Beetleovens Fortress S9

[20:27]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Pick up at the medroom. Cerise and Sam arrive with Hans (unconscious), Teilya is already there, the rest arrive shortly after.]
[20:28]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	He just came out of nowhere!
[20:29]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Oh, a dashing prince drops out of the sky! How romantic!"
[20:30]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Mhm... How bad is he?
[20:31]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	He was already bleeding when he made it over the wall.
[20:32]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Positively hemorrhaging"
[20:32]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Okay, hold it.]
[20:34]	<[Nom]Alexis>	[Cue voiceover exposition]
[20:35]	<[Gtz]Mary>	[I didn't get the chance to waste space at the start, so I'll do it right here, thank you very much]
[20:35]	<[PB]Teilya>	[Same~]
[20:36]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Resume!]
[20:37]	<[GM]Ludwig>	What happened? Did he say anything?
[20:38]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	S...something about his friends.
[20:38]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I guess they didn't make it.
[20:39]	<[GM]Ludwig>	What happened to them? Bugs?
[20:40]	<[Gtz]Mary>	...
[20:40]	* [Gtz]Mary	swallows, then performs a short prayer and the sign of the cross. A face of constricted anxiety replaces her usual smile.
[20:40]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	That would be my guess.
[20:40]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"One day Cerise will discover her latent clairaudient powers, master, but probably not right now."
[20:42]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I see...
[20:42]	<[Gtz]Mary>	...Well. Let's help who we can for now. Teilya, could give me a hand?
[20:42]	* [GM]Ludwig	stares at the now relatively peaceful man for a moment before snapping out of his thoughts at Mary's voice.
[20:43]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Yes, well. We should leave this to the experts.
[20:43]	* [GM]Ludwig	starts away to the door.
[20:44]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Ooh, that's me, right? Well, I suggest we amputate."
[20:44]	* [GM]Ludwig	grabs Alexis' elbow on his way past.
[20:44]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...
[20:45]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"No? No? Aww."
[20:45]	* [Nom]Alexis	gets dragged out by the arm
[20:45]	* [Gtz]Mary	shakes her head.
[20:45]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Teilya? Is something wrong?
[20:46]	* [PB]Teilya	bit her lips with a look of uncertainty, but nonetheless shook her head when faced with the question.
[20:46]	<[PB]Teilya>	No...no I'm fine nya...just...uncomfortable.
[20:46]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I know how you feel, Miss Teilya, but we have to follow the master's orders.
[20:46]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Why? What's wrong?
[20:47]	* [Pyg]Cerise	rests a hand on Teilya's shoulder.
[20:47]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...I know...
[20:47]	* [PB]Teilya	closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, calming herself down as she approached the man.
[20:49]	* [Gtz]Mary	seems to be perplexed
[20:50]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Um...Mary, we should step outside.
[20:50]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Miss Teilya, will you be all right?
[20:51]	* [PB]Teilya	looked at Cerise, and braved a weak smile.
[20:51]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...I will be fine nya.
[20:51]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I'll come running in and put him down if he gives you trouble, all right?
[20:52]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Trouble? What happened? Won't one of you answer me?
[20:52]	<[PB]Teilya>	Y-Yes...thanks, Cerise...
[20:52]	* [GM]Ludwig	makes sure Alexis is out of the room and out of the way before going back for Mary and Cerise.
[20:53]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Come on. Teilya knows her job, she'll do fine.
[20:54]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Are you sure you don't want assistance? I can help...
[20:54]	* [Gtz]Mary	feels defeated, but she doesn't know why. It bothers her that she doesn't know.
[20:54]	* [PB]Teilya	gulps, but nods anyway.
[20:55]	<[PB]Teilya>	Y-Yes, I'll be fine...
[20:56]	<[Gtz]Mary>	..Well, if something unusual happens, I'll be within earshot, alright? God be with you, Miss Vallence.
[20:57]	* [Pyg]Cerise	steps out of the room.
[20:57]	<[PB]Teilya>	Thank you, Miss Mary...
