<Shae dreamed...>
She was fighting her way to the center. The polished walls of the rooms curved inward, and each chamber was smaller than the last. The frosty white luminescence and the shape of the building so far led her to think that she was fighting her way into the center of a nautilus shell. She defeated her current opponent and then knelt down and touched the strings of the marionette she had been fighting as it faded into the mist.
She stepped through the next portal expecting another room just like all the others only smaller, and instead found herself in the center of the building's spiral. The room had no doors; turning she checked behind her and saw that the door she had entered by had vanished as well. The other occupant of the room did not seem to see her; There was a woman here, dressed in a white lab coat that reflected the cold directionless light of the room.
Shae stepped forward silently, and watched the woman. The lab coated woman was molding something out of clay. An intricately sculptured doll formed under the woman's hands. Shae watched the woman caress the doll, and speak to it, and then the woman breathed on it and it came to life. The doll blinked up at the woman, and moved. Something about it displeased the woman who had made it, however, and she threw the doll against the wall smashing it to bits amongst the shattered remains of many other dolls...
Then the woman gathered up clay from the mountain of shattered doll parts and began to form another doll, muttering to it, or to herself. Shae looked at the woman who was lost in her loop of madness with her hands coated with red clay that was begining to look more and more like blood, and felt a growing sense of horror. Shae felt a sudden urgency to get out of the room, but remembered the lack of a door. That would not stop someone who knew better, however; Shae created a door and walked through...and found herself in a large formal garden that resembled a chess board.
The White Queen smiled at Shae and invited her to join her guests for tea.
------------------------------
Shae washed the last of the dream away with hot water in the shower. It hadn't been a restful night, and she wasn't sure how useful the dreams were actually going to be. Someday it would be nice if having prophetic dreams actually helped a little. She dried herself off, and pulled her robe on. Then she checked her computer for messages and discovered a message from Chrome Fist. Now she actually had an address for the lab. She smiled in anticipation and got out her maps.
She had a feeling Chrome Fist's call to begin would come soon. It was possible that the dream had been connected to the start of this. It would probably be a good idea to get her own plan moving as well. She sent off an email, coded to look like simple chatter and local news, to a particular email address, and then began to dress for combat. A little while later, an email arrived. It also looked like simply a newsy email from a friend, but it wasn't. Shae smiled, it was nice to have backup, even if the person wasn't technically fighting next to her. She erased the email, and turned off the computer, before picking up her cell phone and a small box of computer disks on the way out.
Then she came back and went into her bedroom; Shae picked up a certain necklace from her nightstand, fastened it around her neck, and then headed back out. She fingered the necklace thoughtfully as she rode the tram from Talos to Brickstown, feeling the spell that she had invested into it, and then tucked it invisibly under her shirt as the tram stopped.
---------------
Shae leaned on the rail of the Brickstown tram station, reading the paper, and doing her best to look like a random bored superhero, not here on any particular business. She thought she might actually be succeeding, as she'd had to turn down three requests for a team, and two offers for a date so far. The last young man to ask had actually looked fairly presentable, and the cockyness she might have found amusing at some other time, but, she really wasn't here for that. He'd taken her refusal in stride and moved on, apparently, as he was currently chatting with a young lady in not-quite-enough spandex over by the newpaper vending machines.
She looked up from the paper at the sound of running feet. An out of breath, purple clad young man armed with a sword sprinted up the street and past her up the ramp with several Freakshow close behind. The Police bots hummed and the Freakshow vanished. The hero half turned, saw that they were no longer following him and bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping for air. Then he saw Shae and attempted to straighten up into a slightly more dignified stance. Then he gave up on dignity, flopped onto the floor, set his sword down more gently, and looked up at Shae. "Hey," he said when he finally had his breath back, "I'm called the Sword Kid. I don't suppose you are looking for a partner for a while?"
Shae said,"I am not looking for a partner," just as her phone rang.
Shae answered the phone, "Hello? Yes, I am ready."
She disconnected, and then typed in a quick text message on her phone. She sent the short text message off, and then headed down the ramp to the street.
"I won't be any trouble," the young man was following her.
"I wasn't looking for help," she said.
"Please, I could use a few pointers...and this neighborhood is a little rougher than I thought," he looked at the two Freakshow standing on the corner scowling at him.
Shae looked at the Freakshow and thought a moment. She supposed that he could be usefull, and she could do a little street cleaning on the way. Then, even if the sentries at the lab saw her coming, they might think this was only a random patrol and not a targeted raid. He looked about 25, if her judging of human ages was correct, and he was currently looking at her with pleading eyes.
The Freakshow looked at Shae as she stared unconcernedly past them into space, then shifted uncomfortably and looked at each other. They missed seeing her nod to the Sword Kid. The sudden shift in the wind filled their eyes with smoke, possibly from the truck passing by. A few seconds later they were on the ground, bleeding some, and coughing, and Shae was giving the Sword Kid pointers on how to duck their hammers more effectively the next time and where to hit to best disable the Freaks without actually killing them. She had held back quite a bit. These were going to be easy fights along the path she planned, and she might as well let the tiger cub show his stripes. She slapped the teleport tag onto the Freak tank and watched him vanish.
--------------------
Several blocks later, she was listening to the Sword Kid chatter about why he had left his home in California to chase his dream of being a Hero in Paragon City, while she looked at the building that matched the address she had been sent. It didn't look like much on the outside, but, then the hidden labs never did. This one was being hidden not only from the authorities, but also from Crey. For the past two blocks, she hadn't seen any Crey operatives at all, though Shae knew that she and the Sword Kid were being watched by someone.
She stopped on the sidewalk to brush some nonexistant dust off her pants, and take a closer look at the door. A keypad, how nice of them. The unseen partner that she had contacted earlier by email and by text message would have it open for her when she laid her hand on it. Having tech savvy friends to trade favors with was so convenient.
She opened the door, and the Sword Kid realised something had changed. He watched her go in, and then followed her just as she was about to shut the door. The two guards just inside the door went down easily. They had been distracted by the fact that the alarms had not gone off when they had hit the panic button. It took them a moment too long to recover. Shae tagged them for teleport, although she wondered if that was truly a mercy here. These were rogues even from Crey, and if Crey did bail them out of jail, she wasn't sure that was a good thing for the guards here. Jail might possibly be safer.
Shae looked around and listened to the relative silence, only the sound of the airconditioning and their breathing. No alarms. Shae had asked her hacker friend to put the lab's security cameras on a 30 minute tapeloop. The building's alarms were disabled. If they could just keep their targets from actually screaming, they might have the benefit of surprise for a while yet. She looked at the Sword Kid to measure his resolve, and saw his slightly nervous smile. Good. It was good to not be overconfident in here. She nodded at the kid, and together they slipped quietly down the corridor.
-------------------------------------------------
With the kid along, Shae wasn't summoning any fire elementals for the simple reason that the glow and the distinctive hot odor of the fire elementals might be noticed. Sneaking along in the corridors of the lab, the two of them managed to surprise several security patrols.
Finally, the kid asked Shae quietly, "I know we are taking them down fairly easily so far...but why are there so many patrols? Isn't this an awful lot to spend on security, even for Crey?"
"This isn't quite a Crey lab...anymore. In fact, Crey and the person running this lab are currently having a little private war for control," Shae whispered back. "I've been warned that there might be a few unorthodox surprises here as well." Shae peeked around the corner, and then said to the kid,"in fact, I think we have one unorthodox surprise coming up."
A pair of Crey protectors rounded the corner, except that they weren't wearing masks. The cinders Shae threw caught the female one in the face and she started to cough, but the other one flew up to the ceiling, and drew his claws before swooping down on Shae. The Sword Kid was staring in surprise, "but isn't that...I mean...I've seen them before, they're heroes!"
"Clones!" Shae gasped quietly to him as she backed up fast, "Clones of people I know, made without their permission!" She threw a net of magic and drained the clawed protector's energy. The protector wearing Chrome Fist's face dropped to the ground and glared at her with claws ready as the kid finally decided to help and joined the fight. This fight was harder than the earlier fights, and Shae had to use her magic to heal herself and her sidekick as well as replenish their energy. The protectors were hard to subdue, and would probably need more medical attention at the Ziggurat's facility than the guards they had sent earlier.
"If they are clones, why aren't we just killing them? I mean, they aren't people are they?" the kid asked her, rubbing his arm where his skin still itched from the healed claw slashes.
Shae shook her head, "I am not willing to make that distinction here. I intend to leave that to others to judge." She looked at the amount of blood the male one had lost and wondered if even Paragon's technology could save that one. Still, she checked to make sure that the restraints were secure, before setting the teleport tags. She didn't want those waking up and causing havoc in the Zig's medical section.
