Log:Animal Knights, Scene 1

Animal Knights 2010/10/07 	 Aika Bard Emerdir Harlequin Lorelei Rakshasa Titan 1

Titan is having dinner with Lorelei. The two of them are seated at a table, and only a few of the other patrons are staring, unlike when then go elsewhere.

Bob Eulenspiegel is dining alone even though his table has been set for two. A few minutes ago his dining partner was called away on business and left in quite a hurry.

Rakshasa (in disguise) is dining alone at a small two person table as well. She spins the wine in her glass as she waits for her order to arrive, watching the other patrons with a bored look.

Titan looks to Lorelei, "You know...this stuff with Gretel has me a little on edge. I suppose I'm thankful she find me 'boring'."

Lorelei nods. "I found the whole business... well, disturbing's an understatement. The way they look to me..."

Harlequin reaches over and spears a bite of his dining partner's asparagus a Hollandaise. He consumes it with a slight smile on his lips.

"Excuse me! You can't go back there! Call security!" The hostess of the yacht club calls out urgently, loudly enough to be heard from the entrance hall. Moments later, a creature bursts into the dining room. He looks like a cross between a man and a dog, wearing a suit of armor appropriate for a Spanish conquistador. Although he seems capable of walking on two legs, he's hunched over with his nose rooted to the ground.

Titan nods. "I can imagine. Or try to. I don't really have the capacity to see what you do." He smiles slightly. "I really thought appealing to their 'kid' nature would work..." He stops mid-sentence, and looks up at the newcomer. "Huh."

Lorelei says, "Well... that's something you don't see every day...."

Harlequin turns as do the other patrons to observe the being. His eyebrows raise after amoment.

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman raises an eyebrow and takes a sip of her wine, a faint smile on her lips.

Lorelei says to Titan, "Hm, a German Shepherd transformed, I think...."

Titan furrows his brow. "Transformed by magic, I guess? But by whom?"

Lorelei says, "Good question - also, why?"

The Dog Knight begins to sniff around the room, all the while being chased by the hostess, which the Dog Knight ignores. All conversation is stopped as everyone focuses on the intruder. There's a crash as a distracted waiter drops a tray full of plates, and a preoccupied waitress fills a patron's wine glass way past overflowing. The Dog begins to make his way over to Titan and Lorelei's table.

Harlequin picks up his napkin from his lap, carefully folds it, and places it by his plate. As he stands he shoots his cuffs.

Lorelei says, "But I think it's fae magic... so maybe it's here because of me."

Titan pushes back his chair, and stands up, getting between his table and the dog. "Probably some kind of joke. I mean..why the conquistador getup?"

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman continues to watch, her amusement fading somewhat as she realizes the waiter dropped her dinner.

Lorelei gets up carefully from the table.

Lorelei thinks. o O (Just my luck - trouble when I'm not wearing my costume....)

The Dog Knight stops at Titan's feet, sniffing. He looks up at Titan's eyes, before barking twice, loudly.

Titan smiles slightly. "So...you were looking for me, then? Why would that be?"

The hostess eyes Titan suspiciously. "Excuse me sir... is this your, er, dog?"

Titan shakes his head, looking to the hostess, "No, ma'am. Never seen him before in my life."

Lorelei says, "I could try to change him back... but I suspect it's beyond me...."

Harlequin walks slowly through the crowd to position himself closer to Titan and Lorelei's table. He glances to see if the dogman has a collar on.

Harlequin smiles slightly as he says a deadpan tone, "Rex, does Mr Vasilikos need to go with you? Has someone fallen down a well?"

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman sighs and waves to the waiter and holds up her now empty wine glass.

There's a big of commotion as more animal-men hybrids push their way into the room. They are accompanied by a man dressed as a footman - who some might recognize as the missing zoo worker, Jeffrey Limpet.

Lorelei says, "Is it me, or is this just silly?"

