<Storyteller> The rabbi looks at each and everyone of you, he frowns
<Rabbi> "Your'e missing someone...."
<Storyteller> Suddenly there's a rush of cold wind and a wraith appears huddling at
your feet
<Angelo> "Fucking..."
* Angelo shivers and looks around.
<Rabbi> "Ahh there he is."
<Angelo> "Oh, hey..."
<William> "Angelo!"
* Brianna kneels down beside Angelo
<Angelo> "You were expecting someone else maybe?"
<Brianna> "Are you ok? What happened!"
* Angelo grins weakly.
<Angelo> "Um, kind of a long story."
<Angelo> "I'm not sure this is the time or the place."
<Rabbi> "Let me introduce the last one, this is the Huntress, she is the missing
piece and I found her, I found her..."
* Brianna looks concerned
* Brianna looks over at the Huntress
<Brianna> "Who??"
<Brianna> "What missing piece?"
* Huntress is a tall wraith who has been moliated to look like she is dressed head to
toe in black leather. Around her waist are a series of chains with hooks on the end
of them. Her eyes glow a hellish red from behind her black mask.
* Brianna raises her eyebrows
* Angelo straightens.
<Angelo> "My kind of girl."
<Rabbi> "Let me look at you," one by one he gives each of you a good look over,
scrinching your cheeks and looking into your eyes muttering something under his
breath
* William stares at the Huntress
* Daniel glances at the Huntress and mutters something under his breath, squirming
away as the rabbi touches him. "Hey, watch it..."
<Rabbi> "Eh heh! All here," he says looking at Rose. "Yes, all here."
* Huntress looks each one of the others over slowly
<Storyteller> A teapot whistles and he smiles, "Come come, we shall have tea," he gets
into Aneglo's face, "And everything will be explained, yes?"
* Brianna meets Huntress' gaze unflinchingly
* Angelo grins impudently at the Huntress.
* Angelo looks uncomfortable at the Rabbi, though, strangely.
<Huntress> the chains at the Huntress's waist rattle a bit and almost seem to move on
their own power
* Rabbi turns about slowly and motions for you to follow. "When I was alive I used to
make my own tea, and it followed me over here. It is one of the few pleasures I
have in this...existance. I assume you all have not had tea in a very long time,
no?"
* Huntress follows the Rabbi
* Angelo looks lost in his own thoughts.
* Rabbi puts out cups and purs tea into each one
* Daniel follows the Rabbi, muttering something else to himself
* Brianna takes a cup and sips it
* Huntress remains silent as she sits down at the table
<Rabbi> "Sit, sit, you are probably wondering why I have summoned you all here."
* Daniel sits down and takes a cup of tea, sipping at it thoughtfully
<Storyteller> The tea tastes wonderfull as your long dormant taste buds come alive
* William takes a seat at the table
* Angelo stirs his tea with his finger, absently.
* Hans sits and drinks some tea.
* Brianna sits down at the table
* Huntress looks down at the cup of tea and lets it sit on the table
<Rabbi> "I have much to tell you, and you must hear me out. I have few answers that
you have searched for."
* Huntress listens to the man as he speaks
<Rabbi> "Rose, please go and get my books."
<Storyteller> The little girl wanders into the haunt and a few seconds later brings
out an armfull of books, the Rabbi takes them and opens one of them up
* Rabbi holding up a finger he begins
<Rabbi> "I have two stories to tell you.."
* Rabbi begins to read
<Rabbi> "A very very long time ago, there was a Roman general named Glascius Markova.
Glascius was at first a good man. I'm paraphrasing here so..."
<Rabbi> "But his love of power, began to eat at his soul...hmmm."
<Rabbi> "Soon he had risen as far as he could within the Roman legions. The senate
would not allow him to rise further, so Markova began to look for other ways to
achieve power."
<Rabbi> "This quest finally led him to seek the assistance of a demon named, Arak,
the devourer. Arak was impressed with the young Markova and told him thus..."
<Rabbi> "To have the power over men's minds and souls, one must consume that which
encases their minds and souls."
<Rabbi> "Markova was stricken with this and it left him troubled. His soul was torn
between the revulsion of comsuming human flesh, and his love of power."
