Editing Chuubo-1:1 (section)

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<@Random_Nerd> The street glimmers with the leftover water of a recent rainfall.<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> ("I WILL pin those portions of town down someday.")''<br>
* @deMontreal is directing a larger spiderbot.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> It's not particularly dirty.  There are a few empty soda cans by the side, and a few scraps of paper.<br>
* @Lili hands bags for the trash out to everyone!<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Suggested glitch: it's using the 'brain' of the smaller one, and doesn't realize its own size & weight)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Admittedly, there are a few rats there in the rain gutter.  But they appear to be wearing waistcoats and playing Euchre.<br>
* @Natalia takes the street in with the eye of a child raised in an urban wasteland, keeping an eye over her shoulder just in case.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> One of the rats waves at welcoming way at the group of you.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo waves back.<br>
<@Luthien> Luthien puts "pretty" butterfly stickers on the trash.<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Using a miracle as part of that, or just putting them on for fun?)''<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ignore the euchre-playing rats, children. They are obviously riff-raff."<br>
* @Natalia waves too, after a moment's befuddlement. She glances at Luthien, then back at the rats, worried for a second.<br>
* @Soun_Shounen look around and wave back at the rat<br>
* @Lili wonders if she can speak Rat and resolves to check this later as it would not be polite to test her possible knowledge in front of those who could not follow.<br>
''<@Luthien> (for the freebie mundane-giving action)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> One of the rats sniffs derisively at Mrs. Senko, and brushes a speck of dust off his shoulder.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (Luthien, collect one XP.)<br>
<@Luthien> (ok!  Not quite sure why, but ok!)<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The trash with the stickers on it looks vaguely more cheerful with stickers on it.<br>
* @deMontreal has his bot set to collect Sin. Sloth should work.<br>
<@Lili> (Nat was worried about you.  :) )<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (You provoked worry!)<br>
<@Luthien> (ah!  Missed that :) )<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spiderbot skitters its way over to the rats.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> One of them appears to be barely even ''looking'' at his hand, spending more of his time drinking tea from a rat-sized thermos.<br>
<@deMontreal> "This shouldn't take long. The machine is set to collect Sin for ... other projects."<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "You can't collect Sin, Mr. de Montreal."<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "That's a preposterous idea."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> First Rat: "And I hardly see how we can be called riff-raff.  I'll have you know that I myself am the Baron of GreyishRoofShire."<br>
* @Natalia stares at the spider with a growing sense of This Will Not Be Good. Moving only her eyes, she glances around for an escape route.<br>
<@Luthien> "I've never seen that place!  Where is it?"<br>
* @Mrs_Senko blinks at the rat.<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Preposterous?  She maligns your methodology!  Surely an explanation as to the whys and hows of sin collection is warranted!)''<br>
<@deMontreal> "Is it really? Does not sin and vice leave a warp in the ''spiritus dei'' of wherever it manifests?<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (spiritus dei?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Well, it is unfortunately outside of my hands at the moment.  It has been occupied by a malign tribe of roaches, all of which refuse to pay even the most nominal of rent."<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "That's absurd, Mr. de Montreal. You are speaking in abstracts. Machines cannot collect abstracts."<br>
<@deMontreal> "And yet, anything that warps something else, by the most esoteric laws of physics, must have some sort of physical manifestation.<br>
<@deMontreal> "Ergo, Sin and Vice are by definition physical and therefore collectible. QEB."<br>
<@Luthien> "That's not nice of them.  Where is this place so I can ask them why?"<br>
<@deMontreal> "As an example, the manifest overconfidence  required to play ''that'' hand."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The diffident rat sniffs derisively at Leonardo.<br>
<@deMontreal> "You'll note the machines interest."<br>
<@Natalia> (speechless)<br>
<@deMontreal> (yay XP! :) )<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly, he has perfectly good reasons to believe that his hand is sufficient to meet the bid, and he hasn't neglected to distinguish between clubs and spades again.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "You just programmed it to appear that way. It is, in fact, doing nothing worthwhile."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (An XP for Leo!)<br>
