[You all had a grand old time in Hoshimoto City! Well, some of you did. Others were bored out of your minds. But it's been four days since the caraaaazy attack. Mary Anne's recovered and as Mary Anney as ever, much to your collective dismay (I'm sure). Not two moments in and she was already telling Tairan to quit it with that foul mouth of his.] [In more polite language. In other news, Aki's been somewhat scarce, because Aki, and Nakoto's been extremely scarce, because Nakoto, and Tairan's *also* been scarce, making it three for three.] [Be that as it may, you've decided today's the day you leave, but before you do, Nakoto said he wished to talk to you guys one more time. You're all either gathered in one of the gardens or on your way. He's not there yet.] [It's clear, mid-morning, and the session's starting. Now!] * Jinx is in the garden. He looks excedingly chipper. * John is completly rested from the rest he got to rest and rest. Yeah. Anywho... He's there, and looks around. "Well, ain't that great?" * Fanfan is in the garden, looking at all the pretty flowers. *-* * Jinx shrugs. "He's got a country to run." Err, a state. Whatever these territories are called. Same difference. He's runnin' a place, it's gonna take time, I know. Still don't like waitin' like this, though. * Mikoto is sitting on a stone bench or, failing there being a bench, the ground. That, and he's changed his western travelling clothes for black kung-fu type pants, a light green shirt, and a darker green Shomuran-style jacket over it. * Tairan is also there, standing off to the side, just kinda staring out into space. This is probably the most any of you have seen of him over the last four days; other than showing up for Mikoto's healing sessions, he's been nonexistant like nonexistant ninja. (I'm such a fashion plate. Cherry didn't get a new outfit on Sunday so I'm making up for it.) [There's no kung-fu in Shomura <.<] (THERE IS NOW.) (It was just a ref for what the pants looked like. Christ. c.c;) * Sakura watches from the side, quietly. Other then a few healing sessions, Sakura has been a non-presence. Before anyone gets any ideas, there has been no Tairan/Sakura monkeybuisness going on. * John looks Tekian. And damn proud of it! (And how do we know that, Atom?) ( Because Sakura will stab you if you ever suggest it? ) (Psh.) * Millie walks into the garden back in her normal cowboy outfit. Well, walks isn't the word so much as stumbles. Her eyes are bloodshot and she's holding her head something awful. * Mikoto looks up. "I for one will be glad to leave. This place makes me feel... tense." * Jinx has spent most, if not all, of the time looking for games in Hoshimoto city. With at least one big exception. * Mikoto was in the castle library, since out of four Hoshimotos at least one must have been literate. ( Wanna bet? :P ) ( I don't bet.) ( Hey, Tairan's literate! ... he just doesn't read much. =P ) * Tairan looks over at Mikoto. "You ain't kidding." * Mikoto grins faintly. "Well, for you it was just assumed." * Jinx smiles slightly as Millie walks in and nods to acknowledge her. He avoids loud greetings though. * Fanfan glances at Mikoto. "You're not the only one..." * John shrugs. * Millie looks up at Jinx, blinks and then looks away slightly, tightening the strap of her rifle. Outta here as soon as possible was on the agenda, right? Yeah, but that was before the accidental coup and the severe beatings. * Jinx shrugs and looks around at the garden. "I've been in much worse places, but yeah we should get back on the trail." (SO, Tairan. you told the guards to pour boiling oil on Mary Anne as soon as she passes through the gates, right?) * John nods. ( ... DAMN! Knew I forgot something! ) * Mikoto glances into the house. "I wonder what Lord Nakoto wants..." [Just as Mikoto says that, who's that walking up the path? Why, it's the new Lord Hoshimoto! Flanked by a couple of guards. The guy looks like he's aged three, five years over only the past few days; his clothing's richer, his hair's nicer, he's walking straighter, and he has the family katana at his side. One of the guards is carrying a set of armor, similar to the one Akira used.] * Tairan shakes his head, and moves back towards the group. "One of these days, I'm gonna... 'ey bro." *waves* * Fanfan bows. "Lord Hoshimoto." * Mikoto also stands and bows. * John tips his hat to Nakoto. "Howdy." * Millie looks at Nakoto and has the decency to bow. She winces a little at the voices but otherwise stays quiet. * Sakura bows slightly. Very slightly. Maybe she just tripped. It's hard to tell. * Jinx gives a bow of acknowledgement, though not one of a subject. * Tairan then proceeds to actually bow. * Nakoto approaches to a respectable distance and nods. "Good morning." He clears his throat. "I'm really not good at this yet, so if you'll bear with me..." * Jinx smiles slightly and nods. * Tairan nods. He seems unusually... polite today. * John waits as patiently as he can wait. Which is patiently. I must say that Teckians don't often come to Hoshimoto aid, but in this instance, I can't say I'm sorry. The methods used may have been... unorthodox, but your group is what turned the tables on my father and stopped him from betraying our family and our country more than he has. For that, I thank you. * Mikoto smiles pleasantly, completely unable to tell Nakoto it was all coincidence because he looks so *earnest*. * Millie looks slowly up to Nakoto and nods slightly, speaking softly. "It was our pleasure." * John nods. * Jinx smiles slightly broader and nods. * Nakoto nods to Mikoto, Fanfan, and Sakura. "And an unusual assortment of Shomurans as well. I have spoken to your leader... Mary Anne?" Mary Anne nods, looking all prim and proper this morning, and Nakoto continues. "She doesn't insist on a monetary reward. If you wish, I