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 ===== Friday, November 5th, 2010 =====
 ==== Dead Swiss Guardsmen Still Like Wine ====
-William Troy wakes up at 7:00 o'clock in the morning and stretches a bit before getting out of bed. He hops in the bathroom for a quick shower, and then dresses before descending the stairs. Halfway down the stairs, he smells a combination of sandalwood and myrrh from the first floor. William heads into the living room only to find it full of smoke! However, the smoke alarm above him remains silent. William realizes the smoke is coming from a thick black candle on the coffee table. The candle is sitting on a small dish and William grabs it. He sees symbols carved into the wax, but the heat has distorted them. He then sees movement out of the corner of his eye and turns to see a halberd! To his shock, he then sees the ghosts of two Swiss Guardsmen from medieval times! The ghosts wear helmets with red plumes, silver breastplates, and the yellow and red striped uniforms. William can also clearly see the chest wounds that led to their deaths.
+[[wod:hunter:pcs:william]] wakes up at 7:00 o'clock in the morning and stretches a bit before getting out of bed. He hops in the bathroom for a quick shower, and then dresses before descending the stairs. Halfway down the stairs, he smells a combination of sandalwood and myrrh from the first floor. William heads into the living room only to find it full of smoke! However, the smoke alarm above him remains silent. William realizes the smoke is coming from a thick black candle on the coffee table. The candle is sitting on a small dish and William grabs it. He sees symbols carved into the wax, but the heat has distorted them. He then sees movement out of the corner of his eye and turns to see a halberd! To his shock, he then sees the ghosts of two Swiss Guardsmen from medieval times! The ghosts wear helmets with red plumes, silver breastplates, and the yellow and red striped uniforms. William can also clearly see the chest wounds that led to their deaths.
-The nearest ghost salutes William, who then turns to shake his grandson awake. Josh Troy wakes up immediately and starts coughing from the smoke. He tries to sit up, but stumbles down back onto the couch. He looks up and sees the ghosts of the two Swiss Guardsmen, and asks, “Granddad?” William immediately replies, “I have the same question.” Josh asks anyway, “Why are the guys from the //Da Vinci Code// here?” William shrugs, as he genuinely has no answer. Josh waves at the ghosts and asks, “Would you like something to drink?”
+The nearest ghost salutes William, who then turns to shake his grandson awake. [[wod:hunter:pcs:josh|Josh Troy]] wakes up immediately and starts coughing from the smoke. He tries to sit up, but stumbles down back onto the couch. He looks up and sees the ghosts of the two Swiss Guardsmen, and asks, "Granddad?" William immediately replies, "I have the same question." Josh asks anyway, "Why are the guys from the //Da Vinci Code// here?" William shrugs, as he genuinely has no answer. Josh waves at the ghosts and asks, "Would you like something to drink?"
-The first ghost surprises both Troys when he replies, //“Do you have wine?”// William nods dumbly, and heads into the kitchen to get wine while Josh heads to the bathroom to pee. One of the ghosts follows Josh, but as soon as the ghost exits the smoke, it fades from view. William decides not to think about a dead Swiss Guardsman in the bathroom with his grandson but does retrieve a bottle of wine and two glasses and then returns to the living room. He asks, “Can you even drink this?” The ghost replies, //“As long as the candle is lit, we can communicate and interact.”// William realizes at that moment that while he is speaking English and hearing the ghost reply in the same language, the ghost himself is speaking in Latin.
+The first ghost surprises both Troys when he replies, //"Do you have wine?"// William nods dumbly, and heads into the kitchen to get wine while Josh heads to the bathroom to pee. One of the ghosts follows Josh, but as soon as the ghost exits the smoke, it fades from view. William decides not to think about a dead Swiss Guardsman in the bathroom with his grandson but does retrieve a bottle of wine and two glasses and then returns to the living room. He asks, "Can you even drink this?" The ghost replies, //"As long as the candle is lit, we can communicate and interact."// William realizes at that moment that while he is speaking English and hearing the ghost reply in the same language, the ghost himself is speaking in Latin.
-William shrugs and pours two glasses of wine. He hands the ghost one of the glasses, and then watches as the ghost drains it with one gulp. Josh returns from the bathroom and asks, “So, what brings you guys by?” While the second ghost takes the other glass of wine, the first one replies, //“We are here at the order of the Holy Father.”// Josh winces while William ask tentatively, “Which one?” The ghost replies, //“His Eminence, Honorius III.”// Josh ask slowly, “I know I'm not really a Catholic anymore, but that's not the current Pope, right?” William replies firmly, “Not at all.” The ghost explains, //“We are here to protect you from the one without eyes. It attempted egress earlier, while you slept. However, we drove it away.”// Josh asks slowly, “Is this your sister-in-law?”
+William shrugs and pours two glasses of wine. He hands the ghost one of the glasses, and then watches as the ghost drains it with one gulp. Josh returns from the bathroom and asks, "So, what brings you guys by?" While the second ghost takes the other glass of wine, the first one replies, //"We are here at the order of the Holy Father."// Josh winces while William ask tentatively, "Which one?" The ghost replies, //"His Eminence, [[wod:characters:honoriusiii|Honorius III]]."// Josh ask slowly, "I know I'm not really a Catholic anymore, but that's not the current Pope, right?" William replies firmly, "Not at all." The ghost explains, //"We are here to protect you from [[wod:characters:helen|the one without eyes]]. It attempted egress earlier, while you slept. However, we drove it away."// Josh asks slowly, "Is this your sister-in-law?"
