FE 20b

[4/16/2018 9:34:27 PM] Rook: So!  I guess it's the next day, then?

[4/16/2018 9:35:19 PM] \*\*\* Ander gets up, gets dressed and goes down for breakfast. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:35:39 PM] \*\*\* Ander also has hit dice back, so he will spend them to see if he can get back to full health. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:36:19 PM] \*\*\* Kite is already there, with her kitty. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:37:18 PM] \*\*\* Vashti shows up at some point. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:37:39 PM] Ander: "Hey Vashti.  Or VashLi or...are you you right now?"

[4/16/2018 9:38:38 PM | Edited 9:38:58 PM] Vashti: Vashti, currently, although Li is likely spectating.

[4/16/2018 9:38:53 PM] \*\*\* Kite waves. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:38:58 PM] Ander: "Hello to you both then."

[4/16/2018 9:39:13 PM] Vashti: How have you guys been?

[4/16/2018 9:39:33 PM] Ander: "No longer cursed!  So, that's good."

[4/16/2018 9:39:48 PM] Kite: Awakened early by an extremely insistent feline.

[4/16/2018 9:40:05 PM] \*\*\* Daneel will come down and sit with the group. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:40:33 PM] Ander: "Hey, this'll be my first fight where everyone gets to watch!  That'll be great."

[4/16/2018 9:40:53 PM] Kite: I am looking forward to it.

[4/16/2018 9:41:11 PM] Daneel: Do we know what time you have to be there by?

[4/16/2018 9:42:05 PM] Ander: "Nope.  So, earlier the better."

[4/16/2018 9:42:34 PM] Kite: It is likely to be a hurry-and-wait arrangement.

[4/16/2018 9:43:00 PM] Ander: "Last time, Varia sent someone to come and get us."

[4/16/2018 9:43:40 PM] Kite: She is exceedingly kind. As I understand it, ordinarily one turns up early and waits to be called.

[4/16/2018 9:43:46 PM] Rook: It happens again!  One of Varia's people shows up within the hour.

[4/16/2018 9:44:27 PM] Ander: "And here we are!  Hey, how's it going?"

[4/16/2018 9:46:13 PM] Rook: They wave.  "Fine?  Are you ready?"

[4/16/2018 9:46:33 PM] Ander: "Born ready.  Let's do this!"

[4/16/2018 9:49:13 PM] Rook: So you pile into the carriage and drive down to the Arena.  There's a lot of people today, it's bustling.

[4/16/2018 9:49:38 PM] Ander: "...this seems...busier than usual."

[4/16/2018 9:49:57 PM] Kite: Perhaps there will be a larger crowd.

[4/16/2018 9:50:15 PM] Rook: Driver:  Of course.  It's an exhibition match day.

[4/16/2018 9:51:00 PM] Ander: "...wasn't my last match one of those?"

[4/16/2018 9:51:11 PM] Rook: Driver:  I don't know.

[4/16/2018 9:51:26 PM] Rook: (It wasn't.)

[4/16/2018 9:51:38 PM] Kite: As opposed to a ladder match or a tournament.

[4/16/2018 9:51:41 PM] Ander: "...ok...well, good.  Bigger crowd for when I win."

[4/16/2018 9:52:44 PM] \*\*\* Kite nods. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:53:20 PM] Rook: You're lead to Varia's box, overlooking the main Arena.

[4/16/2018 9:54:23 PM | Edited 9:54:54 PM] Rook: Varia:  Ahhhh, good, Ander dear.  It's good to see you.   Are you ready?

[4/16/2018 9:55:24 PM] \*\*\* Ander bows.  "Naturally.  Also, thank you for showing us to Moss.  He was helpful." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 9:55:51 PM] Rook: Varia:  Good, good.  He's an old friend.

[4/16/2018 9:56:42 PM] Ander: "...this time's a big deal, it seems.  I'm not fighting Davey Hammers again, am I?"

[4/16/2018 9:57:47 PM] Rook: Varia:  Oh, no, dear.  You're not fighting anyone.

