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The smallish shop, adjoining the back of a whore house, is dark, dusty, and smells strangely. Fastian is behind a small, dingy counter. He is wearing a black shirt with grey streaks of dust, and has a small bag-like hat on his head. He looks as though he has not shaved or bathed in several weeks. He is missing his two front teeth. * Fastian turns to face his "customers" bobbing a quick bow. <Fastian> 'e'p you, mistresses? <Yohko> You remember me. I asked if you'd done business with, or in fact seen Tyl'gainia Nightstorm in the past two days. Same question, plus I want to know if you've made any sales similar to those you made to Tyl'gainia in the past week? <Fastian> ::bobs up and down:: I hain't seen Mistress since week afore last... she don't be comin' by no more. <Yohko> And your other customers? * Lisl stands behind Yohko, roaming a little restlessly in the small confines of the shop, picking up items, inspecting them, and putting them down again. <Fastian> I hain't got no new ones, if that be wha' you want ta know. <Fastian> ::items on the shelves range from the curious to the downright bizarre... if you've ever rummaged through an old maiden's aunt's attic, that's the sort of bric-a-brac you find here, only worn and somewhat dingy...:: * Yohko turns to Lisl, "You remember when Tyl started having her problem?" <Fastian> ::as Lisl picks up an item, a fairly large furred spider, about the size of a duck, wakes up, looks at Lisl, stretches, and walks away from her:: <Lisl> What, time-wise? ::shrugging a shoulder:: About... <Fastian> I don' got but three clients what get that sort of thing. And they all been clients fer years now... * Lisl eyes the spider narrowly for a moment, before resuming her "browsing." <Fastian> Mistress Quickslip, what you call Tyl, she been the newest one, only bout a half year ago or so <Yohko> Anyone else in the area sell the stuff? <Lisl> She's your third? <Fastian> Not what that I know 'bout. Only himself what gave me the plant ta grow. <Fastian> Na, she come in for it bout midwinter... she the fourth. <Lisl> ::looking up sharply:: Himself? <Fastian> Himself what's my biggest client. He brung the 'rignal plant ta me for growing. Hain't never seen nothin' like it afore then <Lisl> He been here recently, then? <Fastian> Himself is here most weeks. <Fastian> ::the spider, feeling neglected, starts doing an intricate dance, humming softly under it's breath:: * Lisl glances from the spider back to the dealer, and resumes her perusal of his inventory. "What's Himself look like?" <Fastian> ::the spider gives Lisl a scornful look, stamps several of his feet and lays back down to sleep:: <Fastian> Himself's a welf type... wears a 'ood and cloak like, carryin' a big staff what he leans on <Lisl> ::glances from the spider to the dealer again:: Pet of yours? <Lisl> ::Gaze sharpening a little:: Purple eyes? Bit of a limp? <Fastian> Dusty? He been livin' here since I was but a wee lad... <Fastian> Yah, Himself has a limp... come from a fall, he say <Lisl> ::half-snorts:: Old spider. <Fastian> ::Dusty opens three or four eyes and gives Lisl an odd look, then snorts and rolls over:: * Fastian reaches below the counter and pulls out a small wax packet. From the packet, he removes a small black cigar and lights it. A faint, aromatic smoke fills the room... <Lisl> ::exchanges a look with Yohko, and strolls forward to lean towards her ear:: * Yohko narrows her eyes at Fastian, "Do you know where Himself lives?" <Fastian> No ma'am I dun't. Hain't hordly safe what to know too much 'bout my clients... <Yohko> And how often does he purchase from you? <Fastian> ::a small roach skitters across the floor. Dusty opens a few eyes, then several... he stands slowly, then, in a lightning maneuver, he leaps from the shelf and pounces on the roach:: <Lisl> True. ::with perfect seriousness:: If you knew more, he'd probably have killed you. ::watches the spider without comment:: And if you knew more and didn't tell us, we'd probably do our best to. <Fastian> dun I know 't? Hain't worth the riskin' it, sure you be knowin' that the trooth. Hain't hordly much of a life, but I'm right attached with it... <Fastian> ::Dusty eats the roach... he seems to be enjoying it:: * Lisl cracks a grin, and nods, surprised to find herself liking the little skank. <Fastian> I hain't likely wantin' to know, but Mistress Quickslip's gone missin' hain't she? <Lisl> You don't want to