Scene Two
Scene Three
Scene Four
Chapter Seven: Darwin's Moth and Vulcan's Dragon
Scene One: Riddle
mgrasso> As we left off last time, we were in the lair of a mysterious dragon.
*** Bill is now known as Roger
mgrasso> He challenged us with the task of guessing his identity. Each of us was given one choice.
*** Julia is now known as Ingrid
mgrasso> (fae names, actually, folks)
mgrasso> (We're in the Dreaming)
*** James is now known as Aranth
*** Roger is now known as Jermanas
Gemma> !dice 2 9
* DiceWell Gemma rolls 2d10 at difficulty 9. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 7 8
*** Ingrid is now known as Artemisia
Gemma> !dice 2 10
* DiceWell Gemma rolls 2d10 at difficulty 10. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 5 2
mgrasso> Now, you guys had the opportunity to huddle up together, out of earshot, to discuss who he might be,.
mgrasso> (Joe?)
Artemisia> If you'll pardon us, Sir Dragon, I believe we'd like to confer among ourselves.
mgrasso> "Please, be my guests," the dragon says, coughing up orange smoke and haze.
mgrasso> The dragon condenses his form to a smaller form and crouches in the opposite corner of the cottage.
* Artemisia pulls everyone over to a corver of the room.
Artemisia> corner.
Jermanas> Well anyone have an idea
Artemisia> All right, what do you guys think? And no one say "Runpelstiltskin".
Gemma> Not a single idea.
Artemisia> I have a couple ideas...
Gemma> Any of them revolve around Mr Prufrock?
Artemisia> Um, who?
Aranth> Gemma, so what do you think?
Gemma> He's this guy who used to live in London and watch yellow air lick his windows. And obsess over peaches.
Gemma> Somehow they affected his pants.
Aranth> it said you might have some more info by attempting to contact it
Gemma> Did it?
Artemisia> In that case, I'd say no, none of my ideas revolve arouns him.
Aranth> i have an idea or two myself.
Gemma> And what might they be?
*** Joe is now known as Kirby
mgrasso> (Gemma, be Solangia. :) )
*** Gemma is now known as Solangia
Solangia> (sorry)
Aranth> well, mythology has a lot of gods and godesses of the fire and the forge
Aranth> and there was this opera too...
Artemisia> Wow, my guesses are much more lowbrow than that.
Aranth> and what do you think?
Kirby> But this is a dragon...
Solangia> Well, he can't be the god of the fire and forge. That would be Uncle Angus. Although ihs friends call him Heph.
Kirby> Do we dare to guess the completely obvious answer?
Aranth> or vulcan
Artemisia> The first thing that occurred to me was Puff, the Magic Dragon.
Artemisia> We do have five guesses.
Aranth> "ahem" ouch.
* Solangia laughs
Artemisia> Well, he lives by the sea!
Solangia> Yes, oh, yes. Puff the Magic Dragon. Brilliant, braniac.
Solangia> But he doesn't fart out smog!
Aranth> he puffs
Kirby> The first thing that occurred to me was that he was a dragon named "Smog" or, as Tolkein would spell it S-m-a-u-g.
Solangia> He exhales pot smoke. Jeez, everyone knows that.
Aranth> but he wasn't in england in the 1800
Kirby> Who wasn't?
Artemisia> That was my other guess, Kirby.
Aranth> puff the magic dragon
Kirby> What the hell are we guessing his name for anyway? Do we win a prize?
Solangia> Yeah. Not being eaten.
Artemisia> James could win his car, apparently.
Jermanas> !Dice 4 8
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 4d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 2 successes.
* DiceWell 10 8 5 4
Aranth> I think it might be Fafner from sigfried, but that is kind of a negative interpretation
mgrasso> (He said he could aid you in finding the car, if you guessed his identity)
Aranth> And I still want to hear what sol knows
Artemisia> I do too. What did he mean you were trying to contact him?
* Artemisia turns to Solangia.
Jermanas> !dice 4 7
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 4d10 at difficulty 7. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 4 1 2 10
Aranth> (bill did you get my msg?)