-William shrugs and asks the ghosts, “How long have you been here?” The first ghost explains, //“We have been here since you fell asleep. Another shift will begin when you fall asleep again.”// Josh muses, “We need more wine.” William asks, “Are there other guards at other places?” The ghost replies, //“Correct.”// He adds, //“Oh, I have a message from the Holy Father himself. Do not wear the hat! The results will be unpleasant.”// With that, the flame on the candle snuffs out, and the ghosts and the smoke vanish completely. Josh immediately sends a text to the group.
+William shrugs and asks the ghosts, "How long have you been here?" The first ghost explains, //"We have been here since you fell asleep. Another shift will begin when you fall asleep again."// Josh muses, "We need more wine." William asks, "Are there other guards at other places?" The ghost replies, //"Correct."// He adds, //"Oh, I have a message from the Holy Father himself. Do not wear the hat! The results will be unpleasant."// With that, the flame on the candle snuffs out, and the ghosts and the smoke vanish completely. Josh immediately sends a text to the group.
 ==== Dead Men and Soul Candles ====
-Sin-Eater Anita Perez-Montoya wakes up at 8:00 o'clock in the morning and takes a quick shower. She heads downstairs to the kitchen, stomach grumbling as she can smell breakfast, but stops dead in the doorway. She sees //Abuela// fussing at the table, while her sister Del sits there in the high-end pantsuit she got from Veltis as she works at applying makeup. However, what draws Anita’s attention are the two dead Swiss Guardsmen flanking the Montoya women! //Abuela// looks up and asks, “What are you staring at?” Anita shakes her head and replies, “Nothing, just Del. What's going on?” Del grumbles, “I have a pretrial hearing today.” Anita replies, “Ouch. Good luck.” The Witch stares at the two guardsmen but Anita decides that this is not her current problem and quickly wolfs down breakfast. She then starts packing up to head to the botanica. The two ghosts follow her into the living room, and she hisses, “What's going on? Is my family in danger?”
+Sin-Eater [[wod:hunter:pcs:anita]] wakes up at 8:00 o'clock in the morning and takes a quick shower. She heads downstairs to the kitchen, stomach grumbling as she can smell breakfast, but stops dead in the doorway. She sees //Abuela// fussing at the table, while her sister Del sits there in the high-end pantsuit she got from Veltis as she works at applying makeup. However, what draws Anita's attention are the two dead Swiss Guardsmen flanking the Montoya women! //Abuela// looks up and asks, "What are you staring at?" Anita shakes her head and replies, "Nothing, just Del. What's going on?" Del grumbles, "I have a pretrial hearing today." Anita replies, "Ouch. Good luck." The Witch stares at the two guardsmen but Anita decides that this is not her current problem and quickly wolfs down breakfast. She then starts packing up to head to the botanica. The two ghosts follow her into the living room, and she hisses, "What's going on? Is my family in danger?"
-One of the ghosts, who has a large hole in the center of his torso from a cannonball wound, replies, //“Negative, my lady. We are here at the orders of Pope Honorius III. He has tasked us to protect you and your home.”// Anita boggles but replies, “My thanks?” The ghosts salute and then fade away. Anita grumbles, “OK, that happened,” as she heads out into her car. Anita gets a text message while she's driving but waits until she pulls up to the botanica and shuts off her car before she looks at her phone. It's Josh's text message, and it reads, //“Did all you have guys with funny pants last night?”// Anita texts back, //“Funny weapons, funny helmets, and a guy with a cannonball hole. Wait, that's not funny. They were very polite.”// Josh immediately replies, //“They like wine.”//
+One of the ghosts, who has a large hole in the center of his torso from a cannonball wound, replies, //"Negative, my lady. We are here at the orders of Pope Honorius III. He has tasked us to protect you and your home."// Anita boggles but replies, "My thanks?" The ghosts salute and then fade away. Anita grumbles, "OK, that happened," as she heads out into her car. Anita gets a text message while she's driving but waits until she pulls up to the botanica and shuts off her car before she looks at her phone. It's Josh's text message, and it reads, //"Did all you have guys with funny pants last night?"// Anita texts back, //"Funny weapons, funny helmets, and a guy with a cannonball hole. Wait, that's not funny. They were very polite."// Josh immediately replies, //"They like wine."//
-As Anita enters the store and prepares to open the botanica for the day, Josh asks if she has the black candle. Anita texts back, //“No, did you have a candle?”// Josh takes a picture of the candle and sends it to the group text. Anita examines the picture, and her eyes widen when she realizes that it is a Hebrew soul candle, a very well made one. She immediately realizes she can offload that to the right person for a five-figure sum. Josh texts, //“It just randomly showed up. What does it do?”// Anita explains, //“It is a soul candle. It's for protection. Honestly, it's so high quality that it's effectively a protective nuclear bomb.”// Anita downs more coffee as she does a spot-check of the inventory. It's very slow, so she also researches the Pope in question. She examines the drawings of Pope Honorius III and compares him to Danny DeVito.
+As Anita enters the store and prepares to open the botanica for the day, Josh asks if she has the black candle. Anita texts back, //"No, did you have a candle?"// Josh takes a picture of the candle and sends it to the group text. Anita examines the picture, and her eyes widen when she realizes that it is a Hebrew soul candle, a very well made one. She immediately realizes she can offload that to the right person for a five-figure sum. Josh texts, //"It just randomly showed up. What does it do?"// Anita explains, //"It is a soul candle. It's for protection. Honestly, it's so high quality that it's effectively a protective nuclear bomb."// Anita downs more coffee as she does a spot-check of the inventory. It's very slow, so she also researches the Pope in question. She examines the drawings of Pope Honorius III and compares him to Danny DeVito.
