Clatter in the Alley

[ Clatter in the alley ] There are two reason's people come to Chinatown. The first, was the food. Pretty simple
really. Sure there were other restaurants in other parts of the city, but no place had the variety that Chinatown
did. Nor the availability. If your favorite Thai place was full, you could simply head over to the OTHER Thai
place too close to be economically viable. At least, it would be too close, if this weren't Chinatown.
The other thing people come to Chinatown for is anonymity. Most people could ease through the crowds
constantly around and blend right in with locals and hungry out of towners. There were always deliveries
being made, always re-stocking. Always distribution.
This part of the city was almost always alive. And loud. And bright, especially as the sun finally sets.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Today, the weather's cloudy with rain following soon from the looks of it, off the streets and
shifting through the alleys was a man in a light brown trench coat, white shirt and red tie, and black business
pants. He was searching for an address and at the same time checking the alleys to see how many cats were
hanging around these days.
It was a preventive measure to avoid later surprises, even though preliminary scans had chalked up the place
as empty. His lucky card was placed on the inside of his pocket and secured to avoid losing it, with both his
weapons holstered in place and armor on underneath the clothes. Even if it was supposedly safe, he was
ready for a damn war.
[Marianna Engmani] It seemed that the local alleycats were in good company, a certain Dreamspeaker sitting
among their ilk, wet miserable and doing something...at least it seemed like she was mumbling something
under her breath as she left tins of canned tuna about. A small plague of citybeasts loitering about her feet.
From the looks of it, Anna didn't seem the least bit pleased, she wasn't an animal person, but she had
promised to keep an eye out for the city and its denizens...even the mangey, smelly, and generally repugnant
members...
Speaking of which...Anna grinned as she saw the familiar form of her favorite asshole. She tossed the last
can aside and walked forward toward the Cultist. "Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnate...." Her voice was eerily sing-song
as she tried to call out the haggard looking fella. "Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate"
[ Clatter in the alley ] [Mrow?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Perc + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 (Success x 1 at target 6) [WP]
[ Clatter in the alley ] The cats come in droves, apparently from everywhere. Nathan knows this. He knows
how easy it is to draw them out. Most eat revenously. Some scrap quickly with one another, leaping from
tin-can to tin-can. A few of them stop, turn frightened eyes to Marianna as she moved off. Eyes gleaming in
the distant streetlight as they travel with her, to settle on Nathan.
And then...
They go back to eating.
Amusingly, this happened to address he was looking for. Or at least the alley he was looking for.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [What kinds of cats are these? Perc + Aware]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 6, 6, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ Clatter in the alley ] (They're witchy Cats)
1/4
[ Nathan Spriggs ] As he found Anna in the alleys playing with the cats, his eyebrows quirked for a moment in
an inquisitive look, followed by a sigh. "What's up Anna?" Meanwhile, he studied the cats as they walked
away, the smelly, mangey little bastards. Nothing felt strange about them but this many this close to the
address? No, something was off, and goddammit he'd find it.
First, he took out a small pen from his pocket and drew a sigil on his right palm, concentration on it, he
brought it up to his head and pressed it against his face, eyes concentrating on it for a moment. His attention
was elsewhere, however, concentrating on something else.
[Matter 1, matter-o-vision; base diff 4 (-1 rote)]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 8, 8 (Success x 2 at target 3)
[Marianna Engmani] Well maybe it was the fact that Anna was communing with the spiritual world that
Nathan was getting the heebiejeebies, but then again, he wasn't the smartest tool in the shed. Maybe he just
forgot that Anna was Dreamspeaker...or...maybe he was just high.
"Not much Nate, I was just...um...working. What about yourself?" Not that she was going to get an answer,
since well, Nathan was so clever, he wouldn't tell her what was going on, until something horrible happened.
[ Clatter in the alley ] Things Nathan Detects: Muscle. Hair. Sinew. Fat. Titanium. Iron. Tin. Copper. Gold.
Asphalt. Concrete. Paper.
to Nathan Spriggs
[ Nathan Spriggs ] He looked to Anna for a moment, scanning her features for a moment. "I'm on some work
stuff. Gimme a sec and I'll explain." Nathan looked around for a moment, memorizing the number of cats and
how they looked like before taking an index card from his pocket and writing something on them with the pen
in his other hand.
When he was done writing, he gave the index card to Anna, "Here, this should cover it."
[Marianna Engmani] "Robot cats don't eat tuna." Anna said with a roll of her eyes, but she was by this point,
used to the paranoia, but it wasn't her concern as she looked over the card with a skeptical tilt to her
eyebrows. "So, what are you doing about it?" Or more importantly: What was he going to ask her to do? That
seemed a bit more of an applicable concern.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "These ones do, seen it myself." Another look around, ignoring her idiotic assumptions, why
did life seemed to make his life impossible, time and time again. By this point, he was used to it. Now Nathan
would just need to figure out how to get her out of the way. "I'm investigating, you're either getting out of here
