Log:Ren Faire Timewarp

2014/08/25 Amelia Annie Hunter Martin Tali

1

At Colonial Heights High School...

Tali and Amelia are chatting at their lockers.

Tali says, "Yeah, but it's kind of 2D of me but I prefer paper. Computers are too slow... I've tried speeding them up with me but it kind of messes them up unless I get it exactly right so I don't usually do that. But I *do* need to empty my locker soon and take them home..."

Hunter walks along the hallways with his backpack slung over a shoulder. For once, he hasn't fallen asleep at school today. Probably because he's been getting very well acquainted with his old friend at night, now that the Tall Man is gone. He turns a corner, drawing near to Tali and Amelia's lockers.

Tali spots Hunter and waves. "Hey Hunter!"

Amelia doesn't hear the whisper quiet footsteps of Hunter but she sees him as he turns into the corridor leading to the lockets, "Hey, Hunter." she calls out, waving a hand.

Hunter grins and waves to his friends, slowing on his approach to chat with them. "Hey, you two. How's it going?"

Tali says, "Arid - got nothing for the rest of the day. How about you?"

Amelia pushes the last book into her locker and closes the door. Then turns to Hunter to hear his answer.

Hunter shrugs and smiles. "Just some homework, but I still got time to finish those essays. But it's okay...I can still totes procrastinate."

Amelia says, "How are you sleeping at night, Hunter?"

Hunter's grin grows even more. "Great, now. Thanks to some special people," he says gratefully.

Amelia smiles, happy at the news.

Tali says, "Arid."

Tali says, "So - back to procrastination - we're heading for the ten fair!"

Amelia says, "Yeah. Do you want to come along, Hunter?"

Hunter's light up. "For realsies? I'd love to! Got me a season pass!" he beams. "Hmmm...what to dress up as..."

Tali frowns. "We don't really have anything to dress in."

Amelia grins, "Does a season pass entitle you to take in guests, Hunter. I'm broke. I was going to use today's lunch money to get in.

Tali says, "DOn't worry about food, there's still some leftovers in Yushio's fridge!"

Hunter adjust his backpack's strap on his shoulder and tilts his head. "Could be! If not, I -do- totally owe you. I can cover your ticket," he smiles.

Tali says, "I think I can cover mine - I globally need to get a job, though."

Hunter chuckles a bit and rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "I snag. My allowance is running lowish, but I still got enough to cover a friend here and there."

Tali says, "Can't think what sort of job is good, though! I don't want something slow and boring...." "Fast food sounds...fast?" Hunter offers with uncertainty.

Amelia says, "That would be great. Dump your backpack, Hunter and we can get going."

Tali shakes her head. "I'd have to be there for hours at normal speed! Putrid."

Amelia says, "I know. One of thos... Oh. Nah, silly idea."

Tali says, "Hm?"

Hunter shrugs. "You'd have to with any job?" he replies. "Anyway, I'll be right back," he says with a grin. He jogs towards his locker and stows his backpack inside and locks it up before heading back to the girls.

Tali sighs. "Yeah, I guess, maybe. Not mild."

Amelia says, "I'd thought about one of those piece work jobs. You know, work from home and make good money. Five dollars for each batch of five hundred envelopes stuffed. But you'd still have to actually do it. Wouldn't take long as far as anyone thinks but boring fore you."

Tali says, "That's not so bad! It's not really wasting time - and can take breaks. That's pretty much how I handle hurrying everywhere anyway!"

Amelia says, "Cool."

Amelia says, "If you have season ticket you've probably been there already, Hunter? You can tell us all the good places to go see while we're heading there."

Tali says, "And I'll go grab some of the party leftover while we're going there, too."

Amelia nods. "Good idea."

Hunter looks thoughtful as he scratches at his chin, glancing up a bit. "Huh. Well, there's the jousting and combat shows. There's a belly dancing stage. Lots of people just walk around in character. The game booths are fun. Medieval takes on your usual fair junk. Petting zoo? Some people are into that. There's lots of shopping to do if you're looking for costume stuff! I mean, I know Matt wasn't into the whole idea, but dressing up and pretending is all part of the fun."

Tali nods. "I totes would if I had the money."

Tali thinks. o O (Not worth stealing for though.)

Amelia thinks for a minute. "Hunter, are you going in costume? Just cause we don't have costumes doesn't mean you can go in costume. It would be kind of neat actually.

Hunter says, "No old halloween costumes that'd work?"

Hunter grins. "Of course I am! All part of the deal."

Amelia chuckles, "I stopped doing Halloween when I was six, Hunter. I don't think the costumes would fit me now."

Hunter snorts a little to himself. "Never too old to play dress up..." he grins.

Tali says, "Mine might but I sold them when I needed money once...."

Renaissance Faire

The Ren Faire advertises fully armored jousts, vendors selling a number of items, clothing armor, weapons, arts and crafts, festival foods, fine spirits (for adults with ID), music, dance, costume vendors, parades, rides and booth games.Fun for adults and kids alike!

The faire is fenced off so that the only entrance/exit is via the main ticket gates. Inside the faire, it's set up like a sprawling medieval town with dirt roads lined with vendor booths and attractions.

Further into the faire and away from the main gates, there's a series of music and entertainment stages, petting zoos, a shaded table and bench area where crafts are taught, a grassy side area where medieval combat is taught, and even a full jousting arena where combats and jousting events are held.

