01[21:34] <Storyteller> After a short drive back to the Court of Columbus' club in a white van with an abomination unto God underneath a tarp in the back, you all arrive in one piece. Your allies for the assault on the demonic hunter's headquarters are milling about in the parking lot, waiting just for you.
01[21:41] <Storyteller> The steel door in the back of the club creaks open on rusted hinges, revealing not the club inside, but Kimi. It's night time and not too snowy out. It feels rather refeshing to be out of that hot and humid section of the Hedge and into the chilly December evening.
06[21:42] * KimiV steps out and stands in the cold air for a moment, feeling blissful for a moment as she's back in her element. Coming to her senses, she looks around to see what's about.
06[21:42] * Darren makes assorted small talk with the enlisted vampires, making fun of their accents, if they have any.
01[21:44] <Storyteller> Yep, you seem to be back where you entered from, strange, considering the last time you used the trod it kicked you out at a movie theater. Looking out of the alley behind the club you see that there's life in the parking lot, or unlife rather.
06[21:45] * KimiV cocks her head but moves cautiously towards the van, trying to see if she spots anybody she recognises.
01[21:46] <Storyteller> You hear a very familiar cackle. One you recognize as Darren's.
06[21:47] * KimiV relaxes a bit and moves more openly. "Darren."
06[21:48] * Darren turns and waves before jogging over, 1"Kimi, there you are. Where've you been?"
[21:50] <KimiV> "In the Hedge, investigating, not sleeping and trying not to die. Where are the Merlins?"
06[21:50] * KimiV blinks suddenly. "How long have I been away for, anyway? It's hard to tell on the other side."
06[21:51] * Walter pulls his car into the parking lot nearby, adjusts his cuffs, re-buttons his shirt, and pulls on his coat before exiting.
06[21:52] * Ben exits the car and grabs his duster from the back, putting it on as he walks over to the group of vampires.
06[21:53] * Walter strides purposefully over to the group by the van and leans on his cane.
[21:53] <Darren> "Well, I haven't seen you around for at least a day. First you, then Ben fucks off to who knows where. Thought maybe the wolves got ahold of either of you."
01[21:54] <Storyteller> Some of the unfamiliar vampires eye you, giving you a cursory look before returning to what they were doing.
06[21:54] * KimiV frowns. "No idea what Ben might be up to, but unless those puppies suddenly multiplied in size, that would hardly be a threat to either of us."
[21:54] <Walter> "Hockey game. Hi Kimi."
[21:55] <Ben> "My team lost. Nice seeing you again."
06[21:55] * Darren turns around, 1"Oh, there he is." 6He chuckles, 1"Lose any money?"
[21:55] <Ben> "No. Would've, if I had bet, though."
06[21:56] * KimiV continues frowning, not knowing what they mean. "Well, the Merlins are here. We seem to be up to something major, but what I'm up for shouldn't take long. You want to play in the Hedge? You have a chance to join me in a... well, a raid on what is pretty much a Hedge fortress, judging from how hard it was to find. We should be back before the van's engine is started."
06[21:57] * Walter holds up a finger.
06[21:57] * Walter gestures at the nearby group of new vampires.
06[21:57] * Walter adjusts his coat and eyes Kimi.
[21:57] <Walter> "Other than that, I would love to."
06[21:58] * KimiV nods. "Good. Ben? Darren? Interested or not?"
06[21:58] * Ben hesitates, watching Walt.
01[21:58] <Storyteller> The other vampires, an even mix of men and women start to look at you suspiciously Kimi, what with all your nonsense about "Hedge Castles" and "Merlins."
06[21:59] * Ben shakes his head, %C1"Yeah, I'll go."
[21:59] <Walter> "I've got something to do real quick, give me a minute."
06[21:59] * Walter jogs off into the club, in search of Zooey.
01[22:01] <Storyteller> Inside the club you see Zooey hobknobing with the Primogen, sans Talley, and other high ranking Kindred.
06[22:01] * KimiV watches him go, and notices the other vampires finally and scowls. "Haven't they heard of code, or are they incompetents the Primogens want to kill off?"
06[22:02] * Darren winces, 1"Ooooooh, how do you feel about /that/?"
06[22:06] * Walter looks at the others in the room.
01[22:08] <Storyteller> Zooey reluctantly excuses herself from the conversation and follows you.
