Anyway, Jericho (Duana & Gabriel) are up. To be followed by the nearly destroyed Lawrence, and the broken pair of zombies.
Danny grimaces and flaps a hand, shaking off drops of residual Ectoplasm.
"It slimed me!" He quips straight-faced. His wry smirk fades as he hears Jericho's muttered oath.
"Time to end this." Jericho says. He wanted to call on his anger, but he had none. He simply felt... sad. These men didn't deserve this. Lawrence had been a simple man who had been murdered, and now his torment continued. He didn't know who these zombies were but he doubted they had been any worse in life. "Karane." Jericho almost whispers the word as he throws his sorrow, his sadness into the spell, taking a section of the stairwells iron banister to splinter into strikes at each of the enemies.
Duana slices at the first Zombie, her sword whistling a chill rapier of death. Attempting to stop the creature.
Gabriel the frost knight slices at the second on the zombies, hoping it's doom is nigh.
Putting the last reserves of his energy into the attack, a hail of nails and steel flies towards the remaining undead....
The furthest zombie up the stairs seems to more as the wind, as she dodges all the shards and blades of her foes. Despite her battered appearance this zombie has some life in her yet.
The lower zombie after taking Gabriels sword in its' gut takes a balustrade to the head clearly it is not long for the fight.
A shard of steel hits into the ghosts reamining manacle it cracks and slowly falls to the floor. Lawrence turns to them, as you watch he becomes more translucent and incorporeal as his tie to the world is lost. A slight smile crosses his face 'thank you'; he seems to whisper.
Ghost Laurence (Attack/3 - Def/2 Toughness:3(1 vs items)) [X] [X] [] [X] Minor: Disheartened; Medium: Ragged Out of Fight
Zombie 1 (Claws/3 - lvl:2 - T1) [X] [] [] [X] [] Minor:Battered
Zombie 2 (Claws/3 - lvl:2 - T1) [] [] [X] [X] [X]
Spirits (Mental Attack:3) Destroyed by the ghost dust! Out of Fight
Seeing that Aximeus has been put off-balance by the ghost the zombies surge up the stairs; their blood-lust taking over.
They claw at the steel clad figure trying to find a gap in the armour. The undead stand at his feet bleeding and fighting.
Your go (inc. Axes 2 defence rolls)
Axe blocks and dodges like mad.
attack 1
attack 2
come on dice dont fail me now!
Both the attacks just connect with the muscled man, their claws scoring across this armour just managing to bruise the man.
Thus depending on any previous hits (which should be noted in your profile) your physical stress track is [] [X] [X] []; unless you take any consequences to reduce the stress of the hits.
Different tracks:
for you (Aximeus)
Mental [] [] []- Conviction
Physical [] [] [] [] -Endurance
Social [] [] [] []- Presence
Danny flips his guitar back around and immediately launches into a familiar tune. His grins widens as he changes the lyrics to fit his needs. (Hey, HE thinks he's clever!)
The stress is showing though, his voice is sounding a little hoarse, and he is sweating.
;P
Way back in the woods of ancient Greece,
raised on tales of Jason and the Golden Fleece,
There was a hero born of the god named Zeus,
And his momma said 'I'll call him Ax-i-may-uus'
He never learned to read or write so well,
But he could swing that sword just like a ringing a bell,
Go Go!
Go Axe Go
Go!
Go Axe Go
Go!
Go Axe Go
Go!
Aximeus be good!
Then there's the little lady from down Winter's street,
For being from the cold she sure can bring the heat,
She likes to get the men all bothered and hot,
and if they don't perform she smacks 'em on the spot!
Don't tell me you think that fairies ain't real,
Or you might meet this fae chick swingin' her steel!
Go Go!
Go Winter go
Go!
Go Winter Go
Go!
Go Winter Go
Go
Winter be good!
Winter's Knight here is called Gabriel,
Don't let the angelic name fool yah he likes raisin' h@ll!
He's calm and cool the epitome of armored might,
But once the battle starts his sword blazes bright,
Above the din of battle you can hear him say,
'Hey undead warriors! Come out and play!'
Go Go!
Go Gabe Go
Go!
Go Gabe Go
Go!
Go Gabe Go
Go!
Gabriel be good!
And the haze of Danny's illusion settles over the group once more, causing them to look more than they already are. This time though the primary focus is their weapons, they blades of the warriors three glow brilliantly, flashing and leaving after-images in the air, making it almost impossible to tell the difference between where the blades ARE, or where they've BEEN.
Danny coughs after the second verse, forcing him to vamp for a couple of beats. But then he starts in again loud and clear, playing as if it was Carnegie hall for screaming fans, and not a basement in a church facing a veritable horde of undead!
