Floyd: *very much wants to prove to Phil that he can disarm anyone with little trouble but is painfully aware that the author is terrible at writing such things*

Zinaan: [Goes running over to Phil, little fists flailing]

Seymour: [Picks him up as he passes and redirects him] No hitting. Go play and behave yourself.

Zinaan: But, but-

Seymour: No buts. Go.

Ivy: [Kneels down beside Sylve] Are you OK?

Sylve: (@Ivy) *opens one eye* *sarcastic* What do you think? I just got hit by a - whatever it was.

Me: *headdesk*

Ivy: [Examines wound thoughtfully] I think... it hurts. I looks like it hurts. Mama could make it better.

Zinaan: Mama isn't here, though.

Ivy: But Mama knows how to make it better! She helped Papa!

Me: Why do I get the feeling I'm going to be guilted into bringing their mother here?

Ivy:

Me: I knew it. -_-

Iluna: Ivy! Zinaan! What in Allare are you two doing here alone?!

Ivy: Mama! Sylve is hurt!

Iluna: [Looks at Sylve and frowns with concern] What happened.

Zinaan: Phil hurt her with a... um...

Me: A gun. You three don't know what that is.

Seymour: If they lived in Luminne they would.

Me: Yes, but they don't.

Iluna: [Kneels down beside Sylve] Did the bullet go all the way through? Or is it stuck in there?

Me: *offers pillow to Zoe*

Thalen: It barely grazed her.
Natalia: It still must have hurt...

Me: I'm sending Iye, offically, to go and play with the other dragons elsewhere, so until I come up with some other unfortunate charrie to drag to this thread, it's so long.

Iye: Ah. Now I won't have to be in two places at once.

Me: *muttering* Lucky.

Just a clarification, little bursts of violence are ok to spice this up a bit. (: The point is we don't want a huge duel that takes up 3 pages between only 2 characters going on, so that the other authors have to weed through it all to the relevant stuff. Just a little more sane. (:

*herds all his characters out* I'll be back shortly.

*James walks in*

James: *scans over the group of characters...he smiles at the ladies, and his eyes widen at the dragons and talking foxes and such* Well, this could either be miserable or loads of fun...

Floyd: Does that mean I can hit him? * points at Phil *

Michael: (@Elanhil) Thank goodness.
(@James) *rolls eyes*
(@Floyd) Please, go ahead. What's the worst that can happen -- a slap on the wrist?

Elanhil: Yep! But if it escalates to a full-scale duel, then a new thread would be in order.

James: Does nerd-boy have a problem with me? *cocky grin*

Elanhil: Oh yeah... I think I forgot to mention he's a bit of the cocky-tease type.

Michael: No, provided you aren't too much of a nuisance.

Antreo: (@James) *bows* I am Antreo Raseild. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord James.

Sylve: (@Natalia) *irritably* Of course it hurt! *expression changes to a sweet smile as she notices James, and nods politely at him*

James @ Michael: Get on my nerves and I'm a 'nuisance,' otherwise you're safe.

*looks at Antreo and raises an eyebrow* Lord? *slight smile* And yours too.

*notices Sylve* *smile increases* And what might your name be.... m'lady?

Elanhil: *coughs* m'lady? Really? *cough*

Michael: I have to agree with Elanhil.

James @ Michael: I'm sure you could do better.

Michael: *adjusts glasses, glances at Suiauthon* I get the feeling my reply would not be permitted.

Me: *scowls* You get the right feeling.

Antreo: (@James) Oh, if I have given you too low a title, I apologize. Perhaps you are a duke or an earl?

Sylve: (@James) *blushes prettily* I am Sylve Jadain, my lord. *rises to her feet and curtseys, forgetting about the blood that got on her hand from the wound on her shoulder*

James @ Antreo: *grinning hugely* Try.... king! *gets hit in the face with a dictionary...glares at me* Fine, duke. *Another one hits him across the jaw* ugh, no, lord was correct. *A third* Ouch!! Stop it! Fine, none of them! I'm a...what are they called? A commoner! There you go.

*turns to Sylve* Well glad to meet you. I must say that doesn't look comfortable. *gestures to her shoulder*

Antreo: (@James) *rare burst of laughter* No matter. Always err on the side of caution, I say. *adjusts his sleeve*

Sylve: *smiles* I believe the pleasure is mine, sir. *glances at shoulder* *faintly* It is quite painful, yes.

Elanhil: *cough* James?

James: Hmm? Oh... *looks back at Antreo* How should I...address you? *turns again to Sylve* Well...is anybody looking into it? I think you need a doctor...

Iluna: [To Sylve] Young lady, sit down before you lose too much blood.

Me: She... she might get a little bossy. Should've seen her with Mordir.

Seymour: That must have been a bit scary.

Me: A bit? We're all lucky they didn't strangle each other.

Me: I don't think this is a good idea.

Floyd: *ignores me*

He marches over to Phil, kicks the gun out of his hand, and then hits him in the face as hard as he can.

Note to Inesdar: His reaction to Phil's inevitable counter-attack will be to duck and roll out of the way, then saunter back to his own corner of the room, handing the gun to Juliet on the way. However, per the rules of combat, I await your reply.

Antreo: (@James) Where I come from, I am addressed as King, or Your Majesty, but that is of no import here.

Sylve: I thank you for your concern. I believe Illuna... *eyes flash at Illuna's command to sit, but finally does so, looking as though she's going to fall over*

Michael: *eyes widen slightly in a rare moment of surprise at the news that Antreo is a king, then regains his composure* (@Antreo) King of what?

