View source for LunaHidesHerFace/SessionOneRaw

== [[LunaHidesHerFace|Luna Hides Her Face]], Session One: Trouble in Greyfalls ==

''Full transcript, minus out-of-character jabber (Would people be interested in that? seems like overkill), with only miscellaneous edits. ''

GM (quoting Scavenger Sons): Greyfalls is a city of towers and minarets, domed buildings and wide tree-lined streets, against a backdrop of looming mountains and the towering Falls that give the city its name.<br>GM: You stroll in, say, midday?, having traveled for some time (assisted by sorcery, perhaps) across the plains of the Hundred Kingdoms region from the forests where Shadow Weaver made his home. Streets radiate out from the dockside, where travelers having made the expensive voyage up the rivers arrive to trade with the Realm and the locals. So, as you arrive, market is in full swing. "Greyfalls parchment! Five scrip a ream! ... Sorry, my friend, it's the taxes, no can do!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress listens to it all, looks around. Ahh.<br>Shadow Weaver strides through the throngs of city-folk, watching, listening, taking in the scents.<br>Shining Blossom Empress toddles along behind, happy to be around people, instead of bugs and snakes<br>GM: With your exposed daiklave on your back, you attract immediate attention. Mutters as you pass, merchants calling out, "Ah! Great one! Honor my wares with a glance!"...<br>Shining Blossom Empress glances.  Obviously they mean her.<br>Shadow Weaver honours them all with a scowl.<br>GM: ...turning to shock and suspicion as they see it's moonsilver, not jade, glinting there.<br>Shadow Weaver catches the glances and belatedly realizes his error. Damn, he's been away too long from non-Lunar caste societies...<br>Shadow Weaver makes his way towards the nearest stall selling weapons :-)<br>Shining Blossom Empress catches the glances, too, sighs, decides to ignore the peasant, for now.<br>GM: Weapons you can find. One rack sports a variety of sword designs, all with elaborate glasswork in the hilts.<br>Shadow Weaver addresses the proprietor "You, c'mere."<br>Shining Blossom Empress hopes he's going to find a scabbard for that monster<br>GM: He glances about, wary, but approaches. "Yes... sir?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress is half-surprised he doesn't just wrap it in a sack, or something equally scabrous<br>Shadow Weaver cuts a glance towards Shine. Still here. Ghah.<br>Shining Blossom Empress looks at the weapons. "Oooh, pretty."<br>Shadow Weaver reaches back over his shoulder, grabs his sword, and brings in down on the table with a load thump, flat.<br>Shopkeep: "Absolutely! Finest glass outside of Chiarosc--urk?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "This. It'sa trophy, need some proper coverings for it."<br>Shadow Weaver waits, frowning, obviously not in a patient mood. Could it be that his journey was less than relaxing?<br>Shadow Weaver: Well?<br>GM: The shopkeeper's eyes widen. "A... trophy?" He rifles about in his wares, glancing at the sword as if it might bite him of its own accord.<br>Shining Blossom Empress smiles at the shopkeeper<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Could you help us find something to cover up this monstrosity? I'd be ever so grateful."<br>Shadow Weaver steps away and feigns indifference, instead turning his attention to the other wares on display<br>Shadow Weaver turns his head to throw a comment over his shoulder "...and she doesn't mean ME."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Not yet, no. I'm content to wait until that vest finishes rotting off your shoulders."<br>GM: The shopkeeper smiles, a bit more relaxed. "By all means. Here..." He pulls out a suitable swath of canvas.<br>Shadow Weaver hrms and paws at a dagger, testing its edge, ignoring the shopkeeper and Shine.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Oh, yes, this looks good. Weaver?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "Mmwhat?"<br>GM: "It will take but a moment... eh..." He goes to 'size' the sword for a covering, but seems reluctant to touch it.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "You asked this gentleman for a sheath. Don't let's be rude."<br>Shadow Weaver frowns, watching "Is that... common cloth?"<br>GM: The shopkeep blanches. "Wh-what would you prefer..?"<br>Shadow Weaver strides closer ".... common cloth for a sword such as THIS?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress groans inwardly. Arrgh. such tact.<br>Shadow Weaver pauses and frowns, almost missing a step<br>GM: "I... my humblest apologies, you seemed to require urgency! A... worthy sheath will take time to craft..."<br>Shadow Weaver's frown deepens, he seems distracted somehow. With a negligent wave towards the shopkeeper: "...it'll do. Get it done."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Yes, weaver, surely all you require is something so you don't have to touch the accursed thing?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress waggles eyebrows, feverishly, grr<br>Shadow Weaver is too busy scanning his surroundings to notice<br>Shadow Weaver: "Yeahyeah, hurry it up. We're not staying here."<br>GM: Sweating and trembling, the shopkeep carefully wraps the blade and cuts the canvas, affixing clasps with shaky hands.

