[Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Ajoxer on 19-06-2008, 23:32:34</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>19-06-2008, 23:32:34</strong>
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				The new year! The Spring Festival, the one time of year when the massive bureaucracy of Locus Seiryuu takes the day off, and the streets are filled with revelry. Children run with sparklers, set off firecrackers, and occasionally lose a thumb, but have them returned quickly back to their hands. Thank god for Medical Science. All the Powers of Seiryuu, this one night, are expected to return to join in the celebration, and enjoy the grand night. The flowers of the forest around are full of gorgeous blooms, the air is a perfect spring day, cool, crisp, and full of the sweet scent of returning life that reaches its peak during this festival. All of the stores take advantage of this festival to simultaneously ratchet up the prices and give everyone a generous discount- It manages to even out, and they are seeing their usual superb business, as the appointed hour arrives, and the Powers have finally had the opportunity to arrive.<br><br>Seiryuu has taken his favorite form as a cheerful young man in the bloom of life, a teenager who is living it up during the festival in his honor, occasionally hitting on women, and showing surprising levels of acceptance about women occasionally going pale and departing conciousness when it dawns on them who's winking suggestively.<br><br>There are many entrances to the Locus, from the numerous alleys that connect to every city where there are Chinese immigrants in any substantial amount, the beautiful Jade gateway to Locus Suzaku, and of course, the international airport. Drunk businessman, bureaucrats who have spent long years mastering getting drunk as quickly as possible, are walking through the streets, chatting cheerfully, and watching the pretty girls.<br><br>It is a good day.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>20-06-2008, 08:48:09</strong>
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				With only slight reluctance, Amy has dressed for the occasion in a long green silk robe, embroidered in red and yellow, with sandals on her feet, and her dark hair carefully pulled back and fixed with the stem of a purple flower.<br><br>Any day where the idiotic bureaucrats aren't getting in her way is a good day, she's forced to conclude as she weaves her way through the crowds, shooing a few people out of her path with nothing but a well-aimed glare.&nbsp; Still, she can hardly shake the feeling that something's going to go wrong sooner or later.&nbsp; Something <em>always</em> goes wrong -- probably the first and best lesson she learned as a Sovereign Power.<br><br>(OOC: I'm going to be unable to get back to a computer until late Saturday, so please don't rely on me to post before then.)
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>20-06-2008, 14:15:38</strong>
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				Snake prepared himself for the festival in the privacy of his own home, a converted warehouse, overlooking the bay, the city of Hong Kong behind him.<br><br>In a city so cramped as Hong Kong, it might be a little bit overdone to have an indoor tennis court in your own house, or a swimming pool, but he enjoyed those things. He walked past his library, to his living room and he picked up the invitation to the Festival. He lets the card slide into his jacket pocket, a black business suit, with just a slight hint of green, gold woven into the fabric, making it occasionally shimmer as the scales of the snake, and a high closing neck.<br><br>A smile graced his angular face, and his deep set emerald green eyes twinkled with amusement. Before he was chosen to become the Snake, he was merely a very succesful businessman, who had featured on the cover of several magazines, now he was so much more.<br><br>He shifted his perceptions into the mythic world after closing the door and then he smiles at his house. "Take good care of yourself, my friend." he said and laughed at the soft muttered response, before he left and turned around into the alley right behind his house, and he disappeared from sight.<br><br>He looked around in the Locus and with his hands in his pockets he casually strolled through the streets towards the core where he would likely meet his associates. His smile turned a bit darker and he stopped, looking around and he slowly raised his voice a little bit and announced: "I will give my blessing to the person amongst you who shows to me he .. or she is worthy of it. However, I will only give one person the opportunity, and I will not condone any violence in deciding who that person will be. And I wish you all a wonderful Festival."<br><br>He threw his head back in his neck and laughed heartilly, as he just turned the Festival very interesting for all. The tasks to find and decide on someone required nearly every single trait he himself governed, and so he would benefit from it.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-06-2008, 17:22:03</strong>
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				Wukong the Madcap, Wukong the Mischievous, Wukong the Handsome Lord of All Monkeykind, is not to be found enjoying the festivities permitted by Seiryuu.<br><br>This...this is most unusual!&nbsp; Of all Seiryuu's 'children', it is the Sage Equal To Heaven who most loves a party and can usually be found wherever the booze flows most freely, the prettiest women dance with least inhibition, and the food is plentiful.<br><br>Where could Wukong be?&nbsp; Not at the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, where the invitation was sent, although a troop of Baboon Halberdiers have come to enjoy the party in lieu of a three day pass (and yes, they left their weapons behind).&nbsp; He is not in any of the block parties.&nbsp; He does not disrupt the opening ceremonies, as he has in years past.&nbsp; He does not glide low over the revelers on his magic cloud, throwing water balloons filled with wine--he did that once, almost causing a riot by dousing a visiting goddess.<br><br>Where <em>is</em> he?&nbsp; This is most unlike the Monkey, to miss a party.&nbsp; He has been known to put off more pressing and serious business for a little revelry, after all.<br><br>Oh.&nbsp; There he is: reclining atop a temple, reading a book.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 19:59:27</strong>
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				<em>Oh, for fuck's sake...</em><br><br>Amy manages to suppress a wince as Joe speaks up, but at least her fellow Noble can probably be trusted to handle whatever mess he's just stirred up.<br><br>Probably.<br><br>Something far more odd catches her eye, however, and a sudden, graceful leap carries Amy toward the temple, where she grabs the edge of the roof and swings herself up effortlessly.&nbsp; Her robe, of course, is long enough to keep the acrobatics from getting too revealing; that was the first thing she told the tailor.<br><br>"Hey, Great Sage Equal to Heaven," she greets him, in roughly the same tone of voice she'd use to hail a friend at McDonald's.&nbsp; "Is the book really that great, or are you just waiting for everyone's guard to drop?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 20:20:29</strong>
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				Wukong turns a page.<br><br>"Hmmm?&nbsp; Oh.&nbsp; Oh, yes, it's quite interesting.&nbsp; They got almost everything wrong, and yet there's something so very compelling about this!"<br><br>Amy can catch the title on the spine: 'Journey to the West'.<br><br>"I don't even know a Sanzo.&nbsp; Unless the author means Sun Tzu.&nbsp; He was kind of interesting, but a bit obsessive."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 20:48:53</strong>
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				For the moment, Power of Rat is apparently being spared the spiteful glances of Chance and Fate, and in fact, finds one of those rare human beings who is willing to chance the wrath of a power to offer her an offering of sorts- one of the popsicles made during this time. The boy smiles, and from the lack of apologetic parent quickly ushering him back into the crowd, it can only be presumed that he is, sadly, one of the children of those who disappear into the Bureaucracy, never to be seen again, and kept care of as a ward of the state. 'I hope you like it, Exalted Power of Rat.' he says with a cheerful smile. 'It's grape.' If you choose to take it, he bows quickly, and disappears back into the crowd again, disappearing out of sight to continue with the days frivolity. The ice is cool, refreshing, a touch of winter in the warmth of spring, and all too soon, is left only as a stick and a sweet memory, as the night continues on.<br><br>Snake, meanwhile, has found himself with the usual distractions of the festival- Games of chance, games of skill, all mental, out of perhaps the hope that a mental challenge against a power will give more likelihood of a lucky break and a missed move, misguided though this belief is. There is one man, a youth with the grin of a devil and a new game every year, always something of the manner of the three card monte or the shell game, pitting his dexterity and cunning against your wits and quick eyes- The cheating is taken as a matter of course, merely another level to the game, and no matter how many times you manage to select the correct card, from out of his sleeve, the brim of his hat, a nearby child's hand, he still offers you another challenge the next year. There is an old man, who sits by a table with a chess board set up- Each year, since you have taken your position as power, during the festival, he plays a single turn of the game with you. The game still has a good way to go, and he says that it offers him good incentive to keep living on, and an interesting problem to consider every time he finds himself overwhelmed by other things. These are not for his favor specifically, merely ways that the people of the city spin their prayer wheel, brilliant moves and tests of skills the drops of water that grind out a fine flour of enlightenment. This year, as always, the one to challenge you is perhaps the finest go player in the city- Each year, he wins the right through whatever skills he needs, be it a test of sporting prowess, a gambling odds, or something so simple as a riddle contest, and presents you with a single perfectly carved pearl, alternating between black and white, shining with one of the Mantras written, vanishingly small, by hand, the labor of the free time of an entire year. He bows as he offers you the pearl, and always, leaves without waiting to hear if you are pleased, for if you were not, he would not have been given the opportunity to give you even the second pearl.<br><br>The night is warm, and blissful, and joy is in the air. It is a rare moment for you to reflect back on what you have been spending your time on, for a Nobilis is rarely bored- Perhaps not always doing what they want to, but boredom is a sign of something deeply wrong with the cosmos.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 23:25:49</strong>
