mgrasso: diversion: Changeling Chapter Seven

Scene One Scene Two Scene Three

Chapter Seven: Back in the Real World Scene One: At James’ mgrasso> Let me just do a quick little summary of the whole big adventure up to this point. mgrasso> So, we traveled to the observatory to meet up with a Kithain who said that the upcoming review of the lighting ordinance needed to keep the old law in place, because of the Glamour concentrated at the observatory. mgrasso> We traveled there, met the eshu Joanne/Johanna, and fell into the space of the Stellar Demesnes. mgrasso> We made it to the Court of Sapphire, and found out that something was destroying the Demesnes, a madman named Alson who had some unusally Banal equipment for the Dreaming. mgrasso> A quick trip as part of a war party led us right to him. Alson was cranking up a portable generator with a Circle K convenience stores light attached to it, thereby destroying the Dreaming in this area. mgrasso> As we traveled to the Teacup, which ended up really being a sentient nebula/white hole, we found that Alson’s plan was occurring on two fronts: in the Dreaming and in the mortal world. mgrasso> We traveled back to the real world through a black hole called Tenebrae, and now we are at James’ apartment, where we’ve just parked an amazing spacecraft we all remember nothing about. 🙂 mgrasso> (All right folks, mortal seemings, please.) *** Mandy is now known as James *** Julia is now known as Ingrid *** Joe is now known as Chet mgrasso> (And James, desc your place again, please? 🙂 ) James> (ha.) *** Erica is now known as Gemma mgrasso> (if it’s not too much trouble. 🙂 ) James> As you enter into James apartment, which is on like the 3rd floor of a fairly rundown building, you are stunned by the sheer number of glowing screens Chet> !dice 7 7 * DiceWell Chet rolls 7d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 2 successes. * DiceWell 9 4 8 8 5 1 6 James> int the main room, there is a couch, a coffee table, a chair and a tv James> normally there would be pizza boxes and beer bottles but Gemmas been keeping him in line a little mgrasso> (As I said, you’ve just flown this spacecraft back here, in defiance of Banality, but it barely made it.) James> There are also several very large crates covered with white drop clothes all over the place mgrasso> (And you have no idea what transpired between the observatory and coming back through the screen of the planetarium.) Gemma> (Gemma with a little help from Rosalva… >:) ) James> (no! no! no!) James> /me checks the his computer. “How long have we been gone?” James> (argh!) * James argh James> (yeah!) mgrasso> You have been gone for one night. This is the next morning after going to the observatory. mgrasso> It’s 11:15 am Travis> I’m not usually up by now. Gemma> I am. mgrasso> You’re all just lying around James’ apartment, unsure of how you got there or why you’re there. * Gemma lays down on the couch with her head draped over the armrest * Chet sits in the far corner. * Gemma sniffs the air a bit Gemma> Hey James, it still smells like that mint gel we used last night. * Ingrid sits in the chair by the couch. mgrasso> (Sorry, guys.) Travis> Peppermint KY? That’s my brand! * Chet starts flipping through pages in his composition book. Gemma> No, Kama Sutra, you drugstore slut. James> ha * Chet motions to Ingrid and waves her over. Travis> Meee-ow! mgrasso> (Took me a while to get some stuff straight) * Chet folds one page back, in half. * Ingrid spies Chet gesturing and walks over to see what’s up. Chet> Pull up some carpet and check this out. mgrasso> Ingrid, your cell phone rings. * Chet points to a sketch in his notebook. * Ingrid settles onto the floor and looks. * Gemma lazily digs Cupid out of her backpack and sets him on the floor, telling him,”Go spy on Chet, boy.” Ingrid> Oops. Hold on a sec, Chet. * Ingrid answers her phone. “Ingrid Kane.” Gemma> Gemma and Cupid both mockingly mouth, “Ingrid Kane.” Travis> Oooh, do that again, sweety. Ingrid> I’m working on that observatory story you sent me out on! James> um… I’m not too much of a