| Logs |
2004 February 22
| Idlewild |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Idlewild Logs |
February 22
After Clairchiare leads the group of newly-made princess-hunters back to their guestrooms, he stays around chatting with his silver brother Seodil and whoever else will listen for awhile, discussing plans for the upcoming hunt-- and visibly avoiding mention of the princess, his speech just a little too fast and overly cheerful. After extracting everyone's professed skill level at riding and archery, he takes Steven and Lotte off with him to find bows. Aiden and Soleil already carry them, and Clairchiare's assumption that Seodil should use one of his goes quite unchallenged by the silver elf, who also stays behind.
It's over an hour before the group of would-be archers returns, sore in unaccustomed muscles. Clairchiare was a good teacher and quite cheerful about being elbowed in the ribs when he stood behind his pupils to adjust their hold on the weapons, and Lotte noticed that he smells faintly of roses. The redheaded bard did noticeably better than Steven, but Clairchiare smiled throughout, unfazed in his determination to help them. However, at the end of the hour or two, as they are walking back, the pink-haired elf does say politely, "Perhaps you should not carry bows on this hunt-- there is not much time to practice. What other weapons do you use?"
Very politely, he leaves out the silent 'If you do have bows, you might hit someone I know by accident.'
Lotte is nearly twitching with nervous energy after being near the pink elf for such an extended period of time. She has tried her hardest to impress him and is frustrated at her performance. Now with a chance to redeem herself, she gushes quickly, "Well, I can cast spells with my music, so I guess my weapon is my instrument, my guitar."
Steven nods a little, catching the unspoken concern. "My hands, mostly, though... that might be a bad thing against metal. Staves as well, though. Some blunt weapons. Err...."
Lotte realizes that her spells probably won't be very effective against a car and frowns. "Though, I'm not sure how well my spells will work."
Clairchiare looks interested when Lotte mentions magic. "Oh, then you are far too valuable to waste on archery when we might need your hands free for a guitar, Lotte. Excellent!" He nods at Steven, "We'll keep you mounted and close to Lotte to protect her should she need it, then, and both of you will hopefully need only to serve as advisors in bringing this car and its rider down." The elf smiles reassuringly as he says it.
Steven nods, smiling. "That's fine. I've no problem with that at all." Better this way, I guess. They won't have to try and find some way to get us involved and causing problems.
The group of ex-archers plus elven shepherd and small grey wolf walks into the guest suite common room just as Aiden steps out of Seodil's door and closes it again behind him. Neither Sol nor Seodil is in sight, though the door to Sol & Aiden's shared bedroom is opaque, the shimmering screen shut.
Aiden smiles, "Hey. How was your practice?"
Steven says, "Er... it went... all right" He smiles. "Though it'll probably be better if the rest of you use bows, I'm not terribly good at them..."
Aiden nods, "No harm there. Should be enough of us that can, right? Any thoughts on how we're going to get it stopped?"
Lotte remembers something she was going to ask for as she sees Aiden. "Clairchiare, I was going to ask... is there anywhere I can get some more clothing? I only have my dirty clothes. This outfit is Aiden's."
Clairchiare says diplomatically, "Perhaps on another hunt, Steven. I would be happy to continue teaching you if you wish when there is more time." He looks interested at Aiden's question and says, "I would like to be involved in this discussion. Would you like refreshments sent? I notice you never drink wine outside of mealtimes-- is that a cultural requirement?"
Aiden shakes his head and smiles at Clairchiare. "Not at all, just a personal preference. Want to talk about it now? I've got a couple of ideas, but I'm not sure they'll work."
The rose-haired elf smiles at Lotte. "Would you consent to borrow dresses until I can arrange for a tailor? Our... shared mission might take us back to the city, where your companions were measured. If you don't mind borrowing another lady's outfit, I will send my friends to see you."
Lotte says to Clairchiare,"I don't mind at all. That would be lovely, thank you."
To Aiden, Clairchiare says "Now would be excellent. Wine for four, please." The last part does not seem to be directed at Aiden, though the "Red or white?" does.
Aiden looks thoughtful. "White?" He glances at the closed doors. "Should I get the Prince and your brother?"
Lotte gets a smile and a nod of Clairchiare's elegantly pretty head before it turns to Aiden. "If they are agreeable, it might be wise."
Steven perks up somewhat; it's possible that he'll get a glimpse of the ethereal servants.