06[22:10] * Walter leads Zooey off someplace out of sight of the vampires, says "Trust me." and attempts to open a portal to the Consilium.
06[22:12] * Walter grits his teeth as reality disagrees with his interpretation of geography, but holds the portal long enough for Zooey to pass through.
01[22:12] <Storyteller> She saunters into the Consilium as only she can, the portal closing behind her.
06[22:13] * Walter wipes his hands, smiling, and runs back to the parking lot. 1"Okay, now we can go."
06[22:14] * KimiV nods. "Good, the sooner the better. Last thing I want is for all my effort so far to be wasted. She turns back to Darren. "We'll be back shortly, unless you're interested in coming. If you leave before we're back, we should be able to catch up without much trouble."
06[22:15] * Ben chuckles.
06[22:15] * Walter nudges Ben. 1"Almost had to do it in front of the Primogens. Wouldn't that be tough to explain?"
06[22:16] * Ben pinches the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger and sighs.
06[22:16] * Darren taps his foot for a moment before turning to the other vampires. 1"You guys mind sitting tight for a few more minutes? Shouldn't take long."
01[22:17] <Storyteller> The big vampire, blonde and wide shouldered, waves you off, "Go take care of whatever your little Ghoul needs taken care off. Shouldn't take too long."
06[22:19] * Ben smiles at the big blonde, then turns away from the vampires and moves next to Kimi. 1"Shall we?"
06[22:20] * KimiV gives a quick nod and moves to the back of the club where she come out initially.
[22:20] <Darren> "So, what do you think you'll find?"
06[22:20] * Walter strides after her.
06[22:22] * Ben follows.
[22:22] <KimiV> "The place was well protected - on the level of the Freehold's Hedge holdings, so whatever's in there is secret and probably well guarded. Unfortunately, I have no idea what it could be - it could be anything from a forbidden library, to a Hedge monster lair to a hideout for whatever Lost used to be in this city."
[22:22] <Walter> "Or still are. Couldn't they just be in hiding because of all the conflict?"
[22:23] <KimiV> "Possibly. But congregating a large number of Lost that far in the Hedge is immensely dangerous. Those wards won't prevent the attraction of our Keepers."
[22:24] <Walter> "So not likely to happen until war has literally spilled over onto the streets, or something, I guess?"
[22:25] <KimiV> "Even then, it'd be easier to simply take a trod out of here to another city and come back later. Especially when it might last as long as it could, but it's possible they might choose to do this, or at least some might."
06[22:26] * Walter nods.
[22:26] <Walter> "Still a mystery."
[22:27] <KimiV> "Pretty much. Precisely why I want more muscle."
06[22:28] * KimiV looks to the door, mutters, "Let me in," and then tries to open it.
03[22:28] * Satori (thirdeye@D7263049.AAD7C90B.305EFA13.IP) has joined #athensafterdark
01[22:30] <Storyteller> The rusty steel door creaks open, revealing the steamworks yet again. Columns made from giant driveshafts spin going up into a dark void above and a likely infinite abyss below. Gears grind against each other overhead and below, with the intermitant burst of steam releasing from some of the pipes that hover above the criss-cross of catwalks.
06[22:31] * KimiV makes an unsettled noise. "I've spent far too much time in here lately. Too damned hot. Well, let's get this over with - stick close and don't wander off on any sidepaths. If you wind up in the Thorns, you'll lose your soul or die. Maybe both or perhaps worse." She steps in and makes her way to where she thinks the entrance to the Foreman's Office is.
06[22:32] * Ben puts his hands in his pocket and follows Kimi inside.
06[22:32] * Walter follows after Kimi, taking a moment to armor himself, just in case.
06[22:33] * Darren pulls out a penny and leans over the rail, dropping it. 1"Neat."
01[22:34] <Storyteller> The coin falls, falls, and falls, eventually bouncing off of some errant pipework in the void below.
01[22:41] <Storyteller> After what feels like a couple hours of traversing the Hedge, looking for this mythical building of Kimi's, it feels far too quiet. There hasn't been a burst of steam heating and saturating the air for almost ten minutes now. Kimi and Darren hear something up ahead, something like leather and metal stepping on the catwalk in front of you.
06[22:42] * KimiV quickly takes a sip of her water bottle.
06[22:43] * Walter pokes at random bits of the catwalks
[22:43] <Darren> "Huh. Okay."
