Session Start: Sat Feb 17 21:18:00 2007 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 29: Alloyed Fears | Location: Vulcannon to Kali Trail | Pools: 13361 §, 12 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' == SESSION START == It has been some time since the Destiny left the last vestiges of Lunarian civilization in this portion of the Americas. The "road" is barely more than a winding pass through mountains, canyons and river banks. The scenery is beautiful though, as the sun is rising overhead through the ruddy cliffsides. The heroes of Raculi hastily make their way west towards the dangerous territory of Kali Forlorn, chasing down yet another Elementalor run amok... along with the Iron Witch Emiria. << you can begin how you like ^^ >> * Vytor hunkers down in the cargo area, glad to be on the road again * Trune glances out the window, looking a little put out that he's once again about to be in close quarters with people for HOURS. * Saki mostly spends her time sleeping, or drifting in some hazy thought. She's still heavily beaten up from the last few days' exertions, and looks like she could use the rest. So do we have a plan on how to deal with this? * Angie has her nose plastered to the window. Her blank, distant stare suggests that she is thinking rather than enjoying the scenery. * Mikel lets out yawn, looking half asleep as he gives the scenery a half interested look. It only holds one's attention for so long, after all. On the horizon the thin air gradually becomes thicker and has a red glow, most likely due to the active volcanoes there. The temperature has been slowly rising, as vegetation has become sparse and the plateus desert-like. To the south of your position is what appear to be a great lake, yet the white shimmer on it's banks are likely large salt deposits. How cruel an oasis for someone out here. With Mars? We're going to get lit on fire two or three times, then have one of the other elementalors talk to her. If we're lucky we'll still have eyebrows. "Always a bright ray of sunshine, Professor." I do't suppose not being set on fire is an option? * Tanan pauses, staring out the window at the horizon. "Nnnno. Probably not. I'd say on fire is a given." Man, and this is my good shirt too... She'd better not burn my hair. * Mia_Ausa (~Mia_Ausa@pool-72-74-111-52.bstnma.east.verizon.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 "It's guaranteed, Trune." Unless she's ho---er...nice looking. <> <> << yo >> * Mikel glances over at Trune, raising an eyebrow. "Weeeell, she is the fire one, isn't she?" I am not finishing your thought. I refuse! * Saki gets bounced awake with a noise of surprise thanks to a bump on the road; she scrabbles comically for purchase for a couple of moments, before blinking around. Emiria seems engrossed in her notes, being largely anti-social for now. Leah is meanwhile glued to the windows. * Tanan sighs. "Does anyone have any paint thinner or anything? We really shouldn't have pulled that prank on Leah while she was sleeping." <<...cut that, sorry. ;)>> [Leah] I've only been out this way like once before! << lol >> Have you? I've never been this far west before. Not even close. * Saki leans over the edge of the Destiny a short way, peering into the cab to vaguely keep tabs on the conversation inside. This is pretty new to me as well * Mikel gives Saki an idle wave a she pokes her head over. It's kind of...desolate. I can see why few come out this far. Rouh country out there I mean, I know that's pretty damn obvious. I'm just saying. Plenty of room to stop, drop, and roll then? * Angie registers the conversation as a distant hum. Some part of her brain realizes that she might want to pay attention to this and jolts her out of her trance. She yawns and stretches as best the close quarters allow. Seeing Emiria studying, she cranes her neck to peek at her notes. We'll need it Here and there are patches of ashy earth coming into view, the leftovers of an ancient volcanic eruption no doubt... * Tanan rubs his side, then stretches a little. "We probably could have saved time and just stood to close too the fireplace back in town." * Niri yawns hugely and stretches, rousing from her nap. Are we there yet? No Nope. No. And if you ask to make a pit stop to go pee, I'm going to smack you. And then I'll tie you to the roof! ^_^ "She might bite your hand." * Trune smirks, "She can try." Seriously, who chewed YOU up and spat you out this morning, Trune? * Mikel lets out another yawn, stretching as much as he's able to. "Now, we might have been there if you guys let me drive..." Angie notices Emiria is looking at descriptions of