Session Start: Mon Jan 14 16:45:15 2008 Session Ident: #VCB [20:13:02] * Vice City Blues. [20:14:33] * A confession of an upgrade, your guards. A way out, timer ticking, discovered. A refusal, to fight, by an ex-Enforcer. [20:14:57] * Still in the (relaitve) safety of the underground, it's time for a decision.... [20:15:04] * Start. 03[20:15:26] * WomanInBlack (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [20:18:43] * The surroundings, wafting by through the windows of the tram, waft by in their brightly lit, illusinary black-and-white world. 06[20:19:03] * Navi looks out the window while sitting on Noah's head. 03[20:19:42] * HeWhoHuntsCats (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB 03[20:19:42] * ChanServ sets mode: +o HeWhoHuntsCats 03[20:20:10] * sbpr2 (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) has joined #VCB [20:20:27] * The surroundings, wafting by through the windows of the tram, waft by in their brightly lit, illusinary black-and-white world. (repost, just in case.) 06[20:21:07] * Noah seems a bit lost in thought, staring out the window, himself. 02[20:21:50] * sbpr (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) Quit (Ping timeout) 02[20:21:50] * WomanInBlack (HeWhoHunts@68-118-60-90.dhcp.csby.or.charter.com) Quit (Ping timeout) 03[20:21:55] * sbpr2 is now known as sbpr 03[20:22:03] * HeWhoHuntsCats is now known as WomanInBlack 06[20:22:55] * WomanInBlack is relaxing? Sleeping? Meditating? Eyes closed, leaning back in one of the seats. 06[20:23:10] * Tetsuko observes the windows. She seems more... unattached to her body, lost in rapid observation and analysis. [20:25:22] ...so. 01[20:26:41] If we find a way out, we will take the opportunity to escape... right? But the greater mission would be left unaccomplished. [20:26:50] Correct. 06[20:27:36] * WomanInBlack 's eyes flutter for a moment, before slipping back into her unresponsive mode. [20:28:43] If we find our way out, we take it. All together. Once out, we can do something about the city from outside. With greater resources, and more safety. 06[20:29:04] * Navi nodnods. 06[20:29:06] * Tetsuko nods. [20:29:48] We -won't- let the Core win. It's evil, and we won't let it have any more victims. 06[20:33:49] * WomanInBlack eye's flutter open again, for a moment. She looks sleepily around. [20:36:15] The surface... are we there ... *yawn* ... yet? 06[20:36:55] * Noah looks out the window. "I think so. Assuming the City isn't making an illusion of -that-, now." 06[20:36:57] * Tetsuko looks over the map. [20:37:27] * You're not too far from one of the entrances to the aboveworld. [20:37:54] I don't think so. I would know if there's... *yawn* ... been major changes. [20:38:55] Good. [20:39:02] You alright, Petronella? 01[20:39:13] You must feel nervous about leaving the City... [20:39:16] As all right as can be expected. 06[20:39:38] * WomanInBlack smiles, dryly. "After being sleep deprived, hunted, and almost killed." [20:39:56] At least you didn't get hit by tentacles. 06[20:40:03] * WomanInBlack nods at Tetsuko. "I am." 06[20:40:49] * Noah nods. "I'm...sorry. I will protect you better next time. I won't hesitate to kill them. It'll at least drive them off." [20:42:07] No, Noah. [20:42:22] If it comes down to a choice between saving and and leaving. [20:42:23] Leave. [20:42:28] (saving me) [20:43:00] We don't even know if she can accompany us out of the city. 06[20:43:00] * WomanInBlack says softly, intently, "You must get out." [20:43:07] Someone must. [20:43:22] I will make sure Navi and Tetsuko get out. I'm not leaving unless it's with all three of you. 06[20:44:21] * Tetsuko nods. [20:44:52] * The tram comes to a smooth stop, as it's guided to the platform, leading out, upstairs.... 06[20:45:54] * Noah gets to his feet, careful not to jostle Navi enough to dislodge her from his head. He heads on out and up. 06[20:46:15] * Tetsuko gets up and waits for everyone to be ready. [20:47:23] * As Noah emerges from the stairways, it's hot - a sticky, sapping, sweltering heat, like the sun's beating down - except the heats coming from the ground. Gone are the people. Gone are the buildings, gone is the illusionary reality of safety... [20:47:46] (more) 01[20:48:07] Noah, if I am disabled, are you aware of how to remove my hard drives? [20:48:43] * ... just a roiling, oily, _alive_ black mass of flesh? movement? And, of course, the everpresent, monolithic walls, towering above and around. [20:49:02] Well, that's a warm welcome. 