[4/16/2018 9:58:14 PM] Ander: "...what?"

[4/16/2018 9:58:19 PM] Kite: What?

[4/16/2018 9:59:13 PM | Edited 9:59:35 PM] Rook: She points out the window to the main Arena, where there's a hopelessly, bafflingly elaborate construction dominating the space.  As you look, you see someone running through it like some kind of gauntlet, avoiding swinging spiked traps, gouts of fire and ice, and the like.

[4/16/2018 9:59:29 PM] Kite: Ah! A gauntlet.

[4/16/2018 9:59:53 PM] Ander: "So...I'm just supposed to run through that?"

[4/16/2018 10:00:05 PM] Ander: "...ok...I can do that."

[4/16/2018 10:00:09 PM] Kite: .... "just"?

[4/16/2018 10:01:02 PM] Rook: Varia nods.  It is not as easy as it might look.  The articifers take great pride in devising a more and more.... intense experience every year.

[4/16/2018 10:01:36 PM] Kite: Last year, one of my dancer friends almost made it to the end.

[4/16/2018 10:02:03 PM | Edited 10:02:43 PM] Rook: Varia:  But, those that make it through will be entered into a special free for all.

[4/16/2018 10:02:50 PM] Ander: "Now that sounds like a good time."

[4/16/2018 10:02:50 PM] Kite: His hair soon grew back.

[4/16/2018 10:03:23 PM] Ander: "Alright, guess I'm playing monkey tonight.  Should be fun."

[4/16/2018 10:03:43 PM] Kite: It was entertaining. Particularly before the screaming began.

[4/16/2018 10:04:25 PM] Rook: Varia:  Keep in mind, Ander dear... the fights are where you earn a name and climb up the ladders.  But the gauntlet is your chance to win the hearts and minds of the crowd.

[4/16/2018 10:04:57 PM] Kite: Also, there are literal ladders. Often some of the steps are rigged to fall apart.

[4/16/2018 10:05:23 PM] Ander: "...I don't understand.  The fights are all that matter in the end, right?"

[4/16/2018 10:06:57 PM] Rook: Varia:  Yes, yes, but the Arena is a spectator sport. This is how you get people to show up to your fights.  The more people that show up at your fights, the larger venues they'll put you in, the more presitigious your challengers will be.

[4/16/2018 10:07:34 PM] \*\*\* Ander nods.  "Which means the faster it'll be before I fight the champ." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:07:35 PM] Rook: Varia:  If you excel here, and make them remember you, they'll come and see you fight.

[4/16/2018 10:07:41 PM] Rook: She nods.

[4/16/2018 10:07:51 PM] Ander: "Ok...I should get ready."

[4/16/2018 10:08:04 PM] \*\*\* Kite nods. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:08:24 PM] Rook: Varia nods.  "The rest of you are, of course, welcome to stay here with me.  Lunch will be coming soon."

[4/16/2018 10:08:49 PM] \*\*\* Ander takes off her sword and hands it to Kite.  "Skara will just weigh me down in the gauntlet.  Keep her safe." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:09:02 PM] \*\*\* Kite nods. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:09:03 PM | Edited 10:09:18 PM] Kite: With honor.

[4/16/2018 10:09:22 PM] \*\*\* Ander leaves to go run the course. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:11:26 PM] Kite: Truth be told, I prefer the fights. They tend to be less gory.

[4/16/2018 10:11:42 PM] Rook: VAria:  There is definitely less immolation involved.

[4/16/2018 10:12:17 PM] Kite: Also, they do not tend to upend buckets of spiders on your hair.

[4/16/2018 10:12:18 PM] \*\*\* Ander will stretch out and go to the starting pitch \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:12:43 PM] Kite: For some reason, people rarely expect that.

[4/16/2018 10:12:47 PM] Rook: You go down, and get put in the lists, Ander.

[4/16/2018 10:12:51 PM] \*\*\* Kite shudders. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:13:02 PM] Ander: ((Ander has no hair))

[4/16/2018 10:13:14 PM] Kite: ((Which is why he has an advantage!))

