[Good morning! It's been a couple days since you've set down the road. Since then, clouds have been gathering. Looks like a storm's a-brewin'.] [Tastes like rain. Since you left, there hasn't been any encounters with any results of the Iwahara/Takame war; it looks like you've lucked out, and they're fighting elsewhere. And it should be fine now, since you've entered Ki lands not too long ago.] [Session Start.] (Question, how are our horses keeping up in the rain?) (It's not raining. Yet.) * Millie looks up at the clouds and frowns a little, clicking her tongue. She doesn't do her usual morning stretch routine. "That don't look good..." * Jinx stands up and stretches and walks over to his horse. "Wonder if we're going to meet your namesake in a bit." * John looks up at the sky as he stands. "Rain. Just what we needed." * Millie picks herself up and pats the leather patches on her hips before sticking two fingers in her mouth and whistling. "Come here, Pepper!" * Sakura rides along quietly. * Fanfan stretches, canting an eye at the sky. "Hm. This may make things a bit more difficult." Well, on the bright side it'll be easier to track in the rain. On the down side, it'll hide existing tracks. * Mikoto nods. "But it might slow them down as much as it does us." (Mary would ride with Millie since she is the only girl character that both has a horse and she likes ; ) ) Do we really need the tracks though? I mean both of 'em are pretty famous...I think it'd be hard for 'em ta pass unnoticed." (I assumed that ^^;) (Just clairifying ; ) ) Tracks never hurt. 'specially if they decide to avoid towns for a bit. * John walks over to Hazel, packing up the rest of his equipment. "Tracks or none, we need to get going, correct?" I have this feeling that Jan and Kojiro are staying out of towns, and using subordinates to go and get them supplies and the like. And even if they do go through towns, I'm sure that both the famous personas would take care to conceal at least their own identity. * Jinx cleans up camp and then puts his gear on his horse. ... so yeah. Tracks good. *grins* * Millie smiles as Pepper comes trotting up and pets her muzzle gently. "Good girl." She blows gently into the nostril as she pats Pepper on the nose affectionately. (Millie bought a girl horse? =) ) (But of course o/~) (Tough people riding mares usually get laughed at ; ) ) * John pats Hazel, then mounts up. "Weather tracks are good or not won't matter too much if they get washed away in the rain." (Tell that to John, Jinx, and Millie. They'll shoot ya.) (Snicker =) ) * Tairan finishes unwrapping the bandages around his arm. The burns have mostly healed, as has the wound on his foot, although the latter is still wrapped, and he still shows a slight limp. * Millie swings up and mounts, patting her mane and looking over at John. "Yeah..an' the less we're out in the rain, the better." * Jinx mounts up, "So, let's get going then." (Of course, Millie gets to benefit from Mary's umbrella ; ) ) * Fanfan looks around at the assorted riders. * Millie nods. "Miss Mary, ya comin'?" ( 9-9 ) * MaryAnne walks over to Millie "Yes...it's just that...I'm not really good at this sort of thing." * John nods to Millie and Jinx. "We're moving as soon as everyone's ready." Bah..it's not like yer controllin' her... * Millie grins and puts out her hand to help Mary up. * MaryAnne manages to work her way atop Millie's horse with Millie's assistance. * MaryAnne says "Thank you." * Sakura is already atop her horse and looking around curiously. Ah jus' don't wantcha fallin' in the mud or anythin'..it'd look bad on me if mah employer slipped. * MaryAnne has her umbrella open and helps shield herself and Millie from the falling droplets. * Jinx chuckles to himself. "So... anyone else feel like riding a horse called Lightning through a thunderstorm?" * MaryAnne says "Yes, quite right." * John chuckles. "That's just your luck, isn't it Jinx." * Millie pulls on the reigns, turning Pepper gently. "Double up, guys..let's get goin'.." * Fanfan laughs. "Perhaps they will avoid their compatriot, eh?" * Tairan shrugs. "Considering my luck lately, tempting the fates is the least of my problems. I'm game." *walks over towards Jinx'n Lightning* * Mikoto chuckles and walks over to John. "You owe me for the lunch." * John smirks. "Fair enough." * Jinx rides a bit over to Tairan and calms Lightning as he mounts up. * Fanfan walks over to Sakura. "It seems we newcomers are stuck together, then. If it is not too much of an inconvenience?" * Mikoto manages to pull himself into the saddle without help. "I'm fairly good with animals. It shouldn't be a problem, right?" He pats the horse reassuringly. * Millie shifts her grip a little and tosses Mary her pack. "Hold this while I'm ridin', alright?" * Sakura stares at Fanfan. "No. You may ride." * Fanfan climbs up, then. * Tairan carefully gets onto Lightning. "Been a while since I rode... forest patrol isn't really suited for riding." * John shrugs. "Hazel can be a bit... tempramental, but I think she likes ya." * Millie smirks over at John. "She likes me too..I think ya jus' say that ta scare people off, Johnny boy." * MaryAnne says "I'll do my best" and then whispers in Millies ear "So, how come that other girl is coming along with us also?" * John smirks. "Either that or you're just lucky. Let's get going." * Jinx nods to Tairan. "She's a good horse, she shouldn't be any trouble. Although if we get into combat you may want to jump off." * Millie grips the reigns and turns her head as far as safe. "Which one? The dancer or the costumed girl?" * Mikoto shakes his head. "Horses are proud animals. You have to earn their respect." * Millie manages to keep her voice fairly low. * MaryAnne whispers to Millie "The acrobat." * Millie shrugs slightly. "Jus' sorta came along I think..." Oh, I plan on it. If I'm gonna get my ass kicked, I'd prefer it not be accompanied by a five foot fall. =P * MaryAnne continues "Hmmm..well, atleast she seems nice and mannered." * Jinx smiles over at Fanfan as he gets Lightning moving. "Your theory that lightning won't strike it's compatriat may have some merit. I've never been struck while riding any of the Lightnings." * John nods to Mikoto. "There's somethin' that I wish my parents told me." * Millie raises an eyebrow at Mary. "Manners ain't everythin'. Ya meet all sortsa people out there, an' even so, manners can tend ta hide more than it shows." * John looks over at Lightning. "Hey, Tairan, which way?" * Millie turns towards the road and nudges with her feet, barely even moving the reigns. "Com'on girl.." * MaryAnne says "Hmmm...perhaps." * Jinx pets Lightning once then draws a revolver. He keeps his other hand on the reigns. * Tairan eyes the surroundings. Which way were we going, and which way doesn't lead to hostile territory? =P * Millie had the sense to keep her compass in her front pocket and takes it out, taking a quick glance. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-2) and gets 6. * Millie puts her compass in a safe place. "Huh...west by southwest..." d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ardweden (d8) and gets 4. [A raindrop lands on Mary Anne's nose.] * MaryAnne dabs her noise "What dreadful weather" * John is still waiting for Tairan's answer. ( "Tut tut! It looks like rain!" ) She usually has it open to be a sunscreen * Mikoto chuckles. "You know, when I was a child my uncle said I liked to play in the rain. It's not something I remember." (Maybe the wind blew the rain drop onto her nose - a side attack =) ) You must have caught a lot of colds. * Millie glares at the boys. "Y'all better not try an' stare at our blouses if it starts pourin'" (It's a ninja rain drop. You have to watch out for those. (Yeah! =) ) ( o/~ Ninja rain ) [A drop of water lands on Tairan's forehead.] * Mikoto grins at Sakura. "It's certainly a possibility. I was a bit of a frail kid." * MaryAnne /she narrows her eyes and says sternly and looks over at the boys "Quite right." ( * Tairan eyes the surroundings. Which way were we going, and which way doesn't lead to hostile territory? =P ) ( Turn left at the next light. ) * Jinx glances at Millie and grins. "Damn, that takes all the fun out of thunderstorms. Without that it's just getting wet and that sudden shocking feeling." (West by southwest. :P) (See? No one listens to the girl with the compass ^^;) ( Second star to the right, and straight on till morning. ) (You don't know. You're pretty sure you're in Ki lands, Millie said west by southwest, but you're not that familiar with the area.) ... c'mon now, ladies. I'm foul-mouthed, crude, and ill-tempered, but I'm no pervert. *tips hat* * Millie smirks a little. "Yeah...we'll jus' see won't we?" Mary, get out the map an' see if ya can find anything... It's in the pack I gave ya. * Tairan shrugs. "Don't know this area of the Ki domain too well, unfortunately." [There's thunder overhead! DOOM.] * MaryAnne asks "We have a map?" * Millie looks up. "On second thought, it'll probably jus' get wet...let's jus' find a road an' follow it." * MaryAnne "Hmmms" and starts digging in Millie's pack. * John chuckles. He looks around the clearing. "Oh, well... I suggest we get moving soon. An' by soon, I mean *now*." * Mikoto looks up. "Wow. If I were superstitious, I'd call this a fell portent." Indeed. Let's jus' get goin' an' hope Jinxy's luck holds out... [A big honking drop of water plunks right in between Sakura's face and her mask.] * Millie smirks and starts going forward faster. Hyah! * Jinx glances over at Mikoto. "Eh, I've seen far worse portents." * John starts makin * Sakura moves the horse forward, apparantly ignoring the water. Mean ol' GMs. * Jinx gets Lightning moving. * John starts making trails with Hazel, behind Millie. * Mikoto grins and looks at Jinx. "One might say, in some situations, you ARE a far worse portent." * MaryAnne looks for a map in Millie pack. * Millie hears the rustling behind her and speaks over her shoulder. "Forget it, Mary. It's jus' gonna get soaked if we bring it out now. I don't want it ta be useless." * Fanfan shifts around, pulling part of her outermost layer of robes up to create a makeshift hood. * Jinx grins. "Well then, I'll just have to avoid mirrors if I want to keep my spirits up." It is just weather. There is nothing portentous about it. * Mikoto laughs. "I can see why you're such a successful gambler, Jinx." * MaryAnne says "Well, okay." she shuts Millie's pack back up * Jinx smiles as he rides. [As if to answer Fanfan, a streak of lightning crosses the sky, followed by an angry rumble of thunder, and then rain comes down in force.] ( BAH ) (^_^) ( Ha! ) Aww hell! Come on! Double-time! * Mikoto coughs. "Well, it *is* portentious of rain." * John frowns. "So much for stayin' dry. Let's get moving!" * Sakura giddups! Well, yes. Hold on, Miss Mary! * Jinx prods his horse and accelerates to keep up with Sakura. "In case anyone was wondering, the phrase 'lightning never strikes twice,' not actually true." * Millie snaps the reigns as gently as she can, whispering to Pepper. "I know ya can keep up in this...I promise I'll make it up ta ya.." * MaryAnne holds on and exclaims "Oh my!" * John looks back at Mikoto. "I trust you can hang on." He kicks Hazel's sides to keep up with the other speeding horses. ... well, at least I probably won't be set on fire again today, right? * Mikoto grins and manages not to snuggle John in a slashtastic embrace while remaining on the horse. "Your dignity is safe with me." It is never safe to bet on that. Fire comes more often then one would expect. * Jinx talking as he rides, mostly speaking to himself. "See, being struck by lightning twice is extremely improbable. But once you've been struck once you don't gain any protection. The events are statistically independent." ( Love the timing on that "never safe to bet" comment. *cracks up* ) (Slashtastic!) ( We're very slashable. Sadly. ) (;_;) ( /me gets to writing some fanfiction. ) ( ...come to think of it, you're right. ) True, Sakura. But my being soaked makes it less likely. (Come on, slash 'im...ya know you want to.) Not if ya get struck by lightning, Lanky. He would not burn though. ( I'm imagining Sakura as a giggling slash fangirl and it's scary. ) Jus' the insides. I personally don't want to find out what it feels like to be struck by lightning. I think the term there is 'roast', rather than 'burn'. ... are you planning to do something with MaryAnne's umbrella that you're not telling me, Millie? ( It's so great how we're all talking normally in the middle of a huge honkin' thunderstorm while riding speeding horses ) I'll agree with that. [Jinx and Tairan, perception checks. Everyone else, same at +2.] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 11. 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6+2) and gets 13. 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6+2) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 2. (dr1) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 2, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "I love the smell of a crit in the morning." 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-2) and gets 4. 