[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: When they stopped for lunch, Nick decided to take an
extremely ill advised walk into an elf-infested forest.  He was pelted
mercilessly with arrows even as he fled, and just as he made it back to his
companions, his foot was stapled to the ground by an elven arrow.]
[As our heroes continue on the road to The Gap, they may well have noticed that
the forest seems to be creeping closer and closer to the road, and the grass is
getting higher and higher, providing ample opportunities for hidden snipers to
strike from hiding.]
[It's now almost twilight, and though they've just reached what is obviously a
small clearing used frequently for travelers, the question is... do they dare
use it?]
[Session... START]
* Harold, Nick, and Emmet are conspicuous by their absence.
* Tiffany reigns Max in at the edge of the clearing, peering carefully around
before speaking in a hushed voice, "Think it's safe? It is getting late."
* The campsite is obviously frequently used, given the well used firepit in the
center of the clearing and the close-cropped grassy growth.  The growth is, in
fact, cleared for quite some distance outside what should be the lit area.
* Sophie nods and rides towards it. "I think we can use it."
* Chiaki scratches Stu's ears absently and looks around the clearing cautiously.
<Chiaki> We don't really have much of a choice.
<Sophie> That's not necessarily correct. We could continue on for another hour
or so.
<Sophie> But we should stop soon. I think this is the best time.
<Sophie> We'll simply have to be careful with watch.
<Tiffany> I think if this area's safe, it's a better place to stop then one
we'll find anytime soon.
* Sophie nods. "Precisely my point."
* Chiaki nods. "That's what I meant."
* Tiffany nodds and follows Sophie's lead out toward the firepit.
* Chiaki dismounts and leads Stu toward the campsite on foot.
* The campsite apparently hasn't been used in at least a week, and the horses
begin happily snacking before dinner.
* Sophie looks around, after tending to her horse. "Hmm.... Well, I suppose we
should get a fire going, and set up the tents."
* Fadi, oddly enough, is also conspicuous by his absence, leaving you up a
horse.
<Chiaki> What happened to all the boys?
* Tiffany snickers sarcastically. "They're never here when you need 'em."
* Chiaki lets Stu graze as she begins unpacking the bags from his back.
* Sophie begans searching for firewood. "Typical."
* Chiaki sighs. Occasionally, she looks around almost fearfully, her eyes
darting from tree to tree.
* The forest is only BARELY out of bowshot of the campsite.
* Sophie heads to gather said wood. "If you hear horrible screams of pain, it's
probably me."
* Tiffany nodds. "Just stay in sight if possible, ok?"
* Sophie nods. "Okay."
* Chiaki nods too, though she looks none too reassured.
* Chiaki glances in Sophie's direction, then back at Tiffany. "I'm not sure if
any of us should go off alone. Maybe we should all get wood." She shivers a
little, remembering how Nick looked when he stumbled back from his walk.
<Tiffany> The problem with that, Chiaki, is that they could just as easily
attack the horses.  And without them we'll spend a lot more time heading toward
the Gap.  Sophie can handle herself.  Better than Nick, at least.
* Chiaki thinks about that and nods. "I guess you're right. I hope that's true."
* Chiaki turns and yells in the direction Sophie went. "Okay so far, Sophie?"
<Chiaki> Sophie?
* Tiffany looks a bit worried. Chanting in a powerful voice and waving her arms
she completes a spell on herself.
* Chiaki turns back to Tiffany. "Something doesn't feel right," she says softly.
* Tiffany calls out in a voice much louder than normal. "Sophie! Call out or
we're coming out there after you."
* Tiffany drops the spell and turns to Chiaki. "No choice. Grab your bow. She
needs help if she didn't respond to that."
* Chiaki slings the quiver over her shoulder and hefts her bow, but she looks
more worried than anything else. "I hope nothing's happened to her..."
* Tiffany nodds and makes sure the horses are well tied before moving off toward
the direction Sophie went.
* Chiaki runs off after Tiffany.
* Chiaki and Tiffany arrive to find Sophie in a tiny clearing holding a small
bundle of deadwood.
* Sophie is standing there boggling.
* Sophie shakes her head when she sees the others, and starts quickly towards
them. "Come. We must return, quickly."