* Kirby peeks back over his shoulder at the dragon.
mgrasso> The dragon is now only a few feet long, and is coiled, observing you silently from the other side of the room.
Aranth> but if he was around in the 1800's, the tolkien Idea is too recent
* Aranth mutters considering
Artemisia> Well who knows any dragons around in the 1800s?
Solangia> Queen Victoria?
Aranth> fafner was, but I don't think...
Artemisia> The Loch Ness Monster?
Aranth> sol, please, tell us about trying to contact it.
Solangia> I never tried to contact it.
Artemisia> What were you doing to make it think you were, thn?
Aranth> right, so what did it say to you when you tried?
Solangia> I don't know what he's talking about. All I did was ask God to give me a hint about the weird orange things in the sky.
Aranth> !dice 5 8
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 5d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 2 successes.
* DiceWell 5 10 5 10 6
Aranth> (booyeah!)
Jermanas> !Dice 3 8
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 3d10 at difficulty 8. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 4 3 1
Kirby> !dice 4 8
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 4d10 at difficulty 8. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 6 2 7 4
Aranth> and god said?
Jermanas> Well, I can say i have nothing to add
Jermanas> The smaug idea was a good one, but the timing is incorrect
Solangia> Oh, come on, how many times do I have to tell you? God said it was Uncle Angus the Vulcan and his pet dragon. And to never trust blondes.
Aranth> okay, so vulcan the god of fire and forge of the destructive variety
Aranth> god I wish I had my laptop
* Solangia smiles a little
Artemisia> Wise god, that one.
* Artemisia smirks.
Jermanas> A deformed cast down god
Jermanas> Crafted armor for all the gods
Artemisia> Who is his dragon, then?
mgrasso> Aranth: Int +Mythlore, diff. 7. Jerm, Solangia: Int + Art History, diff. 7.
Aranth> now I just remembered that Fafnir was around much longer than just wagner, Norse actually, wagner revived him in the 1800's
Jermanas> !Dice 4 8
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 4d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success.
* DiceWell 3 5 9 2
Aranth> !dice 5 7
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 2 8 6 1 4
Solangia> !dice 5 7
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 1 8 5 5 3
Jermanas> wp
Solangia> (try again?)
Aranth> (good question)
mgrasso> (nope)
Solangia> (what, no concentrating? :D)
mgrasso> (not this time. :) )
Solangia> (bah)
Artemisia> !dice 5 7
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 9 9 9 4 3
Kirby> I'm pretty sure the Roman god Vulcan didn't have a pet.
Aranth> rules shmules
Jermanas> As far as I know there is nothing in history that combines Vulcan and a dragon
Aranth> doesn't mean they didn't team up later
Solangia> Did the whole greco-roman thing even have dragons? I don't think so. I'm going to say no.
Aranth> yes
Artemisia> Okay, maybe we're being too literal. Maybe he signifies something.
Aranth> there is a constelation draco
Kirby> For instance, all the smog output in the city? The pollution created by cars?
Aranth> one of 88 unique constelations
Artemisia> The smoke from a forge...
mgrasso> (Release.... the Kraken! [/clash of the titans])
Aranth> right, but than would he have a name?
Artemisia> How was the countryside in 1800s England compared to LA, anyway?
Solangia> Countryside?
Solangia> LA is urban.
Solangia> LA is full of factories with abused workers.
Solangia> Now put that in your brain and think again.
Aranth> now who would cars bolster?
Solangia> Go ahead. I know you can put it together.
Artemisia> It's hilly, too. He said this was the highest hill.
Aranth> alright, so english industrialization/overworked peasants
Aranth> ?
Artemisia> urban decay.
* Solangia nods a bit
Artemisia> But what do we call him?
Solangia> Bob?
Aranth> ted.
Jermanas> Ted
Jermanas> (Hey that was my ted)
Solangia> Teddy James Bob, Lord of the Smog.
Solangia> It has a nice ring to it.
Aranth> lord of the smog...
Solangia> Okay. I'm set. Let's break a champagne bottle on 'im and call it a day.
mgrasso> All right. How does everyone else feel? And who gets first guess?
Aranth> england and pollution and...
