Start of #THSB buffer: Thu Mar 27 20:39:04 2008 [18:34:08] [ We find Some Of Our Heroines sitting around the vast expanse of antique polished wood that serves as the Yamato breakfast room table. It's not quite as big as the lunch table or dinner table, although it's larger than the snack table and the desert table. ] [18:36:31] [ Nade-chan, Sumi-chan, and Xiao the Obliterator are all having a seat for breakfast on a sunday, so there's no school. It's raining lightly outside, but that's fine, too. ] [18:37:40] [ Also at the table are Ayame Kunzen (Oniichaaaaaaan!) and Yuki Kunzen (ara ara), although Dai himself seems to be sleeping in. ] [18:41:40] * Xiao wanders in from the rain, from where she'd been building *something* in the back yard. That something is currently hidden under a tarp. She shakes her head, whipping her waist-length blue hair about and spraying everyone with water. "Morning, sleepyheads." [18:42:13] [ Maids appear and wipe everything dry in a few hectic seconds. ] [18:42:58] [ "Ara," says Yuji Kunzen. "Good morning, Xiao-chan." Ayame decides this is the time to demand seconds with additional fruit toppings, this time. ] [18:43:11] * Nadeshiko gives the maids an approving nod. [18:44:24] [ The maids quickly arrive with a plate piled high with carbohydrates! Ayame digs in. ] [18:44:48] Itadakimasu. [18:44:59] * Nadeshiko starts eating. [18:45:05] [ Gehsundheit. ] [18:46:50] * Sumiko walks in from the pouring rain, dressed in simple shrine maiden attire and carrying a simple broom. Despite having been out in the rain this whole time she doesn't appear to be soaking wet. In fact she looks as clean as she does most days. [18:46:52] * Xiao sits down, and digs in. "Saw my folks last night. They're concerned about my staying here, but compared to what's been happening in our native Beijing lately, they're glad we're here in Japan." [18:49:06] * Sumiko eventually navigates to the room wehre people are eating and bows politely, giving a brief smile. "Good morning to you all." [18:49:13] (where) [18:49:54] "Fly in on that broomstick, Sumi-chan?" [18:50:53] * Xiao grins to let folks know she's not serious about the comment. [18:51:09] Good morning [18:51:44] * Sumiko blinks at the broomstick and smiles, setting it off to the side. She sits down and asks for a light breakfast from one of the maids, then turns to Xiao. "Perhaps." [18:52:45] [ The maids bring food for Sumiko. ] [18:53:23] I'm not very talented at witchcraft though. It's so much more natural to use my wings to fly. [18:53:59] * Sumiko starts eating, careful not to get messy. [18:54:12] "Anyways, there was another student riot in Tienamen Square yesterday, over what's happening in Tibet. The Chinese press is keeping it quiet, but Dad still has contacts over there." [18:54:40] That's unfortunate. Violence is rarely the answer. [18:54:47] * Nadeshiko frowns. [18:55:28] What are your thoughts on the matter, Xiao-san? [18:57:44] "Well, the students didn't start the violence, from what I understand. Apparently the police did, and things just escalated. Kinda like how the twins and I get along so well. Personally, I think that Tibet should be cut loose. Nothing there but snow-covered mountains and yeti anyways. And yeti are so hard to paper-train." [18:58:23] [ Somewhere, a yeti sneezes. ] [18:59:54] Hmph. Something should be done soon... [19:01:10] * Sumiko sighs. "I see. Is there any reason you feel the need to decieve us, Xaio-san?" [19:04:53] (Okay, scratch my line. :D) [19:06:18] [ "Huuuu," hums Ayame. "I wonder when oniichan is gonna get up? It's almost eight!" ] [19:07:29] Strange. When did he sleep last evening? [19:07:53] * Xiao finishes eating. "Anyways, thanks for the second breakfast. I gotta get outside and