You've already met Molly, and she matches. No, Ramirez does not seem to be familiar.
"Ah, your nemesis and general pain in the neck. The Warden Morgan. He's a genuine tough guy, and unlike yours truly, he believes that you are just one step from turning to the Black Side, embracing your evil destiny, trashing the planet, and so forth. So to be on the safe side, the Wizard's Council should kill you now, rather than after you've opened the Gates of Hell. He's had you up on charges twice, and tried to trick you into making a lethal mistake that would have been Black Magic at least once just to get you in to trouble so he could legally execute you. You've never let him down here on sound principle."
::When did he learn to master the Inner Power?::
"As to Sarah, a far nicer person. She's Aquisitions Director for the Windy City Metro Museum. She had a certain statue come to life, and try to eat her. You disposed of it. Now she has you check out some of her incoming for 'bad mojo' as she calls it. No real power, except you say 'she has a streak of luck a mile wide'. And you've been dating her on and off for the last six months. I've never met her which is highly unfortunate as you nver show a pretty girl, except for Molly to me. Its been literally centuries since I've been on a date."
I take his information in thoughtfully.
"What do you remember about Johnny Marcone?"
"He's a criminal kingpin."
Looking into the future you see a melange of dark images. Hideous humanoid black shapes darting down the street with claws extended, hunting. And then the image jerks. The City is on fire. The image jerks again. Water flows through the City in a flood ten feet deep as the Lake overflows. The image jerks again. A dark haired man with a staff in hand says 'Ok.' as if defeated. The city burns in a fire that makes the previous fire seem as nothing. Streets flame and stone melts. The image jerks again. Some sort of large fly?? is eating a slice of pizza. The image jerks again. A very small Oriental woman is staring at you with knowledge in her eyes. The image jerks again. A man with hard eyes who does not see you is swinging a longsword to cleave your head from your shoulders.
"Do you remember if he has crossed paths with the likes of us?"
After listening to his response about Johnny Marcone, I then project still images of the dark haired man with the staff... and then the very small Oriental woman... and then the hideous humanoid black shapes... and then the large fly. After each one, I pause to hear what Bob knows about the subject, before moving on to the next one...
"Well you burned down the Velvet Room."
"Matthew Schmidt."
"Oh, my, oh....that's Ancient Mai. She's serious trouble. Wizard's Council member since 1170."
"White Court Vampires in full unshrouded form."
"Pixie. You said they called you the Pizza Lord."
"Do you remember why the Velvet Room was burned down?"
"Do you remember if Ancient Mai, or White Court Vampires, or Pixies, have crossed paths with the likes of us?"
"Well, I assumed you used your blasting rod. It was something to do with Molly, and her friend Liselle. You said and I quote. 'Mr. Marcone needs to be reminded of a few facts.' We didn't discuss it more after that, but you seem satisfied."
Bob pauses.
"I met Ancient Mai back when I was still in my body. Being non-suicidal, I was very respectful, and answered her one question promptly and truthfully. But while you have met them, they have not met 'us'. Which is how I prefer it, being afraid of the first two, and annoyed at the last. Pizza Lord, indeed."
"Do you remember anything about any history they may have with the likes of me?"
"Not really." Bob pauses. "I need to rest."
OOC: When I looked around the apartment, did I find any maps of the city? Does the model of the city down here have indications for street names and address numbers?
You find one map of the city. Its a full scale metropolis map covering a fifteen square mile area.
The model has no words on it, and the only numbers appear to be some very large numbers if they are to scale (at least three stories tall), and another place near downtown with a big '1' in front of it.
OOC: With the information available in the apartment (maps, telephone book, library card, etc.), is there sufficient information to enable me to figure out where my office, the library, and Sarah's Tower are, without having to trouble poor Bob any further? :)
Your office is easily found from the advertisement in the blue pages. Its on South Wedgley Street. Add in the map, and it looks like two miles away, roughly.
The library is the other direction, north to Loyola Street, in the downtown area, about a mile.
Edit: Hardison Tower is two hundred yards north of the Library on Hardison and Oak Street.
Edit: OOC: In my home town, we have a network of numeral streets and tree streets, so yes, we have Oak Street.
OOC: From my having looked at the map, what locations do the numbered locations on the model correspond to? :)
The first is Lauvier Park, and the second is close to the center of downtown.
I nod sympathetically.
"OK. You've earned it... and more. In fact, I'm headed out to the library now."
I stand up, and glance over toward the model.
"Oh, last question for now. Do you remember why those locations are numbered?"
"Um..." Yawn. "This materializing my voice ain't that easy. Some idiot artist and First Club where PYT's hang out."
OOC: What surface thoughts (if any) accompany this conversation?
"OK, thanks. Get some rest..."
I spend several moments more examining the model, while at the same time gathering any additional telepathic information I can on these subjects from Bob.
Then I check on any last needs of Mouse and Mister, gather the wallet and keys and map, and head for the library.
