Logfile from Brass&Steel. From afar, to (Lucian, Zach): Cosmo supposes we should send @mail? See when things might work for a staffer to be on? You paged (Cosmo, Lucian) with 'That might be a good idea, unless we trust each other to be able to handle things as we go.:) Although - that's be hellishly slow, I fear...'. From afar, to (Lucian, Zach): Cosmo is under the impression the rule is that a staff member has to be there for any fight? To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: I'm not entirely certain. You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Never heard that rule.:) Lu and I would have slugged it out even if Charity hadn't been on, I think?'. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: Probably. I invited her over because she was present and handy and I figured she'd want to see it. If we agree to some ground rules, I think we can hack it out ourselves; but I'm not entirely certain. To (Lucian, Zach), Cosmo pages: That's cool with me then. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: As long as nobody Invokes, I think we can make it through. ;p You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Let's leave the Bosses out of this one. :)'. From afar, to (Lucian, Zach): Cosmo hehs. Yeah. Hard to get rewarded if you call 'Daddy'. You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'We're grown up celestials, we should be able to deal. So - ground rules? Should we perhaps try to not Soul Kill anybody?'. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: Awwwwwwww... ;p You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Except for Lucian, of course... ;P ;P'. From afar, to (Lucian, Zach): Cosmo chuckles. You paged Cosmo with 'Are you still planning to bring Lu into the Tether?'. From afar, Cosmo thought we'd agreed to try to just take him out in his office, then make it look like a suicide? Or did you have a different plan? To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: Hey, I've got all sorts of Ideas for Remnant Lucian. ;p But hrm... You paged Lucian with 'Oh! I thought you needed to interrogate him? :) Plomking him in his office works fine for me. :)'. You paged (Cosmo, Lucian) with 'Ick! Remnants are so sad. That'd be a dirty trick... :)'. You paged Cosmo with ''Oh! I thought you needed to interrogate him? :) Plonking him in his office works fine for me. :)'. Long distance to Lucian: Zach sighs. Blankets. Hot water. Keep it comin'. 's gonna be one of /them/ nights... From afar, Lucian patpat. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: OTOH, Lucian's not exactly a Celestial pushover, so he might take one of you into a Vessel with 'im. :p Seriously, though... hmmm. From afar, Cosmo decided he doesn't really need to, per say. From afar, to (Zach, Lucian): Cosmo chuckles. Poor Remnant Lucian. You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Now there's a scary thought. To remnantized celestials; one angel, one demon, locked together in the same Vessel. *snicker*'. From afar, to (Cosmo, Zach): Lucian twitch From afar, to (Zach, Lucian): Cosmo ughs. That'd be brutal for a Malky. Alright, we ready to go? To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: I imagine so... where are we going to be at? To (Zach, Lucian), Cosmo pages: Your office? To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: Hmm. There may be... difficulties... with Campus Security, possibly, for you guys. Long distance to (Lucian, Cosmo): Zach nods. I've scouted out the campus before, and know my way around it. We probably need to do some light B&E on this day, though. To (Zach, Lucian), Cosmo pages: The idea was to find out if you use your office/can be found there at night. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: Hm. *shrugs* Sometimes, yes... weekends are a bit different, but Lucian can be there sometimes. To (Zach, Lucian), Cosmo pages: Do you think we'd be able to find out where Lucian lives? Long distance to (Lucian, Cosmo): Zach knows this, I belive. It just hasn't been put on the grid. :) To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: He's listed in the phone book. *grins* However, any B&E there will find a practically empty home with a closet filled with spare clothing, a telephone with an answering machine, and nothing else. From afar, to (Zach, Lucian): Cosmo hehs. That's what I figured about the apartment. As Cosmo has a similar setup. :) You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Repage: Typical geeky pro. Lives in his office..:) If you prefer, we can always jump you in a back alley, but what would you be doing in one of them? And without noticing being stalked? :P'.'. From afar, to (Cosmo, Zach): Lucian hmms and thinks. "Howabout in a parking garage? It's believable enough... he's parked at say the mall or something... gets jumped?" To (Zach, Lucian), Cosmo pages: That works for me. You paged (Lucian, Cosmo) with 'Works for me too.'