[Frei and Kat were investigating the room of Isaac Maddox. Inspecting his chest to be precise.] [Katherine does not find any traps on it.] [Start] * Katherine checks the chest over carefully. "No traps of the mundane nature." * Frei hmms and nods, looking sideways at the chest. "Well, I guess I'll give unlocking it a shot." Provided it's locked with a spell, which he assumes it is since he could tell anyway. (Yeah, really simple spell) [Lock opens without any trouble.] * Frei puts his hand down. "Well, that went pretty well. If this one explodes, I will be really peeved." You won't be the only one. * Katherine opens the thing. [The chest has fairly unremarkable contents. A few older fairy tales, a nice change of normal clothes, and a teddy bear with his eyes shut. There Might be more under this upper level of stuff.] * Frei looks over Katie's shoulder into the chest distractedly. "How adorable." He mmms. "I keep thinking, if this is a little mama's boy he might be trying to impress his friends by stealing all this stuff. Harmless, but stupid." It's possible. If that's the case, though, someone's got to be putting him up to it. * Katherine digs a little deeper. (Give me a sleight of hand check (Pick pocketing) Katherine. ) [Katherine successfully roots through the chest, a few letters to and from home but not much else of note. While she's at it the teddy bear shifts slightly and yawns, but keeps its eyes shut. Frei notices a bit of magic activity from it, but rather low level.] * Katherine skims over the letters for anything interesting. * Frei frowns at the teddy bear. "Alright, I say we take what we want and shut the chest. I'm sort of tired of plush toys calling in the cavalry." * Katherine mmms faintly and waits for the GM to look back in this channel so she knows if she has anything. [There's several letters from home. The early ones seem more chatty and inquire more as to the various activities Isaac is trying and ask for more information about friends. Maris is mentioned by name, apparently she's been giving him homework help.] [There's also a couple questions about the teachers, Rica Oakley seems to be getting more attention than most. His father seems glad that she's helping him with matters and said that from his description it sounds like she'd be fun to meet, but only with mother around just to be safe.] [The later letters have a lot more questions and less to go on. His parents seem to think that he's not telling them enough. They are glad he's still getting coaching from Maris and were sorry to hear that the flying lessons "with that Lion that he'd mentioned in the previous letter" didn't actually last.] * Katherine lets out a faint noise of disappointment and puts things back in the chest where she found them. (How long ago?) * Frei glances over Katie's shoulder at the letter. "God, what a loser." I take it your education was a bit different. * Katherine shuts the chest. * Frei snorts, but only a little bit. "I learned different stuff." [A few years, there are mentions to her later so it seems like it was steady help, although none recent, though then there are no names recently.] * Frei looks around the room again. "Well, we're heavy on motive and short on actual evidence." There's actual evidence, but the problem turns into who else he's working with. * Katherine frowns, gives the room another once over, and just shakes her head. "I doubt we're going to find more here." * Frei nods. "Yeah, unless we want more warm fuzzies from this dork's model career." He knits his brow. "What's the house that's supposedly got all the real brave and true kids in it? I bet one of them did it." I'd guess Lion. Why them? * Frei grins. "Think about it. You can't have light without shadow and vice- versa, right? All the do-gooder types like them walk a really thin line. Doesn't take much to make one snap." * Katherine actually seems to seriously consider that for a moment, before she decides, "Sure. May as well take a look." * Frei nods, then hmms. "How we gonna handle it? Play Audubon Society again?" If you have a better idea, I'm open to it. But like I said before, just being demons won't work. (Hearing awareness both of you. +12_ (Amazingly, I made that.) [Katherine hears, from down the stairs, through the common room, and behind the door, someone say the word. "Knowledge." Oddly enough, she hears nothing else of note from that area.] (Voice familiar at all?) (Sadly, I know what this is and I didn't hear it.) * Frei sighs and looks at the window. "Sadly, it's better than the invisibility. Less noticable." * Katherine sighs, then tilts her head as she hears that. "There's your password. Funny." * Frei blinks and turns around. "Huh?" Knowledge. The source of magic. ...okay, that's STUPID. * Frei looks back at the