Scene Two
Chapter Seven: Commencement
Scene One: Charm City
mgrasso> I will start recapping, since I figure we need it. Recap the whole story, yet.
mgrasso> Gemma and James absconded from L.A. with James' granpa's car, which was in the possession of one James Leno.
mgrasso> Ingrid, Chet, and Roger followed, and when both parties got home, they discovered the freehold destroyed and not one changeling to be found.
mgrasso> Subsequent to that, Chet and Gemma searched for Professor Wynderven, whom Chet had found out was found dead, apparently dead for months, even though Gemma had seen and met with him recently.
mgrasso> James visited work to find out
mgrasso> Company X had been taken over by Microsoft.
Mandy> who implanted an alien device in his neck.
Erica> Damn Bill Gates! ::shakes fist::
mgrasso> And Ingrid and Roger scanned the videotape of the vandalized mission/destroyed freehold for clues, and found only a shadowy figure in the parking lot.
Erica> (Did you guys know that in Shadowrun, Bill Gates' spawn are running wild? [/random])
mgrasso> When we re-gathered at James and Gemma's, we found instructions and maps leading to the Valley of the Moon, a weird park constructed back in the 1930s.
Julia> (Figures he'd be a satyr.)
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Mandy> and fought the jabberwokie
mgrasso> When we got there, we saw Douglass' motorcycle, unbound to his steed.
Mandy> (to bad all my carrol lewis-stevenson poe bookmarks were on my laptop at school...
* Mandy pouts.
mgrasso> Going inside, we did indeed find the jabberwock, and the personification of one of Robert Louis Stevenson's poems.
mgrasso> Finally, we wandered into a Baltimore street in the midst of some very strange electioneering...
*** Bill (rayan4d2@209.122.234.73) has joined #Changeling-Tucson
mgrasso> Woohoo!
mgrasso> We are all here. Shall we get into character? Fae names, please.
Erica> Damn. One more neat murder conspiracy shot to hell.
mgrasso> For we are, more or less, in the Dreaming.
*** Julia is now known as Artemisia
*** Joe is now known as Kirby
*** Erica is now known as Solangia
* Bill takes a sledgehammer to his computer then himself
*** Amanda is now known as Aranth
mgrasso> Relax, Bill. You're here now.
*** Bill is now known as Jermanas
Artemisia> (A younger Robert Forster. :)
mgrasso> All right. So, the five of you were on the streets of early 19th-century Baltimore, trying to help an obviously confused gentleman out who was being harassed by political supporters.
Artemisia> Do we know what the issue is?
mgrasso> It looks to be a state legislature election, from the looks of the signs.
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Aranth> (I so see roger as robert redford)
*** Erica (magaggie@63.184.105.17) has joined #Changeling-Tucson
*** Erica is now known as Solangia
mgrasso> The electioneers had just offered Chet money to bring the confused, disheveled man over.
Artemisia> Where are the rest of us?
Kirby> !dice 5 7
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 2 successes.
* DiceWell 3 5 5 8 10
mgrasso> You are all standing on the street, although Gemma and James are closer to the "exit" back to the Valley of the Moon.
Kirby> Hey, buddy. Are you Ok?
mgrasso> Kirby helps the man to his feet, and he stands with uncertainty.
Aranth> I was looking at her wounds.
mgrasso> "You know they're after me. The Brotherhood!"
* Artemisia walks over to where Kirby is talking to the gentleman.
mgrasso> He eyes the electioneers with a wary glance.
Aranth> (how bad did I fail by last time? could I take another shot?)
Artemisia> Hello, sir. Perhaps you can fill us in on what's going on here.
mgrasso> James: Int + Medicine/First Aid, diff. 9 this time.
mgrasso> "I... I never should've gotten on that train. They tried to murder me!"
Artemisia> Who was that?
* Artemisia keeps her voice low and calming.
* Jermanas moves to look at the election signs, circling to the right of the men.
mgrasso> Art: Cha + Persuasion, diff. 6
Artemisia> !dice 6 6
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 6d10 at difficulty 6. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 5 3 4 1 10 1
Artemisia> Gah!
Aranth> can I use science at a 10 dif?
mgrasso> Aranth: yes.
Artemisia> WP on that, please.
mgrasso> All right, Art.
Aranth> wp me too...
mgrasso> Jermanas: the election is between a Democrat and a Whig.
