Keale Slaegin,
Keep an eye on Atsuko, any way you can.  You are not to let her out
of your sights.

Keale: (*puts letter away*) Yare, yare, who is this girl anyway? (*stares at photo and flips to the photo behind it*) This will have to do.

(*Keale: 6'2", handsome, clad in a leather jacket and jeans and steel-toe boots. He walks over to Sephiroth's HotDog stand*)

Sephiroth: Good day! Would you like a fresh hotdog? Only 1 rim.

Keale: Sure (*throws him a rim*)

Sephiroth: In for the trial?

Keale: Trial? Uh, no.  Who's getting tried?

Sephiroth: Chatty, the RL, for murdering an EGC'er.  Guess you're new in town?

Keale: Yeah... hmmm.. you probably know a lot about all that happens here.  (*pulls out picture*) Have you ever seen this girl before?

Sephiroth: (*looking*) Hmm.. not sure. I think she showed up at the EGC Bar a little while back.  She a friend?

Keale: (*nods*)

Sephiroth: Dog's ready.  (*Hands him a toasted bun with the sausage inside*) So, another new stranger in town, huh? Well, I can't say I'm surprised, we've gotten all sorts of people coming in and out.  There's never a dull moment. (*weird pause*) Geez, I sound like some old man in a western flick.  Enjoy your dog.

Keale: (*munch..*) Sure, see ya.

Sephiroth: (*muttering*) I need better lines...

---

(*Scene: Inside the EGC Bar*)

Keale: (*looking*) Hmm... is she even here? Hey, robot! Come over here!

Plimsky: (*buzzing noise*) Sprechen sie mit mir?

Keale: Yeah, I'm talking to you.  C'mere.  (*smiling*) I'm looking for this girl, have you seen her around? (*shows picture*)

Plimsky: Suchen nach Atsuko? Sie scheint nicht, hier im augenblick zu sein.

Keale: When is she going to come back?

Plimsky: Unsicher.

Atsuko: (*appearing from back*) Nan da? I was supposed to be back in the courthouse! Mou!

Keale: (*rushing past Plimsky*) Atsuko?

Atsuko: (*looking Keale up and down*) (*thinks*) Wow, he's gorgeous Um, yes I'm Atsuko...?

Keale: (*hugs her fiercely*) Atsuko! It's been so long!

Atsuko: @_@ Ano..  dare da?

Keale: It's me, Keale! (*gets a puzzled look*) Your brother? (*He pulls out a picture of them sitting on a bench*)

Atsuko: Whaa?? I have a brother? (*looks carefully*) That's me.  (*looks at Keale*) That's you.  But there's no resmblence.

Keale: (*cough cough*) Please, don't embarass Dad. He's learned his lesson and loyal as ever...

Atsuko: You're saying my father was cheating??! (*throws arms in air*) Wait a minute, I don't even know you.  Why the heck am I believing you?

Keale: (*puts a hand on her forehead*) Are you sick? Maybe you lost your memory?

Atsuko: (*pulls herself away*) Please, don't touch me!

Plimsky: Gibt es etwas mühe?

Atsuko: What did he say?

Keale: (*to Plimsky*) No, no, she's just shocked to see me.  Don't worry.

Atsuko: (*leaving EGC bar*) Excuse me.

Keale: Wait up! (*catches up to her outside*) Where are you going? Mind if you show me around?

Atsuko: Look, I have to go somewhere important.  So please--

Keale: The courthouse right? The trial?

Atsuko: (*eying suspiciously*) How did you know?

Keale: If it's not _the_ most important thing happening in town.  I'm new here too and I even know about it! C'mon, let me come with you.  What's wrong?

Atsuko: I don't even know who you are.

Keale: I'm your big brother! C'mon, you have to remember.  When we were little kids I dared you climb the big tree in our backyard and we got so high you were scared to come down.  And you yelled really loud and your mom came out, as well as all our neighbors and I got the scolding of a lifetime? Or the time.. what?

Atsuko: (*giggling*) It's just funny.

Keale: So you do remember me! I've been searching for a long time.

Atsuko: (*looking downcast*) Now.. I..  umm.. look, I don't have any memories of my past.

Keale: What? What happened? Did you hit your head? Permanent amnesia?

Atsuko: I don't know.  (*turns away*) Look, I don't want to talk about it.

Keale: Oh, okay. (*uncomfortable pause*) Let's go to the courthouse, then?

Atsuko: Sure. (*They start walking but Atsuko stops suddenly.*) (*thinking*) Wait, if we have the same father but different mothers, why did we grow up together?

Keale: What's wrong? (*smiling*)

Atsuko: Nandemonai! Iku...

---

Wai, a new character from me! I felt I could use someone new.  Apologies to Chatty-san for that terrible German!!

