Forbodings from Neptune

[Dracos]

Jan 15 19:40:51 <Kotono>   Sleep? It was...something. A moment of unawareness. A moment of nothingness, as if existance had been turned off with the flip of a switch. When it comes back on, all is a haze. The future and the past feel glazed, as if hidden by a thick lethargic sleepiness. All that focuses is the here and now. Each of you sits on a soft plush couch, seeming to float. Below you is a placid, still ocean as
Jan 15 19:40:51 <Kotono>   far as you can see. The water has no difficulty holding up the couch at all. The sky is another ocean, high up before becoming the same sort of placid, unmoving waters.
Jan 15 19:44:48 *   Noriko looks up. Looks down. Glances at her teammates. "This is not where I went to sleep," she announces with characteristic certainty. "Something is amiss." She places a foot on the "ground" experimentally and tries to stand. If it can support a couch plus her weight, it should hold her alone, no? But there's really no way to be sure about anything until it's attempted.
Jan 15 19:45:26 <Kotono>   Noriko stands up, her feet on the water! So she stands on it, as if it was solid ground.
Jan 15 19:46:04 <Aisutori>   "It's too early...or late for these kind of things.  But that's how it goes," Aisutori's sweet voice rang out as she stayed temporarily huddled on the couch, looking over the others.  "Is it just us three?  Have we been doing too many late nights that we started sharing dreams too?"
Jan 15 19:46:42 *   Noriko lifts one foot, pausing in perfect balance for a second, then stamps down on the water. Ripples? "I do not dream."
Jan 15 19:47:12 *   Jin glances about, eying his friends languidly.
Jan 15 19:47:33 <Jin>   "I wonder if we should be alarmed."
Jan 15 19:48:02 <Jin>   "It's not really a good thing when you're plucked out of a perfectly good dream into...wherever we are."
Jan 15 19:48:18 <Aisutori>   "DO you remember how you got here then, Noriko-chan?" Aisutori wondered to their most precise friend.
Jan 15 19:48:20 <Kotono>   The great sea below has not a ripple, even on contact with your feet. Yet as Noriko stands on it, her feet begin to gently sink into the water. The water is warm, oh so warm and soothing.
Jan 15 19:49:59 *   Jin sighs. "And it was such a good dream, too...that cute upperclassman was tutoring me in math."
Jan 15 19:50:15 *   Noriko sits back on the couch before she vanishes from sight, then examines one foot critically as though it had been immersed in something suspiciously other than water. "I do not. Is this unpleasant by the standards of dreams?"
Jan 15 19:51:26 *   Jin reaches down to poke at the water, peering into its depths.
Jan 15 19:52:09 <Aisutori>   "It's strange.  Perhaps we've been spirited away by Oni," Aisutori wondered, taking a moment to gaze down into the water. "If so, maybe they'll come by soon..." She reached a hand down, feeling it.
Jan 15 19:52:43 <Kotono>   The water stirs not at all...but as Jin pokes into it, a voice is murmuring. A sad voice of despair, aching with need, "It comes, it comes, it comes. Be wary of the Leviathan..."
Jan 15 19:54:00 *   Jin raises an eyebrow. "Ok, now that's not creepy at /all/. I think we're going to need a bigger boat."
Jan 15 19:55:40 *   Noriko stands on the couch, takes a long, thorough look around their surroundings. "I heard a voice when I stepped into the water as well, but I do not see the speaker."
Jan 15 19:57:51 *   Jin shrugs. "What did the voice say? I didn't hear anything except for what we all heard."
Jan 15 19:59:12 <Aisutori>   "It's not good to lose yourself in fear, Jin-san.  It makes you vulnerable," She insisted, glancing around calmly.  "Who are you?" She called out to the voice.
Jan 15 19:59:29 <Noriko>   "Be ready. From the sea..." Noriko repeats, in an accurate rendition of the mysterious voice's longing, quite distinct from Noriko's own typically even tone.
Jan 15 20:00:37 <Aisutori>   Aisutori nodded, gazing out at the sea, looking for signs of anything coming, the air getting chillier around her.  If they were in danger, first survive.
Jan 15 20:00:41 <Kotono>   The waters slowly emerge up and out, a slender waterspout taking form. She wears a gown of pale green, her hair white as sea foam. Pink seashells decorate her floor length hair. Her face is a mask of melancholy, her eyes shut and brow twisted, as if in distress. "Listen to me...the Leviathan comes. Be wary of those that become his Voices, they will bring ruin. Five of them will come, each Voice
Jan 15 20:00:41 <Kotono>   must be silenced."
Jan 15 20:02:03 <Aisutori>   "Who are you?" Aisutori wondered of the exotic woman, wanting to know.
Jan 15 20:02:07 *   Jin starts slightly at the sight of the newly arrived...whatever. "Uh, thanks for the warning, I guess. But *who* are you, this Leviathan, and why do these vocal chords of his have to be severed?"
