[ We find Our Heroes eating their last breakfast on the summit of Togashi Mountain. This time, Will remembered to cast Hero's Feast, which means y'all are eating in STYLE. Pancakes, bacon, pancakes, eggs, hash browns, omelettes, biscuits, ham, breakfast cereals, and pancakes. ] [ The food is good, and supernaturally nourishing! Forget that 'organic' noise, this stuff's got *magic*. ] [ Galahad is at the table with you. This has been a fairly common occurrence over the last few weeks; as usual, he's sitting near Alcinoe. Hey, she *is* his paladin, you know. ] [ Anyhow, after Our Heroes finish this meal, they set out for Hell On Earth, a.k.a. The Shadowlands. It's a miserable place by all accounts, so it's time to eat, drink, and be merry before you get bogged down with hoards of demons trying to kill you so the land can turn you into zombies. ] [ Session Start! ] * Kenji rolls up another pancake with his chopsticks and munches thoughtfully on it. [ The pancake is light and fluffy! ] * Kenji hasn't changed much in his time here. He's got a few more lines on his face than he used to, and more scars. Oh, and a strange looking katana in its saya, hung across his back. Why he's got two katana is anybody's guess. * Tia wolfs down pancakes, eggs, and all that jazz like there's no tomorrow. * Alcinoe has an omelette and hash browns and is trying to mix them both with more bacon through the magic of chopsticks. It might not be standard, but it's getting the job done. * Patrick rolls some sausage links inside of his syrup-filled pancake and cheese omlet and eats. ^^ * Tia spears a bit of each item on her fork and shoves the breakfast- food-kebab into her mouth. [ Amazingly, you guys also have silverware with this meal. ] * Alcinoe picks up a fork, the mixing done, and has a big bite of mush. After she chews and swallows, she says, "Ain't seen that sword b'fore, Kenji." * Seylin has a little bit of everything on her plate, except cereal. ;p She smiles contentedly as she munches. * WillS is enjoying the meal he summoned very much. He makes a mental note to cast summon this feast much more often from now on. His name is Soramaro. He is the Dream Blade. * Alcinoe blinks. Okay...? * Tia accidentally swallows her fork with the kebab and blinks a few times. "Oops..." He is an awakened item. Somewhat like Axebeard Beardaxe. * Alcinoe passes her second fork to Tia, since Tia probably ate both of hers already. * Tia grins and accepts the fork. "Thanks, Alci!" But less... insistent, I imagine. * Alcinoe snickers. If he don't talk in yer head all the time, Ah bet. Sure, Tia. * Tia shovels in a couple more mouthfuls of food before speaking. "Maybe he and Mr. Axe can be friends!" * Patrick snickers and munches more. Ah... dunno. Do weapons talk ta each other? I don't see why they couldn't, if they were so inclined. * Alcinoe nods a little and eats. Mmm, food. [ Galahad has another pancake. ] * Kenji waits carefully for the right moment, when Alcinoe and Galahad have both just taken a bite, and then says, "So, Lord Galahad. Have you ever considered marriage?" * Alcinoe sputters, and bits of hash brown and eggs fly out before she catches herself. "KENJI!" [ Galahad blinks. "I beg your pardon?" ] * Tia blinks and looks up. "Marriage?" * Seylin eyes Kenji. Marriage. Holy matrimony? Loving bonds of family? * Patrick laughs. * WillS keeps on eating, although the slight twitching in his ears show that he's actually listening attentively to this Lord Galahad's marriage thingy. * Tia wags her tail wildly and turns to Galahad. "Do gods get married too, Mr. Galahad?" [ "I am aware of the definition of marriage, Kenji. I am wondering why you ask." ] It -is- my duty to find a proper match for my once and future sister. I certainly can't think of anybody better than you. You certainly seem fond of her, and were you to ask, I cannot imagine her saying no. * Kenji sounds quite serious about this. * Seylin puts her hand to her mouth and desperately tries to keep from laughing. * Tia is already giggling. [ Galahad opens and closes his mouth once or twice and drops his fork. ] Ooh, let me get that! * Tia stands up abruptly (perhaps knocking over a few things) and runs to pick up Galahad's fork for him. * Alcinoe has