GM says, "I think this is everyone who's coming, but I'll wait another minute just in case"

Michel asks, "no Sarge again?"

Franklin says, "no"

You say, "yeah, I dunno -- as soon as he finished his thesis his saturday night social life kicked into gear, I guess"

[nobilis] GM says (to PerrySimm), "hey, you're not supposed to talk"

[nobilis] PerrySimm says, "oh yeah, sorry"

[nobilis] Kori says, "heehee"

GM says, "ok, anyway"

GM says, "in the last episode our heroes attended a party and an art show"

GM says, "which ended up also being attended by not only Bronwynn but also Jack"

Kori . o O ( and humiliated themselves in a complex assortment of ways )

Michel says, "and I was appallingly antisocial and avoided it"

GM says, "right, as you were busy tracking down some possible kidnappers"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "is something happening silently, or is nothing happening?"

GM says, "there were some questions about the strange dreams Karin had been having, Jack made a suggestion that he should stop by and compare notes, and Michel put up a notice about the kidnapping to see if anyone bit"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(sorry, was just finishing the summary)"

GM says (to Michel), "in a few days you get a call from folks at the coffee house -- "That message you were expecting arrived," the barista says."

Michel asks, "And?"

Michel asks, "Who was calling, what did they say?"

GM says, ""He, uh, had kind of a raspy voice. They said (slight pause, fumbling for a paper) to meet them, with the girl, at a churchyard --" and then he gives the name."

Michel asks, "Give a time?"

Michel wonders idly what his staff think he is

GM says, ""Yeah -- midnight, two days from now.""

GM says, ""Don't be late, he says.""

Michel says, "eeexcellent. Er, good work, thanks."

Michel cracks his knuckles

GM says, "The guy hangs up the phone hastily."

Michel says, "okay, I might have a lead on some representatives of Ghin-aj"

GM says (to Alexandra), "meanwhile, if you want to chat with Jack, you can presumably get a earth address off the business card or just mentally contact him"

Alexandra goes the earthly route

Michel says, "chances are it'll be just another puppet who he'll be able to cast off with no skin off his nose if we jump him, but if we play it subtle we might be able to get something out of 'em"

Franklin asks, "What has this puppet done?"

Michel says (to Franklin), "put word out in the Marseilles underground to kidnap my daughter"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "was your daughter actually kidnapped at some point?"

Alexandra rings Jack's earthphone

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "or is she still at the other chancel?"

Wilfred has connected.

[nobilis] Michel says, "nah, I had the forethought to whip her off to Ferarium, where she still is"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "okay"

[nobilis] Michel says, "they've been snooping around her mother's house and causing trouble"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "but you're still hunting down the goons who would have done it"

[nobilis] Michel says, "indeed, and now I want to find the goons who would have paid the original goons."

GM says (to Alexandra), "this is presumably not the normal business card he was handing out at the art show -- it's a plain black card with white letters spelling out "JAC - Consulting, Curiosities, Caprice" and then a phone number below. In the lower-right corner is a small, grinning face"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Arr"

GM says, "(er, JACK, not JAC)"

[nobilis] GM says, "hey, just getting started"

[nobilis] Michel says, "the goons who would actually have done it are currently wandering around Outer Mongolia, pantsless"

[nobilis] Wilfred asks, "What I miss?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hey that spells CCC not JAC"

GM says, "The phone rings, and Jack picks up. "Hello, this is Jack.""

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "heehee"

Alexandra says, "Hello. This is Alexandra. We met last week in Seattle. And spoke then of resuming our conversation somewhere more private and convenient."

Michel asks, "any ideas on how we can get useful information out of these guys without them getting cut off and braindead?"

[nobilis] Franklin says (to wilfred), "nothing yet"

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to Michel), "the monks may have some useful future interrogation technology"

Michel says, "My only thought on this is to not turn up and to observe from hiding, then track 'em and see what they do"

Franklin says, "Hmmm. It would be a good technique to know, if there were one."

Kori says (to Michel), "that sounds plausible"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "we'll use ... the Mind Probe!"

GM says, ""Ah, yes. Kind of you to call. I'm in Miami at the moment, but I expect to be in Seattle shortly. Did you wish to meet there, or elsewhere?""

[nobilis] Michel says (to Alexandra), "yeah, but it won't work on a vegetable, like (eg) Knight became once evil excrucians had no further use for him"

Michel says, "but that could arouse suspicions"

Kori says, "hmm"

Kori asks, "could you send someone to meet them?"

Kori asks, "or meet with them but then break off the meeting, while letting others observe and track where they go?"

Alexandra says (to GM), "Seattle is fine. You can reach me at <insert # here> when you have arrived; I should be able to travel quickly to meet you."

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "er, to Jack via GM"

Michel says, "if they're any good they'd just sit tight and wait for a real offer, instead of getting all het up and running to contact their boss"

GM says, ""That would be be excellent. I will contact you again soon, then.""

Alexandra hangs up and wanders back to the library to comb for info on Jack

Michel says (to Kori), "I thought about that, but my fear is they'd either work out that I was nobilis or assume I was bluffing and didn't have Therese"

Kori says (to Michel), "aah"

Kori asks, "Do you have a photo of her you could bring, as 'evidence'?"

Kori asks, "if you played it high-handed enough, acted like you wanted better terms than they were prepared to offer...?"

Franklin asks, "Oh, I see. Are you pretending to be a kidnapper of your own daughter?"

Kori says, "they might be forced to return to their superiors for advice"

Michel says, "unh, photos... um, I have one of her when she was four... enh... Catherine doesn't... well, I could take one"

Kori says, "if necessary, we could even doctor a photo or two to make it look like you had her in some specific place or situation"

Michel says (to Franklin), "yes"

GM says (to Alexandra), "Jack, Duke of Shadows; current family members are Armande, Viscount of Cloth and Cecily, Viscountess of Treasure and Piracy; chancel currently known as Locus Style, although it has had other names in previous times; thought to be one of the oldest nobilis, along with Bronwynn and Drake; has a long-running rivalry with Drake; supposedly capable of spying anywhere the shadows exist; has a mask for his symbol; either heroic or nosy, depending on which sources you consult"

Michel says (to Kori), "They think I'm Marseilles underworld scum, and would do anything for enough francs for a bottle of vin du table and a cheap tart"

Kori smiles dryly but does not comment.

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "Um. What are we doing?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Michel) Michel says, "it'd have to be an A.O.C at least"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Michel is following up on the attempt to kidnap his daughter; Alexandra is researching Jack prior to meeting him"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "you can be doing either of those or something else"

Michel says, "though I suppose I could pretend I was freelance nobilis and on to them"

Kori says (to Michel), "so bring a photograph of her in a situation; claim that you're going to need the money/wine/tart up front"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(if you would like to, eg, follow up on leads in Australia that would be fine too)"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "I think I might quietly freaking out about John"

Michel says, "actually, I quite like that plan"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee"

Franklin says, "I'd like to help, but I'd be of no use in such a situation."

Wilfred is currently looking up identity-theft reports in Australia.

[nobilis] Alexandra asks, "hmm. Iain's chart says Drake is missing; that still the case?"

[nobilis] GM says, "he was last seen (by Franklin and the sunday group) during/immediately before the attack on the sunday chancel"

[nobilis] GM says, "and hasn't responded to messages since"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "gotcha"

Kori asks (of Michel), "the freelance one?"

Kori says, "seems a bit dangerous to me, but far be it from me to try to advise you"

GM says (to Wilfred), "there's a reasonable amount, this being a good-sized country -- but hang on, here's something"

Michel says (to Kori), "I'll only fall back on it if they're obviously onto me"

Wilfred glances out his window and does a double-take. Was that a pig flying past? Nah.....

Michel says, "and I'd appreciate some backup on this one"

Kori says (to Michel), "I'm willing to stand around in the shadows, if you like"

Michel says, "I shall be... the Viscount of Captivity"

GM says (to Wilfred), "it looks like there's somebody who claimed 1) he was robbed and his passport stolen but then 2) that this wasn't his actual identity anyway"

GM says, "although he couldn't/wouldn't explain where he got his current paperwork from"

Kori says (to Michel), "Always figured you went for that bondage crap."

Wilfred purses his lips and shakes his head. Oy.

Michel says (to Kori), "weak, even for you"

GM says, "and there was no problem with his driver's license, which was current and correct for the identity he claimed to have stolen, and he couldn't produce any evidence of his previous claimed name"

Kori raises an eyebrow at Michel

Wilfred checks the city of the report and goes there.

Michel says, "I needed a Domain that would have given me contacts in the underworld and also helped me kidnapping someone, but not so specific as to be suspicious"

GM says (to Wilfred), "off to Sydney, then"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "hee hee. yay too-good fake identity"

Kori says, "It's the strain of trying to be cooperative. Give me some credit, here -- I could be leaving you to deal with your daughter's enemies alone."