''FLASHBACKS''

Shadow Weaver:

''...torn fabric...<br>...a woman holding a bronze eye-mask to her face, approaching down a hallway...<br>...fire and thunder...''

Shining Blossom Empress:

''...blood! blood, laughter and blood. blood and tears of relief...<br>...a woman holding a red mask to her eyes, standing in a doorway...<br>...a mouse scurrying among a forest of feet...''

Shining Blossom Empress shoots the shopkeeper an embarrased smile.<br>Shining Blossom Empress blinks, distracted?<br>Shining Blossom Empress glances around, too.<br>Shadow Weaver turns to scoop the bundle up and nods towards Shine "Pay the nice man, will you?" then walks away, pausing before joining the crowd outside<br>GM: "Th-there you go, yes. Uh, three scrip? Normally it's free with a weapon..."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "W-whuh? wha?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress looks from weaver to shopkeep and back again<br>Shadow Weaver is checking out the nearest buildings<br>Shining Blossom Empress scOWls<br>Shining Blossom Empress: turns, smiles, and pays the man. <br>GM: A tall, bronze-skinned, bald-headed man in loose garments leans against one of the buildings, watching you with interest.<br>Shining Blossom Empress nods to the shopkeep, "thank y'kindly, sir" then hurries after Weaver<br>Shadow Weaver sees the man but avoids eye-contact for now, instead leaning down towards Shine : "Something's wrong, can you feel it?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress stops, mouth open ready to complain.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Well, yes. I was going to say something, but..."<br>Shadow Weaver: "See that guy to my right? Big, bald, tanned? He's been watching us." <br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Are you joking? EVERYBODY's been watching us..."<br>GM: As you look that way, you catch a glint of light on his forehead, like a reflected sunbeam, in the shape of two concentric circles.<br>Shining Blossom Empress stops.<br>Shadow Weaver's eyes narrow<br>Shining Blossom Empress whispers "heyyy"<br>Shining Blossom Empress instinctively flashes a dazzling smile<br> Shadow Weaver smirks, slightly "Seems like your type. Go for it, I say."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Yeah, he- what?"<br>Shadow Weaver grins, but there's a sharp edge to it "Go.. find...out.... what he wants, eh..? Use your feminine charms or something."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Why don't YOU go ask him?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress's eyes narrow "you're not getting rid of me that easily"<br>Shadow Weaver raises both brows, genuinely surprised "Me? Are you daft? He'd probably run off!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress rolls her eyes. <br>Shining Blossom Empress: "...fine. Wait here. Stay out of trouble."<br>Shining Blossom Empress should probably buy him a leash or something<br>Shadow Weaver: "Grr, go. Put that shapely rump of yours to some good use."<br>Shadow Weaver heads towards a stall selling grilled meats :-P<br>Shining Blossom Empress takes a breath and saunters in a roundabout way toward the tanned man<br>Shadow Weaver keeps a wary eye on Shine though<br>Shining Blossom Empress glances back to make sure Weaver's keeping an eye on... weaver?<br>GM: A feminine voice, to Weaver, from behind the stall: Psst!<br>Shadow Weaver mnches a ratonnastick.<br>GM: The man salutes with a touch of two fingers to his forehead as you approach.<br>Shadow Weaver blinks, turns, huh?<br>Shining Blossom Empress finds that kind've appropriate, so does likewise.<br>GM: A dark-haired and -skinned girl, looking distressed, waves urgently at Weaver, peeking out barely from behind the vendor's stall.<br>Bald man: "Greetings, Empress. I've heard tell you were headed this way."<br>Shadow Weaver raises a brow and approaches at a leisurely pace, snack in hand, a part of his consciousness remeining focused on the goings-on round Shine<br>Shadow Weaver: "...yess...? ...what do you want, li'l grrl?"<br>Dark girl: "Please... you have to help me. That man..."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Greetings, crowned sun. I had no idea my movements were so public."<br>Shadow Weaver tilts his head to the side, listening<br>Bald man: "Hm! Shining Blossom Empress, aid-to-the-downtrodden? You've drummed up some support here and there, unless I mistake you?"<br>Dark girl: "*glp* I don't want to return to him tonight! But he's sworn me to it..."<br>Shadow Weaver: "What man? The big bald guy over there...?"<br>Dark girl: "Yes... I... I don't know what'll happen to me if I don't go back... but I fear what happens when I do!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress shrugs. "Here and thereabouts. Who's watching?"<br>Shadow Weaver frowns, thinking, he doesn't know much about eclipse caste Solar..... but even if he did, that wouldn't tell him much about this individual. Friend or foe, indeed?<br>Bald man: "Just me, so far as I can tell. I am the Tradewind Wanderer, and I'd hoped you might assist me in a matter."<br>Shadow Weaver: "Girl, tell me, do you have an... agreement with this gentleman? Did you make a deal, any kind?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress tilts head. "A matter that requires MY attention? Do tell."