Evilania
A hot, steamy country filled with people wearing black leather. Smells like
what you'd expect. The skies are always gloomy and overcast, and every building
is done up with gargoyles, bending structural supports, strange unholy
carvings, and so on. Plenty of temples to dark gods lie around, as well as
bars, which invariably house a large number of brawls and so on. Welcome to
Evilania! (I'd write a longer desc but I think the imagination would probably
supply it better...)
[Exits : none ]
[Players : Utena, and Xelloss ]
[Things : None ]
>Xelloss says, "..........."
>Cloud (OOC) whaps Xell. That's MY line!
>"..." Copyright 1998, Cloud Strife.
>Xelloss says, "....." Copyright 1998, Rei Ayanami.
>Xelloss says, "........" Copyright 1998, Squall Lionheart.
>Xelloss sits in midair, reading his rather large book.
>Utena is standing at the window, gazing out into the street, mainly because at
the moment she doesn't have anything better to do. She doesn't really pay a lot
of attention to what she's seeing, either, it's just better than sitting there
in silence.
>Cloud doesn't mind sitting there in silence. He is, by the way, on the floor,
to be precise, although he does look around the room now and then
>Utena is mostly lost in thought, and her thoughts are unpleasant. She visibly
shudders, thinking about that 'temple' down under the streets.. the red, red
eyes of the beast still seem to glow within her mind, like dark suns of hell
that, even from here, she imagines she can feel watching her, tracking her
movements
>Xelloss just smiles and flips pages. n.n
>Cloud finally decides to venture a comment. "... I wonder what the plan for
today is." He looks at Xelloss out of the corner of his eye.
>Xelloss mms. "I'll know in a bit."
>Utena trails her fingers over her upper arms. "I hope you figure it out soon."
>Cloud, having made his comment for the hour, doesn't say anything else.
>Xelloss scans a finger over the text... "Hmm. Aha!!"
>Xelloss pokes at a map. "There it is."
>Utena turns around, tiredly. "Found something?" Yes, she'll bite...
>Xelloss nods. "I think we can find the ruins here. Of course, we'll need
transportation out there. Saddle up, folks."
>Cloud ventures to ask, BEFORE we get into trouble, "What kind of
transportation?"
>Xelloss says, "We're going to rent a carriage ride out there."
>Cloud nods to Xelloss, and stands up.
>Xelloss says, "In style. n.n I've called ahead and made the arrangements.
Should be waiting for us now."
>Cloud will have to see what sort of carriages are available -here-...
>Utena nods, and follows quietly, after a brief adjustment of her sword belt
around her hips and a deep inhalation as she attempts to pull her mask back on.
>Xelloss strolls downstairs. It's a quiet afternoon, being sunday.. everybody's
at church. Which churches you may not want to know.
>Cloud follows, like a good little minion.
>Xelloss waits out front. The carriage isn't there. "Ah.. it'll be a moment."
>Utena stands quietly behind Xelloss and to the other side of him, her eyes
shadowed.
>A horse-drawn carriage arrives... of course, it's the only horses you've seen
that run backwards. It pulls up in reverse, and the doors open automatically.
It's black, of course.
>Xelloss says, "Ah, goody. All aboard."
>Utena peers uncertainly at it, but steps forward and climbs into the carriage.
. o O ( You've seen an upside down castle, Utena, this isn't that much worse.. )
>Cloud stares at this a second. Compared to some of the weirdness yesterday,
this is rather pedestrian. He climbs in, shortly after Utena does.
>Xelloss hops in, and has a seat. The carriage takes off... running backwards,
same way it arrived.
>Xelloss says, "Relax, put your feet up. It'll be a short trip to the ruins."
>Utena nods, her hand fingering one of the curved silver strings that make up
the hilt of her sword. She still has a lot on her mind, and seems unusually
subdued.
>Xelloss says, "...you two seem rather quiet."
>Cloud doesn't put his feet up, but he does seem to relax, marginally. ".....
Quiet?"
>Xelloss says, "Well, YOU are always quiet. But Utena isn't."
>Cloud blinks. "..."
>Utena shrugs, offering the Mazoku a weak, colorless smile. "I don't have much
to say."
>Xelloss pouts. "Well.. with luck, we'll be done this quest by day's end. Seems
this country's having ill effects on you two."
>Utena closes her eyes. "I'm sorry. I was a bad choice. I'm just..." She bites
her lip for a moment. "I'm scared. I'm really scared. I knew, but I didn't
-realize- how it was going to be. I won't leave, because I promised you, and I
want to help you. But... I'm really, really afraid."
>Utena says, "I'm afraid of everything I do here, I'm afraid that I'll be
recognized."
>Xelloss takes that in. "Ah... it's okay to be scared, really. But don't worry.
Both of us are here to protect you, and it won't be much longer, and.. so on."
He's not a learned master at comforting, even if he can manipulate like a
puppetmaster.
>Outside, the terrain rolls by... blasted and dead, scorched, lifeless and
barren. Of course, Xel did tell you they had to routinely keep it that way
since it tended to bloom a lot.
>Cloud speaks, more as a tactician, then a therapist. "... It was perhaps a
mistake to arrive here. Xelloss seems capable of eliminating the signifigant
opposition, however."
>Utena nods, just a faint grin, as she replies quietly, "You didn't really need
us at all, did you, Xell..? Either me or Cloud..."
>Xelloss ahs. "No. I DO need you two. But you won't know why until we arrive."
n.n
>Cloud doesn't respond to that. The hair on the back of his neck stands on end,
but if the hair on his head is any indication, that isn't too unusual. "..."
>The carriage rolls to a halt.
>Xelloss exclaims, "Ah! Here we are. Dismount!"
>Outside... you see a fraction of the excavated ruins... and it's SWARMING with
tentacular demons, slathering here and there.
>Utena lets the others move in front of her, lingering... and then erks and
pales a sahde or two... make that three. x.x
>Cloud disembarks before Utena, this time.
>Xelloss strolls cheerfully towards the inhuman blasphemations of nature..
pauses, and looks behind himself. "Coming?"
>Utena climbs out of the carriage and just, kinda, stares for a moment. "You're
JOKING."
>Xelloss asks, "About what?"
>The tentacled beasts growl and mutter and seem to move about.. doing something.
They haven't noticed you yet.
>Utena points at the swarming Tentacles 'R Us over there and uhms weakly, "...
Through those?"
>Xelloss looks. "What, the archaeologists?"
>Utena FACEFAULTS.
>Cloud sweatdrops. "..."
>Xelloss says, "The ecchioni are the only ones who DO anything constructive in
this country. Some mad wizard made them to ravish women, but they decided they
didn't want to and they unionized. They run most bureaucratic functions,
government projects, work details, and so on..."
>Xelloss says, "Slime is very good at digesting rock, too. n.n"
>Cloud sweatdrops again. "..."
>Utena picks herself up and brushes herself off. "I feel like I'm having a
nightmare. Okay, okay... Archaeologists, huh? Remind me not to ask what the tax
collectors look like... ecchioni?" x.x x.x
>Xelloss says, "They collect taxes, too. Although they bring along heavies with
clubs to do any 'collection'. They're pacifists."
>Cloud stares blankly . o O ( ....... Now I -know- I'm going crazy. )
>Xelloss strolls on, into the thick of the grotesque deformations. He waves
politely. "Ho, Nigel! How's the dig going?"
>Utena starts laughing. It's a laugh with an edge of hysteria in it, but only
for a moment, and then she just -laughs- for a while, a tension-busting laugh.
Finally she wipes at her eyes and runs off after Xelloss to catch up.
>Cloud follows at a more leisurely pace. At least there won't be a fight. Yet.
>Nigel the Ecchi Oni (he has on a tie.. seems similar to one you saw..) looks
up. Well, you think he does. Five of his eyes do. "Ah, 'allo, Master Xelloss.
It goes well. We've uncovered a great deal of artifacts, and.. oh, hello, I
didn't know you had company. Good day to you, fine lady and gentleman." He...
bows. Don't think too hard on HOW.
>Utena smiles brightly at the Tentacle Fiend with the tie. "Hello there." What
the hell. As they say, you don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps.
It seems easier to just accept it than to think about it... she even gives a
little courtly bow. Why not?
>The carriage.. takes off. Rolling away on its own power, despite having no
driver to guide the horses. Xelloss blinks a few times in surprise, but
dismisses it. "Ah, Nigel, we need to enter the ruins. We won't disturb your
work, though. Where's the door?"
>Nigel the Multifaceted Terror Of A Thousand Spawn points with a tentacle off
into the thick of the working area. "S'over there. Say, would either of your
companions like tea and crumpets before you go?"
>Cloud rubs his chin. A bit of tea DOES sound good. "..."
>Utena looks at Xelloss. "Do we? I'm a little thirsty."
>Xelloss says, "I believe you do. Even Cloud expressed an opinion through body
language, so we REALLY do. Nigel, three cups, chop chop."
