MoaR Session 5

<Cliven> [And so in the last session! Iris almost had her head blown off because she took the master's lovely daughter as hostage! And now it seems we'll need to find a place to stay or we really will die! Now then... lets see what they'll do.]
* [BNS]Mina is bounding through the jungle, taking extra care not to trip...
* Nafrit is heaving for breath as she lugs her things through the sweltering heat
<Nafrit>  Im going to die...
* Lynette continuously adjusts her hands on her rifle. She needs to get a better one...
* [Mrsu]Rachel hums quietly, occupying herself with her day dreams as usual as she watches the back of the other maids. "I suppose it wasn't so bad... being hired here."
* Iris` walks towards the front, guiding the group to some ruins.
<Cliven> So.. how far are we from it?
* Cliven peers around.. something feels wrong here.
<Iris`> You tell me, moneybags. It isn't easy to navigate the rainforest when it gets this dense.
* [Mrsu]Rachel left that to the others.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> I do not know how to navigate, unfortunately, sir.
<Nafrit>  I'm better with open desert.  Easy to see land marks
<Cliven> if you can't find it then, consider your life relinquished to me.
<Iris`> If you think I was lying earlier, then you're an idiot.
<Iris`> We'll get there when we get there.
* Iris` continues pressing through the brush.
<Nafrit>  Sooner is more agreeable then later
* Lynette trudges on, wiping the sweat from her face while moving through. What a pain...
* [BNS]Mina is glad she's still wearing her goggles, it makes the many bugs and flies buzzing around easier to deal with when they're not in her eyes
* [Mrsu]Rachel waves in the air as she walks, slapping her skin and sighing. "This has been quite a walk..."
* [GM]Maryn is used to this kind of thing so it wasn't such a big deal on her as she grabs whatever invading insect effortlessly.
* Cliven grabs a large ...insect from Mina's back.. hopefully she won't realize what it was...
* [BNS]Mina feels something touch her back and turns around
<[BNS]Mina> Ah, Dad? What're you doing back there?
* Iris` comes across a small ravine and hops over it without a sound. She tromps onward, not bothered by the rainforest's pestilence.
<Cliven> Ahahaha.. its nothing. Just a small bug on ya that's all.
<[BNS]Mina> Oh, thanks~
* [BNS]Mina grins
<Nafrit>  Are we there yet?
* Nafrit 's pace slows
* Lynette follows just behind, slinging her gun over her shoulder as she jumps. She's not quite as graceful but avoids falling in.
* Iris` speaks without turning.
<Iris`> No. Stop complaining.
<Cliven> Yes of course Rachel.. but I suggest keeping low for now unless we're spotted..
* Cliven looks around.
<Cliven> I can't help but... feel... we're not alone here.
<Iris`> So you feel it too?
<Iris`> I recommend that everyone ready their guns.
<[BNS]Mina> ...what?
<[BNS]Mina> Guns?
<Cliven> Stay close for now Mina.
<Lynette> If they're with you, I'll have a round for you too. You do realize that, right?
* Cliven cocks his rifle.
* [BNS]Mina nervously reaches back and grips her bokken which is sticking up out of the top of her pack
* [BNS]Mina is looking around intently now
* Iris` 's demeanor remains the same.
<Nafrit>  we were supposed to bring rifles?
<Iris`> With me? I took your little girl on the run.
<Iris`> It's not impossible for them to have caught up already.
<Iris`> Oh, speaking of which:
<Iris`> I'll guess you won't trust me with a gun, even if I'd help you.
<Lynette> Say, would that happen to be a subversive request for one?
* Iris` glances back at Lynette, unshaken.
<Iris`> A helpful request. It's better to have another fighter than a dead guide, no?
<Iris`> Especially when in such dense jungle as this...
* Iris` shoves her way past a large fern.
<Cliven> Going to make do with your fists, I can't trust you with a gun right now.
* Nafrit clutches a bizarre bas-relief to her chesrt
* Iris` knocks on her armor. Thud.
<Iris`> I may have this, but everyone knows you don't bring a knife to a gunfight.
<Iris`> Bringing fists is even more stupid, moneybags.
<Lynette> Aww... sorry. The boss has the last word. I'm glad we have such a nice and caring guide, though!