could provide one anyway, but... the Hoshimoto clan will be struggling for some time to come." * Millie winces at the words leader and Mary Anne in the same sentence, but since she's hanging her head a bit, it goes fairly unnoticed. ( Can I have Aki's three ninja girls? ... ) (...) ( Just three? ) (Yeah, really.) ( Well, they only met 3. ) * Mikoto clears his throat. "No reward's really required, my lord." [At this point, Mary Anne shakes her head. "Oh no, we couldn't. It wouldn't be polite. I will admit to a startling amount of curiosity concerning your culture, but I'm sure I can visit and speak to your scholars some other time."] ( "Good! Then you ain't gettin' none!" ) (Mwahaha!) * Jinx doesn't seem to agree with Mary Anne, but he has the sense to keep his mouth shut and not show it, much. * Fanfan nods in agreement with Mikoto. ( .. Wait, this girl is too polite. This isn't Mary Anne. ) ( This is an evil doppleganger. We should obviously kill her now. ) (CLone! Clone!) (It's the bump on the head.) (Wait, is that Makoto?) ( Kill her? We should take the evil doppelganger and run. =P ) (Well, yeah. :P) ("It was our pleasure, my lord, and now we have to leave because our names are way too similar.") ( Nikoto and Makoto. A nobody and a doppleganger. Excellent. ) ( *snickers* ) As much as you refuse a reward, I wouldn't feel right in not giving one. Nearly everything the Hoshimoto has is in use... however, I did find a treated suit of armor you could use. In your apparent professions, that may help you more than money can. * Jinx grins, he'd been hoping all those refusals were formulaic. * Nakoto waves for the guard to step forward and hold the armor out to anyone who wants to take it. It's nearly identical to the one Akira was wearing, actually. Without the bullet holes and such. * John doesn't *show* any sign of smirking on the inside. * Mikoto glances at the other melee fighter types, because armor would seriously hamper his sumo. * John isn't a melee type, so armor don't matter too much. (It's a suit that protects best against bullets people. :P ) (Shhh!) * Tairan looks back. "If it's treated like I think it's treated, that armor'll do wonders to keep you from getting shot." * John raises an eyebrow. * Sakura looks curiously at the armor. * Fanfan looks around at the other fighters as well...it'd be too cumbersome to pull YAYHAPPYACRO stuff. * Mikoto smiles. A little forcedly. "We can always decide who can best use it later." * Nakoto nods. ( What kinda armor is it exactly? ) (Guessing the standard samurai lamellar stuff.) * Jinx shrugs. "It'd be wasted on me, but I do appreciate the generosity." He smiles and gives a deeper bow to Nakoto." ( Which pretty much narrows it down to Sakura and maybe Tairan. ) (Basically.) (Pretty light. Breast plate, light arm and leg guards. Everything else would be exposed.) ( I cannot accept on the grounds that I do not believe in the death penalty. ) ( Er, waitasec... ) * Sakura looks at Tairan. "With your permission?" * Tairan eyes Sakura. "Promise not to threaten anyone with death or maiming, and it's yours." .. even bandits? ( Anyone? That's a pretty tall order... ) (Give the girl a scooby snack.) ... bandits are okay. I meant people in our group. An acceptable compromise. * Mikoto smiles at that despite himself. [Mary Anne smirks at this. Can't. Imagine. Why.] Then it's all yours. * John smirks. * Jinx rolls his eyes. * Millie glances over at Tairan and then fixes her hair some. * Sakura walks over and takes the armor then. * Nakoto lets out a sigh. "Good, that's settled. Tairan, please come forward." * Tairan mutters something unintelligable as Sakura walks out of earshot, then looks up as Nakoto addresses him. Nodding, he comes foward. * Sakura wanders to the side, and puts on the armor too, forcing the programmers to make a whole new sprite for her. * Nakoto grins suddenly. "Aki's sorry he has to miss this, but he's off on another one of his searches for beauty. You know how he is." * John smirks. * Jinx doesn't look sorry to miss Aki. * Fanfan keeps a straight face. "A pity, surely." I'm shedding a tear inside. Really. It's always in the last place you look. ( True beauty is on the inside of Sakura's mask! ... no, not her face. The inside part of her mask is really nifty looking. ) (Why do you think she wears it all the time?) (It's one of those inspirational posters.) ( VIVE LA REVOLUTION! ) (...not that inspirational. c.c) ( * throws a french pastry at Fanfan.) ( Sakura has one of those "Hang in there kitten" posters affixed to her mask. It's her Deep Dark Secret. ) ( Mmm, éclair... ) * Nakoto clears his throat and looks up at the sky, then continues. "The previous Lord Hoshimoto, my father, has done a lot of things in the name of honor, to further his ambition and control. Sadly, I cannot undo all that he's done, but I can try." * Nakoto undoes the katana from his waist and holds it to Tairan. "I'd like you to carry this, Tairan Hoshimoto. Bring honor to our name." * Jinx smiles broadly and says quietly, "Good man." ( Please to bring honor to us all! ) ( Oh god. Mulan Song in my head. ) (Shut up, Mulan wannabe.) (STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT NOW!) ( Ex-act-ly. XD XD XD ) ( GOD. DAMNIT. Now it's in my head too. Who brought it up so I can kill him/her? ) (Fucking god. You got that stupid song in my head just by SAYING that!_ (Shar. Kill. Now.) ( Fanfan. ) ( >.> <.