Session Start: Wed Oct 13 18:18:22 2010 <@Ked> [The Hunt] <@Ked> [Saturday, July 3, 2490, 1220 local time] <@Ked> [The train to Greater Q-City] <@Ked> Friday came and went - the student council election was not postponed despite the... problem in the dorm earlier in the week, and once again there's a snag in the voting. As in somebody hasn't. So no one knows how that's going to come out yet. <@Ked> All the young snowflakes got a message from Lady Acne, of the "I'm sorry, let's try that again" sort. So you've all been invited to a late lunch, this time catered at the city's best hotel. The phrasing of the message makes it not exactly an invitation, perhaps. <@Ked> And then there's the little issue of preparation for tomorrow afternoon's spelunking... <@Ked> So everyone is on the train, though at least it's not crammed quite as full of T3M students as last weekend. The drivetone this afternoon is: opera. <@Ked> [session start] * Masako is parked in the back of the train car, looking intense, and gazing at John. * John is in his usual travelling mode: full headphones that despite being quiet on the outside, the sheer bass vibrations can still be felt if you're too close to him. * Jaimie looks up at the music, surprised again. Then, as usual, she goes back to looking at the new sights outside the window. * SeiMurdon has sat next to Tasiya. He seems to be trying to find a way to open up a conversation, but keeps trailing off with his mouth half-open and no words coming out. * John glances up at Masako every now and then, a generic Friendly Smile up, but there's a bit of awkwardness there, too. * Farah is sitting and looking... relaxed, really. Not too fussy, not too worried. Just relaxed. She's by her lonesome: better to not arouse any suspicions. * Darrell has a gigantic backpack with him today, though it's swinging around as though it were empty. * SeiMurdon speaks quietly, hoping for limited privacy. "So, about tomorrow's...excursion...?" he finally gets out, looking at the pretty girl next to him. * Tasiya is in uniform, set off with bangles on either arm, a long dangly necklace, and a large handbag in blue shot with gold, slung over her shoulder. She's with a couple of her usual group; the rest seem to have skipped today's excursion. * SeiMurdon is definitely not flustered by his hormones. Nope. That's totally not why his dark, native-Snowflake complexion is a bit darker than normal. * Farah looks up for a moment: she's in uniform for once, and has an empty backpack with her as well. Hopefully this time she can do her business without... yeah. * Darrell piles into the seat behind Sei and Tasiya and leans forward. Hey, yeah, I'm going expedition shopping. * Tasiya looks at Sei politely, tilting her head a little. Her friends blink at the interruption, then shrug and move off a little. Lights, some sort of fume masks... * Tasiya darkens a little herself at that, and grins. "Good idea." * John finally gets over the awkwardness; sort of - he sends a text to Masako, "Ready to talk? Promise I won't politicize." He looks up at her, watching for a response. I was just thinking...if we're looking in that ...place... *lowers voice even more* Shouldn't we ask John to come along? I'm worried somebody might need to transform, and...well, if he's with us... * Tasiya 's hair is half down, half up in three ponytails in a vertical line, with the top one half-pulled into a quickie bun. * Masako grimaces at the message, but sighs and tilts her head in invitation. Well, we need to decide now, so I know how many sets of stuff to buy. * Tasiya turns to face Darrell, "accidentally" nudging Sei in the ankle with her heeled boots. Ow. Hey... *gets the message and clams up, looking away and down* * Farah chuckles for some reason or another, watching the antics going on with an amused little grin. I don't think we should add more people to the group if we can help it at this point, though. Us three for sure, and maybe Carter. * Jaimie is not really noticing the antics. Not her business. Yeah, Carter seemed okay with it. I think Nats is still maybe too freaked out, though. Yeah, but since we don't know who any of the other Snowflakes are, and there might be something we need one for down there... *mumbled* * John turns off his music; he stops thumping, and takes off his headphones, too. He stands up and takes a seat two-off from the SDS representative, and offers a friendly, if awkward smile. "Hey." Even if Darrel or Carter turns out to be one, would they want to reveal it if things went dangerous? ...remind me to bring a bokken. * Tasiya snickers a little. "Well, I'd *hope* so, it'd be pretty mean if that weren't the case." Oh, Carter wants to. But