Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: MadPanda on 31-01-2010, 00:45:14</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>31-01-2010, 00:45:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The nice thing about having a position in the Three-Banyan Inn and Teahouse, not too far from the bridge across the Lesser Horse River, was that Iroha was able to pursue her other role with comparative ease.&nbsp; Travelers of all sorts passed through, either coming or going from the provincial capital, and most were inclined to pay no attention to the pretty waitress tending to their petty needs.&nbsp; Well, not exactly <em>no</em> attention, but if they gazed longingly at her bosom or her hips, or flirted, then they weren't taking her seriously, and when people didn't take her seriously they talked more openly.<br><br>Her lord, likewise, was pleased by her efficiency in gathering intelligence on his behalf.&nbsp; So pleased that he had gone so far as to secretly fund the Three-Banyan Inn on those rare occasions when profits were low to make sure that she was retained.&nbsp; Of course, he also covered for this generosity by stopping by the Inn and monopolizing her attention whenever he did so...and so her cover was easily maintained.<br><br>Of all their customers, her two least favorite were monks and eunuchs.&nbsp; Neither paid her much attention, nor talked very much about their business.&nbsp; Still, there were things that a sharp-eyed and discrete woman could learn!&nbsp; Even something as simple as three monks from Wudan arriving from a pilgrimage from the Furthest West was of use to her lord and master.<br><br>Tonight was off to a rough start.&nbsp; The weather was cool and humid, with a storm probably on the way, and traffic across the bridge was at a standstill.&nbsp; They were crowded, and while the tips were good this meant that she had to work and work, rushing about frantically to please the customers.&nbsp; And then, on top of it all, there was the monk at the corner table.<br><br>He was young for a monk, not to mention regrettably handsome, and wore the black robe that hung off of one shoulder of his peculiar order.&nbsp; He had ordered tea and congee as soon as he sat down, and then had remained there, in the corner, watching the door with his staff resting against his shoulder.<br><br>And he set off every one of Iroha's inner alarms.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>31-01-2010, 02:37:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The teahouse was busy, at this time, the gentle murmur of conversation, the <em>clink</em> of delicate porcelain forming an almost subliminal backdrop; There was the taste of static in the air, heralding the storm that was about to come...<br><br>-At first glance, Iroha didn't <em>look</em> like an assassin; Her skin was pale and unmarked, her lissome form molding sweetly to the pure, creamy fabric of her meido-fuku, the frilly headpiece teased by the gentle breeze, her midnight-black bangs caressing her cheeks. The black-and-white costume fit her like a glove, the tails of her white sash fluttering as she moved with a smooth, hip-rolling gait, cunning cut short to reveal tempting glimpses of long, coltish legs, and the proud swell of her bust- She'd learned, early on, that men- <em>all</em> men- love the attentions of a pretty woman, with a warm smile enough to open the most reticent lips...<br><br>But tonight, though~ There was <em>something</em> in the air. She'd surveyed the newcomer on the very first pass, seemingly paying him no attention at all, as she trundled an order of steamed buns to the next table- Then again, as she poured tea for a chattering merchant, flush with success, jingling his pouch like an ornament...And all the while, the monk's eyes had never wavered from the door, his staff propped against his shoulder, always within reach. <br><br>-Curious. A young monk, who wasn't wearing the sacred robes of his calling properly, looking almost <em>hunted</em>...This warranted a closer look. When his order arrived, Iroha bore the tray smoothly and swiftly to his table, demurely lowering her eyes as she murmured the ritual words of welcome- But apparently unable to resist the slightest *flicker* of interest, the kind an airheaded girl would show a handsome man. <em>That</em> was usually enough to get a man talking- Even babbling, sometimes, *thoroughly* flattered; But she followed it up with a gaze of wide-eyed innocence and curiosity, as she poured him a cup of tea...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>31-01-2010, 17:56:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Monk was, alas, frustratingly immune to her charms.&nbsp; He smiled politely when she poured the tea, and thanked her for her service, and lapsed back into watchful silence.&nbsp; He was obviously waiting for someone else...or something to happen.<br><br>Just as she filled his cup for the third time, something did!&nbsp; Three burly men burst in through the door, swords drawn.&nbsp; One of them pointed to Iroha, the other two went to corner her employer.<br><br>"You there, wench!&nbsp; Come here!"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>01-02-2010, 03:03:59</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha barely restrained a hiss of annoyance, remembering, just in time, to compose her face in the appropriate expression of mingled shock and fear! She took a deliberate, seemingly reflexive step back, a low <em>gasp</em> in her throat- Shaking her head in a mute, soundless <em>no</em>, as her eyes darted about the room for *some* way to escape...Actually noting, to her annoyance, that there were *far* too many customers, here. It would be...inconvenient, at best, if she had to blow her cover here...Her Master would understand, but he would <em>not</em> be pleased. <br><br>"W-who *are* you people?" she stammered, backing up against the monk's table, a low shiver coursing through her- Making sure that the slim, razor-sharp daggers cunningly concealed within the folds of her trailing robes were still in place. "W...what do you want?" Iroha gasped, her tray falling from her hands with a <em>clatter</em>- Waiting for them to come <em>to</em> her, where they would be vulnerable~ Or perhaps giving the problem a chance to take care of itself...Once they were outside, somewhere quiet, she could take care of them. Not <em>here</em>, much as it galled her. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-02-2010, 01:15:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Another two men, as rough as the first three, muscled their way into the inn, followed by the biggest goon Iroha had ever seen--head and shoulders above his companions, with a curious scar at one corner of his mouth--someone had carved a half-moon into his face, leaving him with a permanent smile.<br><br>"Trash the place," the giant ordered, eliciting ugly laughs from the other thugs...<br><br>The Monk stood abruptly, one hand grabbing his staff.<br><br>"I do not believe this is appropriate behavior for customers.&nbsp; You should leave."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>02-02-2010, 01:47:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>This</em> wasn't going to end well- The brawl seemed more-or-less inevitable, though the Monk had apparently been moved to defend her; Iroha glanced past the five men, at the apparent leader, letting the slim <em>tanto</em> dagger, concealed by her long sleeves, slide into her right hand- Though her next words were aimed at the customers, most of whom were either running for cover or...Laying bets?<br><br>"Sorry, we're closed for today," she announced, sweetly- Those warm brown eyes narrowing, ever-so-slightly, as she felt the first surge of adrenaline course through her veins. "It seems we have some trash to take out..." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-02-2010, 01:57:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The customers took the hint, scattering like dry leaves before the autumn breeze, heedless of the falling rain outside!<br><br>The five thugs spread out, facing the Monk, with their large leader watching from the doorway with a wicked, wicked grin.<br><br>"This really isn't necessary," the Monk said...<br><br>Suddenly the big man exploded into action, vaulting one of the tables and swinging at the holy man with a club!&nbsp; The table shattered as the Monk shifted his stance and brought the butt of the staff around to crack the brute in the chin, which just made the big man smile!<br><br>Two of the bandits made a grab for Iroha, but too clumsily by far to be a real threat.<br><br>Another of the bandits tried to stab the monk but had to pause lest he stab his own leader as the monk whipped the other end of the staff into the big man, forcing him to stumble...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>02-02-2010, 04:30:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha took one, two *three* quick steps back from the groping hands of the bandits, her expression suggesting that being pawed at was an occupational hazard, here; The Monk had hit the leading bandit&nbsp; *hard*, but the man had just smiled- Apparently, his chin was made of the same substance as the rest of his head. Cover or no cover, it was time to intervene- She didn't particularly want to watch a holy man- Even an erastz one- get pounded into the ground, especially when he'd stepped up so valiantly to defend her honor...<br><br>-Her skirt's brief hem fluttered as she knelt- And quite suddenly, without any warning at all, Iroha's slim hands bristled with steel. The sharp, slight curve of the <em>wakizashi</em> clasped in her left hand sparked in the light, even as the razored point of her tanto's twinned blade flickered out; The lovely maid *moved*, right towards the gaping bandit who'd tried to grab her, dancing the lightning-quick steel beneath his guard- Then *across*, in a swift, fluid motion, her trailing sleeves whispering out, concealing her hands in a dizzying blur of cloth! <br><br>He didn't even have time to gawp, as the daggers slashed twice, then across, as she pounced on him in a single swift motion, lifting him up momentarily on both blades- The wounds deep, stunning, so sharp they were almost painless- as Iroha dropped him in a crumpled heap, already whirling round the face the next opponent, paying the fallen man absolutely no thought at all! That lovely face was calm, set in a mask of concentration- She'd been trained to strike, swift and lethally, and Iroha had taken to her training *very* well...<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>02-02-2010, 19:30:56</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The whirling battle continued, with the thug trying to stab the Monk howling in pain as the holy man, trying to avoid the big bandit's club, trod upon his foot!<br><br>Another bandit, seeing his comrade in arms sliced and diced, howled in anger and tried to stab at Iroha.&nbsp; She easily danced out of the way of his blow, at the price of taking a glancing blow to her gut from the one still trying to grab her.<br><br>"You really don't want to do this," the Monk said, his voice eerily serene among the battle cries and sounds of breaking furniture, nimbly hopping back from another club swing and jumping up on one table, spanking the huge thug's head with one end of his staff with a smart crack.<br><br>"Hmm.&nbsp; Not only a hot-head but a hard one as well?"<br><br>"Stand still, monk!"