Re: Before Going To Horizon-Downtime Scenes IC Thread

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"We are relying on her being focused no you to keep her in place. We can both stop her from leaving probably but there is a limit to how much we want to do all at once while working something extremely complicated."
Angie said.
"Yes your job will be to keep her where she is while me and my apprentice cast our spell child. I am sure you can do it, you are my grandson after all."
Master Babu declared.

"If you trust me to do this task than I'm sure I can do it. I'd prefer if you guys were fully committed to the banshee-to-fae spell anyways. I want the best chance of saving her possible." Serge said feeling a little more confident. "Come on. If there's nothing else to talk about we should go."

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

"I was only informed that all wnt well and that no one was hurt."
The Hermetic said as he went to his kitched.
"I believe I have some tea can I offer you any Amicus...as for me, well the new Umbrood is born and he is perfect. My Avatar was ot sriously harmed but it was a complicated working and it...was..."
His voice trailed of a little.
"Master Telar have ordered me torest and not work magick other than the LBRP for at last a week."
Adley smiled a little.
"I guess I am a mother now."
He said a little wryly then he blushed a little.
"So how did the mission go yesterday Amicus?"

He grinned, "A cup would be good right now. I'd be delighted to meet your new son, and I'm sure your Pater would be delighted to be a grandfather, as it were."
He paused, rubbing his jaw, "It's not entirely true that no-one was hurt, but there was no lasting damage to any of us, and while regrettable, killing Lilyandra's ghouls in battle was inevitable. No-one suffered needlessly, though; we did everything as cleanly as we could. Hell of a kick on her troll security chief, though."
Shaking his head, he continued, "Regardless, Nicole displayed competence, both in the field and in the planning, though she still has some... rough edges, and I think I've worked out why. Need to have a chat with her about that, though. Serge did magnificently, helped calm down a powerful Malkavian who turned out to be a light sleeper, and her ghoul manservant seems to be a good man. I think they'll be... not an asset, but a convenient acquaintance at a distance, perhaps. Lilyandra didn't cause a fuss when we secured her, and we managed to secure a number of her belongings for further inquiry and, well... we may have looted her chambers, just a little. Your Pater was almost ecstatic at the sight of her library. I also called Lady Crexia, as it seems Lilyandra may have been a senator's slave back in the late Republic era. After that..."
He frowned, "I know what Wallace Jace is planning, he's trying to drain the True Brujah bloodline for their vampiric temporal powers, become a Methuselah in his own right, and try to take over Boston. That's still years away, though, and while he's reincarnated himself again now, I don't believe he's had the time to become a vampire yet. I may still have time to save the bloodline, as Wrinkle asked me to. Also, I had dinner with the Prince of Boston last night; I... am not convinced his belief in being Pendragon reborn is madness. He knew things he should not have, and while that is a feature of that Clan, there was something more personal to it. Well, no matter. The Toreador I accidentally killed at the junkyard is in Elysium now, too, my bargain with Mars concluded. I have made some truly strange connections of late..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

"If you trust me to do this task than I'm sure I can do it. I'd prefer if you guys were fully committed to the banshee-to-fae spell anyways. I want the best chance of saving her possible." Serge said feeling a little more confident. "Come on. If there's nothing else to talk about we should go."

"Well we are already driving child."
Master Babu said.
"But no I think the preperations are then complete, and I have confidece in you child your Mentor speak well of you."
The old maga said and she patted your hand again.
"So how have things been with you child since last w spoke?"
Master Babu asked.

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

He grinned, "A cup would be good right now. I'd be delighted to meet your new son, and I'm sure your Pater would be delighted to be a grandfather, as it were."

"Well my son is in the Umbra at the moment, ow that he is fully manifested he have goe tot he highr planes, but oce I can use my Ars again I will summo im and you can meet him."
Adley offered as he started o the tea, his movment was a bit slow and dliberate and he looked tired ad draw but he was on his feet at least.

He paused, rubbing his jaw, "It's not entirely true that no-one was hurt, but there was no lasting damage to any of us, and while regrettable, killing Lilyandra's ghouls in battle was inevitable. No-one suffered needlessly, though; we did everything as cleanly as we could. Hell of a kick on her troll security chief, though."

"Injuries do happen in combat but as long as there was o permanet harm that is good...wait troll?"
The Hermetic asked.
"Ehm...earl gray ok with you Amicus?"

Shaking his head, he continued, "Regardless, Nicole displayed competence, both in the field and in the planning, though she still has some... rough edges, and I think I've worked out why. Need to have a chat with her about that, though. Serge did magnificently, helped calm down a powerful Malkavian who turned out to be a light sleeper, and her ghoul manservant seems to be a good man. I think they'll be... not an asset, but a convenient acquaintance at a distance, perhaps. Lilyandra didn't cause a fuss when we secured her, and we managed to secure a number of her belongings for further inquiry and, well... we may have looted her chambers, just a little. Your Pater was almost ecstatic at the sight of her library. I also called Lady Crexia, as it seems Lilyandra may have been a senator's slave back in the late Republic era. After that..."

Adley stiffened at the mention of Nicole but he nodded.
"I am glad everyone did well Amicus, ad Nicole's skill in combat have nevr bee in question, it is her etiquette and ability to talk with others without setting of world ward three I question."
The Flambeau said with a sigh.
"A Malkavian.hum...you know I do not lik contact with Massassa but I guss a contact have value non the less."

