FrozenMaiden6 Side B

[21:17]	* [kiri]Leona	doing the dish. It's not really a hard work and she can do it just fine without straining her leg.
[21:18]	<[kiri]Leona>	-sigh-
[21:18]	* [Gtz]Roland	returns to the dining room, whistling some tune you don't recognize. He finishes off a glass of milk he left and drops it in Leona's sink.
[21:19]	<[Gtz]Roland>	How's that leg feelin'? You feel up to doin' any walking today?
[21:19]	* [kiri]Leona	's mind wanders. She still reminiscing the scene last night. That's really a bad move. She shouldn't do that.
[21:19]	<[kiri]Leona>	Ah, master.
[21:20]	<[kiri]Leona>	I think I can move around a bit.
[21:20]	<[kiri]Leona>	But with snail speed, haha.
[21:22]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Maybe you ought to just stay here, then. I got some housecalls to make, face to keep.
[21:22]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Vut vith snail muzcles vou vould 'ave vuch greater tractshion!"
[21:22]	[INFO]	There is nothing to tab-complete. Use F6 to cycle through the user list, input box and the chat output.
[21:23]	* []Camille	sits at a nearby table
[21:24]	* [Gtz]Roland	scratches his head for a bit.
[21:24]	<[Gtz]Roland>	What?
[21:24]	<[]Camille>	"Alzhough... It vight ve a vittle mezzy... Vhat 'ith ze mucus...."
[21:25]	<[kiri]Leona>	Haha, Oh Camille you cute little....
[21:25]	<[]Camille>	"Ze underzide of a snail eez all muzcl, Miztur Roland. Eet iz how zhey climb valls."
[21:25]	* [kiri]Leona	ruffles Camille lovingly.
[21:26]	<[kiri]Leona>	It's a metaphor.
[21:27]	* []Camille	pouts a little
[21:27]	* [Gtz]Roland	leans up on the counter, listening to the other two
[21:28]	* [PYG]Mei	remains seated in one side of the room, half unaware and half ready to get up when Leona needs her assistance.
[21:29]	* [kiri]Leona	glance at Mei. And looks saddened.
[21:29]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Miztur Roland. 'ave you zeen ze radio equivment zat mizz Momo and I zet up?"
[21:30]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Hmm? Radio equipment? Nah, what's up?
[21:31]	<[]Camille>	"Ve zet up a makezhift tranzmitter apon 'ur artizitry, vut I do 'ot know if eet iz quite powervul enough..."
[21:32]	* [kiri]Leona	focusing her thought on doing the dish. pretending last night's event doesn't happen.
[21:33]	<[Gtz]Roland>	If you need anything, just tell me about it and I'll do what I can to get it. That's my job, ain't it?
[21:35]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Speaking of, like I said earlier, I makin' housecalls. Gonna go around town, talk to the neighbors, fix leaky pipes, that sort of shit. You guys can come with me if you want, but I want you to at least go get some things we need. Take a look around the place and write down anything that we need more of or need to replace, and I'll give you the funds for it.
[21:35]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, No no...I vean not to azk 'or zomething, but I em 'ot zure zat I vaz capabel of getting itz zignal ztrong enough. I em not ze mozt esperienced vith zes things, and mizz Momo did mozt of ze work..."
[21:37]	<[Gtz]Roland>	What can I say? Momo's just a hard worker. Listen, I need to go make some calls, tell me when you're ready, alright?
[21:37]	<[kiri]Leona>	I'll go surveying around the house then. I'm finished here.
[21:38]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Vez. If eet iz zomething ve need.... 'ow about a 'eating zyztem? I em afraid zat your delayed 'eating zyztem may ve vroken...."
[21:39]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Alright, be ready in a couple minutes.
[21:39]	* [Gtz]Roland	leaves without answering Camille.
[21:40]	* []Camille	pouts once more
[21:40]	<[kiri]Leona>	mngh.
[21:41]	* [kiri]Leona	get her cane, and ready to move out to check the premise. Paper in hand.
[21:41]	<[]Camille>	"Zis iz a conundrum.... I em 'ot very good at azzezing zhings...."
[21:42]	<[kiri]Leona>	You can come with me Camille.
[21:42]	<[kiri]Leona>	I may need you to go check the place I can't reach.
[21:43]	<[]Camille>	"Verhaps ve could all go? Vill you ve coming, Mizz Mei?"
[21:44]	<[kiri]Leona>	Oh, don't worry, Camille. It's her "duty".
[21:46]	<[]Camille>	"Hm, I zee... Verhaps ve zhould ve off zen?"
[21:48]	* [kiri]Leona	glance at Mei again.
