[And its visiting hours. Very exciting! The nurse actually brought in some flowers with a card attached right at the very start.] [Start. And Yvonne can come in after a minute or two game time.] * Tim takes the card from the nurse and thanks her before reading it. * Nurse smiles. "You're welcome. Need anything?" * Tim snorts at the card and then waves off the nurse, "Nah, I'm fine." * Nurse nods and attend to her duties. * Tim looks at the card again, "It's so nice to know that they care..." * Yvonne bounces into the room. "Hi Tim!" * Tim closes his hand over the card and a moment later opens it and waves empty handed at Yvonne, "Hey! I was wondering when you'd show up!" * Yvonne smiles. "What's up?" Not much, just sitting around until they let me out again. You? Oh, you know. This and that. That much huh? Yep! Cool. * Tim sweeps his hand across the room, starting at an uncomfortable looking chair and ending with his own bed. Halfway between them is a TV mounted to the wall with a plush bird sitting on it, "Can I offer you a seat?" * Yvonne folds her hands behind her head. "Sooooo... Ready for the next part of the tournament?" Ok! * Yvonne turns it backwards and has a seat. Well, since I usually don't do much physical running around anyway... I think I'm good to go, but the doctors... I'm not so sure. * Yvonne blinks. "What do you mean? Still don't feel good?" Well, that bitch Angel messed me up more than I thought she did, made a mess of my internal organs and stuff. The doctors assure me it was a miracle I survived. Personally I think they're exaggerating. Ooh. How about you? Recovered completely from getting set on fire? * Yvonne nodnods. "Good as new!" * Tim grins. "Cool, I wish I could do that, wouldn't have to sit around here watching daytime TV and getting nausiated." [And about now Mai (the librarian) appears at the door, you can hear someone else walking behind her. She notices company and politely knocks on the open door before entering.] * Yvonne nods. "Yeah! Then we could... " She looks at the door as they knock. * Tim looks over and waves Mai in. "Hey, welcome to my room. I'd offer you the chair, but it's taken." * Mai waves. "Good time? We can come back later." * Yvonne grins. "Nah. You're welcome to join in." * Tim looks at Yvonne, "Would you mind a thi... no you wouldn't." * Mai blushes slightly at Tim's comment but then enters. Victor follows in after with a hearty "Hi Tim!" And then a slightly different and very friendly in tone. "And hello Yvonne." Mai elbows him. * Yvonne smiles and waves. "Hi Victor!" [Victor has the overall body language of someone who sometimes has a tail and would have it wagging about now.] * Tim snickers, "Hi yourself." Well, since you were pretty out of it after the last fight, we wanted to congratulate you in person and wish you the best. * Victor nods. "Shame she survived." Yeah. * Mai frowns slightly at that. * Tim shakes his head, "Yeah, but we can't always have it the way I want it right? So if she ever tries again... I'll have another chance." * Yvonne nodnods. "I'll help!" Cool! * Victor grins. "You need any equipment for that, or in general, let me know. I'll get you a discount." * Mai frowns more. "I'll trust that your conscious will continue to be your guide in future encounters." * Tim grins back, "Well... I've got an idea or two. Dunno if it'll work yet." What conscious? The one that says Aunt Kathy will kick my ass if I screw up again. * Mai gives a Yvonne a look normally reserved for clumsy people who like to bring in drinks to the library. She then looks to Tim and smiles. "No, the one you've already shown." Ah...huh. Right, of course. * Victor walks over to Yvonne. "So, how are you doing?" * Yvonne grins. "I'm good." Zis is true. * Mai walks over to Tim. "Well, here's my gift. I hope it's useful to you." She holds up cupped hands to reveal a small orgami tiger.