* Kasagami leads you all to a tall Japanese temple just a few minutes away from the
Jade Gates. You can see that a temple once stood proudly here, but now all that
stands before you is a memory...
* Edward moves along, frowning grimly behind the mask as they near the temple,
looking about in a semi-paranoid fashion.
* Kasagami walks up the steps and the long tall temple doors slowly open at his
approach.
* Remy walks slowly into the temple, appearing very respectful. His footsteps echo
throughout the hall
* Kasagami bows, "Welcome to the temple of the Protectorate of the Prosperous Realm
of Chinatown."
* Daniel follows slowly, keeping alert.
* Kasagami motions for you to enter the temple
* IronJohn enters
* Kasagami waits for the others to enter
* Edward nods slightly and moves inside, his eyes flitting from thing to thing
worriedly.
* Hans enters
* William looks around as he enters
* Kasagami leads you through a long corridor, that ends at a long tall door.
Kasagami opens it
* IronJohn follows him, looking around as he does so
<Storyteller> The temple walls are adorned with Jade carvings, and statues depicting
fallen heroes.
* Kasagami walks to the center of the room, he motions to some chairs.
* Edward moves into the temple, moving slightly to one side so as to study the jade
statue more closely, reaching out as though he wishes to touch it, but not quite
daring to.
<Kasagami> "Sit please."
* IronJohn looks at him for a moment and then sits
* Edward turns and nods, sitting down as asked.
<Storyteller> Remy and Brianna sit as well
<Storyteller> {Hans, old buddy, this place looks *real* familiar don't it?}
* Hans follows Kasagami, looking at all that is around him.
<Kasagami> "The Domian of the Prosperous Jade Kingdom, welcomes you, and asks why
have you come?"
* IronJohn sits back and waits
* Edward remains silent, looking towards Iron John, the apparent leader, for him to
speak.
* Daniel looks around at the others, and sits
* Hans looks for a seat, then takes his place.
* William sits down
<Hans> (No, I have never been to this place.)
<Storyteller> {John look at this place! Look at all the treasure. We could make a
fortune!}
<IronJohn> "We are here to ask for some assistance."
* IronJohn glances at the jade around the room
* IronJohn snaps out of it
<Kasagami> "Assistance?"
<IronJohn> "Yes, it seems that we have a slight problem."
* William listens to the coversation.
<Kasagami> "What assistance, could our humble domain offer the Hierarachy?"
<IronJohn> "We need warriors."
<IronJohn> "As many as you can spare."
* Kasagami rubs his chin
<Kasagami> "I must speak with those above me, Please wait here..."
<IronJohn> "Of course."
* Kasagami turns abrubtly and leaves the room
* Edward leans back and sighs. "Think they'll go for it?"
<IronJohn> "Maybe."
<IronJohn> "I am giving it 40-60 odds."
<IronJohn> "Any takers?"
* Remy perks up at that...
* IronJohn looks at Remy and smiles "Well?"
* Edward chuckles dryly.
<Daniel> "I think they'll go for it...if only because they can get a favour from us
at some unspecified later date."
* Brianna shakes her head, "I don't think they'll help..."
* Remy laughs
<IronJohn> "I think they will....if the Hierarchy falls, so could they."
<William> "I think they will more likely keep their soldiers here to defend
themselves."
<IronJohn> "We will see."
<Hans> "Whichever way they go, we will have to deal with the consequences."
<Daniel> "They could send a token force. Nothing big, but enough to make a show of
support."
<William> "This building, probably, but not their kingdom."
<Storyteller> Your wait seems to be an hour or so, and finally the great door opens
<IronJohn> "No doubt."
* IronJohn stands
* Kasagami enters the room and pulls out a long parchment
* William stands
* Kasagami clears his throat
* Daniel stands
* Edward rises slowly, squinting behind the mask.
* Hans slowly stands.
<Kasagami> "The Prosperous Realm of the Jadian Empire, understands the plight of its
neighbor, The Dark Kingdom of Iron. However, any help we may have to offer, would
weaken our defenses. We offer you our humble apologies that we cannot help you at
this time."
* Kasagami bows
<Daniel> "You cowardly bastards..."
* Edward snorts deriseively.
* Daniel puts his hand on Nocturne
* Kasagami hands you the parchment
* William quickly puts a hand on Daniel's shoulder
<IronJohn> "Settle down , all of you."
<William> "Do not."
<Hans> {Daniel: Yeah, always a good way to get friends. Thats why your parents
left you, thats why your own motley left you.}
* Edward crosses his arms.
<Daniel> (My motley never left me. Neither did my parents. I had a higher calling.)
* IronJohn looks at Kasagami for a moment
<William> "They are not allies with the Dark Kingdom of Iron. They have no
obligation to them."
<IronJohn> "You do realize that if we fall then you will be next."
<IronJohn> "And if we do not....."
<Kasagami> "We understand the risks that we take at this time."
<Daniel> "I can't believe the cowardice. I..."
