Fumoffu: Grand Tour

Session 107: Wild West Adventure Part 2

* Day changed to Thursday, 7. Aug 2025
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-674.11.23
<DeathStar> Location: Las Vegas
<DeathStar> *the group has arrived the city where whatever happens, stays there - supposedly. Having parked the van, Ren has booked them in one of the biggest casino hotels in the city, which oddly enough seems to belong to Athena - at least it is named after her and seems to have a giant catgirl on the building. Their Tsivrixsh scientist eyes her, then the building as they check in, Athena playing dumb and looking around the place*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> X and I are going to hit the floor and see what we can do.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...was this an authorized use of your image...or are you truly so clueless?"
<Seraphna> Jennifer> All our kids went to college.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "That means little."
<Seraphna> Thena> I have a doctorate in Communications!
<DeathStar> *Athena points at herself* Nya? *Athena gives a cute shrug and hands Noire a card deck with Athena on them, showing Athena doing shows on the cards*
<DeathStar> <Athena> Nya~
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> I believe Athena sings and does idol shows here.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...mmmmm...I see."
<Seraphna> Jaime> Does this mean we get a penthouse room?
<DeathStar> <Athena> Sure~
<DeathStar> *Athena leads them to the elevators*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Athena gets sister points.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "And what are those?"
<DeathStar> *Adeline looks around, studying everything while Andrea is on the quiet side. Fate looks fascinated by all the commotion on the ground floor, passing a sign saying something about a magic show later that night*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Points to be redeemed at our prize shop.
<DeathStar> <Ren> I wonder if they're using real magic..
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...mother, you are uncharacteristically sullen."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Just wondering where in the city we might fight our a little treasure thief.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I mean find
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I imagine one leads into another."
<Seraphna> Thena> Should I summon Pirate Ghost Ship???
<Jackieness> <Noire> "No, do not summon any pirate ghost anything."
<DeathStar> *Athena uses a key in the elevator and taps the top floor* <Isis> I imagine if you summoned that in the city it might go poorly
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Do you want me to call Yoiyami?"
<Seraphna> Thena> Noooo, she’s a fun vampire.
<DeathStar> <Ren> She's always welcome here any time for this trip, of course.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Is she really?"
<Alicia> <Astra> "I think she's fun."
<DeathStar> *at the top floor, they arrive at what could be considered the entire floor - with a large holovid screen, a view of the city, a mini fridge, a large couch, and several bed rooms. There also seems to be a hot tub in addition to the normal bathroom*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Wonderful, fit for an Empress and her family.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "So...a party suite."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Of course she is welcome. *She looks around*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Looks nice.
<DeathStar> <Athena> Athena should party?
<DeathStar> <Isis> You should behave
<Seraphna> Jennifer> Well we are in Vegas.
<DeathStar> *Lenneth moves to te balcony to look out at the city*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Order a Cheesecake.
<DeathStar> <Athena> Gasp! Right, room service. *She begins to order all sorts of junk food*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "...how extravagant."
<Seraphna> Jaime> Mother shared Cheesecake with Momma Megumi at a Casino once.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Well, I suppose while we are here, I should see if I can feel out our target.
<DeathStar> *Revi tilts her head, lifting her fox mask up once* Oh?>
<Seraphna> Angela> Oh yeah that was a hot little night.
<Seraphna> Jaime> I have learned new lore it seems.
<DeathStar> *Andrea begins to put things on the ground, various odd little objects to make a shape*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Would ice cream not have been better then?"
<DeathStar> <Revi> I am not understanding
<Seraphna> Angela> Not that kind of hot.
<DeathStar> <Fate> I am thinking they mated while eating cheesecake
<Seraphna> Angela> In my defense we were all drunk.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I think that is inefficient."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...what is the point of doing it while intoxicated?"
<Seraphna> Angela> Less inhibition.
<DeathStar> <Fate> I do not know. Jikuu - you are with Victoire. Do you drink and mate?
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Not at the same time."
<DeathStar> *Ren seems to be covering her face and ears* Can we not talk about my daughter's mate?
<Alicia> <Astra> "...less inhibition...? I... don't get it."
<Seraphna> Jaime> **pulls out a bottle of wine from subspace and heads to Adeline**
<DeathStar> *Adeline looks up and pulls Jaime close*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mmm, hot tub and wine Ren?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...in the meantime, mother will attempt to find our looter."
<DeathStar> <Ren> That could be a dangerous combination. *to Astra* To answer your question
<DeathStar> <Ren> Alcohol affects people's uh..
<DeathStar> <Ren> IT makes them stupid
<Seraphna> **Kaelan tosses Ren over her shoulder and heads to the hot tub**
<DeathStar> <Ren> Hey now! We're suppose to be finding an artifact!
<Alicia> <Astra> "And that's desirable?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Just because I'm a shorty doesn't mean I can be graaabbed
<Seraphna> Kaelan> We have to wash the road dust off first.
<DeathStar> *Taiga snorts somewhere
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I suppose some people dare to be stupid."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> You never had alcohol before, Astra?
<DeathStar> *she pours a cup for her and Revi*
<Alicia> <Astra> "... ... ... umm."
<Seraphna> Jaime> This is quite the bottle.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "If you wish to decline their offer of liquor, feel free to do so."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Noire is correct
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Plus a single cup shouldn't affect you too much
<Alicia> <Astra> "That... might be better?"
<DeathStar> <Adeline> That is fair. *she sets the cup down for now. Revi holds onto her's, eyeing it*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Be sure to take small sips.
<DeathStar> *Revi takes a small sip and blinks a few times*
<Seraphna> Jaime> This particular kind is very sweet.
<Seraphna> **Thena gets out a wine glass that is the size of a wine bottle**
<DeathStar> *Athena returns with all the junk food*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *moves to walk out on to the balcony*
<DeathStar> *Andrea meanwhile has been putting odd things on the floor, making a shape*
<Seraphna> **Jennifer smiles and helps Athena**
<DeathStar> *Lenneth turns to look at Noire*
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> Needing some fresh air from the 'party'?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...indeed."
<DeathStar> *Revi sips the drink slowly. Ren meanwhile sits in the hot tub, sipping her drink* <Ren> Did anyone else want to join us?
<DeathStar> *Shre'vra quietly takes notes on all of them* I am beginning to think you all are famous
<Alicia> * Jikuu and Astra sit in the tub.
<Seraphna> **Kaelan leans back with her swirling her glass**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *glances over at Ren* "I would rpoefer to save the partying until after the artifact has been secured."