"Do it! Hit them now!" Danny cries hoarsely over the scream of his final chord, held out strangely long and loud.
The Winter Queen's fey couple, use the luck to try and finish the Zombies. The concentrate upon the first Zombie leaving the second to Aximeus - trusting upon his earlier boasts that he can finish the other...
Buoyed by the music of Danny they strike, in concert Duana the fencer ripping into the monster and the Frost knight using his powers to take them out.
Gabriel the frost knight slices at the back muscles of the zombie, attempting to disable it.
Gabriel rends the creatures back it lies flopping on the floor as the magic circles pulsing beat gradually slows down.
Zombie 2 only enemy left. Jericho & Axe to go
Zombie 2 (Claws/3 - lvl:2 - T1) [] [] [X] [X] [X]
Jericho tried to throw up a block as the zombie came at him, but his mind screeched in pain and he knew that he was just about out of power. He managed to throw himself backwards, bumping painfully into yet another unlit iron candlestick. Not wanting to waste this luck he swung it hard at the creature, desperation strengthening his arms.
The zombie deftly avoids the iron candlestick moving with inhuman speed as the last energies from the circle writhe through its' body.
Sorry Aximeus, 24 hour notice. Or I'll post your attack - hope you are feeling better.
that is one wierd song Danno
Axe moves to attack a zombie
Aximeus thrusts into the open jaws of the unliving human and with a wrench into the brainpan. A hideous crack as the bone shatters and the corpse pole-axes to the floor. Silence covers the room.....
Zombie 2 (Claws/3 - lvl:2 - T1) [] [] [X] [X] [X] → DEAD
Duana moves down the stairs; and over to the dormant magic circle, rubbing a gap in it with her foot. Jericho can feel a slight tug from the Magical Nexus as the power-circle is broken. The winter princess carefully picks up the ivory box and with a slightly mournful tone says; "Mother wants this, I have to give it back to her. It is my duty." she spits the last words out.
Gabriel sheathes his sword and looks on at the fallen zombies and the care-taker at the top of the stairs.
'Let me out.' a tiny voice from the box. At the head of the stairs the vicar stands watching a grim look upon his face.
Jericho steps forward onto the foot of the stairs. "Not until I look inside." He said, and though he was having trouble standing he planted his feet and made himself look intimidating. "I can't let you hand over a potential weapon to one of the Queens of Faerie until I know what it is."
Danny watches Axe shatter the last zombie's head with a strike that would make Bruce Lee envious. The singer triumphantly strikes a few final chords on his guitar, falls to his knees, and holds up his hand with fingers spread in a 'V for Victory' over his head.
"Thank you! You've been a great audience! We'll be here all week!" he says wearily but with a big grin on his face.
The grin fades when Jericho steps in the way of Duana.
"Aw, snap. Here we go again." He mutters, bone-weary. He starts looking around, wondering if the Church has a bomb shelter,...
Duana raises an eye-brow sardonically; "Won't let me! Do you realise what this is? Who is around you, the Frost Knight, a hound of the Fae and me." She holds the box against her hip in one hand leaving the other free to draw her rapier if necessary.
"We don't know what is in this box, only where-ever it has been there has been atrocities, Cambodia, Haiti, Sri-Lanka, Germany. And you want to open it... in here." She looks to Jericho adamant.
"And I'll stop every one of you from leaving with the box if I need to." Jericho says, trying to keep the strain from his voice. "I want to open it, in the light. Before, when they moved it, they kept it in the light when they opened it, I can do the same." Korben's hand dips into his pocket, keeping the motion slow and easy to avoid spooking anyone. "See here," He holds up a silver lighter. "I've enchanted this. It'll hold off any shadows, and keep the room lit. I can't give something like this to Maeve without knowing what it is."
"What did they hit us with; my head feels wonky...Jericho; dont you be opening Pandora's box there, them Fey is jerks, but She has a point. There are quite a few nasty boxes in the world and who says we are giving it to Big Bad Spooky Winter Lady? seems like church property to me; Danno; you got a handle on this stuff, this whole mess is so conveluted I donts remember what was promised to whom? I just want to know; did we stop the reserrection of the dead wife and with the end of this group; are people safe again for the moment?"
Duana looks at Jericho sourly, turning to Gabriel contemplatively you can almost hear the cogs whirr in her head. 'I am curious what mother wants with this? Perhaps....'
"Alright." she says to Jericho much to Danny's astonishment. "But, you better be correct and have the protections in place; Gabriel help him." With a barely visible shake of his head as if to say women, he sheaves his sword and moves to the ferromancer.
