Session Start: Wed Sep 08 18:53:23 2010 <@Ked> [Saturday, around 1800] <@Ked> [The Zone 4 beach, with a nice sunset and some nonplussed snowflakes.] <@Ked> [mini start] * LordCharybdis is still all squidboy-like. He'd had a difficult time waddling down to the beach from the car, having left his water column behind. Tentacles aren't really great for walking on, it turns out. Fortunately, now, he's managed to pull some of the water from the shore up to himself, creating a new column in which to bob. He still looks kind-of menacing in the shadows cast by the sunset, what with the black trident and om * Jaimie has already de-transed. She's sitting on the beach, picking up handfuls of sand and watching it run back out between her fingers. * LordWind is juggling - sort of - a hand-sized stress bag, catching it and tossing it and catching it and tossing it all without actually touching it. He's dropped it a few times already. He himself looks pensive, and tense, but still approachable. * Farah is de-transed as well, and still looks so, so shell-shocked by it all. It's been a whirlwind, and everything about her expression says she's still dizzy. * LordCharybdis settles his column into more of a blob of water, putting him more at normal height. Well, not his normal height; he likes being tall enough to look the juniors in the eye. "You doing okay, Farah? Kind of a rush, isn't it?" he asks, trying to grin cheerfully but coming across a bit diffidently. You look so freaky like that. * Farah doesn't look disgusted as she states this, thankfully. * LordCharybdis grimaces. "...sorry." I would probably feel freaky, if I really thought about it. No, no, don't be. You didn't choose it, the Magic did. Screwed me over right proper, so I can understand.... sorta, I guess. * LordCharybdis holds up a couple tentacles, eyeing them almost suspiciously. You didn't seem too happy about how you looked yourself. ...screwed you over? I thought you looked pretty cool. I looked like some frilly *girl*. * LordCharybdis blinks. "You *are* a girl. ...aren't you?" Correction. *he grins* You looked like a really hot girl. Flattery will get you nowhere before two drinks. * Jaimie glances over at Farah, half-smiling. "At least you don't turn into a pile of bugs." I've got a few gallons of drink here, but it probably tastes fishy now. *gestures jokingly at his water column* * Farah rolls her eyes. "Just don't like skirts. At all. And it's so damned short! And, like... ugh. Well, bugs are cool, so I can work with that." But still, it happened. I'm a Lady. Ain't that a bitch and a half. The parents are going to flip. If it really bugs you, there's, uh, some outfit stuff you can do once you get used to it more. * Jaimie manages a grin. * LordCharybdis blinks. "There is? Like what?" * LordCharybdis looks down at himself. His transformation comes with no clothes at all, but has a mercifully PG lower half. He's in his magical birthday suit. * Jaimie also looks over in interest, then eyes Charybdis. "Can you change a costume if you don't have one?" I have no idea how that will work with you, Char. ... you are anatomically correct down there, I take it? I always wondered about that. * LordCharybdis's whole pale grey upper torso takes on a dark grey to purplish hue. What. It's an honest question. Ladies seem so... doll-like, y'know? Uh, always? *gulps* I...I'm not even sure how to answer it. ^^; I mean, these *holds up tentacles again* are -part- of me. * Jaimie shrugs. "You could ask Lady Neko. She got a good look at you." Moreso than this is, anyway. *holds out the trident* Well, I guess so then. Anyway... yeah. I mean... it's all kind of unreal. Hell, those little bastards burned me to hell, and it *hurt*. But it didn't hurt-hurt, you know? * LordWind drops the stress ball again, not quite catching it. "Dammit!" * LordCharybdis cringes, turning darker purple in the cheeks at Jaimie's observation. ... eh? Something I miss, Jaime? * LordCharybdis shakes his head. "I don't, no. I haven't been hurt yet like this." I guess... I knew I could take it. It's weird, all these instincts. The name, the powers... crystal. Freakin' crystal. Could tear someone up with that. * Jaimie grins a bit at Charybdis's reaction. "Yeah. Everyone