Kidnappers and light comedy

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "when did Amanda's party happen in terms of continuity?"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "do we have any definite absentees tonight?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "no Raul"

[nobilis] katre says, "oh hey"

[nobilis] katre says, "kiz cn't make it"

[nobilis] katre says, "she clled and asked me to tell y'll"

[nobilis] katre says, "also, she stole my 'a'"

[nobilis] Franklin says (to katre), "sigh, thanks"

RogerCarbol arrives, looking for booty.

[nobilis] Gunther says, "ktre hs jybord problm"

[nobilis] GM says, "aw foo"

[nobilis] GM says, "I'm not sure exactly where Emily is -- she is nominally on a bus someplace coming here a while ago"

[nobilis] GM says, "perhaps I will call"

[nobilis] GM says, "(ok, she's here and getting set up)"

G_M has connected.

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "oop, sorry, was chopping garlic."

Gaston says, "Yikes, it's the anti-GM."

Michel says (to Gaston), "yay, soon we'll have the battle between two omnipotent powers and clean up that theological paradox once and for all"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "this must be some set up she's doing"

[nobilis] Penny says, "she is lugging in her new Mac from the bus"

[nobilis] Michel says (to Franklin), "Kori's a bot: she has to do all the programming before she can start playing"

Kori has connected.

Kori says, "arrr"

[nobilis] GM says, "(sorry, we were debating whether it would be more convenient for her to be using the sort-of-set-up linux box on my dsl line or hook up her laptop to the phone line as usual)"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Arr"

Penny wonders whether she should change out of Ren Faire clothing.

GM says, "right then"

GM says, "so when we last left out heroes, Kori and Michel had beat up some kidnappers and made a vague appointment to see their boss (without him knowing, natch)"

GM says, "also, Wilfred's errant cousin had finally been located by Alexandra and brought in, none too soon"

GM says, "I believe he is lying stunned on a rug in the library"

Wilfred says (to GM), "brother."

GM says, "er, right, brother"

Penny was off at a Ren Faire, um, watching people and not signing any books or doing research or anything.

Gaston says, "I have been spending some time out of the chancel."

Kori says (to Penny), "Unh hunh"

Michel strolls back into the chancel, dusting his hands

Kori asks (of Michel), "Everything go as planned?"

GM says, ""Owwww, my head," says John"

Penny says (to Kori), "I was a lady-in-waiting. It was fun."

GM says, "(or mumbles, rather, from the floor)"

Gaston says (to Kori,Michel), "I heard that the two of you spent some time together recently without bloodshed. Well done."

Kori says (to Penny), "what do you do? other than wait."

Michel says (to Kori), "they are wandering in little circles talking to the sky"

Kori says (to Gaston), "Oh, there was bloodshed. Just not our blood."

Penny says (to Kori), "flirt with the noblemen"

Kori says (to Michel), "har"

Michel says, "the sky is not deigning to answer, as the sky is a gentleman and will not talk to anyone without pants"

Kori smirks appreciatively.

Gaston says (to Kori), "Good, good."

Wilfred is sitting behind a desk shuffling papers as he waits for John to come to.

Kori says (to Penny), "all too easy"

Michel says (to Gaston), "I had more useful epicentres of hatred to concentrate upon"

Penny says, "yeah, but entertaining enough"

GM says, "John mumbles something in an obscure African dialect and sits up, touching his head gingerly"

Kori says (to Michel), "Perhaps we should do what research we can on the thugs' boss, before our official meeting with him."

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred has determined his D&D alignment, and it is Lawful Evil.

GM says, "But then his head jerks back in surprise as he sees Wilfred, and he yelps in dismay"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "Evil?"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Penny), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that evil is normal."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ha"

GM says, ""Wha-wha-who-where?""

Wilfred says (to John), "Oh good, you're awake."

GM says, "(or if not dismay, at least pain)"

Michel says (to Kori), "this may well be a good idea, but I am not sure what we can do beyond Wilfred's efforts"

Gaston says, "<Why is this man lying here, by the way?>"

[nobilis] Wilfred asks (of GM), "Incidentally, were the real Istanbul police really looking for John?"

Michel says, "I suppose we could tap his phone lines, or something"

Gaston says, "<I assume there's some reason, or the monks should have tidied him away.>"

[nobilis] GM asks, "yes, it looks like it -- do you want to check into why?"

Wilfred says (to Gaston), "<Don't worry, he'll get up soon.>"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Yes"

GM says, "John uses the edge of the desk to pull himself upright, and then he sags into a convenient chair"

Kori says (to Michel), "that could be entertaining"

Michel says, "hmm. if I had a clue how to do it, it certainly would be"

Wilfred says (to John), "Please, have a seat. You were a little on the limp side when they brought you in, and I didn't want you falling out of any chairs."

Kori says (to Michel), "initiative, man. Surely one of these super-technological monks will know."

[nobilis] GM says, "it looks like his name and description are in their files as a suspected heroin smuggler, should be brought in on sight, armed and possibly dangerous"

Michel says, "maybe we could talk nicely to the phone lines and get them to repeat everything they hear"

GM says, ""A yuh wuh," says John"

Kori says, "That's a point too"

Wilfred says (to John), "I'll give you a few moments to collect yourself."

Kori asks, "I'm not sure how close to his house we'd have to get, and-- er, what if he uses a cell?"

GM says, "John looks around the neo-victorian office and blinks a few times."

Kori says (to Random Air Waves), "HOWDY"

Michel says, "He has a couple of houses, but it seems more likely he'll be in the Marseilles one"

GM says, ""Yes (yes yes yes yes)?" echoes out of the air around Kori"

GM says (to Wilfred), ""Um. Nice office.""

Kori . o O ( doh )

[nobilis] Wilfred says (to Kori), "Yay"

Kori asks (of Air), "Have you heard any cell phone conversations from a <thug-boss-name>?"

Wilfred says (to John), "Yes, thank you. I got a promotion. That's the good news."

GM says, ""I .. see.""

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Where are people, by the way?"

Wilfred asks (of John), "Now tell me. Are you in fact smuggling heroin?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I kind of assumed chancel, but that seems wrong."

Michel says, "I think maybe when I have some time to spare I will take a week or so to learn some electronics stuff, as it seems to be rather useful"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I think we're all back now, yeah"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Sigh, I am always so out of things after missing an episode."

GM says (to Kori), ""Gerald Deveraux (aux aux)? Ask around (around around)""

GM says (to Wilfred), ""What? Heroin? Are you kidding?""

[nobilis] Penny says, "I am in my little room in the chancel"

Kori asks (of AirWaves), "Nothing specific then, eh?"

GM says, ""You'd have to be crazy to try that in Turkey -- have you seen what their prisons are like?""

Michel says, "but first I may want to check on a few people and confirm they are all in good health"

Wilfred says (to John), "I thought so."

[nobilis] Duchess asks (of penny), "your private reading room in the library?"

GM says, ""We will ask (ask ask) around. There are many of us (us us). It may take a bit (bit bit)""

[Crows-Nest] Duchess says, "sorry. it occurred to me that as out of the game, i shouldn't be on #nobilis .sorry"

Kori says (to AirWaves), "<faintly> thank you."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I suspect the wordis 'boudoir'."

Michel slips out of the chancel

[nobilis] Penny says, "*cough*"

[nobilis] Penny says, "my 'chamber'"

GM says, ""No, I was just, you know, touring around a bit -- some friends of mine said they could hook me up with some kind of tour guide job in a bit, so until then I was just messing about""

Wilfred says (to John), "The Istanbul police evidently had an idea that you were, though."

GM says, "Then Halil came in and said the police were -- right"

GM says, ""I didn't know what was up, but if I've learned one thing in life, it's to scoot first and ask questions later""

Wilfred says (to John), "Excellent plan."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to GM), "Heh."

GM says, ""Why, I never would have got out of New Delhi if I hadn't -- well, never mind""

Wilfred says (to John), "You see, this promotion of mine comes with some powerful enemies who want you and Rupert dead."

GM says, ""But, uh, where are we now?""

GM says, ""...Oh.""

Wilfred says (to John), "You're in my office, of course."

Penny wanders into the main chancel area, gives John an appraising gaze.

GM says, "John had just been starting to stand up, but now he sits down again, rather heavily"

GM says, ""Dead, hunh? Er-- any particular reason?""

Michel reappears on his motorbike, cigarette hanging from lip

Penny asks, "and whom might this gentleman be?"

GM says, ""I always thought you worked in an office because it was safe.""

Wilfred says (to John), "It would take too long to explain. At any rate, you're officially dead and buried, as far as the official paperwork goes."

Kori glances sideways at Michel, catches herself doing so, and registers affront at the presence of the cigarette.

Wilfred says (to John), "so hopefully that should help cover your tracks a bit."

GM says, ""Er... thanks.""

GM says, ""I think.""

Penny asks (of John), "hello, I'm Penny, and you are?"

GM says, ""Um, does Rupert know?""

GM says (to Penny), ""Oh, hello miss -- I'm John Edwards. Jack to some.""

Wilfred says (to John), "Rupert thinks you're dead. Oh, and this is Penny <Lastname>"

Wilfred says (to Penny), "My brother John."

Penny says (to John), "pleased to meet you *bats eyelashes*."

Michel runs a hand across his chin, and looks irate

Kori stares at Penny

Kori . o O ( geez, woman, he looks exactly like Wilfrid )

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "except less stuffy, I assume"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "no spats"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "also, my thoughts can't spell"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(sadly)"

GM says (to Wilfred), ""Wait, he thinks I'm dead? You didn't tell him?""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ennh, Penny is on a roll from Ren Faire and wants to practise courtly flirtation."

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "He looks like Wilfred if Wilfred were into tromping through jungles and investigating temples of doom."

[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "wait, he looks like Harrison Ford?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori wakes up

Wilfred says (to John), "I thought it would be safer if he really thought you were dead."

Michel says, "Okay, I think I'm going to go and stalk this Devereux guy"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "I SAW HIM FIRST"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "*cough*"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "when did Amanda's party happen in terms of raul-franklin continuity?"

Michel says, "but first I'm going to have a bath and a shave"

[nobilis] GM says, "I think it happened last week"

[nobilis] GM says, "(as I heedlessly throw continuity to the winds)"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "ok."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Honestly, you female characters, always flirting with the male NPCs."

Franklin comes in carrying his golf clubs.

Franklin asks, "Hello?"

Michel says, "because I smell of engine oil and praying mantis"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "AHEM"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "yay!"

Franklin asks, "Who's this?"

Kori says (to Michel), "oh, is that the source of that piquant odor"

Wilfred makes formal introductions.

Michel says (to Kori), "nah, it'd be the jasmine cigarettes"

Kori says (to Franklin), "this would be Wilfred's brother"

Michel says, "but that smell isn't going anywhere"

Penny asks (of John), "will you be staying in our chancel long?"

GM says (to Franklin), ""Pleased to meet you, sir -- I was in the northeast a while ago -- beautiful country""

Gaston says (to Kori), "I'm sensing an uneven split when the genetic dice were rolled for looks and brains."

Franklin says (to John), "Rupert! Hello! <vigorous handshake>"

[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Penny says (to John), "Wanna come back to my 'chamber' for some 'coffee'?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "*cough*"

Michel removes the kick-stop and putters off towards the bathroom

Wilfred says, "<Ease off the official jargon ... he doesn't know about us.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mulled wine, I'll have you know"

GM says, "(somewhere between respectful and annoyed) "Uh .. I'm John, actually. Rupert is my -- our -- brother. He's an actor.""