Jan 15 20:02:54 *   Noriko turns toward the strange woman, not the least bit perturbed. "Describe these harbingers of the Leviathan. We are adept at eliminating menaces to society and will deal with them appropriately."
Jan 15 20:05:10 *   Aisutori glances at Jin.  "Jin-san, she's probably speaking metaphorically.  Five of his servants coming to bring ruin."  She tried to help him out.
Jan 15 20:07:02 <Kotono>   "You three have potential to stand against the coming Leviathan. One will use it's Voice to speak of loss, another to speak of hopelessness. A third will Voice oblivion, a fourth lies. The fifth will speak of them all, to bring about the coming of the Leviathan."
Jan 15 20:07:30 <Jin>   "I keep forgetting no one appreciates my sense of humor." Jin comments dryly. "I'm quite aware that she was speaking metaphorically. I'm more interested in who she is and just who the new Big Bad is."
Jan 15 20:08:57 *   Jin addresses the woman again. "Right. Prevent the coming of the Leviathan by offing his minions. But what or who exactly is this Leviathan person? And what exactly does it want?"
Jan 15 20:09:18 <Noriko>   "What is the Leviathan? Are you able to provide more details? I am aware only of mythological references and a book of social commentary."
Jan 15 20:11:41 <Aisutori>   Aisutori frowned slightly at their mysterious visitor.  It's like she could only warn them.
Jan 15 20:13:06 <Jin>   "I mean, there's gotta be more to the story. Warnings are nice and all, but details would be even nicer." Jin stands up on the water and attempts to get closer to the woman. "Can we at least get your name?"
Jan 15 20:13:53 <Kotono>   "Leviathan is the Gatekeeper, brining ruin from below." The woman's face falters, "The seas have fallen to him. From the sea will ruin come. The three of you have the potential to stop his advance. ...I am Neptune, spirit of the sea. I know not the faces his Voices will take, nor his exact moves."
Jan 15 20:15:58 <Aisutori>   "Neptune-san, we'll help.  We won't let Leviathan's voices have their way in our home."
Jan 15 20:16:16 <Noriko>   "Are you able to obtain this information and communicate it to is at a later time?"
Jan 15 20:16:21 <Noriko>   *to us
Jan 15 20:17:18 *   Jin halts his advance, standing on the water as he took in this new information. "The Gatekeeper? Ooh, that doesn't sound good at all." Jin scratches his head idly. "So what, we just flail around and hope we randomly encounter this dude's Voices?"
Jan 15 20:17:51 <Kotono>   "I shall try. My physical body lies in the claws of Leviathan. What power and aid I can give is paltry, save for this warning. I am sorry it must be so, but the gates unsealed with such speed that we were defeated in the blink of an eye." That gets a moment, "No...you will see the effects soon enough. The seas shall become as the Leviathan, for he now commands them."
Jan 15 20:20:14 <Jin>   "If this guy ruins the beaches that I have staked out for summer vacation, I'm gonna be pissed. Neptune, who defeated you and let this guy out of his cage? And who are your fellows? Can we expect any aid from your friends?"
Jan 15 20:23:55 <Kotono>   "The Leviathan did. If any aid can come to you, it wil-" At that Neptune's face twitches. Water leaks from a thousand cuts that mar her face, tears of blood leaking, "The Levi-!" No more is said, as the seas begin to twist! A screaming maelstrom begins to form in mere seconds, the couch buck-light. Light? The three of you stand under a streetlight. It's night...you remember now. You remember
Jan 15 20:23:55 <Kotono>   being at school on a Thursday. Just after school ended, getting up to go and...? It's definintely night now. A typical street, unremarkable enough by itself. It looks like a quiet residential street, not a soul about.
Jan 15 20:24:53 <Aisutori>   "Did you both get that?" Aisutori groaned as her awareness suddenly switched back here.
Jan 15 20:25:46 *   Jin blinks. "I was kinda hoping that I was just hallucinating." Jin glances around.
Jan 15 20:26:00 <Jin>   "If you both saw it...there goes that hope."
Jan 15 20:28:06 *   Noriko scans the street. "I retain every detail of the incident. However, it is curious that I could not recall how I came to be wherever it is that we were Some malfunction in my memory?"
Jan 15 20:28:43 <Aisutori>   "Jin-kun, it's not good to pretend not to hear things," She pouted.  A real trouble coming to the city.  She'd have to look it up as she didn't remember a Neptune of the oceans.  Maybe Kappa-san would know. "It's probably a calling.  Since it wasn't speaking to us here, but just in our dreams, we couldn't remember what we were doing when we were awake."
Jan 15 20:29:47 *   Jin grunts sourly. "I hate it when something messes with my head. Why can't these spirit types learn to use a phone? Or even a letter, for Kami's sake."
