Michel says, "oh oh, wilfred not here either? I assumed he'd blended into the background again"
GM says, "Mis has said his attendance is going to be spotty, so I'm going to assume he's not showing"
Raul says, "the forms for his absence will be arriving later"
Lo materializes.
Michel says, "he can be having a romantic weekend with armande"
GM says, "hee hee"
GM says, "anyway, two weeks go by since we last left our heroes having recovered and delivered a manuscript"
Lo goes home.
GM says, "Michel is not in evidence much at the chancel, stopping in only briefly in between jaunts to various parts of the globe"
Lo materializes.
GM asks, "is anyone else doing anything particular?"
Gaston says, "I have been continuing my painting."
Penny says (to GM), "penny has been conspicious by her frequent absences also"
Gaston says, "Every picture is perfect. I am not pleased."
Raul says, "More language research, plus checking in on the restaurant."
Alexandra has returned to the chancel, with much muttering and grumping about Worldcom et al.
Lo says, "Well, I have something in mind, but I don't know what happened when Lo arrived to visit the chancel"
Penny says, "and is remarkably coy on where she's been"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Alex), "Heh."
[Crows-Nest] Alex exclaims (at Gaston), "Awwwk! You're a great crowd! I'll be here all night -- try the tarte au chocolat aux cork nuts!"
Kori has connected.
Michel ignores Kori.
Gaston says, "Speaking of coyness and mysterious absences, it is Kori."
Raul says, "She was writing more apology notes"
Kori seems blithely unaware of any lateness.
Franklin says, "I have been overseeing the seemingly miraculous improvement in fortunes of one of the paper mills I'm an investor in, and shopping for more golf pants."
Penny says, "(in actual fact, Penny has been traveling to linguistics departments of various universities all over the globe, for private research)"
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks (of Penny), "we know all about your type of private research. how many synonyms for 'throbbing' did you find?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "428"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and that's just in english"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "She discovered a race of middle-aged women who had as many words for 'husky' as the Eskimo do for snow"
Gaston says, "In an unguarded moment I let the foul romance novel agent see one of my new pictures. He has promised me a great deal if I will degrade myself to working for him again."
Gaston says, "Fortunately I have no more need to."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to raul), "that'd be the romance novel writers guild, then"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "also, I may have a new anchor"
[Crows-Nest] jwalrus says, "or the arctic explorers' guild"
[nobilis] Lo has joined the channel.
[Crows-Nest] Franklin waits for the promised excitement and action to commence.
[Crows-Nest] Lo has joined the channel.
[Crows-Nest] Raul asks, "Diana Gabaldon agreed, then?"
[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) GM says, "ok, so suddenly the chancel blows up"
GM says, "anyway, one day a note arrives at the chancel, requesting an audience with Penny. Penny, however, is out of the chancel at the moment."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yay."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "'that sort of huskiness pertaining to a proud Scottish man who is smitten either by love or an upper respiratory condition'"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Raul), "I admire her work, but no more, I promise"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Franklin), "Hee hee."
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra asks (of Franklin), "been practising defensive tricks with the cane?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "yay"
[interludes] GM has removed Franklin from the channel.
Gaston says (to Raul), "Perhaps you could track our writer friend down."
Penny blithely continues her research
[interludes] GM has added Penny to the channel.
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "He could've asked Lo for a few pointers in cane-fu"
[interludes] Penny says, "yipes"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "'arrives'? how?"
Raul says (to Gaston), "Certainly. Back in a bit."
[nobilis] Michel asks, "do we have mythic postmen?"
[interludes] GM says, "specifically, you are unconscious for the moment -- more details later"
[interludes] Penny says, "ooo"
[nobilis] GM says, "it is delivered by the ever-charming Edmund"
Raul says (to Penny), "<'ey, we've got a note for you. You find your way back, or you want me to come get you?>"
Penny remains mysteriously silent
[interludes] GM says, "(so you don't respond to thought-communication)"
[interludes] GM says, "(good, good)"
[interludes] Penny says, "right"
Franklin scolds a couple of rowdy books.
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "well, foof to Penny"
Gaston says (frowning), "No reply?"
Raul thinks, then goes wandering off.
Michel putters back into the chancel on his Norton, covered in red dust
Gaston says, "If it is important, perhaps we should open it."
Gaston says, "Then again, if it is not important -- much the same conclusion."
Michel says, "Mmm. Very bad to open a lady's correspondence."
GM says (to Michel), "and you step off the Norton and -- ouch."
GM says (to Michel), "if you weren't nobilis, this would be a very severe stitch in your side"
[nobilis] Raul says, "Let me know when I reach the mysterious Penny."
GM says (to Michel), "but since you are, it is presumably something else"
Michel says, "Mmm. I think I need a cigarette."
Gaston asks (of Michel), "You look pained. Something you ate?"
[nobilis] GM asks, "what are you doing to locate her?"
Lo stops by again after some absence, without much noticable change other than wearing a set of cool shades.
Gaston exclaims, "Everyone is being most mysterious today!"
[nobilis] Michel says, "hey, I'm not going to get off my Norton just because I'm inside"
GM says (to Michel), "ow, getting worse"
Gaston says, "I am pleased. It will be a distraction from my so-called art."
Franklin says, "If it's on paper, I could possibly suss out where it originated, skirting the ethical problem of actually reading someone else's letters."
[nobilis] Raul says, "I dunno. Pleading. Triangulating. Asking servants if they've seen her."
Michel says, "Hmm. I am in pain."
[nobilis] Raul says, "doing the Husky Rite"
[nobilis] Penny says, "heehee"
Franklin asks, "Hrm. Domain under attack?"
Lo says (to Franklin), "You could subscribe to an exotic branch of ethical system. Also, hello Franklin."
[nobilis] GM says, "nobody's seen her in a while -- but then, she's been out and about on mysterious errands recently"
Gaston asks, "Emptiness? Under attack?"
Franklin says, "Hello."
Kori says (to Gaston), "the world is unusually full today, is what."
Michel says, "Guh"
Alexandra wanders into the area where everyone seems to be gathering, in her recently usual cranky mood
Franklin says, "Empty places."
Kori says, "perhaps it overate."
Michel glares at Kori
Franklin asks, "Is there anything we can do to help him?"
Raul says (to everyone else), "<Anyone know where Penny might be?>"
Kori is speaking to Gaston and does not notice this.
Michel sits back astride his Norton
Kori says (to Raul), "No idea."
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Here's a question: do I have to know where a path will end to make a path there?"
GM says (to Michel), "it subsides, dropping to the level of a dull throbbing"
Alexandra asks (of Raul), "she's missing?"
Gaston says (to Raul), "I do not. I would not normally be concerned, but Michel is having trouble, and so..."
[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Penny says (to GM), "ITYM 'pulsating'"
[nobilis] GM says, "um, it depends on your conception of Paths, I think"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yay"
Alexandra asks (of Michael), "you are?"
Raul wanders out of the stacks. "We've got a note for her, but no one's seen her, and she's not answering telepathy-phone. --Michel, you're hurt?"
Franklin says, "I think I saw her sneaking around the upper northwest mezzanine yesterday afternoon."
[nobilis] Michel says, "Hmm. I'm guessing this is a Bond under attack"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "did we ever get that automatic map worked out?"
Gaston asks (of Raul), "Perhaps we could inquire of her contacts in the real world?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "oi, I don't sneak! oh wait, wait..."
[nobilis] Michel says, "that, or the Empty"
Gaston says, "She appears to be a person of some little fame."
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "(no)"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I've been operating on the assumption that it's a way to get from here to there, with "there" being rather nebulous"
[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "it seems likely it's an attack on your estate"
Michel says (to Raul), "a little better now. thank you"
Raul asks (of Gaston), "Do you know her editor?"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "How much awareness do I have of my estate? Could I get some idea of location?"
[nobilis] GM says, "it's possible it would be, for instance, a minor creation to make a known path and a major creation to make an unknown path"
[nobilis] Penny says, "guys"
Gaston says (to Raul), "No, but I can research."
Franklin asks, "Assuming it's an attack on Michel's estate, how or where would such an attack likely be carried out?"
Gaston does so.
[nobilis] Penny says, "I have not told you my nom de plume"
[nobilis] Michel says, "we researched it"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Heh."
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "Gaston doesn't know it?"
Alexandra asks, "an attack? Er?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Also, oops, I thought we had."
[nobilis] Penny says, "I especially have not told gaston"
Alexandra asks (of Michael), "how badly are you hurting?"
[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel), "it seems like -- southeastern united states .. probably ... florida?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm"
[nobilis] Penny says, "he launched into a fervent attack on all romance novel writers, and I decided to keep schtumm"
Michel says (to Alexandra), "not too badly. Could be a hell of a lot worse."
Gaston says (to Raul), "Merde. I can find no references."
Raul shrugs, takes Penny's note, and opens it.
Alexandra says, "I mean, give your usual wine consumption, I assumed whatever of your nerves deal with pain would be pickled"
[nobilis] Penny says, "(I have not even mentioned I am a romance novel writer to y'all)"
Gaston says, "Other than to a certain 17th century poetess who appeared to write mainly of flowers and farmyard animals."
Raul says, "If this is not urgent, I'll apologize later."
Gaston says, "I assume our own Penny writes under a psuedonym."
[nobilis] Raul asks, "We don't even know you're a writer?"
Michel says (to Alexandra), "that, and normally I ignore physical pain in favour of mental"
[nobilis] Penny says, "(I dropped vague hints about journalism for 'crochet weekly')"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "An NPC mentioned it at one point, at least."
[nobilis] Raul says, "Well, then: you have an editor."
[nobilis] Kori says, "that's what Gaston meant"
[nobilis] Kori says, "snoop around the headquarters of Crochet Weekly"
Lo asks, "Query: where was Penny last seen?"
[nobilis] Kori says, "pick up clues, the usual dropped stitch or whatever"
Michel looks around for coffee and aspirin
[nobilis] Gaston says, "We should take this back into character."
[nobilis] Penny says, "(I do not actually write in any form for that publication, but enh)"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Kori), "Heh."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "also, alexandra and I were shown one of your books in the store run by landlord guy, not that we knew or know the significance"
[nobilis] Kori says (to Penny), "that won't stop Gaston investigating for a few hours"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I'll have read the note in a moment and this'll all be moot"
[nobilis] Kori asks (of Penny), "and hey, wouldn't that be worthwhile?"
[nobilis] Penny says (to kori), "there will be women. right"
[nobilis] Raul says (to Kori), "'Madam, you have exquisite stitching.'"
[nobilis] Kori coughs
[interludes] Penny asks, "should I stop making life difficult for them?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "But I would prefer to see you, how do you say, without the stitch."
Kori asks (of Michel), "Would you care to lie down somewhere?"
Michel says (to Kori), "I am all right."
[interludes] Penny says, "it's kind of important IC, at least"
Gaston says (to Kori), "I don't think we need to bury him quite yet."
Franklin sits down and frowns.
[nobilis] Raul asks (of GM), "any note in the envelope I opened?"
Kori asks (of Michel), "I don't suppose your mantis form would be less painful?"
[nobilis] GM says, "soryr, missed that"
Gaston asks (of Kori), "For him, or us?"
[interludes] GM says, "I have no problem with you playing it whichever way you want -- it seems to me she hasn't told them but s'fine by me"
Gaston says, "The concept of a mantis with a stitch is oddly amusing."
[interludes] Penny says, "well, I'll leave it as stands"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "who is Edmund, again?"
Michel says (to Kori), "briefly, it might be. but then, one supposes, feet and rolled-up newspapers might get involved"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "But a mantis without a stitch -- ew."
Raul says (to Kori), "if this is an actual attack on him, his physical form probably wouldn't matter"
Kori shrugs, evidently abandoning the unaccustomed attempt at sympathy as being too much work.
[interludes] Penny says, "it should not be easy for them to trace my writer identity, is the thing"
jwalrus has disconnected.
jwalrus has connected.
Gaston asks (of Michel), "Did it feel like an attack? If so, can you pinpoint the location?"
Kori says (to Raul), "Good point.  But then, neither would an aspirin."
Lo rubs his forehead and adjusts his sunglasses.
GM says, "the note says "Drake, Competition's Regal, requests an audience with Penny Sutcliffe, Viscontessa of Language, on the morrow in Chancel Olympus, in order to discuss a project of mutual interest""
[interludes] Penny says, "but it has been done before, so"
[interludes] GM says, "mmhmm"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Drake is so the name of my next hero"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "would it be a minor divination to find the location of this?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Have we met Drake before? Doesn't ring a bell."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yay."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "regal? eep"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "What Domain is that?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Number, I mean."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Prince Drake... mmm"
[Crows-Nest] jwalrus says, "5"
Kori says, "Intriguing.  Perhaps a crocheting competition."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yikes."
[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "like I said, south-eastern US, probably florida -- if you get closer you can pinpoint more exactly"
Raul says (to Penny), "<Your note isn't all that urgent, it just involves a meeting tomorrow, but it looks like Michel's domain may be under attack. We may need your help.>"
[Crows-Nest] jwalrus asks, "also, drake is someone's brother, right?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "that's pretty stiff competition"
Penny remains silent
Michel says, "if it was a competition for being crochety, this chancel would win medals"
Franklin harumphs.
Raul puts the note back in its envelope and on a message table.
Gaston asks, "Should we split up and try to find Penny, or concentrate on Michel's attackers?"
[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "uh, sorry, must have missed that"
Kori says, "One assumes that it will also involve that charming person in charge of cloth"
Lo rubs his chin.
Franklin says, "I think the attack on Michel is extremely important."
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Can I tell if the mental messages are being received? Like, the difference between talking into an open phone line and a cut one?"
Franklin says, "Penny's absence is her own business, for the moment."
Gaston asks (of Kori), "Oh, that amusing fellow who took something of a shine to Wilfred?"
[nobilis] GM says, "(estate threats are a level-0 miracle)"
Kori says (to Gaston), "yes, exactly"
Alexandra says, "Um...I may need to pop off on another errand myself"
Gaston says, "I must say no-one appears to be taking any of this very seriously."
Michel says, "I am going to grab some weapons and head to Florida. If anyone wishes to join me, feel free."
Gaston says, "Perhaps I am looking to hard for a distraction."
Alexandra says, "Seems something is up with Karin, my anchor. Her studio has been trashed, and she says there's weird stuff scrawled on the walls"
Michel says (to Gaston), "you always manage to find one eventually."
Lo says (to Michel), "Ay, might as well."
Raul says, "Now I become more worried about the coincidences of it all."
[nobilis] Penny says, "'sorry, penny isn't able to receive your telepathic communication right now.  leave your brane id after the beep, and I'll get back to you'"
Alexandra says, "Might be best for me to check in and see if this is just a run of the mill problem with her being in a crap neighborhood, or something more"
Franklin says, "If I may say, this is a poor time for everyone to be splitting off on private business."