Michel says, "I was going to be the Regal of Daughter-kidnapping Bastards who need to be Shot, but I thought that would be too obvious"

Kori smirks

Wilfred says, "<Power of Mysteries?>"

Michel says, "I hope it's not a modern graveyard. All those organised rows are incredibly depressing."

Kori makes a little face

GM says (to Wilfred), "continuing to process reports as you walk through the library passages, you see the guy was sent out of the police station with instructions on how to file for new papers and a cheap place he could stay, since apparently his credit cards and traveller's checks had also vanished"

Kori says, "I suppose I should find a convenient tree or something to hide behind"

Michel heads to Marseilles and misappropriates a car with a capacious boot

Kori says, "here's hoping they have one"

GM asks, "Michel and Kori head out to Marseilles -- anyone else coming?"

Michel says (to Kori), "you could hide in the boot and then jump out in ambush"

Wilfred adjusts his suit (solid black this time, not grey pinstripes) and dons a pair of dark glasses before heading off to the station where the report was made.

Kori says (to Michel), "you'd probably lock the damn thing"

Michel says (to Kori), "look, I've made one brilliant plan today, you can't expect the second to be very subtle"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I don't want to disrupt the sexual chemistry"

[Crows-Nest] Kori kicks Franklin

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "paper shin guards, ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Jack'll be calling in a bit, so you can chat to him with Alexandra, then"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "would kick franklin too, but cooperating with Kori on one thing is enough"

GM says (to Wilfred), "The receptionist looks up as you come in. "Can I help you?""

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "ok"

Alexandra stays behind to keep poking through books, and to check in with her brother by phone, as she's taken to doing every day

Kori says (to Michel), "I suppose it wouldn't be very plausible for me to pose as a passing graveyard attendant, at that hour"

Michel says (to Kori), "graveyards generally have churches nearby"

Kori asks, "what are you suggesting? a nun costume?"

Wilfred says, "Yes. I am investigating a Mr John Edwards, whom I understand to have recently filed an identity theft report with this precinct."

Michel asks (of Kori), "is it me, or are you thinking a little bit too much about nuns and bondage today?"

GM says, "The receptionist pauses. "I'll need to see some credentials before I help you with that, sir.""

Kori says, "That was a serious question."

Kori mutters, "More or less."

Wilfred flashes his credentials.

Wilfred *always* has credentials.

Kori says, "If there's a church around, I'll skulk inside, and jump out if you signal me."

GM says, "The receptionist's eyebrows raise and he sucks in his breath. "That will do nicely, yes.""

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "even his credentials have credentials"

Kori asks, "happy?"

Michel says, "what I meant was it could afford some cover. But we may be assuming that it exists - let's give the graveyard the once-over first"

GM says, ""Let me see here ...""

Michel says (to Kori), "I wouldn't go that far"

[interludes] GM has added Kori to the channel.

[interludes] GM has added Michel to the channel.

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "actually I am just amused by the thought of Kori dressing up in a nun costume"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred privately wonders which credentials just got flashed.

[interludes] GM says, "Meanwhile, you guys head to the churchyard outside marseilles"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "woo woo"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"

[interludes] Michel stops off briefly for coffee

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I liked how you didn't need to specify"

RogerCarbol arrives, looking for booty.

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Don't mind me; just a spectator."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, ""My credentials are right here in my pants. Pocket.""

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "If I may"

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to RC), "the Kori-Michel scene is the one with booty developing"

[interludes] Kori looks around the place for a convenient cover

GM says, ""It looks like the complaint was filed about two weeks ago -- he didn't have any evidence of the theft as such, but we filed a complaint report and directed him to a local hostel to stay while filing paperwork.""

[nobilis] Kori says, "IT IS NOT"

[interludes] GM asks (of Michel), "at your coffee shop, you mean?"

[nobilis] Alexandra slinks off to giggle quietly

Wilfred asks, "What is the address of this hostel?"

[interludes] Michel says, "is it a nasty neat-rows graveyard or a chaotic jumbled-up graveyeard full of old crooked trees and illegible lichen-covered tombstones and... okay, I'll calm down now"

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "There's another RC? This could get confusing."

[interludes] Michel says (to GM), "unh, yeah"

Wilfred takes out a black-backed notebook and takes notes (which he doesn't really need personally).

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "no, that was to you"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "well, really to Kori, but"

GM says, ""It's the usual hostel we direct folks too -- I think I have a card.""

GM says, "The man passes over a card with the address"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "hmm, that's odd. There's a sign in the window saying "CLOSED FOR REPAIRS""

[interludes] GM says, "(only, you know, in french)"

Wilfred says, "Thank you. Good day."

Wilfred turns out his heel and walks out.

[interludes] Michel says, "ferme pour les reparations"

[interludes] Michel says, "han-hi-han"

[interludes] GM says, "hee hee"

Wilfred heads hostel-wards.

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I be rude to Michel, everyone makes these jokes. I be nice: more jokes."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "ya CAN'T WIN"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Now why am I not surprised at all?"

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "I see. Kinda. Not really. But I'll just smile and nod, like usual."

[interludes] Kori asks (of Michel), "Something wrong?"

GM says, ""Mister Edwards-Housman? Ah, yes, he was staying with us for a while -- up until, let's see, just yesterday.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "be careful. Michel likes girls with violent mood swings"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "heeagh"

Wilfred asks, "What happened yesterday?"

[interludes] Michel says, "My coffee house appears to suddenly be shut. For repairs."

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "if he tries anything Kori will Create a very sharp pair of scissors in a very personal location"

GM says, ""His paperwork finally got straighted out -- someone from the, um, some department or other came to pick him up and get his signatures for his passport""

[interludes] Kori asks, "Yours as in one you frequent?"

Wilfred raises an eyebrow behind the shades.

[interludes] Michel says, "unh, own"

[interludes] Kori peers through the glass.

[interludes] Michel unlocks the door and walks in

[interludes] Kori raises her eyebrows at Michel. "I see."

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "it's a bit hard to make out, since it's evening (I'm assuming around 10pm, although I guess you guys could have come earlier) but nothing looks out of order"

[interludes] Kori says, "And I take it no one mentioned to you it was in need of repairs."

Wilfred considers the various departments which would be involved in this.

[interludes] Michel says, "as a nobilis I consider it important to maintain bases all over the place"

[interludes] Michel strides behind the bar

[interludes] GM says, "and when you walk in, it's more or less ok -- the front room is fine, although two of the tables and some of the chairs are knocked over, and there seem to be a few spilled espressors"

[interludes] Kori says, "Mmhmm."

[interludes] GM says, "(er, -r)"

Wilfred asks, "And he left ... for where?"

[interludes] Kori . o O ( and it's easier than actually paying for that caffeine addiction )

[interludes] Michel says, "oh, the humanity"

GM says, ""With the woman -- she was going to escort him to her office and get the paperwork finished.""

[interludes] Michel taps on the ceiling behind the bar a couple of times

[interludes] Kori instinctively picks up and straightens a couple of chairs

Wilfred says, "Describe the woman."

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "nothing seems disturbed there"

[interludes] Michel looks visibly relieved

GM says (to Wilfred), ""Ah .. medium height, professional attire, short heels, brown hair, sunglasses""

[interludes] Kori asks (of Michel), "safe?"

Wilfred asks, "He did not return from this?"

[interludes] Michel asks, "yeah. Could you check out the graveyard while I ring around the staff?"

GM says, ""No, he said he was checking out, since once his paperwork was straightened out I suppose he'd be in funds again.""

[interludes] Kori says, "Sure."

[interludes] Kori heads over to the graveyard.

[interludes] GM says, "from behind the bar you can see into the back room, since the door is open"

[interludes] GM says, "there seems to be somebody sitting at the desk there by the phone"

Wilfred . o O ( hm. if this were legitimate paperwork, i should know about it. i wonder where his driver's license is now.... )

GM says (to Wilfred), "you get a vague impression of it being somewhat nearby -- maybe a mile or so"

[interludes] Michel reaches very quietly above the bar and extracts a submachinegun

[Crows-Nest] Kori says (to Michel), "geez, man"

[interludes] Kori arrives at the graveyard and begins looking around

[interludes] GM says, "Meanwhile, at the graveyard, there's a fence around the outside, as is often the case, and then you can vaguely make out two guys standing in the shadows on either side of the (closed) main gate"

[interludes] Michel sneaks forwards, trying to get a better look

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Somewhat got the domain of Paperwork? Heh."

[Crows-Nest] RogerCarbol says, "Err, 'Someone...'"

[interludes] Kori asks, "any plausible place to hide?"

Wilfred thanks the hostel guy and strikes off in that direction.

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred is the Power of Bureaucracy.

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "the guy doesn't move -- he's leaning slightly forward, one hand on the desk, staring forward (which is sideways from your perspective)"

[interludes] GM says, "It's dark in the office so it's hard to see more, unless you switch on the light"

[interludes] GM asks (of Kori), "inside the fence or outside?"

[interludes] Kori says, "inside"

[interludes] Michel keeps the weapon out of sight. "Hey."

