[GRIT] Pondering

(It is after school. Most of the students have already left. Lisa takes her time gathering her things together before walking home. She is in no hurry to leave.) Lisa : (talking to herself) Why does It, whoever or whatever is after me, not come after me when I'm at school? Is It afraid of school in general, (shakes her head doubtfully) this particular school, (looks puzzled) or someone who is at school (a faint smile comes to her face). That's it! Probably one of the teachers...but which one?

(Takes the jewel out of her backpack and looks at it again as if expecting to see something she hadn't seen the other hundred or so times she took a look at it.)

Lisa : I can't keep running from It forever. I have to face It sometime. How can I someone or something that is both anonymous and hidden? No one else seems to know what to do.

(Puts the jewel back in her packpack.)

Lisa : That's it! I'll go to one of my teachers! Hopefully one of them will still be here. I just have to trust one of them to keep a secret.

(Goes to see if any teachers are still at school wondering which teacher, if any, she'll see first.)

1

She wanders around the corridors until he hears two voices, they are calm but the tension can be felt even at this distance. She approaches with high hopes and sees Dr. StGeorge, the spooky history teacher; and the Lady in Green, the rather strange etiquette teacher.

Fara: I know you have something to do with Misty-kunsss' abduction.

Gaeld (aka Dr. StGeorge): Why? Because a paranoid ork told you?

Fara: I trusst Ms. Ratzikshakra's judgement and capabilities; she found out about your alliance with those foul persons, Epsilon, N'astirth and... Kagato.

Lisa: Er...

Gaeld: So she did, eh? Stay out of my life, Fara; just as you did back then.

Lisa: Excuse me?

Fara: I want to know.

Gaeld: All right; <mockingly> if it pleases Lady tai-Faringar su-Morkeleb, I swear by my heart and by my honor that I didn't kidnap your precious Mistopopheles and that those "foul" persons are no friends of mine. There; satisfied?

Lisa: >ahem<

Both turn; Lisa just shivers.

Fara: (asuming her charming behaviour) What is it, dear? You sshould be going home.

Lisa: (gulps) I... (explains her situation, showing the draconic two the jewel)

Gaeld: (gesturing and muttering over it) I detect no magic on it; but I'd need to do a deeper examination (to Lisa) I also feel nothing pursuing you. Maybe this is just a rock and your guardian just a product of your fear-ridden imagination.

Fara: Don't be so hard on the child; how can you be so sure?

Gaeld: Fara, dear; I outran the Hounds of Tindalos in this body; I know the smell of pursuit and stalking.

Lisa: It... it doesn't follow me to school; I think it's afraid of one of the teachers.

Gaeld: And well it should.

Fara: Hush.

Gaeld: Maybe I could walk you home; and if you let me borrow the stone; I might find out more about it.

Lisa hesitates; not sure if she's more afraid of the unknown terror that stalks her or the very present creepiness of Dr. StGeorge...

RLNotes: Gaeld's honor keeps him from twisting the words of his oaths; that's why he words them _very_ carefully. ^_- As for Lisa's predicament; can't you tell us OOC just what is going on? SO that we can better write Lisa...

2

Before Lisa can reply to Dr. StGeorge, a cart loaded with strange devices comes hurtling down the hall at an unbelievable rate of speed.

Corrie: LOOK OUT!

Gaeld gestures in an attempt to stop the cart, but Corrie's out of control mechanized remote control cart rams into him before he can do anything. The crystal goes flying. Corrie makes a diving catch. Gaeld shoots Corrie a withering glance.

Corrie: (apologetically) Sorry about that. I still have some bugs to work out of the controls. (to herself) By Rassilon, Dr. StGeorge *really* reminds me of the Master. (to LiG) Hello Fara. Ratzik locate Mist yet?

LiG: (remembering her word to Gaeld) She has not informed me of any changes lately.

Gaeld: (icily) I trust you will get your machine under control Miss Marselena?

Corrie: (shrugging and ignoring his tone) Don't know. I haven't had much time to work on the cart, plan lessons, and grade papers. Whose crystal is this anyway?