finish up the latest masterpiece." [19:08:11] What is this masterpiece, if I may ask? [19:08:14] [ "Ara," says Yuki. "He often sleeps in on off days." ] [19:08:40] * Xiao stands up and heads outside. A toolbox appears in her hands as she heads out the door; where it came from, we can't tell. "A Cannonball-To-The-Head-O-Mat." [19:09:17] That, um... [19:09:22] * Sumiko blinks. "Why?" [19:09:58] "Oh, don't worry. It's only to test the latest chemical brewing in my lab. Did anyone see where I set my socket wrench?" [19:10:24] Where do you last remember having it? [19:10:24] (note: there's one hanging on her belt) [19:11:00] I believe it is on your belt. [19:11:18] I apologize if I am incorrect. I am not familiar with many tools. [19:11:53] * Xiao glances down, and looks a bit surprised. "Oh, thanks." She's out the door and into the rain... without a raincoat, or anything else of that matter. [19:12:59] Xiao, per-... [19:13:26] * Sumiko finishes eating, places her chop sticks on the tray, then chases after Xiao. [19:13:30] (I figure she's wearing jeans and a t-shirt under her ever-present lab coat. [19:16:46] * Xiao is under the tarp when Sumiko gets to her. She's fiddling with some wires on a laser targeting for a gihugerant cannon. [19:18:45] Excuse me, perhaps you shouldn't be in the rain? Using electricity with water is very dangerous. [19:19:26] "That's what the tarp is for. Keeps the Cannonball-to-the-Head-O-Mat dry." [19:20:47] "Hand me the left-hand spanner from my toolbox, would you?" [19:22:19] * Sumiko blinks and walks over to the toolbox carefully, picking up a left-hand... something from there and gingerly giving it to Xiao. [19:25:16] * Nadeshiko steps out with a traditional umbrella to look at Xiao's work. "Oh my. What is this?" [19:25:29] * Xiao takes it without looking and slaps it against her belt, where it stays. "Arigato." She closes the panel, and steps back to view her work. "Almost done. I just need a test subject." She looks over Sumiko, a hint of amusement behind her glasses. "How about it? You up for being the guinea pig?" She produces a vial from under her coat. "If so, just drink this and sit in that chair in front of the Cannonball-to-the-Head-O-Mat." [19:25:49] [ Suddenly Ayame pops up next to you both. "Ueeeeeee! Niichan, what's this do?" ] [19:26:27] * Sumiko blinks. "Um, uh, what is this supp- Good morning Ayame." She smiles at the little girl. "I was wondering just that. Maybe you could tell us, Xiao?" [19:27:28] * Xiao poses in classic Mad Scientist mode! "This, my friends, is the Cannonball-to-the-Head-O-Mat! Useful for testing this invulnerability serum I just cooked up last night! Volunteers?!" [19:27:58] [ "Wai! Ayame-chan will help!" Ayame finds the big red button indemic to such devides and jabs it with her little finger. ] [19:28:16] "NO! NOT YET!" [19:28:25] Oh dear, I do hope that wasn't important. [19:28:30] Eh? [19:28:46] * Xiao pulls the girl away from the button as the cannon goes off! [19:29:05] (Rob: your call as to where the cannon was actually *aimed*) [19:29:39] (Or if it was the self destruct button) [19:30:07] (which would be even worse than trashing the neighborhood, but yes) [19:30:24] [ Xiao and Ayame both get blasted into the sky by the cannonball. Ayame goes "Wheeeee!", apparently thinking this is part of the point. ] [19:31:56] "Another day, another explosion," she says as they land, with the forcefield taking the brunt of the damage... [19:34:35] * Sumiko takes off after the two, making sure they don't blow up or something. [19:34:48] [ Ayame flaps her arms. "Again! Ayame wanna ride again!" ] [19:35:12] If I may ask, Xiao... Where's the cannonball? [19:35:49] [ It exploded, apparently. ] [19:35:52] * Xiao produces it from under her