Thomas opened the refridgerated section door and pulled out a gallon of
milk, and an ice cream sandwich. Closing the door he turned around and
nearly dropped his groceries.
"Oh man what I wouldn't give for an ice cream sandwich," said the
wraith standing there. Thomas gathered himself and gave the wraith a
disgusted look.
"Jesus, I told you no, don't you ever listen," he says as he passes by
the wraith. The ghost shrugged his shoulders,
"No, not really. Listen you gotta say something to her. I mean she's
right there at the counter. Say something..." he pleaded.
Thomas kept walking ignoring the pleas. Setting the basket on the
counter he fished in his pocket and gave the woman a few bills.
"Please say something...god she's so beautiful....We were going to get
married you know. Tell her I love her. Tell her."
"No." he says and the woman at the counter looks up at him strangely.
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry."
"Tell her! TELL HER TELL HER TELL HER!" The wraith shouts in his ears.
"Mike says he loves you still!" he blurts out and turns to the wraith.
"Happy now?!" he says, but Mike isn't listening, he's next to her
trying to hold her hand.
"Mike? What are you talking about? is this some kind of sick joke, it's
not funny mister," she says a hurt look on her face.
Thomas looks at her with a sad look on his face, "I'm sorry...I uh he
loves you still. Mike," he motions next to her.
"I'm sorry..." he says picking up his groceries. The woman chokes and
throws his money at him.
"Take your fucking money and get out of my store! And don't come back!"
she says slamming the door after him.
Thomas looks back watching her flip the open sign to close and sit down
tears filling her eyes. He hangs his head continuing to walk the few
blocks home.
After two blocks he picks his keys out of his jacket and opens his
apartment door and flicks on his lights. He turns and drops his
groceries this time, startled at the gun pointing at him.
"Shit!"
At the other end of the gun, a girl watches him and stands, keeping the
gun on him.
"I don't want to hurt you, I just need a place to stay for a few days."
she says her voice shaking a bit. Thomas can't help staring at the gun.
"Ah...ok..um here's my wallet," he says tossing her his wallet. "Just
ah leave me the drivers liscense ok? It takes weeks to get a new one."
he says babbling.
The girls smiles and begins to laugh, Thomas unsure of what to do
follows suit. She lowers the gun and sits back in the chair.
"What am I doing? I'm sorry really...I just...I need a safe place ok?"
Thomas his hands still up, "Sure yeah make yourself at home."
"This is so stupid, I should go, I am sorry really please don't call
the police. I didn't take anything," she says as she stands to leave.
Thomas puts his hands down, "Wait, what has you so scared you'd break
into a stranger's apartment and hold them hostage?" he asks. She gives
him a look and he raises his hands again.
"Just ahh just asking really..."
"Someone has been following me. I think they want to kill me." she says
"Why didn't you call the police?"
"I did, you know what they said? They said they couldn't do anything
untill he tried something. I mean what the hell is that about?" she says
getting angry.
Thomas shrugs, "I don't know, who is he, why does he want to kill you?"
"I think it's something my father did," she says walking out the door
and stops. She turns back to him.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" she asks seriously.
"What?" he says nearly tripping over himself.
"Nevermind..." she says closing the door.
Thomas watches her leave and slaps himself in the head. He heads out
after her, "Wait! You can uh stay if you want. Till the guys stops
following you."
"You'd do that? I broke into your apartment, held a gun on you, and
you'd still help me?"
"Oh yeah about that, ahh can I have the gun?" he says holding out his
hand. She smiles and hands the gun over. Thomas smiles at her.
"Thomas..Tom Morgan." he says. She looks at him and grins shaking his
hand.
"Hello Thomas Tom Morgan," she says.
"Just Tom."
"Emilym, Emily Leclaire."
"Hello Emily Emily Leclaire."
<Storyteller> The night falls gloomily over New York, like a blanket of velvet, and
the stars are all covered in darkness as the streetlights hum and moan as the
greenish balefire burns at their corpus.
