Planeside 2

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko nuzzes Ben in return, but has to stifle a yawn

At least these aren't too long...

A servant enters politely to inquire if they would be having dinner in the theatre, or with the rest of the family. Yumiko looks at Ben

Up to you: it's only the second date, you don't have to be subjected to family dinner yet.

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- theater

Ben stops to consider this nervously. He doesn't really know much about real royal families.
"Well, would it be insulting to anyone if we willfully ignored the formal dinner while we're here? I don't want to ruffle any scales, as it were..."

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Um... I don't think so...

she looks at the servant

Anything special today, or just plain old dinner?

The servant replies that there is nothing of particular note today. Keiko is already out and not expected back in time to eat and Noriko is eating with her husband's family this evening. Yumiko shrugs

I seriously doubt anybody will mind if we stay here.

then she grins

Except maybe the chef, and that's too bad. What would you like to eat?

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- theater

Ben shrugs his shoulders.
"Uh, I don't really know. Maybe shrimp? Seafood theme for today?" he asks with a nervous smile.
After all, when you're using royal cooks, might as well ask for fancy stuff. And classy seafood can get really fancy.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko grins and bounces

Ooh! Popcorn shrimp! Seafood and movie themed!

What's the request fee today?

The servant tells her that the Chef wants a new sushi knife. Yumiko considers a moment, then nods

Ok, it's a deal. One sushi knife for two nice big bowls of popcorn shrimp, with cocktail sauce! And cheesecake bites for desert! And chopped salad. And bring something nice and light to drink with it, 'cause I'm bored of water.

The servant bows and heads out. Yumiko chuckles and explains

Dad's pretty strict about fairness with the servants: if we don't eat what the chef makes, we have to give him a present to compensate for the extra work.

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- Theater

"That seems pretty reasonable. I don't really ask much of my tenants. I've lowered the rent as a bit of an apology for what happened, even though they're not aware of it, but they keep sending me things regardless. I've learned to just get used to it." he says with a shrug.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko nods with a grin

Oh, yeah! People bring us gifts all the time, and no amount of "you really didn't need to do that" seems to help.

And that's really nice of you... you're so thoughtful.

she smiles at Ben affectionately

You're a great guy, Ben.

[Recaiden]

[Metal Quest - Not-so-secret Hideout]

Spoiler: PREVIOUSLY

Show

Ooh, that must hurt! They all land on a metallic floor, Zhyv just barely managing to land on his feet. He looks forward and gains a look of wonderment. "She didn't... she wouldn't!"‎
‎
Laru's light lights the place up to reveal... an empty industrial-looking hole with a door in front of all of them, which Zhyv steps up to. "Cheng?"

A holographic visor trideo beams up from a cup-like fixture on the door, in the form of a chinese lady with hair covering one side of her face. "Zhyv? The people with you, are they legit?"

The satyr sighs. "Let us in already, and while you're at it, tell me exactly how you got this place. Time's a-wasting."

"Who still says that? Come on in already." The voice responds, and the door opens, the trapdoor closing simultaneously.

"Well... Laru, lead the way!" Zhyv proclaims, and will follow after the knight. He's the one with the light-shield, after all!‎

'NoAaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!' Laru screams as most people would do when they're suddenly dropped into a pit.

How deep is this pit?

How far down does the rabbit hole go?

Well, if there's an ending in this pitch dark pit... good thing Laru's shield is also a source of sunlight!

Also, he'll hit the bottom of the pit just before Anchor does. He makes a great mattress for Anchor.

Rook pick himself off the floor. Its a good thing that Egon built the proton pack so well. He dusts himself off as Zhyv half explains who they are, and turns of the flashlight built into the pack.

"Well, I've had worse welcomes."

Anchor is winded for a moment, but that isn't so bad. She slides off the paladin, onto her feet, then turns to help him up.

"Of course we're legit. And she can put in a projector but not lights?"

Then, brushing herself off, she'll follow the light through the door.

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- Theater

Ben simply basks in the attention, glad to be praised for something at least.
"Well, thanks. You're not so bad yourself."

[goto124]

[Metal Quest - Not-so-secret Hideout]

Laru tries to prop himself up on his shield, but keeps sliding off and hitting the metal floor repeatedly, creating loud sounds of metal smashing into metal that echo around the room. *THOM* *clank* *CLUNK*

'Er... apologies.' He finally accepts, his face turning beet red.