06[22:43] * Ben slaps Walt's hand, 1"Heads up."
06[22:43] * Walter looks up and around.
06[22:43] * KimiV takes a fighting stance, hand on her sword at her back as water roars around her in a protective sheathe. "Something's ahead. Be ready."
06[22:44] * Walter switches his grip on his cane and waits.
02[22:45] * Ben (Ira@E7A283F9.FA72DBFF.C4D53CD6.IP) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
01[22:45] <Storyteller> From out in front of you you see the source of the noise. It looks like a big cat, a lion perhaps, made of metal bits with a look of hunger in it's shiny glass eyes. You can see gears and pistons straining the pelt stretched across its back and bolted to the creatures metal frame.
[22:49] <KimiV> "The monsters always have to be as weird as the surroundings."
06[23:11] * Darren abruptly runs forward, 1"Holy shit you guys! Look at this thing!"6, before attempting to grab onto its pelt and examine it further.
06[23:13] * KimiV stares at Darren, shocked. "Darren, what are you doing?"
06[23:14] * Walter starts up a low murmur of improvised rhyming unwords, not sure how hostile the beast is.
01[23:29] <Storyteller> Using it's tremendous strength and weight, the creature takes control of the grapple and pins Darren to the grating of the catwalk. From your expert observations, you'd say that it's pelt is similar to that of an ocelot.
06[23:30] * Darren calls out from under the weight of the catwalker, 1"Kimi are you seeing this? Look at its little spots!"
[23:30] <KimiV> "It's a Hedge monster, Darren. Not a pet! Gah."
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06[23:32] * KimiV darts forth, bringing her sword from her sheathe at blinding speed and delivering a hard slash to the cat.
01[23:36] <Storyteller> The mechanical cat-beast hisses, letting out jets of steam.
06[23:43] * Darren pushes against the mechanical catwalker as he stands to his feet.
01[23:44] <Storyteller> Your brute strength affords you just enough space to squeeze out from under it and stand.
06[23:48] * Walter raises his voice to a crescendo as he focuses his will on the beast, sliding vital bits and pieces a few inches to the left, where they rain down around Darren's feet.
01[23:50] <Storyteller> The beast shakes and sputters for a few moments as internal gears and springs grind against each other making a horrible noise.
01[23:52] <Storyteller> The creature's face contorts into a sneer and it hisses at you, some steam pouring out of it's razor-filled mouth. It turns about and then flees down the catwalk at full speed.
06[23:53] * KimiV sighs and sheathes her sword, running a hand down her face. "Now, hopefully we can get on with things."
[23:54] <Darren> "That thing was awesome!" 6He picks up one of the gears and looks it over.
06[23:56] * KimiV shakes her head at Darren before trotting off towards the office.
[23:56] <Walter> "Last time it was just a bat."
[23:56] <KimiV> "I'm just glad it was jsut some fauna, and not something more malicious."
[23:56] <Ben> "Surprised you didn't want that one as a pet, Walter." 6Ben grins and pats him on the back as he follows after Kimi.
06[23:57] * Walter tilts his head. 1"It didn't seem friendly enough." 6Then he follows the others.
06[23:58] * Darren follows after the others as well, keeping an eye on the surroundings for any more local fauna.
06[23:59] * Walter looks to see if he can spot any of the neat goblin fruits they found last time.
01[23:59] <Storyteller> After that sudden bout of Hedge-predator thinking you were an easy meal, you get on with your excursion. You finally find the Foreman's Office suspended above the void below. It is a three story building, seemingly sized for someone much bigger than yourselves, at least eight feet tall by your best guesses. The traps surrounding it and wards have been taken down by Kimi as part of her work for the past twenty-four hours. All that is left is to enter the large door in front and get going.
Session Time: Wed Jun 29 00:00:00 2011
06[00:11] * KimiV stares up at the door. "It took me ages to find this, and even longer to dismantle the traps and wards. I'll give you fair warning - anything inside this knows that we're trying to break in."
[00:12] <Darren> "Can't you just throw out the international Ling handshake of solidarity and clear it all up?"
06[00:12] * Walter looks up at the doors.
[00:12] <Ben> "Not if it isn't a... Ling."
06[00:12] * Ben frowns at the word.
[00:12] <KimiV> "That would work if it contained Lost, then again, not all Lost are friendly."
01[00:13] <Storyteller> The door knob is about as high up as your head.