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>03-02-2010, 01:48:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The notched dagger stabbed at her, but Iroha ducked back- The edge sliced a thin line across the fabric of her meido-fuku, little more than a scratch, really, but the lovely assassin still felt a twinge of insult; She'd *liked* that costume. Her long, coltish legs uncoiled as she swept past the dagger-wielding thug, her blade opening a thin red line right across his throat; The maid's wrist whipcracked, and a dagger went knifing through the air, plunging *deep* into the one who'd tried to grab her from behind! Their bodies hit the ground at the same moment, thudding harshly to the wooden planks-<br><br>Three down. Two to go. <br><br>Iroha's gaze momentarily locked with the last thug's- Meeting them with a cool, almost serene expression...Then she broke into a *run*, vaulting the table as she sprinted towards him, turning her momentum into a blindingly-fast series of spinning slashes! The Monk and their leader still dueled in the center of the room~ He was too quick to be hit, and the leader was arguably too dumb to know *when* he was hurt- They'd keep, until she took down his last minion...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>03-02-2010, 14:54:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The thug swung wildly, his blade not even close to hurting Iroha as she whirled by, landing at the same time the Monk delivered another jaw-rattling blow to the huge man demolishing another table in his vain attempt to hurt the holy wanderer.<br><br>The last mook charged Iroha's way, screaming defiance at the top of his lungs, clearly upset that a mere slip of a woman was causing such trouble!<br><br>Anger makes one clumsy, alas, and he came closer to skewering his compatriot than to hurting her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>03-02-2010, 15:07:05</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha's wrist whipcracked, and her blades left her hands- Spinning across the distance like silver lightning, whirring through the air- To impact solidly with the thug who was slowly backing away, his feet slipping on splinters and spilled blood. They took him high, in the chest, and he gurgled as he fell, clutching numbly at the razor edges of the throwing stars...Wondering, distantly, why it was all going dark...<br><br><em>"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH~"</em><br><br>One more.<br><br>He was screaming so loud Iroha could see his uvula wobbling, brandishing his dagger as he hurtled towards her; The lovely maid gauged the moment, and *twisted*, driving out one dainty foot in a murderous, spearing kick! Driven by his own momentum, by the terrible force she could effortlessly impart, it shattered four of his ribs. <br><br>At once.<br><br>He went down, as if he'd been hit by a brick wall studded with tasers, and Iroha sprang over him without a second thought, the brief hem of her skirt swirling about her long, long legs as she moved, closing in on the confrontation as the Monk dueled their leader, his wild swings hitting only air. Without any warning at all, moving soundlessly, the lissome assassin stole behind the snorting, cursing man, as the Monk's staff cracked him again- And then she *sprang*, her blades hissing as they drove at him from behind~
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>03-02-2010, 15:34:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha had to duck: whirling in a graceful, almost playful arc, the Monk spun his staff through the air and dealt a mighty blow that sent the huge bandit crashing through the door and back out into the rain.<br><br>The Monk followed with stately strides, staff in hand intent on finishing the job.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>03-02-2010, 16:10:12</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He moved like quicksilver, as if the rest of the world had slowed down- The last swing of his staff imparting such tremendous force, the huge bandit's feet left the ground; He drove through the doors, shattering the wood to smithereens, crashing to rest in the pounding rain. Iroha's hazel eyes went *very* wide...It <em>was</em> an impressive feat, after all...<br><br>-It'd been mere moments since the combat started, and all five attackers were down. The fine wooden furniture had been smashed, dead and/or moaning bodies littering the ground in the crumpled heaps, and a cold wind gusted through the room from the ragged gap where the door had been~<br><br>This <em>was</em> going to be hard to explain.<br><br>"Wait." Iroha's voice wasn't very loud, but it was confident, firm, quite belying the assassin's delicate guise; She was right on his heels, the cold rain beating down in a constant hail, drenching the fallen form, ever-so-slowly sinking into the mud. "-This one might know *why*." She glanced over her shoulder, taking in the scene of destruction- Most likely, the constables had been called, too late to do anything other than clean up and wonder at ruin...But her Lord would have questions for this one...<br><br>-And most likely the Monk, too...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>04-02-2010, 15:13:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Be careful," the Monk told her as they stepped outside.&nbsp; "He's not out of it yet..."<br><br>True: for the large man was even then getting back to his feet and glaring at the Monk with murderous intent in his eyes.&nbsp; Across the courtyard, three more bandits pointed.<br><br>"They got Big Brother!&nbsp; Get 'em!"<br><br>The Monk wasted no time, whirling into action again, slamming his staff against the large man's chest!&nbsp; This, along with producing a satisfying thudding noise, propelled the man onto his feet fully.<br><br>Two of the mooks closed with Iroha, blades flashing!&nbsp; She flowed easily around their strikes, losing sight of the Monk and Monster show for a moment as she sought her opening...