Familiar Frontiers
The Search Engine Sea.
<Pidedis> Wow.... This place is beautiful. I'm glad Lerris moved us here, for whatever reason.
<Dir> Kinda makes you think, doesn't it? We could have passed our lives without seeing any of this. What else is there out there that we may never see? What wonders will go unheard?
<Berokuko> It's... beautiful. All that water.... ::eyes mist over::
<Dir> Hey... Berokuko.... It's okay.. We're glad to be out of the desert too.
<Berokuko> All that water......
<Pidedis> Well, he's snapped. Let's go find Lerris. Maybe he already has a new site picked out. He's good at that.
<Dir> That's true. His choice in the desert was bearable. And that's saying a lot coming from an Ice Net Monster. We can ask him if he knows anymore spectacular places like this.
<Berokuko> All that water.....
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Search Engine Sea; A Windy Valley.
A small valley, enclosed by sheer cliffs, lies a way from the edge of the water. It seems undisturbed for some time, by Hunter, Netmonster, or water.
<Hunter Lerris> ::examines a small engraving in the cliff:: It's still there. Pietr and Cunxiin. ::shakes his head slowly:: They were such a cute couple.
<Pidedis> Lerris! Are you down here? Is this where we're setting up camp?
<Hunter Lerris> ::goes rigid:: Um... I'm down here. ::walks over to Pidedis and Dir::
<Dir> I imagine the sunsets here are spectacular. ::turns to face the Sea:: This would be a perfect shot! Are there always browsers running through here?
<Hunter Lerris> Oh? Those boats? Yeah. They're browsers and they go by constantly.
<Dir> Perfect! They bring a certain... personal quality to the scene. Almost an escape....
<Hunter Lerris> Since when was Dir a shutterbug?
<Pidedis> He spent a lot of time looking at photography sites to take his mind off the heat of the desert.
<Hunter Lerris> Ah.
<Pidedis> So, is this where we'll be staying?
<Hunter Lerris> ::tries to hide a wince:: Why don't we survey the area while Dir stares dreamily into the horizon, wishing for a camera?
<Dir> A shot like this could get me my very own Nikon!
<Pidedis> This place really has an interesting quality.
<Hunter Lerris> I hadn't noticed.
<Pidedis> ::looks to see if Lerris' left eyebrow is twitching, but he is looking the other direction:: It seems to find your dreams and let them soar. Dir and Berokuko may never want to leave. And let's not get started about the rest of the troops.
<Hunter Lerris> Oh? And what dream of yours is proverbially running naked in the rain?
<Pidedis> Nothing yet.
<Hunter Lerris> I don't like the word yet.
<Pidedis> Really? You use it often enough.
<Hunter Lerris> Just not right now, okay? ::continues walking as the conversation lapses into silence::
<Pidedis> ...... Do you think this valley would be large enough for the entire army?
<Hunter Lerris> Don't know.
<Pidedis> Lerris.........?
<Hunter Lerris> Yes?
<Pidedis> Why did you bring us here?
<Hunter Lerris> May be I'm looking for a dream of my own.
<Pidedis> You don't have to be so evasive. It's just you and me right now.
<Hunter Lerris> I don't feel like talking about it.
<Pidedis> (awkward pause) Why not?
<Hunter Lerris> (without any trace of anger) Drop it. Trust me.
<Pidedis> ::struggles to find a way to tactfully change the subject:: Does it get cold at night here?
<Hunter Lerris> Not terribly. ::pauses in his walking::
<Pidedis> What is it? We're just about at the end of the cliffs. Is there something behind that rock? ::points at a nearby boulder::
<Hunter Lerris> Keep going. I'll catch up with you. This won't do at all. Trust me. Take everyone about half a mile up the beach. There's a nice plateau. We'll set up camp there.
<Pidedis> ::hesitates, as if considering something, before saluting:: Sir!
Lerris walks the other direction as Pidedis leaves. He pushes sand over the last blue corner of a buried tent, and leaves.
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Scene 2 Week 9: Ears in the Dark
NMRC Camp, the Search Engine Sea, Sandy Plateau; Night.
<Pidedis> The sound of the Sea is so soothing.... I wonder if What Yet May Be and Lerris have patched it up and are talking in his tent? Maybe they're having a snack. Maybe that's where that package of marshmallows went. Well... They're going to have to buy my silence then. ::throws off her covers and sneaks off into the night::
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NMRC Camp, the Search Engine Sea, Sandy Plateau, Lerris' Tent; Night.
<Pidedis> Hello? I know you're in there. Come out with your marshmallows or other snack food items up. Keep your beverages where I can see them. ::waits:: Alright, I'm coming in! ::charges into Lerris tent:: Oh! It's dark in here! Don't think that will stop me! ::pulls out an electric lantern:: Lerris?
The tent is devoid of life. Lerris isn't in his bed. The entire place is clean- meaning Lerris hasn't spent enough time in his tent to mess it up. A marshmallow Peep sits on the bed.
<Pidedis> Thought so. ::grabs the Peep and bites its head off thoughtfully:: Where are you, Lerris?
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NMRC Camp, the Search Engine Sea, Sandy Plateau, What Yet May Be's tent; Night.
This tent too is dark, but far from empty. What Yet May Be lies in her bed, tossing and turning fitfully.
<What Yet May Be> (muttering in her sleep) Pidedis knows who stole the marshmallows.
Lerris, lurking in the shadows, shakes his head sadly.
<Hunter Lerris> ::sighs:: Knew it would happen eventually. What else can you tell me?
<What Yet May Be> (muttering in her sleep) The entry you've forgotten to do will be:
Element: Thunder
Combo: Mage-Human-Ghost
Level: 37
<Hunter Lerris>::quickly runs the drawing program on his gear:: Dang. Right on target.
<What Yet May Be> Two days from now. In the morning. What Was, what you seek, will be there. Strike swiftly with thine own hand.
<Hunter Lerris> I'll be ready.
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NMRC Camp, the Search Engine Sea, Sandy Plateau, Tent 2287, left flank.
<Hunter Lerris> Come with me. I have a special assignment for you........
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Will What Yet May Be's sleep talk come true?
Can Robert pull off 3 NMLs in one week?
What's the special assignment?
Where did Lerris put the rest of the marshmallows?
Will the special issue be plagued with candy?
The answer to these exciting and intriguing questions next edition of NML !!!
