Session Start: Sat Feb 05 13:03:43 2005
<Haru> Not exactly; I'll be doing <ST> and typing in a <KenKen> after 
it. Can I also request... I know mom's made this rule about the 
private window thing, but can I ask, just for my game, that die rolls 
happen in the public window? Since I'm nto familiar with WoD, it's 
easier for me if I don't have to flip around to find results and all. 
:)

<Garland> [Sure thing.]

<Flora> OK, but do you still want private windows for private 
conversation?

<Bunny> [Got it.

<Elyria> [ Allrighty.  ^^ ]

<ST> [Sure ,thanks. :) ]

<ST> Okay: When the game was last left off, everyone was separated by 
gauzy curtains. The snake on the ground had disappeared, as had the 
threatening spider. Nobody is, IIRC, on the silver path. There are 
other ropes and snakes around, but none of them are in your little 
gauzy cells with you.

<Flora> Sounds right.  Are we each separate?

<ST> Yep.

<Flora> [Oh, square brackets]

* Flora has her bo ready

***

<ST> Here's the deal, Flo. :) Things are seeming a little too... un-
human lately. Not that you're approaching bedlam, but it's just... 
this is such dream logic, it's hard to wonder if it's not a dream.

<Flora> Yeah, no kidding!

<ST> How does Flora feel about all this? 

<Flora> I'll play it

<ST> Sure; can I know as ST, since I don't know *all* the contents of 
your previous boxes with mom? *g*

<Flora> What do you need to know?

<Flora> As far as I know, the glamour KenKen zapped me with has a few 
days left

<ST> How Flora feels about the dreaming/the chance of it being a 
dream/wackyfun. (It does have a few days, yeah. You think. Time in 
the dreaming doesn't run like normal time.)

<Flora> But tests such as you suggest can happen

<Flora> Flora took some getting used to it at the start, but then 
went 'along for the ride'.  It is wacky fun, but a few incidents, 
such as bad treatment from a Sidhe, got her close to 'opting out'

***

* Garland has had his crossbow ready, but lowers it slightly when the 
snakes disappear. "... everyone alright??"

<Flora> [I believe I am far away from the others, right?]

* Bunny is standing very still, as momma and daddy told her to when 
dealing with dangerous animals.

<ST> [Nope, Flora; Bunny actually was surprisingly near you. Bunny; 
the dangerous animals have disappeared from your immediate presence. 
You're all in little gauzy 'rooms' you can see each other through, 
curtained off by... um, dreamgauze. Of a sort.]

<ST> [For that matter, you're all surprisingly close. I *believe* 
everyone left the silver path? Did Garland and Elyria? I can't find 
that in my notes.]

<Flora> [Great, I've been looking for dream guys, and I get 
dreamgauze]

<Garland> [The silver path disappeared on us, I believe...]

<Elyria> [As I recall, neither of us charged off it, but, yeah, what 
Garland said.]

* Bunny reaches out to touch some of the dreamgauze, then. Because 
she's also too young to know better.

<Garland> [But I didn't think Elyria and I were seperated... but we 
are now?]

<Garland> [Oh, wait, we are.  N'mind. :)]

<Elyria> [ Garland .oO(Aw, c'mon.  I finally get alone with her and 
you seperate us?  No fair.) ]

<ST> [Okay, thank you. :)] 

<ST> Bunny, the dream gauze is slightly sticky but apparently 
otherwise harmless.

<Garland> ["Gauzy curtains, eh? ... pretty romantic, huh? HUH?"]

<Flora> [sticky, as in spiderweb sticky?]

* Garland would move towards the nearest gauze that seperated him and 
Elyria, and poke it with his crossbow experimentally.

* Flora emulates Bunny

* Bunny pauses, and tries to see if there's another 'cell' without a 
spider or snake or something in it next to her, and also tries to see 
if she can tear it.

<ST> Flora, window. :)

<Bunny> [Wait, just snakes, right.]

<ST> Garland: The gauze sticks briefly to the crossbow, then lets go. 
It waves, harmlessly, in a faint breeze.

<Garland> [Can I pierce it then?]

<ST> Bunny: The snakes seem all to be past your cells, somewhere to 
the 'east'. (I'm using directions arbitrarially. Damn dreamining.)

<ST> Garland: Nope; the gauze seems to be untearable.

<ST> ...however, Flora:

<ST> When you touch it, the gauze curtain in front of you dissolves, 
like cobwebs tearing. You and Bunny are now in a *big* cell!

<Flora> "Hi Bunny!"

* Elyria is also testing the dreamgauze, with a long knife, then with 
her fingers if it doesn't seem to be harmful.

***

<Elyria> Hm.  Just checking, would I be at all familiar with this 
stuff?  I have... what, Survival in the Near Dreaming/4, by my sheet.

<ST> What's the last you got? And hmmm.... gimme a wits + survival in 
the near dreaming roll.

<ST> 9; Elyria doesn't tend to wander off the silver paths. Or have 
them disappear on her.

<Elyria> One success is all.

<ST> It looks like the dreaming is playing a game with you. You, btw, 
are right next to that structure I mentioned with the snakes and 
ropes. The snakes, however, seem to have no interest in you -- of 
course, there's some gauze between you and them.

