Session Start: Mon Mar 31 19:28:44 2008 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 ==LUDE IS GO!== The sun is dipping down in the west, casting long and gloomy shadows across the city. In some ways it matches the mood of the townsfolk, having just seen the slaughtered enemy army simply get back up and walk away. Some wonder if they will face another assault in the future. In the civilian quarter, many have come and gone over the course of the day, trying to forget or drown their sorrows in the bars and alehouses. In one of these, a Truth Seeker sits alone at a table near the firepit. A pitcher of dark beer has already been emptied, and a second pitcher is being nursed in silence. * Niri pokes her head into the tavern, peering around in the dim light and looking for a familiar face. * Trune follows in right behind, also quietly scoping out the room in front of him. In a moment, he silently points in Vytor's direction, and taps Niri's shoulder. * Niri nods quietly and heads over to where Vytor sits, sliding into a seat across from him. * Trune heads to the table as well, turning a seat around and sitting down on it, putting his arms on the chairback in front of him, "Hey." * Vytor looks up, and manages a small smile, "Hey guys. I'm not going to insult you by asking why you're here." Mmm. So you...talked with Ryllan? He explained the series of events to me, yes. * Niri exchanges glances with Trune, unsure what to say next. * Trune isn't sure what to say either, giving Niri a glance, "You...you scared us really bad, Vy. I mean...I honestly thought the worst." I'm not saying this to make you feel bad...just...I'm really glad you're okay. Really glad. * Vytor nods. "Me too." I'm not quite ready to die yet. I don't think anyone is, really. * Trune 's fingers squeeze the back of the chair for a moment. * Vytor manages a wry grin, "Guess today wasn't my day then, eh?" * Niri reaches out and grips Vytor's arm for a moment, though whether she is offering or seeking reassurance is uncertain. * Vytor looks at Niri, "Yes? What is it?" I'm just... *she takes a deep breath, letting go* I was...freakin' scared. So scared of losing ANY of you. * Vytor exhales, "I don't mean to be cruel when I say this, but the possibility of someone dying on this exodus has always been there." * Trune glances sidelong at Niri, but says nothing. ...Yeah. I know it has. Still is. * Niri sighs. "I'm just realizing I'm...not ready for the reality, I think. I have to be. But...I just broke down out there." * Trune shakes his head, "It...it was a shock. Don't feel bad about being human, Niri. I almost lost it too. As much as I'd like to say that there's going to be a happy ending here, life just always work like that. But...there's still a chance we'll all come out of this just fine. Of course there is. We're not doing this to fail, you know. Yeah, we've come this far. We'll see it to the end, for sure. * Niri sighs, putting a hand to her forehead. "I don't...really understand what happened today, though. Even though I was right there, and I saw it..." * Vytor sips at his beer for a good moment before answering, "What part don't you understand?" I think she means....no, I'll let her talk. * Niri looks uncomfortable. "I just mean, I don't understand why...I mean what...er, that is - " You might as well just ask. Someone's going to eventually. ...Okay, you're gonna really have to pardon me for my foot in my mouth problem, then. How did you heal yourself like that? Not that I'm complaining. I far prefer Vytor whole and undamaged. Well, I have two answers to that. * Vytor sets his mug down and inhales. The fluid that runs through my veins is not blood, but a form of bio-polymer with multi-functional capabilities. Its is capable of self-transmutation between liquid and gel-like states, and can even duplicate the tensile strength of flesh as needed. In this case the biological monitoring systems reacted to the sudden stimulus that came from the dislocation of my head. * Trune leans back and stares a moment, "How...long have you known this?" * Niri blinks at Vytor In this instance the bodyparts remained connected by the escaping fluid as it began to seal the wounds. Reacting to the situation, the fluid progressed from fluid to gel to flesh in rapid order and began taking steps to repair the damage through rapid callular restructuring. Once the biological seals around ym neck were rebuilt, the internal systems began to break down severed tissues, ligaments and bones and began to rebuild the tissues back to the given biological norm state. Once that was done, the interior systems re-initialized into a