[nobilis] Raul says, "I was running late"

Alexandra says, "aloha Raul"

Raul says, "hello"

[nobilis] GM says, "but not that late"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I'm not quite clear on where franklin is presumed to have been while all of the helicopter-bazooka-owl action was going on"

GM says, "so, let's see"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "cowering"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "weren't you sightseeing or something?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "his knees gave out and he couldn't climb out of the chopper"

GM says, "when we last saw our heroes, Michel, Lo, and Gaston had been kicking a lawyer's ass"

GM says, "but this was ok, because he was bad"

GM says, "at least, we hope so"

Franklin (boo, hiss)

[nobilis] Michel says, "we should viciously attack lawyers more often"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I am not convinced."

[nobilis] Michel says, "hell, I mean, this time we waited until we had some kind of reason"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "It turns out that owls have odd diets."

[nobilis] Raul says, "I viciously attacked a circuit trace"

GM says, "they had come down to Florida to investigate a threat to Michel's estate (a threat which, by the way, does not seem to have vanished with the death of Knight), along with Franklin, who was currently napping at Chester's place"

[nobilis] Gaston asks (of Michel), "Until we found out he was a lawyer?"

[nobilis] Penny says, "I viciously attacked.. well, a radio, then some guys in hoods"

Franklin says, "snxxxx"

Gaston asks, "Wait, we killed him?"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Penny), "and dwarf desks"

GM says, "or possibly at Chiswick's residence"

[nobilis] Penny says, "well, of course"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "What? Knight died?"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "and slandered some desks"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "bah timing"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I thought he got knocked out by a karate chop"

Gaston says, "I suppose Michel and Lo were somewhat harsh on the fellow."

[nobilis] Penny says, "the day wouldn't be complete without me completely missing one crucial line from the GM"

GM says, "meanwhile, back in Seattle, Penny was almost sacrificed, but thanks to the heroic exploits of herself, plus Raul and Kori and Alexandra, she escaped"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Kori's not playing, then?"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Her role-playing will be brought to us on sled dogs"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Doh, Alaska."

GM says, "Alexandra having been in Seattle in the first place to investigate why her friend Karin's studio had been trashed by satanists"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Hell, I wasn't trying to kill the guy. check the transcript- testing his defences, not hacking to shreds"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "her 'special friend'"

GM says, "at close of last game, the Florida crew were standing over Knight's body just as Sheriff Harley arrived, while the Seattle folks had broken into the cult area (which turned out to be the basement of a building at the University of Washington) and narrowly avoided being blown up by a trap"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "yay"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "My mental image of Knight is David Hasselhoff."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Possibly just to make me feel better about beating him up, but still."

GM says, "Sheriff Harley drives a bit closer, but is still a fair distance away. Through his megaphone, he says "Who are you? What in hell is a helicopter doing here?""

[nobilis] Penny says, "I claim first dibs on KITT"

[nobilis] Raul says, "'Michael, I detect that your heart has stopped beating.'"

GM says, "meanwhile, back in Seattle, Penny is talking to the anesthetic machine"

Michel checks Harley and co. with the sight, then empties their minds if they're human

Penny asks (of machine), "so, who stuck the needle in my arm?"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "what killed the guy?"

Penny says (to machine), "come on, you can tell me"

Gaston waits to see which group goes first.

GM says, ""Man put here," it says, in a dozy voice. "Then man put on recorder and woman appear. Then man put needle in woman arm. Then man go away.""

Gaston says, "But also, for the record, shape-changes into Knight"

Penny asks (of machine), "what did the man look like?"

Raul finally manages to stand up and join Penny in the cell.

Penny says (to bed), "you too, if you can remember"

GM says, "Harley appears to be -- well, the thing is, you can't see him from here"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Are we doing both groups simultaneously?"

Alexandra is hanging out in the corner, watching Penny's interrogation

GM says, "you can see, shading your eyes against the headlights (and for all it's night, it's getting pretty light here, what with the helicopter's headlights and the squad car's) that there are two police cars. Harley seems to be in the lead one."

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "where is harley in relation to the giant sinkholes that are in this vicinity?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I would kind of prefer to go one at a time."

Michel says, "<Gaston, I expect he's more concerned with the gunshots and explosions than who looks like who. Unless he's nobilis, in which case it's no use>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<My thinking is that we might as well try to get Knight blamed for this decable.>"

Gaston strides forward with a sneer on his face.

GM says, ""Man wore cloak," says machine. "Big black cloak. Man laugh to self.""

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Er, debacle.>"

Penny gives up on the furniture. "We might as well head back to the chancel"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "he's driven up from behind, so he can't drive much forward because he'd run into knight's exploded car and then a sinkhole"

[nobilis] Michel says (to GM), "I'm pretty obvious out here, right? If I go mantis he'll see immediately"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "oh, ok, that's where he is"

[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "well, technically speaking it's night, so you might be able to move to the side"

[nobilis] Michel says, "nah, no good if he *sees* me run off"

Gaston (as Knight) says (to Harley), "Well, well, what an unwelcome surprise."

Michel tucks the sabre under his coat and heads towards Harley, trying to get a look with the sight

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Is somebody going to drag Knight out of here? Where'd Lo go?>"

Alexandra peers around the room a bit more, to see if there's any scraps or bits or cluelike things left behind

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Also, I believe I still have the big fuck-off gun he dropped. Hmm.>"

GM says, "Harley borders on the parody of a county sheriff. He is also, you can see as you get a bit closer, outlined with a faint silver aura."

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Whoops, he's Noble. Merde.>"

GM says, ""Don't get any closer!" he snaps. "Drop your weapons and lie down on the ground.""

GM says, "meanwhile, back in Seattle"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I expect Michel can escape with Knight while I'm getting blown to pieces."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Which is not quite the ideal plan, but it could be worse."

GM says, "in addition to the pile of explosives and cot and machine, there are some books, some candles, some cans of paint, and, hmm, what appear to be a set of picklocks all heaped in the center of the room"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I'm figuring on going mantis"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "why'd we need to take Knight?"

Raul says, "Oho."

Penny looks through the books. "Should we, er, adopt these?"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Don't we need to figure out what's going on?"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "We could, like, ask him."

Raul swaps out the picklocks for the bobby pin.

Alexandra says, "The library is always in need of expansion"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Is he actually dead? If so there's probably no point."

Michel says, "<Gaston, if you insist on getting shot, you might as well ask- mmm, right>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Unless somebody wants to spend lots of points."

[nobilis] GM says, "well, he collapsed on the ground"

[nobilis] GM says, "but you recall, Lo hit him"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I *think* I warned everybody not to kill him."

GM says, "the books are -- hrm, it's hard to tell how legit they are"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Lo was striking to knock the guy out, iirc"

GM says, "some of them appear to have been picked up at the occult garage sale"

Raul flips through several of them at high speed.

[nobilis] Michel says, "and I was | ...trying to estimate how tough he is"

Penny asks all the objects in the room if they can describe the guy who summoned me

GM says (to Penny), "it looks like he wore the cloak the whole time he was in here, so they can't provide much better than what you saw"

Penny says, "hmm"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "We could possibly see how tough this Harley character is."

Penny then asks if he was alone all the time they saw him

GM says, "but some of the books are, hrm, a bit moreso, although whether this is legit or not is hard to say"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I'm guessing quite a lot tougher."

[nobilis] Michel says (to Gaston), "that was how I described how I was attacking Knight"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Yes."

[nobilis] Michel says, "oh, ok"

GM says, ""Him .. we never see more since him dark him here dark" say the paint cans"

Raul says, "We can check these against more reliable books in the library."

[nobilis] Michel says, "afk briefly"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I'm just wondering whether we should take on Harley or run like buggery."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Me too, then."

Raul asks (of GM), "Anything special about the paint cans?"

Penny asks the door if it saw him without the hood

GM says, "they're partly full of red and black paint, semi-recently resealed"

GM says, ""Always hood," says the door. "Black cloak.""

[nobilis] Michel says, "bak"

Raul says, "Hey, he opened these cans with a screwdriver, too. They really should come up with a better can design."

Penny sighs. The furniture is so not helpful.

Penny says, "okay, let's gather up the books and check them back in the chancel."

Penny says, "I kind of have an appointment to make at some point"

Alexandra likes the idea of getting away from this creepy place

Raul very gingerly takes a close look at the trap. "Who put you together?"

GM says, ""Wait, then explode!" says the wiring. "Wait, then charge!""

Raul says, "I'd always expected explosives thought like that."

[nobilis] Gaston asks (of Michel), "Now you see why I want a *person* to interrogate?"

GM says, ""Man pile up! Attach to door!""

Raul asks, "What did the man look like?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "okay, okay, we'll kidnap knight and make the guy talk"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I always get a giggle out of inkyinanimate objects"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "er, inky's dialogue for inanimate objects"

GM says, ""Man have black cloak! Tell others wait, need explosive! Always need explosive!!""

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "inkyanimate"

Penny asks, "others?"

Michel says, "<Franklin, we may well need you to fly the chopper>"

GM says, ""Others have black cloak! Others boring, not have explosives!""

Franklin says, "<Zzzz...Huh? Whazzat?>"

Michel says, "<Wake up, old man>"

Penny says, "well, at least now we know he wasn't alone"

Franklin says, "<I was just resting my eyelids.>"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "I assume the other policemen are human. Don't startle them too much."

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "you can be either at the rich guy's (Chiswick's) house or at the real estate agent's (Chester's) house"

Gaston says, "Er, that was in <>"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "'arder than a gunshot... 'arder than-a steeeel... the way of the explosive"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "somehow I think I'm at Chester's house, inconveniently"

[nobilis] Michel says, "bugger"

Michel says, "<LO WHERE ARE YOU>"

[nobilis] GM says, "ok, so in-town"

Penny says, "<lo is lost, like his chancel>"

GM says, "Lo says "<I fly like the wind / cryptic and just as ethereal / you guys handle this>""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yay!"

Gaston says (to Harley), "We were just dealing with someone who did us harm, brother."

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "hee hee"

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

[Crows-Nest] Raul falls over.

Gaston says (to Harley), "This is private business."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Since I'm not black, I assume he can guess what I mean by 'brother'."

GM says, "Harley shades his eyes against the chopper's headlights, and looks Gaston/Knight up and down. "I don't know what you city lawyers think you're up to -- but I want to know what in hell that body's doing there.""

GM says (to Gaston), "you're close enough, by the way, to see there's a deputy in the car with Harley, and another three in the car, further back"

Gaston says, "He tried to steal my car."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I guess Franklin would take whatever steps needed to get to where the other guys are"

Gaston relays that info to Michel and Franklin.