***

* Bunny blinks! "Hi Flora!"

<Flora> "Stay close to me, alright?"

<ST> Elyria -- the dreamgauze seems sticky and flexible and harmless, 
but untearable to you.

<Flora> [Can I see the others, as in where they are in relation to 
Bunny/Flora domain?]

<Elyria> [ Bunny/Flora, huh? ]

<Elyria> [ ;) ]

* Bunny nods, and stays close to Flora. "Can we get to the 
others...?"

<Flora> [room wherein Bunny and Flora are together]

<Bunny> [...Lolicon?]

<Flora> "It seems as if I can get through the gauze.  I will try to 
get us closer to the others, Bunny."

<ST> You can see them a little, as hazy but familiar outlines; the 
gauze is partly transparent.

<ST> * Kenken pokes with interest at the gauze. Stick, release, 
stick, release...

<ST> [...* ST has impure thoughts.]

<Garland> [... *glad she isn't the only one*]

<Flora> "Hey, guys!  Hold on.  I got through to Bunny, so I will try 
to get through to you."

* Garland turns to see how Bunny and Flora are making out.

* Flora aside to Bunny: "This is really freaky Bunny. How come I can 
get through this stuff?"

* Flora attempts to open a path to .... Garland

<ST> Again, the gauze parts under your hands as you make it towards 
Garland, until you've cleared the way to him.

<Bunny> "Well, you're special, aren't you? Sometimes the stuff that 
applies to us changelings doesn't, um, apply to you. You know? Maybe 
it's that?"

<Flora> "There we go, Garland.  Yeah, Bunny, I guess I am different."

<Garland> "Huh... thanks, Flora."

<Flora> "OK, KenKen.  Here we come."

* Garland keeps an eye out now for anymore horrible beasts...

* Flora aims for KenKen

<ST> [plays victory music] Flora and co. successfully break through 
to KenKen!

<Flora> [Yayyy!]

<ST> <KenKen> "Am I the only one who's really confused by this? Also, 
thanks Flora. :D"

<Flora> "Im getting used to being confused, KenKen."

<Flora> "OK, Elyria, here we come."

<Bunny> "Maybe we should get back to the path after we get everyone?"

* Flora tries for Elyria.

* Garland shakes his head to KK, "No. ... now we just need to find 
out where we are, considering the -silver path- is gone..."

<Flora> "Can't KenKen do magic to find a path?"

* Elyria is keeping one eye on the regrouping efforts, and the other 
warily on the snakes on the other side of a gauze curtain from her.

<Garland> "I hope so..."

<ST> <KenKen> "Yeah -- though if there's none about, I'm not sure 
what the spell would do." [Trans: Haru does not have the book that 
spell's mechanics appears in.]

<Flora> "Hey!  Don't we also have a potion or something that can do 
that?"

<Bunny> "Can't we just go back the way we came...?"

<Flora> [I think it gives the user a direction to travel to get to a 
path.]

<ST> <KenKen> "You'd think so, bunny, but didn't the path disappear?"

<ST> [Cool. I can work with that. ^^]

<Garland> "It disappeared," nods grimly, still on lookout.

<Flora> "Yeah, but which way is that, in this mixed up place, Bunny?"

* Bunny points in the direction she thinks it was :x

* Bunny is very certain it's back in that direction.

<Flora> "Well, could be."

<ST> So the entire group is together except Elyria.

<ST> Ah! Sorry, missed your post above, Flora.

<ST> You make your way over to Elyria. From here, a large structure, 
some sort of trellis or grid, looms towards the sky to the east. It's 
visible through one remaining gauze curtain.

<Flora> "Well, do you think we should work our way towards that thing 
over there?"

* Garland glances over, and arches an eyebrow. "... what the hell is 
that?"

* Flora points to the trellis

* Garland moves forward towards the last remaining curtain, and nods 
Flora towards him. "... can you break through this?"

<Flora> "Sure, why not?"

<ST> The gauze obscures a proper view of the ...building skeletion? 
Structure?

<ST> [bad spelling? er. XD]

* Bunny tilts her head, looking up at the thing, wondering waht it 
is. "...Someone's growing some big tomatos?"

<ST> <KenKen> "...I like Bunny's explanation."

* Flora smiles at Bunny, then tries the gauze barrier

<ST> Flora -- when you touch the last gauze barrier, the gauze 
passage you were following seems to close in behind you. You're in a 
big structure -- per plus alertness everyone, so I know how much to 
describe? :) This thing are BIG.

<ST> difficulty six, because you're in it.

<Flora> [2 successes]

<Garland> [6 successes! *beams*]

<Elyria> [Three successes.]

<Flora> [sorry, 5 successes, ands one more if there is something 
danger sense helps for]

<Bunny> [6 successes here, too!]

<Flora> [Oohhhh we are just SO alert!]

<Bunny> [On our tip-toes!]