<Storyteller> Legionnaires march throughout the camp, the clip-clop of their boots
drumming in unision as you watch through the window. Refugees huddle together,
oblivious to the drizzling rain.
<Storyteller> This is a time of slow victory, as the tides of war once overwhelmed by
darkness, now shift to the hope and determination of the Allies.
<Storyteller> The Council sits, observing you as you enter the converted warehouse, a
lone light shines above the council table.
<Storyteller> Their masks are unmoving, expressionless, cold.
<Storyteller> There are others here however, a tall man dressed in the simple headress
and gold armbands of Amenti, a shorter woman dressed in fine silk and jade of the
Jadian Empire, and a robust man dressesed in black wearing a turban of the Swarian
kingdom.
<Storyteller> "Good evening, you have all been called here to discuss a dire
situation." says Ambrose
* Ambrose stands and walks around the table
* Brianna gravely watches watches Ambrose approach, caught up in the somber mood of
the council members
<Ambrose> "Recently, we have lost several patrols about the city, and a few refugees.
many of whom were observed to have just faded away."
* Angelo quirks an eyebrow.
<Ambrose> "As if someone had hurt them enough to send them into a Harrowing."
<Storyteller> There are mutterings around the table
* IronJohn listens
* Hans listens attentively.
<Ambrose> "We fear the worst, but before any of us can act we must know for sure.
That's why we need you, someone we can trust."
<Ambrose> Ambrose looks at each of you
* Brianna confidently returns Ambrose's gaze
* Ambrose nods to Brianna
* Ambrose hands IronJohn a forged paper
* IronJohn nods at Ambrose
* Brianna nods in return
* IronJohn accepts the paper
<Ambrose> "These are the men and woman who have disappeared. Find out what happened
to them."
* IronJohn gives it a quick look over and then rolls it up and places it in his jacket
<IronJohn> "Aie."
<Storyteller> The Governor rises
* Deter walks over to the Cohort
<Deter> "Don't tell anyone of your mission,"
<IronJohn> "But of course."
<Deter> "It could devastate morale and destroy everything we have done these past two
months."
<Brianna> "You can count on us," Brianna assures Deter.
* Deter nods
<Deter> "The other Kingdoms have pledged to help as well."
<Deter> "Good luck." he says sitting back down
* Brianna looks to IronJohn.
<Brianna> "We should get started as soon as possible," she says
<IronJohn> "Aie."
<IronJohn> "Is there anything else we need to know."
<Deter> "You know what we know."
* Brianna brushes her raven black hair back from her face and suggests that the group
go somewhere that they can study the papers
<Angelo> "Yeah, let's get a move on."
<Storyteller> Ambrose stands and leads you out of the council room
* Ambrose closes the door and shakes her head
* IronJohn gives a wave of the arm and a short bow and then says "If you will excuse
us, we will get started on this right away."
* Brianna follows IronJohn out of the room
<Ambrose> "We have to be so formal around the Jadians," she says removing her mask
* Ambrose leans in closer
* Brianna listens intently to what Ambrose has to say
* IronJohn listens
* William listens
<Ambrose> "There is more to it than what was said, we believe that the spectres are
somehow kidnapping these wraiths. we have suspisions but nothing concrete. If you
find out anything, contact me immediately."
<Brianna> "Which spectres? Do you know?" Brianna asks with a glint in her eyes
* Ambrose shakes her head
<Ambrose> "We don't but there's been a rumor."
<IronJohn> "This is a dire situation indeed."
* Brianna looks almost disappointed, then her face clears and she once more looks
intently over at IronJohn. "How many wraiths are described in those papers?"
<Ambrose> "I can't talk about it here. Ahuru knows the full details, see him. I have
to get back, good luck..."
* IronJohn takes out the list and counts the names
* IronJohn hands the list to Brianna and says "Pass it around lass."
<Brianna> "Thank you Ambrose," Brianna says
* Ambrose opens the door and closes it behind her
* Brianna nods, quickly scanning each sheet before passing it along to the person
next to her
<IronJohn> "First we go see Lord Ahuru."