<DeathStar> <Ren> So, Jikuu - Astra. Anything you two want to do while we're in Vegas? I'm guessing you two aren't going to want to do the gambling scene like grandma. *she glances at Noire* Don't worry. I technically can't get drunk
<DeathStar> <Ren> I mean, I can, but I can't
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Mmm. Oh, yes, Charlotte said that she will join on the gambling..."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mmmm.
<Alicia> <Astra> "What does that mean?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> My dragoon half. We can process out the toxins in emergencies. Grandma used to have to do that all the time.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "*walks back in* "MNother, how long until this detetcign ritual will yield results?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> *Thinks* Not sure about the Kitsune half.
<DeathStar> *Adeline is standing beside Andrea, who is looking down at her shape* <Andrea> I see you suddenly very gung ho. I been running the ritual for a while now. *the shape she's designed looks like the city of Vegas*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> It appears the object is in this building
<Seraphna> Kaelan> One has to wonder how Jaime gets drunk.
<DeathStar> <Fate> Desire
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...I don''t care for coincidences."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> What’s she got on deck? Dragoon, Famfrit, Progenitor, Spirit and more.
<DeathStar> <Fate> Desire for something or fooling oneself can be a real thing
<DeathStar> *Fate looks thoughtful, standing there for a moment*
<DeathStar> *Isis looks at Noire, then Lenneth* <Isis> So how do we want to deal with this. <Lenneth> Do you think this might be a trap?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...if this is all about winning at the slots, I will be quite annoyed."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Oh that would be great. *she laughs*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I think that is Charlotte's plan."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I can't narrow it down any more. You'll have to try to find it. <Lenneth> Should we search room by room?
<DeathStar> *Ren thinks* That would be one way.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "In a structure this large, that would be inefficient."
<DeathStar> *Ren pauses, checking her datapad* If Charlotte is down on the ground floor, let me check in with her
<DeathStar> *Ren begins to mess with her datapad for a moment*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Now how do we get Noire to party?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Get the artifact
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Otherwise she will never party again
<Jackieness> <Noire> "There is your motivation Kaelan."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> So we get the artifact and use it to make her party.
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'm not getting anything from Charlotte or grandmother or X
<DeathStar> <Ren> There's some sort of communication black out from the ground level. Mother is down there as well and she's not even checking in
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "No, we just get the artifact and then we all relax because there is nothing to get in the way."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I'm heading down. The rest of you dress, sober up, and catch up." *moves for the lift down*
<DeathStar> *Ren rises and dries off; Isis, Andrea, and Lenneth follow after her*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> I guess I will set up a command center here and see if I can help
<DeathStar> *Adeline pulls out a computer and begins to hook it up*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "If there is a communication blackout, probably not."
<Seraphna> Jaime> And I will keep the sexy mission operator company.
<DeathStar> *Athena looks around, having finished setting up the snacks as everyone begins to leave*
<DeathStar> <Athena> .... party over?
<Seraphna> **Thena noms on snacks**
<Alicia> <Astra> "Did it even start?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Nah we’ll be back. With more party participants.
<DeathStar> *Ren steps into the elevator with the others, her long black hair still wet*
<DeathStar> *Athena jerks*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan walks into the elevator summoning a kimono over her wet naked form**
<DeathStar> *Revi joins them at the last second, having finished her drink*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *hits the bottom to take them back to the casino floor*
<DeathStar> *the elevator slowly lowers, Athena music playing*
<DeathStar> <Revi> .... *Reaches out and touches Astra's hair as they go down*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I was expecting more vids, music and games, to be honest."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "When this is over, we shall have a real party."
<DeathStar> *the elevator door opens and everything appears normal on the floor - people going about and playing slots, gambling with cards, etc. But there is a darkness in the air. Andrea looks about with a squint*
<DeathStar> *Revi pulls her fox mask down instinctively*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..feel that?" *steps out*
<DeathStar> *the darkness seems to be feeding on the gambling energy in the air - or more, the desperation in the air from those who are losing or are going past their limits, gambling when they shouldn't and are adding to a sort of dark energy*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> There is growing power in here alright.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Let's try to fidn the eye of the storm."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan muses and looks around for those missing**
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> It's not the energy of "one more time gambling energy", but more of desperation gambling energy when backed in the corner. I do not know if it's good or bad
<Alicia> * Jikuu feels out for said... whether an special lack or abundance of energy
<DeathStar> *Kaelan would find Cheryl and X at a card game , playing against two old ladies who seem to be kicking their asses*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl seems to be moping*
<DeathStar> *Chii shaking her head next to her*
<Alicia> * Charlotte, meanwhile, seems to be wandering, in disguise, only winning.
<Alicia> * Yes, she's cheating using future-vision.
<Seraphna> **Kaelan muses and leans over Cheryl**
<Jackieness> <Noire> *tries feeling out where the energy is going*
<DeathStar> *those feeling out would find the dark negative energy seemingly centering around a high stakes table - a man in his 30's seems to be playing Roulette*
<DeathStar> *a crowd has gathered around him, as he seems to have gathered a huge stack of chips*
<DeathStar> *it appears he is winning consistently, voting on the correct color and raking it in*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Time to cash out Grandma.
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> ... hey, Kaelan. .... It feels like I've been having a huge string of bad luck for a while now...
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...too many winners today... even though the house rigs in its favor."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I just don't get it.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Perhaps you should stop."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Someone’s stealing it.
<DeathStar> <X> It feels like we've been vursed
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> Someone's stealing my luck?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> With the artifact we came for.
<DeathStar> *indeed, it feels like a good portion of the casino is having massive bad luck - thankfully Charlotte has that future vision*
<DeathStar> *Cheryl and X decide to depart and join the group*
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... grandmother.... *shakes her head*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves toward the roulette tables*
<DeathStar> *by now, the house as it were seems to be keeping an eye on the man playing the Roulette table, and another set is keeping an eye on Charlotte, seeing as they're the two top people winning right now*
<DeathStar> *The man muses and puts his entire credits on everything - and then ends up doubling it, the entire table eruping at the sight of it.*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *comm* "...call off Charlotte. Security is waiitng to move on the top players in the room."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan looks for signs of the artifact**
<DeathStar> *Kaelan would notice the man's front pocket, right next to his heart, it looks like there is something round there*
<Alicia> * Charlotte stops, predicting trouble if she continues.
<Seraphna> **Kaelan motions subtly**
<DeathStar> *a man in a suit walks over to the roulette table and moves to talk to the man, asking him to step away - he follows after the security force to have a talk. They're likely checking to see if he's cheating somehow*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *gives Kaelan a nod* "Let's follow."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan nods and slips into shadows to follow**
<Alicia> * Jikuu follows, Astra sticking with the larger group, while Charlotte attempts to cash out her winnings
<DeathStar> *Charlotte surprisingly is not bothered - getting all of her money and making a huge cash bonus. Ren winks at her* <You should wait a few hours then try again after they forget all this>
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves after the group*
<DeathStar> *the man is brought into the back offices*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> There a way we can get back there?