her latest... escapade may preclude her making it. * SeiMurdon texts Tasi an additional note, "I know *I* don't want to go squiddy in front of the others, and I don't think you do, either." ...wait, which escapade's this? ...milord Windbag. Well... * Farah chuckles all the more. Deeply, deeply amused, and this quickly. * Darrell looks around, and then leans in really really close. Apparently this is much more secret then the tunnel expedition. * SeiMurdon looks serious and listens close! She's on the lam from the RA's. Carter's the person who hasn't voted. * John raises an eyebrow. "Easy. Not your enemy. Or antagonist, even." He holds up one hand, solemnly, before continuing. "I did want to apologize for before. It got a little out of hand. You kept running off before I could say that, though." * Tasiya waits a couple moments after she feels the message ping before answering it while Darrell explains. [Well, *I* don't want to go squiddy at all, but I'm sure we could figure something out to Blend in, if you know what I mean.] ...why's she avoiding it? 'snot hard... Yeah, but I kind of figured that'd make her *more* likely to want to go. You know, I don't get you, John. I just... don't. * SeiMurdon glances at it, and sends his own reply back. [It'll look real funny if two kids disappear and two snowflakes appear. Less if it's John and the rest of us just run. We can come back with him later, after everyone breaks off.] I want you to be on my side, but it's like you have this vision of what I'm for that doesn't match reality at all. I think that's the point, Sei - it *is* hard not to vote. Funny, I'm on your side, too. I think I am, anyways. So she's treating it as a game, trying to see how long she can go before they run her to ground. Ohhhhhhhh. She likes a challenge. * Farah sits back, settling in and idly taking in all the conversations she can half-hear. Well, trying to anyway. It makes for interesting interplay. "... that, or defiance." I suspect they'll get her this afternoon. But she said she was going to try to stretch it to Monday morning if she could. Although, d'you think if they don't catch her by tomorrow, we'll still be able to get in? I stuck my head through the door yesterday. Still open. I wanted to talk to you about that. Your plan, your vision, whatever. I'm not sure we can be quite on the same side, regardless. Because I'm a Lord? Maybe she's hiding down there already? What do you want to bet that's where she's been anyway? Yeah. ...probably not. She said she wasn't going to ruin it for us. * Farah decides to get a bit closer to the conversing regarding missing votes. "So. How much of a public tongue-lashing will Carter get for holding out, you think?" Eep! ...bwah? Sorry, I didn't realize you could hear us... * SeiMurdon jumps in his seat. Yes. Look, Lord Wind, what I want is a democracy. I expect we'll have to find a place in government for your kind, but that's not my goal. * Farah grins a little. "I'm good at not being noticed." * Darrell facepalms. "Well, if you know our little secret, do you want in on the expedition?" Look. I agree with the SDS's ultimate goals. A planet run by it's people, not representatives from another world. And ... I don't mean me by that. It's a little confusing, yeah. To be fair, the SDS simply wants some sort of democracy. A lot of us would settle for a return to the original republic setup. I may pass, but lemme think about it. More interested in RA-dodging. May have to take some notes. * Tasiya snerks. "Planning an expedition or two of your own?" You can ask Carter about that when she emerges from hiding. If she survives. * Tasiya taps out a reply as she, uh, replies. "I hope so." [Yeah, well, I'm sure we can be careful enough to have time to run if we need to and then come back later by ourselves, if we were going to be running anyway.] * John nods. "I want that, too. Eventually, anyways. I've got a plan, sort of, for it, too. But... right now, I just wanted to make sure I didn't scare you off, and get the wrong idea." I doubt she will, but eh! * Farah smiles. "Anyway, yo." I'm more worried about my scaring you off then the other way around. * John makes a face. I'm more scared of some of the stuff that's happening than school politics, honestly. This isn't SCHOOL politics. Well, you know what I mean. * Masako looks at John, and slumps. You'll figure it out. * Masako checks her EI. "Probably in about four minutes." Well if you want to go tunneling, Farah, I've got to know now. * John extends a hand. "So, truce, clear air, etc?" * Farah hrms. "... well, what the hell, why not. Can't be any worse than actual shafts." Clear air, at least. If you don't hate my guts