Yomi the vampire slayer

[Sierra]

<El-Cideon> After a period of discussion, Paula summarizes the plan: "So, I need to set up a hideout for my fake werewolf self, no? I can find a suitable location without much trouble. There are plenty of abandoned, dilapidated buildings around here. It's your ambush; is there anything special I should look for to best make use of the element of surprise?" (more)
<El-Cideon> "I will also talk Father Leon into leaving town as soon as we're done here. Otherwise? Well, we probably shouldn't be seen talking to each other after you've reported back to Nicolas. He's bound to be watching at least one of us and it would look suspicious."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It would make the deception more obvious," Nadia agrees. "In terms of location... without knowing his own abilities it's hard to say what could help or hinder him. But for myself I'd prefer something open but cluttered and dark, giving room to hide from sight."
<Yomi> "Given our respective numbers, having hiding spots would favor us," Yomi agrees with Nadia.
<El-Cideon> "I'm sure I can find, say...a neglected basement filled with old furniture, or something like that?"
<Erin> "Something like that might be best. If there's a tight corridor or the like they must past through to enter, that might come in handy," adds Erin.
<Nadia_Chekova> "But with an escape route in case things go badly," Nadia feels compelled to ask for, even though it's not a good thing to consider for their confidence, she doesn't want to end up trapped like a bunch of rats if Nicholas turns out to be more than they can handle.
<El-Cideon> Paula nods. "I will find a location this afternoon, and see to having chains installed to complete the picture as you suggested. I'm sure I can talk one of the church regulars into doing a favor for me. I will need some way to contact you again, though; at the very least, you'll need to tell me when the attack is planned to happen."
<Erin> "My familiar can bring you a message," replies Erin, walking towards a window. "Just leave this open."
<El-Cideon> "Oh yes? what will I be looking for?"
<Erin> "That," replies Erin, pointing outside towards a circling eagle. "I'll tie a message to his leg."
<El-Cideon> Paula peers outside and nods. "Oh? He must be well-trained. Very well. I'll arrange the ambush point as soon as we're done here. Hopefully everything should be ready by nightfall, just in case Nicolas's men decide to examine the place immediately. Will your familiar let me attach a message of my own? If he waits here, I can send word as soon as things are ready."
<Erin> "I don't think he'll mind," replies Erin, shaking her head. "He's quite partial to being petted. And to being fed, but I doubt you keep worms or seeds handy."
<El-Cideon> Paula smiles and shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid not. I do have some bread around...I don't believe it's gone moldy yet. It's just here for the sake of appearances. Anyway, I have work to do. I'll send word by nightfall, and then you can report to Nicolas."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It appears we're all agreed, then," Nadia nods and stands up. "Let us hope he proves amenable to our words."
* Erin (~carthrat@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) Quit (Ping timeout)
<El-Cideon> You return to your hotel without incident and await evening. It's just after dinner when Erin's familiar returns with a note tied to its leg. On it are a couple brief notes--"Leon convinced to leave town for safety; chains set at location,"--as well as a street address and a floorplan. The sketch indicates that it's a basement storeroom at the end of a hallway, about forty feet square. (more)
<El-Cideon> There is a back door that opens to a stairway ascending to street level; Paula has indicated that the doorway to such is blocked from entry by furniture that can be pushed aside by someone inside the room.
* Erin (~carthrat@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) has joined #HometownHeroes
<El-Cideon> After some carefully staged reconnaisance investigating Paula's chosen spot (it proves to be a dingy little apartment building only occasionally inhabited by transients; the basement room contains plenty of old, rotting furniture--cabinets, dressers and such--a soiled mattress, a set of heavy chains bolted into the floor at room's center, and a lot of what you can only hope are water stains) you make your way back to Nicolas's abode. (more)
<El-Cideon> back to Nicolas's abode. (more)
<El-Cideon> Roza's waiting in the front room, smoking a cigarette. She's dressed much like before--red skirt and blouse, scarf wrapped around her neck. "You have news?" she says on your arrival.
<Erin> Ivo's entry is marked by the grinding of teeth and the clenching of fists. "Yes. We must speak to Nicolas at once. He will want to hear this- every moment is counting!"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Of course. No mystery remains unresolved for long before Doctor Ivo's prodigious intellect!" Nadia all but sneers at the woman, gesturing at Erin. "Now let us be done with this."
