Session Start: Sun Apr 27 17:21:04 2003

<Welwyn> okay, so before we start, does everyone remember where you are, what you're doing, 
etc.?

<Flora> on a cab ride to the tea house, roght?

<Emily> We were in a taxi... going to the tea house, Glass House place.

* Haru recalls us fleeing from a train. To a taxi. To the Glass House. And Arobryn was with 
us.

<Welwyn> Arobryn has just fainted from pain.

<Welwyn> Nick up everyone.

*** Haru is now known as KenKen

*** Emily is now known as Garland

*** Welwyn is now known as ST

<ST> Yes, everyone, the famous relaxing twins are now properly befuddled, and Jelly Baby is 
desperately trying to look after them.
<ST> Okay, you three, Arobryn, in the back seat, has apparently fainted.

<Flora> so what do we expect to happen at this tea hous, guys?

* KenKen pats his cheeks for a bit before giving up. Then makes a 'shhhhhhhhhhhh' sound and 
points to the driver's head.

<Flora> ah!

* Flora blushes.

<ST> [Cabby] "Somethin wrong with that guy back there?"

<Flora> we kept him up late last night.

<KenKen> "A little too much to drink, too."

* Garland glances back at them briefly from the passenger seat, noting Arobryn. ".... yeah. 
What they said."

<ST> "Like those other two, only I don't think they was drunk.  Just mean."  [Cabby]

<Flora> Psst --- Ken Ken, do you have any money for the cabby?

* Flora Alert!

<Flora> other two??

<Garland> "Oh?" He looks back towards the cabby.  "When was this?"

<KenKen> "Yeah? Mean drunks?"

<ST> "Last night.  Late train.  They don't usual come so late.  Maybe that's why the guy 
dint talk an the girl were so mean."

<KenKen> "What's they look like? So if we see 'em we can avoid 'em, I mean."

<ST> [cabby]  "First off, I thought they was mad at each other, then I thought the one was 
passed out drunk, then ...  look like?  Well, black and white, if you get me.  Opposites but 
just the same.  Weird."

* Flora is confused.

<KenKen> "...They look like opposites?"

* Flora looks at KenKen with ??'s in her eyes.

* Garland smiles slightly at the cabby. "I don't think we get you."

<ST> [cabby]  "Like the guy, he had silver hair and dark clothes, and the girl she had real 
dark hair and white clothes and her eyes were this real strange silvery colour, give me the 
creeps..."

<ST> [cabby]  "But otherwise, they coulda bin twins.  Went to the Tea House, same as you."

* KenKen looks around at the others.

<Flora> Well, it won't be hard to notice them.

<Flora> If they're there.

<KenKen> "Unless they're *sneaky*!"

* Flora winks

<Flora> "So, cabby, how long to the Tea House?"

<ST> [cabby] "Five minutes.  Maybe less.  Sometimes it seems longer, sometimes not.  Weird 
place."

<KenKen> "Must be the traffic."

<Flora> "Been gettin' that effect, lately, myself."

* Garland looks out the window to see where we are.

<ST> The sun is behind a cloud, and the road enters the little forest.  It suddenly seems 
very dark and cold, for mid-afternoon.

<KenKen> [plus, sometimes someone will do a pose like: <KenKen> "Unless they're sneaky!" He 
looks around dramatically.]

* Flora hears in her mind some great mood music. She makes a mental note.

<ST> The cabby shivers.  "I dunno why but I see things in this place.  Like was that or 
wasn't that a red hat in that tree over there?"

* KenKen pokes Arobryn with a fingertip. "...You think we should send him ba- eh?" He looks 
over.

* Flora looks

* Garland drums on the car door absently, then looks up. "Where?"

<ST> [Cabby}  "Gone, now.  Seein things."

* KenKen stares in the direction he'd indicated.

<Flora> "Forests do that." 

* Garland keeps watching the trees as they pass.

<KenKen> "Garland?"

<Flora> "Do they do fox hunting in these woods. cabby?"

<ST> The cabby steps on the gas, suddenly.  "Fox hunting in Washington?  You crazy, girl?"

<Garland> "Huh?" He glances back at KenKen.  "What?"

* KenKen presses back as the cabby speeds up. "I was wondering if you thought we should send 
him back..."

<Flora> Are there rooms at the Tea House?

<ST> Yes.  Lots of little tea nooks.  And of course, the upstairs.

* Garland glances at the cabbie with a raised eyebrow, then looks back at KenKen. "Who? .... 
him?" He nods towards Arobryn.

* KenKen nods. "Dunno how useful he'll be like *this*... I suppose we can always see what 
*she* thinks."

<ST> Arobryn's head falls sideways (not off!). Blood starts coming out of his mouth.

<Flora> "We could put him up for the night somewhere to sleep it off."

<Flora> "Oh my!  He's bleeding!!!"

<KenKen> "....uh. Whoa. Um."

* ST wonders how loudly you said it, with all those !!!s

* Garland nods, then winces at Arobryn. "We'll see if we can't get him some help first."

<Flora> [If he IS bleeding, she would be VERY loud!"]

<ST> [Cabby]  "That guy looks dead, to me.  You sure he's just drunk?  Hey, you three 
weirdos trying  ta pin a murder on me?"

<KenKen> "The lady with the tea knows first aid!  Driver, get us there *quickly!* I don't 
know what's wrong, but we need her help!"

* Garland turns back to the cabby, "Yeah, step on it... more."

<Flora> "oh my!  He IS bleeding!!"

<Flora> "Holy Wow!"

<Flora> "Quick, we have to do something!"

<ST> [Cabby, stepping suddenly on the brakes!}.  "Outta my cab!  Alla you.  An take the 
stiff wit ya!"

<Flora> "But... but..."

