Chapter 4 Logs

[VySaika]

> -----------------------------
> The three of you step past the barrier. So long as you don't touch the papers themselves, it offers no resistance to you. And the entrance...or at least what you THINK is the entrance...of the mental institution looms before you.
<Mykasi> Mike looks it over quietly for any obvious source of potential hostility.
> The door...or what passes for one at least...is shut. The thing has seven handles, each in a different place, and no two look alike. You're also not sure exactly how it's supposed to open, there are multiple visible hinges that directly contradict eachother.
* Hikari walks up to the door. "Is this a joke, or some manner of puzzle? I suppose we could manage all those handles with some help from our personas?"
* Nagare scratches his chin. "Honestly, we may as well just try handling one or two of them. Logically, this door should be unopenable by any means possible. But... this is the Dream."
<Mykasi> "Or it's like the Velvet Door." Mike says, unconsciously adjusting his tricorn cap. "Where - or how - you open it determines where you go."
<Mykasi> "But yes, Hikari, let's just try one for now."
* Hikari shrugs, grabs whichever handle is in the most normal place for one and pulls.
> Hikari pulls on the handle! The door seems to come...alive...for a moment, and simply expands open from the center like a widening orifice.
* Hikari steps back, watches. "That was unpleasantly organic."
> Beyond the doorway, the trio can see...a well lit and fairly sterile looking reception room, complete with a desk that has a ring-for-service bell?
<Mykasi> "..." Mike watches with both interest and trepidation. "This is... wait a second. Is that the actual reception room?"
<Mykasi> "Or at least a facsimile?"
* Hikari walks in. "It *looks* like one. I admit to some hesitancy when it comes to actually ringing the bell."
<Nagare> "Do we have any way to tell?"
<Mykasi> "We've been into the reception area once before, remember?" Mike comments, following Hikari. "...and yeah, I don't have any inclination toward ringing the bell myself."
* Hikari steps around the desk, looking for anything like files or a computer, or the equivalent of such that might outline where the individual patients are. There'd likely be something along those lines in a real asylum, at least, and this place is currently trying to be such.
* Mykasi for his part, is still keeping a weather eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
> Of course, as the three of you enter, the door contracts shut. There is no computer on the desk, nor any filing cabnits or anything else like that. Simple a desk(with the bell), a row of connected chairs, a small table with magazines stuffed underneath it, and harsh white ceiling lights.
* Hikari is obliged to glance at the magazines, at least.
* Nagare begins scrying the room, uncomfortably noticing the details in the rather oppressive space they're trapped in.
<Mykasi> "Okay. Obvious exits: what directions? Light switch: where? What can we interact with in this room, and is there anything useful?" Mike mutters loudly, glancing about after his guard lowers for a moment.
> The magazines aren't in japanese. Or any other language Hikari recognizes. The characters are familiar to her, but they don't seem to form real words, just gibberish. Lots of gibberish.
> Light switch...there isn't one. Nor is there any door or exit to the room aside from the one you entered. Which, by the by, looks like a totally normal door from this side.
<Mykasi> Disconcerting. "Alright. Looks like our options are to ring the bell or leave. Volunteers?"
<Hikari> "If the door even leads back outside. I have my doubts." Hikari tries opening it.
> Hikari pulls on the door! It...opens just like it did before. Sliding open like a widening fleshy opening from the center. Which is possibly even more disconcerting considering the door LOOKS normal from this side.
> On the other side is the outside she's expecting to see.
<Hikari> "Bell," she says grudgingly.
<Mykasi> "Got it." Mike nods slightly. "I'll do the honors, you two cover my ass." And with that, he taps the bell lightly!
<Nagare> "Hopefully we can trace ourselves back here if we need to leave. For all that this is quite disconcerting."
<Mykasi> "We can plug ourselves into any doorway, can't we? So leaving isn't an issue."
<Hikari> "We may want to test that out before deciding to rely on it, professor."
> The bell makes a fairly normal little dinging sound as Mike pushes the button. Nearly instantly, the other door in the wall opens and a fairly normal looking woman walks out and takes a seat behind the desk, "Oh, welcome. How may I help you."
<Mykasi> "...Hi. We'd like to visit Shou Minamura, please?" Mike says, attempting to remain calm.
> The receptionist frowns, "Oh, I'm sorry, we don't approve of visitors here. How may I discourage you from this course of action?"
<Mykasi> "By telling us where he is. In reality, we'd like to run screaming."
> "Run screaming?" She asks, then smiles, "Oh, are you here to check in?"
* Nagare gulps. "We would very much rather not."
> "Are you here to check someone else in, then?" She continues, "Don't worry, here at     we very take our commitments very seriously. You can feel safe leaving your inadiquately coherent family member with us, confident that they will never be seen in public to embarrass your family again."
<Mykasi> "... What does checking in entail?" After listening to the secretary, Mike blinks a bit. "And what sort of procedures do you have to... take care of those under your jurisdiction?"
<Hikari> "I'm sorry, where did you say we are? I think I missed something there."
> "Well," she cheerfully explains with perhaps the single most fake smile Mike has ever seen, "when someone is checked in, they are given a room and taken care of. DOn't worry about what happens after they, they're our problem now, not yours and your family's."
> To Hikari, she nods, "Oh, this is the        ."
* Nagare shakes his head. "At least, you're quite open about what this place is supposed to do."
* Hikari rubs her forehead. "Never mind. Look, what if we wanted to take a tour first, so that we could be sure this is the sort of establishment where we would want to deposit unwanted loved ones?"
> She smiles at Nagare, though he can see the beginnings of tears start to gather in her eyes, "Oh yes, I wouldn't dream of pretending to do anything other then what I do."
> Then she turns her attention back to Hikari, "Ah, a tour. Of course. You may guide yourselves around the facility if you wish, just go through that door. Please be careful, it's rather dangerous sometimes and the doors dont' always go to the same place both ways."
<Hikari> "Thank you for the warning," Hikari says, as respectfully as possible given the circumstances. "Shall we go?" she asks the others.
<Mykasi> "We'll be careful, thanks. And, ma'am? Is there anything you'd like to do other than this?"
<Mykasi> "Just a moment, then sure, Hikari."
* Nagare squirms a little, a shiver going down his spine. "It's eerily familiar, come to think of it. Just... one question, though. Do we have a reliable way to come back here if we desire to leave?"
> "I'm sorry, I don't understand." She smiles at Mykasi, but then turns back to Nagare immediately, "Oh, I'm sure that won't be a problem, sir."
<Mykasi> "You said you wouldn't dream of pretending to do anything other than what you do. But... that implies that you want to do something else." Mike says slowly.
> She continues smiling at Nagare as if she cannot even see or hear Mykasi.
<Mykasi> "...right. Let's get going." Mike shakes his head. "Lead the way, Hikari."
* Hikari nods and steps through the doorway.
* Nagare lightly taps his chest as he eyes the attendant's smile, then quickly prepares to follow Hikari, turning abruptly as if he desperately wanted to leave that place. Which was very much the case.
* Mykasi follows Hikari with one glance back at the secretary.
> The door leads to a hallway, that has 8 doors in it, 4 on each side. There is no door behind you, as if you had walked through solid wall to get into the hallway.
> Mike's glance back sees her with her false smile still plastered on, even reaching her eyes...which were once again beginning to slightly dampen.
* Hikari walks along the hall, listening at the doors. Any noise from the other side of any of them?
* Mykasi follows Hikari, himself just keeping an eye on the doors warily.
> There is no noise in the hallway aside from the noise that you three are making.
<Hikari> "I suppose I'll just pick one," Hikari says with a shrug. "Let's see what's behind door number three." She walks to it and opens it.
<Nagare> "Wait."
<Hikari> "hm?"
* Mykasi nods slightly- before looking to Nagare critically. "You see something?"
<Nagare> "Not -yet-. But I might be able to sense something before we blunder into a door, at least," the teacher flatly remarks. "Just wait a moment, let me try to grasp any malicious signs," he says as he begins focusing. (OOC: Using Mark of a Golden Arrow.)
* Hikari pauses with her hand on the doorknob.
> Abartach appears and murmers a spell...Nagare looks around and sees no shadows in the hallway. His vision does not penetrate the doors, however. He simply can't sense anything beyond them at all.
* Nagare blinks. "Sorry. I can't sense through the doors at all. We'll have to just grit our teeth and face madness. At least, there are no Shadows in the hallway as of now, if that's any respite."
<Mykasi> "A bit of one, if we wind up back here." Mike nods. "Door number three it is."
<Hikari> "Onwards, then." Hikari opens the door, looks inside.
> Hikari opens the door. As soon as she does, all three of you find yourselves pulled through it and into...another hallway, identical to the one you were just in. As before, you're at the start of the hall(or is it the end?) with your backs to solid wall.
> (OOC: Nagare, roll vs Soul)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 ohgod
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 ohgod and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
<Mykasi> "Aaaand this just in: mental hospital shadows can suck my goddamn two-foot prehensile..." Mike mutters angrily, looking about again.
> !!! Nagare suddenly senses the presense of Shadows! Two of them...here in the hallway...he senses them just a moment before they materialze(more, you rolled enough to start init on an even keel at least.)
* Nagare takes a defensive stance, sternly taking a step back. "Watch out! Shadows are coming!"
> Two...clouds of dust? No, something else. Two swirling masses of some kind of shiny...sharp...particulate matter materialize in the hallway before you. They have no cohesive form, and they seem to be a mesh of all colors at once, as each tiny shard they're made of seems is it's own shape and color. And they start drifting towards you...
> (OOC: that's init, folks)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9 init schimit.
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9 init schimit. and gets 15."12 [2d8=1, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8+9
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+9 and gets 13."12 [2d8=1, 3]
<Nagare> roll 2d8+8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8+8 and gets 17."12 [2d8=6, 3]
> roll 2d8+6 thingy 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 thingy 1 and gets 18."12 [2d8=8, 4]
> roll 2d8+6 thingy 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 thingy 2 and gets 16."12 [2d8=2, 8]..

> 4INIT ORDER: Shiny thing 1 > Nagare > Shiny thing 2 > Mykasi > Hikari
> The particulate cloud on the left drifts forward...and suddenly lashes out with part of itself like a whip of shrapnel, right at Mykasi's eyes!
> roll 2d8 attack
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 attack and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> roll 2d8 damage no defense roll allowed there
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage no defense roll allowed there and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
> The slash hits Mike right across the face...and suddenly he can see that each and every little shard is a moving picture. A picture of every time in his life he's lost. Every time he's given up. Every time one of his dreams has been broken or lost. (OOC: 16 damage and a Mind check please)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 stupid particle failure physics
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 stupid particle failure physics and gets 13."12 [2d8=5, 8]
> The visions crack into Mike's mind, hammering on his sanity. The reminder of every time he's FAILED everything he's LOST drills into his brain even as the bladed shards slash his face.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 54/70 HP [79/95 EP], Nagare: 75/75 HP [90/90 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> OOC: Nagare is up
* Nagare grits his teeth, pulling off Lilim's card and calling for her help to get the weird cloud away from Mykasi. "Lilim, come forth!"
<Nagare> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> A lilim appears! She eyes the swirling creature before going "Um...ew." But blowing it a kiss anyway, sending a spinning black heart flying towards it...only to be blown away by the cloud's twisting. She shrugs at Nagare at that, and winks back out of existance.
> The second cloud, like a shark on a bleeding animal, swarms towards Mykasi as well, lashing out with a tendril of shattered dreams.
> roll 2d8 whiplash
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 whiplash --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> This time, Mike isn't going to be caught so easily and backs away from the attack in time.(OOC: Mikey, go.)
<Mykasi> "K...gyah!" Mike almost sobs, before growling. "Fuck you, goddamn fucking asswipe!" With that, a blast of light opens up above the first cloud and shoots straight down!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 laser beamu
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 laser beamu --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> The cloud seperates as the laser strikes the floor beneath it. (OOC: Hikari)
<Hikari> "Brynhildr, break them into...smaller pieces," Hikari finishes rather lamely as she sends her persona after the first cloud to attack Mike.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> roll 2d8 defense vs 4 also which attack was that, Helreio?
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 defense vs 4 also which attack was that, Helreio? --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
<Hikari> OOC: yes
<Hikari> roll 2d8 damage
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 damage --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> Brynhilder appears and smashes her spear into a swirling cloud, scattering it across the hall! ...only...for it to pull itself back together instantly like it hadn't even been hit.
> Continuing it's assault, the first cloud surges towards Mike as if trying to engulf him entirely!
> roll 2d8 vs 8
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
> However, as it just pulled itself back together, it's aim isn't the best in the world right now. (OOC: Nagare)
* Nagare tries to take advantage of the vindictive light being's less than ideal battle position and calls for Lilim's help once again. He's probably going to have to make it up to her for insisting to have her kiss that... thing... later. Somehow.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for more Skitty on Wailord action
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 for more Skitty on Wailord action --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> The lilim reappears and blows a halfhearted kiss at the creature again...but she really doesn't have her all in it and it doesn't go much of anywhere.
> At this, the second cloud turns it's attentions towards Nagare, lashing out at him with tiny multicolored shards!
> roll 2d8 attack vs 8
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 attack vs 8 --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> The lash passes right before him as Nagare hastily backs away from the creature! (OOC: Mikey)
<Mykasi> "Gyah, perish and rot in oblivion!" Mike bellows, conjuring up another wave of searing light to slam into the first cloud!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 angrymike is angry
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 angrymike is angry --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
> Mike's mind is wobbly and his aim is off, the blast of light bouncing off the hallway walls instead of hitting it's intended target.(Hikari)
<Hikari> "I suppose I have no choice this time. Burn!" Hikari commands Brynhildr to smother the first cloud in a blazing inferno.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 ffff reroll
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 ffff reroll --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defense
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 4 defense --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 damage
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 damage --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [60/70 EP], Mike: 54/70 HP [79/95 EP], Nagare: 75/75 HP [90/90 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Shiny thing 2 > Mykasi > Hikari
> A pillar of flame erupts from underneath the swirling cloud as Brynhildr's spear touches the ground. And the shards break apart further, vanishing into vapor before the fire even fully fades. (Nagare)
* Nagare grumbles and calls forth Abartach instead, summoning the dark waves of the Lying Prince - at least, he wouldn't have to worry about hormone and affinities in -that- case.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 murder
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 murder --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [60/70 EP], Mike: 54/70 HP [79/95 EP], Nagare: 75/75 HP [80/90 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> roll 2d8 defense
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 defense --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for damage
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 for damage --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> Abartach appears and sends out the spiral of darkness...which simply touches the swirling cloud and gets pulled in, mixing and blending with the brilliant fragments until one by one it has stolen the light from all of them and they drop on the floor, thier life gone with thier light. And thus, they fade away.
<Mykasi> "Guh..." Mike winces, falling back against the wall. "Damnit..."
> (OOC: free act)
* Nagare dusts himself off. "That looked quite painful, Mykasi. Something happened there beyond the obvious pain?"
<Hikari> "Are you alright, Mike?"
<Mykasi> "..." Mike closes his eyes. "...there's a lot I regret. ... ...our next course of action?"
<Hikari> "Pick the right door? Assuming there is a right one. Actualy, I would suggest that if we mean to rely on the key to the Velvet Room as an escape route later, we should test it now."
<Mykasi> "...whatever works."
* Nagare frowns. "... Mykasi, you seem a bit troubled. I'll try to test the Velvet Key, however."
* Mykasi nods vaguely, eyes drifting shut
* Nagare looks at the fifth door and decides to try the Velvet Key on that one, walking up to it.
* Nagare then puts the Velvet Key on the lock, carefully turning it.
> The key fits into the lock but there's resistance turning it. Alot of resistance...and about that moment, Nagare's phone rings.(Soul check if you're going to continue turning the key.)
<Hikari> "I think perhaps you should answer that," Hikari suggests quickly.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow, picking up the phone before trying anything further with the key - although he takes the time to remove the key from the lock first. "Hello?"
> Nagare removes the key from the lock and his phone stops ringing immediately.
* Hikari rubs her forehead. "Put the key back in the lock, see if the phone rings again?"
* Nagare blinks. "... okay," the teacher says, shaking his head as he puts the key in the lock again.
> A moment after he does so, the phone starts ringing again! The caller ID shows the number as a string of 0s.
* Nagare picks up the phone once again - with-out- removing the key from the lock. The teacher bites his lips, tension lightly showing. "... hello?"
> Theresa's voice is on the other end, "Hey, I finally got through to one of you. Okay, I'm going to guess you're trying to use the key which is what let me establish the connection here, am I right?"
* Nagare blinks once again. "... I'm impressed. And somewhat disturbed, but mainly impressed. Yes, you are correct. Is this the part where you berate us for trying this?"
> "Okay, listen up," Theresa continues, not bothering to answer Nagare's question, "You know how I normally watch all of you while you're in there? I CAN'T SEE YOU wherever you are right now. I've been trying to call since you dropped off the radar, with no luck until now. Wherever you are, it's blocking my and even the Master's ability to percieve."(more)
> "Now, because of that, Master Igor isn't sure what will happen if you manage to open a door with the key in there. And even if it does work normally, we'll be able to get you out but not put you back in. You got that? If the key works and you go through, you'll have to go back to the physical world, we can't put you back in that place."
* Nagare nods sternly. "I... understand. I'll be mindful of this. Anything else we need to know?"
> "Just that wherever you are is probably a hell of a lot more dangerous then you think it is." Theresa adds with a voice devoid of her usual playfulness.
* Nagare bites his lips. "I'll... keep that in mind. Thank you for the warning call."
> "It involves the Velvet Room, so that's our job. Take care." And with that, Theresa hangs up.
* Nagare sighs, putting the cellphone back into his pocket. "That was... unexpected," the teacher mumbles as he picks the Velvet Key back and turns to the others. "Theresa just called. Apparently, they can't perceive us while we're in here, and they can't predict what will happen if we try to use the Velvet Key in here."
<Hikari> "Then let's not do so haphazardly."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike shakes his head. "We may be in over our heads, but... this also definitely might mean we're looking in the right spot for whatever's going wrong - or at least some clues. It makes a poor kind of sense, too. Let's be careful."
<Hikari> "Yes. Onwards, then? I wish we had some clue as to which doors are safe. If any are. I suppose continued experimentation is the only option."
* Mykasi nods slightly.
* Nagare sighs hesitantly. "I... honestly would rather go back and discuss what we've seen with Igor and Theresa. Trying to go back through these doors would be rather unsafe for more reasons than just Theresa and Igor's inability to track us here."
<Nagare> "That is, assuming we could take a way back."
<Mykasi> "We... can try to get back out. Let's check the empty walls, first. Are they real or not?" Mike asks first.
<Hikari> "But we have little in the way of information to offer them so far, don't we?"
<Nagare> "I honestly think that blundering into a place that's powerful enough to block their tracking capabilities is information enough for us to run screaming and try picking up pieces elsewhere in the Dream for the moment, if you ask me."
<Hikari> "If both of you insist, I'll consent to leave. I just think it's rather early to do so."
* Mykasi zones the other two out for a moment and examines the blank wall at the near end of the hallway first. "We need a plan, though. I think I do disagree with blundering through the doors - we know doors exist that we can't see, and that the doors in front of us aren't necessarily useful."
> The blank wall appears to be just that. A blank wall. Mike doesn't see anything special about it.
<Mykasi> "And I'm not sure we should risk using the Velvet Key here unless we have to, because not being able to predict anything about what'll happen if we -try- to use a key that rips open the reality we're in and substitutes its own isn't something I feel comfortable with." Mike says, touching the wall after his examination and pressing against it lightly.
> If it looks like a wall, feels like a wall, and smells like a wall, it's probably a duck. Er, a wall.
> (OOC: I shouldb't be getting cute in this mindscrew place. Mike doesn't feel anything strange about the wall. It feels like exactly what it looks like)
* Mykasi grimaces and steps back. "Alright, let's check out the other wall."
> Mike approaches the other wall. It looks and feels like a wall, just like the one on the other end of the hallway.
<Hikari> "Nothing, Mike?"
<Mykasi> "... Alright, we don't have a choice. Doors it is." Mike says after a moment. "Your choice, you two.
* Hikari nods. "If this is our only option, we should be methodical about it. Does choosing certain doors send us to a room identical this room, or back to this exact room? I'm not confident there will truly be any reliable rules in this place, but if there are, we need to find them. So, try door three again as an experiment, or try another?"
* Mykasi shrugs. "And there, I don't know what to say. It's worth a shot."
<Hikari> "Professor?"
* Nagare ponders for a moment. "Hm. Maybe Abartach could give us a direction of sorts? It -did- work back in the living forest. It's worth a shot as an alternative."
<Hikari> "Please, make the attempt."
* Nagare closes his eyes, calling for Abartach's power to show him a way. (Using Way to Tir Tairnigir.)
> Abartach appears once more, and again Nagare looks into that monocale...(OOC: roll vs average of Soul and Mind. You get one shot at this)
<Nagare> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> But this time it contains nothing. Abartach strains to show the way but eventually snarls in disgust, 12"Something dares fog MY vision...and unfortunately it would shatter your mind for me to force through it..."1 he then adds in a very quiet mutter, "..if I even could.."
* Nagare shakes his head. "Seems he can't see through it. This place just seems to grow more and more unsettling as we go."
<Mykasi> "Lovely." Mike mutters.
<Hikari> "I wish to go on, then. I agree with not using the key until we have little other choice, given that we're not sure what we'll happen. There are enough unknowns in front of us."
<Nagare> "We probably want to have some way to track whether we're making leeway with the doors or not. Marking a door we entered might be a start for us to begin realizing how to leave."
<Mykasi> "With what?" Mike asks at this.
<Hikari> "Doesn't anyone here have a pen? Well, this works just as well. Brynhildr? A deep gouge in that third door, please. Just cosmetic, I don't want it knocked down."
<Nagare> "That works."
> Brynhildr appears and nods at Hikari's orders, raising her spear to comply.(Body check, Hikari.)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=3 ]{3}
> Hikari feels the strain in her own muscles as Brynhildr slashes...well a scratch on the door. She doesn't cut into it very deeply, but it's definately a visible cut regardless.
<Hikari> "It will suffice," Hikari says with a nod. "Now, my choice would be attempting this door again to see whether we get the same results. Hopefully it will not involve fighting more shadows if that's so; we'll have to be ready for that possibility."
<Mykasi> "...they make you recall every time you've failed and everything you've lost." Mike says quietly, standing fully again. "...let's do this..."
* Hikari nods, and opens the door. Again. If it's the same door. Hopefully it isn't. One way to find out!
> Hikari opens the door...but this time they aren't sucked through it, it opens like a normal door. Inside is a very...empty room. Empty to the point where you can't even tell what color the walls are...somewhere between off-white and beige perhaps? The walls are "wall" colored.(more)
> In this room is one thing, though. A person, just kind of slumped on the ground. And Mike recognizes this pitiful wreck quite quickly. It used to be flopped on the other bed in his room looking not too much different then that...when it even bothered to come in.
<Mykasi> "...Shou."
* Hikari Hikari peers in. "Your old roommate?"
<Mykasi> "...Yeah." Mike says, entering cautiously. "...Shou. Shou, can you hear me?"
> Shou weakly rolls his head over to look at you all, "Hh? Mmyah...whadya'wnt?"
<Mykasi> "..." Mike kneels at this in consternation. "Shou. It's me, Mike. Your old roommate. Are you alright?"
> He thinks about that for a long moment, then vaguely nods and mumble-slurs out, "Mmyea'mlrite. Jst...knda wsted, y'nw?"
<Mykasi> "..." Mike's face seems twisted up horribly. "...are they treating you alright here?"
> Shou thinks about that for awhile as well, then squints at Mike and asks, "Uhhh...whr's hre?"
<Mykasi> "...the Kana Family Memorial Hospital." Mike says after a moment, already somewhat disturbed.
> Shou stares at Mike for a bit, then tries to open his eyes a bit wider as he rolls his head around to look at the room, "..s'nt my house?"
<Mykasi> "It's not, no." Mike leans back, looking to Hikari and Nagare with... desperation? ... in his eyes.
* Nagare eyes Mykasi somberly, shaking his head.
<Hikari> "This is very strange. He is speaking more or less as a real person, albeit one with impaired judgement and senses. Pointedly distinct from a dreamer."
<Mykasi> "It's how he spoke when... heavily drugged up." Mike says after a moment. "Shou, who's giving you these drugs?"
> A voice comes from the other side of the room, it chuckles as it answers, "He is."
> Mike knows that voice.
* Mykasi inhales slightly, before looking toward the voice, already suspecting he knows what he'll see.
> Looking up, you all can see...Shou. Leaning against the wall. Though as he looks up at you, his eyes are pitch dark.
* Hikari nods. "Just as he was in the real world, then. We're not in his subconscious in any way, I think. It's more like he's here in the Dream--" Hikari cuts off at that interruption.
<Mykasi> "Somehow, this shouldn't surprise me..." Mike says, slowly straightening. "Mind explaining that comment a bit more, idly?"
> Shadow Shou shrugs, "Sure. He's keeping himself like this. The retard likes the feeling, so he's just...fuck, I don't know, locked himself into it or something."
<Hikari> "Did you have anything to do with leading him to this, I wonder?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "That's a rather pointless question to ask, considering the Shadow -is- Shou, as we're all well aware."
> "Me?" Shadow Shou honestly sounds surprised at the accusation.
<Mykasi> "Yeah, I don't think that's what's going on, Hikari..." Mike shakes his head.
<Mykasi> "... so he's mentally just keeping himself drugged up? Fuck. And you're trapped, then."
> Shadow Shou nods, "Yeah, I'm the one driving the meat sack these days. Taking my meds like a good boy, basically keeping the poor bastard alive. I just come in here when it's nap time."
> Then he looks at the other two, "So...what's going on here. Am I dreaming? I can get Mykasi and Ishigami then, but who's the old guy?"
<Mykasi> "Kch..." Mike looks to physical!Shou, before... "No. We're... uh. Okay, let me put it this way. I'm a magical First American. Can travel into dreams and shit, and so can they. ...we came to see if we could reach you, and to see if we could figure out what was going on here."
* Nagare shakes his head. "It's a long story. Let's say I'm a magical old coodger, if you insist."
> Shadow Shou nods, "Alright. Soooo, here I am, hi. What then?"
* Nagare sighs. "Well. We've been... well. Quelling restless Shadows, so to speak. A concern for Shou was that he could be having problems in this regard."
<Hikari> "Yet it seems the shadow is as lost as he is this time?"
* Nagare rubs his temples, trying to recollect himself. "Maybe. It is quite obvious that this is the Shadow we are talking to, though - it's almost painful for me to look at him straight."
<Mykasi> "... A question. Is there any other cause behind... the recreational medicine? Or is it just because the conscious side went 'herp derp wee fun', to be incredibly crass?" Mike asks the shadow. "If there's something we can help with, then..."
> Shadow Shou laughs, "Yeah, I'm pretty lost I'll admit." Then he sighs at Mike's question, "Well...Shou...how do I put this? Well, he hates himself. Alot, I think. He'd been trying to overdose on stuff enough to..." he goes quiet then shrugs, "but now we're in here and it's pretty much up to me to keep us alive, you know?"
> "Best I can figure, part of him didn't really want to go through with it, so...that's why I'm here." He scratches the back of his neck and chuckles awkwardly.
* Nagare bobs his head and nods. "I think this is somewhat familiar to me. The repressed urge to live, then."
<Mykasi> "... ..." Mike winces, looking away. "...you're another person I failed, I think. I suspected a lot, but..." A pause and a nod. "Yeah, that... could be it. I... okay. Damnit. ...Is there any way we can get you in control?"
> Shadow Shou thinks, "Well, I sort of already am, at least kinda. I'm the one that walks the meat sack around and eats and takes the meds and all that stuff, if that's what you mean. A little hard to think out there because of the meds, but it's not like I'm not used to that, right?"
<Hikari> "Is there any origin to his self-loathing that you know of, then?"
* Nagare scratches his chin. "I have to ask. Does... does Shou even acknowledge you at all?"
> Shadow Shou laughs, "Oh yeah, I've heard the littany. He's dumb, no talent, ugly, no social skills, no physical ability, basically completely worthless. And in the Minamura family, that's not the best of things to be. It's pretty much the worst, actually."
> Then he shakes his head at Nagare, "Nah. Though..." he looks at the Shou on the floor with pity, "I don't think he's capable of aknowledging much of anything."
<Mykasi> "... If you start going off them meds, will he begin to regain control?" Mike gestures to floor!Shou.
> "Um...well, I don't know." he laughs, "Maybe I should, but I'm not really that smart either. Sorry!"
* Nagare looks at Shou, sloppily thrown on the floor. "As he stands, he won't ever even be lucid enough to look at the Shadow and begin any sort of struggle. The effort to keep him even lightly alive is admirable, but, as is, the only thing you can even do is keep this life support-like situation. It's as if his personality was in cryostasis."
<Mykasi> "Don't degrade yourself. This stuff's confusing as fuck." Mike shakes his head emphatically. "We'll see... what we can do. One thing you might try is asking them if you can take a bit less of the meds - it might help you keep control and think clearer out there?"
> Shadow Shou nods, "I can try, sure."
<Mykasi> "Alright. Thanks, man. ...and... sorry. For not being there." Mike grimaces.
> Shadow Shou looks a bit embarrased, "Well, I can't really blame you. He hated you too, so he probably wouldn't accept any help you tried to offer anyway."
<Mykasi> "...well. We'll see if we can start over again, alright? It's dangerous for us to try and get here but we'll do it when we can." Mike nods slightly. "If... there's anything else we can do, let us know. Oh- what do you know of how this place works here in the Dream?"
<Hikari> "There must have been something he didn't hate--apart from the drugs? Anything would be a start."
* Nagare coughs. "Even if you don't, if you know directions back to the reception, that would be enough for now."
> "Uh...I know not to go out into the halls. Stuff tries to kill you out there. I did once, and some orderlies shoved me back in here."
> Then he thinks, "I...well, I don't hate anything. I just feel really sorry for some things. I'm not sure if that's what you want though? I mean, I am Shou, but not quite that Shou and...it's really confusing."
> "I don't think about it much," Shadow Shou admits.
<Nagare> "That's the kind of question that only Shou himself could really talk about."
<Mykasi> "Heh." Mike grimaces wryly. "I don't think we've got a good way out ourselves... and yeah. Honestly, you... don't seem like the same Shou at all in some ways. You're a side that... got locked away for a long time, unfortunately. So... just take care of yourself, alright? Please? And... what do you feel sorry about? It may help, at least, and I want to try and help, if I can."
> "Well, the rest of my family, mostly." he replies, "And the other people in here. Some of them aren't actually crazy at all, so I can't figure out why they're still stuck here."
<Hikari> "They aren't? How much do you know about the other patients?"
> "Not too much," Shadow Shou admits, "I just see them sometimes. I can't really explain how I know they're not crazy...or maybe they are and I can't really see it I guess, I don't know. But the orderlies basically force some people to take thier medication, and don't let them ever have visitors or basically see the outside at all."
<Mykasi> "... ..." Mike's face twists up again. "They'd have to be taking orders from someone, though... Gah."
<Hikari> "Yes. Yes, they would. I can't help but wonder if that someone resides primarily in the real world or the Dream."
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> ----------------------------------------
> Leaving Shou and his shadow in the room, the three Persona users venture back out into the hallway.
<Mykasi> "...Alright. Let's leave here for now and figure out what to do from here. This is... intimidating." Mike says after a moment.
<Hikari> "If we can get out. Try the key on Shou's door if we're going to attempt to leave. At least we know that one goes somewhere relatively safe if something doesn't work the way it should.
<Hikari> "
<Mykasi> "... Do we -want- to try leaving that way?" Mike asks querulously.
<Nagare> "I have my doubts given the fact that we could end up causing a ruckus on the way back, for starters."
<Nagare> "Although it's likely the safest way to return, given the circumstances... we don't know how to make it back to the reception either."
<Hikari> "I assumed it weas the only way out, given that we don't have any idea which of these doors will return us to the entrance."
* Mykasi exhales. "It's a gamble, but so is the key, I think. Fine, let's try this shit."
* Nagare nods, picking up the key and trying to open the door. "We might want to brace ourselves."
> As Nagare fits the key into the lock...it doesn't seem like it wants to open easily. (Soul Check, Nagare)
* Mykasi mutters low under his breath but prepares himself, getting into a fighting stance.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for Soul?
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 for Soul? and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
> The key just isn't turning. As if...it actually doesn't fit this lock.
* Nagare shakes his head. "It doesn't seem to work."
<Mykasi> "My shock, it is endless." Mike deadpans. "Alright, let's try and get out of here by beating feet, eh?"
<Nagare> "We don't have a lot of choices there now, do we?"
> There is one slight problem, however. The key isn't freely coming out of the lock either. It feels stuck.
<Mykasi> "Nope. Any choice on doors, ladies and men wearing ladies' clothing?"
<Hikari> "We'll be methodical about it, then. We don't know if the wrong doors--if wrong they truly are--return us to the same room or simply identical rooms. I've slashed Shou's door to mark it, so we'll know if we return here next time. We may as well start with door #1 this time?"
* Nagare blinks. "The key doesn't want to come out."
<Mykasi> "..."
<Mykasi> "What. You're kidding me." Mike says, moving to try and get the key out himself.
> (OOC: soul check, mikey)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 bAby I gOT sOul?
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 bAby I gOT sOul? and gets 15."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> The key slides out...but as it does, the lock seems to turn and the door slowly creaks open. But what lies on the other side of the doorframe is neither the swirling portal to the Velvet Room, nor Shou's room. There is only an inky blackness...very reminicient of ink in fact, as it seems to be somewhat...fluid?
> And slowly, it begins to leak and trickle into the hallway.
<Mykasi> "... uh. I don't like this I don't like this another room. FAST."
* Hikari quickly opens the first door!
> Hikari opens the door! As soon as she pulls it open, the world feels like it's spinning and the three of you are pulled into the opening...only to find yourselves standing in yet another hallway. Completely identical to the first one, your backs to a wall and four doors on either side. None of them slashed up, of course.
<Mykasi> "Gah." Mike quickly checks around for black fluids.
> There don't seem to be any black inky fluids in this hallway.
<Hikari> "This is the third room we've been in, so..." Hikari walks to the third door and orders Brynhildr to deface it as before.
> Brynhildr appears and slashes into the door, leaving a mark in teh surface.
* Mykasi mutters. "Okay, let's think about this carefully. Eight doors, no distinguishing marks of any sort other than what we make. Correct?"
<Nagare> "Yes."
<Mykasi> "Entry and exit, random as far as we can tell. Correct?"
<Nagare> "There's no pattern we have discerned so far, at least."
<Hikari> "If there's a pattern, I certainly haven't seen enough to determine it. At least we weren't attacked this time."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike hums for a moment. "Any opinion as to door we go through? I'd like to be the one to open it."
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 7."12 [2d8=3, 4]
<Hikari> "I've hardly chosen successfully so far. Your choice, Mike."
* Mykasi glances to the Professor.
> Nagare's shadow sense begins to itch again. There are shadows here, somewhere. Down? Yes, down. There are shadows in the floor.
* Nagare twitches. "We should be ready. Shadows are lurking the floor."
* Nagare shakes his head. "Regardless, sure, make your pick."
> Mere seconds after Nagare delivers his warning, a trio of giant fish that seem to have faces made of nothing but gnashing teeth jump up out of the floor as it it was the surface of the water and all try to bite Hikari as they pass!
> roll 2d8 fish attack 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 fish attack 1 and gets 16."12 [2d8=8, 8]
> roll 2d8 fish attack 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 fish attack 2 and gets 7."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> roll 2d8 fish attack 3
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 fish attack 3 and gets 12."12 [2d8=8, 4]
<Mykasi> "Right, then let's move on?" Mike says with a forced calm, marching across the hallway- before he glances back and sees the fish!
> OOC: one hits, Nagare's warning means youget a defense roll
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll and gets 11."12 [2d8=3, 8]
> roll 2d8 fish damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 fish damage and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 90/105 HP [60/70 EP], Mike: 54/70 HP [79/95 EP], Nagare: 75/75 HP [80/90 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> One of the fish manages to land a nasty bite, drawing blood even from Hikari's armored skin. Then all three fish dive back into the floor behind her, causing some of it to splash up like water and leave ripples on the surface. Solid floor that she had just walked over as she moved to mark the door.
* Hikari winces, and watches the floor closely as she sticks to the wall. "Someone just pick a door?"
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike finishes moving over to the fifth door, and concentrating hard on his mental image of the lobby, moves to open the door!
> (OOC: Hikari and Nagare roll mind for me)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 7."12 [2d8=4, 3]
> As Mike opens the door, the world spins again and you are all sucked through into...the lobby? Well, it looks like the lobby. Only the exit seems to be missing, as does the receptionist.
<Mykasi> "Fuck. Almost but not quite." Mike mutters, looking around.
* Nagare scans the room, holding his hand over his chest. The fish were quite a scare.
<Mykasi> "Okay. To explain what I just did..." Mike says, glancing to Hikari and Nagare. "This place seems to react to thoughts. So let's focus on the lobby, or perhaps better yet - the outside of the building. Work?"
> It looks like the lobby. There's the reception desk, there's the chairs and the small table. The clock on the wall...which is ticking backwards.
> No, wait. It's ticking forwards. Must have just been a trick of the light.
* Nagare eyes the clock, blinking. "Is it just me or that clock seems... erratic? It could just be me, though"
<Mykasi> "..." Mike wanders over to the clock anyways, immediately wary of even a clock. "Was this here last time?"
<Hikari> "Sure," Hikari says, concentrating on the original image of the lobby. One without a backwards clock.
* Nagare coughs.
> The clock...no. Mike doesn't remember a clock in the original lobby, actually.
<Mykasi> "... I'm gonna vote we smash thi- you okay, Prof?"
* Nagare clears his throat, eyeing Mykasi somberly. "Have any of you... noticed a black liquid seeping into the walls from the hallway we came from?"
* Mykasi pauses. Then looks behind him at the hallway they came in from.
> There's a door there, but it's closed.
<Mykasi> "I hadn't, no. ...was it actually still seeping in?"
* Hikari looks around at the walls.
<Nagare> "More specifically, it was -beginning- to seep in."
<Mykasi> "No, I didn't notice that." Mike says. "Damnit, damnit, damnit. Okay. Shit. First, this clock wasn't here last time. Do we break it, see what happens? It isn't natural, I don't think."
<Hikari> "I don't mind breaking anything we find here, at this point."
<Mykasi> "Alright. Hikari, you smash it. Prof, keep an eye out for blackshit. I'm gonna check where the door -was-." Mike says, trying to stay calm.
<Mykasi> And then freezing for a moment, before scowling - deeply - and going to examine the place where the door was.
* Nagare nods and remains in focus, trying to detect any unusual sign and any signals of shadows.
<Hikari> "Right. Brynhildr?" Hikari simply points to the ofeending timepiece.
<Hikari> *offending
> Brynhildr appears again and nods, "Of course." Then smashes the sbit out of the clock with her spear.
> It breaks easily, just as you would expect a clock to.
> (OOC: Where are you looking, Mike? where the entrance/exit is supposed to be but isn't?)
<Mykasi> OOC: Yes.
* Hikari steps forward, nudges the broken pieces with her foot, examines the now-vacant spot on the wall.
> Mike doesn't see anything of note about the wall there. Aside from the fact that there is supposed to be a door there and quite obviously isn't.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 where is my mind?
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 where is my mind? and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
* Mykasi mutters low under his breath. "Okay. Prof, do you sense any Shadows? Don't think, just sense for them."
> Hikari examines the wall where the clock was. It's slightly discolored from having something there for who knows how long, but otherwise looks like every other part of the wall.
<Nagare> "I'll try to find out," Nagare says as he focuses, trying to scan Shadows in the room.
* Nagare shakes his head. "None as far as I can sense. Which is a bit of a respite."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says, withdrawing from the wall. "Let's try going through the door again and focusing on going -out- of here. Alright?" With that, Mike moves back toward the only actual door in the room.
* Hikari frowns, but nods to Mike and focuses on the original version of the lobby. The one with an exit!
* Nagare nods and tries to keep his thoughts fully focused on the prospect of an actual exit.
> You all concentrate on an exit!
* Mykasi then opens the door!
> Mike opens the door, prompting the now familiar swirling world and getting sucked through, into...the lobby again. No clock this time. And still no receptionist, but there does seem to be an exit over there.
<Mykasi> "EXIT" Mike practically bellows as he jogs over to it!
* Hikari bolts for the door as well, before...something else happens.
* Nagare follows behind, moving a bit more carefully, albeit still anxiously.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Remember, just think about leaving here, just in case. Everyone ready?" Mike asks.
<Hikari> "Back in the forest outside. Right."
<Nagare> "Yessir."
<Mykasi> "Alright." And with that, Mike tries to open the exit!
> Mike opens the door! At first...it's hard to see past the door into what's beyond, but then Hikari hears the slight sound of rattling dice and it clears right up. It's the forest outside, complete with the wierd paper charm barriers around the building.
<Mykasi> "Alright!
<Mykasi> "Alright!" Mike cheers, stepping out. "Okay. Good. Woof."
* Hikari makes a break for it!
* Nagare takes a deep breath as he feels the forest breeze. "Can't say I'm holding my breath to come back here any time soon. But I can't say this was a fruitless visit either."
<Hikari> "We'll have to come back here," Hikari says once she's a safe distance from the door. "Something is very, very wrong with this place, here and in the real world. Unless you can think we can stop it on our side..."
<Mykasi> "Doubtful. But let's do this when we're better prepared."
<Nagare> "At the very least, now we -know- we can interact with the Dreams of others in the Outer Dreamscapes. It's a rather notable intelligentsia gain."
<Hikari> "I have to wonder, exactly what kind of preparation would be appropriate for such a place?"
<Mykasi> "Preparing ourselves to focus precisely on what we've come to do, having as much defensive preparation as we can..." Mike shrugs.
<Hikari> "I suppose so, yes. What do we intend to do now? I am not tired yet. Physically."
<Nagare> "I think a visit to our friendly Velvet Room hosts is in order, to be frank."
<Mykasi> "Let's go discuss what we've seen and heard, yes. We can come back in from there if we need to."
* Hikari nods and sets off through the forest again. "I assume we have another walk ahead of us, then. At least until we find a door that isn't in a possessed building. Let's hope our travel isn't interfered with this time."
<Mykasi> "Right."
<Nagare> "I doubt that frog... creature will be terribly inclined to dump us back into the mental home, but sure."
<Mykasi> "Yeah. We should be okay just heading back to there."
> (OOC: Navagation check from Nagare if you're trying to lead the way back)
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8  and gets 8."12 [2d8=1, 7]
> Nagare manages to navigate his way back through the woods until you're back at...well, it doesn't seem to be a mushroom house anymore. Now it's a restaraunt. Looks like a korean place.
* Mykasi blinks at this. "Eh wot? I mean, I'll take it, I'm hungry and all, but..."
<Hikari> "Is this the same building, or did we take a wrong turn at the last tree? I suppose it doesn't matter much as long as we wind up still in the city."
<Mykasi> "That is also true." Mike grins. "Let's Velvet?"
<Hikari> "Let's."
* Nagare scratches his head, picking up the Velvet Key. "I suppose."
* Mykasi nods. "Put the key in, Blue skidoo, we can too~"
<Hikari> "Some day, Mike, you will have to explain to me all these strange things you say."
* Nagare nods and uses the Velvet Key on the door. "That day, Hikari, you will wish dearly that he didn't."
<Mykasi> "... pretty much!"
> Nagare uses the Velvet Key!
> (OOC: Soul check Nagare! ...nah, I'm just fuckin' with ya. Scene Change~)
> You aren't sure what a skidoo is, but there's certainly a fair amount of blue in here. The Velvet Room looks as it always does, and Theresa stands and bows slightly as you enter, "Welcome back."
* Mykasi waves! "Hi. We survived. Barely. I had a stroke of inspiration."
* Nagare breathes deeply. "I also suppose we may need to give the Key a sip of tea."
<Hikari> "There was...some resistance when we attempted to use it. I think something was upset."
> Igor nods slightly, "The key is a powerful item, but even it can only do so much. I am forced to advise against using it in such situations again."
<Mykasi> "That's fine by me." Mike nods. "Sorry for trying to use it there in the first place, but we thought we were trapped."
* Nagare picks up a chair and sits down, sighing. "The mental home is... unsettling, to say the least. It was enlightening, however."
> Theresa ducks off to get you all some tea
* Mykasi stumbles to a chair as well. "Okay, where to start..."
<Mykasi> "Well. Okay, a first question on my end. Do mental hospitals... usually have such Dreams?"
* Hikari takes a seat.
> Igor shakes his head, "I honestly could not tell you. Persona Users are rarely commited to such institutions, and as such I rarely have reason to look into them."
<Mykasi> Very low under his breath, Mike mutters something in Miwok.
> Theresa returns, carrying a tray with a teapot and three cups. She sets it down and pours you all a cup of her famous, bitter and ungodly hot tea.
<Mykasi> "Okay. Second question, since I'm still trying to sort this all through. Do you guys... well, do you have any idea what that was? Was it one large negative Dream? How far could you follow us in?"
> Theresa shrugs, "I could see the paper charm barrier, and a bit past that. I couldn't watch you from even the moment I assume you opened the door though."
> "I tried to call you to tell you that, but until Nagare tried the key the first time, I couldn't establish a connection that could bypass the barrier." She continues
<Mykasi> "Okay. I... presume it wouldn't help if we described what was going on, then. Argh." Mike mutters. "You guys got anything to ask?" After this, he takes the tea... and downs it all in one gulp.
<Hikari> "It's alright. It was...educational to see it firsthand. And we came out relatively unscatched anyway." Hikari waits for her tea to cool, looking at Mike with something like horror.
<Nagare> "And, of course, the mental hospital is certainly not amicable to the Velvet Key. It was a bit of a shock that you could even make contact," Nagare remarks, watching his tea carefully while blissfully ignoring Mykasi's drinking habits.
> Mike downs the tea! It's, uh, really frikking hot. So that actually hurts a fair deal.
* Mykasi grimaces only slightly but seems too distracted.
> Igor shakes his head again, "I'm afraid there is little chance I would recognize anything you saw in such a place, being born from the dreams of those within the physical building as it was."
<Mykasi> "That's how such dreams occur?" Mike asks. "They were definitely spawned by those in there?"
<Hikari> "I'm not entirely sure of that. Some presence within the Dream itself lurked there, I believe."
<Nagare> "It could have been a presence that originally stems from the real world, however. Dreams can diverge and create a life of their own from their origins, but the only reason that a Dream would exist at all is because it came from a human mind, as far as I can recognize."
> "That is how many things in the dream occur, as I have explained to you before. But it can be influanced by the presance of actual dream denizens, especially those who qualify as Powers."
<Mykasi> "... wonder if that's got anything to do with anything..." Mike hums.
<Hikari> "Either is a plausible explanation, I believe. Either way, I suspect the facility is being...administered by something inhuman and decidedly unfriendly. And it will have to be stopped if the inmates are actually sane and being held against their will."
<Mykasi> "Or even if some of them are. Like Shou..." Mike shakes his head.
<Hikari> "Even if just some of them are, yes. That's bad enough."
<Mykasi> "Okay. Is there any way to get a Shadow into full control of a body? Like, make it the full driver and push the dominant personality into the Shadow's position?"
* Nagare coughs. "I think I may be able to answer that, actually."
<Mykasi> "Hm?"
> Igor nods, "Indeed. If someone fully gives in to thier shadow, the shadow can take over entirely. Though...when confronted in your world, they may not understand they are a shadow as they do in the dream."
<Mykasi> "... and what if they're in no condition to do anything like give over?"
> Theresa chimes in, "Well, if someone doesn't even aknowledge thier Shadow, the shadow will often destroy them. Or...something like that," she smiles and shrugs at Nagare, "but we went over that stuff when you signed your contracts."
<Hikari> "In this case the shadow seemed almost protective."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow at Theresa and returns his glance to Mykasi. "The results of a Shadow taking over can be quite unpredictable in that sense. And the Shadow being protective... well. It's a survival sense."
<Mykasi> "I...  don't know if this version of the Shadow will." Mike grimaces. "Or even what's going on. Quick lowdown: this guy was taking pills to keep himself effectively drugged up. We went in, met his Shadow, who was actually a... actually a good person. I'd like to let that part of him... actually live, if that makes sense?"
> Theresa starts to chuckle.
* Mykasi closes his eyes for a bit. "What is it?"
> Igor frowns at his assistant, "That will be quite enough, Theresa." Then to Mike, he nods, "Tell me, do you remember what a Shadow is?"
<Mykasi> "... the repressed side of a person. The part that lingers in the back." Mike shrugs.
> Theresa stops chuckling and explains the thought, "Negative emotions aren't the only ones that can be repressed."
<Mykasi> "I know that from my own experience." Mike replies calmly.
> Igor nods, "Indeed. Ultimately, this individiual will have to work things out for himself. I'm afraid I can't offer any help in that regard."
<Mykasi> "I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense that it was or has been repressed, but... argh. I don't know how to explain this." To Igor, he nods. "I guessed as much, but... I had hoped. ..."
> "It doesn't mean you can't try to do something. As Persona Users, that's pretty much your right," Theresa adds, "It just means we can't help you there."
<Nagare> "The fundamental point being that, at some juncture, the self -will- have to confront the Shadow no matter what. He won't be saved until -that- happens. I think the point is that Shou's self would need to be shaken up for that."
<Hikari> "And it is presently not in a condition to do that, indeed. He surely needs to away from drugs, his own recreational ones or prescribed ones. His current situation perpetuates the condition rather than solving it."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "...yeah. And for that to happen, they'd need to stop overmedicating him and his parents would have to stop caring about him- stop caring enough to just let him go instead of negatively caring enough to keep him in that hellhole."
<Nagare> "I do believe that the way things are going, the Shadow would do nothing to change -that-. It seems quite satisfied with the bare sentience - it's an immediate good will, but ultimately it'll sink him for good."
<Mykasi> "...it seemed receptive to trying to talk to the people and seeing if it could get a bit less medicine, at least." Mike shakes his head sadly.
* Hikari shrugs. "This is all theorizing, and speculation that we seem to agree on as well. I think the only answers we can find are in the asylum itself."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike shakes his head slightly, before nodding to Hikari and then pouring himself a cup of tea.
* Hikari finally deigns to drink her cup of tea, meanwhile.
* Nagare nods somberly, taking another sip. "We'll have to figure a way to wake Shou up in that case. A psyche so thoroughly broken wouldn't be easy to reach. And... I honestly have to wonder if the Shadow hasn't mostly taken over as it stands."
<Mykasi> After a moment, Mike glances at the cup... before downing this one, too, in one gulp.
> "Thirsty today?" Theresa asks with a chuckle.
* Nagare raises a stern eyebrow to Mykasi. "You may want to keep the rhythm down. Lest you feel like overdosing on Soma."
* Hikari raises an eyebrow. "Mike? Please be careful with that tea, else we'll have no one to punctuate our exploration with inscrutable commentary."
<Mykasi> "... No." Mike says after a moment, eyes half-closed. "What do we want to do from here?"
> "Oh, I don't put nearly enough in that to risk overdose." Theresa assures you.
<Hikari> "Go back to the asylum. If not today, then soon."
<Hikari> "I was simply concerned about Mike scalding his throat."
<Mykasi> "Not today. I want to think things over a bit. Next time we can, though, we should look for Bland." Mike hums. "Should we see if Frost has any news for us?"
<Mykasi> While saying this, Mike pours a third cup of tea.
<Nagare> "It's an option. We also should share our recent discoveries with Shiro - ...," Nagare stops as he watches Mykasi pour another cup. "Please drink more leisurely if you will."
<Hikari> "We may as well. I believe someone on our list of magicians resided in the building across from him, as well."
* Hikari can only shake her head at Mike's self-destructive streak,.
> Igor inquires, "Will you be returning to the Greater Dreamscape, or shall I return the door to your world?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "I'd rather go back to the human world. The question begets answers from the other two, however."
<Hikari> "I'm willing to return to the Dream if you two are."
* Mykasi doesn't seem to respond to Nagare's statement, but pauses before moving cup to mouth at Igor's statement. "...Back to the Dreamscape, I think. The night is still young."
* Nagare shrugs lightly. "I'm a believer in democracy, however."
> Theresa raises an eyebrow, "Going back to the asylum already? Or can you find the way to where else you're going from here in the Dream?"
* Hikari frowns. "I suppose it might be easier to return to the real world and then take another entrance to the Dream. We hardly know where the Dream asylum is in relation to anything else, after all."
<Mykasi> "...that's a good question. Worth a shot to see if we can go large distances this way, or no?" Mike asks the other two.
* Hikari shrugs. "I don't mind the attempt. But if the professor's feeling drained, we could take the easier route."
* Nagare shrugs. "I can take some evening dew. This visit to the asylum was more of a mental drain than a physical one."
<Hikari> "It was, yes."
<Mykasi> "... Whatever works. Let's try it from here, then?"
<Mykasi> A pause. "Waitasec, can we use the key from inside a car door?"
* Hikari nods, finishes her tea, stands up. "As always, thank you for your hospitality," she says in parting.
* Nagare nods as he gets up. "Certainly. Oh, while we're at it... we may want to gather outside info regarding the mental home in the Dream."
> Theresa thinks, then looks over at Igor.
> Igor considers, "I...honestly do not know."
<Hikari> "Another experiment, then. It would be very convenient."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow to Theresa and Igor. "I'm beginning to think we're your cartographers in an sense."
<Mykasi> "Indeed." Mike nods, downing the third cup of tea in one gulp.
