WillGM: Okay. It's evening in Philly, just getting dark over the Great Plains where Nicole is in flight at the moment. Liriel has announced how he will begin -- an application of Synchronicity, to find out where they should start, followed by arrangements with Rath's connections among the Contiguous Karsts to get the needed boost tomorrow evening. WillGM: What are the others at the 'Works planning to do? WillGM: ---------------------- Game Start -------------------- Edward hmms. "If I'm going to go outcountry for a long period, I'd better have the systems at work in shape so they can do without me for a while..." Ellis: I don't have any problems with taking leave as long as I'm back by the beginning of classes. Edward stands up. "Lemme know if something happens; you've got my number.." WillGM: "Very well, Mr. Wong. We'll see you tomorrow evening." Edward pauses halfway out the door. "Oh -- we'll need to let 'cole know about this soon as she touches down." WillGM: Bruce makes a comment about packing for everywhere, and leaves with Bob to work out vacation time. Edward nods. "Later." and heads off. WillGM: Fearless dusts himself off ineffectually and does the same. WillGM: He leaves, muttering something about planes. WillGM: Okay, so you all get ready over the course of the next 24 hours. WillGM: Let us turn then to Nicole. Ellis: Actually, I'd like to ask a question or two about the evil Grail... WillGM: Ah, excellent. Ellis: Judas Grail, ne? WillGM: Yeah. Ellis: "What is it, how dangerous is it, and how likely are we to encounter it?" WillGM: Are you asking this after everyone has gone, or just after Liriel mentions it? Ellis: Uh, before everyone leaves. Ellis: Not right after he mentions it, though, because I didn't. Let's say I got caught up in thinking about preparations, and just now came back to "troubles we might face." WillGM: Okay. Ellis: ... so... WillGM: "What it is exactly is hard to say. Like most such things, its origins are shrouded. It is dangerous mostly to celestials, not to humans -- it causes Discord -- " he shivers " -- specifically, Covetousness. It makes all but the strongest-willed desire it relentlessly. The damage can be undone by few if any, short of an Archangel." Ellis: Ah, okee, sorry. WillGM: "Humans, thanks be, are not subject to the phenomenon. I, however, will undertake all cautions to avoid catching even a glimpse of the thing." Ellis: "But it is a physical artifact? It can't move on its own, it needs a carrier?" WillGM: "Correct on both counts. A wooden cup of no particular distinction, by all reports. Anyone who sees it with Aware eyes knows instantly that it is a thing of great power -- which it is, dreadfully. A remarkably powerful reliquary." Ellis nods. WillGM: "If we find it," he looks around at the humans, "since it is difficult if not impossible to destroy, I would ask the you, the humans, keep it as safely as possible. There will be many after it, but as regards celestials you should essentially consider it a disease-carrier. It should be kept away from the population at all costs." Ellis: "Understood." WillGM: "Finally, as to the likelihood of encountering it..." he spreads his hands. "I have no knowledge of its current whereabouts or statistical movement patterns. It is said to follow the Grail, though I have no idea why." Ellis suddenly gets a strange expression on his face, then chuckles weakly. WillGM: Liriel looks at you queryingly. Ellis: "Sorry. I was just wondering... if I showed up at the Vatican with the Cup of Christ, if His Holiness would let me back in." WillGM: Liriel blinks. "... You are excommunicate? One of the legends about the Grail is that Galahad took Communion from the Grail, and on the instant vanished up into Heaven." He smiles. "You might want to consider the possible side effects of your plan." Ellis raises his eyebrows and says nothing. WillGM: Rath chuckles. "I don't remember him ever showing up, but then I was on Earth duty most of the time." WillGM: "Well. Is there anything else I can oblige you with?" Ellis: "I think that takes care of most of it." Ellis: "At least, those are my questions." WillGM: "I am pleased, in an academic sense, to be of service." WillGM: (Further events previously mentioned happen.) [ Scene switch ] WillGM: It