[20:57]	* [GM]Ludwig	nods reassuringly to Teilya as he leads Mary to the door.
[20:58]	* [Gtz]Mary	reluctantly allows Ludwig to lead her out. ( I can't get over the feeling of animosity... )
[21:00]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"You think Teilya will be fine on her own, master? She only has two hands, after all. Maybe three with a prehensile tail. But still."
[21:01]	<[Gtz]Mary>	...Could someone please explain to me what happened? I'm sorry, but...
[21:01]	<[GM]Ludwig>	She knows what she's doing.
[21:02]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	That man was among the scavengers who attacked us a few days ago.
[21:02]	<[GM]Ludwig>	He... what?
[21:02]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Are you sure?
[21:03]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I won't forget that face.
[21:03]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Neither would Miss Teilya.
[21:03]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Ha! I knew I recognised him from somewhere! He was there when we found Sam as well."
[21:03]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	That's right. He came after us a second time.
[21:04]	* [GM]Ludwig	's jaw drops. Just drops, is all.
[21:04]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Then I could have sworn we blew him up..."
[21:04]	* [Nom]Alexis	peers back at the med room
[21:04]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...Whoops."
[21:05]	* [Kly]Sam	comes wandering around a corner, rubbing one eye
[21:05]	<[Kly]Sam>	Oh, there you all are. Why is it so noisy...?
[21:05]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Well, we thought he got killed back then too when an old machine started stomping around.
[21:05]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Ah, Sam!
[21:05]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Hmm.
[21:05]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Ah, Sam, you've woken up just in time to be standing around doing nothing."
[21:05]	* [GM]Ludwig	closes his mouth again and thinks for a second.
[21:06]	* [Kly]Sam	laughs a little at the joke
[21:06]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Wrong again, Alexis.
[21:06]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Sam, we have a patient. A man appeared at the fortress wall, badly wounded. Teilya is attending to him now.
[21:07]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Would you please assist her, however she might need it?
[21:07]	* [Gtz]Mary	is silent, trying to take in all aspects of the conversation, listening not only to the words, but the tone and feeling behind them. Actually, she just doesn't know what to do or say, so she just resigns herself to listen carefully.
[21:07]	* [Nom]Alexis	sniffs
[21:07]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Mary, Master Ludwig is picking on me."
[21:07]	<[Kly]Sam>	I don't know what I could do, but...
[21:08]	* [GM]Ludwig	smiles at the rainbow-eyed newcomer.
[21:09]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	He did say he was being followed though.
[21:09]	<[GM]Ludwig>	It's not hard. Teilya can handle all of the specialized equipment. You just have to...
[21:09]	* [GM]Ludwig	pauses, at a momentary loss.
[21:09]	* [Nom]Alexis	stops mock crying
[21:09]	<[GM]Ludwig>	...hold the bandages in place. Or something.
[21:09]	<[GM]Ludwig>	All right?
[21:09]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"I think Cerise just said something very interesting there."
[21:10]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I'm going back out there to check. Is that all right, Master Ludwig?
[21:10]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Ideal. I'll come with you.
[21:11]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Is that wise, master? I think you should stay here where it's safe in case he was tailed by something nasty."
[21:12]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Miss Alexis is right. To be honest, I'm not sure I'll be able to protect you if there is something out there.
[21:12]	* [Gtz]Mary	. o ( Cerise is putting herself in the line of fire again. Say something, dummy! )
[21:12]	* [GM]Ludwig	chuckles. "Shields aren't all I know. I can hold my own, if it comes to that."
[21:13]	<[Gtz]Mary>	..Are... Are you two sure of this? I really don't want you to, but... Please be careful.
[21:14]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Of course I will.
[21:14]	* [Pyg]Cerise	tries to sound as confident as possible.
[21:14]	<[GM]Ludwig>	If there is something following him, it will show up on the long-range sensors. Mary, Alexis, get to the control room and keep an eye on them.
[21:15]	<[Gtz]Mary>	...Right. Right. Come on, Alexis.
