Chuubo-1:9

<@Random_Nerd> So, I believe the plan was to do Chuubo tonight.
<@Random_Nerd> Any objection?
<@Lili> None here.

• Knockwood is now known as deMontreal
  
• Verithe is now known as Mrs_Senko
  

<@Angelo> nope, Chuubo is good :-)

• lazarus is now known as Luthien
  
• Angelo is now known as Shounen
  

<@Random_Nerd> Oh, hey, has anyone read Fable of the Swan?
<@Random_Nerd> It's pretty good.
<@Mrs_Senko> I read it!
<@Luthien> nope :(
<@Luthien> reading Deadlands, though :)
<@Shounen> I plan to purchase it in the next month or two
<@Random_Nerd> Although... odd timing, given that I'd just been bringing up things like the Idealogue and the Hall Monitors and so on.
<@Mrs_Senko> I was curious if it was coincidence.
<@deMontreal> Let's see, I think last session we'd called it a day IC
<@Random_Nerd> Yep. Hadn't read any early versions of it or anything, just happened to have a couple elements coincide.
<@deMontreal> assuming you handwave getting everyone home
<@Mrs_Senko> We just started a party!
<@Mrs_Senko> You can't handwave a party!
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen can.
<@Mrs_Senko> That's true.
<@Shounen> lol true
<@Random_Nerd> Now, has everyone had a chance to look over the scene rules?
<@Lili> Yes.
<@Luthien> bugger.
<@Mrs_Senko> I'm not sure if I've retained them, but yes.
<@Luthien> had a chance, but forgot :(
<@deMontreal> Did that before last time...
<@Luthien> I am mostly aware of them, but can't keep straight what is what
<@Random_Nerd> Any questions?

• @Shounen nod nod
  

<@Lili> What were we having a party for?
<@Random_Nerd> ...for?
<@Mrs_Senko> Soun Shounen's crony?
<@Shounen> the party was for the for a Shounen's minion be free from detention with the Ogre alive
<@Random_Nerd> Minons seventeen through thirty-eight do not understand the question.
<@Lili> Oh, yes. The poor dude who was werewolved and saved from expulsion.
<@Shounen> yep that one!
<@Lili> Lili is older and thus, while able to alcohol, sometimes thinking outside the range of minions and Pinkie Pie.
<@Shounen> I send an invitation to near everyone, Luthi and the nightmare engine included
<@Random_Nerd> Never invite anyone to a party who has a Loathsome Sulk-O-Meter attached to them.
<@Random_Nerd> Classic rookie mistake.
<@deMontreal> Lili: I think you mashed a few sentences together there
<@Shounen> yep buth luthy have a crush on it...
<@Shounen> or was lili?
<@Random_Nerd> Lili.
<@Lili> Lili has the crush on the N. Engine.
<@Shounen> oh, right, Lili
<@deMontreal> Lili is the Wishing Engine?
<@Lili> *checks sentences* Oh, able to buy alcohol.
<@Random_Nerd> Correct.
<@Lili> Believe it! *cleanched fist salute!*
<@Mrs_Senko> I'm sure Lili is able to alcohol, too.
<@Random_Nerd> So, I figured that ending with the Minion Party would be mostly set dressing, but we can play it out if you wish.
<@Random_Nerd> Preferences?
<@Shounen> skip the party
<@deMontreal> next day then?
<@Lili> No preference as I don't know what we want to do next instead of the party.
<@Mrs_Senko> It would be an exploration for Mrs. Senko, but if it's just for her, I suggest skipping it.
<@Shounen> sure :-)
<@Mrs_Senko> Go to the Sky!
<@Mrs_Senko> Clean the Sky!
<@Luthien> either way.
<@Random_Nerd> Well, the plan for the next day was to go to the Sky in the finished Deus Ex Machina.
<@deMontreal> it's debatable whether the DxM is Finished
<@Shounen> is a good next day :-)
<@Lili> Ah. Who's bringing the lemon scented Pledge?
<@Mrs_Senko> It's finished enough.
<@deMontreal> It can't yet destroy continents.
<@Lili> How does one clean the sky? And is that insulting to the Sun?
<@Shounen> only if you remove sun stains
<@Mrs_Senko> Mrs. Senko suggests with mops and bluing.
<@Mrs_Senko> She also suggests that if the Sun is going to be insulted, it should clean up the place itself.
<@deMontreal> LdM points out that it will if he asks.
<@Lili> (I've never understood bluing. It doesn't make things blue.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (It's supposed to counteract yellowing.)
<@Random_Nerd> Now, before we actually go up to the Sky, I'd like to point out something of note.
<@Mrs_Senko> (Or a naturally yellow tint.)
<@Luthien> oh?
<@Random_Nerd> If you want to go to the Sky, as opposed to just up in the air, it's at least partially a magical/spiritual process.
[REDACTED rules discussion] <@Random_Nerd> Okay.
<@Random_Nerd> Now, we can use the zeppelin itself as the mysterious power being invoked here.
<@Random_Nerd> But if any of you want to bring up some of your Spooky PC Powers, this is the time for it.
<@Lili> (Oh great and powerful zeppe...bear us up..don't crash...)
<@Lili> (Define spooky?)
<@Luthien> (... I could make the Zeppelin a treasure. But it wouldn't be nice to the technofetishists.)
<@Random_Nerd> Note that on your character sheets, abilities that work well with this are marked as "ritual" powers.
<@deMontreal> I'm piloting the thing. :)
<@deMontreal> and my Ritual phrase is "I have fixed you, I deMAND you work!"
<@deMontreal> (IC?)
<@Mrs_Senko> Mrs. Senko can invoke the Bleak Method as a ritual and just.
<@Lili> (Huh, I dont' have any ritual powers.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (You might. They aren't all clearly labelled, I don't think.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Luthien's Enchantment)
<@Lili> (I dont' even get the word ritual in my character section.)
<@Random_Nerd> Okay, let's go over the ritual scene requirements.
[REDACTED due to rules discussion]
<@Lili> Then once everyone is on board, Lili will dramatically loose the ties and fling them off with dramatic grace!
<@Random_Nerd> So, here, the power being invoked is that of the zeppelin, which all of you have worked on.
<@Random_Nerd> Presumably, the ritual actions will be details of managing the rigging, engine, and so forth, but done in a somewhat formal and dramatic way.
<@deMontreal> I start by starting an elaborate power-up sequence.
<@Random_Nerd> Any questions?
<@deMontreal> Which in this case is actually a steam-up
<@Mrs_Senko> Mrs. Senko will command everyone to their stations! Shout orders which will probably be ignored, but the shouting is important to the Bleak Method!
<@Random_Nerd> Indeed!
<@Random_Nerd> Shouting is part of proper ship management technique!
<@Mrs_Senko> Who could possibly think otherwise!
<@Shounen> and napping during that part is Shounen's style :-)
<@deMontreal> The people who are right in the same room with you.
<@Random_Nerd> Okay, are we ready to go?
<@Lili> (The zep obviously has the best bed that Shonen can get into it.)
<@deMontreal> Probably not, but fire it up anyway.
<@Mrs_Senko> Philistines.
<@Lili> Into Adventure!

START

<@Random_Nerd> It's late afternoon, with the sun still bright in the sky.
<@Random_Nerd> None of you have seen the face in the sun yet today.
<@Random_Nerd> Not unheard of, but usually you'd have at least glimpsed it by now.
<@Random_Nerd> Still, it's time for the Deus Ex Machina to take its first real trip.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ms. Cartaign! To the ropes! Miss Cartaign! Mop the deck! Mr. Soun! Get that seagull off your face!"
<@deMontreal> "All right. Ariadne is finiahing up a final systems check."