>Tentacled demons slather into view, carrying a nice china teaset, with several
cups and kettles. They set it down on the rocks, pour three cups and serve them
up to the group, complete with a little dish, a doily-like napkin and a cookie.
>Cloud pokes the cookie, than takes a sip of the tea. Hrmm... could use a little
lemon, but it'll do. "..."
>Utena giggles again, softly, and carefully draws in some of the tea, which..
curiously... is not only exactly as sweet as she likes it, but also tastes
almost exactly nothing like tea. She peers at the cup for a moment, then
finishes it off briskly.
>Xelloss does similar. After all, they are on a schedule. "Thank you for your
hospitality, Nigel. Come along, gang, we'll snack on our way in." He hides the
cookie somewhere in his robes, bows to Nigel, and proceeds to the entrance.
"Ah, careful; the ground is a little slimy," he warns.
>Cloud has thick boots, shouldn't be TOO big a problem...
>Whereas Utena is probably in stiletto heels, considering.
>Utena sets the cup back on the saucer, hands the set back to Nigel with a
smile, and - heeding Xell's warning- starts SLOWLY walking after, watching the
ground.
>Xelloss approaches the entrance, a massive set of stone doors, propped open
just a little. He snaps his fingers and summons a magical light; it's safer
than a torch, and steps in...
>Utena follows, hanging toward the rear as she waits for her eyes to adjust to
the change of light; she focuses on the faint glow projected magically and
rests one hand on her sword hilt.
>Cloud doesn't seem thrilled about this situation in general, but as usual, he
voices no complaints.
>The group arrives in a large lobby.. it's actually quite nice, with furnishings
from throughout the world's history, nice divans, some chairs, potted plants...
artwork on the walls. And on the floor is a LARGE scale map engraved into the
marble, with each wing illustrated and labelled...there's a lot of them.
>Xelloss mms. "Okay. Split up and search the map, we need the 'Lost Lores'
wing." He starts reading the map.
>Cloud looks down. Last place he expected to see a map.
>Just about anything you can imagine has its own wing of books. Gardening, Home
Repair, Dog Training, Pagan Ritual, Mathematics (odd how those two are close
together)...
>Utena does what she can, stepping off to the left with her heels clicking over
the floor, puzzling over the arcane scripts.. eheh, bad time to mention she's
not QUITE as literate as she could be? She paces slowly around her section of
the map, gazing down over it.
>Utena mutters softly, "If it were on the map, how would they still be lost
lores?" under her breath.
>Cloud sweatdrops. She has a point.
>Xelloss says, "Try not to think too hard about it. Hmm.. what's TV/VCR
Programming? The wisdom of the ancients was indeed arcane."
>Xelloss moves on, studying the map.
>Utena drifts further and further toward the left, still eyeing the descriptions
and the rather bewildering architectural layout. "Hey, Xell.. I thought you had
blueprints of this place earlier?"
>Xelloss says, "It wasn't a labelled blueprint."
>Xelloss says, "This is the only real guide we have to WHERE it is."
>Utena's eyes fall on a large red inscription. 'BEWARE OF LIBRARIAN'.
>Utena says, "Xell.. This thing is huge. Why don't you hover a moment? I think
we'd have a better view from higher up..."
>Utena says, "Could see more at once, anyway... *mutter*"
>Xelloss says, "Hmm. Okay."
>Cloud's search is a little hampered by the fact that Xelloss has the light
anyway.
>Utena goes to a chair and climbs on top of it, gazing down from the new angle.
>Xelloss levitates up. Which is good, because a doubleheaded axe comes spinning
and whooshing through the air where he was, and embeds itself six inches into
the stone floor. (THUNK.)
>Xelloss blinks. o.o
>Utena BLINKS. o.O! "Are you okay?"
>Cloud reflexively draws his sword, and scans the darkness. "...!?"
>Xelloss asks, "Yes?"
>Utena says, "Can you make that light brighter?" Utena also draws her sword. "We
need more light.."
>A lanky old guy with muscles on his muscles, wire-rimmed glasses and wearing a
bearskin loincloth / gloves / boots arrives from the shadows, grabbing his axe,
and hefting it. "How dare you defile the Great Library?! Blackhearted dogs!"
Xelloss hangs near the ceiling, and flares the light up.
>Utena uhms and peers at the old, very MUSCLED guy, stepping down from the chair
and waving her hands placatingly.. "Wait, wait... we're not defiling
anything...!"
>The man spins the axe in his hands. "State your purpose in coming to the Great
Library! AND NO TALKING LOUD! Be respectful to fellow readers.
>Cloud says, in his usual quiet tone, "... I believe we're here to check out a
book."
>The man puffs out his chest. "Nobody checks out a book without... A LIBRARY
CARD! Which I, Pendix, last of the Librarian Warriors, can authorize."
>Cloud looks up at Xelloss. You DO have a card, right?
>Xelloss shakes his head. n.n;;;
>Utena bypasses that question and steps forward, smiling at the Librarian. "What
exactly does one have to do to get a card?"
>Pendix ahs... he poses dramatically. "You must pass... THE FOUR TRIALS OF THE
LIBRARY CARD ACQUISITION!! Tests of intellect, stamina, strength, prowess!"
>Cloud wonders if it has anything to do with answering questions three. "..."
Well, he was close, four trials.
>Utena says, "Okay.." She glances at the other two in the party. "We can do
that... right?"
>Xelloss floats back down to the floor, now that the crisis is.. more or less
averted.
>Xelloss says, "Certainly."
>Pendix poses again. He likes doing that. "Each of you will complete one
trial... and then a designated one will complete the ULTIMATE trial! Decide
who."
>Cloud looks at Utena, then Xelloss. Why do I get the feeling I'm doomed?
>Utena turns and looks at Cloud and Xelloss again. Uhm, shouldn't our resident
mage and do-everything-better-than-us guy Xelloss do the 'ULTIMATE!' trial?
>Xelloss says, "I don't wanna. o.o;"
>Xelloss says, "I'm not the heroic type."
>Utena groans.
>Cloud facepalms. "..."
>Xelloss says, "Why do you think I asked you guys on this quest? I needed at
least three people to take on the trials."
>Xelloss says, "Resourceful and skilled folks."
>"Fine..." Utena rolls her eyes softly, facing the Librarian. Cloud isn't going
to volunteer and neither is Xelloss. "I'll do the Ultimate."
>Pendix nods! POSE! "Who will take on the FIRST CHALLENGE?!"
>Cloud shakes his head. "... No. It sounds too dangerous, I will take the last
one..."
>Utena says, "Too late, I'm doing it. Like it or not." She favors Cloud with a
grin. "Go do the first one."
>Xelloss errs. "One second, Pendix-kun, we're still debating." He looks to the
others. "Never mind.. I should do it. It'd be cowardly not to."
>Xelloss ahs. o.o "Okay..."
>Cloud shrugs at Utena, then steps forward. Wait, wasn't the first test about
intellect?
>Utena says, "What IS the first challenge, Librarian!"
>Pendix poses!... and hands a small slip of paper to Cloud, reading 1004.51.5.
"That is a Dewey Decimal System index number. Find that book in the west wing
of the library, and bring it to me!"
>Utena . o O ( Not gonna say -anything-.... )
>Cloud recites the number a few times, to make sure he remembers it. West wing?
Cloud dashes off. I do hope this isn't a time trial.
>Xelloss follows along, wanting to see what's going on.
>Utena is not gonna stand here by HERSELF, and readies to follow the others.
The west wing... is three hundred feet tall, covered wall to wall to wall with
shelves that run right up to the ceiling. Fortunately, the books are in
numerical order..
>Cloud presumes #1004.51.5 is on the top shelf, of course?
>Looks like it.
>Cloud sighs, and gets ready for a climb. Any ladders handy?
>Nope.
>And look at that lovely polished wood shelf! So shiny and smooth.
>Utena whistles, peering up and up and up... eyes widening. "Damn...?"
>Xelloss pouts. "I should have taken this one. I can levitate."
>Cloud looks up. The mountains of Nibelheim weren't much worse. He turns to look
at Xelloss and Utena. "Do you have any rope?"
>Utena has a couple of ideas, but she's not allowed to 'help', is she? She
sighs, crossing her arms over her chest, than shakes her head. "I don't.. Xell?
You've got some, right?"
>Xelloss sorts through his backpack. "Ah.. hmm. Let's see..... ah, here!" He
hands Cloud a small tube of kite string.
>Utena OOC laughs...
>Utena peers. "Uhm... that's not gonna work..." o.O "That looks really flimsy.."
>Cloud sweatdrops. Well, it MIGHT be useful. He decides to do this the
old-fashioned way, removing his sword first. Might be dangerous, but that
40-pound steel thing on his back won't help.
