Roleplaying
2004 Archive
2005 Archive
Seminars
| When: | 23 December 2004 ("Tears of God" Plot Event) |
| Who: | Al-Exar (as Joe Doe), Alvira, Arthur (NPCed), Cassius, Elizabeth, Ellen, Keitaro, Megumi, Sapphira |
| What: | It's a race to the finish to find the much-sought-after prize. |
The University
The campus of the University of Texas at Austin stretches over several square miles. The most striking area of the campus is the clock tower, which looms over the rest of the campus and glows depending on when the school wins a victory in something it considers important. The West Mall is also another large part of the campus, housing the school's Union and having an open grassed area in front of it with enough trees to give it suitable shading.
The southwest corner of the campus is where the Harry Ransom Center is. A massive library and archive area that has several rare books and artifacts that make it of special interest to Yves. Finally, the last place of major interest is a Tokamak reactor buried deep beneath the Math and Sciences Building; the reactor a source of constant interest by both servitors of Jean and Vapula.
The University of Austin is a wonderful place to learn all sorts of neat things. Coming up on Christmas, though, the place is pretty quiet since the semester is more or less over. Nevertheless, there are still people on-campus, since a lot of people still like to avail themselves of the services present. One of these people is the errant student Arthur, heading for the Harry Ransom Center. His expression looks a bit haunted as of late, and he moves quickly, as if expecting... something.
Elizabeth's brows draw together minutely as she recognizes the scurrying figure of Arthur heading for the Ransom Center. With a sigh, she alters her own path to follow along after him, not particularly hurrying.
Megumi is here, and she is holding a mysterious paper bag, though not -too- mysterious since a lot of people already know what's in it. She walks along (though not along the same path as Arthur) towards the Harry Ransom Center. She wiggles the package back and forth as if it was a pendulem, or perhaps a scythe over someone's head. She isn't smiling, however, but she doesn't look nervous at all.
She is not alone either, perhaps that is why. She is with Keitaro, and she gives a small nod towards the Center, and to Arthur as well.
Sapphira walks along one of the many paths of the campus, although her choice is one that's been cleared of the snow and has a lot of foot traffic. She doesn't seem to notice the stares she draws from some of the vacationing students and visitors as she sidles along.
Upon noticing Arthur, Keitaro gives a brief nod to Megumi and begins to follow her as the two begin to approach Harry Ransom Center and the person who might be able to provide answers to all of this insanity that has been happening over the past couple weeks.
Alvira is cutting through campus on the way from work, much cheaper than the bus, and pauses to rub her hands together in the cold by one of the benches as the tone of the thin crowds shifts more towards the Ransom Center. With a philisophical shrug, she abandons herself to the tides for the time.
Cassius is, as best can be told, just out for a stroll, hands tucked into his pockets as he walks along and does his best to avoid getting caught up in crowd flow.
Joe Doe, has no idea what's going on. This crazy looking wild eyed transient is busy picking butts out of ashtrays and just happens to be scavenging near this 'Harry Ransom' Center.
Bums, students, teachers, random guys, and high school students. What a bunch. Arthur spares Megumi only a glance as he heads straight for the Center, hopping through the sliding doors as soon as they open. His expression is still one of concern... Is it because of Megumi's Bag of Damocles? Or is it something else?
A black car pulls into the parking lot, three men in dark, nondescript cloths exiting. One of them carries with him a briefcase, and they all begin moving onto the campus in a loose group.
Roll by Elizabeth: (4) (1) (3)
Roll by Megumi: (6) (5) (5)
Roll by Alvira: (1) (6) (2)
Roll by Cassius: (5) (4) (4)
Roll by Sapphira: (1) (3) (6)
Roll by Al-Exar: (1) (5) (3)
Roll by Keitaro: (6) (6) (1)
Sapphira also finds herself moving towards the HR Center. "Maybe there's something amusing happening tonight," she muses to herself as she walks along and watches the whorls of people. "I wonder if my lawyer friend is about."
Megumi nudges Keitaro as the men appear, though she continues her approah, pausing by the door to guide Keitaro's attention to the men. She doesn't shout 'HEY THEY HAVE A GUN', but only probably because she didn't think of doing that yet.
