Chapter 9: October 31st

[Snapper]

OOC:   No offence but Doc Campbell, Vic, Isolde, and Crozier are all outside, not where Harry is, so can't see the lads in a hot and sweaty embrace. And if only one of us could make a luck roll, might have made sense for it to be the one with the best luck roll...

[Mr. Handy]

Alexander looks around, but he doesn't see their quarry.

OOC,Luck roll (80 / 2 = 40% stat) to see if the nurse is around: [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

The drunk moans in pain as he sinks to his knees. The other residents of the doss observing this exchange look away.

“Perhaps we should try somewhere else” Blessing stammers. He backs out the door.

The trio attempt some other lodgings. At most of them, they are greeted by similar sights and smells, with reactions ranging from indifference to outright hostility from the residents.

Harry & Melody,You can try one more halved Luck roll. Edit: I can roll for Melody if you like. She has a higher Luck score.

[Mephistophilis]

OOC:   Yes please!

[HoneyDog]

Luck,Melody Luck: [url=https://orokos.com/roll/864751]Luck[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]8[/b] There you go.

Eventually, though, they encounter some luck.

At the last lodging house, an older woman recalls sometimes seeing a young woman matching Blessing’s description.

“That sounds like Annie. She’s a midwife.”

Blessing gives a start at hearing the name.

“Annie? How do you know she’s a midwife?”

“She ‘ad blood on ‘er one time” replies the woman. “Said she’d bin delivering a baby.”

A younger girl who has been overhearing the conversation speaks up.

“That’s Crazy Annie, and she ain’t no midwoife. She’s a tart, does sum sewing on the side.”

The two women begin arguing, while the colour has drained from Blessing’s face. He puts his hand against the grime-smeared wall to steady himself.

[aine]

“I don’t see any women that match the doctor’s description.” Says Isolde, scanning the street. “I could attempt to draw the nurse and then we could post the pictures up offering a reward. But maybe that would scare her off.”

[Mephistophilis]

'That sounds like our lady' says Harry with a smile, he takes out a shilling but doesn't hand it over yet. 'Any idea where we might find Annie? Oh, and why is she called crazy?

[Mr. Handy]

"Nor I," says Alexander. "You're right, it could scare her off. Better to make discreet inquiries, but the drawing could help there."

[HoneyDog]

The women are intent on their argument. Before they can notice Harry’s offer, Blessing takes his arm and pulls him towards the door, beckoning Melody to follow.

“Not here” he says.

[Mephistophilis]

Harry steps outside with Blessing, 'What are you doing man? These women could point us towards finding your Crazy Annie.' Harry is already starting to regret making deals with this doctor, he is clearly in over his head, dangerously sweet on someone he cannot possibly understand. He suspects this will all end in tears and recriminations for everyone.

[HoneyDog]

Blessing shakes his head.

“If she’s staying here, she’ll come back eventually. If we ask too many questions, someone might warn her off. I will stay and watch the street. Besides, you're only asking questions to which I already know the answers.”

He turns and walks back to the main street and the other group of investigators.

[Mr. Handy]

"Ye shouldna stay here alone," says Alexander when he hears the plan. "It's too dangerous. There must be somewhere the rest of us can wait out of sight."

[HoneyDog]

“We could take shifts” says Blessing. He looks around.

“There’s a tea shop. Some can wait in there while the others stand here.”

[Snapper]

Crozier:

"Any tea shop in a storm, as we say aboard ship. I shall be happy to take first watch on the street though."

[aine]

“Dr Blessing, would it help if I tried to sketch Annie? Then we would have a better idea of who to look out for? We could do it in the tea shop while we wait.” Says Isolde.

[HoneyDog]

Isolde,If Isolde's Art is drawing, she will need to make a standard roll. If it's some other kind of art, she'll need a halved roll.

Blessing hesitates briefly, then nods assent.

"Certainly, if you have the materials. Thank you for waiting, Captain."

Blessing leads the way to the tea shop, which is warm and inviting after the cold street.

[Snapper]

Crozier:

The Captain nods, looking happy enough to be doing something useful. "Not a problem. Standing around in the cold is something I'm rather expert at." He resumes his watch of the street.

[Raiko]

Melody keeps watch with the Captain.

ooc,Seeing as I've very unreliable again recently here is a spot hidden roll in case it's needed later: Spot Hidden (60%): [dice]0[/dice] I [i]think[/i] I should be able to post every day again now though.

[aine]

Art,55 [dice]0[/dice]

“I used to teach sketching and water colours when I was a governess.” Isolde says as they enter the tea room and find a table by the window, if possible.

“I only have my notebook but it should suffice. Now, Dr Blessing, I’ll draw whilst you describe Annie to me. And we’ll try for a credible likeness between us. I’ll have a rarebit and tea when the waitress comes, please.” She settles down to draw.

[Philulhu]

Vic attracts the waitresses attention and orders pots of tea, Isolde’s rarebit and a plate of cakes. As Dr. Blessing describes their quarry and Isolde sketches, she keeps an eye on what is happening in the street.