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				She'd looked askance at the popsicle for only half an instant before smiling.&nbsp; "Thank you," Amy murmured, plucking the popsicle from the kid's hand.<br><br>She watched for a moment as the kid disappeared into the crowd, before letting a smile steal across her face as she tasted the popsicle.&nbsp; "Prosper," she whispered, almost inaudibly.&nbsp; The gods knew, the Chancel damn well needed competent people who respected their betters.<br><br>(OOC: Lesser creation of Rat, 2 DMPs.&nbsp; Making the kid grow up intelligent, ambitious, and hardworking.)<br><br>She cocks an eyebrow at the Monkey King.&nbsp; "It makes you sound pretty cool, though, you have to admit.&nbsp; But still, even if you haven't read it before, why miss a party for it?"&nbsp; He's just got to be up to something, Amy knows it.&nbsp; Maybe he just wants to drive everyone crazy wondering what it is.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 23:32:34</strong>
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				Wukong's eyes twinkle.<br><br>"That," he says with a smile, "is a secret!"<br><br>He flips another page.<br><br>"I mean, this mortal had quite the imagination!&nbsp; I do kind of recall a...what do they call them now?&nbsp; A road trip.&nbsp; Yeah, a road trip with a couple of friends a good while back, but it wasn't like this.&nbsp; No sutras involved."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 23:48:09</strong>
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				Snake had spend the past year mostly amongst the humans to which he once belonged. He had worked on another movie, another blockbuster in Asia, and spend the remainder of his time travelling around the world, often by very mundane means, picking up more books and rare manuscripts for his collection.<br><br>When he is done with the same challenges he puts out every year, he smiled at the world. The person trying to scam him entertaining as always, even though the challenges are too easy. The game of chess with the old man started to look a bit worrying for him, as he might lose that one. The old man that is, as losing a game isn't something he worried about. After all, one loses one game and wins three. As always without a word he put the pearl in his pocket and then he looked around, seeing his colleagues on top of the temple.<br><br>A slight shift of sight to the Mythic Earth and a warm word and a flirtatious smile to a passing spirit of air and he had himself carried to the roof to join them.<br><br>"Journey to the West." he said, looking upon the book in Monkey's hands, "that's an entertaining story. How have you been my friends ?"<br><br>Putting his hands in his pockets he shifted his perception back to the Prozaic and he smiled at his associates.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2008, 00:05:29</strong>
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				"Hi, Snake.&nbsp; Not too bad.&nbsp; Not too terribly bad."<br><br>Wukong holds his book up.<br><br>"Just catching up on my reading!&nbsp; I thought I'd start on the Three Kingdoms next, but I hear it gets kind of repetitive for a few chapters.&nbsp; People keep meeting Lu Bu and dying in short order."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>23-06-2008, 03:47:33</strong>
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				"Could be worse," Amy replies, after shooting Wukong the expected glare.&nbsp; She licks idly at the last dregs of the popsicle, doing her best to look dignified.&nbsp; "The Festival's going pretty well, but we spent fucking <em>ages</em> planning it."<br><br>Trying to argue through all the details with the Chancel's many-faceted bureaucracy would have given her an aneurysm if she'd still been mortal.<br><br>"Anyone want to take odds on something going wrong before the night's out?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-06-2008, 03:48:55</strong>
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				'Nu-unh," Wukong says with uncharacteristic bluntness...but he offers no further explanation, hiding behind his book.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>23-06-2008, 05:26:23</strong>
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				David Long, Beloved Dragon, God-King of Locus Seiryuu, Noble Amethyst of the East, is conspicuously absent. &nbsp;As the day wears on, people become restless; where is their great leader? &nbsp;Will he come at all? &nbsp;What could possibly keep him away?<br><br>At long last, a large jet pierces the clouds above the chancel, circling overhead several times as explosions of fireworks guide it to the airport runway. &nbsp;Crowds surge around as the plane comes to a stop, and there is an expectant hush as the door opens and the runway itself bends upward to form a ramp. &nbsp;Then, dozens of beautiful girls, impeccably dressed, stream out and line either side of the ramp, forming an aisle to the edge of the crowd. &nbsp;After that, men wearing billowing robes disembark, laying themselves down head to toe to form a living red carpet. &nbsp;It is only then that the Sovereign appears, greeted by sudden and joyous exaltation, and begins to walk down the ramp. &nbsp;Even as he trods on the backs of his followers, his weight is as a feather, and each footstep a soothing massage.<br><br>"My people!" &nbsp;His voice booms over the celebration, his smile shining. &nbsp;"This is a blessed day!" &nbsp;As he walks, the crowd parts reverently, and he easily makes his way to the temple where his Familia is assembled, the ground itself lifting him up to the roof.<br><br>"Brother Monkey..." &nbsp;He gives Wukong a warm hug, then turns to Amy and kisses her cheek tenderly. &nbsp;"Dear sister Rat..." &nbsp;At last he turns to Snake and clasps his shoulder. &nbsp;"And our cousin Snake. &nbsp;How does this day find you all?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>24-06-2008, 01:18:56</strong>
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				Amy rolls her eyes.&nbsp; "Hail to the king," she pronounces half-sarcastically as their beloved god-king rises to the roof, but she stands on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his cheek just the same, ignoring the irritating feeling as her Auctoritas runs into his.&nbsp; "I guess it's going okay.&nbsp; No catastrophes.&nbsp; Yet."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>24-06-2008, 01:24:19</strong>
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				Wukong scratches his chin thoughtfully and submits to the brotherly embrace without any sign of discomfort.&nbsp; He stilll seems a little distratcted.<br><br>"Yes, yes, hello...I am well enough, thank you.&nbsp; What news?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>25-06-2008, 07:49:28</strong>
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				Snake smiled at his "family", his expression warm, looking at each of them with his dark eyes.<br><br>"As you might know, I collect books from all over the world." he said, then frowned for a second, "On one of my journeys I came across a version of the 'I Ching' that actually referenced something called 'The Sketchbook of Creation' and it was written by someone who claims to have seen the designs for Creation and wrote down what he saw as best as he could."<br><br>He waited for a bit to let sink in the realisation of what that book could mean to Creation, and the continued with his story.<br><br>"I tracked down the copy to the Forbidden City's library, but when I arrived there, only dust was left on the shelf were it was supposed to be. And the last person who requested to see that book is a member of the Camorra." he finished, letting that bit sink in too.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 06:16:38</strong>
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				"You've gotta be kidding me."&nbsp; The possibilities were already spinning through Amy's mind.&nbsp; "Okay, first off, let's hope like hell that the author was lying or that he just sucks at writing things down."<br><br>Not that the Camorra didn't have their uses, but frankly, even without that book they had way more power than Amy really trusted them with.<br><br>"Failing that...I guess it's too much to hope that they might not realize what they've got yet."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 06:31:20</strong>
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				David waves a hand dismissively.&nbsp; "The Camorra are little more than the lapdogs of Lord Entropy.&nbsp; A minor annoyance, a mote upon the beauty of Creation.&nbsp; Even granting the ridiculous notion that a mortal could comprehend the totality of Creation and artfully craft the words to describe it, the Camorra could do nothing with it.&nbsp; They have no capacity for power aside what is granted them by Lord Entropy, and if he chose to extend their capacity to include such knowledge of Creation, he would have no need of mortal text to do so."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 15:57:50</strong>