tomorrow. ...shafts? * Tasiya grins. "She's another one of us from Escalator." Oh, a mining brat. Wait, at THIS school? That's because she's *also* awesome. Yeah. Dad runs a fight gym. I think that got me an in. * Masako lifts her EI again and tells it to send a message. John doesn't quite catch what she tells it. Good enough for now. Thanks. * John gets up, and nods at her, going back to his seat. But yeah, also we'll need work or latex gloves and sampling gear, I can take care of that, if you want... Oh. Hmm. Are you any good at fighting animals? Sure, Tasi. * Tasiya grins a little. No. People. Well, you still might come in handy. Any objections, Sei? * Darrell winks at Farah. Huh? Oh! No, none. * Farah raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything in reply. I'd rather keep John out of it, myself, but if you insist we can take him too. I'm not really big on bringing him, honestly. Carter would probably vote no. ...okay, guess I'm outvoted. Can I ask why? Yeah, she probably would. It's just too much like telling the RA's. You've got to think the snowflakes are monitored. Yeah, besides, he's not exactly a discreet person on his own, anyway. People pay attention to where he goes. ...fair enough. For various reasons. * Farah pauses. "I wonder if Unicorn's tried to corner him yet." I mean, dude. Future rulers of the world, local anti-monster heavies... I'd have them guarded 27/7. I suppose they've just bugged their EI's out the wazoo. ...corner? Probably literally, knowing the rumors about her. Yeah, I bet. And the fact that everyone knows who John is just means he's probably monitored all the more. ...wouldn't it be just as easy to bug every student's EI, if they were gonna do that? Likely, but eh. I don't think about it too much. <@Ked> The train begins to slow, to the strains of "Barber of Seville". ...which is quickly drowned out by the din at the train station. And it looks like we're here. Oh, sure. But there's monitoring and then there's watching every brea- holy shit. ...oh my gosh! * John actually hears this; his headphones aren't back on yet. He looks out the window, while pulling up a local news feed on his EI. * Jaimie is still looking out the window, though with rather more energy and concern now. * SeiMurdon notices the tension in the others, and gets to his feet to try to see over the taller kids' heads. * Tasiya goes over to the window too, peering out. <@Ked> It's not... quite... a riot in the train station. Hundreds, possibly thousands of people are crowded onto the platform, with more rushing up the ramps every second. SDS banners and signs are in full display. There's about four different chants and songs going on, and the wall of sound buffets the cabin as the doors open. What the...? What's this about? Looks like a protest. * Masako ducks out of the train and is handed a megaphone by a waiting protestor. REREPUBLICIZATION NOW! * Jaimie blinks, then looks pained. She hesitates for a moment at seeing Masako handed a megaphone. * John facepalms. Even money this was planned. * Farah sighs, shaking her head. * Jaimie glances aside at Farah. "To be in full swing when we got here?" <@Ked> Seven-syllable terms not making the best slogans, the crowd doesn't pick that up as a chant. Next time I'm flying first class. * Tasiya squeaks. * Masako pouts, then tries again. "EVERY SNOWFLAKE DESERVES A VOTE!" You would be surprised, Jai. * SeiMurdon realizes what's going on, and his eyes light up. "Cool!" * Jaimie shakes her head. "I'm not really surprised. It makes sense." <@Ked> The crowd seems to be deliberately not blocking the train doors. There's plenty of room to get off the train, but getting out of the station... that could be hard. Sei, before you leap headlong into the chaos, think about what you're doing and what's being done. * Tasiya doesn't really seem to be trying to get off the train, at this point. * SeiMurdon hides behind his fan as he giggles. "I'm not joining in, Farah. I'm just...this is cool to see, you know?" Really? What if they rush the train? * Farah shrugs, looking at the prospects of leaving the train. "Yeah, it kind of is... shiiiit, that's a crowd." That's...not really going to be as cool. * Tasiya shudders a little. * Jaimie frowns at the press. "Or try to keep us from leaving." That's true. But for now, it's cool. <@Ked> John's news feed is finally catching up with the news - it looks like this was a carefully orchestrated flash mob, and the first notice anyone had was their arrival and synchronized press release. * Jaimie sighs. "It's great that people care this much and go out and do something about it, but I wish they'd pick a less annoying way to do it." I dunno. At least