Lisa: (who is slightly shaken) M-mine.

Corrie looks at the crystal curiously. Lisa quickly and nervously repeats her story.

Corrie: Huh. Weird. (she digs in her satchel and pulls out the sonic screwdriver) May I?

Lisa: Please, don't break it.

The sonic screwdriver emits a high frequency sound above the range of normal hearing. The crystal vibrates in Corrie's hand.

Corrie: Hm. Maybe the crystal emits some kind of ultrasonic call that this stalker of yours responds to, and something in the construction of the school, or in the ground under the school, blocks it. I'd have to do a full spectrum analysis of the crystal and the surrounding area to be sure.

Lisa: I was always told the gem was connected to magic.

Corrie: Sometimes there is a very fine line between the concepts of science and magic. Show a television to someone who has never heard of electricity, and they'll think it's magic. Some things people call magic have a logical, if not complicated, scientific explanation.

At her last statement, Corrie has the distinct feeling Dr. StGeorge is not pleased.

A3

Lisa : (nervously) I-I suppose you could have it. You are aware of the risks, aren't you.

Gaeld : I don't think I'll have anything to worry about.

(Lisa gullibly gives Gaeld the jewel and allows him to walk her home. Although she has her doubts about Dr. StGeorge she mistakenly believes the unknown terror is a greater threat.)

Lisa : I'm so glad I have somebody to protect me. More RLNotes : The jewel was aquired by Lisa's parents shortly before she joined GRIT. The guardian of the jewel which Lisa simply calls It will go after the last human being alive who has had contact with the jewel. For example, It will now go after Gaeld. If It defeats Gaeld (which it very unlikely) it will then go after Lisa and so on until everyone who has made contact with the jewel has been killed. It does not want to be discovered and will only strike when the person is alone. Someone like Gaeld could learn the strengths and weaknesses of It and trick other people with the jewel. Although It is not ultra-powerful it tends to challenge people when they are alone and least expect it, like while using the bathroom. It does not pass though normal space so walls, doors, and travelling to another country will not help. The only thing to do is stay out in the open and/or be the center of attention. (Its closest cousin is "Tabu" from the Hawaiian episodes of The Brady Bunch.) Lisa mistaken believes her parents might still be alive. She will discover the grim truth eventually. Dr. StGeorge might want to take advantage of this situation too. Beisdes being worth several million dollars, and being cursed, the jewel can be used to find a secret pyramid (more on this later on).

B3

Voice: Hey, Lisa. Afternoon, Mz. Fara. Gaeld, we need to talk.

Lisa: Uh, hi Ku-chan. I'll uh, see you at home... <leaves>

Kuroino: Right. <She is already out of school uniform, wearing a sheer black lace blouse with a halter underneath, with a short, short miniskirt and fishnets. If you'll recall, she wears a leotard because it's functional. When she is dressing for less utilitarian moments...>

RLCJ: <Nosebleed>

Gaeld: I am sorry, my dear Fara, but this child and I have business to discuss.

Fara: <sweeps away elegantly.>

Kuroino: I have to learn that. <attention back to Gaeld> About your proposition. I have come to a decision.

Gaeld: Yes?...

Kuroino: I have little to gain by serving you. All you can teach me is the ways of plotting and scheming, and maybe accelerate the growth of my powers. Not nearly enough to justify indefinite servitude.

Gaeld: I would recommend against underestimating the benefits you would receive.

Kuroino: So says you. I have no interest in plots, you seem to have completely missed the reasons behind my actions. Besides, my powers are growing plenty fast enough. In fact, since we met, I have perfected two techniques that your Aegis whatever would be useless against. And I am going to figure out how to bypass that resistance to teleportations.

Gaeld: Is that your final word?