Joe finds what is practically a whole cigarette, he smiles wryly popping the butt into his mouth and pulling a lighter out of his pocket and sparks it up. He sort of half walks half stumbles towards the front of the Ransom Center, as these three guys in suits approach. His nasty sorecovered feet scrabble against an unseen rock or root or something, or maybe nothing at all, and he trips and falls sort of in their path, eyes going wide as he kind of curls into a defensive position to save his cigarette and pull him back from being directly in these guy's way. "aaAnd thasss why the soxuronyur FEET."
Elizabeth glances casually over at the three somberly-clad men as they disembark from their car en masse. Dark clothes are nothing unusual on campus, of course; it's just that goths and theater crew seldom carry briefcases. Her gaze wanders back to looking where she's going after a moment, trash cans and lampposts being the tricksy things that they are. Soon enough she reaches the doors of the Ransom Center and lets herself in.
Alvira spots the men moving on campus in their glorious medicority, and raises an eyebrow. "Okay," she cracks her knuckles and then rubs her hands together again. "Something here doesn't quite balance to Christmas cheer around here," she mutters, and her stride stiffens with determination as she heads towards the library at a faster pace.
Ellen is also on her way to the library. Even this close to Christmas, she can't resist the pull of Knowledge. Her eyes scan the crowd with quiet wariness. She hasn't yet noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Sapphira arches a slender eyebrow at the appearance of the dark trio and give them each a head to toe dressdown. "Not all natural," she sighs, deciding to change her direction to parallel theirs.
Keitaro turns his head about to glance over his shoulder to get a good look at the men and how they might be spreading out, thinking all the while, . o O (These guys certainly seem quite out of place here ... Could they be part of the mob that is hunting Arthur?)
Keitaro leans in and whispers to Megumi, "I don't like the looks of this. Even if those men might be who we think they are, we'd like to avoid confrontation unless its absolutely neccessary. Lets try to stay close to Arthur and see how this plays out." and the two enter Harry Random Center.
Joe's features twist into an unpleasant grin, as he smokes no handed, and unties one of his shoes from his belt. He holds it out towards the three guys everyone seems to leary of as they approach, "Heeey, you guysh got a smoke by chance? I got a shoe!" he chuckles, a surprisingly sophisticated sound, "You can have it!" he adds cheerfully giving the dirty stinky object a little jiggle.
Arthur ducks out of sight into the Library, drawing the attention of one of the men, but not nearly as much as Joe does for the other two. One simply wrinkles his nose in mild disgust, attempting to step past the bum. The other reaches into his coat, and pulls out...
A pack of cigarettes, which he tosses over to the bum. "Keep 'em. No charge." The man rasps in a smoker's voice. The delay causes the third to slow slightly, and he glares back at the two irritably.
Meanwhile, inside the library, Arthur begins heading through the stacks of books, taking a roundabout path as he begins gesturing. A slight thrum echoes through the Symphony, and...
Roll by Arthur: (3) (1) (5)
Arthur vanishes from sight.
Roll by Elizabeth: (1) (5) (6)
Roll by Cassius: (1) (4) (2)
Roll by Alvira: (5) (4) (6)
Roll by Megumi: (6) (2) (4)
Roll by Ellen: (6) (4) (2)
Roll by Sapphira: (4) (4) (2)
Roll by Keitaro: (3) (6) (6)
Roll by Al-Exar: (2) (3) (4)
Joe's eyes light up and he drops his shoe as he scrabbles to snatch the pack out of the air with both hands, staggering forewards like the hideous wreck of a man that he is. This puts him on an intercept course with the man carrying the briefcase. Joe's smile is so wide all that can be seen are his yellow tombstone like teeth and receeding gumlines. He reaches out with both hands, pack still in hand, to grab the man's arm quickly moving with surprising speed for someone so decrepit, "Yoush guysh are awwright."
