Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: MadPanda on 21-06-2009, 23:52:07</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-06-2009, 23:52:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A Noble's lot is not a happy one.&nbsp; Invariably even the most pleasant afternoon spent enjoying the finer points of one's chancel and the inhabitants thereof is interrupted, whether by phone call, letter, or as the case may be, telegram.<br><br>Only this telegram carved itself (briefly) into the ground next to his new pool in letters that glowed an ominious cherry red for almost a minute before fading and vanishing: a demonstration that someone, somewhere, had seen a certain animated comedy and was perfectly willing to borrow a running gag from it:<br><br>VISCOUNT OF TROPES<br>REPORT SOONEST TO YU-SHAN<br>HALL OF TERRESTRIAL TRANQUILITY<br>DEPARTMENT HAS JOB COMMA<br>YOUR QUALIFICATIONS PERFECT<br>END MESSAGE<br><br>An unpleasant development: Yu-Shan was a chancel that served as the local hub of all Overministry operations, and if <em>they</em> wanted to talk to him, it was almost certainly because something had gone very wrong.&nbsp; He was a low-key Noble, after all: not for him this running amok and solving problems with cavalier overuse of ability!<br><br>Best case, he was about to be reassigned from one Imperator to another.&nbsp; Worst case?&nbsp; He was about to be reassigned to another department, and the Underministry were collectively bad, bad news.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>22-06-2009, 07:44:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Viscount of Tropes relaxed by the pool, enjoying the lifestyle that accompanied success in Hollywood.&nbsp; Not that he ever directly participated, but between the connections he had made and the payments received for summonings, he was quite comfortable in reality outside his chancel.&nbsp; Even if he didn't have the same PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER.<br><br>The telegram was, he thought, a nice touch.&nbsp; Of course, he didn't think it was a good sign that the message catered to him so nicely; as soon as he thought it was a good sign, it would turn out to be bad.&nbsp; So he kept himself neutral about it as he stood up, clad in his high-fashion shirt and pants with black coat hanging open, and put on a pair of shades.<br><br>He would have quipped, but no one was around to hear it, and quipping to an empty audience is just talking to oneself.&nbsp; Also it might have caused a car to explode for some reason.&nbsp; So he walked silently, looking every inch a badass, to his car to head to Yu-Shan.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>22-06-2009, 15:03:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Finding Yu-Shan was easy, for him: those responsible for keeping the place running had enough of a sense of humor to build a mundane office building in the right place, with a restricted level in the parking garage and floors only accessible by elevator...all of which would work for those 'in the business'.<br><br>Badassery would, in and of itself, not get him into this club.&nbsp; Fortunately, he was already on the only guest list that would matter, and so he found himself directed by the receptionist to a conference room shortly after his arrival...<br><br>Where another Noble was already waiting: Giacomo, Power of Masks, and today's all-concealing outfit was the costume from V for Vendetta, Guy Fawkes mask and all.<br><br>"Ahhh, Tropes.&nbsp; You also?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:01:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ah, Masks, we meet again."&nbsp; He grinned.&nbsp; "Protesting Scientology, I see.&nbsp; I'd ask if you knew what this little gathering was about, but I somehow doubt that would be productive."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:05:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, the mask.&nbsp; No, actually, I'm just a fan of the movie."<br><br>Masks chuckles softly.<br><br>"So, I suppose you got an abrupt summons as well, bereft of anything useful like what we will be doing or who we will be facing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:20:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"But of course.&nbsp; It wouldn't be an abrupt summons if it wasn't bereft of useful information, my dear Giacomo.&nbsp; I can only hope this doesn't ultimately require me to push the Reset Button.&nbsp; Again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:27:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Is that better or worse than the Cosmic Three-Fingered Salute?&nbsp; I was talking to Nyarlathotep the other day and he was griping about having to reboot a Chancel..."<br><br>Masks gets no further, because the teleconferencing screen at one end of the room blinks to life, showing the impressive visage of an Imperator.&nbsp; Any mortal present would curl up in a catatonic fit at the sight of such a powerful entity--even through the remote connection, the power is almost palpable.&nbsp; Then the Imperator speaks, each syllable thudding home like the merciless beat of a pile driver.<br><br><strong>MASKS.&nbsp; TROPES.&nbsp; QUANTUM WILL BE ALONG PRESENTLY, NO DOUBT.</strong><br><br>Was that a joke?<br><br><strong>STORIES ARE RUNNING LOOSE.&nbsp; CONTAIN THE PROBLEM.</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:31:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"..."<br><br>Tropes wisely decided to wait for the other shoe to drop.&nbsp; Or for Giacomo to ask the obvious and earn whatever ire the Imperator had.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:34:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Masks appears to have the same general idea, and remains mum.<br><br><strong>SINCE YOU BOTH UNDERSTAND, YOU ARE DISMISSED.</strong><br><br>The screen goes blank a moment before Masks raises one hand, apparently intending to ask a question.<br><br>"Well, nuts."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:44:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Brilliant, Masks.&nbsp; Seriously.&nbsp; Now I have to do some actual work."