[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "log on"

Wilfred straightens his tie and the carnation in his lapel.

Michel rolls his head around his shoulders.

Penny finishes painting her nails, waves them around to dry them.

Tyoka has connected.

Tyoka walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Tyoka arrives, looking for booty.

Raul says (to Michel), "You really should keep that attached, so as not to forget it."

GM says, "right then"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "yar(r|dam)"

Michel says (to Raul), "Some of us have necks between the two."

[nobilis] Penny says, "we should possibly do the rite of holy fire for all us people"

GM says, "not exactly sure what's keeping Franklin, but"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "because it does something useful, or just because it'd impress our guest?"

[nobilis] Penny says, "...those of us with spirit above 1, I mean"

[nobilis] Penny says, "the other chancel all did it. defends you against non-miraculous attacks"

Raul says, "urgent problems at IP"

Gaston asks, "Who went goat-ward, and who's at the chancel?"

[nobilis] Penny says, "the less extreme those attacks or events, the more spirit you need for it to affect them"

GM says, "when we last left our heroes, they had finished fighting off a mysterious dragon-like thing that had appeared in the chancel, and then summoned up a demonic goat, which Rafe had apparently ridden to .. someplace else"

Raul says, "Wilfred, Michel and I went by goat."

GM says, "and, right, those three rode the goat to .. someplace else also"

GM says, "possibly even the same someplace else"

Wilfred is looking around a bleak, mountainous landscape. Not a cubicle in sight.

Kori . o O ( rid of Michel at last )

[interludes] GM has removed Ghogg from the channel.

[nobilis] Michel says, "someplace else is an indefinite denominating complex, evidently"

[interludes] GM says, "right then"

Michel says (to Kori), "<I should be so lucky>"

[interludes] GM says, "Resoth vanished into the darkness"

Gaston asks (of GM), "Can we still communicate with them?"

GM says, "I believe we determined last time that you could communicate with them as usual, but the connection is very faint"

[interludes] Raul looks around for, well, anything other than darkness.

Gaston says, "Okay."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "in my novels, if two main characters argued as much as Kori and Michel, they'd be married or at least betrothed by now"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "I'm not sure I like this place."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "We need the scene where they realize that each is the half the other is missing"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "hee hee"

[interludes] Michel performs a wilderness divination to try and get some more idea about this place

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I fear the whole."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "YOU KNOW I CAN HEAR YOU"

[interludes] GM says, "As your eyes adapt to the darkness somewhat, you see .. rocks"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Raul), "but they need to have a masked ball where they charm each other first!"

[interludes] GM says, "and wind"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "fortunately, I don't do big parties"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "wait, we *see* the wind?"

[interludes] Michel says, "mmm, desolate"

[interludes] GM says, "(ok, feel the wind -- but you can see it blowing the dust across the rocks)"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "this place feels oddly, hmm, layered to you"

Gaston says, "So: our chancel has been letting in more intruders than Buckingham Palace."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "; or else one of them needs to almost die, confess their true feelings, then miraculously recover"

[interludes] Michel's voice comes out normally, despite the mandibles.

[interludes] GM says, "the bottom layer is pure desolation, raw nature"

Gaston asks, "How can we shore up our defences?"

[interludes] Raul asks, "Any obvious features or interesting outcroppings/caves?"

Penny asks, "train our monks better?"

[Crows-Nest] Ghogg says, "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "if I almost die I will be busily eating my last meal of sashimi"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I vote we kill Kori to test this theory"

[interludes] GM says, "above that you can feel some kind of settlements, but they're relatively sparse"

[Crows-Nest] Tyoka says, "s/monks/monkeys"

Gaston says, "Nothing really dangerous has attacked yet."

[interludes] GM says, "and then across that a thick blanket of desolation and devastation"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Michel,Kori), "one day the truth will out and YOU WILL ADMIT YOUR FEELINGS"

Gaston says, "I wonder if something that helped us spot and keep track of intruders would be more useful."

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "hee"

Kori says, "I say arm the monk"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "then you'll either smooch or have an armed duel"

Kori says, "s"

[Crows-Nest] Jearl says, "and somehow this will involve a mantis getting eaten"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "you are treading on thin ice"

[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "Alright. Can we get a little more light in here?"

GM says, "(Franklin has been training the monks some, as you recall)"

[interludes] Michel communicates this to the others

[interludes] Wilfred asks, "Alright. Can we get a little more light in here?"

Gaston says, "Sounds like a recipe for a large number of burned and charred books."

Michel says, "<Mmm, bleeeeak.>"

Ghogg goes home.

Gaston asks, "Origami-fu?"

Lo materializes.

[interludes] Michel says, "Much as I dislike the idea, we might want to investigate those settlements."

[interludes] GM says, "the moon illumines the area to some extent, although it's thin here, as if it's having trouble filtering down through the air"

Penny says, "Franklin's training is leaving our monks ready to inflict paper cuts, but that's about it"

Lo says (to Gaston), "<What happened to Raul? I'm having trouble reaching him, I wanted to ask something.>"

[interludes] GM says, "but it does show some things that are probably buildings on the horizon"

[interludes] Michel says, "there's something about the sky, though"

Raul says (to Lo), "<...i'm here, just far away>"

Gaston says (to Lo), "<He is Somewhere Else, along with Wilfred and Michel.>"

[interludes] Wilfred peers at the sky.

[interludes] Michel says, "Raul? If you could lead the way..."

Tyoka has disconnected.

[interludes] Wilfred says, "What we need is some kind of agenda to get ourselves organised."

[interludes] Raul says, "As best I can."

Gaston says (to Lo), "<They're investigating the source of the, for want of a better term, ink dragon. And some other mysterious happenings of late.>"

[interludes] Raul picks his way forward, trying to see by the moon.

Michel says, "<We'd send a postcard, but the mail service here's decidedly substandard>"

Lo says (to Gaston), "<I gathered. Are you having trouble? I'm busy teaching the stance of the Iron Vest.>"

[interludes] Wilfred follows Raul

[interludes] Raul asks, "Is it the, er, normal moon?"

Gaston says (to Lo), "<We are not in immediate danger, but any advice is welcome.>"

[interludes] GM says, "it looks like it, yeah. just crescent and seemingly farther away than usual"

[interludes] Raul tries not to breathe the air too deeply.

Lo says (to Gaston), "<Right then. They can handle themselves, you would never think clowns and bikers were naturals at this.>"

[interludes] Michel asks, "neither of you can fly, correct?"

[interludes] GM says, "there are a few scattered stars, but only faint ones"

[interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "No."

[interludes] Wilfred tries to make out the constellations.

[interludes] GM says, "the walking is slow and unsteady -- the rocks always threaten to turn at the wrong time and twist and angle -- but you keep going"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "no."

Lo takes I-19 down the turnpike, through a stop at Jersey, eventually finding an out-of-the-way library to come in to

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "there aren't enough stars to form any constellations"

Penny says, "hmm"

GM asks, "meanwhile, what are others doing?"

Gaston says, "<My goodness.>"

[interludes] Michel says, "At some point we should really take a serious look at that sky"

Gaston says, "Nothing much, apparently."

[interludes] Raul says, "You know, a further-away moon would normally mean we're somewhere in the future"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "....stars / scarce to be counted / turning the chaos to order and light...."

Penny says, "personally, I've been in and out of the chancel sorting out some books deals and so on"

Gaston says, "We could try one of those odd rites, or perhaps talk to our contacts."

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "you're brought up short by a warning rattle from the rocks ahead"

Kori is sipping a mint julep and considering the demise of mantises

[interludes] Raul holds out one arm.

[interludes] Raul asks (of GM), "snake rattle, or some other kind?"

[interludes] GM says, "specifically, right at the base of of a pile of three rocks stacked on top of each other, rather like a slumped snowman"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Raul), "You're sure this is our moon?"

[interludes] Michel does a divination for wilderness creatures nearby

[interludes] GM says, "it sounds like a snake, yeah, and it's coming from ground level"

[interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "hard to tell while it's crescent"

Penny says, "but I've been checking in to see if there are any new ideas to be implemented"

Lo says (to Gaston), "<I'm a bit lost. I seem to be in the entymology section. Could one of you find me?>"

[interludes] Raul stoops down to get a better look at the snake, ready to jump back if necessary.

[interludes] Michel chews an antenna speculatively

[nobilis] Penny asks, "can we all hear directed telepathy?"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "there are wild creatures around -- this doesn't seem totally desolate, but still not-quite-right"

[interludes] Michel says, "careful, Raul"

[nobilis] GM says, "if you/the sender wants"

[interludes] Raul says, "I'm trying to be"

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "it's -- a two-headed snake"

[interludes] Wilfred hangs back a little. This is NOT his idea of a good place to be.

[nobilis] Lo says, "um, that was pretty general"

[interludes] Raul says, "Well, hello there. You're a long way away from any nuclear power plants."