* @Natalia raises her hand and looks at Mrs. Senko.<br>
<@deMontreal> (Hm, where can we record these?)<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron Von Greyroofshire: "Over near the... what's that restaurant?  The one with the lopsided mermaid?"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Yes, Miss (I forget Natalia's last name)?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (We'll need to put together sheets to track this stuff.  For now, try to recall it until next session.)<br>
<@Luthien> "The Lopsided Mermaid?  I can go there!"  (*tries to wander off*)<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (Koutolika)<br>
<@Lili> "Luthi!  We need to solve this..project!"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "LUTHIEN! Do not leave the group!"<br>
<@Luthien> "Yes Lili." *meekly saunters back, suddenly less cheerful*<br>
<@deMontreal> "But, if you in''sist'', I can direct it to collect what ''you'' can see."<br>
<@deMontreal> "Such as that can over there."<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "I insist that it collects that can over there."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, the rat could be referring to either Kakeru Hut, which does have a rather lopsided mermaid on its sign, or The Lopsided Mermaid, a competitor restaurant whose mermaid was actually drawn with utter and mocking precision by skilled draughtsmen.<br>
* @Natalia waits until there's a pause before speaking up, her hand still raised. "Since Mr. Von Greyroofshire has had a bit of an insect problem, would it make sense to investigate- Er, clean that street next?"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Yes, Miss Katoulika? What is it?"<br>
* @Lili tries to cheer Luthi up.  "But I ''know'' you can do it!  You never know what treasures can lie within things a suspect may have left behind!"<br>
<@Lili> (It may also be the Tipsy Flounder bar.)<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "That sounds sensible, Miss Katoulika."<br>
* @deMontreal directs the bot to the physical trash<br>
* @Natalia is visibly relieved. That should keep Mrs. Senseless distracted for a while...<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Slothful Rat: "Don't listen to him!  His family hasn't even occupied their lands for over a decade!  The roaches are just an excuse!"<br>
* @Lili will kick a can so that it bounces off of a wall and into her bag!<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron draws himself up to his full eight inches of height, and glares disdainfully.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Either way, roaches must be cleaned up!"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "If you can get them to at least pay a ''little'' rent..."<br>
<@deMontreal> "Hm. I should bring a few more spiderbots, then."<br>
<@Luthien> "I can do that!"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Children! Before we meet the roaches, I must insist that you not allow them near your ears or nose!"<br>
* @Soun_Shounen manage to take ONE can (no more, ever)<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (Oh, and for the record, talking rats are not particularly unusual, although usually they don't show up in this neighbourhood.)<br>
* @Natalia takes some time cleaning, doing a thorough job, although not showing up the others. Her attention is on the urban landscape... Taking in the buildings, the doors. Which railings might hold in an emergency. Which doors might be able to be opened in a pinch.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spiderbot finishes siphoning sloth from the sarcastic rat.<br>
''<@Natalia> (I'm sure I've seen them before, living in Fortitude, but they still freak me out.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He suddenly stands bolt upright, with the expression of a man who's just had a syringe of pure adrenaline injected directly into his heart.  Well, if that man was, in fact, a rat.<br>
<@Natalia> "Of course, Mrs Senko."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He then says "IthinkIneedtogohomenanddothelaundryandcookdinnerandpolishthesilverwareandfixmybicycle!"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He runs off on all fours.<br>
* @Mrs_Senko picks up all the garbage with stickers on it because stickers are not a practical solution.<br>
* @Natalia watches the scene out of the corner of her eye. Well. That was weird.<br>
''<@Luthien> (I'm not sure if Luthien's seen any, but, well, she's half-cat.  What's weird about a talking rat?)''<br>
* @deMontreal adjusts the gain on the spiderbot to go after stuff with just a touch of sloth attached.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron von Greyroofshire sighs.  Now who will play cards with them?<br>
''<@Natalia> (That's no excuse if you're from Russia though!  :o )''<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Children, never run on all fours. You will get athlete's foot on your hands."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron: "I suppose I may as well go with you, then."<br>
<@Luthien> "I like cards!"<br>
''<@Natalia> (...speechless)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Who's that to?)''<br>