Titan chuckles. "A bit. Though...be careful with the bear and lion." He looks to whomever seems to be leading the group. "So...It appears you were looking for me? Why?"

Limpet is holding a set of scrolls which he unrolls. He begins to read from it in a loud voice that carries over the general din of the restaurant: "Now announcing... His Lordship, Emerdir the Bold, son of Istuaran the Red, son of Tancauien the Wise..."

Bob sighs at the entrance of the other knights and the footman. "And I so liked this form," he mutters. The glamour around him fades revealing the Harlequin beneath the man. His gaze passes over them as the footman speaks.

Titan rubs his temple, and looks to Lorelei, "I'm guessing it's another suitor for you."

[To Titan] Lorelei says, "I've heard of him - and you might be right."

Titan chuckles and mutters, "Wonderful." He then waits patiently for the introduction to finish.

After the introduction, Lord Emerdir saunters into the dining room. He begins to walk towards Titan and Lorelei, and he begins to speak. "So this is the man who would challenge me for Princess Lorelei's hand. Well, there's certainly a lot of you, to be sure." He looks Titan up and down.

Titan smiles slightly, "And here, I was under the impression that it would be her decision."

Harlequin seems to choke slightly behind his mask, then raises a gloved hand to his lips and coughs softly.

Lorelei regards the newcomer, while trying to recall what she can of fae customs in this matter. "Challenge you, Lord Emerdir? I was unaware you had declared your intention to pay suit."

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman eyes "Lord" Emerdir, her eyes lighting up like a child opening presents Christmas morning.

Emerdir says, "I've certain tried to declare my intention, your Highness. But your mother seems... uninterested in proctoring an arranged union with qualified suitor..."

Titan smiles again, "That...does not surprise me, somehow. Based upon what I know of her."

Harlequin listens with his head tilted to one side. His attention then turns to the footman and he idly moves over that way, making shooing motions to the other patrons of the restaurant then points to the various exits.

Lorelei says, "Then why have you come, if she has made the position so plain?"

"Who's to know what's going on the minds of women," Emerdir says, shrugging Lorelei. "Sometimes matters are best left for the men to decide. History is forged by the bold, so I have come to make my position clear." He draws his sword and addresses Titan. "Tell me Titan, are you ready to defend your claim?"

Two burly men in suits -- restaurant security -- come into the dining room. "What's going -- oh?" They stop in their tracks for a moment, trying to assess the situation.

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman leaps to her feet holding clutching her hands to her chest, her eyes sparkling, "Oh! My dashing prince! You've finally come!"

Titan smiles slightly, "Defend my claim? Again, I'm inclined to let Lorelei decide on her own behalf. If you attempt to force any decision upon her, THAT's what's going to start a fight here."

Lorelei says, "Whatever you may think of the minds of women, Lord Emerdir, the custom of this land is to let us make them up ourselves."

Emerdir tosses his hair with his free hand. "I understand your reaction," he says to Rakshasa. "From what I've seen of it, this land is a vast, dull, canvas of grays, upon which I must seem like a radiant star. But, I only have eyes for one other here -- and that would be Lorelei."

Lorelei thinks. o O (Not that I imagine that will mean anything to him. I'm not sure the fae ever renounced their claim to this world, formally....)

Rakshasa!!Elegant Woman staggers, "M-my Prince!? B-but, that's not what you said on that enchanted night last summer." She turns away and holds her face in her hands, "And after all I went through, you won't take responsibility!?"

Titan grimaces, looking over toward Rakshasa, and then back to Emerdir, "You took advantage of that woman, and then left? Really?"

Harlequin continues towards the footman as he keeps making shooing gestures to the crowd and pointing at the exits. In a firm quiet tone, he states, "Get out before the fight starts, good people. Because it will. Please move along." He stops when he spots Aika entering the restaurant then shakes his head bu continues his actions.