window. "You don't need to KNOW anything to use magic. That's why it's so damn dangerous." Which is why I got it wrong. It was a trick question. * Katherine heads over to the window, transforming into a sparrow and flying out. [About now Luther Hurst comes around the corner. Frei doesn't recognize him since he didn't see the briefing. He's got a wand out and waving. He made no noise on his approach.] [Init!] [Luther, Frei, Katherine] * Luther waves his wand immediately at Frei while saying "Immobolis", unfortunately for him his aim is off and the bed just behind him is immobilized. The bed wasn't moving much before so that's not a big change.] [Frei!] * Frei frowns, and decides to throw up a barrier because he's not in the mood to fight but isn't a moron, either. "Okay, listen. Before anyone starts throwing any spells around past these opening gambits, let's chat a sec." [Katherine!] * Katherine has flown out the window. She perches nearby and listens, because she's like that. [Out of init for the moment.] * Luther keeps his wand pointed at Frei, apparently with a spell readied. He sneers slightly. "Alright, chat then." He waits for an answer. * Frei shifts his stance a little. "Somebody at your school stole a magical artifact that happens to belong to me and it's not one that's safe for kids to use either. So, I came to get it back." He sits in midair, looking distracted. "I figured the faculty wouldn't want to help me, so I sort of had to do it the rough way." * Luther nods. "And why should I believe you?" * Frei shrugs. "Why shouldn't you? Don't you have something in your little bag of tricks to tell if I'm lying?" * Luther nods and makes a complex series of gestures with his right hand. "Veritas." He keeps the wand in his left pointed at Frei. [Soul roll Frei, if you're resisting.] (Well, it depends. Do I know he just cast Summon Polygraph? Because if he did, I don't resist.) (Haha!) (Yeah) (You know) * Luther keeps the wand pointed. "Now, say it again." * Frei shrugs. "Like I said. Something valuable and kinda dangerous of mine got ganked from Harrod's, and all the clues led here. But I didn't think you'd help me, so I snuck in to find it myself." He raises an eyebrow. "Satisfied?" * Brett has joined #sabkatfrei * Luther nods. "Satisfied." He doesn't lower the wand. "So, I know nothing of the thefts in question, unless Mallory managed to sneak a great deal farther then I've suspected and has a bit more brains than I give him credit for. But, if you tell me the nature of the item I'll do my best to find it." * Frei tilts his head to the other side. "Before or after it drives some poor brat insane? I think you should help me find it instead." * Luther shrugs. "Half the brats are looney already, I think I'd be hard pressed to notice. Oh, and call in your familar, I'd prefer to have both of you in view." Uh... my what now? (And even if he's still truth serum-ed, that's entirely true!) * Luther waves his wand. "The sparrow, don't tell me your one of those miserable PETA types that calls your animal your companion." (Hehe!) (Snark.) * Frei raises an eyebrow. "The spa... oh." He looks over at the window. "Don't be silly. I don't have a familiar. That's just a woman who can shapechange who's here for the same reason but for different stolen stuff." Beam! (I'm not in view, I'll note. ;P) * Luther nods and looks rather surprised. "Ah, well. Call her in anyways." (He did say sparrow, he knows who he's talking about.) * Frei turns back to Luther. "Why do you think I have any control over her? You call her in you want her so much." * Frei puts a finger to his lips. "Though I admit, she has a certain rugged handsomeness that reminds me of Ayn Rand before she got uglified by too much deep fried food." (Honesty BAD!) (*nearly dies*) What's her name then, so I could call her? * Frei babbles on. Stupid truth spell. "I mean, do YOU think they could deep fat fry fucking BORSCHT? It's a SOUP! The Russians are INSANE." (Did I get Katie's name? I think I got the first name.) (First name.) Huh? It's Katherine, I think. Yeah. (* Tim falls over laughing, he's going to get killed for it but....) * Luther calls out mockingly. "Oh Katherine, could you please join us before I come after you?" * Katherine would roll her birdy eyes if birds *could* roll eyes, but she flies in and perches on one of the top bunks, looking down at him. * Frei just eyes Luther. "You get passed up for a promotion lately or something? You seem kinda edgy." (Harry Potter ref complete.) (Awesome.) * Luther eyes back and comments sarcastically. "To be honest I just enjoy ordering people around." He waves the wand over to Katherine. "True form please, I'd prefer not to force the issue.." ( *Katherine turns into a playing card) * Katherine chirps once before, yes, reforming into