[Oct. 23, 2002]
AgujaCabra (8:50 PM): Shifting his gaze to peer down the street, there is another short pause before Shepard nods in silent acknowledgment. . ".. you did not observe a man exiting the shadow.. ? " He questions after a moment.
NerwenGreen (8:55 PM): Thomas hesitates, lost in thought for a beat. "I did see an orange truck exit the shadow."
AgujaCabra (8:59 PM): Shifting slightly, to self-consciously slip his
hands back inside his coat, Shepard glances to Thomas a moment, and then
returns his observation to the gate. ".. it is unlikely that shipments will
continue through the warehouses, now that they are aware of us... "
AgujaCabra (9:00 PM): [argh! I suck at writing him tonight.. ]
NerwenGreen (9:02 PM): His attention drawn by the movement, Thomas
glances down at Shepard's hands distractedly as he speaks. "We should go
back and find out as much as possible now, before they have a chance to
react."
AgujaCabra (9:08 PM): Without turning to address Thomas, Shepard
lowers his head minutely, in a vague, half-completed nod. "I suspect they are
prepared for us-- that should not be a problem." After a brief pause, he
takes a slow step away from the alley-- as though to return to the
warehouses, although he does not advance further.
AgujaCabra (9:09 PM): [um... ::kicks self:: hey! I am taking forever
tonight! .. mm.. I'm sorry :/ ]
NerwenGreen (9:09 PM): [just write it well ]
AgujaCabra (9:10 PM): [I haven't thought about Shepard in
conversation with anyone but Gracian.. :p I need to get back into his groove..
]
NerwenGreen (9:10 PM): Thomas follows him out of the alley. "How many
remain inside? Do we have a plan?"
NerwenGreen (9:10 PM): [we didn't have a chance for warmup :/]
AgujaCabra (9:16 PM): ".. Edith has named several Nosferatu that she
has seen living here... I am not familiar with the population." Shepard speaks
calmly, and in characteristic softness, continuing to look over the
warehouses as he considers Thomas' questions. ".. would you prefer to send
in spies, instead of entering ourselves? "
AgujaCabra (9:17 PM): [::groan:: hm... I suck! ... I have no idea what
Shepard would suggest... I know one thing he'd do, if he weren't so silly and
albino, and didn't stick out like a sore thumb in animal form.. ::kick-y::]
NerwenGreen (9:17 PM): [maybe he shoudl suggest that Thomas go do it
then :p]
AgujaCabra (9:18 PM): [well... he'd wanna go in too :/ ]
NerwenGreen (9:21 PM): Thomas considers this for a few minutes.
"Spies may not convey sufficiently detailed information, especially if they
are already working for the other side. We should go in ourselves." He pauses
briefly and adds "Are the Nosferatu likely to pose a serious threat? Are
there others?"
AgujaCabra (9:25 PM): A vague, nearly imperceptible smile touches
Shepard's lips for a split second, as the thoughtfully regards Thomas'
comments, "I do not imagine a serious threat from the nosferatu
themselves: it is possible that Aashton has been contacted.. if these
shipments are of any importance. .." Another pause, " I believe that we can
handle her, should she arrive."
AgujaCabra (9:26 PM): [oops... as *he* not as *the*]
NerwenGreen (9:28 PM): Thomas raises an eyebrow at Shepard's
reaction, a small smile appearing on his own lips in response. "We should
move quickly before she does arrive." He begins to move in the direction of
the hole in the fence. [player warcries "let's go kick some nosi butt!"]
AgujaCabra (9:29 PM): [hahah! are we munchkins at heart :p I wanna
kick bum too.. ]
NerwenGreen (9:29 PM): [hehehe ]
AgujaCabra (9:31 PM): Stepping towards the fence quickly, though
fluidly, Shepard follows closely behind Thomas until they slip through the
opening, and into the warehouse field. Once inside, he moves towards the
closest building: keeping within the span of its shadow, and walking silently
towards the once-lit warehouse..
NerwenGreen (9:33 PM): Thomas follows Shepard's lead, equally silent.
AgujaCabra (9:35 PM): Pausing to regard the building, and look over
the nutria who continue to mill noisily around the base of the warehouse,
Shepard moves towards the large double doors facing the tracks.. Stepping
over a few of the large rats, in order to inspect the door.
AgujaCabra (9:36 PM): mm.. One of them has bitten his ankle, and a
few others begin to come over as well.
