Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

The Burial Grounds => The Day After Tomorrow => Old Games 7 => The Pursuit of the Unattainable => Topic started by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 04:19:41 AM

Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 04:19:41 AM
From Chapter Two -- for Nathan

You wake up trapped.  You can feel that you're restrained, tied to some sort of chair, but your body won't cooperate.  You can't even move to try and escape, though occasionally your limbs surrender spastic twitches, as though from some passing fit.

A single overhead light provides a pool of illumination around you, showing a linoleum appearing floor.  Two voices drift through the darkness.  "Dr. Hathoway, I'm quite sure that Dr. Shuker has has enough.  I believe it's time to return him to quarters."

"Nonsense," Dr. Hathoway replies, with a deep, booming voice, echoing with scarcely hidden anger.  "I know what I'm doing!  If we wish to retrieve him from madness, we must continue!"

A figure emerges from the darkness, even as the voices continue to argue.

"We're not getting anywhere!  I've told you more than once that anabaric stress is only occasionally a useful tool to restore clarity -- and in other cases a disciplinary tool for the troubled.  Here, you're doing nothing but tormenting the poor man!"

The figure is an old man, probably in his sixties, wearing a tweed jacket and neat pants.  A pipe is clutched between his teeth.  You also notice that -- for whatever reason -- he casts no shadow, and the darkness of the room beyond is somehow visible through him.

"Ridgewick," the booming voice says, now dripping with acid, "where is your certificate?"

"I....  Doctor?"

Removing the pipe from his mouth, the spectral figure cocks his head to one side.

"When did you pass through the progression gate that granted you the titles and powers of a doctor?  When were these honors conferred to you?"

"I....  I'm sorry, Doctor.  I'll prepare the anabaric device, but until tomorrow we won't have enough anabaric power to accomplish anything more anyway."

"Imbecile."

"I say," the spectral figure says, in a wheezing, echoing voice.  "You're not my son at all.  How has this come to pass, if I might ask?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 04:48:49 AM
Nathan fixes his gaze on the spectre - well, that answers why they think I'm mad - for lack of anything else visible.

"I am Nathan Shuker . . . maybe not the one you all expect . . . but I'm the one you have."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 04:58:24 AM
"Bah," Hathoway grumbles.  "We've accomplished nothing.  See that he's escorted to his cell.  I'm leaving."

Then the light abruptly increases, momentarily blinding Nathan.  The figure of Ridgewick appears, a small, mousy man.  A slamming door hides Hathoway from sight, and the brown-haired ... intern?  Assistant?

The lackey sighs, and then pulls a cord near the door.

Looking around, the room is immaculate, white, and very sterile looking.  There's a goodly amount of unidentifiable equipment lying around, including a  ... Jacob's Ladder?  There's a pair of antennae, and Ridgewick looks at Nathan meaningfully before flipping a switch.

Electrical power courses up between the two violently with a loud, ozone-scented crackle.  He flicks the switch back off as two ... orderlies?  Enter the room.  They're burly brutes -- look like identical twins.

They're dressed in simple, dark suits, complete with dark cravats, and bowler hats.  Their faces seem somehow ... incomplete.  Soft, and doughey.  Simple.

Their eyes are black and lack irises and whites -- just pits of darkness.  "Hrrrr?" one of them noises, leaning towards Ridgewick questioningly.

"See Dr. Shuker back to his quarters," the man says sourly.  "See that he's not injured!  And ... Dr. Shuker, if you can come back to yourself, you really must.  And soon."

"This is not the most suitable juncture for conversation," the specter (now even more ghostlike, in bright light) seems to realize.  "Hmm.  Still, if you're lucid, where my son was mad....  Well.  It's something, one supposes."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:03:50 AM
"I'm quite close enough to my wits, thank you," Nathan snorts, waiting for the interns to release him.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 05:12:07 AM
Ridgewick hesitates, squinting at Nathan.  Then he shakes his head abruptly, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose.  "Carefully, now," he snaps.  "In the morning....  If you are recovered, you'll need to convince Hathoway, not me.  You should know that."

The spectre nods grimly.  "A right bastard, him," he confides in a whisper -- as though anyone else there could see him.

The orderlies grin, disturbingly.  Their teeth are very wrong.  Instead of having rows of them, they seem to have a solid mass of ivory that connects both jaws, wiry and tangles, like the teeth of a whale.  They're also yellowed and stained with ... something.  Creepy fellows.  Strong, too, once they undo the bindings keeping Nathan stuck to the chair, and haul him to his feet.

Then they pause, looking at him in consternation.  "Muuuugh?" one of them noises at his companion.

The other makes a, "Muuuh...." in response, and Ridgewick blinks in surprise.

"It....  It doesn't matter!" he says hotly.  "You brutes aren't half of what I am!  Hurry it up!"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:22:54 AM
"Noted," Nathan sounds unimpressed, ignoring the men manhandling him, "but Hathoway has always . . . enjoyed . . . his work.  You know that as well as anyone."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 05:30:59 AM
"We shouldn't even be speaking," Ridgewick mutters, as the orderlies half lead, half carry Nathan through the doorway, into the gas lamp lit hallway beyond.  The area is profoundly creepy, with looming darkness up near the ceilings, and at the corners of the vision.

Every so often, another identical orderly emerges from the darkness and stares at Nathan before continuing whatever assigned errand they're on.  Or maybe they just wander, free.  Hard to say.  The floors are immaculate white, which becomes a green-tinted, pale, haunting color under the gas lamps.

The walls are dark ... black?  Deep blue?  In the gloom, they seem to be almost no color at all, just sucking abscesses to highlight the floors.  The doors are all sturdy, thick affairs, painted green regularly, though not well.  Streaks and brushmarks show, catching the gaslight and making the portals gleam.  The ceiling is lost to utter blackness overhead, almost forcing one to duck their heads to fill their vision with the relatively comforting presence of the floor.

The specter vanishes as soon as Nathan crosses the threshold into the forbidding corridor.  It's probably just as well that he's being dragged; difficult to say if the trek would be made willingly any other way.

Ridgewick is either used to it, or doesn't care.  "But, as you say."  He fumes for a moment, then grumbles, "He's been through a gate.  I have not.  So, what is there for it?"  Then he blinks, seeming to recalls something.  "You've been through one, as well.  And back, which the priests always say is a terrible thing.  Did that witch-doctor ... that ... Christianson, was it?  What had you called him?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:36:33 AM
"Bjorn," says Nathan simply.  He's paying more attention to the orderlies who keep appearing than Ridgewick, now, and lets himself be dragged down the corridor until he sees another stop and stare at him . . .
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 05:42:49 AM
"Yes, right....  Well, your research shouldn't have driven you through the gate.  Some would say you were mad for that alone."  It's after another four green doors that another orderly stops, and stares.  "Still," Ridgewick says absently, "if the anabaric energies restore you, maybe it won't be so bad after all, eh?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:46:04 AM
Nathan stares straight at the thing, trying to guage what it thinks of him.  If it's thinking anything.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 05:51:27 AM
Black eyes blink, and lips part to reveal a ... whatever it's got.  Yellowed filter of some sort.  It very quickly looks confounded, like something is missing, and noises, "Muuuhf."  Then turns abruptly away and continues.

"You've certainly gotten them riled," Ridgewick comments, stopping before another of the unlabeled doors.  He opens it, and the orderlies shove Nathan through.

The room inside is bare looking.  A mattress.  Padded walls.  A single electrical (is it?  It seems to be) light bulb hanging overhead, out of reach.  No windows.  Clean floor.

Nothing else whatsoever.

Ridgewick should probably close the door after that, but he doesn't, just standing outside as though something were incomplete, or missing.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:53:00 AM
"Even they can see it Ridgewick," Nathan says, turning around, "Did you want something?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 05:54:50 AM
"To be a doctor," he says, slamming the door shut.  He may say something else after, but the door blocks all sound.  Except for the absurdly faint buzz of the light overhead, there's no sound beyond Nathan's heart and breath.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 05:58:09 AM
Nathan shrugs, then goes to sit on the mattress.  He's got some thinking to do - or maybe the spectre will show up again?

OOC: My influence by default is sitting in a +1 to anything.  Right now it's in +1 all int rolls, 3 points of conversation and 2 points of persuasion.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 06:02:17 AM
The specter does reappear as soon as the door is closed.  Which, now that Nathan looks back at it, lacks any nob.  It meshes quite well with the wall, except that the padding on the back of the door is green.

"Dreadful place," the ghostly figure says with a grimace.  "You must escape.  The key to that will be to show them your sanity.  Quickly, before those brutes become vexed with the lack of sustenance to draw from you."  He pauses.  "You are much more confident than my son was left."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 06:12:22 AM
"It's mostly a mask . . . it's a long, long story and I have questions for you first - how long do you think we have?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 06:25:29 AM
"They don't care for your wellbeing," the specter says, "but Hathoway loves his sleep, so I would guess at least ten hours.  Orderlies will show you to the gardens if you're well-behaved -- which you have been -- for a few hours to rest in the light, and then a bowl of gruel before the day's testing.

"What do you need to know?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 06:27:49 AM
"Everything."

Nathan grins sheepishly.

"Who exactly I am and what's just happened is a long story, but I . . . don't . . . know . . . anything.  I don't even know what a doctor is, or what those orderlies are, or what 'sustenance' they're not getting from me, or . . . so start with those."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 06:50:18 AM
The man blinks.  "Well, to begin, a doctor is a scientist or a scholar of some esteem.  Typically the rank is achieved by arduous study, and often passing through a progression gate.

"The orderlies were passed through regression gates until they were ... bred, I suppose ... into what they are.  A lower form of life that subsists on the emotive emissions of the inmates."  He pauses, then winces.  "I think they eat suffering."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 06:51:58 AM
"Oh.  Then I guess I do know what a doctor is," he pauses, "What was I a doctor of, and what are progression and regression gates?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 07:38:09 AM
"You were an archaeologist," the man says with a frown.  "You'd gone to investigate indigenous cultures -- hence you visiting the witch-doctor.  As far as the Gates....  Oh, dear.  I imagine you've forgotten what anabaric energies and the spheres are, too.  Well, let's see.  

"Here in Anabar, science rules supreme.  The other spheres tend to follow the Church of the Gate, which maintains that the gates are the gift of the Creator.  Each Gate leads to another sphere -- they're connected like pearls on a necklace -- and has two doors.  The black door is the progression gate.  The white door is the regression gate.

"We have organized and trained gate technicians.  The church has all the other gates monitored by the Templar Guild.  Either way, the gates can be used to either send one to the next sphere ... or to remain where you are, only ... progress.  Or regress.

"The orderlies have been regressed and then progressed selectively until they had become what they are now.  Docile servants, loyal, and capable.  Almost every sphere has them in some form.

"In any case, the gates are risky, and you can end up changed for the worse.  Occasionally for the better, but its the gate technicians, or the Church Deacons who are most knowledgeable about operating them.

"Since Anabar is not on good terms with the Church, it wasn't a surety you could go ... and it was less certain they'd let you come back."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 07:50:20 AM
"Right . . ." Nathan frowns, "Hathoway was talking about going through a progression gate to become a doctor.  What exactly do progression gates do to people then?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 07:54:28 AM
"Ideally, make them better.  Smarter, with better reflexes....  Sometimes, able to manipulate the raw anabaric energy of the world and work wonders.  Many of the Church's Deacons can heal, or create light.  But sometimes it doesn't work that way.  Sometimes, progression makes a man smarter, but weaker.  Sometimes, a regression gate makes a man more of a fool, but stronger.

"The scientific ideal is that eventually, going through a progression gate turns you into pure energy ... you would join the anabaric shroud between the spheres and...."  He shrugs.  "The Church says the same thing, though they use different words for it.  Evoking nonsense like...."  He frowns, looking down at himself.  "Then again, I suppose I've become a spirit, so there's little room to talk."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 07:59:18 AM
"But you have to go through one of those gates to get to another sphere?  How many spheres are there?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 08:03:11 AM
"I'm not sure, precisely," the specter admits.  "The church would know, though we stymie them from having the full circle of them.  Our records say twenty, all told."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 08:09:21 AM
"So anabaric energy . . . is it like lightning, and is it what's powering that light?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 08:18:27 AM
"When it's tapped, yes," the specter agrees.  "A good anabarist can simply pull it from the shroud and create, say, fire.  Or a teacup, perhaps.  But the most common use is for lighting, here.  The other spheres aren't as well equipped to draw from it as we are."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 08:25:16 AM
"Hm.  Alright . . . explain to me exactly what it is, then - and what the shroud is.  And what an anabaris is."

Nathan grins sheepishly.  "Sorry about all the questions."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 06:20:50 PM
"Not at all," the man says affably, puffing ghostly smoke through his pipe.  "We must have you able to appear competent enough to be free of this place, after all.

"Anabaric energy is the raw energy that surrounds the spheres in a shroud.  Theoretically, beyond the shroud is the empty void, and the shroud protects us like armor from the aetherous void.  Usually anabaric energy is simply turned into the raw crackling force they subjected you to just a bit ago.  The same thing climbing the Jacob's Ladder.

"There's a facility at the edge of town ... a great anabaric siphon.  That's where the city gets its power.  An anabarist is someone who has used the gates, or perhaps was simply lucky through a fluke of birth.  They have the ability to tap the anabaric shroud and pull its energies out.  Sometimes in crackling form, sometimes as raw materials, like iron, or gold."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 07:27:32 PM
"Do . . . I have that ability, or does not everyone who crosses the gates develop it?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 08:16:30 PM
"I'm not entirely certain," the specter says slowly.  "Whatever happened, it drove my son mad.  I know it happened after he met that witch-doctor.  That Christianson fellow ... and on our side, a gate technician saw him through.  I've honestly no idea how he came back through the Templar Guild, since they don't like to allow people through if they can help it.  Not everyone improves, and of course, if you pass through a regression gate...."  He shrugs, clamping his pipe between his teeth again.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 08:29:09 PM
"Hrm."

Nathan digests this for a moment.  

"So you don't know precisely what drove him . . . mad . .  . just that he was that way when he came back through the gate?  What's the Templar Guild?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 08:34:20 PM
"The Templar Guild is the branch of deacons in the Church of the Gate that are responsible for managing and attuning the gates.  Rather like our gate technicians, though they've been following practices handed down for years, rather than anything approaching our methodical exploration of functionality."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 08:41:45 PM
"Hrm," Nathan frowns, "I think I get a rough idea, then . . . but what else do you think I might need to know so as not to appear totally witless?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 08:48:02 PM
"Well," the man says slowly.  "For starters, unless they've kept you here long enough to repossess it, you have a house.  And before they brought you in, you did hide that ... thing that Christianson gave you.  You are, as I've said, an archaeologist.  Your primary interest was researching cultures that precede the Church, which the Great Council agreed to fund.  Of course, discovering that evidence required travel through the gates, so expectations were low....

"You are not married, and aside from your sister, who lives with her husband, there is no other family to recall.  You should be able to tell anyone who asks about Alicia, however.  She is about your height, with blonde hair, and bright blue eyes.  Her husband is Cecil Thompson, a dour man you've never gotten along with.

"Cecil owns one of the anabaric siphons, however, which gives him pull with the Lesser Council ... some would call it the Least Council, these days."  He chuckles dryly.  "So I wouldn't expect him to help you out, unless you could offer him something.

"But that is as close as family as you've had.  The others who went with you, three students ... they did not come back.  But you should remember their names.  Alexander, Simmons, and MacIntyre -- younger students from your class at the College.

"Of course, I doubt you'd be expected to teach now ... for the rest, I will try and answer questions for you if they arise.  You should try to get some sleep."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 09:08:12 PM
Nathan nods slowly, lying down on the mattress.

"Thank you for the help . . . and the sleep sounds like good advice."

Of course, actually getting some could be a problem.  He tries anyway, though.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 09:20:22 PM
The light never waves the entire time, and there's no switch for it.  The mattress is lumpy, too (no springs, just wadding and cotton).  But eventually, Nathan manages to doze off.  There's a deep, dreamless sleep, and then the door is wrenched open, to the grunting of a pair of orderlies, and Hathoway's irritating voice calling, "Awaken, Dr. Shuker.  It's another day, is it not?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 09:22:14 PM
I hate mornings.