<Nagare> "..."
<Mykasi> "...right. Let's just do this." Mike says after a moment.
> Igor confirms, "So you do wish me to return you to your world? Or no? I'm afraid your decision making process is difficult to follow."
<Hikari> "I believe we decided to brave the wilds of the Dream for now?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "I'll go along with the young guns here. So yes, the wilderness of the Dream. Just not the asylum."
<Mykasi> "That."
> Igor nods, then simply gestures to the door, "Then it will already take you where you wish to go."
<Mykasi> "Domo arigatou."
* Hikari nods, and returns to the Dream without further ado.
> Theresa bows again as you leave, "Thank you for visiting, we'll see you again soon~"
> (OOC: My Scene Change runs free now, carried by the wind~)
> You step back out into the Dream, and back in front of the korean restaraunt that used to be a mushroom house.
* Hikari peers inside. "I wonder, should we stop for dinner before setting out again?"
<Mykasi> "Okay. So, from here, does anyone know the way to Master Frost's?" Mike asks.
<Hikari> "I believe the professor is handling navigation?"
<Mykasi> To Hikari, he shrugs. "I'd rather not eat twisted food."
* Nagare coughs. "I'm not exactly certain on the way to Master Frost myself. We might want to enter the diner for information if necessary?"
* Mykasi tries to recall the route, himself... if he can.
<Hikari> "I don't think it could hurt. It's certainly not as menacing as the asylum, is it?" Hikari opens the door, looks inside.
> (OOC: Roll mind, Mike?)
> Hikari opens the door! Inside the diner it looks much like she would expect a small korean restaraunt to. Nobody seems to be in there besides a waitress, however. She smiles as you enter, "Ah, table for...?"
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 sure
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 sure and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> It takes you a bit, but as Mike focuses he can begin to get a feeling about which direction Master Frost's store is in. Thankfully, away from the asylum, though he can't tell how far.
<Hikari> Almost alarmingly normal, Hikari can't help but think. "Actually, we were just wondering how to get to the nearest...anything. We don't normally frequent this area. We're intending to travel to Master Frost's."
<Mykasi> "I think I know the general direction, at least..." Mike says as a note.
> "Master Frost?" the woman repeats in a comically thick accent, "I sorry, we don't serve that here. You like some bibimbop? Very good vegtibale on rice!"
* Nagare nods. "Make sure to keep tabs on that. I'm going to check up on Hikari, since she entered the diner."
* Nagare follows into the diner, knocking on the door as he opens... "Hikari?"
<Hikari> "Er, no, I'm sorry to bother you," Hikari says, edging back out of the restaraunt.
> Hikari's in there, as well as a waitress trying to interest her in some vegitables on rice or something like that.
> But even as Nagare looks in, Hikari edges out past him and you're all back outside once again!
> --------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> ----------------------------------------------------
> Nagare and Hikari back out of the Korean place, while Mike has a decent handle on which direction Master Frost's shop is. Or he thinks he does, at least.
* Nagare scratches his head. "Was it just me or they weren't talking about food?"
<Hikari> "I've decided I'm not really interested in knowing. Shall we go?"
<Mykasi> "Uh... sure." Mike blinks, pointing in the correct direction (he hopes) and beginning to march that way!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 94."12 [1d100=94]
> And thus, you walk. For a bit, it's quite uneventful. In fact, it would be nearly impossible to tell the difference between the Dream and the real world if it weren't for the road itself. Which is currently resembling an old, if well repaired, cobblestone street(as opposed to the simple dirt road it should be). That, and it's warmer here, feeling like a pleasant late fall rather then the unnatural chill of your current winter.
> But as you walk along, those are the only measurable differences.
<Mykasi> "Hm." Mike hums, glancing about.
<Nagare> "I have to wonder if even sudden climate changes aren't able to change the pathways to the Dream here."
<Mykasi> "Perhaps?" Mike says with a slight shrug. "We can hope so, at least. Would make things confusing."
> After a bit, you can see someone else walking along the road up ahead. Looks like a...perfectly normal young woman, wearing a long heavy coat and carrying a backpack. She's going in the same direction as you, only walking more slowly, so her back is to you.
* Mykasi blinks at the young woman, somewhat curiously. "Uh, do you two see that?"
* Hikari picks up the pace enough to get ahead and take a good look at her before making any helpful offers.
* Nagare eyes the woman. "Do we really want to charge up to her in a vacuum?"
<Mykasi> "...worth a shot, at least?" Mike shrugs, choosing to keep pace with Hikari.
<Nagare> "... I'll just follow behind and watch."
> She seems...exactly like you would expect someone doing a bit of hiking to look. As you get closer, you can see that she's got headphones on, which may explain why she hasn't turned around yet.
<Mykasi> "Uh... ma'am?" Mike calls out once they get close enough that he can hope to make himself heard.
> She stops, and looks back over her shoulder...then blinks, smiles and pulls her headphones down as she turns around entirely. She looks to be about early-mid twenties, and is fairly pretty. And not strange or abnormal looking at all. "Oh, uh, hello."
<Mykasi> "Uh, hi..." Mike waves somewhat awkwardly, the pretty-ness not lost on him at all. "It's not often we see others around here..."
<Hikari> "Pardon the question, miss, but I'm certain you understand the relevance of it here: are you also human?"
> She nods, "Oh, do you live around here? I..." she blushes a touch, "well, I think I'm a little lost. Could you tell me what street this is? I've been walking for awhile looking for a sign, but I haven't run into one. And the GPS on my phone isn't working for some reason. I think this might be a deadzo..." then she just stares at Hikari, "um, excuse me?"
* Nagare coughs. "Believe me, this is a very sensible question to ask in here if you don't exactly understand where you are."
> She takes a couple steps back away from you, "Um...right. You know, I think...maybe I'll just keep going? Sorry to bother you..."
<Mykasi> "... " Mike practically stumbles for a moment before looking back up. "Where are you trying to go, ma'am?" he asks, shooting the professor and Hikari both a Look.
* Hikari is skilled in the way of capitalized Looks and returns one of her own!
* Nagare shrugs.
> "Just to a bus station." She doesn't bolt, but looks decidedly nervous, "So maybe you could just tell me if this street has one further down?"
* Mykasi advances a bit further ahead of the other two. "I think it does, yeah. We're heading in that direction ourselves. Oh, sorry, forgot to introduce myself. I'm Mike."
* Hikari hangs back with the professor. "I thought it was a valid question," she says udner her breath.
* Nagare shrugs lightly once again. "A little bit of savvy can do one good around this place."
> "Tachakara." She responds, the half formal tone telling you she hasn't offered her given name. But as Mike takes another step forward, she takes another one backwards.
* Mykasi rubs his head slightly and stops where he is. "My apologies. It's just... been a rather long day for us three. We were visiting the Kana Family Hospital - know it?"
> "Visiting..." she has a rather skeptical tone as she repeats the word, but nods, "I know of it, yes."
<Mykasi> "Yeah, I know." Mike says with a wry grin, giving a meaningful glance back at the other two. "Let's just say the visit frazzled those two a bit more than they wanted. Outside of the person I wanted to visit, a few people got... uh, kinda unfriendly."
> (OOC: Gonna call for a fast talk roll here, see if you can calm her down a bit)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 Hatebot or Civilbot? Don't make me punch you, Halminion
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 Hatebot or Civilbot? Don't make me punch you, Halminion and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> Tachakara looks at you suspiciously for another moment, then relaxes a touch, "I'm...sorry to hear that. I've been walking out this way a few times, but I always try to avoid that place for a reason. Gives me the creeps just to be near it."
* Mykasi rolls his eyes. "Yeah, tell me about it. I don't go there unless I have to, but... I wanted to visit Shou." Shaking his head, "That place is damn creepy, tho, yeah."
> "Right. So...can you tell me what street this is? I don't recognize it all. And maybe how to get back to Autumn St. from here?"
* Mykasi thinks for a moment, before glancing to Hikari and Nagare. "Hey, either of you remember where Autumn Street is from the Hospital road?" Then to Tachakara, "Sorry, my reading comprehension isn't that good."
* Nagare scratches his head. "Autumn Street is the street that... houses the gas station we parked on, actually. Which means...," the teacher takes a lengthy pause.
<Mykasi> "We passed it?" Mike blinks twice at this. "Oh, geez."
* Nagare ponders. "We could give her the equivalent directions or be blunt. Don't think either will accomplish worlds."
> She looks back and forth between the two men, "So...it's back that way?" she points back the way you all came from, "Or am I missing something?"
<Mykasi> "Nnngh." Mike rubs his head with a slight frown, before looking back to Tachakara. "It's... yeah, kinda. Outta curiousity, how tired were you this morning?"
<Hikari> "I would prefer to be blunt, as usual, but you're right," Hikari says to Nagare. "It likely wouldn't accomplish much."
> The suspicious look returns, and she eyes Mike, "What...does that have to do with anything?"
* Mykasi sighs. "Okay. The road back that way has a Korean restaraunt - the owner's not that friendly, though, honestly, but once you're there you'll be where Autumn Road should be. And frankly, I asked the question - and they asked their weirder questions - because we usually don't see other people on this road because this is a dream, ma'am. Waking up, as such, will likely get you to your destination faster." (More)
<Mykasi> "I realize you're probably going to think all three of us are weird now, but... it's kinda awkward to ask someone if they're dreaming, no? So you can go back to the Korean restaraunt and see for yourself, or try to wake up now. Either way, stay safe, alright? You're a good person and I don't want anything to happen to you." And with that, Mike stands to the side of the road to let her pass without getting close to him.
> She stares at you for a moment, before pulling out her phone and messing with it some...then scowling and putting it back in her pocket, "Uh...right. Sure, I'll go do that. A restarant should have a landline anyway," she mutters that last as she moves over to the other side of the street to get wide clearance around you all and goes past, keeping her eyes on you the whole time.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike grimaces, before... tossing the illusion of a humongous fluffy teddy bear in front of her.
* Hikari can't help but feel her credibility has been compromised somehow by the girl's reaction...which makes Mike's shenanigans for once welcome.
> "Oh god!" she freaks out as something suddenly appears in front of her and practically jumps back...while very quickly pulling out a small spray can she had stashed on her somewhere.
<Mykasi> "Well, you are in a dream." Mike says, stepping back from Mrs. Happy Spray himself. "I don't think a huge stuffed teddy bear would show up in the middle of a road otherwise."
> She now looks flat out paniced as she backs off the road a few steps, while trying to simultaneously face all three of you and the bear, "I...what...what do you mean this is a dream?"
* Nagare scratches his head, remarking snidely. "You are sleeping. You are in a dream. When you wake up, you'll be back to the normal world and all the typical issues that come with it. I mean, you -do- realize people dream, correct?"
<Mykasi> "You're sleeping, imagining the trip you need to take, I think." Mike says calmly, stepping back a bit as well to give her some room as the bear starts... shrinking. "Nothing more, really-" A glance to the professor. "Oh, come off it. This would be incredibly bizarre for anyone, you can lay off just a bit."
<Hikari> "The explanation will be a rather lengthy one. It's best if you calm down, however--it would be hazardous to become more lost than you already are in this place. Dreams aren't normally such a disturbing thing, are they? Please try to relax."
> She shakes her head, "I don't understand how I could be dreaming. I remember waking up, I remember having breakfast, I remember all of today and then going out for a walk to get away from things for awhile, getting lost...and winding up on this wierd road with no signs and now you're here and..." she stops to breathe a bit, "I don't...I don't HAVE dreams like this, okay?"
<Hikari> "Pardon me for a moment, miss. We are trying to help, I assure you." To the others: "Do you think it possible she is actually awake after all? Not everyone accesses the Dream in the same manner, as we know from experience."
<Nagare> "She could be -awake-, yes. There is no denying that she is in the Dream, but she could not be sleeping. Strange distinction."
<Hikari> "The events she's described are rather comprehensive for a dream. I think it's possible."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike cocks his head. "Most people don't, honestly. Do you think you took a nap or something? Uh, what was the last familiar signpost you saw?" Then, to Hikari: "...if she is... well, this place isn't safe for us, even."
> She takes a few deep breaths to try and calm herself, and it seems to work though she still has a deathgrip on her little can of mace, "I didn't take a nap, no. I don't take naps ever. And I remember being on Autumn Street, I saw the sign for the highway ramp before I went off the road a bit into the woods. Who...are you people?"
<Hikari> "Hikari Ishigami. I'm a student at Hokuriku University."
* Nagare scratches his head. "... this has taken a turn to the mightily awkward. Nagare Suiren, Law Theory teacher at Hokuriku Uni."
<Mykasi> "We're... dreamers. We try to help people who seem to be caught here." Mike rubs his head. "Again, Mike. Another Hokuriku U student, part-time spent here."
> She shakes her head, "Okay, that's even weirder. I went to Kanazawa U, not Hokuriku, why would I dream about people from there? That doesn't make any sense."
* Mykasi rubs his head again. "This is a dream- but it's a communal one, if that makes sense. Everyone can catch... glimpses of this place? If I remember how it works right. But it's rare for anyone to be here like you are right now."
<Hikari> "We are, if you like, sharing this particular dream."
> Tachakara slumps a bit, "This is starting to sound way too much like that mystical crap my roommate likes. Okay, so...assuming I believe you...which I have no idea if I do or not, what...just what's going on? Why is this happening to me? And what are you doing here?"
<Mykasi> An awkward grin. "I'll start with the last first. We were here to check on the Kana Family Memorial Hospital - and that place is not only creepy but dangerous here in the Dream. Your intuition was right."
<Hikari> "I hate to admit it, miss, but some of that mystical crap has turned out to be accurate. I was not substantially more pleased by this revelation than you are. We are, at present...exploring, I suppose. As for why you are here? It's difficult to say why certain people are able to find their way here and remain lucid. This is one thing we hope to determine through our explorations."
* Mykasi sits down on the path, just to make himself appear less threatening. "As for what's going on... well, hopefully we can get you back to the real world somehow."
> She nods a bit numbly, then sighs and looks over at Hikari, "It's Noa. Noa Tachakara. And...I guess that makes your first question make sense."
<Hikari> "Yes. I apologize for the awkwardness it caused, but it's not common for us to actually meet other humans here."
<Mykasi> "Yeah... There's some weird stuff here. It's why we were cautious at first. Our apologies for weirding you out, but... yeah."
> "So..." she looks around a bit, the grip on her mace finally seeming to relax a touch, "uh, what now?"
<Nagare> "Now, we try to figure what the heck is going on with your situation, I'd gather."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike rubs his head. "Therein lies the problem. I don't know. If you aren't dreaming... maybe we can get you out with the Velvet Key?"
> "Are your phones screwed up, too?" she then remembers to ask, "Mine has been telling me stuff like it's negative two o'clock or blue-thirty or something, and the GPS is even worse. Is that normal around here?"
<Nagare> "Yes."
<Mykasi> "Yeah, it is." Mike nods. "Our phones don't work right here either. Since there's, you know, no phone towers in a dream."
<Hikari> "I'm not sure what's next. The way we came here may not work for you. Not everyone uses the same means to access the Dream. We could try retracing your steps--you'd be safer in our company, at least. As for 'normal,' well, the word has little meaning in the Dream most times."
<Nagare> "Little? That's a remarkable euphemism considering."
* Mykasi inhales and stands back up. "How long have you been walking on this path?"
> Noa nods, "Okay, so...I came from that way," she points back the way you came, "I'd just wandered off Autumn for a bit, then made my way back to where I thought Autumn was, and wound up on this road. I'm not sure I could point out where i came out on though. And," she consideres Mike's question, "gimme a second."
* Mykasi nods slightly.
> She pulls out her music player, then messes with it, "At least this is working normally. Okay so I remember what was playing when I got on this road, and that was...looks like five songs back, so lemme add the times up...about twenty-three minutes plus however long we've been talking."
<Mykasi> "Okay. So you can't have been here long..." Mike hums, before glancing to the Professor, and then back to Noa. "Okay, something else is going to appear out of thin air here, but he's on our side." Then, to Nagare: "Any chance Abartach knows the way?"
<Nagare> "I could try."
* Nagare does turn to Mykasi before calling for Abartach, though. "I don't know if this will take her to where she -wants- to be, though. But it's better than nothing," he finishes, calling for Abartach's pathfinding.
<Mykasi> "It's worth a shot. I hope."
> The slight jingle of the bell-tone steps of Abartach's steed are heard before the warlock himself appears, simply riding from the woods as if he originiated there rather then in Nagare's mind. Taking in the situation, he frowns a bit, 13"For her? I don't know if I can show her the Way. Nor do I think I can show her Way to you."1 He looks back and forth between Nagare and Noa before quietly asking, 13"Shall I try regardless?"
* Nagare raises an eyebrow, whispering back. "Do you have any confidence it may work? Experiment is a spice of life, but I wouldn't want to put her in a bigger predicament unless the odds are worth bothering."
> 13"It...may."1 Abartach says, after consideration, 13"But I would not call myself confident. Should I attempt to show her the Way...it may break her mind. And it may break mine to attempt to show you the Way of another."
* Nagare shakes his head. "This probably isn't worth trying, then. We don't want to give the upper hand to variables in the Dream. Might we just try backtracking to the Korean restaurant and hope the Velvet Key may work?"
<Mykasi> "Seems our best bet." Mike nods sadly.
<Hikari> "I think it the safest option, yes."
* Nagare nods. "It should be simple to at least take the way back, since it was mostly a straight line."
> Noa looks at Abartach a bit apprehensively, "Um...so is he like a magic dream guide or something?"
<Mykasi> "That's... a simplified version of looking at it, yeah." Mike nods. "His name's Abartach. As I said, friendly."
<Hikari> "In a manner of speaking."
<Nagare> "It's a bit more complicated than that, but we don't particularly care for complicated at this juncture. So, shall we move back?"
<Hikari> "Yes. The Dream seems rather placed here at the moment, but who knows when that will change? Let's not waste time."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "Onward, then."
> Noa looks around, "You make it sound like monsters randomly jump out of the woods at you.
> "
> But she follows along.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike opts to say nothing at first, before, "Best to be careful."
* Nagare coughs somberly. "Funny of you to say that."
> And so, you all about face and head back towards the korean restaraunt.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 57."12 [1d100=57]
> Fortunately, it seems to be content to remain quiet. Though it does feel a bit colder here then it did earlier. Eventually, you return to the...giant television? No longer a korean place, nor a mushroom house, the building is now an ancient box style television the size of a small building. With a door right in the bottom-center of the screen.
<Mykasi> "... Okay now this Dream's just getting silly." Mike frowns. "Prof, you've got the key, right?"
<Hikari> "I liked it better when it was a mushroom."
* Nagare nods. "Always handy. And I don't know, this television has its charm."
> Noa eyes the place, "So...this was a restaraunt? Or was it a mushroom?" she looks at Hikari.
* Nagare picks up the key, wondering for a moment. "You know, have you wondered if the mutability of this particular building is inherent to it rather than the Dream?"
<Mykasi> "Mushroom the first time, restaraunt second, this third." Mike says, before glancing to Nagare. "... I don't follow. How could we even tell?"
<Hikari> "It's been something different every time we walked by." She frowns. "Which is fairly unusual even here, isn't it? There surely are some stable locations, after all."
<Nagare> "And there is a pattern to which places change or remain and -how-."
<Mykasi> "Key first, philosophy later."
> Noa just looks back and forth between you all, but doesn't say anything else.
<Hikari> "I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll never need to try and make sense of this."
* Nagare frowns. "Fine, fine," he says as he opens the door in the center of that television. "Brace yourselves."
> The key works, and opens the usual spinning portal!
> Noa blinks at it, "Staring at that could make you dizzy fast."
<Nagare> "That's why we enter it quickly, usually. Try interacting with the door, please?"
<Mykasi> "Yeah. It's a bit crazy. Care to see if you can go in?"
<Hikari> "It's best to walk through and get it over with quickly. Well, best for us. I am not certain whether it will react to you at all."
> "Um..." she balks a bit, "Would...one of you go in first? Please? Just for my peace of mind here."
<Mykasi> "...Sure." Mike nods slightly, advancing to the door!
> Mike vanishes through the door. Noa stares at it, then closes her eyes, "I can't believe I'm about to do this..." and walks into the door! And vanishes through it.
* Nagare nods to Hikari and enters the door as well. "Let's find out if this works."
* Hikari follows as well.
> (OOC: One Scene Change~ One Scene Change~)
> The Velvet Room is blue! What else is new? It contains an Igor, a Theresa, and a Mike! But no Noa.
* Mykasi glances to the two, before frowning. "Wait, why'd you guys come in? Noa still out there?" Then to Theresa, "You two have a clue what's going on?"
> Theresa shakes her head, "None."
<Mykasi> "Charming." Then back to Nagare and Hikari, "Well? Did you guys leave her out there or something?"
* Nagare blinks. "She -entered- this door."
<Hikari> "She entered right after you."
<Mykasi> "Fuck." Mike says simply.
<Hikari> "Perhaps one of us should step out briefly and see if she's returned after finding herself alone somewhere without us?"
<Mykasi> "Yeah, probably wise. I'll do that." Mike nods, heading to the door.
> M: Mike steps back out! It's still the TV at least. No sign of Noa anywhere.
* Mykasi checks to see if the portal to the Velvet Room is still there.
> M: The door hadn't been shut from either side, so yes, it's still there.
<Mykasi> "Argh." Mike grimaces, hoping this wasn't a horrible mistake.
<Mykasi> After a moment, he heads back through the portal.
> Mike comes back into the Velvet Room!
<Hikari> "Nothing?"
<Mykasi> "Not there." Mike shakes his head. "Maybe she went straight to real world because she doesn't have need of this place?"
> Igor frowns, and rests his nose on his hands, "Hmm. Quite curious indeed."
<Nagare> "That could be. It is bizarre that awake, normal humans would enter the Dream like that, though... quite bizarre."
<Hikari> "We can only hope so. At least we know her full name--we can make a thorough search in the real world as soon as we return? I'd be very alarmed if she went...somewhere else."
<Mykasi> "Are we honestly surprised?" Mike throws his hands up into the air. "I'm sorry to ask, but... uh, Prof, could I ask for the key? I wanna check outside this place to see if she's out there."
* Nagare hands the Key to Mykasi. "Feel free."
<Mykasi> "Thanks. Igor, sorry for the switch in and out, but could you swap it for us, please?"
> Igor nods, waves his hands, and the door glows a moment. "The door will now return you to the human world."
<Mykasi> "Thanks." Mike says, taking the door out!
<Hikari> "Nothing like this has happened, in your experience?" Hikari says to the Velvet Room's residents as Mike exits. "Normal people finding themselves in the Dream by accident?"
* Nagare scratches his head. "That earns an explanation, yes."
> M: Mike exits again, finding himself back inside the gas station. The attendant, a different one then before, blinks as he sees you, "Woah, uh, sorry, I didn't see you there. Anything I can help you with today?"
<Mykasi> "Sorry, I'm naturally quiet. Uh, have you seen a young woman, headphones, nice warm coat, backpack?"
> H/N: Igor shakes his head, "It is difficult to say at this time, I'm afraid. I will need to research a bit into this incident before I can say."
> H/N: Theresa chimes in, "Even then, don't hold your breath he'll actually SAY."
* Nagare shakes his head with a quaint smile. "That's one of the reasons you are around, remember."
> M: The guy shakes his head, "Uh, no. You supposed to be meeting someone here or something?"
<Mykasi> "Kinda, yeah. She got lost and I tried to direct her here, but... bah. Should've got her number." Mike quickly glances around for a bottle of water to buy.
> M: It's a gas station, plenty of bottled water and other such stuff. The guy just shrugs and rings you up, doesn't try to chat any further.
<Mykasi> "Thanks." Mike nods. "Uh, if someone by that description comes in, tell her to get in touch with me? I've got something to return to her is why we were gonna try to meet up here." Mike says, handing him a slip with his number on it.
> H/N: Igor shakes his head, "Though you may find it inconvenient, proffesor, my purpose at this time is to provide your access to the Dream and some small guidance. But not to interefere. With many questions, the answers cross the line from guidance to interferance, especially when there are other persona users who have no access to the Velvet Room at all."
> M: The guy nods, takes the slip and puts it next to the register.
* Nagare shakes his head. "You respond rather poorly to sardonic remarks. I was in jest."
<Hikari> "Not everyone shares your sense of humor, professor."
> H/N: Theresa chuckles, "Your deadpan's as good as mine, it's pretty hard to tell."
<Mykasi> "Thanks." Mike says, with a wave goodbye... and a glance back to the door to see if it's spinny mode.
> M: Nope. The door is closed behind you.
<Mykasi> "Oh. Is there a bathroom around the outside of the building somewhere?" Mike asks, hoping it's something like American gas stations that way.
> H/N: Igor shakes his head again, "My comment also served as a much needed reminder to my assistant."
> M: The attendant nods, "Yeah, the code for the lock is 7-7-5-4. It's on the left side."
<Mykasi> "Alright, thanks." Mike nods and heads out that way!
> H/N: Theresa just grins.
* Nagare coughs, grinning subtly as he hides his smile behind his palm.
> M: The bathroom is there, as he said it would be.
* Mykasi puts the passcode in and heads in, before turning around immediately after closing the door and using the Velvet Key!
> Mike walks back into the Velvet Room!
<Mykasi> "Not there, either." Mike slumps.
<Nagare> "I have to wonder what -was- that, then. We'll have to search for Noa's signs in the real world."
<Hikari> "Oh, hell," Hikari swears. "I'm not comfortable leaving this unresolved. Shall we go back home and make every possible effort to find her through phone or internet and verify her return?"
<Mykasi> "... Can we check the Dream one final time? Maybe she's back out now that the door's closed once." Mike asks.
<Hikari> "Go ahead. It shouldn't take longer, after all."
* Nagare shrugs. "Feel free."
> Igor shifts the door back, gives Mike a nod when it's done.
<Mykasi> "Thanks." Mike says, stepping out one last time.
> M: Mike steps back out...and finds himself squeezing out of an access panel on the side of the TV building.
<Mykasi> "Figures." Mike grunts, checking around the front. "NOAAAAAAAA?"
> M: There is no reply to Mike's yelling.
<Mykasi> "..." A soft whimper involuntarily chokes out of Mike's throat before he shakes his head and checks inside the door of the TV.
<Mykasi> OOC: Front door, sorry.
> M: You open the door of the TV building. There are...people inside. And they look like they're in the middle of...filming a scene? A short, hairy man with a huge round nose and super thick sunglasses looks over at the door as you open it, "Huh? What is this, I didn't call for any extras! Cut, cut, cut!"
<Mykasi> "Sorry, sorry! I'm looking for a Mrs. Noa Tachakara?" Mike asks, looking around quickly.
> He hops down off the contraption he was standing on and practically waddles over to Mike, "Hey buddy, what's going on here, huh? Can't you see we're in the middle of something?"
> The director looks back over his shoulder, "Hey, we got a Noa Tachakara in here?"
> The actors and filming crew all look at eachother then shake thier heads.
> The director looks back at you, "Well she ain't in here. Now beat it, we've got a scene to shoot."
<Mykasi> "Fuck. Sorry about that. Tell her to stick around outside if she shows up, alright? Thanks." And with that, Mike closes the door and then slowly walks over to the access panel and re-enters the Velvet Room.
> Mike returns to the Velvet Room again.
<Hikari> "Still nothing?"
<Mykasi> "No." Mike groans. "Let's go home and search. Sorry about all this, I thought it might be a good idea..."
<Hikari> "It was worth a try. But yes, let's return home and see what we can find."
> Igor changes the door back yet again.
<Nagare> "I guess we should go, then."
* Mykasi waves to the two, before, "Oh, and I had to key from the bathroom. ...may want to hold your nose." And with that, he exits.
* Nagare deflates slightly. "I hope the Key is amicable to soap and water."
* Hikari opts to hold her breath altogether as she steps through!
* Nagare follows behind with a sigh.
> (OOC: If you could only Scene, the Change you made of me~)
> Mike steps back out into the bathroom! Meanwhile, Nagare and Hikari step back into the gas station from the front, exactly where they entered the Dream from.
> The attendant looks up, "Huh? Oh, man, I'm out of it today. Sorry, uh, is there anything I can help you two with?"
* Mykasi heads back out, and walks around to the front of the store again.
<Mykasi> But doesn't go in, instead waiting for Hikari and the prof. to notice him, a somewhat self-annoyed grin on his face.
<Hikari> "I think we were lost, but I've just remembered where we needed to go. Apologies." Hikari spins around and leaves.
* Nagare glances at Mykasi and coughs, pretending he didn't see the youngster, following Hikari behind.
> You all gather outside of the gas station again. It's getting fairly late, well past what a normal dinner time would be.
<Mykasi> "Didn't expect to see you all here." Mike says drily. "So... split up from here, look for a way to try and contact her?"
<Nagare> "Makes the most sense."
<Hikari> "Yes. I'm going straight home and intent to start as soon as I get there. Starting with the usual--phone books, internet searches."
<Mykasi> "Right. Drive the way, Prof." Mike nods slightly.
* Nagare shrugs. "I could've been a chauffeur instead of a lawyer," he deadpans as he gets into the car.
<Mykasi> "Yeah, the former would've been more constructive toward society."
* Nagare rolls eyes. "It's still more constructive than building giant robots for anime shows."
<Nagare> "... or Literature."
<Mykasi> "Even if that was what I was going to do - which I'm not - at least I'd be inspiring kids to go into science." Mike glares.
> OOC: Okay, so what's the plan then? All head back to your respective residences then do searches, I gather? If so, tell me how you're searching and I'll tell you what to roll, then I'll tell you what you find and we can Scene Change to Monday?
<Mykasi> OOC: I think I need to crash soon. So can we roll for the searches and then pause for the night?
<Nagare> OOC: Same here.
> OOC: Alright, that works. So just describe what kind of searching you're doing and I'll have you roll.
<Mykasi> OOC: Mike would first dig around for a Noa Tachakara in records, especially Kana U records. Leave the phone book to people better with kanji.
<Nagare> OOC: Internet phone searches regarding Noa Tachakara or similar names.
<Hikari> As soon as she gets home, Hikari tracks down a city phone book to search for any Noa Tachakaras. If that doesn't pan out, it's time to run an internet search on the name, look around social networking sites and the like.
> OOC: Is mike sticking to public records, or breaking out the hacking?
<Mykasi> Mike... would do some hacking if he felt he could get away with it on a system, but otherwise stay legal for the moment.
> OOC: Alright, computer checks for Mike and Nagare, straight Mind for Hikari
<Nagare> roll 2d8 computahs
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 computahs and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 compcompcomp
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 compcompcomp and gets 14."12 [2d8=6, 8]
<Hikari> roll 2d6 why can't I give Mike a reroll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d6 why can't I give Mike a reroll and gets 6."12 [2d6=2, 4]

[VySaika]

> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Monday afternoon. Getting through classes today had been somewhat difficult with the horror that was the Kana Family Memorial Hospital and the problem with Noa Tachakara's vanishing still very fresh in mind. But the three Persona users managed to struggle through somehow and have all gotten on a conferance call to share what they'd managed to find and plan thier next step.
<Mykasi> Mike is at his computer after classes, glaring at his screen as if it had just betrayed him. "Kana U's a brick wall. I can get around it, but I'd rather not, you know? You guys flip anything up?"
* Nagare flips through pages of essays to grade at his office, seeming somewhat disgruntled. "Yes and no on a cursory glance. There are at least fourteen Tachakara households listed in the surroundings, but none of them seem to have Noa as a listed first name anywhere. Which may be worth looking into."
<Hikari> "I turned up a HeadSpace account, but little more. I can see little in the way of detail there without being marked as a friend of hers. I suppose I could request such if we wish to send her a message? That assumes she got back, of course. I do know she has a sister named Maya, who is a noted model. Perhaps she has a publib blog of some sort as well? It would surely mention her sister disappearing, if Noa didn't return."
<Hikari> *public
<Mykasi> "Birth records may be worth checking into. If something's obviously missing..." Mike mutters before listening to Hikari. "Huh. It... might be worth it, even if just to explain a bit more what happened?"
<Mykasi> "Maya Tachakara..." Mike hums, before quickly searching for that.
> OOC: Comp roll, of course
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 Ma-ya~!
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 Ma-ya~! and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
> A quick search on Maya Tachakara doesn't turn up much in the way of blogs or anything, but instead sites for various fashion shows she's part of, a site taking about her guest appearance on some tv show for a single episode, and various other things about her career like that. Oh, and lots of pictures. She definately seems to be able to make it as a model for a reason.
<Mykasi> "Hot. But not finding anything about a blog." Mike deadpans. "Again, might be the kanji failure issue kicking in..."
<Hikari> "Well, it's possible that as a public figure she takes extra care to keep her personal life private."
<Mykasi> "Possible." Mike concedes. "I'll look into it more later."
* Nagare coughs. "That certainly makes sense. It takes a bit of a degenerate celebrity to carelessly exacerbate publicity in an environment such as the internet. I do wonder, though."
<Mykasi> "Alright. So what's our next step?" Mike offers up.
<Hikari> "That's all I found, at any rate. I can continue to monitor Noa's account for udpates...Actually, I believe I will make an account and see if a friend request provokes any response. Certainly she'd have questions if she did come back and don't we as well? Beyond that, shall we continue where we left off in the Dream?"
<Mykasi> "Probably best - but which leaving-off? Checking in on Master Frost or the asylum?"
<Nagare> "We keep looking - probably under Maya's lead. I have a bad feeling regarding Noa, and feel we -definitely- need to go into this further."
* Mykasi curses under his breath. "Alright. Hikari, you do that, I'll look into leads through Maya. But regarding the dream, what are we aiming for right now?
* Mykasi begins fine-tuning his search as he types.
<Hikari> "I believe the relevant question is: are we comfortable returning to the asylum again so soon?" Hikari asks as she generates a HeadSpace account.
<Nagare> "I don't think -quite- yet, although that's hardly only relevant to me. I wouldn't be surprised if the asylum connected to a few other strange happenings in this city now that we've actually seen it, but we barely got out of it and managed to stumble into yet another event we need to tend to..."
<Hikari> This done, Hikari sends a friend request to Noa. "There, request sent. I'm not sure there's more I can do than wait on her now."
<Nagare> "Well, there are always the fourteen households with the Tachakara name in them. With Maya as a filter, this would probably get easier to nail down."
<Hikari> "Possible. give it a try?"
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 check check
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 check check and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
<Mykasi> "I'm... turning up a whole lot of nothing. Is the "Ya" syllable the character with a dogtail, or the one that looks kinda like a retarded fish?"
<Hikari> "...Mike, what?"
* Nagare checks further. ".... mmmmmyeah, one of the results -does- bring up Maya Tachakara. We have a phone number, then - Mykasi, I suspect you may need a bit more rest than you have been getting lately. This routine can't do good to your mental health."
<Mykasi> "The 'ya' in Maya. What the hell does the character look like?" Mike grouses.
<Hikari> "We *could* call, though I would guess that, being a successful model, Maya lives on her own and is accustomed to screening out unknown callers."
<Nagare> "I believe it's just more plausible to etch a home address from this start and we'll figure out what to do from there."
<Mykasi> "Probably, yeah. Should I leave that to you two, then?"
<Nagare> "Well, since I began this line of searching, I figure I'll take it to the end."
<Mykasi> "And... can you nail down why you have a bad feeling about this, Prof?"
<Nagare> "I just wonder if we didn't... well, cause the girl to disappear. This whole affair feels like a prelude to something far bigger than what we've seen so far, and we need to tie the loose ends here if we don't want to put any other instances of this in jeopardy. Let's say I'm becoming more paranoid."
<Mykasi> "Oh, so it's just the general shitty feeling I've got from this entire thing. Gotcha."
<Nagare> "I suspect we're rubbing off on each other. This may or may not be a disaster in the making."
<Mykasi> "So I'm turning you into a real man, am I?"
<Hikari> "She hasn't vanished in the manner of the previous disappeared, remember. Her account still exists on the internet. She went *somewhere* and she can be found."
<Mykasi> "The question is... waitasecond." Mike says, before putting the phone down.
<Mykasi> After a second, "Seiryu said to attach a message to a dog to get in contact with Vandal, and Vandal's good with divinations. Maybe it could find Noa?"
<Nagare> "If she's in the Dreamscapes still, that's a good bet."
<Mykasi> "Guh." Mike mutters. "Let's drop by Frost's in the Dream, and then go look for a dog to give a message?"
<Nagare> "Makes as much sense as anything else. May as well work on all fronts."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says, prewriting the message... and then thinking for a moment, before checking the neverwas'd list of people online. If he can find it.
> OOC: Another comp roll. Good luck.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 ahahaha
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 ahahaha and gets 7."12 [2d8=2, 5]
> As Mike starts searching for it, it's not in any of the spots he's found it before. Which means it's either down right now, or it's got a new spot and he'll have to spend an hour or two trying to find it again.
<Mykasi> "Guh. I'll search for that when we get back. Let's go." Mike mutters. "Meet you all at Satomi Tadashi so we can jump straight to Frost?" he offers as he finishes writing the letter.
<Nagare> "Sure. Do we start humming the song now?"
<Hikari> "No. Please don't do it at all."
* Nagare begins humming.
* Hikari hangs up.
* Mykasi hums a few bars with the professor, before laughing. "I'll turn you to the dark side yet."
<Mykasi> And with that, he hangs up and heads out.
* Nagare closes the cellphone with a snicker, humming the tune still. "... damn it."
> (OOC: Are you in the mood to have the biggest Scene Change party anywhere in the wooooooooooorrrrrlld~)
> A bit later, the three wind up near the Satomi Tadashi store, with the cursed music already stuck in thier heads thanks to Nagare. Speaking of the proffessor, he's the last to arrive, with Mike and Hikari already loitering around near the store waiting for him in the chill.
<Hikari> "You are solely responsible for whatever deficient mental state I find myself in this afternoon, professor," hikari says with a glare.
<Mykasi> "We going to check for soma again as our excuse?'
<Hikari> "We may as well? If we're lucky there will be some. If not, we leave in disappointment."
* Nagare scratches his head, glancing at Mykasi. "May as well. We honestly could use a few more pills - although I'm sure we could find -anything- to be our excuse."
<Nagare> "Including Hikari's hypotetical dementia, but I believe she's fairly vaccinated to the Satomi Tadashi theme song by now."
<Mykasi> "Eh. I figured out a song that sticks in my head better." Mike shrugs.
<Hikari> "Please don't tell us, Mike. I don't think I want to know." Hikari enters the store.
* Nagare follows behind Hikari. "I'm actually intrigued and disturbed, but I figure this will be irrelevant as soon as we enter."
* Mykasi hums to himself as he follows the two in.
> You enter the store! It's very bright inside, as usual. And blessedly warm, or at least warmer then it is out there. And of course, the theme is going. There's a different salesman in there today, an older man with a shiny shaved head and a sylishly long zen-master looking beard.
> He simply nods politely as you enter instead of accosting you with sales pitches.
* Mykasi nods politely in return.
* Hikari almost has to stop and look around. Are they in the right store? Well, they must be, if the music's there. Well, whatever. Best get things over with quickly. She walks up to the man and politely inquires about recent soma deliveries.
* Nagare nods and pokes Mykasi. "I think we might want to dig the stocks once again. This place never fails to disappoint."
<Mykasi> "Sure. Worth a shot." And with that, Mike begins looking in the other direction from last time.
> "Hohoho!" the old man laughs in response, "You are just too late I am afraid. I had some on the shelf this morning but I am afraid it was gone by lunch. My sincerest apologies, young lady."
* Nagare splits from Mike, looking a bit into the fuller stocks.
<Hikari> "No need to apologize. I should have been here earlier. Thank you for your time." Hikari rejoins her teammates.
* Nagare shuffles and eyes Hikari. "Think we could arrange for them to save some Soma for us next batch, Hikari?"
> OOC: roll it if you're actually looking for strange things, or don't if you're just killing time.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 why not
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 why not and gets 7."12 [2d8=1, 6]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 yeah, Mike's checking
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 yeah, Mike's checking and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
<Hikari> "I believe we asked, professor, and the proprietors did not prove amenable to reserving the product for individual customers."
> You don't find anything that's extremely stand-out. Just the normal assortment of bizzare medicines.
* Nagare shrugs. "Oh well. There's always next visit."
* Mykasi picks out one generically branded for "energy" (and cheap) and goes to pay for it.
* Hikari nods, dons an expression of suitable disappointment, and makes to leave as soon as the others are ready and seemingly unobserved.
> Mike buys a cheap energy suppliment pill. The man rings you up without a fuss or trying to push additional product on you, simply a very calm aura of professionalism.
<Mykasi> With a thankful smile, Mike meets the other two at the door. "Key?"
* Nagare nods firmly, grasping the key in his pocket. "Ready as soon as you are."
* Mykasi shrugs.
* Nagare picks up the key and opens the door with it. "Shall we?"
> The key fits and the door opens into the swirling portal!
* Mykasi nods and heads through... with a glance back at the salesclerk...
* Hikari flees the dreadful song with all due haste, if not so much dignity.
* Nagare quickly steps into the swirl.
> He's watching you all with a slightly quirked eyebrow.
<Mykasi> Mike's momentum doesn't quite stooooop~
> (OOC: We're the Scenes of it all, the Change we were born now~)
> And you step into the Dream. The street outside of Master Frost's Emporium is about how it usually looks, this being one of the stable locations in the Greater Dreamscape. The Vermillion Glow across the street also looks as it always does, with it's nice Victorian construction...and tacky neon sign.
<Nagare> "What was the Vermillion Glow's equivalent in the human realm again? It always feels odd to have a convenience shop strapped so close to an open cabaret."
<Mykasi> "Iunno." Mike shrugs.
<Nagare> "Anyhow, into the store?"
<Hikari> "I can't recall. I'll look when we return to the real world. Onwards for now, yes."
* Mykasi nods and heads on in!
> Inside, Master Frost is...disco dancing with a couple of pixies in the middle of the floor. There's even a disco ball and strobe lights going. He's got some pretty good moves for a little snowman-demon-thing too! After a second, one of the pixies sees you all and taps him on the shoulder, causing Frost to look over, nod, then pull a remote control out from under his hat.(more)
> He hits a button on the controller, which stops the music, kills the strobe lights and retracts the disco ball into the cieling. Then he pats one of the pixies on the thigh as he walks past them towards you all, giving you a cheerful greeting, "Hee there, hos!"
<Hikari> "Greetings," is Hikari's perfectly neutral reply.
* Mykasi is -so- trying and failing to keep a straight face about this. "Heya. Any news?"
> "Sure is, ho," he nods and hops up onto the counter so he's more at eye level, "Didn't you get the message I left with nozuchee?"
* Nagare stares blankly at the ceiling. "I'm trying to pretend I didn't see this. 'Staying Alive' of all things?"
<Hikari> "I'm afraid we haven't seen him for a while."
<Mykasi> "Sadly, no. We've been avoiding that area for a bit - haven't been able to drop in and notify you, either."
> One of the pixies pouts, "Froooosty, how long is this going to take?"
> Master Frost starts to answer you when the pixie whines, so he tosses them a couple of coins and says "I got buisiness to do, ya hee? Go get yourselves something sweet."
> They make a couple of sad faces, but scurry out as instructed.
> "Any-ho," he turns his attention back towards the three of you, "one of my agents says he's turned up some hee on this chilly problem of yours. Lemme call him in here."
<Mykasi> "Ho a."
* Hikari refrains from rolling her eyes at the pixies' brattiness, though it takes some effort.
> Frost picks up a phone, mutters into it, then puts it back down. Not a full minute later, the door opens and in walks...another little snowman-demon-thing. This one dressed head to toe in black, with a black cape, neat little hat...and even black sideburns.
> The newcomer gives Master Frost a nod, "This about that case, hee?"
> Master Frost nods backm, "These are the clients, ho. Give 'em your report."
> The one in black turns to the three of you, "The name's Raihee, ho. Er," he shakes his head, "I mean, Raiho, hee. Just to confirm, the problem was that there is an unnatural amount of cold in your world right now, ho? And you want to hee what's going on with it?"
<Hikari> "That's correct."
<Mykasi> "... Yes." Mike says through a wide grin.
* Nagare stops staring at the ceiling for a moment. "Ahem. Correct."
> "Ho-kay," Raiho nods, "Well, as far as I can hee, it's cold because there's less heat then usual."
<Mykasi> "...and is this being caused by any unnatural systems?"
* Nagare deflates, refraining from commenting further.
> "I think the heat's being used, hee. Like energy. I couldn't tell you for what though." Raiho frowns a bit, "It's not easy to hee into things going on out there right now."
<Nagare> "Wait, so you have a location to pinpoint?"
<Hikari> "Someone is diverting the usual amount of background heat into...something else, or some other place? How is that even possible?"
> Raiho shakes his head, "Around your region. I can't pinpoint a specific place, ho. And no, not diverting. Using."
> "Well," he considers, "it could be getting diverted, and I just couldn't follow the trail, hee. But I don't think I'm that bad at my job."
<Mykasi> "Mmm. Could it... be to a certain asylum?" Mike posits.
<Hikari> "Perhaps we should tear the asylum down and find out. It's certainly responsible for enough already."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike looks to Hikari.
> Raiho shrugs, "I couldn't follow it anywhere specific, hee. I'm not even sure it's going anywhere, I think it's just getting used right there, ho."
<Mykasi> "You know, sometimes I forget that your main solution to things is to break them until they don't move.
<Mykasi> "So... it's getting used up right where it is, is what you're trying to say?"
> Raiho nods, "That's the best I can see, ho."
<Mykasi> "Hm. Now the question is, what or who could be doing that?"
* Hikari shrugs. "There is a time and a place for brute force."
<Mykasi> "I didn't mean for it to sound like a complaint..."
<Nagare> "That sounded more like yearning, actually."
* Hikari shrugs again, address Raiho. "Thank you for what assistance you have provided, at least. I suppose now it falls to us to look for beings or forces capable of manipulating...heat, or energy, in this manner."
<Nagare> "Lily should be able to offer us some insight on the matter, if nothing else?"
> Raiho nods, "Don't worry, hee, Raiho is still on the case! It's not solved yet, so there's ho way I'm giving up now."
<Mykasi> "Thank you, Raiho." Mike nods warmly - though not warm enough to melt them. "There's a building we've run into that's sealed by sigils on the outskirts... perhaps see if that has anything to do with it?"
> "Hmm," he nods, "I'll hee over there and see if that might be involved."
> Raiho then takes a small bow, spins on his heel, flaring his cape out behind him dramatically, and exits~
<Mykasi> "Be careful around there!" Mike calls as he leaves.
* Nagare bobs his head. "Does the household just mass-produce Frosts?"
> Master Frost gives Nagare a look, "What's that supposed to hee? You've only met me and Raiho, not even any of the normal Jack Frosts."
* Mykasi glances around at the items in stock while he's thinking.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "So, you -do- mass-produce them? That was just an aside comment..."
> Master Frost snorts, "Mass-Produce makes it sound like they're some kind of robots, ho! Have a little respect. Jack Frosts are like pixies or lilims for the Magician Arcana."
<Mykasi> "Oh. Have you guys seen any human-like people by the name of Noa Tachakara stop by?" Mike asks.
* Nagare shakes his head. "You say this and I suddenly begin to picture those creatures being created en masse from a witch union's battalion of black cauldrons," and then he capitulates. "Please tell me that's not the case."
> While poking around, Mike finds a few odd items. Something that claims to be a genuine crystalized demon's soul. It's pretty ugly looking. A remote control airplane with real miniature machineguns. And a prank umbrella that makes it rain on whoever opens it.
* Mykasi finds all three items to be amusing but none worth purchasing... well, the airplane would be funny but likely ineffective.
> Master Frost shakes his head, "Nope, no humans in here but you three, and you barely count, hee." Then he holds out his hand, "Any-ho, about the rest of the soma you owe me? Raiho said he's going to keep looking, and hee's as good as his word, so this isn't all you'll find out. I'd just like to close out the account, ya hee?"
<Mykasi> "Hikari, you got the bottle?"
<Hikari> "Of course." Hikari retrieves three some pills and hands them over.
> He takes the tablets and they vanish into his hat, "Righty-ho! We're all clear and green on this now, hee. Anything else I can do you for, hos?"
* Mykasi shakes his head. "Not today. Thanks again."
<Hikari> "...No, I don't think so. I believe I'm done here." Remembering why she doesn't like hanging around Master Frost, Hikari turns to leave.
* Nagare ponders for a moment. "I realized I never got my question answered about industrially produced dreamdwellers."
> -------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> --------------------------------------------------------------
> After getting called a ho yet again, Hikari quickly retreats from Master Frost's Emporium, and the men follow suit shortly thereafter. There isn't anything funky going on out on the street either, it's fairly empty. Just the two buildings of note and the persona users themselves.
<Mykasi> "I suppose our first question is, where to find a dog?" Mike muses out loud, glancing around.
> There certainly aren't any in plain sight out on the street right now.
<Hikari> "This is a city of sorts. There must be one around somewhere." Hikari glances around for dark allies that might host stray mongrels. "Perhaps Master Frost has a dog whistle in stock..."
<Hikari> *alleys
<Mykasi> "I don't know." Mike says, before thinking. "Hey, did Cerberus actually talk to you on our first visit, or did he just respect you?"
> This area is more outskirts of shopping district then inner-city, but there are still spaces between and behind buildings if you care to go investigate them.
<Hikari> "I recall him speaking. Why? Did you have a mind to set the hound of hell on errands for us?" Hikari wanders to the nearest gap between buildings, next to Frost's maybe, peers down it.
<Mykasi> "No, but I figured if anything here would know where dogs are..." Mike replies with a slight grin. "Though that'd be an awesome sight."
> As Hikari peeks beside the building, she can see a couple of trashcans but nothing that looks like an animal of any sort around.
* Hikari shrugs. "I have no better ideas. If you're prepared to take the walk, we can. Of course, it may be a less eventful walk if we make it in the real world."
* Mykasi considers this for a moment. "Let's try it through the Dream. Practice of our abilities is always useful, and we may stumble into a dog on the way."
<Hikari> "True. Onwards, then?"
<Nagare> "Hopefully we find dogs that aren't necessarily Shadows along the way."
<Mykasi> "Hopefully. Of course, here, dogs may be Shadows." With that, Mike tries to remember the way to the school...
> OOC: Mind checks, for any trying to intuit the way to Mab's Domain?
<Nagare> roll 2d8 driving into the enemy's bed
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 driving into the enemy's bed and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 hey I got a rank of Lovers, this should be easy
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 hey I got a rank of Lovers, this should be easy and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
<Hikari> roll 2d6 I guess it couldn't hurt to try?
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d6 I guess it couldn't hurt to try? and gets 9."12 [2d6=6, 3]
> As Mike considers, he feels some manner of connection running through him from Frost's Emporium to Mab's Domain, and the path from here to there seems to practically materialize in his mind as clear as crystal.
* Mykasi blinks. "Oh right. It's this way." And with that, he heads off!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 93."12 [1d100=93]
> The streets seem almost deserted for awhile as you walk. Until you turn a corner and come face to face with WHY. There appears to be some manner of parade going on, and for whatever reason you didn't even hear it until you could see it. But there it is, floats, marching bands, grotesque monsters and all just going down the street with all sorts of denizens packed around to watch. And the noise is near deafening.
<Mykasi> "Whatthefuck." Mike says after a moment, watching as if hypnotized.
* Nagare deflates a bit more than slightly, suddenly slumping as the noise begins to worm its way to his brain. "I just give up."
> A woman who is quite literally impossibly thin and wearing a dress that should not be able to stay on without glue is standing on top of a giant frog with cannons growing out of it's shoulders as it hops down the street as part of the parade. She has a sash that says something on it, though none of you can read it. And as she waves to people, the cheering increases.
* Hikari opts to get out of the parade's way, thanks, and look at it from a safe distance. One where her eas don't hurt so much. Are there signs or anything to make it clear why the parade...exists?
<Mykasi> "... Damnit. The path is suppsed to be right through that, I think." Mike says, craning his neck to see if he can spot a way up and over the group or under it (with a glance at the sash-wearing girl, and a low whistle.)
> There don't seem to be any signs, at least not that make any sense. And it's a bit hard to get away from the noise...unless you turn the corner back the way you came and as soon as the parade is out of sight it's also back to being quiet and you can't hear it at all.
* Nagare looks up. "I'm not sure there's any way through this debauchery unless we rope swing through lamp posts."
<Nagare> "And I'm fairly sure we don't even -have- lamp posts around here."
<Mykasi> "Rope snake! Oh wait, those don't exist."
* Hikari eyes the parade for openings. "Maybe we could just run through..."
> Crossing the street would involve going right THROUGH the parade, as well as the masses of people on both sides. And there aren't any convenient walkways that go over it or anything like that. Though you do see some people just push out from the sidewalks and start walking in the parade like they belong there and nobody seems to take issue with it.
* Mykasi mutters and glances back the way they came to see if there's an alternate path going the other direction from the parade.
> It's a city, there are almost always roads that go other directions and paths to take. Though you can't be sure where any of them will take you.
<Mykasi> "Okay." Mike says after a moment. "We can either go around or try to go through. Opinions?"
<Hikari> "Let's just go right through it," Hikari says. "Plenty of others are joining in. We can just work our way across the road while keeping with the parade for a minute or two." With a nod, she strides forward the join the flow, meaning to sidle along to the other side of the street as she walks with it.
<Nagare> "The problem is that we don't know what's going in -the- parade - hey!"
* Mykasi glances to Nagare with some amusement, but no words as he shrugs and follows Hikari in.
* Nagare flails uselessly for a moment before joining in. "-We- will regret this!"