<br>Dark girl: "He had me swear oath, yes. Return to him every night. Would that I had such powers to make him keep -his- side!" A flicker of rage crosses her face.<br>Tradewind Wanderer: "Yes. Know you much of the Fair Folk?"<br>Shadow Weaver's eyes narrow "And what would that be, grrl, what's his side of the deal?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Precious little, to be truthful, but my guardian and lover has battled them for years."<br>GM: The girl looks around, circumspect, and whispers. "Aid to the rebels. Help in training a force to cast down the governor."<br>Shadow Weaver: "You know the rebels? How?"<br>Tradewind Wanderer: "Excellent. I've been hunting a one of them. Vicious beasts, aren't they? At each turn I've managed to claim a one of his trinkets." He gestures, and four bands of metal materialize around his throat, each a different shade.<br>Shadow Weaver idly scarfs down the rest of his food. <br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Hunting a Raksha? Here?"<br>Dark girl: "My friend Michael, he's a God-Blooded, son of one of Greyfalls' city spirits, and hates the Realm's control. He's the one who set me to get the Solar's help, didn't know it'd turn out like this..."<br>Tradewind Wanderer: "He keeps going to ground, yes. Thus far I've managed, but here... Greyfalls has many places to hide."<br>Shining Blossom Empress is quietly surprised to find an eclipse hunting. she remember them brokering peace, even with the fair folk<br>Shadow Weaver idly leans over and grabs the girl, hoising her into a fireman's carry across his shoulders, the saunters towards shine and the mysterious Solar...<br>Dark girl: !!!<br>Shadow Weaver wanders up to the two "Are you done yet?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress turns to look. O.O<br>Shining Blossom Empress's jaw drops.<br>Shadow Weaver smiles, with a glint in his eye "Don't know about you, but I have plans for t'night."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Ju... ge... wha... I leave you TWO SECONDS!"<br>Shadow Weaver smiles innocuously, standing there with his prize<br>Shining Blossom Empress's burning stare shows she's contemplating murder.<br>Shadow Weaver: "Aren't you going to introduce me?"<br>GM: Tradewind Wanderer's eyes burn! "Yes... introductions are.. in order..."<br>Shadow Weaver waits, the flat planes of his rather basic face twisted into a slight smile<br>GM: The dark girl glances his way and scowls from her rather compromised position.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Tradewind wanderer, this is my companion, Shadow Weaver. I have no idea who or what he's picked up, there."<br>Shining Blossom Empress's voice drips ice<br>Shadow Weaver: "Wanderer, well met."<br>Tradewind Wanderer (unconvincingly, with restrained fury): "I don't know... either."<br>Shining Blossom Empress gets a funny vibe, hmm.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Weaver! Put that girl DOWN!"<br>Shadow Weaver: .......<br>Shadow Weaver blinks<br>Shadow Weaver: "........why? She'll run away."<br>Shining Blossom Empress mutters "if she knows what's good for her, she will, aye"<br>Dark girl: "I'll do better than that, you brute!" *flail, flail*<br>Shadow Weaver grinchuckles and puts her down but keeps a paw clasped around her neck "Tch-tch, such vehemence.... she's a feisty one, fer sure!"<br>Dark girl: "Glrk."<br>Shining Blossom Empress has never been so embarrassed.<br>Shadow Weaver: "Be a good grrl and introduce yourself.... all -our- names have been declared."<br>GM: "Jesya Columbine..." She pries unsuccessfully at your hands. "You bastards! I asked for your help!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress frowns, doesn't much care about the name of some random harlot...<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "...help?"<br>Shadow Weaver shrugs, smiling, but his gaze is hard as he seeks eye-contact with Tradwind Wanderer...<br>Shadow Weaver: "....some far-fetched tale... probably a scam. Do you know this grrl?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: Looks from one to the other, which did she ask?<br>Tradewind Wanderer (coldly): "I don't."<br>Shadow Weaver smiles back, just as coldly "Ahwell then, good..."<br>Shining Blossom Empress thinks. "Jesya, you asked HIM for help?" points to Weaver<br>Shadow Weaver semi-frowns, was that an insult? "Hey, I protect YOU don't I..?"<br>Jesya Columbine: "Yes! And him too! It's looking like it's just a bad idea ever to ask for help at all in this $^&*-ed up place!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress thinks she does look genuinely scared, perhaps she wasn't making a play for him.<br>Tradewind Wanderer: "This place indeed... maybe you'd better... go."<br>Shining Blossom Empress fixes Tradewind with a sidelong look.<br>Shadow Weaver forgets Shine's insulting manners and turns a feral grin towards Wanderer "...... oh no, that won't do at all. Seems we have a case of conflicting tales here.. BUT. ... there's a way to resolve this clearly, I think."<br>Shining Blossom Empress tries to look friendly toward the girl. "Jesya, what is it you need help with?"<br>Jesya Columbine: "Get this THING off my neck, to start!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Yes, do let go, Weaver, before you break something."<br>Shadow Weaver shrugs and lets go ".... ghah, are all females so... easily riled?"<br>GM: Jesya backpedals a few steps, then falls into a defensive martial-arts stance, breathing heavily.