Behind the rear-most row of booths is a tent town where employees camp and party at after hours, and is mainly closed off to the public through a setup of temporary fences draped in cloth.

Tali arrives at the gates of the park with leftover party food.

Hunter meets up with his friends around the gates, dressed for the occasion. He's wearing a vintage looking off-white (tea dyed) pirate's shirt with a brown buccaneer's jacket that falls down to mid-thigh. There's a dark red sash tied around his waist, a pair of billowing brown buccaneer pants tucked into a pair of black swashbuckling boots. A leather belt and scabbard are strapped across his waist with a replica sword in place with a peace tie on it. He's wearing a brown leather pirate captain's hat with a dark red sash tied in a band around his head. His black bangs peak out over the bandana. In addition, he's wearing a leather pauldron strapped over his right shoulder and matching leather bracers.One thing can be said for Hunter...he commits. And maybe has parents that spoil him for being an only child? Also, shame about those drug dealers that've gone missing lately. But since they fled down, that means Hunter has spare cash to cover friends!

Tali grins, looking Hunter over. "Arid fit!"

Amelia nods, "Yeah. Arid." she says, smiling guiltily at using slang. Her parents wouldn't approve.

Hunter saunters over to the ladies in the way pirates do in the movies. Just not the overly drunken slurring ones. It seems more dashing mixed with a bit of swagger. "Hello there, ladies," he takes off his hat and bows low with a sweep of the hat.

Tali giggles. "Oh, I wish I still had - but it probably wouldn't fit me now even if I did!"

Amelia giggles and attempts a cutsy in return. "Hello Captain." she says admiring the outfit Hunter is wearing.

Amelia says, "Where to first?"

Hunter straightens up and tugs his hat back on with a grin, then waves his hand to them more casual. When he twists his hand about so the palm is facing him, he produces nay, not one, but two entry tickets from thin air into his hand. Also with maybe some secret palming techniques. Then he hands out the tickets to Amelia and Tali. "Lady's choice."

Fences? Ticket gates? So 2D. No, literally. They don't really limit anyone from coming in from overhead. Like the divine.

Descending from heaven, or at least somewhere above the park, comes an angelic figure. Annie's blonde hair floats free in the draft from white-feathered wings, her bikini is covered by a toga-like white gown, she radiates a striking presence... and there's even a glowing halo floating over her head. Costumed faires are always crash when you can always come up with an outfit totes spur.

Amelia says, "Well we might not be able to afford them... but if it won't bore you too much Hunter I bet Tali would be as eager to see some of the costumes as I am."

Tali says, "Thanks!"

Tali offers the party leftovers she brought to the others.

There's gasp and shouts drawing attention to the sky as Annie's angelic form makes a highly impressive appearance. Everyone's eyes in the area are raised to the sky to watch her.

Tali oohs and applauds.

Hunter merely grins at his friends. "Costume and people watching is all part of the fun," Hunter says with an easy shrug. Then he blinks up at the angel that just fell from heaven. "Whoa...some people really do go all out..." he breathes out. But then he suddenly realizes it's Annie and stops staring quite so much.

Amelia says, "That's so cool."

Annie might be cheating a little at costume, but she did make it herself! She flaps down to a landing with waves to all those below. Once on the ground, her wings furl and she beams a smile around. "I've totes come to save your souls from anx," she giggles. Then she spies some she recognizes and waves again. "Hi!"

Tali says, "Oh, crash, I wish I could do that!"

Amelia nods, "Me too. Hey, look at her face. Isn't that Annie?"

Amelia waves.

Hunter waves back to Annie with a friendly smile. "Seems like, Amels."

Tali waves too.

Amelia waves Annie over, "We're going to look at the costumes. We won't find one as good as yours though. But you do have an advantage in that regard. Would you like to join us?"

Tali gets her sketchbook out - if nothing else, plenty here worth drawing. She starts with Hunter's costume.

Annie walks over to her fellow Blues.. and Hunter. "Thanks, and I only cheated a little. And totes! I like looking at arid junk, even if it's not me."

Tali says, "Yeah, lots of junk to see!"

Amelia drags the group from clothing stall to clothing stall if allowed. Admiring the costumes but they're all way to expensive for the limited, as in none, funds she has. One enclosed stall has costumes for hire instead of sale. Inside the stall owner is tending a youth who seems utterly undecided.

Hunter follows along with his friends, just enjoying the atmosphere. "I know Matt's not into this junk, but with his accent, he totes fits in."

Annie might not really need clothes, but that doesn't mean she doesn't LIKE clothes. Totes oggled.

The perceptive among the teen group notice that while the stall owner is being distracted by one youth another is dipping his hands into the opened till.

Tali is enjoying looking at the clothes - and notices nothing.

Amelia is likewise looking at the clothes. Pride of place goes to a Southern States Colonial era ball grown. It's simply beautiful.

Hunter frowns ever so slightly as he notices the petty thievery happening. Only because if one person does it, it ruins the whole event. Like stealing at the beach. If someone steals your stuff while you're off swimming at the beach, it ruins it for -everyone-. There's an unwritten code here. So Hunter slides up towards the youth with the dipping hands and clears his throat while leaning against the til table.

