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B M X
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Mar 15, 2019 01:42
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 08:46 |
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B M > N X
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Mar 15, 2019 02:10
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C >B M X
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Mar 15, 2019 18:19
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A > B M > N X
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Mar 15, 2019 18:32
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A X B XX C X M XXXX N O P Z Y X XXXX W      "Hey, do you know what I do when I'm confused, or when I want something explained?" says Rinley excitedly. "I go ask my parents! Where are yours?" "Oh, they're er, off on a, er, trip somewhere. Or something like that." "Oh? When are they going to be back?" "Um... I don't remember when I last saw them... So they must have been gone a while... So it must be that they're going to be back soon." (Chuubo gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Face-Palming'!) Rinley looks baffled. "Are you sure?" "...No." Chuubo's mind is churning for a way to change the subject, but nothing occurs to him. This discussion is making him deeply uncomfortable. "...Can you remember anything about where they might be?" Chuubo is starting to feel overwhelmed. He has to sit down. Rinley stares at him, concerned. (Chuubo gains 1 Bonus XP for 'Foreshadowing'!) (Chuubo gains a point of Mystery!)     "So..." says Miramie. "I think we should be able to find some books about Fortitude in the Archive that'll be relevant to this issue. From there, we might be able to work out a good way to set up a bus service without causing any great trouble." "...Mm. Yes, that seems like a reasonable notion." *** At the Archive Miramie and Natalia quietly read through books of legal history. (Natalia Koutolika gains 1 Quest XP for 'Peaceful Moments'!) They start to jot down pages of notes and pass them back and forth between them. (Miramie Mesmer gains 1 Bonus XP for a 'Shared Action'!) (Natalia Koutolika gains 1 Bonus XP for sharing the moment!)         "Okay-" says Seizhi. "I really think we need to go and see Jade Irinka. I mean, now." Chapter 10 Scene 4 "I can't believe this! You really won't let us in?" Jasper Irinka and the Prince of Cats are talking with the guards at the House of the Sun. They are proving to be recalcitrant. "The 'final stage' is beginning. We've been instructed that no-one can be allowed in, not even the Headmaster's daughter, or graduates." Jasper glares at the speaker. She remembers how he froze Leonardo. The Prince of Cats reveals nothing, his eyes flicking back and forth as he stands silently. "All right. Fine!" Jasper turns away and walks back through the Bleak Academy buildings, arriving at the nook where the others are concealing themselves. "It didn't work! They won't let anyone in! Something's happening in there!" Leonardo stiffens. Are they... Are they subjecting Jade Irinka to similar torments to those that I myself suffered? Is some irrevocable disaster approaching? (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Quest XP for 'Someone's In Trouble'!) "This will not stand! I will recite the equations I have invented, and tear through them!" "But Monty, you tried that before, and you just ended up getting frozen!" "But it should have worked! If I try it again, the same impossibility cannot occur again! Lightning won't strike in the same place twice!" (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Speechlessness'!) "Ah-" interjects Seizhi. "What would a scientist expect to occur if an experiment was repeated with the same conditions?" "The same result, of course! That's science!" "So, what happens if you do the same thing twice?" "The same result will occur twice! So, as I've already been cheated by the correct result not occurring once, reality owes me, and it must give me the correct result now, with greater expediency!" "I don't understand why you two are trying to stop him making a fool of himself." comments Entropy. "Don't worry Jasper." adds the Prince of Cats. "I'm sure I'll be able to get him out of trouble if he goes and attacks them." Leonardo bites his lip and glares at them. How are they going to approach this problem? A: Leonardo goes to engage the guards in conversation, and divines the wickedest thoughts in their minds. (Superiority) B: Leonardo De Montreal summons a nightmare to attack the guards. (Supreme Invocation, spend 4 MP) C: Entropy frightens them into letting the group by. (Spend 4 Will with Superior Magister 1) D: Seizhi comes up with a story to trick them into letting the group inside. (Spend 4 Will with Know Stuff 3) E: Jasper calls on the Sun to protect Seizhi as he walks into the House of the Sun. (Sun Lights The Path [powered up], one free use per book) F: Jasper turns off the Sun momentarily and they sneak by while it's dark. (Spend 4 Will with Incarnation of the Sun 2) G: Have Jasper walk in and hope that they don't actually dare to stop her.