Aiden goes to get Sol first, if the sunny elf isn't out cold.
"White or red, Steven? Lady Lotte?" Clairchiare smiles.
Steven blinks. "Oh! White's fine."
Lotte snaps out of her smile-enduced coma and whispers, "White."
Sol is asleep but fitfully so. He wakes immediately when Aiden enters and emerges from their doorway moving a bit stiffly, as if he aches.
Aiden goes over to Seodil's door second, knocking on it. If he's answered, he pokes his head in just to tell Seodil that they were planning on discussing the hunt, if he wishes to join.
Steven sees the servants this time, and realizes that they are mostly transparent-- part of what makes them so hard to see, besides their uncanny speed. A glass of white wine appears in his hand at the same instant Lotte, Aiden and Clairchiare receive theirs-- Steven's server pauses a fraction of an instant to look at him. It has no visible nose and is half his height, but floating. Nonetheless, it is lovely as a dream in a genderless sort of way.
Aiden blinks when the wine appears in his hand. He says, "Thanks.." to no one in particular. Maybe there's something here like the air servants in the inn?
Steven blinks, seeing the servant pause. This is different. He says, quietly, "Thank you," wondering if the words will even be able to form before they disappear again.
Clairchiare does not appear to have noticed either the servants or his effect on Lotte. He sips white wine politely and murmurs a greeting to Sol, half-rising before Soleil waves him back down and commandeers his wine for a moment.
For a split second, all the airy servants are looking directly at Steven. It's a touch eerie. They smile and vanish, apparently unseen by any other.
Aiden settles down on one of the couches, taking a sip of his wine and gathering his thoughts on how they're going to go about doing this.
Seodil emerges from his room with damp hair, wearing a white silk robe. He settles on the other couch a touch stiffly. Clairchiare looks around and says "You are going to need more couches. I'll ask Ilirith to grow you another." An inaudible murmur later, both Seodil and Sol also have wine.
Lotte appears suprised to find a glass of wine in her hand, but says nothing.
Steven feels really creeped out, but only for a moment. He relaxes somewhat, feeling rather, well, good and relieved. SOmething tells him the ethereal servants just don't get that much thanks from the Summer elves. Clairchiare's wordsgain his interest again. Grow us another? He looks at the couch, one part of him wondering if this one has teeth underneath the cushions.
Aiden pauses with his glass halfway to his lips. It shouldn't be a surprise, the couches do look like moss, afterall..
The white wine turns out to be dry, with a hint of peach and honey.
Aiden sets the glass down, "So. We could try to take the tires out, but without knowing how good a driver this person is, that could be really risky. There's no way of knowing if the driver will lose control." He looks over at Clairchiare. "You said the driver was a woman.. and waving, right?"
Clairchiare nods, "If that was a rider and not someone devoured, then yes. Female, and gesturing at the hunters. They thought she was screaming, but could not hear her."
Aiden looks over at Steven. "I think we'd probably be best off if we assume that the driver is not in complete control of the Beetle, just to stay on the safe side."
Lotte cringes at the idea of someone trapped in a car and hopes that the rider had some control.
Aiden frowns, "Wait a second. Was she towards the front, or the back?"
Clairchiare says, "The front."
Steven has that sudden memory of an old, old movie he'd seen of a Beetle that moved on it's own. He's somewhat relieved to hear that the woman was in the front of the vehicle.
Aiden nods. "Well. We could try taking the tires out, but it's risky to anyone that's close by. We might want to think about trying to get someone into the passenger's seat, but it will have to be going pretty slowly for that."
Steven says, "How far can a Beetle go on a full tank?"
Aiden says, "I think the new ones are pretty fuel efficient."
Lotte pipes up, "If I could get close enough, I could try to get the passenger to fall asleep.
Aiden nods at Lotte, "Not a bad idea, actually, as long as we have everyone ready to get out of the way when she goes. She needs to be able to hear you, right?"
Steven says, "If they're a passenger and not a driver. If they fall asleep, the car might go out of control."
Clairchiare says helpfully, "The car was first sighted three days ago. It may be getting tired."
Aiden nods at Clairchiare, "It might be. They can only go so far and then they need to be refilled. They run on gas, which is a type of liquid. Once that runs out, they stop and won't go any further until they have more."
Lotte nods. "Could we wait for it to run out of gas and then deal with the passenger?"