[interludes] GM says, "outside is easy, since there's shrubbery and stuff"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "no response"

[interludes] GM says, "inside you'll need to get past the fence"

Michel says, "<Oh, fuck.>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<problems?>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<I think they may have killed one of my staff>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<shit!>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "the way leads into the bad part of town"

[interludes] Michel steps into the back room, glancing around

[interludes] Kori says, "<Do you need me to come back? It looks like your, er, appointment is already at the graveyard>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "the hostel is just in the vaguely not-so-nice part, but the direction taken is very definitely the bad part"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<you're okay for now>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "you step a bit gingerly around the trash and occasional rotting vegetables on the ground"

[interludes] Kori keeps out of sight and keeps a watch on the two men

Wilfred asks (of GM), "do I get any sense of any real paperwork having actually been done here?"

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "yeah, looks like he's dead -- as you get closer, you can see a bit of blood has spilled onto the desk and the telephone which he's still got a hand on"

GM says (to Wilfred), "nope"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<look, I had a thought - wouldn't it be better if you did the talking and I did the hiding? I can hide better and, unh, you might be marginally less inclined to shoot them on sight>"

Wilfred stops.

GM says (to Wilfred), "the way leads on behind some big buildings -- abandoned warehouses, maybe"

Wilfred says, "<Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I may be about to walk into a trap.>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<uhhh... I can try, sure. The basic bluff is just that I have the girl somewhere and I want a large sum of money, correct?>"

[interludes] Michel sighs very deeply

[interludes] Kori says, "<look, I've had my own problems to keep an eye on lately>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<so excuse me if I've been following your little saga imperfectly>"

Alexandra glances up from the books

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<And if you have problems, you're the Viscount of Captivity (or whatever) and you want Ghin-aj's assistance with something>"

Alexandra says, "<irf. give a yell if you need us, 'kay? I can hop over to ... er, wherever you are>"

Wilfred . o O ( wait ... Darren was just supposed to be a decoy ... clearly he's done his bit as such. Why am I caring what's happened to him? )

[interludes] Kori says, "<uh... right. this could go south fast, but okay. Do they know they're expecting a male?>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "There's a dead innocent here; I think I am allowed to sigh a little"

[interludes] Kori says, "<yeah"

Wilfred says, "<I appear to be in a rather seedy section of Sydney, Australia.>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I'm sorry about your innocent friend>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<not many female kidnappers in the Marseilles underworld, true>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<hmm. well, finish your business there, whatever you're going to do; I'm not moving in here until I have backup>"

[interludes] Michel says, ""<but, mrm, I still think this way is better. Up to you>"

Wilfred sighs. In for a penny, in for a pound ... peers cautiously behind big buildings.

Alexandra snorts quietly at the thought of 'seedy' Sydney and makes a mental note to introduce Wilfred to some of NYC's more 'coloful' neighborhoods sometime

[interludes] Kori says, "<I'm willing to try, but if I get in trouble I expect you to give me a hand>"

[interludes] Michel snags the anti-tank gun for good measure

GM says (to Wilfred), "it looks like a shadowy alley that terminates in some dumpsters"

[interludes] Kori . o O ( if this is just an elaborate way for Michel to get rid of me I am going to be very, very pissed. Briefly. )

GM says, "dead-end, except for a fire escape"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<does four sound enough?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<two for each, I guess, yeah>"

[interludes] Kori eyeballs the two guys again

[interludes] Michel locks up

Wilfred strides down for a look-see.

[interludes] GM says, "They look like not-very-bright goons"

[interludes] Michel asks (of Kori), "you want to drive the car, or would that be too easy to see through?"

[interludes] Michel says, "<also, if we want this to work, we really have to wait until the proper time>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "hrm, nothing, nothing -- ah, behind that dumpster there (currently tilted to obscure the corner of the alley"

[interludes] Kori says, "<right -- I can drive if you like>"

Wilfred asks (of GM), "...yes...?"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I'll come back and approach more conspicuously at the correct hour>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "you roll the dumpster out of the way, and -- oy"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<I doubt it matters. It'll probably take me a while to crawl into a decent position as a mantis, so I'll start now>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<a mantis carrying anti-tank weaponry? this I gotta see>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "Darren's dead body has been tossed in the corner there, which is perhaps not entirely unexpected"

GM says, "but the bloody metal rod next to him and the scratched inscription on the side-wall here probably are"

[interludes] Kori slips into Mythic sight

[interludes] Kori looks over the graveyard in this form

Wilfred reads inscription

GM says, ""THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM""

Wilfred . o O ( uh-oh )

[interludes] Michel says, "heads towards the graveyard, pausing somewhere quiet to assume mantis form"

[interludes] GM says, "Graveyards are even creepier in mythic sight than they are regularly"

Wilfred turns and heads back to the chancel (calling police to deal with the body first)

[interludes] Kori asks (of fence), "do you have a hole in you anywhere?"

[interludes] GM says, ""I've been asking them to get that bar replaced," the fence mumbles. "Me with a pain all down my left side and a loose bar just by the big tree. Anybody could get in!""

GM says, "meanwhile, just as Wilfred is getting back, Alexandra's cellphone rings."

[interludes] Kori asks (of fence), "that's a real shame -- has anyone come in that way lately?"

GM says, ""This is Jack -- did you have a place in mind to meet?""

[interludes] Kori looks along the fence to find the hole

Alexandra suggests a local, fairly quiet cafe

[interludes] Michel wanders up, as a mantis with suspicious bulges under his wing-cases

GM says, ""That would be excellent. I'll be there in thirty minutes.""

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "har"

[interludes] GM says, ""Oh, no, they just stomp in through the front -- can you believe my lock got clipped off with a pair of metal cutters and tossed on the ground? No consideration, I tell you.""

[interludes] Kori asks (of fence), "how many of them came in?"

Wilfred says, "<Well, it appears that my brother John is dead again. Beaten to death by muggers in Sydney.>"

Wilfred says, "<I don't think there'll be a funeral this time round. Rupert would get suspicious.>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Lovely>"

[interludes] GM says, ""I hardly think I would keep track of trespassers -- but there must have been a half-dozen or so.""

[interludes] Kori says (to fence), "Really? I can only see two"

[interludes] Kori asks (of fence), "Where are the others?"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "I've got the impression that there's more company than it looks like. Also, if it comes in handy, there's a break in the fence by the large tree"

Alexandra says, "<er ... I take it another stand-in was offed, not actually John?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "[er, that was in <>]"

Wilfred says, "<I think my next step will be to find the real John McRae Edwards.>"

Wilfred says, "<Remember Darren? Him.>"

[interludes] GM says, ""They all went inside, didn't they -- tromping over the mausoleum to the with their cases and their shovels and their big boots.""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<since these guys are quite obviously small-time thugs, treat them as such- browbeat, pour scorn, don't directly ask to see their boss but make sure they're very aware of how inappropriate their presence is, and so on>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<got it>"

[interludes] Kori asks (of fence), "the mausoleum? Are they still in there?"

[interludes] Kori slips in through the hole and looks around.

[interludes] Michel clambers through the fence and makes his way gradually through the grass

[interludes] GM says, ""Well, they haven't come out again.""

[interludes] GM asks, "What time is it now?"

[interludes] Kori says, "Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing"

[interludes] Kori says, "I figure it must be closing in on time"

[interludes] GM asks, "ok, so 11:30 or so?"

Alexandra says, "<Eep. Just make sure whoever cleans up the mess knows he'll want They Might Be Giants played at the funeral>"

[interludes] Kori says, "yeah"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Alexandra), "snrk"

Alexandra sets out for the cafe

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<sounds like there are four or more guys inside the mausoleum, doing god knows what>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "something with shovels, which I don't really understand"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Franklin,Wilfred), "you guys going with her?"

[interludes] Michel says, ""<okay, this is definitely worth investigating>"

[interludes] Michel heads towards the mausoleum

[interludes] GM says, "You guys scope out the area -- it looks like there's a big mausoleum in roughly the center of the graveyard"

[interludes] Kori waits, silent and out of sight, keeping an eye on the two guys by the front gate

[interludes] GM says, "Three guys are standing around it looking around"

[interludes] Kori asks, "Do they look like they're in position to get a drop on anyone coming in that way?"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Might as well ... much on my mind, but maybe information gained here would help."

[interludes] Kori keeps to the shadows

[interludes] Michel scopes them in mythic to make sure they *are* just thugs before he gets too close

[interludes] GM says, "There are some things piled on the ground that could be shovels or could be other long poles of some kind"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "(why do we need to speak to Jack? I forget.)"

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "meanwhile, the gate guards are apparently only keeping watch for people coming in to the graveyard, or at least that's the only direction they're looking"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "he was appearing to Karin in her dreams, but denies it was him doing it"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "So, either he is lying or someone is mucking with both our lives"

[interludes] GM says, "a few scraps of conversation drift across the night air "..going to be coming? ..." "... just about finished ..." "... kick those out of sight ..." "... all covered ..""

