago, they already left."] ( *blank look* ) (*forehead-slap* Me and my biiiig mouth....) (We'll use anything and everything.) (How show-offy can I describe things before I have to roll? Or do I only have to when I'm directing an action at someone else?) * Mikoto blinks, then his eyes widen and he smiles, hitting his palm with his fist. "A mixed group, with a sort of rough Teckian woman?" ["Uh... well, there was a foreigner..." He points at Jinx and Millie. "Looked like one of them. No Western woman, though."] * John glances over at Mikoto. "Find somethin'?" ( Roll first, then describe according to your result ^^ ) [The young lady next to him pipes up, "She was definitely Shomuran."] (Eri, Makoto, and 'Ducky'.) (But, we don't know that. :P) * Mikoto hmmms thoughtfully at that. "Maybe it wasn't them..." He smiles at the couple and bows. "Thank you for your help." He heads back toward John, looking preoccupied. "Yes and no. It's worth looking into further." [He bows back, then goes back to talking to his girlfriend. They walk away.] * Jinx comments to Millie. "Shame it's noon, I was hoping to try out the best of Eastern inns tonight." * John nods. "Hmmm... Okay." * Millie raises an eyebrow slightly to Jinx. "Invitin' me to an inn already? A little fast there, ain'tcha?" * Mikoto turns to look at Fanfan. "If she's a street performer and has been here a few days, she might have some useful information on people who've moved through here. It might be worth our while to meet with her later." * Fanfan glances over in the direction of the comment, sights the speaker, and smirks slightly. She then performs a series of moves facing away from the group, then without warning tosses one of the swords in the "out" direction of the circle, catching it with the other one just as it is about to cross the barrier. She flips the flying sword hilt-first into her hand, then ends in a low cross. She pauses a few beats, then straightens up and bows. * Jinx shrugs. "I was actually thinking seperate rooms for everyone, we have the money." * Millie chuckles and pats him on the back. "Very generous of ya." * Jinx grins. * Fanfan picks up the small drum and holds it out hopefully to the audience. "Thank you for your kind attention!" (Roll performance, Fanfan.) That it would. I suggest you do the talkin', though... She'd probably be more receptive to you. 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-1) and gets 9. (Oof.) (Something's missing from the description I think.) (Zing!) (Got cut off somewhere.) * Mikoto raises an eyebrow, then smiles wryly. "I think *you* should do it. Women just seems to take to you naturally." [Fanfan gets some money, but not nearly as much she hoped. Seems her performance, flashy as it was, missed some sort of zing.] (Zing!) * Sakura is a short woman. She's wearing an all-concealing komono. She's got on one of those wide-brimmed hats, with just a bit of red hair sticking out. Her face is covered by a mask, which depects a clasically beautiful older woman. (Because she doesn't have enough up top. ) (Probably, yeah. ;P) I'd offer, but I ain't the most diplomatic of people... *grin* * Fanfan shakes the drum hopefully a little bit more, then shrugs philosophically and puts the money away. * Mikoto glances at the girl again. "Maybe we're going about this the wrong way. There is a universal language we're overlooking, after all." He waves his arms at Fanfan, shouting "Bravura! May I buy you a drink, young lady?" * Jinx decides to test his luck. "Although, I was thinking of trying an Eastern restuarant at some point, get some fine cuisine. Don't feel like paying for everybody for that." * Fanfan sheathes her swords in the scabbards on each side of her waist, while she's at it. ( okay, so I meant 'money', but apparently the international language I meant was 'alcohol' ) * John chuckles. "Very true." * Tairan raises an eyebrow at Mikoto, then grins, tipping his hat down over his eyes a bit. (They're both international languages.) * Fanfan blinks at the guy with the weird hair and his friends, but hey, a free drink is a free drink. "I...suppose so. Thank you." ( What is this..."blond" you speak of?) ( *snicker* ) * Millie folds her arms over her back and finally looks over at Mikoto for the first time since leaving the shrine, then grins up at Fanfan. "It was pretty impressive, yup. Ain't ever seen moves like that 'fore." * Mikoto smiles charmingly. "Indeed. An impressive display of dexterity." (Notice: Millie ignored Jinx. :P) [The crowd disperses to do whatever it is crowds do.] * Millie gives Fanfan a good, once-over. ( The crowd disperses to play Twister ) * Fanfan bows in the direction of the compliments. "It is only the result of years of practice." * Jinx shrugs and starts scanning the town. [Jinx sees people, people, stage, Fanfan, people, restaurants, stores, inns, weird possible-lady with a horse, and such.] * Fanfan wipes a hand across her forehead, brushing her bangs aside for a bit. A few deep scars--scratchmarks?