James: *unimpressed but polite nod at Antreo* ... *looks concernedly at Sylve*

Antreo: (@Michael) The king of Nalycia.

Sylve: (@James) *gives a small smile and ducks her head slightly*

Iluna: [Gently cleans Sylve's wound. Glances up at James with a slight smile] She'll be alright, sir.

Tarkas: [Looks at Antreo] You're a king?

Seymour: Tarkas, manners

Tarkas: Sorry.

Michael: Strange...

Antreo: (@Tarkas) I am, yes. *smiles* (@Michael) How is that strange, if I may ask?

Michael: That you are a king and yet refuse to take part in even wargames...

James: *Nods at Iluna and smiles at Sylve*

Antreo: (@Michael) *shrugs* Even in the more sophisticated Athulia, kings do not engage in war. They have others to do it for them.

Sylve: (@James) *slides sideways on the benchI know, I randomly decided there was a bench. XD and pats the seat beside her* *pleading look* Since I have been made to sit here, would you care to join me and save me from my own boredom?

And, I'm adding another character so that it will get my creative juices flowing regarding the plot holes I need to fill. We'll see if I can manage this many.

Corithazon: *walks in, his bearing showing that he is a man used to respect* *inclines his head slightly in greeting* Lords and ladies.

Michael: *nods thoughtfully* I suppose that is understandable.

Iluna: [Smiles slightly]

Seymour: [Nods to Corithazon] Hello, sir.

Tarkas: [Waves] Hi!

Thaeren: [Grunts and stalks off]

Me: Hey now. Be nice. I'll send you to the treasure hunt.

Thaeren: And have to work with my brother? No thank you.

Me: Then behave.

James: *slides in next to Sylve;on the brand-new benchgrinning hugely* So...what is there to do in your world?

Corithazon: *bows slightly from the waist* Hello, Prince Seymour. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Seymour is a prince, right? *thinks she remembers that, but isn't sure* *nods* Tarkas.

Sylve: (@James) *eyes sparkle* Oh, ever so much! Banquets and musicales, dances and discussions, which are smaller, informal parties, hunts and rides and picnics! And court, but I hardly ever attend. *wrinkles nose* What do you do where you come from?

James @ Sylve: That sounds awesome! It would be cool to do stuff like that. I'm lame compared to you. Just sit at home, skateboard some if it's a nice day...but I really don't have much time with all my homework. But if I do have free time I might do some graphics work or make music. I wanna release an album someday.

Me: He is. To Luvarians it's the same as king. It just sound cool.

Seymour: [To Corithazon] Likewise, sir. [To me]

Iluna: [Smiles at the two, then carefully banadages Sylve's shoulder]

Sylve: *cocks head and looks at James quizzically* But I saw you walk. You aren't lame. *laughs self-consciously* I don't know many of those things. Is homework like studies? Is an album a bird? And what is skateboard?

Corithazon: *senses an "equal" in Seymour, and naturally gravitates to him* Are all the people here nobility?

James: *blinks, then breaks out in a sudden, loud, and high-pitched but short laugh* Well, let me explain. Lame doesn't mean crippled anymore where I come from. It means boring. Some call homework studies... and no, an album is a collection of pre-recorded music other people can buy. And a skateboard...

Elanhil: Want to just show her? *tosses him a skateboard*

James: *grins, and stands up; placing the skateboard on a hard flat surface. He stands sideways with one foot just about centred, with the other back at the tail end; both about 5 to 6 inches hanging off the back. James brushes a tuft of hair out of his eyes and glances up at Sylve* Watch this. *Crouches down; bending at the knees. He bites his lower lip in concentration, shifts position slightly, and pops a 2-foot high ollie, with a perfect landing...he bends down and picks the board up, then takes his seat next to Sylve again, holding it so she can see.* It's a pretty hard-core sport.

Sylve: *smiles* I don't think you're boring. *nods as James explains, but still looks a little confused* *watches wide-eyed* *touches the skateboard carefully with one finger and looks up at James* Would you teach me?

Natalia: *goes over to Michael* I like your picture. I had a friend who could draw once. *considers...then whispers* Why does Sylve want James to teach her to skateboard now? A second ago, she was acting like she would die from the bullet grazing her arm.
Thalen: *goes to James* Here, may I try it?

Michael: *gives a vague-sounding noise affirming his half-concentration to Natalia* Where is he now?
You don't want to know.

Natalia: She drew a picture for me, but it...was lost. *sighs* She is very far away now. *sits quietly and non-annoyingly (author hopes) somewhat near Michael*

Michael: *gazes off into nowhere* Interesting...

James: *looks at Thalen and Sylve* Uhhm...I'm don't think...

Elanhil: Oh come on, it's harmless.

James: *shrugs, then hands the board to Thalen* You go first while her shoulder heals...just give a try and I'll tell you what you did wrong...

Me: *thinks* Hmm, should he crash and burn?
Thalen: *eagerly grabs skateboard, puts it on the ground, steps onto it, leans a little too much on the end. Skateboard flies out from under him and he falls.*
Natalia: *giggles behind hand, then remembers something and gets scared* Thalen, are you all right?
Thalen: *laughs* I'm fine, Nat.
Natalia: Do not call me gnat!

Iluna: [Ties off the bandage] There you are, miss. Just be sure you don't strain yourself or do any heavy lifting, or that wound will open up again.

Ivy: [Bounces on her toes] Mama can make everything better!

Iluna: Not everything, but I do the best I can.

Tarkas: [Watches, fascinated, at the skateboard]

Me: No.

Tarkas: Why not?

Me: Because your father would kill me and I don't want you breaking something, bone or furniture.