<br><br>He concentrated on a trivial miracle, sensing all within his vast Domain, to find some sign of stories 'running loose'.<br><br>(0 MP for a level 2 Divination miracle)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 01:55:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What?&nbsp; You could have asked, if you thought it was so necessary.&nbsp; And if I didn't already know it'd be futile, I'd also be wondering where Quantum has gone."&nbsp; He shrugs.&nbsp; "Never can tell with her."<br><br>Tropes focuses...and at first it seems as though he has misunderstood, for here in Hollyweird, not a script seems awry. The usual five plots are in circulation, the inevitable re-treads being bantered about and raked with fine-toothed combs.&nbsp; The wonder-makers of the world are hard at work.&nbsp; But nothing 'loose'.<br><br>Stories do not take on a life of their own, not in Hollywood.&nbsp; But elsewhere...<br><br>Tropes gets a quick hint of something in the Midwest, at a high school...a story, perhaps, that drives mortals mad.&nbsp; But it seems so minor, too minor to attract an Imperator!&nbsp; Has he misunderstood?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 02:04:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I can detect some trouble out in the Midwest, that's all.&nbsp; It's better than nothing, but it doesn't seem important enough to attract an Imperator.&nbsp; I suppose I could investigate while you search for Quantum."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 02:07:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ohhhh, no.&nbsp; Not again!&nbsp; Not after what happened last time!&nbsp; Remember that Japanese gal who was doing the comic book?&nbsp; You gave her the idea for that character who was always getting lost and stuff?&nbsp; Quantum knows, pal.&nbsp; Lucky for you she's amused."<br><br>Masks shook his head.<br><br>"I'm not about to get her upset with me.&nbsp; But I <em>will</em> go ask around.&nbsp; Sooner or later, we'll get a handle on where she's been.&nbsp; How's that?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 02:12:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tropes shrugged a bit.&nbsp; "Suit yourself.&nbsp; But I'm going to head to this disturbance and see if I can sort it out."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 02:16:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'll catch up later, then.&nbsp; Happy trails!&nbsp; If that's the right way to put it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2009, 02:22:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He waved and left, heading back to his car to drive to LAX.&nbsp; Sure he was off to do some real work, but he could still enjoy a first class flight on the way there.<br><br>Besides, adventures always featured at least one girl sooner or later, of one trope or another.&nbsp; And Midwest girls had that wholesome quality you don't find in Hollywood up-and-comers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>25-06-2009, 14:59:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Here, Tropes hit a bit of a problem...just not much of one.&nbsp; The stories on the loose (whatever that meant!&nbsp; And why didn't Masks ask the question?) weren't loose in a big city with a conveniently large airport.&nbsp; He'd need a ride from airport to ground zero.<br><br>For a mere mortal, of course, this would possibly be inconvenient.&nbsp; For him?&nbsp; Duck soup.&nbsp; And soon enough he's strutting out of the airport at the other end of his flight, keys in hand, heading for his rental BMW with all the coolest options.<br><br>Passing an electronic billboard, he catches an unusual flicker out of the corner of one eye:<br><br>STOP TROPES STOP GO AWAY<br><br>What the...?&nbsp; Because when he looks directly at the board, it's scrolling an advert for one of the coffee shops in the airport.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>25-06-2009, 19:00:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he drove his BMW so fully loaded it would make Bond green with envy, the electronic billboard just barely caught his eye.&nbsp; 'Go away', eh?&nbsp; If it was Quantum trying to warn him off from something, he had to investigate in order to find her.&nbsp; If it wasn't, he naturally should ignore it.&nbsp; Isn't it great when decisions are so simple?<br><br>He continues driving, using his divination to hone in on the rampant stories.&nbsp; Whatever that means.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-06-2009, 18:03:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The road unrolls ahead of him, and soon the traffic thins out and he is out and moving across rolling fields of gold and green, zipping by tiny farms and micro-towns that seem to consist of a gas station, a greasy spoon, and a bus stop.<br><br>By early evening, he's sure he must be nearing the location of the anomaly, if for no other reason than the scene reminds him of one too many horror movies.&nbsp; Thus, Tropes is not at all surprised to see the hitchiker.&nbsp; There's always a hitch-hiker.<br><br>She's blonde, large-breasted and disarmingly cute.&nbsp; Her Daisy Duke style cutoffs join with a midriff-baring tee shirt (that reads "I'm With Stupid" under an arrow that points upward) and untied sneakers to convey that combination of cluelessness and nubility normally found on Girls Gone Wild videos.&nbsp; The bunny-ear hairband just sort of rounds it out a little.<br><br>The bundle-on-a-stick hobo thing is a bit unusual, though, and the little dog sitting at her feet looks too well fed and cared for to be a stray.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>26-06-2009, 18:25:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, if this isn't something so unrealistic as to only come from fiction, he doesn't know what fiction was.&nbsp; And he most definitely knows what fiction was.&nbsp; With the movie line 'Follow the white rabbit' playfully running through his mind, he pulls over and opens the passenger door.&nbsp; "Need a ride, cutie?"&nbsp; He smiles disarmingly, though he has little doubt she'll accept.