Movements of the Deep

[Dracos]

Jan 22 20:58:27 <Kotono>   With that final strike, the monster's chest is shattered! The entire thing crumbles apart, turning to a pile of pale gray dust on the school roof! For a moment a breeze blows, the smell of battle washed away...OOC: Free act.
Jan 22 20:59:24 *   Jin_ blinks and breathes deeply, allowing the obsidian to fade from his eyes. "Ok, maybe gramps was right when he said I needed to get into the habit of carrying my bokken everywhere."
Jan 22 21:00:08 *   Noriko pokes through the ashes with a foot, looking for any indications of...whatever that thing was. "One should be prepared for combat at all times if it has a tendency to seek one out," Noriko agrees.
Jan 22 21:01:09 <Kotono>   Checking the ashes, Noriko's foot uncovers a small marble. It looks burnt, a glass marble with a goodly amount of the surface charred black. The non-burnt parts catch the sunlight as if homing in on it, shining with a brilliance that belies the majority of the charred marble.
Jan 22 21:01:10 *   Jin_ grumbles in annoyance. "In my defense, we've never been outright *attacked* at school before.
Jan 22 21:01:20 <Jin_>   "
Jan 22 21:02:40 *   Jin_ squints at the bright flash of light that reflects off of the marble that Noriko has uncovered. "Whatcha got there, No-chan?"
Jan 22 21:03:07 <Noriko>   "Now that there is precedent for such, I shall be more wary in the future." Noirko examines the marble, then passes it over. "I am unsure."
Jan 22 21:03:40 <Aisutori>   "It was pretty bold of it...and planned.  I wonder how she knew about us...and where we were..." Aisutori shivered a bit at that.  If they were being researched, that was really dangerous.
Jan 22 21:04:52 *   Jin_ gingerly takes the marble and holds it up to the sun, observing it. "I don't like the idea either, Aisutori. I guess we let our guard down. Someone is watching us...and I want to know who."
Jan 22 21:05:02 <Noriko>   "It is impossible to speculate without knowing what it was or whom it worked for, if anyone. We should contact Misa's home immediately, regardless."
Jan 22 21:05:30 *   Aisutori looks over the marble curiously as jin holds it up.
Jan 22 21:05:32 <Aisutori>   roll 2d6-2
Jan 22 21:05:33 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Aisutori rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5." [2d6=4, 3]
Jan 22 21:06:00 <Jin_>   "Neh, Noriko, do you think your mom could analyze this for us? Or maybe Aisutori has a clue what it is?"
Jan 22 21:08:30 <Noriko>   "Postmortem identification of monsters is not precisely her area of expertise. But I may ask if Aisutori has no idea." Noriko waits for the other girl's verdict.
Jan 22 21:10:23 <Aisutori>   "...I think I do recognize it," Aisutori turned a bit pale, hard to notice really against her already light skin.  "That marble is used by clan in china, famous for slaying anyone, if someone can pay the price.  They're called..." She tapped her head. "...The Crimson Wind."  She pondered a bit, trying to put it together. "She was asking about Jin, wasn't she?"
Jan 22 21:11:01 *   Jin_ frowns.
Jan 22 21:11:26 <Jin_>   "So wait...you don't think it was after me specifically, do you?"
Jan 22 21:11:42 <Noriko>   "They are a clan of assassins?"
Jan 22 21:15:26 *   Aisutori nods a bit worriedly.  "It could've been after all of us, but she did ask for you earlier... and you did say your family had tangled with them before.  Maybe they're getting rid of anyone related to fighting Leviathan?"
Jan 22 21:15:34 *   Aisutori nods again at Noriko's question.
Jan 22 21:17:59 *   Jin_ furls his hand around the marble, clenching it tightly. "I'm not familiar with this Crimson Wind. We've apparently faced the Leviathan before, but the clan history doesn't say much more than that. I agree with Noriko. We should check up on Misa and then I think we *all* should go over to my place and have a talk with gramps. I dunno who else to go to at this point. Even we can't--(more)
Jan 22 21:18:06 <Jin_>   --face a clan of assassins alone."