>Xelloss waves a pair of fans. "Go, Cloud! You can do it! Fight on! Never give
up!" ...and he asides to Utena, "Glad I'm not the one climbing that thing."
>Utena nodnods, leaning sideways to hear the whisper o.O
>Cloud has better hearing then you think. Okay, ten feet up... twenty feet up...
ack! He knocks a book off the shelf.
>Xelloss looks up.. and gets a book to the face. x||x
>Utena erks and tries, really, she tries, not to giggle.
>Okay! No one important injured! Cloud keeps climbing...
>Xelloss wobbles around, and plucks the book off his head. "Ow." He flips
through it. "Kama Sutra. Oh dear." He shows Utena. n.n
>Utena *BLUSHES* and quickly looks away. *O.O* She peeks again, after a moment.
O.o Erp.
>Xelloss says, "Here, maybe we should check this one out too."
>Xelloss closes it and hands it to Utena to carry.
>Cloud struggles a moment when he hits paperbacks. these darn things have no
place to hold.
>Utena splutter.. "HEY!!" She tucks the thing under her arm, but still glowers
at Xelloss. "I'm taken, you know.."
>Xelloss says, "I know! All the better to spice things up with your prince."
>Utena COUGHS.
>Xelloss looks back up. "HOW IS IT GOING, CLOUD?!"
>Utena turns her head away. "I'm going to PRETEND I didn't hear that.." Blushing
as red as fire. **o.-**
>Cloud says back down, "... Better then in expected." He's about 100 feet up.
Whoops, another book incoming.
>Xelloss eeps, and hides behind Utena. o.o
>Utena gyahs! and steps back, and therefore bumps into Xell who's hiding behind
her. The book glances off her forehead and flops to the floor with a ruffle of
pages. X.x.. "Ow.. Hey, WATCH IT UP THERE!"
>Cloud shouts back, "Sorry!"
>Xelloss says, "Hopefully, the other three trials will be easier. Do you want to
do the next one, Utena, or should I? Before the final."
>Utena rubs her forehead and shouts up, her neck craning, "Hey, what NUMBER are
you at?"
>Utena uhms... "Do you know what the next one is?" she asks.
>Xelloss shakes his head.
>Cloud looks at one of the books. "7000"
>Utena blinks. "Isn't that too far? What was the number again?" O.o She glances
left and right.
>Xelloss says, "One thousand something..."
>Cloud shouts back as he climbs. "6700... 6400..."
>Xelloss says, "Ah! It goes up."
>Utena smacks her forehead and looks at the row of books right in front of her
at about eye-level.
>Xelloss blinks.
>They look like books.
>Utena means, the numbers. x.x
>Cloud stops. Ack! Encyclopedias! These things are huge! He crawls to the side,
to go around.
>Xelloss says, "The numbers here are nine hundred. I suspect he's on the right
track."
>Utena shakes her head. "No, you don't get it.. he didn't even need to do that.
We all just assumed.."
>Xelloss seems puzzled. "What?"
>Cloud is too far away to hear 'normal' conversation now. Heads up, Atlas
incoming.
>Utena sighs. "None of us bothered to look at what was right in front of us
before assuming..." She YELPS and rolls to the side to avoid the large flat
book.
>Xelloss eeps, and teleports away before it hits him. o.o
>Xelloss reappears right behind Utena. "Close one."
>Utena nods... "But don't you get it, Xell? There's a lesson here in this."
>Xelloss asks, "There is?"
>Cloud isn't one for common sense, nope. He shouts out his current positon,
"4900..."
>Utena exclaims, "Keep coming down!"
>Xelloss asks, "But.. he's going up?"
>Utena sighs, men. They just don't GET it. She shakes her head.
>Xelloss scratches his head.
>Cloud looks at one of the titles. 'Mako and you'. Hmm, maybe he'll come back
for it later.
>Utena tries to explain it one more time. "Okay, look. If the numbers even with
my head are in the 900's.. and the book he wanted was in 1000, then all he had
to do was reach up a little and take it. But instead, ALL of us didn't even
bother to LOOK at the sheleves"
>Utena says, "Before we assumed it was at the very top."
>Utena says, "Putting out much more effort than was needed."
>Xelloss hmms. "You mean it's down here?" He scans the row.
>Utena nods. "We all just automatically assumed that because it was a 'trial' it
had to be at the top shelf. Instead of actually stopping for a second to look."
>Knowing Cloud's luck, it probably IS down there.
>Xelloss ohhs. "See? This is why I like having you around." He cups his hands
and tries to shout. "CLOUD! Come back!"
>Cloud shouts back, "WHY!?"
>Utena exclaims, "The book's down here somewhere!"
>Cloud sweatdrops. You can even tell from down there. "..."
>Xelloss says, "Sorry! n.n"
>Cloud starts climbing down. Of course, this's a bit harder then climbing up.
>Xelloss hmmms. "Is there any way we can speed up his descent?"
>Utena murmurs, "Yeah, if you want him to break his neck."
>Gravity?
>Xelloss says, "Is there any way to speed up, then STOP his descent safely? n.n;"
>Xelloss says, "Like a net or a pillow or something."
>Utena says, "You're the mage. I'm just the girl in skimpy clothes." Utena
shrugs. "I suppose you could levitate him down, but wouldn't that be 'helping'?"
>Xelloss ahs. Hmm. "Yes, I suppose it would be." He shrugs. "Hurry it up,
Cloud!" he suggests helpfully.
>Cloud erps, knocking half the run of National Geographic off the shelf. As if
that weren't bad enough, THAT little slip leaves him dangling by a hand. "...!"
>Xelloss gets pelted with magazines with attractive colored prints of native
scenarios and geographic locales. @_@
>Utena dodges falling moldy yellow magazines (does ANYONE ever READ these
things) and is almost knocked off her feet when her damn stiletto spiked heel
slips on one. *WHAM* "Ow.... " she murmurs, gazing up at the ceiling from her
sudden position on the floor... "...."
>Cloud fumbles around for a bit, almost humorously, before getting a grip with
his other hand. "... Sorry!"
>Xelloss says, "It's okay! Utena will probably recover."
>Utena groans, rubbing her head. "Says you.."
>Utena sits up slowly, watching the pretty colors dance around her head. x.x
"... Cloud, where are you now??"
>Cloud replies, ".... On the bookshelf."
>Utena snorts and yells up, "WHAT NUMBER, geez!"
>Xelloss n.n;
>Cloud sweatdrops. "7000. Again."
>Utena asks, "WHAT?"
>Utena says, "How the hell'd THAT happen...?"
>Cloud passed it on the way up. He'll pass it on the way down. Simple enough.
>Utena asks, "But.. you were counting down after that ten minutes ago?"
>Xelloss says, "Ah, Utena.. I think the books count UP."
>Xelloss says, "Err, count down. As you go up."
>Utena peers at the shelves, trying to see if the numbers have rearranged
themselves or something.
>Xelloss says, "So, it gets to about 1100 up at the top, then wraps around to
the bottom..."
>Utena exclaims, "Nono, wait a second. I distinctly remember him saying a six
thousand number that he was passing coming DOWN about ten minutes ago!"
>Xelloss gets out an abacus. x.x
>Xelloss tick tick tick tick tick tick tick
>Utena scratches her head, looking confused.
>Xelloss says, "Oh, forget it."
>Xelloss grabs a book, takes out a pencil and adjusts the number by hand.
"Voila. We have the book. Let's roll."
>Cloud stops where he is. "..."
>Utena asks, "How're we gonna get him down?"
>Xelloss says, "Oh."
>Xelloss asks, "Well, that's different. Cloud, can't you just jump or something?"
>Utena mutters something about 'Don't ask me to catch him.
>Cloud jumps anyway. It's only 25 feet. I do hope you're looking up, Xelloss.
>Xelloss is, and gets out of the way.
>Xelloss says, "Great! Trial one passed. More or less."
>Utena says, "Sort of."
>Cloud lands on his feet *wham* ".... Ouch."
>Xelloss exclaims, "Onward!"
>Xelloss strolls back to where Pendix is, in the lobby.
>Utena nods... Less enthusiastic. "Onward.." she echoes, following Xelloss.
>Cloud recovers his sword, and wobbles after you two.
>Pendix looks up, as Xel passes the book over. He just looks at the number....
which matches. Phew. "Now... the SECOND TRIAL! Who will challenge it?!"
>Cloud, reduced to comic relief. What a world. ;.;
>Xelloss looks at Utena. "Should I do this one?" n.n
>Utena looks at the others, then nods, softly elbowing the priest. "You go."
>Xelloss nods. "Right." He turns to the Librarian. "I am ready for any challenge
you have to throw at me!!"
>Pendix... wheels in a cart with ten books on it. "Sort these in alphabetical
order."
>Xelloss blinks.
>Cloud falls over. Not just facefaults, I mean, on his face.
