Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?

[Sierra]

Session Start: Sat May 22 06:57:20 2010
Session Ident: #HometownHeroes
* Logging for #HometownHeroes started
* Skye is now known as Erin
* Retrieving #HometownHeroes modes...
<El-Cideon> OOC: going straight to see Wakahisa, no diversions? I will start lining if so. Also, updating HP--presumably you rested overnight and I think spent a day on GI? So, full again.
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Yomi: 63/63, Nadia: 58/58, Erin: 54/54, Rena: 60/60 '
<Erin> OOC: Naturally, I'm sure he can't wait to be visited by a beautiful foreign witch
<El-Cideon> You spend a peaceful day and night in Osaka, gathering intelligence. You sleep mercifully uninterrupted by ninjas this time! Taking a train northeast for several hours, you eventually find yourself needing to head beyond the limits of the main lines. Hitching a ride on a local produce truck, you bounce along unfinished mountain roads for a time before ending up in a small town called Yamauchi. (more)
<El-Cideon> It's a tiny farming community of perhaps a couple hundred people and looks largely bypassed by the trends of the time. Asking for further directions, the locals tell you that Wakahisa lives in a forested valley they call Marumori; the road to it continues just outside of town, but not one's eager to take you there. When pressed they respond with wild stories about oni and stranger creatures haunting the forest, evidently in all seriousness. You could walk; they estimate it's a few hours' hike to get through it.
<El-Cideon>  forest, evidently in all seriousness. You could walk; they estimate it's a few hours' hike to get through it.
* Yomi has no problem with walking, and while she takes the stories of rampant demons seriously, it is they who should be wary, not she.
<Nadia_Chekova> "What's a good name, Yomi?" Nadia asks curiously, still artfully made up to pass herself off as a native, "I don't think Nadia sits right on the Japanese tongue..."
<Erin> "Should we take those stories seriously, Yomi?" asks Erin, eschewing subtlety for this particular trip and opting to wander around like the European she is. "It sounds like a rumour, you know, used by hermits who want people to stay away."
<El-Cideon> Rena shrugs. "We've already met demons and vampires. I don't dismiss these stories anymore."
<Yomi> "There is a reason the government has teams of demon hunters," Yomi responds to Erin, still thinking about Nadia's question. "And why it was able to form them in the first place, from clans and prietesses and monks who specialized in demon-slaying."
* Nadia_Chekova nods in agreement with Rena's sentiments.
<Yomi> "How about Natsu?" she finally suggests to Nadia. "It is a very refreshing name."
<Nadia_Chekova> "That sounds good," Nadia smiles pleasantly, finding it nicely familiar in its similarity to her real name. "I'll use that while we're here and I'm like this, then."
<Erin> "I'll ward us against harm for this trip, then," suggests Erin, wandering around to cast a spell on each of the women. "It's probably the most I can do against such creatures."
<Yomi> "Not all of them are hostile. At least in the sense of preying on humanity," Yomi adds. "Some are merely territorial, and it would be enough to scare them away rather than end their existence."
<El-Cideon> OOC: is that Mage Armor, Erin? Just so I know.
<El-Cideon> "Yomi can be very scary," Rena says. "We should be fine."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Yes, we're always safe when Yomi's around!" Nadia beams agreeably.
<Erin> OOC: Yes
<Erin> "There isn't anyone else I'd rather entrust my safety to," affirms Erin.
<El-Cideon> "I agree," Rena says with a nod.
* Yomi finds herself too embarrassed to respond.
<El-Cideon> So you head into the forest, down a dusty, dirt road that winds around bends and over hills. It's pleasant day for a hike, at least, the sun shining brilliantly in a cloudless sky--when you can see it, at least. The trees reach over the road and obscure the sky more often than not. (more)
<El-Cideon> Someone uses this road, you can tell--here and there you see what look like motorcycle tracks, but this is the only evidence of recent traffic. You walk in peace, other than for the sounds of birds singing and insects humming in the undergrowth. After about half an hour you come to a wooden bridge crossing a small river. The bridge is about forty feet long and just wide enough for a truck to get across it.
<El-Cideon> There is a notable lack of animal noise in the vicinity.
<Yomi> "This does look like a perfect trap, doesn't it?" Yomi notes, glancing over to Erin. "Does your familiar see anything untowards?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Does Japan have stories about trolls living under bridges, too?" Nadia asks curiously as she moves a bit to the side so she can peer under the crossing.
<Erin> "It hasn't informed me of anything strange from the sky," replies Erin, although she informs the eagle that it's to double-check. "I was thinking the same as Nadia, honestly," she adds, activating her mystical senses and peering about.
* Yomi looks about as well, since any nearby demons won't escape her sight!
<El-Cideon> OOC: roll spot, anyone looking around?
<Erin> roll 1d20+15 I can seeeee
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+15 I can seeeee and gets 21."12 [1d20=6]
* Yomi tilts her head, staring into the river. "Kappa?" she says uncertainly.
