[-tabernacle-] Hey folks, this will be more of an investigation than a brawl, so it will be heavier on narrative and lighter on combat! Ground rules:
1. 10 min per post OR LESS. Preferably less. If we're dicing, declare in 3 min. Roll in 2 or I'll roll for you.
2. No posting order, but please post ONCE for every post I make.
3. Keep track of your own health and tempers.
4. Questions in the chat. Don't IM me. If I don't see the question, repeat it until I do *LOL* If I don't respond for minutes on end -- I'm probably posting. You should wait, unless it's absolutely urgent, upon which you should PM me once.
5. PM me your applicable flaws. This includes stuff like nightmares and phobias and hatreds and compulsions!
6. If there are any off-limits themes, imagery or events you do NOT want to see in a scene, PM 'em to me now.
7. I'll post us in!
[-tabernacle-] Also, thanks to the alternates who filled in last-minute!
[Moving-Mountain] ((Flaws are... hatred for Serbians and nightmares))
to -tabernacle-
[Sticky Fingers] Merit: daredevil (-1 diff on anything dangerous, and the ability to ignore 1 botch on said rolls (cancel out one 1)
Flaw: Compulsion: petty theft - shiny!
Themes/images - you know me well enough. Keep the slithering to absolute minimum! :)
[Going Down] Flaw: Overconfident
to -tabernacle-
[Banshee] Merit: Second Sight, Concentration
Flaw Color Blind
[-tabernacle-] About an hour ago, they all stood in the safety of the caern, gathered 'round the large, flat rock that serves as a table in the assembly area. Maps are unrolled -- a plain roadmap of the highways from Chicago to Elk Grove; a more detailed vicinity map of Elk Grove/Moraine Hills; and lastly, handdrawn, a sketch of the church itself.
"This is where you're going tonight," said Wyrmbreaker. "The Church of the Tabernacle of the Divine Savior in Elk Grove, one of the two remaining safe spots in the Hive area. Safe is relative, of course.
"About a week and a half ago, Truth in Frenzy-rhya made a solo run to scope things out on a gross level. As far as he could tell, the Church itself is still clean. It's guarded by epiphlings of faith generated by the humans in worship there. You'll most likely see them as holy knights. They were generated by the prayers of devout Christians, so don't expect them to help you outright. After we take the Church -- if we take the Church -- we might be able to send Theurge to liaison with them, form a more solid alliance. For now, try not to get underfoot. They might not be able to easily tell Gaian from Dancer, and they've had a lot of pressure from the Dancers.
"This," Lukas's finger slides over to the building adjoining the church, "is the new Elk Grove Community Center. From the outside, it looks like a nice addition to the church. Multipurpose rooms, basketball courts, swimming pools, conference rooms, a cafeteria, and even the newest branch of the public library. When Truth-in-Frenzy-rhya took a look from the other side, though, it quickly became obvious that the EGCC is the Hive's latest attempt to squeeze the Church out, or to corrupt it from the inside. He wasn't able to get in for a closer look, but while he was there he saw at least a pack of Spirals at work, as well as numerous banes.
"Your task tonight, then, is this:
"First, scope out the church itself. Take a look at their defenses and their numbers. We don't anticipate taint within the church, but if you find it, eliminate it if you can, and report back if you can't.
"Second, and more importantly, explore as much of the community center as possible. Try to get a sense of the layout, the number of enemies we could expect to face, and any and all tainted hotspots we'll have to take out. If possible, determine what exactly they're doing in there. From what we've seen, this Hive isn't the sort to just fling wave after wave of Dancers against us. They're probably up to something. Try to find out what.
"At the same time, we need to prep our kin for a human-world takeover. If we go in there guns blazing, they'll just call down the law on us and we'll be back where we started. We'll need to either shut them down or buy them out, which won't be easy given that the Hive has the local government in their collective pocket. So try to find evidence of criminal activity, financial or bureaucratic records, anything that might help our kinfolk.
"Lastly: this is a Ragabash show tonight. Your primary objective is to investigate and learn, not fight. Don't get spotted. If you are spotted, take them out if you can. If you can't take them out, get out of there alive.
"That's all. Good luck."
--
Going in by car, this area of Illinois is largely suburban sprawl -- tracts of cookiecutter housing developments new and old centered around some small town centers that strive, mostly unsuccessfully, to hold onto quaintness and individuality.
Elk Grove is pretty much as it was described -- far too bucolic and peaceful and perfect. As they pass houses, they can smell delicious homecooked meals, hear children practicing piano. Main Street is closed down this time of night, all the stoplights blinking red or yellow. Ice cream parlors, doll shops, rug stores, restaurants: all quiet, all peaceful.
Everything about the place makes their skin crawl, though. If they chance a Peek across the Gauntlet, downtown Elk Grove is terrifying: a screeching landscape of discord and taint. They wouldn't be able to go Umbra here if they tried. Not without being noticed, anyway.
As they near the church, however, the dropoff in bane activity is literally palpable. When their car rolls past the gates to church property, it's like a weight is lifted. The church itself is not what they might expect -- not the spired, vaulted architecture of an old-world church but a huge, sprawling, low structure that has more in common with a high school auditorium or a college lecture hall than a cathedral.
As promised, the church has an add-on next door: a community center, brand new, large and airy. Looks like a nice place, with a grassy field outside large enough for baseball or soccer. A sign advertises LUNCH SPECIAL: GRILLED ALASKAN SALMON!!! at the deli. One entire wing is devoted to a moderately sized library branch.
It's nearly 9pm. The community center is closed. The church is open, though -- some friday-evening service or social. The doors are open and the parking lot is full. They do not stand out readily. Yet, anyway.
[sklora-Myrgen] The ride up is tense. Five of them, virtual strangers, with sklora-Myrgen riding in the backseat, left side, looking out the window at the urban sprawl as it slides past. Dressed in casual clothing--jeans, gray shirt, pale hair tied back in a pony tail, he seems not worried but focused, brow but faintly marred with a faint vertical crease between his brows. Thinking, trying to create a plan that encompasses so many variables.
The gist of what he suggests, subtly commands as his gift steals forth, is this: they'll approach in the car, and seek to enter the church on foot, realmside. Once inside the sanctuary of the church itself, they can plan to examine it for taint, cross over into the Umbra, and do a preliminary investigation of the community center from its sanctuary.
Depending on what they discover, of course, they'll react as best they can. sklora-Myrgen makes sure that at least three of them have a copy of the car's keys; he himself doesn't, but that's because if they have to flee, he plans on being part of the holding action.
---
When they arrive, it's late, service is being given. He steps out of the car, trying to act natural, but unable to disguise the slow sweep of his gaze as he scopes out the parking lot. They're committed at this point; so without much ado, he simply closes the door behind him softly, and begins to walk across the parking lot, heading right toward the Church doors.
[sklora-Myrgen] [sM has BattleSense, which he'll use if things get hairy. Just a head's up, so you can plan on describing what he'd be able to figure out as a result of his using it.]
to -tabernacle-
[Going Down] Indira is there as muscle. Not as brains, not to investigate. She knows this; it's a purpose she's often served throughout her short life. So when she arrives there with the rest of them, she listens to what Wyrmbreaker has to say, but looks toward the rest of the group with a friendly sort of deference.
sklora-Myrgen makes his suggestion and he gets an affable nod from the pink-haired Gnawer, who accepts one of the set of car keys. She'd also plan to stay back and hold, but if they need to get out quickly, she's a fair driver, with excellent reflexes.
She follows the others' lead as they drive up. She's dressed much as she always is: a black hoodie covers the rest of her shirts, the hood pulled up over her hair, and she's in a pair of cargo pants and black boots. She doesn't really have many sets of clothes, after all. sklora-Myrgen gets out of the car and begins to head toward the church, and after a moment to look back toward the others and flash a big grin at Marni, she follows.
[Sticky Fingers] Hopefully no one expected her to drive. She sits next to Indira for the ride up, her knee bouncing as if she just has too much energy to be confined in a vehicle, no matter how big and spacious it is. She is not an Alpha. Neither is Indira, but there is a bond between them, so much that they often talk at the same time, about the same things. Even now there's a constant hum across their shared bond, as Marni does her best to keep her boundless energy under wraps. fingers tap along her thighs, her knee bounces and she watches out the windows.
They arrive, and she steps out of the car, just in time for evening service. Jeans, a hoodie, and who knows how many layers underneath, and she looks much like Indira. She flashes her packsister a grin, winks. Time to get their Worship On.
Before she pulls from the shadows of the vehicle though, she pulls her gift close, and with a moment's concentration [if the gods are kind] she blurs from view...
[Blur: Manipulation + stealth = 2+3=5 d8, each suxx adds 1 diff to perception rolls]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8) [WP]
[Sticky Fingers] ...and falls into step behind Indira, virtually unseen.
[Banshee] Marni, she knew. sM, vaguely. The others, a mystery. But she was here at her Alpha's request. He believed in her, and that gave her a renewed strength as of last night. So she listened to Lukas at the Caern, looked over the maps, and memorized them all as bet she could. She had a Gaia's breath and soak talen if they were needed. And with that, she was ready.
On the car rid up, she listened to sM's plan. Get in, investigate, get out, and most important, try not to get caught or die. Seemed easy enough. Hollywood didn't have shit on the real action of the world. They would have a field day if they knew the real stories of what the world was truly like.
Her hair was pinned up, so not to be easily grabbed. She wore her dedicated clothes of black jeans, tee, and flannel wih steel toed boots. Her green military jacket over it all. When they parked, and she finally got out, she looked around. A bit easier to breath here than just beyond the church gates. She followed Marni's lead, and activated Blur.
(Blur 7d10 d8)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 1 at target 8)
[Moving-Mountain] On the ride up, Kire is quiet, riding shotgun and observing the area from his window. The place felt eerie and all kinds of wrong, he felt goosebumps but other than that managed to hide his discomfort fairly well. He was nervous, yes, but not afraid. The plan was simple enough, though it never came out as such in real life and he didn't expect this would either, the man named sklora-Myrgen seemed reliable enough as well, he'd seen him fight before. The others he didn't know about, but he'd have to trust to have his back. He had been assigned to the task and he'd see it through or die trying. With some luck, there'd be a challenge here and there that might actually require his help.
He is dressed in a black flight jacket unzipped midway and with a white sweatshirt underneath, matching black-grey cargo pants and military boots. Hidden by the thick jacket are two holsters containing his gun, the only weapons asides from his claws and teeth that he carried.