---------------------
Shae looked quickly around the corner into the next room, and then ducked back. The Sword Kid looked at her from the other side of the doorway. She nodded and they both jumped out at once. The kid intercepted the Crey Tanks, and Shae called fire and sent the several scientists reeling, disoriented from the sudden heat. She missed one scientist at the back of the room who began to hit buttons on the computer display in front of him. One typed sequence and the glass tank nearest him that had been full of liquid and an embryo, probably a clone, was suddenly empty, the liquid flushing out of it all at once. Alarmed, Shae ran forward to stop him. She heard the sound of the katana hitting metal behind her, and the sound of blasting. The scientist flushed a second tank, and then a third. Finally Shae got close enough to intercept him. One spell and a right hook later, and he finally slumped unconscious on the floor.
"Ah..." the Sword Kid called to her." A little...."he dodged the blast from one of the tanks, "a little help here?"
Shae cast the net of energy over the kid and his opponents, and the tide of battle turned in their favor.
After the battle, she looked through the files and the readouts. The dates went back for years. Shae pulled out a few of the files and tucked them into a backpack she found under a desk. She downloaded what she could from the computers onto a couple of disks, and tucked them into the backpack with the files. Then she handed the backpack to the kid.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked.
"Keep it safe. I learned long ago to not keep all my eggs in one basket." Shae replied. "If something happens, it goes to Chrome Fist. You recognised him, so you ought to be able to find him again outside."
The Sword Kid looked even more nervous, but he put the backpack on and checked that it didn't interfere with his movement. "It looks funny with my outfit," he looked at her, "but, you don't care about that. Right." He sighed and followed her down the hallway.
---------------------
One room they found was huge, and held a vat. A huge vat. Larger than the tanks she had recently washed a 900 lb. robot in. Shae sniffed the air carefully, and cast a small seeking spell. When the results came back to her, she frowned.
"Whatever you do...DO NOT fall in the vat." she said to the kid.
He looked at her, "Right, don't fall in the vat." He looked at the vat, "That thing is freakin' huge!"
They continued on, taking possession of the building one room at a time and confiscating information, or downloading computer files. Two more times they had to fight the clawed Protectors. She didn't have to convince Sword Kid they were clones this time, as they had no masks and wore the same faces each time. A few times they had trouble ending the fights short of killing the lab's defenders. Frost's servants seemed determined to protect her lab at all costs.
Shae looked at the kid's watch. They had best be finishing soon, or someone would be noticing the tape loop about now.
--------------
Once the fight for one hospital like room was over, Shae took a closer look at what the room contained, There were clones in this room. They were all of the same person, but not of either of the protectors Shae and the kid had encountered. She looked around at the clones in the protective cases and her imagination superimposed the image of the dolls from her dream. Clones, none of which could ever be perfect enough, doomed to be brought to life and discarded only to be remade from their raw material over and over and over. The one she was standing in front of was the oldest looking of the ones in this room. She stared at him. He was tall. It looked like the unconscious man would stand 7 feet tall if he ever got to do so. There was a resemblance there to Chrome Fist. Was he family? The wires and tubes and hospital pallor couldn't disguise the obvious strength in the man's build. The meaning of the dream she had had was very apparent by now. This woman, Dr. Frost, was clearly mad.
She handed the disks to the Sword Kid and pointed at the computer silently, not sure she could speak through the horror and revulsion she felt in this room. He nodded, and started downloading the information he could get off the computer. Shae went back to looking at the clones. The pattern of the building was apparent now. The one room had had embyos, the earliest forms of the clones, this room held the older clones, the tank (that she had had to keep the kid from falling into despite her warning) was for recycling the failed clones back into their basic material. She could see in her mind the mountain of crushed dolls, their clay being used to make new dolls, none of which would ever be good enough for their creator.
She was startled from her thoughts as a klaxon blared suddenly.
A voice shouted urgently over the intercom,"Shae get out now! One of the researchers was hiding and decided to destroy the evidence. He's set a bomb in the control room, and when it goes, the building will go! You only have 30 seconds!"
There was no time to get to the exit.
She turned fast and triggered the medical teleporter patch on the kid, who had been standing behind her, putting the now filled computer disks into the backpack. Shae watched him and the backpack vanish even as he yelled in protest. Then she put her own teleporter patch on the clone in front of her, and pressed it. The clone vanished. She didn't want that one mixed in with the defeated lab folk, not if she didn't want an "accident" to befall him. As the last few seconds ticked away, Shae felt her way along the magical threads that crisscrossed all the universes she knew of and at last found and pulled open a door.
Behind her the lab burst into a tremendous fireball.
-------------------
As far as Shae could tell, fast plane hopping could be the origin of the phrase, "out of the frying pan and into the fire." The problem with plane hopping of any sort was that places and events had a certain resonance, and anywhere you were leaving was likely to have something in common with wherever you ended up. For instance, if you were leaving a bad situation, you were likely to arrive in something just as bad, but different.
---------------
Shae stood, somewhat disheveled but intact, in front of someone who had her worst interests at heart, and who happened to be stunningly dressed in a shimmering white silk ballgown.
"Shae, darling, how kind of you to drop in on my party," Vionha said with satisfaction. She gestured at the formal garden, decorated to look like a ballroom, with swaths of colorful silk hangings and magical lights hanging in midair. The beautifully dressed dancers paused on the closely clipped, plush grass to look at the new arrival, and the whispers began.
Shae considered her situation carefully. She had started in a physically dangerous situation that she had been certain she could handle and landed in a politically and socially hazardous labyrinth with no idea who else was here.
There was one way to arm herself for the coming contest however. Shae touched the necklace she was wearing, the one she had returned to her apartment for that morning. She had the satisfaction of seeing a split second of alarm in Vionha's face before the other djinn realised that the spell Shae had triggered was not an attack. Shae's outfit shifted and changed in a swirl of darkness and bright spots of light like stars. She heard the swell of whispers change to somewhat impressed murmurs as the spell finished its course and she was dressed and coifed as she once had been in a hall made of dreams. Shae stood in the formal garden dressed in a black silk gown, it's skirts swirling around her and sparkling with tiny bright diamonds. Her dark hair was now smoothly looped into an elaborate style and the pins that held it in place sparkled with diamonds.
Now beautifully armored for the political battle to come, Shae smiled at Vionha, and said, "Baroness Vionha, how could I have missed it?"
--------------
The party was likely to last for days, possibly weeks if the important people stayed that long. There were various entertainments planned to hold their interest, both during the day and during the night. Shae had discovered that Vionha's guest list had included some of the highest ranking Djinni in the land, and a Hand of the Emperor was here as well. Shae wondered how Vionha had managed to keep the news from her; Something this large and expensive she would have expected to hear of even in Paragon City.
Tonight, she and half the notables on this end of the empire were staying as Vionha's guests. Shae didn't feel precisely comfortable, but there was a limit to what Vionha could attempt to do to her inside the empire, and even fewer things she could try against her as a guest. Shae looked at the luxurious room that the servant had led her to, and tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the bedpost. She had scanned the room carefully, and found nothing harmful, just a few easily dealt with spells in the bedding that had been designed to rob her of rest. She was going to need that rest; trying to be charming and witty for hours on end was hard work. Shae was not looking forward to days or weeks of this. The dreams she had been having of home had been light diversions, leaving out all of the politics and social pitfalls. The reality was daunting, and she felt woefully out of practice and behind on the gossip.
The palace and the gardens were new, and though it was night time and overcast, and she had therefore seen no landmarks, there was something about this place that felt familiar somehow. Perhaps she would place this familiar feeling tomorrow. The other thing that was bothering her was that Vionha seemed to be expecting something different from her. Vionha had watched her smugly all evening, like she was expecting Shae to grow spots, or to attack her hostess out of hand, or sneak off and look for something. The thought was growing in Shae that she was missing some important piece of information.
Shae wondered if the temporal distortion between here and Paragon City would work in her favor or against her this time. She had been looking forward to Cog's wedding. At least the gift had been sent, so whether or not Shae herself arrived, the package would. Shae sighed. She missed Paragon. For all it's craziness, it was simpler there.
---------------
Vionha was reluctantly admiring Shae's restraint. She had expected the girl to be more reckless in her rescue of the missing scientists. Up to the point of Shae's arrival, Vionha's plan to trap Shae into discrediting herself in front of half the empire seemed to be working well. Then, instead of insisting on rescuing the mortals, or sneeking around discracefully in her host's home, she had simply settled in to be charming and beautiful, and tell stories of her adventures in mortal lands.
