[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
GM says, "There, logging."
[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "the monk should remember what happened even without the log!"
Gert asks (of monk), "Hey, I heard Brother Etienne is missing! What happened?"
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "That's why he keeps a log!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "day 33, still not abbott"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "er, -t"
(From GM) Monk says, "I have no idea. We were about to send out a search party yesterday, but he did show up for Vespers, so we didn't."
Gert asks, "Oh! Uh, so he's back?"
(From GM) Monk says, "But then he missed Compline and Matins, and breakfast. And no-one's seen him since."
Gert scratches her head.
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "which hours are those at?"
Gert asks, "Did he say at Vespers where he'd been?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Vespers is evening, compline is late, Matins is morning."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "IIRC"
[Helvetica] GM says, "something like that, yeah."
(From GM) Monk shakes his head. "We don't speak at Vespers. And after Vespers he ran off again, and we didn't get a chance to."
Gert says, "Oh."
(From GM) Monk shakes his head. "The Abbot will have his head if this keeps up."
Gert asks, "Are you planning on sending another search party?"
Gert asks, "And is Cujo still around?"
(From GM) Monk says, "We'll send a party out if he's not back for Vespers -- that's in an hour. You're welcome to wait for him, if you want. His study is over there."
Gert asks, "Do you mind if I look around?"
(From GM) Monk says, "And yes, Cujo's around. Be my guest."
Gert says, "Thank you."
Gert noses around the study.
GM says, "There's a desk and bookshelf full of theological texts."
Gert flips through the books looking for notes.
GM says, "A couple of books are sitting on the desk ... the book of monsters, by Annette Locksley, open to a chapter on Blackwood demons ... and a collection of short stories by Justine du Paix.""
Gert . o O ( Oho! )
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess he doesn't have a lot of choice about what to read since it's in the middle of nowhere"
Gert skims the chapter on Blackwood demons.
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Heh."
GM says, "Yada yada blackwood vampires ... note in the margin about whether it's the blackwood drawing out the darkness in a person's soul, or if it's an actual foreign spirit displacing the host body's soul."
[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Arvid), "OOC, shall I come get you and we can join the monk search party?"
GM says, "Also circled is a note that apparently a surviving victim becomes another vampire if he/she dies within a month of the attack ... question as to whether this is a 'new spirit' or if it's the original spirit jumping into a ready host."
GM says, "And then the door crashes open and it's Brother Etienne back from goodness-knows-where."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess once you're finished searching we can say dinner's over"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh hey"
Gert asks, "Brother Etienne! Where have you been?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Out! Research! Sorry, got carried away ... won't happen again."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Also, what's a surviving victim? Camilla?"
Gert gestures to the book. "On vampires?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I think we might not know who other victims are, if any"
(From GM) Brother Etienne grabs the book of short stories and stuffs it behind a bunch of other books. "Eh? Vampires? Yes, yes of course."
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Did you need something?"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Also, if who dies within a month? The victim or the vampire?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "victim"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we can dig up a copy of the short stories book"
Gert says, "I was worried about you--folks at the college were asking where you were, and your fellow monks were concerned you've missed everything since Compline."
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "It won't happen again. I promise."
Gert asks, "What were you researching all night?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Vampires, of course. There, see?" Points at the book.
Gert asks, "Where?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Mme Locksley's book on monsters ... she was a vampire hunter, you know. Quite the authority on that sort of thing."
Gert asks, "No, I mean, where *were* you?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Well, not just vampires. Werewolves, banshees, bogeymen, you na -- er, me?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "I went for a walk. In the woods. To see where exactly the Schwarzen started."
(From GM) Brother Etienne sneezes.
Gert says, "Into the Schwarzen. In the middle of the night."
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Yes, it was a stupid idea. It won't happen again."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "uh-oh, sneezing means he's going to die of the flu in the next five minutes"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "I need to prepare for Vespers."