ancient weapons unearthed by the Labs in several regions, and what they might have been used for in the Devestation War. But it's diffuclt to read further as Emiria tried to keep it private. :P Nothing, it's just you asked are we there yet three times already! << tries >> Hey, I think it's FUN when Mikel drives. Speak for yourself Niri? Hey, I've been napping! I thought it was worth asking again. Yeah Tanan? Ryllan is, by the way, driving carefully and trying to keep a clear head while doing it. His possession seems to have subsided, but something tells you it is by no means cured. * Tanan grins. "Fun? I know some really good healers, and I promise we'll have them fix whatever is wrong with you when we make it back to the academy." * Mikel lets out a sigh. "Genius is only appreciated by a few." * Vytor leans bck, smiling slightly at the good-natured banter I still think I should drive. "Have you even driven before?" * Angie nudges her glasses up with a knuckle. "Why does everyone want to drive, anyway?" she asks, leaning back in her seat. "It's the same as being a passenger except you have to pay attention." Can't sleep, yeah Maybe its the prestige "I enjoy it." Shiro is still sleeping lightly in a corner. Maybe the warm air makes him a little uneasy. * Trune pauses for a moment, "Twice. Though it was one of those little go-carts the academy uses sometimes to shuttle stuff. I'll have you know I did not hit anything or anyone, though!" * Niri sticks her tongue out at Tanan I suppose you can't make 'turning this car around' threats if you're a passenger. * Tanan looks at Niri with an expression of poorly feigned innocence. "Yes?" "Most of us could probably fry it with magic though." * Saki frowns, rapping idly on the cab in thought. "Big clanky things aren't exactly my style. I think I'd be terrible at it." I'm with you on that one. I've never really driven anything that didn't use willforce controls." * Angie chuckles as an old memory flashes past her eyes. "Oh, man. This one time? We had this one team on a hill about two miles away and we were on this other hill, and we were setting up a beacon...did I tell this one?" *Hmphs at Tanan* Quit making fun of me, I can kick your butt! I don't think so * Trune 's face blanks, "Uh...yes. Yes you did...shh! Vy!" What? * Trune shakes his head and smiles slightly, "Nah, you'll see soon enough." * Vytor loks a little baffled, but let's it slide * Tanan laughs. "Maybe. Little too early for threats though, I think." OK so we've got this basic willforce telecommunicator so we don't just have to scream a lot, because that gets really old, so we get a message from the other team all freaked out like that there's monsters. (w) Here she goes... * Mikel shifts in his seat to glance back at Angie, chuckling at Trune's displeasure. * Saki drifts off again, letting the world fade out as she dozes lightly. At least this time she's learnt to brace herself a little better as she lets the journey pass by. We have the car with us -- not like this, it was smaller, but same sort of make -- so we all pile in and blast off so we can help, and we're just BARRELLING across the field, like we'd be in the air for a full two seconds coming off a hill. I'm not really sure what happened but we didn't stop and we just plow right through the monsters an equipment -- *She demonstrates by sweeping one hand past the other* WHOOM! * Vytor listens, figuring since he walked into this he'd best see it through We broke half our shit. As Saki dozes, the ashes begin to grow more plentiful until the ruddy colored ridges and basin is now a sea of grey. The beauty of before is suddenly replaced with a melancholy appearance, as the dreary powdery deposits stretch for miles. * Niri listens to Angie, fascinated in some strange way. * Trune looks like he's getting the beginnings of a grand headache. How did the monsters react? * Angie 's eyes wander with her thoughts. "I think we logged it as an equipment failure," she murmurs. Vytor's question reminds her of the main point, and she gets back on track. "Oh! All but like three of them died when the car slammed into them. It'd be a good way to fight small monsters except it's not so good for the car. This one could probably take it, though." * Mikel snickers, shaking his head. "How'd you pass that expense off?" Not trying that tactic, thank you. An expedition like that, I'm sure they expect some losses sometimes. It'd get the windshield dirty anyway, Vytor. rue enough * Angie finishes her story and returns to looking out the window. For the time being, the other people in the back are once again safe from her enthusiastic gesticulations. Nothing