"It's a little hard to see from in here, so I'll have take your word for it," Nathan responds, picking himself up off the bed.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 09:30:15 PM
Hathoway is already gone, just leaving the goonish orderlies.  "Of course.  Show him to the gardens.  Let him enjoy some light with his gruel," his dwindling voice orders.

Day or night, the corridors are just as unpleasant as they were the last time.  The trip is longer, too, and the wide intersection before they stop at a door is even gloomier than the rest of the place.  The orderlies approach the doorway with visible reluctance, and pull it open.  Once they do, light spills in, revealing a (comparatively) blinding illumination, and a lush, well maintained lawn, surrounded by a simple flowerbed.

The area is probably fifty feet across, or so, and there's a few other of the committed wandering the garden -- twelve at a glance.  There's a staff of five standing next to a table set up on the lawn, ladling gruel into bowls and passing them to the inmates.

The inmate's dress is simple -- a white, onepiece jumper-like outfit.  All of the inmates are men, as are all of the staff.  There's a cook, complete with the funny poofy hat, and two guys who are carrying leather packs belted to their waists.  They're dressed the same way Ridgewick was, except for the packs.  A glint of something shiny from within the squared looking leather bundles suggests knives, or maybe syringes.

The other two men are just watching, though all four (except for the cook) have billy-clubs dangling from their belts, too.  The orderlies grunt and back away from the door, gesturing Nathan through.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 09:43:50 PM
Nathan walks through the door, and moves over to the table to acquire some 'food'.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2007, 09:55:38 PM
Yummy.  Gruel is right.  Nathan is given a wooden bowl full of the stuff, and a wooden spoon.  It's too thin to be porridge, and it has pretty much no taste whatsoever.  Some sugar or jam might be nice.

Looking up, and examining the surroundings, Nathan notes that most of the inmates sit on the lawn and eat quickly, mechanically.  The building surrounding the garden is three stories high, with windows only on the top floor, and then, only one one wall.

It's when something passes overhead that Nathan realizes that for whatever reason, none of the walls are covered with shadow.  Directly overhead, though not for long, is a dirigible, headed approximately in the direction of the door Nathan entered the yard from.

From this distance, it's easy to see that the blimp is covered with ... yes, those bristling rods are almost certainly guns.

When it's gone, interestingly enough, there's no sun, just a blue cloud-studded sky overhead.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 28, 2007, 10:19:01 PM
Wacky.

Well, Nathan is going to eat his gruel, observe the people around him, and . . . wait for someone to come and get him.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 04:24:35 AM
The yard is mostly quiet, and the inmates don't talk to one-another.  One of them does some exercises after finishing his gruel -- pushups, situps, some jumping jacks -- but for the most part, everyone simply eats their gruel and wanders near the flowers or sits in the garden.

Once everyone's eaten, the cook and one of the two guards pack up the utensils and the table, and haul it through the doorway.  The guard quickly returns; the cook does not.

All told, it's quite peaceful.  One of the inmates talks to himself in a continuous murmur, going on about shadows ... which is interesting, since shadows are mostly vaguely defined circles of dimness, rather like a poor video-game rendering.  After a bit, hard to tell, without any visible sun or clock, a man arrives and gestures to an inmate.  The inmate is led into the building, where the orderlies escort him into the darkness.

This process repeats a time or two, before Ridgewick is the man to appear in the doorway, and he gestures to Nathan.

A pair of the cloned-looking orderlies awaits, just behind the diminutive man.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 04:57:17 AM
Nathan walks over wordlessly, trying to keeep his face calm.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 05:41:07 AM
Ridgewick is carefully silent the entire trip through the eerie hallways.  The journey is in no way aided by the orderlies, but after passing enough identical-looking green doors, Ridgewick opens one and Nathan is led inside, then placed gently in a chair.

A familiar chair in a pool of light, in an otherwise pitch dark room.

"And how are you feeling today, Dr. Shuker?" Hathoway asks in a too-cheerful voice.  "Better?  The anabaric energies have cleansed your mind?"

The orderlies swiftly finish binding Nathan in place, then troop out of the room.  Ridgewick is in the shadows, or maybe not even in the room, come to think of it.  Hathoway is, as always, concealed in the shadows.

Once the orderlies retreat, the specter reappears.  "Better, but not well," he suggests.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 05:45:49 AM
OOC: Influence is set up as follows.
10 points - +1 to any Roll
3 points worth of persuasion
2 points worth of conversation

--

IC:

"I think better," Nathan opines calmly, "although I suppose that's for you to judge, not me."

This is not going to be fun, is it?
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 06:06:01 AM
There's a pregnant pause before Hathoway says, "My.  Lucidity."  Another pause, and then the dim glow of a struck match for a moment.  "Well.  You've been better behaved, so far today.  I must say, I'm impressed."

The match's glow is waved out, but a tiny spark remains in the darkness, brightening briefly.  "The test then, and the first order of this ... gristly business.  What happened to your students?  The ones who went with you?"

The specter grimaces.  "Bad luck," he sighs.  "Wish I knew," he says with a helpless shrug.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 06:13:08 AM
"I . . . I don't remember very well."

There's a brief pause.

"I think Alexander and MacIntyre are dead.  I don't . . . think . . . I know what happened to Simmons."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 06:52:44 AM
"Hmm," Hathoway noises.  "Interesting.  What do you remember, Dr. Shuker?"

The specter grimaces.  "Where to begin," he mutters.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 06:59:38 AM
"I don't remember much of anything after going through the gate," Nathan says slowly, "I know that I went to look into pre-Church cultures . . . but I don't know what I found."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 07:07:04 AM
"Hum," Hathoway says.  Then it's quiet for a minute, except for the flare of another match.  "This is a curious thing.  Well, Ridgewick, it appears the experiment may have been a success after all....

"Now, we can't know what happened, Dr. Shuker, and if you don't remember what happened through the gate, well, that just may be for the best."  The glow of his pipe bowl intensifies briefly as he takes a contemplative puff.  "We'll need to keep you for observation for at least another day ... but it appears that the anabaric shocks have managed to excise the memories linked to your madness.  Not a true recover, but perhaps good enough."

The specter frowns.  "This seems unlikely," he mutters.  "I don't trust this at all."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 07:17:26 AM
There's a long pause.

". . . what were they supposed to do?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 07:43:31 AM
"Well," Hathoway says, with the overly-cheerful voice of someone who likes to talk about what they think, "as one doctor to another, it's simple.  By inducing trauma in an environment where it can be overcome, the previous trauma is made to pale, and thus be made easier to grasp and master.  The mind is a complex thing to the casual observer, but it's still an animal thing.  Treating a man like a beast obviously has results."  He pauses.  "Pending," he says, suddenly wary, "your performance while we observe you.

"Still, this has been much more productive than I'd anticipated.  You may be cured, or harmless enough to be released.  And that's really what matters, what?"

The specter shakes his head slowly.  "Is he baiting you?" he asks doubtfully.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 07:47:03 AM
"I suppose that makes sense," Nathan says quietly, "This was never my field."

He lapses into silence and waits for Hathoway to continue the conversation - or let him out of the chair.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2007, 02:32:07 PM
Hathoway grunts, as though disconcerted.  "Very well," he says.  "Ridgewick, let Dr. Shuker enjoy some more time in the garden.  I'm sure it will have a soothing effect."

"Of course, Doctor," Ridgewick replies.  The door opens, and before Hathoway can be seen, he vanishes into the hallway.  Ridgewick hits the lights and sighs, shaking his head, as the orderlies come forward to begin unbinding Nathan.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on April 29, 2007, 10:46:50 PM
There's nothing really to say to that.

Nathan lets himself be led out to the garden.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on April 30, 2007, 08:08:29 AM
Once he's back in the garden and left to his own devices, Nathan gets to enjoy some freedom from the oppressive darkness.  Though, it seems that the specter doesn't manifest in the light -- or around the orderlies.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 01, 2007, 03:30:42 AM
Hooray, another dose of nothing to do.

Upon getting back to the garden, Nathan finds himself somewhere quiet he can sit down - there's not really anyone to talk to, nor any puzzles or the like to be working out.

So he's going to sit quietly, work out exactly what he can and can't take from the Real - and what he can get from the dream of Earth - and try not to look like a dangerous lunatic.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2007, 11:55:00 AM
Nathan is not in the yard for very long before something appears overhead.  At a glance, it's a giant, metallic insect.  It's probably about the size of a conventional helicopter in the real world, judging by the two people crammed towards the beetle-thing's rounded front, peering down through the glass.

Beyond that, smooth and sleek carapace-like hulls lead back to ... well, they're either projections of energy in wing shape, or it's some kind of metal wing flapping so fast it's reduced to a mere buzz.  It's only overhead for an instant, and coming down towards the center of the garden, before the inmates begin to panic, most of them running towards the doors, a handful moving to cower in corners (there's nowhere to hide).  One of the guards runs inside, while the other three try and retain order by shouting.

The flying-beetle-machine-thing (yes, it even has a pair of twitching mechanical antennae) slows as it comes in for a landing, releasing a continual high-pitched whine.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 02, 2007, 09:18:39 PM
Nathan towards the side of the garden himself.  Being -underneath- that thing when it comes down would probably be rather painful.

Outside of that, he's going to regard the scene with interest.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 02, 2007, 09:41:20 PM
OOC:

Real World Influence remains as before, +1 any roll, 3 persuasion, 2 conversation.

-with earth realm influence, assuming the Stormrider isn't using them, I want +2 HtH.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2007, 11:03:42 PM
A guard goes for Nathan, ready to pull him back into the building, but another inmate crosses between the two, distracting the guard for a critical moment -- then Nathan is by the flowerbeds lining the yard, and the guard is chasing the inmate from directly beneath the ... thing.

The beetle's long spindly legs half-unfold, but instead of going to rest on the tips, they extend like rails to lay flat against the ground -- half of them, anyway.  That makes sense, because when it does touch down, it still indents the lawn several inches.  As soon as it's in contact with the ground, the whirring buzz cuts off -- the wings shortly cease flapping.

In terms of size, it's about four times the size of a minivan, with a wingspan that's only got ten feet of clearance to a side.  They're raised a good distance above the lawn, so no one seems to be hurt.  But once the carapace slides back along the middle, two men with aviator's goggles and bright red scarfs leap out, each with what is unmistakably a pistol in hand.  Behind them, a man in ornate brown robes with a red sash and a thick, excessively bejeweled golden chain kicks over a small ladder.

The ladder becomes a stairway, and he marches down without concern, eyes roaming across the inmates.  The guards freeze at the sight of this man, or maybe just the guns; it's difficult to say for certain.

At that moment, Ridgeworth bursts explosively from the door leading back in.  "Maestro!" he chokes out in an alarmed cry, his eyes widening.

The robed figure glances at Nathan, his eyes narrowing, before turning his attention to Ridgeworth.  The specter can't be seen, but its voice still reaches Nathan:

"As I live and breathe!  Maestro Aliester Sondheim!  He's the king's personal anabarist!  What's he doing here?"

The Maestro is a middle-aged man, who is just slightly overweight, or, just enough to be visibly overweight in his robes.  He's balding, and his remaining hair is brown, going on gray.  A pair of wire-frame spectacles adorn his nose.  "My time is valuable," he snaps, gesturing back within the vessel he arrived in.

Ridgewick seems to recover some of his lost resolve.  "This yard," he says, "is not to be used as a personal landing site for your ornithopter!  I will thank you very kindly to remove it to the proper location!"  He gestures at the guards.  "Round up the inmates -- sedate them if required, this is much more upset than the yard was intended for!"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 02, 2007, 11:37:15 PM
OOC: All plusses to DCV!  

IC:

"Do I know him?" Nathan murmurs quietly.  Hopefully the ghost can hear it.

Nathan turns some attention towards the guards, and tries to make sure there's other inmates between him and them.  He'd like to see what the hell this is about, and odds are it involves him in some way . . .
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2007, 11:55:26 PM
"You shouldn't," the specter begins, as another figure emerges from the ornithopter.

"Don't presume," Aliester Sondheim spits at Ridgewick.  "I have no time for you.  Fetch your master immediately.  I will have ... words ... with Hathoway."

Ridgewick trembles slightly, but shakes his head.  "I can't do that," he says.  "You can come in.  He will speak with you.  But I cannot tell him to come to you."

"Worthless," Aliester sneers.  This is when Nathan turns his attention to the man who just finished stepping out of the ornithopter.

He's probably a bit over six feet tall, very thin, has black hair and gray eyes.  He's got a hawk's nose and thin lips.  Currently he's wearing a deer-hunter's hat, and has a pipe clenched in his teeth.  As another guard begins moving towards Nathan, the man with the pipe in his teeth taps one of the aviators on the shoulder.

"I don't really care what you think you can and cannot do.  I wish to speak to Hathoway, and I don't intend to put one foot into that darkened pit.  Furthermore, I--"

"Maestro," the tapped aviator calls, pointing at Nathan, keeping his gun trained on the ground but ready to raise.

Aliester's eyes go to the guard.  "Away," he orders.

"B...but," the guard protests weakly.  "I--"

"Dr. Shuker?" the man with the pipe calls, taking a few steps closer, but staying close to the aviators.  "I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"This is highly irregular!" Ridgewick protests, clenching his hands into fists and waving them weakly.  "There's a procedure, a protocol, and-"

"And if Dr. Shuker is not in his home by midnight tonight, his property is forfeit," the man with the pipe observes, directing this comment to Aliester, not taking his eyes off of Nathan.  "And, good Maestro, I imagine you know who the beneficiaries of his estate would be?"

"His fiancee," Aliester replies, gesturing at the guard who hasn't moved -- to the Maestro, at any rate -- quickly enough.  There's a crackle of electricity, then the guard collapses brokenly to the ground, and the scent of scorched ozone fills the air.  "Yes, detective?"

"Would," the pipe-man agrees.  "Had she not mysteriously gone missing, her home burnt down."

Aliester's eyes narrow.  "Hathoway can bring his objections to me," the Maestro decides abruptly.  "Dr. Shuker shall be considered a ward of the crown from this point forward."  His eyes go back to Nathan, and he raises one hand, a single finger crooked.  "Come.  I'm certain the royal physicians will do your mind better than staying here."

"I don't understand," the specter says slowly.  "What does His Majesty want with you?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 12:06:46 AM
Ignoring the falleng guard, Nathan walks over towards Aliester and the man with the pipe.

"Anything that gets me out of this hell-hole is welcome . . . so ask away."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 12:19:33 AM
"No!" Ridgewick wails, realizing his inability to stop the situation, but hating it nonetheless.

"Later," Aliester tells Nathan, motioning him to climb aboard.

The man with the pipe grins, giving Nathan a hand up.  "My initial questions will be quite pedestrian, I'm certain," he says.  The cabin is empty for the moment, the fore section with the pilots separated by a bulkhead.  Opposite Nathan's entrance is another, with two more flight-goggle aviation-guys standing guard.  Dropping his voice he adds, "I haven't found your friends, yet, but your situation appeared most perilous to me."

"Does this man know you after all?" the specter asks.

Aliester, meanwhile, raises his voice -- probably doing something with his anabaric powers to send it further: "Understand this, Hathoway.  Your plotting is all well and good when it amuses His Majesty.  But when you overstep your bounds, you lose your esteem.  Do not push too far, or you will be summoned by His Majesty.  And expected to appear before the court."

There's a sound very like Ridgewick sobbing.  "He's going to take this out on me!" he says, suddenly a piteous whine.  "It's not my fault, but I'll be the one to suffer!  A curse on you, Maestro!  I hope you--"

The rest is abbreviated by a crackle of energy, and the sound of a body hitting the lawn.

The detective smirks, shaking his head.

"Also, keep your pets on tighter leashes," Aliester concludes.  "Failure will result in a loss of permission to use the services of the Gate Technicians."

With that, the robed man whirls and climbs back into the ornithopter, followed immediately by the guards.  The detective helps Nathan into a seat and straps him in, sitting directly at his side.  The aviators remain standing after sealing the doors and grabbing onto straps, and Aliester takes a seat just ahead of Nathan, though he touches a lever and rotates it to face backwards as the vehicles engine whirs to life.