Jan 15 20:30:54 *   Jin sighs. "It's fairly late as it is. Shall we just skip patrol tonight and head home? Or shall we see if we can find anything concerning this sea monster of ours?"
Jan 15 20:32:06 <Noriko>   "Perhaps so. If we transitioned instantly to the dream-state, there would be no process to remember. Being briefly immersed in the water was a condition I would describe as 'pleasant' based on my understanding of the word. This is strange as such sensations are personally irrelevant. Are such unexpected feelings typical of a dream state?"
Jan 15 20:32:14 <Aisutori>   "Because it wouldn't be very scary if they just called us on the phone.  Alright, let's go home and see what we can find out about Leviathan.  Trade notes during lunch?" Aisutori suggested.  "Tomorrow's friday though...I hope they wait for the weekend."
Jan 15 20:33:58 <Jin>   "Dreams aren't always so pleasant as that, No-chan." Jin nods to Aisutori. "I agree. Though I'd hate to have my weekend trashed by the creature from the black lagoon."
Jan 15 20:35:21 *   Noriko nods as well. "I am amenable to dispersing for the night. It is unlikely we will find anything we need to know about this entity simply by patrolling for another few hours."
Jan 15 20:35:51 <Kotono>   OOC: Are you guys just going to slip home and rest or do anything else or what here?
Jan 15 20:36:35 <Aisutori>   OOC: Aisutori wants to slip by a lake and ask a friendly kappa about Neptune and Leviathan.  But that's really background gather info.
Jan 15 20:36:36 <Jin>   "Very well. As always ladies, it was a pleasure. " Jin gives a mocking, courtly bow. "I'd better get home before gramps has my hide. Training is a pain."
Jan 15 20:37:09 <Jin>   OOC: I guess I'm just heading back to the family home. Ask gramps if he knows anything. Old people are a wealth of knowledge!
Jan 15 20:37:21 <Noriko>   OOC: if everybody else is to freaked out to work, then I guess I'll go home and recharge. If I have extra time I'll scan any news sources for oceanic disturbances.
Jan 15 20:40:15 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay, Jin in #evildunes and Noriko in #terrorofdunes.
Jan 15 20:41:17 <Kotono>   OOC: Going to any particular lake or just the nearest random waterway?
Jan 15 20:42:09 <Aisutori>   OOC: Particular.  Going to ask an old friend of the family, so it'd be more of a known address.  Hopefully, the kappa might know :)
Jan 15 20:45:28 <Kotono>   OOC: Any name to this friend?
Jan 15 20:47:07 <Aisutori>   OOC: Kappa.  *nods*
Jan 15 20:50:09 <Kotono>   Ah, the little lake tucked away in the city park. It has a few trees around it, but is otherwise open and empty in this night. Oh, it's possible there might be a few trysts in the shadows, but nothing that's obvious to Aisutori.  You find the kappa in question sitting at the lake's edge, watching the moonlight reflecting on the calm waters. The saucer atop it's head is full, perfectly, unnaturally
Jan 15 20:50:09 <Kotono>   balanced.
Jan 15 20:52:20 *   Aisutori strides right up along, knowing most normal folks wouldn't bother Kappa, heading right up toward the edge of the lake.  "Hi Kappa, having a peaceful night?"  She sat down along the lake's edge.
Jan 15 20:53:39 <Kotono>   "Sure am," It's voice is cheery, a smile on it's face. A big old smile, "What's wrong, can't sleep?"
Jan 15 20:55:51 <Aisutori>   "Well, no.  I just had a strange dream, Kappa-san.  I wanted to ask you about it, since it had to do with the ocean.  Have you ever heard of a woman named Neptune...or a gatekeeper named Leviathan?"  She figured they both had to be pretty old.
Jan 15 20:58:38 <Kotono>   "Oh, Neptune? Why, she's the Queen of the Sea!" Withdrawing a pipe from nowhere and sticking it in it's mouth, "Leviathan, Leviathan...oh, that's a name for a lot of legendary super-sized creatures below. Have you seen those giant squid bodies the fisherman have brought up in recent years?"
Jan 15 21:00:21 <Aisutori>   "Yes.  Is it one of those?" She worried, listening attentively to Kappa's story.
Jan 15 21:06:45 <Kotono>   "Well, any creature from that deep in the depths and that big gets that name. To be honest," The kappa starts to laugh, "I've never been that deep in the ocean. But I can ask someone who has." Puffing on it's pipe, a sour smoke wafting out, "We kappa don't go into deep water like that."
Jan 15 21:09:24 <Aisutori>   She nodded.  "I'll bring you some rice balls if you go and ask for me, Kappa-san.  I think it's going to be very important soon.  Neptune said Leviathan's voices were going to bring ruin."