host… beer anyone? Chet> !dice 7 6 * DiceWell Chet rolls 7d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 5 successes. * DiceWell 8 7 8 3 2 10 7 * Chet doesn’t look up from his composition book. Chet> !dice 4 8 * DiceWell Chet rolls 4d10 at difficulty 8. S/He fails the roll! * DiceWell 1 2 5 9 * Chet turns back to the beginning of the composition book and starts reading… Travis> Do you have any champagne? Gemma> Cupid walks over to Chet and bats at his feet. Travis> I suppose I should call my producer. The hag. She’ll just want me to go back to New York. Ingrid> !dice 5 7 * DiceWell Ingrid rolls 5d10 at difficulty 7. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 7 6 2 5 3 James> no. I have coors, limes, old pizza, freeze pops, and tuna. James> en total Gemma> You and your old man cereal. Fruity Pebbles is where it’s at. * Chet stares intently, reading his notes. Ingrid> Oh, all right. I’ll be there. Travis> I prefer Hetero Pebbles. * Ingrid sounds suddenly extraordinarily tired and irritated. Gemma> Something wrong, Ingrid-dear? Travis> brb * Ingrid sort of falls back onto the floor from her seated position and sighs. Travis> (back now) Chet> Hey…what’s up, ingrid? Ingrid> That was my producer. My unhappy, snippy, banal little producer. Gemma> I bet you guys get along really well. Travis> Darling, aren’t they all? I think they test them for it. Ingrid> She wants me to be on a shoot in 40 minutes. Chet> Are you going? * Gemma sits up James> do you like your job? Gemma> Are you wearing a bra? Travis> No. Oh, you mean, her. Ingrid> Yes, I think I’d better go. Chet> Are you up for some company? I mean, can I tag along? James> Do you like your job? Ingrid> Well sure, Chet. I have to stop by the station first, but sure. Ingrid> I do like my job, Jmaes. Why do you ask? Chet> Sweet… James> Well, if you like your job, and that is *really* like it, there’s nothing to whine about. James> but if you furking hate it, or don’t care, or are annoyed with it, don’t go. Travis> Oh, what kind of attitude is that? Travis> for heaven’s sake, Ingrid, go. You’ll make climb the ladder of success by avoiding assignments, and believe you me, sleeping your way to the top is more difficult than it seems. Ingrid> It’s not the job that got to me, James. But you’re right. Sometimes I forget that. James> just keep it in mind * Ingrid brightens a little, keeping it in mind. Chet> Cool. Well, how long does it take to get to the shoot? Chet> And where is it and what’s it about, by the way? Ingrid> She said it was in 40 minutes. So I’d better get to the station! And…. oh-oh. Where’s my car? mgrasso> It’s at Rudy’s. Chet> Where did you leave it? Ingrid> She didn’t even say! I assume that’s why she wanted me to come in before going there. mgrasso> Looks like it’s cab time. Gemma> (har! in tucson.. ::cackles::) Gemma> (ahem. sorry.) Chet> Cool. Will they let me look at the video editing equipment? mgrasso> (Will it take a long time, Mellie?) * Travis whips out his cellphone and calls Ingrid’s station manager. Travis> (I’m going to use my celebrity status) mgrasso> (Hey, don’t feel bad, James’ ca r is at the observatory. 🙂 ) mgrasso> Heh, okay Travis. James> it’s okay, I have a space ship Gemma> (mike, we took andrew’s suv) mgrasso> (Heh!) Ingrid> You’ll have to talk to the techs about that, Chet. I’ll nitroduce you. mgrasso> (Oh yeah! You’re right! That poor sap!) James> nitroduce, is that painful? Travis> (Mike, should I do the conversation?) * Chet opens his book again and points out a couple of sketches to Ingrid. mgrasso> (Sure!) Ingrid> (Mandy :P) Travis> Yes, this is Travis…yes, I…yes…yes…look, I need a driver. Just hush up and send one to me. James> 🙂 Ingrid> ( :D) DiceWell> ( is not a valid number Ingrid. * Travis covers the phone with his hand. Travis> Where are we? Chet> See this…this is the Oracle… * Ingrid examines Chet’s sketches. Chet> She’s kind of a cutie… James> the what? Like the kind that answers questions? James> (mandy grins devilishly) Chet> Does someone want to look after Joanne over there. She doesn’t look well. * Chet points