[interludes] GM says, "and then "shut up, idiots, and stick to the plan.""

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "okay"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Great. If I get captured when it's supposed to be you, you owe me BIGTIME>"

[interludes] Michel says, ""<I'd advocate being a little less than prompt, just to make 'em sweat a bit>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<fair enough -- I think I'm going to sneak out and come round by the front gate, though, so that they don't know I've been in here>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<don't worry, I'll try and get close enough to see what's going on first>"

[interludes] Kori waits for Michel to get more info

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "you get closer and see one man picking up the shovels and carting them off to toss them down behind a gravestone, and another using his boot to smooth down a couple areas of disturbed earth around the mausoleum"

GM says, "meanwhile, back with Jack"

Wilfred decides to accompany Alexandra on the off-chance that there might be info on Who might be doing this.

GM says, "He arrives a few minutes after you do at the cafe, sliding smoothly into his seat and gesturing to the waiter to bring him a coffee"

[interludes] Michel says, ""<I'm not sure what this means but I don't like it>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<yeah, looks not-good to me>"

GM says, ""Well then," Jack says. "Perhaps I should have talked to you before.""

Wilfred has tea. Darjeeling.

[interludes] Michel says, ""<if you want we could just go in guns blazing and cut the risk>"

[interludes] Kori asks (of nearby gravestone), "Do you know anything about these disturbances?"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<what I'm most worried about is not conventional weaponry, but that they've got the materials of some kind of ritual set up here>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<mrm, that's entirely possible>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<which would suggest they know what we are and that it could be deeply bad for whomever they wind up catching>"

Alexandra says, "Has sometime happened since we last spoke? Also, Wilfred Edwards, Bureaucracy. My chancelmate."

[interludes] Michel says, "<possible that they're just planning Bad Things for Therese, but that can be achieved without tearing up a graveyard>"

[interludes] GM says, "In a very thick and slow voice, the gravestone says "More digging -- digging at night, this time -- I am used to digging at day and the burying of bodies.""

[interludes] Kori asks (of gravestone), "did they take things out of the earth? or put things into it?"

GM says, ""So pleased," Jack murmurs. "No, nothing else, but I worry that something will happen soon.""

[interludes] Michel says, "<I'm checking inside the mausoleum before we do anything.>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<right>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Things were buried, but not bodies. Stones, perhaps.""

[interludes] Michel asks (of GM), "does the graveyard look as if there have been recent burials here? i.e. that it's still in use?"

[interludes] GM says, "Yeah"

[interludes] Michel says, "dammit"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<okay, I'm getting a strongly bad vibe about this re. the rituals thing>"

Alexandra says, "Mmm. Many of my chancel share that concern.""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<you don't say>"

Kori says, "<anyone in chancel right now?>"

[interludes] GM says, "Not all the time -- it's probably the graveyard of some small church with a low attendance, but it's not actively in disuse"

Alexandra says, "You said you were interested in the ... graffiti at Karin's studio."

[interludes] Michel divines emptiness within the mausoleum to try and work out if there's any excavation inside it

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<what do you suppose would happen if we just failed to show up for this meeting?>"

Alexandra says, "<think not ...>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<we might be able go figure out what's going on>"

[interludes] GM says, "The mausoleum door is only open a crack, but you're able to wriggle in -- it looks like there are two men standing there, one holding a thermos and the other a flashlight"

Franklin says, "<Oh, I am, I suppose.>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<and I don't relish sticking my head in a noose unnecessarily>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<we could get more backup if needs be?>"

GM says, ""Yes. I am tracking down leads and one led to the gang which I believe performed the graffiti.""

Kori says (to Franklin), "<Oh, good. Can you do a little research and see if you can find out about any rituals involving stones buried in graveyards or anything similar? Anti-nobilis rituals, say?>"

GM says, ""I was at her studio once or twice, and it is, ah, possible Karin saw me there.""

Franklin does a little research to see if he can find out about any anti-Nobilis rituals involving stones buried in graveyards.

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<maybe, though if they have something set up to imprison or transport people extra fire-power might not be enough...>"

Alexandra says, "Hmm. I supposed it's possible that's what prompted her dreams -- God knows she's impressionable -- but her reaction when she saw you at the show ... it seemed you'd made a very great impression on her."

GM says (to Franklin), "not as such -- there is a reasonably well-known binding spell that can be done in graveyards, but it only holds the people in place for a short period of time if they are strong-willed"

Alexandra asks, "This gang. Is it merely a gang, or something more worrisome?"

Franklin says (to Kori), "<There's only something about a temporary binding spell. Does that mean anything to you?>"

[interludes] Kori glances at her watch

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "ten til."

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<here's an idea: the mausoleum is obviously at the centre of this. presumably any ritual would need someone to drop the trigger, right? How about I quietly break these guys' necks just before you turn up? Except that would blow our cover eventually, even if it wasn't immediately obvious>"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<Yes, possibly significant. Does it say how long the thing lasts? Minutes? Hours?>"

GM says, ""Is? Was, now -- after their failed attempt to sacrifice your sister they seem to have broken up.""

Franklin says (to Kori), "<It seems to depend on the strength of will of the person being bound.>"

[interludes] Michel says, "binding? I really don't like this"

[interludes] Kori says, "<no, neither do I>"

GM says, ""But I am interested in tracing back the paths they left; finding the thing that cast them as shadows, as it were.""

Kori says (to Franklin), "<Hmm. It looks a lot like someone's set a trap for Michel's meeting>"

Kori says (to Franklin), "<I don't like the sounds of it. Thanks for the research>"

Franklin says (to Kori), "<You're welcome.>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<what now? It would be the height of stupidity to walk into a trap like this.>"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "if you'd like to head over to the cafe and talk with the others you could presumably do that"

Kori says, "<if you don't hear from either of us for a couple of hours, send someone to follow up at <location of graveyard>>"

Alexandra says, "Have you spoken with Raul? That seems a search he could easily aid."

Wilfred says, "Well, clearly someone's still out to get us. I don't particularly like it."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "you said that last time, and then research needed to happen"

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] GM says, "this is true"

[interludes] Kori says, "<Yeah, I don't know>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<if binding spells are going on, it might be a lot better to wait and let them get pissed off>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<or work out a counterspell>"

Alexandra broods at her iced tea.

GM says, ""Raul, eh? That's not a bad idea -- I spoke to him once, but only briefly.""

[interludes] Kori says, "<Honestly, I think I'm most inclined to not show up>"

GM says, ""But the main reason -- well.""

Michel says (to Franklin), "<Is there any counterritual that could be used to diffuse this sort of enchantment?>"

Franklin scribbles location of graveyard and summary of Michel-Kori situation on a notepad.

[interludes] Kori says, "<force them to report the failure to their masters -- they look nervous, perhaps a change of plans would throw them enough to reveal something>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<I'm inclined to agree>"

GM says, ""Let me start again. The reason I wished to speak to you is because I have decided you are not responsible for the lost chancels, and therefore you are possibly useful in tracking down who is.""

Alexandra says, "I would think ... a Noble as old as you, it seems it would take a very great power to cast your shadow into someone's dreams. I worry about what kind of force we are up against."

[interludes] Kori . o O ( there's a first )

Franklin says (to Michel), "<Well, let's see. This seems to be a fairly common spell, so let me look.>"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "Michel-Kori "situation"? Did they run off to Gretna Green now?"

[interludes] Kori says, "<very well then>"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "see?"

[interludes] Michel says, "<if we can't get a counterspell, we'd do better to retreat>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I wonder-- well. I'm also half-inclined to mend the fence and lock so they can't leave, but that might be a little too revealing>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<fun, though>"

Alexandra laughs sharply. "I'm flattered that we were suspects, given how new and comparatively powerless our chancel is.

[interludes] Michel says, "<that, or I could take the anti-tank gun to the mausoleum>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<but then we'd give away more than we find out>"

GM says, "Jack raises his eyebrows. "Young, yes, but only a fool would underestimate Vona or Shagapir Seven-Eyed .. and when they *cooperate*.""

[interludes] Kori says, "<these guys look like small change -- just killing them won't matter much to their controllers>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<it'd be a nice introduction, and a good place from where to start negotiations"

Alexandra says, "But yes, we very much share an interest in determing what is responsible for the disappearance."

Wilfred says, "I did rather get the impression that they were polar opposites."

[interludes] Michel says, "<let me see... if you were a freelance nobilis and you found this, what would you do?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<negotiations? if you do that, they're not going to believe any of your cover stories>"

[interludes] Kori says, "hmm"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "it looks like there's something, yeah -- a little chant you can recite mentally that should keep it from taking effect, or at least lower its effectiveness (and it's already less effective against nobilis, so)"

[interludes] Michel says, "<Most likely, retreat and put up a message to the effect of 'I don't know what you were trying to do, but I'm very goddamn disappointed>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I think I'd send in a normal with a message saying that I have discerned they're operating in bad faith, and set another meeting in a location of MY choice>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<right>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "Armande tells me they those often attract."