Jan 15 21:10:17 <Kotono>   "Well then, I guess I'll just have to go do it in the morning. Come back in a few days," Kappa says jovially.
Jan 15 21:11:56 <Aisutori>   She nodded.  "And be careful, Kappa-san.  I wouldn't want you to get hurt."  She always was like that with some of the older spirits, ignoring that they'd been looking after themselves for longer than she'd been alive.  "I'll tell Grandma that you say hi."  She nodded.
Jan 15 21:14:11 <Kotono>   "Good luck!" Waving to Aisutori as she leave, the kappa finishes it's pipe and hops into the water.

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Jan 15 20:47:12 <Kotono>   Your grandfather is found up late.  He is in front of the television, on the surface watching it. In reality his gaze is obviously not taking it in, perhaps lost in his own thoughtful, internal reverie as Jin enters the room. At least that's how it looks on apperances.
Jan 15 20:48:58 *   Jin sets his satchel on an end table and plops down a few feet away from his grandfather. "Hey gramps, what's shakin'?"
Jan 15 20:51:10 <Kotono>   Your grandfather's expression doesn't change, "Ahem," he clears hsi throat, "What's shaking?"
Jan 15 20:52:38 *   Jin rolls his eyes. "Never mind, gramps. American slang." Jin waves his hand dismissively. "Sorry I'm so late. There was a...bit of weirdness on the way home. I wanted to talk to you about it."
Jan 15 20:54:33 <Kotono>   "Weirdness." He chews on the word, turning to Jin. "What happened? Did your activities run late tonight?"
Jan 15 20:57:15 <Jin>   "Not so much. Having your mind hijacked by a cute looking water spirit would probably freak anyone out." Jin frowns in thought. "Long story short, she told us that this thing called the Leviathan was going to send five Voices to prepare the way for him or something. We're supposed to kick their asses. But the spirit didn't know who they would be--
Jan 15 20:58:18 <Jin>   --what they would look like, or where they're going to strike." Jin turned his head to face his grandfather. "Do you know anything about a water spirit named Neptune or anything at all about this Leviathan or these so-called Voices of his?"
Jan 15 21:05:08 <Kotono>   "...mmmm." He does consider it for long moments, "Something of it sounds familiar from the clan record. Stay, make some tea for us while I consult it."
Jan 15 21:06:44 *   Jin hangs his head and groans. "You *know* that my dear little sister is better at that than I am. Don't whine to me if you end up dying of accidental poisoning." Despite his whining, Jin dutifully gets up and heads to the kitchen to prepare the tea.
Jan 15 21:07:49 <Kotono>   Calling out as he goes, "Treat it like practice! Follow the methods and execute properly!"
Jan 15 21:09:35 <Jin>   "Dammit, gramps. Not even in the dojo and he *still* delights in torturing me." Jin grumbles. He prepares the tea, taking his sweet time as he knows his grandfather will take his own.
Jan 15 21:11:04 <Kotono>   It's about a half hour before Grandfather returns. His face is solemn, "I have found five mentions of the Leviathan in the family records," he begins,  barely glancing at his tea.
Jan 15 21:12:03 *   Jin takes a tentative sip of his own tea, hoping against hope that he actually got it right this time. "...five? So our family has faced it before?"
Jan 15 21:15:39 <Kotono>   "It's in the earliest records, more than 500 years old." He takes his own momentary sip of tea, "It mentions the Leviathan Five as a battle. The records do not speak deeply of it, but it denotes it as an important battle."
Jan 15 21:18:53 <Jin>   "Well, leave it to our venerated ancestors to mention something extremely important and then be vague on the details." Jin isn't dead, so he seems to have done well with the tea. "So wait, how far apart are these mentions of the Leviathan battles? If they happen at fairly regularly intervals, it makes me wonder if this isn't a cycle."
Jan 15 21:20:38 <Kotono>   "The timing isn't precise. Some of the oldest records are damaged, yet others were lost over the centuries," Your Grandfather's face is solemnly scowling, "There's no mention in any of the most complete, well kept records that begin around the Meiji Era."
Jan 15 21:22:46 *   Jin nods. "Thanks for looking though, gramps." Jin looks thoughtful for a moment. "Say, the earliest mention of the Leviathan was 500 years ago, you said? Was the Trinity mentioned anywhere in there as well?"
Jan 15 21:23:44 <Kotono>   Now that brings a smile onto your Grandfather's face. "I thought you'd never ask. As a matter of fact, the same time period as the Trinity is about the same as the mentions of the Leviathan. Roughly."
Jan 15 21:26:38 *   Jin grins along with the older man. "So maybe the Bunkou clan ended up kicking this Levianthan's ass 500 years ago! If they could it, it should be a piece of cake for Noro-chan, Ai-chan, and myself. Maybe even big bro and little sis could help us out."