<Seraphna> **Kaelan shadow steps and rides the security guard’s shadow**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Kaelan is going in."
<DeathStar> *the security officers have brought man to see the floor manager, where he begins to be questioned. However, before he can, the man seems to tap his chest and everyone in the room sort of pauses, then excuses their rudeness and lets him go. The man begins to head for the nearby elevator*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan hops his shadow as he does**
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Suspicious."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...mmmmm..." *grabs at the hem of her skirt and yanks, forming into a slinky dress as she moves to join the man in the elevator*
<Alicia> * Jikuu follows, remaining as low profile as she can
<DeathStar> *The man glances at all of them joining - Cheryl, Andrea, Revi, etc. He looks over them*
<DeathStar> *probably believing they're there for his money*
<DeathStar> *as the elevator goes up, he seems to be slowly sliding his eyes over them*
<DeathStar> *as it opens, he waits for them to get out first*
<Alicia> * Jikuu stays quiet, observing silently
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves out of the elevator, adding uncharactertistic extra wiggle to her rear quarters*
<Alicia> * Jikuu calmly follows, remaining very... Jikuu
<DeathStar> *the others slowly step out and the man begins to move last, then turns and heads down the hall, not losing the tenseness to his body, like he's ready for anything*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *whisper* "Kaelan, stick to his shadow. Signal when he stops moving."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan keeps riding in it**
<DeathStar> *he stops in front of a door and unlocks it, moving inside and seems to quickly begin to shut the door*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *turns down another corridor and stops* "...wait for it."
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "For what?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> For our little shadow to act
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I taught her everything I know
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I want to say I taught Charlotte everything I know about gambling but that was a new one
<Jackieness> <Noire> "I can shadowport us without line of sight if I use Kaelan as a beacon."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan seems to be waiting till he’s inside to let her know in fact**
<DeathStar> *the man is indeed inside. He seems to be looking through the peep hole, and not seeing anyone, is moving to begin packing up*
<DeathStar> *it looks like he's planning to leave the hotel*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan sends Noire a signal, a tendril popping out of her shadow to whip her bottom gently**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...we'll discuss this later.," *tries opening a shadowport to the man's room*
<DeathStar> *Andrea turns her head to look at no one* One day those two are going to fight to the death
<Seraphna> **Kaelan meanwhile readies a trick of her own so that when he reaches for the artifact a foxhole will open to block his hand, the other end pointed at his butt**
<DeathStar> *Lenneth and Isis step into the room with Cheryl and X. A moment later Revi steps in and trips a bit, then straightens up with Ren's help. The man looks up at all of them coming into his room and his hand immediately goes to his chest*
<Alicia> <Astra> "You'd think Kaelan would've learnt by now."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan opens the foxhole**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...no, no, no... naughty, naughty..."
<DeathStar> <Man> ... *the man takes a moment and looks confused, but then works to readjust for the foxhole, seeming to be trying for the pocket again*
<DeathStar> *3*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *sends her tendrisl to grab the man by the arms and legs*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan uses the moment of confusion to grab at it**
<DeathStar> <Man> Argh!
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Kaelan, show it to mother for an identification."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan tugs it to herself and then slides to Andrea**
<DeathStar> *a round looking artfact with Dark One writing can be seen on it. It is round shaped and seems to be glowing with dark energy. Andrea takes a hold of it* <Andrea> Oh. Oh. Yes yes. This is a powerful Dark artifact
<Alicia> * Jikuu finally steps through
<DeathStar> *The man strains* <Man> You're giving that to a little girl? Are you crazy. Listen, I'll pay you for it.
<DeathStar> <Man> All that money on my bed, It's yours
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I do not care for your money."
<DeathStar> *Andrea rolls her head toward the man, looking annoyed*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Surely you recognize the former President.
<DeathStar> <Man> Wait what?
<DeathStar> *man squints in the dark*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "We will be confiscating that artifact. You can keep your money though."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> At least he didn't call me old
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm...assuming you can get out with it without security noticing now that you are without your toy."
<Seraphna> Angela> There are a lot of former Presudents in this room come to think of it.
<DeathStar> *the man slumps, mumbling about why the government is coming in here*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I'll go over what all this can do when we're back at the penthouse
<DeathStar> *Andrea makes the object vanish*
<Seraphna> **Abraham Lincoln pays the crazy man Or at least Kaelan shapeshifter does.**
<Seraphna> **pats
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Indeed. To be hoenst, you should be garteful. Abusing that relic as you were would have led to a ratehr unpleasant end for you."
<Seraphna> **A foxhole also mysteriously borrows some of the money**
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Leave the money alone."
<DeathStar> <Revi> We saved the day! .... do we hit him now?
<DeathStar> *Revi sways a bit*
<DeathStar> *The man seems to have just slumped*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Nah it’s going back to the house.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "We have done enough already."
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> So does this mean I'll have good luck?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Not leaving a thief with their money.
<DeathStar> *Andrea watches the two*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Do you two need to .... battle this out?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm?"
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Not really."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I mean she can have the awkward conversation with Athena why she let a thief walk away with her cash.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I find when one side believes one thing and the other side believes another, a good fashion mud wrestling helps ME
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mother!"
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Is this really Athena's money?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Indeed, a legitimate sexy sport used for a grudge? And yes this is her place.
<DeathStar> *Adeline comes on comm*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Athena has been listening to you both
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I see."
<DeathStar> <Adeline> She points while it was a bit underhanded to use the relic, the man did find the relic and we're taking it from him.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> So let him have the money
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Question, what about the people that lost money due to stolen luck?
<DeathStar> <Adeline> *there is a pause* Athena will talk to floor manager and inform them that the machines were acting up. After all, I doubt he knew that he was stealing luck
<DeathStar> <Adeline> She'll see what can be done for compensation
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...now that this has been resovled, we do have a party to get to."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> May I suggest tickets to an Athena concert?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Your compensation is to make them listen to Athena?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Harsh~
<Seraphna> Kaelan> I happen to be a fan, Mistress.
<Seraphna> **Kaelan dumps the money on the man**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm? When was the last time Athena has even been on tour?"
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "People do pay for that, though not everyone is interested."