* Lynette pinches Iris' cheek with a cutesy grin.
<Cliven> Tough luck, you took my daughter hostage, your fault.
* Iris` smacks away Lynette's hand.
<[BNS]Mina> Nice and caring? She wasn't too nice and caring when she was sticking a gun in my face...
<Iris`> Glad to know I've got stupid guards.
<Iris`> If I die out here, you're lost. Dead.
<Cliven> I didn't come here as an uninformed person, I'm well aware of the dangers I'm getting into.
<Iris`> "Aware" is diffrerent from "experiencing."
<Iris`> Wouldn't want your beloved daughter to bite it, would you?
* Iris` looks back forward.
<Cliven> Believe me I've been around more than you have in your life dear.. now.. cease your useless yapping lest it be for notfying us with our destination.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Th-this is some pretty scary stuff you're all talking about...
* Lynette puts her hand back on her rifle but keeps her grin.
<Iris`> I wouldn't, either.
* [Mrsu]Rachel hung closer to a nearby maid.
<Iris`> I'll let you know that we're probably already found, though.
<Iris`> With this many people, we're leaving a nice, tidy arrow pointing in our path.
<Cliven> If we're found, we'd be on the floor with our weapons disarmed.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> A-Ah... Is that so? Couldn't we speak with these supposed attackers...?
* [BNS]Mina finally gets fed up enough to draw her bokken and whap Iris on the top of the head with one quick motion, leaving herself standing in ready position, the bokken pointed at Iris
<Cliven> If they're after someone as dangerous as her, we won't be talking.
<[BNS]Mina> Shut. Up.
* [BNS]Mina glares at Iris
<Nafrit>  We're making noise they can track
* Iris` fails to dodge, and is struck. She drops, unconscious.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Hrm...
<Lynette> Hey, so's she- oh dear.
* [BNS]Mina blinks a few times, then stares at the bokken
<[Mrsu]Rachel> ...It's bad to lie down with a concussion, miss guide~
* [BNS]Mina suddenly remembers that this is the one she specially modified to be filled with lead....
<[BNS]Mina> ...oops.
* [Mrsu]Rachel moved over to the fallen girl to check her vitals.
* Iris` lies face down on some roots, her face barely above the ground.
<Cliven> Mina.. save the knocking out when she's escaping.
* Cliven pats firmly on her head.
* [Mrsu]Rachel rolled Iris onto her back...
<Nafrit>  Is she dead?  I could find a proper invocation given time.
<[BNS]Mina> I... I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! I just wanted to teach her a lesson!
<Lynette> Not sure that much could kill her. Not that fast, at least, it takes...
* Lynette drifts off, thinking.
<Lynette> Geez. Why can't I remember? I have a feeling I should know this.
* [BNS]Mina sticks the sword in her pack
* Iris` 's eyes drift open a few moments later. She blinks a few times.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> She is not dead... nobody is that fragile! Hoho~
<Cliven> She's fine.
<Cliven> I'd be damn if she kicked the bucket so soon.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Oh, look, she's awake now.
<Iris`> ... Guh.
* Iris` rises, slow...
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Here, take it easy...
* [Mrsu]Rachel moves a hand to Iris' back to gently help her up.
* Iris` holds her head and swats Rachel away.
<Iris`> ... Some "lesson", little miss idiot.
* [Mrsu]Rachel pulls her hand back. "A-Ah, hey now."
<Cliven> Come, lets keep moving unless we want to be sacrifices.
* Lynette looks a little irked at Iris' last comment.
<[BNS]Mina> Sa-sacrifices!?
<Lynette> ...Yeah. Let's go.
* Iris` keeps walking again.
* [BNS]Mina 's mouth is hanging open
* [BNS]Mina suddenly realizes what she's doing and spits out a few bugs
<Cliven> Keep your mouth shut Mina, don't want you to be swallow---..seems I'm a bit too late...
<[BNS]Mina> Ptoo, bleh, cough...
* Iris` stops for just a moment before continuing.
<Iris`> A tip, kid: another incident like that and you'll kill us all.
* [Mrsu]Rachel walks back along, watching from the back.
* [BNS]Mina glares at Iris again
<Lynette> She knows. Shut up.
* Iris` waves, dismissive.
