Preparing Presents
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Okay. The two of you were just about to part company with your friends, and had Plans."
<<OOC>> Mikki tries to remember the plans... Right! Those!
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Something to show off to the Queen! ...other than an iPod, please."
Outside in the street it is late morning, nearly noon. Street vendors loudly try to sell pies, pastries, apples, beer, broadsheets, cheap junk, and other fine things.
Mikki clings to Jin's hand, eyes a bit wide and wild as her mind whirs like a good Vapulan machine -- pumped into overdrive and possibly unhinged.
Jin hangs onto Mikki's hand right back, peering about with little-boy curiousity. "I recommend we do some research when we get back," he says quietly, "assuming we have time and resources available. It wouldn't do to present something already well-known in this era and location."
Mikki nods. "Definitely. And... When we get there, I need to ask you something."
One barber-surgeon offers loudly to pull the teeth of anyone who needs their teeth pulling. "In and out in a twinkling!"
<<OOC>> MIkki cries. It's so... LOW TECH!
Jin tugs Mikki gently along, back in the direction of the place they left the device. "Certainly. How are you holding up?"
<<OOC>> Jin says, "It is a game of doom!"
Mikki says, "...that was an angel. We rescued."
Jin keeps an eye out for anyone who might be listening in. One of the advantages of a child vessel is a perfectly good excuse to look over one's shoulder regularly without drawing any attention. "Yes, it was. Does this bother you?"
<<OOC>> Jin whimpers. No...resonance... Can't...figure anything...out...
Nobody seems to be paying particular attention to a nursemaid with her child.
Mikki says, quietly, "Er, _rescuing_ him doesn't bother me. Just... He thinks I'm a human servant. This is okay, right? Angels have them, yes?"
Jin nods. "Some do, yes. While I'd prefer to avoid deception with someone who serves the same one as I do, in this case it seems the better choice to let him believe this."
<<OOC>> Jin mrfles. Tangling up pronouns.
Mikki says, "Good. It's... scary."
A cart pauses. One of the horses pulling it adds a steaming mass to the gutter.
Mikki looks more distressed, and works on blanking her expression by sheer willpower. Which, er, she's a bit low on these days.
Jin resists the automatic nose-wrinkling instinct; the contemps probably don't even notice these things. "I don't intend to let anyone hurt you, Mikki. "
Mikki clutches his hand and whispers, "Thanks."
As the two of them turn a corner, the mouth of the alley with the TARDIN in it is visible.
Mikki looks around to make sure they're not being followed by horrible Luddite thugs or crazed Purity Servitors.
Jin fishes his key out of a pocket as they approach. "I believe I've gained a new appreciation for controlled environments with air filtration."
Mikki says, fervently, "Oh, me _too._"
A couple of youthful apprentices return Mikki's glances, and one calls, "Looking for someone, sweet chuck?"
Mikki clutches Jin's hand and tries to think how to behave... Oh, um, she's busy! That's it, busy, and turn away quickly.
There's some laughter, but none of the youths pester further.
Jin clutches right back, moving a touch more quickly towards the TARDIN entrance. "Local slang," he murmurs. "I ought to look into that, if there's time. If only for interpretation's sake when the context doesn't make it obvious."
Mikki says, "Yes... Can you act like, um, you see something down here? Drag me along? Little humans do that, right?"
The TARDIN entrance is shielded from the main road by the corner of the shed of rough planks which it is currently resembling. The door itself looks -- well, much like a hastily-nailed-together door of rough planks. With a keyhole.
Jin smiles brightly. "Sometimes!" And promptly scampers off down the alleyway, tugging Mikki along behind him.
Mikki follows, meeping slightly, and hopes that no one will notice that they're not coming out quickly. Perhaps they will think that the "child" had to... do what that horse did.
Again, nobody is paying any attention. The two of them reach the door without hindrance.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 4 5 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "We are so paranoid! No doubt we'll relax and go with the flow right when someone /does/ start following us."
<<OOC>> Mikki thinks she likes that roll for the GM.
<<OOC>> Maya chuckles.
Mikki lets Jin unlock the door, and follows the angel in quickly, making sure the door is closed and locked after them. Fortunately, there are no chairs to wedge in front of it, or she might try.
Jin glances over at the viewscreen once they're back inside, then turns back to face Mikki. "You mentioned that you had something to tell me once we got here?"
Inside all is peaceful and quiet, with a soft background hum from the console, and clean air.
The viewscreen placidly watches the street outside, panning slowly.
Mikki, cuddling some of the tools that are still around the console, looks up. "Oh, yes. Er." She swallows. "I... have two ways of influencing someone."
Jin waits politely for the Impudite to continue, hands stuffed in his pockets.
Mikki takes another breath. "My resonance. Is crippled. But I have enough Essence to compensate. It'd be noisy, take all my Essence, but I have a good chance of managing it. Or, I have the Ethereal Song of Attraction. And a lot of Essence."