. To (Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: All righty, then... North Metro -- Shopping Center The Metro North Shopping Center is a large suburban shopping mall. Though not nearly as large and impressive as, say, Crown Center, it is large enough to contain a J.C. Penney's outlet center, a transfer hub of the municipal bus service, a mulitplex cinema, and even a branch campus of the UMKC School of Education. Numerous lesser shops, both chain and independent, are contained within. This is a chaotic suburban jungle during normal operating hours, as masses of humanity teem between outlet stores, food courts, boutiques, and jammed parking lots. Due to the movie theater and restaurant presence, this center is not completely deserted until somewhere between 1am and 2am daily; between then and the 9am opening time, the only real sensory stimulus to break through the dark and quiet of the night is the occasional whir of an electric security cart, moving through with red top-light a'flashin' on its appointed rounds. Contents: Cosmo(#898PXcJn) Lucian Cosmo says, "So who goes wants first?" Lucian says, "Hmm. As the victim, should I pose first?" Zach says, "Okay, so the pro sets the Scene." From afar, Cosmo assumes we've been following him in a car we 'liberated' from somewhere? You paged Cosmo with 'Sounds fine by me. It's even got fake number plates.:)'. Long distance to Cosmo: Zach will have told you that he suspects Lucian of having Celestial Charm, due to something Lu did to Hachilah once. Be careful. <<>> It's a dark afternoon on a Saturday in the mall. Lucian has a small bag in one hand as he walks briskly through the parking lot. It's one of the higher levels, and fewer people have parked here. He pulls his keychain out of his pocket with one hand, while he holds a small bag in the other. Little does he suspect what is about to unfold around him. Perhaps he's mellowing suddenly? From afar, Cosmo nodnods. Cosmo is always careful. :) Long distance to Cosmo: Zach has Eth. Shields to use in a pinch. :) You paged Cosmo with 'Do you have the drug? Are we using it at all? DO I have it?'. Cosmo needs to roll. My target number is 7. Plus I'm going to use two Essence for a final target of 9. AutoJudge: Cosmo rolls: 5 + 4 = 9 . Check die: 4 Zach says, "Phew..." Lucian says, "Shall I get a shot to hear that oh-so-soft ping?" Or he has something up his sleeve. Cosmo narrows his eyes, watching the man approach from his skulking place near Zach. He glances over at the other angel and gives him a nod of the head. While Lucian is trying to unlock his keys, he should be an easier target after all. For his part, the 'accountant' concentrates intently, lips moving as he performs a song. His body begins to shimmer and fade like a bad television reception until the wall behind him is visible. And he isn't. AutoJudge: Cosmo spends 2 essence. Lucian says, "Hmm. If he's w/in 30 feet..." Zach says, "Ethereal Form. No sound until it goes out." Lucian says, "Ah." Cosmo would think the essence would make a 'ping' though.. Lucian says, "Exactly." Zach says, "Point!" You paged Cosmo with 'Will draw Lu's attention then.. Sorta.'. Lucian says, "So 2 essence, x 5 celestial forces, is 10 yards (30 feet) for a 10. Figure it's within that, or farther out?" Cosmo would think we'd be that close yes, otherwise it's a bit of a distance for Zach to cover. AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 5 + 3 = 8 . Check die: 5 Cosmo pages: Yeah. That's the plan. :) He sees you rushing him... Lucian says, "Heard it, CD 5 - Direction, size, general nature, distance to the yard..." Zach acnowledges the nod silently and starts to creep quietly toward Lucian. He keeps his head down and tries to move mostly hidden by the few cars and concrete pillars. His eyes are fixed on his prey. Zach will try a Move Silently roll. TN 8. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 6 + 6 = 12 . Check die: 3 Cosmo says, "Should be about 25 feet away. Obviously, it's a small disturbance, use of essence. and it's to your right." Zach says, "EEK!" Lucian says, "Ouch." Zach says, "Lesse.. that's +3 on your preception check to see me Lu.. :)" AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 4 + 2 = 6 . Check die: 1 Lucian says, "Per 10 +3 = TN 13." Cosmo says, "notes he's invisible for 16 minutes." As he passes between a car and a pillar, his jacket scrape agains the concrete. Lucian says, "Are you to my right, Zach, as well?" Zach says, "Yes, but closer to you than the Noise. Or maybe I'm just real fast.." Lucian stiffens and cocks his head. Two noises - one in his ears and one in his head, from the same direction... it can't be good. He gazes along the long, open stretch of parking lot to his car, and picks up his pace, turning to glance over his shoulder in the direction of the noise. He mutters something under his breath in Romanian as he hurries, shoes tapping against the pavement. The shadowy, invisible figure of Cosmo goes into motion as well. Though instead of making directly after Lucian, he's moving parallel to the man, trying to outpace him and then make toward the driver's door. If his face could be seen, his predatory smile would be wide and showing teeth. Trusting Zach to do his part and pick up the pace a little, he reaches a hand into the pocket of his leather coat. Zach winces as his jacket scrapes against the concrete and picks up the pace, quickly mocing to within just a couple of yards of Lucian, then picking a big power-wrench from the floppy little sailor's bag he's been carrying. He concentrantes on the wrench for a sec. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 2 + 4 = 6 . Check die: 5 Lucian says, "Ow." Zach says, "TN 6 for kite of Eli trick." Cosmo winces. Zach says, "I'll go with the desc. of the Club on p. 85 in Core Rules for this one. Power +6, Acc. -1. TN to use: 9." Zach says, "That's the totals.:)" Lucian says, "Ouuuuuch." Cosmo says, "Mercy." Zach says, "No wait. Acc -1 --> TN 8" Lucian whimpers pre-emptively. Lucian tries to move just a little faster. He can hear the steps behind him. With a frown, he begins hurrying towards his car. He mutters more underneath his breath. The astute listener can hear various words in a mishmash of English, Romanian, and Helltongue. One hand tenses on the keychain, and he curses having not taken the option of a remote control with a panic button at the dealership. His other hand tightens around the bag, which can be seen to be from a rather upscale men's clothing store. Maybe he's got a really sharp tie tack in there? Cosmo says, "Lucian, I need to see if I can make it to the car before you do..." Lucian says, "Hmm. What would that roll be, d'ya think?" Cosmo says, "according to the book running speed is just Agility x 6 yards/ 5 seconds." Cosmo says, "So I can cover 30 yards in that time." Lucian says, "Ah, I'd forgotten. Uhm, 30 yards / 5 sec, but I'm not running yet - just walking, so figure I'm moving at 15yds/sec? If you're running, you probably beat me." Cosmo says, "Okay. That sounds about right. Figure I'd beat you there by just a couple of seconds at most?" Lucian says, "Since you're a bit farther away, without breaking out minis... yeah. :p" Gripping the item in his coat pocket tightly, Cosmo makes it to Lucian's sports car just scant seconds before the infernal. Perhaps two or three. Not much to do any more then take up a position about six to eight inches 'behind' the driver's side door. Leaving Lucian a clear alley to the vehicle from the front. His hand comes out of his pocket as he comes to a halt. That wicked, wicked smile still on his lips. Cosmo thinks you should get a perception roll to 'sense' me. It's at -3 but it's possible you heard the creak of leather or something as I blew past. Lucian says, "All right. TN 7." AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 5 + 1 = 6 . Check die: 1 Zach says, "Does Lucian want to pose his reaction to be blown past?" Lucian says, "Sure." Lucian frowns as a wind blows past. Something is Distinctly Not Right Here, and it's not just that something's coming up on him. He grimaces, and hurries even more quickly. Maybe he can outrun it all. So, the tall, gangly professor hurries on, looking faintly Ichabod Crane-esque in his haste. As Lucian hurries toward the imagined safety of his car, Zach rises and runs the last few yards to dive for Lucian. He lifts his wrench and in a lightning-fast motion he strikes for the small of Lucian's back. That should get his attention... Zach says, "Spending 2 Essence to rise TN to 10. Moving 42 yards/5 sec." AutoJudge: Zach spends 2 essence. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 2 + 2 = 4 . Check die: 5 Zach says, "Lu - dodge... <:)" Lucian says, "My Dodge TN is 7 normally... do I take penalties for it being a backshot, d'ya think?" Zach says, "Potential damage is 11, and no I don't think that's necessary. You know something's coming and you have an excellent Per." AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 1 + 4 = 5 . Check die: 5 Lucian says, "Damage is reduced to 6?" Zach says, "Yep." Lucian says, "Ouch. Still > 25 percent of my Body, I'm Stunned." Watching Lucian, his gaze flickering between the running man and Zach, Cosmo stands just beside the door. His hands loose at his sides and feet slightly apart as he waits. With any luck, that diving blow should deliver the proffessor right into his waiting arms. This is going pretty much as planned. . o O (I love it when a plan comes together.) Cosmo thinks to himself. Cosmo winces. Zach says, "I feared as much.. And into Cosmo's loving embrace you go..." Lucian sees the motion out of the corner of his eye, just a few moments too late. He tries to throw himself off to the side, but he only catches the blow on his left ribs. He falls forward into Cosmo's arms with a cry, the breath knocked out of him... and the part of his brain that isn't either (a) panicking or (b) overloaded with pain is busy wondering just why he hasn't quite hit the ground... Zach says, "Roll against Per+Corp. Forces both of you, and tell me whether you make it." AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 1 + 2 = 3 . Check die: 1 Lucian says, "Yup." AutoJudge: Cosmo rolls: 6 + 6 = 12 . Check die: 4 Cosmo says, "Nope." Zach eyes Cosmo's dice... You paged Lucian with 'Some part of your brain registeres that you've been hit with an artifact.'. Lucian pages: Yeep! Catching the fallen Proffessor, Cosmo hooks his arms under the infernals. He supports him at an angle that looks like midframe vidcapture of one of those 'trust falls'. He curls his left arm upward, moving his hand toward the side of Lucian's neck to press whatever it is he holds in his hand against the skin. The feeling is of something round and metallic. A soft hiss of air that's barely audible followed by a pinprick sensation. Cosmo has to roll on his medical skill to make sure I used the hypo-gun right. Lucian says, "Shoot." AutoJudge: Cosmo rolls: 2 + 5 = 7 . Check die: 6 Cosmo says, "TN was 10." Lucian says, "And a CD 6, no less. Surgeons the world over are envious. ;)" Cosmo says, "So it looks like Cos got the dose of ketamine just right." Zach admires.:) Lucian says, "Ketamine?" Cosmo says, "It's a sedative drug, that at proper doses renders a person unconcious." Cosmo says, "Sold on the street as Special K, and used at lower dosages to 'mellow out'." Zach rushes up to Lucian, currently slumping in invisible arms, and takes his carkeys. Softly he mutters to Cosmo: "Take 'im in /his/ car?" Cosmo thinks we need to halt a second. Give Lucian a couple of options as to where we go from here? Zach says, "Okay" Lucian says, "Sure." Cosmo says, "We can either