or tagging along? Either way, try not to get in the way and mention anything out of place." Hopefully she'd
understand such a simple request.
[Marianna Engmani] Anna frowned, and crossed her arms across her chest. "Back the fuck up slapnuts, I
was here first. You're the one that disrupted my job. SO you know what? Why don't you get the fuck out, and
go play Dale Gribble somewhere else." She wasn't going to get pushed around right now, and definitely by a
two-bit piss poor 'dick' like Nathan.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Fuckin' hell; WP]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "Tell it to someone who gives a shit. You can stay out here for all I care." With that, he
turned away to check the backdoor to the place, trying to make out what the locks were made of, their
complexity. Another idea, might help later on, who knows. Nathan took out a deck and started shuffling it,
sitting down to play solitaire for a moment.
2/4
[Entropy 1; adding detection of weak points in things to that matter-o-vision; base diff 4 (-1 rote)]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 3, 3 (Success x 2 at target 3)
[Marianna Engmani] Well, it was utterly hilarious to watch Nathan huff off like a teenage girl, which was
enough to make Anna smile and play the world's tiniest violin for his sadness. "Oh don't be so butthurt Nate,
you have to admit, you sound like you've been reading nothing but tabloids and call it truth...so what? You
just trying to figure out who snuffed your computer fucker?" She was playing nice again when he wasn't being
an outright dick, at least NAthan always made her laugh.
[ Clatter in the alley ] Lock? What lock? There's a door there, yes. but the lock, the knob, the usual
accessories that made it a door are all absent, leaving gaping holes in the door where they used to be.
For whatever reason it's just...there. Relatively untouched. But not at all locked.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan turned his head to Anna, stifling laughter for a second as she jumped to
assumptions. "No need to jump to conclusions. But I can see your point. Anyway, we already know, now we
just need to actually find the fuck. That's not why I'm here though. So, you coming along or?" His voice was
casual rather than hostile, he wasn't trying to start an argument so much as just stating facts and asking her if
she wanted in or not.
If anything, she could serve as a great meatshield. Especially if she actually trusted the damn cats.
[Marianna Engmani] "Well, I might, but you have to step in first...you're gonna be my meat shield." Anna
waved Nathan along, sure she'd at least sniff around, if anything, old places like this had interesting things to
look at. The whole time she talked she had a pleasant amused sound to her voice, almost the same
sing-song she had greeted him with. "You know...I'm getting the feeling that you guys hunt a whole lot of
shit...but never catch anything. Is this true?" Hell they couldn't even catch a kid who was dead and now he
was apparently haunting the shit out of a kid. It was hilarious.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "We catch stuff... from time to time. Rarely, but we do. Or at least I have, can't talk for
anyone else." She prodded him to go in, so he did, quietly opening the door and taking a step inside, eyes
scanned the inside. His eyes caught every detail of the layout, plus his senses told him what it all was. If
there were traps, he should notice it... hopefully.
[Marianna Engmani] "Heh." That just didn't seem very likely but she wasn't here to judge, but...she did it
anyways. "Well it helps to have credentials...which most of you don't have." Anna waved a hand about
dismissively as she looked around curiously, keeping an eye out for anything that could potentially kill her
ass.
[ Clatter in the alley ] The door opens to a narrow hallway. A narrow, dusty hallway. A narrow, dusty, dark
hallway. There seems to be a door on the other end of the hallway, but as they drift further in the door they
entered through swings closed, plunging them into darkness.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Bam! The door swings shut, darkness, fuckin' great. He was stuck in there with a crazy
loudmouthed Dreamspeaker, in the dark, without anyone else. This was almost like being with Kaya, except
he didn't need to 'talk about his feelings' all the time. A step up after all. Still, his eyes closed, left hand
digging into the pockets and grabbing his clock as he concentrated. Time to figure out what happened here
before, and see if he could see what this trap involved originally.
[Time 2, looking into the past; base diff 5 (-1 rote, -1 unique foci)]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 2, 10 (Success x 1 at target 3)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Time 2, looking into the past; base diff 5 (-1 rote, -1 unique foci) extended!]
3/4
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 5, 10 (Success x 2 at target 3)
[Marianna Engmani] Anna doesn't talk about her feelings, and she sure as hell wasn't going to do it with Nate
of all people. So for that the Cultist was safe, Anna yawned, and then dropped a few marbles from her pocket
to the floor, whispering to herself unintelligibly...
[ Clatter in the alley ] "Always approach with caution Henri or you'll get killed. It's better to assume it's
dangerous than to assume it's safe." The voice speaks quietly from the door they'd just passed through,
followed by a New Zealand accent whispering 'Ninja...'
A moment later a young man comes through the entrance they'd come. He's lean and muscular, with blond
hair and blue eyes. And a really big gun held poised in his hand. Behind him? A very familiar teenager with a
wild shock of hair, large goggles, and clanking toolbelt.
to Nathan Spriggs
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Paused]
4/4

