Dead man's party

[Sierra]

<El-Cideon> The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Checking into another hotel across town, you are able to get a full night's sleep without further interruption from incompetent goons, the city's criminal element apparently having been sufficiently humiliated already for one night. (more)
<El-Cideon> It's midmorning by the time everyone is conscious and risen. The auction is scheduled to begin at nightfall, leaving you plenty of time to prepare a plan. (OOC: ball's in your court here. Plan?)
<Nadia_Chekova> "I'm sure I could talk us past the guards, invitation or no," Nadia volunteers, "But do we want to all go in together in full view of the Germans already resident?"
<Erin> "Judging by the bruiser squad, I'd say they already know we're around," replies Erin. "I doubt they'll assault us in public."
<Erin> "So I don't really see a problem with us all showing up, in other words!"
* Nadia_Chekova accepts that. "Alright. Everyone needs to be sure to dress up nicely, then, so we can fit in." Glancing at Rena first before she feels compelled to consider her other two companions, "It's early so we could go clothes shopping if anyone needs it."
<El-Cideon> "I've not been to events like this," Rena says. "What is involved? At home there were only seasonal festivals with drinking and dancing and they did not care what you ore as long as you wore something."
<Erin> "I think we'd better, my travelware isn't up to this sort of party," admits Erin. "A pity we can't get anything tailored in advance... ah well."
<Nadia_Chekova> "You need to wear something elegant and classy," Nadia produces her own trusty little black dress from her bag, although it's in sore need of a good ironing at the very least. "Like this." She considers thoughtfully, "You'll need to do your hair properly, too. And get makeup..." she continues eyeing the three other women critically.
<Erin> "I've been to parties before, you know. Although not at a governor
<Erin> "I've been to parties before, you know. Although not at a governor's house, or anything quite that fancy." Erin reaches for her handbag. "Let's go shopping, ladies!"
<Yomi> "Same here, although in my case the fashions were different, to say the least." Yomi smiles at Nadia, adding, "I'll place myself in your capable hands."
<El-Cideon> And so a whirlwind shopping adventure ensues! Zanzibar's an ancient trade hub and you could probably find any style you wanted here, but opting for the familiar (well, familiar to three-quarters of the group) European styles is easiest. It's sometime into the afternoon once everyone's decked out in fancy dresses and ready to head to the mansion. There are two guards at the front door just as on the previous day.
<El-Cideon> (OOC: formal clothes are expensive. DC 15, which everyone can pass but it knocks your wealth down by 1 so make note of that on sheets. Also, Rena has no money so someone will have to pay for her.)
<Erin> OOC: I'll dress her up
* Nadia_Chekova already has formal clothes! And she's made sure to iron and clean them back at the hotel, so she's restored to her prime, hair elegantly coiffed as she leads her troupe towards the guards at the mansion with all the poise and confidence she can muster.
<Erin> If you like the colour blue, then your eyes would be on Erin all day. She wears a just-slightly oversized blue coat, covering a dress of a similar colour, along with long white gloves.
<El-Cideon> The guards take notice as you approach (and really, how could they not when confronted with an elegantly-appointed group of attractive adventurers?) You see an elderly couple enter the mansion ahead of you; they just get a nod from the guards, perhaps already known to them. Nadia gets a more official look, however. "Name?" one of the men rumbles gruffly.
<Nadia_Chekova> "Oh! You do not recognise moi?" Nadia gasps, placing a hand over her currently uplifted bosom and for once not at all damping down on her natural accent - if anything she's exagarating it. "Did you not see moi light up ze silver screen in Mauvaise Graine? Mon couer t'appele? Club de femmes?" she all but swoons in a properly diva-like fashion.
<Nadia_Chekova> "You 'ave ze honour... no! Ze privilige! Of speaking with Danielle Darrieux!" she uses the name of an actress she happens to bear a somewhat passing resemblance to.
<El-Cideon> OOC: roll bluff. Add +2 because that was awesome and made me laugh so it has to help a little here.
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20+18 and gets 31."12 [1d20=13]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+1 yeahhhhh why bother
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+1 yeahhhhh why bother and gets 19."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> The guards exchange a look. "Well, I don't recall you being on the guest list, but...I'm sure Miss Willis wouldn't object to anyone who adds to the glamor of the occasion. All of these others are with you?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Oh, yes," Nadia gives the other three a dismissive wave, "These are my, ow do you say, entourage - zey are extras in ze grand production, yes?" she beams at the guard, "I 'ave heard zat one of my fellow actors is already present as well, no? Surely we will 'ave much to discuss!"