<Hans> {Daniel: A higher calling, for a woman who had murdered others. Oh yes, and
you wondered why you were branded from Fae society. Its because you aided a
murderer.}
<William> "Cowards? Why?"
<Storyteller> Remy gets a strange look on his face and yells; "You goddamn Japs!"
<IronJohn> "Fine..."
* William whips around to look at Remy
<Daniel> (No. You are wrong. It is because I broke my oath. And I AM fixing it.)
<IronJohn> "Come on...."
* IronJohn moves to walk out
* Edward raises a brow and looks towards Remy oddly.
<Hans> {Daniel: Believe what lies you will.}
<Edward> {That's right! Come on and speak it true, boy!}
<Storyteller> Remy gets an incredulous looks on his face
<IronJohn> "We will no doubt be back."
<Daniel> "We will set out for someplace else. Where people have courage...and
honour."
* Daniel turns around and walks out.
* Kasagami looks utterly insulted at the japs comment
<Daniel> (You're the only one who lies, Shadow)
* Edward clears his throat rather roughly and follows John.
<Storyteller> You walk out of the temple and towards the gates
<William> "There is no dishonor in defending their own people."
* William watches Remy.
* IronJohn waits for the others
<Daniel> "I wouldn't expect a human to understand matters of honor."
* Hans walks out last.
<Storyteller> You finally reach the tall Jade gates, the gateman hands you all your
weapons
* William looks puzzled briefly at Daniel's comment but continues to watch Remy.
* Brianna watches Remy as well
* IronJohn whispers something to the guard and then leaves
<Storyteller> The guard looks at you strangely as you all pass
<Storyteller> You are finally past the gates and into the streets, your guess is that
it will soon be midnight
* Edward looks towards Daniel: "What does that mean, son? Aren't we all humans,
here? Don't look like a barghest to me."
<IronJohn> "We will wait here for one hour."
* Edward 's eyes twinkle with excitement.
<Storyteller> The gateman shouts at one of his men, and the man runs off
* Daniel grins
<William> "Why? Should we not move on to the next consulate?"
* Daniel begins chuckling
<IronJohn> "I think they may chage their minds."
<Daniel> "Me? Human? Yeah...whatever..."
* Brianna looks at IronJohn "What makes you think that?"
* IronJohn leans against something while he waits
<IronJohn> "I told the guard that if they don't help we will leave a path for the
spectres right to chinatown."
* Brianna eyes open wide
* Edward shakes his head slightly.
<IronJohn> "They will get no defences from us."
<Brianna> "We...we aren't are we?"
<IronJohn> "Yes."
<Hans> "How many enemies do you plan to have us fight John?"
* Remy laughs
* William frowns.
* IronJohn looks at Hans
<IronJohn> "Would you change your mind?"
<William> "I will not. If I must stand alone in that path I will."
<Hans> "I'm not in command here."
* Brianna nods in comprehension
<Daniel> "And I shall stand beside you, William."
* IronJohn looks at Hans and William
<Edward> "Pardon me for saying so, but I think I'd have to take his side there.
Sir." ::stands slightly to the side of William:: "Not like I want that to happen."
<Brianna> "I get it, it's a bluff."
* IronJohn smiles at Brianna
<IronJohn> "Yes."
<Brianna> "There's no spectres on the way, but they don't know that."
* Brianna laughs
<IronJohn> "William, please remove that stick from your ass."
* Edward 's features are hidden under the mask as he watches them laugh. Just frowns
and eyes John. Complicated man, this one.
<William> "I have no doubt in my mind that the Heirarchy would have responded the
exact same way if our positions were reversed."
* Daniel frowns
<IronJohn> "We are faced with a losing battle, the only thing we have to work with
is our wits."
<IronJohn> "If they change their mind then fine, if they don't ... thats fine too."
<IronJohn> "Just remember that a good part of their defences is us....."
<Daniel> "And how do you know they won't just capture us for interacting with
spectres?"
<Daniel> "Or for no real reason at all."
<IronJohn> "Who said anything about interacting with spectres?"
* Brianna wobbles a bit
<IronJohn> "I said that we would pull out of the area...not lead them in."
* Brianna puts her hand to her head
<IronJohn> "Settle down boy."
* Edward looks towards Brianna. "Are you alright, miss?"
<William> "And if we fall, yet take most of the spectres, their refusal to send
soldiers may save them. If they send soldiers and we work together, yet fail,
taking most of the spectres, those that remain will take the building."
<Daniel> "By saying you'd 'leave a path for the spectres', they could infer that you
were in some way communicating with them."
* Brianna groanS and falls to the ground
* Edward bends over Brianna worriedly, tapping her cheek with one inky-fingered
hand. "Miss? Miss?"
* Brianna 's Deathmarks are writhing all over her body
<IronJohn> "Ok....the next one you get to handle."
<Daniel> "Be careful. I may just take you up on your offer, 'fearless' leader."
* Edward clenches one hand in irritation, feeling suddenly helpless as he tries to
awaken her, looking up at the others..."A little help, sirs?" a tone of urgency
enters his voice.