< *hides* ) * Tairan raises an eyebrow slightly, and seems almost ready to make a crack... but, amazingly, restrains himself, and just takes the sword. "Expect honor to be forthcoming, Lord Hoshimoto." *headbow* ( ...zettai korosuze. ) * Nakoto grins. "Great. I didn't have a line planned for if you refused it." * John chuckles. ... if I'd known that, I'd have pretended to refuse, just to see you sweat. *smirks* And I would have decked you. * Jinx grins. And I woulda deserved it. ( Interesting. Out of 10 people in chan, 5 have been exposed to Disney media enough so that the mention of the song gets it stuck in peoples' heads. Some kinda psych/soc experiment, eh? ) ( I don't recognize it ^^ ) * Nakoto clears his throat and looks around. "What, you expect more handouts? If you're not staying, go." He pauses. "You'd better visit, Tairan. Can't have my brother running away from home when he's welcome again." ( It's segueing to "Be A Man" now. You're DEAD. DEAD. ) * John smiles and tips his hat at Nakoto again. ( Hey, you went on to that alllll by yourself. XD ) (Mikoto, I KILL you for mentioning it.) (I'll make a man out of yooooou!) * Fanfan bows again. "Our thanks, Lord Hoshimoto." ( And now Tairan can go on to find....a girl worth fighting for! ) * Nakoto gives a slight bow in return. * Mikoto decides not to bow a second time. He's done the bowing thing. "I'm sure the province will be in good hands, my lord." ( *DOUBLEHIDE* ) * Jinx gives another small polite bow and then heads to the stables he glances back as he leaves. "Best of luck in the coming days, you deserve it." * Tairan blinks, clears his throat, then speaks, looking a little uneasy. "... can I talk to you for a sec, Nak- er, Lord Hoshimoto? Alone?" * Millie clears her throat a bit and then looks to Tairan. She sighs a bit and remarks quietly. "We're runnin' behind an' we still aren't sure where we're goin'..." * Nakoto blinks. "Sure." He walks off into another part of the garden, waving for his guards to stay. We can prepare to leave while they speak, though, can't we? * John heads to the stables, waving as he walks off. "Thank you, good luck, and farewell." * Jinx keeps heading off screen to the stables. * John heads to the stables, too. To our horses! * Millie glances at Mikoto wearily. "I guess. I jus'..don't feel too well." * Tairan follows Nakoto, family katana tucked under one arm. * Mikoto blinks and eyes Millie a bit. Anyhow...any idea where we're goin' next? (And Tairan walks off and kills Nakoto in cold blood.) [Mary Anne lets out a sigh. "Well, that was exciting."] ( Ind....ochina. ) You slept through most of it. * Mikoto smiles a little, then restrains it. "You do look a little green, but..." He lowers his voice and winks as he walks by. "Medical science has yet to produce a good hangover cure." * Millie just groans. "Don't remind me." Supposedly in Teck there's a cure involving raw eggs and hot sauce. Somehow, I don't think it's really effective. * Jinx comments once he's out of earshot of Nakoto and the guards. "While there's loot being, do we still have that spear thing? I was considering claiming it if no one else is using it." [Mary Anne blinks and looks at Millie, a bit concerned. "Miss Reinhart? I haven't noticed earlier, but you really don't look well. Is it something you ate?"] I made such a fool outta things... * Mikoto blinks at Jinx over Millie's shoulder. "'Spear thing'?" * Jinx glances at Millie for a second before continuing. "The one that could do that wind attack. Nagi-something. Wasn't a western weapon." * Millie just looks at Mary Anne for a while before answering "Ol' Millie's jus'...jus' fine." Oh. Yes. It's with my things on Hazel. You're certainly welcome to it. * Millie shakes her head. "Look, all this is nice, but we still need ta find out where we're goin' an' if possible a shortcut." The naginata? [Mary Anne frowns. "All right, Miss Reinhart. But I insist you take it easy for today."] * John shrugs. "We're gonna have to find the trail again..." * Jinx nods. "Thanks. Feel free to change your mind. I just figured after that fight I should have a close range weapon that might be able to cut through armour." * Mikoto laces his arms behind his head. "I certainly can't use it, so if you can get use out of it, take it." * Jinx nods at Mikoto's comment. [You get to the stable. It's stabley. Your horses are there. Along with other people's horses, and stableboys, and all manner of things you might find in a stable.] * Mikoto smiles and pets Hazel on the nose. "Long time no see." [Hazel eats Mikoto's hand. Well, not really...] * Millie looks over at the stable boys and describes her horse, so they can show where she is * John walks over to Hazel, patting her on the side. * Jinx rubs the side of Lightning's head. "Miss me?" He then goes to releave Hazel of that naginata. [They direct Millie to the stall three places down on the left.] * Fanfan goes over to Horse and waits for Sakura. * Sakura walks over to Horse and gets on. * Millie goes over to Pepper and takes a deep breath, reaching over and rubbing her mane, blowing softly into her nostril and whispering near her ear. "Hey girl...good ta see ya alright." * Fanfan also gets on the horse, then. "He looks well." * Jinx then hangs the naginata on Lightning's side and mounts up. * Millie gives her a hug around the neck before mounting. * John looks over Hazel, making sure she's as healthy as he had left her (which was yesterday). He mounts up. * Mikoto waits for John to mount, then does the same. "This took a long time... we're probably quite behind." * Sakura looks around, and shrugs and pats Horse. "I suppose it is a good thing they did not make you into cheap and effective food, Horse." * John nods. "I don't like bein' late, or behind." (Sakura loves animals. With steak sauce.) * John chuckles at Sakura's comment. So, you do talk to your horse. * Millie snaps the reigns and turns around, looking dully at the group. "So let's fix that as soon as possible." * Jinx idly pets Lightning as he waits for Tairan. * Millie holds the side of her head gently for a moment but steadies herself. * John snaps the reigns as well, bringing Hazel around. * Mikoto reaches into the saddlebags and withdraws his black case, looking