He frowned, "I know what Wallace Jace is planning, he's trying to drain the True Brujah bloodline for their vampiric temporal powers, become a Methuselah in his own right, and try to take over Boston. That's still years away, though, and while he's reincarnated himself again now, I don't believe he's had the time to become a vampire yet. I may still have time to save the bloodline, as Wrinkle asked me to. Also, I had dinner with the Prince of Boston last night; I... am not convinced his belief in being Pendragon reborn is madness. He knew things he should not have, and while that is a feature of that Clan, there was something more personal to it. Well, no matter. The Toreador I accidentally killed at the junkyard is in Elysium now, too, my bargain with Mars concluded. I have made some truly strange connections of late..."

"Yes I did catch that you spoke with Mars Amicus, most impressive. I do wish you spol lss with Massassa though. As for the Prince, well I guess it is posible, we both kow pepole are reborn, it would be a tragedy though if was tru as it would mean King Arthur's Avatar have been shattered."
Adley said before he st a cup of tea before you.
"Ehm...milk and sugar?"
He asked.
"So Wallace Jace is planning on becoming a Massassa? You kow thi from another vision? Did you also larn how we might stop him? Hum...I had some cookies around hre...ah the cuppboard, Bee came over to see me earlier today."
Adlley said before he heade for his kitchen cupboard for the plate of cookies.

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

"Well my son is in the Umbra at the moment, ow that he is fully manifested he have goe tot he highr planes, but oce I can use my Ars again I will summo im and you can meet him."
Adley offered as he started o the tea, his movment was a bit slow and dliberate and he looked tired ad draw but he was on his feet at least.

Colin nodded, "Of course. For now, you need to recuperate."

"Injuries do happen in combat but as long as there was o permanet harm that is good...wait troll?"
The Hermetic asked.
"Ehm...earl gray ok with you Amicus?"

He nodded, "Earl Gray will be quite good. And yes, Big Chris, the security chief at the club, is a quite large changeling, a monolith of brute force. We... pacified him, I'm not sure if he's been handed over to whatever passes for a Changeling judicial system, but given his predilection for using iron on his fellow Fair Folk, I don't think his future will be long or pleasant..."

Adley stiffened at the mention of Nicole but he nodded.
"I am glad everyone did well Amicus, ad Nicole's skill in combat have nevr bee in question, it is her etiquette and ability to talk with others without setting of world ward three I question."
The Flambeau said with a sigh.
"A Malkavian.hum...you know I do not lik contact with Massassa but I guss a contact have value non the less."

He chuckled, "As I said, I think I have an idea of why Nicole has those issues, but I am not qualified to confirm it, I'll need her cooperation, and a specialist on the subject... as for the Malkavian in question, she can provide a witness to the incident before the Prince of Seattle, and can verify that we went out of our way to avoid collateral casualties among the Kindred. That will go a long way in smoothing over the diplomatic issues there."

"Yes I did catch that you spoke with Mars Amicus, most impressive. I do wish you spol lss with Massassa though. As for the Prince, well I guess it is posible, we both kow pepole are reborn, it would be a tragedy though if was tru as it would mean King Arthur's Avatar have been shattered."
Adley said before he st a cup of tea before you.
"Ehm...milk and sugar?"
He asked.
"So Wallace Jace is planning on becoming a Massassa? You kow thi from another vision? Did you also larn how we might stop him? Hum...I had some cookies around hre...ah the cuppboard, Bee came over to see me earlier today."
Adlley said before he heade for his kitchen cupboard for the plate of cookies.

He sighed, "One sugar, please. Speaking with Massassa is rather unavoidable for me, I fear, but that doesn't mean I will do so without taking precautions. Never leave home without a spot of sunlight in my pocket, that sort of thing. And yes, on the bus after... um... our Virtual Adept Cabalmate, what's his name, the elusive one... well, after he and I had returned the rental vehicles, at any rate. I dozed off and had a glimpse from the future, at a festive occasion in the Prince's Elysium, where I had been invited to attend as a guest and, hm, family member to the guest of honour, let us say. At that time, Jace had emerged into Kindred society after going completely under our radar for years, and had rapidly accumulated power as a Methuselah. At the end of the vision, Jace burst into the Elysium and used what I assume must have been some sort of sunlight-based weapon or similar, as the Kindred around me turned to ashes before my eyes. Then I raised Rust's staff, reforged into a cane, and drew in all the Quintessence from the ashes into some retributive spell... well, I now have something of a deadline to prevent that from happening altogether, obviously, and I also know that Jace must have had another clone to activate, as his face will still be the same smarmy bastard we know and loathe."

He hesitated, "Oh, and I'll have to stop you from trying to fireball Thomas' girlfriend-to-be; it would be bad form and most impractical for everyone if you did. I'll gladly take a cookie or two, and I'm glad Bee is getting back in shape."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

Colin nodded, "Of course. For now, you need to recuperate."

The youg Hermetic gave a tired smile at that and nodded.

He nodded, "Earl Gray will be quite good. And yes, Big Chris, the security chief at the club, is a quite large changeling, a monolith of brute force. We... pacified him, I'm not sure if he's been handed over to whatever passes for a Changeling judicial system, but given his predilection for using iron on his fellow Fair Folk, I don't think his future will be long or pleasant..."

"Interestig, I wonder why sucha beig as a Chagleig would toss in his lot with a monster like that Massassa. That he is haded over to his ow for trial is probably the best for him though, and for us."
The Flambau mused.