* Garland turns around again and furrows his brow, frowning, about to speak... then makes 
oof-ing noises and jerks forward as the cab brakes.

<KenKen> "He'll DIE if you don't get us to help quickly!"

<KenKen> "Do you want a death on your hands?!"

<ST> Fortunately the teahouse is in sight.

<Garland> "Look, sir.... the tea house is right there! Please!"

<ST> [Cabby]  "Nope.  It's why I want you OUT.  NOW."  Reaches for his alarm button.

<KenKen> "You inhuman son of a bitch!"

<Flora> "Yes, and KenKEn will tip VERY well!"

* KenKen pushes the door open and starts hauling Arobryn out. "What, for KILLING THIS BOY?"

<Flora> *Gasp* "Ken Ken! Such language!"

<KenKen> "...'boy'?"

* Garland sighs roughly and gets out of the cab when he sees KK doing so. "C'mon, lemme help 
you." He moves over to try and help him lift Arobryn up.

* Flora gets out, too, if everyone else does.

* KenKen suspects Garland is a lot stronger than him.

* Flora looks around, feeling distraught and helpless at this turn of events.

<ST> The cabby barely waits for the doors to shut before he's off with a squeal of rubber, 
reversing.

<Garland> "Alright... I'll take his shoulders, you take his feet? It'll be faster." To KK.

<KenKen> "...and that's why I love humans so much." He makes a face.

* KenKen takes Arobryn's feet.

<Flora> "I'll run ahead to let people know you are coming with Arobryn!"

* Garland reaches down and hauls him up by the shoulders.

<KenKen> "Go ahead, Flora."

<ST> More blood comes out of Arobryn's mouth.  

* Flora runs ahead, desperately looking for someone to call out to.

* KenKen looks at Garland. He asks, hopefully, "Heather Balm?"

* Garland winces again, and starts carrying his part of the Sidhe back to the teahouse.

* Garland shakes his head, frowning.

* Flora 's voice drifts back.. a loud shout for help.

<KenKen> [...Flora needs help, or is shouting for it? Like "EEK MONSTER!" or "WE HAVE A  
DYING FRIEND" style shout for help]

<KenKen> [as in, directed at us or directed elsewhere? ^^;;]

<ST> [as in you can't tell]

* Flora is calling for help for A.

<ST> Very loud Japanese music shrieks out of the teahouse.

* KenKen continues carrying Arobryn ThatAWay

<ST> You hear a groan from the left, it is a loud groan in the bushes.

<ST> Silence suddenly falls.

* Garland pauses briefly, and glances towards the bushes.

<ST> The groan is louder.

<KenKen> "I don't know."

<Garland> [How close are we to the teahouse?]

<ST> {twenty paces]

<Garland> ".... let's get him into the teahouse."

<KenKen> "Right.  Can you carry him and do you want me to check that out, or both run 
together?"

<ST> You hear a terrified shriek from maybe, Flora.

<Garland> "Let's stay together." Takes a bit of a breath before continuing. "Alright, 
quickly into the teahouse."

<KenKen> "Run?"

* Garland nods. "Yes."

<KenKen> "Ready and- " he starts to run.

* Garland also starts to run.

* Flora runs out of the tea house

<Flora> "guys!  There's a bodiless head in there... ugly as sin... with a read hat on! 
IT's... surreal!"

<KenKen> "...A bodiless head."

* Garland frowns. "Is there anyone else inside??"

<Flora> "I couldn't see anyone else.. I sorta lost it when I saw him."

<KenKen> "What did the head *do*?"

<Flora> "It just lay there, bleeding..."

<KenKen> ".....so it wasn't floating or surreal, it was somebody's head what got wacked 
off?"

<Garland> "... Alright.... uh," He looks towards KK and frowns a little. "Still wanna get 
him inside?"

<Flora> "...yes."

<ST> [Where is the candle, Flora?]

<KenKen> "Well, we might be sharing it with a dead body. And if that's whoever the driver 
thought was in the bushes, the headwacker is probably gone."

<Flora> "the place is messed up somewhat, too.  There was a fight, I guess."

<Flora> "bushes?"

<KenKen> "Remember? Back in the taxi?"

<KenKen> "Do we have *time* for this? Let's get him inside."

<Flora> "THe driver saw someone in a tree."

<KenKen> "As I said!"

<Flora> "I'll hold the door."

* Garland nods, and starts hauling him up inside.

<ST> {WHERE IS THE CANDLE????}

<KenKen> [What??]

* Flora has the candle in her tight little fist, blown out by the run, but she has the 
matches too."

* Flora lights up again.

<ST> [okay.]

<ST> [just wanted to know if you set the place on fire when you dropped it in shock.  If you 
did.]

* KenKen helps haul Arobryn inside.

* Flora looks at Garland sympathetically. Perhaps someday HE will have a box, too.

<ST> [Anybody know first aid? ] 

<Garland> [... no.]

<KenKen> "Tch, Redcaps..." [points at where the body fell]

* Garland follows KK's pointing towards the body, looking at it carefully.

<ST> Arobryn is really bleeding a lot.  

<KenKen> "Keep a watch out."

<ST> In fact, all in all, there is a lot of blood in this room, and not just in two places.

* KenKen begins undressing Arobryn, looking for injuries.

* Flora tries to do what she can for Arobryn.

<ST> There is a tiny hole, like a pinprick in Arobryn's back.  It might have come from a 
needle.

* Garland makes a face, holding his hand over his nose briefly. "I'm going to have a look 
around, see if there's anyone still breathing around here."

<Flora> "Hey guys, look at this on the back of Arobryn's neck!  Like a needle puncture wound 
or something."

* KenKen peers at it. "Poisoned?"