was really surprised at the way Charybdis looked, so Lady Neko came and examined him. She turned into a kitten and crawled all over him." * LordCharybdis nods. Yeah. I know mine are.... softer. * LordCharybdis squirms. It's kind-of adorable, really. If you can get past the creepy oceanic form. But yours, I'd expect them to be very sharp, or very hard. * Farah nods, then pauses as she looks at her foot. ".. it kinda looks like flake quartz, when I think about it. I got a polished chunk in my room. Kind of a nightlight." Maybe both. Your what are softer? My powers. Oh. Mine're weird. * Jaimie hehs. "Mine are kind of weird." * Jaimie hehs again. "Yeah." ...and the twins don't like me. I'm not sure why. Shimatama's friendly enough. Well... wind, fish-bits, and... bugs, right? So that leaves creepy animal that gives me nightmares. Huh? Spitterwing? * Jaimie blinks. "What, Spitterwing?" Mmmm. She's not that scary. * Farah frowns. "Just don't... ugh. I know enough about 'em. Pops tells me they use some of their spit-stuff for mining purposes." I *can* detrans if it'll make people more comfortable. Just don't laugh. I'm never sure how much of my clothes survived the transformation. Huh. I didn't know that. No, no, I bet she's cool... mean the actual thing itself. Oh, we don't care, Sei. * LordCharybdis nods. If you stay transed, I mean. Or not. Whatever. Do what you feel. I'm just gonna stay confused and hopped-up on myself for a while. I'm gonna need to figure some way to deal with that, though. Clothes aren't cheap. ...you could strip and leave your clothes in a safe place. ...I guess. That takes time, though. But yeah. When I know I'm gonna have to do it... Heh! It does... guess you should talk to the Ladies, see if there's anything they can do. Jaimie, can you store some spare clothes in your, uh, space? * LordCharybdis nods. "...meh, may as well see what the damage is. Can always switch back if it's too embarrassing." * Jaimie nods. "That's a good idea, too...um...I can, but I can't stow my rod if there's anything else in there." Oh. Scratch that, then. * Farah flops onto her back and exhales. "Don't worry, I won't laugh or anything. We're... uh... Magic buddies now. Or something." Funny how that worked out. * LordCharybdis holds his trident up, and his water column envelopes him. It glows with an eerie gold-black light, silhouetting him as his tentacles turn back into human boy-legs. His head bursts from the surface and he gasps for air, and then the water falls away, leaving him barely decent with his pants shredded, and a tattered remnant of his shirt hanging from his arms. He's actually surprisingly dry. * LordCharybdis is now known as SeiMurdon Acne mistaking you for a Lady? Well, there's a saying as old as fukus. There's no such thing as coincidences. * SeiMurdon is holding his black folding fan, now, though, instead of that trident. It and his EI wristband seem to survive just fine. Welcome back, Sei. And... heh. I need to remember that. Remember what? *steps out of the wet sand; his shoes are somewhat intact, but his socks are gone* The saying. Oh. I guess. * Jaimie grins at Sei. "Good enough. I'd throw you a blanket if I had one. Sorry 'bout that." * Farah looks down, and then idly does a few situps. "So... man, what now. I came here expecting to get a nice education, then to ship on back to Escalator. Shit, it's all changed on me..." * SeiMurdon shivers a bit. "No, not your fault. ...I just wish I knew why my water had to SHRED it when I transform!" He gestures at his lack-of-clothes with his fan. "I mean, all the other Ladies get their clothes back, right?" he demands, looking defiantly at the others. His clothes seem to have reformed, somehow. Back to normal. ... Hey. Uh. Sei's EI. Yes? *appearing on Sei's head* * Jaimie shrugs. "You still get a nice education. You just get...some other things, too." Like the power to beat up flying burning peeps, get set on fire and live to see another day? It might be a good idea to arrange to have some of Sei's spare uniforms stowed at the checkpoint * Jaimie is fully clothed, yes. Still wearing the worn skirt and shirt and boots she put on this morning. * SeiMurdon folds his arms, still not having noticed