The large man was mostly expressionless through the whole thing, a nod here, another there, mostly he just went along with the others. The same happened when they arrived, he was there as more of an escort than an investigator and so he followed the other's lead, keeping up with sklora and following him into the church.
[sklora-Myrgen] About twenty minutes into the drive, sklora-Myrgen had spoken up, his voice quiet and strangely accented from the back seat, words in English spoken in a voice that clearly preferred the high tongue.
"If asked, we're part of a local group in Chicago. Hired by the University to do research on the outlying areas. Recently unemployed, all of us doing this for minimum wage. We're collecting data on church activity. Census activity."
It's a thin cover story. But he's no Galliard, and any real scrutiny will bust whatever story they have. But at least it's something.
[-tabernacle-] The church is large, but without grandeur. There's no majesty in it; it's just huge, the way a Wal*Mart in Kansas is huge, and just as indiscriminately welcoming.
Five glass double-doors open into a large lobby, all of them unlocked. There's a sense that if the weather were better, they'd be flung open. People stream in and out. Something's probably starting at 9pm. Walking in, they see a small billboard outside advertising Latest Events; tonight is apparently some sort of lecture on Jesus and Your Teenager.
As they're walking in, they can catch snippets of conversation:
"Martha! It's been a while!"
"I know, Bill and I were in the Caribbean."
"(gasp) Oh how WONDERFUL. How was it?"
"Well, you know Bill, he just had to do everything there was to do three times, so it was actually more exhausting than not taking a vacation at all..."
"You know, it's too bad this lecture is at 9. I've had a craving for those egg sandwiches next door since Tuesday."
"Oh, I know what you mean. Aren't they fabulous?"
"Mooo-oom! It's FRIDAY NIGHT, why do I have to come?"
"Oh, I'm so glad they built the community center next door. Remember when they just had bungalows for Sunday School?"
"This is SO. STUPID. I can't believe you're dragging me here on a Friday night."
"I thought you had a good time last week!"
"Uchh. Last week we were here at, like, 4pm. The POOL was open."
In the lobby, a single door to the left (not surprisingly labeled RESTROOMS) opens to the restrooms. To the right, another door, this one with a glass window, blinds drawn, opens to OFFICES -- STAFF ONLY.
Directly ahead, five matching double-doors, these wooden rather than glass, open to the vast auditorium. There's a high level of ambient noise. The service, or lecture, such as it is, hasn't begun yet.
[sklora-Myrgen] Can I roll Per+Alert to notice if they're being watched?
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] Go for it!
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] [Per + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 5, 7, 7, 7 (Success x 3 at target 6)
to -tabernacle-
[Moving-Mountain] Kire looked around once they stepped inside, it seemed... oddly not what he'd been expecting. Then again, in his mind he'd already imagined Wyrm ambushes and drawn out battles, or hoped for would be more correct. This on the other hand made him regret coming along. He looked back at the others for a moment with an expression that was meant to look questioning, instead he just looked slightly annoyed due to his lack of ability expressing himself properly. For now he decided to stick to watching their backs, so he moved to the back of the group.
[-tabernacle-] For the most part, no. Most people are focused on chitchatting with friends, getting inside, or scolding their kids. Once in a while someone gives them a curious glance -- they're strangers, after all -- but they seem more or less used to visitors here. Those who come too close tend to shy away from their rage.
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen drifts in, not pushing ahead of others, nor lagging behind so that people need to push by him. Rather, he just lets the crowd of people moving into the church carry him, hands relaxed and by his side, slowly scanning the area about him, looking for anybody who's unduly focused on them.
There's an awareness now, a mystical binding, that tethers the five of them together, a bond that is afforded by his Silver Fang breeding, blood and leadership, and cemented by his preternatural gift. It makes such that he's aware of where the others are, in his periphery, a comforting sense of cohesion.
Into the main lobby they walk, and there he slows, comes to a stop, stepping aside so that he begins to advance on the restrooms. Their rage makes it such that if they stand there long, they'll begin to attract unwanted attention. So he moves, but gives the others plenty of time to catch up. When they're all gathered close, he simply gives a nod to the restroom doors, and his intent should be obvious; lacking a phone booth, they should do their superman thing in the bathroom stalls.
[Going Down] Indira walks along with the others, not moving ahead of them. She seems, for the moment, content to trust in sklora-Myrgen's lead; he's offered the most suggestions so far, given the most instruction, so he seems to be the de facto mission leader here. It definitely won't be Indira.
She stuffs her hands in the pockets of her hoodie, taking in the youth center and all the people talking. She's not very far out of her youth center days herself - her First Change was less than half a year ago, and before that she'd been a normal nineteen-year-old girl. Though this place is considerably nicer than the one she knew of back home.
sklora-Myrgen nods toward the bathrooms, and she gives him a nod and wanders toward the womens' restroom, prepared to step sideways within. She assumes that's what he means, at least.
[Sticky Fingers] She sticks close to Indira, a comforting -largely unseen- presence at her back, so that she doesn't draw undo attention to herself, or cause her gift to fade. It's crowded here, with a lot of noise, a lot of conversation. Easy to hide in - just as easy to stand out.
Her voice born across the fiery Totem is soft, a warm slow burn across their bond. ...I've my keys - can probably get into the office undetected if you go over to help shield what I'm doing..
But then sM directs them to the restroom instead, and that tone is amused. ...or not. Right behind ya...
[Banshee] She listened, staying quiet. Iona moved to stand and follow beside Marni. Ragabashes stuck together no matter what.
Once inside, and directed to the bathrooms, she waited, as not to al converge at once. That would look strange actally. Then soon followed in.
[-tabernacle-] As the hour approaches nine, the steady stream of the faithful (or the annoyed youthful) grows thinner. Through the double doors, they can glimpse the auditorium: a huge, sweeping affair of theater-style seating and plain, wood-paneled walls. A semioval stage rears above the front rows, brightly lit by spotlights. To either side, small chapels are set up for private prayer between services, but the focus is clearly on the stage. An enormous, gaudy cross looms over it, glittering faux-gold.
A few church officials or invited speakers are gathered on stage. Some are nervous, some are loudly speaking to their flock; one is singular in her calm and authority. Somewhere in her late 40s or early 50s, standing behind the podium, she's almost the antithesis of the bland mass-produced religion all around her. Back ramrod straight, face calm if a little severe, she waits for the human tide to settle into their seats.
The Garou see no more of this. They're filing into the bathrooms. A few stragglers are coming out, hurrying into the auditorium. One of them holds the door for Indira, smiling at her. The smile turns curious when she sees their faces, unrecognized; then a little wary as the Ahrouns' rage hit her.
"Are you new? Oh, welcome. It's so nice to see young people taking an interest in the church," she says. "You'd better hurry, though. Mrs. Goodman's about to start, and she's a wonderful speaker. You won't want to miss a word!"
Out she goes. The bathrooms are empty now, and quiet.
[sklora-Myrgen] The Silver Fang ducks into the bathroom, slipping in through the door and thanking the fact that all attendees will be going to listen to the preacher, leaving the restrooms empty and void for their crossing.
A moment as he scans the space, and then he heads for the stalls, pushing open the one on the furthest end, turning and pulling it closed behind him, but not locking it. That accomplished, he takes a deep breath. Closes his eyes. Centers himself.
Remain calm. Remain focused. A few heartbeats as he reviews their plans, their goals, and then he opens his eyes and takes a small mirror from his pocket. Gazes down into it, into his own reflection, and then pushes through the image of his own eyes, pushes through the Gauntlet, and attempts to cross into the Penumbra.
[sklora-Myrgen] [Crossing Gauntlet, don't botch don't botch don't botch!]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 1, 6 (Failure at target 4)
[sklora-Myrgen] [GO GO GADGET MIRROR!]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 2, 5 (Success x 1 at target 5)
[Sticky Fingers] Mrs. Goodman. The name is stored away, remembered, and she slips into the bathroom behind Indira. A stall found, quiet and alone, and she digs a broken piece of Mirror, with duct tape tattered around the edges, and she stares... it's easy to see herself, right?
And then she slips sideways
[pleasepleasepleaseplease]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 5, 6, 9 (Success x 3 at target 4)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire headed in through the restroom door and followed sklora's lead. The Glass Walker entered a stall and closed the door behind him, then he concentrated on his surroundings. He was fairly new to this all so it still came across a bit odd to do all this. Was he supposed to give a little turn in place and imagine himself on the other side? Or was he confusing that with something he'd seen somewhere? It took him a few moments to decide what to do, the turning thing it was just in case.
[Boom, headshot?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 5, 7, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 4)
[Going Down] Indira gives the woman a friendly grin as she holds the door open for her. The Ahroun has learned to channel her Rage, contain it as best as circumstances allow: it generally displays itself as excess energy, evidenced by the quick bursts of motion she makes while walking.
"Thanks. I'll check out the speaker," she tells the woman, before heading into the bathroom. I'll help you check out the office when we come back over, she tells Marni, as they enter, also trying to hold on to the speaker's name. In all likelihood she will forget it anyway.
And, taking a stall, she too attempts to step sideways, opening her wallet and staring down into the mirror contained within.
[Here goes]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 5, 10 (Success x 2 at target 4)
[Banshee] One by one, she felt her team mates crossing over. She herself, went into a stall and sat down. She clasped her hands and quietly she prayed, to Gaia, to God, to all things good. Bless linn an oíche, Gaia mór, ar an endeavors ní mór dúinn mairfidh, a chaomhnú go léir atá naofa agus maith sa saol seo agus thar lear. Lukas said something about faith in people here is what helped keep them from being over run. Iona had faith. Faith in herself, her pack, her Alpha, her Sept and in gaia most of all. So some good had to come of this.
Then slowly, she opened her hands. And felt it come forth. The heavy war axe she had forged, she had put her blood and soul into, slid to the floor with a heavy thunk, the handle in her hands. She turns it over and looks into the shiny surface, and feels herself being pulled across.
[Please oh please make this an easy crossing] 4d10 d4
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 2, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 4)
[-tabernacle-] The Gauntlet is surprisingly thin and pliable here. It takes them almost no effort to cross. Some of them struggle nonetheless; others slip effortlessly through.
On the other side, the view is vastly different. When the mist between the worlds clears, they find themselves standing in the nave of a cathedral to rival any of France or Rome. Flying buttresses soar to a vaulted ceiling so high and vast it's lost in the shadows. The light of a nearly full moon illuminates and fragments through enormous stained-glass windows. Row upon row of wooden pews march toward the distant sanctuary. The glittering cross is present here as well, but here the faux gold and gaudy decor is transformed and refined to true art. It seems to blaze from within.