<Iris`> Fine, fine...
<Cliven> Just lead, please...
* Iris` continues the march.
* Nafrit starts muttering nonsense to herself
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Mmm... I can't heal psychological trauma either...
<Cliven> hmm... so far..
* Cliven checks behind them with his scope.
<Cliven>  No hostiles.
* Iris` stops, a short distance ahead.
* [Mrsu]Rachel wiped her forehead. "Phew..."
* Iris` then kneels down, inspecting what seems to be a fallen tree...
<[BNS]Mina> o O (A tree...?)
* Lynette keeps an eye on Iris, lightly placing her finger over the her rifle's trigger.
<[BNS]Mina> o O (...wait, that book that Dad made me read! It looks like...!)
<[BNS]Mina> Dad! That tree! It's a trap!
* Iris` brushes aside some moss and vines, feeling a rough surface after. She looks back, unamused.
* Cliven takes aim.. dead serious.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Oh dear...
<Iris`> ... You really must think me stupid, rather than desperate.
* Iris` climbs over the "tree" and walks further on its other side.
<Iris`> It's stone. We're getting close.
<[BNS]Mina> No!
* [Mrsu]Rachel watched in surprise.
* Iris` stops and looks back.
* [BNS]Mina dives and tackles Iris out of the way, just as another tree trunk creaks from the side and crashes down right where Iris was kneeling!
<[BNS]Mina> Knew it...
<[BNS]Mina> Dad. A Malay Man Catcher. I think we're somewhere we're not supposed to be...
<Cliven> ..impressive.
<Nafrit>  That's our job
* [Mrsu]Rachel yelped, jumping backward as the trap sprung.
* Iris` is thrown to the ground, complete with a Mina landing on top of her.
<Iris`> oof-!
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Wh-wh... is it safe to walk there now?
* Lynette immediately crouches, looking around and listening.
* Iris` tries to meet Mina's eyes with her own.
<[BNS]Mina> Yeah, I think so... usually only one tree is set-up.
<Iris`> ... Nice senses, kid.
* Iris` 's red eyes seem piercing, even when giving compliments...
<Iris`> I take it back. You're not an idiot.
<[BNS]Mina> Ah- it's not... I just remembered the picture in the book I had to study.
<Nafrit>  A trap like that wouldn't last as long as ruins.  It must be recent.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Ah, alright... that is reassuring.
* [Mrsu]Rachel stands still until somebody else walks over.
* [BNS]Mina scratches her head sheepishly
<[BNS]Mina> It looked just like it
<Iris`> Good to know your father bothered to prepare you, then.
* Iris` sighs.
<Iris`> Now: You're sweet, but would you please get off me?
<[BNS]Mina> Ah~
<[BNS]Mina> Sorry...
* [BNS]Mina rolls over and kneels up
* Iris` rises in a much more clumsy manner.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> It is good that we cleared that up~ Shall we move along?
* [BNS]Mina kips up onto her heels and stands up
* Iris` almost pats Mina on the shoulder, but stops before moving. She gives Mina a long stare, unreadable. After, she moves along without a word.
<Cliven>  [You people begin to hear faint voices and noises behind you.. perhaps its good if you picked up the pace.]
<[BNS]Mina> !!
<[BNS]Mina> Dad...
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Eee... Can I change to the middle of the group, please?
<Iris`> ... Shit.
* Iris` turns to Lynette.
<Iris`> Still don't trust me with a gun?
* [Mrsu]Rachel quickens her pace, holding her medical box to her chest.
<Cliven> ..move. Don't talk, move.
* [BNS]Mina doubles her pace!
<Lynette> I'm not the one to answer that. Now get going.
* Lynette smiles while pointing forwards.
* Iris` hesitates a few seconds.
<Iris`> You there. No chance of a gun?
* Iris` faces Cliven.
* [Mrsu]Rachel watches her back every second, paranoia now creeping in.
* Cliven checks, with the reflection of his glasses..good... not there yet..
<Cliven> No.
<Cliven> Move now.
<Iris`> Don't expect help from me in the fight, then.
* Iris` turns, crouching into a running stance...
<Iris`> And move? Run.
* Iris` sprints forward as best she can!