Roll by Al-Exar: (4) (1) (2)
Megumi spots Arthur 'vanish'! Poof! She doesn't need a magical disturbance radar, or whatever, to realize what that -means-. To her, anyway. "Well, this bites.", she informs her comrade, "I don't think we'll be able to have a chat with Arthur together after all. I guess we'll have to go straight into the lion's den, so to speak," she sighs, "Oz, would you mind sticking around here while I go talk to those men? In case Arthur reappears? He certainly is a fast one.", and with that she moves to head back out, frustrated. It's just not going her way these day(s).
Cassius errrks to a halt, metaphorically speaking, and just blinks a couple of times as goosebumps rise up all over his body. His head turns this way and that slowly, face perfectly calm except for tension showing at the corners of his eyes.
Alvira puts her hands into the UoT jacket and whistles snatches of Beatles tunes as she enters the library, oblivious to any drama playing out involving Arthur, as she follows the men onto the main floor of the Center.
Elizabeth walks swiftly over to the middle of the library and announces quietly, "If you'd like a lift out of the area in a hurry, let me know and you can tail me back to my car."
Ellen enters the library, innocently, having nary a clue that anything odd is going on. She happens to spot several people she knows, though. She picks Keitaro and Megumi to head over towards, smiling, "Hey guys." She notes their glances and whispering.
Sapphira shakes her head at the homeless man having been distracted by the small encounter. Glancing back towards the center with a faint wrinkling of her nose, the dark-haired woman turns on a heel and heads towards the student centre and the closer coffee shop. "Dashing through the snow... to find a lovely guy tonight..." she murmurs jauntily.
Roll by Arthur: (4) (3) (1)
Keitaro turns to Megumi and quirks an eyebrow at her, following swiftly with a questionable tone, "... You are kidding right?" and with that he grimces slightly, obviously something isn't sitting right with him tonight.
Then something hits him, making him think, . o O (... I shouldn't be so cautious... Megumi is a young woman capable of making her own decisions and despite my disatifaction with her choice there will be little to stop her when she makes up her mind.)
Keitaro smiles and puts a hand on her shoulder, "Everything that is going on. This sudden disappearnace of Arthur... These goons... I don't like this at all... but go do what you must and please... Be careful. I'll be keeping an eye on you from here and i'll keep out for Arthur." and then offers Megumi a wink. He then turns to Ellen offer her his same signature smile, nodding to her in acknowledgement, "Hey There, Ellen. Glad you could make it tonight. How are you?"
Megumi hesitates, turns back around, murmurs something in Keitaro's ear before saying, "Hey Ellen. It seems Arthur can turn as invisible as his evidence.", she laughs and laughs as she steps out, this time..really!
Roll by Al-Exar: (6) (5) (2)
The Man with the case grunts and looks revolted as the bum Joe grabs him, he snatches the smokes out of the bum's hand, obviously not agreeing with his compatriots good will, and then puts hooking a leg behind Joe's knees and pushes him over, "Back off." he grunts putting the smokes in his pocket before picking up the pace a bit to catch up with the rest of his pack.
Elizabeth walks to the library doors and lets herself out. She seems to be having a little trouble with her briefcase as she drops it just as she's walking out, letting the chilly winter air into the library while she picks it up again.
Alvira stops by the entrance, about to head over to Elizabeth, as the scuffle takes place outside. "Hey now..." she says protestingly, moving to block the entrance. "That's not really necessary, was it?"
"Not bad, Oz," Ellen smiles at Keitaro. Then, her eyebrow arches at Megumi's words, followed by her rapid departure. "Arthur invisible? What's she talking about?" she questions Keitaro, watching the direction that Megumi is going.
Joe falls backwards, and hits his head pretty hard on the ground, he grunts and groans and isn't moving very much.
The smoker shrugs as the guy shoves the bum out of the way, and they continue towards the Library.
Meanwhile, there is no answer to Elizabeth, just the sound of soft footsteps moving quickly away. In the back of the Center, there is a slight disturbence as a locked door barring the way to the rare books section jiggles. With a muttered curse, there is some more fiddling, and some clicking noises...
Roll by Arthur: (3) (3) (3)
And there is a snapping noise, as an object appears in the lock, what appears to be a pick of some kind, snapped off. There is more quiet cursing.
