Today is a special day for Jeremy Fitzwilliam.
Today, he is going to help somebody. Nonwithstanding the fact that his life as of yet has been dedicated to helping people, but every life set slightly higher means something in the cosmic scheme of things. Every good deed counts, and Selenites rarely forget this.
Heading towards the London Tube from his modest apartment, he finds it slightly relaxing in suburbia London. Unlike the city centre, it's not full of traffic and people, but a calm, picturesque neighbourhood. Not many people are out, but there's plenty of trees and neatly trimmed lawns about, along with a couple of evening dog-walkers heading towards the local park.
Fitz needs to cut across it, too. There's not many people there, in any case, and in the early evening, it's even a little creepy. A full moon is out, but it's illumination amongst the leafy trees emphasizes the darkness more than dispels it.
A slight moaning reaches his ears; a constant, low-pitches whine, over and over again. Slightly breathy, it seems to be coming for against a particularly tall redwood tree, about ten-fifteen metres away from the path.
Fitz can't make out what it is, but he can make out a pair of suited men a lot further along the path, striding purposefully in his direction. Not that that's saying much; they're probably just cutting across the park to get home.
As usual on his way to a homeless shelter in central London, Fitz slows his crossing of the green when he hears the whine. He looks at the men ahead of him first, then looks to the side of the path, trying to see if he can determine who's making the noise through the mottled gloom. If he stops, he might miss the train he's aiming for, but whoever it is certainly sounds in distress.
A closer look reveals there to be a man crouched, leaning up against the mighty tree. It's difficult to tell, but he looks to be relatively slight, and his face is apparently framed by long, dark hair of indeterminate colour.
He seems to be holding his head in his hands, and that constant moan doesn't stop.
Without thinking twice, Fitz leaves the path and heads towards the hunched figure. He approaches slowly, looking the man over to see if there is anything obviously wrong. Apart, of course, from the fact that he's acting like a patient in a mental ward.
He stops about a foot and a half from the man and squats down, trying to get a look at his face.
"Uh.. excuse me... hello?"
It's quite clear from this point of view that the man is terrified.
He's shivering, even though it's not particularly cool, and despite his long red coat and thick pants and shirt, he's rocking back and forth as if trying to get together some warmth. Seems to be of slightly asian complexion, too.
He looks at Fitz surprised, and almost a little relieved, but soon returned to his slow rocking motions, with a little less moaning and a little more talking;
"He's coming.. he's coming... he's coming..."
Out of the corner of his eye, Fitz notices an empty scabbard on the mans belt, swinging back and forth in time with his swaying.
Fitz takes the lessening of the moaning as a good sign, and moves a little closer to the poor man. If he's got that scabbard... where's the sword, he wonders. He offers up a small, silent prayer to Selene for aid in helping this man.
"Who is coming, may I ask?" he says, looking around to see if anyone is heading towards the tree. "There doesn't seem to be anyone here looking for you."
Heavy footsteps approach behind Fitz, and a heavy voice speaks, "Excuse me, is something the matter?"
Without standing up, Jeremy turns to look at whoever spoke, hoping that they don't notice the scabbard at the man's side.
"This fellow appears to be rather upset. Maybe a little too much to drink, eh? I'm just seeing if there's anything I can do to help."
Fitz glances back at the red-coated man, to see whether he's lapsed into the moaning fit again.
[15:15] <C-Rat> <->
[15:17] <C-Rat> "I don't smell any alcohol," begins the businessman. You note that there doesn't appear to be anyone else around.. but there's still this odd feeling that someone else *is*, and given the darkness of the park, and the fact that there's a man obscuring your view, it's hard to tell in any case.
[15:19] * Fitz shrugs amicably. "Me neither. Still, he seems a bit out of sorts. Perhaps I should get him a cup of coffee somewhere in out of the cold."
[15:21] <C-Rat> "Indeed," replies the businessman, shrugging. "He certainly doesn't sound too good..." You note that the guy has dropped out of distinct words and has started moaning again, his eyes slightly glazed over.
[15:23] * Fitz turns back to the shaking man. "Hey, don't start that again. Would you like to go and get a coffee somewhere, and calm down a bit? It's on me."
[15:24] <Fitz> roll 3d6
[15:24] * Bjorn --> "Fitz rolls 3d6 and gets 6."
[15:25] <C-Rat> Behind you, you hear very fast and very light footsteps rapidly approaching, a very short distance away. The steps are a little irregular, but *very* light- if it wern't for the crunch of the grass, you'd never hear them.
[15:26] * Fitz turns around to look at the source of the noise. "What the..."
[15:30] <C-Rat> Alarmingly, behind the businessman is a tall figure. You wouldn't expect to be able to make out too much of him in the darkness, but he emits a faint glow that causes him to stand out at this range. You can't imagine why you wouldn'tve seen him earlier; how could he have moved so quickly? It's also hard to make out much of his body, but you can see part of his face. There's some extremely pale skin, and light-blue hair that hangs down over his face. Also, there's a gaping socket where an eye should be, and blood runs freely down his face. However, he looks *pissed*.
[15:32] <C-Rat> There's some extremely pale skin, and light-blue hair that hangs down over his face. Also, there's a gaping socket where an eye should be, and blood runs freely down his face. However, he looks *pissed*.
[15:33] <Fitz> Shit.
[15:33] * Fitz stands up and grabs the businessman by the shoulders, thrusting him behind himself, towards the shaking guy. No time for worrying about anyone seeing anything out of the ordinary.
[15:36] <C-Rat> The businessman, strangely, hasn't noticed the bleeding guy, shouting in protest as you shove him out the way- and promptly shutting up when he *does* notice the man. With a clear view (and the guy only a good metre or so away from you), you see that this.. almost elfin figure is wearing flaring pants and a loose shirt- looking more like they belong in 'Arabian Nights' than anything else.
[15:36] <C-Rat> He's not holding anything, but he's got a couple gashes across his chest, and his own (empty) scabbard at his hip.
[15:36] <C-Rat> (And now, we go into combat time!)
[15:37] <Fitz> (Wee~)
[15:37] <C-Rat> OOC: Combat Time begins, if you don't know, at Phase 12, where *everyone* has an action. Therefore, whoever has the highest dex gets to go first.)