Comin' down the world turned over,
Angels fall without you here
I go an as you get colder,
Or are you someone's prayer?

(*Scene: Dr. Gerbil's lab*)

Elhaym: (*dryly*) You bellowed, your evilness?

Dr. Gerbil: I have a new mission for you.

Elhaym: I thought you told me to take care of the Triumvirate!

Dr. Gerbil: Well, you have to do that too, but that's something in the background.  Something more important just came up.  *type type*

Elhaym: (*frowning*) What now?

Dr. Gerbil: (*a screen flashes up*) See that girl? I want you to nab her.

Elhaym: What am I? Some two-bit hoodlum out to jump people on the street? Can I kill her instead?

Dr. Gerbil: No, bring her back to me!

Elhaym: (*sulking*) I never have any fun these days...

---

(*Scene: Streets of EGC, towards the Courthouse*)

Keale: How much farther is this place?

Atsuko: EGC is a big place, as I've come to learn.  So have some patience.  We're almost there.

(*Suddenly, a form materializes*)

Elhaym: I don't think you'll be going there soon.  If you excuse me.

Atsuko: (*surprised*) Who are you?

Elhaym: (*racing towards her fast*) Rule 1 of villany: don't waste time talking to the enemy. (*grabs Atsuko by the arm and yanks her away*)

Keale: HEY! (*reaches into his coat and pulls out a futuristic type weapon and begins firing at Elhaym*) Stop!

Elhaym: (*deflecting the lasers, annoyed*) What the hell is this?

Keale: (*disgusted, he throws away the gun*) Cheap piece of crap! (*he starts running after Elhaym and Atsuko*) Come back!!!

Elhaym: Stay back kid or you'll get hurt.

(*Elhaym floats in the air with Atsuko firmly in her grasp.  Keale runs towards them and jumps*)

Keale: Raaaaaaaagh!!!!

Elhaym: Later, cutie. (*materializes away*)

Keale: No! (*lands on the ground*) Dammit! I wasn't even with her for more than 20 minutes! How the hell am I going to explain this?! Shit! (*hits the ground with hand*) Oww..

---

(Scene: Dr. Gerbil's Lab*)

Dr. Gerbil: Ah, welcome to my lab, Atsuko-chan.

Atsuko: (*imprisoned behind a large glass container*) Who are you!?

Dr. Gerbil: I'm Dr. Gerbil.

Elhaym: Is that all? Can I go now, or would you like me to make tea and biscuits while I'm at it?

Dr. Gerbil: Fine, go, go.

(*Elhaym leaves, mumbling to herself*)

Black Velvet: What was the point of all this?

Dr. Gerbil: Ah, the point is that she'll be less threatening than that accursed Dot-RL.

Atsuko: You killed Dot-san?! (*blinks*) But you're so cute to be evil.

Dr. Gerbil: (*enraged*) Don't call me cute! I am the epitome of evilness!!!

Atsuko: (*points*) You're a furry gerbil.

Dr. Gerbil: You got a problem with that, sister? (*composes himself*) No, the honour of having killed that impetious RL goes to my dear Black Velvet.

Black Velvet: (*looks at Atsuko*) ...

Atsuko: What do you want with me?!

Dr. Gerbil: Your powers, of course.  If I can't get them from Dot, I'll get them off you!

Atsuko: I don't have any powers!

Dr. Gerbil: LIES! I know what you are! You're a self-insert! An RL in disguise!

Atsuko: NANI?!

Dr. Gerbil: (*to Black Velvet*) My pride was my mistake last time.  I thought I could actually capture an RL in their true form.  I won't make the same mistake again.  Observe, (*points to Atsuko*) a self-insert is the physical manifestation of an RL.  But in this form, they are subject to the physics of EGC.

Black Velvet: So, it's easier to extract their internal energies? (*smiles*) Interesting.

Dr. Gerbil: Indeed.

(*Both pair of eyes on Atsuko*)

Atsuko: ... tasukete... AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

---

Evil... I'm turning evil.. [sob]

Waii! Double-post from moi! :)

We have corrupted Atsuko! Muhahahaha! ;p

---

Black-Velvet: Well, since I'm not any help here, it'll be back to random property damage for me.  Tata!

Black-Velvet vanishes, and Lain follows shortly afterwards, but not without a sidelong glance at Atsuko.

Dr. Gerbil: Now to begin the preliminary programming... yawns Or maybe some coffee first...

Coffee pot in hand, Dr. Gerbil leaves the lab.

Atsuko (pounding against the container): Help! Somebody! Anybody!

Offscreen voice (sarcastically): In Subspace, no one can hear you scream.

Atsuko looks around in alarm.

Atsuko: W-who's there?

Atsuko lets out a terrified "eep" as Adam materializes in front of her.