<br>Shadow Weaver shifts his attention back to the other male, ignoring Jesya :-)<br>Shining Blossom Empress rolls her eyes. "Oh come on, nobody's going to fight you in the middle of the market."<br>Shadow Weaver: "Wanderer."<br>Jesya Columbine: "Oh, sure. Not fight, just throw me around a little and drag me into... into... to HIM!"<br>Shadow Weaver's attention is focused on Tradewind Wanderer, although half an ear is cocked back to listen to the diatribe behind him :-)<br>GM: Tradewind Wanderer runs his fingers over the chokers at his neck. "...Yes...?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress makes a negligent little gesture "just ignore those two for a moment. What's the problem?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress thinks she must be pretty brave to approach Weaver in broad daylight. That or really desperate.<br>Shadow Weaver: "This li'l lady was telling me an improbable tale... and of course I have no reason to doubt your claim that you don't know her. But, to put my mind at rest, surely you'd agree to..."<br>GM: She looks fearfully back and forth between Weaver and Wanderer. "Oh damn... it... it's blown, it's over isn't it... he'll kill me now, I shouldn't have..."<br>Shadow Weaver: "... clearly state that you renounce all claims and or agreements you may have, or have had, with Jesya, applicable forthwith...?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Nobody's killing anybody..."<br>Shadow Weaver: "Y'know, as a show of... good faith?"<br>Shadow Weaver smiles sweetly<br>Shining Blossom Empress has a bad feeling nonetheless, and casually reaches toward her knife, just in case<br>GM: Tradewind Wanderer tilts his head with a bemused smile. "I have no interest in pacts with street girls. Good faith? Very well, I renounce my... connections?... lest I be forsworn."<br>Jesya Columbine (despairingly): "Oh gods."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Talk to me, Jesya. What's happening here?"<br>Shadow Weaver smiles and nods appreciatively "...how gracious of you... now please shake this nice grrls hand to show you mean it, and... let me FEEL your conviction, mm?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress is completely in the dark!<br>Shadow Weaver steps closer, in fact very close, to Tradewind Wanderer<br>Shining Blossom Empress realises what Weaver's trying to ask, and is perplexed<br>GM: Tradewind Wanderer smiles affably, and reaches out his hand to Jesya, still trembling ''en garde.''<br>Shining Blossom Empress doesn't like this, steps between the two<br>Tradewind Wanderer and Jesya Columbine: "...?"<br>Shadow Weaver spends a few points of Essence to at least get his aura to vibrate or something, heh, anything to radiate...power.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Will somebody please tell me what's going on, and why you two complete strangers need to shake hands?"<br>Tradewind Wanderer: "Your... shiny lover seems to think--on the basis of some tale of hers--that I have some manner of contract with this girl."<br>Shining Blossom Empress stares at Weaver, alarmed. "Oh, put it away, you look ridiculous!"<br>Shadow Weaver smiles, doing his damndest not to let himself be goaded by the word "lover", yuck, what HAS she been telling this guy?<br>GM: Jesya takes a few more steps back as Weaver's anima flares.<br>Shadow Weaver: "Trust me Shine, this could be important. And if not, all I've done is made an ass of myself, right?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "No, ythink?"<br>GM: You hear some commotion--loud, raucous laughter--from up the street some distance.<br>Shadow Weaver turns to Jesya "...and you grrl, this is your chance, grasp it or accept your fate. The choice is yours."<br>Shining Blossom Empress wants to go to the girl, but fears she'll run<br>Shining Blossom Empress's blood suddenly runs cold.  Laughter?<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Jesya, come to me, child. Quickly."<br>GM: Sounds like a garrison on lunch break.<br>Shadow Weaver lets his silver aura fade...<br>Shining Blossom Empress holds out a hand.<br>GM: Jesya stares hard at Empress for a moment, decides she's a better bet than either of the ''other'' two, and comes forward.<br>Shadow Weaver doesn't move, he realises all too well that that'd scare the grrl off<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "We need to get away from here. Wanderer, I'm sure you can track me down again, if you need me."<br>Shadow Weaver frowns, standing fast<br>Tradewind Wanderer (with a sigh): "Tch. I'd thought you greater than to associate with such rabble, Empress. But yes. We never got to terms of payment, should you complete my task, did we?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "We're not done here...."<br>Shadow Weaver is suddenly very wary, ahah, terms of payment eh..?<br>Shadow Weaver: "Shine, you KNOW to be careful, don't you?"<br>GM: He flashes a pair of rings produced from a pocket, smirks, and recedes into an alley.<br>Shining Blossom Empress really really wants to be away from here.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Jesya, lead the way?"<br>Shadow Weaver frowns, then staggers back against the wall behind him, blinking in confusion as his mind is assaulted by a flash of strange and foreboding images<br>Shining Blossom Empress glances at Weaver. "you too?"

