Home Again
Chapter 13

Session Start: Sat May 15 1999 22:54
Session Close: Sun May 16 1999 02:15
Elapsed Time: 4h, 21m
Total Elapsed: 66h, 53m

Cast (In Order of Appearance)
  • Nicole "Lucca" Dinner as Audrey Nanshete
  • Criz as Criz
  • "Andrew" as Finn MacGovray
  • Richard "RPG Storen" Gregorio as Lynna Handred
  • Travis "Enygma" Saucier as Lamont Lockeheart
  • Jeremy "Bahamut" Baker as Miriamele
  • J. Desorme as Will Dosyani
  • "Windstar" as Salah Paria
  • Supporting Cast: Woman/Maddy, Girl/Betzy, Man (in Hat), Young Woman/Zoe, Jozeph, Female Voice/Jazmine
  • Enemies: Ribbitgun

    • Plains East of Reza, Marius Zone

    [Storyteller] We last left the party out in the wilderness. After attempting to best Koran and his minion Xenobia (aka Imogene), they were transported from Firebase Alpha by a mysterious stranger. Lyle headed back to Reza to see what was left of his town and his Guild, while the party headed off to a small hill town to the north east, Baroton. Criz was quiet all through the imposing techno fortress, and remained quiet as you walked. It wasn't quite like him, although most of you weren't yourselves after that place either.
    * Audrey looks down at the ground, not saying much anymore... thinking...
    * Criz is walking along, looking down at the ground, not seeing where he is going.
    * Finn walks, enormously relieved to be out of the fortress.
    * Lynna walks a bit hurriedly, chasing Salah after her little outburst...
    * Lamont walks along... silent as can be.
    * Miriamele scouts ahead, as she typically does. A bounce is in her step, thankful to be out of the metal prison.
    [Audrey] ...
    [Storyteller] Miriamele easily catches up with Salah, who had stormed off before the party got moving.
    * Criz looks at all the others, he looks at Lynna and smiles as he then has on a serious face again. Looking down at the ground once more.
    * Will walks alongside Lamont with uneven steps, tired and worn.
    * Lynna is holding the pendant yelling after her.
    [Lynna] Salah... get back here now...
    * Miriamele slows, to walk alongside the forlorn girl.
    [Miriamele] You gonna be alright, Sal?
    * Salah continues walking, tears coming down her cheeks and silent, but with a few sobs breaking in every so often.
    * Lamont looks around... maybe looking for new things to draw.
    * Audrey wraps her cloak tighter around her, looking at Salah quickly, then back at the ground.
    * Lynna catches up to the girl, giving her a stern look.
    * Salah looks at Lynna, pushes her aside and continues walking.
    * Criz looks up ahead to see how much farther, he smiles as he sees much more is left to go.
    * Audrey doesn't say anything. She just sighs...
    * Will covers his mouth with a gloved hand, his light frame shivering in its encasing.
    [Lamont] ... where are we going?
    * Lynna starts looking agitated and follows Salah.
    [Lynna] Listen... just take your jewelry and deal with the cards you've been dealt. It's better than ending up dead.
    * Criz looks at Lamont but says nothing.
    [Finn] To the town up ahead, Lamont.
    [Salah] ...
    [Miriamele] ...
    * Salah keeps walking forward.
    [Will] I-is it nearby... ?
    * Miriamele, feeling awkward, proceeds further ahead, resuming her typical scouting maneuvers.
    [Storyteller] You hear what sounds like frogs ribbiting up ahead. All around are the sounds of living creatures. It's much, much better than the rhythmic throb of Firebase Alpha.
    [Lamont] Oh...
    * Lynna looks away from Salah, hiding her face almost completely.
    [Lynna] Fine... don't think I care what may happen if those two show up again...
    * Miriamele proceeds, on edge and alert, as always.
    [Audrey] ...
    * Will lowers his polarized goggles over his eyes, and notices a red stain in the palm of his glove, which he promptly cleans with the sleeve of his robe.
    [Will] Audrey... wh-who was that woman... ?
    [Audrey] ... She was Xenobia of the Vile Tribe...
    * Salah stops, but doesn't turn around.
    [Salah] Lynna... I...
    * Salah shakes her head and moves faster.
    [Audrey] Will... you don't think... Althena's dead... do you?
    * Lamont looks up.
    [Lamont] Dead? The Goddess can't die...
    [Lynna] What is it Salah... are you scared... is that it... ?
    [Audrey] I know... normally... this wouldn't bother me... but Xenobia... was able to walk into the Shrine... that's impossible... unless...
    [Finn] Well, she's certainly capable of abandonment...
    [Will] ... Althena... I don't know... I never really thought about that before... but if she's a Goddess?
    [Lynna] You have to grow up and deal with it. Life isn't a picnic.
    [Lamont] Althena can't die... she's immortal... she's our savior...
    * Audrey's head snaps up.
    [Audrey] ... You're right Lamont!
    [Storyteller] The chirping of crickets... the tweeting of birds... the clanging of frogs... Clanging of frogs?!
    [Will] There must be other ways... you saw their hidden base, right? If they can do that, they- huh!?
    * Miriamele draws her weapons!
    [Miriamele] Eyes up, people!
    [Audrey] I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes!
    * Lynna throws the pendant to Salah.
    [Lynna] Hold onto this... we have company...
    * Lynna draws her feral claws...
    * Criz notices everyone is drawing their weapons, so he quickly takes out his nun chucks.
    * Lamont whips out his claws, the sound of the wind is all that's heard.
    [Lamont] OK, time to do my duty!

    Combat! Round One!

    Enemy Single: Ribbitgun x5
    Ally Front: Criz, Miri, Salah, Lynna
    Ally Rear: Finn, Lamont, Audrey, Will