like turn signals, right of ways, and blood splatters on a Sunday drive. * Vytor chuckles There a subtle shift of the land beneath the land Cruiser's wheels now. But due to the suspension, it's barely noticeable. * Saki has apparently blinked awake at some point, and is shielding her eyes to look at the landscape ahead without getting too ashblasted. She looks glum, eyes a little unfocused. * Trune hmms and looks out the window, "Anyone feel that?" * Mikel ponders as he sits back. "This would be a bad time to suggest I dr- ...hm, for a bit, yeah." A little bit. The new shocks are working nicely. What am I supposed to be feeling gere? «ooc: here » * Niri peers out the window. Just a bit of a shift I guess. I wonder if people will ever be able to live out here Anyone know how much further it is to our destination? Niri sees the basin of ash, and what look like some molten rock that hardened hundreds of years ago. The western skies are a little more bright and clogged with a smog that is difficult to see the sun through. * Angie smiles a faint, gentle smile as she stares out at the smouldering, sulfur-choked badlands. "People can live anywhere." Not in the icefields. Not for long, anyway [Leah] Hmm.. I think by the end of today we should be at the place Webbly mentioned. But the tough going is coming soon. * Saki frowns again, then hunkers down, searching through her things for a roll of bandage. A brief bit of work with a kitchen knife and she's got a long strip, held over her mouth and nose for protection. Wordlessly she tosses the roll over to Vytor. Wait....wait a moment. It's gonna get worse? Are we on fire yet? "This is a surprise, Trune?" * Vytor gets bopped in the had by a roll of bandages and doesn't know why Give us time, Tanan. We'll make it up there eventually. * Trune looks slightly abashed, "...just a little." * Tanan nods. "Then yes, it's going to get worse." "If you give me a match I could light you on fire and get it out of the way, if you want." * Mikel throws Tanan a cheery grin. * Vytor looks at Saki, then the bandages, and says, "Ah. Right." Honestly, I kind of like the heat. I find it's a bit chilly up north. I could do without the rotten-eggs smell, though. That's not a bad idea, but then I'd just get lit on fire twice. It's not like the first one would cancel the second. You know...this place looks awful. Thank you Miss Oh-No-REALLY? * Vytor preps a strip of his own, and passes the roll of bandages to Niri. Shiro whines a little bit. :/ * Saki 's mouth can't really be seen, but she is perhaps grinning up to her eyes just a little at the sight of Vytor getting smacked about the head. Leaning back against the cab, she watches the horizon. I dunno, everything kind of has it's own beauty. This is beautiful in a scary armageddon kind of way. With lots of hellfire and marshmellows. With more hellfire. I have no idea where the marshmellows came from. Work with me here. "Apocalyptic melted marshmellows." "Marketing campaign, of course." Jst like mom used to make' * Trune 's face brightens, "You know...That would really be awesome! Except I can't market anything. I'm screwed." "You could be the marshmellow mascot." S'long as I don't have to wear a suit "Well, depends how long until the suit melts." It's a good way to put me out of my misery. Everything has a sunny side. ...Marshmallows? * Niri stares at Trune Marshmellows would be really good right about now, actually Yes. Suits you nicely. * Angie looks up at the sun, momentarily shielded by a cloud of black smoke. "Well, the world did end. It's easy to forget in the nicer parts, but this is what armageddon looks like. We're just too bloody-minded to be put off by the end of the world." "Hm. Don't suppose anyone thought to bring marshmellows?" * Vytor notes that Niri hasn't yet taken the bandages, so he uses Saki's technique and tosses them Man, look what I started. We're hungry, what can we say "Give me food, that's what." * Saki frowns at Angie's statement, her attention drifting a little further off as she frowns out at the landscape before lightly rapping on the cab. "... I'm not exactly sure marshmallows are appropriate for the end of the world," she remarks in something of a wry tone. We probably have canned marshmelows in a box somewhere Is anything appropriate for the End of the World? It's the freaking end! After-dinner mints? I'd be more worried about the hellfire, honestly. "Moon Chocolate." ...That was horribly appropriate and yet wrong, Vytor. I try I'm going to have to side with Niri on this one. Well done, though. * Vytor inclines his head to Tanan * Niri catches the bandages Vytor tosses