managed to swallow, but at Tia's scrambling, something snaps, and she cracks up. [ Galahad accepts his fork. "Thank you, Tia." ] Welcome, Mr. Galahad! * Tia bows as gracefully as she can manage. * Patrick is grinning like someone who likes to grin a lot. * WillS glances nervously towards Alci as takes a quick gulp from his cup. [ A small cloud begins to form over Kenji's head. ] * Kenji smiles innocently at Galahad and Alcinoe. Don't ya give me that, Kenji! You were so plannin' that! And fer when Ah was eatin', too! * Seylin glances at the cloud. I cannot tell a lie. It -was- a most opportune moment. * Tia is beaming from ear to ear as she returns to her seat. She likes being helpful! [ The cloud, perhaps half a foot in radius, hovers about two feet above Kenji's head and begins to produce drizzle. Galahad has another pancake. ] * Tia giggles again. * Kenji laughs as the drizzle starts. * WillS looks at the cloud curiously too. Am I to take that as a refusal, Lord Galahad? * Patrick snickers. [ Galahad smiles. "Goodness me, no. Rather, take it as a suggestion to be more polite in your delivery next time." ] * Alcinoe blinks. And looks at Galahad. And looks at Kenji. And looks back at Galahad. And says, "What?" * Kenji blinks. * Tia drops her pancake. * Seylin laughs quietly and resumes eating. [ Galahad has some more pancake, whistling innocently. ] * Kenji laughs. * Tia jumps up and cheers. "Alci 'n' Galahad are gettin' married!?" Wait, what? Are you sayin'- Tia! Well then. Do you have family I need to contact, or shall I carry out negotiations with you personally? Mr. Galahad! Mr. Galahad! Can I come to your party? * Alcinoe facepalms. * WillS is sweating nervously now as he shakily puts another piece of pancake in his mouth. I wanna come! Please? I can help you decorate and stuff! * Tia dances in circles, prancing on her hindpaws in pure excitement. * Seylin sets her fork down and reaches for her juice glass, her shoulders shaking with soft laughter. * Patrick chugs some more juice. XD Pleeeeeease? Can I come? [ "Oh, as long as you pay for the wedding, Kenji. I think I'll invite all my worshippers. We'll have an open bar. For five days." ] * Tia runs around cheering. In your honor, we can make it a full week. [ Galahad nods. "It should only cost... oh... one hundred and fifty million gold." He has some juice. ] It can be arranged. [ "Well. Note that I say you will pay for it; you do not currently have a family, and so they do not enter into the equation." ] * Alcinoe is just bright red at this point. Oh, lord. Literally. I'm sure I'll find a way. * Tia gallops past cheering some more. He's pullin' yer leg, Kenji. * Alcinoe looks at Galahad. "Ya *are* jokin', right?" Party! Party! Party! [ Galahad smiles. "Quite probably." ] * Kenji cracks up. [ The little raincloud zaps Kenji with a wee little bolt of lightning. ] * Tia screeches to a stop. "Wha--aww, you're only joking?" Her ears droop and she sinks to her haunches dejectedly. * Kenji jumps. The offer was as serious as not, however you wish to take it. I have eyes with which to see. But it is nearly time for us to leave. What, we're leaving already? * Tia looks even more sad. * Alcinoe rubs at her eyes. "Yer both impossible." And she goes back to eating. I am very possible. Besides, you can't possibly tell me that if he asked, you would refuse. Well... no. That'd be dumb. [ Galahad rubs his chin thoughtfully. ] So if Lord Galahad is in favor, and you are in favor, I see no reason not to arrange it. But then, I am merely a humble ronin go- between. Great, now you got the idea in his head. What's a ronin, Kenji? A ronin is a man without a clan, Tia. No clan, no family. Just whatever friends and allies he can keep. * Tia scratches her head. "Um, but you have a family, Kenji! We just met 'em!" * Patrick snorts. * Kenji points to the now somewhat faded circles on his chest, where his mon used to be. "Not anymore, Tia. I left them behind, on the mountain." * Tia looks further confused. "Why, Kenji?" Because it was necessary. * Kenji looks as though he will say no more on the matter [ "Almost the same reason you did, Tia," says Galahad helpfully. "Don't worry about it." ] * Tia glances at Galahad, and her eyes suddenly fill with tears. "Oh." She looks down at her paws and looks uninterested in asking further questions. [ "Oh, it's okay, Tia. You don't have to be sad." ] But...my mama and papa...I didn't want to leave them behind! * WillS leans over and gently pets Tia on the back. * Tia bawls. * Alcinoe hands over whatever clean napkins she has. * Seylin scoots over and gives Tia a hug. * Tia clutches at the napkins gratefully and mops at her face, though she seems unable to stop bawling. 