    * Will coughs, taking a step to the back row.
    * Salah looks at her pendant on the ground...
    * Salah ignores it and looks on to the fight.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun A's rivet gun pops out of it's back. It squats down, and launches a rivet... Which travels a whole 2 feet before falling to the ground.
    [Lamont] I don't like the way this looks.
    * Finn raises an eyebrow.
    [Audrey] ... I'm very tired of all this machine type things.
    [Finn] Me too, Audrey. Whatever happened to monstrously deformed, axe-wielding goblins?
    [Will] ... I never thought I'd say so... but I want a break, too. ^_^;
    * Lynna smirks at Finn.
    [Lynna] They got laid off.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun B bounces at Lamont. It pushes his sword flat against his chest before firing a rivet into it, sticking it to his armor. Ribbitgun hits Lamont for 15 damage.
    * Finn snickers.
    [Miriamele] I guess we live in an enlightened and civilized age. Goblins are a thing of the past. I'll miss those days... ^_^;
    [Will] W-whoa! Lamont!
    [Audrey] Lamont!
    * Lamont owches.
    [Lamont] That didn't feel too good.
    [Will] Maybe we should take these things more seriously... !
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun C bounds its way over to Finn, popping two rivets into his weapons, then back-kicking him as it bounds away. Ribbitgun hits Finn for 15 damage.
    * Finn winces.
    * Audrey makes little (yet cute) growling noises. O_o
    [Audrey] Stop that! All of you! Shoo! Shoo!
    * Lamont closes his eyes and starts to concentrate.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun C activates it's somewhat busted verbal order system and leaps on Audrey. Ribbitgun hits Audrey for 12 damage.
    [Will] Audrey!!
    [Audrey] Ahh!
    * Audrey stumbles back.
    [Will] Right... that's it!!
    [Audrey] I told you to shoo!
    * Will raises a hand into the air, the ground around him suffering from a few minor tremors.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun D waddles over to Miriamele... And attempts to rivet her tail to the ground! Ribbitgun hits Miriamele for 23 damage.
    [Audrey] I am not happy right now... Not happy!
    * Audrey sniffles.
    [Lynna] Join the club Audrey.
    * Miriamele flies back, but lands on her feet!
    [Will] Audrey...
    * Miriamele pulls the rivet out...
    [Miriamele] Alright... no one touches my tail without my permission! Now you're gonna get it!
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun E bounces over the party to plant a wet frog kiss on Criz... Alright, it's a cold metal robot kiss, but close enough! Ribbitgun hits Criz for 20 damage.
    * Criz wipes the kiss off and spits on the ground.
    * Miriamele quickly engages RibbitGun D, her face drawn gaunt, darts flying and blades flashing in the warm light of the sun...
    [Storyteller] Miriamele hits Ribbitgun for 11 damage. Miriamele hits Ribbitgun for 22 damage.
    * Audrey sighs, and begins to chant.
    * Miriamele draws back...
    [Miriamele] This isn't over yet...
    [Will] Now... it's our turn to fight back!
    * Will joins his hands, calling forth glittering shards of crystal... followed by a swift motion of his hands, they join together to form a sparkling spear of diamond! "Diamond Lance!!"
    * Will holds the sharp weapon in his right hand and hurls it at Ribbitgun C, the spear cleaving the air with ease and impaling the target with spiky goodness!
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun C takes 134 damage from Will's spell.
    [Audrey] Yes! ^_^ All right Will!
    [Will] Machines should be made to help people... that will teach you to attack human beings!
    [Lynna] Now... the only good machine...
    * Lynna lets out a piercing cry, and charges through the front row in a streak of blackest night! She then looks down at her bloodied hands as if waiting for the screams of torment that surely follow...
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun A takes 118 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun B takes 113 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun C takes 110 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun D takes 113 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun E takes 153 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Lynna] (adds darkly) ... are dead ones...
    [Will] That was amazing, Lynna!
    * Lamont waves his hands, and a green aura starts to come from his hands, "Winds flowing that never end, may your motives turn to violent and blow the vermin that stand before me from my sight!"
    [Lamont] Rushing Breeze!
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun A takes 36 damage from Lamont's spell.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun B takes 36 damage from Lamont's spell.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun C takes 36 damage from Lamont's spell and is blown to pieces!
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun D takes 39 damage from Lamont's spell.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun E takes 34 damage from Lamont's spell.
    [Will] Their structure is too weak to withstand much more... if we keep hammering like this, we'll win soon!
    * Lamont looks dejected.
    [Lamont] Well that wasn't quite what I was hoping for...
    [Will] There goes mine! ^_^
    * Audrey nods.
    [Audrey] Then let me finish it...
    * Lynna grins sadistically for a moment, but it passes...
    * Audrey holds her fingers to her lips and whispers an ancient chant the is slowly building to a crescendo... From high above a vortex appears, and drops flaming bits of rock onto her enemies!
    [Audrey] Tears of the Heavens! Shooting Star!
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are vulnerable to Star! Ribbitgun A takes 129 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are vulnerable to Star! Ribbitgun B takes 135 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are vulnerable to Star! Ribbitgun D takes 124 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are vulnerable to Star! Ribbitgun E is pummeled into the ground by falling rocks, taking 176 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Audrey] I got one! I got one! ^_^
    [Will] H-hai... O_o Th-that was incredible, Audrey... !
    * Salah looks on to her target with hate filled eyes.
    [Lamont] That was a good hit there.
    * Salah brings her hands to her hand as a tiny green star appears on her forehead.
    * Salah studies carefully, then with a sudden burst of bright green energy, light arcs emerge from Salah's forehead and swing into the creature's head.
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are strong vs. Mind! No effect!
    [Lamont] My magic's pathetic...
    [Lamont] Compared to that.
    [Will] Mine too... ^^;
    [Audrey] Thank you, Will. :)
    [Will] Y-you're welcome. =)
    * Criz starts to spin his chucks with great speed as he rushes towards the enemies and back fist strikes the Ribbitgun with the chuck in his hand. Criz flips in the air and lands on top of it, and then begins to poun d on it as he jumps back to safety.
    [Storyteller] Criz hits Ribbitgun for 14 damage.
    [Storyteller] Criz missed!
    [Storyteller] Criz hits Ribbitgun for 4 damage.
    [Storyteller] Criz hits Ribbitgun for 5 damage.
    [Storyteller] Criz hits Ribbitgun for 8 damage.
    [Storyteller] Criz hits Ribbitgun for 12 damage.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun D is destroyed!
    [Criz] Perfect ten!
    [Audrey] Excellent Criz! ^_^
    [Storyteller] Cassandra files her nails! She breaks the file and takes 93 damage! Cassandra is KONKed!
    [Criz] I could have done better, but I'm not completely focused.
    [Will] That's it... the last three are almost done for!
    * Finn draws his sword and rushes the last two enemies, slashing wildly at them.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun A takes 65 damage from Finn's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun B takes 66 damage from Finn's weapon skill.

    Combat! Round Two!

    Ribbitgun A & B remain!

    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun A hops to the side, then rushes at inventor boy, bouncing right into his gut. Ribbitgun hits Will for 44 damage.
    [Will] A-aagh!
    [Audrey] Will!!
    [Storyteller] Ribbitgun B charges at Lynna, taking advantage of all the bitching and moaning... Critical Hit! Lynna takes 73 damage!
    * Will stumbles back, covering a red trickle with his hand.
    * Lynna is caught off guard, falling down hard to the ground.
    [Lynna] Ergh... !
    * Miriamele lunges at the Ribbitgun A, her blade tearing a gash along it's right side. As she flips back to rejoin the group formation, she lets loose a host of darts, porcupining the beast!
    [Storyteller] Miriamele hits Ribbitgun for 22 damage. Miriamele hits Ribbitgun for 14 damage.
    * Miriamele drops back to the ground...
    [Miriamele] Damn... :/
    [Will] S-so close...
    * Will joins both hands, forming a crackling ball of electricity between his palms... Raising it above his head, he exclaims, "Thunder Wall!!"
    * Will motions the sphere at the front enemy row, creating a wall of sheet lightning in its crispy midst!
    [Audrey] Will... !
    [Storyteller] Mechanisms are vulnerable to Thunder! Ribbitgun A is destroyed! Ribbitgun B is destroyed!

    Victory! The party gains 750 gp, 210 MEXP, and 14 EXP each!

