Re: June in Autumn, Sinister Plans and Chicago IC Thread 7

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"Very much appreciated," he added. "Good luck." He wondered if Colin had found anything out. And then found bits of their earlier meeting bubble up.

Adjan smiles and nods.
"Thank you and do not worry about it I will find Mr Wainwright and get him back here safely."
The death magus said before he produced some dice from a pocket.
"Let me just go up to my room, I am more used to entering the Umbra from there."
He said before he gave Jeffry a bow and you a nod.
"If you will excuse me gentlemen."
He said before he left and walked towards the stairs and his apartment.

Adley waited until his pater was done talking to Adjan and walked to the office with him, waiting for his pater to open the door so they could go in for a moment. He had become highly paranoid about talking in the hallways or open spaces. "Mr Rush, thank you. Sorry to interrupt your lunch," he said. "I need you to cover for guard duty for a little while, if you will come with me downstairs," he requested.

Jeffry opened the door to his office and showed you and Ingmar inside before he went to his chair and more or less sank down into it. Rush gave the old Hermetic a worried look as he saw how tired the Master of the Art was but he did not comment on it instead he turned to you.
"Off course, and do not worry about it, I only had a couple of sandwiches that is not much to interrupt."
The Verbena said, he had the usual frown on his face that made him look permanently in an ill mode but he was polite enough and usually helpful.
"If you lead the way Mr Roth Hicks."
Ingmar said and gestured with a hand.

[Adley]

"Off course, and do not worry about it, I only had a couple of sandwiches that is not much to interrupt." The Verbena said, he had the usual frown on his face that made him look permanently in an ill mode but he was polite enough and usually helpful. "If you lead the way Mr Roth Hicks."

"Certainly. But just a word first. Master Nassa is being asked upstairs to assist in a healing. Mrs Dion is watching over that area. But us asking him means leaving his charges. Which is why we need you - but we're trying to keep the profile of this somewhat low, after recent events as their safety is important and has recently been endangered. We're trying to keep control over the area as best we can, including being looked over before entering," he explained. He didn't want that to be a surprise and framed it as an additional security measure. "I will find someone or come to relieve you if we can. And thank you, I do appreciate your assistance." He waited to see if he had any other questions or comments, then looked at his mentor to see if he had anything to add before taking the Verbena downstairs.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"Very well I have nothing to hide."
Ingmar said and nodded.
"I do not mind and I understand the security concerns."
The Verbena agreed.

Jeffry just gave you a nod to dismiss you, he leaned back in his chair and seamed quite grateful to be sitting down for a moment, but knowing him he would not allow himself long to rest.

Ingmar gave a slight bow to Jeffry before he followed you down into the basement towards the Node room, once you got there you see Bruce stand guard outside, that was probably a wise way to do it, one guard outside and the other inside the room. Your Cabalmate gave you a smile but said nothing, the Orphan artificer seldom spoke if he did not have to. Ingmar turns to you.
"You wanted to check me over and check what I had with me?"
He asked and nodded his approval.
"I think that right now the only thing I have on me are my car and apartment keys and a knife."
He informed you.
"I need something to draw blood if I need to."
The blood witch said to explain.

[Adley]

Adley nodded back to Bruce. "Everything is well?" Then he checked over Igmar, looking for signs of rotes or spiritual residues just in case the mage had come into contact with something unawares.

// P2 - scan all the things - 8,7

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Bruce nodded.
"Yes all is quiet, other than Freddy coming down here with some bottled water, which was checked, none have been here. Bee and ehm...Miss Florentine was it? Is sleeping and the Mercere is resting."
The artificer said.

Ingmar's dagger, a very utilitarian one with no decorations, just a double edged steel blade with a wooden handle was full of residues as it was his main foci, but the residues did seam to come from the blood mage himself, other than that there was nothing unusual about anything Ingmar had on him or the man himself.
"Satisfied?"
The Verbena asked when you where done with your rote.