<Nadia_Chekova> Leaning in she gives him a peck on the cheek, "Thank you, kind monsieur, for being so understanding! Come, filles!" she waves the others onward and flounces inside!
* Erin wanders after Mme. Darrieux, giving the lucky guard a wink as she sweeps past him into the foyer!
<El-Cideon> The guard seems about to say something, but in the end just opens the door and gestures inside with a stunned look on his face. (more)
* Yomi follows obediently, inclining her head slightly at the guards. For the most part, her attention is on Rena, to make sure she knows to play along, and correct her if she doesn't.
<El-Cideon> Inside, the foyer proves to be a wide-open area two stories tall, with grand staircases to your left and right sweeping up to the second floor and a gleaming, black-and-white tiled floor. There are doors directly ahead of you and to the your left and right, and you can hear a steady murmur of conversation from the other side.
<El-Cideon> Rena doesn't look inclined to say anything to the guards or to the servants waiting inside to take coats and bags, though she does look all around with apparent interest.
<Nadia_Chekova> Ever the social butterfly, Nadia naturally heads in the direction of conversation. She lacks a coat in this nice weather, and her bag is back at the hotel, anyway.
* Erin naturally falls in step, but keeps an eye out for that actress woman once she enters the main hall.
<El-Cideon> Conversation is pretty much everywhere, really; there are several sitting rooms just on the first floor, as Erin discovered yesterday. And directly across from the main hall is a series of windows fronting on the central garden, wherein several guests sit on stone benches and talk. (more)
* Yomi has a coat to part with, leaving her with a purple gown that brings out her eyes. "Let's hang back and not get in the way?" she suggests to Rena, believing that Nadia and Erin would do better at mingling with that actress without Yomi crowding them.
<El-Cideon> A brief glance into each of the rooms shows each to have its own theme: to your right are the room Erin peeked in on yesterday, decorated with vistas of African plains, as well as a darker one with scenes of medieval combat and actual suits of armor. To the left are a standard, modern English sitting room with stuff chairs and sofas, and another with what look like Indian tapestries. (more)
<El-Cideon> After some searching, the French woman Erin saw yesterday can be found in the modern room, again engaged in conversation. The medieval room is filled mostly with male party-goers, some sitting around talking, others smoking or playing cards.
<Erin> "They might be after the thing that actress has instead of something at the auction itself," remarks Erin to Nadia. "
<Erin> "Do you know who she actually is? She's that woman over there."
<Nadia_Chekova> "I wonder where they are for that matter," Nadia remarks, before turning her gaze towards her countrywoman to see if she recognises her from any recent motion pictures.
<El-Cideon> "Very well, Yomi," Rena says. She's wearing a sleeveless and fairly restrained black dress, having shown a preference equally for restrained and revealing gowns. "What shall we do? Talk with the other guests?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: either knowledge: arts or pop culture would work here if you want to roll
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20+8 I am artsy fartsy
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20+8 I am artsy fartsy and gets 23."12 [1d20=15]
<Nadia_Chekova> "Hmm. I recognise her," Nadia murmurs to Erin. "Selene Marchand. She's a theatre actress, not a film one. That's good, it means she's unlikely to know who I am masquerading as. Do you know what she has that the Germans might want?"
<Yomi> "Why not?" Yomi agrees. "Let's see what we might find over there?" she suggests, gesturing subtly towards the Indian-themed room.
<Erin> "I'll be able to figure it out if I get close to her," replies Erin, activating her magical sight and taking the opportunity to insinuate herself into the ongoing conversation.
<El-Cideon> Selene laughs brightly at some bon mot lost in the noise of the crowd as you approach. She's surrounded by a group of similarly well-dressed young women, though something about her that you can't quite place seems to make her the center of attention. She notices Erin's approach and looks at you with apparent curiosity.
<El-Cideon> Yomi quickly spots a young German soldier in the Indian room, sitting at a low table and having a conversation with someone dressed like some manner of British official. His attention seems engaged and he's not taken notice of you yet, though he may do so soon given Rena's apparent tendency to wander and look at people at random.