Jan 22 21:19:15 <Aisutori>   "Alright," She nodded. "Let's be careful...if that girl had caught one of us alone, it could've been dangerous."
Jan 22 21:23:12 <Kotono>   Jin's abode is peaceful in the mid afternoon, the trio reaching it without incident. Jin's Grandfather awaits, drinking tea and studying a book as he does. "Bringing your friends over after school," he asks idly as Jin and company enter.
Jan 22 21:25:00 <Aisutori>   "Hello sir," Aisutori bowed slightly in a respectful fashion, seemingly used to dealing with old foggies that liked living in the past.  "Thank you for welcoming us into your home."
Jan 22 21:25:19 *   Jin_ kicks off his shoes and hurriedly dumps his pack in the front lobby. "Today isn't a social call, gramps. No-chan, Ai-chan, and I were attacked at school today." He got out the marble and held it out to his grandfather. "Ai-chan says a group called Crimson Wind was behind it. Know anything about it?"
Jan 22 21:27:32 *   Merc (~k@c-98-195-198-60.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
Jan 22 21:27:33 *   ChanServ gives channel operator status to Merc
Jan 22 21:28:56 <Kotono>   Grandfather cleas his throat, "First of all, where are your manners?" He gives Jin a long look, going silent at that marble. His face grows completely solemn, taking the marble. He holds it in the palm of his hand, closing his fist in around it. "The Crimson Wind, the assassins of false images..." He breathes, "I've never dealt with them, but I've heard about them. They're not to be taken lightly,
Jan 22 21:28:56 <Kotono>   my boy."
Jan 22 21:29:32 *   Aisutori stayed quiet, it was Jin's grandfather after all.
Jan 22 21:30:55 *   Jin_ winces slightly at the rebuke. "My apologies, grandfather." He scratches the back of his head sheepishly. "It's just...assassins? The most we've had to deal with is the occasional bloodthirsty monster. It's almost unreal. I don't want them going after my friends."
Jan 22 21:33:47 <Kotono>   "Indeed so, my boy," he ruminates on it, "This I must ruminate on, to see if I can remember a face or name who knows more of them. They do not share their secrets lightly, and few survive their deadly embrace." He puts the marble down onto the table, "However, between this and Leviathan, I have begun to ask old friends and colleagues, seeking information. Perhaps one will know of them as well
Jan 22 21:33:47 <Kotono>   as Leviathan."
Jan 22 21:35:13 *   Noriko bows. "We would be most grateful for your assistance."
Jan 22 21:35:43 <Aisutori>   "Ask them to be careful too.  It doesn't seem like these folks would care if they hurt someone," Aisutori frowned a bit.
Jan 22 21:35:59 *   Jin_ slumps his shoulders slightly. "So we have to *wait*? Man, I hate sitting around waiting for something to happen."
Jan 22 21:36:57 <Noriko>   "You are perfectly free to do other productive activities in the interim, Jin. Such as homework."
Jan 22 21:37:13 <Kotono>   "I shall," He agrees with that, "For this you two," Jin's Grandfather shakes his head, "Remember your lessons and maxims. When one branch of the river is dammed up, the wise river does not bang uselessly against it, but finds another river to flow down. Ah, your friend is insightful as well!"
Jan 22 21:38:41 *   Aisutori doesn't wince at the maxims, keeping a straight face.
Jan 22 21:39:32 *   Jin_ shoots Noriko a dirty look. "You actually like learning. Most normal kids don't." Jin winces at his grandfather. "You know, I like your advice better when it isn't so...wordy."
Jan 22 21:40:36 <Kotono>   "Then allow me to oblige," He takes a deep sip of his tea, before looking right at Jin, "Get off your butt and do something instead of groaning and complaining." After that he smiles and takes another sip, "With your...unique friends, do you have any other ways to ascertain information?"
