Session Start: Thu Jan 03 15:00:54 2008 ==LUDE GO HAS ACHIEVE== GMVytor> Once more, Niri has secluded herself in her room, taking a moment to relax and recover from the day's earlier training. Its during this respite that a knock is heard at her door. * Niri invites you to join #iog-ooc Come in! * Vytor opens the door quietly and pokes his head into the room, "Hey Niri. Got a sec?" Oh! Vytor! Sure. What's up? * Niri looks just a little surprised. She pats a nearby cushion. She's sitting on a similar one, drinking a cup of tea. Well, I was hoping I could borrow your sword for a moment. I'm already ready to use it. ...Oh? Um. Sure, I suppose so! It's right there. *Gestures to where the sheathed sword is lying a couple paces away* Great! * Vytor walks over to it and extracts it from its sheath. He turns to Niri, holding the blade in one hand and twirling the hilt of the destroyed Misogi in the other, and grins. Be back soon. * Niri raises an eyebrow curiously Ah...okay! * Niri shrugs and goes back to her tea, wondering what Vytor is up to. * Vytor steps out of the room and closes the door behind him with a click. ==SUDDENLY SEVERAL HOURS PASS== * Vytor knocks again on Niri's door, hoping she's still there. Come in! * Vytor steps into the room with a satified look on his face, with a rather large something strapped over his shoulder. But Niri can tell that something looking familiarly close to the hilt of the Misogi seems to be sticking up from behind Vytor's back. Ah! All finished? Show me your masterpiece! In accordance with Ryllan's final wishes, I have a gift for you. * Niri looks intrigued, grinning. * Vytor slips the object from his shoulders, and setting down in front of Niri. It looks to be some sort of wide blade kept in an equally wide leather sheath. Go ahead and look it over. * Niri grasps the sheath and slowly pulls the blade out, examining it with interest. * Huwafk is now known as Huw (Niri slowly reveals what looks like a trangular blade of silver alloy, trimmed with ornate markings along the blade. But the most striking visual is the incorporation of the same design as Lucia's pendant into the crossguard.) * Stel|Higurashi is now known as Stelas * Niri smiles softly as she examines the design. "It's lovely, Vytor. Looks very effective, too. You did a great job." Oh it gets better. It does? Do tell! First, touch the interior of the pendant design. * Niri does so, looking curious. (As soon as Niri does, the blade suddenly splits down the middle, and settles into place atop the edges of the musical note crossguard. As it does, there's a sudden metallic, tonal thrum that fades fairly quickly. But the sound elicts goosebumps from those unprepared for it.) * Niri shivers a little, looking impressed. "Wow. It's like...I can feel it echoing the ambient harmonies in this room." * Vytor grins, "Now, sing." * Niri thinks, then sings a wordless melody she has heard her mother sing to her before, waiting to see what the reaction is from the sword. (As Niri's voice fills the room, the blade seems to vibrate, then its starts to ring, and then suddenly, the blade's ring changes until its sining along with Niri, following her lead precisely. As the song continues, willforce can be felt swelling in the room. It takes a moment for Niri to recognize the feeling, but when she does, she knows this to be much like the power of the Harmonic Engine. Smaller and less grand, but no less wondrous.) ...Oh wow. Vytor, it's like you created a miniature Harmonic Engine or something. This is incredible. * Niri swings it carefully, testing its heft I did. I used the original designs that Angie made, and shrunk them down to a man-portable size. The interior of the crossguard houses the mechanism, along with a slew of resonant self-adjusting slots that control the flow of sound and rate of vibration. * Niri turns the blade in her hand, looking it over. "You did an amazing job. Thank you." You're very welcome. I've had that idea in my head for a while now, and I'm happy to see it finished. * Niri sheathes the blade and gives Vytor a quick hug. "Glad you enjoyed the project." I called it the Harmonic Blade, but since I'm giving it to you you can call it whatever you like. * Vytor hugs back and ruffles Niri's hair. The name sounds good to me! * Niri grins Hopefully this thing will