Log:Expedition from Undermoon, Scene 2

Expedition from Undermoon 2011/02/14 	 Jennifer Mirror Taennon Wonder 2

Bridgend

Jennifer is coming out of the coffee shop when she spots....

Wonder is doing the superhero-patrol thing, in costume. Well, also, practicing jumping about the city without squashing anything or anyone.

Wandering was Mirror, occasionally looking like people she had passed recently but not staying in their shape for too long. Just long enough until she sees someone she would like to look as though she were for a time. Based on a whim, and done with subtlety, it's hard to catch unless one is very sharp in noticing people showing up more than once going in opposite directions.

Jennifer smiles, calls out as she sees Wonder in costume, "Good morning. Wonder isn't it?"

Jennifer has no cause as yet to notice Mirror any more than any other pedestrian in the street.

Wonder looks toward Jennifer midleap, and in consequence misses his target, the edge of the roof of the gym. He comes crashing down into the road.

Jennifer winces, "Oops. Sorry. Are you alright?" she asks, hurrying over to the crash site.

Wonder gets up: he seems ok. "Only my pride hurt, as they say," he says. "Maybe I'd better stick to running. How do these people who can jump miles do it?"

Taennon is further along the street, examining a parked car, frowning. His weapons aren't in hand, but he is getting stares from passers-by.

Jennifer laughs, remembering Riot without the bite of loss hurting as much. She's starting to get over his absence. "Well, often with a lot of collateral damage, Wonder. Jump and pray is the usual technique it seems."

With a superhero in the immediate area, and an obvious one at that, Mirror feels a little less uneasy about showing her true appearance. While before it was very easy to overlook the young woman of a thousand faces, it is now unmistakable to anyone who can take notice of shiny things. She blends in with nothing. The crash brings her moving more quickly, to see if the crashing person is well, slowing when it is clear that Wonder is indeed well, and she speaks in comment, "The road to perfection is paved with practice, practice, practice," She seems friendly by posture, if one cannot make out the smile she wears.

Jennifer turns to look towards the voice, and blinks, "Wow. Interesting effect. That's really eye-twisting, you know." she says cheerfully.

Wonder says, "I'm glad I'm not the one - oh!" He spots Mirror. "Hello!"

Jennifer says, "Introductions? I'm Jennifer Markham. Wonder, I know you by name but I don't recall having met you before. And," she looks at the reflections, "you are?""

Taennon figures out how to open the hood of the car (without triggering the alarm, no less), and does so, to get a better look inside.

"It helps to avoid staring too long or you get very distracted," Mirror suggests, friendly tone, not at all bothered sounding. "Or I can look like someone else, but that often distresses whomever I appear as." She bobs her head. "I have come to introduce myself as Mirror," she offers.

Wonder grins. "You mean someone has heard of me! I recognised you, Jennifer!"

Wonder says, "Hi Mirror - oh, are you a shapeshifter?"

Jennifer nods, "An apt name choice. You can take my form if you wish, Mirror. People are used to seeing two of me. But I'd suggest only when I'm on hand. If you get mistaken for me elsewhere it might be dangerous for you. For some strange reason a few villains and the like seem to wish me harm."

Wonder grins. "We could do three of you and confuse people."

Jennifer laughs again, "There was a half dozen of me once during the Rift War." she comments.

"In the sense that my appearance can become that of others," Mirror replies. At Jennifer's invitation, she becomes the third Markham Twin. "Thank you," she says, in the same voice as before, unchanged with her looks. "There is an armored person roving nearby. He is not recognized by those around him." She sees Taennon in a reflection.

Jennifer says, "That armor style looks familar. Although what a Undermoon fae warrior is doing here is a mystery. Okay, we could go and ask. Just be aware those people tend to be stuckup and have a huge sense of entitlement because of their ancestry. Be careful what you say.""

Wonder sighs. "I missed someone suspicious? This patrolling thing is hard! How does anyone ever even notice the bad guys?"

Wonder says, "Wait - fae?"

Jennifer grins, "Even I cannot miss that straight line, Wonder. You could 'look in a mirror.'"