Jin tilts his head slightly. "You're suggesting using it to influence the Queen for her own safety, given her reputation for being stubborn. Am I following correctly?"
Mikki nods.
Jin is quiet for a moment. "I dislike the use of your resonance on a few different principles, Mikki, but you're quite correct. It may well be useful, enough so to make my reasons for disapproving inconsequential. The Song... My objections there would be only slightly less." He spreads his hands. "I can't say either way if this would be a good idea, not without more information. For the moment, let's keep those options in mind, but very low on the list."
Mikki nods, and looks relieved. She pets a voltmeter absently. "I... I just can't let them die. Especially if keeping her away would keep someone else from springing the trap." She takes a breath. "But anyway, we should find some gift for her, right?"
Jin smiles. "Yes, let's. I don't suppose you recall seeing anything appropriate already?" He adds, heading for the hallway deeper into the TARDIN, "And thank you for telling me about that Song. I find that having more information about the abilities of my companions makes it easier to work with them under stressful situations."
Mikki says, "It's... a very good Song to have. I have Healing, too, all three -- but not so well that I can do them quickly. And... I have my glasses, in my purse."
<<OOC>> Mikki presumes she does, anyway?
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Yup."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Though given the costume, it's the sort of purse that's tied to your girdle."
The hallway leads deeper into the TARDIN. Again, the air is fresh and clean, not scented like the Elizabethan world outside.
<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Or she might have simply left them in her purse in the TARDIN for now."
Mikki suggests, "Maybe some sort of perfumes?"
Jin says "Perhaps. I'm afraid my knowledge of what constitutes appropriate trade goods is somewhat limited. Not my area of expertise. I was hoping there'd be a book about the time period that could suggest what sorts of items were common."
<<OOC>> Jin is a good Elohite and does not twitch when talking about trade. Not at all. Everything is fiiiiiine.
<<OOC>> Sariel cackles.
Mikki says, "Well, I don't think we could give her an iPod, for all that it would probably catch on. The batteries would run down. Unless there were a solar-powered recharger..."
Jin chuckles. "I also doubt we could plausibly claim some other civilization happened to be /that/ much more advanced. If I recall correctly, this empire was quite fond of considering itself superior in scientific areas, along with the usual imperial egotisms."
To the left is some sort of library; the walls are full of heavy reference books.
Jin says "We might check the history books for when various foods were introduced. It's unlikely to cause much harm if we display a new type of crop only shortly before it begins to be cultivated or heavily imported here. I think potatoes and chocolate come from the Americas."
Mikki says, "Should we split up? I can look for, mmm, perfumes, and maybe spices and food, and you can look for a history book?"
Mikki . o O (Shampoo? Horse litter?)
Jin briefly debates the reliability of the demon wandering about unsupervised. "It sounds like a good idea to me. I'll come looking for you if I find anything useful before you get back."
Mikki nods. "All right. Good luck."
<<OOC>> Mikki is NOT going outside ALONE! And if she does the time-travel thing, Jin will know it!
<<OOC>> Sariel cackles!
<<OOC>> Sariel says, "And have to run for the bathroom..."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "It's a very useful hint! For unpleasant versions of useful."
<<OOC>> Mikki says, "And then come after me with who KNOWS what! And I'm fragile!"
<<OOC>> Sariel _giggles_.
<<OOC>> Jin is....kinda fragile! In this vessel! Compared to Lan!
<<OOC>> Maya laughs.
<<OOC>> Mikki . o O (Lan is a Warby Blackwing. TANKS are probably fragile compared to him!)
Jin begins searching for some sort of index for the books.
Meanwhile, Mikki heads for the bathroom, to see if there are any nice perfumes, and then goes looking for a kitchen. Jewelry may also attract her attention.
The books seem to be a wide range of Victorian encyclopaedias.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "arcangel, give me a roll when you get back."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Do any of them date from /after/ the current date?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "They're all around the 1900s."
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 2.
Checking along the corridor, Mikki discovers what seems to be some sort of stillroom, with lots of small glass bottles and labels and so on.
<<OOC>> Mikki . o O (Need the computer encyclopedias...)
<<OOC>> Jin says, "...oh, right /Victorian/. I be dumb."
Mikki heads in, curiously...
Jin swaps out his current vessel for the adult one that's better at reaching high shelves, and begins looking for information about trade in the current era. When various items were introduced, what was most popular and profitable... With an eye out for useful information about the current Queen while she's at it.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Hm. Give me a roll, Jin."
<<OOC>> arcangel wonders how many variants there are, in those books...
The stillroom that Mikki has just entered seems to be someone's private area for mixing essential oils. The bottles have labels like Babylon, Lilith, Eden, Dark Lilac, Essence of Opium, Crack Queen, Animalistic, Dominique, and so on.
<<OOC>> Sariel ...CACKLES.
