Kids on Bikes: Something Stranger This Way Comes

Game Master Meetch

The Burbs, with another reference that I don't want to spoil for you just yet. So we'll go with "The Burbs +"
Rules


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Fatou
Mother’s eyes narrow. Of course you didn’t...and you know that too! Trying to trick me, after being out who knows where! she tisks. It’s these new friends of yours. You won’t be going out to play with them after school for awhile...


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

"But... it can't be. I mowed his lawn just today, he can't be dead, he was- he was fine... And I never saw him smoking..."
Two memories keep bouncing in Maggie's brain as she stares at the cinders, stunned. A handful of cigarette butts in Mr Wilkins' lawn, and a map with her block circled.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

Watching the fire, not looking for me, probably don't even know I'm gone. Holly thinks, when she sees her parents on the lawn. She quietly tries to slip around in the shadows the fire casts, and slip back into her room.

if her mom and Ted were looking for her, then she's spotted. were they, and is it a roll if they haven't?


They are, but you can still sneak past if you want. The fire and chaos is pretty entrancing. Difficulty 7.


Maggie
Your parents try to comfort you best they can, terrible accident, probably didn’t suffer etc etc and then send you to bed.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

flight: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 crap


Holly
They tag you creeping in. They’re concerned, of course, and angry that you left.

As they lead you inside, Ted asks You...you weren’t playing around Mr. Wilkins’ house tonight were you?


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

No, Me and Fatou and Maggie went to the circus together. we weren't over there at all. you know how he is with his lawn. Holly says


There’s a flash of incredulity across Ted’s face, but you’re not sure what part of the true story he’s doubting, or why he thinks you were over there at all.


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

Fatou feels her fake tears tip into a reality, and bites her lip. "Yes ma. I'm sorry. Of course." There was some part of her that did want to rebel: the part that lied, the part that would plot to sneak out, but she wasn't ready to contradict her mother to her face, although the the venomous jabs lay just below the surface.


There's not much more to this scene unless you want to do some free-form stuff. Just LMK when you're ready to move on


The wait until homeroom is almost excruciating, as you're all anxious to discuss the various things you discovered while you were seperated.

Finally you're all in the same room together and there's a little time before the class begins, what do you do?


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

Overnight, Fatou has traced out a rough map of their street and the circus with Mr.Wilkin's house circled in red, and routes traced in green. As the others filter into the room, the little mathematician is hard at work making calculations.

I'd like to know if the firebreather had time to light the fire and go back to the circus grounds in time to catch us in his trailer. Is that obvious, does it need a roll, or would I need to trigger the Intuitive strength?


Based on how much the fire had spread (it torched most of his house and was mostly out by the time you arrived) he definitely could have done both, especially if he was driving.


Brutish Jock | Adversity Tokens 3 | Fight d12+1 Flight d8 Brains d4 Brawn d20+1 Charm d6 Grit d10

That night, Steve had gone to bed with the lights on out of fear. He fell asleep very late, and he almost falls asleep in class.

When he realizes that he only had a few more minutes before class would start, he lifts his head from between his arms and leans back in his chair to where Fatou was sitting. "Me and Maggie saw the boy again, and he disappeared in thin air when she touched him. Of course you won't believe me, but you can even ask her. Let's see you explain that."


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

"It's true! He was like mist, he was screaming at nothing on the freeway! I'm telling you, it was weird! And he was cold, and Steve saw him too so he can't be an illusion!"

Maggie's speech is frantic, words jumbling one over another.

"Also Mister Wilkins! You saw our driveway was marked on the map, yes? And when I mowed his lawn, he looked pretty bad and there were cigarette butts ann over, but he never smoked, did he? They set fire to his place somehow!"


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

"That trailer smelled of cigarettes, and he had plenty of time to light the fire and drive back to the circus. I think we should be less worried about some boy you thought you saw in the dark, and find out why the circus wanted Mr. Wilkons dead." Steve was trying to scare her, and Maggie had joined in, but they didn't have time for games. If she was right, they really had to do something. "Someone tried to kill our neighbor, and the police won't do anything because they think that it was an accident. Soon the circus will leave, and no one will know." She counts off points on her hand. "He had the opportunity. There is evidence placing him at the scene. He has the means. A fire breather would have things to start fires with. What we don't know is his motivation. Why did he do this? Maggie, he seemed a little slow, no? The way that he took that excuse about the cat, I think he was told to start that fire... and worse, there is a chance he may have burned the wrong house. He might be coming back."


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

"They did kill him... He didn't make it."


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

Fatou blinks back tears and buries herself in her books. On the day of the parade, she had seen a smoker under the bridge. There was maybe a real killer in their town now. Maybe her mother wasn't exaggerating. Maybe she shouldn't be wandering around alone... at least until the circus left.


I’ll let you all run this scene until you’re ready to move on. If there’s something you want to do next let me know otherwise I’ll push you into another scene.