[21:15]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...And not come with you, master? It's not just bravado for the ladies, is it?"
[21:16]	<[Kly]Sam>	W-well, I'll do my best here.
[21:17]	* [Kly]Sam	opens the door to the medroom and slips inside
[21:23]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Sam, Teilya and Hans are up.]
[21:24]	<[Kly]Sam>	... Teilya? Ludwig said that I should help...
[21:25]	* [PB]Teilya	looked up, and gave Sam a weak smile.
[21:25]	<[PB]Teilya>	T-Thanks...um...could you please hold him down...just in case?
[21:26]	<[PB]Teilya>	I'll...get something readied...
[21:30]	* [Kly]Sam	walks over to the body, looks, and the pauses
[21:30]	<[Kly]Sam>	U-um... how should I...?
[21:31]	<[PB]Teilya>	A-ah...just...strap him down onto the operating table...?
[21:32]	* [PB]Teilya	suggested nervously as she pulled out a syringe and a bottle of sedative from a drawer.
[21:32]	<[Kly]Sam>	Oh! Right, the straps. Ha-ha, why didn't I see those before...
[21:33]	* [Kly]Sam	gets to work strapping the poor man down, trying not to touch him in the process
[21:35]	* [PB]Teilya	walks back with a syringe full of sedative, and holding back her fear she injected the substance into the man's body.
[21:35]	<[PB]Teilya>	W-well, t-this should be enough as safety precautions...
[21:36]	<[PB]Teilya>	Let's see...um...
[21:37]	* [Kly]Sam	looks to Teilya, waiting for orders
[21:37]	* [PB]Teilya	quickly read through the data from the various machines, and then looked back at Sam.
[21:38]	<[PB]Teilya>	Um...would you please bring me some disinfectant?
[21:39]	<[PB]Teilya>	It's on one of the top right shelves...
[21:40]	* [Kly]Sam	looks like she's about to ask a question, but then nods and goes to fetch the disinfectant.
[21:41]	* [PB]Teilya	turns back to look at the sedated man.
[21:41]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...
[21:43]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...don't know if I should...but...
[21:46]	* [PB]Teilya	bit down on her lips again.
[21:46]	* [Kly]Sam	returns.
[21:46]	<[PB]Teilya>	I don't want to be hated...
[21:46]	<[Kly]Sam>	Here, is this the right bottle?
[21:47]	* [PB]Teilya	was startled by Sam's voice, but quickly turned around and looked at the bottle. She then nodded after examining it.
[21:47]	<[PB]Teilya>	Yes, that's the one...
[21:50]	* [PB]Teilya	accepts the bottle from Sam, and starts to apply the disinfectant where appropriate.
[21:50]	<[PB]Teilya>	Um, Sam?
[21:51]	<[PB]Teilya>	Could you...get me some needles and threads?
[21:51]	<[Kly]Sam>	Where is it?
[21:52]	<[PB]Teilya>	In the left drawer, near the sink.
[21:52]	* [Kly]Sam	nods, and retrieves a packet of needles and some thread.
[21:53]	<[PB]Teilya>	Thanks, Sam.
[21:53]	* [PB]Teilya	nods in appreciation, and begin to stitch the wounds back together.
[21:58]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[With the larger of the wounds sewn up and the smaller bandaged tightly, the bleeding is stopped, and his breathing seems to be evening out. Prognosis: positive.]
[21:58]	<[PB]Teilya>	Um...okay, let's get to the fractured bones...
[22:00]	* [PB]Teilya	quickly measures the length of the fracture, and relays the need to Sam.
[22:01]	<[PB]Teilya>	The splints should be next to the needles and threads drawer.
[22:02]	* [Kly]Sam	nods, fetching even more medical supplies.
[22:05]	* [PB]Teilya	nods in return, and quickly applies the splint.
[22:06]	<[PB]Teilya>	Well...that's all we could do...I guess...
[22:07]	<[Kly]Sam>	I'm sure he'll be fine. You're a good doctor.
[22:07]	* [PB]Teilya	gave Sam a weak smile.
