Taking in their host, and the other young woman that enters behind him, Miyuku greets each of them with a movement slightly more than a nod, but less than a bow, maintaining eye contact with each of them, the whole time.
"This truly is excellent," she comments, taking a sip of her drink, "Your taste for quality is...quite apparent."
Jonathan nods to Miyuku. He speaks to her in servicible Japanese
"Thank you. I have a love for the finer things in life."
Nace looks unnerved by Jonathan's explanation. "Research into what exactly?"
The only thing we have in common is an inclination to the supernatural. Who knows that about me? The thought of this information being subject to research is unsettling.
Jonathan smiles
"Research into your history. Your ...family"
Jonathan sips his bourbon
"People don't realize just how much information is available if one knows where to looks and has the right keys."
Miren listens to their host with some consternation, but takes the opportunity of Jonathan's discussion with Nace to quietly slip near the bookshelves, examining one of the bright volumes before her ability to hold on to the Sight tires.
Most of the glowing books are above easy height. Miren spots on named Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum and another named Monas Hieroglyphica
"Well, you've definitely gone out of your way to...impress us with your resources...means, access to information most would not even know to look for, the reach to monitor and contact those you find of interest..." Miyuku says calmly, checking off items on her fingers as she lists their host's obvious advantages, "And a secure comfort in how obvious a position of power you hold...the question is..to what benefit?"
Miren catalogs the names of the glowing volumes and shifts her attention to their host, interested in his answer to Nace and Miyuko's questions.
Not sure I like it here, little Miren.
...the question is..to what benefit?"
Jonathan smiles
“You cut to the heart of the matter. I’d expect nothing less from someone who walks the path of the sword. You see my base of operations here, at least, where I stay when I am in this region. I do have resources, I am very fortunate in that as a young man I made an incredible fortune. I found myself ridiculously wealthy and retired in my twenties. From there, I began my true life’s work- the exploration of the Magical Realms. I search for people who have affinities to the magical world. Some affinities are obvious, some are not. There are other methods of searching that do not require a computer “
Not sure I like it here, little Miren.
Miren get a sense her spiritual child agrees
Miren has heard of the Monad book. It was written by an Elizabethan practitioner of magic, astrology, and alchemy named Dr John Dee. The other one she isn’t sure about
Miren turns her back on the bookshelf and stands square on both feet, head high, arms folded - an odd stance for someone in fancy dress. She speaks for the first time, flatly and without inflection, but without hostility.
"Why do you search for such people?"
"Why do you search for such people?"
Jonathan looks to Miren
“Several reasons. First, I am an explorer and researcher- but I cannot do these things all myself. I search for allies who will be willing to assist me
“Two, I am always interested in meeting people who are touched by magic. They help me broaden my understanding of the unseen realms
“Third …”
Jonathan pauses and takes a long sip from his bourbon
“There are a lot of things out in the wider world. Unfriendly things. I tend to think of our world as the beach of a vast unknown ocean. We splash a bit in the shallows, but many creatures swim out of sight in the deeper waters. I am here to offer an alliance. I am human. You are human. We should make common cause again those things that threaten us”
"Before all the splashing draws the attention of a lurker in the deep?"
Jonathan smiles and nods
“That is actually a good way to put it”
He looks over the group
“In my studies, I have come across references to … phases … in magic over time. The Hindu tradition separates the ages of the universe into Yugas. We apparently live in the Kaliyuga, a time of strife. The Mayans believed that a new cycle would begin in 2012. However, I’m not sure either tradition got the facts correct.”
He sips his bourbon and continues
“What if, the power of magic waxed and waned? It seems odd that every corner of the earth has folk stories of magic, gods, and monsters. Perhaps these things live in the shadows, and in recent centuries, their power has waned. But… perhaps that is ready to change once again.”
He finishes his bourbon and Callie fixes him a fresh one
“My observations over the last two decades point to an upsurge in magical phenomena. As well as UFO sightings, cryptids, and ghosts. I am concerned that these … Extranormal forces could become powerful again. And I fear most are not friendly to our species “
[dice=knowledge(occult)]1d20+6
Since the turn of the millenium, there seems to have been an upswing in paranormal activity across the world. However, as far as Miren can tell, this is not some huge swell, merely statistical upticks due to other factors like societal interest. But, it is hard to quantify
Nace takes another sip from his glass. "You sound like an observer, but you've brought us here. I can't help but thinking there is more to it than that."
"And also - why us? I'm sure your 'research' could have turned up all sorts of folks." Nace clearly still has a chip on his shoulder, that a stranger should know so many things that he has told to no one.
Jonathan nods
“I asked you here to make you an offer. I need people on my team I can send to … look into things. I am building a group to achieve this”
He looks at the assembled folks
“I hire good talent. My researchers say you are some of the best out there. You won’t be the only team I assemble, but I am hoping that you would be interested in working for me. The work would be challenging, and you would have the support of my corporation “
Miren blinks. "Best what? I'm just an EMT and student."
Miren blinks. "Best what? I'm just an EMT and student."