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-06-2009, 18:30:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The girl smiles cheerfully and pops her gum.<br><br>"Sure, Mister! That'd be swell."<br><br>The dog, who is some sort of terrier, hops up into the car and sniffs around as she gets in.&nbsp; Then it clambers up into her lap and yawns at him.<br><br>"You wouldn't think a girl would have this much trouble getting a ride!&nbsp; I mean, do I look like a scary old monster or something?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>27-06-2009, 01:46:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, that is a pretty fearsome-looking dog."&nbsp; He grins and continues driving.&nbsp; "So where are you headed?"<br><br>As she answers, he takes every opportunity to check her out.&nbsp; Especially the large-breasted region.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-06-2009, 14:34:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I dunno.&nbsp; Somewhere down the road."<br><br>She doesn't seem to mind his attention one bit.&nbsp; Almost as if she doesn't notice...<br><br>"Me and plans don't do so well."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>27-06-2009, 19:12:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Plans are overrated anyway."&nbsp; Of course, the problem with plans isn't the plans themselves, just the discussion.&nbsp; The Unspoken Plan Guarantee sees to that quite nicely.&nbsp; After all, the fewer people who know of a plan, the better.<br><br>"So what's your name, or should I just call you 'cutie' the whole way?"&nbsp; He smiles, not having any problem with that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-06-2009, 19:24:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I go by Murphy.&nbsp; I think it's my last name...sort of."<br><br>She shrugged and giggled.<br><br>"I'm pretty sure my name isn't 'that girl' or 'cutie'."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 05:33:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You think?&nbsp; You're not sure?"&nbsp; His tone is jovial, rather than probing or accusing.&nbsp; Still, he thinks, Murphy?&nbsp; Murphy's Law, maybe?&nbsp; She certainly doesn't look like Murphy, not like any episode he's seen anyway, but then this could easily be some erotic story come to life.&nbsp; He could only hope!<br><br>He further hopes this isn't a case of All There Is To Know About The Crying Game.&nbsp; Well, not that trope exactly, but more... just, The Crying Game.<br><br>"So Murphy, you're not going anywhere in particular, so the next question is where do you come from?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 06:09:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah.&nbsp; I have this problem, you know? It's like my short term memory's just fine, and some of the long-term stuff works, but for the most part it's all a complete blur."<br><br>She shrugged, which caused her breasts to move in an eyecatching way.<br><br>"Sometimes I find out that I know stuff, and I have no idea how I know it.&nbsp; Or why.&nbsp; Or how I learned it.&nbsp; F'r example, I know how to cause a nuclear reactor to melt down.&nbsp; But I don't think I'm a nuclear engineer or nothin'."<br><br>She giggled again, petting her dog.<br><br>"For all I know, Murphy's my given name.&nbsp; I think my parents were kind of weird."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 06:45:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I see..."&nbsp; Murphy's Law, has to be.&nbsp; And it makes sense she would be... well, ditzy: Hanlon's Razor, after all.<br><br>"What about the dog?&nbsp; Got a name, or do you not remember where you got it?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 06:51:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"He's always been around.&nbsp; I think his name is Pavlov."<br><br>The dog barks twice.<br><br>"Shroedinger?"<br><br>The dog barks twice again.<br><br>"Wait.&nbsp; Is it one bark for yes and two for no, or one for no and two for yes?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 06:56:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, it can't be Pavlov AND Schrodinger, so two must be no."&nbsp; He experimentally reaches out to pet the dog, hoping it doesn't bite.&nbsp; Not that it would hurt if it did, but he doesn't want Murphy having a lower opinion of him for it.<br><br>He also checks on his progress with another Divination miracle: he has to be sure he was either in rampant story or still heading toward it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 06:59:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The dog did not bite at all.&nbsp; It seemed rather friendly, all told...<br><br>"Oh, that's right!&nbsp; His name is Jack."<br><br>Two more barks.<br><br>"Bill?&nbsp; Ernie?&nbsp; Steve?"<br><br>If dogs could roll their eyes, this one would do so.<br><br>The divination, this time, was <em>much</em> clearer: danger zone dead ahead and closing with all the subtlety and grace of an avalanche.&nbsp; But Tropes saw nothing out of the ordinary but endless green waves of produce.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 07:07:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It suddenly occurs to him that he's heading for some sort of rampant story, with a girl and a dog.&nbsp; Wizard of Oz comparisons are inescapable, but hopefully that doesn't make him the Scarecrow.&nbsp; Hell, there are too many potential mashups for this right now, he can't sort through them all without another miracle.<br><br>After petting the dog, he moves his arm up and around the girl's shoulders.&nbsp; "Don't worry about it, Murphy.&nbsp; Just stick with me and we'll go far."<br><br>After all, the first step in surviving the trap was seeing it, and now he sees it.&nbsp; He's the Power of Tropes, he's ready for anything.<br><br>But man, wouldn't it suck if he got summoned right now?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 05:59:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Fortunately, no summons came, not at that moment.&nbsp; The abyss did not suddenly yawn beneath his feet, nor did Godzilla suddenly appear from around a grain silo to wreak havoc.