coat, where it falls to the ground. [19:36:02] [ Or it could've done that. ] [19:36:13] [ Thus is Shroedinger's Cannonball slain. ] [19:36:56] Are either of you hurt? I hope ont, that must have been painful. [19:37:45] "That was not how it was supposed to go..." She looks over at the shattered glass vial on the ground next to her. "Force field took all the blow, but there's pain, and the invulnerability serum is ruined." [19:37:47] (not) [19:37:52] What was it supposed to do? [19:37:57] [ "Ayame is oookay!", says the girl with a smile. She then heads back after the red button. ] [19:38:09] "Stop her.... ow." [19:38:55] * Sumiko runs over to the little girl and picks her up, giving her a hug. [19:38:58] * Nadeshiko stands in front of the red button. [19:39:16] [ Ayame blinks. "Wheh?" ] [19:39:35] * Xiao stands slowly. "Remind me to put a child-lock on that button." [19:40:15] * Sumiko puts the girl down now that Nadeshiko's blocking the button. "You should ask for permission before touching other's things." [19:40:34] You're also so cute I had to give you a hug. ^_^ [19:41:15] [ "Awww! Ayame likes you too, Sumi-neechan!" ] [19:41:55] * Nadeshiko smiles [19:42:25] * Xiao staggers over to the Cannonball-to-the-Head-O-Mat, and disables the big red button. "Well, let's leave this be for now. I need more of the invulnerability serum before this can be used." [19:43:00] Do you have another way to test the invulneraability serum? [19:43:18] "Plenty, but this way's more fun!" [19:43:28] Your serum wasn't very invulnerable, was it Xiao? [19:43:46] "Can't do mad science with minor tests." [19:44:07] * Sumiko leans down next to Ayame. "How old are you anyways, Ayame?" [19:44:53] [ Ayame grins. "Ayame is nine!" She holds up nine fingers to confirm this statement with visual identification. ] [19:44:59] * Nadeshiko smiles [19:45:52] "And the serum is designed to cycle through a person, making their skin, muscles, and bone ... not to mention their eyes, tongue, and spleen ... impervious to harm. I just hadn't taken the serum or given it to anyone when she ruined the experiment." [19:46:28] Maybe you can give her another experiment she can play with [19:47:16] [ A spleen that cannot be harmed could revolutionize warfare. ] [19:47:34] Nine years? Wow, you're growing up fast! What do you want to be when you grow up? [19:48:11] [ Ayame beams. "Ayame-chan is gonna control all the minds in the world!" ] [19:48:51] What will you do with that? [19:49:37] * Xiao disappears... it's funny how she did it; she wrapped the lab coat around her, and *poof* [19:49:56] [ Ayame grins. "Whatever I want!" ] [19:50:05] What do you want? [19:50:17] [ "More cannonball!" [19:50:17] ] [19:50:58] ... [19:51:00] * Sumiko blinks. [19:51:02] ... [19:51:08] Needs more cannonball? [19:51:28] When do you want more cannonball? [19:51:57] [ Ayame is on the other side of Nadeshiko, who has been preoccupied with silly questions. "Right now!" And she pushes the big red button. ] [19:53:22] [ The machine turns, there's a loud 'thoomp' followed by a louder explosion. Nadeshiko and Ayame are sent soaring into the sky! Ayame giggles. ] [19:56:55] * Xiao comes running out of the house, lab coat and blue hair flapping behind her. "What happened?!" [19:57:21] [ The CHOM turns to Xiao and woofs. ] [19:57:42] (it barks at her?) [19:58:18] (CTTHOM, actually) [19:58:49] * Nadeshiko flies into the sky! Then there's a CRASH at the ground, and a large cloud of dust. When the dust clears, Yamato no Nadeshiko is standing on top of a cannonball on the ground, which is curiously undamaged. Nadeshiko is perfectly clean, and not a hair is out of place. [19:59:41] Careful, Ayame-chan. [20:00:21] [ Ayame chan giggles. "'Careful, careful'. Ayame chan says