<Erin> "Ah, is it the famous Ms. Marchand?" asks Erin, with a broad smile. "It was such a pleasant surprise to find that you were here in Zanzibar! How are you finding the party?"
* Yomi doesn't quite feel like socializing with German soldiers, and gently steers Rena towards the room adorned with African vistas. If they chance upon an officer, that would be a different matter.
<El-Cideon> "The wine is surprisingly palatable for an English party and there is no shortage of servants waiting to cater to my every need," Selene says with a smile. "So my compliments to the host. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, though. I've not seen you here the past couple days. Fashionably late?"
<Erin> "Ah, I just blew in with Miss Darrieux yesterday," replies Erin, bobbing her head. "A holiday, a holiday. But where are my manners? Erin Callahan, at your service; amateur actor, amateur scriptwriter, professional dreamer."
<El-Cideon> Rena dutifully tags along with Yomi. The African room is less densely-populated than those on the other side of the mansion; the most notable resident is a middle-aged Englishman sharing with a tired-looking partygoer a litany of complaints about some unknown third party. He is impeccably dressed and has thinning blond hair and spectacles.
* Yomi decides to let Rena do what she does best, and wander aimlessly throughout the room. By observing those who pay special attention to her, she might well discover something interesting.
<El-Cideon> Selene laughs again. "An intriguing introduction. Most here would've given a self-description somewhat more refined." You seem to have her attention to the exlcusion of those around her now. "What is it that you dream of, I wonder?"
<El-Cideon> Rena sits down on an empty sofa; she is soon approached by a waiter who asks her a question and then scurries away with a panicked expression on receiving her answer. Someone else soon attracts Yomi's attention, however. "I wasn't aware that I invited anyone from Japan," a woman's voice says drily, approaching from the doorway.
<Erin> "What else, but being able to paint my name on the silver screen?" replies Erin. "A girlish dream, I know. But films these days are all so... political, don't you think? I want to show people something else."
<El-Cideon> "Oh yes? I've always avoided politics in my work. So boorish, so mundane. Leave it to newspapers and bureaucrats."
<Yomi> "I happen to be part of an entourage," Yomi responds, not sounding all that happy to be called that. She turns towards the woman that addressed her, continuing, "No one important enough to receive a personal invitation, in any case."
<Erin> "Well, that's the advantage of the stage, you know? I think the writers there are a bit more whimsical. Personally, I'm a fan of all those plays about witches and psychics- puts a bit of a chill in you. Of course, that's what I like to write, too."
<El-Cideon> The newcomer is perhaps in her mid-forties. She has blond hair which is waging a losing battle with grayness but at least is perfectly coiffed. "Oh, you needn't worry. I don't mind gatecrashes so long as they're interesting. Since you are in my home, however, you could at least tell me your name." The loud Englishman has notably quieted down since the woman's arrival.
<El-Cideon> "Oh yes?" Selene says, her tone noticeably flatter. "This is not really my area of expertise. Perhaps you could educate me about this new field of dramatic theater which has apparently escaped my notice?"
<Yomi> "Isayama Yomi," she introduces herself with a curtsey. "I must say I am impressed. You must be the first who did not call me Chinese, Missis Willis."
<El-Cideon> The widow smiles. "My husband was stationed all over the world in his time. I have a sharp eye for nationality. What is it that brings you here? You are a very long way from home just to attend a party uninvited."
<Yomi> "I have a vested interest, you might say," Yomi responds, gesturing towards a particularly breathtaking exhibit that just happens to be far enough from the middle-aged gentleman listening in to them. "I believe you might find the story quite engaging, Missis Willis."
<El-Cideon> "I look forward to being thrilled," the widow says, archly but not unkindly. You find yourself in a far corner of the room next to a painting of a hunter desperately loading a rifle in the face of a charging elephant. You are as alone as you can get in this room, at least.
* Erin is slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in demeanour! "Oh, it's hardly new," she replies. "Some of Shakespear's work certainly touched on the genre, and opera is certainly filled with mythic works- I wouldn't know where to start. But if you're curious, perhaps we can sit down and have a chat sometime."
<Yomi> "The simple answer is Germans, as it happens," Yomi informs the widow. "Their soldiers travel all over the world, much like your husband and yourself had. What catches their eye, they try to purchase. What the owners decline to part with, they take by force.
<Yomi> I merely wish to ensure that if you were to have something they found an interest in, the transaction went quietly. I hardly intend to interfere and get other people involved, so merely observing the proceedings is my reason for being here."