''<@Lili> (Indeed.  Bravo, Senko.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The other two rats put their cards down on the table and pass the thermos.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Mrs. Athlete's Hands.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Yes, that's definitely an XP.)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (oh)''<br>
''<@Luthien> (oh, yeah.  point to Senko)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Their mouths move, but no sound is discernible.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> At least, unless one of you was to use some sort of trans-human capacity.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo walks over and starts picking up the tiny rat cards and putting them back into a deck.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Granted, I was speechless with laughter, but still.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (That counts.)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Did you do a spit take?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spiderbot, filled with sloth, sits sullenly on the ground, daydreaming.<br>
<@deMontreal> "Damn it, it should be ''storing'' that, not experiencing it"<br>
''<@Natalia> (I'll use The Prodigy and focus on listneing to the rats for a moment, just to see if anything especially weird is up.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly there is a leakage in the Vice Valve.<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Which one is that?  Aspect 3?)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Not quite Knock.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (And yes, Aspect 3.)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Sun's out, right?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you can't ''hear'' the rats' words with your eardrums.  Their voices are pitched outside the range of human hearing.  However, you can ''feel'' the vibrations of the air caused by their high-pitched ratty voices on the surface of your skin.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Because you're ''you''.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The sun is low on the horizon.<br>
* @deMontreal fixes the bot with the Miracle of Duct Tape.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Heh.  That still makes them indecipherable unless I felt like spending MP, though?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The woman in the sun, who looks disconcertingly like a girl you once tutored in calculus, smiles.<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Correct.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Fair enough.  I'll pass.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (You can tell that they're talking, that it's in ultrasound, but can't feel it distinctly enough to make out the words.)''<br>
* @Lili waves happily at the sun!<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ms. Cartaign. What are you doing?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Perhaps next time you recreate the sun, you should make a better one, that more fully reflects your magnificence.<br>
* @Natalia makes a mental note about rats talking and high frequencies. Then she looks over to see what Mrs. Cartaign is up to.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> She appears to be waving at he sun.<br>
<@Lili> "I am enjoying the ''wonderful'' day that is still remaining!"<br>
<@deMontreal> "So, why were you assigned to us, Ms... what's the name again?"<br>
* @Natalia exhales. Just the normal weirdness, then. That's a relief.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Ah. That is sensible. I shall enjoy it as well."<br>
* @Mrs_Senko waves at the sun, but totally not at Jasper.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly waving at the sun is merely a quaint Town custom.<br>
* @deMontreal restarts the bot.<br>
''<@Lili> (Which is Leo talking to?)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Scene is winding down.  Break and discuss OOC where to go next?)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Ms. Senko)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The fact that for a moment it looked like one of your classmates was looking out at you from the sun... it must be delirium tremens.  I mean, you've ''never'' had any alcohol, that's gotta make for some serious meta-withdrawal.  Or something.<br>
''<@Lili> (Ah, okay.  She's married.  Thought you meant Lili.  ^^  )''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (So, how about we have a scene at one of the two possible restaurants, and then call it a night?)''<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Because every school activity needs a faculty member to monitor them, Mr. de Montreal."<br>
''<@Lili> (I can see Nat as being dangerously Sober.)''<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (ook)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> This is true!  It's in the official School Code, which is engraved on tablets of granite in the hall outside the Principal's office.<br>
<@Luthien> (sounds good)<br>
''<@Lili> (Along with 'Don't ask about the hands'?)''<br>
<@deMontreal> "All right, so why you and us?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Two seafood restaurants stand on opposite sides of the Fortitude street.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Alright.  Can I count an XP toward the "Investigate Town" quest, for this scene and the next?)''<br>