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Mar 16, 2019 22:14
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A > G
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Mar 17, 2019 05:07
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Antivehicular posted:A > G
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Mar 17, 2019 05:59
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Antivehicular posted:A > G
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Mar 18, 2019 02:45
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A XXX B C D E F G Without warning Leonardo breaks out of cover and hurries over to the guards. After a moment of paralysed horror, everyone else chases after him, all of them trying decide whether to run or simply walk briskly in an innocent manner. "Monty, what are you-" Leonardo reaches the House of the Sun and the two guards recognise him immediately. "Hey, you're-" "Tremble, fools! I, Leonardo De Montreal, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah power blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah genius beyond measure blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah-" "That's enough!" barks one of the guards. "Aha, afraid? But I-" Leonardo pauses. "Wait, I know you! You're the one who put me in the ice!" "Yes, but it's not my turn this time." He gestures to the girl next to him. "Now it's her turn. Leave, or she'll demonstrate." Leonardo can feel the wickedness squirming around in their brains as if he had it grasped in his hands. He tries to perceive its shape. Alter...Angel...New form...Black Sun...Corruption of Hope...Mimic... Hold on... "I understand! You're going to-" The girl raises one finger and Leonardo vanishes. Jasper gasps in horror. Entropy sighs. *** Leonardo De Montreal is in a place without location. He tries to move, but there can be no alterations of his position. He tries to look around, but there's nothing to look at. He tries to struggle, but that implies motion, and is thus impossible. How can I be so vulnerable? Was it always thus? Leonardo feels cold and miserable. (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Bonus XP for 'Suffering Trauma'!) (Leonardo De Montreal gains a point of Sickness!) *** "BRING HIM BACK!" shouts Jasper. Seizhi is alarmed. He's never seen her like this before. Entropy is intrigued. He's never seen her like this before. The guards are unmoved. "Please leave." The girl says, smiling smugly. "Causing a scene won't help." The Prince of Cats steps into view, wiping the grins off their faces. "My pupil may need some support at this point..." He places his hand on the hilt of his sword and they tense. But then he turns to Jasper. "Jasper Irinka, you should know that Leonardo is inevitably going to make a triumphant return. All this fretting is just a betrayal of your nature. If you can smile, and show me that you're not worried, I'll sort this out." A: Jasper calls on the Sun to guide Leonardo back to her. (Sun Lights the Path, one free use per chapter) B: Jasper starts slapping the Prince of Cats around the face with her Outside-Diminishing Tongue until he brings Leonardo back. C: Jasper starts slapping the guards around the face with her Outside-Diminishing Tongue until they bring Leonardo back. D: Jasper does as the Prince of Cats suggests. Chuubo is still wrapped up in his own thoughts. Rinley has given up trying to talk to him and is racking her brains to think of something she could do to help. There's a knock at the door. Rinley opens it, and discovers, much to her disbelief, Simon Brambles, the Prince of Thorns. He's wearing what is either a cloak-like mass of vines, or a vine-like cloak. "AGH!" "No, no, don't worry. I'm not here to cause trouble. Rather, I'm here to make up for the trouble I've caused!" What should Rinley do? Z: Declare that he can't enter unless invited. (There's a Tree in the Way!) Y: Let him in. X: Slam the door in his face.
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#
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Mar 19, 2019 00:40
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A Y
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Mar 19, 2019 13:04
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D Z
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Mar 20, 2019 01:12
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A > C Z > Y
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Mar 20, 2019 02:22
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A XX B C D X Z XX Y X X Jasper pictures Leonardo in her mind's eye, and opens her hands. In Leonardo's view, something lights up. There's a moment of confusion as reality wavers, attempting to reconcile the concept of a path, with the concept of an absence of location. And then, it all breaks apart. Quite suddenly, Leonardo is back with the others, stumbling towards Jasper. She gives a cry of joy, and Leonardo manages something of a smile. (Jasper Irinka gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Gratitude'!) Then Jasper turns to glare at the guards. Seizhi tenses, uncertain. Entropy chuckles to himself. What should they do? A: Entropy starts on a long speech about diplomacy in order to distract them while the others walk in. (Obsession, one free use per chapter, spend 2 Will) B: Jasper switches into Wicked Mode and induces cynicism while insisting to the guards that they aren't going to be able to stop her from entering. (Light To Encourage Hope, reversed with Wicked Mode, spend 4 Will) C: Jasper talks to the Prince of Cats about his hopes, and consequently grows a Soul-Carving Sword Arm to attack them with. (Connect To Someone, convert one Divine Health Level) D: Leave and try and work out a way to contact Jade Irinka remotely. "Leave! Don't you know the universal law of reverse hospitality? You can't enter a dwelling you haven't entered!" Simon quails. "I've done that many times already! When are the consequences going to catch up with me?" "At any moment! Be afraid!" She closes the door and giggles silently. "Rinley-" "AGH!" She spins around to find that Chuubo's come up behind her. "I think... I think I should find my parents." "Oh, okay. Sounds like it's time for another adventure!" What should they do? Z: Rinley remembers something that might help Chuubo find his parents. (A Little More to Any Tale, spend 2 MP) Y: Go and talk to the neighbours. X: Search the house for clues.