NerwenGreen (9:37 PM): Thomas grows his claws as he joins Shepard at
the door and begins swiping at the rats that get too near their feet.
AgujaCabra (9:41 PM): They squeal at Thomas, and most scamper off
as they are swat-at. Shepard observes this from the corner of his eye, but
has his attention focused on the door rather than the rats. It is locked,
apparently from the inside, as well as by a heavy padlock and chain wrapping
the exterior handles. Fixing a hand about the chain, Shepard braces his other
palm on the door, and pulls on the metal... After an initial resistance, the
links break apart.
NerwenGreen (9:43 PM): Thomas continues to swat at the rats but
looks up to focus most of his attention to the inside of the warehouse.
AgujaCabra (9:46 PM): Shepard slides the door open, taking a small
step back after the inside lock gives way, to encounter whomever might
come out.. Oddly, there is little movement inside the warehouse. Thomas can
see a large printing press inside, as well as some additional, rusted
machinery that appears to be long out of use. Along the side wall, a series of
book shelves stretch the length of the building, and divide the long room into
a few smaller sections.. There is a plain white delivery van at the far end,
parked near the
AgujaCabra (9:46 PM): opposing door.
AgujaCabra (9:47 PM): Shepard steps inside, albeit a bit warily.
NerwenGreen (9:48 PM): Thomas steps back as Shepard does when the
door opens, then steps inside with him, looking around for signs of movement
or obfuscated vampires.
AgujaCabra (9:49 PM): [what's a sign of an obfuscated vampire :p ? ]
NerwenGreen (9:50 PM): [if they're moving, they can give themselves
away by tripping :p ... I was just trying to convey that he's being alert. ]
AgujaCabra (9:53 PM): Pausing briefly just inside the entrance to
quickly appraise the room, Shepard begins to slowly circle the perimeter of
the building... As he passes the bookshelves, he looks over the spines
curiously, but without stopping to read anything.. About midway across the
room, he stops, and casts his gaze across the floor of the warehouse-- it is
composed of thick, metal slabs, over a bed of heavy soil, and joined together
at segments along the length of the building.
NerwenGreen (9:54 PM): Thomas slowly circles the perimeter in the
opposite direction from Shepard.
AgujaCabra (9:58 PM): Thomas can see a half-completed piece of
newspaper stuck inside the old printing press. It is one of the standard, local
papers circulated around Midsomer. The room seems devoid of vampires, and
there are no obvious exits aside from the front and back doors.
AgujaCabra (9:59 PM): [There aren't any boxes either.]
AgujaCabra (9:59 PM): [roll your perception + alertness?]
NerwenGreen (10:01 PM): Thomas checks the date of the newspaper and
skims the headlines as he passes, then continues until he has rejoined
Shepard. [reroll 10s before or after removing for botches? ]
AgujaCabra (10:02 PM): [before!]
NerwenGreen (10:04 PM): [oh... okay. 9, 8, 6, 5, 5, 2 :p]
AgujaCabra (10:04 PM): [whee... ]
AgujaCabra (10:06 PM): The newspaper is for tomorrow morning, and
headlines the questions surrounding Mr. Garnett's untimely end... It also
discusses local events, and other indicates that there are opinion articles on
another page. As Thomas crosses the room to join Shepard, he could see a
slight irregularity in the floor pattern, hidden from Shepard's view by the
book cases.
NerwenGreen (10:07 PM): He stops and warily crouches down to get a
closer look.
AgujaCabra (10:09 PM): Shepard comes over to stand near Thomas, as
he sees him crouch down.. This metal sheet seems to have been moved
recently.
AgujaCabra (10:10 PM): The soil is slightly disturbed, and the metal
plate knocks against the adjoining one-- instead of lying completely parallel.
NerwenGreen (10:12 PM): Thomas looks up at Shepard as he approaches,
flicks his eyes towards the crooked plate, then slides his claws underneath
to get ready to move it, tensing to spring backwards as he does so in case
anything jumps out at him.
AgujaCabra (10:16 PM): The metal scrapes a bit against the adjoining
plate, as Thomas moves it aside.. to reveal an opening in the dirt, that drops
down into a chamber beneath the warehouse. . Seven, irregular eyes, glowing
eerily in the dim light, peer out at him, and appear to be fixed to a single,
distinct creature.. that is indeed poised to leap out.
AgujaCabra (10:24 PM): [oh... let Thomas go first. The critter is a little
confused anyhow]
AgujaCabra (10:39 PM): The creature whimpers a bit, ducking its head
more, and backing up towards the wall.