[22:07]	* [Kly]Sam	smiles as best as she can with a near-corpse nearby
[22:07]	<[PB]Teilya>	I...thanks, I guess...
[22:09]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[With the mysterious man of mystery all bandaged and whatnot, focus shifts to the lookout in the war room.]
[22:13]	* [Gtz]Mary	takes her place near the communication equipment, flipping the dits and doo-dads necessary to establish communication throughout the fortress.
[22:14]	* [Nom]Alexis	admires the pretty lights and toggles the same switch repeatedly
[22:14]	* [Gtz]Mary	can't see the pretty lights and is slightly distracted by a clicking
[22:15]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"What were we supposed to be doing anyway?"
[22:16]	* [Nom]Alexis	leans back on her chair and watches the flickering images on the screen without much interest
[22:16]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Paying attention to the fortress's surroundings. If we notice anything, we warn the master immediately.
[22:18]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"What good will it be, though? If something's coming the master will probably notice it first. Then get eaten."
[22:19]	* [Nom]Alexis	tries out a knob this time
[22:19]	<[Gtz]Mary>	That's not funny. Just keep an eye on the security.
[22:20]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"No joke, Mary."
[22:20]	* [Gtz]Mary	is also distracted by how she feels about the scavenger, and thinking of how the others may feel. ( Is it a good idea to just leave him alone with Teilya like that? She's been having her own problems lately... No, I trust her to make the right decision. I hope she does... )
[22:22]	* [Gtz]Mary	and what she's got to tell Ludwig, what she's got to tell Cerise, what she's got to do with the matter at hand... When it rains, it pours.
[22:25]	* [Nom]Alexis	switches the display between different cameras without much enthusiasm
[22:25]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Say, Mary? How did you end up here anyway?"
[22:30]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Hmm? That's a strange thing to ask all the sudden. Why?
[22:32]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Boredom makes you think of the darndest things. So, no reason."
[22:32]	* [Nom]Alexis	is still dreamily operating the security screens
[22:35]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Well, I used to work at a hospital in Kasval. It's pretty far north from what I know of it, I believe it was picked to treat soldiers and refugees because the colder climate would keep the bugs away in all but the summer months. I was part of those who was sent as a refugee.
[22:36]	<[Gtz]Mary>	St. Anne's was it's name. Unfortunately, the hospital fell under siege, and they had to relocate us again.
[22:37]	* [Nom]Alexis	perks up oh so slightly
[22:37]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"St Anne?"
[22:38]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"There were survivors?"
[22:40]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Yes. Like I said, it was a war hospital. Soldiers from the frontlines would be brought in to be taken of. At first we had a lot of people, but there was less and less every year...
[22:41]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...I see."
[22:41]	* [Nom]Alexis	droops again
[22:41]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"It must have been after you left then..."
[22:41]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Yes, it was.
[22:42]	<[Gtz]Mary>	I got lucky again...
[22:44]	<[Gtz]Mary>	It's impossible to for me to survive on my own, with my blindness. I've always had to rely on the kindness of others, otherwise I wouldn't be able to live... I'm very lucky to have received that kindness again and again. I've been saved, I don't know how many times.
[22:45]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Beetlehovens just happening to be Kasval? I don't think that's luck."
[22:46]	* [Gtz]Mary	laughs, just a little bit. Hardly a chuckle.
[22:47]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Yeah. You're right. Someone's been looking out for me...
[22:47]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"No. I think you were /un/lucky."
[22:49]	* [Gtz]Mary	's thoughts drift between her mother, Cerise, Ludwig, Teilya, God, everyone she's had to count on up to now... ( I only want to be able to pay back that kindness. If I can do that, I think I'm set. )
[22:50]	<[Gtz]Mary>	?
[22:50]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Ah, never mind. Just being silly again."
[22:51]	* [Nom]Alexis	laughs weakly
[22:55]	<[Gtz]Mary>	A lot of bad things happened... But, I'm still alive. I'm still able.
