Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As Lady Highdark and William locate Doctor North and Lepus, engaged in the strange and somewhat comical business of placing an egg on the ground within the time-worn and foliage-entangled structure known as Tamsin's Close, the breeze which had been stirring the leaves grows silent, and the patch of catnip stands revealed in all its wild fragrance. Whilst this is gathered, those of sharp eye may note that the egg is carried away, into the deepest part of the greenery, by a curious collection of creatures, from the smallest ant to the greatest toad, seeming to act in concert.

Lady Highdark not being aware of this, catches scent of the herb, and raises her eyebrows.

"And with this you hope to capture the ferocious creature? Trust more in your pistols, sirs!"

[Mr. Handy]

"We have those as well if they're needed," says Henry, "though we'd prefer to capture it alive if possible. It is still a cat, and this herb is something a cat cannot resist. A simple sleeping draught, though in a larger dose to account for the beast's size, will subdue it."

[SunlessNick]

"It appears that our quarry is in the deer park at present," says William.

[Rooter]

Meanwhile Vincent, who tends to go into sneezing fits and develop rashes around cats and thus has no desire to meet a giant one, procures a supply of the breakfast kippers from the kitchens should the need arise and remains with Mademoiselle Georgina, offering felicitous words of comfort.

Whilst thus engaged in pleasant conversation, Georgina keeps an eye on a nearby clock. As its chimes mark the ninth hour of the evening, she hurriedly makes excuse and states that she wishes to retire. Being entirely unused to dissembling, it is a matter of simple observation that, in fact, she is dressed as if she intends to go outside.

Fearing for the young mademoiselle's safety while there is a giant feline loose, Vincent follows Georgina at a surreptitious distance.

[jp1885]

Lepus leaves the confines of the Close with some relief, but not a little curiosity regarding the occupants of the place. He also makes a mental note to try and discover just who Tamsin was.

His ears perk up when William reveals he has located Artemis.

"We have catnip and elvers: a meal fit for any feline, yesno? Shall the sleeping draught be applied to both? 'twould give us two chances to subdue the beast."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that is the ideal thing to do," says Henry, dosing the bait.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As the adventurers approach the deer park, they heard the sound of hoofed animals running quickly through the trees, along with deep growling noises. There is much commotion among the foliage, with young trees stirring as if shaken by a person of great strength.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, unobserved by the guileless Georgina, Vincent witnesses that young lady hastening to the apple grove, sight of her, from a discreet distance, being lost therein. It is not immediately evident whether she remains within the grove, or has taken opportunity to proceed from its bower to another, nearby place.

[jp1885]

Lepus eyes the shuddering foliage warily.

"'twould seem now is the time to lay the bait. How dost the young lady call her cat?"

[SunlessNick]

"Artemis," says William. "It certainly seems to be living up to the huntress's name at present."

[Mr. Handy]

"My daughter Lizzie has a cat named Archimedes," says Henry. "In spite of his name, he doesn't like baths. We'll try the catnip first." He places the bait and backs well away from it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Wikipedia claims that about 1/3 of cats are not affected by catnip. If I roll less than 33, the attempt to lure it fails.[dice]0[/dice]

After waiting patiently, there is no sign that the lure has any effect on the beast, perhaps due to some change in its nature caused by the elixir. In the meantime, sounds of flesh being ripped away from bone -- a wet, tearing noise, not easily mistaken for any other once experienced -- emerge from the trees.

[jp1885]

Lepus curses under his breath before grabbing an eel from a bucket. Waving it in front of him, he calls the cat, making the kind of noises that people usually do to attract such pets.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

cha = 11 + 1 for Gypsy animal husbandry = 12[dice]0[/dice]I messed this die roll up by hitting edit instead of quote, but it was a borderline success.

From within the trees stalks a great cat, such as are fabled to dwell in the far-flung parts of the globe, although in appearance it more closely resembles the common feline oft found upon hearthstones. It approaches Lepus cautiously, its great green eyes a-glow, sniffing at the pungent scent of eel. As it draws closer, moving slowly, ever watchful, it produces a low, hollow sound from deep within its throat.

[Rooter]

Meanwhile at the apple grove, Vincent mutters an incantation to create an Obscuring Mist about him to remain unseen, then enters the grove.

[SunlessNick]

William's hand goes to his pistol, though he does not fire, wishing to give Lord Dunwich and Lepus their chance to take the cat alive.

[jp1885]

Making encouraging noises, Lepus steps back slowly, carefully tossing the eel towards the cat's maw.

Hoping that the sleeping draught it's been dosed with is effective, he draws another out of the bucket and holds it out, luring the beast closer to the others and, if necessary, within pistol range.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry stands ready with his pistol too, but he hopes it won't be needed. He knows Georgina would be devastated if anything happened to her cat.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile at the apple grove, Vincent mutters an incantation to create an Obscuring Mist about him to remain unseen, then enters the grove.

Thus undetected, Vincent is able to follow Georgina closely as she rushes to the nearby huntsman's cottage and knocks upon the door. It is opened by the gameskeeper, who gestures her within.

"All's ready, Miss," he remarks.

In the brief space of time during which the door is open, there may be seen, thrown upon the wall by candles or a lantern within the building, the shadows of two unseen persons. Georgina enters and the door is shut.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

The cat's basic CON = 9; +5 for Gigantic Animal = 14[dice]0[/dice] It fails to resist the sleeping draught.

After greedily swallowing the offered eels, then, with surprising daintiness for a creature of such size, licking its paws clean, the animal opens its jaws wide, produces an alarmingly loud yawn, and falls asleep, curled up like an ordinary specimen of its kind.

[jp1885]

"Quick!" Lepus hisses. "The shrinking potion!"