Start of #MagicalGirls buffer: Tue Feb 15 06:29:00 2011 [16:39:46] * Now talking in #MagicalGirls [16:39:51] * Charles sets mode: +o Demota [16:39:55] * Charles sets mode: -o Charles [16:44:49] * Yon (Yon@wnpgmb1302w-ad01-199-87.dynamic.mts.net) has joined #MagicalGirls [16:48:28] How do you want to do this? [16:53:23] Good question. The quickest way to get any sort of direct interaction is for things to start when Emily slips up and Suzu notices her or something [16:56:39] * Yon nods. "Well, how long has she been spying on her? Where and how?" [16:57:34] Well, that depends on how far Dem had planned on advancing the plot by next session. Anywhere from, like, the duration of an afternoon to a couple days, I'd guess [17:02:09] Well there we go [17:03:12] Alright, so let's say that this's been going on for, like, four days. I imagine she's been using mechanical bugs and maybe some sort of magical assistance, assuming she was able to get her hands on something that belongs to her. Maybe Emily is tailing her to try and get her bug back or something? [17:05:18] Sure. Tailing her after school, say? [17:05:38] Sounds good. [17:09:13] Do you want to start, or should I? [17:10:07] Maybe you should start, you've got a better idea of the scene in mind I'm guessing [17:12:47] * Charles nods [17:12:50] * Charles is now known as Emily [17:13:03] * Yon is now known as Suzu [17:20:31] * Emily followed Suzu down into the train station, weaving through the crowd and twiddling with jewelry to maintain her glamour as she tried to keep up. Slipping onto the train as the doors shut behind her, Emily sat behind Suzu and reached into her bag, depositing a pencil case, and beginning to fish around, trying to find her bug. When a bend in the track sent her shoulder-first into another passenger, jerking Suzu's bag, her glamour momentarily faded [17:21:03] * Emily bites back a curse in English, trying to remain inconspicuous as she snakes her hand back into the bag. [17:23:07] * Suzu stumbles slightly, her hand going to her bag as she recovers. She blinks and turns around. [17:27:13] * Suzu freezes. "...what do you think you're doing?" she hisses, clenching her teeth. [17:27:36] * Emily frowns. "Bugger. Don't mind me, Ms. Yoshida. This is just routine surveillance." [17:27:55] * Emily looks away slightly and runs a gloved hand through her hair. [17:28:06] Botched, mind you, but entirely within established protocols. [17:29:46] * Suzu 's scowl deepens, and she eyes Emily silently for a moment. The train comes to a halt, and Suzu walks off quickly, even though it's not her stop. She looks over her shoulder, making sure Emily is following. [17:31:54] * Emily is, in fact, following as quickly as she can, fiddling with her jewelry as she goes. The crowd seems somewhat suprised at the sight of her, and the attention she pays to her jewelry seems almost like a tic, as she runs her fingers over various pieces in turn. [17:35:31] * Suzu stalks angrily across the station, finally coming to a stop when she finds somewhere out of the way. "Routine? Surveillance? How long have you been following me?" [17:38:11] * Emily follows, finally fading from the awareness of most of the people in the station. She blinks at Suzu's tone. "Properly speaking, only since you left the school. I'm just retrieving my devices." [17:39:01] ...your...devices? [17:39:13] Ever since you established yourself as the most likely leader of the group Time Cat appointed, I've taken it upon myself to make sure that you're not an unknown quantity. It's a safety precaution. [17:39:36] Of course. What kind of surveillance would it be without devices? [17:42:35] * Suzu blinks, momentarily taken aback. "Me? I didn't even do anything. I'm not even sure what I _can_ do." [17:43:56] Wait. I mean. I'm sure it'll be something great. I, uh. [17:44:33] You took the initiative and experimented with the capabilities of the device we were given, despite inadequate instructions from Time Cat. Additionally, you showed the restraint not to engage immediately which I, admittedly, lacked. [17:45:00] * Emily coughs. "Compared to the others, it's pretty clear that you're the most capable operative, if only by showing that you're capable at all." [17:45:37] Additionally, you were willing to follow my lead, despite the fact that I was on the verge of sedating you when we first met. [17:46:05] Which I should apologize for, although, since that timeline no longer exists, I can't fairly be said to have done it. [17:47:12] * Suzu narrows her eyes slightly. "I'm...not entirely certain how much I'm supposed to be taking this as a