The Haunting of Dominion House

The Haunting of Dominion House

The latest journey logs at #8001 #8046 & #8051

The stone covered Dominion house stood tall on the hill...massive in structure and perched on a cliff. Housing Scapers, Sliders and Firstwavers, it's presence is overwhelming. The Farscape living quarters are by far the largest and most sophisticated...the lower levels of the castle-like dwelling even contain a passageway which leads out to the mighty flowing river Scifiprime. The rear of the Dominion dwelling contains a massive stadium, where adrenaline pumping pep rallies, marching bands, and pie fight field strategy exercises take place. There is also an eight-lane freeway...no speed limits...which provides easy access to and fro Anycity, Anywhere.

The Scapers constructed the passageway and docks under the castle, so they of course own all property rights as long as following in accordance with Dominion lease regulations. Occasionally the Scapers race their boats against those of the other inhabitants of the great house..(and always win;) but no such event is occurring at the moment. There is a strange, erie mood which has taken hold.

The darkness has settled in on this cold October evening, and a mysterious force has recently thrust itself upon the Scaper household. No one has been able to identify a certain In2d3….who fashions him/herself as “The Phantom of Farscape” This said “phantom” has even built a dwelling for itself deep under the third basement…across the boat docks. The phantom refers to this area as a ballroom..but it is certainly like no other ballroom in existence. It’s cold, dark and dreary on one end…and bright with color on another. Not pleasant colors really…more like confusing. What should be right-side up is upside down, back is front and front is back. Mirrors all around and objects afloat. Pictures on the walls of dead Farscape characters…and their eyes tend to roam. No Scaper, or any other inhabitant of the Dominion house knew of the existence of this room…no one save for RagnarRb, who accidentally sailed on into the port of the ballroom. He docked and ventured around…called out for the phantom and promptly got the hezmana out of there and reported the strange findings to his friends SwordandMug, Annisette, TickTick, Artiststudio SunAeryn, and leaped.

All were astonished at the existence of this new room and wondered who or what In2d3/The Phantom was. His/her existence became known when a less than prudent move was made by In2scifi in creating an alter ego, In2d2. The Phantom has now heightened the mayhem, haunting not only In2scifi but also the entire Scaper family.

The hauntings began to increase and become more disconcerting…then, a sundry band of Scapers, having only a passion for Farscape and a unique lunacy in common, took it upon themselves to help their friend In2scifi track down the “Phantom Menace”.

Their journeys have resulted in the acquaintance of a Phantom Hunter, otherwise known as Mrs. H…who was summoned from a game of shuffleboard at Leisure Village when she heard the confused Scapers arguing over how to proceed with the search…which incidentally resulted in the temporary disappearance of Sword. Having no experience with ghostbusting and patterning themselves after the Scooby gang, it would appear that Mrs. H’s help was definitely needed. Many things have taken place. Scottish musings (involving vulgarly placed blue ribbon) between godallmighty and Sword, attire such as kilts and bright green, double-knit golf pants have been brought into the mix, and hallucinations involving long boats.

No good clues have been found and the Phantom’s voice continues to mock the searchers. SwordandMug, Annisette, TickTick, SunAeryn, RagnarRB, leaped, godallmighty, Mrs. H, joined by Chiana and Officer_Sun, continue their journey…which has them now in innertubes, packed down with supplies, and heading downstream towards the ballroom…and through any uncharted caverns beneath the Dominion house.

OOOOOOOweeeeeeeooooooooo......

<<Insert pipe organ music here>>

RagnarRB -- Where’s my rubber duckie?

Yep, that about sums it up. They were even foolish enough to left SWORDandMUG and I pack the vittles. He..he..he.

SWORDandMUG -- The secret weapon

When last we left our fearless cast, Annisette was prompting TickTick to feed "Scooby snacks" to SWORDandMUG to result in his transformation into... well, we never really know what is going to happen when he eats those brownies except that it will be surprising...

His body makes a *Squeek* sound as SWORD sinks further into his inner tube.

"...but anni..." he says, his voice echoing from within the confines of the big black donut shaped object, "...i've really been trying to cut back... to behave myself..."

"But we need something unpredictable, SWORD!" she admonishes, "Even YOU don't know what you will do next when you eat these things!"

"...but... ...but... ...i'm afraid that i might start talking like k.c. kaseem or something else horrible like that... ...i just don't know if i could live with myself after that..."