Alexandra says, "By the way, on the subject of disapperances -- I hear a certain rival of yours has gone incommunicado."

Franklin says (to Michel), "<There's a little chant that can dull its effectiveness, or possibly prevent it -- I suppose it's also dependent on the person's will. But it's easy enough that you can recite it mentally instead of aloud.>"

Wilfred thinks about Edges and Emptiness.

Franklin says (to Michel), "<(relay-of-chant)>"

GM says, "Jack frowns. "Yes, and I don't like that -- since I didn't have a hand it.""

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says (to Wilfred), "ouch. if they hook up, they'd *better* be into s&m. the combination of those elements sounds painful"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<Think that gives us enough edge? I'm still wary>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "crikey"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "HELLO GUYS"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "I CAN HEAR YOU"

GM says, ""And it concerns me that there is so little concern over this.""

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin laughs

[Crows-Nest] Michel coughs

[interludes] Kori says, "<the chant? yeah, I don't know>"

Alexandra says, "It does seem odd there hasn't been a more widespread outcry."

Michel says (to Franklin), "<mrm, thanks>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<your call, I suppose>"

GM says, ""Especially when -- and this is the reason I hesitated to speak to you before -- my divinations suggest strongly that there is an Excrucian traitor among the nobilis involved here.""

[interludes] Michel says, "<I'm a little distrustful of that kind of chance - it sounds like a recipe for a pitched battle either way, which is going to be fruitless>"

GM says, ""I have made some --" he coughs "--attempts to ferret them out, but whoever it is is well-shielded.""

Wilfred asks, "Do we have a complete list? Or better yet, personnel dossiers?"

Alexandra asks, "Hmm. 'Involved' how? Tangentially, or perhaps in our chancel or Shagapir's?"

[interludes] Kori says, "<yeah -- I agree. Let's hold off and watch what happens when it's clear we're not showing up>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<if nothing happens, we bugger off and leave another card on the board, and hope their evidence wasn't conclusively pointing to us>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<okay>"

Wilfred . o O ( Clearly someone adept at using the noble's own powers against them ... but ... wouldn't that be Gaston and Reflection? )

[interludes] Michel finds a tussock of grass at the foot of a grave and sits back to watch the show

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "it's Bronwynn. gotta be Bronwynn."

[interludes] Kori slips back near the fence-hole, in preparation for a hasty departure

GM says, ""Not in either of your chancels, I think, or I would not have spoken. But somehow involved with all that is going on here -- Cecily's anchor killed, the Chancel of the Four Winds found, a certain children's tv show gaining in popularity --""

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says (to Kori), "tolerating Gaston's attentions doesn't necessarily mean someone has sold off their soul ..."

[interludes] GM says, "The night rolls on, and the guards get more and more visibly impatient. Finally, one speaks. "I don't think they're coming""

Wilfred . o O ( two attempts on John's life so far, each apparently made through identification via paperwork )

[Crows-Nest] Kori asks, "pretty damn good evidence, though, don't you think?"

[interludes] GM says, ""What time is it?" "Almost 2." "They're not coming.""

[interludes] Kori says, "<man, this is the point at which if I had the power I would totally make it start pouring rain>"

[interludes] GM says, ""We'd best be out before dawn." "What about the--""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<I could arrange some mosquitoes>"

[interludes] Michel does

Wilfred asks, "So we're looking for a common link through all this?"

[interludes] Kori says, "<heehee>"

[interludes] GM says, ""It's not really safe to leave them-- ow, dammit!" The man slaps himself."

GM says, ""Or a common motivator behind them all.""

[interludes] Michel says, "<aHA>"

GM says, ""Or perhaps they are just random coincidences -- nobilis are always up to something.""

Alexandra says, "I may not have been playing this game for long, but one thing I have learned already is that Nobles -- and their Imperators -- are masters of misdirection. It is difficult to identify suspicious behaviors -- or decide whom to trust -- when all can so easily be manipulated."

Wilfred of course can always be trusted.

GM says, ""But I hear Ghir-aj scraping at his walls, more awake than he has been for a long time.""

Alexandra says, "But. Tracing the paths left behind by those seeking to cause harm sounds a sensible starting place."

GM says, ""I would hate to be here -- or anywhere -- if he gets out.""

[interludes] GM says, "Eventually one of the guards outside the mausoeleum steps in and goes downstairs. There's some conversation, ending with "..better dig them up.""

[interludes] GM says, "And the men emerge, grab shovels, and start digging carefully."

[interludes] Kori tries to position herself to see what's being dug up

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "Oy. We're supposed to worry about ghira now?"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "har"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<what do you think of going in pretty much as soon as they've been dug up, acting as normal?>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "Jack, Viscount of Foreshadows"

GM says, "(er, Ghin-aj)"

[interludes] Kori says, "<you mean, pretending to be really really late for the meeting?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I think I'm more in favor of seeing where they go at this point>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<we'd have to abandon our first bluff, yeah>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<but it might play into the second>"

[interludes] GM says, "They seem to be unearthing -- suitcases? About a half-dozen of them, medium-size"

[interludes] Kori glares at the suitcases

[interludes] GM says, "Buried around the outer walls of the mausoleum"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<what if they just go home? they'll have their orders all sorted out>"

[interludes] Kori asks, "could I perhaps cause one of the suitcases to pop open? Create a crack?"

[interludes] Michel asks (of GM), "empty suitcases?"

[interludes] Michel divines

[interludes] GM says, "the suitcases aren't empty, yeah -- almost full"

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "sure -- want to wait until they're all unearthed, or before"

[interludes] GM asks, "?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

[interludes] Kori says, "as they're about half done"

[interludes] GM says, "ok"

[interludes] GM says, "One guy starts to lift one out and he suddenly curses as, with a ripping noise, it opens and spills out the contents"

Wilfred says, "Clearly I shall have to go over the old incident reports...."

[interludes] Kori leans forward to see what's inside

[interludes] GM says, "He jumps back and dives to the ground."

[interludes] Kori says, "<goodness>"

[interludes] Michel chews an antenna

[interludes] GM says, ""Idiot!" the guy digigng next to him says. "They don't go off on impact.""

[interludes] Michel says, "<what, explosives?>"

[interludes] GM says, ""You'd better load that back up and hold it shut as best you can.""

[interludes] Kori says, "<well, THAT was interesting>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<now what?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<do you still want to go in? I have a suspicion I understand the full plan now>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<elaborate>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<namely, hold us -- or rather, you -- and then leave and blow the whole place sky-high>"

[interludes] GM says, "now he starts loading the smaller boxes into the suitcase and carrying it to the car -- the other men continue to carefully dig up the others"

[interludes] Kori says, "<no evidence, no little pieces>"

[interludes] Michel says, "mrm"

[interludes] Kori says, "<shall I cause them a little more trouble?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<or do you want to just follow?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<we could break their car down>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<I am sick to the back teeth of failing to find anything substantial to use against this bastard.>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<this plan suggests that they know it's you, though>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<otherwise, they'd be more interested in getting Therese and less in blowing up the middleman>"

GM says, ""Well," says Jack, rising. "I am not sure what is happening with Karin -- if you like I will continue to investigate, or if you would rather I will allow you to follow up and stay away. Also, I think, I will speak to Raul when he is available.""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<we could try to bluff heavily, but it seems a little late, yeah>"

[interludes] Michel says, "I guess we'll have to cut our losses and follow"

Alexandra says, "I would appreciate it if you'd let me know anything you find out about the dreams. They worry me. And I request that Raul contact you."

[interludes] Kori asks, "Want me to cut all the wires in their car? or are we done with suspicious accidents for the evening?"

[interludes] Michel says, "and then take out our frustration by beating them all up individually"

Alexandra also rises to leave

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "er, 'I will request'"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "I think empty tank and tyres, plus a cut brake line"

[interludes] Kori says, "<you take care of the empty, then>"

[interludes] Michel says, "*fwoosh*"

Wilfred says (to Jack), "It's been a pleasure, sir. I have no doubt we'll be communicating further in the future."

[interludes] Kori causes a cut in the brake line

GM says (to Wilfred), "please do. I am always interested in information."

[interludes] Kori waits, watching

[interludes] GM asks, "there are actually two cars, it looks like -- are you zapping both of them?"

Alexandra heads back to the chancel. After a quick detour for some coffee beans so she doesn't have to keep drinking the sludge the monks brew.

GM says, "Jack bows slightly, tosses a tip onto the table next to his coffee cup, and strides out"

[interludes] Michel says (to GM), "naturally"

[interludes] GM says, "Ok"

Wilfred leaves exactly 15% and follows Alex out.

[interludes] GM says, "The men load up the trunks with the suitcases and shovels, and then climb in, only to discover the car won't start at all"

[interludes] Kori says, "<I wonder what would happen if the local police found them here with a shitload of illegal explosives>"

[interludes] GM says, "They initially start arguing over who forgot to refill the tank, but then one points out the tires are empty too."