The cabin is thankfully insulated against the worst of the sound, so the Maestro can be heard clearly:  "I hate those who would meddle against the crown."  His eyes go to the aviators, then to the detective.  "The king needs more supporters.  After the declaration of Starflare's loss, this is not something we can afford to misjudge.  You are certain, Detective, that he will support us, and make the king look better for it?"

"I think you should be asking Dr. Shuker," the detective counters, turning his eyes to Nathan.  "You don't look a madman."

"What's this about your house?" the specter asks suddenly, frowning.  He's not visible, but he's still audible.  "That's mine!  Or ... well ... it was....  Bother."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 12:37:22 AM
"I'm not.  Or at least - I'm not anymore," Nathan grimaces,  "but you'll forgive me for being somewhat out of touch.  My memory of what . . . put me there . . . is pretty much nothing, and they don't keep the inmates abreast of current events at the best of times.""
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 01:04:36 AM
"Unsurprisingly," Aliester grumbles.  "Very well.  Where shall I begin, Dr. Shuker?"

"Let's tend to his more physical needs, first," the detective says.  "Surely the man will think better when he's had a chance to wash, clean clothes ... some real food."  Turning back to Nathan, he adds, "We're on our way to the palace.  For the moment, you'll be quartered as a guest of the Maestro."

Aliester crosses his arms over the chain on his chest and grunts.

"Right.  First things first -- once we've gotten you cleaned up, we have to go to your home, and make sure that Hathoway's cronies can't repossess it.  I'm sure he'll try and claim that he can't verify your mental wellness due to your absence."

"That festering blight!" Aliester snaps.  "I should crush every anabaric node in his dungeon -- tear the roof off and let the light of day rend him into nothing!"

"Now, now," the detective says calculatingly.  "We can't afford to act rashly.  His Majesty requires support, and the confidence of his people."

"Think of it, though," Aliester complains.  "He would reposes Dr. Shuker's home on the day of the fair?  We celebrate our liberation from the Church, and while the people are enjoying the day, the asylum announces that it's set up a new charity home.  That's his plan.  Win more support from the common people, undermine the king.  All at the expense of this man."  Aliester thrusts one hand at Nathan, glowering at the detective, even though his rage is obviously focused elsewhere.  "I don't like it."

"And unfortunately, until we have more power -- or another Starflare -- the king has to play in the same arena."

Aliester abruptly slumps, his hand falling to his lap.  "I suppose," he grumbles.

Looking out tiny side-windows, Nathan can see the asylum dropping away below, and beyond that, a sprawling expanse of city, miles upon miles of Victorian-style buildings, along with an immense collection of what look like crystal spires -- probably the palace.  Periodically, large hexagonal structures jut upward menacingly, maintaining crackling aurae of the electric-looking energy they call 'anabaric' force.

"How are you, physically?" the detective asks, dismissing the Maestro for the moment.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 01:42:06 AM
"I'm alright," Nathan responds after a long moment, "better than I probably should be given their ideas of 'therapy'."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 02:19:19 AM
"There's no question in my mind who the real madman is," Aliester says sourly.

The detective nods.  "Regardless, I imagine you've got a lot of questions.  The flight should give us a few minutes, and you'll have more time to recover at the palace -- but we also have to hurry to your house to keep it from being repossessed.  This will be easier if you're more presentable, so we can't do that first.  Is there anything you'd like to know?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 02:33:36 AM
Nathan rubs his temples.  "Aside from 'just how long was I in there?', the real question is . . . what does His Majesty wish of me?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 03:21:28 AM
"The nation is in a delicate state," the detective says cautiously.  "The Lesser Council has always opposed His Majesty to some extent, but are generally harmless.  The problem is that now the Great Council is being turned against him, too."

"Due to the power-plays of those like Hathoway," Aliester adds.  "Bribes like your estate could buy a vote on the council."

"Not that we're attempting to bribe you," the detective says hastily.  "We want you to support His Majesty.  Of course, that will require us to make sure you are presentable.  As far as how long you've been there, I regret to say that this would be your fifth month of imprisonment."

Rubbing his chin, the Maestro says, "I must say ... considering your condition when the Gate Technicians received you, you have recovered admirably.  I simply have the niggling suspicion that your recovery is in spite of the care being given there, instead of because of it.  As an anabarist, I can read quite a bit of energy in you -- and I suspect that Hathoway may have overstepped his bounds."  He purses his lips thoughtfully.

"Be that as it may," the detective says, "the edict shields him from direct prosecution.  We must focus on His Majesty's support, before we can engineer the downfall of his enemies."

"Fire would resolve some difficulties more swiftly," Aliester says, almost petulantly.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 12:24:44 PM
"Fire's always a good solution," Nathan smiles thinly, "so please don't tempt me.  I definitely appreciate being out of there."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 12:56:09 PM
It doesn't take long for the smoothly flying ornithopter to set down on something, though from Nathan's vantage, the portholes still show the city at large.  Once it comes to a halt, the aviators open the door nearest the detective, who unbuckles himself.

Through the door it's obvious that the 'thopter landed on a pad some height above the city.  Large, crystaline spires jut up to the same level as the landing pad, glittering all sorts of colors.  It's at this point that Nathan realizes that he hasn't seen the sun yet.

"Let's see about getting you cleaned up," the detective announces, offering Nathan a hand down.  "Maestro, if you would like, I'll tend to Dr. Shuker until you've finished attending your other business."

"Just as well," Aliester grumbles, stalking away.

One end of the landing pad contains a small building, maybe big enough to house an elevator.  Two men in military-looking dress with pistols identical to those of the aviators stand guard, saluting with a fist over their hearts when the Maestro draws near.  He waves dismissively, then the door slides open.  Yes, that appears to be an elevator.

The aviators relax visibly once the Maestro is out of sight, and set about tending the 'thopter's engines, while the pilots climb out their own doors, stretching and looking around.

There's quite a view, but it seems to be city as far as the eye can see ... except for a mountain range off in one direction.  With no sun, which direction is hard to gauge.

The palace itself appears to be below the crystal spires, and built of more of the same materials.  It looks like someone turned a geode inside out, and put some spires on it.  Presumably people live in that thing.  Electric energy seems to crackle up and down the length of one of the spires, but the detective pays it no mind.  "Have you eaten?" he asks.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 01:00:33 PM
Nathan accepts the offered hand more out of politeness than anything else, stepping down.

"I have, but it wasn't exactly much of a meal, so if you're offering - you had questions for me anyway," Nathan responds, "and I have some for you, of course."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 01:15:46 PM
"Understandable," the detective says.  Once the elevator comes back, he steps inside, gesturing for Nathan to follow.  He doesn't say anything else, and the elevator does have a man at the control panel to handle it, until it drops some thirty stories and spills out into a well-lit corridor.  The walls appear to be made of crystal, and are luminescent, but not transparent.  Doorways of oak line the corridor in either direction, and it curves -- possibly part of some great circle.  The occasional guard stands at attention, and a half-dozen servants scurry around, two of them approaching the detective.

"Inspector Holmes," one of them says, bowing profusely, while his partner (both are very slightly men with dark hair -- one with freckles, one without), "The Maestro said you would require a tailor?"

"In a moment," Inspector Holmes agrees, taking Nathan's shoulder and directing him down the corridor.  "First, the good doctor needs a bath -- and some real food.  See about that, then meet me in the guest room past my quarters.  Doctor Shuker will be staying with us for a while, but I'd also like a carriage ready in two hours."

"Understood," the man without freckles barks, before scurrying back off into the maze.

The indicated room is not far from the elevator, and once Nathan is within, he quickly takes some measurements.  "Within an hour," he promises, vanishing.  The room is very nice, crystal walls, wooden floors, a wide window offering a spectacular view of the city, and two side-rooms.  One is a bedchamber, the other is a (modern-looking) washroom with all the amenities.

Gesturing to the washroom, Holmes says, "Make yourself at home.  I'll return in about twenty minutes."

Someone's thoughtfully left a one-size-fits-all robe hanging from the back of the washroom door, too.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 01:19:53 PM
"Well this is a surprising turn of events," Nathan murmurs to the ghost - assuming he's still around to hear.

Regardless of whether there's a response or not, Nathan goes into the washroom.  It's unlikely that Doctor Shuker has been washing regularly, for one, and apart from that he'd like to look into a mirror.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 10:48:54 PM
The specter is there, though very faint.  "I think I'm going to follow this inspector character," he decides, before walking through the door and vanishing.

Once Nathan enters the washroom and takes a look at himself, he sees that he's very pale, has a thin, almost gaunt expression, is far too think to look healthy, with dark circles beneath his eyes....  Much more Gothic than Victorian.  The not-thick-enough-to-bother-trying beard doesn't help.

Height would be slightly above average, and eyes are almost as black as the hair.  Nathan's eyes have whites, unlike the orderlies, but his irises are almost indistinguishable from his pupils.  The washroom looks like it's actually equipped for a shower, if one is willing to stand in the copper basin, but the basin is sized comfortably for a bath.  There's soap, and clean towels, and the room smells ... clean.  The only source of unpleasant odor is Nathan and his inmates-pajamas.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 03, 2007, 11:01:43 PM
Well, Nathan's going to take a bath.  Then he's going to shave.  After that, probably don the bathrobe!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 03, 2007, 11:13:58 PM
It's a refreshed and somehow, less gaunt looking Nathan (after a glance in the mirror) that emerges from the bath.  The running water is both hot and cold, which is pleasant -- then again, even Stormwall Keep had heated baths.  Still, Nathan finds by the time he's gotten the sweat and grime of the asylum off of himself, a full outfit (underclothes and everything) is waiting for him in the main room, draped over a chair.

The outfit consists of: Undershirt and underpants.  Socks.  Trousers.  A shirt.  A vest.  A light coat.  A jacket.  And an overcoat.

In addition, comfy leather shoes, a bowler hat (brown, to match the suit), and a rather nice looking silver watch, marked on the back with the symbol of a crown in a wheel, surrounded by a ring of lightning bolts.

Just as Nathan figures out how to anchor the chain of the watch in his vest, and slide it into a tiny pocket there, a knock sounds at the door.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 01:03:37 AM
<Session START: Thu May 03 19:16:33 2007>
Session Ident: #ether
* Now talking in #ether
* Nathan (~r@ppp240-91.lns2.bne4.internode.on.net) has joined #ether
* Chibi-Suu (~kaora@netblock-68-183-233-7.dslextreme.com) has joined #ether

Brian> The scene is thus: You are in a large, well appointed room, standing on the carpet by a large oak table with four high-backed chairs around it.  A knock has just sounded at the door.
Nathan> Nathan looks across at the door.  "Enter," he says loudly.
Brian> The door opens, admitting a servant in the same dress as the tailor.  Behind him is the inspector.  Both step in (the servant first).  The servant quietly sets a large covered tray on the table, then bows his way out.
Brian> The inspector nods at him, and closes the door behind.  Without waiting for an invitation, he takes the seat roughly opposite Nathan's position.  "Now," he begins, without preamble, "I have had no success in locating your friends.  Have you any idea where they might be?"
Nathan> "Not remotely," Nathan says simply, "honestly I was expecting to just follow the metaphorical trail of destruction."
Nathan> "But given my situation . . ."
Brian> Holmes snorts, uncovering the tray.  "An invention of my own devising, here," he advises, revealing a pile of small sandwiches, a teapot (and cup), and a small plate with a napkin.
Brian> "Destruction would be unfortunate.  The kingdom is in a bit of a delicate state at the moment ... and I imagine you've none of the memories that would make this situation more understandable, do you?"
Brian> At this, the specter materializes from behind the inspector, giving Nathan a confused frown.  "He is a friend of yours?" he asks, guardedly.
Nathan> "No, I don't.  Destruction isn't the intent, mind, I just imagine -someone- will end up making a mess - I very nearly did myself.  However, one thing that I should clarify -"
Nathan> Nathan looks across to the ghost.  "Yes, he is a friend - if not an acquaintance - and I owe you an explanation, so this seems like a good time."
Brian> Holmes looks over his shoulder, perturbed.  Then he looks back, eyes narrowing.  "So it wasn't truly madness after all?" he half asks, half states.  He shakes his head abruptly.  "Sorry.  Please, continue."
Nathan> He turns back to Holmes again, "Some of it was - but that particular piece wasn't.  As it turns out, Doctor Shuker can see - and speak to - the ghost of his father."
Brian> Holmes nods slowly.  "Is it limited to simply him?"
Nathan> "I don't know," Nathan looks at the ghost quizically.
Brian> The specter shakes his head.  "That was the problem," he says ruefully.  "The anabaric shroud was a bit ... overwhelming.  Too many presences, perhaps."
Nathan> "Ahh.  Apparently not," Nathan passes on, "apparently part of the problem was that there were too many presences in the . . . anabaric shroud."
Brian> Holmes sighs.  "That would suit the church quite well," he mutters.  "Still.  Information, I've found, is the greatest resource one can obtain.  And right now you have very little.  Let us arm you: Where should I begin?"
Nathan ticks off on his fingers. "What exactly is the Shroud, what is the church, what is the political situation and why am I useful?"
Brian> "In order, then," Holmes says without delay, "the Shroud is the layer of anabaric energy wrapped directly around our sphere -- it's responsible for the diffusion and illumination we recieve.  We're also able to tap it directly for anabaric power.
Brian> "The gates are linked to it in some way, though even our gate technicians don't know all of the details.  The Church probably doesn't, either, but they obviously do know quite a bit more than we do.
Brian> "If all of the spheres are taken as separate entities ... the common comparison is pearls on a string ... then the gates link them.  Since the Church of the Gate controls passage everywhere but here, Anabara, they are the defacto rulers of the rest of the world.
Brian> "Obviously, being this close to total domination over reality as we know it and still having us to resist them rankles.  They've made many attempts over the years to convert us to their way of thinking, to coerce us into joining them...."
Nathan> Nathan nods as he digests this.
Brian> "All of which have failed.  Their knights and muskets are nothing before the power of an anabaric brisance projector.  But at the same time, we're trapped, here.  Our most powerful technologies are either prohibitively expensive, or too large to fit through the gates."
Brian> Holmes pauses, then pours Nathan a cup of tea.  "You should regain your strength," he says in an aside, which the specter nods in agreement to, before he continues full force:
Brian> "His Majesty -- as all royals -- possesses the Spark."  He frowns.  "You won't know that, either.  The Spark is a potential that we learned long ago, though the records of how are long lost.  But generations past, it was introduced to the royal bloodline.  It promotes genius, occasionally at the cost of sanity.
Brian> "His Majesty, three years ago, developed a plan to cross through the anabaric shroud with a massive sky-ship of incredible expense.  The theory was that if we could cross the shroud spinwise, then we could ... glide on the current until we reached the next gate -- without needing to cross through."
Nathan> "Did that work?"
Brian> Holmes shakes his head.  "Unfortunately, while it was well provisioned, the Great Council has determined that the Starflare was lost.  This undermines His Majesty's credibility, and causes the people to wonder if he's erring closer to madness than genius."
Nathan> "What happened to it?"
Nathan> "Or was it just a loss of contact?"
Brian> "We observed it entering the shroud, but there's no way to speak across great distances once signal mirrors won't carry.  Anabaric message projectors are unweildly, and while the Starflare had one aboard, it couldn't pierce the shroud.  Once it passed through the shroud, it vanished.
Brian> "Oh, it's possible, I suppose, that the crew is still alive, or that they're stranded somewhere ... but it no one knows, and we haven't any spies in the church lands.  They control access to our territory, after all.
Brian> "And this," he leans forward a bit, frowning, "is where you enter the picture."
Nathan> "So what precisely do the different sides of the political divide want?"
Brian> "Anabara wants to expand," Holmes says with a shrug.  "Truthfully, our providence got out of hand.  We don't have the territory we need to maintain our society for much longer.  It would be advantageous for us to branch out and spread our knowledge to at least another sphere."
Nathan looks thoughtful.  "So what use is my support to the King, precisely?  I'd think that I was a discredited madman."
Brian> "If we prove your sanity, then it's a simple matter to denounce the entire affair a plot of Hathoway to obtain your property -- which is also the truth, at least in part."
Brian> "I'd rather that didn't happen," the specter adds dryly.
Brian> "But as for your support ... you're one of the first of our people to cross through the Gate and return in years.  You're the only person who has a chance of explaining what the situation is in the Church lands."
Nathan> Nathan looks across at the spectre, "Rather not lie like that, or rather not let Hathoway scheme?"
Brian> "Hathoway," the specter says quickly.  "It's not much of a lie, if your mind is back."
Brian> "The catch of this all is," Holmes says, frowning again, "that either you need to pass through the gate again ... or we must establish some other way to get that information to you.  I can only deduce so much, and if you can't remember, then we've almost nothing to work with."
Brian> "I think passing through the gate is a terrible idea," the specter says quickly.  "Now.  The man who my son spoke to -- the one called Christianson -- he can see and speak with spirits.  I could pass through the shroud with ease, and pass messages to him.  In fact, that may even be faster."
Brian> "Certainly it would be safer," he adds with a ghosty sigh.
Nathan looks at the spirit sharply. "Do you think you could find Christianson?"
Brian> "I believe I could," he says, affably.  Then he pauses.  "Is this important?"
Nathan> "It is.  I should give you the explanation first, though . . ."
Brian> The spirit nods.  Holmes looks curious, but wait to hear this.
Nathan> "Alright then,"  Nathan pours himself a cup of tea, "this will sound odd, but . . . there are other worlds out there - outside of the 'string of pearls' that you're used to.  On my world, there is a contest - to decide who should have the power to choose how to protect our world from the Enemy."
Nathan> "As part of this contest, five people from each faction must go into other worlds - dreams of great spirits - and make a mark on the world.  We have to accomplish something so great that the world itself recognizes us for what we are, and sends us home with it's recognition."
Brian> Holmes nods thoughtfully.  The spirit nods, but looks confused.
Nathan> "We take on the roles of . . . our counterparts, sort of, in these worlds.  I -am- Nathan Shuker, but I'm not . . . your Nathan Shuker.  I have his skills, but not his knowledge.  As to what we need to do here . . . I'm not really sure yet."
Nathan grins sheepishly.
Brian> "To make a mark, you'd have two choices, I think," Holmes says after a pause.  "On the surface.  More will appear with further consideration.  But essentially, you could choose to ally with us against the Church ... or with the Church against us.  Still, those would seem your easiest options."
Nathan> "I don't see myself allying with the church at this point," Nathan says drily, "'Doctor Shuker' had a path that he was no longer capable of following.  Balance dictates that I lend my strength and walk it for him."
Nathan> "There are other ways, but unlike some of our opponents," Nathan grimaces, "I know right from wrong."
Brian> "That's a relief," Holmes says with a wry grin.  "I sense there's more you wish to say, though?"
Nathan> "Not about our opponents," Nathan frowns, "they aren't here yet and they could be years in the coming.  But Christianson," he takes a drink of his tea, and looks at the ghost, "is one of our five.  If you can find him, tell him where I am - and find out what the situation on the other plane is like . . ."
Brian> "I will do this, then," the specter says, nodding his understanding.  "Is there something I could say that only you and he would know?  A trusted phrase?"
Nathan> "Yeah, tell him he still owes me cookies."
Brian> "Very well," he says with a smile.  "Could I ask you a favor, in return?"
Nathan> Nathan nods.  "Ask away."
Brian> "I would like to see that the house which has been in my family for so long stays there," he says, smiling.  "If you wouldn't mind...."
Nathan> "Of course," Nathan grins, "Your son's goals are my goals - and I'd like to rub that arrogant clown's face in it anyway!"
Brian> "Excellent!" the specter says.  "Then, I must away."  And just like that -- he's gone.
Brian> "I trust things went well?" Holmes asks guardedly.
Nathan> Nathan nods.  "He says he can find Christianson - who is also the man I went to see in the first place."
Brian> "That much was in the records," Holmes agrees.  "Now, if this is according to your plan, will you support His Majesty?"
Nathan> "I owed him for breaking me out of the asylum anyway," Nathan nods, "but yes, I can do that.  You being on his side pretty much seals it."
Brian> "Excellent," he says with a smile.  "Now, 'that clown' needs to be shown up.  Shall we go the carriage?"
Nathan nods.  "I'm going to claim memory loss on anything on the far side of the gate, I think - my past, well, I'll wing it."

