Session Start: Sun Feb 10 19:34:22 2008
Session Ident: #lunar-iog2
* Logging #lunar-iog2 to 'Current Logs\LunarIoG2\#Chapter 67.1~ Trune x Niri x Mikel.log'
<Heath> ==Lude Start==
* Heath strolls down the street. The group has made a few stops to arrange for essential supplies - mostly clandestine meetings to gather willforce and weapons and arrange for their delivery and secure locations. Now, however, they are in the district where clothing stores are found.
* Niri has disappeared for a moment, promising to catch up with the group before long. She won't say where she is going, however.
* Trune has his hands in the pocket of his overcoat, and the hood is once again pulled up. He looks a little uneasy, and glances in the window of one shop, seing a horrible lime green shirt with dark green slacks. He looks slightly ill -- this entire operation could turn out very badly.
* Mikel raises an eyebrow as Niri darts off before just shaking his head with a resigned sigh. He glances at the same window as Trune and lets out a groan. "No. Just. No."
<Trune> Yeah...rather not dress up as a freakin' lime.
* Heath chuckles. He turns to Trune with a curious look.
<Heath> Hey, before we really get going on finding the right clothes...tell me about your new friends.
* Trune puts his hands behind his back as he walks down the street, "My friends, huh...? Well, lesse. There's Mikel here. He's a good guy...probably one of the best adepts I know, honestly."
* Heath grins at Mikel. "High praise, coming from the willforce genius."
* Mikel scratches the back of his head. "Weell, I'm not /bad/... he's got six elements on me though, so."
<Trune> Yeah, but you have a bike, can nearly blow yourself up and live to tell about it, and ram churches. That's tough to beat.
<Mikel> ...we never can leave out Raculi, can we.
* Mikel sighs.
<Trune> Never. It will be etched in our collective memories until we're old, sitting on a porch with lemonade and whining about kids these days.
* Heath laughs out loud at Trune's detailing of Mikel's accomplishments.
<Heath> Sounds like fun! How about her? *He jerks his head in the direction Niri ran off*
<Trune> Oh...you mean littlebit? Er, Niri? Well, she's Hiro's daughter...she's a pretty strong person, you know? Can be a bit hyperactive at times, though.
<Mikel> Don't give her sugar.
<Trune> Ever.
<Mikel> Unless you know what you're doing.
* Heath whistles. "Hiro's daughter, huh? Dang, Trune, you're hanging out with celebrities now?"
* Heath chuckles at the sugar comment.
<Heath> She seems a pretty close friend.
* Trune scratches his head, "You know, I haven't even really thought about that fact for a long time now."
<Trune> She's just Niri, I guess.
* Heath gives Trune a thoughtful look.
* Trune glances at Heath, "What?"
<Heath> I'm really glad you've made some new friends who can support you the way Mikayla didn't, and the way I never could.
* Mikel keeps quiet, just listening to Trune and Heath while looking at a few displayed clothes.
* Trune shakes his head, "Don't sell yourself short. Mik' may have screwed us...but you didn't do anything wrong. Though honestly...you've really grown up since I've seen you last. You should be really proud."
<Trune> «ooc: seen = saw »
* Heath grins lopsidedly. "You really think so? I admit, I never saw myself in this kinda position...but I've been able to make a bit of a difference, especially since Franz got captured. Though not as much as I'd like. I've had to keep things quiet and stay low, now that Mikayla's running the guard."
<Mikel> You've done pretty well considering, though.
<Trune> Yeah, really, you have.
* Heath nods. "Well, I'm sorry we ended up having to go separate ways, but I'm glad you've found some good friends. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem very close to Niri in particular."
* Trune coughs and looks slightly nervous, "I do? Well...she's helped me out a lot, and puts up with a lot of my crap no one else seems to be able to."
<Trune> She does that with everyone, though. She's that kind of person.
<Trune> ...I totally made her sound like she's a pushover, didn't I? Nrgh!
* Heath chuckles. "That kind of person? You mean she's genuinely nice."
<Trune> Well, yes. That's what I was trying to say. You know me, Mister 'Let's just shove the foot another three feet into his mouth'.
<Mikel> There's been worse, Trune.
<Trune> Let's not talk about kittengate, okay? Because I know that's coming.
* Mikel blinks, looking at Trune.