his clothes sudden restoration. Hantsuki smirks. "Sure, that can be arranged." Oh, and get soaked. Can't forget that part. That's all. Yep! Oh, and Sei? You might wanna... nah. Sorry about that, Farah... I didn't think it'd make it worse. Might wanna what? ... * Farah smirks and does a few more situps. "Well, I know what being flash- steamed feels like. It sucks, don't like it." ... delayed effect? Your clothes are back. They wha? *looks down* ...how? They didn't do that before? My last two sets stayed ruined! I had to throw them out! * LordWind makes some ominous, wiggly fingers. "Maaaagic." Huh. Maybe you're adjusting fast. It's magic. It doesn't have to make sense, I guess. * Jaimie grins. "High motivation." ... skirt. *Ugh*. I like the skirt. So does Crystals fanclub. I *liked* that shirt, too! It had a neat conch shell from earth on the front! *points the fan at his shirt's blank front to show where; the shirt shifts to the one he was wearing the first time he transformed* Wait what I have a fanclub what how WHAT. Crystal doesn't have a fanclub yet. It's a question of when, not if. Well, you'll get one, I think. ...I'm not sure what I think of Charybdis's. * Farah is confused enough to miss Sei's amazing trick. The thought of having fans seems to have stunned her a little. And the when isn't very far off. Though who knows, you might soon. Probably enough people saw you today. * Jaimie pauses to contemplate this, looking suddenly a little boggled herself. Ten to one Sado'll have figured out that there's no Lady on record matching Crystal's powers and description by the time he's back on campus. Okay, true, fine. I guess it's inevitable. I'll have people fawning over and lusting after my magical self. It's... I'll admit, it's a bit hot and bit creepy. So it'll be all over the school by this evening. ...that means I will, too. Weird. Although at least I know Unicorn won't make any moves on me, if the rumors are right. I... think. I'll tell you what's creepy. Ladies older than my mom looking at me like a rare commodity. ...nobody's gonna lust after mine. Thank goodness. *sounds half- relieved, half-embarrassed, half-disappointed. Yes, three halves* ...wait, what? *looks at Wind* Ahahahah! Well, most of the Ladies are old, and like I said... I bet being young-ish all that time gets their motors running hard. * Jaimie boggles more at Wind's comment. "That is really weird." That, and I guess being so old skews what's fair game. * SeiMurdon hides behind his open fan. * LordWind tosses the stress ball to Farah. "So do you play any sports besides domestic violence?" * Jaimie has clearly not thought out all the implications of this Lady business. It's a mess, and I guess we'll get some direct lessons. Well, that's what our schedules get shuffled around for. * Farah catches it with a chuckle. "... I tried soccer. I was bad at it." Real bad. Too bad. And it's not domestic violence, it's kicking people or things what deserve to be kicked. * SeiMurdon goes back to looking at his pants. Then his shirt. Kind of awed it's not shredded. Then he blinks. "Wait, this is...how'd I get this shirt back?" I dunno... wait, how did you get that shirt back? I always wanted to do sports, but we were always too busy in the growing season, and we were so far out there weren't enough people around to play outside of the growing season. This one got shredded that first time. With Tiny. * Jaimie blinks. "Maybe they'll all come back eventually?" But I wasn't wearing it today. I had on that black one with the green collar. *gestures with the fan to show where the collar was, and the shirt shifts to it again* * LordWind chuckles. "Fighting for self defense just means you didn't trump them fast enough." * SeiMurdon blinks. "...uh..." I'm going to stop that, now. I hope. Er. What was that about fighting? ... I like to punch things? Oh. Like I said the other day when we were talking at the ice cream place, I do a little kendo. Not the same as using a trident, though. Yeah, you should see my pops. Taught me everything I know, and he's huge. Old, but huge. Great hugs, but you feel like he was trying to crush you for a second. I bet. Wait, what do you know? Uh? Me? Yeah. That your dad taught you. Sorry, I