<END session>
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 01:15:59 AM
After wrapping the sandwiches that Nathan hasn't eaten yet in a cloth napkin for the journey, Holmes quickly guides Nathan through a maze of corridors and elevators, until they both emerge at the street level, though inside the castle walls.

From here, the crystalline spires loom overhead ominously, jutting out over the city and spreading their own eerie illumination in this sunless land.  The day is still bright, even with a lack of sun (and thus, much less distinct shadows).

The carriage looks like a wooden black lacquered box on wheels, led by a quartet of horses.  A driver sits atop, expectantly, and a footman opens the door for the pair.

After that, the box begins lurching (though, not too much, which is nice -- apparently the thing does have shocks of some kind), through the streets.  Though with the curtains closed, it's difficult to see much.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 01:17:30 AM
"Anything you can think of that I need to know for this?" Nathan asks, moving one of the curtains aside slightly so he can look out a window.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 01:26:01 AM
"It shouldn't be difficult.  I don't expect anyone but your staff to be there -- I'll simply tell them that you've suffered memory loss due to the gates, but your sanity has been restored.  The only real concern is if Hathoway has exceeded his legal limits by sending men in to try and claim your property."

Through the windows, Nathan has a view of the city once they clear the palace gates.  For the most part, it looks clean.  No smog, since apparently anabaric power doesn't produce pollution.  And everyone in this neighborhood is well dressed, too.

"I should add that you've been taken on as a retainer for my ongoing investigations into Church plots," Holmes says after a moment.  "The watch you have now is your badge of authority.  It gives you access to the palace, and the constabulary will know not to harass you if you show it.  By that same token, be sure not to lose it.  And I imagine Maestro Aliester Sondheim will wish to speak with you about various things -- later, though, later.  You may not wish to tell him about where you are from, in truth.  I'll leave that decision in your hands, however."

Holmes proffers the sandwiches again.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 01:28:10 AM
Nathan takes a sandwich.

"I wasn't intending to, I think," Nathan responds slowly, "you already knew, the ghost knew something was wrong the moment I woke up - plus I can't tell if he's listening, so trying to hide it wouldn't work in any case.  Anyone else . . ."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 04:56:21 AM
The sandwich is adequately tasty, but a bit dry.  The Shuker residence is not terribly far from the palace, regardless.  Very shortly, the carriage comes to a halt, the driver knocking on the box to alert those within that the destination has been reached.

The footman scurries around to open the door, revealing Nathan's first sight of his home.

It's a mansion.  The thing is five stories high, with towers that go an additional three.  There's a massive yard walled off by a large wrought-iron fence, with sharp and angry looking spikes lining the top.  A crest of some sort is on the gate -- at the moment, it's split in half because the gate is open.

"No," Holmes murmurs, eyes narrowing as he climbs out of the carriage.  "This is not good."  More loudly, he orders the footman: "Get the constabulary here -- quickly."  To the driver: "Block the gate with the carriage."

Turning to Nathan, he adds, "I will go 'round the back, keep them from getting away."  He hesitates, while the footman and driver are busy, and in a quieter voice asks, "Are you able to defend yourself, if you must?  The staff may be in danger, if they're witnesses, but I'd also rather keep anyone from escaping."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 05:04:47 AM
Nathan nods, and responds quietly - "It could be . . . obvious, though - have a spare weapon?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 05:13:51 AM
He checks his coat, and produces a gun, shaking his head.  "Obvious isn't a problem, generally.  We can attribute it to the gate.  It's your health that's the greater concern."  At this point, the front gate is blocked by the carriage.  "We must hurry, though."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 05:22:38 AM
"An excuse widens my options considerably," Nathan says as he starts moving towards the front door of the mansion, "I should be able to handle them then, I think."

OOC:

If the Mad Stormrider is willing to spare them, I want +1 HtH OCV, 4 points of stealth and +2 Dive For Cover (11 points of 11.5)

RealRez donates +1 all rolls and +1 Dex (3 points) for a total of 15 influence.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 12:40:37 PM
Holmes runs around the hedge inside the fence, to the rear of the house.  From here, the double-doors are open, revealing a darkened interior -- like a gaping, toothless maw, or a wound punched in the structure.

Once Nathan climbs the steps and peeks inside, dim anabaric lighting fills the room, but it's nothing compared to the light of day.  Directly inside the door, at the foot of a tall pair of stairs, are a pair of twins.

They look like fairly pretty young girls, in conservative (but traditional) maid's outfits.  One of them is lying on the floor staring upwards with a blank expression, unmoving.

The other is staring down at her evident sister in dismay, shaking slightly.  After an eyeblink, Nathan realizes that the standing 'twin' is partially see-through.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 12:44:38 PM
Oh shit!

Nathan walks slowly towards the . . . what he presumes to be a dead girl.

"Who did this, and where are they?" he asks quietly, staring straight at the ghost.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 12:47:45 PM
"Mm...mma...."  She blinks, reels, and then seems to regain her composure.  "Master Shuker?"  She shakes her head quickly.  "They haven't left yet; you must leave, before they come after you!  They....  Brutes, I don't know who sent them, but they pushed me down the stairs.  I feel I've taken a great tumble."  One hand goes to her head, and she steadfastly ignores her body.  "I'm dizzy," she adds, almost hysterical.  "They're still in your father's study."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 12:56:59 PM
"You . . ." Nathan trails off.  How do you tell someone they're dead?

"I don't . . . remember the house too well," he says slowly, "Where's my father's study?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2007, 01:02:29 PM
"This way, Master," she says with a nod -- probably glad to get her mind off it and away from her body.  She marches up the stairs, her hand passing through the banister twice before she balls it into a fist at her side.  At the top of the landing, she drops her voice, gesturing down one of the halls.  "The second door on the left," she whispers.
Hatbot decided to be nice with:

Rez rolls 3d6 and gets 8.

The sound of rustling can be heard down the hall.  Nathan pads across the carpet silently, his new shoes not even creaking until he's adjacent to the doorway.

"Anyone else?" a male voice whispers suddenly.

"Nah.  Just the bint.  We'd best hurry, though."

"Where is the blighted thing, anyway?  Do we even know what it looks like?"

"Hathoway said we'd know!  Shut up and keep looking."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 04, 2007, 01:13:13 PM
Nathan concentrates - and produces the warbag.  Placing it quietly on the ground, he removes a flashlight, his bow and quiver as quickly as he can, then moves several yards further down the hallway.

Assuming nothing distracts him in the meantime, he'll toss a flashlight into the wall on the other side of the door so as to make a decent sized thud - then draw a bead on the doorway.

OOC:

Real Influence to:
Offhanding (9cp)
+2 Bow OCV (6cp)

Earth Influence to:
+1 Dex (3cp)
+3 DFC (3cp)
+1 Sword OCV (3cp)
+5 END (2.5cp)

My Combat Pool +1 will go to OCV, giving me a total OCV of 8.  Crappy, but hopefully enough if I surprise someone!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 02:47:29 AM
The first of the men through the door is just a dark blur; he appears at exactly the right height to catch the arrow directly in the back of his skull.  There's the soft meaty sound of iron-point piercing bone, and he tumbles like a rag-doll, his momentum carrying him forward to roll up on one shoulder and abruptly lay still.  His companion backpedals frantically, throwing himself into the doorway -- missing, and slamming up against the wall by the door.

However, he is able to draw a pistol from his belt and fire it at the same motion, sending a scorching beam of some searing energy through the space where Nathan just was.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:03:02 AM
Nathan's eyes widen as the beam flies past him - he wasn't expecting actual guns - and ducks to the side belatedly, loosing another arrow at the second man.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 03:09:39 AM
This arrow is a less aimed shot, but slams into the man's free hand.  He cries out in pain and desperately fires back.  The pain must be jarring him -- his shot goes wide.

The maid, previously frozen with shock, attempts to fling herself at the man, crying out, "No!  Run, Master Shuker!  Run!"  The man seems oblivious to her, eyes focused on Nathan and filled with terror.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:16:35 AM
"Drop it or the next one goes through your EYE," Nathan growls, as nocks another arrow - taking aim at the man before the thug can get his own weapon to bear again.

OOC: PRE attack + Cover attack.  If he doesn't put it down or points it at me again, arrow gets loosed.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 03:24:12 AM
"Very good, Sir," he yelps, dropping the gun and holding his hands up, wincing as his eye catches the arrow.  The maid is behind him, tears filling her eyes as she turns to look.

"I didn't do anything," she moans.

At the same time, there's a call from downstairs.  "Hello?" someone calls.  "This is constabulary!"  Nathan maintains his focus on the ruffian.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:26:52 AM
"Turn around and walk downstairs," Nathan says flatly.

Once he's turned around and taken several steps, Nathan releases the offhand power and goes to pick up the gun.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 03:32:19 AM
The man does exactly as instructed.  The gun is lightweight, warm, and looks rather like a revolver.  Instead of a six-chamber cylinder, there's a large glass-like silver tube which appears to be bisected into two distinct compartments.

Keeping his hands in the air, the man does as instructed, which means walking straight to the (evident) police.  Nathan can't see them from his angle, but he hears the cry of alarm, and a harshly questioning, "Who are you, then?  What's going on, here?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:38:04 AM
Nathan puts it straight down again - going to the police while holding a gun wouldn't be wise - and looks at the maid.

"Thank you for trying," he says quietly, "they . . . killed you.  You're a ghost."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 03:45:00 AM
She slumps, eyes watering.  Then she turns to the man lying dead on the floor.  "He was the one," she whispers.  "So, there's that, at least.  Oh, Master Shuker, I'm not ready to be dead!  What do I do?  Where do I even begin, now?"

From downstairs, "Hoy!  What happened to the arrow?  No funny-stuff--  You two, get upstairs, find out what's going on!  You two, around the back.  Edgar, you're with me -- this way."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:48:35 AM
"I don't know," he says slowly, "but I have to see to the constabulary before they come and shoot me."

Loud enough to be heard downstairs: "I am Doctor Shuker, and I am coming down."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 12:32:34 PM
"Doctor?" someone asks, sounding relaxed.  "Inspector Holmes sent us 'round to look in on you!"  As Nathan goes around the corner to the stairway, he sees four men in sturdy-looking coats -- possibly armored, hands on revolvers.  No weapons are drawn, and one of them is binding the wrists of the man Nathan shot; another is trying to bind his wounds.

"Alright," the apparent leader says (he's got a different hat; the other three have rounded helmets, his has the addition of a crest -- a gold star over his forehead).  Each of them has a visor pulled down that covers their faces from the nose up, but is transparent enough for their eyes to be visible.

The guy with the star gestures Nathan down, adding, "Try to mind the body.  And do you know what happened to this girl?"

The ghostly maid is following Nathan, probably for a lack of a better idea.  At that, she whimpers, rubbing at her eyes.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 12:41:40 PM
Nathan's voice is flat, as he barely holds his anger under control.

"I think they threw her down the stairs," he says bluntly, "I heard them talking about 'the bint' was the only person.  The second one is up here."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 12:47:57 PM
The constabulary nods, turning leery expressions on the man Nathan sent down the stairs.  "Well, come away for the moment -- we'll need to search the entire house to be sure -- Inspector's orders."

"There were another two," the maid says hollowly.  "I didn't see them climbing the stairs."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 01:04:00 PM
"I'd . . . rather stay here for the moment," Nathan replies, "if there are more - I think I saw someone - then they're downstairs.  Both of these men brought guns."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 01:13:52 PM
The constables exchange glances, and look worried.  "Very well," the leader decides, just before there's a distant flurry of yelling, then the sound of a gunshot.  A real gunshot, not an energy blast.

Two of the cops run at the noise; the leader stays where he is, keeping an eye on Nathan.  The other one is keeping an eye on the man Nathan shot in the hand.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 01:17:17 PM
Nathan starts.  "That must have been the inspector!" he exclaims, quite unnecessarily.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 02:42:42 PM
"Chief," the man holding the ruffian's bindings says, looking anxious, like he wants to bolt towards the source of the noise.