* Aranth wracks his brain
Aranth> alright who's saying what?
Solangia> (Mike, hon, pooka. Lying... :)
mgrasso> (Hah! Sorry. :) )
mgrasso> (Still doesn't mean the rest of the people wouldn't take your signal to guess literally)
Solangia> (mm-hmm.. sure, sure.)
Kirby> Did he even say we had to guess his name? He just said we had to guess who he is. My guess is he's a dragon.
Jermanas> (He's a weaver spirit, sort of)
Jermanas> (mostly)
Aranth> Kirby...my guess is that that is counter fucking productive
mgrasso> (get your Werewolf crap out of here :) )
Jermanas> (oh, I'm hurt)
Aranth> (eww werewolf crap_
Aranth> )
Artemisia> Okay, he mentioned something about innovation.
Kirby> Sorry, Aranth. It's your car - you figure it out, then.
mgrasso> (You guys are so dubious about your own problem-solving abilities!)
Artemisia> About cars. How he hadn't seen such innovation since England in the 1800s..
Solangia> (Mike, I know for a fact that I *suck* with puzzles. Like, completely suck ass. I couldn't do a maze with a map and two guides, for example...)
Jermanas> He also mentions his cloud lair
Solangia> so he's into industrial revolutions and high rises.
Artemisia> And high, smoggy places.
mgrasso> (Well, I guess I'm just surprised at how little you trust all the guesses you've made. Why not just try 'em?)
mgrasso> (We've got at least five ideas now. If not more.)
Aranth> alright, fine Fuck it
Aranth> I'm guessing Fafnir
Aranth> Art?
Artemisia> Okay, I guess I can guess now. Who wants to be first?
Artemisia> Oh, nevermind.
Aranth> I want to know what everyone is guessing first.
* Solangia shrugs
Jermanas> I don't really have a guess, but i think smaug could still be a good one
Aranth> okay, so fafnir, smaug, what else?
Aranth> beauwulfs dragon anyone?
* Aranth frowns
Artemisia> I'll guess he represents progress in all its dirt and noise and smoke.
Jermanas> He is supposedly dead
Kirby> Why don't we try those two first so we don't have to keep talking about this if those are the right ones.
Jermanas> Fair enough
Aranth> fine
Artemisia> And as my second guess, Puff.
* Artemisia smiles.
* Solangia winces
mgrasso> So, who's to rouse the dragon?
Jermanas> Artemesia, I belive that you should
Solangia> That's a great idea. Waste a guess.
Jermanas> He seems to respect you
Artemisia> All right.
Kirby> The only problem is, both those dragon's guarded great treasures and all this one has is Aranth's car.
Artemisia> And I don't see you jumping out there with anything, Sol.
Solangia> Only the obvious, Artie.
Artemisia> I don't think he has Aranth's car, I think he can help us get to it.
Aranth> times change, people change, dragons can change
Solangia> But true hate is ever-constant.
Solangia> So... who's going to poke the dragon?
* Artemisia approaches the dragon, stopping at a safe-seeming distance, and clears her throat politely.
Aranth> love, hate, changing, constant.
Aranth> Art is.
Aranth> Sol, what is the obvious?
Scene Two: Answer
Artemisia> Sir Dragon? I believe we're ready to guess.
mgrasso> The dragon responds to your call and begins to disperse and expand, because more misty, less defined, as he grows to envelop the entire other side of the one-room cottage. His head cranes towards you, over the forge.
mgrasso> "Yes? Who shall be first?"
Solangia> What you already know, mijo.
mgrasso> --new scene ---
Solangia> !dice 2 8
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 8. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 2 6
Aranth> (No!)
mgrasso> "Who shall be first?"
* Jermanas steps forward.
Jermanas> "Good dragon"
mgrasso> "Who am I?"
* Artemisia turns to the rest. "Yes, who goes first?"
Aranth> (looks like J is.)
Artemisia> !dice 5 8
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 5d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 9 2 10 6 8
Jermanas> "Are you Smaug the dragon from Tolkien's epic tale The Hobbit?"
Jermanas> "A fitting name for one such as yourself."
Aranth> (Say my name Bastian!)
mgrasso> The dragon smirks mischievously. "No, not quite that."