Lorelei isn't particularly fooled by Rakshasa's shapeshifting, but doesn't think unconfusing Titan is much to her advantage.

"Such rubbish," Emerdir says to the elegant woman. "I've not seen you before in my life." To Lorelei he says, "Customs. This land has many customs, most of which I find backwards and rather... ugly."

Aika only came here to get something to eat damnit. Now she's apparently stuck in another situation just waiting to turn into an all-out-brawl! Oh the horror. D: Hey wait she scents another canine here. Rrr.. the werewolf starts walking around sniffing at the air in search of the source.

Finally to Titan, Emerdir says, "Enough! If you want mercy, you may relinquish your claim to the princess. Otherwise, defend yourself!"

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman walks toward Emerdir, "How cruel! And after I went and drank that demon blood you gave me so that we could be togther forever!"

Titan shakes his head. "Fine...if you want to fight, we can fight. Outside."

Lorelei says crossly to Emerdir, "I am *not* a prize to be fought over."

Bard enters from Bridgend.

Bard pages: But that means... my research was for naught T.T

Titan heads toward the door. "After I bounce you around the dock a bit, you can head home. Let's get this over with."

Emerdir gestures for Titan to lead the way outside. To Lorelei: "Your Highness, you are definitely worth fighting for. I mean it as the highest compliment."

Titan steps outside, and moves away from the building, giving plenty of room.

Dog Knight's head perks up. He begins sniffing around for something.

Lorelei follows Titan. "Don't take this too lightly - they still have a serious duelling custom...."

Titan nods. "I'm sure he's quite good with a blade. I'm still not terribly concerned about it."

Rakshasa!Elegant Woman follows alongs, rubbing her hands together and muttering to herself. . o O (Hey! If this works out, I can skip out without paying!)

Aika ends up running right into the canine knight, meanwhile, bristling up at first but then seeming to examine the other bipedal canid. "Rrr..?"

Lorelei says, "Well, don't lose, whatever you do. That would be bad for both of us, I suspect."

Emerdir and his knights all head outside as well. The restaurant patrons end up stuck -- they started to leave under Harlequin's advisement, but now that the fight has movd outside, they mostly wait inside, in position to watch the fight through the windows of he restaurant.

Harlequin watches as Titan et al leave the restaurant. He bows to the crowd and repeats "Please stay here, gentles all. Do not follow unless you are claw proof please." He troops out after the rest.

Titan raises a brow. "I'm not sure I buy that. After all, he did an end-run around the normal arranged marriage process.

Dog Knight woofs at Aika.

The restaurant stuff struggles to get back to business as usual.

Titan rubs his hands, "Alright...since you challenged me, Emerdir, I get to pick the weapons. Bare hands."

Titan says, "Oh...and no magic."

Lorelei says, "BUt I don't know if a legitimate one. There are all sorts of old laws and customs... Undermoon may have an enlightened ruler now, but things were different once..."

Aika pages: The doggy went outside?

Rakshasa snickers to herself.

Titan nods to Lorelei.

Harlequin stops and waits not far from the door placing himself between the restaurant and the potential melee.

Emerdir says to Titan, "Suit yourself. Get him." He snaps his fingers, and his menagerie leaps to attack the hero.

Titan raises a brow, "Not really much of a 'duel', then is it?"

Aika seems entirely disinterested in the others at this point and when the other canine woofs at her she perks ears before starting to sniff at him again. Then the werewolf seems to walk around the knight in a circle prior to poking him with a single finger.

Emerdir says, "Were you a noble, I'd afford you with the same rights as one. But for a commoner?"

Titan shakes his head, "You've already lost, then...cheating by using others to fight for you, and you're using magic. To control them."

Lorelei takes that as her cue to take direct action - since Emerdir hasn't stuck to straight duel. And her powers are also not exactly banned by the rules either.

Harlequin sighs as the 'duel' commences and draws an ornate (and gaudy) wand from his belt.