A) whack the vessel, try to set it up as a suicide at the school. or B) we can take him back to the Trade tether for a couple of different possible outcomes." Lucian says, "Hmm. Either will work for me..." Lucian says, "Which would you two prefer to do? (Heck, you can argue over it ICly while I'm slumped here...)" Zach says, "If we go for the Trade Thether, we _will_ need a wiz, though. And Soul Killing/Force Ripping will be hard to avoid." "Yes." comes the disembodied voice of Cosmo. He's going to hold the song as long as he can, so the disturbance won't be in this location. "But we have to decide. We can go with the original suicide. Or we can take him to the tether. Somethings come up that he may have information on." He's looking at his compatriot, glancing around. He shifts the vessel a little in his grip. "Either way, we take his car to do it." Zach says, "What would /you/ prefer, Lu? I can go with any of the two." Cosmo says, "Well, the Tether isn't dangerous unless he goes celestial. And of course, I imagine even the Stoney's might be willing to make a trade for a high ranking tapeworm of Factions. Which could give you a chance to escape later, Luc." Lucian says, "I can flip a coin either way. Sadly, I'd prefer a wizard for either of the two options - as if I live I'd try to escape eventually, and if I vessel-die, I'd need to roll for Trauma and be moved Off The Grid..." Cosmo nods and totally understands. Do we want to halt here. I think the least we should do is give you the most options. You've been a good sport about the whole thing. Zach nods and moves to open the car's doors quickly. "Get him in." He smoothly gets into the driver's seat and starts the engine. "Do you stand the chance of violating any of your Oaths if we do the set-up thing?" Lucian says, "I'm impressed with the speed and efficacy of the whole thing..." Zach agrees! Cosmo is too. Lucian says, "If it weren't for that mind-bendingly powerful Wrench... :p" Zach chuckles. "Yeah. That trick is Really Nasty when it works. I've seen it used on Pizza slices... Just be glad I didn't humiliate you with something really creative.." ;P Zach says, "Let's halt here, as the three who do now zooms off in Lucian's car. We need to pick it up another day then..." Lucian nods. Giving a shake of his head that can't be seen, Cosmo then adds, "No. I think both options are proper uses of resources, and this is definitely is repaying of a debt for what he's done to Harriet." He grunts softly as he muscles the slack vessel around the sports car and tries to get him into the passenger seat. He even tilts the seat back and buckles Lucian up. Make it look like the prof is just been having a little drink. <<<>>> Cosmo Nods. Lucian says, "Tomorrow afternoon (ET), I think, Fidelity would probably be available..." Cosmo says, "Hopefully we can catch Fidelity tomorrow afternoon." Cosmo takes the brain cell back from Lucian. [Public] Wrath says hello. Zach is tabletopping RL tomorrow until about...4-5 pm EST. Zach says, "Or.... :) :)" Zach . o O ( Now that's what I call Divine Interention!! ) Lucian says, "Invoke Admin. 'Tis a special Invocation.. ;p" [Public] Wrath says, "Yeah, been busy. But nice to see you guys again. :)" [Public] Cosmo Think we could cajole you into helping adjudicate something? [Public] Wrath says, "Sure, what's up?" [Public] Lucian says, "Got a scene down at the Mall, and we could likely use an Admin to help out. :) Further details are best kept to page or OOC on site. :)" Wrath has arrived. Wrath says, "What's up?" Cosmo gives Wrath the 411. Zach nods and waits. Wrath says, "My cable modem connection has been flaky. If I get disconned, be patient. I'll dial in with my AOL account." Lucian nodnods. Zach chats up Wrath's modem to keep it's attention on B&S. :) Cosmo and Zach have attacked poor Lucian in a parking garage. They managed to stun him with Zach's Wrench o' Doom, and then Cosmo gave him a little Ketamine to keep him unconcious and trapped in his vessel. There are two options at this point: we can take the vessel back to the college and try to make it look like a suicide so that the roll and the vessel get whacked. OR we can take him to the Tether and keep him there for a little interrogation and possibly to Trade him to Stone as he's a tapeworm of Factions. Wrath says, "Okay, well Lucian are you OOCly okay with this?" Cosmo says, "It's up to Lucian which route we go, but either way we need a Wiz for either the Trauma roll or to see how the Seneschal reacts." Lucian nods. "I'm good with either option, to be honest. They cornered Lucian fair and square - I'm a bit surprised how FAST they worked at taking me down," he says with a laugh. Zach says, "There was some luck with the kite of Eli trick involved, I think. And a very straight-forward plan. :)" Lucian says, "Indeed. :p" Cosmo says, "Yeah. Plus, there's a reason black-wings are Scary." Wrath says, "Well I personally don't know much about the Seneschal and the Tether, so that sort of falls under the Storytelling department. So if you're taking him there and you guys aren't able to collaboratively decide what happens, you'll need to wait to catch up with Fidelity." Zach says, "Okay, right. So for the Tether thing we should definitely wait for Fid. Unless Cos here has much experience with the Seneschal and knows how he'll react? :)" Wrath says, "Yes, that's essentially correct." Cosmo doesn't feel comfortable OOCly deciding that reaction. ICly Cos would know, but I don't. Lucian says, "I'm seriously okay with either proposal. Perhaps