Annie sees the ball gown, and sees Amelia oggling it. "You should totes get that, Amels!" The stall owner must be making bank on things like that. Glancing sideways, it looks like he might be getting robbed like one, too. Well, isn't that putrid... Or it could be fun... or even a distraction. Then she spies Hunter and his sore throat. She shoots him a grin. Guess it's up to him which it'll be.

The youth hadn't noticed Hunter's approach. So the cleared throat noise beside him gives him a shock. Jerking round he accidently pulls the till off the counter as his hand gets caught in the cash drawer. The till slams into the dirt floor with a loud chatter, the would be thief's hand still caught inside it. Spinning round the stall owner sees the situation.

Tali looks about to see what caused the noise!

"What the... Thief!" the stall owner shouts. Meanwhile the would be thief is trying to draw a knife from a pocket with his wrong hand. And behind the stall owner the youth who was distracting the stall owner is also pulling out a knife.

Mischief--wait...good deed, managed? Hunter steps back from the clattering till as he sees the thief draw a knife. Really? You're not supposed to bring real weapons to a ren faire. Do these people not understand the rules? And then another knife is drawn.

Ok, a little petty theft is one thing. Annie can't fault people their fun money. But knives? Somebody could lose an eye. Since she left part of it to Hunter, she eyes the one who was doing the distracting and now also might be stabbing. "Did you get that at the next shop down?" Annie also tries to step over in front of him, between him and the shop owner.

Tali tries to ties the people with knives up before they can use them. She also changes to Timewarp costume to draw attention from the fact Tali has just vanished.

Amelia is caught in her normal clothes. She'll let the others deal with this, as she has every confidence they can do. But readies a spell just in case.

Suddenly the two would be thieves are entangled in clothing and Timewarp is standing there. It's not long before one of the patrolling police pairs is on hand to take the thieves away. The stall owner thanks Timewarp and Annie and Hunter, the three who played an active role. "Are the two young ladies with you?" he asks Hunter, gesturing to where Tali was and Amelia is standing.

Tali reappears as Tali from round the corner of a rack of clothes tall enough to hide her. Hunter blinks at the shop owner, then looks to Tali and Amelia with a helpless expression. "Uh, yes. Yes, they are," he responds. "Er, they're my friends," he clarifies.

The stall owner nods, "Your friends," he tells Hunter, "Can take their pick of the costumes, free for the day."

Hunter brightens up with a smile. "Totes crash! Hey, you hear that, ladies?" Hunter asks as he looks to Amelia and Tali. "Now you pretty much have to dress up."

"Welcome," Annie shrugs at the thanks, especially after the thieves and the situation were quickly wrapped up by timewarp. "And we're all his booty," she winks, nodding her head at Hunter. And the free clothes are mentioned. "Ooh! Amels! Yeah!"

Hunter coughs a little and rubs the back of his neck, awkwardly averting his gaze from everyone at Annie's comment. . o O (Hooo boy...)

Tali says, "Oh - really? Thank you...."

Amelia draws a hand across her forehead in theatrical fashion, "Oh my, what a distress." she says laughing.

Tali is now suffering from overchoice! So many costumes to choose from....

Amelia goes to the Southern Belle costume. "This," she says to Tali, "is you."

Tali says, "Not if you want it - I saw you looking!"

Amelia smiles at her friend and stands next to the costume. "I'd have to cut inches off the length to wear it." she points out to Tali. "But it's a perfect fit for you."

Tali laughs. "Oh yeah - ok, I'lll try it on then! It's an arid fit!"

Annie giggles as Amelia and Tali get to figure out their outfits for the day. She already has hers, and so does Hunter. And he seemed to spot the plunderers, too. So she steps his way while the others look. "Dread Pirate Hunter, did you spur that or make it? "

Tali doesn't seem need much persuading. Certainly she disappears to the changing stall really quickly. Amelia dithers for a bit checking out one costume and then another. In the end she settles on a Edwardian formal dress and parasol combination.

Tali reappears, having go into the gown with impressive speed, and gives a twirl, grinning.

Hunter raises an eyebrow at Annie. "Bought bits and pieces on repeat trips here," he comments with a grin. "Plus borrowed some bits from friends who have a bit of a costume collection. It helps to have cosplayer friends."

Hunter smiles as he looks over Amelia and Tali's costume choices. "Very nice, ladies," he compliments.

Tali says, "Why I delate sir, you are too kind!"

The stall owner applauds. "You look stunning." he compliments Tali. Then he hands Hunter four complimentary tickets for the stagecoach ride. "Thank you," he looks to Annie, "and you. The money would have been a bad loss but the knives could have made the situation much worse."

Hunter smiles as he accepts the tickets. "Oh, crash! Well, I guess I know what else we're doing today!"

Amelia is looking in a mirror a bit self consciously, "Is this alright do you think?" she appeals to her friends.

Annie gives her friends a very non-angelic whistle of appreciation. "Totes crash!" Then her grin goes to the stall guy. "Thanks! Can always get more money. Growing things back when they get cut off is way more anx." For most people, anyways.

Hunter folds his arms over his chest and looks Amelia up and down before murmuring appreciatively, "Looks beautiful. Don't anx about it."

The stall owner chuckles, "If I understood you correctly, yes. And now you are all suitably attired go and enjoy the faire."