Emerdir holds back from attacking, bouncing around in front of Titan, with his dukes put up.

Dog Knight barks at Aika, then turns to join the fight.

Lorelei decides the best thing she can do is to distract Emerdir from the fight. To that end she shift position in his line of sight, giving him a very good view!

Emerdir's fists lower and he stops his bouncing footwook -- now he's just staring at Lorelei.

Aika seems to be rather irked at learning the other canine is apparently some work of voodoo and not another bipedal as she had thought at first. The werewolf sort of sulks off to the side. u.u

As if to show how fast word travels, or even how fast Bard travels Marcus appears on the scene in a hurry, looking at what is going down, smirking and getting his guitar ready.

The Two Monkey Knights try to double-team Titan. One of them spins and uses his tail to whip a pepper shaker at Titan's face, one stolen from the restaurant. The other tries to drop kick Titan from behind.

Titan puts his hand up in the way of the pepper shaker, knocking it aside. "Seriously?"

The pepper-tossing Monkey screeches at Titan. Meanwhile, his partner fails to connect with his kick.

Emerdir sighs and waxes, "Oh, Lorelei, fair Lorelei, bonny Lorelei... Lorelei of Lorelei Hall..."

Lorelei thinks. o O (Darn. I may have made this worse. Still, too late now...)

Rakshasa's body shimmers and seems to flow as she reforms into her normal(?) form, "Behold fool! I am really Rakshasa, Demon of the Night, Bane of Men, Devourer of Souls, The Great Deceiver! I--" She stares at Emerdir, "Hey! Don't ignore me! Why does everyone ignore me! ARRRGGHHHH!!!" Sparks crackle down her right arm as she forms a spike of energy and flings it petulantly at the completely innocent Lion Knight who really doesn't deserve to be treated this way.

Zam! The Lion is hit by the bolt of energy. He growls as he's sent tumbling down the pavement.

Bard hehs to himself. . o O (Oh Rakky, you and your misplaced rage.)

Emerdir completely fails to notice Rakshasa, he continues on: "A thousand ships seems like a pittance to launch in your name... I would gladly slay a thousand Titans..."

The Lion Scrambles up all fours and then charges back towards Rakshasa. He pounces, trying to pin Rakky to the ground under his weight.

Lorelei says, "Slaying doeesn't impress me. Especially not slaying my friends."

Bard thinks. . o O ( this new guy is a real cassinov- wait a second... that's medieval logic, and these are the beasts I've been looking for... save for teh dog. Crap)

The Lion Man lands on top of Rakshasa and tries to sink his teeth into his shoulder.

Rakshasa grimaces, "Hey! Stop slobbering on me! Get off me you smelly carpet!"

Woof woof! The Dog Knight runs for Titan and tries to bite and grab onto his right hand.

The Dog misses Titan and skids past, bumping into one of the Monkeys. Both of them are knocked off of their feet.

Aika is the only one allowed to harass the feline damnit. She suddenly springs from where she was sulking towards the lion man's direction with the intention of sending him flying.

Aika connects solidly with the Lion Knight and knocks hims off of Rakshasa, onto his side just a couple meters to Rakshasa's left.

The Lion is still moving, trying to get up, if slowly.

Rakshasa glares at Aika, "Hmmph! It's not as if I needed your help!" She pauses and adds grumpily, "But thanks."

Harlequin waves his wand and brings silver and blue spheres into existence around himself. He then begins to stalk towards the heart of the melee.

Emerdir shakes his head and tries to clear is his eyes. He says to Lorelei, "I won't kill him, if he yields."

Titan steps forward, and attempts to slug Emerdir...

Titan connects solidly, "It would take something a lot more powerful than you to kill me, you honorless prat."

Emerdir shifts his weight, lessening the impact of the blow. It still sense him sliding 22m away down the pavement.

Bard gives Titan a thumbs up in approval of the hit.