* splash * paddle * paddle * splash *

Ragnar moves his inner tube up beside the incredible shrinking SWORD.

"Have heart, warrior," he says with a gravely voice, "and take into your heart the thunder of fierce gods of battle! We need hero willing to strike at the heart of darkness, to fell the fierce giant who has dared to set his foot upon the Bridge Bifrost... The skalds will sing thy songs, and mead will flow in thy honor..."

"AND IF YOU DON'T, I'LL SHOVE THOSE SNACKS DOWN YOUR THROAT REGARDLESS!"

"...don't go all luxan on me now, ragnar... ...what next? gonna shove a dentik in my mouth?..."

"Eat the brownies!" the group instructs him in unison.

"...will you all sign an affidavit clearing me of damages..."

TickTick pulls out her seemingly bottomless Tupperware (tm) container full of Magic Love Brownies and feeds four or five to SWORD. He munches... then gurgles... and slips out of the bottom of his inner tube under the surface of the water...

...blurb blurb blurb...

SWORDandMUG -- “It’s a bird.... It’s a plane....”

SWORD suddenly resurfaces. Somehow, somewhere, he has managed to acquire a superhero costume with tights, a lone ranger mask, and a big "B" on his chest.

"Never fear, Brownie Man is Here!" he says in an 1940's radio voice as he flies out of the water and lands standing on his inner tube. "Dastardly Phantom villian! You will not elude me! My powers of perception are beyond the ken of mortal men!"

The inner tube drifts forward with in the light current. The acutely perceptive Brownie Man fails to see the low hanging stalactite.

RagnarRB -- Secret weapon huh?

Ragnar turns a stern look at Annisette.

"Hush Ragnar!" Mrs. H. scolds. Ragnar drops his hands into his lap and looks elsewhere,

"Now, help me get him back into the tube." Mrs. H. orders.

"A good weapon, hits only the things behind it!" TickTick teases grabbing an arm. Swords sputtering.

"Let me at em...let me at em." He balls a fist just missing Annisettes chin in his exuberence. "Onward I say, onward." He's trying to assume a patriotic pose in the water, ignoring the help.

Mrs. H. sighs, "Ragnar please help the ladies."

"Oh alright." He's not trying to be rude, he just wants to catch the fiend!

Reaching out a hand he grbs SWORD by the scruff of the costume, who's still trying valiantly to hit the pose, and drops him in the intertube. He promptly falls through.

"Ragnar!" Mr's H. has her hands on her hips, her head tilted, and a look that only a mother could have. He slips a bit in his own tube. TickTick squeels, thinking shes about to fall in. "Help Ragnars shrinking too!"

"Sorry ma'am. I forgot we shrunk him. Maybe we should let him ride with Annisette."

"No not me!" Annisette bewails

"No me neither..you take him...uh you found him...he rides with you...with you..."

"CHILDREN!" Mrs. H. has he wagging finger out.

And just when she thought they were getting somewhere...

TickTick -- Dum-da-da-dum-DUMMMMMMM!!!!!

"Okay, everybody back in their tubes?" asks Mrs. H with forced patience.

The Ticker grabs hold of Ragnar's sleeve and hauls him up and SunAeryn takes Sword's arm.

"Unhand me! Brownie Man must have both arms to fight evil!"

Annisette sighs. "Sword! Focus man!"

Ragnar cries "no, don't focus. You're supposed to be unfocused."

TickTick grins. "I don't think you need to worry, Ragnar. The brownies are working their magic."

Annisette: "But I thought you didn't believe in magic, Tick"

"I believe in Dr. Teeth's magic. And that's what's in the brownies."

The gang slowly makes their way down the stream.

Splash-paddle-splash-paddle- THUMP

"Whoops! Another stalagmite!" Sword rubs his head. "Even outcroppings of rock will not stop BROWN-"

"Shhh... I think I heard something!" The Ticker says suddenly.

"nie man..." Sword finishes in a whisper.

CRANK-CRANK-CRANK-CRANK...

"What is that?" Annisette asks nervously, ducking down within her tube.

Ragnar peers into the darkness. "I don't know...sounds familiar..."

"I've heard that at a party, I think..." SunAeryn adds.

Mrs. H calls to Sword. "D'ya see anything Brownie Man?"

