Session Meeting [vP19]

[19:49] <@Emmara> [It's been about a week, and despite what you consider your good fortune with having another veteran, you /do/ have a coplayer straight out of their first, and after their inital freaking out have been pretty quiet. You hope that they decide to come to the session meeting you've got set up, not fun to try and chase people down.]
[19:51] <@Emmara> [You've managed to keep clear the floor inbetween the second Gate and the first Gate and are turning them into a place to live for the next couple months. You've got a sign up on the landing at the staircase for the right floor. Though if any of your coplayers peak their heads into any of the other floors, they'll see that most of them have been turned into large indoor gardens.]
[19:54] <@Emmara> [You've gotten mostly cleaned up for the meeting, and have spent the past hour or two cooking to get ready for everyone else. It'll probably be the best meal any of you'll have for a month or so, so you're going to make it count.]
[19:57] <Nathanial> [Trying and failing to walk with the light, ethreal step of your previous class and aspect, you appear out of the shadows of the ruined buildings and make your way to the tower that is your co-player's house. You've been extremely quiet over the past week, though once you've figured out that you're a Seer and what that means, you've invited the other players to ask questions freely.]
[19:59] <Bash> [You doublecheck your sylladex before you head out- a bunch of seeds that you didn't have room to plant that hopefully Emmara does, a few recipes for the newbies, and yourself. Sounds good. You shrug off the weight of "new session" that's gotten familiar to you by now. Time to go.]
[19:59] <Nathanial> [Other than that you've kept to yourself, until today - and it's thrown into stark relief what you've lost, and it'd made you grumpy. You stomp awkwardly up the steps to Emmara's house, and follow the signs until you get to the correct place - where, suddenly shy, you pause before the landing.]
[20:00] <@Emmara> [The smell of cooking meat, veggies and spices can be smelt from several floors away, and it smells good.]
[20:01] <Bash> [You still need to come up with a counter-nickname for her, you realize. As you drop out of a gate, you take a quick look around and- oh, yes that smells good. Someone knows how to run a meeting.]
[20:02] <Nathanial> [Your mouth immediately begins to water, and you bite your lip before eventually knocking, politely, on the edge of the door leading in.]
[20:03] <@Emmara> ["Come in!" You call from the kitchen thats just down the hall. "Doors open for a reason." Theres the hint of a Quebecois accent in your speech.]
[20:05] <Nathanial> [You hesitate for another moment, then do as you're bid, stepping in and awkwardly taking a seat while looking around to see if anyone else is here yet.]
[20:06] <Bash> [You consider trying to do something stupid like trying to enter via window, before remembering that is for the second session meeting, and head towards the vague sound of voice you just heard.]
[20:06] <@Emmara> [Just you so far! The floor is a mostly open area with no walls between the kitchen, living room and the dining room with a table. You give Nath a smile and a wave before going back to finishing the meal. "Hi, you're Nath then?"]
[20:08] <Nathanial> [You nod, "Y-Yeah. And you're Emmara... right?" you briefly consider calling her Emma, but decide that it may be rude.]
[20:09] <Bash> [You (attempt to) casually walk in, knocking gently on the wall to signal your arrival. "Hey folks."]
[20:12] <@Emmara> [You've got bright red hair tied back in a pony tail. You're of an average height with a somewhat stocky build. You're wearing a black tank top and tan shorts, and you've got a variety of tattoos. Of the ones that are visible the Mind symbol is on the back of your neck, right below your hairline and Time on the back of your left hand. Once you step out from around the counter two more are visible, the Rhyme smybol on your lower left leg around your ankle as well as a large Life symbol and a variety of vines and flowers all up your right leg to where the shorts are.]
[20:15] <Nathanial> [Your eyes flick, quickly, to the newcomer. It's difficult to tell from your scrunched up position in his chair and tense bearing, but you are reasonably short, with a lean looking build. Your brown, almost red hair is long, down past your shoulders, and you're currently wearing a pair of loose fitting jeans and a hoodie that makes your hair spill out messily.]
[20:16] <Nathanial> [By this point, you're fidgeting with a small blue bag with a rectangular form, turning it over and over in your hands absently.]
[20:17] <Bash> [And in comes the doofus parade- er, Bash. You've got scruffy blonde hair, wear a simple blue vest over a buttonup shirt, complete with slacks. Other than standing a little over six feet tall, the only notable thing about you is the azure crystalline surface that covers the right side of your face from near your cheek to your ear, vanishing under your hair.]
[20:21] <@Emmara> ["Yup! Thats me." You turn and grin at the other entry. "Hey Sci-fi. Nice of you to show up." You turn and check something that looks like a roast in the oven before turning back. "Anything you guys want to drink?"]
[20:22] <Nathanial> [You furrow your brows slightly. "What do you have?"]
[20:24] <Bash> [You roll your eyes slightly, but your smile is plenty wide. "Ah, you must be Nathanial. You can call me Bash, or I guess Sci-fi if you want. As for a drink..." you look over to Emmara, still attempting to come up with a nickname, "just water'll do for now."]
[20:24] <@Emmara> [You peer into the fridge. "Water, milk, juice. Some pop, but not enough to last forever." You lean back out and study Nath, clearly thinking. "Maybe something harder, but not until after we talk."]
[20:26] <Nathanial> [You flush, lowering your eyes. "Juice would be nice." you say, a slightly ashamed look on your face. "Thank you." and you turn to nod at Bash, acknowledging his words.]
[20:28] <@Emmara> [You pull out a carton of juice and pour it for Nath and get a glass of water for Bash and bring it over to them before sprawling on a chair.]
[20:29] <Bash> [You pull up a seat at the table and stretch a little. "So, two tacticians, huh?"]
[20:31] <Nathanial> [You accept the juice and sip it quietly, "I... guess so? I don't know what it is that I'm doing, for the most part." you add silently that you were hoping to ride this out in a booze induced haze.]
[20:31] <@Emmara> ["Looks like. Always fun." You take a drink from your own cup. "Oh, I'm the Time player by the way."]