Very frustrating. Vionha hadn't known the girl had such patience. Well, all she had to do was outwait Shae. She was bound to try to sneak off and rescue the mortals sooner or later.
---------------
The scientists were in a cell in the bottom of the palace. It was a new palace, and therefore a new cell, and it hadn't had time to become more uncomfortable than a simple underground stone cell could be. It smelled of nothing more than earth and stone, and two days of unwashed scientists. That didn't stop Dr. Raul Contrerez from complaining at the top of his lungs for about as long as his voice held out. When he could no longer scream at his captors because his voice had finally given out, his fellow prisoners sighed with relief and got what sleep they could on the hard stone floor.
It was only the second night here, and likely Portal corporation didn't even know they were missing yet. There seemed to be a slight temporal distortion between this plane and their version of Paragon City. It was the one thing they had managed to measure before the illusion of forest had dropped and they had found themselves surrounded by archers, in a formal garden. Now they were in a dungeon, that seemed to belong to a woman planning on using them as hero bait.
Hopefully the Heroes of Paragon would come through for them again, and they'd be sleeping in their own beds soon. Perhaps it was time to think about taking that ecological survey job in the Amazon? It might be safer...
Shae Firewarder
Day ten of the party. Shae was tired of being charming, her face hurt from smiling politely, and she still had no idea why Vionha was watching her. She was currently listening to a countess recount her adventures at a party some years ago that had lasted for three months. Shae tried not to let her dismay show and found her eyes meeting Vionha's; She wondered if the flicker of apprehension in Vionha's eyes was a trick of her own imagination or not. Shae wondered how much this party was costing in power and favors, and what it was that Vionha was gaining from it that made the cost worth it, or worth it so far.
Behind her she heard a challenge. Turning, she discovered that a Emir from the Northern desert had challenged the Hand of the Emperor to a game of chess. The dancers moved a distance away to clear the close-clipped grass of the huge chess board. The Hand of the Emperor chose black, and The Emir lead off the choice of players by choosing Baroness Vionha as the white queen. Somehow, Shae was not surprised, nor was she surprised at the pleasure Vionha showed at being chosen to represent one of the most powerful pieces on the board.
Shae found herself some minutes later standing on a grassy square, wearing the insignia of a black pawn. She watched the white king direct one of his pawns forward and relaxed, inwardly. Except that there was an audience for the game, for there were already people lining the edges of the board and more were coming to watch, this was the closest she was going to come to leisure at this party. She kept her expression carefully serene, her posture formal, and gracefully moved as the black king directed her. For a few hours, or possibly longer depending on how well matched the kings were in skill, she would not have to be witty and charming.
Shae found herself intrigued by the ebb and flow of the game. The players were well matched and the game was continuing into the evening, lit by magelights. There were fewer pieces on the board, but both Vionha and herself were still standing. Standing on somewhat sore feet, wishing desperately to sit down, and hiding it behind a smile, but standing. The Emir as the white king used Vionha as the white queen to take the black queen. The woman playing the black queen yielded her place with a look of relief and went off to get a glass of wine and sit down. Vionha smiled and preened, and looked at the black king apraisingly. He seemed to be in a very tight spot. The Hand of the Emperor directed Shae as his pawn one square forward to the edge of the board, and a bystander handed her the black queen's insignia as Shae's status changed. Suddenly, Vionha was beside her in the square, taking the insignia of the black queen from Shae.
"Checkmate," said the Hand of the Emporer, as he looked across the board at the Emir. With the white queen out of position, the black king's remaining pieces had the white king in their power.
The Emir was staring in disbelief and anger at Vionha, who had moved to intercept Shae without being directed to do so.
Vionha was slow to realize what she had done. Her satisfaction in taking Shae blinded her till the Emir was next to her, his face nearly purple with outrage. Shae took the opportunity that their confrontation afforded her to move away to the refreshment table. She was desperately hungry and thirsty.
"A moment of your time, Lady Shae?" the Hand of the Emperor had followed her.
"Certainly, my lord," Shae replied, and followed him into the shadow of the hedge.
"While Baroness Vionha is...otherwise occupied, I thought that I would let you know that a certain package had arrived safely." he said, watching her eyes.
"Thank you, my lord. I am pleased to hear it."
"Also, that the contents of said package have been evaluated...you understand that it is not enough on it's own? That another action on...her part...is needed?"
"Yes, I was expecting it to be so."
"Go ahead and take your ease, my lady, you have earned it," he smiled, "She is distracted for a time, relax a little if you can."
"Thank you again, my lord," Shae curtsied deeply, and left to find herself some food and a place to sit down.
Shae Firewarder
((I love you all! That was a fantastic RP, I had a great time, and I appreciate everyone who came and added your spark to it! ))
((Very special thanks to Vagabond Mage for organising the "rescue party." I owe you big time.))
((heading to bed for now. woohoo! thank you all sooo much!!))
Shae Firewarder
((Happy to help. And happy that Sea Hawk called on Vagz, otherwise I might not even have known what was going on. 
))
((And a big thanks to everyone who came along: Cog Sprocket, Comrade Smersh, Polaron, Sea Hawk, Vesperi, Wildcat X... and... damme. Sasha. Soviet something...? I'm so sorry! I'm blanking on your hero name!))
[ QUOTE ]
((Happy to help. And happy that Sea Hawk called on Vagz, otherwise I might not even have known what was going on. ))
((And a big thanks to everyone who came along: Cog Sprocket, Comrade Smersh, Polaron, Sea Hawk, Vesperi, Wildcat X... and... damme. Sasha. Soviet something...? I'm so sorry! I'm blanking on your hero name!))
[/ QUOTE ]
((Soviet Shadow...
Even if Cog did get the wrong end of the stick about what sort of party it was. Still, if you're a tiny clockwork robot, you can get away with dancing anywhere. 
))
((Heh... if we'd stuck around a little bit, it sounds like Cog would've been the hit of the party second only to Vionha. ))
((You were all fantastic. I just finished reading the log I kept of it and enjoying all the parts I was reading too fast to see the first time through.=) ))
((I was wondering though...what would you all(the participants that is) think of me posting the log? The version that is cleaned up a little for spelling and removal of tells, and some ooc stuff? I'd love to share it, but, I'll let anyone that was there veto it. Send pms or talk to me in game or something.))
Shae Firewarder
((I'm all for posting it. ))
((ok, this is looong. You have been warned! I didn't edit out everything that was ooc, just most. I corrected a few spelling errors, though I am sure I didn't catch them all. I didn't have NPCs so I was running two characters besides Shae and an imaginary crowd of party folk, so I decided to clean up a few things to make it clearer WHO was speaking in a few spots. ))
((a rescue party arrives through a portal. Vagabond Mage has assembled a team of heroes to rescue a group of Portal Corporation scientists that are overdue.))
((CAST: (roughly in order of appearance) Vesperi, Soviet Shadow, Sea Hawk, Cog Sprocket, Polaron, Vagabond Mage, Wildcat X, Comrade Smersh, Shae Firewarder, Baroness Vionha(boo! Hisss!), The Hand of the Emperor, various partygoers, a troop of Vionha's household guards, and a team of Portal Corporation scientists))
((<laughs> Vags forgive me. Some of your text turned into smilies and I just can't bring myself to pull them out. hehe))
Vesperi walks calmly and aloofly through the crowd
Shae Firewarder < Looking around, you see that you are in a formal garden.>
Shae Firewarder <The grass is bright green and dark green in squares...>
Shae Firewarder <and resembles a vast chessboard...>
Shae Firewarder <with elaborately dressed figures scattered across it like gamepieces.>
Shae Firewarder <one of the figures you recognise as Shae>
Soviet Shadow sticks very close to Comrade Field Commander Yegeny, silent and quite nervous.
Sea Hawk 's demeanor completely changes from rogue to knight.
Cog Sprocket peers around
Polaron: Oh, this is...Unique..
Vesperi seems to be looking around everywhere
Vagabond Mage: Exquisite...
Wildcat X looks extremely curious. blinks at the pieces. "That's one word for it...
Vesperi except at Shae
Comrade Smersh: Through the Looking Glass....
Shae Firewarder notices the newcomers and blinks
Vagabond Mage smiles and tries not to look at all out of place
Shae Firewarder comes over before the other djinni can react
Sea Hawk quirks an eyebrow and his voice is no longer the Irish brogue, but formal RP British, "We are in the land of the Djinn, my friends. This is bound to be a magical experience."
Shae Firewarder: Greetings, friends.
Vesperi finds a seat among the crowd and silently takes a seat among the other party goers
Polaron double-takes at Brian.
Shae Firewarder: I am pleased that I am at least not the last guest to arrive.
Sea Hawk: Greetings Shae
Comrade Smersh: Comrade Shae...