"Pie crumbs," comes the reply.

"Wait...it sounds like..." TickTick begins hesitantly.

"Like Lynn's..." Ragnar pauses. The gang looks at each other.

<<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>>

"PIE AMBUSH!" "EVERYBODY GET DOWN!" "OHMYGOSHHELP!"

"SPLASH!" glub glub glub...

"Okay, who'd we lose?" Mrs. H asks, wiping pie from her glasses.

The gang looks at the tubes.

"Tick?" "Here I am!"

"Sword?" "That's Brownie Man to you!"

SWORDandMUG -- Chugalug

"ANNI!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" SWORD cries plaintively with his hands on either side of his head.

"Yo, get a grip, dude," SunAeryn says holding him by the cape.

"Everyone stay calm! Our best chance of finding Annisette is to..."

"OH, THOU ART FOUL, EVIL PHANTOM. BUT YOUR DARK WAYS WILL NEVER STOP, BROWNIE MAN, FOR GOOD ALWAYS TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL!!!!!"

"...uh, Sword?" Ragnar says not believing his eyes.

"Shhhh... give him just a moment..." TickTick tells him. "I think the Brownies are truly taking effect..."

"VILLIANOUS RIVER WHO WOULD TAKE OUR DEAR SWEET ANNI FROM US! YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR BROWNIE MAN!" SWORD takes a deep breath. "I HELP YOU LITTLE BUDDY! I'LL DRINK THIS RIVER AND SAVE YOU."

He puts his head in the water.

chug chug chug chug chug...

"How can he do that?" SunAeryn asks.

"Hallucination..." TickTick begins to respond.

"...he thinks its beer..." Ragnar continues.

"Hey? Is the water level actually dropping?"

Annisette -- A pirate cove?

Sword belchs again...and takes another huge drink...chugalug chugalug. AHHH! EEEEERRRRRRP! Whew!

Sword sinks back exhausted and rather full. The green double knit trousers would fit now , he thinks. And he appears to have regained most of his original size.

Hey I think you are right, the water did recede! Look at that!Sun Aeryn points.

The gang can now see on the algae slimed stone walls of the cavernous tunnel, a change in the water line. The water laps up against the wall as they pass.

Sword calls out. Annisette! Nothing is heard.

Hey Anni! TickTick bellows. The gang looks around at Ticker. Good lungs. HEY ANNI!!

Ragnar takes the lantern and swings it before the inner tube raft. He illuminates first one side then the other. The stone walls glow green then dark, then green, then dark.

Over there! Ragnar points to a high outcropping of rock now jutting high of the water. She's there........

Draped across the rocks, still is Annisette. Wet hair hangs in snaky locks across her shoulders. The muffled bell still there.

The gang jumps out of the inner tube rafts. Mrs. H hurries to Annisette. Cradling her head, Mrs H. cries. Annisetta, ma bella nipota, mi tresola. SunAeryn sniffles.

Annisette stirs. Nonna. I'm alright, Nonna. I'm just stuck.

My puffy shirt is caught....

What? Bing Mrs. H bonks Annisette on the head after disentangling the shirt. That's for not answering..making me cry...

Sword looks on. Boy, you Italian ladies sure hate to cry.

HEY all. Look at this. TickTick points to the two wooden chests with big brass locks on the front perched just near Annisette booted feet.

Uh oh...Sword looks at Ragnor.Ragnar sees the Skull and Cross Bones.

Pirates! They say in unison.

What you mean like Staanz in the FLAX? Annisette looks up at them. Garbologists?

Nooo. Ticktick backs up.

No REAL PIRATES! Sword and Ragnar High five. Treasure, yo ho ho stuff. Parrot perched on shoulder,BLACK BEARD pirates.

Sword opens the large chest first, the lock having been broken.

Wow look at these clothes. Hey Annisette...A puffy shirt, beeches, boots, hey even an eye patch....I'm changing. Sword begins to change.

Well us too! Shouts the gang and they begin pulling the clothes and dresses and pirate and pirate wench accessories out of the chest.

Meanwhile, Mrs H content in her tweed trousers reaches into her purse for a nail file and pops the lock on the second chest. Well look at this. The Phantom got here first.

What is it...Whats that? the gang all look to see.

It's a note...but I can't read it in this light.Mrs H had swithched all of her glasses hoping to read it. Nope not yet...lets move the lantern over here, Ragnar.