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>05-02-2010, 01:35:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				A low 'tsk' of annoyance parted Iroha's full lips, as another wave of bandits rushed in- How <em>many</em> of them were there? With an easy, effortless grace, she <em>moved</em>, their strikes slicing only air, just ahead or behind her; The lovely assassin's eyes narrowed, as she fell more perfectly into the focus on combat- Her view momentarily obscured by the armed men before her...<br><br>"You're in my way," she murmured, tautly, and lunged. Her motions were curt, professional, every stroke measured and lethal- The <em>tanto</em> in her left hand darted for one man, with a dazzling flurry of thrusts, even as her wakizashi slashed a silver streak through the air, as it dived for another! She didn't have time to waste on them- It was time to clear a path, to end this unseemly disturbance as quickly as possible!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-02-2010, 15:05:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				As the two bandits who had charged her dropped, blood spurting from their bodies, Iroha caught a glimpse of the Monk and the large thug trading near misses in the muddy courtyard...only to have her view cut off as the last bandit also charged, shrieking defiance and hoping to get a waitress-on-a-stick.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>09-02-2010, 11:42:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Without thinking, Iroha *struck*, pivoting smoothly on the balls of her feet- But the sudden flash of steel had balked her attacker, as he splashed to a hasty stop in the mud! Her blades had fallen *just* short of their target, even as the rain soaked into her crisp costume, the white linen drooping, *clinging* to her lissome form under the downpour...<br><br>The lovely assassin shifted her grip, flipping her blades up to form a cross of steel, held before her as she beckoned- "Come <em>on</em>, then!" she taunted, already readying herself for the very *next* blow...She wasn't going to let more hired scum get in *her* way, and she had every confidence he'd soon be joining his brothers- In hell. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>09-02-2010, 14:45:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha misses the next exchange between Monk and Brute because her opponent does not miss, and she feels the sharp agony of his blade slicing through her flimsy outfit and into her flesh...and idly notes that the wound is a serious one, even as she changes her grip on both blades and removes his head and his heart in one clinically smooth movement.<br><br>As his body sinks to the ground, she catches a glimpse of the massive bandit fleeing...and the Monk looking at her with concern.<br><br>This is the moment when an overly cheerful voice comes from the tree above her:<br><br>"Nice rack!&nbsp; Can I kiss the twins hello?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>09-02-2010, 23:16:07</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				A dull hiss of pain sawed from Iroha's lips, as her knees buckled- Wondering vaguely at the sheer *irony* of how the last, nameless thug had managed to harm her worse than the *entire* assault combined! She pressed her hand to her side, feeling the warm trickle of her own blood, staining the white linen- Somehow retaining the presence of mind to tuck her weapons away, even as the world seemed to sway...<br><br>"Wh-what...?" she murmured, glanced up at the voice- Wondering if she was hallucinating, or if it'd really come from the trees above!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-02-2010, 01:03:23</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				A boy's playful grin met her eyes, from the unlikliest of angles!&nbsp; He hung upside-down from one branch, a leg hooked over it to keep himself up.<br><br>"About time you arrived," the Monk grumbled at the new arrival as he hurried over to examine Iroha's wound.&nbsp; "Hmmm.&nbsp; This looks serious.&nbsp; Let's get you inside..."<br><br>"So I'm a little late," the new arrival said, flipping down from his precarious perch.&nbsp; "I ran into some old friends on the way here.&nbsp; Nothing to worry about."<br><br>"That," the Monk intoned solemnly, "is what you said last time.&nbsp; Now help me help her.&nbsp; She fought very well, all things considered."<br><br>The two of them (mostly the Monk) carried her back inside to find a place for her to rest.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>10-02-2010, 03:42:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It felt...vaguely embarassing to be carried back into the tavern, but the wound had seemed to have taken all her strength, with distressing suddeness; The lovely maid's head lolled back, her throat working as she swallowed, hard, willing herself to shake it off, to push through the pain-<br><br>-That was certainly going take a while. <br><br>Somehow, she managed to murmur- "W-who <em>are</em> you two?", the cool wood feeling *very* good against her back- Iroha felt weak, almost dazed, as she rested, her breath coming slowly as she marshalled her strength, waiting for herself to steady before she attempted something as complex as standing...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-02-2010, 04:04:35</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Inside she got a better look at the new arrival: his hair was an unusual shade of reddish brown, his ears large and protruding, and his easy grin made him look just a bit like a monkey.<br><br>"Guess I should go find a healer, then."<br><br>"You do that," the Monk grumbled.&nbsp; "If you'd been here on time..."<br><br>"Yeah, yeah, I know."<br><br>He winked at Iroha and left, letting the Monk tend to her.