• @Shounen complete the beds check ... man catalogue all them is hard work !
  

<@Random_Nerd> You have fuel, you have an air permit, you have a plan.
<@deMontreal> ".... aaaaaaand Senko is yelling for no reason."
<@Random_Nerd> The seagull is just so relaxed.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Mr. de Montreal! Click the clicky thing!"
<@Lili> "It makes her happy and her energy can perhaps power the vacuum."
<@Luthien> "Why do I have to mop the deck?"
<@deMontreal> "Which 'clicky thing'?"
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, you hear the seagull purring.
<@Luthien> "I want to climb the ropes!"

• @Lili leaps for the ropes, checks knots and untying things as needed.
  
• @Shounen go investigate the sound
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "You wanted to pilot the zeppelin. If you don't know, let me do it."

• @deMontreal knows all of the clicky things and is fairly sure Senko doesn't.
  

<@deMontreal> "Oh, I can and will pilot it.
<@Random_Nerd> Under his feathers on his head, the seagull appears to have a pair of tiny cat ears. Also, little whiskers protruding from the sides of his beak.
<@Lili> (I don't know which is more impressive...seagulls can purr or Shonen can hear it and identify it.)
<@deMontreal> "I'm just wondering what 'clicky thing' you're referring to since right now it's ...
<@deMontreal> "'twisty things' we need to worry about."
<@Lili> (...Luthi, it's for you!)

• @Shounen pet the seagull/cat
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "Alright then. Seagull! Check the thrusters!"
<@Random_Nerd> The seagull squawks, and looks at Shounen in a "Who? Me?" way.
<@Random_Nerd> Then it shrugs, and flies over to the back of the airship.
<@deMontreal> "Having the seagull get sucked into the engines might impede our performance."
<@Lili> "That seagull was a guest! We can't make it work!"

• @Shounen shine for the seagull (want it as minion)
  

<@deMontreal> "In any case."
<@Mrs_Senko> "I'm sure that's not how one is supposed to check the thrusters."
<@deMontreal> (This thing is pretty much steampunk, right?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes.)
<@deMontreal> "Boiler starting."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Everyone must pull their weight, Ms. Cartaign, or this ship will never fly!"
<@Lili> *smiles at Luthi* "It's your responsibility to make sure that we all have good footing, Luthi. We can't all land on our feet like you."
<@Random_Nerd> (Well, 30% real-world WWI Tech, 35% steampunk, 35% nightmare-tech.)

• @deMontreal starts the fuel flow and hits the pilot light
  
• @Lili will not mention that a good host pulls the weight of their honored guests.
  

<@deMontreal> "Let me know if anyone hears a boom."

• @Mrs_Senko pushes some buttons.
  

<@Random_Nerd> The turbines start to turn.

• @Luthien pushes a mop around.
  
• @deMontreal has brilliantly steered Senko over by the do-nothing buttons he installed.
  

<@Luthien> *gets quite startled when she gets splashed with water*
<@deMontreal> "Pressure to ... nominal.
<@Lili> "How..about we switch, Luthi? You make sure that the knots are good?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (I was actually going to suggest such a button panel, but as she's invoking the Bleak Method, it doesn't matter!)
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, you have the nagging sensation that despite your clever engineering, that those buttons are actually doing something.
<@deMontreal> "Signal lights... going off at random.
<@Luthien> "I can knot!"
<@Random_Nerd> They aren't connected to anything, but when Senko presses them, they do seem to be making the engine prepare for launch.
<@Mrs_Senko> (Bwahahahaha!)
<@deMontreal> "Sen-kun, would you be so kind as to leave the ship's operation to the one actually operating the ship?"

• @Shounen walk to the back of the DeM looking for the seagul
  

<@Lili> (kun? Why, Leo!)
<@Random_Nerd> (But it's working! That's the annoying part.)

• @Mrs_Senko does not acknowledge the name
  

<@Random_Nerd> The seagull is perched on the back, staring intently at the thrusters.
<@Random_Nerd> Maybe it's just the shine, but this seagull looks really cool.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ms. Cartaign, ready?"

• @deMontreal hits the radio. "Alvin, open the bay doors."
  

<@Random_Nerd> It isn't actually wearing a pair of sunglasses and a fedora at a jaunty angle, but it manages to give the impression that it is.

• @Lili swabs the deck with skill, panache and a lot of other things that may mean that she is listening to her own personal satellite radio station in her head. But her sweeping movements seem to be timing with the jerks and shudders of the vessel in a weird syncopation.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Alvin: "Opening doors, sir."

• @Shounen look at the seagull with Shounen-Vision
  

<@Luthien> "Ropes are ready!"
<@Random_Nerd> In Shounen-Vision, you can totally see the sunglasses and the hat.
<@Random_Nerd> Also, the seagull is shiny. Clearly, it has hopes or dreams or something.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Mr. Soun, ready?"

• @Shounen thumbs up the seagull
  

<@deMontreal> "Release the rigging."
<@Shounen> "Oh, yeah, ready, ready"
<@Random_Nerd> The seagull gives you a confident nod.
<@Lili> "Release the rigging!"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Seagull, ready?"

• @Shounen use what the heart dream off to know what theat seagull dream
  

<@Random_Nerd> Seagull: "AAAWK!"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Mr. de Montreal, ready?"
<@Random_Nerd> The seagull dreams of catching a fish as big as a human, with scales that gleam in dark blues and greens, and having that fish tell him a secret that nobody else knows, before he releases it and watchs it swim away.
<@deMontreal> "Buoyancy positive, lifting off. Power to engines."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Excellent! To the Sky!"
<@Random_Nerd> Seagull: "Squawk!"
<@deMontreal> "Ejector seat... still on to-do list, damn it."
<@Luthien> "don't blow it up then!"
<@deMontreal> "Sure, crush all my dreams...
<@Mrs_Senko> "That's quite practical, Luthien. Very good."

• @Shounen is satisfied of the seagull dream. To seagull: "Please let me know when we are at the Sky. I take a nap"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Seagull, in Shounen-vision: *thumbs up*
<@Mrs_Senko> "I thought you worked with nightmares, Mr. de Montreal."

• @Shounen go to the best bed of the ship
  

<@Lili> The deck is clean but not so clean as to make the footing unstable or unsafe.
<@Luthien> "aren't nightmares dreams?"
<@Random_Nerd> The Deus Ex Machina takes to the sky.
<@deMontreal> "Nightmares, yes. Annoyances I still need to work with."
<@Luthien> "I know I only have time while asleep"
<@deMontreal> "Engines to one-half..."
<@Random_Nerd> Everything starts to feel a little unreal, for a moment. It's not quite the same feeling as when the dream-reality took over in the loft, but it's... a cousin to that, say.
<@Mrs_Senko> "That's the only time it is practical to have dreams."
<@Random_Nerd> In his bed, Shounen tosses and turns.
<@Lili> "Not daydreams...those can be anytime.."
<@deMontreal> "We should be clear of the buildings in a few moments..."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Daydreams are an impractical waste of time."
<@Shounen> (I dissent!)
<@Random_Nerd> The engines hum, with only a faint sound of the screams of lost souls trapped in a dark haunted swamp.

• @deMontreal writes "more baffling" on a note...
  
• @Lili laughs. "Obviously you don't have good ones, then, Senko! You need to work on that!"
  