inside it for something. ( Why am I picturing Sakura as some sort of unholy amalgamation of Starfire and the goth girl from Teen Titans? =P ) ( .. You better be talking about the comic and not the show. ) Aha! * Fanfan looks over at Mikoto. "What did you find?" * Mikoto takes out a small vial, then stows the case again. "Millie... catch." ( No, no, the show. ) ( I hate you, Milkman Jesse. ) (...sure. Ask the hungover person to try and catch something @_@) (Well, I assumed we weren't very far away.) * Millie looks up at Mikoto and blinks a bit. "Huh?" Unless you want that shattered on the ground, you'd better hand that to her. ( *smash* What was it? I poisoned you last night as a test. That was the cure. Oh well. ) ( *snickers* ) * John rides Hazel over to Pepper, so Makoto can hand it over. * Mikoto blinks, then clears his throat and nod. "You're probably right." He leans and hands it over. "It's a root extract. Doesn't taste very good, but it keeps nausea away." * Millie looks at the vial, blushes a bit and looks away. "...thanks." * Jinx continues to look like someone who can handle his liquor and knows to drink lots of water before going to sleep. * Fanfan raises an eyebrow. "Ah, I see." * Mikoto ahems. "Well, we need you to be your best, after all." * John doesn't drink much. Or just is blessed with lotsa tolerance for alcohol. * Mikoto looks like alcohol could potentially kill him. * Millie looks even more embarrassed at that and mutters. "...I didn't mean to." * Mikoto smiles. "It must be all the Shomuran food. A lot of Wetserners get sick on all the fish." * Jinx coughs. "So, what's our next move?" * John rolls his eyes. "Tell me 'bout it." * MaryAnne keeps her umbrella open to shade herself from the sun and looks at Millie and Pepper. She climbs on, if Millie's let her (and probably help her). I was sick for a few days after that meal with Yae. * Tairan jogs into view, looking... thoughtful? Something like that. "You all ready?" Food that stares back isn't good for the constitution if you're not prepared. * Fanfan nods at Tairan. "How was your talk?" * Jinx rides up to Tairan. "Yup." Just waitin' on the person who just regained status with your family. * John smirks. * Millie takes a long swig of the vial and nods to Tairan. "We know where we're goin'?" She rides over to Mary Anne but isn't in much of a position to help her up. * Jinx helps Tairan up if he wants the help. * MaryAnne clambers on herself. It takes some work, but she does it. They could be anywhere... We've gotta do better than that... * Tairan accepts the help up. He pauses a moment before speaking "... Nakoto's gonna have his hands full, but the clan's in good hands with him." * Millie looks over at Tairan. "Did yer brother see anythin' or didja think ta ask?" * Jinx gets Lightning moving out of the city at an easy pace for now. We can talk as we ride. * Millie rides. * John nods and rides! * Tairan shakes his head. "Don't think they woulda passed too close to Hoshimoto City itself. The old man wasn't the kind of guy who was particularly fond of famous ronin." Somehow, I don't think he was fond of just about anybody. (He really loved cows. And the color orange) * Millie sighs and looks crestfallen. "So not only are we behind, we don't even have leads..this sucks." Look on the bright side. We're not dead. * John smiles. *ting!* That's bright? And, unfortunately, too much time has passed for there to be usable tracks to follow. Yet. Brighter than bein' dead. Sure...jus' make things worse. (Perception checks, if you would!) Maybe we just need to go to a big city and try to dig up some leads. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-2) and gets 0, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "o/~I love you... you love me... o/~" 2d6-2 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Mikoto (2d6-2) and gets 1. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for John (2d6) and gets 9. * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sakura (2d6) and gets 9. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Jinx (2d6) and gets 8. * Millie looks over her shoulder at Mary Anne. "How 'bout you? What exactly happened?" 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6-4) and gets 0. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Millie (2d6) and gets 9. * Jinx comments in a carefully even tone. "Maybe we could use a diviner, wouldn't know how to find one myself, but." * Millie glances at Jinx curiously. "Ya think that would help?" It could...if we find someone with true skill. * Mikoto hmms and rubs his chin. "It might, or it might not. For every real seer, there's ten charlatans." Mikoto's right. Ronin as well known as Kojiro can't help but leave a trail. Our best bet's to just head deeper into Shomura, see where the rumor mill takes us... although a diviner would be handy. [As you near one of the gates, Mikoto, Tairan, and Fanfan spot a colorful stand by the wall. There's a sign hanging by it, but it's a bit too small (or distant) to see.] * Jinx shrugs. "Beats tossing a coin. And I could tell a charlatan." * Mikoto blinks. "...no way. Is he *following* us?" ... you gotta be kidding me. * Fanfan squints. "What is that?" * John shrugs. What is going on? * John looks up where the people are looking. "What do ya see?" ... Crazy Feathers. There seems to be some sort of stand by the wall taht Tairan and MIkoto recognize. * Mikoto suddenly blinks, sitting up. "But if he really is a travelling salesman... he'd have info from all over Shomura." ... ...yer kiddin' me. He *must* be followin' us. 