--can be briefly seen before her hair obscures them again. * Millie streeeeetches her arms behind her head, letting out a nice little mmm- sound and opens her eyes delicately at Fanfan. "I guess I might as well put some money forward for this mahself." * MaryAnne quitely observes. * Mikoto walks up to the ropes. "You hear that? Miss Reinhart only shells out money for good causes. You should be flattered." * Tairan walks up with the others, clapping slowly and tipping his cap. My name is Mikoto. It's a pleasure to meet you. * Jinx quickly eyes the weird possible-lady with a horse, and then just looks around, not resting his eyes on anything in particular. * Millie eyes Mikoto with the Evil Stare of Death #42. "Watch what ya say, blondie." * Fanfan starts clearing away the rope, stuffing it into a satchel. The jingling noises cease when she removes the sets of bracelets on each arm. I am called Fanfan. * John chuckles. "Relax Millie. He's just getting you worked up." (But there are some who call me....Fanfan.) ( Better than Fanfare ) * MaryAnne smiles at FanFan * Millie loses her evil stare instantly and thrusts her hand out over the ropes towards Fanfan. "The name's Millie. Millie Reinhart. Pleased ta meetcha." (My name is Fan. Fanfan.) * Mikoto folds his hands behind his back. "Well then, Miss Fanfan, shall we?" He looks around for a tavern or something. * Fanfan tilts her head to one side and looks oddly at Millie's hand. * Jinx walks over to Tairan and says very quietly. "The woman woman over there with the mask, that something normal for the East?" (*snickers at John*) Wrong greeting custom, Millie. Again. * John sighs. "They don't shake hands in the East. Remember?" * Millie looks down at her hand then snaps her fingers. "Oh yeah." She grins and puts her hand back behind her head. * Tairan turns to Jinx, blinks, and eyes the woman in question. "... nope." * Sakura is apparently having trouble unlooping her horse or something, as she looks up at the mention of "masks.". * Fanfan eyes the group up and down, giving Mikoto and Tairan an especially curious twice-over each. "Ah....westerners?" * Jinx keeps quiet. "Something we should be worried about? I've met enough slayers that I find that a little disturbing." (Sakura, perception roll.) * Mikoto coughs. "They're travellers, and very decent people. We're, uh..." He glances at Tairan. "...showing them around the Empire. So forgive their manners." * Tairan shakes his head. "Too classy." Ahh...I see. I think. Ayup. * John nods. "That's us." He smiles *ting*. * Jinx nods. "Good." He then turns over to Fanfan and gives his best attempt at a perfunctary polite bow. * Fanfan gestures to a tavern that is not the one she was in before. "This place looks as good as any. Perhaps we can discuss matters further there." * Mikoto nods. "Sounds good to me." He waves a hand in the direction of the tavern. "Ladies first." (IE - gimmie that drink, darn it =P ) * Tairan looks back at Mikoto. "Yup, that's us. Just your regular heavily armed tour guides." * Millie grins at Fanfan a little more. "Sure thing. Hopefully ya picked somethin' up.." * Mikoto levels his glance at Tairan, then smiles, coughing. "It's a dangerous world." * Fanfan bows at the group as a whole before entering the inn. That it is. *grin* * MaryAnne waits outside the tavern, as going into Tavern's is not a very lady- like thing to do. * Millie eyes Fanfan for a bit before rolling her shoulders and walking in. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6) and gets 8. * John tips his hat to Fanfan. He lets everyone else in before he enters... What is up with that? * Jinx smiles to Mikoto and Tairan as he walks in. "So, tell me what to buy for myself, and I'll cover for you too. It's not an inn, but you two deserve a reward for the force march." He then heads in. * MaryAnne looks around her immediate area, observing the people, their clothing and customs, the designs of the buildings, and other such cultural things. * Mikoto glances back at the group once Fan's out of earshot. "The couple I talked to said they saw an Injun man and a Shomuran woman travelling through the area..." He glances around, eyeing Sakura. "She looks a little suspicious too... but first, the performer." * Tairan waves at MaryAnne to join them. "When in Shomura, do as the Shomurans do." * MaryAnne looks towards Tairan and says politely "That's quite alright. I'll wait out here as I rather dislike establishments of ill repute." (It's just a tavern, not a whore house ;P) ... I'll wait out here too, then. Every time we take our eyes off you, you get kidnapped. *tips cap* (It serves alcohol! Mary's one of them prohibitionists.) * Mikoto glances at Mary Anne with an embarrassed smile as he walks in the door. "Miss Pippin, taverns and teahouses are much