we should wait for Fidelity, and he could advise Cos if there's something he should know about dragging me back to the Tether?" Cosmo is happy with that. I just want to give Lucian the most options/have the smallest negative impact on his RP. Zach nods and agrees wholeheartedly. Lucian says, "I appreciate it, guys. :)" Wrath says, "Okay, so are you done with me?" Zach says, "Now, now Wrath.. Don't be so coy.. :)" Lucian says, "Think so, Wrath. :) Thanks for dropping by... :)" Cosmo says, "Thanks Wrath." Zach says, "Seriously though, I think we are. Thanks!" Wrath says, "I can't help it, Zach. It's part of my naturally coquettish nature." Zach :) Wrath goes home. Lucian says, "In that case, I guess we're on hold for the time being, eh?" Cosmo thinks so. Hopefully Fidelity will be on tomorrow though. Zach nods. "Okay, so you two lie in wait for Fid tomorrow adternoon right? I'll be on at about 5 pm 'till 7ish." Cosmo will @mail him and CC you guys with it too? Zach thinks this is a Good Idea! :) <<<>>> Having gotten Lucian buckled in to the passenger seat, Cosmo hops into the back. He's still invisible of course. Just a disembodied voice from behind Zach, the wheelman. "Drive." he says, gesturing uselessly. "And we have a decision to make." Zach revs the engine and gets the car on its long and winding way out of the parking house. Ooo! Sportscar. Must not get overexcited now. "Yeah. Where to? Trade?" Lucian lolls in the seat, unconscious, while the other two pose around him. "No. We can't take him there." Cosmo scowls, glancing at his watch that only he can see. Maybe ten minutes left on his song. "We have two options; turn him over to stone or kill the vessel as we planned. I want to talk to him about something, but I don't think we can do so safely." Zach keeps a steady hand on the wheel and eyes ahead. "Too right there. He'll go celestial as soon as he comes round. And then we're screwed either way, because unless you're a celestial monster he'll be able to outfly us. Or he'll just Descend. If we manage to get hold of Stone, we can give him to them - if not, I say we take out his Vessel pronto." Long distance to Cosmo: Zach is like we talked about yesterday IC in favour of Soul Killing Lucian, but OOCly I figure that since the Stone representative ain't online, we won't get a hold of them on the phone. ;P "Go to the college then. We'll try to get ahold of Stone on the way. But if we can't, we need to get him into his office and setup the suicide." Cosmo doesn't sound happy. What with the events of this week, he's concerned. "No, wait. Do you know where his apartment is? Let's go there. If I can get ahold of my contact, he can meet us there." He reaches in his pocket for his cellphone. Cosmo pages: Yeah. Cosmo says, "Of course, our boy Dex isn't on." Zach nods! So Stone doesn't get Lu. :) Zach says, "Btw, isn't Lucian a professor at the university and not the college?" Lucian says, "UMKC, not WJC, yes." Zach nods and shifts gear. "Yeah know where his pad is, I'll get us there asap." He manouvers the car as fast as he can down and down to the exit, where he stuffs the card in the machine and then pays the same machine. As they leave the mall he picks up the speed and heads in the general direction of Lucian's appartment. Zach says, "Should I roll for Driving to see of Disasters happen?" Lucian says, "Sure, why not? It might be amusing to have a speeding ticket or somesuch occur... :p" Cosmo says, "Go for it." Cosmo says, "University and College are the same to me. :) Sorry. :)" Zach says, "Raising TN to 12 with Essence. I do NOT want to crash... :)" AutoJudge: Zach spends 3 essence. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 1 + 1 = 2 . Check die: 5 Zach says, "Go me!!!" Cosmo says, "You are blowing some Essence. :)" Zach gets an intensely focused look in his eyes, and becomes One with the car. This is what running with Janus' crew will teach you. VROOOOOOM! Going quiet, Cosmo just keeps his eyes on the road ahead. And on Lucian in the passenger seat. "I have some rope. I just hope there's somewhere in his apartment we can tie it too. The acceleration pushes him back in the seat. "I only have a few minutes and my song is going to drop. We want to make sure it's nowhere near Lucian's residence." Lucian says, "Lucian's home IS a little bit away from the Mall. Even allowing for Zach's frightening driving skills, it's at least a good 15 - 20 minute drive, if not longer." Cosmo says, "Perfect. My song should drop about halfway there then. And it'll make us cut it close in getting him strung up before the ketamine wears off." "Can't you Sing it again, Cos? Just lay low in the backseat as it goes out, then take a little extra time to prepare and raise the invisibility shields again?", asks the driver as he urges this wonderful little car onwards and further. "We have about 15 minutes to go until we get there.. At least. Depends on traffic and lights and whether I remember the right shortcuts through the back alleys." "I can. But I'd prefer to save it for once we reach his residence. I'll stay crouched down here in the back though." Cosmo is, in fact, already scrunched down in the back 'seat' if one can call it that. "I should be able to pick the locks to his place relatively easily." Zach says, "5 min extra preparation gives a +3 on Song TN. :)" Zach nods and drives on. "Allright. You might want to try his keys first though..." Cosmo blinks and hadn't thought of that. "That's a good point." It's about then that the sound of the song ends. The sound