-==== “Has Something Breached the Sanctity of My Boudoir?” ====
+==== "Has Something Breached the Sanctity of My Boudoir?" ====
-Lucifuge hunter Leta Mackenzie awakens when her demon-familiar-rat Veltis mumbles into her ear, “Abby’s pissed about something.” Leta can hear swearing in multiple languages out in the living room, and calls out, “Abby! Stop reading books that make you mad!” Sin-Eater Abby Henderson yells back, “That is not the problem!” Leta wakes up a bit more, and then freezes when she realizes something is watching her. Her bed is against the wall, and Veltis tends to favor that side while Leta sleeps on the left. The presence is by her nightstand, but she cannot see anything. Veltis growls, “It feels... holy.” Leta demands, “Can you not be invisible?” Nothing happens, so she calls out, “Abby! Is there a ghost in my room? Something holy is watching us!” Abby enters their room, and immediately stares at the space by the nightstand. She swears, “Oh fucking hell!” Leta retorts, “Something has breached the sanctity of my boudoir?”
+Lucifuge hunter [[wod:hunter:pcs:leta]] awakens when her demon-familiar-rat [[wod:characters:veltis]] mumbles into her ear, "[[wod:characters:abby|Abby]]'s pissed about something." Leta can hear swearing in multiple languages out in the living room, and calls out, "Abby! Stop reading books that make you mad!" Sin-Eater Abby Henderson yells back, "That is not the problem!" Leta wakes up a bit more, and then freezes when she realizes something is watching her. Her bed is against the wall, and Veltis tends to favor that side while Leta sleeps on the left. The presence is by her nightstand, but she cannot see anything. Veltis growls, "It feels... holy." Leta demands, "Can you not be invisible?" Nothing happens, so she calls out, "Abby! Is there a ghost in my room? Something holy is watching us!" Abby enters their room, and immediately stares at the space by the nightstand. She swears, "Oh fucking hell!" Leta retorts, "Something has breached the sanctity of my boudoir?"
-Abby retorts, “Yeah, a very dead Swiss Guardsman.” Leta blinks in surprise and asks, “Am I a dead Pope?” Veltis declares, “This is William’s fault.” Leta agrees, but grumbles, “Can you shut up and let me sleep?” Again, there is no reply, so Leta declares, “Time for an experiment.” She gets out of bed, and the presence immediately vanishes. Abby nods and declares, “Yup, they're gone. There was another one watching me. He said he was here to protect us from the one without eyes.” Leta asks, “Is this Josh's fault?” Abby eyes her, but Leta retorts, “When something weird happens, there's usually a Troy at the center of it!” Abby frowns but doesn’t argue the point.
+Abby retorts, "Yeah, a very dead Swiss Guardsman." Leta blinks in surprise and asks, "Am I a dead Pope?" Veltis declares, "This is William's fault." Leta agrees, but grumbles, "Can you shut up and let me sleep?" Again, there is no reply, so Leta declares, "Time for an experiment." She gets out of bed, and the presence immediately vanishes. Abby nods and declares, "Yup, they're gone. There was another one watching me. He said he was here to protect us from the one without eyes." Leta asks, "Is this Josh's fault?" Abby eyes her, but Leta retorts, "When something weird happens, there's usually a Troy at the center of it!" Abby frowns but doesn't argue the point.
-Over the course of the next hour, NPD Officer Michael ‘Mick’ McManus, changeling Doctor Amar Ranjip, and NPD Detective Polly Wagner all reply to the text, stating that they have found candles in their homes. Leta grumbles about the lack of candles in her apartment,((The hunters figured out later that only those households without a Sin-Eater got candles.)) but decides, “This is probably William’s fault. He's Catholic and the Pope would send back up for him.” As the group coordinates via text, Leta learns that the ghosts were sent by Pope Honorius III. Veltis starts swearing in multiple languages for several minutes and ends his tirade by growling, “I'm going to burn that hat!” Leta jokes, “So the Vatican can't hire a maid?” Veltis retorts, “No shit!” Leta retorts, “Oh no, there's lots of shit!”
+Over the course of the next hour, NPD Officer [[wod:characters:mick|Michael 'Mick' McManus]], changeling [[wod:characters:ranjip|Doctor Amar Ranjip]], and NPD Detective [[wod:characters:polly|Polly Wagner]] all reply to the text, stating that they have found candles in their homes. Leta grumbles about the lack of candles in her apartment,((The hunters figured out later that only those households without a Sin-Eater got candles.)) but decides, "This is probably William's fault. He's Catholic and the Pope would send back up for him." As the group coordinates via text, Leta learns that the ghosts were sent by Pope Honorius III. Veltis starts swearing in multiple languages for several minutes and ends his tirade by growling, "I'm going to burn that hat!" Leta jokes, "So the Vatican can't hire a maid?" Veltis retorts, "No shit!" Leta retorts, "Oh no, there's lots of shit!"
 ==== Researching His Eminence, Pope Honorius III ====
-At the Troy household, William grumbles, “I just wanted a day off.” He turns to his grandson for research, and finds Josh is already on it. Josh is stunned to find out that Pope Honorius III reigned eight hundred years ago, and exclaims, “Hey! He wrote a grimoire! That's one of those supernatural books, right?” William nods, and Josh continues researching. However, he gets cranky, and rants about how they’re always getting into trouble. Leta texts back in reply, //“Stop being a Troy?”// Josh grumbles about Pope Honorius III receiving demonic entities, and William replies, “That sounds right. I had a dream the other night that I was him. At least we know who the demon is!”
+At the Troy household, William grumbles, "I just wanted a day off." He turns to his grandson for research, and finds Josh is already on it. Josh is stunned to find out that Pope Honorius III reigned eight hundred years ago, and exclaims, "Hey! He wrote a grimoire! That's one of those supernatural books, right?" William nods, and Josh continues researching. However, he gets cranky, and rants about how they're always getting into trouble. Leta texts back in reply, //"Stop being a Troy?"// Josh grumbles about Pope Honorius III receiving demonic entities, and William replies, "That sounds right. I had a dream the other night that I was him. At least we know who the demon is!"