herself. She's sitting on the bunk and looks more or less at ease. (Mwaha.) [You hear the sound of an approaching centaur from the hall.] * Frei decides to make a gesture of stupi^H^H^H^H^Hgood faith and lowers the shield he was maintaining. "Oh, goody. It's a party." Please. Do us a favor and keep the centaur away. So kind of you. And certainly. Dennis, please stop when you reach the top of the stairs, I've got the situation handled in here. * Katherine shifts a bit, folding her hands in her lap and looking past Luther. Who names a centaur 'Dennis'? Is he 'Dennis the Hooved Menace'? Man. Centaurs need cool fantasy names like Mightilon the Stargazing Badass. * Katherine coughs into her hand. The children call him the Menace. They haven't the creativity to add hooved to the reference. * Frei smirks. "Fun. I'm guessing there's the standard quantity of hung-like-a- horse jokes also. But let's save fun for after work." Likely only when he's not listening. He's the worst about them actually. So. ::waves the wand over to Katherine:: Veritas. (Soul if you're going to resist) * Katherine has a spell cast on her! She blinks at Luther. * Luther looks slightly suspicious at Katherine. "Who are you, what are you doing in my school, and what have you done so far? * Katherine speaks in a quiet, clear voice, "Katherine. I'm here because some of your students are trouble-makers. And I've mostly looked around in sparrow form." She pauses a moment. "Would you mind sending your centaur away? I won't put you in danger or try to escape." Actually I would, more specifics please. * Katherine shrugs. "What kind of specifics? There's a black market here. Surely you know about that." * Frei just looks at Katie. "What is it with you and the centaur?" It bothers me. Yeah, we got that. Maybe, what of it? * Brett has left #sabkatfrei * Katherine raises an eyebrow. "You didn't think people would look into stolen items?" * Frei looks at Luther. "She's got a point." Answer a question with a question while under a truth spell, neat trick. Elaborate. A computer was stolen, and I've been hired to retrieve it. I've never heard the black market dealing in hot items, let alone technology. Why are you here? * Katherine repeats: "A computer was stolen, and I've been hired to retrieve it. Maybe the computer's magical somehow, or they've suddenly become interested." * Frei mutters. "Magic combined with technology can produce some really whack shit. I'd be really concerned if students had it." * Katherine nods. * Luther calls over to the Centaur without turning. "Okay, apparently two stolen magical items among the students, a computer and a?" ::he looks to Frei:: * Frei smiles pleasantly. "Incense burner." * Luther repeats. "Incense burner. You know the drill." * Luther looks to Katherine. "So, not feeling all that cooperative. Perhaps if you'd improve your attitude and we'll consider not pressing charges." [Centaur clomps off.] * Katherine shifts a bit. She hears the centaur leave, then smiles. "Consider my attitude improved. You didn't know about the computer? I was certain the faculty would have been alerted as to any potential thefts going on." * Frei continues smiling sweetly. "And maybe we won't make it public that your school's running a black market in magical artifacts." * Katherine chuckles. The school isn't running a blackmarket, we've got a kid that sneaks in some cigarrettes and a few higher quality contraband for the students with more money than sense." Sneer and growl. "And I'm not the one answering questions here." Wand at Katherine. * Katherine holds up her hands. "Sorry." Nobody loves a man with an itchy wand finger, Captain Grouchy. I'd prefer fear and respect. ( That's not a question, is it? I'd hate to give an honest opinion of you.) * Frei tries not to snicker and mostly succeeds. Mostly. "Yeah, well, you're definitely dark and eebil, Mr. Sinister." Oh, wait. 'Ambitious', sorry. (Sadly, Frei and I are not high school students and therefore not horribly intimidated by !Snape's presence.) (Yeah, really. I've seen worse. ^_^) (But he doesn't know that.) * Luther waves the wand to Frei. "We're on the search, you're work is done, leave." Back to Katherine. "I couldn't care less what you think of me, what proof do you have the item is here?" * Frei pouts. "Don't wanna. Besides, I have to be here the get the item, don't I?" He has a point. I hate losing things, too. * Luther has a growing tone of impatience in his tongue. "Then wait by the front door and leave the brats alone. I'll be with you shortly, one way or the other." * Frei smirks. "Clearly, you are an educator par excellence." He sets down on the ground. "I'm fine with waiting. I never get to appreciate the combination of fine neo-Gothic architecture with raging teenage hormones." * Luther