* Garland takes out his crossbow, pausing briefly to look down at Flora indicates, then 
heads off for the next room.

<Flora> "Can you smell that kind of stuff, being a weaasel and all??"

<KenKen> "WEASEL? And I don't know."

* KenKen tries. Shouldn't be able to, in this form...

<Flora> "Well, while I was packing, I put in some first aid supplies, and I happen to have 
one of those dooeys for insect stingers and stuff"

<KenKen> "Try it."

<ST> I guess KK can roll perception difficulty 10 in this form.

* Flora applies the Extractor after KenKen's nose gets out of hte way.

<KenKen> [botch]

<ST> The extractor pulls out a tiny bit of metal.

<ST> Ken-Ken, all you could smell was blood, and Flora's perfume.

<Flora> "Oh.  Look at this."  and shows it around.

<ST> [you holding it in your hand, Flora?]

<Flora> [no, it inside the plastic receptacle of the extractor]

<ST> It looks like blackened, horrid iron.

<KenKen> "Eeek!  It's - Eek!"

<Flora> "Hmmm... it looks like.... what's wrong, Ken Ken?"

<KenKen> "No wonder he got sick!"

<Flora> "Ohh!  I remember... the stories about iron and fairies!  It's true??"

<Flora> "When would this have happened?  In the fight?"

<Flora> "on the train?"

<KenKen> "I don't know!"

<Flora> "So what do we do for him?"

* KenKen shivers, hair rising on his body, looking around nervously. He backs off slightly 
from the bullet.

<KenKen> "Well, *I* don't wanna be near it; think of poor Arobryn."

<Flora> "I mean how do we help Arobryn get over this?"

<ST> Arobryn's back feels very cold to you, Flora.

<Flora> "He feels cold, guys.  What can we do?"

<KenKen> "Do I *look* like I've ever dealt with a cold iron injury before?!"

* KenKen is freaking out.

<ST> [Flora, this is not a bullet, you know that, right?  But Ken-Ken had to say something 
like that.  If I'm not helping by helping, tell me to back off.  <g>]

<Flora> [it's OK, Flora just let it pass]

<Flora> "Where's Garland?"

<KenKen> "Um..." [looks around]

<Flora> "Garland!!"  called out loudly.

<Garland> "Hold on! I'm coming back down!"

<Flora> "KenKen, it's OK.  It's just iron.  I will keep it safely away from you.  It won't 
hurt me.  See?"

* Flora holds the iron, still in the plastic, close to her hand.

<KenKen> "Yeah.  Um.  GARLAND!  IRON-BULLET!"

* Garland comes back downstairs and runs over to them. "No one's upstairs, but there's a 
blood trail leading to a mirror, though it seems like you can pass through it." He pauses, 
and looks down to Arobryn. "How's he doing?"

* Flora shows the iron NEEDLE to Garland.

<ST> [Garland you feel faint and unwell.  You have never felt like that before.]

<Flora> "Know what to do about a wound made with ..'cold' iron?"

* Garland moves back from it. "Where'd that... come from?"

<Flora> "arobryn had it in his neck..now he feels really cold."

* Garland shakes his head, swallowing. "No..."

* KenKen has a sudden marvelous idea! "Flora? Do you have a 'phone'?"

<Flora> [has the bleeding from Arobryn's nose stopped?]

<ST> It's dripping out his mouth an dnose.

<ST> there is no air coming out.

* Flora starts to do mouth to mouth resuscitation... not very well, I'm afraid.

<ST> Flora gets very bloody.

<KenKen> "Flora? ...oh dear. Um."

<KenKen> "...when an iron blade is pulled from the wound..."

<Flora> "I guess it's too late, huh?"

<Garland> "Aw, shit...." His eyebrows push together again and he frowns heavily at Flora and 
Arobryn.

* Flora watches...

<ST> A breath of cold, very cold air emanates from Arobryn's body.  It is somehow shaped.

<ST> It is greenish, like a mist, or a ghost...

<ST> It stands up, grins like a nocker, salutes you like a Sidhe who never quite got over 
his inferiority complex...

<ST> And heads for the stairs.

* KenKen rises and follows to th estairs.

<ST> Floating all the way.

* Flora follows

* Garland also follows.

<ST> The ghost begins to glow.

<ST> THere are lights where all his internal organs should be.  You hear a voice, something 
like Arobryn's only in your head, saying, "Arcadia!"

<Flora> "did you guys hear that?"

<KenKen> "Ar-"

<ST> [very bright green.  getting brighter and brighter.  He is heading for a mirror which 
is not the one called Four (KK knows).  Nor is it the one Ayame freaked over the last time, 
KK.

* Garland nods very faintly to Flora.

<Flora> "Who is Arcadia?"

<KenKen> "...where. Not who."

<ST> The lights are sparking now.  The ghost is like a Roman candle about to explode.  He 
puts out a hand to the mirror.  "Arcaaaadddddiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

<ST> He steps through.  On the other side, you hear a tinny, sad little explosion.

<ST> You see nothing except the mirror, however.

<Flora> "Cool.  The mirror is not real!"

<KenKen> "They all..." He sighs.

* Flora looks at Ken Ken... "Yes?"

* Garland slowly brings his gaze away from that mirror and back to KK. "What?"

* KenKen points. "This one... if we were looking for a bunch of people who got lost, would 
be an interesting one to try."

<ST> [Which one?]

<Flora> "Oh.. is that where you went before?"

<Flora> "Through a mirror?"

<KenKen> [that'd be the one I'm pointing to, GM.]

<ST> [Which is which one, KK?]

<KenKen> [The one I'm pointing to is the one we'd gone through the first time and ended up 
getting lost after a while.]

<Flora> "Well, so what should we do?  Look around for anybody else who might be around?  
Wasn't there a Japanese lady or something supposed to be here?"

