[ We find Our Heroes preparing for a long day of journeying ahead of them! Today they head out for Rokugan, where they hope to find another piece of the altar! ] [ Session Start! ] * Max has seven little boxes with him, tied up with simple white ribbons. He's somewhat shyly handing one to each party member, muttering, "Just a little something I put together as thanks," as he does so. * Seylin heads down into the common room. Her armor is extra-shiny now, and she's probably got her halberd strapped to her back. Probably. It's still invisible, after all, but she's nimble enough to keep it from smacking into things. * Seylin accepts a box from Max. "Thank you, Max! May I open it now?" * Max nods. "Please do." * Seylin carefully unties the ribbon and slowly opens the box. * Patrick rolls his neck, taking the box as Max offers it, waiting for Seylin to open her own. * Istvan is already in the common room, outfitted in his kickass new armor, leaning against a wall and dozing. He opens an eye as Max puts a box in his hand. "Hmm? But we haven't even gone on a first date yet." *smirk* * HKenji looks down at the box and opens his mouth to say something, then clamps his jaw shut before anything can come out. * Inside Seylin's (and everyone else's, when they open theirs) box is what looks like a half a pair of glasses, including a lense, nose bridge, and a chain leading to a clip in place of a ear-arm. * Tia wags her tail and beams as she accepts the box. "Thanks, Max! What's in it?" * WillS is sitting on the couch when he accepts the box from Max. "What's this?" Date? Oh, haha. Sorry. ^^; No, it's just a thank-you. * Seylin holds it up and examines it. "What does it do?" * Patrick smirks and opens his, taking a look inside at what it is. It, um, clips to your ear with that clip part, and if you set the nose-piece on your nose, it should adhere magically until you want to take it off. The ear-bit will translate anything you're listening to for you, and the eye-piece translates written stuff. Oh! This will be very useful in Rokugan! Thank you! * Alcinoe comes down the stairs, now wearing polished, full red dragon plate armor. She has her ebony longsword at her side and shield, and she's just now pulling on her haversack. Skin tone and slightly pointed ears aside, she is now the spitting image of another red-headed warrior woman. * Max rubs the back of his head. "After the trolls, I thought it might be useful for everyone to be able to understand anything anyone says. Um, though, it won't let you speak the language." * Max beams. "You're quite welcome." ^_^ Wow. Thanks Max. A useful gift. * Tia hastily opens her box and peers inside. * HKenji nod slightly in appreciation as he slips it into his sleeve. That's okay. At least we'll understand what's being said. Oh, Kenji, you have the headbands, right? I thought you took them with you after we finished them; if not, I'll go back home and look for them, but I didn't see them this morning. And, well, Kenji was going to be the one speaking for us anyway. * WillS puts on his pair and turns towards Alcinoe. "How do I look, Alci?" * Alcinoe smiles a little at that. "Smarter." * Istvan takes off one gauntlet and opens up the box, eyeing the thing inside and waiting for an expla- ah, there it is. He puts his into one of the pockets of his haversack. "Thanks, Max." *looks up at Alci; grins* "How's the armor feel?" Interesting. * WillS grins. "Oh good!" * HKenji shakes his head and pulls out several strips of cloth from his sleeve. "I have them." * Alcinoe finishes pulling on her backpack and fluffs out her hair. "'S good. Not as heavy as the old set." Good, good. I'm glad everyone likes them. *^_^* I know they're not much, but, well, I'm glad to be of use. * Max smiles a bit more, then looks a bit mischeivous and floats over to Istvan, and whispers something in his ear. * Alcinoe looks at Max, and one of her ears twitches. * Seylin carefully wraps hers back up and puts it in her haversack. She keeps the ribbon, though, quickly braiding a bit of her hair near her temple and then tying it on to keep the braid in place. "There. For good luck!" * Patrick flexes in his armor. "Nice job with the armor, Istvan." * HKenji drapes three of the pieces over his forearm as he takes the fourth and ties it around his forehead, settling a circular mon directly over his nose that quite clearly shows a couch tilted at an odd angle, with speed lines indicating