* Rabbi looks sadly, "But of course, his love won out, as it does with all men. And
he began to plot on how he would do this."
<Rabbi> "Soon once again, the Roman army was at war, and Markova found that this,
would be his way to power. For he would feed his legions the flesh of man and in
that they would be powerfull indeed."
<Rabbi> "Each and every conquest, Markova waited and waited for the right time,
waiting untill his madness over took him."
<Rabbi> "And he was heard to talk madly in his tent at night, saying that his army
would be so powerful that they would storm the gates of Olympus, and in doing so,
would make their general the god of the heavens."
* Brianna lets her tea get cold as she listens to the unfolding tale
* Hans is rapt in attention, the cup of tea still an inch from his lips, still
untouched.
* Angelo looks distracted.
<William> William listens to the story of the general
* Huntress remains perfectly still during the story, the only sound that can be heard
from her is the slight rattle of her chains
<Rabbi> "And so it was finally, Markova fought his way to a village of pagans. Here
he knew his plan could work, here among the godless, he would achieve what he
longed for. And so it was, Markova carved each and every body up, under the cover
of night, and served it to his men."
* Daniel sips at his tea, smiling slightly
<Rabbi> "His men, unknowing of the feast that they had consumed enjoyed the meal, and
ate heartily. But there was a flaw in Markova's plan. The preparer of the meal
discovered what had truly been served, and hung himself out of guilt for what he
had done. His men discovered the body, and along with it, the ghost of the cook who
told all."
<Rabbi> "His men stormed Markova's tent with the treachery in their hearts, and they
found Markova in the corner of his tent, in congress with a corpse, so that perhaps
this too was a way to harness more power."
<Rabbi> "This was the final atrocity, and they captured Markova and skinned him
alive, and made a pact that they would keep their silence, lest their secret be
known."
* Rabbi looks up
<Rabbi> "The story does not end here."
* Rabbi takes a sip of tea
<Rabbi> "And so Markova found himself here, within the lands of Shadow, and before
his demon prince, and a strange woman known only as the Lady of Shadows."
* Huntress continues to listen to the man
<Rabbi> "They taunted the man, and were to devour him as well, but Markova convinced
them to allow him to continue his work, to continue his atrocities on this side of
life."
<Rabbi> "Impressed with his lack of fear, they allowed him to continue, but only if
he were to do so, in a place called La'hrago."
<Rabbi> "La'hrago was a far shore, a paradise among paradises. A place where wraiths
of all cultures could go to find peace, and transcendance."
<Rabbi> "Markova gathered an army of spectres, and told them of his plans, he would
go to this place, and in time they would follow."
<Rabbi> "Markova began his search for this place, and met up with a young reaper, he
told the reaper of La'hrago, and the two set off to find it. And find it they did."
<Rabbi> "For years, Markova existed among those who stayed there, learning, watching,
waiting, and finally he called to his army. At war's end, Markova had indeed,
stormed the gates of heaven, and took his place as it's god."
<Rabbi> "He continued to make the far shore look as if it were a heaven, when in
fact, it was a hell. Here he would devour those who had come looking for peace, and
replace them with spectres who could pass as wraiths."
<Rabbi> "However, some began to suspect, and soon that young reaper came back, and
fought his way to the palace. He revealed the treachery to all, and they fled, but
not before Markova sent the young reaper to harrowing."
<Rabbi> "Markova soon had devoured all that he could and became the creature he is
today, sleeping for a thousand years each time, and awakening afterwards."
* Rabbi looks up
<Rabbi> "Markova has awoken only twice, this is his third time, my friends. Should he
awaken now, he shall remain awake until the end of all days."
* Rabbi closes the book
* Rabbi looks at each of you
<Daniel> "So...we have to make sure he stays sleeping?"
<Rabbi> "There is another story, but you have questions."
<Brianna> "Where does he sleep?"
* Huntress 's eyes begin to flare a deeper red
<Rabbi> "I do not know, perhaps you must kill him. It is not in my knowledge, to tell
you."
<Storyteller> "Wait there is another story, perhaps the most important story,"
* Angelo leans forward.
* Rabbi opens another book
<Rabbi> "Once a long time ago..."
