Entertainment Room - Xtate

	You find yourself within a room designed for dance and social 
gatherings. The hardwood floor is expansive and able to accomadate more 
than 50 persons comfortablly. Stark white walls are decorated in modern 
works of art and one will even find a raised area for a band or public 
speaking. Speakers and electronic equipment are well concealed behind 
panels and glass throughout the room. Large doors to the east open up to 
the living area and to the north one will note an entrance to a kitchen. 
An exit to the lawn is found from this room as well.

Terry enters carrying a beribboned and bewrapped box, she hums idly.

Gwen Namura wanders around, having nothing at all.

Terry pushes the box on the table. She rubs the back of her neck.

	The Entertainment room is definatly set up for a party. Fliers 
which say "Happy Birthday" and "Sweet Sixteen" line the walls and hang 
from the ceiling. Those who weren't able to make it tonight left 
presents - or at least some did - near the table. Yes, this should be a 
fun night for all.

There's the sound out on the living area of the front door opening, 
perhaps a chilled breeze sent through the hall and into the 
entertainment room to signal Ev and Jubilee returning from Jubes' 
romantic birthday dinner. Other signs would be the approaching sound of 
voices, quiet laughter, and the occasional pause for a kiss or two. 
Eventually, of course, Ev appears in the Entertainment Room door with 
his arm linked around Jubilee's waist to reveal her party... One of 
which she wasn't specifically informed, but probably knew of anyways. 
"Happy Birthday, Jubes." He says happily, leading her inside to be 
greeted by her friends.

Yeah, like you can keep a secret from the Team Gossip! She knew a week 
ago that there was gunna be a party, though when Ev suprised her with 
plans for their romantic evening out, she thought maybe she'd been 
mistaken. Oh well, she'd rather have a night playing footsy under a 
table with Evie-kins anyhow! Her hair got put up with a nice clip in 
that new 'ragged' look, she donned a nice above-the-knee and spagetti-
strapped black dress that's not too fancy, not too casual, and put on a 
bit of make-up. Dinner was delicious, footsy was heavenly, the kisses 
where like wine and certainly made her a little heady.. The last thing 
she expected as he lead her towards the entertainment room was a party! 
However, as they enter the room, Jubilee's almond shaped eyes blink 
several times and she seems genuienly suprised at what she see's, a grin 
slowly crossing those red painted lips.

"Surprise Jubes, Happy Birthday an' all tha'.." Terry peers through 
strands of her red hair, "Hope yuir evenin' was fine s' far? Cause I 
plan on humiliatin' y' t'night.." She winks.

Gwen Namura appears to be considering something in the corner, seperate 
from the group.

Sam sits on the couch, hopping to his feet as the lady of honour enters 
the room. "Happy birthday, Jube's!" He hollars, throwing his arms up in 
the air as a way of celebration. Oh yes, he's getting into this alright. 
His hands clasp behind his back as he glances back to the wrapped box 
that sits on the couch. Ohhh, presents!

Everett grins at the general reaction, from both Jubilee and the others. 
This is going to be a great party. He lets his arm slip away from 
Jubilee to give her the freedom to do whatever the heck she wants. "You 
didn't think I was the only one who wanted to celebrate your birthday, 
now did you?" He asks with a wink. "Sam planned most of it."

Jubilee's eyes scan around the room from face to face quickly. Oh good! 
No furnace face or Hayseed Bitch! Looks like this will /still/ be a good 
night. Jube doesn't let Ev get away /that/ easily, grabbing onto his arm 
and yanking him in, saying "You're the /greatest/, Ev!" before she 
wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a BIG ol' kiss on his 
lips. Spectators be damned! As you can see, Jube has little to no quams 
with public displays of affection. When the kiss is done, she winks at 
him and releases him before hurrying on over to Sammy Boy - The Other 
Country Bumpkin - and giving him a big hug, followed by a kiss - on the 
/cheek/. "And so'er you!" The thank-you's over with, she winks at Terry 
and tilts her head off to the side, a big Anime-ish smile on her lips. 
"You can /try/, Irish!"

Marrow walks past the room, out in the main hallway. She comes from the 
direction of the kitchen, holding a large plate of pizza slices, turkey 
legs, and a few hotdogs, while balancing two bags of chips in the other 
hand. Seeing all the bright colors and people, she thinks . o O (That 
was today??) She is about to continue off towards the stairs, then sighs 
and heads into the large room "Err... brought some more food."

Terry smirks playfully at the birthday girl, "Won't ha' t' try t' 
hard.." She grins at Marrow, "Mmmm great.. I'm starved.."

