[Maggie and Kurt are presumably both working on training for the tourney. They run into each other in the training room. A day after Maggie's seecret mission.] [Time: 10/7/2020. 4 pm. Weather: Unseasonably warm.] [Start!] * Marguerite is filling a moving target very very full of lead. She's doing it while smoking, which is nothing new, but the blindfolded part certainly is. * Kurt stands quietly behind Maggie, waiting for her to... er... stop "killing" things. * Marguerite empties the clip, reaches up, and takes off the blindfold. She turns around, nearly smacking into Kurt. "Shit...!" Fuck, Kurt, you scared the shit out of me. Make more fucking noise. I couldn't busted through the wall and you wouldn't've heard me. * Marguerite drops her smoke and crushes it out with her toe. "Eh. You practicing for your next round?" Yeah. Guy's pretty fuckin' whacked. I'm gonna go check on the poor guy that fought Wraith last round, see what's what. You found anything out about Yvonne? * Kurt gestures to the blindfold. "I don't remember her turning invisible. I don't know anything about her, besides that she's fuckin' Tim and anything else that moves. And she fights hand to hand. So if I drop a smoke grenade and keep some range, I'm hoping she's screwed. (Oh, this should probably go without saying, but no reporting to Brett. :P) That's all you've got so far? Yeah. You think I should go lookin' for more? Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Rule #1 of winning. Never go into a fight with fewer than four trumps up your sleeve. It's not necessary in all cases, but I guarantee you'll never regret having too many. Mmm. You got ideas on where to look? Eckerd might not be too keen on me askin' her how to take down an op. Yvonne's not fighting for SAB this time around, so no sweat on that front. But they also don't have much on her, so I figured you might wanna consult a diviner. * Marguerite tucks the blindfold away. "... a what? What the fuck would I do that for?" A diviner. An oracle? You know, kinda like Google, only magical. * Marguerite rubs her chin and lights up another cig. "You know where to FIND one of these walkin' Ouija boards?" There are penny oracles all over the place, but to find a really good one, you're gonna have to put some of your contacts to use. I know a couple people ... hard to keep contacts in my line of business. Most mercs try hard to make themselves unfound, you know? Yeah, I'm talking contacts with the bigger organizations, though. THe more powerful an oracle is, the more likely they are to be snapped up by a government or megacorp. * Marguerite muses while chewing on her cigarette. I don't know anybody at the EU, and I just chewed up some favors there... shit, I dunno. You think the Templars or Smee got one we could borrow? The templars, maybe. You think you have any goodwill with them? I ain't kicked any of their asses yet, if that's what you mean. They're gonna want some payment, then. We'll see what they want me to pay. You know where they hang out? Not really, we'll have to ask the higher ups. Great. * Kurt shrugs. "No biggie. Put that thing away and we'll get going." * Marguerite runs a cloth over the DE, slips it into her shoulder holster, and nods. "Let's head to the library. Got an idea of who to ask." Sure. * Kurt falls into step beside Maggie as she leaves. [And you get to the library quickly enough. Mai, the librarian, is presently typing up a report on one of the computers out front. She looks up as you enter.] Hey, Mai. Back again. * Marguerite grins. "Don't go thinkin' I've made a fuckin' habit of it, though." Not a bookworm, huh? NEver woulda thought. * Mai smiles. "I'm actually fairly used to that by now. Can I help you?" Yeah. We need to know where the Templars hang out, so we can ask them if they've got a diviner handy, so we can fucking ask her or him for the dirt on an opponent. * Mai nods stops to think for a moment. (On phone, will be just a second) * Mai then looks up. "They do have a diviner I believe." She summons a book in her hand and quickly flips through it. "Suspected user of life related magic, Hindu I believe. And contacting them is relatively easy. I can give you a number for their tournament contact person." Good deal. Can you get me the one for Smee while you're at it? My rolodex is kinda thin. * Mai smiles. "Certainly." She then writes out numbers for both groups on a slip of paper and hands them to Maggie. "Be sure to let us know what you find, Sarah has been willing to reward this sort of research." (Sarah being Eckerd's first name. I'll leave to you if your characters would recognize it) Sure, no prob. Right. Let's go find us a phone. [You do easily enough. The Templar entry has "Julio (No last name given. Low level mage/counterspeller. Fought Ren and lost)." [Video and voice only phones are available.] Man, I've only done this shit for two days and already I'm sick of it. * Marguerite punches in the number. * Marguerite is using the voice only. [The phone rings a few times then a male voice picks up. "How can I help you?" Yeah, did I reach the Templars? * Male voice chuckles. "You did. Congratultions. Julio speaking. Who's this?" Just the man I was looking for. Name's Maggie, I'm from SAB, and I need a favor. * Julio thinks for a second. "Maggie.. you're the one with the really big gun, right? Or is it the sniper?" Got it right the first time. Cool. Well, we're willing to trade favors. What do you need? * Kurt keeps silent, just in case. You're a diviner, right? I need some info on my next tourney draw. Oh, no, that's not me. But we have one. ::sound of a few papers slipping:: Ah, you're fighting