<El-Cideon> Roza snorts at Nadia's bravado. She stamps the cigarette out in an ashtray and heads for the far door. "Of course. This way." The guards again insist on relieving you of your weapons before letting you through to see Nicolas. And again he communicates only through a speaker behind the mirror. "Ah, you're back. What have you discovered?"
<Erin> "Hmph. I am not sure you will be able to handle it," replies Ivo, swaggering in front. "Miss Paula is a very unique specimen, if the evidence is to be believed. It was fortunate for you that she was discovered just now.
<Erin> "Supposing you truly do not share the common illusion that the supernatural is a lie, however, it is quite a simple thing to explain. You have heard of werewolves, ja? Lycanthropes?"
<El-Cideon> "I have seen enough in my time to not dismiss every legend as nonsense. Go on."
<Erin> "Vicious beasts, they are, but utterly unsuited to surviving in the modern world. It is the bloodlust, you see! They're mighty and powerful, but to go on a public rampage would spell their eventual end! Paula must have realised this wisdom, and found restraint- quite literally, in fact. I have seen her lair myself."
<El-Cideon> "Yes? And where can it be found?"
<Erin> Erin quickly relays the basement which Paula prepared. "She would not visit it often- only for a short period of time, once a month. It is the full moon, you see- it forces the change upon her and would force her to succumb to her baser instincts." (More)
<Erin> "During the rest of the month, she is capable of acting human- but there's no need to doubt that she's capable of as great violence then as she is during the lunar summit. You are fortunate she has a charitable heart. Were she not to voluntarily chain herself up..."
* Erin (~carthrat@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
* Erin (~carthrat@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) has joined #HometownHeroes
<El-Cideon> "Hm. I have suspected for some time that there was something abnormal about her, yes. I will have to know how you came to know these things, of course."
<Nadia_Chekova> "You must beware, for she is no ordinary werewolf - if such a thing can be said to exist," Nadia speaks up to sell the other part of their bluff. "Doctor Ivo performed certain tests on one of her hairs that we found in the church in order to determine her nature. She has either performed or been subjected to arcane rituals. Consulting with our colleagues in the Reich, we believe we have discovered the intent. Ordinary werewolves are vulnerable to silv
<Nadia_Chekova> "In her case it is different. Certainty is difficult without experimentation, but it appears she is vulnerable only to something... for lack of a better word, otherworldly. If werewolves exist, so must magic, yes?"
<Nadia_Chekova>  to silver, yes?"
<El-Cideon> "I would hesitate to conclude that because one legendary thing exists, another must as well. I could only conclude that it is *possible*. You are sure the traditional methods will not work?"
<El-Cideon> OOC: idly, listen checks can be rolled here for those who wish to do so. Same -7 penalty as last time though.
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20-7
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20-7 and gets 5."12 [1d20=12]
<Nadia_Chekova> "Silver would not harm her any more than steel would, of that we are certain," Nadia volunteers. "How much steel could hurt her if used with sufficient violence? Such information cannot be known without experimentation. Now, I believe we have held up our end of the bargain...?"
<Erin> roll 1d20-6
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20-6 and gets 10."12 [1d20=16]
<Erin> "It must have been a ritual she conducted long ago," posits Ivo, suddenly speculative. "It would explain how she survived, to some degree..."
<El-Cideon> "Hmm..." The voice from the speaker is equally speculative. (OOC: alright, here's where you make a bluff roll! You both talked a fair bit, so either could make the main roll; other person can aid. Add +5 for all the setup you did.)
<Erin> OOC: I'll do- waaaaaait.
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d20+22 my lies would confound even god!
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d20+22 my lies would confound even god! and gets 29."12 [1d20=7]
<Erin> roll 1d20+1 I helped!
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+1 I helped! and gets 6."12 [1d20=5]
<Nadia_Chekova> roll 1d6 action point, sure
* Hatbot --> "Nadia_Chekova rolls 1d6 action point, sure and gets 2."12 [1d6=2]
<Erin> roll 1d6+2 oh fine I'll help
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d6+2 oh fine I'll help and gets 3."12 [1d6=1]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 sense motiveing
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 sense motiveing and gets 32."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> After a lengthy silence. "I will have to confirm these facts for myself before acting. Your reward will have to wait until I've settled on a course of action and dealt with Paula accordingly. If your guidance proves true, you will have what you desire at that time." (more)
<Nadia_Chekova> "That was not the deal, Wlodarczyk!" Nadia looks irate, pointing at the screen.