[21:48]	* [PYG]Mei	gets up from her seat.
[21:52]	<[kiri]Leona>	yes. We should be off. let's start with this place. Hmm... I think the sink's drain grate needs to be replaced. It's rusted.
[21:52]	* [kiri]Leona	note it in the paper.
[21:53]	<[kiri]Leona>	And could you check the plate count, Mei? I think there should be at least 50-ish of them...
[21:53]	<[PYG]Mei>	Okay.
[21:53]	* [kiri]Leona	try to focus on her work. "Don't think of anything else. Just do your work. Don't think."
[21:56]	<[]Camille>	"'re you okey, Mizz Leona? 'ou zeem a vit ztressed..."
[21:57]	<[kiri]Leona>	I'm fine. I'm totally fine. Trust me.
[21:57]	* [PYG]Mei	opens one of the cabinets, touching the plates she sees as she counts them.
[21:58]	<[]Camille>	"Eef you zay zo, Mizz Leona..."
[22:01]	<[kiri]Leona>	Follow me outside when you finished, Mei.
[22:02]	<[kiri]Leona>	Can you help me a bit, Camille?
[22:02]	* [kiri]Leona	try to walk to the door.
[22:03]	<[PYG]Mei>	48...49...Hmm...That's it?
[22:03]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Of courze' Mizz Leona. Juz' let me 'et your arm..."
[22:03]	<[kiri]Leona>	thanks.
[22:03]	<[kiri]Leona>	go to the door with the help of Camille.
[22:04]	<[kiri]Leona>	Damn, this place is full of rust. This hinge is also in bad shape.
[22:05]	* [PYG]Mei	calls out to the other two maids as she approaches them, finished with her task.
[22:05]	<[]Camille>	"Of courze', vithout a vroper 'eating zyztem, zhere is 'ore moizture in ze air, vhich cauzes ruzting...."
[22:05]	<[PYG]Mei>	We're lacking one plate.
[22:05]	<[kiri]Leona>	we can't go around changing everything though. so let leave it like th----
[22:05]	<[kiri]Leona>	Ah, okay. one plate missing.
[22:05]	* [kiri]Leona	write down six plate. need five as spare.
[22:10]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Verhaps zome kerozcene? I vanted zome to glaze a ham vith, vut zhere waz none...."
[22:10]	<[kiri]Leona>	good enough.
[22:10]	* [kiri]Leona	note that too.
[22:12]	<[Gtz]Roland>	[blah blah blah, they make a list and check it twice. Milk, eggs, toilet paper, light bulb for Mei's room, equipment parts, etc. The gang arrives at the extrance of the workshop, where Roland is waiting.]
[22:12]	<[kiri]Leona>	I've got the list, master.
[22:12]	<[Gtz]Roland>	[oh, and apparently, kerosene. Probably. wakawakawaka]
[22:13]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Miztur Roland... I apologize 'or ze mezz... I ztill 'ave not cleaned up 'ur vires...."
[22:14]	<[Gtz]Roland>	...huh? Uh... whatever it is, don't worry about it.
[22:15]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Oh, Leona, you're comin'? Hmm, hope Momo and friends don't run into any trouble... I guess it'll be fine. There's a line in the village now anyway.
[22:15]	<[]Camille>	"Zhall I accompany 'ou azvell, Miztur Roland?"
[22:15]	<[kiri]Leona>	are you going to leave a crippled maiden alone in the big manor? aah. I'd better go with you.
[22:16]	* [Gtz]Roland	selects a series of tools and locks 'em up in a toolbox. Gotta look and play the part, ya know.
[22:16]	<[]Camille>	"Of courze' I em villing to ztay 'ere if 'ou vould razher not...."
[22:18]	<[kiri]Leona>	I'll go. Getting some fresh air should be good for my health.
[22:18]	<[kiri]Leona>	not really that "fresh", though. We're underground!
[22:18]	* [kiri]Leona	shrugs.
[22:18]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Yeah, sure, you can come. Help Mei and Leona get groceries and shit. I'm just keeping face so I'll keep my votes up come next month. People's gotta get to know their leaders, you know what I'm sayin'? Comforts 'em knowin' that it's one of the boys at the top.
[22:20]	<[]Camille>	"Ah, to play ze faze! I zee, zat is vize zhinking... A man of ze people..."
[22:21]	<[Gtz]Roland>	's why I never wear anything fancy. Everyone knows me by my face, not a badge or funny hat or any of that other stupid shit. Nametags are for nobodies.
[22:23]	<[]Camille>	"I zee, I zee. Vill ve ve entering ze more populated markezt areaz zhen?"