different in the Empire. They're places for meeting and discussion. In the capital, they're popular with political philosophers." ( Kill her. ) (*click* *point gun at Mary's head* What?) * MaryAnne adds "And I rather find observing the people going about their daily lives as quite intersting from a academic perspective." (A prohibitionist AND an anthropologist. She really MUST die) * John shrugs. "Suit yourself." He enters the tavern-type thing. * Jinx comments over to Mikoto, "There a way to bring something out for Tairan?" * Mikoto blinks. "Ah... suit yourself." He nods at Jinx as he walks in. "I'm sure we can get a bottle or something." (BADDA! BADDABADADADA!) * Sakura watches the people enter the tavern and begins to return to unstrapping her horse. * Tairan finds a nice wall to lean against. "Y'know, this would be so much easier if the bandits would just turn themselves in like polite people." (Yeah, but then we wouldn't get paid) * MaryAnne smiles "But of course." * Sakura shoots her head up and looks at Tairan. * MaryAnne continues "I admit I was rather expecting that we would have met up with them by now." * Sakura walks over to Tairan. "What did you say about bandits?" Always easier when you're tryin' to find a bandit camp... when you're just tryin' ta trail a single gro- hmm? * MaryAnne smiles at the approaching lady. * Tairan blinks at Sakura, then continues. "Bandits. Don't like 'em. Hunt 'em for a living." Are you looking for a group now? * MaryAnne says "Quite right." Yup. Western woman, eastern guy, and a buncha mooks. Then I shall accompany you. * MaryAnne asks "Pardon?" I said I shall accompany you. * Tairan blinks, then shrugs. "Fine by me... okay by you, boss lady?" * MaryAnne says "Yes, my hearing is quite fine. Thank you. My question is rather who are you and why would you desire to be travelling with us?" You a bandit hunter too? Yes. * MaryAnne looks at Sakura patiently. I will require no payment and pay my own way. I will be leaving afterwards. I will be coming with you. I fail to see the confusion. * Tairan turns back to MaryAnne. "She works for free and she doesn't like bandits. The more the merrier, right?" * MaryAnne asks again "I don't mean to be rude, but you were rather forward in your statement." There is no point in not being forward. * MaryAnne continues "I'm merely asking why should you want to come with us and why should we want to have you?" I am coming to find bandits. You know where they are. Therefore, I am coming with you. Do I need to explain in smaller words? (Yes.) ... right. MaryAnne, lemme handle this for a bit, 'kay? * MaryAnne says "It's not the degree of your grammer, but rather your unwillingness to answer my questions that is the issue." I believe I answered everything I needed to. * MaryAnne says "If that was so, then I wouldn't be asking the same two questions a third time." * Tairan rubs his temples, and motions for the masked woman to follow him a few steps off to the side. * Sakura "looks" at Tairan and walks over. "May I help you?" Forgive my employer. She's not used to dealing with those who live by the blade. (just those who live diagonally across from it) * MaryAnne stands up straight **humphing** and commenting to noone in particular "I have never met such a stubornly evasive person before." ( I think more people who live at the *point* of it. ) Fine. * Tairan bows slightly. "Name's Tairan. If ya don't mind, I think I can clear this up..." * Sakura bows in return. "I am called Sakura." * Tairan tips his hat. "Okay... I assume you can handle that blade you've got at your side, so I'll skip that... you got any experience trackin'?" Yes. * Jinx walks out of the tavern carrying a bottle of Sake. "Thought you might... oh." He then steps out of the doorway and doesn't interrupt. Good, good. I'm pretty good, but another tracker in the group'd be handy. Anything else you're good at that you don't mind tellin'? I think my employer's just tryin' ta get a grasp on what skills you'd bring to the group." * MaryAnne looks at Jinx and comments "No thank you Mister Jinx." (Alcohol is a filthy filthy habit!) (It wouldn't be proper ; ) ) (Oh, my. Talk about militant prohibitionism.) (It killed Jinx.) I am coming to kill bandits. I can use a sword and I can track. Is there anything else I need to do? (Sing and dance!) (Oh, and cook.) * Tairan shrugs. "That pretty much describes me, so it's prolly good enough for this bunch." *chuckles* "Guess I was kinda hopin' you were a healer or somethin'. Seem to be needin' one of those more often than we'd like." *gestures to his bandaged arm* * Jinx nods politely and speaks in a lower voice to Mary Anne. "Don't suppose you'd be willing to hold this for Tairan? You could keep it by your feet or something so as not to appear unladylike." I'm afraid not. If it is a serious problem, I could remove it. * Sakura appears to be totally serious. * MaryAnne