Keitaro provides a momentary glance to Megumi and then turns back to Ellen, shrugging his shoulders as he replies, "She's an odd one that girl.."
Then Keitaro listens about, hearing some rather foul language. He looking down into the library's more dimly lit section of the library and looks to Ellen with a smile, "Can you do me a big favor hon? We are currently looking for Arthur tonight and we're supposed to meet up with him here at the front entrance but haven't seem him yet. Could you be a doll and watch the front door for me and stop him if you see him? I have to run and check on something real quick."
Megumi gestures towards the men, and tries to get nice and up to the man in black closest to her. She murmurs, too quiet for anybody in the library to hear, but whispers all the same.
Roll by Megumi: (4) (4) (1)
Elizabeth grumbles as she straightens up, briefcase now in hand. With a sigh, she looks down at her briefcase and heads back into the library - but not into the stacks. No, she heads straight for the ladies' room, where men fear to tread. Once hidden from the front entrance by an opaque door, she flips open her cellphone and dials campus police. "Security? I'd like to report a violent incident right out in front of the Harry Ransom Center. There's one man down on the ground already."
Ellen's eyebrows lift again at this. Her eyes narrow slightly, and she glances off toward the door where Megumi has just left. Then, she nods to Keitaro. "All right. I'll go and look." She turns to head toward the front door, stepping quietly, eyes alert.
Keitaro nods to Ellen, patting her on the shoulder, "Thanks hon, I owe you one." and with that takes off through the crowds making his way towards where he heard the sound in the rare books section. He glances around momentarily, listening around mostly for any further sounds of where the cursing and such may have occured, . o O (Arthur... I may not know you but something big may be going down here soon and I'd like to find you first rather than the alternative.. I just hope it may be you down here.)
Roll by Keitaro: (3) (4) (1)
Roll by Elizabeth: (4) (2) (1)
Roll by Alvira: (2) (3) (4)
Alvira is still waiting for the next move, stance loosening subtly as she does, when she shakes her head, glancing and twisting around to look at the library, vaguely puzzled and off-balance.
Roll by Ellen: (4) (3) (5)
Roll by Arthur: (2) (4) (2)
Elizabeth nods and flips her phone closed again. She quickly touches up her lipstick - ah, plausible deniability! - before leaving the ladies' room and heading back into the stacks, towards the back of the library.
The man stopped by Megumi (the smoker) stops, listening to the girl for a moment... and then smiles. "Thanks." Smoker-Man gestures to the two others. "She says he's in here." The three men turn, heading into the library... But are stopped by the people in the way. Suitcase Man frowns, and grumbles. "Excuse us, miss..."
Meanwhile, in the back, there is some movement... And then a loud WHAM!
Roll by Arthur: (2) (1) (1)
Alvira shakes her head and refocuses on Suitcase Boy. "Oh, I'm sorry," she smiles hesitantly, "Was there something you wanted?" She's not moving.
... And the door caves in significantly, still blocking the way, but the lock is broken.
Suitcase Man mutters, "Could you please step aside?"
Roll by Keitaro: (1) (6) (6)
Roll by Alvira: (4) (5) (3)
Roll by Al-Exar: (5) (6) (5)
Megumi blinks as she follows along to the library entrance, "Miss? You really -should- step aside for these gentlemen."
At the WHAM, Elizabeth threads her way quickly to the battered door and hisses at thin air, "What on earth do you think you're doing? Don't you realize that there are some rather violent gentlemen out front? They're probably here looking for you."
Alvira nods enthusiastically, "Yes, but I'm afraid I'm feeling pretty solid right now," She smiles, and then shakes her head, refocusing on the sound of the WHAM... "But... not here. I'm sorry," she bows once, and then runs towards the back of the library.
Ellen is near the door when she sees Megumi and the men coming in. Who are /these/ guys? She frowns to herself slightly, watching. And why is that woman standing in their way? Her eyes focus on Alvira for a moment... then she hears that WHAM. Her eyes flicker to Megumi as she speaks... then, Ellen turns around and heads quicly back in the direction that Keitaro went.