Tali says, "Uh-huh, you've got a good eye!"

Amelia goes over to join her friends.

Tali says, "Thanks again!" to the stall owner.

"Thank you. You and your friends." the stall owner says.

Hunter waves to the stall owner. "Thanks again!" Then he turns to his friends and distributes the stagecoach tickets to each. "So, what's next, ladies?" he defers to their preferences, since he's been here before.

Sooner or later the teens find themselves at the starting point of the stagecoach ride. It's a western style stagecoach. You could almost expect to see John Wayne up on the driver's box.

Annie eyes her ticket before stowing it in her gown and looking between the southern belle and the victorian lady. "He's totes leaving it to us. Arid." And then it looks like they're going to ride in a bouncing box yanked by horses. "...Mild..." But she isn't flying off.

The stagecoach seats six and the ride is full. As well as the teen group there's a steampunk Doctor and a young woman not much older than you wearing a nun's habit.

Tali says, "Oh, all full up! I don't think I could squeeze in even without these skirts!"

Hunter settles in and grins at the other two riders. "Nice costumes."

Annie should probably lose the wings, as squished as it's going to get. But that would be going out of costume! So she just has to either furl them up snug against herself or leave one or both against the seat as a feathered backrest for whomever she gets squished in against. "Did you say your prayers?" she jokes at the nun.

Tali adjust her skirts, trying in vain to take up less room.

The stagecoach is as much a exhibition piece as a ride. As many people are looking at the coach as it passes as there are people inside looking out at the stalls and events. The stagecoach route takes it closer to some events than pedestrians are allowed. The Nun is watching everything with rapt attention as if she's never seen anything like the ren faire before. The steampunk Doctor is fiddling with an oversized pocket-watch all the time and not seeming to be paying any attention to the passing scenery.

Tali is looking around at lots - and sometimes even sketching, though that's not so easy with the space. Of course she does this too fast for the eye to follow.

The ride is fun right up until the point when the stagecoach throws a wheel. The coach lurches down at the right front with a jolt that tosses everyone off their seats and onto the... stone floor?

Tali says, "Huh?"

Tali looks about in quickly in confusion.

Hunter blinks as he suddenly falls into a ...stone floor? He pushes himself up and looks about. "Did we crash? I mean...not the slang crash...crash crash...uhhh" he messes up his slang.

Bounce. Bounce. Thump? "Ow!" Annie's divine derriere can tell the difference between a poorly padded seat and hard stone. "What kind of shick is this?" so much for the nun being excited and The Doctor being late for his important date.

Tali doesn't have so much trouble with the surprise stone floor per se, slipping into accelerated time as soon as the wheel is gone. Getting her bearings is another matter.

It's suddenly dark. The air is cold and damp and musty. The six from the stagecoach seem to be in a large stone chamber. In the center of the chamber is a waist high stone pillar. The walls and ceiling are in darkness. The only source of light comes from a doorway where a dozen disreputable pirates are holding swords and muskets aimed at the group. The man in the center of the group sneers at Hunter, "I'll be taking your ship, Captain." he says. "You won't be needing it any longer." The man is holding a life sized skull carved from red diamond. The group seem to be caught in some kind of stasis effect. Only Tali can move and even she can only move at normal speed. Too slow to get anyway before the pirates slam shut a massive stone door, plunging the chamber into total darkness.

Hunter feels himself stuck into place by whatever weird stasis effect is holding them. . o O (Captain? Who...oh...)

The stasis effect fades, but the chamber is in pitch darkness.

Martin snuffles for a moment in the darkness as he tries to catch any new scents that have been introduced.

Hunter gets up to his knees and sits back on his heels, staring where he last saw the pirates. "Ooookay. So...what was that all about?" he asks. "And is everyone okay?"

Amelia says, "I'm okay I think."

Tali says, "Dunno - that the way we were held just then is, uh, timey-wimey."

A strange voice says, "Ah... Yes. Sorry about all this."

"What strife did you cause this time, Dread Pirate Hunter?" That must be Annie, but even her pure white wings and gown don't show up in the pitch black. Neither does the rest of her. "Better just be your booty they're after."

Amelia says, "Watch your eyes. Better close them."

"It wasn't me," Hunter's voice groans in the dark. "At least, I don't think it was me..."

Tali says, "Er hey? Who is that?"

Hunter closes his eyes at Amelia's orders.

"You able t' turn inta something that glows?" Martin asks.

Tali closes her eyes.

Martin closes his eyes as well.

Dozens of floating candles appear in the chamber filling it with light as bright as day.

Annie closes hers, too, though it doesn't make it any harder to see.

"That would be me, young man." the strange male voice says. Now there's light it can be seen the pocket watch the steampunk Doctor was fiddling with is broken, probably by the fall in the stagecoach.

Amelia says, "You can open your eyes now."

Tali does so, and looks about.

Hunter blinks his eyes open. Then he gets up to his knees and sits back on his heels, looking about in confusion.

Tali gets to her feet.

Martin opens his eyes as well and goes over to the door that the pirates slammed, examining it for a moment. "Kind of strife you get us into now?" he grunts to Hunter.

The chamber is stone, ten meters high and roughly twenty by twenty in area. The walls and ceiling at of finely worked stone not needing mortar. The ceiling has a arching shape. The only visible exit is the stone door the pirates slammed into place.