Aranth> !dice 6 10
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 6d10 at difficulty 10. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 9 5 4 8 2 4
Jermanas> Gentlemen Gentlemen, what can we do to help you in your cause for a better government.
mgrasso> Daniel Edwards, the Democrat, is running against James Robinson, the incumbent Whig.
mgrasso> "We just want to get our friend there to the polls tonight." The men look at the crazed man near Chet, who is trying to inch away from Ingrid.
* Artemisia looks over at the men. "By force, is that right?"
Jermanas> "I'am sorry to say gentlemen that this man is in no condition to make an educated selection. Now I would be happy to help you myself"
* Kirby looks over the man's injuries.
mgrasso> The men give a strong, antagonistic look to Artemisia.
mgrasso> "Why, lady, we mean no harm to him! He just needs some help to vote, is all."
Jermanas> !dice 7 8
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 7d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 2 successes.
* DiceWell 10 1 8 8 9 6 1
Artemisia> !dice 6 6
* DiceWell Artemisia rolls 6d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 4 1 8 1 2 10
Solangia> (brb)
mgrasso> Kirby sees nothing obvious... but give me a Per + Streetwise nonetheless.
* Artemisia turns to the man. "Sir, is this true?"
mgrasso> Jermanas' words intrigue the men. "You'd be willing? To vote?"
Kirby> (diff?)
mgrasso> The man is vehement. "They mean to kill me! They are agents of the Brotherhood!"
Jermanas> Absolutely gentlemen
mgrasso> Sorry, 7.
Kirby> !dice 5 7
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 4 successes.
* DiceWell 8 8 2 8 10
Artemisia> Who is the Brotherhood?
* Artemisia whispers.
Jermanas> I have always believed that right to vote is a priviledge.
mgrasso> "Lady, I am sworn to secrecy, even though they try me so!"
Jermanas> That should not be declined.
mgrasso> "They have been after me, because of what I have written in my books..."
Artemisia> All right, all right, calm down. Your life is not now in imminent danger.
Aranth> And you are?
Jermanas> !dice 7 6
* DiceWell Jermanas rolls 7d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 5 successes.
* DiceWell 10 6 1 10 9 7 7
* Aranth shouts up from where he is tending Solangia
mgrasso> Aranth calls from across the street as Jermanas takes the men, en masse to the first bar/polling place he sees.
Artemisia> Which books might those be, my dear sir?
mgrasso> The man, back on his knees, whispers in response to Artemisia and Kirby. "I am Edgar Allan Poe."
Aranth> (2 points to me! I knew!)
mgrasso> "And my books are a matter for the public record. Your friend has relieved me of my pursuers. I must away now."
mgrasso> Struggling to his feet, Poe starts to stagger down the foggy street.
* Aranth gets up and grabs him by the arm
* Jermanas glances over his shoulder toward the others trying to catch someones eye.
mgrasso> "Sir! Unhand me! You are one of them!" The paranoid, wild-eyed look reaches Poe's deep-set brow as he rants as Aranth tries to arrest him.
Artemisia> Please be off then, with our blessing. I would extend a wish for peace, but I am afraid you may not find it. Good luck to you, sir.
Aranth> you aren't going anywhere you coke-head diabetic until we're sure our friend is okay.
* Artemisia sighs.
Kirby> But, um, maybe it would be a good idea to get him out of here so taht when they come back, they don't find him.
Aranth> fine with me.
mgrasso> Going down the street, you manage to find a small cemetary, crowded with old-style gravestones.
Aranth> Kirby, if you'll take him, I think I'll tail Jermanas... and could you take a look at Sol's wounds?
Artemisia> Is there somewhere you can go, sir?
mgrasso> "You should leave me here. Here they cannot find me. Here in the lands of those passed on." The man looks wistfully at the graves.
Solangia> (back)
Kirby> Jeez. Talk about goth...
mgrasso> Poe replies, "No, nowhere is safe. They will have my home surveilled."
Jermanas> (ooooooh)
mgrasso> "Better I rest here."
Artemisia> Uh, how about a nice Irish coffee or something?
Aranth> and they call him a "romantic"
Aranth> really, you guys take him.
* Aranth takes off after Jermanas and his "companions"
Artemisia> (brb, need socks...)
mgrasso> (As Aranth reaches Jermanas, he finds himself standing with him back in the Valley of the Moon.)
mgrasso> As Jermanas walked into the bar, the city of Baltimore disappeared around him.