Upon hearing the loud WHAM, Keitaro clearly knows where the suspect is and switfly breaks into a full run with ease towards the door way in hopes of catching the one making the noise before he escapes! He calls out as he approachs in a Empathy tone, "Arthur... Are you here? If so... please reply."
Elizabeth looks over at Keitaro, her (winter plum!) lips curling. "If it isn't Factionalist Megumi's little lapdog. Tell me, how much is she paying for your services?" Why no, she's not particularly lowering her voice so that Arthur won't hear - although she's not pitching it to carry beyond the immediate vicinity, either.
Keitaro stops a few feet from the door way to notice Elizabeth standing there and motions himself into a cautious stance, all the while providing a confused look about his face as he quirks a brow, "Lapdog? Payment? What the hell are you talking about teach and what are you doing here?", in the meantime, thinking in the back of his mind, . o O (What the hell is going on here?)
Alvira arrives near the back of the library in time for the end of Keitaro's speech... "Did somebody drop something? Anyone hurt?"
Keitaro glances back to notice Alvira but shrugs her off momentarily as he grits his teeth as he continues to think, . o O (The Incident at the convience store... The alley... the test... This all doesn't make any sense now... Am I being played here?)
The young martial artist growls a loudly, "Are you involved in all of this mess?"
Elizabeth glowers at Keitaro and says, "Nice try, kid. Am I going to have to bring up your rumored indiscretions with underage girls - and in university dorms, at that?" She looks over at Ally and sighs, shaking her head. "I'm fine, Ally - don't worry about it. But it looks like someone was trying to break into the rare books collection. If you could get some campus police over here, and tell the librarians, it would be most helpful."
Suitcase Man watches Megumi suspiciously, and then grabs at Megumi, attempting to restrain her with his arm. However, his aim is off. "I think you need to keep out of this, girl." The other two men continue on accelerating their pace. They heard the impact as well. The two spread out as they get into the Library, close enough to support each other but not close enough to be easily caught. They're heading straight for the sound, as well.
There's a lot more cursing, as Invisible Arthur slams into the door again, knocking it wide open and tearing off its hinges, and with a panting noise, Arthur rushes into the rare books area. It's a lot smaller than the Library, and begins searching the shelves...
Roll by Arthur: (4) (3) (2)
Megumi darts her way out of Suitcase Man's arms and says, "You can trust me," to him. She too makes her way to the back. She wasn't far behind Alvira, after all. "Why, I had no idea there was a door here," she remarks in a very friendly manner to all present. "Oz, I'm sorry about running off so quickly, but...", she glances to Alvira, and then Elizabeth, "My my. Teach, do you have any -proof- of Oz's indiscretions with little girls? I mean, I have bloody shoes and you say that isn't proof. You are acting hypocritically.", she glances to Keitaro, with a little bit of worry in her eyes. "...Keitaro would do no such thing, I'm surprised he doesn't sue you for slander."
Roll by Megumi: (2) (4) (5)
Roll by Arthur: (1) (6) (3)
Alvira whistles at the damage, "Maybe I should see if the physics department has some Kryptonite, too.... Great God!" she finishes as the door suddenly gets torn asunder. She holds a hand up, reaching out... but as the door just drops to the floor without more, she drops it down, using it to smooth the skirt down. She glances at the three other people here, and then shakes her head, "You have a LOT of hobbies, Elizabeth," she mutters and rushes into the rare books section.
Keitaro suddenly is apparent in shock here, . o O (Pan told her that she was in my room last night investigating... What ever the case, I can't let her stop me here. Not now.. I am too close to solving this and I ain't going to let some technicallity of getting kicked out of school hinder my findings.)
The young martial artist growls loudly and calls aloud even as Megumi begins to defend him as they see the door, "Say what you will, Elizabeth. I couldn't give a rat's ass at this point what you tell the dean or the board. All i know is the what im looking for is in there and I intend to find the answer." and he shoots a glare towards Megumi, "Sync.. I want you and your mod squad to stay here.." and he looks down in disgust, "Don't come into that area... Please or else I might have to do something I am going to regret.." and then makes a dash to enter the hallway into the rare books section. He'll find his answer.. One way or the other.
