Daedalus

<KiruGM>    As is quickly becoming usual, you're at your biweekly Student Council Meeting.
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko looks up and goes quiet as Aoi and Faust enter.
<KiruGM>    Would you each like to report on your thoughts on the School Betterment Project the Council has been tasked with?
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko stands up and smoothes her skirt.
<KiruGM>    Kamiko, you looked into the ruins of Nemuro Memorial Hall last time.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "It is my pleasure to report that we are moving ahead steadily in the razing of Nemuro Hall. I have spoken with the segment of the student body currently... utilizing... the space, and we have come to an agreement that I believe puts them in our corner."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "I have some plans for a conservatory to be constructed at the site, but I am open to further suggestions for replacement buildings."
*    Inoki_Aoi clears his throat.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Yes, Inoki-san?"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "If a new library were constructed at the site, it would allow the books from the current one to be moved to it so that full-scale construction could be employed to fix the shifting foundations, while not disrupting the studies of students making use of the library."
*    MaxFaust stands up
<MaxFaust>    "The current one has a big hole in it. It should be fixed."
*    MaxFaust sits down
*    KiruGM nods
<KiruGM>    All very admirable.
<KiruGM>    Kiyone, you haven't yet looked into an area on campus which might be Bettered.
<KiruGM>    Would you like to look into that today, or do you have other plans for the afternoon?
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Yes, I'm sorry for that, Kurouto-sempai. I had other club activities come up. I'd like to look into the Rose Croix."



*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko throws her hands up. "And what's wrong with the Rose Croix?!"
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I haven't heard anything specifically wrong with the theatre as a whole, although there's the rumors about the haunted tunnels and students using them for... activities."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I'd personally just been interested in them, and would like to look into it."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko flounces back into her chair.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Kiyone-san brings up an excellent point, I think, which is that even as we improve our weaknesses..."
*    Kurouto_Demi nods towards Kamiko, with reference to her plans for Nemuro
<Kurouto_Demi>    "...So, too, we can work on our strengths."
*    Kita_Kiyone nods firmly.
*    Kurouto_Demi leans forward, elbow on the table.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "So what else are you all going to do tonight?  I heard Chuck is throwing a late-night party."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "There's still at least the whole afternoon before then, though..."
<GMKIRU>    Chuck is probably known to you all as the big Westerner from the band who dresses like it's 1947 and holds a lot of parties
<MaxFaust>    "I have to train, first."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko waves her hand vaguely, "I may grace Chuck's party, purely to support the orchestra, of course."
*    MaxFaust shadow boxes
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Your commitment to your training is exemplary, Faust-san."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Do you ever not train, Faust-san? You're as bad as Kita-san for having no social life."
<MaxFaust>    "Sometimes I enjoy a bratwurst."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "You and Kamiko-sempai should get along better, then."
*    Kurouto_Demi surpresses a giggle
<Kurouto_Demi>    "How about you, Aoi-san?  What's your afternoon look like?"
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko looks at Faust calculatingly.
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I have studies to attend to at the library for a while.  I suspect that by the time I have finished the party will be starting, so I shall probably stop by on my way back to my room."
*    Kurouto_Demi nods.
<KiruGM>    the meeting adjourns, minutes are taken.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Studies! You are always studying, Inoki-san, and I have it on good authority that you do not need to. If I am going to be president of the Student Council, I *must* raise your social standing! All of your standings!"
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko slaps the table.
<Kita_Kiyone>    Kiyone looks up, flush-red, "I have a social life, sempai. Who said I didn't? I've just been busy with clubs and this..."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "It's settled. I am taking you all out to be 'seen', to enjoy the best of the Ohtori Community, and then we are all going to Chuck-kun's party, to let Ohtori know that our watchful eye is upon them!"
*    Inoki_Aoi winces
<MaxFaust>    "Chicken...party..."
<KiruGM>    How bold!
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko points at Faust, "You are a Councilman now! You must be known to the students as more than some thug, hitting things in a mildewy gym!"
<KiruGM>    Where will you take the Student Council, Kamiko?  The Gallery?  Rose Croix?
<KiruGM>    Benevento is certainly a place where students can be easily admired from afar...
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko points at Aoi. "And you, you need to show commitment to the council! The student body will not take you seriously until you prove this is not another of your passing whims!"
<KiruGM>    Student Council!  Will you let her lead you around this way?!
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko will, if no one speaks up, start by taking the council to the Rose Croix so that Kita-san can do her councilwoman's duties.