'Crazy Feathers Samurai Necessities', to be exact. * Mikoto knits his brow. "For a completely exhorbitant fee, I expect." Welll...considerin' I'm one of his best customers... * Millie doesn't have a trace of irony or sarcasm in her voice, no sir. * Jinx shrugs. "I believe I did promise you a healing potion some time back Tairan. Still want it?" A shop? * Jinx rides up to the stand. * John rides up as well. ... I'm tempted to say no out of pride, but given how often I've been getting my ass handed to me lately, I'd be stupid to refuse. * Millie rides up too. * Mikoto rides up on the basis of being behind John on the same horse. * Sakura follows as well, curious. [It's a small affair, and somewhat hastily done, but the stand is fairly steady. Crazy Feathers has probably done this a thousand times before. There's a large assortment of knick knacks and such hanging from the ceiling, only now it has a definite Shomuran edge to it.] [And, behind the counter and grinning with that beautiful white smile of his, is everyone's favorite Injun.] * Jinx rides up. "Hey, fancy meeting you here. I'd like to buy a healing potion. And I'm curious what you have thats new and whether you have anything for restoring energy." * CrazyFeathers grins. He so Crazy! * Millie waves as she approaches and tries to look pleased but other circumstances won't allow. But she does the best with what she has as she waves. "Howdy Crazy." * John waits his turn. 90 kanmon for healing potion. 120 for pep drink. * Tairan tips his cap to the shopkeeper. Best to be polite, after all. An' how much for info? * Sakura looks over at Mikoto. "These actually work?" Why are you asking me? Crazy Feather listen to biography for 30 kanmon per half-hour. ... * Millie blinks slightly, then looks at him. "Listen to...wait, what?" Because you seem the most trustworthy and least likly to be taken in by a scam artist. * Fanfan watches curiously. Do these Westerners not haggle? * Jinx nods. "So, any new merchandise? Weapons that sort of thing?" * Mikoto blinks. "I'll take that as a compliment. The potions definitely work. I've never tried..." he looks at a bottle suspiciously "...pep drink. I am rarely in need of... 'pep'." 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Fanfan (2d6) and gets 8. Actually, we were more interested in information you could tell us. Possibly relating to the recent travels of a ronin named Kojiro. (Somehow, 'pep' does not seem like something Mikoto would want to pursue. Can you see a perky Mikoto?) Or the trading of any particularly unusual antiquities. ( "Hi! I'm diplomatic! Hehe!" ) ... 300 kanmon. * Fanfan raises an eyebrow. "And how, exactly, do you justify that price?" We CAN find him ourselves, ya know. We jus' thought, y'know, helpin' a group catch a notorious ronin would be good for business. Y'know, publicity an' all. * Millie gives Crazy a faint smile. ... 300 kanmon. (OH god. NOW I am seeing Millie like whatsisname's character in Mystery Men.) * Jinx snorts. "You're prices have gone up but the trouble is I haven't gotten any richer. I'll give you 400 for the information, the health, and the pep potion." * Millie loses the smile. "Ya ain't scared ta share yer info, are ya Crazy?" Do not waste your money, Jinx. I doubt this street peddler has much that we need. Crazy Feathers offer wide variety of fairly-priced services. That is true. He might not. We should tell everyone we know. * Millie glances over at Fanfan and gives her a curious look. * John nods. (ATTENTION SHOMURA: CRAZY FEATHERS IS A CHEATING LIAR. There. Now we just need a skywriter.) * Millie shakes her head and rubs it. "Don't tell me yer gonna try threatenin' him..." * Jinx shrugs and glances over at Crazy Horse. "See... I'd actually need to borrow some money to cover this. I'm willing to believe in you, but work with me here." Crazy Feathers does not like threats. 350 kanmon. * Mikoto looks innocent. "Have you ever known me to threaten people?" * Fanfan snorts at Crazy Feathers. "Yes, and my mother wove diamonds out of silk." * John wonders whatever the hell happened to 'the customer is always right'. * Tairan sighs, and pulls a red ribboned scroll out of his pack, handing it to Jinx. "Use this." [Someone else comes up to the stand. "Ah, a quaint little shop." It's everyone's favorite Tairanbro, Aki!] * Millie looks at Crazy and frowns. "Well, Crazy, I'm sorry but we jus' can't afford that right now. Don't mind them.." * Millie turns to look at Aki and groans. This is the last thing she needs in this state. And her headache's just getting worse. In any event... I refuse to pay 300 kanmon for something we don't even know the nature of. I vote we move on and collect the info on our own. * Tairan waves half-heartedly. " * John nods. "I agree completly." 'ey bro. I agree with Mikoto. This lunatic would likely know too little of the region to have any decent information. * Jinx keeps his eyes on Crazy Feathers and takes the scroll. "Alright.. how about something more valuable than kanmon. I'll give you this scroll in exchange for the information and those two potions. But only because I believe in you as a fellow Injun." * John looks over at Aki and tips his hat. "Howdy." * Millie hisses at both Mikoto and Fanfan, drawing her thumb across her throat quickly to cut it. * Fanfan half-bows to Aki. "Greetings." * Fanfan raises an eyebrow at Millie, but says nothing, waiting for the shopkeeper's reaction. * Aki nods to Tairan and Fanfan. "Likewise." He cups his chin with one hand. "I wonder if this gentleman has any beautiful merchandise." * Mikoto says, deadpan, "He has just about everything. And then some." Oh, I'm sure Crazy's got some wonderful stuff for ya, ain'tcha Crazy? * CrazyFeathers holds out his hand. "Crazy Feathers look at scroll." * Millie gives him a winning smile. * Jinx puts the scroll in Crazy's hand. Do not attempt to steal it. I will be displeased if you do. * CrazyFeathers looks at the scroll and furrows his brow. "Also 200 kanmon." 