<ST> Okay. :) description is a little convoluted, I fear, as it's 
highly visual, so ask any questions you need to: 

<ST> "You realize that where the snakes and ropes are is in a 
latticework, rising high above you, hundreds of feet, in what looks 
to be about 100 stories, or 'layers' as I'm going to be calling 
them.. It looks to be made from something that looks *almost* like 
the curtains before -- but thicker, somehow. There's a wall of it 
behind you, and under your feet it makes a floor (notably, Flora 
isn't falling through it), and over your head makes a ceiling -- to 
the 'east' (using directions for usefulness though this is, of course 
,the dreaming) is a sort of path to the other side. (Cont)

<ST> this ISN'T blocked off by gauze, but it does have lines drawn on 
the floor to, apparently, delineate sections (which will, hopefully 
usefully, be called 'sections').  At your feet lies a rock, about 
fist size, six sides even, with lines etched into it. The side facing 
up has one line through the centre. There are ropes and snakes 
dangling here and there throughout; they tend to cross several 
layers. The ropes which hang here and there in the latticework are 
all several or more layers 'up' : none of them hang down to the first 
layer. (cont)

<ST> However, one of the *snakes* is dangling down far enough to have 
its head dangling in the 'section' right in front of you (the second 
section); it's tail is caught somewhere on the third layer. All but 
Flora and Elyria can see another at what seems to be the far end of 
this 'grid', a shorter one, dangling from the second 'layer' of the 
lattice down to the one you're at. (end)

<Flora> [A Snakes nad LAdders game!!!]

<Elyria> [Minus the ladders.  ;) ]

<Garland> [XD!]

* Garland leans down to pick up the rock and look it over.

<Flora> "The ropes are ladders, and the snakes are ... snakes.  This 
is a giant game!"

<Flora> "And we get out of here by playing it!!"

<ST> The rock has markings on every side: |, ||, |||, |V, V, and 
skull.

<ST> It feels evenly balanced.

<Garland> ["Ah! ... this must be part of a sex dice game."]

* Flora shudders

<Bunny> "...What?"

* Garland arches an eyebrow, tossing the rock a bit in one hand. "... 
and we're supposed to roll this?"

<Garland> [That was in brackets! XD]

<Flora> [oh yeah]

* Flora shudders .... in excitement of playing a fun game!

<Garland> [*laughs*]

* Bunny wonders if the snakes are friendly. "Well, try it and find 
out?"

<Garland> "I don't like the idea of getting seperated, but... well," 
tosses the rock forward, rolling it on the ground.

<ST> [roll your d6, Garland. :D]

<ST> [Tell me whatcha get. :D]

<Garland> [Bah.  One.]

<ST> You disappear, and reappear in the second section. :) The snake 
there looks at you with bland disinterest, then slowly extends its 
head towards you.

<ST> [only Garland goes, however.]

* Bunny gasps! "...Mister Garland, can you hear us?"

<Flora> [Ooohhhh... lets watch and see what happens!]

* Garland lifts crossbow and aims it at that snake!

<ST> [You can indeed, Garland. :) ]

<Garland> "Yeah, I can!"

<ST> The snake tilts its head at Garland, blinking with curiousity.

<Flora> "see if you can talk to it, Garland!"

<Garland> -_-; "Alright, fine... you better not try a damn thing, 
snake." To the snake.

* Bunny picks up the dice where it landed.

<ST> The snake's tongue extends and flickers across Garland's ear, 
affectionately.

<Flora> "Hey BUnny. Wanna see if you and I can go together?  If I 
carry you, say, as you roll it?"

* Garland rolls his shoulder to nudge the snake away. "That 
tickles!" Laughs a bit.

<ST> The snake blinks at him in slow incomprehension and nudges 
Garland with its blunt nose.

<Flora> "Maybe in this game you can go UP the snake, too."

<Elyria> [ You have animal magnetism, Garland. ]

<Bunny> "...okay..." Bunny hopes for a one. :x

<ST> [Roll 'er.]

<Garland> "... yes, you're a fine snake." Pats him on said nose, then 
looks back at Flora. "... how the hell am I gonna go UP a snake?"

<Flora> [Aw, just one snake in the grass to another..]

<Flora> "Well, climb it.  Like a rope."

<Flora> "Or an elephant's trunk."

<ST> The snake investigates Garland's neck.

* Flora reaches to pick up Bunny

* Bunny waits until Flora has picked her up, then rolls the dice.

<Bunny> [3! Pooor bunny.]

* Garland backs up a bit, as snakes near neck=possible trouble. "... 
am I 'spose to climb you?"

<ST> Bunny vanishes from Flora's arms, reappearing in section 4. The 
die falls at Flora's feet.

<Flora> [D'Oh.]

<ST> <KenKen> "...Are snakes usually good for climbing?"

<ST> The snake blinks at Garland again. Its tongue flickers. The 
snake seems unable or unwilling to talk, cursed snake!

* Bunny squeaks!

* Elyria purses her lips. "Looks like we have to play by its rules - 
but it was a good try. Who's next?"

<Flora> "Ill go.  By the way, Garland and Bunny, are there dice in 
your cells, too?"

<ST> <KenKen> "Oooh!" [sticks a hand in the air] "...awww."

<ST> (There are no dice in their cells. Maybe it's a turn-based 
game?)

<Garland> "None in here!"

* Flora picks up the die and rolls

* Bunny sits down and takes out some string, doing a Cat's Cradle and 
other various hand-string things while she waits. :x

<Garland> "... you okay, Bunny?" Looking ahead towards her.