&nbsp; Murphy rambled on for a while about someone she called the Trickster's Daughter as Jack (or Ed or Bernie or Steve) snoozed in her lap.<br><br>The black ribbon whirred and sang beneath the car, eating up the miles and moving Tropes and his two companions closer and closer to the epicenter of the disturbance (whatever it might be).<br><br>Soon enough, the next town was in sight.&nbsp; Tropes was hardly surprised to see that the needle was getting close to E on the fuel gauge.&nbsp; A little rest stop seemed in order.&nbsp; That's how the plot was supposed to go...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 06:29:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, he was certainly glad it was an empty gas tank and not a flat tire.&nbsp; And he of course listened to Murphy talk, rubbing her shoulder and stroking her hair as he did so.<br><br>And so he pulled into the town, aiming for the nearest gas station.&nbsp; Naturally he expected a cafe diner right next to it, with a pay phone that didn't work for long-distance calls, and a run-down hotel with just one room left.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 16:31:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The town failed to disappoint his sense of expectations: the gas station, manned by a single attendant who was probably old when Herber Hoover took office, doubles as a general store.&nbsp; Next door is a greasy spoon that upon further inspection had the same menu as every other greasy spoon he'd ever seen and a staff that brought an old sitcom called "Alice" to mind...right down to the pink waitress uniforms and the names.<br><br>Murphy seemed oblivious to this, just as she seemed oblivious to his familiarity in the car.&nbsp; While he topped off his tank, she headed into the diner to get the both of them a table (or, at any rate, that was what she said she was going to do), leaving the dog in the car.<br><br>"Typical," Tropes hears after a minute.&nbsp; "Better check your wallet, mack."<br><br>Who said that?&nbsp; There's nobody here but...<br><br>"Down here.&nbsp; Woof, woof."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 17:20:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked down at the dog, only momentarily non-plussed.&nbsp; Well, talking animals are definitely a fantasy staple.<br><br>Then he checked his wallet.&nbsp; Why would Murphy steal it when she doesn't have anywhere to go from here?&nbsp; He could just follow her into the diner and take it back, and apply some fun punitive measures too.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 17:26:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His wallet was still there, still full...<br><br>"There's a surprise," the canine muttered darkly.&nbsp; "So.&nbsp; You must be Tropes.&nbsp; Let me guess.&nbsp; Something's coming, it's big, it's bad, and the smart thing would be to run like the Power of Dogcatchers was on my tail.&nbsp; Right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 18:41:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"We're already in it, Toto.&nbsp; You can try to run, but I'd lay odds you'd only lead Murphy and me into whatever trouble you were running from."<br><br>As long as he was sure he had his wallet and money, he paid the gas station for the fuel right now before something happened to it.&nbsp; He then returned to the talking pooch.<br><br>"So who are you, and who's Murphy?&nbsp; Shaggy to your Scooby?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 21:11:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ever look at a deck of Tarot cards?"<br><br>The dog snorted with ill-concealed canine amusment.<br><br>"Three guesses which card you've drawn by picking her up."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 22:13:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				But of course, The Fool.&nbsp; Maybe he would be able to turn her into a Lovers card, though.<br><br>"Mm.&nbsp; Doesn't explain you, though."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-07-2009, 23:38:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I am under the general impression," the Dog said dryly, "that there <em>is</em> no explanation for me.&nbsp; I am merely a necessity in the larger scheme of things."<br><br>Was that sarcasm?<br><br>"In any case, you should go find her before she starts trying to make balloon animals or something again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>03-07-2009, 01:21:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Right."<br><br>He double-checked his wallet and car keys, and that the car was locked, just in case.&nbsp; Couldn't be too careful in fiction, especially anything he didn't explicitly check.&nbsp; And then it was into the diner to corral Murphy.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-07-2009, 20:49:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				By the time Tropes arrived, Murphy had already ordered for herself...and idly sipped a chocolate shake with her feet propped up on the seat across from her, apparently waiting with the most suspicion-inducingly innocent smile on her face.<br><br>"There you are!&nbsp; The waitress'll be right back."<br><br>She pointed to a menu lying in front of what was apparently 'his' place.<br><br>"Not too shabby, all things considered.&nbsp; It's not every other greasy spoon diner in the country.&nbsp; Or at least not the ones along Route Six Sixty Six."&nbsp; She giggled.&nbsp; "Or Three Thirty Three, which is the weirder trip, but you'd never know it listening to people."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 05:42:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He sat down in what was apparently 'his' place, glancing quickly at the menu.&nbsp; They always had the same sort of menu items, and he already knew to stay well clear of any 'specials'.<br><br>"So, anything happen in here I should worry about?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 05:50:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"He's been telling stories again, hasn't he?"<br><br>Murphy rolled her eyes.<br><br>"I swear!&nbsp; I only ever did that thing the one time with the guy in that place and he never lets me live it down!