[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: Amy plushified, depriving the group of a valuable resource. The group stumbled along in the hottest day they've experienced yet and Cara was stricken with heat stroke. The group finally clued in that they should be traveling at night, and now things are a mite easier for them. They also managed to _barely_ avoid the menace of a great waste cactus, though they don't know exactly what it is that they evaded.] [The session opens as Shiho is on watch, as the sun is just beginning to near the horizon and the temperatures are dropping into comfortable range. They will drop to near freezing soon, but for now, traveling is good.] [Session Start] * In a flash of industrial light and magic, Amy deplushifies. * Amy blinks and looks around curiously. * Ichi misses the show, he's asleep. * Shiho hurriedly wakes everyone up and waves to Amy. "Hey. You're back with us now." Where are we? Same desert, bit further. Oh. * Shiho keeps trying to wake everyone. "It's getting to be a good temperature to travel. ...mm... * Ichi streaches * Shiho gathers her gear. * Cara blearily opens he eyes. Huh...? Time to get up already? Good morni...er evening everybody::YAWN:: It's time to wake up Cara. ^_^ * Shiho nods. "It's not quite freezing yet; it's be good to move while we can." Amy? You're back! ^_^ * Rocky pokes his head out of Shiho's backpack, glances around, then ducks back inside. Yep. ^_^ Hmm? Amy! It's good to see you again. * Cara sits up. * Ichi crawls to his feet and streaches again. * Cara picks up her backpack and crawls out from under the makeshift shelter. * Shiho paces while waiting for the others to get ready. * The temperature cools towards 60 degrees Fahrenheit. * Rocky climbs out of Shiho's backpack to pace with her. * Ichi finishes waking up and starts working on dissasembling the shelter. Come on now. If we wait much longer it'll get cold. * Cara slips her backpack on and nodnods. * It's gonna get cold anyway, but it's better to be moving before it gets cold. * Ichi finishes and puts his swords away before handing the hacked hakama and arrows back to their owner. * Shiho starts on her way. * Cara follows after Shiho. * Ichi picks up his backpack and starts walking after the girls. * Rocky follows alongside Shiho, staying out of the backpack at least until it gets a bit colder. * Amy follows Shiho. * The large red sun seems to enlarge still further as it approaches the horizon. to the other side of the sky, the two moons of this planet start to show their faces. * Amy walks along, peering at Cara from time to time. * Cara blinks at Amy's attention and shoots her a confused look. Did somethin' happen to you? Huh? What do you mean? You feel.. weird. * Cara scratches her head. "Well, I got sick yesterday." * Ichi walks on and watches the sky slowly change colors. * Rocky decides it's cold enough and climbs back into Shiho's backpack. You feel.. off. Like you're out of whack with nature or somethin'... ...weird. I dunno why. Everything in this place is weird. Oh. You were sick. That must be why. Did I miss any cute animals while I was a cute widdle plushie? There were a lot of lizards...and one of them broke. Oh no! The poor little guy. Did you help him? * Shiho shudders. "I don't want to think about that. It was dead when we got there... No...it was dead. It broke and blew away in the wind. * Cara hugs her arms and shivers. Oh. Poor little thing. I...we dunno what happened to it. It was scary. * The day proceeds from early evening to late evening, and the sky begins to darken. * Ichi nods at Cara. * Now that the day has cooled off, more animals are starting to come out. * Amy looks around at the CUTE widdle animals. * Cara looks nervously around for any motionless animals. * Amy steps on something. Whatever it is, it cuts directly through her boot and into her foot. Ow! Amy? * Cara stops. I stepped on something. * Amy looks to see what she stepped on. What happe...oh, are you allright? * Shiho stops. "Hm? What is it?" * It appears to be an arrowhead. * Amy blinks and picks it up. * It's razor sharp, as evidenced by the way it went right through the sole of Amy's shoe. Wow. Neat. ^_^ ... if painful. ;_; What is it? * Shiho blinks and peers at it. * Amy's foot is still bleeding. * Amy blinks and realizes. ".. Ow. Does anyone have a band-aid?" * Cara shakes her head. "Nope." I left mine back at home, sorry. * Shiho eyes the thing. "What IS this?" * Amy sits down and takes off her shoe. "Aw darn.." It's not steel, and yet... Hmmm... Maybe it's magic. Amy, could I have it? Uh, sure. ^_^ Probibly have something in here to wrap that with. ::starts digging through his