Beetles GAIDEN VI

[18:05]	<Mr_Narrator>	And so, the tale of a master and his maids resumes. Please wait warmly.
[18:07]	<[nfty]Azel>	It's January 19th!
[18:08]	<[Gtz]Mark>	[but it's summer]
[18:20]	<Mr_Narrator>	Last time on Lundi's Ruins, Azel accompanies Master Vincent to the dining room for this evening's meal.
[18:20]	<Mr_Narrator>	MAIDING START!
[18:21]	* [nfty]Azel	hurries into the dining room with Vincent, looking rather flustered.
[18:26]	* [pyGM]Vincent	takes a seat at the dining table, yawning.
[18:27]	* [Atai]Vivian	has finished laying out settings as per Akilah's directions. So, this is maiding? It feels uncomfortably like honest work. Still, there are opportunities to be had. Oh, such opportunities~
[18:28]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Say, Azel, have you seen Marky around? It's already dinner time.
[18:29]	<[huh]Akilah>	I don't think any of us have seen him around lately...
[18:31]	* [nfty]Azel	nods "Come to think of it, you're right..."
[18:35]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Eh, he'll show up eventually. He's a big boy.
[18:36]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Miss Akilah?
[18:37]	<[huh]Akilah>	Yes?
[18:37]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Shall I serve the food as well?
[18:37]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah, of course.
[18:38]	<[huh]Akilah>	Though... should we wait for Mark?
[18:38]	* [huh]Akilah	looks to Vincent.
[18:38]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Wait for who?
[18:38]	* [Gtz]Mark	saunters in, face and forearm covered in bandages
[18:39]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	There you are, Marky~
[18:39]	<[huh]Akilah>	Oh dear lord, what happened?
[18:39]	* [nfty]Azel	gasps! "M-Mister Mark! Are you ok?"
[18:40]	* [Gtz]Mark	winces at "dear lord"
[18:40]	* [Atai]Vivian	looks at the newcomer. She vaguely recalls seeing him before during the fight which upon which she came calling in the middle of.
[18:41]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Ah, yes, you never really had a chance to see him, Vivi.
[18:41]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	This is Mark Magdeline.
[18:41]	* [Atai]Vivian	bows to him.
[18:42]	<[Atai]Vivian>	It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.
[18:42]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Uh, hi.
[18:42]	* [Gtz]Mark	takes a seat, looking worn-out
[18:42]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...would you like me to fetch something from the kitchen for any of those injuries?
[18:43]	<[Gtz]Mark>	No need. They're treated.
[18:44]	* [nfty]Azel	looks at the floor. " I should've made sure you were alright... how did, well..."
[18:44]	* [nfty]Azel	tries to continue, but stops herself.
[18:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Don't worry about it. Hugh... So, you're Vincent's friend?
[18:45]	* [Atai]Vivian	nods, and sets down the last bowl before Mark, then looks slightly off into the distance as she uses Peppo to look about the table. Hmm.
[18:46]	* [Atai]Vivian	starts slightly, and looks back in Vincent's general direction.
[18:46]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Huh? Oh... Thanks.
[18:46]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Eh? I'm sorry, what? ...Oh.
[18:47]	* [Atai]Vivian	smiles, and places an arm on Vincent's shoulder.
[18:47]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I am his sister.
[18:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...Sister?
[18:47]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...And, starting today, his newest servant.
[18:47]	* [Atai]Vivian	bows again.
[18:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I don't see the relation...
[18:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I look forward to working with you as well, sir.
[18:48]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	You don't?
[18:48]	<[nfty]Azel>	I still think she's a bit odd, too!
[18:48]	* [nfty]Azel	doesn't seem to sound so serious about that, though.
[18:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Impossible, dear.
[18:48]	* [Atai]Vivian	ticks off on her fingers.
[18:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	V, i, v, i, a, n.
[18:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Six letters.
[18:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I'm quite even.
[18:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...
[18:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Well, whatever. Just keep an eye on him, he's got a bad habit for trouble.
[18:49]	* [pyGM]Vincent	sighs at his sister's strange joke.
[18:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh shit, I forgot. I'll be right back.
[18:49]	* [Gtz]Mark	leaves from the direction he came
[18:50]	<[nfty]Azel>	Ah -- Mark! Where are you going?!
[18:51]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Eh, I'm sure he'll be back.
[18:51]	* [Atai]Vivian	lifts an eyebrow, but shrugs. She turns to Vincent.
[18:51]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Where shall I sit, dear brother?