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 05:52:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That thing being... what, exactly?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 05:55:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's kind of hard to explain.&nbsp; And anyway, I only did it the one time, 'cause there was this guy and it was all like...you had to be there."<br><br>She shrugged.<br><br>"I'd have forgotten it if he didn't keep reminding everybody, 'cause they all ask!&nbsp; I mean, it isn't like you've never made a mistake, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 05:59:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He could certainly think of one mistake he'd like to make with her.&nbsp; And if the motel trope panned out, he would get the opportunity.<br><br>"Well, the important thing is that you stick with me, okay?"<br><br>He was ready with an order of a burger, fries, and shake for the waitress when she returned... barring story intervention, of course.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 06:03:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, sure, you say that now..."<br><br>The waitress, who was pushing fifty if she was pushing a day, shuffled along after a while.&nbsp; She took his order, then retreated again.<br><br>Murphy continued cheerfully babbling along, making as much sense as she ever did, talking about rabbit holes and a linear maze and chessboards...<br><br>There was something here.&nbsp; He could almost grasp it, but it fluttered on the edge of his awareness like the ghost of a moth straining to reach a light that only it could find.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 06:09:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, if there was something just out of reach, the natural thing to do was reach for it.&nbsp; Luckily he had miraculous powers to make reaching easier.<br><br>(I.E. Divination miracle!&nbsp; 0 MPs)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 15:14:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Trying to reach for more...does not seem to work as it should!&nbsp; It is as if something is clouding Tropes's ability to divine the nature of the problem.<br><br>Ah.&nbsp; Of course.&nbsp; Who is sitting across from him?&nbsp; It is possible that he could still find the answers, but it might take more effort.&nbsp; And on the other hand, given what he got from his last divination, 'seeing clearly' might be difficult--against the gathering storm, how does one spot a single eddy in the aether?<br><br>"...but the really freaky thing is he wanted be to put on this blue dress and white pinafore and pretend that my name was Alice!&nbsp; So I told him to forget about it because I just don't do the whole corset thing, you know?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 18:20:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well frankly I can understand that sort of appeal, but it should always be with a willing partner.&nbsp; If corsets aren't for you, then that's that."<br><br>Hmm.&nbsp; He tried again, putting a bit more power behind it this time, though he didn't risk too much too soon.&nbsp; There was no telling what he might face, and he wanted his reserves full.<br><br>(Another lesser Divination, with 1 point of Penetration.&nbsp; Still 0 MPs, but that's the best I can do without spending points.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 19:19:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The first thing Tropes found was that yes, Murphy seemed to be somehow suppressing his usual abilities...but not consciously, insofar as she seemed far too vapid to have villainy in mind.&nbsp; On the other hand, her presence <em>might</em> also be keeping the storm (so to speak) at bay for the time being: the image of this little diner, gas station, and stretch of road amongst the croplands somehow being cradled within the eye of a hurricane occurred to him at once.<br><br>His last divination attempt had said that the area under investigation was awfully close, hadn't it?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>07-07-2009, 03:04:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked around the diner once again.&nbsp; There wasn't anything he could do to prevent the storm, since it was already storming after all.&nbsp; The best he could do was get hit by it, try to trace it back to its source.<br><br>Hopefully it wouldn't hit until after he fucked Murphy.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>07-07-2009, 15:06:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The diner seemed completely normal.&nbsp; After a few minutes the two truckers at the far end of the counter rose and left.&nbsp; The waitress brought their orders and then shuffled off into the back on some errand.<br><br>Murphy contined babbling away in between bites of her burger.<br><br>This was almost banal, not at all what Tropes expected...until the dark clouds rolled overhead, turning the late afternoon much darker than normal.<br><br>"Oh," said Murphy.&nbsp; "Looks like it's starting, whatever it is."<br><br>Without further comment, she bounced up out of her seat and dashed out to the car...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>07-07-2009, 19:03:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He ate peacefully, the diner fare not really the standard of food he was used to, but certainly not bad.&nbsp; When the dark clouds rolled in, his first thought was a dark and stormy night in the local wherever-they-ended-up-staying, but then Murphy bolted.<br><br>"Hey, wait up!"&nbsp; He rose quickly and - tossing a twenty on the counter mid-stride - hurried out after her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-07-2009, 05:03:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murphy was almost all the way to the car before he emerged from the diner, the door shutting off the waitress's alarmed squawk.<br><br>The clouds looked wrong, somehow: too black, too menacing.&nbsp; Nothing he could put his finger on at the moment, but whatever it was, they were definitely part of it!