[interludes] Kori says, "<I don't think they're going anywhere in a hurry>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<it will be relatively humane>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<but do you suppose anyone would come bail them out? maybe not, I guess>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<I'm increasingly fond of the harry-and-capture plan>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<very well>"

[interludes] Kori leans back and continues to watch

[interludes] Michel says, "<hey presto, interrogation subjects>"

Wilfred asks (of Alex), "Well. What do you think?"

[interludes] Kori says, "<you want to pick them off and take them back to chancel?>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<or try to separate them and just take one?>"

Alexandra says, "Interesting information, and potentially a good ally to have. Or a dangerous enemy to let in. I've no idea whether he's to be trusted."

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<I say pick 'em off and take them back to coffee house>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<no point in bringing vipers into our midst>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<reasonable enough, though it's up to you to manage the heavy weaponry>"

[interludes] GM says, "The men are now arguing about what to do next. Eventually one says, "Ok, we leave the stuff -- I don't think the police can connect it. You can start walking or not -- I'm calling for a taxi.""

[interludes] GM says, "He pulls out a cellphone and does so."

Wilfred says (to Alex), "I would prefer it if we could hold a board meeting to discuss this. I suspect our problems must be connected."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hrm. I'm going to leave early tonight"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<quick, steal a taxi>"

[interludes] Kori hops around the block looking for one

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "meaning now-ish"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "bye"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "byebye"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "good work researching"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "seeya"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "nighty"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin gives the ol thumbs-up

Franklin is called home.

[interludes] GM says, "This is kind of outside the main city, but eventually you see a taxi arriving"

Wilfred says, "Where is everyone now, I wonder."

[interludes] Kori flags it down

Alexandra says, "Yes, we'll round up the others for an infodump, once they return from whatever parts they've scattered to."

[Crows-Nest] Michel starts sneaking up towards the group

[interludes] GM says, "The driver slows as he sees you. "Sorry, I got a fare to pick up," he says."

[interludes] GM says, ""Want me to call for another car?""

[interludes] Kori nods and shrugs, but silently creates a very sharp object right in front of one of the tires

[interludes] Kori says, ""Go ahead.""

[interludes] GM says, "He gets a little way and then pffft."

[interludes] GM says, "He stops the car and gets out and kneels down to look at the tire"

Wilfred asks, "Back to the chancel, then?"

[interludes] GM says, "Meanwhile, of the seven or so guys there, two are walking off, with the rest waiting for taxis"

[interludes] Kori jumps into the driver's seat, applies a quick pseudo-fix, and floors it

[interludes] Kori says, "(trying not to actually kill the driver in the process)"

[interludes] GM says, ""Hey! Wait! Come back here!""

[interludes] Kori yells back, "Sorry!"

[interludes] GM says, "He waves his hands expressively."

[interludes] GM says, "And luckily his taxi-driver hat is on the seat next to him"

Alexandra says, "yup"

Alexandra heads

[interludes] Kori ignores him and drives around to where the guys are waiting

[interludes] Kori pulls the hat on, low

Wilfred goes

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Kori), "<mrm. think you can deal with five incompetent oafs, or shall we let some go to make sure we get the majority?>"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "enh, channel"

[interludes] Michel says, "what I said on #crows"

[interludes] Kori says, "<let a couple go>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<taxi can only carry four anyway>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<supposedly>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Finally!" the guy says, seeing you. "Wait, we called for two taxis -- what happened to the other?""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "we can squeeze a few more in, doubtless"

[interludes] Kori pulls up by the graveyard and looks out of the window with a deliberately stupid expression

[interludes] Kori shrugs Gallicly

[interludes] Kori says, ""I can only drive one car at a time. You want to get in, or not?""

[interludes] GM says, ""Well, I'm not waiting," he says. "Jacques, you can walk or wait.""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<okay, this is the best bit: the horrible realisation>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<heehee>"

[interludes] GM says, "He and the other three pile in, leaving Jacques looking around sadly."

[interludes] Michel pops up behind the thugs with SMG levelled

[interludes] GM says, "*click*"

[interludes] GM says, "They look around nervously"

Wilfred sees about getting an espresso machine for the chancel.

[interludes] Michel says, "Room for one more, I think"

[interludes] Kori grins out at Jacques with many many teeth

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh ...""

[interludes] Michel seizes Jacques by an ear and tosses him lightly into the cab

[interludes] GM says, ""Oof!" "ow!" "thunk!""

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<you getting in too?>"

[interludes] GM says, "Jacques lands in with the others"

[interludes] Michel closes the door

[interludes] Kori locks the doors and breaks the rear unlocking mechanism

[interludes] Michel clambers into the passenger side, keeping the SMG pointed in the general appropriate direction

[interludes] GM asks, "Right. now what?"

[interludes] Kori waits until Michel is inside and then stamps on the gas, causing a loud squeal

[interludes] Michel asks (of thugs), "I think that went rather smoothly. What about you?"

[interludes] Kori drives at a highly unsafe rate of speed towards the coffeeshop, avoiding any police-like vehicles

[interludes] GM says, "Their heads slam against the rear seats as she drives off"

[interludes] GM says, "It's 3am or so so the roads are pretty clear"

[interludes] Kori exclaims, "Excuse me, I don't actually have a taxi license!"

[interludes] Kori cuts another corner so close it almost takes off the passenger side doors

[interludes] GM says, "the men's eyes bulge out even wider, if possible"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<is there a place around the back of this shop we could park, for less street exposure?>"

[interludes] GM says, "er, s/wider/further/"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I'd rather not be seen manhandling all these guys in plain sight>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<there's a deliveries entrance>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Perfect>"

[interludes] Kori jerks the car around down an extremely narrow alley, cobbled

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "If the guys don't need remedial dentistry after this it won't be my fault"

[interludes] Kori brings the car to an abrupt stop about two and a half inches from the back wall of the coffee shop.

[interludes] GM says, "bumpty bumpty bump screech"

[interludes] Kori exclaims (at Thugs), "Your stop, I believe!"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "for dentistry you need somewhere to put the teeth"

[interludes] Kori glances at the meter. "I believe that comes to 75 francs."

[interludes] Kori says, ""Plus tip.""

[interludes] GM says, "they reach hastily for their wallets"

[Crows-Nest] Kori laughs and laughs

[interludes] Michel frowns at Kori. "You are enjoying tormenting these poor cretins far too much."

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I thought that was the whole point?>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "'s my job."

[interludes] Kori unlocks the rear door on one side, allowing them to pile out single-file

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<hey, all the real damage I've caused is to the cleanliness of their underwear. The rest I leave to you>"

[interludes] Michel opens the other side and applies a boot to it to increase the speed of the piling

[interludes] Kori thoughtfully pockets the fare

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra asks, "quite the jolly interlude we're missing, eh?"

[interludes] GM says, "The men head inside hastily"

[Crows-Nest] Kori says, "mwahaha"

[interludes] Michel says, "hmm. this place is rapidly becoming less and less of a coffee house and more and more of an interrogation site for scum"

[nobilis] GM says, "right, yeah, if you guys want to do some other poking around, feel free"

[interludes] Kori says, "clearly you need to hire better dishwashers"

[interludes] Michel asks (of Kori), "ones who are alive?"

[interludes] Michel seats the thugs, and brews a pot of coffee

[nobilis] Alexandra is content to hang out round the chancel fretting and trying to monitor her family from afar

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "and working on world-domination plans, as always, of course"

[interludes] Michel says, "Now then."

[interludes] Kori leans back against a wall to let Michel work

Wilfred is concentrating on locating the real John McRae Edwards. Damn the man for his wandering-adventurer lifestyle.

[nobilis] Wilfred says (to Alex), "You're Currency. You already dominate the world."

[nobilis] Alex says (to Wilfred), "Okay, Alex is also Currency. You already dominate the world."

[interludes] GM says, "Just as you're sitting them down, the leader guy's cellphone rings."

[interludes] GM says, "He looks down at his pocket."

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Oy"

[interludes] Michel says (to leader), "Answer. Turn the volume up."

[nobilis] Wilfred says (to Alex), "forget that."

[nobilis] Alex says (to Wilfred), "Okay, Alex is not Currency. You already dominate the world."

[interludes] Michel says, "Read my lips."

[interludes] GM says, ""Ah -- right, yes.""

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh .. hello?" he says, into the phone. "Where the hell are you, Arno? You're an hour behind schedule!""

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to Alex), "join me and together we shall rule"

[nobilis] Alex exclaims (at Alexandra), "Awwwk! No parse found!"

[interludes] Michel glances across at Kori

[interludes] Kori shrugs

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<have him say the car got a flat, maybe?>"

[interludes] Michel mouths, "We got him."

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<we planned a lure, so let's lure>"

[interludes] Kori says, "<fair enough>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh .. we got him," Arno says. "What do you mean, got him? Did the plan work or not?""