[18:52]	* [nfty]Azel	sighs. "... well, I should serve you all before the food gets cold. We put a lot of effort into it!"
[18:52]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Wherever you want. It doesn't really matter.
[18:53]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I don't really believe any of that "head of the table" junk.
[18:54]	* [huh]Akilah	sighs.
[18:55]	* [nfty]Azel	quickly produces a ladle out of nowhere -- just where did that come from, anyway? -- and spoons soup into some of the bowls that were brought over.
[18:57]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Miss Akilah, Miss Azel, are there any further tasks with which I may help either of you?
[18:58]	* [huh]Akilah	takes a bowl, and sits down.
[18:58]	<[huh]Akilah>	"I think that's everything..."
[18:59]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Oh? Very well, then.
[19:00]	* [Atai]Vivian	looks around the table with Peppo again, then down at Vincent, and smiles a little.
[19:00]	* [Gtz]Mark	comes back in, sits down and eats without a word
[19:00]	* [Atai]Vivian	quietly takes her seat in the chair which she was standing behind-- one of the ones next to Vincent.
[19:02]	* [nfty]Azel	not needing to eat, simply checks to make sure everyone has a full plate, though she does try to butt in when Vivian tries to slide closer to Vincent.
[19:05]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Hmm...? Is there something the matter, Miss Azel?
[19:07]	* [huh]Akilah	determinedly stares at her soup, trying to ignore Vivian's antics.
[19:07]	<[nfty]Azel>	If you'd like more food on your plate, you can just ask me instead of trying to steal from your brother!
[19:09]	* [pyGM]Vincent	begins consuming his bowl of soup quietly.
[19:09]	* [Gtz]Mark	stifles a chuckle, giving the most human android he's ever met a small grin
[19:10]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Mm? Oh, I had no such intentions. I merely wished to say something to him briefly.
[19:11]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh yeah. That reminds me. Vince, we gotta talk later.
[19:11]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Huh? What about?
[19:11]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Although, I will admit, it is excellent soup. You did quite well. What went into it, again?
[19:12]	* [Gtz]Mark	doesn't answer, taking it easy on the soup
[19:14]	* [pyGM]Vincent	sighs.
[19:14]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Enigmatic as always, Marky.
[19:14]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Good soup, by the way.
[19:15]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Yeah.
[19:15]	* [nfty]Azel	thinks. "Well, we don't have a lot of choice, mostly canned soup stock and such... really, it's the recipie that makes the difference!"
[19:20]	<[nfty]Azel>	Though... we pretty much have to scavenge what we can at times. It's hard to make do sometimes, so I have lots of recipies that can use all sorts of ingredients in my memory. It's surprising what you can do, though good spices are hard to come by.
[19:24]	<[Gtz]Mark>	It's hard enough to come by food at all in red zones like this, decent food is something sacred. If I catch any of you wasting it, I'll teach you what it means to go hungry.
[19:25]	* [Atai]Vivian	chuckles a little at that.
[19:26]	<[Gtz]Mark>	You find something funny?
[19:27]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Ah, my apologies. No, it was that you won't catch me doing that, sir. I've spent far longer than I'd have liked crossing the wastes to find my little brother--
[19:28]	* [Atai]Vivian	pats Vincent on the head at this
[19:28]	<[Atai]Vivian>	--and I've learned quite well not to waste food.
[19:28]	* [Gtz]Mark	's heart sinks
[19:28]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...So, you've been looking for your little brother, huh...
[19:29]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Uh, Vivi...
[19:29]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I-- yes?
[19:29]	* [pyGM]Vincent	turns to look at Vivian, shaking his head slightly.
[19:29]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Nah, it's fine. I'm happy for you. Really.
[19:29]	* [Atai]Vivian	pauses, listening to the changing tones of voice.
[19:30]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Forgive me. This sounds... sensitive.
[19:30]	* [nfty]Azel	looks a little wary, sensing some tension rising up and down between the three.
[19:32]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...Where are you from, anyway?
[19:34]	<[nfty]Azel>	Yeah, tell us more about yourself Miss Vivian!
[19:34]	* [nfty]Azel	perks up a bit, looking interested.
[19:41]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Well, I myself am recently of the Post-animate Communication Studies Academy in the city-state of Texarkana. Amazingly boring landscape, and the locals speak strangely, but a pleasant enough place to live.
[19:42]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Have you spoke to any refugees there?
[19:44]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Some. It's inland, so most were from the other cities in the Caribbean Empire's mainland colonies.
[19:45]	<[nfty]Azel>	Caribbean Empire?