<@Random_Nerd> You make it over the tops of the highest buildings of Old Moulder.
<@Luthien> "I can see my house!"
<@Luthien> "But you can't. 'cause it's secret."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Having good daydreams is the same as having bad daydreams. They are both a waste of time."
<@Lili> "How can they be a waste of time? You're still doing something. You're still alive."
<@deMontreal> "Not true. It's the only way to get through your ridiculous classes."
<@Random_Nerd> All the air around you begins to hum.
<@deMontreal> (Must teach it the words sometime, then)
<@Lili> (*claps*)
<@Random_Nerd> (So, we need a final ritual-closing action...)
<@Random_Nerd> (Leo?)

• @Mrs_Senko looks around.
  
• @Shounen snore cutely
  

<@Random_Nerd> You're high above Old Moulder.
<@deMontreal> "We are clear.
<@Random_Nerd> You can see most of the nearby parts of town, although the edges of the island are still beyond your view.
<@deMontreal> "Engines to full, buoyancy to neutral."
<@Mrs_Senko> "It is now practical to cheer."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Woohoo!"
<@Random_Nerd> (Actual cheering, or shouting "Woohoo!" in a deadpan voice?)
<@deMontreal> (Where are we going?)
<@Lili> (Definitely not a Fluttershy whoohoo. That's too cheerful.)
<@Lili> (The Sky.)
<@Random_Nerd> (The Sky, which...)
<@Mrs_Senko> (I think...the deadpan voice is thematically better for Mrs. Senko.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Both amuse me, though.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, let's close off that scene. I'll call that a full 10-destiny scene, no problem.)
<@Luthien> "We need to go up!"
<@Luthien> "To where the Sun lives. It's nice up there, it tells me
<@Random_Nerd> And then, everything starts to go wrong.
<@Shounen> (woho for the xps!)
<@Luthien> "Clouds are nice and fluffy and solid :)"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Don't be silly. Suns don't talk."
<@Shounen> (eh?)
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, your dream starts to take on the character of a nightmare. You're strapped to a table in Leonardo's lair, and he's sharpening a knife.
<@Luthien> "Does so!"
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, suddenly the ropes are all not working right.
<@Mrs_Senko> "And what do the clouds taste like, then?"
<@Random_Nerd> The knots are slipping, and the rigging is on the verge of falling apart.
<@Random_Nerd> Lillimund, you (and only you) hear the engines start to screech and bang.
<@Luthien> "Sun is my friend!" *pouts with the sight of rigging falling apart behind her*

• @Lili tries to give Luthi a look of 'just let Senko have her weird little fantasies about the Sun not talking or being a girl or such. We know the truth.'
  
• @Shounen try to free myself from the table
  

<@Luthien> "And don't be silly! You don't eat the clouds! You stand on them!"
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, you're locked to the table with iron manacles.
<@Random_Nerd> Dream-Leo: "And now, Mister Soun, we slice you open to see just what makes you so interesting."

• @Mrs_Senko looks a bit disappointed that you don't eat the clouds.
  

<@Lili> "De Montreal, what are you doing? The engines! They scream! Not normal screams of your work but something is wrong!"
<@deMontreal> "All right, let's see if we can't get up above the town..."
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, Lillimund has gone insane. The engines sound fine.
<@Shounen> "Hey Leo, we are friends, right? why don't put that knife away?"
<@deMontreal> (gone insane?)
<@Random_Nerd> The controls, though... something has gone wrong. The zeppelin is pointing at the ground.
<@Lili> ( ^^ )
<@Random_Nerd> You're losing height, and far too fast.
<@deMontreal> "That's from the power level..."

• @Lili runs toward the engines! Their screaming, they hurt! Have to help them!
  

<@deMontreal> "Whoops, maybe not...
<@Random_Nerd> Senko, your Buttons of Dramatic Pressing... several have red warning-lights trigger under them, and a buzzer (that no one else hears) goes off.

• @deMontreal ups the ship's buoyancy...
  
• @Mrs_Senko taps furiously at the buttons!
  

<@Luthien> "Up! Not down! Up!"
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, it's not working! Some of the valves in the gas chamber must be stuck!
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, knots unravel around you.
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, you feel the cold steel of Leonardo's scalpel slice you open just above the sternum.

• @deMontreal redirects steam from the forward-engines to the backup vertical prop
  

<@Random_Nerd> Lillimund, the engines are shaking like a poorly balanced washing machine.

• @Shounen scriek!
  

<@Luthien> "Oh, bad knots :(

• @Lili slides to a stop next to the engines. She puts hands on them, asking them to tell her what's wrong...
  

<@Luthien> *grabs the ropes now*

• @Shounen try to over shine anything
  

<@Random_Nerd> In the bedroom, Shounen vanishes. The seagull squawks in surprise.
<@deMontreal> "Ari! Fix the valves on the buoyancy controls!"
<@Lili> *to the engines* "It's okay, it's okay, Leo doesn't do this shoddy of work...what is happening to you?"
<@Shounen> (/me gasp! )
<@Random_Nerd> Lili, you can see that one of the engines needs to be rebuilt. Right now. You can't stop it because the other engine would tear it apart if you had only one on, and if you stop both, Leo will lose all control of the DEM.
<@Lili> (Use Tinker 2?)
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, you can't find Ariadne anywhere.

• @deMontreal steers over water just in case...
  

<@deMontreal> "Damn it, who's got the spiderbot?"
<@Random_Nerd> The controls aren't responding. They're sticking.
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, from the ropes, you can no longer see anyone on the deck.
<@Random_Nerd> The controls are standing unmanned.
<@Shounen> (brb)
<@Luthien> "Where did everybody go?"
<@Luthien> "mrrowl?"
<@deMontreal> (We've been in the dark, right?)
<@Random_Nerd> (It's still day, if that's what you mean.)
<@Shounen> (back)
<@deMontreal> (In shadow?)
<@Random_Nerd> (You're currently in the sunlight. You have to be, else you wouldn't be able to see to pilot.)
<@deMontreal> (Nuts, that means no powers.)
<@Random_Nerd> (You could build a barrier, or go somewhere else.)
<@deMontreal> (Well, I'll revive after a couple hours in the dark.)
<@Random_Nerd> (But the pilot's section looks out into the sky with big windows.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Or have a parasol!)
<@deMontreal> (for 5 minutes?)(
<@Lili> (I've got Tinker 2, Diagnosis 1, Steampunk 2, Shapeshifter (Clockwork) for tools, Tools of the trade - steampunk plot devices and Treasure 2 for whatever I fix/build. I aim all of that at the engine that is failing!)
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, the controls start responding. Not properly, but a little.

• @deMontreal cuts the speed.
  