<<OOC>> Sariel says, "Celestial BPAL?"
Mikki eyes the labels, and carefully sniffs each one. This thing better not have been previously owned by _Drugs_...
<<OOC>> Jin says, "...any particular kind of roll, or just a roll?"
<<ROLL>> Jin rolls the d666 and gets 4 + 4 = 8 CHECK 1.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "BPAL?"
The scents are exotic and clearly the work of a careful blender and aromatherapist, but not _obviously_ poisonous.
<<OOC>> Sariel says, "Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs. They hand-mix their perfumes, IIRC, and they practically have their own fandom."
As Jin makes his way through the index, he finds the relevant volumes, which explain how this was the period that turkeys, hops, potatoes, tobacco, cocoa, and other imports from America came to England for the first time.
Mikki ponders whether or not raw materials are available.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Yes, Sariel. It is. ;)"
<<OOC>> Sariel hee!
Jin hmms to herself, and swaps vessels again once she's pulled a few useful books down to a height more reachable for a small boy. It seems unlikely that there'd be a pen of turkeys hidden away on this ship, but cocoa and potatoes should be doable if there's any sort of stocked pantry. He sets off down the hallway to see if one becomes apparent.
Several corridors down and a few doors away, Jin discovers a kitchen with a pantry just off it. While there aren't any fresh potatoes, there are frozen potatoes in the big freezer, and cans of cocoa and bars of chocolate on the shelves. (This is a _big_ pantry.)
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Mikki - what sort of raw materials?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "The original essential oils?"
<<OOC>> Mikki nods.
<<OOC>> Mikki... has Chemistry skill. Muwhahahahahah!
Jin pulls out a few cans of cocoa, and considers the chocolate bars. Powders can be repackaged; imprinted blocks might be harder to explain. On the other hand, powdered unsweetened cocoa seems unimpressive next to, well, chocolate. Which he's never entirely understood the appeal of, but all that cultural weight that's accumulated around the substance must come from some inherent quality to the stuff.
There are the raw essential oils in labelled glass vials on the shelves too, over in one corner of the room. In fact, it would seem that the previous user must have been an enthusiast.
<<OOC>> Sariel _fears_ Mikki! And giggles a lot at the chocolate.
Mikki's eyes shine. She rubs her hands together as she advances on the helpless essential oils. At the very least, she can make some sort of fan or air-freshener for _herself._
<<OOC>> Jin now fears Mikki too. Does not want to be a scented Elohite! Isn't supposed to smell like anything! Except maybe the faint scent of sun-heated cement at the very beginning of a light rainfall with the really heavy drops.
<<OOC>> Jin coughs. Please pardon the player suddenly drifting off into a cloud of nostalgia.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Awww."
<<OOC>> Mikki can work with that.
<<OOC>> Jin ...hmms at Mikki. Okay. This one's a /keeper/. (Dad, Dad, can I keep it? It followed me home, and I'm sure I can tame it!)
The cocoa is in several grades, from average to good. The chocolate is also in several grades, some of them being fairly plain, others being French or Belgian, and one being marked CELESTIAL BRAND.
<<OOC>> Mikki ...meeps at who Dad might be!
<<OOC>> arcangel cackles.
Jin smiles, perhaps a /touch/ more wickedly than is entirely appropriate for an Elohite, and gathers up a tin of good cocoa, a few varying bars of chocolate, and one bar of the celestial brand. Then trots off to find where Mikki's gotten to.
<<OOC>> Mikki is probably looking a bit like Agatha Heterodyne, with beakers and tubes and bottles and sleeves rolled up and a manic expression on her face?
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Yup! :)"
<<OOC>> Rilarien says, "Ah, evil Elohite expressions, how we love you."
It takes about ten minutes for Jin to find Agatha Hetero -- er, Mikki.
Mikki is engrossed in her activities! A drop here, a couple there...
Jin does not, despite certain urges, waltz in with a mad grin. Instead knocks politely on the door--well, doorframe--with a hand full of chocolate bars. "Mikki?"
Mikki blinks. "Er?" Again, and stoppering the bottle in her hand. "Oh! Jin! I found essential oils!"
Jin smiles. "That sounds good, from the way you say it. I found chocolate. But it's not something I'm good at appreciating, so I thought you could give me a hand picking something out. I can wait. Tell me about what you have there?"
Mikki says, "Perfumes! Here, come sniff this? Does it need a bit more rose?" She waves a bottle, and then sniffs it herself to show it's not INSTANT DEATH FUMES.
Jin stretches up on his tip-toes to give it a sniff, being a bit, well, short, at the moment.
Mikki holds it at a better angle for Short Elohim.
<<OOC>> Sariel abruptly has images of chibiElohim again. Dies of cute.
<<OOC>> Jin cutes. Hey, it's useful!
<<OOC>> Jin has...no idea what's being sniffed, here. What has Mikki been putting together?
