A Sad Case.

[Hannah]

I wonder if this guy might be of help.

[Cybermancer]

I suspect that their research may follow a different venue.

[Ronin]

Sandman bleeds.

[Doctor Boggs]

Beg pardon?

[Slayer]

Care to elaborate there Ronin?

[Ronin]

Care to elaborate there Ronin?

No, I do not care to.

But since the obvious seems to elude you, I shall endeavor to assist you in seeing it.

If I am reporting that the Sandman bleeds, some things should immediately become apparent.

1. I have encountered him.

2. I have wounded him.

3. I lived to report it.

4. I did not report his death, therefore he is still alive and at large.

If there were anything else worth reporting, I would have.

[skeptic]

Clearly, you cared to elaborate.

"Lighten up, Francis."

[Ron Caliburn]

Well Ronin there are other details worth repeating such as where you encountered him, how you made him bleed and how you survived the encounter would be good to know - incise some of us here need to emulate the feat. Also, how he escaped so we might be able to prevent it if we have the upper hand.

In short, if I happened to have a fight with him and you had not - what would you want to know in case you had a run-in.

[Ronin]

Well Ronin there are other details worth repeating such as where you encountered him, how you made him bleed and how you survived the encounter would be good to know - incise some of us here need to emulate the feat. Also, how he escaped so we might be able to prevent it if we have the upper hand.

In short, if I happened to have a fight with him and you had not - what would you want to know in case you had a run-in.

Very well Mr. Caliburn,

I encountered him in the bedroom of a houseguest, adjacent to my own. I made him bleed by cutting him with my sword. I survived by being a superior combatant and being able to pierce his illusions. He escaped by outrunning me.

I hope that helps you.

[Doctor Boggs]

That is pretty helpful Mr Ronin, thanks for that. Sounds as though your guest survived, so good job.

[Ronin]

That is pretty helpful Mr Ronin, thanks for that. Sounds as though your guest survived, so good job.

Had they not, or even had they been injured, it would have been a detail worth reporting.

[Doctor Boggs]

That is pretty helpful Mr Ronin, thanks for that. Sounds as though your guest survived, so good job.

Had they not, or even had they been injured, it would have been a detail worth reporting.

Well now aren't you just a charmer

[Ron Caliburn]

Not fully Ronin.

First, does your sword have any particular properties that make it different from others?

Second, you mentioned being a superior combatant - was there a particular stratagem or technique that you employed that he seemed vulnerable to or were you just too skilled for him?

Third, how did you pierce the illusions? Also, what sort of illusions did you face and how did the creature use them to try to defeat you?

Fourth, you make it sound as if he departed on foot, is this the case? How fast would you say it was? Did it use any particular evasive techniques as it ran or was it just pure speed?

In short, what should we know so that we may equal or better your feat?

[Slayer]

Thank you for the information Ronin, brief as it is. It is also good to hear your house guest is alright, this monster has claimed to many victims as it is.

[Natasha]

Wow. Talk about pointless posting that doesn't address anything remotely related to the raison d'être of the Lazlo Society. If you don't have anything to say, don't waste (y)our time by saying anything.

Well it's back to work I go.

[Cybermancer]

Wow. Talk about pointless posting that doesn't address anything remotely related to the raison d'être of the Lazlo Society. If you don't have anything to say, don't waste (y)our time by saying anything.

Well it's back to work I go.

Not sure what you're talking about here, Natasha. All the posts in this thread with the possible exception of skeptic's and yours, have all been relevant. Even the short ones. They may be frustrating but they have been relevant and have passed on information, if sparsely.

So if you could please not turn this thread into a flame war while information is still being related? I would just as soon not insult a potential new ally, even an abrupt one, so early in the game.

Thank you.

[Natasha]

I figured I'd be labeled the unreasonable one, but I thought I'd give it one last attempt because I'm bullheaded like that.

So long.

[Ronin]

For the benefit of those who are being reasonable, I shall share what information I deem appropriate and does not compromise my security.

First, does your sword have any particular properties that make it different from others?

My sword is a katana that has been passed down in my family for generations. It's edge has been well maintained by my ancestors and myself. There is no special quality to it that would affect a demon where another sword would not.

Second, you mentioned being a superior combatant - was there a particular stratagem or technique that you employed that he seemed vulnerable to or were you just too skilled for him?

For me, there was no special stratagem employed. Still, there are some notes I suppose I can relate. Illusion was it's first line of defense. After that, it attempted to overwhelm me with overpowering strength. When that failed, it attempted to endure my onslaught. When that failed, it fled.

