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--- wod:hunter:recap:31_chapter_1 [2020/09/07 16:40] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation anagramofbrat
+++ wod:hunter:recap:31_chapter_1 [2020/09/09 13:40] (current) – [Popes, Prostitutes, and Demonic Births] anagramofbrat
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 ===== Monday, November 1st, 2010 =====
 ==== The Human Cost ====
-[[wod:npcs:vandernoot|Chief Vandernoot]] and [[wod:npcs:macleod|Richard MacLeod]] pull into the Northampton airport, sirens blaring, and immediately spot a decapitated corpse right in front of the gate. They get out of Isabelle quickly and join Officers [[wod:characters:gordon|Gordon]], [[wod:characters:davidson|Davidson]], [[wod:characters:graham|Graham]], and [[wod:characters:curry|Curry]]. Vandernoot is relieved to see them all unharmed but then Gordon begins a clipped, detailed briefing in a soldier's cadence – with timestamps. Vandernoot grits her teeth; she appreciates every detail but realizes the heavy gunfire triggered Officer Gordon's PTSD and he's disassociating. She does find a note of dark amusement; even in Gordon's dissociative state, [[wod:hunter:pcs:josh|Josh Troy]] is still 'the boy.'
+[[wod:characters:vandernoot|Chief Vandernoot]] and [[wod:characters:macleod|Richard MacLeod]] pull into the Northampton airport, sirens blaring, and immediately spot a decapitated corpse right in front of the gate. They get out of Isabelle quickly and join Officers [[wod:characters:gordon|Gordon]], [[wod:characters:davidson|Davidson]], [[wod:characters:graham|Graham]], and [[wod:characters:curry|Curry]]. Vandernoot is relieved to see them all unharmed but then Gordon begins a clipped, detailed briefing in a soldier's cadence – with timestamps. Vandernoot grits her teeth; she appreciates every detail but realizes the heavy gunfire triggered Officer Gordon's PTSD and he's disassociating. She does find a note of dark amusement; even in Gordon's dissociative state, [[wod:hunter:pcs:josh|Josh Troy]] is still 'the boy.'
 Once Gordon finishes his briefing, he asks, "Orders, captain?" Vandernoot thinks carefully and replies, "We sweep the property first, just the six of us. Keep things tight until we know what we're dealing with." She turns to lead them to the homestead, but Gordon immediately steps in front of her and starts performing a soldier's sweep of the area. MacLeod quickly glances to Vandernoot; she gives an almost imperceptible nod and sweeps in behind Gordon. They can all smell cordite, blood, and excrement so they steel themselves as best they can.
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 William just switches the spoon to his left hand and tries to summon the dagger, but it doesn't work. Veltis asks suddenly, "Where is the boy?" William snaps his head up, his concentration broken – and then the dagger is in his hand. William eyes it and realizes Veltis did that deliberately. He places it on the table as Veltis requests and transfers the spoon back to his right hand. Veltis taps the dagger with his paw, and William watches as the purple ripples turn an angry red. Veltis hisses, "Oh, //shit//." He snaps his head back to William and growls, "Question for you, youngster. How familiar are you with papal history?"
-William concedes, "I know some names and dates, but that's about it." Veltis asks, "Do you know anything about Honorius III?" William frowns as he racks his brain, dredging up old lessons. He finally says, "Vaguely, 11th or 12th century?" Veltis nods and states, "Not bad. 1216 to 1227, actually. Most papal historians overlook him as a boring placeholder, but in truth he was a pious man who just had an odd hobby: demon summoning." The others stare at him incredulously, but Veltis insists, "Oh, it's true. He was so pious the 'normal' temptations didn't do anything, so he thought he'd challenge himself by summoning demons and pitting himself against them. He actually summoned me a few times, and once had me clean his hat."
+William concedes, "I know some names and dates, but that's about it." Veltis asks, "Do you know anything about [[wod:characters:honoriusiii|Honorius III]]?" William frowns as he racks his brain, dredging up old lessons. He finally says, "Vaguely, 11th or 12th century?" Veltis nods and states, "Not bad. 1216 to 1227, actually. Most papal historians overlook him as a boring placeholder, but in truth he was a pious man who just had an odd hobby: demon summoning." The others stare at him incredulously, but Veltis insists, "Oh, it's true. He was so pious the 'normal' temptations didn't do anything, so he thought he'd challenge himself by summoning demons and pitting himself against them. He actually summoned me a few times, and once had me clean his hat."
 Leta bursts out laughing, and Veltis says flatly, "Moving on." Leta shakes her head and gasps, "When was this? What form did you take?" Veltis blasts air through his teeth and growls, "Before I became part of the Lucifuge, back when I was spreading my seed across Europe. I am an incubus, remember? I sired dozens of bloodlines over the centuries. Thankfully, I have confirmed the Troys are not one of them." William mutters, "Thank God," while Leta shudders as she's never considered that possibility.