<DeathStar> <Isis> I am not sure when she'll do another tour, if ever to be honest
<Seraphna> Kaelan> More's the pity, for the world always needs more Kitty Love.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Precisely. Come on then...leave this man with his money. Perhaps he might even contemplate why what he did was wrong."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan paws, the daughter of Ulieah after all**
<Alicia> * Jikuu heads back through the foxhole
<DeathStar> *As they arrive back at the penthouse, Athena seems to be gone, likely handling the stuff on her end*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> I'm going to head back to the floor and play some games. *X nods and follows*
<Seraphna> **Jennifer went with her as muscle, and wife**
<Seraphna> Angela> Take your lucky bunny feet this time.
<Seraphna> **Angela joins her**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Now then...let's try this party again, but th proper way this time."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Right right, proper party. *she heads for one of the bedrooms* Try not to be too loud
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Right, now how do we use a luck artifact to make Noire a party girl.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "No, we just relax and celebrate victory."
<DeathStar> *Ren takes a seat* Jikuu is right
<DeathStar> <Ren> Unless any of you want to take in a show like the magic show
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You don't, Kaelan."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Dreams shattered.
<Alicia> <Astra> "What's the obsession with using the artifact, anyway? It's not like being lucky makes people happier or more relaxed."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "People are short-sighted and greedy."
<Alicia> <Astra> "That seems less like greed and more like delusion."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Something tells me there is more to the artifact then we know
<DeathStar> <Ren> But Andrea can disclose that in the morning
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Probably. Luck manipulation is not a simple matter."
<DeathStar> <Lenneth> I'm going to check on the show and see if there is anything else while we're here. *She steps out for the moment*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "As I said, the man would have come to an unpleasant end had he continued to abuse it."
<DeathStar> <Fate> The artifact is a powerful Dark One artifact. The man was simply draining the luck of others, but if you noticed at the end he was using it was a control mechanism
<DeathStar> <Fate> That was it's true purpose
<DeathStar> <Fate> If Kaelan hadn't done what she did we all could have been in more trouble than you realize
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "...I am not sure I like that artifact existing."
<DeathStar> <Ren> I agree
<DeathStar> <Fate> The artifact will have lesser control over Dark Ones, and even less influence over those who are Dark Ones and psionic abilities. *she nods at Jikuu and Revi*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mistress can probably consume it to restore some of her well.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Also, knowing that, it is probably good for everyone that Kaelan did not use it."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Put it out of your minds for now."
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "... understood..."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Also, I’m hurt Jikuu.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Oh?"
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Thinking I would be so nefarious.
<DeathStar> *Tsukiko peers out from Kaelan's shadow* You are not nefarious mother?
<DeathStar> *she steps forth and adjusts her priest clothing, holding what looks to be jalopeno poppers for the party*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *looks to the side*
<DeathStar> *Tsukiko holds them out, offering to any who are interested*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Goodness. From my own beloved darling daughter. I’m infamous, not nefarious.
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "... anyway."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan takes some**
<Alicia> * Astra takes one and eats
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Now then, warm up that hot tub again."
<DeathStar> *Taiga and Ren work on doing so, the two foxes chittering as they get it going*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> We doing a nude hot tub or swim wear?
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Why not whichever individual people are more comfortable with?"
<DeathStar> *Adeline turns to look at something on her monitor* Oh, sorry for teasing the idea. We might have something coming up.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm? What is coming up?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> I should install a hot tub into the van... *she mumbles*
<DeathStar> *Adeline points at the monitor* You remember those people that grabbed Lenneth?
<DeathStar> *there's more vans that look just like the one outside the hotel*
<Seraphna> **Jaime sighs and teleports outside**
<DeathStar> <Ren> Oh dear, is she going to start something?
<DeathStar> *a few men in suits turn to look at Jaime, and upon spotting her quickly move into their van*
<Seraphna> **Jaime holds outn her hands and the street under it lifts to hold it up by the undercarriage**
<Jackieness> <Noire> /noi "...how annoying."
<DeathStar> *Isis observes the screen*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "This seems like a worthwhile result."
<Seraphna> **Jaime walks over and knocks on the van door since it can't drive away now**
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Perhaps they will stop harassing us."
<DeathStar> *the van window rolls down and suddenly, Jaime is shot by something from inside. She'd feel a little strange, but it doesn't seem to hurt her*
<Seraphna> **Jaime frowns and tries to rip off the door**
<DeathStar> *Jaime suddenly seems to lack strength. The second van door opens and men in suits approach, then grab her and looking around at the commotion they're drawing, begin to pull her toward the van*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> H-Hey what the hell
<DeathStar> *she stands up, ready to leap off the balcony*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan sighs and shadow ports a bunch of the group out to them**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...very well." *opens a shadowport and mvoes to go through*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> **Kaelan then tendril pierces the tires on the second van**
<DeathStar> *the men stare as they're holding Jaime as they approach, eyeing the entire group appear. The third van takes this cue to drive off and abandon their allies*
<DeathStar> *the men let Jaime go*
<Alicia> * Jikuu tries to make the third van explode
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Now's a good time to put your hands over your heads and get down on your knees.
<DeathStar> *The third van blows up down the way from the hotel*
<Seraphna> **Jaime looks confused and angry**
<DeathStar> *the men look at each other, then seem to be more compliant than usual after the third van blows up*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You have been haranguing us since we started our little trip. You have been most annoying."
<DeathStar> *Ren begins to secure the men from each of the first two vans*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan starts using tendrils to strip them of weapons and find whatever they shot up Jaime with**
<DeathStar> *The weapons seem to be standard weapons - black market guns that could be from any race, EartGov weapons, and a tiny MiB gun*
<Seraphna> **Jaime frowns and starts checking each of her powers to figure out what's happening too**
<DeathStar> *they all seem to be gone, even her hyperspace energy seems locked away. Hopefully that's all it is - locked*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Guessing one of these negates energy, which would rob you of powers till it wears off. Most of them anyway.
<DeathStar> *by now every person has shown up but Lenneth*
<DeathStar> <Cheryl> What's going on here?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Oh fuck. **she checks the two vans for teleporters again**
<DeathStar> <X> We're drawing a crowd. Athena is trying to keep the police away
<Alicia> * Astra has not left the room
<DeathStar> *The vans seem to not be equipped with them a least*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> You might want to check that third van for survivors, Lenneth isn't here so far so...
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You lot... explain. Now."
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "...it is possible I got carried away."
<Seraphna> **Kaelan hands the weapons over to Adeline** You'll probably want these to sort your wife out.
<Seraphna> **Angela frowns and heads for the last van**
<DeathStar> *Adeline takes them and nods* I'll use our van to see what I can do. *pats Jaime* We'll get it sorted before Christmas
<DeathStar> *the last van is burning. A tire is comedically rolling*
<DeathStar> *The men eye Noire, as if daring her*
<DeathStar> *Andrea hangs back, watching for now*
<Alicia> * Jikuu sighs, then just psionically probes one the men's minds for answers
<Seraphna> Jaime> Can I feel Gnome...? **she tries that at least, still dazed, othrewise she'd probably be banging heads over Lenneth**
<Seraphna> **Angela inspects the wreck for survivors**
<DeathStar> *Gnome can indeed be felt. She is right now sleeping*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...very well." *opens a shadowport under one of them*
<Seraphna> Jaime> At least they didn't take that.