    Marius Zone


    [Lamont] Alright!
    * Will covers his mouth with a hand, struggling to remain on his feet.
    [Audrey] Thank goodness...
    * Finn frowns and sheathes his sword.
    * Audrey runs to Will and puts a hand under his shoulder in support.
    [Audrey] Easy now...
    * Salah sighs and falls to one knee, slightly exhausted from all that.
    * Lynna staggers up, clearing her head... she realizes she fell on Salah's pendant...
    [Will] ... y-yes... I'm fine...
    [Finn] Lynna... are you alright?
    [Audrey] Here...
    [Lynna] I... will live.
    * Finn offers Lynna a hand.
    * Lynna takes it.
    * Audrey closes her eyes and chants to herself. When she is done chanting, a blue light surrounds Will.
    [Audrey] Let Althena cure your wounds and comfort your weariness! Recovery Litany!
    [Storyteller] Will is restored to full HP!
    * Audrey turns toward Lynna. She closes her eyes and chants to herself. When she is done chanting, a blue light surrounds Lynna.
    [Audrey] Let Althena cure your wounds and comfort your weariness! Recovery Litany!
    [Storyteller] Lynna is restored to full HP!
    [Miriamele] Hope we don't run into more of those things...
    * Audrey pants slightly.
    [Audrey] Anyone else need healing?
    [Will] Thank you... I needed that. ^_^
    [Lamont] I'm OK, thank you...
    [Audrey] ^_^ It's no problem.
    * Audrey hasn't removed her arm yet. ^_^;;
    [Miriamele] I'll be alright. It mussed up my tail's fur though... :/
    * Salah gets back up and looks around.
    * Criz brushes himself off.
    [Will] You shouldn't overstrain yourself either, too...
    [Audrey] I'm fine. :)
    [Lynna] Thanks Audrey... I owe you this time.
    * Will wipes his glove on the folds of his tunic.
    * Lamont sits down and started to draw a little.
    [Finn] Let's keep going... wouldn't want to let a battle threaten that great tension we had going on.
    * Lynna puts the pendant in Salah's hand.
    [Lynna] I'm not risking my life guarding this stupid thing again... :P
    [Will] Th-that's right... the town should be near.
    [Audrey] It's no problem... really...
    [Storyteller] You reach a rickety wooden sign stuck into a corner in the path.
    * Miriamele reads the sign.
    * Criz nears the sign.
    [Storyteller] The labels on the two arrows are hard to read... damn near impossible. Good thing there's a new one mounted on a nice metal post behind it.
    * Miriamele looks up at the newer post.
    * Will peers at the new one with his goggles, trying to make out what it says.
    * Finn folds his arms and waits...
    [Storyteller] The new sign proclaims "Spring of Althena" to the left down into a pass, and "Town of Baroton" to the right, up the hill.
    * Salah takes her pendant, and places it in her pouch.
    [Will] Spring of Althena, and Town of Baroton...
    [Criz] Ummm... I rather go to the Spring.
    * Lamont stands in the back of the party... not saying much.
    * Miriamele looks delighted, and clasps her hands together, her tail wagging a bit.
    [Miriamele] A spring! ^_^ How wonderful!
    * Criz, without even waiting for the others' answers, begins to walk towards the Spring.
    [Finn] I think we should get to the town first.
    [Audrey] Spring of Althena? Oh but we're all filthy. I say we go to the spring. :)
    [Finn] Seriously guys... we need new equipment...
    [Miriamele] We should probably go to the town first... but we can't pass up a chance to go to the spring.
    * Lynna fehs.
    [Finn] The fun can wait till after.
    [Will] I'm a bit tired... but... let's check the spring out. =)
    [Lynna] I don't care... as long as we're far away from that base.
    * Criz looks back at everyone and just sighs to himself knowing he can't leave without them.
    * Miriamele nods, agreeing with Finn.
    [Lamont] Ahem... If I might say something...
    * Finn looks at Lamont, surprised.
    [Salah] A little bath wouldn't hurt...
    [Audrey] C'mon! ^^ It's a Spring of Althena!
    [Lamont] Nevermind... I suppose it's OK...
    * Audrey perks up, looking excited. ^_^
    * Finn sighs.
    [Will] So, to the spring, right? Let's go!
    * Lamont goes back to silence.
    * Salah starts walking down the left path.
    [Finn] Oh, alright...
    [Storyteller] You head down between the hills, toward the Spring of Althena. The crickets chirp... the birds sing... and the frogs, most definitely do *not* clang.
    * Lynna follows along, albeit not too excited.
    [Audrey] The frogs aren't clanging...
    * Criz, now knowing they are going to the spring, smiles, and without hesitation starts to walk towards it.
    * Lamont walks along far behind everyone...
    * Will looks around at the scenery.
    [Audrey] That proves it! There IS a Goddess!
    * Finn leans toward Lamont...
    [Finn] You don't have to be so afraid to say what you're thinking, you know...
    [Miriamele] That's a good sign...
    * Lamont nods to Finn.
    [Lamont] I know... but I'd rather not cause a scene...
    * Salah sighs heavily.
    [Will] Myght used to say... that there were some things that just couldn't be explained at all, so that there must be a God or Goddess somewhere watching over us...
    [Finn] Temper tantrums and cybernetic blonde sorceresses cause scenes...
    [Lamont] Especially over something as trivial as Althena's Spring...
    [Storyteller] You travel quite easily from here. The path between Baroton and the Spring is obviously well used.
    [Finn] I don't think you need to worry about giving your opinion once in awhile, people are going to listen to it.
    [Salah] I... I... I wish I knew... who I am.
    [Lynna] I want to know who that Xenobia is... and what did she mean by my father...
    * Criz is walking to the spring like he has been here before.
    [Audrey] I want to know where Althena is in all of this...
    [Criz] Come on guys, we're almost there.
    [Will] Salah... the only one who can help you in that is you... you have to believe in yourself and in what you do. =)
    [Salah] Mom... Dad...
    * Lynna looks at Criz.
    [Lynna] You seem oddly at home here Criz... you from this area?
    [Salah] Roy... Chris... and Mike.
    * Criz turns around and looks at Lynna.
    [Criz] Huh?
    * Audrey puts a hand on Salah's shoulder.
    [Audrey] I miss my family too...
    [Lamont] You know... Finn... I believe these... Springs... are reserved for specific genders...
    [Audrey] But we've got to be strong... for them...
    [Salah] I-I know... but...
    [Storyteller] Rounding a bend in the path, you hear what sounds like human whistling.
    [Finn] So there are two separate ones, or... ?
    [Salah] I have, I have another brother...
    [Lamont] When I was in Vane, I read there were two shrines...
    [Salah] And a sister.
    [Lamont] One for males... and one for females.
    [Will] What is that... ?
    [Lynna] Criz... be honest. You're acting like this is your home. You know this path...
    [Audrey] And one day, you'll find them. I'll help you!
    * Will lifts his goggles from his eyes, listening intently.
    [Finn] I suppose that's a decent situation...
    * Salah smiles weakly.
    [Salah] Thanks Audrey.
    [Criz] My ho... home? You got to be kidding. I don't know the meaning of the word "home".
    * Finn cocks his head sideways, listening to the whistling.
    [Lamont] Well... I'm just wondering if that's true... which shrine this is...
    [Will] Shh! Listen!