Aranth> quite... a combination?
* Aranth mutters
Kirby> Maybe the guess was just too damn specific.
mgrasso> The dragon laughs at Aranth. "So close, yet veering off so far from the truth."
Kirby> All we have to guess is the name - right?
mgrasso> "You must tell me who I am."
mgrasso> Kirby: Wits + enigmas, diff. 7
Aranth> Jermanas asked.
Kirby> !dice 6 7
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 6d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 4 successes.
* DiceWell 8 5 6 9 10 10
Aranth> Is this a semantics game?
Jermanas> Who knows, I don't make the rules
Solangia> Do we have to know how to spell it?
Artemisia> I think it's any game he wants it to be, Aranth.
Kirby> So we don't have to even guess the name...just who he is.
Aranth> but ask, tell...
Jermanas> Whose next, I blew my shot
mgrasso> "If you do not know the spelling, it will not be a concern."
mgrasso> "You are speaking, after all, not writing."
Solangia> That's good. I always got eliminated in the first round of spelling bees in school.
mgrasso> "Who is next?"
Aranth> Art?
Jermanas> Yes, Artemisia, your guess is one of the better ones
Artemisia> Not yet. I'm still thinking.
Aranth> I'll go then.
Jermanas> Don't think too hard, trust your instincts
mgrasso> The dragon bows to Aranth. "Yes? What is your guess?"
Jermanas> (Use the Force Luke)
mgrasso> (hee)
* Aranth takes a deep breath and stutters nervously D-d-dragon. You are many things to many people. You are Fafnir.
mgrasso> "I am most assuredly not Fafnir. I have been on this world much longer than him."
Aranth> well there goes my guess
mgrasso> "Much longer than the Norsemen who gave him life in their fireside tales."
Jermanas> (You are the triatic wyrm the destroyer, oops sorry mike)
mgrasso> (right. We're riddling with the Wyrm. Everyone take 600 points of damage, no soak)
Aranth> maybe a construct?
Jermanas> (Ouch)
Aranth> like industry or invention...
mgrasso> "The two ladies and you, sir," the dragon draws a talon at Kirby, "are left."
Aranth> (degree duration frequency)
Jermanas> He doesn't look like a construct, and I am fairly certain that his form is a hint all its own
Aranth> constructs are broad ideas like love or creativity
Jermanas> I always thought they were clockwork monstrosities, what you are saying is emotions
Aranth> !dice 7 7
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 7d10 at difficulty 7. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 9 4 4 5 1 1 9
mgrasso> "So?" The dragon snorts orange smoke. "Who's next?"
Jermanas> (Dicey Dicey he's our man if he can't do it then...aww fuck it)
mgrasso> (heh)
Aranth> think rl for a moment J,
Aranth> maybe he is an embodiement of a concept or an idea
Jermanas> Quite possibly
Aranth> almost like art's guess
Jermanas> yes, thats why i thought she had thye best one
Jermanas> brb
Aranth> so lets say that he's made up of the dreams of people
Aranth> right
Aranth> so he gets power with a big invention or change
Aranth> maybe fire
Aranth> and then the industrial age
Aranth> the invention of cars
Aranth> and their growing popularity
Aranth> anybody?
Aranth> !dice 6 6
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 6d10 at difficulty 6. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 1 4 5 1 3 8
Aranth> Muther fucker
mgrasso> (Are people lagging?)
Artemisia> I'll guess. I guess that you, with your lair in the smoggy clouds above the industrialized lands, are the avatar of progress. The glorious and gritty contradiction that is progress. The excitement and power of innovation. That's my guess.
Solangia> (I am... mentally)
Jermanas> (ok back)
mgrasso> The dragon smiles at Artemisia. "You are... so close as to be almost exactly correct. I will let you refine your answer. What comes of progress? What comes of the forge? What comes of the factories? What comes of the engines of millions of vehicles?"
Solangia> Pollution?
Solangia> Money? Porn? Child labor?
Aranth> pollution.
Artemisia> Yes, pollution and oppressed workers, and class struggles...
mgrasso> The dragon laughs a hearty, choking laugh at Solangia. "Your first answer, cat, was more than correct."