[interludes] Kori takes off the taxi-driver hat, rotates it thoughtfully in her hands

[interludes] Michel mouths, "Yes"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<if this works I will laugh my ass off>"

GM says (to Wilfred), "it's especially inconvenient since his brushes with bureaucracy are small and somewhat fleeting -- he shows up in Egypt, but it's a few weeks after he checked out -- then briefly in south africa, and then in New Delhi."

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<indeed>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I could wish we'd had a chance to interrogate Arno here a little first, but what can you do?>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Er, yes, it did. Totally." "I'm so pleased to hear it -- so why the delay, then?""

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to wilfred), "if he's spending money, alex can probably help track"

[interludes] Michel mouths, "We had to dodge the police - we're lying low until things calm down"

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "Likewise, if he's crossing borders legitimately, I should be able to keep track. But he probably spends money more often than he crosses borders (though not by much)."

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<at least that's a safe bet>"

[interludes] GM says, ""We had to, uh, dodge the police -- we're lying low until things calm down.""

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<reasonable enough>"

Wilfred rubs his head.

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I don't suppose there's a way for us to trace this call? find out where the boss is located?>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "I say ... I think you may be able to help me on this ... I'm looking for someone who frequents the money-changers a lot."

[interludes] Kori says, "<since the cellphone waves go through the, uh, empty ether, right?>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Ah, good thinking. Arno, you come by my house in a week and I'll discuss things with you further and hand over payment. Have the rest of your men stay low until I order otherwise.""

[interludes] Kori clearly has no clue how things work in this regard

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<if we know the network, we can find and trace the call with a little help from Wilfred>"

Alexandra asks, "eh? Sure, I can give it a shot. Who are you trying to track?"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<companies record these things>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<good point.>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "John McRae Edwards. Keeping money-changers happy since 1990."

Alexandra queries her estate

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<we might need your help, and quickly>"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "<What's happened now?>"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<tracing a phone call via company records>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "Last I know, he crossed into New Delhi from Johannesburg."

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<anyway, you should have him agree to meet the leader and end the call, I think>"

GM says (to Alexandra), "yeah, here we go -- last transaction in Istanbul, changing bahts for lira"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<once you've got that set up>"

[interludes] Michel mouths "Everything as planned - just delayed maybe another hour."

Wilfred doesn't want to know how John got from India to Turkey without using any bureaucratic means.

[interludes] GM says, ""Everything went as planned, alright -- just delayed by an hour," Arno says into the phone"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "<Right ... phone company? Time of call?>"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<tell you in a second>"

[interludes] Michel mimes pressing the off button

[interludes] GM says, ""Right, I'll see you then," Arno says, and hangs up."

[interludes] Michel asks, "Okay, you heard, we've got an hour. How fast can you talk?"

Wilfred waits

[interludes] GM says, "(the boss guy said Arno should come see him in a week, although there might be more to do in the Plan before then)"

[interludes] Michel grabs the phone and checks the details

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<call was just a minute ago>"

[interludes] GM says, "you can pass along the number, yeah"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "< <network>, <number> >"

Wilfred checks.

[interludes] Michel says, "So, the usual, then. What the plan was precisely, who hired you."

GM says (to Wilfred), "it looks like it's a cellphone, let's see .."

[interludes] Michel says, "I'd rather we could get this done without too much violence, because, er... actually, fuck it, I'm indifferent. Your call."

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh .. I do jobs for Mister Devereux sometimes.""

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred asks, "um, I assume Alex has told me about John's last transaction?"

[interludes] GM says, ""When he wants, you know, legs broken and so on.""

[interludes] Kori smiles a little ruefully

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "yup"

[interludes] GM says, ""He said this was a special job and he'd pay extra -- we go send some stupid guys to go poke around looking for this kid, and if we got any offers that looked legit, do this thing at the graveyard.""

Wilfred doesn't want to know how John got from India to Turkey without using any bureaucratic means. Or why he's changing *Thai* currency for Italian in Turkey.

[interludes] Michel says, "This... thing. Details."

Wilfred says, "If I hurry I might catch him...."

Wilfred says, "And hope he isn't in Italy already."

[interludes] Michel says, "If we find any inconsistencies later on, by the way, you'll know all about it."

liza hollers, "HI DFAN"

Alexandra says, "Good luck"

GM says (to Wilfred), "registered to a mister gerald devereux, address someplace in marseilles, with a place in paris too"

dfan hollers (to liza), "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?"

[interludes] GM says, ""Oh, um -- we gave us these suitcases, said they had explosives and we were supposed to bury them around the mausoleum. Whoever it was that came in, we decoy them into the mausoleum, then show them this thing to keep them distracted, then go out and set off the explosives"

Wilfred asks (of Alex), "I don't suppose you'd care for some Turkish delight?"

Alexandra laughs

[interludes] Kori asks, "show them what thing?"

[interludes] GM says, ""Supposed to be an easy job if we didn't screw up -- I wasn't sure why he told us to put guards at the gates, but he said anyone who got past the guards would be the person we were looking for.""

Wilfred relays cell-phone info to Michel.

Alexandra says, "You'll have to bring me some back. I think I'm going to stick around here and keep tabs on things in New York."

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh, lemme see..""

Wilfred says (to Alex), "You don't know what you're missing."

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<much obliged>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "And heaven knows I don't either."

[interludes] GM says, ""The man fumbles in his wallet and pulls out a little scrap of paper.""

[interludes] GM says, "(er, no quotes)"

[interludes] Michel asks (of GM), "ur, so where's this call from?"

Wilfred heads off to Istanbul.

[interludes] Kori recites the chant mentally, then takes the paper and looks at it

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "it's a cellphone, but it's registered to a Gerald Devereux, with supplied billing address"

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "it looks like one of those stereograms -- you have a faint dizzy sensation but it passes quickly"

Wilfred stops suddenly. Wait, perhaps it would be better if someone other than himself should go speak to John....?

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<pull everything you can on Gerald Devereux>"

[interludes] Kori crumples the paper and puts it, as though absently, into her pocket

[interludes] Kori asks (of Man), "You were expecting someone with a fascination with children's puzzles?"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "You do realise I'm a very busy ... oh, alright."

Alexandra says, "<Wilfred's en route elsewhere. Are his skills needed, or are you just looking for a research monkey? In which case, I'm your gal.>"

[interludes] Michel asks, "So, the... rest of the plan?"

[interludes] Michel asks, "Which you are apparently late for?"

Michel says (to Alexandra), "<well, we need personal information>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "<It occurs to me that other people will be searching for John too. It might be too obvious if I were the one to contact him.>"

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "the man looks impressed. "Whenever I looked at that, I couldn't look away for a long time -- I don't know how you do that.""

Michel says, "<if you can get that, well and good>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh -- the rest of the plan was to cause the explosion, go to the cars, drive back here and get drunk.""

Alexandra says (to Wilfred), "Ah. Want me to give tracking him down a whirl? Not that I'll be so much less obvious, but if someone is keeping tabs on your movements, specifically, it might gain us something."

[interludes] GM says, ""Then call Mister Devereux and report success, and he'd hand over the payment""

[interludes] Kori asks, "Back here, eh?"

[interludes] GM says, "He glances around. "Well, not here, no.""

[interludes] GM says, ""I can't say I like the looks of this place -- er, no offense.""

[interludes] Kori cocks her head to one side and nods. "What kind of payment did he offer you?"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<we need to grab those other two before they realise these lot are missing>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<but if they're coming here it shouldn't be a problem>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "Thank you. John has no clue as to this noble business, though."

[interludes] Kori asks (of Man), "Where were you planning to meet up again, then?"

Wilfred says (to Michel), "I'm on the case."

Michel says (to Wilfred), "<I can't tell you how much I appreciate this>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh .. 75,000 francs to split, he said.""

Wilfred pulls info. Birth cert, baptismal record, educational diplomas, driver's license, the works.

Alexandra says (to Wilfred), "I'll keep it quiet, then."

[nobilis] GM says, "It looks like Gerald Devereux is some kind of businessman of undefined type, fairly well-connected and a generous philanthropist to art museums and so on. Rich but not enormously so, with no police record."

Alexandra says, "Heh -- just his name will likely do for now. And maybe an ID of his, or a photo."

[interludes] Kori asks, "Really? between, ah, how many of you were there?"

Wilfred hands Alex a photo of John, for what it's worth. "He may have changed a bit, but I'm willing to bet he has a wonderful tan."

[nobilis] GM says, "The only negative note in his file is when there was a fairly major drug bust a year or two ago, one of the men had a paper reading "GD" with his phone number."

[interludes] GM says, "The seven of us, yeah. But I get extra, since I do the split."

Alexandra asks, "Noted. When he heads to a new city, what sorts of places is he likely to frequent first?"

[interludes] Kori's mouth flickers in a mocking smile. "That's pretty small change for a job like this. He must not have told you what you were really getting into."

Wilfred relays info to Michel.

Wilfred says (to Alex), "First? First he'll probably look for someplace no-one in their right mind would visit."