They move about the room in concert making sure as they can be to contain the energies in the crypt. Gabriels sponsored magic creates an icy sheen to the walls trying to hold in the wild power; whilst Jericho adds flecks of steel to the barrier. Then he lights some candles from uppstairs with a ritual ceremony and his silver lighter.
Reverently Duana places the Ivory box upon the pedestal; "Who's to open it?" she asks as a silence descends upon the group, outside birds gently tweet their dawn chorus. Aximeus pulls the heavy oaken door at the top of the stairs closed, just as Gelert enters the room with a blood soaked maw. The shutting door reverberates loudly in the enclosed space adding tension as the group prepares to open the ivory casket/box.
It's white surface gleams and ripples in the reflected light of the candles from the icy walls - just as the dawns first rays pierce the filthy cellar window the box is opened....
....Sparkling motes of light burst from their confines, the weariness that you didn't realise you had lifts. Hearts are filled with exuberance, you have defeated a major evil this night. There might be more out there, but this is a new day and you are filled with .
Thinking and feeling this you realise that is what was in the box. That is why it was found at the sites of the atrocities, that is what they lost. The shimmering radiance drifts across the room, as if it holds a definite purpose. Where it briefly skims across your flesh you feel revitalised, happy, content - but once it's left there is a slight longing. A petit-morte.
The barriers and wards drift and melt as the motes, cognitant emotion, fade into nothing. The candles dwindle and die. You all let our a breathe that you didn't realise you had held. The sounds of the birds outside start up again.
There is a sight itch on the back of your hand, where the motes of hope drifted over it. A white mark like a scar or pale birth-mark is there in the shape of a lightning bolt.
There is a sight itch on your shoulder, where the motes of hope drifted over it. A white mark like a scar or pale birth-mark is there in the shape of a snow-flake.[/
There is a sight itch on your chest, where the motes of hope drifted over it. A white mark like a scar or pale birth-mark is there in the shape of horns.[/
Blessed Be the Everliving Gods, by my mother; what was that
After we leave; I will invite Danny to dinner and over the next few days have some cool down; working and drinking with friends; looking up all war buddies for from R&R; spend some time alone in a natural glade smoking and communing with the earth; check in with the inspector I met and give him a sketch of what happened; then call Danny if a few days and see if anything blew up yet and ask him if at the end there; did he hear a voice and of so; would he share it; then share mine and muse about it
'Hope this helps with everything and you are doing better than I.
Duana'
Tired and weary from the fight, Danny finds himself going along with the ritual silently.
Mostly from surprise. Turns out the surprises weren't over yet.
"Holy Mary, Mother of God." He breathes reverently after the box is opened. "That,... explains a lot."
---
Afterwords, Danny finds himself in his ramshackle apartment. (But the price was good!) He is nursing sore and blistered fingers he hadn't noticed until well after the battle. He realizes he's holding an empty beer bottle, and leans over to place it down. He grimaces in pain as both the headache and the empty bottles tell him he's probably had enough. He wants to go to sleep, and forget the terrible things he's just seen. But he also wants to stay awake for a long time, remembering that feeling when they opened the box, and that voice in his head. (Was that real?!? Does he want it to be real?)
Gingerly he tugs back the collar of his shirt to reveal the small, white birthmark that he'd swear had never been there before. It looked like a snowflake from this angle.
Naaaawww. But that voice,...
He gets back into his routine (as much of one he had managed to establish) and gets a couple of little gigs. Enough to pay the rent. He also takes up Axe on his kind offers of company (and food!) when the big guy calls. They find themselves chatting about almost everything else BUT that night. They are both aware that they are avoiding it, but there's no stressing. They'll get around to it. Eventually.
COming back from one of those visits, feeling happy due to being both pleasantly full and pleasantly buzzed, Danny finds a box on his stoop. He glances around suspiciously. But seeing no one 'suspicious' enough to worry about, he examines it. It is the box of files originally taken from Tybalt's office. And a note. Danny reads it with a wry smirk.
"You too, Princess." He says aloud. then settles in for some reading,...
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: the story so far...
- Main Arc: Tybalt, a courier was murdered by Henri Millier.
- Tybalt was contracted by Maeve to get the box; he hired Timothy to steal it from York Cathedral. Timothy is the BF of Sara: the Maiden in the trio of 'Witches/Wizards' that work in the town.
- Henri persuaded Lawrence (The Egotistical Vampire that believes he runs to town) that Lawrence should have the box, to head off the threat of a ghoul war.
- In fact Henri wanted it to resurrect his dead wife, at the cost of a few innocent sacrifices.
- Henri killed Tybalt with a ghost that he managed to manifest.
- The group revealed the betrayal to Lawrence who vowed to punish Henri.