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				With a sigh, Wukong tucks his book into one wide sleeve of his traditional tunic.<br><br>"But would Lord Entropy not look the other way if the results of such a thing were pleasing?&nbsp; He may wish them to gain this power but not be seen as the cause of their promotion."<br><br>He shakes his head sadly.<br><br>"Such <em>is</em> covered in the Thirty-Six Stratagems and the Seven Military Classics."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 16:57:49</strong>
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				"And what promotions do the Camorra enjoy that are not the result of Lord Entropy?&nbsp; Who would be so naive as to not attribute this promotion to Lord Entropy, regardless of the truth of this book?&nbsp; If he wished to employ deception, he could not do so through simple inaction; some sort of smoke screen or misdirection would be in order, and I see no such attempt here."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 17:00:32</strong>
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				"Perhaps someone wishes them to over-extend their reach and thus provides the tool, knowing that the August Jade Emperor will be left with both the credit and the blame."<br><br>Wukong shrugs.<br><br>"In either case, I must agree with our siblings that this is not an auspicious occasion."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 19:41:32</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake smiled as he heard his compatriots jump to all kinds of conclusions, before they even knew more of the facts.<br><br>"If I may?" he interrupted their ramblings politely, "This is no ordinary book written by a mortal, that much I learned from having a polite conversation with the books that shared the shelf in the library for over fifty years. According to them, the book was older than anything they had ever encountered, painted in pictograms they had never encountered before in their centuries of existence."<br><br>He smiled as he recalled actually having a conversation with the books. Being Snake does have it's advantages no matter how crazy it may look to the outside world.<br><br>"Now, I know this particular agent, and it might be that he actually just collected the book as he has with so many others." he said alleviating the threat somewhat, "however the difficulty lies in recovering it, and checking it's validity. If the book has indeed been written by someone looking over the shoulder of the Creator as he drew up his plans for creation, then the book is more valuable than anything and should be protected at all costs."<br><br>He looks around, down at the people of the city and smiled. "However, we are expected at the heart of the festivities. I am certain that the book will be there when we go look for it later." he said and then with a smile, slid down the temple roof, jumped of the edge, and landed on top of a party tent, sliding down, and safely landing on his feet. "Are you coming ?" he yelled after his 'family' as he disappeared into the crowd, mingling with them as if he had always belonged there.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>29-06-2008, 05:47:59</strong>
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				Amy shoots David a glare.&nbsp; "Friggin' <em>stop</em> thinking everything isn't important.&nbsp; Every 'minor annoyance' of yours is like ten things that land on <em>my</em> plate."<br><br>"Fine."&nbsp; She cocks an eyebrow at their adopted brother.&nbsp; "But when the festival's over, we're getting on this.&nbsp; Even if the Camorra doesn't know what they've got, who says you're the only one who caught word of it?"&nbsp; Amy took one step before launching herself from the roof, arcing gracefully to the street below.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 16:25:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong watches Amy dive off the roof.<br><br>"Does she have a point," he asks the empty air, maybe addressing David and maybe not.&nbsp; Then he pulls the book out again.<br><br>"Ah, well.&nbsp; I'm a simple fellow.&nbsp; These affairs are a bit vexing to me.&nbsp; Now where was I?"<br><br>He settles down on the roof again.<br><br>"Maybe I'll come join the party later, but I'm at the part where I bust my way out of Heaven 'cause I don't like my job."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 04:44:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Familia Byakko, as per tradition, is in the city, and even now, they spread out, looking towards their counterparts. They are, of course, fellow Nobles, and more so, are practically cousins, but the relationships between the First and the Third Trine have always been strained by their very nature- After all, they are, in many ways, the antithesis of eachother. They are, all the same, going to behave themselves, this being your festival.<br><br>Power of Horse is, as he usually is, showboating for the crowd, his hands grasping the essence of fire out of the air, focusing it through himself, and throwing the materialized gunpowder into the air, creating colorful bursts, manipulating them so they fly through the air in dancing patterns. Horse is the spirit of Gunpowder itself, a fire elemental born when first someone ignited gunpowder, and he inherited a personality to match, youthful, cheerful, and magnetic to a fault. He is, of course, also a flighty being, and that has certainly been cause for some tension between him and Rat- it's hard to deal with someone like that at the best of times. " Cousin Rat!" He, of course, is godawfully ignorant of it, showing that special brand of polite ignorance that can make certain people unbearably cheerful. " Well, how has your year been? Any new developments in the world of cunning and espionage? Come, please, let me treat you to a meal." he says, already off with that exuberance that is two parts charming and one parts obnoxious, offering a hand cheerfully. He is tall, and though his form looks human, there are aspects of the fire even when he doesn't manifest his elemental form- the cast of his hair, waving even when no breeze is present, a slightly warmer than normal skin, and a look, deep in his eyes, of a waving fire.<br><br>Wukong and David are approached by the other two of the Trine. Power of Dog is a slight woman, cynical and a bit of a bitch, all things told, though not for lack of trying. She hmphs, cocking her head. "Well, I see that the great and powerful Cousin Dragon has managed to make another one of those embarassingly over the top entrances." she says, hands set on her hip, head tilted. " You know, not everything needs to be done while strolling down the backs of mortals." she says wryly, shaking her head. She is, all the same, a beautiful woman, though her beauty has a certain cast quality. She was born of the first iron smelted in China, a statue given life. "So, what new and ludicrous lengths have you gone to this year?" she asks, eyebrow raised as she sits on the temple roof. Her hair is long, strands of iron, thin yet strong, a dark black, her features lovely, showing her Chinese heritage quite thoroughly. She isn't a bad person to most, even considered a very kind, loyal person to those in her Familia, but she has always been particularly picky with David's behavior. The lady doth protest too much, perhaps.<br><br>Power of Tiger, meanwhile, shakes her head. 'Wukong, you sit here reading books. It is a festival. You are being a pain, as usual.' she says. She's a dryad, born of a grove, remote in the distant mountains, a single grove of ancient bamboo, intensively powerful geomantically, but practically unknown. She is, of course, an old friend, but she's one of those friends who wakes you up at four in the morning to do a run through the bad neighborhoods and gets in a fight with a gang lord. Everybody has one. 'There's a festival, get off your famous ass and let's find some trouble.' she says with a wild grin. 'We've got the run of the city, how about a good old fashioned rooftop run?' She is as athletic as her nature, grinning as she puts her hands on her hips. 'Unless, of course, you got soft this year.' she says, smirking tauntingly, pushing buttons with the abandon of an attention deficit child.<br><br>Snake, on the other hand, meets someone who is rather less grating- His old brother, Ox. 'Hello, brother. I hope you're doing well?' he says peacefully, the tall, broad-shouldered man sitting at a stoop peacefully, watching the festival pass by. He is composed of the waters of the Yellow River, an essence of the river itself, and was the member of your Trine to find himself with Byakko. Of course, he's still kept in touch with you. " What is new, my brother?" he asks, standing up, unfolding peacefully.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 05:51:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dragon turns his smile to Dog, remaining as charismatic and magnanimous as ever.&nbsp; "Speaking of new and ludicrous, have you seen the screenshots for Soul Calibur 4?&nbsp; Your namesake's costume is getting more revealing with each iteration, Cousin Xianghua.<br><br>"But as for myself, it has been a productive year.&nbsp; I have walked much of Creation, and made many friends and allies.&nbsp; Several mortals have been secured to my cause, including that Trump fellow; his daughter Ivanka is already Anchored to me, and I daresay she will prove a quite capable servant.&nbsp; But yes, this celebration comes at an interesting time.&nbsp; It is... like drawing a deep breath, savoring an aroma, taking it all in...&nbsp; By tomorrow evening that breath shall be let out, my work done and yet just begun.&nbsp; Yes, I would say by this time tomorrow I shall have secured the commerce of the world.&nbsp; The Camorra can have their political offices, while I take the reins of power in a proper direction.