<[Mrsu]Rachel> I am unfortunately helpless in a conflict as well!
<[BNS]Mina> !
<[BNS]Mina> Dad!
<Cliven> Yeah?
<[BNS]Mina> She's-!
* [BNS]Mina points at Iris!
<Cliven> Follow now.
* Cliven pulls Mina.
* Lynette follows, slinging her gun over her shoulder.
<Lynette> What luck...
<[Mrsu]Rachel> W-wait...!
* [Mrsu]Rachel runs after.
* Iris` pants, trying to keep her legs pumping... The ground starts to get an odd even quality to it.
* Iris` . o O ( Almost- )
* Nafrit follows the others, stilling chanting under her breath
* [Mrsu]Rachel seems noticeably trailing behind the others in her clumsy run. It seems she didn't have quite an athletic build...
* [BNS]Mina struggles to keep up with Dad's pace!
* [GM]Maryn falls back and keeps the other "standby maids" in check.
* Lynette checks the others to make sure they're doing well enough, then focuses on following after Iris.
* Iris` 's footsteps turn from thuds to clacks as she runs on stone. Just ahead of her lies a large ancient temple!
* [Mrsu]Rachel puffs and wheezes, clutching her bag tightly now as she grit past the pain to keep the rest of the maids in sight.
<Cliven> [And so we arrive at the temple with some time to spare... everyone seems out of breath.]
<Cliven> ...get in.. we'll at least get some defensive cover at the entrance.
* Cliven goes ahead inside the temple.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Ah... Ah... Yes, of course... sir...
* Lynette follows, briefly skids to a halt and turns around, looking just past the rest of the group before going in after her boss.
* [BNS]Mina hurries inside
* [Mrsu]Rachel follows after the others.
* Iris` sits against a wall within, panting... She's exhaused.
<Iris`> Haa, haa...
* [GM]Maryn follows moments behind them with Chamomile, Janie and some others and hides deep inside.
* [Mrsu]Rachel lies down, since the guide was doing so...
* Iris` takes no notice of Rachel, instead trying to regain any fraction of her stamina.
* Lynette drops on the ground and leans against the wall.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> This is certainly quite a journey~
<Iris`> Journey... huh?
* Iris` pants in-between words.
* Cliven automatically lays down low in front of the entrance looking down at the ground a bit, he has his rifle out and ready to snipe any hostile encounter.
<Iris`> More... like... hell...
<Lynette> Fun how you... of all people... thinks so...
<[Mrsu]Rachel> I... was trying... not to say... it...
* Iris` glares at Lynette.
<Iris`> If you think I enjoy being here, then you're missing a brain.
<Lynette> ...That's fuckin' it.
<[GM]Maryn> [And you all made it in the nick of time, there was a group of five mercenaries with 2 stats and 7 spirit passing by on Patrol perhaps since they heard some noises in this direction.]
<[Mrsu]Rachel> It is helpful that you are here...
* Lynette gets up and whirls around in a single motion, pressing Iris' head against the wall with the muzzle of her rifle.
<[BNS]Mina> !!
* Iris` grits her teeth, doing little else.
<Cliven>  Hold your fire, stay low...  do NOT fire unless I say so.
<Iris`> Come now... At least have the tact to turn me into red paste without the girl watching.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> ...Ah. Excuse me...!
* Iris` glances towards Mina.
* Cliven motions for all of them to stay quiet.
* [Mrsu]Rachel crawls closer to the other two.
* [BNS]Mina shuts up
* Iris` looks back up to Lynette's gun.
<[GM]Maryn> [One of the guy looks in this direction he starts making his way torwards the temple.]
<Iris`> so...? Better put that gun to use.
<Iris`> they shoot to kill. And if they miss...
<Lynette> You self-important, condescending little... shut up and- Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!
<[BNS]Mina> !!
* Lynette collapses, clutching her head. She rolls around and whimpers, mumbling unintelligibly.
* Iris` frowns.
<Iris`> Shut up, or you'll get us all killed.
<Cliven> .. Keep her quiet Iris. Permission granted, do NOT kill her.
<Lynette> Hurts. Hurts! HURTS!
* Lynette slams the floor with a closed fist. Pretty hard at that.
* [Mrsu]Rachel dives ontop of Lynette, clutching onto her. "Shh! Sh!"