- The group have opened the box revealing it to contain light/purity/hope - the essence of something...
The next day on the news is a headline that there was an explosion in Acomb, believed to be accidentally set off paint thinner during a police raid on an Art Gallery (Henri's). 3 policemen are in serious condition and 3 more in hospital being treated for their injuries. The fire did not spread, however most of the art and antiquities were lost. Police are still searching for the proprietor, Henri Millier...
A few days later the imp from Henri's Apartment appears before Danny & Aximeus as they are having a drink. It's clearly agitated, cheerful and tired.
"Hello Henri told me to visit you if he returned to the rooms. Well he did the other day, although he looks a lot different to when I last saw him. I think the vampires that accompanied him might have hurt him. He had a shaved head and a massive bruise down one side of his face. Anyway he grabbed a few of his items, ritual equipment, that had survived the fire and left with his new 'companions'. Is that alright can I return home now." the last word is said with relief, like a soldier being given leave after a conflict.
The Holy Land... Jericho thinks, and his first thought is simply, I'll have some research to do. Which is immediately swept away by a spat of childish laughter, which bubbled from his throat easily. This was the first clue about his father he had managed in years, and he was making progress. Protector... He thought, his mind turning to other thoughts.
Yeah... I can be a protector.
It had been almost a day since the incident in the church, and Jericho had managed to heal enough to be ready for this. He hoped. He prayed.
He looked over the door. Steel He thought calmly. I could just get rid of it... but that wouldn't make much of an entrance. He thought about the guards outside, who had run when he had melted their guns from their hands. Let's make Lawrence think twice before he decides to try to take me out. With a thought and an expert of will the young Ferromancer's ring begins to spread. The seemingly liquid metal creeping over his body like a full metal suit, making his features look carved from silver, and a reflective sheen on his very eyes. Let's see how he likes this. Jericho thought as he carefully melted away the hinges to the steel door. Then he punched it.
If he hadn't been wearing his gauntlet, he likely would have broken his hand. But he was wearing his gauntlet, and a focus wasn't just metal and magic. It was a tool, for leveraging a magic-users energy. An item for ensuring that what he wanted was accomplished. Under the weight of that magic, the door buckled away from his fist as it sailed across half the space on the other side, and Jericho stepped like a man carved from silver through the doorway and into the vampire ball with a bellow. "Lawrence! Where are you?"
The vampires, and their cattle, were impressed. He could tell by how none of them had tried to eviscerate him yet. He found Lawrence in the crowd and stepped in towards him.
"Lawrence! Red Lord of York. I am here to deliver a message, and a warning." Jericho avoided stepping too close to the vampire Lord, while not seeming to. "Feed from these people, those who give willingly, and those who have wronged you. This is allowed. But feed no more from those who are innocent. The people of this city are no longer yours to consume. Spread the word to all the things that would hurt the innocent, and all those who would destroy the sanctity of this city's streets." Here he held his arm up, the gauntlet made into a blade and extended, though not within a threatening distance. "I am Jericho Korben, the Iron Knight of York." He declared, his facial features surgically cool as he projected to every corner of the room. "And these. People. Are. Protected." He stated, biting off every word like he was ready to kill on the slightest provocation.
Then he left the party, every eye watching his back. He could feel them boring into him, measuring, deciding which could manage to take him down and gain love from their lord.
But no one stopped him as he left.
Danny starts at the sudden appearance of the imp. He looks to Axe in surprise, then back at the imp. Then everything catches back up to him, and Danny is back. He gives Axe an 'easy, I'll handle this' gesture.
(He's not worried Axe will attack the tiny creature without provocation, but the large warrior seems determined to speak the absolute truth every time he opens his mouth. Which Danny usually finds refreshing, but annoying when he's trying to work.) :)
"Hey, yeah, I know about you. You work for Henri, right? Wow. Are you alright? You look tired. Can I get you anything? I think I have a doughnut left over from this morning,..." Danny rambles on like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo as he picks up a box from the local pastry shop.
For the past week Danny has been buying 2 doughnuts every morning, and not eating them until he gets fresh ones the next day. Just in case. He was beginning to hope he wouldn't need them, but,...
"Um, all they had left this morning were ones with sprinkles. Is that Alright? Can I get you some milk with that? Or Coke? Um,... do you drink Coke?" He asks as he places the box in front of the imp.
The temptation of the sprinkle covered pastry and promise of caffeinated/sugar-laden drink was too much for the Imp to resist.
"Aw naw, I gotta fly. Really. Well, I mean if you ain't gonna eat it. No sense in lettin' it go to waste, right?" the imp says as he picks up the first doughnut, nearly large enough for him to use as a pastry-life-preserver.