> Hikari pushes in and the men follow! The music gets even louder when you're part of the procession, though it's less like you're hearing it more and more like you're feeling it. It's a horrible chaotic jumble of instruments but there IS a strong marching rythem in it, one that your feet start moving along with of thier own accord very shortly(more)
> You find yourselves in along with part of the band, or perhaps one of the many bands? Regardless, the majority of the shadows marching along with you are wearing variations on what might be the same base uniform, even as no two of them are alike in shape. One directly next to Hikari, a being that has a bulbous lower body with lots of small tendrils coming from the bottom that it seems to "walk" on, a stalk like torso with humanoid arms and a sunflower for a face turns and grins at you(more)
> a stalk like torso with humanoid arms and a sunflower for a face turns and grins at you(more)
> "Woah!" the Shadow exclaims, even as it's wailing on a drum it's carrying, "those are the best human costumes I've ever seen! Nice job!"
<Hikari> "Thank you," Hikari says politely (while trying to force her feet itno maneuvering across the road. "I made it myself."
* Mykasi follows Hikari's lead, with a nod and a slight grin to the Shadow. "We do our best."
* Nagare laughs half-heartedly to himself. "oh definitely it is a -dazzling- costume why I made it myself with a golden needle and honeydew mumble mumble."
> The flower-drummer-thing starts to say something else, then suddenly his petals all tremble and instead he shouts, "Hold that thought, gotta solo!" Then the tendrils that serve as his feet grow until he's standing over twenty feet in the air and he goes absoultely WILD on that drum. It...honestly, kinda makes you want to dance...
* Mykasi grins and begins doing the weird balance dance to try and keep himself upright as he stumbles through the crowd and tries to not get knocked over.
<Hikari> Come on, feet, move move move AWAY already! Hikari takes advantage of the shadow's distraction to make for the edge of the parade at full speed.
* Nagare moves through the crowd so awkwardly he might as well be dancing. It is a twisted sort of stretching and bending that could make children cry, however.
> OOC: Check vs Mind+2 all(Mind+4 for Hikari)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 blastitall, roll check! (Mind+2 = 13)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 blastitall, roll check! (Mind+2 = 13) and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 6."12 [2d8=5, 1]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 complimentary haagen dasz (9 Mind+2 = 11)
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 complimentary haagen dasz (9 Mind+2 = 11) and gets 11."12 [2d8=5, 6]
> Somehow you all resist the urge to break out into a boogie, aside from Mike who is at least boogying in the right direction. Slowly you make your way around/under the flower-drummer-thing and over to the other side of the parade. Where you discover that it's going to be harder to push through the crowd to get back onto the sidewalk then it was to get into teh street...
<Mykasi> "Excuse me! Sorry, our costumes need maintenance! Excuse us, pardon us!" Mike yells ahead of the three as they approach the crowd.
* Hikari has plenty of brute strength to go around and is more than willing to shove her way past anyone in her way!
> OOC: Body check, Hikari. Super Strength bonus and situation penalty cancel out, so straight Body.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 9."12 [2d8=4, 5]
> While it's unclear if the people on the sides are ignoring Mike or perhaps just can't hear him, Hikari makes her intent quite clear without saying a word. It takes nearly all the muscle she has, but she is able to forcibly open a path, creating what looks like a seven shadow pile-up on the sidewalk in the process.
* Mykasi follows behind Hikari! "Impressive."
<Hikari> "Apologies," Hikari says to those on the ground, before turning and walking straight away from the parade.
* Nagare grabs Mykasi's shoulder and awkwardly follows the two.
> Moments later, you push through the rest of the crowd(it gets easier once you're past the solid wall of people right up next to the street) and once you turn a corner and can no longer see the parade...the sounds all vanish as well. It's like it's not even there.
* Mykasi exhales. "Well, that was fun. Should we do it again?"
<Nagare> "Sure, as soon as I finish stabbing tiny needles into my eyes with a microscope."
* Nagare sits down on the ground tiredly.
<Mykasi> "...Why would you do that with a microscope?" Mike grins over at him, before looking around to see if there's a dog nearby by chance.
> There's...something looking at you from under a trashcan lid over there. You can see it's beady little eyes. But you can't tell if it's a dog or not.
* Mykasi looks at it carefully for a moment, before beginning to walk over carefully.
> The eyes don't move at all as Mike approaches the trashcan. Actually, as he looks more closely it doesn't look like they're attatched to a creature at all, more like someone or something threw thier eyeballs away and the lid of the can is propped at a slight angle so you can see them.
<Mykasi> "...uhhhhhhh..." Mike blinks rapidly, gently lifting the lid and peering in. "That's weird."
> Yeah, just some discarded eyeballs sitting on a pile of other various trash.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike stares at them for a bit, before waving his hands back and forth in front of them to see if they track it. Normally he wouldn't bother, but this is the Dream.
* Hikari steps closer to see. "What is it--oh. Oh."
> They don't appear to.
* Mykasi thinks for a moment, before picking the eyeballs up and pocketing them. "They might be worth it? Maybe?"
> They...uh, feel exactly like real eyeballs as Mike picks them up.
<Mykasi> "Squish squish."
<Mykasi> After pocketing them, Mike turns to the other two. "Let's keep going? I think I know the route from here."
* Hikari shudders. "Let's move on, yes."
<Mykasi> "And keep your eyes open for dogs."
* Nagare nods and follows, whistling non-chalantly as if calling for a mutt.
> You get back on the road. There are a few other bizzare things along the way to Mab's Domain, but nothing that impedes your progress or looks like a canine. Eventually you find yourselves standing on teh street right outside of the raging battleground that must be passed throgh before you reach Mab's gate. (more)
> From the outside you can see things fighting in there. Pixies, of course, as well as one of the taller pixies with blue hair that Shiro warned you were strong. They seem to be fighting against a couple of those firebreathing lions with wheels, a squad of small floating weapons and shields with faces that are randomly attacking everything they get near, a miniature cyclops, and a few other strange things.
* Mykasi blinks, before glancing around again. "Let's... avoid that part of the field, shall we?"
* Nagare bobs his head, glancing at the predictable chaos. "Suddenly I'm reminded of Shiro."
<Hikari> "Indeed." Hikari looks for a good place to cross the field. Even if it takes longer, circling around that melee is a must.
> It's not all one giant battle, more multiple smaller fights happening all over the field. The problem with the 'parking lot' is that there isn't a clear way around the entire mess without getting in SOMETHING's attack reach.
* Hikari at least wants to avoid getting involved with Mab's goons, as ally or opponent, and opts to take whatever path will best avoid them.
* Mykasi follows Hikari's lead, ready to toss out illusions if necessary.
> The cyclops, which is the largest combatant on the field, is mixing it up near the center close to the gate of the castle, with the High Pixie and a few animated weapons wailing on it. And the base pixies are damn near everywhere, but at higher concentrations in certain places. Hikari starts trying to pick a way through the field...
> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=8, 3]
> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> You make it nearly halfway through before a couple of flying impliments of war, two axes a spear and a shield, break off from some other conflict to come flying right at you! (OOC: init needed, even if you're going to try and bolt)
> roll 2d8+5 axe 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+5 axe 1 and gets 13."12 [2d8=5, 3]
> roll 2d8+5 axe 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+5 axe 2 and gets 15."12 [2d8=3, 7]
> roll 2d8+6 spear
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 spear and gets 8."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> roll 2d8+4 shield
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+4 shield and gets 14."12 [2d8=3, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8+8 let's doubleturning!
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8+8 let's doubleturning! and gets 22."12 [2d8=8, 6]
<Hikari> roll 2d8+10
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+10 and gets 19."12 [2d8=6, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9 sorry, phone call
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9 sorry, phone call and gets 17."12 [2d8=4, 4]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Hikari > Mykasi > Axe2 > Shield > Axe1 > Spear
> OOC: Nagare is up. You can see flying weapons coming RIGHT FOR YOU ALL.
* Nagare blinks and reflexively calls for Abartach's mists. (Trap of the Fianna)
> A fog whips up around the Persona Users, obscuring the sight and hearing of any who try to see through the mystic mist. Of course, this includes the Persona Users. (OOC: Hikari. You can see the shapes of the weapons coming at you, but trying to hit them with a ranged attack will be difficult)
* Hikari keeps on moving, barreling through the battlefield under the assumption that the professor is throwing up a smokescreen to facilitate their escape. Why else would he do it, right?
> Hikari dashes forward, sadly unable to see exactly what she's running towards until she bursts out of the mists...(which we'll deal with later. Mike.)
<Mykasi> "Ngh!" Mike mutters, confused by the mists! At a glance, he looks toward where he saw Hikari move and bursts after her!
> Mike dashes off after Hikari. Thankfully he can see better in this fog then the others and is able to keep a good eye on her! Then, as a group, the flying weapons all plunge into the fog!
> roll 4#2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 4#2d8 and gets 37."12 [4#2d8 = 13, 5, 9, 10]
> The two axes and the spear take a moment to get thier bearings, but the shield finds it's prey quickly and attempts to smash itself right into Nagare's noggin!
> roll 2d8 vs 8 noggin knockin
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 noggin knockin and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
> OOC: Roll defense Nagare.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 OHKO or no OHKO?
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 OHKO or no OHKO? and gets 10."12 [2d8=2, 8]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 9."12 [2d8=2, 7]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [90/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> WHAM! The shield smacks Nagare right in the brainbox! Abartach's ever present armor softens the blow, but Nagare still feels like he got his bell rung. (OOC: Back to Nagare)
* Nagare rubs his head annoyedly, even feeling a bit... well, dumber than before, vaguely dizzy. He just uses that excuse to run the hell away, trying to follow the same direction he at least -thinks- he saw Mykasi and Hikari flee to.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 16."12 [1d100=16]
> OOC: Actually, Mind check prof.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 but I'm dumb!
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 but I'm dumb! and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
> Hikari bursts out of the mist and into...a thankfully reletively empty spot! There are fights going on around, but none RIGHT THERE so she has a bit of room to manuever. (OOC: And your turn Hikari)
* Hikari probably shouldn't leave her friends behind! So she'll hold position where she is for the moment, wait for the others to break out of the mist and melee, and pitch in to help if they need it when that happens.
> Hikari holds her ground, and Mike burts out of the mists right on her heels!(OOC: Go Mike.)
<Mykasi> "Argh! Where's the Prof?" Mike yells, looking around frantically.
> OOC: Roll Mind, Mike.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 right right
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 right right and gets 9."12 [2d8=6, 3]
> Thankfully Anansi's keen eyes can pierce the mists and it's largely only a hinderance to Mike's ears. So as he looks back, he can see the prof took off at an angle, he's not running towards you. Also in the fog, the weapons seem to be getting thier bearings, but it's hard to tell which direction something without legs is about to move in.
<Hikari> "I thought he was right behind us!" Hikari answers.
<Mykasi> "He's going off in that direction! Let's meet him there!" Mike points without looking at where he's actually pointing.
> OOC: You two can start moving that way this turn if you want.
<Hikari> OOC: let's!
> Hikari and Mike start moving towards where the prof is headed. Meanwhile...
> roll 4#2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 4#2d8 and gets 42."12 [4#2d8 = 13, 14, 7, 8]
> The weapons mill about a bit, not being entirely sure what's going on. Until one axe catches a glimpse of movement and hurls itself bodily towards the fleeing Nagare with a mad cackle that is muffled by the mists!
> roll 2d8 vs 6 axe to grind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 axe to grind and gets 9."12 [2d8=6, 3]
> The axe goes whizzing off at a slightly bad angle and zips past Nagare entirely, exiting the fog in a different direction. (Back to Nagare)
* Nagare keeps running in the direction he started moving towards. Maybe -now- he'll be able to flee the mist?
> Nagare breaks out of the mist, and...does not see Mike or Hikari there. Crap.
> Meanwhile, Mike can see Nagare break out of the mist(as Mike can see through the bit of it that seperates them).
<Mykasi> "Hey, Professor!" Mike bellows! "Keep going, Hikari!
* Nagare cringes, hearing Mykasi's voice as he's about to shout a profanity. "F- Mykasi! I'm over here!", he waves to Mike.
> OOC: That it for your turn, Nagare? If so, Mike/Hikari can actually go. And you can reach Nagare this round by plunging througha corner of the fog.
<Nagare> OOC: Yeah, sure.
* Mykasi leads the way through the fog to the Professor, keeping within sight of Hikari! He hopes.
<Hikari> "If you insist, Mike..." Hikari turns and keeps on running for the safety of the castle, hoping to find a clear path through the battlefield this time.
<Mykasi> "No, this way!" Mike bellows with a look back. "Keep going -this way-!"
<Hikari> "Make up your mind!" Hikari says as she rejoins the others.
> After a bit of confusion, the three all meet up just outside the fog. Meanwhile...
> roll 4#2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 4#2d8 and gets 41."12 [4#2d8 = 13, 9, 9, 10]
<Mykasi> "My mind was made up! You just can't follow directions!"
> The weapons are either still lost or have found something better to attack, as they aren't zipping out after you.(Free act, for now)
<Mykasi> "Alright." Mike says, pulling to a halt in front of the Professor. "Now that we're back together, let's get going to the gates."
> There a few fights going on somewhat near you, a gang of pixies trying to grab some of the weapons and wield them(to little success), two of the lion things squaring off agianst eachother and nothing else getting anywhere NEAR that.
* Nagare exhales. "I... honestly forgot why we're approaching Mab's domain again."
<Mykasi> "To talk to the Cerberus." Mike replies without missing a beat, looking in the direction of the gates.
<Hikari> "We were looking for a dog. We have found more or less everything but."
> Pretty much directly between you and the gate is the mess with the cyclops and the high pixie.
<Nagare> "... I'll be bitten."
> Around the cyclops mess is possible, but you'll have to get close to either the pixies vs weapons match or the two lionwheels.
<Hikari> "I hate to get involved, but..." Hikari shrugs. "Something's going to be in our way no matter what. Let's help push the cyclops down and then run for it?"
<Nagare> "How do you -push- something that big fast enough?"
<Mykasi> "How about I try illusioning it instead?" Mike offers.
<Hikari> "Killing it would probably suffice to make it fall down," Hikari explains. "but if we can avoid it altogether, please try."
* Mykasi nods, before conjuring... a sexy, barely-clad cyclops lady a small distance away from the fight, blowing kisses at the cyclops. And, preferably, invisible to everyone but the cyclops.
> OOC: roll mind for that, mikey.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 MAKING OUT WITH THE ONE EYED CYCLOPS
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 MAKING OUT WITH THE ONE EYED CYCLOPS and gets 9."12 [2d8=8, 1]
> roll 2d8 cyclops mind resist
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 cyclops mind resist and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
> The cyclops seems destracted for a moment! Allowing the High Pixie to jump up and blast it with a lightning bolt right in the EYE. This makes the cyclops bellow and scream bloody murder and start doing it's damdest to create High Pixie Pancakes.
<Mykasi> "... that wasn't the anticipated result. Still, maybe we can go behind it now?"
<Hikari> "I think that qualifies as a success. Let's move while we have a chance."
<Nagare> "I honestly don't want to know -what- happened there."
* Mykasi nods and begins to run past the Cyclops/High Pixie fight!
> roll 2#2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2#2d8 and gets 25."12 [2#2d8 = 11, 14]
> Both of them seem a little too distracted trying to kill eachother to bother with a trio of humans quickly ducking past! A moment later, you reach the closed gate.
<Mykasi> "Right. Uh, try calling over the wall to Cerberus?" Mike suggests.
* Hikari knocks and calls over the wall: "Cerberus? Guardian of the gate? Hikari Ishigami requests entry!"
> There is a pause, then the gate is pushed open from the inside, while a deep voice echoes inside all of your minds, "Welcome, valkyrie."
* Hikari hurries on in, glad to be free of the mess outside.
* Mykasi follows quickly.
> The Cerberus is the same as it was before. A giagantic three headed, jet black dog the size of a skinny elephant. One of the heads inclines in greeting as you walk through the gate.
* Mykasi has to closely corral the urge to run up to it and hug one of its necks.
* Hikari waits 'til she's safely inside to bow. "Thank you."
* Nagare politely bows, as much out of slightly irrational fear of a gargantuan three-headed canine as out of respect.
* Mykasi bows as well after a moment of raptly staring at Cerby.
> As the last of you makes it in, a massive paw gently slides the gate closed again, but not before a different head takes a look out and growls at one of the animated shields that was skirting close.
* Mykasi looks to the Cerberus. "Ah, thank you. Ummm..." A glance to Hikari, since she's the one who Cerberus respects.
* Hikari idly scans the yard to see who/what else is around today before addressing Cerberus again. "We have a minnor favor to ask, if you don't mind?"
> There are a couple pixies around, as well as something that looks like a large teardrop shaped jewel with a face, but they aren't paying any more then cursory attention to you.
> Cerberus tilts one head to the side, "You may ask."
<Hikari> "It's more a question, actually. We require a canine to carry a message for us. I would not ask you to perform such a meagre task, of course--any capable of running far and long will do. Are there any nearby?"
> "A canine?" His voice repeats curiously as a different head stretches it's neck up thoughtfully, "Hmm. Few pass through my gates, fewer still that would deign to serve as a messenger. I know of a bird that will willingly carry any message without fear or question, if perhaps that would suffice?"
<Hikari> "We were instructed that dogs in particular would seek out the recipient of the message. But it might also be useful in the future to have such a bird available, I suppose."
<Mykasi> "Specifically, Vandal the Beholder." Mike bows slightly. "We have need of his talent for divination."
> "The bird roosts here from time to time, in between it's many flights. If you wish his service, he may be here, he may not." Cerberus thinks a bit longer, then as Mike offers the name of the recipient, Cerberus almost seems to...chuckle? "Ahhhh, yes. I could see your message to the Beholder easily enough. Though..." all three heads tilt back and forth a bit for a moment, a bit uncomfortably(more)
> "I...could do this favor for you, but I can only do you a single favor. And I have a warning you may wish to hear in it's stead. I will let you choose which favor you wish, Valkyrie."
* Hikari glances to the others, then back to Cerberus. "Say what needs to be said, then. I can tell it's a more serious matter than our simply looking for a messenger."
> Cerberus nods, "Be wary if you venture further into this domain. At my gate, you are safe, and the bird roosts here if you need him. But the Queens has heard rumors that you ally with her enemy. I know not the truth of these rumors, nor do I wish to know. But the rumor alone may be sufficient."
* Nagare whistles uncomfortably. "The news fly fast."
<Hikari> "It was with you that we wished to speak. We have little other business here. Thank you for the warning."
* Mykasi blinks. "Ri-iiiight. Okay, well. Thank you very much, Cerberus - it's a warning we'll need to keep to heart."
> One head nods, "I do not serve the Queen, but I am in her employ. I can offer you no more favors then the promise of saftey at my gate. Which is a promise that extends to many."
<Hikari> "We're thankful nevertheless," Hikari says. "It seems our stay here must be a brief one," she says to the others. "Shall we check in with Nozuchi and be on our way?"
<Nagare> "May as well make haste, then."
<Mykasi> "Thank you." Mike says, mentally making notes. "I may... need to visit here, but I've got reasons and I think I can convince them I'm not an enemy." With that, a nod to Hikari. "Sure. Poor thing."
<Hikari> "Very well." Hikari walks about the courtyard enough to get a look for the strange creature.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 be glad I looked back in
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 be glad I looked back in and gets 3."12 [2d8=2, 1]
> OOC: see PM
> ----------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> The three Persona users have just spoken with Cerberus, and heard his warning about the rumors of thier affiliation reaching Mab's ears.
* Mykasi thinks for a moment. "Actually, let's stall on Nozuchi, thinking about it. I'll swing by and get the info later."
* Nagare bobs his head. Um sure?
<Hikari> "If you insist. You're sure you'll be safe here alone? And do we wish to bave the battlefield again, or simply find the nearest door to move back through the Velvet Room?"
<Mykasi> "Nozuchi announces us. We don't quite want that, now do we?" Mike notes. "And... your call. We still need to deliver the letter somehow, if we can, and frankly I don't see any one place as being better than another for looking. Maybe the Zoo, but."
* Nagare coughs. "My vote is against strolling through the battlefield, for the record."
<Mykasi> "Hikari?" Mike looks. "I'm okay with either but kinda wouldn't mind sticking around and looking more."
<Hikari> "Mine as well. It's always an awful mess out there. Braving it once in a day is quite enough."
<Mykasi> "Very well." Mike nods, looking around for a close door.
<Mykasi> Before pausing and glancing at the gate itself. "Maybe we can use this, if that's okay?"
> The gateway itself doesn't have keyhole, but there is a small door near it that seems to lead inside the wall.
> Cerberus looks down at you, "Use it...for what?"
* Hikari points to the latter. "That should suffice, I think."
<Hikari> "Only what doors are meant for. Though we won't be heading otuside, precisely."
* Nagare picks the key from his pocket and heads towards the door to open it. "You'll understand."
<Mykasi> "Ah, that'd work." Mike nods before looking to Cerberus with a slight bow. "Basically, that. We return home via keyhole."
> Cerberus shrugs, an interesting motion on a three headed dog, "Very well. If this causes any mischief in the castle, it will be your own mess to clean."
<Hikari> "As always, we accept full responsibility for our own actions."
> Nagare fits the key in, and it opens up the portal to the Velvet Room as usual.
* Hikari hads on through!
* Hikari heads on through!
* Nagare waves to Cerberus as he enters. "Thank you for your time. Until we meet again."
* Mykasi bows once more to Cerberus, before following Hikari, whispering under his breath, "doggydoggydoggydoggy"
> (OOC: Shed a golden tear, for your mother deaaaar~ And change what's left of the scene for me!)
> The three pass through the Velvet Room and step back into Satomi Tadashi. The old man clerk is looking right at you as you enter, but doesn't seem to be phased much. "Ah, did you forget something earlier?"
<Mykasi> "Ah, yes. Sorry." Mike says, walking up to the counter and pulling out the Bottle of SUNshine. "Any more of these in, idly?"
* Nagare coughs, trying to appear nonchalant with likely little success. "Ah, let us say that we did."
<Hikari> "I forgot to make a phone call," Hikari says, pausing to dial up Shiro.
> "Hmm," the old man strokes his beard thoughtfully, "Perhaps." Motioning Mike to follow, he slowly makes his way over to the energy drink section.
* Mykasi follows the old man curiously.
> H: the phone rings a couple of times, then Shiro picks up, "WHat's up?
> "
<Hikari> "We may be making a trip to the zoo. Care to show us the way? I would also be interested in knowing where it corresponds to in the real world."
> H: there's a snort from the other end before Shiro actually responds, "You guys looking for a brawl, huh? Nice timing there, I'm not getting back to town until late tonight. And I really do not think you should go in there without me, I'd put good odds on one of you not coming back out. Probably the doc."
<Hikari> "We're merely looking for a dog and couldn't think of a more obvious place to find one. I suppose we'll look elsewhere."
* Mykasi glances over the energy drink section when they get there, looking it over.
> M: The old man proceeds to pick through the horribly organized section very slowly. As he works, he chuckles, "Haha, you youngsters and your energy drinks. Good strong tea not enough for today's busy world anymore?"
<Mykasi> "Good strong tea is quite nice, but not on the go." Mike smiles, also keeping a keen eye out for some. "I never find it sits well. Best fresh. But perhaps that's just how I make it - any advice?"
> H: "Uh...yeah. This Zoo isn't the kind of place you go to meet animals. It's the place you go to rumble. MAybe try the food court again, there's all kinds of shadows that show up there all the time. Maybe one of them's seen a dog at least?"
<Hikari> "The food court? Actually, I believe we did see one there. Of sorts. Perhaps that will do after all."
> M/N: Eventually he manages to find another bottle of it, "Aha, here we are." He hands the bottle to Mike and shuts the door, then considers a bit longer, "Hmm. It is best fresh, but I personally find even settled tea to be more refreshing then these additive laden concoctions. I suppose it's all a matter of taste."
<Mykasi> "Thank you." Mike nods. "And I can see that, but it may be taste combined with my one adaptation to such additives." A slight pause. "Abrupt topic change, but I would guess you noticed the key the Professor has?"
> H: "Alright, anything else up?"
> M/N: "Hmm?" The old man nods, "Ah, yes it seems to be a lovely antique. Are you a collector, sir?" he pleasently inquires to Nagare.
<Hikari> "Not immediately, no. Though I should note that Mab's followers are now somewhat aware of our preferred company these days and will likely be even less friendly than usual from now on. I could tell you to be careful if you go roaming the Dream on your own, but I doubt it's necessary.""
* Nagare shakes his head. "Not exactly. This is a bit of an accidental relic."
> H: Shiro's quiet for a moment, "Alright, yeah. I'll make sure I don't go through at the school for awhile then."
<Hikari> "Our presence isn't likely to be welcomed there any more, no."
> M/N: "Hmm, well I'm afraid I only collect Japanese antiques myself, and that looks more European of some sort, so I'm not sure how I could help you. Though," he muses as you all walk back to the register, "if you're looking to have it appraised, I think the antique dealer I used to visit here is still in business?"
* Nagare scratches his chin pensively. "Hm. I'm not actually interested in selling the key, but the address of the antique dealer might be interesting regardless."
> The old man rings up the energy drink for Mike, then quickly scratches down the address of the antique store on the back of the recepit, "There you are. Now is there anything else I can help you with today?"
<Mykasi> "Not a thing. Thanks, though!" Mike pipes up cheerfully.
<Mykasi> "...or at least I hope. We're kinda notoriously absentminded. It's a pleasure to meet you, though! Do you work here often?"
> "Only upon occassion."
* Mykasi nods again. "Well, take care!"
> H: "Alright, thanks for the heads up. I'll catch up with you tomorrow sometime. Later."
* Hikari hangs up and nods to the shopkeep. "We'll be leaving the way we just came in. You seem remarkably undisturbed by this occurrence, if you don't mind my noting this and wondering why."
> "Occurance?" the old man asks, "It's not so odd to have customers come in twice in the same day."
* Mykasi gives Hikari as good of a polite Look as he can manage.
<Hikari> "I suppose not," Hikari says after a moment. "Have a pleasant evening, then."
* Nagare snickers and pats Hikari. "You're probably just imagining things, lady."
<Hikari> "This is not one of my principal skills. Shall we go?"
<Mykasi> "Very well." Mike nods, waving to the shopkeep as they depart.
* Nagare waves to the shopkeep as well, lightly dragging Hikari. Good thing this -isn't- the Dream.
> And thus Nagare pulls out the key and uses it on the door again, leading you into the Velvet Room...
> (OOC: She is the Scene, she knows when and where to Change~)
> And you move back through the Velvet Room and onto the street between Master Frost's Emporium and the Vermillion Glow for the second time today.
<Hikari> "We could try the Wilder Ness," Hikari suggests. "As I recall, we spoke with something resembling a dog while there. Close enough, perhaps?"
<Mykasi> "Alright. So what's ne-" Mike says, before pausing and listening to Hikari. "...wasn't that a spirit?"
* Nagare eyes Mykasi. "A dog spirit."
<Hikari> "It looked like a dog. Albeit one with a noodle somewhere in its ancestry. I'm hoping that will be sufficient."
<Mykasi> "Yes, but I would think non-canine-" Mike stops there and shakes his head. "Okay, fine. Let's try it, though I'm not optimistic."
<Hikari> "If you have other suggestions, do share them. Shiro considered visiting the zoo at night nigh suicidal, however."
<Nagare> "It's better than trying it at the Vermillion Glow and hoping etymological slang games will get us through, you have to admit."
* Mykasi shrugs. "I don't, so let's try this."
> OOC: Mind checks, if you're trying to figure out the way to the Food Court.
<Hikari> roll 2d6 this will surely demand a reroll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d6 this will surely demand a reroll and gets 7."12 [2d6=6, 1]
<Mykasi> roll 2d6 sure, Mike can try, he's probably hungry
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d6 sure, Mike can try, he's probably hungry and gets 2."12 [2d6=1, 1]
> Hikari can get a vague sense of what direction to go, while...Mike is hungry. Man is Mike hungry. And he knows JUST where to get food!
<Mykasi> "..." Mike looks down at his stomach for a minute in vague embarrassment as it suddenly -growls- like a rabid tiger near a Jeep packed with fat European tourists. "...I think I know where the food court is."
<Hikari> "Lead the way, then?"
<Mykasi> "Uh... yeaaaah." Mike says, gesturing in the right direction.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 36."12 [1d100=36]
* Nagare shrugs. "I've seen less logical things even outside the Dream. Lead us on."
> The food court stands out to Mike like a brightly lit beacon that he can't exactly see but knows right where it is. With ease, he navigates you through the pathways until you reach your destination, the only thing of exceptional note along the way being a pair of disembodied baseball gloves playing catch with something that looked bloody.
<Mykasi> "So yeah here it is do we have any spare Macca I'd like something to eat." Mike slurs out.
* Hikari hands over what she has left.
<Mykasi> "Thanks." And with that, Mike jogs in and looks around for something that looks good!
<Hikari> "It makes one wonder," Hikari says, watching, "if we kept Mike hungry all the time, would we never have trouble finding our way around?"
* Mykasi quickly buys a ... well, it's wrapped in a bread-like substance, and the inside smells -delectable-, so whatever, really. With that, he jogs back out, nibbling on it happily. "Okhay so whath now?"
<Nagare> "Only if our sole destination was the food court."
<Hikari> "We check the Wilder Ness, if it's open." Hikari looks around for it.
> it's not hard to find, just outside the Food Court. The doors aren't open just yet, the sign outside says that the lights come on when teh sun goes down. Which from looking at it should be sometime within the half-hour at most.
<Mykasi> "Let's kick around here for a bit and explore some? I can get us back here whenever, I think." Mike says before snarfing another bit of the tortilla-like.
<Hikari> "It couldn't hurt to look around some. How far did you plan on going?"
> The inside seems to be filled with some kind of meet-ish flavored geletin-like substance. It's tasty at least, even if you have no fucking idea what it is.
<Mykasi> "Iunno. Just wanted to wander a bit, see if we could find anything interesting? As I said, I think I can get us back here whenever." Mike replies. "I don't think I could lose the place that sells these, ever."
<Hikari> "I hadn't planned on leaving the food court proper, but if you insist we can see where else your stomach decides to lead us."
<Nagare> "As long as it doesn't take us away from the food court, but being a slave to treats has its perks."
> You all dick around the food court area for a bit until the sun is well and truely down. There seem to be some interesting shops, and funny shaped residences, around, but nothing jumps out and says boo. It seems that the Seiryuu's "no violence" policy may extend a bit beyond the range of the court proper, or at least the locals observe it as such. Just in case.
> By the time you return to the Wilder Ness, the lights are on and the door is unlocked.
<Mykasi> "Sweet. Let's see if your spirit's actually a dog, then?" Mike shrugs.
<Hikari> "It looked like one. I'm not sure what else it could be." Hikari heads inside, looking around the for the creature.
> The inside...okay, this place couldn't have been open for more then five minutes maximum yet and already it's full of shadows with various animal traits just as before. And you didn't exactly see anyone outside heading towards the place while you were wandering around either. (more)
> Regardless, the dog-noodle-spirit-thing, Inugami, is contorting around in the air over near a chubby elephant-man with a big honking sword. And cackling like an idiot, of course.
<Mykasi> "Well, let's go talk to him?" Mike suggests with a shrug.
* Hikari walks up to it. "Excuse me?" she says politely.
* Nagare clears his throat. "As a preamble, we may be about to badly insult you. We do not mean to, however."
> The elephant man turns to look down at you. This guy is easily nine feet tall, and probably five feet wide. He doesn't say anything though, just LOOKS at you. After a moment you get Inugami's attention as well and it coils around so one of its' eyes is facing you at all times as it swirls, "Aha..haha..hAHAhellolololoooo!"
<Hikari> "We require the services of a dog. You appear to qualify, although admittedly that's been the subject of some debate."
> Inugami swivles his head so it's upside down and looking at you, "Well..." he starts seriously then pauses for effect a moment before finishing, "I'm certainly not a CAT!" and then burts out laughing.
<Mykasi> "I'd hope not. That'd get somewhat confusing." Mike dryly replies.
<Mykasi> Then, remembering he has the letter, Mike pulls it out. "It's my understanding that you and your kin can deliver a letter to Vandal the Beholder?"
> That actually shuts his laughing up almost immediately. Peering at the letter, Inugami seems far more focused then a moment before, "The Beholder, you say?"
<Mykasi> "Yeah. We're looking for someone who's disappeared, but don't know where to look, so to speak. Thus, wanting to contact him."
> Inogami snakes his head out, then bites the letter and swallows it in one gulp, "Done. He knows of your letter, he'll respond to you...or not, as he wills."
> Then he shakes his head fairly hard and starts spinning again, "Hey you know what's funny? Oranges. Was it a color first, or a fruit? Does anyone know?"
<Mykasi> "It was a concept in the eyes of the Elder Gods." Mike grins. "And thanks. Sorry for the intrusion."
<Hikari> "Yes, thank you. Apologies for the interruption." Hikari nods to Inugami and the elephant man, then steps away.
> The elephant man doesn't nod back, he just keeps staring at you until you're well away from him.
> Inugami doesn't aknowledge the thanks at all, he seems to be waxing philisophical about tentacled oranges. Or maybe orange tentacles. It's hard to tell.
* Nagare clasps his hands. "... that was inordinately simple."
* Mykasi backs away until he's out of range of the elephant man and walks out from there.
<Hikari> "I am not about to complain." Hikari follows Mike outside. "Well, where shall we go now?"
* Nagare shuffles away as well. "I have to wonder if they just stay in there -all day and night-."
<Mykasi> "This is the Dream, they probably magically appear in there by willing it." Mike comments, before shrugging. "Honestly? I don't know, it's too late for much else. Should we go see about that bandit issue?"
<Hikari> "We could. Whatever money and goodwill we gain from dealing with them would be welcome, I suppose."
<Mykasi> "Right, then." Mike shrugs, before attempting to figure out where that little city stretch was...
> OOC: Mind check, you know the drill
<Nagare> roll 2d8 epic pathfinding
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 epic pathfinding and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 righty-o, let's see if Mike EPICALLY KNOWS WHERE HE'S PROMISED A JORB
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 righty-o, let's see if Mike EPICALLY KNOWS WHERE HE'S PROMISED A JORB and gets 6."12 [2d8=5, 1]
<Hikari> roll 2d6 unnecessary but hey
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d6 unnecessary but hey and gets 11."12 [2d6=5, 6]
> It's frankly hard to think of. Like there's nothing there to really grasp on. Mike...thinks he knows what direction it's in? But it's nowhere near as clear as his directions to Mab's or the Food Court.
* Mykasi hums. "I... think... I ... might know the direction. Hum. Let's try this way." With that, he sets off!
<Hikari> "I can get us to Binary Sector, at least," Hikari says. "Is that close enough, you think?"
<Mykasi> "We'll try that if we can't find it this way." Mike shrugs.
* Hikari nods and follows Mike for now.
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 2."12 [1d100=2]
* Nagare follows behind as well. It worked once... might as well give the benefit of doubt.
> Mike leads the way as best he can remember. Unfortunately the impulse was just a single thought of direction, it doesn't seem to refocus well whenever he has to take detours and go around problems. Such as a pack of a dozen wolves sitting in a perfect circle all staring outward and not moving so much as a centimeter, but all looking fairly angry about something.
> (OOC: I dunno if you wall want to poke into that, if not I'll just move you onward)
<Hikari> OOC: let's not!
<Mykasi> OOC: Yeah, let's pass.
> You circle around the wolves, who seem content to let you do such so long as you don't get too close. That does have you going a bit out of your way, but after a bit of stumbling around you manage to locate a part of town that looks like victorian england in chrome and flashing lights. Which is about what it looked like where you fought the Basked Mandits before.
> There aren't many people out on the street at this time of night, but it's at least well lit thanks to the regular street lamps.
<Mykasi> "Right. Let's see if we can figure out where the Constable is?" Mike asks after a moment taken to adjust.
* Hikari looks around for anything resembling a police building.
> A bit of wandering around does get a building conveniently labled "Police Station" within view!
* Hikari walks right up and opens the door, then.
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says, following Hikari.
<Nagare> "If only everything was labeled this clearly in the Dream."
> The door swings open and reveals a desk with the constable from before, a man-shaped pile of lines and boxes with a metallic green mask where the head should be, standing behind it shuffling through some... large numbers made of black metal in a jumble on his desk.
> He looks up as you enter, then greets you, "Aha, the civilian heroes from before. Here to report something, or dare I hope you're here about taking on the rest of that band liek I mentioned last time?"
* Hikari walks to the desk. "We had considered such, yes. Remind us what you know of their numbers and location?"
<Mykasi> "The latter, if we could." Mike says from behind Hikari.
* Nagare scratches his head. "The 'hero' moniker honestly makes me a little uneasy. But that's neither here or there."
> The Constable nods, "My investigations lead me to believe that there are a full half-dozen more of the pests, assuming they haven't assembled reinforcements in the meantime. I've managed to get an eye on where they've been seen skulking around, but I don't know the exact location of thier hideout."
<Hikari> "It's a start. Where should we begin looking?"
* Mykasi listens closely at this.
> "Windson!" the Constable calls out, which prompts what looks for all the world like a three inch tall pocketwatch with legs and a tiny metalic green mask like the constable's own to rush into the room. The watch also has four arms on it's face, and there don't appear to be numbers there so much as symbols.
> As the watch-man runs out, the Constable gestures to him, "Windson here can lead you to where the eye has spotted the Mandit gang, no problems at all."
<Mykasi> "Alright. Thanks!" Mike nods.
<Mykasi> And with that Mike ambles off quickly afte rhim.
* Hikari follows!
* Nagare practically grabs onto Hikari's shoulder to follow the others.
> The little watch man jogs down the streets, occasionally looking back to make sure you're still following, then turning back around to rush off further. You get a decent distance away from the Chrome Victorian area, in a different direction then the Binary Section lies, and into a part of town that's back in the mish-mash style of most of the city(more)
> Only...everything here seems just run down and ragged. No matter what style or strangeness the buildings are, they seem in disrepair. Metal is rusted, wood is broken in places and rotted in other, paint on anything is chiped and faded. And the very few working streetlights aren't giving off enough light to really see by, being flickering and weak.(more)
> The watch gestures around and makes the hands on it's face spin excitedly! Then without so much as a by-your-leave, jumps into Nagare's coat pocket to hide.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "... I have no words."
* Mykasi peers around closely, wondering if he can spot any of them from here as he slowly begins to walk forward.
<Hikari> "Even a Dream city has its slums, I see." Hikari strolls down the street, eyeing the buildings for any sign of habitation, light from inside, anything.
> Even Mike has issues seeing clearly here, though he at least can see better then the others. (Roll mind to spot things. There is a fairly sizable penalty, mind)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 spit spot
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 spit spot and gets 9."12 [2d8=4, 5]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for Mind's Eye
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 for Mind's Eye and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll  and gets 10."12 [2d8=8, 2]
> It's faint...but Mike thinks he noticed a small glimmer of silver going around a corner up ahead.
* Mykasi gestures and leads the way toward that dot, keeping his eyes well peeled for any further movement in that area.
* Hikari follows along, moving as quietly as she can to avoid alerting any nearby bandits.
> OOC: You moving after it slowly or quickly?
<Mykasi> OOC: Mike would be moving decently fast to try and catch up
* Nagare follows, paying attention to the flanks behind his colleagues.
> Mike rounds the corner just in time to catch a small blur of motion pulling into a third story window in the dead end alleway he rushed into.
<Mykasi> "Third story window." Mike hisses, looking for an obvious way up while gesturing to the window for the benefit of the other two.
* Hikari nods, looking for a ground floor entrance in the same building.
> The alleyway has no light sources at all, making it difficult to make any detail at all in there. Only what faint bit trickles in from the flickering light around the corner. The wall itself seems to be rough and have some broken areas that you might be able to climb, as well as the windowsills of the two windows below your target one. But other then that, nothing.
<Hikari> "Are we all up to making that climb?" Hikari whispers. "Otherwise, we surely enter through the lowest window."
* Mykasi eyes the professor for a moment, looking him up and down.
> There isn't a ground floor entrance in that alleyway, aside from the first floor window. Which is shut and locked.(OOC: staying there, or wandering out to check other sides of the building?)
* Nagare deflates. "If you're that wary of my physical prowess, you two can climb while I stand watch for you."
<Hikari> "I'd rather we didn't split up when a fight waits in the near future."
<Mykasi> "I didn't say that. Kinda the opposite, actually." Mike shakes his head, looking at the climb again. "It's worth a shot, at least? Unless you wanna break in the lowest window, Hikari."
<Hikari> "I surely can. The noise may alert them, however. A fair risk, you think?"
<Mykasi> "They may already know of our presence." Mike shrugs. "So, yes."
<Nagare> "You know, we -could- muffle the sound with Abartach's mist, but I'm not sure if it wouldn't alert them anyway."
<Mykasi> "Hm. How much vertical reach does the mist have?" Mike asks, looking up at the window.
<Hikari> "Up to you, professor." Hikari walks to the window, ready to call Brynhildr to smash it in as soon as the others are ready.
<Mykasi> "It's worth a shot, yeah. You two stay close to me? I can see through it decently okay."
* Nagare assesses the height. "Hmmmm. Just give me a slight leverage and I could cover the third story with it just fine. It's not a bad shot."
* Mykasi nods and leads Nagare over to the broken wall. "Get up a bit on this, I'll support you if you begin to slip."
* Nagare nods and tries climbing it a bit to get enough height to reach the third story with the mist casting.
> Abartach appears, gives Nagare and Mike funny looks, then shrugs and gestures to make the mist appear where Nagare's wanting it.
* Nagare awkwardly scratches his head as the summon appears. "I may have done something wrong as far as he's concerned."
<Mykasi> "...yeah. Anansi's snickering." Mike mutters with a slight tinge of annoyance. "I think I know what's happening, but we don't have any proof... ...give me a moment."
* Mykasi shakes his head. "Alright, let's try this. I have a bad feeling but we'll see. Anansi, enjoy this shit. Pretensious arse."
<Mykasi> "Hikari, break the window?"
* Nagare shakes his head as he goes down. "You give me good reason to keep my relationship with Abartach civil and a bit detached, Mykasi."
<Mykasi> "You have no concept of fun."
* Hikari nods, casually punches in the first floor and knocks in all the jagged shards of glass around the edges.
> The sound of the breaking window, much like the sound of your conversation, is muted by the Fianna's Trap. As soon as the window has a hole in it, the mist seems to eagerly seep inside and spread there as well.
* Hikari climbs inside!
* Mykasi follows closely behind Hikari with this, not willing to lose sight of her as he gestures to Nagare.
> It's pitch dark inside, a fact not helped in the least by the mist. Between the two, even Mike can't see more then a foot or so beyond his face, and to the others it makes vision impossible.
<Hikari> Perhaps this wasn't the best of plans! Hikari gropes around in the dark--maybe there's a light switch or a lamp somewhere?
* Nagare follows behind and practically stops to a halt as he gets in. This darkness is quite inconvenient.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Everyone stay near me." Mike says loudly (though muted in the mist) as he takes the professor's shoulder in his hand before following where Hikari went. "Though... easier said than done, here."
> Hikari's groping around in the dark doesn't seem to trun up anything but more wall. And...somethig sticky.
> Mike bumps into Hikari shortly.
<Hikari> "Urgh." Hikari quickly stops touching...whatever it is.
<Hikari> "Doesn't anyone at least have a lighter, or some matches?"
* Mykasi looks around for a door... before pausing. "No, but I do have some light. Should I try it here?"
<Hikari> "I'm useless as it stands. I need to see what's around us."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike mutters. "Stay still for a moment." With that, he pulls out the bottle of SUNshine and opens it.
* Nagare boggles as he gives up finding his lighter within his pockets. "You could have waited until I got my lighter."
> The bottle of SUNshine...when opened it does in fact seem to glow. Not very strongly, and hard to see in the fog. But it's there. It also smells like a warm summer day back in California, out in the hills where there's barely a person in sight.
<Mykasi> "...well, shit. This makes me homesick." Mike says after a moment, before passing it to Hikari. "Use your lighter to aid yourself, Prof?" he suggests.
* Hikari takes the bottle, moves it around in front of her. Hopefully she can get an idea of the room's dimensions, and ways out of it. And she can't help but look for whatever it was she put her hand in.
* Nagare shrugs and nonchalantly looks for his lighter, -now- finding it and firing it up. "Given how we've been doing this infiltration, I'm a few inches from just lighting a cigarette period here."
<Mykasi> "Wait until we give up and just decide to light the place on fire." Mike suggest, peering around hard. "Let's try to find a way upstairs, first."
> The bottle of SUNshine can be used like a makeshift flashlght, just don't tilt it. Hikari gets a good look at what she stuck her hand in. It's purple, and that's all there is to say about it. Fortunately, the smell of the bottle overwhelms any bad smells in here. It's reminds her of that time her father actually took them on a family vacation instead of a buisness vacation, to that sunny beach during spring break.
* Hikari walks until she sees a wall. Once that's accomplished, she'll walk along the wall until she finds a door.
> The bottle gives off just enough light that she can vaguely pick her way around the room and see what's to be seen. The place is a wreck, and messy. Very messy. There seems to be a door on teh other side of the room, locked of course.
* Nagare blinks and thinks for a moment and realizes something, thinking a bit harder. Then, he suddenly snaps at the thoughts of Abartach, willing for the mist to recede with his thoughts. -Then-, he deflates. "I can be -very- dense."
* Mykasi begins to stumble along with Hikari. "Break it?" Mike shrugs after a moment... before looking to Nagare. "..."
> The mist vanishes as quickly as it came.
> The room is now dark, but without the fog you can all use the light coming from the bottle to see at least somewhat.
* Nagare shrugs to Mykasi. "Crippling mental vices aren't exclusive to the young and unsteady."
<Hikari> Well, that won't keep her here for long. "Perhaps this will help in more ways than one," she says, summoning the lightblade from its card form. And then applying it to the locked door with all due force.
* Mykasi takes the bottle back from Hikari and inhaling deeply before glancing to the professor. "Right."
> The lightblade also gives off a slight glow, more like a giant glowstick then a real light source but at least it's something. It also makes short work of the door, which seemed to have been not only locked but bolted and boarded up from the other side. Not that this mattered to the lightblade with Hikari's force behind it.
* Hikari steps through the breach and looks around.
* Mykasi follows, light source of the SUN in hand.
* Nagare follows as well, still tempted to light up a cigarette.
> It's another wrecked room, this one with a very moist patchy carpet instead of hardwood for a floor. There are a couple doors leading out of this one, one just a doorway with no actual door at all that looks to elad out into some kind of hallway.
<Mykasi> "... I see." Mike shrugs. "Any opinions as to where the up route is?"
* Hikari heads for the hallway. Better chance of there being stairs out there.
* Mykasi follows with a slight paranoid shrug.
* Nagare follows as well.
> The hallway has three doors, one that's straight across from the one you just came out of, one against the righthand wall that's a bit larger then the others...and one at the top of some stairs!
<Hikari> "Shall we bother looking around, or simply head straight up?"
* Nagare mutters. "The next hallway will have animals and cars running off some fifty-odd doors, won't it."
<Mykasi> "Head up." Mike says. "Our best bet is to go up there and catch the one we're decently confident is there."
* Nagare shrugs, giving up and lighting a cigarette as he eyes the stairway under the dim light. "See Mykasi without the fancy justification. Simpler is better at this point."
> The door at the top of the stairs is also locked tight, of course.
<Mykasi> "Likely locked everything to make the third door route the only way in or out. Which means they may hear us and just flee, but..." Mike muses.
<Hikari> It takes more than a lock to sop Hikari! She'll just hack her way through them until someone has the sense to put a metal bank vault door in front of her.
> the door splinters magnificently! Then before the dust even settles a couple of laser bolts whip out of the door!
> roll 2d8 vs 5 blind potshot 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 5 blind potshot 1 and gets 5."12 [2d8=3, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 5 blind potshot 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 5 blind potshot 2 and gets 13."12 [2d8=8, 5]
> OOC: One defense check, Hikari.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 10."12 [2d8=8, 2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 may as well reroll fairly late in session and all
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 may as well reroll fairly late in session and all and gets 8."12 [2d8=1, 7]
> one laser goes wide, while the other is dead on target...but at the last second Brynhildr materializes in front of Hikari and blocks it with her spear, 3"No."
> OOC: Init time guys
<Hikari> roll 2d8+10
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+10 and gets 19."12 [2d8=2, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8+8 I need to boost my ACV
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8+8 I need to boost my ACV and gets 16."12 [2d8=3, 5]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9 wakka
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9 wakka and gets 21."12 [2d8=6, 6]
> roll 2d8+6 BM1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 BM1 and gets 21."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> roll 2d8+6 BM2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 BM2 and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 1]
> roll 2d8+6 BM3
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 BM3 and gets 12."12 [2d8=2, 4]
> roll 2d8+6 BM4
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 BM4 and gets 17."12 [2d8=4, 7]
> roll 2d8+8 BM5
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+8 BM5 and gets 24."12 [2d8=8, 8]
> roll 2d8+8 BM6
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+8 BM6 and gets 24."12 [2d8=8, 8]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM5 > BM6 > Mykasi > BM1 > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare > BM2 > BM3
> Sounds of scrambling are going on inside, Hikari can see movement but not who in particular is moving with the meager light her sword gives off. Still better then nothing, since she can at least guess at there being 4 or more seperate shapes. Two of them are only a few feet from her, too!(OOC: Go mike)
* Mykasi mutters and calls forth Anansi! ...who of course is dressed in a New York Yankees outfit, causing Mike to groan as the spider chucks up two large balls of ice and bats them at one of the skulking figures!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 Ice ice baby
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 Ice ice baby and gets 15."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> The ice ball goes soaring right past the bandit, and Anansi yells, "Hah! Steeeerike one!"
<Mykasi> "Anansi, shut the fuck up."
> The first bandit, one of the two right in front of Hikari who already has a gun drawn...shoots her!
> roll 2d8 vs 6 no longer a potshot still kinda blind though
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 no longer a potshot still kinda blind though and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
> OOC: Hikari is up
* Hikari dashes right towards the bandit shooting at her and swings the lightblade at its wireframe head!
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 5."12 [2d8=4, 1]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 defense and gets 9."12 [2d8=5, 4]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 damageification
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 damageification and gets 7."12 [2d8=3, 4]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM5 > BM6 > Mykasi > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare > BM2 > BM3
> The lightblade slams into the pesky bugger and scatters his parts all over the room like a shoddily constructed toy that a pit bull got ahold of.
> Now that she's more in the room, Hikari can see another couple of bandits scrambling to get thier guns out and get in gear. (OOC: Nagare, go. There's still one basically right next to Hikari witha gun already out)
* Nagare tries to attack the silhouette that seems closest to Hikari, calling Abartach's shadows to attack the bandit.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 hahahaha
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 hahahaha and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 defense and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 8]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 who cares he's exploding
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 who cares he's exploding and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM5 > BM6 > Mykasi > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare > BM3
> Abartach appears, and sends out his spiral of darkness, almost impossible to see right now. It gently touches the bandit...and entwines around and through him until he simply collapses and fades away, leaving his silvery mask behind.
> Another bandit manages to get himself in gear, while two others quickly kick a table over for cover and start firing from behind it!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 laser on Hikari 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 laser on Hikari 1 and gets 8."12 [2d8=7, 1]
> roll 2d8 vs 9 laser on Hikari 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 laser on Hikari 2 and gets 11."12 [2d8=7, 4]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 dodgery
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 dodgery and gets 7."12 [2d8=3, 4]
> Again, Brynhildr deflects the laser bolt with her spear!
* Mykasi leaps in, following Hikari, and directs Anansi at the one still standing in the open, cueing Anansi to pitch eight small snowballs at the fool!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 KYAR, ICE SMASH
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 KYAR, ICE SMASH and gets 6."12 [2d8=5, 1]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 dodge
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 dodge and gets 4."12 [2d8=1, 3]
> Right before impact, the bandit collapses into a jumble of lines and boxes, and the snowballs go right over him! Then he reassembles himself in seconds, amazing! (OOC: Now go Hikari. Also, body check when you charge before you swing)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 body check
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 body check and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 attack roll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 attack roll and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
> roll 2d8 vs 7 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 7 defense and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> Hikari charges, almost tripping over junk she can't see on the floor but powering through it instead of falling over. But as she swings, the bandit does what his partner before him did, collapsing behind the table and dodging entirely, then quickly reforming!
> There are two bandits not behind the table. One takes aim at Mike, firing off a quick laser shot!
> roll 2d8 vs 6 laser on Mikey
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 laser on Mikey and gets 10."12 [2d8=2, 8]
> Which misses entirely and scorches the wall. (Go nagare)
* Nagare tries to aim at the remaining unprotected bandit, directing Abartach's magic towards him.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 will lightning strike twice!?
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 will lightning strike twice!? and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
> It's hard to aim, even for Abartach, and the dark spiral just barely misses the bandit.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [70/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> The bandit fires back at Nagare, while the two behind the table back up a bit and concentrate fire on Hikari.
> roll 2d8 vs 6 shoot the doctor
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 shoot the doctor and gets 14."12 [2d8=8, 6]
> roll 2d8 vs 9 shoot the valkyrie 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 shoot the valkyrie 1 and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
> roll 2d8 vs 9 shoot the valkyrie 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 shoot the valkyrie 2 and gets 10."12 [2d8=2, 8]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 dodgery again
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 dodgery again and gets 10."12 [2d8=5, 5]
> OOC: your DCV is 8. Taking it or rerolling?