in his book for Ingrid to look. * Gemma gets up and goes over to Joanne mgrasso> Joanne does look a little green around the gills. Like she’s not orienting too well to being back in the real world. Chet> We’re supposed to be taking care of some business back here. * Travis languidly snaps his fingers. “Where are we?” * Gemma speaks softly to Joanne Travis> !dice 3 6 * DiceWell Travis rolls 3d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 2 successes. * DiceWell 8 7 2 James> at x and z street Chet> We need to get to this town council meeting or whatever and do something about this light ordinance. * Chet points to a sketch of a man wielding a giant Circle K sign and vacuuming up stars. Travis> “We’re at X and Z street, sweetie. And I need a driver as soon as possible. Be a dear and arrange it? Ciao!” * Travis hangs up. Ingrid> It’s tomorrow morning. I’m going to convince Phoebe to let me cover it later. Gemma> Joanne? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Water? Dramamine? Heroin? Chet> This is what’s happening back in the Dreaming. Ingrid> That looks… very bad. mgrasso> “I… don’t know. Were we in the stars? I remember being sucked into Nebula N3876C.” mgrasso> She’s obviously very confused. Ingrid> Circle K? Interesting. mgrasso> Ingrid, Chet, you may want to go downstairs and wait for the limo. (/howard hessemann in spinal tap) Gemma> I have no idea, mija. But we’re in James’ apartment right now… Ingrid> (hah!) Travis> (Llllliam!) Travis> (That’s Ian.) mgrasso> “Oh. All right.” Joanne unsteadily stands up. * Gemma helps Joanne to stand Chet> Let’s go, Ingrid. We can look at the rest of the stuff from the car. Ingrid> Let’s get downstairs so we don’t miss the limo. Thank you so much, Travis. Travis> De nada, my dear. mgrasso> (Excellent, guys.) * Ingrid kisses Travis on the cheek. mgrasso> (Do you mind if I fast-forward a little bit? I think we should meet at Rudy’s that night to discuss what’s going to happen.) * Travis smiles. * Gemma leads Joanne on a little walk around the apartment to help perk her up Ingrid> (works for me 🙂 mgrasso> So listen, I need Travis, Gemma, and James at Rudy’s first, RPing. * Travis looks knowingly at Chet. “How about a little sugar for Travis?” mgrasso> Joanne, Chet, and Ingrid will show up afterwards. mgrasso> Ingrid, Chet, leave here and go to #station *** Ingrid ([email protected]) has left #Changeling-Tucson mgrasso> Hey, Travis, James, and Gemma: can I have your permanent Glamour and Banality ratings please? *** Chet ([email protected]) has left #Changeling-Tucson Travis> 5 and 1 James> one sec mgrasso> PErmanent Banality, Travis, not temporary. James> 4 and 4 (you still haven’t changed it) mgrasso> I know, sorry. Scene Two: At Senor Rudy’s mgrasso> All right, so the three of you are waiting for the other three at Rudy’s now. mgrasso> James, you checked in with work and found that everything was cool. James> rock! mgrasso> Travis, your travel agent has booked you a flight out of Tucson at 6:30 pm tomorrow night. Travis> Oh, pooh. Why would I want to leave all this? James> uhoh travis! how are you going to teach me to look spiffy if you’re not here! What if I accidentally buy dandilion instead of chartruese! James> ?! * Gemma pretends to look hurt Travis> I nmay have to have a word with my agent. Gemma> Damn it, James. Haven’t I done my best to dress you properly? mgrasso> The waitress plunks down some chips and super-hot salsa down for James. * James looks down at his jeans and green lantern shirt. James> I don’t think the world thinks it’s working. Gemma> The world can bite me. * James smiles James> can I? Gemma> Maybe. * Gemma gives James an impish look Gemma> (I’m an imp!) * James raises an eyebrow… mgrasso> (hope you guys don’t mind the gratuitous RP) Travis> (nah) Gemma> (not at all 🙂 ) Travis> Hmm. Gemma, make him wear a G-string when he does it. mgrasso> (It’s just going to take some time to take care of Ingrid’s business) Gemma> Travis, I’m surprised at you. Gemma> Thongs are where it’s at. * James ‘ eyes bug out of his head James> can I go home? Travis> Hmm. If