Roberto walks in quickly from the front lawn. As he gets into the door 
and see's Jubes already there he yells, "Happy Sweet Sixteen Jubes!" He 
realizes he's made an idiot out of himself by coming in so late so he 
just jumps over the couch landing in a sit position with a big smile on 
his face...

Gwen Namura ows, as a Berto lands on her. She pushes him off the couch, 
and mutters to herself.

Sam gladly returns the warm hug to Jubilee, smiling at the kiss on the 
cheek. "S'mah pleasah, girl. Ahm glad ah could do it." His arms leave 
the girl as he glances over at the two new arrivals, giving them a 
smile. "Oh, great, food!" He exclaims, walking over to Marrow to take a 
few things off the load, allowing her to put the rest down on the table. 
Bah, no time for chit chat. Sam just says out loud, "Present time!" Just 
a dash over to the wrapped box and in less then a second, Sam holds it 
up to Jubilee. "Happy birthday, girl. Hope ya lahke it....Ah was lost on 
what ta get ya. Gawd, Ah reckon shoppin' foah girls is the worst thing 
evah..." He mutters, putting the box into her hands.

	No, Sam, that's shopping -with- girls that's the worst thing ever. 
Speaking of which, there's one present wrapped near the table that has a 
big ribbon and a tag that says, "For Jubilee, from Jo." Joliene had to 
work late on some after class activities for her lifeguard licsense, so 
she's not able to be here.

Everett stumbles back a bit as Jubilee wraps herself around him but 
doesn't pause in returning the kiss. when she pulls away he shows he's 
not so used to these public displays of affection, with a nervous grin 
and a blush that shows even on his dark skin. As Sam announces present 
time he goes to sit on the couch too.

Jubilee blinks. Present time?! YAY! Yeah! It's her birthday! She gets 
things for /free/ today!! And CAKE! In true immature Jubilee fashion, 
she bounds over to a seat and plops herself down, wiggling greed little 
fingers to get the gift Sam holds out. Any card attached is carefully 
read and approprely oohed or awwed at before the gift wrapping is just.. 
emmaciated. Not EVEN shreads are left! More like.. pulp. "A gift 
certificate!! Thanks Sam!" Ooh, always wanted to go to a /spa/!

"Here Jubes open mine next.." Terry takes her gift up off the table with 
one hand and reaches into a bag of chips with her other hand popping a 
few doritos in. The silver ribbons and baby blue paper dangled 
enticingly at the girl.

Gwen Namura moves off the couch before Ev sits on her, as well. She's 
got a UPS-like box that she picks up as she moves, and waits for Jubs to 
shred all the other presents.

Sam smiles at Jube's, ahppy she liked the gift. His next move is back to 
the couch, taking a seat as he scoops up the near-by bowl of popcorn to 
begin to settle his hankering for the munchies. As each kernel is 
swallowed, Sam anticipates each gift as it's opened, curious at what 
they are and how Jube's will like them.

	And Jo's present just sits there quietly. It's in no hurry to be 
opened, mainly because the person giving it isn't there. And it doesn't 
have air holes so it's not alive or anything.

Everett watches intently, his smile growing with each present opened, 
seeing Jubilee's enthusiastic reactions and waiting for everyone to be 
done.

Jubilee accepts Terry's offered gift, leaving Sam's in her lap, and she 
carefully unties the ribbon so she can get at the paper, which is 
shreaded in a simmilar fashion as Sam's gift was. When she gets to the 
little Tiffany's box, she pulls off the lid, tongue poking out the side 
of her lips in a curious look before she gets a peek at what's /inside/ 
the box. OoooOOOooooh!! "An ID bracelet!" She pulls out the silver 
bracelet with her name on the top of the plate along with a tiny 
diamond, and flips over the name plate to see the world 'L'il Paffer' on 
the back. Her eyes just sparkle. "Thanks Terry! Oh gawd, it's 
beautiful!" Her finegers nimbly work at the clasp, and then start to put 
on the bracelet with just a tad of difficulty.

Terry chuckles, "Dinna expect next years gift t' be tha' nice." She 
grins teasingly, "Get Ev' t' help y' wi' th' clasp." She drops onto the 
sofa grabbing the bag as she goes.

And Sam just stays where he is, munching on popcorn and anticipating 
what Jo got Jubilee, "Open Jo's, Jube's."