[4/16/2018 10:13:41 PM] Kite: ((Also the loose clothes will be easier to remove when you fall in the leech pond!))

[4/16/2018 10:13:59 PM] Ander: ((Yes, but worse when dodging the flame jets))

[4/16/2018 10:14:21 PM] Ander: ((Watch, here's where I roll all the Nat 1s))

[4/16/2018 10:17:07 PM] \*\*\* Kite buys some popcorn. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:18:16 PM] Rook: Vashti, Kite, and Daneel, your characters are going to be in the box, watching.  Buuuut, you 'real' people are going to be helping Ander reach the end.  I need someone to control powerups, someone to control trap mishaps, and someone to control random luck.

[4/16/2018 10:18:40 PM] Ander: ((Oh, clever))

[4/16/2018 10:19:28 PM] Rook: So who wants what.

[4/16/2018 10:20:10 PM] Vashti: [I'm fine with whatever. ^\_^]

[4/16/2018 10:20:18 PM] Rook: I need people to actually pick.

[4/16/2018 10:20:22 PM] Kite: ((I'm for random luck. AHAHAHHAA.))

[4/16/2018 10:20:27 PM] Vashti: [mishaps, then?]

[4/16/2018 10:21:24 PM] Rook: Okay!  Kite, You have the ability to give Ander Advantage on a roll after she already rolled three times over the course of the... course.

[4/16/2018 10:22:11 PM] Rook: Vashti, you can cause the traps and various mechanisms to misfire in some way that actually helps her rather than hurts her.

[4/16/2018 10:22:18 PM] Rook: You can also do this three times.

[4/16/2018 10:22:55 PM] Kite: ((Woot!))

[4/16/2018 10:23:05 PM] Rook: well, who needs powerups, then.

[4/16/2018 10:23:13 PM] Ander: ((Gulp))

[4/16/2018 10:25:04 PM] Rook: Here's what we'll do.  Kite, you have the ability to either give advantage, or to drop healing powerup to Ander, but that counts against your three.

[4/16/2018 10:25:12 PM] Kite: ((Okay!))

[4/16/2018 10:26:37 PM] Rook: Ander, you're lead up to the starting point!  This is your first time in the main arena, and it's huge.  There's a lot tension, and the sound of the crowd, and everything.

[4/16/2018 10:27:01 PM] \*\*\* Ander takes a deep breath and gets ready \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:27:42 PM] Rook: NOw luckily, it's not that much about speed.  Your final time will be taken into account, but there's no time limit.

[4/16/2018 10:28:39 PM] Rook: The door opens!  There's a straight hallway ahead of you!

[4/16/2018 10:28:50 PM] \*\*\* Ander runs down it! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:29:18 PM] Rook: Give me a reflex save as the floor falls out from under you a few steps in.

[4/16/2018 10:29:28 PM] Ander: ((19))

[4/16/2018 10:29:29 PM] Rook: Dexterity.

[4/16/2018 10:30:06 PM] Rook: You spring ahead, staying ahead of the collapsing floor and reaching the end.  You have two ways to go now, as the path forks here.

[4/16/2018 10:30:27 PM] \*\*\* Ander goes right \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:30:39 PM] \*\*\* Kite noms popcorn and watches. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:30:53 PM] Rook: This hallway is filled with magical Darkness.

[4/16/2018 10:31:02 PM] Rook: So you're running blind.

[4/16/2018 10:31:21 PM] Ander: "AGH!  swers in giant "

[4/16/2018 10:31:22 PM] Rook: Give me a survival check to navigate it, at disadvantage.

[4/16/2018 10:31:36 PM] Ander: ((11))

[4/16/2018 10:31:40 PM] Rook: Which Kite can counteract if she wants to use one of them.

[4/16/2018 10:32:26 PM] Rook: But that is up to her.

[4/16/2018 10:32:47 PM] Ander: ((If she does, that's a 16.  Otherwise, it's an 11.))