Gert exclaims, "OK! Well, I'm glad you're OK!"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "Yes, I'm glad I'm OK too."
Gert lets him prepare for Vespers.
(From GM) Brother Etienne tries to gently guide Gert towards the door. "If you want to borrow Mme Locksley's book, you're quite welcome. Fascinating read."
Gert asks, "Oh! Well, sure. Hey, can I borrow that other book, too?"
maga arrives, looking for booty.
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "argh. how did I lose track of time like that?"
(From GM) Brother Etienne says, "what other -- uh, um, no, sorry, I'm still in the middle of it. I could let you have it tomorrow, though, I should be done by then."
[Helvetica] GM says, "You were being wondrously entertained at dinner by Stefan Kramer's anti-Fate-Witch antics."
Gert says, "OK, that should be fine."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Don't worry, we're handling the bit with Gert from before dinner."
Gert lets herself be ushered out the door, then stands in the hallway, reading the book.
[7thsea] GM rolls 2k2: 6 8 | 14
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Want a roll from me?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "already got it."
GM says, "The door closes behind you."
Gert hangs out reading until he heads out to Vespers.
[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "look through the keyhole!"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha."
[7thsea] Gert rolls 2k2: 4 4 | 8
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Sadly, that doesn't occur to me ;-)"
GM says, "When Brother Etienne finally emerges, he's in a fresh habit, looking very ... monk-like."
GM says, "He locks the door behind him, which is somewhat less monk-like."
Gert pores over the book and waves as he goes by.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm, I wonder if he's been bitten himself"
GM says, "He nods to Gert and proceeds silently toward the chapel."
Gert . o O ( Man, breaking into a monk's cell has got to be a venial if not a mortal sin. )
Gert . o O ( Oh, well. )
Gert, trying to remember what she saw Arvid do, tries to pick the lock on the cell.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] GM asks, "heh, does Gert have a skill with lockpicking in it?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "I have no idea--wait! Yes, I do."
[Helvetica] GM says, "TN 20, then."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Finess+lockpicking"
[7thsea] Gert rolls 3k3: 9 10+1 3 | 23
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "boo-ya!"
GM says, "The door clicks open."
Gert . o O ( Wow, that worked! )
Gert looks for that book of short stories.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha awesome"
GM says, "It's where he stuffed it, in the back of a shelf."
Gert pulls it out again and flips through it, looking for notes and/or extra pages stuffed in it.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "maybe he's having secret assignations with justine"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "And isn't Justine the spy?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yeah"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I mean, maybe"
GM says, "Two stories are bookmarked: 'The Blackwood Portrait' and 'Guillaume Guillaumin'."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
Gert skims the stories.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Guillaume Guillaumin Guillotine"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Do either of those have real-world equivalents that you two recognize?"
GM says, "'The Blackwood Portrait' seems to be about some guy, Damien LeGris, who gets a portrait painted. Subsequently, the portrait begins to age and reflect Damien's life of debauchery, while Damien himself continues to look the part of an angel."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I am not remembering what the latter one refs, but there is something"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Maybe the Blackwood Portait is the Theah equivalent of The Picture of Dorian Grey."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but -- yeah"
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "Timing!"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "does he get it painted on blackwood?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess there's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_abenteuerliche_Simplicissimus\"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "(er, no trailing slash)"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess reading this it is probably it"
GM says, "'Guillaume Guillaumin' is about a scoundrel whose evil deeds keep getting foiled by someone who looks exactly like him."
[Helvetica] GM says, "Yes, the portrait is painted on blackwood."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh, hmm, maybe not"
Gert . o O ( well... hmm. )
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
Gert . o O ( Not very damning, as these things go. )
GM says, "There's a confrontation at a Vodacce party where the scoundrel murders his nemesis, and then it gets very weird as the nemesis turns out to be an image in the mirror or something."
Gert takes a quick circuit of the room for anything else, then replaces the book and leaves, locking the door behind her if possible.