Solangia> It was?
Artemisia> So you *are* Smog!
Kirby> Which is what I said to begin with.
Aranth> no, you said he was a dragon
* Artemisia laughs.
mgrasso> "I have been with mankind since their first harnessing of fire, and I shall be with them until the last one leaves this planet. I am the waste which chokes the skies, and the foul air created from mankind's efforts to change his world."
Jermanas> (ok so its a wyrm spirit not a weaver spirit, sorry)
Kirby> No, Aranth. If you could recall our conversation, I'm sure you'd recall my first statement being, he is "smog".
Jermanas> It doesn't matter now
Jermanas> It worked out either way
mgrasso> "I am not a symbol, though. I have grown steadily, throughout the ancient years, and gained great strength at the turn of the 19th century. At that point, I could move, and smother the lands beneath me."
Jermanas> You chose to smother LA, good choice
mgrasso> Jermanas: "You, eshu, were too specific. If you'd just said "Smaug," your word-trickery would have defeated me!"
mgrasso> The dragon laughs again.
* Aranth smiles broadly
Jermanas> Fair enough good dragon, fair enough
Aranth> great job everyone!
mgrasso> "So, now it appears I owe you the boon you desire, nocker."
* Jermanas tunrs slightly and gives kirby an approving thankful nod
Aranth> !dice 7 6
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 7d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 4 successes.
* DiceWell 3 4 8 2 6 9 10
Artemisia> Do you have a name, then, Sir Smog-Dragon?
mgrasso> "I believe this can be done. But we must travel to the waking world first."
mgrasso> Artemisia: "Name? No."
mgrasso> "I am merely what I am."
Aranth> Oh! my car
Aranth> oh!
Aranth> ::glee::
Artemisia> Aranth, don't tell me you forgot!
Aranth> no, just conservative
Aranth> I've been screwed too many times to not look a gift dragon in the mouth
mgrasso> "Yes. I know the souls of all the automobiles in this city. I can find it, if we travel back to the waking realms."
Jermanas> You can look, but don't get too close
mgrasso> "So, I believe it is time for us to depart this home."
Artemisia> Many thanks to you, Sir Dragon, for assisting us in our endeavor. It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Aranth> lets go!
mgrasso> The dragon's body disperses, and covers all of you with a thick, noxious orange smoke.
mgrasso> The whole cottage is filled. Stamina rolls, all, diff. 6
Aranth> he's not a bad guy for an imbodyment of fears
Jermanas> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 2 2
Artemisia> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 5 5
Solangia> !dice 2 6
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 2 successes.
* DiceWell 9 9
Aranth> !dice 1 6
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 1d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
* DiceWell 7
Jermanas> (Yay dicey)
mgrasso> Solangia remembers to hold his breath.
mgrasso> her breath.
Solangia> (!!!)
mgrasso> (Kirby?) -> [Kirby] PING
* Aranth makes a mental note to invest in gas masks -> [Kirby] PING
Kirby> !dice 3 6
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 3d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 6 6 9
Scene Three: Waking
mgrasso> Kirby, of course, his lungs long ravaged by smoking of all kinds, has no problem with the smoke. :)
mgrasso> Solangia and Kirby are the only ones of you not doubled over in a coughing fit as you feel the gravel of the area above the Hollywood sign beneath your feet. But as soon as you materialize back in the world, you hear a shout of "LAPD! Freeze!"
Kirby> Dude, that is some weak-ass shee-it. Not even a small buzz...
Solangia> Don't shoot! I'm rich!
mgrasso> As the smoke clears in the darkness of the L.A. night, you see 6 tactical team L.A. police officers training weapons on you.
*** Artemisia is now known as Ingrid
Jermanas> Oh fuck
*** Solangia is now known as Gemma
*** Aranth is now known as James
* Kirby raises his hands over his head.
mgrasso> You are all standing near the fence, and Roger's jacket is still dangling from one of the cameras.
*** Jermanas is now known as Roger
*** Kirby is now known as Chet
Ingrid> Please... don't shoot.
* James raises his hands too
* Ingrid tries to talk between coughs.
mgrasso> "Hands behind your hands, hit the ground, now!"
James> what a stupid thing to say
James> not
* Chet drops to the ground, hands behind his head, like hes done this before.
mgrasso> (*snort*)
James> (scratch the not)
* Roger follows Chet with the grace and skill of practice.
James> why? we have rights damn it!
mgrasso> The officers approach the five of you, weapons drawn, slowly.
* James keeps his hands where the cop can see them
Roger> Oh shit
Ingrid> James, get down, now. Seriously.
mgrasso> One of the officers jabs James with the butt of his automatic weapon. Stamina roll, James.
James> (diff?)
mgrasso> 6.
James> !dice 1 6
* DiceWell James rolls 1d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success.
* DiceWell 8
* Ingrid kneels, and lies face down, hands over her head.
James> I'm gonna sue for that.
mgrasso> James, you take a bruise to the back, but it doesn't hurt very much.
Ingrid> James, shut UP.
mgrasso> "You are all under arrest for trespassing. You have the right to remain..." *cough cough*
mgrasso> Soon, there is a chorus of coughs from all around you. From the ground rises a noxious orange cloud.
mgrasso> Not only does the cloud seem to incapacitate the officers, it also seems to be lifting all five of you off the ground!
James> do they have clearly displayed badges?
mgrasso> All of the heavily-armored officers are now rolling around, clawing at their faces, eyes, and skin as you rise 50, 60, 100 feet off the ground, floating lightly on the surface of a thick cloud of smog.
mgrasso> James: not that you could see.
Chet> Dude, I think that stuff is kicking in.
Roger> !dice 3 6
* DiceWell Roger rolls 3d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 6 1 5
Roger> wp
* Chet rolls onto his back and reclines with his hands behind his head.
mgrasso> Soon, you find yourselves high above the ground, shielded from the cold, banal stares of mortals everywhere by the thickness of the cloud.
* James yells in singsong voice "the dragon rocks"
mgrasso> "Do not, and I mean, do NOT, make yourselves obvious to those on the ground." The dragon's voice echoes all around you.
Roger> Whatever you say
Roger> Thanks for that rescue
James> yes sir
mgrasso> "That could have seriously detrimental ramifications to all of you, including myself."
* James salutes
Ingrid> That means you, James. Thank you.
James> fuck off ingrid
mgrasso> "Let me sense the heartbeat of the city, and see if I can find your.... yes, there it is. It sits in a garage, lacking gasoline, and oil. It's polished to a high shine, though. It's on display. In Beverly Hills."
Chet> Damn, I'm sure glad James knows how to show his gratitude to the woman who is getting him his stupid car.
mgrasso> You begin to swoop to the northwest, the lights of Los Angeles beneath you.
mgrasso> You travel quickly, feeling the colder winds of the air above the city. You are at least 1,000 feet above the city, and through the sickly brown clouds around you, you can catch snatches of views of the city's skyline.
* James glars at chet, but stays quite because of the dragon rules.
Scene Four: Boon
mgrasso> "The plan is such: I will descend into the compound of the owner of the car, and you will have to get into the car in order for me to remove it."
Roger> Fine
Ingrid> Wait, we're stealing the car?
James> it might be inside, will that be a problem?
* Ingrid whipsers.
mgrasso> "If I can surround it, I can remove it quietly, even if it is inside a building."
mgrasso> "You want the car, don't you?"
Chet> Yeah. I don't know if I can be involved in grand theft auto.
James> can you get us in the building
James> ?
Ingrid> Are you sure this is a good idea?
James> yes!!!
Chet> No.
Roger> Dont worry grand theft auto is minor
Ingrid> I don't know if there's any car I want that badly.
mgrasso> The dragon simply says, "Perhaps I will let you decide how you wish me to carry out my boon."
Roger> besides if this thing can doi what it says it can, I'm not worried
mgrasso> "I will convey you to the location of the car. What you wish of me when we are there is up to you."
Gemma> Oh, for the love of misguided morality. Just let the guy get his damned car or I'll never hear the end of it.
Roger> No No, your plan is great
Ingrid> All right. I'd at least like to see it.