<Hikari> OOC: eh, I'll save rerolls for attacks for now
> roll 2d8 damage on Hikari
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage on Hikari and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 36/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [70/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> One blast streaks past Brynhildr's protection and takes Hikari dead in the chest. It hurts just as bad as it did the last time, taking the wind out of her hard. (OOC: Mike)
* Mykasi grunts and advances forward a touch, Anansi suddenly turning serious (and acquiring a mafioso outfit instead) as machine gun bullets of ice go flying at the opponent in the open!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 ratatatatatatatatata
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 ratatatatatatatatata and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> The bullets seem to only fly through the holes in the bandit's boxy body. (Hikari)
<Hikari> "You..." Hikari wheezes. "Let's see how brave you are once the odds are even!" Hikari swings again at the bandit in front of her.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 16."12 [2d8=8, 8]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 fuck you Hatbot
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 fuck you Hatbot and gets 7."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> roll 2d8 vs 7 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 7 defense and gets 12."12 [2d8=5, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 die
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 die and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM5(40 dmg) > BM6 > Mykasi > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare > BM3
> The bandit takes a whalloping, but doesn't scatter as easily as the other one. Now this close, Hikari can see that these two have some odd embellishments on thier masks taht the others did not.
> The one that Anansi's been firing at continues to fire back, weaving and shaking in some attempt to make himself harder to hit or something as he fires.
> roll 2d8 vs 6 laser the mikey
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 laser the mikey and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
> But it's probably messing up his own accuracy more. (Nagare)
* Nagare calls for Abartach's healing waters to mend Hikari up! She definitely could use the help.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 76/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [70/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> Slane's Dew washes over Hikari, cooling the burn of the laser and easing, if not fully washing away, her wounds.
> Again the two behind the table try backing away from Hikari more, but don't dare focus on anyone else but her, while the other free bandit takes another shot at Nagare.
> roll 2d8 vs 6 docshot
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 docshot and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
> roll 2d8 vs 9 girlshot 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 girlshot 1 and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
> roll 2d8 vs 9 girlshot 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 girlshot 2 and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 8]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 dodgedodgedodge
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 dodgedodgedodge and gets 13."12 [2d8=6, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll dammit
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll dammit and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
> roll 2d8 damage this leavs you at 1 reroll
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage this leavs you at 1 reroll and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 52/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [70/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> The same one snakes in another shot, this one only grazing at least, but still leaving a mark. (Go Mike)
* Mykasi hisses, before conjuring up an image to the four bandits... of six identical Hikaris, brandishing swords and glaring at the opponents!
> OOC: complex image, so roll mind.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 let's try this shit, and you better step up, bot
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 let's try this shit, and you better step up, bot and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
> roll 4#2d8
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 4#2d8 and gets 23."12 [4#2d8 = 3, 8, 6, 6]
> The one Mike had been gunfighting unsuccessfully with before freaks out and start to make a run for it, through a door in the back wall!
* Hikari keeps swinging away at the enemy before her. "Just fall already!"
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 14."12 [2d8=8, 6]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Fuck. You. Hatbot.
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Fuck. You. Hatbot. and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 7 defense and no more rerolls
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 7 defense and no more rerolls and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 KILLING IS MY BUSINESS
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 KILLING IS MY BUSINESS and gets 7."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM6 > Mykasi > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare > BM3
> This time the blade strikes more solidly, scattering the bandit across the room and the pieces fade away moments later.
> The one Mike had been gunfighting unsuccessfully with before freaks out and start to make a run for it, through a door in the back wall! (Nagare)
* Nagare tries to aim at the remaining bandit closer to Mykasi - the one not fleeing in terror - and calls for the shadows.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 sure why not
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 sure why not and gets 4."12 [2d8=2, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defensyness
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 defensyness and gets 10."12 [2d8=6, 4]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 damage lolohko?
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 damage lolohko? and gets 13."12 [2d8=8, 5]
> 4INIT ORDER: BM6 > Mykasi > Hikari > BM4 > Nagare
> the darkness spiral again strikes true, and in moments naught is left of the bandit but his mask, a glittering silver against the dark floor.
> The remaining bandit behind the table snaps off another shot at Hikari while backing towards the door his compatriot ran through.
> roll 2d8 vs pistol shot~ guuuuuuuun shot~
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs pistol shot~ guuuuuuuun shot~ and gets 7."12 [2d8=5, 2]
> OOC: that was supposed to be vs 9. It hits.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 ewewew
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 ewewew and gets 11."12 [2d8=7, 4]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 13/105 HP [70/70 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 71/75 HP [60/90 EP]{-1 Mind}, Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> Another glancing shot, this one across her leg. Hikari's vision is starting to swim, she can tell that she cannot take much more of this.
> OOC: Mike is up. There's only that one left in the room, and he's backing away fast.
* Mykasi grimaces and dispels the illusion, throwing large careless chunks of ice at the bandit as he sprints forward to cover Hikari a bit!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 STOP, IN THE NAME OF THE LAWL!
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 STOP, IN THE NAME OF THE LAWL! and gets 10."12 [2d8=6, 4]
> The careless chunks of ice carelessy fly into the floor, the walls and over his head, but somehow never hit the bandit. (Hikari)
<Hikari> Hikari, staggering sends Brynhildr out to strike at the enemy before she herself takes cover behind the table the bandits had just been using, practically dropping to the floor.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Helreio, going for raw damage over anything tricky
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Helreio, going for raw damage over anything tricky and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 7 defense since that hits even with penalty
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 7 defense since that hits even with penalty and gets 5."12 [2d8=1, 4]
> Brynhildr flies out to strike, but the bandit evades nimbly and she takes out a chunk of wall instead!(BM4 is no longer in the room. Nagare.)
* Nagare tries to take out the bandit with another strike of Abartach's shadows!
<Nagare> roll 2d8 it's like cashing a raincheck for a blowjob
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 it's like cashing a raincheck for a blowjob and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
> But vision is a bit too poor, and the spiral of darkness doesn't find purchase. The bandit snaps off one more hasty shot, this time at the doctor as Hikari is no longer in an easy position to shoot, and runs through the door.
> roll 2d8 vs 9 docshot
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 docshot and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 eeeeeeeeeew dodge
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 eeeeeeeeeew dodge and gets 4."12 [2d8=1, 3]
> At the last second Abartach's hand appears and with it a mystical aegis that stops the potential lethal bolt!
> (OOC: Mike, go if you're chasing. Free act if you aren't)
<Mykasi> "Ngh." Mike says, looking to Hikari. "You going to survive that?"
* Hikari coughs, hauls herself up with some help from the uptruend table. "I am...badly singed, but obviously not dead."
<Hikari> *upturned
* Mykasi stares at the door, before creeping toward it, ducking, and looking out into the next room.
* Nagare dusts himself off, moving towards Mykasi and Hikari and lighting another cigarette. "I think this is a sign for us to go back home definitely."
> The door leads into a room that has a trapdoor in teh ceiling. Mike can see this, because it's still hanging open.
> There are no bandits in the room.
* Mykasi glances back toward the group for a moment, before creeping over and peering up the trapdoor, moving as silently as possible to see if he can spot any of them lurking.
* Hikari hobbles over to the door to check on Mike's progress from a safe distance, sword tracking a gouge in the floor at her side.
> There's a distinct lack of light in the room, aside from the bottle of SUNshine mike's carrying which somehow never got dropped in the fight, so it's hard to see up. What he can see though...doesn't look like anything silver or moving. Just alot of darkness and some kind of junk.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 bot roll well or I turn you into so many pieces of metal fucking kindling
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 bot roll well or I turn you into so many pieces of metal fucking kindling and gets 8."12 [2d8=4, 4]
> It takes a moment...but Mike can feel faint vibrations above and to the left.
* Mykasi looks up to where the movement is, trying to determine if it's close to the trapdoor entrance.
> Not really no. And it's moving away, further to the left. Fairly quickly too.
* Mykasi shakes his head and goes back to the other two. "They're retreating. Let's just get the masks as proof of doing -something- and retreat for the night."
<Mykasi> With that Mike begins collecting up the masks. "Prof, you have the key. Use it on a door in here?"
* Nagare nods and goes towards the closest door, key in hand, to open it.
> The little pocketwatch sticks it's head out from Nagare's pocket, and seeing no more violence, jumps out!
* Nagare stammers back a bit. "I entirely forgot about this little gimmick."
<Hikari> "i'm sorry," Hikari says to little watch-being, weakly. "We weren't able to destroy all of them."
<Mykasi> "Ah, yes. We'll return when we can. Please tell the constable that four are dead, with two remaining." Mike nods to the watch. "You should be able to leave here safely, they're retreating."
> The hands on the watch spin, though hell if you know what that's supposed to mean. Meanwhile, the key fits easily into the door and it swings open to reveal the familiar portal.
<Mykasi> "Alright, Hikari. Need support to get in?" Mike says, offering an arm.
* Nagare sighs and shrugs to the clock. "We'll be back to at least try to finish the job. We need some time to lick the wounds, though."
<Hikari> "No, thank you....You can get back on your own?" Hikari asks the little creature before leaving.
> The watch...rapidly points it's hands at different symbols, then starts sneaking off.
<Hikari> "That must mean yes." Hikari turns and totters towards the portal.
* Mykasi follows Hikari after a moment.
* Nagare goes last through the portal, shrugging lightly.
> You stagger out of the room, through the Velvet Room and back into the still open somehow Satomi Tadashi. The old man doesn't seem phased by your appearance again, merely...pretty much ignores you as you leave despite the fact that you look like you were just in a fight. From there you manage to get yourselves to your seperate homes and drop into the sleep of the dead.
> At least until your alarms go off for morning classes...
> ------------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> -------------------------------------------------------
> Wednesday afternoon, Hikari and Mykasi arrive together at the Electric Six Bar and Grill, supposedly an American style restaraunt that's fairly gaudy and has loud rock music playing on the speakers. In English no less! They got out of the World History block a bit before Nagare is finished with his last class of the day, so they arrive first.
<Mykasi> "Nuclear war~ On the dance floor~ Nuclear war~ On the dance floor~" Mike sings along to himself as they get seats. "So, you doing better after Monday?"
<Hikari> "I no longer feel as though death is imminent. This is an improvement, yes, though I still wish we'd manage to stop all of the bandits."
<Mykasi> "You wanna go back in and try to finish that up?" Mike offers. "I wouldn't mind wrapping up that loose end, at least. If we've got time we can try the asylum, too."
> You get seated fairly quickly. The place is hardly packed on a mid-aftenoon. You get your menues as well, and even the menu items are filled to bursting with american pop culture referances. The more blatent and heavy handed the better, apparently.
<Hikari> "Perhaps, if we have no other pressing tasks. Shiro and I asked that strange worm person to look into Tachakara's disappearance. I suppose we could sort that out first."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "Alright. Check in with the Captain, then go handle bandits if we can - or the other way around, all depends on who we find first."
* Nagare enters the bar with a cigarette in his mouth - being able to smoke in closed areas is a rare blessing at these times. He looks for Hikari and Mykasi while covering his ears, which may well be bleeding.
> They aren't hard to spot!
* Nagare waves to Mykasi and Hikari as soon as he spots them, still covering one ear with his remaining hand.
* Mykasi waves back, eyeing the Professor. "Some people have no taste."
<Nagare> "As this bar kindly attests. The problem isn't so much the music itself as the fact that they seem to think their target audience is half-deaf, though."
<Mykasi> "... Riiiiight. Well anyways." Mike shakes his head. "Okay, quick update: the Professor's invisible friend knew Valeriya before she got Neverwas'd."
<Nagare> "However, Mykasi himself has never been dead. It was slightly awkward."
<Hikari> "Most living people have not," Hikari points out.
<Mykasi> "I do wonder if Xav would qualify..." Mike hums, before shaking his head. "Anyways, that's about the whole and sum of it from our end. Anything new on yours?"
* Nagare shrugs resignedly. "I have no defense there."
<Hikari> "I have nothing new to add at this point in time, and likely won't until we've checked up on the Captain's investigation. Shall we do so once we're done eating?"
<Mykasi> "Certainly." Mike nods, flagging a waiter.
<Nagare> "Sure. Let's make sure Mykasi undereats, though, we can always use a good guide through the Dream."
> A waiter comes by, and you place your orders. A short time later, the waiter returns with your food and you enjoy an 'American style' meal. It's a little on the greasy side, but flavorful at least.
<Mykasi> "Enter through Satomi Tadashi?" Mike asks as they chow down.
<Mykasi> "Use the usual excuse of 'checking for Soma tablets', natch."
<Hikari> "If you don't mind spending the money on another bottle of sunshine."
<Mykasi> "Nah, might be worth it."
<Nagare> "Eventually, they'll just point us to the door at this pace."
<Mykasi> "Point." Mike shrugs after a moment. "We could just exit from here. Any objections to that? Get started faster, too."
<Nagare> "Honestly, we're probably better off going through Tadashi. Familiarity with our reference points in the Dream is -never- a bad thing. We can get to find out where this place leads us to later."
<Hikari> "I agree with the professor. At least this way, we know we arrive in a safe location. Shall we go, then?"
<Mykasi> "Alright." Mike nods agreeably. "Let's get going then."
* Nagare whispers to Hikari. "Plus, I honestly -don't- want to know where a bar of this kin would lead us to at the other side tonight."
* Hikari nods in agreement as she stands up to leave.
* Mykasi misses the whispering as he heads out the door ahead of the other two.
* Nagare follows along Mykasi while lighting up another cigarette.
> You all head out and make your way to Satomi Tadashi. As you enter the...pharmacy of sorts...the familiar jingle assaults your ears immediately, while the salesman, the original overly freindly one this time, greets you with a big smile!
> "Ah, hello again, it's always good to see people coming back for our products! Is there anything I can help you find today?"
<Hikari> "Has there perhaps been a recent soma shipment delivered?"
* Mykasi wanders over to the poorly organized beverage section to search for another SUNshine bottle.
> He frowns and shakes his head, "It's not something we get in very often, I'm sorry."
> Mike goes poking around in the energy drink section, but doesn't see another SUNshine bottle.
* Hikari nods and leaves Mike to do the shopping today, then.
* Mykasi just grabs a bottle of water today and wanders over to pay.
* Nagare goes to shuffle through some of the back shelves. Maybe he could find something like moonlight pills or whatever the opposite of sunshine bottles are? Regardless.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for yes I'm looking for the secret deals
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 for yes I'm looking for the secret deals and gets 6."12 [2d8=5, 1]
> Nagare mostly finds the usual stuff, or at least what passes for usual here. Nothing stands out...at least not as something you might particularly WANT.
* Nagare shrugs and returns to the others, motioning to the usual door.
* Hikari is more than ready to flee the music as soon as everyone else is, and follows.
* Mykasi finishes paying up and follows the other two, gesturing the Professor to put the key in with a wave to the shopkeep.
* Nagare heads to the door and opens it with the Velvet Key, at this point without much ado. "Alright, time to make our exit. Or entrance."
* Mykasi nods, stepping through.
* Hikari exits as well.
> The shopkeep waves back...(Mind check all.)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 oh hey I didn't do 2d6 this time go me
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 oh hey I didn't do 2d6 this time go me and gets 15."12 [2d8=7, 8]
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 12."12 [2d8=5, 7]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 poink
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 poink and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
> As he steps through the portal, Mike casts a look back over his shoulder and sees the waving shopkeeper staring with a look of stark confusion. He rubs his eyes and opens his mouth like he's going to say something, but you've already started through the portal and finish sliding through before any sound comes out.
> (OOC: she's got...Scene Change eyes~)
> Going through the door at Satomi Tadashi puts you right outside of Master Frost's store, just as before. The location is stable, and both Frost's and the Glow look teh same as they always do.
<Hikari> "I must admit, finding another stable location to use would come with the benefit of us not hearing that awful music again," Hikari says, shaking her head as if to dislodge water from an ear.
<Mykasi> "So, while the Zen Master Shopkeeper didn't react, the cheerful one did. We're both going to have to figure out another place to do our antics and bluff the shopkeeper when we return." Mike notes.
<Nagare> "So, we don't go back to Tadashi for another month or so? Plenty of time for us to begin missing the song." Then, he finishes with a slight grin. "Especially Hikari."
<Mykasi> "Right. Still need to find another stable area, though." Mike grouses. "Anyway, where to from here? Back to the Victorian Rave Scene?"
<Hikari> "If you like. It occurs to me that I am not entirely sure how to find Captain Squiggly for an update."
<Nagare> "Have we -ever- gone to the Victorian Rave Scene for more than a few select minutes?"
<Mykasi> "Not really." Mike shrugs, thinking...
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 for a direction to Victorian. RAVE. SCEEEENE (ie where the constable is)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 for a direction to Victorian. RAVE. SCEEEENE (ie where the constable is) and gets 7."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> Mike...thinks he has an idea of where to go. It's vague and not as solid as his grasp on Power locations, but it's something. Focusing on the constable helps...somewhat.
* Mykasi gestures. "I think I know the way. Let's go?"
* Retrieving #personador modes...
<Hikari> "Lead the way."
<Nagare> "You don't sound so certain this time. But go ahead."
<Mykasi> "I wasn't certain last time!"
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 90/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP]'
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 75."12 [1d100=75]
> Mike leads the way through the twists and turns of the Greater Dreamscape, down and across streets lined with baroque architechture and strange inhabitents. Eventually, you all find yourselves in an area that seems inspired by a cross between Star Wars and death metal music.(more)
> Strange looking alien life forms(though all suspiciously bipedal at the very least) roam the streets, most dressed in fearsome looking black leather and metal scraps. Chains, too many belts, horrible clashing face makeup and spikes on everything seems the norm here. Along with the organics, various robot-esque things can be seen as well, also in the same general visual theme(more)
> after a moment of just staring at this place, one shadow takes notice of you all and waves! As he approaches, you notice that he looks largely human shaped only with a metallic tentacle sticking out of his face instead of normal facial features. He's also sporting the style, with a black spiky harness over his bare chest and a neon green mohawk on his head.
* Mykasi waves back with obvious fascination.
<Hikari> "My senses have not been assaulted this brutally since we first stepped into the Dream. Mike, what hell have you delivered us to? Might we run?"
<Mykasi> "I repeat my earlier statement about -some- people having no taste." Mike says, giving Hikari a slight Look.
* Nagare deflates, shaking his head. "I don't think that would help. I'm pretty sure they could smell disgust."
<Hikari> "If they can, Professor, then it's already too late."
> The tencacle faced man draws closer, and cheerfully greets you, "Oy! I aven't seen you lot 'round here since that rumble with the liney buggers. Hell of a time THAT was, eh?"
<Nagare> "Acute senses ironically do not guarantee a sense of self-awareness, mind."
<Mykasi> "Yeah, seriously." Mike nods. "We've been helping them clear out the rest of them - almost had them pinned but we had to retreat. You been doin' well for yourself?"
<Hikari> "Yes. Is...this your neighborhood?"
> He nods, "Sure thing. What, you don't recognize it?"
<Hikari> "I...thought I remembered it looking different, but nevermind."
* Nagare stands in awe as he looks at the surroundings. "I guess we might have been in slight denial then. Or we are now."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "So anyway, we're heading over to the Constable's again. We're going the right way, correct?"
> "Constable?" He looks confused.
> At least from his body language. Hard to read the facial expressions of a tentacle.
<Hikari> "We rescued him from the bandits. You don't remember?"
> The tentacle wiggles as comprehensions dawns, "Ooooh, you mean the bossman, right? Another Liney guy?"
<Hikari> "Yes, that's him."
> Then he quickly looks side to side and quietly begs, "Oh...geez, don't tell 'im I called 'im that, okay?"
* Mykasi mentally pauses and sees if they are in the correct spot already according to his internal directional spidey-sense.
<Hikari> "Your secret is safe with us, of course."
> The feeling's mostly slipped away from him by now, but it feels...right? Kinda? It's getting harder to hold onto by the second.
<Mykasi> "Would he really be that mad if he heard it?" Mike says, a confused frown on his face. "Not that I'd tell him, either."
> Tentacle face nods and breaths a sigh of relief, "Yeah, he don't like being compared to those other buggers. Anyway, how about I show you to him, eh? He'll be pinched to see you lot."
<Hikari> "That would be appreciated, thank you. Lead on?"
<Mykasi> "Indeed. Thanks." Mike nods.
> Tentacle face leads you down the street and into an alley, then a turn from that alley into a semi-spacious small lot behind some kind of store, tucked away between buildings. As you went, he waved through a couple sets of mean looking toughs.(more)
> As you get into the lot, you see the man made of lines and boxes with the metallic green mask...who's wearing a leather jacket witha couple of chain loops dangling from it. Around him are a couple more tough guys, who start to block you but pull back as soon as the 'constable' says "Hey, they're good."
> He gets up from the stool he was resting on and nods at you, "Been awhile. I was starting to think something got you."
* Nagare shakes his head. "Honestly, they weren't that far from getting us."
<Mykasi> A comprehending grin dawns on Mike's face as he waves to the bossman. "Everything goin' well here?" To his question Mike shrugs. "We got injured and had to retreat in the other direction. Downed four of the punks, though. Only two left from that group. Any movements from them that you know of? We'd like to finish them off."
<Hikari> "Almost, but we struck back with even more ferocity. They fled, in the end--those we couldn't catch."
> "Windup told me you let some get away, yeah. I got a question for you, though." He pauses a bit, then approaches closer so he can speak more quietly, "The ones that split, did they have normal masks? Or fancy ones? Did ANY of them have fancy looking masks?"
* Nagare frowns. "Two of them had elaborate masks. One of them still lives."
> "Izzat so?" He's quiet for a moment then just leans back and groans, "Frag it. Well, you got one at least. That's somethin'"
<Hikari> "Is this a problem? I did wish to catch all of them, but I was in no condition to pursue by the time they broke and fled."
> "The clowns with the fancy masks can make more of the others, if they get the parts." He explains, "So that means they're broken up for now, but not gone. Eh," he shakes his head and shrugs a bit, "it's somethin'. By th etime they put themselves back together, they'll be somebody else's problem. They're not likely to stick around in the same spot they just took a whooping in."
* Hikari nods. "At least we helped to some extent."
<Nagare> "It just means we have a recurring issue to deal with. Although I have to ask what should we do with the masks we've gathered from them."
<Mykasi> "Damn." Mike says. "I'd still rather track them down if possible, but... if they aren't gonna stick around here then it's not as big a stressor." At this, Mike considers, then tries to mentally figure out the way to the other bandit with the fancy mask...
> No magical tracking ability manifests itself in Mike's head.
<Mykasi> "Feh." Mike shakes his head. "Yeah, can't find my way to them like I can here."
> The bossman nods, "Yeah, I don't expect to find 'em again until they stick thier noses in someone's buisiness. They'll go to ground for awhile. As for the masks...I dunno, pawn 'em off on someone who collects junk?"
* Mykasi nods. "Still, was worth a shot. You need us for anything else, swing by Master Frost's and leave a note, alright?"
<Hikari> "Frost, perhaps?" Hikari wonders. "I can't recall whether we've tried to sell these to him."
<Mykasi> "Or Awn." Mike notes.
> "Anyway, you at least got 'em off MY back, so I should give you at least part of the payment." He walks back over to where he was sitting before and rummages through a bag until he pulls out what seems to be a small black metal loop, then tosses it in your direction.
> "It's called a prize loop. Dunno how it does what it does, but pull it apart and it'll give you...something." He shrugs.
* Hikari catches it. Looks at it. "Well, shall we find out what that something is right now?" she asks the others.
<Mykasi> "Thanks. Sorry we couldn't eliminate the rest - stroke of bad luck, that." Mike nods, before shrugging to Hikari. "Pull it apart like a wishbone, if you want."
* Hikari nods and does as instructed by the Constable.
> (OOC: first roll 1d100, followed by 2d8. Since it's Hikari, you may spend a fortune reroll on one but not both of these rolls. I won't tell you what happens until the final result though, soooooo~)
<Hikari> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 1d100 and gets 89."12 [1d100=89]
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8  and gets 4."12 [2d8=1, 3]
<Hikari> OOC: I think I'll stick with those.
> Hikari pulls the ring apart...and suddenly an image of a spinning prize wheel like on a slot machine appears in front of her! There's only the one window though, and it spins until it stops and the word "Macca!" is both displayed and announced by a cheerful disembodied voice(more)
> Then another wheel appears, this time with numbers on it! It spins and spins and spins until it stops and the number 500 is displayed! And the voice announces, "Lucky!"
> And 5 100 macca coins fall onto the street at Hikari's feet.
> The toughguys and tentacle face cheer for your good fortune.
<Mykasi> "Coo." Mike grins.
* Hikari picks them up. "Well. We won't want for money for a time, I think."
* Nagare scratches his chin. "It's like a portable living piñata."
> The bossman chuckles, "like I said, don't ask me how they work."
* Mykasi gets two coins from Hikari and flips one to Nagare. "In case we get separated, though you should hold the primary as fundsbearer, Hikari."
<Mykasi> "Fair. Anythin' else you need, as I said, just holler at Master Frost and we'll see what we can do, alright?"
<Hikari> "I've long since stopped asking how things here work," Hikari says.
> The bossman nods.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Next up..." Mike hums, before looking to the other two. "Well, what do you guys want to do? Look up the Cap'n?"
<Hikari> "That would be my preference, if we can find him. Unfortunately, I don't precisely know where to look."
<Mykasi> "Mmm. Then let's go over by Awn's first?" Mike suggests. "Might as well wander that way and catch up on any relevant news there."
* Hikari tries to remember the directions anyway...
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 9."12 [2d8=5, 4]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll and gets 8."12 [2d8=5, 3]
> Directions and mental maps are not Hikari's strong suit.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 maybe I suck less than Hikari?
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 maybe I suck less than Hikari? and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
> OOC: where exactly is Nagare trying to remember directions TO?
<Nagare> OOC: Awn.
* Hikari shrugs. "I can't recall the way. Unless either of you remember the last place we met the Captain?"
> Focusing on it...Nagare can remember the way to Awn's Shop fairly well.
* Nagare scratches his head. "Well, I actually have a fairly decent handle on how to get to Awn's Shop. We could go there then try our hand to the Captain?"
<Mykasi> "Didn't we last run into the Captain at the Food Court?" Mike says. "I know my way -there- just fine. Unless you ran into him somewhere different." Then, to Nagare, "Sure."
<Mykasi> A pause. "...wait, how the hell -do- I know my way to the Food Court without trying?"
<Hikari> "Either way, navigating the Dream does not seem to be among my talents. One of you lead on?"
<Mykasi> "Go ahead, Prof." Mike nods with a slightly confused frown.
<Hikari> "I don't understand it either, Mike. We just had lunch."
<Mykasi> "That's just it, though! I'm not hungry!"
* Nagare shrugs. "A young college man's stomach is a gaping maw with neverending depth. Anyway, I'm taking the lead." With that, Nagare begins strolling towards Awn's Shop!
> roll 1d100
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 1d100 and gets 13."12 [1d100=13]
> Nagare leads the way! Aside from detouring around a gang of demonic looking...things...playing leapfrog, nothing impedes your progress to the street that Awn the Blink's shop keeps stable.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Let's go see if he's got an interest in those masks?" Mike suggests to Hikari.
<Nagare> "I certainly wouldn't be averse to parting with these. Terrible ornaments, they make."
> You walk into his shop. Awn is in the process of staring down a refridgerator when you walk in, and doesn't seem to notice you.
* Mykasi wanders over, curiously. "Hello, Awn. How have things been?"
* Nagare snickers as he enters. "You know, I always suspected you were capable of eventually dismantling things with just your intent stare, but I didn't think I'd see you actually -trying- to do it."
> "Huh?" He breaks off his staring contest with the appliance and turns around, "Oh, hey there. Here on business today?" Then to Nagare he shakes his head, "Oh, nah, I prefer hands on work anyway. I'm just trying to figure out what I did wrong with this one."
<Mykasi> "Yeah, we have a bit of business. Interested in these masks at all?" Mike gestures to the ones Nagare and Hikari have. "Little use to us, maybe they'll help you."
* Nagare holds the mask with a pleading eye. "It'd be more of a favor to us than you, really."
> He takes one and looks it over, "Hmm. I could probably get a small bit of essence out of 'em, sure."
<Hikari> "Out of curiosity, what could you use these for?"
> "I'd dismantle them, use the lefover metal for scrap and store the essense for later projects," he answers matter of factly.
* Hikari nods. "Well, we certainly have no need for them ourselves."
* Mykasi nods at this.
> He nods, and gestures around the room, "Just toss 'em anywhere then. Thanks alot, it's always good to have more power sources, even if they're weak."
> "Anything else I can help you gents with today?"
* Nagare bobs his head slightly, putting his mask near the refrigerator carefully. "I figure you wouldn't want to have the pleasure of dismantling this thing robbed from you."
<Mykasi> "Mmm. Actually, I do kinda have a request, though I don't know how well it'll work." Mike says, fishing out his cell phone. "If I got you something similar to this, could you add a directional function to it so finding my way around could be easier? Or is it too finicky?"
> "Oh, that's not the problem at all!" he notes, then to Mike shakes his head, "eeeeeh, MAKING things isn't really my strong suit. That's kinda my problem with this fridge right now. See, I took it apart, then tried my hand at putting it back together. But..."
> "Well, it works. At least I think it does. But I have parts left over."
> "And I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to have parts left over."
* Mykasi nods slightly, glancing at the fridge and crouching down to look it over. "If you have parts left over, it's called a more efficient design, not a problem. Unless it has unwanted side effects like turning everything you put into it into a jar of ketchup."
* Nagare shrugs. "You aren't supposed to be able to dismantle things for a living either. It -is- the Dream, it's not supposed to make sense."
<Nagare> "For all that it bothers me that it isn't supposed to make sense."
> Awn nods, "I'd like to think it's a more efficient design. But I've had stuff lke this happen often enough before that I'm very sure there will be some kind of unwanted side effect down the road. I build things for my own hobby, but I don't sell them to customers. I won't sell something that's defective, and everything I make is defective eventually."
<Mykasi> "Hm." Mike shrugs. "Fair enough. Still, don't be so hard on yourself. Learning how stuff works by breaking it down and rebuilding it still provides the experience of doing so, right?"
> Awn chuckles, "Maybe."
* Mykasi nods! "Anyways, I can't think of anything else right now, honestly. Good luck with your next project, whatever you choose to work on?"
* Nagare shuffles and coughs a bit. "Actually. Do you have any idea where the worm captain might be as of now?"
<Mykasi> "Oh! Uh... well, wait." Mike says after a moment with a frown. "Outta curiousity, I'm kinda looking for a throwing weapon that I can use and that isn't -too- conspicuous. Got anything that might fit the bill? Some weirdly essenced gears or something? If they return to me, that's a plus."
> "Captain Squiggly?" Awn asks, "Try the food court, outside Mab's castle, or outside of the Zoo. Those are his usual haunts. He's a good guy, tell him I said hi. And..." he thinks, then rummages through some junk but eventually shakes his head, "Not anything laying around, no. And I take all the power sources out of the things I dissassemble. But if something comes in, I'll stick a note on it for you."
<Mykasi> "Thanks!" Mike nods. "Take care, then." And with that and a wave, Mike makes to exit.
* Nagare waves to Awn and follows Mykasi.
> Mike and Nagare exit the shop!
* Nagare bobs his head. "Okay, the Food Court is a plausible destination. Think you can lead us there?"
<Mykasi> "Yeah, once Hikari comes out. Don't wanna ditch her." Mike notes.
* Hikari follows the lead set by Mike's stomach!
* Mykasi nods and leads the way to the food court!
> Mike's amazing powers of knowing where food is lets him unnerringly lead the group right to the food court. Where upon walking around for a bit, you see a roughly foot long worm just chilling near the sign that reminds people that violence is not allowed here.
<Mykasi> "Hey!" Mike waves to the worm. "Howsit going?"
* Hikari approaches the worm. "Ah...Captain Squiggly, I presume?"
> The worm angles up as you approach, and rises to writhe a bit in greeting. Mike can understand it's speach of course, "Greetings! Are you here about that girl that you and Asakura had me look into, or something else?"
<Mykasi> "The girl, yeah. Any information?" Mike inquires.
> The worm shakes back and forth, "Sorry, but not yet. It's only been a day though, and there's only so much even I can do. Give me a little more time and I'm sure I'll turn up something."
* Hikari nods. "For future reference, is this a reliably consistent place to find you?"
<Mykasi> "No problem." Mike nods, before looking to the other two. "Yeah, that motion was obvious. He says it's only a matter of time, tho - one day isn't much."
> The worm wriggles again, "I get alot of buisness here, so I always keep part of myself here."
* Mykasi nods. "Alright. We'll come back here again soon to get info. Thanks again." Mike then looks at the other two. "Well? What else do we wanna do?"
* Nagare ponders. "Do we have any other errands to run in the Dream? There is the asylum, but I think we may want to actually save an entire day for -that- endeavor rather than a makeshift return."
<Hikari> "Well, that depends. On what the professor said, really. And Shiro expressed some interest in at least trying to enter the asylum with us, if also skepticism that he'll be allowed inside."
<Nagare> "It'd be at the very worst worth trying."
* Mykasi nods. "Alright. ... Iunno, I kinda feel restless, though. I can't think of any specific -errands-, but... bah."
<Hikari> "Well, we do have money now. If there was anything that interested anyone at Frost's before, we might be able to afford it this time?"
<Mykasi> "We can go check before we leave, at least?" Mike notes.
<Nagare> "As long as we don't leave through Master Frost, lest we want to drive Satomi Tadashi's shopkeeper mad."
<Hikari> "I see no harm in window-shopping if there turns out to be little we truly want. I will simply have to endure the constant 'hos."
<Mykasi> "We rearrive in Satomi Tadashi anyway. Let... let me do the talking there, though - we need to pretend as if nothing's wrong." Mike frowns. "Or would it just be easier to explain to him? Might be kinder, too."
<Nagare> "I'm mostly hoping the cardiac arrest bails us out at this point."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike eyes Nagare, before looking to Hikari. "Input?
<Hikari> "As I said, I see no harm in looking. If it's to be a day for odds and ends, why not?"
<Mykasi> "I was talking about the Satomi Tadashi man, but whatever." Mike says, trying to remember the way to Master Frost's...
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 CKECH
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 CKECH and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
> With some effort, one of the three eventually figures out how to get back to Frost's Emporium, and they look around a bit perhaps buying something. Then, the Velvet Key is used once more...
> (OOC: My Scene Change runs free now, carried by the wind~)
> The door opens and you step back into Satomi Tadashi. The shopkeeper isn't at the counter, but instead helping another customer in one of the aisles. He looks over as he hears someone enter and his expression freezes a bit. He politely greets you all, "Ah, yes, hello again. Give me just a moment to finish helping this customer."
<Mykasi> "Of course." Mike nods with a slight wince and a smile before glancing to the other two. "You two wanna look around? I'll wait to talk to him."
<Hikari> "You're quite welcome to do so, Mike. Try not to break him? He seems rather fragile right now."
* Nagare whispers. "I'll oblige. Otherwise, I'll just end up longing for him to suffer a stroke."
* Mykasi rubs his head. "Okay. Just leave me the key."
> After a bit, he rings up that customer, who thanks him for his help and heads out of the store.
* Nagare hands Mykasi the key. "Good luck."
* Mykasi takes the key and walks over, with a rueful grin on his face. "...Hi."
> Then the shopkeeper turns to look at Mykasi with a fairly forced smile, "Ah...yes. Um...who, uh, what um, was that?"
<Mykasi> "Uh." Mike rubs his head. "I'd lie and say you didn't see anything except that'd likely just stress you out at this point. Uh, how to explain it? We do that on occasion to try and... fix stuff going wrong in town. We do it from here because it gives us a convenient jump-off place. Sorry, we're uh kinda used to you being distracted when we do it, none of us realized we might worry you..." (more)
<Mykasi> "...since you were paying attention this time until I was already going through."
> The man's first response is to just stare at you for a moment until he breathes a sigh of relief, "So I really saw what I thought I saw...I'm not going insane like those people on the news. Good to hear. You...say you're trying to fix things?"
<Mykasi> "Yeah. Like, for example, those people on the news, actually." Mike nods slightly. "And... a few other cases, too. We can't do much for everyone, but we're trying to do what little we can." A look up to the storekeep. "Uh, I realize this probably won't be hard, but can I request secrecy? It'd be kinda awkward to have to explain this to more and more people, and what we can do, as I said, is... sadly limited."
> He nods, "I'll have to talk to my uncle about it. He owns the store, and if someone else sees you and talks about it, it might come back to him. But other then that...I'd have to be crazy to talk about this."
<Mykasi> "Your uncle... does he sit and watch the shop sometimes?" Mike says after a moment.
> "Very rarely," he responds, "he has many other things to do, including enjoying his retirement in peace. But sometimes he likes to handle the store personally."
* Mykasi frowns before describing the Zen shopkeeper. "That him?"
> He nods, "Yes! You've met him?"
<Mykasi> "... He's seen us go through as well, then." Mike says after a moment. "But when we tried to dig at whether or not he saw us do it, he didn't make any comment on anythign out of the ordinary..." (More)
<Mykasi> "...which led us to think others couldn't -see- what we did. Thus the other half of why we were so careless. Sorry."
> The shopkeeper blinks, "If uncle didn't see it...I..I will talk to uncle." he firmly states before following his initial train of thought.
<Mykasi> "Honestly? Your uncle seems like the sort who can't be phased by anything." Mike comments drily. "But in the future we'll make sure that you're the only one that sees us - or him. Oh, and this is why we keep coming in for Soma - it really does help when working on stuff."
> He nods again, "It really is a very rare thing to get in, and Uncle's rules say that we can't reserve things for specific customers like that. I'm not just trying to keep you coming back or messing with you, I promise!"
<Mykasi> "No no no, I'm not complaining! It makes sense!" Mike nods. "I just wanted to explain that! Anyway, uh... yeah, you're totally fine, we'd be able to tell if you weren't, thanks for understanding."
> "Uh, yes..." he nods again.
* Mykasi rubs his head. "Fuck, this is awkward. Uh." A pause, before Mike sticks his hand out with the same rueful grin. "Mykasi. But just call me Mike."
> "Ah, Ujinao Hashimori," he shakes Mike's hand awkwardly,
<Mykasi> "A pleasure. Ah, take care, alright? We should get going."
> He nods, "Yes. Ah, thank you for shopping at Satomi Tadashi." he manages to struggle back into his proffesional manner.
<Mykasi> "Thank you. Have a good day!" Mike grins and waves again, gesturing to the other two.
* Nagare blinks. "... I saw that and I still don't believe it."
* Mykasi looks to Nagare with a slight grin, stepping outside before saying, "I rule, you drool, that's all there is to it."
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Thursday afternoon, after classes which are getting quite stressful as finals are...next week! Oh dear. While Hikari makes arrangements with Shiro and Nagare is trying to extricate himself from a conversation with another professor, Mykasi makes a phonecall of his own.
* Mykasi punches the number in, rubbing his head at his own forgetfulness. Perhaps he should have expected a lack of communication, but... at the same time he's had his own shit to work through. With a slight toss of his head Mike punches the call button.
> The phone rings four times, and Mike thinks it's about to go to voicemail when instead Dami answers, "Ah...this is Daidoji."
<Mykasi> "Hi. It's Mike. Sorry to bother you." Mike replies, leaning against the wall.
> "No, it's fine." he sounds a bit surprised but quickly recovers equilibrium, "What do you need?"
<Mykasi> "Well, outside from wanting to catch up - both to exchange our current knowledge and to get reappraised - I wanted to alert you that we're going to be exploring a certain area in the Dream tonight. Your help would be appreciated if you can swing it." Mike offers.
> "I'm working on something at the moment, actually. Which...if I remember correctly you work with mechanics and electronics and such so you might be able to help when you have the time. But that can wait for the moment, where is it that you're going?"
<Mykasi> "Ah, sure. Be glad to help." Mike says with a nod. "We're planning on visiting the Kana Family Memorial Hospital in the Dream. It's... twisted, to say the least."
> The other end is dead silent for a long moment.
<Mykasi> "Lemme guess, you've been there before."
> "I...am a psychology student." he finally chokes out, voice beginning to crack as it did before when you confronted him, "it is one of the first places I went. I thought...I thought I could help them."
> "I was wrong."
<Mykasi> "... yeah." Mike grimaces. "We've... figured out a bit of that ourselves. I wanted to go in and see an... acquaintance. But... ah, hell. That's another story - we got in to him, though not easily." A pause. "We want to go in and see Richard Bland. I don't think you were responsible for him, and neither was Shiro, so... he's our best link to another Persona user. I ...realize this will be tough for you, to go back in. Your c
<Mykasi> "I ...realize this will be tough for you, to go back in. Your call."
* Ranmilia is now known as Ransleep
> You hear him take a deep breath and when he speaks again his voice has returned to the very controled and neutral tone he often uses, "When are you going?"
<Mykasi> "We're planning on going in... I think an hour or so. It'll take us a bit to get there, though. And we enter the Dream from a gas station down the street, so... hour-thirty would be my guess for our arrival there?"
> "The gas station...yes, I know where that is. I...I will try to meet you there."
<Mykasi> "Alright. ...Take care." Mike says after a moment. "We can talk about your project on the way there - I'm definitely interested in hearing about this."
> "Ah...yes, of course." He takes another deep breath, "I...will attempt to meet you at the gas station. I apologize if I cannot. Farewell."
* Mykasi nods. "Again, take care." Mike nods, hanging up.
<Mykasi> With that, he goes to meet up with Hikari and Nagare...
> Mike meets up with the others, including Shiro, and heads off to the gas station! The drive there is uneventful(thankfully) and before long you all arrive at the familiar place.
> Dami does not seem to be there yet.
* Nagare twiddles his thumbs. "How long do we wait?"
<Mykasi> "Hm." Mike says, checking the time on his phone. "I'm gonna buy a bottle of water. Back in a bit."
<Hikari> "We wait long enough for Mike to purchase a bottle of water?" Hikari suggests.
<Nagare> "I feel like I walked into that."
* Mykasi heads on in and nods to the attendant.
> The person inside is the guy mike saw before, who nods, "Hey...you were the guy waiting for your girl before, right? She never came by, at least not on my shift." He rings up your bottle of water.
<Mykasi> "Bah. Thanks for keeping an eye out. She hasn't called me back..." Mike mutters. "Maybe she's just avoiding me. Iunno why. Thanks again."
> He nods, and you head back out.
* Mykasi glances around. "Still nothing?"
* Hikari merely shakes her head.
> OOC: How long do you wait there?
<Hikari> OOC: Hikari is not big on waiting. 15 minutes at most!
<Mykasi> OOC: 15, yeah. Mike's not interested in stalling, nor is he interested in pushing Dami more than is wise.
<Nagare> OOC: 15 sounds good.
> After roughly ten minutes of waiting...the bathroom door to the side of the gas station opens and Dami steps out. He doesn't look too great, like he hasn't been eating or sleeping well at all, but he gives a polite nod as he walks over to the rest of you.
> "I apologize for the delay."
* Hikari looks him over. "Are you feeling unwell? This is not a pleasant place we are about to visit. If you're not in a fit state for trouble..."
<Mykasi> "...Note to self: feed you a bowl of ramen with some tranqs in it." Mike replies drily. "You ready?"
> "There is no fit state for that place." he responds matter of factly.
<Hikari> "True enough. Shall we be off?"
> Shiro snorts and slams his right fist into his left palm, "Dammit. This place is sounding worse and worse and instead of me you guys are gonna get this guy for backup. Fan-fucking-tastic."
> Dami doesn't respond to Shiro's bait.
<Nagare> "When did we said you weren't coming?"
> "It's inside, isn't it?" Shiro looks at Nagare with a raised eyebrow.
* Mykasi shakes his head. "Wish I could disagree with that. Alright, then. Hikari, I think now would be a good time for you to get the munchies?" Then, to Shiro, "Let me put it this way. You know how I'm better at dealing with mindfucking than you? This place mindfucks me. His caution may just be what we need. ... Then again, you breaking in half the doors would have its charm."
> "If I can get in, great. But the only place I've managed to go inside in the whole Dream is Lily's place." Shiro shakes his head, but gets ready to go anyway.
* Hikari stares blankly at Mike. "Get the what?"
<Mykasi> "... Let's go into the gas station get something to eat, and then key back out after I distract him or something."
> Dami looks over, "Ah, yes, you need to use that key, don't you? I left the bathroom door propped open, perhaps that would be less intrusive?"
<Hikari> "Why not just use the bathroom? Inelegant, but unobserved."
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 90/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [145/175 EP]'
<Mykasi> "...oh. Then yeah, bathroom works this round." Mike nods. "See you guys on the other side." A pause. "Oh, and the Satomi Tadashi people know of us, so they're generally safe to do this stuff around. Kinda. The young one still freaks out, tho." Mike says, wandering over to the bathroom.
<Nagare> "I have to wonder if his uncle had his share of adventurers opening doors to another world in the past," Nagare quips as he follows behind.
> Shiro sits down next to the bathroom door and begins to summon the wind, while Dami walks over to Nagare's car, touches the side mirror...and ripples out of existance.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 90/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [140/175 EP]'
* Hikari involuntarily starts humming the music, rubs her forehead, and follows the others.
> Mike, Hikari and Nagare are all now in the bathroom together.
* Mykasi pulls out the key, having been the one to use it last, as he closes the door. "Next stop, Dream World. All aboard!"
<Mykasi> And with that he uses the key!
> (OOC: Seperated by Scene Changes!)
> Moving through the Velvet Room, the persona users arrive in the Dream outside of...what appears to be a giant computer. With doors in it. Dami is already there, while you can see the gathering wind that heralds Shiro's arrival beginning to form.
<Mykasi> "Charming." Mike says, glancing at the computer.
* Nagare scratches his head. "Do we have some Binary Street remnants living around or is this just a whimsy of the Dream like usual?"
<Hikari> "It reminds one of the Binary district, yes. Which does not make me eager to linger."
> The winds finish gathering, and Shiro whirls into the Dream. Immediately he calls out, "Red Hare!" and swings into his PErsona's saddle the moment it appears.
> Dami nods, "I trust you have a method for traversing the forest? I suspect something in it is deliberatly attempting to mislead those who enter."
<Mykasi> "Alrighty. Now that everyone's assembled-" A glance to Dami. "Oh, we talked to it last time and convinced it to let us pass."
<Hikari> "Something is, yes, and we were able to reason with it. Or something approaching reason. We should not have great difficulty."
<Nagare> "Not that the little critter had -much- reason to be had with."
> "I...see." Dami notes, "Talking to a forest does not fall within my own capabilities I suppose. I eventually had to give up and go over."
* Mykasi nods. "Let's go, then." With that, Mike leads the way, face somewhat glum.
<Hikari> "Hopefully it will remember us and not attempt to mislead us again. I can't say much for its cognitive abilities, but one can hope." Hikari walks on after Mike.
* Nagare follows behind the other two. "I'd be surprised if it could remember its own name within a week. But no point in wallowing over -that-."
> OOC: Nagare can make a nagigation check if he wants to try and work his way through.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for navigigation, sure
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 for navigigation, sure and gets 4."12 [2d8=2, 2]
> Now that he knows the trick of the forest, Nagare is able to put his hiking experience to work and pick his way through the forest, changing paths or no. Eventually he pushes through a dense batch of trees and finds himself staring up at the paper-charm barrier surrounding the asylum.
* Nagare eyes warily the imposing building of the asylum. "Well. Here we are. For some reason, seems I can just -find- my way to this place."
<Mykasi> "... So... you can find your way to asylums and I can find my way to the Food Court."
* Mykasi ponders.
<Mykasi> "Hikari, willing to bet you have an instinctive compass to Master Frost's.
> "I don't think that means the doc wants to eat crazy people, Mike." Shiro chuckles, even with the sight in front of him.
<Hikari> "Don't worry, Professor. We'll haul you away if you look ready to take up residence."
> Dami, on the other hand, visible shudders for a second before regaining control of himself. He is, however, notably more pale.
* Nagare shakes his head. "I nearly booked myself into the place before, I don't think that's a particular worry there."
* Hikari just gives Mike a Look. "Are you alright, Dami?"
> "No." he answers quite simply, "but I...must face this eventually regardless."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "...Let's get going, then."
* Hikari nods. "Do we have more of a plan than simply walking in and seeing what we find, this time? Navigation was...problematic, last time we visited. I would like to minimize the time spent wandering through identical halls if possible. The longer we stay, the greater chance of danger finding us."
> "What is the objective?" Dami asks.
<Nagare> "We're looking for Richard Bland as of now. This may prove problematic, as we don't know where he is sheltered in the asylum."
<Mykasi> "Finding Richard Bland." Mike replies to Dami. "We seemed able to control our destination by focusing on it, so... focus on his name and his picture, if you saw it on the news."
<Hikari> "Sufficient for now. Some great power resides here; finding it and uncovering its motives may eventually be necessary, though perhaps not a task for today. Well, let's proceed?"
> "Understood. I...if nessesary can move through a wall or door without opening it to see what is on the other side. I cannot do it often, as it is quite draining, and I cannot take others with me so it is an escape route only for myself if it comes to that. But," he sighs, "if you believe it would be of use, let me know."
> Shiro snorts, "Handy trick. Alright, let's get this...uh.." he ducks under the barrier and stares at the door, "what the hell kind of door is that?"
* Mykasi nods. "We shouldn't need it, I'd hope." Then, to Shiro, "An American one. Didn't you know?"
<Hikari> "Navigation of the interior is difficult," Hikari says, stepping past the barrier. "That may be a useful option if the rest of us grow too fatigued."
> Shiro stares at Mike, "That has to be a joke." Looking back at the door, he shakes his head, "This has...what, seven handles? And hinges everywhere. How the crap does this open?"
<Hikari> "It just does. It's better not to think about it more than necessary."
* Nagare shrugs. "Pick a handle and hope it works, was our bet. May well work here."
<Mykasi> "It was." Mike nods slightly to Shiro with a grin, before taking one of the handles in a normalish position and trying to open it!
> After a bit of futzing, Mike gets the door open!
> Shiro tries to enter...and is stopped hard at the threshhold.
> He spits out a string of foul language.
> Though the open door you can see the lobby, much as it was before.
<Mykasi> "Explore around the place and see if there's anything that looks useful? We'll be in here for a bit, I suspect." Mike suggests as he goes in.
<Hikari> "Unfortunate," Hikari sighs, "but not entirely unexpected. It's not impossible that we may end up fleeing in some haste with some monstrosity at our backs. Wait as backup in the event of such? And...if a doll-like frog creature approaches you, endeavor not to kill it."
* Nagare sighs. "There -has- to be another place Shiro can enter in this entire landscape. Figures it wouldn't be here, but."
> Shiro nods, "Got it. I'll look around then...maybe jump up on the place and see if anything's hiding up top."
* Hikari nods. "Be careful." Hikari follows Mike inside.
> Dami hesitates just a moment but forces himself to follow.
> As Nagare steps in last, the door slides shut behind him, sounding like nothing so much as wet, contracting flesh.
* Hikari looks around. Anyone at the desk? Just the one other door to go through again?
* Nagare winces. "I'm not sure I will ever get used to this sound."
<Mykasi> "Okay. First, find entrance. Remember to focus on Richard Bland.
<Mykasi> " Mike offers as he looks around.
> The lobby is the exact same as it was before. Only one other door, and there is no one at the desk at present. There is, of course, a service bell on the desk.
<Mykasi> "Let's just go on through?" Mike suggests, glancing at the other door.
<Hikari> "Yes. I cannot say I have any interest in speaking with the receptionist again." Hikari walks to the door and opens it.
* Nagare takes a deep breath. "No other place to go but forward, I believe." The teacher then follows behind Hikari, trying to focus on Bland - it might well work.
* Mykasi follows with an encouraging nod to Dami, focused hard on Bland.
> Dami moves forward as well. (OOC: Mind checks all)
> roll 2d8 dami's mind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 dami's mind and gets 13."12 [2d8=8, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 my one weakness!
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 my one weakness! and gets 6."12 [2d8=2, 4]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 don't Mind me, I'm just gonna roll this here...
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 don't Mind me, I'm just gonna roll this here... and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 watch me get a 16
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 watch me get a 16 and gets 10."12 [2d8=6, 4]
> Hikari opens the door! And the world spins. When it stops, you're standing in a hallway, just like the ones before. Four doors on the left, four doors on the right.
<Mykasi> "Fuck. Well, let's keep trying." Mike shakes his head in irritation.
> Dami considers, "It...makes a certain sort of sense. The door from the lobby would never be connected directly to a patient's room."
<Hikari> "I'm going to continue defacing the doors to mark our passage. It may be futile, it may be this place rearranges itself at whim, but I have to try." Hikari conjures up the lightblade and slashes one gouge into the first door on her left.
<Mykasi> "Well, yes. Still. The more we focus on our destinations the better our odds, I figure." Mike shakes his head, neglecting to mention his distraction.
<Hikari> "Well...who wishes to choose a door?"
> OOC: Body check Hikari.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 8."12 [2d8=7, 1]
> The Lightblade bites into the door fairly deeply, much more easily then Brynhildr's slashes before.
* Mykasi shakes his head in a no. "Not me, I got the front door."
> Dami tilts his head, "Would not the point of marking doors be to tell you what is in that door? I thought you intended to open the one you just marked?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "Not necessarily. If we see this mark once again, we'll know we've been through this corridor before, for instance."
<Hikari> "My interest was largely in determining whether this building cycles us through the same room repeatedly, or a sequence of identical rooms. If I see a slashed door, I know we're retraced our path somehow."
> "Ah, I see."
<Hikari> "But we may as well open that one, if no one has other suggestions." Hikari walks to the marked door, looks for objections.
* Mykasi shakes his head.