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Honestly, sempai, I can take care of this myself. You should concentrate on making the student body aware of our juniors better anyway."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "I am including you, Demi-chan. Rose-bride or no, you are a part of this council, and you must be /seen/."
*    Kurouto_Demi smiles and puts her hand over her mouth
<MaxFaust>    "In... forty... minutes, I am going to the gym. That's all. Until then, whatever."
*    Kita_Kiyone seems very bothered by the prospect of being seen as incapable of fulfilling her duties herself. And the accusation she has no social life already.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "While I must behave in a manner in keeping with the decorum of the role of Rose Bride, I would be happy to accompany you, Kamiko-sempai."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I would imagine that given her club activities, Kita-san is seen quite a bit already.  Clubs do include other students, after all."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko nods with satisfaction, and now allows the meeting to adjourn.

<KiruGM>    Right!
<KiruGM>    You're all heading down to the Rose Croix, for forty minutes at least.
<KiruGM>    It's a short and pleasant walk, and you find the building bustling with activity as always.
<KiruGM>    Within, it's a riot of different eras and roles, as student actors involved in different projects rub elbows.
*    Kita_Kiyone turns around to the rest of the group.
<Kurouto_Demi>    You see flappers eating sandwiches with geisha, cowboys yelling at pirates, and everywhere black-clad kuroku hustling to move things from one place to another.
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Sempais, do either of you know what the theatre clubs are working on this year?"
*    Kita_Kiyone still seems embarassed from earlier, but the flash and noise of the Rose Croix seems to have flustered her more.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "They are working on plays, Kita-san. If you need to know more, ask them. This is certainly part of your duties!"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I believe there is a production of The Rose of Versailles planned, and some of the groups plan some improv theater."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "There are also clubs performing The Pirates of Penzance, Oklahoma, Madame Butterfly, and Chicago."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Also, those."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "There is a surprising profusion of theater clubs."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Yes, it is difficult to keep track of everyone."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Y-yes!" She bows towards Kamiko slightly, and then moves up to the stage, hearing Aoi and Demi's statements as she walks. "These clubs seriously need to be condensed."
<GMKIRU>    THE EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE GROUP HAS CONVERGED AROUND YOU
<GMKIRU>    Jiko and Echiko are visionistas, and wearing the black of the kuroku, while Aiko is in a chic black pinafore.
<GMKIRU>    Under Echiko's arm is a large papier-mâche cow's head.
<GMKIRU>    They admire your clothing and hairstyles in quite a pushy way.
<GMKIRU>    Especially Echiko.
<Jiko>    "The Student Council come down from the tower!  Hey, can you get us more funding?"
<Echiko>    "Yes!  We need more lights!  Bright lights everywhere!"
<Kita_Kiyone>    "It's already rather bright in here as it is, but I can look into it for you."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I like your... cow."
<Jiko>    "We've really made a breakthrough this time, I think."
*    Jiko-Echiko-Aiko nods vigorously!
<Kita_Kiyone>    "And what's the breakthrough?"
<Echiko>    "Yes, yes!  Theatre is best when it draws on the mythic tropes!  That's why we're doing the tale of the Minotaur."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "The Minotaur?"
<Aiko>    "It's not the Tale of the Minotaur, it's the tale of Ariadne."
<Jiko>    "Shut up the both of you.  It's the tale of the Labyrinth."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I thought the minotaur was about Theseus..."
<Jiko-Echiko-Aiko>    "The Minotaur is stalking the Labyrinth..."  "No, Theseus and Ariadne are trapped, and--" "And she falls in love with him, there, and tells him how to solve it!"
<Jiko-Echiko-Aiko>    "But just then, the Minotaur attacks!"
<GMKIRU>    Echiko pops the cow mask on her head and chases the other two around with it.
<GMKIRU>    Jiko kicks her in the chest, and she falls over, stage-dead.
<Aiko>    "Then the two swear a vow of love, and start to find their way out of the labyrinth.  But when they reach the exit..."
<GMKIRU>    Jiko whips out a paper silhouette of a boat and crouches behind it, crab-walking off stage left.  Aiko does a showy faint, crumpling at the knees, hand to her temple.
<GMKIRU>    They all stand up and take a bow.
*    Kita_Kiyone claps.
<Jiko>    "That's why we need money, you see.  Right now it's just shadow puppets, but we could do a whole extravaganza!"
*    Jiko, Echiko, and Aiko put their palms out
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko stage-whispers to the nearest council member, "They don't need lights, they need script doctors."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Well, you know, the problem is..."