* IronJohn begins to walk in that direction
* Hans takes the notes and reads over the names.
* Remy heads towards Ahuru's, as well
<Angelo> {Spectres? We love spectres, don't we Brianna dear?}
* Brianna walks along swiftly, familiar with the route to her mentor's home
<Brianna> {Never! Scar will not survive his next meeting with me.}
<Angelo> {Oh, of course. I'm sure you'll do much better than you have been.}
* Hans follows the others.
<Brianna> {He caught me by suprise. That won't happen again. I know he's out there
now.}
<Angelo> "Anybody know any of these guys?"
<Storyteller> You walk the familiar streets to the NYC MET, once again you are awed by
the beauty of the statuesque architecture of the building
* Brianna shakes her head. "I've never heard of them."
<IronJohn> "Aie don't know a single soul on the list."
* Hans shakes his head. "All of these people are unfamiliar to me."
<Brianna> "Wait.. I recognize one of those names!"
<Brianna> "Remember Librarian? We visited him to ask about a book on Romans."
<Angelo> "Same guy, you think?"
* Brianna shrugs. "It's worth checking out, anyway."
<Brianna> "After we visit Ahuru we should go to the NYC Library and have a look
around."
* Angelo nods silently.
<IronJohn> "Abraham Jenkins is our Helmsman....."
<Remy> "I know John Skinner."
<Remy> "He was the harbor master. I've dealt with him a few times. Brianna, is
there any way you or Ahuru can try to track these missing souls down?"
<Storyteller> Entering the MET you notice that it is silent...very silent
<Brianna> "We could try.. I'm sure that Ahuru will help when we ask."
* Brianna looks around the MET warily
<Storyteller> You make your way to the entrance to the Egyptian exhibit to notice that
the doors are closed
* Remy looks around
* Hans listens to the conversation, intent on knowing who these wraiths are.
<Remy> "Dis unusual?"
* Brianna frowns and looks at the uncharacteristically closed door
* Brianna nods at Remy. "Yes, they're usually wide open."
* Brianna moves silently towards the doors then puts her ear against them to listen
* Brianna shakes her head
<Brianna> "Nothing..."
* Brianna grasps the handle and pulls one of the doors open
<Storyteller> "Enter," a voice from within says
* Angelo blinks.
* Brianna enters
* Angelo walks on through.
* IronJohn walks through the doors
* Hans walks forward.
<Storyteller> You enter to find Ahuru sitting on the floor in the middle of a very
large web
* Ahuru stands and turns to you
<Ahuru> "Welcome, I have been expecting you."
* Brianna smiles "Hello Ahuru."
* IronJohn gives him a bow
* Hans nods to Ahuru.
<Remy> "Greetings Ambassador Ahuru."
* Remy bows
* Ahuru smiles at Brianna, nods to Ironjohn and the rest of you
* Brianna removes her mask, and her form shimmers slightly as she changes into her
original self
<Brianna> "We need your help, there have been some wraiths missing," Brianna begins
after greeting her mentor
* Ahuru waits for you to speak
<Brianna> "Ambrose told us that you would know more about what's happening."
<Ahuru> "Yes, there has been a....tangle that must be woven out."
<Remy> "We were kinda hoping you might be able to shed some light on the whereabouts
of these missing wraiths."
* Ahuru motions to the webbing
<Angelo> "Tangle?"
<Brianna> "We know some of these wraiths, do you think that they could have a
connection to us?"
<Ahuru> "There is a rumor of a dark risen walking amongst the living."
<Remy> "Just a rumor?"
<Ahuru> "I have answers to your questions, sit." he says motioning to several chairs
off to the side
<Brianna> "How is that possible?"
* IronJohn sits
* Brianna sits down on one of the chairs and makes herself comfortable
* Remy sits down
* Hans sits down.
* Angelo takes a seat.
<Angelo> "This is bad news."