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#
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Mar 20, 2019 23:37
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C > A X
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#
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Mar 22, 2019 07:05
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A X
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Mar 22, 2019 07:57
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#
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Mar 22, 2019 12:42
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#
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Mar 22, 2019 18:47
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A XXX B C X D Z Y X XXXX Entropy strikes a pose. "What you have failed to consider is that any unfair behaviour under these circumstances could qualify as being the cause of a diplomatic incident. You should tread carefully. Indeed, it may be that some poorly considered word or phrase has already brought about your ruin! Perhaps we should start over? Introduce yourselves!" The two of them look at each other. "I am Horo Kenlik." says the boy. "I wield the void of the vacuum as a test of worth. I am a Keeper of the Sun. You may not pass." "I am Kinseis Salome." says the girl. "I expose the lies inherent in the concepts of motion and direction. I am a Keeper of the Sun. You may not pass." (Seizhi, Leonardo and Jasper start to edge towards the entrance.) "Haven't you considered the possibility that I might have the right of an ambassador? Can you tell me where I can and can't go?" "Yes!" says Horo. "We can!" "Aha! Diplomatic incident, right there!" The Prince of Cats looks from one person to another, looking fascinated. (Seizhi slowly eases the inner doors open.) "Look-" says Kinseis. "I'm representative of the absence of location. Why should I care about diplomacy? I know that the concept of location is a lie, and that all places are truly one place. If you've got a problem, that because you're operating under the delusion that you disagree with me." Entropy blinks. "Aren't you conflating the concept of physical location with that of idealogical location? That doesn't make sense." "Hah!" says Horo. "What is your sense, out amidst the void housing the stars?" (Seizhi, Leonardo and Jasper slip inside.) "Irregardless of what you might preach-" Entropy continues. "-we're talking right now, which-" "Are we talking right now?" asks Kinseis. The Prince of Cats starts taking notes. *** Inside, the three of them stare at Jade Irinka. For Leonardo, this is his first time meeting her, but he still seems too dazed to act intelligently. She seems to have changed since the last visit. Instead of possessing the warm orange glow from before, she now gives off a silvery radiance which makes Seizhi think of twilight. She looks confused and somehow smaller. "Mother?" asks Jasper nervously. "Are you all right?" Jade focuses on Jasper. "Who are you?" Jasper feels her body go cold. "I'm... I'm your daughter." "Impossible. I only considered having a daughter. It never came to pass." This can't be happening! Jasper falls to her knees. (Jasper Irinka gains 1 Bonus XP for 'Suffering Trauma'!) (Jasper Irinka gains a point of 'It Never Stops!') (For gaining her third point of 'It Never Stops!', Jasper Irinka regains 1 MP!) (Entropy's Miraculous Will refreshes!) Jade spreads her wings. "I am the Sun. I have been away, but soon I shall return. My light will fall upon the people once again, and they will know Hope. The false idols and prophets that have emerged in my absence shall be swept away, and the correct order shall be restored." She blinks, and for a moment her eyes are black and filled with stars. "Wait!" says Seizhi quickly. "Didn't you want to talk to me?" What's happened to her voice? It seems different... "To you... Yes." She produces a scroll from somewhere. "I wrote it down, in case I forgot. And I think I did forget." She unrolls the scroll and starts to read, her voice changing. "Seizhi Schwan, I am writing this down in case I am unable to hold onto my thoughts for long enough. My daughter is in danger, and you are the person best qualified to help her. I had hoped that seeing you again would make it possible to confirm the conclusions I have reached regarding you, but that may not be possible at present. I believe that you have been able to trick the natural order of things in some fashion, and place yourself in an unique position to shape the future. You, who have earned a destiny, must now help my daughter hold onto hers." She frowns. "What daughter?" "Please, is there anything more?" asks Seizhi anxiously. "Oh yes. I understand that Jasper may not wish to part with me, but it is the burden of children to bury their parents. I need to die so that she might live. If my death is reversed and I walk out of the Bleak Academy, Jasper will no longer have a place in reality. You, who have overcome such an obstacle, need to help her hang on to her place in the world. Also, the Guar-" She shakes her head. "That's all, it just stops there. Did that mean anything to you?" "Um, I think I need to think about it a little..." Jasper jerks her head up and stares him forlornly. What should Seizhi do? A: Talk to Jade Irinka and use his essence to push out whatever influence is affecting her. (Touch the Heart, spend 1 MP) B: Take Jade Irinka's hand and get the other two to leave the building and then call for him. C: Hurry out before whatever Entropy's doing wears off. Rinley and Chuubo start to go through the rooms of the house. The most obvious places to look are the various rooms that his parents actually use, such as their bedroom, the library and the study. But all of those rooms are strangely devoid of anything interesting. Rinley comes across a strange door in the kitchen that looks out of place. It's made of white stone. Perhaps it leads down to the cellar? She opens it, and finds a set of steps leading down. "Hey Chuubo! Where do these lead?" Hurrying up next to her, Chuubo peers down the stairs in confusion. How long have these been here? "I don't know. ...Do you think my parents might be down there?" "Only one way to find out!" The two of them eagerly rush down the steps- -and find themselves emerging into an inexplicable space that couldn't possibly fit below the house. There are grecian columns, and light pouring down from above. Rinley pauses. Hold on... "This is it! This is the Temple of the Dragon! I'm back!" (Rinley Yatskaya gains 1 Bonus XP for a 'Discovery'!) (Rinley Yatskaya gains a point of 'Something to Deal With'!) Rinley breaks into a run, rushing around in excitement. Chuubo looks around in confusion. How can this place be here? What does this mean? He looks up. Are we right below the Wish-Granting Engine? What should Chuubo do? Z: Change to dragon form, see if anything happens. (Kaiju Form, spend 2 MP) Y: Go up to the back garden and make a wish for his parents to return (Wishing, one use per chapter) X: Go and take a nap before he gets completely overwhelmed. W: Keep searching the rest of the house.