Penny says (to Gaston), "oh, come now, I'm sure he must have some brains too"

Franklin says, "Oh, sorry, sorry."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "the addition of roofies does not count as mulling"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yow"

Penny murmurs (to Kori) "besides, does he *need* brains?"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Hee"

Kori says (to Penny), "(aside) depends what you, er, want him for"

Franklin asks, "Is he going to be staying long?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Michel), "your stash was empty when I checked, so no roofies"

[Crows-Nest] Duchess says, "if the guy looks like Harrison Ford, Aisleen may make an appearance just for fun"

Gaston says (to Kori,Penny), "Take it to the aether, you two."

[Crows-Nest] Kori laughs and laughs

GM says (to Franklin), ""I -- er -- that's a good question.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mm, smell that oestrogen in the air"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "I don't keep it in the chancel, and obviously for good reasons"

GM says (to Wilfred), ""So, um, you're saying someone is trying to kill me? I guess that would explain some things.""

Penny says (to John), "oh, you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you like."

Wilfred says (to Franklin), "I'm not sure. I need to figure out how to go on without you-know-who figuring out that he's still around."

Gaston says, "We can offer you a low stone shelf in a monk's cell."

Kori says (to John), "Penny will personally see you have a comfortable bed, I'm sure."

Gaston says, "Or perhaps somebody will offer you cosier accommodations."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "bloody english, never want to get their own drugs, always have to steal someone else's"

Penny smiles at John in what is meant to be a flirtatious manner, but which probably comes across as disconcertingly psychotic.

GM says, "John flashes a smile at Penny. "That would be very kind, miss.""

Franklin says, "<Say, did we ever do anything extra to protect our chancel's heart?>"

Wilfred asks (of John), "'some things'?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "woo, I've scored!"

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<Er -- it has a Heart?>"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<cause penny's lost it to John>"

Franklin says (to Wilfred), "You could dress him in monk robes."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "or something"

GM says, "John seems to be ever-so-slightly blushing."

Michel says (to Franklin), "<We could tell everyone it's Penny's bedroom, then it'd be safe as houses>"

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<I assume that giant we stole is doing *something*.>"

Penny says (to Michel), "<OI>"

GM says (to Wilfred), ""Er, well, now that I think back on it -- I figured it was just a run of bad luck at the time, but ..""

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "now you just need to write HEY SEXY on your eyelids and blink at him frequently"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heeheeheehee"

Franklin says, "<It's doing something, but we don't know what.>"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "HA HA HA"

[Crows-Nest] Penny gets out the eyeliner and a mirror

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "she's Language, she doesn't have to write it"

Wilfred says (to John), "Let's start with Johannesburg."

GM says, ""There was that riverboat accident in Bangkok -- somehow my jacket got stuck around a post there, and I didn't notice until we got in an accident when some fool in a powerboat hit the ship""

Franklin says, "<Because in case you didn't get the memo, Locus Olympus was attacked during Amanda's party, and a dash made for its heart.>"

Michel returns, shaven and vaguely clean, though wearing the same clothes

GM says, ""Oh, Johannesburg -- well, that's always a bit wild, and maybe I did go into the wrong bar -- but I found out it a good thing I knew ju-jitsu when I stepped into the bathroom, let's say.""

Kori says (to Franklin), "<Ooog. Unsuccessfully, I trust>"

Wilfred takes notes.

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<Goodness. Sounds like I've returned none too soon.>"

Michel asks (of John), "I understand you travel a lot, yes? Ever spend any time with the !Kung Bushmen?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "hooray for jitsu"

Kori says (to Gaston), "<yes, thank god you're here>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "wait, if John looks like Harrison Ford, my mental image of Wilfred needs adjusting."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yeah, no kidding"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I think it's a brotherhood in the Danny Devito-Arnold Schwarzenegger sense"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "he looks like Short Round"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hmm, Harrison Ford in spats."

[Crows-Nest] Kori swoons

GM says (to Michel), ""No, but I've been thinking about doing some travelling up in that area -- I'll need to bone up on the language and local culture first, of course.""

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Hee hee."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "heehee"

Wilfred . o O ( bone up on the langu... uh-oh )

Michel says (to John), "I can heartily reccomend it..."

Gaston says (to John), "<Uh, you may want to avoid using words like 'bone' around -- well, her with the eyelids, for a start.>"

Kori stifles a laugh

Gaston says (to John), "<Damn, you're not telepathic, are you?>"

Franklin says, "<Unsuccessfully, although I harbor suspicions about how it was foiled.>"

Michel starts engaging John in interminable wilderness stories

Penny asks (of John), "sounds like you lead a very interesting life. Maybe you can tell me all about you adventures sometime?"

Kori says (to Michel), "<oh, let the girl have her fun>"

Michel says (to Kori), "<unh?>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<unless you're jealous>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "except with better grammar"

Gaston says (to Kori), "<I'm still trying to catch up on things here -- do we need to keep John alive, especially?>"

GM says (to Michel), ""Right, so no shit, there I was ... and then the lightning hit the tree and split it *right open* ... of course the grizzly was none too happy about it, but we found that ... then the bats flew out of the cave: magnificent sight, I'm telling you""

Michel says (to Kori), "<nah, it's just that everybody here's dull urbanites and it's nice to meet someone who appreciates that sort of thing>"

Kori says (to Gaston), "<someone's been trying pretty hard to kill him>"

Penny says (to Gaston), "<just because nobody ever flirts with YOU>"

Kori says (to Gaston), "<and Wilfred would not like that>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<Oh right>"

Gaston says (to Kori), "<Right. I wasn't suggesting that Penny might accidentally, um, or anything, of course.>"

Michel says (to John), "...after which we never looked at tapinga grass the same way again, I can tell you, but WHAT a fucking sunrise..."

Franklin starts humming to himself and miming golf swings.

Penny says (to Gaston), "<AHEM>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "Franklin: too old for Romance"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hey, as highest Realm here, I figure I might be able to eavesdrop when it's ABOUT ME"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Kori), "His time will come."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "you'd be surprised"

GM says (to Michel), ""Really? I'll have to make a note -- of course, you know that jasmine flowers can, in an emergency, be ..""

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Hey, Bronwynn has a sister."

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of Gaston), "setting up your girlfriend's sister on dates already?"

Michel says, "... and the anti-fungal crotch powder is absolute hell but...poison takes effect within the hour and their tracking skills are nothing short of... cave paintings ... fifty hours without water ... baobab ... ver, ver drunk"

Wilfred . o O ( hmmm ... send him on safari with Michel and Penny? Kori will want to go along too if Michel's there ... that should keep him safe.... )

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Michel), "Yay."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "if she acts like Bronwynn, you can't even use the 'at least she has a good personality' line"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "this must be some new definition of 'safe'..."

Penny says (to Wilfred), "<sure! I'll go!>"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Kori), "I prefer 'strong personality'."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hey, he was thinking that to himself"

Penny says (to Wilfred), "Michel doesn't have to come, though"

Kori looks distinctly pissed off

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, that was thought, not speech, but whatever"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "like sisters ever have the same personality"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "hey, *I'm* not trying to set up a double date here"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Hee. Imagining what it must look like to John ... like being in the room with all the people but only hearing every other sentence."

Michel looks distinctly satisfied, and goes to look for a bottle of wine

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "but Wilfred here needs to keep his thoughts to himself"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "Wilfred can keep his thoughts"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gaston) John says, "wilfred how do i cast spels??"

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

GM says, "John looks around in confusion."

Penny asks (of John), "So, it must be exciting, all that danger?"

GM says, ""Er -- are we .. oh, yes miss -- well. no, not really. I mean, at the time you're usually too busy running away from the wild boar or whatever""

Kori stands up abruptly. "I'm going back to Seattle for a bit. Bye."

[Crows-Nest] Penny fights the urge to say "you must get lonely" as the next line.

Franklin says, "Well! Everything looks like it's settled here. I'll be out playing 18 holes. If the world starts to end, let me know."

Michel reappears, hands a capacious bottle of Shiraz to Penny, then heads out of the chancel

GM says, ""Um .. world ending? Seattle?""

Franklin charges out colorfully.

Kori goes out to check on Sylvia and the apartment.

Gaston says, "<Er, are we leaving John and Penny alone or something?>"

GM says, "John looks from person to person"

Penny asks (of John), "oh, er. Want to share this?"

Gaston says, "<She can damned well take him somewhere else.>"

Michel goes to investigate Devereux's house

GM says, "John . o O ( Ah, alcohol. This, I can understand. )"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I like these light comedy scenes"

GM says, ""Yes, yes, that would be splendid.""

GM says, ""Perhaps you could, um, show me around the office. Or something.""

Penny says (to John), "shall we go out to the pool to drink it? It's so stuffy in here."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "s/show/chase/"

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

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "...and we have a POOL?"

GM says, ""Ah, yes, outside. I think I need some air.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yes, duh"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "someone asked for a lake or somesuch"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "she'll have to kick out the monks doing laps, of course"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yes we do, mr. reflection"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "gaston's flirtatiousness meet's kori's social incompetence"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "but without the apostrophe"

Wilfred isn't sure how to deal with Penny's rather unaccountable behaviour. I mean, it's my pesky little brother, for cryin' out loud....

Penny gestures outside.

Penny says (to Wilfred), "<I'll be gentle>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I'm not socially incompetent. I just don't seem to meet anyone who's not a jerk."

Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Well -- have you ever seen a film called 'Star Wars'? It is rather good."

Wilfred says (to Penny), "<I don't want to know>"

Penny says (to Wilfred), "<then I won't tell you>"

GM says, "John wanders outside, looking around wide-eyed"

Penny follows John outside, and asks a random monk to bring wine glasses.

Wilfred says (to Gaston), "[quoting box-office takings] But no, I haven't seen it."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to GM), "Feel free to start crescendoing the syrupy strings and tactfully panning the camera away from John and Penny at any point."

Kori meanwhile putters around her apartment, checking to see that everything is in its proper place and nothing seems to be bugged or booby-trapped or otherwise set up for disaster

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "cue golden-hour sunlight"

GM says, "Right, the scene cuts away as John is saying "You just happened to have a picnic basket ready? How convenient!""

GM says, ""*And* a blanket?""

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

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ha"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "ha ha ha"

GM says, "And then we check out how everyone else is doing"

Franklin says, "FORE!"

Franklin slices it into the water.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) little white ball knocks John out cold

Gaston performs a mild miracle to the effect that John's reflection in the pool does indeed look suspiciously like Harrison Ford, and Penny looks like Kate Winslet.

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to kori), "ha ha"

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

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "heeheehee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "woo, mouth-to-mouth!"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "unh hunh"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "okay, I am never bringing any stude- *cough* dates to the chancel ever"

GM says, "(faintly, from the grass) "I'm king of the world!""

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "right about when Franklin comes around to get his ball back, muttering about playing it from the rough"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "YAY"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee hee hee he"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "e"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to GM), "eeagh"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "actually I don't think there's a golf course IN the chancel"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "okay, clearly penny needs to become predatory more often"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Feel free."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "because I am having far too much fun"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks (of Franklin), "how are the monks going to improve their handicap, then?"

Michel eyes up Devereux's house, in particular the garden

Kori pets her cat

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "no, I always assumed he went to some schmantzy club course to get some sunshine and outdoorsyness"

Gaston says, "Suddenly I am at a loss for what to do next."

Gaston says, "I think I will stand here and blink profusely for a few moments."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "since he still is a rich old white guy"

GM says, "right, back in France"

Kori begins to have to admit she is getting bored and wants someone to insult.