<Jiko>    "The problem is the Labyrinth brings the lovers together!  They don't know how to cope without it!"
<Echiko>    "The problem is the MINOTAUR!"
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I didn't mean-"
<Aiko>    "That's just a symbol..."
*    Jiko-Echiko-Aiko walk off, arguing all the while.
*    Kurouto_Demi smiles and clasps her hands.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Very spirited, I thought."
*    Kita_Kiyone looks to Demi-sempai.
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Yes. I want to help, it's just... there's so many clubs, funding them all equally would be.... well, significant."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Oh, I think many students find that their creativity blossoms when they are restricted in their aims."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Like haiku, or a sonnet."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Creativity within strict guidelines."
*    Kurouto_Demi beams
*    Kita_Kiyone says quietly, "And besides, the story never asks why the minotaur was so angry about Ariadne leaving."
*    Kurouto_Demi stops beaming.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Well, the Minotaur is trapped just as the heroes are."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Sh- I mean, he is! They just put him in a dungeon and nobody helps him, and then he's betrayed and a hero strangles him."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "And then he's the villain for all eternity. How fair is that?"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "To be fair, I would imagine that the fact that he ate people played a significant part."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Life isn't fair, Kita-san. Heroes and Villains are the same people, perceived differently."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I do not recall many heroes that ate people, Kamiko-sempai."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Although I allow that there are many books I have not read."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "He wasn't a villain. He was just... sad. And alone."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "And part-bull, I guess."
<MaxFaust>    "And ate people."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko ticks off on her fingers, "Atreus, Tantalus, Iphigenia..."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Well, there's not much in a dungeon."
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Especially one your parents built."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I think it is true that many villains could be heroes if viewed a different way.  I do not think that you should let that convince you that EVERY villain could be a hero viewed a different way, Kita-san."
<MaxFaust>    "Anyway, speaking of raging bulls..."
*    MaxFaust wanders off
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko notices Faust wandering off and hustles after him.
*    MaxFaust looks over his shoulder
<MaxFaust>    "...what?"
*    Inoki_Aoi shrugs in a conciliatory manner and ambles after Kamiko and Max.
*    Kurouto_Demi follows as well
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko grabs onto Faust's arm, and looks up into his eyes. "You simply cannot leave, Faust-san!"
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Faust-san did say he needed to train, Kamiko-sempai."
<MaxFaust>    "It's time for me to go."
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "You are a prince of this campus, and a prince cannot survive locked up, hidden away, like... like... some /Minotaur/"
<MaxFaust>    "....I see I have a parade..."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "I would be happy to watch you train, but I can understand if you wish to go alone."
*    MaxFaust shrugs
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "You train so much, Faust-san, surely you can take even one evening off, to see what life offers?"
<MaxFaust>    "It's a free country."
*    MaxFaust narrows his eyes
<MaxFaust>    "For now"
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Have you ever been to Ohtori Gallery, Faust-san?"
*    Kita_Kiyone looks after the rest of the Council, and starts walking away from them, towards the theatre's tunnels. She did say she was going to look into that as well, after all.

<GMKiru>    Kiyone heads down into the catacombs of the Rose Croix.
<GMKiru>    Max heads doggedly toward the gym, undeterred by Kamiko's pleading.
<GMKiru>    The tunnels are cooler than the overheated theatres above, and sound carries weirdly here.
<GMKiru>    Every footstep comes back to you after a few seconds, making it sound like you're being followed, or following someone.
<GMKiru>    Signage is practically nonexistent, but you'll pass a discarded backdrop or costume every few turns.
<Kita_Kiyone>    "I suspected this is why the rumors talk about down here."
*    Kita_Kiyone sighs.
<Kita_Kiyone>    "Although I don't know how to fix something like that."
<GMKiru>    You can hear voices other than your own, down the way.
*    Kita_Kiyone keeps quiet and walks that direction, just to be sure she isn't spooking herself out.
<GMKiru>    It's a male voice, a bit sibilant, and a throaty female voice.
<GMKiru>    You're close enough to make out words, now, but you still can't see anyone.
<GMKiru>    "I don't think it's really working, that's all."
<GMKiru>    that's the male voice
<GMKiru>    "We haven't been doing it nearly long enough to know, is what I'm saying."
<GMKiru>    "So we just keep doing the same thing over and over and hope it'll start working?  That's, like, the definition of insanity."