Gaston says, "Yes."
[nobilis] GM says (to Raul), "well, you can tell she's not dead, I think. but not whether she is ignoring you or unable to respond or what"
Lo says (to Michel), "Always bad business when an estate gets attacked."
Kori says (to Alexandra), "yikes."
[nobilis] Raul says, "Okay."
Gaston says, "I will go with Michel, I think."
Kori asks (of Alexandra), "need company?"
Raul says (to Michel), "I'm with you as well."
Raul says (to Alexandra), "If you need us, holler. We'll be there as soon as possible."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Mmm, boy/girl split."
Michel nods thanks to Lo, Raul and Gaston
Franklin says, "But perhaps the coincidences of bad timing are themselves noteworthy."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "FINE NONE OF YOU LOOK FOR ME"
[nobilis] Michel says (to Gaston), "aww"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "GLAD TO SEE YOU CARE"
Alexandra says (to Kori), "company would be great. Just in case"
Michel says (to Gaston), "maybe you should look for penny"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "hey, we think you're just busy"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I did care, but then realized you didn't care enough to tell us who you are and what you do"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "but you might Disapprove"
Michel says, "however- me, raul and lo are the muscle here"
[interludes] GM says, "(you'll be waking up in a few minutes)"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and I value your friendship, so"
[interludes] Penny says, "aha"
Gaston asks (of Michel), "You feel that crocheting may rival domain attacks for excitement?"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Penny), "I read *science fiction*, for goodness sake."
[interludes] Penny asks, "waking up where?"
Alexandra heads back into the library for a hop to Seattle
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "But we don't know that"
Lo says (to Franklin), "You'd probably have the best chance of finding her, no doubt she'd be near a romance novel somewhere, the paper should have some sort of distinctiveness."
Raul says (to Michel), "Actually, that's a good point."
Kori goes with Alexandra
Franklin creaks back up to his feet and paces around slowly.
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Actually, I made an off-hand remark about it"
Franklin says (to Lo), "Yes, I was just thinking that."
GM asks, "Alexandra and Kori are heading for Seattle -- is everyone else going florida-wards with Michel?"
Raul says (to Alexandra), "<Hang on -- Michel made a good point that you may need more, uh, physically-able help as well.>"
Alexandra messages back to the group <stay in touch and let me know if anything strange happens with Michael or the AWOL Penny>
Franklin says, "If she's rustling papers about, I might be able to figure out which papers and where."
Michel says, "if Alexandra's anchors are under threat, someone tougher than Kori should go"
[nobilis] Penny repeats that you do not know she is a romance novel writer
[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "what, I'm handicapped?"
[nobilis] Penny then drops the subject
Gaston says, "We are all Nobilis here."
Alexandra says (to Raul), "<We'll yell -- er, communicate -- if there's trouble>"
Kori says (to Michel), "I can hold my own."
Gaston says, "I do not think we need stoop to arm-wrestling contests in order to protect ourselves."
Kori . o O ( bastard )
Michel says (to Kori), "as you will"
Michel says (to Gaston), "just a thought"
Raul says, "Mmm, I'll go anyway."
Lo says, "Just someone let me know if there's a telepathic SOS, eh? I'm not exactly connected with you all."
Raul follows Kori and Alex.
[nobilis] Lo says, "I thought you were browsing romance novels in the library"
Gaston says, "The only concrete evidence of danger we have is to Michel."
[nobilis] Penny says, "only in sekrit"
Michel grabs a few compact guns and a sabre, and heads florida-wards
Gaston follows Michel, disdaining weapons.
[nobilis] Raul says, "Good thing we're all so skilled at decisive action."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I plan to go with the fellows to Florida, but before I go, I'd like to see if I can suss out anything about where penny is, paper-wise, if possible"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "(to GM)"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Raul), "ha ha."
Alexandra pops out into Seattle, in a library a few blocks from Karin's studio
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "if you're going to disdain weapons, WHY'D WE SPEND CHANCEL POINTS ON THEM?"
Raul says, following Alexandra, "Oh, good, it's raining."
[nobilis] buzzard says (to Raul), "Well, sunday group is skilled at impulsive action, I'm not sure that's necessarily better"
Lo says, "Ah, Florida. Good thing I still have the shades."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heh"
Alexandra notices Raul is along as well
Franklin says, "My doctor used to tell me I should move to Florida, so I may as well go take a look there."
Alexandra says (to Raul), "hey, thanks"
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "there is the faint sensation of darkness, dust, and depth. and -- strange things -- on a paper"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Michel), "I like to refine my disdaining skills whenever possible."
Kori says, "Some of us like rain."
[nobilis] Michel says (to buzzard), "we just like to argue for hours"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "ah. excellent"
Franklin closes his eyes and frumphfs a few times.
Raul says (to Alex), "Don't mean to crowd you. I'm just worried about everything that's going on."
[interludes] GM says, "the first thing you notice as you come back to consciousness is a droning noise"
[interludes] Penny says, "(should I say so in lounge?)"
Franklin says, "I'm getting a strange image about what's up with Penny -- a faint sensation of darkness, dust, and depth. And -- strange things -- on a paper."
[interludes] GM says, "this eventually resolves itself into a dull background chant, and before your eyes adjust to the darkness this is all you can sense"
[nobilis] Kori says, "also, this group is more mutually distrustful than #vodacce was, and that's going some"
Franklin says, "Not much help, I know. But I don't like the feel of it."
[interludes] GM says, "this hasn't happened quite yet -- it'll happen once everyone's split up"
[nobilis] Kori says, "or at least, more mutually quarrelsome"
Franklin says, "I don't think she's just being rude."
[interludes] Penny says, "right"
Michel says (to Franklin), "dust? I'm intrigued"
Gaston asks (of Franklin), "'Strange things'?"
Alexandra says, "Mmm. Well, chances are this is just local hoodlems looking for money or drugs. If Karin would stop mucking around with incomprehensibe art no one sane would want to buy, maybe she could afford a studio in a decent area"
Franklin says (to Gaston), "I wish I could be more specific."
[interludes] GM says, "but once they've done that you can start contacting people"
Gaston asks, "Where did Raul go?"
Franklin says, "I think she must have been researching some rather arcane texts."
Gaston says, "There are only three of us here. Annoying if we want to split up."
Lo thinks.
[interludes] GM says, "there is -- ah, pain, in your arm -- there's a needle in there, connected to a machine"
Lo asks (of Franklin), "Anything to do with that Question, perhaps?"
[interludes] Penny says, "wow"
Franklin says, "I am very sure we are being fractionalized on purpose."
Alexandra leads the group through the drizzle to Karin's studio
Michel says (to Gaston), "So we don't split up. And there's four of us, with Lo."
[interludes] GM asks, "and -- good lord, are those really torches on the wall?"
[interludes] Penny says, "I am in Star Trek!"
Franklin says (to Michel), "I agree. Let's be off."
Gaston says (to Michel), "Oh, let's trace whoever or whatever is being a nuisance to you, then."
GM says, "Karin is standing in the doorway looking distressed"
[interludes] Penny says, "no, wait, Star Trek/D&D crossover fanfic!"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Storme is cackling here."
[interludes] GM says, "the room seems empty, at least as far as you can make out in the dimness"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Fear."
Lo steps into wherever the nearest library is and casually looks around.
[interludes] GM says, "the chanting must be coming from somewhere, though"
Alexandra briefly hugs Karin, not wanting to be more demonstrative in front of the group.
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "bleah"
[interludes] Penny says, "(any doors?)"
Alexandra says (to Karin), "You OK? And let's see the damage"
GM says, ""Thank goodness you're here," she says. "Yeah, you'd better take a look at this -- it's pretty unbelievable""
[Crows-Nest] Kori vigorously resists the urge to tiptoe over behind GM's shoulder
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "give in, give in"
Alexandra says (to Karin), "BTW, this is Kori Barstow  and Raul Miera"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to Kori), "Similarly here."
Kori nods to Karin politely
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Kori), "Iain is not allowed to look over mine"
Raul shakes Karin's hand. "Pleased to meet you."
[interludes] GM says, "not that you can see. but what you do see, looking around, is a large circle, twenty feet across, scribed on the floor and surrounded by Mystick Runes"
Alexandra says, "Kori, Raul, my ... friend, Karin James."
[interludes] Penny says, "oh dear"
Alexandra steps into the mess
GM says, "Karin nods vaguely at the other two and ushers you all inside"
[interludes] Penny asks, "am I lying on an altar?"
GM says, "satanic cults are not that fashionable these days, so that couldn't have been what trashed the place, but other than that it seems pretty similar"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (sotto voce), "I think Karin is what my grandma used to call a 'special friend.'"
[interludes] GM says, "more like a hospital cot/bed"
[interludes] Penny says, "hmmmmm"
Alexandra says, "ick."
[interludes] Penny asks, "when can I contact folks?"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks (of Raul), "A stuffed animal?"
Raul says, "This is...unusual."
[interludes] GM says, "(and you're, in fact, strapped down, although the straps probably can't hold you for long)"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Hey, whatever you Frenchman like."
[Crows-Nest] Kori laughs
Alexandra asks (of Karin), "Pissed anyone off lately? Or befriend any more of those weird performance artists you so like to adopt?"
[Crows-Nest] Kori laughs more
GM says, "there are randomly scribed death's-heads and arbitrary "666"s"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "ah, alexandra is what my buddy Sarah calls a 'walks in the park' type"
Lo asks (of Michel), "So, where to?"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "belated hee hee"
GM says, "meanwhile, back at the other group"
[interludes] GM says, "(let me just usher these guys to florida)"
[interludes] Penny says, "mmhmm"
Michel concentrates, dipping briefly into deep meditation
GM asks, "where are the remaining chancelfolk going?"
Franklin says, "Wherever Michel needs to go."
GM says, "ok then"
Michel strolls out of a library somewhere random in Florida
Alexandra says, "Hmm."
GM says, "you take a winding path through the stacks, eventually ending up at the orlando historical library"
Alexandra surveys the rabble, figuring power of currency isn't a whole lot of help at times like these
[interludes] GM says, "(and you're awake now)"
Penny says, "<HOLY FUCK>"
Lo frowns. No philosophy texts here.
GM says (to Michel), "the throbbing is -- not exactly more intense, but definitely closer to the surface, now"
Franklin has actually been here some years ago -- <!>
Raul looks at the scribbles on the wall for --
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Ah, Penny, how nice to hear from you.>"
Penny says, "<Anyone?  Help!>"
Franklin says, "<Hello?>"
Raul puts his fingers to his temples.
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Where are you?>"
Kori says, "<where are you?>"
Alexandra asks (of Raul), "you have the best sight and smell and such of us ... notice anything here that would indicate anything more than a routine trashing?"
Raul says (to Penny), "<Where are you? What's going on?>"
Michel says, "<What's happened?>"
Lo glances. "Telepathic SOS, then?"
Penny says, "<I'm.. I'm not sure>"
Alexandra shuts up, stunned by Penny's vehement thoughts
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Well, what happened? What is your situation?>"
Penny says, "<I'm strapped to a bed>"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<My goodness.<"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "CALM DOWN GASTON"
Alexandra asks, "She's WHAT?"
[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Gaston dammit
Penny says, "<there is chanting in the background>"
Alexandra realises she's spoken aloud, sighs, tunes back in
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "WAY too easy"
Lo glances
Raul says (to Penny), "<what can you tell us about what happened before you, ah, got tied up?>"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Can we triangulate on her or anything like that?"
Penny says, "<torches on the walls, some sort of circle on the floor>"
Lo says, "I sense...discomfort from the lot of you."
Michel says (to Lo), "It's Penny."
Penny says, "<A DAMNED NEEDLE in my arm>"
[nobilis] GM says, "I don't think the telepathy works like that"
Gaston says (to Lo), "We have heard from Penny. She appears to be in some trouble."
Franklin shudders.
Lo nods.
GM says (to Michel), "ow, the pain sharpens again for a bit -- like being kicked in the ribs"
Lo thinks quickly
Michel swears loudly in the middle of the library
[nobilis] Lo says, "Major divination can triangulate if she's near something in someone's domain"
Gaston says, "Merde."
[nobilis] Kori asks, "like, say, pointy objects?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "How many points is that?"
Penny says, "<I'm gonna see if I can get out of these straps>"
Alexandra says (to Karin), "Peach ... I think we have a problem. Hate to say it, but I think we're gonna need to cut out here. Go somewhere else for tonight, maybe tomorrow as well. I'll help you deal with the mess later. Just try to stay low till I can get back."
Lo says, "Tell her to describe something near her that's in someone's domain that we can contact."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "'peach'?"
Raul says (to Alex), "<Should she maybe hide in the domain for now?>"
[nobilis] GM says, "I think it'd be a 5-point major divination to get a look-round, but that's not going to give you a geographical location"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "any way I can create-an-edge through penny's bonds from here?"
GM says, "Karin says "You've got to be kidding me!""
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Can you understand the chanting?>"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "Alex is a bit distressed at the moment. *Normally* she would not blurt anything so undignified."
[Crows-Nest] (from Michel) Gaston remembers to use that word next time he's hitting on lesbians
GM says, ""Look at this place! I can't stay here!""
[interludes] Penny asks, "what does the chanting say?"
[interludes] Penny asks, "and can I break the straps at aspect 1?"
Michel says, "<Penny? Are you still there?>"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<What is the last thing you remember? We need some information to work on.>"
Alexandra says (to to), "Raul&Kori <arrugh ... anyone object to my taking her to the chancel? That may be the best place to park her, without her getting hysterical>"
Penny says, "<it's dark, and the chanting is.. hard to make out"
[interludes] GM asks, "it's not -- well, it doesn't appear to be a language at all. more of a, I dunno, collection of sounds?"
[interludes] GM says, "(and yes, you can snap the straps)"
Penny says, "<doesn't sound like a language>"
Gaston says (to all), "<Perhaps the note is significant?>"
Franklin says, "Penny's in physical danger, and Michel's in some other form of acute distress. I'm not sure which we're better equipped to help at the moment."
[interludes] GM says, "meanwhile, there seem to be the faint sounds of footsteps approaching behind the chant"
Penny says, "<straps are snapped, I'm standing up... wait, footsteps!>"
Michel divines to try and get a closer bead on the source of the pain
Penny says, "<I am gonna pretend I am still bound>"
Kori says (to Alexandra), ""<I don't know if that's a good idea... we could park her in my apartment with my roommate, if it'd help>""
Lo says, "Well, we may have to split up after all, sounds like."
Raul says (to Alex and Kori), "Whatever we do, let's do this *fast* and go after Penny."