>Utena winces at the choice of wording and x.x's. . o O ( I'm GLAD I didn't take
that one. )
>Xelloss n.n;
>Xelloss swapswapswapswapswapswapswapswap.
>Xelloss says, "Done."
>Utena peers at the cart of books again.
>Looks.. rearranged.
>Utena gets this.. look. . o O ( I bet he's just making us do his chores for
him. )
>Pendix says, "The THIRD TRIAL! That falls to you, young lady. Are ye prepared?!"
>Cloud sits up, a bit dazed, but intact. "........."
>Utena draws in her breath. "Yes, sir." Nodding her head. "I'm ready."
>Pendix poses! "You must defeat a bookworm!"
>Utena raises an eyebrow, waiting for the other shoe to drop, and this 600 foot
drooling thing to crawl out of the woodwork. She uhms and nods. "Okay... where
is this bookworm?"
>Pendix points down.
>A six inch worm nuzzles at Utena's boot.
>Utena looks down. "Ick!" She attempts to step on it.
>*squish*
>Pendix shouts, "WELL DONE, BRAVE ONE!
>Utena sweatbeads. X.X
>Xelloss says, "Boy, those challenges were pretty lame. Of course, so was
Cloud's, we just didn't realize it."
>Cloud says, "........................."
>Utena ELBOWS Xelloss hissing. ".... "
>Utena . o O ( Gee, thanks, I've still got the last trial to go. )
>Pendix ahs. "But.. THE FINAL CHALLENGE, which the young lady volunteered for,
is much, much more dangerous!!"
>Xelloss oofs.
>Cloud . o O ( ... Of course. )
>Pendix hands Utena a four inch thick book.
>Utena blinks and peers at the book, taking it in hand. Oof. That's heavy.
Pendix states, "THE FOURTH TRIAL!! This is 'The Sixty Wars of the House of
Ogg,' by the famous writer Louis Penderfaust. Write an essay comparing and
contrasting the protagonist Melford and the antagonist Dyne, explain, use
examples. You have two hours to complete this exam."
>Utena's forehead collides with the book. It makes a nice, resonant THUMP of a
sound.
>Cloud gawks. "..."
>Xelloss blinks. "Oh, that's easy enough. Good luck, Utena!"
>Utena is about to do something really.. really.. really uncharacteristic. If no
one stops her in the next fifteen seconds.
>Xelloss looks back and forth between Cloud and Utena. "Ah... is something the
matter?"
>Cloud blinks, turning to Utena. "...?"
>Pendix checks his wrist sundial. "One hour and fifty eight minutes.
>Utena quietly, respectfully sets the heavy book on the floor. She takes in a
deep, deep breath. Then she reaches for her sword and says in a surprisingly
upset voice while she points at his throat.. "Will you PLEASE kindly HAND OVER
THE DAMN BOOK NOW??"
>Utena says, "We're looking for the Lost Lores. I'd REALLY like to find it."
>Pendix looks confused. "But you have not completed the trials. Therefore, you
cannot borrow books!"
>Cloud sweatdrops. Something tells me Utena is reading impaired. "..."
>Utena waves her sword around slightly. "I don't think you follow. We're not
playing this game any more. Just show us where the damn Lost Lores are, or I'm
going to do something really nasty involving this sword and your neck, because
I've run out of patience with this whole damn country!"
>Pendix breaks a sweat. "You can behead me if you must, but you will never
recieve a library card, reading criminals!!"
>Cloud rubs his chin. Utena's certainly getting into this 'evil' thing. "..."
>Xelloss ehhehs. "Let's not be hasty here...... oh, never mind, let's be hasty.
Cloud, knock him out and we'll tie him up."
>Utena yelps. "I don't want to BEHEAD you, I just want you.. to take the three
of us.. to the Lost Lores.."
>Cloud whams the guy on the noggin' with his mack truck. I mean, claymore.
>Pendix n.n............ (THUD.)
>Utena sighs and puts her sword away. "I was going to make him show us where it
was.."
>Xelloss says, "Don't worry, Utena-chan. I found it on the lobby map while you
were ... persuading."
>Xelloss points to a nearby spot. Very small print, but there it is.
>Utena narrows her eyes and peers. "Damn... Okay, let's get this done with
before he comes to..."
>Xelloss tosses the kite string to Cloud. "Ah.. immobilize the good librarian,
then catch up." He strolls off down a hallway.
>Cloud nods to Utena.
>Cloud catches the kite string. THIS will immobilize him? "......"
>Utena follows after, sighing. "Sorry. I lost my temper. Besides, I couldn't
have read that book anyway."
>Xelloss calls back, "Just wrap it around a LOT." He turns to Utena. "You
couldn't?"
>Cloud starts tying the guy. With really large knots.
>Utena says, "No."
>Xelloss ohs.. "Ah, that's.. er. Sorry."
>Utena says, "I can't really..." She rubs the back of her neck. "I can a little.
Basic stuff. But not a whole damn book worth. I'd never have made it in two
hours."
>Xelloss nods, nods. "I'd offer to teach you more, but.. I'm not much of a
teacher."
>Utena shrugs her shoulders. "I'm lucky I even know a little. Most of the time,
it doesn't matter, but it can be embarrassing..." She smiles wanly. "Let's just
get this thing and go, right? You can always teach me some other time."
>Xelloss nods. "Good idea. This country's getting more than a little
irritating.." He spots a nearby room, which is padlocked. "Mm. Time release
lock. We'll have to teleport in."
>Xelloss looks back, checking for Cloud.
>Utena says, "We'd better wait for Cloud..." she turns and looks back too.
>Cloud has finished tying the guy, using all 600' of twine.
>Xelloss says, "Ah, good."
>Xelloss takes one of your hands (aa! Aaaa!.. oh, they'e still attached) and
teleports the group into the room. Inside, the books are sparse... but very,
very old. One floats above a central birdbathlike altar, filled with water.
>Cloud looks around. He'll never get used to this. "..."
>Utena whistles, her eyes gazing around slowly. "... wow." She lets go of
>Xelloss's hand and peers at the altar. "That's it, isn't it...?"
>Xelloss shakes his head. "No. That's for someone else. What we want...." he
scans the shelves.. and spots something, taking a SINGLE page of yellowed,
crumbling paper out from between two books. "Is this."
>Utena has the grace not to facefault again- just barely. She blinkblinkblinks.
"That's.. it?"
>Cloud says, "......................."
>Xelloss handles it very, very carefully, putting it in his pack. "Just a
fragment of the most powerful book of spells known to the Mazoku is worth it,
even if it's but a slip of paper. Now let's blow this pop stand."
>Cloud doesn't catch the reference, but it sounds like a cue to leave.
>Xelloss moves the group back to the hallway. "Up to the surface, then we'll
just teleport back home."
>Utena says, "..." and looks around one more time. Her mind drifts momentarily,
wondering if somewhere in all this is an explanation for a certain inverted
floating castle.. then a momentary pinge of regret that Ami isn't here to see
it.. then a nod. "All right."
>A small book, reading LEGEND OF DIOS, sits unattended on a shelf as you leave..
>Utena whimpers.
>Xelloss starts to stroll back to the lobby, cheerful that the quest is complete.
>Utena looks around. >.> <.<
>Xelloss exclaims, "Cheer up, gang!"
>Xelloss says, "We're done."
>Cloud follows Xelloss. He seems about as cheery as he usually is.
>Xelloss resurfaces, through the stone doors... and it's quiet. All the ecchi
oni are gone.
>Utena says, "Yeah... I guess we are." Tough luck, that
not-being-able-to-really-read thing... she continues on, past the book. At
being confronted by the quiet, she uh-oh's softly.
>Xelloss looks around. "I suppose it's pointless to indicate that there SHOULD
be a lot of monsters here working." He raises his guard, figuratively.
>Utena takes the next step past raising her guard and draws and raises her
sword, nodding. "I don't think it's a tea break.." She frowns, stepping clear
of the entrance and gazing around herself tightly.
>The horse-drawn carriage is back, and it's empty.. odd, since it took off when
we arrived. A sense of unease is readily apparent, as well as.. a faint and
familiar growling sound.
>Utena has a sudden NASTY realization.
>Utena looks at the Mazoku priest. "In that letter.. you didn't TELL them what
you were here to do.. did you?"
>Xelloss says, "What? No, no, I didn't.. I just said I was here on Mazoku
business."
>Xelloss says, "Which is true."
>Cloud uses that as a cue to unsheath his claymore. Just in case.
>Utena says, "Okay. Because... I just realized.. if they knew or figured it
out.." she steps back slightly. ".. They'd be really, really mad..."
>With a snarl, the ruby-eyed gargoyle that guarded the temple roof jumps out
from a stony outcropping, confronting the growl with a howl. Next to him appear
the priest and even the altar boy, both quite calm.
>Cloud turns to face the trio, actually being startled. I mean, REALLY startled.
"...!"
>The priest talks simply. "Dynast wishes to have the spell you have recovered.