it going up. S'one of the nice things about dragon scales... tough to work with, and when you run out of spare scales repairs can be a bit tough, but they're a lot lighter than metal armor. Ah'll say. * Alcinoe walks over to look at whatever Kenji's putting on. * HKenji brushes his hair back a bit to make sure the headband hasn't disturbed his topknot, and making sure that the lions embroidered on the cloth-of-gold are quite clear. * Max then drifts away, looking innocent. * Istvan blinks at Max, confused for a moment, then nods in comprehension. * HKenji holds holds out another of the bands to Alcinoe, this one done in exactly the same lion patterns as his own. * Alcinoe takes it. "What's this?" Communication magic, courtesy Max's laboratory. Huh. Air shugenja are highly valued on the battlefield for just such magics. * Alcinoe looks to Max. "Thanks," she says before wrapping it around her head, making sure the back part's under her hair. Who says a paladin can't be a little vain? * Max waves it away. "Kenji's idea and money; I just did the work. Least I can do, really." * HKenji holds out the third headband to Seylin, this one done up in powder blue cranes. Ah always kinda liked lions. * Seylin accepts it almost reverently. "Thank you, Kenji. It's beautiful." * HKenji holds the final band out to Patrick, this one done up in scarlet and black scorpions. * Seylin carefully ties it around her forehead like Kenji's and Alcinoe's, settling it evenly underneath her braid. * Patrick smiles at Seylin. "It looks very nice on you." I think they're for Kenji's family. If I understood his lessons on Rokugani culture properly. I appologize, but I was not able to devote full attention to them, as I was busy crafting the items in question. They did help pass the time enjoyably, though. * Tia is zooming around the room with her arms stretched out to the sides, the new glasses on her head. * Overall, Patrick's headband looks almost... sinister. * Alcinoe chuckles. "Ah don't think Ah'd mind bein' adopted inta his family, then." * Seylin smiles at Patrick. "Thanks. Put yours on!" * Patrick takes his in one hand, inspecting it carefully before putting it around his head, underneath his hair. "Awww, you shouldn't have. Who's going to trust me now?" He grins. * Max raises his eyebrow, and looks from Alci to Kenji speculativly, before shaking his head and mouthing 'nah'. * Seylin blinks once in surprise. * Alcinoe starts grinning. She can't help it. * Seylin grins, too. * Patrick grins a Patrick grin of grinning. ^________________________________^ * Istvan dozes off against the wall. * WillS looks curiously at Alcinoe's headband and smiles when he sees that Alci is happy. * Alcinoe lets it last a little while before she looses the grin and snaps out, "Istvan!" * Max is definitely ready to go adventuring. Why else would he have three staves poking out of his haversack, as well as a fourth held in his hand? Are we all ready? Ready ready! * Alcinoe nods. * WillS nods too. * Istvan opens an eye. "I'm up, I'm up. Mostly." I am ready. *pushes glasses up his nose* ...Specs? Wake up. It's not -that- late in the day yet. *prods his owl, who's sleeping on his shoulder* Very much ready. * Patrick nods and smiles, making sure his shoes are pumped and his weapons are set. "Let's get rollin' already." * Tia airplanes around the group. Hey, Tia. I never got to ask... how does your axe like its upgrades? * Max watches Tia, a slightly pleasently surprised look on his face chased away quickly by happy amusement at the dracotaur's antics. Huh? Upgrades? The things that makes it smash bad guys better. * Seylin smiles a bit. Sometimes they keep ya from bein' smashed. What upgrades? * Tia wags her tail vacantly. Yes, do tell what you did to it, Istvan. I'm curious. ^_^ * HKenji steps lightly over to the front door and pulls it slowly open. Yeah Tia, remember when I had your axe down in my forge for a few weeks, and I told you I was gonna add some more magic to it? * Seylin watches Kenji. Ohh, yeah! What'd you add? Mr. Axe says he's pleased to be mighty! * Istvan grins. "Good to know." * Alcinoe looks out the door. On the other side is a white dragon! So, um, when do we actually leave? Now. * Patrick has pumped shoes! He nods to Alcinoe. (Patrick wears Air Jordans.) * Anastasia starts up the path to the house, in full armor. You can see her, because the door is open! It must be magic. * Alcinoe frowns