Once there, I first look for a few George MacDonald historical romances. What they lack in trash, they will hopefully make up for in spiritual feeding. Bob's soul is one of my many concerns in this troubled universe.
Then I pray for wisdom and guidance, and I go over to the recent newspapers, and I skim the major articles from the last month (covering the period of Bob's memory gap), to see if there is anything interesting that jumps out at me...
Despite the tiredness, you find yourself running into a solid wall in looking at Bob's thoughts.
Mouse barks and it sounds kinda let 'get moving'. Mister wants out to deal with another usurper.
Its a 'hammer on the head' really hot sort of day. A helpful librarian gets you a cup of water, and shows you the system, which is not Dewey, but similar. You find only three GMcD books as the rest are checked out.
Newspapers....
1. A statistical plot that shows steadily rising number of fires along with a plea for more money for firefighters.
2. A vicious editorial by Howard Dodd that slams SI, Lt. Karrin Murphy, and without using your name, but using your services as one more reason to slam SI.
3. An alleged group of serial killers who used dogs to rend their victims died in a rogue wave on a boat on the Great Lake.
4. A highly unusual 4.2 earthquake, preceded by boiling water in the GL.
5. Pressures to form an expanded Arson Task Force which the Police Chief is resisting.
6. Marcone linked to a murder execution of Tong gunmen.
7. The upcoming O'Leary Festival with the Shakespearan plays attached.
OOC: Ouch. The reason I shared the images with Bob telepathically is because we originally made contact telepathically, and conversed telepathically, when I was probing the skull from upstairs. Was the mental projection of images something significantly different enough to trigger his defenses?
BTW, when I first arrived, I clairvoyantly saw someone reading a newspaper about the Velvet Room burning down, and it was dated October 1988. But it is now May 2010? Am I confused, or was that a typo retcon? :o
You don't know why his defenses are up.
Oops. Its 1988. But its May.
OOC: So each date had a different typo? ROFL! :p
I'm sad about Bob's Brick Wall, though... :(
Encouraged by the newspaper tidbits gleaned from the missing month, I proceed to also look over the newspapers from the month leading up to the memory gap as well, to see if I can spot any clues in what circumstances led up to the memory gap situation...
Dodd has another editorial slamming SI.
Marcone is linked to another crime.
I take in the information thoughtfully, and then head back to the apartment.
As I drive, I have Ring update me on the current analysis progress.
And when I get back, I give the library books to Bob, bring the appropriate folio(s) upstairs, and do some research on the NeverNever...
You learn more about world and local affairs from the Ring. Bob accepts the books, but he grumps about the lack of trash on the covers, and goes back to sleep.
Its four o'clock as you start to dig into Paths of the NeverNever. By five, you've determined that the NeverNever is humanity's dreams and nightmares. And some of them are enough something that they can cross from the NeverNever to normal reality. Also, that the Paths in the NeverNever are less dangerous than simply tromping through it, but the key word is 'dangerous'. You've also determined that really understanding the folio is going to take you at least three days.
What do you do for the rest of the night?
Well, my powerful vision experience included a fragment referring to 'the ladies three', and my attempts to postcognitively examine Bob have been hindered by the image of a female.
And my attempts to postcognitively examine tonight's party invitation end in... lilac...
And Karrin was indeed interested in what that lead might offer.
Thus I find myself eating dinner, and taking care of Mouse and Mister, while figuring out how to navigate to the Windy City Civic Center in time for the festivities...
You arrive in the area, and see a sign 'Parking for Raith Gala'. You take the arrow's direction to a parking garage. The security guard, a man suited for a career in the NFL, and the valet are both dressed better than you.
The valet reaches for the door.
"Ah, the Wizard Oak, an unexpected pleasure."
OOC: BTW, I hadn't gotten as far as posting how I planned to dress... though my options may indeed be limited.
However, given that the invited dead magician had a tux, I would indeed be aware that the attire would be formal.
What clothes does my dop have in his apartment closet?
Long, black, leather trenchcoat. Black, broadbrimmed leather hat. Black, Brown, and Dark Green Pants (along with some more that are less formal). White shirt that looks like it might fit into the 1700's. Dark blue shirt. Dark green shirt. Dark purple shirt.
There are cowboy boots with an inscription on the bottom.
"From your pal, R. May you be light on your feet."
There is also a pair of dark, hiking boots with good treads. And a barely used set of wingtips which surprises you when blades pop out the front.
You also find a drawer with a half-dozen knives and rigs to go with them. One set of the knives looks to be silvered.
You also recognize that the staff behind the door, the black staff that come to think of it resembles the staff in your first vision, might be a fashionable thing as well. And upon closer looking at it, it is rune covered. Of course, you don't read Rune, but there is not the nasty vibe you got from the sorceror's tattoos.
And of course, there's your Warden's cloak.
I pray for wisdom and discernment, that the LORD would show me the nature of the staff, and whether or not I should carry it.
I also pray similarly over each other item, especially over the cloak.
And if Bob is awake, I tell him about the invitation, and ask his advice about what to wear, and what I should be prepared for at such a gathering...