    [Storyteller] The whistling gets louder as you walk on... Whoever it is can't carry much of a tune.
    * Criz keeps walking ahead.
    [Criz] Right around this bend, and we should almost be there!
    * Finn winces...
    * Miriamele perks her ears.
    [Miriamele] Whoever he is... he can't carry a tune in a bucket. :P
    * Audrey winces.
    [Storyteller] You see something that looks like... Um... hair... dangling out of a tree up ahead.
    [Finn] The most confident musicians in the world are no musicians at all...
    * Miriamele scouts ahead, to go look at the hair's source...
    * Lynna grimaces at the horrible singing.
    * Audrey whistles along with the person, sounding much better, obviously. ^_^
    [Will] . o O (I'm almost out of magic, and I'm too weak to wield my mace... I hope it's not a fight... And yet- in the Springs of Althena, there shouldn't be evil... I wonder... )
    [Storyteller] There's a woman hanging upside down in a tree. Her hair drips on Miri's nose. She has her eyes closed, and is whistling... apparently not caring if anybody is around.
    * Miriamele wipes the water off and looks up inquisitively.
    [Miriamele] Hello?
    * Criz notices the hair on Miri's nose as he begins to walk closer to her.
    [Woman] Oh... Helloooooooooo!
    [Storyteller] Thump! She falls out of the tree.
    * Lynna looks up at the strange woman.
    * Finn looks inquisitively at the woman.
    * Audrey tries to dodge out of her way! O_o
    * Miriamele gets out of the way just in time!
    [Miriamele] Uh... miss, are you alright?
    [Woman] Ouch...
    * Criz eyes the woman.
    * Salah winces
    * Miriamele offers her hand to help her up.
    [Will] H-hello, there. ^_^;
    * Audrey does so, but falls on her rump in the process. ^_^
    [Salah] Are you... okay?
    [Storyteller] She takes the offered hand, standing up. She straightens out her black tights, then tries to brush the dust of her white skirt.
    [Criz] Why hello miss.
    * Lamont looks.
    [Woman] Um... Hello.
    [Salah] Hi.
    [Miriamele] Hi. ^_^ You alright? What were you doing up there?
    * Audrey stands up, cracking her back.
    [Audrey] Who are you, Ma'am?
    [Storyteller] Her damp hair is now full of dirt and dust as well.
    [Criz] Hello miss... and you are, if you don't mind me asking?
    * Lamont looks at the woman, the looks away with a little bit of a red face.
    [Woman] I was drying my hair...
    [Finn] Hanging out of a tree?
    * Lynna keeps her hood close about her face.
    [Lynna] I'm guessing singing and acrobatics aren't your forte...
    [Miriamele] I'm sorry... I didn't mean to disturb you like that. ^_^;
    [Audrey] It's inventive! I'll give her that...
    [Salah] Who are you?
    [Storyteller] She flips her long black hair back over her shoulder.
    * Lamont is looking away still a little red faced
    [Maddy] No, they're not really... No trouble at all... Um... I'm Madeline, but most people call me Maddy.
    [Audrey] Hi Maddy! Are you hurt? I can cure you, if you are...
    [Salah] D-did you say... Madeline?
    [Maddy] Nope, I'm fine. Thanks for offering though.
    * Will tugs at his glove.
    [Criz] Well nice to meet you Maddy, I'm Criz... we were just all on our way to the Springs.
    * Salah scrambles through her pouch and brings out the Earth 2002 picture.
    [Maddy] I hope not all of you...
    [Audrey] ^_^; Nono... ... we weren't, where we? O_O
    * Audrey blushes.
    * Lamont sits down and starts drawing.
    [Maddy] It's sort of a segregated affair.
    * Finn raises an eyebrow.
    [Will] What... ?
    [Maddy] You know, ladies only.
    * Lynna snickers softly.
    [Lamont] I believe I was going to say that.
    [Maddy] I mean... You four are cute and all...
    [Criz] Oh... well that leaves us men out, for the few that are men in this group.
    [Maddy] But ya' know... Tradition is tradition.
    [Audrey] ^_^ Joy...
    [Finn] So we get to continue stinking?
    * Will turns a slightly reddish hue.
    * Audrey thinks of the cool waters of the spring, closing her eyes and smiling. ^_^
    * Salah smiles.
    [Maddy] You could head back to that town, Baroton, if you really wanted a bath.
    [Miriamele] Thank goodness. ^_^
    * Lamont continues doodling, red faced.
    [Salah] Looks like the guys have to stink a little bit more.
    [Criz] Umm, no it's ok Maddy, the girls can bathe if they want. I'll wait.
    [Will] I... I think we should do that...
    [Criz] After that we can be on our way!
    [Maddy] Mmm... I sure you will.
    [Finn] I don't think it's necessarily appropriate to, uh... wait, Criz.
    [Lynna] I like you already Maddy.
    [Salah] Madeline, is your last name... Tirulian?
    * Lynna half-smiles.
    [Audrey] ^_^ Agreed. You seem nice Maddy.
    [Maddy] Nope... Never heard that name. Speaking of names...
    [Lynna] Name's Lynna...
    * Will shuffles his feet, looking embarrassed.
    [Audrey] Audrey Nanshete.
    * Lamont continues drawing.
    [Finn] Finn.
    [Criz] The name is Criz, nice to meet you.
    [Salah] Oh... sorry... My name is Salah.
    * Miriamele smiles.
    [Miriamele] Miriamele.
    * Maddy smiles.
    [Will] W-Will, Will Dosyani.
    * Salah looks at the picture and then looks back at Maddy.
    [Maddy] Hey there, Will.
    [Will] H-hi... ^_^;
    [Salah] You seem to remind me of someone.
    [Maddy] So... I need to clean my hair... again... Care to join me, ladies?
    * Lamont looks up.
    [Lamont] I'm... L... Lamont... *blush*
    * Lamont goes back to drawing.
    [Will] H-hey... Lamont... um... Criz... let's go somewhere else... ?
    [Audrey] I don't mind. :)
    [Salah] But...
    [Criz] You girls go do what girls do... which is... whatever.
    [Maddy] Oh... pencil boy has a voice. Cool.
    * Salah shakes her head.
    [Criz] Why Will? Nothing wrong with waiting here or is there?
    * Lamont raises an eyebrow.
    [Salah] I need a bath.
    [Finn] I'm heading to the town. Anyone coming with me?
    [Will] I mean... away from the springs...
    [Audrey] I think you should go to town, Criz...
    [Lamont] I dunno if that's a good idea, Finn.
    [Audrey] The temptation of spying on us will be too great. ^^;
    [Criz] Umm... I would go to the town... buuuuuttt...
    [Lamont] We stick close by...
    [Maddy] Why don't you guys go with him? We'll catch up. I think five of us can defend ourselves.
    [Lamont] Just in case of ambush...
    [Criz] I rather stay here and be the gentlemen that I am. *smiles*
    * Finn grabs Criz by the arm and hauls him closer.
    [Will] It mightn't be a good idea to go alone... with our magic nearly gone... I'll go with you.
    [Salah] Yeah, you guys go, we'll be all right.
    [Criz] Finn, damn it! What are you doing?
    * Lamont continues drawing.
    * Audrey chuckles, and gives Criz a playful push up the path.
    [Audrey] Nice try! ^_-
    [Maddy] Come on, ladies...
    * Salah giggles.
    * Maddy heads off toward the spring.
    [Criz] No but really... I don't want to go.
    * Audrey giggles and catches up with the girls.
    [Will] R-right... see you in Baroton, then. ^_^
    [Finn] I'm just jealous of the girls, I don't want to be deprived of your... gentlemanliness. *smirk*
    [Salah] Sorry Criz! Not this time!
    * Salah follows Maddy.
    * Miriamele follows.
    [Miriamele] ^_^ Later, boys.
    * Lynna laughs...
    [Lynna] I think I'm going to go just to throw this in someone's face...