<<OOC>> Mikki . o O (Perfumes!) ...should probably roll Chemistry for this?
<<OOC>> Maya nods.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "PLease roll."
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 3 CHECK: 3.
<<OOC>> Mikki thinks that just makes her Chem target number.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "It does!"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Bravo. Success!"
<<OOC>> Mikki whews.
<<OOC>> Mikki wanted something nicely floral.
<<OOC>> Maya thinks you succeeded.
Mikki looks hopeful that Jin will think it smells good too.
Jin says "Very nice. Maybe a touch more rose. I was always fond of alyssum myself, but I'm not sure how well that would blend."
<<OOC>> Leti says, "Poor Jin. Not only is it a demon, it's a /Flowers/ demon. >_>"
Mikki says, almost dreamily, "I can make more..."
<<OOC>> Jin can handle Flowers! So long as it's not Trade...
<<OOC>> Jin says, "And it's not bargaining or anything. Just being very cooperative. This is /good/."
<<OOC>> Mikki . o O (It's test tubes! And beakers! And lots of little liquids! And they almost never blow up even if you get it wrong, too!)
<<OOC>> Sariel | Mikki makes a perfume that smells like gold, as in the metal?
Jin smiles. "I think we still have time, if you'd like to. We might bring a few different types, if you're in the mood to experiment. Hard to say what the Queen would favor. Now, want to tell me which of these types of chocolate would be best to bring along?"
<<OOC>> Leti says, "Did Jin just encourage a Vapulan to experiment?"
Jin holds out a few different chocolate bars, of what seemed to be the best quality. Including the celestial quality one.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Sneaky. ;)"
<<OOC>> Sariel heeee.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Hey, even Lightning experiments. Mikki is being encouraged to engage in harmless, pleasant pursuits!"
Mikki sets the bottle down. "Chocolate... All right. Chocolate's good. It has sugar and caffiene both." She takes one and sniffs it carefully, going through the lot...
<<OOC>> Leti says, "How Elohite!"
<<OOC>> Sariel .oO(Isn't chocolate also an aphrodisiac?) [HIDES]
<<OOC>> Jin smugs. Does try.
<<OOC>> Jin er. Does not smug at the aphrodisiac. Unless that's useful, in which case, hey, does have an adult vessel. Is just saying.
<<OOC>> Sirea says, "Watch. Just watch. Something will blow up, and people will be maimed."
<<OOC>> Sariel says, "And a celestial form, Jin! [innocent]"
<<OOC>> arcangel lets Maya decide what happens with Chocolate and Mikki...
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Are you actively opening the packets?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Or are you just sniffing at them from the outside?"
<<OOC>> Mikki is not opening them, no. Just sniffing.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Well, yes, but...Impudite celform. Moral quandary! On the other hand... USEFUL. Possibly. If it should happen to be so."
<<OOC>> Jin darnits.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "In that case, give me a Per roll."
<<OOC>> Mikki doesn't want to tamper with the tamper resistant packaging!... A Perception roll? Oh dear.
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.
<<OOC>> Sariel heeheehee.
<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Fail by 2."
<<OOC>> Sariel <s>wonders if the celestial-chocolate bar is angelchoc. Then flees more.</s>
<<OOC>> arcangel . o O (If it is, what will her Discord do?)
Some of the chocolate is clearly better than other chocolate, but Mikki doesn't notice anything really specific about them.
Mikki sorts out the Good Stuff. "These are nice. If there's enough, we could sample some."
Jin innocently suggests, "The pantry seem well-stocked, and we'd only be bringing a sample. I think there's plenty to allow for sampling."
<<OOC>> Jin tempttempttempt. Niiiice Impudite. The Elohite likes you! See?
Mikki carefully stoppers the mix and will pick out something that looks... un-tampered with. She muses upon interesting chocolate combinations -- rose-petals and chocolate? They candy flowers, don't they?
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Indeed they do. You dip the petals in sugar solution then let them dry, multiple times."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Roses and violets and other flowers. (Preferably non-poisonous ones.)"
<<OOC>> Mikki plots flowers and chocolate!
<<OOC>> Jin plots. Smugly.
<<OOC>> Mikki oh-dears. And will sample chocolates. Especially if Elohite will as well.
<<OOC>> Jin shall indeed. Isn't a big chocolate fan, but it's hardly a dreadful task to sample a bit to help Mikki feel more comfortable.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "(And even if it were a dreadful task... Elohite!)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "So what sort of chocolate bar is Mikki going for?"
<<OOC>> Mikki will reach for the first chocolate bar that comes to hand out of the "good stuff" that doesn't look like the Elohite sprinkled Mind Control Powder on it or some such. And unwrap it. But pay some attention to Jin, just because paranoia is a survival trait in Tartarus. Especially when accepting candy from co-workers.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 1 6 CHECK: 2.