Okay, Jo's is next. After Jube has the bracelet on, she pulls up 
Joliene's gift and briefly wonders why the water girl herself isn't 
here. Not that Jube and Jo really get along much, but if she was nice 
enough to give a gift, wouldn't she think she'd be welcomed at the 
party? There is really only one person Jube doesn't even want to catch 
the scent of tonight.. and she's /otherwise/ occupied. "Did Jo have to 
work or something?" she asks Sam, pausing to hear his answer before 
nodding and turning back to the present. She'll thank her when Jo gets 
home. The wrapping is shread, and the box is opened.. and Jube looks.. 
suprised. "My shoes!" yep. She pulls her own shoes out of the box. What 
is this, some kinda /joke/?! However, once the shoes are out, they 
reveal what was hidden under them, and Jube's eyes just go WIDE! 
"BLADES!!" ThankyouJosomuchwhereveryouareyouhavetheBESTtaste!! Jube 
can't fit into her old roller blades, and this look /just/ her size!! 
When this party's over, she's dragging Ev out to give these a test run!

Terry giggles brightly, "I thought tha' might be wha' Jo got you.. " She 
pushes a hand idly through her hair.

Gwen Namura sighs. "Good thing I didn't go with my first instinct, 
Jubes. Like, you want Sam or mines next?" She proffers the brown 
cardboard box.

Everett smiles and finally pulls himself up off the couch after all 
presents have been opened and accounted for, except for the two or three 
left on the present table labelled 'From Ev'. Shyeah, you think the only 
thing he'd get her for her sixteenth birthday is a game? No no, and 
expecially not considering that game came at... Which Ev still can't 
believe. The way that odd woman in the store had explained it the thing 
seemed like a priceless antique. And, of course, Ev chooses this as the 
first present to be opened. The large, rectangular present is slid out 
of the remains of a pile and brought over to Jubilee, held out in 
offering. "Here Jubes. I thought you might like this."

And Sam just hangs back on the couch, happily eating his popcorn and 
wondering what /Ev/ got the love of his life. Hmmmm, tons of things run 
through his mind, but he'll just have to wait and see. His eyes rest 
upon everyone else in the room, regarding them with a smile and then 
looking back to the lady of honour - Jubilee.

Terry swallows her handful of chips at last, "Hurry up an' open it s' we 
can get t' tha' cake.." Red grins at Jubes.

Jubilee grins and quickly shreads the wrapping paper into little tiny 
titty bitty pieces which all land on the floor to reveal.. whatever is 
inside, which, reguardless, gets a good look-over my Jubilee.

	What Jubilee unwraps is apparently a very finely crafted wooden 
box. Looks similar to a jewelry box. The wood is extremly dark, almost 
black, with darker rings through it, probably stained to look that way 
because very few trees have black wood, and carved into the lid of the 
box is... a tower in an oval. A tall tower in a wasteland, surrounded by 
mist and cork-shrewing pinticles of rock. When the lid is opened, inside 
there is a stack of cards, the box lined with white velvet. They're 
about the same size as tarot cards would be, and they very likely could 
be, but they're not. Not only that, they look as if they have never been 
touched before. Perfect. No bends. No fading in any of the paint. No 
tears on the corners. And on the back of top card is another tower, just 
like the one on the box, in an oval. A white tower. A tower in a land of 
ice and snow. And over the tower, is something semi-transparent. A 
letter, painted in a dark redish-brown shade. An upsidedown U made of 
straight lines, with one horn longer then the other. Another thing, 
believe it or not, each card is hand painted, but there is -no- 
veriation from the pattern on the back of the cards. Truelly fasinating. 
No wonder Ev was shocked when the clerk at the store said it was only 
twenty dollars.

Jubilee blinks and her eyes go WIDE as she gets a look at what's in the 
box, as well as the box itself, promptly sliding off the couch to set it 
on the coffee table nearby. "Oh Ev! This is /sooo/ cool!" With a bright 
smile on her lips, she picks up the deck of cards and gives them a look 
over curiously without messing up the order, and when she notes the 
instruction card on the top of the stack she flips it over. "Anyone 
wanna play?!"

Everett grins and slides off the couch to kneel beside the coffee table 
as well. "Sure." He says, a bit eagerly. Frankly, he's dying to see what 
the game is all about. He had made a personal promise not only to 
himself but the woman he bought the game from he wouldn't even open the 
box till it was given as a gift. It was to be Jubilee's present before 
anyone else got to play it.

Terry eyes the lusciously dark frosted cake with some regret, "Alright 
one round an' then I get a peice o' tha' cake.." Chocolate mmmmmmm....

