A Handful of Dust Session 67

[18:32.20] * DM changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 67 - Metallic Clank - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY8uTaUM8Bg，
[18:33.09] <DM> So we begin.
[18:33.32] <DM> A pair of feet land on the floor with a metallic clank.
[18:33.58] <DM> The feet are dark, and are attached to a pair of slender legs, a dark pony-tail bouncing behind.
[18:34.13] <DM> And the legs are eagerly running, although they do not have far to run.
[18:34.24] <DM> Three and a half weeks have passed.
[18:34.55] <DM> Your world has been the endless, humming grind of a vast crystal drill, attached to a burnished bronze box in which you have spent your days.
[18:35.06] <DM> Bunk room, wash room, study room, training room, control room.
[18:35.26] <DM> And what strange places have been drawn out by the power of magic to expand your cramped quarters.
[18:35.29] <+Melchior> To be fair, the pocket dimension in the drill is not too noisy.
[18:35.39] <DM> Yes, just so.
[18:35.43] <DM> Only the external portions.
[18:35.59] <DM> Melchior, feel free to talk about how that integrates with the drill structure itself, since you're the designer.
[18:36.19] <+Melchior> The 'cockpit' of the drill is actually the anchorpoint of an integrated rope trick.
[18:36.57] <+Melchior> The rope trick's interior is a small demiplane capable of holding the group, albeit in cramped conditions, with an area that shows the approximate location of the drill in a schematic image.
[18:37.11] <DM> What areas do you envision as being inside the rope trick and which outside?
[18:37.12] <+Melchior> Beyond that, it has food supplies, bunks, and small storage rooms.
[18:37.45] <+Melchior> The mechanisms of the drill itself all must be on the outside, since getting gearing to pass force through the entryway of a dimensional gate has proven to be challenging and inconsistent. >_>
[18:38.28] * Kir is happy in the tight quarters. It's just like home
[18:38.40] <+Melchior> The rope trick interior is basically like a little spartan submarine control room.
[18:38.48] <DM> Excellent.
[18:38.55] <+Melchior> Everything necessary to habitation is within it, everything mechanical is outside.
[18:39.20] <DM> I think we'll say that the training and washrooms are outside the rope trick then, near the rear of the drill.
[18:39.33] <DM> Since the water can be dumped into the outside rock after being conjured.
[18:39.42] <+Melchior> That makes sense.
[18:39.59] <DM> So.
[18:40.27] <DM> The pair of legs and the body attached to it climb outside of the rope trick, vaulting into the cockpit, as Parsimony looks over her shoulder with a furrowed brow and a "Careful." as she minds the controls.
[18:41.48] <DM> And then they run to the back of the drill, throwing open the door with another clang. Repriever and Penumbra, locked in a duel, while the others watch.
[18:42.36] <DM> An approximately seven year old Madei, her facial features more clearly formed but still vague divots or dimples in her smooth, black face, regards the two with excitement as they train.
[18:43.01] * Penumbra pushes the Spear of Calcis against Repriver's blade with a tang, giving her breathing room to step back from the clash and present the tip at his chest
[18:43.38] <DM> Repriever, for his part, has less grey than ever before...in fact it has retreated, barely a touch around the temples.
[18:43.53] <DM> His chest seems broader, his strides longer.
[18:43.53] * Repriever huffs, then continues with an assault of steel against the spear.
[18:44.25] * Akvan leans against the wall
[18:45.07] <DM> Madei rocks on the balls of her feet, keen to share something she's hiding behind her back.
[18:45.10] * Akvan holds a quiet conversation in his head, rehearsing celestial
[18:45.14] * Penumbra receives his strikes, her spear shifting ever so slightly in it's arcs, trying to direct the blows onto more favorable lines, to open up opportunities of her own
[18:45.17] * Akvan looks at madei
[18:45.20] <+Akvan> "Whatchu got there?"
[18:45.35] <DM> She smiles and makes a little "shh" motion for him to keep quiet.
[18:45.41] * Akvan winks at her
[18:46.18] * Repriever parries and slides back, losing this war of attrition.
[18:46.23] <+Akvan> (THy, can you PM me? Mibbit isn't letting me PM people)
[18:46.30] <DM> Kir and Shala are sitting next to each other, her occasionally elbowing him and making quips about Repriever's form and then leaning her head on Kir's shoulder.
[18:46.30] * Repriever notices Madei and slacks his stance.
[18:47.55] <DM> An opportunity for a killing blow, if you choose it, Penumbra.
[18:48.23] * Penumbra pushes Repreiver's blade slightly, but just enough for the butt of the spear to sweep up under his guard and hook behind his knee
[18:48.54] * Repriever crumples to the floor with a startled grunt.
[18:49.16] <+Repriever> "Fair."
[18:49.33] <+Penumbra> With a whirl Penumbra steps forward, the tip now at his throat. She breathes for a few moments, before offering a hand and smiles.
[18:50.05] * Repriever takes it and stands, grinning like a ssethkar high on chives.
[18:50.16] <DM> "Ama! Papa!" says Madei, striding forward, helping to pull Repriever up by his arm as Penumbra does.
[18:50.23] <DM> "I wanted to show you something!"
[18:50.35] <DM> She now stands almost at your shoulder height now.
[18:50.54] <+Repriever> [how tall is this child lol?]
[18:51.05] <+Repriever> "Oh?"
[18:51.16] <+Penumbra> [We're like 5'10" each? ]
[18:51.28] <+Repriever> [she's a mutant!]
[18:51.47] <DM> Alright, well, chest height then.
[18:51.50] * Penumbra turns to Madei smiling
[18:51.54] <+Penumbra> "What is it?"
[18:52.13] <DM> "It's this," she says, pulling out a spare piece of scrap metal from the drill's construction.
[18:52.27] <+Akvan> (DM, can you PM me? Mibbit aint letting me)
[18:52.42] <DM> On top of it, are tiny shadowy figures, incredibly intricately shaped. They appear to be wearing fancy clothes, and dancing.
[18:53.00] * Repriever gives it a look over while Penumbra holds it.
[18:53.01] <DM> They appear to be made out of black glass, but on closer examination, it appears to be frozen smoke, not glass at all.
[18:53.25] * Penumbra grins as she leans over, gently holding Madei's hand and brining it up
[18:53.32] <+Repriever> "This is the best one yet."
[18:53.47] <DM> "Try blowing on it!"
[18:54.01] <+Repriever> [can penny blow?]
[18:54.05] * Penumbra gives Repriever a sl
[18:54.07] <+Penumbra> [pfft]
[18:54.10] * Repriever blows on it.
[18:54.33] <DM> As you do, the figures disappear into wisps of black smoke...and then regather and reform into their original positions.
[18:54.42] <DM> "I made them remember their shapes!"
[18:54.51] <DM> says Madei, gleeful.
[18:54.52] * Penumbra is impressed with this new trick
[18:55.20] <+Repriever> "Have you shown the others? I bet they'd be very impressed."
[18:55.34] <DM> "Kiiir! Look, look look."
[18:55.43] <DM> Says Madei, scrambling over to him and Shala, and Akvan.
[18:55.56] <DM> "Akvan saw me making it."
[18:55.58] * Kir is admiring dancing lights he has cast
[18:56.01] * Repriever puts his equipment away, having reprieved himself from child duty.
[18:56.03] <+Kir> "Oh!?"
[18:56.06] <+Akvan> "Oh wow! It looks great!"
[18:56.07] <+Kir> "Madei?"
[18:56.14] <DM> "It's the ballroom."
[18:56.22] * Penumbra stands up as watches smiling as Madei twirls away
[18:56.24] <+Kir> "You made it?"
[18:56.43] <DM> "Remember? So long ago? The ball at Tetra...Tetraea?"
[18:56.51] * You are now known as Madei
[18:56.59] * Madei stumbles a bit over pronouncing Tetraea
[18:57.13] * Kir chuckles, darkly
[18:57.14] <Madei> "Yeps, I did."
[18:57.16] <+Kir> "Yes"
[18:57.20] <+Kir> "Wow!"
[18:57.23] <+Kir> "Very impressive"
[18:57.31] * Madei rubs her face.
[18:57.34] <Madei> "Thanks."
[18:57.37] <+Kir> "You spent long time to make?"
[18:57.40] * Repriever gives Penumbra a proud glance.
[18:57.48] <Madei> "A little bit! Maybe a few days this time!"
[18:57.53] <Madei> "I was trying to be more, careful."
[18:58.02] <Madei> "Like Ama has been showing me."
[18:58.30] * Repriever comes to have a seat with the others.
[18:58.40] <+Kir> "Many details"
[18:58.43] <+Kir> "Good work"
[18:58.53] <+Repriever> "How much farther, Mel?"
[18:58.58] * Kir gives a smile, broad and earnest
[18:59.11] <+Akvan> (THLAYLI! PM ME PLEASE SINCE MIBBIT ISN"T LETTING ME PM YOU)
[18:59.17] <Madei> (I already did)
[18:59.24] * Penumbra approaches as well, a bit further than Preev
[18:59.28] <+Akvan> (I... don't see your PM)
[18:59.31] <+Akvan> let me relaunch mibbit
[18:59.39] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip3.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[18:59.55] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip1.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[18:59.59] <Madei> "It's hard to make just the shadow parts stay."
[19:00.16] <Madei> "But ama is just shadow parts."
[19:00.28] <Madei> "So I made it like her!"
[19:00.32] * Penumbra acknowledges that
[19:00.56] <Madei> "They have to remember what they're supposed to be."
[19:00.59] * Repriever gestures for Penumbra to come closer and stop loitering in the shadows.
[19:01.45] * Penumbra approaches as Repriever gestures, hands pressed together
[19:02.24] * Madei sets mode +v Akvan for #nesdnd
[19:02.45] <+Penumbra> "It is very cleverly done, Madei."
[19:02.58] <+Repriever> "Lots of talent."
[19:03.01] <Madei> "Are you proud of me?"
[19:03.07] * Madei says, knowing the answer already.
[19:03.32] <Madei> "I have been learning so much because there's nothing else to doooo."
[19:03.38] <+Repriever> "We are very proud of you."
[19:04.58] * Repriever rakes the sweat from his hair.
[19:05.07] <+Penumbra> "Very proud." says Penumbra, understanding the feeling as well.
[19:05.11] * Melchior is meditating, on her own.
[19:06.17] <+Repriever> "You should be proud of your Ama, too. She's finally getting the hang of that spear."
[19:06.20] <+Penumbra> [Do the figure resemble anyone we know? Or are they generic?]
[19:06.37] * Madei laughs
[19:06.44] <Madei> "She's the best at that spear already!"
[19:06.46] * Akvan smiles widely
[19:06.51] * Penumbra chuckles as well
[19:06.53] * You are now known as DM
[19:07.07] <DM> They appear to be Calcissi, dressed in Calcissi clothes, but there are no specific figures you recognize.
[19:07.44] * Repriever hides his own depressing thoughts about that night, so long ago now.
[19:08.03] <+Akvan> ?roll 1d20+6
[19:08.03] <%tBot> Akvan: 13 ([7] +6)
[19:09.19] <+Penumbra> "Your papa is getting a better handle on his new sword as well. We've all been practicing and getting better."
[19:09.46] <DM> "Even Shala is, and she's laaazy."
[19:10.04] <DM> Shala squalks in offense.
[19:10.43] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:10.48] <+Repriever> "Where we're going, we'll need all of our hardwork. Even yours, Madei."
[19:11.02] <Parsimony> "My apologies, but I am here to give an update."
[19:11.11] * Parsimony knocks on the outer portal as she enters.
[19:11.30] * Repriever follows her with his eyes.
[19:12.07] <Parsimony> "It is a few hours past sunset on the surface. We are several miles below the outskirts of the Tower of Transmutation, and there are no signs we have been detected."
[19:12.30] <Parsimony> "By tomorrow morning, we will be at our target location."
[19:12.55] <+Repriever> "And then we have to... change?"
[19:12.59] * Repriever sighs.
[19:13.27] <Parsimony> "Your face is famous now, Repriever."
[19:13.33] <Parsimony> "Get used to it."
[19:13.59] <+Repriever> "It's always been famous. Have you seen it?"
[19:14.12] * Repriever disguises his own discomfort poorly.
[19:14.44] * Parsimony purses her lips.
[19:15.00] <Parsimony> "If it is any comfort, it is a very advanced potion."
[19:15.15] <Parsimony> "You can will yourself into any of the major animal forms."
[19:15.18] <+Repriever> "Will it hurt?"
[19:15.28] <Parsimony> "I wouldn't know."
[19:15.36] <Parsimony> "I would imagine you would pick something...prickly, though."
[19:15.39] <+Repriever> "I hope it hurts. I'd be pissed if it felt good."
[19:16.05] <+Akvan> "I don't need to change, eh?"
[19:16.19] <+Repriever> "I've never spent time thinking about what I'd be besides what I already am."
[19:16.40] <+Repriever> "Stars above..."
[19:16.50] * Repriever mutters a prayer under his breath.
[19:16.53] * Parsimony considers Akvan
[19:17.10] <Parsimony> "You might want to consider at least some modifications."
[19:17.24] <Parsimony> "Such as that eye on your forehead."
[19:17.36] * Akvan frowns
[19:17.44] <+Akvan> "I will take your potion, then."
[19:17.57] <+Melchior> [watch as it turns him back into a baseline]
[19:18.37] <+Repriever> [can't his mark not be hidden]
[19:19.09] <Parsimony> [yeah, he could use normal like, disguise stuff if he wants to]
[19:19.12] <+Akvan> (I'm pretty sure it can't be hidden through illusion or shapeshifting)
[19:19.15] <Parsimony> [or just take the potion]
[19:19.22] <Parsimony> [oh yeah, he's branded]
[19:19.57] <Parsimony> "Perhaps just keep your hood up."
[19:20.11] <Parsimony> "It's your choice."
[19:20.17] <+Repriever> "I'm going to clean up. I don't want to be sweaty when I drink that."
[19:20.26] <+Repriever> "Might turn into a slug or something."
[19:20.31] <Parsimony> "It will take a few hours to complete, so I do recommend you do them now."
[19:20.34] * Repriever leaves the room.
[19:21.16] <+Repriever> [just assume a quick scrub down with scalding water and horrible anxiety]
[19:21.45] * Akvan shrugs
[19:21.58] <+Akvan> (Is mel in the room?)
[19:22.13] <Parsimony> Mel is meditating, probably in the bunk room inside the rope trick.
[19:22.24] * Akvan goes to find mel
[19:22.26] * Melchior is meditating for now, yes.
[19:22.32] * Melchior opens her eyes.
[19:22.38] <+Melchior> "Hello Akvan."
[19:22.52] <+Akvan> (I PMed you)
[19:22.59] <+Akvan> (I'd rather do this in private)
[19:23.29] * You are now known as Madei
[19:23.36] <Madei> "Have you been to this place before, Ama?"