The chocolate looks like a standard high quality bar of milk chocolate -- the Swiss or French sort.
<<OOC>> Jin innocents. His motives are pure!
Mikki mmmms, and nibbles a little.
Jin waits patiently for a report, though he does take a moment to flip over a few of the bars and belatedly check for ingredient lists on the packaging.
All the ingredients lists look... normal.
The chocolate is good chocolate. Very good chocolate. Pity that Vapulan labs don't tend to include "good chocolate" on the shopping lists -- more usually "space meals".
Mikki breaks off the nibbled bit of chocolate and offers the rest to Jin. "Niiiice. Want some?"
<<OOC>> Mikki, driven by Discord, apologizes.
Jin takes the chocolate. "I'm not usually a big fan of chocolate," he says, "but perhaps I haven't tried any that's good enough." And nibbles a tiny amount of, with a faintly regretful thought regarding the next time they shift through time. Well. At least he's not eating /much/.
The chocolate takes like perfectly normal high-quality chocolate. It does not provoke any trance states, ecstatic highs, or similar.
<<OOC>> Mikki phews.
Jin hands it back. "So, what do you think? Worth presenting to the Queen? We'd want to repackage it if so."
Mikki nods. "I think it's probably worthwhile. Do we want to try some others? White or dark versions? Do any have flavors in?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "There were dark and white chocolates, but no flavoured ones."
Jin says "I didn't see any flavors. There's dark, white..." He gestures a touch vaguely with the chocolate. "Not really my area of expertise."
Mikki sorts through to see which are the most unusual-looking.
The most unusual-looking is possibly the white chocolate with dried chili and raspberry fragments.
<<OOC>> Jin fears the raspberry-and-chili white chocolate. In an objectively assessed manner.
Mikki peeeeers at the raspberry and chili chocolate. "In the interests of science, we should probably taste that. Someday."
Jin is dubious. Highly dubious. "Some day," he says pleasantly. "Probably not appropriate for the Queen, though."
Jin . o O ( ...interests of science. Right. We'll let the scientist among us handle it, then. Unless it's objectively appropriate for me to try some... Whimper. )
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Poor Elohim. They end up eating strange things for the Greater Good."
<<OOC>> Sariel says, "Clearly the raspberry-and-chili white chocolate should be test-run on the Malakite? Lan won't be Traumatized by it! traumatized, maybe, but not _Traumatized_... ^_^"
<<OOC>> Jin says, "I'm sure he'll be touched by our concern for his safety."
<<OOC>> Lan will gladly test the chocolate if someone else will pay for the vessel. ;)
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Aside from the chili part, that sounds delicious."
<<OOC>> Maya has actually seen bars of this stuff in a speciality chocolate shop. (Did _not_ try it.)
<<OOC>> Jin still fearing!
Mikki nods. "No. I don't think she's interested in... that sort of science." She picks out a white and dark chocolate and offers the white to Jin. "Shall we try other flavors, for an assortment?"
<<OOC>> Leti says, "Well, the Aztecs had their chocolate with chilis... so it might be less anachronistic..."
Jin . o O ( ...did I just get myself into a chocolate-tasting experiment? Argh. )
Jin takes the white bar, and tries out a nibble. "Good idea," he says.
<<OOC>> Leti says, "A /Vapulan/ run experiment. :p"
<<OOC>> Jin doomed.
Mikki nibbles the dark.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 2.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 5 1 CHECK: 6.
<<OOC>> Jin nervouses at the dice.
Both taste like good chocolate of their respective sorts; one mild and sweet as sunlit marble, one dark and bitter and intoxicating as a new experiment.
<<OOC>> Mikki wants more of this one...
Mikki mmmmmmmmms. "Niiiiiice. Some of this, too. If yours is good, then we can arrange a nice little... Are gift baskets anachronistic?"
Jin passes the white back to Mikki. "You'd better confirm my opinion of it. I'm...not sure about gift baskets, actually. I imagine they had something of similar intent, though the form probably varied. I can check those books briefly and see if it mentions any traditional format for presenting gifts to royalty."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "With extreme courtesy, usually. And don't be offended if someone tastes a little before the Queen bites into your present. :)"
Mikki swaps chocolates and tries the white. "Well, we can package up some of the perfumes, too, and... anything glittery we find?"
<<OOC>> arcangel snickers.
Jin smiles. "It sounds like a plan. And perhaps have Zach take a quick look at the items beforehand, as he'd have a better idea of what's appropriate for the occasion."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Poor, stabbed Zach."
Mikki says, "That makes sense. Here, let me get some more perfumes set up..." She goes back to <s>playing with the chemistry set</s> perfume making...
Jin heads back to the kitchen to acquire un-nibbled bars of the chocolates they've settled on.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Any preferences about how to present your chocolate bars?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You may wish to bear in mind that metal foil is not something which had been invented at this point."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Definitely going to unwrap them. And...argh. I have no idea what packaged food transported from other countries /would/ be wrapped in, during this era."