06[20:49:19] * Tetsuko observes. 01[20:49:37] If Petronella will not accept the bracer, then I will. Unless Navi has a way to use it. [20:49:57] * A brighly glowing mass of Red is somewhere out there, moving around, vivid against the black. 06[20:50:53] * Noah offers the bracer to Tetsuko. "I am not, no. Could you explain it to me? I -will- get you out safely." 06[20:51:07] * Tetsuko takes it. [20:51:10] If games taught me anything, it's that the big red thing is important. [20:51:39] ...can you tell what it is? Maybe the Core? 06[20:51:41] * WomanInBlack comes up a few moments after the others, and stares quietly. 01[20:52:59] If you feel around me enough, you should be able to find a switch to open me up like when we hid the book. In the final construction, there would be a fingerprint lock access on it, but for now, it is accessable to anyone who knows where to look. 01[20:53:41] The drives have their own temporary emergency power supply to complete emergency shutdown, so you can simply grab them and go. [20:54:20] Your body may die, but your spirit will live on. [20:54:35] After a fashion. 01[20:54:41] In a way. 06[20:56:22] * Navi nodnods. 06[20:56:22] * Noah nods. "I promise." [20:56:44] Let's hope the red enforcer doesn't notice us. Which way to the gates from here, now? 06[20:58:08] * WomanInBlack points north-east-ish, which is close enough to where the pulsing red aura of the Enforcer on the prowl is to be cautious of. "That way." 06[20:58:36] * Tetsuko moves that way. [21:00:17] Be careful; don't get too close to the red thing. It's ...which one's that one, Petronella? Other than "the red one". [21:00:24] * The ground moves, writhes, as Tetsuko steps on it, sticky and grabbing. [21:00:31] It is the Red Enforcer. [21:00:42] As I was the Black Enforcer. 06[21:01:39] * Tetsuko uses her bracer and tries to create a duplicate of the dustergun she handed to Petronella [21:02:00] * It's hot, and slows Tetsuko down, but the path is still walkable. 06[21:02:45] * Noah watches Tetsuko's progress on the ground. "Would using the bracers call their attention to us?" [21:02:56] * One appears! It's not as real - it's got that faded, not-as-real look that's come to be associated of the tangible illusion, and it's in black and white - though the weight and heft of it feel very much solid. [21:03:27] If they can see it, or if it's large. [21:04:35] Or if they're close. [21:04:52] ...okay. I'll risk it for now, then. 06[21:05:20] * WomanInBlack grimaces, as she steps on the squicky black mass that's the surface of the ground. 06[21:05:25] * Noah gestures, making a small asphault path to walk on. It forms a bit ahead of the group and disappears a bit behind them as they move. [21:05:41] I, um, will stop this when we get closer to the red enforcer. 06[21:05:52] * WomanInBlack pauses a moment, then gets on the path. "Thank you, Noah." 01[21:06:00] Thank you. 06[21:06:36] * Navi stays sitting on top of Noah. [21:06:51] * The blazing red aura of the Enforcer starts to head west, following the inner perimeter of the Walls - away from you. 01[21:07:29] ... I wonder what has its attention. 01[21:07:37] Does it have a patrol? [21:07:41] It is searching. 06[21:08:32] * WomanInBlack watches it for a moment, then shakes her head. [21:10:26] You're both welcome. And...wow, that's a hopeful sign. Let's hurry, before it or its friends come back. *starts along the path, beelining at a brisk pace towards the wall. He also conjurs a light, cool breeze just around the party. [21:11:02] * The group makes good progress, and soon enough they're at where Petronella has indicated the gate to be. [21:11:28] * Even though it's a solid wall, it _feels_ right. 06[21:12:46] * WomanInBlack stands a bit back from the others, and stares quietly at the Walls. 06[21:13:14] * Tetsuko feels the wall. [21:13:55] * To touch, the walls feel solid - more solid than they should all rights be - like nothing of this world could affect them. 01[21:14:12] It's been sealed? [21:14:22] It's on a timer. [21:14:36] It will open again four mornings from now. 01[21:14:38] ... ah. Right. 