In the sanctuary, behind the pulpit hover a shadow of a spirit: a representation of Samantha Goodman distilled into a form as beatific as Mary. It's barely present, but it's still far, far more of a spiritual presence than humans usually manage. She has no voice, this side of the mirror, but her gestures mimic her body's, raising her hands to lead the opening prayer.
Here and there in the pews, a spirit flickers to brief life, then fades. The congregation as they pray, connecting to their higher spiritual awareness in fits and starts.
Also present -- far more present than the spirits of the humans at prayer -- are patrolling spirits of faith: the epiphlings they were told of. They appear as idealized crusader knights: gleaming armor, rich surcoats emblazoned with crosses. Some wear black surcoats, white crosses. Some where white surcoats, black crosses or red. One or two wear five gold crosses on silver surcoats: four greek crosses around a central cross potent.
Their greathelms conceal what faces they may have. At the far end of the nave, in one the transepts -- a reflection of the small chapels flank the stage in the realm -- one of the armored spirits kneels in vigil before a bank of prayer-candles. His surcoat is pure white; it has not yet been crossed.
As far as they can tell, everything within the church is still well and good. Peaceful. Safe.
[sklora-Myrgen] Can I roll Sense Wyrm?
Per + Occult
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 8, 10
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] There is Wyrm here, as there is Wyrm everywhere. However, it's a low, dull throb at the edges of his consciousness, like a bass drum beating through stone walls -- less even than what sM would pick up in the middle of Chicago in broad daylight.
Inside the church, the Wyrm is kept at bay by the church and its faithful. If he strays near the doors, however, he can feel it throbbing against the walls, against the portals, howling through the cracks and the chinks like a storm.
to sklora-Myrgen
[Sticky Fingers] Her breath is but a soft sigh as they cross over and shake away the boundaries between worlds, her dark eyes sparkling, her fingers sliding across her thighs, as if her natural grubbiness is enough to soil the pristine delight of this place.
"....wow."
Shockingly, that's all the lil Raggie has to say...
She looks over the spiritual representations of the congregation, and her eye is drawn again and again to Mrs. Goodman as she leads..
[Moving-Mountain] The Glass Walker finds himself staring at the architectural wonder in awe for a moment, even he could appreciate the finer things like these. He didn't know much about them but he knew this was utterly amazing, the nature of the beings that guarded it also interested him but that was for another day. Turning to wait for the others to arrive or catch up as they came one by one, Kire scanned the area.
There was nothing wrong inside the church so far, not obvious anyway. The outside was what worried him, he remembered the sensation from earlier and dreaded feeling it Umbra-side but it couldn't be avoided.
Instead, he looked down to see his clothes had been shredded to pieces in the trip but at least he still had his two guns, which were all he needed. He could go naked for a while without any trouble, as long as he was ready for a fight.
[-tabernacle-] [if you'd like, you can wits/intel + PU/investigation for some random tidbits! use your highest dice pool.]
[sklora-Myrgen] [wits + investigation]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 3, 3, 4, 4 (Failure at target 6)
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] [actually, sorry, make that wits or percep]
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen emerges with difficulty, wrestling his way free of the surprisingly tenacious Gauntlet, until finally he stands hale and whole within the Penumbra. A moment of ire at his difficulty, a flicker of anger made more potent by the phase of the moon, and then that anger is quelled by the vision before him.
He moves forward, slipping now into lupus, falling on all fours to become a svelte, silver furred wolf, eyes blazing blue, tread silent on the great flagstones beneath his paws. A moment is past in simple contemplation, as he regards the silent fastness of the Church, examines the Knights, their form and apparent function. Finally, he turns to regard the others, and nods his head.
"All seems well within these walls. Beyond it, not so much. But here the sanctuary holds true."
He moves then, toward the front doors. "I'm going to peer outside, see what sort of defenses the community center has. Then we'll make an approach. Clear?"
[Moving-Mountain] [Wits + Primal-Urge then]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] [+1]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 2 (Failure at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] [wits+pu+volcano=9]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Banshee] She came across without a hitch for once. And as soon as she did, the war axe was called back to its spiritual hiding place. She looked to the others, lastly to Kire. "Och, lad. Come tae me when we are out o' here, and I will bind ye clothes tae ye." Then she looked to the knights. They seemed to angelic compaired to things she had seen here before.
She moved slowly to one of the pews, and rubbed her hand on it. Softly muttering to herself. "Please dinnah let me get hit down with a vision at tha worst time." A shake of her head, and she slipped into her Hispo form.
[Banshee] wits/investigation = 5
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 3, 9 (Failure at target 6)
[Going Down] "Fuckin' awesome," is the somewhat sacrilegious commentary from the Ahroun as she takes in the church, sends an admiring look toward the knights gathered about. It's like something out of a fairy tale or a movie with particularly impressive special effects (she has nothing else to compare it to, no books or stories unlike her packmate.)
She nods toward sklora-Myrgen, still there and prepared to offer backup.
[Wits + PU]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 7, 7, 7 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [1 succ]
The longer they watch, the more they pick up.
The knights are not idle. They come and go. They patrol the nave, cluster around chinks in the wall, repair it with what looks like mortar and tiny crushed stones.
to Going Down, knight, Moving-Mountain, Sticky Fingers
[-tabernacle-] [3 succ]
There are smaller doors in the transepts -- the one to the east, facing the community center, sees the most traffic. The knights marching out that way go in groups, in small cadres of four or five or six. When they return, they return battered, sometimes bleeding, sometimes covered in ichor.
The sullied go to pray in the sanctuary. There, they are purified, the taint burned away by the blaze of the cross.
The wounded pray as well, kneeling labored, pained. If they are healed, it is too slow for the Garou to tell.
to Going Down, knight, Moving-Mountain
[-tabernacle-] [4 succ]
As for the lone warrior in the transept chapel -- it grows increasingly apparent that he is a novice, an inductee, a warrior yet to take his vows. In other words: a new epiphling being generated by the daily prayers of the human faithful. There's no telling how long it takes, how many prayers it takes, how many hours of devotion are required to create even one epiphling of faith ex nihilo.
to Going Down, knight
[Going Down] Indira nods toward the knight who stands by himself in the chapel, whispering low to her companions. "That guy's new, he ain't made his vows yet. Like a new epi...um, epi-thing. So I guess over there's where they get made."
[Moving-Mountain] Kire glanced at Indira for a moment and then nodded, before gesturing towards the transept and whispering to the others as well. "Did anyone else notice the doors and how they come in fine and out of them beaten up? I think there's an active battle going on."
[sklora-Myrgen] That said, and the other comments made, the lupus moves to the great doors, and waits a chance when one of the knights enters or leaves, cracks the doors open of their own volition, to either stagger in, batterd and bleeding, or step boldly outside, swords raised for battle.
Poised, ready, he slips his head outside, darts a glance around, takes in as much as he can of what's going on outside, and then slips back in before anything notices.
[Dex + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] The knights seem to pay almost no notice to the Garou touring their church. They move around on their duties quietly, now and then circling around a Garou directly in their path. No one even looks at sklora-Myrgen as he slips out of the great doors at the end of the nave, beneath the pipe organ.
The second he's outside, the Wyrm begins to beat down again. Not so heavily that he fears to stand still for long -- but enough that the scent of it is in his nostrils, the sound of it is dulling his hearing, the weight of it is on his shoulders.
A huge moon looms overhead, casting stark black shadows across the churchyard. A stone and wrought-iron wall encircles what would be the entire parking lot in the realm. Originally, it may have run all the way around church properties, but the wall has collapsed to the east.
The community center -- so airy, modern and welcoming in the realm -- stands as a foul intrusion a stone's throw away. It literally drips with taint. Though the structure is more or less the same as it is in the realm, though it hasn't been transformed into some sort of medieval keep or dungeon, the walls are stained, the raingutters overrunning with filth. It's as solid a spiritual presence as the church, and far darker.
Banes flit overhead. Now and then, one dives straight through the walls.
The glow of faith around the church is dimmer on the side closest to the community center. Midway between the opposing walls, a small melee is ongoing: knights and banes clashing sword to claw. As sklora-Myrgen watches, a small fresh cadre of knights exits the transept through a small door, form up, and march against the community center. Shrieking, more banes pour out of the walls to meet them.
These skirmishes, these small incursions of one side against the other, seem to be commonplace. The knights seem to be taking heavier casualties than the banes, though.
[sklora-Myrgen] [Battlesense tell him anything?]
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] Banes have the upper hand in this battle. There are more lurking inside the EGCC.
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] A glance, and then back inside he goes, slipping hopefully unseen into the church once more. Once there, he moves close to the others, and recounts what he had just seen.
"The battle is fierce, and lies directly between the Church and the community center. Any attempt to cross via the umbra is going to result in our being dragged into the fight. Which, normally, I would welcome, but not now. Perhaps Truth in Frenzy could cross a battlefield without being spotted, but I do not think we can."
Frustration plays within him, the desire to simply rush out there and tear banes limb from limb inside him. Instead, he grinds it down, and looks to the others.
"We've ascertained that the Church is free of corruption. Now we hit the youth center, but we break in realmside. Too many banes out here."
A moment of grim humor. "Back to the bathrooms."
[Sticky Fingers] She nods slightly, and then. "You want us to check the office here - or wait and see if there's one at the community center?"
Unstated, she's confident she can get in unseen, with some help by her packmate.
[Going Down] Indira gives sklora-Myrgen a nod as he returns and reports his findings. "Sticky Fingers can get in the office an' I can cover her once we're back on the other side," she tells sklora-Myrgen, folding her arms across the front of her hoodie. "If that's what we wanna do."
She's confident in Marni's abilities, and there's a certain impatience she can't hide: she knew there wouldn't be any battles when they're just here to scout, but she's finding it as hard as the Silver Fang to contain her urge to hunt down the Banes.
[Moving-Mountain] The Glass Walker wasn't much for standing around idly as someone else risked his neck, he looked around at the others, especially the man who just returned. He was more than slightly frustrated at how more or less useless they'd been so far, but he tried to stay calm, stay in control. The nearly full Moon made his anger that much worse so he couldn't let it get to him.
After a moment of inner struggle, he simply nodded at the words. But first things first. "How bad does the situation look outside? Any chance the church might fall some time soon or are they more or less equally matched?"
[-tabernacle-] In all, they counted perhaps two dozen knights in the church, maybe a few more. It's a good bet there are more banes. Worse, though the knights do well by themselves, taking down four or five banes in the course of the skirmish, the banes don't seem at all deterred. They gather, rally, pour out of the walls in renewed numbers.