<El-Cideon> "Perhaps we can," Selene says in a level tone. "I wonder if you had a time and place in mind."
<El-Cideon> "Is that all?" Willis says. "I assure you, Sergeant Kurtzmann and his men have been perfectly well-behaved since their arrival. I arranged this auction with the intent of selling my possessions, so there could hardly be any trouble even if what you say is true." She looks amused. "I admit this was not the sort of story I expected."
<Erin> "Perhaps this evening, before the auction begins in earnest? Does this house have an arboreum?"
<El-Cideon> "There is the garden," Selene says. "It's easy enough to find. I'm certain you could've seen it on your way in."
<Yomi> "I don't doubt that they have been well-behaved here one bit," Yomi agrees. "After all, why do anything to interfere with your plans to sell them what they seek?
<Yomi> Unfortunately, I have come across several previous transactions where the Germans were not quite so restrained. After all, I'm quite far away from home, wouldn't you say? Until my first encounter with their soldiers, I had not set foot outside Japan.
<Yomi> In my case, an ancient sword with an honorable history was not as easily parted with, and my family ended up paying the price for their stubbornness."
<Erin> "Well, perhaps we can meet again there before dinner," replies Erin.
<El-Cideon> "That's more like the kind of story I was hoping for," Willis says, still sounding amused. "Your concern is appreciated, but I assure you that there is nothing to worry about. My guards are all veteran soldiers in my husband's service for years. Were anyone were to cause trouble, they would regret doing so."
<El-Cideon> "Perhaps we can," Selene says, before adding "Until then?" with a note of finality.
<Erin> "It's been a pleasure," returns Erin, weaving her way through the room until she finds Nadia again. "It's in her handbag," she states, already starting to leave the modern room. "I've arranged to speak with her in the garden tonight.. um, I think."
<Yomi> "I don't intend to speak ill of their talents, of course," Yomi responds, inclining her head. "All the same, would it trouble you if I were to sooth my worries by watching the proceedings? I am not without funds, as it happens, and I could participate in the bidding easily enough instead of just taking up space."
<El-Cideon> "There are ample bidders already," the widow says. "I assured that much when I sent out announcements of the vent. You are free to watch if you like."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It might be a good idea to keep an eye on her in case she is the target, then," Nadia agrees quietly. "It looked like you upset her, though."
<El-Cideon> Selene goes back to talking with her group of hangers-on as though no interruption ever happened.
<Erin> "Well, I insinuated that I was well aware that she possessed some magic," replies Erin, with a shrug. "There are people who are ashamed about it. And others who simply like to keep their secrets. I'm sure she'll be interested to know that German soldiers may seek what she has."
<Yomi> "You are too kind," Yomi says, smiling. "Would it be possible to satisfy my idle curiousity, I wonder? Are the Germans after another sword, here? It is the only thing that comes to mind from the selection I see, unless the theme they are following as they collect from all over the world is not weapons, after all."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Unless it happens to be something in the auction itself. I'll try asking around to see what people are interested in," Nadia suggests, setting to the mission of doing just that.
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20+12 GI what are the most exciting auction items?
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20+12 GI what are the most exciting auction items? and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> "Planning on outbidding them?" the widow teases. "It would be rude of me to say. You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else."
<Yomi> "The thought had crossed my mind, though I truly want to avoid trouble, as I've said. Just curiousity, really. I suppose I'll see it soon enough."
* Nadia_Chekova returns to Erin after a good half hour of mingling. "There are a few odd things after all," she muses. "Ashes of a boddhivista? And have you ever heard of a text called the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum? It certainly sounds esoteric!"
<El-Cideon> "You will soon enough," Willis says. "Shortly after dinner. I would appreciate not seeing any trouble between you and my German guests in the meantime, though if you were of a mind to stop the servants from nicking my silverware it would be appreciated. I have other guests to see to, if you don't mind?" She parts and makes her way over to the bespectacled Englishman, who makes an obviously phony show of being polite.
<El-Cideon> OOC: And Erin can roll K: arcane lore if she wants
<Erin> roll 1d20+14 I can? Ok!
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+14 I can? Ok! and gets 27."12 [1d20=13]
<Erin> "It's a book on demonology," replies Erin, glancing worriedly at Nadia. "From the early renaissance, all about binding, summoning, controlling... it's a tool of the evil and the desperate." She grimaces. "Such texts are forbidden knowledge that man should not have been granted."