[You both see that the Tiger has intricate writing on its stripes. At this point they are messages of congratulations and greeting, but they do shift slightly.] * Tim turns it over in his hands a few times, and reads some of the more obvious bits "Thanks a lot." [It's also really quite beautiful in a minimalist way.] * Tim reaches over and sets it on his bedside table. * Yvonne tilts her head. If you like, ask it a question. * Yvonne asks. "Are you a tigger?" [No response.] * Yvonne shrugs at Mai. It only responds to Tim's orders. Oh. Boo! * Tim starts to pick it up again, but freezes for a bit when Yvonne asks. He does pick it up after Mai's comment. Well, are you a tiger? [The text shifts more and one stripe briefly disappears, seeming to jump off into the air. About half a second later the text reforms...] ["My form is that of an origami Tiger and this affects my spirit. But I am not a tiger in any other sense."] [The words appear on the briefly missing stripe. The others have a range of facts about tigers.] Ooh! Ooh! * Yvonne grins excitedly. "Ask it which came first, the chicken or the egg!" Inna sec. * Tim reads tiger facts for a bit. [Tim finds that they offer a range of information on tigers. Some biological, some on classical/historical associations, and some on mystical. Nothing that he probably couldn't find if he went to do some research.] [The stripe, did, for the record, return.] It has limits, but perhaps you should discover them on your own. And if you give it feed back and treat it well it will adapt to suit your needs. * Tim blinks, "How do I treat a paper tiger well? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from water? Make sure it doesn't chase the bird?" Give it fish! Ah, cute, but could do same vith a datapad. ::Mai glares at him for a moment:: That's silly. Datapads don't eat fish. * Mai smiles at Yvonne's joke but then looks to Tim. "It's paper form has limited mobility, but the text is its essence. Show care however it is natural for you to express it. The intent and sincerity of the sentiment matters most." I can make a datapad zat eats fish. * Yvonne grins at Victor. "You should! The world needs more datapads like that." * Tim eyes Mai and then the tiger, "...Oookaay." If you do this, I believe you will find that it is far more useful to you than even a datapad with some measure of AI. Or one that eats fish. Perhaps it could power itself vith fish. Yeah! * Tim rubs the tigers head with one finger and attempts to ignore Victor and Yvonne. "So, anything interesting happen since I got in here?" Not really. A few more fights, but nobody really sexy in them. SAB and your group won all their fights. There's been an upswing in anti- vampire actions and a few other bits of news, but nothing that I think you'd find interesting. * Yvonne grins. "It's because we're awesome!" Zis is true. * Tim also grins. "Go us. We'll do it again next round too." I hope so. So, ::she smiles faintly:: I'll let you two get on with whatever you were talking about before. Sure. Thanks for the tiger. * Mai gives a slight bow. "It will serve you well, if you let it." [Mai then starts to walk out.] * Tim holds the tiger up to eye level as he waits for Mai to get slightly farther away. * Victor stands around grinning at Yvonne until Mai calls back into the room. "Victor, heel." He scowls but then follows after. They're both gone. * Yvonne waves. * Tim snorts, "Bye!" * Tim waits a bit longer and then asks the tiger, "Do you know what Angel is doing right now?" Ooh. Good question. [About half the stripes disappear. The rest of the text changes it reveals known info on Angel, she had been shooting champ and party girl, she was disgraced. Quite wealthy. Had been on reprimand before the fight, pending criminal proceedings or elimination as appropriate.] [Mai and Victor can be heard exchanging pleasantries with someone in the hall. Fairly instinct. You can roll if you want, but not really worth it.] * Yvonne scratches her head. "That doesn't say much." Was kinda hoping it was an all books sorta thing... Ya'know like her medical records or something... guess not. [A few seconds later, a few of the stripes return. "Current status: Checked into private hospital. Was transferred to facility in Asia. SAB belief is that she could be active by now. Has transferred some assets out of England, rest seized.] [A few stripes are still missing.] * Yvonne peers. "Ooh. That's better." ...Oh joy... guess I need to talk to Victor sooner than I thought. You gonna go after her? Nah, but I bet she's coming after me. Oh. * Saldin finally appears, although not literally, in the door. Surprise! It's Male Saldin today, all robed up as per normal. [Several moments later: "Currently on SAB mystical watch list. Capture or eliminate if in UK controlled territory. Pro-active measures have been authorized. ::Font changes:: Specific information is beyond my ability to reach. I am sorry.] [And there's one final line: "Does this answer your question?" * Yvonne waves. "Hi Saldin!" She mentally calculates how long it will take before he