compliment." [17:48:50] But...thank you...I think. [17:49:48] * Emily shrugs. "Well, I consider you to have enough potential that I thought it best to keep an eye on you. I suppose it depends on how much you value the esteem I hold you in. But... you do interest me." She smiles. "And you're welcome." [17:54:45] * Suzu smiles slightly, but her smile quickly fades. Her voice takes on a nervous quality. "So, um. When you were, uh, watching me, how uh...are we just talking listening devices? Or can you, like, see into my room?" [17:56:37] Listening, global positioning... I do admit I performed some scrying, but only at times when other data indicated you were least likely to be in a delicate position. [17:56:43] Entirely routine, I assure you. [18:01:16] * Suzu relaxes slightly. "Well, that's not AS bad then." She frowns. "But I'm still not happy about it." [18:03:26] * Emily laughs. "Well, you haven't tried to poison me yet, so for the time being, I'm going to consider this a successful operation. My apologies." [18:04:35] ...do people try to poison you that often? [18:05:04] And...apology accepted. I guess. [18:06:08] Well, really only one person. I'm sure she doesn't really mean it, but it's rather troublesome. [18:06:33] * Emily looks around. "Also, as a matter of professionalism, I'd prefer not to talk about my contacts in a train station." [18:07:53] * Suzu glances around reflexively. "Yeah, good point." [18:10:00] I... don't suppose that you'd mind me doing a favor? To make up for any trouble I might have caused, what with changing trains and other scheduling issues that might have come about as a result of my mission? [18:10:29] I...guess that's okay? [18:12:49] * Emily nods, heading back towards the train platform, her voice low. "As more people find out about what's going on, there's a chance that they might become interested in you." [18:13:02] Knowing my peers, there's a chance that their interest might not be as benign. [18:15:30] ...like the ones who try to poison you? [18:15:56] * Emily nods. "Like her, yes." [18:17:40] * Suzu makes a face. "Great." [18:18:57] * Emily steps on board the train. "I've built up an immunity, mind you. I don't know what protection your status as a magican girl entails. Nor do I think it would be wise to experiment, unless we can find a way of convincing Time Cat to create an expendable control group." [18:19:48] * Suzu nods slowly, paling a bit. [18:22:53] With that in mind - and I would never be so rude as to invite myself - I'd appreciate the chance to try and secure your home. It might not be foolproof, but it might help. [18:23:48] * Emily smiles slightly. "And if they know that we're working together, it might dissuade anyone who might want to eliminate you while you're still getting on your feet." [18:24:48] No, no, that would be great! I'd just need to find sometime when my parents aren't around...which is usually...for you to do it. It wouldn't be noticeable to them right? [18:26:44] Almost certainly not. [18:29:48] (Want to skip to getting back to Suzu's house or something?) [18:34:05] * Mads (Mads@68-115-25-151.dhcp.mdsn.wi.charter.com) has joined #Magicalgirls [18:34:49] (sure, that works) [18:36:43] * Emily pauses at the fence at the edge of Suzu's property. "Check ahead, if you will. I'd rather not explain what I'm doing if your parents are here." [18:37:43] * Suzu nods, and heads inside. A few minutes later she returns. "Nobody home. Looks like they're not getting home until late, either." [18:40:11] * Emily nods, heading past Suzu into the house, and dropping her satchel on a coffee table, fishing out a series of tools mundane, exceedingly technical, and strangely arcane. She kneels next to the table, balancing on the toes of her boots, and begins picking out what she'll need. (Care to describe the house?) [18:49:04] * Suzu's house is spacious and fairly nice, but somewhat sparsely furnished. There's the occassional box of stuff in the corner of a room, as if someone's either packing or unpacking. [18:52:54] * Emily pulls out a series of small bronze discs about the size of watch batteries and what appears to be a large awl. Tapping the walls as she moves around the room, she finally stabs a hole in the wall, then inserts a disc inside the hole. Shortly, the hole appears to be fixed, and Emily continues to circle the room. [18:58:12] * Suzu watches Emily curiously, but stays out of the way. [19:01:04] * Emily puts her awl back on the table. "That ought to broadcast to anyone who cares to find out that you're working with me. It might not be accurate, technically, but hopefully it'll stave off anyone else