Aiden says, "Presuming it doesn't run out of gas where we can't find it."
Lotte says, "Couldn't you track it?"
Seodil says, "As in chasing it until its energy is gone, Lotte?"
Aiden tilts his head off to his side. "There's nothing else out here that makes tracks like that. I could. It's not like it won't make tracks, either. Plastic or not, those things weigh half a ton."
Lotte says, "Well, yes. It's the safest way. Lots of things can go wrong with a car if you attack it. It can explode!"
The Summer and Winter elves both look at Lotte at the tracking idea. Clairchiare says slowly, "It did leave a significant trail even to the uninitiated." He nods at Aiden, then frowns worriedly at Steven. "Out of control? Do you think it is controlled now, and she might be trying to accomplish some goal?"
The elves all look at Lotte, eyes wide. "Explode?" says Sol, biting his lip. "Really?"
Aiden looks at Clairchiare, "If it's not controlled, it doesn't go anywhere. There's a series of controls inside. If no one is using them, it just sits there."
Lotte looks a little guilty at causing alarm. "Well, in the worst case... they don't explode easily, though..."
Seodil frowns and pins Lotte with a piercing silver gaze. "What makes them explode? We need to know."
Aiden says, "There's a tank on the bottom of the car that holds the liquid that makes it go. The liquid is explosive, if brought into contact with fire."
The rose elf nods to Aiden, looking uncertain. "So," he says softly. "It must be controlled, and she is an enemy after all, not a victim..." His golden eyes narrow. "We could stand back, and shoot fire arrows."
Seodil smiles at Clairchiare.
Aiden says, "Any idea what she looked like? If it's not Birch.. it could be someone from the Grey World."
Lotte looks stunned. "But... don't you want to know who she is? If you shoot arrows at her and the car explodes, there would be very little evidence left."
Aiden lets out a breath, "Or it could be someone that Birch taught to use the car."
Steven blinks at the sudden turn this has taken. "She's not automatically an enemy. The person inside might not realize where they are."
Aiden looks back and forth between Seodil and Clairchiare. Much as he likes them, he's suddenly glad that they weren't the first ones he met when he arrived from the Grey World. Fire doesn't agree with him.
Clairchiare says, "Black hair, female. The rest-- it moved too fast to be sure."
Aiden nods in agreement with Lotte and Steven. "We have to try to get her out of the car without blowing her up, at least give her the benefit of the doubt." He adds, looking at Steven and Lotte, "Maybe we should wear what we arrived in?"
Lotte says, "Yes, definitely. And we shouldn't attack it right away."
Steven considers, and nods, "That'll probably put them at ease, yes.
Aiden nods, "I'm up for standing in a line in front of it, unarmed, if you two are. She may just be scared. I know I was relieved when I saw others wearing familiar clothing."
Steven says, "That I'm not so sure about, Aiden. It might not get her to stop. Then again...."
Lotte says, "I think it's worth a shot." She looks at Seodil and Clairchiare for input.
Seodil and Clairchiare have an identical expression-- worry.
Aiden glances at Seodil, "We'll be fine. There'll be plenty of warning that she's not going to stop, more than enough time for us to get out of her way."
Slowly, Clairchiare says, "It has possibilities, but..." Seodil snaps, "It's much too dangerous. I will not risk you like that."
Soleil looks unhappy and says, "Aiden.. Lotte... Steven... how much warning would you have?"
Aiden says, "Enough to get out of the way. We can get out of the way more quickly than she can adjust her course."
Lotte gives Seodil a strange look. "It's not that dangerous."
Steven blinks a bit startledly at Seodil, then says, "At least ten seconds, probably more. These things don't stop on a dime but if the person's intent not on running us over they'll be slowing down quite a bit before they even come close.
Aiden adds to Steven, "And if they are insistant on running us down, they'll speed up, and it makes a certain noise when it speeds up. We'll have lots of warning either way."
Clairchiare's hand is very quietly over Seodil's. He says in soothing tones, apparently addressing the group as a whole, "What if you are mounted? Would that speed you?"
Aiden hopes she's not one of these 'slam-on-the-brakes, slam-on-the-gas' aggressive drivers, or there's likely to be a misunderstanding.
And fire..
Aiden nods at Clairchiare, "That would speed us, and probably hide the Grey World clothing, too."
Clairchiare looks hopeful at first, then crestfallen as Aiden ends. "Which you do not want to do."