[20:34] <Nathanial> [You give Emmara a slightly sharp look, then lower your chin onto your arms with a quiet sigh. "My aspect is Breath. It's... kinda cool, I guess."]
[20:34] <Bash> ["Looks like I'm Smith of Space this time 'round." You consider making a dumb SOS joke but fail to think of one. "Looks like you were right to not take that bet, M." Goddamn it your nicknaming skills are terrible.]
[20:34] <Caroline> [You reach the spire, you think to knock but decide that people are likely already inside talking as you're late. Look at the sign near the staircase, sigh and start to climb, just gotta keep your breathing under control, then you're golden]
[20:36] <@Emmara> ["Breath's fun. As long as you're pointing away from your coplayers. I can give you help if you want, I've had it before." You turn to Bash and laugh "M? Thats the best you could come up with? I honestly expected something more."]
[20:37] <Nathanial> [You perk up a little, "Thanks... I'd appreciate that." you nod, and watch silently as Emmara and Bask have their exchange.]
[20:39] <Bash> ["It's temporary!" You stifle a laugh by taking a drink. Expectedly, you choke a bit on it and cough a little.]
[20:41] <@Emmara> ["Easy now, can't cure you as Time." You laugh and whack him on the back with a little force.]
[20:42] <Coraline> [You reach the room that you are pretty sure is where everyone is meeting now, judging from the sound, stop before entering and pause]
[20:43] <Bash> [You cough one last time. "Yeah, I know." You pause. "We're still missing one."]
[20:43] <Nathanial> [Your sharp Seer eyes pick up Coraline from beyond the door, and you straighten up a little. "We've got our fourth," he murmurs, nodding towards the door.]
[20:47] <@Emmara> ["Hmm?" You get out of your seat and take a look down the hallway to the landing.]
[20:48] <Coraline> [You are standing near the entrance of the room, trying to look around for a place to sit from a distance before noticing they are looking at you, you walk inside]
[20:49] <@Emmara> ["Hey there Coraline. Glad you could make it!" You gesture to the table where the other two are already sitting.]
[20:50] <Nathanial> [You wait until Coraline has seated herself, and flick your eyes to Emmara. "So why did you call us all here?"]
[20:51] <Coraline> [You wince, avoiding eye contact before taking a seat]
[20:51] <@Emmara> ["Well we're all strangers and we're going to be playing this session together. Figure we'd all get to know each other, make proper introductions, try and get any potential issues out on the table before they become /actual/ issues. That sorta thing."]
[20:53] <Bash> ["It also helps keep people, y'know, sane."]
[20:53] <Nathanial> [You lower your eyes, and nod, breathing out slowly. "Ok."]
[20:53] <@Emmara> ["Yeah. The Game isn't something that should be done solo. You go crazy that way."]
[20:54] <@Emmara> ["Well, crazier."]
[20:55] <@Emmara> ["So I'll start with introductions, unless someone else wants to go?"]
[20:55] <Nathanial> [You shake your head.]
[20:55] <Bash> ["You probably ought to start, Ms. Super Vet." Wow, that was an even worse nickname.]
[21:00] <@Emmara> [You laugh. "Alright. I'm Emmara as you all already know. Emmara Deschamps ((prounced dai-shahn)). This is actually my nineteenth, did a count properly. I'm Seer of Time this session, and I was a Muse of Life in my first session. If you have a problem or something you don't know how to deal with, /let me know/. I have, in all likelyhood, seen it before. Likewise if you just want someone to talk to or to get a hug or something, just let me know. You aren't in this alone."]
[21:04] <@Emmara> ["And since I'm Time, I will be able to make time for you." You pause and think. "I enjoy exploring, gardening, and actually having something decent to eat. I may end up exploring your land at some point once I've looked over mine properly. If you don't want me there, say so now." Pause." Hmm. Some of you might not have gotten everything you needed in the pre-session, so let me know if theres someting you want and I'll see what I have stocked up. I can also make you something to eat so you're not just getting your 'food' from Crystalanthemums." You finger quote the 'food' part.]
[21:06] <@Emmara> [You rub your nose and try and think of something else to say before shrugging. "Thats about it I guess? Unless you guys had some questions. I'll do my best to answer them correctly."]
[21:06] <Bash> [You shake your head at the offer for questions, but look to the other two.]
[21:07] <Nathanial> ["Have you rolled Time before?" you ask, running your fingernail over the back of your own hand.]
[21:10] <@Emmara> [You show him the back of your hand with the red Gear symbol on it. "Yeah. Twice before. In my..." You look away and think, mouthing something to yourself silently before looking back and continuing. "Seventh and Twelfth. Prince and Thief respectively. This is also my third Sage roll."]
[21:11] <Nathanial> [You nod, and grin slightly, barely a flicker of the sides of your lips. "No further questions, Your Honour."]
[21:12] <@Emmara> [You laugh. Maybe he won't be too bad.]
[21:12] <@Emmara> ["So who wants to go next?"]
[21:13] <Bash> [You look around to see if one of the newbies- you really need to learn their names fast- wants to go]
[21:14] <Nathanial> [You shake your head. "You go first."]
[21:14] <Bash> [Alright, looks like it's you, so you stand up slowly.]
[21:14] <Bash> [You've done this song and dance before, so, might as well do it again. "Hey again folks. The name's Bash, no last name, currently at eight sessions, so that's that. I'm Smith of Space this session, and started as a Mage of Mind, if that tells you anything."]
[21:15] <Bash> ["M's offer for help extends to me as well, if for some reason you find a doofus like me easier to talk to." You pause for a moment to take a sip of your water. "I program ~ATH, and also enjoy gardening. Oh, and I brought-" You pop out of your sylladex two thumbdrives, before gently tossing them to Nath and Coraline]
[21:16] <Nathanial> [The drive scatters over the table, falling to the ground - with a huff and a grunt, you bend over to retrieve it. "What's this?"]
[21:17] <Bash> ["Those have a few easy to make trail recipes, that last basically forever so you have no excuse about "not having supplies" to make a decent meal." You smile. "Way better than light tastes, to be sure."]