Michel says, "<Gaston: do we blow our cover now? If he knows we're nobilis...>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Well, he seems happy to play along.>"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Franklin), "talk to Chester and ask to borrow his car?"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Just possibly my disguise is fooling him, but I wouldn't bet on it.>"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "right"

GM says, ""He did, did he? With that helicopter, eh?""

[nobilis] Franklin says, "On some fool excuse or other."

[nobilis] GM says, "ok, you start driving and will be there in a bit"

[nobilis] Franklin vroom

Gaston exclaims (at Harley), "No, the chopper's mine. Just the thing for huntin' down car-thieves!"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<Er, I am finding it difficult to play Knight convincingly.>"

GM says, ""So this, ah, car of yours -- where exactly is it?""

Michel empties all of their guns, in case it comes to a fight

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Where *is* the car? Did it explode?"

[nobilis] GM says, "yes, Michel blew it up"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm."

[nobilis] GM says, "it's not, like, gone, but it's hard to see in the dark"

Franklin says, "<Threaten him with a wrongful arrest lawsuit.>"

Gaston says (to Harley), "Damncrazy fool drove it into this here sinkhole, I reckon."

[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel), "are you adding on any extra points to get through any auctoritas Harley might have?"

Gaston gestures towards the sinkhole, as if to show it to Harley.

[nobilis] Michel says, "Hmm. He seems to have about the same as Knight, who was crap"

GM says, ""Ah." Harley seems to relax for a bit. "Can't stand those sinkholes -- want me to call you a tow truck?""

[nobilis] Michel asks, "so, one point. domain, right?"

[nobilis] GM says, "yes"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Urr, is he buying this, or just playing me for an idiot?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I'm guessing he's an anchor"

[nobilis] Michel says, "and thus none too smart"

[nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "well, it's hard to tell with just Aspect 1, but he does seem to be getting a bit friendlier"

Gaston says (to Harley), "Hrmf. Don't know as it's going to do much good. Car's probably a write-off."

[nobilis] GM says, "or less hostile, anyway"

GM says, ""Well, you lawyers can always afford to buy another one, haw haw""

Gaston exclaims, "Haw haw!"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "look out it is doctor forehead laser in disguise"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin laughs

Michel eyes Harley. "This man's hurt. Need to get him to a hospital. I'll take the chopper- it's faster"

GM asks (of Gaston), "and who's that? pal of yours?"

Gaston asks (of Harley), "He's the chopper pilot. What, you think I fly these things myself?"

Michel salutes

Gaston says, "I got a guy to do it for me."

Gaston says (to Michel), "Shit, Mikey, you better get this son of a gun to the hospital."

Michel says, "Sure thing, boss."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "'Mikey?'"

Gaston says, "I'll stay and sort things out with the good Sheriff here."

Michel strides towards the chopper with authority

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I can change shape and slip off at some point, and leave them hunting for Knight."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Gaston is so gonna pay for that, I bet"

GM says, ""...Right. Well, let's get on home, boys. You have any problems, you give me a call, over in Citrusville. And make sure this car gets off the road by morning, hmm?""

Gaston asks (of Harley), "Sure thing. Sheriff, could you give me a ride into town?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel exclaims, "y'all sure *look* white to me, so guess y'all can't be lawbreakin'! have a nice day, sir!"

Gaston says, "I am down one car. Also I have a guy who can deal with the paperwork for this mess just fine, yes sir."

GM says, ""You bet -- move over, Wayne.""

Michel says, "<Gaston? What the hell? Get in the frikkin' chopper>"

GM says, ""You bet, sir!" Wayne gets out of the front seat and moves to the back."

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Hush, I'm role-playing.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Gaston _likes_ the nice policeman"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "he has a new friend"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "special law-enforcement friend"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<And I may get some more explanation this way. Even if he's not Noble, this policeman is at least an Anchor and therefore significant.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "handcuffs included"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "he is researching the cover painting for 'The Sheriff and the Strumpet'"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "he's hoping to get some free h- yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Franklin), "'Beneath His Badge'"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to franklin,raul), "yay"

Michel takes off, and wheels the chopper away

[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Michel), "You know, those things can fly as well as roll."

[Crows-Nest] Penny starts jotting down notes for this next novel

GM says, "Michel flies away. Gaston gets in the car, and Harley starts driving."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Shit, I still have the big gun o'doom."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I guess I ditched it before getting in the car."

[nobilis] Michel asks, "Okay, how does Knight look? Breathing? Pulse?"

[nobilis] GM says, "I'm assuming you aren't, like -- right"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Since otherwise the cop would have freaked out."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "'His Pulsing Breath'"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Hmm. We'd better get rid of all these chancel-tech guns lying around the road"

[nobilis] GM says, "Knight feels strangely feverish"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<I had to leave the big gun. Still not sure if it's important. We can go back for it if so.>"

[nobilis] GM says, "he's got a pulse, but it's weak"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "'His Pulsing' anything is a good title, actually"

Michel says (to gaston), "<Yeah, but we don't want 2100-era technology lying around the road. evidence>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "exceeded only by 'his pulsating'"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Uh, can you deal with it?>"

GM says (to Gaston), "eventually Harley turns to you. "Sure get out to talk to Mr Chiswick a lot, don't you?""

[nobilis] Michel asks, "would doctoring skills fall under Aspect, or can I just not do it?"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Now Harley's British"

Kori has connected.

[nobilis] GM says, "you can do it"

Gaston says (to Harley), "Yes, he's helping with a project of mine."

GM says, ""Oh?""

Gaston asks (of Harley), "Bird sanctuary. You heard about it, right?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Kori), "now that's dedication"

[nobilis] Penny says, "yay, kori"

Michel lands the chopper, and sees what he can do as regards first aid. Presumably the chopper has a first-aid kit or something

GM says, ""Oh yeah -- haw haw! Can't believe he's been a rancher all his life, and now he's all fired up to go turning the town into a bird sanctuary.""

[nobilis] Michel says, "kori appears! ignore alert level three"

[nobilis] Kori says, "you better believe it"

Gaston says (to Harley), "He knows a lot about the little feathered fellers. Taught me a thing or two."

[nobilis] Kori says, "also, it's not exactly strolling-about weather outside"

GM says (to Michel), "eventually you get him stabilized; his forehead's still a little hot, but -- he doesn't know anything. His mind's empty."

[nobilis] GM asks, "what's it like?"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<Any suggestions for lines of questioning welcome.>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "IT WASN'T ME"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Staying-inside-and-playing-nobilis weather"

GM says (to Gaston), ""Really? Way'n I heard it, I thought you were the one who introduced him to it. Least, that's what my cousin Bob told me.""

Gaston says (to Harley), "He has a hidden talent."

[nobilis] Michel asks (of GM), "Empty like I do to people when I get caught, or comatose-empty?"

[nobilis] Kori says, "rain-blowing-sideways-into-your-face weather, with a side order of Muddy Puddles"

Michel says, "<If anybody in the chancel could research what silver auras mean, I'd be very happy indeed>"

[nobilis] GM says, "empty like he's only breathing because that's instinctive"

[nobilis] GM says, "oog"

Gaston says, "<Seconded.>"

[nobilis] GM says, "dammit, it should be snowing"

[nobilis] Alexandra asks, "shall we assume our batch has scotched back to the chancel?"

[nobilis] GM says, "yeah, assuming you want to"

Gaston says, "<Are there any rituals I can do to investigate whether this man is an Anchor, or whatever?>"

[nobilis] Penny says, "okay, with the books, though"

Raul says, "<We're following some leads at the university, but we'll check that asap.>"

Kori researches silver auras since she's not exactly doing anything else of use.

[nobilis] GM says, "but you know all there is to know about auras already -- viz, nobilis, imperators, and anchors have vague auras that are visible to the Sight, with the aura looking a bit suggestive of their Domain"

Michel says, "<Gaston... you're not going to like this. Knight's brain has been fried>"

Penny arrives back at the chancel, promptly excuses herself from the others, and vanishes into the depths of the library.

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Interesting.>"

[nobilis] Kori says, "hmm, perhaps it's the Domain of Shiny Things"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Suggestive of their domain?"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "wealth?"

[nobilis] GM says, "it's hard to tell the difference between a very weak nobilis and an anchor, but this guy is probably one or the other"

Gaston looks at Harley with mythic vision, for want of any better ideas.

Raul says (to Penny, Kori), "<I'm going to do some more snooping at the university>"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "we met wealth already, right?"

[nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "well, the nobilis/anchor of Dawn might be vaguely outlined by sunlight"

Michel says, "<Maybe we'll have to snatch Harley, too>"

Raul says, "<I want to talk to security and maybe the physical plant guys>"

[nobilis] GM says, "or heat"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Hm, except Knight and Harley had the same aura, which two nobilis wouldn't share, but two anchors might."

Michel says, "<damn. now we're kind of obliged to look after this vegetable>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "Fool of a Took! I don't have time to tend your vegetable!"

Raul assumes the aspect of Seattle PD and goes looking for Security HQ.

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "yay"

GM says, "Harley looks like -- well, he looks like a redneck with a big shotgun in mythic vision, which is not entirely unlike his view normally"

Gaston says, "I guess I'm looking at his aura, then."

GM says, "eventually the sheriff's car slows, as Franklin arrives from the other direction"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Anyone else want to be my backup? (I guess that'd be Alex.)"

Michel says, "<is there any way you can trace a nobilis from their anchor? if not, since it has to be someone loved or hated, research his background, look for anyone significant...>"

Franklin was worried he was totally lost.

GM says, "you can't really pick out anything better at close range -- but yeah, if he's a nobilis, or even inhabited by a nobilis at the moment, he'd have to be awfully weak"

Gaston exclaims (at Harley), "Aha, there's the man!"

GM says, ""Eh what?""

[nobilis] Raul says, "though, mrm, I'm the only person in our sub-group with aspect >= 2"

Gaston says (to Harley), "This feller can help us sort things out."

Franklin stops the car.

GM says, ""Friend of yours, is he? What's he doing out here?""

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "well, I can always ramp if needed. Assume I'm skulking along"

Michel says, "<Gaston, I reckon our only shot is to come clean. Talk to him alone, force him to tell us who his boss is>"

GM says, "Harley has brought the car to a halt by this point, though."

Gaston says (to Franklin), "Hey, Franklin! Found the car. Some fool tanked it into a sinkhole."

[nobilis] Raul says, "Yeah, no use in spending amps unless we need them"

[nobilis] Raul asks, "say, you in business-type dress?"

Franklin says, "Oh? Ah -- Oh. Ah."

Gaston says (to Franklin), "The sheriff here wants us to get it all cleaned up A.S.A.P."