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
<El-Cideon> "What is a kappa?" Rena says, looking around for this mysterious presence.
<Erin> "Well, there's certainly something in there," notes Erin, squinting at the water. "Something.. of vast size! Nothing like that should live in a river this small..."
<Nadia_Chekova> "What?" Nadia blinks, leaning forward and following Erin's gaze. "I can't see anything..."
* Yomi looks for a small rock and then eyes the river anew. "I doubt we'll be allowed to pass normally, so let's wake him up?"
<Erin> "It is quite stealthy, but certainly there. Waiting, I presume, for an unwary traveller to cross the bridge. If you feel it's best..."
<El-Cideon> "If it causes us trouble, we will hit it until it goes away," Rena says conifdently.
<Yomi> "Besides, I never saw a kappa before. It will be fun!" Yomi says, and tosses the rock at the underwater shape to gain its attention.
<Erin> "How large are kappa?"
<Yomi> "Four feet tall or so? They like cucumbers, according to legend."
<Erin> "Then... I don't think this is a Kappa, Yomi..."
<El-Cideon> The splashes heavily in the river. Immediately thereafter, something bursts out of the water, up into the air, an immense serpentine shape, a spray of water accompanying it as it lands on the bridge with a heavy thud that shakes the wooden structure. (more)
<El-Cideon> *the rock splashes
<El-Cideon> There must be a couple dozen feet of black, yellow-spotted coils resting before you, and its tail trails off into the water. It has the face of an ugly woman, but there the similarity to humanity ends. "I'm supposed to let soldiers by...but you don't look like soldiers. Who are you?" it hisses. "You look like lunch."
<El-Cideon> OOC: K:Arcana can be rolled if desired. Usual +5 for Yommi and JApanese things
<Erin> roll 1d20+16
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24."12 [1d20=8]
<Yomi> roll 1d20+8 sure
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+8 sure and gets 14."12 [1d20=6]
<Nadia_Chekova> "Eeeek!" Nadia lets out an involuntary shriek as she steps back. At least the vampires *looked* human!
<Yomi> "That's not a kappa," Yomi murmurs in dismay. Then, pulling herself to her full height, she announces, "Retreat before the sword of Isayama Yomi or be destroyed, tamed demon!"
<El-Cideon> OOC: feel free to roll intimidate?
<El-Cideon> OOC: unless that was just an opener and you were going to talk some more first.
<Yomi> roll 1d20+13 I'd rather be scary
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+13 I'd rather be scary and gets 15."12 [1d20=2]
<Yomi> roll 1d6 scarier!
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d6 scarier! and gets 6."12 [1d6=6]
<Erin> Erin finds herself echoing Nadia with a gasp, and she does her level best to appear quite small! "Don't look right at it," she mutters, averting her eyes. "The nure-onna can freeze you with a glance!"
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10 level check
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 level check and gets 18."12 [1d20=8]
* Nadia_Chekova follows Erin's advice and lowers her gaze, watching the creature's shadow so she can at least follow its movements if it chooses to attack.
* Yomi focuses on the nure-onna's tail, believing it to be the most dangerous weapon in her arsenal.
<El-Cideon> The creature eyes Yomi for a long moment, slitted yellow eyes focused on the sword. "You're not one of the villagers, are you? They know better than to come this way anymore...and they never put up a fight. They always went down real easy..." A pair of stubby human arms, barely noticeable amidst the monster's bulk, rubs its belly as if in fond memory. "You look like you'd be too much work..."
* Erin wrinkles her nose in disgust.
<Yomi> "That sentiment is mutual," Yomi returns. "But make no mistake. Your existence will end if you insist upon being obstructive and prevent us from reaching Wakahisa Kurou."
<El-Cideon> "...Fine," it concedes, starting to slither off the bridge, grumbling as it goes. "Tired of eating fish, just want to swallow the nice, juicy girl whole, but nooo, she has a sword..." Eventually, it disappears back into the river, it's bulk obvious as it moves downstream. Only soaked planks and a lingering smell of rotting seafood suggest it was here.
* Nadia_Chekova hugs Yomi from behind! "It's exactly as Rena said!"
<Erin> "You know, I did not believe we were getting out of this one, but my expectations have been happily dashed!"
* Yomi further makes her point by concentrating, making arcane runes cover her blade in blessing for the duration it would take them to cross the bridge. She smiles embarrassedly at Nadia, and gestures ahead, offering, "Let's go?"
<Nadia_Chekova> Nodding and seperating from Yomi, Nadia starts across the bridge. "It's just amazing that such creatures exist so brazenly and aren't well known," she remarks.
<El-Cideon> Nothing bothers you as continue onwards. The background whir of animal noise picks up again with the monster's absence.
<El-Cideon> "Maybe it eats everyone who comes looking for it?" Rena wonders.
* Yomi continues keeping her guard from this point on, remaining on the lookout for other demons as she walks. "That's part of it, but you saw what happened back in the village. The villagers knew about the demons, yet who would believe them?"