<@Luthien> "We have the club, of course.  And then the club needs a mistress!"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Because we were assigned to each other, Mr. de Montreal. Like names pulled from a hat, if you will."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> If this were a normal Nobilis game, and you were looking at the Mythic world, they would be glaring at each other.  But it isn't, so they aren't.<br>
<@Lili> "I didn't know clubs were into that sort of thing."<br>
* @Natalia makes a mental note. "Names pulled from a hat." But that Principal...<br>
<@Random_Nerd> One is Kakeru Hut.  It's kind of the greasy spoon diner of seafood restaurants.  On its sign is a mermaid that was apparently drawn by a person who had never seen a woman, a fish, or a three-dimensional object.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The other is The Lopsided Mermaid.  On ''its'' sign is a mermaid drawn with an almost fractal degree of photorealism that makes your eyes hurt just looking at it.<br>
''<@Natalia> (...LOL)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron is standing next to you, at about knee height.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "That's new."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He looks at the Lopsided Mermaid sign.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "What?"<br>
<@deMontreal> "So where are these roaches?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Ah, yes, the manifold uses of art in the employ of sarcasm and scorn."<br>
''<@Natalia> (This would be a different location than the Fortitude Kakeru Hut, right?)''<br>
* @Soun_Shounen lean over a wall<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Well, they're in my Barony.  It's relatively near to here, as the Roofs go.  Still in the near area, where physics still works and everything isn't full of symbols and magics."<br>
* @deMontreal gives his bot an 8th leg with a grabber<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "But surely you wouldn't wish to go without a meal?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (This is the Fortitude Kakeru Hut.)<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Physics always works, Mr. Baron. It's preposterous to claim otherwise."<br>
* @Natalia listens carefully to what the Baron is saying, making sure to memorize especially the parts that make no sense.<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (You're in Fortitude, which is where the Barony of Greyroofshire is, or at least on the Near Roofs.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Preposterous nonsense, madame!"<br>
''<@Natalia> (using Aspect's free photographic memory)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Oh!  Okay, that works.)''<br>
''<@Lili> (You're talking to a rat who is talking back to you.  And physics is the problem?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spiderbot is still sluggish, but at least waves a leg at you, in a "Mom, I don't ''wanna'' get up and go to school" way.<br>
<@deMontreal> "And demonstrably false, but that's another matter."<br>
''<@Lili> (Shounen and the bot can bond!  ^^  )''<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> (I am unsure if that was agreement or disagreement from the Baron.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Disagreement!)''<br>
* @deMontreal grumbles, and drains the bot's tank<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (He acted as though your words were ''silly''.)''<br>
<@Natalia> "Mrs. Senko, is it alright to take a break?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The bot stands up straight, as close to at-attention as an arachnomorph can be.<br>
* @Mrs_Senko thinks for a moment.<br>
''<@deMontreal> (I can feed the collected sin to Alvin.)''<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Of course. We can't go dealing with roaches on an empty stomach."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Shounen, clearly this is a betrayal by the spider of all the deep core principals of napping and doing nothing.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> At this rate, the spiderbot will ''never'' qualify to be one of your minions.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "I don't want any of you eating them, after all."<br>
''<@Natalia> (...)''<br>
<@Lili> "Which would you recommend for repast, Baron?"<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (This is rational!  Humans, when they are hungry, eat things they would not otherwise eat!)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (One XP.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Does gritting my teeth deathwishing speechlessness count?)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (speechless @ Senko)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "I don't know the new restaurant.  Shall we try there?"<br>
''<@Natalia> (I take it that's a yes.)''<br>
* @Soun_Shounen encourage the bot to slack<br>
''<@deMontreal> (I'm presuming "Are you high?" counts...)''<br>
<@Luthien> *puts on her cloak and tries to sneak off to find the house on her own*<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Which house?)''<br>