gets naked. * Tim is talking to a paper tiger balanced on his hand in front of his face. "Ehhh, not quite, but it's more than I was expecting. So good." * Saldin nods slightly at Yvonne. "Yvonne." He turns towards Tim, and his paper tiger. That's me! * Tiger's head drops slightly and then raises again and makes a silent proud roar when Tim finishes talking. One of the strips changes "Expand your question?" * Tim looks up, "Hey Saldin, what sort of magical animal have you brought me?" * Tim is unfortunately not reading the tiger at the moment. Mmm? I am afraid I did not come bearing mystical gifts. * Saldin pulls out a stack of pound notes. * Tiger stays still and text doesn't change. I do not like being quite so... vulgar, but I heard that SAB's compensation did not extend to you. Yeah, I'm surprised they aren't more pissed about me taking out one of theirs... The tiger here says they aren't too happy with her though. * Yvonne giggles. "Capture or eliminate. Hey Tim, ask it about me!" * Saldin mms. "I suppose it would, at that." He steps over and, er, lays the money somewhere he can get at it * Tim nods at Saldin. "Whoa, thanks. I think I know just what to spend it on." (Ale and whores! Wait, no, just ale) (Yeah, he's sorta got the second part covered.) * Saldin smiles slightly. "They were overly generous with me, so it is no hardship." Even Yuri received more money than she knew what to do with. Well, with the way SAB pays, anything she wants. (Ale and gigolos!) * Saldin keeps that small, strange smile. "I believe she will be spending what little she keeps on... ammunition?" * Tim blinks, "Ammunition? Where would she keep it?" ... I am not sure. Are there not... holsters for such things? In her shirt. That's where I keep mine. Well yeah, but doesn't she have to take off her clothes for her magic to work or something? Or was there some other strange reason for that? I am sure she can think of something. I know I could. * Saldin glances ovar at Yvonne again, then back at Tim. "She would have come, but she has recently started a very strict training program." [Yvonne and Tim hear the voice of nice Peter talking to a few others down the hall. Saldin hears Peter: "No, I don't think he'll want the extra company." "Well, we can seek if others desire our company." "Why did you want us again?" Peter: "Consider it a personal favor to assist me in my ministries." The other four people walking with him split off and chat up nurses and such.] * Saldin smiles slightly. "Although it appears she would have just crowded the room. You seem very popular on this tournament starting day." * Tim eyes the bird on the TV, "Yeah, much more popular than yesterday." [The bird! It preens!] * Peter walks up to the door at this point. He's wearing a business casual suit that is quite attractive on him even though it's obvious that he went for a model not by any fashion house or all that pricey. "May I come in?" Sure, there's not much room though. That's ok! It'll be nice and comfy. * Saldin moves aside a bit towards Yvonne so Peter can have his ministering. He also bows at him briefly. * Peter steps in, his eyes rest briefly on Yvonne but its more of a evaluative look than a check out one. "Hello, Ms. Mozzarella." He smiles and bows to Saldin. "And Mr. Qian. How fares your mission?" * Yvonne blinks. "You know me?" * Peter looks back to Yvonne. "Ah, we weren't properly introduce. Your name was included with the tournament information." He holds out a hand to shake. "Peter Gibraltar." Oooh. * Yvonne shakes. I don't believe he could have missed you, Yvonne. Your team declaration at the start of the tournament was very enthusiastic. * Tim grins, "Yes, yes it was." [Repeat of Peter description: Peter's eyes are dark brown which contrasts with his light mocha skin. He's got the looks and bearing of a movie or television star, although he's definitely in the damned handsome rather than pretty boy category.] * Saldin then smiles at Peter and replies, "As to our path, we progress daily. As you appear to have." * Peter nods in agreement at the comments and then looks back to Saldin. "I'm glad to hear it, and so it does." * Peter then looks to Tim. "First, greetings Mr. Shimiru and congratulations on your first round victory." Thanks, unfortunately I can't say the same to you. * Peter chuckles. "Well, that does get to why I am here. Ms. Seifer told me that she would have to withdrawal from the tournament. Which is a shame, I had hoped to talk to her