<El-Cideon> "You will give Paula Nico a wide berth until that time, of course," Nicolas continues, talking over Nadia's interruption. "If and when I choose to rid the city of this creature, you would not enjoy being caught in the crossfire. Two days perhaps and I will know the veracity of your words. When I am sure your services have been satisfactory, *then* I will give you what you want."
<Erin> Ivo's lips twitch in irritation, and he crosses his arms. "Two days. Is that a solid fact, then?" he replies, testily.
* Yomi glances at the doctor, ready to take her cues from him.
<El-Cideon> "Hm. Yes. Yes, that should do. Return here at this time in two days. The matter should be concluded by then. I realize this is an inconvenience, but I must confirm, these facts for myself. If you like...well, I run several enterainment establishments. If you or your bodyguard find yourselves in need of compansionship while you wait, or would care to pass the time on games of chance, I would see a certain amount of credited is extended you as compensation. I would suggest that you not involve yourself in my affairs until my investigations are done, however."
<El-Cideon>  I would see a certain amount of credited is extended you as compensation. I would suggest that you not involve yourself in my affairs until my investigations are done, however."
* Nadia_Chekova seethes but gives him the address of Paula's fake hideout.
* Yomi can't help but smile in amusement at the offer, and at the apparent anger of her German allies.
<Erin> "I would prefer not to be seen about your businesses," replies Ivo, steepling his fingers. "It is not for me to put myself between a werewolf and her aggressors any more than necessary."
<El-Cideon> "If you insist. Roza? See them out, please, then return here." Roza heads to the door. The guards by the mirror look like they wouldn't be happy if you didn't follow her.
* Nadia_Chekova is willing to leave at this point. They've done all they can here, though she would have greatly preferred to have recovered the aurora while they had the chance.
<Erin> "Che." Ivo spins about-face and marches out of the room, hands grasping by his sides.
* Yomi shrugs, and brings up the rear leisurely.
<El-Cideon> Your weapons are returned and soon enough the four of you are back outside.
<Yomi> "So that's a no to games of chance, Herr Doktor?" Yomi asks, ensuring that her sword is wrapped up properly.
<El-Cideon> Yomi's sword does not appear to have been mishandled in any way.
<Erin> "I'll have to inform her of the circumstances," mutters Erin, once they're far away enough from Nicolas' offices. "You think I should have agreed?"
<Yomi> "We would know we were being observed there, at least. But I don't really care either way, I have to admit."
<El-Cideon> "So, are we going to just wait two days and come back?" Rena wonders.
<Nadia_Chekova> "I suspect he'll try and have someone 'accidentally' poke her with something silver or something like that," Nadia posits. "If that's the case it would support our bluff. I think it might be a good idea for us to relocate so we can observe the false hideout, squalid as it may be. He might try something there."
<Erin> "He might just send thugs after her, and someone else to observe what happens..."
<Nadia_Chekova> "And the same thing will happen to them as happened to the ones in the past," Nadia says, unconcerned.
<Erin> "He might find cause to question our story depending on the manner in which they are dispatched," replies Erin, frowning. "I don't think werewolves were famed for their scythes."
<Yomi> "I don't think she needs the scythe to dispatch them. In fact, how about using your familiar to let her know?"
<Erin> "I'll be sure to relay her the details. We need to ensure that for two days, he can't garner any more reliable intelligence on her, right?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Perhaps in that case one of us should keep an eye on Paula while the others observe the hideout, to ensure no one is able to return with reports that conflict our story?" Nadia suggests in that case. "Incognito, of course, given his warning about approaching her."
<Erin> "We might do well to watch his office, too. I'll have my familiar tail any large groups, or perhaps his assistant, should she happen to leave," replies Erin.
<Yomi> "You'd be best at that, most likely," Yomi agrees. "And Erin's familiar could help us see the bigger picture, yes."
<El-Cideon> "Are we actually going to move?" Rena says with some apparent distaste. "This neighborhood is not as nice as our hotel."
<Erin> "Yomi and I should be able to subdue any search party," replies Erin, frowning. "We could simply keep them in the basement, perhaps as, um... well, they might draw their own conclusions, but I'd certainly be nervous to be held in a lycanthropes lair."
<Nadia_Chekova> "We're going, Rena," Nadia nonetheless makes an effort to walk faster.