The Chief raises one hand to silence his subordinate, and then a shout is heard: "We've got them!  One of them -- we'll need a medic!"

One of the two who ran off previously comes back into sight through the doors into the main room.  "Chief," he says, breathlessly, "the inspector was attacked, but he's fine; one of the other two was shot in defense, the other has been clubbed.  There may be more."

"And more men en route, too," the Chief replies, shaking his head sourly.  "The inspector?"

"Checking their pockets, sir," the subordinate says uneasily.

The maid plucks at her skirt for a moment before determination comes over her features.  "They can't hurt me now," she mutters angrily.  "I'll look for others, Master."  With that, she stalks down the corridors, occasional lights shining through her.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 03:00:59 PM
Nathan nods in response to the maid, then looks down the stairs and . . . watches the proceedings, waiting for something else to happen.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 11:23:28 PM
The constables get to work searching the house.  The maid comes back a few minutes later, while they're going about -- the captain asks Nathan a few questions to establish that it was self-defense.  Inspector Holmes comes around with the other captured man, this one with a black eye.  The bodies of the ruffians are examined, bagged, and then loaded into a cart the cops have brought around.  The chief's men report that the house appears to be empty except for the other staff -- another, older maid, a balding and ancient chef, and a butler who couldn't be much older than nineteen.  They're all questioned, and asked not to leave the estate.

After that, the chief gestures to the maid and tells Nathan, "We'll bring her in, too.  After the coroner has had a chance to go over things, I'll come by again with the paperwork."  He pauses for a second, as he glances at inspector Holmes, who's looking at the pair of detained criminals thoughtfully.  "Would you like us to contact her family?"

"Haven't gotten any," the ghostly maid says glumly.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 05, 2007, 11:28:44 PM
"She doesn't have any . . . I think we were it."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2007, 11:34:44 PM
"Right," the chief says with a grimace.  "Well, we'll take her in for examination.  After that, I suppose you'll be handling the ... er ... arrangements?"

"What am I to do, now?" the maid asks the chief forlornly.

He, of course, doesn't react to her.  "Well, you've had a busy day, Doctor," he says, glancing at the inspector as Holmes approaches.  "Sir."

"Thank you for your assistance," Holmes replies, nodding.  "Have the prisoners taken in to the precinct and questioned; I'm very curious to see what they have to say.  In the meantime, if you don't mind, post two watchmen at each the front and back gates."

"Have done, Sir," the chief replies, nodding.  "Anything else?"

"I think that's enough for the moment," Holmes says, glancing at Nathan questioningly.

"Where do I even go?" the maid muses, looking down at her body until it's covered with a cloth.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 06, 2007, 12:19:00 AM
"I'll handle the arrangements."

There's a long pause.

"I think that's all; thank you for your quick response," Nathan says politely.  Go the hell away!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 06, 2007, 06:17:49 AM
"As you'll have it," the chief says, nodding.  "Have the lads watching the gate notified if you need to reach me, Doctor."  As more officers lift the maid's body and carry it off, he says, "I can't imagine it will be easy, but enjoy the rest of your evening."  He nods again to the inspector, then troops out with the last of his men.

Holmes sighs, shaking his head.  "I should return to the palace," he says, apologetically.  "I've a suspicion one of your friends is here ... in Anabara, I mean.  But I can't determine where, so I'll puzzle that over while you rest."  He hesitates at the doorway, then looks back.  "Will you have any trouble handling your staff?  If not, I'll leave you alone."

The maid says nothing, just watching her body vanish through the doors, before she becomes absorbed in staring at her hands.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 06, 2007, 06:29:11 AM
"I'll be alright, but thank you."

Nathan turns to the maid once Holmes is out the door.  "I don't . . . know . . . what happens to you now.  I hardly remember anything before the asylum - I might have known before, but . . ."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 06, 2007, 06:48:49 AM
"No one else here can see me," she says quietly.  "I suppose I'll just fade away."  She bites her lower lip, which contrasts awkwardly with her hand passing through the stair rail when she tries to rest it there.  "I....  I don't want to fade.  I don't know what I can do like this, but can you keep me on?  I won't....  I won't really take up space anymore, and I suppose there's no real use for pay if I can't even touch it...."  She swallows nervously, and plucks at her skirt again.  "I've got my own uniform," she adds at the end, hollowly.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 07, 2007, 01:03:08 AM
"I'm not going to tell you get out of here," Nathan responds, sounding surprised, "I'm not that, well . . . you can stay as long as you want to.  You tried to jump in front of a gun for me."

There's a brief pause, before he continues into the even-more-awkward part.  "This is horribly tactless, but I was serious that I don't remember much at all from before . . . I don't know your name."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 07, 2007, 12:33:47 PM
"I'm Molly," the ghost replies, with a weak smile.  Then she brightens.  "Oh, Master Shuker!  I could remind you of things, maybe?  Do you remember where your study is?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 07, 2007, 12:39:25 PM
"I . . . not really," Nathan says, scratching his head.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 07, 2007, 12:56:09 PM
"This way," she says cheerfully, going back up the stairs, but this time turning left.  Down the hall, she indicates another door, though this one is still closed.  Like all the other wood in the house (walls, floors, other doors), it's dark, and free of dust.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 07, 2007, 01:17:12 PM
"Thanks," he says, walking up the hall.

"Oh.  This is probably something of a silly question, but after I came back through the gate, I think I brought something back with me - and I think that's what the thugs were after.  Would you have any . . . idea what that might be?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 08, 2007, 12:19:51 AM
"Your study?" she says, almost questioningly.  "When you came back, you were ... well ... ravening, and insisted that no one should go into your study, or your father's."

The door is solid, closed, and imposing looking -- kind of like the entire house, really.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 08, 2007, 01:36:31 AM
"Hm.  Maybe . . ."

Nathan opens the door!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 08, 2007, 04:19:40 AM
Nathan finds that Doctor Shuker's study is fairly severe.  There's a clock in one corner, unmoving (the weights need to be pulled to get it running again), a pot of dirt that was probably once a potted plant of some sort, a desk, a chair, and many shelves.

This room does host an unhealthy amount of paper, however.  There's papers crammed between the books lining the shelves, covering the desk, littered liberally across the floor, filling the chair behind the desk, sticking out of the desk drawers, lying on top of the pot of dirt....  The only thing that's not covered in papers (though, it's on top of a stack of them) is an overly large, too-complex looking typewriter.  And the single painting directly opposite the door (it's a young looking woman -- probably twenty, if that) in a very nice yellow dress smiling brightly at the painter.  She's wearing a pendant of some sort, and her hair is bound up with a ribbon that matches her dress -- from the doorway, Nathan can see that the picture is quite detailed, though the distance is too great to make out more.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 08, 2007, 05:07:01 AM
Nathan walks carefully into the room, trying not to step on any of the papers - glancing at the ones on the desk and on the chair briefly, just to see what they are.

Once he's taken a moment to assuage his curiousity on that front, he takes a closer look at the painting.

I wonder if this is the fiancee?  Or maybe the sister?
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 08, 2007, 05:39:05 AM
The detail on the girl doesn't reveal anything new, except that the girl has blue eyes, and her pendant appears to be a falcon grasping a wrench in one talon, and a hammer in the other, with wings flared, but curling together overhead.

A small plate on the bottom edge of the painting reads, 'Mme. Maus'.  Probably not a sister -- unless she married into a different family line.

The papers -- at a glance -- seem to be anthropological studies.  Descriptions of 'pre-church society'.  They look more like theory and conjecture, rather than any solid fact.

"I do wish you'd let us set the room to rights," Molly frets, peeking in through the doorway, but not stepping inside.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 08, 2007, 07:18:09 AM
Nathan chuckles at the maid's suggestion - "-but if I know where it all -is- then putting it away will just confuse me, right?"

Well apparently he and his other self had that nuch in common . . .

His eyes narrow as he catches sight of the name plate.  Maus . . . that's  Tim's name.

"Molly . . . who's the girl in the painting?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 08, 2007, 12:08:47 PM
"That's Madame Margaret Maus," Molly says hesitantly, not quite able to meet Nathan's eyes.  "She was your fiancee, Master Shuker.  Shortly after your father passed on, or so close as to make no nevermind, her house burnt down in a fire.  She and her brother were never found."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 08, 2007, 12:48:06 PM
Nathan nods at this.  "I thought she might have been.  What's bothering you?" he tilts his head, looking carefully at the ghost's face, "That I don't remember, or is there something else?"

OOC: Damn, I forgot to reset my influence!

So: +1 to all skeelz, 2 cp of conversation and 3cp of persuasion!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 09, 2007, 03:57:03 AM
"N...nothing," she stutters quickly, her eyes going elsewhere as she blushes slightly.  "Er, anyway, I was just thinking their disappearance was a might convenience, leastwise.  Not for you, but the timing....  You out of Anabara on your journey, your father, rest his soul, dies before you come back....  Not long after, the only other person with a connection to your family has her house burn down, and she and her brother vanish.  Don't seem right, if you don't mind me saying.  You get home through the gate, without your partners, rest their souls, and as soon as you do, you're committed?"

She pauses, then furrows her brow, looking down at herself.  "Though, come to think of it, I suppose it's a foregone conclusion that there's foul play afoot here, isn't there?  Oh, well.  Doesn't matter now."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 09, 2007, 12:46:21 PM
"Oh, I know.  It's already been pointed out to me," Nathan says bleakly, "And it was also mentioned that if I hadn't set foot in this house before tomorrow my ownership would lapse."

"Those thugs said in the office mentioned that Hathoway told them that 'they'd know it when they found it'," he continues slowly, "but it's just my word against theirs unless the police can make them admit it."

He starts poking around the room, trying not to disturb the mess too much.  'They'd know it when they saw it, huh?'

While he searches, he asks another question.  "Was Margaret's brother's name Timothy?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 09, 2007, 01:00:17 PM
"Er...."  Molly thinks about this.  "I believe so, but he'd never come to visit here."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 09, 2007, 01:08:08 PM
"Oh?"

Nathan looks up from his rummaging.

"Why not?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 09, 2007, 10:33:58 PM
"I don't rightly know," Molly admits, frowning.  "You'd gone to visit him ... well, her, really ... at his estate, so you weren't strangers.  But he was a cousin of the royals, you know, so maybe it was just matters of state?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 10, 2007, 12:10:18 PM
Nathan chews on his lip.  "I don't really know enough right now to guess, annoyingly."

He goes back to rummaging through the room, not really expecting to find anything - "Let me know if you spot anything unusual, could you?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 10, 2007, 12:44:24 PM
"Oh, um."  She frowns, looking around.  "I surely will," she says, before she begins poking around at the bookshelves -- her hands going through the books easily.  After a few seconds of this, she releases a shrill of terror, and one of the books falls to the floor.

"Something!" she says in alarm, pointing at the book which has fallen to the floor -- open.  Between the pages ... in fact, some pages have been cut out to make room ... is what looks like a jade stone on a leather cord.  "It....  I touched it!"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 10, 2007, 03:35:33 PM
Nathan's eyes widen in surprise as he watches this, and he bends down to pluck the stone from it's resting place.

"It . . . I guess this might be it?" he says somewhat dubiously, holding it near his eyes to inspect it.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 10, 2007, 10:25:54 PM
"It?" Molly asks, peering at it.  "Cor, that's a pretty stone.  Not set in anything, though.  Was it going to be a gift, do you think?"

Looking closely, it's a very large, very bright piece of jade.  It's got no obvious markings or even scratches on it; it's merely wrapped tightly in the leather cord that it hangs from.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 10, 2007, 10:40:40 PM
"I don't think so," Nathan says, "if you can touch it then there's something very strange about it."

He holds it out to Molly. "Try again?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 10, 2007, 10:42:32 PM
Molly cautiously reaches out, wincing as her fingers brush through Nathan's palm -- for a second.  When she plucks the jade, her fingertips brush across Nathan's skin, feeling not the least bit ethereal.  "Er, my," Molly says, looking more substantial and blushing, still clutching the stone.  Her eyes quickly dart away, then back.  "Am I alive again, then, Master Shuker?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 10, 2007, 11:53:55 PM
Nathan looks, unsurprisingly, pretty damn stunned; he's staring at the girl in surprise for several long seconds before he catches himself, his own cheeks heating up in embarassment.

"I . . . no idea," he says intelligently, "Do you, er, feel any different?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 10, 2007, 11:58:09 PM
Molly shakes her head.  "More solid, like," she says hesitantly, bending down and picking up the book that had fallen.  "But I feel all numb all over, still."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 12:27:06 AM
"I guess that would be too easy," Nathan holds out his hand, "Take my hand, though?  I'm curious."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 12:27:59 AM
Molly blushes very brightly at that, but enthusiastically does so.  Her hand is room temperature, but she feels solid enough.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 01:10:58 AM
"I guess that's something."

Nathan lets go after a moment, frowning as he thinks this over.

"I can see why someone would want this . . . but that much?  There must be something else to it."

Nathan catches himself. "Unless it's a ghost of some sort who wants it . . . then I can see it. Maybe?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 01:16:33 AM
"Are you certain that this is it?" Molly asks, reluctantly offering the stone back to Nathan.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 03:55:57 AM
"It seems like it might be," Nathan replies, taking the stone and inspecting it again, "which just raises more questions.  Hathoway has a lot to answer.  And answer for."

"We should probably keep looking, though, and in my father's study.  Maybe there'll be something there."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 11:44:05 AM
She nods dutifully, pulling her hand away slowly.  Curiously, she still feels solid to Nathan while he's holding the stone, even when she isn't.  "Ought we look here more, first, or your father's study, then?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 02:29:44 PM
"My father's study," Nathan answers, starting to move towards the door, "This was probably it, but that is what they were searching, I guess."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 09:43:04 PM
Molly dutifully follows down the hall, but halfway to his theoretical father's study, two people arrive.  One of them is the specter that Nathan met first (the elder Shuker?).  The other is the elderly cook.

"Master Shuker," the cook says first, offering a sympathetic smile, "it must be difficult, with your fiancee, and....   And Molly....  But you should eat something.  Would you like dinner brought to you?"

"Ah, Janson," the elder Shuker sighs.  Then he glances at Molly, and he frowns.  "And Molly -- she was always a cute one.  Why is Janson acting like she's not here?"

Molly blinks in astonishment, her mouth falling open.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 10:14:18 PM
"Thank you, Janson.  I don't think it's entirely hit me yet - either of them," Nathan answers the cook, "Learning about my fiancee, then this - I think we're all going to miss Molly."

Nathan manages to look visible upset.  It has, after all, not been a pleasant day.

"I'll be in my father's study.  If you could have something sent up, I would appreciate it."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 10:17:35 PM
"Right away, Sir," the chef says with a short bow.

He ambles away, while Molly points at the elder Shuker.  "You're dead!" she exclaims.

The elder Shuker is only slightly nonplussed.  "As you must be," he replies.

Molly flinches.  "Right," she says quietly.  "Erm.  This is awkward."

The elder Shuker shrugs, then turns back to Nathan.  "I was able to reach your friend, Dr. Christianson.  He would like to know about the technology and psychology of the Church, if we can tell him anything of those factors."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 10:23:06 PM
Nathan frowns at this, walking towards his original destination once the cook is safely out of earshot.

"Well, I can't tell him anything yet, but I'll see what I can discover.  Thank you for doing that.  Did he have anything useful he could tell you?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2007, 10:25:40 PM
Nathan hasn't had a chance to look into the elder Shuker's study.  It's much neater than his own, except where books have been pawed from shelves by thugs, and where a painting has been taken down (for whatever reason).  The furniture is almost identical.

Desk, typewriter, shelves....  There is the addition of a liquor cabinet, too -- almost behind the door, and easy to miss.  As it's starting to get dim, the house's corridor lights come on by themselves (or a servant somewhere flipped a switch).  The study's lights aren't turned on, however, and now it's getting a bit tricky to make out the titles of books, or other fine details.

Molly and the elder Shuker don't seem perturbed about the light, at least.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 11, 2007, 10:34:04 PM
The obvious question first.

Nathan holds out the piece of jade to his father.  "Was this the artifact you mentioned?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 12, 2007, 03:23:12 AM
"No, actually," he says, glancing at it.  "I imagine you ... or the other you ... must have picked it up somewhere else.  The artifact you brought back was a stone tablet, if I recall."