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Could you use any help?>"

Wilfred is reading over the notes about the past attempts on John. "Perhaps there's some sort of pattern...."

Gaston says (to Michel), "<I don't think much needs to be done around Chancel Seraglio right now.>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<possibly>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<I'll make my way there.>"

Gaston does so.

Michel says (to Gaston), "<it may just end up in yet another fight with an excrucian anchor who dies as soon as we catch him, but enh>"

Kori compulsively cleans the house

Wilfred says, "<I mean, it seems rather useless to be sitting around waiting for something to happen ... if only we could make some sort of prediction about what they're going to try next.>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Superhuman violence is always diverting, at least.>"

GM says, "Gerald Devereux, as mentioned, is a businessman of somewhat indeterminate income, well-connected, a philanthropist and a lover of fine art, rich but not excessively so, with only a single blemish on his police record"

Michel says, "there is nothing more revolting than a bourgeois art collector"

GM says, "so his house is what you might expect -- nice, in a good part of town, biggish, with a gardener and a maid"

Michel says, "ah, a garden"

Michel idly makes the weeds grow

Kori attempts to watch tv for a few minutes, then gives up

GM says (to Wilfred), "well, it looks like things have mostly been attacks of opportunity thus far"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I don't know how long it'll take me to catch up with Michel."

[nobilis] GM says, "(probably not that long)"

Kori looks at her books, but fails to read them

GM says (to Wilfred), "the boat, for instance, could have been easily arranged with two men in an hour or two"

Michel says (to Gaston), "evil guy, wants to kidnap Therese"

[Crows-Nest] Penny idles briefly.

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Got it.>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "but this last is odd in that it seems to have been an attempt to capture him rather than kill him"

(From Kori) <montage of Kori trying to entertain herself with normal human tasks, overlaid by female vocalist music>

Michel says (to Kori), "<oh, for the love of god, snap out of it and come help us destroy Devereux>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<So, what's your plan? Watch the house until something interesting happens?>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "unless, of course, there was going to be an accident and he was shot while the police attempted to bring him to justice"

Kori says (to Michel), "<need help already, eh? Should've known>"

Kori scampers back to the library and thence to France

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred imagines Kori being played by Calista Flockheart. Hey, she's thin enough to *be* an edge!

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "ew"

[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) Kori dances around her kitchen, lip synching while holding a wooden spoon as a microphone.

[Crows-Nest] Gaston exclaims, "Don't let her near Harrison!"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yeah, um, I think NOT"

Wilfred says (to GM), "or some sort of prison violence."

Gaston breathes the air of France.

[nobilis] Kori says, "I guess I'll catch up a little after Gaston"

Gaston says, "Hmm, I am beginning to remember why I dislike this country."

Michel breathes the air of Galloises.

[nobilis] Gaston says, "We go in single file, to hide our numbers."

[nobilis] Kori says, "yay"

GM asks (of Michel), "what time of day are you showing up here?"

Michel says (to GM), "probably about 10pm"

GM says, "ok"

GM says, "there is a slight moon but not an excessive one"

Kori says (to Penny), "<(faintly) want us to bring you back anything from France? Chocolates, champagne, really skimpy clothing?>"

Michel says, "that way if nothing much happens I can always go and play sax in some seedy little bar"

Wilfred decides to hire a pair of stalkers for Rupert, to keep an eye on him and protect him. Rupert doesn't have to know.

Kori says (to Michel), "make sure they have a good house wine if you do that, because I'll need it"

GM asks, "private detectives?"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Kori), "Penny says: <all of the above>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori makes a note

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "10pm.. hmm.. that's 1pm west coast"

Wilfred says (to GM), "For now, I guess. I was considering springing a couple of toughs from a Turkish prison and impressing them with the need to ensure Rupert's safety and freedom."

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Franklin says "Time for another round!"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yay!"

[Crows-Nest] katre asks, "of japan?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "10 pm in Frnce"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "actually, that's probably what happens"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "er, France"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "geez"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "he eats a big lunch though"

Michel asks, "Now, did we actually arrange a time for him to meet those thugs?"

Michel says (to Gaston), "oh, just had a thought"

Gaston asks, "Mm?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny returns, sees Gaston passed on her message,

Michel says, "if I hadn't dropped those thugs off in outer mongolia, you could have imitated one of 'em"

Michel says, "ah well"

Gaston says, "I feel the need to imitate *someone*."

[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel), "so you're coming in a week later?"

Kori says (to Gaston), "if you're feeling lonely, you could imitate John"

Gaston says, "I'm reverting to the starving-artist archetype just by standing in this godforsaken place."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I suspect currently I am tutoring John on obscure languages."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "That's 'tongues'."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "*cough*"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "fench is not that obscure."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, french"

Wilfred says (to Gaston), "<How do you feel about theatre, by the way? They're showing "The Taming of the Shrew" in London...>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "you dislike the south? I admit it is somewhat bourgeois, but nonetheless it has its merits"

Michel says, "largely in the provinces, I admit, but nonetheless I know a few nice spots around town... but I digress"

Kori looks around the house in Mythic

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to John), "oh yes, there's a little tribe in south Africa that communicate by strip poker, honestly"

Kori says (to Michel), "<are three of us going to be enough?>"

Michel gestures vaguely with an SMG, then realises what he's doing and puts it absent-mindedly in his coat

Gaston tunes into echoes and listens to the house very very carefully.

[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Penny says, "er, #interludes"

GM says, "well"

GM says, "the house is quiet"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ha"

Michel says (to Kori), "<one would hope so>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh!"

GM says, "and it looks like a basically normal house in mythic too -- fat and slumbering like the others in the area"

Michel says, "<it is a little unfortunate that Raul isn't here, however>"

GM says, "but this one has the faint sensation of being curled around something"

Kori says (to Michel), "<His 'personal business' seems to claim a great deal of his time these days>"

Michel says, "<I fancy the idea of breaking in>"

Kori looks more closely at the house

Kori asks (of House), "What have you got there?"

Michel says (to Kori), "<I rather suspect he has finally got lost>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<as long as the excrucians didn't have a hand in that>"

GM says, "The house opens a big, sleepy eye"

Gaston says (to Kori), "<I thought *we* had his hand -- oh, I see.>"

Gaston says, "<Or was that a foot? I forget.>"

GM says, ""Basem't -- k'p sfe -- zzzz""

Kori blinks

Michel says, "<that's enough for me; we're breaking in>"

Gaston says, "<Sounds good.>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<Well, the damn thing is pretty uncommunicative, but yeah>"

Gaston says, "<'Basement'.>"

Michel says (to Kori), "<you can do locks, can't you?>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<I can do keys, which amounts to the same thing>"

Gaston heads around the back of the house.

Kori takes out a spare key and wills it to assume an appropriate shape for the back door lock

[nobilis] Michel asks (of GM), "How fast could I reasonably make weeds grow?"

[nobilis] GM says, "hmm"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, the last time we did this I had to shoot several people with their own guns.>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<this is why I always bring my own>"

[nobilis] GM says, "what do you want to do? if you want to, eg, bury the entire house overnight, that'd either take you concentrating most of the night or a major creation"

GM says (to Kori), "*plink*"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I'd like a tangly blanket about a metre or so thick all around the house"

Kori opens the door

[nobilis] GM says, "that's going to be pretty obvious, you realize"

[nobilis] Michel says, "not actually on the house, just on the lawn and up to the walls and stuff"

[nobilis] Michel says, "well, yeah. I'm just wondering about possibilities"

Kori listens, then steps inside.

[nobilis] GM says, "I think if it's really a meter thick that'll be either a couple hour's work or a major creation"

Michel follows

[nobilis] Gaston says, "He's hoping to wear the bad guy down very very slowly by making his neighbours think he doesn't mow his lawn and therefore act snooty towards him."

[nobilis] Kori says, "ah, always with the clever revenges"

GM says, "This opens onto a dark hallway that appears to run to a kitchen, with a side passage off to somewhere else"

Kori says, "<I'll try the side passage.>"

Michel does a divination for emptiness

Kori does so, sneaking off

Michel checks the kitchen

Kori sneak sneak

Michel says, "<maybe there is a wine cellar nearby>"

GM says (to Kori), "you sneak sneak into a den, which has a tv set and some nice leather couches"

Gaston says, "Assuming I don't see anything interesting round the back, I guess I'll circle round to the front again."

Kori says, "<yeah, the house is really protecting a really expensive wine>"

Michel says, "<one can always hope>"

Kori says (to tv set), "Good evening"

GM says (to Michel), "while you, meanwhile, sneak into a fancy kitchen, complete with pantry door, exit to dining room, and one of those islands in the center"

Kori asks (of tv set), "Been turned on recently?"

GM says, "also bundle of peppers hanging over the sink"

GM says, ""Action! Excitement! Adventure! All live on the tv!'"

Michel says (to Kori), "<stop chatting up the appliances>"

Gaston says, "(Is this house unoccupied, by the way? One thing I was listening for earlier was breathing.)"

Kori says (to Michel), "<that is not what I meant>"

GM says, ""See the thrill of the local football team! Hear the exciting local news!""

Kori says (to tv set), "Aha."

GM says (to Gaston), "no, not unoccupied -- you can hear what sound like three or four different people in it"

Michel investigates the pantry

Gaston asks (of GM), "Whereabouts?"

GM says (to Gaston), "two on the bottom floor, one or two upstairs"

Kori looks around for a way downstaire

Gaston says, "I'll enter and stalk one of the people on the bottom floor."

[nobilis] Kori says, "-e +s"

[nobilis] Kori says, "since I am not descending just the one stair"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<you had better not be counting us>"

GM says, "it looks like Michel is in the right -- there's a trapdoor inside the pantry"

Michel rubs his hands

Kori heads over to the pantry as well.

GM says (to Gaston), "closer and closer you come, passing through the den and down the hallway, until eventually the passage splits, with a den on either side"

GM says, "er, s/den/room/"

Michel examines the trapdoor for locks

Gaston pauses.

Michel grows an extra arm so that he can open the trapdoor, hold a gun and steal wine simeltaeneously

GM says, "(it's not locked)"

Michel opens it veeeery slowly

[nobilis] Gaston says (to Michel), "Heh."

GM says (to Gaston), "male to the left, female to the right, or at least slightly deeper oneway"

Kori stands behind Michel, as cover. Or something.

Gaston says, "<I had the idea of pretending to be one of these people, but I'll wait and see what you come up with first.>"

GM says, "there's a short flight of stairs running down to a cellar"

Michel slips down

GM says, "and it's a wine cellar, indeed"

Gaston is listening carefully for any movements.

GM says, "it looks small but relatively well-stocked"

GM says (to Gaston), "thus far, just theirs, and the movements of the sleepers"

Gaston says, "Right."

[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "correction: it was relatively well-stocked"

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Kori asks (of Michel), "how many bottles of wine can you fit in your pockets?"

[nobilis] GM asks, "are you pulling wines off the racks?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "well, after careful selection"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Don't just empty the bottles. That seems like a waste."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "And I don't think Mongolia needs a shower of expensive wine at this time."

[nobilis] Michel says (to Kori), "this is the advantage of a greatcoat"

[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "but yes"

GM says, "Michel starts pulling wines off the racks and stuffing them in his coat"

GM says, "Gaston hears the slight clink of glass-on-glass"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I love how we're such dedicated ruthless infiltrators."

GM says (to Michel), "hmm, hang on a sec"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "And never get distracted by minor things."