<Yomi> "Just two days, right? The bad neighborhood will remind us to stay on alert, if nothing else."
<El-Cideon> The neighborhood Paula's fabricated hideout is in is not heavily populated; it's not hard for Yomi and Erin to find a place from which to watch the street. A third-floor apartment in a building opposite the hideout proves to be empty and gives you a good angle to watch for people leaving or entering. (more)
<El-Cideon> There's only a torn-up mattress and some broken chairs to sit on, and some discolored patches on the floor suggest the roof leaks when it rains, but the window's just the right vantage point. An abandoned storefront opposite Paula's building provides a similar place to watch from, though the interior is coated with dust and provides even less comfort than the apartment. (more)
<El-Cideon> OOC: Erin, roll spot for your familiar?
<Erin> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> Rena seems bored sitting in the decrepit storefront. Out of nowhere: "Nadia, what do you look for in a man?"
<Nadia_Chekova> Nadia is happy to expound on this particular topic! "He should be gullible, and rich, and kind, and trusting, and handsome," she rattles off some particularly desirable qualities. "What about you, Rena?"
<El-Cideon> Rena nods. "It is definitely important that they be handsome. I have found that they make better partners when they are physically fit. I don't like being with men who don't take care of themselves. Especially if they smell unpleasant."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Oh, yes, good hygiene is very important," Nadia nods. "Who wants to kiss someone who smells?" she makes a disgusted face.
<El-Cideon> Another nod. "Exactly." A pause. "Is it necessary for you to lie to men a lot, since you said they should be gullible? Yomi suggested I not be so straightforward all the time. Maybe I should learn to lie more?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Well... being a thief isn't particularly desirable for most men," Nadia admits, shuffling in her seat a little. "I find they respond better when I claim other interests. Likewise if I'm only interested in a man for his money, it's still best to convince him I'm actually intrigued by his dull personality or find him attractive. Of course," she chuckles, "Men are always willing to believe a beautiful woman is interested in them, regardless of how distr
<Nadia_Chekova>  of how distrustful they may normally be."
<El-Cideon> "I have never had much need for money. Or worried about much more than how attractive a man is. That is usually enough for my purposes. Perhaps men are more complicated out here in the rest of the world? Father always said the men in our town were very simple people."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Perhaps so," Nadia allows. "I do find that the less attractive men are often so very grateful for my attention that they work much harder to please me, but that sometimes comes with a lack of experience which can be annoying. You never really know until you get to the bedroom, though."
<Nadia_Chekova> She shrugs and stretches, looking out the window, "Still, sex is merely the means as far as I'm concerned, while for you it is the end in of itself, so you might as well focus on what you want."
<El-Cideon> "Yes. It is troublesome not knowing what to expect." She shrugs. "But if they are incompetent I will simply not see them again."
* Nadia_Chekova nods. "There are more men out there than can possible be counted. If one does not satisfy you, there will always be another willing to step into the breach... so to speak," she smiles amusedly. "Although for all you talk about it, I don't think you've had a lover since I met you, have you?"
<El-Cideon> Rena shakes her head, slightly dislodging her wig. She fixes it as she speaks. "I haven't. We've been too busy moving around, and many people we meet only want to kill us. It's a little disappointing. I would take the opportunity if I found one. Yomi and I went dancing with men in Paris and were supposed to see them today, but it's too late now."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Yes. I had this nice British Soldier in Jerusalem shortly before we met," Nadia admits for herself. "He was very helpful to us and deserved a reward. We'll try and keep an eye out for any good prospects for you as we go," she promises Rena.
<El-Cideon> "That would be appreciated," Rena says. "I don't often go this long without. Although travelling around and seeing so many new things makes it not so bad."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Have you ever done any self exploration to take the edge off?" Nadia asks curiously.
<El-Cideon> Rena frowns. "Hm? I'm not sure what you mean."
<Nadia_Chekova> "When we go back to the hotel, try taking a bath and..." Nadia makes a somewhat lewd gesture with her hand aimed between her legs.
<El-Cideon> "Ah," Rena says contemplatively. "I had not thought to try it without a man to pleasure me. I will do so when we return."
* Nadia_Chekova nods. "It can be a good way to relieve stress, and as you get more used to how your body responds you might find it even better than some men can be," she encourages.
<El-Cideon> "I will have to try it a lot, then." Rena nods sagely.