And the knights take losses. One is cleaved nearly in half by a chattering, gibbering bane. His compatriots close ranks around him, dragging him bleeding back into the church.
Another one is not so lucky. Three or four banes take hold of him, claws sinking deep. The knights surge forward against them, swords flashing, shields beating. The banes don't let go. Grimly, the knights hold on to their brother, but one by one, hands slip loose. The knight is dragged into the midst of the banes. He disappears without a scream -- the banes shriek victory.
[-tabernacle-] "Your task tonight, then, is this:
"First, scope out the church itself. Take a look at their defenses and their numbers. We don't anticipate taint within the church, but if you find it, eliminate it if you can, and report back if you can't.
"Second, and more importantly, explore as much of the community center as possible. Try to get a sense of the layout, the number of enemies we could expect to face, and any and all tainted hotspots we'll have to take out. If possible, determine what exactly they're doing in there. From what we've seen, this Hive isn't the sort to just fling wave after wave of Dancers against us. They're probably up to something. Try to find out what.
"At the same time, we need to prep our kin for a human-world takeover. If we go in there guns blazing, they'll just call down the law on us and we'll be back where we started. We'll need to either shut them down or buy them out, which won't be easy given that the Hive has the local government in their collective pocket. So try to find evidence of criminal activity, financial or bureaucratic records, anything that might help our kinfolk.
"Lastly: this is a Ragabash show tonight. Your primary objective is to investigate and learn, not fight. Don't get spotted. If you are spotted, take them out if you can. If you can't take them out, get out of there alive.
"That's all. Good luck."
to sklora-Myrgen
[Banshee] Iona waits for a final decision to be made. Who is going where, and such. And final answers to questions before she takes the path she is directed towards.
[sklora-Myrgen] From an ST POV, you ok with sM splitting them up?
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] yep.
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] "Not even, no. The Knights are losing, slowly but steadily. We're going to have to move soon on this position if we are to keep this Church standing. Could be a matter of days, or a week." His rage, swirling and spirally about him, hard to batten down, but he does, he does, and he eyes the others grimly.
"We're going to have to move fast. There's too much activity here for us to linger. Marni, Banshee, check out the office here, but realmside. Look for papers, evidence of any sort of criminal activity, anything that could give our kin a toehold. Moving Mountain, Going Down, you will join me in scouting out the ground floor of the Community Center. We're going in realmside, moving fast, taking notes as we go."
His voice is assured, his manner grim, and he looks each in the eye. "Marni, Banshee, when you finish, come find us on the ground floor. We'll provide some sort of cover to allow you two to slip upstairs so you can hit the offices up there. If questioned by humans, simply state you're looking for the bathrooms."
sklora-Myrgen nods once, and then begins to move. "Let's go."
[Sticky Fingers] She listens, and then.. "On second thought - i think the offices next door are the priority. we can hit the ones here if we have time. there's no taint here - the chances of finding such things in the Church is slim. we need to hit the office next door while everyone's focused on the meeting in the auditorium."
She nods. "Indira can provide cover for me - we've got Totem connection to communicate. you guys hit the ground floor, I think we should hit the office at the same time."
[Moving-Mountain] Kire nodded slightly, that's all he needed to hear. He'd follow sklora from here, nothing else they could do. Though the situation was getting worse by the moment it seemed, hopefully the status report hadn't been overly optimistic.
[Banshee] The hispo snorted a bit. "Marni mah be righ'. She kin check tha Center an' I'll check tha offices here in tha church."
[Going Down] Indira nods, then looks between sklora-Myrgen and Marni, waiting to see who she should be going with. "You guys gonna be okay if I go an' look after Marni?" she asks, looking between the Silver Fang and Kire.
[sklora-Myrgen] The Silver Fang shakes his head and gives a chuff of disagreement at Banshee's words, and then turns to look over his shoulder at Sticky Fingers.
"We are not going to split up more than we have to. If we are going to hit the offices here, it has to be now, before we are spotted. There will be no coming back. So you two take care of the offices here, and then meet us in the ground floor of the next."
[Sticky Fingers] She growls low in her throat. "So we skip this one. The taint isn't here. There will be nothing to find in these offices. I'm not bothering to waste time here. We've followed you so far. But that makes no sense. Let's move after our objective instead of hiding here waffling like cubs."
She turns and stalks back toward the bathroom. Indira, anything that will help us is next door.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire looked mostly indifferent, and he tried to show as much with a shrug. If they could cover as much ground as possible in one attempt, then that was for the best. He decided to say as much. "I agree with them. We need to get as much as we can in one go if we're only going to be here once."
[Banshee] She chuffed right back at sM, then at Marni. "Ye dinnah know fo' certain tha there is nothing here. Maybe tha is why there are nah enough knights, hm? I'm checking tha offices here."
[sklora-Myrgen] Can I get the auto -1 on social rolls due to aura of leadership since it's active?
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] Roll char+emp vs diff 6!
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] [char emp]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 2, 3 (Botch x 1 at target 6)
to -tabernacle-
[sklora-Myrgen] [Aw, fuckme. *grin* How does that play in since it's been active this whole time?]
to -tabernacle-
[-tabernacle-] Ouch. +1 diff to all social rolls.
to sklora-Myrgen
[-tabernacle-] We'll just assume it just started being active *LOL*
to sklora-Myrgen
[sklora-Myrgen] "Sticky Fingers-yuf!"
He stalks forward, tension and command in his voice. His eyes blazing, his hackles beginning to bristle. "We are on a war mission, I am acting Alpha, now is not the time to question commands. Do as I say, or have you so forgotten the wolf that you would squabble with me like some monkey?"
[Char + Lead +PB]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 7, 10 (Success x 2 at target 7) [WP]
[-tabernacle-] [Okay -- due to an unfortunate botched roll, group will now be LESS inclined to go along with sM's orders. Effects: +1 diff to sM's social rolls!]
[Going Down] "I think Marni's right an' we oughta go an' get the stuff in the offices nex' door. Ain't gonna fin' anything in the church. I mean, the place looks pretty solid," Indira says, with a sidelong look toward sklora-Myrgen. Apologetic, almost; she feels rather divided between her pack and the guy who says he's acting Alpha, here.
[Sticky Fingers] She clenches her teeth and through a force of will, stands her ground. [wp spent]
A breath.
Calm, Marni. She dimples to a smile that's knowing, and oh so charasmatic, as she tips her head. "It's common sense, sklora-Myrgen. Our objective is in the other building. I humbly suggest we look there first, then cycle back here if we have time. OR we split up..."
She's boiling over the totemphone, her ire as fiery as their totem. It's a good thing only Indira can hear it.
[Charisma+expression+volcano=7]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) Re-rolls: 2
[-tabernacle-] [hmm. rage check, Marni. gibbous moon, diff 5!]
[-tabernacle-] [sorry, forgot she's rage 3. +1 temp rage!]
[sklora-Myrgen] This isn't his pack. He doesn't know these Garou, not really. sklora-Myrgen stops thinking of them as pack, as allies, and instead, subtly clicks them over to simple factors in this battle. Factors he must take into account, if they are to be successful, and clearly this Bone Gnawer has decided to dig in her heels and assert herself.
Right in the middle of a mission, in the heart of enemy territory.
So he stares at her, studies her, sees her temper ratcheting up. Hears the strain behind her voice, and realizes that if he continues to push her, he'll simply be creating an even worse situation.
sklora-Myrgen takes a deep breath. Releases it. Struggles for calm himself, casting aside his useless Gift. Instead, he paces forward, seeking some measure of calm from the grandeur of the Cathedral itself.
"This mission is one designed for Ragabashes. Perhaps your instincts are best suited for this than mine. I'll follow your lead, Sticky Fingers." But his gaze, his eyes, coruscate with finely controlled fury all of his own.
[-tabernacle-] [+1 rage to sM as well!]
[Sticky Fingers] She nods. Once.
"Good. Spitfire takes the office next door. You all spread out over the ground floor. Take advantage of Iona being blurred. Be her distraction, keep your eyes open, let her search. We meet back outside at the car no later than 15 minutes. Understand?"
She barely waits for acknowledgment before she turns on a heel and starts back to the bathrooms, digging out her mirror as she goes.
"Good. Move."
[Going Down] Indira walks after Marni to the bathrooms, with a frown back in the direction of the others. Conflicted and unsure, a follower to the end. "So you jus' wan' me ta hang outside an' keep an eye out an' talk ta some people outside the office?" she asks Marni as they walk.
Once in the bathroom she steps into one of the stalls, pulling out her wallet so she can look into the mirror, waiting on Marni's reply before she steps through.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire had watched the exchange in silence, considering the alternatives and keeping calm and detached. When someone finally conceded defeat and the plan was set, there was nothing to it. He'd just follow orders and do his job. Still, the feeling of Rage made him slightly uncomfortable right now, it'd been a close shave it seemed, or at least his instincts told him as much.
"Let's go."
Once he was sure everything was settled, he'd head for the bathroom and head back realmside, where he felt more comfortable anyway.
[-tabernacle-] So -- after an argument that very nearly ground the mission to a premature halt -- the group is moving again.
They cross the Gauntlet, the dim, cool spaces of the cathedral giving way to the brightly megachurch of the realm. When they come out of the restrooms, the doors to the auditorium are closed. Muffled, they can hear speakers, the occasional en-masse Amen! that echoes through the walls.
The night is cold outside. It's just above freezing, the sky clear, the moon bright, frosting the short sidewalk to the community center.
The building is still faintly lit from within -- a few emergency lights here and there. There are two entrances, both on the south side of the building: one leading directly to the Community Center branch of the Elk Grove library, the other opening into the cafeteria/deli area.
Both are locked. The hours are stamped on the door: M-F 9am - 7pm. Sa-Sun 10am - 10pm.
[Sticky Fingers] She nods, slightly. You just move like normal, like you got lost - I'm right behind you, so they can't see me. If they're looking at your fine ass, less chance they'll notice mine.
And once across, then at the community center, she mutters to find the doors locked - but not for long. I got my keys. Let them know I'll see about unlocking this...
And she takes out her lost keyring, and concentrates, unseen....
[Perception+repair diff 5+lock complexity 2 = 4+2 = 6 (reroll 10s)
pleasepleasepleaspleaspleasplease]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 7) Re-rolls: 4
[-tabernacle-] click.
No alarms go off. No security comes running. The door to the library unlocks.