[nobilis] Raul says, "if so, you can be IA looking into procedural matters"

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<I thought we might need you to whip up some paperwork, but this policeman is foolishly easy-going, so we may not need it.>"

Franklin says, "Mmmm, yes, right away."

Michel says, "<Franklin, Gaston. We don't really have any leads except for the sherriff. I say we either follow him very, very subtlely for a few days, see who he meets, or we jump him and make him talk>"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<I was thinking the same.>"

Michel says, "<and last time jumping the guy kind of failed, so I say we track him>"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "sure thing"

[nobilis] GM says, "(there is, actually, one other lead you could follow up)"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<I was already wondering how Knight's mind got emptied. Unless he was set to suicide -- could it have been the sheriff?>"

[nobilis] Raul says, "(Oh?)"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Hm. Dull but probably wise.>"

[nobilis] GM says, "them, not you"

Michel says, "<well, could be Lo's punch went wrong, but I doubt it>"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "ah"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Perhaps I could remain in my Knight-disuise and investigate his papers and so on.>"

[nobilis] (from Franklin) GM says, "HINT HINT"

[Crows-Nest] Penny is still tucked away somewhere.

[nobilis] GM says, "hee hee"

Michel goes through Knight's pockets, in desperation

[nobilis] Franklin says, "it must be some detail from last week I'm already forgetting"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Good, because I like my possible lead"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "YES I KNOW THAT SOUNDS BAD"

GM says, "you dig up his wallet, palm pilot, keys"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I can't think of anything particularly useful."

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "good to know he's a wired sort of guy"

[Crows-Nest] (from Raul) Penny writes down 'Desperate Pockets.'

Lo materializes.

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "lo"

[nobilis] Raul says, "hi lo"

[Crows-Nest] Lo says, "Lo says 'lo"

GM says, "he has the usual stuff you'd expect for a lawyer -- driver's license, multiple credit cards (some labelled "EXPENSEABLE", others labelled "WHAT THE HELL"), planner calendar"

GM says, "keys for a car, a boat, a condo and a house"

[nobilis] Michel tries to work out what the other lead is

Franklin says, "<I have no idea what to say to this Sheriff, and I've got to return Chester's car at some point. Which way are we going?>"

BobFM materializes.

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Hmm, if you can discover where Knight lives, that would be sort of useful.>"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "argh"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "erp"

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "random newbie?"

BobFM has left.

Michel says, "<His address should be on his license, right?>"

GM says, ""Well," says Harley, "Did you want to go with your buddy? Or did you still need a ride back to Pomelo City?""

BobFM has arrived.

GM says (to Michel), "yes"

BobFM disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Gaston says (to Harley), "I guess I oughta go with him, if that's okay."

[Crows-Nest] jwalrus says, ""Robert F. Mackey", sounds familiar somehow"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Okay, let's cruise down to his house, if it's anywhere nearby"

GM says, ""You bet.""

Gaston does so, then.

[nobilis] Gaston says, "And AFK for tea."

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "I kept waiting for him to wander into the room and say, in a puzzled tone of voice, 'Line?'"

[nobilis] Lo asks, "Oh, our Nobilis game has a built-in tea break?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "not for you -- you already had your break"

GM says, "Gaston and Franklin and Michel head out to Knight's house (not on his license, which is a New York residence, but he's got business cards with a more local address)"

GM says, "and we cut over to Seattle again, where some folks are returning to the chancel and others are going to talk to security people"

[nobilis] Michel considers upgrading from his meagre professorial digs in NY to a nice plush lawyer's pad, but decides the police might eventually object

[nobilis] jwalrus says, "and plush is hardly your style"

Penny, as she mentioned, made excuses and quickly wandered off when she returned to the chancel

[nobilis] Michel says, "actually, if I get Wilfred to do the paperwork... but yeah, it'd be bourgeois"

Raul consults his campus map for the name of the building where the security HQ is, then walks straight there.

Alexandra follows

[nobilis] Michel says, "maybe I can give it as a present to some random student"

GM says, "It's a bit late at night, but there's a guy on duty 24 hours, so"

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "and have her parents investigating"

[nobilis] Lo says, "leaving for a wedding"

[nobilis] Lo asks, "anyone want me to keep some cake slices for them?"

Raul says, "Sorry to bother you, but we got a complaint about one of your buildings."

[nobilis] Michel says (to Alexandra), "pah. my students would never sell me out"

[nobilis] GM says, "mm, cake"

Raul says, "Wanted to get more information for my report."

GM says, ""Oh? Which one?""

[nobilis] GM says, "(it was Padelford Hall)"

[nobilis] Lo says, "ok, have fun kids"

Lo goes home.

[nobilis] Michel says, "anyway, what's to investigate? they'd go five metres and then hit an inpenetrable wall of wilfred-paperwork"

[nobilis] Raul asks, "Er, what was the name of that building?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Padelford Hall"

[nobilis] GM says, "P--right"

[nobilis] Raul says, "there we go"

Raul says, "Padelford Hall"

[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) GM says, ""Huh. never heard of it""

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee"

Raul says, "There's some kind of satanic cult that's been hitting some apartments around town, and we've got a report they were using its basement as their headquarters."

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of michel), "hey, did you ever finish that picture, by the way?"

GM says, "The man blinks."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "it's almost done"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "pfeh"

GM says, ""I'm afraid you've been -- look, let me dig out the forms.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "almost is not enough"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "but alexandra didn't have a desc on lpsmith's page, and I just examined her and realised I've done her all wrong"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "that sounds like a james bond movie title"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "boo"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Franklin), "ym a penny title"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "what picture is this?"

GM says, "The man heads into the back office and comes out with some papers. "See? Requisition to use the basement for some kind of drama student practice. Through, ah, 'the day after the full moon', it says here.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I'm doing a not-very-good party portrait for vona group"

GM says, ""Funny way of reserving days.""

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oho"

GM says, "He laboriously digs out his desktop calendar and works out when the full moon is."

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "eh? I'm amendable to revising Alex's desc. I'm sorta guessing on it."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "should get it finished tomorrow"

Raul asks, "'day after the full moon'?"

Raul asks, "That kind of thing normal for student groups?"

GM says, ""That'd be tomorrow, I guess.""

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Alex), "it's still pencil, 'sall good"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Michel), "Okay, it is also still pencil, 'sall good."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "teehee"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Alex), "forget that"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Michel), "Okay, it is not still pencil, 'sall good."

GM says, ""Well, no, but you know students -- one time I got a requisition to keep eleven gophers in a room in the physics building.""

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "yay pic :)"

Raul says, "Students are strange."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I'll just change the hair and then assume you were being smart that particular day"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "penny has been looking less prim of late, incidentally"

Raul asks, "Anyway, you mind telling me when they mad the reservation?"

GM says, ""Ha, that's for sure. But these particular ones were even stranger -- why, one time --""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "she's even been seen with the top button of her cardigan UNDONE"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "my goodness"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "either she's Got A Man, or she's taking taekwondo lessons"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to michel), "maybe both. maybe neither"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "it only counts as enigmatic if somebody gives a shit"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

GM says, ""Ah, sure, let's see. About a week ago, looks like.""

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, I take it michel isn't suffering estate-attack-pains any more I guess"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "you're the one drawing the picture, man"

Raul asks, "No one else been using that building?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "they didn't change when we bopped Knight on the brane"

GM says, ""Maybe two or three weeks -- you know how bureaucracy works.""

Raul asks, "Since then, I mean?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "so i assume it's his boss' work"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hmmmm"

GM says, ""Well, upstairs of course there's a bunch of professor's offices; but they don't go down into the basement.""

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "The boss of both Knight and Harley?"

GM says, ""It looks like the janitorial service has been asked not to clean the basement until they were done with their, er, performance.""

[nobilis] GM says, "but in fact he's not suffering the pains anymore -- they seem to have changed into a rather nasty prickly rash on his chest instead."

Raul says, "Huh," and scratches his head. "Must've been a false alarm."

Raul asks, "But you say those students were weird?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "nah. the only artistic liberty I took with penny was, since she said she'd never leave the chancel unarmed again, equipping her with a rather elegant ladies' duelling pistol, as might be employed by the bride of a fearless highwayman or an exceptionally camp pirate"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Hee hee."

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

GM says, ""Oh, sure -- I only saw 'em once or twice, but a day or two ago somebody reported seeing some folks maybe breaking in to Padelford to vandalize it -- they said they were dressed all in black with paint cans""

[nobilis] Michel says, "god damn it. students don't care about rashes, but militant feminists do. I'd better fix this soon"

GM says, ""But I guess that was just the students at it again, I expect. I reassured 'em. Maybe they were working on some props or something.""

Raul says, "Huh."

Raul asks, "Well, if you hear anything more about groups in black that aren't mimes breaking into places, you mind letting us know?"

GM says, ""They'd requisitioned spare keys for the doors, too -- dunno how they managed that, but they had all the approvals in order, so.""

GM says, ""You bet -- er, who are you?""

Alexandra says (to Raul), "<worth trying to get names of the students?>"

Raul says, "Oh, sorry! Raul Jiminez. I'm the detective on this case."

GM says, ""Ah, of course. So I'll just call you at the station downtown, then?""

[nobilis] Michel says, "when we next see Wilfred, we need to get him to make us all a variety of police, FBI etc IDs"

[nobilis] Michel says, "because they would be SO useful"

Raul says, "Let me give you the number for my cell phone."

GM says, ""Great." He scribbles it down."

Raul asks, "Any way I could talk to those students, by the way?"

Raul leans in and murmurs, "We've got IA on our ass these days and we need to run down all the leads." Raul cuts his eyes towards Alex.

GM rubs his chin. "Well, they're supposed to hand back the keys tomorrow at 11 -- you could stop by then."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Raul will now receive regular updates on all student pranks from now until next century sometime"

[nobilis] Michel says, "also medical licenses, diplomatic immunity documents, and buy-one-get-one-free vouchers at Pizza Hut"

Raul asks, "That'd be great. Who'll be on duty then?"

GM says, ""Al, I think. I'll leave a note to expect you.""

Raul says, "'preciate it."

Raul shakes the security guy's hand. "You have a good night."

GM says, ""You too, Mr Jiminez""

Chaz has connected.

Chaz walks the plank to adventure. Arr!

Chaz arrives, looking for booty.

Michel looks around Knight's pad

[nobilis] Michel says, "hi chaz"

GM says, "meanwhile, in Florida, it's pretty late in the evening, but y'all arrive at Knight's house -- which turns out to be a small rented cottage thing"

Raul says (to Alex), ""That'll give us something to do tomorrow morning.""

GM says, "you let yourself in with his keys and look around"

Raul exclaims, "though maybe I should get a real id. And a badge!"