Adam: Quiet, kid, or you'll blow my cover. looks around and lets out a whistle Not bad, not bad indeed...the Authoress should consider getting this for her next upgrade...

Atsuko (timidly): Who are you...and have me met before?

Adam (bowing): The name's Adam.  As for your second question...(smirks) That's a secret.

Atsuko (slowly): Okaaaaaaay...so are you here to rescue me?

Adam: If I were really here, I would, but I've got some other commitments that I need to take care of.  So for now I'm just going to observe and offer moral support.

Atsuko: B-but Dr. Gerbil wants to drain my powers!

Adam: Relax.  Right now he can only set up the first few steps.  He can't do the rest until he finishes replacing his corrupted files, and he's still got a long way to go.

Atsuko: A-are you sure?

Adam: Very sure.  You'll be fine.

Adam looks into the distance.

Adam (sarcastically): Our esteemed doctor returns.  I'd better make myself unnoticeable.

Atsuko: Wait!

Adam (already vanishing): Hush, kid, or he might think you're schitzophrenic.

Atsuko reaches out to grab Adam, but only gets thin air.  She sinks to the ground.

Atsuko: Don't go... ;_;

Adam (offscreen): I was never here.  The Authoress just wanted me to show up for a bit to let you know that you're not alone.  (sarcastic) Isn't she sweet?

Atsuko: "The Authoress"...?

Adam (offscreen): Yeah.  She would have shown up herself, but she's a bit... (chuckles) inconvenienced.

Before Atsuko can make any sense of this, her attention is drawn to Dr. Gerbil, who has re-entered with not just one, but two large pots of coffee.

Atsuko: Aiee!

Adam (offscreen): Good, keep up that "scared little girl act".  But remember...Don't Panic.

Dr. Gerbil: Ah...caffeine...

He sets the mugs on a cart nearby and sits at a terminal.

Dr. Gerbil: Now, then...I should have enough files back to at least get this thing started...

---

Ain't I nice? ;p

Johnny? Daijobu? Johnny?

Johnny: Owww... where are we? What happened? Why me?

A lot of questions. To answer the first one: this is my personal Authorspace frame.

Johnny: This is your Authorspace? But it's so...

(It's time to describe the scene we're looking at. It would be nice to think of it a a gray cloud of mist or something similar, but it's not. It's a black nothingness with the crumbled remains of what was the Author's Command Center before in it.)

Dark? Desolate? Cold? In ruins? Yes, I'm afraid so. It will stay this way until I regain 'Reg' status, which is not likely to happen soon.

Johnny: Holy Moly...

My thoughts exactly. All the efforts I put into creating a decent Command Center... Oh well. Shou ga nai, as they say.

Johnny: *mutters*

Dewa, even we RLs are subject to some things. Call it Fate, call it Karma or Destiny... I can't change it, so I accept it. Saves a lot of energy, too.

Johnny: Good point there.

Because you are my main Cameo.

Johnny: *piku piku*

The answer to your third question.

Johnny: Oh. *wrinkles forehead* While we're at it, I've got another one coming up.

Out with it.

Johnny: What are we to do?

Nothing.

Johnny: Nothing?

Hai. Nothing.

Johnny: Why?

I can't get back into Continuity. My Seal is gone, my Connection closed, my Access corrupted, and I have no idea of what's going on anyway.

Johnny: Uh-huh. *doesn't understand one word*

(They sit in the dark void for some time.)

I wish Ruto was here.

Johnny: *smug grin* Do AHAs (Anti-Hentai Anvils) work in Authorspace?

Why does everybody think I'm thinking in Hentai? Do I have the words "Sex-crazed Pervert" written on my forehead or something?

Johnny: Honest answer?

Shut up. (Note to self: never again ask rhethorical questions.)

---

Yes, it's me on a short visit to the Wired. Internet-Cafes are nifty, but expensive... and compared to my (or rather, my dad's) PC at home, the connection is so darn SLOW!
But! There is hope! I made my father buy me a new computer, one solely for me! And I'll get his ISDN card and everything! Nyah hahah! Bad thing is, I don't have a telephone plug in my room... shimatta! >_< So I have to wait until the phone company sends someone to change that... and we all know phone companies, don't we? *grumble*

*The Scene: The EGC streets, where Black Velvet is, for lack of a better phrase, breaking stuff.*

Velvet: TANOSHII da! :D

Lain: *Pops into existance behind him, her T-shirt reading "WEIRD"* *Sighs, looking both bored and irritated* Look, Velvet, what's the point of all of this?

Velvet: *Pauses and shrugs* Got nothin' else to do.

Lain: Well, perhaps, but do you actually enjoy this pointless endeavor?

Velvet: Sure!

Lain: Why?

Velvet: Well, because....because....

Lain: Well?

Velvet: ....I dunno.