didn't hear about that. She's a martial artist! *chiming in* * LordWind grins. "Superior methods of domestic violence." * Farah perks up. "Oh! Yeah... muay thai. Well, as close to it as we can get nowadays. Traditions hold and all, but the War really messed Thailand up. They lost a lot of professionals." Huh. Wow. Pops used to fight for purses back on E... on Earth, and he teaches now and then back home. Got a gym and everything. * Farah smiles proudly. "Best damn gym on Snowflake." If I get stood up again, I might stop by. * Jaimie smiles in return, then looks confused. "Stood up for what?" Date? * LordWind's smile dims for a moment, then it shifts to a more solemn one. "Yeah." Or I might opt for tradition and eat my body weight in ice cream. Ugh. That sucks. Who in the hell would leave a Lord hanging? Or was this before the change? * LordWind laughs, softly. ... bleh, that's too much fucking ice cream, I'm sorry. Makes my teeth ache. * Jaimie makes a face. "Neither sounds great to me. I mean, gyms are great, but so far I don't like fighting as much." * SeiMurdon isn't sure how to answer Lord Wind's problem. "I've never gone on a date..." he says quietly. Not a complaint or mournfully, but...uncertainly. Dates are fun. Maybe I'll ask somebody for one of these weekends. *nods firmly* * Farah sits up. "Hang out with someone you like, have a good time. And you're a well-off kid, someone'll likely be happy to hang out with you." Yeah. I met her before... this. *he gestures to himself* And now I hardly see her. I tried to get her into this school with me, but it didn't swing. ...oh. I'm sorry, Wind. You talk to her, still? Heh. I left a good friend behind. I wonder if I should tell him about the change or not. Prolly not, keeping a secret around miners is fucking impossible. * LordWind flicks his EI. Depends on what you care about more. Your friends or your privacy. * Jaimie furrows her brows. "Well, there wasn't much choice for you." * LordWind grins. "For better or worse. Might as well roll with it." But I didn't tell anyone except my parents. Yeah. ...I'm glad I don't have to tell anybody. I'm not sure I want Dad to know. Even if I don't tell him, he'll figure it out, Murdon. * Jaimie gives Sei a surprised look. "Why not?" * SeiMurdon squirms. "I know. But...he'll worry. Or something." I gotta let my parents know. Candy could keep a secret, but... mn. Dad's probably already heard from Lady Hammer, anyway. I just don't want him worrying about it. Candy? Candace. My... here. Oh? * Farah tugs her EI free and calls up a family holopicture: herself, the towering mideastern man likely her father, a cocoa-skinned woman with some heft to her, a pudgy caucasian woman, and... a smaller version of Farah, only with really long hair and a big smile. Little sister? Yep. That's really gotta suck. I miss her a bit, yeah. I bet she misses her big brother, too. Yes, it's a joke. How old is she? Ten, my good fishy friend. * Farah sighs. "Leaving was pretty rough. A lot of goodbyes to say, a lotta places to visit before I shipped here. I'd never really left my corner of Escalator, so it was kind of a rough day." What's it like, having a little sister? What about you, Jaimie? Sei? Anyone you're thinking about that's not here? * SeiMurdon shakes his head. "Just Dad, a little. But...I haven't even written him an enote since I got here. I probably should." * Jaimie looks a bit wistful. "I don't have any brothers or sisters. My parents wanted more kids, but..." She trails off. "I do miss my mom and dad. And Devin." * LordWind looks back at Farah. "From what I hear, you never needed to leave your corner, because everyone came to your corner." Had a few friends back in middle school, but none really close. Certainly none I'd tell about...this. *gestures with his fan at himself; nothing changes this time* Who's Devin? Having a sister is great when she's all smiles and cookies for no good reason and help with chores. She's the little smartmouth when she's snitching on you for breaking curfew or covering your face with peepmouse stickers when you're asleep. My friend. He lives a couple miles away. When we have enough time, we get together and hang out. And heh! I guess... Snowflake's like