Meeting of Messengers

[Administrator] Israel Cohen, welcome to Chantry (Night)

[Administrator] Wharil Choc, welcome to Chantry (Night)

[Israel Cohen] It's taken a bit longer than she anticipated - between one thing or another - but eventually she sets up a date and time to meet again with the so-called Public Relations face of the Society. A meeting just between the two of them to discuss the Guardians becoming full members of the Chantry; a meeting that, hopefully, will be more streamlined and less.. tense.. than the last one had been at times.

She arrives a little early, dressed simply, her hair still damp from being fresh washed, twisted up into a large, heavy loose knot at the nape of her neck. The Chantry door knocked on and, we shall assume, Wharil eventually responds, letting her in. Last time she came with baklava. This time there's a Tupperware container of mixed brownies and blondies; ever a bringer of gifts, this one. Her smile for the man is subdued - a gentle, breezy thing that suits her ethereal smallness - but genuine.

"Hullo again, Wharil... I've brought more treats." She hoists the plastic container slightly in one hand, while the other holds her guide cane. Last time she'd left it at the door, but this time - lacking Solomon's easy guidance - she wields it carefully in the house, the arch of its motion small so she doesn't inadvertently knock anything over. "How are you tonight?" Others ask such questions lightly, without carrying about the response. Israel - for whatever reason - seems one of those rare few who asks because they genuinely want to know.

[Wharil Choc] He does indeed show up at the door, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, made slightly formal by the sports coat he wears with it. All this, of course, is lost on his guest, as is the fact that he was badly in need of a haircut, as his hair back in the short ponytail indicated. But, perhaps she could hear the smile that he wore, sunny and welcoming as always.

"Israel! Glad you could make it. Ah! What's this. More Baclava? No...Brownies? Excellent. We should have some ice cream actually."

As he speaks, he walks ahead of her, letting his voice lead the way to the kitchen, though fairly certain she already knows where it was.

"I'm...well, I could do with more sleep, but I'm good actually. Seems things have been busy in our city. Uh...Here. Have a seat. I already have a bowl of fruit on the table."

Wharil has pulled out a seat at the table. The bowl is in the center, but on the other side there is also his messenger bag and a few papers already arranged. He was prepared.

[Israel Cohen] She follows him - trough merit of his voice, the sound of his foot fall, and other little oddities she clues in on that most others miss. Tracing his path is an aide, though, just as is her cane. Much as he suspects, she is already memorizing what layout she's been re-exposed to in the home, setting up a terrain in her minds eye. So she makes it to the kitchen without incident, the staccato of her cane a steady rhythm that precedes her.
"Busy, yes, to say the least... I guess a general lack of sleep is something most of us suffer from these days." She hears the chair pulled out and makes her way there, feeling with her hands now as she sets the guide cane against the table, keeping it within arms reach as she settles herself with a murmured thanks. "If you ever need it, my cousins run a kind of herbal apothecary -- the green thumbs of the family," She speaks of these relations with a soft warmth of marrow-deep fondness, "I'm sure they could help with a tea or tincture to help you sleep a bit more restfully when you can manage it."

Her small hands slide over the table before her, feeling the layout of the bowl and any plates her set out, brushing over one edge of his messenger bag, then slipping away, it's location noted but no questions asked. Reading her surroundings like she might read Braille. "You know, I don't believe you mentioned your Tradition the last time we met..." She speaks the words mildly - a light curiosity instead of an interrogation.

[Wharil Choc] "Hm. Never tried anything like that, but i'm willing to give it a shot. I'll take you up on that offer some time."

His voice moves around to the rear cabinets, where the sound of clinking flatware can be heard. When he comes back he sets down a bowl, saucer, and spoon next to Israel, before the sound of his movements move to the other side of the table.

"Oh, I didn't mention? Sorry, I forget in mixed company sometimes. Uhh...Euthanatos. Chela rank, which means...I get to teach other Euthanatos of lesser and equal rank. I'm also a probationary member of the Albireo."

And he's smiling again as he continues. She can tell by his voice. It sounds a bit...proud.

"Which means this these kinds of negotiations are part of the trade. And you?"

[Israel Cohen] Dishes and cutlery set before her, she helps herself to some of the fruit in the bowl [which requires she use her hands a bit more than sighted people would - hopefully Wharil doesn't believe in girl cooties or anything] and then a brownie from the plastic container she pops open, spooning up a bit of the fruit while he speaks. The very tip of her tongue flicks out, touching the fruit on the spoon while she softly inhales its aroma, giving herself some warning of what she's about to ingest. Apparently she finds it to her liking because she stops the take the half-spoonful, chewing, savoring and swallowing before answering.

"Ahhhh.... well, that's just as well. The Albireo are just about the only individual faction I know of within the Euthanatoi." Yes, she uses the archaic version when referring to his Tradition in plural. Then she turns her face in the direction of his last words came from, noting the pride in his voice, her expression one to echo her own words, the smile as much in her blind eyes as on her lips. "Congratulations. Not an easy position to hold, if what I know is accurate." Then a roll of her shoulders as she breaks off a piece of brownie. "Unaffiliated. An Orphan, I guess, by the common terminology... I grew up as a part of a family craft and, well... for various reasons I've chosen to remain disparate."

[Wharil Choc] "Hm." Is all he really has to say to that. This preliminary banter suited him, as he prepared his own bowl of fruit and brownie.

"And Solomon? How'd you two begin working together?"

[Israel Cohen] "Solomon is a member of the Celestial Chorus." She responds easily enough. "As for how we began working together," here her smile is much the same as when she briefly mentioned family, though deeper, still. Something more poignant than fondness; something just as ingrained as bonds of blood, if not more so. There is a depth in her eyes that is far more older than her apparently mid-20-something years: Ancient and heavy with sorrow, though kept deep beneath layers of an otherwise calm, gentle woman. Held in check. "I had a rather violent Awakening.," a shrug - that much is true of many Mages. "Solomon took me in and taught me. Though we've known one another since I was a child, long before my Awakening. I've since reached a level where we consider one another partners rather than mentor and student... but our partnership works so we've remained attached."

[Wharil Choc] "Hm. That's nice. Comforting."

Another smile, but this time marked by silence, followed by the sound of a spoon set to rest in a bowl, then the bowl and platter shoved aside.

"I suppose we should get down to business. Where would you like to start?"

[Israel Cohen] "Comforting. Yes." Comforting: Indeed. But more. But such things are probably not easily explained to anyone let alone a fellow Will Worker one has only just met.