&nbsp; We must, after all, preserve what beauty is left in the prosaic world if we are to preserve the beauty of Creation."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 23:36:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Horse may represent fire, but it's his counterpart who wears an expression of barely-controlled fury as she (reluctantly) approaches.&nbsp; Unfortunately for Amy, she can hardly exact the wildly disproportionate revenge she'd like to on a fellow Noble of the Zodiac.&nbsp; "Do you ever shut up?" she asks icily.&nbsp; She falls into step behind him, but doesn't take his hand.&nbsp; "The world of cunning and espionage is just fine as long as I don't <em>tell</em> people about it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>05-07-2008, 01:11:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong yawns and rubs the back of his neck.<br><br>"Am I?&nbsp; I was just catching up on some light reading, contemplating the nature of things."<br><br>He holds up his book and grins.<br><br>"Apparently I am to wage war on Heaven.&nbsp; Or maybe that's something I already did.&nbsp; Hard to tell with this.&nbsp; It's quite imaginative.&nbsp; And the Festival..."<br><br>He puts a finger to his lips.<br><br>"The Festival will not suffer due to a lack of my presence.&nbsp; The others will enjoy themselves more if I am not stealing the spotlight.&nbsp; And...ah, but the last thing is my secret!&nbsp; I cannot tell you.&nbsp; But it is vitally important that I not go amongst the people and indulge my usual whims." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>05-07-2008, 15:27:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake smiled at Ox, enjoying the stable rustic calm, the strength of the river moving relentlessly forwards stopping for nothing, and he looked up to the sky, his eyes resting there.<br><br>"Things are moving as they always do, Brother." Snake said, "I finished a movie. I played my own ancestor and namesake in that one, and the special effects were really great. I've been tracking down a few nice books. Journeying around the world. Looking for love in all the wrong places. You know. Stuff."<br><br>The still very human Snake at the moment turned around, his eyes past Ox, to look at a passing beautiful girl and then he laughed.<br><br>"Life is wonderful." he said, he lied as ever since he became Snake, his heart had been empty. That would also accost for the many romantic action movies he made over the past few years.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 06:32:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xianghua sighs, rolling her eyes. " I still can hardly believe that you would go to such lengths to create such a silly display." she says, shaking her head. " And I also saw the sculpture that had been commissioned." There's a faint blush of copper to her cheeks as she says this, though, her eyes not meeting his. " Ah, yes, I had heard about the minor scandal involving the Trump family. As always, you tempt the judgement of Lord Entropy. I suppose next you will declare your open love to someone in the Locus Court?" she says with a raised eyebrow. " But if the Camorra could be curtailed somewhat, I think there would not be many Powers who would object." She then turns her eyes over towards the Monkey King and Tiger " Perhaps we should go before Tiger decides to throw caution to the wind and attempt to beat the secrecy out of your dear brother, however." she says, gesturing towards the street level, carefully hopping off, drifting down to the ground and landing fairly lightly. She looks up towards you. "Hopefully you will be able to land without the aid of adoring mortals to pad your feet?" she says, arms crossed. It perhaps says something of the grandeur of Dragon's schemes that she does not even seem particularly surprised by your bold plans.<br><br>Horse laughs off your anger. " A shark never stops swimming, does it?" he asks with a mild smile, and then grins as you say this. " Oh, come now. One of the purest joys in life is the spy who may brag of their accomplishments after it would no longer break their cover. Your silence only whets my appetite for future stories that, I am sure, shall be even greater for the time they take to cultivate." He walks towards one of the relatively modern restaurants- interestingly, a pizza place, reminiscient of good times and youth. " Perhaps something exotic to suit the tastes of cosmopolitan Rat?" he asks with a smile as he enters the building.<br><br>Tiger stares. " You are reading. During a grand festival. You are telling me that the festival will be fine without you, that you do not wish to steal attention from others, and that you have a deep secret. There are three possibilities that I can infer from this: That you are mad, in a different manner than usual, that you are not you, or that you will be horribly murdered if you participate in this festival and you are entreating me for help without letting anyone know." she says matter of factly. " It sounds like odds are quite good that you could use a good-old-fashioned beating." She grins. " What do you say?"<br><br>Ox nods quietly. " You do enjoy your time among the Mortals, don't you?" he says, smiling softly. " You do well to remind yourself of them. I should spend more time visiting the villages along the banks..." He softly looks towards you. " Rooster is looking forward to seeing you again. She says she does not see nearly enough of you." He smiles. " I'm sure she will be happy to see you once again." He smiles. " And you always say that, Snake. You should try feeling it more often." he looks about. " Now, tell me, what is there that's good fun in this city of yours?" he asks light-heartedly, arms akimbo as he takes a breath of the air- The distant scent of gunpowder from the fireworks fills the air, a scent of celebration.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 07:31:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake smiles at his brother and looks with fascination at the fireworks. "Nothing is better than seeing the sun rise above the mountains, and the see the restless city bustle to life. See the airplanes fly into the city, the boats enter the harbor, and it's streets clogged with cars and the masses moving through the city, not knowing what the day will bring them. Then as the sun is in the South, the wind comes, blowing away the smell of the city. Seeing two cultures side by side, actually fitting in together, it's very charming indeed." he said and he smiled at Ox, "Well Brother, I am moving again, the festival awaits."<br><br>A soft tap on Ox's shoulders and he walks away into the crowd, enjoying the festival at the moment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 16:05:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Monkey raises an eyebrow.<br><br>"Good cousin, what is my foremost attribute?"<br><br>He grins cheerfully.<br><br>"Surely you can guess why I am here with a book.&nbsp; Have you not read this so-called Journey to the West?&nbsp; The first seven chapters are about me.&nbsp; Thus I am following my adoptive father's advice, that I ought to know myself and thus achieve a greater wisdom.&nbsp; Is this not a higher calling than attending a festival?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 02:10:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ox smiles and waves you off. " Rooster said she would be here soon after we arrived, she should arrive within the hour. I'm sure she would be happy if you greeted her as she arrives." He smiles and walks off to enjoy the festival himself. Rooster will most likely be appearing through the gate to New York, where she lives much of the time. The gate is in the east section of the city, quite a nice place, the most urban section of the city.<br><br>Tiger raises an eyebrow. " There are three hundred and sixty four days in a year where there is no festival going on, cousin. Three hundred and sixty four days, interspersed with rain, snow, and unpleasant wet heats. This is one of the few rare fine days, it is the day of festival! And I can't stand to see you sit here and waste your time on something like this!" she says, rocking on her heels rather exasperatedly. " Now let's join the festival, before I have to drag you down there myself!" she says, cracking her knuckles, grinning widely. " Besides you have a big enough head without needing to read about the things you DIDN'T do, too." she says, arms crossed under her chest. " Now, are you going to get down to that festival, or am I going to have to drag you down?" she asks with a wild grin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 06:46:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sharks can't breathe if they stop swimming," Amy mutters unnecessarily.&nbsp; "But you're supposed to be a higher being than that.&nbsp; Not that anyone'd know from the way you carry on."<br><br>She follows him into the pizza place, though.&nbsp; A native-born American, Noble or not, can only take so many ethnic meals in a row before she gets violent.<br><br>"So what have you been up to for the last year?" she asks idly, because loud-mouthed morons are a cunning spy's best friend, no matter how annoying they are.&nbsp; "Besides blowing shit up, I mean."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 17:42:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I don't suppose you'll let me be my usual unpredictable self and stay up here, will you?"<br><br>Wukong rubs the back of his neck.<br><br>"I didn't think so.&nbsp; Okay, I'll tell you what.&nbsp; Flash your tits at me, and I'll know you're serious."<br><br>Then, while Tiger ponders that request, he quickly scrambles for the edge of the roof and leaps out into empty space and drops to the street, catching himself on an awning at the last second and performing an acrobatic triple-back flip before landing to the applause of the revelers.&nbsp; Within seconds the chant starts...<br><br>"Wu.&nbsp; KONG!&nbsp; Wu.&nbsp; KONG!