"In all things, I speak with care," Mirror says. She turns to see what a direct look upon Taennon looks like, seeming to find it less appealing than the reflection. "I could ask questions of him. I do not know what should be asked."

Wonder says, "I'll go see what he's up to."

Wonder changes form to resemble an unremarkable, prematurely balding man, and starts up the street.

Jennifer nods, "I suggest we all go. Remember, they can be touchy."

Jennifer starts walking unhurriedly up the street towards Taennon, keeping her pace slower than Wonder's.

Taennon has by this point removed parts of the engine, to get a better look at the wires running from the fuel cells.

"Ah, another who can make differences in look," Mirror comments, watching Wonder change. She moves with Jennifer, looking like a mirror image in stride. "I believe he is performing a criminal act," she mentions.

Jennifer says, "Yes, but probably not with criminal intent, Mirror. However, you are certainly correct in as much as I doubt he has the permission of the vehicle's owner."

Wonder returns to the others to report, "He seems to be taking the car apart."

Jennifer nods to Wonder. Continues to approach Taennon, her sword sheathed and slung across her back.

Mirror nods. "I believe the same. If we are fortunate then one who can fix it quickly will be nearby. Perhaps a charge can be avoided."

Taennon doesn't notice Jennifer's approach. He's extracted one of the car's fuel cells and is studying it with fascination.

Jennifer says, "Good morning, noble warrior of Undermoon. May I assist you?""

Mirror adds, "we must formally request cessation of that activity."

Taennon is surprised by the greeting, and starts, but turns to reply. "Good morning." Then adds, "Mortal woman," on seeing Jenn is human. "But you are mistaken. From Undermoon I am, but an not noble, merely a Master."

Taennon ignores Mirror's bluntness.

Jennifer says, "If you are not noble then I hazard a guess that you are Master of the art of armorcrafting. And that you bear upon you an example of your work. Never have I seen such perfection in form. Allow me to introduce my companions. This is Wonder, a hero of valour. To my right, Mirror, a lady of mystery and fortune. I am Lady Jennifer Markham, a member of our ruler's Guard. Further, I must echo my companions request. If that is not your vehicle, please cease disassembling it."

Jennifer thinks. o O (Damn, my tounge will get twisted in a knot at this rate.)

That gets Taennon's attention. He bows. "My Lady Jennifer - forgive me, I did not know your likeness." He does not bow long though, and his words seem rather forced.

Mirror turns her head to the glass of the nearest building, her particular perspective of seeing the world giving her more comfort than the more immediate one. One might notice she does not show up there, unlike the Lady Jennifer whom she is copying.

Jennifer smiles, "Neither I yours, Master. Alas our visit to Undermoon was rushed and we saw little of your domain outside the Castle. How fares the King. He has recovered fully I hope." . o O(One up me, huh!)

Wonder thinks. o O (Wow - a real fae?)

Taennon says, "The king is well and strong. It is by his authority I am here."

Mirror moves to the side of Wonder, speaking quietly to avoid interrupting the flow of conversation that is giving Jennifer an interesting day. "Do you know of anyone who might correct the damage to that car?"

Wonder says, "Sorry - I don't really know anyone here."

Jennifer nods, "If your visit here is to seek out the Princess Stephie I can contact her for you." she says to Taennon. "Else, if it is for some other purpose I may be able to assist should you be permitted to reveal that purpose."

Jennifer glances to the side where Mirror is, "There's a mechanic in Chinatown, on the edge where it joins Bridgend. He's pretty good. That's where I have my bikes worked on."

Taennon says, "I am here to investigate the devices and mechanisms of the humans, and to report if they are truly as wondrous as stories tell. But I find only mystery, and, I suspect, deceit. How could human have made such things?"

"I know the location you speak of," Mirror says. "Skill is as vital as swiftness however, if we wish to avoid incident. Unless there is insurance by the owner of the vehicle, which would lessen the likelihood of incident." She lowers her head in a bow toward Taennon. "If the Master so wishes, there are volumes of lore which may be referenced and cross-referenced that would reveal all that is sought."

Taennon begins to rant. "There is in this city a huge bridge - how could it be balanced so by the sightless? Everywhere I see cunning design yet shoddy workmanship. Metal crudely worked, little sense of style. Who then designed these great machines? How can a device like this be made -" he waves the fuel cell about, "- by creatures that cannot even see the forces it produces?"