NerwenGreen (10:53 PM): Thomas is going to wait for the creature to
come out of the hole. :p
NerwenGreen (11:07 PM): "Nice work," Thomas says respectfully as he
comes to a halt. He nods at Shepard and returns to the hole as well.
AgujaCabra (11:42 PM): Circling the the edge of the hole, Shepard
casts a glance down to the white van, before quietly crouching beside the
opening, and peering into the darkened corridor. After a moment, he lightly
moves to jump down into the shallow pit.
[Oct. 25, 2002]
AgujaCabra (8:49 PM): From a distance down the dirt tunnel, you can
hear a piece of heavy metal scraping against metal: the sound echoes quietly
in the still air, and fades after a moment.
AgujaCabra (9:22 PM): Shepard lowers his head meditatively, quietly
considering Thomas' question.. After a pause, he responds as softly as
possible, ".. If the shipments change locations, it may be months before we
are able to find their new drop off point.. We should at least take one of the
.. cargo with us, for questioning."
NerwenGreen (9:33 PM): Thomas tenses at the sound, glancing up at the
metal plate over their own heads briefly before looking toward the source of
the new sound [was it back the way they'd come from or farther down]
AgujaCabra (9:53 PM): As the plate slides aside, you can smell the
sickly-sweet scent of kerosene in the room above... A trickle of the
discolored fluid slips down the side of the plate, into the tunnel...
AgujaCabra (10:16 PM): Shepard is slightly in front of Thomas,
cautiously moving back towards the spot where they entered the tunnel. As
he nears the first arm, branching off to his right, he stops in his tracks...
distractedly backing away from the side of the tunnel, and lowering his head
minutely. After a pause, he continues walking.. more quickly than before.
NerwenGreen (10:18 PM): Thomas slows slightly as he approaches the
spot where Shepard stopped, peering cautiously into the side of the tunnel
as he passes. He then plans to quicken his own pace to catch up ...
NerwenGreen (10:28 PM): For no apparent reason, as Thomas approaches
the mouth of the other end of the tunnel, he leaps and rounds on something
to his right, coming down in a defensive crouch. After a moment, he
straightens, looks somewhat puzzled, and cautiously moves to join Shepard.
AgujaCabra (11:11 PM): As Thomas leaps through the opening in the
floor, he can hear the rattle of a heavy door being forced open.. and an
engine start up, growling loudly in the large, metal building. . Many of the
books have been removed from their shelves [although it appears to have
been a quick job], and the dog's body has vanished as well.
NerwenGreen (11:16 PM): [Is there a fire in the warehouse yet?]
AgujaCabra (11:27 PM): Eh. It doesn't catch on fire.. Hurriedly, the
other man strikes two matches, and tosses them into the room [this is done
in one turn... probably a turn after the cigi was thrown].
AgujaCabra (11:37 PM): About the same time Thomas makes to leap
over the beginning flames, a white form... moving just slightly too fast to
discern its precise features, flies past him overhead... It appears to be a
large bird of some sort, carrying a figure within its talons.. Two other birds
emerge from the hole, flying quickly [but not at superhuman speed] out into
the room.
NerwenGreen (11:38 PM): [ah ... okay ... I guess Thomas is going to
assume that that's Shepard and focus on distracting the others until he can
get away then.]
NerwenGreen (11:42 PM): Thomas leaps on the man to knock him to the
ground.
AgujaCabra (11:48 PM): [okay... he's essentially trying to parry the
attack, instead of dodging... can he do that?]
AgujaCabra (11:56 PM): The man doesn't budge... His obfuscate drops,
however. Thomas has pounced an obvious nosferatu: his spine is twisted and
elongated in a painful arc, and his arms nearly brush the ground... He has a
gold, slightly luminescent tinge to his flesh, and thick purple veins twine
together visibly beneath the skin.. an odd patch of dark purple hair hangs
limply from his head.
NerwenGreen (11:58 PM): [okay here's how I pictured it: Thomas leaps at
him to knock him to the ground with his front paws, which has his claws out.]
AgujaCabra (12:07 AM): [It looks like he wants to bite Thomas.. the man
does have slightly elongated fangs on the bottom row of teeth, although the
top fangs are a little blunt and crooked.]