[interludes] GM says, "each head pointed inwards, trapping a small rat nervously in between"

Penny flies up over the bookcases to try and locate ghogg

[interludes] Michel asks, "Head at each end of body, or split neck?"

Penny says, "(whoops, lo)"

[interludes] GM says, "(split neck)"

Lo asks, "Hmm. Agricultural Pesticide Control Methods For Removing Preying Mantises. Who reads this stuff?"

[interludes] Michel says, "bah, no amphisbaena"

[nobilis] Penny shakes her brane to try and wake it

Penny says (to Lo), "ah, you found Kori's home"

Gaston says (to Lo), "<I believe that's a popular one among the monks.>"

Lo says (to Gaston), "<Really. I wonder why.>"

[interludes] GM says, "one head of the snake lifts to stare at raul"

Lo says (to Penny), "Hello."

[interludes] GM says, "the other occupying itself by flicking its tongue at the rat"

Gaston says, "We haven't heard from Bronwynn or Eric since that ill-fated party."

[interludes] Michel says, "Mythic vision."

Lo says (to Penny), "Gaston said you could use some assistance."

[interludes] Wilfred asks, "Why doesn't that snake just kill and eat the rat already? Are the heads fighting over who gets to do the chomp?"

Penny keeps above the height of the bookcases, and tries to direct Lo towards the others from the air.

Lo removes his shades and sticks them in his pocket

Lo follows

Penny says, "yeah, we're all feeling a little like our defences are low"

[interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "They seem to work together, since one is now watching me."

Gaston asks, "Though -- did I hear that Jack turned up at Shagapir's chancel, for the duel?"

Gaston says, "The ill-fated duel. Hmm."

[interludes] GM says, "in mythic vision, the snake is a pair of twins, wearing sunglasses and leaning casually against the rock, flipping a knife in their outside hand"

Lo asks, "Yes. Turned out a bit messy. Franklin fill you in, did he?"

[interludes] GM says, "the rat is still a rat, but a bit larger, curled in a little ball at the twins' feet"

[interludes] Michel says (to snake), "Evening."

Penny says, "man, I had a note to meet Drake, and I didn't go because of the whole being captured thing. hope I didn't offend him."

Gaston says, "Not entirely, but I can look at his notes."

[interludes] GM says, ""Howdy, sssstranger," one says"

Gaston asks (of Penny), "Why don't you call him?"

Gaston says, "I have a feeling we could use allies."

[interludes] Michel asks, "Anyone pass this way recently?"

Penny says, "hmm, I can try, but he might not respond if he's offended by me"

[interludes] Michel says, "(what'd Rafe's photo look like, btw?)"

[interludes] GM says, ""Not that I noticsssed. But I've been a bit .. disssstracted.""

Penny says (to Drake), "<Er, hello? This is the Viscontessa of Language>"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Distracted?"

[interludes] GM says, "One of the twins lifts his glasses slightly and flashes a grin down at the rat at his feet"

GM says, "(Drake doesn't respond)"

[interludes] Michel asks, "So what's the problem? Why can't you just sic it?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "The Drake does not seem interested."

[interludes] GM says, ""I'm ... sssssavoring.""

Penny says (to Drake), "<I've been a bit preoccupied to respond to your note, but if you'd like to tell me what you wanted now, maybe we could sort something out?>"

[interludes] Michel says, "sadist"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "luckily I am no duck"

[interludes] GM says, ""Rather.""

Gaston says, "Perhaps a letter would be more appropriate."

Penny says, "hmm, still no response"

Penny says, "that's thought"

[interludes] Michel says, "<OK, I'm not sure if this is going to be much help.>"

Penny says, "er, a thought"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm, the other chancel did some stuff involving magic ink."

[interludes] GM says, "A few things happen in quick succession -- there the sound of grating rock-on-rock nearby, the rat apparently decides to make a break for it and starts to run, and the snake plunges its fangs/the knife into it"

Penny asks, "could we get it delivered via noble mail, d'you think?"

Gaston says, "I was thinking a monk."

[interludes] Michel glances up at the grating noise

[interludes] Raul turns towards the sound quickly.

[interludes] GM asks, "It seems to be a -- sideways rock slide?"

[interludes] Wilfred freezes

Penny says, "well, I was thinking of Edmud"

[nobilis] Penny says, "grargh I cannot type kill me now"

[interludes] Michel says, "you know what this says to me? chancel defences"

Penny says, "edmund"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Edmud ... Like IFmud, only for Eds."

[interludes] GM says, "regardless of the improbability, a pile of rocks is sweeping sideways across the path towards the pillar and you"

Lo says, "There is also the possiblity Drake is not available for reasons beyond him being upset about etiquette."

[interludes] Raul steps to one side, to see if the slide follows.

[interludes] GM says, ""Oopssss ..." says the snake. "Gotssss to go.""

Penny says (to Lo), "that's what I'm vaguely concerned about"

[interludes] Michel says, "does so as well."

[interludes] Raul asks (of snake), "Wait, what's with the slide?"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred exclaims (at rockslide), "you know, that's breaking the rules!"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred tries to climb on top of the pillar.

[interludes] GM says, "The snake is slithering/stepping into the rocks behind the pillar"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ylac, I think"

[interludes] GM says, "Raul and Michel hurry to get out of the way, while Wilfred climbs up onto the pillar"

Lo says (to Raul), "<Can you hear me from here? Care to give a bit of an update?>"

[interludes] Wilfred tries to climb on top of the pillar.

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Oop, yeah."

Raul says (to Lo), "<not right now, please>"

Penny writes Drake a polite note requesting that he contact her as soon as possible.

[interludes] GM says, "the slide sweeps across the landscape, shaking the pillar but not quite knocking it over, and then passing off into the distance"

Lo says (to Raul), "<Do be sure to scream or something if it gets really bad.>"

[interludes] Raul says, "That's odd."

[interludes] Michel asks, "If we're in someone else's chancel, is there any way of telling?"

[interludes] Raul says, "And given that we came here on a demon goat after fighting a book dragon, that's saying something."

[interludes] Michel asks, "And finding out which?"

Penny says (to Edmund), "<Hello, I have a polite favour to ask of you. Could you drop by Locus Octavo as soon as possible, please?>"

[interludes] Michel says, "methinks we should get the chancel folks researching"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "from your elevated position, however, you do spot some shape moving, off in the distance where the slide came from"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Michel), "I don't know. Did it seem at all special somehow when we first entered that other chancel for the party?"

GM says (to Penny), ""Absolutely, m'lady." Edmund says"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<Oh by the way ... movement over yonder where my carnation is pointing.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "who needs a phone when we have telepathy?"

Michel says, "<If anyone has a moment, could they please research ways of discovering if a place you're in is a chancel, and if it is, whose?>"

[interludes] Wilfred shifts a little so the carnation in his lapel is pointing towards the distant shape.

Penny jumps. "Ah, wasn't expecting you that soon"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Certainly.>"

[interludes] Michel looks that way

Gaston researches that, for want of anything better to do.

GM says, "oh, well, you know, I happened to be passing -- just in the chancel next door"

Penny asks (of Edmund), "I was wondering if you would deliver a letter for me?"

Penny asks, "we have a next door?"

GM says, "as it happens, in fact, I was going to come by here anyway"

[interludes] Michel says, "ah, for a good research department"

Lo goes to a few of the monks to gives pointers about Shotokai Karate

GM says, "Edmund gestures vaguely. "I have all the doors, don't you know.""

[interludes] Raul says, "Let's head that way."

Penny says, "aha"

Raul says (to Lo), "<okay, i believe i have a moment. what's up?>"

Lo says (to Raul), "<What's going on>"

Raul says (to Lo), "<we're not sure exactly where we are just yet, but we witnessed a sideways avalanche>"

Penny asks (of Edmund), "so, why were you intending dropping by here?"

Gaston says (to GM), "I'll also see if I can establish contact with Bronwynn."

[nobilis] GM says, "anyway, about discovering if you're in a chancel -- you can't normally tell, I think, except that usually you enter the chancel in a standard way and so you know where you're going"

GM says (to Gaston), "there is a pause, and then <Yes?>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<if that's who I think it is, and he started the rockslide, we might want to be discreet about it."

Lo says (to Raul), "<Hmm. Are there any other distinguishing features?>"

[interludes] Michel says, "curse"

[interludes] Raul asks (of Wilfred), "You think you know who that was?"

[interludes] Michel says, "rockslides, sinkholes..."

[interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "Why don't you answer Lo. You've got a better feel for these large wastes than I do."

Lo says (to Raul), "<That someone over here could look up, you know, S in the index for Sideways Avalanches?>"

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<Bonsoir. I was just thinking back to that ill-fated party -- it is a shame it was interrupted so early.>"

GM says (to Penny), ""Oh, you know, gossip, that sort of thing. I hate to be behind -- is it true there was some sort of enormous creature here?""