''<@Luthien> (The Baron's)''<br>
<@Lili> "But of course!"  *will sweep into the new restaurant with fashion and grace and brightening up their dull lives!*<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Which of your various investigative techniques are you using to find it?)''<br>
* @Natalia notices Luthien trying to sneak off and takes a few steps in that direction, weighing the merits of trying to track her.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Using Aspect 3 to get a good view of where she's going.  No MP.)''<br>
* @Soun_Shounen use "What the heart dreamt of" on the spiderbot  ''Shounen motivate you'' to rest and do nothing<br>
''deMontreal> (I'm still interacting with Senko. In case it isn't obvious I'll be trying to invoke the thing I have under 'Superiority')''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Lopsided Mermaid is a somewhat dimly lit place.  Candles burn at each of the tables, over immaculate tablecloths.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> And yet, the price list on the menu appears to be entirely competitive with the food at Kakeru Hut, with each item costing one to three cents less than its closest equivalent.<br>
* @deMontreal has the bot go make sure the chefs and cleaning crew aren't slacking off.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Forgive me for nitpicking, but based on the Scene rules, and given that Luthien was doing her own thing out there, I think that's a transition.)''<br>
''<@Luthien> (hm.  Powers of observation and exploration!  - in other words, nothing much of anything.  She's looking for a grey roof in this kind of area.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (So this was a fourth scene, not third, if it's important for XP later.  If it even matters.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The waiter, who appears to have been grown in a Snooty Vat and then clothed by a supercilious tailor, sniffs at you.  "How many of you will be dining with us today?"<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (nope! deMontreal, the bot like to rest now!)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Is that right?  Thought I'd ask as long as that's one of the things we're playtesting.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Which "Superiority" thing is this?  I haven't seen your character sheet in a while.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> (We're being a little casual with the Scene rules tonight until I've had time to review them.)<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Seven."<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Interact for 5 minutes, then I can determine a one-sentence description of how they are most likely to betray you)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The waiter looks between Cartaign and Senko, trying to figure out which is in charge.<br>
<@Lili> "A wonderful woman, me.  And a teacher and four teenagers."<br>
<@deMontreal> "You're missing one..."<br>
* @Soun_Shounen wink and take in the bot<br>
* @deMontreal reboots the bot<br>
<@Lili> "Because Luthi has probably already begun investigating!"<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Ah!  She is most likely to betray you by mocking your insights into the truths of the universe and responding by giving you a grade which fails to reflect the true glory of the Unequalled Leonardo de Montreal!)''<br>
<@Lili> "Oh and the Baron."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> And Luthien isn't a teenager!<br>
<@Random_Nerd> She's, like, ten or something!<br>
* @Soun_Shounen stare at Leo<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Also, a catgirl.<br>
<@Natalia> "Oh.  Mrs. Cartaign, do you think someone should find where Luthien's run off to?"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "Wait...where is Luthien?"<br>
<@deMontreal> "What ''are'' you doing, Soun?"<br>
''<@Lili> (If this place doesn't serve catgirls, I shall not patronize it!)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien, there are various grey roofs in the area.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> None seems to have roaches on it, and none would really qualify as a barony to any but the most undistinguished of nobles.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "She's dressed as a cat. She'll eat the roaches for sure!"<br>
* @Mrs_Senko dashes out.<br>
<@deMontreal> (or should that be "...kohai"?)<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (It's a seafood restaurant!  They're not going to turn catgirls aside!)''<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "I'm giving the poor spider to indulge in a earned  rest "<br>
* @Lili looks around for Mrs. Cartaign, then realizes that Nata means her.  She grimaces at being thought old enough to be a Mrs.<br>
* @Natalia is visibly concerned.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Waiter: "''Will'' you be dining with us?"<br>
<@deMontreal> "Rest? The heart of that thing is a perpetual engine...<br>
* @Soun_Shounen use ''What the heart dreamt of'' on the spiderbot  ''Shounen motivate you'' to rest and do nothing .. again!<br>
''<@Luthien> (Ah, but would it be a barony to a rat? ... oh!  It might have been painted recently!  Luthien will also look for the new roofs ^_^)''<br>