Inside, they find a small library branch: what you might expect. Computer terminals, some with internet access, others just for catalog searches. Paperbacks on small, rotating shelves. Hardbacks on larger, rigid ones. Low tables for the kids. Study carrels.
Nothing unusual anywhere. This side of the Gauntlet, anyway. There's a second story, but the only way up appears to be the elevators in the corner.
[Banshee] Iona noted all the computers. "Och, any Walka's here? Maybe there's hidden files."
[Moving-Mountain] Kire followed behind the others after a moment, he'd had to dress back up after returning and tried to stay hidden. He kept a distance from the others but close enough to move in if anything happened. This way he could keep an eye on things without getting noticed instantly if something came up.
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 5, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen keeps pace with Kire, a silent, throbbing knot of rage, the air around him curdling as he seeks calm. His face is solemn, carved from alabaster, and he moves as silently as he can, watching and mindful of their environment.
[Going Down] Indira does as Marni bids, standing outside the office like she got lost, wandering around and looking at signs and reading notes that are posted up. If anyone stops to talk to her she'll just explain that she's waiting for someone, or act the part of a loitering youth.
That's really all she is, after all.
When Marni does emerge from the office, she points out the elevators. "Can' find any stairs aroun' though."
[Sticky Fingers] She shakes her head slightly. "These are public computers. Anything interesting won't be public."
She touches Indira's arm, and softly. "Looks like the elevators - and no stairwell is against fire codes. You three spread out down here and see what you can find. Spitfire is headed upstairs."
And it's to the elevator she and her packmate head, pushing the button. Over the totemphone... be ready.
[-tabernacle-] Also: no connections between the library and the rest of the community center. It makes sense: you wouldn't have chlorine fumes from the pool and grease from the kitchen getting into the books. However, it seems they'll have to break in the other door as well if they want to have a look over there.
The elevators are still running even after-hours. After a moment: ding. The door slides open silently.
The elevator looks empty. If they venture inside, there are three buttons:
2
1
B
Looks like there's a basement.
[sklora-Myrgen] One last look around the library, and sklora-Myrgen turns to the other two Garou who have been left to scout around.
"Come on," he says, voice a quiet rumble. "Let's go check the other entrance. We'll do no good just standing around in here waiting."
[Banshee] Iona gives a nod, and slowly she begins her search. First place she checks, any private office/backroom of the library. Then she will head to the cafteria and get a sample of the egg sandwich stuff that seemed so addictive. Also, a sample of the pool water as well. (egg sample will be put in saran wrap from the kitchen. Pool water from her flask after she empties it out and rinses it a couple of times)
[Going Down] Indira nods, heading after Marni to the elevator. Better hope nobody catches us up here.
[Sticky Fingers] A basement. She arches a brow, slightly, but steps into the elevator and hits the second floor.
Basements give me the creeps. Upstairs first. And if any one catches us, we take them out if we can't talk our way out of it.
[-tabernacle-] The Garou split up: Spitfire gets in the elevator, and the doors shut. Marni pushes 2. The elevator rumbles upward.
--
Banshee, sklora-Myrgen and Kire, on the other hand, take a look in the back room of the library. Books in circulation, new arrivals, fresh returns. Nothing unusual here either, though -- that same pervasive feeling of dread that weighs upon this entire community center.
One supposes the humans don't notice.
They leave the library wing, then, exiting into the night again. The lock on the door to the cafeteria is the same: a simple lock-and-key setup. Perhaps one of them can open it.
[-tabernacle-] A moment later, the elevator comes to a stop on the second floor. It's more of the same up here. Most of the periodicals and reference books and nonfiction was downstairs; upstairs, a lot of fiction. A comfortable reading area situated at the front of the building, too, with bay windows looking out at the fabulous view of..... the parking lot. And the street.
No door to the adjoining wing of the building.
[Go ahead and roll Wits+PU, Spitfire!]
[Sticky Fingers] [Wits+PU+Volcano=8]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 3, 6, 6, 8, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire examined the door, looking back to sklora or Banshee to see if they had any idea how to open it. He had a few of his own but they involved shooting the lock or kicking the door down. Both of which seemed to be less than stealthy.
[Going Down] [Wits + PU]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 5, 10 (Failure at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] This place looks normal. It looks perfect. Inviting, warm, perfect. Too perfect. Come to think of it, that's how all of Elk Grove looks... on this side of the Gauntlet.
Hmm. Maybe you should take a Peek across the Gauntlet.
to Sticky Fingers
[Moving-Mountain] It took him a moment to remember something, lost amongst the memories of battlefields, he actually knew how to pick this kind of lock to some extent. Or rather, used to. Time to put it to the test again. "I'll handle it."
[Dex + Streetwise]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 7)
[Sticky Fingers] It's perfect. Too perfect. Nothing is ever this perfect.
Gonna try and peek at the other side - nothing is this fuckin perfect...
She takes a breath, concentrates... and peeks
[gnosis vs diff 8 - pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 3, 10 (Failure at target 8)
[-tabernacle-] click.
The faint smell of antiseptic, here. Seems like the staff scrubs down the kitchen every night. How very sanitary.
The cafeteria is quiet: bare linoleum tables and tile floors, the chairs upturned on the tabletops. There's a deli counter off to their right, some space for staff behind it, and closed swinging doors to the kitchen behind that. Straight ahead, a short hall -- bathrooms to either side -- and double doors at the end. A big sign over the door: POOL. Small signs on the doors: PLEASE NO FOOD OR DRINK.
[roll percep+alert, everyone in the cafeteria!]
[Sticky Fingers] [Come on Kaseeno - DON'T BE A BITCH!]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 8, 8 (Failure at target 9)
[Banshee] perc roll 6d10 d6
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 1, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Library
The Gauntlet refuses to yield to Marni. Whatever suspicions she might hold about the library, there's no way for her to confirm or disprove them.
[Sticky Fingers] She growls, softly.. and looks to her packmate...
Can you try? I can't see shit... take a peek will ya?
[Going Down] Indira nods to Marni. I'll try an' see if I can see anything, she says, albeit a little dubiously; she has trouble even stepping sideways sometimes.
[Gnosis]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 8)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire entered quietly, scanning around for signs of anything out of place.
[Perc + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 5, 5, 6, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] The library crawls with banes.
Small ones. Weak. Gafflings at best, barely sentient. They sleep curled up in the shelves. They writhe across the ceiling, in the floors. Once in a while, they force themselves into the shape of books, wedging themselves into empty gaps in the shelves.
There are dozens in here. It wouldn't be difficult for a pack to take them all out, though it might be frustrating and tedious. More importantly: it'll probably attract attention from the larger banes they saw battling outside.
to Going Down
[sklora-Myrgen] [Per + Alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 4, 4, 4, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] oops! this is what Indira got:
The library crawls with banes.
Small ones. Weak. Gafflings at best, barely sentient. They sleep curled up in the shelves. They writhe across the ceiling, in the floors. Once in a while, they force themselves into the shape of books, wedging themselves into empty gaps in the shelves.
There are dozens in here. It wouldn't be difficult for a pack to take them all out, though it might be frustrating and tedious. More importantly: it'll probably attract attention from the larger banes they saw battling outside.
to knight
[-tabernacle-] You hear a door open somewhere nearby. It's not the door you came in through.
to Banshee, knight, Moving-Mountain, sklora-Myrgen
[-tabernacle-] It came from the kitchen.
to Banshee, knight
[-tabernacle-] sklora-Myrgen's Battlesense, mostly attuned toward the ongoing conflict between church and banes, now begins to pick up a faint trace from the direction of the kitchen.
to knight, sklora-Myrgen
[Going Down] Lotta banes in there, Indira tells Marni. Ain't gonna be too hard for a group ta get in there an' kill 'em, but problem is, you might get all the ones in from outside, 'cause it'd take a while to kill 'em all. It'd be a fuckin' pain in the ass, is what it'd be.
[Banshee] She looked to the others, a tap of her ear then thumbed to the kitchen. Indicating she heard something come from the kitchen
[sklora-Myrgen] A whisper, carrying only to those around him, "Kitchen."
And with that, he's moving to simply crouch before the deli counter, out of sight to anybody behind it.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire heard something and he jumped to alert, he looked over his shoulder to the other two and followed sklora behind the deli counter, slowing down his breathing to the bare minimum necessary.
[Dex + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 8 (Success x 3 at target 3)
[sklora-Myrgen] [Dex + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 3, 4, 4, 5, 8, 8 (Success x 4 at target 3)
[Banshee] Iona gets down as well, as low as she could crouch and move, and still be able to be battle ready.
[Sticky Fingers] She nods, slightly, her brow furrowing.
Alright. Can't get next door from here - looks like we hit the basement after all. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a way to the other wing without having to go outside. Come on.
And it's back to the elevator.
[Going Down] Indira circles around and follows Marni back to the elevator, eyes drifting upward as she tries to think very hard to recall exactly how many banes there were. Just in case someone asks or wants to know. She's not very good with these little details.
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
Now they can hear footsteps coming in. Sounds like the kitchen has a backdoor. Three... four at least. They seem to be carrying something. There are grunts of effort. Something grates. Someone sniffs loudly, in dire need of a tissue. Something sloshes and jostles -- it sounds like glass.
A voice, low and rough: "Careful!"
Another, whining: "It's heavy, man."
The first: "Shut the fuck up."
A heavy thump from the kitchen. Someone breathes a sigh of relief, dusts his hands off.
A third voice, a woman: "That oughta keep them going for another week or two."
The second: "Didn't they say they were out of pancake mix?"
A fourth: "Nah, I filled 'em up yesterday."
First: "Be sure. I don't want to come back. Go check."
The swinging door between kitchen and deli counter thumps open. In the windows, the hidden Garou can see the creature that comes through the door: too large to be human, shambling, a Garou in Glabro. He snuffles wetly as he lumbers toward the cabinets built into the back side of the deli counter.
[dex+stealth diff 6!]
[-tabernacle-] Library
The elevator is still waiting on the second floor. Spitfire piles in, and the doors shut.
Down.
Ding.
Open.
First thing they notice: huh. There's a way to get from one wing to the other after all. The basement is connected: both elevator shafts have a stop here.
Second thing they notice: weird, this place is really small. The basement appears to be one room, barely enough space for both elevators.
[sklora-Myrgen] [Dex + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 4, 4, 5, 5, 8, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire recoiled slightly, not out of fear or surprise but instinct to keep hidden. They couldn't afford to be discovered now, though just in case his left hand went to one of the grips under his jacket. If push came to shove, he'd be ready.