Yvonne. That should be interesting. Alright, what are you willing to give in return? Depends. What do you need? Or take in trade, I mean. Tournament intelligence would be helpful. But we're not worried about Ren and not sure who Edge is facing next round. And the information on Yvonne is only useful to us if you lose. Hmm... * Julio flips a few more pages and is still thinking. * RDMgryphon has left #SAB2020 * Mechalink has left #sab2020 Everything you've got on the SAB splinter group and any records on Mak would about cover it. Shit, that doesn't come cheap. Just what I got clearance too, right? Yeah. And assurance from SAB HQ that the information's valid. (s/too/to) How about a basic profiling on the splinter group, and what we have on Mak? What's in a basic profile? Standard tactics and powers, plus an equipment rundown. No connections or stuff on weaknesses. Okay. Get the assurance in writing and keep the information up to date until the end of the tournament and we've got a deal. [And Mai stops by the phone area. She stays outside so you can't hear her, but she waves for Kurt's attention.] Done. (So she can't hear you rather.) * Kurt turns around and waves, the opens the door silently and slips out. Excellent. We'll get her out to the area. Scotland will probably be easiest, have a pen and paper handy? * Marguerite pulls out a pen and prepares to write on the wall, unless there's paper nearby. "Shoot." I remembered one thing that might come in handy. Yvonne recently stopped by Victor's lab, given his vulnerability to her forms of persuation, I'm guessing he might have helped her out with some equipment. Victor, huh? I might be paying him a visit myself. Thanks. * Julio gives Maggie the information. Gonna be in a rural area in Scotland. * Marguerite scribbles on the wall! Yaye! * Mai nods and smiles slightly. "Welcome and don't mention to him that I told you. I'd prefer to mock him myself." (And ffing whenever) (good to go) (And if you guys don't object I'll let the others rejoin. Just don't mention the specifics of what you're handing off.) Hey, no problem. My lips, they are sealed. ( Sure. ) * Mechalink has joined #sab2020 * RDMgryphon has joined #SAB2020 [And Kurt and Maggie head up to a farm in Scotland. Bit of a long and windy road to get there, but the directions were good so not a problem. Nice little farm, by a lake. You were told to meet by a small wharf on the lake.] [You can drive fairly close to it, so I'll let you describe how you'd arrive and then walk up.] [The building by the wharf is nothing much. Mini boat house, empty and room for a half dozen people to stand while the boats are out.] * Marguerite motors up on her vintage Harley! She's been talking Kurt's ear off, probably. She seems to have that tendency. When she can go no further, she slides it to a stop and drops the kickstand. * Kurt stretches a little and slides smoothly off the bike. * Marguerite slips off. "Nice place. Ought to buy me ten or twenty of these when I retire." Good for you, maybe. I don't think I could stand living near this much water. [There a bit of a bleating sound from the dockhouse. And an Indian (country) woman steps outside. She's wearing simple traditional white robes that offset her darker skin. She's attractive, but not startlingly so. Late twenties.] What the fuck are you doing in England, then? * Marguerite grins at Kurt, then turns to face the lady. * Woman speaks with a bit of an Indian accent, but is quite understandable. "Welcome, shall we begin?" Sure. Please. * Marguerite pulls out a manila folder. "Here's our end." * Woman takes the folder and thanks Maggie she then leads you into the small building where there's a slight smell of incense and a circle of candles. There's rather old goat standing contently inside the circle. The woman takes a seat by the candles and picks up a fairly ornate knife. * Marguerite raises her eyebrow. "Fuck." No, we KILL the goat, Maggie. Either way. * Marguerite smirks. * Woman recites what sounds like a prayer and runs a hand over the goats face. It closes its eyes and bleats contently. She then adds a bit more to the prayer. [The goat lowers its head slightly and the woman adds in "Yvonne Mozzarella" before finishing and then slitting the goat's throat in a single smooth motion.] Nice technique. Comes with practice, I imagine. Not much call for slashed throats anymore, though. I dunno, some people put out hits, they make you do it old-school. [Goat falls inside the circle and the woman disembowels it with another swift stroak. She then looks up. "Even though the animal is ready to pass on to its next life, I believe that its death should be swift and dignified."] * Woman then stares at the entrails. Man, I gotta learn how to do this. * Woman stares down tracing one intestine. "She's lived a life of multiple centuries, and in it she has taken many steps to conceal aspects of her nature. This continues today." * Woman keeps searching. "She was born human, but has taken on aspects of an outsider, which gives her strengths but also makes her vulnerable in the classical ways." She keeps searching. * Marguerite frowns. * Kurt snorts. "I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out she's a succubus." * Woman raises a tangle of veins with the edge of the knife. "Her life has been long intertwined with two others." She tilts her head. "This tangle was cut through, or will be, soon, but this does not relate to your question. Two of the three have followers, one stands alone." * Marguerite rubs her head. "Man, I hate this crap... it's never straight out." It gives you something to look for. * Woman then frowns. "It