<Rabbi> "There was an ancient Reaper, who knew that he could no longer hold off
transcendance, and so he took it upon himself to find someone to take his place."
<Rabbi> "He searched for years, fearing that he would not find a worthy replacement,
untill he reaped an older man."
<Rabbi> "He found within this man a great purpose, a divine hand and to himself
thought, here is who I have sought."
<Rabbi> "And so the two traversed the Tempest for centuries, the enfant learning as
he travelled. Finally the day came, when Matias," looks up "That's the reaper. Took
off his mask, and handed the enfant his sickle and said unto him, 'Now my oath is
yours, my teachings are over, my sickle and boat are yours to guide.' and in a
brilliant flash of white light he was gone."
<Rabbi> "The enfant took these artifacts of great power, and said, 'Yes, I shall do
as you had done, travel the paths you have taken.' And he watched his teacher,
dissappear."
<Rabbi> "The young reaper, began in earnest, and guided those souls to their final
destinations. Until one day, a man came to him and asked to be taken to La'hrago.
The reaper had never heard of this place, and the man described it as a paradise
among paradises. And so the reaper searched and find it he did."
<Rabbi> "When the two reached La'hrago, the reaper impressed with what he had seen,
walked upon the shore and knelt weeping tears of joy, 'Yes, yes, this is what
paradise truly is. I vow unto this day that any who seek shelter, who seek comfort
and solace shall I bring them here!'"
<Rabbi> "And the reaper kept his word, bringing all he reaped unto this far shore.
Century after century, he did so. Until word of La'hrago's corruption reached his
ears. Stunned he could not, would not believe these words and came he did to see
for himself."
<Rabbi> "There with his own eyes did he see the truth. The rumors were true, and a
great anger came upon him, and gathering his power, he slayed his way unto the
palace. There upon the throne, was that man he had brought so long ago. The man
said, 'Look upon me and weep, reaper. For it was you who had brought me here, and
it was you who brought this downfall of Olympus, for I am god here.'"
<Rabbi> "The reaper, stunned was attacked by Markova's followers and as he sunk into
harrowing, he reached Markova and said this, 'My guilt is not mine alone, for I
shall arise and with me shall arise those who would destroy all that you have built
here. What you have done shall be torn asunder, I curse you. I curse you to sleep
for a thousand years, and upon each awakening I shall be there with mine own
soldiers, and they shall defeat you, and upon the third time, we shall see who
shall hold victory.'"
<Rabbi> "And with that he was gone."
* Rabbi looks up and sips his tea
* Brianna blinks, bringing herself back from the Rabbi's story
<Rabbi> "When he awoke from harrowing, the reaper was disheartend, for his guilt was
too great."
<Rabbi> "Slowly he began to sink as his Shadow grew ever and ever stronger."
* Remy nods slowly
<Rabbi> "Wandering aimlessly in the Tempest, the reaper came upon a small island, and
upon this island were three women. They called to him, and he came."
<Rabbi> "They said unto him, 'Why does guilt rule your heart, Ferryman?' And weep he
did as he told his dread tale."
<Rabbi> "The mid woman held him as he wept, and comforted him. 'Come with us,' they
said we shall heal your wounds so that your curse shall remain true.'
<Rabbi> "He went with them, spending century upon century, with them. The mid woman
curing his guilt, the crone teaching him their ways, the young woman became his
lover, so that he knew his place among men."
<Rabbi> "And upon the two hundreth and one day they said unto him, 'Now is your final
day with us, for your time has come to leave this nest of harmony and seek those
who would aid you. Know you this, no longer are you a ferryman, for you are our
prophet, and know also that your soldiers shall be as thus, the first time, they
shall succeed, the second shall they fail, and the third is the last and they are
as of yet undecided. You must first seek HE WHO SHALL COME AS A SAVIOR TO THE
DARKNES, for the two of you are our blessed children, and know that one of you shall die before their time.'"
<Rabbi> "'Your visions shall guide you, my son, my apprentice, my lover. Go now PROPHET
OF FATE."
<Rabbi> "And so he went out unto the world and sought those he must, those who would
be as his soldiers. And the Lady spake true for the first succeeded, the second
failed, and the third is as of yet undecided."