says "I don't mean to be rude, but I'd rather not Mister Jinx." ... sense of humor. That'll help too. *grin* Lemme talk to my employer quick, and I think I'll have this straightened out. ( She's wearing a mask. How can Tairan tell she's serious? =P ) (Tone of voice?) * Tairan jogs over to MaryAnne. "The lady's name is Sakura. She hates bandits, can handle a sword, and can track. Backup tracker would be handy to have around." * MaryAnne comments rather bluntly "The 'Ladies' skillset isn't in question, but rather her trustworthiness, or rather the lack there of concerning she wears a mask in broad daylight much like a typical unscrupulous individual might and I might add she's rather rude." * MaryAnne continues "For what reason do we even have to trust her? She could very well be a member of the group we are in pursuit of." If you call me a bandit again, you shall regret it. * Tairan shrugs. "It's a decorative mask. Not exactly subtle enough to be a theives mask. Bit unnerving, sure. And the 'rudeness'... ya put up with me, doncha?" *grin* * MaryAnne continues "We know nothing of her motives or trustworthiness and I rather not to have to worry about lead into a tra or otherwise betrayed." * Tairan spins around and makes placating motions towards Sakura, then turns back to MaryAnne. "Gut feeling. I can tell a bandit hunter when I meet 'em usually." * Tairan rubs his temples. "We just lost someone off the team. Replacement would be good. And we don't have time for a thorough background check. I'll vouch for her." (This is how sex offenders get jobs teaching at elementary schools. :P) * MaryAnne asks "How can you vouch for her when you just met her? It's not like she is your sister. She is a complete stranger who is going out of her way to be completely evasive." (Okay, maybe not. But still. ;P) Gut feeling, like I said. I didn't survive this long huntin' bandits without having an instinct for who ta trust. Besides, I barely knew you, and I signed on to follow you through a cactus forest and the Salamanders, right? * MaryAnne comments "Well I don't like her and I believe we have enough people to resolve the situation or rather I am doubtful that adding a single individual would much increase our chances of success." * Tairan sighs. I do not believe I offered you a choice. I am coming with you. MaryAnne. You're very good at what you do. But you hired me'n the others because field work isn't your forte. Trust those that you hired to handle their end of the job. * Tairan turns back towards Sakura and makes semi-frantic "IXNAY!" motions before turning back to MaryAnne, his composure back in place. * MaryAnne looks at Sakura bluntly and says "There is always a choice. Now if you don't mind, I rather tire of this conversation 'Miss' Sakura. Now be on your way." I have said before, I am not offering a choice. * Tairan turns to Sakura, makes frantic "Don't be on your way!" motions, then turns back to MaryAnne. 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-1) and gets 10. Are you listening at all, MaryAnne? You hired me'n the others because we know how to handle ourselves out in the world. Why hire us if you won't trust our expertise? * MaryAnne says "A differ in opinion." * MaryAnne says to Tairan while looking at Sakura "It is not you that is in question, Mister Tairan." Yeah it is. I'm tellin' ya we need some extra help ta make up for losin' Suz. And I'm tellin' ya I think she's relatively trustworthy. * MaryAnne says to Sakura "If you desire to hunt down bandits, I am sure your country has as many as mine and you should have no trouble locating some." * Jinx watches all this impassively, he puts the bottle safely on the ground and goes for a ready, but nonthreatening look. * Sakura looks at Tai. "Is this your boss?" Someone smarter'n me once said something like "True wisdom is knowing when to defer to those whose expertise outweighs yours." * John walks out... and into the arguement. * Tairan turns back to Sakura, shrugs helplessly, then turns back to MaryAnne. I have already informed you that I shall be going with you. If you wish to stop me, you will have to do it with force. * Jinx walks over to John and comments very quietly. "Apparently this woman is a bandit hunter and has chosen to accompany us." * Sakura looks over Mary Anne. * MaryAnne says "I am sure that can be arranged my rather abrasive thorn." * John nods and comments quietly back. "Okay... We were going to ask her some questions before she left, anyways." * Tairan looks over his shoulder at Sakura. "You're not helping here..." * Jinx keeps his voice quiet. "How's the situation in there?" *turns back to MaryAnne* And insults don't help either. ( Sakura: "Going with you." Mary: "Over their dead bodies!" Jinx/John/Tairan: "..." ) * John speaks softly to Jinx. "Calm and quiet... Millie got caught trying to shortchange the waiter. Fanfan was more than