Wandering....(2)

Spyral -- Spyral looks up from the floor

where he is playing with the two kids. He is being hopelessly being defeated in a game of Jacks by Jilas little girl, while at the same time admiring the little boys collection of toy cars.

"Here, look at this," Spyral says reaching into his wing. He pulls out a Hot Wheel copy of a 1967 Mustang, baby blue, just like his real one. "This is just like my car. You like it?"

The little boy nods and Spyral passes it to him. The little boy then runs off trying to "drive" the car on every piece of furniture in the room.

The little girl is now tossing the ball into the air, scooping up the Jacks, and catching the ball behind her back. Spyral can only shake his head in wonder. The little girl giggles at the look of disbelief on his face.

Suddenly the door to Jilas' room swings open and Mouse walks in. She seems to have the little impression on her cheek that is left when someone falls asleep on a rumpled sheet or pillow.

"Hey! Have a nice nap?" Spyral asks.

"Yep!" Mouse says giving an impressive stretch. "Hey! You guys wanna come down and see my place?"

"Yeah!" Spyral replies. "I'd like to see what you've done with it. Let's Go!" He offers his arm in "Escort" to Mouse.

Raven-Kat -- Hey, Jila

can I borrow your dragon some time? :)

JilaCosa -- As the group exits Jila’s rooms

JilaCosa whispers to Spyral "The kids love you. Now if she really could beat you at Jacks that would be amazing. I guess I never really told anyone how old they are IRL. She's 2 and he's 5. But they love anybody who gets right down with them to play."

Then she calls out to Rae "You'll have to ask him about that one yourself. He love kids and he's a darn good conversationalist but he gets rather grumpy sometimes. You see how he acted when we all came in."

And now to Mouse's room. Down the hall and around the corner. The group can see right away the door to Mouse's room. The main door has been painted and autographed by Spyral. The colors are amazing. The group murmurs in wonder as they consider the picture.

"Spyral, what made you paint this particular scene?" JilaCosa asks.

32CodeAddict -- Hi all, come visit my room

I found the Dominions underground shelter through a door in the basement. It's the black door next to the right bookcase.

Before anyone goes in...ummm...I think I should warn you guys that I have over some of my vampy, wolfy and undead basically friends. They're the type that don't exactly clean up after themselves. Plus they all just came after hunting. The undead have to eat after all. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Heh. The werewolves are ok they just look scary. All that drool you know. There bark is worse... uhh... no there bite really is worse then there bark. But there all in obedience school. The zombies you do have to watch out for. They are always trying to eat people. But they are real, real slow. The vamps won't try anything. Let's just say the ones that didn't listen to me saw the LIGHT. Hehehehe.

Welcome all. I know it's already underground but I still wanted to put in those black thick velvet curtains on the wall facing the door to the room. I think it adds character to the room don't you? In the middle of the room is a large California King four poster bed. With dark blue, satin sheets and dark blue velvet blanket. It's so soft and comfy I could die in it. There is a mahogany desk with a candelabra on it. Eerily there are no mirrors in the room. There's a large mahogany armoire that holds my boombox, TV and VCR. Next to the armoire is a little refrigerator. I just ended up in the large room. Just luck I guess.

There is a secret opening in on of back of the large book case.In the beginning and to the ledt of the corridor is where I keep my coffin. Down the corridor is stairs. At the top stairs are two doors one on the right -that leads to the out side of the mansion- and one to the left leads to the ballroom. I so glad for that little convenience. Wouldn't want to attract any unwanted attention to myself.

Hope ya like my place. Feel free to stay and party with us. The party is on behalf of my room, it's da bomb. There are drinks such as Bloody Mary (real blood), Pina Colada, beer and Mai Tais (sp?). There are sodas in the refrigerator and my friend Louis The Louse -yup vampire- is making drinks. Enjoy, I'll be around. Lou do you have any type O neg? I'm getting thirsty. Scape on!

Mouse2000 -- Code you really have

outdone yourself here. Good atmosphere." Mouse says as she looks around. "Sorry if I seem a little antisocial, but I'll stay near the door if it's ok with you." Mouse backs towards the door back into the Mansion, but decides to play it cool and give Code's room a chance to grow on her.