And the gang begins to read the message from the Phantom...

in2d3 -- See you at #8099

If you are courageous enough that is?

The Phantom of Farscape

SWORDandMUG -- Thar ‘ee be

TickTick reread the note aloud for the rest of the group. As is often the case when he eats Brownies and changes clothes, SWORD's personality changes once again.

"So the varlet is a wantin to challernge us, eh?" he growls with a swagger as he buckles his sword belt, sheaths his cutlass, and eyes his "musket." (Okay, so its a rubber band gun that looks like a musket! Sue us! We can't go killing the Phantom--he/she/it/they/them/who/whatevah! is a Scaper!) "Aye, we shall meet with that blackhearted sea dog, but on Are terms, not 'is. Be ye with me, hearties? Let us meet with this enemy of the Queen at post #8099 and smite him with our powder and sharps swords!"

...uh, that's your cue to go to post #8099...

I'm swashbucklin'! Woohoo!

leaped -- Someone call for a Pipe Organ??

Something BIG and slimy just swam by and brushed against my leg. I told you these inner-tubes were NOT a good idea!!

godallmitey -- So it all leads here, just as Sword...

predicted in #8046. But wait, there's the sly phantom himself (herself?) and he's hightailing it off to #8099. Shall we ever catch him?

RNLYNN -- Lynn watches amused at

these guys trying to catch the Phantom of Farscape.Lynn had come to string some purple Halloween light around. Lynn suddenly isn't amused any longer.SWORD drinking down the level of the Basement river a few feet has revealed a hidden Pirates cove.Lynn realizes Dominion House ,is setting on top of a pirates resting place .Lynn has built the Basement Ballroom right next to it.Lynn decides to do the right thing ,and tries to make it up to the ghosts ,of the pirates. Lynn having disturbed their eternal rest leaves the pirates a note.

I am sorry for disturbing your eternal rest.Please allow me to make it up to you.You have a open invitation to attend any ,and all Basement parties.

PS I now have to break it to the others that ,on occasion there my be ghosts present at Basement parties.