If you hand it over, we won't sacrifice your human friends."
>Utena steps slightly in front of both Cloud and Xelloss. "..." Sword now VERY
ready. She also tries to avoid the eyes of that gargoyle.
>Xelloss giggles. "Oh, please. Dynast sent you three? We'll simply blip out
of...." he pauses. "You shielded the ruins against teleportation," he realizes.
Now it's not good, officially.
>Cloud moves to a defensive stance, both hands on the grip of his sword, holding
it forward. He was hired to protect Utena, so...
>The altar boy blurs, and knocks Xelloss back into the ruins... you start to
hear a magical battle rage inside, out of view. The other two take that key,
the beast dancing over in front of Utena, the priest drawing a longstaff and
looking at Cloud.
>Utena hops back and draws the beast away from Cloud with her, slipping into a
kind of circling pattern around it, her blue eyes glaring into its red
fiercely, sword held low before her.
>Cloud starts to walk towards Utena... of course, if that priest decides to stop
him first...
>The priest gets between Utena and Cloud, knowing to cut them off from each
other; the longstaff flares into dark flames, as he swings it towards Cloud's
head, a sharp strike.
>The gargoyle dashes left and right, trying to get an angle past Utena's sword..
the eyes glowing brighter and brighter, like a growing fire.
>Cloud holds his massive claymore up, perpendicular to the ground, parrying the
flaming staff. Apparently, having a massive sword like that comes in handy at
times. Cloud pushes with his sword, trying to knock the staff away, and give
Cloud a free shot...
>Utena keeps moving, darting in unexpected manners, making her hard to predict
or cut off. She's also stalling it.. trying to get it to charge her so she can
get first blood.
>The claymore is pretty huge compared to the thin staff the priest uses; it
doesn't snap despite looking flimsy, but seems almost ineffective at nudging
the claymore. Cloud's push works, but the priest just floats on air to move
with it, without losing defensive stance.
>The gargoyle jumps at Utena... and blurs, teleporting in BEHIND her, still
jumping towards her, but now aiming to pounce her back. It's a Mazoku beast; it
fights dirty.
>Cloud changes tactics then. The staff doesn't seem to be able to slow Cloud's
weapon down, even when it's moving slowly. So, Cloud decides to add momentum to
the equation, drawing back just long enough to get enough room to swing the
blade in a diagonal arc, upper right to lower left.
>Utena blinks as it disappears and DROPS into a quick backward roll, attempting
to come up and drive a long slash across its stomach as it jumps over her,
>The priest easily twists his staff to block -- but that's a LOT of inertia to
deal with, as well as mass. He's knocked away and into the air, as he was
already floating, and is a bit open as he struggles to realign himself.
>The slash works; splattering black blood all over Utena as the gargoyle howls,
landing awkwardly, spinning to face her -- its eyes BURNING red with hate,
inducing fear, now almost psychic in how they effect.
>Cloud is stronger then he looks... even so, it takes a moment to recover while
using such a massive weapon. Maybe long enough for the priest to recover...
even so, Cloud takes a step forward, and swings upward, from his low position,
hopefully cleaving the priest in two from hips to collar. Not likely, but a
mercenary can hope.
>The priest twists, to avoid the blow -- and it simply bisects him the other
way, across the waist. This would be enough to kill most people, but even as
his legs drop, his torso spins around, to deliver a blow to the side of Cloud's
head; the arms being what manipulate the weapon, not the legs.
>Utena staggers back, her guard down momentarily as she wipes the blood from her
eyes, staring into those hellish red eyes and -oh yes... there's the fear right
behind it... she stumbles back another step..
>Cloud was NOT expecting that. Keeps forgetting these people are demons.
Unfortunately for him, he isn't in a positon to block, and manages to get
clocked on the side of his head by the priest's staff... He's stunned, only for
a moment, and takes a step back. He'll recover fast, but maybe not before you
get some more hits in.
>The gargoyle advances slowly, letting the hypnotising agony of the red eyes
keep Utena pinned... keeping her in a state of fear, so she'll be helpless when
it REALLY choses to strike.
>The priest sweeps in, twisting and turning the staff for a combination of
strikes. They burn where they land, but don't kill. It's enough to cause some
serious problems, however.
>Utena says, ".. no..." Utena shakes her head, trying to drive the fear out of
her mind, but it's hard.. it's so hard. She steps back and back, her eyes
wide... "... no.." Her heart beats with intense panic. . o O ( Damn it, no...
not.. not like this...) Her fear mutates subtly into anger, anger at being
cowed and humiliated by this dark force, and suddenly she snaps forward, her
eyes closing, sword sweeping out in front of her in her trademark 'unfolding
blade' maneuver.
>The gargoyle didn't expect this weak little girl to break out of his grip --
the sword easily finds its target. The beast howls, clawing and scratching,
mortally wounded but wanting to lash out at what hurt it..
>Utena receives several of these nasty gashes along her chest- which, let's be
fair, is an open target- and her sides and upper arms. The outfit, barely
enough to cover her, snags on the gargoyle's claws and snaps apart.
Fortunately, there's enough BLOOD all over her, red and black, to take the
place of her ruined clothing- she SCREAMS with the pain and swings the sword
blindly in an attempt to behead it before it mauls her to deal.
>Cloud gets battered. That looks quite painful, yup, as you singe through his
cloak (and skin) in several places. That's not the worst of the effects though;
the wounds are superficial at this point. More importantly, the blows keep
Cloud off-balance, and take him longer to recover... finally, though, he
manages to bring his sword up, into the path of the staff, ceasing the attacks,
if only momentarily. Cloud pushes away once again... with luck, moving the
priest out of immediate counterattack range... as he shifts to a one-handed
grip (!) and pulls the sword behind his back.... clenching his teeth... and
swinging it in a vertical arc, down on the priest's head.
>The thrashing of the gargoyle stops dead... and its head lands a few feet away.
The body twitches a few times, and slumps to the side, but not before dealing
out a heavy price to the one who killed it..
>The priest continues his terrible attacks, until he is blocked that one time;
his pacing thrown off, he's not ready for the next manuver, and recieves a blow
that cuts his head in half. The body spins and wobbles a bit, trying to
recover.. it swipes a few times at Cloud before eventually toppling to the
earth, too damaged to continue.
>Cloud jabs the sword through the thing's heart (or, at least where it would be
on a human), be inhaling, and quickly looking for Utena.
>Any twitching the priest would do stops dead when the final blow sticks through
its heart. The battle is essentailly over.
>Utena staggers, almost falling to her knees as she gasps in a labored, painful
manner, the hot and unpleasant air here singing her wounds. Somehow she manages
to keep herself up, and turns toward Cloud, wheezing. .. "... Xelloss..." she
croaks out. "... inside.." and then turns to stumble toward the library
entrance.
>Cloud walks towards Utena. He is, apparently, in better shape then she is. Of
course, he is a professional. "... Wait here, you're too injured."
** I get bumped x.x **
Evilania
A hot, steamy country filled with people wearing black leather. Smells like
what you'd expect. The skies are always gloomy and overcast, and every building
is done up with gargoyles, bending structural supports, strange unholy
carvings, and so on. Plenty of temples to dark gods lie around, as well as
bars, which invariably house a large number of brawls and so on. Welcome to
Evilania! (I'd write a longer desc but I think the imagination would probably
supply it better...)
[Exits : none ]
[Players : Utena, and Xelloss ]
[Things : None ]
>Xelloss says, "Come on, Cloud. We're going home."
>Utena takes Xelloss by the hand.
>Cloud (OOC) What'd I miss?
>Xelloss is supporting the mostly torn up and exhausted Utena.
>Utena OOC just me bleeding all over. n.n
>Just Xel healing himself and stopping Utena's bleeding, and saying we're
gettin' out.
>You take Xelloss's hand firmly in yours.
>Utena shakes her head.. "... s' okay... really..." Look, she even gives you a
little smile from under those streaks of black gargoyle blood.
>Xelloss doesn't buy it. "Just a moment," he says.. and the scene shifts.
>Xelloss teleports out of the room.
>Xelloss takes you along with him, holding your hand.
Thieve's Guild
A large clearing, littered with campfires, tents and small, stick shacks. You
have stumbled upon the hidden lair of the thieve's guild. The trees here reach
up higher than anywhere in the woods.
[Exits : To the (W)aterfall, and To the (C)learing ]
[Players : Xelloss ]
[Sleepers: DuskRider(Pup) ]
[Things : None ]
>Utena has arrived.
>Cloud rubs the back of his neck. This didn't go according to plan...
>Xelloss says, "...this is my usual hiding out type spot. Cloud, there's a
waterfall over there; fill a bucket and bring it back so I can rinse this stuff
off her."
>Xelloss carefully lays Utena down on a cot. It'll get messy, but the thief who
owns it can DEAL.