Michel says (to Kori), "<okay, we can forget the house red... er, wait a second>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<hey, this is a serious matter>"

GM says (to Michel), "as you pull out one bottle, just above head height (the third arm being useful for grabbing that kind of thing), you notice something on the shelf behind it"

Michel says, "<and we're in the important place anyway>"

GM says, "looks like a switch"

Michel peers

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "whaddaya know -- crime does pay"

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

Gaston says, "<A switch? Hm.>"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "what is a crime is an agent of evil having access to such marvellous wines"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "although I'm wondering how this would have been revealed if michel hadn't been thirsty"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "har"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Franklin), "I think that's academic"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Franklin), "we would've searched the place, because hey, we knew something was down here"

Gaston says, "<Can I steal somebody's identity before you throw the switch, to give us an edge when the bullets start flying?>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "where is gaston standing? I've gotten confused as to that"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I'm kind of crouched in the hallway."

Michel says, "<sure. but bullets had better not fly or all this lovely wine will go to waste>"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Outside a couple of dormitories, it sounds like."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "okay"

Michel says, "<in fact, I am erring on the side of stashing my coat in the garden before we proceed>"

Gaston says, "<Heh.>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "snrk"

Michel says, "<no, seriously>"

Michel climbs the stairs

Gaston very slowly and carefully opens the door into the room where the male is sleeping.

Michel sneak sneak sneaks from the house

GM says (to Gaston), "it looks like the butler/gardener"

GM says, "he looks, rather"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I'm going to try to schzap this guy into a reflective stupor, hopefully so that he won't remember anything."

GM says, "well, he's asleep"

Gaston says, "Okay, I assume his features."

GM says, "they are, if possible, even more gallic"

Gaston says, "Hee hee."

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

Michel slips his coat into an outlying bush, and turns back to the house

Gaston says, "I'll shake the guy awake, and while he thinks he's dreaming, zap him."

Gaston says, "Just to prevent him from waking up later."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "if we find any more wine, this could become quite the strip tease"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Two in one game? My."

GM says, "ok -- he struggles for a bit, then settles into gazing blankly at the wall"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "is that a chateauneuf de pape in your pants, or... etc"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of Kori), "with ou, Michel and Gaston?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "I'll wait it out in the other room"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "you will be overwhelmed by Gallic masculinity"

Gaston says, "I'll pull the covers over him so that it's not immediately obvious who's in the bed."

Gaston says, "And voila, inside agent."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "that's wine fumes"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of Kori), "and peek through the keyhole?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "clever"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Michel), "I find Chateauneuf du Pape a hell of a lot more interesting than anything else you'd be likely to have in your pants"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "This is probably far too much preparation, but hey."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ouch"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yow"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to kori), "I would tend to agree"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, I don't know this man's name.>"

Michel heads back trapdoorwards

Kori stands next to the switch waiting for the others to return

Kori asks (of Switch), "what are you for, hm?"

Gaston says, "<Probably no one will notice if I stick with 'Gaston'.>"

Kori says, "<just answer to whatever people yell at you>"

Gaston heads quietly back out into the hall.

GM says, "In a slightly squeaky voice, the switch says "Flip me and we open! Behold!""

Michel says, "<secret door, what a surprise>"

Gaston says, "<If there's a disturbance, I can pretend to have woken up first, probably completely against character.>"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "hee"

Kori asks (of Switch), "No hidden traps?"

Kori says (to Michel), "<these things can be boobytrapped. have patience.>"

GM says, ""Well, it depends what you mean by traps ..."

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred just likes the idea of a switch yelling "Behold!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "either that, or your greatcoat is about to get soaked by wine as all the bottles open"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "if that happens I will mourn"

Kori asks (of Switch), "If we flip you, will anything bad happen to us?"

Kori says (to Switch), "We will be very gentle I promise"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "at least you'll be able to suck your coat in times of desperation"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Man, we're being cautious."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to kori), "that's the second time I've heard that this game"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "This is so unlike us."

GM says, ""Er .. well, nothing bad has happened in the past when I've been flipped.""

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "JUST FLIP THE DANG SWITCH"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Still, we normally fuck things up completely, so maybe this way is better."

Michel reaches out and hits the switch

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "there is an art to the building up of suspense"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "RARR"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "uh-oh, franklin's getting crotchety"

GM says, "(click)"

Kori says (to Michel), "<I wasn't done yet! oh>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I'm 80 over par"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Seems like there should be a comma in there."

Kori looks like she expects a bomb to go off

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee"

GM says, "As is the case with all secret doors, one of the wine racks shifts back slightly and then rotates 90 degrees, revealing a room on the other side"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "also, being cautious last time is why Michel is not in tiny pieces all over France"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "so yeah, being cautious sux"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "'I'm 80, over par, and the smooching noises are playing havoc with my putting!'"

Kori steps through into the room

Michel wanders into the room

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hey, it is possibly to smooch silently"

[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Penny says, "we're just not bothering."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "HA HA HA HA"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "oh, yeah, like the Power of Languages is going to keep the noise down"

Kori looks around.

GM says, "This, on the other hand, is not at all typical of a rich businessman's house"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Michel), "those aren't... exactly... words"

GM says, "a mad scientist, sure"

[nobilis] Gaston says (to GM), "Au contraire -- If I were a rich businessman, a secret door would be like the fourth thing I'd buy."

GM says, "it has the beakers and the tubes filled with liquids"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "doubtless they translate into some sort of language"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "But maybe that's why I'm not a rich businessman."

GM says, "and a number of sealed vials"

[Crows-Nest] Michel wonders idly how one talks dirty in Excrucian

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "if so, I don't want to know"

[Crows-Nest] Penny looks innocent

GM says, "two desks, metal with slight scarring on the top, and a file cabinet with a lock"

Kori glances over the vials

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Michel), "I guess you just threaten to excruciate various articles of clothing out of existence."

Kori says, "I'm hoping this is just a really high-tech wine lab, but I am guessing not."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I CONSIGN YOUR PANTS TO TIMELESS OBLIVION"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, ""Mwahaha, I have just destroyed all underpants forever!""

GM says (to Kori), "well, they're full of *something* -- one has a weird red liquid that glows faintly"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm, maybe I should start dealing with the other inhabitants."

GM says, "another with what looks like smoke, although why it's twirling in there is unclear"

Michel asks (of liquid), "What do you do?"

GM says, "(incidentally, a light flipped on overhead when the door opened, answering the question of how you can see)"

Kori clamps her mouth shut on what was about to be almost the exact same question

Michel says (to Kori), "<okay, I say we steal all this for analysis and then get the hell out>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<Putting it where? your OTHER greatcoat?>"

GM says, ""I AM ELATHCOR, STEALER OF BREATH""

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "eek"

Michel says (to Kori), "<I... oh, bugger>"

GM says, ""OPEN THIS VIAL AT ONCE AND LET ME SWEEP ACROSS THE LAND""

Kori says, "<I'm guessing we don't want to break the vials accidentally in shipment>"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Is that audible, in booming tones?"

Michel says (to elathcor), "that's convenient, I don't need to breathe"

Kori glares at Michel

Kori says, "well, I do, occasionally>"

[nobilis] GM says, "it's booming, but seemingly from a very long distance away, so that it's not actually all that loud"

Kori says, "<how about sending back to the chancel for research?>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Clearly this campaign has its own radiophonic workshop."

Michel says, "<hmm. last time I checked saddam didn't take too many Mediterranean holidays>"

Kori says, "<no one seems to know we're down here -- I agree we might want to sack the joint, but whether destroy or transport might depend on what they find out>"

Michel says, "<hey, anybody in chancel not doing anything or anyone at the moment?>"

Michel says (to Kori), "<I would argue for a protective preservation of emptiness around all these vials>"

[nobilis] Gunther says, "yay radiophonic workshop"

GM asks (of Gaston), "so, er, are you poking around elsewhere?"

Kori says (to Michel), "(sounding as though it's being wrenched out of her) <that's probably a really good idea."

Michel does his bullet-shield thing around the vials

Gaston says (to GM), "I guess I'll start stalking the sleeping female, for want of anything better to do. As it were."

GM says (to Gaston), "well, she's right next door to the guy, and appears to be the maid"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to gaston), "for the love of god, it's the maid"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "timing"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "what about the file cabinet?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "uh-oh. french maids plus gaston"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hmm, point."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "le bandit du kissing"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "no waking her up. we'll get you another maid."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "To Franklin, I mean."

Gaston says, "<So, do we just abscond with the vial, here?>"

Kori looks over at the filing cabinet

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was trying not to prompt because I'm not there or anything, but"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<well, I think we would be doing the world a service>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "dude, you could've come if you wanted"

GM says, "It's a typical three-drawer metal cabinet, with locks on each of the three drawers"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I'm golfing!"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "oh, right, sorry"

Kori unlocks these

Kori says (to All), "<has anyone heard of something called Elathcor?>"

Michel says, "<okay, now that those vials are protected we should be able to carry them in just about anything and they won't break>"

Franklin says, "<Elathcor?>"

Gaston sneaks into the maid's room, schzaps her, and carries her into the butler's room.

GM says, "The top one is filled with some folders full of papers"

Michel looks around for a shopping bag

Franklin says, "<Sounds like some sort of hideous eldritch demon thing.>"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "sch*whats* her?"

Kori says, "<It would appear to be some kind of poison or possibly a bio- or chemical weapon>"

GM says, "The middle one is, oddly, empty"

Kori says, "<or outright majic, I suppose>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "It's my special power, dammit."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "non of that yiddish here, mister"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "none"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "And not my other special power, before you say anything."

[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) cheesy 70s porn music starts playing

Kori looks through the files in the top drawer

Franklin says, "<Oh, nuts. Well, I'll go back to the chancel and look it up.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I read it as schtup, too"

Franklin climbs out of the depths of the sand trap.

GM says, "And the bottom one has a folded piece of velvet, on which is sitting a black hemisphere of stone"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Honestly, my intentions are perfectly innocent."

Kori says, "<[brief narrative of situation for Franklin's benefit]>"

Kori says (to Michel), "hey, have a look at this"

GM says, "The files appear to be -- well, files"

Gaston arranges the butler and maid in a cosy and compromising position.

Kori asks (of Stone), "what might you be?"

Gaston says, "There."

Michel says (to Kori), "<is it me or is this something we should steal immediately?>"

GM says, "Mostly they are files on people, local thugs and more respectable people"

Kori says (to Michel), "<I'm guessing it is.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "wait, you *look* like the butler"

Kori says (to Michel), "<but I'm chatting with it first>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I suspect a cover-up"

GM says, ""I am half," rumbles the stone. "Without my other half, I am nothing.""

Kori says, "<ummmm>"

Kori says, "<okay, I could be totally wrong here, but I wonder if this is fissible material>"

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "It might be brought. You have half a stone."

Michel says (to Kori), "<plutoniu- yeah>"

Kori asks (of Stone), "What do you do when you have your other half, do tell?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "'I was schtupped by the butler... and gah, I'm in his BED!'"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "is it, by any chance, about the size of half a grapefruit?"

[nobilis] GM says, "that sounds about right"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Maybe I should put an expensive bottle of wine next to them too."

Michel snaps on his protective emptiness shield around the stone too, and hopes like hell it stops alpha-particles

GM says, ""Together we Open the Way.""

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I think Michel would object to the use"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and a picnic basket and blanket... no wait, flashback"

Kori asks (of Stone), "what kind of way? is it loud? are there lights?"