* Chiaki looks relieved when she sees Sophie. "Oh, you're okay. I'm so glad.
What happened?"
<Sophie> I'll tell you about it when we get back.
* Tiffany acknowledges the command and turns back toward the camp at a run.
* The camp is still there, as is Thundar, who is watching over the horses. 
Handy one, he is.
* Chiaki nods and jogs back toward camp.
* Sophie glances back over her shoulder once she's clear, and sighs. "That was a
mite close."
* Tiffany sighs heavily. "Didn't you hear me call out? We were worried about
you. Ugh. I'm glad everyone and the horses are ok."
<Sophie> I heard you, Tiffany. I didn't want to respond.
<Sophie> They were there, the elves.  I didn't want to set them off.
<Chiaki> You saw them?
<Chiaki> They didn't attack you, did they?
<Tiffany> Well, what did they want?
<Sophie> No, they didn't. They didn't do anything.
<Sophie> There were two, and then a third got behind me somehow.
<Sophie> And that's it.
<Sophie> They didn't do anything at all, except look at me funny.
* Chiaki blinks. "So they just left...?"
* Sophie nods. "I suppose they heard you coming."
<Sophie> They could gather easily enough that I wasn't alone... I think they can
hear better than we can.
<Sophie> They winced when you called out once, Tiffany.
* Chiaki nods slowly. "I wonder what they want..."
<Sophie> I don't know... Maybe they're having second thoughts about killing us
all.
<Tiffany> I'm glad we scared them off.  I just want to get to the Gap without
them killing us, so the more regret on their part the better.
* Sophie nods. "I'm glad you came when you did."
* Chiaki nods too. "This forest scares me."
* Sophie folds her arms, suddenly very annoyed. "Well, I for one am getting
bloody tired of it all. What kind of people are these elves if they can't bloody
well find something better to do that follow around a bunch of people with no
bloody idea what they're even doing here with the intent to kill them for a
matter that was... well, it wasn't trivial, but it bloody well wasn't OUR
fault."
* Chiaki 's eyes suddenly widen. "Is it just me...or does the clearing look
smaller than it was just awhile ago?"
<Tiffany> I don't entirely know what this is all about, as I wasn't here for it,
but I can't believe that we all deserve death for whatever it is.  I just want
to get beyond reach of these homocidal elves.
* Tiffany hears Chiaki's word and glances around the clearing. "Is it?"
* Chiaki nods sympathetically to Tiffany. "Me too...but maybe that's why they
haven't attacked us."
<Chiaki> I don't know...but it feels like the trees are closer.
<Sophie> Fadi killed one of their kind, one who was some bloody wolf-man or
whatever, who tried to kill us too.
<Sophie> And honestly, if they wanted him to survive, they most certainly could
have told him to stay away from the bloody horse farm and stop killing the
horses.
<Tiffany> Hmm.. Ok.  It does sound like they have a reason to be mad then.  I
just wish it could have been avoided.  Well, what do you think, Sophie, is the
clearing any less wide than before?
* Chiaki starts walking around the circumference of the camp.
<Chiaki> I could have sworn...
* Sophie looks around... "I can't say I see much difference."
<Chiaki> I must be just imagining things.
* Tiffany turns to Chiaki. "Just calm down a little. The stress is getting to
all of us."
* Chiaki nods and sits by the firepit.
* Sophie nods and sets up the fire.
* Tiffany takes out some of her preserved food and distributes it to everyone.
* Chiaki thanks Tiffany and starts chewing on her piece of venison.
* Chiaki huddles by the fire, but she stays alert, warily studying the
surrounding trees as she eats.
* Sophie does similar.
* Tiffany stands and paces a bit. "I don't think I'm tired yet. Mind if I take
first watch?"
<Chiaki> I'll stay up with you.
<Sophie> Certainly.  I'll take last watch, then.
* Chiaki nods.
<Sophie> I can't stand getting up in the middle of the night, and having to go
back to sleep later.
<Tiffany> Only two watches.  If it has to be that way.  I'd prefer three, but we
are pressed on man... er... womanpower.
* Chiaki nods.
* Sophie nods. "With luck, one of the boys will show up during the night, and we
can stick them with the duty."