>Cloud blinks. Never been here before. He takes the bucket, though, and jogs
off...
>Utena coughs... "... s' okay. I'm okay... just.. tired... 'll be fine."
>Xelloss says, "We can at least get this mess cleaned up."
>Xelloss doesn't realize yet that your outfit popped off, though..
>Cloud is, luckily, not hentai enough to either. A few minutes later, he comes
back with water.
>Utena nods... she knows, and doesn't care any more. When you're in this state,
you stop caring about little stuff like that. "... don't.. tell Akio.. this
time.. please..?" she murmurs, hand touching your shoulder, leaving a small
dark mark. ".. we got the spell.. that's all that matters.."
>Xelloss . o O ( He'll know anyway. )
>Xelloss nods. "I won't." He takes the bucket thankfully, and rinses Utena off
-- a bit surprised, but taking it in stride quick and finishing, before
grabbing a towel out of any spot in reality he can get it fastest. A large
white towel reading TOKYO HILTON on the edge settles on top of Utena like a
blanket.
>Xelloss says, "Ah.. there you go. Mm. Good quest.. really. You two did VERY,
very well, even if it didn't go as smooth as I'd hoped. -.-"
>Utena turns her head, and the illusion spell, by the way, melts off her hair
with the water, thus restoring her normal cotton-candy pink shade and style.
She smiles weakly. "... read it... wanna see what we went through that for...
please...?"
>Cloud stands by Xelloss, arms crossed. He's a bit interested now, as well...
>Utena knows already, but she wants to see it DONE, so she can feel like the
pain's worth it.
>Xelloss takes out the tiny slip of paper, and checks it. He nods, in
satisfaction. "Giga's Dream. This is the spell. Let's see..."
>Xelloss focuses, and begins the chant; it's like reading, but your voice echoes
more and the words are cooler. "Power beyond the known powers... deeper than
the deepest mind. Between the known worlds, vaporous as ether, I call upon the
way to that which has no entrance... let the obstacles between what is and is
not be shattered! GIGA'S DREAM!" A glowing blue rectangle turns sideways to
reality nearby, a doorway, open and inviting.
>Cloud takes a step back. "...?"
>Xelloss says, "...a doorway, to the World of Dreams. As required."
>Xelloss . o O ( Chances are Akio will step out, if our luck holds. I KNOW he
has some way in there. )
>Utena's blue eyes reflect the blue door of light, and she smiles vaguely...
"... good... it worked... Go do it.. do what you said you'd do..."
>Xelloss closes the door. "That.. will take some time and effort. I need to plan
my approach. But now, I have the tool required." He puts the scroll away, and
looks up at Cloud. "I need to go now.. can you watch over her for the moment?
Please?"
>Cloud raises his eyebrow, but nods to Xelloss. "..."
>Utena nods, her voice drifting smaller and smaller. '.. think I'll dream.. for
a little while now.. myself. Wake me.. later.." She smiles at Xelloss quietly,
no hint of anger or accusation there."
>Xelloss smiles. "Thank you," he says. He nods in agreement to Utena. "Will do."
For now, he fades into shadows, and is gone.
>Xelloss has disconnected.
>Cloud slips off that cloak, and starts to change into more normal attire,
finally.
>Utena rests quietly, her eyes starting to drift closed.. "... cloud.." she
mutters in a tiny voice... "... thanks for coming with us..."
>Cloud takes a seat on the ground. He nods, but offers no verbal reply. "..."
>Utena slips into a deep, heavy sleep as her body finally shuts down all systems
and devotes itself to the troublesome detail of repairing several intensely
nasty chest wounds. Thanks to the white magic that closed up those wounds, at
least externally, she won't bleed to death while she sleeps, but the damage
will probably have her down for a good few days. Which leaves you basically
sitting there doing.. nothing. Sorry 'bout that...
>Cloud does this a lot anyway. One of the reasons why he took the job in the
first place... it sounded interesting, at least. Cloud does rest his dark cloak
over you, hopefully letting you get a little warmer.
>Utena murmurs something as you slip the heavy material over her body. That
actually does help a lot, given that the air here is freezing, almost 180 from
the sweltering atmosphere of Evilania. The more heat, the better.
>Cloud doesn't really feel cold. He isn't bother by all that much, actually,
although one thing still troubles him. Why all this trouble for a spell?
>That's the thing, isn't it? It certainly must engage some curiousity. Why the
spell, why the effort, why did Utena seem to know already what it would do, and
what Xelloss wanted? Why is Xelloss so protective of Utena anyway?
>Cloud can wait. He's a patient fellow, at least when nobody is trying to kill
him, or messing with his head.
>How do you know your head hasn't been messed with? ^_-
>Actually, it's safe to assume it has been n.n
>It's probably worth sticking around just to get the answers for that. If he'll
give them to you, that is. Meanwhile, it's cold, and quiet, and the sun is
darkening in the winter sky. Night is approaching fast- you may wish to start a
fire for light and comfort'
>Cloud has done this before. The mercenary bit, that as. Or at least, he thinks
he has. Either way, he does have the skills. He has more then enough steel to
go around, and a quick check through his pocket turns up some flint.
>Plenty of wood- in fact, as this is a campground for many, you find a nice pile
of it sheltered under a stretch of canvas to keep winter moisture out. Couple
of logs of this ought to burn for several hours.
>Cloud starts a fire, after a few minutes at least. And if we need more, he can
probably hack down a tree with that sword of his.
>Nah, it's not needed. In short order, a quietly rippling orange flame builds,
casting a light matching the color of the setting sun over the surroundings,
tent, resting girl (really, a girl in combat? c'mon...) and you. Night
creatures begin to make their sounds in the forest, little shiftings as animals
race around the trees, catching and eating each other in the dark columns all
around you. Crickets sing, and dark shapes of owls flitter across a darkening
sky. Kinda peaceful, actually, if one is inclined to this sort of thing.
>Cloud isn't all that inclined to peace, but it seems quiet enough around here.
Famous last words, yes, but true enough. At least Utena is out of danger.
>Xelloss has connected.
>Cloud has draped his cloak over the sleeping Utena, and has
started a fire.
>Xelloss returns. "Cloud-san. How's it going?"
>Cloud looks up. "Hmm? She's resting..."
>Xelloss smiles. "Good, good. Did you get any injuries?"
>Cloud has removed his cloak, and is apparently back in his 'normal' outfit.
There is a bruise on the side of his head, and burns on his upper arms, but
that's all that's visible. Not as much as you'd expect.
>Xelloss mms. "I could try to heal those. But I really don't know very much
healing."
>Cloud does his trademark 'Cloud-shrug' (tm). "... I've had worse. I'd be more
concerned with Utena."
>Xelloss sighs. "What I've done is all I can do for her. She'll be fine, but
it'll take time."
>Utena shifts around under the cloak Cloud draped over her body as you discuss
her, but it's just the restlessness of sleep, and nothing more. The fire
merrily crackles on, oblivious as it casts pale orange light around itself.
>Xelloss hmmms. He taps his fingers on his staff. "We could drop in on her."
>Cloud raises his eyebrow. "Drop in on...?"
>Xelloss, having memorized how the spell WORKS, doesn't need to chant it. He
concentrates, and the blue doorway opens. "In there. Want to come?"
>Cloud stands up, but doesn't follow. "Where does that lead...?"
>Xelloss says, "Into dreams. Follow me."
>Xelloss walks in..
>Cloud narrows his eyes... glances back at Utena... then follows. Hey, why not?
>Xelloss closes the door behind them.. they're in a cottony-grounded pink and
blue and purple and yellow and red and so on plain. He focuses. "I'll home in
on her dream and we can enter it..." and in a momentary flash, there you are.
>Cloud looks back and forth. Why does he suddenly feel like he's in a Lewis
Carrol book?
>No, that'd be if Xelloss REALLY grabbed the Mirror Lores that were on the altar
back there..
>Ah. Somehow, I'm not relieved.
>As the dream resolves... it becomes a field of white roses and green grass, far
as the eye can see in all directions; the hills even roll, like something out
of a storybook. Sun shines over head, perfect temperature, a few butterflies
flittering around... something vaguely hanging in the sky, in the distance, but
you can't make it out. A figure is sitting quietly amidst the flowers; you
recognize the gently tossing pink hair. She stands up, dream-Utena, and smiles.
Her garb you'd recognize, Xell, as a white version of the jacket she wore when
you first met her, but this is a little shorter, and underneath are a pair of
smoothly pressed white slacks, a half-cape curled around her shoulders, and
white gloves on her hands. She peers at you both for a moment, then nods
sagely. 'So it works.."
>Xelloss waves. "Hello. Yep, it works. Nice dream you've got here.." He strolls
around, appraising.
>Cloud will offer some sort of coherent reply, as soon as he figures out what's
going on. As it is, he's just marveled by the sudden change in terrain. "..."