Jermanas> What the fuck!
Jermanas> Goddammit now where is everyone
mgrasso> Artemisia, Kirby, and Solangia remain in the street near the graveyard.
Kirby> So what do we do now, Art?
* Jermanas turns around trying to retrace his steps as he bumps into Aranth.
Aranth> FURKING SHIT.
mgrasso> Poe slumps on the corner near the graveyard. He closes his eyes and grabs his too-small overcoat to him.
Aranth> That coked up bastard was the ever glum ever popular EA poe.
Jermanas> Who?
Aranth> Poe, edgar allan...
Jermanas> Oh... sorry
Jermanas> where is everyone else
* Solangia goes over to Poe and glares down at him. "Wake up, cupcake. My kidneys are falling out my side here, and you don't see me shirking."
Kirby> Yeah, but you see, Sol... He's supposed to die in a gutter somewhere.
Artemisia> Uh... they seem to have disappeared.
mgrasso> Solangia looks down at Poe, and then looks back up. She sees that she, Kirby, and Artemisia now stand about 30 feet away from Jermanas and Aranth, back in the Valley of the Moon. Poe remains, slumped up against a small earth bulwark.
Kirby> Yeah. They're gone. So what do we do now?
Artemisia> Kirby, are you suggesting we leave him in a gutter?
Solangia> No! No, he's not! He's supposed to die in bed, covered with whores.
Aranth> Thank goodness.
Kirby> No, that's me you're thinking of.
Aranth> What the fuck just happened?
Jermanas> Hey I had dibs on that.
Aranth> Why is he still here?
Solangia> (We're all back in the Valley now?)
Kirby> I have no idea. It's not like we really went back in time to save Poe's life or something.
Aranth> isn't he supposed to be dead in a gutter or something?
Kirby> This isn't Star Trek.
Solangia> I've had enough of this "dead in the gutter" stuff.
Kirby> Wait a minute... or is it?
mgrasso> (yes) His head dipped into his chest, Poe cocoons to keep the damp and cold away, and all of a sudden, turns into a man-shaped shadow and fades into the earth.
Artemisia> I guess that solves that discussion.
Solangia> Noooo, it --
Scene Two: Quest
mgrasso> "I thought you might have had enough of that."
* Solangia kneels down to touch the earth where Poe was
mgrasso> A commanding, friendly voice echoes around the five of you.
mgrasso> You turn, and see a stone throne in a field behind you.
Jermanas> what now
mgrasso> Sitting in the throne is a male eshu dressed in luxurious silks. His mortal seeming is most probably Hispanic, but his fae mien has the exotic, dark features of the Wandering kith.
mgrasso> "You see, George left so many... lessons here when he left." The man, in his mid-30s, grasps a brass and silver scepter and sits confidently on his throne.
* Artemisia half-curtsies almost involuntarily.
mgrasso> "I thought it might be advisable to see what he left for us."
mgrasso> "After all, this freehold is probably not long for this particular Earth."
mgrasso> "I am Perceval. Named after the Fool, you might say. Still, he was the Fool who found the Grail. Excuse my not getting up."
Solangia> You're excused. Mind if I sit down?
mgrasso> The eshu's overall demeanor is confused, urgent, and choked. It's as if he's having trouble getting the words out.
mgrasso> "Please do, Gemma Esquer, Solangia of Old Pueblo."
Aranth> how do you know that?
* Solangia raises an eyebrow
Solangia> Ooh. Someone's been looking in my wallet.
mgrasso> "James Goldstein, Aranth, originally of the Kingdom of Apples, I have brought you here. Well, myself and your professor."
mgrasso> "He, indirectly, of course. Poor man."
mgrasso> "He was the first casualty in this County of the War."
Artemisia> Poor man, indeed. What happened to him?
Jermanas> It seems you know a great deal. Perhaps you could enlighten us with the tale of how you know us.
mgrasso> "He was murdered, of course, Lady Artemisia, Knight of Lady Sharon ap Fiona, ruler-in-exile."
mgrasso> "Murdered by the same forces who seek to destabilize and destroy all of Concordia."
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Aranth> and who is that?
*** Erica is now known as Solangia`
* Aranth slaps Aranth around a bit with a large trout
mgrasso> "Jermanas, wanderer late of LAdy Helena's court, I am a seer."