a little as she sees Ana. * HKenji smiles broadly. Well, broadly for Kenji, anyway. Okay. *floats towards the door, and stops, blinking, when he notices Anastasia* (Hell yes I do,.) * Anastasia flicks stray hair over her shoulder, and waves. "Hello again." * Max waves. "Hello, again." * Alcinoe blinks. She's rather looking at a pale, human mirror version of herself. You're here to see Kenji, I assume? Howdy, Anastasia. We're just goin'. * HKenji bows deeply to Anastasia. * Istvan walks over to Tia. "I added magic to your axe to make it sharper, so that when you get a good hit in it goes through easier. Also added magic so that, every time you hit someone, a little explosion happens, hurting them more. Fire doesn't hurt you, so you'll be okay." * WillS waves hello but says nothing. * Anastasia smirks at Alci. "Nice armor. No, I just came to see my favorite House off." * Tia flinches when she notices Anastasia. * Seylin waves politely to Anastasia. * Alcinoe nods. "Got it from Istvan. It's his old set." We're touch--er, sorry *glances at Kenji, as if remembering something*, honored, by your consideration. *polite teacher's smile* Well, it looks good on you. It seems oddly familiar. Thanks. An- huh. * Anastasia stands out of the way of the door. "I was in town hiring specialist craftsmen for the fort, and figured I might as well say goodbye." * Istvan notices Tia's reaction to Ana, and taps her on the shoulder to distract her. "So every time you hit someone with your axe, it'll go BOOM." * Alcinoe seems to get a touch paler, which would make her resemble Ana even more, before she regains her normal color. "Ah guess ya wanna spend some time with Kenji 'fore we leave?" * Max 's eyes slide towards Istvan and Tia for a moment, but he shakes his head, dismissing whatever he was considering for the moment. * Anastasia smiles. "A moment or two. I wouldn't want to keep you, of course." I always have time available for you. * Alcinoe rolls her eyes. Okay, everyone, let's form up outside so these two can say their goodbyes in private. *starts making shooing motions towards the door* * Patrick rolls his eyes. * HKenji glares at Max * Tia glances at Istvan. "Boom?" Her eyes drift back to Anastasia inevitably. * Max doesn't notice, pointedly not looking at Kenji or Ana. Come on, Tia, Istvan... * Max floats over to those two and starts the shooing motions again, smiling absently. * Tia blinks uncomprehendingly at Max. We're forming up outside, so we can get going. ^_^ Boom. Big explosion of fire. Really good if you're surrounded by lots of little bad guys. *lowers his voice* And I want to show you something neat. Outside. * Istvan tries to lead Tia out. "And like I said, the other thing I did makes your axe sharper, so it'll cut better." * Alcinoe looks to the others. "Let's get goin'." She nods to Ana before clanking out. * Anastasia beams. * Max tries to help Istvan lead Tia out. Away from Ana. * Tia nods, then trails after Istvan and Max. * Tia takes one last look at Ana, then stomps out resolutely without looking back. * WillS follows everyone out too. * Seylin heads outside. * Max tries to lead Tia and Isty off just a short distance, giving some privacy. * HKenji closes the door with himself and Ana still inside. * Patrick walks out, not paying Ana any more attention than he needs to. * Tia seems distracted. Have you reconsidered coming with us? Come over here, Tia. I want to show you something. It's magic. * Alcinoe paces a bit away, looking up to the sky. It's pretty today. * Alcinoe then turns her attention to Max. * Patrick rolls his shoulders. "I just want to get this underway." Yeah. * Anastasia shrugs. "There's still so much to do. Finish the fort, hire warriors, mages... and I'm fairly busy anyhow. You know I'd love to otherwise." She smiles at Kenji. * Tia walks over to Max. "Magic?" Yeah. Me too. * HKenji nods. "Thank you for coming to see us off, then." I'm just looking forward to setting up camp tonight. Did the coma thing yesterday, but I was pulling 20-hour shifts the past week to get things finished, and I'm still a bit worn down. * Alcinoe says, with a touch of amusement, "Ah can carry ya, Istvan." * Seylin laughs. Thanks for all your hard work, Istvan. Not a problem. Like I said, I was in town. * Max huddles with Istvan and Tia, whispering and showing them something, glancing furtively aroudn with a mischievous look of sharing a fun secret. Still, this academy