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#
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Mar 23, 2019 03:10
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A Z
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Mar 23, 2019 03:50
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Toughy posted:A
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Mar 23, 2019 06:15
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Toughy posted:A
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#
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Mar 23, 2019 18:11
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A XXX B C D Z XXX Y X  Chuubo lets his mortal guise slip away from him, and allows his body to gradually expand to fill the volume of the temple. He looks around, and gradually becomes aware of a whispering inside his head, almost too faint for him to be aware of it. He tries to make out what it's saying, but it remains too weak for him to comprehend it. Giving up, he swirls around the room, managing to pick Rinley up and carry her on his back. He flies up into the light above. (Chuubo gains 1 Quest XP for 'Precious Memories'!) Chuubo finds him staring down at his house from above. But he's no longer seeing it as a physical building, but rather as some sort of conceptual growth, an idea blooming from something larger in the way that mould emerges from bread. He looks down below it, and sees the Temple of the Dragon, immense and powerful. His house has sprouted from that temple. It's not a real house? Looking more closely, he can see the Wish-Granting Engine. It's somehow much bigger than his house, reaching up to snatch at the stars, with strange protusions extending in all directions. I don't think I remember it looking like that... Above, he can see the Outside Dust pouring down, focused on the engine. Ah, that's what's attracting it! (Chuubo gains 1 Bonus XP for a 'Discovery'!) (Chuubo gains a point of Mystery!) Chuubo tries flying higher. The house vanishes and coherency ceases. Rinley clings onto him as they vanish into swirling colours. Seizhi remembers how it felt to free people from the Summoning-Knight. He clears his throat. "Jade Irinka, you must know that there's something wrong. Look at this girl. Can't you see that she must be your daughter?" Jade looks at him with an expression of bemusement. Seizhi feels a tremor of uncertainty. Is this really something a fake person can do? No. So, when I succeed, that'll prove that I'm more than just a fake person! (Seizhi Schwan gains 5 Quest XP for 'The Troubled Sky' for testing himself against his 'fakeness'!) "Look, think about this message you've just read to me. Can't you see that you were a different person when you wrote it? Remember how you felt at that time. Remember the thoughts that passed through your mind." Jade seems to be giving his words consideration. "Why do you think they're keeping you here? What do you think this place is? You're being kept in the Outside, away from your natural habitat. Surely you must remember what true reality feels like?" Jade rubs her hands together. Seizhi raises his voice. "RETURN TO US, JADE IRINKA!" Reality starts to ripple. A familiar orange glow starts to emanate from Jade's body. For the moment, Seizhi is staring into the Sun, but it doesn't burn his eyes. And then, Jade Irinka is there, just as she was during their first visits. He sighs with relief. Leonardo cheers, and Jasper covers her face, overwhelmed with emotion. (Seizhi Schwan gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Thumbs-Up!) "I don't believe it!" Jade Irinka stares down at herself. "To have done this..." She pauses. "Ah. I can feel the change returning. You have only granted me a reprieve. Listen. During the Third Age we sometimes witnessed the emergence of unformed beings, who possessed mass, but no coherent form. These creatures had to be destroyed because of their potential to contaminate the reality around them with their confusion. I seems that you are such a creature, but you've been able to grow beyond your origins. Rather than thoughtlessly twisting events, you've taken upon yourself to repair and improve the state of affairs surrounding you. You heard me calling from far away more keenly than any other. They of the Outside tempt us with departures from reality. They offer freedom from hunger, from thirst, from time. But what can they offer you? You know the value of reality more than any other. Who else can better fight against them?" She hesitates. "I can feel the change returning! Seizhi, remember what I said in my message! Help my daughter as you've helped me! Jasper, my daughter, I love you very much! Leonardo De Montreal, thanks you for the help you have given her! But, please all of you, leave without seeing me in my stunted shape again! Oh, Seizhi, await the coming of the Guardian Bird! He comes to aid you!" "Okay, I think we'd better be going!" says Seizhi as reality starts to twist up again. (Seizhi Schwan gains 1 Bonus XP for a 'Discovery'!) (Seizhi Schwan gains a point of Calling!) (For gaining his third point of Calling, Seizhi Schwan regains 1 MP!) Chapter 10 Scene 5 The following evening. Seizhi is standing at the bus stop in Fortitude, waiting for transport home. They were able to get back from the Outside without any trouble, and Entropy took the other two back to Leonardo's lab for 'debriefing' accompanied by the Prince of Cats. Seizhi himself has decided it's time for a rest. Unfortunately, two buses in a row have inexplicably failed to arrive. And it's started to rain. Exasparated, Seizhi eventually seeks out a public phonebox a short way away. By the time he's gotten there, distant thunder has started. He puts some money into the coin-slot only to discover that the lines are down. What should Seizhi do? A: Go back to the lab and stay the night, calling the family as soon as he's able. B: Go back to the lab and ask Entropy for a lift home. C: Go back to the lab and ask the Prince of Cats for a lift home. D: Go and see Natalia's family, see if they can help.