of Disturbance rings in the air, left behind by the speeding sports car. Zach chuckles and shakes his head. Two adrenaline-hyped minds think better than one, that much is clear. Zach says, "What kind of buillding/neighbourhood is your flat in, Lucian?" Lucian says, "It's an upscale development, all condos and the like. Bland, flavorless, soulless. The sort where people have fights because someone erected a 10 foot fence when the Neighborhood Rules CLEARLY state that fences shall be a maximum of 9 and a half feet..." Cosmo laughs. Zach groans. :) Cosmo shimmers back into visibility after the *twang* of the Symphony. "We need to discuss something after we finish this. Something is going on next weekend." Zach unhooks the keychain from the carkeys, and hands it to Cosmo. "Get us in fast, I don't wanna be seen to clearly hauling this dude. And yeah, Harriet told me there was something going on.." Cosmo takes the keys, bouncing them in his hand. "Which apartment?" He inquires, waiting for Zach to pull them into a parking spot. Zach swiftly and elegantly manouvers the car into a convenient spot. "It's 114 b, just over there." He points toward the house and turns the ignition off. Cosmo climbs out of the car, sliding through the narrow area between Zach's seat and the body of the car. He takes a look around the condo parking lot and then walks straight toward 114 B. Once he gets to the door, he starts trying the various keys. Inevitably, one of the keys works, of course. Even Lucian's paranoia only runs so deep. The door swings open on the dark, empty condominium. Cosmo steps into the darkness, holding the door open. Considering whether to go back to help with Lucian's dead weight. He glances at his watch. Ten minutes, fifteen at the most before the balseraph wakes up. And who knows how long before he's in a state to retaliate. Maybe minutes. Maybe quicker. Zach starts manhandling the limp and now extremely annoyingly /long/ and /ungaingly/ Lucian out of the car. He quickly throuws him over his shoulders in a firemen's lift and jogs for the blackness Cosmo just entered. Long, ungainly Lucian may be, but at least he's relatively light. Into the darkness they hurry, and by some fluke of luck, no one seems to have noticed the Professor being carted up into his flat by two men... Or Providence. Cosmo mumurs a prayer of thanks under his breath that things seem to be going so well. He closes the door behind Zach and starts looking around. "We need to find something strong enough to string him up by." His eyes look about the room for a light fixture that appears sturdy enough for just that. Or perhaps the railing of a stairway to a second floor if there is one. For the sake of a scene, there's a handy crossbar in the coat closet that looks sturdy enough to tie Lucian to. Zach carefully lays Lucian down on the floor and starts to rummage in his bag, pulling out a plain nylon rope of the blue persuation. "I brought rope. See any good place to secure it, brother?" Cosmo grins over at Zach, finding a crossbar in the closet. He eyes the distance. Just barely looks enough. "I think this should do." He leave sthe closet door open and then walks back over, looking down at the vessel. "Alright, brother, lets do this. Tie it around his neck. I brought the suicide note." Lucian lies on the floor, still quite still. That knockout drug really did the trick... didn't it? Zach crouches down and calmly ties the rope around Lucian's slim, long neck, securing it with a proper, sturdy knot. Then he carefully lifts him up and brings him over to the closet. Cosmo helps out on the other end. "Hold him up just a little." He has to toss the other end of the rope over the bar as it is above his head. "Or maybe I should hold him while you tie it off." He smirks faintly at his own lack of height. Zach shifts to let Cosmo handle the limp professore, and moves to flick the rope over the bar. "Okay, now you hold him up, and I'll secure this little tableau." He waits for Cosmo to get Lucian sorted out and then he ties the rope tightly to the bar. His eyes meet Cosmo's. "This is it. Let him go.." Cosmo wraps his arms around Lucian's legs and holds the body up while Zach secures the makeshift noose. His eyes meet Zachs and then he lets go, stepping back to let the demon start to swing. "We'll stay a few moments, make sure the vessel stops breathing." "Grrragh..." As the pair set the professor up, Lucian's eyes slowly open, and he glances around. His brain is working rapidly, but the body just doesn't want to respond properly. Swinging on the rope, he flails his hands about, but his arms don't seem to be responding... "Graagh!" he repeats, hands clenching and releasing, eyes wide and blue as he focuses on the two shadows watching him in the dark. Zach twitches slightly at Lucian seems to wake up, his hands tigthens into fists. He is ready for anything... Cosmo stands there with his hands in his pockets. Listening to Lucian gurgle. "I told you, Lucian, it would be a time and place of my choosing." It's the 'elohite' speaking. Standing there almost casually next to Zach. "You're lucky we couldn't get ahold of anyone from Stone. Perhaps you should thank us for that." Lucian works his jaw pointlessly, his arms leaden - but they do move, slowly, and he tries to claw at the rope around his neck. Lucian says, "Anyone care to suggest if there's a point to a roll for that?" Cosmo hrms. I honestly dunno. Cosmo would say he'd be able to get his arms up, dunno how much good it would do though. Zach says, "If