-Back at the apartment, Leta announces, “Take us to your boyfriend's house so we can burn a hat.” Abby shrugs and leads them out to the car, and then drives them all to the Troy household. They arrive around noon and William lets them in. Veltis growls to William, “You're the Catholic, so //ipso facto//, this is your fault.” William shrugs and retorts, “You cleaned the hat.” Veltis demands, “How did you know that? Eight hundred years ago, I shit in that hat. Hell, I will pay Josh to shit in that hat!” Josh looks stricken but William assures him, “I think your hair will be fine.” Josh wonders about other demons the Pope summoned and asks Veltis if there is a demonic phone book. Veltis retorts, “Yeah, it's called Facebook.”
+Back at the apartment, Leta announces, "Take us to your boyfriend's house so we can burn a hat." Abby shrugs and leads them out to the car, and then drives them all to the Troy household. They arrive around noon and William lets them in. Veltis growls to William, "You're the Catholic, so //ipso facto//, this is your fault." William shrugs and retorts, "You cleaned the hat." Veltis demands, "How did you know that? Eight hundred years ago, I shit in that hat. Hell, I will pay Josh to shit in that hat!" Josh looks stricken but William assures him, "I think your hair will be fine." Josh wonders about other demons the Pope summoned and asks Veltis if there is a demonic phone book. Veltis retorts, "Yeah, it's called Facebook."
 ==== The One Without Eyes ====
-The discussion turns again to the “one without eyes.” Veltis points out, “William’s the detective, maybe he should go out and look for clues. Especially if this thing tried to break in last night.” William concedes, “That's actually not a bad idea,” and grabs his jacket to head outside. Rain is falling steadily and there's a brisk chill in the air. Although the rain has washed away any footprints, William find scratches on the patio door, indicating an attempt to break in. He also catches a whiff of sandalwood and myrrh, and assumes this is where the ghosts stopped whatever was trying to break in.
+The discussion turns again to the "one without eyes." Veltis points out, "William's the detective, maybe he should go out and look for clues. Especially if this thing tried to break in last night." William concedes, "That's actually not a bad idea," and grabs his jacket to head outside. Rain is falling steadily and there's a brisk chill in the air. Although the rain has washed away any footprints, William find scratches on the patio door, indicating an attempt to break in. He also catches a whiff of sandalwood and myrrh, and assumes this is where the ghosts stopped whatever was trying to break in.
-He heads back inside and informs the others and asks if they can check with everybody else about break-ins. Josh sends the text. Mick and Polly head to their respective homes during their lunch breaks and confirm evidence that someone tried to break in at both locations. Doctor Ranjip texts, //“I'm at the hospital now, so I can't get home anytime soon. But I did notice the scent of sandalwood and myrrh by the front door when I left this morning.”//
+He heads back inside and informs the others and asks if they can check with everybody else about break-ins. Josh sends the text. Mick and Polly head to their respective homes during their lunch breaks and confirm evidence that someone tried to break in at both locations. Doctor Ranjip texts, //"I'm at the hospital now, so I can't get home anytime soon. But I did notice the scent of sandalwood and myrrh by the front door when I left this morning."//
-The hunters spend early afternoon putting together all the pieces of the puzzle they have and doing some research while coordinating via text message, and later a conference call. They end up concluding that the “one without eyes” is likely Helen Mansfield, the Blind Oracle and William’s sister-in-law. They theorize that the dead Swiss Guardsmen brought the candles from the Underworld, and the candles helped repel Helen’s intrusion. They also guess that Anita and Abby didn’t get candles since they’re Sin-Eaters and can see the dead naturally.
+The hunters spend early afternoon putting together all the pieces of the puzzle they have and doing some research while coordinating via text message, and later a conference call. They end up concluding that the "one without eyes" is likely [[wod:characters:helen|Helen Mansfield]], the Blind Oracle and William's sister-in-law. They theorize that the dead Swiss Guardsmen brought the candles from the Underworld, and the candles helped repel Helen's intrusion. They also guess that Anita and Abby didn't get candles since they're Sin-Eaters and can see the dead naturally.
-Doctor Ranjip asks, //“Is the Blind Oracle trying to find information about the Underworld? Possibly the information I gleaned from the Underworld? Does this mean we have a mad changeling chasing us?”// Abby turns to Leta and declares, “She is not a Troy.” Doctor Ranjip retorts, //“She's a Troy by marriage!”// Abby sighs and states, “I like my eyeballs where they are; is she an immediate threat?”
+Doctor Ranjip asks, //"Is the Blind Oracle trying to find information about the Underworld? Possibly the information I gleaned from the Underworld? Does this mean we have a mad changeling chasing us?"// Abby turns to Leta and declares, "She is not a Troy." Doctor Ranjip retorts, //"She's a Troy by marriage!"// Abby sighs and states, "I like my eyeballs where they are; is she an immediate threat?"
 ==== Triaging the Threats ====
-William replies, “I don't think so, not in comparison to three vampires.” The others cry out, “Wait, what?” Leta demands, “Where did you get one extra?” while Anita asks, //“Was there a BOGO sale?//” William explains, “We knew two of them, but I just found out yesterday that there is a third. I assumed you were all still asleep yesterday, so I didn't bother telling anyone.” Anita retorts, //“I was working!”// It is now about 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and the hunters discuss and debate the threats that face them. They have vampires, Helen, Silas Black, a dead True Fae, and dead Swiss Guardsmen. Leta adds, “And a dead sister! Who's working for the dead True Fae.” Anita interjects, //“Do we list the family downstairs as one unit or separately?”// Josh’s eyes glaze over in avoidance.