''FLASHBACKS''

Shadow Weaver:

''...an opulent bedroom, the curtains and wall-hangings slashed and spattered with blood...<br>...The woman approaches you.  Deftly, she puts away the bronze mask in the folds of her robe, and puts on a crimson one in its place.  Utter dismay...<br>...a legion of the Terrestrial Exalted, their animas flickering in five colors, standing over you like colossi...''

Shining Blossom Empress:

''...there.  They lie broken around you.  Their treachery will burrow no deeper.  Justice is done...<br>...The masked woman steps forward into the room.  You feel your beloved draw closer, but where is he?...<br>...a wall of jade!  Pounding boots of the Terrestrial host, defiling your Manse!...''

GM: Jesya nods slowly, then dashes ahead--parallel to the marketplace, at a right angle to the path the Wanderer took.<br>Shadow Weaver shakes his head to clear it, looks worried "What in all hells...?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress follows<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Come on!"<br>Shadow Weaver snarls his frustration and follows close behind, vowing to find that wretched Solar, grr!<br>GM: You zigzag a few bewildering turns through the domed buildings of Greyfalls.<br>Shining Blossom Empress isn't worried about Weaver keeping track. he can use his nose, if need be.<br>Shadow Weaver's nose catches scent of something else though and he veers off in its direction!<br>Shining Blossom Empress follows the girl. Somebody probably ought to.<br>Shadow Weaver's steps falters as he's torn between following this new scent and staying close to his... companions. Grrdamn.<br>GM: Jesya glances back as Weaver veers off, but continues on her way.<br>Shining Blossom Empress has zero points in awareness, follows Jesya. <br>Shadow Weaver bites his lip and briefly casts round, scenting this way and that, eyes finally alighting on an earthwork residence across the street.... his eyes look up at a window, then down towards a door.<br>Shadow Weaver: "SHINE! this way!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress skids to a halt, whaa?<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "What?"<br>Shadow Weaver growls and makes a dashing sprint / then HURLS himself at the door, shoulder-first!<br>GM: Kablam! Door shatter!<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Oh ye gods, what's he doing NOW?"<br>Jesya Columbine: "Uh...?"<br>GM: She stops too, a number of yards after Blossom did.<br>Shining Blossom Empress shrugs at Jesya "um, this way, I guess."<br>Shining Blossom Empress beckons for the girl to follow<br>GM: Jesya shrugs broadly, takes a deep breath, and does so.<br>Shadow Weaver CRASHES through the door in a shower of splinters, JUST as he catches a glimpse of iridescent raiment, out the window on the opposite side!<br>Shining Blossom Empress heads after Weaver, feeling dread.<br>Shadow Weaver shakes his head, confused, what the-??<br>Shining Blossom Empress runs in behind him, thinking much the same.<br>Shadow Weaver: "...d-did you see that?"<br>Shadow Weaver points!<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "yes, you smashed the door. Grr. That'll teach it."<br>Shining Blossom Empress looks at a window. <br>Shining Blossom Empress sees nothing of note?<br>Shadow Weaver awrghs and runs a hand down his face, biting back a growl of frustration, kneeling in a pool of splintered wood.<br>Shining Blossom Empress jogs to the window. looks out.<br>GM: Jesya arrives. "...Bad house?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "It's a window. Something buildings have, so people can see out. You remember windows?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "...something's messing with my mind, my senses... hell, if I didn't know better I'd think that... that... *trails off*"<br>Shadow Weaver shakes head "...ferget it."<br>Shadow Weaver stands and brushes himself off.<br>Shining Blossom Empress treats Jesya to a beneficient smile. "Excuse Weaver, he seems to be going COMPLETELY MENTAL!"<br>Shadow Weaver bites back a comment, but yeah she;s right, awrgh. His ears burn in shame.<br>GM: Jesya smiles weakly. "I hear it happens?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress shakes her head, bewildered.<br>Shadow Weaver looks sheepish "Let's... just get outta here, okay?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "can somebody... anybody... please, tell me what's going on here?"<br>Jesya Columbine: "We're... almost there, just two streets more over. It should be safe, though if people come wondering who's breaking doors in..."<br>Shadow Weaver takes a deep breath "It's... awrgh, I smelled.. something. And thought I saw.. something. But I must've been mistaken."<br>Shadow Weaver: "Yeah, go on, lead the way!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress pats his arm, aww, poor lamb. "Tell me all about it later."<br>Shadow Weaver mutters under his breath "...bloody Raksha tricks... but surely not HERE?