<DeathStar> *Jikuu would feel the men have psionic resistance training, so it means she'll have to work at it*
<DeathStar> *as Noire does that, Jikuu would find that one's mind opens up a little due to some panic, even if his face doesn't show it*
<Alicia> * Jikuu probes that one. "Thank you Noire. I might have risked injuring them if I had had to push too hard."
<Seraphna> **Angela drags the sack out of the back**
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Anything?" *looks up at the sky, hands clasped behind her*
<Seraphna> **Jaime watches quietly, growing a bit dark at the double of Lenneth in danger again and someone messing with her powers**
<Alicia> * Jikuu reports whatever they were planning.
<DeathStar> *it would appear they're being paid by some unknown third party group - they don't seem to know who - to cause trouble between the Suisen and the Cartel to try to worsen things between Spade and Jaime. They're carrying out operations like this in the Cartel as well, leaving stuff behind that would make it seem the Suisen are behind it. Their goal today was to take Jaime and Lenneth and the device that took their power is a Cartel device to take power away, something the Cartel has been working on*
<DeathStar> *and leave it on the scene for when the group retrieved them later*
<DeathStar> *the sack looks burnt, as it's dropped on the ground, it shifts a bit*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Point out the device for Adeline, Jikuu.
<Alicia> * Jikuu does so.
<Seraphna> **Angela opens it to check**
<DeathStar> *Adeline takes the tiny gun*
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Alright, I'll see what I can do to take it apart
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Jaime, I suspect you had best get back to Risokyo with Lenneth and have asit down with the Cartel."
<DeathStar> *Lenneth is indeed inside, though she's barely moving - it seems the sack protected her from the fire, but the explosion itself still damaged her*
<Seraphna> Jaime> We'll have to at that, but let's see if Adeline can restore me first so I don't have to do that from a position of weakness.
<Seraphna> **Angela pours healing power into Lenneth and carries her back**
<Seraphna> **Kaelan moves over and helps by lettiung Truth out to heal Lenneth as well**
<DeathStar> <Revi> Does this mean Jaime has to leave the vacation tour?
<DeathStar> *Lenneth coughs but looks better after a bit*
<Seraphna> Jaime> When we find who this third party is I will make them wish for hell. Then take them there to rot.
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Just for a bit until she can talk to Spade. But as Jaime said, she won't be leaving right away.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I have a suggestion
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "I am not exactly happy with the Cartel working on devices like that, either."
<Seraphna> Jaime> Indeed. I'll also want to know the in and out of that technology before we do.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You head what Jimmu found. They have similar operations in the Cartel. Jaime must act to avert a diplomatic crisis, if not a war."
<Jackieness> Jikku
<DeathStar> <Isis> I agree. The fact the Cartel are making devices like this can only be for one reason.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "And yes, mother?"
<DeathStar> <Isis> The eventual need to use them on super beings
<DeathStar> <Adeline> Studying this I have to believe this is temporary. Hopefully having our hands on it we can shield against it
<Seraphna> Jaime> I'm not tolerating another one of their xenocidal war efforts like the NGD Conflict.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> We should set out tonight.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> And head for our next destination
<Seraphna> Jaime> A pity, I was looking forward to the party.
<Seraphna> Jaime> For that they will pay tenfold.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> We can still party in the van.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Have Athena bring the snacks.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I been talking with Adeline and our Tsivrixsh scientist Shre'vra about some modications we can do to the van
<DeathStar> *Shre'vra shifts, looking shifty*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "At the very least, we should not cause additional conflict with the Cartel until the third party are dealt with."
<Alicia> * Jikuu calls Astra over, who arrives now.
<Seraphna> Jaime> Tenfold!
<DeathStar> *Athena has the casino police take the men away as they prepare to hit the road*
<DeathStar> -TIME JUMP-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-674.11.24
<DeathStar> Location: Fumoffu Van
<DeathStar> *as they drive along next to a fancy train, Ren seems to be studying something* You know, we should take a train sometime - one of those trains that have all the fancy stuff like dining and entertainment. *She points at the train next to them* Like that one
<Seraphna> Thena> Ghost Train?
<DeathStar> *as they're driving, above them on their roof, Shre'trav and Adeline seem to be building something as noises can be heard and looks from other drivers are seen - having been going on all day*
<DeathStar> <Ren> What? No, not a ghost train.
<DeathStar> <Ren> A luxury train!
<Seraphna> Thena> ...Pirate train?
<DeathStar> <Athena> Athena train!
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...what is mother up to?"
<Seraphna> Thena> ...Momma Train!
<Alicia> <Astra> "Don't need no credit card to ride this train?"
<DeathStar> *Andrea can be heard ho ho hoing*
<DeathStar> <Athena> Athena train can be riden for free.
<DeathStar> *she nods*
<Seraphna> **Jaime meanwhile is getting drunk and leaning on Lenneth**
<DeathStar> <Isis> Mind you we would have no room for the van
<DeathStar> *Lenneth hugs Jaime*
<Seraphna> Thena> ...Ren! New van idea! SHUTTLE THRUSTERS.
<DeathStar> *Andrea swings into the van* Alright everyone. The new idea is finished. You can come on up
<Seraphna> Jaime> Mmm?
<DeathStar> <Isis> What, onto the van roof? While we're in motion?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> ... *she just climbs back out the window*
<Seraphna> Jaime> ...Right I have to climb up. C'mon Lenny. **drags her less effectively than usual**
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... I want to go. *she whines while driving*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm..." *goes to take a look*
<DeathStar> *Lenneth follows her up, as does Revi and Cheryl. Fate looks around up top with Tsukiko. A hot tub has been installed on the roof, complete with privacy screens all around it so no one can look into it, the water swooshing about due to Ren's driving*
<Alicia> * Jikuu climbs up to check
<DeathStar> <Isis> How is this even possible
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "...why?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...and what happens if we have to go under a low overpass?"
<DeathStar> *Andrea pauses to think* What's a overpass? *She asks an accent like doesn't know Basic*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Well, we just have to avoid them now."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...very well."
<DeathStar> *Andrea strips down and gets into the water* Ah...
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads back down* "Ren, do not driver under any overpasses."