He chuckled, "As I said, I think I have an idea of why Nicole has those issues, but I am not qualified to confirm it, I'll need her cooperation, and a specialist on the subject... as for the Malkavian in question, she can provide a witness to the incident before the Prince of Seattle, and can verify that we went out of our way to avoid collateral casualties among the Kindred. That will go a long way in smoothing over the diplomatic issues there."

"Even if Nicole have reasons for her behavior Amicus that will ot mattr much if she aliaate everyoe who might be her ally in the Chantry or worse insult the wrog Master of the Art."
Adley said he was clearely not coviced.
"With how she have trated me I have to admit to to being that interested in workig with her, I tried Amicus I really did but there are limits. I will accept your judgemet in this though."
He said with a sigh.
"As for the Malkavian, well it is good there will b les chance of trobul for the Seattle Chantry that helped us wit the mission."

He sighed, "One sugar, please. Speaking with Massassa is rather unavoidable for me, I fear, but that doesn't mean I will do so without taking precautions. Never leave home without a spot of sunlight in my pocket, that sort of thing. And yes, on the bus after... um... our Virtual Adept Cabalmate, what's his name, the elusive one... well, after he and I had returned the rental vehicles, at any rate. I dozed off and had a glimpse from the future, at a festive occasion in the Prince's Elysium, where I had been invited to attend as a guest and, hm, family member to the guest of honour, let us say. At that time, Jace had emerged into Kindred society after going completely under our radar for years, and had rapidly accumulated power as a Methuselah. At the end of the vision, Jace burst into the Elysium and used what I assume must have been some sort of sunlight-based weapon or similar, as the Kindred around me turned to ashes before my eyes. Then I raised Rust's staff, reforged into a cane, and drew in all the Quintessence from the ashes into some retributive spell... well, I now have something of a deadline to prevent that from happening altogether, obviously, and I also know that Jace must have had another clone to activate, as his face will still be the same smarmy bastard we know and loathe."

Adley nodded and he put a sugar cube in your tea.
"I see so that bastard Jace have anothr plan to be a problem for everyone...we are goig to have to stop him, do you have ay idea where he is now?"
The Flambeau asked.
"As for the Virtual Adept that is...Jon I belive...ehm...I forgot hi last name."

He hesitated, "Oh, and I'll have to stop you from trying to fireball Thomas' girlfriend-to-be; it would be bad form and most impractical for everyone if you did. I'll gladly take a cookie or two, and I'm glad Bee is getting back in shape."

"Thomas...the Void Egineer kid...why would I try to burn his love interst?"
Adley asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes Bee is gettinng better, slowly but she..."
Th Hrmtic lookd away.
"Aftr yesterday...with the pai of the birth...I can not imagie how...what sh wet through during the ritual...it is a wonder she is o her feet...that she is able to smile, bake cookies, but our Bee she must have...suffered..."
Adley trailed of and shook his head.

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"Well we are already driving child."
Master Babu said.
"But no I think the preperations are then complete, and I have confidece in you child your Mentor speak well of you."
The old maga said and she patted your hand again.
"So how have things been with you child since last w spoke?"
Master Babu asked.

Serge snapped to attention and looked out of the car window. He hadn't realized they started moving and was alarmed to see the car in motion. He hadn't noticed it at all.

"Oh. You know. Things have been....going." Serge replied to his grandmentor's question. "Lots of darkness that needed to be expelled from the world. And we got through quite a few in the last couple of days. I've had a lot of practice with the upper reaches of my magick these last few days. Got more dox in me than I care to admit. Though I'm hoping it's a sign that I'm just a little bit closer to being an adept."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

"Oh. You know. Things have been....going." Serge replied to his grandmentor's question. "Lots of darkness that needed to be expelled from the world. And we got through quite a few in the last couple of days. I've had a lot of practice with the upper reaches of my magick these last few days. Got more dox in me than I care to admit. Though I'm hoping it's a sign that I'm just a little bit closer to being an adept."

"It is good that you challange yourself child."
Master Babu said and sh gave a regal lookig nod as she listened to your tale.
"As for the Paradox is it so bad as tat it will likely trigger a backlash? For if not I might be able to hlp you with that, it is a costly working but it might be worth it to make your mind clearr bfore th task w are to undrtake."

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"It is good that you challange yourself child."
Master Babu said and she gave a regal lookig nod as she listened to your tale.
"As for the Paradox is it so bad as tat it will likely trigger a backlash? For if not I might be able to help you with that, it is a costly working but it might be worth it to make your mind clear before the task we are to undertake."

"No it should be fine. It's no worse than what other mages casually hold onto daily. Any amount of paradox is strange to me. Usually I have none. The universe doesn't usually object to my magick." Serge assured his Master Babu. "That...is also something I want to change in the near future. The magick I've learned, the magick of Minds, Fate, and Connections. They may seem different on the surface, but there all forces that are invisible to the human eye and thus mostly unaffected by the influence of the masses. I feel like I could get stronger if I learned how to push against actual reality. Stuff people can see. Stuff people will notice."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

"No it should be fine. It's no worse than what other mages casually hold onto daily. Any amount of paradox is strange to me. Usually I have none. The universe doesn't usually object to my magick." Serge assured his Master Babu.

"Well if you are sure child."
The old Cultist said.
"Yes reality ted to look at more vulgar displayers of magick with sterner eyes tha more subtle magick,"

"That...is also something I want to change in the near future. The magick I've learned, the magick of Minds, Fate, and Connections. They may seem different on the surface, but there all forces that are invisible to the human eye and thus mostly unaffected by the influence of the masses. I feel like I could get stronger if I learned how to push against actual reality. Stuff people can see. Stuff people will notice."