is about an hour later. The plane is over Utah. From Liriel's point of view, he finds himself in a very small, poorly lit room with an odd shape. He fumbles around, opens the door, and Nicole, sitting in her wheelchair in the front of coach class, sees him stick his head out of the lavatory without having walked into it. WillGM: *looks around* "My, how odd." Nicole looks up from her book and laughs. Nicole then tries to catch his attention. WillGM: Liriel looks over at that. "Oh, hello." He walks out and closes the door. Nicole: empty seat nearby? WillGM: Coming over, he looks Nicole up and down. "Have we met? Your face is familiar, but I don't recall meeting anyone in a wheelchair..." WillGM: Yeah. Edward: "Discretion? What is this strange word? And why are you making those hushing noises--*resonate* ... oh, dear. Yes, I suppose this would draw a lot of attention from the stewardesses such as the one standing behind me with a very frightened look on her face...." Nicole points to the empty seat. "Sit, I'll explain." Nicole: "Act like you were here the whole time." WillGM: He sits down. Looking about, he observes the seatbelt sign, and conscientiously buckles himself in. WillGM: "... The whole time for what?" Ellis: You sure he can manage that? He didn't see the little demonstration... ;) WillGM: Hee. Nicole: "You're on an airplane. You were supposed to have been on it since Philly." WillGM: "Ah. I understand." Nicole shakes her head. "And as for where you've met me...well..." Nicole: "In that place where dreams are stronger than reality." WillGM: He instantly comprehends. "Ah, of course." WillGM: He touches your hand briefly. "Nicole Elizabeth Hollister. How do you prefer to be addressed?" Nicole: "Nicole is fine. Not Nikki, though." WillGM: "Nicole then." With the air of someone carefully uttering a rehearsed line, he says, "You may call me Larry." Nicole smiles. "Hi, Larry. Now...dare I ask how you ended up thirty thousand feet over Salt Lake City?" WillGM: "Synchronicity." He looks about, and leans in closer. "It is a way of letting the Symphony take me where it needs me to go. I had faith that, being given this mission, it would start me out correctly, though it's not something to depend on for specific travel." He muses a moment and brightens. "I've never arrived in a moving vehicle before." WillGM: "For that matter, where *are* we going?" Nicole: "Sacramento, California. My home town." Edward: I can just imagine the face of the guy behind 'cole... :) *** Mode change "+o Arsenal" on #gurps by ChanServ Nicole: *giggles* *** Arsenal is now known as Fearless WillGM: "Curious coincidence. I was just talking about the sacraments earlier this evening... " he shakes his head. "Probably an irrelevancy." He thinks. "I wonder -- since I doubt that the airspace behind us was truly the intended starting spot -- if this means I should begin in Sacramento." Nicole: "Well...as for the first thing, that's what it means, it's Spanish. But I'm a little surprised...not sure there's anything worth seeing in Sacramento, even the governor's boring..." Nicole frowns a bit, thinking. WillGM: "Anything of religious significance?" Nicole frowns some more. "Beyond the name?" WillGM: "Yes. Though anything else which comes to mind may be valuable." Nicole: "Not really, it's a sleepy little valley town, that John Sutter wanted to call New Helvetica, but gold tore down his dreams..." Nicole: "It's now the state capital of California. I mean, I could ask my mom when we get there, she might know." Nicole: "It was the West Coast start of the transcontinental railway..." Nicole thinks a bit more... Nicole: "That's most of what I can think of." WillGM: "We can begin carefully. Perhaps your mother would be a good source of information." Nicole: "Yeah. Mom's a minister." WillGM: "Ah. Excellent. Father?" Nicole: "Budget analysis for the state legislature. Economic stuff." Nicole: "Works on other projects too, he was telling me about some of the research on the power crisis they had to turn out." WillGM googles for something... WillGM: Okay, I think I've got it. Carry on. WillGM: "Will... will there be questions if I remain quietly on the plane?" WillGM: "Until it lands, that is." Nicole: "I hope not. Granted, it's good you've not attracted