that, I guess. Nice and tight-knit. * Jaimie laughs a little at the stickers. * LordWind snickers a little. * SeiMurdon snickers. "Peepmouse stickers? Really?" Well, she's ten. And peepmice are cute. She just wanted to see the look on my face. * Jaimie chuckles. "I bet it was worth it." * SeiMurdon snickers some more, "Yeah." So, Devin's like, a boy friend, or just a friend who's a boy? * Farah smiles a bit... then sighs. "Yeah. Shit, miss her. But... is being a Lady going to mess with that? Y'know, my family?" I don't think it will. ...dunno. Dad's so old...it probably won't matter really. And he knows some Ladies from when he was in the exploration force. * Jaimie shrugs. "Other Ladies seem to have families, no problem." It'll just make us busier. Betcha Candice'll be jealous, though. * Farah seems to be thinking about it more, and her expression says she doesn't like the prospects... although mention of Candace makes her chortle. She'd point and laugh at the skirt. You're going to have to feminize someday. Might as well roll with it. Why does she have to feminize ever? Fuck that. Pants forever. I got the parts and they work, that's feminine enough. * LordWind laughs. Heh. Your clothes, your life, you do what you want with them. Even your costume, once you learn how. I mean, I like the style. I'm still female, and I'm not looking for therapy or anything. Just... it's just me, y'know? Still don't have that trick down, yet. And, as a Lady, you're going to have to be a leader, like most women. Can't be boyish and irresponsible. * Jaimie nods. "Yeah. Not all of us are Tasi." She grins. No, not all of us. Good god, they're immense. Ziiiing. * SeiMurdon blushes when he realizes what they're talking about. Uh. That's not really what I meant. I meant her clothes. But, uh, that too I guess. * SeiMurdon actually is *quite* adorable, in a boy-trying-to-be-a-man sort of way, in his human form. Especially when he blushes. Look, some defining features just leap out at you. I will admit, I don't quite get her style, though... it's unique, I'll say that. Very colorful. * Jaimie grins. "She likes to be creative, I guess." I think it looks good. *sweatdrop* Not saying it's bad, just not my cuppa. * SeiMurdon nods. Me, I don't care. As long as it's comfortable and lets me move, I'll stick to the simple things. * LordWind snaps his fingers. The wind subdues, as He goes back to being just he. * LordWind is now known as John Comfy is good, yeah. And you can do a cartwheel in it. * Jaimie grins. Now you're just bragging. Wait, cartwheels? It's weird. I wore a lot of looser clothes back home. Dad went for old-fashioned traditional while farming. It...actually was really comfortable, but dressing in modern clothes is definitely less awkward. Sometimes miss the straw hats in the sun, though. *taps head with fan; conical hat appears* Cartwheel in what? Am not. Farah can do muay thai. Lots of people can do cartwheels. My clothes. Whatever I'm wearing. * Jaimie stares at Sei. "Um...Sei? Did you do that on purpose?" Oh. I'm actually pretty good at them. Was in the top 5 in my gym class in middle school! --do what? You have a hat. .... hat. A straw hat. * SeiMurdon reaches up and takes it off. "...when did--?" ... can I see that fan? ...I guess. *hands it over* * John looks it over, inspecting the sides of it, then taps Sei on the head with the fan. Just...be careful? I think I need it to transform. And it's metal, but it's old. --hey! Oh, you'll be fine. * Farah smirks. "What's a few bruises between friends?" Shush. I'm performing scientific experiments. * John then taps himself on the head. * Jaimie does not bother smothering her laugh. * Farah just shakes her head, all smiles. * SeiMurdon's fan is metal-ribbed with black silk between the folding ribs. It has a hard-to-make-out pattern involving some sort of animals beneath a purple circle on one side. * John suddenly has a bandana on his head! Wow! Neat! ...it can change what anyone's wearing? ... one more experiment. Well, looks like it... works on its own. That's.... what. I don't know. At all. Wow. * John taps Farah with it, changing her pants to a not-indecent skirt, then skips back. ...uh oh. * SeiMurdon backs away from the Muay Thai