"Perhaps child, and being abl to work more directly is certily a boo at times, however Paradox is dangrous ad if you can achieve your goals with mroe subtle means it is always wise to do so. Be sure you do not log for more visably flashy effcts to impress others for that will be a hollow thing pretty soon, and especially whe the result of you throwing around impressive magick is that a Paradox Spirit com and drag you to a nightmare of your own creation."
Master Babu warned with a frown.
"However pushig yourself to learn ever more is always good."

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

"Interestig, I wonder why sucha beig as a Chagleig would toss in his lot with a monster like that Massassa. That he is haded over to his ow for trial is probably the best for him though, and for us."
The Flambau mused.

Colin shook his head, "Like-minded monsters, it seems... I don't think she had to do much to corrupt him; he wasn't a ghoul, either..."

"Even if Nicole have reasons for her behavior Amicus that will ot mattr much if she aliaate everyoe who might be her ally in the Chantry or worse insult the wrog Master of the Art."
Adley said he was clearely not coviced.
"With how she have trated me I have to admit to to being that interested in workig with her, I tried Amicus I really did but there are limits. I will accept your judgemet in this though."
He said with a sigh.
"As for the Malkavian, well it is good there will b les chance of trobul for the Seattle Chantry that helped us wit the mission."

He nodded, "She'll need some additional training, but if I'm right, it will need to be... delicate. Well, we shall see if it can be helped."

Adley nodded and he put a sugar cube in your tea.
"I see so that bastard Jace have anothr plan to be a problem for everyone...we are goig to have to stop him, do you have ay idea where he is now?"
The Flambeau asked.
"As for the Virtual Adept that is...Jon I belive...ehm...I forgot hi last name."

He shook his head, "Not yet... Might have some better luck tracking him when Lily is out of the way."

"Thomas...the Void Egineer kid...why would I try to burn his love interst?"
Adley asked raising an eyebrow.

He grinned wryly, "Ah, that would be spoilers. Not to worry, I should be on hand to stop you, in any case."

"Yes Bee is gettinng better, slowly but she..."
Th Hrmtic lookd away.
"Aftr yesterday...with the pai of the birth...I can not imagie how...what sh wet through during the ritual...it is a wonder she is o her feet...that she is able to smile, bake cookies, but our Bee she must have...suffered..."
Adley trailed of and shook his head.

He smiled thinly, "I know. She's so very, very strong... Still, she had you to lean on through the worst, didn't she? Now she's already perked up enough to want to return the favour."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

Colin shook his head, "Like-minded monsters, it seems... I don't think she had to do much to corrupt him; he wasn't a ghoul, either..."

"Hum...well fae is ot all good or moral either...it is good we dealt with him them."
Adley said as he made himself a cup of tea as well though he usually preferred coffee.

He nodded, "She'll need some additional training, but if I'm right, it will need to be... delicate. Well, we shall see if it can be helped."

The Hermetic frowed at that.
"Let us hope she do nto do irreperabl damage then while she is being handeled delicatly Amicus."

He shook his head, "Not yet... Might have some better luck tracking him when Lily is out of the way."

The Flambeau nodded at that.
"Yes lt us hope so."

He grinned wryly, "Ah, that would be spoilers. Not to worry, I should be on hand to stop you, in any case."

Your Cabalmat raisd a eyebrow at that.

e smiled thinly, "I know. She's so very, very strong... Still, she had you to lean on through the worst, didn't she? Now she's already perked up enough to want to return the favour."

"Well I am hardly as badly of as she was, there is pain but I can manage and my Avatar should be perfectly all right again in a week, thankfully but yes Bee came to show her support, and she is indeed xtremely strog, what was doe to her would have broken many."
Adley said and he shuddred at the memory of the ritual.
"Let us home we do not get a reprise of that with Kyle."
He muttered ad sat down, lookig eve a little paler than he had before.

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

The Hermetic frowed at that.
"Let us hope she do nto do irreperabl damage then while she is being handeled delicatly Amicus."

Colin sighed, "We shall have to see..."

"Well I am hardly as badly of as she was, there is pain but I can manage and my Avatar should be perfectly all right again in a week, thankfully but yes Bee came to show her support, and she is indeed xtremely strog, what was doe to her would have broken many."
Adley said and he shuddred at the memory of the ritual.
"Let us home we do not get a reprise of that with Kyle."
He muttered ad sat down, lookig eve a little paler than he had before.

He nodded thoughtfully, "I have faith he'll be magnificent... His trial should go well, but worrying about abuse in the cell is justified. We need to post our own guards by the cell to... dissuade casual violations."

He sipped the cup of tea, pondering, "Come to think of it, the Arthurian being a reincarnation of the Once and Future King does not necessarily mean a lost Avatar. Wallace Jace has just showed that an Avatar is not necessary for reincarnation. Though I suppose hereditary memory or some similar, hm, mechanism could be as plausible."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

Colin sighed, "We shall have to see..."

"Just know that if Nicole create a fuss on orizon it might harm Kyl's chances and that would be extremely unfortunate, she do not have to like the way the Traditios is run, and surely some of our customs are centuries old, but just screaming at those customs will not help and will do much harm. I trust your judgement and off course I wish Nicole any chance to excell but we all have a past and if she have problems so ovrpowering that she will put Chantrymats in dager in order to satisfy her private rebllion against all authority then she might have to deal with those problms before she is able to be part of a Cabal."
Adley said with a frown.
"Forgive me Amicus I trust your judgemet but I fear for the safety of my brother."