sort of safe-mode, where the unit goes into standby until someone with command authorization can resent the system to standard opertation. That's the long answer. The short answer is that despite all that drivel I just spewed, I have no idea what any of it means, but I'm 100% certain that's how its all meant to work. When did you learn all of that, though? I'm...not sure how comfortable I am with the term "system". When I was 're-started' by Saki and Rachel, though its taken me this long to piece together all that jumble out of my head. * Trune shakes his head, "That's just...wow." I suppose I've always 'known' that. My head's always been full of bits of information I don't ever remember learning. Its only just now that this one piece has had some kind of frame of reference for me to work with. Mmm. ...How do you... y'know, how do you feel about all that? Yeah...how do you feel about it? Creeped out beyond all description. * Vytor gulps down a sizable swallow of his beer. I can't change what happened to you, or how you came to be, but this, to me confirms who you are. You're Vytor, and my friend. No matter what. ...Guess that's about what I expected. And yeah, Trune's right. You've been there for US when it seemed like the world was falling apart around us. I suppose when all things are considered, nothing's really changed. I've just been mis-labled, as it were. And...well, really, you're exactly who you've always been, we just know more now. Yeah. This actually explains quite a lot. It in some ways has to be kind of comforting to know it...but also frightening, too. It also explains how I know some of the things I know. Like that reactor in Lazarus I fixed a while ago. But I thought the Lazarus creations weren't really human. But you definitely ARE human. So there's a piece of the puzzle we've been missing. * Vytor looks flatly at Niri, "No Niri, I'm not." No human being can do what I did back there. Human beings just don't get back up after having their head lopped off. Sometimes being human isn't what you're phsysically made of or how you came to be, but the person you are inside. I think that's what she means. You are the most human person I know, Vytor. No offense if I completely insulted you there, Niri. Yeah, that IS what I mean. I mean that Vytor is human through and through - up here - * Niri points at Vytor's head * Niri points at his chest in the vicinity of his heart. "...and here." That's the part that matters. * Vytor manages another weak smile, "I can't argue with that I suppose." * Niri gets up and goes around to give Vytor a quick shoulder-hug I think that's what I was most scared of today. That we might have lost 'you'. Anyone who can come back from that s'gotta be pretty tough. Awfully glad we didn't lose you, in any case. Yeah...really glad. You know me, best punching bag this side of the Blue Star. ;) Oh come on...there's more to you than that! That's like...so shallow. Best silversmith, ever! * Trune elbows Niri, and whispers,"Help, peppy ain't my thing. It feels kind of weird." * Vytor chuckles, "You're doing fine, Trune. Pep talks don't always have to be peppy." * Trune looks embarrased, a faint blush on his cheeks as he hunkers downs slightly in his chair, "You weren't supposed to hear that..." I have very good hearing. ;) * Niri blinks at Trune. "I uh...I'm sorry, I'm a little too shaken to do peppy tonight! I'm trying, but..." Nah...it's okay. Don't worry about. «ooc: about it, wtf what! » * Niri straightens. "Hmm. I think I need a drink." I think we all do, to an extent. ...Think you can get me something, Niri? Sure. What do you want? Beer? Lots? Need to take an edge off...so something that'll give a nice buzz. Not too strong mind you. We don't know if those things are gearing up for another shot at us. Aww, spoilsport. * Niri nods. "Okay. Be right back." She heads off toward the counter to get Trune his order, and to spend a good long time pondering what to order for herself. * Trune turns in his chair to watch Niri go, waiting several moments. After a time, he nods, and turns back to Vytor, his face deathly serious, "Hey, Vytor." Hm? You know everything I said about you being human and that's what we really care about, right? About you, I mean. Yeah? It's because of that...that I trust you completely on this. * Vytor raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. * Trune rummages in his backpack, pulling out what appears to be a yellow...envelope. He presses it into Vytor's hand, "I don't want you to actually open it. I'm really hoping you don't have to...but I need you to hold on to this, and don't let the others know I gave