Lain: Of course you don't.  It's been shown that the rational part of the brain doesn't even activate until after an action is taken, so basically any reason you have for doing anything is just an after-the-fact rationalization.

Velvet: ....Huh?

Lain: *Smirks* I'm kinda glad you didn't understand that.  You'd be rather upset if you did.

Velvet: *Thinking hard* *Frowns* Wait a minute....what're you saying....?

Lain: Betsu ni, nan demo nai yo.  ^_^ *Disappears, but her voice continues to reach Velvet's ears* Have fun at play, dear, I'll be watching as always!

Velvet: W-Wait! Are you saying there--that there isn't any....GAH!! >_<

Lain: *Rematerializes in the Bar* Aaaah....that was fun.  ^_^

Rei: *Smirks* Rather mean, though.

Lain: Perhaps.  *Shrugs* So, Rei-kun, what's up? Need some info?

Rei: Hai....how's the trial going?

Lain: Pretty much the same.  Things seem rather stalled.  Miang's still acting out of character....she's being very forthright and honest instead of her usual manipulative, string-pulling self.

Rei: Yeesh, did Elly possess her for a change, or what?

Lain: OOC Bug.  Induced from the outside.  Ah, well, I'm sure one of your 'RLs' had a reason for it.  *Chuckles*

Rei: *Arches an eyebrow* You know, it feels odd, talking to someone who just doesn't live by the rules we do....

Lain: Nothing to be done for it....I have to be outside the rules to do my job properly.  Well, nice talking to you again, Rei-kun.  See you later.

Rei: Mata na, Lain.

Lain: *Vanishes*

*Meanwhile, in VoidStar no Concept Space....*

*VoidStar no Concept Space looks like a dorm room: white concrete walls, anime and rock band posters hung up everywhere, various books lying on the floor, fridge by the window, and a small desk at which VoidStar sits.  Leaning against the door at the other side of the room stands a girl with short-cut straight brown hair, hazel eyes behind thick glasses, and wearing sneakers, corduroy slacks, and a robin's egg blue long-sleeved blouse.  She looks rather normal, but for the near-constant knowing smirk she wears.*

Damn, damn, damn.  I still can't get her to listen to me.  ;_;

Girl: *Sighs* That's kind of the point.... She's not supposed to be beholden to RL power.

Yes, but it would be so COOL to have Iwakura Lain as a cameo!

Girl: *Frowns* Drop the act.  Why're you even pretending to want that, anyway?

You know, I'm not sure myself.  :P

Girl: Baka.  I can't believe I'm actually one of your avatars.

So you often say.  Nonetheless, facts be facts.  Oh, and I believe I have a job for you.

Girl: Hooboy.  Does this involve me spending extended periods of time away from Marine-chan?

Well, if you do well, I could be convinced to to let your dear Marine drop by while you're working....

Girl: Don't toy with me, peasant.

*Ahem* That's no way to talk to your RL, Kagami, even if you are Kyosei.

Kagami: I'm more loyal to them than you.  But, in any event, what's the gig?

Go to EGC.  Skulk about the way you do so well.  Just keep an eye on things, and only intervene when necessary.  I'll leave the 'when necessary' part to your discretion, God help us all.

Kagami: *Smirks* Lovely.  Give me a font color and I'll be on my way.

Hmmm....a moment, please.  *Pauses, concentrating* There, how's that?

Kagami: Hey, not bad!

*Grins* Cool.  ^_^ Off ya go, then.  *Pops Kagami into EGC* Now then, let the games begin....*Chuckles*

End communication.

And a hearty WUBBA to Subito! :D New computer on the way, huh? KICKASS!

Welcome back, Ian! ^_^

---

EGC City, exterior.  Black/Velvet is still considering the meaning Lain's words when Adam (the real one, not a holographic projection as in the prior post) appears.

Black/Velvet (fiercely): What do you want?!?

Adam (shaking a finger, sacastically): Temper, temper...I'm just here on behalf of the Authoress to remind you to stay away from those apartments over there.  (gestures vaguely) She created those for her characters to live in, and she wouldn't be too pleased it you wrecked them.

Black/Velvet (defiantly): I have free will! I do whatever I please!

Adam (snickering): Free will...? That's rich...haha...heh heh...(bursts out laughing) BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Black/Velvet (angrily: What?!?

Adam (between chortles): Oh...hoho...my... (takes a deep breath) I haven't had such a good laugh in a long time.  (wipes his eyes) That was good, kid, real good.

Black/Velvet (even angrier): What was so funny?!?

Adam (smugly, mysteriously): There's nothing as tragic as a puppet who isn't aware of its strings.

Black/Velvet (eyes narrowed): What the HELL are you talking about.

Adam (as above): You're a smart kid.  You'll figure it out...that is, if you ever get past that stubborn little ego of yours and quit denying the truth.