&nbsp; Wu.&nbsp; KONG!"<br><br>Waving to his fans, Monkey dashes off in a random direction, laughing his head off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 01:57:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I may be able to trod the earth, my dear, but where is the fun in that?"&nbsp; With a smile, David steps off the roof and onto a supportive pocket of air, walking behind Xianghua two feet above the ground, no pun intended.&nbsp; "I know sculpture is no medium to capture true Beauty, but there are few such media in Creation and I must make due with what is available.&nbsp; The garden takes time to grow, after all."<br><br>As he walks, his crowds follow, maintaining at all times the proscribed distance away.&nbsp; Still, he finds himself reaching out to those who stretch out his arms toward him, and with each brush of his fingertips he grants that subject a week's good fortune.<br><br>"Of course, my dear sister would scold me if I offered details of all my plans expecting nothing in return, and I do hate to make her unhappy.&nbsp; So tell me, what of your own visions for the world?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 07:50:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Horse smiles as he walks into the pizza place. " Ah, such a wonderful idea." He orders a calzone, smiling. " The Italians, the only people ever to make a vegetarian meal that satisfies." He smiles. " Oh, what have I been up to? Not a great deal..." He takes a seat at one of the small booths, smiling. " But I believe we may have a lead to something... very, very important." He smiles as the calzone arrives. " Something that the Cammorae have held for quite some time, and which may be quite important to your dear brother Snake, and our beloved Ox." He smiles. " Ahhh, here we are!" He digs into the Calzone carefully, savoring the food. " I must say, you always give me a fine reason to enjoy something new." he says with a cheerful wink. " Not all problems are solved by blatant miracles... simply most."<br><br>Tiger raises an eyebrow as he makes this challenge. " Well, thank god you're back to normal." She grins as you leap off, and takes chase, jumping afterwards. " This year, Monkey! This year I'll be catching you!" she says with a wild grin as she follows you, running quickly as she chases as best as she can through the thick crowds. The night is filled with the scent of adrenaline and good cheer as she tests herself against you. " Someday, I might have to stoop to doing this in the buff, to distract you!" she says with wry good humour as she runs after you, close behind.<br><br>Xianghua rolls her eyes as you jump off, walking along. " You always speak of such plans, I can't believe you keep it all straight at any given time... But perhaps there will be some working together in the coming year." She looks back, and just for a moment, a brief smile crosses her lips as you grant that good fortune. She has to admit, there are times where Dragon's great pride can be well founded. " Family Byakko believes that the Camorrae are holding something very important that we should try to recover... and if they are watching their financial backing disappear, there is no question that it will make any bargaining we must do a great deal more weighted for us." She nods. " But for now... I'm hungry." She sets off willfully, headed towards the restaurants in the heart of the city. " And what would you recommend, oh illustrious God-King?" she asks with a slight smirk.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 11:03:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake went to await his sister Rooster at the location of the tallest buildings of the city, where the alleys from New York cross over, with their long shadows, like cracks in the fabric of the world and he found himself a spot.<br><br>Smiling at the festival goers, he considered his options in improving his own estates even more, but humans were already very interesting to his estate and only very little could be done. Too much of his estate and it would all lose it's value. Too little and it would strangely gain in value, but he would not want to do that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>15-07-2008, 18:06:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong leads Tiger on a merry chase, bounding from street to roof level and back again as they make a grand circuit of the Festival.<br><br>"You would show me yours?&nbsp; I might stop for that...but only if you made it worth my while!&nbsp; How bouncy are they," he called out, grabbing a handy pillar and spinning away, just out of reach of any retaliation before flipping up onto the temple roof and dashing away again.<br><br>And eventually, he laughs again...a sound of genuine, innocent, almost child-like joy that echoes even over the firecrackers and music.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 08:46:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, well, I'm like one-thirty-second Italian, but the restaurants are about the only thing diversity's really doing for the Chancel."<br><br>She orders a medium-sized pizza with damned near everything on it.&nbsp; Yes, even anchovies.<br><br>"The Cammorae?"&nbsp; Amy looks up, interested, as though she hadn't heard anything exactly like this earlier.&nbsp; "You're saying <em>they</em> got their hands on something important?"&nbsp; She takes a bite of the first slice.&nbsp; "That's one hell of a step up."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 02:45:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Snake waits by the entrance to the Chancel from New York, there's a rustle as a door opens, and Rooster walks out, and favors you with a small smile. She's young, perhaps 20 years old, but she dresses quite a bit older. She wears a business suit and a pair of glasses, her hair done up in a bun, and she nods to you. " Snake, it's good to see you again, brother." She smiles, and walks up to you, pulling her hair out into it's full length, a long stream of gorgeous black, and meets your eyes with those rare green eyes of hers. Her family is second generation, an Irish father and a Chinese mother, and her own body falls somewhere in between, tall and slim, but oh-so-independent. " I hope the year has treated you well?" she asks, softly embracing you, giving you a kiss on the cheek. " Tell me, how have you been?" she asks, smiling lightly as she takes your hand, walking to the elevator down to the first floor.<br><br>Tiger laughs. " Hah! So you can go around bragging what an easy date I am? Anything worth having is worth paying for, and you know I'm not cheap!" she says, smirking as she chases along behind you, dancing after you, leaping along the sparks in the air as she follows you up the temple, smiling widely as she follows, enjoying the same simple joy of a fine night of running through the sky. <br><br>Horse smiles. 'Yes, we were nearly as surprised... but it appears they got a hold of something, and most likely do not know its true value. I can only hope that they don't know its true value..." He nods quietly. " If they do, then I do not know what we could give them that is equal in worth." He winks. " So I do hope that nobody spills the beans, hmm?" He smiles. " How are your overly salted prey fish?" he asks, smiling as he finishes the calzone, standing.<br><br>Should any of you care to check your watch, it appears to be an hour before the time when Seiryuu will talk with you, giving one kernel of knowledge from the coming year wrested from the depths of the bureaucracy, the miraculous energy that comes from that grinding mill of sanity, substance, and souls. It is held in the center of the city, in a small park, a relaxed place, quiet. Peaceful. And of course, off limits to all but Seiryuu and his Nobles.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 07:07:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Recommend?&nbsp; Every meal is perfection when you eat with me, my dear."&nbsp; David grins softly at Xianghua, withdrawing his arm from the crowd of followers after a few more steps.&nbsp; "What the Camorra may or may not possess is immaterial.&nbsp; What matters is the scope of their influence; they can wield no true power in a vacuum.&nbsp; Once I have things firmly in my control, you will see how much brighter Creation can be."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>20-07-2008, 21:19:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake laughed softly at his cousin's appearance and her words of greeting. Cousin for considering her his sister would be very inappropriate with the thoughts he occasionally had about her. He smiled at her, his white teeth showing, and his dark eyes lit up as she kissed him and he wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her against his chest, holding her in an affectionate, though not very brotherly hug.<br><br>"I am doing just fine, my estate is doing fine, and everything is just dandy, handy and shiny." he said, holding her hand and walking with her towards the elevator, "How are you doing, cousin ?"<br><br>As one of the Zodiac, Snake is a bit of a weird one, for his own domain is so precious that it does not need to be spread as actively as that of others, and those who deserve his attention, usually already have earned it on their own, leaving the Snake to spend most of his time doing whatever he damn well wants to do, and for the past few years, it has been quite some fun, but the shine was dropping fast from the powers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>20-07-2008, 21:23:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Who said anything about dating you?"<br><br>Wukong grinned at his 'cousin', performing a flashy forward leap-and-roll off the temple roof, springing out into space only to catch the edge of the next roof along at the last moment!&nbsp; Swinging gracefully back up onto the top, he put two fingers in his mouth and went 'wugga wugga wugga' at her before dashing off again, slowly but certainly drawing their line of travel toward the appointed place and time for Seiryuu's visitation.