[Dex + Stealth]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 6, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Banshee] stealth roll 6d10 d6
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 6, 6, 8 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
The Garou stops very, very close to them. If he leaned forward so much as another six inches, he'd see their feet, their arm, the tops of their heads, something.
He doesn't, though. Muttering to himself, he stoops down and bangs through the counters. Every clap of wood on wood is loud as thunder, loud as their hearts in their ears. When he stands up, he bellows:
"HEY, MIKEY."
[Wits + Survival to not startle!]
[Going Down] [Wits + PU]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 5, 5, 6, 7, 7 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[sklora-Myrgen] [Wits + Survival]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 3, 4, 6, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] She arches a brow, slightly, and looks around - then nods to her packmate. Score. We can get to the other side from here.
Before she does, though takes a quick look around at how small it is... Maybe it's just for the elevators. Weird.
[wits+pu+volcano]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 6, 6, 6, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Maybe you should Peek again.
to Going Down, Sticky Fingers
[Banshee] Don't flinch baby +WP 3d10 d6
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6) [WP]
[Moving-Mountain] [Wits + Survival]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Going Down] You wanna have a look first? Indira asks, stepping out of the elevator and into the tiny room.
She looks over at Marni after she asks her packmate the question, scanning the room and whatever might be inside.
[Sticky Fingers] She rubs her hand through her hair, and then nods. Gonna peek again. You try too..
[Kahseeno? DONT BE A BITCH.
Peeking!]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 4, 7 (Failure at target 8)
[Going Down] Indira, too, attempts to look through.
[Gnosis]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 1, 9 (Failure at target 8)
[Sticky Fingers] She's getting antsy. time is running out, and she knows it. But it's important - and so she takes a breath and tries again..
[+1 diff pleasepleasepleaseplease]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 1, 9 (Failure at target 9)
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
He's not yelling because he saw them, though. He's yelling because --
First voice: "What?"
Fourth, right over their heads: "I checked! They got plenty! You want me to grab some drinks while I'm out here?"
...an interminable moment. An hour of silence. A year...
Mikey, first voice: "Nah. Fuck their Snapple shit."
The Glabro snuffles again, noisily, wetly. He sneezes suddenly. A fine mist rains down on the Garou hiding on the other side of the counter. In the window, reflected, they can see him blowing his nose into his hand, then flicking it off onto the floor with a snap of his wrist.
Then he turns and heads back into the kitchen. The door swings open and shut with a thump.
Second voice: "Man, this job blows. Dave's pack gets to raid Chicago. What the fuck do we get? Delivery duty to the fuckin' YMCA."
First voice: "Shut up. You don't understand the importance of what we're doing here."
[Going Down] Indira, too, tries to push through a second time.
[Pleeeeeeeease?]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 3, 4 (Failure at target 9)
[Sticky Fingers] And nothing. again. She shakes her head - they're wasting time. Ok, let's go.
To the other elevator, inside and up.
[Banshee] Iona made a truly disgusted face when she felt the wet mist of sneeze boogers land on her.
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen is as tense and wired up as a spring. Every part of him, every instinct that is Ahroun, that obeys the dictum of the full moon, urges him to leap the counter and rend the fucking head from the stinking bodies of these fallen Spirals. Instead, he closes his eyes, remains focused, tightly focused on the quiet knot of certainty and calm that is Athena's presence within him, and when the metis finally walks away, he allows himself a slow, controlled exhalation.
"Spiral pack on the premises. Making a drop off. Should leave soon." He slides his gaze to each Garou, assessing them, and then nods. "Let's see if we can look into the kitchen, get a sample of what they brought."
That said, he rises to his feet, scopes out the area behind the counter through the glass, and only when he's certain the coast is clear does he begin to circle around to get behind the counter.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire glanced at sklora for a moment and nodded, the boogers on him went completely ignored. He was used to so much worse. But for now, he stayed still, waiting for the two to leave. They couldn't afford to risk anything. Instead Kire gestured towards the other gun still in it's holster silently, like telling one of them to take it if something happened.
[Banshee] She leaned over and whispered very softly. "They said pancake mix, an' he looked under here. We kin get a sample o' tha too."
[-tabernacle-] Basement
This time, the Gauntlet refuses to budge for either of them. They have the niggling sense that there's something there, but time's tight, and they can't afford to waste any.
Marni calls it. They head to the elevators -- the other one.
Cafeteria
The elevator across the way is moving. The Garou, hiding, hyperalert, can hear the faint rumble of machinery. They see the numbers tick down to B.
[BSDs, collectively: do any of us happen to notice the elevator's moving? +1 diff distance; +1 diff closed door; +1 diff distracted]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, 7 (Failure at target 9)
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
The movement in the cafeteria goes unnoticed by the Dancers in the kitchen. The female says something like don't start preaching, Mikey. The whiny one says something else, but it's indistinct.
Then the door slams. A moment later, they hear the rumble of a diesel engine starting up, driving away.
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen is up and moving at the sound of the door closing, and by the time the engine starts, he's around the counter. He points to Banshee, then the pancake mix, and moves to look into the kitchen.
[-tabernacle-] Second Floor
The door opens to a hall running the width of this wing of the building. There are large windows to their right overlooking the parking lot. They can see, in fact, a big truck -- fullsize pickup, king cab, diesel engine -- driving off. Three figures sit in the cab. A big ugly 'dog' is in the bed.
To their left, four doors, three of them open to darkened rooms: conference rooms, one of them with a piano inside, probably rentable at a nominal fee. The fourth door is shut and locked. There is no sign on it.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire meanwhile, tried to see if they accidentally left anything that he might be able to pick up on. It was a very long shot but better than waiting around on the other two to finish their task.
[Going Down] Ooo, a piano, Indira says, with a look toward the instrument. She's seen very few of them in her life, and fewer that were available for touching. Now is not the time to go banging on keys, though.
She looks toward the figures sitting in the truck, and toward the...that isn't a dog. Looks like we got Spirals here, huh?
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
Under the counter, there's pancake mix, flour, sugar, salt... other assorted dried goods. The counter itself, refrigerated, contains empty trays and buckets that would, by day, hold assorted baked goods and sandwich ingredients.
In the kitchen, there are four large industrial refrigerators. They are bolted and locked. Also, numerous cabinets, a large washbasin, counters for cutting and preparation. Ovens and ranges, too.
Piled in the center of the kitchen is a stack of crates. Smoothie mixes, mayonnaise, loaves of bread, dairy products. Many of the products carry the label WHOLE HEART FOODS.
Also: in one of the cabinets, for fuck's sake, they find pool chlorine. In the kitchen. Yuck.
[Sticky Fingers] She steps from the elevator after Indira, still wrapped comfortably in her blur, her presence and voice over Totemphone letting her packmate know where she is. She studies the truck as it roars away, and nods. Hope they're ok downstairs. Let's hurry...
They peek in the rooms - and then to the locked door.
Go Go Magic Keyring...
[Perception+repair diff 5+lock complexity 3 = 4+2 = 6 (reroll 10s)]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 8) Re-rolls: 2
[Moving-Mountain] "Think they intend to cause a mass murder by poisoning everyone?" It was a totally far off theory but being as (blissfully?) unaware of the workings of this world at times as he was, maybe it was a quick and easy way to corrupt the area.
[Sticky Fingers] [Perception+alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen categorizes all this, even as he drifts forward to inspect the crates closer, focusing on them, seeking to sense what might be at their heart.
[Sense the Wyrm! Per + Occ]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 7, 9
[Banshee] A nod is given, and she slips around the counter as quietly as she can, and starts going through the cabinets to find the mix. The doors are slowly opened, and, if need be, carefully shut, til she found it. She peeks up enough to find something that she could carry a sample in, and puts some of the mix in the sample container she now made. (be it napkin, styrofoam cup, or whatever)
[-tabernacle-] Definitely, definitely tainted. Crawling with taint.
to sklora-Myrgen
[Going Down] [Perception + Alertness]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 2, 5 (Failure at target 7)
[-tabernacle-] Upstairs
The door opens to ... another hall, this one narrower than the last. Another door at the end. When they get near it, Marni can hear faint noises from the other side. Indira hears nothing.
Cafeteria
There are very simple packing lists on the crates: just inventory, destination, and origin. The origin is listed as Whole Heart Farms. The address is local.
[-tabernacle-] Sounds like... click-clacking.
to Sticky Fingers
[Sticky Fingers] She touches Indira's arm, holding her back as she hears the noises on the other side - clickclacking... There's... noises.. click-clacking. Maybe someone typing at a computer? You go back to the room next door - I'm gonna try and sneak the door open and peek without being noticed or seen... stay out of sight - and be ready to haul ass if we need to.
And once Indira has stepped back to the hall, and to a darkened conference room, she tries the door... ever so quietly....
[sklora-Myrgen] The Silver Fang draws back with a hiss from the crates, feeling nauseous for just being this close to them. Crouching down, he tries to memorize the local address, and then begins to cast around the kitchen for further clues, evidence, anything. Moving toward the locked freezers, inspecting the locks.
[Banshee] Once Iona has the sample, she follows sM to the kitchen, and glances over the dropped off crates. "Local, eh? Could be tainted crops comin' fro them." She carefully puts the sample in her jacket. "I got some o' the pancake mix."
[Going Down] Okay, Indira says, taking a step back toward the other room. Marni gets a concerned and slightly skeptical glance but she obeys, remaining in the hall.
Be careful.
[-tabernacle-] Upstairs
Locked.
[Do occupant(s) notice someone tried the door?]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 5, 6, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 8)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire turned back to sklora at his hiss, did he find something relevant? "I'm no use when it comes to the more spiritual stuff, so what'd you find? Any concrete leads or at least something to give us an idea what they're after?"
[-tabernacle-] Cafeteria
The kitchen looks like any commercial kitchen. A rather clean one, at that. Apart from the taint beating out from the crates -- and less so, more dilutedly so, from all the rest of the cabinets and pantries and stores -- it looks normal.
The locks on the refrigerators are heavy, but could probably be wrenched open or picked.
Upstairs
-- the clacking instantly stops inside.
[Sticky Fingers] The clacking stops.
shitshitshit - be so quiet...shhhhh...
Marni. Doesn't. Move.
[sklora-Myrgen] "These crates are so tainted I'm surprised there aren't tentacles writhing right up and out of them as we watch. And they're local, yes."
He turns to glance over his shoulder at Iona, and nods at the sight of her sample. The nod is simple: good work. Then he's back to inspecting the freezers. Four huge freezers for a little cafeteria? Suspicious to say the least.