[19:23.42] * Repriever eventually rushes back in, wearing on clean pants, and takes the potion in one big gulp.
[19:23.49] <+Repriever> [only*]
[19:23.54] <Madei> "Papa, what animal are you doing!?"
[19:24.12] * Repriever wipes his mouth, startled.
[19:24.25] <+Repriever> "What do you mean? I haven't thought... am I supposed to think of something?"
[19:24.35] <Madei> "Yes, think of something!"
[19:25.20] * Repriever glances around the room at everything, including Penumbra and Madei, then shuts his eyes.
[19:25.49] <+Repriever> "I don't like this."
[19:25.53] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[19:25.55] * Repriever says while shut-eyed and thinking.
[19:26.42] <+Repriever> "Why not just leave us alone?"
[19:26.45] * Repriever grumbles.
[19:27.01] * You are now known as Shala
[19:27.06] <+Repriever> "I don't know what I want."
[19:27.11] * Repriever opens his eyes.
[19:27.12] * Shala downs her potion. "Bit sour on the aftertaste."
[19:27.25] <Shala> "I just want the opposite of what what he wants."
[19:27.34] * You are now known as DM
[19:27.52] <+Penumbra> "That'll be an interesting sight."
[19:27.53] * Kir is silent, and thinking
[19:28.06] <+Kir> "I cannot walk in like now?"
[19:28.13] <+Kir> "With mask and hood?"
[19:28.18] <+Repriever> "No. I drank it and you'll drink it!"
[19:28.28] <+Kir> "Hm."
[19:28.36] * Kir chugs the thing
[19:29.09] * Repriever licks his teeth and swallows.
[19:29.32] <DM> Penumbra looks at her feet, lost in thought as Madei watches them.
[19:30.31] <+Repriever> "How long does this last?"
[19:30.33] * You are now known as Madei
[19:30.39] <Madei> "I think I want to be a birb."
[19:30.50] * Madei flaps her arms, doing a scarecrow dance.
[19:30.59] <+Repriever> "A bird, huh?"
[19:31.15] <Madei> "Chick chick."
[19:31.26] <+Repriever> "I love you just the way you are, though. So don't fly away."
[19:31.37] <Madei> "I don't need wings to fly, silly."
[19:31.51] * Penumbra reaches to her back, drawing out a black rod form her form, it's featureless smooth shape broken only by a somehow even darker band of metal around the center. With a bit of focus, segments unwound themselves, or grew themselves, until Atrament was held and placed before her. She holds it before her and breathes, relaxing.
[19:31.51] * Madei steps up into the air and stands on nothing.
[19:31.54] <Madei> "See?"
[19:32.01] * Penumbra chuckles
[19:32.01] * Madei hovers just off the floor.
[19:32.14] * Repriever nods and blinks, because of course she can fly.
[19:32.24] <+Penumbra> "A bird would be nice. What kind would you like?"
[19:32.39] <Madei> "Hmm."
[19:32.48] <Madei> "A little bird, because I am little."
[19:32.52] <Madei> "What kinds of birds are there?"
[19:32.59] * Akvan and mel walk into the room, talking
[19:33.04] * Akvan has an uncomfortable look
[19:33.11] * Repriever explains a lot of bird types.
[19:33.28] <Madei> "Which bird do you want me to be, Papa?"
[19:33.33] <+Akvan> ".... Destroys the tower's foundations?"
[19:33.35] * Akvan finishes
[19:33.39] * Penumbra holds out her hand to make little illustrations, as well as she could remember them, anyway
[19:33.55] * Melchior quaffs her potion.
[19:34.00] <+Melchior> "Hahah, it just might."
[19:34.00] * Akvan drinks his as well
[19:34.17] <Madei> Kir is the only one left to drink his. Except for the shadow girls, of course.
[19:34.23] <+Repriever> "Hmm. You're like a little black bird, but I think they eat less bread than you."
[19:34.32] <Madei> Shala begins to pant, loudly.
[19:34.36] * You are now known as Shala
[19:34.39] <Shala> "Well that's new..."
[19:34.43] <+Kir> [I drank]
[19:34.52] <Shala> [oh whoops, see that now]
[19:35.06] <Shala> Repriever, you feel a prickling from your arm.
[19:35.13] <Shala> Seems you've sprouted some soft fur.
[19:35.16] * You are now known as DM
[19:35.25] * Repriever studies whatever it is that Penumbra is doing, then notices the fur on his arm.
[19:35.27] <+Kir> "I will be..
[19:35.28] <+Kir> "
[19:35.36] <+Repriever> "Oh no."
[19:35.43] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[19:35.55] * Repriever rubs at it incessantly, trying to make it come off, but it doesn't.
[19:36.20] <+Kir> "I become black cat"
[19:36.28] <+Penumbra> "Alright, Madei. Let's see how this works..."
[19:36.29] <+Repriever> "This was a mistake."
[19:36.39] <DM> You prick yourself, Repriever, as your hands have sprouted claws.
[19:36.45] <DM> Seems we've got two cats in the family.
[19:37.14] * Penumbra closes her eyes and focuses, meditating, seemingly floating out of herself, until in her mind's eye she could see herself, statuesque, standing before Atrament
[19:37.16] <+Repriever> "Parsimony! Make it stop right meow!"
[19:37.26] * Repriever clears his throat.
[19:37.32] * DM Parsimony
[19:37.37] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:37.45] * Parsimony leans in the doorway, trying not to enjoy this with all her might.
[19:38.01] * Akvan waits for something to happen
[19:38.04] <+Melchior> "Hmm."
[19:38.05] <Parsimony> "It reverses when you take the antidotes, which I'll give to you tomorrow."
[19:38.11] <Parsimony> "Or after two moons pass."
[19:38.13] * Melchior looks at her hands.
[19:38.19] <+Melchior> "Interesting, I was practicing stoneskin earlier."
[19:38.43] * Melchior taps her finger on the wall with a distinct clunk noise, as if her hand is hardening.
[19:38.57] * Penumbra reaches out to her own back, and swishes her hands left, then right, trying to draw forth the familiar wings
[19:39.18] <Parsimony> Shala's tongue falls out of her mouth again, and she pushes it back in.
[19:39.28] <+Melchior> "Dog?"
[19:39.48] <+Melchior> "Hmm."
[19:39.49] <Parsimony> Her snout begins to lengthen and darken, and her canines as well.
[19:39.49] * Akvan shudders
[19:39.53] * You are now known as Shala
[19:39.57] <Shala> "Better run while you can."
[19:39.58] * Repriever goes to rake his hair, but groans as he feels the nubbings of elongated ears.
[19:40.02] * Shala grins at Repriever and Kir.
[19:40.11] * Melchior looks at her arm, which is darkening in tone and hardening.
[19:40.14] <+Melchior> "Hmm."
[19:40.17] <Shala> What color are you, Repriever?
[19:40.19] * Melchior disrobes.
[19:40.20] * You are now known as DM
[19:40.24] <+Repriever> "There is nyothing about this I like."
[19:40.58] <+Repriever> [well, since Kir is black, I guess fluffy white]
[19:41.31] <DM> [I guess that makes Kir, a black cat hacker]
[19:41.42] <+Akvan> [I hate you]
[19:42.03] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:42.05] * Melchior sits down in the corner of the room, her clothes in a small pile beside her. She sits in something of a fetal position, her knees pressed up to her chest and her arms held tight at her sides.
[19:42.06] <+Repriever> "Why am I a cat?" he asks, distraught.
[19:42.08] <Parsimony> "Oh, there's a lot I like."
[19:42.24] * You are now known as DM
[19:42.30] * Repriever looks to Melchior.
[19:42.32] * Penumbra sighs and reaches out again, her finger trailing along her legs, before pressing in, focusing as she tries to make her physical shape shift to conform to her mental image
[19:42.32] <DM> Unpleasant noises soon come from Melchior's corner.
[19:42.48] <+Melchior> "Could be worse, heh."
[19:42.51] * Melchior says, whispering.
[19:42.59] <DM> Your dark wings come forth, this time festooned in black feathers, Penumbra.
[19:43.05] <DM> And Madei imitates you.
[19:43.10] * You are now known as Madei
[19:43.13] * Melchior sits stiffly in the corner, her skin looks sallow and papery.
[19:43.16] <Madei> "Are we an Ama bird and a baby bird!?!"
[19:43.35] * Melchior makes faint wheezing noises.
[19:43.49] * You are now known as DM
[19:43.58] <DM> Kir quietly transforms in his corner, as lithe and dark as he was before.
[19:43.59] * Melchior eventually stops making noise, beyond a 'clunk' as she falls over onto her side.
[19:44.16] * Penumbra 's face smiles, eyes still closed
[19:44.30] * You are now known as Madei
[19:44.31] * Melchior lies in a tight fetal position on her side, her face looking very disturbingly stretched.
[19:44.31] * Kir experiments with his new form, and hops around a bit
[19:44.42] * Madei makes her mouth into a little triangular beak.
[19:44.54] * Kir gracefully dodges Shala's attempted nips by leaping to high ground
[19:44.57] <Madei> "Chick chick."
[19:45.14] * You are now known as DM
[19:45.22] <DM> It's actually rather nice to be able to land on your hands like that, Kir.
[19:45.30] * Melchior has apparently stopped breathing, and is entirely stiff and unmoving.
[19:45.32] * Repriever darts his eyes at Penumbra and Madei.
[19:45.33] <DM> And the stabilization from your tail as well.
[19:45.48] * Akvan 's rear legs have merged together, but extended farther back, sinnously.
[19:45.54] <DM> Repriever, your tail pushes out of your coccyx with a fairly uncomfortable sensation.
[19:45.58] * Melchior 's skin begins to tear, and then outright slough off.
[19:46.09] <+Repriever> "Uh. Meo, Mel!"
[19:46.16] * Akvan feels the scales extend along his arms up his neck and over his whole body
[19:46.32] * Kir sits and watches from some high cabinet
[19:46.38] * Penumbra concentrates on her face as well, trying to draw out a beak of her own, adjusting the shape of her head... it's all void anyhow, right?
[19:46.38] * Repriever adjusts his pants so the tail and be free.
[19:46.59] * Repriever approaches Mel, to check her pulse.
[19:47.19] <+Akvan> ＋http://img02.deviantart.net/ae18/i/2011/227/4/7/snake_man_by_chillier17-d46q86j.jpg，
[19:47.29] <DM> As you do, Repriever, Mel's face falls off.
[19:47.34] <DM> Or rather, what was her face.
[19:47.47] <+Melchior> A brownish smooth, hard shape is underneath.
[19:47.55] * Kir tries licking a paw
[19:48.00] * Repriever begins breathing rapidly, panic as his pupils dilate to the size of coins.
[19:48.04] <+Kir> "Meow?"
[19:48.13] <+Kir> "I say this now, I suppose"
[19:48.21] <DM> [lol]
[19:48.31] * Repriever fumbles with whatever has become of Mel.
[19:48.50] * Melchior falls to pieces on the surface.
[19:49.00] <DM> [Kir says Мяу]
[19:49.09] <+Repriever> "Stop exploding into pieces... stop..."
[19:49.20] <+Melchior> Beneath is a smooth, brown shape, a giant-eyed face hidden behind a thick brown wall.
[19:49.30] * Melchior slowly flexes from side to side, and the rest of her skin steadily slides off.
[19:49.46] <+Repriever> "What the fuck?"
[19:49.54] * Penumbra is finding it somewhat difficult to concentrate, but presses onward
[19:50.10] <+Kir> [da]
[19:50.20] <+Kir> [which is just myau ;)]
[19:50.54] <DM> Penumbra, you're able to turn your feet into claws, and your hands into...well, more articulated claws, which hopefully passes.
[19:50.56] * Melchior slowly twists around, flexing along her length.
[19:51.00] * Repriever pries at... something? trying to get Mel out.
[19:51.16] * Melchior rolls over, and seems to calm.
[19:51.36] <+Kir> "Mel, you are... snake?"
[19:51.41] <+Melchior> You can see a brown, ovoid shape below you, with bands around her body.
[19:51.42] * Repriever looks back at the others transforming, then at Mel.
[19:51.55] * Melchior wiggles a little from side to side
[19:52.21] <+Melchior> and her colour grows slowly darker, from a light brown, to a medium brown, to a rich chocolate hue.
[19:52.24] * Penumbra sighs, and then her mental image reaches out, along her body, willing more feathers to form...
[19:52.26] * Repriever bites his own tongue with an unusually sharp tooth as his face contorts.
[19:53.09] <DM> Penumbra, you're able to make a pretty good simulacrum of a crow person.
[19:53.18] <DM> And it seems Madei does as well.
[19:53.21] <DM> Or perhaps a blackbird.
[19:53.22] <DM> Raven?
[19:53.23] <+Melchior> As the darkening completes, movement stops. You can see faint signs of movement and shifting inside the brown, pill-like shape.
[19:53.57] * Penumbra finally allows her eyes to open, to observe the changes swirling about her
[19:54.23] <DM> Your eyes are slanted, on the sides of your face, Penumbra.
[19:54.32] <DM> Beady and consumptive.
[19:54.35] * Repriever steps back from the Mel pill.
[19:54.40] * Kir continues sitting on his shelf, brushing himself with a paw as he shifts his glance from Shala, to mel, and back
[19:54.56] <DM> Shala looks for all the world like a goofy spotted dog.
[19:55.05] <DM> One black spot right over her eye.
[19:55.05] <+Repriever> "You've gotta be kitten me."
[19:55.36] * You are now known as Parsimony
[19:55.36] * Penumbra looks forward, somewhat displeased with the beak covering the center of her vision, so she rotates to her right eye to see more clearly
[19:55.48] <Parsimony> "You cat come up with a better joke?"
[19:55.54] * Melchior seems to have completed the internal shifting. Another cracking noise happens.
[19:56.00] * Parsimony clears her throat.
[19:56.03] <Parsimony> "Out of practice."
[19:56.09] * Parsimony leaves.
[19:56.52] * Repriever twitches, fur standing up, as Mel begins to change again.
[19:57.00] * Melchior begins to fissure down her hardened back.
[19:57.30] <+Kir> "Mel, you become turtle?"
[19:57.37] * Melchior 's back begins to yawn ever wider open, snapping and cracking
[19:57.52] <+Repriever> "She's some kind of bug."
[19:57.54] <+Penumbra> "Cawd..." Penumbra closes her mouth, beak working as she adjusts her tongue to the new shape of her mouth, "Maawdei?"
[19:57.54] <Parsimony> Akvan, your new tail feels powerful, and the hooded crest behind your head makes you feel like a king.
[19:58.02] * Kir drops into a circle, and lazily rests his eyes on the scene below
[19:58.08] * You are now known as Madei
[19:58.11] * Madei giggles.
[19:58.14] <Madei> "Awmaw?"
[19:58.19] * Melchior begins to shake and twitch, increasingly violently. Something white is emerging from the growing fissure in Mel's back.