* Nagare shrugs. "May as well do it. We have no patterns on the doors figured out as of now."
<Hikari> "Onwards, then. Minds focused on the task at hand, everyone." Hikari opens the door.
* Nagare follows behind, focusing on Richard Bland. Or trying to.
> Hikari opens the door! And inside is...what looks like a land of clouds and sunshine and lollipops. All kinds of candy, actually. The landscape, such as you can see through the door, is entirely comprised of sugary edible substances.
> You can hear sounds form in there as well. Singing? Or something like that.
<Hikari> "I cannot help but be even more alarmed at the incongruity of this...room," Hikari notes.
<Mykasi> "...Wait, we didn't get sucked through it." Mike notes.
<Hikari> "No, we didn't. Another patient's room?"
* Nagare begins to have a slight headache just from eyeing the colorful atmosphere. "The sheer saccharine is an inch away from driving me up a wall. I can't help but think this person is right at home."
<Mykasi> "Let's go in and see." Mike shakes his head, gesturing for the group to move forward.
<Hikari> "Nonetheless, it's not another blank hallway, and that warrants investigation." Hikari steps inside.
* Nagare sighs and follows, rubbing his temples.
> You all step inside. The singing is more audible once you're in, and the colors all seem brighter as well. It's happy in here! Yaaaaaaaaay~ And it smells really good too. Sugar, spice, everything nice~
> The singing is coming from over behind a tree made from cinnamon sticks and sugared mint leaves.
<Mykasi> "... I'm hungry."
* Hikari follows the singing, doing her best to ignore the surroundings. "Excuse me...?"
* Mykasi follows Hikari with a slight lick of the lips as he looks around.
> There's a girl there, she can't be older then her teens, sitting on the ground and rocking back and forth while holding a stuffed rabbit. She looks up as you approach, "Oh! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Visitors! Do you see that, Floppy-sama? VISITORS~" her voice picks up in volume as she sings the last part loudly.
* Nagare deflates, wincing a bit as he rubs his temples. "Please, not so loud."
* Mykasi blinks at this. Definitely not Bland. After a moment, he glances to Dami.
<Hikari> "Er, yes...that is, hello. Do you have a name?" Hikari sighs, shakes her head. "Of course you have a name. Let me start over. I'm Hikari."
> As Nagare says that, the light in the room dims and all the smells and sounds seem to become muted. The girl bows repeatedly, "I am sorry! Please don't take Floppy-sama away, I will follow the rules, I promise!"
* Hikari looks at Nagare.
> Dami was hanging back as the rest of you approached, but looks around the room with interest at the change.
* Nagare blinks. "... Floppy... who -is- this Floppy you refer to? The...," the teacher looks down, realizes the girl is carrying a bunny. "... your rabbit?"
<Mykasi> "N-no, it's okay. We won't take Floppy-sama away." Mike shakes his head, just now beginning to feel quite disconcerted.
> The girl bows again. It occurs to you that she might be older then she looks, because she is extremely thin. Like, unhealthily thin. But even as she bows, the knuckles on the hand holding the rabbit turn white she is clenching it so hard, "I am sorry, very very sorry I will behave I promise I will not listen to music or talk out of turn or...or..or..."
> Her attention is completely on Nagare, she does not seem to be reacting to Mykasi or Hikari at all.
<Mykasi> "No, it's okay, it's okay! We aren't here to punish you!" Mike exclaims, not yet noticing that she's just not reacting to him.
* Hikari tries anyway. "It's alright, you're a good girl. We're just here to talk. That's alright, isn't it?"
* Nagare boggles slightly, losing his composure a bit as he watches her tight grasp on the bunny - almost ghastly in a sense. "... no, wait. We're not here to chastise you."
> She stops her frantic bowing...but doesn't look up enough to make eye contact. A small bit of the brightness, sound and smell seem to creep back into the surroundings. "R-really? Oh no! I did not mean to doubt you I am sorry!"
> "Raven." You can hear Dami softly say from back near the entrance. The large bird appears beside him. "Fly about the room, how far does it extend? Is this vastness illusion or no?"
> At his command, Raven takes wing.
* Nagare shakes his head, hunching a bit in order to assess the girl more precisely. "You don't have to apologize. Now... we'd best begin with the basics. Can you tell me your name? Who you are?"
> "My name is Mimisa Seshansouru, my birthday is July 17th 1997. I am 148cm tall and weigh 35 kilograms. I took my medicine at 7 AM and again 4 PM." She practically recites.
* Hikari can't help but shudder a little at the mechanical recitation. "And how long have you lived here, Mimisa?"
<Mykasi> "..." Mike winces slightly.
> "I have been here for 7 years, three months and ninteen days." She answers.
* Nagare bites his lip tightly. "... I... understand. Do you remember why have you been brought here?"
> "I am here because I am a bad girl who does not behave and hits people and never listens and...and...and..." she starts to recite mechanically but starts to freeze up and bit and seems to have trouble finishing.
> Her grip on the rabbit is going white-knuckle level again.
<Mykasi> "...and that's likely what they've told you, isn't it." Mike finishes sadly.
> "...and talks to stuffed animals like they are real people instead of toys no matter how many times I am told to stop..." she very quietly finishes.
<Hikari> "It's alright...we don't have to talk about that, Mimisa. I don't think there's anything wrong with you. You seem like a very well-behaved young woman to me. We can talk about something else if you like."
* Nagare nods quietly, letting the others take a hold of the conversation for the moment.
> She shrinks back, "No...I'm a bad girl. I'm always a bad girl..."
> A black shape circles overhead, and Dami nods, eyes closed, "I...hmm. This is interesting."
* Nagare turns to Dami. "Hm?"
<Hikari> "I..." Hikari speaks in a low voice, just so her friends can hear. "I suspect we should leave this room. Whatever we might be able to do for her surely lies elsewhere."
> The stuffed rabbit pats Mimisa comfortingly on the hand.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike says, before gently approaching Mimisa with a very gentle nod to Hikari. "You're a good girl, one who deserves visitors and friends. We can't stay for long today, but I want to show you a little trick I can do." With that, Mike focuses... before Anansi in a bunny outfit appears on Mike's head. (More)
> Dami opens his eyes and looks at Nagare, "Ah, the room. It obviously responds to her mental state. Also...the room seems to be finite in dimension despite it's open sky appearance, but," he emphasizes, "and this is the interesting part, the boundaries move with her. She is always at the center of the room I think. When she stepped back, Raven noticed the back 'wall' move with her."
<Mykasi> "This is my friend, Anansi, and he talks with me. You aren't alone, okay? And... just because Flopsy-sama is your only companion right now, doesn't mean you won't have more in the future. So... take care of yourself, and you, Flopsy-sama, please take care of Mrs. Mimisa, alright?"
<Hikari> "What does that mean, exactly? The landscape is greater than we see, but only a certain portion can exist at a time?"
> Her eyes go wide, "...spider-bunny...WEBSY-SAMA!" she cheers, her excitement suddenly returned!
> Dami moves back towards the door, "It means, if she were to move too far away from the door I think she could trap us in here with her."
<Mykasi> "Now, we've got to get going." Mike says with a smile. "But we'll be back to visit, so come with us and wave us farewell, will you? That way we know you'll see us again!"
<Hikari> "Then we leave," Hikari says, decisively. "Now. I'm sorry Mike, but we need to go."
<Mykasi> "Yes, I know." Mike nods sadly.
* Nagare blinks. "I... see. Dami, you think you would be able to recognize such patterns in case we met other patients? This might be key in figuring out the layout of this place, come to think of it."
> Mimisa swings her rabbit around, already babbling about the adventures of Websy-sama. He's a superhero, you know. Who saves poor rabits who get lost with his magic webs and bites badguys who his magic poison turns into candy.
* Mykasi waves to Mimisa as he wanders off with the group.
> You all walk out of Mimisa's room. And shut the door behind you.
<Mykasi> "...My only regret is now they'll probably try to increase her dosage..." Mike murmurs.
> Dami hesitates before answering, "Perhaps. I do not wish to state anything with surety, but I have spent a signifigant amount of time studdying the Dream and how it works. Raven is also quite adept at seeing things that are hidden, which helps."
<Hikari> "My urge to share sharp words with the proprietor grows," Hikari says. "The next door?"
<Mykasi> "Yes. Remember, focus on Bland."
> "The proprietor is fictional." Dami states.
<Mykasi> "...he is?"
* Hikari pauses with her hand on the door. "What? How do you know this?"
* Nagare blinks. "... suddenly, this makes much more sense."
> "The operator of this institution listed in public record is a fictional entity, he does not actually exist." Dami explains, "I researched this after my own...failed investigation here."
<Mykasi> "... ... What's his name? Bell Z Bub or something?" Mike mutters bitterly.
<Hikari> "I am highly confident that the proprietor exists, merely in the Dream itself, and I am developing a serious intention to find this entity and kill it."
> "Takehiro Somashi." he notes, "WHile there are individuals who share that name, the one in question does not have any genuine legal records that I could dig up."
<Mykasi> "Takehiro Somashi... I'll look into it as well. I've got good search-fu, usually, and it'll make a good test run for my new program. But I'm in agreement with Hikari - but none of that matters right now. Bland, people. Focus on him. I still think this method will work."
> "The ones I did find, were...I have great reason to believe they were fake." Then he nods, "Of course." And closes his eyes to focus.
<Hikari> "Yes. Let us continue." Hikari opens the second door on the left side of the hall.
* Nagare takes a deep breath and focuses on Bland, following Hikari's lead.
* Mykasi nods and focuses as Hikari opens the door!
> Hikari opens the door! And the world spins.
> When it stops, you find yourselves standing in a room full of gloom. The first thing that hits you isn't the looks of the room but the sheer feeling inside. Lonliness. Failure. Self-loathing. Despair. The feeling is so strong you can smell it. You can taste it. You can feel it's wretched rotten touch on your skin.(more)
> The room is dark. Not so dark you can't see, but it's reminicent of an overcast winter evening. Winter. It's also cold in here. Very cold. There are no defining features in the room...except for blood on the floor. Two trails of blood, that lead to a creature. A person. Who hunches over, slumped in defeat, blood running from his wrists.
> (OOC: Soul checks all.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 4."12 [2d8=3, 1]
> roll 2d8 Dami soul
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 Dami soul and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 maaaaan
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 maaaaan and gets 10."12 [2d8=8, 2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll dammit
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll dammit and gets 9."12 [2d8=2, 7]
> The figure doesn't seem to notice you. If it's even alive. It's just slumped there in the middle of the room.
* Mykasi curls into himself, almost, watching the figure.
* Hikari approaches slowly, watchful for any sudden movements from the figure, looking for any signs of life.
* Nagare warily scans the room with his eyes, focusing on the blood trail that lead to the creature. The teacher also tries to scan for traces of Shadows in the room - if there's any place they could be, this certainly wouldn't seem out of place.
> As you approach...he looks up. The blood isn't coming from his wrists. It's coming from his fingers. And his eyes. His eyes that he clawed out with those horrible fingers. The temperature drops further as he slowly opens his mouth, "...you..." (more)
* Mykasi looks at the figure almost sadly, trying to figure out if it could be Bland.
* Hikari takes a step back, ready with the sword if it's needed. "Me? Do I know you?"
> Fog begins to form into shapes. Shapes with eyes. Eyes that chill you to your very soul with thier jealousy, thier hatred and envy. The man...definately not Bland, jerkily rises to his feet, "...you...hate...you..." The blood dripping from his fingers stops flowing...and hardens, turning into gleaming claws of blood.
> OOC: Guess what? Roll initiative.
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=4, 7]
> roll 2d8+8 dami init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+8 dami init and gets 18."12 [2d8=3, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8+11
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+11 and gets 13."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> roll 2d8+7 psycho init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+7 psycho init and gets 14."12 [2d8=4, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9-2 yeh this'll suck
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9-2 yeh this'll suck and gets 12."12 [2d8=1, 4]
> roll 2d8+5 fog demon init 1
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+5 fog demon init 1 and gets 19."12 [2d8=7, 7]
> roll 2d8+5 fog demon init 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+5 fog demon init 2 and gets 18."12 [2d8=5, 8]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Fog Demon 1 > Dami > Fog Demon 2 > Psycho > Mykasi > Hikari
> OOC: Nagare, go. The guy is quite clearly about to attack
* Nagare eyes the madman, and picks up the Fiddler card given by Theresa, summoning the mad Fiddler.
> A man appears next to Nagare. A darkly handsome man, just a bit scruffy and with a broad grin that matches his long coat, wide brimmed hat and dusty jeans well. He takes a look around, and lets out a low whistle, "Well now, ain't this a depressin' place? Let's see what we can do to liven it up a little, eh?" And placing his fiddle to his shoulder, he begins to play(more)
> OOC: Everyone make Soul checks at -3. -5 for Mike of course.
> roll 2d8 soul vs 7 for Dami
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 soul vs 7 for Dami and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 NAGAREEEEEEEE
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 NAGAREEEEEEEE and gets 10."12 [2d8=5, 5]
> roll 2d8 soul vs 2 for Psycho
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 soul vs 2 for Psycho and gets 9."12 [2d8=6, 3]
> roll 2d8 soul vs 2 for fog demon
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 soul vs 2 for fog demon and gets 9."12 [2d8=3, 6]
> roll 2d8 soul vs 2 for fog demon
<Hikari> roll 2d8 let's reroll that so it doesn't nerf all my other rolls kthx
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 let's reroll that so it doesn't nerf all my other rolls kthx and gets 4."12 [2d8=2, 2]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 soulplz? VS 3
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 soul vs 2 for fog demon and gets 6."12 [2d8=2, 4]
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 soulplz? VS 3 and gets 3."12 [2d8=2, 1]
> The fiddler starts to play, and Mike and Hikari can get into the groove. It's a good song he's playing...and it goes a little something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDm_ZHyYTrg
> "Fire on the mountain, run boys run!" the fiddler sings, while the demons and psycho recoil from the loud and energetic music!
> The first fog demon inhales deeply and tries to drown out that music with a blast of icy cold air!
> roll 2d8 vs 4 ice breath
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 ice breath and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> (OOC: ...defense, Nagare)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 wow fuck you Hatbot
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 wow fuck you Hatbot and gets 7."12 [2d8=2, 5]
> The professor manages to slide out of the way in time, as does the Fiddler, who keeps playing on!
> Dami shakes his head, "What...IS this noise? RAVEN! Blades of thunder, target the man, ignore the shadows." His persona appears, and flaps his wings, sending needles of lightning that twist and home towards the man with bloody claws.
> roll 2d8 vs 9 attack
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 attack and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> roll 2d8 vs 3 I'll be fair and let him roll DCV here then
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 3 I'll be fair and let him roll DCV here then and gets 8."12 [2d8=7, 1]
> roll 2d8 damaage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damaage and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Fog Demon 1 > Dami > Fog Demon 2 > Psycho(28 damage) > Mykasi > Hikari 
> The needles strike, but he doesn't seem like he's going down yet.
> The other fog demon follows suit, breathing icy breath on Nagare.
> roll 2d8 vs 4 ice breath
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 ice breath and gets 12."12 [2d8=8, 4]
> But it misses widely! And the Psycho lunges at the nearest person to him, being Hikari, with those horrible bloody claws.
> roll 2d8 vs 6 blades of blood
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 6 blades of blood and gets 13."12 [2d8=6, 7]
> His wild attack gets him nowhere(OOC: Mike)
* Mykasi shakes his head and sluggishly calls Anansi forth to toss a beam of (slightly) scorching light at the psycho!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 7
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 7 and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> OOC: Damage it up
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 wat
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 wat and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Fog Demon 1 > Dami > Fog Demon 2 > Mykasi > Hikari
> The blast of light slams into the bleeding man and carries him back across the room, leaving him slumped over in a heap. The fog demons shudder and spasm as that happens.
> (OOC: Hikari)
<Hikari> "I came to fight the jailer, not his pawns. But if you stand in our way...Brynhildr! Strike down the abominations!"
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Helreio against first demon
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Helreio against first demon and gets 3."12 [2d8=2, 1]
> (OOC: can't take defense right now. Damage)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 smaaaaash okay maybe not quite
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 smaaaaash okay maybe not quite and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Dami > Fog Demon 2 > Mykasi > Hikari
> With a sweep from Brynhildr's spear, the demon dissapates. (OOC: Nagare)
* Nagare sighs and calls upon Abartach's shadows, attacking the remaining demon with The Lying Prince.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 leggo
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 leggo and gets 10."12 [2d8=2, 8]
> (OOC: still can't defend yet. Damage)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 damage and gets 13."12 [2d8=8, 5]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Dami > Fog Demon 2(29) > Mykasi > Hikari
> The dark spiral touches the fog demon, but doesn't seem to kill it entirely.
> Dami steps back, "I...will save my strength. Raven, that's enough." And his Persona vanishes.
> Meanwhile, the fog demon shakes off the spasming and attacks Mykasi with great fury!
> roll 2d8 vs 4 ice breath the Mykasi
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 ice breath the Mykasi and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
> Great fury, but not great accuracy. (OOC: Mike)
<Mykasi> With another sluggish lift of his hand, Anansi tosses out an array of luminescent lasers to pin and finish the fog!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 versus 7
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 versus 7 and gets 9."12 [2d8=5, 4]
> Anani seems just as out of it as Mike, and the laser goes wide, missing the demon entirely. (OOC: Hikari)
<Hikari> "Away, demon! You've wasted enough of our time!" Hikari sends Brynhildr out to make the second demon share its sibling's fate.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Helreio
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Helreio and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
> roll 2d8 vs 3 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 3 defense and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 die
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 die and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
> Brynhildr's spear sweeps that one away as effortlessly as it's predecesor.
* Mykasi looks around slowly. "...We done here?"
> The fog slowly clears, and...now you can see a wall in the room that has a door. The man with the bloody claws does not stir from where he fell.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 90/90 HP [90/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [130/175 EP]'
<Mykasi> "..." Mike shuffles over to the man. "...Do any of you recognize him?"
* Hikari approaches the fallen man, still on the lookout for any unpleasant surprises.
* Nagare eyes him more carefully, still carefully keeping a distance.
> Dami approaches and shakes his head, "I do not."
* Nagare shakes his head. "Wouldn't know him if he lived right next door."
<Hikari> "I am not aware of his identity." Hikari shrugs. "I doubt it would gain us anything to try speaking with him further. If he's still alive."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike pauses, before checking to see if he has pockets to ruffle through.
> Mike finds a piece of paper in one pocket. It's folded up.
* Mykasi unfolds it carefully.
> It reads: Why don't you just kill yourself.
> It's written in red ink too. ...no, wait.
<Mykasi> "... ..."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow to Mykasi. "You look pale. What have you found?"
<Mykasi> "Poor son of a bitch." Mike murmurs in English, before shaking his head. "Nothing important. ...Let's keep going." The piece of paper finds its way into Mike's pocket.
* Hikari nods and heads for the door.
> You touch the door...and the world spins.
> When it stops spinning, you're in a hallway again. There are no marks on any doors.
<Hikari> "Second hallway, second door," Hikari says as she defaces the second door on the left this time.
* Mykasi nods slightly, seeming a touch perkier.
> The blade bites into the door without problem.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Let's get going? Remember, Bland.
<Hikari> "Door number three, then." Hikari focuses her mind again and moves onward.
* Nagare follows, focusing on Bland again. Hopefully that'll work.
* Mykasi nods slightly.
> Hikari pulls the door...and it won't open. It feels stuck. Or locked.
> Dami inquires, "Is something the matter?"
<Hikari> "Let's leave this one alone."
<Mykasi> "Any particular reason?"
<Hikari> "I don't know. Just bad memories of the last time we did something this building didn't like." Hikari walks to the fourth door and tries that one instead.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike glances at the door, before thinking of Bland as Hikari tries the new door!
> That door won't open either. (OOC: Mind checks all)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 oh god now what
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 oh god now what and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 why won't you tell me what's on your door~
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 why won't you tell me what's on your door~ and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
> roll 2d8 Dami mind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 Dami mind and gets 5."12 [2d8=2, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 thinking for once in my life?
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 thinking for once in my life? and gets 4."12 [2d8=1, 3]
> Dami narrows his eyes, "Raven."
<Mykasi> "......... do that fast, Dami."
> The bird appears next to him, and he asks, "Is this real or illusion I see?"
> The bird walks down the hall and pecks on the wall. Sounds pretty real.
> Dami blances, "The hallway is..."
<Mykasi> "Shrinking. Hikari, calmly BREAK ONE OF THE BLOODY DOORS."
<Hikari> "What? What's wrong? I--OH HELL." Hikari turns and wildly hacks at the door in front of her, trying to break it open.
> OOC: Body check, miss Hikari.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 13."12 [2d8=6, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 FUCK YOU
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 FUCK YOU and gets 7."12 [2d8=3, 4]
> The lightblade bites into the door, rattling it hard, and tearing out a chunk. But the door hasn't shattered yet. Now the hallways starts shrinking faster, visible to all.
> Raven caws and vanishes
* Mykasi tries to aid Hikari with a precision lightblast!
* Hikari swings away like she were tearing into rotten wood with a fireman's axe. Fall, dammit!
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=8, 3]
> (OOC: Degree of success matters here, if you want to reroll. Also, Light damage ain't helping here, sorry)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 reroll sure
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 reroll sure and gets 4."12 [2d8=3, 1]
> One more swing, accompanies by a blast of light, smash the door to pieces. The hallways gets smaller and smaller and then the world spins.
> The world stops spinning, and you're in a room that's fairly empty. It looks alot like a jail cell, only clean. Sitting on a cot is somewhat handsome white guy with curly brown hair.
> He sits up as you come in, "Huh, what?"
> That's him. Bland.
* Nagare blinks. "... speak o' the devil."
* Mykasi looks the man over for a moment, before nodding slightly. "Richard Bland, I presume?"
> Looking you all over, he then grins, "Yeah, that's me. It's about time this moved on. So who are you guys? And what's the story?"
<Hikari> "'Moved on?' What are you talking about?"
> ---------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> -------------------------------------------------------------
> > * Mykasi looks the man over for a moment, before nodding slightly. "Richard Bland, I presume?"
> > > Looking you all over, he then grins, "Yeah, that's me. It's about time this moved on. So who are you guys? And what's the story?"
> > <Hikari> "'Moved on?' What are you talking about?"
* Mykasi simply raises one eyebrow at Bland, waiting for him to answer Hikari.
> Bland smiles and shakes his head, "Right, right, forgot. Don't worry about it. Um, so really, who are you guys? Did you come to get me out of here?"
* Hikari exchanges a look with the others. "Not necessarily."
* Nagare bobs his head lightly. "In all honesty, we don't know yet."
<Mykasi> "... Argue your case."
> He nods, as if he expected a response like that, "Well, you obviously know me...so what do you want with me, then?" Then at Mike's statement, he frowns, "Um, okay...it'd help if I knew what was going on so I could see what I could maybe do to help? Or at least who you are?"
<Hikari> "Hikari Ishigami," Hikari says, assuming the others can introduce themselves. "We came as part of...an investigation, of sorts."
> Dami steps away from the rest of you for a moment, "Raven." And at his call, the bird appears again. Dami nods at his persona, and it begins walking around the room, pecking at the walls, looking under the cot, and generally investigating the place.
> "Nice to meet...you?" Bland starts, then turns and stares at Dami and raven with a bit of awe and confusion.
> "Dami Daidoji." Dami states, without turning to look at the man, "Ignore the bird, he will not harm you."
> "Uh...right. Ignore a three foot tall bird that appeared out of nowhere. No problem." Bland turns his attention back to people who are not Dami.
* Nagare nods to Richard, motioning to light up a cigarette. "Nagare Suiren. Hope you don't mind."
<Hikari> "Just wait until the spider shows up," Hikari mutters.
<Mykasi> "...Anansi." Mike says simply, as the spider appears behind him.
<Hikari> "To answer your question more fully," Hikari continues, "we came here because the circumstances that led up to your arrest and incarceration suggest causes similar to other incidents of interest to us for personal reasons."
> The seven foot tall spider persona appears behind Mike. Still wearing the bunny suit. And crosses both pairs of arms to glare at Richard like he's a tough guy.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike glances back at Anansi, before visibly cuffing him.
* Hikari glances back. "Mike, please endeavor to keep your other self in line?"
> Bland visibly pales, then does his damndest to focus on Hikari, "Uh, okay. So...you're supernatural investigators. And you're interested in me? Man, uh, alright. What do you want to know?"
> Anansi loses the bunny outfit, replacing it with his old standby of top hat, monocle and cane.
<Hikari> "The police likely asked you most of the relevant questions once before. Some of those overlap with our reason for being here. For example, it's important that you try to recall anything unusual that might have happened in the time leading up to...the incidents."
> Bland sighs, "Man what I wouldn't give for the internet right now. Uh, nevermind. Okay, weird. Well, I remember hearing about people on the news going crazy and doing strange things. But you probably know more about those then me. Except...that it happened to one of the people I knew, Yusina Seo."(more)
* Mykasi doesn't add anything to Hikari's query, instead waiting impassively.
> At that name, Dami visibly flinches, "Yusina Seo. I...I...can inform you of her if you wish. After...we leave here."
> Bland eyes Dami, "You know Yusina?"
> "..." Dami is quiet for a moment, before regaining composure and calmly answering, "After a fashion."
<Hikari> "Noted," Hikari says with a nod. "Please continue for now, Mr. Bland."
* Mykasi glances to Dami with a slight frown, before looking back to Bland.
> "Sure," he gives Dami another odd look, then returns to his account, "Yusina was acting really strange, and after awhile tried to kill the girls she hung out with. They...weren't really nice to her, I think they were just keeping her around to boss her around and I guess she got sick of it. She dropped out and went home after that, well, she was arrested first but they let her off on insanity plea or something like that." (more)
> "After she left," he continues, "is when I started to have these nightmares. I don't really remember them well, though. But they scared the crap out of me, I remember that much."
<Hikari> "Can you elaborate on whatever you do remember? We have some experience with this phenomenon and the details may be important."
> "Uh..." he thinks, "I...remember someone taunting me. Alot. And it was really making me mad. And...they did other stuff too, but I don't remember what. i just remember I was terrified of it."
<Mykasi> "Did the someone look like you?" Mike asks in a soft voice.
> "Maybe?" Bland answers, looking apologetic, "I don't really remember."
<Mykasi> "I see. What happened after this?"
<Hikari> "Very well. This persisted in the time leading up the...incidents? When did it stop?"
> "The nightmares stopped after I got arrested," he responds with certainty, then chuckles a bit, "though my life's been kinda nightmarish since then. I can't even...right," he sighs, "nevermind."
* Hikari can't help but raise an eyebrow at the unfinished complaint. "What's the first thing you remember, afterwards? After the nightmares stopped?"
> "Or...maybe it was a bit before that? That whole period was kinda hazy." He then considers the question, "First thing I remember? Hmm. Arguing with the guy I got as a lawyer. He was pretty convinced that I was completely insane. I'm not, but...well," he laughs, "I guess I might as well be."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike raises one eyebrow, before shaking his head as Anansi begins pacing behind the four, arms behind his back.
<Mykasi> "So you do not remember the incident?"
<Hikari> "This facility seems to foster than in people. If not now, it's likely only a matter of time." Hikari nods to second Mike's question.
> Meanwhile, Raven caws and vanishes, and Dami nods, "Nothing of incredible import to disclose about the room itself."
> "Not completely. Snapshots of it, but...augh," Bland shakes his head and walks over to his cot to sit down on it, and he mutter something quietly in english(OOC: Mind checks if you want to hear it)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 eavesdrop? Don't mind if I do!
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 eavesdrop? Don't mind if I do! and gets 11."12 [2d8=5, 6]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 Actually, I -do- mind.
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 Actually, I -do- mind. and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 argh urges
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 argh urges and gets 13."12 [2d8=5, 8]
> Nagare and Hikari can't quite make out what he's saying, especially as it's not thier first language, but Mike's long ear catches Bland muttering, "God above I know why Deadpool's such a nutcase. Fuck the fourth wall."
<Mykasi> "Deadpool is so awesome you shut your heathen mouth!" Mike blurts out in English, before regaining his composure. "I mean, why do you bring him up? Is it that you're feeling like a player in your own life?"
> Mike's outburst causes Dami to blink at him in confusion. While Bland cracks up laughing.
> "Oh, man. Hahahaha! Okay..." he takes a deep breath to calm down, "Alright. So...okay, may as well get this over with. So you all can think I'm as crazy as everyone else does."
<Hikari> "We travel with an anthropomorphic cosplaying spider. Our standards for insanity are quite high. Please go on."
<Mykasi> And at Hikari's words, Anansi suddenly is clad in red and black spandex, patterned after Deadpool's.
> "Right. So...it's like this," he starts to explain, "Don't take this the wrong way, but this is all just a game..." then he gets distracted staring at Anansi for a moment, "Um. I have no idea what to say to that."
> Dami begins to massage his temples.
<Mykasi> A yellow bubble appears above Anansi and a bit to the left, containing the words "Just keep going, kid."
* Nagare draws a breath from his cigarette and calmly lets the smoke out. "You certainly should care less if you take your idea of a game to the letter, anyhow."
<Hikari> "I assure you, this is no game, however much it might seem that way to you at present."
> "Ah..." Bland just shakes his head and tries to keep going, "It's...one of those, well," he looks a bit embarrased, "graphic novel games. The...uh, H kind. I play alot of them, of all kinds of genres. And I think this time I accidentally turned on an option I shouldn't have, since I can't start a new game or load an old save until I actually reach an End here."
<Mykasi> "... Bland, I hate to tell you this, but this honestly isn't an H game. The nightmares... probably screwed you up worse than you think right now." Mike says, dropping the attempt at the tough guy act.
> "I thought getting arrested and then thrown in an asylum would BE a Bad End, but since I think you guys are the start of a new plotline I guess it wasn't." He then nods at what Mike says, "Right, I knew you'd say that. That's what I was arguing with my lawyer and eveyrone else about, I'm the only one who can see that it's a game. Don't worry about it though, I'm not going to try to convince you or anything."
<Hikari> "I admit to inexperience with this sort of game, but I think it not a conventional feature for the game to become your reality. You are *not* in a game, Mr. Bland. You would assuredly be having much more fun."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike's face crosses up for a moment, before he wanders over and pinches Bland's arm.
> Bland jerks his arm back, "Ow! Yeah, I know, the pain argument. My lawyer tried that too, you just don't get how immersive this one is. Fully 3-D, full sensory feedback. It's like a marvel of design."
<Mykasi> "And when did you get into this game?" Mike asks simply.
<Hikari> "This type of immersion isn't normal for games, is it?" Hikari says, with some exasperation. "Does the technology for such a thing even exist? Really, think about what you're saying here."
> "Awhile back, I don't remember exactly what the date was. October sometime, I think?" Then to Hikari he just smiles and nods, "Okay, right. You know what? Let's forget about it. I'm the crazy guy who thinks he playing a game. Let's get back to what's going on then, is there anything else I can do to help your investigation?"
<Mykasi> "Firstly, is there any mutual friend or acquaintance you and Yusina has?" Mike says, before pausing and glancing to Dami. "Presuming your information isn't relevant to this query line."
> "Yusina was in possession of a dreamcatcher." Dami says without any emotion in his voice at all.
* Hikari rubs her forehead, sighs. "In addition to seconding Mike's query, I would ask for whatever you can tell us about this hospital--" Hikari cuts off at Dami's admission, looks at him, then continues. "If you've seen anything or anyone unusual. Comparitively unusual, at least."
> Bland looks back and forth between Mike and Dami for a moment, before just answering the question, "We had alot of mutual aquaintances, since we went to alot of the same classes. But we didn't share any close freinds."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says with a slight nod. "Did you come into possession of it? Or did you happen to recall or notice anyone unusual - anyone acting oddly - before the incidents?"
> "My standards for unusual are kinda messed up right now. And...a dreamcatcher? What does that have to do with anything? Is that what you're asking if I got? Because I had one back in the states, bought one at a state fair, but that was like ten years ago." Bland offers.
<Hikari> "This sounds more and more like the work of our mysterious third party," Hikari concludes.
<Mykasi> "Compared to real world standards, someone acting abnormally before the incident. Physical contact might be a good indicator." Mike says, ignoring the dreamcatcher part.
> "I retrieved the dreamcatcher," Dami explains, "neither it nor I have anything to do with Richard Bland."
* Mykasi nods to Dami. "Figured as much."
> "Physical contact...uh," Bland thinks, "I got beat up by a guy who I caught trying to pickpocket someone on a train. He managed to get away from the police chasing him I guess, and caught up with me a couple days later with some buddies. That was about a week before I started having the nightmares."
> "It wasn't too serious, they just hit me a few times and then ran off when an old man started yelling at them." He laughs a bit, "It's kinda embarrasing really."
<Hikari> "Well, it's not much...but if that's all that stands out, describe anyone you remember as well as you can?"
> He gives a rough physical description of the guy he caught doing the pickpocketing, which is the only one he can remember well, "Uh, about average height, pretty strong though. Tattoo of a black dragon on his right arm, two nose piercings and a really visible scar on his chin. I was kinda surprised since he looked so much like a stereotypical thug."
<Mykasi> "Hm." A glance to the Professor. "Any ideas? You see anything?"
<Hikari> "He certainly sounds like one, yes. Well..." Hikari looks to the others. "Are there any other questions of note? I have little else."
* Nagare shakes his head. "I guess I could try sensing the typical, but I wouldn't get my hopes up," he nods as he tries to focus for any strange Shadow-related presence - for all that he suspects he'd have noticed it by this point.
> The aura of things shadow related seems to permeate the place to Nagare's enhanced sight. It hangs over Bland as well, heavily, but he does not appear to BE a shadow.
* Nagare scratches his chin lightly. "Hmmm. The coating of Shadows is definitely here. But... nothing points to -him- in particular, albeit hanging -over- him. I hope this isn't being terribly unclear."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike tries to sort through his thoughts. "Okay, basically. Here's my challenge. Let's pretend for a moment that you're actually in reality and just getting borked around by something else. Alright? You're being made to think this is a game by something else."
> Bland nods at Mike, "Alright..."
<Mykasi> "Right. That's what we're here investigating - whatever caused you to gain this false perspective, from our point of view. We are attempting to look for sources of... contamination, so to speak? That may have triggered this event. Are you aware of what you did between the time of your nightmares and your first conversation with your lawyer, from our perspective?"
> He sighs, "Yeah, I am. Look...that's how I know this has to be a game. I would NEVER do something like that in real life. No way. The only reason I even do it in games is because I'm a completionist. I don't get off on those paths, I swear. But I'm really OCD sometimes and blank spots in the galleries drive me completely nuts."
* Hikari just glazes over with a blank look. Mike's welcome to take this leg of the conversation.
<Mykasi> "Yeah, that's a somewhat reasonable conclusion. But what if I told you the infection did this through you?"
> "That...something made me sick...and because of that I really did..." he pauses, and pales a bit again, "I...no. This can't be real. Magic spiders and birds that appear out of nowhere and change costumes? That's fantasy, right there. This can't be the real world."
<Mykasi> "Oh, gods, do I wish that I could second that." Mike says with a pale grin. "Right now, though, we're talking to you in a Dreamscape - effectively a world of the mind. Which is why Anansi there is such a weird bastard."
* Nagare shrugs, dropping his cigarette to the floor and stepping on it to put it down. "In all honesty, we'll have to say you're both right -and- wrong."
<Hikari> "I always assumed that had more to do with his master, Mike..."
> "Actually," Anansi quips, with a dapper faux-brittish accent, "I'm such a weird bastard because I came out of that loony's head." He indicates Mike with his cane.
<Hikari> "There you are, my suspicions affirmed."
<Mykasi> "You came out of my head when? I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were bloody Athena."
> Anansi's outfit changes to a toga, helmet, sheild and spear.
> Bland just stares, "I'm so fucking confused..."
* Hikari sighs. "Please refrain from making this more complicated, the both of you?"
<Mykasi> "... Damnit, Anansi." Mike mutters, before looking back to Bland. "Apologies. But yeah... this isn't the real world you expect. I anticipate you're probably sleeping there, which is why you can be here."
> After a bit, Bland shakes his head, "So I'm dreaming again? Alright, that explains the fantasy elements. But I'm not going to take a dream's word on what's real and what's not."
<Mykasi> "Hm. Then what would serve as conclusive proof?"
> "All I can think of is that I have to get to an End of the game. Then it'll be over and I can restart or just play something else. And if not, then you're right and it's real. Magic cosply spiders and all."
<Mykasi> "Except that doesn't work. If this doesn't count as an End, what does? By that logic you just keep going and going." Mike says, before pausing. "Well, we could beat you up, but that doesn't seem sporting or even terribly logical."
* Nagare tosses a calm, yet snide side remark. "The way I look at it, the only possible end for it would be getting yourself killed. I don't think either you nor us actually want that."
> Bland nods at Nagare without an irony, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking of. Death is always a Bad End. Except in some games where you're supposed to die, but I don't think this is one of those. So if I'm right, i get to restart and move on. If you're right..."
> "If you're right, I really raped my two best freinds and I deserve it." He finishes.
<Mykasi> "... Personally? It seems more that the infection, so to speak, is at root here." Mike says with a slight shake of the head. "But... anyone else have something bugging them about all this?"
<Hikari> "This is, indeed, NOT one of those games. I wouldn't suggest you attempt that. I--" Hikari can only look anywhere but at Bland after that admission. "I don't think metaphysical arguments are really going to help anyone here. And I don't think Bland will be able to be convinced of anything as long as he remains in this hospital. Or, at least, as long as the hospital remains under the current management."
<Hikari> "No more so than most cases, Mike. We already knew there was someone else 'pushing' people, didn't we?"
> Dami flinches slightly at his request, "I think the only one of us willing to grant such a thing is the one who was left outside. Thankfully."
* Nagare shakes his head. "I think we may want to keep this from Shiro a while, even. Regardless... this is a rather... fascinating take on this events, to say the least."
<Mykasi> "...but Bland's back to normal." Mike notes. "From his perspective, he views this as a game, but outside of that - and given the circumstances - he's normal. That hasn't happened to any other cases, has it? Where the afflicted person isn't.... I hate to use this term, but "used" any longer?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "I wouldn't quite say that. There's still a very thick Shadow influence that I can gather -here-, and it seems to hang over Bland as well. We can't say whether this is a different phenomenon or simply a modus operandi we haven't met yet. I'd be willing to wager on the latter."
<Hikari> "From any traditional perspective, however, he's crazy. Isn't that more or less what happens to the afflicted in the end, if not necessarily in this exact state?"
> "It is possible that the Shadow is in control in the physical world, leaving Bland in the Dream." Dami offers, "without seeing how he is in the physical world, I cannot draw any conclusions just yet. Not enough data."
<Nagare> "I have to wonder if one could even -notice- the difference. I'm not sure I -did- myself."
<Hikari> "Dami raises a valid point as well. We may have been received very differently in the real world. We have no way of knowing."
> "And Hikari is correct in that matter. The afflicted tend towards insanity...or death." Dami adds.
<Mykasi> "Mmm." Mike leans back against a wall of the dreamstate, frowning. "That... doesn't quite disprove my point, but I do accept that I may be wrong on what the reality-side is like.
> "Absence of proof is not proof of absence, yes." Dami nods, "I...could attempt to speak with him in the physical world. But I would have to do so alone as I cannot think of how to get any of you in." He doesn't seem too fond of the idea.
<Mykasi> "Set the building on fire in a covert corner, watch as they abandon all patients, sneak in then." Mike says drily.
> Bland just watches these exchanges blankly.
<Hikari> "It might be of some use to try," Hikari says. "Though it would require leaving the asylum in the Dream. And I think our work here is not yet finished. Whatever power runs this place from the Dream is surely responsible for a great many things. We're nto significantly winded, are we? I suggest we continue searching the building for this entity."
> "I am still possessed of the majority of my mystical energy," Dami nods.
* Mykasi glances to Bland and gives a wry grin. "Don't worry, this isn't supposed to make sense. Hell, we can rarely parse it." At Hikari's comment, he shrugs lightly. "Worth a shot, I guess?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "I wouldn't let my horses run so free. If the entity running this joint is powerful enough to hold control over it in two distinct fronts, it certainly could be powerful enough to grind us into dust. I'm fine with exploring this place, but for directions rather than an end."
<Hikari> "Just pretend we're preparing to go fight the Boss," Hikari says offhandedly to Bland. Then: "If you wish, professor. I prefer to be more direct."
<Mykasi> "Perhaps we should just go looking for answers, then." Mike shrugs.
<Mykasi> And after a moment he glances at Hikari in confusion. "I thought you didn't -have- a childhood. What is this, you referencing normal things?"
<Hikari> "My brother plays games once in a while," Hikari says dismissively.
> "So...you're just going to leave me in here?" Bland sighs, "Maybe I can help somehow? I don't have any magic powers, but whether this is a game or you people are real and have magic powers, it stands to reason I should be able to learn some?"
<Hikari> "Are you sure? If you are at all disturbed by us appearing here and talking of strange things and Anansi, well, it's not any less nonsensical outside your room. And it *is* dangerous."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike pauses at this. "We... had to confront ourselves and our own sins in order to get to this point. Try mentally figuring this all out on your own end. That's probably the best bet for you being able to help anyone, including yourself."
* Nagare frowns. "It's not that we -don't- want to help you directly just taking you off. But we've already had a rather unsettling experience trying to take a Dreaming person out of the Dreamscapes through our means."
<Nagare> "And it vaguely amuses me that we all had a different justification, yet they're all true."
> Bland nods, "I'm willing to take whatever risks nessesary. Since, like I said, best I can figure one of us is right. If it's me, then I'm the protagonist and I should get off my ass and do something. And if it's you, then something's really wrong with the world and I want to try and help."
* Mykasi blanches at Nagare's statement. "... Right. Well, that'd be a way to potentially kill you, or potentially let you help, but... I have no idea which it would be... fuck."
<Hikari> "If you want to help and if you want to find answers, than I couldn't truly stand in the way. I cannot stress enough that it is highly hazardous exploring this facility in the Dream, however. If you can't defend yourself, you could easily die here."
<Nagare> "We simply can't let you take this risk. Even putting aside the fact you're just too important a puzzle piece in this context, we can't afford to hazard lives wantonly."
<Hikari> "We've been attacked more than once while exploring this building," Hikari adds. "The building itself has tried to kill us."
> "Not...anymore." Dami nods, "I don't want to be a part of someone getting hurt here again. Stay. It's...safe...ish...here."
> Bland sighs, "I get it, it's dangerous out there. But I'm willing to take that risk. It's my decision, if something happens to me it won't be your fault."
<Mykasi> "It's more a case of 'we aren't.'" Mike says, before sighing and looking at Bland direct. "I'm being quite serious when I suggest introspection. One way the infection works, so to speak, is to play up - utilize - abuse what's already in your head. Why would the infection make you think this is a game? Why would you do those actions? And what does this mean about yourself? That's the best thing you can do, honestly."
* Nagare mutters, eyeing Bland wearily. "We get that. What we're saying, and you don't seem to get that, is that it's a decision YOU don't get to make. It's easy to get all gung-ho about this. But then, if or -when- something happens to you, do you -seriously- believe we won't feel responsible for it? Even if you say so?"
* Hikari can only nod and look at the others. "If someone's aware of the dangers and willing to risk themselves for the sake of a goal, then I don't feel it's my place to stop them. But if I'm outvoted, well, I can easily see the argument in him being safer here."
<Mykasi> "Try to fight your own demons, first. That is my main reluctance. If you can do that... well."
> He shakes his head, "So everyone's said thier part I guess, and the decision is...what? I'm still trying to figure out who's the leader here, though I think it's you," he nods at Hikari.
<Mykasi> "If it helps, we'll likely be back."
> "I...will attempt to contact you in the physical world." Dami states, "Whether or not you remember anything of this will tell me much."
<Hikari> "Nevertheless, this isn't a dictatorship," Hikari says. "There's too much we don't know about the dangers of this building. It really is best for you to remain here for now."
> "I don't like it, but it's pretty obvious you're the ones with the power here, and I can't get that door open on my own." Bland sighs again, then eyes Dami, "I can't imagine I'd forget a bunch like you."
<Mykasi> "You forgot your dreams. A lot of this doesn't work as would be expected." Mike notes, shaking his head as he heads towards the door. "And, for what it's worth? Thanks, this has helped out."
<Hikari> "I'm sorry. I understand it's galling not to be able to participate in direct action here. I can only suggest you follow Mike's advice until we appear again with news." Hikari heads for the door as well.
> Dami slips his hand into a coat pocket...and a moment later forces his hand back out and wordlessly follows.
* Nagare waves silently to Richard, following behind the others.
> As you open the door, the world spins again. And you're back in a hallway. The hallway is not shrinking, and there is no destroyed door. There is, however....
> ----------------------------------

[VySaika]

> --------------------------------------
> As you open the door, the world spins again. And you're back in a hallway. The hallway is not shrinking, and there is no destroyed door. There is, however, a quartet of large burly...men, at least the general shape looks like men, huddled around another door in the hallway. Until one of them turns and sees you.(more)
> The large men are mishapen, almost like hunchbacks, and are wearing a pecular combination of hospital scrubs and hockey masks. What's more they all look *exactly* identicle to eachother, which is strange even for shadows of the same type. More striking, however, are what they carry.(more)
> Each large man carries what at first glance seems to be a three foot long syringe. But instead of a needle, each syringe has three vines extanding from the front, with each vine ending in what resembles a venus flytrap's head with gnashing teeth. And long silvery needles inside thier mouths.
<Mykasi> "Hello there, friendly chaps!"
> The four large men all turn towards you...and begin approaching, making muffled grunting noises from behind thier masks.
<Mykasi> "Yeah, didn't think so." Mike says, stepping away lightly! (OOC: Ready for init.)
* Hikari isn't about to waste time trying to chat up this gang of thug...monster...employees? Whatever they are, it's clear the only proper way to greet them is with brute force!
* Nagare sighs. "The friendly chaps seem intent on chewing our skulls, it seems. Guess we should frustrate their expectations a bit." That said, Nagare steps back, ready to battle.
> Dami pales, "Orderlies. I encountered them before..."
> (OOC: that's init then)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9 hi init
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9 hi init and gets 15."12 [2d8=5, 1]
> roll 2d8+8 Dami init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+8 Dami init and gets 17."12 [2d8=1, 8]
> roll 2d8+6 orderly 1 init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 orderly 1 init and gets 19."12 [2d8=7, 6]
<Nagare> roll 2d8+9
> roll 2d8+6 orderly 2 init
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8+9 and gets 18."12 [2d8=2, 7]
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 orderly 2 init and gets 12."12 [2d8=3, 3]
> roll 2d8+6 orderly 3 init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 orderly 3 init and gets 17."12 [2d8=4, 7]
> roll 2d8+6 orderly 4 init
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 orderly 4 init and gets 15."12 [2d8=4, 5]
<Hikari> roll 2d8+11 not last this time?
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+11 not last this time? and gets 13."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> 4INIT ORDER: Orderly 1 > Nagare > Dami > Orderly 3 > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> The first large man draws back the handle of his syringe, and you can see it fill with a shiny clear liquid. He lurches forward, "hur, hurhur..." as the tendrils seem to grow so they can snap at Dami.
> roll 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp and gets 12."12 [2d8=7, 5]
> Quicker then he looks, Dami backs away while calling for his Persona, "RAVEN!" (OOC: go Nagare)
* Nagare quickly picks up a card from his pocket and summons forth Lilim!
<Nagare> roll 2d8 against Orderly 1
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 against Orderly 1 and gets 9."12 [2d8=6, 3]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 dcv
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 dcv and gets 9."12 [2d8=3, 6]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 dmagae (on purpose)
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 dmagae (on purpose) and gets 14."12 [2d8=6, 8]
> 4INIT ORDER: Orderly 1(14 EP damage) > Nagare > Dami > Orderly 3 > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> Lilim appears, and gives Nagare a disgusted look before sighing, fluttering forward, and giving the masked hunchback a halfhearted kiss on the mask. It still seems enough to disorient the orderly for a second as the mask turns a slight shade of pink and you hear him grunt, "hur..hur...hur.." (Dami and Orderly 3)
> Dami moves further back, though there isn't much further to go, and yells for his Persona again, "RAVEN!" The bird appears and Dami quickly orders, "Blade of Thunder, now!" The bird nods and swipes a wing, sending blade shaped lightning bolts towards the closest orderly!
> roll 2d8 vs 11
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 11 and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
> roll 2d8 vs 2 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 2 defense and gets 9."12 [2d8=4, 5]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 7."12 [2d8=3, 4]
> 4INIT ORDER: Orderly 1(38 hp damage/14 EP damage) > Nagare > Dami > Orderly 3 > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> The blades slam into the orderly, knocking it back, and Raven laughs, "Sounds like a storm's a brewin'"
> Meanwhile, the third orderly lurches forward to jab it's pointly impliments towards Nagare!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 chomp
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 chomp and gets 7."12 [2d8=5, 2]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 7 (damn DCV)
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 7 (damn DCV) and gets 14."12 [2d8=6, 8]
> roll 2d8 damage and Nagare make a body check at +2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and Nagare make a body check at +2 and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 (7+2)
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 (7+2) and gets 6."12 [2d8=1, 5]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 74/90 HP [90/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [120/175 EP]'
> All three tendrily heads manage to clamp down on the professor in different places, Nagare can feel the needles jab into him and feel SOMETHING start to pump into him. It hurts, but he manages to fight off it's effects...at least for now.(Go mikey)
* Mykasi grimaces and gestures wildly at the one who just hit Nagare. "Freeze, punk!" With that, Anansi pops up (this time in samurai regalia) and drops an icy katana on the orderly!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 9
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 9 and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defense
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 defense and gets 9."12 [2d8=3, 6]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 ICE ICE BABY
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 ICE ICE BABY and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
> 4INIT ORDER: Orderly 1(38 hp damage/14 EP damage) > Nagare > Dami > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> The icy katana passes effortlesly through the orderly, who grunts out a feral death scream before freezing solid and disintigrating into icy dust. Leaving behind long thin silvery needle on the ground...(Orderly 4 is up)
> The eyes of the masks on the remaining orderlies widen, and they start grunting and groaning loudly! The fourth flails his syringe at Mykasi with great fury!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 10 (11 if this counts as ranged)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 10 (11 if this counts as ranged) and gets 7."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> Anansi steps in and materialzes a shield out of webbing to block the attacks just before they hit! (OOC: nope, just physicals with reach. Also, Hikari is go)
> Meanwhile, Raven laughs again, "I see, I see, ice is nice and will suffice~"
<Mykasi> "I never did much prefer fire!" Anansi replies back with a jaunty grin.
<Hikari> "Wretched creatures. Lie down and die so we can move on to your master!" Hikari points towards the wounded orderly, sending out Brynhildr in a charge.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Helreio
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Helreio and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 Helreio fuck it
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 Helreio fuck it and gets 6."12 [2d8=2, 4]
> roll 2d8 vs 2 dodge
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 2 dodge and gets 6."12 [2d8=3, 3]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 oh right, damage!
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 oh right, damage! and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
> Brynhildr flies, spear forward to strike! The orderly begins to raise his syringe to block and it seems he's about to make it...until Hikari hears the rattle of dice and the hunchback trips on the needle that is all that is left of his fallen comrade, getting staggered back...but not dying just yet.
> 4INIT ORDER: Orderly 1(44 hp damage/14 EP damage) > Nagare > Dami > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> The last orderly ignores the attacking Hikari in favor of also waving his syringe at Mike!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 chomp chomp and gets 15."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> But Mike is too quick, ducking away from the flailing tendrils! (Orderly 1's turn)
> Like the other two, the injured orderly thrusts the buisiness end of his weapon towards the cool FOOL...at least after regaining his footing.
> roll 2d8 vs 9 stab stab
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 stab stab and gets 9."12 [2d8=6, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 10 (Thanks, Kyo!)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 10 (Thanks, Kyo!) and gets 8."12 [2d8=1, 7]
> Again Anansi's sheild is in the way! (OOC: Nagare)
* Nagare sighs, eyeing the wounded Orderly wearily and summoning the darkness of the Lying Prince.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 spin~
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 spin~ and gets 11."12 [2d8=5, 6]
> Abartach appears, but his spiral of darkness fails to connect with the wildly staggering orderly(OOC: Dami. Also, it would help me alot if you would put your target numbers the same way I am, so I don't have to look them up after every roll)
> Dami calms down just a bit, and orders his Persona on a change of tactic, "Raven, eyes of avarice." In responce, the persona chortles in glee and his eyes GLEAM, "Oh HO! We know what to use to make you die, now tell me where your strengths do lie..." (Mike, go. Takes Raven a bit to process this)
* Mykasi nods slightly and shifts his glare to a different orderly as he steps back a bit! "Alright, Anansi, you know the theme!" With that, Anansi nods, and begins.... dancing... in a samurai outfit.... until a huge icy milkshake appears and crashes over an orderly's head!
<Mykasi> Causing Mike to sigh. "...that wasn't it."
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 9 Mikeshake
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 9 Mikeshake and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
> The orderlies SCATTER as the slush falls and splashes over the ground. (OOC: Orderly 4)
> A bit afraid to approach the spiderai, the oderly keeps his distance and thrusts at Mike from the edge of his tendrils' range!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 omnom
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 omnom and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> Which turns out to be a mistake as a single long step backwards puts Mykasi in safe distance(Hikari is up)
* Hikari keeps after the wounded orderly, though trying a different approach now. "Still standing, are you? Very well. Brynhildr? BURN."
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 12, when all else fails use fire?