Once again, our poor paladin has to accept the help of a fair maiden

'Anyway! I shall lead the way, as my light pierces the darkness of this... place!' With that, Laru goes first.

(Does this change post order? I'm hoping not.)

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko smiles happily and snuggles up to Ben

We're dodging my family a bit today... But what about you? Is your family in Inside?

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- Theater

Ben shakes his head.
"No, I'm the only one who moved to the city. Everyone else is still a few miles out in the quieter parts." he explains.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko smiles

Oh, that's nice! Say, do they know the Linde's?

and food arrives! And a dry, crisp white wine to help cut the oily fried food.

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- Theater

"Uh, the who now?" says Ben, gratefully taking the bowl(?) and snaking a bite into his mouth with his tongue, setting the glass down beside him.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yes, bowls: that's what Yumi had asked for.

Yumiko giggles

Oh well - doesn't matter. They're a farming family around somewhere, and Inari's Head Priestess's in-laws. It's a big place, though, so no surprise.

She munches up a few shrimp herself

Mmm... these turned out great. Ok, next movie time!

[Cyber Punk]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

(Not. )‎
‎
Zhyv snorts, glancing at Anchor. "Holographic tech is commonplace here. A ninja girl called Luna who is staying in the nexus originated from here."‎

On the other side of the door is a repurposed underground bunker/workshop that manages to look both neat and untidy at the same time. Workbenches abound, some with specialized setups for building strange technologies. Speaking of technologies, everything appears far beyond what Laru might have seen... ever.

"Zhyv! C'mere and give me a hug!" A young chinese lady shows her face, closely resembling the holographic projection, with some new details revealed: her hair is mostly black with a streak of gold running through the bang covering most of the left side of her face, and she has darker than normal skin. She's wearing a grey tank top and baggy navy-blue pants.

Zhyv and the lady hug, then she turns to the three as the satyr introduces her. "Meet my contact: Celebrity Cheng. Don't ask."

Celebrity walks up to Anchor, noticing her epicanthic folds. "Ooh, another asian. Nice to meet you, sister. Fighting the good fight?"

Good fight? What good fight?‎

[ThePhantom]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

Oh dear. Revolutions are not what Rook agreed to help out with, and that sounds like what is going on here. Well, if he stays quiet, he might have a chance not to get caught up in something too big.

[Recaiden]

[Metal Quest - Fighting the Good Fight]

"And what, it's replaced lightbulbs?"

Anchor shakes her head as she looks around the workshop, trying to overlap the tools.
Then she turns and regards the odd woman named Celebrity.

"Uh, yeah, that's where my dad's from, I guess? Never really identified with it."
Shrugs.
"What's your story?"

[goto124]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

Even lightbulbsmay be a bit beyond this medieval knight Can't blame him, considering where he's from only the noble paladins get to wield sunlight-producing shields.

He's both captivated and frightened by the sheer amount of alien technology around him.

Now, the chinese woman. Laru's knowledge of 'asians' and 'chinese' is limited to one or two unflattering stories, vaguely warning about their 'dangers'. Whatever those 'dangers' even are.

But Celebrity has a streak of gold in her hair! That's a sure sign of divine ancestry! Don't tell Laru about the magic of hair dye - this is the main reason he's trusting the new asian lady.

'Why yes, we are fighting the good fight!' Laru answers instinctively. 'I hope. But I trust you!'

[Deathkeeper]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yes, bowls: that's what Yumi had asked for.

Yumiko giggles

Oh well - doesn't matter. They're a farming family around somewhere, and Inari's Head Priestess's in-laws. It's a big place, though, so no surprise.

She munches up a few shrimp herself

Mmm... these turned out great. Ok, next movie time!

Ben nods.
"Okay. What's next? I think we're developing a running list." he adds between gulps of food.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko nods

Let's just move along to the next episode, I guess.

And so she does... as this is getting the tiniest bit tedious, let us skip some hours. As the latest movie wraps up, Yumiko blinks sleepily

Nnnnnn.... it's getting late.

[Cyber Punk]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

"... point." Zhyv whispers back.

Of the range of tools, a lot of it looks similar to some of the tech Luna has been carrying around: The storage discs, cups of nanogoo, floating holoscreens and the like. The largest one has a half-completed news story in it.