Michel says (to Kori), "<unless you're dreadfully fond of radiation sickness, I think we should move>"

GM says, ""It is the Way -- we are the Center, returned again""

Michel says (to Kori), "<also, how can it know? it's never blown up before>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<hmm, I guess>"

Kori checks to see if the file drawer is by chance lead-lined

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Hmm, I could possibly do you a reflective barrier for that.>"

GM says, "(no, but it is fairly strong metal)"

Michel says, "<still, the possibility of our chancel holding NBC capabilities would be a definite one-up over Ferarium>"

GM says, "Also, further inspection shows this looks most like obsidian"

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

GM says, "ie, glassy but dark"

Kori scratches her head

Michel says, "Odd."

Kori says (to Michel), "<THAT doesn't seem totally plutonium-esque>"

Kori says, "<but either way I say we take it and get out>"

Michel says, "<Is someone trying to fake up great power? I wonder if those vials are just deluded>"

Kori looks around for a box or something in which the protective emptiness and the thing can be put

Kori says (to Michel), "<interesting question>"

Michel says (to Kori), "<It looks more like evil magic, then. Either way we'd better move>"

Kori says (to Michel), "<I don't know whether it's possible to delude something about its own true nature>"

Franklin arrives back in the chancel and starts rummaging in books that seem like they'd mention something called Elathcor.

Gaston says, "<Is this enough to go on, do you think?>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<I'm certainly satisfied>"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<while you're at it, check for anything you can find about black hemispheres that combine to Open a Way. And no, I can't be more specific, sorry>"

Michel says, "<though this seems suspiciously easy>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Franklin), "I hope they're not too near the lake"

Kori says (to Michel), "<yeah, I don't know>"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, perhaps I could remain here as a double agent.>"

Gaston says, "<Though that could be tedious.>"

Kori says, "<but I see no signs of other trappage>"

Michel says, "<right, let's get out now and consider carefully later>"

GM says (to Gaston), "speaking of trappage, I believe you hear noises from upstairs"

Franklin idly mutters to himself, "Where the devil has Penny got to, anyway? I thought she was staying at the chancel this afternoon."

Michel scoops up the vials

Gaston says, "<Oops.>"

Kori takes off her outer shirt (of two, if anyone's curious) and uses it to protect her hands while picking up the stone

Gaston asks (of GM), "Somebody waking up?"

GM says (to Gaston), "it sounds, in fact, like somebody coming down stairs"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "you could use the velvet it's sitting on"

GM says, "cautiously, so as not to disturb prowlers"

Michel says (to Kori), "<no need for that, it's got an emptiness shield>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "wasn't sure it was big enough"

Franklin further prowls the library stacks.

Gaston says, "I'll prowl carefully towards the cautious person."

Kori sticks the thing in a box, putting the velvet in too as an afterthought

Penny says (to Franklin), "<is that you I hear prowling around?>"

GM says (to Franklin), "ah, here we are -- Elathcor, the Crimson Death, Stealer of Breath and Drinker of Innocence"

Michel puts the protected vials in with the stone

Franklin says, "<There you are! Haven't you been hearing all these research requests from Kori?>"

Gaston says (to Kori,Michel), "<By the way, please be as quiet and surreptitious as possible.>"

Kori says (to Gaston), "<naturally>"

Gaston says, "<And be prepared to leave quickly if there is confusion.>"

Penny says (to Franklin), "<er, I am keeping Wilfred's brother out of trouble>"

GM says (to Gaston), "A man is coming down the stairs, shadowy and hard to make out"

Franklin asks (of GM), "That's its title, but what exactly is it?"

Michel sprouts a fourth arm

Kori picks up the box

Franklin says, "<'Out of', eh?>"

Kori heads out as quickly but quietly as possible

Michel follows

Kori says (to Michel), "<once again I leave any shooting to you>"

GM says (to Franklin), "it appears to be a red mist from the Times Before Man, which chokes the weak and drinks the blood of sleeping babies"

Penny says (to Franklin), "<indeed. incidentally, just pretend there's a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door leading outside, will you?>"

Michel grabs a weapon with each arm

GM says (to Franklin), "there are instructions for how to summon it, how to trap it, and how to command it once it is trapped"

Gaston says (loudly), "'oo is that? Show yourself!"

Kori tiptoes to the back door

[nobilis] Gaston says, "In stereotypical french butler fashion."

Gaston fumbles around theatrically for the light switch.

GM says (to Gaston), ""Be quiet, Jean!""

Gaston says, "Oh! It's -- sorry, sorry."

Gaston whispers (very loudly), "I think I heard something!"

Michel says (to Kori), "<is that the one you unlocked?>"

Kori slips out the back door

Kori says (to Michel), "<yes>"

GM says, "The man continues stepping down the stairs and finally reaches the bottom. He is wearing his lemon nightgown and carrying his equally-lemon nightcap"

Michel follows

Gaston says, "<My goodness.>"

Kori closes the door silently behind her and makes her way off the property as fast as she can

GM says, ""What are you doing up? You know I said never to leave your room at this hour!""

Michel pauses outside the back door, ready to burst in if things get ugly

Kori says (to Gaston), "<perhaps you felt ill and got up to use the restroom?>"

Gaston asks, "Oh! Is is that time?"

Gaston says, "I'm sorry, sir, but I felt very ill and when I was -- well, I thought I heard something."

[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "Where is my wine, butler?"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<we're bringing the Elathcor back to chancel>"

GM says, "(icily) "You will have your little jokes, Jean. But I tell you truly, unless you get into your room at once and stay there, I will see you never see the sun rise.""

Kori says (to Franklin), "<could you arrange with the monks a suitable place to keep it? other than Penny's 'chamber', I mean>"

GM says, "and this is both absurd and menacing, given that he's still wearing the lemon-colored nightgown"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, perhaps I should do as this guy says.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Penny is not in her chamber right now"

Wilfred says, "<Perhaps a safe? Or a safe deposit box?>"

Kori says, "<yeah. see if your room has a window>"

Gaston says, "<Otherwise I will have to break mimesis, and possibly some of his bones.>"

Michel says, "<pas merde, sherlock>"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "yes, but I figure it's probably extremely locked and extremely velvet-lined"

Franklin says (to Kori), "<Hrrmmmrmfm. Well, if you must. It's just the ancient Crimson Death and all.>"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel & Kori), "so just to double-check, what did you grab from the lab?"

Gaston mutters, "Sorry, sorry --"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says (to Michel), "Yay"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<Oh. er. no problem, I, uh, guess>"

Gaston heads back room-wards.

Michel says (to Franklin), "<we haven't talked to any of the others>"

[nobilis] Kori says, "vials plus stone plus the stone's velvet, sitting together in shielding vacuum inside a wine crate"

Michel says (to Franklin), "<interrogate the other vials and see what variety of painful torment they are>"

Gaston says, "Assuming this guy can't see what I'm doing, I'll hang around the hallway rather than actually go back to my room."

Kori says (to Michel), "<mind if I leave you two?>"

GM says, "He's watching you head down the hallway, at least --"

Gaston says, "I am also listening carefully for trapdoor-opening sounds."

GM says, "but you can certainly only go partway"

Michel says (to Kori), "<you've got the stone of utter destruction, I've got the wine. sounds good to me>"

Kori returns to chancel ASAP

Kori says (to Michel), "<I'll share if you will>"

Gaston says, "<If this guy heads into the basement, I think I will put something heavy on the trapdoor.>"

Gaston says, "<He will almost certainly see immediately that we have been here.>"

GM says, "There are clomping noises as he heads into the kitchen, and then the creak of the pantry open, followed by the different creak of the pantry door opening"

GM says, "and then slow feet descending into the pantry"

GM says, "er, into the cellar"

Michel heads for the bush of concealed wine

Gaston sneak sneak back in that direction.

Kori gets back into the chancel. "Franklin? Penny? Someone come help me put away the groceries."

Michel says (to gaston), "<I suggest the fridge>"

Penny says (to Kori), "<um, maybe later>"

Gaston pauses by the trapdoor, listens for secret-door-opening noises.

Kori says (to Penny), "<smirk smirk"

Kori says (to Penny), "<right then>"

GM says (to Gaston), "the quiet hum of the door opening, yes"

Michel slips his coat back on

GM says, "and then a shout"

Gaston says, "Unless this trapdoor is very squeaky, I'll close it now."

GM says, "(clonk)"

Gaston says, "Oops, close it veryquickly."

Gaston says, "And push the fridge or something on top."

Kori asks (of Franklin), "Have we got a leadlined quiet room with fire extinguishers and an air-conditioning system that can evacuate the room in a few seconds flat?"

Michel says, "at some point I really need to put extra arms on this thing"

GM says, "footsteps start running back up towards the stairs as you push the fridge"

Kori says (to Franklin), "oh, and I recommend a Geiger counter and a fume hood"

Wilfred has presumably finished negotiating with Stalkers R Us by now, and goes to see what Kori has.

GM says, "Good thing you got the aspect 1 -- you get the fridge there just in time"

Gaston says, "Aspect 1? I thought I had 2."

GM says, "There is a pounding noise from the underside of the trap door"

Michel says (to Gaston), "okay, clear out"

[nobilis] GM asks, "oops, is the character page out of date?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "unh, + <"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Oh, maybe I do have 1, then."

Franklin scratches his ear.

[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "it is, though"

GM says, ""Jean! Open this at once!""

Franklin says, "That stuff is all sort of Gaston's department."

Kori says (to Franklin), "this is where you give instructions to monks, I think"

[nobilis] Gaston belatedly looks at his own character sheet.

Kori rolls her eyes

Penny decides maybe she should rejoin the group.

Kori says, "well, this stuff is some bad shit"

Franklin says, "I can't do a thing with this technology, although I'm aware that Gaston installed some special systems."

Kori feels like she's talking about drugs

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Is there anybody else upstairs?"

Kori says (to Franklin), "oh, very well"

Penny checks hair and makeup in the mirror, and returns to the chancel.

[nobilis] Gaston says, "If not, I guess I just leave this guy to stew."

[nobilis] GM says, "Well, it's hard to sort out the separate noises with this one loud one"

Kori asks, "Wilfred? Penny?"

[nobilis] GM says, "but no, it doesn't sound like it"

Wilfred asks (of Kori), "Yes?"

[nobilis] GM asks, "so you split out the back door?"

Gaston says, "<Can I have one of those bottles of wine, just to finish framing this poor butler?>"

Kori is still holding the box, afraid to put it down, and looking kinda stupid

Penny says, "(presumably with John in tow)"

Michel says, "<no>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yeah, I'll do that."

Kori asks, "Could one of you ask the monks to rig up an extremely protected spot, <reoutlining what she just asked for>?"

Penny says, "er, sure."

Kori says, "I'm not really sure what we've got here"

Kori says, "and I'd like to find out in the most cautious way possible."

Penny flags down a passing monk, and passes on the instructions.

Michel waits for Gaston, then heads chancelwards

Kori says, "we stole this from the basement of some French guy. along with probably about $30K in wines"

Kori says, "Maybe more"

Wilfred says, "oy gevalt"

Penny says, "my"

Kori says, "the wines were Michel's idea"

Wilfred says, "What do you want with all ... oh."

Kori shifts her weight from foot to foot while she waits for the monks to be done

Penny says, "oh well, I shall snag a few bottles"

Michel says, "<you shall do no such thing>"

Gaston arrives (at some point).

Gaston says, "Perhaps we should throw a party."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I assume John is confused at all this talk, but oh well"

Kori says, "I'm not sure whether we've got half of critical mass of plutonium here, or just an extremely evil half of a magical device"

Michel enters the chancel and immediately leaves

Gaston says, "Heh."