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 vs 12, when all else fails use fire? and gets 11."12 [2d8=7, 4]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 no burn plz
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 no burn plz and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> Somehow, as Brynhildr's spear touches the ground, the hunchback manages to dive away from the pillar of flame that rises from underneath it in time. (Orderly 2)
> That's enough to turn the second orderly after Hikari, thrusting it's weapon's noodly apengages in her general direction!
> roll 2d8 vs 9 omnom
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 9 omnom and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 more ffffff
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 more ffffff and gets 4."12 [2d8=3, 1]
> Byrnhildr slashes them away effortlessly, snapping out at the hunchback in irritation "You would dare!?"(and back to O1)
> Lurching closer, the injured orderly tries a different tactic and full on rushes at Mike for a full body tackle!
> roll 2d8 vs 8 tackling time
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 tackling time and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
> Mike...sidesteps. And the orderly spraws on the floor as he overshoots. (Nagare)
<Mykasi> "One of you mind -killing- that poor brute already?!"
<Hikari> "I'm TRYING, dammit," Hikari snaps.
* Nagare calls forth the Lying Prince once again. "Put Quasimodo out of his misery, -please-."
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 10
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 10 and gets 6."12 [2d8=1, 5]
<Mykasi> "Very trying, yes!"
> (OOC: no defense, he's prone on the floor. Damage)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 THE PEOPLES FALL DOWN and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Dami > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari > Orderly 2
> Finally the spiral of darkness touches...and the orderly is no more, fading into shadow and vanishing away.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [65/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 74/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> Raven laughs again, "Ah HA! I see, I see!" Dami quickly translates, "These...creatures are highly resistant to physical damage, wind and light elmental attacks. Also they seem to have incredible mental defenses, according to Raven."
> (OOC: Mike is up)
<Mykasi> "Right. So no illusion games, just keep 'em on ice!" Mike grins, directly telling Anansi to just throw a big shuriken at the orderly, which Anansi complies with... reluctantly. "THIS ISN'T SAMURAI-ESQUE, YOU KNOW!"
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 9
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 9 and gets 7."12 [2d8=5, 2]
<Mykasi> OOC: Clarity's sake, the one that attacked me. Apologies.
> roll 2d8 vs 4 defense don't think he's been attacked yet this round
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 defense don't think he's been attacked yet this round and gets 7."12 [2d8=4, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 Master Frostbite~
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 Master Frostbite~ and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 8]
> 4INIT ORDER: Nagare > Dami > Mykasi > Orderly 4 > Hikari
> The icy shuriken passes through it much as the katana did before, and like the other it freezes solid and disintigrates into powder, leaving behind another silvery needle.
> As his third companion falls, the last orderly roars out in defiance and his entire body turns a bright shade of red...then he lashes out at Mykasi
> roll 2d8 vs 11 OMNOMNOM
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 11 OMNOMNOM and gets 10."12 [2d8=4, 6]
> OOC: Defense?
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 10 ... I'm sorry, I'm dyslexic tonight. I read that as vs 10 and gets 11.
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 10 ... I'm sorry, I'm dyslexic tonight. I read that as vs 10 and gets 11. and gets 4."12 [2d8=2, 2]
> Again Anansi is there with his shield of webbing, but the impact forces the Persona backwards and the spiderai croaks out, "Booooss, I think we mighta pissed him off..."(OOC: hikari)
<Hikari> "He's not the only one. Brynhildr? HIT HIM THIS TIME."
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 12 more burning
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 vs 12 more burning and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
> roll 2d8 vs 4 more dodging?
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 4 more dodging? and gets 5."12 [2d8=4, 1]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 that was too close
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 that was too close and gets 7."12 [2d8=1, 6]
> The firewall engulfs the orderly, and even in his enraged state he cannot resist the flames. He screams out in anguish, his body swiftly reduced to dust...leaving behind a small needleless syringe filled with a shiny clear liquid...
> (OOC: free act)
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 74/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
<Mykasi> "... Phew." Mike stretches. "Thanks, Hikari."
* Nagare dusts himself off. "That was... unpleasant, to put it mildly."
<Mykasi> "Should we see what was behind the door they were at?"
<Hikari> "I'm just glad I could finally help in some capacity." Hikari kneels down and flicks at the syringe with a fingertip out of curiosity.
* Nagare shrugs. "It's as good a guess as anything else given the whimsical nature of this place."
> Dami steps forward and eyes the remnants on the ground, "Interesting. A shadow leaves behind a part of itself when killed with an element it is vulnerable to. I knew this, but seeing one vulnerable to two elements that leaves behind a different part for each vulnerability? That's new."
> The syringe rolls around when flicked. the liquid seems sealed in there fairly well, it doesn't even splash around as it rolls.
* Mykasi hums, watching as Anansi tries and fails to pick up the pieces he forced to drop before grinning. "Needle little hand, Anansi?"
* Hikari picks it up and puts it in her handbag.
* Nagare shakes his head at Mykasi. "You are hopeless."
<Mykasi> "Huh. This raises a question. Can we reassemble it and use it?" Mike muses, picking up the needles. "Even if not, I might try to use these as weapons..."
> Anansi glares at his human, "Icy what you did there."
<Mykasi> "Oh, come now. Don't be so cold. I have a point, don't I?" Mike grins, brandishing one of the needles at Anansi.
> Dami nods, "Possibly. Ah, if you need somewhere to keep things my lab in the Dream of my apartment is still being maintained."
<Hikari> "I'm not eager to experiment here and now. Perhaps once we're safely back in the Velvet Room, or Dami's lab." Hikari stands up, looks around. "Where to next?"
<Mykasi> "That would be useful, yeah. Thanks." Mike nods. "We'll look at assembly later, then. Let's get going?"
<Mykasi> "The door they were at, would be my suggestion."
* Nagare scratches his cheek. "As said before, certainly."
> Dami nods, and follows you all to that door.
> "Ah, what are we searching for now? The proprietor of this place? Or the exit?" He then asks.
<Hikari> "Very well." Hikari walks to the door, scratches a 4 on it. "I have a nasty suspicion this place fixes the doors as soon as we leave just to taunt me..." she mutters.
<Nagare> "We're probably going to where our curiosity leads us. We're in fair shape still, and we can explore a bit more."
* Mykasi hums. "Actually, I'd go with 'what the orderlies were guarding' for right now, unless we want to search out the propertier first." Mike suggests.
<Nagare> "Well, coincidences may happen."
<Hikari> "I would find it quite satisfactory to finr the proprietor and bet him into submission. But for the moment we may as well see what the shadows stood in front of." Hikari opens the door.
> The opens, and the world spins...
> (OOC: The door opens, even.)
> When the world stops spinning, you are standing in a room...at least you think you are. It's dark in here. Pitch dark. So dark you have trouble telling if your eyes are closed or open. Then you feel it. This nauseating wave of malice. Of twisted delight in the suffering of others. Of every sick power fantasy you have ever in a moment of weakness entertained. A wave of nothing less then pure, undiluted...
> Evil.
> (OOC: Soul checks all)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 well fuck
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 well fuck and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
<Nagare> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 and gets 8."12 [2d8=7, 1]
<Mykasi> OOC: Versus 8, so I failed barring mods
<Hikari> roll 2d8 REROLL FOR JUSTICE
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 REROLL FOR JUSTICE and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
<Nagare> OOC: 10 Soul here, so passed.
> roll 2d8 for Dami
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 for Dami and gets 9."12 [2d8=7, 2]
<Hikari> OOC: 9 here
> You feel the wave wash over you...and the sudden oppresive feeling almost brings you to your knees. You feel disgusted, at yourself, at everyone else, the bile rising within you that such a thing as this could be allowed to exist in a loving world. All...save the middle aged professor who has prevailed over stronger darkness then this before.(OOC: everyone but Nagare has a -2 on all rolls in this room.)
> You can hear laughter from ahead of you. The voice is...female, but not feminine. It sounds not like the laugh of a madman, but of one who knows full well what they do...and loves it.
<Hikari> "Enough games," Hikari says to the darkness despite the miasma of gloom wrapped around her. "Show yourself."
> Mike feels something bump into him from behind, then a hand grab his shoulder.
* Mykasi looks ahead, eyes narrowed as he slowly backs up. "Mebbe we should've let the orderlies handle he-YAH!" At that, Mike spins around, needles ready!
> Mike feels the hand on his shoulder let go as he hears DAmi's voice scream from what is now right in front of him, "AAAAH!"
* Nagare deflates a bit. "This is a bit of a comical tragedy as it stands."
* Hikari whirls around. "Both of you calm down! What's wrong?"
> The voice laughs again, then drawls out, "Come into my parlor..."
> Dami's voice is breathing heavily, "Ah...apologies. I...I do not do well...in the dark..."
<Mykasi> "Okay do me a favor Dami and don't startle me like that right now." Mike breathes out. "This is probably as hard on me as it is on you." With that, Mike glances to Nagare. "Lead on."
> "Raven..." his voice calls, "Raven, please. I need to see."
<Hikari> "Care to turn the lights on for your guests first?" Hikari suggests to the voice.
<Mykasi> A pause, before Mike glances back to Dami. "...Stay close. I've got good eyes, alright?"
> Raven's voice caws, "This darkness is of mystic get, my eyes see no more clearly then yours."
> As mykasi's eyes adjust, he can see...well, at least vaguely. Maybe a few feet around him at least. Enough to see the others.
> The voice chuckles again, "Oh you don't want me to do that."
* Nagare crosses arms, shaking his head. "That being the case, we probably don't want to get any closer into your domain either, do we?"
<Hikari> "There are a great many things I don't want you to do, assuming you are who we think you are. Turning the lights on is not notably high on the list."
> "Ah, but the way out is behind me." The voice entices, "Or you could stay there until the darkness drives you mad, it doesn't matter much to me."
* Mykasi inhales slightly, keeping an eye on the three as he glances around for any signs of this... woman? At her words, Mike conjures a small illusion for the four - a brightly glittering little firefly. Through it, he mouths, "Let's move ahead. Slowly, alright? I don't trust this woman but we don't have many choices, do we?"
* Hikari nods, brandishes the lightsword and takes a few slow steps forward.
> (OOC: an illusion cannot create real light to see by, but Mike can at least show them the little he can see on his own with it.)
<Mykasi> OOC: that'll do, then. Outlined by fireflies?
* Nagare carefully follows behind Mykasi.
> You move forward...(OOC: mind checks all, remember the -2)
> roll 2d8 dami mind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 dami mind and gets 4."12 [2d8=1, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 9 lovely
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 9 lovely and gets 4."12 [2d8=3, 1]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 yeahhhh not making this since it's vs 4 here
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 yeahhhh not making this since it's vs 4 here and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 9
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 9 and gets 14."12 [2d8=8, 6]
> roll 2d8 vs 10 mike you get defense if this hits
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 10 mike you get defense if this hits and gets 6."12 [2d8=4, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 10 dami gets defense if this hits
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 10 dami gets defense if this hits and gets 11."12 [2d8=6, 5]
> roll 2d8 vs 10 hikari you do not
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 10 hikari you do not and gets 3."12 [2d8=1, 2]
> roll 2d8 vs 10 nagare you don't either
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 10 nagare you don't either and gets 10."12 [2d8=7, 3]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 10 (11 if ranged) aiyiyiyi
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 10 (11 if ranged) aiyiyiyi and gets 12."12 [2d8=7, 5]
> OOC: okay, all three of you roll Body-2 please(-4 with the penalty for Mike, Body even for HIkari due to Superstrength)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 7-2 (lol)
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 7-2 (lol) and gets 12."12 [2d8=8, 4]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 3 (IOW ahahaha to me passing)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 3 (IOW ahahaha to me passing) and gets 9."12 [2d8=8, 1]
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 8."12 [2d8=2, 6]
> Suddenly from the darkness, chains rattle forth from all around you. Mike and Dami hear them in time, but Mike is just too slow to avoid being grabbed. The chains wrap around Mykasi, Nagare and Hikari, holding the men fast...but Hikari breaks them apart with a mighty surge of STRENGTH. (OOC: inits. Mike and Nagare are currently ensared, but roll init anyway)
> The voice laughs, "Wonderful! I love strong women. Why don't you let me have these worthless men and I'll make it worth your while?"
<Mykasi> roll 2d8+9 yay init(?)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8+9 yay init(?) and gets 23."12 [2d8=8, 6]
<Nagare> roll 2d8+9 oh what the hell
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8+9 oh what the hell and gets 13."12 [2d8=2, 2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8+11 IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8+11 IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME and gets 26."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> roll 2d8+8 dami nit
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+8 dami nit and gets 15."12 [2d8=6, 1]
> roll 2d8+10 voice in the darkness
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+10 voice in the darkness and gets 13."12 [2d8=1, 2]
> roll 2d8+6 ???
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 ??? and gets 20."12 [2d8=7, 7]
> roll 2d8+6 ??? 2
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8+6 ??? 2 and gets 20."12 [2d8=8, 6]
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > ??? > ???2 > Dami > Nagare > Voice
<Mykasi> OOC: The illusion will be down because it requires concentration, and getting chained would've broken it.
> (OOC: Hikari can do...whatever she's gonna do. It's still pitch fucking dark, sadly)
<Hikari> "Come on out here and see how strong I am in person. I am not remotely interested in making deals with you," Hikari calls out to the darkness. "You strike my friends, you die." (OOC: yeah, guess I'm holding 'til something approaches?)
> (OOC: Mike. You can make Body at -4 to try and squirm out, unless you have another idea)
<Mykasi> "Anansi, if you have any talent at getting out of binds, now's the time..." Mike says with a few Miwok curses thrown in as he tries to break out!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 3 yeah, nope, so unless Anansi can cheat me out...
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 3 yeah, nope, so unless Anansi can cheat me out... and gets 3."12 [2d8=2, 1]
> Anansi appears again, this time dressed as a ninja, and quick like slides his webbing all over Mike, slipping it between and the chains, giving him the slippery purchase needed to...ESCAPE! Yes!
> Another chain whips out of the darkness, and hikari can hear it coming right at her!
> roll 2d8 vs 8 whip it, whip it good
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 whip it, whip it good and gets 10."12 [2d8=8, 2]
> But she feels it miss, flashing right by her!(OOC: you can try to hit the chain if you want. Melee attack only though, no time for a ranged swing)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 damn right, and normally vs 12 here so 10 given penalty
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 damn right, and normally vs 12 here so 10 given penalty and gets 12."12 [2d8=7, 5]
> Hikari's sword flashes in response, but misses connecting with the quick moving chain. Meanwhile, another lashes out of the darkness behind her...at Dami.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 spare some chainge
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 spare some chainge and gets 12."12 [2d8=7, 5]
> There's a wooshing sound behind you, and Dami screams again, "AAAH!" (Dami is up)
> Dami staggers around, "I...I...can't see! there's nothing I can do! Raven!" But the bird only caws out in frustration. (Nagare.)
> (OOC: Body check at -2 if you want to slip out, unless you have another action in mind)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 5 yeah that's working out great
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 5 yeah that's working out great and gets 12."12 [2d8=7, 5]
> Nagare struggles against the chains to no avail.
> The voice laughs again, "Ah, freindship. You're one of *those* people. I suppose I'll just have to kill all of you then. Hmm, I wonder who you care about most? Perhaps...the old man?" Nagare feels the chains begin to tighten around him, and shifting position to get purchase around his neck...(Body at -2 man.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 5 holy shit
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 5 holy shit and gets 7."12 [2d8=5, 2]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 12."12 [2d8=5, 7]
> Struggle as he might, Nagare can't stop the chains from working around to their destination...and he feels them tighten...
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 58/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP] '
> (OOC: Hikari)
* Hikari rushes over to the sound of chains rattling in the darkness, grabs hold of those wrapped around the professor and tears at them with all her might!
> (OOC: hmm, roll mind. Easy to hear in the dark since his are the only chains left and he's struggling, but it's still pitch dark. Would normally be +2, but penalty)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 my ass stat, great, time to trip in the darkness
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 my ass stat, great, time to trip in the darkness and gets 12."12 [2d8=6, 6]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 dammit come on
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 dammit come on and gets 8."12 [2d8=2, 6]
> Hikari fumbles around for Nagare, but it's taking her some time...(Mike.)
<Mykasi> Mike grimaces. With the advantage of darkness, the enemy seems to have a tactical advantage... but...
<Mykasi> roll 1d2 Mike's plan of action
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 1d2 Mike's plan of action and gets 1."12 [1d2=1]
<Mykasi> With a slight nod, Mike calls on Anansi. "Let's hope light makes right! Rip the darkness with a blast of light, Anansi!" The ninja Anansi does as directed, letting fly with a shuriken in the direction of one of the chains!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 hopefully this provides a bit of illumination for Dami/Hikari for a moment, too
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 hopefully this provides a bit of illumination for Dami/Hikari for a moment, too and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 8]
<Mykasi> OOC: To hit was 7 so unless I get wild flailing chances it misses.
> The shuriken misses the chain, but does provide a very breif flash of light. (OOC: chains)
> The chain that dodged the light shuriken comes flinging back in at Mykasi, intent on giving him a good strangling.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 lets get you fitted for a new necktie
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 lets get you fitted for a new necktie and gets 9."12 [2d8=2, 7]
> The chain flies by him by a matter of inches...close enough for him to see the barbs that coat the links on this one.
> The other chain redirects and flies at Hikari once more, trying to prevent her little rescue mission.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 whip-pow
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 whip-pow and gets 8."12 [2d8=6, 2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 6 fffff penalty this is gonna be an 8 just watch
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 vs 6 fffff penalty this is gonna be an 8 just watch and gets 9."12 [2d8=2, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 fine
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 fine and gets 14."12 [2d8=8, 6]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 11."12 [2d8=8, 3]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 58/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> The barbed chain scores across her, but the blessed armor of Brynhildr softens the blow massively and it draws only a trickle of blood.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 god Dami is taking such penalties in here
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 god Dami is taking such penalties in here and gets 9."12 [2d8=8, 1]
> Dami's voice sounds like he's trying in vain to calm himself, "I saw...where? He was...over there?" (OOC: Nagare. Same as before, Body-2 to get out)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 5 fffffffff
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 5 fffffffff and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
> Nagare thrashes harder and harder, but he only manages to make more noise. Meanwhile the voice sounds highly entertained, "Is...that one afraid of the dark? Oh this is just precious." But as she talks, the chains around Nagare tighten more...(Body at -2 again man.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 5 jesus fuck
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 vs 5 jesus fuck and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
> roll 2d8 damage
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 damage and gets 13."12 [2d8=6, 7]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 42/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> Tighter and tighter the chains grow about the teacher's neck...(Hikari)
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > ??? > ???2 > Dami > Nagare > Voice
* Hikari continues her directed stumble towards the professor--it sounds like he needs to get free FAST.
> (OOC: Mind+1, the flash of light gives you some help)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 my mind still sucks though
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 my mind still sucks though and gets 15."12 [2d8=8, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 oh fuck fine last one
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 oh fuck fine last one and gets 8."12 [2d8=3, 5]
> Hikari stumbles around more, but it's harder to tell as chain rattling sounds are coming from all around now. (OOC: Mike. and you can see the chains that are attacking you wrigling around tio make noise)
<Mykasi> "Mother of fuck this is inane Anansi your next trick is to pick up a dedicated light source magical ability, especially one that can deal with this inane mutter grumble" Mike grumbles under his breath before dashing to Nagare and trying to help him with the chains! "Hikari! HERE!"
> (OOC: Mike's body is worse then Nagare's, so you can try your own roll at Body-2 to bust him out, or give him a bonus on his own roll(but he'll have to use his turn doing it).)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 5 My body may be worse, but I'm still sexier than he is.
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 5 My body may be worse, but I'm still sexier than he is. and gets 7."12 [2d8=5, 2]
> Mike pulls and struggles with the chains, but he's still suffeirng the effects of that FEELING and he's also just not that physically strong.(chaaaaains)
> Speaking of Mike and chains, he sees one of those barbed ones coming RIGHT FOR HIM!
> roll 2d8 vs 8 chaaaaain
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 chaaaaain and gets 4."12 [2d8=2, 2]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 8 (9 vs ranged) (fuck chains) (also figures)
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 vs 8 (9 vs ranged) (fuck chains) (also figures) and gets 7."12 [2d8=4, 3]
> Anansi parries the chain with a ninja sword!
> The other chain sneaks out..and lunges at Dami!
> roll 2d8 string up the hermit
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 string up the hermit and gets 9."12 [2d8=1, 8]
> Somehow he avoids it...and tries to get himself under control, "We need...we need a plan..."
> roll 2d8 vs 8 whee phobia penalties
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 vs 8 whee phobia penalties and gets 12."12 [2d8=8, 4]
> (OOC: Nagare. You can body check again, or if you've got another idea. No physical actions(attacks/healing). Mental actions work though)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 goddamn my ass is on the line here
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 goddamn my ass is on the line here and gets 13."12 [2d8=5, 8]
> Nagare focuses his attention...and can see a shadowy presance ahead. It's powerful, strong enough to be seen even by his wavering concentration. He thinks he sees small flickers of others...but can't quite make them out. Not enough.
> OOC: Nagare, roll Law. Mind+skill ranks. There is a penalty, I'll apply it on my end.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 (13 roll before penalties)
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 (13 roll before penalties) --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> The voice begins to sing, "Oh, the sweet humming biiiiiirds of springtime~ follow meeee into the eeeeast~" While the chains grow ever tighter...(Body-2 to resist, you know how this goes)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 5 so much failure
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 vs 5 so much failure --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> roll 2d8 damage
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 damage --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 16/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
<Mykasi> "Damnit, Prof, why the hell did you stop fighting this!"
> The chains tighten more and more. It's getting hard to breathe...hard to think...(Hikari)
> (OOC: Mind+2 to find it now. mike's making alot of noise)
* Hikari staggers towards the sound of Mike's voice this time. With all the yelling he's doing, it should serve as a good homing beacon...right?
<Hikari> roll 2d8 time to roll more nines I am the Cirno
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 time to roll more nines I am the Cirno --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
> Hikari makes her way over! Mike is pulling on the chains as best he can! (Body-2 if you wanna bust him out)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 target 10 now
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 target 10 now --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
> (OOC: Body even, that is. forgot superstrength)
> Hikari grips the chains, and simply pulls them apart liek they were so many paperclips. Nagare drops to the ground, freed from his bonds.
> (OOCL Mike)
* Mykasi lets out a loud exhalation. "Hikari, you protect him! I'm gonna go help Dami!" With that, Mike looks over to Dami... before pausing. After a -VERY- loud curse in Miwok, he fumbles for his pocket, grabs the remaining bottle of SUNshine, and opens it before pointing it in Dami's direction! "DAMI, THIS WAY!"
> A feint glow of light penetrates through the darkness, creating a small beacon that everyone can see.
> Including, it would seem, teh chains. Who lash out for Mike, one to try and strangle him and the other to slap the bottle from his hand.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 going for the neck
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 going for the neck --> [ 2d8=7 ]{7}
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 8 (9 if ranged) (damnit, I like my neck where it is!)
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 8 (9 if ranged) (damnit, I like my neck where it is!) --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
> roll 2d8 vs 5 bottle slappery
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 5 bottle slappery --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> Anansi parries one chain while Mike nimbly avoids the other! Then Dami, seeing the light rushes over to where you are and grabs for the bottle(OOC: Mike let him have it?)
<Mykasi> OOC: Yes.
> roll 2d8 vs 10 Dami brainpower phobia effect lessening
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 Dami brainpower phobia effect lessening --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
> He quickly pours some of the glowing liquid onto his hands, then scatters a bit of it around, trying to create lightsources. But all it does is create glowing spots you can see without illuminating what's around them. (Nagre)
* Nagare breathes heavily, calling for Slane's Dew to at least soften his heavy wounds.
<Mykasi> "Calm yourself, Dami! I know this is frightening but we need to be rational about this!"
> "It..doesn't glow as brightly as I hoped...I hate working with unknown materials..." Dami grumbles a bit.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 56/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> Abartach appears, and pours the healing water over Nagare's head. He feels the pain around his throat lessen, the pain fading. (voice)
> "The east wind is calling, so come right away~" she continues singing apparently oblivious to Nagare's freedom. But suddenly, an aura of darkness appears under Dami's feet...and the darkness rushes up at him.
> roll 2d8 vs 10 does she even hit
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 does she even hit --> [ 2d8=4 ]{4}
> roll 2d8 vs 6 Dami soul check
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 6 Dami soul check --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> roll 2d8 vs 10 herp derp forgot defense roll
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 herp derp forgot defense roll --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> The horrible aura forms underneath him, but as the darkness rushes out, Raven slams into Dami from behind, propelling him out of the area of the effect just in time!
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > ??? > ???2 > Dami > Nagare > Voice
> OOC: Hikari is up.
* Hikari has had quite enough of the mystery woman's taunting. Let's see how SHE likes it! "You like to sing, do you? Well, I've got a song of my own for you. I'm sure you'll appreciate it!" She can't help but be thankful for the little light they have now, so...she starts to sing the Satomi Tadashi song with a smile as she stands and readies herself for more chain assaults.
> (OOC: ...roll Performing Arts, sure)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 based off of...soul? So, 9+1-penalty...target 8. C'mon Kobot don't ruin my moment of glory here
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 based off of...soul? So, 9+1-penalty...target 8. C'mon Kobot don't ruin my moment of glory here --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
> Hikari sings! But the woman doesn't seem annoyed and just keeps singing her own song.
> (OOC: Mike, and yes Hikari you can still swat one of the chains if they attack you or anyone directly adjacent to you)
* Mykasi blinks as Hikari begins singing, before chuckling and beginning to sing at the top of his voice himself as Ninjanansi flings naginatas of light at the chain that attacked him directly!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 7 NAGINATA BEEMU
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 7 NAGINATA BEEMU --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Hitting moving chains with ranged attacks is not the easiest thing in the world. The chains, rather then continue thier assault on Mike, start swinging at Dami, trying to get the light source away from him.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 attack 1
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 attack 1 --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> roll 2d8 vs 5 disarm attempt
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 5 disarm attempt --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> roll 2d8 vs 10 dami defense
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 dami defense --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
> roll 2d8 damage
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 damage --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 56/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 24/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> One chain strikes, and Dami nearly crumples from a single blow, doubling over and staggering back as he cries out in pain. (Dami)
> roll 2d8 vs 10 focus man
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 focus man --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> As if the pain was a catelyst, Dami takes the bottle and tosses it...to his persona? Raven catches the bottle and cackles, "Hoo HOO! I know what to dooo~" And you can all see the light source begin to move as Raven takes wing...
> (OOC: Nagare)
* Nagare kneels and gasps, still feeling the heavy choking effect on his neck, but pointing towards the direction where the Golden Arrow pinpointed the powerful Shadow . "Ack... there... the woman... is... there!," he finishes, then summoning Slane's Dew once again, now to mend Dami's wounds.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 56/90 HP [70/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 64/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> Dami gasps out, "Ah...thank you. For that and...the direction both. Raven..." The bird replies, "You saw, I saw, what fun to rain on someone's parade~"
> The voice seems unconcerned as she continues her song...but Mike can see the chains divert towards Raven. "Come follow the rover into the new day~" And the black aura appears under Dami again.
> roll 2d8 vs 10 attack
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 attack --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Dami seems to have gotten himself together though, and neatly sidesteps the aura. Meanwhile. on it's way after the bird, a chain passes dangerously close to Hikari(forgot to let you swing earlier. Go for it)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 10
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 vs 10 --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> roll 2d8 vs 8 chain defense
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 chain defense --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 smaaaaash
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 smaaaaash --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > Chain 2 > Dami > Nagare > Voice
> The chain moves too close, and Hikari smashes it to pieces in one mighty swing.
> (OOC: Now Hikari's actual turn. Sadly you can't see the other chain)
* Hikari keeps a lookout for more chains, singing all the while with a grimly determined smile.
> Dami grabs Nagare's shoulder and hisses out quietly in hopes the woman won't hear over all the singing, "You can see the light, you can see the shadow. When Raven is right above her, say when!"
> (OOC: Hikari is holding, Mike)
* Nagare nods. "Roger." With that, Nagare follows closely with his eyes the bird to give the signal.
* Mykasi grimly nods and yells out, "ANANSI, FUCK THE DRAMATICS AND JUST MAGIC MISSILE THE DAMN CHAIN!" With that, a (somewhat pertrubed) Anansi flings tons of small arrows of light at the chain!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 7 BUT IT'S MAGIC MISSILE
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 7 BUT IT'S MAGIC MISSILE --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> The missles fly out, but don't hit the chain. Anansi changes into a wizard hat and snickers out, "Heh heh, I'm attacking the darkness!"
<Mykasi> "YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG"
> The chain lashes out at Raven, attempting to slap the bottle from it's talons!
> roll 2d8 vs 5 disarm
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 5 disarm --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> But Raven is too fast, easily sideslipping and chortling out, "No no no, that won't do at all~"
> Dami continues to conspire with the professor, "Try to guide him, he can hear what I hear. Left, right, ahead?" (OOC: Dami's holding, Nagare can take a mind check on his to try and guide Raven to the right spot if you want)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for guiding the bird right vs 9
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 for guiding the bird right vs 9 --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
> Nagare gives Dami an idea of when he thinks it's good! (OOC: well, Dami can make a roll anyway. Blind luck ahoy)
> roll 2d8 does Raven drop it in the right place
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 does Raven drop it in the right place --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> The bottle splashes down! Nagare can see that it landed...kinda near her, at least. A...you think a few feet to the left and behind? She, by the way, hasn't moved an inch since he followed the mark of the arrow to find her. And everyone can see a big spill of light on the ground.
* Nagare sighs. "Will it help if I try to just aim at her with something?"
> The voice pauses to laugh for a moment, but continues her song, "Come follow the maiden, the dark moon with me~" And this time, the dark aura appears under Nagare.
> roll 2d8 vs 10 attack
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 attack --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Nagare moves out of the way quickly. (OOC: Hikari. Chains don't even sound near you anymore)
* Hikari can hear the singing and she can see the light--enough standing around, it's time to go on the offensive! Charge to that pool of light and hopefully she'll be able to see the enemy there--or swing blindly and hope for the best! Still singing as she runs: "THE ETERNAL ALLY OF THOSE WHO FIGHT, OUR CITY'S FRIENDLY DRUG STORE!"
> (OOC: sure, roll attack with a -6 penalty for charging in without even being able to clearly see what you're swinging at. Make it and I'll assume you got lucky since you at least know the general direction)
<Hikari> OOC: does that include existing penalty, or -8 total?
> (OOC: includes the penalty)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 6
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 vs 6 --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Hikari goes charging in, swinging the lightblade wildly! But the spill didn't seem to happen close enough to her for it to hit. She can hear the singing more clearly now though.
> (OOC: Mike)
* Mykasi grunts as he follows Hikari a bit. "ANANSI THROW IT AT THE DAMN CHAINS, NOT THE DARKNESS, SHE IS NOT SOMEONE YOU WILL BE MAKING OUT WITH, STOP TRYING THIS DAMN SHIT!" With that Anansi lets loose another volley of light arrows at the chain!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 7 MIKE CAN YELL REAL LOUD
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 7 MIKE CAN YELL REAL LOUD --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> Anansi fires more missles that don't connect and snips back, "Hey maybe we should get closer so you can SEE WHAT THE HELL I'M SUPPOSED TO BE AIMING AT!"
> The chain drops down...and attempts to ensnare Hikari!
<Mykasi> "YOUR FACE SHOULD GET CLOSER, SLUTWEB! SHUT UP AND AIM ALREADY!"
> roll 2d8 vs 8 atatck
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 atatck --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> But it's aim is also off, Hikari hearing it before it strikes and having time to dodge.
> Dami curses softly, "There goes that idea. Think...think...I...I need to get closer." And he leaves Nagare's side to carefully make his way towards the spilled liquid.
> (OOC: Nagare)
* Nagare nods. "I'll approach as well - at least it'll make it easier for me to direct the general area where she is." With that, the teacher also makes way towards the liquid.
> (OOC: Nagare can see her and will take no penalties to attack ifyou want. You can't she jack shit else unless it's really close to a SUNlight spill, but you can see the big shadow)
* Nagare then stops after moving a few steps, then calls forth the Lying Prince. "At least -one- of us can sense where you are, miscreant!"
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 10-2 penalties suck
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 vs 10-2 penalties suck --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> (She has no defense. Damage)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for dmagaes
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 for dmagaes --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > Chain 2 > Dami > Nagare > Voice(-2 soul)
> The spiral touches her...and she doesn't seem overly concerned. In fact, she breaks off her song to speak, "Oh thank you! Now I know exactly who I need to kill. So cooperative, your manners are much appriciated."
> Meanwhile, that dark aura appears under nagare's feet again...
> roll 2d8 vs 9 attack
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 9 attack --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
> (OOC: defense, then soul check if you fail it)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 7-2 penalties suck!
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 vs 7-2 penalties suck! --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> (OOC: One, nagare doesn't have the penalties remember? the chains are just at Body-2 for diff. Two you failed, so soul check.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 10 then
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 vs 10 then --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 99/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 56/90 HP [0/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 64/70 HP [115/175 EP]'
> The darkness slams over Nagare from below...and he feels every last ounce of his magical energy leave him. He is still concious...but he can't feel Abartach's presance any longer. He is now merely a mortal in a world of Dreams and Shadows.
> (OOC: All your persona abilities are unusable until you get some EP back. Including your buffed stats.)
> (OOC: Hikari is up)
> tHe voice sounds displeased, "Odd. That should have killed you outright."
* Hikari points toward the source of that voice, and pauses in her singing for a moment: "Brynhildr? Light her up for all to see." Then she resumes singing. Opera. In German.
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=4 ]{4}
> (OOC: Take your shot. Only the standard -2 penalty)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 10 IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 vs 10 IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 ignition
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 ignition --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > Chain 2 > Dami > Nagare(0 EP) > Voice(32 damage, -2 soul)
> The fires light her up...and Hikari can see, just for a moment, what they're fighting. A women, held taut in the air by chains binding her to the floor, the ceiling and the walls. But as she burns...she LAUGHS.
> (OOC: Mike, you can roll mind dead even to have got enough of an idea from that were to aim, as you're further away)
<Mykasi> OOC: Can I approach first and get a bit more of a bonus, or do I not have time to do that and shoot?
> (OOC: mind dead even is the best I'm giving you, especially considering you're still under the -2 room effect penalty)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 11 I was just trying to mentally clarify, I'll RP the result here
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 11 I was just trying to mentally clarify, I'll RP the result here --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> (OOC: take your shot, only the -2 room penalty even at range)
* Mykasi grimaces and follows the sounds and lights, attempting to get close enough to give Anansi a shot... which he just barely gets in range for to spot where the battle's taking place! "ANANSI! FILL HER DARK SOUL WITH LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! AND PAIN WHILE YER AT IT!"
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 7 screw the yelling on rolls it doesn't help
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 7 screw the yelling on rolls it doesn't help --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> Anansi fires a MASSIVE LASER that misses her by mere inches.
> Meanwhile, that determined chain does it's damndest to string Hikari up again.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 attack
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 attack --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> But it's less a chain of command and more like the missing link. (OOC: Dami)
> "Ishigami!" Dami calls out, "I think I can hit her, but I have to risk hitting you as well."
> (OOC: you can free action reply to that)
<Hikari> "Can't you be more precise than that? Dammit!"
> "Not without being able to see."
<Hikari> "Then get over here so you can help without killing me!"
> Dami moves in closer, but without Mike's eyes he can't attack with any accuracy just yet. (OOC: Uh, Nagare. Do...whatever you do.)
* Nagare blinks, worriedly noticing Abartach's absence, and then shouts. "Mykasi! Hikari! I can't feel Abartach's presence anymore!"
> The voice hmms, "Shall we see what it does to the rest of you?" And the dark aura appears underneath...Hikari.
> roll 2d8 vs 9 do I hit
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 9 do I hit --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Hikari sees an aura appear underneath her feet. And gets the fuck away from it. (OOC: Hikari's turn)
> (OOC: no need to mind check to find her, as I assume you're adjacent to her after the last one, yes? I didn't give you penalties on that firewall like you were aiming from a distance)
<Hikari> "No, let's not see. Professor! Get over here--" Hikari fishes in her handbag for some soma, "--and Brynhildr, keep her burning for the others to see!"
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 10 more fire
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 vs 10 more fire --> [ 2d8=7 ]{7}
> (OOC: You can't dig out pills and attack,. One or the other.)
<Hikari> OOC: phoo. Well, Nagare can just grab my stuff when I get here. someone's gott abe hitting her.
<Hikari> OOC: so yeah, attacking. Should I edit line and/or reroll? (oh god I hope not)
> (OOC: Line edit, roll can stand. And she has no defense, roll damage)
<Hikari> "No, let's not see. Professor! Get over here and get the soma--and Brynhildr, keep her burning for the others to see!"
<Hikari> roll 2d8 damage
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 damage --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > Chain 2 > Dami > Nagare(0 EP) > Voice(73 damage, -2 soul)
> The fires alight and dance over the chained woman, and she laughs even more, "Am I...about to die? Hah...hahaha...HAHAHAHA! FABULOUS! Simply MARVELOUS!" (OOC: Mike. You can just roll attack , she's pretty much on fire now and Mike's got that super vision)
* Mykasi mutters loudly. "Alright, my voice is dead. Just... just hit her, Anansi? Please?" he says with a gesture at the immobile lady. "Light, fill her soul, yadda yadda." With that, Anansi robes up as a priest and aims a Shine at her!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 I can't tell if that also negates penalties. 7 if not, 9 if so
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 I can't tell if that also negates penalties. 7 if not, 9 if so --> [ 2d8=4 ]{4}
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 DAMAGE?!
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 DAMAGE?! --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> 4INIT ORDER: Hikari > Mykasi > Chain 2 > Dami > Nagare(0 EP) > Voice(112 damage, -2 soul)
> Anansi's magic spell hits true, striking her in the chest and illuminating her further. She cries out in joy,

[VySaika]

(Cont from above, as that apprently was too long)

> Anansi's magic spell hits true, striking her in the chest and illuminating her further. She cries out in joy, "Yes! GODS I have been waiting for this! Free me from this FUCKING PRISON! Send me to Hell where I belong!"
<Mykasi> "Stop attacking us and we'll oblige, ma'am!"
> This does not stop the chain from attempting to strangle Hikari!
> roll 2d8 vs 8 it really can't do shit to you but it's stupid and you're closest
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 it really can't do shit to you but it's stupid and you're closest --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> "If you want to be the one to kill the Lady of Chains boy, you need to fucking EARN it!"
<Mykasi> "Wah wah wah I'm too much of a BITCH to get what I want!"
> Dami tries to take careful aim...
> roll 2d8 vs 10 yay dami's penalties in here
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 10 yay dami's penalties in here --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> "I think...RAVEN! Blades of Thunder, there!" Raven caws and sends out his lightning!
> roll 2d8 vs 9
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 9 --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> But the arcing lightning seems to just go right around her.
> (OOC: Nagare, doing anything?)
* Nagare rushes towards Nagare as well as the light puddle allows in order to grab the Soma from her. "I'm getting there!"
> It's very hard for him to navigate in the dark with no more Abartach to guide him at all, but he at least manages to make it over there(This'll prolly be over by next round anyway).
<Nagare> (OOC: Strike the second Nagare, replace with Hikari. Sorry.)
> And the Lady of Chains, as she has named herself, smiles down at Mykasi, "What bravado, I think you two and I could have gotten on quite well. Tell me, what names to I give the reaper when he asks me who had the balls to finish me off?" Even as she speaks, that damned aura appears under Mike...
> roll 2d8 vs 9 to hit
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 9 to hit --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> (OOC: Defense then soul check if you fail)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 vs 8 (9 if ranged)
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 vs 8 (9 if ranged) --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
<Mykasi> "Mykasi and Anansi, ma'am. And just do us all a favor and tell him it was your damned incompetence!"
> As Raven did for Dami, Anansi suddenly plants his foot in Mike's side and SHOVES him out of that aura just before the darkness sweeps upwards.
> (OOC: Hikari) The lady laughs, "And what of you, woman?" She asks, even as Hikari prepares to attack her again.
> (OOC: ALSO, her saying that name gives Nagare another Law roll. +2 bonus this time)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 vs 13
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 vs 13 --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
* Hikari pauses just long enough to answer. "Hikari Ishigami. And this is my friend Brynhildr. Brynhildr? Send her to her final reward."
<Hikari> roll 2d8 vs 10 Helreio
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 vs 10 Helreio --> [ 2d8=14 ]{14}
> Brynhildr rushes out...and is practically deflected off of her as she swings. (OOC: Mike)
<Mykasi> Mike's face is contorted into an almost hellish scowl as his voice rasps out. "Frankly? You don't deserve to die, you selfish bitch. You wallow in your misery and can't even fucking conceive of a world where you aren't the center of it. You want to die? Go to hell? Fuck that. If my ice has any power at all, you'll freeze forever here, asshole! But either way, I'll be glad to see you GONE!" And with that, a suddenly shocking
<Mykasi> And with that, a suddenly shocking wave of ice snaps out at the Lady!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 (vs 7 unless she's lit up enough that the penalty doesn't apply, then 9)
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 (vs 7 unless she's lit up enough that the penalty doesn't apply, then 9) --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> The ice veers AROUND her, just as Dami's lightning did. She chuckles again, "Ah, the sound of self-rightous fury, how I've missed thee." As the chain, once more, tries to grapple Hikari.
> roll 2d8 vs 8 really this is just getting dragged out
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 8 really this is just getting dragged out --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
> (OOC: Defense check, body even if you fail(penalties and superstrength cancel out))
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 body, then?
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 body, then? --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
> The chain whips around her and tries to secure her...but Hikari overpowers it with ease and shrugs it's grasp off. (and Dami)
> roll 2d8 dami is neither adjacent nor has Mike eyes
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 dami is neither adjacent nor has Mike eyes --> [ 2d8=7 ]{7}
> roll 2d8 vs 9 thunder blade he makes the mind anyway
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 vs 9 thunder blade he makes the mind anyway --> [ 2d8=3 ]{3}
> "Raven." He says simply, and the blade shaped ligtning bolts find thier mark, corsing through her. The chains slack, and drop. She falls to the ground.
> She laughs with her last breaths, "Hah...figures. The one who's done nothing of use gets the final blow. What...what have you to say then?"
> Dami sighs, "I...do not judge. I am not fit to judge."
<Mykasi> "Meanwhile I don't care. Please go away now."
> She snorts...and finally gasps out, "I just hope....this kills me in both worlds..."
> And she fades.
<Hikari> "Both worlds? What--dammit!"
* Nagare breathes heavily, recovering from the running. "That... we -will- have to keep an eye on the news about the asylum when we return."
<Mykasi> "...you didn't figure that out, Hikari?" Mike raises one eyebrow before slumping to the floor.
> roll 2d8 dami has law too
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 2d8 dami has law too --> [ 2d8=5 ]{5}
> "Lady of Chains..." he thinks... "Oh...it. It couldn't be."
> --------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> -------------------------------------------------------------
> The Lady of Chains has been defeated, but the room is still pitch dark aside from the dim light cast by the spilt energy drink. As he catches his breath, Dami thinks a moment, "Lady of Chains? I know that name. It...no, it can't be? Can it?"
* Mykasi sits off to the site, muttering under his breath. "Elaborate, Dami."
* Hikari runs a hand through her hair, sighs. "Is everyone alright?"
> "Ah...I believe it was roughly six years ago." He explains, "there was a serial killer, right here in Kanazawa. She...well, strangled her victems with chains. And was given the nickname 'Lady of Chains'. But..." he sighs, "well, she was caught and got captial punishment."
* Nagare blinks. "... wait, I think I remember -that- story vaguely."
> "At least...that's what public record says." Dami finishes.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike pauses. "Capital punishment as in killing. Correct?"
> "Yes." Dami nods, "She was...supposedly...executed by lethal injection."
> "And I'm...well I won't say I'm alright, but I am still functional, thank you." He nods to Hikari somewhat weakly.
<Hikari> "Well, unless the dead are coming back to life--and I am truly not prepared to entertain that possibility right now--it would seem someone intervened and hid her away for their own purposes."
<Mykasi> "Like the orderlies that were coming in?" Mike said. "And... that's something I'll try to find traces of."
> "For now can we please attempt to exit this room," Dami's voice begins to crack a touch, "I...I do not do well in the dark."
* Nagare grumbles. "Could I please have that Soma pill now? Somehow, being bereft of Abartach in the Dreamscapes any longer doesn't sound appealing to me."
<Hikari> "Of course. She said the door was behind her, so..." Hikari walks straight forward from where the Lady was standing, after handing Nagare his drugs of course.
> Nagare gets the bottle, containing 4 soma tablets.
* Mykasi nods slightly, standing from his crouch and looking for the door, illuminating himself with an amateur illusion.
* Nagare picks up one of the tablets and gulps it down, returning the bottle to Hikari.
> Hikari walks forward...and after a bit of walking(this is a very large room...), she finds a door. A door covered in chains.
<Hikari> "I found an exit," Hikari announces. "Bound shut, but that won't deter me for long." Wielding the lightsword, Hikari tries to cut her way through.
> Without the Lady's influance, the chains give easily under the magical sword backed by Hikari's strength.
> Dami, who had been staying stationary near the large spill of the SUNshine, quickly makes his way over to Hikari after she announces finding an exit.
<Mykasi> "Question before we leave. Are we looking to get out of here and return to the real world? Or are we still going?" Mike asks.
<Nagare> "I think we've pushed our luck far enough for today."
<Hikari> "Agreed. I think it likely the Lady herself wasn't the driving force behind this nightmare, and while I'd still very much like to meet the mysterious entity responsible and exchange some pointed questions, now hardly seems the time with all of us drained as we are."
* Mykasi nods. "Seconded. And shouldn't you take another of those, Nagare? Think that's what the instructions say."
* Nagare nods and picks another pill. "Sorry about that."
> Nagare takes the second pill...and doesn't feel anything at first. But after a few seconds, he can feel a cool sensation spreading out from his stomach, much like when you drink something cold on a hot, dry day where you haven't had a drink for hours.
> And a few seconds after that...the sensation of Abartach's existance weakly returns to him.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [55/75 EP], Mike: 70/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 56/90 HP [20/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 64/70 HP [95/175 EP]'
> DAmi nods, "I have no objections to retreating for the time being. Though...the question of how you all will escape remains."
* Nagare coughs embarrassedly. "We honestly just blundered out of this place last time. I'm not sure we can do it any other way."
<Mykasi> "We found that focusing on our destination has a higher chance of getting us out more easil- You're not helping, Nagare. I had an idea, we executed it, we got out."
<Hikari> "Focus on an exit until we find one? It's not much of a plan, but it did work last time, yes."
> "Ah, your key does not work in here, I take it?"
<Nagare> "We stumbled into Richard that way in a sense as well, so it's better than nothing."
* Nagare eyes Mykasi. "... weeeeeeeeeell..."
<Mykasi> "Our key makes reality go squick."
<Mykasi> "Nagare, less talking more let's get going."
* Nagare shrugs. "I'm right behind you, boss."
<Hikari> "Onwards, then." Hikari opens the door.
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says, moving to the door. "Let's all focus on the exit-"
> You open the door...which leads back into a hallway. No world spinny this time, just a normal doorway.
> There are no marks on any doors, even the one you're walking out of.
<Mykasi> "... wat"
* Hikari sighs. "Here we go again. Unless there are any objections..." Hikari walks to the first door on the right.
> "Hmm," Dami breaths a sigh of relief after walking into the well lit hallway, "I think rooms lead to hallways always. While hallways may lead to rooms or other hallways. It's...not exact, but that does seem to be the pattern thus far."
<Mykasi> "That seems accurate, yes." Mike hums. "With that, plus my own observation of will directing the path some... There's a few conclusions to make there."
> Dami nods to Mike, then to Hikari, "Ah, no objections."
<Hikari> "I'm not convinced there's truly more than one hallway at all, really," Hikari says, opening the door and focusing earnestly on the desire to go home already.
* Mykasi nods to Hikari as the door is opened
> (OOC: I'll handle it after this one, but you all can make the first door opening mind rolls of the session~)
> roll 2d8 Dami mind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 Dami mind and gets 12."12 [2d8=5, 7]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 braiiins
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 braiiins and gets 9."12 [2d8=3, 6]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 mind the gap
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 mind the gap and gets 14."12 [2d8=7, 7]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 zmobie
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 zmobie and gets 9."12 [2d8=8, 1]
> OOC: Gonna Fortune it or no?
<Hikari> OOC: Nah.
> You open the door...and the world spins. You're...in another hallway, this time at the end like usual instead of coming out of a door. Only...it's not like the other hallways. The floor does not have tiles, but instead seems to be a solid, unbroken surface polished to a mirror sheen.
<Mykasi> "Okay that didn't work. Let's try again. First door on the left?" Mike suggests.
> OOC: Mind checks, all.
* Hikari frowns. "The floor is different here. Why is the floor different?"
<Hikari> roll 2d8 SMARTNESS
<Nagare> roll 2d8 for critical brain damage
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 SMARTNESS and gets 6."12 [2d8=5, 1]
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 for critical brain damage and gets 5."12 [2d8=4, 1]
> roll 2d8 dami mind
* Hatbot --> "Gatewalker rolls 2d8 dami mind and gets 5."12 [2d8=4, 1]
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 let's not fuck this up
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 let's not fuck this up and gets 2."12 [2d8=1, 1]
> Mike is the first to notice, but you all see it as well. When you look at the floor...the mirror images aren't attatched to the right people. Hikari's reflection seems to be attatched to Mike, and moving as he moves, while Mike's is under Nagare, Nagare's under Dami and Dami's under Hikari.
> Dami crouches down and stares at the reflection of Nagare that mimics his action, "Well this is certainly strange."
<Mykasi> "... let's get out of here." Mike says again quickly. "I'd rather not let whatever this is trying set in."
* Nagare kneels and lightly taps the floor. "... unsettling."
<Hikari> "I agree completely. Enough headgames." Hikari ignores the visual trickery and opens the first door on the left.
> Nagare taps the floor where the reflection of Mike taps back...(Soul check, doc)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 soooooul
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 soooooul  and gets 5."12 [2d8=3, 2]
> Nagare's hand...passes right through the floor, seeming to merge with the reflection of Mykasi's hand. It's a strange feeling, tingling and odd, but not painful. Nor does the floor feel like it's trying to pull him in, he can move his hand about freely even as the mirrored floor remains solid to his feet.
> (OOC: Hikari still yanking a door open?)
* Hikari stops and looks. "Pro...fessor?"
> (OOC: Also, mind check, this time only Nagare. At a +2 bonus)
* Mykasi checks himself to see if his own hand is being affected.
> Mike's hand seems fine. Whatever he's doing with Mike's reflection doesn't appear to be effecting the physical mykasi.
<Nagare> roll 2d8 mind
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 mind and gets 12."12 [2d8=6, 6]
> (OOC: and that's a fail. Carry on.)
* Nagare boggles, his eyes widening as his hand crosses through the mirrorred floor. He begins to move his submerged hand frantically. "... what... what -is- this?"
<Hikari> "Is this something you think we need to explore?" Hikari wonders. "This hallway is obviously quite distinct from the others we've seen."
* Hikari kneels down and presses a palm against the Dami-reflection there.
> Nagare's hand moves through the floor easily, it feels like moving through some kind of airy liquid...or perhaps like very moist air.
> (OOC: Soul check Hikari.)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 and gets 11."12 [2d8=5, 6]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 eh, why not
* Hatbot --> "Hikari rolls 2d8 eh, why not and gets 11."12 [2d8=5, 6]
> The floor feels solid to her.
* Mykasi reaches down and touches the floor gingerly himself, mimicking the others. Then, while Hikari isn't looking, his other hand grasps at his chest.
> Mike does not feel boobs on his chest. (Also, he needs to make a soul check)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 worth a shot
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 worth a shot and gets 10."12 [2d8=3, 7]
> Floor feels solid to Mike as well.
<Mykasi> "Meh. Professor is magical, we knew this." Mike rises, disappointed, hands on hips. "Let's go."
* Hikari stands up again. "I think the professor's alone here, yes. Let's move on before the floor decides to eat him?"
> Dami raps the floor, it seeming quite solid to him as well, "Hmm." Then he stands up, not wanting to rush Nagare but not paying any more attention to the floor himself either.
* Hikari waits for Nagare to pull his hand out of the floor before opening the door to move on.
* Nagare eyes the three, slowly taking his hand away from the floor, moving his fingers rapidly as it moves away from the airy feeling. "I'm not sure it's wise to simply try and force our way out, but I doubt we'll find out much by just stammering around with a mirror floor either."
> The floor doesn't attempt to stop Nagare from withdrawing his hand. And then Hikari opens the door~
> The world spins...and you find yourselves back in the reception room! Only...the door leading outside is already open. And the receptionist(you can see from this angle) is hiding under the reception desk. And there are sounds of a ruckus going on outside.
> "Shit, five down, one to go, and you're STILL coming at me?" You can hear Shiro's voice from outside.
<Hikari> "Oh dear. I hope whoever he decided to pick a fight with deserved it..." Hikari strides outside to see what kind of mess Shiro's caused this time!
* Nagare dusts himself off and raises an eyebrow as he hears the sound of a ruckus. "... I wish I could -pretend- I'm surprised."
* Mykasi blinks. "...Shiro." With that, he goes to the receptionist. "I'll go make him go away. You relax."
> You get outside...just in time to see Shiro bodily lift an orderly, one of the guys with the hockey masks and tentacle-syringes, with one hand while a sphere of wind gathers around his other fist...then he slams that fist into the orderly and sends him flying.
<Hikari> Doesn't look like he needs any help, so Hikari just walks up at a normal pace. "You were suitably entertained during our absence, I see?"