Tali says, "Where are we? And how did we get here?"

Hunter looks aghast. "I...I didn't!" he swears. He feels a pang as he remembers what Matt thought of him. This would definitely not help matters if he really was somehow at fault.

"Your friend is not at fault," the steampunk Doctor says. "I'm afraid your situation here is a result of my time machine getting broken."

Hunter lets out a sigh of relief. "Well thank god for that," he mutters as he gets to his feet and dusts off his hands.

Annie opens up and blinks. "So were you late, or just anxing they were going to catch you?" She stands up and stretches, brushing dust off her butt. "Don't care where so much as where's the exit." Looks to be the one that was just closed. She stomps for that. Then stops. "Time machine?" That gets her to look over again.

Tali says, "Time machine? For real?"

Tali thinks. "You don't happen to know someone called Naith, do you?"

Martin pushes against the heavy stone door. After an exorcism to fight a terror demon and a battle with a gigantic shark man in the ocean a time machine sounds almost relaxing.

The Doctor nods, "Yes. I'm called The Doctor. This," he gestures to the Num, "is my companion Josie." He lifts up the oversized pocket watch which has the back hanging loose and the mainspring sticking out like a twisted spiral.

The door shakes in its frame dropping a cloud of dust but doesn't yield.

Annie now looks back to the door she was starting for. "Want some help, big guy?" She wants out, she's sure they want out, so help is also sort of assumed.

The Doctor turns to Tali, "Naith? How is he these days? I haven't seen him in ages."

Martin shakes his head to Annie for a minute now that he's tested the door. "Stan' clear," he rumbles as he backs up. "Lemme see what happens if I hit it hard."

Tali blinks. "You do know him then? I don't know, I've never met him! But he's supposed to be my father."

Hunter glances at the Doctor, his companion, and Tali. "Family friends?" he asks curiously, then looks towards the door and Martin. He feels sorry for the door.

"Really. He's never mentioned you. But as I said, I haven't seen him in simply ages. It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady. I should also warn you that being Naith's daughter may put you at risk. There are many who would seek to gain leverage over Naith by using you." The Doctor warns.

Tali says, "Huh? Really? Why?"

The Doctor looks around, "Perhaps this is something best discussed more privately." he says.

"Ok..." Annie doesn't step up to the door, so she doesn't slow down Martin by getting runover. "Putrid. Family anx. So dozed I don't have to put up with that."

Tali says, "Er - oh! Oh, right....."

Tali says, "So do you know where we are? Or, er when?"

Martin backs away from the door far enough to allow himself to build up a head of steam. Claws scrabbling against the stone he bursts forward, slamming into the door with his shoulder and all his considerable weight.

The Doctor holds up his broken time machine, "Alas, I'm afraid not. Not until I have a chance to repair this."

The door remains intact from Martin's slamming impact but the hardwood beams used to keep it closed shatter and splinter. The door topples over with a heavy thud revealing a passage.

Hunter grins as Martin gets through and says both what his action was and what he literally did. "Crash! Looks like we're free!"

Martin stumbles through the open doorway a little, having not really expected it to give after the first hit, but then recovers thanks to his inhuman agility. "Huh. Easier than I thought it would be," he grunts as his eyes sweep the hallway.

Tali says, "This may be crazy but I'm pretty sure it's 1740. And a Tuesday."

Hunter jogs over to where Martin is, with a big grin on his face. "The door never stood a chance," he comments as he peeks his head through the doorway and looks around the hallway with Martin.

The flagstone under Martin's foot sinks a little. About a second later the sound of water and gears can be heard followed by a twang as a arrow shoots out at Martin.

Hunter blinks at the oncoming arrows. Not good! He reaches for Martin's arm and tries to yank back with all his strength. "Martin, look out!"

Hunter digs his feet in with a mighty heavy and a grunt as he tries to drag Martin back and out of the arrow's path. The surprisingly small teen manages to make Martin budge enough to avoid the arrow. Adrenaline can make you do amazing things when your friends are in danger.

The arrow, a crossbow bolt it seems, spangs off the opposite wall and flies away in a random direction.

Tali frowns. "I guess we have to stay on our toes!"

Hunter lets go of Martin and pants. "Whew...that was close!"

Martin grunts as he pulls himself back to his feet after the close call with the crossbow. "Thanks," he says to Hunter. He goes and picks up the crossbow bolt, examining the tip for a moment.

Hunter nods to Martin as he catches his breath. "No probs, buddy. I owe ya."

Tali says, "Maybe I should scout? I'm probably too fast to set off any traps. But then that's only any good as far as I can see...."

The tip of the bolt shows a discoloration but at a good guess the poison that was on there has no since lost it's toxicity.

Martin sniffs the end of the bolt and then actually licks it with his rough tongue. "Poisoned," he growls, "but real old. Not very strong any more. Probably wouldn't do much to you guys." He looks to the Doctor. "You know these guys?" he asks, giving a toss of his head in the direction of the hallway where the pirates went.

Amelia moves up to the doorwall and more floating candles appear illuminating the corridor. At the end some 20m on is a second door, of beaten brass and covered by hieroglyphics.

"Absolutely not. Pirates at a guess." The Doctor replies.