<ST> [Roll 'er, Flora. :) ]

* Flora rolls a 1!

<ST> You appear in the same cell as Garland! The snake recoils for a 
moment, startled, then noses forward to investigate you.

<Garland> "... he seems pretty harmless," To Flora, watching the 
snake.

<Bunny> "I'm okay!" seems excited at the question, though! ... then 
pouts when Flora appears. DANG IT. Why did SHE get to get the same 
number?

<Flora> [Hmmm.... Flora is a bit surprised it noticed her.  This 
world is more and more complex!]

<Flora> "OK, Elyria, go for it!"

<ST> The snake flicks its tongue at Flora's nose. To be honest, it 
doesn't seem to be *looking* at Flora so much as knowing she's there 
and trying to sort her out; its head twists and turns this way and 
that.

* Elyria steps forwards and picks up the die, peers at it curiously 
for a moment, then gives it a light toss.

<Elyria> [ ...six.  XD ]

***

<Elyria> Reminds me - is Zoan riding with me, or what?

<ST> Zoan is staying in your bag, far away from the snakes. Every so 
often you can hear him muttering, "goddamn snakes. Hate snakes. Nasty 
things, snakes."

<Elyria> Hee.  'Bout what I figured.  ;)

<ST> "My tail *isn't* tasty." etc. *g*

***

<Garland> [ ... show off.]

<ST> Elyria appears in square 7, the die left behind for KenKen! 
Three squares ahead of you is another snake, Elyria. :) 

<ST> * KenKen rolls...

<ST> ... a 4. KK's in square 5. The die vanishes -- and reappears in 
square 2, with Garland and Flora.

<Flora> "I wonder if we have to do it in the same order, or it just 
goes by lowest cell number?"

<Flora> "Go ahead, Garland."

* Garland picks up the die and shrugs, then gives it a light toss. 
".. it's been swell, Flora." grins.

<Flora> "A slice, anyway."

<ST> Whatcha roll, Garland?

<Garland> [4!]

<ST> Okay! You move to square 6, between Elyria and KenKen. The snake 
blinks, then turns to look curiously at Flora, sniffing her out 
again. Bunny, the die appears at your feet

<Flora> [Ahah!]

* Bunny crosses her fingers and rolls!

<Bunny> [1! XD;]

<Flora> "Well, you're in with KenKen for now!"

<ST> * KenKen waves. "HI!"

<Garland> [what's between each section again? more gauze-stuff?]

<Flora> "I've got a chocolate bar that says I get to the finish 
first!"

<ST> The die reappears with Flora.

<ST> [Just lines.]

* Flora rolls a 2.

* Garland steps forward and waves his hand over the line seperating 
him from the next section.

<ST> Flora: You reappear in square 4. :)

<ST> Garland: Your hand bounces off, as if from an invisible barrier.

<ST> Elyria, the die is in your hands! 

* Bunny smiles at Kenken! "Hi!" "... I wonder how long until we get 
to the top?"

* Garland mutters to himself, then just goes back to waiting his 
turn.

* Elyria picks up the die again. "...what an odd game," she remarks, 
and rolls.

* Elyria rolls a 2!

<ST> Square 9 it is! Square 10, in front of you, appears to be the 
last one in the row; a snake hangs from the square above it down into 
that square. Square 9, however, is empty of snakes. 

<ST> * KenKen finds himself with the die, and rolls a 2. He ends up 
in square 7, recently vacated by Elyria, and... Garland finds himself 
with the die!

* Garland rolls that sucka!

<Garland> [.. and moves 1.]

<ST> <KenKen> "...Hi! :D"

<ST> [welcome to square 7. Please leave your belongings at the door.]

<ST> Bunny, the die is yours.

* Bunny crouches down and rolls it, carefully!

<Garland> "... hello." smiles a bit to KK, then looks longingly at 
the square Elyria's on.  Sighs.

<Bunny> [/me rolls a 4!]

<ST> You end up in square 9, with Elyria. The snake in square 10 pays 
little attention to you two.

<ST> Flora's turn!

* Bunny glances longingly at the square Garland is on. ... Sighs.

* Flora rolls a 6!

<ST> Flora appears in square 10, with the snake. It again raises its 
head as if it's noticed something, and begins investigating the air 
around Flora...

<Flora> [Does Flora see any squares in which there are ropes?]

* Garland watches Flora and the snake now.

<ST> [there seems to be a rope stretching on layer two (but two 
squares west -- square 13, since the pattern weaves) to the third 
level directly above it (square 28). That's the closest one she sees.

<Flora> [OK, then Flora does NOT try to climb the snake.]

* Flora tosses a bit of snack food into the mouth of the snake.

<ST> The snake seems a bit agitated by the presence of -- Oh hey, 
snacks. (What kind of snacks?)

<ST> Btw, Elyria, you have the die.

<Flora> [ A piece of cheese]

<ST> The snake makes a choking sound, gums smacking, tongue darting 
out rapidly.

* Elyria ...rolls another six.

<Flora> [D'oh.  She's way ahead!]

<ST> Elyria, you end up in... square 10, but the die doesn't leave 
your hands; it appears to still be your turn. You haven't moved up to 
the upper level, strangely enough. The snake is darting about angrily 
now, looking for, apparently, a target.