[19:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hm.
[19:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Well-
[19:45]	* [Gtz]Mark	produces a photograph from his breast pocket
[19:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Do you recognize the girl in this picture?
[19:47]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Hm? Oh.. pardon me.
[19:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...Huh?
[19:47]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	She's...uh...Blind, Marky.
[19:47]	* [Gtz]Mark	twitches
[19:48]	* [Atai]Vivian	feels for Mark's hand, then motions Peppo over to look at it.
[19:48]	* [huh]Akilah	stifles a laugh.
[19:48]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Hmm.... Not... from what I can tell.
[19:48]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh, shiiit... Sorry. You carry yourself pretty well for a blind girl.
[19:49]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Thank you, but I owe most of that to Peppo. He sees me through.
[19:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Uh, right... Well, thanks anyway.
[19:49]	* [Atai]Vivian	appears to pat the air by her shoulder after she releases Mark's hand.
[19:50]	* [Gtz]Mark	puts the picture in his pocket and sits down
[19:51]	* [nfty]Azel	smiles and sighs a little. "Seconds for anybody?"
[19:52]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I've had enough. Thanks.
[19:52]	* [huh]Akilah	shakes her head.
[19:53]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Yes, please, actually. Just half a serving though..
[19:54]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Texarkana... That's a lot of ground between here and there. How did you make it?
[19:55]	* [nfty]Azel	nods and delivers some of the last of the meat and soup for Vivian.
[19:55]	<[Gtz]Mark>	That's a hell of a trip for myself... You're telling me you made the trip alone, and blind?
[19:56]	* [Gtz]Mark	. o O ( Well, if she could make it, maybe Mary could too... )
[19:57]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I rode when rides were available, and... sometimes when they weren't. A little hitchhiking. Some walking, especially over the rougher parts. A couple of glider flights...
[19:59]	* [Gtz]Mark	sighs
[19:59]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Shit.
[20:00]	<[huh]Akilah>	Quite a journey indeed.
[20:00]	* [nfty]Azel	smiles a bit nervously at Mark. "I'm sure someone out there is keeping watch over her, helping her get through these times."
[20:02]	* [Gtz]Mark	grinds his teeth and tries his damndest not to glare down Azel
[20:02]	<[Gtz]Mark>	R-...Right.
[20:03]	* [Gtz]Mark	gets up and collects the dirty tableware
[20:08]	* [nfty]Azel	sadly watches Mark as she helps with the dishes. It seems Mark's still wresting with his demons...
[20:08]	* [pyGM]Vincent	belches as wipes his mouth with a napkin.
[20:13]	* [Atai]Vivian	stays carefully quiet as she finishes her soup, then rises, brushing Vincent's shoulder with a hand as she goes to help with the cleanup.
[20:14]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	(That sister of mine...)
[20:16]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Anyway, I'll be in upstairs. I haven't checked if the study is still intact.
[20:17]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Remember what I said.
[20:17]	* [Gtz]Mark	he calls without looking
[20:18]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Yeah, yeah, I'll be up there.
[20:18]	* [pyGM]Vincent	heads out of the the dining room.
[20:22]	* [huh]Akilah	also rises, Vivian's action not going unnoticed.
[20:23]	* [nfty]Azel	carries a stack of plates to be washed in the kitchen.
[20:28]	<Mr_Narrator>	TO BE CONTINUED...
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[01:30]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	[RESUME THE GAME]
[01:31]	* [nfty]Azel	is washing dishes go!
[01:31]	* [Gtz]Mark	is assisting.
[01:33]	<[nfty]Azel>	A-are you feeling ok, Mark?
[01:33]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hm? Yeah, I'm fine. What about you? You got a few licks back there too, you know. Made outta tougher stuff than that, huh?
[01:35]	* [nfty]Azel	nods. "Still.. it's getting harder to keep myself in good shape, and losing most of the repair room only made a bad sitation worse..."
[01:36]	* [Atai]Vivian	comes up behind Akilah, and lays a hand gently upon her shoulder.
[01:36]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Miss Akilah?
[01:36]	<[Atai]Vivian>	What would you like me to do to assist in cleaning up?
[01:37]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hmmmph... Honestly, I don't know what to do for you. I wish I could help you out, but I'm just a man.
[01:37]	<[huh]Akilah>	Uwah!
[01:37]	* [huh]Akilah	quickly turns.
[01:37]	<[huh]Akilah>	Oh, ah, uh, help me with these, I guess...