The combination of the candles, the black-out curtains, and the lack of reflected light is eerie, but Mouse could see how the undead types could feel right at home here.

Since she's really not in the party mood at the moment, Mouse decides to just people, uh, vamp, uh, undead-type watch for a few minutes. That Louis is really something to see!

"When you're all ready, I can show you my room." Mouse says to the Scapers, who appear to be having a really good time.

32CodeAddict -- Mouse, I’d love to see it!

But I better wait to all the undead are gone first. I wouldn't want them to wreck my room. To all the undead, No one dare hurt any of the Scapers. Or there'll be trouble a plenty. Mouse you don't have to stand there. See I got them under control. Scape on!

Spyral -- Nice Place ya got here.

Spyral says to Code. "Real um....Homey!" He accepts an offered Mai Tai from a zombie, whose arms falls off as Spyral takes the drink from his hand.

"Oops... um...Sorry," Spyral says as he picks up the arm and absently offers it back to the shambling zombie.

"Well, I could have gone all night without seeing that," Mouse says shuddering.

The angel puts his arm around her, and goes to take a sip, pausing as he notices a slightly decaying finger floating in his drink. "Uh..." he calls our to the zombie who is starting to shuffle away. "I think you're forgetting something."

Raven-Kat -- “Interesting place you have here, code

I'll bet you know how to throw a really wild party, too." Rae pulls a wooden stake out of her back pocket before entering the room. She walks over to Louis. "Holy water on the rocks, please."

Louis makes a face. "Yech, can't say I like your taste in drinks." he looks at the stake. "Or accessories..."

"Well, you know how it is." Rae says conversationally, taking her drink. "Be prepared and all that..."

Lurkingghost -- Oh goodie, more dead folks

May I come down here and haunt now and then? Sometimes the living (not our fabulous 'scapers, but RL ppl) can get me down.

'Ghost floats around the room, chatting the the undead.

32CodeAddict -- Ghost you can come haunt me anytime

I'd love to have ya. There's plenty o' room down here. As long as you don't like bright light. I'd love to have ya. My undead buds love to eat, opps mean meet new people. But even if they like to munch on the occational person you don't have to worry because your a ghost right. Later scapers. Scape on!

JilaCosa -- “You did Great, Code....

This is exactly how I would have pictured your room." JilaCosa looks around then heads for the bar.

"Well Louie, I don't suppose you have any Ameretto back there. If not, just a Coke please."

Turning back to Code she says "And you found a room with a secret exit out of the mansion. Very cool. I would have liked one of those myself. By the time I get the kids out on the lawn to play they're pooped out just from the walk."

Jila feels the hair being moved away from her neck. "Now what did Code tell you Louie? The 'scapers are off limits."

The tension in the air rises 2 points.

(I told you you could do it.)

Raven-Kat -- “The secret exit Is a neat idea, Code.

Down, Louis!" Rae eyes the secret passage thoughtfully. "Hmm, I wonder if I could get one of these installed in my room?"

(good job, code, by the way. my room description was more like a witchy shopping-list)

32codeaddict -- Thanks you guys.

I'm so glad you guys like the room. "You were right Jila, I could do it." I just had to find the perfect room. The main reason I picked this room is because of the secret passage. I have always wanted one of those.

"Rae if you want I could help you search your room for a secret exit. I found mine only because I was messing around the bookcase. Rae, love your room. I think witchy things and witches are cool."

"Now, Louis (Code turns to Louis with her mad face on) did I not tell you to leave my scaper family alone?! Leave Jila alone NOW! You know what happen to naughty vamps. Don't make me do that! I MEAN IT!"

Louis looking very scared slowly backs away from Jila.

"Sorry Jila, it's soo hard to house train these thugs."

"Louise apologize to Jila!"

Louis say's in a whisper, "Sorry Jila, I was just playing. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Good boy, Louis. You have redeemed yourself. I will have to personally teach you manners. <eg> I'll teach you manners even if it kills you. Hehehehehe. I'll make a man outta you yet."

By the way, "Julie and James will you two stop necking in the corner. It's starting to really annoy me. Get a room. You two have been vampires to 300 years and have been dating for 150 of those years. Aren't sick of each other yet? I'm sick of you and I have only known you guys for 4 years. (Code looks up and sighs) Oh boy."