<br><br>"You're lucky," the staff-wielding holy man said.&nbsp; "It looks like they missed anything truly vital.&nbsp; How bad does it feel?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>11-02-2010, 02:44:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha hissed, lightly, at the pain- It hurt, but her head was clearing, though it'd be a while before she was on her feet; "I-I've been better," she confessed, a faint smile on her lips. "-He got lucky." Come to think of it, when the healer got here...This would look better. No-one would question the waitresss who'd been oh-so-unfortunately stabbed in the brawl, or the heroic young men who'd moved to her rescue...<br><br>"-Thank you," she murmured, glancing up at the monk- Thinking that her Lord was *really* going to want to speak to them- Both of them. "Odd...I didn't think holy men were such good fighters..."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>11-02-2010, 14:34:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No monk is born a monk, you know."&nbsp; The man looked a little embarrassed.&nbsp; "We all have other lives, even the foundlings who grow up in the temple and never see the greater world unless they are sent forth."<br><br>The other man returned at a run, carrying a very surprised elderly woman on his back.<br><br>"Medic!&nbsp; Stat!"<br><br>With those two odd words, he skidded to a halt and set the elder down as carefully as if he were handling a delicate egg of great importance.<br><br>"Here you are, grandmother.&nbsp; Now, please, do what you do.&nbsp; She has great need of your skills."<br><br>The gray-haired woman gave him a sharp look, then turned her attention to Iroha.&nbsp; A moment's examination and she was calling for hot water, bandages, needle and thread...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>12-02-2010, 01:03:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wound *was* deep, but it'd planed a long, deep gash down the side of her flesh, missing anything vital- But it *still* hurt. Despite her focus, Iroha gasped as the old woman went to work, a taut hiss of pain as the healer's skilled hands probed the wound...The lovely maid grimaced, just a little, her lips twisting at the thought of the cleaning, the sewing ahead...<br><br>"I serve the Lord of this land," Iroha murmured. "...And he would be most interested in meeting you both..." Her gaze flickered between the odd pair, curiously- Clearly wondering exactly *why* they'd chosen to come here. "As his appointed agent, I would gladly extend his hospitality to both of you..." She shrugged, slim shoulders rising against her gown, and winced again, the slightest spark of amusement in her eyes. <br><br>"-After all, this place would invite too many questions..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>14-02-2010, 17:21:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The old woman continued working, paying no attention to the banter between patient, monk, and interloper.<br><br>"It may not be as simple as that," the Monk sighed.&nbsp; "Before we attend any fine nobles at court, we ought first find the reason for this rude interruption."<br><br>"Yeah, yeah, sure, sure," the boy nodded enthusiastically.&nbsp; "Butt-kicking before partying!&nbsp; Gotta work before we can play.&nbsp; Nice rack, though."<br><br>The Monk shot his companion a long-suffering look.&nbsp; "Must you do that?"<br><br>"Yes.&nbsp; I gotta compulsion."<br><br>"There are spells for that..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>15-02-2010, 10:28:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha's eyebrows rose, just a little, at the boy's words; Not quite <em>sure</em> what to make of the pair. Some color flickered back to her face, as she gestured, vaguely, in the direction of the outside- "-Does their leader still live?" she murmured, posing the question. "<em>He</em> might have a name...Or at least a face."<br><br>A thought struck the lovely assassin, and she glanced up at her rescuers- "How might I address <em>you</em>- Both of you?" she inquired, turning the full force of her smile on the boy; "-It'd be a pity not to remember the men who..." And her lips quirked, just a little- "-Defended my virtue."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>15-02-2010, 16:23:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"This one is styled Zhuangde," the Monk bowed to her politely.&nbsp; "And has the unfortunate task of keeping an eye on this other one, who is most troublesome."<br><br>"Call me Ishmael.&nbsp; Call me a taxi.&nbsp; Call me anything you like, so long as you call!"&nbsp; The boy laughed merrily.&nbsp; "Always wanted to use that line!&nbsp; Okay, seriously, though...my name's Ping.&nbsp; As in Pong."<br><br>Somehow, she doubted that he was telling the truth...but Ping would have to serve.<br><br>"As for Happy," Ping chirped, "he skedaddled.&nbsp; Figured he would.&nbsp; He took a pounding.&nbsp; So now Big Brother Tseng knows we're here, and we can expect a welcoming committee some time soonish."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>17-02-2010, 09:30:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"So he fled," Iroha murmured- She felt stronger, now, as the old woman's work drew to a close, though loss of blood had left her faint. She was...puzzled...by the boy's curious manner, and his even more curious ways of speech- Sounding decidedly foreign, between the odd pair...<br><br>She blinked- "You are hunted men?" she inquired, frankly- Then; "...Or are you the hunters?" The lovely assassin shifted her weight, her head pillowed against the cool wood of the table for a moment- "Who is this man you pursue?" Those brown eyes glanced from one man to the other. "-My Lord would gladly extend his protection to you, if you would accept him...Though that be- indiscreet."