know, and we probably shouldn't tell you, but no harm in it that I see. Yeah, she's missing. <Fastian> ::reaches down behind the counter and pulls out a small leather pouch:: You bein' her friends an' all, and the welf she dun tol' me 'bout once hain't come in here... I figure you best 'ave it. ::pushes the bag at them:: <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow, not touching the bag:: What is it? What elf? * Yohko takes the bag and carefully looks inside. <Fastian> 'bout... guess t'was... ::narrows his eyes and looks at the outside door, he moves over and locks it:: t'was 'bout fix er six weeks past... she tell me she's in some trouble... * Lisl turns her head, listening for foot-traffic outside. <Fastian> She tell me that she don't want me to be in for some trouble... and jus' to be givin' this bag to one welf named Jelarnath er somet'in like that. He hain't come in. * Yohko closes the bag and somehow hides it on her person. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Jelarnath, hm? ::glances at Yohko, watching the bag disappear:: <Yohko> I'll tell you later. <Fastian> ::Dusty wipes his mouth after finishing his roach-ka-bob and wanders over to the two women...:: * Lisl nods. <Yohko> So, as I asked previously, how often does Himself purchase from you? <Fastian> If Himself is buyin' like normal, himself'll be in here in two or three days at most. * Lisl grins a little as she looks down at the spider. <Lisl> ::looks at Yohko:: We can't wait that long. <Yohko> Has he been purchasing like normal? <Fastian> Mistress Quickslip saved my life once. She hain't no normal member of the Brotherhood. She a good woman, that she is. I hain't be knowin' where Himself lives, but Himself hold himself high and mighty, and he don't be lookin' down too much... ::deliberately does NOT look at Dusty:: You be findin' some other help, I think. * Lisl grins wider, still studying the spider. <Lisl> How 'bout it, Dusty old boy? ::reaching into her belt pouch and pulling out a bit of venison jerky:: There's fresh of this, for my particularly helpful friends. <Fastian> ::Dusty peers up at her, then, with something that somehow resembles a grin, climbs up Lisl's trousers:: **<Dusty> Might I sit on your shoulder, Mistress? I direct you where you are wishing to be...** * Lisl wrinkles her nose a little, but stays still. **<Lisl> A psychic spider. Now I've seen everything. Sure, why not? But if you bite, I bite back.** ::Dusty seems to fade onto Lisl's pants, blending in to the shade of the fabric until he is only visible as several set of eyes and a slightly odd lump on Lisl's leg:: **<Dusty> ::climbing:: I can't help being a spider you know. How would you like it, you walk into a room and everybody saying "Oh, ick a horrid Woman?" and throwing shoes at you and all...** * Fastian unlocks the door. <Fastian> I be thinkin' that ya shoul' be goin'. Hain't hordley good fer ya to be here fer too long... **<Lisl> ::sense of amusement:: I'm more familiar with it than you might realize.** **<Lisl> 'Cept at me, they throw knives.** **<Dusty> ug... I guess you must duck quick-like** **<Lisl> Or catch them, yeah.** <Yohko> Finish with our questions and we'll leave. Has himself been purchasing in his accustomed fashion? <Lisl> ::grins a little:: Good for us, or for you? <Fastian> Both, Mistress.... I hain't doubtin' yer skills, but the brotherhood and others got yer clean outmatched what with numbers and all <Lisl> ::winks at him:: Between you, me, and the wall, numbers aren't "all." We'll be fine. Just answer the lady's question, and we'll be out of your hair with none of us the worse. <Fastian> Himself has been spendin' his gold a bit more freelike, recently. Doubled his last take, he did. But still, I spect him back... <Lisl> ::nods:: That's all I wanted to know. Yohko? Anything else? ::the odd looking lump moves up Lisl's trousers, across her tunic, changing colors as it goes along, and ending up as a furry wolf-pelt colored lump on her shoulder:: <Yohko> Thank you for your cooperation. ::Yohko heads for the door.:: * Fastian shuts the door firmly behind them, leaving them in the alley. <Lisl> ::chuckles, shaking her head:: Well, this certainly wasn't what I expected. Thanks, Fastian. ::cracking her knuckles on her way out:: I'll just have to get my exercise elsewhere. ::Walking out:: <Lisl> So...::speaking as if to the air:: I wonder which way...? <Yohko> Lisl, we are NOT bringing that spider with us. <Lisl> What are you talking about? ::looking around elaborately:: What spider? * Dusty opens four or five eyes, glares at Yohko, and closes them again **<Dusty> ::sighs:: I'm a perfectly nice spider, you know... I think it's just prejudice... but I won't hold it against her.