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... Alright. I can do that
<Alicia> <Astra> "Why did you put it on the roof?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...and they installed a hot tub on the roof of your van."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I figured the air might be refreshing up here and the view nice
<DeathStar> <Ren> Alright everyone
<DeathStar> *she turns her head* <Ren> We're approaching Reno. Our next stop.
<Alicia> <Astra> "Is that the place where that one guy shot a man just to watch him die?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Ah.... I think so? *she begins to pull into the city* <Ren> I figure from here we can begin to turn northward. I don't think there is anything on the west cost we really want.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Should we all get some food?
<Alicia> <Astra> "Sounds good."
<DeathStar> *Ren gets out and begins to lead them toward a nearby tavern to get some drink and food. Lenneth and Adeline pull Jaime along inside where the smell of food hits them as soon as they step inside*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "You are the driver, Ren."
<DeathStar> *Revi looks around, taking her mask off to take a seat with the group*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Mmm... angels.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *sits down and looks at a menu* "Mmmmm..."
<Alicia> <Astra> "So... are shuttle thrusters on a van even viable? They seem like they'd be too big, too heavy and yet too much thrust..."
<Alicia> <Astra> "I should ask Taiga later."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...why do we even need thrusters?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> I can ask mom if she wants to join us if you want to ask
<Alicia> <Astra> "We don't need them, but once they got brought up, I started wondering if they'd even work..."
<DeathStar> *Ren comms Taiga to come join them*
<Seraphna> **Kaelan sits and pulls Ren into her lap**
<DeathStar> *The waitress comes over* <Waitress> Hello. What can I get you? *the food menu looks to be your standard menu, complete with some local Reno food types. Ren immediately begins to order a few items off and the special*
<DeathStar> *Taiga takes a seat* <Taiga> How does it feel to be used like a toy? Hu hu hu hu
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Kaelan, let Ren go."
<DeathStar> <Ren> IT's fine. *she waves a tail* Unless Charlotte gets mad, I don't mind. But--- But!
<DeathStar> *Ren leans forward*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmm?"
<Alicia> <Charlotte> "I'm not mad, at least unless Kaelan tries something more than just being a seat."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mmm? Not like I'm holding her hostage. **pets Ren's ear**
<DeathStar> *Ren points at the guy in the corner, who is drinking heavily and looks like he's terrified*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Ren smells a case
<Seraphna> **Jaime looks over the wine list**
<DeathStar> *Taiga deadpans*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> So you had a question, Astra?
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Or he had an affair with a married woman and is terrified on of her husband."
<DeathStar> <Ren> But...that's... That's boring
<Alicia> <Astra> "How viable are shuttle thrusters on a van? Can they be done without making the van... not work?"
<DeathStar> *Adeline points at a ertain wine*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmmmm...mindane is more common than the extraordinary. That's why its extraordinary."
<DeathStar> *Ren puffs cheeks*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Well. They can yes. I want to say mother had a specialized car that could transform into a type of shuttle mode and I am prretty sure it had thrusters. I want to say she still has that vehicle. It could go from car mode, to a stype of shuttle mode.
<DeathStar> *The man finishes his drink and wobbles toward the door as the waitress brings their food*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "If it would make you feel better, you cna find out what the story is...just don't be moody if it does indeed turn out just to be a mundane concern."
<Seraphna> **Jaime orders the wine and leans against Adeline**
<DeathStar> *Ren beams and waves at the man* Sir Sir Sir!
<DeathStar> <Ren> Are you haunted by ghosts .... or are you being chased by your wife?
<DeathStar> *The man looks startled, looking around drunkenly.* <Lenneth> That's one way to ask
<Alicia> <Astra> "...damn."
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> She's quite the gumshoe.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> .... *ignoring the ghost talk* The problem with the shuttle engines though is you have to have it just right. If you're not building everything from scratch, then you're you know, having to guestimate how big to make them
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Which makes it harder
<DeathStar> *the man leans forward, whispering*
<DeathStar> <Man> I saw..... spirits, yes, at the mansion. I was asked to help restore it. This woman with no head ... she was ... horrorfying. She came at me. And then there was.... oh god, a girl with a gaping wound in her chest. AAH. *he shudders and returns to drinking*
<Seraphna> Jaime> I miss my sword of eternal darkness. They're good for ghosts.
<DeathStar> *Adeline pours Jaime more wine; Revi even sips some again*
<DeathStar> *Ren looks up and shows a nearby manor* Anyone interested?
<Jackieness> <Noire> *lets out a breath* "..can we wait until after dinner?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> Ah right right. *She pauses as their food arrives and calmly eats a spicy chicken*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *has her own meal*
<Alicia> * Astra eats her own meal, having ordered a lot of food
<DeathStar> *Andrea casually eats some food next to Astra and Jikuu* I should take on a new apprentice. I wonder if my granddaughter would be interested. How do kids these days get hooked on the occult of power? Games?
<Seraphna> Kaelan> If you'd like I have several girls who might be interested.
<DeathStar> *Tsukiko chuckles*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mother, not everyone is me."
<DeathStar> <Andrea> That is true. I should take on --- a lot of apprentices at once
<DeathStar> *she nods* I will accept, Kaelan
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...mmmm...how annoying."
<Seraphna> Kaelan> Mm, I'll send them to you~
<DeathStar> *Ren meanwhile has attempted to eat all of her food at once*
<DeathStar> *and flails her hands*
<DeathStar> *motioning at her back
<DeathStar> *Sonic countdown music 4*
<DeathStar> *3*
<DeathStar> *2*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *moves toi check Ren*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Is everything okay?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> *smacks Ren on the back*
<DeathStar> *Ren coughs and takes a few breaths*
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Do not wolf down your food, Ren, even if you do share wolf-like habits."
<DeathStar> <Ren> Haaaa, I saw the other side of reality for a second
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "It tastes better if you slow down."
<DeathStar> <Ren> True. *She sips her drink slowly and finishes the last bite at a reasonable pace*
<Alicia> <Astra> "... should I try to eat all my food at once, then, if it lets you do that?"
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "No. I think that's a Ren thing."
<DeathStar> <Revi> Absolutely not! *She chimes in immediately*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Do not try it. *she shakes her head*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *adjusts her glasses as she moves to sit back down*
<DeathStar> *Taiga lets out a sigh*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> If some reason you want to try to reach heights of "reality", there safer methods
<Alicia> <Astra> "Do they involve Yggdrasil?"
<DeathStar> <Taiga> That is a method, yes. *she mumbles under her breath* I was thinking drugs or alcohol, or even someone with a minute touch of reality based powers, but that works.
<DeathStar> *Ren finishes up and pays the bill with Fumoffu funds, skipping outside*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I thought alcohol made you stupid?"
<Seraphna> **Kaelan coaches Ren through slower bites**
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Hm? I would not say it makes you stupid. It makes you ...
