<Calica> Alright. So David's kicker is that one of his older brothers just died; what do you want to do next?
<Myrdradek> Well I was thinking I was trying to figure out a scheme to get money and retrieve my family's prestige and any family heirlooms we might have pawned off
<Myrdradek> Because I can feel the family dying around me
<Myrdradek> First act with new money will be to give his brother a proper funeral of course
<Calica> Did you have any specific ideas for a scheme or
<Calica> Actually, I have a short scene I'd like to frame first, and you can work off of it.
<Myrdradek> Sure
<Calica> It's early morning, and David has been, bizarrely enough, called into the police station after his brother's death.
<Myrdradek> I go, and tell Naberius to come along and stay outside looking inconspicuous
<Calica> At the entrance to the police station, David is greeted by an Asian lady with some poorly concealed bruising on her cheek.
<Myrdradek> "Hello" David says, tentatively. "I don't believe we've met"
<Calica> "I'm Officer Karen Takahara, we spoke on the phone. There's some stuff we saw at the scene of your brother's murder that we, honestly, don't know how to make heads or tails of, and we heard you had an interest in the family history..."
<Myrdradek> "Thank you Officer, that's very helpful of you." David pauses for a second and adds "Thanks for not getting my mother involved in this. She's not well, like I said and is taking this hard as it is"
<Calica> "Of course. We don't want to take up too much of your time, either, so follow me."
<Myrdradek> I go right ahead, casting a glance back at Naberius as I walk into the building
<Calica> Karen leads David into one of the police evidence locker rooms, and opens a locker.
<Myrdradek> (Not sure if I'm supposed to respond, but I'm just following her and watching this happen)
<Calica> Inside the locker are several old-looking books, two vials, one of a strange bright, almost glowing, blue liquid and one that frankly seems to be blood, and a few assorted knives and candles.
<Myrdradek> David looks visibly shaken "These were all found in his room?" almost sure of what the answer will be even as he asks it
<Calica> Karen silently nods, and pulls out a vial. "This is what killed your brother. It's a mix of a bunch of hallucinogens and stimulants, as well as some stuff we have yet to complete a full analysis of. He took so much it shorted out his brain."
<Myrdradek> David makes a mental note to check his books for any recipes that include something like this and says "And the other vial? Is it blood? Is it his blood?"
<Calica> "Pig. Seems he thought he was doing some sort of fucked-up ritual."
<Myrdradek> "Christ" David says. "What about the books?"
<Calica> "We can't make heads or tails of them. Our forensics guys think they're some kind of code, but unless we ship them off to the NSA, we can't exactly crack it."
<Myrdradek> "Is there any possibility I could have a look at them?" Hoping that this adds to his case, David adds "My family has a lot of old books. They might be our property"
<Calica> "We were hoping you could do so, honestly."
<Calica> All but two of the books are fake. Not real. Won't so much as a puff of smoke of a demon.
<Myrdradek> Oh, did I already get a look at them?
<Calica> The two that aren't? University History Library, John Melmoth Collection.
<Calica> Myrdradek: Nah, I'm just skipping ahead to you looking through them.
<Myrdradek> That's what I meant
<Myrdradek> Did I take them back to my place, or did I have to look at them in the police station and give them back?
<Calica> This is just from a brief look at each book at the police station
<Calica> They're obvious fakes, to anyone with a lick of real sorcerous knowledge.
<Myrdradek> Okay.
<Myrdradek> Let me think
<Myrdradek> I can't keep the two real ones right? The police consider it evidence
<Calica> well we already know Officer Takahara here isn't averse to letting go of evidence...
<Calica> you might be able to persuade her
<Myrdradek> Okay. "Is there any way I could keep these two volumes? I think they might be from my family's own collection"
<Calica> "How long would you need to do that?"
<Myrdradek> "Maybe a few days? We're busy with the funeral preparations over the next few days, so it'll take a bit for me to look through them in my free time" David lies
<Calica> "They're evidence, but the forensics guys really don't consider wacky cult stuff to be a priority, so I think I can swing that. Get them back to me within a week and I won't have to hurt you."
<Myrdradek> "Good." David pauses. "Anything else I should know? I had no idea my brother was involved in something like this, and it's all a huge shock"
<Calica> "One thing, but off the record, and don't tell anyone I told you this. You know the real estate developer, Peter Phipps?"
<Myrdradek> "I've heard the name. What of him?"
<Calica> "He's called the police about your brother's case for some reason. I don't know what this city's richest asshole wants with your brother, but it can't be good."
<Myrdradek> "Thank you. I'll let you know if I think of anything relevant to the case, and I'll certainly get these books back to you" David goes to leave
<Calica> Alright. Next move? I think you were wanting to set up some plan to get money?
<Myrdradek> Yeah. I'm thinking maybe I could investigate Phipps, because he's got a lot of money and is somehow involved. Which leads me to a question about Naberius's powers
<Calica> go ahead
<Myrdradek> Okay, so iirc, he can grow big, he can command rodents, I have a psychic link to him, and he has super-hearing right?