+William replies, "I don't think so, not in comparison to three vampires." The others cry out, "Wait, what?" Leta demands, "Where did you get one extra?" while Anita asks, //"Was there a BOGO sale?//" William explains, "We knew two of them, but I just found out yesterday that there is a third. I assumed you were all still asleep yesterday, so I didn't bother telling anyone." Anita retorts, //"I was working!"// It is now about 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and the hunters discuss and debate the threats that face them. They have vampires, Helen, [[wod:characters:black]], a dead True Fae, and dead Swiss Guardsmen. Leta adds, "And a dead sister! Who's working for the dead True Fae." Anita interjects, //"Do we list the family downstairs as one unit or separately?"// Josh's eyes glaze over in avoidance.
-William states, “We need to face threat in front of us, which I believe is the vampires. That's what we need to focus on right now.” Josh adds, “We're not in a good position to deal with Sethic right now, even though I think he is the greatest threat. I'm not sure we’re in good shape to take on vampires either, but Grandad's right about that; they’re the immediate threat.” Anita concurs, //“I think the vampires are the most immediate threat, but I fully admit I'm overwhelmed by our list. Remember, we also have Samir and the Ascending Ones to work with and prevent war with the Aegis Kai Doru. I feel like we botched all this.”//
+William states, "We need to face threat in front of us, which I believe is the vampires. That's what we need to focus on right now." Josh adds, "We're not in a good position to deal with [[wod:characters:sethic|Sethic]] right now, even though I think he is the greatest threat. I'm not sure we're in good shape to take on vampires either, but Grandad's right about that; they're the immediate threat." Anita concurs, //"I think the vampires are the most immediate threat, but I fully admit I'm overwhelmed by our list. Remember, we also have [[wod:characters:samir|Samir]] and the [[wod:characters:groups:ascending|Ascending Ones]] to work with and prevent war with the [[wod:characters:groups:akd|Aegis Kai Doru]]. I feel like we botched all this."//
-Leta declares, “I personally have no preference.” Doctor Ranjip frets about the Blind Oracle but agrees that the vampires are the immediate threat that they can deal with. Both Polly and Mick agree, and Josh adds, “There is no emotional resonance with dealing with the vampires, except for Ray.” The hunters consider their options now that they have reached a decision regarding their primary target.
+Leta declares, "I personally have no preference." Doctor Ranjip frets about the Blind Oracle but agrees that the vampires are the immediate threat that they can deal with. Both Polly and Mick agree, and Josh adds, "There is no emotional resonance with dealing with the vampires, except for [[wod:characters:ray|Ray]]." The hunters consider their options now that they have reached a decision regarding their primary target.
-Mick points out, //“The Night Watch lived in Springfield for many years.”// Anita retorts, //“So what? They went after Black and died because they thought he was a vampire.”// Mick replies, //“Maybe so, but they still presumably gathered a lot of intelligence. Also, I doubt you were hunting vampires at six years old. I think.”// Anita snorts, but decides that it might be time to reach out to some of the cell’s greater network.
+Mick points out, //"The [[wod:characters:groups:nightwatch|Night Watch]] lived in Springfield for many years."// Anita retorts, //"So what? They went after Black and died because they thought he was a vampire."// Mick replies, //"Maybe so, but they still presumably gathered a lot of intelligence. Also, I doubt you were hunting vampires at six years old. I think."// Anita snorts, but decides that it might be time to reach out to some of the cell's greater network.
 ==== Tiny Jigglypuff ====
-The others decide that is the best idea, to gather information before a confrontation. They end the conference call and then turn their attentions to reaching out to others. Anita starts off by calling her friend TJ, the SWAT team cop and mage. TJ answers on the second ring and threatens, //“If you call me Tiny Jigglypuff, I will turn all the kinetic energy into your body into a weapon and blow it out your eyeballs!”// Anita replies drolly, “Got it, Large Jigglypuff. Any chance you can come by the botanica to talk?” TJ sighs and replies, //“I can be there in half an hour.”//
+The others decide that is the best idea, to gather information before a confrontation. They end the conference call and then turn their attentions to reaching out to others. Anita starts off by calling her friend [[wod:characters:tj|TJ]], the SWAT team cop and mage. TJ answers on the second ring and threatens, //"If you call me Tiny Jigglypuff, I will turn all the kinetic energy into your body into a weapon and blow it out your eyeballs!"// Anita replies drolly, "Got it, Large Jigglypuff. Any chance you can come by the botanica to talk?" TJ sighs and replies, //"I can be there in half an hour."//
-TJ walks into the botanica at 3:30, his demeanor completely serious. He greets Anita with, “What did you get yourself into?” Anita admits, “I need to know everything you know about vampires. My second group of //gringos// has run into a problem.” TJ insists, “You mean your third group of //gringos//. I was your first.” Anita snickers but agrees. She tells him, “They tried to eat the boy. That's bad for my bottom line. They might be coming after all of us now.” TJ wonders, “Wait, you're dead. I wonder what your blood would be like to them?” Anita frowns and admits, “I actually have no idea.”
+TJ walks into the botanica at 3:30, his demeanor completely serious. He greets Anita with, "What did you get yourself into?" Anita admits, "I need to know everything you know about vampires. My second group of //gringos// has run into a problem." TJ insists, "You mean your third group of //gringos//. I was your first." Anita snickers but agrees. She tells him, "They tried to eat the boy. That's bad for my bottom line. They might be coming after all of us now." TJ wonders, "Wait, you're dead. I wonder what your blood would be like to them?" Anita frowns and admits, "I actually have no idea."