(OOC: With how much Adley have been Prime scanning things lately he is going to be casting that rote in his sleep )

[Warpmind]

Colin smirked, "I trust that man roughly as far as Miss Alexander can throw him, without the use of magic. That said, I believe he's a man of his word, and I don't believe he will stab me in the back. Not here, in particular. I would still not like to meet him on the streets of Boston; that would leave too many complications. Now, lead the way, my good man, and I'll stick as close as seems appropriate. I hope spatial perception at least is similar to that of the real world?"

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"Space should looks the same, but directions it itself will have no meaning, we will navigate by correspondences. Well staying close is more for the entering and leaving, I am just barely able to bring someone with me when I cross the various plains in the Umbra, I am ranked as a Disciple of Spirit but will be able to test to be ranked as an Adept soon."
The Euthanatos said as he rolled his dice in his hands and closed his eyes to focus for a moment before he took one step and vanished, indicating that you should follow him as he did so.

The place you find yourself when you step through together with Adjan you see a strange landscape around you, buildings look strange and distant and the skies are a fairytale, many of the buildings are now castles or monoliths or tall, twisted spires and the streets seam to go on forever as direction was only partly existing. Adjan begun walking as he turned to see if you where following.
"Welcome to the Near Umbra Mr Wainwright."
He said as the small rift in reality he had made to let you bought out here closed behind you.
"Other than the Penumbra this is the closest and most easily understood layer of the spirit world."
Adjan explained as he turned back to the strangely twisting road and focused on it and his surroundings.
"There is a partly formed reality here, as you see we are still in Boston but buildings are more the spiritual concepts, so the police station might be a fort, and a hospital might be a soothing glen, you will see some of that in the Penumbra as well, but where in the penumbra a house where a murder happened will look dark and sinister, here it might be a pit in the ground with actual demons crawling out of it."

[Warpmind]

Colin stepped through and glanced around, "You have thirteen hours in which to solve the labyrinth, before your baby brother becomes one of us... forever."
He shook his head, "Okay, I think I get the general idea; I expect my pistol will be relatively useless against the locals, and rather than walking past, say, a school, a cemetery and a machine shop to reach the Chantry, we need to go past the idea of a labor camp for children, the idea of a restful glen, and the idea of a smithy to reach the idea of a wizard's tower? I can work with that."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"Your pistol will work fine Mr Wainwright, while we are here, we are spirit...of a sort...and so are your weapon, and anyone we meet here will exist on the same plane, however chances are they will bring some powers to the mix that make a fight here somewhat risky so let us try to avoid that."
The Euthanatos said as he walked.
"As for navigating, well what you describe is how locations will look, however directions and geometry have no meaning here, we see streets and a up and down as our minds translate the landscape. It is more navigating by what remind you of your destination, so you see that building have the same color as Steelhaven have on it's walls so we go towards it."
Adjan said and pointed.
And that furniture store over there have the same desk as the Chief have in his office displayed in the window...symbols, colors, smells, all of these things we navigate by but yes once we get there Steelhaven will look more like a fantasy wizard's tower than a low rent apartment building yes."

[Warpmind]

Colin nodded, "The rosebush on that corner looks just like mine; that's in the right direction, then?"
He looked around again, "Shouldn't this place be more populated?"

[Adley]

[quote]Bruce nodded."Yes all is quiet, other than Freddy coming down here with some bottled water, which was checked, none have been here. Bee and ehm...Miss Florentine was it? Is sleeping and the Mercere is resting." The artificer said.

"Good to hear."

Ingmar's dagger, a very utilitarian one with no decorations, just a double edged steel blade with a wooden handle was full of residues as it was his main foci, but the residues did seam to come from the blood mage himself, other than that there was nothing unusual about anything Ingmar had on him or the man himself. "Satisfied?"