"Other you?" Molly asks, confused.

"Not important," the elder Shuker says, waving a hand.  "At any rate, Dr. Christianson seemed to think that Inspector Holmes was trustworthy."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 12, 2007, 04:35:55 AM
"I agree," Nathan says, nodding, "but it's good to hear Bjorn confirm it.  Do you know where I hid that tablet, then?  Hathoway sent some goons here earlier and they were searching the house for something - I presume that."

His face darkens.

"They threw Molly down the stairs."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 12, 2007, 03:01:48 PM
Molly looks down.  The elder Shuker winces.  "Oh, dear," he sighs.  "Well, you have a vault behind the painting of your fiancee.  Have you checked there?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 12, 2007, 08:55:29 PM
"Nope - I hadn't had the chance to really turn either place upside down yet.  Back we go."

Nathan starts to head back to his own study!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 12, 2007, 09:01:49 PM
Nathan's study is exactly as he left it.  Behind the painting of Magaret is a tiny iron vault door.  No dial, no handle, just a keyhole.

"This will be a bit more of a conundrum," the elder Shuker says with a frown.  "Unless I am mistaken, you had the key on you when you were ... er ... committed."

"I didn't think you'd gone round' the bend," Molly adds supportively.  "Just were a bit temperamental, was all."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 12, 2007, 10:00:48 PM
"Hathoway . . . " Nathan muses, "that means that it's quite possible that the thugs he sent have it.  Otherwise it's yet another answer I'm going to need to pry out of him."

He blinks.  "You said I was raving, Molly?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 12, 2007, 10:14:42 PM
"Jus' that you were saying you didn't trust anyone with what you'd found," she says, shrugging.  "But it seems thieves and murderers are after you and it, so it doesn't strike me as being mad, now."

The elder Shuker looks like he might have something to add, but instead shakes his head.  "At the moment, the vault is still closed," he says.  "So at least we know that Hathoway doesn't have it."  He pauses thoughtfully, then says, "I wonder...."  With that, he leans forward, sticking his head through the vault.

"No luck," he says a moment later, shaking his head.  "Too dark for me to copy anything from it."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 01:46:31 PM
"Well, then I guess we either need the key or a safecracker," Nathan grumbles, "unless the two of you have any ideas I might ask Holmes about that."

Nathan shrugs.

"In the meantime I'm somewhat at a loss as to what to do - except sift through some of these notes and eat dinner."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 13, 2007, 02:34:51 PM
Janson chooses that moment to return, wheeling in a small cart.  On the top is a covered silver tray.  "Your dinner, Master Shuker," he calls, stopping only when the cart reaches the desk.  "I've prepared your favorite; lobster bisque."

"As good a plan as any," the elder Shuker says.  "I'd just as soon not deal with Hathoway, all told.  And a change of locks would keep anyone from walking in the front door again, either."

"Janson!" Molly protests to the servant who can't see him.  "You know he likes fresh ground pepper!  Oh, you hoodlum."  She balls her hands into fists at her hips when Janson ignores her, bowing to Nathan.

"I've taken the liberty of bringing you fresh water, if there's nothing else, I will await your summons," he says, rising.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 02:43:02 PM
"Thank you, Janson," Nathan says once the man is finished, "There is one thing.  Could you, tomorrow, send someone out to fetch a good locksmith?  The door locks need to be changed, and I'd like to speak to one."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 13, 2007, 02:44:30 PM
"I could," Janson says hesitantly, "but tomorrow's the fair, and all.  I imagine most everyone who doesn't sell food is taking the day off.  Will you be wanting to stay in, then?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 02:48:13 PM
"Oh.  Of course.  With . . . what happened today, I'd forgotten.  It'll do me good to get out and about then, I think.  We'll worry about locks the day after."  

Nathan shakes his head.

"Thank you, Janson; that will be all for now."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 13, 2007, 02:51:11 PM
"Very good, Sir," Janson says, bowing again as he leaves the study.

Molly looks after him for a minute, then says, "I'll be going to see what's going on, Master Shuker.  Make sure none of the other staff is slacking of."  With that, she marches to the doorway.

Once she's gone, the elder Shuker shakes his head and says, "As if that wasn't awkward enough before....  And I suppose you don't remember why my son kept her around?  I never did get a straight answer from him."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 03:00:43 PM
"I don't remember much of anything," Nathan responds sourly, "not details, not names; just how to do things.  It would make things infinitely easier if I did."

He opens his mouth to say something else, then closes it again, looking across at the cart.  "Dinner sounds like a good idea right now."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 13, 2007, 03:17:31 PM
Wah~!  Beneath the silver dome is a tureen of still-boiling soup, a bowl, a ladle, a spoon, and some freshly baked bread with butter to one side.  It smells delicious -- far superior to the sandwiches of the pre-thug-shooting-meal, or the asylum's tasteless gruel.

"I'll let you enjoy yourself, then," the elder Shuker says.  "You should relax a bit, after the asylum."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 03:23:51 PM
"Mm."

Nathan sounds non-comittal - but he IS hungry and the food looks good, so it has his full attention for quite a while.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 13, 2007, 04:21:20 PM
The soup is pretty good, once Nathan lets it cool down a bit.  The bread's not bad, either.

No cookies, though.  Something will have to be done about that....

In the meantime, looking around, Nathan notices a previously missed pull-cord near the door.  Probably to summon servants to, say, clear the cart away once Nathan's done with it.  Other than that, for the first time in far too long, he's left alone.

With an awful lot of papers.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 13, 2007, 09:23:42 PM
Once done, Nathan makes use of the pull-cord to have the cart removed!

Assuming nothing particularly untoward happens in the process of dinner-removage, he then proceeds to start . . . sifting through the papers - partly in the hope that he'll find out he actually does know a little of this stuff, but mostly to try and, well, learn a little more about the world - and his field of 'expertise'.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 14, 2007, 12:32:03 AM
Janson appears and pulls the cart away, only pausing to ask if Nathan needs anything else.  For the papers....  Lots and lots of notes on researching, most of which seem to be complied from books.  Some of the books are on the shelves, and some of them aren't in sight.

One of the interesting things that comes up once Nathan looks into the drawers of the desk is a list of 'attainable normally' vs. 'attained through various means' resources ... many of the books that aren't on the shelves are on the 'various means' list.

The subject of research seems to be pre-Church society, which for Anabara, little information remains.  The notes of Nathan's otherself suggest that he's probably gotten his hands on every resource that is around, through ... well ... various means.  And the end conclusion is that he'll need to leave Anabara through a Gate to find out more.

The notes and papers are very professional, though.  No one else is named, such as the fiancee, or the elder Shuker.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 14, 2007, 02:01:05 AM
Interesting.

Nathan's sets to looking around the study - perhaps (unlikely) the books are just in a cabinet rather than on public display.

If that's not the case, he's going to leave the study and go explore the house briefly - familiarise himself with the layout, check over his father's study, and generally just work out where things are.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 14, 2007, 03:15:41 AM
The cabinet holds within it ... LIQUOR!  And quite a variety, too.

None of the books that Nathan has in his library are the ones on the theoretically forbidden list.  After that, house exploration time.

The place is egregiously large, though shortly after Nathan begins searching, Molly appears, pointing out which rooms are which, and which corridors are the servants' passages (and stairs).  The house has all manner of rooms.

A proper library, with a great volume of books (apparently, not as related to the other-Nathan's research), a ballroom (bleah), several empty bedrooms (about eighteen of them), parlors, galleries....

The place is sprawling.  It even has towers -- one of which looks like a mad scientist's lab.  Apparently, the Shuker grandfather (the elder Shuker's father) experimented here.  It's dusty and cobwebbed at the moment.

There's a basement, too, but Molly says it's full of rats -- which scare her, so she'd rather not go down.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 14, 2007, 04:14:46 AM
"Did I ever use the basement for anything, Molly?" Nathan queries, "What -is- it used for?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 14, 2007, 12:00:56 PM
"There's the furnace, and the coal-chute," she says slowly.  "Oh, and storage, but I don't think you ever used it.  Maybe you did and I don't remember?"  She shivers.  "Oh, I hope not.  That place scares me."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 14, 2007, 12:38:44 PM
"I might as well have a quick look," Nathan muses, "I know I must have had some other workroom - or something, in any case.  There are some books that should be there."

"If you don't want to come down, though, that's fine."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 14, 2007, 01:00:47 PM
Molly looks nervous, but follows Nathan anyway.

The basement is a series of cavernous room, mostly empty, and very dark.  There's no anabaric lighting down here, either, so Nathan has to carry a candle.  Then, near the first set of stairs (there are several, across the manor), the first thing Nathan encounters is the furnace, currently turned off, and a monumental pile of coal.  A shovel sits in one corner.

Probing deeper into the mess leaves Molly shivering, but still following, until there's a noise in the darkened corner of the room.  Molly shrieks and clings to Nathan, trembling, as a rat (big one, too -- almost the size of a cat) scurries away from the light.  Looks like it was hiding under some ancient, falling apart vanity or cabinet of some sort ... still, this is a good possibility.  The cabinet is not as dusty as other things laying around down here.

Now, if Nathan can just get the hyperventilating ghost-girl to let go of him, he could try and investigate it.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 14, 2007, 11:53:37 PM
Oh dear.

Nathan waves the candle around with his free hand, looking around the room.

"Do they always get that large?" Nathan asks, as he waits for Molly to calm down.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 15, 2007, 01:29:36 AM
"Er," Molly manages, realizing her position and releasing Nathan with an eerily vibrant blush.  "I d-don't rightly know.  I don't like to come down here, not at all!"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 15, 2007, 03:13:16 AM
"I don't blame you with rats like that," Nathan agrees, "but let's have a look at this."

He walks over and tries opening the cabinet - if it's unlocked, anyway.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 15, 2007, 03:19:35 AM
The cabinet is indeed unlocked.  And within is ... a stone tablet.

It's pretty decently sized -- about 40 centimeters wide, 30 tall, and 5 thick.  It's etched with all sorts of interesting moon language with no readily apparent meaning.  The stone is dark brown, and looks ... oddly enough ... natural.  Maybe it's just really well crafted.  There's nothing else inside, except for a torn bit of cloth, probably a bedsheet, that had been placed beneath it.  Now, though, the cloth looks a bit chewed up.

"What's that?" Molly asks, unable to keep the nervous tremor from her voice.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 15, 2007, 03:27:32 AM
"This . . . would probably be what I brought back through the gate," Nathan says thoughtfully, "and so I was hoping it might have some answers."

Drawing on the Strength of Apollo, he reaches into the cabinet with his free hand and picks up the tablet.

"I think I'll take this upstairs and look it over in my study."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 15, 2007, 12:10:38 PM
Molly blinks as Nathan's arm is encased in a golden gauntlet, but nods, happy to get out of the basement.

Shortly, Nathan has the stone atop his paper-covered desk.  It's easier to see in better light, but doesn't seem to react specially.  And the symbols carved into it still remain a mystery.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 15, 2007, 01:09:53 PM
Nathan leans over the tablet, examining it carefully and trying - hoping - to find some dredges of memory that might give him an inkling of what this is, or how to find out.

He was supposed to be an archaeologist, surely he had to know something . . .

OOC: Influence to, ah, +1 int rolls, (5 points) +3 cryptography, (3 points) +3 deduction (3 points), speed reading (4 points)?

That gives me a crypto check of 17-, a deduction check of 17-, and a standard int check of 14- plus speed reading for going through the books and notes . . . basically just hoping my previous self had some degree of skill in this sort of thing, and if not, turn his library upside down trying to find this out for myself.[/url]
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 16, 2007, 12:28:36 PM
Nathan spends a lot of time going through the papers in the room.  Most of them are produced from the (or at least, a typewriter), and are easy to read, neatly formatted.  Most of them are also summaries and quotations of other works, too.  Once Nathan puts his mind to it, everything fits together in a very familiar-seeming pattern.

Generally, it also happens to include the history of Anabara.  There's not much of any evident religion -- outside the Church of the Gates -- but Anabarans all believe that some single supreme 'Creator' character put the world together some time back.  Various stories and myths share certain features, but there's also a lot of disagreement.

The only constant factors are the Gates, which are proof that the Creator existed.  Then it goes on about how the Gates bridge the chaotic Shroud, from which all reality was drawn, and that the Creator built the Gates.  According to the general populous ... that's it.  The Creator set the world up, said, "Have at!" and vanished.

Some of the myths are more specific, but also more fantastic: The Creator had a house, people went to the Creator to ask for stuff (often with very moralistic conclusions, those, which link to a social concept called 'the Integrities'), how the Creator decided to make gambling....  Nothing really concrete, except now with the stone....

There is a single legend of the Creator leaving a message behind for people to understand how to use the Gates.  It's unclear what form that message takes, but the story explains that it will be 'heard', even though it's a thing that's carried.  Nathan's otherself took extreme pains to clarify the distinction, to the point of underlining those bits with pen.

Then the history continues: Anabarans have a really unfortunate history with a butt-load of war.  Scholars debate the existence of records that have lasted beyond the last four hundred years.  Very little genuine history remains, but the story is that for whatever reason, parts of the Shroud around the sphere got broken, and started leaking in.

This led to a shortage of land.  Good land was worth fighting over, so thus began the wars.  Eventually, a hero emerged, devising a new piece of technology.  The Anabaric tap.  He was proclaimed the ruler of the land, and drew the excess power from the Shroud, causing the leaks to vanish.

As a very convenient side-effect, this cleared up the issue of Anabaric energy just drifting around, and freed up more land to resettle.  It was then decided that anyone who had the power to make such devices would be the ruler of their land, and the ability to devise new tools and machines was called: 'The Spark'.

Now, while every member of the royal bloodline shares the Spark to some degree, it almost always manifests differently.  Sometimes the royals go mad.  Sometimes they instead become supremely powerful anabarists.  But most of the time, they come up with profound new inventions, and win the trust of their people.

The rest of the documents go on to suggest that each 'sphere' had its own native group, and all evolved differently.  With their power over the Gates, the Church expanded beyond their own lands, and apparently stamped out all non-Church religions.  It's unclear on this point; when the Church attempted to take over Anabara, the current ruler's Spark was for weapons of war.

This led to the Church declaring Anabara to be an enemy of their religion, utilizing some mostly-forgotten passage in their holy book about the Shroud being divine, and not to be touched by mortals.

From there, the Anabarans have pretty much just advanced as much as they could without being able to expand through the Gates, while the Church is equally unable to take over since Anabaran technology tends to vaporize stray legions of Templar Guild knights.

Nothing is mentioned about how Nathan's otherself got to through the Gates, and back, nor are there any real suggestions on what the tablet means.  Some of the shapes and symbols crop up in the scattered notes, which at least suggests that other-Nathan was looking for this plaque, or another one with similar symbols ... but that's the extent of it.

As far as Nathan can discern from looking at his otherself's abilities, he probably is an anthropologist ... just in a world without a very clear idea of what they're supposed to do.  Especially since except for the tablet, everyone seems to speak the same language.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 17, 2007, 05:27:50 PM
This is all interesting, and Nathan devours it in short order.  The 'questionable' books may be missing - possibly in the safe, come to think of it - but this was fairly informative.

He's about to start digging for more information on the church - precisely what sort of technology they have, and how they operate, as per Bjorn's request - when it occurs to him that he has no idea what time it is.

Hopefully the sun isn't up yet . . .
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 18, 2007, 02:09:51 AM
Judging by the shiny brass wallclock with the steam-whistle (currently disabled, thanks to a visible switch), it's about two A.M.  Molly has been patiently waiting the entire time, and (curiously enough) seems to have fallen asleep on the floor at some point.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 18, 2007, 02:30:16 AM
Wildly unsure of whether that's actually uncomfortable for a ghost and vaguely surprised that she even needs sleep, Nathan kneels down and gives Molly a shake.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 18, 2007, 02:53:18 AM
She mumbles, "Couldn't eat another muffin," before blinking her eyes open and rubbing them.  "Oh, Master Shuker," she says with a tiny yawn.  "I had the oddest drea...."  She trails off when she notices that her hand drifts through a bookcase, then sighs.