Jennifer says, "Mystery I can understand. The workings of most of the stuff I use daily is a mystery to me. I have not the education nor training to understand it. My calling has been that of a warrior. But I do not see deceit. Bad workmanship, yes. Many things are made as cheaply and quickly as possible. In some cases made to break sooner so another can be sold to the same person. It is not skill that is lacking but pride in their craft."

Jennifer unslings her sword, keeping it fully sheathed. "Be wary, this is cold iron forged." She offers the sword in its sheath for Taennon to examine. "This too is human craftsmanship. But produced by a craftsman who had pride in his work."

Mirror dispenses with her present seeming, letting it slip for a good ten seconds, then recovers it. It's a demonstration, that she is not nearly as uninteresting as Taennon is reacting to her. "The lore holds the key to the answers you seek."

Taennon steps back in alarm as it's presented. But Jennifer is a lady, and he doesn't express what leaps to his mind. He politely accepts the sword, draws it partly from its sheath, and examines it visually. "The workmanship is fair," he acknowledges grudgingly. He returns the sword, sheathed. "I am surprised you carry such a weapon, my lady." A twitch of his lip suggests "revolted" might be nearer the mark.

Jennifer says, "In the realm of Undermoon I would not. I carried this weapon to your lands not knowing of your ways and surrendered it to the Palace Guard on request. In our land a cold iron blade has no special meaning. Cold iron is not common but neither is it especially rare."

Taennon does not seem to regard Mirror's change of appearance as remarkable, but it does draw his attention. But it's to Jennifer he speaks. "What is the lore of which she speaks?"

Jennifer says, "But my point has yet to be made. The craftsman who created that blade made perhaps a hundred in his lifetime. The shoddy items you have spoken off are made by tens and hundreds of thousands. As to the lore that Mirror speaks of, she is the one who can tell you." She looks over to Mirror."

Rather than volunteering, Mirror waits for Taennon to address her. While she may lack any formal title by the laws of the Fae's land, he is not in his land, and she has grown weary of the notion that his whims must be accommodated without the reverse being true.

Taennon turns his gaze on Mirror, and does address her. "Well?" he says, impatiently. The Lady Jennifer he has to treat with respect, by royal order. That doesn't apply to most humans.

"This city, as many others, holds a library of information." Mirror says, masking her irritation with quiet calm. "You expressed frustration for lack of understanding. Your frustration may be alleviated with the simple passage of time and research."

Taennon is clearly surprised at this answer. "The secrets of these devices are freely to be read? Where is this library?"

Wonder says, "It's on Main St - about halfway down, a big building, you can't miss it!"

Mirror glances at Wonder, nodding. "We do not understand your ways, instead we seem to understand the ways that have been discovered and passed through generations in the form of writings. It is all freely available for those who wish to seek it out."

Jennifer points to the car's engine. "If you are able to do so, please return this to the state you found it before you depart for the library. If you wish to take devices apart to examine them you should ask the owner first. Or buy one for your use."

Taennon looks insulted at the suggestion he might not be able to reassemble the car. But he holds his tongue, and starts reassembling it. "Do you think you alone have libraries? Arrogant humans!" he says to Mirror, as he sets to work.

Jennifer thinks. o O (Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.)

Wonder thinks. o O (Too bad he's not a villain! I wouldn't mind punching him.)

"You see arrogance where there is not," Mirror mentions. "When one speaks of what is available, it does not necessarily exclude what others may have available." She regards Taennon evenly. "It is my desire that you find the information you seek, and my hope that you find it inferior to your own understanding." And, she implies without speaking it, that it would mean she would never need to speak with the unpleasant fae craftsman again.

Taennon lowers the hood of the car. "It is done. I will take my leave, my lady, and pursue my duties at the library."

Jennifer nods, "I also have duties to attend to. Fare you well, Master."

Jennifer thinks. o O (Better warn the local PD and tell my bosses to let the State Dept know. Fun times ahead I suspect.)

Taennon bows, more sincerely than before, and walks off toward the maglev station.