[21:18] <Bash> ["Other than that, if y' have a question about anything in general, I'm always open."]
[21:20] <Nathanial> [You shake your head again, to show you've no questions this time around.]
[21:21] <@Emmara> ["Favourite part of the game?" You say, somewhat cheekily.]
[21:23] <Bash> ["Ooh, that's a tough one. Prrrobably alchemization." You are fully aware that this is a cop out answer, but you do not care.]
[21:23] <@Emmara> [You nod, apparently willing to accept it. "Alright, I'm good."]
[21:24] <Coraline> ["What type of weapon do you have?"]
[21:26] <Bash> ["Ah, that is sort of important. I've got bookKind, powderKind, and chainKind. At the moment, I'm maining chainKind until I can figure out a good Space infused book."]
[21:27] <Coraline> [You nod, then look back down]
[21:28] <Bash> ["Who's up next, then?]
[21:28] <Nathanial> [You tentatively raise your hand, then get to your feet. "I'll go." you murmur.]
[21:28] <Bash> [And into the chair you flop.]
[21:32] <Nathanial> [You take a deep, and clasp your hands in front of yourself, eyes closing slightly as you think - and then they snap open. "My name is Nathanial Bliss. Call me Nate, or Nath, or Nathy, I don't really care. In this session..." you pause for a moment, wincing at your own words, "I'm a Seer of Breath. In my last session, I was a Mage of Time. This is only my second session, so even though I thought I was hot shit last game, it turns out I'm... inexperienced."]
[21:35] <Bash> ["Round Two's the hardest, or so it seems."]
[21:35] <Nathanial> [One by one, you lay out your three strife weapons onto the table. "I use swordKind, tarotKind, and gauntletKind. I've been using the gloves since I got here, 'cos my tarot deck was prototyped last time around, and my sword was Time imbued so I've forgotten how to use it normally. I'm... interested in books, video games, anything I can use my imagination with. Card games." you add, as an afterthought.]
[21:37] <Coraline> [You stare at the weapons, reach out to take the gauntlets]
[21:38] <@Emmara> [You nod. "Everyone comes into their second not expecting it. You made it through the first. Nothing saying you can't do another one or two or ten."]
[21:38] <Nathanial> ["Other than that... I'd like to say that I'd be helpful if you need help, but I'd prefer to focus on my own issues before working on somebody else's. That said... I'm the Seer, and apparently a Seer sees things, so if you're curious, ask and I'll see what I can do for you." you watch Coraline take your gauntlets, barely more than leather gloves with hard knuckles - it's obvious you haven't had the inclination to upgrade jus
[21:39] <Bash> [Seer, has Tarot cards. It's almost like the game planned that. Almost.]
[21:39] <Nathanial> ["Are there any questions?"]
[21:40] <Coraline> [You put them in a card, to be tinkered with later]
[21:40] <@Emmara> ["There anything you want to know about the game? I'm assuming you only had four or six, maybe eight people in your first. Theres a lot more aspects and titles than that."]
[21:42] <Nathanial> [You peer at Coraline, "I kinda need those back before I go home..." you hint, but let it go. Your eyes flick to Emmara, "Um... I only know the Space and Time aspects. We didn't have a Sage, or a Smith... I don't know what you are yet." he nods to Coraline.]
[21:43] <Coraline> [You stare at them, then look at the clock on the wall, then at the card with the gauntlets "deal" you dash off to go to the alchimizer]
[21:44] <Bash> [...]
[21:44] <@Emmara> ["Uhm."]
[21:44] <Bash> ["Alright then."]
[21:44] <Nathanial> ["What, wha-" you stare at Coraline's vanishing back, then look to the others, bewildered.]
[21:44] <@Emmara> [You look equally confused, and just shrug.]
[21:45] <Nathanial> [..."If she comes back and they're covered with glitter, I'mma be pissed." is all you say, and settle back down into your seat.]
[21:46] <Bash> [Sigh slightly, before shaking your head. "It'll be fine." You find yourself hoping that your day doesn't end with pulling two newbies off of each other.]
[21:48] <@Emmara> ["Aaaaanyways. Space is in every session and Time is in 95% of all sessions give or take. Breath is about...freedom and destruction."]
[21:49] <Nathanial> [You nod, "I learned that from the IRC yesterday. Does that mean that I'll... see destruction? Like, seeing the future? Or would that be Time?"]
[21:52] <@Emmara> [You blink. Deciding to answer the question before asking your own. "Seer and Sage are tactician classes, they're suppose to plan and think ahead. Not necessarily see the future. You can plan with breath, or you can use Breath in your plans, it really depends on what the Breeze wants." Pause. "And the IRC? Whats that?"]
[21:55] <Coraline> [You walk back into the room]
[21:55] <Coraline> [You seem in a lot happier mood than before]
[21:56] <Nathanial> [You pause, "In...ternet Relay Chat?" you say slowly, "It's... got people from other sessions on there. I used a program to connect to it, I thought maybe my friends would be on the old chatroom that we used to play on all the time..." his voice snaps, and he swallows for a moment before continuing. "Instead there were other people from other sessions, they told me roughly what was going on."]
[21:56] <Nathanial> [You brighten slightly at the sight of the other newbie, and look at them expectantly.]
[21:57] <@Emmara> [You look at him, blank faced. "I'm sorry?"]
[21:57] <Bash> [...Intersession contact? You hadn't even considered IRC.]
[21:57] <Bash> [Since, that'd require an internet.]
[21:58] <Nathanial> [You bite your lip, looking back to Emmara. "I... guess it was really hard to connect to. If you want, I can set it up for you..."]
[21:58] <Bash> ["Show me it when you get a chance, that sounds like something valuable."]
[21:58] <@Emmara> ["Can you show me now?"]
[21:58] <Nathanial> [You nod. "Sure."]
[21:58] <Coraline> [You take out a card, tap it a few times to have it open, then hand over the gauntlets]
[22:00] <Nathanial> [You dubiously take them back, and peer over them carefully.]