<Nadia_Chekova> "Well, if you plan on doing that much at least make sure everyone else gets to have a bath first," Nadia suggests. "Then you can take all the time you need."
<El-Cideon> "Of course. Thank you for the advice, Nadia. It is good to learn new things when they are actually useful."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Well, anything that makes your life easier," Nadia smiles. "Things are often difficult for us on our travels, and I know you get frustrated. Now you have something to do to relieve such frustrations." Instead of, for example, killing people.
<El-Cideon> "Yes. Yomi's teaching me to dance, too. It's enjoyable so far, but I think I need more practice. My partner in Paris did not seem to appreciate it when I stepped on his feet."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Oh, you need to be a good dancer to find a man," Nadia nods emphatically. "I can help teach you when we're not busy watching over Paula. A good dance can serve as a very nice prelude to good sex..."
<El-Cideon> "I will find about that the next time I have a chance to dance with someone, then," Rena says with a nod.

~

<Erin> "What the- Yomi, look alive. Something's coming to the hideout," says Erin, standing up in alarm. "It's a woman... it's not Rosa, someone else! She's almost a chameleon, my familiar can barely see her, and either she's got very sticky fingers, or she's using magic to climb up and down buildings- she didn't even come out the door-"
<Erin> "-but a hole in the middle of Nicolas' roof."
<Yomi> "Are you sure it's not Rosa, if she's a chameleon?" Yomi asks, nevertheless unwrapping her sword and blessing it in preparation.
<Erin> "Well, no," admits Erin. "Shall we go after her when she heads inside?"
<Yomi> "If your familiar doesn't see anyone observing her or us, I think we should move in once she's there."
<Erin> "Given her unusual nature, there's no telling if this will do any good or not," replies Erin, promptly warding both herself and Yomi against firearms. "But it could be of some assistance."
<Yomi> "My sword can catch the most elusive of fiends and spectres," Yomi muses, concealing her sheathed sword under her coat. "And if she needs an actual doorway to leave through, if as ensure that she cannot escape, it should be enough."
<El-Cideon> After several minutes, the figure comes into view in the street below. She has an obvious knack for finding every possible patch of shadow and using them to stay out of sight, but Erin's familiar tracked her here and knowing where the woman's moving makes it easier to follow her movements. With obvious caution, she's approaching the front door of the hideout.
* Yomi decides to wait just long enough after the woman enters the hideout to ensure she would not be ducking straight out -- half a minute should do it. After that, it would be Yomi's turn to approach the doorway with her blessed sword.
<El-Cideon> She does indeed enter the building, after taking a careful look around the street. After a minute, she's still insde.
* Erin follows after Yomi, entirely trusting in her companions ability to defeat any supernatural creature!
<El-Cideon> *inside
* Yomi enters the building.
<El-Cideon> It is utterly dark inside the building; it is not likely anyone has paid the elctricity bill here for some time, if it's even wired for it. From the moonlight outside, though, you can just make out a stairway going up and down just inside the entrance. There's no sign of the woman just yet.
* Yomi decides to head down slowly, keeping her eyes on alert for their chameleon intruder. Aware that she can apparently climb on walls and ceilings, Yomi doesn't neglect those areas when she looks ahead.
<El-Cideon> No one is immediately apparent as you start to descend. The basement is pitch-dark, though. You'll need a light source to look more than five feet past the landing downstairs.
<Erin> When the moonlight won't light their path any futher, Erin waves her hand and shines an magical torch throughout the room!
<El-Cideon> There are several doors in the hallway, now illuminated by Erin's eldritch light. Paula's sketch indicated the hideout was on the far right of this passageway; at the edge of the illuminated area, you can just make out the door. It's open.
* Yomi makes a beeline towards it!
<Erin> Erin heads to the side of the door, prepared to back Yomi up!
<El-Cideon> She's in the center of the room, looking down on a set of heavy iron chains. She looks up quickly as you arrive, wincing at the bright light, hissing something in Polish. She doesn't sound happy to see you, but she's not moving just yet. (more)
<El-Cideon> The woman looks young, perhaps just in her twenties, and very attractive, with full lips and figure. She is extremely pale, though, which makes a sharp contrast to her black hair. She looks posied to bolt or leap into action at a moment's notice, in any event.
<Yomi> "Who are you?" Yomi asks in German. Polish is a language she never bothered to learn, after all.