Oh by the way I have a Playstation. It's connected to the TV and VCR. Everyone feel free to play. I have Tomb Raider 3, Resident Evil 1 & 2, Cool Boarders 3, Time Crisis, The X-Files and Star Wars The Phantom Menace.

One question before I go. I haved to ge a crush black velvet love seat. "Do you guys thinks that's too much?" There is a lack of seats in my room and I thought if I am going to have more parties in here I will need more seats. Please respond.

Thanks for listening, I started rambling. Later all. Scape on!

KaraS -- “Love seats are good, Code.”

KaraS said. "Um, I think I forgot something in my room. Be right back."

KaraS bolted for the door. All the zombies and vampires looking at her like the plat du jour were really creeping her out. When she got into the corridor outside Code's room she found Mouse right behind her.

"Well, THAT was interesting." Mouse said. "But I think I'll use the playstation up in the rooftop lodge."

"Oh yeah." KaraS agreed.

Together they walked back upstairs. As they were heading down the hallway to their rooms a familliar mental voice sounded in their heads.

*Help!* Thor telepathed.

He came bolting down the hall, the bell on his collar rattling like an alarm siren. Right behind him were a German Shepherd, a Golden Retriever and a Great Dane. They looked to each be about a year old and though they didn't have their full growth yet they were huge.

Thor made a fantastic jump, landing in KaraS' arms.

*Save me from these beasts!* he wailed.

KaraS held Thor up over her head while the dogs jumped up and tried to get at him. They were grinning from ear to ear and seemed to be having a great time.

"Mouse! A little help here!" Kara said franticly.

Mouse laughed as she grabbed the Golden by the collar.

*This is not funny.* Thor thought, offendedly.

Sixht_Sense_Dreamer came running down the hallway, an English Mastiff at her heels. Her elegant hair was disarranged and her kimono flapped akwardly.

"Stop!" she yelled. "Bad dogs! Come back here! I'm coming Thor! Shepherd, get back here!"

Out of breath, she pulled up when she saw that Thor was safe and leaned against the wall to breathe.

"How are the new dogs doing?" Kara asked sweetly.

Sixth looked at Kara murderously.

"Well," Kara said. "You said you wanted them. Are you sure you want a Rottweiler and a Doberman Pincher too?"

32codeaddict -- Thanks Kara I think I will get....

the love seat. It will look great in the room. Thanks for helping me.

Code jumps on top of Louis so she could be heard.

"Ok to all you dead beats. Get it dead beats. Most you guys are dead. Tough crowd. Party's over. Please leave as politely as possible."

Thankfully all the undead leave the room without damaging anything.

"WHOO, its soo hard to get rid of those guys. Well, I better get to bed. Night all."

Mouse2000 -- 6th, you can play with

my Rottie, Juno. She's just 6 months. Her crate is in the corner of my room, but it goes outside to her fenced-in run. Sometimes I take her out to play with Mardel's pups. But now I know that you have all these guys, do you want to get them together? Sort of a play date, for the pups?"

Sixth and Kara and Mouse head towards Mouse's room to introduce the dogs and to calm Thor down.

"BTW, Sixth, Kara, did you guys hear anything about the auditions?" (Refer to post on the bboard about the 3 stooges. http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/984/16680)

"I wonder if Code's party is an all-nighter. I guess the others can find their way to my room..."

KaraS -- Mouse I applied for the position...

of Stoogette #4. That's the post where I gave Sixth all these dogs. (It's just as well she didn't take me up on the offer of a Polar Bear.)

Shall we get SWORD to bring his dog LYCOS to our doggie party too?

BTW, since we are up on the third floor, how does your room lead to a run outside? Just one of the benefits of living in an Escher painting I guess.

Raven-Kat -- Wandering around her room that night...

"Come on. Must be a passage around here somewhere... Why don't they ever put these things on the floor-plans?" Rae feels around the walls, manipulating every loose rafter in the room until... success!

"Oh, goody, goody!" Rae slides into the passage (about as tall as a hobbit-hole, but also comfy like one) and follows it to a fork. "Hmmm. What to do now?" Rae einie-miennies the several forks and finnally picks one.