Hunter takes off his hat and ruffles the top of his head. "Yeah, what was with those guys. And who's the captain they were stealing a ship from?" he asks cluelessly.

Tali says, "Ok. Anyone read *1*-D writing?"

Amelia shakes her head, "Not me."

Martin picks up the heavy stone door and carries it down the hallway toward the brass door. "You don't got a spell that lets you read what's on the door?" Martin asks Amelia.

Amelia says, "Sorry, Martin. No I don't."

Martin nods to Amelia then stands the stone door on the floor between himself and the brass door. "Might want t' step back," he rumbles as he reaches for the handle.

As Martin moves back into the corridor the same flagstone sinks down and another bolt from the same small hole in the wall flies out and spangs off the door. It seems the crossbows are not one-shots. Martin opens up a used crossbow bolt shop.

More bolts shoot out as Martin makes his way to the brass door.

Tali says, "There could be lots of traps - maybe not all the same sort!"

Martin nods to Tali. "Probably not," he says, "an' sooner or later we're gonna catch up to those guys an' their guns. 'Swhy it's best t' let me go first."

"They must really want that Captain's ship," Hunter murmurs curiously as he tugs his hat back on and adjusts it with a small twist. He decides to wait for Martin to work on the other door before risking the hallway again.

The Doctor has been looking at the writing on the brass door from a distance. "Ah. Did one of the pirates have a red diamond skull in his hands?" he asks. Hunter comments, "Sure looked like it."

Tali says, "Yeah, the one who talked about taking the ship!"

The Doctor says, "Apparently it's called the Bloodstone Skull and if bathed in the heart-blood of an innocent gives the user great power for thea period of a day.

The Doctor continues, "According to these writings it was sealed away in here and surrounded by traps and guardians to prevent its misuse."

"Ohh boy," Hunter gulps, sounding in over his head. o O (Ancient traps? Please. This will be fun!)

Tali says, "Those guys got in so there's got to be a way around the traps!"

"So...what?" Martin grunts. "We come into the room where it was bein' kept an now we gotta go through all the traps t' get back out an' catch up with those guys before they get away?"

The Doctor shakes his head. "Possibly not. According to this the traps and guardian are only effective on the way out. And only if the Bloodstone Skull was removed from it's proper place."

Hunter blinks and suddenly asks, "Uh, Guardian?" He glances at Tali. "I bet you could totally find out how to stop all those traps on no time," he grins.

Tali says, "Find maybe but stop? I dunno I don't know anything about traps! But I'll look for them!"

Tali heads off down the corridor in accelerated time looking out for traps and their triggers.

Hunter says, "Well...find the trigger mechanisms so we know what not to step on? They got this putrid magic weapon that requires innocent blood. We should go!"

Tali says, "I think I found a lot but I can't be sure I found all. Want me to trigger them all since I can't disarm them?"

Hunter shrugs. "Looks like Martin triggered the same one repeatedly. Maybe we just gotta move around them?"

Hunter starts heading for the door to the hallway, but waits for Tali to try her plan. "Go for it! Do your thing!" he grins.

Tali does just that, running down the corridor, hitting every trigger she can find, and running back before the bad stuff hits. She repeats this till everything seems safe.

The corridor is seemingly filled by a blizzard of crossbow bolts, spears shooting out from the walls, blades swinging down from the ceiling, a couple of stone blocks falling from the roof, with Tali dancing gracefully through all of it and not getting hit.

After a time the traps are making clicking and watery mechanism sounds but no more projectiles are being released.

Tali says to Martin, "Uh, I hope you're strong enough to move the stone blocks?"

Martin gives a shrug of his shoulders. "Someone was strong enough t' put them there," he points out. "Doubt they can weigh that much."

Hunter gulps as he peeks at the end result once the cacophony is complete. "Arid! Alright, let's get out of here," Hunter hops out into the hallway and heads towards the door with hieroglyphics. He studies it for a lock of some sort as he waits for Martin to try and bash it down.

The corridor seems to be safe now Tali has done her thing.

Martin picks up the big stone door he was carrying and smashes it into the brass door.

The brass door buckles and crashes open. There's another corridor of twenty meters leading to a second brass door. One of the pirates in in the corridor, eaten to little more than a skeleton.

Tali says, "Eeuw."

Martin sniffs at the air, looking for traces of acid or perhaps insects.

Hunter stares at the freshly eaten skeleton. "I think I'd rather brave the arrows to whatever did -that-," he gulps and looks the new corridor nervously.

Looking carefully Martin can see, and smell, several crushed beetles around the corpse of the pirate.

Martin nods toward the pirate skeleton. "Bugs," he says. "Nasty one's." He looks to Amelia. "You got any kind of fire spell?"

Amelia nods. "Yes. Stand back."

Tali stands well back. She doesn't like the sound of a bug-ridden corridor.

Martin rests the stone door on the floor, viewing it now less in terms of it being a barrier to an open doorway and more as a seven foot tall, eight hundred pound flyswatter.

Hunter thinks. o O (Hmmm, note to self: Add bug spray to utility belt...)

Amelia steps into the corridor. Swarms of beetles appear coming from many many holes in the walls and ceiling. As them swarm over Amelia she changes to Raven and fire blossoms around her filling the corridor. The smell of roasting bugs is sickening as they die in their hundreds and thousands. In just a few seconds the bugs are history and the fire fades. Raven is wavering, burns all over her.