Kuroino: Not quite. <leans forward, breathing in and smiling> I would be interested in partnering up with you from time to time.. <unbeknownst to Gaeld, a flicker dances across his slit pupils, a flicker with mysterious origins..> and maybe the two of us could get together sometime in private to discuss the possibilities...<and that bit o' quasi-mysticism should go undetected, now that she knows enough to broadcast her energy signature...>

RLCJ: <nosebleed again. BTW, Alejandro, nice pics!!>

Gaeld: Stop. First of all, your actions disgust me. Look, monkey, I find you and all your kind physically repulsive, mentally insignificant, and supernaturally, you are just amusing. Your thinly-veiled offer has all the appeal of jabbing myself in the eye with a sharp stick.

Kuroino: <stands up and grows serious.> Is that your final word?

Gaeld: Yes.

Kuroino: Suit yourself... <walks away.>

POST CHARACTER REACTIONS ANYWHERE, AND IF I GET SOMETHING OOC, FIX IT!

RLNotes: First of all, there is Ku-chan's reply to Gaeld's offer. Second, Kuroino should have made a better showing against the dragon-turned-man. (eg: the aegis does not block sound, and she can project sound waves in excess of 120 decibels. That's enough to cause hemorraging. Ah, well, it worked out okay, so i won't rock the boat. Third: that flicker was Kuroino safeguarding herself from Gaeld's mesmerism. If he figures out how to do it without eye contact, it'll work, but otherwise, she is unaffected, but alerted to the attempt, and will pretend to be mesmerized. Fourth: That was a bona-fide offer. Gaeld is a somewhat bitter character, with lots of hatred. With draconic depth of emotion, Ku-chan would be fairly turned-on by his presence. Not enough to lose control, by a long shot, but enough to exhibit interest. > > RLNotes: Gaeld's honor keeps him from twisting the words of his oaths; that's > why he words them _very_ carefully. ^_- As for Lisa's predicament; can't you > tell us OOC just what is going on? So that we can better write Lisa...

THE REAL REASONS SHE DECIDED NOT TO BE AN APPRENTICE... Kuroino is exactly as dishonest as Gaeld is honorable, so it wouldn't have lasted long, anyway. She really doesn't have much to gain... she doesn't inflict cruelty and carnage towards any particular goal, and so plots are nearly worthless for her. I don't want another arch-villain. I come from a heavy super-hero roleplaying game background, and I have noticed two kinds of nemeses: villains and arch-villains. Arch-villains are the master planners, who manipulate others and devise endless schemes, and wield enormous power. I count at least four of those. Villains are roughly the same power-level as the heroes, maybe a little more powerful. They are not capable of threatening whole mobs of heroes, and their plans tend to be modest (make money, kill Mr.X, gain respect...). I count one of those, maybe two if I have Wychan pegged right. Too many arch-villains, not enough "nuisance-level" bad-guys. The proportions are all wrong. I like her the way she is. At present, she can get away with kidnapping someone, just as she can socialize with the heroes. Sure, they have a hard time trusting her, but most of the time she's just amoral, bitter, depressed, and bit of a slut. She isn't always a hard-core villain, but every so often.. I get the best of both worlds! And all it costs me is the chance to beat the cruds out of the heroes on a regualar basis. I could cry. Wah. Wah. ^_^ In summary, I like her current position! Including that bit of romance... C-YA! ^_^

C3

RLJiro: Romance!! Then my poor and always confused Depression Ranger actually has a chance with the adorable Ku-chan? Hooray!!

Jiro: [morosely] Geez, c'mon let's get out of here before you embarass me any further... [grabs RLJiro and exits stage right...]