her * Niri blinks, confused, then eyes Vytor and Saki and figures out what they're for :P Ash is bad for the lungs. * Trune wipes some sweat from his brow, "Mind tossing it my way when you're done, Niri?" Ironically, you find all is not dreary and lifeless entirely. At scattered places there are small stands of growths, lush plants using the ash-enriched earth to grow. Life is persistant and not easily stamped out even in these places. * Niri makes herself a mask, then obliges by lobbing the bandages at Trune. There is even what looks like the remains of an explorer's tent off to the left of the Destiny. * Niri glances out the window. "Ooh, a flower! * Niri frowns at the tent. "Someone was OUT here?" What, really? * Angie taps on the window and points out the tent. "Hey, company!" Looks like whoever it is hasn't been around for a while, though. Unless they mutated into a shambling monster. * Tanan cranes his neck to look out. "Huh. Expedition team, I wonder? Hope they made it out ok, odd they'd just leave their tent" Wanna have a look? * Saki frowns at it, then raps lightly on the cab again. "... it could be a good place to hunker down for a while." [Leah] Hmm, up to you guys. I'm sure whoever it was left in a hurry and got chased out... * Mikel raises an eyebrow. "...now I'm curious. Let's take a look." From the look of things, they're not anywhere near. Probably a waste of time. And the doctor made it sound like we needed to get to Mars quick... * Angie reaches into her coat for her gun. "Not many teams come down here. Maps are real spotty. I wonder what they were here for?" * Saki nods slowly. "... nn. True; we're on a time limit." As much as I've been kidding about getting lit on fire, I don't want to just leave her going crazy out there. I kind of feel for the elementalors, you know? They haven't been in very good states, some of them * Mikel shrugs. "Fair 'nough." * Angie makes a face, but says nothing. I agree. All the elementalors are...kind of screwed up in the head. * Saki rakes a hand through her hair in agitation, neatly displacing her impromptu mask for a few seconds until she sorts it back into place. "... onwards and onwards." "...well, consider what they are? I don't think perfect sanity was to be expected." Why, just because they were... altered? Made? Their powers aren't actually all that different from what we do. Just more focused on one thing, I suppose. "If you jab me with enough juice to live and breath an element or something I wouldn't be exactly on the ball either." I'm not sure they were ever normal. Probably not, I suppose. Still, ripping yourself into a few pieces like Neptune did can't be a healthy way of coping ....Thinking about the elementalors makes me kind of sad. Oh? * Angie holsters the gun again, then undoes the rest of the buttons on her coat and shrugs it off like a snakeskin. Underneath, she's wearing a black sleeveless shirt that exposes the tattoo on her shoulder. Leah frowns. [Leah] I still wonder what's going to happen to all the Truth Seekers.. will they be comatose forever? * Saki leans over the cab a little, resting against it and lightly toying with the blackened bracer on her bicep. "We've got the finest minds working on it, I guess," she mutters, staring off into the distance. Well, you have to assume their bodies will die of old age or something eventually, so probably not. Er.. I'm sorry. That was insensitive. * Angie exhales heavily. "No way to find out until we can deal with the Prophetess, I expect. And that's enough of a job that I'm not thinking too hard about the next step." * Niri punches Tanan on the shoulder. * Tanan nods. "It all depends on what she's trying to do, and what doing that will do to th- ow, em." The temperature has continued to rise bit by bit. Fortunately the cab has some air conditioning that kicks in, though for so many people it's not quite effective. "I wonder if I'll even be able to get a solid reading on her," Angie muses. She has that subdued tone that she only uses when talking to herself. "There's so much Fire energy around here." There is also another tremor that goes through the ground. This one is accompanied by the faintest glimmer of fire as a mountain gurgles out a new magma flow. It's by no means close by, but a little unsettling. Ryllan opts to veer to the south where there is less of the ominous peaks. * Saki blinks at that, wide-eyed and vulnerable for a moment. "... er." The flat lands are also steadily becoming more rugged and jagged, the remnants of cracks in the brittle earth interdispersed with solidified igneous rock. A couple chunks of obsidian black glass grace the landscape