<@deMontreal> "that was formerly a relentless pursuer in a child's dream."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spiderbot's heart is an inexhaustible perpetual motion engine... and yet.  That carpet is so ''soft''...<br>
<@Natalia> "Someone reliable who knows the area?"  Natalia looks Lilimund straight in the eyes.<br>
* @Lili rolls her eyes at the waiter.  "Do get a table ready, be a good thing?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> And the air is ''warm''...<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "every one need to gather is strengths at times"<br>
<@Lili> *to Senko*  "She's probably climbing something.  She loves to climb, explore...catch."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> It slumps to the ground with a vague "Pi-Ting!" noise<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> (Already ran out)''<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "see?"<br>
* @deMontreal extracts the smaller spider from the big one and lets it scamper off<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The roofs stretch out before your sight.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> In fact, there seem to be rather more roofs than there are buildings.<br>
* @Lili will head out after Senko.  Really, such worrying over Luthi!<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly, a mystery is afoot!<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (And, yes, XP.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Oh, you're right!  Natalia missed it.  Interesting!)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (For Luthien.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Yes.  :) )''<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> (Mrs. Senko uses All-Seeing eye to find Luthi! Worry! Fret! She'll eat the roaches!)''<br>
''<@Lili> (I use Sneak to figure out where Luthi would have went.)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Luthien is standing and examining the roofs with the discerning eye of a world-class detective who is also a tiny catgirl.<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "ah, were are the other ?"<br>
''<@Natalia> (Does that count as a "You're up" for Liliumnd, too?  I was trying for it.)''<br>
<@Luthien> .oO(Hm... he ''did'' say that it's Grayroofshire, and that it isn't quite where physics goes wonky.  I think I'll find where physics goes weird first!  Then backtrack!  That'll work!)<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Sure.  I still need to learn all of those.  So an XP for Lillimund, too.)''<br>
''<@Lili> (Whoot!)''<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> (Can I also send Glum in to watch the others?)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Keep in mind, if you royally screw up, I can invoke "Oh, you fool!" and be there)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Luthien, are you on the ground, or have you climbed the roofs yet?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron heads out, semi-reluctantly.<br>
''<@Luthien> (um.  Climbing seems good!)''<br>
* @Soun_Shounen wait for the others to return (sleep!)<br>
* @Natalia steps into the ladies' room to wash her hands. It's at least marginally cleaner than the street outside.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He was hoping to eat a seafood dinner and then check his pockets and find that he was out of money, mutter about roaches, and look up expectantly.<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> return even<br>
''<@Natalia> (Is it okay for me to add scene detail?)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (It is!)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Mrs Senko, Luthien is climbing onto a roof!  Clearly this is not a sensible activity on her part!  And yet, to be seen climbing a roof ''yourself''... unthinkable!<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Who follows her up there?)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The Baron scuttles up a drainpipe.<br>
''<@Luthien> (Does this also count for Explore Town for Luthien?)''<br>
* @Lili will follow Luthi  with her Superior Grace.    No upskirt shot either.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> Well, I'm an adult. <br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Hmm... yes.  It counts.)''<br>
* @Mrs_Senko looks for a fire escape and tracks Luthien to the roof.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Mrs Senko, despite that Lillimund is an adult herself, she's climbing the roof too!  Scandalous!<br>
<@Natalia> The restroom is a bit grimy, even though it's new.  Maybe it was converted form an older building, or maybe some of Fortitude has just seeped in and given it the worn air.  But still, nothing all that unexpected.  Natalia washes her hands methodically and then rejoins the group at the table, taking a careful, controlled table posture out of long-taught habit.<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> It's okay for adults. Adults do what needs to be done!<br>
''<@Luthien> (^_^)  [Commentary: Interesting how the character's abilities, Emotion XP, and Quests all serve to drive characters to be played a certain way]''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Yes!)''<br>