<Ahuru> "To be risen takes great will, and great sacrifice. He who rose must have
fallen to his Shadow. This rumor is all too true."
* William seats himself in a chair, curious about the mention of risen, which he has
only heard the vaguest rumors of.
* Angelo looks distinctly unsettled.
* Brianna nods thoughtfully
<Brianna> "What does he have to do with missing wraiths?"
<Ahuru> "He walks now, and destroys the ties that bind his victims to this existance.
This too is rumor."
* Hans listens intently.
* Angelo mouths something unintelligible.
* Ahuru walks over to the web and picks it up, holding it out for you to see.
<Brianna> "His victims? Who are his victims?"
* Brianna stands and moves by Ahuru to look at the web
<Ahuru> "A tangle, yes. One that must be woven out. He searches for your bindings
now."
* Remy leans forward, fingers digging hard into his chair
* Ahuru looks to Remy
<Remy> "Yeah. Who *are* his victims?"
<Ahuru> "He knows one of them, and only one of them."
* IronJohn hands Remy the list
<Brianna> "Who?"
<Ahuru> "Your daughter Remy. He knows."
<Ahuru> "He has visited her before, on this side of the Shroud...."
* Angelo looks disgusted.
* Brianna looks at Remy in shock
* Remy 's eyes widen in shock
<Remy> "You...you kiddin', right?"
<Ahuru> "You must seek he who doubts, for she is with him."
<Remy> "Tell me you're kidding, Ahuru."
* Ahuru looks at you
<Remy> "Please..."
* Brianna looks at Remy, trying to hide the pity in her eyes
<Storyteller> The look on Ahuru's face says it all
* Hans looks away, not wanting to see the anguish in Remy.
* Angelo clenches his fists.
<Angelo> "He who doubts?"
<Ahuru> "She is safe for the moment," he looks at the web
<Remy> "Tabernacle!!"
* William looks at Remy.
* Remy dips his head into his hands.
<Hans> "Who?"
<William> "We are with you my friend."
* Brianna puts her arms around Remy comfortingly
<Brianna> "It's ok, we will find her Remy."
<Ahuru> "Find her, and quickly. Tomorrow...she will die."
<Brianna> "You've got us to help you."
* Remy stiffens at Briannas touch, but then accepts it. He looks up, and his eyes are
steeley.
<Angelo> "Who's this doubting guy supposed to be?"
<Remy> "'Den there's still time. An' I *will* find her."
<Ahuru> "Ironjohn has spoken with him."
* Brianna looks at IronJohn
<Brianna> "You have?"
* Angelo looks at IronJohn.
<Angelo> "Yeah, when's this?"
* Remy turns to John
* Hans looks at Ironjohn
<IronJohn> "Oh shit....."
<Brianna> "What?"
<Angelo> "Hmm?"
<IronJohn> "Do ya remember the kid we scared the piss outta awhile back?"
<Angelo> "The one with the laundry?"
<IronJohn> "Aie."
<Brianna> "A kid?"
<Angelo> "Heh, yeah, that jamoke."
<IronJohn> "Tom was the lads name."
<Hans> "Who?"
<Angelo> "I meant to go back and play with him later, but we got so caught up..."
<Angelo> "The one with the funky green aura."
<Remy> "I should be able to find both of 'em. I got a strong connection with Emily."
* Angelo shakes his head. "Fucking with family is just low."
<IronJohn> "Aie.... Time is a wastin Lad..... Ahuru us there anythin else ye can tell
us?"
* Remy nods to Angelo. "God have mercy on this bastard when I find him. I won't."
<Ahuru> "There is another who can help, the web of fate tightens and he will come for
he is already there."
<Brianna> "Who is he?"
<Ahuru> "Go now, the time is short."
* Ahuru turns and lays the web down and sits in it's center
* Brianna bites back the myriad of questions that she wants to ask and nods
* IronJohn gives Ahuru a quick Bow and heads out
* Brianna once again puts on her mask and feels her confidence and resolve grow.