further..." * Saldin blinks. "Red... withdrew? And she was so interested too." * Tim blinks, "She did? What happened?" * Peter nods. "She is fine health, but from her wording I thought it would be easier for both of us if I did not press as to the reason." * Tim 's eyes flick to the tiger and then back to Peter, "That's going to hurt SAB's chan... Do they even have anybody with guns left in?" I took out Angel, Ren's on his own side, and now Red's gone. I'm told Ms. McLochlane put it quite an capable showing. * Tim blinks, "Oh yeah, how could I forget about her?" (Want me to answer that?) (Only if Kathy is secretly hiding in the next room.) I believe there is a young woman and a mystic warrior, Kurt, who won in the first round as well. (You never know!) * Yvonne shrugs. "That just means we'll stand a better chance. Yeah, but he doesn't use guns. * Saldin glances at Yvonne for a second, then says, "I.. am not sure how that is relevant, Tim." Regardless, I had been quite impressed by the manner in which Ms. Seifer fought. I'd offered her a gift to assist her in the remainder of the tournament, and since she withdrew she asks me to offer it to you instead. * Tim blinks, "Just me or all of Not SAB?" Just you. ... I uh... don't know what to say. What sort of a gift? So far I've been getting magical animals. (Yes. And the one Peter's giving you will turn you into a magical girl.) (Fsking hell!) * Peter glances at the bird and then the tiger. "Nothing quite so dramatic. Well, given your state, perhaps it should be in two parts. Mr. Qian, perhaps you it would be best if you assisted me." * Tim head tilts, "Hm?" * Saldin quirks an eyebrow at Peter. * Peter gives a slightly enigmatic smile. "Well, are you willing to assist? You can change your mind if you don't care for its nature." I live to serve, although you have so far left it a surprise. Uhm... I would also like to know what's going on here. * Peter looks over to Tim and grins. "Given that we continue this evening, I thought you might appreciate the ability to stand without pain at the gathering. But I will not force that on you." * Saldin takes a sharp breath, then aahs and smiles. "That puts a number of things in perspective." Sounds good so far. Is there a catch I should know about? * Peter gives Saldin a slightly less enigmatic grin. * Peter shakes his head. "This was part of a gift to Ms. Seifer. We won't even put you on the mailing list." Sold! * Saldin moves around Yvonne to approach Tim's upper body. * Peter steps back slightly, as there's only so much room. Excuse me, Yvonne... * Yvonne watches. Huh? Oh, sure. Go ahead. * Saldin puts his hands on Tim's chest. "Please lie still, Tim, and feel well." * Tim leans back and moves the tiger out of the way. * Yvonne giggles. "I get to touch him next! [Tim does feel his remaining injuries slowly healing. The healing is accompanied by a general peaceful sensation in the wounded areas.] After the priest goes home Yvo... ooh this is nice. * Peter chuckles. "Just a pastor, but yes, I think that would be best." Right, of course. Sorry. * Saldin does the hand laying for about a minute or so, give or take, before withdrawing his hands slowly. * Peter grins. "I take no offense, I just have no pretensions to additional titles." He then takes out a suede leather bag. "And, this is the second half of the gift. There is a limitation to this, so perhaps Mr. Qian should explain it." * Tim starts to sit up slowly, but when it doesn't hurt, he speeds up, "Oh what is it?" * Tim looks at Saldin. * Saldin turns towards the gift for a second, looking at it with the good old whites of his eyes. Is he gonna grow boobs? ... While that would be entertaining for a short amount of time? No. ... while that would apparently be an area of expertise for me, in your opinion, Yvonne, why would Red need such a gift? * Yvonne shrugs. "Maybe she'd get bigger boobs? Or more of them. I dunno." ... ah. I see. An odd gift to give away, Peter Gibraltar. * Peter seems bemused at the earlier discussion. "Well, I would appreciate it if you could return it after the tournament is over Mr. Shimiru. At that point it's energy will likely be spent." I'll think about it after I know what it is. * Peter glances to Saldin. "I'd explain myself, but I assume Mr. Shimiru has the wisdom to not take all gifts, or givers words, at face value." He grins slightly to Tim. * Saldin mms, then looks over to Tim. "I think it would be reasonable to refer to it as a... spiritual