[19:58.24] * Penumbra bends forward slightly to a more comfortable posture for her wings, looking for Madei who was just infront of her
[19:58.42] * Madei flaps her little tiny wings, small hands at the end of them.
[19:59.04] * Madei has a small fat beak, and large eyes on either side of her head.
[19:59.08] <+Kir> "Mel, you become butterfly?"
[19:59.11] * Melchior wiggles from side to side as the white protrusion grows larger, pushing out of the dried, dark brown husk.
[19:59.32] <+Melchior> The white protrusion pushes out further, and then begins to unfold.
[19:59.36] <+Penumbra> The edges of Penumbra's beak bents upward slightly at Madei's clever little change. Instead of a separate wing, hers and her arm are one, more like a bat.
[20:00.11] <+Melchior> Two eyes regard you, wide-set, but even moreso than normally. They are large and compound. A thin mouth rests between them on a broad, triangular, insectile face.
[20:00.40] <+Melchior> A trio of ocelli sit between the two eyes, as a white, insectoid form rises out of the chrysalis.
[20:01.01] <+Melchior> It is insectoid, but faint hints in the shape of the face give the barest hint of Mel's identity and presence.
[20:01.35] <+Melchior> The shape slowly, twitchingly squeezes itself out, rising up out of the cracked-open back like a rising cobra before a charmer.
[20:01.40] * Repriever laughs in nya.
[20:02.05] * Melchior pulls out one set of limbs, which instinctively scratch at her carapace, picking off loose flecks of material.
[20:02.10] * Repriever the comedy of it is lost on everyone else.
[20:03.18] * Melchior rises out higher, and a second set of limbs, which may have once been her legs, withdraw, swiftly curling up against her body.
[20:03.33] <+Melchior> "Tsss. Tssss. Tsssuuuhhh."
[20:03.47] <+Melchior> "Ffsssst."
[20:04.06] <+Akvan> "Mantissssss"
[20:04.09] <+Melchior> ＋https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4133/4847040863_b02a5b290f_b.jpg，
[20:04.32] <Madei> "She's like those bugs that eat the trees."
[20:04.33] <+Repriever> "Did I say how I'm not enjoying this?"
[20:04.43] * Repriever paws at his forehead.
[20:04.49] <Madei> The pads of your paws are soft.
[20:04.59] <+Melchior> "Fffhuuust."
[20:05.04] <Madei> And you feel a strong urge to lick at your fur.
[20:05.22] * Penumbra looks at Madei 's face... really in a way, the first time she has seen Madei's face. Even if it is the face of a bird... there's the mouth... eyes sparkling in their own way
[20:05.50] * Repriever also feels a strong urge to tackle Penumbra.
[20:06.11] * Kir leaps to the ground again, and pads quietly along a wall
[20:06.13] <+Repriever> "Can you speak, Mel?"
[20:06.20] * Melchior rises up slowly and steadily, and another set of legs emerge.
[20:06.22] <+Melchior> "Hssssss."
[20:06.29] <+Melchior> "Hhhysssss."
[20:06.40] * Madei flaps up to the ceiling and grabs onto a panel with her claws.
[20:06.42] * Kir leaps at Repriever and attempts to bowl him over
[20:06.43] * Melchior nods.
[20:06.46] * Kir does not have claws out
[20:06.52] <+Repriever> "I hope it gets better--"
[20:06.59] * Repriever is taken down by Kir.
[20:07.08] * Melchior watches... or maybe doesn't, impossible to tell where she's looking.
[20:07.43] * Kir rolls around with Repriever for a few moments, play fighting as only cats do
[20:07.47] <+Melchior> "Ffff. Hhhht. Frrrrs. Pfffff. Sffffff. Hhhhhhm."
[20:07.56] <+Melchior> "Mfhssfhssss."
[20:08.14] * Penumbra chuckles, looking up, her wings stretching out slightly and protectively as she walks to be under her, her talons working, gaining more definition as she gets used to them
[20:08.29] <Madei> "Yaaay, we're all animals!"
[20:08.34] * Melchior finishes pulling herself out. She is white and segmented, with six legs and an abdomen, a triangular head and a bullet-shaped body.
[20:08.38] <+Repriever> "OK. Ok. Enough. We are, we are not animals."
[20:08.48] <Madei> "You're a kitty!"
[20:08.51] <+Melchior> "Hyyy kn sssssspk."
[20:08.55] <+Repriever> "I am a man!"
[20:08.59] * Kir tumbles off, running a few steps, then stopping
[20:09.02] <+Kir> "AHAAHAHAHA"
[20:09.17] <Madei> "It's okay, Papa."
[20:09.22] <+Kir> "Your fur - so luxurious for such strong man"
[20:09.22] * Madei flutters down to him.
[20:09.24] <+Kir> "Terrifying"
[20:09.33] * Madei pats him on a furry leg.
[20:09.35] * Melchior withdraws her abdomen from the case and stands on her hind limbs atop her pupal shell, her forelimbs seeming to work as arm-analogues.
[20:09.36] <+Kir> "You just need army behind"
[20:09.38] * Akvan slithers to the door
[20:09.46] * Penumbra smiles the slight way she is allowed to and steps over, looking around more broadly now
[20:09.51] * Repriever covers his eyes.
[20:09.53] * Kir again hops up, then up again to his former perch
[20:09.55] <+Repriever> "What have we done?"
[20:09.59] <+Penumbra> "Thankfully we started early."
[20:10.01] <+Melchior> "Kchn hyyeee hhndrssssstaaaand mheeeee."
[20:10.28] <Madei> "Yeps."
[20:10.30] <+Repriever> "Like listening to a grindstone, Meowl."
[20:10.37] * Melchior moves over and notices the peeled off skin outside of the drying pupal husk.
[20:10.42] * Penumbra turns to look at Mel, turning side ways and leaning down to get a closer look at her mouth parts
[20:10.53] * Melchior reaches down and picks up her dried paper human skin face and drapes it in front of her face.
[20:11.04] <+Melchior> "Hyyyy aaaalllll."
[20:11.09] * Penumbra recoils slightly at that particular combination of body parts
[20:11.25] * Repriever flinches.
[20:11.30] * Kir chuckles from atop the cabinet
[20:11.41] <+Melchior> "Hhyyy'm fhyyyyn."
[20:11.41] <+Kir> It probably sounds more like purring than laughter
[20:12.11] <+Kir> "This body much more acrobatic"
[20:12.12] <+Repriever> [oh I didn't think to ask, is the cosmic arm covered in fur now?]
[20:12.12] * Melchior pauses for a moment, idly chewing on the skin hanging on her face before noticing what she's doing.
[20:12.19] <+Penumbra> "There are mouth... parts you aren't utilizing, Mel."
[20:12.25] <+Kir> "although hands would have been nice"
[20:12.39] * Melchior pauses for a moment and then continues.
[20:12.44] * Melchior shrugs.
[20:13.18] * Melchior looks at her 'hands'. They are more dextrous than what you'd expect from a regular cicada, which is good enough for our purposes.
[20:13.18] <+Kir> [mel, what type of insect are you?]
[20:13.22] <+Melchior> [Cicada]
[20:13.25] <+Kir> [ah, ok]
[20:13.25] * You are now known as Parsimony
[20:13.30] <Parsimony> "Well, that was..."
[20:13.49] <Parsimony> "You should get some rest, well be below the drop site in a few hours."
[20:13.52] <+Melchior> ＋http://somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/cicadamoltside.jpg，
[20:13.53] <Parsimony> we'll*
[20:14.08] <+Kir> [those are some fierce looking claws]
[20:14.22] <+Melchior> "Hyyy hvvvv shnnnnj muhhhhth."
[20:14.26] * Parsimony changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 67 - Metallic Clank - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8C5qF8t37E，
[20:15.09] * Melchior sounds like someone speaking without being able to move her mouth, or form many vowels.
[20:15.13] * Melchior wiggles her mouthparts.
[20:15.15] * Kir makes sure to beat back Repriever if he tries to take his perch, but barring that simply flops over and starts to speak
[20:15.36] * Kir privately thinks that the Old Man seems more like a chair cat anyway
[20:15.38] <+Melchior> "Msst hvvvv theeeese dhhhn't mhhhhk nheeeees. Nuheeees."
[20:16.04] * Melchior tires to repeat the word 'noise' several times, to varying degrees of success."
[20:16.15] * Repriever cuts the menacing figure of a cat who has been pampered his entire life.
[20:16.27] <+Melchior> "Mmmhhhnd speeeek?"
[20:16.50] <Parsimony> Shala says something snarky and appropriate.
[20:17.00] * Melchior moves with sudden speed, digging through her clothes to pull out a journal page and writes on it.
[20:17.02] * Kir is a sleek black thing, with bright eyes
[20:17.23] <Parsimony> "Hooooooouuuuuw will we ever go back?"
[20:17.29] <+Repriever> "We're in trouble if you can't speak."
[20:17.33] <Parsimony> Is my Shala joke for the night.
[20:18.13] * Repriever notices both of his arms are furry cat arms.
[20:18.20] * Melchior writes down on a page 'Do we have an alternate means for communication?'
[20:18.30] * Repriever had gotten used to the cool look of the energies swirling in his cosmic arm.
[20:18.35] <+Melchior> 'It is exhausting talking this way, I don't have lungs.'
[20:18.49] * Repriever reads, then replies.
[20:18.57] * Melchior reaches over and feels Repriever's furry arm.
[20:18.57] <+Repriever> "Can't we make you a charm?"
[20:19.12] * Melchior shrugs and exaggeratedly puts on a 'thinking' gesture.
[20:19.14] <+Kir> "Magic detection"
[20:19.17] <+Kir> "Risky"
[20:19.47] <+Melchior> "Ktsktikskchktikstistksch."
[20:19.53] * Repriever purrs in contemplation.
[20:20.04] <+Kir> "Although"
[20:20.09] <+Melchior> "Thhhht hysssss mhch heeeeeesssseeeeerrr."
[20:20.30] <+Penumbra> "What about tapping, like the spheres?"
[20:20.40] <+Kir> "'That is not much better' you say?
[20:20.41] <+Kir> "
[20:20.43] * Repriever wiggles his ears.
[20:20.51] <+Kir> "I try to figure out"
[20:21.10] <+Kir> "Would be better than.... this. And not big risk, I think, but..."
[20:21.17] <+Repriever> "Pawsimony!"
[20:21.25] * Melchior wiggles her antennae.
[20:21.26] * Repriever grunts.
[20:21.29] <Parsimony> "Yes?"
[20:21.35] * Melchior listens to the puns.
[20:21.43] <+Repriever> "Help her talk, please."
[20:21.48] * Akvan coils against the ground
[20:22.00] <+Melchior> "Hyyyy hvvvvv hhh bhnnnn t'phyyyyk hweeeeeth hyeeee."
[20:22.11] <+Melchior> [I have a bone to pick with you.]
[20:22.18] <Parsimony> "Let's see...we could entangle a fresh pair of sparkstones, so she could speak to you in code."
[20:22.33] <Parsimony> "Of course, if you know the code, she can simply tap it out."
[20:22.48] <+Melchior> "Hyynnnneeeefffeeeeeesheeeent."
[20:22.49] <+Penumbra> [Quick check, who among us would know the code?]
[20:23.02] <Parsimony> [Kir, Repriever]
[20:23.02] <+Kir> [that reminds me]
[20:23.05] <Parsimony> [Maybe Mel?]
[20:23.06] * Repriever considers Mel, then turns away in a very cat like manner.
[20:23.13] <+Kir> [I never ended up using the linked sparkstones that much]
[20:23.20] <+Kir> [the ones that I linked with the kallosi]
[20:23.25] <+Kir> [using the seal]
[20:23.33] * Penumbra scratches at her chin, or more correctly the joint between her lower beak and the feathers on her upper neck
[20:23.34] <+Repriever> [this makes it hard for mel to talk for us, if she can't talk :p]
[20:23.39] <Parsimony> [indeed]
[20:23.45] <+Penumbra> [using a knuckle not a talon]
[20:23.46] <+Melchior> ["hhhhyeeeessssss."]
[20:24.04] <+Penumbra> [If we have potion we can unchanged and change again?]
[20:24.16] <Parsimony> [No extra potion, sadly]
[20:24.28] <+Melchior> ["Hhhthyyyyyys hwyyyylll beeeee fhyyyyyn."]
[20:24.34] * Repriever gives his paws a once over again, seeing if he can even hold his sword.
[20:24.44] <+Repriever> [or armor for that matter]
[20:24.59] <Parsimony> They curl enough that you can indeed hold your sword, but it'll take time to adjust.
[20:25.07] <Parsimony> "I suppose you could just storm the tower..."
[20:25.08] <+Melchior> [do these transformations affect our stats, or are they purely aesthetic?]
[20:25.09] * Repriever was shirtless, so his fluffy white torso is bare to the world.
[20:25.16] <Parsimony> [They do affect your stats]
[20:25.31] <Parsimony> [Except for Penny and Madei]
[20:25.44] <Parsimony> Kir and Repriever, you get +2 DEX, -1 STR
[20:25.47] * Melchior has been gently flexing from side to side, and her soft white flesh is starting to solidify.
[20:25.54] <+Kir> wow
[20:25.58] <+Kir> I have 20 dex then
[20:26.01] <+Kir> haha
[20:26.12] <+Melchior> [if anyone copped a feel, Mel felt soft and damp on her skin]
[20:26.14] <Parsimony> Mel, you get +3 INT, +2 DEX, -5 CHA, -2 CON
[20:26.19] <+Repriever> "How is it pawssible to get this accomplished if I can't fight?"
[20:26.29] <+Akvan> "Clawssss"
[20:27.02] <+Melchior> [24 int yo]
[20:27.06] * Repriever lays his ears flat in sadness.
[20:27.39] <+Melchior> "Sspheeeekeeeehng heeeees eeeeexhhhhhhssteeeng."
[20:27.52] <Parsimony> "To find the portal without fighting, or take the reversal if there's no other option."
[20:27.55] <Parsimony> "Which reminds me."
[20:28.15] <Parsimony> "If all goes to hell...the Council has authorized a strike force to port in through our embassy to assist."
[20:28.40] <+Repriever> "We'll pounce when they least expect it."
[20:28.43] <Parsimony> "It would lead to open war between the towers, so we are keen to avoid it."
[20:28.44] <+Akvan> "How... Longg... doesssss.... thisssss lassssttttt"
[20:28.55] <Parsimony> "Two moons, or until you take the reversal."
[20:29.00] <Parsimony> "Which I am handing out...now."
[20:29.06] * Parsimony passes out vials of clear liquid.
[20:29.13] * NK (Halcyon@c-73-247-78-41.hsd1.il.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Say What?)
[20:29.20] * Melchior accepts it and views at it curiously, without speaking.
[20:29.22] <+Repriever> "I want to get this over with. When can we meet with the contact?"
[20:29.46] <Parsimony> "Of course, they will likely cut the portal connection if they see us bringing in troops, but at the least, we could do some damage."
[20:30.13] <Parsimony> "High Warden can contact the Morningstar if it is necessary."