you’re interested in poor white trash, I suppose. Gemma> With Travis? Travis> Please? Gemma> My god, I’m surprised at you. James> by myself, please, by myself * James looks scared Gemma> But I … I thought you loved — well, no, I never thought that. But I thought you at least liked sleeping with me. James> Oh! * James perks up James> you can come to Travis> Oh dear. Perhaps I should go powder my nose? Gemma> Perhaps, Travis. * Gemma leans over and nuzzles James’ neck Gemma> Your cologne is awful… sort of. In that pleasant sort of way. * James takes the oportunity to bite Gemmas ear * Travis excuses himself and goes to the men’s room. * Gemma bites James’ chin Gemma> Keep it up and I’ll bite something else. James> hey, hey… Gemma> Yes? James> *I’d* like to bite some other things… Scene Three: Chet and Ingrid Arrive *** Chet ([email protected]) has joined #Changeling-Tucson Gemma> Oh, I *know*. James> you staying tonight? * James pouts and bats his eyes * Gemma pets James’ thigh. “Yes. But only because you have freezer pops.” James> I even still have some blue ones. mgrasso> Chet walks in. mgrasso> Gemma and James are sitting at a 6-person table. Gemma> Rememebr when I used to give you some “blue ones”? Gemma> Oh, hey, Chet! James> jah, bitch… * Chet walks in and sits at the end of the table and pulls out a notebook. Chet> hey… * Travis rejoins the table. Gemma> Did you have fun gallivanting in the incredible world of local television news? Travis> Are you two done yet? Gemma> I know how much you *love* the local news, Chet. Gemma> Twice, Travis. Chet> It was OK… * Chet starts writing in his notebook. James> How would you know, you wern’t even here. James> oh, the news thing… Gemma> Damn you. Stop writing and start participating. What did you do? Who did you do? Do you want to join James and me tonight for a threesome? He has otter pops… * Chet glances up at James. Chet> Nah… * Chet puts his notebook away and pulls out his composition book. James> I thought I told you to stop inviting short pudgy men to have sex with us. * Gemma sighs Travis > I did that, James. Gemma> James, you can’t deny my nature. I crave sex with men named Chet. Chet> Well I suppose we may as well get this over with. * Chet flips open his notebook. Gemma> Great! * Gemma starts unbuttoning her blouse Gemma> Oh. Notebook. James> why cant you crave sex with women names veronica? then atleast I could watch. Chet> Apparently we ran into someone named the Oracle while we were in the Dreaming. * Gemma leans over Gemma> What’s in it? *** Ingrid ([email protected]) has joined #Changeling-Tucson * Chet holds up the composition book and points at a picture. * Gemma raises an eyebrow at James Travis> I crave sex with men whose names have vowels in them. Gemma> Who’s Veronica? mgrasso> Ingrid arrives at Ruby’s. mgrasso> Rudy’s. Chet> That’s her. Now the breasts may be a bit exaggerated, but that’s just the way I draw, OK. Chet> So anyway, we met her and she told us that we needed to stop this light ordinance from being repealed. Gemma> Her breasts are very nice, Chet. Maybe not as nice as Veronica’s, but…. * James points to the notebook. James> that’s veronica, check out those hooters * Chet waves to Ingrid and stands up. * Ingrid waves back and sweeps over to the table. Chet> Hey, have a seat. James> !dice 4 8 * DiceWell James rolls 4d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 10 7 1 10 Chet> I was trying to explain some of the stuff from my notes. * Ingrid sits down. * James looks at chet evily * Chet sits down. Ingrid> Oh good! I’m covering the meeting tomorrow, and I want to talk to everyone about coming, too. James> you did something that really pissed me off you know. mgrasso> Joanne arrives. * Chet snaps his composition book closed. mgrasso> Joanne sits down. mgrasso> Everyone’s here. mgrasso> “Did I miss anything?” Joanne asks. Ingrid> Chet, will you summarize for Joanne? Chet> Well, I can fill you in on the details later, Joanne, but the gist is this. Chet> While we were in the Dreaming, there was some baddie named Alson who was destroying the stars