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6+2) and gets 7. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6) and gets 10. [John, Tairan, Mary Anne, and Fanfan all hear rushing water. Jinx hears rushing water and realizes it's right ahead of him and he's coming up on it FAST.] ... sounds like a river nearby... * Jinx slows up and yells. "Water straight ahead! Damn close!" ...or a flash flood. * Jinx vears to the left in addition to slowing. * John slows up Hazel. "Well shit." * MaryAnne says "Oh, there must be a stream nearby!" * Mikoto eyes Mary. "It's probably... larger than a stream..." * Millie slows down her horse and pulls the reigns to the side as she narrows her eyes forward. There's definetly a lot of water up ahead... Okay, bit slower and let's NOT fall into the water. [Good thing Jinx did that, because he almost ended up in the small river blocking the trail. Well, it'd normally be a small river, but thanks to the rain, it's flooded into something bigger. The bridge across is taken out.] * Sakura slows down.. a lot. * Jinx wipes his brow. "Lovely." * Mikoto blinks, covering his eyes with his hand and examining the wreckage of the bridge. ... head downstream, look for another bridge? ( I won. :P ) [It looks like it's been burned.] Damned flood and damned rivers with all that damned water... [Perception checks, all.] * John stops when he reaches the river. He glances down at the bridge. 2d6-2 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-2) and gets 2. * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 4. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-4) and gets 5. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 9. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "Looks like they knew we were coming." ( Looks like an ambush, Zhang Fei. Better be careful. ) 2d6-2 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 3. * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 10. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6-2) and gets 4. In which case, I shouldn't think that any other bridges we find will be any more intact. ... mmm. [Everyone but Jinx, John, and Sakura hear rustling in the brush and forest back the way they came.] This is jus' perfe... * Jinx scowls. "Or at least, they'll be none close by. Otherwise they wouldn't have bothered." * Millie turns her head and turns Pepper around. * Fanfan frowns, still looking forward. "...and unless I am worrying overmuch, I think I hear the sounds of an ambush behind us." [Millie, perception.] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 3. An ambush? Interesting. (*hugs Dicey*) ('bout time ya warmed up ta me!) Possibly. * Jinx switches to his shotgun and turns around. "May be time to get off Tairan." * Mikoto nods at Fanfan, and closes his eyes, holding out his right arm. "I think you're right." * Tairan hops off horse and turns back towards the brush, drawing his weapons. "We got company... backs to the river. Don't let 'em surround us." [Millie spots a Shomuran woman partially concealed by a tree. She's wearing a dirty brown mask and aiming a bolt-action rifle right at her.] What if they crossed before taking out the bridge? * John puts his hands near his pistols... * Millie 's eyes widen. "Dammit, get down!" She pulls Mary and jumps off of Pepper as quick as possible. They didn't... ( roll init ) d6+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (d6+7) and gets 9. d6+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (d6+7) and gets 8. d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (d6+6) and gets 12. * MaryAnne yells "Yahhh!" d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (d6+5) and gets 6. d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (d6+6) and gets 7. d6+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (d6+7) and gets 13. 1d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (1d6+5) and gets 7. (1d6 Elfy.) d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (d6+6) and gets 8. [The falcon shape appears on Mikoto's arm.] [Order: Tairan, Slayer, John, Fanfan, Millie, Mikoto, Sakura, MaryAnne, Jinx] [Tairan's turn!] ( Um, who is there to shoot at? ) ( The slayer ) (The chick with the bolt-action rifle who isn't Millie.) (You can try shooting at Millie too but that's not a good plan) ( Buffy is here? Can we kill her too? ) * Tairan eyes the woman in the trees, sheathes his sword, brings his pistol up to bear, and fires a shot at her masked face. (Called Shot) 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-3) and gets 2. ( Too many masked people around here. ) ( Heh heh heh ) (Yeah, we need to get rid of some of them. *shoots Sakura.*) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6) and gets 7. [The woman fires almost at the same time as Tairan. There's a spark somewhere in between them, and then Tairan finds his arm is slightly grazed.] * Tairan winces. [She spends her turn reloading.] ... hey, you're not allowed to do that! [John's turn!] * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "Result disregarded, that was quite impressive." * John draws both his pistols in one smooth action, trailing them at the Slayer's face and firing both of them. (Called shot.) 2d6-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-5) and gets 0. 2d6-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-5) and gets 3. (Oh, wait. That's supposed to be -4 up there.) [The first bullet glances off the side of her head, leaving a nasty cut. She manages to dodge the next shot.] [Fanfan's turn!] * Fanfan leaps at the woman with one of her swords drawn, slashing down at her. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-2) and gets 7. [Fanfan cuts into her shoulder.] * Fanfan slices again with her other sword. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-2) and gets 9. ( Don't mind me folks, I'm a combat dummy. ^^ ) [Unfortunately, Fanfan is off balance after her jump, and misses with her second weapon.] 