He is ready to move on to business and she is easily agreeable. Another bit of brownie accompanied by a bit of sought and found strawberry quickly consumed before she nods and waves a hand, as if urging him to take the lead. "The Society holds the high ground, so to speak. So I guess we should start with what all your Prerequisites and conditions are?"

[Wharil Choc] "In truth, there's only one thing that can be considered a condition. I believe we're already in agreement as per the limitations on access to those not already in a Cabal. Just to be clear, we're not saying others aren't welcome in the Chantry. Just not the library and node, and no free rein on taking residence in the dorms. If the Guardians agree, I'm sure that means they also agree to enforce that.

"Aside from that...I have to say there's been some concern about Solomon's reaction to news of the Node's guardian. We realize you both have an admirable deal of experience, but we've accomplished quite a bit of progress into developing a rapport and agreement with the Guardian. We would need assurance that the guardians wouldn't do anything to compromise this.

"In fact..." And here he hesitates. A tell, perhaps, of something uncomfortable coming up. "There's been the suggestion that any negotiation or direct communication with the Guardian goes through Gregor. This last bit isn't a demand, mind you. Merely a suggestion.

"Just as I would suggest some sort of structure for running the chantry." The sound of zipping and shuffling papers comes along with this statement, and after its subsided Wharil hesitates again. "Uh...I'm holding in my hands the charter for the Society of the Nameless Crow. In it we've laid out a number of positions for our members. I think a few of them could carry over to the Chantry at large. Unless...you have your own ideas?"

[Israel Cohen] Suffice to say Israel shows no amount of surprise when the matter of Solomon's... colourful... reaction to news of the Guardian is brought up. She'd been expecting it, obviously. Wharil's words - and phrasing - on the matter is listened to attentively, one ear slightly canted towards his direction while her hazel eyes settle unfocused on a wall she can't see. Her lips curve: Understanding and a quiet kind of amusement. Not because the matter is laughable in any way but simply because she, of course, understands Solomon's reasons more than the others could be expected to.

"I understand. Both your concerns and some idea of the work that must have gone in to getting this far. Believe me when I say neither myself or Solomon have any intention of undermining that or swooping down to somehow... usurp or jeopardize your position." She licks her lips, gathering her thoughts, hands sliding over the table idly. "Solomon's reaction tot he news of the Node's Guardian really had very little to do with the Guardian itself and much more to do with learning that the High Umbrood he summoned was thoroughly out of the picture. For him that had potentially grave implications: After all, pacts are made with such Spirits." Her lips tweak, "If you found out a Spirit with whom you had a bargain was now missing and potentially pissed off at you, you might have a violent reaction as well. Not that he remotely blamed any of you.. alas, the Priest has a temper and it flares up sometimes." She is.. clarifying. Soothing. But not trying to apologize for her companions actions. "The same is true of many Magi I know. We can be a hot-headed lot. I can see where you all might be concerned that he meant the Guardian some harm.. let me assure you that he really doesn't. He has no issue with the Guardian whatsoever: So long as it is free of taint and doing its job, that would suffice for both of us. However..."
She pauses here, choosing her words carefully. Not to obfuscate but because that is just her nature.
"From the sounds of it Gregor has built a certain rapport with the Guardian. And that is very well. Solomon's main concern would be the Node itself. He is a Disciple of Prime -- Gregor is an Initiate who's main area of study seems to be Spirits. What I mean to say is this: If ever the situation arose where some negotiation was required with the Guardian then I also feel having Gregor's input would be useful - given his established connections. But on matters of the Node itself, I think it is clear enough that Solomon's expertise there surpasses Gregor's. So I guess it would be best, perhaps, to let Solomon and Gregor speak on these matters and come to agreement between themselves on how things get handled 'Downstairs' -- does that make sense?"

When he speaks of a structure to the chantry she perks up a bit, pleased. Interested. "A charter, really? How organized." The comment is by no means condescending - she is just plain intrigued to hear some of how this particular cabal functions. "My own knowledge of Chantry structure is fairly traditional and basic. So by all means, I'm eager to listen to what you've got..."

[Wharil Choc] "That makes perfect sense, actually. I'll pass this on."

The papers shuffle.

"Its not much I suppose. Just a preamble on our purpose and a brief history leading up to our formation. The cabal positions though...Obviously we would have to change the wording somewhat but...*ahem* We have a priest, elected by majority vote who's responsibilities include the acquisition of appropriate learning material such as rotes, grimoirs, artifacts, etc. Ensuring that every member of the Cabal is able to defend themselves against supernatural attack. And Leading the cabal in the performance of Rites.

"There's A Den-mother, whose responsibilities include Seeing to the physical needs of the members of the Cabal in terms of health and psychological well being.

"A Messenger, responsible for coordinating with other possible Cabals, Chantries, etc, and establish productive partnership with these entities whenever possible. Gathering and coordinating information moving in and out of the cabal. Learn of and investigate possible threats to the Cabal, the Chantry, or the community as a whole.

"And finally a Sentinel, who ensures that every member of the cabal is able to defend against physical attacks of any nature. Is responsible for tactical arrangements for the cabal in a time of conflict, and maintaining defenses of the Chantry and safehouse.

"As I said, we'd have to adjust these for the purpose of the chantry. Furthermore, we'd need a librarian. Someone who can look after the research material currently present, acquire new items for us and...well, keep a record of all the things that happen around here. Something that's already making my head spin, and I'm not even doing it in an official capacity."