attention yet..." WillGM: "Subtlety is enjoined upon us whenever possible." He takes a deep breath. "I think I may be meeting your parents shortly." He leans back in the chair and selects a magazine from the rack. Nicole nods, and wonders idly how she's going to explain this one. Nicole: "Uhhh, Larry? Is there some sort of cover story I can tell my folks about you? I mean, telling them where you're from is going to freak them." WillGM: "Yes, I underst -- this is not true!" He points at an advertisement in the magazine. Fearless: he'd have a very poor Role if he didn't have a cover story.. :) WillGM: "This claim is false! That is illegal, is it not?" Edward: Don't; merely trust in the parental ability to jump to conclusions. ;) Nicole glances over to see what ad he is looking at. WillGM: (He's pointing at a makeup ad with a woman surrounded by men in a glamorous setting, with the caption "You too, baby.") Nicole: "Ummmm...no, that's not illegal, it's just advertising." Nicole: "They think they can sell stuff to people by getting them to believe that it could happen to them too. Might be slightly unethical, but not illegal." Edward: Butbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbutbut.... Fearless: *snicker* WillGM: "Nnnngh...." WillGM: He carefully closes the magazine and puts it away. "Right. Cover story." Nicole: "Well...you're doing some sort of research. You could be a grad student." WillGM: "But I'm not." WillGM: "I am a singer, though. Does that help?" Nicole: "You sing?" WillGM: "Yes. I am a Songmaster, in fact. I sing and teach Songs. Both kinds, if you take my meaning." Nicole grins a bit. "And that'll be the perfect way to introduce you to my folks. I mean, as a singer. My poor folks are used to stuff like, 'Hi, Mom, this is Tim, I met him at a jam session...'" WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 15. WillGM: "That makes sense... I can't think of anything to add, I'm afraid. I'm not very experienced at maintaining a Role." WillGM: "So you perform music as well, then?" Nicole nods. "Play and write. I don't sing all that well, though." WillGM: He grows happy. "I would be interested in seeing some of your work." Nicole blushes. "It's really not that great." WillGM: (Chat about music for the hour until the plane touches down?) Nicole: works for me. End scene? :) WillGM: Well, next scene -- meet the 'rents. :^) Nicole: Fade to black, next scene. Nicole: :) WillGM: The plane rolls to a stop. Passengers begin picking up things. Liriel attempts to stand, unbuckles his seat belt, and stands succesfully. He leans down to you as you get ready to go, and whispers, "I shall do my best to follow your lead. Please remain as close to the truth as possible." Nicole: "I'll do my best. Please forgive a few white lies, as jarring as they may be." WillGM: He winces and nods. "Bear in mind that I cannot actively support any such thing, dance as I may." Nicole: "I will do my best to avoid them." Nicole: "I will say this much, it's technically true we met in Philly, because that's where I was even if I was elsewhere, if you catch my meaning." WillGM: "I believe I take your meaning." Nicole grins. "Good. Now I have to wait for the plane to clear." WillGM tries to recall... by December of 2001, I'm pretty sure they'd instituted the "ticketed passengers only" rule which keeps persons picking up passengers confined to the outer areas like baggage claim, right? Nicole: Yeah. WillGM: Okay. Nicole: Basically that was true from the moment they resumed service after 9/11. WillGM: Once the plane clears, the flight attendants come by and help the wheelchair through the aisle and up the jetway. Liriel follows by you, looking about as you enter the terminal. WillGM: "As busy as a Tether..." Nicole: "Yeah. They kinda are." Nicole: "Anyway, my folks are probably waiting by the baggage claim area, so if you'll stick with me..." WillGM: "Of course." WillGM: They are indeed waiting at the baggage claim. "There she is! Nicoole!" Your mom and dad wave from the operating carousel, having started picking up your baggage already. Nicole waves back. "Okay. Here goes nothing." Nicole: "Real fast, do you have a last name?" WillGM: "My Role's given name is Jameson." Nicole: "Okay, that will work." Nicole waves to her folks and