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6+2) and gets 9. ( *snerks as he rereads the bestiary* I missed this the first time. ) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 8. ( For Bison, "Abilities: Tasty". ) ( Hee hee ) ( * Grysar grins. "I should prolly get to updating that.) 2d6+1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6+1) and gets 11. ( ...what a weird thought. "John's doing a lot of rolling." -> "Maybe he and the Slayer are having a Charm Battle!" -> "Dear god, did I just think up an Ani-Mayhem reference?" ) (...) ( Heh! ) [Suddenly, John is grabbed from behind by a bare-chested Teckian man wearing a similar brown mask like the woman. A few quick motions and John finds himself spinning as he flies through the air. He falls to the ground with a painful thud.] [Millie's turn!] * Millie scowls from her prone position on the ground, unslinging Greenpeace from her back and turning the knob near the end. She looks pretty angry. "Geez, I've been at the end of some guns but a Kent 44's jus' an insult. That thing's gotta be at LEAST 10 years old." She yells out. "Ya probably got it half-rusted too don'tcha?" ( Oh god. John was attacked by T.Hawk. ) ( And now T. hawk will be attacked by Falcon! ) ( HA HA HA kill me. ) (...) ( Mrisson Comprete! ) ( Clarification: John was grabbed from the side. Mikoto saw it happen. ) (Why cover your face and not your chest? It goes against all logic) ( I spy, wif mah little eye...John being jumped! Maybe his Girl Magnet has crossed the gender barrier? ) [Mikoto's turn] * Mikoto blinks, then locks his eyes on the musclebound Slayer, and nods his head at it. "Don't bother wounding. If one survives for questioning, that's enough." 2 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2 2d6-3) and gets 4 6. * John grimaces as he gets up. "Gotcha." Ya really think these guys'll be too talkative? [The falcon cuts the man's beefey chest with its talons. Twice!] I'm sure it couldn't hurt to try. Guess it's a good chance ta try a new trick or too though...raight. * Mikoto glances at John, his face grim, but the hint of a smile makes an appearance. "I was actually instructing Mirabel." ( Millie and Mary! Gimme perception rolls! ) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 3. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6-2) and gets 7. * John chuckles. "Yeah, okay. Careful guys..." [Millie hears noise below her and, looking down, sees that a thorny plant is starting to grow beneath her.] Mary, at +2 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 5. (Made) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6) and gets 6. [Millie hops clear of the thorny bush that suddenly grows, but Mary gets caught unawares. Her poor dress gets torn. Not to mention her legs get cut.] (mary's not used to being attacked - that's what she's got you guys for =) ) * MaryAnne calls out "Yah!" ( Nasty nasty evil vegetable matter? ) (Yeah!) [Millie notices a third Slayer: a Teckian man.] Well shait. [Sakura's turn!] ( I wish they were not called Slayers. It gives such a weird image. ) * Millie eyes the Slayer. "Yer gonna pay for that..." ... attacking with a plant? What kind of sissy attacks with a freaking *plant*? ( Anyone with Earth djinn equipped! ) ( Well, Earth and at least one fire. ) (*smacksmacksmacksmack.) ( The Slayer then summons Whispy Woods. ) (Fire magic in a rain storm...yeeeaaaaah...good idea. ;P) * Sakura leaps off her horse and into the air, heading towards the new guy. Midway through her jump, her blade begins glowing black. She fizzles out.. and splits, into multiple Sakuras. As one, they bring their swords (still black) down at the new fellow. "Midnight Shadow." ( Wispy Woods! ) ( John gets hit with an apple, and Mikoto gets blown away in a puff of air. ) 2d6-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6-5) and gets 1. (Ooooh and Air Puff!) (Can't forget the puffy air. :P) * Jinx raises an eyebrow. "Glad she's on our side." Impressive. * Mikoto does the same. "It seems everyone has their own surprises today." Yeah. [The images bury their swords into the slayer mage, cutting him from multiple directions.] ... now that there's a freakin' attack. [Mary Anne's turn! She's in a pickle] * Sakura lands, and the afterimages vanish. ( So it was a pickle bush! ) (Mary doesn't like pickles - they're stinnky) ( In a pickle? She'll have to use her brines to escape! ) ( She's in a considerable dill-ema. ) (Ow!) ( I AM CHAMP. ) * MaryAnne trys to get away from the rabid bush "Yah!" (*lays the royal smackdown on Todd.) (You're gerkin my chain.) ( Nope, this is strictly kosher. ) [Mary Anne manages to get out of the bush, but not without further tearing her dress and cutting herself.] [Jinx's turn!] ( Sadly, all I could think was "Uh-oh! Ozzie's in a pickle." ) ( .. and wow, that's a fun image. ) (Well, I relish in that fact.) ( ...terrible image. Mary as Ozzie! Sakura as Slash! John as Flea! ) (... NO.) ( ....I'm out. I can't possibly compete. @_@ ) ( Beauty is power, pretty boy. ) ( Greetings, Madam Slush! [...] ) * Jinx rides forward at a bit of an angle to get a clear shot at the Slayer riflewoman and then casually fires his shotgun at her. 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-3) and gets 6. (dr2) 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-3) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6-2) and gets 5. [Jinx does just that. Unfortunately for him, he only manages to hit her with one barrel.] [Tairan's turn!] * Tairan eyes the riflewoman, then the big guy, and figures he better get to the riflewoman before she finishes reloading. He draws his sword and charges, firing a shot from his pistol to cover himself, then doing a standing slide in the mud to stab her with his katana. 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-3) and gets 2. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 2. [Tairan finishes her off just as she's about to fire.] [John's turn!] (She can be taught!...er killed!) * Mikoto glances at the big guy. "It's just you. If you give up, you might live." He narrows his eyes and actually smiles. "But I suspect you won't. Either way is acceptable to me." (There's two guys left, Mikoto ^^; Though if he didn't notice the mage come, that's fine ^^;) ( He didn't, but I thought Sakura cut the mage in half. ) ( No, just hurt the poor bastard. ) ( Bad Sakura! No biscuit. ) * John trains his pistols on each of the legs of the guy who brought him down as he backs up. ( Curses. I love my Sakura Snax. ) (Called shot: Leg) 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-4) and gets 0. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6-4) and gets 4. [John puts a bullet through both knees of the man.] (Ouch.) (Owie) ( OUCH. ) ( Ow. ) [Fanfan's turn] ( "I said not to kill him!" ".. He'll live." ) (Ow. >_<) * Fanfan launches herself at the mage, both swords flashing. 