<<OOC>> Leti says, "Waxed cloth?"
<<OOC>> Maya nods.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You could probably get away with waxed paper, if you had to."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "On the off chance there's, say, a cabinet of food-wrappings organized by TL or equivalent, I shall take a look while there."
<<OOC>> Mikki admires Jin's logic!
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Well, they have all those racks of clothing. You never know! It's entirely likely that they'd be prepared for trips away from the TARDIS where one needed to carry and consume food in a non-anachronistic manner."
<<OOC>> Sariel snickers!
<<OOC>> Maya grins.
<<OOC>> Mikki admires! It's logical! It's sensible! It's the sort of thing she'd love in a lab assistant, except for the whole angel/demon problem.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "You _can_ wrap the package up in silk afterwards, if you want!"
<<OOC>> Sariel giggles!
<<OOC>> EDG . o O ( Jin == Heinrich? )
<<OOC>> Jin says, "It's also possible that there's a room somewhere in here full of Magical Pink Talking Bunnies who can tell us all how to deal with each new culture as we arrive, but I don't have high hopes for that."
<<OOC>> Sariel SNRK.
<<OOC>> arcangel cackles.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 5 1 CHECK: 5.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Just checking. :)"
<<OOC>> Jin fears.
<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Good thing that Maya doesn't read Gearworld."
<<OOC>> Sariel | Maya rolls the d666 and gets 1 1 CHECK: 1.
<<OOC>> Sariel | Maya [to Jin]: Now that you mention it...
Jin unwraps the chocolate bars from their current packaging, and wraps them back up in the best non-anachronistic packaging he can find. With an eye out for something that would look properly elegant (or did this era go for gaudy instead?) for presentation to royalty.
<<OOC>> Jin is not Heinrich! No cooking skill. Also, less fur.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Gaudy. But expensive."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Anything...silk-like, perchance? Fancy paper wouldn't be expensive enough."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Oh, you can find some real silk and use that. ;)"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "There's a drawer full of silk scarves in one of the wardrobes."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Heh. Well, might as well go for Gaudy, then. Silk scarves it is."
Jin finishes off the packages with silk scarves, and a touch of regret for using rather interesting material to dress up /food/. But such is necessity.
Meanwhile, Mikki will eventually get around to thinking about interesting vials and whatnot to transport the <s>potions</s> perfumes.
<<OOC>> Jin fears Vapupotions.
Apparently the previous user of this mini-lab only used plain small glass vials. Nothing fancy.
<<OOC>> Mikki wants something... hawaiian, with hints of pineapple. Something spicy, Spanish. Things that have no name but smell good!
Mikki will settle for plain glass vials for now, but go hunting for others after she has a half-dozen nice smells.
<<OOC>> Maya notes that this is going to take a while.
<<OOC>> Mikki can be dragged away sooner, if Jin thinks to do so.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "About what time of day is it at this point? And when, approximately, are we expected?"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "It's currently shading into early afternoon. You didn't think to set up a definite meeting time with the other two."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Hmm. And we'll want to <s>scheme and plot</s> work out things beforehand. Best to wrap up the stuff-getting soon."
Jin returns to Mikki's perfume lab, chocolate tucked into a reasonably era-appropriate container to avoid problems with melting from body heat while carried. "Almost ready to go?"
<<OOC>> Maya suggests a small straw basket. Or perhaps a wooden box.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Straw basket is what I was thinking of. Unless there's a particularly nicely-made box."
Mikki pulls her head out from a cabinet. "Mm? I have some perfumes... I was looking for some nicer vials, but then I got distracted by trying the absinthe scent... Do you think that plain will suffice? Maybe we could... put it in fancy wrapping paper or something? Wind some copper wires around them?"
Jin considers the silk-wrapped chocolate. "If it wouldn't take too long, and look professionally done...? We probably want to meet with the others soon, in case they've discovered anything in the meantime that would change our plans."
<<OOC>> Mikki asks if she can use her... Engineering and any metal wire she can find to make a simple wrap around a few of the bottles?
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Sure."
<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 4 2 CHECK: 4.
The vials now have pretty copper wire bindings.
Mikki prods at the silk. "And... we wrap them in a couple of these, and we're set, right?"
Jin passes across a few more silk scarves to choose from for wrappings. "That's the hope."
Mikki wraps them carefully, making sure that they're securely stoppered. "Okay... Now we should wear something a little more flashy?"
Jin adds, after a moment, "This reminds me of the first time I was doing corporeal duty. Plenty of preparation, and yet everywhere I turned there were these nuances and details of culture, social interaction, that I wasn't ready for. Though the differences between eras and cultures aren't so much as those between Heaven and Earth."