"Yes, thank you." He went to the door and said, "It is I," so that Master Nassa would come to the door. He wasn't sure after all if he had put a rote up or not and didn't want to disturb it if he did.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin

Adjan nodded.
"Yes then that is the right direction."
He said then he frowned and looked around.
"Yes it should."
He muttered
"The Umbroods are leaving Boston, I think they sense what the Nephandi are planning and are fleeing like animals feeling a forest fire, something that will have all of it's own problems unless we can get them back, spirits are an integral part to reality running smoothly. Hopefully they will return when we take that Labyrinth down."
The death mage said then he sigh.
"If we are able to take it down that is."

Adley:

Amadeus who had been standing guard inside of the Node room opened the door and peaked out, inside of the room you could see Beatrice and Susannah sleeping in the bowl of the Node, Beatrice's breath was labored with pain, but she did still look better down here, Susannah well...she looked far less disturbing sleeping than she did staring into nothing. Micah sat on the floor of the Node room wrapped in a blanket, the Mercere appeared to be resting as well. Master Nasse lifted a finger to his lips to indicate that you should not disturb his sleeping charges then he left the room and closed the door so sound would not reach them, at least not enough to wake them.
"Yes Mr Roth Hicks?"
The old Verbena said.
"How may I help you?"

[Adley]

He looked apologetic - he just wasn't good at the whole whispering thing even when he tried his best. He took the notebook back out and then scrawled down a short message to show to the older magus.

'There is a wounded Trad prisoner on the third floor in room (room #) - her hand. She is sedated and restrained. I have brought Mr Rush to assist here. Either he can stay out here and Bruce go within or he can stay in there with them. Or if you wish, I will stay and he can escort you upstairs though I wish to impart something important to the Chief asap.'

He gave the last option if he had any reason not to trust Mr Rush, though Adley had not seen any evidence of that yet, so far he had been nothing but dutiful. He hated having to consider anyone a potential threat, especially when they had been acting entirely properly.

// Is Mr Rush part of Bee's Verbena coven? You might have said, but I forgot.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Amadeus read the note and nodded.
"I trust Ingmar Adley, he can stay in there with them."
He said, the old mage did not like to leave his apprentice but he was the Chantry's best healer and he sigh.
"I will go and see to this prisoner, if you have something to talk with Morgan about go and see him, I trust Rush with my life."
The old Verbena said then he turned to Ingmar and said the following to him in German.
"Do not disturb them, let them rest...and keep your eyes open."
Rush just nodded he gave you and Amadeus a look then he quietly went into the Node room to keep watch.

Amadeus gave the closing door to the Node room a glance and sigh, he really did not like to leave his apprentice then he begun walking down the corridor after giving a measured, polite nod to Bruce before leaving. If you to walk down the hallway towards the stairs and the first floor the old magus asks you.
"Mr Roth Hicks, one question...do you know anything about Miss Florentine?"
He asked and for a moment he looked confused.
"One of my Avatars is extremely fascinated by her, but if I had met anyone in one of my lives to get such a reaction from her, I would have remembered."
The old mage muttered more to himself than as an explanation to you.
"It is most puzzling for I have never laid eyes on the woman in my life."

(OOC: Yes Rush is a member of Beatrice's Cooven I think it is mentioned a few times. There a three of the Coven members at Steelhaven, tree at Riverside and three at Westchapel for a total of nine.)

[Adley]

Amadeus read the note and nodded. "I trust Ingmar Adley, he can stay in there with them." He said, the old mage did not like to leave his apprentice but he was the Chantry's best healer and he sigh. "I will go and see to this prisoner, if you have something to talk with Morgan about go and see him, I trust Rush with my life."

He nodded and then added the room number for Amadeus to see where to go and that Mrs Dion was there. Then he flipped the pages over a few to a blank and wrote down another note, this time for Mr Rush. Bruce has my phone number - please get it from him in case you need it later. Thank you.