Jan 22 21:42:25 *   Jin_ shrugs, looking at Aisutori and Noriko. "Noriko's awesome at looking up info and Aisutori's family is pretty well-connected in the supernatural world, for obvious reasons. I'm sure we can figure something out. Any suggestions, guys?"
Jan 22 21:43:12 <Aisutori>   "Study hard, Jin-san," Aisutori teased.  "Some of my friends are looking up things actually.  I was going to talk with them tomorrow morning before school>'
Jan 22 21:43:19 <Noriko>   "Not at present. I will continue to monitor events on the west coast for any further signs of disturbances, however."
Jan 22 21:48:08 *   Jin_ folds his arms across his chest. "Maybe when we patrol tonight, we should pay special attention to the beaches."
Jan 22 21:54:25 <Kotono>   Thus the party patrols the beaches at night. The tides are heavy, strong and stirred. It seems as if the ocean writhes, constantly at war with itself and each skirmish brining another breaking wave onto the sandy shores.  Under the pale starlight and moonglow you patrol...hm? Up ahead on the beach you see a glittering thing, just at the edge of the tides in the sand.
Jan 22 21:55:15 *   Noriko strides forward to investigate. A shiny thing on the beach? Surely it must be important! No way it could just be a stray bottle or something.
Jan 22 21:55:57 *   Jin_ follows close behind, silent as a wraith, his bokken gripped tightly in his hands.
Jan 22 21:57:42 <Kotono>   Coming closer you see it is a pearl...a pearl the size of a basketball! It glows with it's own inner light as you approach, a murmuring voice whispering. "I am Neptune...those who my voice has reached, the seas shall deliver onto you what aid I can send you. But be aware, the oceans and beaches are not safe now that Leviathan comes. Within this pearl is a droplet of pure water, that will grant
Jan 22 21:57:42 <Kotono>   the imbiber increased endurance. Use it well...for everyone's future."
Jan 22 21:58:56 *   Noriko glances at the others. "Everyone heard that?"
Jan 22 21:59:30 <Jin_>   "...that's not good." Jin bends down and picks up the pearl. "If it's already strong enough to make even Neptune wary..." Jin trails off.
Jan 22 22:00:55 <Aisutori>   "I did..." Aisutori was more looking over the ocean, half expecting monsters to roll out of it with the waves.
Jan 22 22:02:08 <Jin_>   "I think we need to keep this safe and use it only in an emergency. If the fighting gets as bad as Neptune seems to think it will, we'll need all the help we can get."
Jan 22 22:02:54 *   Jin_ hand the pearl to Noriko. "You're probably the best one to give this to for safekeeping, unless you have a spell of safekeeping, Aisutori?"
Jan 22 22:03:05 <Noriko>   "Perhaps the boost it grants is a permanent one and should be taken now?"
Jan 22 22:04:40 <Aisutori>   "I think Noriko is right.  Gifts from spirits tend to be like that.  And I'm not a witch, Jin-san!"  She looked kind of annoyed at the suggestion, even if she could hide it in her house.
Jan 22 22:05:20 *   Jin_ shrugs. "Hey, I figured that maybe someone in your family had taught you a trick or two. Sorry!"
Jan 22 22:06:26 *   Aisutori pouts a bit as the temperature drops a little around them., looking over the pearl to see if there is water still inside.
Jan 22 22:06:49 <Kotono>   The pearl is not transparent, seeing anything inside is quite a trick without doing something about that!
Jan 22 22:07:41 <Aisutori>   "How would we get water out of it anyway without spilling it?" Aisutori considered.
Jan 22 22:08:09 <Noriko>   "It would obviously be necessary to break it open."
Jan 22 22:08:09 *   Jin_ scratches his head. "Well, I dunno. I'm guessing it should go to either No-chan or myself, since we're both mainly melee combatants. And maybe we have to crack it open like a coconut?"
