CdeWinter on Sep 13, 2013 wrote:

Scarlet finally finished weaving her collection of grasses, leaves, and twigs into the two nets. The results were two strange cloaks that would blend in perfectly with the local Mooshuian forest.

"C'est fini!" Scarlet said as she put on her cloak, "Two ghilly suits, as the foxes of Albion call them. They should allow us to as close to the tea plantation as we want without anybody seeing us. We should get closer so we can see if Anne and Emma get into trouble." Scarlet continued handing one of the finished suits to Lizzie.

"Thank you, Scarlet." Lizzy nodded and accepted the cloak, putting it on and instantly feeling like just one of the shrubbery. "Brilliant work!" She commented, and, not really knowing what to do, Lizzy waited for Scarlet to make a move.

Emma, Anne, and Jack settled into watching through the cracks of the walls, and waited. As they did so, they saw the alchemists came forward in groups, and making very deep bows, presented their work to the woman on the jade throne. She inspected their work, then directed them with a languid wave of her hand. They then carefully cast the contents of their labors upon the not yet fully dry tea leaves that were spread on the large platform. When they were finished, they bowed with great courtesy and retreated back to the places to begin their work anew. Then the woman took her staff, and with murmured words, the globe atop her staff began to glow brightly, the twist of color within beginning to stir.

As if in answer, the small globes heading the four columns of the platform also glowed, and after a moment, their glow faded, to be replaced by a new faint light of a sickly greenish color enveloping the tea leaves. The light pulsed for a few moments and then died, leaving the tea leaves now completely dry and looking quite as ordinary black tea. The woman returned to her throne, and other laborers came in and began to carry away the tea to pack it in the store room --

Where the pirates were hiding, of course. All three scrambled quickly for hiding places in the back of the room. However, the laborers were only intent on packing the new tea. The pirates remained still and silent, hardly daring to breathe. When finished, the laborers departed, unaware the room held more than tea.

Meanwhile, the sun was beginning to set. Scarlet and Lizzy had reached the fortress without any difficulty, but found that there was no way in save through the main gate. They watched the cycle of the progression of the guards on the ramparts away from the gates, looking for an opportune time to climb the walls... (unless you have another idea, of course)

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 14, 2013 wrote:

(OOC: I am assuming that Scarlet and Lizzy, in their cloaks o' nature, creep up the hill of Castle Hirayama as the shadows lengthen towards evening. Despite the fact that two creeping bush-like things should be obvious in the open field of the hill, you aren't. In fact, you are sure a guard or two looks at you directly once or twice, and looks away again. If you like, you can be at the outer wall, or inside the outer wall, by sunset. And, a little revisionist history -- the party within consists of Emma, Anne, and Jack, unless I am informed otherwise)

The woman on the jade throne shifted position, setting her elaborate silver headdress into delicate motion. Silver filaments supported little flowers, butterflies, and other ornaments, which bobbed and swayed with her motion. Inverted tiny cones, like bells, ringed the base of the headdress, exotically framing her beautiful face. [I take my inspiration here from the exquisite festival headdresses of the Miao women, members of one of the minority peoples of southern China]

The woman's right hand curled around a staff, which was topped with a crystal globe of great clarity. Inside the globe was a twist of multiple colors, giving it something of the appearance of a very large and extremely fine shooter marble.

[I'm thinking you can probably guess more about this person before I go on...]

OOC: Im guessing she's a Witchdoctor. An especially arbitrary and aburrida one at that. Aburrida means bored in Spanish...

"Whoa...." Emma marveled, even admitting this woman was pulchritudinous. Her argentate headdress was her most prominent feature of this woman, besides her pretty face. Her cavalier look was framed by boredom and a sense of uninterest. She seemed statuesque- superior, sort of. Overall, the perfect word to describe her was graceful or beautiful. "But she needs to tone down on the butterflies..." Her hair was a flawless aurelian and she emanated a halcyon atmosphere. But something seemed.... off. "Shall we confront this woman?"