** **<Lisl> What do you expect? She likes cats.** * Dusty nudges Lisl's chin lightly with one leg, turning her head to the right slightly <Lisl> We go that way. ::nodding to the right:: * Yohko sighs, "Whatever you say." <Lisl> And stop tickling me. * Yohko quirks an eyebrow, "I hope that was a joke Lisl." <Lisl> ::grinning at Yohko:: I never joke about being tickled. * Dusty leads the two women through the city... <Yohko> Lisl, do you have any idea where the hell you're taking us? <Lisl> I would gather we're headed to the welf Himself. The one who doesn't notice things "beneath" him? * Yohko blinks a couple of times and then shakes her head, "I hope this isn't a mistake." <Lisl> ::giving Yohko a mild glance:: Why? The cat getting anxious about the arachnid? **<Dusty> Speciesist....** **<Lisl> Me? Or her?** **<Dusty> her** **<Lisl> I think she's worried about something else.** <Yohko> I'll tell you later. <Lisl> ::shrugs:: Fair enough. ::pointing:: This way. You sure you okay with this? I could try on my own, but I don't have anything solid to follow yet. * Dusty leads them to a medium sized house in one of the more affluent parts of town. The building is done in a very modern style and looks recently built. There are no lights on within. **<Dusty> this is where he went to when I followed him last time. There's some sort of magic thing on the door** <Lisl> Hm. ::studying the house, and looking around:: There's some sort of magic thing on the door. <Yohko> So Lisl, how do you want to handle this? * Yohko blinks at Lisl, "How do you know that?" <Lisl> Do you want to know how I *want* to handle this, or how I think we *should* handle this? <Yohko> Both. <Lisl> A little birdie told me. * Dusty sniggers * Lisl makes an almost unnoticeable head gesture towards her lumpy shoulder. * Yohko shakes her head again. * Dusty opens a few eyes and looks at Yohko <Lisl> Well, I *really* want to break things and kill someone. But I think we should probably go over the wall in back. I'm guessing this place is going to be trapped all to hell. <Lisl> Can you do a ninja thing to get us in? ::smiling a little:: <Yohko> I'd opt for the roof or at least an upper story window myself. I can handle physical traps, but magic isn't really my specialty. And I don't know how good a climber you are. <Lisl> Decent climber. And what I can't do in climbing, I can make up in leaping. <Lisl> Balancing on thin little wires is beyond me, though. <Lisl> ::still studying the house:: And unfortunately, the only way I can disarm magical traps is by blundering through them. <Yohko> How are you with physical traps? * Dusty climbs down from Lisl's shoulder and moves onto the porch... <Lisl> ::grins:: Same way. The good news is that they don't hurt. Much. For long. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Hang on. I think we've got a scout. **<Dusty> Catch, mistress!** <Yohko> So you'd rather find the magic traps than the physical ones? <Lisl> Well, they *both* hurt. * Dusty climbs halfway up the wall and points his butt at the window and spins a thick cable and attaches it to the window pane... he climbs back to Lisl and yanks. The glass comes flying out of the window. <Lisl> Wow. ::studying Dusty's webline:: Too bad I'm not drow, I'd be in love. <Lisl> ::automatically catches the flying pane as it whizzes past, sucking on a finger where the glass sliced it:: **<Lisl> Good job. Do this often?** **<Dusty> Fastian is in the brotherhood, mistress.** **<Lisl> Good point.** * Yohko sighs and heads for the now open window. * Dusty shakes a leg in Yohko's direction, muttering to himself <Lisl> ::grins and follows Yohko:: Still wish we hadn't brought him? * Yohko quickly scans the window and then climbs through in order to get out of sight of anyone on the street. <Lisl> ::follows Yohko through the window, replacing the pane carefully:: **<Lisl> Dusty? Bit of sticky stuff for this?** * Dusty makes another stream of web to pull the pane snugly into place, then cements it back into the sill * Yohko gestures to indicate, "Which way now?" * Dusty shrugs several legs. **<Dusty> not been inside before...** **<Lisl> Not a problem.