<br><br>Her gaze swept the ruined tavern, with a little sigh. "-It seems unwise to linger, though. The militia will be here, and we've already been *very* visible..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>18-02-2010, 00:53:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, well, about that," Ping started, only to yelp when Zhuangde smacked him on the head.<br><br>"Enough of your foolishness!&nbsp; She asks wise questions."&nbsp; Turning back to her and ignoring the boy's pout, the Monk nodded.&nbsp; "We are more hunter than hunted, although our quarry is meant to think otherwise.&nbsp; &nbsp;As for your lord, we cannot honor his generosity in this matter.&nbsp; Our oaths are...somewhat higher up, shall we say?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>19-02-2010, 10:32:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She didn't, but Iroha nodded, easily, to let it slip- "Then allow me to assist you," she offered, as a compromise- She'd marshalled enough strength to stand, now, the lovely maid giving the old healer an approving nod, as color returned to her face. "A quarry like *that* is a threat to my Lord's order, too...It would be remiss of me to let him slip past."<br><br>Her full lips quirked into a smile, just a little- "...I'm familiar with the area, too- And I'd gladly help bring this to a swift conclusion." She could hardly have the two of them fighting their own private war, after all- If Iroha went with them *both*, it'd be significantly easier to explain...And, after all, while she would never admit it, she has the inkling that this went far, far deeper than she'd expected- More important than the day-to-day routine!<br><br>Besides...A holy man that fought like a warrior, who travelled with an equally-skilled child; It was...* intriguing*, to say the least!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>19-02-2010, 16:00:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zhuangde looked a little unhappy at her suggestions, but the young man just grinned more and let his eyes take a lingering walk over her body.<br><br>"Sure!&nbsp; Why not?&nbsp; She knows the ground.&nbsp; She knows the locals.&nbsp; And you gotta admit we kinda stand out around here."<br><br>"You stand out anywhere."<br><br>"That's style, baby!"<br><br>The Monk glowered at Ping, but eventually nodded and solemnly bowed to her.<br><br>"I suppose.&nbsp; We would be honored to accept your help in this matter."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>20-02-2010, 00:02:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha returned the bow with a respectful one of her own, a motion *quite* belied by her close-fitting meido costume...Though the sudden steely light in her eyes was *anything* but soft. "-It would be my honor to assist," she murmured, answering in a similar vein. She glanced around the ruined tavern with just a little sigh; The constables, under her lord's employ, would be discreet enough to *know* when to remove the bodies...Though she would have to leave a message, explaining the target she was pursuing.<br><br>Miraculously, a table- And a few chairs- had survived the brawl, and Iroha gratefully sank into one, inviting bhooth of them to sit with a gentle gesture..."Now," she began, her voice sobering- "-Who is-" Her eyes went to the young man, for a moment, noting how he couldn't seem to take his eyes from her luscious form! "...'Big Brother Tseng'? If I might be so bold- Why do you hunt him?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>22-02-2010, 17:07:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ping shrugged.&nbsp; "Bandit lord.&nbsp; Hunting the likes of him is more or less kind of like helping venerable elders across a busy street.&nbsp; Nothing less than the right thing to do."<br><br>This answer, apparently, caught Zhuangde off-guard, as if he'd expected the odd young man to say something completely different.&nbsp; He goggled for a moment, recovered his composure, and nodded soberly.<br><br>"As he says.&nbsp; We hunt bandits for a living."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>24-02-2010, 01:00:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha nodded, sagely, though from the monk's surprise, she had the feeling they weren't telling the *entire* truth. Still, it would have been most impolite of her to mention it, so the lovely assassin merely let it slide. "Indeed," she murmured, cupping her chin in her hands as she pondered this. Her Lord had set up a rapid- And anonymous- grapevine, for the easy transmission of information, back and forth- The only way to coordinate an efficient network of spies, after all. <br><br>The message she sent would be simple- A request for information regarding 'Big Brother Tseng', in lieu of a recent altercation at a tavern which bore further investigation...She hesitated, at the last line, but decided to leave out mention of the two. They're requested for anonymity, after all, and she certainly wasn't going to reveal them *this* early. A letter left *here*, a carrier pigeon released...<br><br>"-I'll begin immediately," Iroha said, rising to her feet; "-Then we'll see what we can discern..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-02-2010, 21:08:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her message written and prepared for delivery, she found the two waiting for her outside.<br><br>"So," Ping blurted out, "the thing to remember is, Big Brother Tseng is one bad customer.&nbsp; Of course, we're not going up against him just yet.&nbsp; We only have to worry about Happy and Sneezy."<br><br>"These names," Zhuangde grumbled.&nbsp; "How did you come by them?"<br><br>"Look, Happy's got that scar that makes him look like he's always smiling, right?&nbsp; And Sneezy's allergic to everything including fresh air and sunshine."