[22:25]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Yeah. Doesn't look like there's much on here, so, once you're done, you can just look around or do whatever personal business you got. I don't really care, just don't get into trouble.
[22:26]	* [Gtz]Roland	snaps the toolbox shut, and heads out the door, taking the way to Ferrugo proper.
[22:26]	* [PYG]Mei	seemingly flinches, as if that last part in Roland's statement was directed at her.
[22:29]	* [kiri]Leona	thinks, "Will Mei be fine? Her reputation is really bad among the folks."
[22:29]	<[]Camille>	"Vell, I zuppoze ve are off zhen? Mizz Leona? Vill Mizz Mei ve azzizting you? I can, eef not..."
[22:33]	<[kiri]Leona>	You go help Roland with stuffs, Camille. I have Mei. I should be fine, I think.
[22:34]	<[]Camille>	"'lright, Mizz Leona..."
[22:35]	* []Camille	heads off in the direction Roland went
[22:36]	<[Gtz]Roland>	[You enter the township of Ferrugo. Most of the buildings are dug out, their architecture part of the walls and floors of Ferrugo. The first part of town is a large square, with a small well in the center. Further from that is the slummy area, but before that, the town climbs up in a series of bridges and tunnels. The market is on the first and second "floors" of the village, and the higher...
[22:36]	<[Gtz]Roland>	...it goes, the greater the economic attention received. The very top hosts Ferrugo's government and upper class citizens.
[22:39]	<[Gtz]Roland>	The atmosphere feels a bit melancholy, being in the town leaves you with a sense of yearning and nostalgia. There's some people out today, but not many. Some hogs are around, their owners using them to haul equipment about the town.
[22:41]	<[]Camille>	"Hm... I 'ad kind of ezpected 'ore people to ve avout..."
[22:41]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Furthermore, you are met with a slight breeze when you enter the square. The town has its ventilation system built right on top of it, so the steady drone of the fan helps drown out some of the crowd noise.]
[22:42]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm... I veally vish I 'ad zat 'eating zyztem vight now...."
[22:43]	<[kiri]Leona>	whew. This is at least better than the manor.
[22:43]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Everyone's out workin'. No one's really gonna be around until about... mmm, seven hours from now? I forget what shifts Shaft D works now.
[22:43]	<[kiri]Leona>	or should I say the mine? doesn't matter.
[22:44]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, I zee... A zhophizticated zyztem..."
[22:44]	<[kiri]Leona>	So... orders, master?
[22:45]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Orders? Find the shit on the paper. Here, this should cover it.
[22:45]	<[]Camille>	"I velieve he zaid we are to ve zhopping for vhat iz on 'our lizt, didnet he?"
[22:46]	* [Gtz]Roland	digs in his pocket and hands out twenty venia. a little too much, actually..
[22:46]	<[kiri]Leona>	Oh.
[22:46]	* [kiri]Leona	eyes the money.
[22:46]	<[kiri]Leona>	You do not need changes, perhaps?
[22:48]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Naw. Just take what's left as a bonus or something. It's coming out of taxes, so it's not my problem. Town's money.
[22:48]	<[Gtz]Roland>	Well, I'll be seein' ya. If you need me, I'll be down here for the duration.
[22:49]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, zo zirculating ze money? Good for ze economy azwell...."
[22:49]	* [Gtz]Roland	swings the toolbox over his shoulder, and parts towards the slummy-looking area.
[22:49]	<[kiri]Leona>	Thank you Master! I have something I need to buy, too!
[22:50]	* [kiri]Leona	look at the money. She never hold this much money after her father's company went bankrupt.
[22:51]	<[kiri]Leona>	A... alright. We should go to...uh... buy stuffs at the commercial area.
[22:52]	<[]Camille>	"Yez... Zhall ve? Zhis eez a vit breezy for me..."
[22:52]	<[PYG]Mei>	Okay, then.
[22:53]	<[kiri]Leona>	Do you think we will need a hog? it might be too heavy for both of you.
[22:54]	<[]Camille>	"I do 'ot know eef Miztur Roland vill wizh to mainten a hog..."
[22:55]	<[kiri]Leona>	we can just rent one, I think?
[22:55]	<[kiri]Leona>	Mei, any ideas?
[22:56]	<[]Camille>	"...erhapz a 'eating zyztem?"
[22:56]	* []Camille	looks hopeful
[23:01]	<[PYG]Mei>	A hog would be best, I think.
[23:02]	<[]Camille>	"I zhink it vould be vood to conzult Miztur Roland avout zhis firzt...."
[23:02]	<[kiri]Leona>	Mnnn.
[23:03]	<[kiri]Leona>	Let's think about this later. If you feel that the payload is too heavy, make sre to tell me first.