He nodded thoughtfully, "I have faith he'll be magnificent... His trial should go well, but worrying about abuse in the cell is justified. We need to post our own guards by the cell to... dissuade casual violations."

"Yes we must do what we can to protect Kyle, but I also fear that his...phobias and fears will not be respected and that he will uffr greately before we get him back, even if the trial go well."
The Hermetic said with a sigh.

He sipped the cup of tea, pondering, "Come to think of it, the Arthurian being a reincarnation of the Once and Future King does not necessarily mean a lost Avatar. Wallace Jace has just showed that an Avatar is not necessary for reincarnation. Though I suppose hereditary memory or some similar, hm, mechanism could be as plausible."

"Well yes I guess that is possible indeed."
Adley said ad h ran his hand through his hair.
"There is a possibility of more than oe type of reincarnation."

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Colin's Apartment, Monday Evening]

Warp's Post:

A shrug in reply. The "not sure your idea will fly" kind.

Warp's Post:

'She did before?' this clearly being news to the Etherite. Though not like Nicole and Freddie had really spent much time together so far.

Warp's Post:

A shake of the head. 'All about the infection rate, Colin. We're shit carriers; when we get it, we sicken within hours, dead in a day. You, on the other hand... you just carry it. No sickness. Continue with your life, riding the subway, going to the Star-Mart and visiting the Olive Garden. How many people do you meet in a day? If you're Zero and you can infect ten a day, then they do the same... in a week, a million cases. You know how shit like colds and 'flu goes around places like this, which is why you had everyone jabbed, to protect Anna. You tell me; how the fuck you gonna protect me against something you don't even know exists? It will be uncontrollable even before anyone works it out.' taking a draft from her glass.

'Which is why I'm sure Jace didn't order the release. If I can work this out, sure as hell a Scientist of his level would have known it too.'

Warp's Post:

'Computer game. You play as a disease; your goal is to wipe out humanity. One of the best tactics is to spread as far and wide as possible before discovery... meaning you can't be contained when you are.'

Warp's Post:

'Who or what is "Moloch". The known facts, not the conjecture.'

Warp's Post:

'Then why ask?' she replied, wryly.

Warp's Post:

A silence; the Etherite fiddled with her drink. Looked from Colin to a framed picture on the wall, then a shelf, the window.. then back to Colin, finally. A little smile, the kind with no humour. 'Easy to see it when you had it yourself, right? Not saying Baynes didn't like try, but Whatshername... no. Just no.' giving a shudder.[/i]

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"Perhaps child, and being able to work more directly is certainly a boon at times, however Paradox is dangerous and if you can achieve your goals with more subtle means it is always wise to do so. Be sure you do not look for more visibly flashy effects to impress others for that will be a hollow thing pretty soon, and especially when the result of you throwing around impressive magick is that a Paradox Spirit com and drag you to a nightmare of your own creation."
Master Babu warned with a frown.
"However pushing yourself to learn ever more is always good."

"I know. I'll be careful if I choose to go down this path." Serge said politely thinking about Master Babu's words. "There's just...still so much I need to learn. I still can't see spirits. Can't do anything with time. I can't turn things into chocolate. I can't even create physical illusions. That last one...that one kinda stings. Mr. Wainwright managed to beat me to it."

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

"Just know that if Nicole create a fuss on orizon it might harm Kyl's chances and that would be extremely unfortunate, she do not have to like the way the Traditios is run, and surely some of our customs are centuries old, but just screaming at those customs will not help and will do much harm. I trust your judgement and off course I wish Nicole any chance to excell but we all have a past and if she have problems so ovrpowering that she will put Chantrymats in dager in order to satisfy her private rebllion against all authority then she might have to deal with those problms before she is able to be part of a Cabal."
Adley said with a frown.
"Forgive me Amicus I trust your judgemet but I fear for the safety of my brother."

Colin nodded, "We all worry for him..."

"Yes we must do what we can to protect Kyle, but I also fear that his...phobias and fears will not be respected and that he will uffr greately before we get him back, even if the trial go well."
The Hermetic said with a sigh.

He frowned, "Dr. Boudavich will have work to do..."

"Well yes I guess that is possible indeed."
Adley said ad h ran his hand through his hair.
"There is a possibility of more than oe type of reincarnation."

He nodded, "Well, hm... excellent tea, you're getting the hang of it."

[Colin's Apartment, Monday Evening]

'She did before?' this clearly being news to the Etherite. Though not like Nicole and Freddie had really spent much time together so far.

Colin grimaced, "Not often... but she's been quite heavily medicated against them since, hm, the Union captured her."

A shake of the head. 'All about the infection rate, Colin. We're shit carriers; when we get it, we sicken within hours, dead in a day. You, on the other hand... you just carry it. No sickness. Continue with your life, riding the subway, going to the Star-Mart and visiting the Olive Garden. How many people do you meet in a day? If you're Zero and you can infect ten a day, then they do the same... in a week, a million cases. You know how shit like colds and 'flu goes around places like this, which is why you had everyone jabbed, to protect Anna. You tell me; how the fuck you gonna protect me against something you don't even know exists? It will be uncontrollable even before anyone works it out.' taking a draft from her glass.

'Which is why I'm sure Jace didn't order the release. If I can work this out, sure as hell a Scientist of his level would have known it too.'

He gave Nicole an approving look, "You're quite likely correct. Commendably well reasoned out, too."