<Garland> "... maybe the person moaning outside?" Arches an eyebrow, wondering.

<Flora> "What...?"

<KenKen> "Oh, I *forgot*. Let's go look."

<Flora> "Ya think?"

<Garland> "Alright..." He starts heading for the stairs, glancing back at Flora.  "Maybe you 
didn't hear it.  It was coming from the bushes."

* Flora starts outside, her Extractor ready to hand... oh.. then she puts it away.

<Flora> "No, I didn't hear.  Let's go!"

<Flora> "Somebody could eb hurt!"

* KenKen heads down.

<ST> The bushes where some of you heard the groan is about thirty paces away.

<Flora> "or even BE hurt!"

* Flora goes with the guys to the bush.

* Garland goes to the bush!

* Flora goes too.

* KenKen is going to the bush.

<ST> There is a very badly injured redcap there, Garland.  Oh, you others see him too.

<Flora> "what are these guys?"

<ST> He has taken a REAL injury from what looks like a curved sword in the belly.

<Garland> [still conscious?]

<Flora> "Garland, do you know any first aid?"

<ST> His eyes flicker open at Flora's voice.

<KenKen> "Hey man.  You okay?" 

<Flora> "Hey big guy, take it easy.. we are here to help."

* Garland shakes his head to Flora, then looks back down at the redcap. "What happened?"

<ST> He grimaces.  "Gonner.  That bastard.  Why'd he do that to me?  I was tryin ta help him 
with her."

<Flora> "What happened?"

<ST> "Siv.  Two cuts.  Why?"

<Flora> "Who is Siv?"

<ST> He chokes a little.  "Always tryin ta get the Japanese bitch.  So I give her a little 
bite, what's the big deal...  HACK.  Cough.]

<KenKen> "Why were you trying to get her?"

* Garland frowns. "Is she alright? Where is she now?"

<ST> [redcap]  "But Siv got mad.  He shoulda just took my glam...  But real scimitars, 
fuck."

<ST> "I'm gonna die."

* Flora winces at the indelicate phrase.

<ST> "I'm not trying ta get anybody.  I just worked fer Siv and Kala.  I jusssttt worr..."

<KenKen> "You got Heather Balm?"

<ST> "Potion.  Backa my belt.  Somethin that Japanese bitch makes.  I can't get ta it..."

* Flora starts to look for it.

* KenKen gets down and squirms to reach it. "And we give this to you, you help us."

<ST> Turning the body over, the redcap screams, blood squirts all over you Flora.  He's 
gone.

* Garland lets them do that, glancing around briefly... then whips his head back as the 
redcap screams.

<Flora> "Ken Ken!  Would you deny it to hi.... Oh NO!  Not Again!"

<Flora> "Does this happen a lot to you guys?"

<KenKen> "......."

* KenKen looks pained and tired and unhappy. "Yes. All the time."

<Flora> "I mean, for Pete's sake!  People are dyiing all over the place!  What is going 
on????"

<ST> [lecturing tone:  actually, real death is something most changelings do not give to 
others.  Real death causes, among other things, the killer to take a point of banality.]

<Flora> "Well?"  

<ST> [this redcap's soul will be reborn, unlike Arobryn's, unfortunately.]

* Garland grimaces. "... let's find something to get you cleaned up with, Flora."

<Flora> "well, hang on.  Let's be practical here.  If this is going to keep happening, then 
we better hang on to that... potion this poor guy said hwe had."

<KenKen> "...Good plan, Flora."

* Flora digs in the gore, grimacing.

<Garland> "Good thinking," he smiles, though somewhat weakly.

<ST> {actually there are three glass vials of lovely forest green tea-like liquid]

<Flora> "Looks like there are three vials of liquid... oh.. what a lovely forest green!"

<Flora> "here boys, one for each of you, and one for me."

<Garland> "Does he have anything else?" He walks over to get a better look at the redcap.

<ST> He has an axe (chimerical).  He has a drinking canteen with alcohol in it.

* Flora is trying to wipe off the blood as much as possible with leaves and such.

<ST> There is a lovely babbling brook nearby.

<KenKen> "Mmmm, at least we have some of Ayame's magical tea."

<Flora> "Let me guess.  Calling the police is not an option?"  Flora heads for the brook.

<Garland> ".... here, they've gotta have napkins or towels or something in this place." He 
runs back into the teahouse to see if he can find any.

* Flora is by the water, washing herself.

* Garland grabs a bunch of napkins, towels, what have you, and heads back out to find Flora.

* Flora tries to rinse off the clothing that is soiled, as well.

<ST> [sticks to you, Flora...]

<ST> [you look, very, fetching...]

* KenKen crouches by the brook and keeps guard, nervous.

<Flora> "Hmpph.  I'm afraid this clothing is really messy.   Any chance there is clothing in 
the tea house?"

<Garland> "Hey, Flora, got some... towels." Stops by the edge of the brook.  Grins broadly.

<KenKen> "There's probably some kind of Japanese nightgown."

* Flora blushes as she realizes what wet clothing looks like on her.

<Flora> "Well, let's just go take a look, SHALL WE?"

<KenKen> "Let's."

* KenKen is looking nervous and unhappy, as if every minute of time wasted is wearing on 
him.

<Flora> "In the meantime, could either of you explain what went on here?"

<Garland> "... yeah, sure." Walks with them, bringing up the rear.

<Garland> "Yeah... KenKen, you recognize any of those names he mentioned?"

<Flora> Hey Garland, let me heft that axe for a minute, OK?

<KenKen> "One out of three only."

<Flora> "won't those be the names of the silver and black pair?"

* Garland looks to Flora, still, and nods. "That's what I was wondering.... which one was 
that, KenKen?"