Black/Velvet (defiantly): I don't "belong" to anybody! And I definitely don't follow anyone's orders unless I feel like it!

Adam (shaking his head): You're hopeless...you're even dumber than I used to be... (shrugs) Ah, well...just a friendly warning.  Tata.

With a small wave, Adam vanishes.

Black/Velvet (shaking): I...I'm not a puppet! I'm not! (roaring) I AM NOT A PUPPET!

---

EGC Coutroom.  Knox blinks in surprise as Adam appears and takes Dot's seat.

Knox (whispering): You again? Where's Dot?

Adam (mysteriously): Behind the Fourth Wall.

Knox (worried): Is she going to be okay?

Adam (sarcastically): Could be worse, I suppose.  (shakes head) Anyway, I'm sort of filling in for her until she gets sick of being a wall ornament.

Judge: You there! Pipe down or I'll have you ejected.

Adam (not as sarcastically): Pardon me, Your Honor.

Miang (clears throat): The Defense is ready to call its first witness.

Judge: Go ahead, Miang.

---

Chatty? Your turn. :D

*Recap from last time: Kagami, another one of VoidStar's avatars--and a female one, no less--has been deployed by her RL to EGC for Obscure Purposes.*

*Update: Kagami is becoming rapidly annoyed with her job.  Why? Well....*

Kagami: *Sighs, leaning up against the wall of an alleyway* -_-; This is already getting out of hand.

Female Voice in Shadows: Oh, but nothing's happened yet! Really, mon cherie, you worry too much.

Kagami: *Rolls her eyes* I'm not worried about the mission....just the RL's choice of companion.  Why did he decide to add you at the last minute, anyway?

Woman: Well, as I understand it, RL-VoidStar wanted a....specialist.

Kagami: ¬_¬ How are you more of a "specialist" than me? I'm a spy, dammit.

Woman: Of course, cherie....but I think I'll be of help to you, especially against the RL "Dot."

Kagami: *Shrugs* I suppose so.  Ah, well, it's not like I can do anything to challenge the decision....*Brow furrows* Although I still question RL-kun's taste.

*Kagami's partner steps forth from the shadows now, revealing herself to be a rather lovely woman with black hair tied in a long ponytail, dressed rather scandalously, with three distinctive marks on her face....two on her cheeks and one on her forehead, diamond-shaped.*

Peorth: *Grins* I should be insulted, but I'll let that one pass.

Kagami: Uh-huh, whatever....look, why were you even interested in this in the first place?

Peorth: *Sly smirk* Why, Falora, of course....I know even less about her than my other rivals.  I simply can't stand being uninformed.

Kagami: *Chuckles* Well, I guess you and I might have something in common after all.  Let's get started, ne?

Peorth: Mochiron, mon cherie. Lead the way!

Ah, the tangled web I weave.... >:]

End communication.

Really, now!  I'd been worried!  I'd never have thought ... I mean, computers crashing like that, I can understand, but people..?

The girl said nothing.

Anyways, nice to have you back and running again, honeypie ...

The girl remained silent.

Something on your mind, dearling?

The girl raised her head and stared at the display screen head on.

"I had a dream," she said.

... that the little children of this nation will live in harmony and

The stare turned into a glare.

Oh.  Sorry dear, it was a clear opening and I couldn't resist ...

The glare softened.  "Nevermind.  A dream's a stupid thing to be thinking about, anyway ..."

Now that is entirely unlike you, honey.  What about that dream?

"Nothing, Catz.  Nothing special about it at all, 'cept ... my eyes burned when I woke up."

'S a sad dream?

The girl chuckled.  "No, just ... well, how to explain it ... I wasn't in it, so to speak, but ..."

You were the air surrounding the proceedings?

"Yeah.  Have I said this before?"

Lots of times, dear.

She nodded.  "Well, the dream itself wasn't that special or important.  It's just the context of my life that makes it unusual.  I mean, I haven't dreamt in ...... how long..?  Damn long time, whatever it is ... I haven't dreamt at all, and then I get sick, sure proves I'm not invincible, and then all I'm doing is sleeping ... dreamless, restless sleep, you know ... then I have to make up work, incredibly depressing stuff, kinda makes me feel like a mouse being teased by a cat except it's a comatose mouse and the cat's overly domesticated and ... well, I come to the conclusion during all this that I'm at the most just an incompetent liar and a puppet and ... not human ...... then I have a dream ... and I wonder what made me doubt my humanity in the first place.  Does that make any sense?"

No, it doesn't.  Sorry, dear.

She sighed.  "Nothing to apologize for, Catz.  I've been sick ... sick people think weird things."

Sometimes sick people think SICK things ...

"Ill, then.  I've been ill ... or whatever.  But ..." She smiled slightly.  "It had the Maria chant, Catz.  In its entirety ..."