* Rabbi closes the book, and sips his tea
<Rabbi> "You are that third, the soldiers of a curse cast long before you were ever
born."
<Rabbi> "You have a few questions I see."
* Brianna asks, already having her suspicions, "And the reaper is?"
* William just sits back, pondering the story
<Remy> "Well...I believe I know who this Prophet of fate is, but who is 'he who shall
come as a savior to the darkness'?"
<Rabbi> "He died long before any of you. I do not know his name, none of my books
reveal his identity."
<Rabbi> "The PROPHET OF FATE, I do not know, though he came to me in a dream, when I
was just a boy. He told me many stories."
<Brianna> "Did he look like a spider?"
* Angelo grins.
<Rabbi> "No, but he was very tall, but then again I was just a boy back in the day."
* Rabbi drinks some more tea and waits for more questions.
* Remy looks to Brianna. "That sounds like our boy, alright."
<Remy> "I take it that this battle is comin' to a close soon?"
* Brianna nods at Remy
<Rabbi> "Yes, it is very close now."
<Brianna> "When will Markova awaken again?"
<Rabbi> "Soon, I do not have those answers. You must seek the Prophet."
<Brianna> "What part do you play in this?"
<Angelo> "If he's who you guys think he is, then why hasn't he said anything about
this before?"
<Rabbi> "I am just a mere messenger. A scholar who knows only what he is allowed to."
<Rabbi> "I do not know, he would."
<Brianna> "Perhaps it wasn't the right time for us to know."
<Remy> "He said we would talk after we returned from the Rabbi, after all."
* Angelo shrugs. "Maybe."
<Brianna> "That's true."
* Brianna has a pensive look on her face
<Rabbi> "There is much he can tell you that I cannot, yes?"
* Remy nods
* Brianna nods
<Remy> "Perhaps we should go seek him..."
<Storyteller> "Yes, and tell him for me, thank you."
<Angelo> "Yeah..." he sets down his teacup.
* Brianna stands
<Brianna> "Thank you for everything, Rabbi," Brianna says
* Remy stands up, and nods to the rabbi
<Remy> "I will. And thank *you*, Rabbi."
* Remy extends his hand
<Rabbi> "It was good to see you all, I have not been in the company of those who are
such finely wovan into the threads of fate."
* Angelo nods to the rabbi, but doesn't extend his hand as he stand up.
* Rabbi shakes his hand
* Daniel smiles at the Rabbi. "The tea and stories were excellent, sir. May we meet
again."
* Brianna absently reaches into her pocket to reassure herself of it's contents
<Angelo> "Well, let's get going. Seek the prophet and all."
* Brianna starts walking towards the door, anxious to be off
<Storyteller> After your goodbyes and a few words, you head to the Met, with a renewed
purpose, and many questions fill your mind.
<Storyteller> Arriving at the Met, you head into the exhibit to find Ahuru isn't there
<Storyteller> "I am in here," comes a voice from the next room
* Brianna follows the sound of Ahuru's voice
* Angelo walks in after Brianna.
* Remy walks into the next room
* Ahuru stands looking out a large picture window in the medievel wing. He doesn't
turn around to see you enter
<Ahuru> "Ask your question."
* Brianna stands uncertainly in the room
<Remy> "Are you the Prophet of Fate?"
<Ahuru> "When I was a boy, I had always had visions, I could tell when the crops
would fail, when the locusts would come, who would die. When I was but twelve, a
man came into my father's shop and asked for his fortune."
<Ahuru> "He was the most finely dressed man I had ever seen, and I told him, 'You
will not see your own tomb.' He looked at me with wonder and said to me, 'In one
year, come to the palace, there you shall train under the advisor and you shall
stand by my side always.'"
<Ahuru> "And when that year had passed, my father took me to the palace and kneeled
before me looking into my eyes he said, 'My son, this day is the day you become a
man, and there are two kinds of men in the world; those who live through history,
and those who make it.'"
<Ahuru> "'Today and every day hereafter you must decide the kind of man you are. Go now
my son, I am proud of you.'"
* Ahuru turns and nods, "I am who you seek, I am the PROPHET OF FATE."
<Storyteller> to be continued