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Jan 15 20:48:30 <Kotono>   Noriko recharges! After that she takes some time to check the internet for oceanic disturbances...OOC: There's a lot of info to parse through. Go ahead and make a mind check with a -2 bonus? It's not a hard task, you're just a bit time limited so success within the timeframe isn't assured.
Jan 15 20:49:06 <Noriko>   roll 2d6 positronic brain power activate
Jan 15 20:49:06 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 positronic brain power activate and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]
Jan 15 20:52:33 <Kotono>   Ah, there you go. You do find some irregularities. Lots of storms lately, as well as unusuallys trong and heavy tides. It hasn't made any serious news, but up and down the western coast of Japan there are high tide warnings for the next week. There's something after, speculation on an unusual weather pattern with the seas.
Jan 15 20:54:14 *   Noriko will want to watch for any specific locations that are mentioned, of course, either inhabited areas or out on the sea itself. If there's nothing focused right now then she'll just have to filter the news regularly for such stories until a pattern emerges.
Jan 15 20:57:00 <Kotono>   The high tide warnings are for the entire western coast of Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido. It started a few weeks ago ,rising with steady, unrelenting pace. There's not a sign of it slowing down, either. The pattern is literally across the board, remarkably consistent.
Jan 15 21:01:18 <Noriko>   Something dreadful lurks in the depths of the Sea of Japan, it would seem. It does suggest aplce to look for these Voices. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of ground to cover. Perhaps if any of these Voices have already emerged, they'll have made a noticeable impact? (more)
Jan 15 21:02:56 <Noriko>   Focus on the cities of Japan's west coast, look for news on any unusual, emerging public figures, social/civic disturbances, reports of bizarre behavior, or anything unnatural.
Jan 15 21:05:36 <Kotono>   OOC: Mind check again, normal.
Jan 15 21:05:43 <Noriko>   roll 2d6
Jan 15 21:05:44 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=4, 6]
Jan 15 21:07:25 <Kotono>   There's not enough time to get into it before school. There's a lot of material here - it'll take a dedicated afternoon to really work with, if not more.
Jan 15 21:08:32 <Noriko>   It'll provide direction to her afternoon, then. It's good to have tasks lined up for the whole day!

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Jan 15 21:33:08 <Kotono>   Morning classes are creeping by. At last the lunch break comes, a chance to do what the three please! OOC: Go ahead and declare what each of you are doing.
Jan 15 21:33:50 *   Noriko wastes no time in finding an empty corner and beckoning the others over to share findings.
Jan 15 21:34:33 *   Jin grabs his bento and strolls over to the corner, dropping himself into a seat beside Noriko.
Jan 15 21:35:35 *   Aisutori heads over with her home made lunch, sitting down beside the two.  "So I found out a little bit about Neptune, but Kappa-san is going to go find more today."
Jan 15 21:35:58 <Noriko>   "Is that so? Please elaborate."
Jan 15 21:38:26 <Aisutori>   "Neptune is the Queen of the Sea.  If she's in trouble, it means someone else is taking over control of the seas."
Jan 15 21:40:12 <Jin>   "Interesting. Gramps didn't know anything about Neptune, but our clan records did mention the Leviathan no less than five times. The Bunkou have tangled with him...it...before."
Jan 15 21:40:18 <Jin>   "Apparently."
Jan 15 21:41:28 <Noriko>   "Or has already established such control. Unseasonable storms and high tides have persistently assaulted the west coast recently. I speculate that, if such disturbances are the work of this Leviathan, than the Voices serving it might make their appearance in the western cities, though I have as of yet no evidence to support this. Further research is required."
Jan 15 21:41:29 <Aisutori>   "Hmmm, is it always the same one?  Kappa-san seemed to think Leviathan was the name for any creature of the sea that grew so large."
Jan 15 21:42:18 <Noriko>   "Jin, do your records elaborate on the combat capabilities of this entity?"
Jan 15 21:44:50 *   Jin rudely gestures with his chopsticks as he speaks. "Sadly, our older records are pretty trashed or extremely vague. All I got out of them was that the only recorded Trinity of our family may or may not have fought against this Leviathan and that a battle against the 'Leviathan Five' had occurred before."
Jan 15 21:45:13 *   Jin shrugs helplessly. "Sorry, girls. Our records aren't the best."
Jan 15 21:46:47 <Aisutori>   "Well, we'll find out when we will.  We can't always depend on older folks to bail us out," Aisutori twirled her chopsticks, eating her cold lunch.
Jan 15 21:48:21 <Jin>   "That's what they're there for!" Jin cheerfully responds. "That, and making my life a living hell in the dojo."
Jan 15 21:48:26 <Noriko>   "It is at least sufficient to make apparent that the entity can in fact be subdued when it makes its appearance. In the meantime, I will continue surveillance of news from the west coast."