Kori says, "not to mention some stuff that is apparently the demonic equivalent of a biochemical weapon of mass destruction"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I assume John is sitting there swoony-eyed with a stupid grin"

Kori says, "and possibly some other minor doodads"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "what's penny's aspect?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, 1"

Kori says, "and some nice velvet which if it does not turn out to be extremely sinister I will probably sew up into a little pouch to keep things in"

Wilfred . o O ( ...my baby brother.... )

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yeah, he's grinning pretty stupid I expect"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Enough to out-tussle any mere mortal man, though."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "he is lying on his back tossing rose petals into the lake"

Kori looks in the direction of the monks

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

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "waiting to regain his strength, I imagine"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "okay, nobody go into the garden until he turns onto his front"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"

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

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

Kori sings "tum te tum, tum te tum" in a not-at-all-restful way while she waits

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says (to Michel), "What? It's nothing I haven't seen before ... although we were about 6 at the time..."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "(I am also checking my gifts at this point and going 'ooh, truth-gaze')"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "actually, my first thought was 'man, flight would be interesting during..."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "unh hunnh"

GM says, "meanwhile, the monks finally have everything arranged"

Franklin meanwhile lays out all of the info on the Elathcor, including the instructions for summoning, trapping, and commanding it.

Kori says, "I think the summoning and trapping are already done"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oops, double meanwhile"

Kori asks, "What's the commanding look like?"

Kori goes and puts the box down in the secured room

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "'Now, if I drop you, it's a long way down. So... does my bum *really* look big in this? [gaze]'"

Wilfred asks, "And these were the people trying to kidnap Michel's daughter?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "har"

Kori begins checking out the stone with the requested Geiger counter

Franklin says, "I wish there were a section on 'banishing.'"

GM says (to Franklin), "I would hate to say this lightly, but it appears Elathcor may be not that bad"

Gaston says, "He talks a good armageddon, though."

GM says (to Franklin), "I mean, were some unsuspecting person to have it waft into their bedroom, that would probably be curtains for them"

GM says (to Franklin), "but it wouldn't be enough to, say, take out a nobilis"

Franklin's mustache bristles and flumpfs. "Hmm."

GM says, "(also, 'banishing' falls under 'commanding')"

Kori asks (of Monks), "would you be really helpful and set up a couple of alarms -- a fire alarm, a radiation alarm that's sensitive to all sorts including neutron, and an oxygen depletion alarm?"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "It also occurs to me that some of us can survive indefinitely without coming up for air."

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<by the way, if you notify the UN about our capabilities I will not be best pleased>"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<don't look so disappointed>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mmmmm"

Kori says (to Michel), "<mm, weapons inspections in chancel>"

GM says (to Kori), "The monks scurry off to follow instructions"

Penny wanders back outside to check on John.

Franklin says, "I'd rather err on the side of overestimating danger, at this point."

GM says, "John is snoring gently on the grass"

Franklin says, "Having personally witnessed the invasion of two chancels, among other things."

Gaston says, "I'm not sensing any kind of plan here."

Penny says, "oh dear, I appear to have let him drink too much"

Gaston says, "Other than our enemies attempting vaguely to discomfit us."

Kori says, "or something"

Kori asks (of Gaston), "do you suppose it's all meant as a distraction?"

Gaston says (to Kori), "I don't know."

Penny instructs some monks to take him into the chancel and let him sleep it off.

Wilfred says, "Well, I've certainly been a little upset worrying about my brothers."

Franklin asks, "And that funny rock was just sitting in a file cabinet?"

Kori hits the Geiger counter several times to get it to start working

Gaston says, "Damn, I should have left an eavesdropping device in the house."

Kori says (to Franklin), "yup"

Wilfred says, "Speaking of whom, Rupert is still out there ..."

GM says, "The rock doesn't appear to be radioactive"

Kori says, "hmm."

Penny returns to the others.

Kori wilts slightly

Penny says (to Wilfred), "John appears to be in good health, on the plus side."

Gaston says (to Kori), "Maybe we'll find a nuclear bomb *next* week."

Franklin says (to Kori), "<Don't look so disappointed.>"

Kori scratches her plans to slip a portion of the rock under Michel's pillow

Penny asks, "hmm, maybe our monks could run some kind of analysis?"

Kori asks, "What does controlling the rock do?"

Kori says, "er, controlling the Elathcor, I meant"

Kori asks, "is it difficult?"

Penny says, "I mean, if it's not going to kill them just by being in the same room"

Kori says (to Penny), "I suppose, yeah"

Kori still looks a tiny bit disappointed

Wilfred asks, "So we don't know what this rock is or what it does?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "it occurs to me that we have clowns in our chancel"

GM says (to Kori), "well, from what you saw in the papers in the folder, you command it to fly in the windows of business rivals and arrange for them to have mysterious heart attacks"

Gaston says, "It could be a red herring."

[nobilis] Kori says, "wait, I saw that"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am now envisioning one running past honking every so often."

[nobilis] Kori asks, "?"

[nobilis] Kori says, "okay, cool"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Are we still talking about --"

[nobilis] Kori says, "but I'm surprised I didn't know it sooner"

[nobilis] GM exclaims, "you didn't ask!"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I do hope not."

[nobilis] Kori says, "oops"

[nobilis] GM says, "Also, there was a fair amount of info in there"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "no, during our current conversation"

Michel wanders back into the chancel. "Does anybody have a bottle-opener?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "sigh."

Penny says (to michel), "I'll trade you one for a bottle"

[nobilis] Kori says, "I don't suppose I can have retrospectively speed-read them"

[nobilis] Kori says, "er, retroactively"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "You didn't read the papers!?"

[nobilis] GM says, "well, you said you looked through them"

[nobilis] Kori says, "well, I said I looked through them, and it was made to sound like they weren't very interesting and -- right"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "examine everything!"

[nobilis] Kori says, "I DID"

[nobilis] Kori says, "I didn't know the GM had implemented SEARCH as a different verb"

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "did you look behind and under everything?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "he likes a sneaky beaky"

[nobilis] Kori says, "all right, I did say I looked through them, though"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "and then do >TAKE ALL to check you've seen all the objects?"

[nobilis] Kori looks meaningfully at GM

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Man, I thought you two were dealing with all the minor matters while I was doing the crucial stuff of putting the maid into the butler's bed and stuff."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hee hee"

Franklin says, "Well. So."

Michel tosses a bottle at Kori, rugby-ball style

[nobilis] Kori says, "next time if you think you can do a better job you can come along"

[nobilis] GM says, "it's not my fault you got distracted by the shiny rock"

Franklin stares at the floor.

GM says (to Kori), "anyway, to summarize what was in the papers:"

Kori catches it by the neck, muttering something about stirring sediment

[nobilis] Franklin says, "snork"

Kori looks duly grateful, though

Michel hands Gaston a bottle

Penny says (to Michel), "hey *I* was trading, not them."

Michel says, "right, now I have to go and appease a feminist"

Kori waits to remember what the papers said

GM says (to Kori), "Devereux keeps tabs on a number of people, in business, politics, the law, philanthropy, and the underworld"

Michel says (to Penny), "we were stealing chemical weapons while you were playing Hide the Salami"

Wilfred says, "Would be helpful if we had names."

Gaston asks, "The criminal underworld, or the under-the-earth underworld?"

Michel says, "I think we are more in need of winding down"

Penny asks (of michel), "do you want this bottle opener or not?"

Wilfred produces pen and paper.

GM says, "some of these people seem to be being spied on, some seem to be spies or informants, some are queried for possible blackmail options"

GM says (to Gaston), "the former"

Gaston says, "Aw."

Michel shrugs

[nobilis] Gaston exclaims, "Wow, we broke into Professor Moriarty's house!"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says (to Michel&Penny), "LALALA I can't hear you"

GM says, "and there are notes for various kinds of plans -- ship these drugs here, steal this painting and send it there, provide protection to that shipment of <unmentioned>"

[nobilis] Gaston exclaims, "And stole all his wine!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[nobilis] Kori exclaims, "hey, it's good wine!"

Michel heads out of the chancel once more

GM says, "kidnap this person, send a ransom demand, and meanwhile kill them and hide there body in the woods here"

Kori says, "oog"

Franklin says, "Rather a nefarious character."

GM says, "(er, 'their')"

Gaston says, "Well, boring rock aside, this information makes for a pretty nice evening's work."

GM says, "but the one most relevant to Michel is the plan to send a number of amateur criminals out looking for his daughter, and then wait for a claim to have the girl come in"

Wilfred asks, "Should I call the authorities?"

Gaston says, "I can't help but think we should perhaps have copied the papers and left everything else behind."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "man, it's just occured to me that I am *still* in Ren Faire costume"

Michel (to GM) heads Rebeccawards

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Mostly in, anyway."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I have reason to suspect you took it off"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "what kori said"

GM says, "try and check up on the claimant, arrange to meet them, and if it is suspected that it is "M", proceed with the church plan"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am demure and pristine-looking."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "whether you put it back on is another question"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "not to our high aspect eyes you're not"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston exclaims (at Franklin), "!"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "well, okay, franklin is aspect 0, but he's been around a bit"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "Michel would have put out his eyes if I hadn't"

GM says, "then there were scattered notes about magical research, the trapping and summoning"

Wilfred . o O ( should I call in the Vatican bureaucracy? )

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "pity then"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "also, look at john lolling around"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "but I agree it's generally for the best"

GM says, "and finally a last note: "Half the Opener located recently -- must have it brought in. But then what to do with it? The price could be too much--""

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "anyway, I am all prim and proper, yes?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "right. sure."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I merely engaged in courtly flirtation out there."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "unh hunh"

Franklin says, "The Cosmic Can-Opener. Some assembly required."

Gaston says, "Could be another portal into another ex-chancel."

Kori says, "It sounded more self-important than that"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "Yes. And Elizabeth I died a virgin."

Kori says, "this could of course be delusion"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "holding hands, and the like"

Franklin says, "Hrm. I wonder if we have any research on some sort of Opener with a capital O."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I believe you."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "we're all totally convinced"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "However, I'm also detailing a couple of monks to clean out the pool."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "crikey"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "harrumph"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "(also, laughter)"

Gaston says (to Franklin), "It's worth a try."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "besides, I'm sure you could just ask Bronwynn to do that"

[Crows-Nest] Kori chokes

Wilfred asks, "What about this church plan?"

Kori opens her bottle of wine and has a drink

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "She prefers her water salty."

Franklin asks (of Wilfred), "Which?"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Which sounds somehow filthy."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "as it were"

Kori says (to Wilfred), "the plan back at the churchyard was to explode Michel"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks (of Gaston), "After what just happened, you're saying it isn't?"

Kori says, "when he came in pretending to be able to trade in his daughter to these kidnappers"

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

Michel returns to the chancel. One bottle of wine is hanging from his hand, and another appears to have arranged itself around his head and shoulders, commingled with no small amount of blood

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I have totally lost track of the plot here"

Wilfred says (to Kori), "I see."

Gaston asks (of Michel), "New haircut?"

Penny asks (of Michel), "I take it the appeasement went well, then?"

Franklin asks, "Wait. Does that mean they knew it was going to be Michel, and not some random criminal kidnapping element?"

Michel says (to Penny), "If you still have that bottle-opener I can offer you half"

Wilfred asks (of Michel), "Good heavens. What happened?"

Kori says (to Michel), "I think you need classier drinking partners."

Kori says (to Franklin), "yes"

Michel says (to Gaston), "poetry reading"

Franklin says, "Because those files seemed to suggest the plan was to wait for a more common sort to do the job."