* Sophie grins. "If they do, your watch is just ending and I took mine already."
* Chiaki laughs a little. "Okay."
<Tiffany> Agreed. 
* Sophie heads off to bed. "Good night girls."
<Tiffany> g'night.
<Chiaki> Good night, Sophie.
* Time passes.  Several hours, in fact.
* Sophie doesn't notice, because she's dreaming of fencing on horseback. In a
sea of money.
* Chiaki looks up and standing just outside the well-lit area is a massive elf. 
At LEAST six feet tall, he's gotta be over two hundred pounds, and only the fact
that he's got Vulcan ears lets you distinguish him from a cousin of Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
* The massive elf does not, however, have a weapon drawn.
* Tiffany continues chatting quietly with Chiaki, not noticing the Arnold-elf.
* Chiaki jumps to her feet and gasps, but though she has her bow in hand, she
doesn't nock an arrow.
<Chiaki> Anou...
* Tiffany jumps to her feet as well and looks around more carefully, trying to
find what Chiaki is staring at.
* Now that Tiff's got a definite direction, she can see the massive moutain of
elven beefcake.
<Chiaki> ...Dare desu ka?
* The elf looks down at Chiaki and says in absolutely perfect Japanese, <You
speak our tongue?>
* Tiffany glances toward Sophie, trying to decide if she can be awoken without
arousing the elf to fight.
<Chiaki> <Y-Yes.>
* Chiaki is shaking very slightly.
<Chiaki> <W-Who are you?>
* Sophie sleeps right through it. ¦|
* The elf quirks an eyebrow and speaks once more, <I am Falling Sky, war leader
of the Crippled Bone.  The men you were associating with are my prey.>
* Tiffany decides to not wake Sophie or speak as the discussion is going well.
After all, there's no blood involved yet.
<Chiaki> <My name is Chiaki. Please...can you spare them?>
* Sophie continues to sleep, then. ¦|
<Falling Sky> <Why should I?  They have slain two of our tribe, and stolen one
soul that may never return.>
<Chiaki> <The first...I heard he turned into a tiger and was killing horses. The
second attacked our camp and was killed in self-defense. We are very sorry.>
* Chiaki bows deeply.
* Tiffany looks at Chiaki to see if she should bow too... and does bow somewhat
just because it looks like the right thing to do.
<Chiaki> <Please, we beg your forgiveness.>
<Falling Sky> <Vengeance does not turn from its path lightly.>
<Chiaki> <I understand that you suffer a great loss, and I apologize sincerely.
Is there something you would ask of us, so that our companions may be spared?>
<Falling Sky> <The slayers of my people must be slain in turn.  I cannot turn
aside from my path without losing my position.>
* Chiaki sinks to her knees and bows low again. <Please, sir, I beg for the
mercy of your people. Surely there is some other way.>
* Tiffany appears to be getting the jist of this conversation and this time
follows suit, doing her best penatant bow.
<Falling Sky> <I warn you now.  I would not slay you without cause, but if you
persist in accompanying the slayers of my people, I shall be forced to slay
you.>
* Chiaki maintains a submissive posture. <Is there no way you will forgive
them?>
<Falling Sky> <Forgiviness has only come once before, when an entire tribe was
in danger of being destroyed.>
* Tiffany continues her low bow but speaks anyway quietly. "Could... I get a
translation, Chiaki?"
<Chiaki> <Please, sir, if there is something else we can do to help repay your
loss...>
* Chiaki excuses herself briefly and summarizes the conversation for Tiffany.
* Sophie sleeps. I just like making this face ¦|
<Falling Sky> I am speaking in common tongue for your easy, yes?
* Chiaki nods. "Oh, thank you. I apologize; I am the only one among us who can
speak...Elven."
* Tiffany looks up at the elf. "Uh.. oh... ok. I apologize, but I do not speak
your tongue. Great Falling Sky, we beseech you. Give us a way to prove that our
male friends deserve your forgiveness. Give us some way to earn our passage
through your lands. We do not wish to fight with your great and powerful Elven
clan."
* Sophie shoulda taken first watch ¦|
* Chiaki keeps her head bowed. "We understand that your people were wronged. If
there is anything we can do to allow you to spare them..."