	The Archives The Haunting of Dominion House In2scifi The latest journey logs at #8001 #8046 & #8051 The stone covered Dominion house stood tall on the hill...massive in structure and perched on a cliff. Housing Scapers, Sliders and Firstwavers, it's presence is overwhelming. The Farscape living quarters are by far the largest and most sophisticated...the lower levels of the castle-like dwelling even contain a passageway which leads out to the mighty flowing river Scifiprime. The rear of the Dominion dwelling contains a massive stadium, where adrenaline pumping pep rallies, marching bands, and pie fight field strategy exercises take place. There is also an eight-lane freeway...no speed limits...which provides easy access to and fro Anycity, Anywhere. The Scapers constructed the passageway and docks under the castle, so they of course own all property rights as long as following in accordance with Dominion lease regulations. Occasionally the Scapers race their boats against those of the other inhabitants of the great house..(and always win;) but no such event is occurring at the moment. There is a strange, erie mood which has taken hold. The darkness has settled in on this cold October evening, and a mysterious force has recently thrust itself upon the Scaper household. No one has been able to identify a certain In2d3….who fashions him/herself as “The Phantom of Farscape” This said “phantom” has even built a dwelling for itself deep under the third basement…across the boat docks. The phantom refers to this area as a ballroom..but it is certainly like no other ballroom in existence. It’s cold, dark and dreary on one end…and bright with color on another. Not pleasant colors really…more like confusing. What should be right-side up is upside down, back is front and front is back. Mirrors all around and objects afloat. Pictures on the walls of dead Farscape characters…and their eyes tend to roam. No Scaper, or any other inhabitant of the Dominion house knew of the existence of this room…no one save for RagnarRb, who accidentally sailed on into the port of the ballroom. He docked and ventured around…called out for the phantom and promptly got the hezmana out of there and reported the strange findings to his friends SwordandMug, Annisette, TickTick, Artiststudio SunAeryn, and leaped. All were astonished at the existence of this new room and wondered who or what In2d3/The Phantom was. His/her existence became known when a less than prudent move was made by In2scifi in creating an alter ego, In2d2. The Phantom has now heightened the mayhem, haunting not only In2scifi but also the entire Scaper family. The hauntings began to increase and become more disconcerting…then, a sundry band of Scapers, having only a passion for Farscape and a unique lunacy in common, took it upon themselves to help their friend In2scifi track down the “Phantom Menace”. Their journeys have resulted in the acquaintance of a Phantom Hunter, otherwise known as Mrs. H…who was summoned from a game of shuffleboard at Leisure Village when she heard the confused Scapers arguing over how to proceed with the search…which incidentally resulted in the temporary disappearance of Sword. Having no experience with ghostbusting and patterning themselves after the Scooby gang, it would appear that Mrs. H’s help was definitely needed. Many things have taken place. Scottish musings (involving vulgarly placed blue ribbon) between godallmighty and Sword, attire such as kilts and bright green, double-knit golf pants have been brought into the mix, and hallucinations involving long boats. No good clues have been found and the Phantom’s voice continues to mock the searchers. SwordandMug, Annisette, TickTick, SunAeryn, RagnarRB, leaped, godallmighty, Mrs. H, joined by Chiana and Officer_Sun, continue their journey…which has them now in innertubes, packed down with supplies, and heading downstream towards the ballroom…and through any uncharted caverns beneath the Dominion house. OOOOOOOweeeeeeeooooooooo...... <<Insert pipe organ music here>> RagnarRB -- Where’s my rubber duckie? Yep, that about sums it up. They were even foolish enough to left SWORDandMUG and I pack the vittles. He..he..he. SWORDandMUG -- The secret weapon When last we left our fearless cast, Annisette was prompting TickTick to feed "Scooby snacks" to SWORDandMUG to result in his transformation into... well, we never really know what is going to happen when he eats those brownies except that it will be surprising... His body makes a Squeek sound as SWORD sinks further into his inner tube. "...but anni..." he says, his voice echoing from within the confines of the big black donut shaped object, "...i've really been trying to cut back... to behave myself..." "But we need something unpredictable, SWORD!" she admonishes, "Even YOU don't know what you will do next when you eat these things!" "...but... ...but... ...i'm afraid that i might start talking like k.c. kaseem or something else horrible like that... ...i just don't know if i could live with myself after that..." * splash * paddle * paddle * splash * Ragnar moves his inner tube up beside the incredible shrinking SWORD. "Have heart, warrior," he says with a