this to you. Only open it and show the others...if something happens to me." * Vytor looks oddly at the envelope, but nods and tucks it into his vest pocket. * Trune looks relieved, "Thank you." Sure thing. Just...don't forget. I won't. Promise. * Trune smiles, it almost looks like a small load has been lifted. It'll be all right. We still have to believe that. Yeah, with luck at the end...I can burn that. I'll hold onto it until that day. Then you can have it back. * Niri comes back holding two large mugs and looking a little disgruntled. I look forward to that d--hey Niri, what's up? You look miffed. * Niri puts a mug down in front of Trune and sits down with the other, looking at it grumpily. "Tanan says I shouldn't have anything to drink. He's quite irritated about the idea." His objections have some merit. * Trune stares, "Oh come on, we won a BATTLE of the ages and he won't let you drink? Pssh, not even a sip? That's cold." He's not convinced that the danger's past. I don't think it is. Still...meh. Yeah. He's probably right. And I guess drink's likely overrated anyway. *She pushes the mug between the other two* You guys can go for it. You realize I'm going to feel horrifically guilty, now? * Niri blinks at Trune Hm? Drinking is only half the fun unless you've got a drinking buddy? Man, I could totally drink Heath under the table. Good times, that. Good times. ...Actually, anyone could, so maybe using myself as an example is a bad idea. * Vytor chuckles. * Niri laughs a bit as well. * Trune can't help but grin and takes a swig of his beer. Well, I can always watch you get drunk. Then at least I'LL be entertained. And give you fodder for years? Heavens, no. I'm not that dense. Hate to break it to you Trune, but we have enough fodder on each other to rattle each other for years. But in terms of me, do you really need more? Yeah, too late now. More is always good! Damn, reality is a harsh mistress. Beer'll fix that! * Trune takes another swig, "For a few hours, anyway." As much as this is a nice respite, there is still work to be done. And in truth, I should be managing the repair crews right now. * Vytor pushes away from the table and stands, "But I do appreciate you two coming to check up on me." * Trune nods, "Anytime." I'll stick around with Trune for a while, then go see what I can do to help out elsewhere. Thanks for talking with us, Vytor. Sure thing. It's good to see you okay. * Vytor gives the two a smile, "Yeah, I may not be 100% yet, but I'm close enough for what needs to be done." * Vytor waves, and goes to pay his bill before heading out the door. ...Amazing he's taken it as well as he has. I mean, he's not taking it SUPER well, but better than I expected. He's...a really tough guy. * Niri nods slowly. "...Tougher than a lot of us, yeah." I'm still shaky over what happened. That's a sight I hope we never see again. * Niri nods, looking vaguely queasy again. And yet...we might see it again, and soon. I didn't see their faces, but if those Lazarus things really all look...like Vytor... * Trune shakes his head vehemently, "Vytor is Vytor...just try to remember that, okay? It'll...make it easier." Yeah. Okay. ...But I know it's easier to say than actually do, though. Next stop is Bluetooth though, I guess. Got to track them all down and - stop Zophar from - * Niri trails off. ....Trune. If Zophar takes a Lazarus body, then that means... He'll look like Vytor. * Trune 's gaze levels at his beer mug, his hand tighening around it slightly. His voice sounds cold, "...It won't come to that..." Y-yeah. We're going to stop him before that happens. * Trune 's grip tightens around the beer mug, his eyes going stony, "It will not. I'll make sure of it. It's my mission." * Niri frowns at Trune. "...You okay?" * Trune begins to answer, his grip tightening around the beer mug...until it suddenly it cracks and then explodes in his hand! Ngh-! * Trune snaps his now bleeding hand to his chest, looking confused and startled. * Niri 's eyes widen, and she grabs a handkerchief from her pocket and hands it to Trune. "Wrap that around your hand." What's going on, Trune? And if this is what drinking does to you I am NOT buying you another beer. * Trune numbly wraps the handkerchief around his hand, mumbling to himself, "No...willforce in the air...did I really say...it's happening again..." * Trune shakes his head, suddenly standing up, "Look...I need to go." * Niri blinks. "Go? Go where?" * Trune fumbles through his pockets, putting a couple of silver on the table, either for his drink or a tip, "There's...someone I need to see. I...look, don't worry, I'm okay! See?" * Trune