<Falling Sky> Cannot give up, or lose face.  Life demands life.  Only for great
trouble can vengeance leave.
<Chiaki> Will nothing else be adequate as repayment?
<Falling Sky> Great hero join clan, maybe.  No great hero here.
<Tiffany> We could not live with this situation if we had to know that we did
nothing to set it right.  At least let us know what must be done so we can
discuss... and attempt to undertake it. 
* Sophie wakes up. People are talking? She stands up and runs a hand through her
hair, then mutters intelligently... "Wot's going on now?" It takes her a moment
to recognize that one of those people is actually an elf.
* Tiffany motions toward Sophie to get down. "Sophie, show respect to the mighty
Falling Sky of the elven clan that we have accidentally offended."
* Sophie squints at him, then casts a questioning look to the others.
<Sophie> Huh?
<Sophie> Oh, right.
* Chiaki turns in surprise as she realizes Sophie has joined them. "Oh, hi,
Sophie." She motions Sophie over. "This is Falling Sky, war leader of the
Crippled Bone clan."
* Sophie goes over and bows as best as she can manage.
<Sophie> Greetings, good sir. I am Sophie Asher. It is a pleasure to meet you.
* Chiaki turns back to Falling Sky. <Please forgive me for my rudeness, Falling
Sky.> "What do you mean by great hero?"
* Falling Sky bows to Sophie.  "I am please to meeting you.  Much sorrow to be
killing you later."
* Sophie barely parses the Commongrish, still half asleep. She needs coffee z.z
<Chiaki> Please, sir. We beg you reconsider.
<Tiffany> Yes, please, tell us what we need to do.  To prove ourselves great
heros.
* Falling Sky straightens up and backs away a step.  "Great hero invited to join
clan.  You say... almost-elf?  Forgive for bring strength to tribe."
<Chiaki> Almost-elf?
* Falling Sky looks puzzled, then just reverts to his own language.  <An
honorary elf.  One who is an elf in spirit, but not blood.>
<Sophie> Huh?
* Chiaki nods, softly repeating the sentence in English. <Ah, I understand.
Thank you.>
<Falling Sky> No hero here, so you leave menfolk or die too, yes?
<Chiaki> What great hero is it you wish to join your tribe, Falling Sky?
<Tiffany> Just how does one become an honorary elf?
<Falling Sky> Be great hero.
<Chiaki> Do you mean you want us to prove ourselves?
* Falling Sky snorts.  "If was great hero, would not need prove."
<Falling Sky> Great hero is great hero.
* Sophie stifles a yawn with her hand. "We gotta leave all the menfolk? Emmet's
kinda cute when he's not acting like some lost military sergeant."
<Tiffany> Yeah. And Harold's a pretty nice guy too.  Not manly enough, but I
digress.  Why is it too much to ask that anyone gives good treatment to those
with the Auryn?
* Chiaki glances toward the other two for help.
<Sophie> Yeah.
* Sophie holds out her palm. "We got these. We're great heroes or something."
* Falling Sky blinks.  "What you say?"
<Tiffany> I was saying that the Auryn symbol seems to never afford us any good
treatment.
* Chiaki blinks and glances doubtfully at her palm.
* Chiaki has the same symbol on her palm.
<Chiaki> What does this mark mean, anyway?
* Falling Sky reaches out in a flash and grabs Sophie's palm.  He draws a dagger
from his waist and thrusts it directly at the Auryn.
* Chiaki shrieks. "Sophie!"
* The dagger stops dead in its tracks as its point touches the Auryn.
* Sophie cries out is surprise. That sure woke her up.
* Tiffany quickly reaches for her darts... and stops with her hands in her shirt
pouch at the sight of the dagger stopping.
* Chiaki gazes up fearfully at the elf, her eyes widened in horror.
* Falling Sky strains mightily with the arm holding the dagger, but it will not
penetrate.
<Chiaki> <W-what are you doing?>
* Sophie stuggles. "Unhand me, you brute!
<Chiaki> <Please, stop! Don't hurt her!>
* Falling Sky lets go of Sophie's hand and stares at the dagger.