Jan 15 21:49:22 *   Jin chomps down on some shrimp in irritation. "Old man works me harder than he does my little sister or my older brother. It's pretty annoying."
Jan 15 21:49:26 *   Aisutori nods.  "Noriko-chan is right.  We shouldn't rush though.  If we are running all around, we might miss something important.  Let's patrol like usual until we can find more."
Jan 15 21:50:06 <Jin>   "You do that, Noro-chan. If you need some help scanning the web, let me know. I might not be as fast as you, but every little bit helps."
Jan 15 21:50:20 <Kotono>   As the party talks, a boy comes up. He's your age, slender and with messy black hair. You know him as Adachi Watanabe, a quiet sort. "Um..." he says as he comes up.
Jan 15 21:50:58 <Noriko>   "Work should not prove so disagreeable to you, Jin," Noriko is saying before being interrupted. "It's through effort that we improve our capabilities--excuse me? You have a question?"
Jan 15 21:51:03 <Jin>   "Yo, Watanabe! What brings you to our humble little corner?"
Jan 15 21:54:34 <Kotono>   "Sorry to bother you," He bows his head to each of you, "But could I have you three help me with something a moment?"
Jan 15 21:55:15 *   Jin glances at his two friends.
Jan 15 21:55:25 *   Noriko stands up. "We are not irretrievably engaged in any particular matter at this moment. Please explain the nature of your request."
Jan 15 21:57:02 *   Jin looks forlornly at his unfinished lunch. "Ah, well...spit it out, Watanabe. Noriko here is too kind for my stomach's good."
Jan 15 21:57:25 <Aisutori>   "Why wouldn't we listen, Watanabe-san?" Aisutori quirked her head.
Jan 15 21:58:43 <Kotono>   "Um...well...." He turns red, "Okay, okay, you know Misa from class 3-C? S-she wants to talk to a-all of you. Especially you, Jin." He reddens. Misa is a pretty black haired girl, known to be quite popular and desired.
Jan 15 21:59:42 <Noriko>   "Is she unable to make this request personally?" Noriko wonders. "Is there a specific reason for her inability to speak to us directly?"
Jan 15 21:59:43 <Aisutori>   "Oooh, Jin-san, have you been...?" Aisutori's lips quirked in a smile at the gossip.
Jan 15 22:00:04 *   Jin raises an eyebrow. "Oh be still, my heart. I guess she wants an audience for when she asks me out." Jin smirks at Aisutori.
Jan 15 22:02:48 <Kotono>   That gets a blushing nod from Adachi, "Uh yeah, I think so. I think she wants to as you out for ice cream today."
Jan 15 22:04:25 <Aisutori>   "Don't worry...I'll give a day before I let folks know," She teased the boy.
Jan 15 22:06:12 <Jin>   "You lie, you gossip otaku." Jin replied goodnaturedly. "Well Noro-chan, Ai-chan, shall we go see what the beautiful Miss Misa wants?"
Jan 15 22:06:53 <Noriko>   "It would be unsociable to refuse. Yes."
Jan 15 22:07:36 *   Jin rises from his seat. "Thanks Watanabe. Where does she want to talk to us? The roof, no doubt."
Jan 15 22:07:59 <Aisutori>   "I guesss we can.  Misa-chan should've said hi directly though," She smiled gently putting her empty lunchbox away and then standing up.
Jan 15 22:08:18 <Kotono>   "Naturally," Adachi twitches and turns very red, "The roof."
Jan 15 22:08:43 <Jin>   "...I was kidding." Jin pales slightly. "I don't like heights. At all."
Jan 15 22:08:54 *   NeremWorld (Nerem@pool-71-170-224-53.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
Jan 15 22:10:22 <Kotono>   "Yes well, it was her idea," Adachi turns redder yet.
Jan 15 22:12:04 <Noriko>   "Jin, attempt to cope with your fear by focusing your eyes on the floor throughout the meeting. It would be rude to insist on meeting elsewhere when the request came from someone else." Noriko turns back to Adachi. "We will be there."
Jan 15 22:12:42 <Aisutori>   "You should learn to have them come to you, Jin-san," Aisutori patted his shoulder.  "Do you want me to go ask her to come meet us down by the trees?"
Jan 15 22:12:55 <Aisutori>   She was sympathetic, knowing Jin didn't like being on the roof.
Jan 15 22:15:19 *   Jin_ swallows. now visibly nervous. "It's ok, Ai. If it's Misa, I think I can do it. Just this once though. Maybe I'll try what Noriko suggested."
Jan 15 22:15:49 <Jin_>   With that, he visibly steeled himself as he marched out of the classroom to make for the roof, nodding at Watanabe as he passed him."
Jan 15 22:18:41 *   Noriko also heads on to the roof. "Consider it an opportunity to overcome personal failings, Jin. Perhaps you will become stronger for the experience."