tide you over until you find the weapon that completes Tanan's collection of artifacts. * Niri nods. "Right. I'm not sure how long that will be, but this will definitely be my new best friend until then. Honestly, I'm glad to be well armed as long as we're in this place." Regardless of what Xenobia says now, I don't really trust her. Why is that? Well, the imprisonment and interrogation is a big part of it. Also, there's just something about her that rubs me the wrong way. I don't like it. I suppose there's that. But considering the circumstances I can't really blame her. * Niri makes a face. "Well. I am reserving judgment for now." Mikel went to go talk to her...he should actually be back soon, I think. Oh? Did he now? Yes. He wanted to ask her about the willforce control she was using on him earlier. Ah, that. I was suprised she managed to keep him bottled up until I got an idea of how she did it. How DID she do it? >> There is a rapping, a tapping on the door. The verysystem they use in an ingenious one. Its a forces feedback system. The more one uses to push, the harder it pushes back by using that same force against you. Ouch. No wonder it - come in! * Mikel opens the door, stepping into the room with a few grumbles. "That took longer than I figured it wo- oh, hey Vytor." There's one or two scorch marks on the edges of his jacket and all in all he looks to be rather annoyed. * Vytor raises an eyebrow * Niri frowns deeply. "What happened, Mikel?" She eyes the marks on his jacket. * Mikel takes a seat on a cushion with a mutter, setting the staff down beside him. "We talked. Discussed what she did to me. Showed her Gemini Storm. Then I kicked her ass when she challenged me to make a point and she did something weird to me. Then I left. I /hate/ that woman." He closes his eyes, focusing on something as he mutters. "Oh, Niri. Keep Tanan on you around here or stick with someone." What? Why? *narrows her eyes* And what weird thing did she do to you, exactly? * Niri has a rather...dangerous look on her face. * Vytor remains quiet and listens. She can do crap through blood it seems... she got some of mine apparently while putting that ward on me, and she can work with yours since you've got some Vile blood. So, don't go near her alone. Hm. * Niri frowns. "Right. So, she's continuing to screw with us after we've supposedly called a truce, is that it?" Just me, it seems, after I asked about how their stuff works. One of the spells she used on me during our little fight did something strange. No... damage, but it did alter something. Oh? Did you ask her to demonstrate or something? And what did she...alter? * Niri exchanges a glance with Vytor. * Vytor schools his face. Sort of, yeah. That's where the fight came in... She suggested something regarding how to improve things by reforming and it went from there. * Mikel mutters. "Then she knocked me out of Gemini Storm and I nearly took her head off before snapping back to it at the end of it." * Vytor raises his eyebrow again. * Niri shakes her head. "She and I may have to have words." * Niri stands, hooking her new sword to her belt. Hold on. * Niri glances at Vytor Mikel, have you attempted to use Gemini Storm since then? * Mikel points at finger at Niri. "Not alone. And I haven't." * Vytor stands up. "Come outside with me and let's see." * Niri follows Vytor, curious * Mikel opens his eyes, hauling himself up and after Vytor. "Alright." * Vytor sets out for one of the open areas outside the structure, picking a suitably wide space. * Mikel privately hopes they don't total this one like they did the last one. He glances around before taking a deep breath. "Right, then. Stand a bit back just in case something goes wrong." * Vytor does so, and watches carefully. * Mikel focuses again for a moment before he's engulfed in a storm of thunder and water willforce. There's a few crackles before the two elementally charged Mikels step out of the already fading tempest, the watery one already looking down to examine himself with a frown. * Niri frowns and looks to see if anything seems off. ...it's harder to maintain now. Harder how? Just a bit, but it feels like something's sort of drawing us back together to reform. What happens if you let it? Should join back together with no issues, if everything goes well. * Mikel