-TJ settles on to the stool across from the counter and explains, “Here's the thing about vampires. They've been here the entire time; they've then infesting major population centers since probably the start of human history. They're omnipresent, but their greatest strength isn't their supernatural abilities. It's the political power they amass. They wiggle into as many institutions as they can, and corrupt and divert them to their own ends. Much like the movies, they drink blood, they can't go out during the day, and they don't age. But a lot a lot of the folklore is also bullshit. Running water, crosses, garlic, all that doesn't do anything. Fire, sunlight, and decapitation is the way to go.”
+TJ settles on to the stool across from the counter and explains, "Here's the thing about vampires. They've been here the entire time; they've then infesting major population centers since probably the start of human history. They're omnipresent, but their greatest strength isn't their supernatural abilities. It's the political power they amass. They wiggle into as many institutions as they can, and corrupt and divert them to their own ends. Much like the movies, they drink blood, they can't go out during the day, and they don't age. But a lot a lot of the folklore is also bullshit. Running water, crosses, garlic, all that doesn't do anything. Fire, sunlight, and decapitation is the way to go."
-TJ continues, “Now, I know there are different types of vampires and they have different political units. I know there's some sort of alliance between three of these factions in Springfield that dates back to the 1940s, but the only reason I know that is because our old friend Solomon was involved.” He adds, “They have a feudal structure to their ruling class. There's one vampire at the top of the pack, a Prince or a King or a Queen, and power flows down from him or her. Each vampire is allotted a few blocks of urban terrain as their feeding ground. Unfortunately, the person you want to talk to is Gothi. I recommend booze.” Anita sighs, but thanks him for his time and effort. TJ says his goodbyes and departs.
+TJ continues, "Now, I know there are different types of vampires and they have different political units. I know there's some sort of alliance between three of these factions in Springfield that dates back to the 1940s, but the only reason I know that is because our old friend Solomon was involved." He adds, "They have a feudal structure to their ruling class. There's one vampire at the top of the pack, a Prince or a King or a Queen, and power flows down from him or her. Each vampire is allotted a few blocks of urban terrain as their feeding ground. Unfortunately, the person you want to talk to is [[wod:characters:gothi|Gothi]]. I recommend booze." Anita sighs, but thanks him for his time and effort. TJ says his goodbyes and departs.
 ==== Calling Milan ====
-Leta calls Milan, and Giuseppe answers. Lena immediately says, “I'm just checking in. I'm not dead. We went to the Underworld again this week. It was not by choice.” She then tells Giuseppe just about everything that occurred in the past few days, including her extended interactions with Silas Black and his two friends, and the strange powers they displayed. However, she doesn't get into too much detail about Josh's dead parents. She jokes, “Black thought I wanted to take over.” Giuseppe replies, //“That makes sense, though. Look at it from his point of view, he's just taken over the entire syndicate and there's this one random person who's getting money regularly. Was there anything else?”//
+Leta relocates to [[wod:characters:serena|Serena]]'s old room and calls Milan; [[wod:characters:guiseppe|Giuseppe]] answers. Lena immediately says, "I'm just checking in. I'm not dead. We went to the Underworld again this week. It was not by choice." She then tells Giuseppe just about everything that occurred in the past few days, including her extended interactions with Silas Black and his two friends, and the strange powers they displayed. However, she doesn't get into too much detail about Josh's dead parents. She jokes, "Black thought I wanted to take over." Giuseppe replies, //"That makes sense, though. Look at it from his point of view, he's just taken over the entire syndicate and there's this one random person who's getting money regularly. Was there anything else?"//
-Leta replies, “Yeah, vampires. We seem to be about to throw down with them.” Giuseppe admits that the Lucifuge doesn't know much about vampires other than that the traditional methods against them don't usually work. He repeats much the same information as TJ did, but adds one tidbit – staking the vampire through the heart puts them into a coma-like state, it doesn't destroy them. Leta wonders about pitting William armed with his cross against a vampire; Giuseppe concedes, //“That might actually work; William is a man of true faith. I admit a certain amount of curiosity in that regard. We don't know much about the local vampire scene in your area, other than Boston is thick with them, but they play second fiddle to the very powerful mages of that city. Let me make some calls, and I'll get back to you tomorrow.”//
+Leta replies, "Yeah, vampires. We seem to be about to throw down with them." Giuseppe admits that the Lucifuge doesn't know much about vampires other than that the traditional methods against them don't usually work. He repeats much the same information as TJ did, but adds one tidbit – staking the vampire through the heart puts them into a coma-like state, it doesn't destroy them. Leta wonders about pitting William armed with his cross against a vampire; Giuseppe concedes, //"That might actually work; William is a man of true faith. I admit a certain amount of curiosity in that regard. We don't know much about the local vampire scene in your area, other than Boston is thick with them, but they play second fiddle to the very powerful mages of that city. Let me make some calls, and I'll get back to you tomorrow."//
 ==== CuteButt217 ====
-Meanwhile, Josh texts Ray Curran, and the young man replies almost immediately, //“What's up, Cutebutt217?”// Josh texts back, //“I'm just checking in on you. Everything alright? You doing OK?”// A few moments passed before Ray replies //“Not great actually. I'm pretty sure I saw my sister lurking around the last few nights.”// Josh admits, //“That's actually something I want to talk to you about. Can we meet?”// Ray replies, //“Sure! Pulaski Park again?”// Josh says, //“Actually, no. Can you come to my house? I had a bit of a misadventure.”// He then takes a picture of his bandaged feet and sends it to Ray. Ray text back a gif of //‘WTF?’// in bright flashing letters. Josh snickers but then asks William, “Can you go pick up Ray for me?” William agrees, so Josh replies, //“Pulaski Park is fine, and my grandfather will meet you there.”//