** * Lisl looks around, nostrils flaring, casting around for a trace of Tyl's scent. * Lisl points to the back of the room, and the stairs leading down, signing for caution. * Yohko takes the lead, padding silently across the room and keeping her sense open for dangers. <Dusty> ::the cellar door is painted blue with several runes etched in gold and silver paint across it:: * Yohko gives a questioning look at Lisl and nods towards the door? * Lisl looks at Yohko, and ghosts over to put her mouth by her ear. "Cover your eyes and ears. This won't be pretty. And hold him." **<Lisl> Dusty, would you mind going over to Yohko for a moment? I don't want you getting hurt.** **<Dusty> Thank you ::genuine surprise:: You're a very nice biped** **<Lisl> I try.** * Dusty moves behind Yohko * Yohko moves out of Lisl's way and braces herself for one hell of an explosion and/or sound and light show. * Lisl moves to the door, and takes a deep breath. As she holds up one hand and curls her fingers into a fist, her Claws shimmer into being around her forearm. With a grin, she punches them into the door, tearing downward and turning her head away. <Dusty> ::the door explodes in fire:: * Lisl turns her shoulder into the blast. The hair on one side of her head scorches off, her clothes burn, and her skin begins to scorch and blacken. Just as quickly, new skin regenerates under the dying flesh. Lisl blinks, and chips of char fall from her body to the beige carpet. * Dusty peeks around Yohko's leg at Lisl * Lisl she takes several ragged breaths, flexing her fingers, shedding charcoal. Her voice, when she speaks, is a croak. "Clear." * Yohko dives past Lisl through the now open doorway and rolls to her feet ready for anything. <Dusty> ::the landing is small, narrow, and not particularly clean. A wide set of stairs descends into total blackness. From below, a musky odor emanates:: * Lisl takes a moment to recover, flexing her pink new skin carefully, a fine black dust falling from her with every movement. She stretches, popping bones back into place, and pulls a remarkably clean hanky from the intact side of her jerkin to blow her nose. When she turns to the door again, ready to descend, her nose wrinkles, and she utters one word, filled with venom. "Cat." * Yohko sighs, "You want to handle it, or would now be a good time for Felice to show up?" * Dusty climbs back up Lisl's leg and moves to her less wounded shoulder * Lisl shakes her head. "I can handle it. For all I know, it's just a housecat that's been stuck in its own stink for too long. That I can deal with. I just don't *like* it." * Yohko drops to the ground and rolls to the side. ::a potted plant comes flying out of the darkness, moving with incredible speed, crashing into the wall where Yohko was only seconds before. Plant bits, dirt, and pottery go flying:: <Lisl> ::muttering under her breath:: With my luck, they'll be throwing the cat next. ::heading down the stairs a little more slowly after Yohko:: * Yohko throws three shuriken in the direction the potted plant came from. <Dusty> ::the shuriken get about halfway down the stairs, stop as though they'd stuck a wall and fall to the floor with an ominous clatter:: <Lisl> Wait-- hells. Tyl? Are you down here? ::there is not quite silence from the basement... something large, but quiet, is moving down there...:: <Lisl> Dammit...if it's that big, why the hell is it throwing pots like a fishwife? * Yohko shrugs, "Only one way to find out really." <Lisl> Don't suppose you've got a light? <Dusty> ::the stairs below the feet of the women begin to creak and splinter alarmingly:: * Yohko starts moving slowly down the steps, her senses fully extended, looking for traps, attacks, and whatever her shuriken hit. ::the staircase starts to shake under some unseen force, cracking and breaking... there is a strange squealing noise and you see a nail prying itself from the wood:: * Yohko kicks the stairs to break a whole big enough to drop through and then does so. * Lisl continues down the steps after Yohko. Holding her free hand out to the side, she closes it into a fist and calls her Claws, so that both sets are out. <Lisl> I do *not* like this! Yohko! You OK? * Yohko begins to glow with a faint blue light once she clears the stairs. ::the staircase collapses in a heap of wood beams, dust, and a thunderous roar. After, there is silence:: * Dusty spins a quick rope and, clinging fiercely to Lisl, lowers them to the floor in safety **<Lisl> ::blinking as she *doesn't* fall:: Hey...thanks!