<Flora> "Quick, Elyria, roll again!"

* Elyria blinks and rolls!

* Elyria rolls a 4.

<ST> The die produces a 5, actually, the same number you'd land on if 
you'd moved to the upper level... but you don't move. The snake is 
slowly calming, though its tongue is still flickering rapidly.

<Flora> [Does the die stay here?]

<ST> [Yep.[

<Flora> [Can we see where the snake's tail is?]

<ST> [it's firmly attached to square 11 -- the square right above 
you.]

* Elyria frowns. "What has changed, Flora? I roll, but nothing 
happens, and the die is still here."

<Flora> "Well, I'm not sure."

<Elyria> [Flora seems to recognize what this is, Elyria will ask the, 
er, expert?]

<Flora> "The way I used to play this game, landing at the head of the 
snake didn't do anything, only the tail end was bad."

<ST> the snake seems to have calmed. It sniffs at Elyria with its 
tongue.

<Flora> "What do you think, should I try to roll the die?"

<Flora> "maybe to get the first one in to be the first one out?"

* Garland furrowing as he watches from his section.

<Garland> "... maybe he's 'sposed to lift you or something?" calling 
over.

<Flora> "of a snake head square, I mean?  OH, GArland has an 
interesting idea, too."

<Flora> "What do you think, Elyria?"

* Elyria hands the die off to Flora. "You're welcome to try."

* Flora tries to roll the die

<ST> It lands... on its edge.

<Flora> [bitch!]

<ST> [>D]

<Flora> "OKaaayyyy... how about you try to climb the snake, Elyria?"

<Garland> "... Or at least pull on it.  Maybe it'll draw you up..."

<Flora> "yeah, that."

* Elyria nods. "I'll try my chances with the snake, then." She 
approaches it and looks it over curiously, then shrugs and lifts both 
hands to it, giving and experimental - and gentle tug.

* Flora is ready to defend her

* Garland watches. Jealously.

<Flora> [chuckle]

<ST> The snake twines around your wrists, then withdraws to square 
11, lets go of you, and slithers back down so its head is in square 
10. The moment your feet touch square 11, you're zapped forward to 
15, and *splorfle at Garland* the die goes to KenKen.

<ST> Who rolls a skull -- I mean, six. :) He gets to square 10. 
"Well.... what's that saying, nothing gained when there's no 
adventures?" He snags the snake to do the same.

* Elyria looks enlightened.

* Bunny oooohs.

* Garland is annoyed he didn't do that in square 2...

<ST> And is tugged up to square 13. The bottom of a rope hangs in his 
square.

<Flora> "Go for it, KenKen"

<ST> <KenKen> [blinks at it] "Think I should try to climb it?"

<Flora> "Climb the rope"

<Bunny> "You can at least try?"

<Bunny> "It seems like this place just keeps you from doing things 
you aren't supposed to, so..."

<ST> * KenKen reaches for the rope, and... rolls Dexterity plus 
athletics. With great athletic skill, he grabs the rope and tries to 
pull himself up... only to slide back down and smack his bottom on 
the 'floor' when he slips from the end of the rope.

<ST> <KenKen> "It's covered in butter!"

<Garland> [... ewww!]

* Bunny blinks. "...I guess you aren't supposed to go up the ropes?

<Flora> "hmmm... the snakes which should drop you down, help you up, 
and the ropes which should help you up drop you down."

<Garland> "Guess not," laughs a bit.

<Flora> [SO, Garland has the die?]

<Garland> [Yes, have I?]

<ST> [OOC question: We can only play an hour longer. :) I can either 
run through the rest of the minigame if people are enjoying it, to 
see who 'wins' and all, or I can say that now you've figured out how 
the game board wins, you all get there *eventually*, and get to some 
other stuff today. Which would you guys prefer? :)]

<ST> (Well, an hour and fifteen minutes, but.)

<ST> (or longer, I *guess*, if people don't mind having no Bunny, but 
Kels has work, so. *g*)

<Elyria> [ ...I dunno.  I'm amused by it, but I'm willing to go with 
whatever majority decides.]

<Garland> [Well... we could just roll a d10 or something, and whoever 
rolls highest wins... :) ]

<Bunny> [I'm inclined to skip to the end, as much fun as this is, 
unless you have some way to make it so bunny can dissapear during the 
game :)]

<Flora> [Let's go to the end of the board, I would eventually win 
anyway. ;o)]

<Garland> [Pffft!]

<Elyria> [Suuure you would.  ;)]

<ST> [Okay, that's two votes for end of the board, and what looks 
like two votes for don't care, so. *g* Roll your d10s, <s>bitches</s> 
players. <3]

<ST> [KK gets a 6.]

<Elyria> [ 9 ]

<Flora> [uhhh... a 1]

<Bunny> [5!]

<Garland> [bah, 6.]

<Elyria> [ .oO(Everyone else has to wait at the top for Flora for an 
hour before she makes it out.) ]

<Flora> [ouch.]

<Garland> [Hm.  Elyria is good at dice rolling. ... and snake 
tuggery.]