artist. ... Aw, leave her alone already, will you John? * Farah looks down, then up at John. "What." She doesn't like skirts. Leave it. * John tosses the fan to Farah. "Give it a try." * Farah catches it and looks at the fan before giving the skirt a hesitant tap. Her same ol' cargo pants come back. "Not feeling adventurous." So, uh, your fan is magic. Is that normal? For transformation objects to do things like that? ...yeah, it seems so... Maybe it's magic, instead of me, after all... It'd have to be both. I doubt if we waved it over Sadao or someone he'd turn into a Lord. Does your staff do anything besides be magically heavy? * Farah hands the fan back. "John, you're lucky that I like you." ... well, I wouldn't have hit you or anything. * SeiMurdon takes it, and folds it, and turns it over like he's seeing it for the first time. I don't think so. Actually, I don't think it's magically heavy, either. I think whatever it's made of is just heavy. Are you super-strong, then? Yeah. * SeiMurdon snaps it open, and draws it across his face; he's in a formal men's kimono. "...okay, this is really cool." I've never tried to find my limit, though. My parents didn't want me breaking the farm equipment. I don't have to worry about my clothes when I transform! *just realized this* * Jaimie grins. "Or my back." Your back'll heal. Yeah, but my parents still don't want me to break it. I need to learn more about what I can do now... aside from heal and kick things. * Jaimie glances at Farah. "Training'll help with that, probably." You will. They've got some sort of curriculum planned. I'm kinda nervous, really. Especially since I seem to bother some of the Ladies. Yeah, pretty much... * Farah pauses. "I'm a Lady now. Madness." Yeah. Weird, isn't it? You get used to it. Well, 'specially weird for her and me. I just hope I don't get any creepy stalkers. Unless they're cute. And don't mind doing stuff for me. * Farah grins impishly. I mean, what with...politics. You know. ...Are cute and helpful stalkers really creepy? Or stalkers? * Jaimie blinks as she registers the rest of what Sei said. "Why would politics make being a Lord weird for you? " Point. Although most of the people at school are kind of rich. And I kinda don't wanna get into politics. Not smart enough or slick enough for that. * Jaimie shakes her head. "Me neither." Hope I can avoid it... * SeiMurdon ducks his head. "I don't really like that Ladies are the only ones in charge. So it's weird that I am one, now. Kind of...there's a word for it." He trails off, and Hantsuki helpfully offers, "'Hypocritical?'" They're not the only one in charge. They're the biggest ones in charge, though. There's only so many Ladies. There are other people who do things, and have swing. But...Duchess Football has done okay. ...sorry. I shouldn't've mentioned it. They tend to be all top-down, but... it takes more than them. But ... Duchess Football may have done 'okay,' but what if she doesn't, always? Or the next one doesn't? There's no way to take it back if they go power-mad. I know Dad'd turn on them if they tried to take his land or make him do stuff he doesn't want to. He never says anything but...he's REAL independent, and...I respect him for it. You know? And it's not right that people have to feel like they have to be violent to be heard. To have a say. We should all have a say, 'cause we all live here. True. It's always been a team effort from the start... There's the proposals. * SeiMurdon sounds stubborn and shy saying this, but is not really able to stop himself. "So? Those just mean the Ladies know what we want. If they don't care, they're meaningless." Why shouldn't people get a say just 'cause they don't have magic? *taps his fan on his thigh, and is suddenly in his normal clothes again* I mean, magic's real neat! I'm not complaining 'bout having it! ...you know? It's because the biggest trap for power is responsibility. Huh? * Jaimie is also baffled. Imagine if the Ladies weren't in charge. But... they're still there. Amazing power, but what to do with them, right? They have their own agendas, and nobodies going to get along... exactly. As is... The Ladies get caught up, and trained to be leaders, and responsible ones, no