+Meanwhile, Josh texts Ray Curran, and the young man replies almost immediately, //"What's up, Cutebutt217?"// Josh texts back, //"I'm just checking in on you. Everything alright? You doing OK?"// A few moments passed before Ray replies //"Not great actually. I'm pretty sure I saw my sister lurking around the last few nights."// Josh admits, //"That's actually something I want to talk to you about. Can we meet?"// Ray replies, //"Sure! Pulaski Park again?"// Josh says, //"Actually, no. Can you come to my house? I had a bit of a misadventure."// He then takes a picture of his bandaged feet and sends it to Ray. Ray text back a gif of //'WTF?'// in bright flashing letters. Josh snickers but then asks William, "Can you go pick up Ray for me?" William agrees, so Josh replies, //"Pulaski Park is fine, and my grandfather will meet you there."//
-William borrows Josh’s Ford Explorer and drives down to Pulaski Park, arriving at 3:45 in the afternoon. He sees Ray almost immediately, and helps the teenager put his bike in the back of Josh's car. Ray gets into the passenger seat and William turns around and heads back up Route 66. Ray is silent for most of the trip, until William turns onto Sovereign Way. Then Ray asks, “What did he do?” William replies, “Who?” Ray explains, “Josh. He sent me a picture of his feet. All bandaged up.” William nods and replies, “He got injured recently, it's a long story.” William pulls up into his driveway and tells Ray, “I have to run an errand, so you can hop out here and then I'll head out.” Ray nods and gets out of the Ford Explorer, and then William drives away. Ray heads into the Troy household and greets Josh, who is still laying on the couch. Ray eyes Josh’s injured legs, and Josh admits, “We got dragged into the Underworld last night, but we're back.”
+William borrows Josh's Ford Explorer and drives down to Pulaski Park, arriving at 3:45 in the afternoon. He sees Ray almost immediately, and helps the teenager put his bike in the back of Josh's car. Ray gets into the passenger seat and William turns around and heads back up Route 66. Ray is silent for most of the trip, until William turns onto Sovereign Way. Then Ray asks, "What did he do?" William replies, "Who?" Ray explains, "Josh. He sent me a picture of his feet. All bandaged up." William nods and replies, "He got injured recently, it's a long story." William pulls up into his driveway and tells Ray, "I have to run an errand, so you can hop out here and then I'll head out." Ray nods and gets out of the Ford Explorer, and then William drives away. Ray heads into the Troy household and greets Josh, who is still laying on the couch. Ray eyes Josh's injured legs, and Josh admits, "We got dragged into the Underworld last night, but we're back."
 ==== William Goes to the Deuce ====
-William drives down to Northampton police station and then heads inside. The sergeant on duty looks up from the desk and says, “I thought the case was dead, sarge” William nods and admits, “It is, the Feds took it. I just want to tie up a few loose ends, Is Davidson around?” The sergeant shakes his head and replies, “No he did the 7-3 shift. He left about an hour ago. Is this an official visit?” William admits flatly, “Nope.” The sergeant leans over and tells William quietly, “Then he's probably at the Deuce.” William nods and replies equally quietly, “Thanks.”
+William drives down to Northampton police station and then heads inside. The sergeant on duty looks up from the desk and says, "I thought the case was dead, sarge" William nods and admits, "It is, the Feds took it. I just want to tie up a few loose ends, Is [[wod:characters:davidson|Davidson]] around?" The sergeant shakes his head and replies, "No he did the 7-3 shift. He left about an hour ago. Is this an official visit?" William admits flatly, "Nope." The sergeant leans over and tells William quietly, "Then he's probably at the Deuce." William nods and replies equally quietly, "Thanks."
 William leaves the station and returns to his car. He knows the Deuce is slang for the World War II Club, so he drives there. He gets out about 4:30 in the afternoon and sees a few cars in the parking lot. He heads inside to find the loyal cadre of patrons already present, and Officer Joseph Davidson sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a beer. William sits down next to him, and Davidson side-eyes him for a moment before motioning for the bartender to give William a beer. Davidson remains silent as William accepts the beer and takes a drink.
-William says softly, “So how's it been? I heard about last night.” Davidson admits, “Vandernoot’s in some sort of angry calm, and McLeod didn't show up today.((Task Force: VALKYRIE; McLeod is hitting the ground running.)) Gordon’s OK, Graham’s OK, and Curry still has the chip on her shoulder the size of Easthampton.” William asks carefully, “What about you?” Davidson admits, “Not great, it feels like I'm walking on sand. Do you know what that's like? When everything you knew to be true turns out it isn't?” William nods and says, “About the things you saw. It can be helpful to get it out.” Davidson eyes William and asks, “Are you interrogating me? William insists, “No, just having a conversation.”
+William says softly, "So how's it been? I heard about last night." Davidson admits, "[[wod:hunter84:pcs:vandernoot|Vandernoot]]'s in some sort of angry calm, and [[wod:hunter84:pcs:macleod|MacLeod]] didn't show up today.(([[wod:characters:groups:valkyrie|Task Force: VALKYRIE]]; [[wod:hunter84:pcs:macleod|MacLeod]] is hitting the ground running.)) [[wod:characters:gordon|Gordon]]'s OK, [[wod:characters:graham|Graham]]'s OK, and [[wod:characters:curry|Curry]] still has the chip on her shoulder the size of Easthampton." William asks carefully, "What about you?" Davidson admits, "Not great, it feels like I'm walking on sand. Do you know what that's like? When everything you knew to be true turns out it isn't?" William nods and says, "About the things you saw. It can be helpful to get it out." Davidson eyes William and asks, "Are you interrogating me? William insists, "No, just having a conversation."