comes over. WillGM: Your mom hugs you when you arrive. Your dad is hauling another bag off the carousel. "Oh, goodness, it's so good to see you!" Nicole smiles and returns the hug. "Yeah. It's good to be back home." Nicole: "Anyway, Mom, Dad? I want you to meet somebody." WillGM: Your Dad comes over with the bag as you say this, looks over the quiet grey-suited man who is with you. Nicole: "This here's a friend I met in Philly. His name's Larry Jameson, and he's a researcher and a musician, and he's never seen California." WillGM: He bows politely. "How do you do, Mrs. Hollister, Mr. Hollister." Nicole: "And I know I should have asked, but it sorta came together as a last minute thing, and I'm hoping y'don't mind if he stays with us for a few days." WillGM: Your dad's forehead furrows. "Have you known him long? I don't recall you talking about him." Nicole: "Not very. But he won't be around long, he's got friends in SF." . o O (Please forgive me for the white lie...) WillGM: "This is true. I have a friend who works at Golden Gate Park." Nicole: "Just wants to look around Sacramento for a bit before heading there. No worries. And Mom will prolly want to hear him sing. " WillGM: "Of course we can." "Well, as long as he won't steal the silver..." "Oh Dan, what a thing to say." Nicole: "I can assure you, Dad, that Larry's not the thieving type." WillGM: "I assure you I have no such intention. I would be honored to sing for my supper." He smiles. Nicole: "And he's not an axe murderer nor does he jaywalk." Nicole grins. :) WillGM: "What is jaywa -- *cough*" Nicole winces. "And before you ask, Mom, he's just a friend. I don't think there's ever going to be somebody to replace John." WillGM: Dan looks Liriel over again. "Well, you'll probably want to get your baggage." "I have none." Nicole: "He travels very light." WillGM: Your dad picks up two of the larger suitcases. "Lucky man." He grins. "Well, follow me, I'm parked at Deck C..." and out he goes. Nicole follows, and motions for Larry to follow. Nicole remembers to turn on her cellphone again. WillGM: He does so. Becky begins peppering him with questions about his music, and he... WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 16. WillGM: fumbles about a bit, mostly saying it's rather technical or abstruse. WillGM: In the car on the way to your house, Liriel asks permission to make a phone call back to Philadelphia once you get home. Nicole nods. "Sure." WillGM: "Thank you. I shall bring the others here expeditiously." WillGM: Dan looks back. "You're bringing friends?" Nicole: "Funny, 'cause I was gonna ring Ed myself." WillGM: "Oh. That would work well." WillGM: "How *many* friends?" Nicole glares slightly at Larry. WillGM: Liriel looks at you for a moment, then blinks in comprehension. He addresses Dan. "Fear not, sir. I shall abide with them when they arrive." WillGM: "Aah." Dan relaxes. Nicole just stares up at the roof of the car and mutters under her breath, "The guy upstairs owes me..." Nicole flexes her right hand slightly. WillGM: Liriel eyes you sideways, but for once declines to say anything about it. WillGM: The car arrives at home without further incident. Liriel helps you unpack, making of it a dandy excuse to be in your room while you call Ed. Nicole closes the door once he's in. Nicole looks at him. "Well...that was fun." Nicole just shakes her head a bit more, and fishes through her phone directory on her cellphone for Ed's number. WillGM: Liriel sits quietly on the floor. Nicole: "I'll call Ed, and then I'll try to cover some of what happened, okay?" WillGM: He nods. Nicole hits the dial button on the cellphone. Edward: *click* "Hello, UPENN network central command, Nicole Hollister speaking?" Nicole laughs. "The latter half of that is my line. But anyway, did you guys lose something?" Edward grins. "Well, Nicole Hollister *is* speaking, isn't she? *makes pocket-patting noises clearly audible over the phone* "Not really, unless something changed since yesterday evening... Which reminds me, our new friend's looking for something really big..." Nicole: "Ahh. Should I let him tell me, since he's sitting right here?" Edward: "Probably. And how'd he pull that o-- oh, wait. He did mention something like that... Does this mean we can book that