Roger> absolutely excellent goor dragon
James> can you do *anything* at all dragon?
Chet> I won't be part of stealing it. You can drop me off at home or something, first.
* James kisses Gemmas cheek, thank you.
James> or just transport it?
James> (to the dragon)
* Roger takes black gloves out of his jacket pocket and a small roll of black cloth
mgrasso> "I can manipulate any object which is linked to me and my nature."
James> I see
James> Roger, am I going to have trouble getting it in my name and stuff?
Roger> We can work on that later
James> okay.
Roger> but no, i dont think so
Chet> I'm serious. If you guys are stealing this car, leave me out of it. Drop me off somewhere first. I won't be part of it.
Ingrid> If you're seriously planning to steal this car, I have to agree with Chet. Drop me off somewhere else.
* Roger whispers to james "I know some guys that can wipe the VIN and lay another for the right price
James> right.
Ingrid> Roger, who are you? Our local underworld connection? We don't need help like yours.
James> Geezuz furking christ.
Ingrid> Or at least, I don't.
James> fucking holier than thou
Roger> No, I'm not from around here.
Ingrid> Because I don't want to be a CRIMINAL? Yeah, holier than thou, all right.
James> what did you think Ingrid, the dragon was going to buy it from him?
Chet> Well, seeing as how she's never stolen a car - I'd say "holier than thou" is an appropriate attitude for Ingrid to have.
* Ingrid takes a deep breath.
James> or if it magically appeared that would be okay?
Chet> Well we were hoping that you were going to buy it, or acquire it honestly.
Gemma> You know, if anyone's going to be holy around here, I think it'd be the former almost-nun turned demon fairy.
Roger> Its ok, Good dragon, could you deposit two of us outside of the residence that we are approaching
James> even if it magically diapeared, so long as you didn't have to deal with it.
Ingrid> No, I expected you to tell the truth, and buy it from its current owner. I guess that's a little too much to expect though.
Gemma> But, in fact, NONE of us are particularly holy, so can we cut the crap, please?
James> that's right babe.
Chet> I'm telling you James, you're going to regret this.
Gemma> Come on. I threw away my morals and values to be where I am today. Surely you guys can too.
Roger> rather than in it
mgrasso> "If you wish some time to decide what to do, that is fine," the dragon says. "I assume that all of you have abilities with which you can extract the car as well."
Ingrid> I won't participate in stealing this car. I mean it.
James> you'd do that? give us time to talk? I'd really appreciate it
Ingrid> And frankly, I find it extraordnarily insulting that you think I would.
Roger> dear dragon, thank you for your offer
mgrasso> "Yes, we can stay in the air. I find being close to the ground... disconcerting."
James> fall off your fucking pedestal and break something Ingrid.
Roger> Thank You
Roger> Look both of you
Gemma> And I find it insulting that you can't even appreciate rescuing something of the Dreaming from banality.
James> if you're willing to pretend you didn't know I would do anything for this...
Roger> All of you
Ingrid> There's a difference between rescuing and outright theft, Gemma.
* James takes a shuddered breath
Roger> calm down
Gemma> It's not just a car!
Chet> Then the money it would cost to buy it should be no object - right?
Gemma> It's -- you know damn well what it is, but you'd rather let it rot away in a garage and die?
* James looks terrible... are those almost tears in his eyes?
Chet> No, I'd rather that someone who would appreciate it acquire it by honest means.
Gemma> Do you honestly think he's going to sell it?
Roger> Be no object, let me see, you all make 6 figures right?
Chet> Has anyone asked?
Roger> He could sell it, but paying for it, well...
Gemma> How much is the damn thing worth in its wordly form?
Ingrid> Thank you, Chet. I'm glad to hear someone being reasonable.
James> face value, I have enought
Roger> We heard at three coins near 60,000
James> to a colector, who knows?
Roger> especially with its museum condition
Gemma> Chump change... if I weren't a sinner.
Ingrid> Why don't we find out?
James> enough in credit that is...
James> because I have a magical fucking flying dragon who will get it for me right now.
Roger> Dragon, will you give us 24 hours to decide on our course of action, we did not realize how helpful you would be?