 ==== Popes, Prostitutes, and Demonic Births ====
-Veltis returns to Honorius III and explains, "Sometime around 1220… I think? Yeah, 1220. He found two ancient daggers and fashioned them as demon-killers. He called them Purity and Grace." William freezes suddenly as Abby and Leta eye him carefully. Veltis smirks and nods before continuing, "Anyone the daggers slew was trapped in the metal, mortal or otherwise. When Honorius III died in 1227, the daggers went to his successor, Gregory IX. He didn't know what they could do and tossed them into a box. Our side immediately started planning our revenge."
+Veltis returns to Honorius III and explains, "Sometime around 1220… I think? Yeah, 1220. He found two ancient daggers and fashioned them as demon-killers. He called them [[wod:characters:purity]] and [[wod:characters:grace]]." William freezes suddenly as Abby and Leta eye him carefully. Veltis smirks and nods before continuing, "Anyone the daggers slew was trapped in the metal, mortal or otherwise. When Honorius III died in 1227, the daggers went to his successor, Gregory IX. He didn't know what they could do and tossed them into a box. Our side immediately started planning our revenge."
 Veltis continues, "We spent centuries infiltrating and corrupting the Catholic Church as much as possible to get those blades and free those trapped within. It finally culminated on October 30th, 1501 with Alexander VI and the Banquet of Chestnuts." Leta demands, "What was that?" Veltis replies, "Fifty prostitutes crawling on the floor trying to collect chestnuts. And fucking. Lots of fucking. The early church was wild. Anyway, this was the Borgia Pope, so… yeah. I miss the old Papal States." William recalls the legends of the most controversial pope in history and concedes the point.
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 ==== Samir's Offer and Attack Helicopters ====
-Anita then explains her visit from [[wod:characters:samir|Samir]] and how he's an [[wod:groups:ascending|Ascending One]] – and apparently, they have no issue with [[wod:groups:troycell|the Troy cell]]. Leta grumps but Veltis provides some historical context: The original Ascending Ones were called the Order of the Phoenix back in ancient Egypt and they are ancient – so ancient that cells of Ascending Ones sometimes don't recognize each other. He adds, "[[wod:groups:lucifuge|The Lucifuge]] has had some issues with them over the centuries as they think we're corrupted by the //djinn//, but their //sulha//, their peacemakers and mediators, have an impeccable reputation."
+Anita then explains her visit from [[wod:characters:samir|Samir]] and how he's an [[wod:characters:groups:ascending|Ascending One]] – and apparently, they have no issue with [[wod:characters:groups:troycell|the Troy cell]]. Leta grumps but Veltis provides some historical context: The original Ascending Ones were called the Order of the Phoenix back in ancient Egypt and they are ancient – so ancient that cells of Ascending Ones sometimes don't recognize each other. He adds, "[[wod:characters:groups:lucifuge|The Lucifuge]] has had some issues with them over the centuries as they think we're corrupted by the //djinn//, but their //sulha//, their peacemakers and mediators, have an impeccable reputation."
-Dr. Ranjip asks about the cell's 'special members,' but Veltis reiterates Anita's belief: most Ascending Ones only attack a 'monster' if it's actively hurting people. He muses, "Honestly, us having members that are supernatural in one sort or another is probably a bonus for them." Anita admits, "That is what Samir said. He wants to talk to all of us about the [[wod:groups:akd|Aegis Kai Doru]] to strengthen his hand in an attempt at mediation. However, it was weird that he could see [[wod:characters:witch|The Witch]]." Veltis explains, "The Ascending Ones use mystical potions – poisons, really – to grant themselves supernatural powers temporarily." Leta jokes, "So he took a potion so he could see The Witch butt-grab someone?" Anita grumbles but Veltis replies, "Basically, yes. They're not stupid."
+Dr. Ranjip asks about the cell's 'special members,' but Veltis reiterates Anita's belief: most Ascending Ones only attack a 'monster' if it's actively hurting people. He muses, "Honestly, us having members that are supernatural in one sort or another is probably a bonus for them." Anita admits, "That is what Samir said. He wants to talk to all of us about the [[wod:characters:groups:akd|Aegis Kai Doru]] to strengthen his hand in an attempt at mediation. However, it was weird that he could see [[wod:characters:witch|The Witch]]." Veltis explains, "The Ascending Ones use mystical potions – poisons, really – to grant themselves supernatural powers temporarily." Leta jokes, "So he took a potion so he could see The Witch butt-grab someone?" Anita grumbles but Veltis replies, "Basically, yes. They're not stupid."