[Israel Cohen] ooc: pause!

[Administrator] Israel Cohen has left Chantry

Burgers and Beer

[ Nathan Spriggs ] As Wharil mentioned their dear friend Renegade's corpse, Nathan broke out into fits of
laughter for a moment. His only response for now was shaking his head.
"Nah, I took it outside the city." He took a knife and fork and started to cut his steak, eating a piece as he
waited for the fries to cool down a bit more. Then he gestured towards one of the booths near the entrance
with his head. The crowd inside right now on the opposite side of them.
"This counter's a bit uncomfortable for eating, let's talk there."
[ Wharil Choc ] Wharil looked decidedly less amused, but all Nathan really got was a shake of the head one
minute, and a nod the next as he picked his plate up and headed for the booth.
"Anybody come around that place yet?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan followed behind him with his plate in hand, leaving some beers on the counter in
case anyone wanted some more. When he'd gotten himself into his seat and checked to make sure no one
was around, he shook his head.
"Nope. Not humans anyway. Fuckin' cats. Found who Tortura is, or at least Henri told Jon about him.
Apparently some mad scientist who worked on cats. And from what we saw? The cat that attacked
Renegade, it was a goddamn Terminator or something." He stopped there, finally eating some of his fries and
throwing another glance at the surrounding.
"Cat had a device planted in it or so we thought. Turns out, from what Jon discovered, the cat is the device.
Seems Tortura lives in Chinatown too, I'm guessing the address we got."
[ Wharil Choc ] The look Wharil is giving Nathan right now might be enough to blink him out of existence were
he a griffin or a faerie, or some other creature that relied on belief to survive. Terminator cats? He looked to
be, to say the least, a bit skeptical. But in the end he stares down at his fries, plucks one up, and shakes his
head.
"If I hadn't heard it from Henri first I'd say you guys were making this shit up. What could possibly be the
purpose of a terminator cat? Unless you're up against zombie mice?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan leaned back and shrugged, the expression on his face something like 'fucked if I
know'. Another piece of steak followed by a few fries as he stares up at the ceiling for a second, thinking.
"We're working on finding out. But it seems this guy's got a cat army. And they'll be back." He gave him a
smile following that.
[ Wharil Choc ] "That's Corny, Nathan. And nobody likes a corny Nathan."
He muches a fry finally, washing it down with a sip of beer.
"And what makes you think this guy is still in Chinatown?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] He responded with a shrug and a smile, a couple fries disappearing from his plate over the
next few seconds.
"We entered the realm of extremely corny when we actually seriously discussed Terminator cats. Also,
absolutely nothing. But I'm banking on overconfidence, and/or the difficulty of moving a lab around. Since the
only guy we know was investigating so far got murdered. Unless he knows we exist."
1/4
[ Wharil Choc ] "Bean found the lab. By accident, but she found it. At least, that's what she said to me.
Besides, if you're making robo-cats, I think making a call to a descreet U-haul would be the least of your
problems."
And again, his brows knit together just thinking about it.
"Robo-cats. Christ. They must be pretty advanced. You couldn't even tell the difference?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "Yeah, think about it. Henri found it, and yet it still seems like the guy stuck around. Or at
least stayed close enough to find a certain 'V-Dept' a threat. If we assume he's the unknown sender as well,
that means he's strapped on funds. Makes it hard to move around."
Nathan leaned back, thinking about it carefully. His fries were almost gone as was half his steak, but he felt
full right now.
"Now we just need to track down that Lin. As for the cats, yeah, not a single difference on the outside. Except
a strange sort of Resonance, like they were decaying or falling apart or something. Same thing that was on
the interface. As if that wasn't enough, between the leak, the cats, and everything else. The goddamn
Shallows, the stuff that's coming out of them is even worse. Hear about the Nephandi attack at Lincoln Park I
told Ashley about?"
[ Wharil Choc ] Wharil tongues his cheek, nodding and dabbing a collection of fries in some catchup.
"We knew they'd still be out there. Not surprising. Its why the Society has concentrated most of its efforts on
securing the Chantry. We need that place. Somewhere we can fall back to. Not much adventure involved in
that but..."
A shrug as he tosses the fries in his mouth.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] At Wharil's behavior, Nathan simply stared for a moment, he didn't eat anything for now or