Aranth> (what the fuck is *THAT*?)
mgrasso> "I have seen many things in these past three nights that have both scared and inspired me. And you five are at the center of most of them."
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Artemisia> Aren't we lucky?
mgrasso> (A fish-slapping macro, MAndy. :)
*** Solangia` is now known as Solangia
Kirby> If it was us five, it was mostly scared, I'll bet.
* Jermanas walks up closer to the throne and sits "indian style" before Perceval.
Aranth> Us?
Aranth> how?
Aranth> why?
mgrasso> "No, Kirby Haruspex. You are the inspiration. You five... five, such a magical number... you five are Concordia's saviors."
* Kirby whispers to Gemma, "I hope he tells me what Kingdom I'm from, because I was never very good at politics."
mgrasso> "Incipiently speaking, of course."
Artemisia> Would you mind elaborating on that, maybe?
Jermanas> Yes, a story shouldn't start in the middle.
* Solangia whispers back, "You're from the Kingdom of the Pyrex Butt Plug, Kirbsikins."
mgrasso> "I have seen your quest. A quest that will take you the length and breadth of Concordia... healing the wounded land as you pass through."
Artemisia> That's a pretty tall order.
mgrasso> "And there, I see, on the shores of where Concordia greets the sun, I see your final confrontation with the forces who seek to destroy Concordia's dream."
mgrasso> "And there, I see no more."
Aranth> woah-- one fucking goddamn second...
mgrasso> "All that I know is that your quest begins here and now."
Aranth> why US?
mgrasso> "Any hero asks himself that question at the beginning of his quest. My namesake, Percival, Arthur's Grail-Knight, knew only one person for the first 15 years of his life, his mother."
Kirby> Because we couldn't do it without your sweet ride, James. It's a raod trip, baby!
mgrasso> "And his first adventures were full of inept bumbling, much like yours were. Remember Lake Havasu, you three?"
* Artemisia coughs.
Jermanas> "you see a long road before us, will you show us the way?"
* Aranth nods.
mgrasso> "But the hero evolves. And grows. And learns."
* Solangia looks a bit miffed
Solangia> Do you know any silver lionesses?
Solangia> Talking, bossy ones?
mgrasso> "I don't know, Solangia... you know someone bossy, someone who is a lioness, no? Although, I fear she is the lion in retreat, now."
mgrasso> Perceval grins openly, cherishing the moment like a sunshower.
* Aranth looks confused.
* Solangia narrows her eyes
mgrasso> "Ah, more puzzles for the confused."
Solangia> Don't speak in riddles.
mgrasso> "I do not mean to speak in such enigmas, but I fear George handed down this way to me, along with the Valley."
mgrasso> "It was a bit of the Bedlam I inherited."
* Solangia rubs her eyes
Solangia> I'm going to be honest with you. I don't know any lionesses. Not in the way you think I should. I know that Art is bossy and my father calls my mother "tiger" when he thinks I can't hear them. That's it for me.
Artemisia> How do we know we can trust ou?
mgrasso> "You don't. But then you've never known enough to trust each other, either. And you must. And you must. For if you do not, all Concordia is doomed."
mgrasso> "What has happened here in Tucson is happening all over the country."
mgrasso> "Solangia, think on it. I'm sure the realization will come to you. In fact, I believe it has already, to a certain degree."
Kirby> Well that's no good...
Solangia> It hasn't, you're right.
mgrasso> "But Kirby, that is what your quest is for. To heal the land."
Kirby> Sweet.
mgrasso> "Those you will encounter on the way will need you." He looks especially at Kirby as he says this.
Artemisia> And how exactly do we accomplish *that*?
mgrasso> "As I said, Lady, you will journey to where the sun greets Concordia.
* Artemisia sighs again, this time resignedly.
mgrasso> "And no tricky shortcuts on planes or through the Dreaming for you."
Aranth> East?
* Kirby nudges Aranth.
Kirby> See dude, road trip.
Aranth> the kingdom of apples?
* Solangia groans
Artemisia> Why go the pauper's route when we have a fabulous Caddy?
mgrasso> "Yes, the sun does rise in the east! He's not only a computer whiz, he's an astronomer too!" Perceval smiles again.
* Artemisia smiles in James's direction.
* Solangia stands up
mgrasso> "Your steeds will take you there. Artemisia, Sir Douglass left his motorcycle for you, to bond to your own steed."