<Calica> yeah
<Myrdradek> So with the commanding rodents thing, is it like a psychic puppet thing, or can he just issue them orders and they have to fill them out as best as their rodent minds can manage
<Myrdradek> Also can he see through their eyes?
<Calica> I'd say it's like a psychic puppetry thing.
<Calica> albeit not a 100% reliable one
<Myrdradek> Okay
<Myrdradek> Because if he can my first idea was "find out where Phipps works, send mice in as spies and see what they can find or see"
<Myrdradek> The other idea was "Hang out near enough to the building that Naberius's hearing kicks in, and listen to conversations until we find something worth working off of"
<Calica> I can do that.
<Calica> So, the Phipps Tower is on Google Maps; that step's super easy.
<Calica> You're right outside the tower; tell Naberius what you want.
<Myrdradek> Got it. "Naberius, can you listen for Phipps while you send out some mice? to search around?" While I say this, I'm searching my phone for a youtube clip of Phipps's voice so Naberius knows what it sounds like
<CentralAve> (truck)
<Myrdradek> I mean, surely he's given a TED talk or college commencement speech of some kind
<Calica> "I think I can do that, though mice aren't exactly well known for their hearing."
<Calica> @dice roll 5d20 >! Naberius' will
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 6 10 12 14 14 = 56.
<Calica> @dice roll 3d20 >! mice's will
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 3 6 11 = 20.
<Myrdradek> as it turns out, Mice do not have a strong will
<Icon> Heheh.
<Calica> Almost a dozen mice scurry furiously into the Phipps Tower, searching for the tycoon's voice.
<Myrdradek> While they look, I go to a nearby bench, sit down, and read a book I bought so I don't look too suspicious
<Calica> While they make their search through its many floors, Peter happens to be in the top floor, explaining some of his secrets to his new special assistant.
<Calica> (now we have to wait for Centie)
<Myrdradek> 'kay
<CentralAve> back now
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<Calica> "Impressive work with Tokio Rose last night! Brilliant, even!"
<CentralAve> "Why, uh, thanks, sir..."
<Myrdradek> Should I assume that Naberius lead me into an alley after he heard the voice, and is now telling me what he hears through the mouse's ears?
<Calica> Myrdradek: yeah, though he hasn't found Phipps yet. I'm going to do some dramatic etc I think
<Myrdradek> Oh, okay
<Myrdradek> This is a scene transition while the mice search
<Calica> yeah
<Myrdradek> I actually need to grab something that'll take me about five minutes, so be back then
<Calica> okay, cool
<Calica> "You've shown me that you can be trusted and that you won't blab to the police."
<CentralAve> "Of course, sir!"
<Calica> "So I figure I can tell you the truth.
<Calica> "Do you know why the President let the Ambassador die in Benghazi?"
<CentralAve> "I have...my suspicions..." Helena didn't mention that she'd written at least 6 blog posts on the subject.
<BGTB2005> to boost tin foil sales?
<Calica> "It was a sacrifice! The Illuminati were trying to bring up another demon!"
<CentralAve> "D-demons, you say?" Suddenly Helena is listening intently.
<Calica> "The Illuminati use demons to control the populace. I figure the only way to defeat them is to fight fire with fire, but I have yet to reach one."
<CentralAve> Helena has...several questions, but she lets Phipps continue.
<Calica> The rats scurry up the pipes, and are now peering out the air vents.
<Calica> "Your job, Ms. George, and the job of Mr. Brooks before you, is to do whatever I need to help me summon one of these guys."
<Myrdradek> Back
<Calica> CentralAve: Roll Lore.
<CentralAve> @dice roll 4d20
<Omnipresence> CentralAve: Rolled 4 4 10 15 = 33.
<Calica> @dice roll 1d20
<Omnipresence> Calica: Rolled 6 = 6.
<Calica> Helena notices a rat, strangely fixated on the conversation, in the air vent.
<Myrdradek> Fuck
<Myrdradek> David is in the alley, and has written down the names "Mrs George" and "Mr. Brooks" on a notepad
<Myrdradek> He has a phone, but he brought a notepad anyway, because that's the kind of person David is
<Calica> CentralAve: Are you going to react to the rat?
<CentralAve> Helena keeps a watch on the rat out of the corner of her eye. She can tell something's not quite right, but she doesn't want to alert Phipps quite yet...
<Myrdradek> A nitpick, but I actually said mice not rats, because I thought they'd be smaller and less conspicuous
<Myrdradek> This doesn't change anything, maybe rats were easier to find
<Calica> oops, yeah, then s/mouse/rat/ in everything I said
<Calica> er, s/rat/mouse/
<Calica> either way, they make noise in the air vents and Helena notices them while Peter is too fixated on the sound of his own voice
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<Myrdradek> "Try to make them do normal... mouse... things!" David tells Naberius as he begins worrying
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<Calica> "They'll just hear a noise in the air vents, it won't be conspicuous." Naberius pays it no mind.