less. Power and government unified. But in the wrong way. * Jaimie looks as if all this is hurting her head. There's grievances, for sure, but there's many more wrong ways to do it. ...sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. Just 'cause something could be more wrong doesn't mean it can't be more right. But... But if you can't come up with a better model, don't be so quick to smash the current one. Well, it's weird that now I'll have a say in it when I want to make it so that we're not the only ones with say. ...I guess I can do that, though. So... And, Sei? Talk about it. This is something we're going to deal with, whether we like it or not. It was done before we existed. It can be done again. It's going to pass to us. We can pass it back on, and try and shuck the yoke, but we can also pull it. * SeiMurdon nods. He is either going to shrivel up or blossom in this, and it looks like he's not sure which. This goes for all of us here, and Tasiya, too. Like hell they're going to take it back. Football isn't long for here, and she's going to leave a mess no one wants to deal with. So. But it'll have to be dealt with. What if the Hierarchy transitions the planet to us? ... shit, this is going to suck either way. And then we give it to the SDS? We could. ...then we can start letting everyone have a voice. Without violence, I hope. We who? We Snowflakes? Yeah. Us. * Jaimie boggles. "We haven't even finished high school. How could someone entrust an entire planet to us?" It's not going to happen tomorrow. I couldn't do right by that kind of responsibility. But... I don't see any other Ladies stepping up in any permanent spot after Football passes on. But Farah's right. Duchess Football might be gone soon, before we're ready. Maybe as a retainer, or counselor. But that spot will fall to one of us. ... we do need to think about it. But don't forget right now. The Queen could send someone from Earth. * Farah frowns. "Something else is happening. With the silverdarts and the peepmice and all." * John nods. The silverdarts. * Jaimie frowns more, redirected onto another anxious topic. Maybe Acne's right. Maybe Snowflake's fighting back. I think the silverdarts are boosting the peepmice. I'm not sure. Why fighting? Both times the peepmice lit up, there was a different, but similar magic ping to the peepmice. And it feels like the silverdart that showed up at the speech. * Jaimie looks like she's getting mental whiplash. I didn't feel anything from the silverdarts. You hadn't Become yet, though. Yeah. I'm a bit more sensitive than the rest of you, I think. Or maybe mine doesn't turn off when I'm just me. * Jaimie nods. She's starting to pick up handfuls of sand again. Well, we've seen some of it works even as people. Maybe it depends on how strong it is. * SeiMurdon pokes John with his fan, changing the older boy's shirt into a garish red-and-yellow polka-dot monstrosity. Well... I don't know. It's, like... they showed, and now we're showing, and things are starting to get dangerous. God, those burns hurt. * John looks down, and raises an eyebrow. "... I... uh. I'm speechless." * SeiMurdon tosses him the Tessen. "Sorry, sorry." Cute shirt. * SeiMurdon giggles, not sounding sorry at all. * John laughs, and uses the tessen to change it back into an expensive looking polo. He looks down at himself, then adds a breeze motif to the shirt, and gives it back. ...I wonder if it changes back, eventually, or if it would stay like that forever. Which came first, the Snowflake or the Silverdart? We probably won't know for some time, if ever. The silverdart, unless you Became before they started showing up. I Became when I saw one. Magical silverdarts, though? * Jaimie shrugs. "They could sense Ladies and pass through walls from the beginning, from what I've heard." Sounds magical. Maybe they're always magic? Like the Ningyo? Yeah. * Jaimie shakes her head. "They weren't always magical. It's just the only ones people saw at first were." Oh? * Jaimie nods. "After there was peace, we started meeting non-magical Ningyo. Just like humans. Some of them were magic, some weren't." So... how does that work with Snowflake? Are the silverdarts the magic, and the peeps... the