* IronJohn smiles at Daniel
<IronJohn> "Fine....good luck."
* IronJohn begins to walk off
* Brianna is suddenly still, and then she sits up, her entire body is rigid. She
turns her head slowly, and speaks.
* Brianna in a voice that is not hers
* Edward hollers off towards John: "What kind of a leader are you? Abandoning a
soldier in need!" he sounds royally pissed, but his next sentance gets cut off as
Brianna sits bolt upright and starts talking.
* Daniel puts a hand on Edward's shoulder
* IronJohn continues to walk
<Daniel> "Forgive him. He knows not what he does."
<Daniel> "He is, after all, only human."
* Edward looks to Daniel: "I don't know what you're talking about...keep her safe.
Someone has to go after his fool head."
* Edward nudges the rigid Brianna towards Daniel, rises, and starts limp/trotting
after John.
<Brianna> "The fire marches. It shall come soon...their footsteps shall kill us
all...."
* Daniel draws Nocturne
* William listens to Brianna
* Edward moves pretty well for a ghost of his age.
* Brianna gets limp and crumples
* Daniel sheathes Nocturne and crouches by her side
<Daniel> "Any of you have any skill in the healing arts?"
<Hans> "None, sorry."
* William looks at Iron John as he walks away, concentrating.
* Brianna 's eyes open and she begins to stand
* Daniel stands up slowly
<Daniel> "Are you all right, Lady?"
* William helps Brianna stand
* Edward puts a hand on John's shoulder when he catches up, and tries to focibly
turn him around. "Pardon me, sir, but in my army days, that would have gotten you
shot by your own men. Care to come back and take care of your unit...sir?"
* IronJohn turns at looks at Edward
<IronJohn> "Take your hands off me."
<Remy> "Enough! We have a city here that need our help, let's quit the
backbiting!"
* William nods
* IronJohn laughs
* Edward removes his hand, slowly, still watching John, carefully. Seeming almost to
stare into his heart.
<William> "What is the next closest consulate?"
<Storyteller> You pull out the map, and see that it's Little India
* IronJohn returns to the gates and waits for their reply
* Edward frowns deeply.
* William looks to Remy. "You are the leader of your Cohort, are you not? That is
how it was when I met your group."
* Edward crosses his arms and watches John.
<Daniel> "Seems like there's been a change in the chain of command..."
* Remy nods. "I still am, to the best of my knowledge. I'm the leader of this unit,
anyways. Maybe not the ship anymore."
<IronJohn> "Good luck with the mission, I am going back to the ship."
* Daniel shrugs
<Daniel> "Have fun."
<Edward> "The Heirarchy needs you. The Spectres'll eat you alive."
* IronJohn sits near the gate waiting
* IronJohn stands
* Kasagami walks up to where IronJohn is standing
* IronJohn gives him a short bow
* Kasagami bows as well
<Kasagami> "The Prosperous Realm of the Jadian Empire has reconsidered. However, in
light of our humble resources, I can only offer a small amount of soldiers, and
resources."
* Remy bows to Kasagami
<IronJohn> "That is all that we can ask."
* Kasagami bows
<Remy> "Any assistance you can grant us would be mos' appreciated."
<IronJohn> "The Hierarchy thanks the Prosperous Realm of the Jadian Empire."
<Kasagami> "Now, I must gather that which you ask, it shall be ready within two
days."
* Kasagami walks off
<IronJohn> "Thank you."
* Edward` bows to Kasagami as he walks off.
* Brianna nods
<Brianna> "Good thing that worked."
* Brianna looks at the map
<IronJohn> "Things never change, sometimes you have to put things into their
perspective."
<Daniel> "Aye. Lucky for us."
<IronJohn> "Aye indeed."
<Edward`> "Whatever methods get the job done."
<Brianna> "The next consulate is Swar, in Little India. Twelve blocks that way." she
says pointing north.
* William stands in the back unnoticed, and just frowns for a moment.
<IronJohn> "The hardest one is behind us."
<Storyteller> You begin the long trek towards the Domain of Swar, you try to keep
stealthy along the way
* William keeps an eye out for spectre, also watching out rear for a tail.
<Storyteller> You sneak about for quite some time, and you are halfway there.
* Remy nervously checks on the threads connecting himself to Emily every so often
<Storyteller> You begin to hear voices, they are closing in on you. Suddenly you hear
a bottle break
* Daniel draws the midnight-blade Nocturne and spins around
* William moves, back to a wall, and puts his hand on his broadsword
* Hans draws his pistols
* Remy thinks, ah, shi'
<Storyteller> There in the center of the alley are several spectres, and one sitting
on a tall horse. He wears a long robe and a hood.
* Remy draws his pistol, hoping he hasn't been detected
* Daniel grins
* IronJohn slowly draws his pistol
* William waits to draw his sword, fearing they will sense it.
<Storyteller> The hooded one watches you for a time, and then the spectres rush,
screaming wildly <Storyteller> to be continued