&nbsp; He didn't even need to try a divination for this.<br><br>Murphy reached the car and struggled with the handle.&nbsp; He <em>had</em> locked it, after all, and the dog seemed unwilling or unable to play the the handle from the inside.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>08-07-2009, 05:12:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hey, Murphy!&nbsp; What's going on?"<br><br>He unlocked the car with the remote, figuring she either wanted the dog or wanted to get out of here, and she couldn't do the latter without him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-07-2009, 02:44:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The door swung open and Murphy crouched to gather the dog up in her arms, hugging him against her ample breasts.<br><br>"We gotta get out of here!&nbsp; Boojum snarks!&nbsp; Coming up from below...so we gotta scram, man!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>12-07-2009, 06:08:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				...What?<br><br>"...What?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>13-07-2009, 02:34:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Boojum snarks!&nbsp; Bad juju!&nbsp; With teeth!"<br><br>Clutching the dog closer, Murphy took to her heels, racing away from the road...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>13-07-2009, 02:49:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Groaning, he slammed the car door, remote-locked it again, and ran after her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 01:48:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murphy had a good head start on him, but between her untied and oversized shoes, the struggling dog in her arms, and a clear lack of any actual direction made it easy enough for Tropes to catch her...and then almost trip over her as she flung herself flat as if trying to hide in the corn!<br><br>"Down!&nbsp; Be quiet!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 02:47:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Knowing full well that the rational one constantly arguing against random action and absurd attempts to hide oneself is often one of the first to go, he promptly got down next to Murphy.<br><br>Taking the opportunity to end up with his hand on Murphy's ass, entirely by accident of course.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 02:52:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Shhh!"<br><br>The storm grew thicker and heavier, wind picking up.&nbsp; After a few more minutes, Tropes could smell rain coming.<br><br>Out on the roadway, a line of vans passed, racing ahead of the coming tempest...and under his hand, Murphy trembled like a dry leaf in the wind.&nbsp; She let out a soft moan, barely audible above the gale.<br><br>"Boojum snark," she said softly, not daring to lift her head to look toward the road.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 04:19:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What is boojum snark?" he whispered quietly.&nbsp; His hand gently caressed her butt, half comforting and half feeling her up.&nbsp; Of course he realized instantly that vans = bad guys, but he wanted to know exactly what bad guys he was up against.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 04:43:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				If anything, her shaking got worse.&nbsp; While she wasn't protesting his hand, she didn't really seem to notice it, either.<br><br>"Boojum snarks are boojum snarks. They're snarks that are also boojums.&nbsp; What else is there to know?"<br><br>The vans seemed to slow for a moment, then sped off again as the wind picked up.<br><br>"Don't move," she whispered.&nbsp; "There will be others along in a moment.&nbsp; They hunt in packs."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 06:15:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alright..."<br><br>He knew better than to protest, but he would really like to know what they were.&nbsp; Maybe the dog would be more informative, if he gets him/it alone again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>18-07-2009, 19:40:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Indeed, as the wind and rain picked up, another group of vans came down the road.&nbsp; These moved more slowly, as if searching for someone out in the gathering dark.<br><br>Beneath his hand, Murphy grew still.<br><br>"What sort of story are we in, anyway," she muttered, the words barely audible under the howling wind.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>18-07-2009, 20:51:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm hoping for action-comedy, myself.&nbsp; One of us has to toss out some tension-breaking one-liners, after all."<br><br>He stayed put, trusting Murphy's instincts to know when the coast was clear.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>18-07-2009, 22:52:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The rain got heavier, but at last the vans moved on and Murphy brought her head up, eyes still wide with fear.<br><br>"I think we're going to be a lot further down the rabbit hole before too much longer.&nbsp; We should get moving now."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>19-07-2009, 00:26:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, I'm here to figure out what's going on and put a stop to it."<br><br>He smiled at Murphy.<br><br>"Want to help?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>19-07-2009, 00:33:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Why do you think I'm here?"<br><br>She gave him a look that was one part wide-eyed innocence and two parts eye-rolling teenaged sarcasm.<br><br>"I mean, yeah, I'm here to help.&nbsp; You, that is.&nbsp; Not them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>19-07-2009, 06:42:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Right."&nbsp; He smiled.&nbsp; "Well, you seem to know more about what's going on than I do, so lead on my dear."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>19-07-2009, 23:58:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Me, lead?"<br><br>Murphy almost manages a laugh.<br><br>"You must be desperate or something!