Then he moved aside so Ingmar could go inside with the others. He understood the magus's reticence at leaving them, he did not want to either but Mr Rush had been nothing less than trustworthy, and Amadeus also trusted him. He couldn't let rampant paranoia tear the bonds that existed apart, that would just be what the Nephandi wanted.

"Mr Roth Hicks, one question...do you know anything about Miss Florentine?"
He asked and for a moment he looked confused. "One of my Avatars is extremely fascinated by her, but if I had met anyone in one of my lives to get such a reaction from her, I would have remembered." The old mage muttered more to himself than as an explanation to you. "It is most puzzling for I have never laid eyes on the woman in my life."

"-One- of your avatars?" he raised an eyebrow at that. Then he said, "I do know some, but some of what I know is not my tale to divulge I'm afraid," he said. There were some things that he could not tell him, not unless she chose to say something about her previous House affiliation. "Perhaps later though we might find what sparks its curiosity so..." He hoped it wasn't anything bad for a change. "I have been finding myself surprised about...such matters myself. Beatrice has said something to the effect we've been together before. I wish there was more time to understand half of what has happened in the last few days," he lamented, with some sympathy for the older magus's confusion. "If you'll excuse me, I just remembered I have one other short errand before I go back upstairs..."

// You probably did, I simply forgot. Thank you!

[Warpmind]

Colin nodded, "We will. To paraphrase Julius Caesar, we win, or we die. The Fallen have other options. Well, in any case, it's a bit of a trudge home, is it not? Might as well get moving."
As he walked, Colin started planning out new spells, new rotes, and the necessary foci for them...

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Adley:

He nodded and then added the room number for Amadeus to see where to go and that Mrs Dion was there. Then he flipped the pages over a few to a blank and wrote down another note, this time for Mr Rush. Bruce has my phone number - please get it from him in case you need it later. Thank you.

Ingmar looked at the node and nodded, he went over to Bruce and fished up his phone so he could get your number before going into the Node room itself.

"-One- of your avatars?" he raised an eyebrow at that.

"Yes the companion..."
Amadeus said then he sigh.
"It is a condition where your Avatar have a satellite of sort, another Avatar that follow it through it's lives, symptoms on this include extremely vivid past life memories...or complete reincarnations. Now complete reincarnations happens without this condition as well but are far more likely to occur with a companion, at least naturally, there are magick that would force such remembrance but why someone would want to I have never understood."
The old magus said and there was a tiredness to his voice.
"I have come back for four lives now...four lives that I remember as well as you remember what you did last month, four lives where my personality and well mind if you will have reemerged and I have become the same person...all due to my Avatar's little friend...it is rare for the companion to act on her own though, but now she is showing allot of interest in that poor girl...and it troubles me that I do not know why."

Then he said, "I do know some, but some of what I know is not my tale to divulge I'm afraid," he said. There were some things that he could not tell him, not unless she chose to say something about her previous House affiliation.

"I understand, a respect for privacy is important Mr Roth Hicks."
The old blood mage said but it was clear that this situation troubled him.

"Perhaps later though we might find what sparks its curiosity so..." He hoped it wasn't anything bad for a change.

"I hope so Mr Roth Hicks, I am planning to ask Mr Karyak's advice, he seam to have a knack for communicating with Avatars, not that I particularly enjoy having mine looked at...perhaps he can tell me something."

"I have been finding myself surprised about...such matters myself. Beatrice has said something to the effect we've been together before. I wish there was more time to understand half of what has happened in the last few days," he lamented, with some sympathy for the older magus's confusion.

"Hum...Beatrice have not had past life memories before...but I guess an traumatic experience like she went through is likely to spark something like that, especially given what you gave her."
The Verbena said gratefully.
"However some say souls travel in groups and I have met her before, in my other lives, she do not remember though and it is not my place to force such memories on her, especially since not all of them are happy ones...but yes I have met against those that have been my companions before, all with new lives, new lessons...so I do think there is something to the theory that souls travel in groups."

"If you'll excuse me, I just remembered I have one other short errand before I go back upstairs..."