** * Lisl drops into a defensive stance, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness, scanning for Yohko and, hopefully, Tyl. <Yohko> ::A blue glow softly fills the air around Yohko as the light she's generating reflects off the dust the stairs kicked up.:: ::crouched in the corner, against the far wall, is a large tiger-like creature, with six limbs, horns, and a wickedly barbed tail... when it sees them, it snarls, revealing a mouthful of sharp fangs:: **<Lisl> Dusty...you may want to find a wall. Things are going to get very hairy in a moment.** * Lisl keeping her gaze directed away from Yohko to preserve her vision, she points. "There!" * Yohko turns to face the creature. ::the creature utters a wicked snarl and leaps at Yohko:: * Yohko leaps out of the way throwing some shuriken as she does so. ::the creature reaches out with two sets of thick claws:: * Dusty leaps off Lisl's shoulder and finds a relatively safe perch about halfway up the wall * Yohko attempts to jump out of range of the claws. <Lisl> Hey! ::as she shouts, Lisl dives for the cat-thing, the fine silvery hair on her arms thickening and lengthening, her mouth widening into a fang-filled snarl, her eyes changing from blue-grey to burning yellow. "Over here, cat!" ::as Yohko lands, the creature turns to follow her, whipping out with his tail at Lisl... the barbs glint ominously:: ::the creature stalks towards Yohko, then locks its muddy yellow eyes with hers:: * Yohko throws something to the ground and is swallowed in a cloud of smoke. <Yohko> ::When the smoke clears Yohko is leaning against the wall holding her head.:: ::the creature turns around (quick as a cat) and lunges towards Lisl"" * Lisl leaps to meet it with a snarl, pointy bits first. <Lisl> Dusty! Can you slow it down? ::the two beasts collide, ripping gashes in each other, snarling:: * Yohko shakes her head clear. * Dusty runs across the ceiling, spins a quick cable and whips it around the lashing tail of the creature. He pauses, then dashes to the floor and under the creature. Just before the creature claws him aside and knocks him up against the wall, he secures the tail firmly to the left hind leg of the monster * Yohko begins to glow again and starts making strange hand gestures. * Lisl rolls on the floor, struggling with the beast, stabbing deep with her Claws whenever she gets an opening. ::off balance and lacking an additional weapon, the beast makes a quick circle, swiping his horns against Lisl's ribs as he turns, biting at his hind quarters:: <Yohko> ::The blue glow quickly resolves itself into a cat's cradle of light stretched between Yohko's fingers.:: ::Lisl is pelted with small missiles, pots, dirt clods, small gardening implements, and bits of staircase:: <Lisl> RAAARGH! ::the sharp spikes lay open Lisl's ribs, opening red stripes that bleed through onto the little left of her clothing before sealing up again:: That HURT, cat! ::she slices at the root of a horn, intent on severing it from the beast's skull:: <Yohko> Clear! * Lisl shrugs off the little missiles, barely noticing them in her animosity for the cat-beast. ::the beast looks up, locking eyes with Lisl:: * Yohko attempts to leap over the creature throwing her web of light at it as she does so. * Lisl 's eyes widen, and she leaps off the creature's head as if she'd been burned. <Yohko> ::The web of light expands becoming a net that drapes over the creature. Yohko rolls to a crouched position on the far side of the creature.:: ::the creature is tangled in a skein of light. It yowls and leaps in a circle, snapping at the light that binds it:: * Yohko remains perfectly still after her landing, staring intently at the creature. <Lisl> Yohko, don't look at it! It's horrible! ::her voice has an unaccustomed tremor:: * Dusty recovers slightly, spins another cable and fastens the creature's mouth together with a snap:: * Yohko doesn't respond to Lisl's statement. ::the creature leaps at the spider, pinning the soft body against the floor:: * Lisl shakes her head, snarling as she narrows her eyes at the cat-beast. "NO one makes me afraid. Dusty!" * Lisl arrows herself at its head, aiming her Claws for its eyes, intent on gouging them out. ::a burst of greenish-black goo spurts from the spider's mouth:: * Yohko charges the creature. ::the creature turns just in time to catch Lisl's blow in the face... gouts of blood flow from the wounds:: <Yohko> ::A flash of light resolves itself into a sword as Yohko swings at the tail and then leaps