"Amels!" Hunter cries out in dismay as he runs towards her afterwards in case she falters.

Martin makes a sort of 'Growlf' vocalization and drops the door to one side as he scoops up the wavering Raven. "Should have told us that it would do that to you," he growls. "Could have come up with another plan."

Tali says, "I could have been the bait! I bet I could have outrun the bugs..."

Hunter nods to Martin, relieved that he got her. There's not much he can do to help her, but he knows Raven can heal herself. "Yeah, that was too rough. Rest up and heal yourself?" Hunter offers, then looks to the next closed door ahead to study it.

Amelia slumps into scooping arms. Even as Martin holds her... her burnt skin is healing visible. "That... took a lot out of me." she manages after a few seconds. I could do with a rest."

Martin nods and just carries Amelia cradled in his arms. "Go ahead, get some rest," he rumbles.

Tali does a check for any traps in this corridor.

Hunter nods approvingly to Martin as he takes care of Raven. "Should we wait before risking that next door? I could take a look. Maybe that one has a special trigger to open it up," he wagers. His foot is great for unlocking some doors, too.

The second brass door looks identical to the first. There is sounds of conversation, angry conversation, from beyond it.

Tali says, "Corridor's clear - as far as I can tell."

Hunter nods and walks over to the door, touching it lightly. He runs his hands over it as if looking for a weak spot, then presses his ear against the door to listenin to the angry voices.

[OOC] Amelia says, "Hearing perception roll please. -3 for through the door, +2 for angry raised voices, so -1 overall."

Martin, carrying Amelia as he is, is not in a good position for battering down the door at the moment.

Hunter squints a little as he listens. "Sounds like the pirates got trapped by a beast on the other side and are trying to find a way past it. Good news is this door seems to have been made a bit flimsy from when they busted through before," he murmurs quietly to the others before glancing back at Martin knowingly. "I can probably kick it down if I hit the weak spot. But are we ready to take on pirates?" he looks at the others, still listening in on the pirates.

Tali says, "Pirates don't sound so tough! Beasts, maybe."

Hunter shrugs. "Sounds like the beast is just blocking the way. Maybe it's the guardian? Some want to return the skull. So that's good, right? They're fighting over what to do."

Tali nods.

Martin nods to Hunter. "Gimme a sec," he says as he carries Raven back toward the end of the group and sets her down on the floor, leaning up against the wall. "Should be more worried 'bout the beast coming up behind'em," he says to Hunter with a low growll as he returns to the head of the line.

Hunter grins a bit and steps back to make way for Martin. "Damn straight they should," he says with an encouraging nod.

Martin picks the heavy stone door back up for use as a battering ram. "You want me t' open it?" he asks Hunter.

Hunter nods and gives a thumbs up. "You're probably way better at it than I would. It's still a bit stuck. Give it all you got, push on through, and give 'em one of your signature roars?" he smiles as he suggests a plan to see what Martin thinks. "But if you got an idea in mind for once that door's down, I'm all ears."

Hunter glances back at Tali. "Tali can probably tie all those guys up in no time once the door's open," he muses.

Tali says, "Yup. if there's anything to tie them up with!"

Martin nods to Hunter as he backs up a little. "Pretty much what I was thinkin'" he says. "Go ahead an' stand back." He hefts the stone door and uses it as a battering ram in place of his shoulder as he charges the door.

Hunter gives Martin a thumbs up and steps back as he prepares to charge.

Tali stands ready!

Martin smashes through the brass door as if it were just so much cheap tinfoil, the door crumpling badly and flying open with a horrendous boom beneath the thirty mile an hour assault of half a ton of angry animal and stone ram. He lets loose with a hideous roar that fills the confines of the corridor beyond, reverberating and echoing with a noise like one of the very beasts of Hell coming to claim the pirates.

The group can watch the unedifying sight of hardened pirates screaming like girls and running away wildly into corners of the chamber beyond the door, most of them throwing their weapons away to run faster.

Hunter steps through the door and stands akimbo, smirking as the pirates run away from Martin. "Now. Where is my ship?" he asks with a cruelly raised eyebrow.

Tali dashes into the chamber and ties the pirates up before they can flee to their possible soon at the hand (claw, tooth, whatever) of the "beast". Lucky there's rope handy!

"Moored in the cove where you berthed it, Captain." a terrified pirate tells Hunter.

"Right. Good. You skallywags haven't touched her, then," Hunter says with a roguish grin. "And the Bloodstone skull?" he addresses the tied up pirates. "Where's that mutinous leader of yours?" he looks about.

The leader of the mutineers is cowering on the floor securely tied, the Bloodstone skull beside him. Tali thinks. o O (Huh - if they're mutineers why do they think Hunter is the captain? Wouldn't they know what he looks like?)

The Doctor has moved into the chamber and is using tools and watch parts from one of the pirates watches to repair his time machine.

Martin palms the Bloodstone Skull in one meaty hand, stalking back to the hallway with it. "Gonna see if Raven is up t' putting this back," he says to the assembled group. "If it's some kinda magic thing she should probably be the one t' take care of it."

Tali nods, "Probably."

Martin glances over one shoulder at the pirates. "After she's done takin' care of it, I'll be back," he says.