[23:03]	* [kiri]Leona	, during the conversation, trying to avoid looking into Mei's eyes.
[23:04]	<[PYG]Mei>	All right.
[23:04]	<[]Camille>	"Verhaps ve zhould get zhoes plates firzt? Zhey are on ze actual lizt..."
[23:04]	<[kiri]Leona>	Okay. I'm not really good with the layout myself, so I'll ask around.
[23:07]	<[]Camille>	"Zhis place is quite confuzing... If eet were like home zee zhops vould be zown near ze mines or near ze zhipping enteranze...."
[23:09]	<[GM]Gaatz>	After a while, you gather most of the stuff on the list. Roland's still busy with his activities, so you're free to check out the town.
[23:11]	<[]Camille>	"Vhell, Vhat zhall ve do now? It vould zeem zat Miztur Roland is ztill vusy..."
[23:13]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The place is getting a bit busier. Looks like Shaft A's shift is over, and some people coming in for lunch.
[23:15]	<[kiri]Leona>	We still have a bit of money left! So how about a quick shopping of our own?
[23:15]	<[kiri]Leona>	I want to get myself a dress or something!
[23:29]	* [kiri]Leona	split the money into three equal amount.
[23:31]	<[]Camille>	"I don't zhink this eez enough for a 'eating zyztem... But perhapz..."
[23:33]	* []Camille	wanders off in the direction of the shadier looking shops
[23:49]	<[kiri]Leona>	well, take care then. Let's meet again at the designated time where master appointed us.
[23:50]	* [kiri]Leona	heading off into the shopping district, alone.
[23:53]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	YOUNG WOMAN.
[23:53]	* [kiri]Leona	randomly walking around until she find herself in front of the church.
[23:53]	<[kiri]Leona>	Huh?
[23:53]	* [kiri]Leona	turn to the source of the call, and find a priest talking to her.
[23:54]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	stands in front of the church, a tall man in a black smock, with a long red beard and longer hair. He looks like the sort who never looks happy.
[23:54]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	COME HERE.
[23:54]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	continues to shout at her as if she were halfway across the square, instead of, like, 10 feet away.
[23:54]	<[kiri]Leona>	Uh.... what do you require? I'm just a mere maid....
[23:55]	* [kiri]Leona	thinks, "He's loud, goddamnit."
[23:55]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	gets fed up with waiting and moves over to her, crossing the distance in two improbably long strides.
[23:55]	<[kiri]Leona>	Wha--!
[23:55]	* [kiri]Leona	back off a little.
[23:55]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	You are no mere maid, my child. You are a soul IN TORMENT.
[23:56]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	claps two huge, meaty hands on Leona's shoulders. Possibly supposed to be comforting or something, all it really does is pin her in place.
[23:57]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	You are IN PAIN. I can SEE IT.
[23:57]	* [kiri]Leona	fall down. Augh! The pain in her leg! That goddamn priest!
[23:57]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	You desire SALVATION, but you do not know where to TURN.
[23:58]	<[kiri]Leona>	I am OBVIOUSLY IN PAIN, priest! See this cane? It's gonna bash your head in a couple of second!
[23:58]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	crouches down and picks her back up into a standing position as an automatic reflex. His concentration doesn't flag once.
[23:58]	<[kiri]Leona>	ow ow ow ow...
[23:59]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	But what are the niggling aches of the flesh compared to the ALL-CONSUMING AGONY OF THE SOUL?
[23:59]	<[kiri]Leona>	Ugh...
[23:59]	* [kiri]Leona	..."he's right. I feel pain in my chest whenever I think of her..."
[23:59]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	My child... it was not CHANCE that led you past this house of worship. It was THE WILL OF GOD.
[00:00]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	GOD has a plan for you. GOD does not wish to see his children SUFFER so.
[00:01]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	tones it down exactly one notch. This must be his "gentle" voice, although it can still probably be heard a couple of counties away.
[00:01]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	Tell me, child... what is it that pains you? Aside from your leg, of course.
[00:01]	<[kiri]Leona>	I... It's nothing! My life is fine!
[00:01]	* [kiri]Leona	look away.
[00:02]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	You can lie to me, child, but you cannot lie to YOURSELF.
[00:02]	<[kiri]Leona>	Nngh.
[00:03]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	takes a step back and offers her one hand.
[00:03]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	If you are uncomfortable speaking of it in the open, will you come with me into the church? I assure you we will be quite alone.
[00:04]	* [kiri]Leona	hesitatingly take his hand
[00:05]	<[kiri]Leona>	Heh. Maybe I'll burn as soon as I touch the holy ground.
