Chapter 9: October 31st

[aine]

“Perhaps if we had another good reason to visit it might help. Looking for workers for a job or for charitable reasons; an excuse to go in and meet the residents.
“Do you think we are too many, Harry?”

[Mephistophilis]

'It's not so much the numbers, although I do think there's too many of us, but also how we'd stand out' says Harry. 'P'raps Melody and me could go with the doctor. I'd say there's a few there could do with seeing a medical man.'

[Mr. Handy]

"That's a good idea," says Alexander.

[Philulhu]

”I suppose that makes sense,” said Vic. She looked over to Isolde and Crozier. ”So, what shall we three do?” she asked, before quickly holding up her hand up to the Captain. “And I don’t mean retire to your club for a drink and a meal! Rather, let’s do something useful instead!”

[Snapper]

Crozier:

The Captain nods emphatically. "I should be very happy if Miss Isolde and Miss Vic were not seen in such places without a very good reason. I mean no offence ladies, but it is not the kind of harm your reputations deserve."

"I suggest we wait outside discreetly and keep watch for this nurse, who may be out and about in the area, while our colleagues make enquiries inside. We have her description."

"Although," he grins at Vic, "I should be lying if I didn't admit a coffee house would be an ideal place to keep the forenoon watch. Not that I'm expecting decent coffee houses in this part of town."

[aine]

Isolde stifles a smile. “Have you had jellied eels, Captain Crozier? I hear they are a local delicacy; I’m sure we’ll find a street seller. Good luck Melody, Harry and Dr Blessing. We’ll be patrolling these two streets.”

[Philulhu]

Behind Isolde’s back, Vic pulled a face. Jellied eels? She couldn’t think of much worse. Now if the vendor had some whelks, that delicacy of her native north-east, that would be a different matter, but she feared they wouldn’t be to the taste of the Londoners...

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, now that we know what she looks like, perhaps we'll see her out and about," says Alexander.

[HoneyDog]

As Alexander, Crozier, Vic and Isolde wait in the street, trying not to attract too much attention, Blessing, Harry and Melody begin their enquiries at the first lodging-house they find.

Inside the conditions are spartan and dingy. There is little furnishing, and most people seem to sleep on the floor on straw mattresses. The window is broken, and stuffed with rags to keep out the cold. The smell is of unwashed bodies and clothes, and the few denizens who are present turn and stare at the newcomers. Blessing is immediately propositioned by a young woman, and he declines in embarrassment. Another man, drunk, bangs roughly into Harry.

“Got any money?” he asks, aggressively.

[Snapper]

Crozier:

The Captain's eyes light up. "Miss Isolde, we are of a like mind! I have heard of your London jellied eel, but I have never tried him in truth. A famous local delicacy though. Aboard ship, we happily eat smoked eel if we can lay hands on him. Smoked victuals last a good time aboard, you see. If you notice a trustworthy jelly eel shop, I shall see we are all well provisioned."

Crozier resumes his watch for coffee houses, eel sellers and crazed nurses.

[aine]

Isolde wrinkles her nose daintily and deigns to comment.
“Vic, shall we perambulate up and down as if shopping and keep our eyes and ears open. We’ll stay within sight of the gentlemen in case of trouble.”

[Mephistophilis]

Harry looks him straight in the eye, 'Fraid not mate...unless you can help my friend here. You can find the particular lady he's looking for there's a shilling in it for you.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, I'd be willing to try jellied eels," says Alexander. "Ye certainly have an adventuresome palate, Captain Crozier. Have ye ever tried haggis?"

[HoneyDog]

The man stares stupidly as Blessing describes the errant nurse.

OOC,Time for a halved Luck roll from either Harry or Melody.

[Snapper]

Crozier:

Dr Campbell's question prompts a bark of genuine laughter from the Captain. "The 'great chieftain of the pudding race'? Why sir, with forty years at sea, I have sailed with more Scots than I've had hot breakfasts. Yours is a kingdom of great seafarers. And they have all insisted on a haggis dinner sooner or later in the wardroom, when such was available, and which I was happy to share in. Tis a warming meal in cold weather at sea."

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, it can get cold in Scotland too, especially in winter," says Alexander with a smile. "We value haggis for the warmth it provides."

[Mephistophilis]

Harry half Luck = 25%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Nowhere near

[HoneyDog]

The man staggers a little. He is obviously too drunk to register what Blessing is saying. He pokes his finger into Harry’s chest, hard, and fixes him with a menacing glare.

“Give us sum munny, mate.”

Alexander & Isolde & Crozier & Vic,One of you make a halved Luck roll for your group. If you succeed, you know who you'll see.

[Mephistophilis]

Anticipating imminent conflict Harry decides to take decisive action and grabs the drunk's hand by the wrist and twists it into a painful hold. 'I wouldn't do that, mate.'

Harry Grapple 75%,[dice]0[/dice]

[Philulhu]

Vic was about to reply to Isolde when the drunk poked Harry in his chest. She took Isolde’s arm and pulled her gently back. If a fight was about to break out, she didn’t want either of them in the middle of it!

Luck,Luck x 1/2 (30%) - [dice]0[/dice]