gravely voice, "and take into your heart the thunder of fierce gods of battle! We need hero willing to strike at the heart of darkness, to fell the fierce giant who has dared to set his foot upon the Bridge Bifrost... The skalds will sing thy songs, and mead will flow in thy honor..." "...really?...." "AND IF YOU DON'T, I'LL SHOVE THOSE SNACKS DOWN YOUR THROAT REGARDLESS!" "...don't go all luxan on me now, ragnar... ...what next? gonna shove a dentik in my mouth?..." "Eat the brownies!" the group instructs him in unison. "...will you all sign an affidavit clearing me of damages..." "EAT THEM!" TickTick pulls out her seemingly bottomless Tupperware (tm) container full of Magic Love Brownies and feeds four or five to SWORD. He munches... then gurgles... and slips out of the bottom of his inner tube under the surface of the water... :-{> ...blurb blurb blurb... SWORDandMUG -- “It’s a bird.... It’s a plane....” SWORD suddenly resurfaces. Somehow, somewhere, he has managed to acquire a superhero costume with tights, a lone ranger mask, and a big "B" on his chest. "Never fear, Brownie Man is Here!" he says in an 1940's radio voice as he flies out of the water and lands standing on his inner tube. "Dastardly Phantom villian! You will not elude me! My powers of perception are beyond the ken of mortal men!" The inner tube drifts forward with in the light current. The acutely perceptive Brownie Man fails to see the low hanging stalactite. BUMP… SPLASH! gurgle… :-{> ...blurb... RagnarRB -- Secret weapon huh? Ragnar turns a stern look at Annisette. "Hush Ragnar!" Mrs. H. scolds. Ragnar drops his hands into his lap and looks elsewhere, "Yes ma'am." "Now, help me get him back into the tube." Mrs. H. orders. "A good weapon, hits only the things behind it!" TickTick teases grabbing an arm. Swords sputtering. "Let me at em...let me at em." He balls a fist just missing Annisettes chin in his exuberence. "Onward I say, onward." He's trying to assume a patriotic pose in the water, ignoring the help. Mrs. H. sighs, "Ragnar please help the ladies." "Oh alright." He's not trying to be rude, he just wants to catch the fiend! Reaching out a hand he grbs SWORD by the scruff of the costume, who's still trying valiantly to hit the pose, and drops him in the intertube. He promptly falls through. "Ragnar!" Mr's H. has her hands on her hips, her head tilted, and a look that only a mother could have. He slips a bit in his own tube. TickTick squeels, thinking shes about to fall in. "Help Ragnars shrinking too!" "Sorry ma'am. I forgot we shrunk him. Maybe we should let him ride with Annisette." "No not me!" Annisette bewails "No me neither..you take him...uh you found him...he rides with you...with you..." "CHILDREN!" Mrs. H. has he wagging finger out. And just when she thought they were getting somewhere... TickTick -- Dum-da-da-dum-DUMMMMMMM!!!!! "Okay, everybody back in their tubes?" asks Mrs. H with forced patience. The Ticker grabs hold of Ragnar's sleeve and hauls him up and SunAeryn takes Sword's arm. "Unhand me! Brownie Man must have both arms to fight evil!" Annisette sighs. "Sword! Focus man!" Ragnar cries "no, don't focus. You're supposed to be unfocused." TickTick grins. "I don't think you need to worry, Ragnar. The brownies are working their magic." Annisette: "But I thought you didn't believe in magic, Tick" "I believe in Dr. Teeth's magic. And that's what's in the brownies." The gang slowly makes their way down the stream. Splash-paddle-splash-paddle- THUMP "Whoops! Another stalagmite!" Sword rubs his head. "Even outcroppings of rock will not stop BROWN-" "Shhh... I think I heard something!" The Ticker says suddenly. "nie man..." Sword finishes in a whisper. CRANK-CRANK-CRANK-CRANK... "What is that?" Annisette asks nervously, ducking down within her tube. Ragnar peers into the darkness. "I don't know...sounds familiar..." "I've heard that at a party, I think..." SunAeryn adds. Mrs. H calls to Sword. "D'ya see anything Brownie Man?" "Pie crumbs," comes the reply. PIE CRUMBS? "Wait...it sounds like..." TickTick begins hesitantly. "Like Lynn's..." Ragnar pauses. The gang looks at each other. "PIE CATAPULT!!" <<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>><<SPLAT!>> "PIE AMBUSH!" "EVERYBODY GET DOWN!" "OHMYGOSHHELP!" "SPLASH!" glub glub glub... The pie trap stops. "Okay, who'd we lose?" Mrs. H asks, wiping pie from her glasses. The gang looks at the tubes. "Tick?" "Here I am!" "Ragnar?" "Yeah!" "Sword?" "That's Brownie Man to you!" "SunAeryn?" "Here!" "Annisette?" pause. "Annisette?" "OH NO! ANNISETTE!" SWORDandMUG -- Chugalug "ANNI!