I thought you said you hadn't finished the Maria chant.

"I know.  I haven't."

Catz said nothing.  A somewhat amazed nothing, at that ...

"Catz, connect into Venus.  Disable prose."

Connecting into Venus, disabling prose ...

---

[Scene:  The Courtroom]
[BGM:  Anything, really]

Miang: (*clears throat*) The Defense is ready to call its first witness.

Judge: Go ahead, Miang.

(thinking: Just "Miang" already?  Whatever happened to "Ms. Hawwa"?)

Miang: (*reads index card*) The Defense calls to the stand ..... (*blinks*) ... um ...

(*She glances over at the RL-rep, who nods back solemnly and drunkenly ...*)

Miang:  Err ... (*clears throat*) The Defense calls to the stand ..... Kami-sama.

Miyuka: (*standing up*) Your Honor, I object!  That request is a direct breach of the Separation of Religion and Law as stated in the clause of the same name!

(*also standing*)  Your Honor, I am too allowed to have God as my witness! (*hic*)

Judge: No, Ms. RL, you are not allowed to have God as your witness.  Ms. Rub al-Khali just stated the reasons.  Now sit down.

(*Wobbling*) But Your Honor, I don't see any Ms. Rub al-Khali here ...

Judge:  Just sit down, okay?

Oky doke ... (*sits*)

Miyuka:  (*rolls her eyes and sit down*)

Miang:  Ah ... well then, next witness. (*reads*) The Defense calls to the stand ... Ms. Tifa Lockheart?

Miyuka: (*stands*) Your Honor, this is pointless!

(*stands*) It is not!  The rat was killed right outside the bar! (*hic*) If eshtar-- esatib-- if proving my motif-- my motivesis essential to the case, then questioning those in the vicinity of the crime is nesheshary! (*hic*)

Judge:  He/She/It has a point, Miyuka.  Objection overruled.  Please take your seat.

(*Miyuka and the RL-rep sit, and Tifa takes the stand.*)

---

[Scene:  The Bar]
[BGM:  Sake in the Jar]

Kelvena:  Isn't it obvious?  There's another Demon Invasion on the way, and this Linda person knows ahead of anybody else again ... probably because she's a specialist.

Tolone:  But why me?  Why give Siaradus to me?  Nobody's answered that yet ...

Kelvena:  Well, there's always one other possibility ...

Tolone:  And that is?

Kelvena:  She put a bunch of names in a hat and drew one at random.

Tolone:  That's not funny.

Kelvena:  It's not supposed to be.

Dominia:  Look, this is all fine and dandy for the two of you, but what am I supposed to do with --

Quee: .....! (*runs up to Dominia with a tray of full Sake mugs*)

Dominia: (*blink*) ...... did you just buy that?

Quee: (*nod nod*)

Dominia:  .... for me?

Quee: (*nod nod*)

Dominia:  Heh ... well, now, she's speaking my language!

Tolone:  Good grief ... ¬¬

---

[Scene:  The Courtroom]
[BGM:  Homeward Bound]

Miang:  So the RL-Chatty checked up on your bar right before the death of Knox?

Tifa:  That's right.

Miang:  Did anything happen while she was there?

Tifa:  Outside of the Good Cop/Bad Cop routine we pulled?  Not much ...

Miang: (*blink*) Good Cop/Bad Cop routine?  Could you clarify what you mean by that?

Tifa:  That?  That was her idea to motivate Roach and Vermin into negotiating a treaty ... she figured that giving them a good scare would knock them out of being so stubborn and get them back into focusing on the priorities ...

Miang:  You mean that whole incident was rigged?

Tifa:  Why, it wasn't obvious?  I kinda thought it was overly dramatic myself ... but hey, no more roach invasions means less rehabilitation of the bar, so I figured it was worth a shot ...

Miang:  So the RL was not in a murderous mood that afternoon?

Tifa:  Heck no.

Miang:  Any ideas why she might have killed Knox?

Tifa: (*shrug*) Wakaranai.  Whatever her reasons, bloodlust wasn't one of them.

Miang:  Thank you very much, Ms. Lockheart.  You've been a great help. (*to Miyuka*) Your turn.

---

[Scene:  Dr. Gerbil's Laboratory]
[BGM:  For some strange reason, I'm thinking "Sgt. Pepper's" ...]

Dr. Gerbil:  Believe me, this won't hurt a bit ...

Atsuko:  Iiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!!

Dr. Gerbil:  (*annoyed*)  For God's sake, cut that out!  Don't you have any idea what's in store for this city?

Atsuko:  Um ... you're going to take it over?

Dr. Gerbil:  (*chuckling*)  No.

Atsuko:  You're not?

Dr. Gerbil:  No, I just get impediments to my experiments out of the way.