again!" ] [20:02:22] * Nadeshiko steps off of the cannonball. [20:03:17] * Xiao doesn't notice as the cannonball the CTTHOM fired at her bounces off her head - apparently, she's taken the invulnerability serum - and heads over to the controls. "I thought I disabled this." She checks the wires. "I *did* disable this." She pulls out a scanner from a belt pouch, and scans the thing. "Unusual energy readings. Highly aberrant. And the energy readings are... Wait a second." [20:04:56] * Xiao adjusts the controls slightly, making it deliberately home in on Ayame, and presses the red button. [20:07:57] [ Ayame giggles. "Ayame controls the machine now, Xiao-neesan! It's her new friend!" The CTTHOM goes 'woof'. ] [20:08:00] [ Like a dog. ] [20:08:41] Hm... ? How did you do that? [20:09:15] [ Ayame shrugs. "Ayame dunnoooooo. It just happens. Might be like the way birdies and chipmunks fall dead when Ayame's around." ] [20:09:47] Has that always happened? [20:10:29] [ Ayame shrugs. "I guess." Her eyes glow balefully. "Are you gonna ask a bunch of annoying questions again, Yame-neechan?" ] [20:10:32] * Xiao scans Ayame with the device, getting a reading on her 12-dimensional quantum, physical, and metaphysical energy readings. [20:11:07] * Sumiko is... nowhere to be found. [20:15:00] "Utterly fascinating. And I thought Dai was special." [20:16:03] .oO(But do I allow her access to my lab? The possibilities are endless, and I'm imagining more problems if she affects my lab the way she's affected the CTTHOM." [20:16:10] -"+)Oo. [20:16:32] No, my curiosity is satisfied for the time being. [20:16:44] You are an interesting girl. [20:17:28] [ "Thanks, Yama-oneesan!" ] [20:17:33] [ "Now, more cannonball!" ] [20:17:44] [ The CTTHOM woofs obediently and pivots to aim itself. ] [20:18:50] * Sumiko shows up a few moments later, Ayame's mom in tow. [20:19:53] [ "Maa maa," says Yuki, "Ayame, are you being a bad girl?" ] [20:19:55] * Xiao records all of this, unaware the Ayame's mom is present. "Let it fire," she tells Nadeshiko. [20:21:05] She is. [20:22:11] She fired a cannon at me. [20:23:45] * Nadeshiko moves towards the CTTHOM, preparing to react if it fires [20:24:06] [ Yuki tilts her head to the side. "Ara. Ayame-chan, what have I told you about using deadly weapons on people?" ] [20:26:05] [ Ayame looks panicked. "But mama, Ayame doesn't wanna squat in her room for five hours!" ] [20:26:42] [ At about this time, a little-known star exploded not fifteen lightyears from Earth. But this does not relate to the story. ] [20:27:28] [ "Well, well," says Yuki. "I suppose you shouln't have used the canon-machine on people should you? To your room now, Aya-chan." Ayame sulks off, bawwing. ] [20:27:36] (yes, we'll see the light when Ayame's an adult) [20:28:46] [ I was thinking more 'you'll see horror and carnage untold of when Ayame's an adult', but that too. ] [20:29:56] Kunzen-san, might I recommend the services of my aunt for helping to train Ayame to grow to be a mature young woman? I was worse than her at that age, and my aunt's lessons helped me become the noble lady I am today. [20:30:34] [ "Ara, that won't be necessary. Other people who tried all kept having accidents, and then we couldn't afford any more." ] [20:30:50] "What kinds of 'accidents'?" [20:33:07] [ "Oh, very strange accidents. Strokes, heart attacks, drowning, one poor fellow had a rock fall on him. It was all very sad. I think Ayame has terrible luck, perhaps." ] [20:34:34] "Yes. Luck." .oO(Astoundingly bad luck isn't natural! I MUST STUDY HER!!! ... But without letting her into my lab.) [20:35:03] [ And so the world was doomed! ] [20:36:50] * Xiao is now known as Phantasm [20:37:21] [ Session End! ] End of #THSB buffer Thu Mar 27 20:39:04 2008