too. * Trune holds his head and very briefly leans against the window, his face reddening for a moment. Just as quickly, it seems to pass. * Saki grimaces at the far off gout of flame, not particularly enjoying the sight. After a moment's thought, she's ducked down back into the cargo bed, so she at least has low walls around her. So what do we do first? I wish it wasn't so....firey out there. * Angie stares at the jagged black rocks for a minute or two before a thought occurs to her. "Should we keep driving through this? That's volcanic glass -- if we're not careful we could put out a tire or two." We do have a spare tire, but I'd prefer we not use it up before we're done here * Saki looks mildly horrified as she peers into the cab. "... you'd rather walk?" Remember what she does for a living? Not really, no Least we'd get the 'oh goddess on fire' part out of the way. * Mikel frowns, tapping a finger on the armrest. "I'm with Saki. Don't fancy walking through all this. Also that glass might put a hole in our shoe. And foot." * Angie shrugs. "I can deal. I'd rather walk where we're going than walk the entire way back to civilization." Thankfully the glass is very old and had been eroded by the elements. Veering southwest you leave the glassfield largely behind for the moment. There's a saying that deals with that, Mikel! Let's just drive carefuly, as lon as we pay attention we shold miss the worse of the caltrops * Mikel raises an eyebrow at Tanan. "Oh?" * Angie snickers. "I like how you make it sound like it's something we all have to do." She returns to staring out the window. This direction there is still a large amount on grey deposits, but now instead of volcanic rock it is more the uneven landscape. The Destiny begins to rock up and down, going over the rough terrain. Thankfully you reinforced the axles at Vulcannon, else this might be a serious threat. * Tanan nods. "If you step on something that sharp and that large, knowing it's there, you deserve it." "Aah. Enlightening." It was shared with me by an old wise man when I stepped on a nail. Ooh, is this part of your carefully hidden backstory, Tanan? If we're going to start bouncing around, maybe we should slow down * Trune is quiet now, concentrating and breathing slowly through the bandage. There's also what seems to be a different sort of black now... the remnant of a black asphalt coated highway. It has 3 lanes going both ways, and a median in the center. Portions of it are spider cracked through and the surface melted, but it's better than off roading it forever. Presumably it is part of some old road system on this aprt of the continent. I'm not sure I have a carefully hidden backstory, Niri. I could make one up if you'd like though! I could probably work the nail into it somehow. It was a nil of reat destiny. And rust. Ancestral rust of a bygone time. <> Through my blood coarses the tetanus of fate. * Trune shakes his head, still concentrating, "You guys are crazy." * Mikel groans. "I'm getting a headache now." O «ooc: Ack! » You've JUST getting one? * Vytor slams his head against the roof as the Destiny tackles a rough spot in its travels Whoa! Ow Speaking of rust, there is an old fallen sign that has the number '80' on it laying on the right hand of the road. Ryllan dodges a clump of twisted metal and a faded green placard that has some writing on it and an arrow forward. 'San Francisco' it proclaims defiantly, mileage illegible. * Saki tilts her head, drumming out a faint, tuneless and staccato rhythm against the deck of the Destiny. "Join us in headacheness, Vytor. Also don't we have restraints or something?" * Trune also goes flying slightly, getting pressed hard against the window, "Ow!" Not back here "Design flaw?" Yipe, bumpy ride.... * Niri frowns at Trune. "You're awfully intent. Or you were, before getting smacked into the window. Side effect of sitting back in the cargo section. * Trune rubs the side of his face, which has a lovely red imprint from the window, "Yeah, think I might have felt something. Besides hitting the window, I mean." Any idea how far it is to....whereever we're going? * Saki , securely anchored to the side of the Destiny and managing to not actually look too smug about it, leans over again to watch the people in the cabin. "Anything useful?" * Angie looks across Emiria's lap to Trune. A dot remains on the window where her nose had been pressed against it. "Want me to get out and do some checking? I can't guarantee I'll get a read, but it might be worth a shot." Up ahead is a burnt out husk of a trailer truck. A gaping hole in the side of the cargo space reveals metal boxes