 The hunters discuss the offer and William states, "I'm uncertain that there's so many people involved, but avoiding a war is good." Leta agrees and Anita says, "I'm in favor, for if nothing else we could use all the help we can get when we tackle the Shelburne Falls problem." Josh asks, "Do you need to check in with Milan about this?" Veltis nods and says, "Yes, absolutely. But like I said, our history is mostly 'live-and-let-live' so I don't think they'll object. Personally, I do support it. And to be fair, the Aegis started this war last year." Anita, Mick, and Dr. Ranjip look confused until Veltis reminds them, "The Aegis attacked us last June after William and Josh inherited Helmund's artifacts. They didn't bother with negotiation, likely because we'd already allied with a shapeshifter. Us dealing peacefully with shapeshifters and sorcerers is a major issue to them, which will be a problem at any mediation."
-Dr. Ranjip interrupts, "Oh, one thing before I forget. Swinging back briefly to the Shelburne Falls issue that Anita rightfully is concerned about, I have received official word that when we do make a move, the Bostonian changelings will be there to back us up. This is personal to them, especially to the ruling motley. Or cell, I guess, in your terms. [[wod:characters:shana|Shana]] was one of their own. So, we will need to coordinate with them." Leta jokes, "Will they bring heavy weaponry?" Dr. Ranjip shudders and replies, "Hopefully in proportionate numbers. The attack helicopter was overkill last time." The hunters all stare at him as they realize he's not kidding, but Dr. Ranjip refuses to say more.((The (very brief) war between [[wod:groups:molassescourt|the Molasses Court]] and the [[wod:groups:mohawkfreehold|Mohawk Freehold]] back in April 2008.))
+Dr. Ranjip interrupts, "Oh, one thing before I forget. Swinging back briefly to the Shelburne Falls issue that Anita rightfully is concerned about, I have received official word that when we do make a move, the Bostonian changelings will be there to back us up. This is personal to them, especially to the ruling motley. Or cell, I guess, in your terms. [[wod:characters:shana|Shana]] was one of their own. So, we will need to coordinate with them." Leta jokes, "Will they bring heavy weaponry?" Dr. Ranjip shudders and replies, "Hopefully in proportionate numbers. The attack helicopter was overkill last time." The hunters all stare at him as they realize he's not kidding, but Dr. Ranjip refuses to say more.((The (very brief) war between [[wod:characters:groups:molassescourt|the Molasses Court]] and the [[wod:characters:groups:mohawkfreehold|Mohawk Freehold]] back in April 2008.))
 ==== An Absention and Papal Murder Knives ====
-Dr. Ranjip swings the conversation back to Samir and the Ascending Ones, he says, "If Veltis vouches for his group and Anita for his character, I'm willing to give it a shot." Josh nods enthusiastically, so the doctor states, "That's me, William, Josh, Anita, Leta, and Veltis all in favor, leaving Ms. Henderson, Detective Wagner, and Officer McManus to give their opinions." Polly considers it and agrees, followed by Abby a moment later. However, Mick hesitates and admits, "I learned about them from [[wod:groups:valkyrie|Task Force: VALKYRIE]]. They're heavily involved in the illegal drug trade, aren't they?" Leta jokes, "Everyone's got a hustle," but Anita says, "Yes, Samir openly admitted it." Mick sighs and says, "That's an issue with me. Can I abstain?"
+Dr. Ranjip swings the conversation back to Samir and the Ascending Ones, he says, "If Veltis vouches for his group and Anita for his character, I'm willing to give it a shot." Josh nods enthusiastically, so the doctor states, "That's me, William, Josh, Anita, Leta, and Veltis all in favor, leaving Ms. Henderson, Detective Wagner, and Officer McManus to give their opinions." Polly considers it and agrees, followed by Abby a moment later. However, Mick hesitates and admits, "I learned about them from [[wod:characters:groups:valkyrie|Task Force: VALKYRIE]]. They're heavily involved in the illegal drug trade, aren't they?" Leta jokes, "Everyone's got a hustle," but Anita says, "Yes, Samir openly admitted it." Mick sighs and says, "That's an issue with me. Can I abstain?"
 The others nod and Leta says, "That actually makes me feel better, knowing someone had concerns." Mick shrugs and says, "I think my cop instincts may be in overdrive on this one." Polly snorts and replies, "Good. One of us needs to be objective." The others agree, so the discussion turns to where and when they should meet Samir. Anita reveals she has his contact info and Josh enthuses they should call him – now.((This is another way for Josh to disassociate from dealing with his dead mother.)) William points out, "It's late. Let's call him tomorrow and see if he's willing to meet then." Leta exclaims, "Oh, the murder-knife! William definitely needs his sleep."

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