NerwenGreen (12:20 AM): 4 successes
NerwenGreen (12:21 AM): Thomas's next move, btw, is going to run away,
not kill him
NerwenGreen (12:29 AM): what's the people in the van up to?
NerwenGreen (10:25 PM): [hehe okay ... what's the critter look like it's
going to do then?]
AgujaCabra (10:26 PM): [It looks poised to jump out and eat Thomas'
face :p yum yum]
NerwenGreen (10:27 PM): [how far down is the creature?]
NerwenGreen (10:28 PM): [I mean, if Thomas were to try and attack,
would he be able to hit anything useful without falling in? :p]
AgujaCabra (10:28 PM): [It's about 4 feet down ]
NerwenGreen (10:28 PM): [short creature :p]
AgujaCabra (10:29 PM): [hm? no... it's not that short.. ack. It's feet
are four feet down. It's head ... actually his head would only be about a foot
down]
NerwenGreen (10:29 PM): [okay]
NerwenGreen (10:30 PM): [hang on, reading the combat rules ... they
seem to have changed :p]
AgujaCabra (10:31 PM): [I am so confused... sitting up, it'd be a good
sized beast.. like a large, bulky rotweiller
NerwenGreen (10:32 PM): Thomas is going to attack its eyes with his
right claws then, assuming it looks sufficiently vulnerable.
AgujaCabra (10:32 PM): [what's sufficiently vunerable? ]
AgujaCabra (10:33 PM): [the eyes are closer than any other bit of its
body.. of course, they're closer to its teeth also]
NerwenGreen (10:33 PM): hmm
AgujaCabra (10:33 PM): [that'd be dex+brawl... difficulty 7]
NerwenGreen (10:34 PM): okay, 1 success [grr. argh.]
AgujaCabra (10:34 PM): The creature ducks its head, avoiding Thomas'
claws.. [my turn.. ? ]
NerwenGreen (10:39 PM): Did he trip?
AgujaCabra (10:39 PM): [there. I explained it's double botch.. No. The
things crawling on him decided to bite]
NerwenGreen (10:40 PM): there are things crawling on him?? ew
AgujaCabra (10:40 PM): [it's really gross.. his fur is composed of
writhing, white and black maggots, essentially.. with other little creatures
diving into his skin from time to time]
NerwenGreen (10:41 PM): Thomas glances over at Shepard to see if he's
planning to get involved, then looks into the pit to see if he can spot anyone
besides the creature in there.
AgujaCabra (10:44 PM): Thomas can see a few boxes stacked to one
side of the tunnel, which branches in two directions. The other arm of the
tunnel is dark, and Thomas cannot see anything moving. . Shepard has taken
a step towards the mouth of the hole, but approaches from the opposite
angle as Thomas. . As he moves, the creature turns its attention to
Shepard.
NerwenGreen (10:44 PM): [Thomas wishes he'd thought to bring along his
hunting bow :p]
AgujaCabra (10:54 PM): The creature takes a flying leap at Shepard,
who narrowly misses the impact-- side stepping it, and turning to show the
mutt his claws.
NerwenGreen (10:54 PM): Thomas comes around to flank it from the rear
with his own claws.
AgujaCabra (10:55 PM): [hm. I think since Thomas had to take time
moving, my guys would have the chance to brawl briefly. fair?]
NerwenGreen (10:55 PM): [sure ... what's the creature look like now ]
AgujaCabra (10:57 PM): [ah.. the maggots composing its shifting, living
coat of fur and skin are plainly evident... Aside from that detail, Thomas can
see that it hasn't a tail, and that its back legs are slightly elongated and
muscular, to provide good leaping-force]
NerwenGreen (10:57 PM): [ok]
AgujaCabra (10:59 PM): Snapping it's teeth menacingly, the critter
launches itself towards Shepard with alarming speed and accuracy..
Fastening its teeth into his shoulder.
AgujaCabra (10:59 PM): ew... ew! Shepard is gonna get maggots on him!!
AgujaCabra (10:59 PM): ew... ack... nasty dog.
NerwenGreen (10:59 PM): What's Shepard doing :p ... tell me when I get a
chance to attack.
AgujaCabra (11:00 PM): ... oh... shoot.... that was a really good roll...
AgujaCabra (11:00 PM):
AgujaCabra (11:01 PM): Shepard takes a clean swipe at the dog
dangling from his shoulder, cutting through its body like tissue... The bugs
scatter, as the mutt falls to the ground.. It's still moving slightly, but
severely injured.