200 seems too much. * Millie doesn't bother to eye Sakura. She won't stop even if she did. 200 is fair price for scroll Crazy Feathers have in stock anyway. * Mikoto hums to himself and takes the time to inspect his medical kit. Not getting involved o/~ How much do you sell your scroll for? * CrazyFeathers meanwhile pulls out a very small bottle and puts it in front of Aki. "Beauty potion. 200 kanmon." Crazy Feathers sell for 350 kanmon. Very good deal. ( Please let that be anti-beauty potion, and Aki's face turns into Michael Jackson or something. ) (Aki is the Anti-Sakura) * Jinx nods. "I'll give you another 125. You'll still be making 75 when you sell it, but I need to eat." * Millie hmms and then goes to ask something to Crazy Feather's quietly. Crazy Feathers lose money that way. But Crazy Feathers is good to customer, so Crazy Feathers lower price. 170 kanmon besides scroll. * CrazyFeathers looks at Millie and calculates in his head. "Crazy Feathers trade for that." * Jinx scratches his head. "Well... I guess I'd have to live off the land, but I've still only got 150 or so." * John raises an eyebrow. * Millie smiles slightly. "One or the other though, or else we lose out. Which is more useful?" * Tairan pulls out 20 kanmon, and hands it to Jinx. An' hold on a moment Jinxy... Second is more useful. Crazy take that and 80 kanmon. 40. * Aki meanwhile inspects the bottle. "You ought to buy one of these, Tairan." * John chuckles. * Sakura has a noticable twitch every time Aki speaks. This can't be good. * Jinx watches Millie haggle but does nothing to cramp her style. * John doesn't even look at Sakura. "Relax, once we're out of here, you'll never meet him again." * Fanfan glances at Sakura's twitch and prepares to hold her back if need be. ( You are aware that we're going to meet him at every stop, just because you said that. ) * Aki apparently doesn't notice Sakura or is doing his best not to. (What? We'd never do that.) * Tairan blinks, then takes *back* his 20 kanmon. "No way, bro. In my line of work, being pretty is just an invitation for people to hit you in the face." * Mikoto says, without looking up, "Funny how that works." * John inspects the goods. Does he have those special bullets he said he'd have in stock? Yeah, tell me about it. * John smiles. *ting!* Yes. Some "pretty" people could use a strong hit in the face. ( *punches John in the face* "See?" ) (Quick, someone show Aki what he means! *slugs John*) * Jinx lets Tairan take back the 20 kanmon and prepares to retrieve and return the red tied scroll. * Sakura looks over the stand, searching for something that could be a sword, or a mask, or some kind of mask sword. (Mask sword!) (It's like Sword-Chucks!) [Crazy Feathers has bullets, but are they special? There's several swords and masks, too, and even a mask with a sword drawn on it.] (*Sakura finds a pair of sword-chucks!) * Aki shrugs. "Suit yourself." * John inspects the bullets to *see* if their special. Duh. [They seem to be!] (Are they glowing?) * CrazyFeathers hands Jinx back his scroll. * Fanfan looks for a whetstone. Because she loves hate. * Jinx returns it to Tairan. * Millie clears her throat. "I think it's more valuable than that. So...40? Thanks man. Crazy Feathers would not get money's worth. 60. [They glow!] ( I actually think it's funnier if Aki starts arguing for CF. =P ) * Millie rubs her chin. "Mmm...54 an' I make sure all my business is done Crazy. I'll tell everyone else too." 57. * Jinx looks impressed. Deal. But if the information doesn't prove useful, we get it right back. I do trust ya though, Crazy. * Mikoto eyes Crazy Feathers and Millie. "Okay, NOW this has become quite silly." * Tairan takes back the scroll, and puts it in his pack. "No prob... when I was trackin' bandits, one thing I learned is that, while hunting through the forest for days on end builds character and all, getting someone to tell you where to go makes for a nice change of pace. * Jinx nods. "Don't forget the two potions." * Millie holds out her hand a bit. "The naginata an' 3 kanmon if someone would be so kind." * CrazyFeathers shakes Millie's hand. "Done. Give Crazy Feathers money and new merchandise." (She's holding it for the stuff actually ^^;) ( ...you just sold Jinx's naginata? c.c; ) What?! ( Yeah, that's what I was about to say. ) * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "You just... sold... someone else's possession?" Y'heard me. That's what he agreed to. ( I also sold Sakura. I hope you don't mind. ) * Sakura twitches. "A coward and a thief." ( Not at all.) * Millie looks at Mikoto then at Jinx. "Do ya KNOW how ta use that thing?" That's not the point! ( "I also paid him an extra 20 kanmon to take MaryAnne." ) * Fanfan twitches as well, but says nothing. * Jinx shrugs. "Actually, I'd just rather take the original deal. Tairan, if I could borrow back that scroll and the 20 kanmon." * MaryAnne frowns, both hands on her umbrella. She looks rather disapproving. ( THANK YOU!) No. Crazy Feathers already make deal. * Sakura gets off the horse and marches up to Millie. "You will not steal while I am here." She made a deal she wasn't authorized to make. It's most certainly null and void. Now, Miss Reinhart, it's not right to trade away something you don't own without the consent of everyone involved. * Millie looks over at Sakura, eyeing her back. "Hey wait, since when did I steal anything..." You sold something that does not belong to you. That is the same as theft. Of course, you could always take her rifle, too. I'm sure it'd sell well. ... oh, this is going to end poorly. * Millie pouts and looks around. "But..." She sighs. "Fine.." She suddenly snaps towards Mikoto and cradles her rifle protectively. * Jinx waves it off. "She withdraws the deal as she didn't realize I wanted to keep the naginata. I'll give you the scroll and 170 kanmon. It's a fine deal." * Aki waves the bottle at Tairan. "Sure you