2 2d6+1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2 2d6+1) and gets 8 5. [Fanfan misses with her first slice, but catches the mage with the second. He doesn't look so hot.] [The bare-chested man can no longer stand, but that doesn't stop him from getting a grip on Hazel's foot.] [Millie's turn!] ( Oh, SWEET. ) * Millie smirks slightly at the mage and rests her cheek against the Greenpeace's stock, tilting her head slightly. "Sorry, butcha shouldn'ta takin' a hit on my employer..." She pulls the trigger. (They're freaks! Freaks I tell you! =) ) 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6-3) and gets -1, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "Fight! For everlasting love and peace!" ( .. Well. ) (Um, yeah. He's dead.) (Um...oww.) ( Goodbye senior mageopolis. ) ( Sweet! ) ( Hoboy. ) [Millie blows half of the man's face off. Ewwww] [Mikoto's turn!] (eeeeewww) * Millie 's smirk widens as she raises up the barrel to blow it, turning her attention to the other one. * Mikoto looks down. "...leave the horse out of this." And swings his foot back, then forward to kick the guy grabbing ontothe horse he happens to be riding. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-4) and gets 0. ( I almost feel bad for that guy. Almost. ) [Makoto kicks him, and he stops moving.] (I don't.) ( I wanted to swing up into a handstand kick or something, but I know for sure there'd be a penalty or whatever. -_^ ) (That wouldn't stop John, you know. ~_^) (Penalties are no substitute for coolness factor!) * Mikoto mutters, reaching down to brush off his boot. "...Idiot." Mirabel perches on his shoulder. Is he still alive? (There shouldn't be a penalty for style - we like to visualize cool stuffs ; ) ) ( I know! I wanna do all sorts of crazy flips and stuff. ard, can I from now on? ^_^_v ) (Weeeeell... depends. ^_^) ... wow. That was the crappiest ambush ev- well, no. But it was pretty bad. * Sakura walks over to the kneecapped Slayer and kneels, checking for a heartbeat. * Millie sighs slightly and shakes her head, putting her rifle barrel against her shoulder. "Still doesn't change the fact that the bridge is out though..." (If there's no benefit other than looking cool, then there shouldn't be a penalty either - of course if it provides an advantage - that's different =) ) If it was just Slayers, then I doubt the bridges downstream are also out. * John twirls each of his pistols and holsters them. "Yeah, doesn't change that." He puts his pistol to the slayer's head. "If he's not dead, I can fix that right now." * Mikoto reaches up and strokes the phantasmal falcon's beak. "Excellent. Thank you, Mira." With a cry, it vanishes. [The slayer lacks a heartbeat.] * Jinx nonchalantly reloads his shotgun. "True, although the Slayers may have just taken advantage of the burned bridge. * MaryAnne sniffles and rubs her leg "Oh my poor dress." ( Clearly, now is the time to dress Mary Anne in a halter and hot pants. ) Y'okay, boss lady? I got some bandages if ya need... * Millie hmms and rubs her chin. "But..are the Slayers helpin' Janny an' company or is this jus' a coincidence? An' if they're helpin' 'er, WHY?" * Sakura stands up. "Dead." Gotta be coincedence. There are no such thing as coincidences. I doubt that such as they would aid *anyone*. I dunno...Millie's had a bad feelin' 'bout this all along...I don't believe it.. ( just very convenient accidents? ) (Just the GMs screwing with our heads) * John holsters his pistol and mounts up then. "We're not getting any answers out here... Let's get to shelter and then discuss this." [Perception checks!] 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 8. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 6. * Mikoto gets off the horse, patting Hazel again and looking around. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 10. (Who made it? I'm missing roll results here. @_@) (Mikoto, Fanfan, Sakura, and MaryAnne methinks) (*shoots Millie. Again.) (*dodges it like she did that bush thingie* o/~) [Mikoto, Fanfan, Sakura, and Mary Anne hear fast marching through the thunder.] * Fanfan looks around. "Does anyone else hear that?" Interesting. What is that..? Hmm? Wha? Hmm? * Mikoto blinks, looking around. "...someone's making a quick getaway." All I hear is rain. * John listens. "All I hear is thunder'n'rain. Ya guys getting something else." Poor Pepper... [They're going towards you. ^^] * MaryAnne says "maybe it's horses" Horses? They're coming this way. * Millie scowls slightly. "Troops ya think?" Drums, more likely marchers. Reenforcements.. or troops perhaps. Quite possibly. * John frowns. "Last thing we need to deal with is an army. Let's get moving." * Millie nods and looks over at the trees for possible cover. * Mikoto closes his eyes, then turns in the direction of the footsteps. "Tairan, if any landmarks look familiar, now's the time to speak up." [Everyone can easily hear it now. They're real close.] Yeah..probably be better ta move than ta hide. ...if we have time. * Tairan looks around. Anything look familiar to this Ki-type person? * Jinx look around, trying to figure out where they're coming from. * Sakura climbs up onto her horse. * Millie stops at that. "...or not." (You're not familiar with the area, Tairan. Remember? ^^;) ( I know. Just checkin'. =P ) ... nothin'. Never been 'round here. * Millie looks for cover again then. * Sakura looks for a place to hide. [To one side, the way you came, is the fairly wide path. On the other is the river and the taken out bridge. To the other two sides are forest and shrubbery.] * MaryAnne stays near Millie * Mikoto breathes out. "Let's hope it's not a cadre of samurai purists with a chip on their shoulders." * Jinx quickly grabs a coin and flips it in the air catching as it comes down. d2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (d2) and gets 2. I vote we go left, unless we want to meet these guys. Either we run for it, or let's find some cover. Especially those of you with guns... if we're dealing with irate samurai, getting off as many shots as possible before they close to melee would be a good idea. (I forget our present orientation) * Millie whispers to her horse. "Come on Pepper..quiet..them seein' a lone horse 'round'll be suspicious.." * John nods. "Let's go." * Fanfan shrugs. "Very well." * Fanfan sheathes her swords and retreats to the trees. * Mikoto looks around. "We'll have to take the Slayers' bodies." * Sakura moves her horse to the left, getting it away from view as best she can. * Jinx moves towards the trees, he keeps his gun pointed towards the path. Why? Nobody'll cry for dead Slayers. * Millie slings Greenpeace and leads her horse towards the trees. [Someone gives a yell, and you can see... well, a large group of people enter the clearing. One of the men - a large man, with a long moustache to his chin, heavy yellow