[interludes] GM says, "The man looks around. "Yeah, no way I'd have done this if I'd known what was going to happen.""

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<it looks like the next step is Devereux, then>"

[interludes] Kori asks, "You said you'd broken some kneecaps for him before. Ever kill anyone for him?"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<yes>"

[interludes] Michel says, "<and quickly>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Do you want to wrap this up now? And if so, what do you want to do with these guys?>"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "He's not particularly fond of cities, per se...."

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I don't fancy just turning them free>"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "Oh, I do."

[interludes] Michel says, "But I have a tried and tested method of setting guy free."

[interludes] GM says, ""Well, one time we burned down this guy's store. I guess he might have been inside.""

Alexandra says, "Oh boy. Well, I shall see what I can do."

[interludes] Kori asks (of Man), "what store was that?"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I see. Or, actually, I don't, but I'm not sure I want to know more.>"

[interludes] GM says, ""Little tobacco store. I think Mister Devereux wanted the land for something and the old guy wouldn't sell.""

[interludes] Michel says, "<generally, bollock-naked in outer mongolia a day's walk from the nearest yurt with conferred mythic vision>"

Alexandra lights out in search of John

[interludes] Kori asks (of Man), "Aha. Smoke out the smoker, eh?"

[interludes] GM says, ""Uh, yeah.""

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Aha. Sounds... appropriate.>"

[interludes] Michel tries very hard not to laugh

[interludes] Kori asks (of Man), "Well then. I guess you'd probably like to be off, eh?"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "<Keep clear of anyplace which looks like it caters to rich middle-aged American tourists, and you should be fine.>"

[interludes] Kori says, "Seeing as you don't care for the decor here."

[interludes] GM says, ""Wait, you're going to let us go?""

[interludes] GM says, "The other men look up hopefully."

[interludes] Michel smiles widely

[interludes] Kori smiles in a not-quite reassuring way. "Unlike some people, I'm not a killer."

[interludes] Kori says, "We'd expect you not to do any further business with Mr. Devereux, of course."

[interludes] Kori . o O ( not that you'll have a chance in hell of doing so )

[interludes] Michel snaps his fingers, and sends them all into deep meditation

[interludes] GM says, ""Oh, how nic-- thunk.""

[interludes] Kori asks (of Michel), "shall we search them for any interesting possessions first?"

Wilfred asks (of Michel), "<What is your interest in Mister Devereaux, incidentally?"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "be my guest"

Michel says (to Wilfred), "he hired some guys to blow me up."

Michel says, "<And probably some other guys to kidnap Therese.>"

[interludes] Kori goes through the men's pockets gingerly

Wilfred says (to Michel), "<Oy. Well, that would spark my interest, I suppose.>"

GM says (to Alexandra), "eventually you track him down -- he's just paying money to head into a tea shop"

Wilfred decides that, since Alex is looking for John, he might as well do some checking up on Alex's friend(s) in New York, just in case.

Alexandra pops out at a library in Istanbul, and queries her estate to check in again on John's last transaction, hoping for more specific geographical info

[interludes] Michel lugs the thugs back into the taxi

[nobilis] Alexandra says (to Wilfred), "it's her brother and his family --wife, kid twin daughters -- she's fretting about"

[interludes] Kori collects any money, cellphones, heirloom objects-- actually, anything and everything, to be gone over later

[interludes] GM says (to Kori), "mostly scattered cigarette butts, lighters, knives, blackjacks, wallets, a few bills, beer-can tags, dirty handkerchiefs"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "having just convinced her brother to hire bodyguards to keep tabs on the kids"

[interludes] GM says, "one cellphone"

Wilfred checks antecedents of bodyguards.

GM says (to Alexandra), "yeah, there we go -- the teashop's only a few blocks away, and he just paid"

[interludes] Kori discards the butts and the handkerchiefs and beer tags; keeps the weapons, money, and cellphones

[interludes] Kori says, "-s"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<okay, I think I can take it from here.>"

Alexandra beelines in that direction

GM says (to Wilfred), "they seem legit enough"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Rightio. I'll meet you back in chancel, then.>"

GM says (to Alexandra), "you glance around the teashop as you barge in -- it's not hard to locate him, as he's the only non-Turk in the place"

[interludes] Kori hunts up a bathroom and cleans up a bit before returning to the chancel doorway

GM says (to Alexandra), "he's leaning forward intently over his teacup waving his hands and having an animated discussion with the two other men at his table"

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred is for some odd reason reminded that he has yet to watch "Casablanca".

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<Do you want me to call the police about your dead friend, or are you going to handle that some other way?>"

GM says (to Alexandra), "suddenly someone comes in pushing past you, and taps John on the shoulder"

[interludes] Michel says (to Kori), "<unh, yeah, that'd probably help>"

GM says, "John looks up, and the guy gets into a discussion with him, with the guy pointing towards the back of the teashop"

Alexandra digs in her purse for a small stun weapon and watches tensely

[interludes] Kori places the call from a random public phone a few blocks away, then returns to chancel.

[interludes] Michel says, "<I'd rather not dispose of the body quietly, seems a little ungrateful>"

[interludes] Kori says (to Michel), "<I agree>"

GM says, "Half-dragged, John stands up, waving apologetically to the men he's talking to, and heads out back."

GM says, "apparently to a back entrance"

Alexandra blasts through the crowd and follows

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "blasts charges, not blasts starts shooting things. yet."

[nobilis] Wilfred says, "heh"

GM says, "Outside, John is talking to the guy in the alley. "What do you mean, Halil? They're cracking down on passports? But I'm sure mine is -- well, ok, was in order, and I bribed the right guard and --""

GM says, "He looks up as Alexandra charges out into the alley. "Who's that?""

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred throws up his hands in exasperation. "My own brother! Cutting through the red tape!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"

Alexandra tries to think of a good way to deal with the situation, then decides to take a more direct route, sets the stunner on its lowest setting and shoots John

GM says, "Halil says "What the hell?" (or the Turkish equivalent) and turns to run himself"

[interludes] Michel hums a traditional Mongol song as he removes pants and confers mythic vision

[interludes] Kori gets back to the chancel and picks out a quiet corner in which to nap a little, unless someone calls

Alexandra pointing the stunner. "Hold on a minute, there. Who are you, and what's your connection to Mr. Edwards?"

GM says, ""I"

GM says, ""I'm -- uh, a friend of his -- I heard he was back in town, and then I heard that the police were looking for him --" Halil is slowly backing away down the alley."

[interludes] GM says (to Michel), "hee hee"

Alexandra gestures inside. "And the people in there he was talking with? Do you know them?

GM says, ""No, but John makes friends everywhere -- and he knows so many languages .. I thought they were just people he bumped into in the ""

GM says, "Halil pauses abruptly. "The police!""

GM says, "He turns and starts to run off down the alley"

Alexandra says (to Halil), ""Ok. You can go. And if you have any further contact with the police, or any others inquiring after Mr. Edwards, you can pass on the message that he has met an unfortunate end. Now scoot, and maybe you can avoid that same fate.""

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "well, he beat me there."

Alexandra hurridly gathers up John and looks to get out of the alley in advance of any 'police' arrivals

GM says, "he's stunned and limp, but I guess you're a macho nobilis, so you heft him up"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "Aspect 1 at work!"

GM says, "You walk out of the alley supporting him -- you hear passerbys wondering exactly what the two of you are up to"

GM says, "Just as you round the corner into the street you see a squad of four policemen heading into the teashop"

Alexandra hopes desperately for either a conveniently located library or an open-minded driver of some sort of transit

GM says (to Alexandra), "ah, there, street taxi"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "woo!"

Alexandra flags down the taxi, helpfully projecting the sense that she's a very big tipper to overcome any doubts the driver may have

[Crows-Nest] Wilfred says, "American Tourist Aura +1"

GM says, ""Ah, gentleman friend enjoyed himself a bit too much, eh?""

GM asks, "The driver understandingly helps the two of you into the taxi. "Back to your hotel room nudge nudge eh?"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee hee"

GM says, ""Where to?""

Alexandra says (to GM), "yes, he did quite enjoy partaking of the local libations. but, actually, to the nearest library"

Alexandra says, "long story."

GM says, ""The library? Well, you're paying the fare.""

GM says, "The driver screeches off to the library, expertly dodging passerbys and pushcarts"

GM says, "and then I guess he helps you unload John, you carry John inside, and back to the chancel"

Kori has disconnected.

Kori has connected.

Alexandra says (to Wilfred), "Hi. I'd hoped for something subtler, like a status report, but, er, things got a bit tricky. Anyway, found him!"

Wilfred says (to Alex), "Thank you. I really appreciate this."

Wilfred says, "At any rate, I suppose I owe him a few words, once he comes to."

GM asks, "ok, anything else?"

Wilfred says (to GM), "not really. Must speak to John, but that can probably wait."

Alexandra says, "As can Alex's recounting of the sordid tale"

GM says, "alrighty then -- see you folks next week"