Roger> Nor how powerful
James> and what if he won't sell Ingrid?
Ingrid> If I'd known what my answer would get you James, I may have thought twice.
James> I walk away?
Chet> Everyone has a price.
mgrasso> The dragon's voice says in an answer to Roger, "I am not sure. I am a busy entity."
James> he gave us five, he didn't say we each had to have one.
Ingrid> No, please wait. I think we can settle this.
Chet> And if he absolutely refuses to sell... I guess we cross that bridge when we come to it.
Roger> Perhaps, but are you willing to pay that rpice
* Gemma sighs
Chet> Me? Hell, no. I don't care if this car sits in the garage or not.
Roger> I understand good dragon, I only ask for this slight boon
James> I'd give anything for that car.
Roger> so we would not waste your time now
Gemma> Even head?
James> even.
James> not gladly
mgrasso> "I can obtain the car for you. But the results of that are yours to deal with. I cannot change reality, or alter the memories of the owner."
James> hey?
James> can someone else do that
James> ?
mgrasso> (and we need to start wrapping up)
James> alter his memories or perceptions or something?
Chet> The question is "will they"?
James> I could erase all record that the car ever belonged to him
Gemma> What about his brain?
Roger> Good dragon, will you give us one day
Chet> Can you also put the 60,000 dollars in his bank account that he'll be out?
Gemma> He wouldn't be out anything if we just stole it. Insurance and all.
Roger> Yeah, and they were pricks too.
Ingrid> He had to have bought it in the first place, didn't he?
Gemma> INSURANCE PAYS YOU BACK, INGRID!
James> it'd be a splash in the pan to him, but yeah, I could.
Gemma> Haven't you ever lived in reality?
Ingrid> Not if we're erasing memories from his brain, Gemma.
James> obviously not, if she had, she would have heard all about the plan to steal it earlier when roger and I were planning on casing the place
Gemma> I give up. I hate you all. Wake me up when your heads are out of your asses and the car is in our garage.
Chet> So you have 60,000 dollars and you can put it in his bank account, James?
* Gemma shuts her eyes, crosses her arms, and hums a little tune under her breath
* James hugs her slightly
James> it will hurt- alot- and my debt will be through the roof, but yeah, just about
James> i was planning on buying it legit from joe shmoe
Ingrid> Why not try that with him first? Seriously?
Chet> Then try and buy the car. If he won't take fair value for it, I'll help you - if you put the money in his account.
Roger> So, lets see if he is willing sell
Ingrid> Why the sudden need to be ILlegit?
James> so, that means mr leno will be plus twice the base value of the car if we steal it.
Chet> I think I can help him forget about this one particular purchase.
Chet> *IF* you pay for it.
James> yes.
mgrasso> (Shall we reconvene next time?)
Roger> yes
James> (so close and yet so far)
Roger> (can I get an answer from the dragon first, about 24 hours
Ingrid> (yes. :)
Ingrid> (If we're going to Leno's, we don't need 24 hours.)
James> we need 20 minutes
Roger> Its the middle of the night
James> so, people who are asleep are highly suggestable
mgrasso> It's about 9 pm.
James> 20 minutes...
mgrasso> Roger: convince him. Charisma + Persuasion, diff. 6.
Ingrid> 9 pm is perfect in LA.
James> thats all we need
Chet> We need to make a trip before you "acquire" the car, James.
Chet> And you need to pay for it.
Roger> !Dice 8 6
* DiceWell Roger rolls 8d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 9 2 9 4 10 1 10 3
Roger> (does friendly help)
James> 20 minutes to talk to him freak, then if not, we erase memory of us, take the car, and I pay for it back at the hotel
Chet> And I'll tell you what - if I have to sit through a lame-ass taping of the Tonight Show, you're going to be sitting right next to me, buddy.
mgrasso> "I will be at your command for 24 hours. No more, no less."
Chet> I'm not talking to him.
Roger> Ok guys, lets get the cars and go back to the hotel
James> i know, I am.
mgrasso> (All right guys, that'll do it for tonight.)
mgrasso> (We'll work on a plan next time!)