"Let's go, lead us to her Remy."
* Angelo hurries out, a dark look in his eyes.
* Hans bows and leaves with the rest of the group.
* Brianna looks back once to Ahuru and bows respectfully before following Remy
through the door
* Remy bows to Ahuru
<Remy> "Merci."
<Storyteller> You head out to the street
* Remy tries to locate Emily with his lifeweb arcanoi
* William follows the others
<Storyteller> You locate her easily, she's about two miles east
<Remy> "Alright. I have her location. She's about two miles east. Shall we?"
* Brianna nods
* Remy doesn't wait for an answer, but hurries off in that direction
<Angelo> "After you."
* Brianna follows right behind Remy
<Storyteller> You jog for about two miles, you stop at a crosswalk and look east.
There you see several apartment buildings
<Hans> "Well, I guess that settles that," and follows after Remy.
<Remy> "Shit!"
* Remy looks about, and tries to figure out which appartment building she's in.
* Angelo fingers his gladius.
* Brianna looks at the buildings around her, alert for any danger
* Remy goes to the apt door, and signals that this is the one.
* Brianna follows carefully
* Hans puts his hand on his gladius, ready for danger.
<Storyteller> through the door you can hear a kettle whistle
* Remy enters the room
* Remy walks right through
* Brianna continues following Remy
* Angelo follows quickly behind Remy.
<William> William draws his blade
* Remy draws his pistol
* IronJohn walks through the door
<Storyteller> You walk through the door, a young man in his early twenties pours two
cups of hot chocolate, "Hoty coccoa is...gah!" he say as you enter
<Storyteller> Tom backs up, dropping one of the cups
<Angelo> "Hi again, Tommy boy. Little high-strung, aren't we?"
<Remy> "Your name is Tom? You can hear me? Can you see me?"
<Tom> "Jesus!" he says banging on the bathroom door.
* Angelo grins.
<Tom> "Run! Run!" he screams through it
* Brianna looks at the poor boy
<Angelo> "Whoa, boy."
<Brianna> "Stop scaring him!" she admonishes Angelo
* Remy runs up to Tom.
* William lowers his blade, letting his cloak fall over it
<Brianna> "Please, we need your help. We're not here to hurt you," she begins
soothingly
<Storyteller> You can hear a surprised shout from the bathroom
<Remy> "Calm down! The girl you got in dere is my daughter."
* Angelo grins. "Sorry, it's just been a long time since I got to do any good
intimidating. We're not here to make trouble."
* Remy concentrates hard, and whispers into the bathroom
<William> "Its ok. Please, just listen."
<William> "We are hear to protect you."
<Remy> "Emily....It's your dad....you're in trouble, girl...tell Tom to speak to me."
* Tom stops beating on the door
<Tom> "Her father?"
<Storyteller> The bathroom door opens
<Storyteller> "Daddy?" Emily says as she peers out
* Brianna watches father and daughter with a sad, wistful look in her eyes
* William slips out into the hallway
* Angelo shuts up and lets the father and daughter speak.
* Remy expends great effort and manages to appear to his daughter
<Storyteller> Emily's eyes grow wide as Remy slowly begins to form across the shroud
* Remy smiles at his daughter. He looks joyful and sad at once. "Yeah. It's me,
Emily. Larger than death."
* William keeps an eye out in the hallway, casting a sad glance over his shoulder at
the young child
<Storyteller> You begin to crumple over as the sensations of the skinlands overwhelm
you
<Storyteller> Emily cries and tries to hug you, but her arms go right through you
* Remy whispers "I'm sorry...it takes so much effort..."
<Remy> "I'm not used to this."
* Tom walks away from the two, keeping an eye on the rest of you
<Tom> "I uh...I guess uh, hello."
* Brianna smiles reassuringly at Tom
<Remy> "You can't touch me, love, but maybe someday, when I'm stronger...I came to
find you, you're in trouble."