[4/16/2018 10:32:59 PM] \*\*\* Kite does not. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:34:18 PM] Rook: Okay.  This hallway is not straight, there are some twists and turns that it takes some time to navigate before she gets to the end.  The Darkness ends, and she's standing before a scaffolding she's going to have to climb up and then down to get to the other side of.

[4/16/2018 10:34:26 PM] Rook: Give me an athletics check.

[4/16/2018 10:35:04 PM] Ander: ((21, forgot to turn off disadvantage, but it's actually a 21.))

[4/16/2018 10:37:31 PM] Rook: You climb that scaffolding like a monkey, to some cheers as you make up any time you lost in the darkness corridor.  You reach the top, a narrow platform to navigate before you climb back down.

[4/16/2018 10:38:27 PM] \*\*\* Kite cheers too! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:38:38 PM] \*\*\* Ander pauses for just a moment to rally the cheers. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:38:48 PM] Rook: Give me a performance check.

[4/16/2018 10:39:43 PM] Ander: ((18))

[4/16/2018 10:41:08 PM] Rook: They get into it!  you're definitely winning the crowd over.  Ahead of you, on the narrow platform, gouts of flame start shooting out of the floor in a random, sporadic way, with no real pattern.

[4/16/2018 10:42:49 PM] Ander: "WHOA!  GAH!  HOT!"

[4/16/2018 10:42:56 PM] Rook: Behind you, what seems like a metal frame with an interior of metal blades comes to life, gently encouraging you forward.  With metal blades.

[4/16/2018 10:43:24 PM] Ander: "Must go faster!  Must go faster!"

[4/16/2018 10:44:08 PM] Rook: Vashti, you can either mess with one (or both) of the traps, or save your chances.

[4/16/2018 10:44:30 PM] Rook: If not, Ander is making an acrobatics roll and a dex save, both with disadvantage.

[4/16/2018 10:45:24 PM] Vashti: [I'll go for the knife box.]

[4/16/2018 10:46:09 PM] Rook: The knife box moves forward, but the knives move in a very predictable way, which removes the disadvantage for Ander's roll.

[4/16/2018 10:46:24 PM] Rook: Ander is 1/3 of the way through the gauntlet, btw.

[4/16/2018 10:46:35 PM] Ander: ((So, acrobatics, then dex save?))

[4/16/2018 10:47:01 PM] Rook: Dex save at disadvantage, yes.  Kite can also contribute to this.

[4/16/2018 10:47:21 PM] \*\*\* Kite will only contribute if she fails! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:47:30 PM] Rook: True!  Make your rolls, Ander.

[4/16/2018 10:47:55 PM] Ander: ((That's a 13 on the acrobatics and a 14 on the dex save))

[4/16/2018 10:48:29 PM] Rook: You take 4 points of fire damage, but you make it to the other side.

[4/16/2018 10:48:47 PM] Rook: Now for the climb down, another athletics check.

[4/16/2018 10:49:04 PM] Ander: ((Nat 20, 23 total))

[4/16/2018 10:49:17 PM] Rook: You get down pretty quick!

[4/16/2018 10:49:26 PM] Rook: So, again, the path forks.

[4/16/2018 10:49:28 PM] \*\*\* Kite winces. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:49:32 PM] Kite: I am glad they have healers on hand here.

[4/16/2018 10:50:01 PM] \*\*\* Ander gets to the bottom and pats out her sleeve's that's caught fire.  "Oh man, that's my favorite slash only robe...slash only clothes period." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:50:22 PM] Ander: ((Is there any way I can discern a difference between the two paths?))

[4/16/2018 10:50:51 PM] Rook: GIve me a survival check to see if you can recall anything from when you were watching from Varia's box.

[4/16/2018 10:51:21 PM] Ander: ((13))

[4/16/2018 10:51:42 PM] Rook: Left, you think, was some kind of water hazard to navigate.  Right, you don't recall.