Solangia> Is Sir Douglass dead?
Kirby> Artemisia? A biker chick? Now I've seen everything.
Artemisia> Hmmmm...
mgrasso> "Douglass mac Liam has taken his own route. He traveled through the Valley of the Moon. He has his own quest to complete, his own Oath to respect."
Artemisia> He always has.
* Solangia laughs
Aranth> teh... oath.
Artemisia> I'll take his bike, though.
Solangia> Yeah. Respecting an oath. That sure sounds like our Doug'ass.
Aranth> respect.
* Artemisia smiles.
mgrasso> "The court of Rogelio is currently in exile in the Kingdom of the Feathered Snake,
Kirby> But first you'll have to get some leather chaps.
mgrasso> and both Rogelio and Sharon survived."
Solangia> Nothing but bad news from you, eh, Percy?
mgrasso> "Their knights fought as valiantly as they could against the enemy."
Artemisia> Perceval, do you have anything that can help heal Solangia here? I think she was injured.
mgrasso> "I believe I can. Approach me, child."
* Aranth has something click in his brain.
* Solangia eyes him warily
Artemisia> Thanks you for the news of my fellow nobles.
Solangia> Her or me?
mgrasso> "You! You have the wound, no?"
Solangia> Well, I am borrowing it for a bit, yes...
Aranth> you know, if we pull this "saving concordia" bit off, maybe we can reorder the social structure... (mutters to himself)
Kirby> Who is this enemy, again? Did I miss that part?
* Solangia cautiously approaches Perceval
Solangia> !dice 6 8
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 1 1 1 4 9 10
Solangia> (gah! wp!)
Kirby> I must've been high at the time...
mgrasso> "Kirby, the enemy who sacked the freehold is the same one whom *you* will have to face first."
Solangia> !dice 1 8
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 1d10 at difficulty 8. S/He fails the roll!
* DiceWell 5
Aranth> So when do we start?
Kirby> Yee-haw! Um, wait...
Kirby> me?
mgrasso> "As soon as you are ready to leave your lives here behind... at least for the time being. But then again, what really do any of you have now?"
mgrasso> Kirby: "I meant you in the plural."
Kirby> Oh, good.
Aranth> Heh. Other than gramp's computers, a big fat load of shit.
Aranth> by the way, I don't suppose you know what this triangle in my neck is?
mgrasso> Solangia: Perceval touches your side and completely heals your wound. Not so much as a Bunk.
Kirby> So isn't this the part where the wise man gives the brave adventurers a magical weapon to help them on their quest?
Artemisia> Well, there is my job and my dragon boss.... which I won't be *that* sorry to lose.
mgrasso> Kirby: the only
mgrasso> "Kirby, the only weapon I have is information."
Kirby> Damn. I've seen Star Wars too many times.
Kirby> Unless... Is "Information" the name of a magical sword, like "Excalibur"?
mgrasso> Perceval looks at Aranth. "I know what that is. And you will as well."
Solangia> Well. Um. Thanks for healing me.
Aranth> It's okay Kirby, before we leave, I'll make us some weapons.
* Solangia edges away from Perceval to stand next to Aranth
Aranth> I will because it will slowly kill me, or I will because you're about to tell me and this is dramatic build up?
* Aranth slips his hand into Sol's
mgrasso> "No. I'm not telling you because it's not *time* yet. But your journey will reveal it."
Artemisia> Is there anything else you can not tell us?
* Artemisia looks kind of exasperated after overhearing Perceval and Aranth.
mgrasso> "I see a shootout in the desert plain... I see a homecoming, cloaked in sadness... I see a summer festival, joy and peace and contentment... and I see pain and suffering by thousands. And I see, finally, everything explained and made sense once and for all."
Solangia> Really. If information is a weapon, then you've just given us swizzle sticks.
mgrasso> Perceval grins mischievously.
Kirby> Great.
* Kirby mutters
Artemisia> Okay. Now it all makes sense.
Kirby> I am *so* not going home.
mgrasso> "Kirby, I feel that your heart will lead you there, regardless of your fear."
Aranth> DOn't stress guys... everyone knows the oracle never makes sense until the looming terror is right on top of you.
* Artemisia shoots a glance at Gemma. "And you're no more scrutable yourself, sometimes, don't forget that."
Kirby> It's not a looming terror I'm worried about.
Artemisia> What is it then?