[15:38] <Fitz> (Wait, we start at phase 0 though, aye?)
[15:40] * Fitz will start with a quick prayer to Selene for protection.
[15:40] <Fitz> roll 3d6 for Battle Meditation
[15:40] * Bjorn --> "Fitz rolls 3d6 for Battle Meditation and gets 9."
[15:44] <C-Rat> Holy power flows through your mind and into your head, but spells are left yet uncast, for the prayer only recieves knowledge, and not manifest power. Magic courses through your mind, and names course through; Chains of Light, Mental Reaffirmation, and Armour of Faith.
[15:49] <Fitz> Right. In that case Fitz casts Armour of Faith, making arcane gestures and mumbling loud, inhuman "words".
[15:50] <C-Rat> Light coalcizes about the priest, and a shimmering layer of force overlaps his vision slightly for a moment, as he concentrates on nothing else. It fades within moments...
[15:51] <Fitz> "Who are you?"
[15:52] <C-Rat> ...giving him a perfect view of the tall man striding right past him (not bothering to answer, naturally), shoving the businessman aside, and reaching to pull the up the moaning, sword-deprived man up by the collar.
[15:55] <C-Rat> With incredible speed, and screaming incoherently, the almost-handsome-if-he-still-had-his-eye man produces a knife from inside his robes, and slashes across the man just pulled up (who's doesn't seem to notice, amazingly enough). It doesn't appear to be a deep wound. Perhaps the crazy man just can't see properly after all.
[15:57] * Fitz will, due to lacking any weapon, move towards the pair and attempt to fetter the bastard in pure light?
[15:59] <Fitz> roll 3d6 (with +2 in OCV from CSL spells?)
[15:59] * Bjorn --> "Fitz rolls 3d6 (with +2 in OCV from CSL spells?) and gets 10."
[16:02] <C-Rat> Swirling lights extend from Fitz's rapidly moving hands, encasing the bleeding-bishounen in ropes of white, holding back his arms and legs.
[16:02] <Fitz> roll 4d6 ENTANGLINATION
[16:02] * Bjorn --> "Fitz rolls 4d6 ENTANGLINATION and gets 10."
[16:03] <C-Rat> roll 2#1d6
[16:03] * Bjorn --> "C-Rat rolls 2#1d6 and gets 5, 1."
[16:03] * Bjorn --> "Fitz rolls 4#1d6 and gets 5, 1, 2, 5."
[16:04] <C-Rat> The figure drops the knife as the lights surround him. He starts to thrash about- but to no avail. He managed to turn his head, though, and glares balefully at you for a moment.
[16:05] * Fitz moves between the trapped figure and the (I assume prone now) man.
[16:05] <C-Rat> The businessman is looking stunned, having fallen over out of shock when Fitz started tossing around magic. However, the moaning man is looking up at the encased figure, practically gibbering with horror.
[16:06] * Fitz , still lacking weaponry, tries to take away the trapped bishie's scabbard as a makeshift beatstick.
[16:06] <C-Rat> It's not a hard task; it's merely stuck in his belt. It's a good, oh, 35 inches long, and looks to be made of fairly solid stuff.
[16:07] <C-Rat> The bishie isn't screaming in rage anymore, but is breathing very hard. It sounds as if he's trying to force himself to calm down.
[16:09] <C-Rat> If you leave, the magic may dissapate.
[16:09] <Fitz> "Who the hell are you?!" Fitz yells, pissed off in the extreme, and freaked out by the lack of eye.
[16:10] <C-Rat> The guy stares at you for a moment, his heavy breathing starting to come under control. He doesn't reply, but his lone eye doesn't like you at all.
[16:12] * Fitz , without looking around, talks to the man on the floor. "Do you know who this guy is? Is he who you were talking about before?"
[16:12] <C-Rat> The guy on the ground is quite beyond coherent speech. Despite the obvious entrapment of the man in front of him, he's terrified.
[16:14] * Fitz ponders, at a loss of what to do short of beating the crap out of the guy. Probably no use in getting the police, if these people are his kind of people.
[16:15] <C-Rat> While Fitz thinks, the businessman has gotten up and run off, terrified. You don't think he'll be coming back, somehow. On the other hand, the eyeless-guy has got his breathing under control...
[16:16] * Fitz sighs, and tries to get something out of the eyeless-guy. "You're a swordsman?" he asks, waving the stolen scabbard. "A kensei?"
[16:17] <C-Rat> With a baleful glare, the man's lone eye suddenly focuses on your head;- and a jolt of pain flashes through your brain!
[16:18] <C-Rat> However, your mind manages to shake it off. Somehow. Either way, you're going to have a headache later.
[16:18] * Fitz growls, and (if it's his action) turns that growling and some improptu hand waving into Mental Reaffirmation.
[16:24] * Fitz takes a swipe at the bastard's head, with his CSL: All in OCV, and his MA in damage classes, pushing his strength if he can.
[16:25] <C-Rat> With a sound crack on the skull, the bastard goes limp in the supporting chains of light. That really is one hard scabbard.
[16:25] * Fitz looks the scabbard over, wondering why someone, or rather two people, would be wandering around with empty scabbards.
[16:25] <C-Rat> You're left with a terrified ex-swordsman lying prone on the ground, and nobody in the immediate vicinity. The northen park is started to feel very lonely, and more than a little eerie.
[16:26] <C-Rat> The scabbard is quite elaborate; the wood is imprinted with images of diamonds, rubies; precious metals, all. However, it's made entirely of wood. It looks like it could fetch a fair price to a collector of such things.
[16:27] * Fitz crouches down next to the gibbering wreck of a swordsman. "He's out cold. Are you hurt badly?"
[16:28] <C-Rat> The swordsman doesn't actually seem hurt at all, beyond his brain, which is showing no signs of fixing itself, given that he's still intensly disturbed by the presence of the bishonen, whose earlier light glow is rapidly fading.
[16:29] <Fitz> "Hrm. That glow..." Fitz lays his hands upon the swordsman, if he will let him, to dispel any effect the bishie might have used on him.