'Sokay, Tia. [ Galahad stands and gives Tia a hug as well. "There, there. They'll understand." ] * Tia smashes everyone together into a big bear hug and sobs wetly into Galahad's clothing. * Seylin has enough experience to be able to maneuver herself so she doesn't get horribly squished. * Patrick has enough experience to not get crunched. * WillS is used to it now, and hugs Tia back. * Alcinoe can't help but smile a little bit at all of the Tiahugging. And she takes this moment to reach over and lightly thwap Kenji over the head. "Yer still impossible," she says quietly. * Kenji laughs and takes it. If I am impossible, then lo, I must disappear from this world, and then who will arrange a proper marriage for you? Duh. Me. * Patrick cackles. * Seylin says, somewhat muffled by Tia, "I fear." * WillS twists his head towards Kenji while still being held by Tia. "Alci is wise enough to choose who she wants to marry herself." [ Later, after everyone packs up and heads back down the mountain (there's a friggin' staircase leading down that wasn't there before), they meet back up with Taka and Moto Musa! ] [ And Yoshi. ] * Musa is petting Yoshi and waves to the now changed group. * Tia has managed to dry her tears by this time, and she waves cheerfully to Takara and Musa. And Yoshi. * Takara looks up at Musa's wave, and she jumps to her feet, waving both hands in a highly uncourtier-like manner. * Patrick waves and grins. "Yo!" I didn't expect that you two would still be here. * Seylin smiles happily and waves back. * Musa looks confused at Kenji. * WillS waves happily to the two. * Takara beams as they come closer. "" The smile fades a little. "" Training. Much training. * Takara nods, and she looks the rest of the group over. "" She hesitates a moment, then says, "" * Patrick smirks. "You could say that. It's been a bit of an ordeal." It's been very... intense. We've learned a lot. * Tia nods along. * Alcinoe looks back at the mountain. "That'd be the second time," she says with vague amusement. * WillS nods blankly. It is something too horrid to think back on. * Seylin looks briefly at Patrick, then back at Takara. "Yes. I think I did." * Kenji smiles slightly. We should start out, Takara-san. We have a long ride ahead. * Takara nods. "" She hesitates a moment, then says, "" I am on Musha Shugyo for the forseeable future. * Takara ahs, then smiles. "" She laughs, turning and going about packing up the camp. The shadowlands are not impossible, but I clearly am. * Kenji rolls his eyes at Alcinoe. Clearly. Yep. Kenji, what's Mu--what didja call it? * Alcinoe nods. "Ah don't lie, Kenji," she says, seriously. "Samurai. An' paladin. At the same time." It is a warrior's pilgrimage. On occasion, it becomes apparent that a samurai lacks something. In his training, or himself, or his family. When this happens, he walks away from his life and walks alone until he finds it. * Tia nods. "Oh, I see. Will you go back to your family when you're done?" If I find what I am looking for. And...and, alone doesn't mean you'll leave us, right? * Tia frets. Maybe what he's looking for is to become possible. No, Tia. I won't leave you. Isty's gone and...I don't want you to leave too, Kenji. * Tia crushes Kenji in a hug, watery-eyed. * Kenji uses secret techniques to avoid being crushed. [ Kenji snaps, crackles, and pops. ] * Alcinoe makes sure Kenji's face isn't turning blue, then nods to herself and goes to help Musa and Takara pack the camp. * Musa packs up camp! Yay campack! * Seylin goes to help as well. * Patrick is helping pack camp. ^^ [ Soon, the camp is packed. ] [ And it is time for Our Heroes to head out... towards DESTINY! ] (And BEYOND!) (and THE FUTURE!) [ No, just Destiny. ] (Aw.) (Poo.) (THE FUTURE!) [ And so they went! SESSION END! ]