"I'm guessing their idea is to corrupt the congregation of the church with Wyrm tainted food. Foul them, taint them, then as they go into the church, they take that foulness with them. Nothing the Knights can do to stop that."
Frowning, he leans closer, and tries to pick one of the locks.
[Dex + Streetwise]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 3 at target 7)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire scanned the kitchen once over, finally turning to the refrigerators, looking over the locks and trying to figure out if it was still in his ballpark. But then sklora moved in and tried, so he just stepped back and watched. "Sounds like we might not even have days."
[Banshee] She frowned as she listened to sM. "Och, now I see why there were nah as many knights as should be. An' why the glimmers o' faith fro the people were just tha' ..glimmers. Nah solid like tha' woman." She paused, a thought hitting her. "Wait, tha' woman. Why was she such a solid form an' nah the congregation? I dinnah think she eats here."
[-tabernacle-] Upstairs
And then the door flies open. The woman standing on the other side is a parody of the overworked secretary: pencil skirt, horn-rimmed glasses, hair coming wildly undone from her updo. She takes one look at Marni and starts screaming.
The volume she produces is not human. It's deafening, mindcrushing noise.
Cafeteria
The lock comes open easily in the Silver Fang's (surprisingly) experienced hands.
If they're expecting liver and fava beans inside, they're disappointed. However, what they do get is a refrigerator crammed full of foodstuffs and taint. Many products bear the Whole Heart Farms label --
and that's when they hear the screaming upstairs. Even downstairs, even through numerous closed doors and walls, the noise is clear.
[Sticky Fingers] Marni doesn't hesitate - the minute that sound starts, she snaps her fist forward and hits the woman right in the throat.
[-tabernacle-] [One more reaction from all before potential-inits! Also, Marni needs to roll WP vs diff 8.]
[sklora-Myrgen] The lock comes apart in his hands, and when he swings open the great metal doors, he's half prepared to stare at some heinous, Wyrmish butchery--but instead, just more taint. Even as he begins to close the door, to respond to Iona's question, the screaming peals out, muffled but terrible, unnatural, causing the hairs to rise on the back of his neck.
"Fuck," he says, voice grim. The door closes with a solid whoomph as he does so, and before he does anything else, he has the presence of mind to lock it once more.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire, his expression darkened as he instantly reacted to the screaming, right hand drew one of the Colt 1911s and held the grip tightly as he dived back to cover. Something might be coming their way, or someone else was found.
"We need to move. Fast. If we're lucky we can ambush the Spirals."
After he was sure the immediate coast was clean, he move out (and/or follow the others) to see if he could find where the scream came from, but more importantly a place to ambush the Spirals if they rushed off nearby.
[Sticky Fingers] FUCK, GET OUT NOW!GET THE OTHERS! GO!
[Wp diff 8 - fuck. me.]
Dice Rolled:[ 2 d10 ] 3, 6 (Failure at target 8)
[-tabernacle-] [Going To Rock Concerts Will Make You Go Deaf: stunned for this round! No punch possible.]
[Banshee] Iona blinks at all the food stocked in the fridge with the labels all over it. Before sM closes it, she snags a milk bottle, for more samples, just as she hears the screaming. "Och, foock me sideways. We are goin' tae have company soon."
[Going Down] Indira is torn - she can't leave her packmate behind. But the mission is more important. Yes she can. She has to.
So the Ahroun, with one last glance down the hallway, scowling, tears down toward the elevator before they can shut it down.
[-tabernacle-] Indira, tearing down the hall, sees the elevator still waiting on 2. When she mashes the button, the doors slide open for her.
The hallway is beginning to darken: patches of hazy blackness beginning to bloom in midair. The gauntlet, rubbing thin -- something on the other side, pushing through.
--
Downstairs, the Garou don't know quite what's going on. Nothing's coming through the Gauntlet at them -- yet. They heard screaming upstairs. They're still hearing screaming from upstairs: that bitch has got lung power. They don't recognize the voice. Could be anyone.
--
Marni is stunned by the noise. Simply put out of her mind for a moment, unable to act, unable to do anything but stare.
The secretary is joined by her friend. Seven feet tall, enormous across the shoulders, a boulder of a man: a fine-cut suit stretched to bursting over his frame, black hair slicked back, face warped into a permanent, leering grin. He pushes the secretary behind him and lumbers toward Marni.
[Okay: 1 round for Indira to get to ground floor. If people downstairs want to take the elevator up, it'll take them this round to wait for it to come down, one more to go up.
Marni: if you're running, we need to roll pursuit! if you're standing and fighting, we need to roll inits!]
[sklora-Myrgen] [Inits +10]
Dice Rolled:[ 1 d10 ] 9
[Banshee] Iona was also torn as well. "Do I fight? O' make sure these samples get tae the Caern?" She cursed under her breathe, waiting for any ideas from the other two
[Moving-Mountain] Kire looked at sklora for a moment, waiting for his input but deciding to throw his own as well. "The mission comes first, get out and secure the sample as well as what we learned. We can't risk all of us being compromised."
[sklora-Myrgen] "Easy," he says, voice quiet, moving out of the kitchen even as he does so. "Iona, grab an invoice from a crate and then go station yourself at a window. Watch for the Spirals. If you see them returning, give a shout. Kire, give your sample to Iona, and come with me."
That said, he moves to quietly but quickly exit the kitchen, heading toward the elevator.
[Sticky Fingers] More coming! GO GO GO GO! I'm coming! GO! She screams to her packmate via their bond, and then turns and hauls ass, shifting to hispo as she does so - making a beeline for those windows... one Marni going down?
[Persuit! dex+ath RUN MARNI RUN!]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 6, 6, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [boss: chase!]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 8 (Failure at target 6)
[Going Down] Indira runs for the elevator, and upon reaching it, jumps inside. She hits the button to go down to the bottom floor where everyone else is, nearly jumping up and down with barely suppressed rage and the urge to go back and fight and rescue her packmate.
She can't. They have to get the information back to the Sept.
[Sticky Fingers] [Come on windows - BREAK FOR ME! -1 rage shift to hispo, str [2+3+1(volcano)]+ath[3] to break.]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Downstairs
The parking lot outside remains quiet. If the church next door heard the commotion, no one's come outside to see. The Dancers haven't returned, either.
sklora-Myrgen and Kire, meanwhile, wait impatiently at the elevator as it makes its slow way down. They know they could run up a flight of stairs far faster than this. They could tear through the goddamn ceiling faster than this -- but this place, this insane, fucked-up place, only has elevators.
Ding!
The doors open. Indira nearly runs facefirst into sklora-Myrgen and Kire.
Upstairs
The huge man makes a heavy grab at Marni, but the Gnawer is far too fast. She slips out of his way, runs down the short hall toward the bank of windows, is a direwolf in three steps -- launches herself into the air at the fourth.
SLAMS into the window. Cracks it. Rebounds off, hits the ground. Still stuck inside.
The air overhead splits. A claw, long, palely translucent, slick with some substance that Marni doesn't to consider, begins to unzip the air.
Another darkness is forming beside it. And another.
[Soak 2B, Marni!]
[Sticky Fingers] [Soak!sta+hispo = 2+3 = 5]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 6, 6 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Banshee] Iona does as told. Having all the samples and an invoice on her, she waits near a window, playing look out.
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen is icy calm, his face harsh, stern, eyes boring into Indira, one hand held out before him to stop her progress.
"Explain." One word. A simple command.
[Going Down] "GO!" Indira roars at the two men standing in front of the elevator, grabbing sklora-Myrgen's wrist and tugging him along with her as she charges through the small room. "Somebody saw Marni, we gotta make sure we get back to the Sept."
Her breathing is rough, ragged, from suppressed (warring) emotion. Her heavy boots pound the floor as she runs out of the room, bound for the exit whether the other two are coming or not.
[Sticky Fingers] fuckfuckfuckfuck GET THEM OUT! GO GO GO!MORE COMING AND I DONT WANNA KNOW WHAT THAT STUFF IS HE'S GOT GO GO GO GO - it's near constant, now... they have to get back - with or without the little Gnawer Ragabash.
She shakes herself once, and then launches at the window again... BREAK. BREAK. GET OUT GETOUTNOWGOGOGOoooooo..
[-tabernacle-] [Bossman, lumbering over -- needs 3 succ!]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 4, 5, 5, 5 (Failure at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire looked at sklora, his expression was successfully conveyed for once, mostly due to the urgency of it all. It was a simple enough look as well, like asking him what the fuck to do now. He had half a mind to follow Indira out but he'd stick around if they were holding the lines so the others could escape. It was their job to ensure the information made it, it didn't necessarily mean having to come back with the whole team alive.
[-tabernacle-] [Secretary, approaching!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 5, 5 (Failure at target 6)
[sklora-Myrgen] It's a simple assessment. Only way up is an elevator. Going up would be entering a deathtrap. With that explanation, he nods to Kire, and then begins to evac, making sure Iona came with them toward the car.
[-tabernacle-] [hold the posts! post once per post of mine please *grin*]
[-tabernacle-] Indira isn't sticking around. The Ahroun is first out the door, feet pounding pavement as she runs for it.
The girl crosses the parking lot in homid. The street in glabro. By the time she's in the treelined shade at the other side, she's snapshifting in lupus, dashing flat-out over winter-dead lawns and over well-tended hedges. Once or twice, her skin crawls -- some bane or other peering at her from across the Gauntlet -- but her trip back to Chicago is relatively unimpeded.
--
Meanwhile, Banshee is at the window, watching for others. sklora-Myrgen makes the call for the group in the cafeteria: out, now. They're turning to go when the elevator door closes behind them; the elevator stays where it is
because upstairs, Marni is taking another running leap for the window.
[Sticky Fingers] [BREAK DAMMIT! str [2+3+1(volcano)]+ath[3]]
Dice Rolled:[ 9 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6) [WP]
[-tabernacle-] -- which shatters this time, exploding outward in a rain of glass shrapnel and one furry, mottle-coated Gnawer. She soars out the window, lands hard on the pavement below.
[soak 3B/1L for fall+glass!]
[Sticky Fingers] [soak! sta+hispo = 2+3 = 5]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 5, 9 (Failure at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] Kire nodded back at sklora and headed off towards Banshee, once they were sure she was moving out, he'd follow them back to the car. Probably keeping on full alert and paying attention to anything that might come from behind. He was almost hoping they'd encounter a few critters before leaving, he felt a need for combat right now. The Rage inside him was boiling stronger than before, though he kept it controlled.