[00:14] <Walter> "So, who's opening it?"
06[00:15] * KimiV steps up to the door, and reaching up, tries to open it.
01[00:16] <Storyteller> The door opens smoothly, much nicer than previous doors.
[00:18] <Walter> "I wonder what this place is using for power?"
[00:18] <KimiV> "Glamour."
[00:18] <Walter> "Is that what that is?"
06[00:19] * Walter puts a hand on the door.
[00:19] <KimiV> "No, the door is made of Hedge-stuff."
[00:19] <Walter> "I'm not looking at the door, exactly."
06[00:20] * Darren walks forward, stepping through the open door.
[00:20] <KimiV> "Then what?"
01[00:20] <Storyteller> Inside you see what looks like a rather remodeled lobby and what would have been a receptionist's desk. it seems that everything was torn out of it's proper place and rearranged to look more like someone's home than an office. You can see some couches designed for larger folk, with a fine coffee table in front of the one on the left. There are also spots on the floor, ceiling and walls that give you the idea that walls and other things were once there.
[00:21] <Walter> "Currents of force."
06[00:21] * Walter walks inside after Darren.
06[00:21] * KimiV follows, looking around.
06[00:21] * Ben keeps close.
01[00:21] <Storyteller> In the far corner of the room, you see the remenats of the walls and knocked down parts.
01[00:21] <Storyteller> All in a neat little pile.
01[00:26] <Storyteller> You hear the sounds of a thousand little metal legs skittering about along rug, wood and concrete. The noise keeps getting closer and closer until it stops abruptly. And then it continues, much slower this time, until you see something almost float in from an adjacent room.
[00:27] <Darren> "Um."
01[00:31] <Storyteller> The thing is on the higher end of seven feet tall, shaped similarly to a woman with no real chest to speak of and a waist as big around as your forearm. She wears a long, flowing dress, remeniscent of Victorian ensombles, giving her the illusion of gliding along the floor. She looks down at you with a expressionless white procelain mask and hair made up of curly copper wires. "Guests! What a wonderful surprise!"
06[00:33] * Walter leans on his cane and looks up at the thing.
06[00:34] * KimiV forces her features into a small smile. "We apologise for the intrusion, milady."
06[00:35] * Walter averts his eyes, blinking.
06[00:36] * Ben whispers, 1"Walt?"
06[00:37] * Walter replies "Lots of Fate. Ow. Wasn't expecting it."
06[00:37] * Ben nods.
01[00:37] <Storyteller> "Oh, it is no problem at all," the giant says, waving a gloved hand at you. "Please come in."
06[00:38] * KimiV gives a short bow. "Thank you for your hospitality." She moves further into the room, looking about curiously but cautiously.
06[00:40] * Walter lets Kimi take the lead, wary of Josh's warnings.
01[00:40] <Storyteller> The woman glides along, shutting the entrance behind you. "I shall go prepare us something to drink. It has been ever so long since I have seen anyone."
06[00:40] * Walter glances back at the door.
06[00:41] * KimiV glances back at the closed door. "Thank you, that would be pleasant."
06[00:41] * Walter grins. 1"So, Kimi, what's...up?"
01[00:42] <Storyteller> "Please, honored guests, follow me," she says, leading the way through the former office.
06[00:42] * Darren blinks away the vitae swirling behind his eyes. He nods at the strange copper haired lady, 1"Nice, uh, nice place you got here."
06[00:43] * Ben takes his hands out his pockets, looking after the lady.
06[00:43] * KimiV follows slowly, keeping an eye out whilst maintaining a calm demeanour, as she hisses to Walt, "Heed my earlier warnings, the bigger ones."
06[00:44] * Walter nods, suspicions confirmed, and tries to relax.
06[00:45] * Ben follows after the lady.
06[00:45] * Darren follows along, whistling as he walks, 1
01[00:47] <Storyteller> As you follow the giant through her home you notice something. It seems she has taken to remodeling the entire Hollow, turning it into a home, rather than a factory. As she glides along, you see one of likely thousands of tiny little brass legs propelling her. Evnetually, you reach what was probably a break room, now a simple, humble kitchen.
01[00:48] <Storyteller> "Please, honored guests, have a seat," she says, motioning to some overly-large chairs at a table.
06[00:49] * Ben makes his way onto one of the chairs, having a seat as she suggested.