Vagabond Mage: Umm... hullo, Shae.
Polaron: Evening, Shae..
Comrade Smersh: ...guest. Da, of course.
Vagabond Mage: We're expected?
Comrade Smersh nods
Shae Firewarder: Perhaps the invitation was not standard, but...
Shae Firewarder: I am sure you were invited, none the less.
Shae Firewarder: Vionha certainly would not leave a party open to gate crashers?
Polaron: Oh, of course not.
Vagabond Mage: Umm... no! Certainly not.
Shae Firewarder looks around to see how the other djinni are reacting
Comrade Smersh: Clearly not. Where is the host, that we might thank them for their hospitality?
Vesperi: Indeed, the invitiation was delivered in a most fantastic manner by the most curious of elementals
Cog Sprocket: It likes attending parties!
Wildcat X just standing there, an eyebrow arched in a general "this... is... interesting" manner
Shae Firewarder: ((is going to try to catch up with the text a little now. )
Vagabond Mage: ((Heh. ))
Sea Hawk looks around, "Rather wonderful. I'm unsure of protocol around here so I hope you'll guide us, Lady Shae?"
Shae Firewarder seems relieved that her bluff about the invitation was accepted by most of the djini
Polaron keeps giving the now-limey-Brian odd looks every time he speaks.
Comrade Smersh wishes he'd shaved...
Sea Hawk subvocalizes
Vesperi: I believe proper protocol is not to disturb the festivities my friends, and I believe there was a game of chess unerway....
Vesperi nods to the board
Polaron doesn't appear to speak.
Shae Firewarder: let us move aside and not interrupt them <smiles to her friends and leads them away from the board a little>
Vagabond Mage: Most likely correct, Vesperi.
Comrade Smersh nods
Cog Sprocket fiddles with the edge of its cloak
Soviet Shadow takes up position
Shae Firewarder: I expect our hostess will have heard your arrival
Vesperi: Hm, perhaps we should not gather so Shae? You were involved in the game... a pawn, I think, if I interpret the board correctly.
Sea Hawk: So Shae, how is the party? *looks around casually, but is assessing for potential trouble*
Vesperi seems amused
Shae Firewarder: That game is over, but thank you for your concern. I was merely gathering refreshment
Sea Hawk: Shae should at least take the Queen's position.
Sea Hawk smiles
Shae Firewarder: and a place to sit.
Vesperi nods
Vesperi looks around some more letting his eyes drift over the members of the court
Shae Firewarder: Vionha will likely be a few moment...unentangling herself.
Sea Hawk: (Any other Djinn about?)
Polaron raises an eyebrow.
Wildcat X ...large, generally confused eyes seem to be trying to take in everything at once
Shae Firewarder: ((lots of djinn scattered about talking, dancing, discussing the recently ended chess match))
Comrade Smersh tries to look formal in armor that is slightly battered and used
Vagabond Mage: I have a few things I can use as a hostess gift, if that is customary, Shae.
Cog Sprocket peers curiously at a nearby djinn curiously
Sea Hawk quirks an eyebrow, "As do I actually."
Soviet Shadow tries to make make Comrade Field Commander look better by beink a smartly-dressed minion.
Shae Firewarder: Thoughtful of you, but I suspect the hostess will have other protocol on her mind
Sea Hawk: I shall be guided by your wisdom on Djinn protocol, m'lady.
Vesperi perks at the thought of a gift and thumbs what looks like a gold pocket watch
Vagabond Mage: How did you come to be here?
Sea Hawk: Um...what sort of protocol can we expect, pray tell?
Polaron seems to be trying to watch all of the Djinn at once. Unsuccessfully.
Shae Firewarder: I was attempting to get out of an exploding lab, actually...the door I found led...here.
Vesperi keeps his gaze focused on the crowd of djinn, trying to discern persons of importance
Shae Firewarder: I expect i was invited, nonetheless...as it is usually safer to be invited
Sea Hawk quietly stands next to Shae.
Vagabond Mage: Where are the scientists being held? Have you had a chance to learn that much?
Shae Firewarder blinks
Cog Sprocket: There are scientists?
Vagabond Mage nods to Cog
Shae Firewarder: ah...scientists...that would explain things
Vagabond Mage: I assumed they were the bait that brought Shae here.
Sea Hawk: Yes, I did hear there were scientists that were your..."bait"?
Shae Firewarder: I had no bait, but from Vionha's behavior, I would think perhaps she thought they were the reason I was here...
Cog Sprocket: What purpose would magical entities have for scientists?
Polaron: You keep mentioning a Vionha..Who is she?
Vesperi: One would presume she is the hostess
Vagabond Mage chuckles... starts to laugh, but stifles it quickly.
Polaron: *Aside* from that, Vesperi.
Sea Hawk looks at Vags, "Would you care to wager that the scientists were Djinn?"
Shae Firewarder: Y
Vagabond Mage: Oh, no. They are quite mortal, Brian. Their path is how I tracked our way here.
Vagabond Mage: They were intended to bait Shae... but she didn't even know they were here.
Wildcat X ...folds a sleeve a little more, attempting to hide a chemical stain
Sea Hawk quirks an eyebrow, "Hmmmm...so where are the scientists, then?"
Cog Sprocket: The scientists are here for mating rituals? Oh!
Vesperi: Hmm, I suppose Shae's ignorance has left her hostess in quite a stupor over her lack of behavior then
Shae Firewarder: Vionha has been watching me like a hawk for all of the ten days I have been here. waiting for me to do something I think, but what I could not discern
Polaron: Doubtful, Cog..
Sea Hawk: 10...days?
Wildcat X manages not to nearly choke at Cog's comment
Wildcat X ...makes a fairly funny face in the process
Comrade Smersh: Well... there are many 'somethings' that could be done...
Shae Firewarder: ten days here. but not perhaps in Paragon
Polaron: Time here is slightly odd, Brian..I know that much, anyway. *smiles faintly*
Sea Hawk shrugs, "Can't be worse than Underhill
Vagabond Mage: It has been only two or three days in Paragon.
Shae Firewarder: I suspect she has put them in a logical place, such as a dungeon...but I expect there are ways to free them
Vagabond Mage: Ways that will likely get you in trouble, I'm guessing.
Shae Firewarder: It isn't so out of resonance as Underhill, no
Sea Hawk: Well...mayhap we can chat with Vionha, yes?
Vesperi: Hm, now that is a delightful idea
Comrade Smersh waits and watches...
Sea Hawk shrugs, "Just seems logical to me, is all."
Vesperi: Hm, perhaps we should rejoin the party before people get suspiscious
Wildcat X ...keeps her, er, nose open for normal people
Comrade Smersh: Da... conspiring here might be bad, I think.
Sea Hawk follows his namesake and keeps his eye opened
Sea Hawk: I agree. Let us mingle and learn what we can.
Shae Firewarder: The party is still around us, expect to be overheard<smiles anyway> political games are normal here
Comrade Smersh: Indeed.
Sea Hawk: Do they have dancing here, Shae?
Cog Sprocket: *whispers* Cog will create a mild distraction.
Cog Sprocket dances anyway
Comrade Smersh whispers to Sasha, "Eat nothing. Drink nothing."
Polaron: Lovely. Politics. Why can't you just have assasinations like normal beings? *smiles*
Sea Hawk facepalms, "Um, Cog."
Shae Firewarder sees Vionha heading over with a guard contingent. The crowd of Djinni part and whisper
Vesperi turns to their hostess
Wildcat X ...nose wrinkles a bit. blinks at Cog
Sea Hawk stands at Shae's shoulder, preparing to defend if necessary, but draws no weaponry
Cog Sprocket attempts to blend in... clockwork style.
Comrade Smersh does not move an inch.
<Vionha is a wearing her hair up in an elaborate style, and has on a very formal gown in white silk>
Vesperi waits patiently for her to approach
Sea Hawk: Hmmm...reminds me somewhat of the Unseleighe.
Shae Firewarder: Vionha, I had no idea that your gues list included some of Paragon City's finest heroes!
Vesperi bows deeply
Sea Hawk: Greetings, m'lady.
Vesperi: Lady Vionha, a pleasure to make your aqcuaintance at last
Cog Sprocket: Greetings! Thank you for inviting Cog!
Comrade Smersh: Comrade Vionha.
Comrade Smersh nods very slightly
Vesperi: We were thrilled by your invitation, and the festivities are more marvelous than anticipated
Shae Firewarder watches as Vionha stops, somewhat taken aback
Vesperi smiles at her from behind his porcelain mask
Vagabond Mage whispers "Cog... perhaps now is not the best time for dancing."