unmagic? Ugh, headache. * Jaimie shakes her head, frowning. "Maybe they'll learn something from the ones we caught." The peeps were empowered. Someone ... something? Championed them. And then left. I don't think that's happened before. * John frowns, and starts tracing something in the air. ... hmm. Maybe? Maybe the silverdarts just carried the magic to the peepmice. Were there silverdarts around either time with the peepmice? They used it, and when they were done, it returned back to the planet? So... messengers? Maybe. It's the same feeling as the one in the speech, though, and they move really, really fast. Next time...let me try with them first. * Jaimie shakes her head. "I didn't see any, but there could've been before we got there." I think I might be able to keep 'em from getting too hostile with everyone else. Yeah...thought that was what we were going to try last time. * Jaimie sighs. Next time, then. Sorry, instinct. * John shakes his head. "In any case, next time I pick it up I'm dropping everything and chasing it right away. I've got to see what it is closer." And... we saved some of them. Not your fault. John and Tasi and Sei all kind of jumped in at once. Yeah, we did. Better than the first time. * John smiles, softly. "Not bad for our second try." * Jaimie hunches, remembering. Yeah. *frowns* I'm sorry I wasn't any help. You kept them from burning the place down. Damage control. That was really important. * SeiMurdon nods. "Thanks. ...I think, maybe, I could probably hold them, next time. There weren't more than I have arms, as Charybdis..." Mmm. You tried, and that's what counts. Still, next time we'll do it right... and I won't get burned and put on a scene. I wasn't indecent, right? Nope. Better than the rest of us, the first time around. No, but you were really hot. *grin* Like I said, flattery. Two drinks. I can arrange that. We're underage. *sticks out his tongue* * Farah snerks. "You, my friend, haven't lived around miners." * Jaimie isn't really paying attention to the banter. * Farah then kippups to her feet and stretches a little. "I'll be heading on along. I've got calls to make... Pops and Moms need to know." Look...I'm gonna go. I wanna...try to think things over. Do what you need to. Oh, I will. And hey, my dorm is your dorm. When I'm cooking, I'll be sure to make extra if anyone stops by. * Jaimie picks herself up and brushes sand from her clothes. ...really? Thanks, Farah! * Jaimie smiles a little at Farah. "Thanks. That's nice of you." If you need help with something, let me know. I'll do whatever I can. * Jaimie nods at everyone. "Good night." She walks off towards the checkpoint in the dark. * SeiMurdon looks at Jaimie as she retreats. "...I don't know why, but I don't want to tell my Dad. I guess...it's like I'm making him go back to work." Eh, it's only proper hospitality. Now-- hey, wait up! * Farah moves to catch up with Jaimie. Can't let her head on by her lonesome! * Jaimie glances back at Farah and half-smiles. "Sorry." ... you dad knows you better than you think. And if he's as connected as you say he is, he might already know. * SeiMurdon nods. "Probably." You want him on your side. Don't alienate him over this. ...you're right. ...I think I'll call him from here. When we're done. I...could use the privacy. If Sado or Nick heard me... *chuckles nervously* How'd your parents take it? I know they found out just like everyone else, probably, but...still. * John makes a Face. "I think I turned into a gold nugget in my dad's eyes. I hope not." My mom's offplanet, though. Back to you, though. Even if your dad already knows, he sounds like he appreciates honesty, and would rather hear it from you. * John shrugs. "Not like you'll be able to keep it from him once your done with this school." * John stands up, reaches, and ruffles Sei's hair with his superior height, grinning. "It's not as fun on the beach anymore without the girls." Yeah. ...and I'm a cad. I just imagined putting them in swimsuits with my fan. That's wrong. *not ENTIRELY sincere* Have fun talking to your dad. I'll see you later. * John checks around for any forgotten belongings, then starts walking for the checkpoint. ...yeah... see ya! And thanks! * SeiMurdon waves. [End mini.]