<ST> Elyria wins! Since she gets there first, she can call back 
advice as to what different ropes are covered with -- something Flora 
seems to be having bad luck finding out on her own -- and which 
snakes have what sort of temperment and so on. At least one snake 
seems to be in love with Garland. Etc.

<ST> Once you all get to the top, a silver path stretches out from 
the 100th square, leading off...

<Flora> [Cool!]

<Flora> [And, yes, Garland, we got it.]

* Bunny can't blame the snake, yo.

* Garland breathes a sigh of relief when he sees the silver path. 
"Finally!"

<ST> Snake: .oO(No! Don't go! I love you! I love you!)

<ST> * Kenken stretches. "That was a nice break from all that!"

<ST> (Per plus alertness, btw. Difficulty 8.)

<ST> [KK gets 2 successes]

<Elyria> [ five successes.]

<Garland> [1 success.  Boo.]

<Flora> [2 successes]

<Bunny> [Just 1 success. Awwwww]

<ST> Elyria, you notice that down, way below, a pair of people on 
horseback have caught up to the black and silver pair and, lacking a 
silver path, are letting those two ride with them. Because it's 
overhead, it's hard to identify the pair of riders, though to Elyria, 
they look vaguely familiar. Elyria can even hear faint sounds of 
cursing about the damnable dreaming (trails off into incomprehension) 
always disappearing (mutter mutter)

<Flora> "what are you looking at, Elyria?"

<ST> They do seem to be aiming for the Snakes and Ropes ladder, but 
they do not seem to have seen you, at least from the snippets of 
conversation you catch.

* Elyria points down. "The people we saw earlier are down there," she 
says. "The silver and black and the horse riders. So, are we going to 
follow this path, or does KenKen see a knife again?"

<ST> * KenKen looks around. "...it looks like I'm a good boy today."

(trans for Flora, who has 1 pip in Kenkenspeak:
<ST> Trans: "I'm not waylaying the party again, I don't think.")

<Flora> "Yup, not waylaying us this time."

* Garland steps forward to try and make out the riders himself, 
frowning.

<ST> Reroll then, Garland?

<Bunny> "D'ya think they followed us?"

<Elyria> "It sounds like the path vanished on them as well - which 
means they're likely heading here."

<Garland> [bah, I still only got 2.]

<Flora> "weren't they here ahead of us?  MAybe I got mixed up at the 
beginning."

<Garland> "Great, then I guess there's no way to avoid them, huh?"

<Flora> "Who are they?"

<Bunny> "Maybe they're here to help!"

<ST> [They were coming towards the board from the other side. They're 
still below; Garland, it should actually be pretty easy to avoid them 
if you take the silver path now. :) It'll probably take them as long 
to get through the game as it took you, after all...]

<Garland> "... I doubt that.  I don't trust them."

<Garland> [Ohhhh.... I was confused.  Scratch that! XD]

<ST> [Cool. :) ]

<Garland> ["Steal the die!"]

<ST> [Idly, Winamp just called "Are You Sleeping" : "Are you sleeping 
/ am I the only one awake? / 'cause I feel you all a thousand miles 
away / Are you sleeping / do you remember where we've been?" XD]

<Garland> "People like that were seen to be going to Lady Ayame's 
teahouse before we got there, remember?" To KK, arching an eyebrow. 
"... and remember also what we found when we -got- there..."

<ST> * KenKen nods. "Do you really think it'd be good to meet them? 
Or should we go before they see us?"

<Flora> "Oh. it's THOSE people?"

<Garland> "Well.. I'm just guessing.  But better to err on the side 
of caution and all, right?"

<ST> ...Actually, Elyria, another per plus alertness role. Acute 
senses included.

<Elyria> [Difficulty same? ;) ]

<ST> [Yep. :) ]

<Elyria> [...six successes.]

<Garland> [... I love having her around. *pets Elyria*]

<ST> Elyria, you suddenly place the voices -- not of the black and 
silver pair, but of the riders! Those are DEFINATELY the voices of 
Rolf and Roanna, unseelie sidhe twins who used to work for Lord 
Rendarien!

***

<ST> Last Elyria heard, they were on Rendarien's bad books.

* Elyria nods.

<ST> Something about conspiring behind his back to kill people, or 
scheming politics, something like that. Elyria was a bit busy at the 
time, and probably not playing complete attention, but they went from 
favourites to nothings awful fast.

***

<Garland> [!]

<Flora> "Elyria.  You have a funny look on  your face.  What is it?"

<Flora> [Uh oh.  Elyria??]

* Elyria blinks. "The riders - I know their voices. Ah - Rolf and 
Roanna, I believe they were called. They worked for Lord Rendarien."

<ST> <KenKen> [makes a face, instantly] "You might not be surprised 
to hear we've met."

<Flora> "Isn't he on our side?"

<Garland> "... I say we get going.  We've got a headstart on them, 
and whatever they're looking for... let -us- find it first."

<ST> <KenKen> "Didn't you guys meet 'em too, Flora and Garland? A 
certain pair of blonds on a train?"

***

<ST> By the way, you probably knew them too, as a house servant. 
NASTY pair of sycophants who'd been trying to hide their activities 
from the duke, according to servant rumours. Liked ravaging humans. 
Stuff like that.

<Bunny> Eeek! Scary!