C4

RL note : The responces contridict slightly (no major differences). For the sake of continuity I will say Lisa gives the jewel to Dr. StGeorge then takes it back when the crash occurs. > > A cart loaded with strange devices comes hurtling down the hall at an >unbelievable rate of speed. > > Corrie: LOOK OUT! > > Gaeld gestures in an attempt to stop the cart, but Corrie's out of control > mechanized remote control cart rams into him before he can do anything. The > crystal goes flying. Corrie makes a diving catch. Gaeld shoots Corrie a > withering glance. > > Corrie: (apologetically) Sorry about that. I still have some bugs to work out > of the controls. (to herself) By Rassilon, Dr. StGeorge *really* reminds me of > the Master. (to LiG) Hello Fara. Ratzik locate Mist yet? > > LiG: (remembering her word to Gaeld) She has not informed me of any changes > lately. > > Gaeld: (icily) I trust you will get your machine under control Miss Marselena? > > Corrie: (shrugging and ignoring his tone) Don't know. I haven't had much time > to work on the cart, plan lessons, and grade papers. Whose crystal is this > anyway? > > Lisa: (who is slightly shaken) M-mine. > > Corrie looks at the crystal curiously. Lisa quickly and nervously repeats her > story. > > Corrie: Huh. Weird. (she digs in her satchel and pulls out the sonic > screwdriver) May I? > > Lisa: Please, don't break it. > > The sonic screwdriver emits a high frequency sound above the range of normal > hearing. The crystal vibrates in Corrie's hand. > > Corrie: Hm. Maybe the crystal emits some kind of ultrasonic call that this > stalker of yours responds to, and something in the construction of the school, or > in the ground under the school, blocks it. I'd have to do a full spectrum analysis > of the crystal and the surrounding area to be sure. > > Lisa: I was always told the gem was connected to magic. > > Corrie: Sometimes there is a very fine line between the concepts of science and > magic. Show a television to someone who has never heard of electricity, and > they'll think it's magic. Some things people call magic have a logical, if not > complicated, scientific explanation. > > At her last statement, Corrie has the distinct feeling Dr. StGeorge is not > pleased.

Lisa : (lowers her head) My parents found the jewel somewhere in Japan. I haven't heard from them for quite some time. Someone or something that I called It guards this jewel. For some reason It doesn't come after me when I'm at school. I think It is afraid of someone here.

(She looks briefly at both Corrie and Dr. StGeorge then hands the jewel over to Corrie deciding she is more trustworthy.)

Lisa : Be careful. It wants this jewel very badly.

Corrie : I will be.

AA4

<snip Lisa interrupting an argument between dragons and presenting her predicament>

>;> Gaeld: Maybe I could walk you home; and if you let me borrow the stone; I might >;> find out more about it. >;> >;> Lisa hesitates; not sure if she's more afraid of the unknown terror that stalks >;> her or the very present creepiness of Dr. StGeorge... >;> >;> RLNotes: Gaeld's honor keeps him from twisting the words of his oaths; that's >;> why he words them _very_ carefully. ^_- As for Lisa's predicament; can't you >;> tell us OOC just what is going on? SO that we can better write Lisa... >;>

>Before Lisa can reply to Dr. StGeorge, a cart loaded with strange devices comes >hurtling down the hall at an unbelievable rate of speed. > >Corrie: LOOK OUT! > >Gaeld gestures in an attempt to stop the cart, but Corrie's out of control >mechanized remote control cart rams into him before he can do anything. The >crystal goes flying. Corrie makes a diving catch. Gaeld shoots Corrie a >withering glance.

RLNotes: He'd rather step aside; he doesn't use magic for every little task in his life; but anyway...

>Corrie: (apologetically) Sorry about that. I still have some bugs to work out >of the controls. (to herself) By Rassilon, Dr. StGeorge *really* reminds me of >the Master. (to LiG) Hello Fara. Ratzik locate Mist yet? > >LiG: (remembering her word to Gaeld) She has not informed me of any changes >lately. > >Gaeld: (icily) I trust you will get your machine under control Miss Marselena? > >Corrie: (shrugging and ignoring his tone) Don't know. I haven't had much time >to work on the cart, plan lessons, and grade papers. Whose crystal is this >anyway? > >Lisa: (who is slightly shaken) M-mine. > >Corrie looks at the crystal curiously. Lisa quickly and nervously repeats her >story. > >Corrie: Huh. Weird. (she digs in her satchel and pulls out the sonic >screwdriver) May I? > >Lisa: Please, don't break it. > >The sonic screwdriver emits a high frequency sound above the range of normal >hearing. The crystal vibrates in Corrie's hand.

Both Gaeld and Fara get a ringing sensation in their ears...