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...I'll make sure Ren stays out of trouble." *stands and moves after Ren*
<DeathStar> <Taiga> What is the word. It makes you more likely to do something. Lets say for example. *she brings her hands forward, pointing at Revi* Lets use this as an example - lets say you liked Revi as more than a friend
<DeathStar> <Taiga> But you were too afraid to voice it
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Alcohol might lower your fear level and give you a more sense of bravado. It would 'help' you voice how you felt, and propel you. Hence it would push you into an act you normally would not do
<DeathStar> <Taiga> It could also help make you feel more giddy or other feelings, that sort of thing.
<DeathStar> <Taiga> It's why one should drink only small amounts
<Alicia> <Astra> "I still don't really get it, but I can't relate to any of that."
<DeathStar> <Taiga> Well, it's not a big deal - I typically only drink once in a while myself
<DeathStar> *she steps outside with the others*
<DeathStar> *Ren bounces in place*
<DeathStar> *Ren leads them down the road toward a creepy looking mansion that looks like it has seen better days; signs of renovation is occurring to try to restore the ancient looking place*
<DeathStar> *it looks like it is older than Miyuki*
<DeathStar> *Ren looks at the others*
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'll go in first
<DeathStar> *Ren creeps up to the door, then slips in*
<DeathStar> *using her fox form to find a crack*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I have a bad feeling about this place. Probably should have stopped her
<Jackieness> <Noire> "...good luck trying to stop Ren." *moves in after her*
<DeathStar> *Noire and those sensitive to the super natural would feel angry spirits inside. The kind that only come from people who have been killed*
<DeathStar> *and they feel recent - at least with in the last few years*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Are we here to help the ghosts?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> *reaches and grabs Ren and pulls her back*
<DeathStar> *Ren is pulled back right before an angry spirit tries to grab at Ren's body*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> We can put them to rest yes. It would be best to locate all their bodies - they're likey been stashed around the house
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Give me a moment to see if I can locate them - unless one of you want to try to do it
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Everyone, out!"
<Alicia> <Astra> "I'm not sure how to detect bodies."
<Jackieness> <Noire> *drags Ren back outside* "ITs a murder house."
<DeathStar> *four female spirits eye them out the window*
<DeathStar> *with vengence*
<DeathStar> *Ren's tail swishes*
<DeathStar> <Ren> Damn. Who would kill 4 women and stash their bodies about the place?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> IT was likely done before the renovations began.
<DeathStar> *Andrea motions the others close* Here, a trick.
<Jackieness> <Noire> "mmmmmm?"
<DeathStar> <Andrea> We know the spirits are in there. If you can use our powers for detecting darkness nd spirits, see if you can use that to follow them to the source - which will be their body
<Alicia> <Astra> *to the ghosts* "So anyway, we're here to help." *pauses* "...can you help us find your bodies?"
<DeathStar> <Andrea> With these spirits practically oozing bloodlust, it should be easier
<DeathStar> *Astra would get a flash from one of the ghosts, the little girl most likely, seeing something under the floor boards of the upper bedroom*
<DeathStar> *Andrea works on tracing the others and their spirit sources* There's one in the wall in the living room
<Alicia> <Astra> "Thank you! Upper bedroom, right?"
<Jackieness> <Noire> "The problem is that we will nee dto get through them to get to their bodies, and they have been driven mad with injustice."
<DeathStar> *Astra gets a confirmation* <Andrea> That is true. We will need someone to distract them
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Whoever would be willing to play with them while the rest of us puts them to rest
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Give me a moment to prepare...and I'll fight them."
<Alicia> <Astra> "...do we really need to fight?"
<DeathStar> <Andrea> It's more like distracting than fighting.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Astra, you should handle the spirit upstairs. Just put them to rest
<DeathStar> <Andrea> I'll handle the one in the wall.
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads for the van*
<Seraphna> Kaelan> How would they respond to divine energy?
<DeathStar> *Andrea hands Ren the third location, then turns to Kaelan for the fourth*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Alright." *heads that way*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Planing to go in with your daughter? It's hard to say. They could respond well or they could respond negatively
<Alicia> * Jikuu heads in with Astra, not even saying a word
<DeathStar> *Revi flails and follows Jikuu and Astra*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *returns, wearing her shrine maiden outfit* "I'm ready."
<DeathStar> *the upstairs area has a creepy unsettling feel as the three move up there. Ren moves inside to the basement, feeling creeped out while Andrea nods ands moves inside to begin knockign the wall out*
<DeathStar> *Astra's room looks to have a bed slid ove the floor with the body*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *heads in through the front door, then pulls out a small drum and starts to beat upon it to attract the spirits*
<Alicia> * Jikuu moves the bed for Astra, who looks for the body
<DeathStar> *Noire would sense the spirits growing restless with everyone moving about and as she plays the drums, they begin to form around her, all 4 of them taking shape*
<DeathStar> *the floorboards under the bed seem to be hiding a skeleton in a bag, showing how long ago it was.*
<DeathStar> *Andrea begins to place dark one charms on the body in the wall*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *slips the drum away and then draws out a prayer rod, eyes moving from one spirit to the next*
<Alicia> <Astra> "So... lay to rest... does that mean just burial?"
<DeathStar> *Lenneth comms Jikuu and Astra* There is a cementary near the manor.
<DeathStar> <Lenneth comm> If that is all you need to do
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Lets go there." * Astra heads that way, Jikuu in tow.
<Alicia> <Astra> *comm* "I'm not sure, but... I think so?"
<DeathStar> <Lenneth comm> I know some religion type stuff saying a prayer while burying the body might help as well. <Revi> Do we know and prayers? *She follows them*
<DeathStar> *The spirits circle Noire*
<DeathStar> *the most aggressive of them tries to blast Noire abck with energy*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *clasps the rod in both hands and starts a warding chant*
<DeathStar> *Andrea and Ren slip outside the manor, bolding their bags*
<DeathStar> *Andrea heads for the cemetary* <Andrea> A shame there is not a Dark One section; it would have made this easier
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "How many Dark Ones are likely to have died here?"
<DeathStar> *The spirits begin to attempt to hit Noire from all sides, attempting to knock her off balance*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Fair enough. *the group arrive at what appears to be an old cemetary going back long before EarthGov existed*
<DeathStar> <Ren> I noticed something aobout these bodies.
<DeathStar> *she notes as they prepare the burial*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *raises a hand and tries casting a binding ward on the most aggressive before she tries to slip out from the middle of them*
<DeathStar> *the spirit wiggles about*
<Jackieness> <Noire> *then turns to face the other three*
<Alicia> <Astra> "What is it?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> All of these women were killed by the same person - we have a serial killer
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Not very surprising."