co-operative." (Snicker) ... cripes. Listen to me. I sound like my freakin' mom... * Millie hums as she walks out of the tavern, arms behind her head. She looks pretty pleased with herself actually. * Jinx raises his palm to his forehad. "She was shorrtchanging the waiter? Why, it's not like we don't have..." He cuts himself off as Millie walks out. * MaryAnne looks firmly at Sakura and says "I don't feel it's unreasonable for you to explain why you must..." she turns towards Jinx "Miss Reinhart What?" Anyway. Extra sword'll come in handy. Extra tracker too. Don't have what? I have explained all I need to. I fail to see the reason you are still talking. * Mikoto comes out of the tavern in a bit of a hurry, then blinks and stops at the scene that's being made outside. * Jinx coughs. "Money, we have money, right, I want that drink. Tairan's sake is down there and... damn.." * Millie stops and eyes the strange girl with the mask. * MaryAnne turns back towards Sakura and looks at her and says quite bluntly "and I fail to see why you are still here. GOODBYE." * John eyes Sakura. He says quietly to Millie. "Not a word about how she looks." * Fanfan walks out of the tavern, hair now braided instead of in elaborate style. She stops at the scene and watches curiously. * Millie looks over to John. "Whaaaat?" * MaryAnne turns her back to Sakura and approaches Millie and says rather demandingly "And just what did you do?" * Millie pouts and slumps her shoulders a bit. "Alriiiight alriiiight. Millie'll be good." I have informed you of why I am here. * Millie blinks and looks right at Mary's eyes. "I was jus' havin' a little fun. No harm done." * Mikoto glances at Tairan, confused. He coughs. "How was the sake?" * Jinx comments to Mikoto. "She's a bandit hunter, intends to join us, how much do I owe you for the drinks?" * Tairan shakes his head, reaches into a pocket, pulls out one kanmon, and turns to Sakura. "I'd like to hire you to accompany our group and help out hunting bandits. I'll pay you a whopping one kanmon. Sound good?" *makes 'Work with me' gestures* * Jinx sighs. "He's been too busy to get it." Jinx points to the bottle. I require no payment. * John holds his head. * MaryAnne says to Mikoto firmly "She _will not_ be joining us. I've had just about enough of this. Let us leave at once." * Mikoto smiles at Jinx, pointing at Millie. "Miss Reinhart politely paid the bill, a total of 12 kanmon. I suspect a single cup of sake is likely only 2 kanmon." He looks between Jinx and Mary Anne with a blank expression, then at Sakura. "I'm sorry, who are you again?" * Millie shrugs slightly. "I'm all for leavin'. But where exactly are we GOIN'?" Yes, well, out of the goodness of my heart I'm donating one kanmon to the upkeep of your equipment. *makes less subtle 'WORK WITH ME' gestures* I thank you for your donation. * Jinx quickly pockets the Sake before the fight breaks out. "I'll reimburse you in a bit Millie." * Sakura takes the money and puts it in a small bag. * Millie chuckles and smirks at Mikoto. Actually seems like a warm one. You're not reimbursin' me, Jinxy. Wonderful! Pleasure to have you on the team. Everyone, this is Sakura. She hunts bandits and tracks. Sakura, this is everyone. ( Oh my god. Put some cameras on the Westerners and we're a tour group. "To your left..." ) * MaryAnne comments "I rather believe that the gentleman escorting the lady from a short while ago said that a group that may be the group we are in pursuit of recently passed though here. Since we didn't pass them, It wouldn't be a far stretch to presume that they left though the side of town opposite the one we entered on." (Well, that's what you said you were anyway, so....XD) Introduce as necessary. I'll be over there banging my head against a wall. * Mikoto seems about to say something, when Mary Anne cuts him off. He sort of looks at her in blank confusion. * Tairan walks over to a wall and commences banging his head against it. (Tairan, give me a body roll.) * Fanfan watches in avid curiousity. No, not just the head-banging. * Jinx nods at Millie and walks over to Tairan and hands him the Sake. "Try this, less painful, similar effect." (^_^) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6) and gets 7. Ever think that there might be multiple exits to this town, Mary? ( Made it! ) * Mikoto waves his hands in the air wildly. "Wait wait wait. Hold on a moment. Let me clear this up." [Tairan bangs his head against the wall five times before he really starts to feel it.] * John reaches near his hip for his pistol. "Are ya guys gonna be quiet?" * Tairan stops before he gets a headache, eyes the sake, takes it from Jinx, and takes a quick swig before handing it back. "Thanks. Needed that." * Fanfan can't help but let out a giggle. * Sakura places her hand on her Katana. * Millie puts her hands to her hips and lets out a deep sigh, before putting her fingers to her