flight?" Nicole: "Yeah. Looks like you're coming to Sacramento for whatever in he-*cough*-tarnation is going on." Edward: "No rest for the wicked, eh? I'll let the others know. Anything else of world-shaking importance happen while I wasn't looking?" Nicole: "Well, he met my folks. You ever realize how difficult it is to not lie and yet not tell the truth at the same time?" Edward: "Yes[tm]." Edward: "Several times, in fact." Nicole: "Oh yeah, book a hotel too, my folks were not totally cool with Larry showing up randomly." Edward: "Gotcha. Any recommendations that cater to humble travelers with unknown durations of stay?" Fearless: Motel 666. Edward: *whap* Nicole: "There's a bunch of the standard chains, and a few local entities. I'll email those to you before I sign off for the night." Edward: "Rog. Say hi to Larry, and we'll see you soon." Nicole: "Alright. Talk to you later." Edward: "Ja." *click* Nicole hangs up the phone and looks at Larry. "You want to call Frizz?" WillGM: "This would probably be wise." He takes the phone, and pauses. "Actually, I don't know his telephone number. I shall use a more secure method..." He hands the phone back, and starts to concentrate. Nicole watches. WillGM: Liriel begins to sing, a high strain of melody with a lot of odd intonations and attacks that sounds almost like speech. This goes on for nearly five minutes, and then quickly concludes: "The Quest will begin in Sacramento California. I am at the house of Nicole Hollister." Nicole shakes her head and grins. WillGM: He takes a deep breath, and looks at you. "I wanted to be sure of success, which is why I took so long. Corporeal physics is quite stubborn..." Nicole: "Tell me about it." WillGM: "Allright." He launches into a lecture on the crystallization approximations of Force physics in the Corporeal realm. Nicole: "Whoa, whoa, whoa..." Edward: *giggle* WillGM: "Yes?" Nicole: "Figure of speech." WillGM: "Oh. Ah. Yes. A general affirmative agreement, correct? Like 'amen.'" Nicole: "Yeah, pretty much. I can relate, I've got my own troubles with physics." WillGM: "I don't follow." Nicole: "Well..." Nicole gestures to take in the chair. "Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. And things that are broken can't necesarily be fixed." Nicole: "But that's neither here nor there. Anyway, is there any other questions, or dare I ask what Ed's so excited about?" WillGM: "Aaah." He ponders. "Corporeal Healing has been known to repair major systemic damage. And I am a virtuoso therewith. Regrettably, such incidents are far between, so research on the parameters is sparse. I would not be certain how to go about it. The Grail might be able to, but again, knowledge of parameters is virtually nil." Nicole blinks. Nicole sighs. "Yeah. Don't worry about it; I'll deal." WillGM: "It comes to my mind that I have told your acquaintances what I am here for, but not you. This seems unfair." Nicole: "Yeah." WillGM: Liriel turns around to double check that the door is firmly closed before returning to you. "What do you know of the Grail Quest?" Nicole: "Ummm...isn't that what King Arthur was looking for?" Nicole: "I think most of my knowledge comes from Monty Python, which I don't think is the most accurate of media about it." WillGM: "In some legends. More have the Knights after it. I have actually studied this Monty Python, as well as the movie about Dr. Jones -- one myth may well be as good as another when there is something real at the heart of it." Nicole nods. WillGM: "I am here to seek that, and you are now with me in that Quest." Nicole: Took me a second to place Dr. Jones, Will. ;) WillGM: *grin* Fearless: We meet again, Dr. Jones. Fearless: :) WillGM: "Besides the unpredictability of an object of such measure, there are also some dangers to be aware of..." and he talks about the Judas Grail as well. Nicole listens carefully. Nicole nods in somberness at the dangerous part. Nicole: "I must confess to being honoured you've included me, but there's one minor problem." WillGM: He cocks his head. Fearless: It doesn't exist! Nicole points at the door. "Mom and Dad were sorta expecting me to stay through the New Year, and will be kinda disappointed if I don't stay. Given that they're not totally thrilled about you..." Nicole: "At least, Dad isn't." WillGM: "Yes?" Nicole: "Mom, on the other hand would probably have fun chatting with you about mythos and religion. But anyway...if I recall correctly, the Grail-myths take place in Britain and the Middle East, which is why I'm kinda surprised you ended up here..." Nicole: "But if you get another lead, you could be going anywhere, no?" WillGM: "Yes. My arrival on your plane indicated to me that my first lead would be found here. Although, since I must go to San Francisco to meet with the Seneschal there, that might have been what was meant to happen. It's hubristic to say that I know with any certainty why exactly I am here now." Nicole: "Oh....you mean, I wasn't lying when I said you have friends in SF?" WillGM: "You were not. There is a major Tether to Flowers that anchors the city. I studied the Celestial Song of Healing there some decades ago, and the Seneschal and I have remained in relative communication." Nicole laughs. "Wow, the Universe is a wonderful place." Edward: o/~ If you're going / to Saaan / Fraaaan / sisco / Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair... o/~ WillGM: o/~ For if you go / to Saaan / Fraan / cisco / You're sure to meet some gentle people there. o/~ Nicole: "Anyway...is there anything else we need to cover, or shall I let you be?" WillGM: He thinks. "Only transport back to the airport tomorrow... no, on second thought it would probably be easiest if they obtained transportation and met me here. In the meantime, I'm sure your parents are wondering what we are doing closeted in here for so long." Ellis: Okay, I do need to run off, now. Have fun! WillGM: 'Night Ellis. WillGM: (Just about to scene change back to Philly, too. ;^) ) Nicole: "Yeah. No problem, I'll show you where you can sleep. Or at least pretend." Nicole: okay, that works. WillGM: After lightly partaking of dinner, Liriel is as good as his word, putting on a solo a cappella performance that ranges from muli-millenium-old African chants to medieval English carols to avant-garde ambient-noise vocalizations. WillGM: 3d6 Dicesuke throws the bones for WillGM (3d6) and gets 15. WillGM: It's not his best work, but it's professional. Ellis: Laterz, everyone *** Signoff: Ellis (Quit: Only the Polytron reduces an entire mouse to a soup-like homogenate in thirty seconds!) Nicole grins. Nicole watches her mother be enchanted. WillGM: Last question before the scene change: what do you do the next day? As in, literally the plan for the next 24 hours. WillGM: Liriel is basically a tourist, of course. Edward: I'm thinking Twoflower, only not quite as sharp and perceptive. Nicole: Lesse. Send the email to Ed, sleep a bit, and probably haul Liriel out in the morning to see the Capital and Old Sacramento. Nicole's mom will probably insist on it. WillGM: Yokai. Nicole: Dad has to go to work, of course. WillGM: Back (briefly) to Philly. Each of you get a call during the workday, or at your place if you're not there: Marmarath has arranged plane tickets to Sacramento for you all this evening at 7. He's rather apologetic about the fact that, on short notice in the Christmas season, all he could get was first class. Edward is sympathetic and understanding and forgiving. Nicole: and secretly thinking "YES!" Edward: luckily, Rath isn't an Elohite. :) WillGM: Or a Seraph; or, possibly, depending on how greedy you were really being, a Malakite. :^) Edward: It's not greed so much as amusement. :) WillGM: So. Ed, Fearless Bruce, Frizz, and Ellis show up at the terminal that evening. Bruce... does not look like a first-class passenger... WillGM: ...but, though one of the younger flight attendant's eyes keep flicking to Ed's right little finger, the flight is polite and without incident. Fearless does not either... and I grumble at the fact that I have to check a particular piece of luggage. WillGM: Fearless: gun? Edward tunes out the in-flight movie and catches up on his sleep. Fearless: *nod* WillGM: 'k Edward eyes the eyeing attendant WillGM: She blushes and hustles back to coach. Fearless leans over to Ed. "Go for it." Edward doesn't dignify that remark with a response, and closes his eyes again. WillGM: You arrive in Cali (and somebody, presumably, picks up 'Cole's address, if you didn't already know it). Who