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Mar 24, 2019 23:06
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B > C
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Mar 25, 2019 00:11
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C>B>D>A
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#
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Mar 25, 2019 03:38
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A B X C X D Applying secondary votes just leads to a further deadlock, so, attempting to combine the options: Seizhi hurries back to Leonardo's lab and bangs on the door a few times. Entropy answers. "Yes? What is it that you are selling?" "...Sir, can you please give me a lift home? I'm already drenched and I don't think the buses are running." "Oh?" says the Prince of Cats, suddenly appearing behind Entropy. "I think I can tranport you to your dwelling in my sky-ship." "Ah, no." says Entropy sharply. "My pupil needs to be transported home by a member of staff from his school." "But surely it is more efficient-" *** One well-mannered argument later, it's agreed between the two of them that the Prince of Cats will take the two of them to his sky-ship, pick up Entropy's motorcycle, transport them to vicinity of Seizhi's house, and then let Entropy drive Seizhi the last stretch of the way. Seizhi agrees as well, desperate to get out of the rain. In the sky-ship, the Prince of Cats let's Seizhi take a shower in one of the guest bathrooms. He has to clear out all the cats first though. Entropy stares out of the windows, one hand on his bike's handlebars, looking down at Fortitude as they pass over it. All of these streets are my responsibility. This place is my domain. The Outside must not touch it. He throws a look at the Prince of Cats. Although I suppose that keeping it completely isolated isn't really feasible. (Entropy II gains 1 Quest XP for 'Clean for a Day'!) Seizhi walks up next to him, pink-faced from the effects of spraying himself with hot water. "Hey, there's a good view from up here!" "What did Jade Irinka have to say to you earlier? I spoke to the other two, but I've yet to hear about what she said regarding your situation. The others were too wrapped up in their own experiences to give me a clear account." Seizhi blinks. "Oh, er... I don't think I completely understood... She wanted me to deal with the Outside, she seemed to think I was specially qualified." Entropy peers at Seizhi, looking puzzled. "Why you in particular?" Careful now. He's unpredictable. "If Leonardo didn't understand the explanation well enough to repeat it, I don't think I can either." "Hmm. Do you want to be my sidekick?" "Huh?" "My sidekick! I was just thinking that I might need some help protecting Fortitude." He leans in close. "You see, I'm not just the principal of the school. I'm also that famous vigilante, the Angel of Fortitude." "Oh." " 'Oh' ?" What should Seizhi do? A: Agreed to be Entropy's sidekick. B: Refuse to be Entropy's sidekick. C: Offer to think it over. D: Suddenly get into trouble. (Frantic, regain 1 MP) Miramie and Natalia have been doing their best to continue their research, but it's become increasingly difficult to concentrate as the thunder and rain have become louder and louder. The building is actually starting to creak in an alarming fashion. Sakura Anastasia Kuga enters, looking wild-eyed. "It has come! The end is here! Time has run out!" What should they do? Z: Miramie Mesmer unmakes the storm. (The World-Breaker's Hand, spend 1 MP) Y: Miramie Mesmer unmakes Sakura's distress. (The World-Breaker's Hand, spend 1 MP) X: Natalia calms Sakura down by making a well-reasoned argument that addresses her concerns. (The Prodigy) W: Just get back to work and wait for everything to pass over.
