Play@YSDC

Our heroes return to Arkham, lost in thought as their cars speed through the frozen streets. Rupert is deposited into the care of the doctors at St. Mary's, with an explanation of how he came by his injuries. It is too early to tell their extent, but he will be kept in overnight at the very least. Henry's arm is also tended, and he is proscribed some much appreciated opiates.

After finishing there, the now famished group retire to the nearby Garden Café is West College Street. A student favourite, it serves good food at low prices, and seats are easily found now that the lunchtime rush is over. As they partake of their repast, the companions begin to discuss the day’s events. Alice keeps her purse on her lap, as it contains the papers and the mysterious box.

"I think we're best off going to the local law in Ross's Corners," says Alice. "That's where the crime occurred, so it's their jurisdiction anyway."

Henry Glynn

Henry pushes his steak around his plate. He is struggling to eat with his injured shoulder.

"I think you are right Miss Stanton"

"I say, could I impose upon you to cut this steak up" he adds with a touch of embarassment.

"It's no problem," says Allce, cutting the steak for Henry. "Let me know if you want me to eat it for you too. I'm awfully hungry, and it looks and smells delicious!"

Henry Glynn

"Just what the Doctor ordered eh Balzac?"

Then to Alice "A good meal is just what's needed as I for one intend to spend the night in Putnam's cottage. Best way to settle this bogeyman story once and for all. Don't suppose I can convince you not to come?"

"Not a chance," says Alice, tucking into her own lunch. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora quickly finishes her plate of french fries (the only thing in the diner that doesn't have meat in it...) and turns to Alice.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Miss Stanton, but could I perhaps take a look at those papers while you eat?"

"Of course, Mrs. Carmichael," says Alice, handing over the papers before returning her attention to her steak and eggs.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora starts examining the papers...

Balzac happily descends upon good Arkham cooking with relish, with large quantities of coffee and cigarettes. He is a messy eater too.

"I am not sure camping out for the night is quite the right course just yet. We haven't really had an opportunity to explore the place in daylight yet. For all we know, it is still home to some wild animal. Also, it will be very cold. And do not forget, we need to make a report to the gendarmerie"

"May I suggest we think about a return this afternoon or tomorrow morning for a proper examination with the aid of daylight? If we wish to then stay for a night, we may need a few more provisions, just to avoid hypothermia if nothing else."

"The local law in Ross's Corners will no doubt want to see the place where it happened," says Alice. "We can go with and show them. We should be safe enough with the police there."

Henry Glynn

"Say, I wonder what's in the cigar box?" says Henry having finished his steak.

Alice places the box on the table. Looking at the expressions of anticipation on her companion’s faces, she opens it.

Inside are four black candles, and a small metal canister. Alice opens it to reveal a coarse, brownish powder.

There is also another box, this one small and wooden with a sliding lid. Opening it reveals a small amount of a silvery, talcum-like substance.

Henry Glynn

"Everything you'd need for a ritual I guess. Is any of this magnesium?"

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora looks up from the papers.

OOC:   HoneyDog, is there anything she can glean from them? How much time does she need to skim them? Also, can I roll Pharmacy instead of Chemistry? If so, here's my roll:

Pharmacy 26%
[dice]0[/dice]

evil_scientist,The content of the papers is described in the last chapter. The words to and instruction for the ritual. There's nothing special about them apart from that.

Both Isadora and Henry are mystified as to what the substances could be.

Alice also has no idea what it is.

OOC,Chemistry roll (1% base skill) about the substance: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,[b]Balzac[/b] has a [i]Chemistry[/i] skill of 11% an rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Balzac peers at the substances and shrugs. "I am sorry, chemistry is not really my forte."

Further OOC,Do any of the substances appear to have an organic origin (like herbs and spices), such that a [i]Biology[/i] roll would be of help?