gets the bills for a couple of rental cars? Edward does. Fearless: I'll handle one WillGM: Ed and Fearless, then. $150 for the first 24 hours, $50/day afterward, please return them with full tanks. Sign the insurance form here, the receipt here, the odometer and gas readings here and here... thank you. Have a nice stay in California. Edward: *scribblescribble* "thankyouhaveaniceday." Edward: .oO(Ew, handwriting.) Fearless scribbles his chickenscratch signature... this time intentionally using his mild dyslexia to fsck it up slightly. :) WillGM: You show up at Nicole's house about an hour later. WillGM: "Oh, Nicole? I think Larry's friends are here." WillGM: Liriel looks up from a sheet of music which he is covering with mathematical notation. Fearless respectfully stays outside while smoking his cancerstick. Nicole looks up from her own work. "Hey, okay." Nicole goes to open the door. WillGM: Ellis waves. Bruce looks around, and says "Nice place. Looks like a safe neighborhood." Edward holds up a hand. "Ay, 'cole. How's life?" Nicole: "Yep. Was safe when I was growing up here." Fearless waves to Nicole and Larry from the front porch. Fearless: (or patio, or whatever) Nicole grins at Ed. "Something about 'interesting times', I think. C'mon in, Mom's always up for meeting new people, Dad's a bit more reticent...but yeah." WillGM: Becky invites the lot of you in for something to drink (having just finished the familial dinner). Fearless: "Ancient Chinese curse... 'may you live an interesting life'." Fearless snuffs his cigarette as he steps inside. WillGM: Dan whispers, "Thank you." Edward enters with the rest of the crew. Fearless: "You're welcome. I try not to smoke in others' people's homes without their permission." WillGM: Becky passes around preferences of tea, coffee, and water. Edward will have tea WillGM: "So... are you just friends of Larry's, or does Nicole know you too?" Nicole takes a deep breath. "Intros are in order, I think." Fearless: "Coffee. Black." WillGM: *to Nicole* "Oh, yes please." Fearless nods. "Johnny Ferrifous. I met Nicole through a mutual friend." (ooc) ex-friend, to be completely honest... Nicole: "Mom, Dad, in order. The Asian guy is Ed, you've heard a lot about him. Behind him, that's Greg, if you'll recall, he's the one that helped me out after that incident in September. The guy in the trenchcoat is Fearless..." *winces 'cause she's made clear to her mom that she's not exactly thrilled with Fearless* "...who's a reporter." Edward nods his head Fearless: "Call me either Johnny or Fearless, I answer to both." Nicole: "The guy in back in the rumpled clothes is Bruce Whitechurch, who came in this odd circle of friends around halloween, I've mentioned him, he's the cop. The other guy is Bob, who's also a cop, and is more a friend of Larry's." Nicole: (Anybody I'm missing?) WillGM: Frizz speaks up. "Bob Hunter. I'm with Bruce, actually -- I've never met Nicole except at a distance." WillGM: (Nope, that's everyone.) Nicole: "Gang, this here is my folks. My dad, Dan Hollister, and my mom, Becky Hollister." Edward: "Delighted." WillGM: "Hi, it's pleasure." "Nice to meet you all." WillGM: "What are you all doing in Sacramento?" WillGM: "Picking up Larry, mainly...." Nicole keeps her mouth shut and lets the gang answer. WillGM: "We're headed on a longer trip. Next stop's probably SF." Nicole: "My folks both went to Cal." Fearless: "Cal-Tech? I understand they've got a decent library there." Fearless: "Might be a decent place to start on that research you're working on, Larry." Nicole: "No, Fearless, Berkeley." Fearless: "Ah. Yeah, there, too." Nicole grins. "Yeah, that is a possibility." WillGM: "I need to meet someone in San Francisco anyway." Fearless: and I need to flee for the night... :/ *** Fearless is now known as Arsenal *** Mode change "+o Arsenal" on #gurps by ChanServ Nicole: even with the extra hour? Arsenal: yep. WillGM: As a matter of fact, I was shamelessly going to ask to cut it about here, and seek extra sleep. :^) WillGM: Everyone's together right now, and you're in a planning phase, so it's very convenient. Nicole: okee, fair 'nuff. WillGM: Or close to one, at any rate. Edward: 'nite folks WillGM: G'night Ed. WillGM: -------------------- Session End -----------------------