<Myrdradek> David calms down. After all, what are the chances either of them would notice?
<CentralAve> Helena has an idea.
<Calica> Phipps, however, is still focused on his monologue. "The latest source I want to look at is something I've heard from an organized crime ring. There's one of them that seemed to park here recently."
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<CentralAve> "That's interesting..." Helena points to the computer on Phipp's desk. "Say, did you get a new *mouse* since the last time I was here?"
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<Calica> "They almost act like a cult, really. You have to cut yourself if you break the rules. But their escapades are always matched with tales of some really horrifying things that make no sense."
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<Calica> "And...a mouse? No, why would you ask that?"
<Calica> Peter finally looks around and notices the air vent. "Surprising that the Illuminati would use a mouse, and not a rat, like the rats they are."
<Calica> (sorry, Yarrun and Icon, for taking so long to get to your cliffhanger, btw)
<Myrdradek> "Don't send it away." David says to Naberius. "That'll just make it look more suspicious" He begins to panic a little
<Myrdradek> Although I would like to move on soon, because the bonfire just started
<Icon> ("some really horrifying things", huh.)
<Calica> "They've noticed. Peter Phipps and his assistant."
<Calica> "The assistant, she seems to be the more perceptive one."
<Icon> (lol.)
<CentralAve> Helena's first thought is to send Ampere after the mouse, but she realizes she can't reveal Ampere to Phipps *or* the would-be spy just yet...
<Myrdradek> "Is she a sorcer? Can you tell? Is she a demon, even?"
<Calica> Ampere whispers to Helena. "Get close to the mouse. I can find its master, roughly, if you get me close."
<Myrdradek> "Naberius can you cut them lose from our control? I think it's time to get out of here"
<CentralAve> "Act natural," Helena whispers to Phipps. She slowly inches toward the air vent, hoping not to frighten the mouse away.
<Calica> CentralAve: roll Stamina
<CentralAve> +roll 2d20
<CentralAve> oh right
<CentralAve> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> CentralAve: Rolled 6 7 = 13.
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<Calica> @dice roll 5d20
<Omnipresence> Calica: Rolled 3 8 12 13 14 = 50.
<Calica> (Naberius's Will)
<Calica> The mice manage to retreat before Ampere's taser can reach it.
<CentralAve> "Dammit! Where does that vent lead?"
<Myrdradek> I'm going to start getting out of there as fast as I can without attracting suspicion
<Myrdradek> Also my family wants me to come to the bonfire
<Myrdradek> I'll check back in a while I guess
<Calica> "To most of the building, as well as to that alley." Phipps points.
<Calica> Helena can see a figure in the alley but not clear enough to make out any details.
<Calica> CentralAve, Myrdradek: Roll Stamina.
<CentralAve> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> CentralAve: Rolled 9 10 = 19.
<Myrdradek> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> Myrdradek: Rolled 11 18 = 29.
<Calica> Total Victory for David.
<Calica> He wings it the fuck out of there.
<Myrdradek> Got it
<Myrdradek> See you guys in half an hour or so
<Icon> (I wonder what it will be like when the two most unstable characters meet...)
<Calica> Icon, Yarrun: wake up
<CentralAve> (I guess we're leaving this bit on a cliffhanger so Myrdradek can go do other stuff?)
<Yarrun> I never sleep
<Calica> CentralAve: I was planning on leaving it as a cliffhanger when either that happened or you two actually met up
<CentralAve> Fine by me. Gives me a chance to go use the restroom. :P
<CentralAve> so, uh, brb
<Calica> When we last left off, Christa had just--by chance--ran into Zachary, who is totally the thief she was looking for, and Gloria, the leader of the Black Mass Coven, who she's vaguely familiar with.
<Calica> It's about 9 in the morning, and the quad is sparse but active.
<Yarrun> Can I roll to see if I can spot Christa's tell?
<Icon> (Wait, I thought Gloria was familiar with Zachary?)
<Icon> Yarrun: :?
<Calica> (Gloria's very familiar with Zachary, and has met Christa at least once.
<Calica> Icon: the eyes
<Icon> (Aah.)
<Calica> Yarrun: yeah. Roll Lore.
<Icon> Right right.
<Calica> Icon: Roll Cover
<Yarrun> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> Yarrun: Rolled 3 19 = 22.
<Icon> @dice roll 3d20
<Omnipresence> Icon: Rolled 9 12 12 = 33.
<Calica> Zachary notices the strange fact that Christa is wearing colored contact lenses the same color as her irises.
<Calica> Well, the same color except for the blood-red lines seeming to go through them, visible at the edges.
<Yarrun> Another sorcerer? A real one?
<Icon> Should I roll for scanning the area to find Zachary?