<El-Cideon> "Only other people who had already seen demons?"
<Yomi> "Precisely. Most find it too traumatizing to do much about it, others actively begin to hunt them. And when the government had gotten involved, it tried to cover it all up."
<Erin> "People did," notes Erin, starting to walk forward. "It's no coincidence that many of the stories we read about in the past are being shown true today. But somewhere along the line, people stopped believing..."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It's just strange, though. I mean, there it was, big as an elephant and just as real," Nadia gestures expressively. "How can such things remain so obscure? I've never seen a tiger, and if you described it it could sound every bit as dangerous and fantastic, but no one doubts they exist."
<El-Cideon> "You can see tigers in zoos, though," Rena points out. "Or so I hear. I've never been to one."
<Nadia_Chekova> "So why haven't things like that been put in zoos as well, though?" Nadia continues to press at her point.
<Yomi> "And would they, if tigers appeared in implausible fairytales instead of zoos?" Yomi wonders. "It might not just be my government that's trying to keep the demon situation secret. If everyone else did likewise for their own reasons...."
<Erin> "The creatures hide themselves, as well," adds Erin. "Humans can face them head-on, these days. Even the nure-onna couldn't stand up against the military, I would wager. All it can do is run..."
<Erin> "
<Erin> "And of course, we are far more numerous than them."
<Yomi> "What would the benefits of revealing their existence to the world be? Regular people cannot hunt them. The only ones they could hurt are each other, claiming the other was possessed. Would many truly go through the difficult training one needs to recognize a true demon and to deal with one?"
<Erin> "For the sake of those who are not such beasts, it would be better if we found some way to live alongside one another. But people do such terrible things when in the grip of fear... and enough of these spirits and demons are evil enough that the stigma on the rest would never fade."
<Nadia_Chekova> "People go to Africa to hunt elephants," Nadia points out.
<Yomi> "Elephants don't have the intelligence to lay a trap for them, do they?"
<El-Cideon> "I don't understand why they do that, Nadia. Why is killing something fun? I will do it if there is a good reason."
<Nadia_Chekova> "No, but they're still fantastic beasts that people take great pride in killing, and their ivory can be sold for a fortune. I'd bet demon bones or whatever would be even more valuable," Nadia goes on. "It just seems so strange that there are some things we accept without question, and others are considered mere myths, when both are equally real."
<Erin> "Because some men want to show they're superior to beasts," replies Erin, frowning. "How behaving like a beast can achieve this, I do not know."
<El-Cideon> Rena shrugs. "Men do many strange things that don't make sense to me."
<Yomi> "We might know for certain when we head to Tokyo," Yomi muses. "Unless I'm hunted down on sight once I step foot there, that is."
<El-Cideon> You continue on through the forest. The trail slopes downwards and levels out; the mountains loom around and above you now, when the forest cover parts overhead. (more)
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d100 and gets 37."12 [1d100=37]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d100 and gets 56."12 [1d100=56]
<El-Cideon> After a couple hours of hiking... (OOC: PM for Erin, sec)
<Erin> "There's someone up ahead," states Erin, gesturing forward. "It's.. some kind of bird-man..."
* Yomi follows Erin's directions!
<Nadia_Chekova> "A friend of your bird?" Nadia asks, making a face. The whole concept of demonic secrecy doesn't work when they keep popping up like this!
<Erin> "I don't know any Japanese bird-people. Although I might see if he'll let me sketch him," she replies. "It could be a chance to network!"
<Yomi> "So we're going to meet him?"
<El-Cideon> "Our plan of having Yomi yell at people we don't like worked last time.," Rena says. "We can do that again if we have to?"
<Erin> "We may not be welcome here," replies Erin, frowning. "But we didn't plan on sneaking around all day. After all, we have to front up to speak to Wakahisa eventually."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Yomi's presence has served us well so far," Nadia agrees with Rena.
* Yomi doesn't object to that, heading out to meet the mysterious bird-man.
<El-Cideon> You stride out into the open for the first time since leaving town; the road passes through a wide, grassy field that slopes down at the far end and provides a nice view of the valley below. At the far end, through an afternoon haze, you can see the mountains rise up again--at worst, where you need to be is another couple hours' walk away from here, you think. (more)
<El-Cideon> The figure is sitting on a rock by the road, smoking a pipe and admiring the view. It's tall, and shaped like a human but for a coating of charcoal feathers. It's face is rather bestial, and fronted by a savage beak. He turns to look at you as you approach; you can see that he is heavily-armed. (more)
<El-Cideon> "Hrmph, didn't know we were entertaining tourists these days," he says in a gruff voice, looking you all over. "You all lost?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: K:A again if you like, same deal as before.
<Erin> roll 1d20+16
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+16 and gets 23."12 [1d20=7]
<Yomi> roll 1d20+8
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+8 and gets 18."12 [1d20=10]
<Yomi> "On the contrary," Yomi responds, adjusting her kimono after that lengthy trek as she approaches the tengu. "We are headed to meet with Wakahisa Kurou. We still are along the right path, are we not?"