you're very strong, it'd be a point. But..." Lucian says, "But I'm a mere Str 4. I doubt my clawing will accomplish much, but I figured I'd ask. :p" Zach regards the struggeling demon stoically. "Enjoy your Heart, Lucian. And remember - the Truth is up there..." Lucian twitches again as his eyes bug out. His last gasp is a gurgling hiss, before he sags to stillness. Lucian says, "Shall we bug Fidelity at this point?" Zach nods. Zach sniffles a bit.. Poor Lu.. Cosmo glances at Zach, one brow raised in mild humor. Nearly as paranoid as the demon, he reaches out to touch the pulse and check it. "He's dead, brother. At least his vessel." He reaches for the note then, tucking it into the a convenient pocket. It goes on about how lonely Lucian was, and how he couldn't bare to be apart from others anymore. Etc. Etc. To (Zach, Cosmo, Fidelity), Lucian pages: Fidelity, if you've a moment: the situation here has been... ahm... resolved. I need to go contemplate my Heart. Cosmo thought he'd add insult to injury. :) Zach nods smilingly to Cosmo. If we're lucky he'll be curled up around his Heart for some time. But his ties to this plane are flimsy, so I fear he'll be out of Trauma sooner than we'd like. At least his role will be kaputt." He searches around to make sure that they're not leaving an army of clues behind. Lucian can think of at least 6-8 clues, actually. ;) Not a particularly tall man, perhaps five and a half feet or so in height. Dark hair cut neatly, going to grey at the sides and indicating he is perhaps in his later thirties or early forties. Wrinkles at the corners of his brown eyes also indicate his age. His thin, sharp face gives him a serious demeanor. He is clean shaven, without a touch of facial hair. There is a faint scar in the cleft of his chin. He wears a suit. It is a simple, conservative cut. The suit is black, white shirt and a black tie. The clothes fit well on his trim form. Black wingtips complete the look. The cufflinks are silver with obsidians. Lucian just looked at you. Zach is a tall man, probably about 6'3". Slim, well built and rather handsome, his apperance is one of goodnatured machismo. He carries himself well, with an air of cheerful confidence and a flirtatious sparkle showing in his green eyes. Movements are smooth and precise. His hair is relatively short cut, black and wavy. A workman's tan is visible, and hints to much time being spent outdoors. In the clothes department he sports black jeans, a black armless t-shirt and a black leather jacket. The jacket is a typicel biker's jacket and has obviously seen a lot of wear. It is however well cared for with no visible tearings or holes. The boots are black Doc Martens. On his hands he wears black leather gloves. To (Lucian, Cosmo, Zach), Fidelity pages: If you guys are all cool with how it went down, just @mail me a final report on it. Lucian, you'll be out of play as Lucian for in IC days, then make a Will roll to re-enter play. I was under the impression I'd be needed for adjudication of the death, but if all of you are sure it was square and fair, I'll trust. :) Cosmo turns toward Zach and starts looking as well. "Not much here. I imagine the medical examiner will wonder about the contusion on his back from that wrench you walloped him with. I wore gloves of course, but there will be traces of ketamine in his system still. At most they may deduce it was a murder of some type, but I don't think anything that will lead directly back to us." From afar, to (Zach, Lucian, Fidelity): Cosmo is happy with stuff. So long as Lucian is. To (Zach, Cosmo, Fidelity), Lucian pages: I'll take the days to come up with a New Role. If I can be so pestersome, Fidelity, once I come out of Trauma I'd certainly like some RP with the Boss wherein I explain just HOW I ended up in this predicament. ;) Lucian nods. Shall we collaborate on establishing what clues were forgottn? Lucian says, "Forgotten, even. *grin*" Zach is also gloved, so there'll be no prints. "I think they'll figure out murder pretty quick, but there shouldn't be any clues about us." Long distance to (Lucian, Cosmo, Fidelity): Zach is happy too. :) Cosmo says, "Sure. :) Like I said, there'll be the sign from the hypo-gun, the ketamine traces." To (Fidelity, Cosmo, Zach), Lucian pages: I'm happy. *grins* They nailed me fair and square. Cosmo says, "Probably a big-ass bruise on his back from that wrench." Lucian nods. "The contusions, the fibers under Lucian's nails... all of which will quite clearly scream murder. Anything pointing to YOU... well... unless someone DID see something... and, of course, there's a question of how you two are getting out of here - or are you stealing Lucian's car?" Lucian says, "And, of course, the fact that Lucian has no furniture will look darned odd. :p" Zach nods. "Big bruise in the small of his back... Oh and we need to put an overturned chair or stool.:)" Cosmo says, "There aren't any. He has no furniture." Cosmo didn't plan to steal the car. We can always go celestial to leave. Zach says, "Uh-huh. :) Which will make 'm wonder about Lucian too." Cosmo would love to see the CSI episode based on this one. Zach figured celetial flight, or tiptoeing out the back. If there is a back. :) Lucian says, "Two Celestial-goings in short succession will make a helluva BANG, for the Celestial side of things..." Lucian says, "Of course there's a back. ;) Lucian wouldn't have a place that didn't have a back. Mind you, it's a matter of climbing down some vines and dashing across a field, but it's a back. ;p" Cosmo