spilled out onto the highway like an obstacle course, which Ryllan does his best not to hit. As they zoom by, small artillery shell casings can be seen beneath layers of rust. I'm not sure. I...kind of felt hot for a moment, and angry. I'm obviously either having hot flashes and I'm secretly a woman, or I felt Mars. I'm REALLY hoping it's the latter. * Niri hides a snicker You think Mars can hear you? I'm not sure. Uranus did, so I might as well try. Worth a shot! Give it a try * Trune leans against the seat, closing his eyes and concentrating once more "Just don't piss Mars off, or something." Probably too late for that. * Saki frowns at that. "... have they matched their element in temperament much?" * Tanan reaches up and runs a finger over his eyebrows. "I wonder how I'll look without these." Eyebrowless? "Oh for the. Just wrap something around it then." Yeah * Trune suddenly clutches the back of the seat, the reddness coming back to his face, "Ngh." Trune? * Trune lets out a breath, breaking his concentration as the redness in his face slowly dissapates, "I...she's beyond words right now. I've never felt anger like that..." There's another rumble as the highway cracks and shifts. An explosion in the distance breaks the dull rumble. Eesh. * Angie frowns, eyes narrowing. "Will we be okay? If we can't handle it we should turn back now." I'm really not sure. Just don't piss her off anymore than she already is. We've come this far. Might as well continue. "...so what do we do when we find her and she spits fire at us?" I think we've been through that already. [Leah] We'll just call Webbly and ask for help? We might have to subdue her so that he can even get her to listen though Lovely. If she's rampaging or going berserk or something... Which is pretty likely at this point, given our record. * Saki sighs audibly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "... we ask Neptune for help. Maybe even do that now, to help the trip." A frown as she looks over the side. "... though I suppose turning the region into ash mud wouldn't help either." * Mikel ponders. "I suppose this is a bad time to mention I'm horribly allergic to fire?" Should have stayed home then. I suppose it's a bad time to ask if it's hot in here or is it just me? * Vytor raises an eyebrow at Trune I'm actually being half-serious. * Tanan frowns speculatively. "Hrm. Well, you aren't BAD looking, I suppose. I don't know, don't usually look at guys like that. Sorry." >> The ECC beeps * Mikel groans. "Bad, Trune. Bad." * Angie flicks her wrist and a spark dances between her fingers. "I have a spell I've been working on for this, but I don't quite have the hang of it yet. I never pursued my elementalism much after I left the Academy." No! It's not like...Oh, look! Message! Shiro whimpers and hides at the mention of fire. Its a little warm but I wouldn't...what's that noise? * Trune looks relieved that he's saved by beeping machines and pulls the ECC out of his bag. >> Webbly appears, holding printouts in his hands. "You are getting close guys. How's it coming along? Ahhh. Please, don't take any detours, though." Hi Doc. "It's nice and brimstone like. With a bit of fire." * Saki mutters. "We're getting there." "How's it up there?" The highway progresses in bits and pieces into the distance. fault lines are now apparent, as sections have risen and fallen. It is chaotic indeed, the Destiny soldiering on through the ups and downs. [Webbly] Well. Ahh. These graphs are.. hmm.. have you ever.. overfilled a water balloon? No, but wouldn't it burst? Ah. Well, if Mars is the balloon.. and energy is the waterrr. "I'm suddenly not liking this line of thought." ...Me either. Unsettling trend A red glow permeates the distance, and not far away a derelict building smolders... it was obviously burning only recently. >> Webbly shuffles through papers quickly. "Can you see the sea?" * Saki huffs out another breath. "... guess this'll be even more fun than usual." * Angie leans over to address the tiny apparition. "Do you have any advice for when we meet her?" * Trune mumbles something about being overly warm and how fun this is going to be. If you say 'be fireproof', I'll cry. I mean it. "Oh /now/ he has to say it. I have to see this." * Vytor looks out the window, checking if the ocean is within sight [Webbly] How about.. "If you can keep your head, whilst all around you are losing theirs.." ? Straining to see through the haze, there is a large bay further to the west that Vytor can make out. It is surrounded by the ruins of a large city, fires raging in the streets. Hey, I think I see a large bay near some ruins. Does that