[22:36] <Cicada> btw, Cicada has a talk she wish to do with Jynaru sometime when they are resting. I suppose we could do that in private as to not waste time in the main room.
[22:36] * Jynaru shrugs. We're killing much time with this anyway, but in here would be fine as well.
[22:36] <Jynaru> Just figure GH will already be logging in there.
[22:38] <Cicada> Yes, I thought we'd send him the log or something.
[22:39] * Jynaru nods. Either way you wish to do it, I'm willing.
[22:39] * Cicada will broaden the subject while they are resting at the fire one evening.
[22:40] <Cicada> "Jynaru, what do you think of the empress, Tala, and Tei's condition?"
[22:41] <Jynaru> "Think? I don't like it at all, neither do I trust all these assertations that they're fine."
[22:41] <Cicada> "Glad to hear it. For neither do I."
[22:42] <Cicada> "Freeing the empress was too easy. Almost like she was allowed to fall into our hands."
[22:43] <Jynaru> "I thought about that. But what could she possibly gain, beyond not being possessed?"
[22:44] <Cicada> "What if she IS possessed? What if the Coils thing managed to complete the process?"
[22:45] <Cicada> "She acted as the empress well before. She should be able to do it even better if it was completed."
[22:45] <Jynaru> "Hrm. And she'd be less interested in Tei... It could be, yes. But how can we tell?"
[22:46] <Cicada> "And exposing herself to a fight could well be a ruse to get in contact with more of us."
[22:46] <Cicada> "Namely Tala."
[22:47] <Jynaru> "There is that. I expect Vanal to keep an eye on her for me."
[22:47] <Cicada> "I can tell. Or at least I will be able to after I have studied more. My work on your feverish little mind is teaching me much."
[22:48] <Jynaru> "I'm so glad I'm being an effective test subject."
[22:49] <Cicada> "I expect that my examinations of people can be subverted if they are not influenced, but rather completely replaced by a new personality. But with anything les than that I should have a good chance of detecting outside influences."
[22:50] <Cicada> "Once I am sure I have dealt correcty with a case as harsh as yours I will go the rounds, so to speak. You and the monks are not the only ones I suspect."
[22:51] <Jynaru> "So, if the empress was possessed, what do we do? Are you saying there's a chance the spirit I shot full of holes was the Empress?"
[22:52] <Cicada> "Not likely, if it was then Tala would be in the process of getting possessed by a Solar right now."
[22:52] * Cicada smiles.
[22:52] <Cicada> "Not that that would make her any happier, I think."
[22:52] <Jynaru> "I'd hope not."
[22:53] * Jynaru sighs. "Way, way too much I know nothing about going on."
[22:53] <Cicada> "But I will have to meet with the empress again and do my work on her as well."
[22:55] <Jynaru> "That shouldn't be a problem with your status."
[22:56] <Cicada> "Hopefully not. But if possessed I might just get killed for sacriledge or something. Before I even get close to her."
[22:56] <Jynaru> "I see... so, what do you need from me?"
[22:57] <Cicada> "She does not believe me to be important to any of you. And she might be right at that, right? (faint smile) She even thinks me your enemy at certain points."
[22:58] <Jynaru> "Go on."
[22:58] <Cicada> "I need you to protect Sanyet, should anything happen. And I will try to get word to you and Tabius of success or failure."
[22:59] <Cicada> "That is all really. Though I could likely use some dashing rescue, if I do not get killed instantly."
[23:00] * Jynaru shrugs. "That I can do."
[23:00] <Cicada> "And if I do not get to Tei, Tala, and my last suspect before that, then I need them to be watched as well. *Especially* if I get killed. You understand why, I imagine."
[23:01] <Jynaru> "Yes, I sadly do."
[23:01] * Jynaru looks at Cicada consideringly.
[23:01] * Cicada just looks down into the fire.
[23:01] <Jynaru> "Lemme guess. The last suspect is Minnow."
[23:02] <Cicada> "No, I would prefer to keep his identity secret. He is close to you and you would not trust my word on him being a possible traitor."
[23:03] * Jynaru laughs. "Close to me? My dear, nobody is close to me right now, and won't be until the demon and the Anathema are dealt with."