who might be tempted to poke around." [19:01:33] If you don't mind, I'd like some time in your room. And perhaps some juice and biscuits for when I'm done. [19:04:59] * Suzu looks a little nervous again. "Uh. Okay. I guess you can." [19:06:09] * Emily nods. "Lead the way, then." [19:10:02] * Suzu leads Emily up the stairs to her room and opens the door, looking a bit embarassed. "It's, uh, a bit of a mess. Sorry." [19:12:47] * Emily heads inside. "That's... not so much of a problem. If I didn't have my support staff, it's likely my home wouldn't be much better." She fishes a roll of gauze from her satchel and a knife with a twisting blade, with a small shaker of salt. "I don't suppose there's anywhere that won't get disturbed and you don't mind a bit of blood?" [19:13:40] * Suzu's room IS a bit messy, though not a complete disaster. There's a number of magazines and books scattered across the floor, covering a wide variety of subjects. The walls are covered in band posters, and there's an acoustic guitar propped next to the bed that's either old or just very cheap. [19:13:58] * Suzu pales slightly. "Uh...blood?" [19:14:55] * Suzu glances at a book out of the corner of her eye and kicks it under her bed quickly. [19:15:57] * Emily blinks at the guitar. "Oh, you play? Fascinating." She looks back, distracted. "You know, shed a little blood, say the magic words, Bob's your uncle. At least, it's the way I was taught." She looks out the corner of her eye at the magazine Suzu kicked away. [19:17:21] * Suzu blushes a bit. "Well, uh, a little. I've been trying to teach myself to play, but it's sorta hard on my own. So I'm not very good." [19:18:24] And, um, I guess you could use a corner of the room. Can I cover it with something? [19:18:59] That should be acceptable. [19:22:35] * Emily eyes the guitar. "Perhaps... if there's ever a need for further wardings or other rituals... I don't suppose you'd mind playing at some point?" She shakes her head and, spooling out a length of gauze, and unscrewing the top of the salt shaker, runs the knife across her palm. She quickly pours a ring of salt, and then, pressing her index and middle fingers against her bloody palm, traces an eye in the center. [19:23:45] * Suzu laughs a bit nervously. "I, uh, guess I could, sometime." [19:25:19] * Emily bites her lip as she presses a pinch of salt against her palm, and then traces out a small set of runes as she mumbles in a language that's not quite Japanese or English. She quickly wraps the length of gauze tight around her hand. "I play a little myself, but I didn't anticipate this becoming a social call, to be entirely honest, or else I would have brought my baby." [19:28:02] You play too? Really? You...well it's kind of surprising. [19:30:09] * Emily frowns. "Why's that?" [19:34:54] Well I mean, you talk like you're some kind of nobility or something, and you're so serious, it just seems...uh... [19:34:57] ...normal? [19:38:18] * Emily states, as if repeating by rote, "A musical education is part of a proper upbringing for any young lady." She shrugs. "And operatives typically need something to keep them occupied in their downtime, lest they go mad." She gestures towards the guitar. "May I?" [19:39:40] Oh, go ahead. [19:45:36] * Emily reaches over to the guitar, and tunes it to a a minor key. Sitting on Suzu's bed, she uses some of the mess on the floor as a footrest, and begins playing guitar, strumming with her injured hand. A few bars in, she begins to sing quietly in English. Her singing is a little rough, but her guitar is exquisite, as she plays a slow, vaguely mournful song. Finishing, she opens her eyes, and rests the instrument on her lap. "Thank you." [19:54:48] * Suzu looks impressed. "Wow, you're really good. I'm kind of jealous." She pauses for a second. "Uh. Don't take this the wrong way though, but how come you sound like that when you sing but when you talk..." she trails off. [19:56:20] * Emily smiles. "Babel. It's my translator. My predecessor learned enough Japanese to codify it, and I hacked it apart and made it into a crystalline computer." She taps her necklace. [19:57:09] Huh, neat. [19:57:30] * Emily laughs. "And you said I didn't look very much like a scientist." [19:59:32] * Suzu blinks, then laughs as well. "Well, I guess looks are deceiving." [20:01:08] * Emily smirks. "Speaking of which, what were you trying to hide from me under the bed? You know, I've said - or at least implied - a number of things which are classified by order of Her Majesty. It's only fair, you know." [20:14:22] * Suzu stiffens a bit. "Hiding?" [20:16:51] The periodical