[7thsea] GM rolls 2k2: 6 1 | 7
GM says, "okay."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ok, here, this must be the reference:"
[Helvetica] Arvid | In the Sweet Valley High books, Elizabeth Wakefield was chased by an insane doppelganger - a girl who was not related to her yet looked exactly like her - named Margo Black who attempted to murder her and take her place. Later Margo's twin sister, Nora Chappelle, arrived in town and attempted to kill Jessica, Elizabeth's twin sister, so she could take her place. Neither attempt was successful and the twins lived on to face many more attempts on their lives throughout the series.
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "*Sweet Valley High*??!?!"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Oh dear lord."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "also, here it is for real: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilson_(short_story)"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Look, it's Poe's 'William Wilson'."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha ha ha ha"
[Helvetica] Arvid records this strategy for later
[Helvetica] Gert says (to inky), "Score"
[Helvetica] Gert cannot stop laughing.
GM says, "So, anyway."
GM says, "The monks are at Vespers, which means that it must be about dinner time at the college."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh hunh"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "william wilson was adapted for the screen into the student of prague"
Gert heads back to the college, then.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "which has a big role in this one dorothy sayers story"
GM says (to Gert), "you arrive at the Dining Hall just as Stefan Kramer has this outburst about Fate Witches being a Bad Idea."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh right, I forgot he freaked out"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Oh, Fate Witches at the college?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "dammit, we've been upstaged as the top hit for 'ussura'"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "quick, more linking"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "quick, while he's crazy we can steal his vanilla plants"
[Helvetica] Gert says (to Arvid), "Nooo"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I have a note in backlog from last time that stefan has mysterious grit in his hair"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Mysterious Grits? Maybe someone already discovered the American South."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks (of Cat), "can you get a better look at that before he leaves?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Oh, right, vanilla."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "I can try, but the guy's paranoid enough as it is"
GM says, "Stefan gets up and hurries out."
Cat follows him
[Helvetica] GM says, "ShadowCat"
Gert swipes a plate of food, quickly eats and sits next to Arvid.
GM says (to Cat), "Wits+Shadowing, TN 15"
Arvid recaps things for Gert
Gert recaps things for Arvid.
Gert asks, "Which is weird--maybe Brother E. thinks something similar is happening to him?"
Arvid says, "which I guess is that Professor Scardanelli was a fate witch and good at tarot and backgammon and other things andre's machine can do"
[7thsea] Cat rolls 5k3: 7 8 1 6 7 | 22
Gert asks, "Eww--so her head's in the machine?"
Arvid says, "I suppose he might have just used it for a model"
Arvid says, "but even so, I think he may have become a touch obsessive"
GM says (to Cat), "Stefan seems about to leave to go towards his own rooms, then stops and heads up a different corridor. He goes to Arvid's rooms."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hey hey hey"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "the rule is that *PCs* snoop in *NPCs'* rooms"
[Setting the zoned flag.]
[Helvetica] Gert says, "And set them on fire."
Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says, "we do in fact already know a set of twins"
[Helvetica] GM asks, "Did Arvid lock his room door?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "nah"
Gert asks, "We do?"
Arvid says, "though I have not seen any moral turpitude from the Baron or his doppelganger"
GM says, "Stefan opens the door and goes inside."
Gert says, "Oh, right, the baron and Mr whatshisname."
Gert says, "Though they aren't actually twin twins."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "Comte Rodolphe Pervenche, the wiki informs me"
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "How hard is it likely to be to peer through the door and observe him unnoticed?"
Arvid says, "well, they don't have the same mother, as far as we know, but physically they're duplicates"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Same roll again, TN 20 this time."
Arvid says, "hmm"
[7thsea] Cat rolls 5k3: 6 4 7 7 7 | 21
Arvid says, "I wonder if the blackwood portrait is a distorted version of a story about a vampire"
GM says, "Stefan is pacing nervously. He looks like he's just waiting."
[Helvetica] GM says, "You know, the author of the stories is sitting right there."