<CentralAve> (back)
<Calica> Icon: You've already seen Zachary, but you can do the same roll to check his tell
<Icon> Yeah, that's what I meant
<Yarrun> Zachary looks around. Just enough witnesses to be worrying to a sorcerer.
<Calica> Christa, on the other hand, doesn't notice Zach's fingertips.
<Icon> Consarnit and a half.
<Yarrun> "Friend of yours, Gloria" Zach whispers, trying to ignore his shock
<Calica> "You're the distributor, aren't you?" Gloria vaguely recognizes Christa as the bookstore manager who deals in demonic books from the back.
<Icon> Christa stalks the area around them as inconspicuously as she could, attempting to sniff out the thief.
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<Calica> Icon: nonono, you ran into him
<Calica> you, Gloria, and Zachary are face to face
<Icon> My misreading. >_<
<Icon> Christa eyes Zachary. Something about him strikes her as off, but she can't figure out why.
<Calica> also Gloria directly asked you a question
<Calica> it's rude to blow people off, Leesh ;)
<Icon> I am dense sry
<Icon> She puts on a light smile. "Why, yes. Is there something you need?" She responds in her most professional voice, though only so well. Her mind is clearly elsewhere.
<Calica> "Right now, we're worried about a thief. He's pulled off a number of sorcerous heists."
<Yarrun> Zachary glares at Gloria impulsively before regaining his composure.
<Yarrun> "It's nothing to worry about, really."
<Icon> Her eyes narrow. "Really? I hadn't heard of this yet. Please, I'm curious."
<Icon> The facade builds as she steadies herself. "It only makes sense that a distributor such as myself learn what's wrong."
<Calica> "He's pulled from the local covens, practically in order of size. We think his next target is going to be the cache at the University. You know, the one that's almost impossible to get into if you're not affiliated?"
<Calica> "Actually, I'm surprised he hasn't taken from your bookstore's hidden section yet."
<Icon> There's a pause, as Christa restrains the secondhand insult enough to respond. "I'd say I am too."
<Yarrun> (I just realized, I forgot to add the -1 from Zach's price)
<Yarrun> (>_<)
<Calica> Yarrun: you could argue whether that's a social interaction, but fair enough
<Yarrun> (social interaction?)
<Calica> oh, and arguably I should have done a -1 for Myrdradek's last roll since he has reason to think he's in danger
<Calica> Yarrun: wait, got your price mixed up with helena's
<Yarrun> "Likewise. You seem like the kind of person who would have...quality merchandise, Miss..."
<Yarrun> "Heh, haven't introduced ourselves, have we? I'm Bertrand Smith."
<Calica> Gloria chuckles a bit.
<Icon> Christa is, for reasons she still can't discern, leery of him. What a standard, formal. name. "Hello, Smith. First time I've heard your name around here."
<Calica> "He's, uh, not a local."
<Calica> Ruo whispers to Christa. "Find a way to trap the thief so that he won't escape undamaged and unbleeding."
<Yarrun> "Traveling salesman, of varying goods. Might have to ask about whether I can sell your stuff; I've done my fair share of book selling in my time."
<Icon> Christa's eyes widen, though she quickly disguises it as surprise. "Why yes, foreigners that stay around are quite rare."
<Icon> "So he's the bastard, Ruo!? Is that it!" she screams internally, hiding her gritted teeth under a smile.
<Calica> "He looks it right now, yes."
<Icon> Her smile tightens. "Ah. I see."
<Icon> (So, either A: Let him go now and attack him alone; or B: Attack him now, is as I see it tbh.)
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<Calica> (you can try to take it to a more favorable location, etc.)
<Icon> "So, Smith, what do you sell exactly?"
<Icon> (I'm also curious what Gloria thinks.)
<Yarrun> "Oh, man, what haven't I sold at some point. Pez dispensers, novelty knives, 'baking powder', shrunken heads..."
<Calica> Gloria doesn't know what Zachary's doing but isn't going to sell him out
<Icon> (By which you mean his being a con man, or something I'm not getting?)
<Calica> the con man thing, yeah
<Calica> so she's staying mostly quiet
<Icon> (Does Zachary, like, carry a suitcase around or something?)
<Yarrun> (He usually sells stuff out of the back of his car)
<Yarrun> (He also sometimes uses a trenchcoat, but he's not wearing that right now)
<Icon> (I was guessing as much, hence my asking. I'll just go with what I had then.)
<IllFlower> Like illicitly obtained human organs? Just a random guess.
<Yarrun> (nah, too difficult to store while traveling)
<Icon> "Well, may I look at your wares?"
<Yarrun> "Perhaps another time. The university library isn't going to investigate itself."
<Icon> "Then perhaps later tonight; any book thief shouldn't escape the eyes of a distributor, don't you agree?"
<Icon> (I.e., well then let's go together or whatever.)
<Yarrun> "...true."