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Mar 26, 2019 21:38
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B > C X
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Mar 26, 2019 23:16
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C>A X>Z
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#
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Mar 27, 2019 00:23
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A B X C X D Applying secondary votes: A X B X C XX D Z Y X XX W "...Ah, well, pledging oneself to the pursuit of Justice is a significant commitment. I don't think that I should take it lightly. Rather, I think I should turn the matter over in my mind a few times, and assess my own capacity to live up to such a role." "An excellent idea! But don't take too long." Entropy smiles, a brilliant, chilling smile. (Entropy II gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Shivers'!) The storm has intensified, and Fortitude is no longer visible below. At the controls, the Prince of Cats tuts. "I'll take us up to a higher altitude. I don't want to risk any damage from electrical discharges." Natalia starts by giving Sakura an explanation about the origins of rain and clouds in general, and then moves on to explaining thunder and lightning, briefly mentioning the various superstitions to which they are connected. She then recounts a number of incidents where storms even more powerful occurred, which were not followed by any type of apocalyptic events. She continues by pointing out the contradictions in various end-of-the-world theories, and notes that they cannot all be true, and indeed that none of them may be true. She concludes that there is no reason to draw a connection between 'the end' and this storm. Sakura looks puzzled. "What storm?" Natalia blinks a few times. Indeed, the storm seems to have ended while she was talking. "There was a storm. If you did not hear it, why were you concerned?" "Oh, I just took a tarot reading, and I drew 'The Hanged Man' for the present and 'Death' for the future." Natalia groans silently to herself. (Natalia Koutolika gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Wincing'!) Sakura starts to tense up again. "You see, I think that that means 'DOOM' for the present and 'CHANGE' for the future..." There's thunder outside again. Puzzled, Miramie looks out of the window. "Ah." says Natalia. "Surely, it would be more troubling if they were the other way around?" "Oh yes, that's true." The thunder ceases. Miramie pulls Natalia to one side. "I don't think it's a coincidence that the storm stopped at that point..." (Miramie Mesmer is now Suspicious and Twitching! Miramie Mesmer gains 1 Quest XP for 'Art Shop and Garden'!) Natalia frowns. "I don't follow." "I suspect that what we just witnessed was no coincidence. I believe that Sakura's emotional state is the source of the storm outside this building." "How can that be?" "There are many strange phenomena in Town, as you yourself have observed." Sakura wonders what the two of them might be whispering about. What next? A: Natalia decides that they need to question Sakura about this, and see if she's noticed it at all. B: Natalia decides that they need to test this phenomenon. C: Natalia decides that they need to make sure that Sakura remains as calm as possible at all times. D: Natalia decides that they should put this aside for the moment, and return to their work. E: Trouble arrives for Natalia. (Frantic. regain 1 MP)
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Mar 28, 2019 21:44
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Mazarin sits in his cell, fuming. He can hear the guards talking outside. "Don't think I'll remain here long! My loyal servants will soon be here to give me succor!" Time passes. "That's right! Any moment now, they'll break through the defences, and win my freedom! You'd all better flee, to avoid an otherwise inevitable thrashing!" Time passes. "Any moment now!" Time passes. "Any moment now!"
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Mar 30, 2019 23:24
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A>B
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Mar 31, 2019 00:10
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A X B C D E Natalia takes hold of a notepad and a pen and starts asking Sakura a series of questions. "Have you ever had any sort of dragon or serpent drawn out of you?" "Er, no?" "Have you ever visited any type of ancient temple?" "No..." "Do you have your origins in a country within the Outside?" "No." "Have you ever visited the Bleak Academy?" "No." "Are you in contact with your parents?" "Yes, I am." "Is there anything unusual about-" Natalia pauses, and realises that she needs a less ambiguous question. "Are they deities or anything similar?" "What? No!" "Are you a remnant of another entity?" "No! What is-" "Do you have any concerns regarding the veracity of your existence?" "No! What is this all about?" Natalia frowns. "Have you noticed anything unusual in your vicinity lately?" "No, not at all!" This isn't helping. I am determined to seek an explanation. I demand that there be some rhyme or reason in the cause-and-effect relationships of the events that surround me. Miramie pats Sakura on the shoulder. "We're just trying to work something out." She smiles nervously, and it doesn't seem to put Sakura at ease. What should they do? A: Natalia deduces the origins of Sakura's powers using the books in the Archive. (The Prodigy) B: Miramie gets Sakura to go to sleep, and enters her dreams to look for answers. (Spend 4 Will with Superior Dreamer 1) C: Go see Leonardo De Montreal, see if he can deduce the source of this phenomenon. D: Request that Sakura come and see them if anything unusual happens to her.
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Apr 1, 2019 00:16
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A>C
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Apr 1, 2019 01:44
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B > C
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Apr 1, 2019 02:21