[00:06]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	leads Leona through the large double doors and into the chapel proper. Like he said, the place is completely empty. More than that, it damned near looks abandoned. A visible layer of dust covers just about everything.
[00:07]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	swipes at a nearby pew twice, once for the seat and once for the back, clearing a large section of the omnipresent dust. He takes the prepared seat further from the aisle, and motions for his guest to take the one next to him.
[00:08]	* [kiri]Leona	sat down obediently.
[00:09]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	Now, then. You can speak freely here. There is no-one to hear but myself and THE LORD, and we are neither of us gossips.
[00:11]	<[kiri]Leona>	haha, alright....
[00:11]	* [kiri]Leona	inhale deeply, and begin her..."confession".
[00:12]	<[kiri]Leona>	I love girls.
[00:12]	<[kiri]Leona>	I love them as much as a man could love looking at them with lecherous eyes.
[00:13]	<[kiri]Leona>	....and...ah... I try to be nice to everyone, with a hidden motive of getting close to them.
[00:13]	<[kiri]Leona>	But there's a girl...
[00:13]	<[kiri]Leona>	She won't take me.She refuse to take any of my goodwill.
[00:14]	<[kiri]Leona>	I have this... pain... whenever I'm looking at her.
[00:14]	<[kiri]Leona>	It's not just lust anymore... it's...
[00:14]	<[kiri]Leona>	I just want her to be nice to me.
[00:14]	<[kiri]Leona>	I....I....
[00:14]	* [kiri]Leona	getting a little bit teary eyed.
[00:14]	<[kiri]Leona>	Nah... scrap that. this is silly. I'm going.
[00:15]	* [kiri]Leona	trying to leave.
[00:15]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	places one hand on one shoulder. It's not the weight that it was before, it is in fact surprisingly gentle for being as huge as it is, but it nonetheless keeps the body in check. And by in check, I mean "sat the fuck down".
[00:16]	* [kiri]Leona	is intimidated by the present of overly muscular pirest, and sat the fuck down as he implies.
[00:17]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	is silent for a few seconds. When he speaks, you almost don't realize it, because he's stopped... booming. It hardly even sounds like the same voice, anymore.
[00:17]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	The pleasures of the flesh... are a powerful temptation, and perhaps the greatest distraction from salvation we face as we pass through this world.
[00:18]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	For some of us, more so than others.
[00:19]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	You have sought these pleasures all your life. Perhaps they have even seemed to be your life at times. But now you find yourself yearning for a more intimate connection than the entwining of two bodies.
[00:19]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	I... wish I knew what to tell you.
[00:20]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	I escaped my temptations by fleeing into the duty of missionary work. Frankly, I could not advise it.
[00:20]	* [kiri]Leona	look down on the wooden floor, tears seeping out from her eyes.
[00:23]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	releases his loose hold on Leona's shoulder and reaches under his smock with both hands. They emerge holding a beaded necklace with a large but simple wooden cross hanging on the end, pulling the loop over his head and holding it out between the pair.
[00:25]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	It is not much, but I offer you this: a token, a reminder, of the true path of your life. That there exist pleasures deeper than flesh, and to seek them out.
[00:25]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	...that really isn't a damn thing, is it?
[00:29]	* [kiri]Leona	laugh a little.
[00:30]	<[kiri]Leona>	haha, Right.
[00:30]	<[kiri]Leona>	It's just a cheap rosary, but why....
[00:30]	* [kiri]Leona	take it, and wore it around her neck.
[00:32]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	She... whoever she is... I'm sure she means you no ill.
[00:32]	<[kiri]Leona>	I cannot convince myself that....
[00:33]	<[kiri]Leona>	But I'll try to hope for the best.
[00:33]	<[kiri]Leona>	Thanks, father....
[00:33]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	In the end, that is all we can do.
[00:33]	<[kiri]Leona>	come to think of it, what's your name?
[00:33]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	Mulcahey.
[00:33]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	Andrew Mulcahey.
[00:33]	<[kiri]Leona>	I'll remember that, Father Mulcahey.
[00:34]	<[kiri]Leona>	Until then...
[00:34]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	rises to see her to the door.
[00:34]	* [kiri]Leona	wave him goodbye, and leave the premise. Rosary on her neck.
[00:35]	<[Tet]FatherMulcahey>	Godspeed, child.
[00:35]	* [Tet]FatherMulcahey	closes the door behind her.
[00:42]	<[GM]Gaatz>	[meanwhile, in Camille]
[00:44]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Ow' Deprezzing! 'ven amongzt zhes zhops of ill repute, zhere are no zheap 'eating zyztems!"
[00:46]	<[GM]Gaatz>	you become acutely aware of a cat making... uh, strange noises behind you.