Gaston says, "Honey, I am home."

Alexandra says, "we'll have to see what we can rustle up in the chancel"

Gaston sniffs around with mythic, um, smell.

GM says, "it's got a small kitchen (almost totally unused), a bedroom (with a small selection of John Grisham), and a study area with a fair amount of paper, a computer, scanner, printer, etc"

[nobilis] Chaz waves, tries to catch up.

Michel says, "I think that if this man is an anchor, as seems likely, his master will know what's happened to him and be looking for us. Unless he's cast him off totally, which seems unlikely, even if he hates the guy."

Michel places Knight on the bed.

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Hmm, Storme says anchors' minds get emptied when their Nobilis casts them off."

Michel says, "I am no longer sorry that this man is braindead. Judging from his bookshelf, it makes little difference."

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Wonder if that's what happened."

Franklin looks around the study.

GM says, "Knight stares silently upwards at the ceiling, blinking slowly"

Gaston says, "The Noble must have been watching, somehow."

GM says (to Franklin), "what it mostly seems to be is literature for the American Ornithological Organization"

Gaston says, "And therefore knows we're after him."

Michel says (to Gaston), "Nobles can see through their anchors' eyes, if they wish."

Gaston says, "Yes."

Gaston turns on the computer.

GM says (to Franklin), "in relatively small quantities"

Gaston says, "I hope someone knows how to use this."

Michel makes coffee, and hands out cigarettes

GM says, "(does someone know how to use it? I assume Franklin doesn't)"

Gaston clicks around vaguely.

Gaston says, "I am not especially skilled."

[nobilis] Kori says, "okay, need more to eat than granola bar. Back later."

Michel was forced by his university to acquire basic computer literacy

GM says (to Gaston), "well, you manage to get photoshop started"

[nobilis] Kori says, "assuming the weather doesn't improve enough to be worth wandering around in, that is."

[nobilis] Michel asks, "I seem to recall computer use being Aspect-linked?"

Gaston says, "A... painting application? I did not know about this."

GM says (to Gaston), "and, hey, it pops open with a flyer for the American Ornithological Organization"

Kori has disconnected.

Franklin detests computers.

[nobilis] GM says, "it's aspect-linked since it's a normal human skill, yeah"

Gaston asks, "I assume this was one of the last things Knight worked on?"

Michel says (to Gaston), "you know, there are these things called 'cameras'... they do more or less what you aim to do, except better"

Gaston says, "He seems obsessed with birds."

Gaston says (to Michel), "They *used* to be better."

Gaston says, "This AOO seems to be the Obvious Lead."

Gaston says, "I wonder if it is a real organisation, or some kind of front."

Franklin says, "I realize I'm stating the obvious, but I don't think this has anything to do with birds, apart from being the front for something else."

Gaston says, "Yes."

GM says (to Franklin), "and, hey, look at that -- a flyer for the Audubon Society"

Michel says, "I'm pretty sure it's a genuine organisation, but I got a twinge when the birds were mentioned..."

Gaston asks, "Audobon? What's that?"

GM says (to Franklin), "almost identical to the AOO flyer save the name"

Franklin says, "Well well."

GM says, "(The Audubon society being a popular bird-conservation organization in the US)"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "In real life, I assume."

Franklin says, "The Audobon Society is a popular bird-conservation organization in the US."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "yes"

Gaston asks, "Hmmm... has Knight been copying Audobon literature in order to make a convincing fake organisation, perhaps?"

[nobilis] GM says (to GM), "hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "wow, franklin has hidden reserves of knowledge"

[nobilis] GM says, "er, ..Franklin"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I rule"

[nobilis] GM says, "gauche to laugh at my own jokes, for one thing"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hee"

Michel says, "So, uh, two bird organisations. Man was an enthusiast, all right... but the AOO..."

Michel asks, "Let's do some research. Is this thing connected?"

Gaston says, "I am guessing the AOO is a fake."

Franklin says, "Well, a real one and a fake one that pretends to have the same beneficent motives and the same literature."

GM says, "(to the internet? sure)"

Gaston says, "Since nobody except Franklin has heard of Audobon, nobody noticed that they stole the artwork and so on."

GM says, "(no DSL, though)"

Michel searches for AOO references

Franklin says, "More research would help. An organization like this requires paperwork to set up."

GM says (to Michel), "nothing"

Michel exclaims, "Ha!"

jwalrus has disconnected.

jwalrus doesn't mix business with custard.

Michel says, "The AOO's a nonexistent organisation, Knight fooled our rancher friend into joining..."

Gaston asks, "Hmm... what do I dial to find out the number of the last person to phone me?"

Gaston says, "I supposed I could try the redial button, too."

Franklin says, "Unless they're so brazen they don't expect the local yokels to follow up or investigate."

Michel says, "but this leaves us at a dead end..."

Gaston says (to Franklin), "You have not *met* the local yokels."

Michel asks, "Crethwick! What would they have done with him once the deal went through?"

Michel says, "I think we should get to his place right now."

Gaston asks, "Er, do you mean Chiswick?"

Franklin puts things back where he found them.

GM says (to Gaston), "the last number dialing into Knight's phone was some kind of construction company; the last number he called was an accounting firm in NYC"

Michel says, "I am appalling with names."

Gaston notes down both numbers.

Michel asks (of Gaston), "Construction?"

Gaston asks, "They planned to build something?"

Gaston says, "Certainly not a bird sanctuary."

Franklin asks, "Should we just leave Knight here to vegetate and slowly dehydrate and starve?"

Gaston says, "I'm not sure what else we can do."

Michel says (to Franklin), "Or we could feed him to an alligator."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Franklin), "somehow that is making me totally laugh"

Gaston says, "Other than have him looked after at our chancel."

Franklin says, "Perhaps we should dial 911 and say 'Augh help' and leave the phone next to him."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I realize that is horrible of me"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "you meanie"

Michel says, "Does our chancel have medical facilities? I don't recall any"

Gaston says, "He did attack us."

GM says, "(you have generic high tech, as you recall)"

Michel asks, "we could just leave him outside a hospital... does he have any family?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "thought it was just weapons"

GM says, "(so you have somewhat better than earth-level medical facilities, yeah)"

[nobilis] Michel says, "we could give him an IV feed with a shotgun"

[nobilis] Penny says, "high tech plus really high tech weapons"

[nobilis] GM says, "you have somewhat-better-than-earth-level tech in general, and then a specialization in weapons"

[nobilis] GM says, "right"

Gaston says, "Let's take him back to the chancel."

GM says, "if he does have any family, there're no signs of it"

Gaston says, "Perhaps smashing a few things up and making it look like this place was burgled."

Franklin says, "First I need to return Chester's car."

Michel says, "Yes. At least until we find out anything new"

Gaston says, "And possibly conveniently stealing some papers."

Franklin says, "I'm afraid I'm not the best driver, and it's a bit more dented than when I borrowed it."

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Franklin says "Next time I'll stick to golf carts."

Franklin says, "But I think returning to the chancel is the right idea."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "hunh, sudden thought"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "franklin can't use modern tech"

Michel asks, "Go and find Chiswick, then?"

Gaston says, "We can investigate these accounting and construction firms later."

Franklin says, "I don't approve of smashing the fellow's place up."

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks, "so is this like an antique car?"

GM says (to Michel), "you get another sharp twinge"

Michel says, "MERDE"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I thought of that too"

Michel says, "let's move"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "oops, good point"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Cars were invented before Franklin was born."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Just."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I guess this is why he's a bad driver"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "which is what led me to picture him bumping into trees and mailboxes"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "so he can drive, but only like the Fine Tuned guy"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "and picking up little chicks that have fallen out of their nests while- yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I have also totally been failing to play one of my flaws, since I forgot about it."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "but there was no good place to inject that with two other plotlines going at once"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston is supposed to be unable to lie.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "oops"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am picturing Franklin with a scarf and and goggles"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "which is why I mentioned the dents now"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Er, I can either just ditch the flaw or start playing it from now."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "because I wanted to get it in there somewhere"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "I suppose."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to Gaston), "you've been lying like a fiend from the start"

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Penny writes "My next hero, Drake Franklin, a regal gentleman and yet a lousy driver ..."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston exclaims, "No I haven't!"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "so I think stay consistent and ditch the flaw"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to GM), "yay!"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to GM), "yay"

Michel says, "Let's deal with Knight later. Until now, he's going in the back of the chopper and we're going to find Chiswick"

Gaston says, "Okay."

Franklin says, "Right."

Gaston asks, "And when we find him, what next?"

Michel says, "I'm guessing that whoever we're after will be trying to get at him now, since without those signed papers they have no claim to the land"

Michel says, "You'll remember that Chiswick said they'd complete the paperwork tomorrow."

Gaston says, "Hmm. Okay."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin ERT putt-putt BANG crunch putt-a-putt ERT *bang* putt

Michel says, "If we don't find something happening at Chiswick's, we go with the original plan and stalk the good sherriff"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Franklin), "I hope they don't let you drive the helicopter"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yikes"

[Crows-Nest] (from Penny) Franklin *bang* CRASH *BOOM*

Michel takes the helicopter towards Chiswick's

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "aieee"

GM says, "okay, you guys hop in the helicopter and head over"

GM says, "bringing Knight along"

GM asks, "are you landing in his driveway? or on the road?"

Michel says, "hmm. let's hope we have a few guns left, just in case"

GM says, "(time-wise it's probably about midnight)"

[Crows-Nest] Duchess is slightly disturbed at the conversation

Michel says, "ah, the swamps by night. I love it"

Michel says, "hmm. road, let's say. keep a safe distance"

GM says, "ok, you land up the road a ways, probably out of hearing & sight range"

Gaston asks, "Should I do my Knight impersonation again?"

GM says, "from here the house looks dark, but that's not too surprising"

Michel hands Gaston a pistol, and slips the shotgun under his coat

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "maybe by modern tech it means something invented after the transistor"

Gaston says, "Merci."

[nobilis] Raul asks, "Hey, even though Mis can't be here, can we assume access to Wilfred in the chancel for ID-procuring purposes?"

[nobilis] GM says, "sure"

Michel says (to Franklin), "You want a weapon, or is that..."

[nobilis] Raul says, "because I want to order that pizza Michel was talking about earlier"

Michel says, "hey, you can have the sabre"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "franklin could use a rifle, maybe"

Franklin says, "I've got a lethal piece of paper in my pocket."