you placed under the bed. What is it that could be so objectionable? Seditious material? Perhaps a magazine for saucy lads? I insist on knowing! [20:20:22] I... [20:22:19] * Emily crosses her arms. "If you don't tell me, I'll think you to be very rude." [20:26:19] * Suzu finally looks away and sighs. "Fine. You win." [20:28:38] * Suzu bends over and pulls a small book out from under the bed and hands it to Emily, blushing furiously and refusing to make eye contact. [20:30:44] * Emily shrugs. "I was just kidding, mostly..." She pages through the book. "Oh! Oh my. This is absolutely fascinating." [20:32:52] Although I don't see why you'd be so reluctant to share this. It's just about friendship between young ladies. [20:33:49] * Suzu blinks, and then laughs a bit nervously. "I, uh, dunno. But, um, don't tell anyone anyway." [20:34:55] * Emily keeps on paging through. "Oh my, very good friends indeed!" [20:35:09] Ms. Yoshida, this fascinates me. I want to know everything about this. [20:36:47] * Suzu coughs. "Er. Yeah. Well, I guess you could borrow it if you want..." [20:37:23] Truly? [20:38:07] Sure, why not? [20:40:12] * Emily shrugs. "I'm just not used to getting resources without some kind of trade, unless it's being smuggled in from home." She pauses. "Ms. Yoshida, I think I might enjoy spending time with you more than I enjoy spending time with my other contacts in Tokyo." [20:44:13] * Suzu smiles a bit sheepishly. "Thanks. Maybe this whole weird time thing won't be so bad. And it's okay if you call me Suzu." [20:45:54] * Emily smiles. "I guess this won't be a wholly professional relationship, then?" [20:53:59] I guess not. And if the cat has a problem with it we can give him to an animal shelter or something. [20:54:25] * Emily laughs. [20:54:38] Goodness, Time Cat. I... I don't even know what to think. [20:55:17] Is there someone else behind that? Is this operation literally run by a cat? Is it just a disguise? [20:55:52] Why recruit girls near a disturbance instead of someone who's actually capable of fighting? No offense meant. [20:56:54] It's just that I've been on some terribly mismanaged operations before, but none of them were run by a cat and relied wholly on the ability of schoolgirls to maintain the fabric of time. [20:57:26] * Suzu laughs. "When the cat showed up, I thought I'd fallen asleep watching TV and it was all a really vivid dream." [20:58:40] Oh, yes, apparently their plan for maintaining this timeline is based on a children's cartoon! [20:58:46] Suzu, we're working for idiots. [20:58:58] There's really no other way to interpert the events we've found ourselves in. [21:00:07] * Suzu laughs harder. "Oh man, when you put it like that..." [21:03:23] Though...thinking about it seriously, why us? [21:04:00] We were in the right place at the right time but, so were a lot of people? [21:04:05] * Emily trails off. "That's... a good question." [21:04:36] Perhaps we're somehow chronally special. [21:05:10] * Emily rests her chin in her hand. [21:05:51] As far as I know, my sisters and I weren't made in an unusual way. [21:06:22] But I suppose if it was unusual, knowing that might invalidate a closed time loop. [21:06:54] Wait, back up a second. What do you mean, made? [21:08:53] * Emily frowns. "Really, Suzu? When a man and a woman love each other very much, they run numerous simulations to determine the best possible combination of their genetics, screen for any abnormalities, apply the standard Victor Protocol enhancements, and decant half a dozen clones to make sure that the best possible variant becomes the Prime." [21:09:48] It makes sure that their child is the best they can be, and saves them the indignity of... less enlightened means of precreation. Which I've only heard mentioned in passing, but I've been assured they're absolutely horrifying. [21:13:19] * Suzu says slowly "Well, I guess what's normal for me isn't normal for you. ...and I guess with everything that's happened it's not the weirdest thing I've heard this week." [21:14:25] * Emily shrugs. "I suspect it's not too common outside of my family. Though a lot of the other operatives have at least something similar going on." [21:14:39] We're... very engaged with ideas of proper breeding, after all. [21:16:01] Other op...oh, like the person trying to poison you? [21:17:11] * Emily nods. "Mind you, that's not so bad once you're expecting is. She's genuinely sort of fun, if a bit loud. And lewd. And entirely too interested in the idea of marrying her cousin. But other than that, I enjoy her company!" [21:18:55] Marrying her...eeeewwwww. [21:19:34] She claims it's