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "Grr, go."<br>GM: Jesya leads you on to a quiet cul-de-sac, debris-strewn and deserted, between two small dusty houses.<br>Shining Blossom Empress looks around<br>Shining Blossom Empress hopes Weaver can navigate them out of here, because she's lost, heh<br>GM: It's shaded from sight from the thoroughfares, and out of the sun.<br>Shadow Weaver comes to a halt, still somewhat subdued.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "I'm not sure where we're going, but it seems we've arrived."<br>Shadow Weaver looks around, frowns<br>Shadow Weaver: "...yeah."<br>Jesya Columbine: "We often meet here... it's just a spot. Local spirits have it warded."<br>Shadow Weaver raises a brow, dubiously<br>Shining Blossom Empress nods. "handy. Warded against what?"<br>GM: She gestures vaguely. It's apparently not her area of expertise. "Other spirits I guess? Magic? People seem not to notice it."<br>Shadow Weaver wanders about a bit, preoccupied and somewhat restless<br>Shadow Weaver: "....coulda sworn I smelled a Raksha back there...."<br>Shining Blossom Empress takes a long breath<br>Shadow Weaver mutters some more<br>Shining Blossom Empress raises a brow. "Wanderer said he was hunting one."<br>Shadow Weaver's head snaps round "WHAT?"<br>GM: Jesya shudders. "He doesn't talk about much else, anymore."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Weaver? do Rakshas come into cities?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "...... hell if *I* know, I've only ever stalked 'em in the Wylds."<br>Shining Blossom Empress turns back to Jesya<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "You DO know him? why did he deny knowing you?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "I didn't think they did, but now... grrrDAMN, then it WASN't...." *growls and rants, off in his own little corner of the alley, heh<br>Jesya Columbine: "To discredit me? So you side with him, and I still have to go back to him?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "go back to him?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress doesn't understand. "What do you mean? why do you have to go to him?"<br>GM: Jesya sits against the wall, hugging her knees. "He had me swear. Fiery lights and sigils I couldn't read, and a feeling in my soul, like I'm doomed if I don't go back every night."<br>Shadow Weaver turns, rather snarly, since it's very hard to contain the rage that's burning inside of him, grr "...and why didn't you bloody grab the chance I gave you, grrl?!"<br>GM: She flinches. "I--almost did, I wasn't sure what to do, and she stepped between us!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress slowly nods.<br>Shadow Weaver groans and turns away, disgusted<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Why did you agree to it, Jesya?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "....... what a bloody mess, grr."<br>Shadow Weaver paces, brooding :P<br>Jesya Columbine: "I thought he'd help me in exchange. He's... one of you"--glance at Weaver--"he could help us throw down the governor."<br>Shadow Weaver: "...he's also a Deceiver, you little fool..."<br>Shadow Weaver growls some more, expression dark<br>Shining Blossom Empress frowns at Weaver. "Eclipse Caste."<br>Shadow Weaver shrugs, same<br>Jesya Columbine: "I guess I know that now. Guess I ''should'' have paid more attention to my Immaculate texts, huh?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Pah."<br>GM: She gives him a dubious look. "Of course, I'm in no better place now, by that book."<br>Shadow Weaver leans against a wall, idly clawing deep gouges into its surface. <br>Shining Blossom Empress: "No pretty lights, Jesya, but I promise I won't hurt you."<br>GM: Jesya rubs her neck. "You haven't yet, yeah."<br>Shadow Weaver glances down at his handiwork and belatedly realises that he's let part of his physical form shift towards his totem form, oops<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "But this... tradewind... Using his gift to enforce... Grr! I've never heard of such an abuse."<br>Shadow Weaver erks and crosses his arms across his chest, burying his paws out of sight<br>Shadow Weaver: "....I have."<br>Shining Blossom Empress is upset to find a solar so... untrustworthy. Lashes out a bit.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "what, in the forest?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "....well, from a few tales the Elders told. Enough to make us wary."<br>Shadow Weaver shrugs again<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "The crowned suns were peacemakers, diplomats. This is... I can't believe it."<br>Shadow Weaver scowls "..... individuals within a caste can still display the whole breadth of human depravity and human goodness, are you surprised..?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "maybe not surprised, Weaver. Maybe just... saddened."<br>Shining Blossom Empress turns back to Weaver. "Do you think renouncing his contract would sever the oath?