back out of range.:: <Dusty> ::the tail falls to the floor, another gout of blood splashing hot across Yohko:: * Lisl straddles the creature's neck, winding one arm around the jaw to hold it steady as she plunges her Claws into its eyes repeatedly. ::with one last convulsion of limbs, rending Lisl's leg badly, the creature collapses to the floor, motionless:: * Yohko vanishes her sword. * Lisl follows the beast down, heedless of her ruined leg trapped beneath its body, stabbing at the head until it's a bloody pulp. <Yohko> ::While Lisl's busy, Yohko walks behind her.:: * Michelle approaches Dusty and holds her hand over him, and faint blue glow washing over him. * Lisl stops, lifting suddenly Claw-less, bloody hands to her head and clutching at her temples. "Ahh...Dusty!" <Michelle> ::The glow from Michelle's hand turns from blue to a soft white and Dusty's wounds begin to knit themselves together.:: * Dusty twitches and gradually recovers... **<Dusty> Sorry Mistress...** **<Lisl> Not your fault. That was a brave thing you did, thanks.** **<Dusty> You're welcome, Mistress...** **<Dusty> tell the other Mistress, She of Many Faces, thank you for the healing** <Lisl> Ahh...::drops her hands after a moment with a sigh of relief and leans back, panting:: <Lisl> ::looks down at herself:: Ow. <Michelle> ::The light slowly fades from Michelle's hand, revealing a fully healed Dusty.:: <Michelle> So is Tyl'gainia down here, or do we need to start looking for clues to her whereabouts? * Lisl shifts back to half-elf as the healing light dies away. Cuts and gashes continue to heal over her body. <Dusty> ::the basement, aside from being completely ruined as far as a gardening work area goes, is small, and contains a door at the south end:: <Lisl> Um. Give me a sec. ::looks around, finally noticing her pinned leg, and trying to heave upward:: A hand, here, please? <Lisl> Dusty says thanks for the healing. * Michelle attempts to roll the creature off of Lisl without much success, "I thought...YOU...were the...strong one..." * Lisl eases out from underneath it, revealing a twisted and bent leg. <Lisl> Hey, no personal comments about my hygiene, thank you. Dammit, I hate when this happens... <Michelle> Need some help with that, or will it heal soon on its own? * Dusty climbs up on the creature, prodding at it with his legs * Lisl stands with difficulty and half-limps, half-hops towards the nearest wall. "It *has* healed, that's the problem. But I've got it, thanks." * Dusty snuggles up on the creature, his fur gradually blending in with the tan and grey stripes of the monster cat **<Dusty> Soft....** **<Lisl> argh....you...going to sleep in there?** * Lisl braces herself against the wall with both hands and takes a deep breath before kicking the crippled leg against it with all her force. The brick chips in a couple of places, but the bone shatters, and Lisl howls. * Dusty opens several eyes and looks at Lisl with concern **<Dusty> not anymore, Mistress... nice soft fur, tho** **<Lisl> Still smells like cat.** **<Dusty> It's not a bad smell... I think the meat would be tasty.** **<Lisl> All cat is a bad smell. But if you want it, knock yourself out. I can dress it for you, but we've got a friend to find first.** * Lisl clenching her teeth against the pain, she kicks the wall again, to the sound of another wet "snap." With a sigh, she leans against the wall for a moment, letting the broken leg dangle free. * Lisl gingerly tests her weight on the leg after another half-minute, and sighs in relief as she limps back over to Michelle. "MUCH better." * Michelle shakes her head, "It's things like this that make me thankful I DON'T heal the way you do." * Michelle gestures towards the door, "Shall we?" <Lisl> Well, I'd like to say I'm used to it, but thankfully it doesn't heal wrong like that too often. It's a bitch when it does, though. <Lisl> ::stretches and nods:: Ready when you are. * Dusty gets up and follows the ladies * Michelle floats an inch or two into the air, and then vanishes. * Lisl frowns, tipping her head to the side and sniffing before she shrugs and continues on, careful not to get too close. * Dusty climbs up Lisl's leg and perches on her shoulder again * Lisl continues forward a few steps before pausing, and looking vaguely over her shoulder at the wall. "Coming?" <Michelle> Right behind you. Actually Lisl, why don't you let me open the door. There's some very strong magic on the other side. * Lisl stops, and waves