"Off course, I should probably go and see to my patient as soon as possible, if I am called in and the healing work is not left to Ingmar I recon it will be a challenge."
Amadeus said, he gave you a measured nod before he walked towards the stairs.

Colin:

Colin nodded, "We will. To paraphrase Julius Caesar, we win, or we die. The Fallen have other options. Well, in any case, it's a bit of a trudge home, is it not? Might as well get moving."
As he walked, Colin started planning out new spells, new rotes, and the necessary foci for them...

The walk through the deserted city did not take to long, one time you saw two shadowy figures pass you and Adjan, other than that there where no one here. About ten minutes after you left the Umbra docks you see a tall tower made of steel in the distance, the place had a welcoming feeling, you see the shimmering of wards that pulsated along it's walls.
"Well then we are here, let us go up to my room and cross the Gauntlet there, it is easier for me when I know the location."
The Eutjanatos said as he walked into the structure and let the way up the building that was clearly Steelhaven but at the same time different, the security office had knight's armors standing outside of it, the stairs was draped in red velvet, and many of the room doors had changed to reflect it's owners. Adjan take you in a black door into a dark cave, his room's representation in the Umbra, again he pull out his dice and roll them in his hand, then he take one step forwards, indicating you should come with him, and then you stand in a tidy living room furnished in black with landscape photos on the walls and a large TV in a shelf and just a bit of dishes piling up on the kitchen counter to contrast with the otherwise tidy apartment, you where back at Steelhaven and the physical world.

[Warpmind]

Colin followed into the cave, and back to the real world, "Well, that was an interesting walk... Rather a pity we didn't have the time to look at my apartment on the way. It might have been interesting to see how my little demesne has been adjusted to reflect me... Well, I'm guessing it might have looked rather like a Victorian study. No matter, I should report to the Chief right away, and then go see Master Nassa and Miss Alexander. Thank you for bringing me home; it would have been a trifle inconvenient to get stuck at the port."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"It would have been more interesting if the Umbroods and other spirits had not fled this domain of the Umbra."
Adjan said and sigh.
"If you desire as soon as we have a bit more time I would be delighted to bring you into the spirit world to have a look at your own rooms."
The Euthanatos offered.
"Well a Victorian study can be a most classy abode."
The death magus said with a slight smile.
"Very well good luck with the Chief and give Master Nassa and Beatrice my best when you see them."
Adjan said as he led you to the door of his apartment to see you out.
"No need to thank me Mr Wainwright it was no trouble."

[Warpmind]

Colin grinned wryly, "When we have a bit more time; the way things are going, that would be sometime after taking out the Labyrinth and my serving whatever punishment the Chief deems appropriate for straying alone today, and sometime within vicinity of the heat death of the Universe, I fear... But yes, I would like that."
As he stepped outside Adjan's apartment, something seemed to occur to him, "Now there's a first... Perhaps the Penumbra agrees with me more than the real world... First time I've been on a combat mission and not had a physical reaction to coming off the adrenaline high. Well, it could as likely be that staying busy afterwards ameliorated the effects. Or maybe Lady Arden's tea helped soothe my stomach."
He shook his head, "Well, I might be able to look into that later. For that matter, the circumstances of my Seeking might have sorted out my system in that regard; who can tell?"
He shrugged and headed off to Morgan's office.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin grinned wryly, "When we have a bit more time; the way things are going, that would be sometime after taking out the Labyrinth and my serving whatever punishment the Chief deems appropriate for straying alone today, and sometime within vicinity of the heat death of the Universe, I fear... But yes, I would like that."

"Well this week have been hectic but hopefully things will calm down once we have dealt with that Labyrinth, I am sure we should be able to find time in the near future Mr Wainwright."
Adjan said with a bit of a smile.

He shrugged and headed off to Morgan's office.