[nobilis] Raul says, "Er, that's <thought> to them"
Kori says (to Alexandra), "<it's not far, but if we're all under attack... I dunno>"
Michel says, "<By the way, the chancel's empty. If we're all under attack now...>"
Alexandra says (to Karin), "OK, we have an apartment for you to stay at. It'll be fine. If you need me, just yell, and I'll come quickly, promise."
GM says (to Michel), "swamplands, you think. luckily, there's a map in the chancel and that seems to help puzzle it out"
Alexandra hustles her out the door as quickly as she can
Kori leads the little group hastily towards a slightly more pleasant area near the university.
Raul says (to Michel), "<Kori, Alex and I are going to try to hunt down Penny. Do you have any leads?>"
Gaston says, "I am empty of ideas."
[interludes] Penny asks, "still footsteps?"
Gaston says, "Which bodes well for Michel's domain, but not for Penny."
[interludes] GM says, "(yeah, sorry, 1 sec)"
[interludes] Penny says, "sure"
Michel says (to Raul), "<Swampland, so far. But still not very specific.>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<We need help finding you. Is there anything you can tell us?>"
Michel says (to Penny), "<I don't suppose you've ever practised meditation, by any chance?>"
Penny says (to Raul), "<no idea where I am.  dark, dingy, torchlit place>"
Kori opens her apartment door and ushers Karin inside.  "It looks like Sylvia isn't home right now -- I'll leave her a note."
Penny says, "<footsteps getting louder>"
Kori says, "The cat is named Sushi."
Raul says (to Penny), "<Where were you before you woke up on this bed?>"
Franklin says, "Swampland, empty places..."
Kori looks faintly distracted but hastily writes the note out and finishes settling things.
Michel says, "We need to get some transport."
Penny says (to Raul), "<I don't remember exactly... somewhere in europe>"
Raul says, "Lovely. We've narrowed it down to a continent."
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "Penny has pretty obviously been snatched ... Can Alex use a divination to know whether any money has changed hands in the arranging of this? IE, if anyone has been paid to snatch her, and if so, who"
Gaston says (to Michel), "I am thinking swamps do not have book-boats."
Michel says, "A plane, for preference."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mmm, specificity"
Gaston says, "Good thinking."
Lo asks, "Did Alexandra lend you any, ah, spending money?"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hey, my patents' dog is named Sushi :)"
Michel asks (of Gaston), "is a normal vehicle too much to contemplate?"
Gaston asks (of Michel), "Wilfred is not here. Do you have any objections to stealing a small plane?"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "well, see, the joke is that originally one of my bonds was going to be to sushi, as a food, but that seemed too silly"
Michel says (to Michel), "none at all"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee hee"
Gaston says, "In a subtle and elegant fashion, of course."
Franklin says, "There are boats that can go to certain places. We would probably need Raul to guide us through. But even then, the swamp might be too shallow to boat where we need to go."
GM says (to Michel), "near the edge of the everglades, I guess -- it doesn't -- it feels like it's an empty place itself, which I suppose it makes sense"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "anyone bringing a flame near a nice cut of tuna could leech your MPs"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "heeheehee"
Gaston asks, "Where would we find a plane, or boat?"
Lo says, "I think a helicopter would be a better idea."
Michel says (to Gaston), "naturally. but this place isn't too fond of aeroplane crime at the moment, I gather"
GM says (to Kori/Alexandra/Raul), "meanwhile, you usher Karin back into Kori's place"
Gaston says (to Franklin), "You could create some suitable paperwork allowing us to take it for a spin."
Lo says, "We may have the vague possibility of, say, landing."
Michel says (to Franklin), "it's my chancel. I can guide you."
Michel says, "er, Domain."
Franklin says, "Or I could put it on my credit card."
GM says (to Alexandra), "there appears to have been no money changing hands in this, at least not -- hrm"
Michel says (to Franklin), "bourgeouis, but useful."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "grr, spelling"
[Crows-Nest] (from buzzard) GM says, "it was all in pennies"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "sigh.  I am being purchased.  how demeaning"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "a frenchman misspelling his own tongue? tuttut"
GM says (to Alexandra), "distantly at the beginning of this there was a transaction, but not in money as such"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee hee"
Michel goes looking for an airstrip
Lo says, "Ah! I know. There is a college of air studies near here."
[interludes] GM says, "meanwhile, the footsteps advance, and finally a man comes into the light. or at least he has a man's voice. despite it being summer, he has a classic cultist's hooded robe pulled down over his face, and he stays carefully outside the circle. "Awake yet?""
Lo says, "Surely they have a library."
Alexandra says, "Hmm. Whoever has ... kidnapped Penny isn't doing it for money. But there was some sort of transaction involved, at the beginning of the chain."
Gaston says, "Excellent."
Michel says, "if only we had wilfred. He could have got us all pilot's licenses"
[nobilis] Lo says, "(there is, in Florida, a pretty big one)"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "it seems like an hour and a half would pass getting this crew to an airstrip of some kind"
[interludes] Penny says, "and I nod assent"
Gaston says, "I am not a licensed pilot, I am a learner."
Gaston says, "One of you can be a convincing teacher."
[interludes] GM says, ""A pity -- but I suppose the drug would have to run out eventually.""
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "Can Alex burn an MP for more details on the transaction? I'm figuring that'd be a major divination"
Penny says, "<hmm, I assume this charming fellow is my captor.  shame I can't see his face>"
Raul says (to Penny), "<Listen: it's possible for people who are lost and must be lead back to somewhere to summon me. Would it be possible for you to do that?>"
Kori finishes showing Karin where the bathroom and the spare sheets are, and gives her a clean towel with a very large print of one of the Danjuros (from a woodcut, ca. 1770, as she starts to explain before she recalls there is no time for this nonsense)
[interludes] Penny asks, "why have you captured me?"
Michel says (to Gaston), "I'd imagine we'd need documents first."
Gaston says (to all), "<Oh, I am an idiot!>"
Gaston says (to all), "<I have just remembered that there is a ceremony to summon Penny.>"
Kori says (to Gaston), ""<!!!!>""
Franklin says, "<Oh?>"
Michel says, "<How does it work?>"
Alexandra says (to Karin), "Penny is another in our chancel. She seems to have , er, gone missing. Hopefully not anything related to what;s happened to your studio. Anyway, don't do anything odd like paint Sushi, and tell me immediately if anything that might be odd happens"
[interludes] Penny says, "CLEVER gaston"
[nobilis] GM says, "sure. it appears it was .. a book. and, in fact, from someplace reasonably nearby. the transaction was -- er, no, it was that a normal transaction did not take place"
Gaston says, "<It involves... a chant of some kind. Hm. I cannot remember the details.>"
[interludes] GM says, "He might have grinned, underneath his robe. "The sacrifice is to take place tonight""
Michel says, "<speed might be a good idea on this one. kori, alex, raul- research it, and fast>"
Raul says (to Michel), "<Right. We're going back to the domain.>"
Gaston says, "<Yes, Vona must have notes on it.>"
[interludes] GM says, ""There is a certain .. rite that can only be performed under the full moon.""
Penny says, "<SACRIFICE?!?!>"
[interludes] Penny asks, "what rite? what sacrifice?"
Raul says, "Okay, time to run. Meet me back at the domain."
Gaston says, "<May I suggest the use of haste?>"
[interludes] GM says, ""Oh, you'll find out.""
Kori returns to the chancel.
[nobilis] Lo asks, "Michel's group is trudging, I presume?"
[interludes] GM says, "He turns and walks out again, and you are left only with the chanting"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I am not at all sure"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I'm running flat-out to the nearest domain entrance I can find, courtesy of wayfinder/worldwalker"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "we were in the orlando historical library, and then things got muddled"
Penny says, "<OH GOD I'M GONNA DIE>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "we can get a cab, I think"
Gaston says, "As for us, let us hire a car to get to this airstrip."
Alexandra does likewise, messaging the group the details of what she knows of this 'transaction'
[interludes] Penny says, "and I think I conveniently faint briefly"
Michel slaps his hand repeatedly against his head.
Michel exclaims, "Think!"
[Crows-Nest] Alison asks, "So should Oggb start working on her new character now, or wait until later to bring it in next session?"
Franklin says (to Alexandra), "<Hmmmm.>"
GM says, "The seattle folks head for the chancel. The florida folks head for the airstrip"
[nobilis] Lo asks, "ok, so a cab to the nearest aeronautical school?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "and then I'm tearing through books for research."
[nobilis] Raul says, "aspect 3, don't fail me now"
[nobilis] Franklin asks (of GM), "hm, if it was a transaction involving a book or paper or something, can I also try to divine something about it?"
GM says, "at roughly the same time, the Seattle folks finish locating the ceremony to summon Penny and the Florida folks touch down outside the small town of Pomelo City, Florida"
Lo asks, "Were we going plane, or helicopter?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "yes -- it'll be a level-5 major divination, so cost you a miracle point"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "would it be possible to maintain - no, miracles have to be within reasonable reach, right?"
[nobilis] Alexandra asks, "protection, protection .... any chance Michel can domain up some impassible empty space around Penny, to cut her off a bit from the bad guys?"
Gaston says, "Helicopter, assuming somebody is confident enough to fly it."
[nobilis] Franklin says (to GM), "I go for it"
[nobilis] Raul asks (of GM), "What's involved in the summonination?"
Gaston says, "Here is a plan:"
[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "ah. a library. a library in seattle. the university of washington library, in fact"
Lo glances.
Michel says, "I'll fly."
Gaston says, "We look for somebody who looks like a helicopter pilot. I paralyse him and assume his appearance. Michel empties his memory."
Gaston says, "We fly."
[nobilis] Penny asks, "I assume I damn well get an MP for this?"
Alexandra asks, "So, if the chant is broken, Penny can get loose?"
[nobilis] GM says (to Raul), "there's a circle that must be inscribed, runes that must be drawn, and a wordless chant that must be performed"
[nobilis] GM says, "(2, in fact, since you can't leave the circle)"
Lo frowns.
[nobilis] Michel says (to Alex), "that's what I was thinking, but I think they're ranged"
[nobilis] Alex says (to Michel), "Okay, that's what Michel was thinking, but I think they're ranged."
[nobilis] Penny says, "woo, not that it helps"
Lo says (to Gaston), "Doesn't need to be that complicated..."
[nobilis] Michel says (to Alex), "no not you"
[nobilis] Alex exclaims (at Michel), "Awwwk! No parse found!"
[nobilis] Michel says, "the other alex. with money instead of corknuts"
Lo says, "Allow me to demonstrate."
[nobilis] Alex awwwks. "Want cork nut!"
Gaston says (to Lo), "I was attempting both haste and lack of disturbance."
GM says, "as mentioned, you touch down outside the small town of Pomelo City"
Gaston says, "Be my guest."
Lo turns invisible, and heads for the airstrip.
GM says, "which, at first glance, Michel should have nothing to gripe about at"
Gaston says, "Clever."
GM says, "since this is more like an old-time ghost town than anything you've seen in a wild-west show"
Raul explains the ritual to Kori and Alexandra. "And I think we'd better do it fast."
Michel looks distinctly cheerful
GM says, "if this were the southwest, you'd expect tumbleweeds to blow down the middle the street"
Kori says, "it seems like someone already has done it"
Kori asks, "will a counter-ritual work?"
GM says, "as it is, you get swamp crabs"
Kori says, "worth a try, I guess."
[nobilis] Penny says, "I am already summoned.  resummoning... hmm, split personalities, evil twins, the possibilities are endless"
Raul says, "Hm."
[nobilis] Kori asks, "hmm. and would it be possible for me to, er, move the borders of her circle?"
Raul says, "If we didn't need all three of us I'd say three do the summoning and one research breaking such a summoning."
[nobilis] Raul says, "We'll get you back, but the evil you with a goatee."
[nobilis] Lo asks, "ok, I'm confused, you're presuming we got a helicopter ok and made it to the swampland?"
[nobilis] Penny says (to Raul), "I shall be borrowing your razors"
Alexandra says, "Mmm. I'm dubious about double-summoning...but I can't think of any better ideas"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<it's your handicap ... any reason we shouldn't try this?>"
Raul keeps reading through the stuff on summoning Penny for how such a summoning can be revoked.
GM says, "Kori and Raul and Alexandra draw the circle and scribe the runes and chant the chant. And there's the vague sense of pulling -- Penny feels herself being yanked sideways -- but then there is a crack and the runes Raul's drawn fade"
Penny says, "<ow, thatnks>"
Alexandra says, "Damn damn damn"
Raul says, "Well, fuck."
Raul keeps reading.
Penny says, "<now I have needle tracks too>"
Kori says, "either you can't re-summon, or they're putting more power in."
Gaston says (to Raul), "<Need help?>"
Michel says, "<What?>"
GM says, "there's not a way to break the summoning as such, but if the chant fades she'll be resummonable again"
[nobilis] GM says (to Lo), "yes"
Raul says (to the others), "<We tried to counter-summon Penny, but it didn't work.>"
Alexandra says, "OK, so we need to break this chant."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Can I make the wordless chant echo furiously until their ears bleed?"
[nobilis] Kori says, "sounds rather tough on Penny"
Michel feels around mentally for the trouble
Raul says (to others), "<If we can make the people chanting the wordless chant in her summoning stop, Penny will be free.>"
Penny says, "<I can't affect the chant directly>"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "can Michel send a Silence? or is that the wrong kind of empty?"
[nobilis] GM says, "I think, in general, folks can't really do anything to a place/thing unless they're in the same general area/know something about it"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "can I fill their mouths with paper?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "nerts"
Lo asks (of Michel), "Do you have a more specific bead on?"
GM says, "it seems like -- hrm"
Gaston says, "<Sounds like we really need to track her down.>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "I could empty it of air, but that might kill penny"
Lo asks, "Also, what's happening with Penny?"
GM says, "it's clearly in this vicinity, but this close it's hard to say"
Gaston says, "<Did the Divinations help at all?>"
GM says, "but, luckily, here comes a friendly native to talk to you"
[nobilis] Kori says, "details"
Penny says, "<sheesh, I feel like a caged animal>"
[nobilis] Alexandra asks, "Can one of the high aspecters burn some serious AMPs to, like find Penny by smell?"
Lo smiles and tips his sunglasses
[nobilis] Penny says, "immutable, durant.  I'd be okay for a while."
[nobilis] Kori says, "dude, presumably she showers"
[nobilis] Michel says, "too far, I guess"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "because if we can find her, I imagine Raul can get  there quickly"
[nobilis] Penny says, "also that"
GM says, "(his name happens to be Chester)"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "or can I burn a bunch of domain to make a path to her in a major creation?"
[nobilis] Lo says (to Alexandra), "well, that's like aspect 9"
GM says, "Chester says "What! Strangers in Pomelo City?""
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of GM), "does he work for lucasarts?  does he answer the phones?"