[20:30.17] * Melchior picks up her traveling robe and puts it on, then uncomfortably shakes it off.
[20:30.26] <Parsimony> "As for that, a few more hours."
[20:30.31] <Parsimony> "We are almost there."
[20:30.45] <+Repriever> "I think," he yawns, "I'll have a nap."
[20:31.13] <Parsimony> "Advisable, actually."
[20:31.30] <Parsimony> "I'll remain under the safehouse until you reach the portal to Illusion, or need an escape."
[20:31.45] * Melchior would be looking shiftily from side to side, if her eyes could move.
[20:31.48] * Repriever when leaving the room, he looks into his pants and sighs deeply in disgust.
[20:32.03] <Parsimony> "Anyone care to switch shifts at the controls?"
[20:32.18] * Melchior goes through her implements, picks up her khopesh.
[20:32.27] * Melchior simply transmutes and illuses her equipment.
[20:32.33] <+Penumbra> [Can anyone use the controls?]
[20:32.49] * Akvan is a snakeman, though the brand is still clear on his head
[20:32.50] * Kir puts on what he can of his equipment
[20:33.16] * Kir does manage to fit on the Kallos mask, although the visor may not be so effective
[20:33.21] <Parsimony> [You've all been trained at this point I expect]
[20:33.26] <Parsimony> [Anyone who wished to learn]
[20:33.27] * Akvan finds a peice of red cloth, wrapping it around his head and one eye like a bandage
[20:33.39] <+Melchior> The skull becomes a desiccated ecdysis, the gauntlet becomes something more fit for an insect, the crystal statue now features a cicada-woman, and the khopesh is unchanged.
[20:34.10] * Melchior inspects the ecdysis, holding it in a contemplative manner.
[20:34.15] <+Melchior> "Mhyyrhyyyr?"
[20:34.27] <Parsimony> The final molting.
[20:34.30] * Melchior feels at her face, and looks at the ecdysis again.
[20:34.31] * You are now known as DM
[20:34.36] <DM> The one in which we molt the universe.
[20:34.59] * Repriever curls up and sleeps in his bunk.
[20:35.15] * Repriever does not enjoy any of this tomfoolery.
[20:35.40] * Melchior seems to have solidified enough to comfortably put on the robe again, which she modifies to fit.
[20:35.43] <+Kir> [are we the animals or humanoid versions of the animals?]
[20:35.51] <DM> You're anthropoid animals.
[20:35.57] * Melchior also looks down at her lower thorax, to see that the marked ouroboros tattoo is still there.
[20:36.01] * Melchior is an arthropoid animal. ;)
[20:36.04] <+Kir> [ooooohhhhhhhhhhhh ok]
[20:36.04] <DM> You have sort of hybrid hands and feet that can function as both.
[20:36.23] <DM> And, for the most part, you stand and walk upright.
[20:36.30] <DM> Although you can run on all fours as well.
[20:36.31] * Akvan is a classic naga/snakeman
[20:36.38] <DM> Or in Akvan's case, all ones.
[20:36.44] * Kir fiddles with rifle handling before bed, as well as some experimentation with grenades
[20:36.48] <+Akvan> snakeish lower body, arms, and a snakeish head
[20:37.07] <DM> Madei flutters up to her top bunk.
[20:37.19] * Melchior is the shape of a cicada, but very slightly more anthropically proportioned. She walks on her hind two pairs of legs and her forelimbs are modified into arthropoid hands.
[20:37.21] <DM> "It's okay, Papa, you'll be back to manly later."
[20:37.27] <DM> "I like you."
[20:38.18] * Repriever hums a reply.
[20:38.25] <DM> Madei falls asleep.
[20:39.10] * Repriever also sleeps.
[20:39.25] * Melchior pauses for a moment and rasps her third set of legs together
[20:39.43] <DM> It is a sonorous buzzing.
[20:39.49] <DM> cree-cree
[20:39.52] <DM> cree-cree
[20:39.52] * Penumbra watches them for a moment
[20:39.56] <+Melchior> ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3PRkwixQnQ，
[20:40.47] <DM> The next morning, Parsimony comes to rouse everyone early.
[20:41.03] <DM> "At long last, we're here."
[20:41.14] * Penumbra spent the night meditating
[20:41.23] <DM> "I'm going to quickly scout the house, make sure it's prepared."
[20:41.42] <DM> "If I'm not back in two minutes, get out of here."
[20:41.55] * Repriever joins Penumbra in silent meditation and prayer while Parsimony makes her run.
[20:42.03] <+Penumbra> "We'll need new names while meeting with Yulio."
[20:42.06] * Repriever casts Undetectable Alignment on himself.
[20:42.13] <+Repriever> [24 hours of hiding my aura]
[20:42.39] <+Repriever> "Of course."
[20:42.48] * Repriever sounds miserable at how well he slept.
[20:42.53] <DM> Parsimony draws her sword and pops out the ceiling panel in the cockpit. Facing a wall of dirt, her other hand glows and the stone melts.
[20:43.10] <DM> She hoists herself up and climbs up into darkness.
[20:43.19] <+Melchior> "Hhhmeeeesh hyyyys hmeeeee."
[20:43.31] <+Melchior> "Hhhndrstaaaand?"
[20:43.48] <+Repriever> "Only partly."
[20:44.17] <+Kir> "Hmesh?"
[20:44.45] <+Melchior> "Hmeeeesh."
[20:44.47] <DM> Parsimony climbs back down.
[20:45.00] <DM> "Okay. He's up there. No sign of any intruders or hostile magic."
[20:45.28] <+Melchior> "Nhhhh hhhhhhh."
[20:45.31] * Penumbra nods, her beak dipping down
[20:45.37] <DM> "This is a slum called the Western Divots. Locals also call this area the Kokulto."
[20:45.42] <+Melchior> "Hmmm heeehhhh sssssss hhhhhh."
[20:45.48] <DM> "Mostly bat people, but a lot of others as well."
[20:45.57] <DM> "All sorts. You'll blend in as well."
[20:45.59] <+Repriever> "Write it out, Mel?"
[20:45.59] * Melchior freezes for a moment, looking from side to side.
[20:46.09] * Melchior writes out.
[20:46.32] * You are now known as Madei
[20:46.36] <Madei> "My name is little birdy."
[20:46.44] <+Melchior> "Mesh will be the name I go by. I don't think I can cast comprehend languages on you. Do you recall the Calcissi tapping code?"
[20:46.51] <Madei> "And Ama's name is Ama birdy."
[20:46.54] <+Melchior> [that is written]
[20:47.04] <+Kir> "Of course"
[20:47.06] <+Repriever> "Enough to get by."
[20:47.07] <+Penumbra> "I'll be Ozcala. Would that be suitable?"
[20:47.17] <+Akvan> "ihllllll be.... Hash...."
[20:47.21] <+Penumbra> [lol spent a minute to test it out by mouth, and is too late]
[20:47.29] <+Repriever> "Ama Birdy it is."
[20:47.34] * Repriever snickers.
[20:47.53] * Penumbra tries to frown, but she just ends up just looking indignant and feather poofy
[20:48.15] <Madei> "That's a good name, Ama."
[20:48.19] <Madei> "Amazacala."
[20:48.26] * Melchior considers something for a moment.
[20:48.46] <+Kir> "Kotik"
[20:48.51] <+Kir> "Call me Kotik"
[20:48.54] * Penumbra chuckles, sounding almost like a series of breathless caws-coughs
[20:49.27] * Melchior grabs the crystal sculpture and a flurry of coloured veils flash around her, and abruptly Mel, as a human, stands present.
[20:49.30] <+Penumbra> "Ama Birdy would do, little birdie."
[20:49.30] <+Melchior> "Thank FUCK."
[20:49.37] <+Melchior> "Pardon my language Madei."
[20:49.45] <+Melchior> "It is extremely hard to speak in that form."
[20:49.48] * Madei covers her ears.
[20:50.04] <+Akvan> "Cannnn... youuuu.... ssssswitch... at... will?"
[20:50.12] * Yuckygoose (Lucky@h85.129.16.98.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[20:50.18] <+Melchior> "So I'll say what I need to now. Does anyone know how to cast comprehend language?"
[20:50.40] * Yuckygoose is now known as Repriever_
[20:50.40] <+Melchior> "I am just in illusion, I'm still without lungs or non-piercing mouthparts."
[20:50.59] * Madei sets mode +v Repriever_ for #nesdnd
[20:51.01] <+Repriever_> [what did I miss?]
[20:51.06] <+Melchior> [sent]
[20:51.20] <+Repriever_> [did not get]
[20:51.23] <+Melchior> "So I can put this on as needed. Anyways, can anyone cast comprehend languages?
[20:51.35] <+Repriever_> [oh]
[20:52.07] * You are now known as Shala
[20:52.11] <Shala> "Oh! Me! Pick me!"
[20:52.17] <+Melchior> "You know it?"
[20:52.28] <+Melchior> "Or... hmm. I've never cast it on someone but myself before."
[20:52.47] <+Melchior> "I'm a bit nervous with spells that put such knowledge in other peoples' minds."
[20:52.50] * Repriever (Lucky@h39.129.16.98.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[20:52.56] * tBot (tBot@h39.129.16.98.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 121 seconds)
[20:52.59] <+Melchior> "But I'm sure I can do it. It feels so different in here."
[20:53.12] <+Melchior> [I'll do a spellcraft check to cast a self-cast spell on Shala.]
[20:53.21] * Repriever_ is now known as Repriever
[20:53.21] * You are now known as Madei
[20:53.23] <+Akvan> "Tryyyy.... hon.... meeeeeee"
[20:53.25] <+Penumbra> [she wasn't taught over the break?]
[20:53.37] <Madei> "Papa should be fluffy."
[20:53.43] <Madei> "Because, look!"
[20:53.46] <Madei> "He's so fluffy."
[20:53.50] <+Melchior> [when tbot is back I can roll a sellcraft]
[20:53.52] <+Repriever> "..."
[20:54.06] * tBot (tBot@h85.129.16.98.dynamic.ip.windstream.net) has joined channel #nesdnd
[20:54.13] * Madei sets mode +h tBot for #nesdnd
[20:54.22] <+Melchior> ?roll 1d20+18
[20:54.22] <%tBot> Melchior: 28 ([10] +18)
[20:54.25] * You are now known as Shala
[20:54.29] * Melchior casts comprehend languages on Shala.
[20:54.32] <Shala> "I think if you just show me the principles, I can copy it!"
[20:54.48] <Shala> "For future linguistic hijinks."
[20:54.52] <+Repriever> [shala should know it, tbh]
[20:54.59] <+Repriever> [actually, she's used it before]
[20:55.04] * Melchior dissolves in a flurry.
[20:55.15] <+Melchior> "Sthckchkchkschthchthkeee."
[20:55.32] <+Repriever> "I guess I'm Fluffy."
[20:55.38] <Shala> Mel helps Shala learn it and successfully modify it using metamagic to a mass-cast.
[20:55.53] <Shala> So helps her upgrade it, really.
[20:55.59] <Shala> Now everyone can understand Mel's chittering.
[20:56.06] * Repriever gathers all of his armor and gear.
[20:56.26] * You are now known as DM
[20:56.28] <+Melchior> "Well that makes all of this much easier."
[20:56.35] <+Akvan> "For me as well."
[20:56.41] <+Repriever> "Can you disguise these things?"
[20:56.47] <+Melchior> "Which things?"
[20:56.48] * Repriever gestures to his armor and weapons.
[20:56.48] * Kir tries to arrange his gear into some sort of discreet package
[20:56.54] <+Melchior> "I've already disguised my trappings."
[20:57.00] <+Repriever> [not mine]
[20:57.04] * Kir also dons a local robe over his Kallosi armor
[20:57.11] <+Melchior> "Whaddaya need puss?"
[20:57.12] * You are now known as Parsimony
[20:57.18] <Parsimony> "Local clothing, here we are."
[20:57.26] * Parsimony lowers a ropeladder from the hole in the drill's ceiling.
[20:57.30] <+Repriever> "I... you expect us to go unarmed?"
[20:57.52] * Kir sees about concealing a rifle as a walking stick, or a stick for his traveler's bundle
[20:58.09] <Parsimony> "Keep your swords and armor well hidden under robes."
[20:58.17] <+Penumbra> "I'm considering leaving the Spear of Calcis behind. It might attract too much attention."
[20:58.26] <Parsimony> "Here are your dampeners."
[20:58.44] <+Repriever> "I'm not sure how I can keep full plate under robes."
[20:58.51] <Parsimony> "They'll suppress all your auras. Think of your weapons as normal hunks of metal until these are broken."
[20:58.58] <+Kir> [what do the robes look like, btw? I'm picturing heavy, loose on the sleeves, and covering nearly everything]
[20:59.03] <+Kir> [and with hoods]
[20:59.05] <Parsimony> [That's accurate]
[20:59.07] <+Repriever> [also my alignment is hidden for 24 hours]
[20:59.11] * Penumbra retracts Atrament back into a cylinder. and stows it back within her cape
[20:59.14] <+Repriever> [which includes my hit die]
[20:59.26] <Parsimony> "Melchior, do you remember the code word to de-activate the dampeners?"
[20:59.34] <Parsimony> "I assume you selected it with Morningstar."
[21:00.11] <+Melchior> "Valeta."
[21:00.14] <+Repriever> [I'm a bit confused since I don't know if my armor even fits anymore]
[21:00.33] * Parsimony sizes up Repriever.
[21:00.39] <Parsimony> "You might need to go armorless."
[21:00.47] <Parsimony> "Or buy a local replacement made for a cat?"
[21:00.53] <+Repriever> "That seems safe."
[21:00.58] * Repriever bleeds sarcasm.
[21:01.02] <+Penumbra> "Parsimony, how much is Yulio expecting to be paid, and what are good amounts for bribes in this city?"
[21:01.09] <+Melchior> "I'll never need to go armourless."
[21:01.33] * Melchior taps her hardening skin.
[21:01.38] <+Kir> [yeah, does the kallos suit fit me still?]
[21:01.50] <Parsimony> The Kallos suit, being form fitting, still fits your cat-form.
[21:02.11] <+Repriever> [I'm rather unwilling to leave the armor, since it includes my stat buffs :p]
[21:02.23] <+Repriever> [I'd have like 15 ac]
[21:02.28] <Parsimony> "All of the armor you can't wear, I'm stuffing in bags. We'll set up a circle in the basement, and you can don it when necessary."
[21:02.42] <Parsimony> "Throwing on too many illusion spells this early will alert the guards."
[21:03.06] <Parsimony> "Transmuter are paranoid of assassins, mostly."
[21:03.17] <Parsimony> Transmuters*
[21:03.27] <Parsimony> "They seem to kill each other with some frequency."
[21:03.28] * Penumbra concentrates, shaping her armor to form clothes that resemble the one selected for her
[21:04.08] <Parsimony> "Ask Yulio about local armor, Repriever. I'm sure he'll help you."