Ellen arrives after Alvira, but in enough time to catch some of the argument. Her eyes widen as she hears the dialogue between the others. Then, she blinks as the door is torn off its hinges by an invisible force. Looking from the others to the now-open door, she makes her decision, and heads after Alvira and Keitaro.
Roll by Al-Exar: (5) (6) (6)
Elizabeth grabs - a fire extinguisher? - off of a nearby wall and follows the others in, muttering something under her breath about "idiots."
Suitcase Man grunts, and lets the girl go, moving to support the other two instead. With a quick motion, the man begins undoing the latches... And the other two arrive at the door. Smoking Man coughs, and rasps into the room. "This is Security, we need everyone to leave the premeses immediately, please."
Meanwhile, invisible rummaging is stil heard...
Roll by Arthur: (2) (3) (4)
And with a hiss of triumph, a book is removed from the shelf... Just in time for Arthur to reappear. He looks out at the rushing people coming into the room. And the intimidating men behind them. "Oh... #!)*."
Keitaro dashes into the smaller room and notices Arthur. He grunts again and moves faster into a full run as he calls out, "Arthur! Wait!", attempting to catch up to the student with the book!
Roll by Megumi: (5) (2) (4)
"Put the book back, young man," Elizabeth says sternly. "Stealing rare books for the campus library is a very serious offense." She walks forward calmly, towards where Arthur stands by the bookshelf. She then turns her best steely glare on the dark-clad thugs and says icily, "And you are most certainly not campus security. Get out. The proper authorities have already been alerted."
Roll by Elizabeth: (2) (3) (4)
Alvira's mind is a whirl as she goes through the door. But things go more into focus with Arthur's visibilty as people catch up. "You KNOW a thief too?" she says, incredulous, vaguely considering transfer, before demanding, "Put it back, kiddo!" she gestuers up at the ceiling and the Magic Voice of Security. "This can't be worth ten to fifteen."
Ellen just watches all this. Quietly, she steps closer, trying to get a look at the title on the book.
Megumi says, "Come on, Elizabeth, why would 'thugs' care about books?", she then glances towards Arthur, makes a few gestures, and points at the book, "What's so special about that?", she asks, as she throws essence out there. Hopefully, it won't be a waste. "I love books too actually," she continues lazily, "I'm not sure if I would start a fight over one though."
The book is a black leatherbound edition of Dante's Inferno. Or rather, it was, as it vanishes from Arthur's hands. The student is shocked for a moment, before growling, noting that the book went right into Megumi's grasp. "Shut UP! And give that back, you @$)*@!"
The men immediately turn, hands reaching into coats and the Suitcase Man opening his Suitcase... And with a large amount of clacking, two pistols and one automatic rifle are produced, the former from the two other men and the rifle from said suitcase, the weapon cunningly fashioned in two pieces for easy assembly. Suitcase Man grunts. "Nobody move. Hand over the book right now and nobody gets hurt." Smoking Man levels his pistol at Elizabeth, grinning. "Very clever, missy. But you should have listened in the first place." Thin Man settles for training his gun on Megumi.
Roll by Alvira: (6) (3) (3)
Roll by Al-Exar: (4) (2) (4)
Ellen's eyes flick from Arthur to Megumi, widening faintly. Okay, she saw /that/. But she has no time to speculate, as /guns/ come out into view. She slinks out of the way, keeping to the side and trying to be a small a target as possible. Her skin is pale, and she watches with a frightened stare.
Alvira growls deep in her throat as she catches the tinge of the Pit through the mustiness of the library. She spins towards the people who entered behind her, feeling the strings around her being plucked. "You two!" she hisses, but stops, fingers flexing, as the men enter, and raise their guns. She sighs, and visibly draws herself together and stays still, but her gaze is drawn inward, and after several seconds, there's a hum through the symphony and the faint hint of incense.