lips and whistling loudly. "Hold it!" * Mikoto takes a deep breath. "Fanfan told us that there was a group that passed through here a few hours ago. We were in the tavern with her. Out HERE, Tairan," he points at Tairan, "meets Sakura", he points at Sakura, "who is a tracker, and we were going to ask Miss Sakura for information anyway, so now we have it, but Miss PIppin," he points at Mary Anne, "doesn't like Sakura, who is suddenly coming with us, despite us not having a destination?" * Jinx nods. "Sure you don't want the rest, 'cause I'm tempted to have some just from watching you." Don't drink much. Be my guest. You are searching for bandits. I intend to find them. * Jinx nots and takes a swig. Simple 'nuff. * MaryAnne comments to Millie "In anycase, We shhould continue onward rathr than losing more time. Perhaps we could ask any persons that we walk past in town if they happened to recall the direction that the individuals last were seen going it?" * Millie looks at Sakura strangely. "In it for the money?" No. Do ya know what these bandits have then? * Fanfan breaks into the conversation. "Excuse me, please...I may be able to help you there." Southeast. * Mikoto closes his eyes for a moment, then blinks and turns to look at Fanfan. "Howso?" * MaryAnne turns around towards Sakura "I believe I explained my position on this matter. Goodday!" * Fanfan nods at Sakura. * Jinx keeps talking to Tairan, not too loudly. "Bandit hunting normally have this many complications or is it just my being here?" As I said, the smoke obscured their direct route of departure. Actually, I think it's Mary this time. Sorry, MaryAnne. I hired her. *turns to Jinx* Nah, usually it's just people trying to hack you to bits. Much more pleasant. But an hour later, I recall hearing someone speaking of them having left on the southeast road. * Millie looks over at Mary, then looks back at Sakura, and shrugs. * Sakura looks towards Tairan. "If you like, I could kill her." * John shakes his head. If Mary's going anywhere, I'm followin', because we know what happened *last* time she was by herself. So we go southeast. If they come with, they come with. No biggie. ... no killing the person who's gonna pay me, please. * Jinx takes another swig. "Yeah, that'd be simpler." He spittakes at Sakura's comment. (She probably means me. XD) * MaryAnne looks at Tairan and says sternly "And I hired you and can just as easily dismiss you." * Millie turns to Fanfan and Sakura. "Either o' ya know where ta rent horses in this town?" * Fanfan shakes her head. "I travel by foot." * MaryAnne looks at FanFan "What does that have to do with anything. Who are you anyways?" So do I usually. Or train. Train's better. But we need speed an' there's no tracks. * Tairan eyes MaryAnne. "And lose your only tracker? Just relax." I have my own horse. I do not know where to find a rental station. * Fanfan blinks at the weird lady. No, the other one. "I was answering a question." * John eyes MaryAnne. "You're being highly irrational. If she *were* to kill us, I'm sure she would have tried to already. Isn't that right, Sakura?" * Millie slaps her hand to her forehead and doesn't turn around. "Miss Mary, jus' let us talk now." Indeed. * Jinx keeps drinking, hoping to have the Sake done before the shooting starts. * Tairan pulls out one kanmon. "She's the latest addition to our merry band, I suspect. I'm Tairan, pleasure to meetcha, want a kanmon as a welcoming gift?" * Mikoto glances at Mary Anne, then smiles distractedly. "Miss Pippin, we need all the help we can get, at this point. Any disagreements can be settled on the way. I am hoping someone of insight and sagacity like yourself will see the wisdom of accepting help." * MaryAnne eyes Sakura while commenting to John "Snakes don't always strike at the first opertunity" * Millie looks down the road for anything that looks like a stable. A bandit, a thorn and a snake. I am starting to take offense. [Millie sees a stable a ways down the road!] * Fanfan blinks at Tairan. "Band? Welcoming gift? I am sorry, I don't understand." * John shakes his head and walks to where Jinx and Tairan are standing. "We're not going to get *anywhere* like this." * Tairan hands Fanfan the kanmon. "Yours. Join us as we hunt bad guys. Please don't make me use long words. Head hurt." * Millie puts her hands on her hips. "Well, y'all can stay here an' bicker. I'm gonna see 'bout some horses. If there's 6 of us now, 3 should do raight? Doubled up." * MaryAnne says to Sakura "How unfortunate." * Tairan turns to Jinx. "Can I get another swig?" ;_; * MaryAnne starts walking off towards Millie, making quite the effort to ignore Sakura. * Fanfan tilts her head, but takes the kanmon. What the heck, not like she had a destination in mind anyway. "Oh...all right, I suppose." * Millie shakes her head and starts walking towards the stables. If she gains a follower, she gains a