don't want to try it? It's not too late." * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "Is my point made, at least? I wouldn't think of selling your heirloom." * John snickers. "He did 'sell' it at one point." No? It's not an heirloom an' it's the best trade. I was jus' tryin' ta help ya negotiate... Scroll and 275 kanmon. It's not a big deal and it's not my heirloom, I'd just rather have the naginata than the scroll and the extra money. (Don't be silly. That was Tairan's sword.) Why the price change? * Tairan eyes Aki, completely deadpan. "Aki, I've long since resigned myself to the fact that I'll never be as beautiful as you. Why even try?" A thief's punishment does not always just hurt the thief. A sad situation. Cover financial loss on bad business venture. * John raises an eyebrow. "Okay, he is obviously trying to weasel us out of money now. I propose we find the information on our own." * Mikoto sighs and rubs his temples. "I agree." * Millie rubs her head and shakes it. "Now we're not gonna get no where. Good job." You had no loss from this. I suggest you take the previous offer before we take our business elsewhere. * Jinx shakes his head. "I don't have the money." Presuming Tairan cooperates he puts the scroll and 170 kanmon on the table. "It's a fine deal and that's why you offered it to me. I'd rather not walk away, but ultimately it's my compatriat's decision." This was entirely your fault. You have right to be sarcastic to anyone else. * Aki spreads his arms wide. "Silly Tairan. Beauty is not a competition." This from a woman who threatens someone at the smallest little infraction...geez. Crazy Feathers already make deal. Crazy Feathers generous to still offer deal to people who change it. * Millie sighs and mutters to herself, crossing her arms. "We found it on the trip. We all worked ta get it. No one knows how ta use the thing properly. I don't see the harm in makin' it useful.." * Tairan whispers something to Jinx. STOP! All of you! Wow. She speaks. The point is that you could have at least ask... * Millie blinks and turns around to Mary Anne like a mouse that suddenly roared. * Fanfan turns to face Mary Anne. * Sakura stares at Mary Anne. * MaryAnne looks very, very frustrated. "I hope I was *not* saved by the same people who insist on... on such crude behavior! You will stop this pointless arguing this instant!" * Jinx looks like he's considering what Tairan said before glancing over at Mary Anne. * Mikoto gets a totally blank expression. * Tairan starts pondering whether he could convince his brother to keep MaryAnne... * Fanfan has a faint "this oughtta be good" expression on her face. * Sakura wonders how much they could get for Mary Anne.] (Crazy offer you half a kanmon) ( Deal. ) * Mikoto pauses, then lets out a breath. "The point is, Millie, that we just would like to have been consulted first. It's community property, at best. You know?" ( You tell her, comrade. ) (Word up, Mikoto.) * MaryAnne waves her closed umbrella for emphasis. "You will not trade away items that do not belong to you, but at the same time, some of them should be entrusted to the party. I have no desire to keep anything that isn't of significant archeological importance, but I *insist* you work out something amongst yourselves." * Millie looks at Mikoto then to Mary Anne, then to Mikoto. Then looks off to the side. "Y'all never agree with my plans anyhow..what's the point?" ( In Soviet Russia, Naginata sells you. ) * Millie trots Pepper off aways. * Jinx looks over at Crazy Feathers. "She's my employer I have to listen to her, no more haggling. That's my offer, take it or leave it." * MaryAnne yelps as she's trotted off. "I'M NOT FINISHED YET!" * Mikoto smiles a little. "We might have agreed if you'd brought it up first..." * Millie snaps the reigns, stops and hangs her head. * Tairan whispers s'more to Jinx, and then grins. * Aki watches Millie go, then turns back to the others. "You ought to follow her plans more often. Beautiful people make beautiful plans." (Millie is a depressed drunk, I see.) * Jinx grins for a moment and looks more thoughtful. * John rolls his eyes. * Sakura twitches and glares at Aki. "Beautiful plans are often vapid and poorly thought out." (Which is sort of reassuring. If she were a happy drunk, I'd be terrified.) * MaryAnne glares at Millie. Sakura... * Aki tilts his head upwards and looks down on Sakura. "Of course something like you might say that. But she," he nods towards Millie, "is forever out of your league." * Mikoto seems about to say something, then twitches so hard he nearly falls out of the saddle at that comment. Yes, she is far beneath me. A fool, a coward and a thief. Look, now YOU stop it too. * Millie glares at Aki. * John sighs. ( Sakura and Millie are best of friends, ain't they? ) Such commanding beauty in her voice. I suppose I shall for now. * Mikoto leans his head forward without even really thinking that it puts it in John's back. "There'd better be a fortune in gold in whatever ruin this tablet leads us to." * Jinx awaits a resonse from Crazy Feathers. He's still thinking over what Tairan said, but he's not retracted what he said either. (Aaah, slash warning!) ( Aaaah! ) (It's only slashy if he turns around and pats my shoulder.) ( Jinx/CrazyFeathers? But they have such little charisma! ) * Tairan mutters. "My clan for a silence spell." * John looks around, and to quote an O&M strip... 'The problem with finding your place in the eye of the storm, is you're basically surrounded.' Thank you. (No, he didn't say that.) * CrazyFeathers turns to Jinx. "Crazy Feathers sell for 210 kanmon and scroll. Very big discount. Sell for no less." * Mikoto blinks, then sits back up, coughing. "Sorry." Are you tired, Mikoto? Or some synonym of it, yes. Perhaps he should buy Crazy Feathers' pep drink. Only 120 kanmon. * John looks back. "No problem, really. This... 