Sam grins widely, "Sure!" He slips onto his knees off the couch, edging 
up to the table. "How do ya play?" His eyes examine the present with 
curiosity, running a finger along the wood box. "Wow. S'nice, ah 
reckon..." He trails off, repositioning on his knees and waiting for the 
game to start.

Gwen Namura wanders over. "What're we doin? Jubes open my prezzie?"

Jubilee shakes her head to Gwen and says "I'll open that one next. 
C'mon, siddown, I'll read the instructions!" She glances over them at 
first and grins evilly. "Oh man, this is a trip! OKay, here goes." Jube 
crosses her legs and starts to read the instructions on the card in a 
spooky Vincent Price vioce. "These cards will take ya through a 
/Toooowweerr of Illuuussssiion/, woooo! Where you will face /desires/, 
/fears/, and," She waggles her brows at Ev. "/Temptations/," And then 
returns those eyes to the card. "And /secrets/! So we'll all find out if 
Sam and Jo have done the wild thang yet." Hehehehe. Evil, ain't she. 
Before Sam can respond, she promptly continues. "To enter the game, you 
/must/ understand that the game is /real/. There is a Shadow World, que 
dramatic music. A land of /ice/ and /illusion/! Like our world, but 
/different/! Which means it's L.A.! Existing alongside ours but never 
touching. Which means it plays for the /other/ team, if ya get my 
meanin'." She's cracking herself up here. "Some people call it the world 
of dreams, but it's as real as anythin' else! Entering this world can be 
/dangerous/ to all involved! Woooo, spoooooky! So," her voice gets deep 
and she grins at all deviously over the card. "You play at your own 
/risk/."

Everett can't help but let out a few stiffled laughs at Jubilee's 
theatrical reading of the rules, with an added blush at the wiggled 
eyebrows on the word 'temptation'. "I think I can risk a board game..." 
He says at the end, shifting his position on his knees. "I call second 
player."

"Yeah an' when I play wi' an Ouija board, I summon demons from another 
plane o' existance an' re-enact scenes from Scream wi' them," Terry 
grins, "Enough o' th' Mumbo jumbo.. lets play."

Sam can't help but laugh as Jubilee reads the instructions. Though he 
does blush too, eyeing her for a moment. Oooohhh, spooky! This should be 
fun, but spooky? Puh-lease. He leans forward on the table, looking at 
Gwen. "She'll open it aftah this game, girl." His attention is brought 
back to Jube's. "Well, ah wanna play. Let's /doooo/ it!" His hands rub 
together in anticiaption as he awaits the cards to be handed out.

Gwen Namura says "Whaaat? Bummer. Well, like, okay. Let's play this 
crazy goofball coo-coo thing."

	As soon as everyone has agreed to play, in their own little ways 
of course, the reddish letters on the back of the cards flash for an 
instant, almost as if they were made of foil and suddenly found some 
light to reflect back. Could just be a trick of your vision or 
something. And it doesn't flash bright enough for everyone to notice it 
unless they were looking at the cards.

Jubilee, who WAS looking at the cards, blinks. "Whoa. Weird. I didn't 
see that shiney stuff there before..." She gives the back of the card 
she holds a rub to see if she can feel the foil, but when she does't, 
her nose wrinkles. "Uh. Weird. ANYhow, lets play!" She pulls out the 
rest of the cards and wrinkles her nose. "Ya think I should just deal 
'em out or somethin'? I didn't see any, like, /practicle/ 
instructions.."

Everett doesn't catch the glint, being at a position off to the left and 
not in visible line of the back of the card. "Maybe.... What're on the 
cards?"

Terry certainly doesn't catch the glint or flash or whatever, "Deal them 
Jubes... " Her green blue eyes drift to that cake.... just an alcoholic? 
Nah Chocoholic too.

Gwen Namura lies upside down on the couch. "Like, what's it say on the 
back?"

And Sam? Wasn't looking at the cards, just peering down at his empty 
bowl of popcorn and making a mental note to g grab some more when the 
game is finished. "Yeah, just deal 'em out...We can figure 'em out...." 
His eyes blink about, waiting for the game to start.

Jubilee nods her head and deals out the cards all face down to 'em. 
"Acey, ducey, one-eyed jack! Are we straight up, or are ya a," Again, 
brows are waggled at Ev. "/stud man/?" Once everyone has five cards, 
Jube picks up hers and puts down the pile, looking them over.. Maybe 
there are clues as to how to play on the cards..?