AgujaCabra (11:02 PM): [it should be dead
NerwenGreen (11:02 PM): [heh, I was wondering whether you were sighing
because shepard or the critter died :p]
AgujaCabra (11:02 PM): [I like my doggy.. I think I'll let him reform from
the insects after a bit.. he is mystical]
NerwenGreen (11:03 PM): [ookay ]
AgujaCabra (11:06 PM): Taking a step back from the whimpering
canine, Shepard lightly flicks the insects from his clothing.. turning around to
approach the hole again.
NerwenGreen (11:43 PM): Thomas follows him in, looking around warily
once he lands. He moves towards the boxes.
AgujaCabra (11:46 PM): Steping aside to allot for Thomas' presence,
Shepard quietly ducks into the open corridor, which dips down a bit after the
initial few steps [as it seems to on Thomas' end as well]. The boxes are very
similar to those unloaded from the train.
NerwenGreen (11:47 PM): Thomas tries to see if there is any way to see
into the boxes, or if they can be opened.
AgujaCabra (11:49 PM): The boxes are packed into the tunnel rather
tightly. However, there is a small amount of space at the top, where Thomas
could lift the edge of a lid. The lids appear to be fastened, but only with basic
wood staples.
NerwenGreen (11:50 PM): Glancing toward Shepard briefly, Thomas
carefully begins to pry off the lid, ready to spring back from the box if
necessary.
AgujaCabra (11:55 PM): Pausing within the mouth of the tunnel,
Shepard cautiously lowers himself to crouch again.. lightly scraping his claws
along the wall of dirt, to more reveal yet another box-- burried under the
soil. . Thomas is able to pry the lid off, after a bit of work. Inside the box, is
a male figure, staked through the heart, and folded up with his legs to his
chest. The figure is in a simple pair of dirty white pants and a t-shirt.
NerwenGreen (11:57 PM): "Come look at this," Thomas quietly murmurs.
AgujaCabra (11:57 PM): [does Thomas have his head out of the hole, or
is he completely inside the tunnel.. ? ]
NerwenGreen (11:58 PM): [he's right next to the boxes ... can he see out
from there?]
AgujaCabra (12:01 AM): Standing up again, Shepard moves over quickly
to Thomas' side.. Peering into the opened box, he frowns minutely, and takes
a slight step back; looking over the various containers thoughtfully. . not
responding verbally, in the quiet of the tunnel.
AgujaCabra (12:02 AM): [yeah.. and Shepard definately would've poked
out of the tunnel too.. so nevermind :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:02 AM): [okay]
AgujaCabra (12:03 AM): You can hear something moving down in the
opposite side of the tunnel [where Shepard was before. not behind the
boxes].
NerwenGreen (12:03 AM): Thomas gently eases the lid closed again. He
glances back out of the hole, then turns to peer at down the lengths of each
tunnel.
NerwenGreen (12:04 AM): [delete the "at"]
NerwenGreen (12:04 AM): okay he glances at the side that isn't making
any noise and spends most of his attention on the side with the noise.
NerwenGreen (8:50 PM): Thomas tenses slightly at the sound, then
looks over at Shepard questioningly.
AgujaCabra (8:51 PM): [ah! he has to decide? :p ]
NerwenGreen (8:51 PM): He takes a few tentative steps in the direction
of the noise, looking to see whether Shepard wants to go investigate.
AgujaCabra (8:56 PM): Turning to peer down the dark corridor,
Shepard hesitates briefly, before stepping into the low passage and ducking
his head slightly, as he silently begins to move towards the distant sound.
AgujaCabra (8:57 PM): [blah.. sorry for the huge pause of doom.]
NerwenGreen (8:57 PM): [hehe no problem ]
NerwenGreen (8:57 PM): When Shepard begins moving, Thomas
continues down the corridor with him.
AgujaCabra (9:03 PM): Moving down into the dark, humid passage,
there are an additional two arms that branch off the central path.. one of
these contains boxes as well, while the other is unoccupied. The dry, tacky
cling of cobwebs, brushes lightly by Thomas' face and hands as he passes
through the tunnel.. A few of these seem to have more resistance than
others, and only break if he forces his way through. . After about 15 feet,
Shepard pauses, lifting a gloved hand to brush lightly against the ceiling--
where another metal
AgujaCabra (9:03 PM): slab bars an exit.
AgujaCabra (9:04 PM): You are in a larger space, although the ceiling
remains low..