> Dami shrugs, "Ah, I suppose his plan to draw them out to cause a distraction for us was a success?"
* Nagare coughs. "I can't help but imagine you were just doing this for fun."
> "Huh?" Shiro looks up, "Oh...yeah, don't come any closer for a second. Mike!" he yells, "What was the name of the sub we had in InstAl on Monday?"
* Mykasi soothes the receptionist a bit more before jogging out to meet up with the group, before blinking. "Lemme guess, you ran into copies of us? Dr. Katamari. You remarked that he looked like he had smoked a joint before class, and I commented on wanting to ask him where he bought it."
> Shiro relaxes, "Alright, it's you. ANd yeah, got it in one."
<Mykasi> "Right. We ran into a mirror room, that may have had something to do with it." Mike notes.
<Hikari> "Duplicates? So you spent part of your time out here beating all of us into paste? That is...not a thought I care to dwell on, for many reasons."
* Nagare dusts himself off with a shrug. "Honestly, better the duplicates than ourselves."
> "Hell if I'd know." Shiro shrugs, "I was checking the outside out, then some things that looked like you came out and told me you needed my help inside. I asked if you found a way to get me in...shoulda caught it when you hesitated before saying yes, then when I went up to the door they jumped me from behind."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike pauses to glance at Hikari. "Wait, so you don't imagine everyone going on a homicidal rampage and beating everyone in a town up? It's a favorite pasttime of mine."
> "After I trashed them, some of those masked freaks in the white coats came out to try and retrain me." Shiro smirks, "Worked about as well as you'd guess. How'd things go on the inside?"
<Hikari> "It is not one of my preferred fantasies, no," Hikari says to Mike.
<Mykasi> "We killed a serial killer, met two inmates and beat up orderlies. So, you know, pretty normal."
<Nagare> "I also apparently turned into a mirror magician."
> "Manage to find the guy you were looking for?"
> Dami nods, "Yes, we located Richard Bland."
* Nagare nods. "Yes, but oddly it wasn't even the most notable find."
<Mykasi> "That."
> "So we need to stick around for anything else, or can we get out of here?" Shiro asks, as he swings back up on Red Hare's back, "Dunno if this place is gonna spit anything else out at us, and I'll need a few before I can take any more hits."
<Mykasi> "Let's go back." Mike nods.
<Mykasi> "We're exhausted and Nagare almost got to find out if auto-asphyxiation to the point of death would improve his love life, so."
<Hikari> "I doubt it. Let's just get back to civilization?"
<Nagare> "And I'd say we'd do good to never return if we didn't -have- to."
> You pick your way through the paper charm barrier and begin back through the woods. Navigating AWAY from the place doesn't seem any trouble at all, like the paths just want to take you as far from it as you can as quickly as possible. And before long you come back to the road with what is a gas station in the real world. And once again a mario style Toad House at the moment.
<Mykasi> "Doot doot doot." Mike hums. "Let's get outta here, meet back up on the other side?"
<Hikari> "Yes."
> Shiro nods and sits down to summon the wind, while Dami walks behind the building and pulls a mirror out of his pocket.
<Mykasi> "We'll be a bit, we need to talk to spiritual consultants." Mike notes.
* Nagare blinks. "That's a mighty odd moniker to hand Theresa and Igor."
<Mykasi> "Spiritual consultant and spiritual corruptor."
* Mykasi takes the key and plugs it in!"
> The door opens, and you step into the Velvet Room.
> (OOC: I will beeeeeeeee your Change of a Sceeeeeene~)
> The Velvet Room is as blue as ever, save for the table and chairs in the middle. Theresa stands and bows as you enter, as always, "Welcome back."
<Mykasi> "Hi! Nice red coloring today."
> Then she eyes the condition you all seem to be in. "And I think you are in desperate need of some tea. I'll be just a moment."
> She vanishes into the back, while Igor ignores Mike's comment and gestures at the chairs.
* Nagare sits down, rubbing his temples heavily.
* Mykasi perches on another chair, pulling out the needles. "Hikari, you got the syringe?"
* Hikari nods, places it on the table, and sits down.
> Igor eyes the objects with some interest, "Ah, you have collected more remnants I see."
<Mykasi> "Yeah. These are supposed to be joined, I believe. Any comments on that?"
> "Indeed." Igor nods, while Theresa comes back out and pours everyone tea, "Upon occasion, a Shadow will have more then one vulnerability. Upon an even more rare occasion, such Shadows will leave behind different remnants, depending on which vulnerability they are struck down with. Often, these remnants will be related and can even be combined into a single item again."
<Hikari> "Well, they're hardly of any use separate, are they? So..." Hikari picks up a syringe and a needle, and attempts to recombine them.
* Mykasi moves to take the syringe, but is beaten to the punch by Hikari and hands a needle over.
> Hikari places the needle on the syringe, but outside of just stabbing it in there, which would puncture the syringe and let the liquid leak out if it didn't work, she can't see a way they're supposed to go together.
> "Often," Igor continues, "combining such items is a form of magical synthesis, rather then simple phsyical combination."
> Theresa finishes pouring tea, and nods, "It's easy enough to do, if you learn how. Just need someone to teach you."
> Then she considers, "Or your Personas could figure it out, you ARE Persona Users afterall."
<Mykasi> "Ah." Mike hums. "Are you capab- ah. Gotcha. I'll look into it."
<Hikari> "Is this a service you're capable of performing or teaching, or do we need to find another expert? And have you any idea of what purpose these items would serve?"
> Theresa smiles, "I could, but it'd be against the rules. And I'd guess the purpose here would be to inject somebody with whatever's in that thing. If you'll all close your eyes a minute I can tell you at least that much?" she looks to Igor for confirmation, to which he nods.
* Nagare picks up the teacup lightly. "We can comply."
* Hikari does indeed comply.
* Nagare complies as well, closing his eyes with teacup in hand.
* Mykasi shuts his eyes and hums the Katamari Damacy theme.
> A few moments later, Theresa says, "Okay, you can open your eyes again. And...well, I don't have a name for whatever this chemical is, but inject it into someone and unless they've got the physical or mental defenses to fight it off, they'd become a whooole lot more complacent."
<Mykasi> "Zen and the art of needlework."?
* Nagare blinks. "... that would explain a lot about that colleague of yours, Mykasi."
<Mykasi> "Colleague?"
<Nagare> "That kid who used to be your roommate. Shou? I don't quite remember his name."
<Hikari> "You suggest this is what they use to pacify the inmates, Professor?"
* Nagare shrugs, lightly drinking his tea. "It seems quite a strong possibility at least."
* Mykasi stands up, and walks behind Nagare.
* Mykasi lightly boxes his ears, before sitting back down.
* Nagare blinks. "I don't want to understand."
> Theresa suddenly giggles.
<Mykasi> "You probably wouldn'
<Mykasi> t, anyway." Mike grouses. "So, anyway."
> Igor ignores his assistant and holds his hand out to Hikari, "Shall I return your blade to it's card form?
* Hikari nods, hands it over. "Please."
> He does so, and returns the card to Hikari, asking, "Have you anything else to discusss, or shall I return you to your own world?"
<Nagare> "Don't... think so, at least not anything that I could discuss with all of us together here."
<Hikari> "I have nothing else at this time, save a great need to go home and sleep."
* Mykasi glances to Nagare curiously before shaking his head. "I have some questions but none of them are dire. So, later."
<Nagare> "Honestly, I wish I could spend the next week buried in my bed."
> Igor waves his hands, and the door glows then fades, "the door will now return you to the human world."
> Theresa giggles again.
* Nagare waves quietly to Theresa and Igor, heading towards the door.
* Hikari exits.
* Mykasi waves slightly, hesitating before leaving.
> (OOC: Those of us, those of us of Changing Scenes~)
> You exit the Velvet Room...and reappear in the bathroom of the gas station. A dude is in there, the cashier from inside you saw before, with his pants around his ankles and taking a piss. As he hears noise behind him he slowly looks back over his shoulder...
* Hikari VERY QUICKLY hustles out the door!
<Mykasi> "Ack! Sorry, shit!" Mike cusses, flailing his arms! "Guess you didn't hear the knock!"
* Mykasi then exits!
> Hikari bolts back out the door in record time, followed by Mykasi and Nagare, as the attendant freaks the fuck out, "Gah! WHat the hell!? The door was locked!"
* Nagare quietly leaves, whistling nonchalantly as if walking out of that scene was really no big deal. At that point...
> Dami and Shiro are loitering around Nagare's care out in the parking lot.
> Dami nods as he sees you all appear, then raises an eyebrow at the noise before wincing as he realizes what happened.
* Mykasi shuts the door behind him and waves the other two away, an "I'll negate this" look on his face.
> "Ah...I'm sorry," he sighs, "I forgot where you went in from."
* Nagare coughs awkwardly. "Sometimes, you have conveniences we do not possess."
> "Eh," Shiro shrugs, "I'd trade the ability to go over from anywhere to be able to go INSIDE places."
<Hikari> "Just this once, Shiro, I'd take that trade."
> A minute passes and the door to the bathroom creaks back open, the attendant peeking back out and seeing Mike there giving him a reaaaaaaally funny look, "Uh..." he steps out but seems at a loss for anything else to say, just edges around back towards the front door...
<Mykasi> "Sorry about that. Needed somewhere to privately talk away from those two, door was unlocked, didn't realize you were in." Mike rubs his head guiltily. "Just wanted to apologize. Sorry, dude." And with that he trots over to the group.
* Nagare deflates. "I'll presume we shouldn't know."
> He nods, and Mike hears him grumble as he goes back inside, "Dammit, that door's supposed to automatically lock. I'll have to tell the manager it's broken. Again."
<Mykasi> "Didn't feel like explaining magic to him so I bluffed." Mike explains to the group. "Okay, so plan now?"
> "I...am going to do some research, particularly on the Lady of Chains," Dami notes, "and a bit more into the ownership of that asylum."
<Hikari> "Please do. I don't expect to hear any more news about it casually. If whoever's operating it can steal away a condemned murderer, well, they're good at hiding their misdeeds."
* Nagare coughs lightly. "Dami, you mind if I aid you in your research on the Lady?"
> Shiro grumbles, "Sounds like you guys got busted up in there. I'm gonna go hit Lily's place, see if she has any idea how I can go in there but not anywhere else. Or if she can suggest anyone else who might be able to help me with that. I'm already sick of missing the important stuff, and we haevn't been working together that long."
* Mykasi nods slightly, before humming. "Mind if I tag along to aid? Two minds might work better than one here, and I'm good with computer analysis." A glance to Nagare and a slight nod. "Up to you, Dami." Then to Shiro, "Works, yeah. Eliminating our restrictions and expanding our capabilities would be optimal."
> Dami nods, "Of course. Ah, if you remember where I live, I do most of my work in my lab there."
<Hikari> "Really? After all that fighting, you're ready to go back in? Well, I suppose where you're going is bound to be more relaxing than where we've been tonight."
<Mykasi> "Unless Dami's lab is suddenly the belly of Cthulhu I think we're fine."
> That actually gets a chuckle from Dami, "The only thing of any danger in my lab is that pattern spider. And it's quite firmly caged."
* Nagare nods. "I ponder that Dami's laboratory is bound to be far friendlier to us now as well."
> Shiro shrugs, "When I'm alone, not much can catch me. You've been on Red Hare when I'm running full tilt."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "Then let's split here. Hikari, you go rest. I'll make sure Nagare doesn't overexert himself trying to untie his shoe."
* Nagare winces. "I don't wear laced shoes for a reason."
> "And the shit that can, usually wishes they didn't." He adds with a chuckle.
* Hikari wanders off. "I'm sure I have homework to attend to as well. It seems I often forget it these days..."
<Mykasi> "Really? I've been more productive lately." Mike hums.
> And the Persona users split up from there, Hikari returning to the dorm while Mike and Nagare accompany Dami to his apartment. And Shiro simply returns to the Dream...
> (OOC: #velvetroom, Hikari)
> After awhile of driving, the gents arrive at Dami's place, where he opens the door and invites them in, "You can use your key from a door in here, if that will work?"
<Mykasi> "Should, yes." Mike nods. "Thanks."
* Nagare prods Mykasi. "I gather the key is in your hands, no?"
> Before crossing over himself, Dami moves to the tiny kitchen and gets a pot of coffee started, "I can't offer anything to eat, I don't keep much on hand. But I do have coffee."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "Thanks for the offer; I'll take you up on it."
* Mykasi then uses the key to open their way.
> The key opens a door, and presuming no stops over in the VElvet Room(yes/no?) it takes you to the Dream of Dami's apartment. Which is his laboratory, still in the front room you were in before not in the back.
<Mykasi> (no stops) With that, Mike chills and waits, sipping his coffee.
* Nagare glances at the room, slowly tapping and checking the environment of the laboratory. "This is quite an elaborate setup."
<Mykasi> "It is impressive."
> After a bit, Dami arrives, carrying the rest of the coffee pot with him. He simply steps out of a mirror on the wall as if it was as easy as walking through a door.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "Would you mind if I asked for a cup of coffee as well, Dami?"
<Mykasi> "Mirror, mirror, on the wall~" Mike sings, before nodding to Dami. "Right. Let's get cracking how we can?"
> Dami raises the pot, "That's what I brought this in here for. I keep a couple of mugs in the back...ah, you haven't been in there yet, right. Out here is where I deal with anything large, I keep my computer and desk back there." He heads over and opens the door, "And I don't know why but I have two chairs back there, despite never having intended anyone but myself to work there. So...enter as you will, I suppose."
* Mykasi nods slightly and ducks in. "Thanks."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow, heading towards the door. "Probably the same reason I rented an apartment with two bedrooms even though I don't ever intend to marry again, I suppose."
<Mykasi> "One-night stands? Ghost girl visitations?"
<Nagare> "Why would I need a second bedroom for one-night stands again?," Nagare scoffs, respectfully ignoring the reference to Alice.
> Dami chuckles, and pours Nagare a cup of coffee. In the back room, you can see...a pattern spider trapped in a clear box. It doesn't look very pleased.
> The thing, as this is the first Nagare has seen one, is a spider the size of a large housecat. Made entirely of black yarn, with eight orange buttons for eyes.
<Mykasi> "Your personality might drive them off, Prof. Just sayin'."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike then pauses. "Then again, some spiders eat their mates. So I'm not sure I can talk."
> There's also another of those smaller ravens sitting on a post nearby the table the pattern spider's box is on. And it's watching the spider.
> Dami sits down at a chair behind the desk, on which sits a computer. Which he promptly boots up, "This always takes a few minutes."
<Mykasi> "Huh. Got DOS running on this?" Mike peers.
* Nagare begins eyeing the spider as it moves. For some reason, its apparent dissatisfaction and its strange movement fascinate the teacher, who sips from the coffee slowly as he watches the spider. "... fascinating little specimen. Is that one of the pattern spiders you mentioned before?"
> Dami nods, "Yes, and linux. It's convenient to be able to work from here, though it's excruciatingly slow, especially if I need to use the internet."
> As Mike looks over the computer...he noticed that Dami seems to have the cables coming out of the box running through a mirror that's affixed to the floor.
<Mykasi> "Huh. So Linux and DOS are truly... a Dream OS?" Mike cracks before glancing to the mirror. "Neat - you can extend your abilities to objects like that and make it permanent? Cooooool."
> "So far that's all I've been able to manage. And even that took me nearly a solid week of work." He sighs, but smiles a bit. "I'm currently attempting to get a wireless setup to work, particularly a phone that makes calls through the internet. It's...not going so well thus far."
<Mykasi> "Yeah, we got told phones were a sonovabitch here. Impressed you got even this..." Mike crouches. "What other adaptations did you have to do?"
* Mykasi then pauses. "Sorry, you asked me something, Nagare? The spider? Yeah, same thing."
* Mykasi seems to blinks slowly for a moment, but then goes back to the wires."
* Nagare watches the spider in a vague rapture. "It's oddly hypnotic."
> Dami looks over at the creature, "Yes, I captured it while it was attempting to drop some threads on my head. It's been quite resistant to any of my detection techniques, but I haven't felt like letting it go yet."
<Nagare> "Have you pondered dissecting it yet?"
<Mykasi> "Won't help. They just unwind." Mike notes, before pausing. "Wonder what it was trying to take from you... anyone you know gone missing, Dami?"
> "As I'm not a zoologist...or a tailor...I doubt there's anything I could learn from dissection." He shrugs, "And I...don't think so. Not like your Valeriya."
* Nagare scratches his chin, eyeing the spider. "Hmmm. I wonder if Igor or Theresa could have any use for a live specimen of these critters - or if they could analyze it better than we can."
<Mykasi> "... I hate to make this blatant, but have you checked in on people?" Mike says after a moment. "I realize this may be concerning, but... well, it may just have been about someone you had tangentially heard about. Still."
<Mykasi> "And I don't think so - they seemed to know all about them. We could ask around, but the best use may be just to let Hikari burn them."
> "I...am quite certain no one I interact with regularly has gone missing. And I wouldn't really know where to start on checking in on every passing aquaintance I've made." Dami sighs a bit, but shrugs, "As for the spider...I would prefer not to destroy it. I have this feeling it may yet provide something of use. But if you know of anyone who could get use from oen, let me know."
<Nagare> "My thoughts. Worst comes to worst, Theresa could 'accidentaly' blurt out something else. If all else fails, we domesticate the spider, put a leash on it and name it Marybelle."
> "And the connection is finally up." Dami notes, looking at the screen. He scoots his chair over so there's more room for others to get behind the desk and look at what he's doing...then he stands up, "Actually, professor it occurs to me that you may be better suited then I to finding legal information?"
<Mykasi> "I was thinking Charlotte, actually." Mike nods, before glancing to the Professor. "I stored my latest program draft online. If you don't have any luck with your searches, we can try using that to amplify it?"
* Nagare shakes his head, trying to focus after intently staring at the spider. "I suppose we could try both approaches. Granted, given the reliability of Mykasi's programming, we may -have- to. But I'll certainly lend a hand", he says as he approaches Dami and Mike.
> (OOC: Mike can roll comp and Nagare can roll law then?)
<Mykasi> "Shaddup." Mike comments lightly.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 comp law
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 comp law and gets 12."12 [2d8=4, 8]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 lawlz
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 lawlz and gets 4."12 [2d8=3, 1]
> Searching on Dami's machine takes forever. Teh connection is slow as crap. But you both feel sharper, smarter here. Mike catches things, thinks of search terms and sorting methods he's sure he otherwise would have missed, and Nagare is firmly in his element once he's gotten access to a legal database.
> After awhile, you manage to unearth quite a bit about the Lady of Chains, as well as a few more things about the mysterious, fictional according to Dami, owner of the Kana Family Memorial Hospital.
> She was indeed a serial killer...you even get a picture, which is oddly enough nearly exactly what she looked like in the dream. Minus the being wrapped in chains and suspended in the air of course. Confirmed 47 victems. All strangled to death. Almost all single men, only two women. ANd every resource you can get ahold of insists she was excecuted by lethal injection roughly four and a half years ao.
<Mykasi> "Hmph. Was she ever interred in there?" Mike posits as they look. "Maybe... she left an impression or something?"
> As far as the mysterious Takehiro Somashi, you find very little. He's the listed owner of the Kana Family Memorial hosplital, but doesn't appear to own anything else. And has no contact information that isn't 15 years out of date. No noted public appearances. Nothing.
> It's as if he might have at one point existed, but apart from tax records he doesn't anymore.
<Mykasi> "...Address? Former living arrangements? Anything...?" Mike hums. "This is weird."
* Nagare mutters somberly. "I have to wonder if a dead person's Shadow... or... psyche remains could linger in the Dream. Also, I have to note Somashi's track record is almost as if it was an incomplete rethread of reality if you're paranoid enough."
> Mike searches! Outside of her killing an employee of the hosptical as one of her victems, you don't find anything connecting the Lady of Chains(who's real name was Marika Tsubari, by the by) to the Hospital.
* Nagare also eyes Dami. "Do you mind if I light a cigarette?"
> "I...would prefer you did not, actually." Dami admits.
<Nagare> "I'll live."
* Mykasi pauses slightly. "Should we look for Tachakara while we have this, Prof?"
* Nagare nods. "It's a good idea, honestly."
> (OOC: roll comp, Mikey. And lemme know if you're sticking to legal methods of searching or no)
* Mykasi pauses before typing anything in. "Does this computer still have its IP address, Dami?"
> "Ah, it has it's own. It doesn't use mine from the normal world, if that's what you're asking."
<Mykasi> "... Permission to run a few less legit searches to try and narrow all this down?" Mike asks.
> "If you think it's worth the risk, then go right ahead." Dami nods.
* Mykasi nods slightly, then cracks his shoulders and flips a few of the program functions on before continuing!
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 not sticking to legal methods
* Hatbot --> "Mykasi rolls 2d8 not sticking to legal methods and gets 15."12 [2d8=7, 8]
> COnnection...is...so...slow...
> Mike digs awhile, but doesn't turn up anything new
* Mykasi shakes his head and disengages. "Must be overloading this. Sorry."
> Dami shrugs, "It...happens. With distressing frequency on this connection. I've learned to deal with it."
* Mykasi shakes his head. "I'll try again later."
> "I could use your help with that wireless project ifyou have time, actually," Dami notes. "Machinery isn't my specialty, simply a hobby. I'm a psychologist by degree."
* Mykasi nods. "Sure thing. It'll give me a chance to fool with the differing physics between the two areas at that."
> ---------------------------------------------

> ----------------------------------------
> Hikari returns to the dorm, arriving after an uneventful drive back. Neimi is in the room when she arrives, and she offers a wave while chewing on a sandwich and reading some kind of book. Looks like a textbook instead of game book for once.
> She points to a small bag on your desk, "There's a half sandwich in there for you if you want it. Not sure how you feel about mutton with cranberry relish on rye though."
<Hikari> "At this moment, I will not complain about anything my stomach can process." Hikari sits down, unwraps the sandwich, examines it critically. "What are you reading tonight? Schoolwork for a change?"
> "Yeah, InstAl. That class is a cast iron bitch, to quote one of my classmates. Pure memorization, and God cannot help you if you get something wrong." She sounds unconcerned, despite the complaining. "Oh, and Jinai wants you to give him a text when you've got some time to talk about stuff for the game." She adds, without looking up.
* Hikari has one hand that is not presently occupied with moving sandwich to face, and so busts out the phone and sends a brief "What's happening?" message.
> As she opens the phone, Hikari sees that she has a voice mail waiting for her.
<Hikari> Well, can't keep a digital recording waiting, right? Let's hear it.
> She plays the voice mail, and of course recognizes the voice immediately: "Hikari, this is your mother. You haven't gotten back to us yet about whether or not Aiko can stay at the dorm with you over the holiday, which is something we need to know as soon as you can manage so we can make other plans if it won't work. Give me a call when you can, dear."
* Hikari closes the phone. Sits for a moment. Then: "Neimi, I don't suppose there's a debilitating plague ravaging the student body, or some riots or civil unrest, or other event I didn't hear about that could render the campus quarantined and off-limites to unwelcome younger siblings?"
> Neimi laughs, "Not last I checked. Though stuff's been weird in the city in general lately, I'm not sure why anyone'd want to come here. They still on you about sending your sister here?"
<Hikari> "Yes, they are. I haven't managed a compelling counterargument. At least, not one that would matter to them. And I gather it's not strictly against school rules. I'm afraid I have no convincing excuses."
> "Worst comes to worst, she can have my bed since I'll usually be staying at home over the break. My parents live in teh city, afterall." Neimi then grins, "or I could stay here afterall and we can make her sleep on a mat on the floor?"
<Hikari> "Misery does love company. And by misery I mean myself. I don't truly see any reason you should suffer too, however. I'd suggest you sleep wherever you'd planned to be regardless of us. She can cope with sleeping on the floor for a time if need be."
> "Eh, trolling brats is always good clean fun. And if she's half as bad as you've made her out to be, she likely deserves it. You may not have noticed this about me, since you basically don't ever do anything to deserve it, but I've got a pretty sharp tongue and I'm not afraid to use it."
> "Not half as good as Keiko when she's in charater, though. Ophelia is like a zen master of condesention." Neimi chuckles a bit at the memories that brings up.
<Hikari> "Nevertheless, I must apologize in advance for whatever unpleasantness is about to ensue. A moment, I'll call home and confirm."
> She shrugs, "Don't worry about it." And continues studdying while Hikari calls home.
* Hikari dials!
> The phone picks up after a couple of rings, "Ishigami residence." It's Ichiro's voice, pretty clearly.
<Hikari> "Ichiro, hello," Hikari says. "Are mother and father present?"
> "Ah, big sister!" he sounds excited to hear from you. Particularly he refers to you as the respectful big sister while Aiko gets the less respectful but not so much as to get him in trouble 'sister' "yes, mother is here. Father is out still, he has been working very late every day this month."
<Hikari> "Can you put mother on? And good luck with your application to your new school. I am sure they'll be impressed."
> "Thank you! I've been studdying as hard as I can to make the entrance exam." You can hear him walking as he talks then the faint, "Mother? It's big sister."
> Hikari's mother's voice comes over the phone, "Good evening, dear. I assume you got my message?"
<Hikari> Right to the point, eh? Well, so is Hikari: "Yes. It is permitted by school regulations for Aiko to stay here if circumstances require it, but I cannot make the arrangements myself. You will have to speak to the administration personally."
> "Hmm," you can almost see that slight frown of hers, "will they require a personal visit, or will a phone call to the correct faculty member suffice?"
<Hikari> "I am not certain. Phone first and see if that's sufficient, and arrange a meeting afterwards if it is not?"
> "That sounds like the best idea. Do you have the phone number for the faculty office on hand?"
* Hikari presumably does! If she doesn't know it already, it's surely handy on any of the myriad official paperwork that comes with going to a university, so it's relayed quickly enough.
> "Thank you, dear. I'll go ahead and give them a call tomorrow morning then."
<Hikari> "Very well. Please, remind me how long she will need to stay here? For personal reference."
> "About two weeks, from the 20th to the 3rd. And don't worry about her keep, we'll be sending two cheques with her, one for her own usage and one for her to hand over to you for her nessesities." there's a pause, then a long suffering sigh, '
> "that will be the larger one. And make sure you get the right one from her..."
<Hikari> "Of course. I'll do what I can to keep her out of trouble. I imagine it would be best if she spent as much time as possible in the room--I can only keep an eye on her so often, given classes."
> "Hmm, shouldn't your classes be over by then for winter break? I thought I made sure to schedual it around that." Your classes end on the 23rd, actually. Not the 20th.
<Hikari> "The 23rd. It is close, however. It is just a few a days I'll be distracted by classes, I suppose."
> "Hmm. Our flight is on the 20th. I...would prefer not to send her to you while you still have classes to concentrate on. But we cannot change our tickets at this juncture, nor would your father hear of it even if we could. I will attempt to impress upon her that she is *not*," and that word has firm emphasis, "to cause any problems while you are in classes."
<Hikari> "Hopefully she'll listen. And my roommate may be around to curtail any mischief in my absence. She is eminently reliable and trustworthy, I promise."
> "Ah, well thank her for her assitance for me then."
<Hikari> "I am sure she will appreciate your gratitude," Hikari says with a perfectly straight face. "Will that be all for now?"
> "Yes. Thank you, dear."
<Hikari> "Farewell." Hikari hangs up.
> Neimi looks over, "Well that sounded...uh, sorry if I'm getting too personal but you really don't sound pleased to talk to your mom. Is that a normal thing, or just because of this?"
> "You can tell me to stuff it if I'm prying too much!" she hastily adds.
* Hikari waves this away and sets her phone down. "It's not a problem. They're just very old-fashioned and...a certain amount of formality and deference is expected when speaking to them. If you believe this causes some distance between us...I suppose you're correct," Hikari admits.
> "That's...actually kinda hard to imagine for me. My parents are so close, and," she chuckles, "so completely informal at home."
<Hikari> "Not mine. What's the saying? A place for everything and everything in its place?" Hikari shrugs. "I'm used to it. Anyway, we have until the twentieth to count this room as our own."
> "Hmm." Neimi looks thoughtful, but goes back to her studdies for the time being...
> --------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Friday afternoon, the day after escaping from the Asylum with some new information concerning Richard Bland, the institute itself and the things going on within it. Classes are getting more and more exhausting for teacher and students alike, with there only being one more week until the dreaded finals.
> The three Persona users have all wound thier way out of the school proper and to a small park nearby...where the only other person in sight on this freezing afternoon is a homeless man with nowhere else to go.
<Hikari> "Has anyone news of any sort?" Hikari says, dispensing with any pleasantries.
<Nagare> "Besides discovering the existence of the internet in the Dreamscapes, hardly anything conclusive."
<Mykasi> "Not really, other than Shiro's mostly clueless even after talking with Lily. She thinks it's because she invited him in. Maybe. Who knows." Mike rolls his eyes. "So, uh, I've got a bit of food with me for this and a bottle of water. You guys got anything on you?"
* Nagare scratches his head. "Does a bottle of water and a to-go ramen meal in my car count?"
<Mykasi> "Do you have any way of heating the ramen?" Mike asks half-seriously.
<Nagare> "Don't think my lighter counts as one unless you have a portable oven."
<Hikari> "Brynhildr could, conceivably? Though it may be rather charred after."
<Nagare> "In that case, Anansi could do wonders for food conservation down there."
* Mykasi shrugs, before shifting a small backpack to in front of him and opening it. "Bag of trail mix, bottle of water, some chips, some carrot- oooh, a can of beer, forgot I tossed that in there."
* Hikari shrugs. "I made sandwiches, so we have at least one decent meal accounted for. This should not be unbearable, for the course of one day?"
<Nagare> "In all fairness, the human body can stand weeks without eating. The matter of having water would be a bit more pressing - no harm in the extra comfort, though."
* Mykasi nods. "Grab the water bottle you've got, just in case, and let's do this."
<Hikari> "Yes. I am prepared. I admit to some eagerness to see how accurately the netherworld matches our old legends."
<Mykasi> "Michael Jackson zombies."
<Hikari> "Excuse me?"
<Nagare> "... excuse me as I pick up my water bottle and ramen from the car."
* Nagare quickly leaves to pick up his rations and conveniently stay out of this conversation's range.
* Mykasi shakes his head. "Just... never mind."
* Nagare returns with makeshift provisions and a lit cigarette in his mouth. "So, we ready to go?"
<Hikari> "Quite. Let us proceed before Mike decides to explain his most recent non sequitur."
<Nagare> "Please. I went back specifically to avoid -that-."
* Mykasi sighs. "You people have no taste." He then glances carefully to the homeless man to see where he's looking.
> He's looking over at you all, but hasn't moved from his spot up against a tree since you got here. He's mostly huddled over wrapped up in what looks like a couple of trashy, tattered blankets and shivering.
* Mykasi sighs. "Damn my conscience." With that, he wanders over to the man and hands a bill over. "Get yourself something to eat, alright?"
> The man looks up at you for a long moment...before swallowing his pride and taking the bill, "...thank you."
<Mykasi> "Don't worry about it. Just take care of yourself, sir." And with that, Mike leads the other two over to the shrine, key in hand and ready to go in - presuming someone else isn't there watching...
> The Shrine seems...oddly clean. It's still in disrepair, much as it was before. And it doesn't look like anything's been put in the offering box for ages. But the area does look neatly swept.
> (OOC: nagare, soul check please)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 soul
* Hatbot --> "Nagare rolls 2d8 soul and gets 13."12 [2d8=7, 6]
> (OOC: that's a fail. Carry on.)
* Hikari drops a coin in the box, largely out of pity. "Let's not tarry, then. Onwards?"
<Mykasi> "Clean." Mike notes, before nodding and heading up the steps. "Ready, Prof?"
* Nagare nods. "May as well."
* Mykasi nods and keys into the temple!
> The door opens, revealing the swirling purple portal you know so well. 
> (OOC: This song has no lyrics, so no "witty" Scene Change for you.)
> Passing through the Velvet Room, you once again find yourselves in the home of Okuninushi. It looks as if absolutely nothing has changed in his domain since you were here before. The wall of weapons, the wall of medicines and the wall of scrolls seem untouched...and even Okuninushi himself is sitting crosslegged in the middle of the room tending a pot of burning incense, just as before.
> He looks up and nods as you enter, "You have returned."
* Nagare bows. "And it's as if not a day has passed for you since we left, actually. Have you been well, Okuninushi?"
* Hikari bows, then gets straight to the point. "We have. We are prepared to undertake your challenge."
* Mykasi bows as well, but doesn't say anything.
> "How does one define wellness for a god?" He calmly asks Nagare by way of answer, then nods to Hikari and slowly rises to his feet. Fetching his cloak and sword from where they rested on the ground beside him, he strides towards the door...and pauses before opening it.
> Turning back to face you all, Okuninushi quietly asks, "Are you certain you are prepared for this? The underworld is not a pleasant place...even if you are lucky and the only trial you have to face is the omnipresent dispair and gloom, that alone can drive a mortal to take his own life."
<Hikari> "We have some experience recently with places of oppressive misery. I consider us as adequately primed for what lies ahead as one can be."
* Mykasi closes his eyes. "We've... been exploring the asylum in Kanazawa's Dream. While I do not think prepared is a proper term, I at least am ready to try and endure this."
* Nagare sighs resignedly. "I am just keeping an eye on these youngsters. I'm not here to judge their resolve."
> The young god nods, and opens the door. As before, you see only an endless haze of grey at firt. Then he offers his hand to Hikari, "One by one, I will help you leave this dream of my home and enter the land of the gods. Walk with me."
* Hikari tkaes his hand with only a nod, and steps forward.
* Mykasi eyes Nagare after this statement.
> As Hikari's hand touches his, the scene through the door changes, to that of the courtyard of a palace at the foot of a beautiful mountain. And with his help, she steps through to this world. Then he steps back in and offers his hand to Mykasi, "I will take you next. Walk with me."
* Nagare shrugs to Mykasi before he leaves with a light smile.
* Mykasi nods and follows, taking Okuninushi's hand - but with another, almost harsher, glare at Nagare.
> Mike takes his hand and suddenly sees the same view, then steps out into it along with the god's aid. Then he steps back inside...but does not yet offer his hand to Nagare.
> "You..." Okuninushi observes the professor for a long moment, "have died before, have you not?"
* Nagare coughs awkwardly, looking down. "This... this is an awkward conversation piece, I have to say. But... yes."
> He nods, "The spectre of death hangs over you, though not as a looming fate but more...a mantle that you carry. Be warned, the land of Yomi may prove of more danger to you then the others. It is hell for the living...but the dead find a strange sort of peace there. You may find yourself tempted to stay."
* Nagare scratches his chin for a moment, pondering Okuninushi's words. Then he takes a deep breath. "It... is a risk I'll just have to endure. I've been in a similar ordeal before, certainly."
> "Very well then," he offers his hand to Nagre, "Walk with me."
* Nagare nods and takes another deep breath, finally taking the god's hand.
> And after a short delay, Okuninushi steps through with Nagare in tow. The land you are all standing in...is magnificent. The air is cleaner here, the wind feels cool and refreshing, the colors are more vibrant. A pure feeling of life simply infuses everything here, from the air to the stones to the grass.
> Okuninushi begins to lead the way towards the gate leaving his palace ground, when a lovely feminine voice calls from off to the right, "Oh! Do we have guests?"
* Hikari turns at this to look for the speaker.
* Nagare dusts himself off quietly, disguising an upwards glance.
* Mykasi follows Okuninushi for a bit, before pausing at the voice. Before reacting, however, he waits for Okuninushi's cue...
> He laughs, and turns to face the voice, which belongs to a beautiful and elegant young woman with long black hair that would surely reach the ground behind her if left free. Okuninushi smiles, "Ah, these are mortals...well, Persona users at least. I have offered them a challange, and they have accepted."
> Turning to you, he makes the introduction, "This is my wife, Suseri-hime...and the daughter of Susano-o."
* Mykasi turns and bows. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
* Nagare bows politely. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
* Hikari_Ishigami bows in turn as well./
> Suseri-hime smiles radiantly, "Ah, I will not detain you from your way then. Perhaps when this challange is behind you, you will stay for tea? It is so rare we have guests."
> Okuninushi laughs again, "
> Okuninushi laughs again, "Perhaps. But for now, let us continue on our way."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "Tea seems awfully popular among the supernatural."
<Mykasi> "It would be a pleasure if time and circumstance permit. Until then." Mike nods and bows.
> As he leads the way, Okuninushi chuckles again at Nagare's observation, "I would offer you wine instead, but I keep very little of it on hand. It encourages her father to vist less."
<Mykasi> "From my basic understanding, that's probably a good sanity saver." Mike comments softly.
<Nagare> "Oh, don't mind me, I'm just amused by the overlap in tastes in a few of our supernatural spheres. Although I understand the sentiment regarding father-in-law exposure."
<Hikari> "Yes. I must agree, as I think most fathers-in-law are less prone to breaking furniture than is yours."
> He casts open the gate leading out of his palace, and leads you on a hike up the mountain. You walk for what feels like a few miles...but somehow don't get tired or winded at all. Eventually...the feeling of life in the air seems to fade as you round one more corner and see a giant bolder blocking the entrance to a cavern.
> "This," the god states solemnly, "is the gateway to Yomi. If you wish to turn back, any of you, now is your last chance."
* Mykasi stares at the rock, as if expecting something different for some reason.
<Hikari> "I have no other plans for this evening. Let's go."
<Mykasi> "That's your defining decision-making process? Man." Mike shakes his head. "...Let's do this." After a moment, he gives a lopsided grin. "Knowing the cliff is there or not isn't supposed to stop a FOOL anyway, is it?"
> "Very well then." He nods, "I will first give you three pieces of advice. First, eat nothing you did not bring with you. No matter who offers it to you. Second, be cautious if you wish to make fire. Some may fear it...others may hate it or covet it. But it will betray where you are to all. Lastly, it is your decision how far from the entrance you wish to stray...but be very careful to keep your sense of direction, You must find your own way back."
> You must find your own way back."
<Mykasi> "Got it." Mike nods solemnly. "We've got food, we can probably survive without fire, and I think we'll be staying close to the entrance, so."
<Nagare> "We're - I hope - not that reckless."
> WIth that, he places his hands on the massive boulder...and though being no larger then an average man, rolls it aside to reveal a cave mouth. "The challange is this. Walk for two hours through this tunnel and enter the land of Yomi properly. It may be hard to tell when time has passed, but you must stay one full day and night. Them make your way back."
> Then he smiles at Mike, "You...may change your mind about that. We will see. The challenge has begun. Be strong, and have courage."
* Mykasi nods slightly. "Thank you. We shall do our best here." With that, he nods- before pausing and flipping open his cellphone to see if the time is at all coherent.
> The cellphone is off. And refuses to power up.
<Hikari> "No sense of adventure? No desire to explore? No respect for the necessary travails of a mythical ordeal, I see." Hikari shrugs, and starts off down the tunnel.
<Mykasi> "Hah." Mike chuckles and follows Hikari.
* Nagare quietly follows Hikari. Her excitement regarding this little detour is quite... intriguing, to say the least.
> And after you all enter...you hear the boulder being rolled back in place behind you, sealing you in as well as cutting off the only light. It's pitch dark, but at least there is only one way to go. Forward.
<Mykasi> "Let's, uh, do our best to stick together?" Mike says as soon as the light is out. "And be glad we didn't bring Dami, I can almost hear him hyperventilating."
<Nagare> "I'm uncertain whether Dami or Shiro would be able to accompany us either. The rules bend rather strangely for us regarding the access to the Dreamscapes."
* Hikari takes point, walking down the tunnel, keeping one hand out for the wall as long as it remains this dark.
<Mykasi> "It was a metaphor, damnit. Hikari, where are you?"
<Mykasi> "Not metaphor, rhetorical. You know what I mean."
<Hikari> "Here, several steps in front of you. Should I contribute more to the stream of chatter? Would that ease you?"
<Mykasi> "A bit. I'm gonna use the wall as a guidepath forward - seems the easiest way of making sure we're all followng the same path."
<Nagare> "The alternative would be making a conga line. And -that- would be an awkward story to tell Okuninushi if/when we returned."
<Mykasi> A somewhat long pause. "I'm game."
* Nagare pauses. "... shit."
<Hikari> "I am doing the same. Little occurs to me to talk about, however. All I have new to report is the impending arrival on campus of one dread sibling, about whom I prefer not to think until I have to. And please to keep your hands on the wall, Mike."
* Nagare sighs in relief. "Remind me not to feed Mykasi's imagination before I start talking."
<Mykasi> "You two suck." Mike grumbles, before pausing. "Wait, you have a sibling visiting campus?"
<Hikari> "Have I not complained sufficiently? Well, I do try to avoid burdening others with complaints about my personal problems. It accomplishes little. But yes, I do."
* Nagare bobs his head lightly. "She did mention that before, yes. Apparently, besides saving the world, housing hellspawn is also a high priority."
<Hikari> "Yes. Part of being a true hero is satisfying familial obligations, it would seem."
<Mykasi> "I've been busy planning Dreamspace electronics in my head." Mike replies flippantly. "So, when do we get to meet her?"
<Hikari> "You don't. Shall we move on greet the damned now instead?"
<Mykasi> "Why noooot?"
<Nagare> "I thought we weren't going to meet your sister", Nagare replies sardonically.
<Mykasi> "... man, I was trying to avoid that comment, Prof."
<Hikari> "Because I prefer not to inflict suffering upon those I consider my friends," Hikari replies to Mike.
* Nagare shrugs. "Considering Hikari's latest comment, I doubt she highly -minds- the statement."
<Mykasi> "...I'm both flattered and bemused at the thought that anyone related to you could make -me- suffer."
<Mykasi> "But sure, we'll roll with it."
<Hikari> "Let us say that I greet our current ordeal with less trepidation, and move on?"
<Mykasi> "If you weren't nearing -giddy- about this ordeal I'd give that comment more weight." Mike grumbles as he heads onward.
<Hikari> "Am I the only one among us who appreciates a challenge?"
<Mykasi> "Again, talking to the person planning dreamscape electronics in head. This isn't what I would call a... challenge, per-se."
<Mykasi> "But let's save this for later?"
<Nagare> "Breaking an archery record is a challenge. Hanging around the underworld is a bit beyond -that-."
> For...a very long time you walk. Idle chatter comes and goes in waves, the need for something to distract from the darkness competing with that awkwardness taht always forms when you are trying to talk but have nothing to talk about in particular. And as with all things, even this tunnel eventually comes to an end.(more)
> The first thing you notice about the land of Yomi is that, unlike in the passage to it, you can see in here. But not well. Everything is draped in shadows and gloom, but not true darkness, allowing you to see forms and outlines...you think...but not any real detail. Greys of all shades, along with some lighter blacks, are the only colors you can see.(more)
> The second thing you notice, is that much like on the other side, the tunnel is up on the side of a mountain. Though there is not any sort of handy road leading down from here.(more)
> But beyond the physical...the world feels different. A heavy and solemn feeling hangs over the world, a feeling like a great weight is upon you. A feeling that laughter, love and light, those things of the other world, are not...appropriate here, somehow. There is sound, but it is muted. There is color...but only grey. It is truely the opposite of the realm you just came from.
<Mykasi> "Charming." Mike says after a moment, feeling a touch glum. "Okay, so. Okuni insinuated that staying near the entrance might not be wise. Any ideas, anyone?"
* Hikari walks to the end of the tunnel, looks out, around and down. Would they have to climb to get anywhere else?
* Nagare coughs, dusting himself off in an almost ritualistic manner. "We move away from the entrance - but not -too- much. At least not until we devise a backtracking method. We -will- have to return on our own terms, after all."
> It's hard to see any distance, but from what you can see you would have to do some decending slopes. Nothing sheer or straight up vertical, but for some climbing down may be safer then walking.
> A flutter of wings can be heard, as some manner of bird takes off from it's perch on the cave mouth you just came from. It's destination...who knows.
* Mykasi grumbles. "Well, unless Abartach's able to give us a good backtrack method I admit to being hesitant to going far at all." he mutters softly.
<Nagare> "And I can't guarantee Abartach could provide that. This is a realm of gods rather than dreams, after all."
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike says after a long moment. "Any ideas, Hikari?"
<Hikari> "If we stay still, we can't evade any attention we might that comes our way. If we move, we may attract more." Hikari shrugs. "I don't think we know enough to make major decisions. We may as well look around outside the tunnel mouth for now? If we're on a mountain, finding our way back up is reasonably simple, at least at the start."
<Mykasi> "Finding our way back up, sure. To the right spot?" Mike replies, but nods and begins looking around the tunnel mouth, himself.
> There doesn't seem to be much of note up here. A small fence of sorts, wooden posts connected by ropes, are on either side of the cave mouth...but they don't connect and don't enclose anything, only stretching about five feet in either direction. It's liek they're there just for show.
* Mykasi shakes his head. "Little here. I don't have any suggestions, honestly... we could organize rocks in a pattern to guide our way up and down?
<Hikari> "I am not entirely comfortable with loitering here for the entirety of the ordeal. It would seem to defeat the purpose of the exercise. Lacking a spirit of adventure, I cannot help but fail, may result in its own misfortune. But I have no clear reason to suspect this, only a feeling."
<Nagare> "Could we use the fence as a point of reference? It's something to look for -when- we return."
<Hikari> "It is. Otherwise..." Hikari kicks at the ground beneath her feet, experimentally. How solid is the material? Stone? something they could mark a path in?
<Mykasi> "The fence can help. I'll try to do the rock thing on the way down as well - let's move a bit slower to give me time to do that. And I'd vote we go down, unless someone has a compelling reason to climb up."
<Hikari> "Going down is acceptable," Hikari says, stepping outside and taking a few tentative steps past the fence.
> It's a mountain, so some of the ground is stone, some is dirt. The dirt...clings to her shoe as Hikari kicks at it, not seeming to want to come off at all.
<Hikari> "Hmm. Brynhildr? Follow behind me, please. Every five steps, if you can, gouge a hunk from the ground? It needn't be large, or elegant. I only need to see where we've been."
* Mykasi motions as if to say something, but stops himself and heads alongside Hikari, trying to spy a specific way down with Anansi.
> Hikari steps past the fence! Nothing of note happens. Then she calls for her Persona...and Brynhildr flickers into existance for a split second but then flickers back out.
> Hikari can still feel Brynhildr's strength and power inside her...but the persona refuses to fully manifest outside of her body.
> Like Byhildir, Anansi will not form longer then a split second, but Mike still has the vision and speed he grants.
> So with that vision...(Mike needs to make a mind check to see how good of a view he gets)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 mind the dark
<Penuche> Mykasi invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 >12 [d8=3,6]
<Mykasi> "Does anyone have a knife on them?" Mike murmurs as he peers down
> The gloom is opressive, but Mike's keen eyes can still pick out a way down that should be reasonably safe. He thinks.
<Mykasi> "I think I see a path that should be stable..."
> (OOC: Also, if it's just rocks you're looking for, it's a mountain. You can find plenty of small rocks littered around here and there. And some not-so-small ones, but with Hikari's muscle tha's not really an issue)
<Hikari> "I'm afraid not, no. I do have the sword, though were I to activate now, I would be forced to carry it the entirety of the excursion."
<Mykasi> "We've got rocks around. Let's gather those and make small piles to denote our path up and down?"
<Nagare> "I suspect you may have to draw it out eventually -anyway-. However, I can't see why wouldn't we be able to make a mark with a particularly pointy rock. It'd just be a bit more effort."
<Hikari> "Rock piles can be dispersed by meddlesome spirits if they so choose, but I don't have many other suggestions." Hikari shrugs.
<Mykasi> "So... slash with sword, slash with rock or gather rocks." Mike compiles the ideas before shrugging. "I kinda agree with the Professor, with the note that one of us can take the sword for a bit if it gets exhausting - you'd still need to be the one using it, but one of us can carry it otherwise."
<Mykasi> "So... given that, why don't we just use it now?"
<Hikari> "Very well." Hikari takes out the sword card, activates it.
> The sword forms as it should. The blade...seems a dull grey in here, like everything else. Even the three of you are in greyscale in here, you notice.
* Nagare blinks. "... this... is unsettling."
* Hikari walks a few steps, dragging the sword behind her to see what kind of trail it leaves without undue effort.
* Mykasi shrugs. "It is, but we've got other things to concern ourselves with."
> WIthout actively digging it into the rock, it just drags along and leaves a scraping trail in the dirt, along with making a metal-on-rock sound basically the whole way.
* Mykasi winces. "Speaking of alerting things..."
<Hikari> "Yes. The noise, even were I stop to leave a mark only occasionally, would surely draw something's attention. We take risks either way. We could hardly expect anything else given where we are, hm?"
<Mykasi> "True. Let's try to keep it to a minimum, though." Mike says, beginning to set down the path he spotted.
* Hikari follows after Mike, pausing once every minute or so to grind a small, shallow depression out of the mountainside.
> Mike leads the way down the path! Hikari stops every now and again to make a gouge with her sword.(OOC: Body checks from all three of you. And another from Hikari if she's trying to make marks quietly. Don't bother if you don't care.)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 my hair has body?
<Penuche> Mykasi invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 >12 [d8=8,8]
<Nagare> roll 2d8 why wouldn't we care?
<Penuche> Nagare invokes Penuche's magic: < 9 >12 [d8=7,2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 body check the first
<Penuche> Hikari invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 >12 [d8=5,2]
<Hikari> roll 2d8 yes may as well try to keep quiet if we can
<Penuche> Hikari invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 >12 [d8=1,4]
> You climb down! Or at least Hikari does. Mike and Nagare both slip on the same incline and go tumbling down the side of the mountain. Nagare manages to stop and right himself soon...but Mike hits another crumbling ledge. And keeps going. All the way down.
> (OOC: another body check, Mike.)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 right
<Penuche> Mykasi invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 >12 [d8=8,5]
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 30/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 90/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [175/175 EP]'
> Mike falls all the way down the mountain, unable to right himself long enough to slip into the balance dance to stop the fall until he hits the bottom. He is covered in dirt...dirt that just will not seem to brush off. And he's in pain.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike winces badly, curling in on himself and not trying to stand immediately, instead looking around to see if anything was alerted
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Gatewalker invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 >12 [d100=23]
> There...is some kind of shadowy creature down there. Mike can only vaguely make it out with his enhanced vision, as it's probably a dozen yards from you. And it froze stock still as you came pelting down. Whatever it is, it's staring at you...and not moving. Yet.
<Mykasi> Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck. Mike quickly takes stock of his surroundings, slowly standing up and trying to find a way back up or at least a way to get further from the shadowcreature!
* Hikari makes her way down the mountain after Mike, with as much haste as she can manage--she still has to leave a trail for them to follow back, after all. Hopefully his precipitous descent left an obvious set of skids on the mountainside for her to follow down to his current position. Calling out to him...may be unwise in this place.
> ---------------------(to be continued)----------------------

[VySaika]

> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> H/N: After Mike's slipslide down the mountain, you are left facing two choices...try to get down there fast after him, or continue the route you've already picked out and continue marking spaces as you planned.(OOC: The former will require new body checks, of course.)
> M: The shadowy creature continues to stare at you rather then move. So you get a chance to look around the terrain...and find it to be roughly what you'd expect for the foot of a mountain. To one side is the mountain...and there isn't an obvious way back up from here without some serious climbing. Everywhere else is rocky foothill terrain.
> M: Plenty of rocks and dirt. Some scrubby plants here and there. All in the omnipresent greyscale, of course.
* Hikari continues down with pauses to leave a trail (silently cursing at having to keep Mike waiting and hoping he's not too badly injured down there)--there's little good in having more than one of them tumble down the mountainside, and they do need to be able to find their way back up.
* Nagare follows Hikari at the same pace as hers, trying to avoid a hurried stumble downwards while marking down their way.
<Mykasi> Mike begins edging up the foothills in the direction they were heading before he took a graceful dive. Hopefully they meet back up. His eyes only really leave the beastie to make sure nothing else in the area will eat him, natch.
> M: As Mike moves...so does the shadowy creature. He can't quite make out even an outline, just...a spot where it is. Or seems to be. But it edges towards the foothills as well, keeping roughly the same distance between itself and the wounded persona user.
<Mykasi> fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Mike keeps moving, however. If it shows no signs of actively getting closer, Mike won't press the issue or start running. Yet. Fuck.
> M: It doesn't get closer...just keeps pace with your movements, in the same direction that you're going.
* Mykasi risks a few glances up the mountain to see if he can spot the other two.
> H/N: After getting a bit further down, you...think...you can see something moving down there. Probably mike?(Mike: Mind check then.)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 right
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 right --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
> M: You...think...you can see them moving up there through the gloom. You think. When you look back to the shadow...you realize it's closer. Still not moving. At least not right this second. But it's closer.
<Mykasi> Ballscrew. Mike keeps his eye on the monster and continues to try and slowly edge his way up and in the direction he thinks he saw them heading.
> (OOC: So...trying to get back up the mountain a bit without actually turning your back on teh shadow enough to use both hands to climb? If that's what you're doing, I'll need a check that's...say average of Body/Mind and it will be at a penalty.)
<Mykasi> OOC: If it's sheer or even mostly cliffy, no, Mike would continue the movement alongside the cliff. Up only if it seems at least relatively clear from side glances.
> (OOC: Alright. You'll still need to make the check if you're trying to scale up while not actually watching where you're going no matter where you do it, though. It's not sheer, but both hands for balance and eyes forward would certainly help.)
<Mykasi> OOC: Alright. If this seems relatively clear from the side glance...
* Mykasi grimaces, and nods slightly before quickly turning and beginning to climb up, attempting to do it at a reasonable cliff without rushing it.