01[21:15:09] Unless we can do something to the timer. 06[21:15:12] * Noah looks up, to see how high they are. [21:16:06] * This close to them, the walls are high enough that you can't see the sky above you, unless you look away from them. 06[21:16:33] * Navi whistles. [21:16:36] Someone doesn't want us out. 01[21:16:37] I wonder if we could burrow underneath. 06[21:17:55] * Noah looks down, curious if he can see through the ground to view how far down the walls go. [21:17:59] One way to find out. I don't think that guck will want us in there. [21:18:10] A possibility, if we can find sufficiently real digging tools. [21:19:02] * The bracers double-sight shows the reality of the black, alive, ground. [21:19:33] ...I don't suppose the walls stop eventually, if we go high enough? 01[21:20:00] How would we get back down on the other side? [21:20:21] ...carefully. 06[21:21:23] * WomanInBlack frowns, and walks up to the Wall. She pauses a moment, before setting a hand on it, closing her eyes. [21:21:39] I can fly down. I don't know about you. 01[21:22:04] Navi... this is your opportunity to leave. 01[21:22:28] You can fly up unopposed and down the other side easily. [21:22:56] She shouldn't. The Walls... she will not be able to cross them, above or below. [21:23:17] Not without pain, and another cost I do not know. Only through. 01[21:23:58] I see. [21:24:36] ... 06[21:24:53] * WomanInBlack frowns, and steps back from the Wall. [21:25:02] How does that work? What causes the pain? --Petronella? Is something wrong? 06[21:25:04] * Tetsuko mirrors Petronella's action. "What is wrong?" [21:25:33] There's ... a key? A code? *she glances at the bracer on Tetsuko's arm* 06[21:26:06] * Tetsuko holds out the bracer for Pwtronella. [21:26:13] There's another door, that can be opened today. But to open it.... *frown* 01[21:26:23] Please tell us the circumstances. [21:26:28] To open it, I would have to evolve. 01[21:26:35] Evolve? [21:26:41] Like the others have. 01[21:26:49] What do you mean? [21:27:03] After you defeated the Green Enforcer, the Core evolved them all. [21:27:31] If I had been wearing my bracer, I, tool, would have been evolved. [21:27:51] And I would have turned against you. 01[21:27:58] I see. [21:28:07] And I will. 06[21:28:22] * WomanInBlack frowns. "But it will get you out." 01[21:28:31] Then handing the bracer back to you really is not an option. [21:29:14] Nope. [21:29:22] I say we kick the core's ass if we can't find another way out. 01[21:29:25] We either wait the four days or find another way. [21:30:02] If it's a choice between me and leaving, I would have you leave. 01[21:31:13] We refuse. Direct conflict with an Evolved Enforcer is undesirable, among other reasons. 06[21:31:51] * WomanInBlack nods, and resumes concentrating on the Wall. 01[21:32:22] What can you see? 06[21:32:55] * Noah stands off to the side, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. [21:33:15] Dreams, souls, hunger.... [21:34:00] Mysteries, weaving of feelings, power, misdirection... [21:34:27] Ye olde generic collection of various forms of emotional and spiritual energies? [21:34:58] That, and other things. The Core. 01[21:35:38] I see. 01[21:35:43] If we destroy the Core, what happens? [21:35:48] I do not know. [21:39:17] .... ! [21:39:23] An idea. 01[21:39:27] What is that? [21:40:13] Noah... while in this place. *frown* Can you suppress the evolution? 06[21:41:45] * Noah blinks, and concentrates on his armlet. "I can." 01[21:41:59] Why? [21:42:11] ... they will know. They will know where we are, what I've done, and where the door is. [21:42:41] But if you fly, fast, you can be out before they're here. 01[21:43:15] What about you? [21:43:31] I will do what I can to make sure you get out. [21:44:28] You -will- come with us. I can make you into whatever you need to be, with this. If needs be, I can make you as Navi, and carry you. 06[21:44:57] * Navi giggles. [21:49:01] * Off on the other side of the city, near where the Red enforcer is walking, a blazing green aura emerges from somewhere beneath. The two cross paths, and head opposite directions. 