NerwenGreen (9:04 PM): Thomas murmurs very quietly to
Shepard"another warehouse, perhaps?"
AgujaCabra (9:08 PM): He nods quietly, taking his hand away from the
slab, and casting a wary glance around the slightly circular chamber.. "These
tunnels may connect to all of the warehouses.. " he offers softly,
considering this a moment.. ".. or to another section of the city."
NerwenGreen (9:10 PM): Thomas nods in agreement at that
assessment. "Would it be worthwhile to continue, or should we withdraw
before someone arrives?" He looks around the chamber.
NerwenGreen (9:23 PM): Thomas considers this thoughtfully. Equally
quietly, he responds, "With or without the box?"
AgujaCabra (9:25 PM): Before Shepard can answer, the now familiar
sound of metal grating on metal, reverberates softly from the tunnel's
opposite end... [just a sec. phone call!]
AgujaCabra (9:34 PM): [back the way they'd come]
NerwenGreen (9:34 PM): [ok ... I'm done anyways]
AgujaCabra (9:37 PM): The tunnel becomes slightly darker, as the
grating subsides, and silence descends once again... The air is slightly
clammy, and cool underneath the earth. Listening intently to the noise,
Shepard takes a tense step back towards the chamber wall.. Pausing briefly,
before putting a hand to the metal above his head, and starting to cautiously
push it aside.
NerwenGreen (9:38 PM): Thomas presses his own back against a wall as
he helps Shepard move aside the plate.
AgujaCabra (9:54 PM): Shepard quickly releases the plate, moving to
step back into the main tunnel...
NerwenGreen (9:56 PM): Thomas lets go as well and, avoiding the
kerosene dripping from above, he cautiously looks through the opening.
AgujaCabra (9:58 PM): Thomas can observe a line of blue-tinted flame,
igniting on the warehouse floor above his head. A figure standing in the
shadows, slips out through the front door after the spark catches.
NerwenGreen (9:59 PM): Thomas moves very quickly away from the
opening and ducks back toward the main tunnel.
AgujaCabra (10:28 PM): [eek... we both have nut jobs tonight! yay... ]
NerwenGreen (10:28 PM): [hehe ]
AgujaCabra (10:33 PM): Keeping his shoulder close to the wall, Shepard
restlessly eyes the space around him .. his frame tensing visibly in the dim
light, as he continues to walk stiffly to the other end of the tunnel. Once, he
backs away from something hurriedly, ducking back a little, and pausing to
stare at the vacant air.. Steadying himself, Shepard closes his eyes a
moment, and steps back into the first chamber, where the metal plate has
been put back in place.
NerwenGreen (10:37 PM): Thomas turns his head quickly to the left and
moves slightly into a defensive stance at another point along the tunnel. He
blinks and continues. Shaking his head slightly, he tenses a few more times
before he reaches the exit, but manages to avoid any more spectacularly
colorful reactions.
NerwenGreen (10:38 PM): [I want to continue]
AgujaCabra (10:38 PM): [hm? ]
AgujaCabra (10:38 PM): [oh okay]
NerwenGreen (10:42 PM): Looking somewhat ruffled, he moves to the box
that he had pried open earlier. Glancing at Shepard, he inquires in a quiet,
steely calm voice, "Do we .. wish to take this man with us?" Then he starts
and jumps back from something to the left. He avoids looking at Shepard
afterwards.
NerwenGreen (10:45 PM): [by the way, he did have some experience with
dementation from Fort Lauderdale ... a couple of my characters there have
it.]
AgujaCabra (10:50 PM): Stopping below the metal slate, and putting his
hand to the surface again slowly, Shepard looks over Thomas with a muted,
edgy curiosity ... his eyes lowered a bit more than usual, and faintly glowing
with an uneasy intensity. . "Yes.. " Shepard speaks abruptly, though he
remains quiet and composed... Reaching to move the metal piece again.
AgujaCabra (10:50 PM): [sorry.. bleh... I feel like I'm being a sucky role
player these past few games]
NerwenGreen (10:52 PM): Thomas grits his teeth and carefully removes
the lid from the box. For a moment he pauses, blinking, an expression of
frustration passing over his features. Then he gently removes the man
within to lay him over his left shoulder, being careful not to dislodge the
stake.
AgujaCabra (10:57 PM): Shepard cautiously begins to move the plate to
one side; creating a small gap initially, so as to test the air for kerosene or a
flame before attempting to pass through.. Both he and Thomas can smell the
fluid lightly on the air, although it is not as thick as the other exit.