[16:31] <C-Rat> With the bishie not responding, the swordsman, after a few moments (and another try of the spell) stops his constant moaning, and starts struggling to pull himself together. He's still wide-eyed, and certainly not the epitome of poise that many such men attempt to aspire to.
[16:31] <C-Rat> However, he's getting back in control of himself- and doesn't seem to know where he is. "Who.. who're you?" he asks, fretfully.
[16:32] * Fitz offers him a hand. "Jeremy Fitzwilliam. Fitz, if you'd rather. And you?"
[16:33] <C-Rat> The man pulls himself to his feet. From here, his slight asian looks are significant, but his voice is relatively clean. "Uh.. Jared," he replies, his hand straying towards his (empty) scabbard. "But it's dangerous here! You should get.. away.." His voice trails off as he sees the ensared bishonen, and he looks quite shocked.
[16:34] * Fitz smiles slightly. "Was this man after you?" he asks, waving the stolen scabbard.
[16:35] <C-Rat> The mans eyes look a little shifty. "Uh. In a manner of speaking," he says, glancing around. "Are you.. a mage?"
[16:36] * Fitz shakes his head. "I'm a priest. I do Selene's work, and she helps me in this world. You look like a swordsman.. a kensei. But where is your sword? And where is his?"
[16:37] <C-Rat> The man looks around, surprised. "Uh. Somewhere back in the woods, I think. I remember disarming him, and striking him in the head.. and then it all goes blank," he says. "I think I've got a headache.." Now that he mentions it, he looks mighty tired. "A priest, eh? Not the sort I'd expect to deal with a.. a fighter like that."
[16:39] * Fitz shrugs lightly. "As I said, Selene aids me where she can. After he was bound, he wasn't that much of a threat.. although, speaking of headaches..." Fitz rubs his head. "Do you know whether he might have some kind of.. mind-altering power?"
[16:39] <Fitz> "He certainly seemed to be doing something to you."
[16:40] <C-Rat> Jared pauses for a moment. "I don't honestly know," he says, and traces of an asian accent slip through. "I think I remember.. running from something. Something horrible, beyond anything I could face.. but I don't think there was anything around but him."
[16:41] <C-Rat> "Look, uh, you seem to have the situation well in hand," he says, gesturing to the unmoving figure. "I might just, uh, go. Yeah."
[16:42] <Fitz> "Wait! You two were fighting, he's nothing to do with me."
[16:42] <C-Rat> This guy isn't obviously very good at concealing his feelings, because he's starting to look extremley shifty.
[16:43] * Fitz takes a step closer, trying to stare the man down. "It's not often these sorts of fights spill over into normal London. What's going on?"
[16:44] <C-Rat> The man looks sideways. "It's a long story. And not one to be told in the middle of a park where anyone can hear," he replies, ignorant of the fact that nobody is around.
[16:45] <C-Rat> "Just, uh, take it from me. This guy is dangerous and probably shouldn't be left to run around as he pleases."
[16:45] <C-Rat> "Just take a look at him! He's clearly not from around here."
[16:46] <Fitz> "I could guess that much. I think we need to go somewhere we can keep an eye on this guy, and you can tell me what's going on, so we figure out what to do about him."
[16:46] <C-Rat> "Well, you're the priest," comments the Kensei, dryly. He's certainly regained his composure pretty quickly. Maybe he's just used to this sort of thing.
[16:47] <C-Rat> "You're the one who probably has spies and contacts and templar and god-knows-what- literally- all over the city. I'm just a travelling swordsman."
[16:48] <Fitz> "Yes. The church may be able to do something. But that still leaves the matter of who he is. What don't you want to tell me?"
[16:49] <C-Rat> "Well, I want to think about what to say," he replies, forthrightly. "I don't know the whole story."
[16:49] <C-Rat> "But, uh, you'll excuse me when I say I don't really feel like talking about it when he could wake up anytime and blast us with mind-juice, or whatever it was you think he can do."
[16:52] <Fitz> "Fine. We'll take him to my apartment, and I'll figure out some way to contain him. Surely he won't be able to blast us if he can't see, hear or move."
[16:55] <C-Rat> Jared looks dubious. "Well, ok. How far is it to your place?"
[16:56] <Fitz> "Just a couple of minutes walk." Fitz points in the direction he was coming from before all this started. Guess volunteering at the shelter tonight isn't going to happen any more.
Abruptly, Fitz's phone rings. A quick look at the mobile screen reveals that it's his little brother, making it a dubious call if he should pick up or not.
Fitz glances at the phone, then shakes his head. Not the time. I'll call him back later. He stops the call and turns to Jared. "Let's go. Help me carry him. If anyone asks, he's just a friend of ours who's not doing too well, and we're taking him home to rest."
With that, Fitz wraps the one-eyed kensei's left arm around his shoulder, and puts his arm around his waist, ready to let the binding go when Jared takes the other side. Then, they head home.
It's a bit of a walk carrying a comatose guy, but in a short amount of time (and thankfully, without being seen), Fitz and Jared reach.. the Apartment.
Better work fast pulling him up the stairs. Anyone could just pop out, and then where would they be? It does look pretty damn suss to carry up a one-eyes body..
Fitz mutters under his breath, wishing they'd covered the guy's eye or something. Nevertheless, nothing much else to do, so he heads up the stairs. He doesn't want to think about what would happen if they bump in to anyone.
Luck seems to be on Fitz's side today, though, as he goes upstairs and finds the door to His Apartment.
Fitz leaves Jared holding the bishie for a moment as he unlocks the door to his apartment.
"Put him there," he says, pointing to the sofa. The sofa lies in the middle of the large open room the door opens into, on Jeremy's right. On his left is the door leading to his bedroom and bathroom. The open plan room includes a siting area with sofa, tv, and a couple of chairs, a table further away for eating, and then just round the corner there's a small kitchen.
Not a very large apartment, in all, but nicely furnished and decorated in light, pastel colours, and it's home.
Jared, showing quite the relief, dumps the elf-like guy on the sofa, and abruptly stands upright.
"I don't have my sword," he says, fists clenching. "Uh. I guess you wouldn't have a spare, would you? Got anything to drink?"
