January 06 - The Watcher

[robertod]

It is already winter sunset when the library closes at late afternoon. The investigators get out to make their way back to their hotel. As they step onto the sidewalk, they spot a person watching them in the distance, lit by the dim light of a nearby street lamp. The observer stands hidden behind a column, under the loggia of a commercial building, located on the other side of the street. The person wears a dark gray raincoat with raised collar. The nose and mouth are hidden by a brown scarf and a fedora hat covers his head. As soon as the watcher meets one of the investigator's gaze, he runs off in the opposite direction.

[Mr. Handy]

"It's not unusual for someone to stare at me," says Felicity, already taking off in pursuit. "but I think there's more to this than that. Let's follow him!"

[aine]

“Oh dear!” Clarence puffs, already falling behind. “My legs aren’t as young as yours, Felicity!”

[SaintMeerkat]

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Archie was taking in the sights and sounds of a brand new city and completely missed the exchange between the two.

"So, where was this restaurant you recommended?"

When no one answered, Archie turned and was astonished to see his friends were gone. Fortunately, he saw them off in the distance, and he took off after them, doing his best to catch up.

[robertod]

The investigators set out in pursuit of the mysterious man who, however, proves to be surprisingly fast. The figure goes East, dribbling the passers-by he meets as he runs along the sidewalk. Clarence is not trained to run so fast. His breath does not hold up and he immediately falls far behind, after a few hundred meters. Andrew manages to keep up with the mysterious man, but with some effort. Felicity and Archie run after him for a while, but after the first kilometer Andrew and the watcher are slowing moving away.

[Mr. Handy]

Felicity hurries as fast as she can, trying to at least keep Andrew in sight.

[aine]

Clarence pulls up, breathing heavily. He watches his companions disappear down the long street.
“Go on, Andrew, I hope you catch the blighter!”
He then looks around to see what part of town he is in.

[SaintMeerkat]

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Archie kept up the pace for as long as he could, then when it was clear that he wasn't going to be able to catch the fellow, he, too, tried his best to keep Andrew in sight.

[robertod]

OOC:   I´m assuming Andrew keeps chasing the watcher. Ok, Andrew?

[Mephistophilis]

Outstripping the others but just about keeping pace with the strange watcher, Andrew calls out after him, 'I say, you there, stop at once!'

[robertod]

Although Andrew is well trained for running, the odd running figure gives him a hard time. The misty watcher moves fast through the alleys of Paris and his silhouette seems to merge with the shadows. Eventually, Andrew follows him until he or she enters a park, the Bois de Vincennes, in the east end of the city. The park seems to be very little frequented at night. As soon as he enters, Andrew finds himself alone, running along a tree-lined streets, still chasing the silhouette that runs ahead of him.

At some point, something strange happens. Andrew´s target disappears on the horizon. As Andrew arrives at the point where the figure has vanished, the investigator finds himself surrounded by a fog bank that prevents vision at a meter. There´s something unnatural about this fog. TIt seems to have appeared out of nowhere at that specific point on the road and does not extend to the rest of the park. It quickly dissolves and soon the surrounding vegetation becomes visible again.
After that, all around, there´s no trace of the fleeing figure. It seems to have dissolved with the very fog, leaving Andrew in the solitude of a gloomy night park.

[Mr. Handy]

"Andrew!" calls Felicity when he vanishes from sight. "Where did you go?"

[SaintMeerkat]

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Finally, Archie catches up to Felicity. Ignoring the odd looks that the Parisiens are giving him, he joins his friend in calling out for Andrew. The beauty of the park is completely lost on him as his eyes scan around the area, trying to catch a glimpse of either his friend or the figure they were chasing.

[Mephistophilis]

Andrew stands there panting, his hands on his knees as he gulps in air. Scanning the horizon he can see no sign of the figure he was chasing. Once the fog has parted he waves to his companions. 'Seem to have lost the blighter, bally bad luck this fog came down all of sudden.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Maybe luck had nothing to do with it," says Felicity. "We know now that magic is real. It could be that our admirer is a practitioner."

[aine]

Clarence goes back to the hotel, dresses for dinner and waits for the others in the bar.

[Mephistophilis]

Andrew shrugs at the mention of magic. He's seen some sights but at heart he's a practical man, 'I don't care a rush for magic. This beggar outran me.'