Play@YSDC

St. James's Church- London, England
10:00 AM - Sunday, September 8, 1940

Reverend Giles Curry led Sunday services for those who remained behind at the church: Laura, Seamus, Eugene, Tinker, and Charles Davis. By ten o'clock, he had concluded, and it was at that point that Archie arrived.

Archie pottered in looking slightly weary from the grim start to the day.

"Good morning all, I hope you are feeling refreshed. Giles, I do apologise, it had been my intention to lend a hand this morning with the service but events as ever overtook me."

"That professor chap and good friends, did they find anything else of interest where we recovered that poor unfortunate girl?"

"Welcome back, Archibald," said the Reverend. "Nothing further was found at that place, but some of the others came back with more information. Anna Jerkins reported that a madwoman had escaped from the sanitarium where she works last night, during the bombing. Catherine Exeter, her name is. That professor chap recognised the name. Seems he knew of her. Also, Mrs. Cruckshank and Mrs. Duncan found the poor dead girl's diary. Apparently she was seeing a one-legged airman named Jimmy. He might have been the last one to see her alive. Everyone else has gone off to pursue various leads. Professor Story and Brook went with Lord Rufus, Benjamin, and Anna to the British Museum. The madwoman's late husband used to work there ten years ago, until some incident that left him dead and her institutionalised - for which they were both responsible, it seems. Mrs. Cruckshank and Mrs. Duncan have gone off to where their daughter, Madeline Steadman, lives to try to find out more about her. And Elizabeth went off with the RAF captain to the air base. He thinks he knows who this Jimmy might be."

Archie nods with interest. "Right ho, well if you are not particularly in need of anything from me at the moment, Giles, I might attempt to locate the professor chap and his friends at the British Museum."

"By any chance, do you know where in the museum they were planning to go?"

"Sorry, haven't a clue," said Giles with a shrug.

OOC,The museum thread has been stalled lately, and you're well ahead of it timewise, so I'll have to wait until I can catch you up to them. In the meantime, you can talk to the other characters here before you leave.

OOC,Can do.

Archie strides on short legs over to the company and addresses Charles. "Archie Pennyfeather, Navy chaplain, at your service. Please call me Archie, or Rev if you're feeling formal."

Archie turns to Eugene, Seamus and the others. "And was anything else of interest located where the poor young woman's remains were found?"

"Charles Davis," said the man, shaking his hand. "A pleasure, Archie."

"Nothing more was found there," said Tinker, "though they stopped searching once they found the body. There may be something else under the rubble somewhere, but without proper tools, it isn't really possible to dig. Plus it might not be safe."

Archie clears his throat. "The - ah - post mortem examination..." He casts covert glances at the ladies (and men) present to make sure no-one starts looking pale at the mention of such things. "Yes, where was I? The examination confirmed that the poor lassie was killed by an animal. A most strange animal that constricted her with incredible strength, yet took bites and clawed her. Apparently not really for - ah - food purposes though. The poor girl died from blood loss. I simply cannot imagine what animal is capable of this."

Laura shuddered. "Truly none of us are safe!" she cried. "What if I'm next?"

Archie comes over to Laura."Do not distress yourself, miss. Consider that we are forewarned whereas the poor deceased had no reason to suspect such a thing. And I feel confident that you will be safe in a group of people and in the light. Perhaps, avoid walking around outside alone, in the dark, for now."

"But there's the blackout," said Laura. "Once the sun sets, there is no light, and it's going to be setting earlier and earlier. Not to mention there's the danger of the bombs...I guess I'd better get to the shelter early enough, but I can't when I'm working during the week - though at least then I can go with others."

Archie nods. "Travel with a group is the best I can suggest. Whatever this creature is, I cannot imagine it can stay hidden in London for long, surely."

"I...I guess so..." said Laura, clearly unconvinced.

OOC,I should be able to move things forward this weekend.

OOC,No worries.

Archie ambles over to the exotic looking Tinker. "Miss - ah - Tinker? I normally don't make a practice of eavesdropping but am I right in my hazy impression from last night that you and Professor Story are previously acquainted?"

"Previously?" said Tinker. "Well, I suppose it would depend on your perspective. But, yes, we're acquainted. It has been some time since last we met."

Archie looks slightly mystified by this answer but decides to press on with the conversation with Tinker. "Ah, do you also have an interest in astronomy? The professor did tell me where he studied but it was a new university to me I'm afraid."

"Not my field, I'm afraid," said Tinker. "I specialise in physics. I'm an inventor."

Archie looks even more surprised. "Good heavens! I do hope you might be able to assist the war effort in that case. Was it inventing then, that acquainted you and the professor?"

"No, we just happened to meet," said Tinker. "It was in Dunwich, in East Anglia, on the coast."

Archie nods. "Indeed? Don't believe I know the place."

"Well, I believe I shall start making my way to the museum. Until later then."

OOC,Is now about the right time to make a move museum-wards?