[01:38]	* [huh]Akilah	motions to the remaining bowl and the soup pot.
[01:38]	<[huh]Akilah>	[bowls]
[01:38]	* [nfty]Azel	nods and goes quiet for awhile. "It's hard, helping people..."
[01:41]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Almost as hard as helping a little robot. Tell you what, I'll do what I can for ya, but don't expect me to get a degree in nuclear fission so I can make you a new power source or whatever. That sound fair?
[01:42]	* [nfty]Azel	smiles widely "I'd be very grateful!"
[01:43]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Heheh. Just how tough are you anyway, huh?
[01:44]	* [nfty]Azel	thinks,holding a finger to her lip. "Well, I'm built to pretty demanding specifications. It's not like I'm some cheap throwaway model, you know?"
[01:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Is that right? So, I could beat on you all I want and you wouldn't cry once, right?
[01:45]	* [Atai]Vivian	takes the pot in her hands and carries it, following Akilah.
[01:45]	* [Gtz]Mark	cracks his knuckles menacingly
[01:45]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Lead the way~
[01:46]	<[nfty]Azel>	Uhhahh... Mark? You're looking kinda s-scary there..
[01:46]	* [nfty]Azel	backs away, looking sort of panicked...
[01:47]	* [huh]Akilah	takes the rest of the dishes and heads towards the kitchen.
[01:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hehehehe, just messing with you.
[01:48]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...Damn, did I really scare you that bad?
[01:49]	* [nfty]Azel	nervously lets out a sigh and sets the plates onto the rack to dry "W-well, you seemed pretty angry just a while ago..."
[01:50]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Aw, geez... . o O ( I'll never hear the end of it now. )
[01:51]	<[nfty]Azel>	I'm sorry... I said something I shouldn't have.
[01:51]	* [nfty]Azel	looks at the floor dejectedly.
[01:52]	<[huh]Akilah>	Aaand, here's the last of them.
[01:52]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hey, don't do that. Ain't I the bad guy in this scenario? I'm sorry about intimidating you. Something someone used to say to me, that's all.
[01:52]	* [huh]Akilah	enters, carrying some assorted dishes.
[01:53]	<[huh]Akilah>	Oh? ...Am I interrupting something?
[01:53]	<[nfty]Azel>	Ah, Akilah? N-no, it's nothing...
[01:53]	* [Gtz]Mark	just looks and shrugs
[01:54]	* [Atai]Vivian	follows Akilah, carrying the soup pot, wondering where to put it.
[01:55]	* [nfty]Azel	motions for Vivian to lay it onto the counter near the sink.
[01:55]	<[nfty]Azel>	Right here is fine.
[01:57]	* [huh]Akilah	sets down her own dishes and looks at Vivian.
[01:58]	<[huh]Akilah>	So, end of your first day as a maid of the Lundi manor. Anything to say?
[01:59]	* [nfty]Azel	gets to work on hauling the soup pot over to the sink, letting Mark help her
[01:59]	* [Gtz]Mark	picks up on the hostility present. Come to think of it, they were actin' funny during dinner, too...
[02:00]	* [Atai]Vivian	doesn't notice Akilah's motions until Peppo happens to look over in that direction, at which point she apologizes, and sets it down there.
[02:00]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Ah! Sorry about that.
[02:00]	<[Atai]Vivian>	My first day? Hmm...
[02:01]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...I like it.
[02:01]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...Your taste is almost as bad as mine.
[02:02]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Well, I admit it feels too much like honest work, and that rubs me a bit wrong.
[02:02]	<[Atai]Vivian>	But...
[02:03]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I can't deny that it's good to be among people again.
[02:03]	* [nfty]Azel	pauses a moment from cleaning to listen to Vivian.
[02:03]	<[Atai]Vivian>	And that makes all the difference in the world.
[02:03]	<[huh]Akilah>	"Too much honest work?" Really now...
[02:04]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Honest work is why I'm doing this instead of packing up what's not nailed down and heading out the door. It's practically a hobby of mine.
[02:04]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Ooh~?
[02:05]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh- what?
[02:05]	<[Atai]Vivian>	A kindred spirit, out here?
[02:05]	* [Gtz]Mark	doesn't really give her his full attention, still talking with his back turned
[02:06]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Kindred? You misunderstand. I have to. I have no choice...
[02:06]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Well, we usually call that "competition," but the circumstances out here are different.
[02:06]	<[Gtz]Mark>	But to keep moving.
[02:06]	* [Gtz]Mark	stops for a moment, then resumes his chore
[02:07]	* [nfty]Azel	sighs and goes back to making sure the bowls are scrubbed throughly.