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "...I was hoping it would, yeah."<br>Jesya Columbine: "Michael should be along in a while, maybe he'll know what to do." She looks pained. "I'm ashamed to see him."<br>Shining Blossom Empress instinctively hugs Jesya<br>Shadow Weaver: "I'm sorry, Shine... "<br>GM: "She rests her head on Empress's shoulder."<br>Shining Blossom Empress sighs... "who's michael?"<br>Shadow Weaver's expression is for once open and unguarded, genuinely chagrined, and caring.<br>Jesya Columbine: "Friend of mine, a God-Blood I grew up with here. He's one of the rebels too... he had me try to get help."<br>Shadow Weaver pulls a face, sounds like everyone's "using" this grrl to their own ends, one way or another<br>Shadow Weaver: "Hey Shine."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "yes?"<br>Shadow Weaver aims a question at his traveling companion<br>Shadow Weaver: "...would killing that Wanderer guy break the oath and lift any potential curse?"<br>Shadow Weaver is rather straightforward in hs solutions :P<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "not normally. He makes the pact, but it's not him that enforces it."<br>Shadow Weaver frowns, not understanding<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "then again, if she agreed to see him every night, maybe that would lift after he dies."<br>Shadow Weaver: "hmm..."<br>Jesya Columbine: "Maybe I can see him every night after he's dead? Like, visit his grave?"<br>Shadow Weaver chuckles softly, oh haw.<br>Shadow Weaver: "Girl...? What DID you exactly agree to..?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "but then again, who knows what it really means. A pact like this could effect her whole life."<br>Jesya Columbine: "Uh. 'Return to my side every nightfall, as and where I direct'? Something like that?  Standing orders have me coming to a room on the east end of the market district."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "hm. It sounds like he can direct you not to."<br>Shining Blossom Empress is loathe to gamble, though, and there's nobody she can trust to get straight answers<br>Shadow Weaver smiles wolfishly. "...and also, it doesn't say anything about bringing friends along."<br>GM: A light breeze sweeps around the alley. There's a ripple in the Essence of the area, a geomantic sense that the buildings have suddenly become more -solid- somehow.<br>Shadow Weaver tenses, wary, hands slipping towards his sword<br>Shadow Weaver: "Heads up."<br>Shining Blossom Empress steps away from Jesya, spooked<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "what was THAT?"<br>Shadow Weaver takes a step back as well, so as not to present a bunched target<br>Shadow Weaver: "....dunno, but stay alert."<br>Shining Blossom Empress stays close enough to protect Jesya if something comes up<br>Shadow Weaver: "...the warding, it might be down."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Or reacting to something."<br>Shining Blossom Empress loosens the bindings on her staff, ready to draw in a hurry.<br>GM: A young man, blond-haired and muscled, with a leather apron over his shoulder, rounds the corner, walking casually. He suddenly checks his stride, seeing the three of them.<br>Shadow Weaver mutters a brief incantation while reaching down into his essence, seeking the power within, the power bestowe on him by Luna herself..<br>Young man: "Whoa!"<br>GM: Jesya looks timid, but relieved. "Hi, Michael."<br>Shadow Weaver narrows his amber eyes at the newcomer<br>Shining Blossom Empress lets out an explosive breath, relaxes.<br>GM: With a deft movement, he drops the apron and slides brass knuckles onto his hands. "H'lo Jess... who're these folk...?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress pulls a face at Weaver. "haw, jumping at shadows."<br>Shadow Weaver doesn't relax, in fact his voice sounds grrrowly as he asks ".... what did you just do, Michael?"<br>Michael: "Didn't do nothing, mister, save ready myself against queer folk in dark alleys."<br>Shadow Weaver slowly stalks towards the newcomer<br>Shadow Weaver: "Ohreally? and the shift in Essnce, the change... how do you explain that?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress was all ready to introduce herself politely, and oh, look, there goes Weaver, spoiling everything, again...<br>Jesya: "Uh, they're Weaver and Empress, I met them in the market..."<br>Shining Blossom Empress wants to scream "he's a god-blood you idiot! arrrgh!"… but doesn’t.<br>GM: Michael peers around, and chuckles a bit, but doesn't drop his guard. "Got friends here 's all."<br>Shadow Weaver pauses in his tracks as something Jesya said earlier finally clicks into place<br>Shadow Weaver: ".......oh."<br>Shadow Weaver hrmphs "God-blood, huh?"<br>Michael: "Best get used to it, Greyfall's got a goodly population of 'em."<br>Shadow Weaver blehs ungraciously and leans himself back against a wall, arms crossed<br>Shining Blossom Empress is SO ashamed, oh, please nobody judge me by the company i keep...