[Banshee] Items all secured on her, she ran out with Kire and sM, heading for the car as fast as she could without breaking/dropping/losing the samples. "Aye, tha was a fun trip. We have tae do this again sometime!" There was a bit of jest to her tone, needing to find some levity in the situation.
[Sticky Fingers] She hits the ground.
Hard.
It knocks the breath from her lungs, and hurts. But she sees her packmate running like a bat out of hell, and cheers her on silently We're right behind you!, even as she drags herself up and heads to the car at a full out run....
The others better be there....
[sklora-Myrgen] And then the explosion of glass and the furred hispo comes crashing down onto the pavement, shards dancing about her. sklora-Myrgen spins as he runs, sees her fall, sees her get back up, and shakes his head, anger coruscating about him.
"So much for Ragabash instincts," he says, words bitten off. Then he's pulling open the car door, leaving one open for Marni to leap into the car through, eyes locked on the second floor, ready for any sign of the enemy.
[-tabernacle-] A second later, the boss and the secretary vault out the window as well. The boss lands in a heavy crouch, grunting. The secretary lands badly, one ankle snapping. She lets out another shriek, brief but deafening.
The banes -- because that's what they are, pouring out of the Umbra now -- don't bother with windows and elevators. They pour right through solid wall. The ceiling first darkens, then erupts: banes phasing through matter, boiling into the cafeteria and the kitchen, coiling and twisting as they pursue the fleeing Gaians.
[Okay, here's how pursuit is going to work:
Every round, everyone rolls dex+ath, diff 6. You need to accumulate 15 succ to get to the car. Remember dice penalties from damage. If an enemy exceeds your successes, they will have the opportunity to launch an attack; however, you may choose to keep running instead of retaliating to try to outdistance them again. If you decide to stand and fight, we'll go to normal inits and proceed from there.
At present, there are two fomori (boss + secretary) and four banes in close pursuit.]
[-tabernacle-] [roll whenever! no order necessary at the moment.]
[-tabernacle-] [Boss]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 7 (Failure at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [Secretary]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] [Kire]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 2, 3, 6, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] [Dex+hispo+ath= 3+2+3=8 -2 [ouch]]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 5, 7, 7, 7, 8 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[Banshee] Running like a bitch in heat! 3d10 d6 - 1 diff for concentration
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 4, 5, 7 (Success x 2 at target 5)
[-tabernacle-] Bane 1
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 5, 8, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 2
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 5, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[sklora-Myrgen] [Ath + Dex]
Dice Rolled:[ 10 d10 ] 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 9 (Success x 6 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 3
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 4
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [Round 1 of pursuit:
sM is in the clear, 9 more succ to the car.
Marni, Kire and Iona have all been caught up to. They can either choose to stand and fight or keep running. If they keep running, banes/fomori in reach might take a free hit against them.]
[Moving-Mountain] Kire decided to continue running for now, but not before focusing his Rage on more productive purposes. Like transforming into Lupus form, since he'd still fit in the car that way anyhow. [using Rage]
[Sticky Fingers] She snarls at them all - some might call it encouragingly - but they had orders. they get seen - they get out. Fight only if they have too.
Get. out. She ROARS at them... "MOVE YOUR ASSES!"
And runs.
[-tabernacle-] [attacks:
secretary is going to claw iona.
bane 1 is going to bite kire
bane 2 is going to bite kire
bane 3 is going to slash iona
bane 4 is going to claw marni
you may spend a rage to instashift to a more durable form to soak, but keep track of your rage!]
[Banshee] She growled a bit, feeling them nipping on her heels. She heard Marni and snarled. "Wha' the foock ye think I'm doin'? Takin' a shyt on tha crapper?" She pushed herself to sprint harder to the car as she began to pull off her coat, in case she needed to hand off the samples fast.
[-tabernacle-] secretary, claw!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 4, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] damage +4!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 4, 6, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[Banshee] Soak 4d10
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 2, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] bane 1, bite kire!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 3, 3, 5, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] damage +1
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 6, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 5 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] [CAPTAIN PLANEEEEEET]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 3, 5, 6, 8 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Bane 2, bite kire!
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Damage +1!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 3, 6, 9, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Bane 3, slash iona!
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 4, 4, 5, 9 (Failure at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] Bane 4 clawing marni!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [damage]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 4, 5, 6, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] Soak: sta+hispo = 2+3 = 5
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 4, 7, 7, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] [CAPTAIN PLANEEEEEET]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 1, 5, 7, 10 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] [Damages:
Marni's at 1B/1L this round
Iona 1A
Kire 5A
sM OK
Roll the runnin'! You can burn 1R to double your running dice if you want]
[Sticky Fingers] [Round Two Runnin - burning 1 rage!
Dex+hispo+ath= 3+2+3=8 -1 [ouch] = 7x2=14!]
Dice Rolled:[ 14 d10 ] 1, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 11 at target 6)
[Moving-Mountain] [Gogo rage use and WP]
Dice Rolled:[ 8 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 6, 6, 6, 7, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6) [WP]
[Banshee] Running like a whore in a slasher movie Burn 1R
3d10 x2 diff 6 - 1 diff for concentration.
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 5)
[sklora-Myrgen] [sM dex + ath + Rage, picking up banshee and kire ]
Dice Rolled:[ 22 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10 (Success x 6 at target 8) [WP]
[-tabernacle-] boss - giving the fuck up, throwing his wallet down and stamping on it in disgust.
secretary - running!
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 6, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] bane 1 - pursuit!
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 4, 5, 5, 9, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 2
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 3
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 1, 2, 9, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[-tabernacle-] 4
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] She can't drive - but she can get the doors open for the others - so that's what she does...
While concentrating on the closest asshole - and summoning a bit of help...
[Scent of Sweet Honey: -1gn, Wits+subterfuge = 3+2= 5 d6 - 1 suxx needed, lasts 1 hour.]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 5, 7, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
[Sticky Fingers] [1 hour per suxx - ze horde iz comin.. hee.]
[sklora-Myrgen] Explosion of fire and fury. Spinning on his heel, the Silver Fang sees his companions being swamped by the enemy. Claws and talons raking at their backs, and worst of all, Kire seems about to fall, collapse beneath the avalanche, even as Marni races past him, toward the car.
Cursing under his breath, he explodes into Crinos, the warform, massive and strong, and waits, waits until the very last second when the two are within arm's reach to snatch them up, one under each arm, and then he explodes forward, great thighs powering him across the tarmac, free of the danger, at least, for now.
He drops them both by the car, turns to watch the enemy, gauge how much time they have, holding the rear even as the others get inside.
[Moving-Mountain] Scratched all over, stabbed here and there, bleeding out and in a horrible shape, Kire managed to reach the car only thanks to the aid of one of his companions. By the time they were there, he managed to barely transform back to homid and lay in the back of the car.
If it came to it, he'd try and shoot anything that followed now that he was in a relatively comfortable position. But his body ached too much, at the start of this he'd never have believed it possible to get this injured or into this horrible a situation. "How... much do... we have... before... they... get here?"
[-tabernacle-] So they run.
The car, parked somewhere in front of the church, seems impossibly far. sklora-Myrgen outdistances the rest in seconds -- and the banes close in. It's a hurricane of slashing claws, snapping fangs. Emerging from the mire, Marni and Iona are both badly scratched.
Kire is very nearly hamstrung, very nearly unable to go on.
Marni puts on a burst of speed, then. She races flat-out to the car, skidding to a stop at the back door, turning to do her best to assist her compatriots. Kire and Iona, meanwhile, manage to get themselves alongside sklora-Myrgen -- who bursts into his mighty Crinos form, picks one up under each arm, and runs.
Left hopelessly behind, the fomor woman screeches in fury. Her boss swears at them. The banes: mindless, bloodthirsty things that they are, they keep following doggedly.
[Banshee] Iona, now dropped by the car, jumps into the driver's seat, her coat with the samples inside, is put beside her. She starts up the car, revs the engine a sec, and once everyone is in the car, she takes off like a bitch to head back to the caern.
[Sticky Fingers] When they arrive to the car - she slips back to homid, and gets in - rage PULSATING off of her... she's fucking FURIOUS.
"If you say one more fucking word... Leave it until after we report and you know what happened up there before you fucking say ANYTHING."
and then? Silence.
[Moving-Mountain] Fucked up as he was, Kire got up from his position a bit and dug into his coat pockets, which were scratched up but luckily intact enough for him to have his basic first aid kit still there.
"Anyone need some bandages to make do until we get real aid?"
[sklora-Myrgen] sklora-Myrgen gets into the shotgun seat, and when they finally pull away, leave the banes behind, he fixes Marni in the rear view mirror. The rage coming off him is palpable, curdling the air, baking out of him like heat from an open oven door.
"I'm anxious to hear your report. To learn what you discovered. That merited that utter debacle in the parking lot, and the near death of our companions. And it had better be good, Sticky fingers. It had better be very. Very. Good."
[Banshee] As she drove, she could smell blood, and pulled a talen from her jeans pocket, handing it over to Kire. "Gaia's breathe, luv. Ye be needin' it."
[Sticky Fingers] The only reply? A finger. Guess which one.
[-tabernacle-] They pile into the car -- and as they do, they can see banes boiling out of the building behind them. Six... eight... a dozen... they swarm in the air, seethe over the pavement. A few follow them even when they peel out. Too stupid or too enraged to give up, they trail the Garou until they're lost in the distance and the night.
The rest of the drive seems long and cramped: four Garou, rage high, tempers frazzled, blood in the air.
[Moving-Mountain] Kire took the talen and nodded a thanks to Banshee before turning to sM and Sticky Fingers. They were squabbling right after they nearly died, oh the team they'd built. And yet he wouldn't have had anyone else, thanks to them he was alive.
"Calm down, both of you. It was more or less a success. No need to be at each other's throats or give each other the finger." Kire still needed to pick up some social grace though, and not just in Garou society.
[Moving-Mountain] [Gnosis spent to the max, +4]
[sklora-Myrgen] The Ahroun's eyes scintillate as he stares at the Bone Gnawer, strobing now with his pent up fury. The air in the car seems to have been sucked out, leaving it breathless and thin, overheated. The car seat seems to groan beneath the Silver Fang's weight.
However, he is no Fenrir, no brute warrior governed by his Rage. While it nearly consumes him, he doesn't allow it, and so instead he simply stares straight ahead, watching the road before them. There is no doubt in his mind that he could thrash her like a petulant child, give her the beating of her life if he so desired.
But instead, he remains focused on what matters. Which is getting this information to Lukas.
celebration.
9 years ago