[02:08]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Mm... I understand.
[02:09]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...a little.
[02:09]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I'll settle for "little".
[02:09]	* [Atai]Vivian	says this with none of her usual cheerfulness or blase attitude. It almost sounds serious.
[02:10]	<[huh]Akilah>	Nnn... really? I've never understood what drives people to steal...
[02:11]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Stealing? What about it?
[02:13]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Well, in the case of Vincent and I, it's a family trade.
[02:14]	* [nfty]Azel	mumbles something but doesn't speak up.
[02:15]	<[Atai]Vivian>	some people grow up fixing pipes; we grew up nicking wallets.
[02:15]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Figuratively speaking, at least.
[02:16]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	[Suddenly, the sound of many objects falling! It sounds like it came from upstairs!]
[02:17]	* [Gtz]Mark	flicks his wet hands and looks really irritated
[02:18]	<[nfty]Azel>	Nnggh... what was that?
[02:18]	* [Atai]Vivian	looks up, startled.
[02:19]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Is anyone upstairs but Vincent?
[02:19]	<[Gtz]Mark>	No. That idiot did something.
[02:19]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Why don't you two go check on that?
[02:23]	* [Gtz]Mark	is referring to the only non-moebots in the room
[02:28]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Ch-huh.
[02:28]	* [Gtz]Mark	nudges Azel with his elbow
[02:29]	<[Gtz]Mark>	What was that you were tryin' to say earlier?
[02:29]	<[nfty]Azel>	Oh, um...
[02:30]	* [Atai]Vivian	pauses momentarily, remembering where the stairs are, then darts off that way, Peppo leading the way.
[02:30]	<[nfty]Azel>	Vincent, well, he tends to steal... strange things sometimes.
[02:31]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Strange things?
[02:32]	* [huh]Akilah	sighs again.
[02:32]	<[huh]Akilah>	I don't trust those two alone...
[02:33]	* [huh]Akilah	dashes off after Vivian.
[02:33]	* [nfty]Azel	closes her eyes, indignant. W-well, I caught him snooping through my dresser once!
[02:33]	* [Gtz]Mark	looks surprised for a moment, then bursts out laughing
[02:34]	<Mr_Narrator>	Vivian arrives at where she thinks the source of the sound came from. It's the study that Vincent said he'd be in. A mountain of books can be seen within. They must have fallen off the damaged shelf.
[02:35]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Oh..!
[02:35]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Vincent?!
[02:35]	<Mr_Narrator>	Some books are moving. Looks like the master is buried under there. Ah, the poor fool.
[02:36]	* [Atai]Vivian	doesn't see any 'death' in the room, so he's not dead--ah, there we go, the books are moving.
[02:36]	* [nfty]Azel	grumbles as she gets back to work. "I'm grateful to him and all but that was just... ugh! Sometimes he can be such a cretin!"
[02:36]	* [Atai]Vivian	kneels down and starts shoving away the books
[02:37]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Vinny, are you all right under there?
[02:37]	* [Gtz]Mark	maintains a grin
[02:37]	<Mr_Narrator>	Vivian finds a hand.
[02:37]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hahaha... You know, you think you know a person...
[02:38]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...But you like him, don't you?
[02:39]	<[nfty]Azel>	Wh-what kind of question... I mean, he's my master and all, so...
[02:40]	* [nfty]Azel	fidgets.
[02:41]	<Mr_Narrator>	Akilah finally arrives at the doors of the study.
[02:41]	* [Atai]Vivian	starts working to clear away from the hand and working towards the head.
[02:41]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Haha, nooo, no, it's a good thing, even if it's a joke like him. I'm glad you've felt that.
[02:41]	* [pyGM]Vincent	coughs a bit, then groans.
[02:41]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	That really hurt.
[02:42]	* [pyGM]Vincent	looks up to see his rescuer and smiles.
[02:42]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Hello!
[02:43]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Is that a library you spilled all over yourself, or are you just happy to see me?
[02:43]	* [Atai]Vivian	winks
[02:43]	* [huh]Akilah	arrives!
[02:44]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah, Vincent, are you alright?
[02:44]	* [nfty]Azel	grins a little bit "I think, I think that it's a good thing that someone like Vincent is my master. Though..."
[02:44]	* [Atai]Vivian	clears away a few more books, and helps pull him to his feet.
[02:44]	* [nfty]Azel	looks up at the ceiling. "... someone like him probably needs the help."