Cog Sprocket looks at Vagabond Mage, then stops dancing disappointedly
Sea Hawk: Indeed, I am Baron Sir Brian Seamus O'Ballysadare. Captain of the Sea Hawk and Baron of Wenshal, Ireland. A pleasure to meet so beautiful a magical lady. *smiles his most charming smile*
Wildcat X feels like she's in a Dali painting
Polaron under his breath.."Baron?"
Shae Firewarder watches a second djinni step forward and say, "Baroness Vionha, how novel! dancing clockwork? " she smiles at Vionha
Sea Hawk subvocalizes
Vagabond Mage gives Polaron a slight shrug
Cog Sprocket whirrs, muffled by its disguise
Comrade Smersh chuckles inaudibly
Polaron again, doesn't seem to speak.
Wildcat X is jealous of Pol's silent laughter capabilities
Sea Hawk: And these are my compaions, Polaron
Sea Hawk: Vesperi
Polaron nods.
Sea Hawk: Vagabond Mage
Sea Hawk: Comrade Smersh
Sea Hawk: Soviet Shadow
Vagabond Mage smiles broadly and inclines his head
Sea Hawk: Cog Sprocket
Comrade Smersh inclines his head very slightly, his face expressionless
Cog Sprocket corrects, "Cog Sprocket Hunter"
Shae Firewarder notices that several djinni are enjoying watching Vionha discomfitted at her own party
Sea Hawk: And of course, Vesperi
Vesperi glances at the pirate as he introduces him... twice actually
Sea Hawk: We are honored and delighted to be here.
Sea Hawk: (oops)
Sea Hawk: And Lady Wildcat X
Comrade Smersh: Indeed. A wonderful event you have, comrade Vionha.
Wildcat X nods politely with an absent-minded smile.
Vagabond Mage: I love the setting. Truly exquisite.
Polaron: Yes. Absolutely wonderful..
Polaron is totally deadpan.
Vagabond Mage Mental note... Polaron needs acting lessons...
Vesperi remains silent and watchful now, exmining his friends as much as everything else
<Vionha smiles weakly and the guards at her back look at each other>
Cog Sprocket starts bopping a little, trying to stand still and not dance
Comrade Smersh reaches over and puts a hand on Cog's shoulder
Cog Sprocket stands still
Comrade Smersh smiles a small bit at Cog
Sea Hawk: And it was such a pleasure to be joining our good friend, Shae.
Wildcat X seems to be genuinely enjoying the "party" thing.
Sea Hawk: So Lady Vionha, why do you bring guardsmen with you? Expecting problems, perhaps?
Vesperi shoots a glance at Seahawk
Cog Sprocket: Their uniforms are very shiny!
Sea Hawk has a very bland look on his face, very inoffensive
Comrade Smersh: Da.. they certainly are.
<Vionha's eyes narrow at Seahawk>
Polaron: Shiny's a word for it, yes. *grins*
Vesperi: Nonsense, Brian, her retinue is most impressive
Sea Hawk: That it is. I'm just curious is all.
Comrade Smersh sighs, thinking he should try to handle the diplomacy
Sea Hawk: I do apologize if I've given offense.
Vagabond Mage looks sideways at Polaron with an odd expression... but smiles again as he looks back to the hostess.
<Vionha preens slightly at the "impressive " comment and then remembers she is annoyed>
Vesperi: Do not be, if the Lady Vionha has chosen to honor us with such a formal reception then we should be grateful
Wildcat X: They are impressive... I haven't ever seen such a trim group. *sounds rather genuinely awed*
Shae Firewarder smiles at the idea that since half the party thinks that the Paragon folk were invited, Vionha will have a hard time doing anything to them without provocation.
Comrade Smersh: So, comrade Vionha... how long have you known our friend Shae?
Shae Firewarder: I understand, Vionha, that you had other guests arrive earlier, and I have not had a chance to see them?
Sea Hawk thinks, "Uh oh"
Sea Hawk but keeps a bland face on
<Vionha looks at Smersh, and then at Shae, "Other guests, lady Shae?"Vionha tries to not look like she knows where this is heading>
Cog Sprocket: Indeed! We can dance with them too.
Vagabond Mage bites back the instinct to ready a spell...
Shae Firewarder: Other guests.....Vagabond....do you know about when they might have arrived?
Vagabond Mage: Well, by reckoning here, I'd say... a fortnight?
Sea Hawk: By local time reckoning, right?
Vagabond Mage nods
<Vionha looks at Shae venomously, " I don't know what you are speaking of. All my guests are here">
Sea Hawk: Oh...other guests? Perhaps they were from our dimension as well?
Wildcat X sensitive nose wrinkles a bit. tilts her head curiously
Polaron glances at Cat.
<Another djinni aproaches. Shae and Vionha both nod respectfully to him >
Sea Hawk looks around intently
Vesperi eyes the newcomer
Sea Hawk looks to the new arrival curiously
Vagabond Mage bows his head respectfully to the new arrival.
Shae Firewarder: Ah, My lord, may I present my friends to you?
Vesperi turns to the newcomer
Comrade Smersh bristles inwardly at the monarchist forms of address
Sea Hawk bows his head formally, equal to equal.
<The newcomer says, " I believe I heard the introductions earlier. Shae will you please make me known to your friends?">
Shae Firewarder watches Vionha flinch
Sea Hawk smiles ever so slightly but quickly stifles it so that Vionha misses it
Shae Firewarder: Friends, I have the honor of introducing the Hand of the Emperor
Vesperi: A sincere pleasure
Comrade Smersh does not bow.
Cog Sprocket whispers to Smersh, "He does not appear to be a hand."
Sea Hawk tilts his head, "No offense intended m'lord, but what exactly is the Hand of the Emporer?
Vagabond Mage does not raise his head
Sea Hawk: And....greetings to you, m'lord.
Polaron nods slightly, but raises his head back up again.
Vagabond Mage: Fair morning to you, your eminence. We are humbled by your attentions.
Wildcat X nods politely as well, keeping her wide, curious eyes on the hand.
<<The Hand of the Emperor makes allowances for the different customs represented, >>
<the Hand of the Emperor replies, "Greetings to you all "
Cog Sprocket: Greetings!
Cog Sprocket waves
Comrade Smersh: Comrade.
Comrade Smersh nods
Polaron: Hello.
Shae Firewarder: The Hand of the Emperor represents the Emperor himself.
Shae Firewarder decides that the rest of the explanation can wait
Vesperi: Hm, a true honor then.
Vagabond Mage: May the sun shine always on his empire.
Sea Hawk nods, "We're honored to be here, Your Eminence. Our friend Shae is much loved by us and we are warmed by her presence."
Sea Hawk puts his hand on Shae's shoulder briefly and squeezes it, then lets go.
Vesperi gazes at the Hand through his porcelain mask and locks eyes with him for just a moment, smiling behind his mask
Shae Firewarder: I was just asking Vionha when the other guests were going to be making an appearance? I would presume they are guests, as this estate would obviously be warded against invaders....for a party such as this?
Polaron shoots a shocked look at Vags, then snaps his head back towards the Hand.
Sea Hawk smiles woflishly for just a moment
Vagabond Mage: I am quite sure her ladyship's guardians are well-prepared should anyone attempt to break in.
Vesperi: Indeed, the Lady has assembled such a colorful and esteemeed audience, it would be such a shame for anyone of them to go unnoticed
Wildcat X: I'd hate to be someone trying to break in here. *awed tone*
Comrade Smersh smirks
Sea Hawk: Yes, and if they did, I'm sure we'd be of immense assistance in ferreting them out.
<Vionha shoots Shae a look that really should kill her>
Sea Hawk moves just a little bit closer to Shae.
Polaron: Indeed. We have a great deal of experience tracking down intruders..
Vesperi watches Vionha for any flares in magical energy
Vagabond Mage absolutely does not and in no way laughs at 'cat.
Wildcat X is kinda cute in that "extremely curious kitten" way. and isn't laugh-at-able at all, nope.
Sea Hawk looks to The Hand, "Yes, Your Grace, we were all wondering about those guests that seem to be..."not here", as it were."
<The Hand of the Emperor says gently, "Baroness Vionha, if you were saving them to be a surprise, I believe that is unneccessary now," and smiles at her.>
Comrade Smersh: Ah... but, comrade Hand, we can be so full of surprises at times.
Sea Hawk smiles even more wolfishly, his one blue eye glittering
Vagabond Mage looks around, noticing how many of the djinni are watching them without seeming to be staring...
Shae Firewarder watches the djinni watch the scene and knows that it will be the talk of the party
<Vionha surrenders to the innevitable and gives a quiet order to the guards. the guards leave>
Polaron pointedly watches them leave.