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 18, 2013 wrote:

Anne smiled at Emma's eagerness for action. It was hard, crouching in a small room peeking through cracks, when one's blood and instinct called for confrontation. But she had learned early in life that fighting should be a last resort -- well, should be, though very often she knew she had not followed that sage advice, with plenty of recent examples to remind her that such wisdom was often still beyond her.

"I think there might be a better way, Emma. After all, I doubt she will stay out there forever. She's human; she has to eat. All we need to do is wait and destroy the equipment and supplies there once the people are gone. And," Anne added, considering the gradual fading of light available in the room as evening approached, "we probably won't have to wait much longer."

"One thing we might wanna resolve- who exactly is this woman?" Emma mused, her voice barely audible even to Anne, who was right beside her. "Let's hope two things- she gets up and leaves soon, or she at least isn't dangerous."

Highlander Fox of ... on Sep 18, 2013 wrote:

"One thing we might wanna resolve- who exactly is this woman?" Emma mused, her voice barely audible even to Anne, who was right beside her. "Let's hope two things- she gets up and leaves soon, or she at least isn't dangerous."

Emma would soon get one of her wishes. Shortly thereafter, four samoorai guards entered the building, and stood at attention. The alchemists meekly banked the coals of their coal boxes and neatly put away their ingredients. The beautiful woman in the silver headdress and colorful silks stretched languidly, then taking her staff, swept towards the door. She turned and waited for the alchemists, who bowed deeply before her.

Then one of the alchemists, a Goat woman, dropped from her obeisance to fall to her knees. "Please, mistress, Azami-san. I have served you well. Please let me return to my family. Please."

Azami's lovely face grew icy cold, and her eyes glinted with blue fire. "Do you still have a home? Do you have a family? I thought you did not. Perhaps I should rectify this matter."

The Goat woman shuddered, and bent her body all the way to the floor. "No, Merciful One. I am mistaken. I only exist to serve you."

Azami allowed herself a thin smile. "That is well. And you have served me adequately, otherwise I would forced to make an example of you. Displease me again, and I will do so." She sent a cold gaze around at the others, who fearfully bowed lower with evident fear for her wrath. She turned attention away from her slaves and addressed two of the samoorai. "Take them to their sleeping quarters, and post a guard as usual," she ordered. As the two guards led the unresisting alchemists away, she swept out of the room, escorted politely by the other two samoorai.

Anne bit her lip as she compassionately eyed the sad procession of the slaves through her crack in the wall. They should do something to help those poor people. Perhaps they would think of something after their work was done here.

Soon the inner room was still and silent. Happily, the witch lights that lit it had only dimmed and not gone out entirely, leaving plenty of light to work in. Anne turned to Emma with a lively grin. "Shall we go blow up that big platform?"

[See, Emma, now you get to have explosions!]

Meanwhile, from their vantage point on the old crumbling tower the new fortifications had been partly built around, Scarlet and Lizzy were able to see two things. First, they saw two guards lead some people into a set of shacks near one of the walls their tower partially adjoined. The people meekly entered, offering no resistance.

Second, they observed a small procession going out the front gate: an exotically dressed human woman and two samoorai guards. As they watched, they saw the woman raise her staff and chant, words they could only catch snatches of and were nothing they understood. They saw the globe in her staff flare brightly, and a moment later, a blue film of crackling energy arced from the globe and surrounded the entire fortress area. In a moment they could see it no longer, but both suspected that it was still there.

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 20, 2013 wrote:

Emma would soon get one of her wishes. Shortly thereafter, four samoorai guards entered the building, and stood at attention. The alchemists meekly banked the coals of their coal boxes and neatly put away their ingredients. The beautiful woman in the silver headdress and colorful silks stretched languidly, then taking her staff, swept towards the door. She turned and waited for the alchemists, who bowed deeply before her.