count? [Webbly] Excellent! Now.. let me get this map turned the right way round! >> Webbly rotates it this way and that, flips it over, swaps it for another one, swaps back, lifts a steaming mug with "World's Greatest Foster Dad" written on it awkwardly, puts it back down without drinking. * Trune blinks to himself several times, "(w) Foster Dad...?" * Tanan peers out at the bay. "...is that place on fire? That place is on fire. Why is th-.. no, you know what, I think I know why." Do you even have to ask? * Saki looks gently pained; about her norm for dealing with Webbly. She at least isn't looking too affected by the heat beyond feeling a little stuffy. [Webbly] Can you point me at the burning place? You know, has anyone actually ASKED the question of how we're going to get to Mars? I mean, assuming raging fire is in the way. Unless anyone here has asbestos skin... [Leah] Well, er... we've got water magic right?! We'll deal with that as we get to it, I guess * Trune hoists the ECC to a position where Webbly can see, "This good?" Trune's the least likely to die, so we'll have him walk in front. Hey! What makes you say that? [Webbly] Pointing is good! Burning buildings, not so much. You'll have to go into the city, find another entrance to the facility. It was underground, out of peoples ways. * Saki grins toothily. "It'll be a pleasant change to my leading." Leah, I don't know if we have ENOUGH water magic to counter THAT. *Points to the raging sea of fire* "...some water magic here. Not enough to, uh, put all that out." A new magma flow erupts in the roadway beneath the Destiny's wheel, narrowly missing it and sending the vehicle through a cloud of noxious smoke. Saki is suddenly glad she had that cloth facemask. * Angie scowls. "Hopefully there's a path. If worst comes to worst I can try to redirect elemental energies to snuff the fire, but that could take weeks." WHoa! >> Webbly slides the paper into a machine, and his image is replaced with a crude city map with a X on it "Somewhere in the southern part, by my records. Put that pedal to the metal." Oh man this just gets better and better. --; [Webbly] And whilst I'm here, how are you all? Unburned? * Saki yelps, recoiling back from the sudden heat and ending up on her back in the middle of the cargo bay. Neptune is behind the Doctor, wtaching the paper feed. You OK, Saki? I went from being too cold to being pleasantly warm and now it's freaking hot. * Tanan coughs "About to step into a land of burning and flame it seems. Other than that, fine." [Webbly's Voice] How are you feeling Neppy? They might be wanting your help soon. ...I am REALLY uneasy about this. [Neptune] Hmm, sister Mars was always a bit reckless, but burning the city that supported her is a bit -- Neptune's still hurt from when we fought the prophetess, right? * Angie turns to the window, staring uneasily out at the roaring flames. [Neptune] Yes, I do apologize. It takes some time for the trauma to disappate. I can still aid you, though at a vastly reduced power level. * Saki sputters through her mask for a few moments, blinking her eyes to clear away the sting. For a moment she blindly gropes in her pack for a waterskin, before opening it and upending a not inconsiderable amount over her face. When she puts it back down she's looking considerably better for it. "I'm not sure why you're apologizing, really." "Considering circumstance and all that." [Neptune] Well, this would be an excellent time for my performance and here I have a broken leg, so to speak. [Webbly] So be careful, you guys. The lads here aren't invincible or anything. Neptune, won't you have some of this Moon Chocolate, before it gets cold. * Vytor goes to check out Saki's face to make sure she's uninjured [Neptune] Why thank you Doctor... you know that always cheers me up. Neptune's voice fades. >> Webbly switches the camera back to a Happy Face sign, then to the map again. Summoning him then may have been a bit of a blunder, I suppose. * Saki grins - just a little unpleasantly - at Vytor as she restoppers the waterskin, before dragging her hair back and out of her face. She's pretty soaked to the shoulders, but clearly feeling just fine. * Trune looks down slightly, "Yeah." We had to try. A random storm of pebbles kicked up by the rough going is blocked from harming Saki, thanks to her Earth Crux's protective field. * Vytor nods at Saki, then returns to his seat ...Dr. Webbly is just...gah, well, he's probably just right for dealing with the elementalors! He's just...a little funny in the head. [Leah] I wonder if he was always like that or it's from his little robotic mind transfer thing? [Webbly's