<ST> [nods] The servants tried to avoid them and another of 
Rendarien's right hand (wo)men, Gilessia.

***


* Elyria nods. "It's just as well - they aren't exactly his 
favourites anymore. Something about plotting behind his back to kill 
someone or something. Not entirely sure, but he wasn't exactly happy 
with them last I knew."

<Flora> "But, if they worke dfor Lord Rendarien, aren't they too on 
our side?  Oh my God!  The assassins!"

<Garland> "Yeah, we met them.  Weren't they also... let go by the 
Duke?"

<Flora> "Oh, they were nasty.  I'd just as soon not tangle with them 
right now.  Let's get going."

* Garland would turn and moves towards the silver path then.

* Bunny starts down the silver path, then out of there, assuming it 
is decided.

<ST> * KenKen goes with!

* Garland keeps his crossbow ready, just in case, and takes the lead.

<ST> [Elyria, Flora, going with? :)]

* Flora also goes on the path

* Bunny has a somewhat quick scamper in her step. And not just 
because she wants to keep up with Mister Garland. Peers back behind 
them every now and then to make sure the scarytwins aren't there. ;.;

* Elyria has also started down the path, yes.

<ST> About five feet in, you feel yourself leave the dreaming.

<Flora> [what does that feel like?]

<Bunny> [Tingly]

<Flora> [Ahhh... the tingle of interdimension transposition.]

<ST> You've emerged in... a modern day city. It's big, dominated by 
high glass buildings. A lot of people are wandering, talking, their 
accents sort of west-coast. 

<ST> It's beginning to move on towards evening, shadows long across 
the roads. You're all in your human forms again, though the fae with 
kenning can of course see your fae mien laid overtop of it. 

* Garland stops, then glances back at them. "... shi...shoot. Shoot. 
Anyone recognize anything?"

<ST> There are stores around; a shoe store, a few clothing stores, an 
HMV, an old-fashioned book-bindery, and so on.

<Flora> [there must be a newsstand at which we can get the local 
paper... to find out where we are]

* Bunny ... fixes her overalls on her human form. Lacks kenning.

<ST> Cars drive around, people chat together as they walk. An old man 
comes out of the book bindery, moving slow, and lights up a 
cigarette.

* Bunny looks around for a police officer? She's supposed to find a 
police officer if she's ever lost! ... Or a bus driver, because they 
always know where things are.

<ST> Per plus alertness, people looking around for police and or 
familiar features?

<ST> Elyria gets acute senses. And has a squirming cat poking his 
head out of her bag.

<Bunny> [What's the difficulty?]

<ST> [8.]

<Bunny> [I loooose. No successes.]

<Garland> [.. botch.]

<Flora> [4 successes]

<Bunny> [Or, er, one ten and one 1, so. XD]

<Elyria> [ Three successes. ]

<Bunny> [* Garland fails his 'walk' roll and falls face-first onto 
the pavement.]

<Garland> [... even though he's standing still.  That would be 
better. XD]

* Elyria unslings her bag from her shoulder and opens it a bit more 
to allow Zoan to jump out easily if he likes.

<ST> Flora: You recognize the street name -- you're in Washington! 
You and Elyria both also overhear snippets of conversation -- "A 
ball? At King Melga's?" "Maybe some kind of introductory thing?" "But 
I've nothing to wear! Not to a *king*'s ball!"

<ST> Zoan jumps to the ground and licks his crotch dismissively.

<ST> Garland, you think this has to be San Fran. It's got that San 
Fran atmosphere! :D

<Garland> ["dismissively" *laughs*]

<Flora> "Did you guys hear that?  There are people here talking about 
a ball being put on by King Melga!"

<Garland> "Huh... maybe we can stop by Alcatraz while we're here," 
grins to Elyria, then continues looking around.

* Garland looks over at Flora. "... King Melga?"

<Garland> "... when?"

<Flora> "Yeah, some kind of introduction.. maybe a debutante thing.  
Don't know when.  haven't heard, yet."

<Bunny> "Alcatraz? There's a big bird here?"

<Flora> "This is weird.  WE're in Washington, like, the regular city, 
and people are talking about King Melga."

<ST> (Btw, apparently Melga is spelled Meilge, I didn't know. XD 
Sorry, typo.)

<Flora> [Meilge]

<Garland> "Where do you get Washington from?" Arches an eyebrow at 
Flora.

[AFTER A LONG CONFUSION ON WHICH WASHINGTON, WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO CLEAR UP LATER, REAL-ST, SORRY ABOUT THAT...]

<Flora> "So, hang on a minute guys.  Why are we on this current 
expedition?  What are we looking for?"

<Bunny> "We're on the journey thing following the clues that has to 
do with the horn?"

<Garland> "Well, this was the silver path that the dreamflower opened 
up..." Still looking around, confused now as to where he is.

<Garland> "And the dreamflower might've been caused by something 
spilling from the Cup of Dreams, so..."

<Bunny> "So where are we going from here?" ...looking up at Mister 
Garland.

<Flora> [ST, can I see the people who were talking about Meilge?]

<ST> [Sure. A couple of preppie girls who look like they're 
windowshopping]

<Flora> "OK, guys, give me a minute to do my invisible snoopy thing."

<Flora> [ST, private box?]