Yup, a real abrupt-changer, this guy. Now that you've got a good look at him, you see he's pretty young, too, with smooth-looking cheeks and youthful eyes. Maybe just past eighteen-nineteen?
Fitz shakes his head with a smile. "I don't tend to keep bladed weapons in stock. The drink I can manage though." He heads around the corner into the kitchen.
"What'd you like? Tea, coffee.. " he roots around in the fridge a bit. "Coke, juice... water?"
After serving Jared a drink, he pours himself a glass of water with some ice, and returns to the main room. Crossing to the sofa, he kneels down in front of the comatose bishie, to have a look at his wounded eye. It seemed quite serious, earlier.
Well, it is quite serious, because his eye just isn't there. There's a gaping hole, and while Fitz is no medical expert, he can't assume that's going to be very good for his well-being, especially seeing as there's still blood all over his face.
Grimacing at the ghastly mess, Fitz lays his hands on the man's forehead and calls upon Selene, trying to scar over the wound, stop the bleeding, whatever - anything to try and make sure that wound isn't going to open up if the guy starts thrashing when he wakes up.
That done (whatever the result) Fitz recreates the bindings around him, trying to extend them to cover the man's good eye and his ears, so he can't see or hear him and Jared, and hopefully not attack them however he did before...
Hopefully.
Selene forthcoming, the wound cleans itself and seals up.
There's no replacement eye, however; it's like his face just melded about the hole and replaced it with flesh, giving him a decidedly unnerving cyclopian look. However, with the bandage in place, it's not noticed. The bindings, now recreated about his body, hold him firmly in place. Not that he's actually awake.
Jared, having helped himself to some water, appears, and glances at the man. "Doesn't look so scary now, does he?" he comments, raising an eyebrow at the improptu healing.
Standing up, Fitz turns to Jared.
"Nope. Though I don't want him to wake up for a while. I still don't have a clue what he was doing to both of us." He sips his own glass of water, and crosses to the table. "I may, or rather the church may be able to sort something out, get him back home and make it unlikely he'll return or something. Meanwhile, what's going on that you didn't want to tell me out there?"
Perched on the edge of the table, Fitz watches Jared carefully as he answers.
Jared looks shifty.
"Well, I'm just a swordsman, as you can see," he replies, shrugging. "You know. Kensei or whaddever you called it, the name doesn't really matter.
That guy," he continues, prodding it, "Is a manifestation of evil from another world!"
His voice squeaks up at the end of his sentence, making it not-quite-so dramatic and emphasizing his youth.
Fitz stares for a second, then opens his mouth.
And stares some more.
"He's a what? Where on earth.. never mind. Where did he come from? And why was he after you?"
"Well, I was technically after him, but he will settle for nothing less than the domination of this earth," replies Jared, nodding. "I don't know where he came from, but it's, uh, not from around here.
My master- he hasn't told me his real name- told me about these things, and he says they're possessed of great psychic powers and incredible bladesmanship. So I decided to seek one out, and I found one."
"Psychic power sounds fami-" Fitz double takes. "You were after him? And you knew how powerful he was? I know you guys are always looking for a fight, but be serious."
"Anyway, that's it. I'm calling someone right now. If this guy is what you say he is, I have to get the Church invovled. Maybe we can... banish him, or something. I'm certain Selene can, but.. for any man to channel that much of her power..." he trails off. Fishing the mobile phone out of his pocket, he dials the number for Richard Leyes. He'll almost certainly know where some of the higher-ups can be found right now. And then he has to call Charlie. Must remember that.
"Hey, hang on," replies Jared. "What're the higher-ups gonna do?"
"Send him back where he came for, or perhaps destroy him. I'm not sure. But I'm not leaving him lying around without at least asking their advice. There are people in the church far wiser and more experienced than myself." He does not mean that last as an insult against the swordsman's youth. Really.
Jared pauses. "Well, ok," he replies, dubiously. "Are you sure it wouldn't be better to just kill him now? There's no telling what he'll do whe he wakes up, and those constraints might not last long."
"You smacked him in the head, and he just kept going. What if we stabbed him, and he just didn't die? You said yourself he's an insanely powerful otherwordly creature.What else did your master tell you about them?"
"Before I stabbed him, he was all calm and serene, though," replies Jared, shrugging. "Didn't bat an eyelid when we started fighting, and didn't seem at all concerned. Well, until I stabbed him. Then he went beserk.
I'm pretty sure he was screaming in pain as well as anger, though. My master couldn't tell me much, apart from that it was imperitive they're not allowed to run around loose."
Fitz shakes his head with finality. "No. This isn't worth taking a risk over. Those chains will last long enough for me to ask somebody far more experienced than myself, and far closer to Selene. Even if they decide, like you, to kill him, with Selene behind them they are far more likely to succeed."
With that, Fitz calls Richard, intending to ask where some of the more senior members of the church could be found right now.
Jared shrugs, looking nonplussed.
Richard picks up on the other end, and his throaty voice is the first familiar sounds you've heard all night. "Leyes, here," he says.
"Hey, Richard! It's Jeremy. How's things? Me? I've.. been better. There's something really odd going on over here. A swordsman showed up, with someone, or rather something, chasing him. Anyway, I need to get in touch with some of the elder members of the church. Do you think you could get hold of them for me?"
"Woah, woah. Slow down," replies Richard. "What're you talking about?"
Fitz takes a deep breath, rubbing his eyes with his hands.
"Sorry, it's been an odd evening... I was on my way to the shelter, going through the green, and I heard someone over by a tree, wheezing and groaning. When I went over, about five seconds after I started talking to him, some berserk elfin guy came out of nowhere and started attacking the guy! I managed to... um... subdue him, but not before he tried some mind-trick on me. Left me a massive headache, that did."
"So, it turns out the groaning man was a swordsman, and he went looking for this 'manifestation of evil from another world' - that's what he called the berserk - to fight. So, I need to get some advice on how exactly to banish or vanquish him, or which of those is a good idea."
Fitz sighs heavily. "Yeah. It's been a long night."
Richard pauses for a moment.
"Maybe I should come over," he replies, slowly. "I'm not sure bothering the higher-ups is such a good idea, right now."