You get to Jeffry Morgan's office and the old mage, who still looked pale and drawn and was clearly exhausted offered you a seat.
"Come in Mr Wainwright, it pleases me to see that you have come back to Steelhaven in one piece."
He said before he sat down in his own chair.
"Do you want a cup of coffee, I am afraid I do not have tea, I have never much cared for it."
The Hermetic said as he poured himself a cup.
"Now I will let you explain why you decided to take such a chance with your own safety first, and what came of your little stunt, and then we will talk about consequences for it."
Jeffry said and he looked at you with those near black, piercing eyes of his.

(OOC: Colin's meeting with Morgan is happening 20 minutes or so after Adley's meeting with the Chief.)
(OOC 2: I am assuming what Colin said after he left Adjan's apartment was him muttering to himself which is why I did not reply to them, if however he said it to Adjan let me know and I will write up a reply for it.)

[Warpmind]

Colin sat down, shaking his head, "I'll pass, Sir - I've already had some at the docks. As for why I took that chance - didn't Adley tell you Mr. Thorn Northwind was dying from a head injury? He'd been unconscious for over half an hour; that's why I deemed it necessary to get him to urgent medical attention while the you got Miss Birmar and Miss Larson back here. As I told Adley, it was not the ideal scenario - I would have preferred to meet you and discuss the possibilities for waiting around or taking a round trip at the entrance square, but saving a life took precedence over that. Also," he handed over the envelope, "as it happens, I was able to procure the information the Technocrats have on the Nephandi in Chicago, as well as give fair warning to Lady Philippa Arden of Morningstar Chantry about the Fallen threat; she was passing through with a diplomatic mission to Cerberus, being forced to stop for repairs after they ran into an Umbrood on the way. I'm inclined to suspect their presence here was not entirely coincidental, to be honest. I gave her as detailed a warning against infiltration as I deemed necessary and safe, without revealing too much of what we have here - hopefully, it will do some good. Additionally, I must admit to a touch of paranoia regarding the good lady; she had a visitor at the ship as I related the rough chain of events at the port, a dark-haired fellow in green robes, possibly Hermetic. I did not recognize him, but I made a small sketch and took a picture... Hold on..."
He fished out his phone and notebook, showing Morgan the snapshot and the sketch, "I don't know if this fellow is relevant, but it never hurts to check. As for Mr. Northwind, he was escorted home, I presume, by one of Riverside's Deacons... Mr, hm... Adeyeni, I think his name is? I will be stopping by Master Nassa and Miss Alexander to give them Mr. Northwind's regards, and to offer his apologies for not coming by sooner."
He pondered, "Also, I may have a contact in the Union - Dan Vogel, of the Void Engineers. I trust him about as far as Miss Alexander can throw him without the use of magic, of course, but he's at least polite and willing to deal fairly as far as combating the Nephandi is concerned. And, um, I seem to have picked a pseudonym for excursions to the Umbra Docks - John Steed. Not a secret name for magic or anything of the sort, but one I will answer to when it's likely Technocrats will overhear. That should just about cover it, Sir. Any punishment you decide to assign for my, ah, straying from the group, I'll accept without protest. Saving Mr. Northwind was worth it."

((OOC: Probably not so much muttering, but certainly talking to himself - quite possibly as the door closed behind him.))

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin sat down, shaking his head, "I'll pass, Sir - I've already had some at the docks. As for why I took that chance - didn't Adley tell you Mr. Thorn Northwind was dying from a head injury? He'd been unconscious for over half an hour; that's why I deemed it necessary to get him to urgent medical attention while the you got Miss Birmar and Miss Larson back here.

"Well saving Mr Northwind's life was a good deed Mr Wainwright, but the way I understood it you also elected to stay behind even after you had gotten the wounded Verbena help, something which was somewhat reckless especially since we still do not know if there are more of Lisa Larson's lackeys at the Umbra docks, and given that our theme had just foiled their plans, things might not go to well if they found you there."