say anything.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Speaking of, I was thinking and doing some reading, I think I might be able to
set up some pretty basic Time wards in the chantry."
[ Wharil Choc ] "Time Wards? Well I'd welcome the contribution, personally. And I don't think it'll take much to
convince the others that defending against the possibility of people eavesdropping on past conversations is
a--"
He was mid-fry chomp when he stopped, eyebrows twitching slightly. Wharil sets the the fries back on the
plate.
"You guys can watch the record. You can look back in a place and see...listen....to things that have been
said, can't you? How far back can you go?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan's eyes widened at that, he had the same idea, or similiar, maybe? He was just
about to open his mouth when Wharil's last comment came.
"Never tested it, but theoretically? If you give me a lot of time and preparation, I could arguably look back at
how the area was built and designed. The traps, right?" He wanted to be sure they were on the same page
now.
[ Wharil Choc ] "Among other things." he says with a nod. He reaches again for the fries, popping them into
2/4
his mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
"There's just one problem."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan gave him a smile, but it faded slightly as he mentioned the problem. "What's
wrong?"
[ Wharil Choc ] "Rules are rules, I'm afraid. And the really pertinent places that we'd need something like that
performed in...well, you're not allowed in them."
Another shrug, and he reaches for his beer, a thought striking him before he even brings it to his lips.
"What's working with Jon like?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] At the 'rules are rules', he shrugged. Then his question came, it wasn't hard to guess where
this was going, maybe it was just his imagination though.
"It's pretty nice, I'll admit. We make a damn good team if I might say so myself. He's good with computer
stuff, which I'm horrible with, and I can handle physical investigations." He gave Wharil a knowing glance, as
though asking him if this was going where he thought it was.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] ((...look, not glance))
to Wharil Choc
[ Wharil Choc ] It was funny, the information communicated in glances. Nathan's was inquisitive, and Wharil's
was dismissive, but not the way one would imagine. It was more a 'Well, it does make sense' sort of look.
"And what about Kaya? The three of you...it's not weird is it?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] The look in his eyes made it clear how the situation on that was, especially since he
cringed slightly at the mention. His response was wordless for a moment, a look that seemed to indicate it
hadn't been touched on yet.
"She definitely doesn't want to see him right now, asked me not to tell him about us." He shrugged at that, a
bitter smile coming across his face.
"As for me, depends on how he acts on it. I'm not emotional enough to care. When there's work to be done,
as long as it's kept professional I couldn't care less. And on a personal comment, ironic as it might be for a
Time user to say, the past is the past. Just because he hurt her before, I'm not instantly gonna hate the guy.
In fact, he's an interesting person, and I like working with him."
[ Wharil Choc ] "Hm." Is all he says as he finally sips his beer. Once its put down they're back to talking in
gazes.
"So..."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "So..." He returned the words, not mockingly but wondering about it. He had only one more
thing to add to this.
"Only issues I see with what you're thinking is if he'll agree, and what I said at the meeting. I'm sure Ashley'll
look down on me for being a hypocrite, but if it's for something this important, I guess I'll have to take it back."
3/4
[ Wharil Choc ] "Fair enough. Just thought I'd mention it and...its worth a shot."
Wharil was gathering up the last of the fries into one spot on his plate. To small and crunchy to be anything
tasty. He frowns at them for a while. Takes a sip of his beer and sighs.
"That could be one really good fry. But look at it now? All broken up and separated."
His smile is more of a smirk, as he looks up to Nathan anew.
"Sorry man. Somebody once told me there were signs everywhere. Ever since then I've been on the lookout."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] He returned Wharil's look, then he shrugged. His eyes on his own fries now, still there and
slowly getting cold. Then a smile. "I dunno if what you mean is good or bad, honestly. But I'll just hope you
mean it in a good way."
[ Wharil Choc ] He chuckles at that, reaching for a napkin to wipe up his hands.
"Anything else you and I need updating on?"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] He considered that for a moment. Trying to remember anything else of importance.
"Uh, don't think so. I'll give you a call once I've had a chance to talk to Jon?"
[ Wharil Choc ] [And Wrap!]
4/4