follower. * Jinx hands the bottle of to Tairan and then whipes his brow. "Go ahead and finish it off." * Mikoto sighs and glances at Sakura apologetically, then glances at Millie, mouthing 'Take her off for a while!' and pointing at Mary Anne surreptitiously. * Fanfan glances at the assorted stalking-off people. "Are these westerners always so...odd?" ( Sadly, poor Millie is not looking at me. Alas. ) * John holds his head. "No. Just that one." * Sakura walks to her horse and finishes untying it. She climbs up with practiced ease and trots it over to the group. * Tairan does so, then finds an appropriate place to put the empty bottle. "Better. As I said, my name's Tairan. Things aren't usually this screwed up, I promise. I think." (But Millie's still her little lemming) * Mikoto eyes Fanfan, then coughs. "Our employer is... a little eccentric. She means well." * Fanfan starts. "*That's* your employer?" * Tairan walks over to the nearest wall, and *gently* bangs his head against it a few times. * Jinx thinks for a moment and then walks over towards the stable. * Mikoto nods, putting his fingers to his temples. "Yes." Oh, my. Sometimes I wonder if it was a good idea to join this band... Well, if nothing else, I see I am in for an interesting time. * Mikoto smiles apologetically. "I should at least tell you... we're looking for an artifact that was stolen in Teck. A tablet found in some ruins. We think the thieves headed into Shomura over the Salamanders." * Tairan finishes his discussion with the wall, and adjusts his hat. "And miss out on all this fun, John?" *grin* A tablet? * John grins back. "Oh, of course I wouldn't miss out. I'm sure with my luck I would have run into you anyways." * Mikoto nods. "Miss Pippin... our employer... is a member of a historical research society in Teck. They were going to study the tablet." That is fine. I am only coming to kill those bandits. * Fanfan glances at Sakura and bows. "I see you will also be traveling with these people." * Mikoto looks between Sakura and Fanfan, then blinks. "Is Miss Sakura the woman who was in the duel you mentioned?" * Fanfan nods. * John lets Makoto negotiate. Things are so much easier when you can simply shoot the badguys. * Mikoto smiles delightedly. "Excellent! Surely fortune's in our favor today." He frowns. "I only hope that Jinx and Miss Reinhart can convince Miss Pippin to not be... quite so obstinate." She is obviously not talented. I could kill her for you. * John raises an eyebrow. "If she needed to be killed, she would have been dead already. Thank you for the offer, though." * Mikoto blinks at Sakura a little oddly, then smiles. John's reply about covers it. Understood. She must have a great deal of money 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 5. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?" Because you obviously do not keep her around for her personality. * John is about to comment, but then lets Mikoto do the talking. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6) and gets 3. * Mikoto glances at John and Tairan, then coughs. "Well..." She may be a bit strange, but she means well. She has a true passion for her craft. And this group has been through a lot together in a short amount of time. * Mikoto smiles. "Bonds like that aren't easily broken." * John nods. "That about covers it." ( Plus when she dies, I'm going to grab the umbrella and run. ) Understood. * Fanfan sighs a bit nostalgically. * Mikoto leans his things against a nearby building, then blinks at Fanfan curiously. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-2) and gets 2. * Fanfan notices Mikoto looking at her. "There is a problem?" * Mikoto shakes his head. "No, just curious as to what was on your mind." Ah. * Fanfan hehs. "It's nothing much. It's just...what you just said, about bonds not easily broken...you reminded me of the last time I traveled with a group. My old performance troupe." * Mikoto folds his arms behind his head. "Ah, I see. If you don't mind my asking, why did you part ways?" There was a time...well, I just felt it necessary to move on. * Fanfan shrugs. "So, what leads you to guiding westerners around the Empire?" * Mikoto nods, leaning back against the wall, then blinking at the question. "Ah... actually, I was travelling in the West when Miss Pippin was hiring for her expedition, and was in need of work. I'm a traveller, like you." He grins. "I don't have your showmanship skills, though." We're a mixed group because we required mix professions for the job. And now, if you'll excuse me, I want to see what's taking them so long getting some horses. * John starts walking in the direction of the stables. * Mikoto nods, standing up. "That is sort of worrying. Thank you, John." ( Jesse? You alive? ^_^; ) ( Yup. ) * Fanfan nods at the glinty-toothed westerner. ( Just making sure we weren't talking over you. ) I'm just your run-of-the-mill