Kori says, "It was pretty clear when we went there that they were onto us. But they weren't onto us being onto them being onto us, so we won out anyway."

Penny grabs the opener from her bag and tosses it to Michel.

Wilfred says (to Kori), "Makes sense."

Kori sips her wine thoughtfully

Penny says, "(that's opener with a small o)"

Gaston says, "If our enemies are even worse at this cloak-and-dagger business than we are, I suppose we're in good shape."

Michel sits down and pours two glasses

Kori says, "Anyway, this suggests that either they're trying to actually kill nobilis, or that they don't know what Michel is. I'm inclined to suppose the former."

Gaston says, "Yes."

Penny takes a thoughtful sip of wine.

Michel says, "It would be my opinion that Devereux doesn't know about nobilis, but that he was hired to kidnap Therese and kill me"

Kori says, "They had a pretty clever set-up: some kind of spell to hold him imprisoned, combined with enough explosive to blow the place sky-high"

Gaston asks, "Have we detected any trace of Powerful enemies in this conspiracy so far?"

Wilfred says, "Well. Perhaps we should do the old table-lamp-in-the-eyes interrogation."

Michel says, "presumably by an excrucian pawn"

Penny asks, "well, how many of us *haven't* had attempts made on our lives?"

Michel says (to Penny), "two in one night is going over the top a little, I feel"

Gaston says, "I've only had attempts made on my good reputation."

Penny says, "not that I'm suggesting some overarching conspiracy, just that it hardly seems uncommon"

Wilfred says, "Hmm..."

Franklin says, "My mills, of course, but not my life."

Kori puts up a hand

Michel extracts glass from his scalp while swigging heavily

Penny says (to Michel), "yes, but you see, you don't seem to be good at making friends"

Kori smirks into her glass

Michel asks (of Penny), "you want this bottle-opener back or not?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "as for you, I suspect favouritism"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "hey"

Gaston says (to Penny), "Nicely put, Regal of Bluntness."

Penny says (to Michel), "ennh, point"

Wilfred asks, "Well, there's the death of Darren and the ID thief. Perhaps we could look into those and see if there's a connection with Devereaux?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "That would be kind of an interesting Power, actually."

[nobilis] Penny says, "Kori's archnemesis"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Also, I just realised why 'Devereaux' is familiar."

Franklin says, "I don't mind telling you I find this all somewhat confounding, confound it."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "heeheehee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "ha"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Somebody has started making up NPC names by casting his eyes along his bookcase."

Michel says, "In any case, making friends with psychopathic feminists and people who have been hired to kill you is rarely a straightforward process"

Kori says (to Franklin), "I'm looking for a common thread or overarching plan, but all I can guess at is that a number of different criminals were hired to cause trouble for us and ours"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "it's *hard* to come up with all these names on the spur of the moment"

Penny says, "I suspect Kori may be right"

Kori says, "which suggests that the Excrucians are not interested enough to give it their personal attention, for which I for one am grateful"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says (to Gaston), "Says the man who originally wanted to name his character "Gaston Leroux"."

Michel says, "evil chemical weapon suggests Devereaux knows something about nobilis, however"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Ha. Point."

Kori says, "Nonetheless, this Devereux character had a lot of stuff about nobilis-related things-- what Michel said"

Kori says, "so I'm wondering what he did or didn't know"

Kori says, "or whether he, too, thought it was all some sort of weird cult, like Darren"

Michel finishes his glass. "I wish we had more enemies like this."

Wilfred says, "Or perhaps he was just instructed to do these things."

Kori says, "actually, he'd probably have been told it was something more upscale. The Illuminati or something."

Franklin says, "Except evil chemical weapon is not necessarily potent enough to take out a Nobilis, if I understand this correctly."

Wilfred says, "I say we put him in an interrogation chair and find out exactly what he does know."

Penny says, "hmmm"

Penny asks, "didn't Vona say we were bait, basically?"

Michel tops up Penny's glass and refills his own

Kori says (to Franklin), "but summoning and controlling it, I'd say, requires something more than you could explain away with science"

[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "she's already had a few drinks today, you realize"

Gaston says, "We could in fact go out and kidnap Devereaux right now."

Franklin says, "We were once bait, but we've moved beyond that."

Franklin says, "Into stage three, whatever that is."

Penny says, "we seem to be doing a good job of *that* at least"

[nobilis] Kori says, "this is where the aspect 1 comes in"

[nobilis] Penny says, "*hic*"

[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "she's aspect 1, she can take it"

[nobilis] Kori says, "drink more without actually passing"

[nobilis] Kori says, "er, out"

[nobilis] Penny says, "my liver is metabolising like fury"

[nobilis] Penny says, "but Kori seems to be suffering the effects a little"

Franklin says (to Kori), "It's beyond science, but not necessarily into Nobilis realms of magic."

[nobilis] Michel says (to Kori), "aspect 2 is a thing of wonder, I can tell you"

[nobilis] Kori says (to Michel), "If you say so"

Franklin says, "Which is something we've seen over and over again."

[nobilis] GM says, "Nobilis of Liver"

[nobilis] Michel says, "that said, this is remarkably good wine and she may not appreciate it in this state"

Kori says, "but to get a normal involved, you'd have to offer him at least SOME explanation of what it was"

Penny drinks some more wine.

Penny says, "I wonder if it's something as basic as money"

[nobilis] Michel says, "ah well, maybe I should finish it myself"

Penny says, "or influence"

Kori holds her glass up to the light, then takes another sip

Penny says, "both those things are likely to prevent people from asking too many questions"

Kori says, "I suppose"

Franklin says, "As far as I can tell from this, there are only normals involved."

Kori says, "But he seemed to recognize the Opener when he encountered it"

Kori says, "which is more than we can do"

Penny says, "hmmm"

Wilfred asks, "Something he'd read about previously?"

Gaston says, "We could kidnap Devereaux and replace him. Or maybe one of us could Anchor him."

Franklin says, "If he can read about it, we can read about it."

Michel says, "I would rather like to kidnap Devereaux, yes"

Penny asks, "well, assuming he does have some kind of sponsor - execrucian or rival noble, say - are there any ways of tracing this?"

Penny says, "hmm, anchoring him would make sense"

Penny asks, "anyone *really* hate him?"

Wilfred says, "I'm in favour of kidnapping him, too. If only so we can properly question him."

Kori says, "Michel seems the likeliest"

Michel says (to Penny), "well, he did try to kidnap my daughter and blow me up"

Wilfred looks at Michel.

Penny says, "assuming he's not anchored already, of course"

Franklin asks, "What happens if you try to anchor someone who's already an anchor?"

Gaston says, "I am highly amused by his taste in nightgowns, but I can't say I hate him."

Michel says, "but then he supplied me with an excellent wine cellar"

Franklin says, "I'm going to come out here and say that our increasing practice of carrying outsiders into the chancel is a bad idea."

Kori says (to Michel), "but he wears lemon-colored nightgowns"

Penny says (to franklin), "the um, anchorer comes and kicks you, I think"

Wilfred asks (of Michel), "What, your petty revenge is enough to salve your hatred?"

Penny says (to franklin), "oh, not all the outsiders have been unwelcome"

Franklin's mustache twitches.

Michel says, "I would prefer to quietly drop him into a viper pit and have Gaston replace him"

Gaston says, "He attempted to harm Michel, so it's perfectly legal to do anything we like to him."

Wilfred says (to Michel), "I'm disappointed in you."

Penny says, "hmm, true"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "I talk nothing of revenge. Wine is very important."

Gaston says, "And he doesn't seem like the type who particularly deserves to live."

Michel says (to Gaston), "I agree."

Penny says, "but if he is an anchor, that might enrage his anchorer"

Wilfred asks (of Gaston), "I ... don't suppose you could make him look exactly like John, could you?"

Michel says, "We'd better make our move tonight, then."

Gaston says, "The problem with me replacing him is that any Noble will instantly spot me."

Penny says (to Wilfred), "no no, bad idea"

[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) GM puts his feet up and takes a nap.

Michel finishes his glass, slides the bottle over to Penny and stands up, chcking his weaponry

Gaston says (to Wilfred), "Make him look like John? I can only change my own shape."

Penny asks (of Gaston), "at least then we'd know who to blame?"

Gaston says (to Penny), "That's true."

Wilfred says (to Penny), "I don't see how it's a bad idea. And as for him being an anchor ... it would be useful to know whose."

(From Michel) little bits of glass fall from Michel's hair as he stands up

Wilfred says (to Michel), "Oh for heaven's sake, go wash your hair."

Michel screws on various silencers

Penny picks up the bottle, refills her glass and Kori's, probably emptying the bottle by this point.

Gaston says (to Wilfred), "No, he'll scare Devereaux more effectively this way."

Gaston asks, "So, are we all agreed on this?"

Penny says (to Wilfred), "well, it doesn't appear possible anyway, so"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "I've already had one bath this week"

Franklin asks, "Agreed on what?"

Wilfred says (to Franklin), "Kidnapping Devereaux."

Michel asks, "We kill Devereaux - kidnap?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "someone prod the GM if we've made an actual plan"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "I want him alive."

Penny says, "kidnap means we can question him"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "sigh, I suppose it's for the best"

Franklin says, "Not if you're going to bring him here, I don't agree, no."

Franklin says, "I recognize I'm outvoted, but I don't agree."

Gaston asks (of Franklin), "We can keep him under guard, no?"

Penny says, "so keep him outside the chancel"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "We can kill him *after* we know everything he knows."

Michel asks (of Kori), "do you have any of your airy-fairy peace-and-love ethics stun guns around?"

Penny asks, "how about that coffee shop of Michel's?"

Kori says, "I suggest kidnapping him to somewhere else"

Kori says (to Michel), "Of course"

Kori asks (of Michel), "Want to test it out?"

Wilfred says (to Franklin), "We'll take him somewhere else, then. Somewhere secure."

Franklin says (to Penny), "That would be much wiser, in my opinion."

Michel says (to Penny), "I think we can safely assume it's known of by now"

Wilfred . o O ( ...Rio...? )

Franklin says, "Oh, perhaps not."

Penny says, "hmmmmmmm"

Gaston asks, "Do we *have* anywhere else that's secure?"

Michel says, "but I know many secure locations"

Kori takes one out and looks as though she'd enjoy taking a shot at Michel

Penny says (to michel), "so, choose one that you don't object to being hunted for extensively"

Kori puts it away again, though.

Gaston says, "Okay, I'm off."

Gaston says, "We can make a decision on the way."

Gaston leaves.

Wilfred says, "Right."

Wilfred follows Gaston

Gaston says, "<Anyone care to bet that Devereaux will be gone by the time we get there?>"

Penny says, "I'll stay here and, er, mind the chancel"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "I don't suppose we can end the session here?"

Kori shrugs and recorks the wine

Gaston says, "<This could be embarrassing.>"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Franklin), "give us another few minutes"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "ok"

Penny goes to take John a nice refreshing cup of herbal tea.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "since .."

GM says, "as you high-tail it back to his house, a few hours later, you find it considerably changed"

Michel says, "I know some interesting abandoned warehouses in Seattle with some very convoluted underground sections"

Gaston says (to GM), "Eagh."

GM says, "specifically, it wasn't in flames before"

Kori says, "Screw it, they can do this part themselves"

Michel says, "I suggest we keep him there"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "doh"

Gaston says, "<It looks like we could possibly keep him in a small casket at this point.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "whoops"

Michel strides off to Marseilles

Wilfred asks, "<curses.?"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "gotta love these guys"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "they're nothing if not efficient"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "consistent, too"

Gaston says, "I'll try to reflect off the heat as best as possible, and wade in."