Penny says (to Edmund), "ah, yes, there was, but we dealt with it. Not much of a problem, after all."

Michel says (to Lo), "<Big mountains, very dark, high air. Mostly desolate, particuarly the sky and the low valleys.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Call me paranoid, but that rockslide probably didn't just happen of its own volition. I think that's Rafe up there and he's trying to get rid of us."

Raul says (to Lo), "<the moon seems farther away than our moon. it's rather desolate. we met up with a two-headed snake.>"

GM says (to Penny), ""And what is the true story of, ah, what happened in the duel with Cecily?""

[interludes] Raul says, "Good point."

[interludes] Raul says, "But, hey, we're Nobilis."

Lo teaches the Harmony and Crane Postures

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<For a fact, since then we have been experiencing annoyances of various kinds, enough to make us wonder if they are connected. I wonder if you might be able to help us.>"

[nobilis] GM says, "the exception being when you enter your own chancel, which you always know"

Penny says (to Penny), "I believe you would have to ask Raul, as he was the only member of our chancel to attend that. Sadly, he isn't here."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "I work very hard trying to look completely unimportant."

[interludes] Michel says, "I think we should move fast and cautiously"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Penny), "Franklin"

Penny says, "oh, no, franklin attended that, not Raul"

[interludes] Raul strikes out in the direction of the landslide's origin. But quietly

[nobilis] Penny says, "thanks. and that was adressed to Edmund, not myself."

[interludes] Michel says, "and by 'cautious', I mean 'heavily armed'"

GM says (to Gaston), "<Ah, you wish my assistance? Well, it is true I have a certain reputatin in these matters .. and your manner is extremely charming.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<And I'll stay here and act decoy?>"

[nobilis] GM says, "(actually, Lo attended it also)"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "OH NO SHE FELL FOR HIS CHARMS"

[nobilis] Lo says, "yeah, Lo was busy experiencing the nacho-flavored scones"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "So she's not the swiftest Nobilis around. Aspect 0, maybe."

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<Any reports you may have heard are doubtless exaggerated. I do my humble best.>"

[nobilis] Penny says, "yeah, but it's not my gossip to pass on"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "*** you have lost all sense of taste ***"

[interludes] Michel follows Raul

[interludes] GM says, "The figure stays where it is, apparently watching -- it's hard to tell what it's doing at this distance, though, since it's rather shadowy"

Lo mentions to a passing monk the details Raul sent, and if he could check Chancel Geography for anything vaguely applicable it would be appreciated, and then goes into a demonstration of Zanshin Kamae

[interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "<If you'd like, yeah.>"

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<Should we meet? This mind-speech is so dry and flavourless.>"

Penny asks (of Edmund), "I have been experiencing difficulty contacting Drake. Do you have any idea why that would be?"

[interludes] Michel tries to keep in cover as much as possible

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "you SLUT"

[interludes] GM says, "but the two of you close with it as quickly and quietly as you can, bearing in mind that a rock-strewn hillside is not the best thing for sneaking across"

Raul says, "<say, guys, you know that rite to summon me? you might want to have it handy, just in case.>"

Gaston says (to Raul), "<Oh, okay.>"

Gaston tries to remember the rite to summon Raul.

Michel says (to Raul), "<oh, thank you so much>"

Raul says (to Michel), "<just in case, is all I'm saying.>"

GM says (to Gaston), "<Of course. Let me see -- I will be free in an hour, if you wish to be conducted to my chancel then. I think the entrance at the aquarium in Seattle would be best.>"

Gaston asks (of Michel,Raul,Wilfred), "Do things go badly?"

Michel says, "<They might.>"

Raul says (to Gaston), "<not yet. call it paranoia>"

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<An hour? Certainly.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ooh, her place, then"

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<I shall be delighted to see you then.>"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I bet armande is losing sleep over Wilfred not ringing"

[interludes] GM says, "As you get closer, the shadow resolves itself into a still-indistinct humanoid figure, shading its brow with one hand as it watchings Wilfred"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<couldn't the two of you, with Emptiness and Pathways, just *clear* a *path*?>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ha"

Lo shows the 'Keito Uchi', the Chicken Head Strike

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I want Gaston to meet Armande"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "I assume there's a library fairly near the aquarium?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "So I can get there in like half an hour or so."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and then Sir Benjamin can turn up"

Michel says (to Lo), "<do the yama arashi next>"

GM says (to Penny), "Edmund frowns. "You aren't the only one," he says. "Nobody's seen him since Cecily's duel.""

[interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "<Possibly, but why call attention to ourselves, as you pointed out?>"

GM says, ""Or, at least, nobody will admit seeing it.""

[interludes] Wilfred stands up on the pillar and scans the surrounding wasteland.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "<and we want to save our energies>"

[interludes] GM says, "just as you are getting close, the figure shrugs its shoulders and starts heading off"

Penny asks (of Edmund), "Oh? That's.. interesting. There's no way of locating him?"

Kori has disconnected.

Kori has connected.

[interludes] Raul says, "Picking up the pace, then."

[Crows-Nest] Michel asks (of Raul), "perhaps one of us could accost it while the other stays hidden?"

Gaston asks, "Drake is missing?"

Penny says, "apparently"

[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "or would a long stalk suit you better?"

Gaston asks, "What of his sibling Nobilis?"

Penny asks (of Edmund), "those of his own chancel don't know where he is either?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "you, also, lac"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "fneh fneh fneh"

[interludes] Michel says, "what I said on #crows"

Lo says (to Michel), "<I'm not sure these monks are the best candidates for Judo techniques>"

GM says, ""I spoke to Cecily briefly -- she said Drake hadn't said anything to her, but she knew he was very busy with some sort of sudden project.""

Penny says, "hmm"

[interludes] Raul says, "Let's stick together. When we get close, maybe hang back a bit"

GM says, "(er, sorry, not Cecily -- Drake's sister is Amanda, of course)"

GM says, "(Cecily is Jack and Armande's sister)"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<What're you up to now? He looks like he's moving away.>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<tracking him>"

Gaston says, "<I have, ahem, found a contact. Does anyone have any questions they wish me to raise?>"

Lo explains the Yama Tsuki instead

GM says, "and Rike has been busy with some kind of business venture, apparently -- he's responding to queries but only vaguely"

[interludes] Michel says, "<you might want to head for those settlements>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Man, we need to start drawing some family trees for these people."

Penny says (to Edmund), "I received a note from him asking to meet to discuss some business. I would expect him to respond to my enquiries."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<well, I feel bloody useful. I'm going to see if I can flank him. (hah, that's likely....)>"

[interludes] GM says, "you follow for some time -- passing behind a hill and towards a small cluster of three buildings"

[interludes] Wilfred asks, "<Oh, settlements?"

[interludes] GM says, "(and passing out of Wilfred's view soon)"

Gaston says (to Penny), "I don't recall the note saying 'business', but I may of course be mistaken."

Penny says, "I wonder if their estates are under some kind of attack"

Penny says (to Gaston), "i don't recall exactly either"

[interludes] Wilfred gets off his pedestal and starts moving sort of alongside the figure, closing in a bit.

[interludes] Wilfred says, "(er, settlements?)"

GM says, "Edmund frowns. "Drake *never* reneges on his commitments -- well, unless there was something major afoot with the Excrucian War""

[interludes] GM says, "the settlements were the ones sighted on the horizon, before -- this is a separate cluster of three"

Penny says, "well, I missed the meeting time due to other events, but he's not responding now"

GM says, ""But, I mean, look how consistent he's been arranging the olympics""

Gaston says, "Nothing in our recent experience has seemed definitely Excrucian in origin."

Gaston says, "Although there was the incident with the text in an Excrucian language."

[interludes] GM says, "The three settlements are arranged in a triangle; the figure steps inside the farthest one, at the point of the triangle"

Penny says (to Gaston), "*you* didn't nearly get sacrified, buster"

Gaston says (to Penny), "Pah. Mortals wishing to improve themselves."

Penny says, "darned funny way of going about it"

[interludes] Raul says, "Moving towards that furthest one, then."

[interludes] GM says, "it's hard to make out in the moonlight, but it seems to be some kind of .. shrine"

[interludes] Wilfred walks, alone, towards the settlements, hoping he doesn't get lost. Wishing he could leave a paper trail.

[interludes] GM says, "vaguely chinese in appearance"

[interludes] GM asks (of Wilfred), "which ones are you heading for? the ones that Raul and Michel are at or the others?"

Penny says (to Edmund), "hmm. Would you do me the favour of checking with Amanda to see if she can locate Drake? I'm sure our monks may be able to help with any research that would need to be done."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to GM), "The closest one to me. I'll ask them where they are before I actually get there."