<KenKen> "THe Japanese lady.  Owner and senechal type, if I remember my lessons correctly."

<Flora> "Garland, while you're looking at me, would you mind letting me see if that axe is 
anything like polearms I've trained with?"

<Garland> "Fair enough." Smiles and lets Flora have the axe.

* Flora checks out the axe. [ST ... what's the verdict?]

<ST> What's your brawl?

<Flora> [brawl 4 pips... specialize in karate]

* Garland then looks away, to KK. "After we get Flora into something dry, we'll check out 
that mirror. Would she have gone through that one if she was hurt?"

<ST> OK.  With specialty, roll intelligence + brawl, diff 6

<ST> Need more than one success.

<Flora> [3 suc]

<KenKen> "I'm trying to remember what she said each mirror was."

<ST> Right.  You think you can use it if you have to.  But you won't be as good as you would 
with a longer bo, e.g.

<ST> If you're trying to remember, you can use your willpower, KK, to add to your abilities.

<ST> You want to?

<KenKen> [Sure.]

<Flora> ['kay.]  "So, it looks like whatever I've gotten myself into, people are cutting 
each other up around here."

* Garland nods, giving the pooka some space to remember. "Alright...."

<Flora> "do you guys have weapons like swords and stuff?"

* KenKen turns and looks at each mirror, in the mirror room.

* Flora looks for clean clothing

* Garland looks for clean clothing with Flora.

* Flora looks at Garland with suspicion in her eye...

* Garland lifts his eyebrows. "I'm very good with selecting outfits."

<Flora> [Flora has yet to learn the TRUTH about Satyrs, but she knows the myths!]

<KenKen> [They're very creative!]

<KenKen> [And great interior decorators!]

<Flora> [real pro-creatives, huh?]

<Flora> "So fill me in, Garland.  What's the story here with the ...redcaps and the Japanese 
woman?"

<Garland> "To be honest, I'm learning it alongside you." He shrugs a little.  "I've never 
had the pleasure of meeting her before."

<Flora> "Well, where do these mirrors lead?  I mean, they're doorways to other worlds, 
aren't they?"

* Flora 's eyes widen at the mention of such wonders

<Garland> "Well, sorta, yeah.  Hopefully KenKen will remember which one leads where 
exactly." Grins.

<KenKen> "Um... kinda..."

<Flora> [any luck on the unbloodied clothing front, ST?  Flora feels ucky.]

<Garland> [wait, are we all upstairs together then?]

<Flora> [I was looking for clothing, and Garland came along]

<Flora> [Ken Ken has hypersensitive otter ears, I guess]

<Flora> "Hey Garland! Look at this!"

* Garland turns and looks at that.

* Flora twirls around in a short and -tight- karate-style outfit

* Flora also has a katana and a great bow!

<Garland> ".... hm, I'm not sure.  Do another turn maybe?"

* Flora twirl .. twirl.. twirl... big grin on her face

* Flora [someone is LOOKING at me! Really looking!]

<Flora> "here Garland, I don't need this now" and she tosses the axe at him.

* Garland splits into a grin after the first twirl. "You look fantastic."

<Garland> "Jeez!" Attempts to catch the axe.

<Garland> [As I'm assuming it's a light toss... not a hurl at his head.]

<ST> [I won't make you roll for it, but Flora, really, an AXE!}

* Flora knows it will end the moment before it will get too tense

<ST> [you get it, Garland.]

* Garland sets the axe down absently.

<Flora> "so... lets see how Ken Ken is doing.  OK?"

<Garland> "Sure." He offers her his arm.

* Flora shyly looks down, then up and bats lashes around her golden eyes. "OK."

* Flora takes his arm

* Garland leads her up the stairs to the mirror room. "Wow... have your eyes always looked 
that pretty?" Light tone, smiling.

<Flora> "Well.. They've always been this colour."

* Garland smiles. "I think the colours really bring them out. That's all." Shrugs lightly 
and nods to her dress, then gets to the top of the stairs.

<Flora> "Ken Ken!  Look what I found!"

* KenKen is pondering the mirrors, thoughtfully. He glances at Flora. "Awww. KARATE GIRL! 
HIYA!"

* Flora twirls for him, too

* KenKen applauds!

* Garland laughs a little, then looks towards the mirrors again himself.

<Flora> "So... which one, fearless leader!"

<KenKen> "Now, I'm misremembering for sure. But we want door 8.  Though, and I know this is 
wrong, Keiko said that door 4 was interesting too..."

<KenKen> [mimics someone else's voice] "War all over the place, white and green and red, she 
can't take Trod 8 (not a sliver path).  During the "Firestorm" Oaths were broken.  Paths 
that weren't silver opened up.  The winter king was imprisoned for speaking well of our 
kind."

<KenKen> "My memory is great."

<Flora> "We're supposed to find the horn and your friends, right?

<Garland> ".... mm hmm." Nods a little to KK. "Door 8  is the one we want, you say?"

<KenKen> "Well, that's what I *say*."

<Flora> "Wait a minute!"

<Garland> "Yeah, exactly." He looks over to Flora.

<Flora> "The lady says that 8 is NOT a silver path.  Are the silver paths what we want?

* KenKen quotes "Stay on the silver path.'

<Flora> "Ok, so do we have to do the Duke Rendarien, tweak the Pooka with yes-no questions 
thing?"

<Garland> "And you're telling us it is -wrong- to go on number four?"

<KenKen> [nods]

<KenKen> "That's what I'm *saying*."

* Garland look over to Flora and nods.

<KenKen> "I'm *saying* that we *don't* want number four but we *do* want number 8."

<KenKen> [...sighs and adds a wink after that.]

<Flora> "OK, so let me go to mirror number 8" she goes to the one indicated in conversation.