	And as an answer to Sam's waiting, the game surely does start. But 
not in the way everyone expects. As soon as Jubilee has the cards out 
dealt... there's a sudden gust of icy cold wind, like someone just 
opened a door very close by. Not just wind. But strong, forceful gusts. 
Likely near Hurricane speed. And -freezing-. But it doesn't last long, 
only long enough for everyone to get startled to their feet and lose 
track of where they are. What they're doing, and whatever was in their 
hands. Poor Terry won't get any chocolate tonight. Ev, next time you buy 
a game, you might wanna make sure it's not a magical trap.

Lobby -- Tower of Illusion -- Niflheim

	You find yourself in a strange room, kind of a mix between an 
expensive hotel lobby, and the front room of an office building, only 
not. There's many things here that are strange, out of place. Odd. Large 
windows are covered with dark blue curtains which look identical to the 
curtains normally found in Jubilee's room. On a long, polished marble 
counter where a receptionist would usually be sitting behind, is a small 
vace with yellow daisies in it. They look kind of out of place here, as 
if taken from elsewhere. In one corner of the room sits and odd pile of 
bones, with broken and jagged edges. This is definatly not a normal 
office building.

	The only doors in the room, another quite odd thing, is a 
revolving doorway leading outside most likely. All the windows are 
covered with the curtains, or the glass is extremely clouded over so 
there is no clear view of what awaits you outside. The other door is an 
Elevator doorway, silvery in color, old looking, with a button 
indicating an up arrow in the wall nearby.


Everett finds himself suddenly suspended a few feet above the floor of 
the eery lobby after various confused screams were exchanged amongst the 
whirling winds. well, not so much /suspended/.... No, but that would 
have been nice. It would have meant he didn't fall and land roughly on 
his rear against the solid floor with a quick 'oomph'.

A thud and then a "Ooooof!" Terry leans up on her elbows after that 
landing, "Ev? Wha' kind o' sick places ha' y' been shoppin' at?" She 
tilts her head blinking in confusion. 

Gwen Namura lands on her back from the winds, but slaps her hands to 
asorb the impact. She rolls to the side, quickly.

Sam falls to the lobby floor with a *thump* right on his tailbone. "Ow!" 
he hollars out, lifting his head up to peer around the room. He quickly 
scrambles to his feet, thinking he is in some sort of dream. "What in 
the heck jus' 'appened heah?!" He peers around, making sure all are 
present and accounted for. "Guys, any idea what just happened and where 
we are? Gawd, this has gott a bea trick..."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH-oof!!" And where is that the Lil Paffer falls? 
Why, right on her /man/, of course! Ev acts as a nice cushion as Jubilee 
hits the ground, though he's no pillow, and she still groans as she 
rolls off him. "Oh.. man.. Ev? Next time? Gift certificate. Uh-huh." She 
pulls herself up into a sitting position and sighs, looking all around.. 
"Where /are/ we..?"

	There's a soft laugh from near the counter, where a particularly 
long shadow happens to be. The shadow shimmers and someone steps out of 
it. For someone stepping out of a shadow, she's very... -white-. And her 
dress is... well... gold. Kinda ironic. Princess of Shadows with super 
pale skin and pure white hair. But then she's a Mistress of Ice too. Her 
voice sounds similar to water running over a rock, full of elemental 
music. Very beautiful. "Why, you're in the game of course." She sounds 
completely and utterly amused.

Everett lets out another 'oof' as Jubilee drops into his lap, then 
groans slowly and props himself up on his elbows as she rolls off. Kay, 
that hurt. With a confused expression he begins to scan the lobby, 
trying to figure out what might have happened. Did the game have 
something to do with this? The glint of Lishka's dress catches his eye 
and he swivels quickly, eyes going /wide/ upon seeing the figure 
stepping from the shadows. "Lishka!?" He cries in confused amazement. 
Well, I guess that answers the question of whether or not the game had 
anything to do with it.

"Ask a silly question.." Terry stands slowly, "An' tha's another fine 
mess y' got us int' Stanley, " She gazes up and down at Lishka then 
glances to Ev, "Y' two na' each other?"

Gwen Namura pops herself to her feet as Lishka enters, wary. She notices 
the bones in the corner, then starts moving to the left, away from them 
in a half-circle. "Darnit, Ev, this is the last time you go on a blind 
date."

Jubilee blinks, first at Gwen, then at Ev, then at Lishka.. then Ev 
again.. And her eyes slowly /narrow/. "You /know/ this person, Ev?" 
Lishka ain't the only mistress of ice in the room at the moment! Well.. 
she's the only REAL one.. Bah. Anyhow, Jubilee pulls herself to her feet 
and looks down at Ev, awaiting the answer.