<El-Cideon> He blows smoke for a moment, listening. "Might be. What's your business with him?"
<Erin> "I wanted to talk to him about his work!" blurts out Erin, after a moment. "It is *extremely* interesting, don't you know? Do you know if he takes students?"
<Yomi> "If nothing else, exchanging knowledge with a foreign mage would be good for all involved, wouldn't you think?" Yomi adds.
<El-Cideon> Insofar as you can make out anything on features like his, he looks mildly annoyed. "Huh. That all we've got here, wandering students? That's why you're carrying that?" He gestures with his pipe to Yomi's sword. "To learn magic? You know how to use that thing, girl, or is it for show?"
<Yomi> "My business with him comes after hers had been concluded."
<El-Cideon> "And what *is* your business?"
<Yomi> "I wished to talk to him as a fellow collector of sacred weapon."
<Yomi> *weapons
<El-Cideon> "Ahhhh, weapons. He knows about them. So do I! That is a subject dearer to my heart! Demonstrate yourself to be capable with yours and I will let you pass. I do not tolerate the weak of spirit--you must be able to take what you want in this world!"
<El-Cideon> At a glance, the tengu carries a katana, some kind of metal fan, as well as an antiquated matchlock rifle slung across his back.
<Yomi> "I have to fight you to prove that I do not wish to harm you or the man we seek?" Yomi feels the need to clarify.
<Nadia_Chekova> As she prefers to use no weapons, Nadia has nothing to offer this particular demon so she settles back to watch Yomi beat the hell out of him.
<El-Cideon> "A test of skill! You are not afraid, are you? We needn't strike to wound if you like, only to demonstrate that we can. I won't hurt you..." He laughs. "Unless you are extremely disappointing!"
<Erin> Erin certainly doesn't want to exchange fire with this creature, not without a series of wards that would no doubt be against the spirit of the struggle.
* Yomi twitches, and settles into an iaijutsu stance at the taunting.
<El-Cideon> Another laugh. He draws the sword and fan, and steps forward. "Very good! We will exchange blows twice, all our strength! If you can still move on afterwards, you have my permission to do so. Prepare yourself!" OOC: roll init if you're taking him up on this. All his attacks will be nonlethal unless noted otherwise.
<Yomi> roll 1d20+1
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+1 and gets 9."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+2
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4."12 [1d20=2]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Yomi: 63/63, Nadia: 58/58, Erin: 54/54, Rena: 60/60  Yomi > tengu'
<El-Cideon> OOC: go ahead. You basically start out in FA range, so.
* Yomi opts to take a cautious path, and adjusts her stance towards defenses even as her sword flashes at the tengu thrice before she sheathes it once more in wait.
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6 (-4 nonlethal -4 fighting defensively after all)
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 (-4 nonlethal -4 fighting defensively after all) and gets 23."12 [1d20=17]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hits, roll the rest?
<Yomi> roll 1d20+1 AP!
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+1 AP! and gets 8."12 [1d20=7]
<Yomi> roll 2d6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6 and gets 9."12 [2d6=3, 6]
<Yomi> OOC: 14?
<El-Cideon> OOC: not high enough.
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 24."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> OOC: that one is!
<Yomi> roll 4d6+18 nonlethal
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 4d6+18 nonlethal and gets 33."12 [4d6=5, 1, 3, 6]
<El-Cideon> The tengu takes a hearty thunmping with the flat of Yomi's blade. Far from being stopped by this: "Good, good!" he crows. Can you dodge as well, however? Let us find out!"
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11 katana 1
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+11 katana 1 and gets 13."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11 fan 1
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+11 fan 1 and gets 27."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 katana 2
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 katana 2 and gets 20."12 [1d20=14]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 fan 2
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 fan 2 and gets 7."12 [1d20=1]
<El-Cideon> OOC: the first fan attack hits. Roll your AoO first, though, since he missed?
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> OOC: whiffage.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d6+6 nonlethal
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d6+6 nonlethal and gets 11."12 [1d6=5]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Yomi: (11) 63/63, Nadia: 58/58, Erin: 54/54, Rena: 60/60  Yomi > tengu'
<El-Cideon> Yomi takes a glancing blow, but it's not enough to stop her--Erin's magical protection and her own defensive skills pull her through! OOC: Yomi.
* Yomi lashes out at the tengu as he misses, but can't land a solid strike in her haste. The desire to see things through, however, pushes her to press on with her attack! A strike to his swordarm, another to deflect the fan, and then a final attack to smash in his beak with the hilt of her sword!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
<Yomi> roll 2d6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6 and gets 9."12 [2d6=6, 3]
<Yomi> OOC: 23?
<Yomi> roll 1d20+1
<El-Cideon> OOC: hits with the AP, yes.