    Spring of Althena, Marius Zone

    * Audrey snickers.
    [Audrey] Criz is such a pervert! ^_^
    [Maddy] Wow... Some crew you've got there.
    [Audrey] No kidding. ^_^;
    [Lynna] Tell me about it...
    [Miriamele] They do serve their purpose. :)
    [Maddy] Cannon fodder?
    [Audrey] No... well...
    [Miriamele] Well, no, not really. ^_^;
    [Salah] You know, my mom and I always planned to come here, but we never got the chance to.
    * Lynna shrugs.
    [Audrey] Finn is quiet... Lamont is too, but he's actually very wise with advice... Criz is crazy... and...
    * Audrey sighs.
    [Audrey] Will is just... nice. ^_^
    [Salah] Will's...
    * Audrey gets a dreamy look on her face ^_^
    [Salah] Cute.
    [Maddy] They're all sorta cute.
    [Audrey] Yes... he is...
    * Miriamele looks at Audrey.
    [Miriamele] Just nice, huh? ^_^
    [Lynna] Cute... I don't even think they know the meaning of that word.
    [Audrey] Oh... he's nice and intelligent...
    * Salah gets a dreamy look too.
    [Maddy] Somebody's got the hots for the little guy, doesn't she?
    [Audrey] Ah! ... W--Well...
    * Maddy walks a bit ahead, then stops.
    [Audrey] Um...
    [Maddy] Oh... You guys do have soap, don't you?
    * Audrey blushes furiously. ^_^;;
    [Miriamele] Soap? Uhm...
    * Lynna folds her arms, robe shifting colors in the sun...
    [Audrey] I'm not sure. It depends what I brought up from the shrine. ^_^;;
    [Salah] No, we didn't get any soap.
    [Lynna] No. Not like I came here to bathe anyway...
    [Audrey] Which would most likely be a resounding no.
    [Miriamele] I... don't think I do. ^_^;
    [Maddy] Hrmm...
    [Salah] We didn't think about bringing any.
    * Audrey searches through her bag.
    [Audrey] Nope! Thought so! No soap ^_^
    [Maddy] I have a little bar, but you either have to bring your own, or one of those big economy bars for a group...
    * Lynna holds up a hand and makes an image of a bar of soap...
    [Salah] We never got any soap.
    [Lynna] I doubt this will help much. :P
    [Salah] It was kind of a spur of the moment.
    [Maddy] Back to Baroton then.
    * Lynna juggles the illusionary bar a bit.
    [Miriamele] Drat... :(
    * Audrey makes little meeping sounds. :/
    * Maddy smiles and walks in the opposite direction.
    * Salah sighs.
    * Miriamele turns around to head back... :/

    Baroton, Marius Zone

    [Criz] But really! I DON'T want to GO!
    * Lamont brings up the *gasp* rear... as usual.
    [Will] B-but... you can't just stay there, Criz!
    [Criz] Yes I can, you want to see? What, haven't you seen a naked woman before?
    [Will] But... if they bathe... I mean...
    [Criz] Oh... I forgot who I'm asking!
    [Will] M-me... ? o_o;
    [Criz] Lamont, do me a favor? Can you draw a picture for Will...
    [Will] ... -_-;
    * Lamont looks up.
    [Lamont] Well... I'm not... for two reasons... First of all, I have no idea what to draw... ... Secondly, even if I did, a woman's body is her own... and it's not in my place to draw one.
    [Criz] Ok forget it then Lamont...
    * Criz grabs Lamont's drawing pad from him.
    [Criz] I used to draw back then...
    [Lamont] H-hey!
    * Criz begins to draw.
    [Criz] There all done. Here Will, this is what a naked woman looks like!
    * Criz shows Will a bad picture of a woman, naked.
    * Will puts on his polarized goggles.
    * Lamont snatches the pad back.
    [Lamont] Don't do that again!
    [Storyteller] As Lamont grabs it back, it falls to the ground. It lands, open to one of Lamont's pictures of Cassandra.
    [Will] Th-that's... obscene! No thank you. =/
    * Lamont dives over it and closes it back up.
    * Will blinks, trying to make out with his distorted vision the figure in the sheet.
    [Criz] If it's obscene then why do you keep staring at it?
    [Will] Hey... isn't that Cassandra... ?
    * Lamont is red faced and stuff.
    [Criz] Ok like I was saying, I really feel uncomfortable, lets go get the girls.
    [Finn] We are NOT going to get the girls, Criz.
    [Will] It's a pretty good drawing, I wouldn't be ashamed of it. ^_^
    * Lamont stands up.
    [Lamont] Well... I dunno about that...
    * Finn looks at Lamont's drawing...
    [Finn] Wow, that's really nice.
    * Lamont blushes a little.
    [Lamont] Well... thanks... Don't tell her you saw it.
    [Finn] If you have more drawings, I'd like to see them sometime...
    [Criz] Finn will never... but I never said I wouldn't.
    * Lamont picks it up and closes it.
    [Finn] We should really stop dawdling, though... c'mon.
    * Criz smiles at Lamont.
    [Will] Really? She would probably like to see them.
    * Lamont eyes Will.
    [Lamont] She would kill me...
    * Finn grabs Criz by the arm again and keeps walking.
    [Will] For a drawing... ? ^^;;
    [Lamont] Oh... nevermind... I'm extremely paranoid...
    [Will] Well, if you say so...
    * Will coughs.
    [Finn] She may seem tough on the outside, but I bet she'd really appreciate those drawings.
    [Storyteller] Eventually, Finn and the Three Stooges arrive in Baroton.
    * Criz starts to get quiet as they get closer.
    * Finn assesses the town...
    [Storyteller] There's a sign outside. "No Blades, No Bows, Leave Your Weapons Here"
    * Will takes off his goggles.
    [Will] . o O (No weapons allowed... ? If this town was taken like Iluk was- that would be an easy way of capturing us... I think- maybe I should carry my mace along... )
    * Criz says not one word, as he already has his weapon on the floor before he even reads the sign.
    [Storyteller] Fortunately, "Leave Your Weapons Here" is scratched out and replaced with "Buy Better Ones Inside"
    [Finn] Don't you feel silly now, Criz?
    * Criz notices the scratched out part and is surprised.
    [Criz] Well... that used to be... I mean... forget it.
    * Criz picks up his nun chucks.
    * Lamont looks at Criz.
    [Lamont] What's up with you? You're acting like... me.
    * Finn enters the town, looking around...
    [Criz] No... I'm not Lamont. Why... why do you say that?
    [Lamont] Because you're sweating buckets.
    * Will nods at nothing in particular and enters.
    [Criz] Nah, you gotta be seeing things. I'm perfectly fine Will... I mean Lamont.
    [Lamont] Yeah...
    [Storyteller] A girl, wandering town, catches sight of you. She walks over.
    [Girl] Hello strangers.
    * Lamont enters town, seems a little more confident with no... women around.
    * Finn smiles.
    [Finn] Hiya.
    [Will] H-hi... !
    [Girl] Are you here to buy weapons or see the new iron mine?
    [Finn] Weapons.
    [Storyteller] She's a little girl, no older than 10.
    [Criz] "New" iron mine?
    [Finn] Can you help us out?
    [Storyteller] The girl nods.
    [Girl] Yep... They discovered a new vine of iron.
    [Will] We wanted to take a bath and sleep a little... well... I mean... I wanted to...
    [Girl] Um... Vein.
    [Lamont] We're waiting for out lady friends who are bathing, currently.
    [Finn] Interesting... sounds like something worth checking out...
    [Girl] The Bed and Bath then? Okay! Com'on! My mom owns it!
    [Criz] Well, if you can show us where the weapons are we would be grateful. The quicker we buy the quicker we leave.
    [Criz] Now go ahead and bring us to the east side of the town to buy the weapons.
    [Storyteller] She runs off toward one of the larger buildings.
    [Will] T-thanks. ^_^
    * Finn follows her and enters the building.
    * Will follows the girl.

