"Easy there, fella. I was just talking to the nice lady. Nothing untowards meant. I'm all about academics first, you know," Hank smiles with a wink at Clarissa.
"I certainly don't want to do anything to miss the trip."
Hank's ready to go and to try to steal some time with the ever so lovely Clarissa.
Somewhat pensively Howard returns to his rooms, and begins packing a bag.
He has lived his whole life within Arkham, and is somewhat apprehensive about leaving its familiar environs.
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With a quick wave to Deanndra as she heads out the door to catch up with Harold "Ready to get off campus and go explore the wilds of New England for a few days Harold?" she asks.
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The next day, very early, you arrive in front of the library to start your field trip.
The cars, and the truck, are there to take you on your journey.
Robert Blaine is there, organizing the last pending issues.
"Ladies, please go into the cars. Gentlemen, you will travel in the truck. We should arrive to Cobbs Corner soon after midday. Terrence Laslow will drive one car and William Noakes the other. Roderick Block will drive the truck."
You realize Robert Blaine will travel on Terrence Laslow's car, alone, with Clarissa Thurber, letting Abigail and Deanndra into the other car, drived by William Noakes.
A couple documents are being passed along... a road map of Vermont with Cobb's corner marked out in the bottom part of it, and a flyer about Maclearan's Farmhouse, your place of stay for the next days.
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Walking toward her the ride that she is to share Abigail calls out with a smile "Clarissa, why don't you ride with Deanndra and I, there is plenty of room for the 3 of us and Mr. Noakes, and we can discuss the trip along the way". While Abigail knows that there would be a chaperone in the car with Clarissa and Robert, she is just uncomfortable with the possessive nature he displayed toward her yesterday.
"Yeah, good idea, Abagail. I don't think it's quite proper for those two gentlemen to be in the car so long with a lady. We don't want gossip mongers saying anything untoward about Ms. Thurber, of course."
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Robert Blaine interjects.
"Miss Thurber will travel in the other car, in the back seat, which she will have for herself, so she can rest during the trip. I prefer for her to have room, and be able to rest."
Clarissa seems to want to say something, but Robert stops her.
"I insist. It is better for you to have room to rest."
She nods, smiles, and turns to Abigail.
"Thank you, but let's do it as Mr. Blaine told us."
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Frowning as she climbs into the car Abigail settles in for the morning ride, putting the situation of Clarissa and Mr. Blaine from her mind to focus on the upcoming task. She happily makes small talk with either the Driver or Deanndra as they drive to Cobb's Corner and the Farmhouse they will be renting for the next couple of days.
Hank piles into the truck with the rest of the boys, glum that his ploy didn't work. Why was that Blaine fellow acting like such a rounder? He worked over that in his mind and didn't pay too much attention to the details of the trip, as the vibration of the truck on the road relaxed him a bit.
Oliver spends most of the night excited. He breaks down and cleans his rifle. In the morning he packs his duffle with camping equipment and his disassembled rifle, along with some clothes.
In the morning, he hops into the back of the truck as instructed. He gives a nod to William. Hey, Bill. good hunting weather. He smiles.
Oliver shrugs, Better to ask forgiveness then permission. He says with a laugh
I'll try to find out more information, Abigail. No promises, though. What do you think was up with Robert, I mean, Mr. Blaine and how he acted with Clarissa? Deanndra settles in for the car ride.
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After a bumpy ride, at around 1:30 pm, you arrive at Cobb's Corner, Vermont, looking at it from the distance.
View of the town.
The town is blessed with a booming trade industry due to its location on the Deerfield River and the fecundity of its farms. Chartered in 1787 by a group of farmers out of New Hampshire, the town was named after Franklin Cobb; the leader of the settlers, and the surrounding land is often referred to as Cobb’s Corners as well. The farmland in the valley has garnered a growing reputation as the “Breadbasket of Vermont” due to the variety and abundant yield of its crops in a region usually known for its rocky, if not infertile, soil. A small tributary of the much larger Deerfield River bisects the valley.
Cobb’s Corners is a place of great scenic beauty, a Rockwell painting come to life. Small shops line the unpaved Main Street leading to the waterfront district consisting of a couple of warehouses and a few short piers. Spread out behind the stores are a collection of homes, a public library, the town hall, a local sheriff ’s office, the office of the Cobb’s Corners Gazette, a one room schoolhouse, and an assortment of other buildings. Access to the valley is by a two-lane road that meanders through the surrounding mountains.