armor, and some sort of symbol on his armor, gestures, and a number of the troops start searching the area.] * John guides Hazel torwards the trees. They'll wonder who killed them, though. And it's not as if removing the bodies would remove evidence of the fight. ... too late for that. Everyone be calm... * Sakura has her sword out, but says nothing. (Who's in the trees? Who's out in the open? ) * Mikoto frowns, studying the symbol on the guy's armor. * MaryAnne couches by Millie. (In the trees! Well, trying to be anyways. :P) (Towards trees) ( Sakura moved her horse, and is probably behind a tree or something. ) [There's about twenty men in all. Shomurans looking at the man see the Akamatsu symbol on his breastplate.] * John quietly speaks to Mikoto. "Recogonize the symbol?" Akamatsu. * Mikoto breathes out, nodding. "It's the Akamatsu clan's crest, which bodes well for us." * Sakura whispers quietly. "Are they your enemies?" ( Yellow, though? Yellow? Is he the esteemed Yuan Shao, imperial wannabe and notepaper holder? ) * Jinx lowers his shotgun, it's still out, but not overtly threatening. (Or are they wearing turbans?) ( He might be Yuan Shu. ) Don't think so. *holsters his weapons to enhance a non-threatening don't-stab-me aura* ( Do they have purple socks?! ) * John hasn't drawn any weapons yet, but you know how fast he can draw them. :P ...Akamatsu... (Shomurans, give me a cultural arts (clans) roll.) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-2) and gets 3. * Mikoto looks behind John's back at Tairan. "Purists, or no?" 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6) and gets 10. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6-2) and gets 6. Akamatsu. Almost definately not purists. * Jinx looks a bit relieved at the news. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6) and gets 9. * John nods at the news. * Millie whispers, peeking around the tree. "I ain't takin' chances though.." * Tairan whispers through gritted teeth. "Don't act suspicious, lest they become suspicious." * Fanfan nods, whispering agreement. "Not being enemies is not an automatic sign of friends." As far as I know, Akamatsu has been supporting Ki in the recent civil unrest. * Millie looks at Tairan. "I'm half Teckian, an' half Injun. I don't need ta do a whole lot ta seem suspicious for jus' BEIN' here..." (And lucky you, you get to be spokesperson!) ( How. Oh wait, wrong side of the continent. ) * Tairan steps foward a few steps. "Greetings, noble Akamatsu warriors." *bows* * Mikoto stands a few steps behind Tairan, also bowing but keeping his mouth shut. * MaryAnne whispers to Millie "Oh my, I do hope things work out favorably." * Sakura places her sword away and steps behind Tairan, looking forboding and suspicious. * Fanfan steps forward as well, after a brief pause, stopping at the same level as Mikoto and bowing. * Millie whispers back, not making a move away from the trees. "Me too...hope the goobers know what they're doin'..." ( How does anyone tell how Sakura is looking? ^^) * Leader looks around a bit, then centers his eyes at Tairan. "Ah, so you've decided to show yourself, Tairan Hoshimoto." (maybe the masked girl coming out wasn't such a good thought ; ) ) ( She's got a mask. That's suspicious enough. ) (Wearing a mask is suspicious...yeah.) * Mikoto blinks, his expression going totally blank. (Another roll, for those interested.) ( Well, suspicious, yes. I was talking about the forboding bit. ^^ ) ( The one time, the ONE TIME I'm not spokesperson... ) [The troops certainly do eye the lot of you. They're not threatening, but they are at the ready.] ( We're all going to die, arn't we? ) * Jinx stays more than a bit back in the forest but still makes the best bow he can while mounted. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-2) and gets 2. (Shomurans only, 'course. Tairan, you don't count. :P Cultural arts (clans)) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6-2) and gets 5. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-2) and gets 7. ... I ain't a Hoshimoto no more. Please refrain from referring to me as one. I don't want any more associaton with the old bastard than I need. And I don't need *any* association with him. * Fanfan winces slightly, a bare twitch of the face. * Leader hrumphs, but Tairan can almost see a small smile behind that thick mustache. "So I've heard." * Mikoto takes a second to breathe again, once nobody gets shot, stabbed, or otherwise deaded. He glances at Fanfan with a faintly embarrassed smile. (Sworded!) I don't suppose the old bastard dropped dead while I was away, did he? *grins* (MSG'd!) ( ...I parsed that as "/msg'ed." ^^ ) ( "It was moo goo gai pan. Right to the face." "How awful." ) * Jinx chuckles softly. * Leader goes back to frowning. "If only that were the case. Unfortunately, you're pathetic excuse for a father has gone quite power hungry." He even turned against his lord. He has no honor. ( Of course he has. God damned Suikoden. At least we get his castle. ) ( ...he's eating electric lights? ) * John takes this opportunity to reload his pistols. (Glowing foodings! *_*) I coulda told you that a long time ago. ( ... Ard and Brett would be just insane enough to run a game with 108 PCs. ) [The men level their weapons at John when he does that, as if saying "No you don't." ( That's even crazier than my split-team idea ) (Oh Brett's already discussed doing a Suikoden RPG :P) [They're armed with spears, swords, AND guns.] ( Brett? U R insane. ) * Tairan winces. "John, we're having a pleasant conversation here. Don't antagonize the nice men with the sharp pieces of metal." * Fanfan waves John down, whispering behind her. "Later..." ( I know :P ) * John smirks as he holsters his pistols. "Just makin' sure they're on guard." * Mikoto walks a few steps up toward Tairan. "I can imagine why you didn't mention your former clan, now." He bows again to the Leader. * Tairan turns back to Leader. "Sorry. Westerners." ( At least NOW we know if someone comes for Tairan and they're unfriendly, they're also Evil and we can shoot them. ) * Millie shakes her head slightly at John. "An' they think I have no tact.." ( No, no. You have to roll your eyes and sigh when you say that. ;P) [The weather lightens a little. Now it's raining instead of storming. Isn't that nice?] * Sakura continues to look suspicious. ( Peachy. ) Anyway... what's the news, other than the ever impotent Akira Hoshimoto acting out? * MaryAnne continues to hide in the bushes ; ) Yes, well. I suppose that's to be expected. As for news, we've just given those dogs of Baba a bloody nose. They'll see what happens to men who disgrace themselves. * MaryAnne rubs her prickled leg with her hand. ( ...Baba? ) * Jinx continues to watch the interchange with amusement and his smiling a bit as he's glad he reloaded his shotgun earlier. ( Baba is one of the other clans. ) ( Ah, okay. ^^ ) (Mary Anne, stealth roll (concealment)) I heard he was leading some kinda rebellion over the whole gun use bullshit... ( One of the allies with Hoshimoto, though I dunno how many of you know that. ) (Meh, I still have 5 shots in each pistol left. As well as my light pistol, repeating rifle, and shotgun.) (Millie too? She's behind the tree.) (Yes.) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for MaryAnne (2d6) and gets 10. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 7. (not likely ; )) * Tairan spits. "I mean, really. He makes his name terrorizing civilians during the war, and he has the fucking gall to get wound up about using a gun. What an ass." * Leader nods. "As I said. He stubbornly refuses to adapt to the times. But there is no loss of honor for carrying new weapons. [The men spot Mary Anne and Millie and gesture for them to enter the clearing with their friends. Don't annoy the army, now.] * Mikoto sighs and shakes his head. "First the Iwahara and the Takame... now this. A sad state in the Empire today." * MaryAnne 's rubbing her leg and doesn't notice them gestering. [Mary Anne gets nudged by the butt of a spear.] * Tairan nods. "Are things going well for the forces loyal to the Ki clan?" I bet he simply does not want to alter his "famous" fighting style to deal with them. So he complains instead. * Millie shrugs and walks out, leading Pepper with her. "Was jus' enjoyin' the shade." ( On a rainy day? ) * MaryAnne looks surprise "Oh my goodness! How did you get there?" ( *facefault ) * Millie does still have Greenpeace slung on her back, so isn't in a threatening position. She raises her arms overhead, turning them about slowly as she stretches. ... MaryAnne. Join the rest of us before the nice man with the pointy stick gets antsy, please. * MaryAnne stands up and lectures the spear person "It's not polite to sneak up on a lady." [The 'man with the pointy stick' looks fairly annoyed.] * Millie turns around as she hears Mary. "Miss Mary, jus' come on.." If he skewers her, I would advise we do not seek vengence. * MaryAnne says "Humph" and turns around and goes with the others. * Tairan gapes at MaryAnne, then shakes his head. * Millie smiles brightly at the spear person. "Forgive her..she don't get out in the country much." ( In fact, I say we start a bonfire and get an advance on our pay. ) * Millie waves her hand quickly to Mary, giving the spear carrier a charming winning smile. [He blinks at Millie, then goes back to eyeing Mary.] * MaryAnne mutters under her breath "It's not as if I look like a person of dubious character, although I am looking a bit ragged." * Jinx glances at Sakura and comments quietly. "She's my employer, that's not an option. Although these are obviously elite soldiers, so it shouldn't come to that." * MaryAnne starts tiding herself up. (Tairan, another CA roll. -1.) 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-1) and gets 8. (You're in Ki lands! They all kick butt. ^_~) (Isn't Fearless Leader a bad guy? ; ) ) ( " Hey Mikoto, watch me pull a rabbit out of my mask!" "Again?" ) (...) (Maybe this is his cousin, Not-So-Fearless Leader ; ) ) ( Oh lord. ) * Millie gives a casual eye to the army, not threatening, but measuring. I believe we have the upper hand, but I won't boast of the strength of our forces. The rebels are formidable, to be certain. ( That's TWO separate games with two separate Rocky and Bullwinkle refs now. ) ( Seperate? Separate. Sepirite. Sprite. Obey your thirst. ) (Mmmm... Sprite.) ( Or his stepbrother, Mildly-Fearless Leader ) * Tairan mmms. "Well, if you get the chance, do me a favor a kill 'Lord Hoshimoto' slowly, will ya?" ( Or their deceased cousin, Fearful Leader. ) (Maybe it's the Not-as-fearless-as-the-fearless-leader-but-still-very- fearless-leader?) * Leader smirks. "It would be a pleasure." * Tairan says 'Lord Hoshimoto' with as much scorn and derision as he can muster. Which is a lot. (Another roll, Tai. -2.) (Yeah! =) ) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 7. (What's he rolling?) (Cultural Arts.) (Leave it to Tairan not to pay attention in politics class.) Could I trouble you for information on what clans remain loyal to the Ki? With Westerners in my party, wandering into a rebel area would be... well, bad. =P * Millie smirks slightly, shifting her hips and putting her hand against it. "Well shoot, ya mean ain't everyone that likes us?" * Leader drops his smirk. "No. You can't." * Mikoto tenses. * Millie frowns at that and drops the composure. * Fanfan remains neutral in expression and position. "Oh?" ... hmm. Don't want to give away military intel? * John begins eyeing the army at the leader's response. * Jinx continues to watch the conversation and comments quietly to no one in particular. "Glad to hear someone call the odds in favor of the group that doesn't want to kill us." With his free hand he makes a gesture that appears to be assisting in some sort of mental calculation. * Sakura tenses, moving her hand near her sword. * Millie looks at the leader. "I suspect he don't want us "inadvertantly" goin' over to 'em...not that he'd think we would but he can't take chances, raight?" Hardly. * Tairan notices the tension. "... relax, everyone. Times are tense here." May we ask how you came to find us, sir? You seemed to know that he was here. * Millie smiles and gives a slight tip of her hat. "I understand...it ain't easy on either side-a the border. * Mikoto glances at Millie with a faint smile, clearly impressed and blissfully ignoring the fact that she just provoked their leader. * Leader folds his arms. "I am a man of honor, loyal to my lord Ki. It is true that I have no respect for the Hoshimoto clan, and your dislike for your father have certainly pleased me." * Tairan grins. "If you like it, I got plenty more where it came from." But you, too, are not a man of honor. I will not assist you. * Millie nudges Tairan and whispers slightly. "Maybe he can do a favor of, y'know, tellin' us if there's a way across the river?" ( So again how did he find us/why was he looking for Tairan if he doesn't want to help us and isn't trying to kill us? ) ... that I ain't. Don't suppose you'd do it to help out my more honorable compatriots? * Mikoto tries to look honorable. (What he really wants is for you to dance!) The fact is, Tairan, you aren't any better than a common bandit. I let you live because your very existance irritates your father. * Millie stands up straight and tries to look honorable for a Teckian. If failing that, she just tries to look attractive. ( Ouch! *Sliced!