Play@YSDC

Maxwell's Sanitarium - London, England
7:30 AM - Wednesday, September 11, 1940

Phyllis arrived at the sanitarium and joined the others just as they were finishing up breakfast. Story, Elizabeth, and Brook had returned, but Anna wasn't present.

Phyllis breezes into the breakfast room looking freshly clothed and with a different hat. This one has cherries on it. She sees everyone looking at it.
“If I’m about to be gobbled up by some loathsome fiend, I might as well go wearing my best hat. Lord knows I don’t get much opportunity to wear it these days,” she pats it and sits down , helping herself to tea.

“Reverend Pennyfeather sends his regards. He is spending the day in bed at the hospital.” She butters some toast. “I’m very glad you all survived the night. Is Dr Jerkins okay?”

"She went to look for Dr. Stoddard," said Maggie. "She's fine, at least physically. I hope she doesn't get in any trouble."

“I’m glad the Reverend is well,” says Eugene. “We’re planning to confront the monster at the warehouse. Mr. Story and his pals have dug out some kind of magic knife that’s supposed to be able to kill it, or something.” He smiles, slightly confused.

“Oh my word, that’s brave of you all!” Phyllis looks at them with respect. “It’s a big old thing, all black and bat-like only with a long tail that it uses like another arm.”
Phyllis remembers again the snake-like tail wrapping around her waist and shudders.

“I was about to meet my maker, although, thinking about it, if one were to die by that foul beast I rather fear one might’nt go to heaven but to the other place.” She adds darkly.

“Still, if you could suddenly turn on some bright lights you might be able quick enough to surprise it I suppose.
“I’m sorry we lost the jewel. I expect it is doing the rounds of the East End fences at the moment. In which case it might be possible to trace it.”

"It's too bad Seamus isn't still around," said Brook. "He probably knows some of those disreputable types."

“Sounds like came out of the encounter better than I did Mrs. C; I’m glad,” says Eugene.

“I daresay we could find the jewel if we put the word about, especially if there’s a reward involved. But let’s get the creature sorted out first.”

The salesman tries to look brave and determined, though perhaps he doesn’t quite pull it off.

Phyllis looks doubtfully at the old man, Storey and his two female companions.
“Are you sure you want to do this, wouldn’t it be better with, er, more soldiers? When and where are you planning to tackle the bat?” She asks them and Eugene.

"It's not a matter of wanting to," said Story. "It's a matter of having to. We cannot let night fall again before we stop it. Its chosen host may not be able to continue resisting its call for much longer. If it takes a human avatar, there will be no containing its power."

"As for soldiers," said Brook, "there are probably still Home Guard soldiers guarding the warehouse where it retreated after I got it with the searchlight. I don't know how much they've been told, but they might be able to help us."

"I don't know how much good having a lot of soldiers on our side will do," said Elizabeth. "They all got killed except for Sergeant MacDonald, who was lucky to escape with his life. I think we'd only be putting them in danger."

"Perhaps we should start at the warehouse," said Story. "As for when, there's no time like the present. We have light. We have the Dagger of Thoth. Is there anything else we need first?"

“Flashlights, matches, oil?” Eugene suggests. “Anything flammable or produces light I’d say.”

"That's a good idea, Eugene. I remember now that the bat was afraid to go near a fire that was burning in the street. In itself a fire would be dangerous but possible as a last resort I suppose. I'll need some more parafin for my hurricane lamp. I also need to drop in at the hospital on the way..." Phyllis comes up short.

"Oh my, I'm coming with you aren't I?' Phyllis is a little surprised at herself but deep down knows it's the right thing to do. "Whether I'll be much good I can't say but I'll do my best."

"We can get all of those things in my store," said Charles Davis. "I'll be happy to provide them, but...um...I'd rather not face that thing."

“I don’t blame you Charlie! Thanks for letting us use your stock though,” says Eugene.

“We also need to watch out for the witches; what’ll we do about them?” he asks the others.

Phyllis raises her eyebrows; this is the first she’s heard of witches.

Eugene notices Mrs. C’s expression.

“Catherine Exeter and her daughter,” he explains.

"Hopefully they won't show up at the warehouse," said Story. "The Home Guard may not be able to defeat the Father of all Bats, but at least they can keep people away from it. Without Major Steadman and the Shining Trapezohedron, they're less of a threat now, but still dangerous. If they do put in an appearance, we'll just have to defeat them. They may have power, but we have numbers, ingenuity, and right on our side."

“Oh I see. Those two.” Phyllis appreciates the apt description.
“It’s such a shame Reverend Pennyfeather is out of action; we could have done with his and the Lord’s help.”

“Then we’ll have to do him proud,” says Eugene. “He’ll recover quicker if he knows we’ve laid at least one evil to rest.”

“Yes indeed. Could we go to the warehouse via the hospital and let the Reverend know our plans?”
Phyllis doesn’t like to say that in a worst case scenario, Archie may be the only one left to report on their last known position.
“And is Dr Jerkins coming with us? Should we wait for her?”

"Yes, good thinking," said Story. "Once she rejoins us, we can head to the hospital."

Eugene nods in agreement.

OOC, Everyone is moving to the thread linked below:

Prepare for Battle