06[00:50] * Walter dusts off an imaginary speck of dirt, then has a seat.
06[00:50] * KimiV takes a seat awkwardly. "How long have you been here, milady? You've had plenty of time for renovations, I see."
01[00:50] <Storyteller> You feel rather silly, like a child trying to take his place at the adult's table on Thanksgiving.
06[00:51] * Darren sits as well.
01[00:51] <Storyteller> "It has been ages. Decades, I believe. I have honestly lost count," she giggles as she pulls things out of cupboards and begins to brew something.
[00:54] <KimiV> "And during this time, have you seen any other guests? You say it was a long time..."
01[00:55] <Storyteller> "You are all the very first people I have seen in a long time. It is wonderful to have vistors again. It reminds me so much of the old times," she says with a sigh.
[00:56] <KimiV> "You held a court, presumably? Or something similar to a lady of your stature?"
01[00:58] <Storyteller> "I have. It was nothing more than the most wonderful of times. You all should have seen it, the Marquis looked so dashing and debonair."
[00:59] <KimiV> "The Marquis?"
01[01:00] <Storyteller> "The Marquis from the Ivory Tower. He was my closest ally."
06[01:00] * Walter thinks about this.
01[01:05] <Storyteller> The giant throws her arcane mixture of ingrediants into a teapot and sets it on the stove.
06[01:05] * KimiV nods. "I remember him. He and my Lord knew one another. He was perfect and precise, so to speak."
06[01:06] * KimiV watches the tea, wondering what on earth they'll be served.
[01:06] <Darren> "Hey, look at that. Small world, I guess."
01[01:07] <Storyteller> "It was a long time ago," she says, pouring out a hot tea into cups. One by one, she brings them over to you, doing her duty as a hostess.
01[01:08] <Storyteller> Kimi, as she serves it seems she accidently crushes the tea cup in her grip.
06[01:09] * Ben watches the liquid, preparing.
01[01:09] <Storyteller> "Oh dear. I am very sorry. I was just remembering about how wonderful an ally he was. Right up until he betrayed me and took my Titles," she says, all the while not losing the cheer in her voice.
[01:10] <Walter> "Damn."
[01:10] <Darren> "You get him back for it?"
06[01:10] * KimiV glances sharply at the others, knowing they don't understand what that means.
01[01:11] <Storyteller> "Once a member of the Gentry loses all their Titles, they are exiled from Arcadia, dear," the giant says in a matter-of-fact tone.
06[01:11] * Walter spills some of his tea on his lap and swears.
06[01:12] * KimiV speaks calmly, "Speaking of Titles, do you recognise the title 'Amael?'"
06[01:13] * Darren picks up his cup and swirls it lightly, before taking a sip, 1"I'm just saying, if someone did that to me, nothing'd stop me from evening the score."
01[01:13] <Storyteller> "It does not ring a bell, no."
06[01:14] * Walter brushes tea off his lap and looks sidelong at Ben.
06[01:14] * Ben glances at Walt and raises an eyebrow.
06[01:15] * KimiV frowns, slightly put out. "How far is this from Faerie, milady? What Gentry might perchance around this area, if any?"
[01:15] <Walter> "Did you hear that?"
[01:15] <Ben> "Hear what?"
01[01:16] <Storyteller> "We are on the edge of the Thorns, dear. Not but a hop, skip, and a jump from Faerie."
[01:16] <Walter> "Uh, later."
06[01:16] * KimiV freezes. "And what Gentry might call this area his domain? Surely there is at least one this close."
[01:16] <KimiV> "Or her domain."
06[01:17] * Ben shakes his head and goes back to staring at his tea, listening.
01[01:19] <Storyteller> "This is my domain, sweetie," she says. "Now, drink. I made it special."
06[01:19] * Walter drinks some of his tea. If the worst happens, well, he's the Supernal incarnate.
01[01:20] <Storyteller> It's somewhat bitter, with a hint of lemons.
01[01:22] <Storyteller> The giant replaces your cup and tea, Kimi.
06[01:23] * KimiV keeps a straight face as she considers the tea.
06[01:25] * KimiV takes a deep breath and drinks a small amount, trying to see if she can recognise anything in it.
[01:31] <Walter> "Is that lemon?"
06[01:33] * KimiV bursts upright, dropping her cup immediately and immediately moving away. "I'm sorry, but we need to leave. My Master calls and I shan't keep him waiting."