* ) * MaryAnne looks at Tairan and has a perplexed expression on her face. (Zing!) (Sworded!) * Mikoto also clears his throat to speak up. "My lord, we are on a just expedition to bring to the law a cadre of international criminals. If our appearance does not convey it, please believe our sincerity of purpose." * Sakura looks over at Tairan. "Bandit?" * John shrugs. * Tairan scowls. "The stain of being a Hoshimoto may never wash from me, but I'm no bandit. I've spent my life hunting bandits." * Millie sighs. "Calm down, Lan...err, Tairan." * Leader points at Tairan. "The sword you carry is proof. Even if it was that scum Hoshimoto's blade, you still stole it from him. Men who steal have no honor!" * Jinx looks a bit on edge, but he's careful not to make any threatening movements. ( "No, YOU have no honor! Nyah!" ) * Millie looks up at the leader and gives him a bit of a smile. "'Scuse me. All we wanna do is get to the other side o' the river...ya think ya could help a pretty gal out at least that far?" * Tairan snorts. "Oh, that. Hell, I never claimed to have any honor. Load'a crap, in my book. If you consider me honorless, I'll gladly accept that judgement, because you're right. But I'm no bandit." We are already behind our quarry. The more time you spend delaying us, the farther we get. If you will not help us, then leave us alone. A bandit would say the same thing. * Fanfan twitches slightly yet again at Tairan's opinions on honor. I feel that this thread of conversation is taking us nowhere. * Leader nods to Sakura. "So be it." He calls to his men, "We're heading back to camp!" and then turns and walks away. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. He mutters, "I can't believe that actually worked." ... whatever. Think what you please. Just do me the favor of giving my father my worst wishes should you encounter him. * Millie scowls as they leave and turns back towards the rest of them. "Well THAT was jus' brilliant." [The men follow, "Yes, Lord Akamatsu!" A number of them keep their eyes on you as they move back.] * Sakura watches them leave. * Mikoto shakes his head and glances back at Millie. "We might be better off without their help. Like Yae, their assistance would probably come with a price." ( And I'm not sleeping with a mounted pikeman. I just refuse. ) Maybe...but now what? ( ...no comment. ^^ ) * Tairan waits until their out of earshot. "... bandit. Really now. Been called a lotta things before, an' a lotta them've been true... what an ass." * John nods. "Like Sakura said, we're behind as-is. We need to find a way to get across the river." It seems we return to our original plan. Follow the river downstream to look for further crossings. This plan seems reasonable. * Mikoto nods. "I think Miss Fanfan's suggestion is for the best. It must be possible to ford the river somewhere." ( We could also covert the Slayer corpses into a crude bridge. ) ( Excellent plan. ) Yeah..woulda saved time if they knew a way 'round it though. Sounds good to me. * Jinx rides up to the group. "Actually, now that I think about it, upstream might be wiser, if the river grows larger thanks to the rain, it'll be worse downsteam." * Millie lets out a faint discouraged sound and adjusts her tails slightly, mounting up on Pepper. * Mikoto laces his hands behind his back and leans a little, smiling at Tairan. "You've got such impressive detachment." There ya go 'gain, Mikky. * Sakura returns to Horse and climbs up. * Jinx rides over to Tairan and steadies Lightning, allowing the bandit-hunter to mount up when he chooses. * Mikoto shrugs, walking toward John and Hazel. "It was a compliment. He acted with rational neutrality in a difficult situation." * Fanfan wanders up to Sakura's horse and climbs up as well. * John sighs. "Let's just get moving." He guides Hazel out of the bush, who of her own provocation moves over to let Mikoto mount-up. He wants to call me honorless, fine. I fight dirty. Honor's a buncha bullshit rules made up by the weak and cowardly to control the strong. You SURE you're a slot-eye? * John glances over at Millie. "Still haven't gotten over that, have you?" * MaryAnne sighs * Millie stares at John. "What??" * Mikoto hops up on the horse! And pats it. Good horse. ...or by the strong to control themselves. * Tairan hops onto Lightning behind Jinx. "The old bastard chained me to a wall and beat me to a pulp for two weeks for thumbing a guy in the eye during a fight. This from a guy who massacred villages to get an advantage in the war. That's honor for ya." * Jinx laughs at Tairan's earlier comment. "I've heard someone argue the otherway, that honor was made up by the already powerful to consolidate their rule. Although he was a total bastard so I'll buy your interpretation Tairan." * Mikoto clears his throat. "I think honor is something that cannot be appreciated simply by defining it into bushido." * John nods. "Whatever you do, you're gonna have jackasses take advantage of the system. Now, up or downstream?" * Fanfan lowers her head. "Those are the posturings of madmen who claim that anything they do is by definition honor." I don't need honor ta control myself. I know right from wrong. (Sure you do!) I say up. It probably'll get better upstream. * Fanfan nods. * Jinx grins wryly at Millie. "Do remember that up does have the unfortunate distinction of being the way I also vote to go." Anyone who says I can't headbutt someone ta keep myself alive, or bite 'em, or poke 'em in the eyes... they're kidding themselves. But killing civilians? That just ain't right. I ain't gonna argue either way. If ya want a brownie like me involved in this, well tough. * Fanfan smiles at Tairan. "Then that is your personal honor, is it not?" * John looks upstream and guides Hazel in that direction. "If ya wanna talk, do it while we're moving." * Millie smirks at Jinx. "Yeah. But ya didn't roll for it this time." Upstream makes sense. * Millie rides upstream. * Sakura follows the others. You could think of it that way. I like ta think of it as Tairan's Rules of War. If someone wants ta kill ya, do whatever it takes to keep 'em from doin' so. [And so, they head upstream. To find a bridge! Or maybe they just keep going until they fall into the ocean. We'll find out later.] [Session End.]