[4/16/2018 10:52:45 PM] \*\*\* Ander goes left \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:54:25 PM] Rook: You go down a short hallway and find yourself in a wide chamber.  You see the exit on the other side, but between you and that is dark water whose bottom you can't see.  After a moment, narrow stone pillars start rising and lowering across the water in a definite pattern.  You'll have to hop across said pillars.  Or swim.

[4/16/2018 10:54:53 PM] \*\*\* Ander tries to hop across. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:55:05 PM] Rook: Acrobatics!

[4/16/2018 10:55:14 PM] Ander: ((14))

[4/16/2018 10:55:34 PM] Rook: You get a few across when darts start shooting out!  Give me a dex sav.

[4/16/2018 10:55:42 PM] Rook: Disadvantage.

[4/16/2018 10:55:47 PM] Rook: Because slick stones.

[4/16/2018 10:55:53 PM] Ander: ((12))

[4/16/2018 10:56:44 PM] \*\*\* Kite will use her Luck on that one. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:57:20 PM] Rook: She stays on, regaining her purchase!  Give me another acrobatics check as you ctoninue to make your way across, staying low to avoid darts.

[4/16/2018 10:57:33 PM] Ander: ((If Kite uses luck, it's a 19))

[4/16/2018 10:57:44 PM] Rook: ((I know, that makes it.))

[4/16/2018 10:57:50 PM] Ander: ((21 acrobatics))

[4/16/2018 10:57:53 PM] Ander: ((Ah, sorry))

[4/16/2018 10:58:51 PM] Rook: She hops across, and gets to the door on the other side of the chamber.... a slick tunnel that goes down into darkness.

[4/16/2018 10:59:02 PM] Rook: You're going to have to waterslide.

[4/16/2018 10:59:24 PM] \*\*\* Ander does so!  WHEEEEEEEEE \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 10:59:58 PM] Rook: A waterslide with SPIKES that shoot out.  You have to kind of steer yourself to avoid them.

[4/16/2018 11:00:08 PM] Rook: Give me a Dex check.

[4/16/2018 11:00:20 PM] Ander: ((Check?  Not a save.))

[4/16/2018 11:00:27 PM] Rook: Check.

[4/16/2018 11:00:37 PM] Ander: ((16, then))

[4/16/2018 11:01:56 PM] Rook: That's enough!  You control your descent enough to avoid spikey death.  The slide ends, abruptly, with you falling into water.  But there are chains in the ceiling above the water that you can grab onto and swing/climb on to get to the edge of the water.

[4/16/2018 11:02:06 PM] Rook: Roll dex save if you want to grab.

[4/16/2018 11:02:16 PM] Ander: ((23))

[4/16/2018 11:04:04 PM] Rook: You grab like crazy, getting a firm hold, but the posts holding the chains in place start to slide out as you hang there, meaning you have to shift to a new chain before you're dropped in the drink.  As you look around, there are four doors clockwise around the room, you'll only be able to swing to one of them.  Assumiing you don't just want to plunge into the water below you.

[4/16/2018 11:04:47 PM] \*\*\* Ander will go for the door at 9 o'clock. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:05:08 PM] Rook: Okay!  Acrobatics, please.  What's your AC?

[4/16/2018 11:05:35 PM] Ander: ((22 acrobatics, and without my sword, my AC is 16))

[4/16/2018 11:06:06 PM] Rook: You start swinging out there when, out of the water, a giant mechanical shark rears out, snapping giant mechanical jaws at you.

[4/16/2018 11:06:25 PM] Ander: "WHAT?!?  WHAT?!?  WHAT?!?"

[4/16/2018 11:06:27 PM] \*\*\* Kite yelps! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:07:02 PM] Rook: It hits!  Unless Kite or Nilani want to do something.  Kite can use one of her luck things to make the shark reroll its 24, or Nilani can make a mishap happen.

[4/16/2018 11:08:33 PM] Ander: ((After avoiding it earlier, here's where Ander loses an arm :P ))

[4/16/2018 11:08:56 PM] \*\*\* Kite will use a Luck! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:09:22 PM] Rook: Still 24.  Nilani?