Sea Hawk waits patiently, scanning the crowd without making it apparent.
Cog Sprocket looks at everyone really obviously, in its not very tactful way
<Vionha looks at Shae, " I'd hate to have any further surprises tonight">
Sea Hawk: So would we, m'lady. *said levellly*
Polaron: Indeed, m'lady. Surprises are rather...Unpleasant.
Vagabond Mage: So far, everything has been quite lovely. Although... I could be persuaded to partake of some... refreshment?
Comrade Smersh: Nyet... I think no.
<Vionha glares at Polaron, "you have no idea ">
Wildcat X just smiling sweetly at Vionha and the other people, despite all the dirty looks
Polaron smiles. "You'd be...Surprised. M'lady."
Soviet Shadow sighs
Sea Hawk snickers, "Oh but *I* do. As appointed warrior of Danaa, I certainly do."
Vesperi continues examining everyone
Shae Firewarder is happy so far with the surprises tonight.
Shae Firewarder is keeping just a polite smile on her face
Comrade Smersh: A lovely party, to be certain...
Shae Firewarder: So how is the weather in Paragon?
Sea Hawk: Have yer guards gotten lost, Vionha? Perhaps His Lordship the Hand should send some of his personal retinue to assist them?
Polaron: Sunny, Shae.
Sea Hawk: Sunny...of course.
Sea Hawk: But lacking in warmth for the lack of your presence.
Comrade Smersh: Da... we should take you back to see it, I think.
Shae Firewarder: Flatterer
Sea Hawk smiles, "Only speaking the truth, my friend."
Shae Firewarder looks at Vionha, "Our hostess has been offerring only the finest of entertainments."
Sea Hawk: Oh really? Such as?
Polaron: Well, it was a long trip here through the dimensions...Might our hostess be able to offer refreshments? Poor Vags is undoubtedly famished..
Shae Firewarder: She has engaged the finest musicians I have heard in years. The dancing has been wonderful
Vesperi watches the Hand for his reaction to the conversation
Comrade Smersh considers lighting a cigarette...
<The Hand is listening and nodding, and watching Vionha and Shae with amusement>
Wildcat X listens to everything with the utmost interest
Cog Sprocket concentration breaks and it dances again
Sea Hawk: Well, I wonder...would they be interested in Earth-type music? I think I have my harp.
Wildcat X tries not to giggle at Cog
Soviet Shadow looks at Comrade Field Commander Cog with... unease.
Shae Firewarder watches the guards come back with the scientists...hastily cleaned up scientists.
Comrade Smersh: Hmmm.
Comrade Smersh: It appears they have also enjoyed our hostess'.... hospitality.
Cog Sprocket looks at the scientists carefully
Polaron: That took quite a while, m'lady. Perhaps your guards need maps?
Shae Firewarder: (unharmed scientists who look extremely happy to see all of you )
Vesperi: Hm, perhaps they will dazzle us with a tale of what fine entertainments they have seen?
Cog Sprocket: ((What's dirty about them?))
Wildcat X scrutinizes the scientists, still smiling sweetly
Vagabond Mage: Ta havath, Polaron. At ease.
Comrade Smersh: (That's a loaded question...)
Wildcat X: (Augh!)
Polaron: ((Bwahaha.))
Shae Firewarder: (no longer dirty. they've been here two weeks without showers is all)
Sea Hawk looks at the scientist, then to Vionha, "Should any of you become our guests, be sure that we'll treat you with utmost courtesy."
Shae Firewarder: (is that portal still open vags?)
Vagabond Mage: ((Portal is still open, yes.))
Shae Firewarder watches the scientists hurry to get the heroes between them and the soldiers.
Comrade Smersh smirks a little
Vagabond Mage: ((Mostly in case I had to explain a late arrival or someone tripping over us. ))
Vesperi ignores the scientists
Sea Hawk looks to The Hand, "M'lord, should you ever wish t'visit Underhill, I believe that with Danaa's good wishes, you'd be a welcome guest.
Wildcat X (Ironic, I'm in my scientist outfit. =P)
Shae Firewarder watches the scientists notice the portal , and begin edging so not very stealthily towards it.
Vagabond Mage smiles reassuringly at the scientists.
Vagabond Mage: Please, sirs. Allow me to show you some of the delights of the garden here.
Vagabond Mage escorts the scientists toward the portal...
Wildcat X seems to not notice the scientists trying to run like the wind at all
Sea Hawk looks to the scientists, "Just a moment, my friends. We must bid farewell to our hostess. Then we'll be happy to show you the way home.
Shae Firewarder watches the scientists make a break for the portal in a most undignified fashion
Vagabond Mage: Oops.
Sea Hawk chuckles
Sea Hawk: Guests? What can ye do with them.
Vagabond Mage: Well... there's no accounting for some people, I suppose.
Comrade Smersh: I am certain they will be fine, da?
Vesperi watches the guards for a reaction
Wildcat X: I suppose they were becoming tired.
Comrade Smersh: Nyet... just excited, da?
Sea Hawk glances in the direction of the guards as well. Ready to leap between them and the scientists
Wildcat X: I can certainly understand... There are so many things to see here! *smiles absently. though directly as possible between the guards and the portal*
<The Hand of the Emperor says, "Odd, Vionha...they seemed in a hurry to leave? ">
Vagabond Mage: I crave your pardon on their behalf, gracious Hand of the Emperor... dazzling hostess...
Vesperi: Perhaps they were just overcome by all the marvels the Lady has supplied
Sea Hawk: Mayhap
Polaron: That must be the case, Vesperi.
Comrade Smersh: Where I come from, there is an old adage.... fish and guests both stink after three days. They likely wished merely to relieve their hostess of their burden, da?
Cog Sprocket looks at Smersh, puzzled.
Cog Sprocket: It is like taking fish heads to a party?
Sea Hawk smirks at Smersh's comment
Polaron: Exactly like that, Cog.
Comrade Smersh: Something like that, friend Cog.
Sea Hawk restrains a guffaw at that comment.
Cog Sprocket: Fish heads do not like parties.
Polaron: Have you ever asked them?
Wildcat X doesn't burst into a gigglefit at all. nope
Cog Sprocket: They do not socialise.
Shae Firewarder looks at the Hand of the Emperor, "perhaps their accomodations were not as fine as the ones she has provided for the rest of her guests?
Sea Hawk: They don't wear sweaters, either. *deadpans*
Polaron: But they are both rolly and polly *to Cog*
Cog Sprocket nods seriously
Vesperi narrows his eyes at Viohna's dress
Shae Firewarder watches Vionha bristle at the implied insult
Wildcat X ...wonders to herself why Vionha's dress offends Senor Porcelain Mask
Vesperi: Now now, I'm sure Viohna treats all her guests with equal honor. Especially those who are your friends Shae.
Sea Hawk: However, they're free now, yes? So...I think that any insults, implied or otherwise, shall be forgiven, yes?
<Vionha is almost ready to go over that edge and have a fit>
Sea Hawk: At least by us. Whether Vionha has violated any...Djinni Law is up to The Hand.
Vesperi: Were there any insults here, Brian? Surely not, it would be unseemly between two ladies who hold eachother in such obvious high regard
Comrade Smersh seriously considers just grabbing Shae and bolting for the portal, but decides against it
Sea Hawk: But of course, Ves. *in the exact same tone as Vesperi*
Vesperi actually seemed quite sincere
Polaron is having a difficult time figuring out if Vesperi is playing along or off his nut.
Vesperi: Indeed, I would wager that Viohna thinks of Shae most often, and before most others
Sea Hawk is waiting for The Hand's response to all this.
<The Hand of the Emperor considers Sea Hawks remarks, and says, "There has been evidence brought to us of late..." <and watches as Vionha's attention swivels to him >
Wildcat X is either positively off her rocker or a fairly good actor. or both.
Polaron votes for both.
Comrade Smersh allows a small grin to escape
Shae Firewarder: Evidence? <Shae prompts the Hand of the Emperor soflty>
Vagabond Mage: ((The best actors are off their rockers. ))
Sea Hawk quirks an eyebrow and regards The Hand
Wildcat X looks concerned, watches the Hand's reaction
<The Hand of the Emperor says unconcernedly, " The evidence that you helped to uncover, Lady Shae...of the spells that Baroness Vionha has been...learning...">
Sea Hawk: *quietly* Uh oh
Wildcat X ding! something finally makes sense around here.
Shae Firewarder watches as Vionha goes pale
Cog Sprocket: She is an evil magical entity?
Polaron shifts subtly.
Vesperi perks up a bit
Sea Hawk glides up to Vionha, not drawin his sword, but his presence is....dangerous.