[02:44]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hehehe, someone like him needs all the help he can get.
[02:45]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Not at all, Aki, my dear. It seems fate isn't dealing me any good hands lately. My poor leg!
[02:45]	* [Atai]Vivian	slips an arm around him to help him stand on his good leg.
[02:45]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah, of course, your leg...
[02:46]	* [Gtz]Mark	Runs his fingers through her hair and gives her a soft pat on the back.
[02:46]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I think you can do it, though. You said you're tough, aren't you?
[02:46]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I'd like to think my hands are plenty good...
[02:47]	* [nfty]Azel	nods and smiles "I'm tough! I'll show those beetles that I'm no pushover!"
[02:47]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I certainly hope so. Ow!
[02:48]	<[nfty]Azel>	Ow?
[02:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Heh, you're a good kid. And you better keep tough, 'cause you're the only sane person left in the house. Hope you have better luck with that than me.
[02:49]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Miss Akilah, is there anything he could use as a crutch around here?
[02:49]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah, master, can I get you anything?
[02:49]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Some ice maybe.
[02:49]	<[huh]Akilah>	A crutch, a crutch... oh of course.
[02:50]	* [nfty]Azel	nods. "... Alright."
[02:50]	* [huh]Akilah	motions, and an ethereal crutch comes into being in thin air.
[02:51]	* [Atai]Vivian	lifts an eyebrow, feeling a little tingle.
[02:52]	<[huh]Akilah>	It won't work permanently, but as a temporary substitute, it should do fine...
[02:53]	* [huh]Akilah	hands the crutch to Vincent.
[02:53]	* [pyGM]Vincent	takes the crutch gratefully.
[02:54]	* [Atai]Vivian	lets go of Vincent, reluctantly, after she's sure he can stand fine.
[02:54]	<[Atai]Vivian>	That's... quite a trick, there, miss Akilah. It doesn't feel like composite alchemy or telecrafting...
[02:55]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hmm... So, what's up with this new girl?
[02:55]	* [pyGM]Vincent	sighs.
[02:55]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	This is just not my day.
[02:56]	<[nfty]Azel>	You mean Miss Vivian?
[02:57]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I guess that adds the study to the list of things-needing-repair.
[02:57]	<[Atai]Vivian>	Good things come to those who wait. I'm sure it'll end well, brother.
[02:57]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Unless he's got some other girls stashed away I don't know about...
[02:57]	* [pyGM]Vincent	's face twitches at the meaning behind his sister's words.
[02:58]	* [nfty]Azel	sighs. "I almost believe that could be true."
[02:58]	<[huh]Akilah>	Oh, this? It's not strictly magic, if that's what you're thinking.
[02:59]	* [nfty]Azel	thinks. "In fact, didn't he have one in a closet somewhere?"
[02:59]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I'll try to get some sleep then.
[02:59]	* [pyGM]Vincent	pitifully limps with his crutch toward his room down the hall.
[02:59]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah? Then sleep well, master.
[03:00]	<[Atai]Vivian>	It isn't? Hmm... I'd like to hear more about that tomorrow.
[03:00]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hmmh... Well, I think we're done here.
[03:00]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Ah! You're not tucking me in and singing me lullabies, Aki?
[03:00]	* [nfty]Azel	nods. "Looks good too!"
[03:00]	<[huh]Akilah>	W-Well, I mean, if... I mean, no!
[03:01]	<[Atai]Vivian>	I'd be more than happy to if she won't.
[03:01]	* [Atai]Vivian	giggles.
[03:01]	* [huh]Akilah	grows red.
[03:01]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...Actually, though, I do have some things I need to talk to you about.
[03:01]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	You too?
[03:02]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I'm gonna go talk to Vince. Get all the... "juice" you can, and something you can call rest. We might be heading out tomorrow... I'll give you a heads-up later, okay?
[03:02]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Well, come on, then. Marky-mark still wanted to see me. Tell him I'm in my room now, if he's looking for me, Aki.
[03:02]	* [nfty]Azel	nods. "Understood."
[03:02]	* [huh]Akilah	nods.
[03:03]	<[huh]Akilah>	Alright.
[03:03]	* [Gtz]Mark	leaves the kitchen and heads upstairs
[03:05]	* [Gtz]Mark	stops Akilah down the hallway
[03:05]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hey Akilah. Vince in his room?
[03:06]	<[huh]Akilah>	Ah? Oh, yes, but he's... with Vivian.
[03:06]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Okay. Thanks.