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+1 and gets 6."12 [1d20=5]
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 8."12 [1d20=2]
<El-Cideon> OOC: one hit.
<Yomi> roll 2d6+9
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6+9 and gets 16."12 [2d6=3, 4]
<El-Cideon> He's quick, but not enough to avoid taking a nasty blow to his arm. "You have promise, but can you withstand this?!"
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11 katana 1
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+11 katana 1 and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+11 fan 1
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+11 fan 1 and gets 18."12 [1d20=7]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 katana 2
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 katana 2 and gets 10."12 [1d20=4]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 fan 2
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 fan 2 and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
<El-Cideon> OOC: whiffstorm. Take your AoO if you want, then it's a wrap.
<Yomi> "I think the one who can be arrogant about this is the winning side," Yomi notes calmly, once more trying to use his lack of attention to smack the tengu's beak!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+6
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
<El-Cideon> OOC: miss.
* Yomi frowns slightly in dismay.
<El-Cideon> Yomi's final attack misses, but the tengu backs off all the same. "Enough! I am suitably impressed. You may pass." He puts his weapons away and stands aside.
<El-Cideon> He actually looks fairly winded from that beating, not that he's letting it show at all in his voice.
<Yomi> "You are very skilled," Yomi admits, even though she believes that she can win if this continues.
<Nadia_Chekova> "As always, Yomi is invincible!" Nadia crows.
<El-Cideon> "As are you! I will go and spread the word before you for others to leave you alone. There are nue in the forest, of course--they cannot be reasoned with and will meet you with only hostility--but all else you meet should be harmless. Annoying perhaps, but harmless! Ignore any trails of fire you might see in the woods, though, the foxes like to play tricks. I should have your name before I go. Mine is Saboru."
<Yomi> Ah, nue. Yomi is briefly lost to nostalgia. The tengu's question brings her back, however, and she bows. "I am Isayama Yomi."
<El-Cideon> He bows in return. "Now we part, Isayama Yomi. Good luck in your endeavors!" He spreads wings and takes to the sky, flying further into the valley.
<Nadia_Chekova> "I wish I could fly..." Nadia sighs as he departs.
<El-Cideon> "We have been on airplanes several times, Nadia," Rena points out.
<Yomi> "Besides, maybe Erin can teach us, one day?" Yomi asks, waiving at Saboru as he departs.
<Erin> "It isn't impossible... sort of..."
<Yomi> "See?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Having to go to the airport and wait in lines and pay exorbitant fares isn't the same as just taking off whenever I feel like, though," Nadia tells Rena as she watches the tengu fly into the distance.
<Erin> "Nadia, how attached are you to being a solid, as opposed to a liquid or a gas?" asks Erin, after a moment of awkward silence.
<Nadia_Chekova> "Well... I've never been either of those things, so I couldn't say what they're like..." Nadia replies slowly. "I don't think being either of those would support continued living, though..."
<Yomi> "Some demons are liquid or gas," Yomi supplies helpfully.
<Erin> "Oh, don't worry about that. Just, if you ever feel like a change, you can let me know," replies Erin. "I'm still working on the liquid transformation, though."
<El-Cideon> "How is that even possible?" Rena wonders. "Have you done it before, Erin? Do you spend time being a cloud when you are not with us?"
* Yomi observes Erin curiously at Rena's words.
<Nadia_Chekova> "What's it like?" Nadia echoes Erin's curious sentiments.
<Erin> "I tested it in London while we were resting," replies Erin. "It's very... light-headed, sort of, except you don't have a head. Breezy? Actually, the breeze was blowing me around, it was a bit of a problem."
<Nadia_Chekova> "I was thinking more like having wings, but stealing things would be so easy if I could turn into a gas. No lock could keep me out," Nadia wears a happy girlish smile at the possibilities afforded to her.
<El-Cideon> "Maybe I should try it sometime," Rena says. "As long as it's not permanent, at least. I like my body. But it's good to try new things, I think."
<Yomi> "If it's permanent, you can possess Erin?"
<El-Cideon> "I would prefer not to--I often see men looking at me, but they do not as often look at Erin--but it would be better than having no body."
<Erin> "It's a matter of minutes, really," replies Erin, before frowning. "It's not that kind of spell! Unless you mean just, sort of... no, it can't do that."
<Erin> "They're looking at you because you're looking at them," mutters Erin. "Shouldn't we be going?"
<El-Cideon> "Is that all? Well, I do like looking at them." She shrugs. "I am ready to go if you are."
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d100 and gets 79."12 [1d100=79]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d100
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d100 and gets 57."12 [1d100=57]
<El-Cideon> More walking! More peaceful, quiet walking, fortunately. This is actually quite a charming, picturesque forest when legendary creatures aren't trying to eat you or picking fights. Finally the road ends at a small village. You see several small, primitive huts, mostly made of straw and wood, scattered around a clearing. (more)
<El-Cideon> Behind them all is a larger house, done in the traditional Japanese style. It's only a single floor, but sprawls enough to suggest several interior rooms. There's no one obviously here to greet you; from a couple huts you can hear voices that sound vaguely human, and there is someone on the roof of the larger house, at work with a hammer.(more)
<El-Cideon> The only other being immediately apparent is a large stray cat, gray-and-white striped. It peers at you lazily from the shadow of a hut.