Vagabond Mage smiles grimly and readies a spell in case the hostess should try to flee or her guards interfere...
<Vionha steps closer to Shae > "YOU"
Vionha whispers, ' I was warned about you...'
Comrade Smersh steps between them
Cog Sprocket hums as it charges its tesla coils
Vionha says, 'Long ago, I went to an oracle...
Sea Hawk grabs Vionha by the scruff of the neck
Sea Hawk: I don't think so, m'lady. *Irish brogue full on*
<Vionha struggles free>
Vionha says, 'I asked what danger there was to my power.'
Vionha says, 'She warned me of you...'
Vionha says, 'that you and your allies...
Vesperi gets ready to act
Vionha says, 'would be my greatest danger.'
Wildcat X rather immediately shifts from sweet, innocent Kitty to "Stand closer and you'll lose an arm"
Vionha says, 'I separated you from your allies, '
Vionha says, 'You made new allies'
Vionha says, 'I warped your power. You found new ways.'
Polaron: Illusiary decanthe.
Vionha says, 'I tried to make you fall. I fall in your stead.'
Vionha says, 'But I always have a back up plan...'
Comrade Smersh: Bah.
Wildcat X: Well ain't that just a kick in the pants.
Polaron 's magical aura drops.
Soviet Shadow: Initiate transport protocol Theta Tau Two Dash Niner!
Vionha holds up a small wax bottle shimmering with magic
Vionha SHOUTS, 'I know thee, I summon thee, I bind thee!'
Vesperi waits for Viohna to move then fire a targetted bolt at her pocket
Vionha SHOUTS, 'Innarra BladeDaughter Amalia FireHeart...'
Vionha SHOUTS, 'CaptiveSpark WaitingEmber PhoenixFlame...'
Vionha SHOUTS, 'Shae Firewarder!'
Shae Firewarder cries out in pain and sways on her feet...
Vionha holds up a small gold bottle in triumph
Vagabond Mage begins casting a spell to counter VIonha's...
Vionha looks at the humans, smiles cruelly...
Sea Hawk punches Vionha in the head
Vionha tosses the bottle towards the humans.
Polaron: Oh, bloody hell.
The assembled djinni gasp, and hold their breath.
Vesperi reaches for the bottle
Polaron goes airborne and grabs for the bottle.
Wildcat X (and they all crash together)
Comrade Smersh braces himself...
Vagabond Mage: ((Keystone superheroes))
Sea Hawk leaps for Vionha and her throat drawing a very sharp knife
Polaron: ((*plays Benny Hill theme*))
Polaron is still reaching for the bottle....
Polaron and catches it.
Sea Hawk: (*chuckles* Shae gets to figure out what happens to whom)
Vionha vanishes
Polaron: Aw, frack.
Wildcat X growls deeply
Sea Hawk lands and does a clumsy roll
Sea Hawk: Oof!
Wildcat X snkt. the claws slowly slide back into her hands. "Bloody..."
Sea Hawk swears colorfully in Irish
Sea Hawk gets back up
Comrade Smersh: Bah!
Polaron holds the bottle gently. "Drop something, Shae?"
Vagabond Mage: Well... that was... unexpected.
Sea Hawk darn
Sea Hawk: Uh huh
Wildcat X: You didn't expect she'd explode and do something insane? Geez, I;m surprised she didn't sooner
Vagabond Mage: I didn't expect she'd get away with it, 'cat.
Sea Hawk: Well, I didna wanna do anythin' rash, ye know, 'tils she played her hand.
Vagabond Mage: Learned a few new tricks, eh, Polaron?
Wildcat X: I thought her eyeballs were gonna pop out from the pressure before she did anything.
Polaron: A few, Vags..
Wildcat X now there's an image...
Cog Sprocket looks around
Sea Hawk puts a hand on Shae's shoulder, "Ready t'go home, my friend?"
Polaron hands the bottle over. "I think this is yours."
Shae Firewarder: ((ok, more than one person reached for it. pick a number please?)
Comrade Smersh: Is that your bottle?
Shae Firewarder: (between 1 and 20 )
Vesperi: ((17))
Polaron: ((15.))
Shae Firewarder: (Pol is closer. )
Shae Firewarder: Thank you
Shae Firewarder receives the bottle gratefully
Wildcat X ...now that the incident is mostly over, gives a muffled snicker behind a hand
Sea Hawk: Hmmm...Dare I ask what that bottle is?
Comrade Smersh: It is important, comrade...
Sea Hawk looks to 'Cat, "What are you snorfling about?
Vesperi: Don't you ready boy?
Comrade Smersh: Leave it at that.
Polaron gives Brian a look. Somehow.
Vagabond Mage: Really expensive perfume, no doubt.
Shae Firewarder: The bottle is mine...connected to my soul
Vesperi: Anyway, if we are done here.....
Cog Sprocket: What did she do to the bottle?
Wildcat X: That was one of the most bloody insane things I've seen in my life.
Comrade Smersh: This means... freedom, da, comrade Shae?
Sea Hawk: Hey, I didn't exactly have time t'read it, aye?
Shae Firewarder is aware that every djinni in the place just started breathing again
Shae Firewarder: Freedom, yes
Wildcat X: ...Including your little act there, Brian.
Sea Hawk: Hmmm? Act?
Shae Firewarder: Vionha summoned it
Vagabond Mage looks around suddenly... and banishes his armor
Sea Hawk: What, the British thing? That's my 'Diplomatic' mask.
Wildcat X poses in a Knightly manner, bows fancily
Vesperi: Hm, I'm guessing that would be one of the spells she isn't supposed to know
Vagabond Mage: I knew you had it in you, Sir Brian.
Cog Sprocket: Why did she free Shae? That is not a bad thing?
Shae Firewarder: The spell she used to do so...and that she would do so...I expect she will be unwelcome at home now.
Sea Hawk smiles, "Someday, I'll tell ya the story o'how I got me armor.
Polaron mutters. "Icathe Illusiary."
Vesperi glances at Pol
Wildcat X her clothing generally liquifies and turns back to the ol' armor
Polaron shrugs.
Shae Firewarder: She did not free me, she summoned my bottle and tossed it to all of you...assuming that you would take it and use it
Sea Hawk: So...what now?
Wildcat X: Crazy chit.
Comrade Smersh: She does not know us well, da?
Sea Hawk chuckles, "She don't know us very well, do she?"
Vagabond Mage: We get more wishes out of you if *you* hold the bottle.
Sea Hawk: LIke our dearest wish for ye t'return home....to Paragon City.
Shae Firewarder: No, she does not know much outside of her own machinations.
Wildcat X: Obviously not
Vagabond Mage: With the Emperor's Hand's permission, of course...
Wildcat X: When people come to save someone, they don't generally go "Oh hey, let's capture her."
Polaron: She figured we were like her.
Sea Hawk: Well, all she knows o'mortals is that they're a greedy lot.
Polaron: Obviously, she's derranged.
Comrade Smersh: She thought our motto, like hers, was greed and power....
Vesperi:
Vesperi: It's not?
Vagabond Mage: ((PHEENOMINAL COSMIC POWAH!! itty bitty living space.))
Wildcat X elbow
Polaron: . . .
Wildcat X: (AUGH!)
Sea Hawk: Ye have t'remember that that bottle allows us to command her.
Comrade Smersh: Nyet, comrade...
Sea Hawk: (*smacks Vags but in fun*)
Polaron: Hm. I wonder where Vionha's is...
Sea Hawk: An' we didna wanna do that.
Cog Sprocket: Cog's knowledge of those things comes from watching Aladin.
Polaron: What was that spell she used?
Sea Hawk: (In a dark place, plotting and planning)
Sea Hawk snorts, "Teleport"
Vesperi: Hm, perhaps one day we will discuss the nautre of greed and power. Then we will see if you think the heroes of Paragon are truly so virtuous
Comrade Smersh: When Vionha returns, as she certainly will.... I will stand ready to face her.
Wildcat X: *the armor "hums" the Genie song quietly*
<The Hand of the Emperor looks at the assembly and says, " The party will be ending soon, I think. There is not much that would be more exciting than that which we all just saw.">
Polaron: No. The one to get Shae's bottle.
Vagabond Mage: ((Sitting in CoV waiting for the beta to start, I'm sure. ))
Wildcat X: Shh, you. *quietly to the armor*
Cog Sprocket: Thank you for having us Mister Hand.
Comrade Smersh: (Hanging out with the Komisar?)
Sea Hawk: Aye, thank ye, yer Lordship. Suren 'twas a pleasure.
Vagabond Mage: It pleases us to have been such a... central feature of the party, your eminence. We are glad that we were both entertaining and... educational.