[03:06]	* [Gtz]Mark	heads off towards the master bedroom
[03:06]	<[Atai]Vivian>	...mm... the butler wanted to talk to you first, though, didn't he?
[03:07]	<[Atai]Vivian>	He sounded a bit more... serious. I'll wait until he's done; it wouldn't do to not be able to focus on what he's saying.
[03:08]	* [Gtz]Mark	walks in without a sound.
[03:08]	* [Atai]Vivian	pats Vincent's shoulder, and opens his door for him.
[03:09]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Yeah, he is.
[03:11]	* [pyGM]Vincent	enters his room, taking a seat at his desk.
[03:13]	<[Gtz]Mark>	[READING COMPREHENSION!]
[03:13]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	[IT'S LATE, LEAVE ME ALONE.]
[03:14]	* [Atai]Vivian	goes off down the hall after seeing Mark in, and heads back to the library, and removes the damaged portions of the shelf. Setting them aside, she begins to gather and stack the books, sorting them based on how the other shelves seem to have been arranged.
[03:14]	<[Gtz]Mark>	[I'M REFERRING TO MYSELF, IN A SELF-DEPREPRICATING MANNER. OR HOWEVER YOU SPELL THAT.]
[03:15]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	So, what is it, Mark?
[03:15]	* [Atai]Vivian	[problem solved, niggers. Carry on. Also, "deprecating." Depreciate means it lowering in value or worth.]
[03:15]	* [Atai]Vivian	[oh wait, you didn't even spell that. Damn, what a word.]
[03:16]	<[Gtz]Mark>	[PREPEPETUALULAGATE]
[03:18]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hmm...
[03:18]	* [Gtz]Mark	takes a seat
[03:18]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Where to start.
[03:20]	<[Gtz]Mark>	For one, I'm still waiting on the help you're supposed to give me.
[03:20]	<[Gtz]Mark>	For two, we're not safe here.
[03:21]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I see...Well, in regards to the first one...
[03:21]	* [Gtz]Mark	starts to talk again, but stops.
[03:21]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I've already sent word through my network of contacts...
[03:24]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	...Nothing in Thedores.
[03:25]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I could have told you that.
[03:25]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Wouldn't hurt to check again.
[03:26]	* [Gtz]Mark	Gives Vincent a look of malice
[03:28]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Though, there was something from a nurse that worked in that hospital up north.
[03:29]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	A generous stranger decided to take her in. Paid for the bill and everything.
[03:30]	<[Gtz]Mark>	A generous stranger? Could you be a little less vague?
[03:33]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I wish I could, but the fact that that hospital ended up getting bug-rushed and wrecked shortly after didn't help keep the discharge forms nice and clean.
[03:34]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Yeah, I know...
[03:34]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Did you catch her name?
[03:35]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Here...
[03:35]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Something Wilcke...Started with a "D", I think. Hold on.
[03:36]	* [pyGM]Vincent	fans through a pile of folders on his desk until he pulls out a rather thin one. He opens it, glancing at something.
[03:37]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	"Diane Wilcke."
[03:37]	* [pyGM]Vincent	hands Mark the folder.
[03:37]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	The form, or rather what's left of it, should be in there.
[03:39]	* [pyGM]Vincent	scratches his head.
[03:42]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Sorry it took a while to get to you, but moving information gets pretty difficult with bugs crawling everywhere.
[03:45]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Orel Wenzeslaus... Gregory Savino... Matthew Gates... Mary's on here as well, it's the same as what I read at St. Anne's... Damn, she's listed as "disabled" too. God dammit...
[03:46]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hmm. It sounds like that woman knew her... Could you find her for me? Or any of the people listed on this?
[03:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	If I can find someone who's talked to her, I'm almost certain I can find her...
[03:48]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Of course.
[03:49]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh. One more question.
[03:50]	* [Gtz]Mark	looks very serious.
[03:50]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Uh-huh?
[03:50]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Are you withholding information from me to keep me around?
[03:51]	* [pyGM]Vincent	frowns.
[03:51]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Yes or no.
[03:52]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	No.
[03:52]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	If you really wanted, you can leave.
[03:53]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I don't plan on stopping you.
[03:53]	* [Gtz]Mark	turns off the hateswitch and lets out a sigh
[03:53]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Haghhh... Sorry. I have to do that, to make sure people aren't just running me around, and wasting my time.
[03:53]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Besides, what kind of gentleman thief would I be if I barred a man from finding his dear daughter?
[03:54]	<[Gtz]Mark>	What kind of gentleman goes around snooping in a young lady's underwear drawer?