Gaston says (to Chester), "But of course! And a marvellous place it is."
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "is he fed up of being asked how babies are made?"
GM says, ""How'd you folks get in? That sinkhole's had the main road out of commission for weeks""
Lo radiates Calm. "Hello, good sir."
Michel asks (of Chester), "Main road?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "(feh, monkey island joke sinks without trace)"
Franklin says (to Gaston), "<There was some sort of transaction that took place at the library of the University of Washington in Seattle. I have no idea what the transaction was, or exactly what it had to do with all of this.>"
Michel gestures vaguely at the helicopter
Alexandra says, "Ok, here's an idea. Let's get to Europe. That'll at least put us closer to being local to wherever she is"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Sorry, busy being worried about you"
Lo asks, "We're with the Government Transportation Board, we were here in fact about that very sinkhole. Could you show us where it is exactly?"
[nobilis] GM says, "I think if you do a major creation you can do a path to her, yeah. or you guys can follow up on Franklin's point, or something else"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I missed Franklin's point."
GM says, "Chester's voice falls. "Ah. Not tourists then.""
[nobilis] Raul says, "I missed Franklin's point."
Michel says, "Is someone building a road here? Jesus, I'd have thought it'd have been more... hell, if..."
Franklin says (to Penny), "<You weren't poking around the university library were you?>"
[nobilis] Raul says, "Or, rather, haven't been told it IC"
Penny says, "<when?  not for some time?>"
Gaston says (to Chester), "Oh, I am a tourist."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, I was figuring <> stuff broadcast to everybody"
Tyoka has disconnected.
GM says, ""But, still, I'm glad someone at the capitol is finally taking an interest in this -- I've been complaining for weeks""
Gaston says, "I am on a holiday organised by the Transportation Board of America! It is very interesting."
[interludes] Penny says, "afk, assume radio silence"
Chester exclaims, "that's good to hear! Then let me to be the first to welcome you to Pomelo City, land of opportunity!"
Michel asks (of Chester), "We've been given very poor details by our superiors, I'm afraid. Could you fill us in?"
(From Chester) Storefront creaks.
[nobilis] Raul says, "Why don't you go ahead and suggest it directly to us"
[nobilis] Penny says, "afk, assume I've fainted or something"
Alexandra says, "or we can hit the UW library - *quickly* -- and see if we detect anything there"
Gaston exclaims (at Chester), "Oh, do not let me stop these gentlemen dealing with another transport crisis!"
jwalrus has disconnected.
jwalrus doesn't mix business with custard.
[nobilis] Chester says, "yay, masked transportation avengers"
Chester says, "well, let me see"
Raul says, "Let's try that."
Lo says, "Also, if you've got some sort of place the tourists go, our friends Franklin and Gaston here can go off and start having a good time while Michel and I look at your sinkhole problem."
Chester says, "I think it all started a couple weeks back with the sinkholes"
Franklin says (to Alexandra), "<I would undertake an extraordinary level of precaution before going there.>"
Alexandra pops out at UW. Yay chancel transport
Raul says (to Penny), "<We're checking the UW library. If things get urgent, scream or something.>"
Chester says, "we always get a couple of them out here -- swampland, you know -- but these were more serious"
Raul follows Alexandra, after grabbing a few discrete weapons.
Alexandra says (to Franklin), "<now you tell us. Why? D you know anything further?>"
Chester says, "one took out the main road in, and since then the only supplies have been on the backroads"
[nobilis] Franklin says (to Raul), "I was going to repeat the thing about the library (to everybody), but people are already assuming they heard it"
Chester says, "then there were the medflies"
Michel asks, "Could you show us to this sinkhole, please? Medflies?"
Lo nods concernedly.
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "I too am going with the <> goes to everyone theory"
Chester says, "don't get 'em much in Florida recently, but they took out most of the citrus groves round these parts"
Chester sighs. "We had to chop them down."
Franklin says (to Alexandra), "<I was just following up after you made your report about it, since it seemed to involve paper or a book. All I got was a strong sense of where it took place.>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "I figure we're all nobilisy enough to track multiple conversations at once"
Michel tries hard not to smile
[nobilis] Raul says, "Yeah, that works for me"
Chester says, "and if that weren't bad enough, there's been accidents"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "my character is, but I'm not. I am totally confused"
Chester says, "folks getting into car crashes -- the main tavern caught on fire a while back"
Alexandra asks (of Raul), "OK, Aspecty one ... see/smell/sense anything odd here?"
Chester sighs and shakes his head.
Chester says, "but you're just interested in the sinkholes, I expect"
Chester says, "let me lead you to 'em"
Alexandra tries shifting to mythic vision to see if anything stands out
Raul starts sniffing around, so to speak.
Gaston asks, "Are they scenic and picturesque?"
GM says, "meanwhile, back at the library"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "am I the only one wondering why there's a chant to summon Penny? is there a chant to summon any nobilis, or what?"
Michel says (to Chester), "Obviously we have not a moment to lose. Show me everything. Sometimes there are... side effects."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "she took it as a character fault"
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Alex), "Ooh, good thought."
[nobilis] Alex exclaims (at Gaston), "Awwwk! No parse found!"
Michel says, "Swamp gas, and so forth."
Gaston is looking at this no-horse town with mythic vision, too.
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "apologies to all for my not thinking of the Alex/Alex conflict when picking a character name"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "We can call you xandra."
GM says, "well -- nothing up on the top floors stands out. But this place does appear to have a rare books room in the basement that -- hrm, seems to have something"
[nobilis] Michel says, "we could do what we do with my brother and start at the X- yeah"
Lo says (to Gaston), ""(whispered) If something catches your eye, feel free to go off and be touristy, Michel and I have Chester covered.""
Chester exclaims, "it's the biggest sinkhole this side of Disney World!"
Chester says, "uh -- although I guess that's not necessarily a good thing"
Alexandra surrepticiously bolts down the stairs
Raul exclaims (at Alex), "There's something about the rare books section -- hey, wait up!"
Gaston whispers (to Lo), "Yes, but I am not sure what to look for."
Michel examines the sinkhole
[nobilis] Penny says, "back"
Gaston exclaims, "I have never seen such a sinkhole!"
Gaston says, "Truly everything is bigger in America."
Chester says, "sorry, I'm not real used to strangers. me and Martin Welf are pretty much the only folks left in town. well, after Bayne's accident yesterday"
Lo says (to Gaston), "(whisper) Extropan influences. Things that look awry."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "dear lord. gaston the sinkhole enthusiast. how many innuendoes can you work into that"
[interludes] Penny asks, "any updates on me being bound?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "164"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Ha ha ha ha."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee hee"
Chester says, "Clenwick doesn't come out much, and the swamp folks kinda keep to themselves"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "in english alone!"
[Crows-Nest] Raul laughs.
Gaston asks, "Swamp folks?"
Lo asks, "What was the accident?"
[interludes] GM says, "you're welcome to try and get out"
Alexandra inquires of the mythic books if they've noticed anythink unusual lately, particulary any transactions or exchanges out of the ordinary
Gaston, taking Lo's hint, has a bit of a look around with mythic eyes.
Raul keeps snooping around down there while Alex questions the locals.
[interludes] Penny asks, "what do the mystic runes say, or do I make that up myself?"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "so, it's just a sinkhole, huh?"
[nobilis] Lo asks, "Is Franklin staying back where we landed?"
GM says (to Alexandra), "the books in the rare books room (where, incidentally, a stern librarian insists that you ask them to bring you any books you want from the back shelves and they cannot be checked out) are -- hrm, weird"
GM says (to Alexandra), "they glow faintly in the Sight and in mythic vision some seem like animals or demons twisted into rectangular forms"
GM says, "these are sitting next to perfectly ordinary books, but still, it must be weird to work here"
[nobilis] GM says, "it's a BIG sinkhole"
Chester coughs. "Well, not exactly an accident."
Raul mutters (to one of the books), "What's the story with you, eh?"
[nobilis] buzzard says (to Alexandra), "#belated Maybe if people called you Alexa instead of Alex"
Michel asks (of Chester), "what happened?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Or Lex."
[nobilis] Lo says, "I keep thinking of the parrot when they say Alex"
Chester says, "see, yesterday evenin' Bayne was outside his store"
Chester says, "he runs -- ran -- the local department store"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "heh. or something. not a problem in game, just on channel"
Chester says, "some of them swamp folk -- you know, they live out in the swamp and keep to themselves. not real educated, a bit strange, but good folk most of the time -- they were coming into town to talk to him"
[interludes] Penny says, "also, I am attempting to scuff the runes by throwing dust on them"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "I'm so used to thinking of Alex as a parrot, it literally didn't occur to me the names were the same till the first on-channel parrot conflict happened"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "suddenly scenes from Preacher are running through my head"
Chester says, "there'd been some trouble between him and them since a while back; one of the swamp folk got killed in a hit-and-run and they said it was him"
Alexandra quietly messages Kori a suggesting she switch to mythic vision, as Raul seems to have, to check out these wacky books
GM says, "the book looks at Raul with one eye and says "Bones .. Blood .. Bones""
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "suggestion, even. my fast typing be crap"
GM says, "another takes up the chant, and soon the whole shelf is murmuring at him"
Alexandra hears that and shivers
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "brrrr"
Raul says, "Yow."
[interludes] GM says, "you flex your aspect-1 and the bed's straps snap"
[interludes] GM says, "then you take the needle out of your arm, I assume"
[interludes] GM says, "and then you toss some dust"
[interludes] Penny says, "mmhmm"
Raul asks one of the normal books, "Did you see a woman named Penny, looked like [description], come down here a bit ago?"
[interludes] GM asks, "is that enough to break the summoning? or are you stuck until the chant stops?"
Kori looks in the same way
[interludes] Penny says, "I'm stuck, I think"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "estate of Creepy"
[nobilis] Michel says, "only on the MUD could a term like 'on-channel parrot conflict' occur"
[interludes] GM says, "then I guess the runes scuff out but this doesn't affect what's keeping you here"
Lo asks (of Michel), "(whispered) Feel like we are getting closer?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "What does the sinkhole look like in mythic terms, by the way?"
[interludes] GM says, "the dust glitters vaguely in the torchlight"
[interludes] Penny says, "sigh"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "except in descriptions of the annual dover-to-calais bird race"
[interludes] Penny asks, "no visible doors or anything?"
[nobilis] GM says, "like a big coiled serpent with its tail tucked under its head, waiting for you to fall down"
Michel says (to Lo), "(whispered) I'm still guessing."
[nobilis] buzzard says (to Franklin), "heehee"
Penny says, "<man, I am so totally screwed>"
[interludes] GM says, "you're getting adjusted better now to the darkness. it looks like there's one door, opening outwards, with a stool sitting by the door and something dark on the stool. nothing else in the room that you can see"
Penny says, "<but I can see a door and a stool>"
GM says, "the other books look nervous, possibly from having to be around the weird books all the time. "No seen her .. no seen her ... no seen man .. no seen her.""
Gaston looks down into the sinkhole, and shouts in such a manner that it looks to Chester like he's just joking around, but actually speaking to the snake: "Hello down there! Any snakes down there?"
[interludes] Penny asks, "can I make out what the thing on the stool is?"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<we're trying to figure out what's going on. can you tell us anything more about the people holding you? anything at all?>"
Kori asks (of books), "man? what man?"
Lo asks (of Michel), "(whispered) Is it possible this pain is not, that, say, empty spaces are being filled at too rapid a rate, but rather, the concept of an empty space is being defiled? That it is being used for base purposes?"
Raul says, "No seen *man*? Tell me about the man you didn't see."
Gaston's echo says, "Hello - lo - lo - lo - lo - lo"
[interludes] GM says, "something small .. black .. rectangular .. hey, the chant's coming from there"
Penny says, "<hmmm, waitasec>"
GM says, "in the mythic world, the snake blinks up at Gaston. "Hello there, man. Want to come down and join me in a bite?""
[interludes] Penny says, "aHA"
Michel says (to Lo), "(whispered) My chancel covers wilderness peoples as well as wilderness... as far as I can see the wilderness is encroaching on this place, which would seem to be good; but it could be the swamp people are under threat... I'm not sure. And the Empty doesn't rely much on reputation"
[Crows-Nest] Raul asks (of Serpent), "Depends. Are you female?"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra laughs
Gaston asks (of Snake), "Are you hungry? Have you not eaten recently?"
Penny says, "<I think I know where the chant is coming from>"
Penny says, "<gimme a sec>"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and not a sex, as I typed first of all"
[Crows-Nest] Michel holds gaston back
GM says, "meanwhile, Chester seems to be getting a bit impatient with the sinkhole. "But yeah, I should take you all back to town. Clenwick says he's going to fill this in any time now -- he's been real good about donating money to try and fence off or fill in these sinkholes since the government hasn't been responding -- uh, until you folks came along, of course.""
Lo rub his chin.
Michel asks (of Chester), "Clenwick?"
GM says, ""Always hungry", the snake says. "Always eat more and more and more.""
[interludes] Penny says, "I assume it's a radio, or something"
[interludes] Penny asks, "can I make some sort of lasso from the bedstraps?"
[interludes] GM says, "ha"
[interludes] GM says, "yes, sure"
Lo asks (of GM), "Anything else pertinent before we start taking our notes?"
[interludes] Penny says, "so I lasso the black thing, and drag it towards me"
Gaston says (to Snake), "But you will not eat me. I bet you never get to eat people, you stupid snake."
GM says, "Mister Clenwick's the big man around these parts -- he's got a ranch out of town."
Franklin says (to Chester), "I would suggest that Clenwick stay far away from these sinkholes."
Michel supresses a shudder at the word 'ranch'
GM says, "Chester says, "Outside the swampy part -- he raises cattle and stuff. guess he's kind of old-fashioned.""
Franklin says, "And the same goes for you. And us, as well."
Penny says, "<everybody cross their fingers and hope my ploy works here>"
Gaston says, "<I have no idea whether this snake is important. Quite probably not.>"
[interludes] GM says, "ok, you tear the sheets and form a noose, which settles around the black thing. It falls off the stool as you yank it, and the chanting stops abruptly."
Michel says, "Do you think we could have a word with this Mr. Clenwick? If he has filled sinkholes previously, he may know more about local conditions than we do"
Lo says (to Franklin), "(whispered) You might want to go back with Chester and be touristy, just to make sure nothing happens to him."
Penny says, "<FREE>"
[interludes] GM says, "and shortly thereafter, more footsteps"
Penny says, "<time to go see where the hell I am>"
[nobilis] Lo says, "I've seen enough horror movies, and X-Files thank you very much, I know how this works"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<??what did you do??>"
Franklin says, "<This particular snake, perhaps not in itself. But why it's here? Yes, very important.>"
Gaston says (to Penny), "<Excellent!>"
Penny says, "<whu-oh>"
GM says, "meanwhile, back at the library"
Michel says, "<phew>"
GM says, ""No seen man," the book says. "No seen him walk past. Librarian no seen him neither.""