Cog Sprocket: Shall we return home?
Vesperi: Hm, well, we should be going now. We're done here
Comrade Smersh: Da... I think a return to Paragon is in order.
Vesperi all pretense of civility is quickly fading from his demeanor
Polaron: Assuming we're done here, yes. God only knows how much time has passed since we left.
<The Hand of the Emperor smiles at them all and says to Shae, " Go, for now, we will discuss this further soon ">
Sea Hawk: Um, Lord Hand? Can we return not long after we departed, please?
Vesperi sighs and just starts walking toward the portal
Polaron: I don't think it works that way, Brian...
Shae Firewarder: Less time may have passed, morelike
Comrade Smersh: Interesting...
Comrade Smersh: After you, comrade Shae.
Vagabond Mage: The portal remained open. That usually stabilizes the time differential somewhat.
Comrade Smersh: Please.
Wildcat X: Brian, she was here for weeks and you thought she was gone for days. Math, hun.
Sea Hawk: True.. Let's rock 'n roll,then.
Vesperi: Gentlemmen... your dawdling
Polaron: Oh, keep your pants on, Vesperi.
Sea Hawk: Let's go, beautiful. *to Shae*
Wildcat X: ...please do, I'm too young to see that
Vagabond Mage: I must leave last to seal the portal. So... after all of you?
Shae Firewarder: Let us go<smiles>
Wildcat X deadpans
Comrade Smersh: Welcome back, comrade Shae.
Shae Firewarder: ((thank you all!)
Comrade Smersh grins
Shae Firewarder: i am glad to be back. things are simpler here
Comrade Smersh: Indeed.
Vagabond Mage: Heh... simpler...
Shae Firewarder: For me at least
Cog Sprocket steps through the portal, and staggers as it reenters Paragon
Vesperi looks behind at the portal
Vagabond Mage: Back to Paragon, you lot. We're wasting magic here.
Shae Firewarder: ((thank you all! I appreciate that. You all made my week =) )
Wildcat X: E'rybody outta the pool
Shae Firewarder goes through
Vagabond Mage: I'll meet you all back by the ferry.
Vagabond Mage: Shoo!
Shae Firewarder takes a closer look at Vesperi
Vesperi: Well, are we through then
Vagabond Mage: Good ol' Paragon City... Eurgh.
Wildcat X gooses Brian suddenly
Vesperi: Well, not that seeing the djinn realm wasn't interesting....
Sea Hawk chuckles
Shae Firewarder laughs
Vesperi: But politics, really....
Vesperi: And there was so much else to examine there
Polaron: Yeah..Couldn't we have just hit her a bunch and been done with it?
Polaron: We all knew it was coming *anyway*..
Vesperi: Yes, mindless hitting, kheldian, always the best approach to new world
Shae Firewarder: Not without getting me exiled instead. I ilke the way this turned out
Vesperi shakes his head
Polaron: "Kheldian"? Forget my name, Duskwalker?
Vagabond Mage: Perhaps we will be invited back some time, Vesperi.
Shae Firewarder: I expect I will encounter her again, but she won't have any imunity to hide behind next time
Vesperi: Hm, perhaps we will, though I think next time I will travel alone....
Shae Firewarder: Possibly, more likely since this went well.
Vesperi: now, if you will all excuse me
Vesperi removes his porcelain mask
Polaron: Icathe Illusiari.
Vesperi: I am through here for the moment. If I have need of any of you in the future I will call.
Polaron: How gracious, Vesperi.
Vesperi stops for a moment to examine the kheldian
Shae Firewarder watches vesperi leave, and frowns
Polaron stares back blankly.
Vesperi: Not very bright in either soul are you?
Vesperi: Vesperi? Ha!
Polaron: Oh, frack.
Polaron: If that didn't just scream "trouble" to you guys..
Shae Firewarder taps her fingers thoughtfully on her thigh
Shae Firewarder: It did
Shae Firewarder: He hasn't been quite himself for a while
Shae Firewarder: But that was...unsettling
Vagabond Mage: Renor has been hinting that there is something seriously wrong there. I should probably investigate further...
Polaron: He just outright said that he's not Vesperi. Unsettling is a mild word.
Polaron: If you need any help, Vags..Well, you may have noticed that I'm not quite as magic blind as I used to be..
Shae Firewarder: I apologize. I am apparently stuck in diplomatic mode still.
Vagabond Mage: No, you've learned quite a bit. I'm pleased.
Shae Firewarder: I am worried. I have been for a while, but I haven't managed to ask the right questions yet.
Vagabond Mage: I'm going to start simple. Ask around. You might do the same, Pol. See what you hear.
Polaron: Ask what? If anyone else has noticed Vesperi being corrupted by a mask?
Shae Firewarder: You are knowledgeable about gates....and other realms...I have a question or two for you
Vagabond Mage: Why not?
Vagabond Mage: Ask away.
Polaron glances at some Carnies. "That's actually a valid question to ask, now that I say it."
Polaron: Anyway. I'll leave you two be. Shae, good to have you back in the city.
Vagabond Mage: See you around, Pol.
Shae Firewarder: First, have you heard of a realm of unrequited dreams? It would be a newish realm...
Polaron: Illusiary decathe.
Shae Firewarder: Thank you Pol. good hunting
((Again, thank you all. I had a fantastic time. Many thanks to Comrade Smersh who happened to be on when I was making some binds for this(the setting, Vionha's monologue, and Vionha's spellcasting). He listened patiently to me gripe about the the binds I was making that seemed properly made, but didn't work yet. Apparently I am TOO WORDY and the binds were, at first, too long to function(Bah, character limit. Yay elipses, and thank you Smersh). ))
((Thank you once more Vagabond Mage for actually making such a fine away team. =) ))
((Thank you anyone who has actually bothered to read this far! <laughs and waves> ))
Shae Firewarder
((Wow! Thanks for posting this. Looks like you all had a great time with this. This is the part of the game that is soooo cool. It's like being a little kid again where any empty spot in the yard could turn into a fort or a castle. Any stick could be a six-shooter or a sword. We lose so much imagination as adults. It's nice to have found a place to reclaim it. Kudos to you all! Fine perfomances!))
...................long..................wow...... ..........great job
<Shae dreamed>
She was playing a game of tag at a masked ball in a large ornate garden. The light from lanterns and magically glowing orbs shone on the players and spectators, gleaming on the fantastic costumes and masks they all wore. Shae's golden gown was decorated with silken feathers, and her mask was in the likeness of a Phoenix. She caught someone and then quickly dashed into the shrubbery maze to loose them. A few turns into the maze and she was thoroughly lost herself, but that was part of the fun as well. The fancy parties and the games were things she had done back home;here in Paragon, she merely dreamed of them.
It was the silence that alerted her to the change in the dream. She could no longer hear the shouts and the laughter of the players. Instead there was only the whispering of the wind through the leaves of the maze. She turned the corner and saw the Gate. It was black obsidian stone, and filled the further end of the corridor she was in.
Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable in the the mask. She untied the silken ribbons holding the Phoenix mask in place and pulled it off. She pulled the pins from her dark hair and shook it loose, before she aproached the gate and examined it. The smooth black surface of the stone Gate absorbed what little light came from the starlit sky. Through the gateway she could see rolling hills of tall grass, but everything was misty grey. Carefully, Shae reached out to touch the gate, but it wasn't there to anything but her sight. She could not touch it or walk though.
Even more curious now, she reentered the maze in an attempt to find the other side of the gate. When Shae found it again, it was once more at the end of a corridor. Once more it led out onto a misty grey hillside. Again, she could not touch it, or interact with it in any way.
When it was clear that she would learn no more, she woke herself.
Shae pulled on the red velvet robe and went into the kitchen to make herself some tea, and to think. She ran through the symbology in her mind: mazes, masks, a Gate of obsidian stone, a misty grey landscape.
Shae set the filled copper kettle on the stove to heat.
The maze, she decided, was probably a construct of her own mind. It was the transition point between the ordinary dream and the other. Possibly it was representative of her feelings towards the other, and that would probably mean that this had to do with something she was aware of already and was attempting to puzzle out. So this was probably not a random dream, but something in some way known to her already.
When the water was boiling she poured the water over the tea leaves in her teapot.
The mask, she decided, was a holdover from the ordinary part of the dream as well. She had felt uncomfortable wearing it once the dream changed, and the discomfort was actually familiar, although lately her discomfort had been because of a different mask...
Shae poured the tea into a heavy ceramic mug, and continued thinking.
A Gate of Obsidian stone, leading out onto a misty grey landscape.
Shae sipped her tea, and thought of Vesperi.
Shae Firewarder