<Trune> Unless Niri didn't tell you about kittengate. ...Ignore everything I said.
<Mikel> ...what?
<Trune> Just...trust me. 
<Mikel> I... right, nevermind.
<Heath> Kitten...gate?
<Heath> Heh. Trune, you haven't changed.
* Mikel shakes his head and moves on to another window. Then immediately recoils as it seems to feature clothing that is best described as a riot of colors.
<Trune> I'm not sure that's a good thing or not in this case, but thanks?
* Heath grins and claps his friend on the shoulder. "Oh, hey, this one looks good." He gestures to a nearby shop with somewhat more subdued colors.
<Mikel> Hm?
* Niri comes running around the corner, clutching a shopping bag. "Okay, I'm back!" she announces somewhat breathlessly.
<Trune> Littlebit's got a bag. A big bag. Is it wrong that I'm just slightly nervous here?
* Mikel waves. "Just in time... what's in the bag?"
<Mikel> That depends on what's in it, Trune.
<Trune> I...guess. The great unknown.
<Niri> Um, you'll find out later! Let's hurry and get the stuff we came for.
* Heath grins. "Welcome back! Okay, let's check this place out." He pushes open the door to the shop.
<Mikel> I have this sudden bad feeling...
* Mikel steps into the shop, bracing himself for what lies ahead.
* Niri follows them into the shop, eyeing the different pieces of clothing curiously.
* Trune steps into the shop as well, looking like he's not going to enjoy this all that much.
* Niri elbows Trune. "Smile."
<Heath> >> The shopkeeper looks up, wrinkling her nose distastefully as she sees the adventurers enter, looking rather the worse for wear...she especially seems put off by Mikel and Trune's messy, haggard appearance. Heath says a few quit words to her, however, jingling a full purse, and suddenly she is all smiles."
* Trune just sighs in response, "I will smile once this is all over. With a beer in my hands and a job well done. But until then, total bitchface."
<Heath> << -" >>
* Niri sticks her tongue out at Trune. "Fine then, Sunshine!"
<Trune> Aw, c'mon, don't give me that. And look at that lady. She was giving me death glares before Heath showed her our money. I bet she's gonna dress me in lace. 
<Mikel> Better you than me.
<Mikel> Better you than me.
<Trune> She'll dress you in taffeta instead. 
<Mikel> The hell is taffeta?
<Heath> Stiffly woven cloth. Very satiny smooth.
<Trune> Totally made for you. Hey lady, he wants some of that!
<Heath> Anyway! What're you guys looking for? Don't worry, she's not the type to bug us, she'll leave us be till we're ready to pay.
* Heath snrks at Trune.
* Trune doesn't say this very loudly though. He obviously doesn't mean a word of it.
<Mikel> Eternal pain and torment, Trune. That's what awaits you if you do that.
* Niri looks thoughtfully at some high-collared black shirts with silver trim.
<Trune> Feh, I wouldn't even dress my enemies in that.
<Niri> I thought it looked really nice...
* Mikel shakes his head, looking through a few sets of pants. "S'not /that/ bad.. Besides, she likes black, right?"
* Niri looks crestfallen
* Trune blinks, "I didn't mean the shirt! I meant taffeta!"
<Niri> Oh! Okay. Well, what do you think?
* Niri grabs the shirt and holds it up to Trune
<Trune> Uh...well, it's not bad, but...you think it'd make me look like I didn't have a neck?
<Mikel> She can't size it up for an execution, then.
<Niri> Nope. It looks very sophisticated.
* Trune hums, "Well...what would you pair it with?"
<Niri> Hmmm.
<Niri> Probably some black pants and a nice colorful shirt to go under it. Or maybe an overtunic. Something bright to set off the black, anyway.
<Trune> Okay...you're looking at a guy who just wears clothes so he isn't naked. So help me out here...wouldn't having something super colorful make it look like I vomited colors all over myself? Girls like this?
* Niri blinks oddly at Trune. "You'd rather wear nothing but black? That'd make you look like you're at a funeral. Colors are fine, as long as you pick colors that look right together. Colors with black are great, even really bright ones, just so long as you only go with ONE color.
<Niri> If you try to pair purple and orange, that's when you have a problem.