Penny says (to Alexandra), "<a very nice bit of thinking, if I do say so>"
GM says, ""No seen him leave again.""
[interludes] Penny says, "okay, I am arming myself with the needle here"
Kori says, "<should we summon Penny here then?>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "this strengthens my invisible hypothesis"
GM says, "Chester scratches his head. "I expect Mr Clenwick'll be happy to see you. He's always happy to see folks -- must get kinda lonely with nobody around but his lawyer.""
[interludes] GM says, "ok"
[interludes] GM asks, "going to wait for folks to come in? or?"
[interludes] Penny says, "and standing by the door, out of sight if someone looks in"
[interludes] Penny says, "but ready to scratch their eyes out with the needle if they come in"
[interludes] GM says, "the footsteps come by the door, and the little slide-hole in the door slides open. you hear someone breathing faintly outside the door, and then the footsteps pick up again and they run off"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "lawyer? those Preacher flashbacks are getting more specific now. don't worry, I'm sure gaston will enjoy the nazi bondage"
[interludes] Penny asks, "the door is, I assume, locked?"
Raul says (to Kori), "We should get ready, just in case, but I want to talk to the librarian."
[interludes] Penny asks, "does it have a doorframe?  one that juts out slightly from the wall?"
Alexandra shifts to prosiac, flags down the librarian
Michel heads off to find Clenwick
[interludes] GM says, "sure"
Raul just happens to be standing next to Alexandra for the conversation.
GM says, ""Yes, sir?" the librarian asks."
GM says (to Michel), ""I'd better drive you out to his place!" Chester calls after you. "It's more than a walk!""
Lo stays by the sinkhole, acting like he's taking measurements and notes
Michel pauses on the way to talk to the swamp in mythic vision
[interludes] Penny says, "I may have to burn some AMPs, but I'd like to be standing/crouching/whatever on top of that doorframe, above the door"
[interludes] GM says, "probably one AMP to climb up there"
[interludes] Penny says, "mmhmm"
Alexandra says softly, to Raul, "You try inquiring first ... if needed, I can try to bribe out the info. That fails, we can always beat the librarian up."
[interludes] Penny asks, "any more to keep balance up there?"
Michel asks, "What's happening, swamp?"
Raul nods.
[interludes] GM says, "and you're just scrambled into position when the door swings open and four guys in cultist robes burst in"
[nobilis] Lo asks, "ok, how's going where?"
[nobilis] Lo says, "who I mean"
[interludes] GM says, ""Where the hell did she go?" one asks"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I am pretty lost here."
[interludes] Penny says, "I swing out through the door and slam it behind me"
Raul asks (of Librarian), "We're looking for a friend of ours who was down here in the last day or two. She was down here with a man, I think?"
Raul watches the Librarian's body language.
[nobilis] GM says, "I'm not sure where the florida people split up to"
Penny says, "<WOO I AM JACKIE CHAN>"
[nobilis] Michel says, "I'm going to briefly pause to talk to the swamp, then find Clenwick."
[nobilis] GM says, "Michel is talking to the swamp, I know, and Lo by the sinkhole"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<think you can get out of wherever you are under your own steam?>"
[nobilis] Lo says, "How about Franklin goes with Michel, and Gaston stays with me at the sinkhole."
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<I take it that means yes>"
[interludes] GM says, "BAM, it swings shut -- there is a surprised noise from inside"
Penny says (to alexandra), "<I am working on exactly that>"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Okay, we can continue the mythical investigations."
Lo asks, "Gaston "Did you get sinkholes like this back in Kentucky?"
GM says (to Raul), ""We get a dozen or so visitors a day in the summer, sir. Was there someone in particular you were looking for?""
[interludes] Penny says, "I think I make a run for it"
Lo says, "(actually, if they're gone now, not that)"
Lo says, "(just trying to establish some logical reason Gaston would be interested in a sinkhole when he's a tourist)"
Gaston says (to Lo), "The only sinkholes I have seen before were -- [ holds hands about a foot apart ]"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "I guess if chester was going to go get a vehicle I'd climb in whatever vehicle it was"
Lo switches to mythic mode and eyes the snake
Alexandra says (to Librarian), "Yes. The one who instructed you not to mention his visit."
Raul says (to Librarian), "Her name's Penny. [describes Penny]"
Gaston says (to Lo), "Logic? I thought we were in Florida."
[interludes] GM says, "it's darkish, and the corridors split up -- you run, eventually, around a turn and right into three guys in cultist robes"
Penny says, "<shit>"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "and I've been looking somewhat sour and headachy since I did the divination thing"
GM says, "the librarian scratches his head. "Don't think I've seen anyone like that around." (and he seems to be telling the truth)"
Lo asks (of Snake), "How long have you been there?"
Michel says, "<Are you okay?>"
GM says, "meanwhile, back at the swamp"
Penny says, "<more guys attacking me>"
(From Michel) banjo chord
Raul says, "Hm."
Lo asks (of Gaston), "(whispered) Any ideas on what's going on?"
Gaston says (to Lo), "Nope."
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "any reason we think penny was with this guy? I just thought they'd both been in the library, not necessairily together"
GM says, ""Not so long as all that," the snake says. "A few weeks, perhaps, when I was carved -- but I am growing fast because I am so very hungry""
[interludes] Penny says, "I lay into them with the needle"
Gaston asks (of Snake), "Are you being fed properly?"
[nobilis] Raul says, "Mainly because the book mentioned specifically not seeing a man"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "which makes me wonder, what is it about such a man that books would be afraid to see him?"
[nobilis] Franklin says, "perhaps information on how to do the penny-summoning chant was exchanged at the library"
Gaston says (to Snake), "You are supposed to be fed at lesat three times a day."
GM says, "And the swamp blinks at Michel. It is very, very large."
[nobilis] Raul says (to Franklin), "interesting idea."
Raul says (to Librarian), "Okay, thanks."
GM says, ""I am eating ... all the time," says the snake."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "this is more of a tapeworm than a snake"
Gaston says (to Snake), "Oh, you do not eat people? What a boring snake you are."
Raul wanders back over to the normal books. "This man you didn't see -- if you weren't going to describe what he looked like, what words wouldn't you use?"
GM says, ""Nobody is allowed into the back room," the librarian adds, a bit unnecessarily. "Nobody has been into the back room.""
Gaston says (to Snake), "Snakes who do not eat interesting things are so dull."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, snakes with perpetually empty bellies"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "ja. And mentioned the librarian not seeing him, so I figured either the man was invisible -- the book is telling the truth, and the librarian really didn't see him -- or the libririan, like the book, is scared of him and not wanting to let on about the visit"
Raul says, "Oh, hell."
[interludes] Penny says, "can I fight them?  I have, hmm, needle and Aspect 1, and will go to aspect 2 if necessary"
Gaston says (to Snake), "It sounds like you could use a change in your diet."
Raul asks (of Librarian), "That back room back there? That's where no one went?"
Michel asks (of swamp), "What is going on, swamp? These sinkholes natural? Someone mining around here?"
[interludes] GM says, "I think you go to aspect 2 and start stabbing -- will get back to you in a bit with the results"
[nobilis] Raul says, "I begin to see what Michel's emptiness is being used for."
[interludes] Penny says, "okay"
[nobilis] Franklin asks, "'carved'?"
Gaston switches back to prosaic, and investigates this sinkhole with echo-sounding.
GM says, ""I sleep so much," the swamp says. "And when I am awake, I have many things to look after.""
[interludes] Penny fights for life for a while, then
[nobilis] Michel says, "damn. scale problem"
GM says (to Gaston), "it doesn't look entirely natural, this is true, but it is definitely really on sinkhole ground. But then, so is much of the place around here."
[nobilis] Gaston asks (of Michel), "Aren't you going with Chester?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "yeah"
[nobilis] Penny says, "offer to scratch its scales, then"
Lo scratches his chin
[nobilis] buzzard says, "heehee"
GM says, ""Nobody has gone into the back room," the librarian says. "None of the books have been removed.""
Gaston says, "Okay, I'm going down this hole. As long as Chester isn't looking."
Raul asks, "Which books specifically haven't been removed?"
GM says, "The librarian blinks at you, confused. "None of the books have been removed.""
Kori says, "<There's your non-transaction for you.  A theft.>"
Lo mutters, "To give one what he wants / may seem a blessing / and thus the balance shifts."
Alexandra says (to Kori), "<excellent point. sounds like we need -- well, one of us needs -- to get into that room>"
Raul nods. "And if I ask you about books being removed and you tell me none have, are there any books specifically that come to mind?"
Franklin says (to Gaston), "<You're going to do WHAT?>"
Raul watches the librarian very closely.
Gaston says, "I wonder if this snake is... some kind of weapon. I have heard of these things."
GM says, "Gaston climbs down -- hrm, weird. The top part of the hole has expanded as the sinkhole's grown, and the bottom part is natural, but the middle part seems to be -- hrm, you find some rocks embedded in the earth-wall that show signs of having been split in two by force"
Lo nods.
Gaston says (to Franklin), "<I am heading into extreme danger, but extremely cautiously."
Raul says (to Kori and Alex), "<Either of you have an idea about how to get back there? Man, just when we need a mantis....>"
GM says, "the librarian clearly seems confused but isn't sure why"
Gaston examines the broken rocks closely.
[nobilis] Franklin says, "maybe kori can edge her way back there"
Kori says (to Librarian), "what sorts of things are back there?  I'm in fact hoping for a chance to look at a rare book for my research"
Kori says, "<this probably won't work, but no reason to take complicated measures when a graduate library card might do the trick>"
[interludes] GM says, "you stab at the three cultists with your needle -- they either weren't expecting you to be armed or don't know what aspect-2 really means. one goes down with a needle in the gut before he knows it, and you take out the second while he's distracted by this"
Lo keeps an eye out to make sure nothing Evil is creeping behind Gaston
[interludes] GM says, "the third one, though, backs up a bit warily and watches you"
[interludes] GM says, ""She's over here!" he calls"
Alexandra says (to kori), "<heh, and here I was thinking about setting something on fire. points for the subtle method>"
Kori says (to Librarian), "I was told you had an early illustrated copy of the Tale of Genji."
[nobilis] Lo says, "Of course, if we had Wilfred he could whip up all the official papers you need for looking at it"
GM says (to Kori), ""Well, our most exotic materials are back there. Some very interesting stuff. What field are you interested in?""
[interludes] Penny asks, "can I kick him hard where it hurts, then keep running?"
GM says, ""Ah, I see. We do in fact have a good selection of asian literature here.""
Michel is heading back to find Clenwick
Penny says, "<needing help here!>"
[interludes] GM says, "you do, he doubles over, and you tear off along the corridor"
Kori says, "<someone might want to summon her back to the chancel"
Michel says, "<What sort of help?>"
GM says, "the librarian reaches below his desk and pulls out a catalog, which he begins to flip through"
Penny says, "<I am running around like a rat in a maze>"
Raul surreptitiously reads over her shoulder as she flips.
Penny says, "<being randomly assorted by guys in robes>"
Kori switches to the other sight, examines the catalog for anything odd.
GM says (to Gaston), "it seems like -- hrm, maybe this was even an explosion"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "where's tablesaw when you need him"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Would the monks be able to summon her back?"
GM says (to Gaston), "that might explain some of the shattered rocks and the -- in fact, it is burned on parts here"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "<hell. try to hold on just a few more minutes ... >"
Penny says, "<it's like doom: the monastery years>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "oooo, good thought"
Kori says (to Librarian), "(helpfully) Heian period illustrated materials"
Gaston says, "<Exploding snake!>"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "also, this sounds much like Heroine's Mantle. hide in an alcove"
[nobilis] GM says, "hrm, I think you guys bought a high-tech chancel rather than a magical one, so no"
[nobilis] GM says, "if you want, you can take time later to tutor a few of them in basic spells"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "bah. useless monks."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "I'm not sure how this mythical vision stuff works. The snake could eat me, right?"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "if monks can't chant, what good are they?"
[nobilis] Raul exclaims, "What a good thing to have thought of last week!"
GM says, "the catalog itself is not odd, but no doubt some of its contents are"
[nobilis] Lo says, "I think if you fell in and broke your neck, it'd be like the snake eating you"
GM says, "no, I lie"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Well, I'm already in."
[nobilis] Raul says (to Kora), "'bad boys roust our young girls but violet goes willingly. bad boys roust our young girls but violet goes willingly....'"
[nobilis] Lo says, "Right"
[interludes] Penny asks, "can I look for rooms to duck into?  library-ish rooms?"
GM says, "there is an oddity -- one of the books has "checkout approved HW" scribbled next to it, with a date of a week ago"
Gaston stands in what he remembers as being a snake-free area, and tenatively switches back to Mythic.
[interludes] Penny asks, "or rooms with windows?"
[nobilis] Lo says, "Meaning the snake didn't find you tasty, or whatever"
Kori asks (of Librarian), "Wait! what's that?"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hamsterworld -- it's grocible!"
Raul says (to Alex), "we should go grab Penny, then return here."
GM says, ""Er .. what's what?""
Kori points to the spot in the catalog
Kori tries to get a look at what it is.
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Actually, could we have one monk do the circle while Alex and I did the chant? Under our direction?"
Gaston asks (of Lo), "I assume this snake has been placed here by someone, for some probably nasty reason. Any idea what it's eating?"
GM says, "the walls of the sinkhole shift, slightly. Gaston hears a faint hissing from below."
Gaston says, "Merde."
Alexandra says (to Raul), "do we need a third? If not, then let's head"
[nobilis] GM says, "you're in a library, I should point out"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "so, penny and gaston are both gonna die.  nice."
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "they'll be together in the afterlife"
Lo says (to Gaston), "Hmm..."
[nobilis] Raul says, "Right, but didn't want to tear Kori away from the librarian if she was going to be afew more minutes"
[nobilis] GM says, "but yeah, you could get by with only two of you to run it"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "According to some religions I will need concubines, so."
Raul says (to Kori), "<We're going to grab Penny. Back in a sec.>"
Lo says (to Gaston), "Get out, now I'd say."
[nobilis] Michel asks, "wait, have we gone and left Gaston already?"
[interludes] GM says, "you duck into a doorway and slam the door"
Kori says (to Raul), "<good plan>"
Gaston says (to Lo), "I am thinking along these lines also."
Raul says (to Alex), "Let's go."
Lo extends his staff for Gaston to grab on to
Gaston is already climbing carefully back out.
Alexandra sneaks away with Kori and librarian chat, then heads to chancel
[interludes] Penny asks, "where am I?"