<@Random_Nerd> But as they do, you notice that everyone's left you here.
<@deMontreal> and lowers altitude.
<@Random_Nerd> Nobody's standing at their posts, they've all gone and abandoned you.
<@Mrs_Senko> (I am now imagining Leonardo in sunglasses and carrying a lacy parasol wherever he goes.)
<@deMontreal> "Huh. Finally."
<@deMontreal> Control?
<@Lili> "Come on, engine 2! You can't leave engine 1 like this! Everyone is counting on you!"
<@Lili> (But oyu don't even have your spiderbot!)
<@Random_Nerd> The zeppelin is still losing altitude.
<@Random_Nerd> But it's doing so towards the water, not towards buildings.
<@Random_Nerd> Someone's going to have to fix those valves if you're going to stay aloft.
<@deMontreal> All power to stabilizers.
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, a creature like a giant squirrel covered in spines crawls across the ropes.
<@Random_Nerd> It's carrying a knife in its mouth, and soon it stops and starts sawing away at an important cable.
<@Luthien> *lets go of the ropes and hunts the squirrel*

• @Lili shifts hands into multi-tools, eyes into optics. "You're not going to die on me! Not here! Not now!"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, as you lie strapped on the table, Leonardo pulls all of the parts of you that make you interesting, and weighs them on a scale, snorting derisively.
<@Luthien> *prowls across the ropes, ready to pounce at the squirrel, being all secret and stealthy-like*
<@Random_Nerd> Senko, all your students seem to have run off to play.
<@deMontreal> Forward engines off, all power to the backup prop pointing down.
<@Lili> (He will never stop! There is nothing about Shounen that isn't interesting!)
<@Random_Nerd> If you want to keep this thing in the air, you need to fix things with all your powers of adult practicality!
<@Mrs_Senko> "Typical."
<@Shounen> (wait I disappeard? I'm conused now)
<@Random_Nerd> (From your point of view, you are in a dream.)
<@Luthien> (this is the Alone portion)
<@Random_Nerd> (From everyone else's point of view, you've vanished.)
<@Random_Nerd> (But from everyone's point of view, everyone has vanished.)
<@Shounen> (oh, then I misunderstood)

• @deMontreal locks the controls and heads back to the damn valves...
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "I got a gold star on my zeppelin piloting exam, so this should be easy."
<@Random_Nerd> The squirrel screams defiance at Luthien, and draws a cutlass from nowhere in particular.
<@Lili> A piece spronges off of the engine! Lili reaches a hand gracefully out to catch it before it can cause true loss and slots it back into place!

• @Mrs_Senko looks around....pushes a few more buttons....takes the controls.
  

<@Lili> (The Way is long, arduous and we must travel alone...)

• @Shounen try scrub sparkle on me to have look like I have no interesting pieces
  

<@Luthien> As the squirrel draws its cutlass and goes to attack Luthi, she will POUNCE! on the thing.
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, you rebuilt these valves yourself. You lubricated them with the slick surface of the melting ice on a scary lake at midnight.
<@Random_Nerd> There is no way they can be sticking.
<@Random_Nerd> And yet.
<@Random_Nerd> Dream-Leonardo stops.
<@Random_Nerd> Dream-Leonardo: "Is that all? I'd hoped there would be more."
<@deMontreal> "Who has done this?
<@deMontreal> "Which of those FOOLS has sabotaged my efforts?"
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, your words echo through the empty zeppelin.
<@Random_Nerd> Alone.

• @Mrs_Senko does some math on a sketch-pad (this includes a smiley face) to adjust speed.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Always alone, at the end.

• @Lili speaks to the engine in mech-speak, singing of the times when cycles are perfect, the ping of a well-finished heating, the roar of the combustion!
  

<@Random_Nerd> Lilimund, you've got the one engine working...

• @deMontreal manually sends all the steam to the stabilizer props.
  

<@Random_Nerd> But then the other one makes a "CLUNK" sound like someone just dropped a box of scrap metal.
<@Lili> "...curse you, deMontreal."
<@deMontreal> (Too late)
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, the engines respond, with a loud sound that they shouldn't make.
<@Luthien> *Luthi and the squirrel have a swashbuckling fight that would make both IronClaw and 7th Sea proud* (:D)
<@Lili> (But is it enough to get you an XP?)
<@Random_Nerd> (...yes.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes it is.)
<@deMontreal> (Thanks Lili. :))
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, Dream-Leonardo is filling your torso with sawdust, and sewing you back up.
<@deMontreal> What's our altitude?
<@Random_Nerd> You're still crashing towards the water...
<@Random_Nerd> But you seem to be higher.
<@Random_Nerd> You have been falling the whole time, and yet your position is elevated.
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly, shenanigans are involved.

• @Lili leaps for the other engine, fingers elongating and merging with the engine! "No, no you will NOT!"
  

<@Random_Nerd> Squirrel: "For a thousand generations of my people, Cat, you will be slain!"
<@deMontreal> "How are we higher?"

• @Mrs_Senko pushes a few more buttons, makes a very concentrated face, pulls hard on a lever!
  

<@Shounen> toDreamLeo: "Stop, I'm outraged that you put so uninteresting sawdust in me!"
<@Random_Nerd> Dream-Leo: "Well, now you're not special any more. You're just like everyone else."
<@Luthien> "I have not killed a thousand Squirrels, nor have I been alive for a thousand Squirrel generations"

• @deMontreal heads back to the controls...
  

<@Random_Nerd> Dream-Leo unlocks the manacles. "You can go."
<@Luthien> "And besides, my father was killed by a squirrel! I think. I may have dreamed that."
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, the downward velocity meter is in the red. You're clearly falling.
<@deMontreal> (Does Senko's fooling with the controls register in my reality?)
<@Random_Nerd> But from the altitude meter, you're rising.
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes. Someone is doing something, and it's fixing the stability.)
<@deMontreal> Which way are we pointed?

• @Lili fixes and changes and rebuilds and reworks in a fury. "You will not fail on my friends! You will not fail on your master! You will not fail on ME for I am Marvelous!"
  

<@Random_Nerd> (You're not sure. The compass doesn't seem to be working.)
<@deMontreal> Upor down?
<@Shounen> "It can't be real I'm special!" *run to the door and *use just a dream to become special again*
<@Mrs_Senko> "To the Skyyyyy!"
<@Random_Nerd> Squirrel, struck through the heart, clutching the rope with one paw: "One day, cat! One day! We will be avenged!"
<@Random_Nerd> The squirrel falls.

• @Mrs_Senko clenches her teeth and squints.
  

<@Random_Nerd> Lilli, you think you have the engine fixed...
<@Random_Nerd> And nothing new breaks.
<@Luthien> "No, it doesn't have to be that way! There can be peace between cat and squirrel!"
<@Random_Nerd> Senko, your calculations are perfect. You know just how to pilot the thing to safety, deduced from first principles.
<@deMontreal> "OK, Theory:
<@Luthien> "... we must team up to fight the dogs!"
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, dream-Leo gives you your clothes back, and walks away, whistling a happy tune.
<@Mrs_Senko> "I almost forgot to carry the smiley face."
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, the downward velocity meter suddenly makes a PING! sound, and returns to normal.
<@deMontreal> "The controls are showing us a different situation than the actual altitude.
<@deMontreal> "...
<@Random_Nerd> And with that, everyone's back on the same version of the zeppelin.

• @Shounen shine and shine as there is no tomorrow
  

<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, the gull makes a meowing sound.
<@Random_Nerd> And you wake up.
<@Luthien> (I thought Shounen had Cool instead of Shine? Shine's Luthi's :))

• @deMontreal puts the controls in neutral, all stop...
  

<@Shounen> (wow that was the scarrier scene Shounen was put in)
<@Lili> (I love that, Senko, but it made me smile not boggle.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, adversity scene, cooperative, 10 Destiny.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Welcome back, everyone. I hope you all had fun playing your games."
<@Random_Nerd> (Who got the last scene-XP?)
<@Luthien> "I fought a squirrel!"
<@Luthien> "It had a small sabre"
<@Lili> (Hah, Lili's with the engines, outside of Senko snark range!)
<@deMontreal> "Where were you?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (I do it for the smiles. :) )
<@Lili> (Not sure.)
<@Shounen> (nope, just checked, shine 3 for shounen)
<@Random_Nerd> (Let me check.)
<@Random_Nerd> (A couple of you have Shine, Luthi.)
<@deMontreal> to Senko: "What did you do to my controls?!?"
<@Luthien> (huh. Well, then. Shine must be not quite what I thought, then.)
<@Shounen> (Shine let other work better around you)
<@Random_Nerd> (Natalia's the one with Cool, I think.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "I used them to adjust our speed and go to the Sky. If you aren't going to man them properly, don't complain."