[23:03] * Jynaru holds up a hand and continues. "However, I understand. Don't worry about it. Just don't tip them off so they come running to me."
[23:04] <Cicada> "Though, now that you say it. I should better test Minnow as well. Her words of a solution to the problem must be confirmed before we embark on an assault on the maountain."
[23:04] <Cicada> "I see. Well, I suppose I could tell you then."
[23:05] <Jynaru> "Honestly, I'd prefer you test everyone, but I don't think you have time."
[23:06] <Cicada> "I hope to get the opportunity to."
[23:07] <Jynaru> "Indeed. Like it or not, we might as well consider you a Dynast, and with that comes utter, complete paranoia. It'll be good practice for you."
[23:08] <Cicada> "I am not a Dynast and I will never be."
[23:08] <Cicada> "If I am Dynast, my children will become Dynasts, and that I will not accept. I will not have them taken from me to be raised to become monsters."
[23:09] <Jynaru> "Monsters? Wait.... so Tabius is a monster?"
[23:09] <Cicada> "Sorry, my vehemerence and worry for the one I bear got the better of me. Not all Dynasts are monsters."
[23:10] <Jynaru> "Just most of us, eh?"
[23:10] * Cicada looks about to protest, but shuts up.
[23:11] <Jynaru> "I'm rather insulted. I may be arrogant, drug-addled, bloodthirsty, and taller than normal, but I'm no monster. I'm too pretty for that."
[23:12] * Cicada chuckles a little in spite of herself.
[23:13] * Cicada quickly sobers up and looks Jynaru straight in the eye.
[23:13] <Cicada> "How much do you trust Maris?"
[23:13] <Jynaru> "As far as I can throw the imperial mountain."
[23:14] <Cicada> "I fear he does not have our best interests in mind."
[23:15] <Jynaru> "He has his best interests in mind as he always has. It's best to try to keep his interest shackled to "ours"."
[23:15] <Cicada> "First he joins with Malkor - Red Bloom on his free will. And we only have his word for the deal being broken."
[23:15] <Cicada> "Then he tries to get us to an remote island to starve."
[23:16] <Jynaru> "And I stopped him the second time. As for the first.... Nothing makes sense where Bloom is concerned."
[23:16] <Cicada> "Which again might be in Red Bloom's interest. We are only alive because of the insistence of the two Dragon Bloods in Red Bloom's employ."
[23:18] * Jynaru frowns. "But how? I mean, you know about my personal history with the guy. I'm still wandering around."
[23:19] <Cicada> "The two Bloods are my.... (looks down and stutters on) .. pa... parents... Part of the deal to serve him was to keep at the very least me alive."
[23:19] * Jynaru blinks. "Wait.... say that first bit again."
[23:20] <Cicada> "THEY ARE MY PARENTS OF THE BLOOD YOU DEAF MORON!!!"
[23:21] * Jynaru shakes his head. "Well, that makes sense, at least. I wonder how far the deal goes... Condolences on the whole deal thing."
[23:21] * Jynaru fumbles in his pockets for a cigarette.
[23:22] * Cicada clears her throat rather loudly.
[23:22] * Cicada then dries her eyes of the tears that suddenly came to them.
[23:23] * Jynaru stops and looks at the cigarette in his hand. "Eh.... sorry." He puts away the light and chews silently on the cig.
[23:23] <Jynaru> "So, that explains that... but Maris got dropped here too. Although he's got the whole kingdom thing going on..."
[23:24] <Cicada> "Yes, he has."
[23:25] <Cicada> "First he gets you to break a seal on a undead terror."
[23:25] <Cicada> "And in it he might have had, who knows what plans? Getting rid of you? Thus getting neatly around Blooms promise not to kill you in the battle?"
[23:26] <Cicada> "Starting up some ancient Anathema machinery, maybe?"
[23:26] <Cicada> "Again part of his deal with Bloom, maybe?"
[23:27] <Jynaru> "The machinery I could see, maybe. I don't think that he's going to try to kill me. He's had a few rather good opportunities to kill or blackmail me, and nothing."
[23:28] <Cicada> "Good, that count in his favor. But he is rather good at manipuilation people into thinking he and they have common goals. I have seen him work on the natives."