'discussion' is taxing on all of us." ( Or are you just enamored of John's HAWT MANLINESS?! ) * Tairan whispers to Jinx again. (Well duh.) (Quiet. If he catches on, I'll be in trouble.) (Why do you say that?) (...) ( Awww! It's like that show, on that channel! With those guys! ) * Jinx shrugs and makes a show of searching his pockets to come up with another 40 kanmon that he puts on the table. "Well, damn, left some in my pants when I washed it. Alright, enough of this. Potions and information please." ( You mean Angel? ) ( I'd say Smallville. ) (*cuts the slash-fic there) ( You mean Seinfeld? ) ( Unless you mean John, Mikoto, Jinx, Tairan, and Aki doing Queer Eye for the Teckian Guy. ) ( You will die a thousand deaths. ) ( George/Steinbrenner slash! ) ( ...I will absolutely kill you. ) ( ^_^_v ) (Queer Eye for the Teckian Guy. *dies*) * Tairan takes out his 20, and puts it on the table to complete the deal. (Stagecoach! With a 'FAB5' plate on the back. It could happen.) * Jinx nods at Tairan's comment and grins for a moment. He then turns back to Crazy Feathers. * Mikoto forces himself to be social. And he's pretty so Aki will talk to him. "Where are you headed from here, Lord Aki?" * CrazyFeathers gives Jinx a healing potion, a pep drink, and information: "Some day ago, ronin Kojiro pass by here, head to West through main pass of mountains. Kojiro go to Redrock City, then more west after." * Millie just sits there and rubs her head. She looks like she's going to be sick, and not from being hungover. ... * Aki looks towards the sky as he answers Mikoto. "In search of the most beautiful flower." ... he doubled back? * Jinx nods. "Thanks. Alright, back to Red rock, let's get the hell out of here!" * John nods. Argh! Shoulda thought of that. * Fanfan stiffens at the mention of Redrock City. "How do you know this?" * Mikoto gets a neutral expression, and eventually manages to say, "Good luck with that." And believe me, Fanfan, if anyone would know, it is Crazy Feathers. You can trust that. * Jinx gets Lightning slowly moving to the gate as he whispers something back to Tairan. I could've told you that. * Fanfan clenches her teeth. "Very well." * Millie perks up but only slightly. "Redrock? Ya mean we finally get ta go back ta Teck...?" Yup. Ah, before we go... * Millie takes a deep breath. "Good." But she doesn't seem nearly as happy as she should be riding along. * John looks at Crazy Feathers. "Oh, on a side note, you said you'd have some special 'munitions in stock last time we met. I see you have them... But how much are they?" * MaryAnne sulks. * Mikoto smiles at Crazy Feathers. "I don't suppose you carry weighted clothing, for fighters? I know in Teck they have something called 'brass knuckles', but it seemed a bit vulgar for me." 'The beautiful warrior, able to defeat countless foes and emerge from the battle unscathed.'... I should like to duel him sometime. It would be a beautiful fight. * Fanfan slowly turns around to look at Aki, then back at Crazy Feathers, Millie, Jinx, and Tairan, then back at Aki, then just shakes her head. Would you jus' shut up? There ain't nothin' beautiful 'bout fightin'. Crazy Feathers sometimes carry armor. None in stock now. * Tairan nods at Jinx, then turns to his bro. "You'd kick his ass. Beautifully, of course." One as dishonorable as you would not be fit to fight the weakest warrior. Ahhh... not armor. Gloves, shoes with reinforced toes. That sort of thing. ( Funny how no-one else seems to care that we needn't have bothered with Crazy Feather's info runaround, and all of the mess that went with that. ) An' you too....jus' everyone... Nevermind. (Oh, no. That's why Mikoto's keeping Aki at his back rather than leaping at him and smacking him a few times.) ( Ah, I see. ) ( Sakura is holding back challenging him to a duel right now, so it's for the best. ) ( Would YOU have wanted to negotiate with Aki for information? =P ) ( We're such a diplomatic group. Look at how we keep our sociopathy in check. ) ( No. I'd make John, Mikoto or Millie do it. Duh. ;P ) * Aki smiles to Tairan. "Naturally, but it would still be quite a battle to behold." He eyes Sakura. "Although I'm sure Kojiro cutting that monstrosity into ribbons would be equally beautiful, as well." (Ha!) * Millie starts riding off. Mary be damned. Crazy Feathers has no such things right now. * Sakura twitches. "I'll cut you to ribbons, you foul demon." (You want to see sociopathy, wait for Fanfan to be dragged into Teck.) * Mikoto shrugs, eyeing Sakura. "Well, I think that about wraps up this little visit." * Jinx rides a bit more away from the stand and towards Millie. He keeps it slow in case Tairan objects. * Jinx also hands a few things over to Tairan. An ugly monster like you could never beat me. A slug could beat you. * Millie mutters as she goes, low enough so they DON'T hear. "With any luck, they'll jus' kill each other off an' make my life easier.." * Mikoto mutters, under his breath to John, "If it weren't completely psychotic, this would be romantic." * John nods. "That's the horrific part." Crazy Feathers sell for 50 kanmon per bullet. * MaryAnne rides off with Millie, still sulking. * John inspects the 'munitions. How many are there, what color, and what type of gun? ( 3, Blue, the Kirby Mk.II ) ( Pink then, surely. ) ( I will kill you. ) ( No, no. Blue is a special Metaknight bullet. ) ( Oh, so that's what Mk. stands for now. ) * Jinx catches up with Millie. "Sorry about all that, might end up selling this thing in the end, but want to play with it first." * Sakura continues to glare hot death at Aki. * Millie doesn't respond to Jinx. At all. Not even an acknowledgment. * Aki ignores Sakura, smirking all the same. [Just as Crazy Feathers was about to answer, the session ended!]