Michel says (to Lo), "< [picture of shrine] Look familiar? >"

[interludes] GM says, "the ones on the horizon were probably closer, since Michel and Raul had to go sideways for a while first -- but you aren't going to reach either before Michel and Raul reach theirs"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "Um, I was sort of following alongside the shape ... I thought the settlements were in the same general area?"

Lo says, "<Yes. Welcome to my chancel. I don't know where the bloody sideways avalanches came from, and we certainly never had an abnormal moon.>"

Michel says (to Lo), "<I somehow don't think it was this dark before, either>"

Lo says, "<That particular shrine is the Gateway of Wisdom.>"

[interludes] GM says, "ah, ok -- so I guess you arrive with Michel and Raul, then"

Michel says, "<anything we should know about the terrain?>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I should probably be heading Seattle-wards at some point."

GM says, ""I'll talk to Amanda if I can. She's been somewhat busy lately -- I guess she is pushing microsoft to adopt that new quality-assurance policy""

Raul says, "<or where the Gateway of Wisdom leads to?>"

Michel says, "<and you'll, ah, probably want us to look for your imperator, too>"

[interludes] Raul says, "I wonder if Lo and the rest always traveled by demon goat"

Lo says, "<It should be a normal section of the Himalayas. The residents are all fantastic and what would be called mythical creatures of various types, and we get -- or used to get -- pilgrims coming in to visit the shrines.>"

Penny says (to Edmund), "if you see Drake, would you ask him to contact me? I will, of course, owe you a minor favour for this"

[interludes] GM asks, "well, after you've tried it once, how can you go back?"

[interludes] Michel says, "that works on several levels"

GM says, ""Of course. I'll be glad to see him myself -- if I ever do.""

[interludes] Wilfred arrives a few minutes after Raul and Michel.

Lo says, "<It might help if you could procure yourself a flying horse, but I gather the residents are not exactly themselves.>"

Penny says (to Edmund), "thank you."

Lo says, "<You probably should be looking for the highest peak in the center.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "Right, update me."

GM says, ""Now, then, any other messages before I go?""

Lo says, "<If my imperator is trapped, sleeping, or otherwise, that is where he'll be.>"

Gaston says, "I must be off. I have a meeting to attend, which may help elucidate some of our difficulties."

[interludes] Raul says, "You heard what Lo said, right? Beyond that, our mysterious figure went into that far building."

Penny asks, "<anyone ened any messages carried?"

Gaston makes a small gesture to the effect that waiting up for him is unnecessary.

[interludes] Michel says, "Looks like we're following him, then."

Penny says, "<er, need?>"

[interludes] Wilfred looks over to the far building. "right."

Gaston heads for the Seattle aquarium.

[interludes] GM says, "the three buildings, like I said, are arranged in a rough triangle"

Penny says (to Edmund), "I think that is all, thank yu"

[interludes] Michel takes a weapon in each arm

[interludes] GM says, "the farthest one is actually lower down that the other two, which stand on either side of the entrance to a gully"

[interludes] GM says, "with hills rising up outside the two of them"

[interludes] Raul says, "Let's go." He palms a stun gun.

[interludes] Michel says, "hmm, maybe have a look at the others first"

[interludes] GM says, "and then the far one is built partway down the slope of the gully"

Lo says (to Raul), "<Is that enough? Can you even see well enough to find the center?>"

[nobilis] Penny says, "now I idle to teach my fingers how to actually type"

GM says, "Edmund bows and heads off."

GM says, "meanwhile, Gaston exits the downtown library, and makes his way to the waterfront"

Raul says (to Lo), "<hang on a second. we've got a mysterious man we'd like to talk to, and then we'll look for the peak.>"

Michel says (to Lo), "<It's very dark and obscured.>"

Lo says (to Raul), "<Describe him.>"

[interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "I'm afraid of what that man might be up to. I'd like to talk to him as soon as possible."

[interludes] Michel says, "good point"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of Raul), "does he have.. a MOUSTACHE?"

Raul says (to Lo), "<um. shadowy. we should know more shortly.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "Seems logical."

[interludes] Wilfred readies his red tape.

[interludes] Michel says, "okay, then let's move fast"

[interludes] Raul says, "In we go, then."

Lo says (to Raul), "<That does not sound like a resident. Try to see him before he can see you.>"

GM says (to Gaston), "a longish line stretches out the door, tourists waiting to get in"

[interludes] Michel divines for emptiness to make sure he's not just behind the door

[interludes] GM says, "you head for the hut"

[interludes] GM says, "er, shrine"

[interludes] GM says, "but that doesn't sound as good"

Gaston says, "<Bronwynn? I am here.>"

[interludes] Wilfred looks out for windows

[interludes] GM says, "anyway, it actually has a door and two glassless windows"

[interludes] GM says, "from inside, now that you're close, you hear a faint thump .. thump ... thump"

Gaston says, "I'll look around for a bird whose shape I can steal, and fly in."

Michel says (to Gaston), "<That's not you, is it>"

Michel asks, "?"

GM says (to Gaston), "a man emerges from the aquarium, wearing a blue shirt with the aquarium logo and "STAFF" printed on it. "Mr. Lecroq? Is there a Mr. Lecroq here?""

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<I'm going to sneak a look in one of the windows.<"

[interludes] Raul says, ""<Go ahead. And we should probably talk like this for the next little bit.>"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "you slip around the side of the building and peek in"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<I think not, since I am broadcasting discreetly, certainly not strongly enough to be heard Somewhere Else.>"

Gaston says (to Man), "That would be me."

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of Gaston), "a bird. at the aquarium. you're going to become a penguin?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "hahaha"

[interludes] GM says, "it's dark in there, mostly, except for a small pool of light near the floor where a candle is burning"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "And fly in?"

[interludes] GM says, "the candle is half-burned down, and its flame flickers in the breeze"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "that was my question, yes"

Michel says, "<god, not more candles>"

[interludes] GM says, "up against the wall behind it, a man is standing"

GM says, ""Ah, good. And who were you here to see?""

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Penny), "Er, so your answer is 'no'."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mmhmmm"

Gaston says (to Man), "I believe Mme Bronwynne is expecting me."

[interludes] Wilfred discreetly sizes up the man. Does he match the description of Rafe?

GM says, ""Oh, Dr. Bronwynn? You'll be wanting the special tour, then.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Wilfred), "<Tell us if he tries anything funny, because if he does the door's coming down>"

Gaston says, "A special tour? That sounds wonderful."

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "annoyingly, his face is in shadows -- he seems quite tall and is far away from the candle"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Lucky I ditched my 'no lying' flaw."

GM says, ""Right this way, then.""

Gaston says, "(Is there anything out-of-the-ordinary about this guy, by the way?)"

Gaston follows.

[interludes] Wilfred says, "(Can I get some sort of nightvision with an Aspect miracle?)"

GM says, "The man leads Gaston past the line of tourists and into the exhibit, where he opens up in the hallway leading to the underwater dome. "Right in through there, third door on the right.""

[interludes] Raul decides to use his ghostly near-invisibility.

GM says, "(he looks like a normal guy to the Sight)"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "yeah, aspect 2"

Gaston goes right in through there and takes the third door on the right.

[interludes] GM says, "even without that you can see the guy is just standing there, though"

Gaston says, "After thanking the guy."

GM says, ""Absolutely, sir.""

GM says, "The door swings open, and you see it's -- a tunnel. made out of water"

[interludes] Wilfred spends 1 AMP for nightvision. (The Bureaucracy knows all, sees all ... call me Big Brother.)

GM says, "fish swim happily just above the air bubble you're standing in"

Gaston says, "Shimmering reflections. How pretty."

Gaston takes a tentative step inside.

Michel says (to Lo), "<Have I congratulated you on the magnificent bleakness of your chancel yet?>"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "you refocus, glancing up legs, torso (wearing a casual shirt and khakis), dark-eyed and -haired face, and -- whoah, look down"

[interludes] GM says, "rope around his neck, stretching upwards."

[interludes] GM says, "thump .. thump ... thump ... his feet tap against the side of the shrine as he swings in the wind"

GM says, "Well, it doesn't collapse."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<It's too late. He's dead.>"

[Crows-Nest] Michel heads through the door as fast as possible

Gaston follows the tunnel, then.

Gaston says, "Though I'm tempted to become a fish."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<At least, I assume he's dead, given his current state of hanging.>"

[interludes] Raul goes in, to see if he can be saved.

GM says, "Gaston walks along the tunnel for a while, and eventually it opens up into a dome of air"

[Crows-Nest] Michel cuts the body down. <Raul? You're a better medic than I am>

Gaston says, "Perhaps that wouldn't be quite tasteful, given Bronwynne's domain."

GM says, "in which is a palace"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "enh, channel"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "man, ylac AGAIN"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "twice. AGAIN"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "grr grr grr"

GM says, "outside of which are guards, ushering you in"

Gaston says, "<Now *this* is an attractive chancel.>"

[interludes] GM says, "you head inside"

Gaston says, "A good day to you."