<Erin> Erin isn't quite sure they'll be welcome here, but doesn't let that stop her walking towards the entrance to the house, intent on knocking at the door!
* Nadia_Chekova follows along with Erin, looking around for any other birdmen or trickster foxes or whatever else there might be around.
* Yomi merely keeps an eye out on any demons in the area.
<El-Cideon> Up above, the hammering stops as you knock; shortly, someone answers the door. It's a young Japanese woman in a kimono, very pretty, with long lustrous hair. "Isayama Yomi and friends?" she says. "We were told of your coming. Please come inside. Take your shoes off at the door," she adds, apparently for the foreigner's benefit.
<El-Cideon> There's nothing obvious around the town that NAdia sees, just the cat watching you. You notice it has two tails.
<Erin> Off come Erin's unladylike boots!
* Nadia_Chekova blinks at the multiple tails, but supposes there are far stranger things than that. Bowing to the woman, she takes off her own Japanese clogs as she steps inside, still going native.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+10
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+10 and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
* Yomi removes her wooden sandals, more surprised that the woman greeting them is human than anything else. She enters the house proper with a bow, saying, "Thank you for having us."
<El-Cideon> Rena shuffles off her shoes and enters along with the rest of you.
<El-Cideon> "We do not often have visitors," the woman says. "Some of our neighbors find them disagreeable. Did they cause you any trouble getting here?" She's very polite, almost timid, as she speaks, leading you into the house to a sitting room that looks out to the back of it. There is a wide, sandy square immediately outside, with covered seats around it.
<Yomi> "It was no trouble to reach you," Yomi assures their hostess.
<Nadia_Chekova> "No trouble at all," Nadia agrees happily, Yomi having easily seen off the worst fantasy Japan has to offer!
<El-Cideon> "That is good. Master Wakahisa tries to keep them in order as much as possible. I will go alert him of your arrival, and return with tea." She leaves you in the sitting room, closing the door behind her. There is a small table in the center of the room that looks as though it could seat eight.
* Yomi takes a seat at the table, waiting for the diviner's arrival.
* Nadia_Chekova takes a seat. "Well, this place seems nice," she opines, idly looking around for anything valuable. Not that she plans to steal anything, but it's just nice to know what's nearby.
<El-Cideon> There are vases and the like in the corners, some on display stands, some freestanding. They look quite old. Otherwise, the room is simple and restrained, unlit paper lanterns the only other decoration. Up above, the banging on the roof has begun again,
<El-Cideon> .
<El-Cideon> After a couple minutes, there are footsteps in the hall. The door slides open and a man enters the room. His age is hard to determine--perhaps in his thirties? He doesn't look old. He wears a kimono as well, colorful but tasteful, black with patterned areas of green and red. (more)
<El-Cideon> He is also profoundly handsome in a way that makes it difficult to move your eyes from him. Perfect skin, an easy smile, and eyes that seem to look right through you. The young woman trails behind him, setting tea on the table as the man sits. "Suzume, tell Lucia to take a break?" he says. The girl nods and soon exits, closing the door behind her.
<Yomi> "Thank you for seeing us," Yomi speaks as he appears, standing up and bowing. "I am Isayama Yomi."
<Nadia_Chekova> Even though this is really Yomi and Erin's thing, Nadia can't just sit idly by and shrink into the background. "Hello, I'm Natsu," she gives him a warm smile.
<Erin> "And I'm Erin! Callahan Erin, I mean, Erin Callahan," replies Erin, reaching up to touch her hair.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+9
* Nyarlahatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+9 and gets 18."12 [1d20=9]
<El-Cideon> Shortly, the hammering on the roof ceases. "I'm Rena," adds your German teammate, staring quite openly.
<El-Cideon> He nods to each of you in turn. "Wakahisa Kurou. As you surely know, since you sought me out. What brings you to brave the strange denizens of the forest to come here?"
* Yomi sits back down and allows Erin the chance to establish diplomatic ties before her own questions would doubtlessly agitate their host.
<Erin> "There were a few reasons," replies Erin, as her hands grasp each other and begin to twitch. "But, ah, you see, I represent an English order of mages, and your name had not escaped us. I was hoping you'd be amenable to sharing your knowledge with us! Part of our mission-" she adds, starting to firm up "-is to protect people from what lurks within the shadows-"
<Erin> "-but there's no consistant organization in Europe that I know of that takes on that duty." Erin chooses to omit the role the church plays in such activities, finding them to do more harm than good. "So we've made it ours."
<Yomi> "When what lurks within the shadows preys on the people," Yomi adds for clarification, "rather than seeking out anything nonhuman merely on those merits."