• @Lili hugs the engines. Pats them, talks soothingly to them. Wipes grease attractively along her nose and face, willing her mechanical parts to become flesh again.
  

<@Luthien> (I guess I just figured Shounen would have the "I'm awesome" one :))
<@Lili> (Senko can't Man them either.)
<@Random_Nerd> The island of Town is no longer visible below.
<@deMontreal> "I was Fixing This Ship!"
<@Random_Nerd> However, one of the clouds up in front appears to have something built on it.
<@Random_Nerd> Neo-classical looking, white marble.

• @Shounen shake head and look at the seagul "I had the weirdest nightmare in .. ever"
  

<@deMontreal> "Not that it needs it unless idiots punch all the buttons!"
<@Mrs_Senko> "I see the squirrel left you unharmed, Miss Cartaign. Very good."
<@Luthien> "We mostly duelled verbally."
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, by the button console, you see Senko's calculations.
<@deMontreal> (Can we assume we have a GPS?)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Mrs. Senko will [gender unspecified] them)
<@Luthien> "It was very old-school swashbuuckling"
<@Random_Nerd> They look... brilliant, except for the parts that use symbols that seem 100% made up.
<@deMontreal> "Did any of you leave the ship?"
<@Random_Nerd> (If you have a GPS, you'd have had to launch the satellites yourself.)
<@Random_Nerd> (And you've only launched the one so far.)
<@Luthien> "Nope!"

• @Lili will just sit here with the engines. Happy that they are okay and that they are happy again.
  

<@Random_Nerd> (You need at least a couple for parallax.)
<@Mrs_Senko> ("That part is supposed to look like a potato, but I'm not good at drawing those.")
<@Shounen> (I'm out of senko range :-D )
<@deMontreal> "... Ariadne?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, I think the current bonus XP goes to Luthien.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Why would I leave the ship?"
<@Random_Nerd> Ariadne chitters in mecha-spider-language.
<@Random_Nerd> A very pithy dialect that you designed yourself.
<@Random_Nerd> Ariadne: "Whaaaaat?"
<@deMontreal> to Ari: "Go re-check the valves."
<@Random_Nerd> Ariadne: "Why'd you leave, boss?"
<@deMontreal> to Senko: "You weren't here a minute ago."
<@Lili> (And you all are still missing Lili and Shounen! The horror!)
<@deMontreal> to Ari: "I was here the whole time except when I went back to adjust the valves..."

• @Shounen jump out of the bed and look fot a toilet to refresh myself
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "You weren't here a minute ago. Apparently your powers of observation are failing."
<@Random_Nerd> (Oh, and the engines are now humming along perfectly. Well, with the screams of the damned, but only slightly, and within accepted tolerances.)

• @Lili gently pets the engines. Good engines. Goooood engines.
  

<@Shounen> (tolerance of damned screams?)
<@Random_Nerd> Ariadne, in spider-chitter: "I searched the entire airship, Master. You were not here."
<@deMontreal> "My powers of observation make you look blind and stupid.
<@Lili> (+/- two decibles per minute.)
<@Random_Nerd> (They are partly made of nightmare-tech.)
<@deMontreal> "The latter being an incredible feat."
<@Mrs_Senko> "I find that to be a pitiful and impractical come-back."
<@deMontreal> (Who's with us on the bridge?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Everyone but Shounen unless he just wanders up, and Lillimund.)
<@Random_Nerd> (And the seagull, which is with Shounen.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Luthien and Ariadne, then?)
<@deMontreal> to Luthien: "What did you see?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Yeah, Leo, Luthien, Ariadne, Senko.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "She was off fighting a squirrel."
<@Lili> (Hmm, I must be tired. I read that first as 'flipping off a squirrel.')

• @Shounen sprinkle water around neck and return to the seagul
  

<@deMontreal> "We're far too high up to be dealing with squirrels..."
<@Luthien> "I was on the ropes :)"
<@deMontreal> "Did you see any of us?"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Must have been a stowaway."
<@Shounen> to seagul: "Perhaps did you see Leo here?"
<@Random_Nerd> Something bright flashes at you from the cloud.
<@Random_Nerd> Seagull Minion shakes his birdcat head no.

• @deMontreal looks at the cloud...
  

<@Random_Nerd> It looks like a big signal-mirror, made of gold or brass.

• @Mrs_Senko looks at the flashy thing
  

<@Random_Nerd> It's being turned toward and then away from you.

• @Lili is confident in her fixing abilities but she would still like to make sure that the engines are okay before she leaves them. Fool her one, shame on somebody...
  

<@Random_Nerd> But you don't recognize the signal code.

• @Shounen examinig my gout for seadust tracks uhm... a nightmare, definitely a nightmare then"
  
• @Mrs_Senko looks for her own reflection in the mirror. That's what one does with mirrors, after all.
  

<@Random_Nerd> It's at the top of a marble tower, on a nearby cloud.
<@deMontreal> "Hm. A city on a cloud.
<@deMontreal> (We should be stopped, BTW...)

• @Mrs_Senko squints. The reflection is probably too far away to see.
  

<@Luthien> "Told you."
<@Random_Nerd> (That's what's going to happen.)
<@deMontreal> "One of you, check and make sure nobody fell off the ship."
<@Random_Nerd> (They're signalling you to see if you respond.)
<@Shounen> to Seagull: "damn ,this is the time I would like to start smoking, did you have one?"
<@Lili> (Obviously we need to wave Shounen out the window as our shiniest object.)
<@Random_Nerd> A few boats seem to be sailing over towards the Deus Ex Machina.
<@Mrs_Senko> (are there any visible people?)

• @deMontreal checks the radio for new signals...
  

<@Random_Nerd> They're made of white wood and brass fittings, and hang in the air apparently unsupported.
<@Random_Nerd> The radio doesn't even crackle with static.
<@Random_Nerd> A few of the people on the ships are visible.
<@Random_Nerd> But no one else.

• @deMontreal readies the cannons just in case...
  
• @Mrs_Senko waves at the visible people.
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "Hello! I mean, er...AHOY!"
<@Random_Nerd> A flying ship-of-the-line pulls up beside the Deus Ex Machina.
<@Random_Nerd> Its cannon gleam coppery-bright in the sunlight.
<@Random_Nerd> The crew seem to be lowering a smaller boat, with a few people in it.
<@deMontreal> "Hm. Be ready to repel boarders, just in case.

• @Mrs_Senko grabs a mop
  
• @Mrs_Senko also grabs a bottle of bluing.
  

<@Random_Nerd> The smaller boat floats up to just outside Leo's pilot's post.
<@deMontreal> "Ari, switch to those saws I gave you."
<@Random_Nerd> It's occupied by three men with bird faces.

• @Lili hears Senko. "Oh, we must have visitors." *pats the engines again* "Don't worry, I'll be here and deMontreal and if you have trouble, we will help, okay?"
  

<@Lili> (We have our paperwork, yes?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yep.)
<@Luthien> (I think I'm fading now. It's also 23:34. So, I think I'm going to call it a night. However! Moving in about a month, and then I'll be able to last longer :D)

• @Lili heads back to the others.
  

<@Random_Nerd> A hawk-faced man in front, with a bronze saber, shouts: "Permission to come aboard?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Okay. If you have any thoughts on the scene stuff, send me an email, okay?)

• @Shounen look outside and notice the boat
  
• @deMontreal shouts back: "Depends. Who are you?"
  