A Questionable Lead (Tortura)

[Administrator] A questionable lead, welcome to Chinatown (Southside) (Now)
[Administrator] Nathan Spriggs, welcome to Chinatown (Southside) (Now)
[Administrator] Jonathan Kincade, welcome to Chinatown (Southside) (Now)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Whenever Jonathan might arrive, the apartment would be in mostly the same conditions as
before. With one exception, there was a cage with what seemed like runes carved out at the bottom on the
kitchen table. Inside it was a sleeping cat, though it seemed to be waking up slowly. Behind it, in a position
where he couldn't be seen from inside the cage, was Nathan.
He'd been waiting since his call to the man a while back, hoping the cat wouldn't wake up. What if the device
in it was made to observe anything it saw through it's eyes? Or something equally horrible. He also needed
Jon to examine it before deciding whether to biopsy the damn thing out or not.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] It didn't take Jonathan long to arrive at the apartment once he had gotten the message.
Leaving Bean and Goopy back at his apartment, he had wanted to talk too Nathan about recent
developments. There had been things found out and he needed a second opinion to clarify his thoughts.
Jonathan headed up the stars and stepped into the apartment, eyeing off the cage "I guess that must be the
cat?" he asks Nathan. As he headed towards it as he begins inspecting the feline.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan gave Jon a smile as he entered the room, taking a look outside to make sure no
one had followed him there. Things planted inside cats made him nervous. "Yep, that's the one. Wouldn't
happen to know the Sphere of Matter, would you?"
[ A questionable lead ] This close, it wasn't a very handsome cat. It was old, from the look of its fur. Well fed,
perhaps, but that didn't come without its price. The creature looked a little bedraggled now that it was laying
there, with nicks and the marks of many a cat fight.
The tip of its tail twitches almost rhythmically. Every so often one of its paws flexes, as if grabbing on to
dream stuff. Its chest rises dramatically with the motion of a sigh.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan hadn't been followed, he had been part of his basic training. His eyes looking
down at the cat , a frown furrowing his forhead "Yeah I do as a matter of fact. Know the basics of every
sphere but Spirit."
As he watches the cat, he sees the paw move and the tail twitch. Perhaps it was readying to wake up.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan nodded at that, a bit impressed at the fact, really. "Check out the Resonance on the
cat, it's the exact same as the one that was on the crown. Then check out what's inside it with Matter, maybe
you'll have better luck figuring it out."
[ Jonathan Kincade ] "Hmm okay , that's interesting. Guess that gives us the link then, Henri Bean was staying
with me last night when I mentioned that Dr Tortura article we found. She behaved like she was re-living a
nightmare, kept rambling on about him and his cats."
"Lets have a look at this thing." and Jon pulls out his PDA device , pointing it's camera towards the cat as he
begins pushing a number of buttons in succession.
[ Resonance/Matter check - What is happening with this cat - Arete 2d4+WP]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 2, 2 (Success x 1 at target 4) [WP]
1/6
[ A questionable lead ] Here is a cat: Four legs. A tail. A head. Fur. Teeth. Claws. Here is a recipe for a cat: A
gallon of water. A handful of minerals. Carbon. Nitrogen. Oxygen in its lungs. In its blood. Iron. The soft kind
that makes it red and alive and living.
Iron. The hard kind. The kind that mixes with aluminum. With complex carbon and magnesium. Metal. Alloys.
Reinforcements. Copper and gold like axions and synapses. Silicon. Plastic. Glass. Long chain carbons.
Pliable rubber. Here was a recipe for things that did not belong there. Weren't supposed to be there. And
yet...there they were.
In a cat.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan saw what Jonathan did and tilted his head, wondering exactly what it was he was
doing. Though his words on Henri's reaction made it clear he'd found her. "So, see anything? Also, I'm
guessing you know where Henri is now?"
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan nods simply "Yeah elements inside the cat that shouldn't be there. Elements
that would all go to making some sort of device. Metals, Rubber....Silicon and Glass. I don't know what this
guy was doing to these cats.. but it must be experimentation of some kind."
"Last I knew Henri was still in my apartment, not sure if she's still there or not. Guess I will find out when I get
back there."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Now came the part he really hesitated with, though he nodded as he listed materials.
"Yeah, I saw the same thing. Now comes the rather... disturbing part. We need to see what's in there, for
ourselves. Wouldn't happen to know basic medicine, would you?"
[ A questionable lead ] There's a sudden flicker of ears. A wide yawn. The cat turns over onto its back, only to
meet the side of the cage and roll back.
And that's when its eyes open, unsteadily but gradually widening. Its head bobs as he peers around, and the
pads of its feet struggle to find purchase on the bottom of the cage.
Its awake. Its unsteady...but its awake.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan sighs "No I don't unfortunately... so anything I do will probably result in the
death of the cat. I would really like to avoid that if at all possible. But we need to know what's going on
regardless."
His head turning back to the cage as he hears a noise.. "Oh crap it's awake. What are our options now?"
Frowning as he bites his bottom lip.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan didn't speak, he did do a signal to try and tell Jonathan to keep quiet. They couldn't
know if everything it saw and heard was taken back to whoever was behind this. Especially Tortura and his
pet lab. Instead, he drew a small note and a pencil from his coat as silently as possible, wrote something and
passed it to Jon.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Note says:
No sounds. Might be listening. Need to open up the cat...
((Let's keep Dre in suspense. :))
2/6
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan caught the signal and remained silent. And then he had an idea about the cat,
if this thing was indeed tracking them or listening in there would be some sort of electronic signal. He healed
up a hand to pause Nathan
Taking up his PDA as he runs a second scan.
[ Forces - Any signals coming from this cat - Arete 2d4+WP]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 6, 6 (Success x 3 at target 4) [WP]
[ A questionable lead ] The cat's eyes widen. It tries to stand and can't. It tries to step to the side and can't. It
tries to turn and--
MRRROOOOWWW!
The cage jumps. And jumps. And rocks and turns as the cat, for all intents and purposes, loses its shit.
[ A questionable lead ] For a moment there's nothing. Nothing more than the basic living creature gives off.
But, just as he's about to give up, and just as the thing begins to freak out, there's something. Not too low
frequency to be any sort of full on radio or microwave signal. But the low frequencies, those were the tricky
ones. Those were the ones that couldn't quite be relied upon for carrying data, but man could they travel far.
to Jonathan Kincade
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan watched the cat go berserk, retreating out of the kitchen silently with a glance at
Jonathan. He was off in search of some more deliciously laced catfood. Hopefully the implants didn't make it
any smarter or pickier. When he got the bag of it, he come back and drop it into the cage as best as possible
without showing himself to it.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan's eyes go wide "Jesus... fucking H ..Christ..." both at the cat going berserk and
the fact that right at the end he picked up the faintest signal coming from the feline.
He watches as Nathan bolts from the room and soon returns with the cat food. "Nathan I don't think that's
going to do any good. There is a signal coming the cat... it's faint... low frequency.. but that just means it can