Then one of the alchemists, a Goat woman, dropped from her obeisance to fall to her knees. "Please, mistress, Azami-san. I have served you well. Please let me return to my family. Please."

Azami's lovely face grew icy cold, and her eyes glinted with blue fire. "Do you still have a home? Do you have a family? I thought you did not. Perhaps I should rectify this matter."

The Goat woman shuddered, and bent her body all the way to the floor. "No, Merciful One. I am mistaken. I only exist to serve you."

Azami allowed herself a thin smile. "That is well. And you have served me adequately, otherwise I would forced to make an example of you. Displease me again, and I will do so." She sent a cold gaze around at the others, who fearfully bowed lower with evident fear for her wrath. She turned attention away from her slaves and addressed two of the samoorai. "Take them to their sleeping quarters, and post a guard as usual," she ordered. As the two guards led the unresisting alchemists away, she swept out of the room, escorted politely by the other two samoorai.

Anne bit her lip as she compassionately eyed the sad procession of the slaves through her crack in the wall. They should do something to help those poor people. Perhaps they would think of something after their work was done here.

Soon the inner room was still and silent. Happily, the witch lights that lit it had only dimmed and not gone out entirely, leaving plenty of light to work in. Anne turned to Emma with a lively grin. "Shall we go blow up that big platform?"

[See, Emma, now you get to have explosions!]

Meanwhile, from their vantage point on the old crumbling tower the new fortifications had been partly built around, Scarlet and Lizzy were able to see two things. First, they saw two guards lead some people into a set of shacks near one of the walls their tower partially adjoined. The people meekly entered, offering no resistance.

Second, they observed a small procession going out the front gate: an exotically dressed human woman and two samoorai guards. As they watched, they saw the woman raise her staff and chant, words they could only catch snatches of and were nothing they understood. They saw the globe in her staff flare brightly, and a moment later, a blue film of crackling energy arced from the globe and surrounded the entire fortress area. In a moment they could see it no longer, but both suspected that it was still there.

"Lord, that woman has issues..." Emma growled at this 'Azami-san's' behavior toward the poor goat. "And she could use a couple lessons on the definition of tyranny." The blonde got to her feet slowly as Azami departed, accompanied by two other guards. "Watashi wa kanojo no kono purattofōmu o bakuha to mattaku kanashiku kanjiru koto wa arimasen." She said in Mooshuese. (I don't feel sad at all blowing up this big platform of hers.)

Highlander Fox of ... on Sep 22, 2013 wrote:

(OOC: Sometimes, Emma is not as good with explosives as she may think.)

Emma felt bad. Really bad. She wanted to go and help both Anne and Jack, but wasn't certain of what her instincts were telling her. She inhaled, exhaled, and inhaled again. What the heck had happened to Anne and why was she telling her to- oh, the door flew open. Lovely.

The blonde soon felt a gentle push on her shoulder. Just your imagination, she told herself. Then it came again, but in a more rushed manner. The blonde glanced back, sort of scared of what might greet her sight, but all it was was... The fox from earlier.

The little fox seemed less real than before, transparent and faded, except for the brightness of its frightened, jewel eyes.

-- Forgive me for interfering, honorable human -- startlingly, Emma heard the words in her head. The jaws of the ghostly fox never moved. -- I can help you, but I can not confront her. The Thistle, this sorceress, has strangled my powers, and torn and entangled my sacred lands.--

Emma understood. 'Azami' meant 'thistle' in Mooshuese. --No matter what happens, you must wait. -- the fox urged with a gasp, as if maintaining even a ghostly form here required great effort.

And waiting was not Emma's strong point. Yet an instinct for survival kicked in nicely to cause her to crouch down lower as she saw the sorceress herself sweeping into the room, her crimson lips curved in a smug, possessive smile as she saw the two pirates trapped within...

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 23, 2013 wrote:

The little fox seemed less real than before, transparent and faded, except for the brightness of its frightened, jewel eyes.