Hunter nods to Martin. "Good call." He looks at the other pirates curiously as he unknowingly ponders what Tali's been thinking. Of course, he's been wondering about the confusion since they locked him up. And where's the real captain? He walks over to the mutineer leader looks down at him. "So what made you think you'd get away with this, eh?" he sounds displeased. "Taking -my- ship." Because it's apparently his.

Amelia is resting where Martin left her.

Martin crouches down in the hallway next to Amelia. "You feelin' better, Ames?" he asks her, his voice still gravely but much quieter now.

Tali watches the Doctor work, curiously. When you've been brought up on crazy stories of a time traveller meeting an actua one is fascinating.

The leader looks up, "I figured you were getting soft when you didn't kill the captives from the last two merchants we hit. A weak Captain can't keep his ship. I didn't know you could control the beast in here, Captain."

Tali thinks. o O (They sound totes confused.)

Amelia nods, "That was as rough as I remember the first time being. The Coven made me do it. Said I had to know I could do it or I might hesitate if the need arose. They were right. Because of that I knew I could it."

Hunter plays the role of the not-as-weak-as-you-thought Captain and leans down to bring his face closer to the leader. He says through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowed in anger, "You address me by my full name, dog."

Tali just watches the Doctor. While she's bursting with questions she doesn't want to stop the time machine repair!

The leader nods fearfully, "Aye aye, Captain Hunter.

Martin nods to Amelia and picks her up in his arms again as he carries her back to their starting point. "'Sokay," he says. "Know it's gotta hurt. Jus' go ahead an' rest for now. If you can tell me what t' do I'll go ahead an' put the skull back."

Hunter nods once. "That's more like it." He stands up straight and turns around towards his friends. With his back to the leader, he pulls a funny, confused face and mouths 'That guy's crazy'.

Amelia thinks for a moment. "I'd better go with you, Martin If there's anything magically tricky I should be able to see it."

Hunter thinks. o O (Hrm. Going soft...)

Hunter walks over to First Mate Tali and whispers to her, "I think those guys' brains have gone wibbly wobbly."

The Doctor looks up from his work on the oversized pocket watch. "Were any of your ancestors pirates, young man?" he asks Hunter. "When we accidently travelled back with the control mechanism broken we would have been drawn to points of convergence."

Hunter blinks at the Doctor, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly don't know. Not an impossibility," he shrugs. But now he's curious. He doesn't know anything about his family or lineage. He glances back at the mutineer leader curiously.

Amelia watches as Martin returns the Bloodstone Skull, and sees the forming of a magical shield over it to block it's evil influence. "That's fine, Martin. It's done."

Hunter's brow furrows. "So...if that's the case, where's this time's actual captain?" he asks in confusion. There might be two Hunters here. Again!

The Doctor snaps the back of his watch shut and twists the winding stem. There's a moments discontinuity... and everyone finds themselves back in the stagecoach. On the floor where the jolt from losing a wheel has thrown them.

Martin nods to Amelia and then carries her back to the rest of the group. He remains in the corridor with her, however, so that Martin can continue his interrogations.

Tali says, "Ow! I wasn't expecting -"

Amelia hurried reverts to Amelia in her loaned dress.

"Should have gotten them back out of there," Martin grunts. "Doubt they'll try it again, though." Tali rubs her temples. "It's all Monday again...."

Hunter jolts and finds himself face down in whatever pile of people are stacked on the stagecoach floor. "Oww...what..? Wait, I wanted to learn more!"

The doctor closes the watch and slips it into his pocket.

Tali gets her head together - and asks the Doctor excitedly, "What can you tell me about my father?"

The Doctor tells Tali, "I'll see you again soon. I'll tell you more then." He looks over to his companion. "We should go." he says. She nods and reaches out to touch his arm... and a moment later they are gone.

Hunter flops over now that there's two less people taking up space. "Everyone else still okay? Amels?" he tries to move carefully, still thinking she may be somewhere in the pile and injured.

Tali says, "Yeah, I'm ok..... I think..... It's just... that felt *really* weird."

Amelia says from somewhere under people, "I'll be fine when someone gets their hairy foot out of my face. Martin... thank you!"

"You guys make an awesome team. Didja know that?" Hunter says with admiration and a grin as he cautiously pulls himself up onto his seat again.

The door of the stagecoach is pulled open and the driver looks in worriedly, "Are you guys alright?" he asks.

"Sorry," grunts Martin as he very carefully disentangles himself from everyone so he doesn't catch them with his claws.

Tali says, "Yeah - little - rattled, that's all. It's mild!"

Amelia lifts herself up and then, until Martin avoids it, gives Martin as much of a hug as her arms will reach around him, "Thank you, Martin. Thank you for looking after me when I was hurting."

Martin nods his head to Amelia. "No anx," he mumbles to her as she hugs him.

Hunter smiles to himself as Mels hugs Martin, then looks to the driver. "Next time, don't drink and drive, sir," he chides.

The driver smiles now he's seen everyone appears to be okay. "I'm do that." he tells Hunter with a grin. Then he says to the group in general. The coach threw a wheel. I've never seen that happen before. I'm just glad you're all right."

Tali thinks. o O (It all seems a big coincidence - the tickets, the broken wheel, the Doctor.....)