	That very same real Mistress of Ice and Shadows crosses her arms 
over her chest and chuckles softly. She doesn't say anything, goes ahead 
and let's Everett answer that question since it wasn't really directed 
at her. Poor Everett. If Lishka wasn't so amused right now... Well... 
She really isn't the type to smile much, but today she is having a      
-wonderful- time. Can you blame her? Just wait till they hear the 
stakes!

Everett's eyes glance over to Jubilee, apparently not quite catching the 
accusing tone, too preoccupied with his complete and utter surprise. He 
quickly goes back to looking at Lishka, slowly pulling himself up to his 
feet. "Yeah... She worked at the game store I bought the game at."

Terry pushes her hands through her hair, "Ummm wha' is this place. This 
Limbo or somethin'? If we're in Belasco's control we go' real 
troubles.." She glances to Lishka, "Ken y' tell us ha' t' get home or 
send us?"

Gwen Namura says "Game store. So, you're the Game Master? I suppose if 
we don't play along something bad happens?"

Jubilee grumbles. Okay, this is HER Birthday, man, and she's not gunna 
let some ice-princess ruin it! Just need to kick a little butt and get 
this all straightened out! She balls up her fists and approches Lishka 
with eyes narrowed. "Put us back in the mansion /right now/! I don't 
know who ya think you are but we're gunna break you in two if you don't 
take us back!"

	Lishka tilts her head slightly, pressing her lips together for a 
moment in thought, "This place is not 'Limbo' and there is no one named 
Belasco here. You are all in control of yourselves. You are hear by your 
own free will. You read the rules, you agreed to the trip. You invoked 
the rune Uruz. You pierced the viel between the worlds and opened up 
travel to my Tower." She starts to answer Gwen's questions, but is cut 
off by Jubilee's approach. Her amused appearance wavers slightly, but 
not much. She doesn't look worried though. "Hmmm. An impulsive one. This 
must be the birthday girl. Happy birthday, little girl. And I will not 
take you back. You agreed to come here, you all said you would 'play', 
and you play till you win. Or I do." True, the game didn't say -what- 
exactly they would play, but oh well. The girl is more then willing to 
tell them about it.

Well, that didn't exactly help to alleviate Ev's confusion. "What're you 
talking about?" He practically pleads with Lishka for an answer.... Dear 
God, this is his girlfriend's /16th/ birthday, and it looks like he just 
/royally/ screwed it up. dammit, why can't anything just happen normally 
in their lives!?

Terry leans her head against her hand, "If we agreed ken we unagree an' 
go home?" She blinks at the creature, "Can we uninvoke th' rune.."

Gwen Namura stands in her chosen oblique position, speaking so Lishka 
must turn to see her. She says, "Is there any reason we should continue 
to play the game? A reward, or incentive? You should know, so far, we're 
not impressed."

Jubilee glances over her shoulder at Terry and Gwen, then looks back to 
Lishka and scowls, crossing her arms over her chest and peering at the 
woman as if she where the devil herself. "Alright. So how do we play, 
what do we win, and what do you get if we /loose/? Our Immortal Souls?" 
She seems vaguely amused by that.

	Lishka takes each question one at a time, she has an excellent 
memory. "You can unagree all you want, but it will do you know good. 
Once you have agreed, you have agreed. You are fair game. And no, you 
can not unenvoke it. The rune is a one way ticket here. You can not use 
it to get back." She looks towards Gwen and answers her questions, "Is 
there a reason you should play? Well, yes. At the top of this Tower is a 
doorway standing open to your home. It too is one way. If you do not 
play, you do not get home. Simple as that." She ignores the impressed 
thing. She isn't here to impress meer mortals. "You merely climb the 
Tower. Face all the things the cards said you would face. If you make 
it, you win, and you can go home. If you don't...." She glances away 
from Jubilee and toward Everett, her amused look turning on to full, a 
smirk gracing her face, "Well, every game has a prize. Winner take all." 
She says that in a way that means she's -looking- at the prize. Poor Ev.

Can you say 'Eep?' Ev would, if his heart weren't caught in his throat. 
Is she actually implying.... Does she mean.... This can't be! All he 
wanted to do was get Jubilee something nice for her birthday... 
Something beautiful and fun and valuable.... Why can't these things ever 
be easy? Sigh, c'est la vie. A practically petrified look is shared with 
all of his friends and teammates in the room, showing Ev doesn't like 
this idea one /bit/.