glances down to look himself over as well, frowning. Try it. Better to know now than later. True. * Mikel looks over at his watery self as he does the same before they step back together in synchronization, another storm of blue and yellow light engulfing them before Mikel reforms... though there's a glimmer of marks pulsing with red light. It fades quickly enough, however. * Niri frowns. "Hmm." So, its as if the marks are trying to keep the two of you from flying apart, as it were, and facilitate the rejoining process further. What's with the red light? Huh. If that's the case, maybe it's beneficial. Did she tell you what she was doing, Mikel? * Vytor considers. * Mikel glances down, scratching the back of his head. "...those were glowing when I, ah, lost it when she knocked me out of Gemini and used Cold Blood. She said she had started the process for reforming into something stronger." Well. It...looks like there's no serious damage. But I don't like this, she's way too presumptuous. That could simply be her way of doing things, trial by fire and whatnot. She doesn't seem to be the type that enjoys doing things the easy way. Still think I may need to have some words. They just may be a little more civil. * Mikel shakes his head. Maybe. She looked like she /enjoyed/ getting hit with the spell. Ugh. Anyways, no going to talk to her alone. * Mikel looks up and stares at Niri. "Got it?" Masochist, perhaps? * Niri sighs. "Look, I'll be back soon. And don't worry, I have Tanan, remember?" Right, got it. Sheesh Mikel, relax. * Vytor nods Good luck, Niri. * Mikel grimaces. "Probably, Vy, but I'd rather not dwell on it. I'd be happy if she drops her interest in me." He nods towards Niri, snickering. "Sorry. She sets me on edge." Oh, she sets me on edge, too! I'll be back shortly. * Niri stalks off down the hall. * Niri is now known as AmyAway OK, now. Mikel. Please hold out your arms for me. * Mikel blinks and does so. * Vytor pulls out some measuring rope, and begins taking measurments of Mikel. * Mikel blinks. "What's this for?" * Saki blinks as she sticks her head around the door. "... something up? Niri shot out of here like a girl on a mis..." Her voice dies off as she catches the situation. "... that would explain it, somehow," she concludes. In case I need to repair something of yours other than the Stormrider. Hey Saki. Ehe. I'll try not to get anything wrecked. 'ey, Saki. * Vytor continues to take measurements and notes the results in his notepad. What brings you by, Saki? * Saki nods. "Mm. I wondered where you were." Walking fully in, she's apparently changed clothing, but not much; rather, she's modified one of the fortress' sets to better fit her, a breatplate and arm armor over a long skirt. There's a definite air of pride about her. Looking good. New threads? * Mikel raises an eyebrow at Saki. "...like the local fashion, I see." * Saki positively grins. "Mm. Mind checking my work?" She lifts her arms, as if the room were already some sort of clothing store and she's waiting for her turn on the measurement tape. Not at all. Let me finish here. Hm. Mikel, are you aware that your right arm is a fraction longer than your left? * Saki nods once, drops her arms, and shrugs Mikel's direction with what's much less clanking than their first run through the fortress. "It works. A little armour wouldn't hurt, and Rachel's got experience with this sort of getup." * Mikel blinks. "I wasn't, actually." The functionality certainly looks good. And it doesn't look like you've compromised your mobilily any. * Mikel looks over at Saki, nodding. "Suppose that makes sense, then. Hopefully no one takes offense to one of us foreigners in their getup or something." Thank you Mikel, I have what I need. * Saki looks blank for a moment. "... compared to our last few hours of running around in their getup?" * Vytor collects his rope, and starts measuring Saki's right arm beginning from the fingertips. * Mikel grins. "Well, considering we ended up in jail..." * Saki blinks once, and then reaches to take off her gauntlets - they have been worked into the new design reasonably skilfully. "... never try to design something by committee," she adds as an apparently false aside. Somehow I sense this was a committee of two. * Saki makes a face, and barks in a sudden and perfect imitation