Book the Second, Chapter the Fourth: A Domestic Quarrel

[jp1885]

"Ah, but the new-fangled science of this modern age proves otherwise..."

Lepus nods deferentially to Dr. North.

"There be methods of identifying who's touched what. Madam, we knows what thou hast been touching, what sealed chambers thou hast been in, what walls thou hast been passing, what devilish books thou hast been reading...."

If the young heir is present, the wanderer will shift his gaze meaningfully between him and the governess.

[SunlessNick]

William merely glowers threateningly at Miss Rye, though he holds the stick in prominent view to see how she reacts.

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry. "I can uniquely identify the person who touched an object, such as a brandy glass, by the marks their fingers leave upon it. I can even use it to tell the difference between your young charges, who are alike in every other particular."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

With a shriek such as might have come from the savage throat of one of the great cats found in the land of the Hindus, Miss Rye hurls herself upon the walking stick, seeking to wrest it from the grip of the surly soldier.

Spoiler:

battle of both Dex and Str here; Miss Rye is average DEX of 9 without the stick, STR of 7; William has DEX reduced to 6 with the stick, but + 1 for Profession of Soldier while in Danger, and Str 12; in that order, [dice]0[/dice]

It is not very surprising that the young woman's effort is without success. She falls to the floor, hissing with rage, as if Tiger had become Serpent.

[jp1885]

Lepus skips back, aghast at the woman's startling transformation.

"The woman's mind be addled - 'tis that accursed stick! Explain yourself hellcat! How came you under it's thrall?"

[SunlessNick]

William bends his leg back as if to kick Miss Rye, but restrains himself at the last second.

[Mr. Handy]

"There is no use fighting," says Henry. "There are too many of us, and you cannot flee either. Now, let's have a discussion like civilised people."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

To the shock and horror of all, Miss Rye, with shrieking laughter that could only come from one seized by madness, rushes to the nearest window, throws it open, and stands upon the sill. As a stray wind brushes her hair, now in a disordered state, across her face, she speaks with the chilling calm of lunacy.

"My virtue sold for a thing carved from wood, only to have it wrested from me by my own seducer. Then turned I thief, to wield the harlot's poisons against he who betrayed me. I have not sinned so greatly only to have my treasure, my one power upon this Earth, fall into the hands of another. Yield to me the wand, or I shall hurl myself to the cruel ground."

[Rooter]

"Mon dieu!" Vincent cries. "Capitaine, give her ze stick!"

[jp1885]

Lepus elbows Vincent.

"Canst thou not compel her to step away with your magick?"

To Miss Rye he yells:

"But what of your charges? Who shall teach them?"

[SunlessNick]

"Mon dieu!" Vincent cries. "Capitaine, give her ze stick!"

OOC:   Wisdom 10 SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 2

"Very well, if she is so feeble of heart that she cannot live without it." William throws the stick toward Miss Rye.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'd have thought you'd have been glad to be rid of it, Miss Rye, considering the curse," says Henry. "I certainly do not want it. You're welcome to have it back."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Mon dieu!" Vincent cries. "Capitaine, give her ze stick!"

Spoiler:

As Rooter has very little time and opportunity to be with us, I shall presume that Vincent will at least attempt to persuade Miss Rye, using the Beguile spell, which raises his CHA by 3 for a total of 12[dice]0[/dice]

In some arcane manner, the words and gestures of the Frenchman have a calming effect on the distressed woman, who steps quietly down from her precarious perch.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus elbows Vincent.

"Canst thou not compel her to step away with your magick?"

To Miss Rye he yells:

"But what of your charges? Who shall teach them?"

In an eerily lifeless voice, she replies, "They are nothing. The Ancient One is all."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Mon dieu!" Vincent cries. "Capitaine, give her ze stick!"

OOC:   Wisdom 10 SunlessNick rolled 1D20: 2

"Very well, if she is so feeble of heart that she cannot live without it." William throws the stick toward Miss Rye.

Spoiler:

Given William's state of mind, I shall presume that it was thrown with malice aforethought. DEX 12; not really a dangerous situation, so no bonus[dice]226369:0[/dice]

The walking stick goes flying in the direction of Miss Rye, not unlike a club hurled by a savage at an enemy. It does not strike her, and she attempts to seize it.

Spoiler:

dex = 9[dice]226369:1[/dice]

In her current state of mind, she lacks the grace to capture the object successfully, and it falls to the floor under, as luck would have it, a portrait of the current Lord Highdark.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I'd have thought you'd have been glad to be rid of it, Miss Rye, considering the curse," says Henry. "I certainly do not want it. You're welcome to have it back."

In the same dead voice, she replies, "It did not come to me. I have lost it." She then falls to the floor, insensate.

[jp1885]

"The woman's mind is addled - only bedlam can help her now, yesno?"

Lepus rushes over to the prone governess to make sure she is uninjured (and surreptitiously search for any other evil objects).

"As for yon stick - pick it up wearing gloves or with a cloth, hm? The thing should be chopped up and burnt."

[SunlessNick]

Is William still suffering its effects? He might have thrown it away, but no one else has taken it.

[Mr. Handy]

"Though this be madness, yet there is method to it," says Henry, quoting the Bard. "She will no doubt end up in an institution, hopefully one that is better at keeping inmates from escaping than the one that housed Violette Dupray. But first we must learn what she knows." He tries to revive Miss Rye with smelling salts, and then he addresses her. "What do you know of the Ancient One?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"The woman's mind is addled - only bedlam can help her now, yesno?"

Lepus rushes over to the prone governess to make sure she is uninjured (and surreptitiously search for any other evil objects).

"As for yon stick - pick it up wearing gloves or with a cloth, hm? The thing should be chopped up and burnt."

Miss Rye carries nothing upon her person that would not be expected of one of her station.