Voice] I heard that. Uh oh. Now you're gonna get it. * Trune smirks. * Mikel shakes his head. "From the Moon, no less." [Webbly's Voice] But really, I don't know how I was before. And yes, from the Mooooon! You should visit someday. Shiro just continues to try to hide from the fire like a scaredy cat... he attempts to sue Emiria as a shield but she grumbles and shoves him away. She stops reading her book, now though, pondering a course of action. * Saki leans back over the cab, watching the distant city. "Somehow, I expect it to happen eventually." * Angie rubs her mouth with her hand. "Mmm. I'd love to go. But it sounds like it's...not like the stories." [Webbly's Voice] I'll have to find a larger tea set, though. The lanscape definitely is now fileld with b uildings. Only a few are alight, unlike the area up north. * Trune hmms, "I wonder what kind of place this was...before everything went up in flames." The area also begins to get hilly, with the earth movements only adding to the haphazard look of it all. A place of humans long ago has now literally been turned upside down. "I would assume more welcoming?" * Angie murmurs her assent. "I can't imagine anyone will be picking over these ruins anytime soon. Wonder if there's anything left?" Well, yeah, but besides that. * Niri looks embarrassed! Ummm... Dr. Webbly, it's a NICE funny-in-the-head! Niri, might want to quit while you're behind. Trust me on this, I know the feeling really well. * Mikel glances at Tanan. "Oh?" Hmph. Also, I'm NOT liking this city right now. There's also apparently in the bay what looks like from this distance as a huge fleet of derelict ships. They are in various states of ill-repair, most torn asunder and burning. The remnants of a gigantic bridge across the bay is now a twisted length of metal and cable lying astride the contaminated & steaming waters. [Webbly's Voice] Anyway, I've got some circuit boards to bully into behaving, if you need me, shout into the ECC! Got it. Must have been a nice place once. Lots of people lived here apparently You could say that about the whole Blue Star. *She smiles sadly.* * Saki whistles lowly at the sight of the giant ships. She's getting more restless; checking her equipment, making sure her bracers are firmly on, a constant motion to her pacing the cargo bed. Vytor, I'm sure it was. Just, right now, with the fire and the steep hills and...grah. * Angie plasters her face to the window as the Destiny rolls past the shipyards. True enough, Angie Someday a lot of people will live all over the place again, though I still feel warm as hell. .... .... Ignore that I said 'warm as hell', okay? [Leah] It looks like some kind of battle was going on here? * Angie is ignoring Trune and therefore doesn't hear his command. Luckily their two plans dovetail nicely. * Mikel reaches over with his staff to give Trune a poke to the side before peering out at the ships. * Saki twitches suddenly and mutters to herself, tearing her vision away from the fiery horizon. "... it's a bit too similar for comfort." * Vytor looks questioningly at Saki, but says nothing Too similar to what? * Angie kicks Niri's foot. Wha...! Why's everyone picking on me today? Because you're a bit slow on the uptake. Just let it go. * Tanan makes sure Saki isn't looking at him, waves to get Niri's attention, then gestures at the landscape, then at Saki, then points at his head and frowns. * Niri frowns at Tanan, then shrugs and nods. But she leans over and flicks Trune in the forehead. * Saki blinks up, apparently having lapsed in thought in the meanwhile. Two blinks at everyone prodding Niri and then she's actually chuckling - a little. "... nn. It's okay. Just a little like the stuff in my head." ...Oh. Sorry. :/ * Saki shrugs lopsidedly, just a quick spurt of movement. "Don't worry." * Vytor nods * Mikel just lets out a shrug, waving the nice fire. << ...lets out? wtf. just shrugs. >> <> << ...watching >> «ooc: It is nice with it's sweet, sweet burning » << Burgers that taste horrible throw me completely off kilter, apparently. >> «ooc: That burger is not nice with it's sweet, sweet burning. » << You have a strange fascination with sweet, sweet burning. Is it in relation to wanting in Emiria's pants? >> And so the party tries to steer a path through the wall of fire that shrouds the bay. Somewhere deep within Mars's anger threatens to tear her and the city apart... will their resolve be enough to stand against it? Or will it melt like so much silver in a forge? Tune in next week! == SESSION END == I wonder how much this place would be like this without Mar- hax. Session Close: Sat Feb 17 23:49:08 2007