<Yarrun> "(Felix, do you have a read on her? Because that's a suspicious line)"
<Calica> Felix whispers. "She seems like she's trying to stay close to you for some reason."
<Icon> "(Ruo. You are not letting him so much as crawl away until he returns what he stole.)"
<Calica> "Get me somewhere he won't escape. I need blood. If not his, yours."
<Yarrun> "(Okay. So she's respecting the "no sorcery in public" rule. Let's see if we can use that.)
<Icon> She chuckles. "Well?"
<Yarrun> "By the way, your contacts are very striking."
<Yarrun> "Must have taken some work to find some that match your eyes perfectly"
<Icon> She blinks, and pushes them up. "They are getting rather worn down." Her pulse quickens as she notices her cover being whittled away, blood boiling upon hearing about her eyes.
<Icon> "How nice of you."
<Icon> "Yes, I do have... some sense of fashion, at least." Eyes scanning his rough appearance.
<Myrdradek> I'm back
<Icon> (Hey.)
<Calica> Icon, Yarrun: both of you roll Lore
<Icon> @dice roll 5d20
<Omnipresence> Icon: Rolled 14 15 16 20 20 = 85.
<Calica> @dice roll 1d20 >! Felix
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 16 = 16.
<Yarrun> @dice roll 1d20
<Omnipresence> Yarrun: Rolled 9 = 9.
<Calica> Christa is close up enough to notice a blinking on Zachary's watch. Odd.
<Calica> Yarrun: roll another d20
<Calica> @dice roll 1d20 >! Ruo
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 7 = 7.
<Yarrun> @dice roll 1d20
<Omnipresence> Yarrun: Rolled 20 = 20.
<Calica> doesn't matter but lol
<Icon> (@_@)
<Calica> Zachary, conversely, notices something moving in Christa's shadow.
<Yarrun> "I mean, a lot of peole can't 'Summon' up the energy to do something differently with how they look, but it's clear that you've Banished any shame"
<Yarrun> "Really Binding yourself to a unique style."
<Icon> (So who comes out on top? That was a lot of rolls and then you said one doesn't matter. Confuse.)
<Calica> it was each of your Lores against one die
<Calica> to discover the demon
<BGTB2005> I think it was Yarrun's second die that didn't matter?
<BGTB2005> ??
<Yarrun> (I was only rolling the one die because of the Paranoid Price)
<Icon> "It's a gift, really. Much like that lovely watch you have on. I mean, I haven't seen anything so nice in a good while!)
<Icon> "*
<Calica> Yarrun: oh, right >_<
<Calica> Yarrun: still doesn't matter, lol
<Icon> (I'm just asking 'cause I got two 20s. :v)
<Calica> you both rolled well enough to discover the demon so
<Yarrun> "Oh, this old thing? Picked it up on an early job. Just keep it around for nostalgia's sake."
<Calica> "You two seem awfully agressive pointing these things out to each other."
<Icon> "Ah, sentimentality. I know that well." She says with a genuine smile, not that someone like him would know.
<Yarrun> Zachary grins. He was in full-on gambling mode.
<Yarrun> "Ah, Gloria, sometimes it's best that we get everything into the light. Dangerous things can hide in shadows, after all."
<Icon> "Ah, are we? I must admit, being rather behind the times, and then hearing about the thief... it gets to me, you know?"
<Yarrun> "Blasted thief, am I right?"
<Icon> "Why yes, yes indeed."
<Yarrun> He shrugs with a carefree spirit.
<Calica> "We should probably head to the university and fill out the forms to get access to the library to etcetera, and then maybe you can show Christa here your wares. She was interested."
<Yarrun> "Ah, right, good point."
<Yarrun> "Pleasure to meet you, miss Christa"
<Icon> Christa nods gently, in turn with his relaxed nature.
<Icon> "Likewise." She says, quickly shaking his hand.
<Calica> does anyone want to RP anything more up to moving to wherever the wares are?
<Yarrun> I'm good
<Yarrun> ...wait, what about the forms?
<Myrdradek> Just reminding you that I'm here if you suddenly need me for something
<Calica> we can skip that unless you want to RP breaking in or something
<Icon> (Nah?)
<Yarrun> (Nah)
<Calica> FFWD>>
<Calica> The three of them are now by the edge of Zachary's car in a back alley.
<Yarrun> "Alright, now let me just pop the trunk..."
<Yarrun> Zachary opens the trunk, reaches inside and pulls a tarp away
<Icon> "Hm, you have business, Gloria?"
<Calica> "It's not safe to be alone these days for someone like us. There are some especially dangerous people to have come into the city recently."
<Yarrun> Inside the trunk are a bunch of harlequin novels, a few sets of pool balls, and a couple of lewd mugs marked as being from Missouri
<Yarrun> Some more stuff can be seen way in the back
<Yarrun> But not clearly
<Calica> also since both of you want to fight, i'll let you whisper to your demons about strategy if you want
<Icon> (Is Gloria intervening?)