Fitz smiles, glad of any help and advice at this point.
"That'd be great. How long do you think you'll be?"
"Great. Cheers. Bye."
Fitz hangs up, and turns back to Jared. "Someone's coming over. Do you want something to eat at all?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm starving," replies Jared, nodding.
"Hm. There's a good Indian down the road, and I know Richard's always up for that. Okay by you?"
Fitz calls the place and orders a selection of curries, rice, pashwari naan and poppadoms, if Jared has no objections. If he does, he probably orders pizza. Hopefully it'll arrive just after Richard.
While waiting for the indian food to arrive, there's a low groan coming from the captured guy.
Jared has acquired a chef's knife from your kitchen. He's looking over the guy, and fingering it. It looks much sharper than you remember, too.
Fitz eyes Jared with vague disapproval, but grabs the discarded scabbard, just in case. He also checks over the bindings, to make sure they cover the eyes and ears if they can, and if not he roots around the house for an old shirt to rip up and tie around the guys head. He just hopes he can't do that "immense psychic power" when he can't see to attack...
Richard had better get here soon. Jared looks ready to do bloody murder, whether it's a good idea or not in the circumstances.
After a few minutes, there's a light knock on the door.
After those few (awkward) minutes, Jeremy gladly heads to the door and opens it, to let in Richard or the delivery, whichever has appeared first.
It's the delivery guy, dropping off the indian food.
While Fitz is busy dealing with the man, he starts to here some thumping and thrashing, which is shortly ended by one heavy, bashing sound.
"Uh, is something the matter?" the delivery guy asks.
"Nothing. We're just trying to set up one of those damn camp beds. They're a right bugger. Thanks."
Fitz gives the man an extra large tip, and, once the door is closed, prays to Selene that he won't do something stupid, like call the police.
He then turns back to see just what happened behind him.
Jared, looking annoyed, gestures to the thing. "He was waking up, so I punched him," he says, in an explanatory tone.
Fitz shrugs, in a "what can you do" kind of way. At least he didn't knife him.
"Well, anyway. Food's here, and Richard shouldn't be long."
Fitz heads into the kitchen and puts the food in the oven to stay warm, along with some plates to heat up.
A short while later, after Jared and Fitz have both started to chew away at the take-out (it's a little cold), there's another light knock on the door.
"Ah. That'll be Richard, then." Fitz says, getting up. He checks on the prisoner on the way to the door, to see if there's any sign of him waking up this time, and then opens the door.
And finds himself looking at the point of a glass sword, pointed directly at his eyes.
The bearer of the sword could be the prisoners twin, excepting that he has both his eyes, has an incredibly serene-looking disposition, and speaks, in a clear, precise, tone, "I believe you have custody of a friend of mine."
Fitz has the slighest feeling that this is not the time to lie. He must know his twin is here, somehow.
"Yes," he says carefully, moving back a couple of inches so he can see him lying on the couch behind him. And to get away from that sword. "I assume you want him back?"
The man keeps that sword-tip dangerously close to Fitz's face. "That is correct," he replies. "Turn around."
Jared looks up at that, and, clutching his knife, starts to make towards the guy with the confidence of a stalking panther. He doesn't say anything, but his face is all seriousness.
Fitz backs away another couple of steps before turning around, hoping the guy won't lash out at him when he notices Jared's weapon.
OOC: Going into combat time, here. Phase 12. Jared, Bishounen, Fitz.
Jared glides forward, lashing out with a slashing blow towards the bishounens. He's very good, clearly, because he manages to skip past that glass sword and deliver a painful-looking blow to the guy (who tried to block, but obviously had trouble when Jared actually closed distance.)
Fitz jumps back way from the two swordsmen, closing his eyes and starting to shout guttural syllables, his hands tracing strange patterns in the air before him as he tries to trap the bishounen in chains of light matching his twin.
OOC:
* Bjorn --> "Baka-ken rolls 3d6 attack and gets 11."
* Bjorn --> "Baka-ken rolls 4d6 entangle ^^ and gets 7."
The chains of light lash out and surround the bishounen, entangling and rendering immobile.
"Hah! They're not that tough after all," comments Jared, quickly disarming the living bishounen, who is groaning in pain.
Fitz smiles feebly, "Apparently not. Did you know there was more than one of them?"
He eyes the groaning bishie, trying to discern whether he's actually conscious or not.
"Well, I knew there was more than one," replies Jared. "But I didn't expect him to come after his friend. How'd he know he was here, anyway?"
"I was wondering that, actually. You said they were psychic, didn't you? Maybe... Anyway, are there any more out there?"
Jared looks out. "I can't see any. They seem to be incredibly arrogant, too."
Crossing to the door, Fitz closes it and turns to look over the trapped swordsmen.
"You don't see any, meaning that there are more out there somewhere? That might come looking for these two?"
"It's starting to seem likely," replies Jared, groaning. "Maybe we should leave them here and move somewhere else."
"Probably a good idea," nods Fitz. "Though those bindings are going to disappear shortly after we leave."
He quickly searches his apartment, certain he hasn't any rope lying around, but looking for something that could at least slow them down once they wake up.
Holding the crystal sword carefully, Jared says, "We really should just kill them, you know."
Fitz grimaces slightly, but nods. "Fine. If they're what you say they are, I suppose we can't risk them being loose. But what are you going to do with the bodies?"
He also makes sure he has his phone, wallet, and that weighty scabbard he's grown attached to in case they need to leave in a hurry.
Jared pauses. "We could put them in your fridge? It'll probably be a while before anyone finds them."
Making no effort at hiding his shudder at that thought, Fitz agrees. "Alright. I'm going to call Richard again, let him know we're leaving."
With that, Fitz walks out of the apartment, already dialing.
-and practically walks into the man as he rounds a corner.
"Jeremy! What's wrong? You're as pale as a sheet!" he announces, in his typically broad, English accent.
Fitz puts the phone back in his pocket, smiling at his friend. "Ah, thank Selene, you're here. Another of those strange swordsmen appeared, just like the other. Jared -- that's the man they were attacking -- is just, ugh, taking care of them." Fitz shudders again at the thought, then straightens.