Michel says, "it's plated with some sort of high-tech supermetal, but otherwise it's more or less normal"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "or a duelling pistol such as the one I appear to have been giften with"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, gifted"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin asks, "actually, what did I say he was, 80 years old?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yeah"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "born in 1922, he would likely hav served in WWII"

Michel strolls towards the house

Gaston follows, as Knight.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "yeah, but these guns are super-dooper high tech. and shiny, too"

GM says, "as you get closer you see there's a light burning upstairs -- probably Chiswick's study. downstairs is dark, not even a porchlight"

Franklin follows farther behind.

Gaston asks (of Michel), "You can become a small mantis, right? Care to spy?"

Michel says, "<All right, guys. How about I go mantis and sneak in, call you up if I need help?>"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz asks, "How about he can use teh gun, but just an't use any of the high-tech features on it?"

Franklin says, "<All right.>"

[Crows-Nest] Duchess asks (of chaz), "you are playing today?"

Gaston says, "<I will wait in the shadows by the front door.>"

[Crows-Nest] Raul asks (of chaz), "like the trigger?"

Gaston says, "<Call me if I should enter as Knight.>"

Michel becomes small, green and with razor-edged forearms

GM asks (of Michel), "ok, where are you going?"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says (to Duchess), "No."

[Crows-Nest] Duchess says (to chaz), "ah. just got a bit perplexed"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says (to Raul), "Heh. No, like the telescopic site, auto-tracking, no kickback..."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I would have to think that somehow a fellow would have to be fairly comfortable with technology created up until he was 20 years old, though he might be stubborn and refuse to learn anything new after that"

Michel says, "Hmm. Doubt I can get under the door, and keyhole's probably not yale"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "Yeah, I'd imagine you becoming more and more inured against developments as you neared 30."

Gaston says, "<I imagined you might climb up to the window.>"

Gaston says, "<If you like I will throw you.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to raul), "yeah, whoever heard of a 30-year-old using modern knickknacks"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "and then at 31, mental decrepitude and the swift fall to the grave"

Michel says, "<I shall climb.>"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says (to Penny), "he was precocious in his crotchetyness"

Michel says, "<I was considering a drainpipe, but that has unpleasant possibilities.>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and then you get arthitis at 22, and your teeth fall out"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "so up to about 1945-ish technology is probably possible for franklin to use"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "by thirty two he was yelling 'hey you kids, get offa my lawn'"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "er, 32."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yes"

GM says (to Michel), "luckily you are a high-aspect mantis and can make your way up to the window sill (which, conveniently, is open, it being a hot night)"

Michel scuttles in

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "(and air conditioning not having been invented)"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to franklin), "man, many decades of grouching old-man-ness. you must be real good at it by now."

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "he's a cowboy, air conditioning is for yanks"

GM says, "and there's your old friend Sheriff Harley, sitting casually in a chair near the (closed) door, gun in hand"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I was good at it, but have been feeling peppy and friendly since I got all nobilisized"

Michel says, "<Shit. Harley's here>"

GM says, "he's pointing it leisurely in Chiswick's general direction"

Michel says, "<be ready to burst in and behave uncouthly on my word. I'll listen in for a bit first>"

Franklin says, "<Can you empty the gun again?>"

GM says, ""'Pologize for the presentation, Mr Chiswick. Knight had an unfortunate accident -- which I will have to resolve later -- but I wanted to get this end of things wrapped up first.""

Michel says, "<might still be empty.>"

Michel does a minor divination to check

[Crows-Nest] Duchess i would give an arm to be able to hear ddyte's reaction to the age assessment

GM says, "(must be a different gun, or he's reloaded it)"

Michel keeps listening, while scuttling unobtrusively around the edges of the room towards Harley

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what room are they in?"

Gaston says, "<Shit. We need to save Chiswick.>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "study"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "lots of paper in there?"

[nobilis] GM says, "upstairs study, where you talked to Chiswick before"

[nobilis] GM says, "yes"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra asks (of duchess), "about how it's all downhil after 22?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "ok"

Gaston says, "<Okay, in I come.>"

Michel says, "<No.>"

Gaston says (to Harley), "Sheriff? Sheriff harle"

Michel says, "<Wait until I empty the gun, at least>"

Gaston exclaims, "...Harley!"

[nobilis] Duchess says (to alex), "well, more of how after 31 is mental decrepitude and a swif fall to the grave"

[nobilis] Alex says (to Duchess), "Okay, well, more of how after 31 is mental decrepitude and a swif fall to the grave."

Gaston says, "<Sorry, too late.>"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "do I need a sightline to be accurate with whipping paper about the room, should it come to that?"

GM says, ""Now, you just sign that there at the bottom, then I'll get the boys to sign too, and it'll all be nice and legal.""

Michel empties the gun, fast. 1 RMP extra for auctoritas, again

[nobilis] Duchess says, "also wrong channel. sorry"

Gaston says, "Why, this is lucky."

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "They're on the front porch?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to duchess), "you might want to tell alex to forget that, too"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Gaston), "are you going in the front door (on ground level)?"

[Crows-Nest] Duchess asks, "whoa. wait. what did i just do to alex?"

[nobilis] GM says, "Harley is in the study upstairs"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "I did"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Oops, I misread."

[Crows-Nest] Duchess says, "that confused the heck out ot me."

Michel says, "<Franklin, make him drop the paper. Delaying tactics.>"

Gaston tries the door.

Franklin makes the paper fly out the window.

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "that's a level-6 change miracle"

[nobilis] Michel says, "uh, DMP, sorry"

[nobilis] GM says, "so 2 domain points, I guess"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "level 6? man"

Gaston hollers, "Hey there, you awake up there? I need to talk to you!"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "well, I do it anyway"

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "I keep wanting to jump in wiht sugestions ;-)"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "why is that level 6, I'm wondering"

[nobilis] Michel says, "well, you can't see it"

Franklin grumphs. "That's some stubborn paper."

GM says, "at roughly the same time, the paper jerks out of Chiswick's hand and out the window, and the front door flies open"

[nobilis] GM says, "it's level 6 because it's a change miracle, which is the most expensive kind"

[nobilis] GM says, "since it's essentially the catchall"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "that's 3 DMP I'm down now"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<I think we're fine as long as we can disarm him.>"

GM says, "a gunshot comes out the front door"

Michel takes advantage of the confusion to become human and level the shotgun at Harley

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what's changing?"

GM asks (of Gaston), "going to do anything about it?"

[nobilis] GM says, "the paper's location, in this case"

Franklin catches the paper.

Gaston says, "Go 'ow!', I assume."

Gaston says, "I'll try and dodge, but I'm still aspect 1."

GM asks (of Gaston), "it'll be, um, aspect 2 to dodge -- so 1 aspect miracle point?"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "hey, since when can I dodge bullets?"

Gaston asks, "How much to reflect the bullet?"

GM says, "and the paper flutters down into Franklin's hand. "Last Will and Testament of Theodore Chiswick""

Gaston asks, "As a domain miracle?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "oo, nice thinking, gaston"

GM says, "it would be a creation of reflection -- level 4 domain miracle"

GM says, "(I would think)"

[nobilis] Michel says, "kerPING"

Gaston spends one domain point and sends the bullet back where it came from.

Franklin says, "Good gracious."

GM says, "there is an "ow!" from inside in the darkness"

GM says, "and running feet"

Michel raises a finger to his lips with his free hand

Gaston spends an Aspect point to become a bit tougher, and chases.

GM says, "meanwhile, inside, Harley looks up in surprise as Michel materializes on the other side of the room"

Franklin flips through the will to see what they were getting Chiswick to sign over, and to whom.

GM says, "his gun wavers a bit uncertainly between Chiswick and Michel"

GM says (to Gaston), "you don't need to spend one until you need it for something specific"

Gaston says, "Okay, but I want to catch whoever this is."

Gaston says, "I am listening carefully for the echoes of his footsteps, etc."

Michel says, "OK, my friend. We know what you are, and we need to know who your master is."

GM says (to Franklin), "it appears that Chiswick, by these terms, is leaving his entire estate to the American Ornithological Organization, including (it enumerates various places) the township of Pomelo City"

Michel says, "That gun is unloaded, by the way, so you may as well drop it."

GM says, "Gaston charges into the house"

Michel says, "This gun, on the other hand, is not."

Franklin says, "<They were forcing Chiswick to sign a phony will leaving his entire estate to the AOO, unsurprisingly.>"

GM says, "it's dark, and the sound of someone breathing is coming from nearby, your trained ears can tell"

GM says, ""Oh, it is, is it?" Harley sneers"

Michel says, "<Didn't think it'd be a will. Come on up, Franklin- we might need you>"

GM says, "He flips the muzzle up slightly and shoots out the light"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "I assume I can do echo-location? Minor divination is less than 3 domain points, right?"

Michel says, "Ah."

[nobilis] GM says, "minor divination is a level-2 domain miracle"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "How about minor creation?"

[nobilis] GM says, "4"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Feh."

[nobilis] GM says, "preservation 3, destruction 5, change 6"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "How much for night vision?"

Franklin looks like he'd rather not, but carefully enters the house anyway.

[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel), "how are you going to do it?"

[nobilis] Raul says, "that'd be aspect 4 or 5, I'd think, if you were going to use aspect"

Gaston says, "drop your weapon!", and does a minor Preservation to keep the echoes bouncing around the room and hopefully confuse the guy.

[nobilis] Michel says, "aspect miracle, I guess"

[nobilis] Michel says, "grr. can't cope with that if I'm going to get into a fight..."

Franklin is confused also.

[nobilis] GM says, "it'd be a level 5 miracle for actual vision; level 3 for super-hearing which might be good enough"

Michel says, "<guys, HELP>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "okay, superhearing it is"

Franklin shuffles faster.

GM says, "and then somebody comes up behind Franklin with a flashlight, and says "Okay, gramps, hands up?""

Gaston says (to Franklin), "<DUCK>"

Franklin says, "Err- uh..."

Franklin ducks

Michel smacks Harley on the bonce with the shotgun, spending yet another AMP

[nobilis] GM says, "(and I'd better go to an actual taking-turns system at this point)"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "no way any of us can get there, is there?"

Gaston shoots whoever's behind Franklin.

[nobilis] Penny says, "'us' for values of whoever isn't there"

GM says, "Michel jumps forward and takes a swing at Harley"

[nobilis] Raul asks (of Penny), "what, and miss the exciting night in the chancel?"

[nobilis] Gaston says (to GM), "Good idea."

[nobilis] Raul says, "Speaking of which, I've been looking up that silver aura thing."

[nobilis] Michel says, "we'd chant to summon you, but we're kinda busy"

[nobilis] Penny says, "you could summon raul"

[nobilis] Penny says, "though I dunno how you do that"

GM says, "You connect with something -- probably left arm -- he swears"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Kind of busy here, sorry.>"

Michel grows a couple of extra arms, just for added effectiveness

GM says, "Gaston emerges from the darkness and fires over Franklin -- the bullet takes the guy in the chest and he falls over backwards, dropping his flashlight"

Gaston says, "<One down, I think, and one injured. And I have a light.>"

Gaston grabs for the flashlight.