Jan 22 22:10:07 <Aisutori>   ""Well, not out here.  Why don't you hold onto it for now, Noriko." Aisutori looked around again, keeping an eye out, more nervous with the warning.
Jan 22 22:10:26 <Noriko>   "We can test this once our evenin's patrol is over, yes," Noriko agrees, continuing their walk.
Jan 22 22:10:28 <Aisutori>   "We can break it open over a bowl or container at Noriko's house after we get back."
Jan 22 22:10:34 *   Jin_ shrugs. "What Ai-chan said. We need to finish our route before we can go home anyways."
Jan 22 22:15:23 <Kotono>   The rest of the patrol is mercifully boring. On getting back to Noriko's house a bowl is procured, the pearl broken! It breaks in half like a coconut with minimal effort! Within lies a floating clear droplet, overing in the air.
Jan 22 22:16:15 <Jin_>   "Oooh. Shiny." Jin glances at Noriko. "Go on, then. Drink up."
Jan 22 22:17:33 <Noriko>   "I am uncertain whether this substance will have the same effect on a mechanical lifeform as it would on a biological organism. There is only one way to find out, isn't there?" Noriko drinks it.
Jan 22 22:18:26 <Kotono>   Noriko feels warmth explode in her body. Real warmth, like taking a hot bath. Her systems go in flux a moment, her vision turning into grainy black and white before beautiful heat soaks into every spark plug and wire in her body, fading away after.
Jan 22 22:19:42 <Aisutori>   "Are you okay, Noriko-chan?" Aisutori waved her hand before the girl's eyes.
Jan 22 22:20:04 *   Noriko freezes up for a moment, then blinks back into awareness. "That was a curious phenomenon."
Jan 22 22:20:23 *   Jin_ grins. "Looks like No-chan died a little death there for a moment."
Jan 22 22:23:43 <Noriko>   "I am functioning...above normal parameters," Noriko says after a moment's assessment. "This is very strange. I have no theories on how a beverage could improve the performance of an android, but this appears to have happened."
Jan 22 22:24:24 *   Jin_ sulks for a moment, resting his chin in his hand. Guess it was too much to hope that Noriko would get offended like a normal girl would.
Jan 22 22:24:58 <Jin_>   "Magic has a way of doing that, Noriko."
Jan 22 22:25:57 <Aisutori>   "Noriko-chan, you know there's more in the world than just science," Aisutori eyed her a moment longer and then leaned back, casually whacking Jin in the back of the head.
Jan 22 22:26:22 <Noriko>   "I am simply unaccustomed to magic interacting with science."
Jan 22 22:27:23 *   Jin_ rubs the back of his head, grinning. "Least someone appreciates my sense of humor. And I think you're going to get plenty of experience with that, Noriko."
Jan 22 22:30:06 <Aisutori>   "Just because science can explain things easier, doesn't mean it gets to ignore how things have always happened." Aisutori nodded.

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Jan 22 22:32:49 <Kotono>   After this, Jin goes to check in with his Grandfather. Said Grandfather is in the dojo, sitting before a burning brazier of incense. He is at rest, seeming to be deep in meditation.
Jan 22 22:34:05 *   Jin_ drops quietly beside him, entering seiza for once. He is somewhat loathe to bother his grandfather.
Jan 22 22:36:12 *   Jin_ whispers, "Gramps?"
Jan 22 22:36:48 <Kotono>   His Grandfather does not say anything for a goodly time, until, "Your siblings are preparing for possible battle," he says. "For today they're with friends, just in case the Crimson Wind tries something before we're ready."
Jan 22 22:38:51 *   Jin_ sighs in relief. "I'm glad. I kind of wondered if someone hadn't taken out a contract on any Bunkou head they could get their hands on." Jin frowns in thought. "It doesn't make sense though. We fell out of power centuries ago. Why would anyone want to have us killed?"
Jan 22 22:41:40 *   PlagueTurtle has quit (Quit: )
Jan 22 22:43:17 <Kotono>   "I do not know. It may only be you, also," Grandfather observes, "Have you gained the emnity of powerful forces?"