[21:04.16] <+Kir> [how successful are my efforts to conceal a rifle?]
[21:04.22] <+Repriever> [then I'll prep instant armor, but that's really not the point :p]
[21:04.24] * You are now known as DM
[21:04.25] <+Melchior> [so let's see, we've got dog shala, cicada mel, cat preev and cat kir, snake akvan and bird penny/madei]
[21:04.31] * Penumbra takes a small suit, evidently for Madei, and considers imbuing it with void directly herself, before turning to Madei and asking if she'd like to try
[21:04.37] <DM> There's a long, inner pocket in the coat that will allow a rifle, like in a trenchcoat.
[21:04.44] <DM> So you're good, Kir.
[21:04.46] <+Repriever> [do I get to take the shield?]
[21:05.25] <DM> [you can carry it around, but it should be hidden, the dampener will conceal it and the sword magically]
[21:05.34] <DM> [but you can wear it on your back, under your robe]
[21:05.44] <DM> [and a cat wearing a sword is fine]
[21:05.56] <DM> [nobody knows it's powerful]
[21:05.56] <+Penumbra> [what about a crow and a spear?]
[21:06.11] <DM> A crow and a spear should also be fine, although the Spear of Calcis is known from appearance.
[21:06.29] <DM> So it might be better to paint it black or something.
[21:06.35] <+Kir> [also, what is the role of the cat caste? would an unarmed black cat be a believable sight?]
[21:06.35] <+Penumbra> [It isn't concealed by the dampener?]
[21:06.41] <DM> MAgically it is
[21:06.56] <DM> But it's a pretty iconic weapon
[21:06.57] * Repriever is definitely keeping the shield then.
[21:07.14] <+Melchior> (I am ready to go)
[21:07.24] <+Repriever> [just keep in mind all of my stats are reduced right now]
[21:07.36] * You are now known as Parsimony
[21:07.36] <+Melchior> [I will use round parentheses to indicate mel's speech, since you're just hearing mental translations of what she says, this is not the actual sound she's making]
[21:07.39] <+Repriever> [I have str 15]
[21:07.58] <+Kir> [but you also have dex +2]
[21:08.01] <Parsimony> "If it comes to combat...you can always simply drink your potions and don your gear."
[21:08.18] <+Akvan> "Is it instant?"
[21:08.21] <Parsimony> "Which reminds me. These are Heal potions. Here's fifteen."
[21:08.22] <+Repriever> [yeah, but without armor it's just my normal dex with armor, which is 13]
[21:08.38] <Parsimony> "About 3 minutes. It's a bit uncomfortable, the reversal, I'm told."
[21:08.42] <Parsimony> "But it is swift."
[21:09.53] * Parsimony hands over a box of glowing golden potions.
[21:10.03] <+Penumbra> "I think I'll bring the spear, concealed properly of course."
[21:10.07] * Penumbra goes ahead and does that
[21:10.09] <+Akvan> "Three minutes is  along time in a fight"
[21:10.12] <Parsimony> "Keep these in a circle, these are strong."
[21:10.25] <Parsimony> The heal potions are practically humming with positive energy.
[21:10.47] * Melchior sketches a simple sealing circle around a bag she has.
[21:12.48] <+Repriever> [I prepped instant armor, so in a pinch I can make a suit out of will power]
[21:12.56] <Parsimony> "Alright folks."
[21:13.07] * Penumbra reminds Parsimony of her earlier question concerning bribe amounts in the city
[21:13.14] <Parsimony> "I would say..."
[21:13.29] <Parsimony> "It depends. For his services, a thousand gold is prudent."
[21:13.40] <Parsimony> "More for each individual task he performs well."
[21:14.01] <Parsimony> "It depends on what you ask him for."
[21:14.17] * Penumbra nods towards Madei, who is taking her backpack
[21:14.24] <+Penumbra> "How much do we have?"
[21:14.36] * You are now known as Madei
[21:14.43] <Madei> "Very lots."
[21:15.02] * Madei hefts her backpack, which she has actually expanded in size a bit recently.
[21:15.08] <Madei> She also accepted your offer to infuse the void.
[21:15.09] <Madei> And did so.
[21:15.37] * Repriever is ready.
[21:15.58] * Melchior is quiet.
[21:16.08] * Penumbra nods and smiles, placing a talon on her shoulder
[21:16.10] * You are now known as Parsimony
[21:16.14] * Parsimony secures the rope ladder.
[21:16.18] <Parsimony> "There's no rush here."
[21:16.25] <Parsimony> "This house is yours for as long as you need it."
[21:16.31] <Parsimony> "Assuming they don't discover our plot."
[21:16.38] <+Repriever> "I better not die as a cat."
[21:16.42] <Parsimony> "Don't make any sudden movements, and remember, the Citadel is here to help."
[21:16.49] <+Penumbra> [hand-claw]
[21:16.56] <Parsimony> "Call Morningstar on the sparkstones if you need reinforcements."
[21:17.00] <Parsimony> "And good luck."
[21:17.02] <Parsimony> "All of you."
[21:17.09] <+Melchior> "Doesn't matter what you look like when you're dead."
[21:17.13] * Repriever climbs the rope-ladder.
[21:17.16] <+Repriever> "It matters."
[21:17.23] <+Repriever> "It always mattered."
[21:17.30] <+Melchior> "It would likely add to your mystique to have disappeared without a trace."
[21:18.13] * Akvan struggles with the ladder
[21:18.19] * Akvan has no legs to actually climb up
[21:18.35] * Melchior crawls down by grabbing onto the ropes.
[21:19.17] <Parsimony> You climb up into a dusty basement.
[21:19.21] * You are now known as DM
[21:19.22] * Penumbra offers an arm for Akvan to wrap himself around
[21:19.37] * Akvan gratfully drapes himself over penny
[21:19.42] * Repriever is quick to put a paw on the hilt of Nameless as he scans the new surroundings.
[21:20.04] * Penumbra focuses and climbs up, a black spear held at her back
[21:20.23] * Melchior feels strangely at home.
[21:20.26] <DM> A brown ferret, sinuous body-suit with buckles and spots for several throwing knives, sits in a chair at a rickety desk, a mug of tea in his claws.
[21:20.46] <DM> The walls are dirt, unadorned. The floor flagstones with old grout.
[21:20.52] <+Repriever> "I'm Fluffy."
[21:21.11] <DM> There are a few sleeping mats, nice patterns on them, but faded and threadbare.
[21:21.17] <DM> Some piles of straw.
[21:21.22] <DM> "Yeah, sure you are."
[21:21.26] <DM> "I'm Yulio."
[21:21.30] <+Melchior> "Hyyy hmmm hmeeeesh."
[21:21.51] <+Melchior> "Hyyys ghhhd thh mheeeet hyeeee Hyyyleeeehhh."
[21:22.00] * You are now known as Yulio
[21:22.10] * Yulio takes a long sip of his tea, whiskers twitching.
[21:22.15] * Melchior extends a tarsus to shake.
[21:22.21] <+Penumbra> "I'm Ama, and this is Hash."
[21:22.27] * You are now known as Madei
[21:22.31] <Madei> "And I'm little birdy!"
[21:22.35] <+Kir> "My name - Kotik"
[21:22.43] * Melchior is now known as Mesh
[21:22.43] * You are now known as Shala
[21:22.50] <+Akvan> "Hash"
[21:22.57] * Penumbra says, as she reaches the top
[21:23.08] <Shala> "I'm uh...I'm...Doggo"
[21:23.09] * Akvan agress
[21:23.10] * Kir is speaking a bit differently - slower, lower
[21:23.13] * Repriever paces the room.
[21:23.15] * Shala winces.
[21:23.18] * You are now known as DM
[21:23.29] * You are now known as Yulio
[21:23.39] <Yulio> "Alright, I don't really need to know."
[21:23.46] * Mesh betrays no emotional response.
[21:23.50] <Yulio> "We're here to do a job."
[21:23.54] * Repriever is now known as Fluffy
[21:23.56] <+Mesh> "Hyesss."
[21:23.58] <Yulio> "I get you what you need, where you need it."
[21:24.11] <Yulio> "You get yourselves caught, you get yourselves fucked, I was never here."
[21:24.28] <Yulio> "But that's not gonna happen."
[21:24.32] * Fluffy makes noncommittal noises.
[21:24.47] <Yulio> "I don't care who you really are, who you work for, I'm paid well enough not to."
[21:24.55] <Yulio> "Speaking of which."
[21:25.07] * Yulio holds out a long-clawed palm.
[21:25.21] * Kir pokes around the room as the scene proceeds
[21:25.24] * Penumbra turns to Madei
[21:25.33] * Kir may try to peak through any windows that exist
[21:25.35] * You are now known as Madei
[21:25.35] * Fluffy eyes Yulio.
[21:25.42] <+Penumbra> "We of course appreciate the service you are providing us."
[21:25.43] * Kir is now known as Kotik
[21:25.44] <Madei> "How many of the shiny coins?"
[21:26.01] <+Penumbra> "A hundred." [they are platinum right?]
[21:26.05] <+Fluffy> "None, yet."
[21:26.06] <Madei> [yep]
[21:26.13] * You are now known as Yulio
[21:26.19] * Yulio slides down slightly in his chair.
[21:26.23] <Yulio> "Okay."
[21:26.34] <Yulio> "Who's in charge here?"
[21:26.44] <Yulio> "Is it the fluffernutter, or this lovely bird lady."
[21:26.55] <+Fluffy> "Does it matter? It isn't you."
[21:27.00] <Yulio> "We need a good working relationship if this is gonna work."
[21:27.07] <Yulio> "Like I said."
[21:27.08] <+Fluffy> "You'll get paid when you do your job."
[21:27.10] <+Mesh> "Hyyyt hyyys hmeee."
[21:27.12] * Akvan is now known as Hash
[21:27.28] <Yulio> "I don't care who you are."
[21:27.28] * Penumbra is helping Madei count out the money
[21:27.32] * Mesh looks across the others, wide-set compound eyes beneath a hood, three single ocelli in the center of her face.
[21:27.33] * Fluffy paws in Mesh's direction.
[21:27.40] <Yulio> "But those folks? Up in that shiny tower?"
[21:27.43] <Yulio> "They care a lot."
[21:27.51] <Yulio> "And they pay people to find out."
[21:28.05] <+Mesh> "So hwe hwyll seee they dhhh nhhht leern."
[21:28.27] <Yulio> By the way, Kotik, there's a small window letting in light, but it seems to face an alleyway filled with debris.
[21:28.30] <Yulio> Not much to see.
[21:28.52] <Yulio> There's a stairway of exposed planks forced into the mud with little support.
[21:28.58] <Yulio> That goes upstairs.
[21:29.07] <Yulio> "The lady gets it."
[21:29.22] * Yulio collects the small pile of money from Madei.
[21:29.26] <Yulio> "Why thank you, little birdy."
[21:29.39] * You are now known as Madei
[21:29.42] <Madei> "You're welcome!"
[21:30.07] <+Fluffy> "What are we doing and when are we doing it?"
[21:30.14] * You are now known as Yulio
[21:30.26] <Yulio> "Thought you'd be tellin' me that."
[21:30.35] <Yulio> "See I don't know what your job is."
[21:30.46] <Yulio> "Something criminal, I must assume."
[21:30.54] <Yulio> "And you're from out of town."
[21:31.05] * Fluffy awaits Mesh.
[21:31.06] <+Penumbra> "We need information. Several contacts, local customs, and access to your network."
[21:31.28] <Yulio> "Now that, I can do."
[21:31.39] <+Mesh> "Ghhhd."
[21:31.50] * Penumbra nods
[21:31.53] <Yulio> "This neighborhood is safe. Nobody talks here."
[21:32.00] <Yulio> "The institution with which I participate ensures that."
[21:32.10] * Mesh seems restless.
[21:32.16] <+Penumbra> "As per usual, for each service, you can expect compensation for the risk and value involved."
[21:32.19] * Fluffy goes to the little window near Kotik.
[21:32.37] <Yulio> In a corner of the window, you can see the trodding of many feet, but the window's dusty and dirty.
[21:32.44] <Yulio> Also an occasional wagon wheel.
[21:32.58] * Penumbra turns her face to eye Yulio more closely
[21:33.13] * Yulio stares back, his body language relaxed.
[21:33.22] <Yulio> Insofar as a ferret can be relaxed.
[21:33.32] * Yulio sips his tea again.
[21:33.47] <Yulio> "Any specific information I should be getting my paws on?"
[21:33.50] * Fluffy has the ear wiggles of a tense cat.
[21:34.34] <Yulio> "My reputation is built on anonymity."
[21:34.38] <Yulio> "Your job won't get leaked."
[21:34.49] <+Fluffy> "I'd hope not."
[21:34.51] * Penumbra considers, arm reaching out from under her cloak-like wings and knuckle at the chin again as she considers how she wishes to phrase her questions
[21:34.54] <Yulio> "Stoat's honor."
[21:34.55] <Yulio> "Heh."
[21:35.11] <Yulio> "No, but seriously, stoats are fuckers."
[21:35.11] <+Mesh> "Phheeents hf hhksysss t' hhthrrrr thhrrrss."
[21:35.15] <Yulio> "Don't trust a single one."
[21:35.44] <Yulio> "Ahh..."
[21:35.53] <+Mesh> "Thrrr hyyys nhtwhrk."
[21:35.56] <Yulio> "I didn't quite ah, catch that miss."
[21:36.15] * Yulio twitches a bit and then nibbles at his neck.
[21:36.17] <+Mesh> "Hwee need hhksyss t'... hhthrrrr thhhrrrsss."
[21:36.28] <+Fluffy> [can't we understand to translate?]
[21:36.29] <+Mesh> (We need access to the other towers, guys)
[21:36.40] <+Mesh> [Is what Mel then repeats to the rest of you]
[21:36.59] <+Penumbra> "Do you know about the shipment of food and other supplies by the higher ups in the tower?"
[21:36.59] * Fluffy repeats to clarify to Yulio.
[21:37.10] <Yulio> "Sure."
[21:37.27] <Yulio> "Transmutation's the biggest breadbasket in the world."
[21:37.46] <Yulio> "So food supplies go all over. Mostly to Conjuration, Enchantment."
[21:37.51] <Yulio> "Some to the Citadel."
[21:37.59] <+Fluffy> "Not all of it."
[21:38.04] <+Penumbra> "... and any to locales unknown?"
[21:38.07] <+Hash> "Hiii.... lllusionnnnnn"
[21:38.08] <+Mesh> [There is apparently a difference between Mel's attempts to speak common and her chittering cicada speak]
[21:38.31] <Yulio> "Tower of Illusion, huh."
[21:38.40] <Yulio> "Tryin' to find the unfindable."
[21:38.46] <Yulio> "I can appreciate your ambition."
[21:38.58] <Yulio> "Yeah, there are rumors about that."
[21:39.07] <+Fluffy> "They gotta eat."