As I told Adley, it was not the ideal scenario - I would have preferred to meet you and discuss the possibilities for waiting around or taking a round trip at the entrance square, but saving a life took precedence over that. Also," he handed over the envelope, "as it happens, I was able to procure the information the Technocrats have on the Nephandi in Chicago,

The old Hermetic took the envelope and opened it and looked at the printed pages.
"Hum...this might be most useful."
He said as his eyes skimmed the content.
"It is not allot of detailed information but what is here will definitely help up."

as well as give fair warning to Lady Philippa Arden of Morningstar Chantry about the Fallen threat; she was passing through with a diplomatic mission to Cerberus, being forced to stop for repairs after they ran into an Umbrood on the way. I'm inclined to suspect their presence here was not entirely coincidental, to be honest. I gave her as detailed a warning against infiltration as I deemed necessary and safe, without revealing too much of what we have here - hopefully, it will do some good.

"The Lady Arden...you do have a tendency of catching the notice of people in high places Mr Wainwright."
Jeffry said and raised an eyebrow.
"Good, the lady should be warned, I do not know her personally but I do know she live at a large Chantry in Chicago so if there are a outbreak of Nephandi activity there as well, preparing them for it is for the best."
The old mage agreed.
"Running into an Umbrood? Well some spirits are aggressive and traveling the Umbra can be dangerous, still with things being as they are currently I do find myself getting suspicious at such coincidences as well."

Additionally, I must admit to a touch of paranoia regarding the good lady; she had a visitor at the ship as I related the rough chain of events at the port, a dark-haired fellow in green robes, possibly Hermetic. I did not recognize him, but I made a small sketch and took a picture... Hold on..."
He fished out his phone and notebook, showing Morgan the snapshot and the sketch, "I don't know if this fellow is relevant, but it never hurts to check.

Jeffry took the sketch and looked it over and then glanced at the picture.
"You know not everyone who wear robes are Hermetics Mr Wainwright."
The Security Chief said then he shook his head.
"I do not know this man, and I have at least a passing familiarity with every Traditionalist in Boston, he have to be from some other Tribunal...well knowing he was here might be useful but then it could also be completely innocent and he had legitimate business with Lady Arden."

As for Mr. Northwind, he was escorted home, I presume, by one of Riverside's Deacons... Mr, hm... Adeyeni, I think his name is? I will be stopping by Master Nassa and Miss Alexander to give them Mr. Northwind's regards, and to offer his apologies for not coming by sooner."

"Mrs Adeyeni yes...she is a pleasant woman and a quite powerful mage, Mr Northwind will be in good hands with her. Now as for Master Nassa and his apprentice I am sure they will appreciate your visit Mr Wainwright."

He pondered, "Also, I may have a contact in the Union - Dan Vogel, of the Void Engineers. I trust him about as far as Miss Alexander can throw him without the use of magic, of course, but he's at least polite and willing to deal fairly as far as combating the Nephandi is concerned.

The Security Chief did not look pleased as you mentioned your contact with the Union.
"Just be careful Mr Wainwright and be very sure that you do not A put yourself in danger when dealing with this man, remember he is with a organization that is trying to exterminate all of us, and B that you stay within the legal bounds of the Traditions, getting some information the the Nephandi is legal, getting to close to this Technocrat is not."
The old mage warned.

And, um, I seem to have picked a pseudonym for excursions to the Umbra Docks - John Steed. Not a secret name for magic or anything of the sort, but one I will answer to when it's likely Technocrats will overhear. That should just about cover it, Sir.

"Hum...that is a wise idea, to have a name to go by that will lead enemies astray."
The Hermetic commented.

Sir. Any punishment you decide to assign for my, ah, straying from the group, I'll accept without protest. Saving Mr. Northwind was worth it."