[22:00] <Coraline> [These ones are made of metal, have a simple design. Although they also seem to have retractable blades near the wrist]
[22:01] <Nathanial> [You blink. "Assassin's Creed." you guess, immediately, once you almost slice your finger off by a suddenly extending blade.]
[22:06] <Coraline> [You watch them for their reaction, your excited demeanor dulls after seeing what theirs is, you quickly go to sit back down]
[22:06] <Bash> [You cough slightly into your hand. "So, this IRC?"]
[22:08] <Nathanial> [Your eyes brighten upon seeing Coraline's reaction, and you choke slightly, face turning red. "I-It's still cool! Don't get me wrong, and thank you... it's just... I kinda prefer punching at the moment, it's more satisfying." he says hastily, and, even though he was waiting for Emmara to get her own computer, he tugs his out of his sylladex. As he does, he whistles a short, three note tune and moves his foot in a circular motion, before setting the laptop down on the table.]
[22:10] <Bash> [You have your laptop on the table in an instant. This session might be interesting.]
04[22:11] <@Emmara> [You get up out of your seat and peer over Nath's shoulder. "It was just, there?"]
[22:13] <Nathanial> [With a few flicks of your fingers, you open up the IRC, and set it up to show the URL. "Yeah. It didn't connect to the old URL, so I sat there for a while and tried heaps of others... I guess I got lucky."]
[22:13] <Coraline> [You don't pay them much attention, tinkering with something in your lap before taking out your computer when you see everyone else do so]
[22:14] <Bash> ["Sburb.org, huh? ...I guess the name choice is relevant."]
[22:15] <Nathanial> [You nod your agreement.]
[22:15] <@Emmara> [You hum in agreement. "And you found people on it?"]
[22:16] <Nathanial> [You nod, hesitating slightly. "Yeah." and you open the logs, pointing out the handles. "There was some... guy who swore blind that he was an alien, and some other relatively normal people, all in their own sessions."]
[22:17] <Bash> [You look toward Emmara for a moment. "This... this could change things."]
[22:17] <@Emmara> [You glance at Bash. "It could, yeah." You turn and speak to Nath again. "Did he say what species?"]
[22:18] <Nathanial> [Your face registers shock for a moment, then you furrow your brows again. "He called himself a troll. S'why none of us belived him, he was obviously taking the piss."
[22:19] <Bash> [You whistle. "I'd hate to break your world, but they might not have been lying."]
[22:20] <Nathanial> [You frown more. "His... explainations were very in depth... but... what?"]
[22:21] <Bash> ["M, you got this one?"]
[22:22] <@Emmara> [Unless this is a very elaborate ruse this might be legit. "Oh, yeah, theres other races that play SBURB, though the Game sometimes goes by different names. Trolls are one of the more common ones. Grey skin, have horns, humanoid looking on the outside, their inner biology is different though."]
[22:23] <Nathanial> ["...You're shitting me. He's... actually an alien?" you look at Coraline for support. "He wasn't taking the piss?"]
[22:24] <@Emmara> ["Well, I mean, maybe. But Trolls do exsist."]
[22:25] <Coraline> [You look down again when you're mentioned, scooting further away from the group in the chair]
[22:27] <Bash> ["Yeah, Trolls are a thing. And uh, I believe we're still short one introduction?" you turn your gaze Coraline-ward]
[22:27] <Nathanial> [You look at Coraline, and with a quiet sigh, pull your sword back out of your sylladex, this time by murmuring three words, something starting with H. "Listen. I can't use this right now, it's too heavy and I'm used to it flicking in and out of time. Can you help?" he asks, "After your intro?"]
[22:30] <Coraline> [You look at the sword, then over to Emmara and Bash]
[22:31] <Bash> ["It's okay, take your time." You smile, hopefully helpfully]
[22:35] <@Emmara> ["It'll be good for us to know you."]
[22:37] <Coraline> [You nod, standing up and looking at the table "My name is Coraline, I'm the Chair of Fate this session while also being my third session"]
[22:37] <Coraline> ["I rework weapons, and learnt how to cook when I was younger, although I will eat just about anything you'd give me"]
[22:41] <Coraline> ["If you want to visit me, please send me a message a day or so in advance so I can set everything up, unless it's an emergency in which case just say that you're coming and why so I can be ready to help."]
[22:44] <Coraline> [You look around at the others, face turning red "Any questions?"]
[22:44] <Bash> ["Sounds good to me! Maybe I'll come around and alchemize with you some time, I do enjoy making things."]
[22:45] <Nathanial> [You raise a hand. "What the hell is a Chair?"]
[22:47] <Coraline> ["It's...it is...uh" you swallow, trying to think while your face gets redder]
04[22:47] <@Emmara> ["Its an Orator class. Given to those who don't like speaking up or speaking out if memory serves." You study Coraline now.]
[22:48] <Bash> [Sounds about right.]
[22:48] <Nathanial> ["Chairs don't normally speak..." you mutter, but dosn't question further.]
[22:49] <Coraline> [You seem to calm down a bit when they explain for you, although you still look like you are trying really hard to keep something down]
[22:50] <Bash> ["Think more like, Chairwoman?" ...still, though, you're not sure they're this quiet.]
[22:51] <Nathanial> [You nod, "Ok, that makes more sense. I guess." you make a face, and place both arms on the table, with you chin on top.]
[22:52] <@Emmara> ["I've got no idea where it gets some of the names." You shrug and glance at Cora again, wondering if they're going to say something.]
[22:54] <Coraline> [Your face is very red now, it looks like you're overheating at this point, you look at Emmara before shakily sitting back down, gripping the table a bit too hard]
[22:56] <@Emmara> [You shrug, no one learns their role in two weeks, and turn back to Nath. "Thanks for the information about the...IRC? I'll have to check that out."]
[22:57] <Nathanial> [You peer at Coraline, but say nothing, merely nodding to Emmara. "No problem. Just remember the URL and it should connect alright."]
[22:59] <@Emmara> [You nod, then look over to the oven when the timer goes off. "Thats dinner. Hopefully everyone finds something they like." You pull yourself out of the chair and head back towards the kitchen. "If you guys don't mind setting the table, we can get to eating."]