AgujaCabra (10:58 PM): [just a sec]
NerwenGreen (10:58 PM): [ok]
AgujaCabra (11:00 PM): Looking back to Thomas, Shepard frowns
slightly, and lowers the plate again.. although he keeps his hand upon it,
prepared to remove in a moment.. "Leave the warehouse as quickly as
possible... I will take him. " He glances to the body.
AgujaCabra (11:01 PM): [remove *it... ]
NerwenGreen (11:01 PM): Thomas passes the body to Shepard as he asks
"Is there a fire?"
AgujaCabra (11:03 PM): "I suspect there will be.. " Shepard takes the
body carefully with one hand, letting it sit on the ground for the time being,
while he pushes the plate away with the other hand, and steps back from the
opening-- to let Thomas go through.
AgujaCabra (11:06 PM): [hm.. do I need to say what's visible in the
warehouse? ]
NerwenGreen (11:07 PM): Thomas begins to nod slightly to Shepard but
abruptly turns to his right as he does so. A faint cougar-like growl escapes
his throat and his eyes narrow. Then he blinks, and with an expression of
forced calm, leaps vertically through the hole without another word. [yes, I
thikn that would be helpful but I just wrote that assuming he saw nothing
menacing before he leapt]
AgujaCabra (11:16 PM): [not yet.. but the floor has been loosely doused
in kerosene.]
NerwenGreen (11:16 PM): [where are the exits? the one they came
through or is the other door also open now?]
AgujaCabra (11:17 PM): [the other door is open by the time Thomas
gets completely out of the hole... The white van is revving to go through it.]
NerwenGreen (11:17 PM): [the first door is open or closed?]
AgujaCabra (11:18 PM): [hm... actually, that door would be closed. It
may or may not be locked... but he could probably surmise that Shepard
broke the lock when he opened it before]
NerwenGreen (11:19 PM): Thomas runs for the same exit as the van.
NerwenGreen (11:21 PM): He transforms into a cougar as he runs, taking
the full 3 turns this time.
AgujaCabra (11:23 PM): When they begin to pull away, a hand reaches
out the front window to roughly flick a cigarette back into the room.. One
figure: a male, with short but loose grey hair, and a simple twead jacket, can
be seen just outside the warehouse doors.. holding onto a pack of matches,
and waiting to make sure the cigarrette did the trick.
NerwenGreen (11:27 PM): Thomas charges toward the man, preparing to
leap over any flames.
AgujaCabra (11:30 PM): One of the matches does catch the room on
fire... flames begin to rapidly spread out from where it lands.. about 4 feet
from the door and the man. . Thomas would be able to bypass that, before it
becomes a problem. . and reach the man. [at this point.. it'd be a battle of
inits I guess :p ]
NerwenGreen (11:42 PM): Probably planning to sink his claws and teeth
into the guy.
NerwenGreen (11:48 PM): [what did it look like he was going to do before
my leap?]
AgujaCabra (11:48 PM): [It looked like he was getting reading to put his
arms up, and defend against whatever was coming]
NerwenGreen (12:09 AM): [does Thomas have time to check the location
of Shepard?]
AgujaCabra (12:09 AM): [um... not if he wants to react]
AgujaCabra (12:10 AM): [he couldn't see the bird anyway.. it went
around the side of the building]
NerwenGreen (12:11 AM): I swipe in a downward motion at his head, as if
to rip his face off.
AgujaCabra (12:11 AM): [oh! watch out for the fire though!]
NerwenGreen (12:11 AM): [we're not clear of the fire?]
AgujaCabra (12:12 AM): [nope.. it's starting to spread throughout the
building... The birds inside have begun to fly towards the door]
AgujaCabra (12:12 AM): [you guys are in grass.. so.. ]
NerwenGreen (12:13 AM): [okay ... I guess after this round we'll probably
have to worry about it?]
AgujaCabra (12:13 AM): [yeah]
AgujaCabra (12:20 AM): [crap... ]
AgujaCabra (12:21 AM): [well.. he's going to lie still, and not try to bite
or do much of anything.. ]
AgujaCabra (12:30 AM): They are driving away from the warehouse,
gunning it..
NerwenGreen (12:30 AM): they're just going to leave him there?
AgujaCabra (12:30 AM): Another bird emerges from the hole... carrying
an additional body.
AgujaCabra (12:30 AM): For now, yes.