Cat nervously glances over her own shoulder
Gert asks, "I don't know. I guess we could ask her?"
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "'Edgardo di Ravenna'?"
Arvid says, "oh, yes, I was forgetting these were original stories"
Arvid and Gert go over to talk to Justine
Arvid says, "see, we shall get the truth from the authoress herself"
GM says (to Cat), "Stefan stops pacing, and grabs a piece of paper and a pen. Begins writing."
Arvid asks, "tell us, are these ghost-stories of yours purely original? or are they based on local tales and legends?"
Arvid says, "this one in particular struck me as a vampire story in disguise"
(From GM) Justine says, "Which ones?" She smiles suddenly. "You've been reading my work!"
[Crows-Nest] Cat says, "well, someone had to"
[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "hee hee"
Arvid coughs. "A little lighter reading between history tomes, perhaps."
Arvid says, "I believe the story in question was entitled The Blackwood Portrait"
(From GM) Justine says, "Oh, that one. No, vampires don't particularly interest me ... that one was inspired by a quote about fair faces hiding foul hearts ... Brother Etienne was very interested in themes of that sort -- the duality of human nature -- and it rubbed off a bit on me."
[Crows-Nest] Cat says, "rubbed off, huh"
Arvid asks, "oh, so he provided the inspiration for some of these stories?"
(From GM) Justine says, "The bit about the portrait being painted on blackwood was my own touch. I'd heard enough stories about good people coming back as horrible creatures after being buried in blackwood coffins."
Gert asks, "Oh, so you've met Brother Etienne?"
(From GM) Justine says, "Given that we've both been teaching here for a while, it was rather hard not to have met."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Brother Etienne is a *teacher*?"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "How did we miss that?"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "(or 'I')"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Or do I think he's not a teacher?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "He teaches theology and philosophy ... it's been a while since it was mentioned, though. Ep 1."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hunh, I didn't realize that either"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess it makes sense, though"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Alrighty."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "given that he's always loitering around"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Where you met him coming out of the college, after class, with Cujo."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "I thought he was just wandering around or something."
[Helvetica] Gert exclaims, "OK, then!"
GM says (to Cat), "Stefan's done writing his note. He leaves it on Arvid's desk and is coming out of the room."
Gert says, "Right, of course, I meant to ask if you two are friends."
Cat hides behind the door
(From GM) Justine says, "We had some literary interests in common."
[Crows-Nest] Cat asks, "Stealth/Wits?"
Arvid says, "that 'fair faces and foul hearts' maxim seems to apply to Guillaume Guillaumin as well, though in a different way"
[Helvetica] GM says (to Cat), "Oh yeah."
[7thsea] Cat rolls 6k3: 7 10+4 10+1 3 9 9 | 34
(From GM) Justine says, "Oh yes. An externalised conscience. I'm afraid the critics were a little horrified by the story, but then they're a bunch of idiots, really."
Cat holds her breath and squeezes against the wall, grateful for corset-training for the first time in her life
[Helvetica] Arvid exclaims, "ha!"
GM says (to Cat), "it occurs to you just in time that 'behind that particular door' is a *terrible* place to hide, since Stefan is almost certain to close it when he comes out."
Arvid asks, "and that one, was Brother Etienne also responsible?"
Cat springs for another doorway, trying not to curse too loudly
(From GM) Justine says, "Hmm, perhaps. I can't deny that I'd been thinking about his lessons for a while. I know he seemed to enjoy it very much. I even gave him a copy of the book."
GM says (to Cat), "Stefan comes out, closes the door behind him, and creeps off down the hall."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "well, the note will keep; Stefan won't"
Cat makes off after Stefan
Gert asks, "Oh, did you sit in on a class or two of his?"
GM says, "Stefan has a special suite in a remote part of the teachers' quarters. There's a small greenhouse attached."