>Corrie: Hm. Maybe the crystal emits some kind of ultrasonic call that this >stalker of yours responds to, and something in the construction of the school, or >in the ground under the school, blocks it. I'd have to do a full spectrum analysis >of the crystal and the surrounding area to be sure. > >Lisa: I was always told the gem was connected to magic. > >Corrie: Sometimes there is a very fine line between the concepts of science and >magic. Show a television to someone who has never heard of electricity, and >they'll think it's magic. Some things people call magic have a logical, if not >complicated, scientific explanation. > >At her last statement, Corrie has the distinct feeling Dr. StGeorge is not >pleased.

Gaeld: Or viceversa; technology is just another form of magic: a way of shaping the surrounding world and trying to explain the unexplainable; it just happens to focus on tools rather than on willpower, knowledge and imagination. And if you excuse us; I have to walk this frightened child to her home (extends his hand); I'd like to have the jewel, Miss Marselena. I assure you that I have knowledge of technomagic, and require little tools to perform the tests you wish to undertake. You can perform your scans on the school grounds in the meanwhile.

<cut to Lisa giving the crystal to Gaeld, and being walked home>

RLNotes: Oh, goodie; Gaeld is acquiring quite a collection: the Tenchi-ken, a cursed crystal... what's next? AHA! THE MEDALLION OF SOULS!!!!!! <MML>

RLNotes2: He might be evil, but he's not a complete bastard; he won't do anything to Lisa (what'd be the use? SHe's just a child) and might question her for the places she's visited with her parents, with the hopes that there's a place he hasn't visited yet that might hold a key to his cure.

AB4

RL Notes : I'm still a newbie. This is the first time I've had to deal with the paradoxes and miscontinuity caused by the time delayed entries most of us have. I have said that Lisa has given the jewel to both Dr. StGeorge and Corrie. Whenever something like this happens. I will follow the path of least resistance to continuity. Fortunately this doesn't appear too hard to solve. I will try to keep the time delay in mind. > >Corrie: (apologetically) Sorry about that. I still have some bugs to work out > >of the controls. (to herself) By Rassilon, Dr. StGeorge *really* reminds me of > >the Master. (to LiG) Hello Fara. Ratzik locate Mist yet? > > > >LiG: (remembering her word to Gaeld) She has not informed me of any changes > >lately. > > > >Gaeld: (icily) I trust you will get your machine under control Miss Marselena? > > > >Corrie: (shrugging and ignoring his tone) Don't know. I haven't had much time > >to work on the cart, plan lessons, and grade papers. Whose crystal is this > >anyway? > > > >Lisa: (who is slightly shaken) M-mine. > > > >Corrie looks at the crystal curiously. Lisa quickly and nervously repeats her > >story. > > > >Corrie: Huh. Weird. (she digs in her satchel and pulls out the sonic > >screwdriver) May I? > > > >Lisa: Please, don't break it. > > > >The sonic screwdriver emits a high frequency sound above the range of normal > >hearing. The crystal vibrates in Corrie's hand. > > Both Gaeld and Fara get a ringing sensation in their ears... > > >Corrie: Hm. Maybe the crystal emits some kind of ultrasonic call that this > >stalker of yours responds to, and something in the construction of the school, or > >in the ground under the school, blocks it. I'd have to do a full spectrum analysis > >of the crystal and the surrounding area to be sure. > > > >Lisa: I was always told the gem was connected to magic. > > > >Corrie: Sometimes there is a very fine line between the concepts of science and > >magic. Show a television to someone who has never heard of electricity, and > >they'll think it's magic. Some things people call magic have a logical, if not > >complicated, scientific explanation. > > > >At her last statement, Corrie has the distinct feeling Dr. StGeorge is not > >pleased. > > Gaeld: Or viceversa; technology is just another form of magic: a way of shaping > the surrounding world and trying to explain the unexplainable; it just happens > to focus on tools rather than on willpower, knowledge and imagination. And if you > excuse us; I have to walk this frightened child to her home (extends his hand); > I'd like to have the jewel, Miss Marselena. I assure you that I have knowledge > of technomagic, and require little tools to perform the tests you wish to > undertake. You can perform your scans on the school grounds in the meanwhile. > > <cut to Lisa giving the crystal to Gaeld, and being walked home> > (Lisa hesitates and looks back at Corrie. She is very bewildered as if she has just experienced a temperal paradox.)