[nobilis] GM says, "I'm going to put off the people going with Clenwick for a while"
[nobilis] Michel says, "sure"
Gaston says (to Lo), "This hole is *active*."
[interludes] GM says, "dark -- no, there is light, from a small, dirty window high up"
Gaston says, "In some fashion."
[Crows-Nest] Franklin needs to leave in 15 minutes
[interludes] GM says, "the light touches on dim figures in the room, standing there silently"
Lo nods.
Alexandra says (to Raul), "OK, let's get this thing set up ..."
Penny says, "<ohfuck>"
Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<Telepathic update on what's up with the weird sinkhole>"
Alexandra bellows for  a monk to get over quick
Kori mutters (to catalog), "what's that book you're missing?"
GM says, "Gaston climbs out -- the ground crumbles more, and the floor collapses a bit more, but he makes it out"
Lo asks "Philsophically speaking, do you think it's possible to have *too much* of a domain be a bad thing?" as he pulls Gaston out and backs away a bit.
GM says, "the monks rush over."
Raul tells the monk about the circle he'll be drawing but fast.
Michel says, "<Military testing? Excrucians?>"
GM says, "and follow directions"
Gaston says (to Lo), "Let's get out of here."
[interludes] Penny says, "my word."
Raul chants, "    "
Alexandra does likewise
Lo nods.
[interludes] Penny asks, "how many of them?"
GM says, "meanwhile, the librarian avoids the entry in the catalog until Kori's pointing finger makes it unavoidable"
Gaston asks (of Lo), "What did Chester say about this hole, again?"
Michel says, "<I mean, I'm aware the Empty is a little close to excrucian values, in concept>"
[interludes] GM says, "at least a dozen -- but they're tiny, only coming up to your waist. and stock, like -- no, hang on a minute"
[Crows-Nest] Kori pictures this as: Raul: "mumble-mumble-MUMble <kick to the left>" mumble-mumble-mumBLE <kick to the right>"
[interludes] GM says, "they're *desks*"
Penny says, "<HAHAHA>"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee hee."
Penny says, "<I'm being attacked by DWARVES>"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "yay"
[interludes] GM says, "there is a pounding on the door"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "hahaha? oh. my goodness."
GM says, "and Penny appears in the circle in the chancel"
Lo says, "Well, it was preventing tourists from coming in."
Michel says, "<that should make your life easier>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "You so have to do a writeup of what Penny's been up to this week"
Gaston asks (of Lo), "Oh, and that could be the whole point?"
Penny collapses on the floor.
[interludes] GM has removed Penny from the channel.
Alexandra flops down also.
Lo says, "Well, what we seem to have here is the generation of *more* empty space."
Alexandra says, "Well. That was interesting."
Lo says, "But consider: if all the empty spaces in the world merged, there would be only one remaining."
GM says, "meanwhile, at the library, the librarian is looking confused. "How odd!" he says. "I can't imagine why I would have okayed this -- but it *is* my handwriting""
Penny says (to monks), "get me weapons.  lots of weapons."
Kori asks (of Librarian), "what is it?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "How much of a miracle would it be to set up a freak echo which destablises a sinkhole?"
Kori peers to get a look at the entry.
Penny says (to monks), "I am never leaving this chancel unless fully armed again"
Lo asks, "Is the single large space more powerful, or the multitude?"
Raul says (to Penny), "We've got Kori tracking down an oddly-absent book in the UW library."
[nobilis] Franklin says, "cool"
Alexandra helps Raul do whatever we need to do to break up this circle,so no one can folow
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "FAR TOO EXCITING"
Gaston says (to Lo), "A good point."
Raul asks (of Penny), "and we need to return to her. Are you up to it right now?"
Raul scuff, scuff scuff.
Alexandra says (to Penny), "first: anyone still after you, able to come here. Second: what raul said."
[nobilis] GM says, "sinkholes are already on the verge of collapse anyway, so you could probably do a creation to collapse it quite a bit"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "er, first being a question"
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "hey, how come penny gets kidnapped and fights dwarves while we go and investigate sinkholes?"
GM says, "apparently it's approval to check out a book -- oh, from our Esoteric Spiritualism section."
Penny says, "let me get weapons.  not kidding"
Lo says, "You know, if you like I could modify the personal philosophy of the snake."
Gaston says (to Lo), "Interesting idea. Give it a try."
Kori asks (of GM), "what's it on?"
Lo says, "From, say, hunger to freedom."
Gaston says (to Lo), "If that doesn't work, I'll stir things up a bit."
Penny says, "then, sure, I'll go to Kori"
Alexandra orders monks to scurry back with some weaponry right quick
Raul says, "I'm carrying some, but the way you're talking we could use more."
GM says, ""Normally we don't allow this," the librarian adds. "But I'm sure there was a good reason for this, er, "Ye Rites offe Ye Noble Ones" being taken out"
[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) snake says, "I'm free! FREE TO EAT EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING"
Kori raises an eyebrow.
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "yay 'offe'"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston exclaims (at Franklin), "Yay!"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "not as good as 'iffe', but close"
Kori says (to Librarian), "no doubt there was a reason."
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "That's *replacing* not *adding*"
Kori says, "<Telepathic update on what book exactly was missing.>"
[nobilis] GM says, "(that would be a level-6 change miracle for the snake)"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I'm going to assume we have weapons now"
Kori asks, "I don't suppose you have a record of who took it?"
Lo asks, "Hm, what would you think would be safest?"
[nobilis] Lo says, "yeah, level 6, it would need to stick"
Penny says (to Kori), "<yikes>"
Alexandra says, "<my goodness>"
GM says, ""I -- nobody took out any books. That is not allowed.""
[nobilis] Gaston says (to Lo), "Up to you."
Raul says, "<That doesn't sound good.>"
Michel says, "<Uh-oh.>"
[nobilis] Lo says, "This will be rather difficult, I'll probably be able to do it only once."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Raul), "you too can be summoned"
Kori asks (of Librarian), "Of course not-- I quite understand.  Is there anyone in particular who might not be allowed to take this book out?"
[nobilis] Lo says, "ack, that was spoken"
Alexandra says (to Penny), "guns sound good? If so, let's grab some from the monks and head"
Penny says, "sure, let's go"
Lo says, "This will be rather difficult, I'll probably be able to do it only once. I need to get the exact phrasing right."
GM says, ""Ah .. nobody.""
Kori says, "<It's clear that someone has convinced the librarian the whole thing never happened -- it's pretty hard to talk around it>"
GM says, "The librarian scratches his head. "I was just explaining this to -- or having it explained to me.""
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "our chancel constantly pushes the limits of how many guns you're allowed in a library"
Penny says, "<hmm, what domain could do that?>"
Kori asks (of Librarian), "oh, indeed.  Who were you explaining it to?"
Alexandra, properly armed, ducks back to the UW library rare books room
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "it's a military library"
Michel says, "<negation? amnesia?>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "(property but discreetly)"
GM says, "The librarian seems faintly ill-at-ease. "Dark hair, medium height -- very nice man.""
Raul steps back into the UW library and heads for Kori.
Penny follows Alexandra and Raul
Michel says, "<I could have done it, at a pinch>"
GM says, ""Something about his eyes.""
Kori says, "<anyone know a man with dark hair, of medium height, described as 'very nice' but with weird eyes?>"
Penny asks (of Kori), "Gaston?"
Lo asks (of Gaston), "Ask Michel: does he think removing the sinkhole will remove some of the pain?"
Michel asks, "<gaston? except he's tall and not very nice?"
Kori says (to Michel), "<if this is your fault I'm kicking your ass>"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "unfortunately, I need to go now"
Kori says (to Librarian), "I don't suppose he had a library card.'"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "oops"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "there will be the transcript to read up on"
Michel says (to Kori), "<try me>"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "so I suppose Franklin falls asleep in chester's truck and snoozes through the rest of the session"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "bye, Franklin"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hopefully no paper-related problems will come up"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "byebye"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I hope not!!"
[Crows-Nest] Raul exclaims, "bye!"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "seeya franklin"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to GM), "they so will now"
[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to everybody), "don't get killed"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "'I need to change the birdcage'"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "bye franklin"
Franklin is called home.
Kori says (to Michel), "<you only wish>"
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to buzzard), "hee hee"
Michel says (to Kori), "<name your weapons. duels are always good with me>"
GM says (to Michel), "as far as you can tell, this sinkhole is connected to the problem, but it seems to be a symptom rather than a cause"
Penny also grabbed notebook and pen whilst in the chancel, and is now quickly writing down what happened.
Michel says, "mmm, 's what I thought"
GM says, "or -- hrm, perhaps a cause, but not the root one"
Penny says (to Michel,Kori), "<now now, children.  play nice for now>"
Kori says (to Michel), "<later, when I'm not talking to the damn librarian>"
Michel says, "<I was thinking maybe subsidence from mining or drilling until Gaston examined those rocks... but that sort of thing's happening constantly. now I'm not sure>"
GM says, "Chester says "So, did you folks want a ride out to Clenwick's or not?""
Lo says, "(presuming what you told Michel gets back to me through Gaston, I won't mess with the snake right now)"
Michel says, "yeah"
Kori asks (of Librarian), "do these books have any kind of tracking device or scan code or anything?"
Raul looks for a catalog computer with ILL.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hm, so"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "essentially, there was a rite which involved sacrifice (of me, I assume), and which had to be done under the full moon"
GM says (to Kori), ""Well, they aren't supposed to leave the library, but they do have our bar codes attached on them for tracking purposes.""
GM says (to Raul), "ok"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "(which is tonight)"
Kori asks (of GM), "And does the catalog indicate what the bar code of this item was?"
GM says, "meanwhile, Florida people are driving out to Clenwick's"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "possibly I should, like, research what rite this would be"
Lo and singing assorted Disney Tunes
GM says, "a fancy car is pulled up in his driveway, but it's not in his garage, so it's presumably not his"
Raul does an ILL lookup on the 'offe' book.
Michel looks at the car in mythic. "Who owns you?"
Kori says, "<I don't know whether it'll be useful, but if we can find out the code on the book we might be able to look for a patron record for whoever took it.  That information might have been faked or erased, but it's worth a try>"
Raul says, "<I'm also hoping to find another copy of the book so we can find out what the book actually says.>"
Kori says, "<if they don't have it here, chancel library might have it>"
GM says, "The car sneers at Michel. "My boss Mr Knight's too good for the likes of you.""
Lo asks, "(whispers to Michel, Gaston and Franklin) How is the situation with Penny going?"
Michel empties the car's tank and tyres with a Creation, and walks up to the front door
Penny says, "<I assume the rite which involved a sacrifice may also be documented somewhere.  I'd like to know a) what it involves and b) what it achieves>"
Michel says (to Lo), "she's returned safely"
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "Knightrider car?"
GM says, "it appears there were two copies -- this one, and one just annotated in the system as "Missing""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "now I wanna go to florida"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "so I can punch david hasselhoff"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra asks, "how the hell did penny get loose, btw?"
GM says, ""Hey! Quit that!" the car yelps as it settles to the ground"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "don't worry, me and lo can punch him a lot harder"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "Michel should be able to conjure up his head, at least, with another minor creation"
Raul says, "<Back in a second.>"
Raul steps into the chancel to see if there's a copy of the book there.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "oh, I did kung fu stylees"
Lo nods and follows everyone inside
GM says (to Raul), "ah, there we go"
[Crows-Nest] Lo asks, "Are he getting to read what he was telling you in the transcript?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "first I lassoed the radio with my bedstraps and pulled it onto the floor"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "then I balanced on the doorframe when I heard voices"
GM says, "folks head inside. "Some folks from out-of-town to see you about the big sinkhole, Chiswick!" Chester calls."
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Lo), "Penny's interlude has been logged, yeah"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "then when they came in, I swung through the door and shut it behind me"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am intensely happy with my action sequences"
GM says, ""I'm just finishing up here -- be down in a sec." comes the voice from upstairs."
Lo slips off his shades and gives his staff a casual twirl
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "yay interlude logging :)"
Michel assumes his best serious-American accent
[Crows-Nest] Lo asks, "Did the dwarves throw axes at you?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "the dwarves were _just_ before I got summoned back"
GM says, "in more like fifteen minutes than like a sec, there are footsteps on the stairs, and two men come down"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and were also robed, but had made no move to attack me"
GM says, "the better-dressed one is more of a fit for the car, so he's presumably Mr Knight. The other one has the scruffiness of a particular sort of rich man, so he's probably Mr. Clenwick."
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "I presume you are getting some miracle points for all the summoning madness"
GM says, ""Ah, Chester, who've you got here?" Clenwick asks."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "in the 10 seconds before I got summoned"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yeah, but I burned the two AMPs"
Kori gives up trying to get further information from the Librarian.  "Thanks, you've been a great help.  I'll be back for the research texts later -- I just realized I'm supposed to meet my advisor for coffe."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hmm, or possibly 3"
Kori says (to Alexandra), "<I'm going to head back to the chancel to see what Raul's found.>"
GM says (to Kori), ""Ah .. so glad I could, er, do whatever I did.""
Alexandra says (to Kori), "<I'll head too -- seems we've done what we can here>"
Michel says, "Mr. Clenwick. So nice to see you. We'd just like to ask a few questions about your business here."
Alexandra scoots back
Kori slips out and heads back to chancel.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "(so I am either back to standard points, or am one down)"
Lo bows graciously and whips out a notepad, looking official
Penny slips back to the chancel, goes off to research rites involving sacrifices by full moon which involve nobles.
GM says, "Mr Knight eyes you all, a bit unpleasantly, as he steps out the door. But his voice is friendly as he calls to Clenwick. "You'll think about what I said, eh?" "Sure thing, Knight. Come back tomorrow and we'll do up the final papers.""
Michel briefly scopes both people in mythic
GM says (to Michel), "and, ever-so-slightly, you get a twinge in your stomach"
Raul says (to Kori), "As you might imagine, we have a copy of the book. I've been reading through it."
[nobilis] Michel asks, "from which?"
[nobilis] Alexandra asks, "btw, this may be needlessly complex, but it seems we're somtimes talking to our local groups and sometimes talking to the whole chancel. Would different notations be useful? [], or some such, for local stuff, like when Kori/Raul/Alex have been talking, and < > for whole chancel stuff?"
[nobilis] GM says, "(from the last bit of their conversation)"
Alexandra asks (of Raul), "anything jump out?"
Michel says, "<Gaston? Follow Knight.>"
GM says, "in mythic, Knight is smooth and polished and dark -- Clenwick looks like a cowboy"
Alexandra winces as she realises that in this bizarre new reality, things could *literally* jump out
Michel checks to see that Chester's gone before talking to Clenwick
[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Well, there's this bug on page twenty-sevenieeeeeee! *squck!*"
GM says, ""You folks want me to stick around and give you a ride back?" Chester asks"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra exclaims, "you squished Michel!"