***

<Flora> OK, ST, my Feth Fiada trick is as follows:

<ST> Okay?

<Flora> To detect me there is a contest between my roll of my FF dice 
with a target of 6, and they roll their detection dice (not sure what 
combo) with a target of 9.  MOst successes wins

<Flora> Flora wins = she is not detected, they win = she IS detected, 
number of wins is up to you to use

<ST> Okay. [nods] 

<ST> Roll it, then.

<Flora> OK, hang on while I figure out how many dice -I- have.

<ST> Sure.

<Flora> I forget now, but it may be only the four pips I have in FF, 
so I will roll 4 dicew with target 6.  OK?

<ST> Sure.

<Flora> [3 successes]

<ST> The preppy girls, who I assume you're FFing on, have no idea 
you're there.

<Flora> OK, so Flora spies on them

<ST> Cool.

***

* Garland looks down at Bunny, blinks, then clears his throat and 
looks around once again. "Well, obviously we've been led here for a 
reason, so... best to follow up on this Meilge thing first, I'd 
think..."

<Garland> "Good idea, Flora."

* Bunny looks around for a bench to sit down on.

<Garland> "Don't go too far off, Bunny."

* Elyria occupies herself with fussing over Zoan and keeping her ears 
open towards the shopping girls.

<ST> "But oh my god, sometimes this is just so wacky! Isn't it just 
so wacky!" "I know!" "Yeah!" "Isn't it?!" 

<ST> The bookbinder calls over in a croaky voice, "Are you kids 
lost?"

* Garland ... casts kenning on the bookbinder.

<ST> Roll it? :) 

<Garland> [... shoot.  diff 6?]

<ST> Sure.

* Flora wanders over to right behind the preppies, and they seem to 
take no notice of her

* Bunny sets her bag down beside her and starts to re-arrange her 
STUFF. Of which she has much of. ...What is she gonna do with the 
HORN?

<Garland> [... 1 success.]

<ST> He's human.

* Bunny looks up to the bookbinder. "Ummm..."

<ST> Flora: "Oh my god, maybe if I used my prom dress?" "Oh my GOD, 
that's brilliant!"

* Flora keeps spying

<ST> Flora: "I KNOW! Isn't it?" "Yeah! Only I don't fit into mine! 
This is so, so weird! I'm not even sure if it's Atlanta today or 
not!"

<ST> The bookbinder is an old, old man, stooped, his glasses thick 
enough they GOTTA hurt on his nose, his fingers heavily inkstained.

* Garland looks to the bookbinder, lifting his eyebrows. "... no, no, 
we're just fine. Thank you, sir."

<Flora> [Ohhh... a man who works with BOOKS ... Flora is torn!]

<ST> The bookbinder nods and stubs his cigarette out. "Well, you 
young ones take care," he says, and heads back into his bindery.

* Garland doesn't want to look -crazy- after all. Even though he is 
carrying a nerf shooter toy in one hand and all...

<Bunny> "Thank you sir! Have a good day!" :x

* Flora checks out their parcels and bags while she listens

<Garland> "Damn. ... we must look really lost if we've got strangers 
asking us..."

<Flora> [Well, Garland does, anyway.]

<ST> Flora: "I think it's Atlanta today, yeah." "Like, are you 
sure?" "Ummmm, pretty sure. But like, do you think I should go with 
blue or green? Priorities, Jill!"

<Garland> [... true.]

<ST> [Btw, it's about time for Kels to get ready. Either I can work 
Bunny out of the story for awhile and we can continue, or we can call 
pause here, since nobody seems to be doing anything. *g*]

<Flora> [Why don't we stop here?]

<Garland> [*g* Let's just pause here then...]

<Bunny> [I'm fine with just having bunny vanish if everyone wants to 
continue. :D]

<Flora> [I can't go much longer anyway, and we are safe for the 
moment here]

* Garland thinks maybe he should've asked that dude about where they 
were, since he always thought San Fran was a lot more 'festive' than 
this...

<Flora> [We will have to figure out where to go, how to get dressed 
properly, etc.  That will take time.]

<Garland> [Eee! A party! :D]

<Garland> [Free booze!]

<Flora> [Literally a party animal!]

<Flora> [I vote to stop here]

<Bunny> [I'm inclined to say to get her distracted anyway, just to 
have some fun to start off with next game session *g*]

<Garland> [Nah, if Peter and Kels both have to go soon, then we 
should just pause here for now.]

<ST> [Okay. *g* Then I'll end with Bunny's distraction] -- Bunny, you 
were watching the book-binder go in, right? Well, in the window, your 
eye gets caught by a lovely hand-bound, illuminated ... *cookbook*! A 
beautifully crafted one!

* Bunny gasps! ... instinctly starts puttering off in that direction. 
:D :D :D

<ST> All right, so when we end game, just so I have a clear picture: 
Flora is feth fiading behind some preppies, Garland is lost, Elyria 
is petting her cat, and Bunny is wanderng into the book-bindery. And 
KenKen is also lost. Right? :)

<Flora> [Sure.  IS KenKen lost, or just waiting for something to 
happen?]

<ST> [KenKen is hanging out with Garland, all "omg wtf lol".]

<ST> Okay, game off...