"He thinks it's best if we move. I haven't a clue how many more of them there are, and I'm not sure Jared does either."
Richard blinks, but nods quickly. "I see," he replies, dubiously. "Taking care? You mean, they're dead? Well. I suppose we have to do what we have to do."
Still, there's an element of disbelief in his voice.
"If we're to believe Jared, they're not human, and they certainly don't have our interests in mind. But anyway, we need to get away from here, in case there are more of them out there."
Richard pauses. "You can stay at my house," he says. "I don't know about this Jared person. He sounds violent."
Fitz nods. "Yes. But these people are after him, too. We can't just drop him in the middle of nowhere."
"He sounds like he can take ca-"
Jared shows up, looking a little disgusted. There's no blood on him, however. "I'm, uh, done- who's this?" he asks.
"This is Richard, he appeared just as I was about to call. Richard, this is Jared."
The quick introductions done, Fitz turns back to Jared, mindful of Richard's objection to taking him home. "I think it might be safest if we were to split up. It'll give them two targets, rather than just the one."
"Right," replies Jared. "Er, can I have a way to contact you? I guess I'll be the lone runner, here."
Fitz nods. "Sure, I'll give you my mobile number. I have it turned on most of the time."
"Do you have a mobile phone? If not, I suppose you'll just have to find a payphone..." he asks, after writing his phone number on a piece of paper for Jared.
"Well, I don't usually need to keep in contact with people I meet," replies Jared, edgily. "It's usually a decidedly bad idea. Oh well. Good luck!" he says, turning on his heel and clambering out the nearest window.
Fitz boggles slightly at Jared's exit route, then turns back to Richard.
"To be honest, I would much rather these people went after him, than me. Anyway, shall we go? They might still turn up here," he says by way of explanation.
"Probably. How did you say you found him, again?" asks Richard. You notice that he hasn't brought his sword with him- of course, it is kinda big for lugging around in public.
"He was under a tree in the park, groaning. I went over to see if I could help, and all of a sudden, the strange, apparently otherworldly guy appeared, in a rage."
Fitz begins to head out of the block of flats, anxious to get away.
"You dealt with him, by Selene's grace, I see," replies Richard, nodding. "Oh, my car is just out here."
"Well, he ignored me at first, just went straight for Jared," said Fitz, walking to the passenger side of the car.
"I hope I didn't drag you away from anything, by the way."
"Nothing important," replies Richard, slightly edgily. His old volvo (which gains him much scorn amongst his peers) creaks a little as you get into it- but you can't remember it ever failing to run.
Fitz catches the edge in Richard's voice. "Something wrong?" he asks, concerned.
"I'll tell you later, when we aren't threatened by imminent danger," he replies, closing his door and revving the engine. "What, exactly, can those guys do?"
"Well, they're apparently quite good swordsmen. But what's worse is they're apparently psychic, or something. Back in the park, he stared at me, and I suddenly got this blinding pain in my head."
Fitz shrugs. "Other than that, they're just your average guy."
"I suppose it's impossible to tell exactly what they can do, in that case," replies Richard, as he drives along the London night streets. "At any rate, we have to-"
Abruptly, Fitz's phone rings.
Fitz pulls out his phone and checks who's calling. Whoever it is, he tells Richard out of politeness, and answers it.
"Yo, Jeremy!" says the voice of Charlie, Fitz's younger brother. Going through the whole puberty thing frequently causes amusing variations in his tone, even now.
"Heya, Charlie. How are things?" replies Fitz, hoping against all probability that Charlie hasn't decided to pay him another visit. Not tonight.
"Very strange," replies Charlie, sounding confused. "I was on the train, coming to see you, and this strange guy popped up, gave me a box, and told me that you had to have it. He also, uh, made me promise not to open it until you got it."
"That is a little odd. What did he look like? Oh, and where are you now?" asks Fitz, a little worried.
"Central station," replies Charlie, sounding nervous. "He was a big guy, wearing a black coat. I think."
"Hang on a moment."
Fitz turns to Richard. "Can we pick Charlie up from the station on the way? I'm a little worried about him," he asks, the tone showing that clearly.
"It might be better to tell him to go home," replies Richard, flatly. "This could get a little dangerous, if more of these... men are about."
"No, someone came up to him in the tube and gave him a box for me. I'm worried it might be something to do with these people, he sounds quite upset about it," replies Fitz, shaking his head. "I'd feel better keeping an eye on him."
"If you say so," replies Richard, shrugging. "He's a bit of a handful, though, at the best of times."
"True. But that's why he's a little brother."
Fitz returns to the phone. "Okay, we're coming to get you, just hang around. We won't be long."
"Ok," replies Charlie, before hanging up.
A short while later, Richard pulls up outside central station. "Where'd he say he was waiting, again?" he asks, glancing at the pretty-large railway complex.
"He didn't. I'll go inside and call his mobile if I can't see him. Do you mind waiting with the car?" replies Fitz.
He gets out of the car, closing the door behind him and walking into the closest entrace. He glances around the inside of the station, looking for Charlie at likely places like a row of benches.
Central station is the hub of the London train service, so there's several platforms there, each leading out to a seperate rail line.
That being said, Fitz can't locate Charlie on any of them. There's just no trace of him.
"Bugger," Jeremy curses under his breath, fumbling in his pocket for his mobile. He quickly dials Charlie's number and holds the phone to his ear, drumming his fingers against his leg nervously. "You'd better not be in trouble, brat..."
Ring... ring... ring... ring... ring... ring... *splortch*
"Hi, this is Charlie Fitzgerald. I don't have my phone on me right now, so if you could just leave a message after the beep, I'll get back to you."
*Beep!*
"Charlie, where are you? I'm at the station now. Call me." Jeremy leaves the message, just in case Charlie can't hear the phone.
Fitz quickly dashes out of the station to Richard's car, stopping by his window and knocking on it to get him to open it.
"I can't find him, and there's no answer on his phone. Can you come in and help me look?" Fitz asks, fidgeting as he speaks. Worrying about Charlie's safety always gets him in a state.
Richard nods, and turns off the car.
"You run around and search, and I'll head to the office," he says. "I'll get them to page him over the intercom."