    Marius Zone

    [Maddy] Yep... It's right over this bend.
    [Audrey] Great! I can hardly wait to jump into the springs.
    * Salah sighs.
    [Maddy] Well, it's getting sort of late. You should probably save that for the morning.
    [Lynna] I'm guessing those bunch of fools are already in bed...
    [Storyteller] You come up to the same sign, then one with the scratched out lettering at the bottom.
    * Salah pulls one her pigtails over her shoulder.
    * Lynna looks at the sign distastefully.
    [Salah] I wouldn't mind taking a bath this late.
    [Audrey] Moonlight bath... oooh. How romantic...
    * Audrey giggles to herself.
    [Miriamele] Water feels warmer at night. ^_^
    [Storyteller] There's a man sitting on a barrel near the sign. He's resting his back against one of it's posts, swinging his feet ever so slightly.
    * Lynna looks from the sign to the man.
    [Salah] Ummm... hello.
    [Man] Helloo.
    [Lynna] Funny... I was expecting a bigger welcoming committee...
    [Man] Not the welcoming committee.
    [Audrey] Hello Sir. :)
    [Salah] Did you see four people come by?
    [Storyteller] His face is shrouded by a large hat.
    [Audrey] T-Then who are you?
    [Salah] They kinda act like stooges.
    * Lynna finds herself snickering at Salah's remark.
    [Storyteller] He smiles, you can see the setting sun glint off his white teeth.
    [Man] Just a traveler. A few people came in earlier. Headed over to the bed and bath.
    [Audrey] That must be them.
    [Lynna] What did I tell you.
    [Salah] That's gotta be them.
    * Lynna shrugs and heads into town.
    [Lynna] Thanks for the info...
    [Salah] Thank you sir.
    * Salah walks into town.
    [Salah] I wonder if there is a jeweler here?
    [Maddy] Any of you been here before?
    [Audrey] No...
    * Lynna follows Salah into the center of town.
    [Lynna] Bed and bath, eh...
    [Storyteller] The group makes their way towards the B&B.
    [Salah] Never heard of this place Madeline.
    [Miriamele] I'm... kinda new to just about everything this side of the Frontier.
    [Lynna] Can't say I have... although Criz seemed like he'd been here before.
    [Maddy] Yeah... That makes sense. Most people take the direct path from Reza to Meryod...
    [Audrey] I think it's nice. ^_^
    [Salah] We can buy some soap here then go back.

    Bed and Bath (And Breakfast and Bar, to Boot!), Baroton

    [Storyteller] The ladies enter the building. They can easily see Finn and Criz up at the bar, slamming back a few cold ones. It would seem one or both of them has had a few too many. Lamont and Will are at a ta ble off to the side. They've got some food out, and being the conscientious guys, they've even got plates for the girls.
    * Salah looks at Finn and Criz.
    [Salah] Uh... hey guys, we're back.
    * Lamont looks up.
    [Lamont] Um... welcome... back... ladies...
    * Lynna mockly saunters in.
    [Will] ... ? H-hi!
    * Finn swallows a mouthful of beer and swivels slowly and clumsily around to face the ladies
    * Criz eyes the ladies... he has a dazed look in his eyes.
    [Criz] What do you men want?
    * Maddy makes her way over to the bar, grabs an ale, and heads over to Lamont and Will.
    * Salah smiles nervously at Finn and Criz.
    [Maddy] Hey pencil boy... Hiya Will.
    [Audrey] Hey Will... everyone! ^_^
    [Salah] I'm gonna go over--there.
    * Lynna rolls her eyes.
    [Lynna] Hello to you too Criz. :p
    * Lamont gets a little red faced.
    [Lamont] Hello...
    * Salah points and walks on over.
    [Miriamele] Don't get up, guys... the world is probably pretty dizzy at the moment. ^_^;
    * Audrey sits by Will.
    * Criz wobbles his way over to Will.
    [Finn] Did you have a good time at the... sssprings?
    [Audrey] ... Figures.
    * Finn bursts out laughing for no apparent reason.
    * Audrey looks at Criz and tisks...
    [Salah] Umm, we didn't have any soap, so we came back.
    [Criz] Now Will my boy... *coughs* Look at that fine piece of Lunarian meat. Remember that picture I drew for you? Hehehe... Nice pic, huh?
    [Lamont] Something else I was going to say...
    [Will] S-soap... ?
    [Audrey] ... Huh?
    [Lamont] You need soap.
    * Audrey blinks at Criz.
    * Will looks at Criz... -_-;
    [Finn] That is really, really, really, really too bad.
    * Lynna gets a disgusted look on her face.
    * Lamont blushes.
    [Lamont] I guess I should have said that.
    [Audrey] ... You... he's not O_o What picture?
    [Criz] You know what I think about soap?
    [Lynna] Maybe I should have stayed at the springs...
    [Criz] Picture? Soap? What?
    * Will shakes his head.
    [Audrey] What picture?! O_o
    [Miriamele] I think so... O_O
    [Criz] Damn you people, always trying to pinch my butt!
    * Salah blinks.
    [Salah] C-riz?
    * Criz begins to walk back to his seat as he falls flat on his face and passes out.
    [Will] He... drew... a picture... and, well, I didn't see it, but...
    [Finn] You want to know what *I* think about soap?
    [Audrey] He drew a picture of me? O_o
    [Salah] F-finn?
    * Lamont eyes Will.
    [Lamont] .oO(Don't do it... don't... )
    * Lynna doesn't even bother to listen and heads to the bar.
    [Audrey] ... And what was I wearing? -_-
    * Finn starts gesticulating wildly and knocks over his glass, spilling the beer all over Criz.
    * Audrey crosses her hands over her chest.
    [Miriamele] Maybe we should come back later...
    [Finn] Ohhhhh man...
    [Young Woman] Oh damn...
    * Salah grabs Finn.
    [Salah] I think you should sit down.
    [Will] I, um, er... I'm sure... I have soap somewhere in my pack...
    [Lynna] Hey... barkeep... you got something really cold... ?
    * Criz begins to wake up from the beer that was spilled on him.
    [Storyteller] She rushes out of the kitchen...
    [Young Woman] I think you've had enough...
    * Salah takes Finn over to a stool and sits him down.
    * Finn nods at Salah, a despairing look crossing his face.
    [Criz] Oh Dayum! I have enough when I say I do!
    * Criz trips.
    [Young Woman] Ma! Get Jozeph.
    [Criz] Ok... I think I have had enough!
    [Finn] I gotta do it sometimes, you know? It dulls the pain. It really does.
    * Audrey whispers over and over...
    [Audrey] I do not know these people. I do not know these people.
    [Salah] What pain... ?
    * Lamont hasn't said much... just sits there drawing.
    * Lynna swipes a glass of water and douses Criz.
    [Finn] Pssshhh... you know... the pain...
    * Will produces two bars of soap from his pack.
    [Storyteller] A fairly big man comes out...
    * Criz shakes his head, after the water is thrown on him.
    [Jozeph] Alright... Time for you guys to hit the sack.
    [Criz] Now that felt good... it actually made me come to my senses... a bit.
    [Audrey] Will! You have soap? ^_^
    [Salah] Pain, Finn, I don't understand.
    [Criz] Hit the sack? So early?
    * Miriamele takes the bars from Will...
    [Miriamele] I'll hold onto them for safekeeping, okay?
    [Will] Th-there... s-soap...
    * Miriamele smiles at Will.
    [Lynna] Criz... you're pathetic, you know that?
    [Will] R-right!
    *Jozeph grabs Finn and sets him upright on his chair...
    * Audrey hugs Will.
    [Audrey] Thank you! You're so thoughtful...
    [Criz] Lynna... you're a man... you know that?
    [Lynna] Oh am I?
    [Jozeph] Criz?
    [Finn] Owwwww, what are you doing?
    * Criz looks at the man.
    [Storyteller] He pulls Criz upright and looks at him.
    * Lynna blinks.
    [Criz] What do you want Joz... I mean... what?
    * Will blushes nervously
    [Audrey] Don't be nervous. :)
    [Jozeph] Criz Breez'n?
    * Criz doesn't know what to say or do.
    [Will] H-he he... ah... well...
    [Criz] Yeah, that's me...
    * Salah walks over to Audrey.
    [Salah] Hey, you got soap?
    [Miriamele] You should get some sleep, Will. You're turning red in front of Audrey. ^_^;
    [Jozeph] Well, fuck man... When'd you come back?
    * Criz begins to look around nervously.
    * Finn blinks sporadically, threatening to pass out.
    [Audrey] ^_^ Miri's got the soap.
    [Will] R-right... I'm not hungry, so... um... I'll go to bed...
    [Criz] Oh... heh! Well, I just got in not that long ago.
    * Will stands up, leaving his plate intact.
    [Miriamele] That's right. ^_^
    * Salah hears a sudden thud, and turns around to see Finn has fallen out of his stool and onto the ground.
    [Storyteller] Jozeph, FYI, is a house of a man... He's at least a person and a half wide. He sets Criz down on a bar stool.
    * Lynna eyes Criz.
    [Criz] Heh. So you were from here after all, hero boy.
    * Lamont looks innocently around at all the happenings.
    [Salah] Great! Now we can go back to the springs. ^_^
    * Finn lies flat on the floor, groaning.
    * Will takes up his backpack and hurries over to his room.
    [Jozeph] Hey, ma! Get Betzy to go tell the elders that Criz is back to visit.
    [Criz] So... Joz man, how has life been treating you? I really can't stay that long... just came for a quick, very quick visit.
    [Criz] No, NO!
    * Salah rushes over to Finn.
    [Criz] It's ok... you don't have to!
    [Salah] Come on Finn, I think you need a nap.
    [Finn] I think you are very right.
    [Jozeph] Why not? I'm sure they'd be glad to see you. Ya' know... You've been gone a while.
    * Miriamele pokes at Finn.
    [Miriamele] You with us, Finn? The floor in your room is a better place to have a sleep, you know.
    * Salah tries pulling Finn up with her very feeble strength.
    [Lamont] What in the world have I gotten myself into...
    [Criz] Ya, I know, but still can't we just keep this between you and I?
    [Jozeph] No can do.
    * Finn hauls himself into an upright position...
    [Salah] C-can some help me?
    [Criz] You know... don't want everyone to know I'm here. I do have company with me and all.
    [Lynna] What Criz... you got something to hide after all?