of Rachel's voice, "How do you even work this damn thing?! Agh! You do it, I'll just show you what to do!" * Mikel snickers. "I'll keep that in mind. Anyways, Niri went to go have words with Xenobia." * Vytor chuckles. * Saki leaves Vytor to his word and frowns at Mikel. "... words." * Vytor seems to be taking a long time on Saki's hands and forearms. Probably because of the guantlet repair he still has hanging over his head. Niri's taken some issue with Xenobia's actions towards us thus far. * Saki endeavours to help, or at least not hinger: this mostly means not moving as much as she can, but she's clearly still getting used to the weight of her new armour. "... so did we all, but I gathered we'd fixed that." * Mikel nods, taking a seat on the ground. "She messed with how Gemini Storm works when I went to ask about how their wards and stuff work and all that.... and yeah. She's taking Tanan with her, so." He sighs, stretching his arms out over his head. "Just don't let the witch get any of your blood. She can do weird stuff to you if you have Vile blood or she's messed with your blood." * Saki smirks in suitably unpleasant fashion. "She'd have to get a hold of me first. That might get a lot harder." * Mikel chuckles. "I'd pay money to see that match up. She's got a few nasty tricks up her sleeve." * Vytor moves on from his work on Saki's hands and arms, and starts working on more basic measurements for length and angle. * Saki stretches her arms gratefully. "...mmm," she vocalises as she rolls a shoulder and tries not to elbow Vytor. "... so do I. Don't think you'd get away lightly if we fought again, either." I beleive that Xenobia's actions are unltimately to help safeguard her own people. I hope that also will be beneficial for us, though I have no proof of that. I wouldn't expect to get away lightly anyways... and, I suppose so. She /really/ wants to see Leah dead. Can you blame her after what's happened? * Saki nods. "... frankly, I'd like to see Leah dead as well. I apologise, but at this point..." she shakes her head. "... right now, it's simply the better option tactically." That may be so, but I'm willing to keep trying to rescue Leah until we have no alternatives. I'm just soft that way. Mm. Makes sense, but Niri wants to bring her back around. * Mikel closes his eyes with a sigh. "I'd rather snap her out of it than kill her, yeah. We need to stop her here, though, or we won't be able to get back home and sort out whatever's going on there." * Saki huffs out a breath, and nods with a tilt of her head. "... mm. Regardless of what I think, I never said I wouldn't go along with the plan. I'll just be the one keeping an eye out, as well." * Vytor is now working down Saki's legs towards her boots, "We've barely had a chance to deal with Leah as is. For all we know what's been done to her may be quite fragile." Hey Saki? These boots of yours. Do you mind if I file down some of the smaller fiddly bits around the inside ankles? They stick out a bit and they might catch on each other at the wrong time. * Saki looks down. "... mmm..." Tilts her head to the side for a moment, listening to herself. "...it's fine. Honestly, with this thing on I should probably just get some reasonably solid normal boots." I don't know. The ensemble as a whole seems to work well. * Saki then blinks, struck by something. "... ah. If it'll help the other thing, take a gauntlet. I don't need then as much as the others do their weapons." Other thing? * Vytor digs into his workbelt to pull out a small file, and gets to work, "That's actually a good idea, and it'll help. Thanks." * Saki waggles a gauntlet in Mikel's direction. * Mikel raises an eyebrow. "Ah." * Saki nods. "... it's a debt to repay." She blinks down, having not expected Vytor to get to work immediately. * Vytor hums a contented little tune as he works. There we go, no tripping for the mighty warrior. * Vytor puts the file away, and resumes his measuring, seemingly quite content. * Mikel snickers, nodding. "Unless snails are involved, anyways." With that he closes his eyes, hrming. I thought we agreed never to bring that up again. * Saki makes a disbelieving sound, and looks perhaps exasperated. "... I don't /trip/!" she maintains, and falls into something of a sulk for a moment. Nonetheless, she holds out one