Lisa : W-what do you think I should do? (pauses) I suppose I could let one of you look at the jewel today and let the other one look at it tommorow. How does that sound?

(Lisa stops and waits for both of them to make a decision, one way or the other, before making her own. Dr. StGeorge currently has the jewel.)

AB5

RLNote: Hm. Let's tie this back to the appearence of Kuronino and go to the point where Kuronino asks to talk to Gaeld.

Corrie: It looks like you're going to be busy, Dr. StGeorge. How about I run my tests first while you speak to the other student. I'll let you have the gem back after I finish.

Gaeld shrugs in his distraction.

Corrie: Come on, Lisa. Let's go back to my TARDIS so I can run some tests.

- insert the conversation between Gaeld and Kuronino -

Meanwhile, Corrie leads Lisa back to the TARDIS, which she is keeping disguised as a tree in the park. Lisa stares in amazement as Corrie opens a door in the tree. She herds Lisa inside. Lisa experiences the usual first time TARDIS shock.

RLNote: Corrie could have brought the TARDIS back to the school, but right now she is playing things low key. She isn't advertising her Time Lord status (but then, she's not hiding it either).

K-9: Greetings Mistress.

Corrie: Hi K-9. This is Lisa. She's a friend.

K-9: Affirmative. Greetings Lisa.

(insert further reactions here)

AB6

Lisa : (somewhat puzzled) How do you do?

K-9 : Insufficient data.

Lisa : (turns to Corrie) I've never seen a robot dog before.

Corrie : This is a K-9 Mark IV. The creator of the original K-9 lived in a place where they didn't allow pets so he built a robot in the shape of a dog. He has many uses and come in handy during my numerous explorations.

Lisa : You're an explorer too! My parents are explorers! They travelled all over the world in search of cursed objects and normally brought me along with them. I noramlly wasn't with them when they actually after the object themselves but I've seen the cities near where they were located.

Corrie : I doubt you've been to most of the places I have.

Lisa : I can believe it. Do you think you can help me find my parents?

(Corrie looks into Lisa's eager face and senses that something is wrong. Lisa sees the look on Corrie's face and starts to tremble.)

Corrie : (gently) When people disppear after tampering with powers beyond their comprehension, espically powers from another world it is usually for the worst.

(Lisa starts to sob. K-9 moves closer to her. She gets down on her knees beside K-9.)

Lisa : (solumnly) Try to find out what happened to them. I think it's best if I know the truth.

K-9 : Working. (The sound of machinery can be heard inside K-9.)

AB7

Corrie: I should tell you that K-9 won't be able to tell us what happened to your parents. He can tell us where the crystal originates from and if there are any strange and unusual forces affecting it. Right K-9?

K-9: Affirmative Mistress.

Corrie: Now, where did your parents find this gem?

<insert response>

Corrie: And what were they looking for at the time?

<insert response>

Corrie: (thoughtfully) Hmm. Where were they when you last heard from them?

<insert response>

Corrie: You said that It doesn't appear to follow you to school. Is there anywhere else It doesn't seem to go?

<insert response>

Corrie: (gently) I can help you check these things out, but I can't guarantee we'll find all of the answers. (Corrie looks at a watch) It's getting late and we both have classes. How about I take you back to where you're staying?

RL Note: Okay, let's do a little fill in the blank work and make a few editorial decisions so we can decide what to do next.