Aiden nods, "This hinges on her recognising that we're from there, and if the horse's head is in the way. Also, at least back home, the noise that cars make.. tends to spook the hell out of horses."
Seodil scowls darkly. Soleil looks unhappy.
Sol says softly, "I want to stand in line with you if you do this."
Aiden looks at Seodil and Soleil. "We go to school back home to learn to control a vehicle. Her first instinct when she sees us in her way is going to be to stop, it's habit."
Lotte says, "I'm trying to think of a way to make her stop with my magic... but it all relies on her reaction."
Steven nods in agreement, though he never took a day of driver's ed in his life; he's been on the wrong end of a V6 enough times to know that drivers' instincts are hardly ever to step on the gas and run over pedestrians.
Clairchiare adds, "The lady is willing to stand in its way, and she is a bard. Surely if the lady is willing to risk it, and she unaccustomed to running or fighting, it cannot be too dangerous."
Aiden looks at Sol, frowning. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. If she doesn't stop, we're going to see the warning signs right away because we're used to dealing with cars, and we're going to have to move fast. Three people trying to get out of the way is going to be pretty crowded."
Soleil's face falls before he gets it under control. Quiet, he says "I trust your judgement."
Aiden adds, "We're also likely to see her Grey World clothing the same time she sees ours. If she isn't wearing Grey World clothing, then we'll move."
Lotte's face betrays a flash of anger at Clairchiare's comment, but she lets it pass. "Maybe just one of us should stand in her way. It's less challenging that way. If she's from the Grey World, it might trigger her 'panic and stop' reaction."
Aiden nods at Lotte. "I've still got everything but my jacket from the Grey World. The baseball cap should help her make the connection from further away."
Lotte looks as though she was about to volunteer, but then rethinks it. "Well... yeah. I guess you need me in one piece if someone needs to be healed."
Aiden grins at Lotte. "Just in case. You never know, she may have been hurt coming through. I was sore when I woke up on this side, and I wasn't in my car when I went into the lake."
The silver and golden elves sit in awkward silence, one glaring, one subdued. Clairchiare plays with his silken pink locks, wrapping them around and around his wrist, and just listens for a moment before saying, "I hate to risk our guests, but you all sound as though you know what you are doing, and I'm inclined to believe you if you say it's not that dangerous... whether it be all or one of you, though I'd prefer to keep the lady out of danger."
Aiden winces internally. Clairchiare's chivalry is nice, but he gets the feeling that Lotte's likely to object. Possibly by force-feeding it back to him.
Aiden looks over at Steven. "Care to join me on another Waterfall Excursion?"
Lotte blushes, though from annoyance or giddyness is not discernable.
The pink elf adds, "Wouldn't it be better to have two targets, in case the car does not stop? Then she would hesitate before choosing, perhaps, if you scattered."
Clairchiare smiles warmly at Lotte. "I do not doubt your bravery."
Lotte blushes very red and smiles with very apparent giddyness.
Steven nods to Aiden. "That sounds like a good idea, actually. It'll also ensure that she'll see us.
As if thinking out loud, the rose elf says "And then if the car-rider does not desist, Lotte can put her to sleep, yes?"
Lotte ponders the plan. "Well, I could put her to sleep, but I'd have to be near her."
Aiden nods at Steven. "Exactly." He glances back at Clairchiare. "I'm up for it. The risk is there, but it's pretty low. I'm sure we'll be fine."
Clairchiare says cheerily, "Well, you can be mounted and that will speed you, Lotte. Are you a good rider?" He nods to Aiden and Steven, "If you think of anything else you need us to do or that we can supply you, tell me immediately, any time of the day or night-- send a servant."
Lotte nods in response to Clairchiare's question, though she is not in fact a good rider.
Aiden smiles, "Thank you, Clairchiare. Honestly, all I need is my clothing from the Grey World.."
The rose elf grins at Lotte. "I did not think you would want to share a saddle with me. I shall make sure you have a fine fast horse, then."
Lotte's eyes widen. "Well... uh... perhaps riding with you... would be better. I wouldn't have to concentrate on riding and focus all my energy on the spell." She looks very satisfied with herself.
Aiden keeps a very very straight face. Barely.
Clairchiare blinks, and says thoughtfully "Well, my steed is one of the swiftest in the land. Very well! I shall make it my personal responsibility that you come to no harm while getting close enough to the car beast should you need to save your companions." He beams, fairly glowing with chivalrous intent.