'Computer game. You play as a disease; your goal is to wipe out humanity. One of the best tactics is to spread as far and wide as possible before discovery... meaning you can't be contained when you are.'

He frowned, then chuckled, "Hum... not the sort of game I would go looking for, normally. But then, I mostly stick with flight simulators for myself, and usually racing games against Anna, or beat'em-ups against Freddy. I'm a decent hand with Ivy in SoulCalibur, as Serge discovered to his dismay."

'Who or what is "Moloch". The known facts, not the conjecture.'

He leaned back, "Alright, Moloch is an... entity, a horrible, horrible being that almost came into being when Julius de Medici and Mia de Napoli became the world's first artificial rebis, an alchemical hermaphrodite, and took the name Heylel Teomim. Same thing as Nico Markov, only artificial, rather than natural. It's... complicated."
He frowned, "Heylel Teomim was an incredible achievement, but their union was flawed. Unstable. One body, but two minds and souls, creating a dissonance, a seed that would have grown into a static abomination that would eventually consume all things magical and creative, and leave the world as a stagnant, soulless husk, with only emotionless drones laboring forever, and Moloch ruling over it all, forever... Would have, if Teomim had not been aware of the growing threat and took steps to have their Avatars rent asunder. Their betrayal and trial has lingering effects even today, 545 years later."
He paused, "Today is the time Akrites Salonikas warned of in his prophecy, when Moloch may try again to rise, and unless we can find the dissonance he will be born from before it's too late, well... it will be too late. We don't know exactly how or who, but Wallace Jace is one of the keys to the puzzle, as is likely the Psychopomp he's stored in Lily's care... Hm, imagine you have a dozen small pieces of a motor, they don't fit together, but you know they're all part of the same machine, you just need to find the pieces that link them to one another to see the whole machine..."

'Then why ask?' she replied, wryly.

He shrugged, "Because I didn't know if your eating habits were a nervous habit compensated for with exercise, or a medical necessity."

A silence; the Etherite fiddled with her drink. Looked from Colin to a framed picture on the wall, then a shelf, the window.. then back to Colin, finally. A little smile, the kind with no humour. 'Easy to see it when you had it yourself, right? Not saying Baynes didn't like try, but Whatshername... no. Just no.' giving a shudder.[/i]

He arched an eyebrow, "You don't like Dr. Boudavich? Or is it psychiatrists you distrust?"
He looked down into his own glass, "Mine was... more easily remedied, I suppose, when I finally managed to ask for help; a singular, massively traumatic incident in the form of modern rocketry to the face will cause significant upset, but having that trauma muted and locked down by a powerful mindworker... rendered me functional again. Not the same as a rough life stretched over many years..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

"I know. I'll be careful if I choose to go down this path." Serge said politely thinking about Master Babu's words. "There's just...still so much I need to learn. I still can't see spirits. Can't do anything with time. I can't turn things into chocolate. I can't even create physical illusions. That last one...that one kinda stings. Mr. Wainwright managed to beat me to it."

"You have focused on the magick of the mind child, while illusions visible to everyone ofte require you to be able to manipulate outside forces, though you can make someone thik they are seeing somethig and by that they will really see the thing, there is little difference btween belief ad relaity for a mage."
Mastr Babu said the she sigh.
"It is good you are eager to learn, but likly you will nevr larn it all, I am cnturies old child and I discover every day new things about magick I do not know."

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

Colin nodded, "We all worry for him..."

Adley gave a solemn nod at that.

He frowned, "Dr. Boudavich will have work to do..."

"Ys I fear that is indeed the truth."
The tired Hermetic said with a sigh.
"All we can do is try to help my brother cop wit what will happen to him and be there for him and offr support."

He nodded, "Well, hm... excellent tea, you're getting the hang of it."

"Well all I did was put the bag in, but I guess startig to just kow when somthing is the right temperature helps, and no I did nto use magick...well ot willingly at least, just mroe wirdness that happens to us all."
Your Cabalmate said with a half smile.
"I am glad you njoyed th tea Amicus ad tahnk you for stopping by...I appriciate it. I am fine though as you can see, sore and tired but fine."

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"You have focused on the magick of the mind child, while illusions visible to everyone often require you to be able to manipulate outside forces, though you can make someone think they are seeing something and by that they will really see the thing, there is little difference between belief ad reality for a mage."
Master Babu said the she sigh.
"It is good you are eager to learn, but likely you will never learn it all, I am centuries old child and I discover every day new things about magick I do not know."

"Your right." Serge said knowing that the advice of his seniors was something he should probably listen too. It was sometimes hard for him to accept that same advice from other mages. A part of him said that the other traditions didn't really understand the world. But the two in front of him were Cultists. They did understand. Better than he did at least.

"Then being an Adept is next for me. I know I can do it. I know it. After that I'll see where the wind takes me." he added looking out of the window to see how far the car had moved. He figured it was almost about time for them to enter into the Umbra.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

"Your right." Serge said knowing that the advice of his seniors was something he should probably listen too. It was sometimes hard for him to accept that same advice from other mages. A part of him said that the other traditions didn't really understand the world. But the two in front of him were Cultists. They did understand. Better than he did at least.

"Off course I am right child. I am Babu, and you will learn that your grandmother is always right."
The old Cultit said with a floorish.
"Always listen do your grandmother."
She added with a warm smile.

"Then being an Adept is next for me. I know I can do it. I know it. After that I'll see where the wind takes me." he added looking out of the window to see how far the car had moved. He figured it was almost about time for them to enter into the Umbra.

