As Max pauses on his circuit to survey the assembled guest and patrons, he becomes aware of a tall figure at his shoulder. The voice in impeccable received provocation and odour of pipe smoke unmistakably heralding the presence of his old internship tutor - Professor Æthelweard Langfellow:
”Dashed good to see you again Maxwell. It has been what, two years since that... unfortunate business with that... succubus HellQueen*?”
The lanky professor, stoops against the railing. Not significantly aged since he last counted himself amongst the ranks of the Eldritch team, but definitely wearier.
Max notes the old academic still wears the same wrinkled suit he taught him in years ago. His official name badge bearing the Museum’s logo states: PROFESSOR LANGFELLOW - CURATOR EXTRA-ORDINEM. Clearly for the Professor some things have changed, whilst others stood still.
”Quite the shindig is it not? All come to see the curios and paraphernalia of both Eldritch the man, and Eldritch the ensemble… Quite the unnecessary distraction to those with research to carry out dear boy! However needs must. I’m under strict orders to at least show face and extoll the virtues of our exhibits…”
The old scholar pauses, squinting as takes in the countenance of the those drawn to the exhibition;
”Ahhh. The usual supplicants and authorities are drawn, like ghouls to the boneyard. I see that damned fool Orrington is here, no doubt spouting his usual drivel… and why, Miss Grace also! Excellent. Glad to see you still keeping company that has both a strong arm and smart mind Maxwell!”
*Eldritch Team Up #3: Eoten Mess
To Kathar's outrageous claim (and obvious unspoken challenge to Max), she replies with a smile, "Well, if you want to repeatedly risk your life protecting Earth from a never-ending slew of magical threats, more's the merrier, I say. Oh, speaking of merrier!"
She gestures out to Oz as he approaches with the gift. "Gee, thanks, for this... truly awful movie." She chuckles warmly, showing that she does appreciate the gift, tucking the DVD box into her inside coat pocket.
"Oz, we've just been introduced to Kathar and Harut, here. This is Oswald Searle. Kathar is interested in Adrian Eldrich's work. Kathar, did you ever meet Eldrich when he was still with us?"
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A broad smiles spreads across Max's face when he first smells the familiar pipe smoke and then hears his old mentor. He makes a slow beeline to him subtly bringing Oswald with him.
"Professor, so good to see you." They embrace handshakes, and Max puts his other hand on his friend's shoulder. "Please let me introduce you to the talented Oswald Searle, son of the very talented Hypontist, Macallah. And Oz, this is my esteemed mentor, Professor Langfellow, who knew your father."
After introductions, Max would follow the professor as he gets pulled toward Gracie and Win and the probable villains.
Æthelweard flashes a weary smile at Max's introduction;
"Hardy a mentor in the truest sense. Alas Maxwell's responsibilities and my... research means our communications are somewhat fleeting. I try however to advise and assist whenever petitioned."
The lanky academic then nods toward Oz, extending his long fingered hand in a greeting;
"Pleasure to meet you Oswald... A good Anglo-Saxon name. Your father named you well. One of his many aptitudes..."
To Kathar's outrageous claim (and obvious unspoken challenge to Max), she replies with a smile, "Well, if you want to repeatedly risk your life protecting Earth from a never-ending slew of magical threats, more's the merrier, I say. Oh, speaking of merrier!"
She gestures out to Oz as he approaches with the gift. "Gee, thanks, for this... truly awful movie." She chuckles warmly, showing that she does appreciate the gift, tucking the DVD box into her inside coat pocket.
"Oz, we've just been introduced to Kathar and Harut, here. This is Oswald Searle. Kathar is interested in Adrian Eldrich's work. Kathar, did you ever meet Eldrich when he was still with us?"
Oswald extends a hand first to Kathar. The extravagant jewelry causes him to hiccup as he tries his best not to salivate. "Ah pleasah meeting yew, Kaythah" *cough* "sorry, my uh, my accent has a way of showing up randomly. It's kind of a weird reflex that happens when the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Those are some nice rings you've got there... not that I was... I'm just saying 'Cool Jewels Bro'. hah I'm doing it again." he quickly shuffles over to extend a hand to Harut, who instead hands him a glass of wine. "Oh, uh... thanks, Harut. But white is not really-- red really isn-- I'm not a rose type of-- champagne??? I'm more a beer and whiskey kind of guy so if that hand's got a setting for Fosters or Bourbon, then fu--
A gentle nudge pulls him out of his current thought, as he's finally learned means to stop being annoying.
"I appreciate the gesture, Harut, but I'm on a strict no drinking thing tonight."
If his complexion allowed for any reddening, Oswald's face would be a cherry tomato. He lingers in place, chuckling here and there, throwing around some "oh yes"'s and some "ah, you don't say"'s but he could not pull himself out of his head. Pull yourself together, Ozzie. I'm a hero now, I can't let some flashy rings make me nervous. Gotta stop embarrassing myself.
Once an out is available, he excuses himself and makes his way to Max, and eventually the Team Eldritch exhibit.
Max masterfully pulls the hysterical Oswald from the exhibit. He gives himself a good shake, adjusts his suit jacket, and takes a deep breath. There I go again... keep it cool Ozzie Boy, keep it ice cold.
"He knew your Father" breaks him out of his internal monologue. ..because what's cooler than being cool, Ice co--- You knew my father? *ahem* sorry. Today's been interesting and I definitely feel really out of place and it's making me extremely nervous."
Having missed the professor's name but too embarrassed to ask Max to repeat himself, Oswald extends his hand and gives the man a quick look over. Name Tag! Professor Langfellow "Professor Longfellow"damnit, he stutters, Langfellow,it's really a pleasah *cough*pleasure meeting you. Ah yeah, I guess uh that's kind of a weird backhanded compliment My dad did do a good job of naming me. Well, it was actually my mom who picked Oswald. It was her father's name. If my old man had it his way, he would've called me Tjandamurra. Which he did. It's my first name. Tjandamurra Oswald Searle." He awkwardly looks back to Max, feeling as though he'd kept a secret from him, then back at the Professor. "Oswald's my middle name. My mom always said I should use that name since it sounds way more American than Tjandamurra" The rambling mess meets Langfellow's hand with a thick, meaty hand that grips (accidentally) just a little too strong at first, eases up, and quickly changes the subject. "So, you knew my dad? Did you both work in academia or something?"
"Oz, we've just been introduced to Kathar and Harut, here. This is Oswald Searle. Kathar is interested in Adrian Eldrich's work. Kathar, did you ever meet Eldrich when he was still with us?"
The briefest flicker of confusion crosses Kathar's face before his pleasant mask returns, "Of course, you haven't...The short and most literal answer is no; the longer answer is yes. I worked with him in the distant past, long before either of he or I were born. Perhaps it is best if we leave it at that for now, lest we avoid paradox."
"Shame, sounds like quite the story." At this point she gives a pointed look at Max and the others as if to say for the love of god please help me with the small talk with this weirdo already.
And then she spots the Professor. "Oh!" She says in genuine and pleased surprise. "Professor Langfellow!" she calls out to him with a smile, then adds to Kathar, "Have you met Professor Langfellow? He's the curator."
Max follows the professor over to Grace and Win letting the professor take the spotlight while standing a bit behind to the right of him. He smiles while looking over the two probable villains and analyzing their magical auras.
In you mage's sight, Harut has a sort of fiery halo floating over his head, and is clearly a (possibly formerly) heavenly being.
Kathar smiles, "I have not had the pleasure of being introduced to the eminent Professor.
** spoiler omitted **
Cesarina finally notices the...oddity hanging around one of the guests. She decides to greet him.
"Your manservant is quite unusual, Mr...?" she says, somewhat tightly. "One wonders why you might have brought it here."
Æthelweard listens intently to the rapid-fire introduction of Oz;
"Quite the saga regarding your naming Master Searle. I can assure you however that Oswald sounds more classic that American... As for your father. Yes, we conducted field research together of a sort. He was a good man. Better than most." Better than me.
The tall academic's head bows a little as he retrieves his long fingered hand from Oz's enthusiastic grip...
At Grace's greeting his eyes lighten again and he smiles fondly;
"Miss Grace. How very good to see you again. Still fighting the good fight I trust?!"
... a smile that fades when Kathar addresses him in a old tongue.
Æthelweard eyes the man before him warily, clearing his throat awkwardly before answering;
"Professor Æthelweard Langfellow; Curator Extra-Ordinem to be precise. I oversee the Museum's archives and oddities..."
The lanky curator leans in, also replying in the same ancient language;
"Bound to me, but I am not bound by it. I have learned to become deaf to its hunger..."
After the professor's introductions, Max adds, "Hi, I'm Max Sinclair and work for the professor at the museum. Great exposition we have now celebrating the life of Adrian Eldrich. What brings you here at the opening?"
Cesarina finally notices the...oddity hanging around one of the guests. She decides to greet him."Your manservant is quite unusual, Mr...?" she says, somewhat tightly. "One wonders why you might have brought it here."
Grace cocks an eyebrow at Cesarina calling someone 'it,' but adds "This is Mr. Kathar and his servant Harut."
After the professor's introductions, Max adds, "Hi, I'm Max Sinclair and work for the professor at the museum. Great exposition we have now celebrating the life of Adrian Eldrich. What brings you here at the opening?"
"He says he intends to take Adrian Eldrich's place. I hadn't gotten around to asking him whether that means he intends to sign up for Team Eldritch."
Max nods to the fallen angel, "Harut? Well, it certainly is a pleasure to meet a being such as yourself. You must have amazing stories and knowledge. Then, you must be the Kathar who apprenticed with Abraham Hildebrandt centuries ago." And, then he turns his attention from Kathar to the small discussion around him as if telling an interestingly relevant party story.
"You see, Master Hildebrandt succeeded Merlin as the Master Mage of Earth and was himself succeeded by the Sioux shaman Broken Crow in 1871." Then, he returns his attention to Kathar.
"Well, many practitioners seek the mantle of the Master Mage, but it's still a bit murky how the mantle chooses successors. Have you discovered how to claim ownership of the mantle?"
Cesarina finally notices the...oddity hanging around one of the guests. She decides to greet him.
"Your manservant is quite unusual, Mr...?" she says, somewhat tightly. "One wonders why you might have brought it here."
"Harut goes where he will, and tonight it suited him to accompany me. But do not be concerned. Whatever your worries based on his nature, he is not here to cause any difficulties, nor am I. I am here to honor a great man, and to catch up on what I have missed while I was away."
Turning to Gracie and Max, Kathar smiles, "Is that an invitation? I haven't worked with allies beyond Harut for a long time, indeed. It might be refreshing to have, what do you say, 'back up?' And yes, Mr. Sinclair, I studied with Hildebrandt, fought alongside him, even, in fact, sacrificed myself to save him. And while it is technically true that Hildebrandt succeeded Merlin, it was not a direct succession. There were a few short lived Master Mages after Merlin closed his loop, as it were, and before Hildebrandt won the mantle. As for how to become the Master Mage, well, it is just something that the necessary powers agree upon."
Harut responds, "Max Sinclair, you know much of the magics mastered by mortals who came before you. There is much that I could teach you, if you wished to know it. Much that I could show you of the workings of this universe."
Max nods having been offered gifts from magical beings before and replies, "Thank you for the generous offer Harut. Please provide me the best way to contact you, and we can discuss that."
Returning his attention back to Kathar, Max says, "Grace thought that you meant to become the Master Mage. Have you divined how to get the necessary powers to agree upon you?" He repeats the wording of Kathar.
"Ah, Max, I repeated what Mr. Kathar said: wanting to take Eldrich's place. I said I thought he was asking if he could join the team. Far be it from me to suggest anything about what goes on with Master Mages, I'm just a gardener with a sword."
Harut responds, "Max Sinclair, you know much of the magics mastered by mortals who came before you. There is much that I could teach you, if you wished to know it. Much that I could show you of the workings of this universe."
"Knowledge that is not truly yours to share, and could tempt even great men to misuse it. I do wonder again why you are here, and not where you are supposed to be?"
Harut stiffens. He reaches out as a server moves nearby, taking a glass in his long delicate hand. He swirls the drink in its container, and it becomes a deep red. He drinks, "Mother Villa, where is it you think that I should be? Oh my, you see that I am 'malak saqit.' While it is true that I am forbidden to return to the Source, I am not one of the Morningstar's lackeys. You drink wine, no? It is part of your core rite. This wine was favored by Siduri herself, the ale wife of Babylon. Take it, as a gesture of peace."
"Easy now," Grace says quietly to Cesarina. "Whatever issue you have with this bloke, nobody's done any harm and we're all here to celebrate Eldrich's work, right?" She offers a slightly nervous smile. She slides slightly away from Harut, toward Aethelward. "Cesarina, have you met the Professor yet? And Win," she also gestures toward her girlfriend, "He's another Brit lost in Freedom City."
Grace casts her eyes out to the rest of the crowd. Noting all the team is in one place, she is wondering what is going on beyond this little group.
She hasn't drank any of the wine. Daughter of an archeologist, she respects the museum's rules, but still holds it out of not wanting to be rude to Harut.
Max does not react to the comments of Cesarina or Grace. He knew exactly what Kathar meant when he told her that he intended to replace Adrian. And most of what he has learned over the years had been specifically banned by the Church at one point in history.
He continues to focus his attention on Kathar with a polite smile on his face.
"Grace thought that you meant to become the Master Mage. Have you divined how to get the necessary powers to agree upon you?" He repeats the wording of Kathar.
"This is an interesting question. The problem is that none of the previous Master Mages seem to have recorded their own transitions. It is a mystery I have not yet solved."
The music comes to an awkward halt and the room’s chatter dies down as the atrium fountain malfunctions, spewing water to the ceiling and across a dozen guests before falling silent. A moment later, ominous fog sweeps across the floor, and the waters erupt into a humanoid figure. Several party-goers panic and rush for the exits, only to find the way blocked as a massive man-shaped mass of stone bursts through one entry, and a figure of living flame explodes through another.
The watery form looms over the crowd and sneers. “Well, well, Freedom City’s tiny minds once again gather to exalt their betters. It’s really as if you were born to worship.” He flows onto the floor, ripping a pearl necklace from an elderly woman’s neck. “But what is worship without a proper tithe, I ask you?”
The stone man booms over his watery partner’s speech. “Time to pay up, folks!”
Æthelweard barely has time to extend a hand in greeting toward Caeserina and Win both, when the elemental beings make their presence known!
As he takes stock of what is occurring a gamut of emotions play across the scholar's face in seconds; shock, a flicker of anger, then fear...
"Oh my! Oh no... This won't do... Not here in my ho..Museum! I have to warn them!"
The lanky Professor shoots a concerned look toward Kathar, then begins moving down the corridor toward the flame wreathed figure.. before pausing at large double doors to address the burning interloper in a wavering voice;
"Fiery Jinn or whatever you are! Best leave here by Jove! You know not what you provoke!"
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While hoping for a pleasant evening and not expecting and magical, elemental trio to interrupt the festivities for Adrian Eldrich, Max is not surprised. Frankly, what better way to celebrate Eldritch than to defend the public from a magical threat. And, the true magical threats are right next to me who probably want the cloak and Bloodstone. These elemental guys are just the distraction.
As the public run in panic around their group, Max subtly gesticulates and calmly says, "The Vapors of the Great Valtorr conceal all things," while grabbing two near heroes. This is not the first time that Team Eldritch has been caught in their secret identities. And, Max's first move is to step and bring people into the small space between Faerie and Reality.
While standing very near the Reality where he just departed and on the other side of the Veil of Faerie, Max smiles at his companions and confidently says, "By the Mystic Moon of Munnopor” to become the new Eldritch!.
The moment the fog and water displays start acting up, Grace moves protectively in front of those she is with, shimmering armor sparkling into place around her body.She shouts, "Calesvol!" and as the sword appears in her hand, she allows its light to flash just enough it is a distraction. Hopefully both light and sound helps cover Max's and Oz's departure.
Oswald idles during the back and forth between the members of Eldritch and Kathar. He tries his best to keep up any sort of appearances, but truth be told, he has no idea what is going on or what sort of power play is currently at hand (I'm sure they'll explain it to me later).
The sound of danger snaps him to action. Oswald throws his champagne flute of cola over his shoulder. "Max! I got this!" he yells out as wisps of smokey shadows accumulate in between his hands. Nearly ripping his suit jacket, Oz throws the shadows, now condensed into a translucent eye-like purple orb, into the crowd of bystanders. The orb hovers above the ground as it whirls and rapidly expands into a portal. Faintly within the purple portal, the rough outline of Liberty Park's botanical gardens can be seen. "Stay calm everyone. Please move towards the purple portal and enjoy a beautiful stroll through the park while Team Eldritch cleans this mess up."
Under his skin, Oswald can feel the itch of chaos prickling at him. He removes his suit jacket, tosses it to the side, and rolls up his sleeves. "Pay up? I hope you accept an Ass-Kicking because you're about to feel the mystical forces of the Eldritch Squad" he yells excitedly as his form blurs and darkens. His limbs elongate as he readies himself for battle
While standing very near the Reality where he just departed and on the other side of the Veil of Faerie, Max smiles at his companions and confidently says, "By the Mystic Moon of Munnopor” to become the new
The crowd is frozen by the sudden appearance of the creepy eye portal. They aren't sure whether to run toward or away from it.
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The figure of water turns away from the heroes toward the group of people in the gallery with the Triceratops. His fluid form flows toward the windows, shattering them. Glass rains into the room as his form expands like a wave, washing over the crowd, throwing them to the floor and sweeping several of them up, where they struggle, unable to breathe.
To the South, the flaming man, Pyre, scoffs at Aethelward's warning. "And who are you supposed to be, Dr. Geriatric? Not even worth burning old man..." and he begins to turn away, "But if you insist..."
The rock one, Granite, rumbles to the doorway leading toward the northern entrance. "Look, Eldritch, no one has to get hurt here. Siddown for a sec and take a breath before you can't anymore.
The massive rock man smashes his fists into the marble floor, sending ripples and cracks toward you.
Cesarina begrudgingly steps over to be introduced to Gracie's friends, and opens her mouth to greet them just as the Factor Four bust in. It stays open as she looks at them in complete gobsmacked amazement for a moment.
"Here? Now? With this guest list? These are the most incompetent criminals I've ever seen." she says, loudly.
She's so caught off guard in fact, that she's completely floored by Granite's attack.
Hastily, she throws up a shield to protect herself and anyone else nearby.
Walls of Light (42p): Create 10 (2/rank), Selective (+1/rank), Movable (+1/rank), Stationary (0p), Affects Insubstantial (2p)
As the recognition of the flaming figure dawns on the Professor, Pyre's threat baulks the panicked academic and he stumbles through the nearby double doors...
"N-no... P-Please leave before its too l-late..."
Max rolls with the ripple of marble and barely stays on his feet.
Invisible, behind the veil of the fey, Eldritch floats near the case containing the Bloodstone. He spares a glance at the fiery eyes wondering if it is Medea behind that scrying.
Then, his attention returns to survey Kathar and the fallen angel with the Factor Four in his peripheral vision.