Play@YSDC

St. James's Church- London, England
4:05 PM - Sunday, September 8, 1940

Elizabeth Young and John Barrow walked back into St. James's Church, where Reverend Giles Curry was serving tea to their friends. Story and Brook were there, as were Lord Rufus Colville, Reverend Archie Pennyfeather, Phyllis Cruckshank, Maggie Duncan, Benjamin Klein, Seamus O'Leary, Anna Jerkins, and a middle-aged man they hadn't seen before.

"Good day, sir. I don't believe we have the pleasure of meeting?" Anna said, doffing an imaginary hat towards the stranger.

Phyllis Cruckshank waggles her fingers at the newcomers. "Have some tea, dears. We were just discussing the Steadmans and Mrs Exeter who has been seen at large at their house in Bayswater. And whether they were responsible for Nell Murrow's death which we now think was murder."

"Thank you," says Elizabeth smiling, and going over to get some tea, before sitting down. "We also have a little more information about the air attacks that may be relevant too."

Charles puffs out his cheeks, and gingerly raises himself to his feet again, and extends a further greeting to the two new comers. "Afternoon Sir, Miss, Charles Davis at your service " he then collapses back into his chair, still bewildered as to why these people are talking about going to the home of a suspected murderer.

Story smiles at Elizabeth, happy to see her return.

Benjamin addad:

"As for our excursion to the British Library, we found a reference which could match the description of the winged beast attacking the airplanes. Helpfully, the book suggested that we could overpower it by trapping it in a beam of bright light.

So, what shall we do now?

"Winged Beast? Attacking aircraft? What in the heavens do you mean?!" Cries Sybill, looking up as if there is one flying around the church.

“We’ve neither seen any evidence thus far that confirms the existence of the beast in question nor are we in a situation to explore the possibility of its existence. We are in the midst of war and air raids. Hardly the appropriate time.” Anna said.

"There may have been a second airplane attacked,'" says Elizabeth. "I'm sorry that I can't say more about where this information comes from, indeed I've probably said more than I should. But the source is reliable, completely. It's not certain that any 'beast' was involved, but there's no other explanation at the moment, and the damage to the plane was the same."

"I agree with Miss Jenkins" pipes up Charles from his seat. "All this talk of monsters, and murders, it sounds unbelievable." He looks from Anna to Elizabeth "And you got this information from a captured German pilot? We're at war, they'll say anything to save their skins"

"What I just said didn't come from a German pilot, it's from an official British source, and totally reliable," says Elizabeth. "But I'm sorry, I can't say who."

"Im sure I remember someone saying that Nell Murrows was mauled as if by a savage beast. Could it be the same one?" asks Phyllis.

Finally breaking into the chatter, Story says, "Ms Murrows was mauled by a savage beast, there can be no doubt. I'm quite confident that we will find the proof that the beast we learned about at the museum is the perpetrator of the crime. As far as what Elizabeth has said, you can trust her. If she said it's her information is from a reliable source, it is."

Elizabeth smiles and nods at Story's words, grateful for the support.

"So what should our next step be?" asks Elizabeth, turning especially to her friends Story and Brook. "We can't investigate from the air, even if there is a creature, but is there something useful we can do on the ground? Is it worth pursuing the Steadmans and Mrs Exeter more? Or might something else be more appropriate?"

"Mrs Duncan and I are happy to show you the Steadmans' house but you'll have to wait and watch until they come home I expect." Says Phyllis

Seamus had been spacing out for a while now, just listening to all the idle chatter happening around him since the time he saw Nell's mauled corpse in front of him. He had been moving just by inertia, with no real guiding light of where to go.

His eyes lock onto Anna, who since the time they met, irradiated some weird aura that calmed him, perhaps he was more crazy now that everything happened, and her experience with mental issues drew Seamus to her, seeking shelter in this new broken self.

"Excuse me miss, I realize if you're skeptical about the beast, but believe me, after seeing Nell's corpse like that, I have no option but to believe it..." Seamus then looked into the horizon, kind of spacing out for a few seconds again, just before looking at everyone gathered with angry eyes, which were oddly paired with a grin that expressed a weird sense of satisfaction.

"I will hunt this beast down, even if it's the last thing I do while being alive!"

OOC:   Hello there! Joining this campaign, hope to have a great time with everyone, and thanks Mr. Handy!

"Look here" Charles speaks up "Can someone explain exactly what is happening here?" He looks around the group "How is any of this relevant to us? Why are we not leaving this to the authorities? Does anyone here work for the Government, in any capacity?"

OOC,Please can someone convince Charles (any and all methods accepted) - he's feeling like he's in a conspiracy theorist meeting at the mo

"I do," said Rufus, stepping forward and extending his hand to Charles. "I'm Lord Rufus Colville, and I'm with the Foreign Office. I understand your skepticism, and in fact I share it. I haven't seen this beast or any evidence of it, but I do know that Catherine Exeter has escaped from a sanitarium, and she is an extremely dangerous woman from everything I've heard. I also cannot understand how she managed to escape. I visited the sanitarium myself and saw the basement shelter where she'd been. She went into the water closet and didn't come again, and when they opened it it was empty. The only odd thing I noticed was a vertical seam in the concrete wall. The matron who was escorting her had been sacked. They assumed she must not have been paying attention."

OOC,You're welcome, DrkRoxas!

Seamus fights the urge to get up on Charles's and Rufus's faces, his tolerance with skepticism had really gone down in the last few days. In the end he controls it, but one more word about not believing in the monster might just make him snap out of it.