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" SWORD cries plaintively with his hands on either side of his head. "Yo, get a grip, dude," SunAeryn says holding him by the cape. "Everyone stay calm! Our best chance of finding Annisette is to..." "OH, THOU ART FOUL, EVIL PHANTOM. BUT YOUR DARK WAYS WILL NEVER STOP, BROWNIE MAN, FOR GOOD ALWAYS TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL!!!!!" "...uh, Sword?" Ragnar says not believing his eyes. "Shhhh... give him just a moment..." TickTick tells him. "I think the Brownies are truly taking effect..." "VILLIANOUS RIVER WHO WOULD TAKE OUR DEAR SWEET ANNI FROM US! YOU ARE NO MATCH FOR BROWNIE MAN!" SWORD takes a deep breath. "I HELP YOU LITTLE BUDDY! I'LL DRINK THIS RIVER AND SAVE YOU." He puts his head in the water. chug chug chug chug chug... "How can he do that?" SunAeryn asks. "Hallucination..." TickTick begins to respond. "...he thinks its beer..." Ragnar continues. "Hey? Is the water level actually dropping?" :-{> ...burp... Annisette -- A pirate cove? Sword belchs again...and takes another huge drink...chugalug chugalug. AHHH! EEEEERRRRRRP! Whew! Sword sinks back exhausted and rather full. The green double knit trousers would fit now , he thinks. And he appears to have regained most of his original size. Hey I think you are right, the water did recede! Look at that!Sun Aeryn points. The gang can now see on the algae slimed stone walls of the cavernous tunnel, a change in the water line. The water laps up against the wall as they pass. Sword calls out. Annisette! Nothing is heard. Hey Anni! TickTick bellows. The gang looks around at Ticker. Good lungs. HEY ANNI!! Ragnar takes the lantern and swings it before the inner tube raft. He illuminates first one side then the other. The stone walls glow green then dark, then green, then dark. Over there! Ragnar points to a high outcropping of rock now jutting high of the water. She's there........ Draped across the rocks, still is Annisette. Wet hair hangs in snaky locks across her shoulders. The muffled bell still there. The gang jumps out of the inner tube rafts. Mrs. H hurries to Annisette. Cradling her head, Mrs H. cries. Annisetta, ma bella nipota, mi tresola. SunAeryn sniffles. Annisette stirs. Nonna. I'm alright, Nonna. I'm just stuck. My puffy shirt is caught.... What? Bing Mrs. H bonks Annisette on the head after disentangling the shirt. That's for not answering..making me cry... Sword looks on. Boy, you Italian ladies sure hate to cry. HEY all. Look at this. TickTick points to the two wooden chests with big brass locks on the front perched just near Annisette booted feet. Uh oh...Sword looks at Ragnor.Ragnar sees the Skull and Cross Bones. Pirates! They say in unison. What you mean like Staanz in the FLAX? Annisette looks up at them. Garbologists? Nooo. Ticktick backs up. No REAL PIRATES! Sword and Ragnar High five. Treasure, yo ho ho stuff. Parrot perched on shoulder,BLACK BEARD pirates. Sword opens the large chest first, the lock having been broken. Wow look at these clothes. Hey Annisette...A puffy shirt, beeches, boots, hey even an eye patch....I'm changing. Sword begins to change. Well us too! Shouts the gang and they begin pulling the clothes and dresses and pirate and pirate wench accessories out of the chest. Meanwhile, Mrs H content in her tweed trousers reaches into her purse for a nail file and pops the lock on the second chest. Well look at this. The Phantom got here first. What is it...Whats that? the gang all look to see. It's a note...but I can't read it in this light.Mrs H had swithched all of her glasses hoping to read it. Nope not yet...lets move the lantern over here, Ragnar. And the gang begins to read the message from the Phantom... in2d3 -- See you at #8099 If you are courageous enough that is? Signed, The Phantom of Farscape SWORDandMUG -- Thar ‘ee be TickTick reread the note aloud for the rest of the group. As is often the case when he eats Brownies and changes clothes, SWORD's personality changes once again. "So the varlet is a wantin to challernge us, eh?" he growls with a swagger as he buckles his sword belt, sheaths his cutlass, and eyes his "musket." (Okay, so its a rubber band gun that looks like a musket! Sue us! We can't go killing the Phantom--he/she/it/they/them/who/whatevah! is a Scaper!) "Aye, we shall meet with that blackhearted sea dog, but on Are terms, not 'is. Be ye with me, hearties? Let us meet with this enemy of the Queen at post #8099 and smite him with our powder and sharps swords!" ...uh, that's your cue to go to post #8099... :-{> I'm swashbucklin'! Woohoo! leaped -- Someone call for a Pipe Organ?? Something BIG and slimy just swam by and brushed against my leg. I told you these inner-tubes were NOT a good idea!! godallmitey -- So it all leads here, just as Sword... predicted in #8046. But wait, there's the sly phantom himself (herself?) and he's hightailing it off to #8099. Shall we ever catch him? RNLYNN -- Lynn watches amused at these guys trying to catch the Phantom of Farscape.Lynn had come to string some purple Halloween light around. Lynn suddenly isn't amused any longer.SWORD drinking down the level of the Basement river a few feet has revealed a hidden Pirates cove.Lynn realizes Dominion House ,is setting on top of a pirates resting place .Lynn has built the Basement Ballroom right next to it.Lynn decides to do the right thing ,and tries to make it up to the ghosts ,of the pirates. Lynn having disturbed their eternal rest leaves the pirates a note. Dear Pirates, I am sorry for disturbing your eternal rest.Please allow me to make it up to you.You have a open invitation to attend any ,and all Basement parties. Sincerely, CharlotteLynn PS I now have to break it to the others that ,on occasion there my be ghosts present at Basement parties.