[00:47]	<[]Camille>	"Hum?"
[00:47]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The cat looks a lot like you, or at least as much as a cat can look like a person.
[00:47]	<[GM]Gaatz>	<Cat>Mreorw?
[00:48]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, 'ello little felin. Vight I ve avle to 'elp you?"
[00:48]	* []Camille	walks towards the cat
[00:50]	* [Gtz]Cat	keeps its distance, walking in the same direction, maintaining pace with Camille
[00:53]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm. Vou zertainly are a ztrange little one, but vhy look zo zad pierrot? Vou are a zharming little felin."
[00:53]	* []Camille	crouches down an attempts to beckon the cat over.
[00:54]	* [Gtz]Cat	turns around, lays down on her back and waves her paws in the air.
[00:55]	<[]Camille>	"Aha, Vou are ztill funny. Iz eet ze lozz of a dove zhat brings vou to ve? "
[00:55]	* []Camille	gets back up and walks towards the cat
[00:58]	* [Gtz]Cat	quickly reasserts to a standing position and walks away, waving her tail back and forth. She keeps herself parallel to Camille, neither losing nor gaining ground.
[01:00]	<[]Camille>	"Hehe, Vou are playing vard to 'et, little felin?"
[01:01]	* []Camille	begins to speed up and chase the cat
[01:01]	* [Gtz]Cat	meows and tilts her head, before bolting off in the opposite direction
[01:08]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The cat leads you back to Mei, who is currently...
[01:15]	* [PYG]Mei	is looking through the window of one of the shops, staring an a mannequin bust with a mask on.
[01:17]	* []Camille	comes to a stop.
[01:17]	<[PYG]Mei>	Hmm...
[01:17]	<[]Camille>	"Ah...ha... Very vell, vou vin, miztur felin..."
[01:17]	* [PYG]Mei	turns her head to the familiar voice.
[01:18]	<[PYG]Mei>	Oh, hello.
[01:18]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The cat notices Camille's cessation, and does so her own self.
[01:18]	<[]Camille>	"'ello Mizz Mei! I did not espect to zee you 'ere!"
[01:19]	<[PYG]Mei>	Well, err, I was just wandering around.
[01:21]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The cat looks between the two, giving due attention to whoever may be speaking.
[01:21]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, I zuppoze zat eez to ve espected zhen... hah..."
[01:22]	<[PYG]Mei>	Besides, people give me funny looks when I'm wandering around the main street.
[01:22]	<[PYG]Mei>	Um...Is it time to go already?
[01:23]	<[]Camille>	"Ah, funny? Aha... I zee, zhis is a plaze of entertainment!"
[01:23]	<[]Camille>	"No vonder Pierrot vaz playing vith me."
[01:23]	<[]Camille>	"Vut...Vou zeem deprezzed. Vou zhould laugh at funny zhings!"
[01:24]	<[PYG]Mei>	Y-yeah, I guess. Wait, who's Pierrot?
[01:25]	<[]Camille>	"Pierrot! Ze naive clown! I 'ave veen playing vith 'im to chaze avay hiz sadnezz! He is vight over zhere!"
[01:25]	<[]Camille>	"Pierrot de Whiskers!"
[01:26]	<[GM]Gaatz>	Pierrot claws at her whiskers.
[01:26]	<[GM]Gaatz>	Paws, even.
[01:28]	<[]Camille>	"Verhapz vou zhould play vith Pierrot? Vou zeem zo deprezzed, and nozhing makez one veel vetter zhan a tragic clown!"
[01:30]	<[PYG]Mei>	Maybe later...I think I'll buy something.
[01:31]	* [PYG]Mei	nods to herself as she steps into the shop.
[01:31]	<[]Camille>	"Ahm, Zhopping eez a vair vey to chaze away zadness, vut one vust vecarevul not to zpend too much."
[01:32]	<[PYG]Mei>	I know.
[01:33]	<[]Camille>	"I 'ould join vou if vou like. I 'ave vailed to vind a zheap 'eating zyztem, zadly...."
[01:33]	<[GM]Gaatz>	The shop has all kinds of odd stuff in it, including a collection of the masks you saw displayed in the window.
[01:33]	<[]Camille>	"Vut I did vind Pierrot, Zo my zpirits are livted! Not all eez lozt!"
[01:36]	<[GM]Gaatz>	In addition to the masks, there's an assortment of various trading cards on display, along with some old war equipment. There aren't any real guns, only some old muskets, but there's a lot of medieval looking stuff lying about. There doesn't really seem to be a theme here...
[01:39]	* [PYG]Mei	comes across one particular mask on display. The color choices are bright, but intimidating, almost like one of those colorful venomous snakes she saw in old books.