Jeffry sigh and leans back in his chair, he regarded the Orphan over the top of his coffee cup for a moment before he took a sip.
"Yes well that is the problem now is it, most of the time punishments do not help, it do not stop unwise actions...lessons do...setting you to wash floors Mr Wainwright will accomplish nothing you will wash, and smile and not learn anything, it is the same thing as why I do not use corporal punishments, I learned that lesson when I was a young Adept and the Deacons at the Chantry I then lived in had me flogged, for good reasons but still, I learned nothing I just got more defiant in my actions."
The old mage said then he took another sip of his coffee then he stood and went to one of the shelves and took a old, leather bound book from among the many documents on it and returned to his desk with it.
"What I want to do is teach to the risks you take when you make decisions like the one you made today, I do not want to scare you from making the decisions you feel is right by lording over you, that serves no purpose, instead I want to teach you just how dangerous this war is."
Jeffry handed you the book then he continued.
"In this tome you will find a list of every Traditionalist that have ever lived in this Tribunal from the start of the Traditions, granted there are probably a few we do not know of, but that books have most of them, each entry have information on their accomplishments, ranks and their deaths. I want you to make a wall plaque in silver with the names, Traditions, ranks and date of death of everyone of the magi in this book that have died due to the Ascension was, you can forgo the ones who have moved away, died of natural causes, left to become Postulats and in other ways left us, but engrave the name of every victim of the Technocracy, Nephandi and the Marauders. Once done I will hang the plaque in a place of honor in the Chantry...also remember to leave some empty space Mr Wainwright for there will need to be added more names to that list eventually."
The old mage said gravely.
"I will pay for the material, but the work will be the punishment for your recklessness."
Jeffry said before he sat down again.
"Then the next time it will be your own choice if you will want to risk ending up as one more name on your own wall plaque my young friend...any questions?"

[Warpmind]

Colin nodded, "True, I did elect to remain behind to make sure Mr. Northwind recovered in safe hands, rather than those of the Progenitor who operates the medical facility at the docks. However, by the time I got him to the doctor's office there, you would already have left - Adley and Miss Larson left the Verbena vessel at the same time as I hauled Mr. Northwind away, so considering the urgency of getting Miss Birmar off to safety, I could not ask you to wait for me. I'm afraid I cannot in good conscience leave the wounded behind, even if the personal risk to me is substantial. That said, I'm aware my still being alive could well be attributed to stupid luck, and I would prefer not to wind up in a scenario like this without backup again. And I assure you, I have no intention of getting close to Mr. Vogel. Polite terms, certainly, but he will remain at best a good enemy, not a friend."
He stroked a finger along his scars as he accepted the book, "As for teaching me how dangerous this war is... Yes, I can agree a reminder is probably about time. Would you like to see a selection of templates for the plaque before I get started, or will I have, hm, creative freedom as to its design? Oh, yes, and how is Miss Birmar doing?"

[Adley]

"Yes the companion..." Amadeus said then he sigh...she is showing allot of interest in that poor girl...and it troubles me that I do not know why.

Adley certainly was learning a lot about avatars in a short amount of time. And about his fellows. "You certainly are a complex man Master Nassa. As for your companion, I don't know why she would be interested. Most others...well, I imagine they sense what she has lost."

"I hope so Mr Roth Hicks, I am planning to ask Mr Karyak's advice, he seam to have a knack for communicating with Avatars, not that I particularly enjoy having mine looked at...perhaps he can tell me something."

He nodded. "Perhaps Cita as well, she is quite knowledgeable."

"Hum...Beatrice have not had past life memories before...but I guess an traumatic experience like she went through is likely to spark something like that, especially given what you gave her." The Verbena said gratefully. "However some say souls travel in groups...

He nodded. "That must be very strange, to know them with the same alacrity yet their avatars are in new hosts, and are essentially different people with new motivations."

"Off course, I should probably go and see to my patient as soon as possible, if I am called in and the healing work is not left to Ingmar I recon it will be a challenge." Amadeus said, he gave you a measured nod before he walked towards the stairs

"Yes, good luck." He kept on to Kyle's room, so that he could tell them they had returned.

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