GM says, "the other guy must have located the lights -- they flicker on, revealing you two to be in the living room"

Michel says, "<Get it up here. We need Harley captive and alive>"

GM says (to Michel), "it sounds like the upstairs door is opening"

Gaston shoots the other guy again, just in case.

Franklin says, "Ugh."

Michel grabs Harley by the throat with all four arms and slams his back against the door

Gaston says, "And if nobody else is attacking, I belatedly dash up the stairs."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, I need to get upstairs faster than my usual old man speed"

[nobilis] GM asks (of Michel), "are you using any aspect to do that?"

[nobilis] GM says, "(any extra aspect, I should say)"

[nobilis] Michel says (to Franklin), "do a paper chase"

[nobilis] Michel says, "sigh. I have one AMP left"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "I haven't spent any yet."

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "What have you been hitting him with so far?"

[nobilis] Raul says (to Gaston), "if you had, think of how astoundingly flirtatious you could be"

[nobilis] GM laughs

[nobilis] Michel says, "I used a couple against Knight"

[nobilis] Penny says, "ha"

[nobilis] Michel says, "bye bye last AMP"

[nobilis] Gaston asks, "Well, I mean, how much do we need to spend against Harley?"

GM says, "you grab Harley in the darkness with one of your arms"

GM says, "just in time, too -- all your grab is his hand"

Michel says, "okay, if I have his hand he's toast. I break the wrist"

Gaston is on his way with the flashlight.

[Crows-Nest] Chaz says, "All your grab is belong to hand."

[nobilis] Michel says, "and hell, wrists are damn easy to break"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I suppose I could spent 1 AMP to supershuffle up the stairs"

GM says, "you fumble for a better grip; suddenly, the floor creaks and sways beneath you"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "uh oh"

GM says (to Gaston), "and beneath you, too, on the stairs coming up"

[nobilis] Gaston says (to Franklin), "No, you might as well hang back a bit."

[nobilis] Franklin says (to gaston), "ok"

Gaston says, "Oops."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "woo, sinkhole time"

Franklin says, "Oh my."

Gaston says, "Okay, I'm backing off."

GM says (to Michel), "it felt like you snapped something -- but his hand's slipped free"

GM says, "Chiswick cries out in alarm"

Michel says, "okay, I'm grabbing Chiswick and heading for the window"

GM says, ""The floor!""

Franklin makes for the front door.

Michel says, "<Franklin, you might have to catch Chiswick in a second>"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "'The floor!' 'My papers!' And other great lines from inky NPCs."

GM says, "Franklin runs for the front door"

Gaston starts running outside too.

Michel says, "<I'd carry him down, but it looks like I'm going to have to throw him>"

Gaston says, "<I think we may be in a sinkhole fairly soon.>"

GM says, "Michel hurries towards Chiswick and the window (which is upwards from the break in the floor, seems like)"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "can I create a fluffy layer of papers to catch him?"

[nobilis] GM says, "sure"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I do so"

[nobilis] GM says, "level-4 creation"

Gaston says, "My."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "done"

Michel empties Chiswick's mind to make him a bit more relaxed and a bit less breakable

GM says, "down below, a large pile of crumpled paper appears"

Franklin says, "<There will be a pad below the window. Toss him out.>"

GM says, "meanwhile, Gaston runs for the door also, followed closely by gunshots"

Gaston asks, "Gah. More of them?"

Gaston asks, "Can I do the echo-location thing again? How many, and where?"

GM says, "it appears to be somebody's shooting at you from upstairs, and somebody else from another room downstairs"

GM says, "if you run fast enough, they probably won't be able to hit you"

Gaston says, "Okay, I turn the flashlight off and run faster."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "okay, now I need to be able to move fast"

Michel heaves Chiswick through the window.

[Crows-Nest] Penny asks (of gaston), "geez, how many of these guy's girlfriends did you hit on?"

GM says, "Gaston stumbles outside, Chiswick flies out the window, Michel perches on the sill -- and the whole house sways"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I assume I dropped the shotgun when I broke the guy's wrist. sigh"

GM says, "(Franklin is, I guess, already outside)"

Franklin says, "(barely)"

Gaston says, "I'll take cover behind the fluffy paper, and take aim at the front door."

GM asks (of Michel), "you're in the most trouble at this point, I think -- what are you doing?"

Franklin heads back to the helicopter as best he can.

Michel says, "Not much room in the paper apart from where Chiswick is. I'll jump and go mantis halfway through"

GM says (to Franklin), ""Hey! You! Stop right there!" someone calls as you run"

GM says, "(or walk)"

Franklin says, "Erp!"

Franklin stops and puts his hands up.

Gaston says, "<Shit. I think we should perhaps have investigated this house more thoroughly.>"

Michel says, "<guys, I don't think I'll be able to get Chiswick out without that helicopter>"

GM says (to Michel), "ok, you land safely too -- and in good time, too, since the house is swaying more"

GM says (to Franklin), "a bullet flies over your head"

Michel says, "<there had better be some guns left in there, because I'm all out>"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<There are several men with guns here. It will be tricky.>"

Franklin says, "Yeeek."

GM says (to Gaston), "nobody's coming out the front -- but you hear the back door slam"

Michel says, "<I could try emptying their magazines again, but I can't see them>"

Franklin tries to turn slowly around to look at whoever's behind him.

Franklin says, "I'm unarmed! And I'm really old."

GM says (to Franklin), "one of the deputies, looks like"

Gaston says, "<Shit. I'll let that one go.>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Emptying every gun about apart from Gaston's"

GM says, ""That's true ... " he says slowly. "But keep those arms where I can see them, gramps.""

Gaston starts crawling carefully in the darkness towards Franklin.

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "can I feel the barrel of his gun with paper so it'll blow up if he fires it again?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "er, fill"

[nobilis] GM says, "sure"

[nobilis] Michel says, "and anyone who can resist with auctoritas, obviously"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "ok, I do so"

Gaston says (to Michel), "<Somebody is getting away. Possibly Harley, I don't know.>"

Franklin says, "Whatever you say, officer."

[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "it's going to be a level-7 major creation if you want to eliminate every gun in the area"

Michel says, "<We need Harley. Badly>"

Gaston says, "<Okay, Franklin seems okay, so I'll follow the other guy.>"

Gaston does so, belatedly.

Franklin fills the guy's gun with paper and runs for the helicopter.

Gaston says, "However, I assume it's quiet, and I can hear every echo he makes, so."

GM says, "Gaston hurries around the side of the house -- and, hell, there's a car driving away"

GM says, ""Hey! Stop right there!""

Gaston says, "<Getaway car!>"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "I'd have no more DMPs. I don't think I'm okay with that. How about preserving a circle of emptiness around me that bullets can't enter?"

Michel says, "<Getaway car with EMPTY TYRES AND TANK>"

GM says, "The guy attempts to fire, only to have the barrel explode"

Gaston asks, "Can I turn all the car's windows to mirrors?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "wow, you guys have neat powers"

GM says, "meanwhile, the car sputters to a halt, swerving off the road to fall into a ditch"

Gaston says, "Ooh, handy."

[nobilis] Michel says, "bwahaha"

Gaston follows, gun in hand.

[nobilis] GM says (to Gaston), "that'd be a level-6 miracle, but it doesn't seem needed now"

[nobilis] Michel asks, "can I do my emptiness circle, and for how much?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hm, it's easier to create things from nothing than to change things that already exist"

[nobilis] GM says, "it'd be a level-3 preservation"

[nobilis] Michel says, "yay"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "yes, although sometimes you can finesse this by creating qualities of things in your domain"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "gotcha"

Michel becomes human, makes a circle of emptiness around him, hefts Chiswick over his shoulders and heads for the chopper

GM says, "Michel and Franklin head for the chopper"

GM says, "meanwhile, around back"

Michel says, "<Franklin, stay close to me, makes you less likely to get hit>"

Franklin says, "<Good plan.>"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "If this is me versus Harley I will not be amused."

GM says, "Harley shouts "Don't come any closer!""

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Bollocks."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "doh"

GM says, "another bullet zings in your general direction, but it's not very well-aimed"

Gaston exclaims, "I don't want to hurt you!"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "Seeing as I ditched the lying flaw, I might as well make best use of not having it."

Michel searches the chopper to see if there are any guns left.

[nobilis] Franklin says, "hee hee"

[nobilis] GM says (to Michel), "there are if you brought them"

GM says, ""Tell your friend he gets off this time -- but this wasn't my first shot, and it won't be my last!""

Franklin climbs in so as to be ready to get out of there.

GM says, "echoing this, there is a gunshot"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I said I brought 'lots' or something. but we've got through three machine pistols, a shotgun and an automatic"

[nobilis] GM says, "not bad"

GM says, "and then the outdoors is silent -- until the house collapses"

Michel says, "damn it, no more guns. Franklin, give me that sabre"

Franklin says, "Here."

Gaston walks right up to the car with the flashlight, ready to reflect bullets again if necessary.

[nobilis] Alexandra says, "chancel Boring Library Research turns out IN FORCE when pissed off"

Michel says, "I'm going to try and sneak up on Harley again"

Gaston says, "<I hope there was nothing important in that house.>"

Franklin asks, "What just happened to the house?"

GM says, "Harley is slumped against the dashboard -- his head's not a pretty sight"

Gaston says, "<I also hope Harley did not just kill himself.>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "ph33r our l33t crossindexing skills"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "yay"

Gaston says, "<Damn.>"

[nobilis] Penny asks, "did we ever actually name our chancel?"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "no, we need to"

[nobilis] Michel says, "Chancel Index"

GM says (to Franklin), "it seems to be in the biggest sinkhole you've ever seen"

[nobilis] Penny says, "locus crossreference"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "and he's pointing a gun at you! snrk snrk"

GM says (to Michel), "and, if it's any consolation, that nasty rash seems to have gone away"

Gaston says (to Michel,Franklin), "<Harley is dead, unfortunately.>"

GM says, "meanwhile, Chiswick is looking confused"

GM says (to Franklin), ""Uh er ah uh", he says to you"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Bibliohyeahbaby"

[nobilis] GM says, "har har har"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "I don't have domain herpes / I don't have domain herpes / a la la la / a la la la"

Michel says, "<Damn.>"

Gaston says, "<Well, we still don't know exactly what they wanted, but we have some leads.>"

Michel says, "<It would seem that our operation has entered the 'cleanup' stage.>"

GM says, ""What -- what happened there? Harley'd shown up, looking crazy, and he was insisting I write my will up right then, and then -- oh, my head -- the lights went out, and the -- my house!""