[23:00] <Bash> [You pack up your computer and head to the kitchen to get things settled.]
[23:01] <Nathanial> [You do likewise, retrieving all of your belongings, and look to Coraline. "Will you help with my sword quickly?" he asks, trying his best to be friendly, although his tenseness makes it difficult.]
[23:02] <@Emmara> ["Plates are in the cupboard to the far right, cutlery is right below it." You say as you pull out the roast from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board.]
[23:04] <Coraline> [You perk up when you hear there's food "Later" you say to Nate, quickly focusing on setting up the table, moving with a lot more speed than it seems you usually would]
[23:04] <Bash> ["I'll do plates!" You start pulling out plates and set them down.]
[23:05] <Nathanial> [You nod, and grab a fistful of cutlery, starting to arrange them neatly around the table, humming, whistling, muttering and even dancing once as he pulls each one out of his sylladex.]
[23:05] <@Emmara> ["Once thats done, theres a salad in the fridge in the big white bowl. Grab the salad dressing with it." You've started cutting the roast and you're already looking to digging into it.]
[23:12] <Bash> [You hum as you grab the pull the salad out and bring it over to the table.]
[23:15] <Nathanial> [You settle down at the table, eyes locked on the roast, alongside a few glances at the salad. "Not gonna lie, none of my old friends could cook..." he mutters, mostly to himself.]
[23:17] <@Emmara> [You bring over a platter with roughly half the roast cut up on it as well as a pot full of mashed potatoes. The salad has lettece, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, feta cheese, apple slices and blackberries all mixed in. "Help yourself. And theres more than we'll eat here tonight, so I'm going to be sending some home with each of you."]
[23:19] <Bash> ["Lookin' good." And with that you dig in. Really, Bash, that's all you have to say? Really?]
[23:20] <Nathanial> [You don't even bother saying anything, assuming that the enthusaism of which you dive right in will do the talking for you.]
[23:21] <Coraline> [You take five slices and as much salad as you think you should be able to take while still seeming polite enough to leave some for the others]
[23:23] <@Emmara> [You nod approvingly at the enthusiasm they're all digging into it with, helping yourself to a slightly smaller portion than Coralin is.]
[23:26] <Coraline> [You...seem very different eating than talking for sure, you hardly bother with the cutlery, taking large bites out of everything]
[23:26] <Bash> ["I'm definitely going to have to get your recipes." You manage to take the time to stay away from the food long enough to say]
[23:28] <Nathanial> [You watch Coraline with something close to amusement, and takes a small break about halfway through to settle back and truly cast his eyes around the area.]
[23:28] <@Emmara> ["Happy to share them. Though for the salad, what you see is what you get." You actually pause from eating for a second and go get a bottle of wine and uncork it. Pouring yourself a glass. "Anyone else want some?" Probably not a lot for the youngest, but...]
[23:29] <Bash> ["Just a little for me."]
[23:30] <Coraline> [You push forward a glass, getting up to refill your water glass while taking a slice of pork with you]
[23:30] <Nathanial> [You pause, for a very long time, staring at the wine bottle... and the light in your eyes dies slightly. "Yes please." you say politely, and lower your eyes back down to your food.]
[23:32] <@Emmara> [You pour three small glasses for the others and one slightly larger one for yourself and pass them out accordingly. You hold yours up. "To a new session. May it be a good one."]
[23:33] <Bash> ["May it be a good one" you intone as you raise yours as well]
[23:34] <Nathanial> [You hesitate before raising your own glass, "Hear hear." and push it against the empty air while saying the word 'clink!']
[23:35] <Coraline> [You raise your water glass from the kitchen "Mrrph ggrgh"]
[23:35] <@Emmara> [You laugh and say "Clink!" as well.]
[23:37] <Coraline> [You come back to the table...apparently with half of the rest of the roast with you, you point to it "Can I have this?"]
[23:38] <@Emmara> [You frown. "Have you not eaten recently?"]
[23:38] <Nathanial> [You can't help but give Coraline an impressed expression, while you yourself have already finished half the glass you were given.]
[23:41] <Coraline> [You look up at them while in the middle of tearing into another slice of pork "err"]
[23:42] <@Emmara> ["Thats a 'no' if I ever heard one."]
[23:45] <Nathanial> [You chuckle, and drain the rest of your wine, placing the glass delicately down before picking at the rest of your roast.]
[23:47] <Coraline> [You are still stuck mid motion of eating the roast, you look at them and try to judge if they are going to try to continue the topic"]
[23:47] <@Emmara> [You're still frowning, seeing if they'll say anything to defend themselves.]
[23:50] <Bash> [You glance between Coraline and Emmara.]
[23:51] <Nathanial> [You lean towards Bash, and murmur quietly, "So, as a Seer of Breath, when I grow up I'll be able to see exactly how much destruction would come off this?" you grin, already a shade uneven from the speed of which you were drinking.]
[23:52] <Coraline> ["I'm eating now?"]
[23:52] <Coraline> [You punctuate that by digging into the roast slice again]
[23:54] <@Emmara> [Another sigh. "Yes, you can take it as long as Sci-fi and Nath are good with it. /And/" You put signifigant emphasis on that word. "You have to promise me to show up atleast every three days here so I can make sure you're actually getting enough. Deal?"]
[23:55] <Bash> ["Depends on how exactly you end up going."]
[23:56] <Coraline> [You gulp, putting down the food "three days?"]
[23:56] <Nathanial> [You blink slightly, and lean back into your chair, "I don't understand what you mean." you admit honestly, and frown at your roast.]
[23:56] <@Emmara> ["Atleast. More often would be better." You've got a face thats looking like it'll take no argument.]
[23:59] <Bash> ["Well, the thing is, I've seen people take tactician as standing back and planning more as more important, but there's more than one path through any setup?"]