[21:39.34] <Yulio> "Which implies that the location of their Tower is not very good for growing crops."
[21:39.48] <+Penumbra> "Rumors may lead to bedrock, or it may lead to air. But it's something we can start with."
[21:40.16] <Yulio> "You're new here, I would say."
[21:40.24] <Yulio> "But you know Towers."
[21:40.40] <Yulio> "They bend space and warp time, do all kindsa weird shit."
[21:41.21] <Yulio> "The Golden Tower's got a lotta secret rooms. Rooms that only reveal themselves if the conditions are met."
[21:41.30] <Yulio> "See what I'm sayin?"
[21:41.46] * Kotik clears his throat
[21:42.07] <+Kotik> "You think, maybe, people in tower know these things better than you?"
[21:42.23] <Yulio> "Oh definitely, my furry friend."
[21:42.30] <+Kotik> "And you think, maybe, fighting and rivalry between these people?"
[21:42.57] <+Kotik> "And you think, maybe, opportunity for skilled folks like myself and companions?"
[21:43.36] <+Fluffy> "We need to find a mancer, he's supposed to be here. Can you find out where he's at?"
[21:43.42] <Yulio> "It's a good angle, infiltration."
[21:43.42] <+Kotik> There is an edge in Kotik's voice, a low, playful knife's edge across a throat
[21:44.03] <+Kotik> Think stereotypical KGB spy
[21:44.06] <Yulio> "Let me see where the needs are, because the demand for your kind of muscle don't usually come from on high."
[21:44.13] <Yulio> "A mancer, huh."
[21:44.18] <+Kotik> "Muscle, heh"
[21:44.23] <+Kotik> "I look like muscle to you?"
[21:44.29] <+Kotik> "No, no."
[21:44.33] * Fluffy looks back to Yulio, nodding.
[21:44.49] <Yulio> "Kid."
[21:44.55] <+Kotik> "I can get in places no one else can, I can run messages faster than anyone else"
[21:45.01] <+Kotik> "This - my trade"
[21:45.03] <Yulio> "You ever meet somebody who trusted a black cat they just met?"
[21:45.08] <Yulio> "If you did, they're an idiot."
[21:45.19] <+Kotik> "Or."
[21:45.31] <+Kotik> "If you need someone specific dead."
[21:45.34] <Yulio> "What's the mancer's name, Fluffy?"
[21:45.44] <+Kotik> "Not quite muscle for that"
[21:45.58] <Yulio> "I'll keep your resume in mind."
[21:46.07] <+Fluffy> "Varduk. A real ratty looking fucker."
[21:46.21] <Yulio> "I don't know any mancers who are rats."
[21:46.31] <+Fluffy> "Figure of speech."
[21:46.35] <Yulio> "Oh, ohhh."
[21:46.45] * Kotik turns again, and inspects the materials of construction, and what he can see of the alley
[21:46.46] <Yulio> "That's not a local name."
[21:46.48] <Yulio> "Conjurer?"
[21:47.14] <+Fluffy> "Yeah, and has something I want."
[21:47.22] <+Fluffy> "We, want."
[21:47.25] <Yulio> "You should be careful."
[21:47.35] <Yulio> "Conjurers, I don't mess with them."
[21:47.45] <Yulio> "But he'll stick out like a broken hoof."
[21:47.51] <Yulio> "I can find him."
[21:47.56] <+Fluffy> "Don't care if you mess with them. Just find him."
[21:48.10] <Yulio> "Alright."
[21:48.27] <Yulio> "So, let's see. Location of Varduk, location of secret Illusion portal...anything else?"
[21:48.45] <+Fluffy> "Some food woul be nice."
[21:48.48] <+Fluffy> [would]
[21:48.52] * Fluffy looks around at the party.
[21:48.55] <Yulio> "Cup of warm milk, kitty?"
[21:48.58] * Yulio grins.
[21:49.11] <+Kotik> "Watch it, weasel"
[21:49.15] <Yulio> "I've already stocked the house with food."
[21:49.21] <Yulio> "This is a full-service operation."
[21:49.45] <+Fluffy> "And we're expected to bunker down?"
[21:49.45] * Penumbra nods, dipping her beak slightly
[21:49.49] <Yulio> "There's a kitchen upstairs, it's not very good, you've got a full tuna, a ham, vegetables, bread.
[21:49.57] <Yulio> "*
[21:50.07] <Yulio> "Go apeshit."
[21:50.10] <Yulio> "Not literally, of course."
[21:50.12] * Fluffy looks back out the dirty window.
[21:50.19] <+Fluffy> "What's nearby?"
[21:50.20] <Yulio> There is a thump as something big walks in the road.
[21:50.31] <Yulio> "This is a dirty divot, my friend."
[21:50.34] <+Kotik> "Map. Work."
[21:50.39] <+Kotik> "We want these"
[21:50.45] <+Kotik> "Mostly map"
[21:50.47] <Yulio> "You got your street vendors, a few factories..."
[21:50.56] <Yulio> "Slums, mostly."
[21:51.02] <+Kotik> "Bars?"
[21:51.15] <Yulio> "Not the kind that a kitty walks into."
[21:51.25] <Yulio> "But yeah."
[21:51.41] <+Kotik> "And where do we walk into then?"
[21:52.13] <Yulio> "Well you want the dock district north of here."
[21:52.25] <Yulio> "That's the well-established cat territory."
[21:52.37] <+Kotik> "Hmm."
[21:52.41] <Yulio> "Funny, my ma always told me cats were fraid of water."
[21:52.51] <Yulio> "Little joke for you."
[21:52.55] <+Fluffy> "And if we don't listen? Go into a local place?"
[21:53.04] <+Fluffy> "What's the worst that can happen?"
[21:53.10] <+Kotik> "Not afraid of fish"
[21:53.28] <+Mesh> "Hfraid hf bhats thhhh."
[21:53.32] <+Penumbra> "Anything we should avoid saying or doing while out and about?"
[21:53.34] * Mesh looks up.
[21:53.44] * Yulio ignores Fluffy's question.
[21:54.05] <+Kotik> "Now, if we go to docks.. they think well of cicada, or snake?"
[21:54.16] <Yulio> "Yeah, so."
[21:54.27] <Yulio> "Avoid talking to random strangers."
[21:54.57] <Yulio> "Obviously the bar thing, unless Fluffy here wants to get stabbed for being in a bat neighborhood."
[21:55.01] <Yulio> "Get it, bat neighborhood."
[21:55.24] <+Penumbra> "Bites."
[21:55.36] <+Fluffy> "Not liking the idea."
[21:55.50] <Yulio> "Just don't cause a ruckus or try to call attention to yourselves."
[21:55.54] <Yulio> "Now, question."
[21:56.09] <Yulio> "Are we trying to just find this portal...?"
[21:56.09] * Penumbra tilts her head, acknowledging the question
[21:56.13] <+Penumbra> ?roll 1d20+6
[21:56.14] <%tBot> Penumbra: 18 ([12] +6)
[21:56.15] <Yulio> "Or are we trying to use this portal."
[21:56.15] <+Penumbra> [sense motive]
[21:56.29] <+Mesh> "Tht hys pryhrty."
[21:56.30] <+Kotik> "We don't pay you to ask things"
[21:56.43] <+Penumbra> "Would that affect your search."
[21:58.08] <Yulio> "Not the search, no."
[21:58.15] <Yulio> "But if we need to get you in..."
[21:58.27] <Yulio> "That's a bigger job."
[21:58.34] <Yulio> "That I need to start making preparations for, you see."
[21:58.42] <+Kotik> "Find it first"
[21:58.52] <+Fluffy> "Who do you make preparations with?"
[21:59.12] <Yulio> "My fine associates."
[21:59.28] <+Fluffy> "Are they all as trustworthy and clean as you are?"
[21:59.46] <Yulio> "I live in the Kokulto, Fluffy."
[21:59.59] <Yulio> "Not on some fancy lady's lap, eating sweet meats."
[22:00.03] * Penumbra is now known as Ama
[22:00.23] <+Fluffy> "Hard life, in the Kokulto?"
[22:00.27] <Yulio> "If your job requires access to the more well-heeled portions of the Tower, an associate with such credentials will be arranged to assist you."
[22:01.15] <+Fluffy> "Of course, and any issue higher up the chain of your associates reflects poorly on you."
[22:01.49] <Yulio> "Right, we're not in the business of getting our clients killed or captured."
[22:01.59] <Yulio> "Really dries up the work."
[22:02.09] <+Fluffy> "Good to hear, cause I'm a real asshole sometimes."
[22:02.28] <Yulio> "You don't say."
[22:02.44] * Fluffy tries to wink, but makes an accidental squeaky meow.
[22:02.51] * Yulio stands, smiling.
[22:02.56] <Yulio> "So, my friends, I think we're done here?"
[22:03.19] <+Kotik> "One question you did not answer earlier"
[22:03.19] <Yulio> "As long as you don't start shit, there will be no problems with you walking around the neighborhood."
[22:03.29] * Ama turns, so one eye is on Yulio and the other is on the party
[22:03.32] <+Kotik> "If we go to docks.. they think well of cicada, or snake?"
[22:03.36] <Yulio> "You're business travelers, looking for opportunities in woven handicrafts for the outlying cities."
[22:03.52] <+Kotik> "I guess not, for birds"
[22:03.52] <Yulio> "Or something, we've paid off the right people."
[22:03.58] <Yulio> "As for the docks."
[22:04.04] <Yulio> "They'll trust a cat."
[22:04.13] <Yulio> "But they shouldn't go alone if they don't want to get scratched."
[22:04.22] <+Kotik> "Mm"
[22:04.38] <+Fluffy> "This city is tiresome already."
[22:04.47] <Yulio> "We might be dealing with the big kahuna here."
[22:04.55] <Yulio> "The palace itself."
[22:05.02] <Yulio> "The rumors I know off the top of my head lead there."
[22:05.08] <+Kotik> [I had a "big kahuna burger" last night]
[22:05.12] <Yulio> "I'll start my digging."
[22:05.14] <+Kotik> [really fucking good burger]
[22:05.31] <+Mesh> "Ghhd."
[22:05.33] <Yulio> "Enjoy the sights, I think you'll like the sky."
[22:05.44] <+Fluffy> "How do you mean?"
[22:05.49] * Yulio scampers up the stairs quickly, his tail swishing as he's gone.
[22:06.15] <+Ama> "Well, that went well."
[22:06.16] * Fluffy sucks a breath.
[22:06.17] * Yulio changes topic to: A Handful of Dust Session 67 - Metallic Clank - ＋https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGj1GCcJOrk，
[22:06.32] <+Kotik> "Bastard"
[22:06.42] * Hash is coiled
[22:06.44] <+Kotik> "Fluffy, you want to check out docks?"
[22:06.45] <+Fluffy> "All of this sucks."
[22:06.47] <+Hash> "I... like this shape.
[22:06.48] <+Hash> "
[22:06.52] <+Kotik> "We eat, then go?"
[22:06.56] * Hash nods
[22:07.02] * You are now known as Madei
[22:07.03] <+Fluffy> "Not that far yet. I want to see what's around this house."
[22:07.11] <+Kotik> "I cook then"
[22:07.11] <Madei> "Yes, me too!"
[22:07.14] <+Kotik> "Volunteers?"
[22:07.18] <+Ama> "Spies and secrets have their ways."
[22:07.45] * Mesh turns to Repriever.
[22:07.45] * Fluffy goes upstairs.
[22:07.51] * Fluffy waits on Mesh.
[22:07.57] * Kotik follows him, looking for the kitchen
[22:08.12] <Madei> As you venture upstairs, you see that the hovel is very simple, with a few low tables, a clay stove with a small chimney, mud brick walls, and windows with cloth over them rather than glass.
[22:08.21] * Ama goes with Little Birdie upstairs and helps her with some bred
[22:08.40] <Madei> The food is stored in a few cabinets.
[22:08.46] <Madei> There's a lot of road noise from outside.
[22:08.47] <+Mesh> "Really Shala, no name?"
[22:08.57] <Madei> Grunting and gutteral sounds.
[22:09.00] <+Mesh> [that should have been in parentheses]
[22:09.03] * You are now known as Shala
[22:09.26] <Shala> "He probably knew all our names were fake anyways!"
[22:09.52] <+Mesh> (Suspicions confirmed then)
[22:10.11] * Kotik sets about prepping the... tuna, in the end
[22:10.18] <Shala> Also, there's an interesting sound.
[22:10.20] <+Kotik> "Any cooking spices?"
[22:10.24] <Shala> A skittering from the ceiling, and a bit of dust rains down.
[22:10.27] * Fluffy goes to the front door, or windows, to look out on the street.
[22:10.37] <Shala> Fluffy, you see a remarkable sight.
[22:10.43] <+Mesh> "H's hp thyr?"
[22:10.49] <Shala> You are street level, but all above you, the houses rise.
[22:10.54] * You are now known as DM
[22:10.57] <DM> Stacked and stacked and stacked.
[22:11.08] <DM> Here and there, bat people rush out the door, take wing, and soar into the air.
[22:11.21] <DM> And they glide upwards, you realize with a moment of disorientation, towards the street level.
[22:11.33] <DM> As the street rises with a gentle incline, you see what he meant by "divots"
[22:11.40] <DM> The whole neighborhood is in a scar cut into the ground.
[22:11.52] <DM> And far, far above, in the narrow slit of sky that is available to you.
[22:12.00] <DM> The sky is a shimmering ceiling of parti-colored glass.
[22:12.25] <+Fluffy> "That's interesting."
[22:12.30] <DM> The scale is massive.
[22:12.45] * Fluffy shuts the door.
[22:12.51] <+Fluffy> "It's bigger than I thought."
[22:12.58] <DM> The street, as well, was crowded with people.
[22:13.01] <DM> Well, 'people'.
[22:13.18] <DM> Water buffalo men trudging along, huge buckets over their shoulders
[22:13.23] <DM> Rhinoceros men carrying hammers.
[22:13.36] <DM> Here and there, cat people, weaving through the heavies.
[22:13.39] * Mesh wonders what the cicada people do.
[22:13.42] <DM> And the bats soaring over them all.
[22:13.49] * Fluffy sits down.
[22:13.59] <+Fluffy> "This place is a tragedy."
[22:14.23] <DM> Some of them wore collars, but not most.
[22:14.35] <+Ama> "Despite all this, life continues."
[22:14.36] <DM> It seems only a portion of the people in this neighborhood are slaves.
[22:15.09] <+Fluffy> "We've got an entire world out there of the altered. Changed so much they can't remember what they were."
[22:15.40] * Fluffy considers his own paws for a moment, then glances at Mesh briefly.
[22:16.06] * Kotik is busy stoking the fire, and searching for spices
[22:16.16] <+Mesh> (Do they not remember, or have they adapted?)
[22:16.27] <+Fluffy> "Is there a difference?"
[22:16.53] <DM> In one corner of your vision was the vast bulk of a tower, pushing through the glass ceiling like a tree with a lower canopy, Fluffy.