Jonathan nods
“As you wish. This isn’t mandatory. If you aren’t interested or feel that my researchers were in error, then you can have an excellent meal and take home an interesting story to tell your family about the crazy billionaire you met”
"What did your researchers say? I wouldn't want to disappoint if your intelligence were in error."
Jonathan looks at her
“You suffered a traumatic event when you were a child. The hospital reports say that it was a literal miracle that you survived. Yet, you did. And according to the reports, you made an amazing recovery. Several doctors were of the opinion that even with your survival you would never walk or even be conscious again. Yet, you seem to be even stronger than many people that never fell off a huge cliff.
“Interviews with local townsfolk say that you changed after the event. Although it could perhaps be understood due to trauma, the few people who knew you both before and after said the difference was unnerving. Your own father said to our interviewer that he thought you were a ‘scary-ass kid’”
Jonathan pauses
“All of this might be explained away, but it is harder to explain the reports of you interacting with a ghost. Several people from your hometown report seeing you at times near a spectral figure. Several patients that interacted with you as an EMT reported seeing a small pale child peering at them during their ambulance ride. These people, when shown a picture of you at the age you dropped off that cliff confirm that is the child they saw”
Jonathan looks at Miren
“So, the mystery to me is, if there is a ghost that haunts you that IS you as a child, then who are you now?”
Miren's stomach goes cold, and she tries to maintain her composure. After a moment of silence, she speaks quietly.
"You went to a great deal of trouble to get that information."
After another pause, she admits, "Your intel is good. But why do you care who I am, or... or was?"
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”So much for HIPAA,” Nace mutters to himself.
After another pause, she admits, "Your intel is good. But why do you care who I am, or... or was?"
Jonathan smiles
“I do not wish to discomfort you. I understand that it is unnerving to have someone investigating you. But, I search for people who have been touched by magic. It’s part of my life’s work. I would love to hear your story. I would also love to offer you a position, as someone who can interact with spirits, either with projection or mental abilities is a valuable asset to a team investigating the sorts of things I am interested in”
Miren frowns, gazing at the floor. "Much as I would like to indulge your curiosity, I can remember little from before I opened these eyes and took my first agonizing breath, feeling the ends of broken ribs grinding together. I could see with my heart the spirit of the terrified child nearby, too frightened to go back or move on, lost, menaced by dark shadows closing in on her. I somehow held her close to me and brought her back into this body, kept her safe until they took us from that place."
A faint, fond smile blooms on her face. "Miren has repaid me many times over. She taught me her language - your language - and shared all she had learned in school. She stays with me still, though I urge her to move on, but I hope she is learning the lessons she was supposed to in life."
"As to what I was, I don't know. Those memories are denied to me. Human, I think. Naturally, the bullying coward that is this body's father thinks I was scary, because he no longer had a cringing, terrified child to abuse. An adult looked out of these eyes and did not waver, and he broke, as cowards do."
She raises her head and looks Jonathan straight in the eyes. "What I do have is beliefs and standards that I think I carry forward from the past. I do not kill humans, if I can avoid it in any way. I heal when I can. It is important to me that the spirit takes its full journey through this life to learns all the lessons it can before it moves on from this world. And no, I do not know what happens when it moves on. This is a feeling... a... a duty... I must uphold."
"I will do nothing that conflicts with that duty."
Miyuku studies Jonathan intently, watching for his reaction to Miren's statement of purpose with a hint of a smile on her lips.
Jonathan breathes in
"What a fascinating story. This is what I live for. Tales of magic and spiritual occurrences."
He looks at Miren
"I too, feel as if I have a duty. As I mentioned, I feel that there are many other things out amongst humanity. Most of humanity is unaware of them. These things have fed off humans since time immemorial. Occasionally their power wanes, and they become less threatening. I believe that the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution led to such an era. However, many of these things seem to have now adapted to the modern era, and are making a comeback."
Jonathan sips his bourbon thoughtfully
"My duty is to protect humanity from these predators. To search out the people on the missing persons advertisements. To stop their predation."
"In that at least, I believe we have a common desire," Miyuku says quietly.
"Missing..? So are you talking about physical predation or spiritual predation?" Miren wonders. "Are the missing you speak of running off because they are no longer themselves, or are they being taken and killed?"
Jonathan shrugs
“Some are physically fed upon. Some are mentally fed upon. Some spiritually. If there is one certainty is that there are many different predators out there. “
"Like the thing we found at Santa's Village," Miren says softly, looking at Nace and Miyuku.
During this exchange, Nace has kept mostly silent, and exudes an air of pensive brooding. Instead of responding directly to Miren's suggestion, he speaks up directly to Jonathan.
"It sounds like you've done your research. If you've researched my family, you must know what I am - what blood flows through that family tree; what manner of horrible things have been done in the name of that bloodline. To track me down - I can't imagine tracking down someone of that blood for any good purpose. You talk like you are trying to do good in the world, but I don't know if I can believe that if you would track down someone like me, knowing as much as you do." Nace looks rather dejected, but is also appraising Jonathan's reaction.