NerwenGreen (12:31 AM): umm... what is shepard using ..
AgujaCabra (12:31 AM): The other two birds have left the building by
now... they appear to be following the van.
AgujaCabra (12:31 AM): [hehe... ]
AgujaCabra (12:32 AM): [well.. loosely following the van.. they're headed
in that general direction]
NerwenGreen (12:33 AM): After Thomas incapacitates the man, he stops
and checks on the location of the fire.
AgujaCabra (12:33 AM): [er.. he's crippled, not incapacitated... did you
hit him again? ]
NerwenGreen (12:33 AM): [oh ... well, after the man lies still and stops
looking threatening then :p]
AgujaCabra (12:34 AM): [cuz.. if you hit him with claws, then he's dead
:/ ... okay]
NerwenGreen (12:34 AM): [If he's still conscious, Thomas tries to knock
him out with bashing damage.]
AgujaCabra (12:35 AM): [aw.. leave 'im alone... Okay. You knock him out]
NerwenGreen (12:36 AM): Thomas checks to see how close the fire is.
Gently he picks up the unconscious man with his teeth and drags him farther
away.
AgujaCabra (12:36 AM): The fire has spread over the warehous floor...
and has begun to consume the bookcases.
NerwenGreen (12:36 AM): He drops the man somewhere safe from the
fire.
NerwenGreen (12:37 AM): Then he looks for Shepard.
AgujaCabra (12:37 AM): The last bird flies out the warehouse door...
circling once over the building, before coming down to land a little outside the
fence.
NerwenGreen (12:38 AM): Thomas lopes easily over to the hole in the
fence, slips through, and stalks gracefully over to the bird.
AgujaCabra (12:40 AM): There are actually two large, white hawks
waiting beside the fence, and both bodies are laid comfortably on the ground;
their stakes intact, and rolled over onto their sides.
NerwenGreen (12:41 AM): Thomas comes over to the birds and bodies
and snuffles questioningly.
AgujaCabra (12:41 AM): [oh bah! he's a big kitty right now :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:42 AM): hehe yep
AgujaCabra (12:42 AM): The birds flap their wings at Thomas irritably,
and start to fly off.
NerwenGreen (12:42 AM): Thomas looks around to signs of any additional
danger.
NerwenGreen (12:42 AM): (to = for)
NerwenGreen (12:43 AM): [can they talk while in beast forms?]
AgujaCabra (12:43 AM): It seems relatively calm... in the distance, he
can make out the distinct squeal of a fire engine, approaching from the
west.
AgujaCabra (12:44 AM): [I think they could talk using species speak..
yes]
NerwenGreen (12:44 AM): [okay]
NerwenGreen (12:45 AM): "Where are we taking the bodies?" Thomas
asks in a soft cougar growl.
AgujaCabra (12:45 AM): [::giggles at the thought::]
NerwenGreen (12:45 AM): [does Shepard know that this is Thomas? :p]
AgujaCabra (12:46 AM): [Shepard isn't exactly here at the moment..
he's off following the van!]
NerwenGreen (12:46 AM): [ohh.... great.]
NerwenGreen (12:46 AM): So the birds flew off?
AgujaCabra (12:46 AM): They are flying off, yes.
NerwenGreen (12:46 AM): What time is it now, anyway?
AgujaCabra (12:47 AM): I have completely lost track... was it about 1
when the train came by?
AgujaCabra (12:47 AM): or 1:30 ?
NerwenGreen (12:47 AM): Umm... train was 1:30 I think
AgujaCabra (12:48 AM): okay.. let's say it's about 2:45. . despite how
much time all that took, I think it wasn't actually that long.
NerwenGreen (12:48 AM): hehe it probably wasn't
NerwenGreen (12:49 AM): Thomas reverts back to human form, then
tries to hide the bodies.
AgujaCabra (12:50 AM): [hm.. I wonder how long Shepard will follow that
thing.. ]
NerwenGreen (12:50 AM): Thomas begins to look for a pay phone.
AgujaCabra (12:51 AM): He can hide the bodies with relative ease.
There would be a number of simple places to stash them in the alley. . The
pay phone is a couple of blocks over, in any direction.
NerwenGreen (12:52 AM): okay .. he goes to the nearest pay phone and
calls Ryan.
AgujaCabra (12:52 AM): .. He can find one outside a small convenience
store, closed for the night.
AgujaCabra (12:52 AM): all right.