Atsuko:  Then why are you extracting my inergal enteries or whatnot?

Dr. Gerbil: (*grinning*) Because I can.

Atsuko: (*gulp*)

---

[Scene:  The Courtroom]
[BGM:  Something from Cowboy Bebop?]

Miyuka:  So she wasn't a raving bloodthirsty maniac at the time?

Tifa:  Nope.

Miyuka:  Are you quite certain of that?

Tifa:  Yup.

Miyuka: (*really reaching*) Have you ever experienced missing time?

Tifa:  Nope.

Miyuka:  You certain?

Judge: (*tiredly*) Miyuka, give it up.

Miyuka:  (*sigh*) No more questions, Your Honor. (*returns to her seat and sits*)

Miang: (*stands*) The Defense calls to the stand ..... Bub the Zombie?

Bub:  Arrrrrgh? (*stands*)

Miyuka: (*not bothering to stand up*) Not a legal witness, Your Honor.  Witnesses have to be technically alive and/or not living dead ...

Now that's just plain discriff-- discribit-- not fair ... (*hic*)

Judge:  Objection sustained.

Bub:  Rrrgh.  Braaaaaaains ...

Judge:  That's enough out of you.

Bub:  Helllllo Aunt Eileeeeen ... rrrgh ... (*sits*)

Miang:  Sorry, Your Honor. (*reads*) The Defense calls to the stand ...... the Prosecution?

Miyuka:  WHAT?!

(*standing*) Your Honor, it is legal!  There is presha-- (*hic*) I mean, it's been done before ...

Miyuka:  That was a Civil Suit!  The Defense was suing itself for malpractice over a self-labotomy!

Judge:  Still counts as precedence, Miyuka.  Objection overruled -- please take the stand ...

(*A grumbling Miyuka obliges ...*)

---

[Scene:  De Civitate Dei, dead center -- i.e., where Kii got hit with the lance]
[BGM:  A Hazy Shade of Winter]

Ramsus:  I still don't get the point of this ...

Ravenal:  Didn't I just give you a memory of the rules?  ... fold.  I mean, right now we sit it out and let Potega's cards smash Wie, but --

Ramsus:  No, I meant the whole waiting thing.  ... fold.  Why can't we just start without him?

Potega:  Never use a backup unless you need it.

Wiegraf:  Four aces versus your three knaves -- I win.

Potega:  Damn.

Wiegraf:  That's the fourth time I've won, isn't it?

Ravenal:  Don't brag, caddy boy. (*grins*)

Wiegraf:  Err.  Right. (*shuffles and deals*)

Ramsus:  You don't think it's suspicious that he's been blocking so long?  Or that he insisted on walking the whole way?

Ravenal:  Of course I think it's suspicious.  Do you really think I give a rat's arse?  Let 'im block and let 'im walk his legs off ... I mean, if it was so worth worrying about, do you think She'd let him get away with it?

Ramsus:  No, I suppose not.  ... fold.

Ravenal:  What does get me, though, is that he's sleeping right now ... blocking right when I'd give an eye to gloat over his agony, dammit ... selfish little -- I see your ten rims and raise you one more.

Ramsus:  Agony?

Potega:  Eight years of constant nightmares.  Then again, he sleeps maybe ... once, twice a week?  Raise you two.

Ravenal:  Beautiful screams, those.  That Isis sure knew her stuff.

Wiegraf:  It's really eerie how quiet you guys get ...

(*The three-quarters of the Triumvirate turn and stare at him.*)

Wiegraf:  Err.  Right.  Raise you three rims ...

---

[Scene:  Not technically a place, really ...]
[BGM:  wide variety]

(*Picture the streets of Elat, post-Civil war.*)

(*If that's not familiar, then picture a city ... narrow streets, fitted with stone, not pavement ... primarily stone and brick buildings, five stories at their highest, quite a few with shell-blasts off of them ... very few people in the streets, the two or three that are out are quite skinny, not healthy in the least ....... a war-blasted city with war-blasted people.*)

(*Light-wise, it's probably early evening.  There's not so much a presence of light as an absence of darkness.  But that's the streets ... the alleyways are something else ...*)

(*Through the narrow, dark, tunnel-like alleys between the buildings and ruins, a boy slips through.  He's about ten, with mussy black hair, large brown eyes, and a frame slightly less skinny than everyone else's ... granted, that's not saying much.*)

(*He peers around the edge of a hole in a wall into the room inside.  Nobody's there.  He squeezes in through the hole.*)

(*It's a rather sparse room ... if it could be said to be a room anymore, this being one of the more shell-blasted buildings.  There's a mattress in one corner, a rug in the other, a pile of clothing in yet another, and a deep tin pan under one of the larger holes in the ceiling.  In the middle of the floor there's a cup with a few matches in it, and by the cup there's a whole bunch of furniture legs apparently detached from their original sources.*)

(*The boy slinks over to the corner with the pile of clothing, and yanks a bag from underneath it.  The bag clinks with the unmistakable sound of coin against coin.*)

Woman's voice:  Diiiiiiiivesy-chaaaaaaaan ...