[00:00] <Coraline> [Your face starts to turn red again "I-I, please don't make me come that often"]
[00:01] <Nathanial> ["Hm. Well, I guesso." you murmur, and set your fork down, the roast unfinished. "Well, we'll see what happens. No use in planning shit in a game like this."]
[00:01] <@Emmara> ["You need to eat /regularly/ not just binge eating." You cross your arms and wait.]
[00:04] <Bash> [You clap a hand to his shoulder. "You'll do fine."]
[00:05] <Nathanial> [You squeak as the hand hits your shoulder. Ow.]
[00:05] <Coraline> [You quickly start to look how you did before, face heating up "I do eat fine it's alright no need to have meetings it's f-fine"]
04[00:07] <@Emmara> ["Not buying it. It doesn't have to be long, but you /will/ be here every three days to have a quick chat and atleastast pick up food even if you don't stay. No more than fifteen minutes."]
[00:10] <Coraline> [You shake your head no very quickly "please no"]
[00:10] <Bash> [You turn and frown. "Is something wrong?"]
[00:12] <@Emmara> [Your expression softens a bit. "Why not?"]
[00:13] <Nathanial> [You watch with bright eyes, sneaking the bottle from the other side of the table while everyone's distracted, and pouring yourself another glass. They've got a handle on this, you don't need to get involved.]
[00:14] <Coraline> [You look at Emmara, then Bash]
[00:15] <Coraline> [Too much attention, too much talking, too much stuff]
[00:16] <Bash> ["M, take Coraline out alone to talk, will you? I think she's having a bit of a panic." You also eye over at Nathanial's movements.]
[00:18] <Nathanial> [You pause as you move to set the bottle down, and then deliberately continue your drink. "I have my own at home. It seems that the previous owner had a vodka habit." you inform Bash, conversationally.]
[00:18] <@Emmara> [You glance at him, then back at Coraline and nod. "Alright. And please cork up the wine would you?" You walk down the hallway to the landing, waiting to see if she'll follow you.]
[00:20] <Coraline> [You shakily get up, taking out a card and typing in a code while walking to the hallway]
[00:22] <@Emmara> [You sit on one of the stairs going up, the ones going down unoccupied and free if she wants those. "I'd really like to know whats going on." You say softly. "I'm not going to keep you here if you don't want to be, but if you disappear I'm going to worry, and I will end up checking up on you."]
[00:23] <Bash> ["Will do." You reach for the bottle. "And not to be a Life player about it, but don't drink too much. Shit kills."]
[00:25] <Coraline> [You finish the code, a plastic bucket appears in your hands while you sit down "Too much social confrontation everything's too warm"]
[00:27] <Nathanial> [Your hand tightens on the bottle for a moment, but then you recall that Bash was asked to cork it, so you give it up. "You know what else kills? Ogres. Falling off cliffs. Other players. Drowning. Tripping. Overconfidence. Underconfidence." you tick each one off his fingers as you talk, with a hard tone in your voice. "I was the Time player of my last session. I know what kills. What does it matter if I choose my death this
[00:28] <Nathanial> if I choose my death this way around?" and you pick up your glass, draining it in one.]
[00:31] <Bash> [You cork up the bottle and put it away. "And I've played Time twice, and gone through two Mind BT's. Everything kills, but the difference lies in the choice." You sit back down and lean back. "I suppose it's up to you, really." Your voice softens. "I just don't like good people dying on me."]
[00:35] <Nathanial> [Your eyes grow glassy. "Forgive me," you say formally, politely, "I appreciate the concern, but the hell would you know? Everything that's /good/ about me died the second we hit the replay button. Now all that's left is to drown the rest." and with that, you stand. "You'll not die on my part. I'll be sober when I'm needed, but until then..." you pause for effect, "You're welcome to join my sodden household any time."]
[00:40] <Bash> [You sigh. Well, guess you'll have to set up some kind of schedule to check on him with Emmara. "For whatever it's worth, I'm sorry that the door's broken. I'll let you make your choices, they are yours after all. And if we're done with that, would you mind helping me with the dishes?"]
[00:42] <Coraline> [You wipe at the sweat that is now forming on your face "Don't react well to it sorry"]
[00:42] <@Emmara> [You nod. You're going to sit here and let Cora settle down and give her time to explain on her own.]
[00:44] <Nathanial> [You hesitate, obviously, but you truly have no reason or right to refuse. You purse your lips, sigh, and place your unfinished roast in the fridge - while you're up. "I'll wash, you dry and put away." he murmurs, collecting the other plates, but leaving the ones that still have things on them, in case their owners want to come back.]
[00:44] <Coraline> [You're gasping a bit, gripping the bucket and trying to hold it in "brain over reactions body doesn't know what happens everything explodes in my face body tries to flush it ou-" you spit a dribble of bile into the bucket]
[00:44] <Bash> [You voice an assent and get to work.]
[00:45] <@Emmara> [You wait. "Would hugs help?"]
[00:46] <Nathanial> [You are silent for the most part, but find the noislessness agonising - so after a bit, you wonder aloud how the other two are going.]
[00:46] <Coraline> [You shake your head very fast, which almost causes you to lose your dinner again "no no nononnon"]
[00:47] <@Emmara> [You hold your hands up placatingly. "Why I asked."]
[00:48] <Bash> ["I can't say. But a nineteen session vet has a better chance at helping her than I do. Well, that might not be true, who knows." and back to silence.]
[00:50] <Coraline> [You take a few minutes to cool down, unevenly breathing before you put the bucket back in a card "I'm good, i'm good"]
[00:50] <Nathanial> [You nod, the words having helped the silence somewhat, and you're content to finish the dishes without speaking.]
[00:51] <@Emmara> [You nod. "Any social contact stressful for you then?"]
[00:52] <Coraline> ["Talking online is okay"]
[00:52] <Coraline> ["I can control the volume and control how it sounds"]
[00:55] <@Emmara> ["How often would you feel comfortable with meeting?" You thought it was that they just didn't want to be mothered, but its clearly something else.]