[03:54]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	?!
[03:54]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Heh. But thanks, I appreciate it.
[03:54]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Who told you thaaaaaaaa--I mean, what on earth are you talking about?
[03:54]	* [pyGM]Vincent	chuckles nervously.
[03:55]	* [Gtz]Mark	ignores that bullshit and continues
[03:56]	<[Gtz]Mark>	You know I've always kind of resented you a little bit... Not sure why. Maybe it's because you're a thief or something. But it's my mistake. Maybe I just can't see past my own shadow anymore.
[03:58]	<[Gtz]Mark>	All right. This is... something. Next order of business.
[03:59]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Okay...
[04:02]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I don't think we're safe here anymore. Honestly no place is truly safe. Only safer. Fact of the matter is, if we don't move, there'll be more. Last time, we weren't prepared. I paid a debt in my youthful beauty for that. It's a miracle no one got seriously injured or killed. Next time, it'll be worse.
[04:05]	* [Gtz]Mark	tugs at the bandage on his face. A red gash runs from his temple to under his chin in a long crescent.
[04:06]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...You don't look like you're fit to move, though. What the hell happened to you, anyway?
[04:07]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Books fell on my bad leg.
[04:08]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...
[04:09]	<[Gtz]Mark>	In any case, what're you gonna do?
[04:10]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I don't know. Do we still have something we can ride in that's not crushed and broken?
[04:12]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Who said anything about riding? World's turnin' into the days before Christ, my friend. That means walkin'.
[04:12]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	...You're kidding.
[04:13]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I'm not. How do you think I got here? I sure as hell didn't take a cab.
[04:13]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Maybe you should ask your sister. She came a long way by herself, especially considering she's blind.
[04:14]	* [pyGM]Vincent	sighs.
[04:14]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Well, at least gimme time to think about this and for my leg to recover.
[04:16]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Yeah. Think about it. I'm gonna start on get us ready for when we do need to move - it's only a matter of time. Just waitin' for the shit to hit the fan. Get some things together we'll need.
[04:18]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Another thing is - I think I'm going a bit nuts.
[04:18]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Huh?
[04:21]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I haven't been myself lately. I've always been kind of depressed and pissy, but it's not that anymore. Things are wrong. I'm forgetting things, things I shouldn't be forgetting. And earlier... I made a joke about hitting Azel... I think I meant it. Only for a moment, but it was there. Shit, it scared her. Scared me, too. I tried to play it off... I hope she just thinks I was being a dick...
[04:21]	<[Gtz]Mark>	...or something.
[04:22]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I see. Well, it could just be because of our little situation at the moment.
[04:23]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	I'm surprised a lot of us aren't acting totally paranoid about bug attacks at the moment, even with the house's current state.
[04:24]	<[Gtz]Mark>	No, no, just listen to me. It wasn't just today. I've been feeling like this for... weeks, now. And I just keep feeling uglier and uglier. I'm not sure what I can trust myself to... I stashed away all my weapons. Maybe that was a little much, but I'm afraid I'll do something I'll regret.
[04:27]	<[Gtz]Mark>	I feel it coming on, sometimes... That's why I had to leave the dinner table in a hurry earlier.
[04:27]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Well, as long as you're aware of it yourself.
[04:28]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Hah, geez, you don't seem to understand, Vince. I may be endangering you and everyone else here.
[04:34]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	What do you want me to do? Lock you in the basement? My house is a wreck, Mark!
[04:36]	* [Gtz]Mark	sighs slowly
[04:40]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Well, you need to know. I don't think I'm gonna go postal anytime soon, but just keep an eye out, alright? Make sure I'm not doing anything weird. And if I am, stop me or tell me. Like I said, I'm forgetting things... Maybe it's cutting into my crazy side as well.
[04:41]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	...All right.
[04:41]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Well, that's all I wanted to talk to you about. You got anything to say?
[04:44]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Nothing that you've haven't already heard.
[04:44]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	[*you]
[04:46]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Good. Try not to kill yourself in your sleep, alright?
[04:46]	* [Gtz]Mark	stands up and heads towards the door
[04:46]	<[pyGM]Vincent>	Yeah, you sleep tight too.
[04:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Oh no, can't sleeeep. That's when the langoliers will get me.
[04:47]	<[Gtz]Mark>	Ch-huh...
[04:47]	* [Gtz]Mark	walks out and shuts the door
[04:49]	<Mr_Narrator>	And we'll stop there for the time being. Though it seems like Vivian still has to have a word with her little brother. Tune in next time!