Brutish Jock | Adversity Tokens 3 | Fight d12+1 Flight d8 Brains d4 Brawn d20+1 Charm d6 Grit d10

Steve snorts. If Fatou wasn't concerned with the ghost, he definitely wasn't going to be concerned with what she was talking about.

"Why do you think he came to the wrong house? Who would he have been trying to kill besides Mr. Wilkins? If he came to set a fire, he probably burnt the right house."

He collapses back on his desk to feign disinterest.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

Maybe Fatou has a point. Holly says, finnally breaking her silence Most of the houses look the same on our street, except for the paint. it was dark. why would they want to kill Mr. Wilkins. She asks.

The fire, the map, the mysterious boy... something is very wrong in town.


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

"Whether you are looking for your enfant fantôme or trying to find out the circus's motives, the circus grounds are a good place to look; However, if we are so sure he found the right place, you may have an easier time searching the burnt out house." Fatou doesn't look up from her book fort.


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

"Are you saying he was trying to kill my parents?"


We can keep going with this scene until you're all satisfied. If you have somewhere you want to investigate, let me know otherwise I'll push the plot along


Everyone ready to move on? Do you have something or somewhere you want to investigate or do you want me to give you a new scene?


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

Ready to move on


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

Ready too.


Brutish Jock | Adversity Tokens 3 | Fight d12+1 Flight d8 Brains d4 Brawn d20+1 Charm d6 Grit d10

I'm also ready.


Anything you want to investigate next?


Brutish Jock | Adversity Tokens 3 | Fight d12+1 Flight d8 Brains d4 Brawn d20+1 Charm d6 Grit d10

It would make sense to go to Mr. Wilkins' house, as Fatou suggested.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

Like Mggie, I'm not sure, so I guess Wilkin's house makes sense

Alternatively, could Fatou recreate the map with any accuracy?


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

I doubt the whole place burnt down, and Fatou should be able to find something to connect Mr. Wilkins to the circus in the parts that didn't burn down... Assuming a connection exists.


Sounds like you want to sneak over to the burned out house. During the day? At night? Is there anything you want to do beforehand?


Brutish Jock | Adversity Tokens 3 | Fight d12+1 Flight d8 Brains d4 Brawn d20+1 Charm d6 Grit d10

I think I would be ready to visit as soon as school is over.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

Holly too


Does anyone want to do anything before sneaking over? Otherwise we can cut there


Female Funny Sidekick | Adversity Tokens 0 | Fight d4+1, Flight d10, Brains d8, Brawn d12+1, Charm d20, Grit d6

Nothing else to do for me


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

During lunch, Fatou visits the library, reading up on arson, and refreshing her books with things she thought might be useful.


I'm not sure why you think a middle school library has books on arson, but you can find some books on interesting topics that might be related...


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

Fatou checks the library's microfiche archive for news articles about arson, or circuses?


That’s a diff 5 brains roll


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Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

Brains: 1d20 ⇒ 18


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Thats...very good. I’m going to need to write out everything you learn tomorrow. There’s a lot of great stuff.


I haven’t forgotten you. Today is just a very busy day.


Fatou
You find so much stuff. So much. Research in the 80s was hard, but you're incredibly smart and you dig up so many articles.

Perkins has had a few incidents of arson over the last few decades, but nothing that immediately strikes out as relevant. There's an interesting Time magazine profile on a fire investigator that discusses some techniques for investigating arson. There's also a very sad story about Julio Gonzalez, a man who killed 87 people in a nightclub fire when he set fire to the stairs (and only exit).

Circuses are a little more interesting. There haven't been many that have passed through the town.

The last time a circus passed through it was about 30 years ago. The circus actually looks a bit similar to the The Circus of Earthly Delights (though it was called Circus Magnus. The microfilche from back then doesn't make for the best photos ever, but the ringmaster looks very similar to the current one.

There are shots from the parade with people in the crowd, clowns and animals. It looks like a fun time. The circus stayed around a week and then moved on. There are articles about the circus in each issue.

You make print outs of all of the issues to share with your friends.


Young Lady Conspiracy Theorist  Ad:  |  Fight d12+1   Flight d10   Brain d20   Brawn d4+1   Charm d6   Grit d8

"We may be looking for something that happened thirty years ago. This other cirque, it looks like the ringmaster is related. An old vendetta? -and with this other article we may be able to learn something from the ashes... Where the fire started and what was used to start it." Fatou is very eager to check out the house as soon as possible.


As Fatous shows her friends the article, something jumps out at every other member of the group.

In the photo of the parade, front and center of the crowd...the phantom boy stares at the camera, clutching a greyscale balloon.


Mosaic Labels: Danger: -1 Freak: +1 Savior: 0 Superior: +3 Mundane: 0 | Conditions: none
Influence:
Influences: Gallowglass, Psyche, Praetoria, Isaiah. [+b]Influenced By:[/b] Rory, Praetoria, Gallowglass, Isaiah, Horizon
Potential 3/5

i don't think Holly has seen the Boy either, so just Maggie and Steve


You're right. I forgot that Holly went home via the gorge.

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