<El-Cideon> The woman only repeats herself in Polish, with more urgency and irritation. Looking from one of you to the other, she fastens her eyes on Erin. Her gaze seems to bore into the mage's mind somehow, almost hypnotically. (OOC: will save, Erin)
<Yomi> Since she's not responding, all Yomi can do is charge the pale woman and strike her down!
<El-Cideon> OOC: init once Erin rolls, sure.
<Erin> roll 1d20+8 net is slow
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+8 net is slow and gets 26."12 [1d20=18]
<El-Cideon> OOC: and, init.
<Erin> Erin rears back. "Mentalism- go! Don't let her do that!"
<Yomi> roll 1d20+1
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7 weird chick
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+1 and gets 18."12 [1d20=17]
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+7 weird chick and gets 23."12 [1d20=16]
<Erin> roll 1d20+7 mindrape seems to appear too much in rpgs
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+7 mindrape seems to appear too much in rpgs and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Strange Woman (23) > Erin (22) > Yomi (18)'
<El-Cideon> Hissing in bestial fashion, the woman lunges forward at Yomi with hands that suddenly seem to end in dreadful claws!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+9
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+9 and gets 16."12 [1d20=7]
<El-Cideon> But Yomi's arcane protection wards off the strike!
* Yomi unsheathes her sword in a flash, and slices at the claw before her attacker is able to retrieve it fully!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+14
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+14 and gets 18."12 [1d20=4]
<El-Cideon> OOC:P whiff
<El-Cideon> OOC: Erin.
<Erin> Erin snaps her fingers, and a strand of spiderweb suddenly extends across the rear half of the room, binding the woman inside whilst leaving Yomi untouched! OOC: Reflex DC 15
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+6 ref save
<Erin> OOC: If she passes, she's entangled but can make str checks to move, if she fails, she's entangled and, um, can't.
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+6 ref save and gets 21."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> The woman proves supremely agile and ducks beneath the tendrils! (OOC: Yomi)
* Yomi follows through, her sword seeking out their adversary as she ducks and weaves past the strands of magical web! A horizontal cut is followed by a vertical one to box her in, and then a decisive strike to pin her down!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+14
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+14 and gets 18."12 [1d20=4]
<Yomi> roll 1d20+8+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+8+1d6 and gets 24."12 [1d20=12][1d6=4]
<Yomi> OOC: +1 to that
<El-Cideon> OOC: second hits
<Yomi> roll 1d20+14 surge
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+14 surge and gets 29."12 [1d20=15]
<El-Cideon> OOC: also hits
<Yomi> roll 2d6+10
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6+10 and gets 15."12 [2d6=2, 3]
<Yomi> roll 2d6+10
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6+10 and gets 14."12 [2d6=2, 2]
* Yomi retreats a step after the attack, holding her sword in a guarding position.
<El-Cideon> Yomi's sword rips through the woman, the wounds bleeding a black, filthy ichor! Shrieking horribly, her body dissipates before you, turning into a translucent mist that backs into the room, seeking escape! (OOC: she double-moved. Erin's up again)
* El-Cideon changes topic to 'Strange Woman (23, mist) > Erin (22) > Yomi (18)'
<Erin> Erin points her gun at the mist, and then checks herself on firing. "I can't touch her like this!" she notes, grimacing.
<Erin> roll 1d20+14 arcana!11
* Hatbot --> "Erin rolls 1d20+14 arcana!11 and gets 30."12 [1d20=16]
<Erin> OOC: Oh, I'll dismiss my web.
<Erin> The web vanishes with a snap of Erin's fingers!
* Yomi has yet to fight an enemy such as this, but her sword can cut through even intangible ghosts! It has been blessed by her intense conviction to stand between Humanity and the demons preying upon it! With such an unshakable belief behind her, she charges at the mist!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+16
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+16 and gets 24."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> OOC: hit.
<Yomi> roll 2d6+10
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6+10 and gets 20."12 [2d6=6, 4]
<Yomi> After her wild strike, Yomi forcibly holds the sword's momentum, flips the blade around and cuts back on a reciprocal vector, tearing through the mist further!
<Yomi> roll 1d20+14+1d6 surge!
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 1d20+14+1d6 surge! and gets 31."12 [1d20=15][1d6=2]
<Yomi> roll 2d6+10 die
* Hatbot --> "Yomi rolls 2d6+10 die and gets 17."12 [2d6=1, 6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: she is very, VERY dead.