>Here's Cloud, upset. "..." And here's him happy. "..." And here's him
constipated. "...."
>Utena smiles, pushing a clump of hair behind her ear, and gazing around. "It's
a little childish, isn't it.. Sorry." Her half-cape ripples in the perfect
breeze. "How am I doing? I can't really feel anything right now.." Calmly
gazing at you both as if this is the most normal thing in the world to be
doing, carrying on a conversation in her dreams.
>.......
>Xelloss smiles. "It's fine. Dreams have no particular rules about how you HAVE
to make them. And outside.. well, you're still injured, but not badly."
>Utena nods sadly. "It'll be a few days, I bet." She sits back among the roses,
and grins. "So... I suppose you're ready to run off and blame yourself for
letting me get injured and dragging me into terrible hideous dangers, etc,
etc... right?"
>Xelloss says, "That about sums it up, yes. ^_^"
>Cloud finally focuses his gaze on Utena. One thing at a time. And just be glad
you aren't trying to probe Cloud's head.
>Utena sums it up simply, "Don't."
>Utena says, "We got what we wanted, so it's all right."
>Xelloss says, "I suppose.. but it means Dynast called my bluff. I can't really
go to war over you, as much as I'd enjoy it. u.u"
>Utena gestures to Cloud, "I didn't expect to see you here too.."
>Xelloss asks, "Oh, I figured he'd enjoy the change of pace. Do we have any
refreshments here?"
>Utena says, "Uhm..."
>Cloud sweatdrops. ".... Refreshments?"
>Utena looks around. "How much control can I have? Usually I just kinda.. dream."
>Xelloss says, "This is your world. Anything you imagine.. happens."
>Utena gets a GRIN for a moment.. then gestures softly with one kid-gloved hand,
and a small silver cart appears out of the ground, bearing tea and pot and
cups. "That'll do, I guess..."
>Xelloss claps. n.n
>Utena's dream self smirks. "I'd better not get too used to this, though. Might
not want to come back if I can have anything I want."
>Xelloss says, "Oh, don't worry. It's not real. You'll always enjoy the real
thing more."
>Cloud rubs the back of his neck. I guess being in a dream can be handy.
>Utena nods. "I'd rather be living than dreaming." She settles back in the
flowers, drawing her knees up and resting her hands over them. "Anyway...
there's little we can do about the Mazoku, I guess. Though I'm sure it means
they're on to your plan by now... and we'll both be targets, won't we."
>There is an advantage to being as quiet as the spikey-haired one. You get to
listen to a lot of things...
>Xelloss says, "...no. You have enough problems. Both of you. I'll try my best
to keep you out of them."
>Utena smiles wryly. "A bit late for that."
>Cloud crosses his arms, and just blends into the background as best he can.
"..."
>Utena says, "Fortune favors the bold and all that.. it's way too late to regret
anything."
>Xelloss says, "I'll handle it. Don't worry."
>Xelloss attempts to be firm.
>Utena shakes her head, and stands up again. "Now.. wait a minute. Don't even
start pulling that crap on me now."
>Xelloss mms?
>Utena crosses her arms over her chest. "Whether you like it or not.. I AM
involved. I've been involved since the moment you drew me over to help you
against Shin-Murasame. I've been involved since I BEAT him. Regardless of you,
I have a name now, and a reputation for being an annoyer of Mazoku."
>Utena says, "And after what we did there.. slaying a priest, his pet and his
altar boy.. I really really DOUBT things will be just left alone."
>Xelloss pouts. "I knew I shouldn't have tossed you into that situation..." He
sighs. "No, likely not. Dynast will not be happy when he finds out. He's my
main rival, you see. And he's so lazy. Instead of getting the spell himself, he
waited until we had it, then ambused. -.-"
>Utena nods... gazing back at you intently. "And he may ally himself with others
if it'll bring you down, too.. am I right, there?"
>Xelloss says, "Maybe. But it probably wouldn't work. Like I told you, there's a
lot of mistrust and infighting, and after he neglected every one of them for
centuries, chances that they'll lift a finger to help are slim."
>Utena takes this in and hmms, rubbing her chin. "So it's an isolated element.
Nonetheless.. can't rule out anything.." She sighs. "The point is that even if
you WANTED to you can't cut me out. I just wish I had some way to not be
injured so much... I'm sorry I got hurt like that."
>Xelloss half-giggles. "You could become a Mazoku. We're durable." But
seriously, he thinks. "I'm not sure. Magic has that annoying property; it
dominates almost any situation. Except when you have a weapon like
Shin-Murasame's, which takes away the advantage."
>Utena agrees, a bow of her head, her hands clenching into fists slowly. "If I
were stronger, this wouldn't be a problem." She smiles ironically, and shrugs.
"So.. Xell... since the situation turned out like it did... did you know it
would happen that way? Those challenges were paltry and I think you knew that in
advance. What were you really trying to do with us?"
>Xelloss says, "Actually, I didn't know. I had read that challenges were
involved and you needed three or four people to take them on, but I didn't
realize what a joke they were. The whole country is a joke, so I suppose I
shouldn't have been surprised..."
>Utena laughs. "I realized that toward the end."
>Utena says, "The only thing that wasn't a joke was that temple." She shivers,
wrapping her arms around herself briefly.
>Xelloss says, "But I had not counted on the Mazoku actually striking at us. The
faction in Evilania is usually loyal to me."
>Xelloss shrugs. "I'd call the temple a joke too."
>Utena gives you a LOOK.
>Utena says, "You're not human."
>Utena says, "And you're not ... like me."
>Xelloss says, "Bear with me. Here's the logic."
>Utena listens, taking a cup of the dream tea and drinking it as she does.
>Xelloss says, "Would a temple like that work anywhere else? No. Because people
aren't gullible enough to go for it. But in Evilania, they WANT to go worship
dark gods. Shaburanigdo doesn't need worship. The temple's just a front, a trap
for the stupid. So, they are lured in, the Mazoku have some fun and use them
for various purposes.. and they brought it on themselves. It's almost a picture
perfect scenario for what I want; a dark mirror, not just a bunch of random
problems."
>Xelloss says, "That whole thing with human skin for upholstry? Who do you think
wanted that there? After it was installed, attendance went UP. The Evilanias
thought it was neat."
>Utena murmurs softly, "It scared the hell out of me... I could barely walk
through the door. Every instinct in me was of the scream like a girl and run
away variety."
>Xelloss ahs. "Then it had the effect it wanted. If your psychology was
reversed, you would have been VERY pleased and wanting to enter. So, it's
simply not designed to cater to your wants."
>Cloud replies to everything said so far, "... ... ..."
>Utena says, "Nonetheless," Utena goes on, refusing to step down from this one
as she points gently at your chest.. "That was HUMAN SKIN. How am I supposed to
feel about that? I almost thought you sent me there to... " Her lower lip bends
as she nibbles along its center. "I thought you sent me there so that you could
scare me away.. not just from that quest, but from the whole thing."
>Xelloss blinks in surprise. "Now, would I do that? Deliberately try to hurt you
psychologically?"
>Utena turns away, presenting you with her silhouette as her arms cross again.
"Maybe you justified it as helping me...? Showing me how evil the world really
was and how useless I was? I could see that of you."
>Utena shrugs. "I don't know your mind. I just have a hard time believing you
didn't know I'd be terrified, going there."
>Xelloss says, "Or maybe I simply wanted you to take a letter down there, and
figured that you were strong enough to see things like that and still be able
to go through with it. Or that, at the very least, it would prepare you for the
sort of encounter you had today."
>Utena closes her eyes. "That's true, I guess.. I fell on my face with that
one..." For a moment her face darkens. "A silly girl with a silly dream..."
Then she looks at Cloud, who's been silent the whole time, thoughtfully, and
says, "It's still too late. So what do we do now.. apart from me knitting
myself back together, I mean.."
>Xelloss says, "Hmm? Nothing. What is there to do? It's not like we have a
direct war to fight and troops to prepare. And don't put yourself down so much.
You still won, didn't you? You defeated that fear."
>Utena gazes at her sometimes-irritating friend and smiles.
>Cloud decides now is the time to speak up. "... I still do not know what the
point is. Why deal with the denizens at all? What is the point of this
magic...?"
>Utena decides that that's Xelloss' business to answer or not answer. She knows,
of course.
>Xelloss says, "There are larger things afoot, Cloud. With this spell, I can
hopefully get into the minds of demons like those you faced today, and edcuate
them. Teach them to be more constructively evil and not just randomly
destructive and nasty."
>Cloud narrows his eyes. "... I see. 'Constructively' evil?"
>Xelloss says, "Yes."
>Utena drinks another cup of tea. "It's a long story."
>Utena says, "There's... chaotic, random, meaningless cliche evil like Kagato..
then there's... Xelloss."
>Xelloss says, "Who is far more devious, clever, and better for your health and
soul. n.n"
>Utena says, "It's the difference between.. I guess.. breaking a broken bone to
make sure it sets right and heals properly... and just lopping off the arm."