"My story? Heh, just a news journalist turned vilified whistle-blower, sister. In my spare time, I like to tinker, with the help of some friends." Then she seems to remember something and calls out to someone. "Farah, we have visitors!"

"I'm a bit tied up at the moment, CC!" The voice replies, which Anchor might recognize as Hotaru's.

"Too bad. Farah is a friendly one. She also knows more about locations of moonmetal than I do, so we might have to wait a bit." She chuckles at Laru's answer. "You look quite like the type to trust easily, mr knight. Are you going to help protect lil' ol me from the big bad government?" She walks up to him, leaning in close, an amused look on her face.

Zhyv clears his throat and glances at Rook. "You don't talk much, do you? Don't worry, we don't have to get involved in any revolutions."

Well, he could just as well be wrong...

(Sorry. Busy week made it hard to think of something for CC's story. I know quite a lot about her, but making a backstory to keep things cohesive wasn't exactly easy.)‎

[Deathkeeper]

Palace of Orochi- theater

Ben nods.
"Yeah. Maybe you should un-shrink me and help me get home." he suggests.
Kind of awkward to ask, but it's not like he can walk home from here.

[Fenric]

[Palace of Orochi - Theater]

Yumiko nods

Right! Though perhaps not quite in that sequence...

And she gently coils around him and attempts to pull him through the shadows back to his own home.

[Recaiden]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

Oh right, she doesn't know what they know. Or does Celebrity just think they'll treat her as a victim and be sympathetic? Hiding out in this place, with posters looking for her right overhead - risky. Anchor reads through the holoscreens, looking for details, any context on this place.

Was that voice...? How many names is she going by? And that one, here. Not a good sign, really. Not that those little machines haven't been useful.

"Is she going to direct us to someone else who knows even more about the metal? Who's interested in this stuff? There gonna be competition?"

[ThePhantom]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

Its true, Rook doesn't talk too much. Save the voice for the courtroom where you need it the most.

"That good to hear. So, are we going to be involved in the planning, or will the others do that?"

[goto124]

[Metal Quest - Underground Bunker]

Celebrity's quite successful in letting Laru warm up to her

'Why, of course I'll protect you from big bads!' he promises. Does Laru even know what a government is?

[Lord Raziere]

Plane of Rivers And Stalagmites
Mal suddenly arrives on a plane full of strange rock bridges and paths floating in space from the portal. weaving throughout the rocks were flowing rivers in the sky in random directions, interweaving and constantly flowing every which way. This was bad. Your weakness was flowing water, while it seemed that there was various rocky bridges and paths leading everywhere, the flowing water was definitely an environmental concern. But then you start to hear footsteps and growls. Strange thin creatures with rocky bodies and sharp stalagmite arms and thin stalactite legs glare at you, seeing you as prey? intruder? who knows. One of them comes charging at you.

Meanwhile somewhere else on the plane, Velara jumps through the portal, cursing under her breath that the Fateweaver already changed the location before she could get to Mal. She tries to teleport to him, but is stopped by some outside force. A voice comes from nowhere.
"Now now, Miss Clawstealer. We can't have you doing that, now can we?"
The voice is professional and with little emotion.
"After all, you are a wanted criminal against Fate itself, and must be punished for your crimes."
"It never ends with you. You already took all my comrades....now your using him as bait, just to get to me! Come out and fight!"
"I think not, Miss Clawstealer. I shall do orchestrate as always, the fate of events: and the destiny for you both will be, to die.
Suddenly similar stalagmite monsters come attacking her and shatters one with a palm strike and dodge another's slash
"Please, you know these are no match for me."
"Ah, but can you say the same for your new vampire friend, Miss Clawstealer?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

Plane of Rivers and Stalagmites

Speaking of the new vampire froend, Alysha steps out of the portal behind Velara, her Keyblade at the ready.

She sees the stalagmite monsters ganging up on Velara already, so she rushes towards one with a horizontal strike from her weapon. Her enhanced speed and strength should help her here.

[cavalieredraghi]

plane of rivers and stalagmites

Mal looked around absolutely unimpressed by the rock like creatures. Instead he just walks by them as if they were not even a threat. The rush of the water creating a breezy as his red robe/trench coat blew in the air. His face hit once and a while by stray water the sizzle of it stinging his visage.