Lo says (to Michel), "<It isn't *supposed* to be bleak. Cutting off the heart appears to have side effects.>"

[interludes] GM says, "and take in the scene -- the man, hung from the rafters. a single candle, burning. two chests near the man's feet."

Lo says (to Michel), "<Presumably if your chancel was cut off it would turn into a law library.>"

[interludes] Michel asks, "yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Lo), "ha"

[interludes] Raul cuts down the man.

GM says (to Gaston), "the guards escort you inside, and you walk through some more corridors before emerging into a small study"

[interludes] Michel checks the guy's neck and airway

[interludes] GM says, "his body's cold -- he seems long-dead"

[interludes] Wilfred follows in after, shifting to Mythic.

[interludes] Michel exclaims, "We weren't that long!"

GM says, "in which Bronwynn is reclining on the divan"

GM says, "wearing her blue dress"

[interludes] Raul checks the chest over for any traps or bombs

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "phew, she's clothed, at least"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gaston) Gaston says, "For now."

GM says, ""Ah, Gaston, so pleased to see you.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "shh, take notes"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yipes"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "har"

Gaston bows politely.

Gaston says, "My lady Bronwynn. The pleasure is mine."

GM says, ""Do have a seat." Bronwynn indicates a footstool"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[interludes] GM says, "there's nothing on the outside of the -- no, wait"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "you don't *deserve* a chair"

[interludes] GM says, "a wire leads from the chest out the back window"

Gaston surreptitiously glances around for alternative furniture.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "go on, snuggle up on the divan"

GM says, "(pushed against the wall is a regular padded chair)"

[interludes] Raul says, "Hang on here."

[interludes] Raul looks out the back window.

Gaston pulls the comfy chair out from the wall.

Gaston asks, "May I?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "you sit on that footstool, she'll have you oiled and peeling grapes withing an hour"

[interludes] GM says, "You see -- darkness, and the wire leading into it. But then, up on the hill, you see eyes. Many pairs."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "eew, oily grapes"

GM says, ""Of course.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and possibly waving palm fronds"

GM says, ""Now then .. why did you wish to see me?""

Gaston sets the chair down a discreet distance from the divan, and sits down with his feet on the footstool.

[interludes] Raul asks, "Uh, guys?"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Candle), "Can you tell me what just happened here, sir?"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Raul), "Hm?"

Gaston says, "Not merely to renew our acquaintance, I must confess."

Gaston says, "I am troubled by recent events."

[interludes] Raul asks, "There's a wire going from the chests, out the window, to a bunch of eyes. Wilfred, you still got your night vision?"

[interludes] Michel glances out the window, whistles under his breath

Gaston asks, "Certain Nobilis appear to have gone missing. Were you aware of this?"

[interludes] GM says, "(the eyes are farther away, up on the hills -- the wire disappears into the darkness sooner than that)"

Gaston says, "It occurs to me to wonder whether there is any connection with Jack, with whom you seemed to have certain points of dispute. And so I am here."

[interludes] Michel says, "Someone should stay and make sure nothing tampers with anything, while someone follows the wire. And, ah, the eyes."

[interludes] Raul says, "I'll go."

GM says, "Bronwynn strokes her chin. "When you have been a nobilis as long as I, you will come to find that nobilis will often be taken with an urge for a personal project, and disappear for months at a time. Who were you thinking of?""

Gaston says, "Competition's Regal has vanished."

[interludes] Raul heads out to follow the wire.

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Sure"

[interludes] Michel keeps an eye on Raul from the window

Gaston says, "Though I have not met him, I have heard from many that he is not the kind to disappear on a whim, his commitments abandoned."

GM says, ""Drake? Surely you jest -- there is none more dependable than he.""

Gaston says, "Just so."

[interludes] Wilfred glances out the window in passing, too see what

[interludes] Michel says, "now, were dull dramatic convention to be followed, Raul would never come back"

[interludes] Wilfred glances out the window in passing, too see what's up

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "it seems like there's *more* eyes now"

Michel says, "<Eyes.>"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "what's attached to the eyes?"

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "the wire runs only for perhaps ten feet, and then terminates, wrapped around a rock"

[interludes] Raul asks, "A plain rock?"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "even with your night vision it's hard to tell at this distance, but you get the vague glimpse of claws"

[interludes] GM says, "well, a biggish rock, but yeah"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Tripwire?"

[interludes] Raul asks, "Wrapped around, and not vanishing under or into?"

GM says, "Bronwynn frowns. "I had not heard about this no.""

Gaston says, "By the by, I must compliment you on the beauty of your chancel."

[interludes] Michel divines to see if the chests are empty.

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "right"

[interludes] GM says, "they are not empty"

[nobilis] Lo says, "don't blow anything up too badly while I'm gone"

Lo goes home.

[interludes] GM says, "or, rather, one is empty, the one with the wire is not"

Gaston says, "I hope it does not vanish too. This seems to be happening of late."

[interludes] Michel asks, "You know what I'm thinking?"

GM says, "She coughs. "I seem to recall you being more tactful before.""

GM says, ""But yes, I have heard of this.""

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Michel), "What are you thinking?"

[interludes] Michel says, "This might be rather unpleasant to open."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "So let's not."

GM says, ""I had hoped -- to be honest, I had hoped the rumors I heard were just that.""

Gaston says, "Tiptoeing around danger is foolishness, not tact."

Gaston asks, "What rumours?"

[interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "my sense of curiosity is giving me some considerable pains"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<Raul? Perhaps you should come back now. There's a nasty thing with claws out there.>"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Michel), "Perhaps I should tie you up in tape?"

GM says, ""To my knowledge, up until a score or so of months ago, there was only one incident where a chancel vanished.""

[interludes] Raul says, "<Hang on.>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "save that for Armande"

[interludes] Raul says, "<I'd like to lift this rock.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "ihavenoideawhatyouretalkingabout"

Gaston asks, "And then?"

[interludes] Raul says, "<Which might be helped if you two were outside the shrine.>"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Huh. Right..."

Michel clambers through the window

Michel says, "ilaFc"

GM says, ""Others have faded, been dissolved, a few have been conquered, a few have been destroyed with their imperator -- but none have simply been cut off and lost.""

Gaston says (to Michel), "Phew."

[interludes] Michel clambers through the window

GM says, ""And now, I hear rumors of several.""

[interludes] Wilfred picks up the body. "Michel, perhaps you could take the candle? I was about to question it."

[interludes] Michel says, "candles don't make for sneaking"

Gaston says, "I'm glad to see you are unaffected, at least."

GM says, ""The seas carried me stories -- the moisture that rises from the sea to become dew passed words back and forth between Anse and I -- and then no more.""

[interludes] Michel says, "unless we put it out, of course"

GM says, ""I know little of the chancel of the four winds, save that it is--was-- old and respectable, and is now silent.""

GM says, ""And then there was that incident with silly little Cecily.""

[interludes] Michel snuffs the candle and sticks it in his pocket, which is full of worn-out old pencils, angry memos from his department, very small change and fluff

[interludes] GM says, "hee hee"

Gaston says, "Cecily? I believe she was present at the incident I alluded to, when Drake was last seen."

[interludes] Wilfred carries the body outside.

[interludes] Michel says, "after that it'll talk, no doubt about it"

[interludes] Raul says, "<You guys ready? Now watch this not do anything.>"

Gaston asks, "Or do you mean something else?"

GM says, ""Yes, well, I have a confession to make -- I arranged for Cecily to find a treasure-ship in exchange for her inviting you all to the party.""

Gaston says, "No harm in that, surely, and much good."

GM says, "Bronwynn frowns again. "But as to the events that transpired as a result of that, I know nothing.""

GM says, ""Well, little.""

Gaston asks, "Assuming somebody was able to exploit the situation -- who might have known of this?"

[interludes] Wilfred begins searching the body.

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<I'm ready.>"

[interludes] Raul lifts the rock.

[interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "if you're going to pull the w-"

GM says, ""I had the sea-creatures in the area questioned; they uncovered Shagapir's interference immediately, of course, but there was another, after him.""

[interludes] GM says, "Nothing happens."

[interludes] Raul says, "<What'd I tell you. I'm going in and opening that other chest.>"

[interludes] GM says, "heavy rock, though"

[interludes] Michel says, "have fun"

Gaston shifts forward, listening intently.

[interludes] Michel keeps an eye on the eyes

[interludes] Raul hefts the rock experimentally, then sets it down closer to the shrine than before.

[interludes] GM says, "(not unusually heavy, just big)"

GM says, "Bronwynn shrugs. "I don't know who it was -- there was an obscuring presence that surrounded him -- or her -- but that is not too unusual.""

[interludes] Raul enters the shrine and eases open the other chest, wincing slightly in anticipation.