<Garland> "... I 'spose that's clear then." Takes a breath, then looks at Flora. "No, we're 
going to number -four-!"

<Flora> "Now do we want to go through here, Ken Ken?"

<KenKen> "Yes, Flora.  Yes we do."

<Flora> "Ok, now let me go to door number four" she goes to the indicated mirror.

<Flora> "Should we go through here, Ken Ken?"

<KenKen> "No."

<Flora> "GArland, is four the one to try?"

* Garland nods. "I'm going to, yep."

<Flora> "OK, well, should we at least bury Arobryn?"

* Garland stops, and looks towards KK.

<KenKen> "If you've got a phone, we might want to call the Duke and mention it to him."

<ST> [Flora can have an extractor but not a phone.]

<Garland> [Was there no phone downstairs?]

<Flora> "Hey guys, there's blood on the floor her by mirror number four."

<KenKen> "I'm not surpised."

<ST> Flora, you suddenly feel very weird.

<Garland> "No phone... what should we do with him?" Frowns, sighing a little. "At least 
until we can reach the Duke."

* Flora puts the back of a hand to her forehead. " I feel funny,"

* Garland looks over at her. "What is it?"

<ST> You all see Flora's eyes roll back in her head.  She sinks to the floor.

<Flora> "I don't know... " 

* Flora [thud]

* KenKen comes over and panicks helplessly.

<ST> She says, "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, 
can know what Life lies in the Leaf."

* Flora says that

<Garland> "... I'll get her some water." Runs downstairs to do just that, after she speaks.

<ST> Flora says it again.  And again.  And again.

* Flora waxes repetitious

<ST> You will keep on doing it until Garland returns with the water.

* Garland runs back up, with water.

* KenKen chafes her wrist.

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "Who bears the Blood, but has never taken it, only one such as this, Tuathan, can 
know what Life lies in the Leaf."

<Flora> "ohhhhhhh..."

<Flora> "What happened?"

* KenKen pats her hand. "You went all weeblywobbly again."

* Flora hugs Ken Ken tightly

<Garland> "Here," offers her the glass of water.  "You kept repeating something."

<Flora> "I hate it when that happens.  What did I say?"

* Garland repeats it for her, as she was just saying it five seconds earlier.

<Flora> "Wow.  I bet this means something to us and our quest."

* Garland gives a couple notes of laughter, lacking in humour. "I'm willing to bet."

<KenKen> "Um... yeah.

<Flora> "Bearing the Blood... is that like belonging to a lineage?"

* KenKen takes the brooch out of his pocket and examines it thoughtfully.

<Garland> "Does it mean anything to you, KenKen?"

<KenKen> "I dunno.  Tuathan's like... you know, them, right?"

<ST> [do you have lore?  does anyone?]

<KenKen> [/me does!]

<Flora> [I have lore - myths - British Isles]

<Garland> [Oh... yes, I do.]

<KenKen> [I, the single most useless character in the party to exposit anything, has lore- 
Kithain!]

<ST> Okay.  So you can all roll either of intelligence or perception (your choice) + lore, 
Ken-Ken difficulty 6, Garland difficulty 9, Flora difficulty 7.

* Garland nods then, in response to KK's question.

<Flora> "As I recall, You guys are part of the Tuathan as well."

<Flora> "Well, hey guys, Tuathans are you!"

<Flora> "So, it took me a while to remember, but the term Tuathans refers to all true fey, 
which must be you guys, too."

<KenKen> "Yeah? Hunh. Well.... wanna go?"

* Garland nods to Flora, then looks at KK. "Let's do it. You feel okay, right Flora?"

<KenKen> "I'm just thinking, whoever made that blood isn't getting further away while we 
wait..."

<Flora> "does the blood on the floor by the mirror have any significance?"

* Flora sighs

<Flora> "OK, let's go and talk while we go?"

<KenKen> "Probably Keiko got clubbed and was dragged through. So... ready?"

<Garland> "Good plan." He gets up and heads to the mirror. "Ready."

<Flora> "ready.  How do we do this?"

<KenKen> "...we walk through and ignore the path."

<Flora> "right."

* Flora watches Garland, then does what he did

<Flora> "So are we in Kansas, now?"

<ST> Now, since all of you in this or other incarnations have been through this mirror and 
this path before, and because Meredith's tired and I am too, a bit, is it okay if I fast 
forward a bit?

<ST> Okay.  As soon as you go through the mirror you see a silver path stretching aheaad.

<ST> But, you aren't on it very far before very thick mists descend.  

<ST> How will you stay on the path?

<Flora> "Shall we hold hands, guys?"

<KenKen> "Probably not too bad an idea.  Who can see the path?"

<Garland> "... hey, Flora, didn't you have a candle with you earlier?" 

<Flora> "Gosh, here it is, in my backpack, with the matches."

<Flora> " But candles don't help that much in fog, do they?"

<ST> Okay, so you can each try to see the path, and I'll let you do one perception roll each 
and let that do for the lot.  Each of you roll perception + alertness, for KK it is diff 8, 
for Flora it is diff 9, and for Garland, since you're obviously concentrating, it is diff 8 
(KK was on the path before.)

<Garland> "Light it up... can't hurt."

<ST> With the candle, since it was in Ayame's place, the path will glint more, so each of 
you the diff is reduced by one.

<Garland> [2 successes.]

<Flora> [3 suc]

<KenKen> [2 successes]

<ST> Right, that's enough to get you through the mists.  

<Flora> "I think I see something!  Ohhhh...myyyyyyy.........  Holy WOW!!!"

* KenKen phews and holds Flora's hand. Eh?

<ST> Now you see the path bend to the left and go up through some spooky trees.  There are 
three moons in the sky and five suns.  Eveyrthing sparkles.