* Mikel pulls out one of the shirts, this one being a long sleeved dark blue shirt with a collar. "Well, you /could/ call it a funeral considering..."
<Mikel> Just for our dignity.
<Niri> Maybe, but you're not gonna get anywhere with that attitude! Get in the spirit of things. This'll be fun!
<Niri> I'm just a bit jealous I can't dress up too. *She eyes a nearby dress wistfully...it's lavender with green ribbons and full skirts.*
* Trune looks kind of embarrased that his knowledge of clothing is well, poor, "Ah...er...um...Guess I'll go with this, then."
* Heath hands Trune a silver collar pin worked in the shape of a griffin.
* Mikel shoots Niri a look. "Your definition of fun needs work.... maybe next time, though. When you won't have to wear Tanan just in case something goes wrong."
<Heath> Try this one, too.
<Niri> Yeah, I know. Black crystal is the color for me tonight! Oh well.
<Niri> Maybe when this whole mess is over.
* Trune blinks, "A griffin? Hm. Okay then.."
* Niri hangs out outside the dressing room.
<Mikel> Mm, perhaps... let's see then, what doesn't shout 'scruffy adventurer'...
* Trune pulls out a nice pair of black pants and a bright red overtunic, "Maybe..."
<Niri> Hey Mikel, try over there! The royal blue would look great on you.
<Mikel> Blue is a good start.
* Mikel makes his way over to where Niri is, curious.
<Niri> The pants are a kind of looser, fuller style, and the tailored cut of the jacket is nice.
<Heath> Hmm, she's right. Looks like it's got a white shirt to wear underneath, with a keyhole neck and gold braid on the collar...and little sunbursts embroidered on the lapels.
<Heath> Thumbs up.
* Trune puts the red overtunic back, "Nah, I'll look like a damn rose."
* Mikel raises an eyebrow. "Sunbursts might be pushing it, but I suppose I can deal with that."
<Trune> Mikayla loves that gaudy shit, Mikel. Go for it.
<Mikel> Between that and the small armory I carry we might have something then.
<Heath> Roses are nice, though, Trune. And you're right about Mikayla. She'll eat it up.
<Heath> The red is gaudy enough to suit her too.
<Heath> And Mikel, they're /little/ sunbursts.
<Mikel> What's her stance when it comes to relics of a forgotten time with a fair amount of power still in them?
* Trune frowns, looking thoughtful, and pulls out the tunic once more, "Well..."
* Heath chuckles. "Depends on if you can sneak them into the mansion. That's going to be tricky, but I have a plan."
<Mikel> The sword doesn't leave my sight.
<Mikel> I suppose the book and staff would be less threatening at least.
<Heath> Oh? Hmm. I guess we might be able to argue it, if it's in a ceremonial scabbard. Might have to be peace-bonded, though.
* Mikel pats the Virtue Bible at his belt before shrugging towards Heath. "Works. S'not like I can swing it worth a damn like this anyways."
* Trune is still looking through clothes. He has the red tunic and black shirt in his hands, but he doesn't look quite satisfied.
* Mikel eventually takes the clothes, letting out a little sigh. "Let's see how this turns out then." With that he makes his way into the dressing room!
* Trune then shrugs and gives up -- he's got no experience in this and this may as well do. He heads to the dressing room as well.
* Niri chats quietly with Heath as they wait for the guys to emerge.
* Mikel can be heard muttering about it has been too long since he's had to dress up. Eventually he does emerge from the room though, decked out in the new clothes while tugging a bit at the sleeves of the jacket. He's already attached the sheathed sword to the belt, though soon enough he stops fiddling and spreads his arms out for the two to judge. "Well?"
* Heath give Mikel a thumbs up. "Looks good! I think Mikayla will approve."
* Trune emerges, wearing a high-necked black shirt with silver trim, and black slacks. A bright red overtunic is held together by a small silver griffin pin. Trune very uncomfortable though, it's obvious he's rarely, if ever, had to slip into formal wear.
* Niri looks Mikel up and down, then grins and whistles a little. "Looks...very nice. The color definitely suits you." Her cheeks seem to have just a little more color to them than usual.
<Trune> «ooc: Trune is very uncomfortable, even »
<Trune> Uh..
* Niri looks at Trune next and claps quietly. "You look great too, Trune! Wow, I like that."