blocky gauntlet for Vytor. * Vytor takes the gauntlet from Saki with a grin. Yeah, but then someone brought it up after we found Xavier. And yet we again said we'd never bring it up again. ;) * Mikel waves a hand. "Fine, fine." Besides, we need to save stories like that after we saved the world and go bar hopping. Tales like that are worth a few free drinks. You'd think saving the world would be worth a few as well. Nah, saving the world's a dime a dozen if you read that history book of Niri's * Mikel lets out a long suffering sigh. "The trials of a hero." * Saki sighs out, one hand going to her forehead as a reflexive motion and rubbing the band there. "Honestly, I can believe it. No matter how tough it gets, things fall into place neatly. She remains in thought for a moment, then opens her eyes. "... regardless of what we think of her, we really have to co-operate. We can't pick our allies at this stage." No arguent there. If Zophar wins we're all equally screwed. * Mikel opens his eyes, nodding. "True. I just wish she'd stop calling me pet and crap." Maybe she does it for the reaction. * Saki shrugs with an expansive gesture. "... can't argue with that." * Mikel siiighs. "Can't wait to get the hell out of here." Don't dismiss this place on account of one person. The fact that these people have lived her since the world became an icebox says a lot about them. * Saki nods in agreement. "... we're the ones barging in demanding they change their ways." * Mikel snickers, getting to his feet. "Maybe I'm a bit biased then, but I suppose you're right. Still, it'd mean getting away from Xenobia, so..." He shrugs, turning to make his way out. "I need to get some rest after dealing with her again. See you all when we get to go talk to the head guy." Seeya Mikel. * Vytor stands and dusts himself off, "OK, all done. Thanks for humoring me on all that." * Saki nods once, eyes closed. "... mm. It's fine. It's for my benefit, anyway." She slides a glance with one eye open. "... what do you think about all of this alliance?" * Vytor considers, "I don't think it'll be 100% smooth sailing. Depending on how much they know about the events that lead to the Devistation War and the creation of Lunar." * Saki nods, rubbing her temple in thought. "... mmm. Not to mention on the practical front: we can't do anything without forcing them to ground somehow." I was wondering about that. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel, except we're the fish. * Saki paces a step. "I was thinking something like a metal net, tied between our helicopter and their--... whatever they have. It's a bit of a longshot." Do we HAVE anything except longshots? * Saki tilts a shoulder. "True enough, but... that sort of thing would only work once, and only take down one dragon, not even considering Leah." If only we could get them to fight us somewhere the dragon's ability to fly won't help them. Mm... the trouble is ensuring that. They don't have any incentive to follow us inside anywhere. Well, depending on what...or who...Leah might be after, we might have bait. * Saki nods slowly. "... That requires them trusting us with it, though... still, it's the best idea I've heard yet." Outside of that, I got nuthin'. * Saki digs at her hair, and scowls when the band keeps most of it down and in place. "... well, our path's set for now, I suppose. We'll just have to see what the Emperor says. Haah, when we don't even have a ruler to show for uorselves." I suppose we're the closest thing our side of the world has for ambasadors. * Saki barely holds in a snicker. "... good gods above." * Vytor nods sagely, "They must have a sense of humor." * Saki sighs off to one side, and nods again. "... mm, alright. I suppose I'd best get out of this for now. ... armour I can't wear all the time will take some getting used to." I suppose you can always hold onto it for parties. * Saki shrugs with something of a smirk. "... I imagine I've plenty of use for it yet." Okay, I'm going to head back to the forge. Got some numbers to crunch and some experiments to run. * Saki nods. "Good luck," she replies, and apparently means it. Thanks. * Vytor waves and heads back the way he came. * Saki absently rubs at her neck, and turns away to head off. ==LUDE END! BUT WHERE'S THE ANGST?== Session Close: Thu Jan 03 18:24:16 2008