[4/16/2018 11:09:39 PM] Ander: (( Vashti you with us? ))

[4/16/2018 11:10:21 PM] Vashti: [I'll use a mishap here, yeah.]

[4/16/2018 11:11:06 PM] Rook: Ander has taken 15 points of damage at this point, but Nilani's mishap makes that 7 as some of the workings of its jaws seize up.

[4/16/2018 11:11:25 PM] Rook: Ander, you make your way to your chosen door!

[4/16/2018 11:11:51 PM] Ander: ((I am in not stellar shape at this point))

[4/16/2018 11:12:07 PM] Rook: You see a hallway, not unlike the first one you came through.  This is the last stretch.

[4/16/2018 11:12:19 PM] Rook: You can see the finish point at the end, behind a door.

[4/16/2018 11:12:50 PM] \*\*\* Ander makes a last ditch run for it. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:13:00 PM] Kite: Go Ander!

[4/16/2018 11:13:41 PM] Rook: As soon as you enter the hallway... it becomes this.  Because of course.

[4/16/2018 11:13:43 PM] Rook: https://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr\_m7rxx5im4E1qfy2kdo1\_250.gif

[4/16/2018 11:13:57 PM] Kite: ((THIS EPISODE WAS BADLY WRITTEN.))

[4/16/2018 11:14:07 PM] Ander: (( :D ))

[4/16/2018 11:14:15 PM] Ander: "................. sigh "

[4/16/2018 11:14:16 PM] Rook: To get to the end, I need three dex saves, Ander.

[4/16/2018 11:14:35 PM] Ander: ((12, 23, 13))

[4/16/2018 11:14:42 PM] Rook: One success.

[4/16/2018 11:14:50 PM] Kite: ((Um, I'll help out on that first one. My last Luck.))

[4/16/2018 11:14:59 PM] Rook: Reroll that one, Ander.

[4/16/2018 11:15:17 PM] Rook: I said reroll, not roll the same thing.

[4/16/2018 11:15:19 PM] Ander: ((Same roll.  Vashti you wanna throw in your last one?))

[4/16/2018 11:15:25 PM] Vashti: [using a mishap here, too.]

[4/16/2018 11:16:47 PM] Rook: Okay, the mishap cancels out one of the failures.  Ander, you do get through, taking 6 damage!

[4/16/2018 11:16:51 PM] Rook: Are you dead?

[4/16/2018 11:17:02 PM] Ander: ((NOPE!))

[4/16/2018 11:17:06 PM] Ander: ((4 HP left))

[4/16/2018 11:17:16 PM] Rook: And the crowd goes wild!

[4/16/2018 11:17:41 PM] \*\*\* Ander will limp across the finish line and bask in the cheering \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:17:50 PM] Rook: They got to watch you get beaten to a pulp AND win, so best of both worlds.

[4/16/2018 11:18:01 PM] \*\*\* Kite cheers and cheers! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:18:04 PM] Rook: You are promptly healed up back to full by Arena clerics.

[4/16/2018 11:19:13 PM] Ander: ((Is my friend Bertold there?))

[4/16/2018 11:19:26 PM] Ander: ((The old healer from my first fight))

[4/16/2018 11:20:07 PM] Kite: That was much better than other gauntlets I have seen.

[4/16/2018 11:20:16 PM] Kite: I was not expecting a large artificial shark.

[4/16/2018 11:20:31 PM] \*\*\* Ander goes back to the box to meet up with Varia and the gang. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:21:26 PM] \*\*\* Kite awkwardly hugs Ander! \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:21:45 PM] \*\*\* Ander returns the hug.  "Uhh...cool.  Thanks." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:21:55 PM] \*\*\* Ander is awkwardly holding her chest. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:22:11 PM] Kite: That was an exceptional performance.

[4/16/2018 11:22:43 PM] Ander: "Thanks!  I will admit, I did underestimate the gauntlet.  I was not expecting the shark."

[4/16/2018 11:23:22 PM] Kite: I have not seen that one before either. There was a swarm of illusory hornets, and then a group of very hungry weasels. But not sharks.