GM says, ""I would have thought it was Jack, meddling again, were it not that he hates the water.""

[interludes] GM says, "It explodes."

[interludes] GM says, "And the creatures rush down from the hills"

Gaston says, "Really? A foolish attitude."

[interludes] Raul says, "Oh sh--"

Michel says, "<FUCK>"

[interludes] Raul asks, "Okay, what're the chances I can ride the expanding wave of gases out?"

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "it'll be, um, aspect 4 to avoid damage here"

Gaston asks, "One of his cronies, perhaps, with less aversion to beauty?"

[interludes] Michel starts firing with four semiautomatics at once.

[interludes] Raul says, "Done"

GM says, ""Possibly. Or -- there are always those who would interfere.""

[interludes] Raul says, "And I'm yanking out my little laser pistol."

Raul says, "<well that was expectedly dumb>"

[interludes] GM says, "Raul is blown out the window, falling to the ground but rolling with the fall"

Gaston says, "That's true, as I have learned."

[interludes] GM says, "and many tiny furry balls of teeth and claws rush down"

Penny asks, "<what happened?"

Penny says, ">"

[interludes] GM says, "biting at your ankles"

Gaston says, "Yet I can't escape the feeling that our recent troubles are... orchestrated."

Raul says, "<can't talk explosion and little furry things with teeth>"

[interludes] Wilfred exclaims, "Oy!"

Penny says, "<woo, tribbles>"

Michel says (to Penny), "<someone cloned your rat a million times>"

[interludes] Raul says, "I'd like to ride the smoke up to get clear of the beasties and to get a better shot."

GM says, ""This is an interesting proposition.""

Gaston frowns, blinks, shakes his head and tries to ignore the interruptions.

GM says, ""You are an unusually large chancel, as perhaps you have noticed. As is Shagapir's chancel.""

Penny says, "<aww, then they're sweet little things. feed 'em a biscuit, then they'll love you forever>"

[interludes] Michel asks, "How are they reacting to getting shot at?"

[interludes] GM says, "go for it -- the shrine's on fire, so there's plenty of smoke"

[interludes] GM says, "they are squeaking and falling still"

Michel says, "<a biscuit of HOT LEAD>"

[interludes] Raul says, "zap zap zap"

Gaston says, "This is true. Far be it from me to question our Imperator in any way, but it can fairly be said that Vona is... driven."

[interludes] Wilfred is in Mythic vision ... are they still little biting furries?

[interludes] GM says, "it's a bit hairy going (as it were) but not actually dangerous, it seems like -- you guys are much bigger than they are and better armed"

[interludes] Raul exclaims (at beasties), "Ha HA! Our teeth are ranged!"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "well, they're bigger in mythic"

[interludes] Michel slows down the shooting and starts dropkicking them instead

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm, we haven't seen Vona for a while, either."

[interludes] Wilfred doesn't bother with the "drop" part of dropkicking.

GM says, ""Some have speculated that they overextended themselves -- it was necessary for them to spend great power and several favors to receive the additional estates""

Gaston asks, "Thus making themselves more vulnerable, or more tempting targets?"

GM says, ""Precisely.""

Gaston says, "What is your own situation? I do regret that these troubles prevented me from calling on you sooner."

[interludes] GM exclaims, "squeak! pow! squeak! pow!"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Well ... Vona and Shagapir are essentially Order and Chaos, it looks like ... that's pretty heavy."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "well, good taste and bad, I'd have called it"

GM says, "Bronwynn gives you a regal glance. "I appreciate your concern, but I am surpreme over the oceans.""

GM says, "(er, supreme)"

Gaston says, "That is well."

[interludes] GM says, "but eventually you drive them off, with little more than scratches to show for it -- they couldn't hurt you because you were wearing pants"

[interludes] Raul says "I wonder" ZAP "these guys" ZAP "don't seem smart enough" ZAP "to have set" ZAP "that trap." ZAP

[interludes] Michel exclaims, "saved by pants again!"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "(yay pants)"

[interludes] Raul runs back down the smoke plume as the beasties run away.

GM says, ""But it is true that what threatens the land eventually threatens the sea, and I am as anxious as any to see it stopped.""

Michel says, "<killing squeaky little rats is fun>"

Raul says, "<okay that was less trouble than it seemed it would be>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "Perhaps the person who set the trap was expecting us to be unconscious from the blast."

[interludes] GM says, "from atop the smoke, by the way, you could spot the highest peak that Lo mentioned"

[interludes] Michel says, "yeah, it's an eat-the-remains attack"

[interludes] Wilfred goes back to searching the body.

[interludes] Raul says, "Fortunately, atop the smoke I could spot the highest peak that Lo mentioned"

[interludes] GM says, "on inspection, the body is .. not Rafe"

[interludes] Michel says, "Wo, hope someone was guarding him- hmm, he doesn't look any prettier"

Gaston says, "Some brothers of mine are investigating as we speak. Perhaps some of these matters will be cleared up very soon."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Perhaps we should head that way, then."

[interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "I concur"

[interludes] Raul says, "Off we go, then."

[interludes] Raul dusts himself off, and buns a cigarette from Michel, figuring he won't smell any worse for it.

[interludes] Michel asks (of Wilfred), "Smoke?"

Gaston says, "I suppose that clears up the matters of business."

Gaston says, "Or at least, it is a little more clear what matters of business there are."

GM says, "Bronwynn says "Yes.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "now eet eez tahm for plaisurrr"

GM says, ""I -- I admit I have been avoiding this matter somewhat, in the hopes someone else would handle it.""

GM says, ""But perhaps it is no longer time for that.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "looks like you were right"

[interludes] Raul absent-mindedly pinches off part of his hair which is still smouldering.

[interludes] GM says, "you start heading towards the mountain"

[interludes] Michel dusts bits of exploded hut from his coat

Gaston says, "It is understandable. What could harm a Nobilis? I have felt equally imperturbable."

[interludes] GM says, "The night continues dark, and the ground rocky, but it does get a bit chillier as you start ascending"

[interludes] GM says, "and windier"

[interludes] Michel says, "At least my lungs are warm"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "I don't smoke, thanks."

GM says, ""Well -- I think I have preparations to make.""

Gaston says, "Of course."

GM says, "Bronwynn holds out her hand to be helped to her feet."

Gaston stands politely.

[interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "Sometimes you can't help but smoke."

Gaston helps Bronwynn gallantly to her feet.

[interludes] Raul puts out another small hair fire.

GM says, ""My thanks. Now, then.""

[interludes] Wilfred says, "(Um, I would probably insist on stopping and burying the body before we head on.)"

[Crows-Nest] Michel asks (of Gaston), "duh, that was your cue to kiss the hand. has your sleaziness deserted you?"

GM says, "She claps her hands twice, and a servant comes it. "Show this man out, please, and then summon Rachel and Eric.""

GM says, ""I will be in my war room.""

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "My thanks, madame. You have been of much assistance."

Gaston says, "I hope we will meet again soon in happier circumstance."

[interludes] GM says, "I'm not sure you'll be able to bury it without a shovel, but you can make a pile of rocks over it"

GM says, ""Indeed.""

[interludes] Raul says, "If we're going to do that, let me memorize his face."

[interludes] Michel helps build a cairn grave

Gaston says, "I think I will not apologise for my boldness -- I would not see you hurt, my lady."

GM says, ""I am sure your boldness rarely goes unrewarded, sir.""

Gaston bows, then takes his leave.

Penny says (to Raul,Michel,Wilfred), "<how's it going over there?>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "she was so about to reward you, dude"

Wilfred says, "<Hush, we're holding a funeral service.>"

Gaston says (to Bronwynn), "<As I said, any rumours are doubtless exaggerated.>"

Raul says, "<a shrine blew up and we fought off the little creatures from Critters>"

Michel says, "<long mountain treks. I'm feeling in fine shape>"

[interludes] Michel says, "oh, right, it's a funeral? I thought we were just dumping rocks on the stiff"

Penny says, "<dear me. I'm think I'm glad I stayed here>"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Pfeh."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Michel), "I'm willing to go down to the bare essentials of a burial."

[interludes] Michel says, "well, I'm not putting my cig out for it"

[interludes] GM says, "Right then"

[interludes] GM says, "You head on to the mountain"

[interludes] Michel props the last rock on the stack, and promptly strides off

Gaston heads back to Octavo.

[interludes] Michel says, "damn, I wish I had my sax"

[interludes] GM says, "the going seems to smooth out slightly, or at least there are less rocks here on the ground and the path is wider"

[interludes] GM says, "the path forks a few times, but in each place only one side leads upwards, so"

[interludes] GM says, "but then it peters out entirely -- or, rather, a section of it has crumbled and fallen away, leaving a fifteen-foot gap"

[interludes] GM says, "and since this was along the side of the cliff, there's no real going around"

Gaston says, "<What is the situation?>"

Gaston says, "<I was somewhat diverted.>"

[interludes] Wilfred looks over the side of the cliff.

