EntQuest, the Battle for Hector.

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

A pall had fallen over the Teacup. Conversation was muted, and people who entered immediately headed towards the fire, and familier faces. Drinks were ordered quietly, and even Sis's baked goods looked a little forlorn on their perch near the kitchen.

Everyone was oppressed by Hector's coming doom.

As usual, Mari spoke first. "I can't stand it," she said. "We can't just leave Hector to turn to stone. It's not right! He's the President, lame duck or not."

Nautipus looked up from where he was jotting suggestions of possible additions to Brutus's food. "What do you expect us to do, Mari?" He asked, reasonably. "We have no idea how to break such a spell."

Sane glanced over from her nest near the fire. She would not speak, not yet. Let them consider the magnitude of the undertaking, first.

[Mari]

"Well..." Mari said, "The evil dwarf, henchman of the Queen who spelled Hector in the first place, did mention an antidote. He said Qwuetzeplam could be used to stop Hector from turning into stone. And then there's the shortcut off course, but I really really really don't like that one."

[Nautipus]

"Qwuetzaplam..." muttered Nautipus, "Where could we get that? And why's it sound so familiar...."

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Sis, entering with a basket of early greens from the garden, overheard the last exchange. "You must be joking!" she exclaimed. Do you have any idea how hard it would be to get that? Let alone all the neutralizing factors you have to use with it. There must be a better way!"

[Mari]

Mari turned slightly pink as she explained that she didn't really know what Qwuetzeplam was. "But I am certain that that is what the evil dwarf said! Do you have a better idea? I'm open to everything as long as it ensures that I don't have to administer the shortcut antidote anymore."

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Originally Posted by Mari

Mari turned slightly pink as she explained that she didn't really know what Qwuetzeplam was. "But I am certain that that is what the evil dwarf said! Do you have a better idea? I'm open to everything as long as it ensures that I don't have to administer the shortcut antidote anymore."

Sis winced, in sympathy. "Well, that's understandable."

[hectorberlioz]

Meanwhile, Hector, in stonified form, watches the other folks discussing his fate. His muffled cries are barely audible. "Mmmf mm fmm!"

[Nautipus]

"Really, Hector. Yelling will not speed along the process one little bit. Lemme get that pigeon off of you..."

[Mari]

Mari looks at the stonified Hector and then looks around if anyone else noticed that he had stonified again. Hmm, no one except for Nautipus seems to have noticed. I guess I can get away with postponing the administration of the antidote. But that would be mean towards Hector.. Oh well, those few minutes more won't hurt him. And with that she turned her head back to the people discussing what had to be done.

[hectorberlioz]

The Stonified Hector begins to tip, nearly falling to the floor, but caught at the last minute by a hammock that was strung up behind him.

[Nautipus]

Nautipus lets out a sigh of relief. "whew. That was close. Perhaps someone should stand next to him, or maybe we could prop him up. Or, we could just lay him on the ground."

[Mari]

"Fine fine! I get it allready!" Upset Mari jumps up and walks towards the statue to kiss it in an annoyed fashion.

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Fortunately, annoyed kissing works, too.

"Maybe this ought to be the quest to rescue Mari" Sis points out.

[Nautipus]

"Verily", states Nautipus with a smile, "But Hector is getting the blunt end of the deal, here. We should probably try and find a way to keep it from happening again. Two birds with one stone."

[Mari]

"Blunt end of the deal?" Mari interjects."Blunt end of the deal?! I'm having to kiss stone here! Yuck! Thank you Sis, for acknowledging my dire situation. Can I please have one of your bakings to get rid of this stoney aftertaste?" Sis hands her a yummy looking pastry and Mari turns to Hector while taking a bite. "Do you remember anything that might help us?"

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

"Was that "one stone" thing intended as a pun, Naughty-Puss? Don't make me cut off your supply of sweets." Sis stared at him suspiciously.

[hectorberlioz]

After being un-stonified by the incredible, but short-lived antidote, Hector ponders the worth of being turned into stone and back again.

[Mari]

"Hector, did you hear what I asked?" Mari tries to attract his attention by waving a hand in front of his face and when he doesn't respond immediately, she askes worried . "Are you okay? Or are you still feeling a bit stoney perhaps?"

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

"Stop that, Hector" Sis says, reading hector's none-too subtle expression. "If I find out you're prolonging this situation just to take advantage of Mari, you'll be a permament lawn gnome in a heartbeat, trust me." She glares warningly.

"I meant PERMANENT!" she says. "Look what happens to me when I get agitated, hector." She stalks off to the kitchen with her salad makings.

[hectorberlioz]

Hector then realizes a hand waving in front of his face, and sees Mari in front of him. "What's that, again?"