-- Forgive me for interfering, honorable human -- startlingly, Emma heard the words in her head. The jaws of the ghostly fox never moved. -- I can help you, but I can not confront her. The Thistle, this sorceress, has strangled my powers, and torn and entangled my sacred lands.--

Emma understood. 'Azami' meant 'thistle' in Mooshuese. --No matter what happens, you must wait. -- the fox urged with a gasp, as if maintaining even a ghostly form here required great effort.

And waiting was not Emma's strong point. Yet an instinct for survival kicked in nicely to cause her to crouch down lower as she saw the sorceress herself sweeping into the room, her crimson lips curved in a smug, possessive smile as she saw the two pirates trapped within...

Emma's cerulean eyes widened scaredly as Azami pridefully strolled into the room, the vile scarlet smirk written on her flawless face. It enraged the blonde- but attacking would certainly have her name engraved on the tombstone. She inhaled silently before watching the Thistle saunter over to her two friends in no hurry. It took everything Emma had to not rush out and doom both herself and her friends unintentionally.

It's no problem Chrissy, I'm glad that you and I shared a little giggle with the dogs. Thanks for letting me know that you appreciated the joke! I'll be sure to make more like that in the future.

Just Add Bacon on Sep 24, 2013 wrote:

Lizzy gawped at the castle that seemed to disappear before her very eyes. She raised her hand up and down in front of her face, as if checking to see if she had lost her vision. Nope, she could see her hand, and the trees behind where the castle was. But the castle was no longer there. What, had it grown legs and danced out of the clearing in the blink of an eye? Humph, not likely. She didn't throw the thought away, though.

She elbowed Scarlet in the arm. "You... you see that too, right? Or rather, you don't see it. Please tell me I haven't gone crazy." Although I've been expecting it for a long time... Lizzy quietly giggled. Her friends had probably been expecting it for a while, too.

OOC: I've actually been holding off on posting, because I wasn't sure if Anne meant that the castle disappeared, or that the crackling blue film (forcefield?) had disappeared, however I will use Elizabeth's idea that it was indeed the castle that disappeared, sounds more interesting anyways.

"Ow, you have sharp elbows. Or was that a stick stuck to your elbow?" Scarlet hissed quietly. "No, you are not going crazy, the castle appears to be gone. Maybe we're having a collective hallucination?" Scarlet shrugged and looked around her.

Strangely, the surrounding wall and towers were still there, just the central building had vanished.
"This definetly makes it harder to see if the others are in danger. Perhaps we should free some prisoners instead?"

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 26, 2013 wrote:

(OOC: I did like that bit about her name engraved on the tombstone, a very visual simile!)

"Well, well, what have we here?" the sorceress Azami purred as she swept into the room, her silk robes swirling musically behind her. Emma clenched her fists as the sorceress circled the two young pirates with deliberate ease. She caressed Jack's cheek - a sinisterly intimate gesture. "Such a handsome boy. So full of life and energy -- and anger too," she assessed with a wicked smile. "Perhaps too angry to answer my questions. No matter. I will ask the little one here instead." She glided over to Anne, and lifted up the girl's chin with an imperious finger. "Tell me, intruder, have you heard of a 'nightingale floor'? Or are you ignorant?"

"I have," Anne answered, her clear, light voice as bold as ever. "It is a floor designed to creak at the slightest footfall, to warn of potential thieves or assassins."

"So it can be taught," Azami retorted mockingly. "Though I prefer to think of my floor as a 'spider trap' floor, don't you? So tell me, intruder who thinks she is so clever, which are you? A thief or assassin?"

"Neither," Anne replied truthfully.

"Really," Azami scoffed, but then she took a closer look into Anne's face. "No, I suppose not. I was briefed on you and your compatriots. That honorable fool, Takazashi, just let you go, then stoically accepted his punishment. Well, I am not like him. I was warned you might be coming. More fools you, as I assure you, I will not let you go. So, where are the others?"