"Thanks, Richard. I'll try and find out what platform his train is likely to have come in on, just in case I missed it."
Fitz dashes back in and heads to the information booth, hoping there's someone there at this hour.
A quick conversation reveals that Charlie would've come in on Platform 3, one of the country-bound lines.
He's not there, though, and an articulate voice comes in over the loudspeaker..
"Could Charlie Fitzgerald please come to the inquires desk, where his uncle is waiting for him... Could Charlie Fitzgerald..."
Fitz smiles slightly at the thought of Uncle Richard, then heads slowly towards the information desk, looking around to see if Charlie is appearing from anywhere.
There's just no sign of the boy, anywhere.
Fitz sighs and heads over the enquiries desk to meet back up with Richard, wondering what could have happened to Charlie, and hoping the kid's just decided to go for a walk.
"No luck?" asks Richard, sounding worried. "Maybe we should call the police."
"Mmm," agrees Fitz, equally worried. "Shall we head to yours? I'll call the local police station on the way."
"Yeah," replies Richard, starting to head back towards the car. "It's dangerous for him. Especially if the wrong sort connects him with you."
"Tell me about it. At least normally it's just a Mystrix or two out for a scrap, when he's tagging along with me."
Once in the car, Fitz dials the local police station to report Charlie missing.
Richard looks concerned at that
"Look, they're striking far too often," he says, worriedly. "Let's just hope it wasn't them."
"Sorry," Fitz apologises. "I'm sure it wasn't - it's only ever been when he's with me."
A few minutes later, Richard pulls up outside his house. As he enters it, you're reminded of the mans devotion; a memory that's only enhanced as you actually step inside his sitting room. Above a grand fireplace, his favoured claymore hangs up on a wall, emblazoned with the silver disk of Selene. A few religious items dot the room; a couple of books, a pendant here.
"Look, we should get some rest, and think about this in the morning," says Richard, glancing about. "It's getting a little late."
"Yeah, you're right. Where's your spare room, again?" Fitz replies, looking around Richard's home as if he's never seen it before, just like he does every time he comes here.
"You still can't remember? It's just opposite the kitchen," replies Richard, shaking his head.
Fitz shrugs embarrassedly. "Okay. I'm going to bed right now, I'm knackered. See you in the morning."
And he does just that.
Fitz descends into slumber, surrounded by images and pictorials of his god...
<->
...and is awakened by the vibrating squeal of his mobile phone.
Fitz blinks awake, stares at the bedside table wondering what the damn noise is, then drags himself to a sitting position, grabbing the phone and answering without checking the number.
"Uuhhello?" he mumbles clearly.
"Am I speaking to Jeremy Fitzwilliam?" says a voice, which sounds worried, rushed, and slow, all at the same time.
"That's me," Fitz replies, blinking quickly in an effort to wake up. "Who's this?"
"My name is Keysan," replies the voice on the end. "Look, I can't tell you much, but word has a way of getting around, and to cut a long story short, I know where your brother is."
"Where?" Fitz asks quickly, not caring who Keysan is or how they know.
"46 Union Rd," replies the voice. "On the sixth floor, in a closet."
"Who has him? What's at 46 Union Road?" asks Fitz.
"I don't know. There's a tower on the address. I saw them take him there after they grabbed him. Along with the box," replies the voice, warily.
"Box? Do you know something about that?" Fitz asks, hurriedly. "If that's why whoever it is took him..."
"Something worth killing for," replies the voice, ominously. "Something that may very well hold the fate of the world in the balance!"
"I'm going to get my brother," Fitz replies simply. "Thank you for your help."
With that, Fitz gets up, throws his clothes back on, and heads to Richard's room. If he can remember where it is.
Fitz manages to find Richards room with only a little difficulty. The man himself is sleeping like a baby. Well, he never was an early riser.
Jeremy quickly checks the time on the nearest clock, or his phone if there isn't one nearby. No sense asking a tired Richard to help him assault a skyscraper...
The nearest clock claims it's about eight in the morning.
Not too early. Fitz opens Richard's door and bangs on it to wake the man up.
There's a loud *thump*, like a heavy object falling from a short height.
"Wha-what?" croaks a heavy voice, sounding peeved.
"Richard, get up. I know where Charlie is." Fitz says simply. Though 'know' is a bit strong. He hopes this Keysan person was telling the truth.
There's a vauge noise that sounds sort of in the affirmative, then, "There's food in the kitchen."
"Sounds good. I'll get something ready for us," replies Fitz, leaving Richard to get up... eventually. He heads into the kitchen and starts cooking a real breakfast - egg, bacon, sausage, tomato, mushroom, french toast...
A short while later, after Richard has dragged himself out of bed and you're both eating, he asks, "So how'd you find out?"
Fitz takes a deep breath. "Somebody called me. Apparently they saw whoever it is capture Charlie. They were after something he had, something that was supposed to be for me,"
"They're in a tower - 46 Union Road. I've no idea what kind of place it is."
"Union road? That's full of skyscrapers," replies Richard, blinking. "Skyscrapers and office blocks. What could he be doing there?"
"I don't know. Maybe whoever took him uses an office as a public front? Anyway, they said he was on the 6th floor. In a cupboard," Fitz replies drily.
"Well, we'd better get going, hadn't we?" comments Richard, shrugging. "I'm sure everything will be clear when we get there, Selene willing."
Fitz nods, placing one hand over his heart. "Selene willing," he mumbles.
He finishes breakfast and tidies up, and they head out into London.
A short few minutes later, Fitz and Richard arrive at 46 Union Rd. They're confronted with two main obstacles; first, the fact that the building is called the 'Chensington House', and it's a skyscraper that looks a hundred floors tall; pretty wide, too, and looks to be very swank, with plenty of material trappings out the front; shiny, silver-plated letters for the sign, some very tough-looking security people out the front, and a constant bustle of people going in and out.
The other problem is the fact that, as it's busy mid-london, it's going to be impossible to find a parking spot.
Fitz turns to Richard. "Maybe I should get out and try and sneak in on my own. You're never going to find anywhere to stop the car."
"You're probably right," mutters Richard, glancing at the traffic. "Allright, get out here."
