IC Ch 8: Off to Visit the Church

[BenTheRat]

He had slipped into his room, you hear a feeble voice, "Look, we have an arrangement, just go do your thing, and you leave me alone."

[Mr. Handy]

"This isn't what you think it is," says Eddie in a reassuring tone. "We only want to talk to you."

[Papa Gateau]

Aunt Loosa approaches the front of the church, catching up with the others.

I'm sorry, I overslept. I was so tired last night. I had some interesting dreams too, though that isn't unusual. she looks around Where's Richard and Eddie?

[BenTheRat]

The others waiting let you know Eddie and Richard went into the Church.

You hear the pastor peak out from behind the door, "Oh, then why were you going down in the basement?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I didn't know it was the basement," says Eddie. "I came inside and didn't see anyone around, so I was trying all of the doors to see if there was someone here. Why, what's down there?"

[Papa Gateau]

Aunt Loosa quietly steps through the door and into the church.

OOC:   If she is unobserved entering the church she will try and move quietly into a dark corner where she can observe the scene (I'm picturing a typical european church with dark stone walls and lots of shadows and nooks and crannies - if this is a light an airy affair then she will do as below). If she feels she has been seen she will take a seat/pew and act as though she is in commune with god. Spot Hidden to see if she was observed enetering [75] - [dice]0[/dice] Hide [32] - [dice]1[/dice]

[BenTheRat]

As you enter the church it is dark with lots of nooks and crannies to hide in. The church appears to be empty. You can see the door on the far left is open, and you hear voices that sound like Eddie coming from there. you can easily hide if you wish or move up to be with Richard and Eddie, your choice.

The pastor looks at you like he is trying to figure out who you are, "if you are here for spiritual guidance come on into my office. If you don't know whats down there, its best not to go."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Eddie. He follows the pastor into the office. "What was all that about? With whom do you have an arrangement, and why?"

[Papa Gateau]

Aunt Loosa waits until the pastor, Eddie and Richard move into the office and close the door before moving slowly towards the door that she assumes leads to the basement.

Once there she quietly tries the handle, checking to see whether it is locked or not.

Quietly does it,Sneak[30] [dice]0[/dice]

[BenTheRat]

Richard and Eddie go into the pastors office. "I'm sorry I can't talk about that. They are some dangerous people, its best to just steer clear of them. How else can I help you?"

***********************

Aunt Loosa,You sneak through the church and into the small hall after everyone had gone into the Pastor's office. She tries the door and it opens easily. You sneak down the stairs, its dark down there.

[Mr. Handy]

"They are indeed dangerous people," says Eddie. "Two of them committed a brutal murder just last night. One preferred to die rather than be taken alive, and the other fled into this church. He must have gone down the basement."

[BenTheRat]

"I don't know anything about that. "I don't stay in the church at night." he replied.

[Mr. Handy]

"Well, you know about it now," says Eddie. "Whatever arrangement you may have with these people, you can't condone murder. That man may still be in your basement even now."

[BenTheRat]

"Oh I don't think so. They come and they go. I don't both them, they don't bother me or my parishioners." The pastor says, "And I plan to keep it that way."

[Mr. Handy]

"You don't have a problem with murderers using your church as a hideout?" asks Eddie. "How do you think the good Lord feels about it? For the record, they did bother one of your parishioners, a deaf man named Nathan Rice. He's the one they killed, just down the street."

[Papa Gateau]

Aunt Loosa steps slowly, placing each foot carefully, guiding herself from the feeble light through the door. She looks for a light switch or lantern before searching her bag for a flashlight or book of matches to light her way.

Equipment,I don't have a flashlight/torch specifically itemised under her equipment, so whatever she carries in her back is at your discretion

[BenTheRat]

"It's not a matter if I condone it or not, its a matter of survival. You don't understand, get out." He sits down at his desk and starts shuffling through some papers like he is busy.

Aunt Loosa,[ooc]everyone has a flashlight, but you would also have candles.[/ooc] Your light spreads out across the basement. There are some old boxes in here that haven't been touched in 50 years at least. Cobwebs cover all the walls and ceiling, and a smell of fish is in the air. Despite the unused state of the room, there seems to be heavy foot traffic between the stairs and a trap door in the middle of the basement. Dust and dirt covers the rest of the floor except for the one path.

[Mr. Handy]

"I do understand that," says Eddie, "but my friends and I are here to put them out of business for good. If you help us by telling us all you know, it could make the difference between success and failure. And if we fail because you don't help us, they might just decide you helped us anyway - which you already did by telling us that they use the basement. They'll never believe you didn't help us. It's only a matter of time before they come after you or someone else you care about, in spite of whatever agreement you've made with them. The devil and those who serve him are liars and don't keep their word. So I'll give you one last chance to aid us in stopping them before I go." He slowly turns to leave the room.

[BenTheRat]

"All I know is they go in the basement, and come out of the basement. I never hear anything, and I don't go down there. A couple of them came a few years back. The basement had been sealed shut. They busted it open and put in a door. They told me if I ever went down there or stopped anyone from going down, they would feed me to their monsters. They only come in the evenings a few times a month, dressed in those robes, those damn robes." He shakes his head with it drooping. "I'm a man of peace, I can't fight them. I called the police, and the deputy came and told me I better do what they said." He pauses for a long time. "That's all I know."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Eddie. "That is helpful. You've done the right thing. Don't worry, we'll leave you out of this. Just one more thing before I go: can you please describe these robes, and do you know where we might find some?"