<br><br>The Monk, if such he truly was, shook his head.&nbsp; "Still, it is a marvel..."<br><br>"Tell me about it.&nbsp; Anyway, the other other problem is, the big guy has backing.&nbsp; As in eunuchs."&nbsp; Something in the way Ping said that last word made Iroha's ears perk up, as if he meant somehow to say that there was a danger involved that he thought was self-evident...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>26-02-2010, 13:31:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Eunuchs?" Iroha mused, her fingers tracing the wooden grain of the table; She knew of them only in passing- They were said to be an essential part of the Imperial Court, trusted with the day-to-day tasks of administration and bureaucracy...What they lost as men, they gained in political power. That had never truly been a concern of hers, though- The Byzantine politics had been as far from her as the moon or the stars...Until they'd brought it up.<br><br>"Why *would* court officials be supporting a bandit lord?" the lovely assassin inquired, with a raised eyebrow. "-Certainly, they'd have...forces...they could rely upon-" Forces like *her*, for instance, in much the same way her Lord sustained his web of loyal agents, "...Instead of such blunt instruments." She shrugged, just a little. "This makes it...decidedly more complex...But not unmanageable. We'll need to wait for a response before we can proceed..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>26-02-2010, 18:46:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Politics," Zhuangde mumbled, not quite softly enough to avoid being heard.&nbsp; Ping shrugged and grinned.<br><br>"How many enemies does your boss have?&nbsp; Let us count them and see who might want to make his life difficult without also being so obvious as to face retribution."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>28-02-2010, 10:50:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Many," Iroha answered, completely deadpan. As far as she knew, the Imperial Court was a seething mass of intrigue, with each faction at each others- Or their *own*, sometimes, throats. Currently, her master had been embroiled in a more-or-less constant feud with several local warlords...And, by extension, their <em>daimyo</em>...And further *yet*, by whomever pulled their strings!<br><br>The thought of it made her sigh, lightly, her fingers brushing against the tabletop. She shook her head, midnight bangs caressing her cheeks; "-A man in power makes many enemies. The question is...Who *would* make a move against him? And why?" The lovely assassin tapped her chin, pondering this- The bandits clearly hadn't <em>known</em> who she was...But did their master?<br><br>Her lips drew into a thin line- Quite suddenly, she had her *own* questions to ask this bandit lord...When they found him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>28-02-2010, 19:34:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, she gets it," Ping nodded to his large staff-wielding companion.&nbsp; "Eunuch sorcerors are just another detail, I keep tellin' ya that..."<br><br>"But we are not dealing with one or two, are we?"<br><br>"Nope.&nbsp; Just not yet.&nbsp; First we gotta deal with two of the seven dolts."<br><br>Zhuangde gave Ping a strange look.&nbsp; "You keep speaking in riddles."<br><br>"Just a little thing I do, man," the boy grinned, winking at Iroha.&nbsp; "Now, if the pretty lady is up for it, I suggest we go follow Happy back to the others and proceed with the butt kicking."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>02-03-2010, 08:28:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Of course," Iroha answered, demurely enough~ The slight shift concealing the way the many, many knives she was carrying slid beneath the fabric of her alluring costume! Her lips quirked into a smile- A genuine one, this time, as she tested her side...Feeling only the dullest twinge of pain. The blow had been more shocking than lethal- Though she *had* been wounded, she was back on her feet, now...The rest she could safely ignore, until later...<br><br>"Mmmm~ I wonder where he would be headed?" she mused aloud- Her face furrowing, just a little, when she remembered that he'd seen her *face*. One more reason for, uh, Happy to perish then...Her Lord would not take kindly to having her revealed as his agent- And all the better to stop him *now*, before he could carry *that* information, amongst others, to whomever he served! <br><br>"-I believe I'm much recovered," the lovely assassin reassured them- "We should go, then. Each moment gives him another chance to return...And prepare for our arrival." If they were fast enough, they might even reach him *before* that happened...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>08-03-2010, 16:09:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"He is no doubt headed for Sneezy's camp," Zhuangde opined, looking a bit ill at the unfortunate necessity of using the nickname.&nbsp; "Which are in the caves to the south and west of the river.&nbsp; He, of course, will loop around in hopes of leading us into an ambush..."<br><br>"So we, clueless do-gooders that we are, shall oblige," Ping grinned wickedly.&nbsp; "No point in letting him know for sure that we're better prepared than he can think."