06[01:33] * Darren blinks in surprise, turning towards her,
01[01:33] <Storyteller> "Oh, you simply cannot leave now! We have only just begun!"
06[01:34] * Walter looks at Kimi and slowly sets his cup down.
[01:34] <KimiV> "My Master is far beyond this. We're leaving. Now!"
[01:34] <Walter> "Duty calls, sorry miss."
06[01:34] * Walter stands up.
06[01:34] * KimiV shoots her gaze around quickly, checking for any attackers as she moves away.
06[01:34] * Ben pushes his cup away and jumps down from his chair. 1"M'lady."
01[01:36] <Storyteller> "I am sorry, but your master would most likely not care what a runaway slave and her friends think about this."
[01:37] <KimiV> "Then we'll do it the hard way."
06[01:37] * KimiV sprints for the door.
[01:37] <Walter> "You had to go and be rude, didn't you? I was going to ask you a bunch of questions about some very interesting things, and now we're running."
06[01:37] * Ben watches the Lady.
[01:38] <KimiV> "The tea paralyses you!"
06[01:38] * Darren sets down his cup and starts to walk towards the door, waving at the copper-haired lady, 1"Well, thanks for the tea. See you around and good luck getting payback."
02[01:42] * Ben (Ira@E7A283F9.FA72DBFF.C4D53CD6.IP) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[01:42] * Ben (Ira@E7A283F9.FA72DBFF.C4D53CD6.IP) has joined #athensafterdark
02[01:48] * Ben (Ira@E7A283F9.FA72DBFF.C4D53CD6.IP) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[01:48] * Ben (Ira@E7A283F9.FA72DBFF.C4D53CD6.IP) has joined #athensafterdark
06[01:58] * Walter focuses, and the only visible change is his location, which is somehow now 50 yards closer to the door. Outside the range of mortal sight, however, a telekinetic field settles over him like a shroud and hardens like steel.
06[02:02] * Darren continues walking leisurely away from the lady for a few steps before breaking into a vitae-fueled run for the door, snatching up Ben and Kimi as he passes them.
06[02:03] * Ben jerks in surprise, trying not to let his eyes drop off the Lady of the House.
06[02:04] * KimiV lets out a yelp as she's picked up, but doesn't resist, keeping an eye out for the door, and trying to get a grip on her sword if there's any new enchantments that need breaking.
01[02:13] <Storyteller> Behind you, you hear a piercing shrieking noise and the clatter of a thousand legs. "GET BACK HERE!"
01[02:14] <Storyteller> For a thing of her size, she's rather speedy. The exiled True Fae is gaining on Darren, her porcelain mask slowly cracking at the edges.
06[02:15] * Walter stands at the door, waiting for the others to catch up, teeth gritted in determination.
06[02:16] * Darren yells over his shoulder, 1"What's your problem!? I already thanked you for the tea!"
06[02:21] * KimiV ignores Darren, concentrating on the door, hoping that her plan to break through it can work.
06[02:22] * Walter backpedals, keeping the Fae in sight, channeling the excess kinetic energy that would normally be wasted at a time like this, focusing on the illusion of distance. He stops before hitting the door.
06[02:30] * Darren closes the distance to the door, setting down Ben and Kimi. He attempts to open it.
03[02:31] * Ben is now known as Slade
01[02:32] <Storyteller> The door swings open, freedom!
06[02:33] * KimiV sighs in relief at not having to try to break it down.
06[02:34] * KimiV turns to face towards the lady, standing near Darren and Walt but in a guard position in case she's attacked.
06[02:36] * Slade lands and turns his back to the door as well, facing the Fae charging at them. He concentrates on the muscles of his legs growing stronger, creating the image in his mind before funneling his will into making it reality. They don't really get that much stronger, but it's better than nothing.
01[02:39] <Storyteller> Screaming like a banshee, you can hear the clatter of the exile's legs as she struggles to catch up to you. She manages to round the corner and you can see the cracks in her mask begin to leak some sort of clear yellow fluid. "COME BACK!"
06[02:42] * Walter spins his cane around his head in a circle, then, as the metal glows with a blue light, brings it across in a backhand swing towards the Fae, shouting 1"WE ARE NOT YOURS, EXILE."