Wonder whispers to Jennifer - "So, *where*'s he from exactly?

Taennon leaves Bridgend and enters MagLev System.

"I express apology for speaking uncivilly," Mirror says to Jennifer. "It is my understanding that respect is shared, not driven into a single point."

Jennifer says, "Another dimension. Well, I assume it's a dimension. And yes, he is really a Fae. The genuine McCoy." She sees he has entered the noisy Maglev station, "So was I right about stuckup and touchy?"

Wonder says, "Are they *all* like that? He didn't seem so stuck up with you though."

Jennifer grins at Mirror, "I thought you were the very model of civility and tolerance, Mirror. I was hard put not to smack him around just a little bit."

Jennifer says, "I played the nobility card, Wonder. I may be a mere human, but I can stick a title in front of my name. As if that made any difference to who I am. Really."

Wonder grins. "I'm glad I wasn't the only one to feel that way!"

Mirror glances after where Taennon vanished into. "My methods of expressing power are not direct and violent," she says. "If that were not true, it would be perhaps something shared by me, such an urge."

Jennifer shrugs, "Also, I helped save their King from assassination. So that might have earned me a brownie point or two."

"He seemed jumpy when you presented your sheathed weapon. If he is to be dealt with again, and," she shakes her head. "I have faith that he will be, one might find use in researching why he reacted so."

Wonder says, "Wow - I bet!"

Jennifer muses, "He's not the worst, but neither is he the best. Some of the fae I met were perfectly decent people. The King was someone I could respect. Likewise the captain of their Palace Guard. Others's had their noses so high up in the air when we passed by they needed oxygen."

Wonder laughs. "So, you've been there? The dimension?"

Jennifer says, "Oh, I know why he flinched, Mirror. Cold iron just cuts through their defensive spells like a hot knife through butter."

Mirror reaches into the car's window, and draws from it a replica of Jennifer's weapon. This has the somewhat disturbing effect of making the reflected Jennifer's weapon no longer exist in the reflection. "Then there is understanding." She slides the blade partway from the sheath, showing an exact replica, though the details are reversed. "This... cold iron, are its properties mystic?"

Jennifer nods to Wonder, "Yes. Lorelei is one of their princesses. I went over there when Lorelei was searching for answers about her missing mother."

Jennifer shrugs, "I've no idea. Magic and me just don't get on. I don't like it and don't understand it.. Sorry."

Wonder blinks. "You mean Lorelei is a princess as well as - wow, you know Lorelei? Could you introduce us?" He regrets the eager question almost as soon as he asks it.

Mirror offers the weapon over for inspection. "If not, and if we have need of such droll tactics, we may introduce fear into the negotiations. If your weapon is nothing more than simple craftsmanship, this will be in every way, its reflected twin."

Jennifer grins, "Sure. But you want to practice first, Wonder. Otherwise you'll kick yourself afterwards for just standing there with your mouth open like a goldfish. Lorelei just has that effect. Always has for as long as I've known here. She's also one of the best people I know. I count her as one of the best friends anyone, especially someone as awkward as I was, could ever have."

[To Mirror] Wonder says, "Do you think we'll have to fight him?"

Jennifer looks at the weapon, "Interesting ability, Mirror. I'd reserve that for extreme cases though. I suspect using a cold iron blade is not something they would be prepared to forget or forgive."

"Indeed," Mirror says to Jennifer, sliding the weapon fully into the sheath and then putting it back where she found it. "I do not know if we will have to fight him. If such an event must transpire, I would be unsurprised because he holds everyone here in contempt until something compels him to do otherwise."

Wonder says, "Fae kingdoms and other dimensions - wow! When am I going to see some of this stuff?"

Wonder says, "It's better than jumping about the city and missing rooftops."

Mirror motions to the reflection in the window. "There, another dimension exists. None here notice it. It is my home."

Jennifer says, "Join a team, Wonder. Ah, but there aren't any teams you say. That will change I think. Quite soon."

Wonder says, "Oh?"

Jennifer nods, and without saying anything further about the team subject she waves, "I've got to go tell some people about the fae visiting. It was good to meet you, Wonder, Mirror. Hope to see you around some time soon."