<Brianna> "Hello Tom. My name is Brianna. I'd offer to shake your hand, but.. "
<Storyteller> "I know dad, there's someone after me. Tom let me stay here, I'm so
scared..."
* Tom raises his hand
<Tom> "Ah that's ok."
<William> William crosses himself, then raises his hand to his lips and whispers,
"Lord, protect this innocent from the evil that stalks her. Guard her soul when we
cannot."
<Remy> "I'm doing what I can, Emily. But you gotta stay alert. I'll be around for
the next little while at least."
<Storyteller> "I will, I...love you daddy."
<Brianna> "How long have you seen ghosts, Tom?"
<Remy> "I love you too, Emily. It's why I'm still around."
<Tom> "Ah for the past few months, I uh...I was going to go talk with Mr. J
about all this. He ahh...he knows these things."
<Brianna> "Mister J?"
<Tom> "Yeah, my boss. He...well you'd have to see him. I can't really describe
him, but ah....he'd know. So she really is in danger?"
* Brianna nods. "Don't worry, we will protect her. We'll protect both of you."
<Brianna> "Who is your boss? What would he know about you being able to see ghosts?"
<Tom> "Mr. J? He...I'll uh just have to take you over to his place."
* William taps John on the shoulder and whispers, "I'm going to keep an eye out. This
thing should be restricted to the passages of the Skinlands, unless it can leave
its body to scout around or something."
<Tom> "He told me that if ever this sort of thing happened to get ahold of him
immediately."
* Brianna asks, "Why didn't you tell him when you first began to see ghosts?"
* IronJohn whispers back to William "Aie Lad."
<Tom> "Would you tell your boss that your'e seeing ghosts?"
<Brianna> "Why did he ask?"
<Storyteller> Remy begins to fade out
* William walks into the hallway, and begins walking towards the stairs. He keeps an
eye out behind him down the hallway
<Tom> "He asked me a few weeks after I started working for him. Said that was
why he hired me. He's been teaching me things."
* Remy whispers to Emily "I'll be around."
* IronJohn speaks up "Teachin ya what, lad?"
<Brianna> "Oh? What kinds of things?"
* Tom looks at IronJohn
* Brianna wonders who, or what, exactly Doubting Thomas' boss is
<Tom> "Something he calls a paradigm or something like that."
<Tom> "Hermetics he calls it."
<Tom> "That's it, hermetics..."
<Brianna> "Ahhh... Yes, I believe that I would like to meet your boss, Tom."
* Tom walks over to the phone
* Tom makes the call and looks back at you
<Tom> "He's up, and wants all of us to head over right away."
* IronJohn whispers to Brianna "Do ya know what he is talkin about, lass?"
* Tom puts on his jacket and hands one to Emily
<Tom> "Ready?"
<Brianna> "Yes, his boss is a Hermetic Mage, at least I believe him to be so,"
Brianna whispers back. "He will probably have a great deal of knowledge about the
risen, among other things,"
* William goes to the Lobby and stands guard, keeping an eye out for anybody that
looks strange
* Tom leads you out of his apartment and down to the lobby
* Brianna nods
<Brianna> "Yes Tom, take us to your boss."
<IronJohn> "Interestin."
<Tom> "It's just two blocks from here..." he says as he opens the door for you
<Tom> "Oh ah sorry."
<Storyteller> Emily turns to Thomas, "Is my father still here?"
<Tom> "Yeah,"
* Remy looks to Emily
<Storyteller> He leads down two blocks and to the left, an old shabby building greets
you as Tom nods to it.
<Tom> "There it is."
<Tom> "Ahh look, there something I should tell you."
<Brianna> "Yes?"
<Tom> "Stay here ok? When I'm in that building I uh, I don't see you...I don't
see ghosts. Mr. J says I won't either. I don't know why but, it could be dangerous
to you."
<Tom> "I'll get him and be right back."
* Brianna looks thoughtful
<Brianna> "We'll wait out here for you then, Tom."