<@Luthien> (will do :) Good night!)
<@Mrs_Senko> "If you don't mean to cause problems, of course you may."
<@Shounen> (night Luthi!)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Take care)

• @Luthien Quit
  

<@Random_Nerd> Hawk-Man: "Lieutenant Vir, of the Dawn Queen's Favor. And who are you?"
<@Lili> (Leonardo deMontreal! *evil laughter!!!* "Never heard of you.")
<@deMontreal> "Lucifer de Montreal, of the Deus Ex Machina."
<@Mrs_Senko> "I am Mrs. Senko, a teacher at School, and these are my students. And one of their mothers."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "I see no banner. Whose colors do you fly?"

• @Lili shows up. "Oh, we have visitors. And..wait, your Christian name is Lucifer? That's...awkward."
  

<@deMontreal> "Our own."

• @Shounen hurry to the control room of the DeX
  

<@deMontreal> (It isn't.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Colors?"
<@Random_Nerd> (Fake name?)
<@Lili> "Our flag. We should have gotten a School flag! That would have been awesome!"
<@Random_Nerd> He points at the flag on the ship he came from, a golden sun in a field of blue.
<@deMontreal> (Like I tell anyone my real name in a world with at least some magic.)

• @Mrs_Senko brightens at Lili's suggestion.
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "That is a marvelous idea!"
<@deMontreal> "This is an independent ship. We have no flag. Door's over here."
<@Random_Nerd> (Because Leonardo doesn't believe in name-stealing magic, but he also doesn't believe in taking chances?)
<@deMontreal> (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "We found this zeppelin at the school, maybe there's a school flag in it somewhere."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Ah. In that case, we're going to have to bring you to port, and my superiors will have to see what to do with you."
<@Lili> "We have paperwork!"
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Oh?"
<@Lili> "From Principal Entropy the Second! Show them, Senko!"

• @Mrs_Senko shows them.
  

<@Random_Nerd> When Entropy's name is mentioned, he winces.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Ah, so you sail from the Evil World? Why didn't you say so?"
<@deMontreal> "... come aboard. Door's over here."
<@Mrs_Senko> "We...didn't know you called it that."
<@deMontreal> "Evil? It's annoying, it's hardly Evil."
<@Lili> *sigh* "No, we're from School. Completely different. For one thing, less ogres!"
<@Random_Nerd> His rowers (who are using things that look like those giant fans that people fan kings with in throneroom scenes, rather than oars) bring the boat over.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Fewer, Ms. Cartaign."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "...less... ogres?"
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "How many ogres do you have?"

• @deMontreal makes sure Ari is mounting weaponry before extending the gangplank
  

<@Random_Nerd> (I'm going to give Senko a bonus XP for "fewer.")
<@Mrs_Senko> "[number]"
<@Lili> "I've seen Zoe Rosewood at School, but I have yet to meet her theoretically charming and dreamy husband."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "I don't see any. Have them brought forward."

• @Shounen reach the others
  

<@Mrs_Senko> "Oh, they're not in our party."
<@deMontreal> "They're not aboard.
<@Random_Nerd> He walks up the gangplank.

• @Lili thinks it's the lack of oxygen up here. "Evil World has many ogres. School has fewer ogres than that. We have even less, mainly no, ogres aboard."
  

<@Random_Nerd> The brass buttons on his white sailor suit gleam in the light. But then, everything here seems to be brass and gleaming. Get a more varied color scheme, people!
<@deMontreal> "As far as we know we're from the lands below you."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir walks up to Senko, and reaches out for the permit.

• @Mrs_Senko hands the permit to him.
  

<@Random_Nerd> He looks it over.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "...Town. Hmm."

• @Lili finds the gleaming brass charming and comforting, thank you.
  

<@deMontreal> (What kind of scene is this?)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Well, we don't get many ships from Town, at least ones staffed by humans. I don't suppose you have any rats on hand, that would know the procedures?"
<@Random_Nerd> He hands it back.
<@Random_Nerd> (Hmm. Not sure. What kind of scene do you want it to be?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Unless we have any more stowaways, no."
<@Shounen> "We have a seagull"

• @Shounen wistle to call the seagull
  

<@Random_Nerd> He looks at Senko in the eyes, and stops dead.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Ma'am, are you a Rider?"

• @deMontreal looks at Senko...
  

<@Mrs_Senko> (she should know that term, yes?)
<@Random_Nerd> (Yes. Slang for "Excrucian.")
<@deMontreal> (if it relates to the Academy, so should I)
<@Random_Nerd> (All of you know it.)
<@deMontreal> (... are we?)
<@Random_Nerd> (And that Senko is one, just like Zoe's an Ogre and so on.)
<@Lili> (Walking the Path? Everyone needs to deal with beuracracy?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Yes. I would think that was obvious. Is that a problem, sir?"
<@Lili> (DeMontreal's a Mimic!)
<@Random_Nerd> (But nobody knows that!)
<@Random_Nerd> (Including him!)
<@deMontreal> (Ah, but do I know that?)
<@Mrs_Senko> (There are Riders at School and in Town. It's a thing.)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "The Kingdom of Celestia is not currently on friendly terms with the Bleak Acadamy, Dame Rider. This... I believe we will have to bring you to my superiors after all. I apologise for the complication.)
<@deMontreal> (NVM, answered)
<@Lili> (If we all know what a Rider is and that Senko's one...why is the Bleak Method thingie secret?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Racism!"
<@Random_Nerd> (Well, most of the Riders in town are... just people who live there, and happen to have stars in their eyes and be a bit weird.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Senko was actually personally created by the Headmaster and sent here on a mission.)
<@deMontreal> "Hm. Well, we can pull our ship into your port..."
<@Lili> "I think it's more of a discrimination thing, Senko. Unless you were born a Rider but I didn't think they considered sex..>"
<@Lili> "But hey, if it's a race, congratulations!"
<@Random_Nerd> (It's like the difference between being Mister Yegorov, who grew up in Chicago and has a grocery store, and being an agent of the KGB.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "I was born a Rider. It's a perfectly natural thing to be born a Rider."
<@Lili> "Oh, both of your parents were Riders too? You'll have to tell me about them and growing up as a Rider! I'm always wanting to learn more!"
<@Random_Nerd> (People who know her know that Senko is, at least genetically, Excrucian. Few know that she's fullblooded.)
<@deMontreal> (Until now)
<@Random_Nerd> (No, what he's saying would make sense for just a "regular" Rider person.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Riders in Town... normalish. Riders in Celestia... not so much.)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Do you mind if I bring you to see the authorities? No force is threatened, and you will be treated with respect, but I must request that all of you come with me."
<@deMontreal> (In a pinch, I'm inclined to say they can have her. :)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "All of you, I mean."
<@Shounen> (they want us all)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Your unusual ship will be unharmed, and moored at our docks."
<@Lili> "Sure! You all are so...shiny!"
<@deMontreal> "We'll pull the ship into your port, then.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir nods gravely. "We are indeed."
<@deMontreal> "No sense having it floating out here."
<@Mrs_Senko> "It would be convenient to speak with your authorities, so to that end I do not mind. But please do not think of it as a necessity of my being a Rider."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Think of it as an,
<@Random_Nerd> He points at the "docks", a series of tall poles with ropes hanging from them.
<@Mrs_Senko> 'Oh! She wants to meet with the authorities and work out a plan for cleaning the Sky.' sort of thing."
<@Mrs_Senko> "Something mutually beneficial for everyone. I brought mops and bluing."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "I... see."
<@Random_Nerd> "I will return to my ship, and have a formal delegation brought to receive you."