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A X B X C D Applying secondary votes: A X B X C XX D Chapter 10 Scene 6 "Okay-" asks Jasper. "-what is actually going to happen when you turn this contraption on?" She's still a little unsteady from all the recent excitement, but she's trying to focus on Leonardo's latest idea. Jasper is currently standing inside a circle drawn with chalk on the floor of the laboratory. Leonardo has set up some sort of ray projection device with a series of cables running off into various improvised machines he has constructed. "It should- It will release you from the circle!" "But I can already leave the circle. I can just step out." "Yes, but if you couldn't leave the circle, then this device would still release you! And a more potent machine built with the same principles shall release your mother!" (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Speechlessness'!) There's a knock at the door. Jasper hurries out of the circle and answers. Leonardo scowls. "Ah, hello!" says Jasper, recognising two of the visitors. Natalia and Miramie are standing outside, accompanied by Sakura. Natalia reflexively steps back as Jasper appears. Oh no, her again... Her eyes start to sting. "Yes, hello." replies Miramie. "Is Leonardo here? We need him to examine Sakura here." "Yes, please come in." "What? No!" snarls Leonardo. "This project has had a sufficient number of delays already!" "This is a serious matter!" says Natalia testily as they enter. "It seems that Sakura here is the source of all this bad weather." "Huh? Bad weather?" "Yes Monty!" agrees Jasper. "There's been a storm! Didn't you notice?" "No, my mind operates on higher planes." Natalia stares at him. "Miramie, do you really think that this dolt is capable of any sort of rational analysis?" "DOLT? I'll show you!" Leonardo grabs a number of tools from a workbench. "Now, I-" "Oh yes, I think I know what the problem is." says Jasper suddenly, staring at Sakura intently. "There seems to be a piece of the Outside jammed inside this girl." "There's a what inside me?" "Yes, I can detect the radiation with my eyes. Oh... It looks similar to that thing inside Chuubo. Another shard of glass? One from that dragon?" Miramie freezes. Oh nooo... (Miramie Mesmer gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Comfort'!) Leonardo looks puzzled. "That was ages ago! Why is it only causing a problem now?" "Ah, wait..." Jasper is thinking. "I believe I also caught a glimpse of something like this inside that person calling himself the 'King of Fortitude'. He also seemed unusual." "Another one at the same time? Hmm... Perhaps they act as parasites and needed time to integrate themselves into their hosts? The one inside Chuubo may exhibit different behaviour because it holds the 'Cornerstone of Reality', and he's more resilent?" (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Quest XP for 'Natural Scientist'!) "Irregardless." says Natalia sharply. "We need to remove it from her before it causes any further problems." "Child's play!" says Leonardo eagerly. "The matter of the Outside vibrates at unreal frequencies, meaning that such objects can be 'snagged' by utensils shifted on the perpendicular spectrum of electromagnetism!" "Oh!" says Jasper. "Can you use that principle in reverse to pull my mother free from her prison?" "Maybe so! Nice idea!" What should they do? A: Miramie unmakes part of Sakura and pulls the shard free. (The World-Breaker's Hand, spend 1 MP) B: Miramie unmakes the shard. (The World-Breaker's Hand, spend 1 MP) C: Jasper uses Leonardo's hopes to grow a Glass Extraction Tendril and uses it to pull the shard free. (Connect To Someone, convert one Normal Health Level) D: Leonardo De Montreal quickly builds a Delicate Shard Remover, and uses it to extract the shard. (Spend 4 Will with Nightmare Science 2) E: Have Leonardo make a careful examination of Sakura using his instruments.
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Apr 2, 2019 22:06
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E seems prudent to examine before any procedure.
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Apr 3, 2019 00:41
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A B C D E X "Right, careful analysis is required!" proclaims Leonardo. "I will subject the patient to the closest scrutiny, using a series of different instruments and methodologies, and we shall eventually be able to determine the precise nature of the mechanisms involved with the observed events." "I refuse to turn her over to a questionable person such as you." objects Natalia. " I very much doubt that you are going to act with her best interests in mind." Leonardo glowers. "What do you know about scientific endeavours?" "A significant amount! And I know that this-" She gestures at the containers filled with goop, the half-finished devices, the cages holding tentacled things and the stains on the walls. "-is not the appearance of a respectable laboratory!" "Pff! This is a place where things happen, not a sterile-" "Yes, exactly. It's not sterile." "...Have you ever actually done any science?" "'Done any science'? Are you even listening to yourself speak?" Leonardo starts grinding his teeth. "If you're so smart, deal with it yourself!" "All right, I... will." It dawns on Natalia that she's now back at square one. The science she's familiar with has nothing to say about pieces of glass that get stuck inside people and then affect the weather. "Ah? Ah? Having some trouble getting started?" "...I see your point. I suppose that I might need your help, but you're going to have to convince me that you're not just making this up as you go along. And I'm not going to let you do anything strange to Sakura." "Thank you..." says Sakura nervously. "Now, ask me to explain Nightmare Science to you!" says Leonardo eagerly. "Fine. 'Explain Nightmare Science to me'" (Natalia Koutolika gains 1 Bonus XP for a 'Shared Action'!) (Leonardo De Montreal gains 1 Bonus XP for sharing the moment!) "Hooray!" says Jasper. "Monty has a lab partner!" "Hmm." replies Miramie nervously. "Do you think they're going to be able to get along?" "Maybe? Anyway, how have you been?" Looking at Jasper, Miramie feels some sort of weight recede. "Well, I've started painting these murals..." (Miramie Mesmer is now Innocent and Twitching! Miramie Mesmer gains 1 Quest XP for 'Art Shop and Garden'!) A: Miramie starts painting a mural to reveal the secrets of the House of the Sun. (Spend 2 Will with Crafts 1 and Prophetic Murals) B: Jasper remembers something that might help Miramie and Natalia with their work to save Russia. (Spend 4 Will with Lore 1) C: Jasper uses Miramie's hopes to grow a Expert Painting Arm! (Connect To Someone, convert one Normal Health Level) D: Jasper draws some sketches of the House of the Sun to show to Miramie. (Spend 1 Will with Art/Craft (Sketching) 1) E: Miramie and Jasper tell each other all about the things that have happened to them.