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 here's the check
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 here's the check --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
> M: You start making your way up. You only slip a couple of times, but don't fall when you do. But every time you take your attention off the shadow, it's closer the next time you look. Sometimes only inches, sometimes feet. But closer. Every time. Closer.
<Mykasi> And if his hunch is right... Mike keeps going  Hopefully a cliff gives him some breathing room. ...Hope? Here? Hah.
> H/N: At this point, you can see someone trying to climb up a different path then the one you're using to get down...(OOC: Mind checks to see if you can make teh shape out~)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 derp derp
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 derp derp --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 where is my mind
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 where is my mind --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
> Hikari...can barely make teh figure out. Yeah, that's Mike...you think. That's definatly someone carrying a backpack and not a hunchback at least.
* Hikari angles down towards the figure's direction, hissing through the fog quietly enough to hopefully avoid attracting anything else's attention. "Mike!"
* Nagare follows behind. "Wait, the hunchback is actually Mykasi?"
> Mike hears a voice calling his name! And looking over, can see two figures trying to make thier way towards him. Also, the shadow gets closer.
> *is closer. You never actually see it moving.
* Mykasi checks to see what's in the way between them and him. If it isn't Hikari and Nagare, he's screwed anyway... might as well check when/if he can.
> Between the two groups is an incline that looks...well, rough. Very rough. A direct path straight to eachother will be difficult without falling.
> The incline is a decline from Nagare and Hikari's perspective, of course.
* Hikari continues down as carefully as possible.
* Mykasi grimaces and pauses with a slight jig in place, looking down at the shadow to try and measure how far away it is.
> M: The shadow...is probably only just over 20ft from you at this point. And you STILL can't make any details out.
> H: Hikari attemps to move down the rough slope towards Mike...(OOC: and makes a body check)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 how about no
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 how about no --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> Hikari begins to move down...and slips on the loose gravel coating the path! She trips, falls, and slides down the incline, somehow managing to stay at least on the path instead of going over the edge. BEfore long, she's probably about 10ft from mike when she stops sliding(OOC: and no damage thanks to your phys armor.)
> The shadow did not move or react to her slip and slide in any way.
> Hikari is also now coated in that dirt that just will not come off. Or at least most of her backside is.
<Mykasi> "Hikari, was that you?" Mike says in an even conversational tone, still dancing and watching the shadow.
* Hikari sidles down next to Mike. "Was what me?"
<Mykasi> "Okay. Shadow 20 feet from me. Let's... I'm gonna turn and start climbing up. You keep an eye on it. When I'm on level ground I'll keep an eye on it while you climb?" Mike offers.
> (OOC: Since there was some confusion, Hikari did not slide through the shadow. I meant that the shadow didn't seem to react to her making noise at all.)
> (OOC: Hikari, mind check tos ee the shadow now that your'e down there)
<Hikari> "What? We want to go back up already?"
<Mykasi> "YES."
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> Hikari doesn't see any shadowy figure there. Just alot of gloom.
<Hikari> "I don't see why. This patch of the netherworld is approxaimtely as unpleasant as any other." Hikari steps away from the cliff wall, takes a look around the immediate vicinity.
> You're still on the mountain. But the path dowh from here shouldn't be too bad, so long as you're keeping an eye on where you step.
<Mykasi> "Hikari my eyes are better than yours, there is something -there-." Mike hisses. "Look, just... just check for some flat ground somewhere, alright? I need to rest. I'm exhausted."
* Hikari shrugs. "I think we can continue down without any major trouble...Well, once the professor gets here."
> The path up requires either going back up that incline she just slid down, jumping over a 4~ foot gap to what looks like another potential path, or climbing about 10-12ft up a not quite vertical climb.
> To Mike's eyes, the shadow is right in the way of the path down, of course.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike attempts to keep a calm face, and badly fails. "No. No we cannot. I will be quite blunt; if we're going downward, you will be going first, and you will have that damn sword ready because I can see the fucker."
> (OOC: ...right, you had the sword, didn't you? Body check even, need to know if you dropped it in that slide.)
<Hikari> roll 2d8 nooooo
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 nooooo --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
<Mykasi> "I will not go down there again unarmed and injured, and do you think I would have tried climbing in this condition if I did not -need- to?"
> (OOC: That makes it. Carry on.)
* Hikari shrugs again, steps in front of Mike. "If you like. I could hardly let an injured man take the lead, could I?"
> N: They...don't seem to be intending to climb back up.
<Mykasi> "I'll keep an eye on it." Mike mutters.
* Nagare whistles to Mykasi and Hikari from the slope. "Are you two okay? Did something happen there?"
> Mike can see that the shadow still isn't moving. So long as you're watching it, it doesn't appear to move at all. But you can see it there. A hazy form that doesn't quite have a proper outline, right there in the path.
<Hikari> "The acquisition of some frustratingly tenacious grime. Otherwise, we've encountered nothing of note."
* Mykasi grimaces at Nagare's voice, before trying to stabilize himself for long enough to gesture to the professor. "Hikari... goddamnit, it's there. Please believe that, alright? I'll try to warn you when you're really close."
> (OOC: Ball is kinda in your courts here. Nagare, are you staying up or going down? Hikari, are you approaching where Mike says a shadow something is? What are you doing.)
<Hikari> OOC: not approaching it until we're all here.
<Nagare> (OOC: I'll go down, then.)
* Nagare shakes his head and tries to - very carefully - go down the slope Hikari gracefully slid down in order to meet his peers.
> (OOC: Alright then. Body check to decend the slope same as Hikari.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 tip-toe through slope
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 tip-toe through slope --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
> Nagare...slips! And does not manage to stick to the slope, he goes tumbling down off the edge! Nagare doesn't fall too far before managing to catch himself on a lower path. But now he's well and truely seperated from the others.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 30/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 85/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [175/175 EP]'
> H/M: You..can't see Nagare right now. He fell off the edge.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike, hearing the sound, winces, still watching the damn thing. "Think he fell. Go help him?"
<Hikari> "Want the sword?"
* Nagare grumbles bitterly as he gets up, looking up and trying to see roughly where the others are.
> N: You can pretty easily see where you fell from. And thus you can figure out where they should be. But you can't see them, there's ledge in the way.
<Mykasi> "...I probably couldn't use it well." Mike considers after a moment. "I'll just keep an eye on this fucker." Dancing all the meanwhile as he watches the damn thing.
> N: You can try to climb back up...which would be difficult. Or try to pick your own way down.
<Hikari> "As you wish." Hikari peers towards the last place she saw Nagare. "Professor?"
* Nagare looks up, trying to recognize the voice and shouts up. "Hikari? I'm down here!"
* Hikari heads towards the voice.
> As Hikari moves over to try and see where he's at...once she can see him, it's obvious there's one way over there from here. Fall down from the slope, same as he did.
* Hikari sighs. "Dammit, professor..." Is the gap too far for her to reach down and help him up?
> OOC: In a word, yes.
<Mykasi> "Hikari, the situation?" Mike calls over.
<Hikari> "The professor fell down." Hikari calls back. "Nagare, can you make it to where we are? Mike is not in good condition for more falls."
<Mykasi> "..." Mike grimaces. "I'll meet up with you, Hikari. Give me a moment, and have the damn sword ready." With that, Mike begins climb-walking over to Hikari, checking on the damn shadow occasionally.
* Nagare sighs. "I can -try- to. I can't give any guarantees, but I'll try."
> Every time Mike turns his back on the Shadow, it's closer when he looks again. By the time he's made it to Hikari, it's probably only 15~ feet away.
* Mykasi exhales. "Okay. I can try going down there; my dance should give me balance enough. ...I think. Maybe. Keep an eye on that damn shadow?
> Hikari still doesn't see it.
<Hikari> "I'll watch for enemies..." Hikari says with some skepticism.
* Mykasi bites his tongue at this with a quick glare at Hikari, pointing at the damn shadow before dance-descending down to Nagare slowly. "We'll... just use... this path."
> (OOC: Okay, are you trying to go directly diagonal down towards him? Even balance dance will not help there, you need to be on all fours CLIMBING to do that. I suppose I haven't been clear enough on that.)
> (OOC: It is not a path. It is not quite sheer but not far from it rock face.)
<Mykasi> OOC: ...No, I hadn't caught that. Is there any route Mike thinks he can manage to dance down, if a bit circuitous?
> (OOC: Not that you can see that will take you to Nagare. The options here are climb a diagonal route straight to him, or go up the harsh slope a bit and jump/climb/slide/whatever straight vertically down to him. The latter will be a longer path, but probably safer then attempting to climb diagonally)
* Mykasi glances up the harsher slope a bit, before wincing and preparing to climb that a bit and then easing his way down to where the professor is. He doesn't trust his strength enough for the diagonal slope...
> (OOC: Two body checks. First one at +2 since you aren't going the whole slope and balance dance makes the gravel not a problem)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 yayz
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 yayz --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
> Mike...fails to much much progress up the slope at all. It's steeper then it looks. And the soil clinging to his hands and feet is not helping at all, seeming to make everything more slick. As he looks back...the shadow is closer. It's less then 10ft away now. Hikari's keeping an eye on it doesn't seem to help at all.
* Mykasi grimaces, pausing. "I can't do it this way..." How close is it to Hikari, anyway?"
> Mike figures Hikari could take two or three steps and be in arms reach of it.
<Mykasi> "Hikari, do me a favor. Two... and a half? steps to you... forward and right, please.
<Hikari> "Why? Well, if you insist..." Hikari mvoes as instructed.
> Hikari is now only a few feet away from the shadowy thing. It doesn't react to her at all.
<Mykasi> "Swing your sword to your right and a bit forward, passing through the area there?"
<Hikari> "If it'll put you at ease." Hikari slashes the lightsword through the arc described.
> The sword passes through the area. Hikari...can feel some odd resistance, like the air was thicker there, but just for a second. Mike...sees ficker and...flee. Right before it goes, he can see it's eyes...not defined by any detail excpet for a lack of darkness where the rest of the figure is still nothing but formless shadow even at this close.
> It looked...angry.
> And now it's gone.
<Mykasi> "...Thank you. It's gone. Though it looked pissed for a moment..." Mike feels the tension drain from his body. "Okay, let's figure out how to get down to Nagare."
* Nagare tries to assess the area he's in now, checking ways up or down for a less steep meetup.
<Mykasi> "Professor, is there any platform that you can get to easily? It may be easiest for us to just move in parallel for now."
* Nagare shouts. "I'll try to find one. I'm not quite sure there's another way but to climb, but maybe we can keep ourselves close enough to find another way."
> N: The way down doesn't seem too bad from where he's at. Especially if he's willing to take some slides or risk a couple of jumps down and trust Abartach's armor to keep him safe. The way up...is a straight climb. ANd the ledge he's on isn't particularly large.
* Nagare shakes his head. "The way down from here is somewhat simple... but I'll have to climb straight up to meet you. There's essentially no leeway for an upwards way. Do we try going back up once again or do we keep down?"
<Mykasi> "... let's go down." Mike says after a moment. "Hikari, any vote?"
<Hikari> "Above all, we should stay together. Do you need any help descending?"
<Mykasi> "Uh." Mike looks around quickly for a safe way down in general.
> The way Mike got up would be a fairly safe way down. But would require Nagare to make his own way down and meet you there, as it doesn't take you near where he is.
<Mykasi> "Ugh." Mike grimaces. "I'm... not seeing any other really good path other than what I took up, but that'll separate us again. If you can aid me down to Nagare's path, Hikari, that might be optimal."
* Nagare dusts himself in annoyance. "We can meet back at the base of the mountain. This should be safer for us than trying to meet up halfway through!"
<Hikari> "Of course, Mike. Wait there, professor! We're not splitting up here." Hikari starts down the slope, slowly, taking her time in looking for handholds. Hopefully there are places to stop here and there where she can help Mike along behind her.
> (OOC: Sure, roll body to climb down and Mike will get a bonus on his check for you trying to help him. It...requires you succeeding at all first though, so you roll first)
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> (OOC: That'll give Mike a +3 on his check)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
> (OOC: One more Hikari body check please_
<Hikari> roll 2d8 noooo no more
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 noooo no more --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> It takes some time...and Hikari has to actively catch mike when he slips once. But she manages to do so, and eventually they make it down to nagare's now very crowded ledge.
<Mykasi> "Alright. Let's keep going, then? You said that the way down is pretty simple, right?" Mike says, feeling worn down.
* Hikari peers down. How much farther before they reach level ground? Does the ledge continue out of sight, can exploration continue that way?
> Youc an see the ground from here, easily enough. It's still a short distance, and sliding that far would probably hurt, but if you're willing to slide down a couple smaller slopes and maybe jump down a couple of small hops, you can zig-zag your way down without too much trouble.
> Or at least Nagare and Hikari can. Mike will need to not go sliding and be much more careful, as he has nothing to cushion the scrapes and falls.
* Mykasi exhales in frustration. "Okay, easier, sure." After a moment, he tries to figure out how much of this he could dance down. Could he do so down the sliding parts?
* Nagare ponders. "You think you can help Mykasi to go the way down, Hikari? I think the bumps remaining shouldn't be a problem with Abartach's armor, but we should prioritize keeping Mykasi safe."
> He...thinks so. Probably. Would take concentration though.
<Mykasi> "I... think I can dance down the sliding parts... could probably use the help on the jumps..." Mike murmurs.
<Hikari> "I could carry him where necessary?" Hikari offers.
* Nagare coughs. "That may be for the best, Hikari."
* Mykasi pauses, a very slight (and thankfully unnoticable blush) coloring his cheeks. "If you're willing to try, it'd be faster."
* Hikari nods. "Alright. Here we go." Hikari kneels down, hefts Mike over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and starts down the slope.
<Mykasi> "Yipe!"
* Nagare bobs his head and begins his way down the slope himself. "Sometimes, the surprises don't quite come from the supernatural, it seems."
> (OOC: heh. Body for Hikari and Nagare then. Mike is light enough that he doesn't actually give Hikari any penalties. and since you're willing to take some scrapes getting down due to armor, the diff will be easier.)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 whee tobogan ride all the way down
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 whee tobogan ride all the way down --> [ 2d8=13 ]{13}
<Hikari> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=7 ]{7}
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP], Mike: 30/70 HP [95/95 EP], Nagare: 75/90 HP [100/100 EP], Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [175/175 EP]'
> Nagare takes a few more bad spills when he misses a jump
* Mykasi shifts to piggyback position on Hikari to let her use both hands.
> But eventually you all make it down.
* Hikari sets Mike down at the bottom of the slope, then looks around. "We have assuredly lost track of our way back up. I suggest we walk around the base of the mountain looking for an easier path back up for when we return."
<Mykasi> "I've come to the conclusion we're fucked, but yeah, that's likely our most optimal path." Mike says with a grimace, looking out away from the mountain to see if any other spectres are out there.
> (OOC: Mind check, mr bug eyes)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
* Nagare raises an eyebrow, beginning to eye the surroundings carefully, trying to detect malicious presences as he looks. (Mark of a Golden Arrow)
> Mike...doesn't see any more spooks. And getting a look around the terrain, he can see the mountain behind him of course, some hills and plains one way, what looks like it might be a forest in another.
<Mykasi> "Forest that direction, hills and plains that direction, mountain of fuck behind us." Mike breaks it down simply. "I vote we avoid the forest."
<Hikari> "Seconded."
<Nagare> "So, we run for the hills."
> Nagare finds his vision sharpening, clearing. Everything is still grey, but the grey is distinct and focused, he can through the gloom...no. It's not gloom at all, it's peace. He feels at peace as he attunes his mind to shadows, lke he belongs here.
> He also does not immediately see any creatures nearby. Nothing save some birds in the sky and some kind of lizard clinging to a rock on a low ledge of the mountain.
> Mike and Hikari see some of the dirt start to actually fall away from Nagare...
<Mykasi> "...huh. Magical purification system, Prof?" Mike snarks. "Hills seem optimal if we actually want to explore. I'm still not convinced this is a good idea, but okay."
* Nagare takes a step back and blinks, looking back at his companions. The teacher rubs his temples. "... nothing. Just an odd sensation."
<Hikari> "I personally think we should at least circumnavigate the mountain first. If there is an actual path somewhere, it would save us much time and effort later."
<Mykasi> "Fair. Let's do that, then."
<Nagare> "If nothing else, we could mark a point of reference."
* Mykasi nods at this.
<Hikari> "Right." Hikari cuts a large X into the ground at her feet.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=78 ]{78}
> Some time passes as you walk around the mountain. When you get completely to the other side...you see a thin set of fracking stairs going right up from the base to the peak. But some ropes are strung between posts that form a gate at the entrance to the stairs, blocking it off.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike is quiet. "Well then."
> And at the top of the gate, a sign is hung between the posts: "Climb not this road of the gods, ye unworthy."
<Mykasi> "Let's not cut the ropes, for starters, but... that looks like a good option?"
* Nagare coughs awkwardly. "Obeying the sign wouldn't be one of our worse decisions."
<Mykasi> "I think the sign refers to those damned here, not to those who are here for a test, Prof." Mike notes. "This being said, since it's clear on the other side of the mountain it likely doesn't lead to our exit."
<Hikari> "I will endeavor to be worthy," Hikari says. "Warning aside, if we find ourselves in full flight near the end of our time here, using the stairs to ease our escape might prove worth the risk."
<Mykasi> "Might."
<Mykasi> "Let's keep going and see if we find anything else?"
* Nagare shakes his head. "I figure we don't have a lot else to do. This has been less daunting than the mountain itself, at least."
<Mykasi> "No comment."
* Mykasi nods and just leads the way in continuing around the mountain, eyes still keeping lookout.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Gatewalker rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=15 ]{15}
> As you continue around the mountain...a few shapes can be seen moving towards you. Each one larger then a normal man, and each wearing armor, face concealing masks and carrying long spears.
> They are walking slowly, but seem to notice you as soon as you notice them, and start advancing. They aren't pointing thier weapons at you...yet.
* Mykasi mutters unintelligbly. "Why did we listen to him again..." he finishes up a bit more audibly as he looks at the three. "So wish I wasn't useless here..."
> It's...hard to tell how many there are. 3? 4? 6? The number doesn't seem the same each time you look.
* Nagare blinks. "Wait a minute. They don't -seem- to be quite malicious... yet. Wait a second. Maybe I can detect something from them."
> (OOC: Mind, Nagare)
<Hikari> "They're wearing armor," Hikari says quietly. "We could very likely run...although being dead, they will also likely not tire before we do, if at all."
<Nagare> roll 2d8
<Kobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 --> [ 2d8=12 ]{12}
> Nagare attunes himself to shadows again...and can see more clearly. The beings...for he still can't tell how many there are, do not seem to be shadows. But they stop for a moment and seem to hesitate a bit all of a sudden.
> Mike and Hikari notice more of that dirt slide off him.
> Nagare...isn't feeling any fear as he looks at them. Something tells him they belong here. As does he.
<Mykasi> "...okay. Professor, when we're out of this mess, please explain how you magically clean yourself?"
* Nagare blinks, and holds up his hand. "Wait. They seemed to hold off for a moment." The teacher stops to calmly wave to the beings, as if trying to signal non-hostility. For some reason, they seem... familiar even. As if they were kindreds.
> The armored figures clear up whatever their problem was and resume thier advance on you, though they do seem to focus on Nagare. (OOC: as they get closer, Mike and Hikari can roll Mind-2)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 k
<Kobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 k --> [ 2d8=11 ]{11}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 so uh I have like a 15% chance of this
<Kobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 so uh I have like a 15% chance of this --> [ 2d8=4 ]{4}
<Hikari> "Three of them....I don't know why it seemed there were more. Some manner of illusion, perhaps."
> The figures stop a good 20ish feet away, and one moves forward towards Nagare. "You." It speaks with a deep and earthy voice, "You have just arrived?"
<Mykasi> "Right." Mike mutters, unable to focus through flinches of pain.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow, coughing somberly before his answer. "... depends on the manner of arrival you speak of. You could say 'yes' and 'no', truth be told."
> "..." The armored figure is quiet a moment, then asks, "You are lost?"
* Nagare ponders for a moment. "... yes. We are."
> It nods, then turns to Mike and Hikari, "You. You are living?"
<Mykasi> "We are." Mike says quietly, simply noting the difference in reference between the professor and themselves.
* Hikari nods. "That is correct."
> "Follow." It says simply, then turns to walk off away from the mountain.
* Mykasi nods after a moment. "Lead on, Professor. I think you're our representative here."
* Nagare nods somberly, following the armored one, motioning for Hikari and Mykasi to keep moving as well.
* Hikari follows.
* Mykasi does so as well.
> You follow the armored figures for some distance. Probably...an hour or more. Which considering how late you got here would possibly make it near sundown. They aren't much for conversation.
> (OOC: let me know if you ever try to break away from them at any point.)
<Hikari> OOC: Not unless they look likely to turn us over to a pack of flesh-easting ghouls.
> They lead you into the forest, and to a road lined with talismens hanging from the trees that goes through it. And they lead you through the forest.
<Mykasi> Suits the aching Mike fine. Only at one point does he remember to murmur to Hikari and the Professor, "Don't accept any drinks or food from them. We've got our own food and he warned us against eating here."
> And on the other side of the forest....there is a villiage. And...you can see people in the distance in the villiage.
* Nagare blinks. "... fascinating."
> Something inside Nagare longs to join them, even as the figure turns to you and points at the village, "Home."
<Mykasi> "Well. This could have been worse?" Mike mutters, rubbing his shoulder.
* Nagare bites his lips, looking down.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[VySaika]

> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> The villiage you can see is...well, in the same greyscale as everything else here. Only it feels a bit darker in some ways. Spots of shadowy greyness seem to obscure details, such as the faces of any of the people. You can tell they have faces, but not even Mykasi can really see them.
* Hikari looks around. "Your home, not ours," she feels obligated to clarify.
* Mykasi blinks after a moment. "Dark, here." he manages to squeak out after peering into the town.
* Nagare looks around, paying attention to the faded complexions of the village's inhabitants. "... intriguing."
> The buildings all look very similar as well, small huts made of wood, straw and mud, often with thatched roofs. Very archaic. And unlike any town in the world of the living, not a single building that looks like a place of buisiness to be found. All seem to be homes of one kind or another. Save for a single large, walled building on the other end of the town.
> The large armored figure does not react to Hikari's clarification.
<Mykasi> "Sir, what's that building?" Mike asks, pointing to the large one.
* Hikari follows up with, "Who is in charge here?"
> "Lord." It says simply, as if that answers both of your questions.
* Hikari walks toward the large building, lacking any other direction.
<Mykasi> "'k." Mike says, muttering. After a moment, "May we stay here for a time? Us three must depart after a night or so, but if you are willing, your shelter would not be unappreciated."
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "... Lord? Any other specifications?"
> The armored figures do not follow you any further into the town. In fact, they turn right around and go walking back into the woods, as if delivering you here was the whole of what they needed to do.
* Mykasi blinks at their departure and just follows Hikari.
* Hikari watches the three depart. "Well. Let us hope they're as unconcerned with keeping us here." She continues on to the building.
* Nagare scratches his head, following behind Mykasi.
* Mykasi gives the Professor a slight Look but continues to follow Hikari as they go toward the building!
> As you walk through the town, you can see some of the people who seem to be out working on various things stop to look at you, but nobody says anything. They are all dressed simply, in sturdy peasant's clothes that are nearly identical from man to man and woman to woman. The people are of different builds at least, and some wear hats while others do not.
> But that is nearly the only difference between any given two of the same gender.
<Mykasi> Mike doesn't say much, biting his upper lip instead. "Quiet..."
> As you reach the large building, presumably the Lord's manor, you do see some with different distinctions for once. A quartet of men in armor and carrying spears. Like the large figures who led you here, they even wear masks. But the masks are different, as is the armor, and they are man-sized.
* Hikari walks on, not speaking to any of the villagers, only turning back to her friends briefly. "Yes. Anyone who cares to try starting a conversation with someone, go right ahead, though I wouldn't expect much..."
> The four soldiers stand before the closed gate of the manor. And do not immediately react to your presance.
* Mykasi stops a decent distance in front of the soldiers. "Uh, you wanna diplomacy here, Prof? You did well with the others. ...I do want to know why, but that's a conversation for later."
> Also, by this point, all of the clinging dirt has fallen off of Nagare.
<Mykasi> After a moment of realizing this, Mike checks the levels of dirt on the natives.
> He doesn't see any clinging to the soldiers. And doesn't remember seeing any on the peasants, even the ones working.
* Nagare grumbles slightly at Mykasi, then eyes the soldiers. He waves quietly to them. "May I have your attention...?"
> One of the soldiers turns to look at Nagare, but doesn't speak.
* Mykasi feels his eyebrows raising. "Goddamnit, Prof..." he mutters quietly, before letting Nagare work.
<Hikari> "Confidence, professor! Adopt an air of authority. You're not so timid teaching class, are you? Imagine they're students."
* Mykasi eyes Hikari for a moment.
* Nagare eyes Hikari. "I don't think I should treat the dead as my students, as much as some of them resemble revenants."
<Hikari> "It was just a suggestion. You can hardly expect the hordes of the underworld to just roll over with such a weak approach."
<Mykasi> "We want them to roll over? We want to be civil."
<Hikari> "Well, say something, professor. You requested his attention and you do appear to have it..."
* Nagare coughs, then turns back to the soldiers. "Ahem. I apologize. We have been brought here by others of your kin - and I wanted to know if we could obtain a few clarifications, if possible? I'll admit we are all rather lost."
> The solider keeps looking at you without any verbal response.
* Nagare deflates. "This is literally like conversing with the dead. I'm not sure what I can do here."
<Hikari> "Let's keep it simple?" Hikari draws herself up in front of the guard facing Nagare. "Is your lord present?" she asks him.
> The soldier nods.
* Mykasi comes up to a step behind Nagare. "May we see him?"
> The soldier doesn't respond for a moment, then nods again and opens the gate.
* Nagare blinks. "Vernacular depth seems a lost cause here."
<Mykasi> "'pparently. Though that doesn't explain your inability to converse here."
<Hikari> "As I said. Know what you want and don't dance around asking for it." Hikari walks through the gate.
<Nagare> "Law school might be to blame for that."
> As you walk in, two of the soldiers fall in behind you, while one leads the way. The remaining soldier closes the gate behind you.
<Mykasi> This makes Mike wince slightly, but he keeps following the soldier in front.
* Nagare blinks and breathes heavily.
* Hikari just walks on.
> The leading soldier walks up to the doors of the manor, which he opens, and leads the way into a very elegant and well appointed, in ancient japanese style, manor house. WIthout a word, he takes you to a room that has a small low table in an octogonal shape. And at each side is a cushion on the ground to be seated upon.
> The soldier gestures to the cushions.
* Hikari takes a seat.
<Mykasi> "Thank you." Mike manages to choke out before going to sit on the left, gesturing Hikari to sit on the right.
> As you are seated, the soldier who led you in leaves. The two who followed you in remain standing on either side of the door behind you.
* Nagare sits down silently, taking a couple of seats' distance from Mykasi and Hikari to avoid pillowfight shenanigans.
> (OOC: It's a bit before anything else happens. Converse if you want, or are you just waiting awkwardly for the Lord?)
<Mykasi> "So, Professor, care to explain your affinity for this place?" Mike says, not looking at him directly.
<Hikari> "Are we asking for shelter? I believe someone mentioned such before. Bear in mind that should we stay here any length of time, food may be offered, and it may be considered rude to refuse such."
<Mykasi> "We don't have many options but to be rude in that case, though we can try to explain." Mike shrugs. "But yes, shelter is our desire."
* Nagare glances sideways at Mykasi for a moment, and then coughs. "... having died before has its set of quirks, as you may already know."
<Mykasi> "...I see. Such as making you automatically clean." Mike deadpans for a brief moment. "But you -will- be coming back with us."
* Nagare shrugs lightly. "I suppose you wouldn't have it any other way."
<Hikari> "Indeed, we could hardly afford to lose you."
<Mykasi> "Let me put this a slightly different way." Mike says with a light tone. "I will make -sure- your soul does not -ever- get a chance to rest should you choose to stay here before your second life is over. You don't get a chance to log out on us yet."
<Mykasi> Only at this point does he look at Nagare, face quite calm.
* Nagare nods blankly. "I understand that. I'm just wondering if there -will- be a choice, is all."
<Mykasi> "There isn't. You are returning with us." Mike repeats, before turning back to wait for the Lord of this place.
<Hikari> "Of course there's a choice. It simply doesn't involve staying here."
* Nagare nods in silence. "I understand."
> Some time passes. It's a bit hard to tell how long. But eventually, the door behind you opens again...
* Nagare almost instinctively bows down, as if taken by an irresistible force - and also hardly understanding the impulse.
* Nagare stays rather unnervingly close to the ground, as if in awkward - and awkward it is indeed - reverence.
* Mykasi looks to the professor, before inclining about halfway, as well, eyes more on the Professor in confusion than anything else.
* Hikari eyes Nagare with apparent disapproval. She'll bow when she can see who she's bowing to, thank you.
> Flanked by two more masked men, these not dressed as mere soldiers but clearly Samurai with katana and all, a man enters the room. Like the peasants, his face is obscured by shadows...but that is the only thing he has in common with them.(more)
<Nagare> roll 2d8 Law
<Hobobot> Nagare rolled 2d8 Law --> [ 2d8=15 ]{15}
> The man wears robes of fine material, clear even in the greyscale of Yomi, and they have a cut and style Nagare could swear he has seen before but can't quite remember. He walks with a careful elegance, and seats himself on a pillow at the far end of the table with the same. His cushion is elevated, leaving him a bit above the rest of you even sitting at the same table.
> He nods very slightly to Nagare and Mykasi...and though the former's head is so low he cannot see it he still feels permission to rise.
* Hikari does bow enough to be polite now, at least.
<Mykasi> "Thank you for being willing to meet with us." Mike says, attempting to use the extremely polite forms. Guy looks important, at least.
* Nagare takes a deep breath and rises quietly.
> "I am the Lord of this place," the man speaks, his voice both placid and so quiet you almost have to strain to hear. "Tell me, what brings the living to my table?"
> As he speaks, a servant silently scuttles in and pours small drinking bowls of wine for everyone.
* Nagare breathes, speaking placidly as well. "You might say we're facing a challenge of sorts, Lord."
<Mykasi> "We are here as part of a test, sir. We would kindly request a place to rest for the night, if it pleases you."
* Hikari eyes the wine, then proceeds to ignore it.
> "A challenge? A test? Tell me of this test you face." The Lord's tone is odd, neither request nor command. Simply a statement. He sips his own wine as he awaits your answer.
* Mykasi inclines his head. "Professor, if you would?"
<Nagare> "We accepted a trial, so to speak. We are spending a day and a night in this world, and we are to return, as proposed by the god Okuninushi."
> The Lord nods, "I see. Then I will grant you a place to rest in safty for one night, and you will work for me for one day in exchange."
<Hikari> "What will this work entail?" Hikari asks.
> "Perhaps simple labor, perhaps soldiers' work." The Lord replies, "Whatever it is that needs doing tomorrow."
<Hikari> "It's difficult to agree to a condition that cannot be accurately defined for us. You can't be more specific?" Hikari looks to her friends here for their reactions.
* Mykasi keeps his face still for now, trying to not give his own reaction to this away.
* Nagare holds Hikari's shoulder lightly, as if noting that she should keep her tone in check.
> "You may take your rest in the wood, if you wish." The Lord serenly points out.
<Hikari> "I am sure we will prove capable of completing whatever task you set before us," Hikari says at last.
* Mykasi shakes his head slightly. "I am not sure that is wise, from what little knowledge I have of this land. While concerned about the open-ended nature presented, I too accept." After a moment, "One aspect of our task is to not accept any food or drink we did not bring with us. I apologize for not speaking of this earlier, but the wine came before I could react..."
> "To fast is a well known way to cleanse the spirit," the Lord nods, then beckons one of his servants over. "Show these living where they may rest."
> More servants come and take your bags before you can even protest, and the one so instructed faces you and bows, then turns for the door and waits expectantly.
* Mykasi bows to the Lord. "Thank you for your aid." With that, he rises and heads to the one waiting.
* Hikari stands at the servant's approach, follows.
* Nagare nods lightly, following behind as well.
> You follow the servant! She leads you out of the manor, and even right out the gate which the soldiers open again at her approach, heading right back into the town. She stops at one hut and opens the door, holding it open for you.
* Hikari peers inside before entering.
* Mykasi looks to the servant for a moment. "Will our bags be returned to us tonight?"
> It's a one room building, with sleeping mats on the floor. Ten of them, actually. And some already occupied. You don't seem to be the only ones staying in this hut.
> The servant woman nods to Mykasi's question.
* Hikari enters, looking for at least a stretch of three consecutive empty mats.
> The occupied mats are, of course, filled by the same peasants you saw on your way in. You will be sharing sleeping quarters with the dead.
> Hikari easily finds three mats together.
<Mykasi> "Thank you." Mike says quietly, before following Hikari in.
* Nagare follows behind quietly. It seems he's vaguely absorbed into a quiet pensiveness.
* Hikari sits on one, glancing around the room as she speaks quietly to her friends. "I've half a mind to suggest one of us stay awake and keep watch while the others rest...But I suspect such caution will not actually prove necessary here. The dead seem quite uninterested in us. It's eerie."
> As it's been a long day, filled with mishaps, Mike and Hikari find themselves both quite hungry and quite fatigued by now. Nagare, on the other hand, feels tiredness but no real hunger. And it's not the same kind of fatigue that effects the others, more...he is tired becuase it's time to sleep.
> Before much longer, the door opens again, and servants carry your bags in and set them next to you, bowing before scooting back out. The bags have been cleaned of the dirt!
<Hikari> "Ah, excellent," Hikari says on noticing this. "Now, we should eat before sleeping. Gather our strength for whatever task awaits us tomorrow. It wouldn't do to go to bed hungry."
* Mykasi bows in return, before glancing to the others sleeping there. "...let's not eat in front of them? It would feel tactless."
* Nagare turns a bit on his mattress. "I... will pass. I actually don't feel hungry."
<Mykasi> "You should eat."
<Hikari> "You are free to ask them for their opinion, Mike," Hikari says. "And Mike is correct, professor. Present lack of hunger is irrelevant. You'll be weaker come morning for lack of nourishment if you don't eat now."
* Nagare bobs his head. "I suppose. I honestly don't -remember- if I even ate since we got here, actually."
<Mykasi> "...Look, let's talk about this outside so we do not keep people awake." Mike says quietly, stepping out and instinctively looking to the sky.
<Hikari> "You only provide more reasons to do so now. Here--" Hikari retrieves a sandwich from her bag. "Come along, professor. You won't be resting tonight until I see you eat something."
> The sky is grey! It's the same kind of grey it was earlier. No sun, no moon, and if there are any clouds you aren't sure you'd be able to tell.
> And...as Hikari goes to pull a sandwich out...she realizes the food and water that was in her bag had been removed.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "This... is not great news for us."
* Hikari frowns. "Or perhaps I'm completely wrong. Well, this...is an inconvenience."
* Nagare shrugs. "Let's see what Mykasi is up to outside. I suppose it might be good to glance at the sky."
* Mykasi exhales, having innately hoped for a starry night, before glancing back in, and then checking his own bag.
<Hikari> "Are you also devoid of whatever semblance of food you brought with you?" Hikari asks him.
* Nagare looks up at the sky.
> Nagare can see the details in the grey, though it isn't the same kind of details the living sky has. No stars or other celestial bodies, but the grey of the sky has a grain, as if it was painted into place.
> Mykasi's bag is equally empty of food and drink, though the containers they were in are there. And cleaned of the dirt that had gotten in his bag in his falls.
* Nagare smiles lightly. "Heh. It's as if it's a still-nature watercolor, come to think of it."
<Mykasi> "Cute. Fasting is good for us." Mike deadpans, before zipping up his bag and nodding to Hikari solemnly. And then glancing to Nagare. "What?"
<Hikari> "Well, it's only a day. Hunger won't kill us in that time." Hikari glances up. "I see a great deal of gray. I am not favorably impressed with this sky's aesthetic merit."
* Nagare keeps looking at the sky. "The sky above."
<Nagare> "I can't quite explain. The sky looks clearly as if it was painted into space, rather than seaming into existence like one would expect from a live sight."
<Mykasi> "... Nagare, remember you aren't staying." Mike says sternly. "Let's go back in and sleep. Not much else to do."
* Nagare folds his arms quietly and walks back into the quarters. "I suppose."
<Hikari> "Agreed. You can treat us to whatever surreal exposition you like once we leave. I won't complain. But for now, you're going to sleep."
* Hikari heads back inside for her own sleeping mat.
> (OOC: Anyone doing anything else before slp?)
<Mykasi> OOC: Nope
<Hikari> OOC: nope
<Nagare> OOC: Nops.
> You fall asleep quickly, the stillness and peace of Yomi being rather conductive to it.(more)
> N: Nagare...well, sleeps the sleep of the dead. He does not dream. He does not even so much as twitch in his slumber. And eventually awakes feeling incredibly refreshed.
> H/M: Please roll Soul checks.
<Hikari> roll 2d8 I'm a soulll woman~
<Hobobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 I'm a soulll woman~ --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 no really, I am
<Hobobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 no really, I am --> [ 2d8=10 ]{10}
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 right
<Hobobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 right --> [ 2d8=9 ]{9}
> For Hikari and Myksai...sleep is not so peaceful. They do not dream...at least not any dream they can remember. But their rest is fitful, and they wake feeling like they barely slept at all. 
> Regardless, all three wake at once, along with the others in the hut. As if some mystical sense of Morning simply compelled it.
<Mykasi> "Mmm." Mike grogs out quietly.
* Hikari sits up, rubs her forehead. "What time is it and why am I awake."
* Nagare dusts himself off as he quickly gets up. "Time to wake up, certainly. I don't think I -remember- having a night of sleep as deep as this since my childhood."
<Mykasi> "Time to get moving and see what he wants us to do." Mike manages to stumble out as he gets up slowly. "And I don't remember sleep this poor since... wait, I'm a college student. Two weeks ago."
* Hikari stretches, stands up. "Let's get this day over with, yes, so I can leave and get some genuine rest back in my own bed."
> You manage to stumble out the door, where a servant is waiting for you. She...looks like she has the same build as the one who led you here last night. Hard to tell without being able to see her face, though. (OOC: Mike and Hikari, mind please)
<Mykasi> roll 2d8 right
<Hobobot> Mykasi rolled 2d8 right --> [ 2d8=8 ]{8}
<Hikari> roll 2d8 oh god no more
<Hobobot> Hikari rolled 2d8 oh god no more --> [ 2d8=6 ]{6}
> Mike...notices it quickly. At first it seems like it could just be the angle, but no...it's getting harder to see nagare's face. He still can, but even with Anansi's enhanced vision and staring straight at him, sometimes it flickers into being shadowed.
<Mykasi> "Professor, we are leaving this land as soon as we can under the conditions given to us." Mike says bluntly.
<Mykasi> "You are taking on their appearance."
* Hikari can hardly disagree with that sentiment, and nods in general approval.
* Nagare blinks, although he actually hardly seems surprised. "Huh. I... suppose. Should we go to work, then?"
<Mykasi> "..."
* Mykasi reaches over and forcefully slaps Nagare. "No. Goddamn. Suppose."
<Hikari> "Yes, immediately. Let's go speak with our taskmaster." Hikari walks towards the gated building.
> The servant seems a bit starteled as Hikari walks past her towards the building and holds out a hand in feeble protest!
* Nagare sedately puts his hand over the cheek slapped by Mykasi, following his peers behind quietly.
* Hikari stops. "Forgive me, do you have a message for us?"
<Mykasi> "... ..."
<Mykasi> Biting his tongue momentaraily, Mike glances to the servant.
> The servant bows and turns, beckoning you to follow her! Then she leads the way off to the same direction alot of the locals are making their way to.
* Hikari heads out in the servant's wake. "Come along you two," she calls back.
<Hikari> "And Mike's correct. No more of this waffling, professor. You're leaving with us when we're done here. Keep that in the forefront of your thoughts. The idea of staying here...it may be peaceful, but so dreadfully gloomy."
* Mykasi grabs Nagare's shoulder with force, and leans in, before hissing in his ear.
<Mykasi> "I do not think you understand quite well how serious I was yesterday. I will willingly talk with Susano-O solely to get your goddamn trashy ass thunderstormed for the rest of eternity if you even so much as complain about wanting to stay here. I will learn how to program robots whose sole purpose will be to -rip this place apart- to find you and bring you back. And then I will -ravage your ass so hard you think you're a death metal cov
<Mykasi> "And then I will -ravage your ass so hard you think you're a death metal cover-. You will find no peace, no respite, no saving grace from me if you cross this line, and I will dedicate my entire existence to your unending goddamn torment. Am. I. Clear, Professor?"
* Nagare eyes Mykasi as placidly as he has never been, gently pushing the student's hands away from his shoulder. "Perfectly clear. I am fine," his voice softly echoes. As he pushes Mykasi away, he follows Hikari's lead, the steps almost as quiet as a lone prairie.
<Hikari> "Somewhat mroe drama than I would've used, but the point stands," Hikari agrees as she walks along.
* Mykasi is very silent for a moment, before following at a distance, eyes boring a hole in the back of the Professor's head.
> The servant leads you along, and you make your way out towards the fields where many men and woman are already getting to work in the rice pats. She gestures Mykasi and Nagare towards the work being done, but motions to Hikari not to go.
<Mykasi> "I'll keep an eye on loserface gillicutty here." Mike mutters to Hikari. "Don't worry on that front."
<Hikari> "Are we to be set on different tasks?" Hikari asks.
> The servant nods!
* Hikari frowns, but isn't about to argue if both her teammates seem fine where they are. "Well...lead on, then."
> (OOC: No need to split into VR here since this is minor stuff. Will just do the H M/N thing.)
* Nagare folds his arms. "I suppose we should get to work."
> H: The servant leads you over to another area, where some larger, stronger men are waiting with a cart. Once you arrive, they start piling in the cart, and she motions you to join them.
* Mykasi is quiet, eyes simply fixed on Nagare as he shrugs. "Let's do this. You take it easy."
* Hikari gets the heavy lifting, then? Well, it's not as though she's unsuited to it. She hops on the cart.
> M/N: You get to work! Or at least you try to. Having never worked in one of these before, you honestly have no clue what you're doing. Fortunately, someone seems to notice that and comes over to silently show you how.
* Nagare follows the instructions placidly. The unspoken communication oddly feels natural for him - as if reading the quiet motions and in-betweens were all that's necessary for him to understand and "live", so to speak.
> H: You ride in the cart for a good while, until getting to a place where it looks like a new large manor house almost identicle to the one you were in yesterday is starting to be built. The men climb out of the cart and get to work. There is also a man in samurai armor that directly approaches Hikari.
* Mykasi follows Nagare's lead, watching the professor carefully and resisting the urge to hit him harder than before.
* Hikari stands at attention, awaiting instruction.
> H: The samurai...actually speaks! If tersely, "Skills?" he asks, "or strength?"
<Hikari> "Strength. I slept rather poorly to be engaging in anything involving finesse."
> H: The samurai nods, then sets you working on heavy lifting and carting materials.
> For hours you all labor at your respective tasks, the men planting, harvesting and tending rice while Hikari lugs wood, rocks and metal to and fro. It's mindless and exhausting, but you keep at it. Then all at once, in both locations, everyone seems to stop working.(more)
* Hikari is well-suited to this job, at least! It might not be interesting, and it's tiring working on an empty stomach, but at least it's not dangerous.
> M/N: Everyone starts walking out of the paddies and goes to sit on the grass. Then women come around and begin passing riceballs and water aroud to all the workers. Including Mykasi and Nagare, simply going down the line with you as with everyone else. And by this point...Mike is starving and even Nagare is beginning to feel hungry.
> H: The workers all head back to the carts, where they pull out some baskets and someone starts passing around some riceballs...which she thinks she can smell some salted fish in. As they're getting passed around, someone hands her one.
* Mykasi is starving, yes, but he's also well aware of the danger. And takes Nagare's riceball and water, before putting them aside. "We are fasting."
* Nagare eyes Mykasi resignedly, but also somewhat saddened. "It's a pity."
* Hikari blinks at it for a second, then carefully looks away, passes it on to whoever's next in line, and then steps to the back of the crowd. She's not so exhausted that she can't remember their warning and resist!
<Mykasi> "Your face is a pity, you-" Mike then breaks into fluidly, if quietly, cussing the Professor out in Miwok.
* Nagare raises an eyebrow. "You seem quite restless. Relentlessly so."
> The break for lunch passes. The dead workers all seem to have a sort of silent camraderie going on. Some almost look like they're chatting, though there aren't any words exchanged.
<Mykasi> "Because of -you-. You are not fine, Professor."
<Hikari> it's interesting to watch, Hikari finds. They seem content enough with their strange unlife. Though not so much that one would tempted to join them.
> Eventually everyone finishes, and the workers start trickling back to thier tasks.
<Mykasi> "Let's move, Professor. Sooner we're done, the better."
* Nagare folds his arms and shrugs as he goes slowly back to his place of labor. "You might want to breathe, Mykasi. It will be done when it is done."
* Hikari heads back to her exciting day of backbreaking labor!
* Mykasi just gives the Professor his best Look, but gets to work.
> M/N: You continue working. It's...harder now. Hard to focus, hard to keep your body moving. You haven't had food, or even water, in so long. Your throats are parched, your stomaches feeling like they're going to gnaw away your backbone. Nagare...is in better shape. At least he got a bit of rest.
> H: Hikari's vision starts to swim after a few more hours of this. Brynhildr's blessing is keeping her body from collapsing, though the pain of hunger is still immense.
* Mykasi keeps it slow, trying to mind his numerous falling injuries and manage the work in front of him.
* Gatewalker changes topic to 'Hikari: 105/105 HP [75/75 EP](-1 Body/Mind), Mike: 30/70 HP [95/95 EP](-1 Body/Mind), Nagare: 75/90 HP [100/100 EP](-1 Body), Shiro: 140/140 HP [75/75 EP], Dami: 70/70 HP [175/175 EP]'
* Hikari does her best to keep going (and not thinking about the fact that they have a mountain to climb when this is over). She's come closer to falling in combat than she is now, right? Besides, this is just practice. The real labor takes place over winter break.
> Eventually...the day ends. The workers put away thier tools.
> M/N: In the rice paddies, the workers all start filing back out, and head back towards the town.
* Mykasi straightens up slowly. "Let's go, Professor."
> H: Everyone secures the materials for tomorrow, then goes and gets in the wagons. The Samurai gives the order, and the trip back to town begins.
* Nagare scratches his chin, actually almost instinctively heading to the town as well. He didn't even listen to Mykasi giving a directive.
* Mykasi grabs Nagare by the collar of his shirt and tugs him without energy toward the middle of town. "Look for Hikari."
* Nagare softly pushes Mykasi away. "I suppose. Aren't we meant to meet the Lord again, however?"
<Mykasi> "WHEN WE HAVE HIKARI WITH US."
> M/N: You can see the servant who has been leading you all around standing by the road at the edge of town, waiting for something.
* Nagare waves quietly to the servant, as if trying to converse with the servant.
> M/N: She notices you and bows, but doesn't move from her spot.
<Mykasi> "That's the one that took Hikari to do something else. We wait with her." Mike tells Nagare firmly, beginning to drag Nagare in that direction.
* Nagare sighs contently and keeps notice on the lady. "Oh. Sorry, did you say...", Nagare finally notices Mykasi as he's dragged by his colleague. "... something?"
> M/N: The servant doesn't seem to object at your waiting with her, and continues to stand there awhile.
> Eventually, some carts show up on the road!
> And they stop, and large men start getting out of them and ambling towards the town. Hikari is in one of them as well!
> The servant approaches her as she gets out of the cart, then bows in turn to all three of you...and leads the way back into town!
* Hikari hops off the cart, stretches her stiff limbs for a moment, then begins following the servant.
* Mykasi makes sure Nagare is following and not standing there in a drooling stupor before following himself.
* Nagare follows the servant as well. Movement is actually quite simple.
> She leads you back to the hut you used, and opens the door. Your stuff is still in there on your mats...and there is a wonderful smell of a cold dinner being enjoyed by the others who sleep there.
> You're all exhausted...and those mats look so inviting.
<Hikari> "We need to leave," Hikari says through gritted teeth. "A day and a night, that's it. Both of you, collect your things and let's go."
<Mykasi> "We aren't staying for more than one night." Mike says angrily, though the exhaustion is damn obvious in his voice. "Let's go see the Lord." With that, he picks up his bag and Hikari's! "Hikari, make sure the Professor doesn't eat anything, would you?
<Hikari> "Yes." Hikari looms at the professor's shoulder, ready to drag him away should he cast a hungry look upon anything.
* Nagare hazily walks towards his bag, picking it up almost mechanically. He eyes the mattress with a sigh, but turns back, almost expecting an angry tug.
* Mykasi pauses after he gets their bags. "... Wait, not the Lord. We go home."
<Hikari> And he'll get one if he stops moving for a second!
* Nagare suddenly stops cold in his tracks.
<Nagare> "We do not leave without at least proving we held our end of the bargain."
<Mykasi> "Alrigh-" Mike looks to Nagare. "Why not? He did not ask to see us again."
<Hikari> "If we do see him we could, perhaps, ask for permission to climb the stairs up the mountain? That would ease our exit considerably." Hikari exits the hut, glancing around for the servant. does it seem like they're expected to go somewhere else now?
> Having led you to the hut, the servant has left already to go attend to duties elsewhere.
<Mykasi> "..." Mike closes his eyes and counts to pi before opening them. "Hikari, I will be honest - if brain-manipulated Professor here wants us to go see him that is extra motivation for me -not to-."
<Nagare> "Giving no proof of a fulfilled promise is as good as not fulfilling it at all", Nagare softly speaks. Then, he adds blankly: "And I am not leaving without at least paying my dues to him."
<Mykasi> "He needs but ask his servants." Mike says bitterly. "But, fine. Let's do this, and then we go."
<Hikari> "True, Mike. Our further presence does not seem to be expected...and even were we to ask for some easier passage out, I have to suspect it would come with a price. We should go now. The professor sounds less like himself every minute."
<Mykasi> "Then we do not ask for any easier passage unless it is freely offered. But as the professor has just said we will leave after paying our dues, I will -hold him to that promise-." Mike says, eyes locked fiercely on the Professor.
<Hikari> "Very well. But I *will* haul him out of here physically if it proves necessary."
<Mykasi> "I'll hold you to that promise, as I will hold him to his." Mike says calmly.
<Hikari> "Right. Let's go, then." Hikari strides off towards the lord's house, or at least as much as she's capable of such.
<Mykasi> After a few more moments of silence, Mike turns and leads the way to the Lord's house.
* Nagare candidly taps his fingers, following behind. He blinks drowsily as well, rather tired from the labor.
> You reach the Lord's gate again! It's closed. The soldiers look at you.
<Mykasi> "The Professor would speak to the Lord to provide proof of the promise fulfilled." Mike says simply.
> The soldier nods, and opens the gate. As before, one leads you in and two others follow behind.
> You are lead right back to the room with the octogonal table.
* Mykasi gestures for the professor to sit, himself sitting only afterward.
* Nagare sits down and closes his eyes for a moment, meaning to rest his mind a minute. His fingers tap the pillow softly.
* Hikari plops down on a pillow with somewhat less than usual grace.
* Nagare continues to tap the pillow, rhythmically creating a pattern. At this point, he hardly even knows if speaking is necessary. It's almost eerie how he seems at home at this place.
> Eventually the door opens behind you...
* Nagare bows closely to the floor - strangely, a movement far more natural and graceful than last time.
> The Lord enters the room, and takes his seat on his elevated cushion again, giving you the nod that you may rise.
> "I had not expected you to seek an audiance again." He notes with a miniscule amount of curiosity in his voice, "Have you further need of my hospitality?"
* Nagare calmly rises. "Good evening, Lord."
* Mykasi straights up from a slight bow. "We have come to tell you that the promise has been fulfilled, as the Professor has requested we do. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause in your schedule."
<Hikari> "The professor was merely concerned that you would consider our bargain unfulfilled if we did not not appear before you again to demonstrate that the requested work has been carried out."
<Nagare> "Essentially, yes."
> "Ah," he nods, "Indeed. You have fulfilled your bargain well. If you are taking your leave of my demense this evening, then I wish you fortune on your further journies."
<Hikari> "We will indeed be taking our leave upon this meeting's conclusion. All three of us."
<Mykasi> "Thank you." Mike nods solemnly. "Of curiousity, do you know an easy route up the mountain? My injuries have yet to heal and I am uncertain as to the fullness of my capability to climb it."
> "For you?" He replies, "None. Passage to the land of day is easy for none but the gods."
<Mykasi> "Got it." Mike nods simply. "Thank you."
* Nagare bows slightly. "Thank you and my apologies, m'lord. Thank you for your hospitality."
> The Lord nods, and rises. A clear dismissal.
* Mykasi bows and nods. "Let us depart."
* Hikari stands. Though she's not about to leave until she see sNagare walk out.
* Nagare nods to himself and leaves.
* Hikari heads out after him.
* Mykasi follows Nagare at this point, carefully watching his actions.
> You are escorted out of the manor, and left to your own devices once past the gate.
* Nagare rubs his temples. "I suppose we should find a place to rest. I wonder if this is even possible around the wilderness, though."
<Mykasi> "We can't really afford to rest, Professor." Mike says bluntly. "We need to go."
<Hikari> "Mike is correct. One day, one night. If we stay here longer than we were tasked with, we risk never leaving. Let's be on our way."
* Nagare sighs. "If we must."
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------