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>21-07-2009, 08:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He grinned a bit.&nbsp; "Well, it's only fitting.&nbsp; Right now my only lead is 'boojum snarks' and I get the distinct impression you don't want to follow after them.&nbsp; Which leaves me with... you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>22-07-2009, 00:22:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Boojum snarks aren't a lead.&nbsp; They're a something else," Murphy pouted, getting to her feet and brushing herself off.&nbsp; Then, without waiting for him, she set off across the field, heading away from the road, almost completely ignoring the wind and the rain as she headed for a distant barn, the dog trotting along at her heels.<br><br>And of course, the canine was snickering at some private joke.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>22-07-2009, 18:10:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He got up and shrugged, heading off after Murphy.&nbsp; Nothing to do but follow, if he wanted to keep up with the story.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-07-2009, 02:43:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He had some trouble keeping sight of her in the corn, but soon enough the two of them were able to duck into the barn, out of the wind and rain.<br><br>"Brrrr...well, here we are.&nbsp; Let me know if you see anything weird," Murphy said, picking the dog up and hugging him.<br><br>But there was nothing in the barn, which smelled of fertilizer, old hay, and long-past animal habitation.&nbsp; No tools, no machinery...not even a working lamp.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>24-07-2009, 19:31:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He made sure to check through the barn, just in case, but his thoughts were predominantly on 'lucky dog...'<br><br>He also made sure to try another divination as long as he was here.&nbsp; (Lesser, 1 Penetration, 0 MP.&nbsp; Worth a shot, right?)<br><br>He also also decided to check his cell phone.&nbsp; He expected either the battery to be conveniently dead or no coverage out here, but it was worth a glance.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-07-2009, 05:42:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This was no ordinary barn, for no sooner did Tropes seek further answers than his eye caught what appeared to be an impossibility: one of the stalls appeared to lead into a long, book-cluttered hallway, lit by occasional lamps, receding into a distance that ought not have been there.<br><br>His cell phone showed no bars at all, but the battery was at least still fully charged.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>27-07-2009, 20:50:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hey Murphy, over here."&nbsp; He smiled and peered down the hallway full of books.&nbsp; "I think this is a clue.&nbsp; Shall we?"<br><br>He was of course going out on a limb that she would be able to see what he was seeing, but at least he was about to find out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-07-2009, 00:50:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Fuck," Murphy squeaked.&nbsp; "The Linear Maze!&nbsp; No telling how deep that way will take us!"<br><br>She shook her head.<br><br>"I'd almost rather take my chances with the boojum snarks.&nbsp; Almost.&nbsp; You go first."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>30-07-2009, 08:27:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"The Maze, eh?&nbsp; I've seen worse.&nbsp; It can't be worse than the one in Zork."&nbsp; He took the lead, arranging a line of books to mark the path they've taken as they go down the hall.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>03-08-2009, 23:32:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murphy followed, whimpering softly in the back of her throat and clutching the dog to her bountiful bosom.<br><br>"We really need to be careful," she said in a childlike tone.&nbsp; "No telling how deep we'll go this time!&nbsp; I mean, Alice got lucky..."<br><br>Tropes manages to catch a glimpse of the title on the back of one tome, and is probably not surprised to find that it reads "Wonderland Is Coming".
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>04-08-2009, 22:53:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>I'd like to get lucky with Alice,</em> he thought.&nbsp; He came close to saying it, but decided not to.&nbsp; This was not the time to be a Deadpan Snarker, not during the suspenseful scene.&nbsp; That only puts you higher on the Sorting Algorithm of Mortality.<br><br>"Just stick close to me, and everything'll be fine.&nbsp; Wonderland's not such a bad place, so long as you know your way around."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 00:45:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Have you ever been to Wonderland?&nbsp; Or just seen the movies?"<br><br>He could hear her shiver...<br><br>"I'd rather not go there again, at all, ever."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 01:51:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Of course I have, and it was a book first, remember?"&nbsp; He grinned a bit, continuing to lay down books marking their path.&nbsp; "What happened the last time you were there?"&nbsp; He was amazed she could remember it, but he didn't want to say that out loud and remind her that she has trouble remembering things.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 02:00:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Nothing good," she murmured...<br><br>The next lamp flickers for a moment.&nbsp; Then it goes out!<br><br>When it comes back on, the three of them are in a tiny room with a door in one wall.&nbsp; The door is maybe large enough for the dog, if he exhales all the way.&nbsp; There is also a tiny table and two wingback chairs on the same scale.<br><br>"Oh, fuck!&nbsp; We're here!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 02:42:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Indeed we are."<br><br>He went to the table, of course, and examined the two bottles.