holds up his still wrapped hand, "Doesn't even hurt a lot." * Niri raises a skeptical eyebrow. "No dice, Trune. You gotta at least tell me where you're going." I'm...going home, okay? I'm going to see him. And I need to do this now before I destroy more than just a beer mug. And just how do you plan to get there? ... ... ... ... I hate you just a little right now, you know that? * Niri looks affronted. "I'm just pointing out the lack of logic, don't blame me!" It's not that I disagree with your intentions but it's not a good idea to go haring off with no real plan. I was planning on getting a ride. Hell, I wasn't planning on walking! There's...not enough time for that. You might try the wings. But before I let you do that, I'd rather talk to some of the others about it first. Things are still pretty dangerous right now. Ryllan knows. Ryllan knows what...? That you're planning on taking off? That's odd. Seemed like a split second decision to me. * Etir is now known as Tanan * Tanan speaks up, sounding reluctant. "...and how do you propose to get there? We're still technically under siege - I highly doubt anyone is going to be making the trip to the academy now." I...I'll find a way. You don't understand! What exactly don't we understand? What's made it so much more urgent today than it was yesterday? Last I remember, Mikel and I were trying to convince YOU to go talk to your dad. You will possibly die. Not only that, the elementalors- the other elementalors- were one of the best tools we had in the last battle. So you could die, and even if you survived the casualties here will be higher if the next attack comes while you're gone. He's got a point. * Trune looks like a trapped animal, and clutches his bleeding hand, "...It's...I..there might not be enough time...I..." * Trune clams up, saying no more. * Niri eyes Trune suspiciously. I think maybe we'd better go talk to Ryllan about this. That... could be wise. And Saki. It would be good to have Rachel's... opinion. * Niri nods in agreement, watching Trune closely. * Trune doesn't say anything else, turning away. ...Well? What ...Well? What're you going to do? ...Have you attempted using the ECC to control this? It worked on Leah, somewhat. * Trune shakes his head, "No, I haven't." Let's talk to Ryllan before we do anything rash. Can we hold off on cross-country that long? ...Yeah, go ahead. Talk to Ryllan. * Trune keeps his eyes downcast. Right. Let's go find him. * Niri heads for the door, motioning for Trune to follow. * Trune follows behind, holding his hand to his chest. He still keeps his eyes downward. ==Lude pause and stuff== Session Close: Mon Mar 31 22:20:40 2008 Session Start: Sat Apr 05 19:10:42 2008 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 ==Lude Start== * Niri strides toward the mansion, Trune in tow, looking for Ryllan. She has a determined look on her face and woe befall anyone who gets in her way. * Trune 's face is still downcast as he follows silently behind Niri. He clutches a hand to his chest, and the handkerchief wrapped around is splattered with blood. * Niri asks around once they arrive at the mansion, wanting to know where Ryllan is. Finally she ends up peeking around doorways to see if he's in one of the rooms sometimes used as a study... >> Ryllan is, of course, there, in one of the rooms. His head is lowered, and he doesn't seem to notice the group, as he shuffles papers around with a practiced hand. Hey Ryllan, got a moment? We need to talk to you. It's kinda urgent. *She nudges Trune into the room* * Trune goes along with the nudge -- where else can he go? Sure. I can give you a moment or three, Niri. WHat do you need? Trune says - well, Trune, why don't you explain. * Trune bites his lip, "I...I know this is coming at a horrible time, but I need to head home. Somehow." I don't care if someone follows me or not, I know I'm not trusted. I'm trying to convince him this is a bad idea, but he won't explain why he has to go. Dangerous and difficult at best, considering the army out there. * Ryllan presses his fingers along the bridge of his nose, "Trune, you are aware that that army is almost certainly coming back to play again." I know...but with the wings, that will certainly speed things! I know it's hard, really hard for you all to trust me right now considering everything that's going on...but I wouldn't be leaving, let alone seeing my Dad of all people, if I didn't have a damn good reason. * Huwnap is now known as Huw * Ryllan sits back in his chair, folding his arms, "A reason more important than the dozens, maybe hundreds of lives saved I can attribute to you, personally, in