Franklin asks (of Chiswick), "Why did they want you to sign this fake will?"

Gaston says, "<And I assume we foiled their plans a bit.>"

[nobilis] Penny says (to maga), "aww, no excuse to try and get kori to rub lotion onto your rash"

Michel says, "Oh, yeah, and I bet you're wondering about these extra arms, too"

GM says, ""It wasn't a fake will! It was the will I had an appointment with Knight to sign tomorrow!""

[nobilis] Penny says, "ilac, but only to #crows-nest."

Michel retracts them.

Franklin asks, "Then why were you being made to sign it under duress?"

Gaston asks, "Knight is still in the chopper, right?"

GM says, ""I don't understand any of this -- including what happened to my house!""

GM says (to Gaston), "I assume"

Gaston says, "I'll sidle round there and assume his appearance again, in case it's useful."

Michel says (to Chiswick), "You realise that the American Ornithological Organisation doesn't exist."

GM says, ""I don't know -- I said I'd sign it tomorrow when Knight showed up, but he said there was no -- what do you mean, it doesn't exist?""

Franklin says, "It's a forgery."

Franklin says, "It's a scam."

GM says, ""A forgery? but I have brochures from it!""

Michel empties Chiswick's mind into deep meditation for a moment, to calm him down while we think up a good story

Franklin says, "A collosal con job."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "colossal, too"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "it's ok, Michel made him unconscious so he didn't see that"

Franklin says, "I don't know what else we can tell the poor fish."

Gaston says, "Wait, I was Knight already. Silly me."

Michel says, "Well, a sinkhole obviously destroyed his house. Maybe we'd better get rid of the dead bodies and stuff before we wake him up."

Gaston says, "The henchmen are conveniently buried, mostly."

Gaston says, "And Harley committed suicide, which is nice and tidy."

Franklin says, "This business is getting bloodier and bloodier."

Gaston says, "There's this one guy who Franklin dealt with, but his own gun exploded on him."

Michel says, "How about... sinkhole opened up beneath his house, coincidentally knocking Knight into this state"

Gaston says, "No bullets of ours which might be traced."

Gaston says (to Michel), "Hmm, sounds good."

Gaston asks, "How about Chiswick?"

Franklin asks, "What do we do with his will?"

Michel says, "we'd better look at the henchmen to see who they are in the morning. if they're deputies they might be trouble"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "time for a <meanwhile, in seattle> again"

GM says, "(they are)"

Michel says (to Franklin), "hmm. if Knight's out cold, he shouldn't be able to find any more 'AOO' people, and if he looks for them he'll discover they're spurious for himself"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "we're playing bingo"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ok, good point -- you florida guys talk amongst yourselves"

GM says, "Meanwhile, in Seattle, it's the next morning, around 10:30 am"

[nobilis] Penny says, "I've written and submitted three novels in this time"

[nobilis] Penny says, "ilac again"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Yeah, we had a pretty good run there."

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "Sorry."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "my royalties are going to pile up"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "no fair using aspect to write 'em faster"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "from all the novels and translation work"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to GM), "I'm getting the monks to copy them out all neat!"

Michel says, "I say we get a nap, do a cleanup in the morning, wipe Chiswick's memories of the past few hours, and leave him outside the ruin"

Michel says, "doubtless he's insured"

Raul asks, "Mmm, good morning. Have a restful evening, everyone?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "also, must switch computers. biab."

Michel says, "but I still feel someone's out to get us. someone powerful enough to use miracles through their anchors on a regular basis"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "assume I'm still holed up in the chancel for a while"

Penny has disconnected.

Penny goes home.

GM asks (of Raul), "so you're heading to the security offices again?"

Michel says, "safest to assume the contract was, ahem, lost in the terrible accident"

Alexandra says, "Mmm. Of sorts. I'll be able to rest better once this pesky defending-lives business is done with."

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says (to michel), "shh, it's the other guys' turn to have the floor"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "we're talking amongst ourselves"

[Crows-Nest] Michel asks, "better on #nobilis?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "maybe not in the room, is all"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "you guys can keep talking -- I'm just not doing much about it"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yeah"

Alexandra asks (of Raul), "Shall we to campus and see if these students are actually going to turn up?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "sure, not expecting you to- just throwing around ideas"

Penny arrives, looking for booty.

Penny saunters out of the chancel.

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "Are we still taking Knight back to the chancel?"

Raul exclaims (at Alex), "Sure. Look: a badge!"

Raul shows his shiny new 'Raul Himinez' badge.

[nobilis] Michel says, "I thought we could leave him in the wreck, so it looks like he's sustained head injuries in the collapse"

Penny asks, "so we're going back to find out what's going on?"

Raul says, "Only Wilifred misspelled my nom de police."

Raul says (to Penny), "You're welcome to come along."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Hm. Fair enough."

[nobilis] Michel says, "and he can be taken care of by the proper people"

GM says, "with newly-minted id cards, you head to campus in the hopes of seeing the dramatists"

Alexandra laughs

Penny says, "I would do if I were him, and you called me Wilifred"

Penny says (to Raul), "I think I might"

[nobilis] Michel says, "deputies with bullet wounds is harder to explain away, as is Harley"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Hm."

Penny looks at her card. 'Penny Sutton'?

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "And you say your rash went away when Harley died?"

Penny says, "Wilfred sucks at the spelling"

Penny says, "let's head out"

Raul says, "Maybe that's just bureaucracy for you."

[nobilis] Michel says, "seems odd that a guy'd be so pissed off about driving his car into a sinkhole that he'd top himself"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "I find that very suspicious."

Raul leads them all to the right building on campus.

[nobilis] Michel says, "maybe I can make it look like he was thrown clear, and then summon up a couple of gators to chew him up a bit"

GM says, "and sure enough, there's a student approaching"

GM says, "of course, this is campus, so there are always students around"

GM says, "but it's a relatively out of the way part"

Penny, incidentally, is wearing a veil-and-headdress thing so she is not obviously her.

Raul asks (of Student), "S'cuse me, you got a second?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "similarly the deputies"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "guise costs mps"

GM says (to Raul), ""I've just got to drop these keys off, but sure, after that""

[nobilis] Penny says, "Iain is afk, due to me stealing his laptop."

[nobilis] Penny says, "but he's reading over my shoulder"

Raul says, "you with the group that was reserving the P..., er, the P..."

Raul checks his notes.

[nobilis] Raul says, "i.e. 'the GM and/or Franklin'"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "heh"

[nobilis] GM says, "Padelford"

Raul asks, "Padelford building?"

[nobilis] GM says, "my english TAs always had offices there"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "Padelford Hall"

GM says, ""Uh .. well, sort of, yeah""

GM says, ""My roommate, actually, but he asked me to drop off these keys for him""

Raul asks, "Your roommate? You know where we could talk to him?"

[nobilis] Michel leans against a helicopter strut and takes one of his standard four-hour snoozes

GM says, ""Um, he's out at the moment -- I think he said he had a kayaking trip this weekend""

GM says, ""Which is why he asked me to return the keys. But he'll be back monday.""

Raul flips to a clean page in his notebook. "What's your roommate's name?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I like how Raul has adopted my habit of carrying around a notepad."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I am such a trendsetter."

GM says, ""Darren, Darren Housm -- hey, what is this, anyway?""

GM asks, "are you guys with the student paper?"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "I tell you, you'll all be wearing pearls and tweed soon!"

Raul says, "Sorry, I keep forgetting to introduce myself."

Raul says (to the others), "You should remind me to do that."

Raul says, "Raul Jiminez. Seattle PD."

GM exclaims, "police? you're kidding!"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "well, Gaston will if you don't lock your wardrobe when you go out"

GM says, ""Is Darren in some kind of trouble? He said I'd just have to drop off the keys and it'd be fine!""

Penny says (to Raul), "(in a language the student won't understand) hey, we're not your keepers."

Raul says, "No, no, no trouble. We're just investigating some trouble in P--"

Raul says, "P--"

Raul flips through his notebook. "Padelford hall."

Penny says, "Padelford"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin laughs

Raul says, "And we think he or some other members of his group might have seen something."

GM says, ""Ah." The student relaxes. "Darren's been kind of weird lately, but he's a good guy -- I'd hate to think he's in any trouble.""

Raul asks, "Do you know anyone other than Darren we might talk to?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "no trouble- we're just investigating some TROUBLE"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "heh"

[Crows-Nest] Penny starts drawing on Raul's hand

[Crows-Nest] Penny writes 'PADELFORD'

[Crows-Nest] Raul asks (of Penny), "Hey, I've got aspect 3. This is all for versi, um, veris, uh, what's that word again?"

GM says, ""Uh -- I don't know. I think this was a private drama club that Darren was in; he was the one that reserved the room because he was a student here.""

[Crows-Nest] Penny writes 'INTRODUCE YOURSELF DAMMIT'

Raul asks, "The others in his club aren't students here?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Franklin) Raul says, "Howdy, I'm officer Dammit."

[Crows-Nest] Penny also writes 'RAUL 4 SISTER WHATSHERNAME'

[Crows-Nest] Raul laughs.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "oh no! non-varsity people are joining the varsity satanists club? this is an outrage"

GM says, ""I don't think so -- the only ones I've seen were picking Darren up one time; they were pretty old, in their 40s or something""

Raul says, "huh."

Raul asks, "Where's he kayaking?"

Raul says, "<I'm thinking we're talking about an anchor here.>"

[Crows-Nest] (from Penny) GM says, ""So, like, they were arthritic and had no memory, and no teeth""

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "yay!"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "<or just an easily-sucked-in twit>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "boo"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "ila lounge"

Alexandra says, "<or just an easily-sucked-in twit>"

Penny says, "<I'd go with 'easily-sucked-in-twit'>"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "it doesn't take much to brainwash a young college student"

GM says, ""He didn't say -- someplace in the San Juans, I think""

Penny says, "<but, twit with good backup>"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "brainwash vs anchor -- it's like the rent vs own argument, all over again"

[Crows-Nest] maga says, "enh, I disagree. with me it'd take at *least* thirty quid's worth of drugs and alcohol"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "yay"

Raul says, "Okay, well, we can talk to him on Monday."

Raul asks, "Thanks for your help -- what was your name again?"

Penny says, "<hmm, off to San Juan, or just back to chancel?>"

Penny says, "<as I didn't get sacrificed last night, they can't do it until the next full moon>"

Raul says, "<I'd like to track him down, assuming nothing else pressing is going on.>"

Penny says, "<either that or they did someone else, in which case it's too late>"

[nobilis] Michel says, "hmm. this wilderness domain thing is mighty inconvenient for chancel exits"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "<we'd need his full name, then>"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra exclaims, "bah again!"