&nbsp; Of course he already knew what they would say, but he merely wanted the time to ponder the appropriateness of invoking the Take The Third Option... option.&nbsp; Since it was so conveniently set up by having two bottles on the table.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-08-2009, 02:48:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As expected, the labels (barely legible) read 'drink me'.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>09-08-2009, 17:00:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After some pondering, he decides to play along fairly.&nbsp; For now.<br><br>"Well my dear, bottoms up."&nbsp; Smiling, he picks up a bottle and quaffs the contents.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>09-08-2009, 21:06:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				...and got the expected results, fortunately with clothing likewise shrunk.&nbsp; From here, he had a very nice view of the underside of the table.&nbsp; And, after Murphy put her canine companion down, an equally close look at the JRT's nose.<br><br>"Sucks to be you," the dog said.&nbsp; "How d'you like being Mouse-i-sized?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>09-08-2009, 21:17:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I've had worse."&nbsp; He smiled up at the dog.&nbsp; He wanted to make a quip about climbing over a woman's breasts at his current size, but there was no telling if that sort of comment might be used against him in the Locust Court, so he kept the comment to himself.&nbsp; For now.<br><br>Besides, there was always the chance of doing that very thing in Wonderland.&nbsp; Stranger things have happened.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-08-2009, 16:10:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After a moment of anxious fidgeting, Murphy followed suit and shrank to the same diminutive state.<br><br>"I really hate this," she grumbled.&nbsp; "All this changing, zipping up and down and back and forth.&nbsp; It's like having a constant wedgie, only worse.&nbsp; But hey, that's what we get for plunging down the rabbit hole!&nbsp; So let's go see how far we fell."<br><br>She reached up and stroked the dog's ear, then eyed the doll furniture set before the door.<br><br>"That's...<em>new</em>..."<br><br>Something in the way she said this put Tropes's paranoia sensors back online in a hurry.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-08-2009, 01:02:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He turned and narrowed his eyes at the doll furniture, tapping into his power to try to sense more about it.<br><br>(Another lesser divination with 1 Penetration.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-08-2009, 15:50:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Other than the fact that the doll furniture is perfectly sized for Tropes and Murphy, it seemed surprisingly normal...although there was the lingering hint of some manner of enchantment about it.&nbsp; for example, as he watched, a covered platter and a teapot appeared, along with two full place settings.<br><br>Murphy shook her head.<br><br>"That's Wonderland for you!&nbsp; Every visit gets a little bit weird.&nbsp; I think we're supposed to sit down and have tea...and I'm still full from lunch."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>03-09-2009, 04:07:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, a bit of tea wouldn't hurt."&nbsp; At least, it certainly wouldn't hurt <em>him</em>.&nbsp; And while he couldn't say the same for Murphey, he knew it was far too early on the Sorting Algorithm of Evil for anything actually dangerous.<br><br>And so, he took Murphey to the doll house and sat her down for a spot of tea.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>03-09-2009, 17:26:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murphy sat with clear nervousness.<br><br>"This isn't safe. Nowhere down here is ever safe, you do know that?"&nbsp; She glanced at the door.&nbsp; "If only I knew how deep we are, then I'd know how scared we ought to be."<br><br>Toying with her teacup and biting her lower lip, she managed somehow to look even more cute and helpless...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>06-09-2009, 17:30:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, there's a difference between being cautious and being paranoid.&nbsp; Just being scared doesn't do any good."<br><br>He pours Murphey a cup of tea, then pours himself one and adds sugar.&nbsp; "Take anything in your tea, my dear?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>09-09-2009, 02:44:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sugar, no cream," Murphy said, her voice going wistful and dreamy.&nbsp; "Tell me, Mister Man, what do you know about the Editors?&nbsp; Or do you?"<br><br>The word doesn't ring any bells immediately, alas.&nbsp; Perhaps it's a local title for whoever's in charge?&nbsp; Because Tropes can sense the edge of a Chancel somewhere nearby.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>09-09-2009, 19:25:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He dutifully adds sugar and no-cream to the tea, and sugar and yes-cream to his own.<br><br>"I'm always up for some more exposition, my dear.&nbsp; Do tell."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-10-2009, 15:17:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"They're like us, but not.&nbsp; And they're not exactly Excrucians...but almost.&nbsp; Where they are, stories come alive.&nbsp; And Wonderland is their playground."<br><br>Murphy gestured to the door.<br><br>"Wonderland is through there, but we're sort of there now, which is why we're playing Barbie Haus."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Nobilis: Through a Dark Looking Glass (Circ/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>09-10-2009, 04:32:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That was about as helpful as I was expecting."&nbsp; He took a sip of tea, smiling at Murphy.&nbsp; "So what happens after our little break time here?"
			</dd>
		</dl>
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