* Sophie backs away hastily, clutching her hand. "I say, for all the talk of
honor, you certainly could do with some lessons in manner!"
* Tiffany holds forth her hand with the matching Auryn symbol. "We all have
them, if it makes a difference to you. It's why we're headed where we are."
* Fadi appears in between Sophie and Falling Sky.
* Chiaki jumps and barely stifles another shriek.
<Chiaki> Fadi!
* Fadi looks back and forth, quickly taking in the situation. "So that's what i-
Yeah?"
* Tiffany looks over at Fadi. "NOW, of all times?!"
<Chiaki> Fadi, quick, apologize for killing the elf!
<Fadi> I'm sorry?
* Falling Sky is gone.
* Chiaki looks around for Falling Sky.
<Fadi> Neat trick.  That'd come in handy back ho- So, what's up?
* Sophie rubs her hand and glances around wide eyed. "Horrid... Simply horrid."
* Chiaki puts a hand sympathetically on Sophie's arm. "Are you okay?"
* The surrounding forest seems somehow less ominous now, strangely enough.
* Fadi looks around. "Someone tell me what the fuck's goin' on?"
* Chiaki scans the trees once more. "I hope that means he's willing to forgive
you."
<Tiffany> ARGH!  Why do you men pick the times you do to show up?!? Sophie, are
you all right?
* Sophie nods. "I- I think so... I'm quite alright, yes." She relaxes a bit.
"Just shook me up a little, is all."
* Chiaki turns to Fadi. "We were visited by the elves' war leader."
<Chiaki> I...I pleaded with him to spare you and Harold's lives.
<Tiffany> Yeah, he seemed unconvinced until I mentioned the Auryn.  By the way,
if we keep dealing with these people you gotta teach me Japane... er... Elven,
Chiaki.
<Fadi> Nice of ya.  What'cha think tuned out from it?
<Sophie> Oh, he just tried to stab me through the palm, is all.
* Chiaki nods to Tiffany. "I'll teach you what I can."
<Chiaki> I don't know if he's convinced. I really don't know what he thinks at
all.
<Fadi> That all?
<Fadi> Man, if that's it, he went easy on ya.
<Sophie> Yes, that's quite all. I'm sure it's no concern of yours, you
inconsiderate twit.
* Sophie stomps off. "I'm going back to sleep. Good night!"
<Tiffany> Yeah, Fadi is a... hey... weren't we in a clearing earlier?!
<Chiaki> ...Good night, Sophie!
* Fadi rolls his eyes. "Of course it's a concern. But your not bleedin' or
anything. I got just as much reason to believe you as you me."
* Chiaki blinks. "Wait, yes, we were."
* Sophie would respond but she's not there!
<Chiaki> I knew the trees were creeping closer!
* Chiaki sighs and shakes her head. "I don't understand this place at all."
<Fadi> S'okay.  None of us do.
<Chiaki> Everything seems to have moved around...
<Tiffany> This is.. some sorcery I'm not familiar with.
* Chiaki lifts her palm and studies the Auryn imprinted upon it. She traces the
mark with a finger. "And...what is this, exactly?"
<Chiaki> I know I didn't have this...tattoo...before.
* Fadi shrugs. "I'm guessin if you can't explain it, it's magic. Or some
high-tech alien mumbo-jumbo."
<Tiffany> It's the symbol for the Auryn.  It *does* mean we're great
adventurers, I guess.  Some people in this world seem to think it's a very
important symbol.
<Chiaki> So...we were the great heroes Falling Sky was seeking...
* Fadi shrugs.
* Chiaki appears completely bemused.
<Chiaki> I just don't understand.
<Tiffany> I don't know what else to tell you about it.  There's at least one
more person with the symbol, though.  We only met him once... and didn't exactly
get to talk, what with the dragon and all.
<Chiaki> I guess...well...why me? I'm just a normal girl...a high school
student.
<Fadi> Same reason the rest of us.
* Tiffany turns and gets ready to go to bed. "We were all pretty normal, I
think. It's your watch, Fadi. We three are pretty worn out."
<Fadi> Sure thing.
* Chiaki nods.
* Fadi takes position to his watch. Not sleepy. :P
[Session... END!]