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>23-07-2008, 13:32:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Xianghua rolls her eyes at this. " You're such a flatterer, David." she says, shaking her head as she enters one of the restaurants, a small and understated restaurant, ordering a bowel of white rice with steamed vegetables, sitting down at a table with you. " Well, I'm afraid I didn't make you any grand statues during the year, but I made you something for the New Year." She takes out a small package from her sleeve, softly passing it over to you- It's sealed with a bow. 'Don't open it until after we finish our meal.' she says with a mild smile. ' You are daring... I doubt they'll give up their power so easily.' She shakes her head. 'Though I suppose if anyone had the pure unmitigated chutzpah needed to succeed, it's you.' she says, as her white rice arrives, politely eating it. She doesn't technically need to eat, but she does it for the sake of keeping herself humble, connected to humanity, in her own way.<br><br>Rooster smiles as you hug her, arms wrapped around her, her own hands softly placed around you. " I saw your latest movie, it was a wonderful show." she says, smiling as she softly gives you a kiss on the cheek. " Please, tell me about your year, brother." She wraps an arm around yours, smiling as she walks with you down towards the ground floor, taking the elevator as she chats animatedly with you. " You're always so nice to me. Well, I've mostly just been working on spreading my Estate somewhat in New York... A little more efficiency, that sort of thing." she says with a smile as you reach the ground floor. She holds your hand in her own as she walks with you. 'I'm a bit hungry, you mind if we stop quickly to get some food on the way to Seiryuu's visitation?' she asks, head tilted.<br><br>Tiger sticks her tongue out. 'You should be LUCKY to call me your girlfriend, smartass!' she says, leaping after you, clearing the top and continuing her chase as she tries to hunt you down. 'I'm gonna have to give you a whupping one of these days!' she says with a smirk as she follows you closely. It's a hell of a lot more fun than anything else they could be doing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>23-07-2008, 15:04:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's funny!&nbsp; I thought you said you never wanted a little monkey in you!"<br><br>And Wukong scrambled away to avoid the inevitable feminine retribution for such ribald japes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>26-07-2008, 04:24:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"If they have something so important that even <em>you</em> don't want to talk about what it is, and they <em>know</em> it..."&nbsp; Amy shrugs.&nbsp; "Well, you sure haven't got anything that valuable, and if you did you wouldn't want them having that either.&nbsp; So step one is don't piss them off."&nbsp; She finishes off her pizza.&nbsp; "They're not <em>overly</em> salted.&nbsp; There's barely enough salt.&nbsp; This place still uses crappy anchovies, I guess."<br><br>Of course they do.&nbsp; There's probably all of one customer in the entire Chancel who orders them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>28-07-2008, 22:51:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				David orders a bowl of steamed rice, smiling when Xianghua produces the gift.&nbsp; "I'll have to resist the urge to swallow both our meals in a single bite."<br><br>When she mentions the Camorra again, he waves a hand dismissively.&nbsp; "I will discuss those matters no more today.&nbsp; I tire of their existence and I do not wish to pay them more attention than they deserve.&nbsp; Tell me something about other Powers, your friends and allies.&nbsp; How do things go with them?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>28-07-2008, 23:16:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				" I knew that staff of yours was just compensation!" She finally stops on one of the temples, shortly behind you, whistling as she looks out towards the rural areas. 'It's a beautiful night, ain't it? Summer's in full strength, but it hasn't yet gotten so godawfully hot that you can't leave...' Tiger grins as she looks over the peoples in the streets. 'It's nearly time for the meeting with Seiryuu... Treat me to a bit of dinner after you finish.' she says, walking up behind you and giving you a push, off the temple roof, smiling as she follows, jumping after. <br><br>Horse grins. 'Most chancel inhabitants wouldn't be able to get a specialty ingredient delivered purely for them. You should appreciate your status as a Power more often.' He smiles lightly. 'My dear, I know the basics of commerce.' He sits back. ' Of course, if worst comes to worst, well, it's always good to have such a cunning and clever cousin who might be persuaded to aid us in a less fair business arrangement.' He smiles as he stands up. 'Let's head off, don't want you to be late for meeting with Seiryuu.' he says, offering you a hand to help you up, hardly expecting you to take it, but making the gesture all the same.<br><br>Xianghua smiles. ' Family Suzaku should be arriving soon, they'll be wanting to celebrate, I'm sure. They're always so light-hearted..." She grins. " Much less serious than you." She stands up. 'Shall we leave to the park, after you open your gift?' she asks, smiling as she tilts her head towards the small wrapped package. The wrapping paper is a soft scaled pattern of bronze, delicate and reflective, and the bow is an incredibly fine gold foil. When you open it, there's a single cake, one of the small New Years sweets, about four inches across, filled with a sweetened egg yolk, delicately printed with the kanji for Good Fortune. When you choose to take a bite from it, there's the softest sensation, almost on the edge of perception- a kiss on the lips, a mere brush, with the soft taste of metal of Xianghua. She stands up, and smiles. 'I hope that it will serve as a good omen for this year.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>04-08-2008, 21:47:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong easily tumbled with the push.<br><br>"Hah!&nbsp; I prefer to date a woman with curves," he retorted playfully, knowing that Tiger knew only too well that he was merely teasing--they'd only been doing this for how long?<br><br>Landing nimbly, he scampered toward the meeting-place.&nbsp; Afterwards he would meet Tiger somewhere appropriate.&nbsp; Perhaps that dim sum cart?&nbsp; No, this was a special occasion...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>08-08-2008, 03:17:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hmph.&nbsp; Being Rat's more work than being human ever was.&nbsp; I oughta get something for it besides the 'pleasure' of your company."&nbsp; Amy, predictably, does not take Horse's hand as she rises.&nbsp; She's already regretting her advice, not charitable enough to believe that the spirit many centuries her senior knew the first thing about commerce until she explained.&nbsp; "Let's get moving."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>11-08-2008, 00:36:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=17281.msg727744#msg727744">Quote from: Ajoxer on 23-07-2008, 13:32:18</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Rooster smiles as you hug her, arms wrapped around her, her own hands softly placed around you. " I saw your latest movie, it was a wonderful show." she says, smiling as she softly gives you a kiss on the cheek. " Please, tell me about your year, brother." She wraps an arm around yours, smiling as she walks with you down towards the ground floor, taking the elevator as she chats animatedly with you. " You're always so nice to me. Well, I've mostly just been working on spreading my Estate somewhat in New York... A little more efficiency, that sort of thing." she says with a smile as you reach the ground floor. She holds your hand in her own as she walks with you. 'I'm a bit hungry, you mind if we stop quickly to get some food on the way to Seiryuu's visitation?' she asks, head tilted.<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>"Thank you." he said at her compliment about his latest movie, "It wasn't too bad, I think." He listened to her chat with a gentle smile on his face and laughed when she mentioned New York, a city he is quite familiar with as fortunes, especially the financial ones change there faster than one can keep up. "Efficiency in New York. Poor thing." he said as he lead her towards a local restaurant, a change from the meals in New York. "Yes, indeed. Some food is more than welcome." he said and he smiled at the approaching owner and ordered almost the entire menu.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>12-08-2008, 03:33:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rooster tsks. 'Brother, now now, we hardly have time for that sort of appetite.' She checks her watch quickly. 'Let's just order something we can eat on the way, save the romance for after you get your fortune.' she teases, smiling as she orders herself an order-to-go of steamed dumplings. 'Yes, well, even a slight improvement there can create a great difference... though I've given up on the transport system there.' she says, a slight wry smile on her face.<br><br>Horse smiles. 'Well, let's be off, I don't want you to be late on my account.' He politely bows, and walks alongside you till you reach to the edge of the park in the center of the city, at about the same time Monkey will be leaving Tiger, the lovely park rustling with the wind flying through the bamboo trees, creating a soft hiss as the leaves brush against eachother. The park is circular, an area of absolute perfect chi and harmony, the radiating harmony making tempers soothed, libidos cooled, and even makes it feel for a moment like entropy itself is held at bay.