the last attack?" ...Potentially, yes. * Tanan sounds calm, almost as though he's reciting. "Not to mention that sending anyone off alone with the wings right now could be the same as losing the wings, and that person. Of course, we could all abandon the city." * Ryllan raises an eyebrow at Trune, remaining silent. * Niri just waits and listens, letting them talk. I'm not abadoning anyone, you think I haven't thought of this beforehand? Think I'm just being some rebellious teenager prat? I'm not, I swear to you I'm not. No, I don't think you're just being some rebellious teenager prat. But I /am/ interested in what you /are/ being. * Trune gulps, clutching the handkerchief closer at Ryllan's words. * Niri glances at Trune, somewhat expectantly, but she tries to look encouraging as well. What I am being? You mean... I mean that there's a lot of reasons you could want to get away right now. And that there's also alot of reasons the ninth elementalor could wish to get away. That's kind of what I was trying to get it, I think, Trune. But---but I swear this is me thinking here! I'm sure of it! I'm not doing this to run away, I swear it to you! * Trune 's voice sounds desperate, almost pleading. You have to understand, you're basically telling us "I can't tell you why, but I need the relic that allows you to teleport places, and I need to take it when you might have the greatest need for it." * Niri shakes her head, sounding frustrated. "Tanan's right, Trune. Tell us WHY! In ordinary circumstances I would totally trust you, but I can't even be sure it's you asking this anymore!" And in that case, we have to consider the possibility and we have to protect you, and everyone else, against the thing in your head. You want to know why? I don't know everything, but in a vision I had Pluto all but thrashed me over the head my Dad could help me. And I know what you're thinking, "What if she has an ultierior motive too?", but she's been weirdly symapthetic towards me, unlike the others. I'm TRYING to stop myself from being a threat, believe it or not I'm trying to protect everybody, like I have been since I found out about this god damn thing! You shouldn't guess at my thoughts, Trune. Your track record at it just isn't that impressive. Understand, Trune, if we're not talking to Trune right now, then I have no reason to believe that any conversation with Pluto took place. * Trune looks flabbergasted, "But...but it did! I'm not making this shit up!" And you still haven't offered any decent reason why this should happen right this second. Yes, you're trying to prevent yourself from being a danger, but the last time we talked there wasn't a considerable time pressure on that front. Why has that changed? I...It's... ...Niri, go check my room back at the base, and report what you see. Maybe that'll convince you. * Niri blinks. "Uh...okay. Be right back." She heads for the door, glancing back with a frown, then runs out. * Trune glances down at the ground, his face unreadable. * Ryllan waits quietly. There's little else to say at this juncture. * Niri returns after some minutes, panting a little as she's clearly run. She peers in the door, then seems to relax a bit as things are still as she left them. Trune, your room, it's...what happened in there? ...It was like that when I woke up. I thought it was damaged because the attack started...only it didn't. It was...I think it was me...willforce run a bit amok as I slept. I...I had no idea. * Niri frowns. "That's...that's bad." Then just now with the beer glass...I wish I was strong enough to break it with my hands. It was willforce that broke it, just a bit of willforce gone a bit awry. I could feel it in the air when I...came to my senses. * Ryllan closes his eyes, remaining silent for a long span of seconds. * Niri eyes Ryllan, wondering if he's thinking along the same lines she is. * Trune says no more, looking nervous. "What do you know?" Ryllan asks, voice entirely grave and serious, "You need to tell us everything you can about this, Trune, please." * Trune glances at Niri, giving her a strange, wide-eyed look, before turning back to Ryllan, "I...It's...I'm...It's still muddled. I..." Then tell us what you can. I...might have another objective after we defeat Zophar. Something else in the code...and while I don't fully understand it or comprehend it...it's enough to worry me. ...After we defeat Zophar? * Tanan takes on a very interested tone. "R-eally." * Trune nods, "Yes." * Niri frowns, looking a little concerned as Tanan speaks up. * Tanan just murmurs. "To make them more than just weapons, huh?" * Trune glances at Tanan, his