her hand to invite Michelle forward. <Michelle> ::Once Lisl's clear of any potential explosions the door swings open.:: ::the room is small, perfectly round, and inlaid with gold. Several large gems stud the walls at irregular intervals, with beams of light flickering from one to another to the next. In the middle of the room, suspended in nothing and full of nothing, seems to be a small round portal. Through the white mists the surround it, you see a fierce blue sky, no clouds, and sand. The impression of immense heat rises through the portal:: <Michelle> Look like we found Rhys' portal. Should have brought him or Zoya along in order to shut it down. <Lisl> Dammit! I hope Tyl hasn't gone through there already... <Michelle> Can you still pick up her scent? <Lisl> Not past the portal...but she was definitely here, in this room. <Lisl> And someone else was with her. ::sniffs thoughtfully:: Maybe a day or so ago? <Michelle> I'm tempted to go through the portal to see if we can pick the trail up, but we have no idea how to get back if we did that. **<Dusty> Mistress? I go through? With string? You pull me back if need to?** **<Lisl> You wouldn't be able to track her though, would you?** **<Dusty> Can see prints in sand, maybe... see what is around... see if portal is also on other side...** <Lisl> Dusty's offering to go though... but if anyone goes it should probably be me. I'm harder to kill, and I can probably pick up her track...though...good point, Dusty. <Lisl> ::speaking aloud, forgetting that the conversation's one-sided for Michelle:: <Michelle> And Dusty's point is? <Lisl> Oh, sorry. He says he could go through on a webline, so we could pull him back if necessary, and see if there's a portal on the other side, at least. <Michelle> The problem with that is that if it's a one way portal we WON'T be able to pull him back. <Lisl> The line wouldn't...I don't know...stretch between worlds? <Lisl> ::frowns:: What would happen if I poked my head in? **<Dusty> Mistress, I would suggest poking a hand in first... you can regrow a hand, I think. Your head might be another matter entirely** **<Lisl> Heh. I don't know...I've been teased about losing my head before....** <Lisl> Dammit, we need Zoya or Rhys. All my planes traveling and 'jamming has been...accidental at best. <Michelle> Not if it's a one way portal...Actually that's not true, it might or it might not. Too many different means of interdimensional travel, and I for one can't differentiate between any of them. <Lisl> Hm. Well. If I stuck *something* in, would it pull me through? <Michelle> Depends on the portal, you might stick your head out of this portals counter part on that world, you might have you head suspended in mid-air in that world, but be able to pull it back, or it might transport you there entirely the moment you touch the portal. <Michelle> Depends on the portal. * Lisl puts her hands on her hips, looking frustrated. "Well, there's got to be some reason the damn thing's still open. This setup looks fairly permanent." She gestures at the gems in the wall. <Michelle> Dusty, could you make us some rope? We could throw that such that half of it lands on each side of the portal. If it isn't transported through completely then we can see if we can pull the other half back out. * Dusty begins weaving some silk <Michelle> And the most likely explanation given what we can see through the portal is that it's a one way portal and our friend has some other means of getting back to Marsember. * Michelle returns to view and touches back down on the ground. <Lisl> ::shifts her weight restlessly:: On the other hand, that *cat* had to get here somehow. ::shakes her head and picks up the end of the silk strand, absently coiling it into a neat bundle:: <Lisl> That should be enough for now, Dusty, thanks. * Dusty stops weaving silk, panting a little * Lisl steps out of the room for a moment, still coiling rope, and returns with a chunk of brick. With a quick twist, she loops the silk around the rock, tying it firmly, and chucks the rock through the portal, letting the silk play off her arm and holding the end firmly in her hand. * Michelle begins to protest, then realizes it's too late. <Dusty> ::the brick and silk fly through the portal, the end that Lisl holds becomes translucent then clear and vanishes entirely:: <Dusty> ::through the portal, you can see the brick and half the rope:: * Lisl starts to jerk on the rope as she notices it fade, and curses as it disappears. <Lisl> Well, that answers *that* question. <Dusty> ::through the portal, you see a large spider, several dozen times larger than Dusty, and composed of glittering shards of crystal, wander up and pounce on the inoffensive brick:: <Michelle> I think we need to consult with higher authorities on this one. * Lisl puts her hands on her hips again, watching the crystal spider. "Still want to go through and check for a portal on the other side, Dusty?" **<Dusty> Um... NO** **<Lisl> ::grin::** **<Dusty> Pretty though. I don't think she'd mate with me...