AB8

> > > K-9: Greetings Mistress. > > > > > > Corrie: Hi K-9. This is Lisa. She's a friend. > > > > > > K-9: Affirmative. Greetings Lisa. > > > > > Lisa : (somewhat puzzled) How do you do? > > > > K-9 : Insufficient data. > > > > Lisa : (turns to Corrie) I've never seen a robot dog before. > > > > Corrie : This is a K-9 Mark IV. The creator of the original K-9 lived in a > > place where they didn't allow pets so he built a robot in the shape of a dog. > > He has many uses and come in handy during my numerous explorations. > > > > Lisa : You're an explorer too! My parents are explorers! They travelled all > > over the world in search of cursed objects and normally brought me along with > > them. I noramlly wasn't with them when they actually after the object > > themselves but I've seen the cities near where they were located. > > > > Corrie : I doubt you've been to most of the places I have. > > > > Lisa : I can believe it. Do you think you can help me find my parents? > > > > (Corrie looks into Lisa's eager face and senses that something is wrong. > > Lisa sees the look on Corrie's face and starts to tremble.) > > > > Corrie : (gently) When people disppear after tampering with powers beyond their > > comprehension, espically powers from another world it is usually for the worst. > > > > (Lisa starts to sob. K-9 moves closer to her. She gets down on her knees > > beside K-9.) > > > > Lisa : (solumnly) Try to find out what happened to them. I think it's best if I > > know the truth. > > > > K-9 : Working. (The sound of machinery can be heard inside K-9.) > > Corrie: I should tell you that K-9 won't be able to tell us what > happened to your parents. He can tell us where the crystal originates > from and if there are any strange and unusual forces affecting it. Right > K-9? > > K-9: Affirmative Mistress. > > Corrie: Now, where did your parents find this gem? > Lisa : I wasn't with them at the time but they said they found it in the ruins. Since I came here by foot that means it is someplace nearby. Perhaps we can put those two clues together and figure out where it is. > > Corrie: And what were they looking for at the time? > Lisa : The jewel WAS what they were wanted but why they wanted it and what it does is beyond me. > > Corrie: (thoughtfully) Hmm. Where were they when you last heard from > them? > Lisa : We were staying in an inn not too far from here. I was about to get ready for bed when I heard a struggle coming from my parents room. By the time I got there the room was empty. My parents said it was important not to let It have the jewel. By the way It was the name I gave to the guardian of the jewel my parents gave no name at all. I immediately searched for the jewel, found it, and ran out of the inn as fast as I could go. > > Corrie: You said that It doesn't appear to follow you to school. Is > there anywhere else It doesn't seem to go? > Lisa : (deep in thought) I've got it! I think I see a pattern. All the places It has avoided me are places where there are large numbers of people. The only times It has come after me are when I am alone. > > Corrie: (gently) I can help you check these things out, but I can't > guarantee we'll find all of the answers. (Corrie looks at a watch) It's > getting late and we both have classes. How about I take you back to > where you're staying? > > RL Note: Okay, let's do a little fill in the blank work and make a few > editorial decisions so we can decide what to do next.

More RL Notes : The jewel can be used as a key to a hidden pyramid that Lisa doesn't even know exists yet. I think I have given her enough time to figure out the "crowd" pattern. She might be able to figure a few other things out eventually.

AB9

Corrie: (gently) I can help you check these things out, but I can't guarantee we'll find all of the answers. (Corrie looks at a watch) It's getting late and we both have classes. How about I take you back to where you're staying?

Lisa : O.K. I'm staying at the Ying-Yang Uchi. I'll try to see you sometime tomorrow after class.

Corrie : I'm sure that can easily be arranged.

Lisa : Good bye, K9!

K9 : Good bye, Lisa.

(Corrie walks with Lisa back to the Ying-Yang Uchi. Thread continued. See [GRIT] Still Pondering.)

AB10

Meanwhile,outside the school...

A figure broods,thinking about his next plan.

Figure: Crud! The last thing i would have expected was ASHLEY here,of all places.. (grumblegrumble)

He then stands.

Figure: No matter, I'll get that Lisa kid for sure next time!

Suddenly he stumbles,as if he was weakening.

Figure: Ugh.. gotta get that jewel back,too..

X1

[GRIT] Still Pondering

(Corrie takes Lisa back to the Ying-Yang Uchi before going her own way. Both of them know that solving the old mysteries about the jewel will only uncover new ones.)

Weapon-X : You're coming home late. Did anything interesting happen at school today?

Lisa : I stayed to talk to one of my teachers about the jewel. I think I've discovered a pattern to It's behavior.