"Okay. Thanks for the lift. I'll keep in touch." Fitz jumps out of the car and waves briefly to Richard. Turning back to Chensington House, he walks towards it slowly, trying to make out any side entrances.
There aren't any immediately obvious side entrances. The building is adjoined to it's neighbours, so there isn't an alley or anything down the side.
Fitz continues to walk towards the building, guessing the front route to be the only choice. He silently prays to Selene for aid in passing the guards, in Her infinite wisdom.
The guards don't pay much attention to Fitz. Hey, it's not like they have time to check each and every person heading into the building.
The building itself, inside, is pretty simple. To the left, there's a set of elevators, into which people are going in and out. In the middle is a large reception desk, with a few people checking phones and talking to people. To the far right is a cafe, serving pretty tasty-looking snacks.
Fitz heads straight for the elevator, trying not to stand out from the others heading into the building, staying with the flow of people.
Now that Fitz has a better view of the elevators, he can see that there are guards on all of them- and a keycard-machine of some kind out the front. Employees are validating cards before entering the elevators, and the guards are carefully observing with a watchful eye.
Fitz turns away, back to the cafe. He buys a small drink and sits down, looking over the lobby area, trying to think of a way to get upstairs. If there were some toilets, he might be able to knock someone out and steal a card...
There are some toilets, just down the side of the cafe, clearly marked for both men and women.
Fitz finishes his coffee and walks over to the toilets. Glancing about for security cameras, he hides in one of the stalls and waits for someone to come along.
A short while later, Fitz can hear a pair of footsteps entering the mens room.
"This is just too bizzare," he hears, in a hushed, furtive tone. "There's the kid, but then there's this guy with a sword? Not to mention the chick we picked up.."
There's the sound of some rustling, like someone elbowing someone else, and then all falls silent, apart from the usual 'Business' sounds.
Fitz stays in the cubicle, unwilling to tackle more than one person, despite his rising temper. Kid... that must mean Charlie.
"And what're we doing with the, uh, box, anyway?" comes the voice again, as Fitz can hear some zipping sounds.
"Takin' it to the US, like we're doing with everything else," replies the man, shaking his head. "Listen, buddy, you've gotta remember there's a *time* and *place* for talkin' about these things.."
Footsteps start heading away from the toilet, and Fitz is again left in silence.
Wondering just what's up with that box, this place, and random phone calls, Fitz continues to wait for a solitary toilet-goer.
Footsteps head into the bathroom again... and Fitz's phone rings, obnoxiously loudly from his lone stall.
Fitz opens the door of the stall, reaching into his pocket for the phone as he does so, and glancing at whoever's just come in.
"Is this Jeremy?" asks a cultured sounding, rich-man voice.
"That's me. Who am I speaking to?" replies Jeremy, cursing the delay in getting upstairs.
"I am James Royce Davis, a priest in her service, as are you," says a voice. "We would have words with you, regarding a recent delivery into your hands."
"Uh, yes. I know the one. It.. didn't arrive. I'm trying to get hold of the delivery boy right now," replied Fitz, trying not to give anything away to the other occupants of the room.
"You don't have it?" asks James, in some surprise. "But it's crucial that you keep hold of it! How long until you can meet him?"
"I'm not sure. Listen, I'll have to ring you back, I've got almost no battery," Jeremy lies. He glances around counting how many people in the room, anxious to get hold of a keycard.
It's kind of hard to tell how many people are in the room, what with the stall door closed and all. Nobody else has approached since those last footsteps... you think.
Fitz stands right by the locked stall, planning to rush the guy and smash his head against the wall as soon as he comes out.
The locked stall opens, revealing a businessman-type, dressed up in suit and tie and looking.. well, how *do* people look when they've done their business, anyway?
Trying not to lose the element of surprise, Fitz charges straight into the man, putting his hand on the guy's face and driving him, and his head, towards the closest wall.
Fitz never knew before now just how much blood could come out of someones face. The mans nose looks crushed by the assualt, and he crumples to the ground, leaving a slight smear.
Fitz pauses, not having meant to hurt the guy that badly. Still, too late now...
He quickly searches for a keycard on the body, and drags him into the end stall, pulling the door to as he leaves it. Rinsing his hands of blood, and shivering slightly as he does so, he leaves the room, putting on as calm a demeanor as he can.
Nobody really pays much attention to Fitz as he walks out. The ground floor is still pretty much as he left it.
Heading straight for the lifts with his newly acquired keycard, Fitz tries to look like he does this every day, despite the fact that, in his mind, he's sweating profusely.
Nobody seems to notice the puddles Fitz is sure he's leaving behind, and in short order , he finds himself in an elevator. He notes there's an awful lot of floors for this building; about a hundred, which is odd, because it didn't look quite so tall from the outside.
Fitz himself hasn't noticed said puddles. He jabs the button for the sixth floor and stands, hands clasped in front of him, waiting for the lift to move.
The lift promptly takes Fitz to his destination.
Just before he reaches the sixth floor, a wave of impalbable 'wrongness' sweeps over him. It's an incredibly unsettling feeling, like when you realise you're about to be caught for something you shouldn't be doing, or when you've just heard of war atrocities on the news. As quickly as it's there, it's gone- all but a slight tinge of worry.
The elevator door opens, revealing the sixth floor to be a typical office layout.
The "wrongness" wave buffets Fitz, and he looks around the lift as it disappears, puzzled. Suddenly he remembers himself and squeezes past the other occupants of the lift, out onto the sixth floor.
Once out, he looks around, scanning for a janitor's closet, or storage closet, or just any type of closet. Failing that, he heads in a likely direction and keeps looking.
There's actually a few maintenance closests here and there; ranging from 'Fire Hose' to 'Janitor' to 'Keep Out'.
Further glancing around to check how many people pay any attention to him, Fitz heads towards the most obvious closet - "Keep Out".
This closet is bigger than it looks on the outside; a small maintenance room, in fact. There's a bulky bodybag lying one corner that's squirming, and making muffled, angry noises that weren't audible from outside.
Fitz dashes straight over to the bodybag, fumbling with the zips as he tries to open them too fast in his excitement. After a moment, he calms down, and opens it properly.