there with a Circle K light. How he got it into the Dreaming is a mystery. mgrasso> “Circle K… does this have anything to do with the companies fighting the light ordinance?” Chet> We were “summoned” to the Dreaming by the Oracle who needed our help to stop him, and we did. BUt she sent us back here… mgrasso> “It was all convenience stores and gas stations who want to up the light limit.” Chet> Exactly. There’s a paralell between the worlds. * Ingrid nods solemnly to Joanne. James> I built a spaceship * Chet coughs slightly. mgrasso> “Well, tomorrow morning, my boss is going to be presenting his side to the full Country Supervisor Council. I’m going to be there.” Chet> Anyway, she sent us back here to stop the light ordinance from being repealed. mgrasso> “So will the lawyers for the store corporations.” Ingrid> I am too. I’ll be covering it live. Chet> It’s a repository for Glamour, or something. Chet> The observatory, that is… mgrasso> Joanne nods. “So, what’s the plan? How do we make this happen?” James> shit… I’m there too- how long will it be, do you think? mgrasso> From 9 am to around noon. James> okay, that I can do no problem. Ingrid> We need to figure that out, Joanne. mgrasso> “Each side gets some time to present their side, and the Lighting Ordinance Committee will also advise the full committee.” mgrasso> “So, how do we ensure that everything happens the way we want it?” Chet> Maybe I can help out with some research… James> well, we could enchant some lawyers so they see it our way, or atleast are too spaced out to do their job… Gemma> We could bribe the board of supervisors. Gemma> I heard that Joel Ireland is especially corrupt. Chet> Or we could take some pictures of them in compromising positions with a man in a leather mask…I’m lookng at *you* Travis. Ingrid> I think I’d be the happiest if we could make them realize how *evil* it is! Gemma> I could ask my mom. I think she was a paralegal once. Chet> Tell us what you think will do the most good here, Ingrid. James> we could philibuster untill they don’t have time for the vote to go off Gemma> I still think the bribe is the best route to go. I can call Mother and see if my trust fund has any provisions for doling out bribe money. Travis> Oh, hush, Chet. Ingrid> I don’t know, Chet. What about appealing to the committee? I feel like we should do *something* to represent our fellow fae. Ingrid> !dice 5 6 * DiceWell Ingrid rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He fails the roll! * DiceWell 8 1 3 2 2 Chet> Well I can spend the night in the law stacks down at the library and see if I can find some legal assistance, if you think that’d help. James> “Hi, I’m a fairy and if you have too many lights my friends and I could eventually come undone” that will go over really well Ingrid> It would, Chet. That’s an excellent idea. Chet> Does anyone know a lawyer that can help us out here? * Ingrid laughs. * Gemma coughs Ingrid> You do have a point, James. Gemma> Chet! Travis> It might be more convincing if I said it. Travis> Being a fairy, and all. James> ha Gemma> Do you think I’d know one? Chet> What? Ingrid> Maybe we should think about telling them what *they* could get out of it. Gemma> !dice 2 8 * DiceWell Gemma rolls 2d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 3 10 Chet> Well, you seem like the type of girl who might need legal assistance on a regular basis… Gemma> Wait. Of course I would. Gemma> I do. Gemma> I think that’s why my mother became a lawyer. Chet> What? James> like a lower electric bil… Gemma> But hey, why should I expect you guys to know I have any connectoin to the grand firm of Esquer and Emmerson? Chet> Anyone got a watch? James> naturally Chet> Are those the guys that advertise on the back of the phone book? * Gemma looks appalled Gemma> No. mgrasso> (heh) James> like barry finestein and affiliates? mgrasso> So let’s see, so far we’ve got Gemma’s mom and Chet going to the law library. Travis> Do they handle streetwalker cases? * Gemma looks really insulted now Chet> Well if I’m going to do any good, I’m going to need a nap