Roll by Alvira: (1) (2) (2)
Roll by Keitaro: (3) (5) (4)
Roll by Keitaro: (2) (2) (3)
Megumi says, "Gentlemen, Gentlemen. I -said- you could trust me. You can all -trust- me.", she sighs, "But the moment you brought guns out, I'm afraid I have only one option. You are all very scary with your threats and posturing.
Megumi glances towards Thin Man and says politely, "Elizabeth was correct. We will discuss this book in private. As utterly insignificant it looks.", she smiles brightly, "Sorry about this, but Arthur -did- take out three men alone already. Perhaps he can do so again. I am dreadfully sorry it had to come to this, but take heart! Dante's Inferno is not a rare book, you can find it online.", she bows, and then takes her remaining essence and tries to as far the hell away as possible.
Roll by Megumi: (6) (2) (5)
Roll by Keitaro: (5) (4) (4)
Keitaro suddenly stops as he sees the book disappear from his hands and vanishes in thin air. He turns around as the men suddenly pull out weapons. He growls loudly, noticing the as the weapon are beginning to be trained on various people. As the Thin Man begins to train his weapon on Megumi, that becomes the last straw for him, . o O (Win or lose... This is gonna be the moment of truth.)
Keitaro stands tall and looks towards the three combatants as Ally begins to grab the mobsters attention. He quickly glances around and notices an emergency exit. (This is my chance!) O o . he thinks to himself and calls out, "Everybody! Take cover and head for the exit towards the back!" and then begins dashing towards the Suitcase man with the automatic rifle and takes off his coat before chucking it at the man in a desperate attempt to blind him.!
After that, Keitaro leaps into the air and flips about as performs with easy grace a jump kick towards the main gunner's chest, but falls short but a few feet due to the sudden disturbance in the symphony. He lands on the ground, kneeling on his knees and shooting a defiant growl up against his assailents, "May have failed that time.. But I won't allow you to hurt these people..."
Megumi poofs!
Alvira yells, "Wait!" as Megumi poofs, and does another growl deep in her throat before pulling herself together. Without moving, mind. She then asks, "What was so blessed important about that book to start pulling out strange tricks? Is this on TV?"
Roll by Arthur: (4) (3) (5)
Arthur screams in fury as Megumi vanishes... And he begins singing, a low, strange voice that resonates around him... And a shield of air coealsces around Arthur, whipping around him and pushing books and papers away as he turns away, and begins running.
Running towards the back of the room, and turning a corner, that is.
"There's an emergency exit back there," Elizabeth volunteers calmly. "Someone might want to go stop him." Seeing as there's a gun trained on her, she makes no move to stop Arthur herself.
With the vanishing of Megumi, and the sudden escape attempt of Arthur, the men yell in surprise and anger, especially as Keitaro busts out the kung fu on them. Suitcase Man bats the coat aside, stepping back to fire a short burst of bullets at him, while the other two men keep guns trained on the rest. Suitcase Man grunts. "You made your bed, now die in it."
Roll by Arthur: (5) (2) (3)
Keitaro says, "You better make this shot count bro... because I gurantee you won't get a second!"
Alvira tenses, ears pricked forward a bit... the wash of Noise from the Song being ignored for the moment, waiting to see what sort of noise flesh and lead will make.
Roll by Keitaro: (3) (3) (3)
Ellen flattens herself against the wall to the side, trying to stay out of the range of stray bullets. She glances at the door, then flicks her gaze back at the gunmen. Her eyes are wide, face drained of color.
Roll by Arthur: (6) (1) (5)
Alvira moves forward a step, hands up and out, open palms facing forward, "I REALLY would like some answers about why everyone's so eager to grab this book, so just explain it, and I'll even help you run him down... but it's been a long, odd day and I'm not fond of getting guns pointed at me."
Roll by Keitaro: (4) (2) (5)
As the suitcase man begins to unload a fleet full of lead against Keitaro, The young martial artist sees the gun pointed at him and sprints off again in an attempt to try and out run bullets! HA HA! Yeah right Superman.