<Erin> "Of course, as the other side of things is to forge better ties between humanity and the misunderstood," adds Erin, beaming like a schoolgirl. "We'll progress society through understanding!"
<Nadia_Chekova> "You could call us seekers of knowledge," Nadia interjects pointlessly. "From your reputation, Master Wakahisa, we're sure you could teach us a great deal!"
<El-Cideon> "Oh yes? An admirable pursuit, which I feel I also further in my own way." With a nod to Yomi, he continues: "Yes, I agree. It causes so many problems to judge something based on the shape it was born into, doesn't it? Better to judge by deeds. I keep watch over those in this valley as much to keep them safe as to keep them contained." (more)
<El-Cideon> "As for knowledge, that I do indeed have." He seems to focus on Erin, smiling in apparent amusement at her schoolgirl blabbering. "What specifically do you seek?"
<Erin> "In particular, it is your exorcism techniques that interest me, as whilst it seems to me that Japanese techniques have been developed through the modern era, European ones have lagged behind," replies Erin, her voice lowering a slight. "I am also curious about how you see.. hmm.. what the difference between what you might call the divine and the profane hereabouts."
<El-Cideon> "These days, I accomplish my work primarily by talking, strange as it seems. Those outside--" he gestures outside, back towards the small village you passed through, "--I have persuaded to live a quiet life, apart from humanity. There are not so many of them left anyway, after all--where else are they to go? We humans proliferate so completely these days." (more)
<El-Cideon> "My official work, for which the government tolerates my manifold eccentricities, is mostly in an advisory capacity. The empire expands ever outward and, in the case of its work, finds strange objects, strange beings. It is my job to tell them what these things are, what can be done with them." (more)
<El-Cideon> "From their eyes, the divine and profane is a matter of how useful a thing is to our territorial ambitions. From mine, I prefer to assess things in view of how much of a threat they are to those who merely wish to live in peace. Sadly, these views are not always in concordance."
<Nadia_Chekova> "I think every government seems to feel that way," Nadia sighs. Germany definitely does, and she doesn't doubt that France and the UK and Russia are much the same even if she hasn't seen much evidence of other countries paranormal ambitions.
<Erin> "Ah, it always seems to come down to a matter of belief," replies Erin, frowning to herself. "You aren't often called upon to, well, force out any evil spirits or place some wards very often, then?"
<El-Cideon> "On occasion. Traditionally, my occupation was focused on divination, with a small but relevant sideline being the wrangling of uncooperative supernatural entities. I view myself more principally as a caretaker of traditions, however. There are others more renowned for their skill in vanquishing malign spirits. You do travel with a member of the Isayama family, do you not?" he says with a smile at Yomi.
<Yomi> "This is not mere curiousity," Yomi responds, returning that smile politely. "We have come across a being that could possess humans, so it is natural to seek new methods of exorcism and containment in such a situation."
<El-Cideon> "There are many such creatures even in our local bestiary that go about such crimes. This is something that is outside your experience, I take it?"
<Erin> "Yes, it's a creature that not only- well, we presume it possesses it's target- but it also infuses them with incredible strength and hellish powers. You can understand our concern..."
<Yomi> "We've said how one should judge by actions rather than nature, haven't we? This case... was strange, by being the opposite. It was an otherworldly entity, without a doubt, yet the first before or since to escape my notice. And it possessed considerable arcane might."
<El-Cideon> His beautiful face creases with concern. "Is that so? Can you describe this entity for me? What did it do? What did it want?"
<Yomi> "To wash the world away in fire, if he was to be believed. You are correct to be concerned."
<Erin> "To accomplish this, it appeared bent on destroying numerous seals, located in.. well, paralell worlds, spatially aligned with certain locales that could be considered holy."
<El-Cideon> "And you believe this goal to be within the entity's power? Disturbing indeed. Where did you encounter it?"
<Yomi> "Since our only possible counter is destroying the host body, and we believe the entity fully capable of possessing more, perhaps at the same time, quite."
* Yomi peers at Kurou. "Although we certainly hope containment is possible, or even exorcism, as I've said."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It had the support of the German government," Nadia volunteers, ever so happy to be helpful. "It possessed an English naturalist in Siberia and used his body to pursue its goals elsewhere, but there have been stories of other posessions in Siberia that have all ended violently."
<El-Cideon> He nods. "It would be difficult to say whether this is possible without knowing more about it. Theoretically, anything not native to our world can be banished to the netherworld from whence it came. Most spirits responsible for possession of humans do so out of mischief or hunger. I have not often heard of ones that act with such careful direction." (more)
<El-Cideon> "Part of the benefit of working in an official capacity is that I am as capable of using the government as a source of information as they are me. I am very much interested in seeing what they might now about such a being, locally or internationally. I have heard of strange happenings in Siberia...interesting."
<Yomi> "What did you hear?" Yomi asks, seizing on that.