** **<Lisl> That's a she? How can you-- oh. Nevermind.** <Lisl> I agree. I'm not going through there without at least some water to tide me over. I can't do that much regeneration without a steady food supply. **<Lisl> And no comments about eating cats.** **<Dusty> I wonder if they come in smaller sizes... ::sighs thoughtfully at the lady spider::** **<Lisl> Watch yourself. She might be a black widow. They eat their men, don't they?** **<Dusty> ::shudder:: don't talk about that.** <Michelle> Want to set a guard here in case our friend comes back, or do we stick to Yohko's plan of working in pairs? <Lisl> Well, I certainly don't want him closing this sucker and trapping Tyl in there. <Lisl> Although how he got her to do it, I don't know...::shakes her head, studying the portal:: **<Lisl> ::absently:: What's the best way of attracting a spider's attention? Maybe she can tell us if it goes both ways....** **<Dusty> flies...** <Michelle> That's assuming he actually need her for that. There may have been some other reason. Particularly if he's been around along as Fastian said he has been. <Lisl> Well, he needed her for *something*. Or needed to be rid of her. Hm. :;scratches her head:: I don't suppose you've got any big, juicy flies on you? * Michelle smiles, "Fresh out." <Lisl> Hm. Well. Let me try something, before we go any further... <Michelle> Okay. * Lisl steps closer to the portal, careful not to touch it, and cups her hands around her mouth. "Hey, beautiful! BUZZ BUZZ!" She waves her arms. * Michelle shakes her head and suppresses some giggles. <Dusty> ::the crystal spider looks around, glowers at something above Lisl's head, it seems and shoots a ray of light through the portal, scorching the top of Lisl's head:: * Dusty squeals and races down Lisl's back and onto the floor:: * Michelle glances around, "I suppose I could password protect the door, but if he managed to build a portal like that I doubt it will hold him for long. I could set it up to let us know if the doors opened though. * Lisl ducks. "DAMN!" She rubs her toasted hair. "Twice in one night." <Lisl> But that answers the other question, too. It goes both ways. * Lisl steps back from the portal. "Sorry 'bout that, Dusty." * Dusty runs around in a circle making eep noises <Lisl> Under the circumstances, though, I think we *should* split up. Think you could safely make it back to the Hall or the Tower, while Dusty and I stay here? If you're willing, Dusty. * Michelle giggles, "I think I can manage, it's you I'm worried about." **<Dusty> I'll stay with you.** <Lisl> ::plops to the floor, sitting Indian style and looking up at Michelle:: That's what Dusty's for. He'll stay. And he's got a lot more eyes to watch my back with. <Lisl> And if it comes to that, I can run faster than you. ::grins:: And I come with my own climbing tools. ::frowns in concern:: Are you going to be able to get back up to the main floor? The stairs are gone... * Michelle looks up, "I won't, but Felice or Yohko won't have any trouble." <Lisl> Good. ::nods:: Always good to have friends. ::grins:: Michelle, you're better than a Swiss Army knife. * Michelle smiles, "Remind me to tell you about the Swiss Army Ninjas sometime." <Lisl> Heh. I don't think I want to know. * Michelle walks out of the room and into a shadow. * Yohko steps out of the shadow and starts climbing the wall. * Lisl settles down to wait, scooting back to lean into the curve of the wall, out of sight of the door. * Dusty climbs up Lisl's back, snuggles up on her shoulder and opens one eye to face in the other direction * Lisl looks up after a moment, remembering something. <Lisl> Hang on...we can wait out there just as well, and it'll give me something to do. I promised you some cat meat. ::makes a face, but gets up and heads out to the other room, pulling her flaying knife from her boot as she goes:: |
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