Aranth> Hey now art, you heard the man- trust and companionship/
Kirby> It's a mousy brunette about 5 foot nothing with a guitar case full of hard feelings.
Solangia> !dice 2 8
* DiceWell Solangia rolls 2d10 at difficulty 8. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 6 1
Artemisia> Right. Ahem. Sorry.
* Solangia presses her face against Aranth's arm and bites him.
mgrasso> "Aren't you at all curious about the freehold, here?"
Kirby> Well, according to this guy, we're all going to have to get to know each other a lot better on this trip.
Aranth> Ow! fuck! what?
Artemisia> I a. Tell me everything.
Kirby> Which is, of course, what's really scary.
Artemisia> (am.)
mgrasso> "Well, George Phar Legler was his name. And he was a sidhe at a time when there weren't too many on Earth."
mgrasso> "He built this place to house the dreams that haunted him nightly. He threw away his whole mortal life to be here."
* Aranth whispers to sol, figuring he can get the story later.
Jermanas> ]=]]\
mgrasso> "Solangia? Do you know what happened to this place in the late 60s and early 70s?"
Jermanas> \- -> [Solangia] PING
* Solangia pats Aranth while answering Perceval, "Are you kidding me? I know nothing about this place. Are you sure he was sidhe? I mean ... bunnies. You know."
Solangia> Excuse me, while you think of a way to not tell me anything...
Jermanas> ''''''''''''''''''h
mgrasso> "What Solangia no doubt meant to say was that by 1969, Legler lived here like a hermit, totally ostracized from the mortals of Tucson. Then the moon landing. Then the return of the sidhe."
* Solangia whispers to Aranth
mgrasso> "When a group of childlings and wilders found him in 1972, living here alone, they banded together to repair the freehold and open it again to mortals, so they could enjoy the Glamour contained within."
mgrasso> "I was one of those childlings."
mgrasso> "And we kept it a free and open freehold during the Accordance Wars, when I met your friend Douglass, a young idealistic knight fighting for the commoners."
mgrasso> "It was a wondrous time."
* Artemisia looks around appreciatively.
Artemisia> Nice work.
mgrasso> "But, my motley moved away, sank into their Banal lives, surely."
mgrasso> "I remained. And when George passed on, the leadership mantle fell to me."
mgrasso> "And here I have been, ever since."
mgrasso> "When Rogelio and Sharon came to rule, I kept a low profile. There were a few who still knew of this place, like Professor Wynderven."
* Kirby 's ears perk.
mgrasso> "But mainly I just helped keep the place up as a volunteer."
mgrasso> "I didn't want politics to enter into it. I left that to the Count."
mgrasso> "This low profile is probably what kept the invaders away."
Artemisia> It looks like that decision served you well.
mgrasso> "Yes indeed."
mgrasso> "What more knowledge can I bestow upon you?"
Artemisia> Is there anything special we should take with us?
mgrasso> "Take only what you need. Weapons, armor, supplies, money."
mgrasso> "Your journey, as I said, will be in the waking world, not the Dreaming."
Kirby> My bong...
mgrasso> "Do you know which road you will follow?" Again the mischievous smirk.
Aranth> trail rations, flint and steel, back pack, bedroll, 10 torches
Aranth> ...
mgrasso> "What is the road of America's dreams?"
Artemisia> Hmm.
Kirby> ROUTE 66!
Artemisia> Route 66?
Aranth> rt 66/
Kirby> Hey, we all agreed on something. Wow!
mgrasso> Perceval raises an eyebrow. "At least as far as the Mississippi."
mgrasso> "Yes, you're right. You may find the remnants of many dreams there."
Artemisia> We can get our kicks!
Kirby> Then it's on to America's second favorite dream, Route 69.
* Artemisia snorts. -> [Jermanas] PING -> [Solangia] PING
Aranth> I 90 runs all the way from washington to boston...
* Solangia sighs
Kirby> So we just take 66 until the next freaky dude tells us where to go, right?
Jermanas> \
mgrasso> "Something the matter, Solangia?"
Solangia> No, and I'm going to tell you why.
mgrasso> Kirby: "Something like that. Your dàn will find you."
Kirby> I don't know a Dan.
Kirby> But I guess, he's going to find me, so no worries, eh?
mgrasso> "You may rest here tonight, you know. You must need Glamour."
Solangia> Will you sleep with us? Aranth and me, I mean?
mgrasso> "I retreat somewhere else when night falls. Night is not a good time for a Fool."