As he makes his attempt to dash, Keitaro is unfortunately not quick enough to out run the complete barrage of bullets and catches one that grazes his chest and one deep in one arm. He grunts loudly and causes him to lose his balance for a moment but he grits his teeth to subside the pain and dashes at the guy pointing the pistol at Elizabeth and with a loud battle cry, rushes at the man and in an attempt to use force and momentum, grabs him and with what strength he has remaining attempts to throw the unsuspecting mobster at larger mobster with the assault rifle!
"None of your business!" Keitaro's words, however, prove true as Thin Man is picked up and chucked at Suitcase Man, and they both fall over with a thud and tangle. Thin Man is knocked unconscious immediately, while Thin Man struggles with the weight for a moment, unable to bring the rifle to bear. Smoking Man, however, decides to make a break for it, heading for the entrance to the library. Meanwhile, the Symphony rings with the sounds of altered notes, reverbrating in a cacaphony from all of the competing forces at work.
Roll by Keitaro: (2) (3) (2)
Roll by Alvira: (2) (5) (6)
Alvira grins truly ferally as she hears the Symphony jangle. "EVERYTHING is business, kiddo," she says in a lecturing tone, moving to get a shot at suitcase man, fearless and resolute in the possibility of getting shot as she readies a knife-hand strike. "And as a student, it's MY business to not let you get filled with lead until you can explain the pedophelia thing." Alvira lashes out, with a very real chance of connecting solidly with flesh.
Being pinned to the ground, there isn't much Suitcase Man can do other than get the living tar beaten out of him.
Elizabeth looks on at the proceedings blandly as the two Asians take on the unidentified thugs.
Keitaro wastes no time in letting the suitcase man get his barrings again! He quickly charges towards the fallen mobster but notices Alvira getting to where suitcase man lies and with simple ease disarms him. He is indeed impressed and rather surprised, rarely has he seen a woman perform such moves with ease and grace. He walks up to the Suitcase man and kicks the assault rifle away and follow suit with a strike of his own towards the Man's face in another following attempt to knock him out.
Keitaro glances towards Alvira and groans loudly, "Man! Does EVERYONE have to assume I slept with a underage girl! God! Man! you people assume WAY to much." and with that he kicks down Suitcase's arm and slams his foot on it before continuing, "Look.. A teenager came into my room WITHOUT my permission mind you and being the nice guy I am." , he follows then with kicking the unconcious guy off of Suitcase Man, "and rather than sending her out into the freezing cold.", He follows again with another kick to the guy's stomach as he finishes, this time staring at both Elizabeth and Alvira "and I had her sleep on the floor... Happy? Thank you."
He shakes his head as he puts his hands at his side, not even caring about the fact that he is bleeding and continues, "Jesus..."
Ellen ducks and runs toward the back door as soon as the mobsters' guns are no longer covering her. She can't resist turning to look, though, as she hears the thumps, squeals and the horrible clatter of Disturbance. Looks like the bad guys are down... but are the people remaining 'good guys'? Her eyes pan over Keitaro and Alvira beating the thugs, and Elizabeth just blandly watching.
Keitaro looks at Elizabeth and continues, "Not to mention miss PMS over BLOWING everything out of proportion. AS USUAL."
Alvira applauds lightly, "Very nice moves..." She slips back into a loose combat stance, bearing calm, centered,and ready to move, "Now, was this nice, ordinary teenage girl, who could possibly be sent into the freezing cold, oh... just happened to vanish out of here with a valuable and rare book?"
Elizabeth clears her throat. "Ally, Oz - might I inquire what you plan to do with your unconscious security impersonators?" she asks mildly. "And Oz, I'll be speaking with you about your indiscretions - later. Now is not the time. Nor, alas, is it the time to correct the obvious flaws in your logic."
Slipping quietly through the outer door while the others are distracted, Ellen keeps it open just a crack to peep through.
Alvira grins all together wolfishly, "Look through their wallets, figure out who they're working for, and then give it all over to the police." She ducks down to look. She pauses, and thinks, "Well, not for the guy with the mini-cyclone, or him being invisible at first, or how the book got out, but who had it, definitely."
Elizabeth clucks reprovingly and says, "I'm afraid that Mr. Harding will probably be expelled over this affair. Others may also come under investigation, especially Oz and his young friend Megumi."
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