[22:57]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Anyway, the person who saved me this time was Ludwig's father. I swore to him that I'd make sure his son grows up well, and is able to prosper in this new era. I haven't been keeping my promise...
[22:58]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...Some years back, it seemed like St Anne and most of eastern Kasval was going to fall to the beetles."
[22:58]	* [Nom]Alexis	starts speaking to nobody in particular
[22:58]	* [Gtz]Mary	the anxiety of the earlier morning returns to her. She's still unsure of what to do...
[22:58]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"It was probably inevitable. There was no way they were going to hold."
[23:01]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...Around that time, Master Beetlehoven received a purging commission. The target area was a 200 square mile area near the eastern coast of Kasval...including the major refugee district, St Anne hospital."
[23:11]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"...Oh? Er, forget I said anything. Ah ha."
[23:11]	* [Nom]Alexis	goes back to laughing
[23:12]	* [Gtz]Mary	was too distracted to catch that last comment
[23:12]	<[Gtz]Mary>	Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say/
[23:12]	<[Gtz]Mary>	[fuck you, you're a question mark]
[23:13]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Yeah, whatever. Wall.]
[23:14]	<[Nom]Alexis>	"Nothing! That's what I said! So that means I didn't say a thing. Which is not anything! Of course! Ah ha ha."
[23:15]	<[Gtz]Mary>	[for real this time]
[23:15]	<[Nom]Alexis>	[Fade out on an awkward note to end a bunch of awkward notes]
[23:15]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[That was meant to be a "cut".]
[23:17]	* [GM]Ludwig	climbs the last of the stairs and steps out onto the parapet atop the fortress walls.
[23:17]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Is this where you were when you spotted him?
[23:18]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Yes.
[23:18]	* [Pyg]Cerise	points to the pool of blood where the scavenger sat.
[23:19]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	There was something in the distance too. A cloud of dust.
[23:19]	* [Pyg]Cerise	raises her rifle to look at the distance through the scope.
[23:19]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Dust? Any concrete ideas on what kicked it up?
[23:21]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	It was hard to see. It was probably hidden in it, whatever it was.
[23:21]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Hmm
[23:22]	* [GM]Ludwig	arcs one hand over his eyes, like a shade in the dim light, and mutters something rapidly under his breath.
[23:23]	<[GM]Ludwig>	It seems to be gone now, whatever it was. Or dormant, at least.
[23:24]	<[GM]Ludwig>	We can't count on either one of those states to hold for long...
[23:25]	* [Pyg]Cerise	sighs as she lowers her rifle. What was that anyway?
[23:25]	* [GM]Ludwig	lowers his hand, placing it on the wall and frowning at the distance for several seconds in silence.
[23:25]	<[GM]Ludwig>	...Cerise?
[23:26]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Sir?
[23:26]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I have a question for you. It might sound rather strange, or even intrusive, but please consider it seriously and answer in kind. All right?
[23:27]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	O...okay.
[23:28]	* [GM]Ludwig	drums his fingers nervously before turning his face up to look Cerise stonily in the eye.
[23:28]	<[GM]Ludwig>	In your bedroom, last night... what happened?
[23:28]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	L-last night?
[23:29]	* [GM]Ludwig	just nods.
[23:29]	* [Pyg]Cerise	, caught off guard by the inquiry, tries to stay cool.
[23:30]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Lots of talking, you know, kind of like a slumber party...
[23:30]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Mm. Any subjects in particular?
[23:31]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Master, you're a boy.
[23:31]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Boy's don't ask what girls discuss during slumber parties.
[23:32]	* [GM]Ludwig	seems for a moment to have taken a step towards Cerise, but the next moment is seen to be standing just where he was, only somehow... closer.
[23:32]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I told you, Cerise, this is a serious inquiry. Please treat it as such.
[23:37]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	And so is a girl's privacy, Master. It's not very gentlemanly to force an answer.
[23:40]	* [Pyg]Cerise	stops to think a moment, returning Ludwig's gaze.
[23:41]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	You want to know more about Mary.