Anne was silent.

The sorceress' face took on a cruel cast. She removed her hand from Anne's face to place them both around her staff. The globe on the top began to glow brightly, the colors within swirling and writhing. Anne's grey eyes dilated to full black...

[I have to go, but I can assure you that the fox' paw is still resting heavily on your shoulder Emma!]

Emma's heart nearly stopped as Anne's eyes faded and darkened from their grey color and tinted with a tenebrous color. Anne... What was that accursed Azami-San doing with one of her best friends?! The fox paw on her shoulder hardly pacified her burning rage as she watched the writhing colors ensnared within the clasp of Azami's staff. All Emma could notice was that Azami's name fit her well- the Sorceress's heart was as spiny as a thistle, if Azami even HAD a heart. What was she supposed to do?! Rushing out there would easily end up with three lives lost to the heartless sorceress, but not rushing out could just as easily hurt Anne and Jack as much. She was lost between decisions- it was a lose-lose situation for her, and an easy win-win for Azami.

The Musketeer's own breathing was barely audible to even her! Her heart thumped like the stomping of an oni who was angry and had lost his sword. She uttered something in Mooshuese that was apparently not the kindest words, but for any with the hearing enough to hear her voice, which was at such a minor volume not even the helephant with the sharpest hearing could hear her. She made an extreme endeavor not to scream out for Azami to stop doing whatever she was doing to Anne, to shoot the sorceress into oblivion. Anger nearly propelled actions she'd regret in mere minutes, but acknowledging that Anne could possibly be hurt if she did which doused the inferno of anger as if it were a flood.

Anne Radcliffe on Sep 27, 2013 wrote:

Emma frantically assayed her options. She wanted to leap to Anne and Jack's rescue. She now realized that the rose quartz pebble had protected her against the floor's immobilizing enchantment. If she could get a shot off and destroy that globe on the sorceress' staff...

If. Emma had a bad feeling that if she was not successful on her first try, she would be facing Azami all on her own. Part of her wanted to do just that. But a wiser part warned that she would be doing neither her friends or their mission by doing so. She grit her teeth and forced herself to remain hidden and silent.

Anne's lovely dark caramel-colored skin had turned an awful brown-grey color. Sweat poured down her face, and she finally gave out a strangled, anguished cry. The sorceress pulled back, shifted her grip on the staff, and the inner motion and light of the globe on top softened and dimmed.

"You dare to attempt to resist me, Little One?" Azami questioned, raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "How amusing. I would teach you otherwise, but I have no wish to damage you. You are young and strong, and full of life energy."

"I will take the prisoners," came another voice, cold and mechanical.

Emma nearly jumped out of her skin. She peered around her hiding place to see several Armada soldiers emerge from the shadows near the door. The one who spoke unsurprisingly wore the fancier dress coat of a captain.

The sorceress rounded angrily upon her allies. "You can't have these," she snapped. "It has been long since I drained the life force from a fellow human. This boy and girl are my prize. Go seek your own!"

"We will have charge of any humans discovered here," the Armada officer insisted coldly.

"Not these," Azami retorted, with even greater emphasis. "But these, my prisoners, have confederates around here somewhere. One of them is surely the one you are looking for, the girl musketeer. Find her and she is yours."

There was a moment of silence, broken only by the faint whirring of gears. Then, without another word, the Armada soldiers pivoted on their heels and left the way they had come. Azami turned towards her 'prizes' and smiled, quite unpleasantly. "I will leave you now, my little ones. I have to prepare my spell. I haven't yet decided which of you I should take first. But don't worry, it won't hurt... at least, for long." And with that parting shot, she swept out of the building, her silk skirts swirling, knowing that Jack and Anne still stood immobile, like contested toys forgotten by quarrelling children.

But Emma had not been discovered. Nor was she immobile. The warning fox presence departed and she knew she was free to act as she chose.