bag:: * Amy hands the arrowhead to Shiho, then tries to figure out how to get her foot to stop bleeding. Can't you just do that Cure Light Wounds spell? Thanks. Couldn't you just... yeah. Oh yeah! Good idea. Wait a sec... * Amy focuses. "Cure Light Wounds." ... Erm, nevermind. * A small lizard pokes its head out of a formerly unseen hole. The lizard is small, even though you can't see all of it, it can't be more than a foot long, and it appears to be covered in scales the same reddish color of the arrowhead. * Amy looks at the little lizard. "Hello there little guy. ^_^" * Lizard flicks its long, forked tongue at Amy. * Cara looks at the lizard. * Shiho looks from the arrowhead to the lizard. "Hm. Guess that explains it." * Ichi looks up from his backpack. * Cara looks at the arrowhead in Shiho's hand. For a minute I though it might be that thing from before. Whatever it was. What thing? Whatever killed that lizard. * Lizard crawls forward out of the hole and approaches Amy warily. The thi...yeah that. * Now that the full body of the lizard is in sight... Aww. Hello there little guy. ^_^ You're friendly, aren't you? * Lizard is covered in scales that approach the same size of the arrowhead that Shiho is examining. That scale arrow isn't bloody. It probably shed it, not had it removed. * Lizard approaches Amy warily. Really? Wonder if it shed any others. That's one sharp lizard. * Amy reaches her hand out warily towards the lizard. "C'mon over little guy." * Lizard nuzzles its nose against Amy's hand. Aww. You're a sweet little guy. * Amy gets into a comfortable position. Guys, I'm gonna try to commune with him, ok? Don't get worried or anythin'. Um, okay. ^_^ * Shiho nods. I won't stop you. * Ichi finds a cofortable looking place to lay down and wait. * Shiho folds her arms and waits. * Lizard stares at Amy, mesmerized. * Cara watches with interest. * Ichi rolls so he can see Amy. * Ichi cuts his back on another arrowhead. * Ichi sits up suddenly. "Itai!" * Shiho pulls an arrow from her quiver, then looks over at Ichi. "What happened?" * Ichi looks behind himself to see what stabbed him. * Ichi finds another arrowhead! * Ichi holds up another arrowhead. "This happened." * Amy lets out a little cry and then subsides back into meditation. Gaaaa! Amy! * Shiho glances at Amy. * Ichi forgets about the pain in his back and turns to Amy. Amy's... 'communing', isn't dangerous, is it? Uh...I don't know. I..uhm...don't know. Maybe if the animal was hostile it would be... * Shiho frowns. "I sure hope not." She turns to Ichi. "Can I have the arrowhead? I'm going to try to fit them onto my own arrows." Sure. ::carefully hands it over:: Thanks. * Shiho pulls another arrow from her quiver, and gets to work on modifying them. * Ichi tries to find a soft looking spot to sit back down on. * Cara examines the ground for more scales. * There do not appear to be any more scales around. * Amy shakes herself as she snaps out of her trance. Wow. Poor little guy. You've been through a lot. * Shiho looks up from her work. "Finished?" Welcome back Amy. What happened? Why did you yell? * Amy nods. "Yeah. This poor little guy has been through a lot. Someone did something to him a long time ago so that his scales are like this. Whatever did it to him hurt him." * Amy trys to pat the little guy without cutting her hand on his scales. * So long as you don't run your hand counter to the flow of the scales, you're not cut. * Shiho continues working. "What could do something like that?" * Lizard preens under the petting. Donno. Some kinda magic I think. He doesn't feel unnatural tho'. Not like Rocky. * Rocky pokes his head out of Shiho's backpack long enough to stick his tongue out at Amy. Why is it that when ever something is wrong here, it's magic that's at fault? Remember what Daphne said? It's always magic. Guess that's why he called us defilers... I would never do something like this. It.. didn't feel like magic tho'. I felt like someone someone was casting a druid spell.. only.. not. Hm. * Lizard flicks its forked tongue at Shiho. Maybe they've got more than one kind of druid here or something. * Shiho nods to Ichi. "Wouldn't surprise me." Either way, I feel bad for the poor guy. He's been all alone for a while. What happened to whover made him like this? He doesn't know. Someone took him away, then he fell asleep... and when he woke up, everything was like this and he was all alone. Poor thing... I'd almost say it sounds like a mad scientist from a bad sci-fi film. * Cara looks at Amy. "So...you want to take him with us?" Well, if he wants to come along, I'd like to. ^_^ He might not wanna tho'. * Amy continues petting the little