Play@YSDC

OOC:   A distant relative of Balzac's?

[/quote]

OOC:   Good luck explaining that!

Close to the appointed time, the companions arrive at the address of Morgan and Dupuy in Isadora's car. They are suitably attired for a funeral, but their appearance as five white people at a coloured funeral attracts a great deal of interest from the other attendees. The deceased was obviously very popular, and the crowd numbers several hundred people.

After funeral is over the parade begins, and the crowd begins to move off towards the cemetery. Six pallbearers emerge from the funeral home, bearing a long pine coffin. The band, who you recognize as the 5-Stars from the Blue Heaven, strike up “I`ll see you on Judgement Day”. As the procession moves along the streets, more people join, swelling the crowd size. The investigators find themselves near the front, not too far from the coffin. The musicians are walking in a line behind the coffin, with the man you recognize as the band leader in front. The drummer is in the rear, banging the big bass drum strapped to his chest. All carry a serious and noble bearing.

A kind-looking elderly man in an old but immaculate suit is walking alongside our heroes. He glances at them curiously.

“Excuse me” he says. “Pardon me for asking, but we were wondering how you know the deceased? I thought I knew most of Frederick’s friends.”

OOC,Anyone can answer, but make it good!

"Mr. Fayette and I have a mutual friend," says Alice. "Mr. Wester, the bandleader."

Balzac gives a courteous nod to the older gentleman. "Monsieur, my name is Dr Balzac. Unlike my young companion here, I had cause to meet M. Fayette in my travels during the War. As I was in Boston for work when I saw the funeral notice, I felt I should pay my respects. Neither Our Saviour nor The Great Reward in the Hereafter are much concerned with the colour of a man's skin." At this, Balzac crosses himself.

These answers seem to satisfy the man, and he nods his head.

“Well, it’s nice of you folks to come” he says. I few minutes later you can see him telling someone else – the information is sure to be passed among the crowd.

Led by two motorcycle riding policemen, who stop traffic at large junctions, the parade continues through Dorchester. Fayette’s wife is walking behind the musicians with her family, her face buried in her handkerchief. Tears are freely shed by the attendees.

As you pass some storefronts, you begin to get the very odd feeling you are being watched...

OOC,Everyone roll Spot Hidden. Isadora should also roll Power x5.

Isadora Carmichael
Spot Hidden 30%
[dice]0[/dice]

POW x 5 = 65
[dice]1[/dice]

While Balzac masterfully handles the situation, Isadora keeps an eye (or three?) on the surroundings.

Now that he's off the sauce, Ron is far more alert and clear headed.

Alice spots something.

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (55% skill) at the funeral: [dice]0[/dice]

SpotHid,Is 50% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   A success but not quit on a par with Isadora's roll.

Like a magnet, everyone's eyes are drawn to the same sight. In the doorway of a hardware store, the trumpet player lounges,smoking a cigarette, trumpet in hand. He looks disheveled and unshaven, but he is actively watching the funeral procession.

Isadora,You see the trumpet player clearly, and around him you sense the same aura you felt the night before. There is more though- someone or something else is watching, a distinctly malevolent being. For you it hangs like a stormcloud over everything. It is not the musician, but something linked to him.

Ron,It may be because his nerves are so keyed up after the night before, but Ron senses another presence apart from the musician. It gives him a distinct feeling of dread.

The trumpet player stamps on his cigarette and steps out of the doorway as the band strikes up 'Closer Walk With Thee '. He joins the band leader and begins to play, a sweet melody which draws appreciative murmurs from the crowd. It is there something else?

Everyone,Roll Listen.

Listen,Is 25% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Nope, Balzac is just listening to good (if sombre) playing.

"Something about this gives me the willies," mumbles Roy.

Alice only has ears for the music.

OOC,Listen roll (60% skill) at the funeral: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,I'll roll for evil_scientist as he's busy. Isadora Listen 43: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/553655]Listen[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]79[/b]

Henry,To his horrified amazement, over the music and noise from the crowd, Henry can hear what sounds like moaning coming from [i]inside[/i] the coffin. It seems like some of the other people near the coffin can hear it too. [ooc]Roll SAN! If you fail, Roll 1d2 SAN loss.[/ooc]

Isadora Carmichael

"Is he cursed, perhaps?" Isadora wonders, seeing the uncanny aura around the trumpeter. She finds herself strangely drawn to this mystery and decides to talk to the man after the ceremony.

Henry Glynn
"Can't you all hear that? My God he's alive! Just like the other dead one!"

"Again?" says Alice. "The only common element both times is the band. Well, and us, but I'm pretty sure we didn't cause this."

Balzac turns to Henry. "I hear nothing but the music. Are you sure, mon ami?"

Henry Glynn

"Yes I'm certain. Alice must be right - it's the queer music that brings them back. But how and to what purpose?"