<Nadia_Chekova> "So naturally we want it for ourselves instead of letting the Germans have it?" Nadia confirms. She still doesn't really buy this whole demon thing, even with magic confirmed as reality.
<Erin> "I can't speak for how legitimate the text is- but if there are buyers here, then we should assume they believe in it, and prevent them from further pursing such a dark path," replies Erin, with a nod. "I don't suppose you could, you know..."
* Nadia_Chekova gives Erin a somewhat superior smile. "Liberate it?" she concludes for her squeamish companion.
<Erin> "Yes, that," replies Erin, with a nod.
<Yomi> "So what did you try to order before?" Yomi asks Rena, joining her on the sofa.
<El-Cideon> "He asked me what I desired, and I said, 'You.' The direct approach seemed to frighten him."
<Nadia_Chekova> "I can surely try. It would probably be best to wait until it's been bought rather than trying to take it from its current owner, though," Nadia whispers.
<Yomi> "Most people would be frightened from an approach that direct," Yomi readily agrees. "Servant boys asied, what is it that you desire?"
<Erin> "You're the expert. It should be possible for me to trail it afterwards," replies Erin.
<El-Cideon> "Water would not be amiss," Rena says. "I tried some of the wine they were serving. I didn't enjoy it. People like drinking this?"
<Yomi> "I never saw the appeal of it myself, but I've met plenty who did," Yomi responds, waving a waiter over to see if they have non-alchololic beverages, before she defaults to water.
<El-Cideon> There are plenty of tamer drinks available, fruit juice and the like. Water is also in plentiful supply, as are conveniently-sized snacks.
<El-Cideon> (OOC: Conversations winding down here? Ready to move on?)
<Nadia_Chekova> OOC: sure
<Erin> OOC: I have to go talk to the actress. Or she could stand me up.
<Erin> OOC: But otherwise, yes
* Yomi asks for the local fruit juice, ready and eager to expand Rena's horizons!
<Yomi> OOC: Sure
<El-Cideon> OOC: Going alone, Erin?
<Erin> OOC: What's the worst that could happen
<El-Cideon> So Erin heads to the garden by herself. It's mostly empty at this time. Actually, most of the guests have filtered into the auditorium and started working through dinner. Selene is initially not in sight, but enters the garden from the door on the auditorium side. "Very well," she says, approaching (but seeming to stay carefully in view of those inside). "Shall we talk?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: Will save.
<Erin> roll 1d20+7 fsk
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+7 fsk and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> There's an odd tingling at the base of your skull for just a moment, then it's gone. OOC: carry on.
<Erin> OOC: Can I spellcraft it to figure out what it is?
<El-Cideon> OOC: not in this case, no.
* Erin raises her fingers to her forehead, lightly tapping it's side- "Well, I should hope so, preferable to the exclusion of more intrusive communication," she replies. "Are you aware of Germany's recent adventures into occult paraphrenalia?"
<El-Cideon> "I am not," Selene says.
<El-Cideon> Inside the auditorium, servants set up a podium with a micorphone in preparation for the auction as the guests work through their meal.
<Erin> "Then I'd better warn you about it. To those who know how to look, you carry your articles rather obviously," she explains, gesturing towards the handbag. "For some time- a matter of months- German agents have been seizing a seemingly random assortment of religious and occult artifacts. They aren't strangers to the use of force when money and words can't get what they want."
<El-Cideon> Selene merely raises an eyebrow. "Is that so? What sort of objects? I don't imagine I have anything the Reich would have a use for."
<Erin> "That's what I thought, too," replies Erin. "They stole a particular grimoire from me, as well as royal jewels and ancient weapons- there is either a magical or historical connection. What links them, I'm afraid I don't know. But those of us with such connections should be on our guard. Whatever their purpose is, it is sure to be a dark one." (More)
<Erin> "There's a certain item with a bad reputation up for grabs here, but it may not be all they're after."
<El-Cideon> "Is there? And what is it that they stole from you, exactly?"
<Erin> "A tome penned by the Count of St. Germaine," replies Erin. "They left me a nasty bump on the head to remember them by."
<El-Cideon> "Hm," Selene murmurs with a nod. "You have no idea where it is now?"
<Erin> "I intend to find out," replies Erin. "Pardon me, but do you have an interest in the occult? Or, in truth, do you find it distasteful?"