You've heard of a blasting staff you carry. This is likely it. It seems a practical hand to hand weapon, well-balanced for your height.
The cloak is something of an official suit like a policeman's outfit or a judge's robes.
The trenchcoat, upon closer examinging, reveals to have thin, but solid plates in it, and symbols inscribed inside it. It feels safer.
Bob is asleep.
I pray over each of the sets of footware, seeking any indications of a non-mundane nature, particularly over the inscribed "light on my feet" boots.
How does the style of the dark green pants and dark green shirt compare to the protective clothing that I am wearing from Ring's space station?
Any non-mundane vibes from the knives, other than one set being silvered?
The space station stuff is pretty sleek in a grim sort of way as its a military costume. Its about as stylish in its own way as the other pants which are more urban slick in style.
You get nothing off the footwear.
Upon closer examination of the knives, you see one of them has the words 'Cold forged steel' imprinted in the handle. You know this one was chosen for that reason.
I'll wear my space station clothing/armor and shoes with the trenchcoat. I'll carry the cold forged steel and silvered knives in a concealed rig, and carry Oak's wallet in a pocket, and carry the staff as a walking staff in my left hand.
BTW, is it an oak staff??? :)
And I'll have my usual gear (Ring, CU2, Empathic Field, Kinetic Repulsor, etc.) readily accessible through Ring's mental interface...
As I dress, I get the latest analysis update from Ring and CU2.
And as I drive down, I pray for the LORD's guidance, and wisdom, and discernment, and protection, particularly protection from evil.
As I arrive, I activate my language tap and surface thoughts taps...
I give a friendly nod to the valet, even as I telepathically seek impressions as to his expectations. How does he expect me to respond? Do I know him? Am I expected to tip? Am I expected to know which way to walk after getting out of the car? Which way should I walk after getting out of the car?
OOC: It HAS to be an oak staff doesn't it?
You feel surrounded by the almost visible Presence of God, and you know that you are 'walking into the valley of the shadow of death'.
::Oak. Hmm, Lara's scheme worked. Well here comes the bit about the Unseelie Accords. Sigh.:: Garble, garble. He has mind shields up, but he's undisciplined with them.
You touch his mind again, and suddenly you see something in his mind. A black worm that fills almost all of him. ::Tasty wizard. Yum. Down. Down. Remember the ...::
OOC: Are these thoughts from the valet or the security guard?
Is it obvious which way I should walk after getting out of the car?
I avoid the worm as I attempt to get further information on the Unseelie Accords, and on Lara and her scheme...
Valet. The security guard's thoughts are more simple and creepy.
They center on making Master Kevin happy by standing there.
Its obvious as others are walking by in very nice suits, and furs, and you need be but an ant and follow the scent trail of expensive perfume to arrive at the gala.
The Unseelie Accords are some form of general agreement between the various factions in the supernatural world such as the Wizard's Council and the White Court Vampires. You don't get more before you have to dodge the roving presence of the worm.
The valet is staring quizzically at you wondering why you are just standing there.
OOC: I do my telepathic searching while slowly gathering my stuff and exiting from the car, rather than just standing around... :p
I follow the crowd, scanning surface thoughts of those around me. I keep a sensitive heart toward any nudges the LORD might be giving me, to discern what to do or not to do, who to focus on or to avoid, etc...
You walk across the street on a walkway bridge, and enter in through a set of glass doors held open for you by a pair of lovely young ladies with minds like that of the security guard. Below you is a vast atrium with a second story walk-around balcony. In front of you is a grand staircase leading down to the first floor.
...Yea though I walk through the valley of death... You're aware you're in deadly danger.
::The Raiths have such wonderful parties. So clever.::
::The girls are so beautiful.::
::I hope these freaks can get my business permit through.::
A lilac fog.
::My boss is such a weakling to let these people into his circle. Pretty. Yeah. Sharks. Oh Yeah.::
::Everyone knows the Raiths are just a bit off. But such fabulous parties.::
A lilac fog.
::Old Man Raith has four gourgeous daughters. And they dance attendance on him. I just wish I could get my kid to mow the lawn.::
::These hellspawn and their corrupt clients deserve to burn.::
The floor is covered in rice paper, and white streamers with kanji script drape down the walls. Thousands of white balloons hang in a fishnet over the center.
Littering in a deliberately careless seeming fashion the main floor are two dozen white trellises holding romantic paintings.
You smell peppermint mouthwash nearby, but see no one.
OOC: Which people corresponded to which surface thoughts? Particularly the lilac fogs?
:: Ring. Access linguistic databases, and previous examination of my staff and trenchcoat. What do the symbols on them mean? ::
I keep reciting Scripture in the back of my mind as I walk, using it like a shield (spiritually, telepathically, and otherwise).
And I pray for the LORD to give me His perspective and help me see with His eyes, that He would again bless me with Sight to perceive the true nature of my surroundings, and the true nature of each being present. Hopefully this might reveal things hidden, in more ways than one...