<Calica> (you'll see)
<Yarrun> (well, not necessarily fight, but)
<Yarrun> (well, you'll see)
<Icon> (Psh.)
ยป BGTB2005prepares popcorn
<Yarrun> "Would you like to take a look, Christa?"
<Yarrun> "There should be some gargoyle figurines in the back. Might be good for your shop."
<Icon> Christa, initially energetic looking, slowly grimaces once she looks from the mugs to the rest of his merchandise. "I... see. A very interesting collection you have here."
<Yarrun> "Yeah, haven't resupplied in a while, so I'm down to the odds and ends."
<Yarrun> "Seriously, check out the gargoyles in the back. Probably the best stuff i have in here."
<Icon> "Odds and ends indeed. I suspect differently, but this is fine too." Christa declines his suggestion, opting to check out the decorated pen holder.
<Calica> (right now neither of your demons know what your plan is btw)
<Calica> (because you didn't talk to your demons about it)
<Yarrun> (Let's be honest. Felix probably prefers being surprised)
<Calica> (okay, true)
<BGTB2005> plans are for the weak?
<Yarrun> "So...what got stolen from your shop again?"
<Calica> she actually said nothing did
<Icon> "(Ruo. Cover his mouth. Use those claws I know so well on him, the car, or both. If Gloria motions... hold nothing back.)"
<Calica> or is that a deliberate flub
<Icon> "Come again?"
<Yarrun> (deliberate flub)
<Icon> "I did not know I was that popular, let alone with outsiders."
<Yarrun> "(Felix, not sure if I'm going Roadrunner or Screwy with this one. Be ready for anything.)"
<Calica> Ruo emerges from behind Christa to strike at Zachary. Yarrun, roll Stamina.
<Yarrun> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> Yarrun: Rolled 2 18 = 20.
<Icon> (Oh come ON.)
<BGTB2005> good luck
<Calica> @dice roll 5d20
<Omnipresence> Calica: Rolled 1 5 13 14 18 = 51.
<Calica> three victories. ouch
<Icon> (For yours truly?)
<Calica> for Ruo, but yes
<Icon> (Details!)
<Yarrun> (this is gonna smart)
<Icon> (Gonna what)
<Calica> Zachary is pretty much knocked to the ground and stunned by Ruo's sudden claws.
ยป BGTB2005shovels handfuls of popcorn into his mouth
<Calica> (Fists damage is 3 for next action, 1 lasting)
<Icon> (What does that mean? Sorry, opening up the pdf.)
<Yarrun> (so, my turn now?)
<Icon> Christa relaxes and smiles, fury showing in her eyes. "This... isn't what I want, you see."
<Calica> So your stamina is 0 next turn and 1 for the rest of the fight
<Calica> 0 means you have to use Will to get your Stamina back
<Calica> We're basically in combat mode right now where everyone is going to have a goal
<Icon> That's simple. He's coughing up the book, even if a lil blood-soaked.
<Icon> Or a lottle.
<Calica> immediate goal
<Yarrun> Escape
<Icon> Maim.
<Calica> Yarrun: escape how
<Calica> Icon: maim how
<Icon> Maim as in stab with shadows, fling him around, whatever cuts to the chase.
<Icon> No reason to go easy on a thief.
<Calica> so command Ruo to stab more or punch yourself
<Icon> Okay.
<Yarrun> Use Felix's abilities
<Yarrun> Make a run for it, and use his special attacks and warp abilities to stall Ruo
<Calica> Yarrun: in the next five seconds, which is your first priority
<Calica> when I say immediate I mean immediate
<Icon> "Ruo, come out. It's about time we got back what we needed." Her demeanor becomes more relaxed with every word. "Simple. I do not care how. Claw at his body, get rid of that troublesome shit he has with him away." She sighs. "Legs, now."
<Yarrun> Hurt Christa
<Yarrun> Give her something else to worry about
<Calica> Yarrun: command Felix to hurt Christa or
<Calica> i'm trying to get y'all to be explicit about your actions since it really matters
<Yarrun> "Felix, give her the Screwy treatment!"
<Yarrun> "Quickly!"
<Icon> I thought that was explicit? Maybe even overly so.
<Yarrun> (The Screwy Treatment is the codeword for the special damage ability)
<Yarrun> (With RoadRunner being the travel ability)
<Icon> "The what..?" she glares back at him.
<Calica> let me check the ability list to make sure I'm rolling the right dice for the demons
<Icon> (Wait, what are Ruo's powers again? forgot.)
<Calica> Icon: vitality, protection, psychic force, cloak, and also he has a fists-level damage ability
<Calica> Ruo plans on continuing to slice at Zachary, hurting him further.
<Icon> (Fists-level damage abilit being what again? >_<)
<Calica> Felix is prepping a hole below Christa through which she will fall
<Calica> and oh yeah, Gloria has something to say
<Icon> (Of course.)