-Davidson frowns but shrugs. They moved to a table in the far corner, and Davidson tells William, “You're buying the next round.” William agrees, so Davidson signals for two more beers and then lowers his voice to explain. He says, “Lee Gordon? Despite everything, he's a good cop, he just didn't get any help after Iraq. No resources, you know?” William nods knowingly, and Davidson mutters, “Right, your ex-military too, aren't you? You know exactly what I'm talking about.” William nods again but says nothing.
+Davidson frowns but shrugs. They moved to a table in the far corner, and Davidson tells William, "You're buying the next round." William agrees, so Davidson signals for two more beers and then lowers his voice to explain. He says, "Lee Gordon? Despite everything, he's a good cop, he just didn't get any help after Iraq. No resources, you know?" William nods knowingly, and Davidson mutters, "Right, your ex-military too, aren't you? You know exactly what I'm talking about." William nods again but says nothing.
-Davidson explains, “Gordon wanted to check out the mini gun. That's way heavy artillery for some smuggling group to have, you know? Hell, that's too much even for cops.” William agrees, so Davidson continues, “So he gets the four of us together and we head down to the airport to cover him. We get there and there's no noise, no one visible. We instinctively slipped into silent operations, you know? Hand signals and the whole like. Didn't make a sound. We headed onto the property, and then found the three staties who were supposed to be on duty being drained by vampires! Like I saw this one vampire who I swear was just like a college student. There was also some whack-job, Phantom of the Opera reject in a domino mask. However, the one that really stuck in my mind is this woman in a medieval type dress. You know what I mean? Sometimes you see people at Renaissance fairs wearing these things, but that wasn't like that. The one she was wearing was real, the genuine article. One look at her, and you knew she was centuries old. Christ on the cross, she's older than the United States of America! Anyway, so they are popping people and drinking blood when we show up. They see us and then all of a sudden, they are on top of us. Especially the woman in the dress? You didn't see her move. She was in one space and then she was several feet away. Despite this, I got the impression that Top Hat McGee was the one in charge.”
+Davidson explains, "Gordon wanted to check out the mini gun. That's way heavy artillery for some smuggling group to have, you know? Hell, that's too much even for cops." William agrees, so Davidson continues, "So he gets the four of us together and we head down to the airport to cover him. We get there and there's no noise, no one visible. We instinctively slipped into silent operations, you know? Hand signals and the whole like. Didn't make a sound. We headed onto the property, and then found the three staties who were supposed to be on duty being drained by vampires! Like I saw [[wod:characters:elisa|this one vampire who I swear was just like a college student]]. There was also some [[wod:characters:monseigneur|whack-job, Phantom of the Opera reject in a domino mask]]. However, the one that really stuck in my mind is this [[wod:characters:elisabete|woman in a medieval type dress]]. You know what I mean? Sometimes you see people at Renaissance fairs wearing these things, but that wasn't like that. The one she was wearing was real, the genuine article. One look at her, and you knew she was centuries old. Christ on the cross, she's older than the United States of America! Anyway, so they are popping people and drinking blood when we show up. They see us and then all of a sudden, they are on top of us. Especially the woman in the dress? You didn't see her move. She was in one space and then she was several feet away. Despite this, I got the impression that Top Hat McGee was the one in charge."
-Davidson falls silent for a few minutes as he nurses his beer, and then he says softly, “Then the wolves showed up. These things come in howling, but I swear to Christ on the cross, the one with the pink stripe stopped to pet Graham on the head! The vampires bolt, as quick as they can. Lady in the dress is just gone, super-speed and the like. Top Hat McGee suddenly explodes into a group of bats and flies away! I know how that sounds, but I swear to Christ on the cross, that is the truth. The college chick just runs, and the wolves go chasing after her.”
+Davidson falls silent for a few minutes as he nurses his beer, and then he says softly, "Then the wolves showed up. These things come in howling, but I swear to Christ on the cross, [[wod:characters:cain|the one with the pink stripe]] stopped to pet Graham on the head! The vampires bolt, as quick as they can. Lady in the dress is just gone, super-speed and the like. Top Hat McGee suddenly explodes into a group of bats and flies away! I know how that sounds, but I swear to Christ on the cross, that is the truth. The college chick just runs, and the wolves go chasing after her."
-Davidson leans in very close and asks softly, “Were those things actually werewolves?” William replies, equally quietly, “Best not to think about that. Just be happy that you're safe.” Davidson mumbles, “Yeah, until they come after us again.” William shakes his head and replies, “I don't think they will. I think you're safe for now.” Davidson jerks his head up to stare at William for a moment, before saying slowly, “You're going after them, aren't you? You're going after the vampires. You're gathering intelligence.” William remains inscrutable, but Davidson nods anyway and says, “You should talk to your wolfy friends. Are they actually your friends?” William admits, “I guess so? We help each other out when the need arises.” Before they can continue, more patrons arrive at the bar, so they seamlessly shift the conversation.
+Davidson leans in very close and asks softly, "Were those things actually werewolves?" William replies, equally quietly, "Best not to think about that. Just be happy that you're safe." Davidson mumbles, "Yeah, until they come after us again." William shakes his head and replies, "I don't think they will. I think you're safe for now." Davidson jerks his head up to stare at William for a moment, before saying slowly, "You're going after them, aren't you? You're going after the vampires. You're gathering intelligence." William remains inscrutable, but Davidson nods anyway and says, "You should talk to your wolfy friends. Are they actually your friends?" William admits, "I guess so? We help each other out when the need arises." Before they can continue, more patrons arrive at the bar, so they seamlessly shift the conversation.
 ----
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 </WRAP>
+{{tag>chronicles_of_darkness hunter recap}}

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