[22:17.29] <DM> Thousands of tiny pinprick windows...although the rising bulk of the slum buildings cut off most of it from view
[22:17.37] <+Mesh> (Yes, quite a difference. One can forget, or one can remember and move on)
[22:17.53] <+Fluffy> "And what about those they punish with transmutation?"
[22:18.10] <+Mesh> (Their tortures, I imagine, are more effective when people recall)
[22:18.23] <DM> Hash, you remember the Transmuter you met that night in the ballroom.
[22:18.32] <DM> Katchari Ba'al Quique.
[22:18.39] <DM> He said there was no perfection
[22:18.47] <DM> Merely that perpetual change was the highest form of art.
[22:19.01] <+Fluffy> "I suspect this place is warded in some way, so our friend can keep an ear on us."
[22:19.02] <DM> You were very creeped out by him.
[22:19.21] <+Fluffy> "Keep that in mind."
[22:19.24] <+Mesh> "Hwee hwyll seeeeee hbout thhhhhhhht."
[22:19.39] * Hash scowls at that memory
[22:19.57] * Mesh withdraws her skull/ecdysis of divination.
[22:20.14] * Mesh conducts a practiced series of movements, albeit more jittery and awkward than normal.
[22:20.19] <+Mesh> DETECT SCRYING.
[22:20.40] <DM> There are indeed several scry points here.
[22:20.52] <DM> Three bugs, one in the basement, one in the kitchen, one in the upper loft.
[22:21.07] <DM> Not literal bugs, obviously.
[22:21.21] <+Fluffy> [the accidental racism never ends]
[22:21.29] <+Mesh> [bro do you even]
[22:21.35] <DM> [trigger warning: everything]
[22:21.41] <+Mesh> "Hyyyyyysssss... we are seen."
[22:22.05] <+Fluffy> "That's good. He doesn't trust us, so he knows what he's doing."
[22:22.28] * You are now known as Madei
[22:22.30] <+Mesh> "When hy say hyyyysss, by th hway... hyyy ham saying 'HYESSSSS'.
[22:22.40] <Madei> "Ama, can I go see the outside part?"
[22:22.48] <Madei> "I'm, so, excited!"
[22:22.51] * Madei bounces.
[22:23.09] * Ama smiles, looking outside
[22:23.19] <Madei> "Can we...fly?"
[22:23.28] <+Mesh> "Hit his diffichlt t' say hwithhht saying hhhhhhhhhhhh befhr whrds."
[22:23.36] <+Ama> "This city isn't like the other ones, little Birdy. Stay close to me, and we should be safe."
[22:23.46] <Madei> "What's wrong?"
[22:24.09] <Madei> "Are these people bad too?"
[22:24.11] <+Fluffy> "Those are probably just the ones he wants us to know about," he says to Mesh.
[22:24.19] <Madei> "Why is everyone BAD?"
[22:24.25] * Mesh quietly goes around and blocks off or disables the scrying mechanisms and spells.
[22:24.29] <+Ama> "The other cities are watched over by people who are friendly with us. This one isn't. But these aren't bad people."
[22:25.13] <+Fluffy> "Not everyone here is bad, little birdy."
[22:25.28] <Madei> "How can you tell who's bad and who isn't?"
[22:25.44] <+Mesh> (Not everyone is bad, Madei. But some people here want harm to befall us. You can't always tell who is who, so you must be cautious)
[22:25.53] <+Fluffy> "If they try to stab me, that's a good indication."
[22:26.04] * Fluffy purrs out a laugh.
[22:26.13] * Madei walks over to Repriever and pets him.
[22:26.17] <Madei> "You're very fluffy."
[22:26.21] * Ama feels somewhat saddened that Madei has to learn more of the nuances
[22:26.33] <+Mesh> "Hveryhhn has tried t' stab hyeee."
[22:26.39] * Kotik is still trying to cook
[22:26.42] <Madei> "I know I can trust you, Papa."
[22:26.52] <Madei> "Did you notice?"
[22:27.01] <+Fluffy> "Hm?"
[22:27.03] * Kotik is not a fan of the whole lack of voluteers thing, and he's looking for more spices
[22:27.07] * Madei continues to pet him.
[22:27.11] <+Mesh> "Hand when hy say hyeee hy am saying... hyeee ih ih ih."
[22:27.17] <+Mesh> "Hmm."
[22:27.20] <Madei> Shala awkwardly bounds to her feet and shoulders Kir aside
[22:27.30] * Mesh writes down 'When I say hyeee, I am trying to say you.'
[22:27.30] <Madei> And offers to eat, I mean help.
[22:27.41] <Madei> "Well..."
[22:27.43] <+Fluffy> "Notice what?"
[22:27.47] <Madei> "I'm not making you cold anymore."
[22:27.53] <Madei> "When I touch you."
[22:28.01] <+Mesh> "Hmm, ghhhhhhhhd."
[22:28.03] <Madei> "I know you helped me since I was little, and now I can do it."
[22:28.04] * Fluffy hadn't even thought about it.
[22:28.19] * Fluffy smiles with cat fangs.
[22:28.26] <Madei> "And Ama did too."
[22:28.32] * Kotik is cooking the tuna
[22:28.35] <+Mesh> (I am smiling inside, Madei)
[22:28.45] <+Fluffy> "I'd gotten so used to it, I didn't notice. I'm proud of you."
[22:28.53] * Mesh does not seem to be capable of making readable facial expressions.
[22:28.55] * Kotik also is trying to put together some sort of vegetable soup, or other sort of vegetable dish
[22:29.04] * Fluffy takes her bird hand in his and squeezes.
[22:29.11] * Ama smiles beakily, reaching over to hold Madei by the shoulder
[22:29.24] <Madei> "It makes me stronger."
[22:29.34] <Madei> "If we find any bad people, I will make sure that they get cold."
[22:29.43] <+Mesh> [read this expression ＋https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/a9/66/91a9663def7d84f5445800efefffa5fd--sound-waves-light-and-shadow.jpg， ]
[22:29.53] <+Fluffy> "Not so fast."
[22:29.56] <+Ama> [sense motive says... chilling]
[22:30.07] <+Fluffy> "Leave the cold to us."
[22:30.18] <Madei> "But I want to help!"
[22:30.51] <+Fluffy> "When you're bigger, maybe, but we don't want you to have to do the work we do."
[22:30.55] * Mesh settles down in a corner (still standing up, she doesn't really have a sitting down orientation) and writes in her journal.
[22:31.30] <Madei> There's a cheerful knock on the door.
[22:31.36] <Madei> shave and a haircut, two bits.
[22:31.54] * Mesh doesn't appear to respond, focused on her work.
[22:32.03] * Fluffy detects evil at the door.
[22:32.06] <+Ama> [can we see through a window to the door, from the side?]
[22:32.39] <Madei> There's a pretty faint aura of evil, Fluffy.
[22:32.48] <Madei> But if you poke around, you'll see it's just Yulio.
[22:32.56] <Madei> He's slightly evil, I guess.
[22:33.13] * Fluffy stands and approaches the door, instructing Madei to go near Mesh.
[22:33.32] * Ama goes with Fluffy, standing behind him
[22:33.51] * Madei does so.
[22:33.53] * Mesh watches impassively (or maybe with great concern, seriously, you can't read her face at all right now) as Madei approaches.
[22:33.53] <+Fluffy> "Fuck off."
[22:33.54] * You are now known as DM
[22:33.56] * Fluffy says through the door.
[22:34.05] * You are now known as Yulio
[22:34.08] <Yulio> "Uh..."
[22:34.20] <Yulio> "So you don't want the information?"
[22:34.32] <+Fluffy> "Oh... it's you."
[22:34.35] <+Mesh> (Let him speak)
[22:34.44] * Fluffy is playing the cool cat.
[22:34.47] <Yulio> "I made a few calls, got a lot done."
[22:35.01] <Yulio> "Not sure you want me to say it out here in the street."
[22:35.35] * Fluffy opens the door.
[22:35.45] <Yulio> "Figured you wouldn't wanna wait."
[22:35.47] * Kotik has spent a while looking for ingredients, or really anything to improve the tuna
[22:35.48] <+Mesh> [how long has it been?]
[22:35.52] <+Fluffy> [not long enough]
[22:36.09] <Yulio> [hour or so]
[22:36.17] * Fluffy is facing down Yulio.
[22:36.20] <Yulio> "Obviously the Illusion thing is going to take a while."
[22:36.33] <Yulio> "But Varduk was easy."
[22:36.55] <+Fluffy> "Oh?"
[22:36.55] <Yulio> "I'm working a couple angles on the big thing that might take a day or two."
[22:37.12] <Yulio> "There's a fly on the wall, well he's a bookkeeper, but he really is a fly."
[22:37.28] <Yulio> "I think we can track the ledgers, see where things are disappearing and when."
[22:37.36] <Yulio> "But I digress."
[22:37.58] <Yulio> "Varduk, that guy, he's actually slumming it!"
[22:38.08] <+Fluffy> "Meaning he's down here?"
[22:38.10] <Yulio> "Will you believe it, a Conjurer wandering around down here like a broken sack of shit."
[22:38.19] <Yulio> "Something bad must have happened to him."
[22:38.25] <Yulio> "Yeah, exactly."
[22:38.30] <+Fluffy> "Wonder what it could've been?"
[22:38.36] <Yulio> "Not partying it up in glassland with the other glassholes."
[22:38.52] * Yulio 's eyes flick to the scrying devices disabled.
[22:38.56] <+Fluffy> "I don't want him to come here."
[22:39.05] <+Fluffy> "Where can we set a meeting?"
[22:39.11] * Yulio looks back to Fluffy.
[22:39.29] * Mesh makes a sonorous buzzing humming noise.
[22:39.33] <Yulio> "Well, we've got options."
[22:39.50] <Yulio> "We have a warehouse guaranteed to be undisturbed."
[22:39.51] * Kotik throws a glance towards the ferret every now and again, but mostly he's cooking
[22:40.17] <+Fluffy> "Wherever's safest."
[22:40.21] <Yulio> "Or, we could pick a tavern in a slightly nicer neighborhood."
[22:40.23] <Yulio> "Hmm."
[22:40.33] <Yulio> "Okay."
[22:40.38] <+Mesh> "Hee slhhms, we meet hn slhhms."
[22:40.39] <+Fluffy> "Don't want to cross any of your neighbors with a bad attitude toward cats."
[22:41.04] <Yulio> "You're a big group, you carry swords. It's probably not a problem."
[22:41.18] * Fluffy raises his paws.
[22:41.27] <+Fluffy> "I'd rather not dirty them."
[22:41.48] <+Fluffy> "If we can keep our distance that'd be for the best."
[22:41.59] <+Hash> (Sorry, was AFK)
[22:42.01] <Yulio> "I'm thinking, a large plaza, middle of the day."
[22:42.12] <+Fluffy> "A mancer sticks out."
[22:42.28] <Yulio> "True, true. And you would by association."
[22:42.36] <Yulio> "Maybe we do stick with the warehouse, then."
[22:43.01] <+Fluffy> "And if no one sees him going there, you'll see a nice bump in pay."
[22:43.22] <+Fluffy> "Right? Purrfect."
[22:43.37] <Yulio> "Speaking of pay, I feel like such a prompt response should be rewarded."
[22:44.08] * Fluffy lets Ama grab some, while standing before Yulio.
[22:44.21] * Ama considers real quick what would be appropriate
[22:44.53] <+Fluffy> "The quality of the job earns the coin."
[22:45.24] <Yulio> "Naturally, naturally."
[22:45.25] * Ama and Madei counts out 25 coins. Ama then closes the backpack and lets little birdy wing it over
[22:45.26] <+Fluffy> "What matters is doing this well. No hiccups."
[22:45.40] <Yulio> "There's not going to be any interference."
[22:45.46] <Yulio> "Now, do you want him invited...?"
[22:45.46] <+Ama> "And if the meeting goes well." *nods*
[22:45.52] <Yulio> "Or do you want him brought."
[22:45.58] <+Fluffy> "Brought."
[22:46.09] <Yulio> "Unconscious?"
[22:46.26] <+Mesh> "Hntact hn qhiet."
[22:46.31] <+Fluffy> "He sounds like he's been through enough."
[22:46.41] <Yulio> So, escorted.
[22:46.44] <Yulio> " " *
[22:47.06] <+Fluffy> "If you can. But if he turns to trouble..."
[22:47.14] <+Fluffy> "Just don't bash his brains out."
[22:47.21] <Yulio> "Now what exactly should I tell him?"
[22:47.36] <Yulio> "Well not me, personally."
[22:47.40] <Yulio> "But they."
[22:47.53] <+Fluffy> "That the cat he's been waiting for is here."
[22:48.04] <Yulio> "Alright."
[22:48.17] <+Fluffy> "And, Yulio?"
[22:48.22] <Yulio> "Hm?"
[22:48.29] <+Fluffy> "If he doesn't get it, tell him it'd be a real punch in my gut."
[22:48.53] <Yulio> "That is a very specific thing to add, so I will do just that."
[22:49.10] <Yulio> "And, ah, about the eyes."
[22:49.26] <+Fluffy> "Eyes?"
[22:49.28] <Yulio> "It's really just for your own protection. If something were to happen."
[22:49.29] * Mesh scratches her eyes.
[22:49.41] <Yulio> "You know, I came back a little early because, ah."
[22:49.49] <Yulio> "Those goin' offline could be one of two things."
[22:49.57] <Yulio> "You're smart, or you're already fucked."
[22:50.10] <+Fluffy> "We're both. Get to it."
[22:50.10] <+Mesh> "Hif shmthing hppens, hwe hwill chm t' hyee."
[22:50.19] <Yulio> "If this place was full of goons, we might have had to get you out."
[22:50.24] <Yulio> "So."
[22:50.48] <Yulio> "...what did she say?"
[22:51.22] <+Fluffy> "We'll find you if we have trouble."
[22:51.43] <Yulio> "Alright then. You want this meeting tonight, right?"
[22:51.54] <+Fluffy> "Does night matter here?"
[22:52.00] * Fluffy makes a bat gesture.
[22:52.10] <Yulio> "Just tell me when you want it."
[22:52.26] <+Fluffy> "Whenever is safest for us to move."
[22:52.43] <+Fluffy> "If that's at night, then tonight."
[22:53.08] <Yulio> "Four bats will come by with a carrier."
[22:53.30] <Yulio> "They'll say, we're here to take you to your appointment."
[22:53.45] <Yulio> "They'll bring you to the spot when we're ready."
[22:53.50] <Yulio> "Kapeesh?"
[22:53.59] <+Fluffy> "What do they all look like?"
[22:54.19] <Yulio> "One of em's kinda, got a round face, beady eyes, pink spot on his nose."
[22:54.34] <Yulio> "The other one's kinda gaunt, like he hasn't been eating well, and he's grey with black speckles."
[22:54.45] <Yulio> "Third guy, this guy is a real guy."
[22:54.50] <Yulio> "If you know what I mean."