* Trune 's cheeks are slightly red too, "Y-yeah. Kinda itches, though."
* Heath looks at Trune, then starts laughing.
<Trune> ...What? Oh man, is it that bad?
<Heath> Haha! No, you look great, Trune. I mean, like, really great. It's just...the look on your face!
<Heath> It's like someone tried to feed you a raw lemon!
* Niri grins, shaking her head. "He's right though, you look wonderful, Trune."
* Mikel just shakes his head, reaching up to adjust the collar a bit and leaving the button there undone. "I'll survive, I suppose. It's a whole lot better than that Vile Tribe wear we had to use."
<Trune> ...Not by much. 
<Mikel> You must have had comfortable wear there.
<Trune> Though admittedly I can feel my legs, which is a plus.
<Trune> Instead, I can barely move my neck. This shirt has the stiffest collar I've ever seen or felt.
<Niri> On the other hand, it looks very classy.
<Mikel> Just keep your eyes on the prize, Trune.
<Heath> It'll work, you know.
<Heath> Mikayla always did have a pretty strong thing for you.
<Trune> She...had a very strange way of showing it.
* Mikel opens his mouth as if to say something, then just shakes his head and takes a few more steps to make sure the clothes aren't that uncomfortable.
* Trune sighs, "But you're right, this'll work."
* Heath shrugs. "I know. But Mikayla is...screwed up. I think, though, that as far as she has affection for anyone, she sort of cared about you. In a completely messed up, self-serving kinda way."
<Mikel> If this is leading to giving her a second chance...
* Trune shakes his head, "No, she won't get the best of me again. I'll be ready, for she'll be."
* Heath looks at Mikel incredulously. "...No. No way. She's messed up, but I don't think it's salvageable. Mikayla doesn't understand how to care about anyone but herself. She DID backstab me and Trune, and she left us both to die."
<Mikel> So no problem if I decide to put her in a block of ice after all this?
<Heath> I'm not advocating trusting her under any circumstances whatsoever. I'm just saying that as far as she ever DID care about another person, she sort of cared about Trune.
<Heath> Just hold off until we've saved New Meribia, okay? That's all I ask.
<Trune> We will. 
* Niri nods thoughtfully. "You guys can do this. You made up your minds yet?"
<Mikel> I'll go with this, I think. And hope there's something to drink there to make this less painful.
* Trune picks at his sleeves, and while he hasn't quite stated his feelings towards Mikayla aloud, something in his expression suggests that perhaps he felt something too. Long ago. Old flames die hard, "Yeah, this'll do."
* Heath pats Trune's shoulder in a reassuring manner. "Okay. Go ahead and change and we'll get it rung up."
* Niri eyes Trune curiously, pondering his mannerisms and tone of voice.
<Mikel> Mm. How much is all of this?
<Trune> Probably way more than it should be.
<Mikel> Besides that.
* Heath examines the price tags. "Hmmm...looks like $600 silver or so per outfit. Don't worry, I got it."
<Mikel> You sure?
<Trune> Damn, yeah, you positive about this?
* Heath grins. "Yeah, what do you think the resistance is for? I've got an in with this store, so we can get it for cheaper, and we're subsidized by some important businesses in New Meribia who'd really like to see the Bunny Guard out, BAD. I could tell you the details, but let's just say I can handle it."
<Mikel> Alright, alright. Just making sure.
* Trune nods, smiling, "Okay."
<Heath> Yep. Just bring them on out to me when you're changed and I'll ring them up.
* Mikel steps back into the changing room, seeming a bit more muted. It doesn't take him long to get back into his usual clothes though and he emerges, holding the chosen outfit. "This wasn't so bad, at least."
* Heath nods and takes the clothes from Mikel, hurrying over to purchase them.
* Trune quickly heads to the changing room and gets back into his usual clothes in record time. He lets out a huge sigh of relief, trying to get the cricks out of his neck.
* Niri goes over to stand by Mikel, clutching her shopping bag.
<Heath> Hey Trune! Bring that on over here when you're ready.
* Trune brings over the clothes to Heath, "Here."
* Heath waits for the shopkeeper to tally up the price of the clothes and he sticks his hands in his pockets.
* Mikel scratches the of his neck, looking over at Niri. "So what's next?"
<Heath> Hey, Trune...