<El-Cideon> "Mostly rumors. The Soviets are terribly effective at seeing that nothing leaves their borders, human beings or information. But some stories make their way out despite this. I suppose there's little else to talk about in Siberia. Some kind of madness seizing individuals there, never further west than the Urals and usually no closer to us than Mongolia."
<Yomi> "They tend to prevent those possessed from getting too far. The man we met must have escaped through the net, somehow," Yomi muses. "If we had more information, you might be able to help us find ways to contain this thing?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Yes, they become violent and have magic powers over fire," Nadia nods eagerly.
<El-Cideon> "I have half a mind to investigate it myself now, if what you say is true." He grins. "I had not previously been motivated to brave the wastes of Siberia just based on stray stories. Terribly unpleasant place, I hear. I will be more than glad to help in any capacity I can. I serve the people of Japan, whatever shape they might be, whatever their leaders might say."
<Yomi> "There is another matter where I was hoping you might help us," Yomi mentions here. "You have no doubt heard of the sacred blade, Shishio?"
<El-Cideon> He nods. "I have indeed, yes."
<Yomi> "Would you, perchance, know who currently holds it?"
<El-Cideon> "If it's not you, I do not. I did hear stories some time ago that there was trouble within your family. They were accurate?"
<Yomi> "I can't say which tales spread beyond the family. It was, however, stolen."
<Nadia_Chekova> "By the person we mentioned was possessed by the Siberian spirit!" Nadia adds.
<Erin> roll 1d20+12
* Nyarlahatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> "Is that so?" he sighs. "I had heard it was misplaced, but did not know enough detail to be sure of whether to believe the stories. I can say that I've more recently heard something about the head of the Isayama clan going into some arrangement with the founder of Fukui Armaments, though I'm afraid I do not have details."
<Erin> "They'd hardly want the knowledge that it went missing to be leaked out," ponders Erin. "Fukui Armaments... would the Isamaya clan normally have any need for ordinary weapons? Surely not."
<El-Cideon> He shrugs. "I repeat only what I heard in passing from an officer asking me for advice on other matters. I do not know the nature of the arrangement."
<Yomi> "Speaking of hearing things in passing," Yomi thinks out loud, "have you heard anything about the Tsukino clan, or their recent movements?"
<El-Cideon> "I'm afraid they're adept at not being heard. It's their business, so to speak. The government is always in pursuit, but never quite seems to find them in time. I wonder sometimes if there is some collusion there. In any event, I do not have anythign current and reliable. I can make inquiries, if you like. Have you had trouble with them?"
<Yomi> "So it appears," she agrees.
<El-Cideon> He raises one delicate eyebrow, waiting for elaboration if you so choose.
* Yomi is not inclined to provide an explanation, lacking anything but suspicions which are difficult to say to a stranger.
<El-Cideon> He shrugs. "Very well. Is there anything else you wish to know? Anything else I could help you with?"
* Nadia_Chekova wants to stay and keep the conversation going but just isn't really good at the supernatural discussion thing and so has nothing else to offer...
<El-Cideon> Another shrug, as Suzume sidles in to clear away the empty teacups. "I could offer you our hopsitality, if you like. Surely you spent a great deal of time walking, and it will dark before long. Some of the huts outside are unoccupied; the accomodations would be crude, but better than travelling at night."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It has been a long walk, and my feet are tired," Nadia agrees, not really inclined to go hiking again after having settled down.
* Erin inclines her head.
* Yomi acceeds to Nadia and Erin's wishes.
<El-Cideon> He stands. "Very well. Suzume can show you out. Rest well." At about this time, Rena blurts out the following: "I would like to sleep with you tonight if you are not busy."
* Nadia_Chekova chokes somewhat as Rena says what they're all thinking.
<El-Cideon> Suzume drops a teacup with a sad little *tink* of breaking porcelain, and quickly busies herself with picking up the pieces.
* Yomi freezes in the process of standing up.
<Erin> "Rena! Gods, Na- Natsu, what have you been teaching her?" chokes Erin, seizing Rena by the arm. "I'm really, really sorry about that! She, uh..."
<Yomi> "She's really honest," Yomi mutters, letting out a sigh. "Ah, I don't care, sort it out somehow. Suzume, let me help you with that."
<Nadia_Chekova> "I didn't teach her that!" Nadia blurts out defensively. "Master Wakahisa, please forgive her," she then stands up and bows. "Our friend Rena is very sheltered. She means no disrespect by her offer."
<El-Cideon> Kurou pauses for a long moment, observing the collective reactions. Eventually, he laughs. "I am very flattered, but also spoken for." To Rena: "You've all had a long day. I'm sure you should get some rest instead. I'll see you all for breakfast in the morning instead, perhaps." With a bow, very respectful and graceful despite the circumstances, he exits, leaving a very quiet (and very, very red) Suzume to show you out.
* Nadia_Chekova pats Rena on the back as they leave. "Better luck next time," she consoles.
<El-Cideon> ~