[23:29] <Cicada> "Are you sure he is not just setting up some scheme? You know how long Bliss addiction lasts. Maybe he knows more?"
[23:30] <Jynaru> "I haven't touched the stuff in months, Cicada. I slept, I fought him once, there's been so many times for me to be re-addicted. It's not as bad as it was when we first got here, and if his plan includes be being cured, I'm not sure we can stop something that complex anyway."
[23:31] <Cicada> "I hope so."
[23:31] <Cicada> "For he has been collecting a whole lot of power."
[23:31] <Cicada> "He has even dropped the pretence of calling it 'our' kingdom, and begin saying 'his' instead."
[23:32] <Cicada> "I know I should not be talking. But his relationships with Anathema, both Bloom and Lunar worry me much."
[23:32] * Jynaru shrugs. "He's arrogant, even compared to me or Vanal. I'm not sure that's eveidence of malintent.... and if it is, again, waht can we do? We need him to kill Fallen tongue."
[23:33] <Cicada> "But I am most likely just imagining things, fueled by my own personal hate for the animal."
[23:33] <Cicada> "And if Fallen Tounge and Red Bloom are in cahorts?"
[23:34] <Jynaru> "I'd rather not think about that... He did add a fireshark to the roster, which should keep the demon under control. And if Bloom can control the demon, we're dead anyway."
[23:35] <Cicada> "Again, I believe the oath to my parents, more than Bloom's plans for us is what is keeping us alive."
[23:36] * Cicada sighs.
[23:36] <Jynaru> "I suppose so. I don't like either option, really."
[23:37] <Jynaru> "It's more relaxing to think everything's under control."
[23:37] <Cicada> "Can we afford to relax?"
[23:38] <Cicada> "I will try to examine Maris as well. But even if he is clean it cannot prove his innocence, only fail to prove his guilt."
[23:38] <Cicada> "I hope you are right to trust the man so much. i cannot bring myself to."
[23:38] <Jynaru> "What harm can it do at this point? I hit things and make them die. This occult plotting is far beyond my expertise."
[23:39] <Jynaru> "I trust him to realize Bloom sees him as nothing more than a disposable resource. And he doesn't seem the type to ignore that."
[23:40] <Cicada> "What if he has a soft spot? One that Bloom has found and can exploit? None of my healing would help then."
[23:40] <Cicada> "Still I hope you are right and i just misjudge the man."
[23:41] <Cicada> "All of my petty theories can just as well be explained by him working his ass off for the lot of us."
[23:41] <Jynaru> "That's the nature of the beast. The same reasoning applies for everyone, up to and including me."
[23:43] <Cicada> "there is of course the unwillingness of both Coils and the Solar empress to execute him on the spot as well. But I suppose you considered that as well."
[23:43] <Jynaru> "I considered everything. Then I ignored it. Did they not execute him because he's a mole or because the mole in the party wanted him alive?"
[23:44] * Cicada shrugs.
[23:44] <Cicada> "We best just keep our eyes open."
[23:45] <Cicada> "For all you know I might be a loyal servant of the city rulers or enthralled by their sorcery."
[23:45] * Cicada laughs.
[23:46] * Jynaru chuckles. "If you are, see if you can get me a date with the Solar Empress. I've got nothing better to do once we return."
[23:47] <Cicada> "Watch it. I am sure that dating Anathema without intent to kill looks bad on a Wyld Hunter's resume."
[23:48] * Jynaru shrugs. "They think I'm dead. You know the ring I wear? Tracking device. Doesn't seem to work anymore."
[23:49] <Jynaru> "Also, vacation. I can kill her later."
[23:51] <Cicada> "I fear no communication to the outside work."
[23:52] <Cicada> "I have tried sending messages to Tabius father about our alls whereabouts, but no answer has come. The ring around the island probably blocks occult abilities as well."
[23:54] <Jynaru> "I'd expect it to."
[23:55] <Jynaru> "Anything else in the pile of "things stacked against us?" you'd like to raise the issue of?"
[23:59] <Cicada> "Not really. I think the possibly possessed people and Maris are our biggest obstables.
[00:00] <Jynaru> "I hope that's the most troublesome thing we'll have to deal with."