Jan 22 22:44:00 *   Jin_ wryly replies, "Does the Leviathan count?"
Jan 22 22:48:49 <Kotono>   "Besides that," Grandfather scowls, "Focus. Have you gone around insulting the Triads, perhaps? The Yakuza? Demon summoners? Shadowy figures of unspeakable power? More realistically, anyone who could have that sort of knowledge to make a contract with them?"
Jan 22 22:51:22 *   Jin_ sighs. "Sorry gramps. I don't have anything for you."
Jan 22 22:51:46 <Jin_>   "Unless some of the other guys at school are jealous of my dashing good looks!"
Jan 22 22:55:32 <Kotono>   "So nothing," Grandfather calmly says, "Practice, my boy. Hone your skills as sharp as you can for now, for great danger is quite possibly coming your way. Have you been keeping up with your work?"
Jan 22 22:58:13 *   Jin_ nods reluctantly. "You know gramps, I like being with Aisutori and Noriko, but I don't really like being a warrior. All I want to do is graduate high school and get into a good college." Jin sighs. "I practice because it makes you and Dad happy and because it's how I releate to big bro and little sis, but it's not something I can put my heart and soul into."
Jan 22 23:00:15 <Kotono>   Grandfather looks to Jin, a moment's smile showing on his face, "You may not have a choice. If the worst is happeninga nd a terrible battle looms ahead of you..." He looks back to the burning brazier, "Life is often unfair, desires left behind in favor of necessity. Though, I suppose it's possible you were targeted for death for no particular reason, and your enemy won't ever try again."
Jan 22 23:02:50 *   Jin_ snorts. "Wishful thinking, I'm sure. This Leviathan mess has made for trouble for me in two days than all my time doing monster patrol with the girls." Jin is silent for a moment. "Do you think that you and Dad can help train me? I guess it wouldn't hurt. I still haven't gotten anywhere close to mastering the Black. I can barely use it to boost my speed in a fight."
Jan 22 23:08:04 <Kotono>   "We will," In one smooth motion Grandfather has risen, going to the side to take a wooden practice sword. "Let us sharpen your skills..."
Jan 22 23:10:18 *   Jin_ silently rises, bringing his own personal bokken to bear. "Am I allowed to use my powers? Or is this a normal practice?"
Jan 22 23:11:25 <Kotono>   "Bring it on," Grandfather smiles, "Let's see how much you can put out..."
Jan 22 23:13:01 *   Jin_ smiles back. He bows once and when he rises, his eyes are obsidian. Faint wisps of black smoke trail from his eyes and from his bokken as he struggles to reinforce it with the Black aspect! (+2 ACV)


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Jan 22 22:34:51 *   Noriko sits down for another evening of internet trawling. First point of interest: continue to monitor the irregular environmental disturbances on the west coast. Second: try and reduce this field to specific locations that are most adversely affected, if possible. Third: look for stories originating in these areas about emerging public figures that may match one of the descriptions given
Jan 22 22:34:51 *   Noriko about the Voices.
Jan 22 22:38:11 <Noriko>   roll 2d6 positronic brain power
Jan 22 22:38:12 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Noriko rolls 2d6 positronic brain power and gets 10." [2d6=5, 5]
Jan 22 22:40:38 <Kotono>   The disturbances are continuing apace, nothing unusual there and no break of the previous pattern. You make some headway in the latter two, but you get distracted. 2chan. You can't believe, with all your logic circuits, that it happened. Yet somehow that one poster said something and you ended up replying. The hours just slip by, ending with a nice weekban for Noriko and several lost hours.
Jan 22 22:40:38 <Kotono>   Well then.
Jan 22 22:41:32 <Noriko>   How could they ignore the irrefutable logic of her arguments? It's simply incomprehensible!
Jan 22 22:42:14 <Kotono>   Indeed, 2chan seems to have defeated all logic. Noriko could keep going, if she's willing to skip school to research.