they're not being violent. And dangerous...someone could get trampled out there, with the amount of people they've got. I mean, what else are they gonna do? ...crap. Well, we need the lights, so I'm going out there. * Jaimie frowns at Sei. "You were the one who said that just because something wasn't the worst possible didn't mean it was good." * Farah seems not to care, and heads out without a second thought. Hey, wait, are you su-- * Tasiya sighs and goes along too, trying to keep Darrell and Farah in front of her to avoid tramplation. * John waits, mainly to see how it goes down, and to make sure that everyone else gets off okay, first. * SeiMurdon frowns at Jaimie's point, actually thinking about it. He does move to play rearguard for Tasiya as she heads out. * Masako is being escorted over to some stairs, where she climbs up a few steps then turns and makes as if to address the crowd. * Jaimie decides she's done here. She puts her head down and starts forcing her way through the crowd as best she can, hopefully not getting too battered. * SeiMurdon actually is interested to see what Masako's going to say, and, assuming Tasiya and group look to be okay without him, finds something to stand on for a better view. <@Ked> More individual signs are being displayed now - and not all of them are quite so benign. Even the most enthusiastic ralliers are keeping their distance from the two guys with "World Without Magic" banners. * SeiMurdon rolls his pale blue eyes at that one, but isn't going to add to the chaos. * Farah is walking like she doesn't give a damn. This is her offtime, after all, and she'd rather be elsewhere. * Tasiya cringes at the WWM banners and sticks closer to Farah and Darrell until they clear the crowd. * Masako calls up a discreet holoprompter display, and launches into her prepared statement. "My family came to this new world, the Snowflake Republic..." * Jaimie looks up and frowns more as she sees the new signs. She keeps moving, though - she's getting out of this mess. * John starts looking around for Lady Acne, or any other Lady that may be in the area. He transforms as he does this, making a slow, leapy hover high enough over the crowd it doesn't seem like he's trying to buzz them, just avoid them. * John de-transforms once he's on the far side of the crowd. * Darrell shoulders through with Jaimie. <@Ked> Someone shouts up at John as he passes overhead: "STAY AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE!" * John doesn't reply! He's in transit, and not stopping. <@Ked> John gets out of the station just as the first police and a couple of uniformed Snowflake Guard personnel come to a halt outside the gates in a screaming-siren minivan. Its built-in holoprojectors fill the sky overhead with flashing blue lights. * SeiMurdon sighs. "I hope they just keep it contained... I'm curious where Masako's going with this one." * Masako continues the speech, anyway. "Now there's a new generation of leaders being trained - just as dedicated and heroic as the legends of our homeworld, but does that mean we should simply surrender our future to them?" * Darrell reaches the train station gates with Jaimie just as the police set up a line blocking exit. * John stays between the police and the rally, watching. OBVIOUSLY watching, and taking note of who's doing what, on both sides. * Jaimie tried to hurry when she saw the flashing lights go up overhead, but she couldn't make it through the crowd in time. She approaches one the police to see if they'll let her out. ... oh, come on. * Farah stops short of the line, looking the cops over. "Hey, I just got off the train, and I'd rather not be here. Lemme through." * SeiMurdon mouths, but doesn't yell, "no," in answer to Masako's question. He's smiling so far, tapping his folded fan on one arm. <@Ked> The police sound system is a little bit louder than Masako's. "This is an illegal disruption of colony transit systems. Please exit the front gates calmly, where the Snowflake Guard will temporarily detain you." Oh come on. Uh, excuse me. I just got off the train, and I couldn't get - * SeiMurdon facepalms. "They're going to make this a problem." * Jaimie stops talking, looking frustrated. * Farah sighs. "Welp." We have to process everyone, miss. The cameras will sort things out, but no one can leave until we document things. * John makes a face, and transforms again. He walks up to the police line, and asks politely to speak to who's in charge. * John is now known as LordWind * Jaimie sighs and settles herself to wait as best she can. * Policewoman shrugs. "I don't know if anyone will really be arrested, but I expect we'll be issuing a lot of fines." You have got to be