She wanders through the twisting passage until she comes to the back of a book-case. "Success!" She pushes the book-case away and emerges into a dark and spooky room. A girl is sleeping in the four-poster bed and there is a vampire leaning over her. "Louis!" Rae snapps in a whisper.

"Oh, hi, Rae." Louis steps away from Code sheepishly. "I was just going."

"Why can't you people get your midnight snacks out of the fridge like everybody else? Go." Rae waits until Louis is gone before treking back to her room. She spends the walk trying to figure out why HER secret passage leads to CODE's room. "Hmmm."

There are other portions of the passage to examine, and maybe they hold the key, so Rae takes the next one. She walks into Spyral's room as the angel is getting ready for bed.

"Rae!" Spyral grabs his shirt and pulls it on.

"Sorry, man. Just exploring my room."

"Right." Spyral raises an eyebrow.

"I have all these secret passages. Wanna help me explore?"

Spy shruggs. "Sure, why not. I'm awake now."

"Great." Rae pulls Spyral into the passage. "Watch your head."

Rae cringes. "Sorry. I can give you something for that."

Now it's Spyral's turn to cringe. "After last time?"

<<blush>> "Good point, though I think now I know your tolerances. Okay, here's the next passage."

The two emerge into a little bedroom. A rotweiller puppy looks up and wags her tail.

Later, over (completely non-psychogenic) tea...

"So, YOUR room has a passage to every other room?"

"Who knew? On the down-side, everybody else has a passage to MY room, too. Must be some kind of old defense system. It would certainly be easy to hold. We'll tell everybody in the morning. Oh, and, hey, could you do a mural on my walls later on?"

32codeaddict -- Hey, thanks Rae. Louis sometimes.....

doesn't understand the meaning of no. Vampires can be a handful sometimes.

I think its soo cool that the passage in your room leads to everyones bedroom. I just that makes rounding up everyone a lot easier. But next time you go wondering the passages I suggest lighting one of the torches in the corridor and then bringing it with you. See at least you don't bump into anything or anyone. I'll join you and Sypral later. I'd love to see when else your corridors lead to.

JilaCosa -- Once again, heading back to her suite..

(she had made her apologies to Code for not being able to stay for an all night party; Louis had begun to drool again and it was making her nervous.) Jila comes upon Mouse's door. She stops to admire the mural that Spyral has painted on it and hears the sounds of little feet. She knocks on the door out of curiousity and is answered by the furious barking of a dog.

"Oh frell, what have I done now?" she asks herself.

"Quiet, Thor, quiet. Who is it?" is heard from inside Mouse's room.

"It's just me," Jila answers quietly, considering it is after dark and people are starting to settle in their rooms for the evening. "I'm sorry, I didn't really mean to disturb you but I heard little feet and not much else and wanted to make sure everything was okay."

Mouse open the door and an (almost smiling, JilaCosa thinks) golden retriever comes over and sits down beside Mouse.

"Gods, what a beautiful dog. Also, I'm sorry I didn't get to check out your room earlier but from what I see it's very cozy. And you even, almost, have a furniture fort by your fireplace like the one you built in the Ballroom."

Raven-Kat -- Glad to be of service, Code.

Hope I didn't wake you.

32codeaddict -- No worries Rae. I’m a very sound....

sleeper. You didn't wake me up at all. Louis loves to take little love bites outta people he likes. Probably why he stuck araound. Later. Scape on!

Spyral -- mmmMMMM. Good tea Rae!

"I like a cup now and then. Usually when I am reading, sometimes before bed. This is good. Very relaxing. Don't happen to have any cookies laying around anywhere maybe?" the angel asks.

"Love the decoration here too. So where did you learn all of your holistic practices. You have mentioned your grandmother several times. Did she teach you?"

Raven-Kat -- Glad you like it Spy!

Rae rises and digs out a gargoyle-shaped cookie jar. "to protect the cookies, see. Here ya' go. Help yourself."

Sitting back down. "Yeah, a lot of what I know I learned (indirectly) from nanny, who's not my grandmother, but my mom's great-grandmother." too tired to do the math and figure out what that makes her to me other than nanny Roe. "She passed it all on to mom (the only 'believer' in the family) who passed it on to me. Mom's convinced I'm her reincarnate, and I've always kind of considered her a guiding presence. So, even though I never actually met her, I know her very well, and have learned a great deal from her."