ronin. With a hat. You are ronin? * Mikoto chuckles at Tairan, then blinks. He glances between Fanfan and Sakura. "Please forgive what I'm about to ask, as it's somewhat rude..." But neither of you happens to be a member of the Iwahara or Takame clans, or their family clans... do you? * Fanfan shakes her head. "I hail originally from Serizawa." ( Oh thank god. ) No, I am not. (XD) Yup. Wanderin' warrior and all that. * Mikoto breathes out. "Forgive my asking. Those two clans are in some... unrest, and it has caused us a bit of trouble since entering the Empire. I'm sure you understand." * Fanfan nods. "I have heard of these disagreements." * Mikoto looks at the sky, then toward the stables. "What's taking them so long? We don't have time to waste..." He suddenly pauses. "I don't suppose the name 'Crazy Feathers' has been heard around this town... has it?" I have not heard it. * Fanfan shakes her head. "Neither have I...but then again, I have not been here a full day." * Mikoto frowns. "I'm sorry, I think I'd better go look into this." He glances at everyone else. "Feel free to come with me, if you want." * Tairan checks his pistol idly, making sure it's loaded. Better safe... * Sakura follows after Mikoto. Nothing better to do. * Fanfan shrugs and tags along. Part of the team now, hey? * Mikoto retrieves his things and sets off for the stable. * Tairan follows. Yay. [Everyone enters the stables! Lemmings. It's very nicely kept. John and Jinx are by their respective horses, and Millie's shaking Crazy Feathers' hand. Yes, you heard me right.] ( Does that mean you're moving it in here, or we should I KNEW IT! ) (Meanwhile, in the stables, MaryAnne has gone psycho and killed everyone with her happy umbrel--oh, dear.) * Mikoto peeks in the doorway. "I knew it." * Millie smiles and waves with her free hand. "Hey Mikky." ( I'm going to start calling you Millicent, you keep that up. ;) (Woo! An improvement!) * John tips his hat at Mikoto. "Yeah. We shoulda known, right?" Is this a problem? * MaryAnne looks at Sakura and says flatly "Indubitably." Not really. The shopkeeper is named Crazyfeathers. Interesting character. So how much if ya total all that up? I'd think...320? * Jinx pets Lightning more and grins. "This is why I paid Crazy Feathers a flat rate, gives him more of an incentive to bring Lightning to meet us." * Mikoto chuckles. "Not a problem, just... an unexpected reunion." He smiles at Crazy Feathers. "Any luck with the hunting falcons, good sir?" * Fanfan tilts her head at the merchant man. * John checks to make sure everything is set on Hazel, and walks over to CrazyFeathers. "You don't carry magic 'munitions, do you?" 325 Guess it won't break me for another 5. Crazy Feathers has not found falcons yet. * John realizes that Millie and CrazyFeathers are talking still. He waits his turn to talk to the Injun. * Mikoto grins. "A shame." * Millie pulls out the appropriate cash and gives it to him. "Almost outta this weird currency already...jus' as well." * CrazyFeathers looks at John. "Crazy Feathers have by next time." * CrazyFeathers takes the money and gives Millie a saddle bag, a horse, a pen, and some ink ( We need to level up a bit before the wandering shop increases its inventory. ) * John nods. "Alright." (Duh.) ( Well, if we go and kill Death, he'll start carrying Katanas and Soul Eater Rings. ) * Millie takes all that and whistles happily, going over to her new girl. Or guy. She probably checked the gender to get a girl though. * John walks over to Hazel and mounts up! (Actually, you need either Anti-death or a magic potion to kill death. Otherwise he steals 100 of your life.) ( Funny. I just shot him. ) ( BLOW JOBS GIVE YOU HEALTH! ) (...) ( ... I'm really afraid to ask. ) ( It's better that way. ) ( Mikoto gets eaten by a chikin ) Remember, shop Crazy! We wouldn't have it any other way. * Mikoto walks over to Millie and says to her, quietly, "Any luck with Miss Pippin?" * Millie looks up at the horse and smiles, clicking her tongue and rubbing her hand against the underside of the cheek. She's a brilliant white mare spotted with black dots near the rump. Her hooves also have black patches and the tail is bright and bushy. * MaryAnne comments "I say, that sounds like an invitation so become a spendthrift." * Millie speaks offhand to Mikoto. "Not really. Ya know how she is. Jinx wasn't any help at all though..." * Mikoto sighs and hangs his head. "Somehow I knew that'd be the case." * Millie reaches behind the front leg and checks the hoof. * Jinx mounts up. "Lightning can probably handle another rider. And practically speaking it's double or nothing we should all ride or we may as well walk." ( Triple ) That was my plan, Jinxy. [And so, they went on the road again. Some happier than others. But they got their horses back and new horses and ink and stuff and yay! Remember, when shop, shop crazy!] [Session End.]