connection. If you can accept that you need help while you posess it, some small assistance may come to you." Why not? ( Tim: "I need help!" * a rabbit appears. ) Because, people lie... And what's on the other end? * Saldin smiles slightly. "If we knew that, Peter and I would be in the same religious business, Tim." Ah.... huh. * Peter looks to Yvonne. "And if they don't lie, they still should not be given the same weight as words of a friend." He then looks to Saldin with a smile. "Nicely answered." He glances to Tim. "So, there's much I'd be happy to discuss with you, but these gifts come with no strings so I'll leave you in peace." So... It's either God or the Buddha? Or both at the same time just to confuse people. Anyway, thanks Peter. You're welcome. They're kind enough to allow the disqualified to still watch the tournament, so I will see you later. Bye bye! * Saldin bows slightly to Peter again. "You may give my regards to your friends if you wish." * Tim nods, "See you then." * Peter gives Saldin a slight bow. "And mine to yours. " He looks to Yvonne. "Farewell Ms. Mozzarella." He then heads out. [Anyone making good awareness checks can know that he checks on a few people in neighboring rooms and some of his initial cadre go out with him.] * Saldin smiles at Tim. "I am pleased you are feeling better now." Not half as much as I am. I'll be glad to get out of here. Yeah. * Tim looks at Yvonne and then Saldin, "You said Yuri's off training or something... Is Eris going to show up here too?" I dunno! * Saldin smiles... teasingly? "I do not dare try to predict Eris, but last I met with her, I believe she thought offering you well wishes and free drinks would be enough, which is what she did.." * Tim nods. "True, and now that I can walk around again, I might take her up on that... after getting some real clothes again of course. While I know Yvonne wouldn't object Eris might." Perhaps. No doubt her club is a family environment. * Yvonne giggles. * Saldin mms slightly and closes his eyes. "If you are planning on leaving now, perhaps I should leave as well." * Tim nods, "Hmm, send a nurse in on your way out or just have them forward all the paperwork to SAB?" I would not know SAB's plans for care. They don't. Feh. Who should I fight next? * Tim holds out his hand and his laptop appears in it, "I'll just have to look it u... Or I could just ask the tiger." * Tim sets the tiger on top of the computer and then looks up at Yvonne, "Dunno yet." * Saldin chuckles. "I do not know. I remember a conversation in which you wanted to confront Kurt." * Tim finaly gets around to reading the tiger, "Eh, I'll figure out Angel later. I need to get out of here first. So, how's the billing and checkout work here?" * Saldin shrugs, then bows. "You ask as if I have ever been in a modern hospital. I will hopefully see you later today?" * Tim looks up at Saldin, "Ah, was asking the tiger actually." [Tiger: "Inform a nurse or SAB personnel. Bill covered due to status with SAB."] * Tim looks down. "Tiger says send a nurse in on your way out, and I say I'll see you then - thanks for everything." * Saldin nods and says, in leaving, "Yvonne." Huh? * Saldin puts his hand on her shoulder. "Goodbye." * Yvonne waves. "Goodbye!" * Saldin walks out... and away! [Saldin manages to inform a nurse before he vanishes off on some new mission.] [End!] [Postlude] [Bird pokes at Tim gently for a name. Similarly Tiger says it would be honored for you to chose one.] Well, unless you want Bob and Fred, you're going to have to wait a bit for me to go looks some up then... Uh... either of you care male or female?" [Tiger "I would suggest one of each. For pronoun simplicity."] * Bird nods at that. * Tim powers up his laptop and hits babyname sites. [Tiger: "Although something Chinese may be appropriate too my roots. But I will be honored by any choice."] * Tim snickers at the site, "Tiger, I name you Jin for both the gold color of a tiger and truth that you spe...er write." he doesn't quite manage to keep a straight face while saying this. * Tiger nods and curls up Tim's hand. * Tim types one handed at the computer, "Hmm, right meaning, but this just isn't a good name for a humming bird." * Tim looks at the bird. "And you get to be Jenna, because all the names this place has for blue suck. Jeny for short?" (old english for small bird.) * Bird cheeps a quiet. "'eny" and flies up and lands on Tim's shoulder. * Tim has pets! He pets the pets. [Postlude end!]