[01:47]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	walks up behind Mei, carefully considering her and her choice. He's quite a tall, thin man, probably dwarfing Mei by a foot or so.
[01:48]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Ahh, you like this one, eh? You got good taste, young lady. This is the mark of a warrior.
[01:50]	* [PYG]Mei	, somewhat caught by surprise by the man's sudden appearance, replies.
[01:50]	<[PYG]Mei>	O-oh?
[01:54]	* []Camille	plays mirror with Pierrot outside
[01:55]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Yes, young one! This was worn by a hero, one of the Great Messiahs that will come and destroy this world's evils! This is the signature face of the of the Leather Rebel, a man who ruled the night before the Cataclysm that forced us to squabble underground.
[01:56]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	seems to be too caught up in his story to notice the apparent contradictions. He speaks with both his mouth and his body, transmitting every word with a dramatic movement.
[02:03]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	What about you, young one? Do you wish to be powerful? Do you wish to fear nothing? Do you wish to strike terror in all those that stand before you? Do you wanna FLY?
[02:06]	<[PYG]Mei>	Fly?
[02:06]	<[PYG]Mei>	This...can let me fly?
[02:07]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Fly like The Starbreaker straight up to heaven, my friend. Only problem is, there is no heaven. Or up, most of the time.
[02:10]	* [PYG]Mei	has genuine wonder and joy sneak their way across her face as she listens to the man.
[02:11]	<[PYG]Mei>	Um...How much is it?
[02:12]	* [PYG]Mei	appears worried now. Could she afford such a wonderful mask with the money she has?
[01:18]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	No amount of venia could convince me to part ways with it. But... I see that this mask may be the first step to take on the way to inner excellence. I will give you the mask. BUT! In return... I want you to purchase a cursed crest from me. It has weighed upon me for years now...
[01:19]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	drifts in and out of audibility, turning away to dramatically forlorn against a suit of armor.
[01:33]	<[PYG]Mei>	A crest?
[01:36]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	YES! A crest of the mighty Fire Dragon, an ancient relic from times long past, however, it has brought me nothing but pain and stress. For each victory you achieve, the crest bestows a new burden upon your heart! When I was younger and my heart was great, the burdens felt simple, but in my age they have begun to collect upon me. I am unable to simply throw it away. It must be traded with...
[01:36]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	...the customer's full knowledge.
[01:39]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	ONLY THEN! will the curse lift from me.
[01:40]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	places his fist over his heart and makes a grim face.
[01:48]	<[PYG]Mei>	Err...So, how much is that?
[01:49]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	The same I had once paid for the item. Eight venia.
[01:55]	<[PYG]Mei>	...Only that much? Okay.
[01:56]	* [PYG]Mei	digs through the pocket of her apron, retrieving the appropriate amount.
[02:02]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	takes the money from her hand, examines it, then turns back to her with a look of approval.
[02:09]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Excellent! I am eternally grateful to you, my young one! Tell me, what is your name? I must make mark of it in the Book of Champions, for you are surely one in the making!
[02:27]	<[PYG]Mei>	Umm...Chai Mei Huo.
[02:28]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	YOU'RE WRONG!
[02:28]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Your name is now... It is now...
[02:29]	* [PYG]Mei	looks scared for a moment at the man's outburst.
[02:29]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	contemplates for a moment. He turns away, and then back towards the girl he just snapped at.
[02:29]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	When you rule, what do you want mankind to call you?
[02:31]	<[PYG]Mei>	Eh?
[02:31]	<[PYG]Mei>	What do you mean?
[02:32]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	YOUR NAME, my child! A great warrior must have a great name! A name so powerful, it must make those who utter it shake in fear of the wrath it may bring!
[02:33]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Your REAL name! Not your given name! No monkey on this Earth can name you but YOURSELF!
[02:33]	<[PYG]Mei>	But I like my name now!
[02:34]	<[PYG]Mei>	I don't think anything else would suit me anyway...
[02:35]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	Nonsense. You can have any name you want. No oppressor can take away your very identity!
[02:40]	<[PYG]Mei>	No one's taking my identity away. What are you talking about?
[02:48]	<[Gtz]StoreDude>	I'm talking about truth, my friend! There can be no deceit between us, for a great curse will befall he who betrays a sworn oath! My name Is Cassius McKenzie, but my name is The Metal God. Now, tell me your name, and swear to me this oath!
[02:56]	* [Gtz]StoreDude	puts up his hand like a boy scout. He looks completely serious, though...
[03:00]	* [PYG]Mei	fidgets with nervousness. A name of her own...