face paling a bit at his words. You said you don't comprehend it, fine. What do you suspect about it? That...I could d something very, very bad. Something that might...change a lot of things. * Ryllan waits for a few moments, then sighs, "Trune, that could cover everything from kicking puppies to the end of the world." * Trune looks hesitant, staring at the floor. * Trune shakes his head, "It's...something with the elements and using them to change the enviroment around us. At least...the visions looked a little like that. They were really hazy, I couldn't tell for sure." ... Ah. So more toward the latter end of that scale, then. M--maybe. I don't know. * Ryllan sighs, "And they say bad things come in threes. We're on at least eights by now." * Trune says nothing as well, his face is pale. * Ryllan puts his hands behind his head, speaking slowly, "Well, that's definately what I'd call time pressure. Have any thoughts on how to make this work without making it into a giant clusterfuck?" If Pluto was telling the truth, if my dad could somehow get rid of the virus or at least slow it down...it'd buy us time. As for the problem that we could be attacked anytime...that's...harder. I'm not sure how to solve that problem without some risk involved. Hm. Well, going to see your dad isn't a bad idea, Trune. It's just, we kinda need at least someone to go with you. Ryllan...sure we couldn't spare anyone? If they hurried... Who can we afford to face this all without? There is your answer. Ngh, yeah. That's a problem. What's the timeline here look like, Trune? Are we talking a matter of an hour, or days? I honestly have no idea...the symptoms themselves are esclating. I can't tell you how goddamn tired I am of this headache, and now it may not even be safe to drug myself to sleep anymore. * Ryllan shakes his head, "Your visit." ...Oh. It depends what he has to do. Probably a day at most. I wouldn't make it any longer than that, and that itself is even too long. ...Might even be shorter than an hour, if he decides not to help me..He disowned me, afterall. He'll help you. But you're his son, Trune. Surely he wouldn't refuse to help you now. * Ryllan sounds very sure of this, "Though he might want a word with me for reneging on a promise." * Trune blinks several times, "A promise? You made a promise with my dad? When?" Way back when. He asked me to keep you safe. I don't think this qualifies. * Trune looks genuinely surprised, "He...asked you that?" Do you remember, immediately after he disowned you, I went after him? You were busy, you might not have noticed. But it was then. I see...heh, I didn't even know you left then. * Trune for the first time in a long while actually sounds a little hopeful, "You really think he'll help me?" Yeah, I do... * Ryllan trails off, then hits himself in the forehead with an open palm, "I am an idiot." Huh? Why? All this talk about time pressures, and I forgot the one thing that can have whoever goes with you back in 5 minutes. Time. * Trune blinks several times. For a moment, he says nothing, then suddenly, he starts laughing. Hard, "Oh, oh WOW. I completely forgot about...oh wow! Hahahaha, the simplest answer ever and I just...snrk...Sorry." * Niri blinks ...I think it's been a long day. I can't believe I missed that too. How.. will that help? Geez...can't believe I forgot about that. Other than giving us our people back within minutes of the first sighting of an incoming force? It doesn't, really, Tanan. But given the time pressures on both ends here, it may be the best of both worlds. Oh. I was more worried that Zophar might be able to do something during the transit. I suppose that might be paranoia. I wish we knew more about what he could do. Yeah... Well, for now, I think we'd better risk sending Trune to see his dad. With someone with him, of course. It seems unlikely. I'd offer to go, Trune, but...well, I don't know, can I? If he could affect the Wings to any degree that didn't involve a gian- No. * Niri sighs. She clearly expected that answer. * Trune doesn't seem to react - it's almost as if he expected the same answer as well. Not Vytor. Not Mikel. ...maybe Mikel. Damn. ... Mikel may be our only option. At least there should be less drugs going around. Tch. Do you really distrust Mikel? I don't distrust him. I just don't like to force him into a responsible position. It might do him good, you know. He can build character when less is on the line. He's already taken a lot of responsibility here and now. How hard can it be? I'm sure nothing's going to happen. I hope you're right. Yeah...me too. Session Close: Sat Apr 05 22:53:27 2008