[4/16/2018 11:23:54 PM] \*\*\* Ander probably looks a bit of a wreck, incidentally.  Healers may have healed her body, but her clothes are still wet, torn up and burned. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:24:24 PM] \*\*\* Kite returns Skara. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:24:32 PM] Rook: Ander's time places her fifth on those that have completed the gauntlet.

[4/16/2018 11:24:52 PM] \*\*\* Ander takes Skara and reattaches it to her belt, where it belongs. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:25:11 PM] Ander: "That's pretty good, right?  And that means there'll be a free-for-all at some point?"

[4/16/2018 11:25:48 PM] Rook: Varia:  Among those that complete the course, yes.

[4/16/2018 11:26:30 PM] Kite: It was excellent.

[4/16/2018 11:31:28 PM] Ander: "Hey, uh...Kite...can I...uh...borrow you...just for a sec?"

[4/16/2018 11:31:54 PM] Kite: Yes.

[4/16/2018 11:32:08 PM] \*\*\* Ander pulls her aside a bit.  "So um..." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:33:25 PM] \*\*\* Ander pulls some chopped up bandage bits from under her robe, which is slashed across the side.  "So, this is a sarashi, which I usually use to keep my...you know, tied down.  The shark kind of took it out, and it's all...floppy...you have and strips or maybe can repair them with magic, or something?" \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:33:49 PM] \*\*\* Kite eyes them. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:34:20 PM] Kite: ... you only use strips of cloth rather than a more... robust support garment?

[4/16/2018 11:34:54 PM] \*\*\* Ander blushes.  "...I mean...it's sturdier than it sounds?" \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:35:23 PM] Ander: ((That is a terrible lie, btw.  But I don't need to tell you that. :) ))

[4/16/2018 11:35:37 PM] \*\*\* Kite looks doubtful. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:36:35 PM] Kite: I believe you will have to purchase a replacement. However, I would suggest a brassiere instead, or perhaps a reinforced one made for fighters.

[4/16/2018 11:37:03 PM] \*\*\* Ander blushes harder.  "I...uh...I just...those are...like..." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:37:21 PM] Ander: "It's embarrassing."

[4/16/2018 11:38:16 PM] Kite: Not as embarrassing as losing a fight due to flopping.

[4/16/2018 11:39:12 PM] \*\*\* Ander sighs.  "Fine...I'll look into it.  ...is there anything you can do about my robes, at least?" \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:40:11 PM] Kite: Yes.

[4/16/2018 11:40:18 PM] \*\*\* Kite removes her outer coat and hands it to Ander. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:41:08 PM] Kite: I can stitch it up when we return to the inn. I do not have mending supplies here. ... I am not much with a needle, but independence was encouraged and we made our own repairs at school.

[4/16/2018 11:41:39 PM] Ander: "That's ok.  If you can't do it naturally, I know how to do the repairs myself."

[4/16/2018 11:41:58 PM] \*\*\* Ander throws on the over coat "At least this'll get me home." \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:42:17 PM] \*\*\* Kite nods. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:43:11 PM] Kite: Perhaps a shopping trip is in order, so that you can get spare clothing that fits.

[4/16/2018 11:44:13 PM] Ander: "............ sigh Yeah, I guess."

[4/16/2018 11:44:52 PM] Ander: "...there's gotta be some halfling clothing that won't make me feel ridiculous."

[4/16/2018 11:45:02 PM] Ander: "...Daneel's hat bodes poorly for that, though."

[4/16/2018 11:45:47 PM] Rook: Varia:  Nonsense dear.  You're my fighter now.  I'll see you have a full wardrobe.  Fierce, ready for action.  Sharp lines, stark colors.

[4/16/2018 11:46:07 PM] Ander: "...uh...ok...thanks."

[4/16/2018 11:46:19 PM] \*\*\* Ander tries her best not to look worried about this. \*\*\*

[4/16/2018 11:47:53 PM] Kite: I usually prefer plain, simple clothing. ... for one thing, it is easier to determine what matches that  way. The rules are somewhat... complex.