Really, it's not as weird as it sounds. More tea?

32codeaddict -- Code gets back to her room after....

visiting the kitchen. Then slowly walks to her bed with her cup of tea in hand. Aahhhh!

"I think I'll just spend the rest of the day in bed. Having the flu does not make me feel real energetic."

Code then gets her remote and proceeds to watch her Farscape tapes.

"Well if I can't walk around the mansion today. I am at least going to have my own chain reaction. Scape on!"

Mouse2000 -- Kara, 6th, Jila, and Mouse

spend some time introducing the pups, who all seem to get along pretty well. Mouse shows the group around her room, and shows Kara the back staircase that leads out to the fields.

"It was here when I got here, so I thought it'd be perfect for Juno. Sure, when she was little, she didn't know how to go up and down the stairs, so I was carrying her little butt up and down about 100 times until she figured it out. Lucky for me it was quickly!"

The crate is Juno's house, and she still gets put in there when Mouse leaves, due to her age, and her remarkable chewing abilities. But Mouse, being a big softie inside her tough (hah!) outside, lets Juno sleep on her bed. Plus Juno's crate is the largest ever, with all her toys, food and water, and blankets inside.

"So you noticed the fort resemblance, huh Jila? Well that makes sense, because I didn't have this room then as a retreat. Still, it is nice to sit in front of the fire and read, or chat with friends if they come by."

Mouse is about to have a seat when she notices a scrap of paper sitting on the mantle. "We were here, come find us through the secret door in the back of your closet." it reads. "Ok, did you guys put this here?" Mouse asks around. "Nope, we came in with you, remember?" 6th says. "Well, considering it's not signed, and it refers to a secret door, I'll lay odds that it's either Rae or Spyral. More likely both, due to the "we" part." Mouse thinks aloud. "Are you all game?" Jila, Kara, and 6th are up for a search, so they start checking the walls in the closet. A knock sounds on the door and it's Artickat. "We're just about to go searching through a secret door. Wanna come?" Mouse asks, her excitement evident. "Always ready for adventure," replies Artic with a grin. "Ah Ha!" comes from the closet as 6th's spy abilities come to good use. "The switch is under the molding here." 6th points to some decorative molding, and the group gathers a few flashlights that Mouse kept for the Y2K emergency (hah!!) and starts through the tunnel. Mouse sticks a chair in the door, well aware of the dangers of letting a secret door close and lock behind you! The tunnel gets dark after a few yards, and after another few yards, they come to a small stairway.

"Up, I guess?" Artickat guesses. "Rae's in the attic, so up's a good bet." Kara replies. The group moves up and the flashlights illuminate a door at the end of the tunnel. Mouse tentatively knocks on the door, and it slides open to reveal Spyral eating a huge plateful of cookies. Rae's making more tea.

"I'll take some, if you're pouring," Mouse says as they all enter and she grabs a cookie from Spyral's hand. "Thanks, angel!" she says into his smiling face.

Spyral -- Um, no problem Mouse

Though I already bit off his head. (Call me a sicko but I still get a kick out of biting the head off of cookies.):-)

"Yes, Please Rae. More tea would be nice, Thank You. So what now ladies? Have we missed anyone? Where should we go now and what should we do? I wonder if this place has a basement? Could be secret tunnels or passageways down there too. I bet this whole house is filled with that kind of stuff. Revolving bookcases, trapdoors. Lots of fun stuff!"

Lurkingghost -- ‘Ghost peeks into Rea’s room

"Am I too late for cookies?"

I'm up for exploring the secret passages. I'd love to see if there's one to my room.

Raven-Kat -- “Everybody come in!”

Rae's doing the domestic thing again, so there's plenty of cookies and tea to go around. She makes everybody comfy on the circle of bean-bag chairs, then rushes back to the wood-burning stove as the kettle starts whistling.

"It's chamomile-lavander, and safety-tested for angels, so it should be okay for mere mortals, too." Rae grins.

She pours tea for everybody, refills Spyral's cup, grabs her back-up cookie-jar, and adds something to her own tea before joining the others.