Terry glares with all her pure anger, "Woman.. I suggest y' send us home 
na..." She takes to the air, screaming just a touch. She does however 
look to be readying to do something.

Gwen Namura looks around, then states. "Basically, I don't think that's 
an acceptable offer. If you force us to play, we can weight the dice, 
and shave the cards. Give us a reason, and, I dunno, maybe we'll play it 
your way. Don't, and no-matter what, we promise to make your lives, 
total hell. Like, you ain't never seen nothin' like us."

Jubilee narrows her eyes and steps between Ev and the woman, energy 
forming consentrated around her balled up fists. Terry's ready to fight, 
and so is Jube, damnit! NO ONE takes HER man away! She didn't let Paige 
have him, and she WON'T let this Frosty woman have him! "You touch him 
and ya won't live ta regret it!"

	Lishka's eyebrows raise briefly as Terry takes to the air, and 
again at Gwen's... words. Humans aren't supposed to have powers. Did 
something get all funky in the hundred years Lishka was banned from 
Earth? She makes a note to get a radio that can get Earth stations in 
her store when she gets back. She doesn't seem afraid though, it just 
might make her winning a little harder. But then Lishka always likes a 
challange. And with Jubilee's action Lishka actually steps back. Damn. 
Light. But it's not bad enough to seriously hurt Lishka. At least the 
girl doesn't generate sunlight. Now that would stink. She stays calm as 
she says softly, "I will not send you home, because I can not. But, if 
you wish, you can refuse to play all you want." She pauses, and adds 
briefly, "Oh, I forgot to mention. There's a time limit on the gateway. 
These gateways between the worlds are very difficult to make, and I will 
only hold one open. They usually disipate after a week. If you refuse to 
play, then you stay here. Forever." And she wins anyway.

Everett still looks utterly confused and kist a tad frightened, but he's 
gathered enough of his thoughts to get an idea of the scene. Following 
suit with Jubilee and Terry his aura swirls into existance around him, 
rainbow light flickering about his form. My, more light... But not as 
bright as Jubilee's. "Why are you doing this...?" seems to be the only 
question he manages to get out, even though there are a million more 
buzzing around in his head.

Terry doesn't ask any more questions, "Tell th' TRUTH woman.." She 
screams launching a blast of sonic waves at Lishka.

Terry is ready to fight.. and suddenly all Jube can think of is.. what 
if they're wrong? What if they all get stuck here forever, or Ev gets 
trapped here, because she was too hard headed to believe this could 
really be gotten out of only one way..? "Terry! C'mon down.." she says 
as she powers down and one hand drifts back to take one of Ev's. 
"Alright lady, we'll play.. What do we do?"

	Simply put, when the sonic waves hit Lishka... she... fades 
slightly. Almost as if her skin was becoming unstable. The force of the 
waves passes through her, but she does flinch a little. Shesh. Who'd've 
thought that humans would change so much in a century? The Elders could 
have -warned- Lishka about powered humans. But as the girlfriend sees 
reason she gives a small nod, "Well, at least I see some of what Everett 
sees in you. Even if he -is- too good for you." Maybe mocking isn't the 
best idea? Then she glances towards Everett and gives a small shrug of 
her shoulders, "Alright, red-lass with a big mouth. There -is- another 
way back. If Everett agrees to stay of his own free will I will send the 
rest of you back, tonight." Like that's gonna happen. Hah.

Everett's aura slowly fades to nothingness as Jubilee gives the retreat 
order, and yet another string blush, his third of the night, graces his 
cheeks at the 'too good for you' comment. He is not! Yeesh, she only met 
him for ten, maybe fifteen minutes, how can she think so highly of him 
already? Ev takes a bit of a step forward towards Jubilee and gives her 
hand a quick squeeze, as if to proclaim the obvious fact that he's a 
taken man! At her offer, he frowns heavily. an eternity here for his 
friends freedom... And, when you get right down to it, that /is/ a 
sacrifice he would willingly make. If the situation were a bit more 
dire... I mean, how hard can it be to climb a tower? So naive. "I'm not 
staying here." He proclaims boldly. "But I'm not letting you hurt my 
friends."

Terry lowers herself, "N' none o' us stay.. we all came t'gether we all 
g' back t'gether..." She plants her feet down hard, her eyes gazing at 
Lishka so hard she could practically bore holes through the woman. The 
redhead glances to Everett with more than a little approval.

Jubilee glowers at the woman and gives Ev a little tug to her. He 
proclaimed silently he's a taken man - /she/ proclaimed just as silently 
that /she's/ the one who's taken him, so back off! "Just tell us how we 
play your stupid little game and where the hell the /elevator/ is!"