01[21:49:57] ... withdraw and rethink our options? [21:50:21] Uh... [21:50:25] That doesn't look good. [21:51:04] * The birght, blazing auras highlight them clearly against the black of the walls and of the ground, even as far away as they are. 01[21:51:39] Assault the core? 06[21:52:47] * WomanInBlack frowns. "If so, now may be the best time, with two above and only one below." 01[21:53:16] Noah... ? 06[21:54:15] * Noah nods. "Let's go. Quickly. Petronella, I mean it. You -are- coming with us. We might need your evolved powers while we flee." 06[21:54:29] * Noah turns and walks purposefully and quickly towards the station again. 01[21:54:30] Very well. 06[21:54:33] * Tetsuko follows. 06[21:54:43] * WomanInBlack nods, slowly, and sadly. "So be it." 01[21:55:17] You seem sad. [21:55:32] Always. [21:55:55] There is no joy, no reason, no life in me, to exist, to be. [21:56:24] I simply am, and the one reason I have left, to make sure someone gets out, and the book gets out, is _all I have left._ 06[21:56:49] * Noah grits his teeth. "I am so sorry." 01[21:56:54] You will find something on the outside. We don't know what to do after this. [21:57:11] This place wears at me, it will drain me, kill me, or reclaim me, if I do not get out, and I do not know if that is an option for me. 01[21:57:15] Even when we do escape, we may try to destroy the Core again someday. 01[21:57:23] You are the most familiar with it. [21:58:50] You do not seem to fully realize that I am very likely doomed in the most literal sense of the word. [22:00:11] As I have been since I struck the Core, and fled. 03[22:01:05] * ChanServ sets mode: +o sbpr [22:01:33] Even if she gets out, we do not know if she will still exist. 01[22:02:00] I see. 06[22:02:01] * Noah whirls on her, anger plain in his face and voice. "And you don't seem to realize that I don't -care- about that! You're -not- going to die, be reabsorbed, or whatever, Petronella! You're our friend, and we -will- find a way to take you with us! Damn the Core, damn this City, and damn Fate!" He practically seems to glow - his normal golden joy tinged an almost visible red, intensity radiating almost oppressively. 06[22:04:43] * WomanInBlack pauses a moment, then softly responds, "Damned or no, it's a waste if you fall protecting me." [22:05:05] I will not. *utterly certain* [22:05:09] You are not expendable. [22:05:19] None of you are. [22:05:22] Nobody is, except the enemy. [22:05:34] Your the ones who can escape, make a difference, tell the world! [22:05:55] You the ones who can bring the book back, so that the missing will be remembered! 01[22:05:55] Hm... [22:06:14] You're the ones who must get away so that I can be vindicated. [22:06:16] If I get out, even if I do not have the book, the world shall know. 01[22:06:25] Will the bracers be damaged if we leave? [22:06:32] I do not know. 01[22:06:45] One thought occurs to me. [22:07:08] I'll also hack into the military and have this place designated a nuclear bomb testing ground if I have to. 01[22:07:28] If my body is destroyed, my spirit lives on if my hard drives are safely transported. 01[22:08:12] If your body would be destroyed and reabsorbed if you cannot physically leave... there is a container that may be able to carry your consciousness out. 06[22:08:35] * WomanInBlack frowns. 06[22:09:42] * Noah looks at Tetsuko. 01[22:09:44] From there... maybe we could find a way to release you or create a new body. 01[22:11:37] Noah/ 06[22:12:35] * WomanInBlack adopts a somewhat thoughtful, but mostly confused expression. "I do not know of such a thing." [22:13:02] Could we store her in the bracers? 06[22:13:04] * Tetsuko holds up the bracer. [22:13:16] ...or in me? 01[22:13:37] We can give you a bracer so you can evolve. Then store you in the other and escape once you have accomplished your work. 01[22:13:46] If you are unable to physically leave here, at least. 06[22:15:31] * WomanInBlack blinks a few times. "I do not know." [22:15:54] Well. Only one way to find out. We now have another backup plan. [22:15:58] ... a disembodied presence, at worst? 01[22:16:39] If the bracers can carry you outside, yes. [22:16:57] * ... the relatively cool air of the below-ground black-and-white subways greets the group, the tram they left still waiting for them. [22:17:06] Come on. And no more talk of doom. Predicting the worst only guarentees you won't look for the best. And you can't do your best if you can't even conceive it. [22:17:19] TO THE CORE! *points dramatically at the tram* [22:17:21] * With a 'pop!' the color suddenly pops back into place. 