is the nature of divination." She looks up. "Decide on three questions. The rest of the process is destructive, and once I have answered them, I can find no more about her." (And sort of pause here. Anyone logging?) * Disconnected Session Close: Sun Jan 23 18:36:46 2005 Session Start: Sun Jan 23 19:06:34 2005 Session Ident: #sab2020 * Now talking in #sab2020 * Topic is 'http://www.livejournal.com/community/sab2020/ | #sabooc for dice and ooc | #sabwatch for IC non-combatants ' * Set by Grysar on Sun Dec 05 20:01:35 * Woman had been concentrating on the entrails wile you spoke, keeping the ritual going and all. (Oh, and if you want occult (spirits) roll for the classic methods) Alright. Uh, I guess we start with what other aspects are we talkin' about? Aspects? I don't quite understand. You said aspects of an outsider. Which outsiders we talkin' about? * Woman nods and then cuts open the goat's stomach. Which doesn't smell great. * Kurt sniffs a little and then realizes that's a VERY bad idea. Man, I can't be sure if I'm sorry or glad I already fuckin' ate. * Rowyn has quit IRC (Ping timeout ) There are many aspects, most have been susumed into her human self. But otherness envelops her. Her beauty and grace to glide above air, and above all her lips and ability to take away life and grant something new." She pokes around the stomach, looking under some curds. "She is vulnerable to the natural spiritial defenses of this world, liquid and solid. As are any that would assist her. Uh... * Marguerite looks nonplussed. * Marguerite looks over at Kurt. "A little help? Anythin'?" How can we find her True Name? * Kurt says that so you can hear the capitals. It's very ominous. Only not. * Woman pokes at the liver and it resists the initial cut, apparently it is a bit thicker than she expects. As she does this, the three intertwined viens she mentioned earlier jerk suddenly. "This I can answer, but she has apparently hidden it well." She looks over to the veins. "It may naturally be discovered soon enough, but the path to find the answer in time would have no small amount of blood." ( "This I can answer, but she has apparently hidden it well." She looks over to the veins. "It may naturally be discovered soon enough, but the path to find the answer in time would have no small amount of blood.") (In case that didn't all get through) * Woman keeps the knife over the liver, "Shall I proceed with that question?" Yes. * Marguerite looks antsy. * Woman slices the liver. Bizarrely, there's a few ice crystals inside. "That path has already been discovered and is now in the possession of those whose banner you carry." She makes three more slices. "The first step, if made with a possession of hers, will draw the answers you seek." [Blood then oozes out of the three cuts she made, in great quanties. "Do not take this step unarmed." So... SAB's got it, right? They have the path. * Marguerite looks at Kurt. "Shit, I'm so out of my league." We have to make sure we're on the team that follows it. And we've got to get a possession of hers. That's no problem, she probably sheds underwear like old skin. * Woman prods at the ice crystals a bit more, but adds nothing. She then looks ups and awaits the next question. * Marguerite shakes her head. "Any other bright fuckin' ideas, Kurt?" Not really. Wait. Once we find her True Name, how can we use it? * Marguerite tosses her cigarette away. "Hey, nice thought." I have good ideas every once in a while. Some of them don't even involve fire. There a twelve step program for that, or you use drugs to help? Cause apparently I need to get me on this shit. I could sign you up for ninja night school, I suppose. How the fuck does that work? You couldn't see the teacher. * Woman slices the heart with two swift strokes, and all four compartments fall open. "An item of true belief will let a bearer that speaks the name also speak words of containment and banishment. One who already knows such words may speak them with greater strength. And..." * Woman spreads the heart with the point of the knife. "The name will allow one to prepare material spiritual defenses. Even without the faith and training such a task typically demands." Great. Both excellent. I need to get Mai to find me a crazy-shit-to-English dictionary, cause I understood about three words of that. * Woman then adds a few words in Hindi and washes the knife in a bowl of water. She then pours the bowl onto the goat and says a last few apparently thankful words in hindi. You get to eat that, or is it down for the count? At present, the flesh is polluted by the ritual. The final step is purification by cremation. Yeah, I figured. * Marguerite lights a cig. "Hey, we appreciate it, right? Kurt probably understood most of that, so we'll figure it a square deal." Thank you for your help, miss. * Woman stands up and offers a hand to Maggie. "And I appreciate the information you give us. My name is Reshma if you need to call on me again." * Marguerite shakes it. "Thanks. I'm Maggie. Or Mad Dog if you read international wanted lists." * Woman then shakes Kurt's hand if he likes. "And just a word of warning. The gods will not object to the spiritual defense of this world in a tournament. But abuse of these powers does draw retailation." No pissing her off in the head late at night, huh? * Kurt does shake her hand, in fact. "Naturally. The abuse of any power will draw retaliation." * Reshma nods at Kurt's comment and smiles. "Just that some retaliation is faster than others." The best weapon is one you never have to use. * Marguerite waves behind her as she walks towards her bike. "We'll be careful." [End!]