Raul says, "<climbing the central peak lo told us about. just came to a gap in the trail>"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "don't look down"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "it's dark"

[interludes] Raul says, "Hm. I think I can jump that"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to GM), "I have my nightvision."

[interludes] Michel asks (of Raul), "you could walk along the cliff with those boots, right?"

[interludes] Raul says, "Or walk the cliff, yeah."

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "but, in fact, you can still see the fires burning faintly, though they're down to embers now"

[interludes] Raul asks, "Anyone got a rope?"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Here, take this end of red tape. Maybe we could build a bridge or something."

[interludes] Michel asks, "I'll go mantis and ride along... could you carry Wilfred?"

[interludes] Raul says, "Not sure. I've never tried anything like that."

[interludes] Raul says, "but I'm willing to give it a go"

[interludes] Michel says, "this may not be the ideal place for empirical testing"

[interludes] Raul says, "There's a low-danger way of trying this."

[interludes] Raul lifts Wilfred and tries to walk up the wall where there's still a path.

[interludes] Wilfred exclaims, "ooof!"

[interludes] GM says, "yeah, I guess you can -- you can't carry him *dignified*, but you can carry him"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Maybe I could preserve emptiness between the gap and our feet, so our feet can't enter it and we could walk across?"

[interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "Right, mantis on up here."

[interludes] Raul says (to Wilfred), "and sorry about the undignified travel"

[interludes] Michel says, "Kind of like my bullet shield... ah well, seems we have a plan"

[interludes] Wilfred mutters "...30 years of developing a dignified facade ... and for what...?"

[interludes] Michel flutters onto Raul's upper ear

[interludes] GM says, "hee hee"

[interludes] Raul says, "Lucky no one can see us up here."

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "That's probably what Nixon said."

[interludes] GM says, "Raul starts picking his way across the cliff -- even with magic boots this is a bit rough going, since parts of the rock are loose"

Penny goes off to watch the monks training.

[interludes] GM says, "when you're about halfway you hear a clip-clop noise from the trail ahead"

[interludes] Michel gets ready to preserve the emptiness of the air just beneath us, just in case

[interludes] Michel says, "<this is not a place we can hide. keep going>"

[interludes] GM says, "which eventually resolves itself into a demonic goat"

[interludes] Raul moves faster, but not so fast that sliding down occurs.

Michel says, "<aww crap>"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "Oh dear."

Wilfred says, "<Joyce!>"

[interludes] GM says, "the goat clip-clops over to near where you're coming in to land and stands there, watching"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Raul), "what was that you were saying, about no-one being around to see us?"

Penny says, "<man, talk about lack of context>"

[interludes] Michel says, "somehow I don't think he's going to welcome us with a champagne lunch"

Raul says, "<at least we're not talking about dwarves>"

[interludes] GM says, "the goat backs up a few more paces"

Penny says, "<yeah yeah you'll never let me forget that, will you>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Wilfred), "talk to it"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Resoth), "Uh. Good evening."

[interludes] GM says, "the goat shakes its head and glares at you"

[interludes] Michel says, "if we were to backtrack now, I'd feel a lot more secure"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Resoth), "Not a good evening?"

[interludes] Raul sees if he can go above and past Resoth.

[interludes] GM says, "The goat makes a quiet hissing noise, and shakes its head again."

[interludes] GM says (to Raul), "yeah, since, I mean, you can climb anywhere. Not fast, but you can do it"

[interludes] Raul says, "I'll try that, then."

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Resoth), "Are you still angry at me?"

[interludes] Michel says, "nice thinking"

Penny wonders why the people in the chancel are all just sitting around doing nothing, goes to teach the monks about projectile weaponry.

[interludes] GM says, "The goat looks meaningfully down at the ground and then back again"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Raul), "here's a suggestion. We need to go up, right? So why don't we just do that?"

GM says, "(you guys are welcome to do other stuff)"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "they're getting karate lessons"

[interludes] Wilfred asks, "And forget about the path?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "it's time for some gun fu"

[interludes] Raul shrugs. "If you're game, I am."

[interludes] Michel says, "sounds more sensible to me"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "HAI-*BOOM*"

[interludes] Raul says, "Up we go."

[interludes] GM says, "It's rougher going, and slow, but much faster than following all those switchbacks"

Penny says (to Gaston), "<want to research defensive spells? like, warning signals?>"

[interludes] GM says, "The goat watches you until you're out of sight, and then turns and trots around the corner"

Gaston says (to Penny), "<Good idea.>"

[interludes] GM says, "and eventually you arrive at the top -- or at least the crater"

Gaston says, "<Aha, here's the library. I'll be back in a moment.>"

Michel says, "<Wait. Crater?>"

Wilfred says, "<Maybe it's volcanic.>"

Gaston arrives back at the chancel.

GM says, "<Crater?> says Lo."

Raul says (to Lo), "<was there always a crater here?>"

[interludes] Michel says, "did Lo mention a crater? I was picturing more a stone pagoda perched on top of a precipitous peak"

GM says (to Michel), "<That's more like what it was, yes.>"

Gaston asks, "So -- warning signals?"

[interludes] Michel asks, "how deep is this crater?"

GM says, "(you guys can research spells, but since you're a technological chancel, you're more likely to be better off doing it with technology)"

Gaston asks, "Currently, we don't know if any outsiders are in our chancel, right?"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Going-down-into deep? Evil-villain-lurking-in-sekrit-base-at-the-bottom-deep?"

[interludes] GM says, "it's not that deep, but it's reasonably far across"

[interludes] GM says, "it's, um, a few stories deep"

Gaston asks, "How about movement and heat detectors?"

Gaston says, "Hmm, the banes might cause them trouble."

[interludes] Michel says, "raul? let's have a look at the crater floor"

Gaston says, "And possibly CCTV."

[interludes] Raul says, "Sure."

[interludes] Raul trudges down.

[interludes] Wilfred says, "(Could I reasonably walk this? If so, I'll ask to be put down now.)"

[interludes] GM says, "(yeah)"

[interludes] Michel says, "goes human, then"

[interludes] Michel says, "also, emotes"

Gaston says, "We probably have too many entrances to guard them all individually."

Michel says, "<so what we need is rapid response>"

[interludes] Wilfred stops riding Raul and dusts himself off.

[interludes] GM says, "the middle of the crater has a rock formation stretching upwards"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "This will be going into my report. I hope no-one reads it."

Gaston says, "<Weapons, and high-speed transit?>"

[interludes] GM says, "like the bare spine of the mountain"

Michel says, "<SWAT monks.>"

[interludes] GM says, "it feels -- weird here"

Gaston says, "<Certainly something in the transport department might be arranged.>"

Michel says, "<Lo? Where precisely was the heart?>"

[interludes] GM says, "sounds are muted, the air doesn't moved -- despite the breezes elsewhere"

GM says, "<Atop the mountain>, Lo says. <There was a shrine, with a small tree growing outside -- is it still there?>"

Michel says, "<er, not really>"

Michel says, "<there's a big rock spike in the middle of the crater>"

[interludes] Michel asks (of Raul), "can you see what's on top of that spire?"

Penny watches a troop of monks march past in a ragged formation.

[interludes] Raul squints, trying to see.

GM says, "<That's not how it was before,> Lo says. <Not anywhere in the chancel.>"

[interludes] Wilfred looks too

[interludes] Michel asks, "if not, could you climb it?"

[interludes] GM says, "There's something ragged at the top"

[interludes] Raul says, "I can certainly climb it."

[interludes] Raul says, "In fact, let me do so."

[interludes] GM says, "Raul walks up the side, placing his feet more carefully as the spire gets smaller"

[interludes] Raul says, "...pointy"

[interludes] GM says, "At the top, it's no more than a square yard"

[interludes] GM says, "barely room for the small tree that grows, roots digging into the solid rock"

[interludes] Raul shouts down, "It's a tree."

Michel says, "<Lo? We found your tree>"

[interludes] Raul looks closely at the tree.

Michel says, "<Did it have any significance?>"

[interludes] GM says, "It's a tree. A small stone buddha head lies amongst its roots"

GM says, "<Not that I know of,> says Lo. <My imperator told me it was as old as the chancel was.>"

[interludes] Raul examines the buddha head.

Gaston draws up a shopping list: some zippy little carts to move monks and weapons around quickly, and a chancel-wide public address system.

Gaston asks, "Anything else?"

Penny says, "CCTV cameras"

Gaston says, "Hmm. We don't want to become Chancel Big Brother."

[interludes] GM says, "it's broken off the bottom, and about the side of a baseball"

Michel says, "<We need to be able to shut off any given exit at a moment's notice>"

Michel says, "<and no cctv>"

[interludes] Raul lifts it.

Gaston says, "I think the CCTV may have to go to a vote."