Jonathan looks at Nace
"I don't believe that anyone is destined to follow their blood. We all all imbued with choice, and the sins of the fathers are not the sins of the sons"
He raises his glass
"If Lucifer could rebel against his father, why can you not rebel against your heritage?"
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Miren freezes at Nace's speech and says nothing, barely daring to breathe while Jonathan responds and she watches them both narrowly, waiting to hear Nace's reaction.
*What does he mean?*
I'm not sure, little one. Not sure I want to know.
Nace takes another sip of his drink while trying to read Jonathan’s sincerity. Finally he responds, ”Maybe, maybe not - but I’m still looking for a reason to trust you.”
Jonathan nods
“I can’t give you a reason to trust me, except perhaps this: If I meant you harm, you would already be neutralized “
He looks them over with calm eyes
“I do not say that as a threat, merely as an observation. I am a billionaire with access to magic. If I planned something nefarious, it certainly wouldn’t be some odd expository villain reveal in my own house. I’m a practical man. “
he gestures to the quiet goth librarian who has done an excellent job of staying in the background
“Sabrina is my bodyguard in matters arcane. Sabrina?”
The woman chants a string of odd-sounding syllables and suddenly a large scorpion-like creature is at her feet. At a nod from Jonathan she waves a hand and it vanishes
“Sabrina can manipulate ectoplasm into usable forms”
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Nace looks rather startled by this display. He then comments, ”I’m not so much worried for my own safety as I am about the nature of what you want us to do. But I guess time will tell.”
”But by all means, keep summoning demonic scorpions. I’m sure that goes a long way in reassuring people that you’re the good guys.” To tone down the confrontation, he takes a seat, and looks at his host with a slight grin.
Miren, unsurprised by the librarian's display of power after seeing her through other eyes, nods at Sabrina in acknowledgment and recognition of the other's abilities.
"It sounds like all of us need to establish trust, some in ourselves as well as others."
Following Nace's lead, she moves to a comfy-looking leather chair and sits. Rather than relaxing into the chair, she maintains an upright posture of alertness.
"Please, Jonathan, tell us of these predators you have found and that you fear may be active. We could have experiences that back up your findings."
Taking advantage of the others conversing, Miyuku maintains a preternatural stillness that makes her almost unnoticeable, until the moment where the dark librarian begins chanting. Though she barely moves, there is a flicker in her direction, where anyone looking would notice that she was suddenly holding a black-bladed sword in her previously empty hand.
She spares an appraising glance at Nace as he takes a seat, sparing another for Sabrina, before moving to a chair, making eye contact with Jonathan as she sits, laying Kagekiri across her lap.
Jonathan sits in a chair. Sabrina looks over at Miyuku and frowns, seeing Kagekiri appear on her lap, but a glance to Jonathan and a look and she fades into the background again
“Well, Most of my work has been theoretical so far. But, I can tell you the ones I have had teams encounter”
He thinks for a bit
“The reason I have for buying this house here is that Halifax is a nexus point. These are areas that seem for whatever reason to be supernatural hotspots. I have several houses in various nexus points. Santa Fe, New Orleans, Savannah, snd several smaller towns like Halifax scattered in out of the way corners of the country.
“So far in this area there seem to be many reports of spirits. Also, a team i put together came across a breed of spiritual vampires that fed on life force, but were otherwise quite human seeming. There are some nasty Native demons in the wilder spaces here, similar to the Wendigo. There have even been whispers of creatures that predate humanity’s occupation of the Americas altogether”
Jonathan sips his drink
“I actually have a job in mind , if you do decide to work for me. It would involve interacting with a spirit and finding an item associated with it. Are you familiar with the term ‘dosh’?”
"Santa Fe would have been closer," Miren smiles wryly. "And of course there are dark spirits the First Nations know. That is why they train shamans every generation, quietly. Their eyes are open, at least on the rez."
"I have heard the term 'dosh' but am not particularly clear on what it means. Something with a spiritual impression?"
Jonathan nods
“Certain items can, with association with supernatural events or entities, become imbued with magical power. It is the same sort of thing the Catholic Church practices with the bones of saints. This can be everything from a fang from a vampire to a lucky coin a serial killer kept in his pocket. These items can be bartered among others of the supernatural world. They are useful in rituals or alchemical experiments “
Jonathan pauses
“I am after a piece of dosh that is supposed to be here locally. A ring”
The concept definitely made sense, especially given the spiritual significance of the reforged blade across her lap and the energy that had been infused in her steel over the centuries.
"Any idea of the ring's history? What kind of energy might be drawn to is?" Miyuku asks, her curiosity peaked.
"And what can you do with it once it is found?" Miren wonders aloud.
“The ring is part of a puzzle I’m trying to uncover “
”Well, what do you know about it? How would this ring be distinguished from any other?” Nace asks.
"Can you share the puzzle with us, or are we to operate in the dark?" Miren wonders.
"As it is you're essentially asking us to find a needle in acres worth of haystacks." Miyuku adds.
Miren laughs. "I'm sure he has more intelligence to share with us. He seems to have good resources," she says to Miyuku.