[00:58] <Coraline> ["It's not about how often it is it's like I'm being given a test on how well I'm treating my body and i keep feeling like if i'm going to be tested i'm going to fail so then what's the point of trying to keep up with the test so it just gets worse and i get worse and then i fail anyways"]
[01:02] <Bash> [You put the last of the dishes away, and lean against the counter. "Do you mind if I ask about your first session?"]
[01:02] <@Emmara> ["Oh Skaia, it isn't a /test/. I'm trying to /help/. I want to come by to give you enough to get by on, make sure everythings okay. What you do with it is up to you."]
[01:03] <Nathanial> [Your eyes darken, and you say steadily, "You may..." your hand goes to the counter, gripping it firmly.]
[01:05] <Bash> [You take note of his reaction. "Can you tell me about your home?"]
[01:06] <Coraline> [You look at her for a few seconds]
[01:07] <Nathanial> [You blink, and your face softens somewhat - that wasn't the question you were expecting. "Do... you mean my Land? Or where I originally lived before the game started?"]
[01:08] <Coraline> ["If I tell you a secret, will you promise not to tell?"]
[01:08] <Bash> ["Wherever you lived before the game, yes." You're trying to be unobtrusive.]
[01:08] <@Emmara> ["I promise. On Skaia and the Growth." You say solemnly.]
[01:10] <Coraline> [You look like someone who is about to tell someone something really embarrassing that they really don't want to say "I eat four meals a day"]
04[01:10] <@Emmara> [You look like you're trying really hard not to laugh, but finally start giggling.]
[01:11] <Nathanial> [You release the counter, and your eyes glaze over as you think back. "I lived in Melbourne, Australia... it was just kinda... normal, I guess. I lived with two friends, Mike and Elise, in the outer suburbs. So... green, and nice, but there was never a place that you couldn't see civilisation."]
[01:12] <Coraline> [Your face goes red again, although this time it looks like it's only from embarrassment than anything else]
[01:13] <Bash> ["It certainly sounds like a nice place."]
[01:14] <Nathanial> [Your eyes focus again, and you train them on Bash. "Mm. But why do you bring it up?"]
[01:14] <@Emmara> [You eventually giggle yourself out. "Alright. You don't have to come by for food if you don't want to. Though it'd be nice if you checked in once in a while, whenever you feel up to it. Okay?" You say with a smile.]
[01:16] <Bash> [Your eyes match his, and a small grin creeps onto your face. "Home is an important place, that's all."]
[01:17] <Coraline> [You look at their feet "for food?"]
[01:17] <Nathanial> [You don't smile back, but your face softens more, and you look away. "Tell me about your home. I had never left Australia, so I don't know what any other places were like."]
[01:18] <@Emmara> ["If you give me some notice, then yes for food. As well as anything else."]
[01:19] <Coraline> [You respond quickly "You're weapons, I like to rework them and make them better"]
[01:20] <@Emmara> ["Sure. If you wanted to, we could do that. But not tonight."]
[01:22] <Bash> ["Mmm, I'm not sure how much I can tell you. The first... gosh, little less than half now, of my life was spent in a lab, before the game. Sterile white insides with the occasional venture into the thick woods surrounding it. Got cold enough to snow in winter, but I figure it was a temperate place." You shrug.]
[01:23] <Nathanial> [You frown. "You... were raised in a lab? What about your parents? You don't even know what country you were in?]
[01:24] <Coraline> [You offer them a nod "That'd be good, should we go back?"]
[01:24] <@Emmara> ["Only if you're comfortable. You're welcome to go home if thats what you'd prefer."]
[01:25] <Coraline> ["I would. But. I forgot my roast"]
[01:27] <Bash> [You tap the side of your head, where the crystalline hexes are. "Mom was there, but she was in a similar situation. I'm still not sure what exactly the point of this stuff was other than having a computer in my head. Pretty sure, from what I've seen in other pressessions, and the Troll world, I was supposed to be a weapon or something. Then, game happened."]
04[01:27] <@Emmara> [You smile. "I can bring it out for you if you'd like."]
[01:27] <Coraline> ["Yes please" give a twitch of a smile]
[01:28] <Bash> ["Which is apperantly why Emmara's decided I get to be Sci-fi." You smile slightly.]
[01:28] <Nathanial> [The truth dawns on you, and your hands meet, curling around themselves. "You're not from the Earth I'm from, are you?" you ask, bluntly.]
[01:29] <@Emmara> ["I'll be right back then." You get up off the step and head back inside. Poking your head inside the door and stage whispering "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"]
[01:30] <Nathanial> [You jump, and grasp the edge of the counter again for balance. "N-No..."]
[01:30] <Bash> ["Sorry, but no, I'm not." you wave at Emmara. "You're fine, M." ]
[01:31] <@Emmara> ["Good!" You walk in fully and go to wrap up the roast in tinfoil. "Cora is going to head off. She's had it a little rough, but we've worked something out, and she'll be fine. Please respect her wishes when it comes to seeing her."]
[01:32] <Nathanial> [You spend a moment just staring blankly, then look at Emmara properly. "What are those wishes?"]
[01:32] <@Emmara> ["Oh, what she said earlier. Let her know long before hand if you plan on seeing her."]
[01:32] <Nathanial> [You nod slowly. "Ok then."]
[01:32] <Bash> ["No problem, will do."]
[01:33] <@Emmara> [You give them both a smile and head back out to the staircase landing. "Here you go Cora." You offer her the wrapped up roast. "I take it you enjoyed it at the very least?"]
[01:34] <Nathanial> [You lower your eyes, and after a few moments, admit, "I think going home sounds attractive right now."]
[01:36] <Coraline> ["Yes, good food will always have me stuffing myself" your eyes go back to a distant memory "I once spent all my birthday money on a single meal..."]
[01:36] <Bash> ["Someday, maybe you'll be able to."]
[01:37] <Coraline> [You blink and look at Emmara again "Thanks for the help" then you turn and leave]
[01:37] <@Emmara> ["Anytime." You hold your hands in front of you. "Don't be a stranger."]
[01:39] <Nathanial> [You flinch. "I meant... the home I actually have access to." your shoulders slump slightly again, and you breathe out. "So I'm going to do that. It was a pleasure meeting you." you look up and injects as much sincerity as you can into your words - which is a reasonable amount.]