06[22:17:30] * Tetsuko blinks. [22:17:31] ...wow, didn't know I could do that. [22:19:06] That's... nice. 06[22:19:27] * Noah climbs on board. "Seriously, though, this is probably bad." 06[22:19:33] * Tetsuko climbs on. [22:19:39] Yeah. [22:19:43] Is anything here good? [22:19:48] But mere colors are nothing. The Core will fall. [22:19:51] Apart fromt he sex, that is. 06[22:20:12] * WomanInBlack frowns, and gets on board. She points at the tunnel map, and a specific spot on it, tracing out a path. [22:20:17] The core is there. 06[22:21:32] * Noah blushes at Navi's "sex" comment. "...I did enjoy that. And would like to do it again, if you girls want..." he coughs nervously. "ANYWAY! Let's go there, then. I think it's expecting us." He makes the tram go. 01[22:21:41] Any time. [22:22:11] * The tram starts off, kicking along at it's underpowered speed. [22:22:49] Sure, if you can help me get a bigger body. *wink* 01[22:23:42] Perhaps Petronella should try some sex. 06[22:24:31] * Navi giggles. "I'm sure Noah wouldn't object." 06[22:24:44] * Noah blushes again, but sneaks a peek at Petronella. "Um, Tetsuko, Navi...you're being rude to Petronella." [22:25:59] Hey, even if YOU don't wanna help, I don't have any qualms. 06[22:26:50] * WomanInBlack frowns. 01[22:27:17] I apologize if I have offended you. 06[22:27:37] * Noah mutters, "Iwouldn'tmind..." and then raises his voice to normal levels. "I'm not offended. Petronella may just not be...you know, interested." 06[22:29:40] * WomanInBlack glances down at herself, and idly adjusts the bandages on her arm. "Mmm." [22:30:18] True, you're probably small compared to what she's seen. o/` 06[22:31:02] * Noah throws a suddenly extant marble at Navi, mock-frowning and barely not snickering. 06[22:31:34] * Navi gets thwapped and rubs her head. "Ooow, hey! That hurt!" [22:32:32] Clearly you're not as small a target as what you took aim at with your verbal jab. *mock-snottilly* 01[22:32:57] She does not seem to be opposed. But may be a bit shy. [22:33:20] What's the old adage? Yes means yes, no means 'oh god yes'? [22:33:31] ... 06[22:33:37] * Navi giggles. [22:33:40] I'm just kidding with you. [22:33:44] I -can- make more marbles, you know. [22:33:47] :P 06[22:33:48] * Navi rubs Noah's head. 06[22:34:07] * Noah shivers a bit as Navi's tiny hand tickles his scalp pleasently. 06[22:35:10] * WomanInBlack frowns, adopting a confused look. [22:35:18] * As the tram draws closer to the point Petronella indicated, you can feel something. It thickens the air, and if not for the tram, you'd almost certainly be fighting the air, clawing, pushing through it just to make progress. [22:35:33] * There's a horrible feeling of apathy, depression, and an underlying hum of _power_. Just letting your vision waver for a moment, it feels like you're being sucked into it. Like it's going to eat you. 06[22:38:18] * Noah concentrates, and grins. It looks halfway between carefree and savage. "We're coming for you. Can you feel us, you nameless little monster?" he asks, his certainty somehow cutting through the thickness, thinning the air just enough. [22:40:07] You can stop being macho for the ladies now. 01[22:40:36] I appreciate it. [22:41:21] * Even though just being around Noah makes it more bearable, less suffocating, the feeling only thickens and intensifies as you get closer, before the tram suddenly comes to a stop, like it's hit a wall. [22:41:34] * Standing before the tram, now, is a man in a metal mask. The mask is not still - it shakes, vibrates, as if it's trying to get free - the only thing holding it on is chains attached to the mask, and to the face and neck. [22:41:41] * A shining, white blade of energy extends from where his hand should be, and it says, suddenly left, suddenly right, blurring and dissapearing, words echoing left and right but never both.... [22:41:42] * "I can" Left. "feel you" right. "You who" left. "will lose" right "your names" left "while" right "begging for" left "mine." [22:42:06] * Session end. Session Close: Mon Jan 14 23:20:45 2008