travel further."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan looked at Jon, inquisitively to say the least. "What kind of frequency, no idea? Also,
constant or...? I'll be honest, I have relatively no technological knowledge, just answer me this. Are we being
listened to or not?"
The need to open the damn thing up was increasing by the minute, hopefully the food would double to dull
the pain for it too. He wasn't a total bastard. Supposedly.
[ A questionable lead ] Ivory and yellow cat teeth try and bite at the metal of the cage. Its Futile, but in its fury
and fright it will try anything to escape.
A paw reaches out through the spaces to swipe at Nathan as he approaches.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] [ Int + Tech diff 7 - What is that signal ? ]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 7)
[ A questionable lead ] Too short to transmit anything useful. And while its not constant, it repeated again,
about the time when the cat growls and reaches out for Nathan. Not data. Not a transmission. But perhaps...a
beacon?
to Jonathan Kincade
3/6
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan shakes his head at Nathan "Not constant no.. pulsing... like a beacon. So no
we're not being listened too not strong or consistent enough for that. But someone definitely knows where this
cat is."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "Shit!" It was a dual response, both worked for Jonathan's comment and for the fact the
little feline bastard had scratched his hand, though he successfully dropped the food in. "So, what now? Open
it up...?"
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan shrugs a little "I guess it's our only option if we want to deal with it. Not a fan of
taking that option but it seems like we'lll have too."
"Unless you can think of some other way to find the exact location of the object and then remove it. Although I
wonder if we let it lose whether it would return to whereever it's sending the signal."
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan shook his head, looking at the cage as though hoping this'd sort itself out. "It came
back here, so probably not."
Now he was about to do something that made him pray PETA wasn't somehow watching. He kicked the
cage, full force. Sent it flying against the wall, confident it was durable enough not to break, though if it did,
the cat would probably be knocked out from that hit. Hopefully.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Dex, diff 7 + 1] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6) [WP]
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Str + suxx + 1]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ A questionable lead ] [Kitty Soak!]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 7, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ A questionable lead ] Cage soak?
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 7, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ Jonathan Kincade ] [ Per + Ale diff 8 ]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 4, 5, 5, 10 (Failure at target 8)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Perc + Alert, diff 8] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 8) [WP]
[ A questionable lead ] The cage tumbles to the ground off the table, and all the while the cat is yowling,
reaching out, swiping through the bars at Nathan as it slides off the table and down onto the floor with a
clatter.
Luckily the Cage is unharmed. Unfortunately, so was the cat.
It hunkered down, now on the side of the cage, curled into itself, glaring at Nathan and Jonathan. Growling.
[ A questionable lead ] Meanwhile...there's something at the door.
to Nathan Spriggs
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan threw a glance at Jon, a gesture with his head followed. He gestured towards the
door, why exactly he did say, though he made another signal for silence. Quietly drawing the Glock from his
pocket and pressing himself against a wall where he could peek out to the door. Once he was in position, he
4/6
whispered something to Jon.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan frowns as he listens to Nathan and nods a few times
[ A questionable lead ] The cat continues growling, though slightly lower now that they've moved away. And
now that its quieted down slightly they can hear...something at the door. Something that sounded
like...chewing.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan quietly nodded, then he moved again, this time to the wall next to the door. Silently
he bent down and looked under the crack of the door, then he leaned against the hole he'd left where the lock
was. Trying to see if whatever might be outside was human or at least big enough to be at that height.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Wits + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 4, 5, 7, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 7)
[ A questionable lead ] Nathan sees but a shadow under the door. Something dark looming in the hallway
light. When he peeks at the hole in the door, however, he catches a sight of that something dark, and his
instincts tell him immediately to move away.
Like a flash a black cat's paw reaches in, claws unsheathed and batting at his quickly retreating head.
Unsatisfied it pulls back again. The grinding, chewing sound outside continues.
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jon is oblivious to what is happening at the door. At the moment he is concentrating on
the cat, staring at it intently as if he is trying to put parts of a puzzle together. Then it fucking dawns on him...
puzzle pieces. Pulling up his PDA once more.
[ Corr 2 + Matter 1 - Just what do those elements - Arete 2 diff 4 + WP ]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 1, 4 (Success x 1 at target 4) [WP]
[ Jonathan Kincade ] (( Just what do these elements make - that should be ))
[ A questionable lead ] Iron. Complex Carbon. Magnesium. Metal. Alloys. It ran up the the legs. It bundled at
the paws. Copper and gold netting its way across its head, criss-crossing the pate of...what one would have
to guess would be its brain. Silicon dotting the places there. Dotting the joints of the paws. Dotting the
bending elbows, or knees, whatever cats had. Plastic at its throat. At its face. Rubber surrounding the plastic.
Here was a cat. Here were things that did not belong in a cat. Here were things that made up the cat
nonetheless.
to Jonathan Kincade
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan left the door behind, leaving the fighting cat to it, it was time to check up on their
captive again. He didn't let the gun go, or stop paying attention to the sounds from the door though. It was too
risky not to keep an eye out.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Addendum: He also put some obstacles to block the door from being opened easily
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan swears and swears loudly "Nathan, we need to get out of here and out of here
now. These things aren't cats. They are something else.. it's not a device inside the cat... the cat is the
device!"
[ Nathan Spriggs ] Nathan looked at Jon and nodded. But first, he wasn't about to lose their captive. He
gestured to the fire escape, that way they could avoid the other murder-machine. "I'll take our little captive,
see if we can't get it in a place that blocks signals." With that, he headed for the cage and took it by the
5/6
handle, swearing as the cat would probably try swiping at him.
He'd wait for Jon to respond and go first before he followed downstairs.
[ A questionable lead ] [Meow?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 5, 5, 5, 6, 8, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[ Nathan Spriggs ] [Perc + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[ Jonathan Kincade ] [ Per + Ale - 5d6]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 4, 5, 5, 6, 6 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[ Jonathan Kincade ] Jonathan nods "Sounds like a plan. " as he follows Nathan to the fire escape "You take
the captive and get him somewhere safe. I'll collect Henri and then we can get started on our plan. Maybe
she'll be able to find some weaknesses in the cat's technology and we can go from there."
Stepping out into the fire escape as he starts making his way down.
[ Nathan Spriggs ] "This is like some horribly bad Z-class scifi movie. I'll call you when I've secured the... cat
thing." With that, they'd split up and go their separate ways.
6/6