Weapon-X : Whose behavior?

Lisa : The guardian of the jewel. It seems to be afraid of groups of people. It will only attack a person with the jewel when he or she is alone.

Weapon-X : In that case you should stay where there are plenty of people.

Lisa : I plan to. Have you seen Kiri anywhere?

Kiri : I'm right here.

Lisa : You said you were a duplicate of Kasumi who lives next door?

Kiri : That is correct.

Lisa : I was just wondering how that happened. I've never met Kasumi before.

1

YOU ASKED FER IT, NOW YER GUNNA GET IT!

Kiri: Hmmm.. the natural place to start would be to tell you about Kasumi then. However, I am a little too close to her to be able to be objective about her.. Professor?

A white-haired, bespectacled figure appears instantly.

Prof: <grunts> Hmmph?!

Kiri: Tell the nice girl about Kasumi. I have to sweep out the hallway.

Prof: <adjusts spectacle> Hmph. Well. Ahem. Kasumi is, to tell it shortly, a local elemental force for the cause of innocence. She started out in the anime as nothing more than an unspeakably sweet teenage girl, though not too strong in the brains department. Later she evolved into a power of the natural world, emanating an aura of peace, innocence and contentment. This has, in the course of GRIT, been utilized as a weapon, which is something of a perversion of Kasumi's nature. Her only observed activities are housework, cooking, and little errands, especially those that bring her into serendipitous contact with Dr. Toufou. It should be noted at this point that those two are in the process of becoming engaged in another thread. May I go now? <vanishes>

Kiri: Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, Yang-chan, or was it Yin-chan?, animated a pile of snow in Kasumi's image, and downloaded Kasumi's, Yang-chan's, Shi-kun's, and Ku-chan's memories into it, while imbuing it with quasi-mystical powers, in the tradition of all RLCJ's characters, in addition to Kasumi's abilities. That's me.

Lisa: Oh. How did Yang-chan do that?

Kiri: I think it was Yin-chan... anyway, nothing is beyond Yin/Yang's abilities, except remaining composite after being struck.

Lisa: <big piku> Nothing?

Kiri: Hai. Look, the yin and the yang are symbolic of the opposing but mutually complementary forces of good and evil, male and female, light and dark, expansion and contraction, etcetera. And all things exhibit these qualities to some extent, ne?

Lisa: Uh, hai.

Kiri: Between the yin and the yang, all things are encompassed, hai?

Lisa: Hai.

Kiri: Yin/Yang-chan is both yin and yang embodied, with the powers of both. So he is actually a living extension of the will of the world. If it is possible, it is possible for Yin/Yang.

Lisa: @_@...

DID ANYONE CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS?...

2

(Lisa tries to take in all of the new information.)

Lisa : Maybe I should start small. Who was that professor who gave that lengthy explination and then vanished. I thought I had met everyone in this house. If you think it is one of those things that is better to leave undisturbed just let me. My parents had lots of secrets they didn't want to tell me.

Kiri : Ah, yes. Your parents the explorers. You said they travelled the globe in search of cursed objects.

Lisa : I don't completely understand it myself. For some reason they felt compelled to travel the globe in search of curse objects to make sure no one else got ahold of them. Me and sometimes other memebers of my family would travel with them. You'd be surprised how many cursed objects there are in the world.

Kiri : Why did your parents do this?

Lisa : They didn't say. I suppose they might have discovered a way to remove the curses from these various objects or many they dealt with cursed objects before I was born and felt guilty about it. Neither of these ideas seem to find the facts completely. All I know is I have to keep It from getting the jewel.

Kiri : It?

Lisa : It is what I call the guardian of the jewel. I know It isn't a very good name but when I named It I was trying to think of a name that is easy to say not a quality name.

Kiri : That is understandable. What do you know about It?

Lisa : Whatever It is, It doesn't seem to like crowds. It will only come after me when I'm alone. Everyone keeps telling me I should stay around other people. It is good advice but it gets annoying after awhile.

Kiri : Perhaps you could let me have the jewel so you can have a chance to rest.

Lisa : I couldn't do that.

3