fucking kidding me... ugh. * Tasiya sighs. "Do you need our IDs, officer?" * Policewoman notices John coming over - well, that and the flying earlier. Um. Will we be fined if we weren't part of the protest? No, that's what she said the cameras were for. * Jaimie looks relieved. "Oh, thank goodness." We'll be needing everyone's. And no - if you came on the train, or didn't appear to be part of the protest, you'll be fine. Oh, OK, no problem. * Tasiya digs into her big handbag for said ID/EI. Can I help you, Lord Wind? Good. Good. I could do without getting arrested. * Farah mutters 'again' under her breath * Jaimie pulls her ID out of her pocket and hands it to the policewoman, then blinks at Farah. Ma'am, who's in charge here? I would like to speak to them, please, and soon. ...grrr. I'm the ranking officer at the moment. I believe the local Guard captain will be here shortly. * Farah also produces her ID, like a good girl. Okay. There's no real way to fudge this. But... can you give me ten minutes? I know you've got your duties, but if I can open up traffic in those ten minutes, would that keep you from processing people? It'll save you time, paperwork, and I'll owe you a favor. * Tasiya finds it and hands it over. "Don't be ridiculous, they have to process people anyway. There must be, like, a thousand people here, they can't just ignore it. ...I'm sorry, my Lord. You're not in my chain of command, and I have to follow the orders from Michiko. What about your superior coming? * Jaimie watches John with an unusually closed expression from where she's waiting. * Tasiya gives Lord Wind a disgusted look. * SeiMurdon is, meanwhile, hoping that Masako will make her point before things get ugly. I don't want this to escalate. You probably don't either. I'm giving you an option here, a chance for it to slide by. Is that against your orders? A chance at settling this without a scuffle? * Jaimie raises her eyebrows, surprised enough to speak. "You really think all those people will just leave without a scuffle?" He'll have the same problem. I'm sorry, Lord Wind, but until you're integrated into the Guard TOE or become a mayor, we can't take orders from you. Come on, isn't this what you claim you want government to be like? THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE OUR STAND! THIS IS THE TIME TO REGAIN OUR BIRTHRIGHT! MAKE YOURSELF HEARD! * SeiMurdon sighs. Okay, less impressed, now. Just...get out of the way so she can get us processed, please. We were here, first. Right! Look, I've got a good chance of getting them to stand down, but they won't if you ... * Farah looks John's way... and pauses, almost as if considering something. * LordWind sighs. The line forms in the service area over there. Thank you, officer. <@Ked> With Masako wrapping up, some of the protestors are even coming over to the barrier to get in the line early too. * Jaimie gives John an irritated glance over her shoulder and heads over to where the line's forming. * Tasiya goes over there, tossing over her shoulder, "And, John? From what they're yelling, having *you* step in the way of local government and settle things is *not* going to calm them down." <@Ked> They aren't putting away their signs, though. * Farah decides to line up as well, whistling a little and looking at the time on her EI. <@Ked> She suddenly suspects they aren't going to make the luncheon appointment with Acne - a shame since the hotel is only a half-block down the street. * Tasiya thinks about it a little, then puts the updates her Flakebook with the basic information about the incident and a suitably witty-but-not-whiny remark. * SeiMurdon watches to see where Masako goes from there, and looks to see how long it's going to be before the lines thin out. He doesn't want to get crushed in the press of bigger people. ... well, shit. Hmm? * Farah slumps a little, but waits in line and idly fires off a message to Acne regarding the protest and cops and whatnot. * SeiMurdon also sends an EI message to Acne as he realizes that it's going to be a while, not aware that Lady Acne probably got a message from Farah or others earlier. * Tasiya assumes Acne will have been informed already since the police are here, also the hotel is right down the street. * Tasiya therefore just turns to Darrell. "Well, at least we're at the front of the line, so we won't be *that* behind on getting stuff...hopefully." For the record, this is bullshit. Just wanted to say that. * Masako leads the orderly movement out of the station and into the waiting area. This looks like it was preplanned, like everything else. * Jaimie half-grins at Farah. <@Ked> [end session] Session Close: Wed Oct 13 21:30:51 2010