With the imp occupied, Danny quickly ushers Axe out the door. He assures the warrior that he'll be fine, and yes he'll call and let him know what he finds out as soon as he can.
Danny turns thoughtfully back to the imp.
'OK, first note, Imps aren't big on table manners' He observes wryly as he watches the tiny creature devour the doughnut. But what the imp lacks in manners, he makes up for in thoroughness. Once gorged, he continues to pick up every crumb and fallen sprinkle and pop it into his mouth like a delicacy.
"Hey help yourself. Can I get you another Coke?" Danny says as he notices the imp eying the second doughnut in the box.
"So, what happened? Henri was with Vamps? You think they hurt him? Did he try to talk to you? Tell me everything. Please. It could be very important." Danny pleads innocently.
'Henri is alive. Shouldv'e seen that coming. Guess it's a good thing I didn't give him back his cane.' Danny muses, idly thinking of the orb-topped cane in the bedroom, sitting in an umbrella stand with his umbrella and rapier. He watches the Imp eye the remaining doughnut, obviously trying to decide between it and leaving,...
The Imp looks at him, his face greasy with the donut and streaks where the sprinkles left there mark. He burps loudly and appreciatively, "Thanks for that, Mister. Yeah the vamps hurt him, he wasn't himself at all. Which ain't a bad thing really, he was a b*d. They seemed to have him 'Thralled', a will-less associate. If they left him alone then he might regain his faculties, maybe...."
"His voice was hollow, he just did what the blue-haired chick told him and grabbed 'what he needs for his rituals'. Of course, in that state they are going to be alot harder. And what with his brother getting the Archbishop of York to reconsecrate his church, he ain't likely to be using that Nexus again. In fact I don't see any undead getting near that place in an 'urry."
"Now anything else ya be needing? 'Cos now me obligation to him is ended and I can go home. But ya seem a good lad, if you got more of that sweet stuff and want a bit of help ask for and I may help you. That ain't my true name by the way, if you thinking of binding me like that bugger Henri." The little imp buzzes angrily but gratefully.
From the Heart, A Valentines Story
The evening is surprisingly warm for early spring, the wintery weather of the last few weeks has thawed and a gentle breeze wafts of the lake. The largest man-made body of water in Europe, York UniversitiesCentral Hall stands upon it's edge. This is the venue for the Valentines' day ball, not just for students the attendees are various faculty members, general public and minor celebrities. The Charity Ball is organised by the University to raise money for the Royal Antideluvian Order of the Buffalo.
The theme for this years Ball is the Chinese New Year, paper lanterns float upon the lakes surface illuminating the building with a beautiful soft light. From the entrance a soft melody drifts along with a scent of jasmine. The tune an amalgamtion of oriental and classical music provides a perfect opportunity for dancing.
The reception area is buzzing with people of all nationalities, ages, status and philosphies. A melting pot of cultures.
"Well, don't worry it won't be dangerous, my boss' daughters are going to the Valentines Day Ball. I just wish you to keep an eye on them and keep them safe." He then provides you with whatever information you need to find them. At the party you spot the pair; Min & Lin along side Danny.
'Trip'
Looking around the room, you see quite a few young faces and people fit for duty. Your old friend and colleague Colonel Dijon, has come with you to the party. A good excuse to mingle discuss old times, whilst you do your duty and talk to a few potential candidates for Sandhurst.
Kenneth
Seeing that your time had in York had so far been quite traumatic, Sara and Timothy had invited you to join them at the ball. Sara a powerful pagan 'witch' and part of an Ancient trinity with her mother and grandmother, though you had never seen her perform much of her magic, there is a sense of serenity around her. Timothy her boyfriend had been crowned the Corn-King and he held himself with a sure confidence. Around them was always a group of self-imposed outcasts and artistic types.
Out of the corner of your eye you see Sara's mother, a chaperone for the party, watching the couple with a curious angry expression. Her mother runs a cocktail bar, a Mexican feeling bar called the 'Evil Eye'.
Sara had befriended him and tried to help in finding Sloane. "Hey, let me introduce you to someone, he's a musician too." She turns to the young man and tries to move around the dance floor to where she has seen Danny.
Grillian
Walking across the illuminated bridge towards central hall, you had heard that Jericho would be there tonight. Unfortunately you had also heard a rumour that a vampire Becca was going to be there too. Ever since his declaration of 'Protectorate of York', the cold war between the vampires and the wizards had the potential to heat up & the physical danger to Jericho was increasing.
The large hexagonal reception area was crowded with one wall holding a massive Chinese buffet.
Jack ShadowLord
Jack had been following the trail of a killer for a few weeks, the M.O. was always the same - they came out of the darkness and took the sleeping victim - leaving them hanging from the rafters. Well too could play that game. The victims had all been connected a group of teenagers from a high school; they had recently graduated and split up each going on their own path. The order of the victims seemed to be a simple birthday routine.
Now Jack watched from the shadows as Matthew got ready to head off to central hall for a party.
Jericho
A mild morning you find posted through your letter-box a hand delievered envelop. Upon the white crisp envelop is written in concise and floral letters.
'Jericho Korben - Iron Knight, Wizard'
With certain trepidation you open the envelop inside is a slightly scented parchment covered with nearly scrawled writing even before you read it you realise this is a womans' hand and one that is unused to modern electronics. It says;
'Jericho,
the council has heard about your 'announcement'; I must say that there has been some debate amongst the council about what we should do with you. York has been a neutral territory in , with our side not having the strength to hold off the vampires. You have disturbed the status-quo. I am undertaking the task of assessing you. Look to my visit. I will meet you at the Valentines day dance.
Letitia'
The words remind you of a young-looking female in a grey cloak, tall she stood eye to eye with you after finding you with a chess set after the Chess Kings murders. Though you cleared your name; the woman looked hard to you.
All
The reception area takes up the whole ground (first for the US) floor, a small area where a suited man takes coats and ensures the behaviour of the invited and introducing those who wish it. The room has 8 sides, as the building, which gives off a mystical vibe. Opposite the entrance is a pair of stairs, to the left side is a massive Chinese buffet. Waiters and Waitress walk around with glasses of wine and other beverages.
Stairs lead to the top floor, curling back upon themselves they open out to a beautiful scene. A bright cacophony of colours, a dancers swirl and banners hang from the ceiling.
Upper floor where usually there's chairs for exam students and concerts instead there is a dance floor. A pale blue light swirls across it like the flowing of waves. To one side is a stage with a group of musicians upon it, their Chinese dress covered in gold piping upon a Crimson silk base. The instruments are a intriguing culture clash, shimisans and violins.
Surrounding the dance floor are rows of seats, people are stood and sat talking as the harmonious music rolls across the hall.
Notable people at the party:
- Manami's mother; - a Japanese Professor with a man who looks out of place here, probably Kenta's dad. (2 children Gelert, Danny & Aximeus rescued).
- A surly looking punk woman with blue hair. - Becca, watching two teenagers dance
- Sara & Timothy; a young couple with Ken Finley.
- A group of young Artists.
- A Girl in a white leather coat sips a cosmopolitan. She nods to you as you appear, but otherwise ignores anyone. Her attention is focussed on a mussy Artist sketching on his napkin.
- A young woman looking hopefully at her watch (Detective Laura Roseby).
- A group of middle-aged gentlemen with a strangely similar appearance.
Jericho Korben managed to drag himself out of bed. Professor Kingston had a lecture today. Jericho dragged himself out of his trashed bed in his 2 room flat and began a coffeepot. Empty Night... He thought, dressing in dark slacks and a tee shirt as he headed out to get his mail, walking past the disposable, college crap furniture that was all he could afford. I have to figure out some other way to keep the supernatural off the people. I can't keep missing this much sleep. So far his grades hadn't managed to slip but it was only a matter of time. Korben walked barefoot down the hall toward his mail drop and picked up his mail. Cell Bill. Campus Newspaper... Hey a letter from Gabriel. I wonder what he's been up to. Jericho scanned the letter for a return address but saw nothing. Typical. And... Jericho looked over the outside of his last letter. Wizard? Korben's brow furrowed. I don't have Wizard status with anyone. He poked at it once or twice, remembering the delivery guy who'd pulled a shotgun on him. Mailbombs wouldn't surprise him. He walked back into his flat and placed the new envelope on the disposable table slowly, then slowly, deliberately, drew in his magic. He forced the energy toward the enveloped intentionally, hoping to disarm anything that was inside.
The lightbulb blew. Damnit.
Jericho took Spellbreaker from the pockets of his jeans, curled on the floor where he'd kicked them off the night before. Flicking out the enspelled blade, he drew it lightly over the opening. It would kill any spell or ward he could deal with. If it didn't dispel the ward well... He wouldn't have been able to manage the wards anyway. He finally pulled the message out and scanned it in the morning light from the windows.
"S!#$." Jericho said calmly. "Damnit! DAMNIT! " Jericho slammed his hand onto the coffee table and felt something buckle. Great. Now he'd broken his table. He calmed down, forcibly, and sat with his head in his hands. "The hell was I thinking?" He whispered to himself, thinking back to the moment he'd stormed the Vampire's Ball. I should have known. I just announced myself like an idiot. Of course the Council would be after me. He thought back to the last time he'd seen Letitia. When she'd been at the head of the group of Wardens assigned to bring him in. But even back then Jericho had known what the Wardens did with those they thought had broken the First Law. He'd run. Made it into the Nevernever by almost pure luck. He hadn't seen her since. Is this a trap? Will she be trying to kill me once I get there? Damnit I never even got a date." He stopped at the last thought and almost slapped himself. Slightly more important things to worry about Korben.
Finally he looked through it logically. If he didn't show up at the Valentine's ball the Wardens would hunt him down. He was essentially fighting a war already, he couldn't fight both sides. He would have to go to the Ball and try his best to work things out. He'd have an escape route planned, just in case. And now I'm gonna be late. He thought, looked at his coffee, and realized that his emotions had been more out of control than he'd thought.
The coffee machine was on fire.
Best morning ever.
we all have days like that; did Henri mention anything about the plan or what is next? we are just sitting here twiddling our thumbs trying to regroup nursing our own injuries from what the heck happened to us and the fallout.
"yeah buddy, am listening; this is an open channel; what do you need?"
From the Heart, A Valentines Story
The evening is surprisingly warm for early spring, the wintery weather of the last few weeks has thawed and a gentle breeze wafts of the lake. The largest man-made body of water in Europe, York UniversitiesCentral Hall stands upon it's edge. This is the venue for the Valentines' day ball, not just for students the attendees are various faculty members, general public and minor celebrities. The Charity Ball is organised by the University to raise money for the Royal Antideluvian Order of the Buffalo.
The theme for this years Ball is the Chinese New Year, paper lanterns float upon the lakes surface illuminating the building with a beautiful soft light. From the entrance a soft melody drifts along with a scent of jasmine. The tune an amalgamtion of oriental and classical music provides a perfect opportunity for dancing.
The reception area is buzzing with people of all nationalities, ages, status and philosphies. A melting pot of cultures.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
"Bodyguard the Bosses daughters, Lin & Min, they will be at the Valentines Day Ball. All you have to do is make sure they are safe, then the debt is cancelled." the arms dealer concludes.
at the party...
Ah, Ms. Min and Ms. Lin, nice to make your aquaintence once again; you both are lovely as any national treasure. Hey Danno, what an event eh; real ....posh
Jericho was excited. He'd been waiting around the library hoping to see the girl with the library van again ever since he first saw her. Not that he didn't spend plenty of time bumming around the library anyhow, but he had spent even more. Though it probably amounted to less since he was spending every night making sure the ghouls, ghosts and vampires weren't killing people. Or weapons training with Ax and, until he'd disappeared recently, Gabriel. No wonder he had no social life.
Jericho shook his head out of that. He'd been waiting for this, and now he was terrified. He walked toward her. "Hey, library girl. I never got your name before." He said with a sheepish smile. "Jericho Korben."
After she introduced herself he looked around thoughtfully. "So you know... your friend ended up getting me signed up to chaperon that silly Valentine's dance, and I realized that I apparently am near-required to have a +1. Since you roped me into this whole mess, I figured you owe me one." He smiled at her, hoping for a yes.
Kenneth adjusted his tie and looked at his reflection in the mirror, surprised that Sara had talked him into coming so easily.
"I need to be here, with Sloane", he'd argued, and after about 10 minutes of that, Sara had gotten cross with him in a way he'd not seen since his mother died. She had looked him in the face and said, "Ken, I told you that we would keep her safe -- for all the things you can do, you cannot heal her mind or spirit... and if you don't get out into the world, we'll have to start worrying about your mind and spirit... at which point you're no help to anyone..."
He smiled and laughed as he remembered her tone, first lecturing him like he was a boy who'd been caught with a hand in the cookie jar, and finishing off with a jab. It was how he supposed a sister was supposed to talk to a man, assuming the sisters in question weren't self-absorbed alcoholics -- or worse, now, in Molly's case. Besides, it felt good to laugh, something he had done far too little of since his mother's death, and then Caitlin's. He winced slightly at that thought, the jab of a pain so familiar now that it was almost welcome and slightly sweet, its edges so worn down with age that it passed quickly. He shook his head to dispel the thoughts and get himself back to the present, I am a Warrior-Bard of the Old Style, Keeper of the Flame, a Gallant and a Poet. The world is filled with darkness, and I am a light... So I'd best release these dark thoughts, fix the tie and get out of here before Sara comes in and kicks my arse all over again... or worse, Brigid does.
He smoothed out his kilt and walked out to the party, taking in the cool night and the sounds and smells of the university, some of them triggering flashes to his own time at the University of Edinburgh. As he entered the hall and surveyed the sea of faces, and the snippets of conversation, worrying about papers, exams, tenure-track and donations, his mind went back to that time that he and Alaisdair crashed the Spring Ball, sneaking in with the catering crew. That was the night he'd met Cait -- None of that... Let's find Sara before she sends out a search party...or a Wild Hunt... Ah, there's Corny Tim, so she can't be far.
He walked over to the young couple with a wave, kissing her hand and taking a deep bow and flourish in way of welcome, preening himself slightly when Sara made an appreciative comment of how he cleaned up well. He engaged in small talk, enjoying the music and a bite of food, admitting to himself that Sara had been right, that he'd needed this to soothe his soul and to remind him of what Brigid had him fighting for. Of course, he wouldn't admit that to her just yet, or he'd never hear the end of it.
With that, he decided that he was going to have a good evening. He needed it, and besides, the Scotch they served was fine, indeed. As he returned from the bar, he noted Sara's mother glaring. Interesting. I'm wondering what Corny-Tim did to warrant that. I'll have to ask about that... He took another sip of the fine Scotch, ...tomorrow.
Just as he'd decided that he was going to have a good evening, he felt an icy dart as Sara decided she was going to introduce him to someone. A set-up? Oh, Sara, I'd thought better--
His thought was cut off when he saw that he was being introduced not to a woman, but a young man and fellow musician. Still, I wouldn't put it past her. She's probably going to introduce me to a few others first, just to get my guard down..
He eyed Sara cautiously, trying to figure out if her innocent expression were honest or feigned, then raised his hand to the newcomer,"Pleased to meet you. I'm Kenneth."
Aximeus & Danny
"Hello, thanks." the pair of Oriental beauties said in almost perfect unison; before they giggle at each other.
"Good to see you again, Min." she says to Aximeus, then looks at Danny as if to say - 'You should completment us more'
'You should completment us more' Lin states to Danny.
Jericho
The mousey young lady looks at her shoes before Jericho; "Laura, my name." She kicks her feet and is blushing furiously. Then she nervously raises her hand and her eyes; with a small embarrassed voice she says "I am already going, my husband is taking me."
Shining dully upon her left hand is a plain ring, at first it seems the metal is a dull grey but the more you look into it a prism of colours captivates you. Then you notice a faint carving of an inscription; it takes a few seconds before Jericho realises - the metal is the same as your glove.
Laura quickly lowers her hand embarrassed, almost at her status; "A handsome man like you should get lucky, almost as uch as I." her eyes drift away for a second, happily recollecting her partner; "I will see you there?" she querilously asks.
Kenneth
Sara with her flowing blond hair looks at you, her eyes hold a certain gravitas and wisdom despite her young years. Seemingly seeing into you essence, or simply just a good reader of people. "It's fine she is in my garden and Susan is looking after her. You as much as anyone should know there are few places more peaceful." her melodious voice says as the group glide around the dance floor.
She wears a light summer dress, of pale green material which compliments her youthful appearence. Although looking just out of her teens there is some small motion in her movements that implies an extra decades confidence. She turns to back to you with a smile and Tim her boyfriend takes her by the elbow; "Dance, later, my love."
Winding through the dance floor, it opens out onto a small area and there is a pair of identical twin Chinese women, a tall Mediterranean man and a confident young man talking expressively.
Danny & Aximeus
Sara (of the walled garden) & Tim, she looks well and the muscled tall young man seems to be positively glowing as the pair flow through the dance floor.
The couple from the Evil Eye lounge have a companion; a young man in tow.
'Trip'
The colonel a smartly dressed man in tweed, a decade your senior, smiles at you and places a tumbler of Scotch in your hand. "Good stuff this, old chap. Aged well, as have you. What's it been? 4, 5 years since that sortie down in Central America?" He takes an appreciative sip of his drink and brushes his moustache meticulously.
Dijom looks around the crowded reception area, he spots a familiar face over by the buffet. "Ah, Trip, there's some chaps I must introduce you to. The benefactors of tonights little Gala." Going through the crowds, Dijon leads you towards a pair of gentleman. Their suits immaculately pressed, crisp Saville Row tailored suits - not going for the more garish tuxedo. The way their clothes hang upon them exudes the confidence and ease of wearing, as if born into them. Their faces hold an ageless quality that makes it hard to assess the number of years they have under their belt.
The main differenece between the pair is their hair and eye colour, black slicked back hair with crisp blue eyes & blonde slicked back hair with sharp emerald eyes; "Good day, Dijon." Blondie says. "Is this the potential candidate?" he asks in a plummy Estuary accent.
The Colonel inclines his head; "Mr Langley, this is Messers Blanch & Todmorden."