legal in Japan. Perhaps that's normal in their family. I hope never to find out more than I already have. [21:27:45] * Emily smiles. "I shouldn't speak ill of her, though. The Borgias might be slightly inbred, but at least Annunziata is more able to function than that poor Hapsburg boy. Goodness!" [21:30:31] * Suzu smiles awkwardly for a bit, unsure how to respond to that. "...actually, that reminds me. You keep talking about operatives and competition, but other than keeping an eye on weird stuff like what happened at the school, what is it that you do?" [21:32:46] * Emily smiles a little sadly. "I keep tabs on the things that happen here and take on missions in the local area that come down from London, and keep the other operatives from getting too much influence. Though, really, it's more like training for the real games back home." She shrugs. "And it's a game that we're losing, I think. But I feel like it's still worth it." [21:35:15] What's going on back home? [21:36:49] The Order's trying to get more control over England. It used to be, we were the power behind the throne. But then the empire started falling apart, and someone needed to be thrown under the train. And, of course, we keep the others from doing the same. [21:38:02] * Suzu nods slowly. [21:39:02] After all, do you really want the Papacy in the pocket of incestuous poisoners? Or for Germany to be working for a cabal so thoroughly inbred that I don't think any of them have been able to walk for centuries? It might not have much effect out here, but it's a pretty dire thought, if I do say so myself! [21:43:04] * Emily shrugs. "It might seem somewhat frivolous, but I'm sure most of us are trying to build a better world." [21:43:20] Some of us are trying to build a man out of corpses, but we can't all be winners. [21:47:00] * Suzu nods. "I...don't really understand politics that much. But it sounds like a big deal." [21:47:42] * Emily shakes her head. "You probably don't have to worry about it." [21:47:45] Or, well, you didn't. [21:48:31] Before you became a person of note. Now it might be useful to have due concern and watch out for any strange people dressed in period clothing. Especially if they ask to come into your home. [21:52:18] * Suzu laughs nervously at that. [21:55:10] * Emily smiles. "It was mostly a joke." She pauses. "I've got to go back to base and do my reports for the day, though. Be careful. I'll see you the next time something bad happens." [21:57:51] Yeah, see you. [21:58:05] * Suzu slaps her forehead. "Oh, sorry, I forgot all about the drinks." [21:59:37] * Emily shrugs. "Don't worry about it, I'll just be a bit dizzy until I get home. Maybe you can owe it to me." She stands, a bit uneasily, and begins repacking all her tools, placing the book seperate from them. [22:02:59] You sure? [22:06:57] * Emily shrugs. "I've been in worse shape. Though, to be honest, I wouldn't mind a lie down, either." [22:08:23] * Suzu looks a bit worried. "Hang on, I'll get you something. We've got...grape juice, milk, and I think there's still some soda left." [22:10:28] Well, I wouldn't turn down grape juice, I suppose. [22:11:04] I'll be right back then. [22:11:25] * Emily laughs. "Though you oughtn't worry. It's adorable, but I get back on my feet quickly." She leans back on the bed, noodling with the guitar and testing her cut. [22:12:39] * Suzu returns a couple minutes with a glass. "Well, you know. Better safe than sorry." [22:14:57] (This is probably a good place to wrap up) [22:15:04] (Yeah) [22:16:28] * Suzu is now known as Yon [22:16:46] * Emily is now known as Charles [22:18:50] That was fun. [22:19:56] Yeah. I kind of feel like compared to previous incarnations, Emily is less, like, inherently maniacal and more just poorly socialized. :| [22:20:09] She's, like, whatever the polar opposite of a feral child is. [22:20:43] * CharlesLaptron (Charles.Bo@12.157.99.51) has joined #MagicalGirls [22:20:43] Autistic? [22:21:03] Well, if autism was a social condition rather than a mental one, maybe [22:21:33] * Mads (Mads@68-115-25-151.dhcp.mdsn.wi.charter.com) Quit (Quit: ~ Trillian Astra - www.trillian.im ~) [22:28:07] Well, I mean, everything was really wacky the first time around [22:28:14] Yeah [22:28:47] And nothing was as well thought out. I mean the other characters were SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEX, :downs:, and 'bitch for no reason' [22:29:08] (also if Emily is less maniacal I guess that means no genetically engineered catgirls :T ) [22:29:13] Hahahah [02:18:53] * Yon is now known as sleepyon End of #MagicalGirls buffer Tue Feb 15 06:29:00 2011