01[02:45] <Storyteller> Your telekenetic attack connects with the exile. Right in the face. Her white and yellow mask cracks perfectly in half, the pieces falling to the ground and shattering. Though faceless, you can hear her shrieking in pain as she falls to what would be her knees if she had normal legs. "AAAAAAAAHHH!."
01[02:46] <Storyteller> At the moment, the exile is huddled over in pain, clutching what would be her face.
[02:48] <Darren> /me relaxes, "
06[02:49] * Darren relaxes slightly, dropping his hands from a combat posture 1"I...kinda feel bad for her."
[02:49] <KimiV> "Don't. She's not finished. We need to leave."
06[02:51] * KimiV turns to Walt. "Walt, can you get us out of here? We've got minutes before we're completely paralysed and I'd rather not be near her."
06[02:52] * Walter nods. "I think so. I don't know if I can get us all the way out, but I can get us farther away from here. If I can't, we'll know in about 30 seconds."
[02:53] <KimiV> "We don't want to leave, we'll need to pass off the hour in here or else we'll miss whatever the van was there for."
[02:54] <Darren> "You sure, I don't feel anything yet. How fast is it supposed to work?"
[02:54] <KimiV> "Minutes. I have no idea how it might work on the living dead, though."
06[03:00] * Walter clutches his cane to his gut as he forces open a portal to the spot they entered. 1"After you."
[03:01] <Slade> "Go now, while she's down."
06[03:01] * Slade motions the others towards the portal.
06[03:01] * KimiV moves through quickly, barely sparing the fallen Fae a glance.
06[03:02] * Darren backs through the portal when everyone else has gone.
06[03:02] * Walter waits until everyone is through.
01[03:03] <Storyteller> "D-don't go! Please co-come back! Don't le-heave me here," she manages to choke through her sobs.
06[03:03] * Slade rolls his eyes and goes through.
06[03:04] * Walter looks cooly at the sobbing Fae, then at the broken pieces of mask laying on the floor in front of her.
06[03:05] * Walter starts to reach a hand out for towards them, gathering will.
[03:05] <Walter> "...no. Better not." 6He closes his fist and backs into the portal, closing it.
06[03:06] * Darren shakes his head lightly after walking through. 1"Poor lady..."
[03:06] <Darren> 6*after having walked through before the Mages.
01[03:07] <Storyteller> As you go through the portal and close it, the last words from her whimpering form are, "I do not want to be alone..."
06[03:08] * Walter emerges on the catwalk near the entrance, muttering, 1"-ne is."
06[03:08] * Walter slumps against the railing, breathing hard. 1"Holy shit."
[03:08] <Darren> "Hey, you alright? Oh man, is it the tea?"
06[03:09] * Slade crouches down and looks at the three, pulling a cigarette from his duster. 1"Is it mundane, or magical?"
[03:09] <Walter> "No, not yet. It's just. . .that's the most magic I've done in such a short time."
[03:09] <Walter> "Don't think the tea was magic. Didn't look that way."
[03:10] <Slade> "Alright. Then everyone give me a hand, and we'll get out of here quicker."
[03:10] <KimiV> "I recognise what was used in it from my time in Faerie. My Master used it to paralyse the less trustworthy guests or salves."
[03:10] <KimiV> *slaves
[03:10] <Walter> "Yeah, faerie. . ."
06[03:10] * Walter holds out a hand to Ben.
06[03:11] * Slade holds out his hand, then pauses. 1"Oh." 6After a moment of scrathing his head, he shrugs and puts the cigarette in his mouth. 1"Well it's still worth a shot."
06[03:11] * Slade takes Walt's hand and holds out the other, 1"Kimi first. Then Darren. I'm still not sure how it will affect him..."
06[03:12] * KimiV takes Ben's hand.
06[03:14] * Slade nods, and begins to mumble in high speech.
06[03:16] * Slade stops chanting and focuses on pushing his will through their bodies, purifying and destroying whatever toxins are currently in them.
[03:19] <KimiV> "Okay, so what did that do?"
06[03:20] * Walter relaxes on the railing of the catwalk and lets Ben explain.
06[03:20] * Darren leans over a railing, letting his body naturally throwing up the contents of the tea cup
[03:21] <Darren> *6naturally throw up
06[03:22] * Slade lets go of their hands and falls from his crouching position into a sitting position. He pulls out his lighter and starts flicking it on and off absentmindedly, 1"Should've cleaned the poisons out of you. Not sure how it would work on Darren, but... He seems to have his own way of dealing with it."