before I head down to the library. Does someone else want to talk to Gemma’s mom, or can she just meet me at the library? Gemma> Nooooo. I’ll have you know that they can barely even scrape together a DUI case now and then. Ingrid> I’d like to do some digging on the people who are trying to repeal this ordinance. mgrasso> No, I meant we’ve got Gemma’s mom and Chet. mgrasso> Chet’s going to the library. Ingrid> We need to know a little more about the enemy, I think. mgrasso> Anyway, I think this is a good place to end, since I want to give the meeting its due next time around. mgrasso> Before we end, though, we should make our various rolls for research and convincing moms and stuff. Travis> Hokay. I have no clue what to do. James> how about the fact that they arn’t the enemy… they’re just people who want something which could be potentially good for their buisnesses… mgrasso> (keep RPing, then) Chet> Travis, you just sit tight and look cute, I guess. Travis> Tight and me aren’t usually mentioned together…. James> oh gross… TMI * Gemma snickers Ingrid> Always the devil’s advocate, eh, James? Travis> Heh. James> I’m just trying to say that it’s just people being people. James> how about gas lights? like neon? how do they fit in? Chet> Well, I’ll need to get with you in the morning, Ingrid, to let you know if I found anything. mgrasso> “What do you suggest we do to take advantage of that, then?” Joanne says to James. Ingrid> Are you cooking breakfast, Chet? James> maybe show any influx of buisness or tourism directly resulting from the observatories Chet> Sure. If you’re coming. * Chet smiles Ingrid> Sounds like an excellent time to review. Chet> What would you like? Ingrid> And have smiley eggs. mgrasso> Joanne says, “We should make that part of the case, t hen, to help out my boss. He doesn’t have a lawyer like the convenience store companies do.” Chet> Har! I think I can manage that. mgrasso> “Gemma, here’s my boss’ number at the observatory. If your mom agrees, have her give him a call.” * Gemma puts the number in her wallet Chet> Well, if she’s managed to keep you out of jail, Gemma, I’m going to assume she’s pretty good. mgrasso> All right, I’m going to msg certain people for rolls. Just make them, and we’ll discuss the ramifications next week. mgrasso> (hah) mgrasso> Gemma: Manipulation + Contacts, diff. 8 Gemma> What have I ever done to make you think I need a lawyer, Chet? Besides extort you for palimony? mgrasso> Chet: Intelligence + 1, diff. 6 James> and what about neon… someone needs to find out about that… mgrasso> Ingrid: Intelligence + Journalism, diff. 5 Gemma> !dice 6 8 * DiceWell Gemma rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 2 4 3 3 7 9 Chet> !dice 5 6 * DiceWell Chet rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 3 successes. * DiceWell 2 6 8 3 6 Chet> !dice 5 6 * DiceWell Chet rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 7 5 1 5 9 Ingrid> !dice 5 5 * DiceWell Ingrid rolls 5d10 at difficulty 5. S/He gets 5 successes. * DiceWell 6 7 9 6 9 Chet> !dice 5 6 * DiceWell Chet rolls 5d10 at difficulty 6. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 9 5 1 3 10 Ingrid> wow! Gemma> (Hey Mike, would it be an extended roll? Lots of bugging?) mgrasso> Gemma: I’ll give you one more. Gemma> !dice 6 8 * DiceWell Gemma rolls 6d10 at difficulty 8. S/He gets 1 success. * DiceWell 9 3 6 5 2 2 Gemma> ::glares at dicey:: mgrasso> Gemma: she’ll come to give advice on a pro bono basis. * Ingrid kisses dicey. mgrasso> It’s a Friday, so she’s not doing anything. Gemma> phew mgrasso> Okay, so, Chet and Ingrid, both of you will get an email before next time. mgrasso> Explaining what your research has produced. Ingrid> Cool. mgrasso> I kinda wished we’d finished tonight, but I’d much rather take my time with the finale. Chet> What time are you meeting me, Ingrid? Chet> (whatever works for you Mike.) Ingrid> 7? James> (that’s good mike) Travis> (really) *** James is now known as Mandy Ingrid> I think the finale will be awesome. 🙂 *** Gemma is now known as Erica mgrasso> Cool! I’m looking forward to it.