• @deMontreal signals Vir that they can totally have her.
  

<@Random_Nerd> "Are there any refreshments you require, Dame Rider, citizens of Town?"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Thank you."
<@Mrs_Senko> "I was hoping there would be cotton candy."
<@Lili> (Oh yay, Senko sugar rush.)
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "We do have cotton candy. I will have some brought."
<@Random_Nerd> He turns and walks back to his little boat.
<@Mrs_Senko> "Thank you.
<@Random_Nerd> (I'm going to call that a quick Exploration Scene. 3 more destiny for the pool.)
<@deMontreal> (OK, any difficulty with us pulling into their port?)
<@Mrs_Senko> (With them helping, we should be fine.)
<@Mrs_Senko> (Unless we wish to make it...not fine.)

• @Lili whispers to deMontreal. "We should be careful on the way back, deMontreal. Your engines both stopped back there."
  

<@Random_Nerd> (Nope. The moorings are straightforward, and the DEM is quickly roped in place against four poles, with a high and low rope for each pole.)
<@deMontreal> to Lili: "Not from my perspective... they were sending us into the ground."
<@deMontreal> "Which may be the key...
<@deMontreal> "It seems that during the transition we each believed we were alone."
<@deMontreal> "And yet none of us left the ship."

• @Lili raises an eyebrow. "They never were both off at the same time, so we wouldn't have been failing... Oh. Huh."
  

<@Random_Nerd> A gangplank is rotated into place to let you exit the DEM up to the "docks", which are made of a pale brown wood.
<@Shounen> "I had a weird nightmare..."
<@Random_Nerd> Odd. Where do the trees come from? And the marble, for that matter?
<@deMontreal> And how are they floating on a cloud?
<@Random_Nerd> The cloud appears to supply support for all these structures.
<@Lili> "what was your nightmare, Shounen? Not enough sleep?"
<@deMontreal> "So, Senko... how does this city work, Physics-wise?"
<@Shounen> "No, that Leo cut me open at take al my shining bits"
<@Random_Nerd> Standing at the docks are Lieutenant Vir, and two burly but finely-dressed owl-soldiers. Both are carrying large arming swords in their right hands, but from their pose it's more of a ceremonial thing than a threat.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Please do not step on anything that is not made of wood, stone, or metal. It may not support your weight.

• @Shounen outshine the locals
  

<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "I have been instructed to bring all of you directly to the throne...

• @deMontreal has his spider-bot behind him...
  

<@Random_Nerd> He stops to look at Shounen for a moment.
<@Random_Nerd> "...room."
<@Mrs_Senko> "It rests on top of the ground which is obscured by clouds. That's obvious, Mr. de Montreal."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Are any of you armed?"
<@Shounen> "the throne room? cool!"
<@deMontreal> "Me? No."
<@deMontreal> (The bot's a whole nother story)

• @Shounen raise arms and do a 360° circle
  

<@Random_Nerd> ("But I'm not allowed to stop bragging about my magnificent brain, because then it would be a concealed weapon.")
<@Mrs_Senko> "We are from School, Lieutenant. We do not carry weapons."
<@Lili> "Oh no. But I don't think I'm properly attired for someone on a throne!"
<@deMontreal> (Which is why I'm making pains to be sure it isn't concealed. :))
<@Random_Nerd> (But Lili has style!)

• @Lili whispers to Shounen. "I don't think you're missing anything shiny, Shounen."
  

<@Lili> (True, but she's being modest.)
<@Random_Nerd> He and the silent owl-guards proceed along the docks, which soon give way to a stone walkway.

• @Shounen wisper bac "Lili, was just a dream..."
  

<@Random_Nerd> Seagull Minion lands on Shounen's shoulder.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Now, it's been left to me to announce you, when you enter the throneroom. What are your names and titles, visitors?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (Seagull Minion is so totally going to the next Party!)
<@Shounen> "Bravo seagul"
<@Mrs_Senko> "Mrs. Senko. Teacher."
<@deMontreal> "Lucifer de Montreal, ship's captain, lord of all I survey..."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Not here."
<@Shounen> *pompously* "I'm Shounen of thew house Soun and this is my seagul"
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "You're going to be meeting the person who's actually lord of all she surveys here."
<@Random_Nerd> He writes these down.
<@Lili> "Oh, title, title..." *pats her pockets* *looks a little worriedly at everyone* "Lilimund Cartigan, Wish Granting Engine."
<@deMontreal> "Well, I haven't surveyed anyone here.
<@deMontreal> "... except you."
<@Random_Nerd> Vir: "Wish... granting... engine."

• @Mrs_Senko glares at Lili.
  
• @Shounen wishper to Lili "Made up title?"
  
• @Lili gives Senko a fragile smile. "It's uh...inherited?"
  
• @deMontreal looks at Lili...
  

<@deMontreal> (Should we give our titles as Player Characters? :p )
<@Mrs_Senko> "It's a silly title, but I can accept that it is inherited. Silly titles often are."
<@Random_Nerd> He leads you up to... well, it's not a palace. There is a palace, off in back. This is sort of an out-building of the palace, and it's blocky in look rather than fancy and fairy-tale-kingdomish.

• @Lili shrinks. "It's someone on a throne! The more important a person is, you shouldn't lie and he asked for my title! No one ever asks for my title! No one knows to ask."
  

<@Random_Nerd> In the distance is a pair of immense gold-and-polished wood doors. These aren't those. This looks like an ordinary fire-door, like you'd find at School.
<@Lili> "Plus..I may know someone who lives up here and I don't want to lie to her."
<@Random_Nerd> (And you know the funny thing? All our PCs have a strong tie to Jasper.)
<@Random_Nerd> (In one way or another.)
<@Random_Nerd> (But none of you know that the human Jasper that you know is actually no-shit the Sun.)
<@Random_Nerd> (Just that she has some vague tie with it.)
<@Lili> (Huh..in a way, Senko and I are sisters.)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course you don't lie! That's why I'm a Teacher and not some absurd 'Lord of All He Surveys.'"
<@Random_Nerd> He opens the door.
<@deMontreal> (Hardly, it's my heart that's the sun.)
<@Lili> (Er, no, she's my aunt.)
<@Random_Nerd> He leads you down a hall. The floor is tiled and shiny, but in a vaguely dingy way that wouldn't look out of place in Town.
<@Lili> (Senko is the daughter of Jasper's dad. Jasper is kinda my mom...hey, in a way, Senko, you're a great-aunt!)
<@Random_Nerd> V: "This is a little odd. This isn't where major guests are normally received..."
<@deMontreal> "Huh. Senko, did you bring your mop and bluing?"
<@Mrs_Senko> (gasp!)
<@Random_Nerd> He stops, and opens an ordinary wooden door.
<@Mrs_Senko> (Jasper is also a student at school, ja?)
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course."
<@Random_Nerd> Inside, sitting at a desk, is Jasper Irinka.
<@Random_Nerd> Vir opens his mouth to announce you, but she says "I know who they are."
<@deMontreal> (she?)
<@Random_Nerd> Jasper: "Hello, Leonardo. Lillimund. Shounen."
<@Shounen> "Hi Jasper!"
<@Random_Nerd> Jasper: "...Sister."

STOP

<@Mrs_Senko> "Miss Irinka."

• Shounen is now known as Angelo
  
• Mrs_Senko is now known as Verithe
  
• deMontreal is now known as Knockwood
  

<@Angelo> wait witch one is the name Jasper or Irinka?
<@Random_Nerd> (And I'm going to round out the Destiny, so Senko gets this one.)
<@Verithe> Her name is Jasper Irinka.
<@Lili> Irinka is her last name.
<@Random_Nerd> Jasper is her first name, Irinka is her family name.
<@Lili> We're going to have to drag Luthi in too.