Third, how did you pierce the illusions? Also, what sort of illusions did you face and how did the creature use them to try to defeat you?

How I pierced it's illusions I am not prepared to discuss. Nor can I easily instruct others in the technique. You will have to find your own ways. I can say that it's illusions were sufficient to defeat the traditional five senses.

Fourth, you make it sound as if he departed on foot, is this the case? How fast would you say it was? Did it use any particular evasive techniques as it ran or was it just pure speed?

To be precise, it jumped through a window, to my wife's annoyance. Then it fled on foot, going around a corner where I then lost track of it.

My advice for defeating this creature is to use excessive physical force directed by those who can find ways around it's illusions. It is a coward so finding some means to prevent it's retreat is likely a requirement. If it is able to flee through the dreams of others, this may be complicated unless it can be drawn into a trap.

Expect it to anticipate this tactic now.

Good luck.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

Ya know, Wie can see in dreams, so maybe something similar could help her.

It was a nice thought Hannah, but sadly, no, it wouldn’t help. Firstly, because her eyes seemed to have been plucked out; mine were burned. Secondly, the loss of my eyes was only a portion of the price . . . “required” for the return of my humanity. It’s not a price I would care to rescind.

This . . . creature. I’ve met others of its kind before. It’s not unique, but it is rather diabolical. At least, if it’s what I think it is.

By the way, Cyber, if there is anything I can do to help, just ask and I’ll do what I can.

[Cybermancer]

It was a nice thought Hannah, but sadly, no, it wouldn’t help. Firstly, because her eyes seemed to have been plucked out; mine were burned. Secondly, the loss of my eyes was only a portion of the price . . . “required” for the return of my humanity. It’s not a price I would care to rescind.

This . . . creature. I’ve met others of its kind before. It’s not unique, but it is rather diabolical. At least, if it’s what I think it is.

By the way, Cyber, if there is anything I can do to help, just ask and I’ll do what I can.

You are correct, Miss Solstice, this creature is not unique in that it part of a larger species of demon. It may be unique in other ways however although I have not discovered anything odd about this particular individual.

Your help is of course welcome. I confess that this sort of endeavor is somewhat beyond my usual area of expertise.

In particular, and most immediately, while Clara has regained her vision, she is less perceptive in other areas now. It is quite beyond my ability to assist her in this regard.

[Eilonwy Solstice]

Besides losing her potential for psychic usage, has she lost any other senses like hearing or touch? Perhaps her body is “compensating” for the near loss in various ways.

[Cybermancer]

Physically her senses are in line with what they should be. It's hard to tell how they compare to how they were as the data is incomplete.

She has had nightmares since but they've been monitored. They appear to be what one would expect from such a tramautic episode. Her physical recovery progresses at a natural rate. She's even gone back to school.

Sadly, her teacher reports that she doesn't seem as interested or as inspired in her art.

[Shang Li]

Do not discount your blade so quickly, Mr. Ronin. If it is old enough to have been quenched in human blood and sanctified by a priest during it's creation, in the ways such blades were crafted before we men turned from the ways of the kami, it may harbor a trace of powers long sice departed from this world.

Would I be correct Mr. Ronin, in assuming that certain training and the talents that come with such training were passed down along with the blade?

[Ronin]

Do not discount your blade so quickly, Mr. Ronin. If it is old enough to have been quenched in human blood and sanctified by a priest during it's creation, in the ways such blades were crafted before we men turned from the ways of the kami, it may harbor a trace of powers long sice departed from this world.

Would I be correct Mr. Ronin, in assuming that certain training and the talents that come with such training were passed down along with the blade?

Shang Li,

Please do not think that I am being disrespectful but I have not discounted my blade at all. I have related that it has no special ability to harm demons and I know this to be fact.

As for your assumption, that is exactly the sort of information I do not wish to relate publicly or to strangers. PM me the next time you find yourself in Japan and we can arrange a meeting. My wife's cooking is not to be missed. And once we are no longer strangers, than perhaps I can relate the information you desire.

[Shang Li]

I am very honored by your invitation. When I am able to do so, I will come.

Nakanunara, nakumadematou, hototogisu

[Eilonwy Solstice]

If it’s at all possible, Cyber, do you think you could arrange a meeting with Clara and her parents? I’d like to talk to them and her, if it’s agreeable. If they want my “worldly” references, I’d be glad to give them.

[Ronin]

I am very honored by your invitation. When I am able to do so, I will come.

Nakanunara, nakumadematou, hototogisu

I look forward to meeting you. Though you should know, my singing is not something worth hearing.