sneers. "Excellent, then wait down there." * Frei raises an eyebrow. "You sure are in a hurry to get rid of us." He looks at Katherine. "You coming, or you want to stay and witty banter around with Grumpypuss some more?" * Katherine shrugs. She hops off the bed, landing easily on the ground. She stays. Oh, well then. * Frei blinks, then grins widely. "Ohohoho. Now, come on. In the dorms? Don't you have any shame?" He arches his back and stretches. "Most of the kids here do it in the forest." You try my patience. Yeah, well, you dress funny. Leave now. * Katherine idly looks around. * Frei frowns. "Tell me why you're so keen on being alone with the amazing Sparrow Lass, and I might." I want a straight and complete answer. * Frei looks at Katie. "Uh... she gave you one?" * Luther shakes his head. "I want elaboration; she's failed to give me that." * Frei grins. "And you failed to turn up our stuff. You could always arrange some sort of trade." You broke and entered and stole the property of a student, an obnoxious one admittedly, but that's hardly an excuse. So cooperate first. * Frei shrugs and looks at Katie. "Truth be told I've almost been gored and/or burned to a crisp helping her, so I sorta want to hear the straight answer too." * Luther smiles. "Delightful. Well then Katherine, let's hear it." * Katherine shrugs. "And I've been caught helping you." She glances out the window. "Like I said, a computer was stolen. Among other things, I imagine, such as his incense burner. One of your students was seen around the time of the crime, at the location of the crime." * Luther looks surprised. "Who?" * Frei blinks. "Good question." * Katherine looks around this room. "Isaac Maddox. Who do you think?" She frowns. "Chances are, some of the faculty is involved in this. I imagine that's why you weren't told, Hurst." * Frei tilts his head, then swivels it toward Luther. "...ah, see, now this sort of makes a little sense." * Frei pauses, then looks at the desk. "No, wait, it doesn't. There's too many suspects. We've got Maddox the golden boy, whatsername with the ubertrapped chest, and this kid who's studying some pretty suspiciously useful memory charms." * Luther snickers. "Maddox?" He laughs out loud. "My, standards for theifdom certainly seem to have dropped, and I quite doubt the staff would bother, we're all quite well paid, I'm law abiding all the way to the bank really." * Katherine tilts her head. "Really? How is your pay?" * Luther grins. "Wonderful, thanks." You're welcome. * Frei hmms. "I could always take up teaching. I'm wonderful with kids." * Katherine snickers. Well, that's a straight answer, so we'll get on our investigation, and I'll be sure to report back the results. If a student stole it, we'll find it soon enough, if a staff person, I'd be very surprised. But have no fear, we won't have students harming themselves with these devices. * Frei smirks. "Not on purpose, anyway." That's one of the things I'm worried about. Though like I said, I'm also worried that one of the staff was involved in this. If you conduct a search, couldn't word reach them? * Frei nods. "Word. You have to keep it on the downlow, L-dog." * Katherine snerks. Just a little. How about a little deal? I get some time to look around in a subtle manner and I'll be subtle and in exchange I'd like to never see you two again. Starting a minute from now. Deal? Actually, do you have a cafeteria? If you throw in lunch you've got a deal. * Luther takes out his wallet with his right hand and removes fifty. "This should cover lunch somewhere the hell off our grounds." He tosses it over. (Fifty pounds? Not bad.) * Frei snorts. "I don't need your money, puny mortal," he says sharply, though it doesn't sound angry, just... disappointed. "Do yourself a favor, see if you can find a scroll of Stick-en-Gluteus Disapparativo." * Luther snorts. "Puny mortal, haven't heard that before." The classics never die. Nor clichés apparently. Now, get yourselves gone, and I'll go make sure Dennis doesn't say anything he shouldn't. Like what? Bothering Mister Wilson? * Frei floats on over to the window and opens it up. "Feh. This place is so damn boring. You better produce that censer." Oh, yes, I'm sure he'd enjoy hearing that line again. * Frei looks back from the window sill, which he's sitting on. "Then tell him to change his damn name, for crying out loud." * Katherine just walks over to the window. "I'll adhere to your deal." (Man, I'm so confused. Maybe I shouldn't play Katherine or something. :P) (Then we float out the window, and reduce the school to dust!) (Cool!) ("You... we had a deal!" "Just kidding.') Good. Hopefully won't see you. ("And thus the two people flew into the sunset fervent in their desire to rip Luther's fool head off. The end.") [End]