is somewhat out of your way, and I appreciate the effort. It will be quite some time before we return. Six months or more, most likely. * Tia 's usually short attention span seems to be occupied by whatever Max is showing them. Construction will almost surely be close to done by then, if not totally done. Do you want a say in who is hired to staff it? * Alcinoe watches Max, Tia, and Istvan, but she doesn't come any closer. * Patrick grins. I'm sure that your choices will be more than acceptable. * Anastasia beams. "Thanks." We have to go soon. We have a long day of riding. It's a long way to Rokugan. * WillS sits down on a stone by the road and watches Max entertain the others. * Anastasia nods, slowly. "Yes, yes it is. Well, don't let me keep you." If you need to contact me, any of the mages here can help you. Thanks. You know how to reach me. * HKenji nods. * HKenji smiles again, much more broadly. "Thank you." * Anastasia laughs. "Of course." * HKenji opens the door and holds it for Ana. * Anastasia walks outside, and waves at the rest of the group. "Take care!" She turns to Kenji. "You too." I am always careful. Be well. * Alcinoe nods once to Ana. * Tia suddenly jumps up and down and tackles Max in a bear hug. * Alcinoe then blinks and looks at the, er, dracotaur. And halfling. * Anastasia strides off! * HKenji steps out the door, reaches back and locks it, then pulls it firmly closed. * Istvan grins, and tries to get Tia to let up a bit. * WillS smiles at Tia before waving goodbye to Anastasia. * Patrick shrugs and glances at Ana, smirking at her, and turns back to the group, in particular Tia and the now glomped Max. * Alcinoe watches Ana go. * Tia lets go as soon as she is reminded. * Max ^_^_v's casually at Tia, and floats back over to the rest of the group, grinning like a madman. * Tia waves back, beaming. * Well, like a sane man who's inordinately happy. * Istvan ambles back to the rest of the group, grinning a bit himself. What's goin' on? * HKenji watches Ana go, his expression a carefully emotionless mask. Nothing, just cheering up some people, getting prepared for the trip with some pep talk stuff. * Istvan says something in dwarven. You could swear you heard the word 'himitsu' in there somewhere. * Tia seems to have completely forgotten about Ana. Yeah, Ah would be left outta the pep talk. Let's go. You didn'nt seem to need it. Sorry. ^^; * Alcinoe nods. 'course she doesn't. ...do you need one? I think you're probably the best of us all, Alci. * Alcinoe shakes her head. She just starts clanking off. * Patrick rolls his eyes. "Okay people, let's move out!" * HKenji turns and follows Alcinoe towards the stables. ...*looks suddenly sadder, his momentary elation gone. Maybe 'cause he thinks he hurt Alci's feelings* We've got a lot of ground to cover, so we can't waste too much time. * Max nods. And floats on at the pace set by the others. * WillS shrugs and clanks after Alci. He didn't get a pep talk either. * Istvan yawns, and heads on out. * Patrick heads off. Running is good for you! * Tia trots along behind, bearing the grin of someone who holds someone's confidence. [ The trip proceeds as planned until you get near the entrance to the campus, where a dwarf in full plate flags the lot of you down, calling "Oi! Istvan!" ] * HKenji raises one eyebrow at Istvan. "Relative of yours?" * Tia wags her tail. "Your friend, Istvan?" * Alcinoe blinks, looking that way. * Seylin turns to look at the dwarf. * Tia waves madly toward the dwarf. "Hi! I'm Tia!" * Max looks up at the person, pushing his glasses up his nose. He keeps quiet, though. * Patrick shrugs. * Istvan blinks, and his face breaks out into a big grin. "Uncle Brasstwister! What the hell are you doing up here?" *lumbers over for a hearty handshake* [ The dwarf, whose beard is the silver of old age, comes half- limping over to Istvan. "It's terrible, lad! They've stolen the Titan's Pick!" ] * Max tilts his head curiously at that. * Patrick simply listens. Titan's Pick? * Seylin blinks. * HKenji frowns. * WillS waves hi to Istvan's uncle while wondering what's the Titan's Pick. * Istvan pales considerably. Like, to ashen white. "... oh fuck." * Max sits up, assuming the attitude of one waiting attentively for a full explanation. [ Who is this dwarf? Why does his name sound familiar? What the hell is the Titan's Pick, and why is Istvan so worried about it? Find out next session! ] [ Session End! ]