<El-Cideon> Selene pauses for a moment before speaking. "Very much the latter," she says cautiously. "What are you actually here for, Miss Callahan?"
<Erin> "As long as I remain on the same trail the agents of the Reich are following, eventually, I am sure my property will be returned to me," replies Erin, with a shrug. "And while I'm a forgiving person, I can't pretend the goals of thieves like that are noble ones."
<El-Cideon> A nod. "I am not interested in becoming embroiled in espionage against Germany, and I have nothing of occult or religious significance for them to take. Your warning is noted in the event that they're here seeking the same thing as I, but I don't expect that will matter. Was there anything else?"
<Erin> "What, might I ask, are you seeking?"
<El-Cideon> "A book."
<Erin> "The Pseudomonarcha?"
<El-Cideon> Selene merely shrugs.
<Erin> "If that is so, I would point out that embroiling oneself in demonology is rather more dangerous than espionage," replies Erin. "To the soul, that is."
<El-Cideon> This provokes a laugh. "The existence of this book worries you?"
<Erin> "Indeed it does. That book is probably the real thing, not some destitute author's mindless rantings."
<El-Cideon> "If you were to seek it out and acquire it, then, what would you do with it?"
<Erin> "Destroy it. People have no need for such tainted knowledge. Only ill can come of it."
<El-Cideon> Inside the auditorium, servants clear away the plates and a man in tuxedo taps the microphone experimentally.
<El-Cideon> "Then we have no disagreement," Selene says. "You needn't worry about me. I intend to burn it."
<Erin> "That's a relief," replies Erin, with a quirky grin. "Sticking my nose in other people's business never feels very good, I have to say." She gestures towards the auditorium, and starts heading in. "Well, I wish you luck."
<El-Cideon> "It's a relief to me that you don't mean to interfere," Selene says, heading back inside with you. "Whenever I find a book like this, it often happens that I also find someone unwilling to let me have it. Perhaps I merely need to keep looking?"
<El-Cideon> Up at the podium, the announcer clears his throat to begin speaking. It's right about this time that the lights go off, leaving the auditorium lit only by what little starlight trickles in from the garden windows. The guests immediately start a confused hubbub of surprised chatter at this development.
<Erin> "There are people who would do anything to get it," mutters Erin, taking a moment to enchant herself with a spell of protection. This looks like it's about to get ugly.
<Nadia_Chekova> As soon as the lights go off, Nadia vacates her seat and moves to hide amongst the furnishings surrounding the room, using her finely honed stealth skills to stay out of sight even if the lights come back on.
* Yomi pockets a knife, which would have to do in the absense of her trusted sword, otherwise remaining calm.
<El-Cideon> The lights are staying off, it seems. The announcer at the podium raises his voice above the clamor, calling out for order. "This merely a temporary power failure, I'm sure. Your host will have everything fixed in short order." You can barely make out him waving a couple of guards out and asking them to look into the matter; the two men promptly exit the room. (more)
* Yomi touches Rena's arm lightly, and leans over to whisper, "Get my sword from the wardrobe, and bring it here."
<El-Cideon> Immediately thereafter, an amorphous red shape rises silently from the floor and envelops the announcer in appendages vaguely resembling human arms; it's hard to make out in the darkness. What is NOT difficult to make out is the man's horrified scream and the immediate panic in the crowd as guests rise to their feet and being to scatter in all directions.
<El-Cideon> "Yes, Yomi," Rena says while rising, just before the panic breaks out. Then, with startling calmness: "What is that?"
* Nadia_Chekova covers her mouth to clamp down on the instinctive exclamation of terror! She's never been one to play to that type, but this is far from what can be considered normal, even with her recent knowledge of magic.
<Yomi> "A demon." Yomi makes a face. "So I need my demon-slaying sword while I distract it with the cutlery. Hurry, please?"
<El-Cideon> Rena rushes out of the room as instructed, bolting through the garden door!
<Yomi> It is such a shame her beautiful gown will be getting trashed just after using it once, Yomi muses as she leaps atop the table, devoting a moment to scan for the fiend's friends before she commits herself to the attack!
<Erin> Erin can scarcely believe it, and being knowledgable in magic doesn't quite prepare you for meeting an honest-to-god demon in the flesh, in all of it's terrible glory.
<El-Cideon> -------------------------