Jan 22 22:44:00 <Noriko>   School is important! As is taking a few hours to recharge, so that she doesn't cease functioning DURING school. It wouldn't do to fall asleep in class.
Jan 22 22:54:10 <Kotono>   Recharging is good. Afterwards, as school approaches, Mother does the same. Tomoko Matsumoto is clad in an old lab jacket and long skirt, arms crossed as she takes a long gander at Noriko.
Jan 22 22:56:07 *   Noriko bows respectfully. "Greetings, mother. I am functioning adequately this morning. I trust the same can be said for you?"
Jan 22 23:04:58 <Kotono>   "I survive," she says, "Noriko, have you felt anything awry the last day?"
Jan 22 23:06:46 <Noriko>   "I have. My friends and I found a hollow pearl on the beach last night. It was filled with magical water, the drinking of which provoked unprecedented physical sensations."
Jan 22 23:08:32 <Kotono>   "Magic?" Mother's eyebrow goes up, up, up.
Jan 22 23:10:14 <Noriko>   "Yes. It was necessary to test this substance to determine its properties. Doing so has increased my physical endurance. I am uncertain how this is possible."
Jan 22 23:12:39 <Kotono>   "As am I." Mother now looks Noriko over again, before nodding, "No school today. I'm going to run an analysis on you. I want to see what this magic did to my best creation."
Jan 22 23:13:24 <Noriko>   "Of course." Noriko nods obediently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jan 22 22:33:32 <Kotono>   Morning comes, and thus Aisutori returns to the kappa visiting point. It's quiet, no immediate sign of her aquatic friend. Yet, anyway.
Jan 22 22:34:14 *   Aisutori sits by the lakeside, setting out a small blanket with some food on it and opening a bento, beginning to eat some chilled rice for breakfast.
Jan 22 22:38:12 <Kotono>   After a few bites he emerges. The kappa shakes water from it's arms and legs, sauntering over to Noriko. It goes to take out it's pipe, "Ah, breakfast?"
Jan 22 22:38:49 <Aisutori>   "Of course, Kappa-san." She smiled, not minding at all as he came over.
Jan 22 22:41:43 <Kotono>   "Well then, I asked about the Leviathan," he says conversationally, "How did a nice girl like you ask about something like that?"
Jan 22 22:42:39 <Aisutori>   "Well, Miss Neptune asked for my friends help about it," She explained, nodding at him.  It shouldn't be unfamiliar to him to hear those of her family nosing around in the business of monsters causing trouble.
Jan 22 22:52:59 <Kotono>   "Aaaah," That gets a pause, "Well, from what I heard, Leviathan is something evil. Something terrible that lies in the deepest places. Many things are called levithan, but there is only one Levithan. Do you follow so far? Oh, and rice blals?"
Jan 22 22:55:14 <Aisutori>   "They're easy to make in the morning and refrigerate well," She smiled.  She never made warm food.  The very notion of preparing a warm dish was verbotten in her house.
Jan 22 22:58:37 <Kotono>   Taking one and eating, "Mmm!" It devours it quickly, "Nice!"
Jan 22 23:02:35 <Aisutori>   "Did you find anything else out?  His people sent an assassin after a friend of mine yesterday," She looked very disappointed in that.
Jan 22 23:07:11 <Kotono>   Kappa lower shis voice, "Something bad's happening way in the depths," he says back, whispering, "A few people are talking about Leviathan, and that Neptune's missing, and worse. I didn't go nearly as deep as I thought. It's said that Leviathan is a Gatekeeper to something horrible. Perhaps the land of the dead and Izanami, or perhaps Hell. No one agrees exactly, but it's known that
Jan 22 23:07:12 <Kotono>   nothing good comes of him."
Jan 22 23:12:04 <Aisutori>   "A land of the dead?  You think he might be acting as a vanguard rather than a gatekeeper?" A grim tone in her voice as she gazed at the slim fishman.