"I'm not on the side of the brightest, but my gut is almost never wrong, I can't help but feel that this Catherine gal is somewhat connected to the beast, whaddaya guys think?" He says addressing Story's group, trying to get as far away from Rufus and Charles as possible.

Turning his attention briefly to Seamus, Story says, "Of course she is." Runs his hand through his hair before stuffing his hands in his pockets looks at Elizabeth and continues, "Honestly I think the Steadmans house should be our first step. As far as the Jaegerschreck we know that light affects it, and based on my research I'm confident that I could banish it if I can get close. However, it can't be our priority because like Elizabeth said, we can't investigate from the air. We will probably have to wait for it to come for us, or for us to stumble upon it."

Seamus gives Story a crooked grin and walks towards him. After getting close, he whispers to him.

Story,[color=#BF00FF]"You guys seem to be the only ones actually wanting to solve this, whatever your motives are, so I'd like to come with you instead of staying and hearing religious pricks blinded by faith"[/color]

Mr. Handy,Idk if I can do this, maybe surrounding players need to roll listen to hear me. I'm sorry if this is not allowed, I'll edit it if necessary.

Phyllis Cruckshank slurps down the last of her tea, adjusts her large hat and struggles to her feet. "These old bones," she murmurs. "Still, sitting around never did anyone any good. To be honest, I'm rather worried about the Steadmans' neighbour, Doris Spangler. She's a lovely lady and she's keeping an eye on the Steadman house for us.
I'd like to get back and check she's still alright as soon as possible. We were on our way to alert the asylum of Catherine Exeter's whereabouts when we dropped in here. But now I'd rather get back to the street in Queensway." She looks at the other old lady sitting next to her on the pew, "Are you ready, Maggie?"
She looks primly at some of the gentlemen lounging around. "It might be nice to have some support. Unless you have more pressing engagements?"

Brook looks at Story. "Well, if it's indeed the same house we visited...earlier...then we know the layout. We should bring some light sources, though, just in case. I know there's a black out, but if that thing comes..." She chews her lip. Looking at Seamus, she smiles. "Good thing not everyone is Scullying us."

"Aye, I'm ready, Phyllis," said Maggie, rising to her feet.

OOC,DrkRoxas, it's perfectly fine to whisper to someone in a spoiler button like that. It would be pretty hard for someone to overhear a whisper like that, but I'll allow anyone who cares to try to roll Listen. If the roll is less than or equal to half the character's skill, the player may read that spoiler button as well. [b]Story[/b], [b]Elizabeth[/b], and [b]Brook[/b] do have electric torches, which have not been hooded for the blackout.

"That certainly sounds like a plan," says Elizabeth, smiling. "I'll come too, if that's ok. I'd like to have a look at this house."

"I would like to join as well", Benjamin adds. "Let's try and send this beast back to the abyss it came from!", suddenly uncharacteristically belligerent for a small old man.

Charles takes a deep breath, and sighs a long sigh. "I still think we should leave this to the authorities, but never let it be said that Charles Davis isn't ready to lend a hand when a Lady asks". He turns to Brook "If you need some torches, I think I may have a couple in stock at my shop, if there's time perhaps we could stop off there, and we could see if I have anything else we might need".

OOC,Do I need to make a luck roll for that, or is it assumed my shop will have a few useful things in it?

EDIT: Being a shop keeper, and listening to his customers chattering Charles can't but help trying to over hear Seamus's whisper (come on dice roll!)

Charles Listen:25,[dice]0[/dice]

Seamus smirks back at Brook. "Right you are missy, I like your attitude, you remind me of myself when I was a wee lil lad" He said before turning to the whole group planning to go to the Steadman house.

"Shall we head for the house right away? I want to end this crap once and for all." He said with a crooked grin, together with eyes that seemed to have had their life stolen from them.

Story smiles at Seamus comments and nods. Catching Brook's eye when she looks at him and hearing the concern he reaches out for her hand and gently squeezes it reassuringly. After a moment he lets go and after having looked around at those who have spoken up he says, "Sounds like we're all in agreement. As Seamus said, right away."

When (if) we stop off at the shop Charles will stock up with enough torches for anyone who doesn't currently have them, a couple of candles, and matches, a satchel, or small back pack, a first aid kit - he still doesn't believe there is a "mysterious beast", but people do get hurt - and his stoutest walking stick. He'll also make sure to note down who got what, and generally maintain his usual meticulous records.

Phyllis picks up her vast handbag and hefts her old, stout Victorian umbrella. "Cecil, you would be proud of me, I think." The old lady mutters under her breath, not quite sure what she is getting into but realising she hasn't had so much fun in years; not since The Band of Hope saga in '36.

Brook looks at Seamus at the "wee little lad" remark. "I'm sixteen." She frowns a bit. "Or perhaps I'm seventeen now....hard to tell, with all the going back and forth," she mutters. She squeezes Story's hand back, grateful for the comfort.

Captain Barrow and Rufus remained behind, out of concern that they might be recognized by one of the Steadmans.

OOC,[b]Story[/b], [b]Elizabeth[/b], [b]Brook[/b], [b]Archie[/b], [b]Phyllis[/b], [b]Benjamin[/b], [b]Seamus[/b], [b]Anna[/b], and [b]Charles[/b] are moving to the thread linked below:

House of Secrets

OOC,The other investigators appear to have been abandoned by their players. If they return, or if the characters are ever taken over by new players, I'll edit this post and move them to a new thread.