<Calica> @dice roll 5d20 >! Ruo's Stamina
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 4 10 10 15 16 = 55.
<Calica> @dice roll 5d20 >! Felix's Power
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 2 6 8 18 20 = 54.
<Calica> @dice roll 3d20 >! Gloria's Will
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 5 6 9 = 20.
<Icon> (Dammit Felix, get out of my way.)
<Calica> I apologize for how completely fucked these battles are; I'm still not sure how best to deal with what the demons want to do
<Calica> although, wait, I forgot something
<Calica> @dice roll 3d20 >! Ruo's victories
<Omnipresence> : Rolled 6 10 15 = 31.
<Yarrun> (Oh God)
<Calica> Icon: do you want to try to defend yourself against the fall?
<Calica> I forgot this part last time and it's important
<Icon> (What does that entail, like, dice-wise and such?)
<Calica> (two extra dice)
<Icon> (Like using two extra)
<Calica> (yeah)
<Calica> (I should have asked this before rolling but I'm still getting used to the combat rules)
<Icon> (Well I also have my victories so I'm not sure why I wouldn't.)
<Calica> ruo has the victories and rolled 'em already, but anyways, roll Stamina+2
<Icon> So 2d20 + 2d20?
<Calica> yeah
<Icon> @dice roll 4d20
<Omnipresence> Icon: Rolled 5 5 9 20 = 39.
<Myrdradek> Is it okay if I leave now to go to bed?
<Calica> Myrdradek: yeah, it's gonna end after this fight
<Calica> whereas Christa did not dodge Felix's hole
<Calica> i'm so sorry, ICon
<Calica> 18 20 is pretty impossible
<Icon> (!)
<Calica> Icon: roll just Stamina now, you have another chance to dodge but tbh your chances are slim
<Icon> @dice roll 2d20
<Omnipresence> Icon: Rolled 1 3 = 4.
<Icon> (Naturally.)
<Calica> 9 immediate, 4 lasting
<Calica> anyways, now to Gloria
<Icon> (O o o o o ow.)
<Calica> "You should probably know he's not the real thief. Those aren't even his powers."
<Calica> Icon: don't worry, it won't be too bad if you can rest and recover for a bit after the fight
<Yarrun> (Can I speak now?)
<Calica> "And there's no sense of fun there."
<Calica> Icon: does Christa also want to speak?
<Calica> Ruo and Felix both stop dead in their tracks; Ruo just having missed by an inch a second swipe, Felix just having dropped Christa back onto the concrete.
<Icon> Christa desperately tries to regather her composure, and is at a loss for words as the news hits her. "Ruo... Ruo, how!?" she asks, as much to to the both of them.
<Calica> Yarrun: okay, go ahead
<Icon> She winces and turns around to get up on her knees, staring forward.
<Yarrun> "Yeah, I was going to get to that. Honestly, I was just curious to see another actual sorcerer."
<Calica> Gloria walks over to Christa and helps her back up. "Don't worry, Felix isn't too rough, even if it seems that way. You'll be fine if you get some rest."
<Icon> Breathing heavily she forces herself to stare back up at Smith.
<Yarrun> "Besides, if I was the real thief, why would I provoke you after I've already stolen from you?"
<Icon> Her mouth opens and closes uselessly, as she pushes the tears and hair out of her face. "I..." Not knowing what to say she slams the concrete and swears.
<Calica> "Ruo, you saw the thief, right? Do you know what sort of powers he was using? I have some guesses, but I want to make sure"
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<Icon> She coughs, and stands up, turning to the side. "... do you have any guesses how much longer this guy is going to be in town."
<Calica> Ruo speaks up. "He could run like hell, and disappeared before I could blast him."
<Yarrun> Zachary looks at Gloria suspiciously
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<Calica> Ruo then returns to Christa's side, having lapped up Zachary's blood sufficiently, to lap up the life exposed by her injuries.
<Icon> Christa waits awkwardly, hyper-focusing on thoughts of the thief and what they know.
<Yarrun> "No offense, but I think I prefer my watch to your shadow..thing."
<Calica> Gloria turns to Zachary. "I've got some suspicions and I don't think you're going to like the answer."
<Yarrun> said Zachary, as he got up to his feet proper
<Icon> "It's okay; Ruo appears much more understanding than that... jokester, anyway."
<Calica> "There's only two or three demons I can think of that have these sorts of powers. You hear of Mutatus?
<Yarrun> "A jokester who eats laughter is better than one who drunks blood."
<Yarrun> "Mutatus?"
<CentralAve> (I'm gonna have to go, I'll check the logs when I get home >_<)
<Calica> "Distributor here probably has. He shows up in a number of books. Nasty shapeshifting guy. And the last place he's been seen?
<Calica> "Back when Zed's gang was around.
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<Icon> "Mutatus, you say."
<Icon> (I want to sorta bring up Christa feeling a bit at odds with the fact that they're not attacking her in kind, but am not sure how. Especially when she's still getting over her fury at Zachary.)