<GMKiru>    "No, /you're/ the definition of insanity if you can't wait a couple of weeks to gain that kind of power.  It builds UP the longer we work it, is the thing.  You're talking about turning a key halfway in the lock and then whining "Oh, the door doesn't open! It's broken!"
<GMKiru>    a sigh, some shuffling.
*    Kita_Kiyone slows down so she can listen in better.
<GMKiru>    "I think you just like it.  This is what you'd be doing even if there wasn't any profit in it."
<GMKiru>    "Hah.  Maybe, maybe.  But you'll see."
<GMKiru>    The sounds of people move closer to you, and around the corner come two rather well-known figures on the Ohtori campus.
<GMKiru>    it's Lalo, son of the Argentinian copper magnate, and Ruta, daughter of the Estonian Finance Minister.
<GMKiru>    Dissolute and dangerous, these two rule the wealthy Ohtori Gallery clique, alternating cruelty and lavish favors for their sycophants.
<GMKiru>    The two eye Kiyone and turn away, pointedly ignoring her.
<GMKiru>    You pass like snooty ships.
<GMKiru>    Back up the way you came, towards the exit.
*    Kita_Kiyone eyes the backs of their heads when they pass, breathes in, and decides to finish what she came to do and heads the way they came from.
*    GMKiru nods

<GMKiru>    To the rest of the party!
<GMKiru>    You are unable to dissuade Max, and he continues on to the gym.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    He will have to do it with a Kamiko on his arm.
<GMKiru>    It smells like boys.
<GMKiru>    While Max changes, you can see a sparring match going on
<GMKiru>    It's Sander vs. Shiro Saionji!
<GMKiru>    Shiro has a good deal more mass, but Sander has a longer reach.
<GMKiru>    More importantly, Shiro is a tiny ball of rage and entitlement, while Sander is almost pathologically calm in fights.
<GMKiru>    as a consequence, it's pretty one-sided.
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko keeps her eyes on the punching, but leans over to Aoi. "Inoki-san, do you think Faust-san is... (her voice drops) gay?"
*    Inoki_Aoi pauses for a beat
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I do not recall ever seeing Faust-san express more than a cursory interest in anyone, male or female."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko winces as a particularly solid blow lands in the ring. "It's unnatural."
<GMKiru>    Max finishes his prep around the same time as the coach breaks up the fight and makes Shiro go sit in the corner.
<Coach>    "Biting is NOT allowed, Saionji-kun!"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Historically, men punching each other has been anything but unnatural, Kamiko-sempai."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "One might argue it is one of the most natural behaviors we engage in."
*    MaxFaust comes out with a bounce
<Sander>    "Hey, Max.  Friends of yours?"
<MaxFaust>    "Student council."
*    MaxFaust steps into the ring
<Sander>    "Ah."
<MaxFaust>    "First!"
*    Sander steps up and dances around Max carefully, keeping eyes out for an opening.
*    MaxFaust crumbles Sander with one combo
<MaxFaust>    "Second?"
*    Sander coughs a sharp laugh and pours himself out of the ring.
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko shakes her head and briefly glances at Aoi. "Not boxing. Nothing is more natural to the male animal than barely contained violence. I meant his lack of interest in sex. As I'm sure you knew."
*    MaxFaust grimaces
<Shiro_Saionji>    "HMF!"
<Shiro_Saionji>    "This time, Faust! This time you can't cheat your way to victory!"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Perhaps he has a love back home that he pines for, Kamiko-sempai."
*    Shiro_Saionji charges, screaming
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "Do you really believe that?"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Or simply does not like anyone here."
<Inoki_Aoi>    "I must admit the latter would seem more likely than the former, Kamiko-sempai."
*    MaxFaust sidesteps and continues to spar with the wild one
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko looks out of the corner of her eyes at Aoi. "Are you saying I am not desireable, Inoki-san?"
<Shiro_Saionji>    "You think you're better than me?  You overgrown ape!"
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Merely that tastes differ, Kamiko-sempai."
*    MaxFaust yells
<MaxFaust>    "He's BITING again!!"
*    MaxFaust shoves
*    Shiro_Saionji goes right over the ropes and lands in a messy pile
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Perhaps he prefers blondes."
<Shiro_Saionji>    "ohhhh..."
<Coach>    "Anyone else want to fight Faust?  Anyone at all?"
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko gets a wicked grin and pushes Aoi forward.
*    Inoki_Aoi goes down to one knee and immediately begins re-tying his shoe.
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko rolls her eyes, and turns her gaze to make sure Demi isn't bored or horrified by this dump.