[23:42]	* [GM]Ludwig	exhales in a short burst, not quite a cough. His expression and demeanor seem less, hmm, forced afterwards.
[23:42]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Ye...es.
[23:43]	* [Pyg]Cerise	seems to have relaxed as well.
[23:43]	* [GM]Ludwig	tries that again, once more with feeling.
[23:43]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Yes. Mary.
[23:44]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Just say so, Master. It's no good to ask any girl about something like that the way you did.
[23:48]	* [Pyg]Cerise	turns to look at the horizon as she speaks.
[23:49]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Well, if you really want to know. You didn't come up in last night's conversation.
[23:53]	<[GM]Ludwig>	That's...
[23:53]	* [GM]Ludwig	glances at the horizon briefly, then back at Cerise.
[23:54]	<[GM]Ludwig>	...not actually what I wanted to hear. I mean, now what I wanted to know.
[23:54]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I... um...
[23:54]	* [GM]Ludwig	turns back to the horizon and frowns, but his eyes are closed.
[23:55]	<[GM]Ludwig>	How... about... Sam?
[23:55]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	She dropped out early.
[23:56]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Understandable, since it was a pretty hectic day.
[23:57]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I suppose so. Didn't leave you with much of a party, though, just the two of you. A ha ha.
[23:57]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	...Yeah.
[23:57]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Actually, Master...
[23:58]	* [Pyg]Cerise	turns away from the horizon and back to Cerise.
[23:58]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Ludwig.]
[23:58]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Unless this is some weird navel-gazing recursion thing.]
[23:58]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	[AGAIN]
[23:58]	* [Pyg]Cerise	turns away from the horizon and back to Ludwig.
[23:59]	* [GM]Ludwig	starts paying full attention again. This could be it...
[23:59]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Do you mind if I ask you something?
[23:59]	* [GM]Ludwig	blinks. That wasn't expected.
[00:00]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Um, no, I don't think so. I mean, no. Not at all.
[00:00]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	What is it about Mary that attracts you?
[00:00]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Y...You don't have to hold back.
[00:01]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Whahaah...
[00:01]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I won't tell her. I'm just being a...concerned friend.
[00:01]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Er...
[00:03]	* [GM]Ludwig	breaks formation and just leans into the wall.
[00:05]	<[GM]Ludwig>	May I just point out before I respond, and I do intend to respond, that this is a hell of a thing to spring on me after dodging my initial questioning by reason of feminine secrecy.
[00:05]	* [Pyg]Cerise	chuckles.
[00:06]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Aw, come on, I told you what you wanted to know most.
[00:08]	* [GM]Ludwig	smiles weakly. "Not by a long shot, actually. But what, exactly, I did want to know... I don't know."
[00:10]	* [GM]Ludwig	starts to say something else, but shakes his head and waves it away with one hand. Propping his elbows against the wall, he turns his face up to the sky.
[00:11]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Mary's... beautiful, is all there really is to it, in every sense of the word. Anyone can see it, but it's not just how she looks. She's... warm, and kind, understanding... soft but strong.
[00:14]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I'm probably biased saying this, but she is possibly the last light left in this world.
[00:14]	* [Pyg]Cerise	looks back over at the horizon, smiling to herself. Yes, he's quite right.
[00:15]	* [GM]Ludwig	's eyes lose focus slightly, and his speech gets quieter.
[00:17]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Never mind that last line. Going in the direction I had in mind was a dumb idea.]
[00:21]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Why do you ask?
[00:23]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I just told you, silly.
[00:24]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Really now, Master, looks like Mary's all you ever think about.
[00:25]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I wish that were the case.
[00:27]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	...What's that supposed to mean?
[00:28]	* [GM]Ludwig	strikes without warning, wrapping his arms around Cerise's torso and pulling their bodies together into a close embrace.
[00:29]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	M-M-M-M-Master, wh-wh-wh-what are you doing?!
[00:30]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Mary... might need you, soon. But, as less of a friend, and more... more of a...