Jin nods. "Whatever's most appropriate for our expected social classes and status. We can probably consult a few pictures from the books."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Out of curiosity, who do you plan to claim to be? :)"
Mikki sighs as she arranges the vials in the basket. "When I was sent to Earth, they said, 'You'll get the hang of it. Just be charming. No one will notice.'"
<<OOC>> Mikki would like to be an exotic noblewoman! Or something?
<<OOC>> Jin says, "...travellers from the Americas? Er. Forethought. Should acquire more of that."
Jin says "Did anyone? Notice, I mean. It must have been difficult to adapt without more information than that."
Mikki says, "I was very charming. Not many people noticed. And... Impudites adapt quickly." She prods at a vial morosely, and then picks up the basket so that Jin can lead to the research books or the clothing room.
Jin heads for the books first, on the principle that more information is always a good thing. "I'm told Mercurians are also adept at social situations. Of course, their resonance helps them there in an entirely different way than yours. I find mine fairly useful on that count as well, especially when figuring out how not to upset people needlessly."
<<OOC>> Jin watches someone's emotions go GAH, makes a note. Doing X not a good idea in this culture.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Here's something on the Elizabethan female costume lines. ;) http://costume.dm.net/doll/index.html"
In a most depressed voice, Mikki says, "Well, my resonance is about as useful right now as a poorly-known Song. So I guess you win. Are you going to be a young fifth-born princeling and I your guardian aunt or something?"
<<OOC>> arcangel goes to look!
<<OOC>> Sariel cackles at poor Mikki! _Awwwww_.
<<OOC>> Jin goes to look too!
Jin shakes his head at Mikki. "It's not a contest. I was only observing the differences. I can avoid the subject if it would make you more comfortable." He pauses at a set of pictures. "I was thinking something more along the lines of minor, distant nobility. Or the son of a wealthy merchant family? I'm not sure how absolute the line was between aristocracy and merchant families in this time period. Next time we jump between times, I need to spend more time on research."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "If Jin is going to be a princeling (or at least a well-born boy), that means ruff, surcoat, little pouty breeches, tights, cloak, and boots. In good fabric. With a couple of nice brooches. ;)"
<<OOC>> Jin sobs.
Mikki shrugs. "It's not your fault I lost Forces. A merchant's child... Or... She _is_ the Virgin Queen. What if I'm your mother and a widow, trying for a trading business in your name? Do you think she'd approve of that? How second-class _are_ women in this time, anyway?"
Jin flips through books. "Again, I'm not certain. /Definitely/ more research next time. If it's plausible, though, it'd make a nice excuse. Or...hmm. We need to work in Lan, somehow. What's his relationship to us going to be?"
Mikki says, "...I am _not_ going to be married to him instead of a widow."
Jin looks up from the book. "I was thinking 'brother', actually. Or cousin. Someone has to guard your virtue, I think."
Mikki makes a face. "I thought _he_ was the virtue..."
Jin laughs. "A Virtue to guard your virtue? How appropriate. But, we could go with another explanation. Or come separately to cover more of the area, if that seems better. We should probably work that out with him before stating it either way, in case he's already had to concoct some cover story."
<<OOC>> Maya | Sumptuous materials, that were plain-colored and brocaded, continued to be use during this period and jewel use increased. This is the period of the collar and collars were starched very high with many ruffles. Men and women wore them big or small. Long waists, long legs, small long heads were the ideal for a beautiful person. The square silhouette was replaced by this long slender look. Huge hips became the vogue and with that so did the hoop.
<<OOC>> Maya | Men wore their hair short but if the man was a fop he would have short hair with a single love lock over the shoulder. Beard were commonly worn by men and it was a small beard with a neatly trimmed point. The hat that was fashionable was a hat that had a stiff brim and gathered crown that would be worn at a jaunty angle on the head. The "stove pipe" was another hat that was popular.
<<OOC>> Maya | Women wore their hair drawn away from the ears and fluffed out at the temple. Hair was brushed straight back off the forehead in the style of "pompadour". The widow's peak was a fashionable detail to the hairline. Blond and Red hair was popular once again and many women bleached and dyed their hair and even wore wigs in those colors. Make-up was worn in court often. Female hats were copies of masculine styles in hats. The women even wore the "sugar-loaf" with the widish brim.
<<OOC>> Maya | The color scheme of costume at this time were combinations of white and black, black and gold, and black and red. They used Full tones of red, green and blue and bright hues of orange-tawny and flame, will pale tones like yellow-green, saffron and watchet blue. Pearl and Gold were included in any elaborate ensemble.
Mikki nods. "Perhaps... start with a widow and her son, and a cousin bodyguard sort? Or shift to him being the father, and I'm just a nanny aunt."
Jin says "I think that would work."
<<OOC>> Mikki is short, a little bit on the plumper side of modern ideals, and a bit buxom, with average-brown hair. Oops? Maybe she can be exotic instead.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Well, you don't _have_ to be highly fashionable. ;)"
<<OOC>> Jin is all genero-child. Will be stuffed into scary, scary leggings and ruffs. And will desperately hope he does not need to engage in Action while wearing these things.