says, "Probably go out the back then. Which might leave some broken vines and some footprints. Which means we have to ditch the shoes we are wearing." Lucian says, "And, it's worth an idle note, that the rope itself wasn't Lucian's. I presume it was bought at some generic Wal-Mart / Target / K-Mart whatever?" Zach chuckles. Of course. How silly of me. :) Cosmo can also make himself invisible, if need be. Yes, the rope was extremely generic. :) Cosmo says, "Never use anything exotic. Way too easy to find exotic stuff. But buy it from Wal-Mart/Target/K-mart and you're golden." Lucian says, "Wal-mart: Serving Murderers Everywhere. :p" Zach snickers. Lucian says, "On the other hand, it's likely they'll at least know the builds of the two men who killed me. And in a week or so there might be an anonymous tip... ;)" Cosmo chuckles. We may all have to get new roles. :) Zach says, "Yes there probably will be...:) By then I will have cleaned my stuff with the meticulous care of someone truly paranoid. On that note, it might be good for the two angels to actually go celestial and get real quick to somewhere they can be seen and stay there, just to try and fuck up time tables and such?" Lucian says, "Probably a wise idea." Zach says, "Roles are expensive... :)" Cosmo says, "Alright. Let's do it. Do any of the other demons live near enough by that they might hear the boom?" Lucian says, "I honestly do not know. We're not near either of the Tethers in town... so THAT'D be quiet, but..." Zach says, "Cor, I'm gonna need some serious Rite-doing... :)" Cosmo says, "Hmm. Fidelity could maybe do an @wall?" Lucian says, "How many hours... ;p" Lucian says, "SOME lucky lady's going to be happy, eh, Zach? ;p" Cosmo looks to Zach. He adjusts his coat. "I think it's time we dropped the flesh and got to somewhere very public, very quickly. Club Bluebird?" He inquires. Zach nods to Cosmo and grins to Lucian. Sex and food. Mmmm.. :) that's 2 rites. Zach nods and hangs the bag over his shoulder. "Agreed. Let's fly." He breathes out and composes himself. Cosmo says, "F**kin' Creationers. ;)" Lucian says, "Truer words never spoken." Lucian says, "BTW, if you want to ensure my Role is utterly obliterated, phone in a false report... ;)" Lucian says, "So that the cops come." Zach says, "You wanna help me in my rite Cos? I'll share an Essence with you? ;P" Zach says, "Okay. 2 Essence, TN = Will+Cel.forces" Cosmo says, "Yeah, we'll need to call the cops." Cosmo stops a moment. "Should we call the police from here? They can trace phone numbers way too easily to do it from somewhere else." You say, "Or we could just leave the front door slightly ajar?" Cosmo smiles at Zach. "Good point. A community this nice. And this uptight, will probably have security. They should notice." He walks over to the door, opening it about a quarter of the way. "Ready?" Lucian says, "BTW, guys... what about the housekeys? ;)" Cosmo says, "Good point. I'm a horrible murderer. Zach, you want to make sure you do that?" Lucian says, "Of course, if you both forgot about them... ;)" AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 4 + 6 = 10 . Check die: 3 Zach forgot. :) Cosmo makes a precision roll then. Cosmo says, "Or would it be intelligence?" Zach says, "Int" AutoJudge: Cosmo rolls: 3 + 3 = 6 . Check die: 4 Cosmo says, "TN of 8." Zach ? Zach says, "Oh :) Sorry. Tired.. <:)" "Wait." Cosmo says before Zach can go celestial. "Damnit, I nearly forgot." He grabs the house keys out of his pocket and puts them in the keyhole. Just leaving them there. He concentrates a moment, ready to take wing. Cosmo says, "2 essence, yes?" Cosmo says, "To go celestial?" Zach nods, then grins ruefully at Cosmo. "Right, let's vamoose!" Zach says, "Yes. Will roll first vs will+cel.forces. If you succeed you pay 2 Essence." AutoJudge: Cosmo rolls: 1 + 1 = 2 . Check die: 3 AutoJudge: Cosmo spends 2 essence. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 4 + 1 = 5 . Check die: 6 AutoJudge: Zach spends 2 essence. Zach says, "Celestialness lasts for will+CD minutes." Cosmo makes the transition from corporeal to celestial form. Blackwings unfurling behind him as he rises into the air. The Symphony resounds with the sound of the Disturbance. Not that anyone around hears it. And he's off; through the air. <<<>>> Cosmo says, "Think we can make the bluebird in ten minutes?" Zach explodes into a big, shadowy form with ink-black wings that takes flight right after Cosmo. The Symphony thunders as the two angels swoop off. Cosmo says, "Think we could make it to the Bird in 10 minutes?" Zach: "we fly at per x 6 yards per round. It's 20 rounds per minute, right? So probably, yes. Cosmo would think so too. We should arrive at slightly differen times though. Do you want to hold off on this part of the scene? I need to eat and I imagine you're about to drop. Cosmo senses "Zach sings as they begin to come near the club. "We can't fly too close, as it'll take us to near the Drug Tether. Let's split up here and meet up there."" Zach would appreachiate that. Work tomorrow. I can't be on until tuesday night, as tomorrow night is another game night. :) Cosmo says, "That works for me." You paged (Fidelity, Cosmo) with 'Fidelity - Cosmo and Zach went celestial in Lucian's flat and flew into town. ICly this happened on Saturday night. This notice in case anyone should/would hear us.. :)'. Zach says, "I'll be up and about at ca 9 pm EST on Tuesday. That work for you?:)" Zach says, "Should we pause it here, then?" Cosmo says, "yeah. That'd be cool. :)"