• Lili is now known as BethE
  

<@Knockwood> Isn't Jasper a boy's name?
<@Verithe> It's both.
<@BethE> When has that mattered in a game?  :)
<@Knockwood> Luthi's her sister?
<@Verithe> So is the male option for the character, Raven.
<@Random_Nerd> Senko is her sister.
<@BethE> I know it as a gem-type.  :)
<@BethE> Luthi is...a friend, I guess, no relation.
<@Angelo> me too a friend, right?
<@Random_Nerd> And she's arguably one of Lillimund's parents, had something to do with bringing Luthien to Town...
<@Knockwood> Now, do I know the connection between her and my heart?
<@BethE> What is Jasper's connection to Shounen?
<@Random_Nerd> You know that you made a new sun when the old one broke.
<@Random_Nerd> You have absolutely no idea how that connects with her.
<@Random_Nerd> Hmm.
<@Random_Nerd> I guess Shounen is just a guy she knows at school.
<@BethE> Hah! Jasper's already given the parents grandchildren! The shame and dishonor on you, Senko!  ;P
<@Angelo> my guess too
<@Verithe> He's Shounen. Everyone knows Shounen.
<@BethE> True.
<@Angelo> true
<@Verithe> She's still in school. I hardly think that makes
<@Verithe> Senko the less virtuous one.
<@Verithe> Hmm...
<@Random_Nerd> Oh, and Leo doesn't know it, but he's also the father of her older half-brother. But that was before he was Leo.
<@Verithe> Leonardo de Montreal! A father! What is this world coming to!
<@Knockwood> I'm ... related ... to Senko? :)
<@Random_Nerd> Indirectly!
<@BethE> In an organ-donator way?
<@Random_Nerd> The God of Nightmares, an obscure mythic figure with no connection to anyone here, is the father of Night, whose mother was the Sun.
<@Verithe> Mrs. Senko: "It appears that students at school randomly have children. This is awkward."
<@Angelo> Well guys, I fade to nap, was a great session. See you in a week :-)
<@Random_Nerd> The Sun also had one other child, whose father was the Headmaster of the Bleak Academy.
<@Random_Nerd> That's Jasper.
<@Knockwood> cya Angelo
<@Random_Nerd> The Headmaster is also Senko's father.
<@Knockwood> Where is this?
<@BethE> I thought Night was the headmaster?
<@Verithe> Take care, Angelo!
<@Random_Nerd> This is in...
<@Verithe> I thought Jasper's mother was the old sun.
<@Random_Nerd> Yes.
<@Random_Nerd> This is in Further Chuubo Playtest Material Nov 26.
<@BethE> Proto-Leo + oldSun = Night. Headmaster + oldSun = Jasper Headmaster --> Senko.
<@BethE> Leo -\- Jasper. Jasper + Chuubo = Lili.
<@BethE> (Kinda. It's complicated.)
<@Verithe> I...may have misplaced that file.
<@Random_Nerd> And some's in Jasper's writeup.
<@Random_Nerd> I can resend it.
<@Random_Nerd> What email address would be best?
<@Verithe> Unless the file name doesn't start with C
<@Verithe> marcandsiya
<@Knockwood> to me too, please. [redacted]
<@BethE> Hmm, I may have to reread. I had thought that the Headmaster used to be someone else and so forth.
<@Random_Nerd> I've resent it to both of you.
<@Verithe> Thank you!
<@Random_Nerd> Okay, let me check.
<@Random_Nerd> All of us should have... four files, plus Rand's stuff.
<@Random_Nerd> This Further CHuubo Playtest Material one, the Additional Chuubo Playtest Material - November 20, Chuubo Playtest - October 31, and Fortitude Playtest - October 31
<@Random_Nerd> Does anyone lack any of those?
<@Random_Nerd> And, on a side note, what did you guys think of the Scene stuff?
<@Random_Nerd> On the one hand, it was a kinda awkward framework...
<@Random_Nerd> But on the other, I do think it produced a couple interesting scenes.
<@Verithe> I do have all of those, now, plus Rand's stuff.
<@BethE> I am glad that I could get a Curse deMontreal in and have it be 'real'. ^^
<@Knockwood> Y;know what, the takeoff scene...
<@Verithe> I think we did well with the Scenes. It seemed to flow well to me.
<@Knockwood> We did something similar waaaay back when with the operation on Lesson
<@Knockwood> back then it was arguably me assuaging my ego. :)
<@Random_Nerd> Oh?
<@Random_Nerd> Refresh my memory.
<@Knockwood> Now it's an actual scene. :p
<@Knockwood> We went through step by step (protect knife, cut Lesson, spread ribs...
<@Random_Nerd> Ah.
<@Random_Nerd> What did you guys like and dislike about the two formally-planned Scenes?
<@Knockwood> The Transit scene was almost a Trauma scene. :)
<@Random_Nerd> I actually turned it into an Adversity scene on the fly.
<@Random_Nerd> Seemed to work better that way.
<@Verithe> That works.
<@BethE> I was wondering if I was overdoing it.
<@Verithe> I thought Lili was being pretty much awesome all throughout.
<@Random_Nerd> In fact...
<@Random_Nerd> I'm going to give her an XP for that.
<@Random_Nerd> It wasn't quite emoted as "people trusting in Lili", but that's what it amounted to.
<@Knockwood> Hm... I want to say I have 5 XP now
<@Random_Nerd> Any thoughs on what to do with it?
<@BethE> Aww, thank you! Even if no one knew what I was doing. ^^
<@Random_Nerd> Hmm.
<@Random_Nerd> I guess you're still too low to put one of your Quests to the next stage.
<@Knockwood> debating whether to just put it in my 'base' quest
<@Random_Nerd> The "precious nightmares" one?
<@Knockwood> more like Showing Up Chuubo...
<@Knockwood> Which reminds me, shouldn't he be tagging along?
<@Verithe> It's easy to forget about him.
<@Random_Nerd> He asked for too much money at contract renegotiation time.
<@Verithe> Ah
<@Random_Nerd> I think it'll work better to bring him in when we have actual plots about him.
<@Random_Nerd> Presumably involving Showing.
<@Random_Nerd> But not have him be there all the time when he has nothing to do.
<@Verithe> That makes sense.
<@Knockwood> thing is, LdM is partially defined by wanting to show him up...
<@BethE> Night, all!
<@Knockwood> g'night Beth
<@Random_Nerd> Well, when you want to do something about showing him up...
<@Random_Nerd> Tell me.
<@Random_Nerd> And I'll work him in.

• @BethE Quit (Disintegrated: All shall love me and despair?)
  

<@Random_Nerd> Anyway, good session, guys.
<@Verithe> He could totally be visiting Jasper right now and we wouldn't even know!
<@Random_Nerd> Good work on the Ritual scene.
<@Random_Nerd> And on your various works during the Adversity one.
<@Knockwood> They were playing Halo right befiore we came
<@Random_Nerd> I thought everyone came up with some cool stuff in those.
<@Knockwood> We have PhD's in Anal Extractions.
<@Verithe> I loved everyone's everything.
<@Random_Nerd> Really, this session has made me like the Scene rules more.
<@Random_Nerd> They produced some cool stuff from you guys.
<@Random_Nerd> Anyway, I'm out.
<@Verithe> Take care!
<@Random_Nerd> See you next week, when hopefully I will no longer have Raptor-Flu.
<@Knockwood> cya RN