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>10-03-2010, 13:03:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Spring the trap, to better avoid it," Iroha mused, crossing her arms~ There was something paradoxically <em>zen</em> about that idea, like one of the koans that'd always eluded her understanding...But it seemed to suit them, and she had to admit the idea <em>was</em> appealing...Unless, of course, the bandits could simply muster up enough force to crush them, en masse. <br><br>"-It would be my honor to accompany you in this endeavor," she offered, lightly, though her face was serious; "If there is any chance- Any chance at all of a link between the bandits and their patron, I'd be remiss to ignore it." Not to mention- Beyond curiosity, beyond the mere preservation of her cover identity...The information held by any of them would be worth it's weight in gold- A captive even more so. <br><br>She took a deep breath~ It twinged, but the wound was stitching together, nicely, thanks to the old woman's deft hand. "-He'll be on foot, but with a head start. They <em>will</em> be ready for us...But so will we."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-03-2010, 14:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah!&nbsp; She gets it!"&nbsp; Ping seemed about ready to jump to his feet and caper about wildly with childlike enthusiasm.&nbsp; "Set it off!&nbsp; Set it off now, Watson!&nbsp; Ha HA ha ha ha ha ha!"<br><br>Then he did caper, and Zhuangde put one hand over his face and shook his head.<br><br>"Could you possibly, just this once, take matters seriously?"<br><br>"Oh, I do," Ping laughed merrily.&nbsp; "Punch lines are serious business.&nbsp; Deadly serious.&nbsp; And this is a rather serious joke."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>16-03-2010, 14:03:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(Hmmm~ Scene change? I've kind of run out of things to say, here. -_^)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>16-03-2010, 19:13:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A few hours later, the trio crouched in the underbrush, watching a large collection of goons in face masks and uniform tunics move supplies from a cave to a line of wagons while in front of them, the giant known to her as Happy was berated by a much smaller, scraggly fellow who kept sneezing.<br><br>"Ahhh, Sneezy.&nbsp; All the charisma of a bloated warthog after a weekend bender and none of the management skill," Ping snickered quietly.&nbsp; "Nothing like berating your top lieutenant in front of the rank and file to encourage obedience."<br><br>Zhuangde grumbled something that she didn't quite catch, but Ping scooted back from the edge and turned to face the other two.<br><br>"Look, I know I'm not here because of my charming personality and way with the ladies, okay?&nbsp; But we have a common goal, which is to fuck these guys up.&nbsp; Now I don't know about you, Monk, but I'm inclined to let you play with Happy while I do something inconvenient to those wagons.&nbsp; No, better yet."<br><br>He grinned at Iroha.<br><br>"How're you at sabotage?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>17-03-2010, 11:54:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hmmm. Iroha's alert eyes watch the ebb and flow of the masked figures, as they loaded the wagons...Her gaze caught- And held- by the smaller, allergic man scolding the hulking figure she'd fought, before. The leader of the operation, clearly...But what were they moving? And where to?<br><br>"<em>Very</em> good," she answered, with a decidedly wicked smile~ Her lovely eyes sparkling, in clear anticipation. "It's be a terrible shame if those wagons, well, caught fire suddenly, wouldn't it? I'd say it'd ruin their plans." Now, the question was- How to make such a senseless tragedy *happen*...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-03-2010, 18:47:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Okay," Ping grinned.&nbsp; "I'll get the small fry, you get Happy, she gets the wagons, and we all pound Sneezy in between times.&nbsp; Sounds like a plan to me."<br><br>"Do you know anything about actual planning," Zhuangde rumbled.<br><br>"Only that no plan ever survives contact.&nbsp; Besides, we're Dragons.&nbsp; We don't do central authority."<br><br>Something in the way Ping said 'dragon' sounded significant, almost as if he meant something very different...but he slipped an arm around Iroha's shoulders before she could think much about it.&nbsp; He grinned conspiratorially.<br><br>"Got an idea for you.&nbsp; Here.&nbsp; It's like a tinderbox, only a lot faster."<br><br>He handed her a small metal cylinder with a plunger to one side.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>iridum248</strong> on <strong>21-03-2010, 04:18:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Iroha flinched at the warm contact, her fingers encircling the curious cylinder...Her eyes widening as she realized what it was! An oil striker...Like one of those cunning flint devices crafted in the West; She'd seen one or two, passed by smugglers~ But to actually *hold* one! It seemed simple enough, in shape and purpose- Press it, to ignite the oil reservoir, and create a tame flame...But where there'd been a rough crudity to the others, this one was sleek, almost elegant...<br><br>"Thank you," she murmured, gripping it tightly- And flashing Ping a brief, grateful smile, her shoulders unclenching ever-so-slightly. "This would be...*very* helpful." She risked another glance at the wagon, waiting for the perfect moment of distraction to slip out...Or any route that'd make it *easier* for her to do so!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales of the Fire Lotus (Iridum/MP)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-03-2010, 05:55:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Cool.&nbsp; So you know what to do with it, right?"&nbsp; Ping grinned hopefully.&nbsp; "So we'll give you a couple of minutes to get started, and then we'll bring the pain."<br><br>He turned to Zhuangde.<br><br>"Unless you have a better idea?"<br><br>"I have no reason why we cannot do as you suggest."<br><br>"That's a first..."<br><br>"Quiet, little monkey."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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