* Tom heads in and in a few minutes comes back out
* William follows the group as they pass him
<Remy> "Why wouldn't we be able to enter? Some sort of ritual?"
<Brianna> "It might be Spirit Magicks," Brianna hypothesizes.
<Tom> "Ahhh he says that in a moment you'll see something, he wants you to sign
it. he says it's not binding, and it will let you enter, but it has to be signed
with your real names, or..."
* Brianna 's eyebrows raise
<Storyteller> Just after he finishes saying that, a piece of paper waftes out of
nowhere and lands on the ground
<William> "Sorcery...I have known those who studied such arts."
* Brianna examines the paper
<William> "But nothing like this...."
<Remy> "Uh...this look trust worthy?"
* Remy looks to Bri
<Brianna> "Wait a moment, let me study this" Brianna cautions
<Brianna> "I believe it to be safe. Once we sign our names we can safely enter his
Sanctum."
<Brianna> "But we must use our real names or it will not work."
<William> "But what power will it give him over us?"
<Brianna> "None. Think of it as a security system. We're showing it our
identification so it will let us pass."
* Brianna takes the pen and signs her name with a flourish
<Brianna> "I can vouch for it's safety, or if you prefer you can wait out here
William."
<William> "I will follow."
* Remy takes the pen and signs
* William takes the pen next and signs his name
<Brianna> "Remember to sign your true name."
<Storyteller> IronJohn signs
<Remy> "Yeah, I got it."
<Storyteller> once everyone has signed the paper vanishes
<Tom> "I'll be right back."
* Tom runs back in
* Tom returns a few minutes later
<Tom> "He's ah...he's laughing in there and wants to know who the comedian is..."
* Brianna can't help feeling a bit nervous at meeting a mage again after so much time
<Storyteller> Ironjohn smiles
<Storyteller> "Tell him it's really me."
* Remy looks at John. "You know him?"
<Tom> "Well he said to enter, but ah if it's not you'll be sorry..."
<Storyteller> "Nevermind, Remy..."
<Tom> "Ok then he says go on in...."
* Tom heads in with Emily
* Brianna follows Tom and Emily inside the Hermetic Sanctum
<Storyteller> You enter and can see that the shabby outside is nothing like the real
inside.
<Storyteller> It is a large place filled with books and lit candles,
<Storyteller> a cash register sits on a counter across from you, a large door stands
behind that
* Tom goes behind the counter and opens the door
<Tom> "They are here, Mr. J." he say
<Storyteller> "I know," comes the voice. "Let them in."
* William pauses at the entrance to the library, slowly looking around, his gaze
distant, his mind in another time.
* Tom motions for you to follow as he enters the door
* Brianna quells the butterflies at the pit of her stomach and enters
<William> After a few moments, William sighs and follows.
<Storyteller> A desk sits across from the door, there is a strange whirring noise
coming from a hodgepodge metal statue off in the corner. A large pentagram is
etched in the floor
<Storyteller> You can immediately sense the taint of Oblivion
* Brianna looks around, studying each and every artifact in the room
* Brianna 's gaze stops at the strange metal statue and she wonders about it's
function
<Remy> "Huh."
<Storyteller> It's coming from the chair that sits facing the wall
* Remy tests the strands of fate for any sort of danger
* William 's hand goes to his blade, and he stops, turning his back to the wall, wary
<Storyteller> "Good evening, Tom has told me alot about you," says a voice from the
chair
<Remy> "It's alright, William. We should be safe."
<Storyteller> The chair swivels, you can see a broad shouldered man sitting there, he
stands, and you can see a strange whirling void in the middle of his torso
* William remains wary, his face stern and thoughts of the past brushed aside in the
presence of Oblivion's taint
<Storyteller> It looks almost like a Nihil
* Remy eyes the man curiously. "You're Mr. J?"
* Brianna keeps her hands down near her sword, eyes never leaving Mr. J
<Storyteller> The man is a tall african american man with a shaved head except for two
little lines of hair running from his temples to the back of his head
<Storyteller> "I hear you need my help, and I'm willing to offer it."