    Upstairs

    * Audrey smiles, taking up a hot plate of food, that was supposed to be Wills. She knocks quietly on his door.
    * Will goes over to open the door.
    [Audrey] Hi Will. You forgot this.
    * Audrey smiles and hands him his food. ^_^
    [Will] Hel- uh? ^^; Oh... um...
    [Audrey] You've got to eat! You've hardly eat anything. :/ I'm afraid you'll get sick... and I don't want to see you...
    * Audrey looks down...
    [Will] I-I'm sorry... I just don't like...
    [Audrey] I know... I know...
    * Will coughs.
    [Audrey] But everyone's got to eat. If you want... I can bring your food upstairs to your room from now on... if eating with the others makes you uncomfortable...
    [Will] ...
    [Audrey] If you don't eat... I'll have to feed you myself! ^_^
    [Will] Wh-what... ? ^^;
    * Audrey puts her hands on his hips in a mock gesture. ^_^
    [Will] Er... ah... well... I suppose...
    [Audrey] I'll do silly little games like how my mom used to feed me! You know, I used to be picky when I was little...
    [Will] ... well... ^^;;
    [Audrey] She would take the spoon... and wave it around, and go. "Look Auds! Here comes Nall flying into his cave! Open the cave door wide!"
    [Audrey] ... You don't want me to do that. ^_^;
    * Audrey giggles.
    [Will] D-don't worry... I... um... I can manage... I guess. ^^;
    [Audrey] Great. ^_^
    [Will] R-right... ^_^;
    * Audrey picks up the plate and puts it in Will's hands.
    * Will takes the plate.
    [Audrey] ^_^ Happy eating then.
    [Audrey] Good Night Will. Pleasant dreams...
    [Will] Th-thank you... for... bringing it up here...
    [Audrey] It's no problem... :)
    [Will] Good night. =)
    * Audrey smiles and stares at Will for a moment... then waves good night and heads down the stairs to deal with drunk and drunker.
    * Will closes the door, and looks at his plate desolately.

    Downstairs

    * Lamont looks around at the madness.
    [Jozeph] Come on... Criz... Besides, Drazir's daughter wants to see you. She misses you.
    * Audrey comes down the stairs, smiling. ^_^
    [Criz] She... does?
    *Jozeph grabs Criz by the arm and drags him out the door.
    [Lynna] Hmm...
    [Salah] Criz... ? Lynna, what's going on?
    [Lamont] I feel soooo left out right now...
    [Audrey] Hmm?
    * Lynna watches Criz going, and follows behind.
    [Lynna] I'm going to find out... stay here Salah...
    [Audrey] ... You know...
    [Salah] Umm, okay.
    [Audrey] Not me! ^_-
    * Lynna gestures a bit and suddenly she seems to fade into the shadows of the room.

    Baroton

    [Jozeph] Yeah... You couldn't tell? She's sorta sweet on you.
    [Criz] Well... no I never could tell. All the girls were like that with me.
    [Storyteller] Jozeph laughs...
    [Criz] How has she been? Last I remember her, she didn't even grow out of her training bra.
    * Lynna slowly pursues the two, keeping her footfalls light and breath shallow.
    [Jozeph] Ouch... That's harsh... Anyway, she's pretty good... Sort of lonely since her dad died and you left. Really, everything's good. They discovered a new vein of iron east of town.
    [Jozeph] Lots of people took up blacksmithing. We've got a huge forge out that way.
    [Criz] Yeah I know, I heard basically as soon as I entered. So the town has been in good shape, then.
    [Jozeph] Betzy hanging out near the town entrance again? Oh yeah... Fantastic. Although we've heard some rumblin's about the Vile Tribe. Haven't seen anything here though.
    [Criz] Thank the goddess... last thing you want are the Vile.
    [Jozeph] Well, we're better prepared now...
    [Criz] Not... not like the last time...
    [Storyteller] That's something you notice. Here and there, scattered about, are guards wearing full plate armor.
    [Jozeph] (Softly) Yeah... exactly... Sorry for bringing it up.
    [Criz] Don't worry about it. (looking around) And I can definitely tell that this town has guards that you don't want to fuck with.
    [Lynna] .oO( Last time, eh? I wonder if it involves those burns... )
    [Jozeph] Anyway... Here's the Elder's house. Jazmine still lives here, even though her dad is gone. New elder took her in, sorta like Ole' Draz took you.
    * Criz smiles.
    [Criz] Yeah, sorta like that.
    [Jozeph] Come on back to mom's when you're done. We'll set you up with a room for free.
    [Criz] Well thanks Jozeph, it was nice seeing you again. I'll make sure I say bye, but right now I got myself a little reunion. =)
    [Jozeph] Sure thing. Later, Criz.
    *Jozeph heads back.
    * Criz looks at the house as he looks back and waves goodbye.
    [Criz] Well, here goes nothing...
    * Criz knocks on the door.
    * Lynna continues to hover near Criz, wondering if she should continue.
    [Storyteller] The door swings open a bit...
    [Female Voice] (soft) Hello?
    [Criz] Ummm hello... I'm here to see Jazmine. I'm Criz... Criz Breez'n. An old friend of hers.
    [Female Voice] She's um... not here.
    * Criz puts his head down.
    [Criz] Oh... ok, well can you tell her I stopped by?
    [Female Voice] Um... yeah... I'll do that.
    [Criz] Thank you.
    * Criz turns around as he appears sad.
    [Female Voice]Bye-bye.