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Apr 4, 2019 21:12
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A
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Apr 5, 2019 00:43
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A X B C D E  Chapter 10 Scene 7 The next day. Entropy and the Prince of Cats have returned. Miramie has worked hard through the night to finish her mural, brushing paint over the outside wall of the laboratory by moonlight. Her mouth is dry, she's swaying slightly and the morning sun is burning her eyes. But it's done. (Miramie Mesmer regains 1 Will for completing the task!) Jasper is looking at her doubtfully. "Shouldn't you have stopped for some rest at some point? I'm usually okay with hours like these, but mortals don't seem to stand up to them so well." "I, I, I had to finish." "Hmm. Perhaps it's a lack of similar resolution that inhibits they who are not blessed with a divine consitution. Or perhaps such a resolution is what defines a divine constitution?" (Jasper Irinka gains 1 Quest XP for 'A Mortal Life'!) Jasper takes another look at the mural. It is split into two sections. On the left, Jade Irinka is depicted, standing beneath a Black Sun, with the same distorted appearance as she exhibited when Jasper met her in the House of the Sun earlier. On the right, Jasper herself stands beneath a regular Sun, looking radiant and happy. "What does this mean?" Miramie looks more closely at her own work. At the centre of a jagged line separating the two sections, there's a question mark. "I think... I think that these are two possible futures. One with your mother turning the Sun black, and one where you keep it as it is." Jasper scowls. "That's not right! She's not going to do that!" Miramie feels her heart plummet. I was just trying to help... (Miramie Mesmer gains 1 Bonus XP for invoking 'Comfort'!) Jasper shakes her head. "No, it's going to be this one!" She points at the right side, then hesitates. "But... but, what happens to mother in this future? Isn't there one where we're together?" "I don't know. Perhaps there's just not enough room for both of you?" "What's the problem?" The Prince of Cats is suddenly there, tapping the image of Jasper. "Don't you look happy? Why change this?" What should Jasper do? A: Jasper grows a Destiny Shaping Arm, a limb to change destiny and induce an alteration to the future. (Limb to Create Hope, spend 4 MP convert one Divine Health Level) B: Jasper tries adding a sketched section to the mural, depicting the third option she wants. (Spend 2 Will with Art/Craft (Sketching) 1) C: Jasper asks the Prince of Cats if he can add another possibility to the mural. D: Jasper goes and asks Leonardo to cease work on the project as it looks like it isn't going to pan out the way she wants. "All right, I'll admit it. You do know a thing or two about science." Leonardo is finishing up his final page of notes on Sakura, nodding at Natalia. Natalia almost says something in response but ultimately decides to stay quiet. (Natalia Koutolika gains 1 Quest XP for 'Thaw Your Heart'!) "All right, project completed." There's a pause. "Wait, you tricked me! I don't care about any of this!" "Hilarious!" says Entropy cheerfully. "I can't believe it took you so long to see through her ruse!" Natalia grabs Leonardo's clipboard while he struggles for words, and flicks through the pages. "All right Sakura, it looks like there are connections between the shard and your mind, and then connections between the shard itself and the meteorological systems in your vicinity. It may be possible to alter or sever these connections..." Entropy's ears twitch. "Ah? What about altering in them in such a fashion as to allow this girl to control the shard's powers?" Leonardo stops muttering, immediately distracted. "Yess... That may be possible..." Sakura looks baffled and tired. What should they do? M: Leonardo quickly builds a Shard Reconfiguring Ray, a machine to give Sakura full control of her powers! (Spend 2 Will with Nightmare Science 2) N: Entropy crafts a Glass Channelling Mentor to teach Sakura about how to direct the phenomena attached to her. (Guide, one free use per chapter) O: Natalia gives Sakura some instruction on how to stay in control of her emotions at all time. (The Prodigy) P: Sakura's had enough to put up with for the moment, just let her go home and relax. Having been brought home safely on the preceding night, Seizhi is having breakfast in the kitchen of his home. As he chews his toast, he thinks back to what Jade Irinka told him, and ponders what might lie on the road ahead. Abruptly, there's a tapping at the window. He turns, and to his surprise, witnesses a large bird hitting the glass with its beak, deliberately and repeatedly. Puzzled, he slips the frame open and lets it in. It perches on the table and peers at him. --Thank you.-- Ah, another soundless speaker. "Don't mention it. But please, who are you exactly?" --I, my friend, am the Guardian Bird. I delivered Jade Irinka's message to you, and I sorted out that bus that got stuck in mud yesterday. How was that?-- (Seizhi Scwan gains 5 Quest XP for 'The Troubled Sky' for meeting the Guardian Bird after a stormy night!) "...Oh, I actually found another way home. But I still don't know who you are?" --Who am I? Like Jade Irinka, I embody a critical segment of reality. We are those who some might name Gods or Imperators. I embody the principle of introverted identity, the principle of You and You Alone.-- It pauses. --Wait, you didn't use that bus? Do you know how long it took to get it free?-- "You're not that big." says Seizhi although he's having a hard time measuring the creature by eye for some reason. "How did you do that?" --I'm simply bigger than I appear to be. In any case, I promised Jade that I'd help, and I seem to be well qualified to aid you. What do you require?-- Z: Seizhi asks the Guardian Bird what it is that he's missing. Y: Seizhi asks to see what the Guardian Bird really looks like. X: Seizhi asks the Guardian Bird what he would be best advised to do right now.
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Apr 6, 2019 19:27
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M Y
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Apr 6, 2019 22:29
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B M Y
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Apr 6, 2019 22:40
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