[01:40] <Bash> ["Ah, I misunderstood. Take care, Nath." You wave at him as he seems ready to go.]
[01:40] <@Emmara> [As Cora leaves, you turn and head back in. Only catching the tail end of Nath's and Sci-fi's sentance. "Oh, you're heading out too?"]
[01:41] <Nathanial> ["And yo-" and you're interuppted by Emmara. "I... yeah. I think so. I'll... keep in touch." you murmurs, inclining your head. "It was a pleasure meeting you, too."]
[01:43] <@Emmara> [You smile sincerely at him. "Glad to have you stop by. And do you want a hug? I can promise they almost never make it feel worse."]
[01:44] <Nathanial> [Your eyes soften, all the way, and you twitch as if to accept the offer - but at the last second, you tense again, and shake your head. "No... no thank you. Not yet. But thank you for the offer."]
[01:45] <@Emmara> [You look a little put off, but rally quickly. "Alright. If you decide you ever want to take me up on it, just let me know." You smile at him again. "Have a good evening Nath."]
[01:46] <Nathanial> ["I... I will. Thank you for dinner." you murmur, and with a quick look to your new co-players, vanishes out the door and up to the nearest Gate, whereupon hopefully you will be transported home.]
[01:47] <@Emmara> [You look over at Sci-fi and shrug, going to flop down on the couch in the living room. "Well." You state slowly. "I've had worse session meetings."]
[01:49] <Bash> [As he leaves, you let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding and walk over to the couch next to her before flopping down. "Nobody tried to kill each other, but I'm still worried about them. We'll need to make sure Nathanial doesn't get too deep in the drink, and I dunno what happened with Coraline"]
[01:52] <@Emmara> ["Ah, I was suspecting that when he went back for the wine. Pretty common thing." You start idly tracing one of the vines on your leg with you finger. "As for Cora, she's got...something, I don't know what, about social expectations and she can't deal with them. She said she's eating enough though, and I believe her. She's promised to come by every once in a while. I don't /think/ she'll be too bad. And Fate'll help later."]
[01:55] <Bash> ["Yeah, common enough. I hope my asking about his home doesn't set off anything. Either way, I think Breath'll take care of that a bit." You try to relax a little. "How about you, you doing alright?"]
[01:57] <@Emmara> [The question catches you off guard. It takes you a second before you realize you've been asked it. Turning and looking at him. "Yeah? No ones dead, no ones tried to kill each other, I mean, yeah, Time's not going to be amazing, but I've done it before." You turn and sit properly upright. "Could go for a hug though if you're up for it."]
[02:00] <Bash> ["Hugs are always welcome." You open your arms wide for a hug. "I probably could use one myself after that last conversation."]
[02:02] <@Emmara> [You shuffle over and give a solid hug, clearly some muscle on you. Holding it for a good fifteen seconds before you release, assuming he doesn't do it beforehand.]
[02:04] <Bash> [Thank Skaia for hugs. You hold the hug as long as she does, releasing as you feel the tension go.]
[02:05] <@Emmara> [You smile and pat his cheek. "You're not a bad hugger Sci-fi." You flop back down on the couch, laying down legthways with your head on the arm rest. Not caring if you're laying over top of him.]
[02:08] <Bash> ["I've had practice." You let your head lean back on the couch, and let yourself go limp.]
[02:09] <@Emmara> ["Is this what its like to have kids?" You wonder outloud.]
[02:11] <Bash> ["Teenagers, actually." You chuckle slightly. "But they're good kids, as far as I can tell."]
[02:12] <@Emmara> [You laugh. "Okay, well, count me out of actually having any ever. Ugh." You rub your eyes with the palms of your hands.]
[02:14] <Bash> ["Heh, I might be with you on that one." You crack your neck and look down at Emmara. "We gotta remember to check out that IRC thing later."]
[02:15] <@Emmara> [You pause. "Oh shit I had actually forgotten about that completely." You look over at him. "Think its legit?"]
[02:16] <Bash> ["...kid wasn't Sand. It's legit, I think."]
[02:19] <@Emmara> ["Unless hes native Sand and this is one /hell/ of a prank, you're probably right."]
[02:21] <Bash> ["We'll definitely have to check it out. But for now, I think we should just relax a bit."]
[02:23] <@Emmara> [You're tempted to pull out your computer, but it'll keep. And if it doesn't, then it doesn't actually matter. "Yeah." You shuffle around a bit on the couch to get comfy. "So what did you and Nath talk about?"]
[02:26] <Bash> ["Warned 'm not to drink too much, then he got a bit up in arms over the usual second session grief, so I let him simmer by himself before asking him about his original home. Hopefully that gives him something to hold onto, at least for the time being."]
[02:27] <@Emmara> ["Just a patch job that sort of thing. But you knew that already. And hopefully he'll run out of alcohol before too long."]
[02:30] <Bash> ["He said something about the previous owner having a vodka habit, so we may have to have an intervention if it gets too much." You rub at your head. "No signs of corrupted tendencies, either."]
[02:32] <@Emmara> ["Well, an alcoholic is better than a Speaker or Singer by a long sight." You sigh. "If there are signs of it getting worse in the next couple weeks I'll drag him around to the maturity quests myself."]
[02:33] <Bash> ["I was about to say I'd do it, since I think Coraline is more comfortable around you at the moment. That might just be incomplete information, though."]
[02:35] <@Emmara> ["Eh. Go for it." You reach out and grab his shoulder and pull yourself into another hug.]
[02:37] <Bash> [The hug is welcome, and you relax into it and close your eyes for a bit.]
[02:38] <@Emmara> [You whisper into his ear. "Yayyy someone else sane."]
[02:40] <Bash> [You whisper back. "Right back at you."]
[02:45] <@Emmara> [You're going to hold that hug for a long time, until you feel some of the tightness in your chest loosen.]
[02:48] <Bash> [And everything feels right in the world, at least for now.]
[Scene]