* Iris` gets up, and picks up Lynette's gun, brushing herself off...
<[GM]Maryn> Merc: ...what's that noise?... I'm going to go check it out...
<[Mrsu]Rachel> "Please, please be quiet...!" Rachel's voice is hushed, shaky, as she tries to hold onto Lynette.
* Iris` flips over the gun, and brings its butt straight down towards Lynette's head!
* Lynette moves to the side just enough with Rachel on her back and everything, then gets up to a crouching position and attacks Iris from the front while her hands are busy. She grasps around Iris' neck, pressing down on her throat. She's clearly in pain, tears stream from her eyes as she goes.
<Lynette> I'd forgotten... how much fun... haha... heh... hurts... hurts... hurts so bad...
* [BNS]Mina spots the Merc as he approaches the temple...
<[GM]Maryn> [The mercenary fires a shot at the roof, and a chunk of the ruins fall down in front of you girls.]
* Lynette lets go, first with one hand to grasp her head just above her eye, and then the second as she passes out and relaxes completely.
<[BNS]Mina> Ah!
* [BNS]Mina grips her bokken tightly as she hides behind a fallen pillar
<Cliven>  Whoever's free, pull her to the back to hide immediately. Seems we're going to have company...
* [Mrsu]Rachel panics, trying to hold onto Lynette. "Stop, stop, stop! Please, stop...!"
* [BNS]Mina is too scared to move!
* Iris` drops from the wall, coughing. She begins dragging Lynette further in.
<[GM]Maryn> [The Merc is about to approach the door before being called back to the group.]
* [Mrsu]Rachel helps Iris, finally hearing Cliven's words.
<Iris`> *cough cough* -ah, seems you snap easily...
<[GM]Maryn> BossMerc: Hey!! Stop pissin' around and get the fuck back here or you'll end up like one of them natives 'round here!
<[Mrsu]Rachel> Th-this is... this is...
* Iris` shoves her into a corner, then crawling back to grab Lynette's gun again.
<[GM]Maryn> [The mercenary after some thought returns muttering expletives along the way. After a few minutes you can no longer see or hear them.]
* [Mrsu]Rachel stays with Lynette in the meanwhile.
* Cliven sighs as he releases his tension considerably.
* [BNS]Mina starts breathing again
* Iris` sets the gun down just as she picks it up. o O ( ... They left...? )
* [BNS]Mina scrambles over to Cliven and clings to him tightly
<Cliven> H-hey...come now.
* Lynette stays unconscious, not moving from where she's been put. She breathes slowly and evenly.
* [BNS]Mina doesn't let go, she's particularly shaken after almost being shot /and/ seeing Lynette go insane.
<Cliven>  Mina...
* Cliven pats her gently as he catches his breath.
* Iris` looks at the girl yet again with an unknown expression. She withdraws to the back a moment later.
<Cliven> So.... this is it huh?.. we've finalyl found it.
* [Mrsu]Rachel carefully looks down at Lynette, brushing her hair aside and keeping her arms wrapped about the other. Rachel herself seemed to calm down, just watching the other maid and the others.
* Cliven smiles and looks at Mina.
* Iris` sits near Rachel and slumps back against the wall.
<Cliven> Good job Mina, you've helped dad find his first ruins.
* [BNS]Mina suddenly looks up at Cliven as her eyes go wide...
* Iris` whispers to herself.
<Iris`> Don't mind the battered guide...
<Cliven> Well then...lets take a moment to rest and gather our strength and see what our new home has to offer us.
* [Mrsu]Rachel patted Iris' shoulder.
<[Mrsu]Rachel> I have to trust you, if we're doing this journey. ...I'd like to make that trust go both ways.
* Iris` shakes a little, grinning... Is she laughing?
<Iris`> ah-hah-ha...
<Iris`> Well, that's reassuring. I still don't know your name, but thanks.
* Iris` lets herself finally fall asleep, after days of running, hiding, and fighting.
<Cliven> [And so all wells ends well.. except for Lynette.. poor girl. Traumatized at the start of our journey too..well.. now that they've gotten the dangerous part out of the way! We'll get to see em lootin' and raidin this ruin dry! Will there be snakes here?...maybe..]