[4/16/2018 11:48:07 PM] Ander: "...there's rules?"

[4/16/2018 11:49:11 PM] Kite: A bewildering array, each less comprehensible than the last, as they say.

[4/16/2018 11:50:02 PM] Kite: Do not wear stripes with plaids. Do not wear white after the summer. Do not wear pants with dresses, however, leggings are acceptable. ... there are no clear delineations between leggings and pants.

[4/16/2018 11:50:27 PM] Ander: "...how about I just not wear dresses...ever."

[4/16/2018 11:50:51 PM] Kite: Dresses are easier, because it is one less thing to match.

[4/16/2018 11:51:23 PM] Kite: Matching is good. Too much matching is bad. ... there is no clear delineation between matching and too much matching either.

[4/16/2018 11:51:31 PM] Kite: ... I find shopping... difficult.

[4/16/2018 11:52:03 PM] Ander: "...........this is sounding very complicated.  It's like that time I tried to learn the game with the little horsies and towers and stuff."

[4/16/2018 11:52:39 PM] Ander: "Well, if Varia takes over, I don't have to deal with all that.  That's nice."

[4/16/2018 11:52:47 PM] Kite: Chess is simpler. Each piece has a set of rules it obeys.

[4/16/2018 11:53:47 PM] Kite: Whereas I cannot differentiate on sight whether an item is a skirt or a kilt, or whether one is meant to wear a sash or a belt.

[4/16/2018 11:54:50 PM] Ander: "....Countess Varia, I am very thankful to you for taking this out of my hands."

[4/16/2018 11:55:34 PM] Ander: "Are there any rules for the...uh...the...you know...the bras?"

[4/16/2018 11:56:15 PM] Kite: Black matches with blue, but not with navy, which is a subtype of blue. One must not wear brown shoes or boots with black trousers. One should wear socks which match one's pants, but one does not typically wear stockings that match one's skirt.

[4/16/2018 11:57:09 PM] Ander: "...ok, just to be clear, we are not buying me stockings, right?  I really don't want any."

[4/16/2018 11:57:32 PM] Ander: "I am only really interested in clothes I can fight in."

[4/16/2018 11:57:33 PM] Kite: They are largely not worth bothering with.

[4/16/2018 11:57:45 PM] Kite: As they tear easily and do not provide any warmth on cold days.

[4/16/2018 11:57:58 PM] Ander: "Then why do people buy them?"

[4/16/2018 11:58:47 PM] Kite: Supposedly they look attractive and smooth the legs. I do not notice any difference in smoothness, nor have I noticed any difference in attractiveness. Also, they are expensive and do not usually last long.

[4/16/2018 11:59:08 PM] Ander: ".............yeah, no."

[4/16/2018 11:59:58 PM] Kite: The garters required to hold them up are uncomfortable and then one must worry about not showing one's garters. It is all extremely aggravating. I do not see the point.

[4/17/2018 12:05:13 AM] Kite: ... one must, however, wear clothing.

[4/17/2018 12:05:32 AM] Kite: Thus, shopping is not avoidable.

[4/17/2018 12:06:06 AM] Ander: ".......so we're going shopping tomorrow...great."

[4/17/2018 12:07:02 AM] Kite: Even if it were socially acceptable, it is to cold for nudity at present.

[4/17/2018 12:07:16 AM] Ander: ".............I don't do nudity."

[4/17/2018 12:07:30 AM] Ander: ((I am assuming we are out of Varia's earshot, at this point.))

[4/17/2018 12:10:11 AM] Kite: It would make people exceedingly uncomfortable.

[4/17/2018 12:10:40 AM] Ander: "It would make ME exceedingly uncomfortable.  I am honestly a little uncomfortable talking about it right now."

[4/17/2018 12:11:31 AM] Kite: Ah. We will change the subject, in that case.

[4/17/2018 12:11:35 AM] Kite: ((And there we can stop!))