"Sorry," she says somewhat sheepishly.  "Um, was I snoring?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 18, 2007, 03:12:33 AM
Nathan rolls his eyes.

"No, you weren't . . . I just thought I'd wake you in case you wanted to find a bed or something.  I thought that might be uncomfortable."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 18, 2007, 12:25:25 PM
"Oh, right," she says, shaking her head.  "Bed.  Certainly, Master Shuker.  Is there anything else I can do for you, first?"

The clock on the wall quietly ticks the minutes away.  The rest of the house is eerily silent -- no CPU fans to break the noise, no rats above the basement to scurry around.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 18, 2007, 10:26:38 PM
"No, that's it, Molly - have a good night, alright?"

Nathan looks around the room to see if there's somewhere he might be able to put the tablet to keep it out of sight of the servants.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 03:19:07 PM
The vault springs to mind, but without a key....

Nathan could either hide it back in the basement, or possibly find a better hiding spot for it in his room.  Otherwise, the back of the liquor cabinet may do with some creative bottle placement.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 10:39:16 PM
Well, the liquor cabinet doesn't seem like a great idea in the first place, so Nathan lugs it back to his room.

The basement has the advantage of being remote, and the disadvantage that if anyone took it from there it wouldn't be noticed for a long time.  So let's see!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 10:45:37 PM
Nathan's bedroom is imminently respectable.  It's actually like a small apartment within the house -- it's got a sitting room, a walk-in-closet, the actual bedroom (four-poster monstrosity that it is), and there's a wealth of place to hide stone tablets.  Underneath the bed might work, but there's nothing else there, and the lack of dust suggests that servants clean there regularly.

There's the trunk at the foot of the bed, where it could be hidden beneath spare blankets.  And there's a number of boxes of personal possessions in the walk-in closet -- not to mention the the extra liquor cabinet in the sitting room (how much booze does a wealthy man need, though?).
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 10:52:42 PM
"What I really need to do," Nathan muses, "is kill it."

Covering the tablet again in the cloth it originally came with, Nathan looks for box of personal possessions where it looks like the contents wouldn't be looked at very often.  Maybe some books.

If he finds something suitable he'll stash the tablet at the bottom.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 10:55:55 PM
Nathan manages to find a stack of old personal letters between himself and his fiancee (how handy!) that's dusty enough to not have been touched in a while.  The tablet could be hidden beneath easily.  Unfortunately, there don't appear to be any books in any of the boxes ... though, there are a handful in the sitting room.  Novels, for the most part, along with some geographical books with illustrations.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 10:59:59 PM
The letters will do.  He'll need to read those at some point - but that can wait until tomorrow.

For now, sleep!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 11:06:28 PM
Nathan is woken bright and early at 8:30 AM by a loud knock at the door.  "Will you be caring for breakfast this morning, Master Shuker?" Janson's voice asks.

From his vantage, deep within the poster-jungle that constitutes his bed, Nathan realizes that Janson is in the sitting room -- he wouldn't have been heard from the hallway.

Molly is nowhere in sight, at the moment, though the elder Shuker is looking around the room speculatively.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 11:10:13 PM
It's a long moment before Nathan acquires the coherence to realize he's been asked a question.

"Yes please, Janson," he calls back, blearily.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 11:15:35 PM
"Very good, Master Shuker," Janson replies.  "I will leave it here for you."  There's a pause, and then, "Today is the fair; I've been unable to summon a locksmith yet."

"Good news," the elder Shuker says, after poking his head through the door (presumably to make sure that Janson is gone), "but it can wait a bit.  Once you've washed and awoke, I'll meet you in the sitting room."  Dropping his voice to a whisper, he adds, "And I'll keep Molly there for you, too."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 11:19:54 PM
"Great", Nathan mumbles, "I could use some . . . of . . ."

He trails off as he goes back to the project of waking the hell up.

I hate mornings.

Once he -has- found some clothes and washed up, he'll head out to the sitting room.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 11:24:52 PM
The covered tray (looks like the same cart as yesterday's dinner) still conceals a warm variety of breakfast items.  There's a pitcher of something that smells suspiciously like coffee, some creamer, some sugar, some honey ... a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hashed browns.  There's also a pot of tea, a small jar of jam, some butter, and scones.

And now that Nathan bothers to inspect the cutlery, it looks like it's actually silver.  The plates look like fine China, too.  Well, the mansion's got to have things to fill it, one supposes.

Molly is sitting on a couch in the sitting room, a bit away from where the table is.  Of course, a closer glance shows that Molly is not actually sitting on the couch, but hovering a fraction of an inch above it.

The elder Shuker coughs, as Nathan begins assembling breakfast from components.  "I was summoned by Dr. Christianson last night," he notes.  "Somehow -- and I've no idea how -- he's managed to locate and find his way aboard the Starflare."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 11:31:22 PM
Nathan looks up at this, surprised.  "The Starflare?  The lost ship?  That will do wonders for the king's credibility, can he bring it back here?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 11:34:02 PM
"He thinks so," the specter says brightly.  "And you're right; the Starflare would validate His Majesty's Spark.  Currently, of course, no one knows about this in all of Anabara except for you.  Proving it will be difficult, until Dr. Christianson brings it back."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 20, 2007, 11:36:06 PM
"Of course.  But predicting it will get me credibility - and having just been released from an asylum, I could certianly use that."

"Did he give you a timeframe?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2007, 11:37:14 PM
"Not as of yet," the elder Shuker says, frowning.  "I expect he will summon me when he has one."  He pauses.  "I could go ask him, I suppose.  I should have asked when I was there...."  He shakes his head abruptly.  "But, no matter."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 21, 2007, 12:44:19 AM
"Good to know anyway," Nathan muses, starting work on the hot food.

"I found the tablet," he says between mouthfuls, "I had it in the basement.  It's not something I think I can decipher, but I know why people would want it."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 21, 2007, 12:54:04 AM
"Oh?" the elder Shuker asks curiously.  "Is this news I should take to Dr. Christianson?"

"That's what I was killed over?" Molly asks with a frown.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 21, 2007, 01:31:27 AM
"There is a legend," Nathan says slowly, "that says that the Creator left behind a message, an actual physical -object-.  I think this might be that message, or part of it."

"I'm guessing - but that's what I think it is.  My notes have similar markings to what's on here, so I think that I went through the gate looking for it in the first place."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 21, 2007, 01:33:31 AM
"Proof of the Creator?" the elder Shuker asks, raising an eyebrow.  "That would be large."

"Larger than me," Molly agrees with a frown.

"The Church wouldn't willingly let this slip from their grasp ... it must have taken some doing to get!  Can you read the message?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 21, 2007, 01:50:14 AM
Nathan grimaces at Molly's words.

"I don't know what it says, I can't read it.  The legends say that while it's something carried, it's message will be heard - my notes say that I thought that difference was important."

He pauses.

"It wouldn't have been easy to acquire - that might explain a few things about my return."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 21, 2007, 02:16:45 AM
"I can only imagine," the elder Shuker agrees, shaking his head.  "If that tablet is an artifact of the Creator, I can see why Hathoway would be willing to risk what he did for it."

"Hey," Molly says cautiously, quietly, sinking to actually sit on the couch instead of hovering over it.  "Do you think the Inspector's found anything from those men he took custody of?  I mean ... we've got to have 'em on my murder, if nothing else, but it seems to me that Hathoway's going to be in a lot of trouble for that -- at least, he'd better be!"

"It's possible," the elder Shuker murmurs.  "One question comes to mind, though.  How did Hathoway know about the tablet in the first place?  It was never mentioned when you were in the asylum, so he didn't learn about it from you."  He pauses, then narrows his eyes.  "This is more, and deeper.  We don't enjoy regular contact with the Church, but in the name of diplomacy we do allow an envoy from their land to come here once every six months, and another to go back.  Mostly they choose to stay here, though."

"I heard about that," Molly agrees.

Then the elder Shuker turns to her, as though the lecture was for her benefit.  "It's common knowledge," he agrees.  "The timing isn't so well known, though.  But an envoy came through before Nathan returned.  By about a week."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 21, 2007, 03:27:36 AM
"I'd never have gotten through the gate if they knew I had it," Nathan says thoughtfully, "and nobody on this side should even know it existed, which means that Hathoway must have found out some other way.  The simplest explanation is that he's in contact with the church - somehow."

He frowns.  "What methods are there to communicate between the spheres?  Just the gates?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 21, 2007, 10:41:38 PM
Nathan finds that breakfast was delicious, outside of possibly the conversation.

"And ghosts," the elder Shuker notes.

Molly curls her legs beneath her on the couch and looks thoughtful at that.  "Oh, now Hathoway's got ghosts?" she asks.  "Well, now ... why doesn't the fellow that Nathan shot with a bow got a ghost?"  She blinks suddenly.  "Or ... does he, and he's with Hathoway now?"

The elder Shuker looks grim.  "I took pains never to appear before Hathoway -- or those brutish thugs he's made out of convicts with the gates.  Still.  There's the gates, and there are us spirits ... but somehow, I expect there's something else.  Something we don't know, yet."

"Then how to find out?" Molly asks pointedly.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 22, 2007, 12:03:42 AM
"The only real way that occurs to me," Nathan says, "is to spy on him - or ransack his house.  Neither of which seem particularly viable, but I'd like to have a word to the Inspector sometime about both.  The thugs mentioned Hathoway by name, so if he can pry something out of them . . ."

He frowns.

"Well, what we do know is that not everyone becomes a ghost - well, I'd assume not.  But we also know that Hathoway didn't specifically tell them what to look for - just that they'd know it when they saw it - which probably means that he didn't know."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 22, 2007, 01:52:14 AM
"That's a good point," the elder Shuker muses.  "But still.  It seems to me that Hathoway is in some way complicit in Church schemes."

Molly shrugs.  "Maybe, maybe not.  And as well as Master Shuker here killed one of the men what killed me, I'd just as like see the man behind them punished."  She looks the tiniest bit defiant at that, as though daring someone to challenge her.

The elder Shuker glances at her, then back to Nathan.  "Regardless.  What do you suppose would be the best course of action?  Personally, I think I should return to Dr. Christianson and find out when he plans on returning the Starflare -- garnering that support for the king will give us leverage.  Leverage that could be used against Hathoway, too."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 22, 2007, 02:22:58 AM
"I agree that Hathoway has to be working with the church at least in some way - it's the logical conclusion given that he's looking for something that only they should know I have.  I'd gather that they wouldn't want it known - but notably, he possibly isn't trusted enough to be told what it is.  But that conjecture, unfortunately, isn't quite proof - yet."

Nathan starts pouring himself some tea.

"And we'll have his head on a stick, Molly, don't worry about that - and whoever else is in the ditch with him."

"Checking in with Bjorn again," he continues, adding some milk and turning back to the older ghost, "would be really helpful, if you could get some specifics on a timeframe - an immediate dose of credibility."

He pauses.

"My problem is that while I understand the situation I'm not sure where to go.  For now, I think I need to do three things - I need to speak to the Inspector and see what we can get on Hathoway from the thugs, and about the whole situation and our suspicions.  He's the investigator.  Second, I need to find out just what that tablet says . . . and third I need to get into that safe.  I'm hoping that some of the books missing from my study are there - they might be able to tell me something else."

He starts, putting his cup of tea back down, his eyes narrowing.  "You said I didn't have the key when I was committed to the asylum, but do you know if I had it with me when I went through the gate?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 23, 2007, 02:10:59 AM
"If you did take it with you," the elder Shuker says uncertainly, "then it seems to me it most likely would have been lost on the other side of the gate.  But I'm not certain.  I don't believe you had it when you returned.  At least, to the best of my knowledge the vault has been sealed since you left."  He shrugs.  "But the key may be hidden somewhere, simply forgotten.  I am uncertain."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 23, 2007, 05:55:12 AM
"I probably didn't take it," Nathan says, "or at least I'll assume I didn't for the sake of simplicity, which means I probably left it somewhere.  Or with someone, actually."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 24, 2007, 02:24:26 AM
"Well," the specter says, shaking his head.  "Speculation, there.  I can't help you, I'm afraid.  So I'll check in with the good doctor and see what information he can offer, shall I?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 24, 2007, 08:56:42 AM
"Sounds like a plan," Nathan agrees.

"I've got a quick question before you go, though.  Do you know why some people become ghosts?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 24, 2007, 11:52:26 AM
"Not at present, no," the elder Shuker admits.  "Though, until Molly, I didn't realize that anyone else did.  Or perhaps they can, and we simply can't see one-another."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 24, 2007, 12:44:15 PM
"I can't think of anything else then - do you think we're forgetting anything?"

Nathan returns his attention to his tea.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 24, 2007, 10:18:28 PM
The tea tastes more or less like hot water, with hints of other tastes that are as of yet poorly defined.  A handy lemon slice and bowl of sugar suggest possibilities.

"If there is, it's slipped my mind completely," the elder Shuker decides with a shake of his head.

"I take it that poking around this Dr. Hathoway's place to find anything out is a bad idea?" Molly asks thoughtfully.

"Very."

"Bollocks," she mutters.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 24, 2007, 11:12:01 PM
Nathan rolls his eyes.

"I need to have a chat to Holmes today," Nathan says, "But I can't think of anything else I need to be doing as yet."

As for the tea, the obvious answer is sugar!  Why would anyone ever put lemon in tea?  Blcch!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 30, 2007, 12:43:38 PM
Nathan's tea is shortly sweetened.  "I'll be leaving now, then," the elder Shuker says with a nod of his head.  "Take care."

Molly watches the specter fade away, then asks, "What shall we be doing today?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 30, 2007, 12:54:16 PM
"I have . . . no idea," Nathan muses, starting on the tea.

"I guess most of the town's going to be busy with the fair.  I need to speak to Holmes, but getting into the safe will have to wait for tomorrow."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 30, 2007, 12:55:28 PM
Molly raises an eyebrow, kicking one leg out idly.

Nathan is now alone with a ghost girl who can interact with him physically.  She's a pretty good looking girl, too.  It might be a good idea to find something to keep himself busy.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 30, 2007, 12:58:23 PM
". . . aaaand I guess I really should go and see the faire," Nathan continues blithely.

"What are you doing?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 30, 2007, 12:59:14 PM
"I guess I could spy on the rest of the staff," she says doubtfully.  "I think the gardener is being quite lazy."  Then she brightens.  "Oh, I could go to the fair with you!"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 30, 2007, 01:33:31 PM
Nathan rolls his eyes good-naturedly.

"You probably should," he suggests, "haunting the mansion and the rest of the staff is the kind of thing that inspires bad ghost stories."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 31, 2007, 12:44:36 AM
"Oh, my," she says, brightening instantly, clapping her hands together.  "That sounds lovely!"  She hops to her feet.  "When shall we go, then?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 31, 2007, 03:03:09 AM
"I do need to see Holmes sometime," Nathan says, frowning as he thinks, "How far is the constabulary from here? I guess that's where he'd have his office."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 31, 2007, 03:55:43 AM
"Not too far.  You can have Janson ready your carriage, though.  I'm sure that Marius knows the way."  Molly blushes a tiny bit.  "I've never gotten to ride in the carriage, before."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 31, 2007, 04:24:59 AM
"Well, there's a first time for everything."

Nathan finishes his tea and then uses the pull-cord to summon Janson, intending to put Molly's suggestion into practice.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on May 31, 2007, 11:38:09 AM
In short order, Nathan finds himself seated comfortably in the back of a carriage very similar to the one that Holmes took him home in.  Molly bounces on the seat opposite Nathan (facing backwards) and peering through the windows.

A pale and skinny figure, (Marius) directs the horses through the gate and into the streets.  There's a few people wandering around in the neighborhood, most of them well dressed (at least as well-dressed as Nathan, anyway).  It doesn't take long for the carriage to roll down the street and a few blocks further, before reaching the nearest office of the Constabulary.  Makes sense that Holmes was able to summon them so quickly.

Further away, music can be heard, and distant showers of confetti can be seen.  Seems like there's a parade somewhere off in the city.  As Nathan disembarks, Marius warns, "Traffic will be rightly fierce in the city, on account of the fair."