[22:55.00] <Yulio> "The fourth one is pretty much all black."
[22:55.05] * Fluffy nods.
[22:55.12] <+Fluffy> "That's fine."
[22:55.38] <Yulio> "Alright then."
[22:55.41] <+Fluffy> "See to it."
[22:55.46] <Yulio> "Hey thanks for the treat, birdy."
[22:55.52] * Fluffy lets him out quickly.
[22:56.01] * Yulio scampers down the steps.
[22:56.22] * Fluffy closes the door.
[22:56.26] <+Mesh> "Fhhd?"
[22:56.33] <+Fluffy> "Food."
[22:56.43] <Yulio> The smell of seared tuna fills the air with a savory scent.
[22:56.47] * Kotik has cooked... something
[22:56.52] <Yulio> Or, whatever you did with it.
[22:57.00] <+Fluffy> "He rushed back, which either means we found all of his eyes or he wanted us to think we had."
[22:57.10] * Kotik may or may not have found spices for it, but yeah, seared
[22:57.42] * Kotik also tried to throw the vegetables together for some soup or stew, to go with the bread, but that might not have happened
[22:57.49] * Fluffy devours it, lapping at the juices loudly.
[22:58.26] * Mesh stands next to the table.
[22:58.29] <+Mesh> "Hmmmm."
[22:58.38] * Mesh reaches up and feels underneath her face.
[22:59.07] <+Fluffy> "Varduk said he'd wait here for me."
[22:59.10] * Mesh feels a series of weird thing structures tucked under her face and holds them out, wiggling a few.
[22:59.15] <+Fluffy> "Seems he has."
[22:59.22] <+Fluffy> "That's good."
[22:59.30] <+Mesh> (This is going to be interesting)
[22:59.49] <Yulio> Doggo makes extreme eat mess, much, the most.
[23:00.03] <Yulio> Shala's tail thumps loudly on the wooden bench as she eats.
[23:00.11] * Fluffy enjoys the hell out of Shala being a mess for once.
[23:00.24] <+Kotik> "I want to see docks"
[23:00.30] <+Kotik> "Maybe find work"
[23:00.44] <+Kotik> "Get some other angle, to complement our contact"
[23:00.48] <+Kotik> "I do not like him"
[23:00.50] <+Fluffy> "We'll go, after we eat. Check on this neighborhood first."
[23:00.54] * Mesh fiddles around with her mouthparts, like trying to braid hair with the back of your hand.
[23:00.58] <+Kotik> "Mm."
[23:01.12] <+Mesh> (I'm going to starve to death if I don't figure this out)
[23:01.17] <+Mesh> (Mirror anywhere?)
[23:01.24] * Mesh looks around.
[23:01.31] * Fluffy pulls out the shield of Calcis.
[23:01.47] <+Fluffy> "Shiny enough?"
[23:02.24] * Mesh looks over, inspecting. She reaches down and delicately reorganizes the series of small organs extending out of the bottom of her face, they slide together into a single component.
[23:02.29] <+Mesh> (Interesting)
[23:02.46] * Hash (177c2db4@ircip1.mibbit.com) Quit (Quit: ＋http://www.mibbit.com， ajax IRC Client)
[23:02.47] * Mesh leans over the soup and drinks it through her extended mouthparts.
[23:03.08] <Yulio> A lovely schlorping ensues.
[23:03.16] * Fluffy watches this unfold, completely disturbed.
[23:03.21] <+Mesh> [it would actually be pretty silent]
[23:03.24] <+Fluffy> "I'm not as hungry as I was."
[23:03.33] * Kotik carefully eats from his tunasteak
[23:03.45] <+Mesh> (I can just stick my face straight in if it's unappetizing to you)
[23:03.46] * Kotik laps up his soup, although he takes a few bites with bread
[23:04.06] <+Fluffy> "Go ahead. I should eat light."
[23:04.36] * Ama helps little eat, eating a few bits as well
[23:04.39] <+Mesh> [ ＋http://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/greengrocer-cicada-cyclochila-australasiae-nymph-news-photo/179790047?esource=SEO_GIS_CDN_Redirect#greengrocer-cicada-cyclochila-australasiae-nymph-underground-feeding-picture-id179790047， ]
[23:05.36] <+Fluffy> "Hopefully we don't run into any opposition tonight."
[23:05.44] <+Mesh> "Hmmmmm."
[23:06.11] <+Fluffy> "They could be waiting for Varduk to go missing, or to meet with us."
[23:07.13] * Fluffy refrains from giving too much more information openly, in case there are more bugs.
[23:07.45] <+Fluffy> "Yulio doesn't seem like the type to share credit."
[23:08.05] <Yulio> There's a massive trundling from outside, a repetitive thumping that thumps, over and over and over.
[23:08.12] <+Mesh> "Thht hees his bhsness."
[23:08.38] <Yulio> It appears to be getting louder, and it rattles both the table and the plates on it.
[23:08.54] * Fluffy goes to the window.
[23:09.05] <+Mesh> (What is it?)
[23:09.23] <Yulio> A massive...
[23:09.28] <Yulio> Well, it's hard to say what it is.
[23:09.39] <Yulio> It has the leathery skin of an elephant, but it has ten legs.
[23:09.50] <Yulio> One face facing forward, the other back.
[23:10.06] <Yulio> Atop it is a palanquin of purple cloth.
[23:10.18] <+Fluffy> "What is wrong with this place?"
[23:11.02] <+Mesh> (I wonder what it used to be)
[23:11.20] <Yulio> It stops, and a monkey man in a suit wearing a fez with a tassel climbs up a rope ladder, hand over hand, towards the palanquin, then vanishes inside.
[23:11.42] <Yulio> Then it slowly starts to walk again, thumping the ground leg after leg.
[23:11.54] <+Fluffy> "I do not want to know."
[23:12.06] * Fluffy returns to the table to eat some more.
[23:13.01] <+Fluffy> "When we go to the docks, Kotik, we'll need to be careful."
[23:13.09] <+Fluffy> "We don't know their culture here."
[23:13.11] * Mesh finishes Repriever's food if he really has lost his desire to eat it.
[23:13.18] <+Kotik> "We'll be quiet"
[23:13.24] * Fluffy pushes the plate to Mesh's mouth.
[23:13.31] <+Kotik> "We'll take a glass of whatever the locals take"
[23:13.36] <+Kotik> "Share a fish"
[23:13.36] <+Mesh> (I honestly don't know how to sit down in this body, or if I can. But I don't particularly feel like I need to sit down anyways. It is quite fascinating really.)
[23:13.44] <+Kotik> "And say nothing unless spoken to"
[23:14.03] * You are now known as Madei
[23:14.04] <+Kotik> "I think this - good plan?"
[23:14.07] <+Mesh> (Imagine that you never feel sore in your bones, because every bit of your body is like a chair or... something solid you can lean on. Follow?)
[23:14.10] <+Fluffy> "Sounds it."
[23:14.11] <Madei> "I don't need to sit down either, Mel!"
[23:14.17] <Madei> "But I just liiike to."
[23:14.24] <+Fluffy> "Shh, little birdy."
[23:14.27] <+Mesh> (Have you tried perching?)
[23:14.30] <+Fluffy> "Names."
[23:14.43] <Madei> "Oh!"
[23:14.51] <Madei> "Sorry."
[23:14.56] <Madei> "Mel is not her name."
[23:15.16] <+Fluffy> "Do not say that name."
[23:15.17] * Madei smiles, and cuts more tuna.
[23:15.22] <Madei> "Okay Papa."
[23:15.45] <+Mesh> "Vhry rhd hmng th' calsisee."
[23:15.53] <+Mesh> "Hwink."
[23:16.08] * Mesh leans her head over VERY obviously and wiggles her antenna around in a circle.
[23:16.29] <+Fluffy> [lol no idea]
[23:16.36] <+Fluffy> [besides calcissi]
[23:16.43] <+Mesh> [very rude among the calcissi]
[23:16.45] <Madei> "Oh! Because you killed the queen!"
[23:17.04] <Madei> "That's what Ama told me."
[23:17.05] <+Mesh> "Hyes."
[23:17.09] * Fluffy looks to Ama.
[23:17.25] * Ama would be making a certain face that's impossible to replicate with a beak
[23:17.32] <Madei> "But it was very sad, and that is what she wanted, and it had to happen that way."
[23:17.39] * Akvan (177c2db4@ircip1.mibbit.com) has joined channel #nesdnd
[23:17.48] <+Mesh> (Although the full story is more complex. She was my friend, we grew apart, then I returned. We had a conflict, and she needed to die to become a goddess. So yes, you understand it well Madei)
[23:17.49] <Madei> "And sometimes good people do things that seem bad, because they have to."
[23:17.54] * Mesh nods.
[23:17.57] <+Fluffy> "I love you for your innocence, little birdy, but sometimes saying nothing is better."
[23:17.57] <+Kotik> "This place, you know"
[23:18.01] <+Mesh> (You're very wise, Madei)
[23:18.06] <+Kotik> "Seems like a place to live in present"
[23:18.09] <+Kotik> "Not in past"
[23:18.35] * Kotik says this loudly, harshly, and plainly trying to hint that we should probably not risk discussing that sort of thing right now
[23:18.51] * Fluffy agrees with a purr.
[23:18.57] * Akvan is now known as Hash
[23:19.01] * Madei sets mode +v Hash for #nesdnd
[23:19.22] <+Kotik> "I hope you enjoy dinner"
[23:19.29] * You are now known as Shala
[23:19.35] <Shala> "Everything...tastes...AMAZING!"
[23:19.45] * You are now known as DM
[23:19.46] * Hash looks at it sadly
[23:19.54] <+Kotik> "Fluffy, I like idea of bowl of milk"
[23:19.59] <+Mesh> "Hhhh dhs it smehh?"
[23:19.59] <+Kotik> "You?"
[23:20.06] <+Hash> "I.... don't thhiiiink ssssnakessss tasssste thingsssss
[23:20.07] <+Mesh> "Smeh? Shmehhh."
[23:20.09] <+Fluffy> "I didn't want to say it, but me too."
[23:20.13] <+Mesh> "Heeeeh. Hehhhhh."
[23:20.19] <+Kotik> "Docks?"
[23:20.21] <+Mesh> (Can't say 'ell')
[23:20.27] <+Kotik> "You folk want anything?"
[23:20.40] * You are now known as Shala
[23:20.47] <Shala> "Bring me back a ferret skull!"
[23:20.53] <Shala> "I want it for my sleeping rag."
[23:21.00] <+Mesh> (A skull for a rag?)
[23:21.05] <+Kotik> "Maybe roasted mouse for you, Hash"
[23:21.06] <Shala> "Decoration."
[23:21.18] <Shala> "Candle holder?"
[23:21.23] * You are now known as DM
[23:21.26] <+Fluffy> "I'd prefer it if we all went."
[23:21.33] * You are now known as Madei
[23:21.35] <Madei> "YES!"
[23:21.38] <+Kotik> "Or this works too"
[23:21.41] <Madei> "AMAAAAAAAA CAN WE ALL GO"
[23:21.44] <+Fluffy> "Safety in numbers."
[23:22.06] <+Fluffy> "Little birdy, please, you need to promise to be quiet as a mouse."
[23:22.07] <+Hash> "Yesss"
[23:22.12] * Ama smiles and nods
[23:22.15] <+Kotik> "Don't speak to anyone"
[23:22.32] <+Kotik> "Unless we purchase things"
[23:22.41] <+Ama> "Stay with me, look at everything you want to see."
[23:22.45] <+Fluffy> "If you say the wrong thing, then Papa and Ama have to work. We're trying not to do that if we can help it."
[23:23.29] <+Ama> "Otherwise, you can enjoy the sights. Do you promise?"
[23:23.37] <Madei> "Iiii promiiiise."
[23:23.55] <Madei> "I like to hold Ama's hand anyways."
[23:23.56] <+Mesh> (We will go. The spell will only last a bit longer though, so I hope you can understand me when it expires)
[23:24.08] <+Mesh> [The spell should only last 110 minutes, based on Shala's level)
[23:24.10] <Madei> "Yaaay, shop shop shop!"
[23:24.12] <+Mesh> ]
[23:24.33] <+Ama> "Tug my hand if you see something interesting you want to get a closer look at."
[23:24.43] <+Kotik> "Fluffy, this neighborhood seems safe for all"
[23:24.47] <+Kotik> "Docks, maybe not"
[23:25.02] <+Kotik> "Maybe we go there alone, leave the others to go elsewhere then?"
[23:25.13] <+Fluffy> "We'll stick together as long as possible."
[23:25.21] * Kotik nods
[23:25.55] <+Mesh> [tell me when it's been 110 minutes since we first used the comprehend language potion. I know we're getting close since we waited 60 minutes, had food, and had some conversation beforehand]
[23:26.05] <Madei> Duly noted.
[23:26.52] <Madei> Far across the city, as you begin to leave, a man rolls over in bed, sleeping off a massive hangover.
[23:26.56] * You are now known as DM
[23:27.04] <DM> His brilliant blonde hair is mussed.
[23:27.18] <DM> His handsome jaw is covered in stubble.
[23:27.23] * Mesh goes for a fun walk with the crew.
[23:27.31] <DM> And his legs are sprawled akimbo.
[23:27.40] <+Mesh> [poor varduk]
[23:27.52] * Ama holds Madei's wing-hand as they head out
[23:28.16] <DM> He doesn't even wake from his slumber when there's a splintering of wood from the flimsy door of the seedy alehouse where he's spent most of his remaining funds.
[23:29.04] <DM> A gorilla man wipes his hands on his vest as he enters, picking Varduk up by the scruff of his sweaty undershirt and dropping him on his bed, as a fox man darts in behind, to fold his arms and sneer.
[23:29.30] <DM> "Down on his luck mancer, didn't think I'd see the day."
[23:29.49] <DM> says the fox person, as Varduk starts awake, terror in his eyes.
[23:30.13] <DM> "W-what do you, if this is about the gambling debt I can r-re-"
[23:30.20] <DM> "Shut up," says the gorilla man.
[23:30.43] <DM> "Yeah," says the fox. "Feline friend of yours is interested in having a word."
[23:31.00] <DM> Varduk blinks.
[23:31.02] <DM> "Feline what?"
[23:31.24] <DM> The gorilla punches him hard, in the stomach, and he heaves onto his bedsheets.
[23:31.36] <DM> "Said to give you that if you play dumb," says the gorilla.
[23:31.43] <DM> "Uh, actually," says the fox...
[23:32.04] <DM> "I think he said mention a gut punch, not actually do it. Forget it."
[23:32.28] <DM> The gorilla shrugs, and tosses Varduk over his shoulder, as the fox guy ties a bag over his head.
[23:32.51] <DM> Varduk stirs, a moment, as he hears this conversation, and groans out a word.
[23:32.57] <DM> "Reprieeever."
[23:33.08] <DM> The fox and the gorilla look at each other, for a moment.
[23:33.12] <DM> End session.