<br>Shadow Weaver: "...friends, huh? You send your friends into traps then?"<br>Shadow Weaver scowls darkly<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Weaver, dear... please stop talking."<br>Shadow Weaver growls softly... but shuts up.<br>Shining Blossom Empress wanders over and pats the big guy's arm. Smiles at Michael.<br>GM: Jesya runs her hands through her hair.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "I think I can see a way clear of this."<br>Shadow Weaver looks stubborn but doesn't pull away from Shine's touch, for once<br>Michael: "And 'this' is... what?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress doesn't like to say.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "ah... Ask Jesya."<br>Shining Blossom Empress pulls Weaver to one side.<br>Jesya: "Got in trouble, Mike."<br>Michael (looking dubiously at the other two): "Seems like."<br>Shadow Weaver grmbles tactlessly "What she means to say is that Jesya is now oath-bound to go visit some sleazeball every night because YOU set her up to making a deal with him!"<br>Shadow Weaver gets pulled to one side :P<br>Michael: "Visit some sleazeball...? I didn't--*that's* what you've been up to?"<br>GM: He looks livid and confused. The buildings ''scowl'' in their aspect.<br>Shining Blossom Empress half-listens to the kids.<br>Shadow Weaver awrghs and wraps himself in laeyers of scowls, ghah, him and his big mouth...<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Weaver, That guy was hunting a raksha, and he wanted my... OUR help for something."<br>Shadow Weaver whispers loudly to Shine "...well he DID!"<br>Jesya: "It was an opportunity! I found one of the Solar Exalted, Mike, and I thought I could, if I... you know... that he'd, well, he said he'd help us!"<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "he didn't say what he wanted us to do, but perhaps it was helping him track down the Raksha. huh? You'd like that, huh?"<br>Shadow Weaver blinkety-blinks at Shine, while following the second convo with half an ear "...he wanted... WHAT?"<br>Michael: "And you... why didn't you tell me? Before doing something like--that?" Deeply pained, now.<br>Jesya: "How would I find him again? He's even -called- 'Wanderer!'"<br>Shadow Weaver backs deeper into the shadows, oh awrgh, what a toatl cock-up<br>GM: Michael turns around, hand on his forehead (with brass knucks still on, amusingly enough).<br>Shadow Weaver hisses "...why didn't you TELL me....?"<br>Shining Blossom Empress is thinking Wanderer might drop the pact in exchange for help.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Tell you what?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "...about hunting the RAKSHA, you ditz! ghah!"<br>Shadow Weaver awrrghs<br>Michael: "And now you're stuck, oath-bound, and he didn't even swear to do his part."<br>Jesya: "...yeah."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "because you came blundering over with your hands full of girls before I could learn what he WANTED"<br>GM: Michael sighs, then turns back around, tuning in to the Exalts' exchange.<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "he knew who i was, said he knew I was going to be here"<br>Shadow Weaver: ............ *clenches his jaw, chagrined, she's -right-, awrrrgh*<br>Jesya: "..."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "so now I'm going to have to find him, make him drop his pact, and in exchange, YOU are going to find and kill the raksha, okay?"<br>Shadow Weaver: "Shine, I'm..... *takes a breath*.... yeahyeah, okay."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "And then... then..."<br>Shadow Weaver looks appropriately chastised<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "after that, I'm going to find some place around here that I can get a nice hot bath."<br>Shadow Weaver: "...then we get some FOOD. I'm starving."<br>Michael: "...You folks really think you can do that?" (impressed, not incredulous)<br>Shining Blossom Empress blinks, looks back. (oh, we have an audience, forgot about those two)<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "Do which? Find Wanderer or kill the Raksha?"<br>Shadow Weaver looks up too, and listens<br>Michael: "Get him to drop the oath."<br>Shining Blossom Empress: "He sought us out to ask for help. We must have something he wants."<br>Shadow Weaver smiles grimly "...he might consider it if I gnaw his legs off at the knees...."<br>Shadow Weaver ehems, oops<br>Shadow Weaver is in a bad mood, that's some excuse :P<br>GM: Michael smirks. "Either way. If you have that kind of power... we would be in your debt."<br>Shadow Weaver's interest flares, hm, Jesya is cute, AND she'd be in his debt.... very grateful, for sure....<br>GM: Jesya smiles weakly, still speaking from her spot by the wall. "See, I found us some help after all, right?"

== End Session One ==

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