<El-Cideon> The mist shudders, then tears apart into stray wisps in the air, an empty shriek echoing off the walls of the chamber before it vanishes entirely. (OOC: free act)
<Yomi> And just in time, as runes flare up on Yomi's sword briefly, before dimming into obscurity once more.
<Erin> "Vampires! I can't believe it. Imagine if I'd chosen to use some strain of vampirism instead of lycanthropy for our deception..." mutters Erin, shaking her head. "I don't know how bad the demons are in Japan, but if they are worse than vampires, then I'm frankly scared to go there."
<Yomi> "I've never actually come across one, but they are famous even back home," Yomi affirms, flicking her sword to cleanse it of the dark blood coating it. "Some of our demons are stronger than this vampire, but don't worry, Erin! Once we retrieve Shishio, none would dare stand in our way!"
<Erin> "Once we are done with all of this, I must have the Lodge open into correspondance with your group," notes Erin, starting to head out of the tenement. "Don't you think it would be best if we could trade in knowledge about these matters?"
<Yomi> "We don't have to do that," Yomi says quickly, sheathing her sword.
<Erin> "Huh. If there's one thing this trip is making clear to me, it's that malign forces seem to be at work everywhere," replies Erin, frowning. "It's not enough just to study them, so... ah, I need to let Paula and Nadia know!" She starts to bustle outside, intent on having her familiar deliver a message to their errant thief!
<Erin> *intent on using the orb to send a message to Nadia!

~

<El-Cideon> Soon a message comes through from Erin and everyone heads back to their room to regroup. There's nothing going on on the streets at this hour and nothing bothers any of you on your way back.
<Nadia_Chekova> "We never saw anyone suspicious approach the church or Paula's residence, and there were no signs of any disturbance," Nadia reports from her and Rena's end.
<Erin> "Yomi slew a vampire who came to inspect the lair, and the logical extension of this is that the upper echelons of Nicolas' enterprises are staffed and run by similar beings," reports Erin.
<Yomi> "Ah, really? We met a vampire that was dispatched by Nicholas to check out on Paula's hideout."
<El-Cideon> "We did not see anyone, no," Rena confirms. "We had a very enlightening conversation as we sat and watched the street, but nothing happened."
<Nadia_Chekova> "A vampire? Really?" Nadia blinks, recalling her scornful words to Nicholas at the start of this. "And Yomi slew it?" she looks them over for any injuries, particularly bite marks.
<Yomi> "It was an exceptionally beautiful female vampire," Yomi affirms, before direction her attention to Rena. "Oh, an enlightening conversation, you say?"
<El-Cideon> "Yes. We talked about men. I have some experiments to try as soon as things settle down."
* Yomi nods, and then lowers her shirt's collar and turns her head this way and that for Nadia's benefit at the scrutiny.
* Nadia_Chekova smiles in relief at the lack of bite marks. "So, if he assumes his vampire was slain by a vicious werewolf, it might confirm our story?"
<Erin> "Almost certainly. I'm not sure how true it is, but vampires and werewolves are reputed to be ancient enemies," notes Erin. "He'll have no trouble accepting that they're responsible for the destruction of his minions."
<Yomi> "Unless she was observed elsewhere, I suppose," Yomi agrees. "She also said something in Polish, but we didn't really get what it was. How about using your familiar to write it down and send it over to Paula, Erin?"
<Erin> "Hah? Polish sounds like a sneeze, I can't think of how to begin writing it down," replies Erin, frowning. "It was probably something like 'who are you? Go away!'"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Or stop stabbing me?" Nadia suggests.
<Yomi> "No more than any of your languages," Yomi mutters, before raising her voice and helpfully adding for Nadia's benefit, "Oh, that was before, when she tried to mind-control Erin!"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Mind control?" Nadia looks over Erin with some concern. "Are you alright? Did she make you do anything bad?"
<Erin> "They don't need to give verbal orders, should the link be established. It is a bad thing to look a vampire in the eye." Erin frowns. "It was lucky I was the one she tried it on."
<Erin> "You'll have to get up pretty early in the morning to control my mind!" replies Erin, haughtily.
<Yomi> It is vexing, but Yomi can't argue with that, not after Elgin.
<Nadia_Chekova> "Something to be careful of should I ever meet one, then," Nadia nods worriedly.