"You can do it erge I know you can I have evry confidence in you."
Your Mentor cimed in and Master Babu nodded.
"Yes I suspect you will hit that milestone very soon child."
She said as the car drove towards ad old, fairly wron playground no one really used aymore and you notice your mentor having taken out her glass of pills.
"Get ready for us to cross the Gauntlet."
The Deacoess said.
"We are nearly there.

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Colin's Apartment, Monday Evening]

Warp's Post:

'Eh, relies on the point that Jace knew about the carrier thing beforehand. He might not have had time to work it out.' she replied, giving a shrug. 'Though, speaking of which... why can't Anna get shots again?'

Warp's Post:

'Eh, predictable. Though I'm not much of a gamer... which I'm sure comes to a shock to you.' giving a little smile.

Warp's Post:

'If that's cutting the conjecture, I think you'd talk me to death if you'd included it.' Nicole replied, once Colin had finished. 'What is Moloch? A person? Animal? Some kind of supernatural creature? A trans-dimensional entity? What powers does it have? Y'know, directly? Does it exist now, or is this another fucking with the future wheeze you're doing?' making it obvious that the Etherite wanted a briefing in the similar manner Colin would have gotten about Iraqi air defences during Desert Storm. 'This Jace... how do we know it is them, and not some being pretending to be him? Hell, how do we even know this Jace wasn't like human at all ever?' another little frown as something sunk in.

'What do you mean "like Nico"? Why, what's wrong with her?'

Warp's Post:

'Do you show this level of nosiness to everyone, or just me? Is Serge your 19.00?' she replied sarcastically, the Etherite's features suggesting Colin was close to the edge. 'You're not an idiot; I can't do either of my jobs if I'm a ball of flab and if you're ex-forces you'll know daily combat rations can top 5k calories.'

Warp's Post:

'Boudavich? Never met 'em. No, was talking about the one Baynes brought in. Jeez... that woman made me want to take my arm off and beat her to death with it.'

Warp's Post:

A silence as Nicole considered this. 'But harder to hide. It is the first question any person who meets you will have in their heads. Mine, at least can be hidden under clothes.' passing the glass to her artificial hand and swirling it. 'On the other hand, you are Sleeper-safe. You don't have to pretend.' another silence, then took another draft of drink, running it over her tongue.

[Warpmind]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

"Well all I did was put the bag in, but I guess startig to just kow when somthing is the right temperature helps, and no I did nto use magick...well ot willingly at least, just mroe wirdness that happens to us all."
Your Cabalmate said with a half smile.
"I am glad you njoyed th tea Amicus ad tahnk you for stopping by...I appriciate it. I am fine though as you can see, sore and tired but fine."

Colin finished the tea and gave Adley's shoulder a light squeeze, "I'm glad you're in good health... Now just you sit back and relax and recuperate for a bit. Maybe watch a movie with Narim? I think he's getting a bit itchy with regards to working magic, but we're not entirely out of the woods yet..."

[Colin's Apartment, Monday Evening]

'Eh, relies on the point that Jace knew about the carrier thing beforehand. He might not have had time to work it out.' she replied, giving a shrug. 'Though, speaking of which... why can't Anna get shots again?'

Colin sighed softly, "Severe phobia... she panics at the mere sight of needles. She's getting therapy, but it will take some time. She has been given some vaccines, though - the ones we could administer orally, or with the hypospray - but the ones that must be injected with a needle are... still off the table."

'Eh, predictable. Though I'm not much of a gamer... which I'm sure comes to a shock to you.' giving a little smile.

He chuckled, "I see you as more likely to bludgeon those arcade machines that measure punching power to bits... maybe the light gun ones."

'If that's cutting the conjecture, I think you'd talk me to death if you'd included it.' Nicole replied, once Colin had finished. 'What is Moloch? A person? Animal? Some kind of supernatural creature? A trans-dimensional entity? What powers does it have? Y'know, directly? Does it exist now, or is this another fucking with the future wheeze you're doing?' making it obvious that the Etherite wanted a briefing in the similar manner Colin would have gotten about Iraqi air defences during Desert Storm. 'This Jace... how do we know it is them, and not some being pretending to be him? Hell, how do we even know this Jace wasn't like human at all ever?' another little frown as something sunk in.

He frowned, "Supernatural, definitely. It doesn't exist yet, and it is still preventable... it is the worst outcome of the Ascension War; entropic stagnation, suffering without end, even worse than the stasis the Union tries to enforce. And it's not just 'another fucking with the future wheeze'. And I don't think Jace will necessarily become Moloch, it appears he's just being a useful idiot to Moloch's rise - one of the keys is the Psychopomp Jace has had Lily hide for him."
He pondered, "We've got a Victorian-era sample of Jace's spinal fluid - he was Professor Hadermann's Union Mentor, back in the day, before Professor Hadermann jumped ship with the Etherites. He was no nobler a physician then than he is now... but he most certainly started out as a human. He just... abandoned his humanity."

'What do you mean "like Nico"? Why, what's wrong with her?'

He shook his head, "Nothing's wrong with Nico, they're a Rebis, an alchemical sacred hermaphrodite - two Magi with twin souls who come together and become one, in an absolute and literal way. Julius de Medici and Mia de Napoli were not such twin souls, and their artificial merger was... flawed. How to illuastrate... Ah, have you ever seen Superman 3, with Christpoher Reeve? The antagonists attempt to synthesize kryptonite, but due to an unknown element being substituted with tar, the off-brand kryptonite doesn't kill Superman, but... affects him in other ways. Similar with Heylel Teomim; they were seemingly a perfect success, but a flaw in the artificial process, well... let's just say their method must not be replicated."