<Yarrun> "...frig, now that I think about it..."
<Yarrun> "I never did figure out how Zed got the books in the first place."
<Calica> Icon: ask why they're not attacking still etc
<Icon> "'Books', now? Do tell." She shakes her head, as if to get out her thoughts. "No, no no no... first, what is up with your acting so cool!?" she damn nearly shouts, arms moving around animatedly.
<Icon> Wait, no,*
<Yarrun> Zach shrugs, wincing a little at his bruised face
<Icon> Christa stares back incredulously.
<Yarrun> "I was being aggressive because you were implying that you'd murder me whenever we were alone."
<Yarrun> "You're not trying to kill me, and you seem impressed, so as far as I'm concerned, mission accomplished."
<Yarrun> "And I didn't even have to shoot anybody, so bonus points for that."
<Calica> "I've seen plenty of misunderstandings in my time and all I can do is clear them up, especially since I'm an old lady who's done with active summoning and has enough to deal with having Rip breathe down my neck for $3000 a week."
<Yarrun> Zachary stashes his pistol in the trunk and closes it
<Icon> "And I thought that you were-!" She stammers back. "Were, had..." Her body trembling.
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<Icon> "Impressed. Infuriated. Whatever works."
<Yarrun> "It's alright, really. I'm just glad that we're cool. I have enough people trying to kill me as it is."
<BGTB2005> Maybe if tea and cookies had been offered, things wouldn't have gone so hilariously
<BGTB2005> or maybe gone even more hilariously, who knows
<Icon> She fidgets with her hair, returning it to how it was. "Yes... yes." A genuine if distant response. "I'll... be sure you only see Ruo this one time."
<Icon> "At least, so in your face."
<Yarrun> "Sounds close enough to a proper truce."
<Yarrun> Zachary holds out his hand for a shake.
<Yarrun> "Zachary."
<Calica> Gloria also holds out her hand.
<Icon> "... it's Christa. Zachary." She connects her hand with Zachary's. Fury is still evident even through her smile, though not at either of them, at least.
<Calica> "Gloria. If you ever need anything, even just tea and cookies, just come out to the Black Mass Coven at the old Methodist church and I'll see if I can help."
<Icon> Nodding, she quickly does the same with Gloria.
<Calica> (gotta throw in that reference. thanks BGTB2005 for reminding me)
<Yarrun> "(She's going to be a spicy one, but at least she's on our side now)"
<Yarrun> "(Good shot with the Screwhole, by the way)"
<Calica> also I forgot about Vitality, so Christa's actually 100% recovered.
<Icon> "(Ruo, we got the wrong person... but. The next person - Mutatus - when we meet... will not be like this. No matter what. Yes?)"
<Calica> Felix talks back to Zachary. "Of course, of course. She could be useful. I checked the theater, the showing times are 2:20, 5:00, and 7:30..."
<Calica> Ruo doesn't even bother to whisper. "Mutatus and his host will bleed. And they will not reap the benefits."
<Icon> A smile brightens Christa's paled face. "Of course, of course."
<Calica> Any more last words?
<Yarrun> "I've got a movie to catch...unfortunately."
<Yarrun> "We'll talk later."
<Icon> "Say, Zachary, Gloria... would you mind keeping in contact? Or at least, should you catch word of this 'Mutatus.'"
<Yarrun> "Naturally."
<Icon> "Enjoy your shenanigans." She responds stiffly, if not meanly.
<Calica> "Of course. You work at the Robison's Bookstore, right?"
<Icon> She nods. "The one and only."
<Calica> "Oh, one last thing before we part ways again.
<Icon> "Yes?"
<Calica> "You probably already know this, Christa, but Zachary won't. Mutatus, like Ruo, is out for blood."
<Icon> "That's okay." Her voice is plain and calm, relaxed even. "Still, I appreciate it."
<Calica> and with that we're wrapped up, I think
<Calica> Thanks for playing.
<Yarrun> yep
<Icon> It was fun~
<Yarrun> That was a glorious hole maneuver
<Icon> "Vitality. Dice of lasting damage up to the demon's power are removed when the user takes a rest following combat" I am uncertain about what makes resting or when, but right. That's useful
<Calica> well, you can rest after this session
<Icon> "For the risk-prone sorcerer, it's good to know that the demon ability Vitality counts as "intensive care" under all circumstances" useful.
<Icon> Calica: Ah.
<Calica> I should probably give y'all sessions that are just, like, daily life. running the bookstore, going out with cuties, demons demanding blood, you know, the good stuff
<Icon> Christa can see that cute girl she's been eyeing or something or other.
<Icon> In between making daily blood sacrifices, the usual.
<Calica> so christa's into girls? good to know
<Icon> Yah
<Icon> Well, that and violent, chaotic revenge.
<Icon> Standard fare.
<Calica> yeah but i can't have violent, chaotic revenge stutter while asking you out