Solangia> Where do you go?
mgrasso> "There's a small cave, where George lived. I like to sleep there."
Kirby> !dice 7 6
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 7d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 10 8 7 3 4 3 4
Solangia> Does it have cable?
mgrasso> "Not exactly."
Solangia> I mean, is that how you know all of us? Your special tv? What we do, what we're up to,our names... You watch us on the Fae Network?
mgrasso> Perceval takes a different tack, ignoring Solangia's question. "You were the eshu, correct? Have you yet figured out what that meant?"
mgrasso> (This, to Solangia)
* Solangia glances at Aranth, then back to Perceval
* Aranth 's eyes get big.
Solangia> Well, golly, sir. I know all about it. But I love reruns. Tell me again.
mgrasso> "I am eshu. I bestow this quest upon you, to wander upon the map of Concordia. Now, you become the wanderer. You become the Fool, beginning your quest."
Solangia> As I recall, I became a steak the last time I became an eshu.
Solangia> Right, mijo?
* Solangia tugs on Aranth's hand
Aranth> does that make the dutchess the lioness?
Aranth> in retreat?
Artemisia> The dutchess?
Aranth> (or is she a countess?)
Aranth> (oops?)
Solangia> She *ate* the steak, Aranth. She didn't run from it.
Kirby> Look, we can argue all day about who tried to kill who... Or we can just go find out.
Solangia> (Sharon? I think she's the countess.)
mgrasso> (Countess) Perceval touches his nose.
Aranth> Hold on Kirby, I thought dream interpretation was right up your ally
Artemisia> Countess Sharon ate Solangia when she was a steak?
Solangia> With A1 sauce, Artie.
Kirby> Yeah. It is. Although I'm still not secure enough in my masculinity to describe anything as "up my alley".
Solangia> who does Sharon love most? Besides herself, Percy?
Aranth> I think she just warned her.
Kirby> It's a long story, Artemisia. And I have a feeling we've got plenty of "share time" in the car ride ahead.
Artemisia> Warned her against what?
mgrasso> Perceval smirks. "I've talked a lot of Arthur, and the romances. What happens in those romances, Solangia?"
Solangia> Fuck if I know! Virgins sleep with whores?
Aranth> people die
mgrasso> "You know, Aranth? You're knowledgeable in such things."
mgrasso> "Yes, and...?"
Aranth> betray one another
Aranth> and have incest
mgrasso> "Oh, so like life. What else?"
Solangia> Aaaaand...? They become born again christians.
mgrasso> "What is the one central theme of the courtly romance?"
mgrasso> "It is courtly love. The extended affair."
Solangia> Chicks dig sonnets.
mgrasso> "The rules for wooing the lady fair."
* Artemisia listens carefully to this exchange.
Solangia> Can we try to relate this to me here? Courtly romance, betrayal... Who did I betray? Who did I woo away?
mgrasso> "Lancelot and Guinevere, you know them, eh?"
Solangia> Not personally.
mgrasso> "There's your betrayal, Aranth."
Aranth> yes.
Aranth> and death.
mgrasso> Perceval hums a tune to himself.
Aranth> (mythlore roll?)
mgrasso> Sure, diff. 8
Aranth> !dice 5 8
* DiceWell Aranth rolls 5d10 at difficulty 8. S/He botches the roll.
* DiceWell 5 1 7 1 10
Aranth> frig.
Aranth> It's been a long day.
Kirby> !dice 5 6
* DiceWell Kirby rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes.
* DiceWell 3 4 9 9 7
Kirby> You guys are so dense.
mgrasso> "It has indeed. Sleep on it."
mgrasso> Sorry! I'm cutting off there!
mgrasso> zip!
Kirby> lol!
mgrasso> shhhhh!
Solangia> argh
*** Kirby is now known as Joe
mgrasso> I got a whole bag of "Shhh" right here./
Joe> Ha, ha, ha!
*** Solangia is now known as Erica
Artemisia> Hah!
*** Artemisia is now known as Julia
Julia> That was sooooo cool. ;)
mgrasso> Well, there we are.
*** Aranth is now known as Mandy
Joe> Awesome!
mgrasso> Story Nine is in the books.
Mandy> very neat!
Julia> Even though I didn't get to cantrip anyone.
Joe> That was the best session in a long time. And we didn't even hack anything!