Beyond the town proper lies the Gismend River Bridge (great for bass and trout fishing). Farming covers hundreds of acres of tilled soil bursting with a variety of crops, such as sweet corn. Any inch of land not used for farming boasts a cluster of trees, with thick forests of elms, oaks, and hickories in danger of taking over abandoned farms. Standing majestically in the background, the Green Mountains rear up like a bulwark against the rest of the country.
Cobb's Corner Map
At the entrance of town you find your guide/driver waiting for you. Joe Harlow, age 58, has very little hair left on his head and what he has is short, wispy, and as white as snow. Always dressed in a buttoned-up work shirt, faded bib overalls, and a ratty straw hat. It’s difficult to tell that Harlow’s eyes are blue because he’s constantly squinting.
He takes the group to The Maclearan Farmhouse, a short distance away from the town. The farmhouse is a two story unsightly eyesore surrounded by thigh-high grasses. Behind the farm, large Sugar Maples grow where once corn or wheat held sway. Within the house a few unbroken chairs sit facing one another before a brick fireplace in which cold black ashes lie. A large window looks out on what was a front yard.
Miskatonic University has been good enough to run a phone line to the house, but unfortunately, the dwelling has neither electricity nor gas. The layout consists of a front room, a large kitchen area, and what must have been a parlor downstairs, as well as two large bedrooms upstairs. The place is dusty and obviously could do with a clean. Oddly enough, the place doesn’t really feel abandoned, as if someone or some thing still visits here from time to time...waiting.
Hanging on the wall above the hand pump in the sink is a faded yellow and blue hand stitched plaque that reads “God bless our happy home.” Below the window looking out on the backyard stands a large insulated metal box into which ice can be poured and used to keep food cold. Through the rear window can be seen a decrepit outhouse that sits like an wooden island amongst a sea of grass—a collapsed barn, some fifty feet behind and surrounded by the Sugar Maple forest.
Maclearan Farmhouse Map
Getting down the vehicles, Robert Blaine calls all of you.
"If you hurry up and set up this place, as well as clean it up, I will take you for a dinner in town, in a good place I get to know here the last time I came. So, let's get to it!"
He turns towards Clarissa Thurber, Abigail and Deanndra.
"Ladies, I think it would be better if you take the upper rooms, while the rest of us sleep at the ground floor. Ms. Thurber, let me help you with your bags."
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I'll try to find out more information, Abigail. No promises, though. What do you think was up with Robert, I mean, Mr. Blaine and how he acted with Clarissa? Deanndra settles in for the car ride.
"I'm not sure, maybe he's sweet on her and a bit of the jealous type?" Sitting back to enjoy the last of the car ride, Abigail ponders Mr. Blaine and Clarissa's odd relationship (or lack there of).
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Stretching as she climbs out of the car, Abigail takes in the rundown farmhouse with a raised eyebrow and a shrug. Noting the lack of an offer to help anyone else with their bags she is thankful that she packed lightly.
Grabbing her bags she begins the walk upstairs to check out the two rooms to be shared between the three girls. Setting her bags outside the first room at the top of the stairs she walks in to open the windows and air the place out a little, and maybe get a breeze going in the stuffy upper room. Hearing the others climbing the steps she calls out "At least its not winter, I don't see a fireplace up here at all".
Calling to Mr.Harlow "If possible, I'd like to go to the townhall and check out any of the old city Plat records before we head out tomorrow. It might help us during our survey of the surround area".
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Joe Harlow looks at Abigail while inclining his head.
"Plat records Miss? What's that?"
You realize that you won't have time to do that today, as there is much to clean up and prepare.
When you take the time to get outside, besides the smelly outhouse and the ruined barn (only the foundations and some pieces of walls remain) you notice a flowerbed in full bloom surrounded by a ring of stones; the violets, daisies, buttercups, and lilacs that comprise the flowerbed are much too neatly ordered to be the product of mere chance.
Within the Maclearan Farmhouse, as all the others, you feel a heavy air of melancholy.
"Well, this is a pretty farmhouse all things considered. I've seen worse in my day. And if we get time, I'd love to get a crack at the fishing hole back there. I bet I could get us dinner.," Hank says wistfully as he looks around the place. He wasn't the best student...he much preferred being on the farm here, rather than being at the stodgy school. This was more his cup of tea.