* @deMontreal makes sure the waiter knows the meals are on Senko's tab. :)<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Okay, who's still at the Lopsided Mermaid?  Leo, Natalia, and Shounen?)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (And Chuubo.)''<br>
''<@Mrs_Senko> (and Glum)''<br>
<@Lili> "Luthi!"<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Oh, and Chuubo.  And Mrs. Senko's Imaginary Minion lurks in the shadows.)''<br>
<@deMontreal> What did my little spider do?<br>
<@Luthien> "Yes?  Oh, wait.  *whispers* Yes?  I'm supposed to be sneaking..."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The spider is napping.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron, to Luthien: "That is entirely in the wrong direction!"<br>
<@Mrs_Senko> "No. You're supposed to be eating with us."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, your deMontreal Senses are tingling!  Someone... is ''wrong''!  Nearby!<br>
<@deMontreal> "How exactly did you get a perpetual machine to ''sleep''?"<br>
* @deMontreal looks for the source...<br>
<@Random_Nerd> It is moving, technically.  It's rocking back and forth on its spidery back.<br>
''<@deMontreal> (Good thing there's no internet in the world. :) )''<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "Eh, he was sooo tired of being perpetual so I suggest a bit of rest, it's all!"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> It's up on the roofs!  Feels like Luthien!<br>
<@Lili> "When was the last time you have eaten?"<br>
<@Luthien> (bah, I can't think of a good retort to either.  She'll just keep at it)<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Baron: "Greyroofshire is ''this'' way!"<br>
''<@Natalia> (What does this look like from the restaurant?  Does a remote light up or is it just an internal feeling?)''<br>
<@deMontreal> "Grr... excuse me a moment. Someone's doing something ridiculous on the roof."<br>
* @Soun_Shounen do the ding thing and smile<br>
* @deMontreal grabs and reboots the spider, then heads out.<br>
<@Natalia> "You don't mean..."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> deMontreal, gain a point of It Never Stops.<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (poor spider)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Chuubo: "How ridiculous are we talking here?"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He follows Leo.<br>
''<@Natalia> (Luthien has already gotten Concern XP from me this scene.  Otherwise she'd get it again.)''<br>
* @deMontreal finds the fire escape...<br>
* @Soun_Shounen follow Leo *poor spider!* "ladies and gentlemans excuse me...."<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, you feel faint vibrations, as if a bunch of people are climbing up on a nearby roof.<br>
<@deMontreal> "Well, you're following me. That's fairly bad."<br>
<@Natalia> "Oh, for crying out loud..."<br>
<@Soun_Shounen> "and you are overtaxing your friend"<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The waiter arrives, with a tray covered in glasses of ice-water, only to see Shounen departing.<br>
* @Natalia rushes out, quickly passing Chuubo and Leo, and leaving the hapless chaperone in the dust.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> He glares!  Such indecisiveness in whether to eat dinner!  Unworthy of the magnificence of the Lopsided Mermaid!<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Natalia, do you follow?<br>
<@deMontreal> So, we're on the roof?<br>
<@Random_Nerd> You are!<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (yay!)''<br>
<@Natalia> I did, yes.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> I assume you appear from behind a convenient chimney when the Baron corrects Luthien about which way to go?<br>
''<@Luthien> (I think we should call it, no?)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (as a manifestation of "Oh you fool"?)''<br>
* @Soun_Shounen use ''What the heart dream of'' on Leo  ''Shounen motivate you'' to rest and do nothing :-)<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (That's what I was thinking, but you can climb up in a more mundane fashion.)''<br>
''<@Natalia> (Yeah, I agree.  It's a cliffhanger and the next scene will be a good starting place next time.)''<br>
''<@deMontreal> (OK)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (And, yes, I was about to call it a night.)''<br>
''<@Random_Nerd> (Any last actions?)''<br>
''<@Soun_Shounen> (and my miracle on Leo?)''<br>
<@deMontreal> does Soun's thing affect me at all?<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Leo, you feel a sudden urge to sleep.<br>
''<@Natalia> (make that "passing Chuubo" then, and Leo can be in quantum whoknowswhereland)''<br>
<@Random_Nerd> But it's not enough to ''make'' you sleep.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Just enough to make you ''want'' to.<br>
<@Natalia> I'll just use Aspect 3 to get there quickly, if it matters.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Clearly, this calls for the Incomparable Nightmare-Avoidance Caffine Tablets<br>
''<@Lili> (Whoa.  Is it really time for those?  I mean...)''<br>
<@deMontreal> or Heartless Perfection, if it's been dark for 5 minutes<br>
<@Random_Nerd> Not quite dark yet.<br>
<@Random_Nerd> The sun is setting, but still visible.<br>