[nobilis] Lo says, "hm, maybe I should be changing Mr. Knight's personal philsophy ;)"
GM says (to Raul), "well, at least half of the book you know to be lies from our own experience thus far"
[nobilis] Raul asks (of GM), "Hey, anything jump out in the book?"
Michel says (to Chester), "sure, if you could just let us speak to Mr. Clenwick in private that would be excellent"
Lo keeps mental tabs on Mr. Knight's philsophy in case any tweaks need to be made later
GM says (to Raul), "and two-thirds of the remainder is probably the rantings of a madman"
GM says, "but some part of the book does seem real"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "only the part on how to summon me, probably"
Raul says, "Hm."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "grumble grumble"
GM says, "one of the things covered in there are how to derive ceremonies for summoning certain powers"
Raul says (to Alex), "This part looks interesting."
GM says, "another is a way to tap the power of a nobilis for purposes unspecified (or, at least, the purposes seem to be in the part of the book that is lies and madness)"
Kori looks over Raul's shoulder.
Michel says (to Clenwick), "now, Mr. Clenwick, we have heard reports of some odd incidents around these parts recently, and we'd like to hear if anything significant's occurred recently that we might want to know about."
GM says, "this requires the burning of the nobilis's heart at midnight"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yikes"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "yeesh"
Kori says, "niiice."
Lo smiles and scribbles.
GM says, ""Ah, hrm, interesting.""
Kori . o O ( hmm, I wonder what unspecified powers Michel would render up )
GM says, ""Chester said you folks were here about the sinkhole, right?""
Penny strolls over to Raul, looks over his shoulder.  "eeagh"
Alexandra says, "(assuming Raul has recapped that to the group)"
GM says, ""I do what I can in those areas -- here, why don't I take you into my study.""
Alexandra says, "Well. That's kinda worrying"
Lo says, "Right, we've given it a good look-see already."
Michel says, "Well, that's what we told Chester, sir."
Raul says, "That's, um."
GM says, "Clenwick ushers you folks upstairs into his study. He shoots Michel a keen glance. "What you *told* him?""
Alexandra asks (of Penny), "sound like what you gathered your captors had in mind for you?"
Raul asks (of Penny), "So what powers do you think people were after from you?"
Penny says, "pretty much"
GM says, "(Clenwick, by the way, is probably in his 60's, and looks like a well-to-do rancher who's worked his way to where he's at, and lives out in the backwoods in a big place and likes it)"
Michel says, "Our investigations cover a slightly more, ah, broad area. If you'd just like to start with the sinkholes, though, that would be good."
Penny says (to raul), "I don't know.  I hardly have contact with any nobilis other than those in our chanel"
Alexandra says, "Interesting about tapping a noble's powers. I wonder if they specifically wanted Penny's powers, or if she was just the convenient one to grab, owing to that nasty summonable bit."
GM says, ""Well, let's see." He rubs his chin. "They started happening a couple weeks ago, I guess around the same time as the accidents.""
Raul asks, "Now here's the next question: who needs to do this?"
GM says, ""Did Chester mention those to you?""
Michel says, "He was vague on the subject. If you would give us your version, please."
Penny says (to passing monk), "er, if you could get me a cup of very sweet tea, I'd appreciate it.  my nerves are somewhat on edge"
GM says, "Clenwick chuckles to himself. "Figures. He's in real estate and thinks Pomelo City's still going to go places.""
[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "gaston's 25 idle... did I miss something?"
Penny says, "I honestly can't think of any noble who has even evinced a passing interest in me"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Er, making tea and stuff."
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "do I have to hint at mentioning the note any more?"
GM says, ""Well, all kinds of stuff's been happening, really. Not so much out here on my ranch -- although the cattle got blight once, and I had to shoot a couple head. But dammit, I'm gonna make this ranch work, and I imported a different breed and started again.""
Raul exclaims, "There was *this*!"
Raul produces Penny's note with a flourish.
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I thought you went to talk to the big cheese while we checked out the hole."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "Am I in this scene?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I think everyone went along to talk to Clenwick after all"
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Well, they hadn't left when we got back"
Penny reads it.  hmm.  I do not know this noble.
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "so we all piled in"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Heh, okay."
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "thought we'd all gone up. we'd like you to follow Knight"
[Crows-Nest] Lo says (to Gaston), "and you were following Mr. Knight"
GM says, ""But there've been a couple fires, some car accidents, folks falling into the sinkholes.""
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Although he's probably busy kicking his car tires right now"
Clenwick shrugs. "Maybe no more than usual, but it seems odd all together, I gotta admit."
Michel says, "We heard the, ah, 'swamp folks' were in some way involved."
Lo asks, "When did the first accident occur?"
Lo gestures, "Answer his question first."
Clenwick says, "couple weeks ago, like I said"
Clenwick says, "the swamp folks -- hrm"
Clenwick says, "they're good folks, if you don't get on their bad side. Knight doesn't trust 'em, but he can be a bit odd sometimes."
Clenwick says, "one of 'em got killed in a hit-and-run a while back, and they thought Bayne did it -- which led to an unfortunate incident yesterday evening"
Clenwick says, "I didn't hear all the details, but Knight said he was in Pomelo City and saw 'em shoot Bayne down in front of his shop"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "Okay. I want to put Clenwick into a catatonia so we can search his office for documents, so that he'll wake up and not even realise there's been a break in conversation. Can I do that?"
Kori asks (of Penny), "and I don't suppose you can think of any competitions or what-have-you that pertain to your Domain?"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I can do it."
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Anyone object?"
Penny says (to kori), "hmm, competitions in language?  harly."
[nobilis] Clenwick says (to Michel), "if you think that falls under empty places, it'd be a creation"
[nobilis] Michel says, "yeah, but I might be able to do it for free"
Penny says, "er, hardly"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Oh, the amnesia bit. Right."
Kori says, "curious and curiouser"
[nobilis] Michel says, "well, in my domain desc it says"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Are there any leftover mystic eminations from summoning Penny that we can use to backtrack where she came from?"
[nobilis] Michel | ...more abstract emptiness (deep stages of meditation, catatonia, blank pages, emotions of loneliness, loss or detachment).
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Lo can turn invisible and search the place quietly, no?"
Penny says, "it's not like people tend to compete languagewise.  except in belgium"
[nobilis] Kori asks, "sparkly traces in the air?"
[nobilis] Clenwick says (to Michel), "works for me"
Kori says (to Penny), "heh"
[nobilis] Raul says (to Kori), "Like in all those Final Fantasy games"
Michel freezes Clenwick
[nobilis] Clenwick says (to Raul), "hrm, you can probably dig up something"
[nobilis] Lo says, "He could, but he's already in the scene"
Clenwick slumps over in his chair, chin falling onto his chest
[nobilis] Raul says, "I'll start researching that, then."
[nobilis] Raul says, "since I'm, y"
[nobilis] Raul says, "y'know, in Chancel Boring library Research"
Michel says, "Okay, so let's look for paperwork. I got the definite impression that something to do with that deal was involved with the domain attack"
[nobilis] GM says, "ok, you'll come up with something in a bit"
Lo raises his eyebrow.
GM says, "folks search Clenwick's office"
GM says, "you quickly come to the conclusion that he is really fond of ranching"
Lo says, "We could use Franklin to help searching. Too bad he stayed back to be touristy."
Gaston carefully draws a silly moustache on Clenwick.
Lo searches in Mythic mode while Michel searches in prosaic mode
GM says, "there are all sorts of things of financials, projections, cattle-raiser's magazines, and so on"
Michel says, "A rancher and a city type... if I didn't suspect something more drastic, I'd say they were just planning to turn a slice of swamp into cattle land or mines, but it's got to be something more important"
GM says, "the only thing he seems to be interested in besides ranching is bird-watching"
Michel says, "I cannot concieve of a more dull animal than a cow."
Michel asks, "Anything obviously recent?"
Lo asks, "What I'd really like to search is Mr. Knight's office. Still think he's busy fixing his tires?"
Gaston asks (of Michel), "Do you have any particular ideas for what we're looking for here?"
GM says, "since he has a small collection of literature and note pads and things from from the American Ornithological Organization"
Michel says, "<Gaston? Where's Mr. Knight?>"
[nobilis] GM says, "(I think Gaston didn't follow Mr Knight after all)"
[nobilis] Michel says, "dammit"
GM says, "(which, oddly, give Michel another twinge)"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Sorry, I was totally AFK when I should have been tailing the guy."
Michel says, "anything with Mr. Knight's name on it"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "CAN'T TRUST YOU WITH ANYTHING"
GM says, "and some memorandums -- one noting to contact Knight re: leg."
[nobilis] Lo asks, "Well, his car is blown, remember?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "seems like a guy who'll be capable of getting backup transport"
[nobilis] Lo says, "He's probably walking to the nearest gas station"
[nobilis] Michel says, "muahaha"
[nobilis] Lo says, "Well, yeah, or called someone on his cell"
GM says, "a horn honks outside"
[nobilis] Michel says, "damn, should have drained the battery"
[Crows-Nest] Raul writes in his notes, 'only have Gaston tail the cute ones'
Michel glances at the window
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heh"
GM says, "tow truck from the gas station, looks like"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Sorry, should have been paying attention."
GM says, "the guy gets out and talks to Mr Knight, who is pointing angrily at his tires"
Gaston follows Knight, not at all belatedly or anything.
GM says, "eventually the truck drags his car off down the bumpy road"
Michel asks (of Gaston), "follow them. Or would it be easier if I did it as a mantis?"
Michel says, "oop, too late"
Lo says, "I'll do it. He won't see me."
Gaston says, "Go on, then."
GM says, "(you could still catch up, if you hurry -- although I don't know how you're going to keep up)"
Lo jumps down and spends an extra AMP to catch up with the car and jump on the trunk
Lo says, "(He's invisible now, also)"
GM says, "there is a bump as Lo lands on the car, but luckily Knight is up front enduring a conversation with the driver, and so he doesn't notice (and since Lo is invisible, they presumably won't notice)"
Michel sighs, gets back to his place, and snaps Clenwick back to consciousness
Clenwick asks, "eh which?"
Clenwick says, "sorry, 'fraid I dozed off there for a moment -- not as young as I used to be"
Gaston says (to Clenwick), "You were telling us about Mr Knight's little initiative."
Michel says, "None of us are, Mr. Clenwick."
Michel smiles.
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "stop flirting, you"
Clenwick says (to Gaston), "ah, I was? Oh, yes, of course, the bird sanctuary"
Clenwick asks, "so in point of fact, I'm the title owner for most of Pomelo City -- did I mention this part already?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "someone has to take the responsibility off Gaston"
Michel says, "er, my secretary has been called away- I don't recall"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Heh."
Lo uses his Apsect 2 to hang ten while the tow truck is heading down the road
Clenwick says, "and, what with all the troubles Pomelo City's been having, Knight was suggesting how nice it'd be to buy up the land and deed it over to the AOO who would restore the natural beauty of the place"
Gaston asks (of Clenwick), "The sanctuary sounds interesting. Does Mr Knight have big plans for it?"
[nobilis] Gaston asks, "AOO?"
[nobilis] Michel says, "American Ornithological Oooo."
Clenwick asks, "did you know Pomelo City is right at the heart of the only natural migration path for the Blue-Breasted Whistling Nighthatch?"
GM says (to Raul), "meanwhile, you eventually dig up the requirements for the right"
Gaston says (to Clenwick), "You don't say! I have never seen one."
GM says, "er, rite"
[nobilis] Michel says, "but I don't have to take this burden on for long"
Clenwick blushes. "Well, in point of fact, I haven't either. But Knight tells me their plumage is quite impressive."
[nobilis] Michel says, "er, #crows"
Gaston says (to Clenwick), "Although I did see a purple-breasted one on a lucky day some years ago."
Clenwick says, "I'm only an amateur member of the AOO"
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "geeez, do you lot ever stop flirting?"
GM says, "meanwhile, Lo is bumping down the road to the gas station, where the guy gets out and starts fixing Knight's car"
[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "Gaston *is* aware that we're talking *bird* breasts here, right?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "only when you turn up"
GM says, "Knight goes in and talks to the clerk and buys a snickers"
Gaston asks, "Mr Knight is a professional?"
Lo asks, "Mental note: Snickers. What does this suggest?"
Raul says, "We may be able to backtrack and see where we pulled Penny from."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "aHA so your arguming with Kori is just a ruse!"
Clenwick says, "oh, no, of course he's a lawyer, but he's been a member of the AOO for years, he tells me"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, arguing"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Lo), "Packed with peanuts, snickers really satisfies."
Clenwick says, "certainly he's got a very impressive knowledge of bird-watching"
Michel asks, "By 'restore natural beauty'... seemed like a nice place. How'd it use to be?"
Gaston says (to Clenwick), "I wouldn't have thought it of him. Odd what kinds of people the hobby attracts."
[Crows-Nest] (from Kori) Clenwick sings, "Ah-Oooooo, Ah-ooooo!"  <kick to the left>
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
Clenwick says, "certainly is -- why, to look at him, you'd think he's nothing but a city lawyer, but many's the time we've spent out here discussing nothing but birds"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Clenwick kicks with the other foot, definitely"
Raul says, "which I'm pretty interested in doing"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "as it were"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "this is going to be my new favorite euphemism"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
Lo says, "I also send a brief thought to Marissa that sometime shortly if she could go to such-and-such a library and write a message on a note and stick it in a book *just so* and turn it *in a certain way* so it gets sent to the appropriate chancel it would be appreciated."
Alexandra says, "let's go to it"
Gaston says (to Clenwick), "He must know some good birdwatching spots around here."
[nobilis] Michel says, "grr, this is getting us nowhere"
Clenwick exclaims, "used to be? ah, well, before Pomelo City was built this place was all undeveloped, I guess. there's always a push for more development around here, of course -- I know a while back somebody was interested in buying my ranch and turning it into a theme park!"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Gaston), "EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS RIFE WITH INNUENDO"
Clenwick says, "I told them no pretty quick, I'll tell you that much"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Sheesh."
Clenwick says, "and now it's going to be a bird sanctuary, so it'll be safe for nature for decades"
[nobilis] Michel says, "I'm severely tempted to just kick his ass and shout WHERE ARE YOU HIDING THE EXCRUCIANS"
[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "uh oh, the Prime Evil here is Disney World"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "man, innuendo would be a great domain"
Gaston asks (of Clenwick), "How much land will the sanctuary cover?"
[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Alexandra), "Okay, all join hands and sing in chorus, 'produce the writ of habeas corpus'"
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee he"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to kori), "I actually toyed with the idea of that"
GM says (to Lo), "you can communicate telepathically with these folks if you want"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to kori), "then decided it would be nigh on impossible"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Penny), "you'd be able to pretty much control Gaston like a puppet"
GM says, "Raul and Alexandra and Kori and Penny perform the rite -- it's a bit tricky going across chancels, but eventually you track it down to -- how odd. back on campus."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "well, yeah, but you can do that anyway"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "good point."