<Erin> "We can assume, though, that most people would easily fall sway to their depredations. I can't say I wish to visit him in his lair again, not without a means of gaining a decisive advantage. Presumably, the vampire we faced was only one of Nicolas' spawn- the man himself is surely much more powerful. Obviously, we should take action during the day, if possible."
<Yomi> "He was vastly more powerful," Yomi affirms.
<Nadia_Chekova> "Burn his house down?" Nadia suggests pleasantly.
<Yomi> "Wouldn't he have taken measures against that some time during the past century?" Yomi wonders. "And I haven't felt the taint on any of his men, which means they can operate just fine during the day."
<Erin> "You know, I don't think he would actually stay in the upper segment, where that is a possibility. It's more likely he's in a basement or the like, so even in the event of an attack or a fire, he'd still be protected during the day hours."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Oh," Nadia pouts in disappointment. "So we have to hope he throws caution to the wind and attacks Paula personally, then."
<Yomi> "Especially if this vampire was more than a pawn to him, and enough to spur him into action."
<Erin> "We could ensure he takes action by threatening his lair," notes Erin. "Secrecy is the greatest asset of a vampire-in-hiding, surely. If he feels that is threatened, he might want to try moving somewhere else... and that would be when he could be caught."
<Nadia_Chekova> "So what would be a credible threat?" Nadia asks.
<Yomi> "Want to go and steal the Aurora after all?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Lets see if he's willing to hand it over after the two days first?" Nadia asks. "If not then it will have to be our only recourse."
<Erin> "A werewolf leaving some kind of sign... I'm wary of arson. Fire has a habit of getting out of hand."
<Yomi> "We could just wait another day," Yomi muses. "And if we do spot another vampire, we could let it examine Paula's lair this time around."
<Nadia_Chekova> "If you think that will help convince him," Nadia nods.
<Erin> "I have a feeling they won't send just one vampire again..."
<Yomi> "As for returning to see Nicholas, what if Paula took my place under disguise?" Yomi suggests afterwards. "If he is still to take any move, she would be able to ensure your safety, and I would stay in touch from nearby, and charge in if things go sour."
<Erin> "We have to visit Nicholas at night, and that's when Paula is weak," points out Erin.
<Yomi> "Do we actually have to?"
* Yomi shrugs. "He changed the deal. We could do it too."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Facing him in his lair is what we've been trying to avoid," Nadia points out as well. "He's unlikely to agree a meeting at any other time - if we go during the day they'll probably just tell us he's busy and to come back later."
<Erin> "He.. is a vampire," points out Erin. "They sleep during the day."
<Erin> "So he won't meet us then, no."
<Yomi> "Well, do we need to meet him? All we claim to want from him is the Aurora, correct?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Yes," Nadia nods, no argument with that.
<Yomi> "Rosa can give it to us just as well."
<Nadia_Chekova> "Well, we could try and force the issue..." Nadia considers, not entirely opposed to the concept.
<Erin> "You didn't sense anything from her, then?"
<Yomi> "If Herr Doktor plays up being annoyed at having to be ordered around, it would certainly look credible," Yomi suggests, and then nods at Erin. "Only from Nicholas and that vampire, so far, from that group."
<Erin> "Seeing as we'd have to do it in the midst of his guards, I suspect this will swiftly lead to a brawl," replies Erin, pursing her lips. "We should press it during the day, then, and force it out of Rosa?"
<Nadia_Chekova> "Alright. So tomorrow we arrive and play up our impatience... and bring Paula as well so that we can... kill everyone there?" Nadia makes sure the plan is clear in her mind.
<Yomi> "Let's try to get the Aurora," Yomi says after an indecisive pause. "If we get it, Nicholas could yet be drawn to our trap, and we'll get him once he makes his move. If not... I'll try to subdue or rout his human guards as much as possible as we take him on in daylight at his lair."
<Nadia_Chekova> "In matters of violence, I defer to your superior experience and skill, Yomi," Nadia gives sensei a respectful nod.
* Erin yawns. "It's so late," she murmurs. "And there's no need to kill anyone except the vampires. Maybe we should try sneaking in after all. We know enough about the people there and the layout to have a shot at it."
<Nadia_Chekova> "It is late, lets go to bed and see if anyone has new ideas over breakfast," Nadia agrees. "Rena, the bath is all yours," she waves at the German, climbing onto her bed.
<El-Cideon> ~