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>12-08-2008, 17:54:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shook his head. "Sit down, Rooster. We eat here. You'll just have to try this. We're not in New York. There is no rush to be there on time. Besides, if I'm not efficient in being on time, you'll have to wait, and spend your time inefficient as well." he said and he grinned at her.<br><br>Snake waves away the order Rooster placed for easy to go food. "One thing that I learned about making fortunes, is that you have to make time to do so." he said and he smiled at her, "Now, please sit and eat with me."<br><br>He smiled, his dark eyes sparkling at hers, and admiring how she looked. "If I had known earlier, I would have brought flowers for you." he whispered warmly and he&nbsp; reached beneath the table and took the big bouquet of red roses left there by a jilted lover, and held them out to her with a grin.<br><br>(Minor Miracle I'm thinking, as such things could be within my purview)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>13-08-2008, 22:25:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong waits in the park for Seiryuu, distantly and dimly aware of a sense of annoyance at the forced placidness of the traditional meeting spot...as always.&nbsp; The <em>feng shui</em> here is perfect, tranquil, and suppresses that very energetic unpredictability that is the very Essence of Monkeydom.&nbsp; Once upon a time, he might have objected and done as his literary reflection did: kicking over a table and departing in a huff.&nbsp; Yet this is a compromise that he must make, and so he does.&nbsp; Seiryuu knows his own Children, after all.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>13-08-2008, 22:39:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dragon arrives in the park, with the slightest hint of a shadow over his normally all-encompassing face.&nbsp; It is no secret that he dislikes meeting with Seiryuu; he feels the Imperators should be fighting the Valde Bellum, and that by coming to Creation they undermine the war and the very purpose of the Nobilis.&nbsp; It is, to Dragon, a stain upon his omnipotence.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>16-08-2008, 15:45:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seiryuu has always been aware of Dragon's dislike of his leaving his duties even for this short time, but his response has always been the same- 'If we allow the Excrucians to destroy our traditions, then it is the first step towards losing the war.' Nobody ever said that an Imperator had to make sense, but at the very least, he has a reason.<br><br>Rooster sighs. 'You shouldn't be late for your Imperator, Snake. You will leave the others waiting, and Rat will most likely become angry.' she says, shaking her head as she sits with you, looking uncertain but sighing with a soft smile as you withdraw the bouquet of flowers. 'Tsk... Giving a girl a second-hand gift? I didn't know you were so thrifty.' she teases, smiling. 'But they are lovely...' She takes a soft sniff of them as she admires them. The food is delivered, quite promptly, as would be expected for one of their sovereign powers, and she smiles. 'Tsk... You can be such a diva, Snake.' she says softly, smiling as she takes a dumpling, enjoying it.<br><br>The time is ten minutes to midnight, as Horse nods, leaving Dragon, Rat, and Monkey to wait for their brother. This is hardly new, as he's always been something of the 'odd one out' among them. He's usually good enough to show up just on time, and Seiryuu tolerates it, understanding the turmoil it can leave in a Noble's soul to be serving someone other than their intrinsic Imperator.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>19-08-2008, 11:44:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake smiled warmly at Rooster and picks up his chopsticks, taking a small bit of every single dish presented on the table, and taking his time to taste each of them.<br><br>He closed his eyes in thought, after a quick glace at the clock, and after some time he opened them again to smile at the waiter.<br><br>"Please put these in a container to go." he said pointing at the long slivers of roasted pork with the sweet red sauce over it, "And for the rest of the evening open your restaurant to whomever wants to eat. For free. It will give you great fortune as it gives people a good chance to sample the quality of your kitchen."<br><br>He reaches in his pocket and places down the bills to pay for his meal and as he gets up, the waiter returns with a small warm package wrapped with string.<br><br>"We have to go now. Knowing my luck, we'll be just in time." he said to Rooster and offered her his arm. With just two minutes on the clock and all the busy people outside, it would truly be a fortunate day to make it anywhere on time. Yet that is what Snake does.<br><br>(Minor Miracle to have the fortune not to be delayed by anything)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>21-08-2008, 01:58:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Crowds can be viewed from above, looking like a cloud of randomly moving particles. Any theoretical physist would be writing up his latest paper the moment they saw the ripples that move out from Snake's movement through the city, like the water parted by a seasnake's subtle movements, as the people subtly rearrange themselves to not be in his way. A couple seperate in anger, a young man stumbles and finds himself holding a golden ring that had been dropped, and much the way Snake's physical presence parts the crowd, if one could view fortune, they'd see it twisting like air currents away from a fire, shimmering in the air, draping across mortals like spider's silk.<br><br>Rooster smiles. 'Let's get the opportunity to talk again after you are finished.' she says softly, smiling as she heads back into the crowd to greet the rest of her Familia, as Snake joins the rest of the family. The clock strikes twelve, and the paths open up, into the center of the calm garden, Seiryuu standing in his mostly human seeming, smiling towards you as you approach. " Welcome, my Nobles. I trust that the year has once again treated you well." He produces a large plate, five fortune cookies sitting on it, one for each of the Familia, and one sitting in the center, a fortune for the Familia itself.<br><br>(I figure, what are Nobles if not beings who can make their own fortune? In that spirit, you each decide what your own fortune for the coming year will be. Keep it short and relatively Fortune Cookie level of vague, and remember, it should work just as well if you end it with 'In Bed'. This IS Elliquiy.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>21-08-2008, 19:45:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong reaches out nonchalantly for his American Fortune Cookie* and cracks it open, teasing the slip of paper inside out with thumb and forefinger.&nbsp; Popping one half of the cookie into his mouth he holds the fortune to his chest as if trying to keep anyone else from seeing it, then peers at it carefully before folding it in half and tucking it into a pocket.<br><br>"Feh.&nbsp; Same one as last week.&nbsp; And the week before that!&nbsp; I've got half a mind to find this..."&nbsp; he frowns and produces the fortune again, this time reading the tiny print on the back that runs under the lottery numbers printed in red.&nbsp; "Som Dum Gai Fortune Cookie Company of Outer Waukeegan and give them a piece of my mind."<br><br>He does not, however, read his fortune to the others.&nbsp; That could be a good sign or a very, very bad one.<br><br><br><br>(* Pedantic footnote--fortune cookies, in China, are called <em>American</em> fortune cookies; the current version having been invented--AFAIK--in San Francisco in the 19th Century.&nbsp; While in-country, we only saw them being served at restaurants that catered to tourists...but your experience might vary.)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>22-08-2008, 07:33:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Could be worse," Amy remarks, reaching out to pluck one of the cookies from the platter.&nbsp; Cracking it open, she stuffs both halves into her mouth, before frowning down at the piece of paper as she swallows.<br><br>"You are an individual interested in forward thrust and the future..." she reads dryly.&nbsp; Amy doesn't actually say the obligatory last two words, but her expression is clear enough.&nbsp; "Christ.&nbsp; Who comes up with these?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>07-09-2008, 03:49:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"People with far too much time and far too little imagination.&nbsp; Though I suppose that doesn't rule out many mortals..."<br><br>Dragon takes a cookie and cracks it open, pulling out the slip of paper inside.&nbsp; " 'Help, I'm trapped in a fortune cookie factory!' ..." Not only can he not follow it with 'in bed', but it isn't funny.&nbsp; "Remind me why we do this, dear sister."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>07-09-2008, 18:13:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake chuckled crushing the fortune cookie and letting the crumbs drift on the wind, only holding the little paper in his hand. He opens it and carefully reads the small print.<br><br>"Open your eyes, and you shall find the object of your desire in bed." he read out loud and then he chuckled softly. He turns to look at Rooster and he flashes her a smile, his white teeth shining into it, his eyes lighting up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>07-09-2008, 18:44:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seiryuu smiles enigmatically. 'Well, it seems as though the coming year will be an entertaining one...' He takes the central cookie, and cracks it open, quietly reading it before saying 'You shall live in interesting times.' he hands the fortune to Dragon to examine, and to let the others take their perspective on it. It's a rather ominous one. 'But then, if your lives are not interesting, then I would have chosen the wrong people.' He smiles. 