<<OOC>> Mikki whews.
<<OOC>> Jin is okay with the brooches! But ruffs make the Stonie cry.
<<OOC>> Sariel ... ... also now imagining David in ruffs. Erm.
<<OOC>> arcangel snickers.
<<OOC>> Mikki suggests that Jin can switch to his other vessel if he has to engage in Action? (She, meanwhile, will not engage in Action at all. No Corporeal Forces anyway.)
<<OOC>> Jin says, "...you know, that's a good point."
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Plus then Mysterious Female can vanish and nobody will blame Innocent Boy."
Jin hmms. "I should dress my other vessel in clothing that'll at least pass for contemporary, in case I need to switch for some reason. It wouldn't do to have a woman seen running about in clothing inappropriate for the era."
<<OOC>> Jin practices innocenting. Innocent, innocent, innocent.
Mikki says, "Or in something vaguely masculine on first glance?"
<<OOC>> Maya tries to decide whether or not to be kind.
<<GAME>> Maya rolls the d666 and gets 1 3 CHECK: 2.
<<OOC>> arcangel hopes that's kindness...
<<OOC>> Jin fears, by default.
<<OOC>> Maya just mentions in passing that this was the era where well-brought-up little kids were often expected to be well-educated. Just in case.
<<OOC>> Jin sobs /harder/.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "My parent(s) carted me through the Americas! It's not my fault if I'm an uneducated little heathen!"
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Okay. ;)"
<<OOC>> Mikki pats. At least you can, er, be very very polite?
Jin shakes his head. "While I could make it mostly masculine with effort, it's a little too obviously female for me to count on that. And I'm fairly certain they didn't have blue jeans in this century."
Mikki nods. "Point. Servant style woman, I'd suggest?"
Jin nods. "More likely to not be specifically remembered." He swaps vessels, and goes looking for something quick and suitable.
It's easy to find some stuff in plain basic brown, plus petticoat, kirtle, apron, etc.
<<OOC>> arcangel fears. http://modehistorique.com/elizabethan/kids.html
Jin appreciates the earth tones and freedom of movement. And pities the upper-class children of this era.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Yes. :)"
<<OOC>> Jin says, "...I get /leashes/ on my clothing? Gah."
<<OOC>> Maya is sure that arcangel at least will appreciate having leashes built into a six-year-old's clothing. (Or younger.)
<<OOC>> arcangel cackles. YES!
<<OOC>> arcangel says, "How old is Jin's kid vessel again?"
<<OOC>> Maya thought about six?
<<OOC>> Maya says, "And just think, Jin. If you ever -- er, that is, _when_ you get back to your job as a primary schoolteacher, you can tell all the kids how lucky they are not to be living centuries ago."
<<OOC>> arcangel snickers so much.
<<OOC>> Jin will make sure they /appreciate/ this, yes. So. So. Lucky.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "About, six, yes."
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Young enough to get away with general 'snooping' as a childish activity, not so young that people immediately start looking for his parents if seen alone."
<<OOC>> Mikki will have an angel on a leash? Oh dear.
<<OOC>> Jin mrfles. You'd better be glad he's an Elohite. He is going to be Objective about this.
<<OOC>> Maya says, "Excuse me. Some demons would pay good money for that!"
<<OOC>> Jin cries harder.
<<OOC>> Mikki didn't intend for it to happen! It's not her fault! She's a Vapudite, not a Lustie!
<<OOC>> Maya says, "So... Mikki is dressed in a demure and modest middle-aged fashion, while Jin is an expensively dressed young boy (and a low-class servant)?"
<<OOC>> Jin is immensely grateful for who Mikki served, right now. Would be twitching a lot harder if a /Lustie/ were involved.
<<OOC>> Jin says, "Sounds right."
<<OOC>> Mikki nods to Maya.
Both of them are clad. Mikki has a basket full of presents and a leash. There is no excuse not to go outside into the Elizabethan "fresh air" again.
Mikki eyes the leading strings. "I am supposed to... hang onto these?"
Jin observes the ribbons. "...apparently. Well. At least we shouldn't have much trouble keeping together."
<<OOC>> Maya was rereading 1602 earlier. I have this urge to get Nick Fury to play Rigziel. ;)
Jin prepares to deal once more with The Smell.
<<OOC>> Daimon says, "YAY that would ROCK!"
Mikki picks up the leading strings, holding them limply, as if they might complain if pinched. "True..." She has a firm grip on the basket in her other hand. "Well. Let's head out, then. Right?"
Jin resolutely heads for the door. He will face The Smell, and The Smell will not conquer him. Like exceptionally polluted water over stone. "Let's."
And the two of them head out together, making for the theatre at Blackfriars.
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