>Xelloss says, "Well put, well put."
>Xelloss sips his tea.
>Cloud mmm-hmms. "... It would sound to me as if you would prefer for the
antagonists to be much more effective."
>Utena says, "Effective.. not destructive."
>Xelloss says, "Precisely. Dark mirrors of humanity, for dark reflections, and
understanding. Not simply a pack of wild animals."
>Xelloss says, "The Mazoku currently seek to kill everybody and blow up the
world. I don't see the point of that. I like the world as is."
>Cloud rubs his chin, but doesn't comment further. "..."
>Utena says, "Or, if you want to put it another cute, easy-to-swallow way.. the
opposite of live.. is evil. That's the point. And that's what evil ISN'T right
now."
>Xelloss says, "Ooooh! I should encorporate that into our Mission Statement."
>Cloud says, "....."
>Xelloss says, "Don't worry, Cloud. You didn't help the bad guys get worse. You
helped the bad guys get better."
>Cloud still doesn't like the sound of that, but as usual, he has no comment.
"..."
>Utena says, "Personally, I'd rather deal with a thousand like Xel here than a
thousand more stupid screaming priests slathering at the mouth with big swords
and no brains."
>Xelloss says, "Or a dozen of Habaruku. Tch. I wouldn't pull that
secretly-dark-church thing. In Evilania, perhaps, because they're actively and
quite dumbly willing to jump into a lake of fire, but otherwise it lacks taste."
>Utena says, "There's someone I need to deal with."
>Utena says, "I've let it go a long time now."
>Xelloss says, "Careful, Utena. He does have power."
>Cloud goes back to listening. "..."
>Utena says, "I know, I know. So does everyone."
>Xelloss says, "You could learn some magic..."
>Utena says, "I just don't think I have the SKILL for it."
>Xelloss hmms. "If there was a way.. to encapsulate magic into little, easy to
use nuggets 'o power or something..."
>Utena says, "I can barely even -read-."
>Utena OOC coughcough materia coughcough.
>Xelloss looks at Cloud.
>Cloud (OOC) doesn't have any n.n
>Utena says, "Anyway... I can't even READ, so maybe I should learn that before I
start trampling around trying to do magic... which I'm not sure I could even DO
anyway. It's more constructive to think about other ways.. I just wish the
CHURCH would do something about Habaruku."
>Utena asks, "Hasn't anyone figured him out yet?"
>Xelloss says, "Kaworu has."
>Cloud rubs the back of his neck. "..." Not his discussion, here.
>Utena blinks. Who that is, she doesn't know, but she'll ask another time.
"Anyway.." She goes over and hugs Xell again softly. "Don't get all high and
protective around me. I knew it'd be dangerous, I expected to get hurt, and we
still won the fight, as you said. Whatever happens is gonna happen..."
>Xelloss smiles.. and hugs back. "I.. suppose it's the best expectation one can
have, at that." He looks over at Cloud. "Enjoying your tea?"
>Cloud nods, slowly, so he can try to fade into the background of this
discussion again.
>Utena draws back, grinning. "He's probably thinking that we're both crazy and
dangerous to boot, talking about making evil better."
>Xelloss says, "Yep. He is. ^_^"
>Cloud sweatdrops. "......."
>Xelloss asks, "See?"
>Utena waves her hands toward Cloud. "Look, if we were scheming the destruction
of humanity, you think we'd be calmly sitting here talking about it in front of
you? We'd be hunched over in some dark place together, whispering while looking
shadily around to make sure no one else steals the idea..." she blinks. "Damn,
Xell, I'm TALKING like you now." she baps his arm lightly... "You're a BAD
influence. ^_^"
>Xelloss gets knocked thirty feet away. @_@;;;
>Utena x.x "Oops. n.n;;"
>Xelloss says, upside down, "...ah.. remember.. it's a dream. Careful of your
own strength."
>Cloud sweatdrops again. Why do I feel like an accessory? "..... I see."
>Utena smiles at Cloud, her best and brightest soothing one. "It's okay, really.
You don't have to understand... I'm only getting it now myself."
>Utena tilts her head at Xelloss, who's still upside down. "Stop that.." A brief
image flashes through her mind, that is to say, becomes visible in the
dreamscape before fading away again.. his upside down state reminding her of
something else.. the briefest image of an inverted fairy tale castle surrounded
by clouds. Utena winces; she was trying not to show that.
>Xelloss teleports back upright where he was originally. "Right."
>Cloud watches. Perhaps, once he sees all the details, everything will become
clearer. "..."
>The castle was there and gone in the blink of an eye, but there was a lot of
detail, like a subliminal message. You can probably recall it if you try, but
it's not there now.
>Utena clears her throat and offers a cup to Cloud. "Tea? n.n;"
>Cloud blinks. "... Yes."
>Utena brings over the pot and pours. Well. It smells and seems to be exactly
like tea if you can call an imaginary beverage in a dream land such.
>Cloud doesn't seem to mind, at least.
>Utena watches you briefly, before cocking her head and deciding to be blunt.
"Why exactly do you keep so quiet all the time?"
>Cloud ponders that for a while. Perhaps long enough for you to think he isn't
going to reply. But, eventually, he does. "... Because I have nothing to say."
>Utena doesn't look like she's buying THAT line, her hands rest on her hips.
"Everyone has something to say. Everyone thinks things all the time."
>Cloud thinks, again. "... I don't like to comment on things I don't know about.
It... doesn't reflect well."
>Utena hehs. "So you're afraid of looking foolish?"
>Xelloss (OOC) hasta run for awhile. x.x Durn.
>Cloud just shrugs in response. "..."
>Cloud (OOC) See ya
>Utena OOC doh! hugs. n.n
>Xelloss has disconnected.
>Utena OOC mutters.. what, I want you weirdos in my head? ^--
>Cloud (OOC) Could be worse. You could be in mine.
>Utena says, "Well.." Utena says after a little time. "You know what Xell and I
are thinking about doing. What we're trying to do. You don't have any thoughts
about that?"
>Utena OOC laughs. True....
>Cloud rubs his chin. "I just don't like the sound of it... violent thugs...
they're easy to detect. And Xelloss himself... he's admitted he's evil, right?"
>Utena says, "Xell is kinda evil, yes. But he's not the kind of evil that you
fight with. He's the kind of evil that teaches you things you might not want to
know, but HAVE to learn sooner or later."
>Cloud doesn't respond to that. "..."
>Utena says, "I've dealt with all kinds of things that people call evil. Stupid
dumb thugs who don't know any better because they grew up with small brains...
psychotic wizards who torture people for fun... monsters like that gargoyle
that tore me open.. and then there's Xell. I didn't trust him at first.. I was
AFRAID of him. But he taught me things that I'd never have understood. I've
learned a lot. And he's never attacked me, hurt me, or anything like that to do
it."
>Cloud rubs the back of his neck. He throws out the one coherent comment he can.
"... Just as long as you know what you're getting into."
>Utena asks, "What would you rather deal with.. someone you can talk to and
reason with.. someone who looks at things different than you do... or someone
who you CAN'T reason with.. who comes at you with a big meat cleaver, who you
can only kill?"
>Utena says, "The reason I'm supporting Xelloss in what he's trying to do is
because I've SEEN the others of his kind. I've seen what they're like. In
comparison to them, he is about as noble as a king. I'd rather see HIM have
power, than someone like that priest we fought earlier. Does -that- at least
make sense?"
>Utena says, "There's a saying that you have to know your enemy. I would rather
have him be powerful and control the Mazoku, because I KNOW him, and I know
what he can and will and won't do.. than some violent, random lunatic who I
don't know who can't be reasoned with."
>Cloud replies, very quickly, "... I would prefer to deal with the lunatic. One
swing, and the problem is over. Plotters... are just too dangerous."
>Utena nods. "It's the standard way things are 'supposed to be', the way you
say. But Cloud.. think about it. The plotters CONTROL the lunatics."
>Utena says, "It's the plotters that are the dangerous ones, it's the plotters
that send out the random stupid thugs who can't think for themselves."
>Cloud shrugs. "I'm just a mercenary... I don't usually need to think about
stuff like this."
>Utena nods. "And I'm just a silly girl with a sword who wants to change things.
But the point is.. we DO have to think about things like this.. all of us, or
we'll play out the same stupid cliches over and over and over again... living
meaningless lives dominated by violence and terror."
>Cloud digests that, for a bit. "..."
>Utena smiles, and lets you brew over it, as she turns and gazes at the sun for
a while...
>Utena says softly, looking over her shoulder, "No one's trying to convert you,
and no one says you have to pick a side or anything like that. Just.. think
about it. That's all I'm asking, myself. That's all I want. If people even
THINK about it, that's enough."
>Cloud nods. That's probably the best you'll get out of him, though, at least
for a while...
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