GM says, ""I'm sure he'll be back then -- we've got tickets to see They Might Be Giants!""

Alexandra says, "<we'd need his full name, then>"

GM says, ""My name's Rick Spenlow""

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "oh dear god"

[Crows-Nest] Michel shudders

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "we're going to a gig to find a student."

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "needle in haystack time"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "well, a satanist in a TMBG gig"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "I can't stand here listening to you and your satanist friends"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "needle in haystack time"

Raul says, "<I'm guessing a little work with the Seattle student records could turn up a match>"

Raul says, "<especially if we check for someone with a terribly geeky Rick roommate>"

Raul says, "Thanks again."

GM says, ""You bet!""

Penny says, "<yeah, I guess>"

Michel can sense bad students from across a continent, and shudders in his sleep

Penny says, "<check here, though, as I don't think we sussed out getting a net connection in the chancel yet>"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "someone remind me to respectfully enquire about that when we next see Vona"

Raul wanders away from the student.

Penny asks, "find a computer lab, check records?"

Raul says, "Okay, who here's good with computers? That's a little outside my experience."

Penny says, "enh. I can do email, and not a lot else."

Penny blushingly admits, "I've only ever used the net for personals sites"

Alexandra says, "I'm decent with them"

Alexandra says, "Thanks to my geek brother"

Raul says (to Alex), "and you could track him if he's using cash or credit cards, I bet."

Kori has connected.

[Crows-Nest] Michel says (to Penny), "aren't you glad me and Gaston aren't here to hear that"

Alexandra says, "Most definitely"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "Iain just edged away from me"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "'special friends sites'"

[nobilis] Alexandra asks (of GM), "in fact, can I use some DMP for that?"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "www.specialfriend.com"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "nah, I know the url"

[nobilis] GM says (to Alexandra), "sure"

[Crows-Nest] Raul says, "www.amispecialfriendornot.com"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "but only inky is allowed to know it, for now"

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

[nobilis] GM says (to Alexandra), "it'd be just a (level 2) divination to find out basic info"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "nice"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "or I could just use www.lonelyromancewriters.com"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "aww"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "which gaston keeps spamming with expletives"

Alexandra checks to see if Mr Satanist is paying for anything this weekend, and if so, where

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "you're not lonely. you have Fluffles the Amazing Rat"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says (to Michel), "I actually had to check the name then."

GM says (to Alexandra), "well, it appears the guy is indeed in the San Juan Islands -- he bought something relatively recently at a small grocery store"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "and monks, and *us*, your loving friends"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "heehee"

[Crows-Nest] Michel says, "we all care about you so much"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "yeah"

GM says, "specifically, some matches, some toilet paper, some twizzlers, and some pringles"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "at least the landlord seemed to like me"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Sounds like he also scored some primo weed."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "ha"

Alexandra says, "Hmm. Well, if we want to chat with Darren, he is indeed in San Juan. And having a potato-chip craving."

[Crows-Nest] (from Michel) GM says, "oh, and a live chicken, some candles and some goat's blood"

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "hee"

[Crows-Nest] Penny says, "and hey, I got an invitation from a Regal."

[nobilis] Franklin says, "eeee"

GM asks, "meanwhile, back in Florida, what are you guys doing?"

Penny asks, "mmm, do we have any idea where in san juan he'd be going?"

[Crows-Nest] Franklin says, "oh yeah. the invitation"

[nobilis] Michel says, "man, he was desperate for skinning papers if he was down to using bogroll"

[nobilis] GM says, "(just to finish things up there)"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "We tidy up"

Gaston says, "Pretty much what Michel suggested, I guess."

Alexandra says, "Well, shouldn't be hard for me to trace the store where he bought his munchies. That'd get us in the area, at least."

GM says, "Clenwick is confused and there are various dead bodies"

GM says, "and Knight's semi-dead body"

Gaston says, "I don't think we can do much with Knight."

Michel says, "arrange the troopers around the sinkhole, bring in some gators to chew on 'em"

Raul says, "We should find out what's happening with the others before we go there, if we're going to."

Gaston says, "Not sure how realistic that is, but okay."

Franklin says, "I don't know about you, but I don't have any particular gator-moving-aptitude."

GM says, "Clenwick is probably the main issue, since he's, like, not dead"

Michel says, "clean clenwick's memory of the previous night"

Gaston asks, "Our leads are the fake AOO, the construction company and the accountant's firm in New York. Is that enough?"

Michel says, "looks like it'll have to be"

Gaston asks (of Michel), "Did you just clear your own memory of Chiswick's name?"

[nobilis] GM says, "wow, I managed to call him both Clenwick and Chiswick"

Michel sighs

[nobilis] GM exclaims, "those aren't even common names!"

[nobilis] Michel says (to Gaston), "the GM's, too"

Franklin says, "Let's put Chatwick in the car with Harley"

Michel says, "mrm. bad idea."

Gaston asks, "Make it look like a crash?"

Gaston says, "Harley seems to have a mangled hand to explain away, besides his self-inflicting skullhole."

Gaston says, "Er, inflicted."

Michel asks, "how could Knight, Harley, Crenshaw and however many deputies all fit in a car?"

Michel says (to Gaston), "broken wrist could have easily happened in crash"

Michel says, "but it'd make suicide a bit difficult. but he must have shot with the other hand"

GM says, "(I think you broke his left wrist and he fired with his right)"

Michel says, "I say we leave Chiswick and Knight comfortably in the wreckage"

Gaston says, "Crash it is, I think. Let's put the bodies in the car and roll it into the hole."

Franklin says, "This is gruesome business."

Gaston says, "No, wait, that's kind of silly, seeing as the hole used to be a house."

Michel says, "I'd say deputies in the car, knight and chisforthsmythick in the house"

Franklin says, "Let's put Harley in the hole, and Knight and Chetwick on the grass here in front, as if Harley got them out but the house collapsed on him."

Gaston says, "Sounds good."

Michel says, "niiiiice"

Gaston says, "I think we're agonising over this a bit too much."

Michel says, "deputies in the hole too. with gators, so the bullet damage doesn't look too obvious"

[nobilis] Franklin says, "(that's probably the best we can do)"

Gaston says, "The people who would investigate are dead at this point, and we can magic up some paperwork as necessary."

Michel summons up some gators to munch on deputy

GM says, "ok, you guys clean up the scene"

Michel says, "yeah, we'll keep an eye on proceedings over the next few weeks, and get wilfred to cover up for us as needed"

GM asks, "heading back to the chancel?"

Gaston says, "Yes, let's."

Michel says, "yeah. oh, and we'd better give this chopper back"

Gaston says, "Shame."

Michel says, "wipe the guy who we leased it from's memories of us, so we're harder to trace"

Franklin says, "Maybe we can order one for the chancel's own use."

Michel asks, "how could we get it out?"

Franklin says, "Hmmm."

GM says, "ok, so you guys make it back to the chancel, where you meet up with the others, just returned from the UW"

Gaston says, "Hello again, brothers and sisters."

GM says, "(or, rather, you get some sleep and meet up with them the next morning, since it works out better that way)"

Franklin brews strong coffee.

Gaston says, "I have been learning how to use this deadly weapon."

Michel catches up on lost smoking time.

GM says, "and I think I'm going to put in the story break here"

GM says, "everyone's miracle points are restored to their original levels (plus whatever from limitations)"

Alexandra says (to Gaston), "I know a lovely section of 'SECRETS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS' books on which you could practise"

[Crows-Nest] Raul exclaims, "That's not Alex, that's the Regal of Self-Improvement!"

Michel says, "wheee"

GM says, "and in addition, you all get a character point -- if you want to use this to buy something new, talk to me and we'll work out how to do it"

Franklin says, "This is where I go to visit the carnival to relax from all the recent danger and excitement, only to find myself in the midst of danger and excitement."

[Crows-Nest] Alexandra says, "Alex would not object to practising on the Regal of Self-Improvement, as well"

Raul says, "woo hoo"

GM says (to Franklin), "yeah, well, that's irony for you"

[nobilis] Penny says, "I was thinking of upgrading from immutable and durant to eternal."

GM says, "(last Sunday's session happens today, yeah)"

[nobilis] Michel says, "I was thinking of getting immutable."

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what's the other group's chancel name?"

Gaston conspiciously fails to get any points for not lying.

[nobilis] jwalrus asks, "eternal doesn't cover durant, does it?"

[nobilis] Michel says, "because it fits in nicely with my domain and my character"

[nobilis] GM says, "Locus Carni, apparently"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says (to jw), "no"

[nobilis] GM says, "it appears that -- right, what jw said"

[nobilis] Raul asks, "'The Meat House'?"

[Crows-Nest] Gaston says, "whoop, wrong window"

[nobilis] GM says, "aka Locus Feriarum"

Alexandra asks, "are we continuing this thread next week, ie chasing Mr TMBG Fan?"

[nobilis] Penny says (to jw), "right, but still"

[nobilis] GM says, "'The Ferrari House'"

[nobilis] GM says (to Penny), "but on the other hand, I guess they're all vaguely the same thing, so sure, if you want to trade them in, that's fine"

[nobilis] Raul says, "Hm. I've been thinking of boosting my boots from one-trick to limited, so I can run fast too"

GM says, "I think given that it's 6:30, it'd be a good time to end the session, yeah"

[nobilis] Penny says (to GM), "okay, think I'll do that then"

Franklin says, "If anyone hasn't read what happened to Shagapir group's chancel last week, I recommend doing so."

GM says, "(or 9:30, or 2:30am, or whatever)"

Raul says (to Franklin), "Yeah, it's got me thinking about more defenses for the chancel."

[nobilis] Michel says, "y'know, if I'm wandering through the wilderness for weeks on end it'd be convenient not to have to eat or sleep, and it'd help my insane eating, drinking and sleeping habits"

Franklin says, "Me too."

Penny says (to Raul), "indeed"

Raul says, "and I'd like us to put in some readily-activated ones"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "It is indeed useful, though uncomfortable."

Alexandra says, "oh, I just meant, we pick up next game where we left off? And I take it the answer is yes"

[nobilis] Gaston says, "For myself I am thinking of becoming more bullet-resistant."

GM says, "mm"

[nobilis] Michel says, "with my emptiness sphere, bullet-resistant wouldn't add much"

[nobilis] Franklin asks, "what does a character point get you?"

GM says, "yeah, I guess -- it'll put us a bit behind timewise, but ok"

Alexandra says, "we are Chancel Sloth"

[nobilis] GM says (to Franklin), "well, you got 25 to start"

[nobilis] Michel says, "a miracle point