Jan 15 22:20:28 *   Aisutori heads up on the roof with them.
Jan 15 22:21:26 *   Jin_ shudders. "Have you ever had to train on a bridge two feet wide over a pit 20 feet deep that was filled with mud, leeches, and other nasty things? I was 6 years old. I nearly drowned in mud."
Jan 15 22:23:13 <Kotono>   Thus you go upstairs! Youf ind Misa standing in the center of the roof. It's cloudy today and windy, her black hair flying free in the wind. She has a smile on her face, a faint blush to her cheeks. "Jin!" she calls and waves to him as he comes up.
Jan 15 22:25:00 *   Jin_ firmly refrains from looking at the edge of the roof, forcing a smile on his face and waving back. "Misa! You look lovely today. What can we do for you?" He makes his way steadily towards her, secretly glad for the presence of his friends.
Jan 15 22:25:58 <Aisutori>   "You know, Misa, you could've come joined us for lunch," Aisutori mildly rebuked the girl for
not being friendly.
Jan 15 22:26:04 *   Noriko walks by Jin's side, letting him take the lead since he was asked for specifically.
Jan 15 22:28:47 <Kotono>   Misa takes a step back, all smiles. "Well, I didn't want to get the classroom messy." She frowns. That frown makes her face...turn red? Red as fire, eyes an offsetting yellow. "Sorry, your Misa is at home with the 'flu'. This Misa," she shudders, now seven feet tall and buldging in a second, "This Misa has to introduce your innards to the sky!"
Jan 15 22:30:06 <Jin_>   "...so I guess this means we're not going out for ice cream?" Jin has to crane his neck upwards. "And here I didn't bring my bokken with me today. Bugger."
Jan 15 22:30:57 <Noriko>   "Ah. An enemy. It was very inconsiderate of you to provoke a battle at the school. Please try to minimize collateral damage while we subdue you."
Jan 15 22:32:18 <Jin_>   "I'm more worried about *us* Noriko!" Jin says as he begins edging away from the girl, falling into an instinctive battle stance.
Jan 15 22:33:24 <Aisutori>   "We can go out for ice cream later," Aisutori stepped back, sending a wave of ice from her hands toward the growing creature, trying to pretty much glacier her off the rooftop.
Jan 15 22:33:38 <Kotono>   Misa bows, "I'll just be sure to break you without breaking the school," she says, "Now if you don't resist, this will be...easy!" she says, lunging ahead abruptly! OOC: Roll init, no side is surprised or off guard.
Jan 15 22:34:19 <Aisutori>   roll 2d6+7
Jan 15 22:34:21 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Aisutori rolls 2d6+7 and gets 13." [2d6=1, 5]
Jan 15 22:34:36 <Noriko>   roll 2d6+8
Jan 15 22:34:37 <Kotono>   roll 2d6+7 Misa
Jan 15 22:34:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6+8 and gets 16." [2d6=4, 4]
Jan 15 22:34:38 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+7 Misa and gets 16." [2d6=5, 4]
Jan 15 22:34:47 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Aisutori(13)
Jan 15 22:35:58 <Jin_>   roll 2d6+7
Jan 15 22:35:59 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jin_ rolls 2d6+7 and gets 12." [2d6=2, 3]
Jan 15 22:36:00 <Kotono>   OOC: While we wait on Jin to roll, reroll between you and Misa to see who goes first, Noriko.
Jan 15 22:36:10 <Kotono>   roll 2d6+7 Misa reroll between her and Noriko
Jan 15 22:36:10 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+7 Misa reroll between her and Noriko and gets 13." [2d6=2, 4]
Jan 15 22:36:56 <Noriko>   roll 2d6+8 rerolls!
Jan 15 22:36:56 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Aisutori(13)>Jin(12)
Jan 15 22:36:57 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6+8 rerolls! and gets 20." [2d6=6, 6]
Jan 15 22:37:56 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Misa(16)>Noriko(15)>Aisutori(13)>Jin(12)
Jan 15 22:38:37 <Kotono>   Like a shot Misa is on Jin! Immediately she rears her head back, emitting a vile wave of what looks to be some sort of smouldering goop!
Jan 15 22:38:37 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 22:38:37 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 7 and gets 9." [2d6=6, 3]
Jan 15 22:38:56 <Kotono>   But her aim is off, the goop flying wide! It hits against the fence of the roof, hissing against the iron! OOC: Noriko, go.
Jan 15 22:40:13 *   Noriko dashes forward and lashes out with a kick at pseudo-Misa's legs as soon as she's in range.
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Noriko>   roll 2d6 target 8
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 target 8 and gets 7." [2d6=3, 4]
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 5
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 5 and gets 8." [2d6=4, 4]
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Kotono>   OOC: How much damage?