Alexandra asks, "Irr?"
Lo says (to GM), "Oh? I was under the impression I could only do it with people in my own chancel. D'oh."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "all you need to do is lower your neckline a little"
Raul says, "That's, uh."
Clenwick says, "oh, all I've got -- this ranch here, Pomelo City, Kewanee Springs and the swamplands around it, and some other part of the swamps I own"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "says the woman in the tweed skirt"
Penny says, "erp"
Lo says, "I guess I can always send a prayer one-way to anyone"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to kori), "but I _could_."
Raul asks, "Back to campus, anyone?"
Raul checks his weapons, then gets some more weapons just in case. Tiny ones, because he's not obsessed or anything.
Lo says, "Also, I need to get going, so let's just presume I keep tailing stealthy-like until the session is over"
Michel says, "would this involve moving the swamp people at all? I mean, bird sanctuaries don't usually have populations"
Lo goes home.
Gaston says (to Michel), "<Ooh, good thinking.>"
Alexandra asks, "Apparently so. And, um, anything we can do to prevent Penny being pulled away again like a yo-yo?"
Clenwick says, "ah -- well, yeah, I expect Knight would have to --"
Kori asks (of Alexandra), "tie a string to her ankle?"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<So the situation, basically, is that Knight is acquiring land for some evil ceremony or something, and the swamp people aren't pleased?>"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<Any other scenario that fits?>"
Clenwick looks a bit concerned. "Of course, they're thinking about moving on anyway, themselves -- I think there's been one or two of the accidents around their houses anyway, and they're starting to think the whole area is cursed."
Penny says, "man"
Raul asks (of Penny), "Are you *sure* you're up for this?"
Penny says, "okay, I am arming myself to the eye teeth from now on"
Michel says, "<Oh boy. I appear to be championing some inbred hillbillies who marry their sisters and play the banjo with their toes. Whatever happened to yurt-dwelling nomads and animist hunter-gatherers?>"
Penny says, "and I want to know who's responsible.  I go"
Alexandra asks (of Penny), "Actually ... any idea what would happen if someone tried to summon you but you were physically linked elsewhere? Like, er, handcuffed to someone else or something?"
[nobilis] Clenwick asks, "hrm, how are folks doing on time here?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "it's 2am"
Michel says, "Well, thank you, Mr. Clenwick; we will keep you informed if any developments arise"
[nobilis] Michel says, "I'm good to keep going if other people are"
Alexandra says, "Though arming yourself to the teeth also sounds a good idea at the moment"
Kori arms herself too, only with stun-guns and things.
[nobilis] Penny says, "so if Iain and I start typing fkjwoidjgfoaisdjgaoisjdiojodi"
[nobilis] Penny says, "we've fallen asleep"
[nobilis] Michel says, "then you need more coffee"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I don't think we need to summon dread cthulhu just yet."
[nobilis] Clenwick says, "I had hoped to finish these two up tonight, but I think it may be another 45-60 minutes"
Penny says (to Alexandra), "you'd probably come with me"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Urk."
[nobilis] Michel says, "also, BT doesn't like me"
[nobilis] Penny says (to gaston), "MAKE MORE TEA"
Alexandra says, "Bleech. We'll trust the weaponry for now, then."
Clenwick says (to Michel), "always pleased to help"
Clenwick shows you all to the door.
Michel says, "<Right. Seems our only line of inquiry now is the swamp people>"
Alexandra says, "to the campus."
Kori asks, "could we outfit her with some way to disrupt the chanting?"
Penny says, "as I managed to escape a fair way before, I don't know if they'd come after me again.  unless it's specifically me they want"
Kori asks, "loud whistles, tape recordings of the macarena, ...?"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<From here, certainly, unless Lo has found something.>"
[nobilis] Michel asks, "seems like the swamp people wouldn't appreciate outsiders too much. How much is the guise, again?"
[nobilis] GM says, "aspect 2 miracle"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm, I could make myself look like Clenwick."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Dunno if that'd get me a good reception, but it might be interesting."
[nobilis] Michel says, "kerPLING and I'm a catskin-wearing gork"
[nobilis] Michel says, "or whatever the swamp folks look like, and I trust my stereotypes gonsarn it"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Heh."
Penny says, "okay, I am armed with stun guns and teeny tiny little tranquiliser guns"
Penny says, "let's go campuswards"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "I'll be Clenwick."
Raul says, "I'm taking a little more deadly firepower, but also some non-lethal stuff"
GM says, "folks head to campus"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Urr, this may involve me knocking on the door and claiming to have forgotten something, to get another look at him."
[nobilis] Michel says, "actually, both had better wait until Chester drives us back and points us in the right direction"
[nobilis] Gaston says, "Mf, yes."
[nobilis] Gaston says, "So I'll be Chester."
[nobilis] Michel says, "okay, get a lift back with Chester, get him to point us towards the swamp folks"
[nobilis] Michel says, "head into the swamp"
GM says, "the rite seems to trace it to one of the campus buildings; unfortunately as you get closer to the building, the mystic traces coming from the building's basement make it tricky to get a better fix on things"
GM says, "and the florida folks head into the swawmp"
GM says, "-w"
Gaston says, "I thought that was just the accent."
Michel says, "it's the local pronunciation"
Penny says, "hmmmm"
Penny says, "I guess it's in that basement, then"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "someone needs the Power of Temporarily Inaccessible Rooms"
Penny asks, "sneak in, or all guns a-blazin' time?"
Raul says, "Sneak in"
Alexandra starts sneaking
Alexandra says quietly to Penny, "Yelp if anything looks familiar"
Penny says, "there's probably no point in trying to disguise myself"
Raul adopts the look of a campus safety officer
GM says, "there are a few doors to the basement, but they seem to be locked"
[Crows-Nest] (from Michel) Penny says, "especially as that would require me to remove my pearls"
Penny says, "if there's nobody around, we can kick the door down, maybe"
Kori looks unsurprisingly similar to a graduate student.
GM says, "meanwhile, Gaston and Michel head cautiously into the swamp until they come across a swamp-folk campsite"
Penny asks, "or maybe someone knows a way to pick locks?"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "Hmm, the power of locked-room-murder-mysteries"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Would it be possible to pick locks?"
GM says, "it's getting a bit lateish, and it's summer, so campus is probably deserted"
Michel says, "<Gaston, keep out of sight. Something tells me they're not fond of the folks from town>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "if we're superhumanish, picking locks should be easy"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I was thinking of the old credit-card-and-jiggle-the-handle trick"
[nobilis] GM says, "I think it's an aspect-3 miracle to pick a lock with an improvised tool"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "ah"
[nobilis] Raul says, "Hey, look, I'm aspect 3."
Gaston says (to Michel), "<I was thinking we could take the angle that I'm suspicious of Knight, so I'm making peace overtures.>"
[nobilis] GM says, "there you go then"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<But yeah, you go first.>"
Raul asks, "Any of you have a pin?"
[nobilis] Alexandra exclaims, "how wonderfully convenient!"
Alexandra pulls a bobby pin from her hair
Alexandra asks, "This work?"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<We want to find out their grievances against Knight, remember.>"
GM says, ""Who's there?" one of them calls, standing up with shotgun in hand."
Raul says, "That'll do just fine."
Raul takes the pin and jiggles it in the lock.
GM says, "(click)"
Michel asks, "Er, hi?"
Raul exclaims, "Just like in the movies!"
[Crows-Nest] (from buzzard) GM says, "'Darn. I forgot to load my shotgun.'"
Penny says, "we're in"
Raul puts the bobby pin away in case he needs it again.
Raul listens carefully at the door before opening it.
GM says, ""Who's that? Come over here where we can see ya""
GM says, "(the basement is quiet)"
Raul opens the door. Slowly.
Michel strolls out of the swamp with his own shotgun hanging loosely from one hand
[nobilis] Penny says, "do we have a light source>"
[nobilis] Penny asks, "s/>/?"
[nobilis] GM asks, "I dunno, did you bring a flashlight or something?"
GM says, "the door creaks open, revealing dark hallways"
[nobilis] Penny says, "let's say for the sake of argument yes"
[nobilis] Raul says, "um"
[nobilis] Raul exclaims, "sure!"
[nobilis] buzzard asks, "Did you tell them it was night in advance?"
Michel says, "I was jus' out hunting, got lost. Glad to see you folks."
GM says, "The man looks you up and down. "Don't recognize you -- but have a seat. Same goes for him.""
[nobilis] Raul says, "Besides, I need a flashlight since I'm a security type"
[nobilis] Raul asks, "Oh, and donuts. Can I have donuts?"
[nobilis] Penny says, "donuts are good"
Gaston comes out of cover, clearly embarrassed at having been spotted.
Gaston waves a cheerful hello.
Michel sits down. "Y'hear about that Mr Knight?"
Gaston mutters darkly.
Gaston says, "The more I hear about that feller the less I like."
GM says, "the man looks a bit surprised to see Gaston. "Didn't think you got out of town much, Mr Tilyon""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am laughing at the two french guys and their american accents"
GM says, "The man spits on the ground. "What about Mr Knight?""
[nobilis] GM says, "ok then"
Michel says, "Tilyon here's gotten himself all concerned about maybe being kicked out of his nice little town"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "everything they know they learned from the giant cowboy"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "michel doesn't really have any accent"
Gaston says (to man), "I ain't an idiot! I ain't stayin' holed up in town and lettin' god knows what happen to me."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "hee"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "but these are rednecks, we have to make an effort"
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of gaston), "why are you cockney?"
GM says, ""You c'n say that again -- my cousin Clem got himself et by a gator just last week""
Gaston says (to Michel), "Not just me! You swamp folks'll be next, remember that."
GM says, ""It ain't safe out here either.""
GM says, ""This Pomelo City's haunted, sure 'nuff.""
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "mind you, so is inky"
Gaston exclaims, "Consarn it!"
Michel says, "Hear a whole lot of accidents have been going on there. Sinkholes and fires and lord knows what"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "clearly rednecks are all from West Ham"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I must apologize for my fake accents, which drift around with wild abandon"
Gaston exclaims, "It ain't natural!"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says, "American would be 'I ain't NO idiot!' and 'It ain't safe out her NEITHER'"
[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Gaston is doing his best."
[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to buzzard), "that too is cockney to my eye"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "y'all are crazy folks"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "Different way of interpreting the same dialect thing"
[Crows-Nest] buzzard says (to Penny), "Well, I was teasing, but those are both fine stereotypical american"
GM says, "The man seems soothed by the mutual complaining session. "You folks eaten? We're makin' squirrel stew.""
Gaston says (to Michel), "<Any ideas for a line of questioning?>"
[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "for the second time this week, I remember we only sent the cockneys over when we colonised anywhere"
[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "also, SQUIRREL STEW?"
Michel says, "But now Tilyon sez as this bird bullshit's for real... jeezus. Makes you wonder if Knight ain't stirring up trouble"
Gaston asks, "Aw, squirrel stew?"
Michel says, "Wouldn't say no."
Gaston says, "I shouldn't oughta had that long lunch earlier."
Gaston says, "You boys go right ahead, don't mind me."
Gaston says, "<I'll be throwing up in the corner over here.>"
Michel rolls his eyes at the swamp guy
GM says, ""Not quite ready yet, but I'll go wipe off another bowl""
[Crows-Nest] (from buzzard) Penny says, "I much prefer squirrel shish-kebab"
[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "you frenchies and your stuckup 'gormay' ways"
[nobilis] Penny asks, "meanwhile, we're all poised at the door to the basement, right?"
[nobilis] GM says, "yeah"
[nobilis] GM says, "feel free to go in"
Michel tucks into squirrel stew
Penny enters the basement cautiously
Gaston says (to Michel), "It's real that he's buyin' up all the land, sure enough. But I don't think it ain't no bird sanctuary."
GM says (to Penny), "well, it looks familiar, although it's hard to tell what with having a flashlight now and stuff"
Penny says (to Raul,), "alexandra it occurs to me now, of course, we should haveborrowed robes so as to blend in"
Raul says, "If I have to blend in, I can."
Penny says, "let's follow the corridor in"
[Crows-Nest] Raul exclaims, "And you can blend in, too, for the low low price of an aspect three miracle. Too high, you say? I'll make it an aspect *two* miracle!"
Michel says, "Don't see how no city folks could use this swamp for anything else. Less'n they've taken ter fucking gators now."
Gaston says (to Michel), "<Merde, we're volunteering all the information here. Do you think these savages know anything useful?>"
Alexandra says, "Mm. Well, too late now. We takes our chances."
Michel says (to Gaston), "<sssh, here it comes>"
Raul pokes around, shining his flashlight here and there, listening extremely intently.
[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "oo, good point. OK, I burn an AMP on guise."
Penny looks around in mythic
[nobilis] Penny says, "hmmm"
[nobilis] Penny says, "I think I'll guise too"
GM says, "The man shrugs. "They c'n drain swamps if they have to. That Clenwick's a good 'un, he wouldn't let them do it before, but -- enh""
[nobilis] Penny asks, "what's another lost point, after so many more?"
[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "#belated ..Kori yeah, and you get all fussy if someone cooks your fish"
GM says, ""My cousin Jeb sez he saw a surveyor out the other day.""
Gaston asks, "You think'n Knight's [spit] gotten to him?"
Michel says, "Should a skinned 'im."
[Crows-Nest] Gaston asks, "Shouldn't it be 'cousin Jed'?"
GM says (to Penny), "the place seems -- hmm. it seems emptier."
Michel asks, "Thought there wuz nothin' under the swamp but dirt and gator shit?"
GM says, "there is the faint sensation of bad magic having been done here"
Penny keeps exploring, hoping to find at least some hint of who was here
GM says, ""Well, can't say Knight's gotten to him and can't say he ain't. Me, I'm starting to think it's not worth bothering sticking around and waiting til I get et by a gator myself.""
Alexandra asks (of Raul), "hear anyone else around?"
Michel says (to Gaston), "<I say we get to Knight and make him talk now.>"
[nobilis] Alexandra says, "(figuring that with Raul's hearing, he'll pick anything up)"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<I agree.>"
GM says (to Penny), "hmm, that turn looks familiar, and then -- hey, there we go -- I think that's the door to your cell. It's even got the slide-plate over the peephole in the door."
Michel says, "<Get to the helicopter, run him down.>"
Gaston says (to Michel), "<All this cloak-and-dagger business is nonsense.>"
Gaston glances at his watch, and stands up, suddenly uncomfortable.
Raul says (to Alex), "Nothing yet."
Penny whispers (to alexandra, raul), "hey