01[03:22] <Storyteller> You hear a wet splat as your vomit hits something on the way down.
[03:22] <KimiV> "Oh, good. That makes things a lot easier."
[03:23] <KimiV> "I really didn't want to spend an hour here unable to do anything. That we're this close to Faerie... I don't want to think about the fact that I spent a whole day here not knowing that. The sooner we leave the better. That... thing, might not be too much of a threat now, but there's no telling what else might have been attracted by that display, especially after I shattered her wards."
[03:24] <KimiV> "It's possible that the reason there's no Freehold here is not because of the war, but because of the danger of the Hedge."
06[03:24] * Slade pushes himself off the ground, and turns to Darren. 1"You gonna be okay?"
06[03:24] * Walter slumps down to sit with Ben. 1"I never got my thorn."
[03:24] <Darren> "Should be good. I'll let you know if I'm not. Heh, or I guess I won't if it's supposed to paralyze me. Just turn around if I've stopped talking for a while."
06[03:25] * Walter looks up at Ben and frowns.
06[03:25] * Slade nods, and turns to Kimi. 1"You said it best, we need to leave."
[03:25] <Walter> "I wonder how the paralyzation worked. I could have kept myself moving telekinetically, maybe. . ."
[03:27] <KimiV> "Fortunately, it seems the gateway is still here. Hopefully I can get it open without paying a price."
06[03:27] * KimiV knocks on the door before trying it.
06[03:27] * KimiV frowns as it doesn't open and tries again.
[03:27] <Walter> "I'll cover the bill." 6Walt says, from the floor.
[03:28] <KimiV> "I think that'd be hard... or not. Be emotional and I could replenish it quite easily, really."
06[03:28] * Walter digs into his pocket and comes out with a marble sized chunk of crystal.
[03:28] <Walter> "Catch."
06[03:28] * Walter tosses it to Kimi.
06[03:28] * KimiV snaps it out of the air and looks at it.
[03:29] <Walter> "Eat that."
01[03:29] <Storyteller> It swings open. And the best breeze every blows in, getting rid of that hot, muggy air.
06[03:29] * Walter sighs at the cool air.
06[03:29] * KimiV eyes him and munches on it as she steps outside.
06[03:30] * Walter pushes himself up off the floor and heads out to the alley.
06[03:32] * Slade heads out as well.
[03:33] <KimiV> "That was a bit of a waste of time, given how close we were to eternal torture. I only found out that I should stay out of the Hedge."
[03:34] <Walter> "Well, you learn something new everyday."
[03:34] <Slade> "I thought it was interesting."
[03:34] <Darren> "Well, at least we got a free drink in the bargain."
06[03:41] * KimiV blinks as she swallows the candy. "That's... interesting. How did you do it?"
[03:41] <KimiV> "The candy, I mean."
01[03:41] <Storyteller> It's crunchy and kind of bland at first, but then you feel a sudden surge, as if you just harvested a minimal amount of glamour.
06[03:42] * Slade lights his cigarette now that they're out of the hedge.
[03:43] <Walter> "It's a theory I was working on, about supernatural powers, and how they interacted."
[03:43] <Walter> "The basic hypothesis was that they all use, at some level, the same energy."
06[03:44] * KimiV frowns. "That's... a curious theory. It seems to work, though?"
[03:44] <Walter> "So far. How was it? Darren got the first bit."
[03:45] <KimiV> "Bland, and quite minimal really. Glamour's easy to come by and easily burned, so a hit this small is... well, lacking. It could be useful for combat though, I guess, and Hedge-exploring - though I have no idea how the Thorns might react to it."
06[03:47] * Slade laughs, 1"She doesn't like your universal resource, Walt."
[03:47] <Walter> "I think there might be a way to, I'm not sure, flavor it? I don't have the know-how to do it, yet."
06[03:47] * Walter grins at Ben. 1"She's much more impressed that you can make cold iron. I'm playing second fiddle."
06[03:48] * Slade nods, grinning thoughtfully. 1"It's true. But you play it so well, I might let you have the spotlight one of these days."
[03:48] <Darren> "It's just a small amount, yeah, but it's an interesting start. Possible to pack more into the same sized piece?"
[03:48] <Walter> "With enough time and energy, should be."
Session Close: Wed Jun 29 03:53:52 2011