[00:31]	* [Pyg]Cerise	stops struggling, trying to listen now. Why'd he have to cut off before the important part?
[00:31]	* [GM]Ludwig	shakes his head and relaxes his grip somewhat, turning his face aside as if he were listening for Cerise's heartbeat.
[00:32]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Cerise... this is an order. Are you listening?
[00:32]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Y-yes?
[00:33]	<[GM]Ludwig>	If... anything... happens to me in the next few days... I want you to take Mary and run.
[00:34]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Just run, and don't stop.
[00:34]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	You're being crazy. Your safety is our first priority as maids. Nothing will happen to you.
[00:36]	* [GM]Ludwig	continues droning on, heedless. The voice you hear only resembles his in that it is coming out of his mouth, but otherwise, it may as well be a stranger speaking.
[00:37]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Don't try to find somewhere safe. No such place exists anymore. To move, and keep moving, it's the only chance, as slim as it is, to survive.
[00:39]	* [Pyg]Cerise	calms down of the initial shock of a sudden hug.
[00:40]	<[GM]Ludwig>	She'll be the first, but I can't allow that. Have to stop them, whatever it takes. But if even that isn't enough, then nothing ever was, and extinction was inevitable. But even a chance...
[00:41]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Master Ludwig!
[00:42]	* [GM]Ludwig	pushes away as suddenly as he came, gripping Cerise's arms too tightly to allow any thought of escape, staring at her with eyes too intensely serious to be entirely sane.
[00:42]	<[GM]Ludwig>	That was an order, Cerise Reno, from your master. If I fall, take her by force if you have to and go. Do you understand?
[00:43]	* [Pyg]Cerise	grudgingly returns a look to her master, nodding.
[00:43]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	...I understand, Master.
[00:44]	* [GM]Ludwig	relaxes his grip to almost nothing and leans his head forward onto the maid's chest.
[00:46]	<[GM]Ludwig>	It isn't an order you want to carry out, I know... it isn't one I wanted to give, either. But...
[00:47]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I won't have to carry it out if we do our job, Master. Have a little more faith in us. We'll pull through this. Together!
[00:48]	* [GM]Ludwig	apparently started crying at some point in this conversation: the tracks of his tears are easily traced up his face to their source.
[00:49]	* [Pyg]Cerise	puts a hand on Ludwig's head.
[00:50]	<[GM]Ludwig>	It's...
[00:50]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	A boy your age shouldn't worry about that.
[00:50]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	I'd feel better if you were still concerned about getting Mary to like you.
[00:51]	* [GM]Ludwig	laughs and lets Cerise go completely to wipe under his eyes.
[00:52]	<[GM]Ludwig>	So would I.
[00:53]	<[GM]Ludwig>	But... it's not a luxury I can afford, anymore. Perhaps soon, but not now.
[00:55]	<[GM]Ludwig>	At least she'll be safe...
[00:56]	* [GM]Ludwig	clears his throat and straightens his posture, arranging himself back into something resembling presentable.
[00:56]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Well... anyway.
[00:58]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I suppose... you ought to finish your rounds.
[00:59]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	Yes, I should.
[01:01]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Yes, well...
[01:03]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	You should check up on our guest or something. I'll let the control room know if anything arises.
[01:03]	* [GM]Ludwig	just stands there awkwardly for a second.
[01:03]	<[GM]Ludwig>	R... right. Good idea.
[01:03]	<[GM]Ludwig>	I'll let you get to it, then.
[01:03]	<[GM]Ludwig>	Th... thank you.
[01:03]	* [Pyg]Cerise	bows to Ludwig as he makes his exit.
[01:03]	* [GM]Ludwig	stays another second, then is gone back down the stairs.
[01:04]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Fade to black.]
[01:04]	<[GM]Ludwig>	[Aaaaaand scene.]
[01:05]	<[Pyg]Cerise>	EEEWW EWWWW EWWWW A BOY TOUCHED ME EEUUUGGGHHHH!!
[01:05]	<[Gtz]Mary>	You might think it's gross now, but in a few years it'll be all you ever think about.