[00:01] <Cicada> "Except for grandfather demon in his mountain cabin."
[00:04] <Jynaru> "Him. Blech. Such fun we're going to have dealing with him."
[00:14] <Cicada> "Anyway, I feel like trying to follow Sanyet's example and sleep a bit."
[00:16] * Jynaru nods to her. "You do that."
[00:29] * Cicada gets up and goes over to crawl under the blankets where Sanyet lies. Lokking rather exhausted as she goes.
[00:50] <Cicada> Well, now I have two test subjects for my healing charms, at least. :)
[00:50] * Jynaru chuckles.
[01:54] <Cicada> Is it legal to kill idiot husbands if it is done in a fit of pregnancy moodswings?
[01:54] * Jynaru laughs.
[01:54] <Jynaru> But, think about it.
[01:55] <Cicada> Okay, now Tei is the insensitive one!
[01:55] <Jynaru> 3 test subjects for your healing charms!
[01:56] * Jynaru 's not only been taught Tiger Style by having it used against him, I learn glasscraft from being thrown through an adamant wall. Tei will have healed by then, so you need SOMEONE else to keep up the task.
[01:57] <Cicada> "Keep training boy! Bring me those broken ribs!"
[01:57] <Cicada> "Your nurse needs broken ribs for her Charms of Healing!"
[01:58] <Jynaru> Well, you saw already.
[01:58] <Jynaru> My first day: Dislocated neck.
[02:00] * Jynaru has a quick question for you, though, before I return to the off-topic talking. Exactly how likely is Cicada at this point to respond to a "Wha the HELL is going on?" question and answer segment from our favorite lying cheating Wood aspect?
[02:01] <Cicada> If she is scowling even at her food and growling at even Sanyet and Puuhda as she does some times, very unlikely.
[02:01] <Cicada> If she is just sitting around looking tired and rubbing ber lower belly with a concerned look on her face, much more likely.
[02:02] * Jynaru nods. I got one of those out of the way with Tei and I figured I'd try my luck with Cicada, set for "Some point when I'm not usy being killed."
[02:03] <Jynaru> Mainly because in two days I learned far more than I have in weeks before that, and it's rather bloody annoying to Jyn.
[02:04] <Cicada> Try being pregnant with a child who you do not know will have a father someday. ;)
[02:04] * Jynaru shrugs. He'll be around for at least seven years, unless he decides to chase you up the mountain.
[02:06] <Cicada> Yeah, that is a relief at least. There is a safe place to hide him while his wife go out and her herself and his unborn daughter killed or enslaved by a demon.
[02:06] * Jynaru shrugs.
[02:07] <Jynaru> That'll be one on each side.
[02:07] <Jynaru> Although that puts me in the role of the demon... Hrm.
[02:09] <Cicada> ....
[02:09] * Jynaru did the whole killing Bloom's wife and unborn child bit...
[02:09] <Cicada> Again the Ledaahl man makes no sense.
[02:09] <Jynaru> But I don't get stats like Fallen Tongue. :(
[02:11] <Cicada> Ah.
[02:11] <Cicada> Like that.
[02:11] <Cicada> Wicked Wyld Hunter. :)
[02:11] * Jynaru 's a bad bad man who does bad bad things, and then tells bad bad jokes about it.
[02:12] <Jynaru> Actually, that's one of the things that's amused me most thus far. Under any ordinary story, I'd be the VILLAIN of the Bloom/Jyn setup.
[02:14] <Jynaru> And I'm even the least villainous of the actual group. Maris owns those honors.
[03:38] <Cicada> Do you save this log and send it, or should I?
[03:38] * Jynaru supposes you should.
[03:40] * Cicada has no timestamp. But if that is ok.
[03:41] <Jynaru> Ah. I have timestamp.
[03:41] * Jynaru 'll just slice off the stuff from Saturday because I was too lazy to close the windows.
[03:43] <Cicada> So you save and send?
[03:44] * Cicada 's timestamps would have been freaked out anyway.
[03:45] <Jynaru> Yeah.
[03:45] * Jynaru 'll save and send it to him.
[03:45] <Cicada> Ok, thanks.
End of Cicada buffer    Tue Jan 21 03:50:57 2003