*    Kurouto_Demi smiles vacantly.
*    MaxFaust rubs his nipple
*    MaxFaust wipes away some blood
<MaxFaust>    "He should be thrown out! This is unacceptable!"
<Coach>    "If I could, Faust..."
*    MaxFaust glowers at Saionji
<Coach>    "Anyway, looks like there's no more sparring this afternoon.  Sorry you got all dressed up."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "It's getting on towards sunset...I think there may be a duel soon."
*    Shimabukuro_Kamiko gives an uncertain smile back, and turns to yell at the ring, "Hurry and get dressed, Faust-san! We still need to find Kita-san, and get to the Gallery!"
*    MaxFaust nods and pulls the gloves off
*    MaxFaust heads towards the locker room
<Kurouto_Demi>    Your locker has a familiar envelope inside with a red Rose Seal.
<Shimabukuro_Kamiko>    "A duel? Tonight?"
<MaxFaust>    Huhm
*    MaxFaust opens it
<Kurouto_Demi>    You are instructed to meet in the Arena at sunset with your sword, also in your locker.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Non-dueling Student Council members are free to watch from the Tower Platform, if they wish."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "I'd better get the roses.  Excuse me, please."
*    Kurouto_Demi heads towards the arena
*    MaxFaust groans
*    MaxFaust hefts the sword a bit
*    MaxFaust puts it back down to put an elastoplast on his nipple

<KiruGM>    The arena!
*    MaxFaust walks up a thousand step staircase
<KiruGM>    You ascend and come through the gate, and two figures stand before you
<KiruGM>    Demi is there in her wide gown, and there is Shiro, holding what looks like a greatsword at his feet and panting heavily.
*    MaxFaust leans on his sword like a cane
<MaxFaust>    "Of course."
*    Kurouto_Demi places the roses in each duelist's breast pocket and says a brief incantation.  "Rose of Nobility, accept our sacrifice.  Grant us the power to give the world revolution!" 
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Begin!"
*    MaxFaust darts forward immediately to body check
*    Shiro lunges!
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for Shiro [d10]: 1>
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for MaxFaust [d10]: 10>
*    Shiro is thrown back maybe thirty feet
<KiruGM>    Shiro is at -3 to his next action.
<KiruGM>    Max gains a touche.
*    MaxFaust presses the advantage with a lunge
*    Shiro tries to roll away, technically a sidestep
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for MaxFaust [d10]: 8>
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for Shiro [d10]: 9>
<KiruGM>    Max is again able to hit, grazing Shiro's right breast.
<KiruGM>    Max is at an advantage of +3 to his next attack.
<Shiro>    "You bastard!  You'll pay for this!"
<MaxFaust>    "I'm glad you invited me to the dance, Shiro. I am having a wonderful time."
*    MaxFaust tries to slam his sword down on Shiro's Guard
*    Shiro scrambles onto his feet enough to attempt a glise
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for MaxFaust [d10]: 4>
-GameServ/#utena2012-    <Roll for Shiro [d10]: 1>
<KiruGM>    Max's sword comes chopping down toward Shiro's right shoulder, and Shiro is just on the ball enough to bring his sword up under his chin to block.  Max's blade is barely stopped from slicing Shiro in half.  Shiro's rose, however, is not so lucky.
<KiruGM>    It falls in two pieces, petals scattering.
*    MaxFaust throws his sword point-first into the floor
<KiruGM>    Bells begin to toll.
<MaxFaust>    "Never liked these things. A person could get hurt."
*    Shiro curls into a ball.
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Well done, Faust! If you can keep up this performance in the duels proper, there will be no stopping you!"
*    MaxFaust raises an eyebrow
*    Inoki_Aoi gazes at Max's triumph through his opera glasses from the tower platform.
<Inoki_Aoi>    "Ich gratuliere Ihnen herzlich zu sieg, Faust-san."
*    Inoki_Aoi murmurs.
<MaxFaust>    "Proper...?"
*    Kurouto_Demi smiles
<Kurouto_Demi>    "With your fellow Council-members, of course."
<Kurouto_Demi>    "Good luck!"
*    MaxFaust nods a tiny bow
<MaxFaust>    "Thank you. I think."
*    Kurouto_Demi offers a blessing to the Prince of the floating castle, and you all descend back to earth, back to Ohtori.
<KiruGM>    She carries your sword with her, wrapped in the folds of her dress.
<KiruGM>    Next time:  Party at Chuck's place!