(*The boy freezes.  And gulps.*)

Woman's voice:  Divesy-chaaaaaan, what are you doooooing?

Young Dives:  N-nothing, I was just --

Woman's voice:  You weren't trying to run away, were you, Divesy-chan?

Young Dives: (*turns around*) No!  No, I ....

(*He quickly develops the "I am so dead" expression.*)

(*The woman stands in the 'doorway', and she does not look happy.  No, she looks ecstatic in that way reserved for the quite insane.  Compared to the average person on the street, she's rather well-fed ... not fat, but definately not starving.  Dark hair, dark eyes, thick-boned ... and beautiful, if you can discount the insane smile.*)

(*"Divesy-chan" bolts for the hole in the wall.  She catches him by the back of the neck ... not the collar of his shirt, but the actual back of his neck.*)

Isis:  Divesy's been a naughty boy, hasn't he? (*tightens the death grip*)

Young Dives: (*whimpering*) M-Mother ...

(*She hurls him at the rug corner, and he crashes into the wall.*)

Isis: (*picking up a furniture leg*) Mother doesn't like it when Divesy's been naughty.

Young Dives:  Please ... Mother, I ...

(*She picks a match out of the cup, strikes it, and lights the leg ... essentially making it a flimsy torch.*)

Young Dives:  (*backing into the corner*)  No ... Mother, don't ...

Isis: (*brightly*) Say you're sorry, Divesy, say you're sorry ...

Young Dives:  I ... I'm ...

(*And suddenly, she's up close and holding the makeshift torch an inch or two from his face.*)

Isis: (*cheerily*) Divesy disobeyed Mother ... Divesy will have to be punished ...

(*The boy screams and breaks down into crying hysterics.  Isis's smile grows even more wildly insane ...*)

(*A hand taps her on the back.  Isis and the 'torch' disappear.*)

(*The hand then reaches out towards the sobbing, hysterical Dives, now full-grown, red-eyed, and in his usual full black suit.  He stops sobbing, wipes off his eyes, and looks up ... and Mother Sophia of the Nisan Sect smiles back.*)

Sophia: (*kindly*) Stand up, Dives.

(*Dives takes her hand and she helps him back to his feet.  He's still rather shaken.*)

Sophia:  Salvation does not come from refusing to take part or from running away.  Nor does it come from just drifting.  Salvation comes from complete surrender, with one's eyes always turned to the center.

(*Whatever that means, Dives seems to get it.  He smiles weakly.*)

Dives:  I .....

(*He stops, and drawls off.  When he tries to start again, he seems a little stuck on words ...*)

(*After a little while, he just gives up on words and kisses Sophia on the cheek.  It's a rather childish motion.*)

Sophia:  You're welcome ...

(*She puts a hand on his shoulder and stares him straight in the eye.*)

Sophia:  Wake up, Dives.

(*He blinks.  And suddenly, he's no longer in the room in Elat, but rather standing in the middle of the subway tracks in the subway tunnels ... with a subway train headed down the tunnel.*)

(*Dives flings himself up and out of the tracks with his AT field, and watches the subway train whiz by.  Eventually he gets up and walks away, headed towards De Civitate Dei ...*)

---

The girl sat there.  If she wasn't so tired, she would blink.

"Catz?"

Yes, honeybun?

"Why does Dives know about Mother Sophia?  So far as I know, he's never heard of her at all ..."

Maybe it's one of those unconscious leakages .... you know, like how everyone seems to know instinctually that you're the Restorer/Creator of the Universe?

She shook her head.  "Not likely."

OOC Bug, then?

"He's an avatar of the Angel of Death, Catz.  He's immune to diseases ... and if he wasn't, he would've died from you-know-what two seconds after accepting the offer."

Then, err ... no idea, sugar, none at all.

The girl nodded her head.  Think later, sleep now, think sleep now later ...

"Take me home, Catz.  I'm tired and I don't want to relapse ..."

Right-o, sugarhoneybunpie ...

If anyone cares...

I was just reading a book on light.  The RGB model of colour can be defined like a 3d-cube.  At the coordinates (0,0,0) you have black and (1,1,1) is black.  The primaries lie on each x,y,z axis.  Red is (1,0,0), green is (0,1,0) and blue is (0,0,1).  Finally, the secondaries are at the remaining points.  Officially, they are yellow (1,1,0), cyan (0,1,1) and magenta (1,0,1).  

(From the "Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage") <- French for the International Commission of Illumination ...  these people must lead very boring lives, tee hee.  ^_^