[interludes] GM says, "ok"

[interludes] Raul asks, "No sign of the rest of the body?"

Gaston says, "Barricades at the exits can certainly be done, though."

[interludes] Michel asks, "hmm. Raul, could you divine the path of the tree's roots to see how deep they go?"

[interludes] GM says, "no sign"

[interludes] Raul tries.

[interludes] GM says, "there's not much room on the spire here, but if it's elsewhere it'll be hard to locate in the dark"

[interludes] GM says, "the roots go all the way down the spire and into the mountain"

[interludes] Raul says (to Michel), "all the way in, far as I can tell"

[interludes] Raul says, "I've got a buddha head but no body here"

[interludes] Michel says, "okay, so we're not going to be able to make a nice cutting then"

[interludes] Wilfred paces nervously, looking out for, um, goatishness.

[interludes] Raul says, "and I'm wondering if this is one of those terribly symbolic things chancels seem to go in for"

[interludes] Michel says (to Raul), "so one would imagine"

[interludes] Raul says, "We should try to find the body."

GM says, "(there are a lot of exits, but you can probably control most of them)"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Would it be a ridiculously hard domain feat to get this place linked back to the real Himalayas again?"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "you get a glimpse of something, peeping over the edge of the crate"

[interludes] GM says, "r"

[interludes] Raul replaces the head and starts heading back down the spire, to look for the buddha body.

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "a flicker of moonlight catching the fur, or the scales, or something"

[interludes] Wilfred stops and keeps an eye in that direction.

Gaston says, "The point is to stop people escaping easily, not to stop them getting in."

Michel says, "<and to stop reinforcements>"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "now that you're looking, you catch a better glimpse of something sinuous and wolf-sized, or perhaps tiger-sized"

[interludes] Michel asks, "alteration of the empty?"

Gaston says, "Okay, here is my suggestion:"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of GM), "Not Joyce?"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "I don't think so"

Gaston says, "We have barricades at as many exits as possible. We can close these remotely, one by one or all at once."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "<I think we have company. It's just watching us ... for now.>"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "it feels vaguely like things are moving into the empty area around you, yeah -- but since there are generic night creatures around, it's a bit hard to pinpoint"

Gaston says, "We have a fleet of little carts which can zip quickly between the shelves."

[interludes] Michel says, "hmm, I guess it'd be major change"

Gaston says, "Some of these will be reserved for a bunch of rapid-response monks, who'll bring weapons where they're needed."

Gaston says, "And some will just be kicking around for general use."

[interludes] Michel says, "which I can't do"

[nobilis] GM says, "any plan involving monks in go-carts is a good plan"

Gaston says, "I guess the location of all the carts should probably show up on a monitor somewhere, in case somebody steals one."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Aw yeah."

[nobilis] Raul says, "'Mind if we monk through?'"

[interludes] Raul joins the others. "Company, eh?"

Gaston says, "And there should be alarms scattered around, which people can set off if they spot trouble."

[interludes] Michel asks, "Could I create a permanent link between here and the real Himalayas?"

[interludes] Wilfred says, "We're never quite alone, it seems."

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Michel), "How do you intend to do that?"

Gaston says, "That will initially page all of us, and the head librarian."

[interludes] Michel says, "domain miracle."

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "as a major creation, I guess, and it'd be resisted (potentially)"

Gaston says, "And if nobody responds it'll set off an audible alarm."

[interludes] Michel says, "mrrk"

[interludes] GM says (to Wilfred), "it seems like there are one or two other shapes in the darkness"

Gaston says, "And probably walkie-talkies and a PA system will round things off."

[interludes] Michel says, "don't feel like burning off all my DMPs"

Raul says (to Lo), "<any idea what we should be looking for, in terms of the heart of your domain? we've found a buddha head and the tree>"

[interludes] GM says, "but, also, as Raul climbs down, he sees something at the base of the mountaon on the other side from when you climbed"

[interludes] Raul examines the something..

[interludes] GM says, "some kind of organized structure -- perhaps a camp. it looked like lights"

[interludes] GM says, "er, looked like the buildings had some lights"

[interludes] Michel says, "looks like we're always heading somewhere, as well"

[interludes] Raul says, "Let's go see if there are people to talk to over there."

GM says, "<Something must have changed -- I thought the mountain *was* the heart>"

[interludes] Wilfred says (to Raul), "Lead on. And fast ... the crowd seems to be gathering."

[interludes] GM says, "But getting down will be trickier -- or at least, there seem to be shapes walking through the darkness all around the edge of the crater"

[interludes] Michel says, "how about a temporary connection? just in case we need to get out"

[interludes] Raul says, "Step lively, everyone, and carefully."

[interludes] Michel sneaks.

[interludes] Wilfred tries to look inconspicuous.

[interludes] GM says, "hmm"

[interludes] GM says, "I guess you could, let's say, do a Minor Change to move some of you from one location to the other"

[interludes] GM says, "The shapes part as you approach, backing up so you never get a clear glimpse"

[interludes] GM says, "Up in the sky, there is the cry of a hunting bird"

[interludes] Wilfred follows Raul in his best "I'm just a lowly office gofer, ignore me" shuffle.

[interludes] GM says, "You start climbing down the other side of the mountain"

[interludes] GM says, "(I assume)"

[interludes] GM asks, "climbing directly down or taking the paths?"

[interludes] Raul says, "I'm climbing down. I'll carry others if they want"

[interludes] Wilfred votes for taking the paths even though he knows it's probably a stupid thing to do. But the paths are there for a Reason.

[interludes] Michel says, "well, paths might be safer. but then again, we are technically world-class mountaineers. but no rope. so mantis and Raul's pocket."

[interludes] Michel makes a mental note to try and find a way of smoking while in mantis form.

[interludes] GM says, "You start climbing down the mountain, then, Wilfred's arms around Raul's neck and Michel by his ear"

[interludes] Michel says, "armande will get jealous"

[interludes] GM asks, "but these are the crosses we must bear, n'est ce pas?"

[interludes] Michel says, "even so"

[nobilis] Penny says, "it is getting rather late here"

[nobilis] Michel says, "and we are kinda monopolising, sorry"

[interludes] Wilfred asks (of Michel), "Will you shut up already about Armande?"

[interludes] GM says, "The bird cry comes again. Looking up, you see the slinking forms seem to have converged on the crater edge above and are beginning to come down"

[nobilis] Penny says, "not a problem, but I think we might go sleep"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Nah, no problem. We can pick it up next week."

[nobilis] GM says, "(we're ending in a few minutes)"

[nobilis] GM says, "(but it's just #interludes until the end, so feel free to go)"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Okay, I'm off, then."

[nobilis] Penny says, "I am going to collapse at the keyboard soon, so I think we'll sleep"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Have fun, you interluding types."

Gaston has disconnected.

Gaston goes home.

[nobilis] GM says, "night guys"

[nobilis] Penny says, "g'night"

[interludes] Michel says, "urk"

Penny has disconnected.

Penny goes home.

[interludes] Raul asks, "I'll see about going a little faster, yes?"

[interludes] Michel says, "might be a plan"

[interludes] GM says, "Raul increases his pace. A rock slips and falls a very great distance, but his boots slide to the next outcrop and you don't follow the rock"

[interludes] Raul says, "Whoops."

[interludes] Michel says, "You can breathe out now, Wilfred."

[interludes] Wilfred says, "oof"

[interludes] GM says, "Then the cry comes a third time, and something is rushing towards you out of the darkness"

[interludes] Raul says, "If it makes you feel better, I'll be sure to hold you even if we fall."

[interludes] Raul says, "Well, crap."

[interludes] Michel says, "famous last words"

[interludes] Raul looks for a close-by path to jump to.

[interludes] GM says, "Out of the air, towards the cliff -- a giant bird with a man on its back"

[interludes] GM asks (of Raul), "There's one not too far below -- wanna go for it?"

[interludes] Wilfred looks at the man

[interludes] Raul exclaims, "Hang on!"

[interludes] GM says, "(hate to see what happens if you slip, though)"

[interludes] Raul skips down to the path.

[interludes] GM says, "Wilfred glances over, and the shot he gets of the man matches Rafe's license almost exactly (suspicious in itself)"

[interludes] GM says, "Raul leaps, and the man shouts"

[interludes] GM says, "and what he shouts is "Raul, you can't see anything!""

[interludes] GM says, "and suddenly Raul can't"

[interludes] Michel kicks off in mantis form, and jumps for the bird, changing halfway through

[interludes] Raul says, "Oh, shit."

[interludes] GM says, "On this cliff-hanger (as it were), we'll break"

[interludes] Michel says, "oh boy"

[interludes] Wilfred claps his hands on Raul's head. "<Just go in the direction your nose is pointing.>

[interludes] Michel says, "the original steering committee"

Michel says, "yay"

GM says, "Anyway, that's it for today -- next week, more plot"