<Flora> "Why didn't you warn me it would be like this?"

<Flora> "Wowwwwwwwwwwww."

<ST> Your hearts all expand, as if you didn't know you weren't breathing fully before.

* KenKen smiles happily. "Follow the gaming law."

<ST> The sky pinwheels like poor Arobryn's body would have done if you could have seen it.

<ST> I mean, his ghost.

* Garland grins and laughs a little at Flora's wow-ing.

<ST> You find yourself wanting to laugh and run.  There are beautiful flowers under the 
trees just off the path.

<Flora> "Ohhhh....  all my senses are tingling with pleasures I never knew...it's like 
worshipping through all of them at once!!"

<ST> They would really look nice on your outfit, Flora.

* Flora giggles and starts for some flowers off the path.

<KenKen> "Flora? Stay."

<Flora> "Hmmm?"

* Flora looks back over her shoulder at Ken Ken

<KenKen> "The path? That's under your feet? You know that path?"

<Flora> "Why?"

<Flora> "Yes?"

<ST> One of the flowers grows huge, turns into a tiger face, and growls.

<Flora> "oh......"

<ST> THen it gets small and innocent and smells SO good, so SO good...

<KenKen> "STAY."

* Garland smiles, "Keep on the path, alright Flora?"

<Flora> "like a nightmare, isn't it?   Nice things suddenly going bad."

<Flora> "OK."

<ST> A dog barks from under your feet.  

<Flora> "Toto?"

<ST> The dog howls. It is Baskervillishly houndy.

* KenKen 's ears perk up.

<ST> You are walking on it.  You are certain you are.

* Garland looks down.

<Flora> "My, Grandma, you have such big teeth!"

* KenKen murmurs to himself, "Just keep walking, just keep walking."

<ST> THe dog whines and silence falls.

* Garland keeeeps walking.

<ST> You feel a terrible pain in each foot.  It is as if something bites you each time you 
step.

* Flora keeps walking

* KenKen keeps walking. >_<

<Flora> "This is just like my cat!"

<Flora> "A real pain in the patoot, but ..."

<ST> You are through the forest and you might recognize, KK, a kind of slope going a bit 
down and then a bit up again.  Roll if you want.

* Garland takes a breath and keeps going, glancing back at Flora with a raised eyebrow 
momentarily.

<KenKen> [is this the forest with the eyes in it?]

<ST> Nope.  

<KenKen> [...then I'd like to roll, yes.]

* Flora starts skipping -along- the path, singing "We're off to see the Wizard..."

<ST> Perception + Alertness diff 6

<KenKen> [4 successes]

<Flora> "I've never felt so ALIVE before!"

<ST> Just to save time, KK you know you've seen this dip before, only there was a river in 
it.

<ST> Then.

<ST> You still in front of FLora, Garland?

* KenKen looks around, blinks, and follows the path. Yaaaaaaaaaaaay no carniverous 
fae-eating fish!

<Flora> "Yipppeeee!"

* Flora hugs Garland from behind and kisses him on the back of the head!

<ST> The path climbs straight up a hill.  The air gets thin and crisp, like eating a potato 
chip while out of breath.  

<ST> Electric blue stars zing past your eyes and nose.

* KenKen coughs, but keeps climbing.

* Garland is surprised, then laughs.

<Flora> [chuckle!]

<ST> You are at the top of the hill.  The silver path is brilliant and clear and you are 
perfectly in love with it.

* Garland continues merrily along, beaming.

<ST> It bends to the right and now starts going down, down, down, but in a perfectly 
straight line.

* Flora grabs each of the boys, arm in arm, and continues on.."So, boys, come here often?"

<ST> Suddenly it is snowing.

<KenKen> "Oh, fairly regularly.

<ST> The path feels like a slide.

<ST> You are either going to fall or skate down.

<Flora> "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

<Garland> "... possibly?"

* KenKen sits down to skid down on his butt and use his tail for an oar!

<Flora> "Let's play Otter-boggan!!"

* Flora dives on Ken Ken

<ST> From behind?

<ST> The path is only wide enough for one.

<ST> Suddenly.

<KenKen> "Oof!"

<ST> The snow is falling thickly now.  Garland looks like a snow-satyr.

* Garland would sit down to slide too.

<ST> Kay.  Now the path is covered with snow.

* Garland also shakes his head free of snow. For the moment.

<Flora> "Hey, GArland, you will look prety good when you're old and grey-haird!"

* Garland frowns, kiddingly. "Ugh, I don't want to even imagine..."

<ST> Trees loom on either side of the path.  They are laden with snow.  Eyes, the colour of 
old beach glass peer out at you from the ttees.

* KenKen snickers, taboggoning.

<ST> Two very large eyes blink at you.  A voice says, "Hush."  In your heads.

* KenKen gets VERY QUIET. O_O

<Flora> "So, how far to where you got ...."

* Garland ... blinks.

* Flora looks at the eyes

* Flora blinks back

<ST> The voice in your head says, "You pooka.  You were here before with our ally.  Stop  
now.  At once."

* KenKen plants the breaks on, with hands and feet digging in.

* Flora digs in too

* Garland also starts breaking, with hands and hooves.

<ST> [voice] "The Lady of Wyldweir is taken.  You are on a place where the path 
disintegrates.  I will help you."

<KenKen> "Thank you, m'lord!"

<Flora> "...thanks...."

* Garland leans in to KK. "Who is this?"

<ST> "You must slide yourselves a little further to your left.  The path is whole there.  I 
will tell you when to stop."

* KenKen leans to the left and butt-wiggles forward.

<KenKen> "Well, if I were sure, I'd say that it's Elyria's allies."

* Garland pauses, then nods a little to KK and steadies himself in the new position.