<Niri> Well, we meet up with the others and get ready for dinner.
<Trune> Hm?
<Niri> First, though... *she eyes Mikel's appearance, wrinkling her nose at the horrible state of his beloved jacket.
<Heath> You know...I'm really glad you're back. I just wanted you to know that I really did miss you.
* Heath laughs a bit self-consciously. "Not sure you ever realized just how much I used to idolize you, you know."
* Mikel blinks. "What?"
* Trune smiles, a geniune one, "Heh, I missed you too. Wait, you what?"
<Trune> I mean...just...there are better people to kinda look up to. 
* Heath shrugs. "We had a really close-knit friendship, the three of us. But I always kind of felt like I was in your shadow, yours and Mikayla's."
* Niri shoves the bag in Mikel's direction, a small grin playing on her lips.
* Mikel blinks, taking the bag and opening it up.
<Trune> Honestly Heath, I couldn't have proven our theories withou--oh man, after this is all said and done, I have to tell you everything. The elementlors, all of it. You'll flip.
<Niri> >> Inside the bag is a neatly folded, brand-new blue jacket - apparently in exactly the same cut and style as Mikel's beat-up old one.
* Mikel blinks.
* Heath blinks at Trune. "The Elementalors? Wait, you mean it was all true?"
* Mikel pulls out the jacket, examining it for a couple of moments. "This is... oh man."
<Niri> Is it okay?
* Trune grins widely, "Yup. Well, parts of it were were totally wrong about, but for the most part...yup."
<Heath> Oh wow. You'll have to tell me ALL about it, once we're out of this mess.
* Heath hands over the payment to the shopkeeper, accepting the bags of clothes in return.
* Mikel steps forward, giving Niri a quick hug before stepping back. "Yes, yes it is. Thanks." With that he takes off his old jacket and pulls on the new one, grinning despite himself.
* Niri hugs Mikel back quickly, then steps back with her arms folded, smiling a little to herself.
<Trune> Deal. Better buy me a drink, though. It's gonna take a while.
<Heath> You got it. Though I warn you, I still fall over after half a beer.
* Mikel starts moving odds and ends from the old jacket over into the pockets of his new one, still grinning.
<Trune> Really? With your new muscle mass? I'm slightly dissapointed. I was hoping we weren't gonna have to get you the virgin versions anymore.
* Trune grins.
* Heath looks glum, but a twinkle in his eye shows he's not serious.
<Heath> You guys ready to go?
* Niri eyes Mikel out of the corner of her eye. She's a little astonished to see him grinning.
<Trune> Yeah. Well, okay NO, but for the most part yeah.
<Niri> Don't worry, Trune, it'll be fine.
<Niri> You'll do great.
* Mikel keeps moving odds and ends over, though for a moment he stops and the grin quickly fades. He moves something quickly into his pocket, muttering under his breath before folding up the battered old jacket.
* Etirfk (~Etir@dynamic-acs-24-239-125-230.zoominternet.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
<Trune> Heh, well, I sort of have to. Doesn't mean I'll like it, though.
* Niri nods. "No, but we'll get what we came for and we'll get out of there."
* Niri frowns at Mikel, sighing softly to herself. She glances over at him, giving him a questioning look.
<Trune> Right. Don't worry.
* Mikel shakes his head, glancing around. "Back to the others, then?"
* Trune sounds...determined, "I'll get the job done."
* Niri looks between the two guys, then sighs a little and nods. "Right. Time to go find the others."
* Heath gives Niri a questioning look, and she whispers something in his ear. He nods, then turns back to the others, grinning widely. "Well! I'm ready. Let's go!"
* Mikel blinks, looking at Niri for a moment before starting to walk with a sign. "Eat, drink, and be merry..."
* Trune sees Niri sigh, and then tries to give her a reassuring smile.
<Trune> Really, it'll be okay. 
<Mikel> << ...sigh, not sign >>
* Niri smiles back at Trune, only a little wanly, and nods to Mikel. "Right! Back to the others."
* Heath leads the way toward the safehouse, carrying the shopping bags.
* Trune follows behind the others, once again pulling up his hood, his gaze rooted on Niri and his mouth quirked in a worried frown.
<Niri> ==Lude End!==
Session Close: Sun Feb 10 22:05:12 2008