[03:05]	* [PYG]Mei	swallows hard, but a spark of confidence seems to light up in her eyes.
[03:09]	<[PYG]Mei>	M-my name is Chai Mei Huo...b-but my name i-is...
[03:09]	* [PYG]Mei	pumps a fist into the air.
[03:09]	<[PYG]Mei>	The A-Alluring Inferno!
[03:12]	<Cassius>	<GM> Flaming kanji explode behind her as they slam into place, blazing into a glorious title bearing her true name.
[03:16]	<Cassius>	ALLURING INFERNO! That is a magnificent name! Then, there it is! The oath has been sworn, you are now the owner of this mask!
[03:18]	* Cassius	presents to her the luchador mask. Wait, when did he pick that up?
[03:20]	* [PYG]Mei	takes it gratefully.
[03:20]	<[PYG]Mei>	Th-thank you, Mr. McKe-Um, The...Metal God!
[03:24]	<Cassius>	No thank yous are necessary! The gratitude we feel for one another, we can sense with our hearts! Now come, behind the counter!
[03:25]	* [PYG]Mei	follows the store owner to the back of the counter.
[03:26]	* Cassius	quickly but carefully travels behind his store counter, going through a variety of junk under the register until he withdraws a chained crest.
[03:29]	<Cassius>	Take it. Your youth will fuel its power, but beware, in your age, it will come back to haunt you.
[03:30]	<[PYG]Mei>	I-is there no way to avoid it?
[03:34]	<Cassius>	Of course! Once you tire of its hold upon you, you can simply trade it away for the same amount I did, however, it must be with a person as great as yourself. Anyone that is unworthy of it cannot take its command, and the Crest will only return and haunt you further. Fear not, Alluring Inferno! The generations grow stronger by the day. When you are my age, there will be many great heroes to...
[03:34]	<Cassius>	...bear your burden!
[03:41]	* Cassius	holds out the shining crest, anticipating her hesitation
[03:44]	* [PYG]Mei	gulps again, but steels her resolved, reaching out for the crest. It couldn't hurt to have it, what's one more handful of dirt on a mountain of misfortune?
[03:59]	* Cassius	closes his eyes, and focuses for a moment. He then smiles, reaching some unknown thought in his head that must be an epiphany.
[04:02]	<Cassius>	Ahh... I can feel it! The tinge in my ears, the strain on my brain, it is gone! I have been freed! I, The Metal God, thank you with my voice and my heart, Alluring Inferno. I bid you good luck on your journey to greatness.
[04:08]	<Cassius>	If ever you need my assistance, know that I will not hesitate to act. Greatness between two is far greater than any single greatness can hope to achieve, and I value such magnificence dearly!
[04:10]	* [PYG]Mei	nods.
[04:10]	<[PYG]Mei>	I'll keep that in mind.
[04:17]	* [PYG]Mei	makes her way out of the store.
[04:17]	* []Camille	is staring at Pierrot outside the store
[04:18]	* [PYG]Mei	greets Camille, a little more upbeat this time.
[04:19]	<[GM]Gaatz>	Pierrot stares back at Camille, unblinking. If feels like they've been like this for hours.
[04:19]	<[]Camille>	"Ello' Mizz Mei. 'hat zeemed like it vook vuite a vhile...."
[04:19]	<[]Camille>	"I truzt vou are veeling vetter now, vhen?"
[04:20]	<[PYG]Mei>	I guess.
[04:20]	<[PYG]Mei>	We should get going then, I suppose...?
[04:20]	<[]Camille>	"Vhell, zhat zounds vetter vhen you vhere before, atleazt...."
[04:21]	<[]Camille>	"Yez, I imagine ve should. I veel like ve've left Miztur Roland vaiting vor hourz...."
[04:21]	<[GM]Gaatz>	Something tells you he wasn't. A little bird, perhaps.
[04:22]	<[PYG]Mei>	Um...Where were we supposed to meet him again?
[04:23]	<[]Camille>	"I velieve vack in ze zenter, vaz it not?"
[04:23]	<[PYG]Mei>	Oh, right...
[04:23]	<[]Camille>	"I juz' 'ope he doez 'ot dizapprove of vittle Pierrot."
[04:25]	<[GM]Pierrot>	Meee-ow~
[04:25]	<[]Camille>	"Oh vittle Pierrot. I underztand 'ur prediazacment. To 'ave loved and lozt at zuch a zhing..."
[04:26]	<[]Camille>	"Vhell, I zuppoze ve von't know until ve 'et zhere, vill ve?"
[04:26]	<[]Camille>	"Zhall ve, Mizz Mei?"
[04:27]	<[PYG]Mei>	Yes.