<Brianna> Hiding behind her mask, Brianna warily watches the Mage
<Storyteller> "What can I help you with?"
<Brianna> "What do you know of the risen?" Brianna asks
* Remy looks around for any voodooish material
<Storyteller> "Those of the dead who rise from their graves?"
* Brianna nods
<Remy> "Yeah."
<Storyteller> you do not see any vodoo items
<Storyteller> "A few things. The fact that they are extremely tough to kill. Cold to
the touch, and strangely always have an animal near them."
<Brianna> "Do you have any idea why one would want to destroy wraiths?"
<Storyteller> "No, I don't. Is that why you've come?"
<Remy> "Is the animal signifigant?"
<Storyteller> "More than likely, yes."
<Brianna> "What is that in your stomach?" Brianna can't stop herself from asking any
longer
<Storyteller> "Thomas tells me that the girl," he says looking at Emily, "is in
trouble."
<Remy> "Yeah. My daughter. Can you help her? The Risen is gonna come for her."
<Storyteller> "I'll help..." he says letting the sentence float there
<Remy> "Name your price."
<Storyteller> He walks out from behind the desk and over to Brianna
<Storyteller> "You have six fingers."
* Brianna looks at the Mage
<Brianna> "Yes, I do." she states simply
<Storyteller> "It is said that a six fingered ghost can keep those who die from
passing to their final rest. Is this true?"
<William> "I believe you have avoided a question....:
<Storyteller> He looks at William, "Before I name my price, I must first ask you
ability to grant it..."
<Brianna> "Yes," Brianna answers. "If the need is great.."
<William> "I believe the question was ours to you."
<William> "What is that?" he says, repeating Brianna's queation, and pointing to the
vortex.
<Storyteller> "Then that is what I wish, no doubt with your ghostly eyes, you have
seen that I...am not destined for a...good rest."
* Brianna blinks in surprise
<Storyteller> "I was born like this, others of my...group shun me because of it. They
call me a 'psychic vampire'."
<Brianna> "What? You want me to recruit you? But.. I don't think that you know what
you ask. You're still living.. you still have a chance.. to right whatever wrongs
you may have committed."
* William relaxes
<Storyteller> "There is nothing I have done to recieve this, any more than I did
something to be born with black hair."
<Storyteller> "It's my asking price."
* Remy looks to Brianna with hope in his eyes
<William> "I am sorry for my distrust sir." He says with a nod of his head. "I have
never encountered such a...phenomenon."
* Brianna wonders at the justice at being condemned from birth for something that's
not your fault. She looks at Mr. J for a moment then comes to her decision.
* Brianna stands in front of Mr. J and with her fingertip traces the symbol of Fate
upon his forehead
<Storyteller> Once your'e finished he looks at you gratefully. His face seems relaxed.
<Storyteller> "I will help you to help her. She may stay here while I look for this
risen."
* Brianna says greatfully, "Thank you."
<Storyteller> He walks over to the desk and pulls out a glock 22 and holsters it.
* Remy hugs Brianna, and whispers "I owe you."
<Storyteller> He rumages through his shelves and pulls out tarot cards and other
strange items
* Brianna smiles and hugs Remy back. "You're welcome, anything I can do to help your
daughter.."
<Storyteller> Pocketing them, he turns to you
<Storyteller> "I will find this thing, and send him back to you. You have my word."
<Storyteller> He takes the signed paper, and hands it back to you
<Storyteller> "Keep this should you return. Just say my name and the ward will allow
you to pass..."
* Brianna takes the paper and thanks him
<Storyteller> "Tom, take our guest to the spare bedroom."
* Tom shows Emily to the spare room
<William> "We should follow you so that we can intercept it."
<Storyteller> "My full name is Jeremiah Willis Sloan. Remember to say that before you
enter." he says once Tom is out of earshot
* Remy nods
<Storyteller> "Well then, let the hunt begin...." <Storyteller> To be continued...