Jan 15 22:42:29 <Noriko>   OOC: given I took a trait to make unarmed damage work like a weapon, it should be ACVx2, so 16.
Jan 15 22:42:47 <Kotono>   WHAM! A quick kick sends Misa down like a sack of potatoes, as she tries to roll back with it! But from the powerful SNAP that goes with it, that kick was felt! OOC: Aisu.
Jan 15 22:44:49 *   Aisutori focuses on bringing a chill around, ice forming in the air over the fallen misa, quickly solidifying into rather painful looking icicles,  slamming down toward the ground at her.
Jan 15 22:45:32 <Aisutori>   roll 2d6 target 7 I think?  ACV roll
Jan 15 22:45:34 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Aisutori rolls 2d6 target 7 I think? ACV roll and gets 8." [2d6=4, 4]
Jan 15 22:48:43 <Kotono>   Aisutori focuses her power, icicles slamming down! However she doesn't compensate enough, hitting where Misa was seconds ago! OOC: Jin, go.
Jan 15 22:50:26 <Jin_>   Jin's eyes become perfect orbs of obsidian as he concentrates! He's not the best at hand to hand, but it will have to do. With a rush of speed, he darts forward, aiming a deadly punch at the not-Misa's face!
Jan 15 22:50:32 <Jin_>   roll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 22:50:33 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jin_ rolls 2d6 target 7 and gets 6." [2d6=4, 2]
Jan 15 22:51:32 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 5
Jan 15 22:51:33 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 5 and gets 9." [2d6=5, 4]
Jan 15 22:52:44 <Kotono>   Jin is quick on his feet, slamming his fist right into Misa's face! She staggers with the blow, rolling back! Her face is crucnhed in, a broken tibula poking out of her leg! Nonetheless she gets up into a kneel, "Strong...humans..." she coughs, before coughing up a wad of goop at Noriko!
Jan 15 22:52:50 <Kotono>   rroll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 22:52:57 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 22:52:58 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 7 and gets 9." [2d6=4, 5]
Jan 15 22:53:14 <Kotono>   But again she overestimates, hitting another part of the fence and missing the robot girl utterly! OOC: Go, Noriko.
Jan 15 22:55:08 *   Noriko dodges around the projectile. "Not all of us are human," she corrects as she closes in again. "For example, this is metal." One fist flashes out at Not-Misa's chin.
Jan 15 22:55:16 <Noriko>   roll 2d6 target 8
Jan 15 22:55:18 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 target 8 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
Jan 15 22:55:27 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 5
Jan 15 22:55:28 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 5 and gets 7." [2d6=4, 3]
Jan 15 22:56:10 <Kotono>   WHAM! HEr chin crumbles like dust, not a word able to be uttered now! Misa can only make a few throaty gasps! Good thing she's not a bleeder, or bleeding at all, really! OOC: Aisu.
Jan 15 23:02:00 <Aisutori>   "Good going, No-chan!" She sent icy winds forth from her hand again, trying to wrap around the strange creature and crush it in an icy hug.
Jan 15 23:02:05 <Aisutori>   roll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 23:02:10 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Aisutori rolls 2d6 target 7 and gets 11." [2d6=5, 6]
Jan 15 23:03:02 <Kotono>   Winds come at Aisutori's command, but the fizzle out before seriously freezing anything! OOC: Okay Jin, you're up.
Jan 15 23:03:47 *   Jin_ darts in for a mortal blow at Not-Misa's throat, black eyes glittering!
Jan 15 23:03:53 <Jin_>   roll 2d6 target 7
Jan 15 23:03:55 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jin_ rolls 2d6 target 7 and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]
Jan 15 23:04:02 <Jin_>   Damage 7
Jan 15 23:04:56 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 5
Jan 15 23:04:57 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 5 and gets 6." [2d6=5, 1]
Jan 15 23:05:35 <Kotono>   Jin's blow is a massive one, chopping right into the throat of the creature! It's head and neck crumble away into dust, yet the body still moves! It moves jerkily, wobbling but still up! WIth desperate, vicious and suicidal malice it stabs it's hadn up at Jin!
Jan 15 23:05:41 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 5 (-2 no head)
Jan 15 23:05:42 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 5 (-2 no head) and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]
Jan 15 23:06:03 <Kotono>   But it's blow is slow enough that Jin can leap straight up like a cat, landing after her hand falls back down! OOC: Go Noriko.
Jan 15 23:07:36 *   Noriko whips around with one arm outstretched, with nothing of grace and only sledgehammer force to smash into the monster's chest and destroy whatever internal support holds it together.
Jan 15 23:07:45 <Noriko>   roll 2d6 vs 8
Jan 15 23:07:45 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 vs 8 and gets 5." [2d6=1, 4]
Jan 15 23:08:48 <Kotono>   roll 2d6 target 3
Jan 15 23:08:49 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 target 3 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]