<ST> [voice] "Stop now.  You are on the path.  We Fuath cannot speak your language, but I am 
an elder, and I have been on watch since the evil ones came earlier."

* KenKen stops. "Thank you, m'Lord. What... did they do?"

<ST> [voice] "Two opposite fae, one silver and black, the other black and silver, and three 
redcaps, and a bound creature whom we know and love.  They have gone ahead to the no glamour 
place.  They have been there for a long time.  I do not know if they understand about the 
glamour geas."

<Flora> "do WE understand about the glamour geas, Ken Ken?"

* Garland also looks to KenKen.

<KenKen> "It was lifted?"

<KenKen> [rolled will to tell what he THOUGHT was the truth.]

<Flora> But What is it?"

<ST> [voice]  No, no, it was never lifted.  The prison was made so that all glamour fades 
eventually there.  Already the six there have become more banal, though they may not know 
it.  All their cantrips will take more of their glamour there too.  The area is well 
bounded.  You know it.  You were there for a while yourself.  But the Blue One is gone now.  
so is the Lady of Wyldweir, and all your other friends.

<KenKen> "Oh!"

<Flora> "Psst, Ken Ken...doe she know where they are?"

<KenKen> "Um.... do you know where the Lady of Wyldweir is? We need to find them..."

<ST> The Red One came.  Some Sidhe who make one-way paths.  But I do not know if the 
Fomorian got your friends away before or after.  We were prevented from seeing.

* Garland frowns.

<ST> [all that came from the voice.]

<KenKen> "...oh. Um... oh." <--confused.

<Flora> "So we still need to go to that place to find the ...thing we seek."

<Flora> "and maybe the twin-opposites have it themsleves."

<ST> [voice] "We love the little Liam Sidhe, the one who wanders all the silver paths and 
loves us for ourselves.  Those five will kill her, if she doesn't do what they ask.  And she 
refuses."

<ST> [voice]  "Yes, it is about that thing in the glade."

<Flora> "Well, we'll be havin' none of that!"

<KenKen> "Can't let her die. Where should we go?"

<ST> [voice] "You wear her clothing.  It is a mark of her favour.  We will help you if we 
can."

<Flora> "Uhh... thank you, Sir."  Sheepishness.

<ST> [voice]  "She will thank you for her weapons, too, when you have freed her."

<Flora> "But you, know, Sir, I have to tell you the truth..."

<ST> [voice]  "The Lady Ayame is in great danger.  Must you speak now?"

<Flora> "She doesn't know I am wearing these clothes.  I borrowed them because mine were 
soiled by blood at her tea-house."

<ST> [voice] 

<ST> ...

<Flora> " I would dearly appreciate your help, but not if it means lying to you."

<KenKen> "But don't we all wanna help her anyway? Where do we go? Don't we have to hurry?"

<ST> [voice]  "....  Pooka.  They lie.  You lie.  This is not good."

<Flora> "Ken Ken IS good.  If oyu are in his head you must know."

<KenKen> "Aren't I talking in questions, not statements?"

<Garland> "We're not lying when we say we want to help Lady Ayame.  Please, where do we 
go??"

<ST> [voice}  "And I knew you were good too, and that you would tell the truth and that we 
must go through all this nonsense.  Stop now.  At once.  I like the pooka.  I would like to 
toboggan on a tail, just once.  But all I am is a spirit with eyes, now.  We love Ayame.  We 
will help you."

<KenKen> "...Cool..."

<Flora> "Ok.  Where do we go?"

<ST> "Satyr, you alone, even you, who are very strong, cannot save her.  Unless you have 
much glamour, cantrips will not save her.  My Fuaths will rain arrows down on them from a 
distance, but we cannot hit the black and silver or the silver and black.  You must stop 
them, physically, and you must do it before they kill the Lady Ayame."

<Flora> "Well let's go then!"

<KenKen> "Quick quick quick quick..."

<Flora> "Does anybody know where we are supposed to go?"

<ST> [voice]  "But silent.  Satyr, you will lead.  Follow the Fuath who is beside the path.  
Look now, you will see him."

* Garland looks.

* Flora looks

* KenKen looks.

<ST> There is a kind of half animal, half human looking being, rather large, with a huge bow 
and arrow.  He is covered with snow and his eyes are like amber wells.  He nods slightly to 
you to follow him.

* Flora follows.

* Garland glances at the others briefly, then follows in the lead.

* KenKen follows Garland.

<ST> The fuath makes a gesture, and snow blows from side to side.  You can see that you are 
on a silver path.  He is on the side.  

<Flora> [off the path?]

<ST> [yes, he is off the path.  he cannot come on unless invited.]

<ST> [without expending a great deal of energy etc.]

<Flora> "is there a point to inviting him on?"

<ST> [up to you.]

<Flora> "onto the path, guys?"  "Ken Ken?"

<KenKen> "Yeah?"

<ST> The fuath lays his finger to what would be his lips but looks more like a snout.

* Garland looks at KK. "What do you say? You've worked with them before. ...." He glances 
back at the Fuath and shuts up again.

* Flora silently signals Ken Ken "never mind".

<Garland> [is he indicating for us to get off and follow him, or just walk alongside him?]

<ST> The fuath shakes his head and walks ahead, beside the path, as he keeps clearing it.  
Soon he comes to a place where there is a branch to the left.  He blows snow away.  You see 
that it is not a silver path.  Ken-Ken probably remembers it.

<Garland> [neeevermind.]

* KenKen does! And takes the left branch.

* Flora follows

<ST> It's actually a good place to stop.  The path will lead to the geased place where Big 
Blue had his home.  Let's say we stop here while you think how you're going to approach this 
open place they are in (not inside or the eyes would have told you) without them seeing you.

[Game Off]