The Constabulary office is a very blocky, unsubtle building that stands an even five stories tall, with a wide stairway leading up the steps to a pair of open double-doors.  Men in uniform stand at either side, and more wander in and out, some of them in their own conversations, a few apparently on their own.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on May 31, 2007, 11:42:33 AM
Nathan stops the first uniformed person who's attention he can catch.

"Excuse me, but I'm looking for Inspector Holmes?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2007, 01:14:49 PM
The man is a big taken aback.  "Sorry, Sir," he says with a shake of his head.  "The Inspector's stationed in the palace itself.  Is something the matter?"

Molly is following behind curiously, but is silent -- just looking the slightest bit irritated when people walk through her.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 02, 2007, 01:24:47 PM
Nathan shakes his head.  "Ah.  No, nothing's the matter but I would like to speak to him about something that's just come to light."

Well, hey, if I already look ignorant may as well continue.

"What would be the simplest way to get a message to him?  It's fairly important."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2007, 01:46:06 PM
The constable blinks for a second, and then says, "We send over couriers several times a day.  Do you know something about criminal activities that he should be made aware of?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 03, 2007, 12:54:27 AM
OOC: Influence back to the default for now: +1 all rolls, +3 persuasion, +2 conversation.

IC:

Nathan frowns.

Watch gives me access to the palace, right.

"Not precisely; I'll go and see him in person - but if possible, could you send him a note for me, saying that Doctor Shuker wants to speak to him fairly urgently.  We spoke yesterday, so he'll know what it's about."

If the constable's agreeable, then Nathan will thank him and . . . have Marius take him to the palace.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 06, 2007, 11:54:38 AM
"Certainly," the constable agrees, nodding quickly.  Then he blinks, as recognition sets in.  "Master Shuker?" he mumbles to himself in surprise as Nathan climbs back into the carriage.

Molly is still there, sitting opposite Nathan and swinging her legs from the edge of the bench like a little kid.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 06, 2007, 10:00:36 PM
"To the palace, Marius," Nathan announces as he climbs back in, pretending not to have heard the constable.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 10, 2007, 03:34:10 PM
"Right away," the coachman replies, closing the door behind Nathan and then scurrying up front.  In short order the carriage is rolling down the streets along the same route that Holmes returned Nathan last time.  It doesn't take long to get to the palace, though Marius stops about a block short with an apology; there seems to be a lot of fair-goers blocking the street at this point.

"You'll need to go ahead on foot," he says with a sorry shrug.  "I'll wait for you here -- closer, if the crowds clear up."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 10, 2007, 04:00:10 PM
Nathan, after thanking Marius, heads into the crowd towards the palace.  Presumably with Molly in tow!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 10, 2007, 04:29:01 PM
Molly doesn't seem to hold up well under bright light.  She's probably there, but she vanishes as soon as she steps out of the carriage.  It doesn't take too long to get through the crowds to the gates.  And looking around at the crowds, everyone seems to be pretty well-dressed ... though, since this is the palace, that makes sense.

At the gates, though, someone's put up a barrier (basically a row of sawhorses, covered with garlands and ribbons), and behind this, an official looking man is delivering a long-winded speech about the Integrities.  Behind him, Aliester is standing in his robes of state, arms crossed and looking bored.

Holmes isn't in sight, but Aliester's eyes flick to Nathan before he bends down to whisper to a guard.  The guard unobtrusively works his way back into the palace, through the gate.  Only a minute later, as far as Nathan can tell, Molly says, "Oh, there's a guard coming at you through the crowd.  Is he a friend?"

Here, Nathan can't see the guard in question through the crowd.  Molly is also lost to sight.  Before he can answer, the guard in question pops up, expertly fitting between a very large woman in an equally large dress, and a dapper man who can't seem to stop adjusting his vest.  "Sir," the guard says, tipping his hat, "if you could come with me...?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 10, 2007, 04:32:54 PM
"I can do that," Nathan responds agreeably, "Lead the way."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 13, 2007, 06:00:58 PM
It turns out that after slipping through the crowd for a hundred meters or so, there's a smaller (and much more discrete) gate into the palace.  The guard leads Nathan through this, into a sizable guardroom.  Once the door is shut, the sound of the crowd (a constant buzz) cuts off.  In the anabaric light, Molly is clearly visible -- though still a bit transparent.

The guard bows apologetically, and Nathan notices another pair sitting at the room's sole furnishing -- a small table pushed against the wall with a bench across it.  The two other guards nod, one of them rising to bolt the door.  All of the guards appear to have very fine quality mechanical revolvers (no anabaric power-cells visible).

"The Maestro wished to speak with you," the first guard adds helpfully, before Nathan can speak.  Then he gestures down the hall leading deeper into the palace.  "You can wait in Inspector Holmes's office, if you'd like."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 13, 2007, 09:20:28 PM
"I'll do that, but where exactly is it?" Nathan asks, "It's been a while, and last time I was here it was a little quick for me to get my bearings."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 14, 2007, 12:20:28 PM
"This way," the guard says again, leading Nathan through the palace.  Down a hall, up some stairs, and to an elevator.  The Inspector's office is about eight stories up, it looks like.  When Nathan gets there, the Inspector is standing with his back to the door, peering down through the large window covering the entire rear wall at the fair-goers.

"Dr. Shuker," he says.  "Good to see that you're well."  He turns around then, as the guard dismisses himself with a bow.  "Would you care for a drink?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on June 15, 2007, 03:25:10 AM
"No, thank you Inspector," Nathan replies, "I just wanted a word with you about a few things, first amongst them the Starflare."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on June 27, 2007, 12:36:22 PM
The Inspector raises an eyebrow.  "An interesting topic," he murmurs.  "One wonders at the coincidence of it coming up again.  Very well, Master Shuker.  What would you like to know?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 01, 2007, 01:18:45 AM
"I've been in contact with Christianson - he's aboard the Starflare, and it's intact."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 01, 2007, 06:16:22 PM
Holmes blinks languidly.  "That's quite interesting," he muses.  "It would mean quite a bit for supporters of the king, if it would return.  Do you know when, or if that is likely to happen?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 01, 2007, 11:21:34 PM
"As far as I know - 'if' is a definite.  I don't have a precise time as to when, but I think fairly soon . . . and I should have a timeframe later today, or tomorrow at the outside."

"I have something else, but first a follow-up question to that - I'm not exactly familiar with the political scene around here.  What's that likely to do, and how can we make use of it?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 13, 2007, 12:37:32 PM
"The Starflare's return?" Holmes asks, raising an eyebrow.  "It secures the king's position.  For one thing, it validates his Spark, making it unquestionable that he's a true heir.  Rumors have been circulating, founded, I'm sure, by the opposition.  This would clear those out.  In addition, the Starflare represents quite a bit of our military force, so more overt attempts to seize the king's power would be likewise stymied.  Those are the two most important factors, immediately.

"Beyond that, a successful voyage will prove that we have no need to listen to the Church, and our own Gate technicians will be able to experiment in peace, to learn the true nature of the Gates.  Ideally, we'd send a military expedition to capture the next sphere, then perfect the Shroud crossing while learning how the Gates worked.  It is because we are approaching shortages of supplies and ... well ... space, that the people are becoming so restless."  Holmes frowns, then turns to the large window behind his desk.  "Quite a bit of space is wasted ... already there's a growing trend of rooftop gardens to supplement a household's food stores.  Soon it will be a necessity instead of a trend.  I doubt the Church realizes how precarious our position here is.

"Royal and military anabarists already spend an untoward amount of time protecting crops from fire and insects.  Our forests have almost been entirely cleared to make fields for farming.  We've converted any number of our emptied mines into complex underground farms ... the situation grows grim, and we can do little more than bide our time and trust in the Spark.  The people want to believe in it ... but with no proof...."  He shrugs, his expression distant, eyes on the far away horizon.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 15, 2007, 01:01:25 AM
"I'll make sure Bjorn's aware of it's urgency," Nathan says, frowning, "but I know he's aboard it and their intent is to return.  The only question is when they'll arrive."

"But if you have the time, tell me of Hathoway - I think I know what his thugs were looking for in my house, and I doubt you'll like it."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 15, 2007, 01:50:44 AM
The elder Shuker chooses this moment to manifest, appearing behind Holmes.  "Hello," he says, bright and cheerful.  Then he pauses, glancing at the Inspector to gauge what's going on.

"Hathoway was a staunch supporter of Aliester to take the crown," Holmes says with a sigh, rubbing his temples.  "This would have been twenty years ago, now.  And Hathoway would have been just sixty, then.  Still alive.  He was one of our foremost Gate technicians -- experimenting on criminals in the hopes of finding a way to translate outside of Anabara with minimal consequence.  I dare say that with more time and victims, he would have been entirely successful.  Unfortunately, he went through convicts too quickly for the taste of the public."

"Is this an inopportune time?" the elder Shuker asks with a frown.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 15, 2007, 02:51:55 AM
Nathan blinks in surprise.

"A moment, Inspector . . .", he says, shifting his gaze to the ghost, "That was quicker than I thought, did Bjorn tell you when?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 15, 2007, 04:36:07 AM
"Very soon," the elder Shuker says, offering a pleased smile.  "I'm not sure how long it took me to get here, but he said within three hours."

Holmes blinks languidly.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 16, 2007, 11:29:29 AM
"Uh."

Nathan looks taken aback by this.

"Apparently, Inspector, the Starflare should arrive sometime within the next three hours," he relays, "and Bjorn didn't think to pass that on before?  I swear I'll smack him one."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 16, 2007, 11:39:16 AM
"Within the next three hours!" Holmes exclaims, jumping to his feet.  "There's scarcely enough time to warn-"

But then, timing seems to be an issue here, because alarms begin sounding throughout the palace. Already on his feet, Holmes makes a dash for the door, yelling, "Call off the defenses!  Call off the defenses!  It's the Starflare!"

A moment later, a voice echoes from the sky.  Not just any voice, Bjorn's voice: "This is the HMS Starflare. In the name of the King, cease your fire and stand down."

Almost immediately, Aliester's voice launches itself skyward, just as audible.  "HMS Starflare, this is Aliester Sondheim, Minister to His Majesty.  You are ordered to come about and make landing at the southern Imperial Shipyard.  Cease further communications until this point."

Holmes, now halfway down the hall, says, "We must meet with Aliester; his ornithopter will be leaving for the shipyard shortly, and I think this is something we'd best not miss."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 16, 2007, 07:14:13 PM
"And just," Nathan complains, "when I thought I might be getting on top of things he has to do this."

Nathan waves for the ghost to come, and chases Holmes out the door and down the hall - beckoning Molly along if he spots her.  If not, though, he doesn't have the time to go looking.

EDIT: Sorry I'm so slow guys.

I'm at work during the days now.  I can post, but slowly, and I can't get on IRC, so if possible let me know there's postage happening over AIM?  If you want a timely response, anyway!
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 16, 2007, 11:07:47 PM
Molly has an uncanny knack for popping up when least expected, but doesn't seem to this time.  Holmes leads the way, dashing into the very elevator that Aliester and his honor guard are taking up to his ornithopter.

"Fortuitous," Aliester remarks, eyeing the Inspector.  "Your thoughts?"

"This was largely expected," Holmes says with an easy smile and apologetic shrug.  "With some easily explicable variance in precise timing."

Aliester raises an eyebrow.  "I see," he says thoughtfully.  "And is there anything I should be expecting of the crew of the Starflare when we meet them again?"

Holmes coughs as the elevator reaches the top of the shaft and opens.  Gesturing to Nathan, he says, "I think we should speak with one more qualified.  The elder Shuker, who didn't fit in the elevator shaft, reappears on the landing pad.  The same one Nathan landed on after escaping the asylum, it appears.  The ornithopter's wings are still, but two pilots are busy punching at the control panel and working levers.

Aliester motions for Nathan and the Inspector both to follow, and climbs aboard the ornithopter.  "I shall need this to be concise," he says, glancing upward.

Distantly, the bulk of a much larger airship than Nathan has seen before is drifting downward, trailing smoke.  Disconcertingly, smoking debris drops off from the ship, raining down almost directly towards one of the city's numerous spires.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 17, 2007, 12:11:35 AM
"I can't tell you very much," Nathan says as he clambers into the ornithopter, "All I really know is that Christianson is aboard it - and that the voice telling everyone to stand down was him."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 17, 2007, 12:25:18 AM
The ornithopter takes off in a thunderous crash of noise -- until Aliester waves a hand, whereupon it falls totally silent.  "I would like to know more of this Christianson," he says, steepling his hands together beneath his chin, and swiveling his seat around to face Nathan.  "I am curious -- I have never met an anabarist with mastery of sound outside of the royal family.  Is it possible he carries the Spark from his own sphere?  Is he royalty there?"

He smiles grimly, lowering his hands to his lap.  "I apologize if I sound unkind," he says, "but I must know everything that I can before I speak with him.  Knowledge is a power, and besides anabaric energy, the greatest power."

A brass tube projecting from the wall near Aliester's seat buzzes, and the Minister flips open the cap.  "Yes?" he asks, glancing at it in irritation.  "Minister," one of the crew says, perhaps apologetically, "one of the spires was directly hit with the falling debris -- shielding is out.  Additionally, the Starflare is signaling that it will be making landing in Heldgrim foundry instead of the merchant's berths."

Aliester grunts.  "Allow it," he says after a moment of thought.  "They'll need repairs; have them met with a full compliment of royal guards.  No, make it two.  We should land before they do, unless they do something suspicious."  He snaps the tube shut with a click and shakes his head.  "More pertinent questions," he says.  "Is this Christianson likely to oppose our king?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 17, 2007, 12:41:18 AM
"Not likely," Nathan answers immediately, "He's more likely to be polite and hedge his bets so as not to offend anyone until he knows where he stands.  He'll follow my lead, though."

He pauses a moment.

"And while I know he's not an anabarist I don't know precisely what he actually is - just that it's not something Anabara is familiar with."
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 17, 2007, 12:44:32 AM
"This should be interesting," Aliester says with a frown.  "I suppose you've never been to the Heldgrim facility?"  The speaking tube buzzes again, and Aliester flips it open.

"We're making landing now," the pilot says, almost apologetically.  "The Starflare has about two minutes left on its descent; maneuvering thrusters seem to have been damaged by the initial assault."

"Good."  The cover is snapped shut.  "Does he have any habits I should be aware of?  Anything I should avoid doing, lest I offend him?"
Title: Insanity
Post by: Rezantis on July 17, 2007, 01:41:15 AM
"Don't try to shoot him out of the sky," Nathan says drily, "but I don't think you'll have too many problems, he's a reasonable sort."

Usually.
Title: Insanity
Post by: Brian on July 17, 2007, 02:01:22 AM
Aliester snorts.  "Not my doing," he says with an apologetic shrug.  "The Shroud ceiling should be lower, however.  Curious ... we'll need to look into it later.  An apology can be made."

The craft's doors open, the wings slowing down and halting.  Aliester removes his safety belts and jumps out -- Holmes is just behind him.  The ornithopter has landed on a pad in some sort of rectangular well.  The walls are lined with large pieces of idle machinery, likely to maintain some larger craft.  The bay looks, on closer inspection, large enough to accomodate a craft the size of the Starflare, which is even now limping into sight, trailing a stream of dark smoke.

The two groups of royal guards are standing in formation on opposite sides of what appears to be a giant landing cradle.  It doesn't take too long for the ship to come to rest on the series of giant cushioned posts, which creak a bit ominously, but hold.  There's a good possibility that this is actually the place this craft was originally built, come to think of it.  After the ship comes to rest, the circle of cannon ports around the center stops spinning; many of the running lights wink off.  The distant whine of the engine shuts off, too.

A walkway lowers to the ground, and shortly after it extends fully, a blone man in military uniform strides out with a relaxed pace and an easy grin.  Behind him, at the top of the walkway, Nathan sees three of his friends, and a total stranger.

There's a short, swarthy, half-naked Bjorn.  There's a buff, massive looking red-skinned Tom.  And there's an average-guy-looking Phil.  The stranger is dressed in the robes of a priest, at a glance, with the symbol of a Gate on his chest.  He looks very nervous, and follows Phil like a lost puppy.

This thread now closes, and Nathan moves to Space Oddity (http://www.soulriders.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1004624#1004624).