'Do you show this level of nosiness to everyone, or just me? Is Serge your 19.00?' she replied sarcastically, the Etherite's features suggesting Colin was close to the edge. 'You're not an idiot; I can't do either of my jobs if I'm a ball of flab and if you're ex-forces you'll know daily combat rations can top 5k calories.'

He smiled wryly, "Not to everyone, but not necessarily to just you, either... I worry for everyone, but Serge can mostly take care of himself. He is Dr. Boudavich's apprentice, after all... and I was Royal Air Force, not infantry. Our rations tended slightly toward the lighter side, but yes. I've glimpsed your exercise regimen, but I didn't know what was cause and what was effect, if you'll pardon the rather technical angle."

'Boudavich? Never met 'em. No, was talking about the one Baynes brought in. Jeez... that woman made me want to take my arm off and beat her to death with it.'

He nodded, "Ah, no, I wouldn't want to refer you to someone who caused you that sort of distress as a therapist."

A silence as Nicole considered this. 'But harder to hide. It is the first question any person who meets you will have in their heads. Mine, at least can be hidden under clothes.' passing the glass to her artificial hand and swirling it. 'On the other hand, you are Sleeper-safe. You don't have to pretend.' another silence, then took another draft of drink, running it over her tongue.

He pondered, downing the last of his drink, "Would I be correct in hazarding that the arm was only a single incident in a life-long series of traumatic or stressful events? You mentioned some rather... unpleasant attempts at evangelisation after you Awakened, didn't you? That's another sort of thing that can leave unseen scars... as can parental neglect, school bullies, childhood poverty... As an amateur assessment, there's no quick fix for you as there was for me. Master Steelhaven managed to soften a single point in time, which allowed me to heal. But when there's no single point that lies at the heart of the hurt... the only way out is a lot of work..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Steelhaven Chantry, Monday Morning]

Colin finished the tea and gave Adley's shoulder a light squeeze, "I'm glad you're in good health... Now just you sit back and relax and recuperate for a bit. Maybe watch a movie with Narim? I think he's getting a bit itchy with regards to working magic, but we're not entirely out of the woods yet..."

"Yes until w kow for sure that that batard Jac i not sending anythign lse after him Narim will have to kep behind the wards...hum that is a good idea though Amicus, Narim do love movies, watching oe togethr might help take his mind of things."
Adley said with a smil and a slight blush.
"I do think I will take your advice, and do not worry about me, I will make sur to rest."

[Jeremy Silverstein]

[Master Babu's Car]

"You can do it erge I know you can I have evry confidence in you."
Your Mentor cimed in and Master Babu nodded.
"Yes I suspect you will hit that milestone very soon child."
She said as the car drove towards ad old, fairly worn playground no one really used aymore and you notice your mentor having taken out her glass of pills.
"Get ready for us to cross the Gauntlet."
The Deacoess said.
"We are nearly there.

Serge nodded and braced himself for the transition, glancing at the playground. Thoughts swirled about what exactly he was going to say to the banshee as he waited.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

[Master Babu's Car]

Serge nodded and braced himself for the transition, glancing at the playground. Thoughts swirled about what exactly he was going to say to the banshee as he waited.

Your Mentor put the pill in her mouth ad swallowed then she closed her eyes ad the car slid into the Umbra like groing through a curtai of water. You now found yourself in another version of the playground, the colors was sharper, the run dow swings and slides was freshly paited and colorful. Master Babu looked at you and startd moving her hands in precide mudras as she sang, she clearly worked the promised wards and you felt stronger, more confident, protected. Oce doe the old Cultist said.
"Very well, find a good hidig spot util our undead friend arrives...then o my signal just start...talking to her, remind her of her true nature as a fae. You are now protcted but this will still be dangerous...final chance to back out young one, though I don't think you will, not when someone needs your help."
The old Cultist said and Angie also gave you an encouraging nod.

[Nicole Bouchard]

[Colin's Apartment, Monday Evening]

Warp's Post:

'She must hate just thinking about all my ink.' she mused. 'Anyway... what's the chances of being able to get her to accept simply one shot?'

Warp's Post:

'Really? You think I'd like... what do you Brits call it - a busman's holiday?'

Warp's Post:

'You are fighting a creature who does not yet exist. How do you know that it shall exist, and that it will have both the plan you describe and the power to actually pull it off?' the Etherite shot back.

Warp's Post:

'Again, proof. And what's a "Psychopomp"?'

Warp's Post:

'Yeah, I heard.' Nicole replied calmly, on hearing about about Hadermann's former relationship with Jace. 'When you say human, you are talking like, literally, right? And how do you know that that the DNA lablled 'Jace' is actually his?'

Warp's Post:

The look on Nicole's face made it obvious; she didn't understand half the terms Colin had used, and the parts she did she didn't understand how they fitted. 'So... is she like two people, one person or what? And why the fuck would someone...s do that?'

Warp's Post:

'What, you didn't think I'd tell you if it was relevant to the situation?' she replied, tone now sharp. 'Do you know how much sexist bullshit I've had to deal with from this issue?'

Warp's Post:

A derisive snort to this. 'I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain. Pain is what makes us who we are.' she replied firmly; Colin might recognise this as a Star Trek quote. 'Anyway, if you think some Oprah-style chatting with a shrink about my parents or some shit will make me Employee Of The Month, well forget it.'

[Sponsored content]