Steven blinks a bit at Lotte, then glances to Clairchiare.
Lotte beams with excitment and ignores everyone else in the room.
Aiden picks up his glass of wine and takes a couple of sips of it before he sets it back down again, glancing at Seodil and Soleil.
Seodil is tight-lipped, white around the edges and gazing into air.
Soleil looks worried but resigned.
Where Seodil radiates barely repressed fury, Soleil seems much calmer. The golden elf sighs and says, "I'll be needing a fast horse too, and I'd like at least one other rider for backup, Clairchiare, in case Aiden and Steven do need pulling off the ground and into faster motion than two legs provide."
Clairchiare, one hand still on his silver's brother's on the couch, nods smoothly to Sol. "I think that Sarete and Ilirith will both be pleased to join us to help you recover Steven and Aiden."
Aiden nods, "It'll be safer to have riders there ready to grab us if something does go wrong, thanks."
Steven finds the prospect of being rescued by Sarete and Ilirith to be even more alarming than being mowed down by a Beetle.
Clairchiare nods and says, "Then I believe we have the makings of a plan. I will go and see about further measures for safety, if you will excuse me?" As Sol nods, the rose elf rises and sweeps the group a gentle bow.
Aiden says, "Farewell, Clairchiare."
Steven nods, "Thank you again."
Acidly, Seodil says "I have nothing further to add to this plan," and stalks off to his bedroom. The door is magic and cannot slam. It shuts silently as ever, turning opaque and faintly irridescent.
Lotte nods her head to Clairchiare in her best ladylike manner.
Steven sighs. Thanks for the show of trust, Seodil.
Lotte gives Seodil's back another strange look as he departs, then shoots a look at Aiden that says 'what do we do now?'
Clairchiare is already out the door by the time Seodil goes. Sol winces ever so slightly as Seodil leaves a trail of thunder in his wake.
Aiden shakes his head slightly as Seodil stalks off. "I have a feeling that whoever this is in the car, she's probably as lost and confused as we were when we first got here. Probably even moreso, they did attack her car afterall. I really think that the risk is very low."
Lotte asks, "Didn't they say she was waving?"
Aiden nods, "They did.."
Steven nods, "I agree. She was probably waving to the nice RenFaire people, who then turned around and attacked her car..."
Lotte half-smiles and nods in agreement.
Aiden laughs, "No kidding, Steven."
Sol looks puzzled.
Lotte says in afterthought, "Or she's an elf who found a car... though that seems unlikely. How would she learn to drive it?"
Aiden says, "Especially if it's stick, and most Volkswagens are."
The golden elf says, "If she is lost and confused, like you were... I wonder what she's been eating. Do cars contain trail rations?"
Steven says, "They might. It depends on if the car came with any."
Aiden looks at Soleil. "Not unless she brought food with her whenever she took the car out and ended up here."
Sol nods, thoughtful. "So. She might... she might not. For three days, now. Her frame of mind may not be of the best, and her judgment could be impaired by that. Would you look like food to her?" His tone is matter-of-fact.
Aiden shakes his head at Sol. "Not likely. Grey World society isn't generally cannibalistic."
Steven suddenly remembers an old cartoon, and restrains himself from saying, 'Not unless someone hypnotizes her into thinking we're ham sandwiches.' "No, we wouldn't. If anything she'd stop even faster and ask if we have any food. Or where the nearest Denny's -- uh, inn is."
Aiden nods at Steven. "It's probably why she's still driving around. She's either looking for food, or a gas station."
Relieved some small fraction, Sol nods. "If you say so."
Aiden smiles at Sol. "Look, I've lived in a few cities, and we cross the street where there can be literally hundreds of cars going by. You learn to judge distance and speed and to be able to tell whether they're going to stop or if you have to run. I've never been hit. It'll be okay."
Ghost sighs and nudges Lotte's hand with a cold wet nose.
Lotte pats the wolf's head affectionately. "We'll be fine."
Steven nods, "We will. Honestly, this might be the least dangerous thing we've done here."
Soleil frowns, but it passes and he smiles at everyone. "It will be okay. You'll have riders to pull you up if it goes badly, and two backup plans so far past that-- Lotte, and fire. The car will fall."
Steven nods alittle. At mention of riders, Steven becomes quite determined that they wont' need rescuing.
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