	A soft chuckle, not bothered at all by the joining of hands by the 
two love birds, and Lishka gestures towards the elevator. "Right over 
there, little girl. Right over there. And I swear -I- will not hurt 
them, Everett, on one condition." She raises a hand, as if about to make 
a final adjustment to the game. Don't you just love conditions? She sure 
does. "You have to agree to spend the time while your friends travel 
through the Tower at the top. Kind of an... insentive for them to get 
there quickly." Oh, and keywords there 'I'. Lishka can't hurt them 
really. Now her minions might be able to, and if they can't face their 
fears or desires they may get trapped, but -Lishka- won't hurt them.

Everett frowns as he listens, but the condition seems reasonable enough 
it it'll keep his friends from harms way. He looks down to Jubilee 
thoughtfully, straight into her eyes with an expression of determination 
to show he's made his decision. "Fine." He says, not looking up to 
Lishka just yet. "But you don't hurt /any/ of them."

Terry strides towards the elevator, "C'mon Jubes.. lets get this over 
wi' s' we ken get home.."

Jubilee blinks, first at Lishka, then at Ev, and as he gives his answer 
she nearly yells "No!! No way!" Ev is yanked behind her protectivly as 
she turns to /glare/ at Lishka. "No /way/! Ev comes with us or we'll 
stay here forever and make your freakin' eternity /miserable/!! No way 
I'm lettin' you dig your claws into /my/ boyfriend! You'll just get him 
up there and then attack him or abuse him or try to /seduce/ him and I 
ain't lettin' ya!"

	Gliding over towards Everett and Jubilee, Lishka moves without 
effort, as if walking is as easy as sitting down. She tilts her head at 
Jubilee's reaction and smiles faintly, eyes suddenly looking really... 
eagle-like, "You can not make his choice for him. He alone controls his 
destiny. If you mean to carry him along as a puppet, a play-thing, a toy 
which does your bidding, then pick someone more deserving of it. He 
chooses to go with me so that you all are safe. I respect that choice. 
You, obviously, do not respect his own decsions." Oh, yeah, there's 
distaste in the woman's voice. If ice could talk, it would sound like 
Lishka right then. Her golden colored eyes turn to Everett, "Now, 
Everett, give me your hand. I swear I will not touch them, and any 
bruises they have when they get to the top will not have been cause by 
me." She holds out a hand.

Everett peers up at Lishka with a glare almost equally as icy, and 
looking /very/ out of place on Ev. "You stay out of this." He turns back 
to Jubilee, moving to stand in front of her and looking into her eyes, 
hands gently glasped over her waist. "I'll be okay. If it means that you 
won't get hurt, I'll do it. And don't worry about her 'seducing' me..." 
He offers a bit of a reassuring smile. "I love you, Jubes." With that he 
leans in to give her a soft, lingering kiss before gently stepping away 
to go with Lishka.

Terry reaches her hand to Jubilee, "Come on Lee.. lets get this started 
an' y'll be back in his arms before y' na' it. An' then we ken wipe tha' 
expression off th' trollop's face..."

Jubilee's eyes start to tear up as she just /thinks/ of what she /knows/ 
this Ice Witch will do to Ev once she's got him alone.. "She said it 
herself. It doesn't mean we won't get hurt, just that /she/ won't hurt 
us!" Still, her pleas silence as he kisses her, and her arms wrap around 
him to return that kiss. When they are parted again, she holds him for a 
moment longer to say "I love ya too, Ev.. And we'll get ya outta this 
soon. I promise. And when have I ever let ya down, huh?"A weak smile 
crossed Jube's lips as she lets him go, and her eyes turn to /glare/ at 
Lishka. "You hurt him, I'll kill you." And she's dead serious, too. 
She'll find a way!! Finally, Jube reaches out to take Terry's hand, her 
other coming up to wipe away her own tears. "Lets go, Irish."

	No wipeing nessassary, Terry. Lishka's expression changes as soon 
as the kiss begins, almost as if she is ... well... not hurt. And not 
jealous. Maybe curious, but likely more... Knowing. Ah, well, it was 
only there for a moment and since everyone was pretty much focased on 
the couple likely no one noticed it. Once eyes return to her she looks 
the same again. Her hand is once again thrust towards Everett, waiting 
for him to take it. But, she makes no move to grab at him. Some might 
find that funny. She definatly makes no move to stop them from getting 
to the Elevator.