guy. "Wanna come along with us little guy?" * Lizard rubs against Amy's hand. Well, that could be a yes or a no. ^_^ * Lizard climbs up Amy's leg and onto her shoulder. Either way, we'd better start moving again. Well, I'll take that as a yes. ^_^ * Ichi nods at Shiho. "Ok." Okay! ^_^ * Amy stands up, and continues to pet the cute little guy as best she can. "Hmm. What should I call him?" * Lizard tickles Amy's ear with its tongue. * Shiho stands up and withdraws her bow. She sights along the new arrows one at a time and, satisfied, puts her weapons away. "All set?" Yep! Yep! * Amy tries to think up a cute name for her little friend... * Shiho starts forwards. "Off we go, then." Hmm, "Kasui" means spike. Spike! That's a good name. ^_^ * Cara follows cheerfully after Shiho, not quite as nervously this time. * Ichi walks after Shiho. "I couldn't think of anything else." * Spike sits on Amy's shoulder and enjoys the petting. * You travel on for hours on end, step after step after step. * Ichi walks and walks and walks. * The animals around you tend to flee your presence, after a while they stop approaching altogether. * A large elf-like man appears in front of you. He's dressed in nothing but a loincloth, but though he has the features of the elves you've seen, he is at least seven feet tall. His only other clothing is a quiver of arrows secured around his waist, and he has a bow with arrow nocked. It's pointing right at you. Gah! * TallElf babbles something incomprehensible at you. Yip! Waa! * Spike peers at the man. * Shiho blinks, then glances to the sides without turning her head. Damn. We're surrounded. * MoreTallElves surround the group. * TallElf babbles something in a different sounding language. Uhm...I'm sorry, but I can't understand what you are saying. Um... Maybe they're friendly. * TallElf rolls his eyes and tries again, in broken english, "Speak you this?" * MoreTallElves all have bows, and have them ready to perforate you. Yes, we do. Good. Star Dancer tribe we are. All you goods are belonging to us. ... Give up soon and you not die. ... ... You wanna steal our stuff? Wow, you're mean. But... * Shiho sideglances again. * MoreTallElves number only a half dozen. * Shiho scowls. * Cara glances at Shiho, her lower lip trembling. Soon! Hey! What gives you the right to steal our stuff? * TallElf switches his aim to Amy. Uh.. besides your big pointy arrows. ^_^; I...think that about covers it... These guys look strong. * Shiho glances again, considering the odds. You give up soon! ... How strong, Ichi? I don't think I know anybody who could just hold thoes bows like that. Plenty strong! You give up soon! * Shiho is mentally crushed with a 100 ton weight. "Oh, really." * Ichi nods. "And I liked this sword too, I guess I'll have to make another later." * Cara looks at the elves, teary eyed. "Why are you doing this to us?" But.. this is our stuff! We can't just give it up! It's all our water and stuff.. You goods plenty fine stuff! You give! * Cara instantly composes herself and starts taking off her backpack. * MoreTallElves start jabbering in a strange, melodic language. * Shiho sighs. "Damn. We've got no choice." But.. It's all our stuff! We'll die without it. Maybe die, maybe no die. Star Dancer tribe no care. Well, you're a bunch of meanies. * Ichi starts to take the sword straped to his back(the normal one) off. "It seems we have no choice." * Cara drops her backpack on the ground and folds her arms. * Shiho eyes the elf. Monsters. * MoreTallElves see the cooperation and relax a little. They keep the arrows nocked, but not ready anymore. * TallElf grins and also lets off on his ready stance. We can't! We'll have no water and we'll get all thirsty and dry up and turn into beef jerky. Besides, they'll take the Daphneplushie! It's not like we can fight. We can't let them do that, can we? ... That would get Daphne REALLY mad when she unplushiefied and then she'd come back and hit you like she does Ichi. * Shiho takes off her bow. * Cara looks to Shiho. * Shiho sighs. "Damn." * Ichi finishes taking off the sword and holds it while looking at the elves. * TallElf grins. Where do you want this? You put on ground. * Shiho quickly draws an arrow from her quiver and readies it, pointing it at the lead elf. "We can't let them do that." * MoreTallElves come to attention, almost instantly ready and aiming at Shiho. * TallElf stiffens. * Cara grabs her sketchpad from her bag. You can't take Daphne! You're right! ::draws the sword:: * TallElf is not ready to fire. * TallElf jabbers at the elves surrounding you. Six of them... I think I can hold them off. The rest of you, get ready to run. We can't leave you alone! No! You can't do that! Then it's just as bad as giving them the Daphneplushie. Besides, they can run faster than us! I guess we convince them we're not worth it then. You fast one. You catch me good. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. * TallElf drops his bow at his feet and slowly raises his hands in submission. * Cara 's face breaks into a big grin. * Shiho blinks. We deal good, yes? * Ichi looks at the other elves. Dealing is a good thing. ^_^ * MoreTallElves are still ready, and aiming at Shiho. You shooting me, you getting shot real good. We shooting you, me getting shot real good. It's quite a stalemate. We make deal. You go, we go. We meet again, maybe, things be different. * Shiho nods "Agreed." * TallElf jabbers at the other elves. We lower weapon, you lower weapon. We go, you go. * MoreTallElves lower their weapons slowly. * Ichi slowly puts his sword away. * TallElf crouches down and slowly takes his bow and puts the arrow back in his quiver. * Shiho nods and lowers her own, though keeping the arrow nocked, just in case. * Cara keeps her sketchpad out, since it's not like they realize what it's for. * MoreTallElves put their arrows away now that Shiho has lowered her aim. * Shiho blinks and holds up her left hand. "Wait a minute." * TallElf blinks. What you are saying? What is it? * Shiho points a finger at the ring Alric gave her. "We wear the same ring." * Cara blinks. * TallElf focuses on the ring and grins. We meet again, maybe. Things be different then. * TallElf barks a short phrase at his men. * MoreTallElves melt into the darkness. * TallElf follows his men into the darkness. That was odd. ^_^ * Shiho sighsin relief, and remembering she's still holding her bow, slings it back over her shoulders. * Cara gives Shiho a quick hug. "You were great!" That went well. ^_^ We didn't have to give up Daphneplushie or anything! * Shiho blinks. "Great? I don't see how. I thought I was going to get us killed." * Ichi bows to Shiho. "That ended better than I could have hoped." * Cara lets Shiho go and shakes her head. "You did what you had to do, and you did it well." * Shiho shrugs. "I guess it's better than being dead." Still, I was surprised that he wore the same ring. That IS weird... Weird indeed. ^_^ Why did he give it to you again? I've forgotten. ^_^; Uhh... He said it would protect me. He liked Shiho. ^_^ * Cara giggles at Ichi. Ahh, I see...I think. * Shiho blushes a bit, then turns around. "ANYWAY, we'd better hurry before something else comes up." She starts walking. Alright. ^_^ * Cara nods, and walks happily after Shiho. * Amy follows after Shiho, looking around to make sure no darn meanie elves are following. As if she could notice. * Ichi walks after Cara. * Shiho frowns. "Someone's nearby." Oh no. Not again. ;_; * Amy looks around to see. The elves again? * As you walk, the terrain starts to get less desolate. There are small patches of weeds in places, and the lizards that flee your presence become more common. Just one. Just one? * Spike crawls into Amy's backpack and naps. I don't know where he is, though. * Shiho readies her bow, just in case. Maybe one of the elves liked Shiho. ^_^ * Ichi looks around. I bet that's it. ^_^ Elves like Shiho. * Cara is overcome by a sudden coughing fit. * Shiho stops in her tracks. "Cara?" * Cara looks innocently at Shiho. "What?" Are you alright? Fine, fine. Just, er, sucked in some dust. I wonder where your stalker-elf is Shiho. Maybe he's going to send you a love note by arrow! ^_^; * Shiho hesitates a sec., then turns around and starts walking again. "If you're sure..." Amy, we don't even know it's an elf. True! It could be some cute widdle animal. * Shiho walks along, keeping her weapon ready. * Cara continues to follow Shiho. I'm sure we'll find out later, C'mone. ::walks after Shiho, but still looks around:: * Amy continues walking and looking around. * The sun begins to rise, and the chill of the night begins to lift. * Shiho glances that way briefly. "Hmm... We'll have to stop soon. I hope our guest shows up before then." * Ichi nods. * The darkness is pushed back by the red sun as a new day begins. Your follower is nowhere in sight. * Shiho sighs. "So much for that. We'd better stop now." Okay. Right. ::looks around for a good place to build:: * Shiho gets the materials out for the shelter. "I don't know if he's still around or not, but when you're on watch, be especially observant today." * There are actually a few scrubbrushes around now, and they could help you build your little shelter larger. * Ichi looks at the brush and hmms. * The sun rises higher, and you build your shelter and rest for the day. [End Session]