    Inside the Elder's House

    [Storyteller] The door clicks shut.
    * Jazmine turns and leans back. She slides down the door to sit on the floor.
    [Jazmine]Oh where, did he come back from... and why?

    Bed and Bath (And Breakfast and Bar, to Boot!), Baroton

    * Lamont continues drawing.
    [Salah] Did anyone see where Maddy went to?
    [Storyteller] Everybody eventually makes it up to their rooms.
    * Lamont is in... a room... drawin'.
    * Audrey is in her room by TPTB.
    [Storyteller] The rooms here are sort of small, with only a single bed, so everybody gets their own.
    * Finn is happily passed out.
    * Criz sitting on his bed, his face covered by his hands. He stays there... thinking of Jazmine.
    * Lynna makes her way back to her room undetected, mulling over some things she's seen.

    Later that evening...

    * Salah walks down the hall looking for Maddy. She pulls out the picture once more.
    [Salah] It has to be her, it just has to.
    * Maddy steps out of her room, now wearing a silvery grey short nightgown... She stretches, yawns and heads towards the stairs.
    [Salah] Madeline?
    [Maddy] Hmm... Oh... *yawn* What's up?
    * Salah nervously hands her the picture.
    [Maddy] What's this?
    * Maddy takes it.
    [Salah] Do, do you recognize this? That man?
    [Maddy] I... *yawn* is this some kind of joke? Pencil boy put you up to this?
    [Salah] No! Please, tell me. Tell me you recognize him.
    [Maddy] Sorry... I don't have a clue.
    [Salah] He's standing next to you. He's, he's your brother. Our... brother.
    [Maddy] Not possible, honey... I'm an only child.
    [Salah] I had a family... But, but I learned that they weren't my real family. You, you are my sister. Madeline Tirulian. I-I have no doubt.
    [Maddy] Listen honey... From your friends carryin' blades and all, I can tell you've been through a lot. But I'm not your sister. I can't be. My mom died in childbirth. I can understand where you're comin' fro m... But I'm not the gal in that picture. I'm sorry.
    [Salah] Can you... feel thoughts and emotions?
    [Maddy] Listen, honey... I'm tired... I'm gonna go downstairs and get a glass of milk, then I'm goin' to bed.
    * Maddy slips around Salah and heads downstairs.

    Meanwhile...

    * Lynna, still invisible, knocks on Criz's door...
    * Criz, not hearing the knock, continues to undress. He is only in his boxers, thinking his door is shut and locked.
    * Lynna reaches for the knob and turns it, swinging the door open slowly.
    [Criz] Wha... WHAT? I heard that...
    [Lynna] What... scared of ghosts Criz? Like the past?
    * Lynna materializes in front of him.
    * Criz quickly runs to cover himself.
    * Lynna looks all smug for a moment, running her eyes over his body before he can get fully clothed.
    [Lynna] I knew it...
    [Criz] I don't know what you are talking about Lynna, but I would suggest you exit.
    [Criz] You knew what?
    * Criz starts to put his clothes back on.
    [Lynna] Those burns... they're all over your body... And that Jozeph talked about something in the past that happened.
    [Criz] *Softly* My... burns... *loudly* WHAT ABOUT THEM? And you don't have to worry about MY past, you have your own to worry about. Let me just stay the way I am to all of you, the wild and crazy Criz you all disli ke. None of you want to know, the real me.
    [Lynna] Hah... You're just like me, Criz...
    * Lynna smiles.
    [Lynna] You never show people the true you, even if you don't know it yourself... Like what if I did this... ?
    [Criz] Did what?
    * Lynna waves a hand and Criz's skin fades to a perfectly normal unblemished state.
    [Lynna] Would it change anything for you?
    * Criz is shocked.
    [Criz] How... how did you do that?
    * Lynna shrugs.
    [Lynna] I'm an illusionist, Criz...
    * Criz runs to the mirror.
    [Criz] Do you mean I'm cured?
    * Lynna shakes her head.
    [Lynna] It's just one more comforting mask to hide from the world...
    [Criz] I... I haven't seen my real body in... in years! Ever since... ever since *softly* the raid... and... the fire.
    [Lynna] Well, that much is obvious. How did you get so burnt... you make my mother's pot roast look rare.
    [Criz] It goes back a long way Lynna... When I was a child, our town got raided by monsters. Maybe Vile, maybe not. My house caught on fire, while my sister... (begins to tear) my sister... trapped inside.
    [Lynna] Spare me the detail Criz... perhaps it's better I don't know everything. No, it's too late now. Now you have to know.
    * Lynna sighs.
    [Lynna] So you lost her I'd guess...
    [Criz] No! I went to her room, and some shimmering, winged monster had her in it's arms. He flew away with her, while I stayed and burned.
    [Lynna] Lucky you.
    [Criz] I was lucky Drazir and the others managed to save me when they did. I was lucky that I still had a chance to see her again someday...
    * Lynna folds her arms.
    [Lynna] Always playing the hero... If you want, I could keep up that illusion. At least it would ease the pain. And I sure as hell know how that can feel every day of life.
    * Criz shakes his head in front of the mirror.
    [Criz] No, Lynna! I... I have to keep these scars as a reminder that my sister is still out there, waiting for me. It's the pain I have to bear for failing her once.
    * Lynna walks closer to the mirror and Criz.
    [Lynna] Wow... I've never seen you this serious. You really must have a heart deep down in that thick shell... If it's what you want... fine.
    * Lynna waves a hand, as Criz's skin abruptly shifts back to the scarred surface he knows.
    [Criz] (sigh) It was nice for a minute to be normal again... Thanks Lynna. Thanks for caring.
    * Lynna smirks.
    [Lynna] Yeah, well... don't think I'm going to make a habit out of this. Besides, it was fun to spy on you. ;)
    * Criz groans, and then smiles.
    [Criz] Admit it... you're so obsessed with me you're stalking me now, Lynna. I guess you are a girl after all! =)
    * Lynna rolls her eyes.
    [Lynna] Sometimes I wonder why I bother...
    * Lynna exits without another word.

    Last Modified: Sunday, 17-Sep-2006 21:10:57 CDT
    http://www.privateworks.com/sft/logs/chapter13.shtml