When Akane had her impromptu haircut way back then, courtesy of one of Ryoga's bandanas, Kasumi had been shocked at the sight. The eldest Tendo daughter would always take everything in stride, except for things which directly affected her family. Obviously, seeing her sister Nabiki turned into a drow qualified.
Kasumi froze and stared. She couldn't even utter one of her trademark "Oh my!"
Sanri and Unri, understandably alarmed by her reaction, turned to face the probable new menace then joined the staring contest. Fortunately for Nabiki, she was wearing local clothes and still resembled her old human self, saving her from an immediate attack. The two former slaves weren't eager for a confrontation with a priestess of Lolth but knew that sooner or later, that situation would come.
Soun and Genma paused in the middle of their Shogi game "Nabiki?" "Growf!?"
The drow paladin answered "Yes, it is me"
Soun's reaction was predictable. The Tendo patriarch sniffled and launched himself in one of his patented wails of despair "WAAAAHHH! My daughter's been turned into a monster! WWAAAAHHH!!!"
[It must be these girls' fault! We must get rid of them at once and get Nabiki to an exorcist!] said Genma-panda's sign. And good riddance! With these obstacles out of the way, they could return to arranging the union of the schools.
"Nabiki? How? What... What happened to you?" Kasumi's voice was actually trembling.
Judging the situation to be serious, Sanri immediately cast her last Comprehend Languages of the day "We would like to know how this happened"
Nabiki sat, ignoring the antics of the two fathers, and started talking "Very well... I must say that my... change, for lack of better words, is entirely my fault. Curiousity killed the cat and all that..."
Sanri interrupted "I am not familiar with the expression though it sounds like the old 'Too much curiousity lead you to the Spider's web' saying. Go on..."
"I was rummaging through your belongings when I found this book..."
"Nabiki!" Kasumi was upset. She knew her sister tended to borrow things without telling "It isn't nice! You should have asked their permission first!"
Nabiki smiled. Her sister didn't even entertain the idea she was, in fact, stealing. Bless her generous heart "I know. I consider this to be my punishment" Or maybe not... She now had the power to make a difference, thanks to the cards she drew "I found this deck of cards..."
"Hold on... Cards did this?" asked Unri. Soun and Genma perked up as well and leaned closer.
"Yes, Tarot cards, to be precise. The symbols differ but it's similar to the cards some use for divination here"
The two drows chatted in drow sign language for a moment then Sanri snapped her fingers in realization "A Deck of Many Things, it's the only possibility. A classical Deck of Illusion wouldn't have this kind of effect"
"Oh my, what is this Deck of Many Things, Sanri-san?"
"A minor but still potent artefact. Each card has a specific power who activates when you draw them. It can be positive, like treasure appearing out of thin air..." *ZOOOM!!!* That was the sound of two martial artist fathers running for the dark elves' room "...Or very dangerous. Cards ARE a game of chance, after all"
*****
"This is our chance, Saotome! All we have to do is finding the 'Lovers' card and use its magic to push our rebellious children together!"
"Growf!" [I wouldn't mind some money as well. Do you think we could get food and alcohol too?]
"I don't know. Where could it be?" Soun and Genma were emptying the drow girls' bags on the floor and rummaging through all the resulting jumble "AHA! This must be the book Nabiki was speaking of!" declared Soun, holding Matron Redwidow's sinister-looking grimoire.
The fathers laughed and posed victoriously "It's Soun's..."
"Growf... Grumpf..." Genma realized that it would have been better to turn back to human first. Panda-speak lacked the necessary dignity to pull this off.
"...Operation: Love Card!!!" Then they opened the spellbook.
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(Posted Mon, 29 Sep 2003 22:20)
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