"We can finish exploring just as soon as everybody's full." she says. "What we know so far is that there are passages to every bedroom in the house from mine, and also one into the ball-room. There are other, as yet unexplored, passages as well, but it could take a while to get through all of them. More cookies?"

KaraS -- Got any gingerbread?

I'll have some gingersnaps if you have any

Raven-Kat -- Gingersnaps, Kara?

Rae peers into the cookie-jar thoughtfully. "I'm sure I do. Hang on." Rae reaches in up to her elbow. "Ah, here we go." She pulls a plate of ginger-snaps out of the jar and passes them to Kara. "Enjoy."

Mouse2000 -- OK! Enough tea and cookies.

Let's get back into those passages!

Everyone gathers a flashlight and does a battery check. Mouse has to talk Spyral out of duct-taping his flashlight to his head ("Like a miner!!") and pretty soon the group is ready to start moving. Now where to???

32codeaddict -- Hey Mouse. I’ll go with you.

But I think I'll carry a torch. It gives off a more creepy feeling. Plus I hate bright lights (being a vampire). Where do you want to start. Mouse sorry I couldn't visit your room but I was sick as a dog before. Now I feel a little better. So let's go exploring.

Raven-Kat -- Time to explore

Rae produces several torches from a back-pack and hands one to code. She keeps one for herself and stows the rest away again and slings on the back-pack. "Never know how long we'll be gone." she mutters. "We should take a head-count first, I think, and maybe buddy up. Is everybody here? Should we invite Ragnar?"

32codeaddict -- Let’s invite everyone

I can't wait to explore. You could say I'm living to explore. I can't say dying because being a vamp I am already dead. Let's gooo!!!

Lurkingghost -- You’ve packed cookies, right, Rae?

I don't think I'll take a torch or flashlight, because it does take quite a bit of concentration to hold anything, but I don't think I need it, watch.

'Ghost steps into the dark opening of the passage and begins to flouresce (you try spelling that without a spellchecker).

I think I can produce enough light to see by, says 'Ghost as she exits the passage.

JilaCosa -- Has anybody got anything that will.....

glow in the dark? If we are going to remember which stairs and hallways we've already checked we'd better start marking them right away. You know everything looks different when looked at from different angle and I'm sure that we don't want to spend our time back-tracking. Of course we could Rae's cookies to leave a crumb trail. hehehehe

32codeaddict -- Jila don’t worry...

I have glow in the dark stars. A friend gave me them. We can make the passages with those. Let's get goin'. Is everyone here?

JilaCosa -- One more question....

Obviously we don't want to mark everybody's door with their names (for fear of trolls in the hidden halls). Could we consider marking the doors with a symbol so that we know which door belongs to each person for future use. For instance we could mark Rae's door with a pentacle like the medallion she wears. Mine could be a dragon, Mouse's could be a chunk of Swiss cheese, Spyral's could be a angel wing, and Code's could be a smilie face with pointed fangs. Yes, they are silly but, there just suggestions. We really do need to mark the doors though.

Spyral -- I think marking them is a good idea

Reaching into his wing, Spyral pulls out a four foot by four foot piece of fluorescent cloth with sticky tape on the back, and a pair of scissors.

"Just tell me what shapes should represent whose door and I can cut them out and then stick them onto the appropriate doors," Spyral says. He then cuts out a very nice angel wing and proudly displays it for all to see.

"So what does everyone want?"

Mouse2000 -- “You’re so handy...

to have around, Spyral!" Mouse comments. "I'll take a semi-circle with a flat bottom for my door. Like the kind you used to see in the cartoons that signified a mouse's hole in the baseboard of a house? The cheese idea was fine, Jila, but I lke the idea of showing where my "hole in the wall" is! When we get to my door you can cut one out for me, please. What shape do you want Rae (Since we're outside your door...?"

Lurkingghost -- Let’s see, let’s see

Hmmm. What symbol would I have? A book, maybe. What do you guys think?

Oh, I'm going to be dropping off the board for a week, so don't worry about me. I'm going home, where there is no internet connection, so I won't be able to post.

JilaCosa -- Shining her light around Spyral’s back...

JilaCosa asks "Geez, just how deep is the pocket in that wing? As for my symbol, I gave it a second thought. Can you cut a couple of children figures out of that stuff for me? I think that would be the perfect sign for me."