Gaston says, "I also don't have to breathe the smoke."

Michel exclaims, "Noooo! There was still some wine in there!"

Kori says (to Gaston), "<if there's anything left of the file cabinet, bring it>"

Gaston says, "<Check.>"

Wilfred says (to Gaston), "hurry and hope he's still alive."

Gaston heads for the kitchen.

GM says, "Making yourself as shiny as possible, you force your way inside -- you'll have to go around back, since there are now firemen arriving to try and douse it from the front, although thus far they're not having much success"

Kori uncorks the wine again and has another glass

[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "Wait ... file cabinet ... would that fall specifically under my domain? Can I preserve it?"

Gaston says, "Feh. Back it is, then."

GM says (to Gaston), "The heat here is incredible -- I mean, not that you've walked through a lot of burning buildings, but this seems hot even for that"

[nobilis] GM says, "you can start preserving whatever's left of it, yeah"

Gaston says, "<Oh, fuck -->"

Gaston asks, "Is it burning where the butler and the maid are?"

GM says (to Gaston), "it's burning everywhere"

GM says (to Gaston), "the carpet, whatever it was before, is now deep-plush flames"

Gaston says, "<Damn and blast.>"

[nobilis] Michel asks (of GM), "Could I empty oxygen from the basement?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Ooh, good idea."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "clever"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "This doesn't look like a normal fire, though."

[nobilis] GM says, "yes you can"

[nobilis] Michel says, "worth a shot"

Gaston looks at the fire in Mythic vision.

GM says, "Michel and Wilfred start concentrating on the cellar and the lab"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "unnh, lesser creation? major creation?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Man, we are so incompetent. I should have waited here."

GM says (to Gaston), "tiny fire-demons are running over the walls"

[nobilis] GM says, "lesser if you just want to do the cellar; you could do the whole house with a major"

GM says, "As you watch, one reaches out and tears a chunk out of the wall and swallows it"

[nobilis] Michel says, "enh, I suppose butler and co are severely dead now"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yeah."

[nobilis] Michel says, "just the basement, then"

[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "I'm hoping the fire hasn't reached Devereaux (yeah fat chance) but wouldn't emptying the place of oxygen kill him?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "and I'll preserve it, so that when Gaston opens the trapdoor the oxygen doesn't rush in and cause an explosion"

GM asks (of Gastom), "ok, so where are you going?"

GM says, "(er, -on)"

Gaston asks (of fire-demons), "Stop that! Don't you know this building is sacred to [whoever-the-hell-that-demon-we-found-is]?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Oops, things have moved on since I started vainly scrolling back looking for that name."

Gaston says, "If Michel is doing his thing, I'll dash for the cellar."

[nobilis] GM says, "(elathcor)"

[nobilis] GM says, "(catchy, innit?)"

GM says, "It's not clear the demons heard you or if they've just been chanting "Burn and blast, burn abd blast" all along"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Er, and who was the big bad Excrucian?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Ghin-aj, I believe"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Aha, Ghin- right."

Gaston exclaims (at fire-demons), "Stop, you're eating the wrong house! The silver one will be very angry!"

GM says, "It doesn't seem to be making much of an impression -- "To eat, to consume, and then to die -- then later we live again""

Gaston asks, "Is Michel's vacuuming doing anything?"

GM asks, "I don't know, are you in the basement yet?"

Gaston says, "I was kind of waiting for the extra-hot fire to die down a little."

Gaston says, "But I guess I'll just dash in there and hope for the best."

GM says, "Ah, I see"

[Crows-Nest] Kori pictures Michel prancing around with a Dust Devil and a frilly apron

GM says, "well, there's a rush of coolness as you open the trapdoor"

GM says, "but not, for instance, of air"

[Crows-Nest] (from Gaston) Ghin-aj sings, "# I want to -- break free-ee! #"

GM says, "the secret door is shut, but it's not much use at this point, since it's mostly burned out"

Gaston says, "I can hold my breath for a few hours easily, and Devereaux ought to be able to survive a few minutes at least."

Gaston kicks the secret door down.

GM exclaims, "iCrash!"

GM says, "The laboratory is like before, only mostly burned"

GM says, "Well"

GM says, "Sort of, anyway"

Gaston asks, "By the way, where was the fridge?"

GM says, "Still on the trapdoor"

Gaston says, "Just a melted puddle over the trapdoor, or -- okay."

Michel says (to Gaston), "<see any charred bones?>"

Gaston looks for charred bones.

GM says, "There seems to have been some impromptu experiment going on, or at least the things aren't the way they were Michel and Kori described"

GM says, "Some beakers moved, some tubes empty, some glass bottles smashed on the floor"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Could you find out who hired these fire sprites?>"

GM says, "There is a large, circular pile of grey ash on the floor"

GM says, "and a similarly-sized whole gouged in the wall"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<they don't seem very communicative>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I guess that's Devereux, then"

Gaston says, "<Whoa.>"

GM says, "and a filing cabinet with three open drawers which burns but is not consumed"

GM says, "(er, hole)"

Gaston asks, "Anything in the filing cabinet?"

GM says, "some papers, partly burned"

[Crows-Nest] Kori exclaims, "behold it is a holy filing cabinet!"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "if it starts talking to you, do not sacrifice your children to it!"

GM says, "the other two drawers are still empty"

Gaston says, "I'll grab some papers, and also scoop up some of the dust in a bottle."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "dude, I'm doing my best to prevent that"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "heh"

GM says, "the papers crumble slightly as you pull them out, but they're in large part still readable"

GM says, "and you grab the dust in an empty bottle, of which there are a number"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, not sure I can get the papers out of here in one piece.>"

Michel tries to sense if the middle drawer *is* actually empty

Gaston asks, "What's this hole in the wall? A tunnel?"

GM says (to Michel), "yes, except for some kind of wiring in the back"

Wilfred says, "<Franklin!>"

Penny says (to Gaston), "<franklin might be of help?>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<look for wiring>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "timing"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Merde, another bomb?>"

GM says (to Gaston), "it looks like it -- it runs underground for a distance but you see light at the end"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<middle drawer>"

Gaston drops the stuff, looks carefully for wiring.

Gaston says, "I also >LOOK BEHIND and >LOOK UNDER the cabinet."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "you have an invetory limit? this game sucks!"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "inventory, even."

GM says, "it appears to be a simple gadget to trigger when the drawer is opened; a wire runs from the back of the cabinet, up the wall (but carefully concealed) and upstairs someplace"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I just want my hands free so that I can cover my eyes when the scary monster leaps out at me."

Gaston says, "<Doh, just a tripwire.>"

GM says, "There is nothing beyond that in or around the cabinet"

GM says, "except, you know, flames"

Gaston says, "<This would be how Devereaux knew you'd been prying.>"

GM says, "which are doing their best to burn without oxygen and sort of hanging on"

Gaston says, "<Okay, I think I follow this tunnel.>"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<you do that. I am having difficulties staying close enough with all these firemen and not looking suspicious>"

Gaston picks up the papers and dust and does so.

GM says, "Your reflection-sense detects a faint creaking noise from the house foundation as you climb into the tunnel"

GM says, "(and I guess we will assume Franklin steps in to help out with the papers)"

Michel says, "<especially since I am covered in blood and concealing many weapons beneath my coat>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yay spider-sense."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "buried Gaston!"

Wilfred says, "<Don't forget the papers! The *papers*!>"

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<Oh, hey, can you foomf these papers to safety?>"

GM says, "the tunnel goes for a distance -- it looks like it's an actual escape route, as there is a certain amount of reinforcement for it that suggests planning"

GM says, "and then, eventually, it comes to a hole in a brick wall"

GM says, "or, rather, it's a brick wall on the other side"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "How the hell did I get into this?"

GM says, "There is a hammer and chisel on the ground here"

[nobilis] Penny says, "you walked"

GM says, "which were presumably used to remove the bricks"

[nobilis] Penny says, "after dropping all objects so you could fit through the hole"

Gaston says, "<Hmm, maybe devereaux escaped this way.>"

GM says, "and then, on the other side, a sewer, above which is an open manhole"

Gaston says, "<After burning something.>"

GM says, "which is letting in the light"

[nobilis] Penny says, "I hope you have a portable light source, is all"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "you know, I really hope I didn't drop a cigarette but while I was in there the first time"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Um."

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

[nobilis] Michel says, "at this point we could really use raul's tracking abilities"

Gaston asks (of hammer), "Hey, you! Did somebody use you to knock a hole in this wall recently?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Very much so."

[nobilis] Penny says, "I want Alexandra to trace where Devereux gets (or got) his money from, personally"

GM says, ""I have waited so long for this moment! At last I was allowed to smash through this wall!""

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Well all you have is ME IN A HOLE okay?"

Michel says (to Gaston), "<I am letting the oxygen back in. you may experience some slight warmth>"

[nobilis] GM says, "aw"

[nobilis] Penny says, "hey, Penny also has a semi-conscious harrison-ford-look-a-like"

Gaston says (to hammer), "That must have been fun! Who was the human who helped you? I can thank him for you."

Wilfred says (to Gaston), "<where are you now?>"

Gaston says, "<I'm in a secret escape tunnel, under the house.>"

GM says, ""Er, he was -- you know, one of you people. Who hit things with hammers.""

[nobilis] Penny says, "and I bet I know which one she's prioritising"

Gaston says, "<Just stopping to see if I can ascertain who used it, but I assume it was Devereaux.>"

GM says, ""Like this wall! Wham! Wham! We knocked it down!""

Michel says (to Gaston), "<are you clear?>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<From the fire? I believe so.>"

GM says, ""But then he left me here -- *now* how long before I can knock down things?""

Gaston grabs the hammer and chisel and climbs up the manhole.

GM says, "up and out"

GM says, "and you're on a quiet side street, several blocks away"

Michel allows the oxygen back in

GM says, "You can hear the sirens faintly in the distance"

Gaston steps back from the manhole, in case of evil nasty backdraft.

GM says, "and (with your reflection-sense) a whoosh and a crackle"

Michel moves away from the fire trying not to look incredibly suspicious

GM says, "and I think this would be a good stopping point"

Wilfred dons dark glasses.

Gaston says, "Whew."

Penny says, "woo"

Penny says, "fun session"

Michel says, "yay, good session"

Gaston says, "I don't want to know what this has done to my good shoes."

Michel says, "I got wine, evil guys got fire, we all got chemical weapons"

GM says (to Gaston), "well, they won't be as shiny"

Penny says, "penny got, um, smoochies"

Michel says (to Penny), "yeah, but he's just a mortal. I got *wine*"

Gaston says, "I got a butler and a maid burned to a crisp."

Gaston says, "Sigh."

Penny says, "I also had much wine"

Wilfred says, "yay"

Penny says, "clearly we are becoming Chancel Alcoholica"

Michel says (to Penny), "you had a bottle and three glasses. I have a respectable cellar."

Gaston says, "I don't know if I still have the papers or if Franklin got them, but either way they're safe."

Michel says, "Actually, half a bottle, since I assume Indiana had some too"

Penny says, "indeed"

Gaston says, "Except the most incriminating ones might be a sad little heap of ashes at this point."

GM says, "franklin preserved them, you brought them out"

Penny says, "and now it is bleah o'clock in the morning"

GM says, "anyway -- no game next week, so see everyone the week after"

Gaston says, "Feh, I am hopping around trying to cool my feet down and fretting about mucking up that little spot of espionage."