<DeathStar> *the other three spirits begin tto zoom in when they vanish*
<DeathStar> *Andrea steps back as they wrap up the burial stuff*
<DeathStar> <Revi> What is a cereal killer?
<DeathStar> *Ren comms Noire to check on her*
<Alicia> <Jikuu> "Serial. It means they killed multiple people, one after another."
<DeathStar> <Ren> You alive, Noire? Everything good?
<DeathStar> <Andrea> A killer that targetted women. Unforgiveable. I hope one day we can run into this fellow
<Jackieness> <Noire> "Mmmm...the spirits hve been banished. I trust you have been succesful then?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> It's all over. Lets meet up and check into a hotel
<Alicia> <Astra> "All buried. I don't know the prayers or whatever though."
<DeathStar> *Andrea turns to Astra, then claspses her hands together, bowing her hand*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> You just say whatever is in your heart. May your reincarnate into a beautiful Dark One and kick this guy's ass,
<DeathStar> *Andrea bows and claps her hands three times*
<Alicia> <Astra> "Hope your next life is better!"
<DeathStar> <Ren> ... I guess that works. *bows*
<DeathStar> -Epilogue-
<DeathStar> *while the group is checking in, a man in a hat and a hook for a hand is watching them, breathing heavily, eyeing them for disturbing his work. He slowly moves and gets into an old beat up truck which has on the side Captain's Fishing - the rest of it too rusted to see anymore as he drives on past their building*
<DeathStar> -END-
<DeathStar> -Minis Open-
<DeathStar> *Revi and Ren float in the hot tub*
<DeathStar> *parked next to the hotel
<Seraphna> **Jaime lingers in the water partly submerged**
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) has quit IRC
<DeathStar> *Adeline works downstairs in the van*
<DeathStar> <Revi> ... *pats Jaime's head* Are you..okay?
<Seraphna> Jaime> I feel weird with everything locked up.
<DeathStar> <Revi> Is it so bad to have your powers.... sealed?
<Seraphna> Jaime> Not dying or anything but I dislike feeling so helpless and unable to protect those I love.
<DeathStar> *Revi considers that, eyeing her fox mask*
<Alicia> <Astra> "...which powers?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> All her powers are currently sealed
<DeathStar> <Ren> Adeline is trying to reverse the effects to Jaime can use them again
<Alicia> <Astra> "But she can still breathe, right?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> She can, true
<DeathStar> *Revi has put her fox mask on, her presence barely detectable as well as her own power.*
<Seraphna> Jaime> I used to be able to not breathe.
<DeathStar> *Ren pauses, then tilts her head*
<DeathStar> <Ren> oh. Right. Dragoons don't have to breathe - I keep forgetting
<Seraphna> Jaime> **pats the Dragoon Fox**
<Alicia> <Astra> "Aren't you an actual dragoon though?"
<DeathStar> <Ren> I'm not a full dragoon, it's not exactlly second nature!
<DeathStar> *Ren pulls out a cute little pink bottle*
<DeathStar> *Ren opens it*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I'm not a full progenitor... or dark one... but those are second nature to me..."
<Alicia> <Astra> "But maybe they're close enough that it doesn't matter?"
<DeathStar> *Andrea stretches naked in the water* Astra. I have a theory
<Alicia> <Astra> "Oh?"
<Seraphna> Jaime> The fact that they locked down all my powers is a tad worrisome for everyone. Seeing as I have at least one side of each of your abilities.
<DeathStar> *she shifts over next to her, putting an arm around her in a friendly hug* The way forward for both races to survive are going to be the Progenitors and Dark Ones coming together and have more children. Otherwise, I do not see them surviving much longer. No offense Jaime. But the next evolution needs to be children of both races that can handle their powers of dark and light. I hope your grandmother can help unite her people to understand that and the Bobbi can help do that on her end.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> It is likely one reason Xevil -- well, you know. *motions at Revi*
<Seraphna> Jaime> Well we are already headed that way. Sephie and Tsukiko have had babies.
<DeathStar> <Ren> Go foxes. *She paws the air*
<DeathStar> < Ren> Rah rah
<DeathStar> <Andrea> You sould like you are rooting for a football team
<Seraphna> Jaime> I also know my powers work with a Dark One template. I used to have Noire’s.
<Alicia> <Astra> "It's scary that they actually used that... but it doesn't look life threatening at least...?"
* Day changed to Friday, 8. Aug 2025
<Seraphna> Jaime> I guess. Still nobody feels good suddenly weakened.
<Alicia> <Astra> "Get some rest, at least?"
<DeathStar> *Andrea muses*
<DeathStar> *Then her tail reaches over and pokes at Jaime to test her reaction speed*
<Alicia> * Jikuu heads over to hug Astra to calm her down, after random items start to shake
<Seraphna> **Jaime catches it**
<Seraphna> Jaime> Can’t speed up but cognitively I’m still at my normal.
<DeathStar> *Andrea flails*
<DeathStar> <Andrea> Aah! Ahh.
<DeathStar> <Andrea> oka, okay, you cna let go
<DeathStar> *Ren moves over to Astra
<DeathStar> <Ren> Hey, kiddo, kiddo, you okay?
<DeathStar> *Revi lifts her mask up* What is wrong?
<Alicia> <Astra> "Just... mind started racing. Sorry..."
<DeathStar> *Ren pets her head*
<DeathStar> <Ren> You know
<DeathStar> <Ren> Want me to show you a trick I used to do to help me calm down?
<Alicia> <Astra> "Please."
<DeathStar> *Ren slides over next to her* <Ren> Alright, this might be a bit weaker since this ability is a little weaker each generation, but... you can either close your eyes, focus on some point in the distance, or even your hand. Just focus on whatever is easiest for you then stare at it and while you're doing that, start willing the universe around you to quiet or soften a bit. Just... become a little more gentle. Here. *she takes Astra's hand, and she begins to focus on her hand, and Astra can tell she's tapping into the tiny bit of reality power she inherited from Cheryl - and she can feel everything slowly tuning at around the two - Andrea's flailing noises, the sound of the hotel, as if Ren is slowly muting the universe around them*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I'll try that if I have trouble again."
<DeathStar> <Ren> If you get good at it, you can slowly use it in other ways. I'm not super great at it, but I have found I can slowly nudge reality just a little. Sometimes in my favor.
<DeathStar> <Ren> A far cry from what grandmother did back in the day
<DeathStar> <Revi> Do you need to borrow my mask again? *she asks Astra*
<Alicia> <Astra> "I'm fine now..."
<DeathStar> *Revi nods* I'm glad. If you need anything anytime, let me know