He craned his neck to be sure that Blaine wasn't harassing Clarissa too much. That guy was creepy. Just to make himself more co for table, he made sure his familiar baseball bat was in his bag. It was a bit of a safety blanket for him.
Howard mainly keeps to himself, during the long drive; if road conditions permit, he reads 'Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic Wars' while riding.
Oliver hops out of the truck and looks around. The woods near the house showed promise. At the very least, there would be small game, maybe feral turkeys, chickens and pigs. If the new growth forest backs up against wild wooodlands, It could have deer, maybe even black bear. Oliver can't contain his smile.
He was a bit hungry, if they hurry with the clean up and set up his sleeping area, the faster the other go of to town to get a meal. Bill, do you believe how close we are to the woods? Once they want to go into town to eat, we can set up our rifles. I brought some bologna sandwiches. We just need an excuse to stay.
Are you too good for bologna? ...Win a few games, and its nothin' but steak and champagne. He says busting his chops Maybe there's somethin' fun to do in town.
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After putting her bags down and doing her small walk around the grounds Abigail returns and begins to clean and orgainze the small farmhouse, getting it into order. As she works she asks Mr. Harlow "Sir, who planted that wonderful little garden in the back. It seems to be the only thing kept up around the farm.".
Deanndra mimics Abigail, following along behind her. Taking her bags to a room and then starts cleaning.
Overhearing Abigail ask about the garden, Deanndra can't help but add, It is a beautiful garden, it reminds me of home.
Hank was looking for someone to talk to, and he brightened up at seeing the two ladies. He joined in, adding his elbow grease to the room cleaning. "Afternoon ladies. This farmhouse isn't in the worst shape ever, I suppose. I heard you talking about the garden, I agree, it's really nice! I bet the hunting and fishing here is unbelievable. I'd like to get a bit of alone time out here before we are hurried back to school."
"Joe, call me Hank. I like to see another outdoorsman. A lotta eggheads in this crew," he whispers with a grin. "Tell me more about the fishing. What do you catch around here? And more important, do you have any extra poles hiding here or there? I didn't bring one, not knowing what to expect. Either of you two fish much," he asks the two female students nearby.
"First he hogs all the time with Clarissa, and now he's messing with my fishing! You think I'd get in trouble if I punched Robert in the guts," Hank whispered, grumbling to be girls.
Somewhat nervously Howard looks around at the ancient woods crowding around the old house; he has spent pretty much his whole life in Arkham, which is no metropolis, but it is certainly far removed from this!
Deanndra grins when Hank starts talking about fishing. Me, i really like to fish also. She says, flashing her most prettiest smile at him she could.
Deanndra's smile turns to a frown when she sees Blaine make a face at Mr. Joe. I swear, he's going to take all the fun out of this outing.
What is his problem? Dea whispers to the other two.
"I don't know. But, he's being a thorn in my backside, that's for sure. Have any of you ever met him before? I've heard some rumors, but until the trip was planned, I don't think I'd ever spoken to him. After the trip, I don't much plan on it either," Hank grinned in response.
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Stopping her rough sweeping for the floor Abigail looks up 'Abandoned for a few years now? Why is that Mr. Harlowe? Didn't the last field trip stay here, or were they someplace in town? So sad all the accidents on that last trip.... Where you helping them as well?' she asks, interested in both the old farmhouse, and any additional insight into the ill fated trip of the previous year. She starts to sweep again shortly afterwards, more pushing dirt around than anything else. At least she seems to be pushing it towards the door though.
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Joe Harlow smiles at Abigail.
"The students of the last trip miss? I didn't knew them. I think they were alone, without me helping them, that is why they got in trouble, without a good guide to help them. There are treacherous paths up in the mountains, and you shouldn't be alone there, much less at night, if you don't know the places. But don't worry, you have old Joe here to take care of you now! Nothing will happen to you if I am leading the way, miss."
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With a smile Abigail replies "Well, i do feel safer withsomeone with as much local knoweldge as you around to assist us up in the hills. You know, I bet you could tell some stories about the local area, might help out some of our group get started. Maybe over dinner you can regale us with the local legends?"
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Psychology (60% is my score) Rolls: