Monroe's always been slow to trust people, and folks in Joker costumes are frequently more suspicious than others. He intentionally takes a step forward and deepens his voice to establish himself as the person controlling the conversation. It's an old police trick referred to as "command presence." It isn't a tactic to protect Pernilla, but rather a tactic to allow her a bit more freedom of preparation for violence.
"What kind of information you think we got, Doc?"
Thinking that the last time I saw big guys like this catering and unloading food was in a Steven Segal movie "under siege"; I put out my cigarette casually and go put some blankets, if I can find any, in the freezer; you never know; and a couple flashlights; then go back to checking out the display on the floor making sure things are ok and take a good look at the servers out there; see if I can determine if anyone is packing; not like I could image anyone wanting to steal anything from a museaum <smiling> unless this is a superman movie and lex luthor is nearby; I almost feel like there should be theme music.
"I suspect that you had information enough to bring functional weapons and armor to a social engagement. I suspect that you would wield them with some degree of skill. I suspect that you are not here at the behest of the local Powers that Be, whom I doubt would be impressed by your toys."
Conan paused a moment and added, "I apologize for being so tiresome. Merely shake your head and I will trouble you no further."
"To be quite on honest, Doctor, it was an easily put together costume. And as you seemed to put together, a rather functional costume. I think it rather moot to go into the details we are here, we are and there is trouble brewing. Pardon the pun." she says with a flashing smile.
"I hope that I can assume that you are willing to get to the bottom of what is happening and help these folk?" she asks of the good Doctor Carding.
"Where are my manners, A pleasure to meet you Doctor. I am Pernilla Tharaldson." She lets her companion answer for himself. "Shall we get something to drink while discuss matters?" The woman looks about the room to see if anything is in the midst of happening.
Monroe frowns slightly. He's a bit out of practice at his command presence, enough that the fellow in the Joker costume kept his focus on Pernilla. "David Monroe." He offers Doctor Carding a hand while keeping his eyes fixed on him. "What brings you to the party?"
The crowd is being called to find seats at the tables for the first course.
Conan relaxed fractionally. He had been starting to think that he had taken this risk for nothing. He accepted Ms. Tharaldson's deflection of his question and took Monroe's hand with a firm grip.
"I am most willing, Ms. Tharaldson, to discover what is going on and protect those who folk who are at risk, though I would prefer that it be done quietly, if possible.
And, Mr. Monroe, I came here merely for mundane reasons. I am a professor at the University of Ontario, and the Dean thought it advisable for me to show the flag here for my department. I only noticed something amiss after arriving here, and my information is frustratingly sparse and vague.
Monroe pulls out a seat for Pernilla. He might not always be polite, but he still has manners. Glancing down at the "delicacy" served before them, he raises an eyebrow. "Well, ain't that special?" He motions for Doctor Carding to sit to his left, away from his gun hand.
Conan takes the seat indicated, noting with some amusement that Monroe had placed himself between him and Ms. Tharaldson. I suppose it is a good sign that he is loyal, or at least dutiful, though I wonder if he has anything specific to fear, or is just practicing a general caution of strangers.
"Indeed this is special. I wonder whose idea this was? This banquet might be most interesting should the other dishes run in a similar vein.
Were you aware, Mr. Monroe, that this dish, though native to Cambodia, was developed only in recent history? Legend has it, that while suffering under the Khmer Rouge (during which at least one fifth of the Cambodian people died), the hungry people first deep fried and started eating the tarantula. What was at first a last-ditch effort to stave off starvation later evolved into the delicacy you see before us. It speaks well of mortal ingenuity and the will to survive, he concludes with a small smile.
Danny escorts the ladies to one of the tables when the headwaiter, some large, burly red-headed man who looks like he may have personally wrestled the cow to be eaten, rings a triangle and calls the guests to be seated for the first course. Danny does a double take, for he's pretty sure that the large headwaiter holding the triangle (which looks delicate in the man's large hands) is the same one who jumped in and helped save his skin when he and the girls were attacked by redcaps a couple of months ago.
Danny pulls out a couple of chairs for the girls, noting the comments of a gentleman across the table about the origin of the 'delicacy' piled on platters before them. He takes his own seat between the girls as they squeal in delighted terror at both the platter and the man's explanations.
"Yes, It's also a sure-fired cure for Arachnophobia!" Danny chimes in with a grin. "Nothing takes the edge off of your fear like eating the cause of it!" He adds as he finishes pulling in his chair and looking at the gentleman directly. His grin locks into place. The 'gentleman' seated directly across from him is Doctor Freakin' Carding, one of the two magic-types that he got mixed up with almost a year ago. A gentle cough unfreezes him and draws his attention to the side, where a John Wayne lookalike and a nordic warrior goddess are seated next to the doctor. The grin fades completely as he realizes that he recognizes them too. It takes a minute, but with thoughts of redcaps and magic-users already bouncing around in his head, he quickly places the faces with those of the fight with shapeshifters in New Orleans during Katrina.
'What is this? Old Never-Never reunion week?!?'
"Nice costumes!" He says, recovering himself with a grin.
Yes, thought Conan, that young man would make an extraordinary linguist. Note the quick wit, the two young ladies hanging on his every word, the speed with which he identified and pressed my own buttons. Conan again suppressed a twitch at the crack at his Joker costume. Still, if he couldn't engage in any formal education, it wouldn't hurt (him) to indulge in some informal teaching.
"Why Master Kaye," exclaimed Conan in mock surprise, "I had no idea that you cleaned up so neatly. Doubtless the two charming young ladies escorting you are entirely responsible for this metamorphosis."
"Honorable young mistresses," the doctor respectfully added in Mandarin, "Having made the acquaintance of this young gentleman, some time before, I humbly offer my unworthy praise of your mastery over him and your ability to make him presentable for polite company. It speaks well of your family, your own intelligence and your sheer nerve. I respectfully offer my dearest hopes that this night is but the first of many."
After giving Danny a surreptitious wink, Conan thought, "Maybe that will teach you to respect your elders."
Monroe doesn't believe in coincidence. He never really has. Too many times, a suspect would produce coincidence after coincidence in a vain attempt to explain away a whole mound of evidence against him. Back when Monroe was on patrol, he was looking for a young man who had just burglarized a house, gaining entry by a screwdriver in the deadbolt and stealing some rare coins. He found someone hiding in the bushes a block away who perfectly matched the appearance and clothing description of an eyewitness. A quick probable cause search later, he found the coins and the screwdriver down the front of his shorts. For each piece of evidence against him, including the eyewitness identification, he had an explanation ready. He said he had found the coins in the bushes, which is why he was crouching down there. He said that he had picked up the screwdriver in his front yard (where it had rolled) and put them down his pants to put back in his garage later. He said he was simply walking to the basketball court with some friends when he took a shortcut, which is probably where the eyewitness saw him. He swore up and down that it was all a coincidence. Suffice to say, neither Monroe nor a jury believed the suspect.
Monroe tried to figure the chances that this Doctor Carding (currently rattling something off in what sounded like Chinese) would know Danny Caye, who had been present in New Orleans during Katrina when he had also met Pernilla. He exchanged a glance with her, hoping she had picked up on his suspicion. As noted earlier, he didn't believe in coincidence.
"Thanks for the history lesson, Doc. Wonder if they got any steak back there?"
Deirdre shivered, ashed her cigarette, and took one last drag before flicking it into the open space of the service bay entrance. With a sigh, she headed back into the museum and made her way to the bar before the event manager had time to notice her absence. She couldn't believe she let Evan talk her into taking this job, but it was true that she needed the money. This kind of posh social event was far outside her comfort zone as was the black skirt and white fitted button-up blouse- gifts from Evan. At least the septum piercing and electric blue and red yarn braided into her hair made her stand out in a crowd, service staff uniform or not.
The exhibit itself might have been something she would have been interested in seeing under different circumstances, but tonight she was on edge. Deirdre shrugged it off (after all she was always on edge for one reason or another), set up a tray full of long stemmed wine glasses, and began pouring from a bottle of Riesling. Once she finished them off, she carefully lifted the tray and stepped out to make another round through the crowd.
Deirdre; if your smoking out there with me at that time; what brand are you smoking; knowing there was moslty bugs to eat today; would have made some other snacks for us out smoking hehe.
-----------
Ok; after the signal to eat and knowing some people are unlikely to appreciate the variety of the head chef; but not my place to argue; I will take some small white paper bags on a tray and circulate; getting peoples feedback; handing out small paper bags to the less adventuresome who look a bit green in the face. Luckily; I convinced him to serve the spiders on a while celophane noodle bed. Having remembered eating various bugs in the jungles of Afrika, they make me a bit nostalgic for some drumming.
I keep an eye out for anyone I may recongise as I circulate.
If we make eye contact; I will definately nod
After he catches her eye, Deirdre takes the opportunity to head over that way. "Axim! No one told me you were working this thing, but I'm glad to see a friendly face. This place is giving me the creeps- too many of these exhibits have a lingering past if you know what I mean. Makes my skin crawl every time I get too close to one of them." She gives you a strained smile then brightens, "Hey, tell me you've got some real food back there that doesn't involve organic vermin and I might tell you I've got as many shots of whiskey as you like over at the bar tonight."
"Why Master Kaye," exclaimed Conan in mock surprise, "I had no idea that you cleaned up so neatly. Doubtless the two charming young ladies escorting you are entirely responsible for this metamorphosis."
"Hiya doc! Long time no see! Yeah, I give them the credit. It's safer that way!" He adds in a mock whisper, grinning.
"Honorable young mistresses," the doctor respectfully added in Mandarin, "Having made the acquaintance of this young gentleman, some time before, I humbly offer my unworthy praise of your mastery over him and your ability to make him presentable for polite company. It speaks well of your family, your own intelligence and your sheer nerve. I respectfully offer my dearest hopes that this night is but the first of many."After giving Danny a surreptitious wink, Conan thought, "Maybe that will teach you to respect your elders."
Danny is obviously lost as the doctor switches to Chinese. But he keeps his grin in place, although his eyes narrow just a bit at the thought of what he might be telling the girls.
The twins both looked shocked at being addressed in Mandarin, but they quickly recover and smile at the praise. They reply in Mandarin, (not as fluent as Dr. Carding, but sounding more natural from them);
'Thank you sir, you are too kind. It is an honor to meet you.' replies Min (the one on Danny's left.)
'You must have met Danny, how else would you know how much work he was?' Adds Lin from Danny's right, grinning wickedly. Min gives her sister a quick glance at her impropriety, but both girls nod and respond in eerie unison, 'Thank you sir, many blessings on your house.'
Oh, and thank you for the Doctor Freakin' Carding. It did an old man's ego good to read that.[/ooc]
Danny looks from girl, to girl, to Dr. Carding, and last but not least to the cowboy and his blond nordic Xena sidekick.
"Thanks for the history lesson, Doc. Wonder if they got any steak back there?"
"I hope so!" Danny jumps on the opening so eagerly that he blushes, knowing that somehow, he just gave the doc the satisfaction. Ah well, he walked right into that one.
"With these as appetizers," he continues, pointing to the untouched arachnid on his plate. "I'm having flashbacks to 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'! 'And for desert, a treat! Fro-zen mon-key brains!'" he says in an exaggerated east Indian accent.
Pernilla listens to the talk of all that seem to have come together. That cannot be a coincidence. When the time has come to eat she eyes the food before her and does not takes the time to second guess herself and takes up the multi-legged critter and bides down with a crunch. She quickly finishes it off and sips at some water before commenting, "Not too bad I suppose."
She then looks to the good Doctor and when she has his attention says, "I too wish to keep whatever is happening quiet. I can tell you that it involves trolls in some manner. I have yet to spot them, but they are very close."
She looks across the room again and her gaze stops at the paid bar and spots a woman that she helped in the past moving behind the bar. She does not say anything to the others, yet. She returns her attention to those at the table.
Aximeus, the second course of pomegranate and blood orange stuffed pasta is preparing to go out. While you are working to make sure the plates are properly prepared, you notice that the delivery crew has moved on.
Yet, the delivery truck is still there.
---------------------
Silhouettes, likely band members moving into their area behind a white curtain, can be seen by the diners. Likely, the screen will later be used to project images upon to hide the band as they play.
<chuckles> sure we do; which bar you at and I will bring you a little sometin sometin, hehe. Yeah; <grimace> these things stir up some memories for me; guess ages change but people dont.
so; are you a meat and potatoes kind of girl; or rice or noodles? I am working at a nice Chinese restraunt now down in Chinatown; one of our chefs is a bit of a celebrity and has a gig here; I am just helping out. How about you; I didnt know you sling sauce at the ol' table of lament; didnt figure you for one to listen to sob stories over and over as the broken drown their sorrows. hehe guess its a livin
keep your eyes open; I keep looking for hidden cameras; some things are a little off; loading crew were huge guys; for food even; made me look small; they left; truck still here; just a wierd vibe; ever seen a band that looks like that either; saw them coming in; all the same looking; usually there is fat guys; skinny guys; little guy with a tuba; you know; regular people; maybe it is just me; never been to one of these high class functions, never heard of a band that dont wanna be seen or have a big placard announcing who they are; maybe they suck; I shoulda brought some earplugs maybe if the are so bad they gotta hide hehe.
anyway; gotta get back for the second course delivery; seems I am the guy with the triangle to announce it.
After he catches her eye, Deirdre takes the opportunity to head over that way. "Axim! No one told me you were working this thing, but I'm glad to see a friendly face. This place is giving me the creeps- too many of these exhibits have a lingering past if you know what I mean. Makes my skin crawl every time I get too close to one of them." She gives you a strained smile then brightens, "Hey, tell me you've got some real food back there that doesn't involve organic vermin and I might tell you I've got as many shots of whiskey as you like over at the bar tonight."
Sorry, I forgot, you get a Fate Point for your tag.
Silhouettes, likely band members moving into their area behind a white curtain, can be seen by the diners. Likely, the screen will later be used to project images upon to hide the band as they play.
It's now or never. Nathanial can barely play an instrument, let alone play whatever they're going to play. Besides, he needs to be able to stop whatever they're planning. He can't do that if he's standing right next to them pretending to play the drums. So, a simple plan. First, get away from the band. Second, discard the costume. With any luck they won't realize that he's the same person. Third, get to the party and find Conan. He will believe him. Too many ways this plan could go wrong, but he doesn't have time to come up with anything better.
Nathanial nudges his stool slightly. "This stool is too shaky. Excuse me for a moment, I'll go find another one." It's a horrible lie, but hopefully one that they'll believe. For now, Nathanial calmly walks backstage until he finds a place he could dump his mask and cloak privately.
Nathanial nudges his stool slightly. "This stool is too shaky. Excuse me for a moment, I'll go find another one." It's a horrible lie, but hopefully one that they'll believe. For now, Nathanial calmly walks backstage until he finds a place he could dump his mask and cloak privately.
4d3 - 6
Luckily for you the band members barely turn their heads as you slip away.
Once he's out of sight and far away from the band, Nathanial rips off his cloak and mask and tosses them into a trash can. He can afford to replace the mask, if he desperately needs one. He can't afford to be recognized by the band. Now, he just has to get into the ballroom.
Once he's out of sight and far away from the band, Nathanial rips off his cloak and mask and tosses them into a trash can. He can afford to replace the mask, if he desperately needs one. He can't afford to be recognized by the band. Now, he just has to get into the ballroom.
Security is on the main entrances to the building. The assumption is that if you are inside the building that you belong.
If your clothes look like employees then you will be treated like an employee and if your clothes look like someone in the gala then you will be treated like someone in the gala.
When in doubt, the staff will treat you as someone that belongs to the gala because despite the listing that this is a masque there are a few people that didn't where a costume or just wore a cheap mask to get inside the door and then shoved it inside a purse or suit jacket.
Danny stiffens when the blond ('What WAS her name? Penelope? No, Pernilla!) mentions 'trolls' softly to the doc seated across from him. He glances at the girls, but either they missed the comment in the general buzz of the conversations around them, or they presumed that it was simply another Halloween-related comment regarding a movie or something.
'Which it COULD have been, right? Aw, snapped guitar strings, who am I kidding? I knew they weren't just here for the party. I KNEW it! But what the heck do Trolls have to do with a museum Halloween party?!'
Danny is so preoccupied that he actually lapses into silence, only idly listening to the conversations going on around (and in the twins case, through) him. He fiddles with his plate, nibbling distractedly, not really paying attention. So it is not until he is halfway through a tarantula leg that he realizes what he is doing.
His slow, wide-eyed double take is a classic straight from an 80's horror movie. He grins wanly.
"Not bad. Needs ketchup." He says, only a little green.
"And the best things about eating these?" Danny adds, wiggling his plate to give the suggestion of movement to the fried arachnid on it.
"The leftovers carry themselves home!"
Conan quietly listened to Ms. Tharaldson's comment about trolls and noted that she seemed distracted. He quietly added, under the cover of Danny Kaye's antics, "And the dead are also involved in some manner."
Conan spared another glance around the room, looking for Nathaniel. That paranoid-apocalypse, ward-breaching researcher might come in handy. With Danny Kaye in, as well as another supernatural of unknown variety, plus escort. It wouldn't stretch the bounds of credibility too much to have Nathaniel show up.
Nathanial slips into the ballroom and begins scanning the crowd. Conan has to be here somewhere, his mother organized this masquerade. But how can he pick one costumed man out of a crowd this size? Wait, is that him? It could be. Nathanial begins politely forcing his way though the crowd.
"Pardon me." A disheveled man in a suit steps up to the table and turns to the strangers. "I apologize for the interruption, but this is important." He then turns back to Dr Carding. "Conan, what do you know about this band?"
"Pardon me." A disheveled man in a suit steps up to the table and turns to the strangers. "I apologize for the interruption, but this is important." He then turns back to Dr Carding. "Conan, what do you know about this band?"
Danny does yet another double take at the appearance of the disheveled newcomer. It's the other magic-thrower that was involved in the Warlock-Brouhaha last year!
Being a theater performer, Danny loves a good coincidence as much as the next guy. But as he looks around at Nathaniel, Dr. Carding, Pernilla, David, and the Red-haired chef, (Whom he now definitely recognizes as the warrior in the Chinatown alley), He starts looking for hidden cameras.
'Coincidence my @$$! This has GOT to be a new reality show! 'Magic is among us!' Either that, or Oprah. Either way, this much 'Non-Muggle' in one room canNOT be good!'
Ming, finally noticing Danny's distraction, places a hand on his.
"What's wrong Dan? You ok?" She asks, indicating the fried spider on his plate.
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Sure! It's just,... his name! I had no idea it was Conan!" He says quickly, smiling at the girls.
The twins look at each other, and smile back at Danny with the big, polite, blank smile that says either they don't get the joke, or they think Danny's lost it.
"Oh come on! Seriously?" He asks incredulously, looking back and forth between the two, obviously expecting a reaction. They continue to smile.
"Really? Come on! Conan the Librarian! get it?" He grins,...
Waiters start to clear away the dishes of the appetizers and start to bring out the second course. The Waiters also do the standard refreshing of drinks as requested.
Along with the pasta course, the waiters bring out small bowls of olive oil and freshly baked bread cut into fingers for dipping.
While this is going on a trio of people coming in a bit late head for the head table. The two figures on either side of a fairly beautiful looking woman are Councilor Gregory Taylor and Police Chief Vincent Alameda. The beautiful looking woman is dressed in the white dress that Sharon Stone wore in Basic Instinct.
Monroe recognizers as Mikaela Skaven. It is someone that he has been looking for since he was in New Orleans.
"Pardon me." A disheveled man in a suit steps up to the table and turns to the strangers. "I apologize for the interruption, but this is important." He then turns back to Dr Carding. "Conan, what do you know about this band?"
Okay, there's Nathaniel. Not in costume. Strange, I thought he had better manners than that. He certainly has a better imagination. Still, he generally has good reasons for his questions.
"Nothing whatsoever, Nathaniel. Music is a field sadly neglected in Psycholinguistics, but I have neither the time nor the aptitude to take it up myself." Turning to the others, he quips,
"I must say I'm enjoying your costume, though. A very realistic depiction of a scholar obsessed with apocalyptic theor..."
Really? Come on! Conan the Librarian! get it?" He grins,...
Conan visibly turns cold. Literally. As in, frost start to form on the water glass he's holding, until the glass shatters. He slowly turns his head towards Danny, "Why Master Kaye, what an inspired pun. I've always thought such inspiration deserves reciprocation. As I've misplaced my glass, kindly allow me to borrow yours a moment."
Conan deftly snatches Danny's glass and raises it in toast, then halts arrested by the sight before him.
Pernilla looks up at Nathanial as he approaches and talks to the Doctor. She is about to comment as the woman in white enters and she watches the trio of obviously important individuals.
From a small pouch at her side she takes up an ear piece and places a call saying only, "Bell"
A moment or two later the one sided conversation begins, "Oh, yes. Some party. I have run into several individuals in the know, and we are expecting a situation of... concern."
"Yes."
"Uh, huh."
"Please. Do your magic and see if you can see anything on the inside."
"Thank you Sara. Oh... please check for any chatter on anything major happening this eve."
"Thanks again. Bye."
Would that be something that a Fate Point to invoke Agent of Monoc Securities would get done? Or use as one of my contacts? Or both for even more info.
Okay, there's Nathaniel. Not in costume. Strange, I thought he had better manners than that. He certainly has a better imagination. Still, he generally has good reasons for his questions.
"Nothing whatsoever, Nathaniel. Music is a field sadly neglected in Psycholinguistics, but I have neither the time nor the aptitude to take it up myself." Turning to the others, he quips,
"I must say I'm enjoying your costume, though. A very realistic depiction of a scholar obsessed with apocalyptic theor..."
Nathanial takes a seat. "I was dressed as the Masque of The Red Death, but the band mistook me for one of their members and dragged me along. Which is why I know that they're jiang shi. Hopping corpses. The living dead that devour other's life force to maintain their own. I lost my costume so they wouldn't recognize me."
"Good to see you're as witty as ever, Danny. Haven't been introduced to the two of you, though. I'm Nathanial Halsey."
rolling alertness to see if I notice anyone noteworthy at the party; or unusual or that I know from previous adventures.
Alertness 4d3-7 ( I didnt think the +4 for initiative was applicable; add if it is)
in the kitchen; will make sure we have enough pots with water boiling for the pasta; make sure the ovens are hot to temp.
You already made an Alertness roll back here and scored a 0.
Now, you've met some people you know here at the party; so, I can let you invoke 'Making your business, my business' for a re-roll but I will need to charge you 1 Fate Point.
I will let you keep the roll that you just rolled in the previous message (this is a special as we are just getting used to the system).
actually I was wondering if i saw anyone other than pernilla since she seems to and I talked to her; thats all, and was scanning the crowd again in case anything changed. dont intend to invoke my fate point
Perfect, Monroe thought to himself. A mess of coincidences, a bunch of undead, a vampire he'd been hunting for years, and some other undead ghouls had all congregated on this museum. Monroe leans over to Pernilla, whispering something softly in her ear.
He surreptitiously glances over at the head table, watching their body language for clues as to the relationships between the three. This was the closest he had physically been to his prey in years. Maybe tonight he could get revenge for what happened to New Orleans.
Nathanial takes a seat. "I was dressed as the Masque of The Red Death, but the band mistook me for one of their members and dragged me along. Which is why I know that they're jiang shi. Hopping corpses. The living dead that devour other's life force to maintain their own. I lost my costume so they wouldn't recognize me."
Conan set the glass down immediately. "Nathaniel, this is Ms. Tharaldson and Mr. Monroe. Ms. Tharaldson, " Conan makes eye contact with Nathaniel, " has informed us trolls are about. Mr. Monroe, " and he breaks eye contact to politely nod at David Monroe, " seems to be here to glare at people. I had already deduced that the dead were involved, but you seem to have fettered out some specifics rather more quickly than I."
Conan visibly turns cold. Literally. As in, frost start to form on the water glass he's holding, until the glass shatters. He slowly turns his head towards Danny, "Why Master Kaye, what an inspired pun. I've always thought such inspiration deserves reciprocation. As I've misplaced my glass, kindly allow me to borrow yours a moment."
Conan deftly snatches Danny's glass and raises it in toast, then halts arrested by the sight before him.
Danny's reaction to the good doctor's unexpected response is to freeze like a bunny in the headlights. And gulp. Once.
'What was that about wizards? "Don't meddle in the affairs of Wizards, For you are crunchy and taste good with Ketchup"? Or was it just "Quick to anger"?!?'
Nathanial takes a seat. "I was dressed as the Masque of The Red Death, but the band mistook me for one of their members and dragged me along. Which is why I know that they're jiang shi. Hopping corpses. The living dead that devour other's life force to maintain their own. I lost my costume so they wouldn't recognize me.""Good to see you're as witty as ever, Danny. Haven't been introduced to the two of you, though. I'm Nathanial Halsey."
Danny jumps on Nathan's introduction like a drowning man on a life preserver.
"Hey! Yeah, you know me, All of the Marx Brothers rolled into one!" He grins. (Perhaps a little desperately.)
"Good to see you again! Hey, this is Min, and Lin. Their father is a museum supporter and helped organize the event!" Danny rambles on, grinning broadly.
"I had no idea that you guys were part of the show!" He adds, still grinning.
"What's the show? Like a Murder Mystery Dinner? A Halloween whodunnit? 'Find the vampire'?" He asks, still grinning. His eyes flick to the girls on either side of him, and he gives a barely perceptible shake of his head. Still grinning.
Monroe inwardly groaned. He'd grown a little used to being able to stalk around alone in the darkness. Having to babysit some civilians was not his idea of a good time. While he was a bit out of practice, he was sure it would be like riding a bike.
He decided to throw Danny a lifeline as best he could.
"Don't break the fourth wall, kid. You'll take us out of character."
actually I was wondering if i saw anyone other than pernilla since she seems to and I talked to her; thats all, and was scanning the crowd again in case anything changed. dont intend to invoke my fate point
You spoke with Deirdre. Okay; so, you are saving the Fate Point which means that you are still working in the current 'Alertness' state.
On the good side, I will give you that you are fairly certain that from the attitudes and conversation of the people in the kitchen that the delivery crew have left the kitchen area for deeper into the museum.
He surreptitiously glances over at the head table, watching their body language for clues as to the relationships between the three. This was the closest he had physically been to his prey in years. Maybe tonight he could get revenge for what happened to New Orleans.
4d3-3
It is clear that the three are familiar in their behavior towards each other. Police Chief Alameda has the body attitude that he thinks he is the superior person in the group but you're fairly certain it is Miss Skaven. The councilor is least dominant of the group and is likely there just for his connections.
Your Superb Eye for these types of things suggests to you that while Miss Skaven is talking to the pair her real focus is elsewhere. They are clearly here as cover for whatever she happens to be planning. Miss Skaven is working the head table for contacts and using the councilor and police chief to provide introductions to a variety of important people. Beyond that, you would say she is paying attention to the clock as if she is expecting something or somethings to happen.
You have also caught her eye and she has winked in your direction. Whether she knows that you have tailed her from New Orleans or she just realizes that you are studying her; you don't know.
** spoiler omitted **
There are several factors to the question; so, I'm going to mention them here.
1> From my understanding of 'magic' in the Dresden Universe there really isn't a 'Prestidigitation' type of spell for doing little effects. It is considered pretty significant that Harry invented a spell for lighting candles.
2> Now you do have the Rote Freezer Burn and your ring is dedicated to water attacks and control. You also have a very high level of discipline and lore. You clearly have the correct 'knowledge' to do such a spell. It would be taking the principles you know and trying to keep the energy in a smaller package.
3> Even though no 'damage' is being done, it is still an attack and Danny will get a defense roll to avoid the attack. You would need an effect of at least 3 shifts to 'tag' Danny with the effect that you wanted which is sticking his tongue to the class (this is the same level of effect to tag anyone with a condition). A frosted glass has no 'effect' on players or game objects but sticking a tongue is a change of a player's will on their character that still needs to be rolled.
4> This is a spell and no matter how minor it will cost you 1 mental stress box to do it.
"Oh my... this is some collection of beings tonight. I suppose Halllow's Eve allows for some freedom." she sips at the water leaving the wine for now.
She then asks, "So, we have a look around to see what is happening, or sit and watch. Act when something goes amiss?"
Pernilla hopes that her friend can come up with something. There are too many nasties about and some do not yet have anything connecting them.
Monroe inwardly groaned. He'd grown a little used to being able to stalk around alone in the darkness. Having to babysit some civilians was not his idea of a good time. While he was a bit out of practice, he was sure it would be like riding a bike.
He decided to throw Danny a lifeline as best he could.
"Don't break the fourth wall, kid. You'll take us out of character."
"Oh Yeah, Right! Sorry." Danny smiles at the cowboy, his immediate lessening of body tension speaking volumes of gratitude.
Danny turns to Min and Lin.
"This is gonna be great! I bet they'll be talking about this party for years!" He tells the girls enthusiastically.
"Oh, um,... Sorry about your glass Doc. You want me to get you another?" He asks Dr Carding, tentatively.
'Trolls? Undead Body-Snatchers? What ELSE?!? There has to be something else. These things always come in threes. It's like a law or something.'
'Well, I've managed to annoy a wizard. Maybe THAT counts as three? (Yeah, right, I should be so lucky,...)'
Conan set the glass down immediately. "Nathaniel, this is Ms. Tharaldson and Mr. Monroe. Ms. Tharaldson, " Conan makes eye contact with Nathaniel, " has informed us trolls are about. Mr. Monroe, " and he breaks eye contact to politely nod at David Monroe, " seems to be here to glare at people. I had already deduced that the dead were involved, but you seem to have fettered out some specifics rather more quickly than I."** spoiler omitted **
"There are trolls involved too? I suppose it was too much to hope the lesser fey were only attracted to the bright lights. So, we all agree that something will happen tonight. The question is, what are we going to do to stop it?"
oops; my bad; had the person wrong; thanks for the correction.
actually I was wondering if i saw anyone other than pernilla since she seems to and I talked to her; thats all, and was scanning the crowd again in case anything changed. dont intend to invoke my fate pointYou spoke with Deirdre. Okay; so, you are saving the Fate Point which means that you are still working in the current 'Alertness' state.
On the good side, I will give you that you are fairly certain that from the attitudes and conversation of the people in the kitchen that the delivery crew have left the kitchen area for deeper into the museum.
"Finding out who is directing all of this. Might want to try with a minion and try to make them talk?" Pernialla asks the others, as she awaits her won info to come in.
4d3-5
"Finding out who is directing all of this. Might want to try with a minion and try to make them talk?" Pernialla asks the others, as she awaits her won info to come in.
Monoc unfortunately doesn't have much on possible things moving on beyond what was listed at the beginning of the thread. Winter has their hounds moving through the city. 'People' are being called in for questioning.
Monoc had no warning, at least as far as Sara seems to know, that there were going to be Trolls, undead, or Miss Skaven at the gala. Sara will record this information and add it to the morning intel briefing.
Sara is working as fast as she can but it will be 15 min before she gets access to the Museum's security cameras. You think you also hear a few curses whispered under breath on people never giving her time and expecting miracles.