'Let it be an interesting year, then.' He walks into the darkness of the park, dismissing you to return to the night of festivities and have some times to enjoy yourself and finalize your plans.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>07-09-2008, 19:27:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Wukong departs almost at once, bowing to his siblings and to Seiryuu before bounding off to find Tiger...unwilling to express the tickle of worry in the back of his mind that grew in volume when the 'i-word' was mentioned.&nbsp; But then, as Monkey, he is not at all capable of hiding his emotions, and his worried frown is clearly apparent.&nbsp; Soon enough, he scrambles atop a temple and gazes out into the sky.<br><br>"Isn't that a curse?"<br><br>He shakes his head.<br><br>"Followed in severity only by 'may you come to the attention of those of high rank and exalted office'."<br><br>He pulls his fortune out of one pocket and reads it again:<br><br><em>May you come to the attention of those of exalted rank.</em><br><br>"Interesting times," he grumbles.&nbsp; "How come I never get the stupid, dorky ones?"<br><br>His moment of grouchy introspection passes, and he speeds himself off across the city, seeking Tiger.&nbsp; A good meal and nice, mindless sparring should take his mind of weighty matters.&nbsp; Those are best left to Dragon and Snake.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 06:54:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"We do this because the cookies are tasty."&nbsp; Amy finishes swallowing hers, quasi-delicately.&nbsp; "At least that's why <em>I</em> do it.&nbsp; Besides, we always live in interesting times, right?&nbsp; In the worst way, too."&nbsp; She always has something to complain about, of course.&nbsp; "No point freaking out <em>now</em>."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 15:02:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I suppose..."&nbsp; David looks at his fortune again, then tosses the slip of paper up into the air, where it folds itself into a small crane and flies away.&nbsp; Perhaps it could find Monkey; a rescue at a fortune cookie factory seems much more his idiom.&nbsp; As for the cookie itself, Dragon crumbles it to dust in his hands, and scatters the dust across the flowers nearby.<br><br>"Shall we rejoin our subjects now, sister?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ajoxer</strong> on <strong>17-09-2008, 00:29:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(I leave it up to you, by the way, what sort of groups you want to split up into- So far, it's sounding like Monkey's off to find Tiger, and Rat and Dragon are going to be enjoying themselves on their own. Snake, don't forget to mention what you'll be doing now that the party's back on.)<br><br>Monkey manages to find Tiger soon enough, standing in one of the many small parks around the city, and clearly waiting for you. 'So, what fortune did you get?' she asks, grinning as you approach. ' Perhaps that delightful "You will find happiness with a new love" one that you bandied about endlessly last year?" she asks, a smirk on her face. 'Now, what do you have planned for me, huh?' she asks, roughly poking your chest with a single finger. 'And if you take me to that damn Dim-Sum cart again, I'll have to pull your tongue out with my bare hands.' She grins, and probably doesn't mean that. No more than 50% chance, tops.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MadPanda</strong> on <strong>17-09-2008, 15:42:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Actually," Wukong frowns, "I always get the same fortune...and it never says anything about happiness with a new love.&nbsp; That thing last year was a fluke.&nbsp; Anyway, no...no dimsum cart.&nbsp; This is a more serious occasion, so I was thinking a proper meal.&nbsp; Do you know of anyone around here who does a proper Peking style duck?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>18-09-2008, 04:11:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You mean <em>your</em> subjects," she pronounces sarcastically.&nbsp; "I just work here, remember?"&nbsp; Nevertheless, she turns to follow along with Dragon.<br><br>"I don't really think we can afford to ignore this thing with the Camorra, though," Amy adds in a low voice.&nbsp; "Even if it's nothing, there's too many idiots with too much power who think it's something..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>18-09-2008, 13:30:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake looked at his Brothers and Sisters, hiding a smile at Monkey's antics and one for Dragon's arrogance. He turned to Rooster and gave her a warm smile and holds in his hands the large pot with the meal that he picked and and two sets of chopsticks.<br><br>"Do you wish to continue our meal, Sister ?" he asked her a grin on his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>18-09-2008, 14:34:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That is just it, dear sister."&nbsp; David smiles and puts his arm around Amy's waist.&nbsp; "These 'things' that always come up with the Camorra, they are symptoms, and addressing them does not cure the disease.&nbsp; I intend to cure the disease tomorrow.&nbsp; Everything is set to move at once; the financial power will be redistributed - mostly to myself, under a variety of guises - and the Camorra will be left in their political offices without resources.&nbsp; They will be paper tigers, toothless and harmless."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>19-09-2008, 08:41:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Snake turned his head sharply towards Dragon, his smile disappearing from his face and his dark eyes, as cold as the depths of space. "Brother Dragon, tell me that you said that in jest ?" he said fast, air escaping his lips, almost hissing, and then after taking a deep breath he continued, "Or did the power finally get to your head and are you now completely insane ?"<br><br>Shaking his head at the ignorance that came with the omnipotence he looked at Dragon a little less annoyed and more patient. "First: Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should." he started and let the words sink in, "Secondly, if you would cause such a massive shift of finances, by taking away what the Camorra has you would harm me severely. As everything is interconnected, action and reaction. An action like that would cause the stock markets to plummet, or rise out through the roof. Destroying the fortunes of many. And last, but most definately not least. The Camorra is, however dispicable, not a lumbering financial behemoth, it's a many headed, many armed, many clawed ferocious predator with more tricks up it's sleeves than we know."<br><br>A grin crossed Snake's expression as he looked at Dragon. "Besides, the Camorra falls in your own Estate." he said and chuckled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CirclMastr</strong> on <strong>19-09-2008, 19:14:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dragon bore Snake's lecture with a patient smile.<br><br>"To the first point, cousin, I do not engage in such plans for the sake of simply filling the time.&nbsp; The silliness that is visible, such as with The Apprentice, is merely a smokescreen to lure others into a false sense that I am incompetent.&nbsp; It seems to have worked beautifully on you.<br><br>"To the second, you clearly don't understand the mortals' stock market system.&nbsp; They talk big about each share being a piece of the company, and aggregate supply and demand dictating the prices.&nbsp; But in reality they are merely shuffling paper, and since the rise of computers there is not even the paper to shuffle, merely electrons.&nbsp; And the shifting prices, I suppose are a factor of supply and demand, but not of the masses.&nbsp; The vast majority of transactions are done by a handful of large hedge funds; they direct prices and volatility.&nbsp; And I have naturally accounted for their behavior and psychology in my course of action.&nbsp; There will be no crash or boom, simply a rearrangement of resources.&nbsp; If your own investments are harmed, I can offer little solace other than the advice to invest more wisely.<br><br>"To the third, the Camorra have only the claws they have bargained for, and the claws given by Lord Entropy.&nbsp; I am doing nothing in violation of Lord Entropy's laws, so I have nothing to fear from him.&nbsp; And without money to feed it, the 'predator' starves and its claws become dull and impotent."<br><br>He ends with a smile.&nbsp; "Naturally they are a part of my Estate; everything is.&nbsp; Which is all the more reason why I should be in control rather than them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dingo</strong> on <strong>20-09-2008, 16:59:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Slowly Snake shook his head, and then a warm smile appeared on his expression as he kept his own tongue in check "Of course, Brother. Whatever you deem wisest." he said and thought: <em>"You pompous arrogant bastard."</em><br><br>He bowed deeply and humbly and then turned around slowly and walked away, his gait relaxed, but his expression, unseen by Dragon, very angry.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [Nobilis - Interesting Times] The New Year Of Seiryuu</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Jefepato</strong> on <strong>25-09-2008, 07:33:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She sighed.&nbsp; "Look, you know the Camorra's got more going for them than stock options.&nbsp; Are you sure you're gonna do less harm than good?&nbsp; Or enough to make this worth it at all?&nbsp; I <em>don't</em> want to have to spend the next month on Wall Street cleaning up what's left."<br><br>The ever-dutiful Rat cared for her Familia well enough, but she didn't really trust them to get things right.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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