Cat tries to restrain the urge to just steal all the vanilla plants and scarper
(From GM) Justine says, "Yes, I did, as a matter of fact. Some of it was quite boring, but he always got excited about that theme -- conscience, good-and-evil, and so on."
GM says, "Normally, Stefan is very paranoid about keeping the entrance to his quarters locked. There are three different locks on the door, and he keeps the keys tied to his wrist.""
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "shit, forget vanilla, I bet he's got pot in there"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "either way I will be a sensation when I introduce it to the Avalonian court"
(From GM) Justine says, "You could always sit in on a lecture. Though I understand he missed his class today."
(From GM) Justine says, "First time in ten years, according to Von Pinn."
Gert says, "Yes, I actually just saw him up at the monastery, claiming he'd been out 'doing research', but that it wouldn't happen again."
Gert says, "Really! Well."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "I mean, look what you can get out of just a potato"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "good point"
Cat wishes she'd invested time on lock-picking
GM says (to Cat), "man, the smell of vanilla...."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "That sounds like a Hubris activation to me ;-)"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Not that I remember what Cat's is."
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "is the greenhouse behind those locks?"
[Helvetica] Cat says (to Gert), "Overconfident"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Beyond the locks are Stefan's study, bedroom, and the small greenhouse."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "the nice thing about greenhouses is that you can see inside"
GM says, "Stefan goes inside. Three locks lock again, and then there's the deadbolt."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "dammit, Arvid, where are you when I need you"
Cat listens carefully at the door
(From GM) Stefan mutters, 'what to do, what to do, what to do, what to do....'
[Helvetica] Gert asks (of Arvid), "Anything else here?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "nah, she doesn't seem to have any more info"
(From GM) Justine says, "Research? His field is theology. Unless he's looking around for possible alchemical ingredients ... the monks do brew that warming potion, after all."
Gert shrugs. "That's what he said..."
(From GM) Justine says, "I think it's very strange. Perhaps his mind is going."
Arvid says, "perhaps"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "of course, I could just knock on the door and say I was worried about him"
Gert says, "I hope not."
Arvid says, "I don't suppose he mentioned that body that disappeared"
Arvid says, "it was really quite shocking"
(From GM) Justine says, "Amelie Schlegel? I think it's a horrid shame."
(From GM) Justine says, "Her husband's apparently been accusing Bergen of it."
Arvid asks, "Bergen, really? is there any reason to think so?"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "dammit, I really should have read that note"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "it was probably just confessing his hopeless passion for me"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I get those all the time"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Ha ha ha"
(From GM) Justine says, "No. Just that Bergen's field is medical research."
Arvid says, "ah"
Gert nods.
Arvid says, "well, sometimes people engaged in research can get a little .. carried away"
Arvid says, "losing their heads, you might say"
Cat sneaks around outside to try and have a look into the greenhouse
(From GM) Justine says, "I wouldn't know anything about that."
Arvid says, "...count yourself lucky."
GM says (to Cat), "the greenhouse windows are set a bit above head-level. But from below, you can see plants with large, white flowers."
(From GM) Justine blinks, and seems to take offence. "Is that a hint?"
Arvid says, "no, no, don't mind me, just rambling again"
Arvid says, "always thinking of something else, that's me"
Gert stands up. "Well, thanks for the chat! I do like the stories. I hope everything's OK with Brother Etienne."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "hmm. I could try being sincere, or fake Distressed Maiden Pursued by Vampire"
(From GM) Justine says, "I should probably get back to my husband. He IS laid up with a broken leg, you know."
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "That's why he couldn't go with us, no?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "right"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "right"
Arvid says, "oh, yes, that was very unfortunate"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Good, one less thing that happened whilst we were away ;-)"
GM says, "Justine gets up to leave. Albert des Amis jumps up to give her a hand. She shakes him off, glares daggers at him, and stalks off by herself."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Gah more plot ;-)"
(From GM) Albert: "hmph. hoity-toity."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I'll be right here by the NPCs page"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess it is appropriate to glare daggers at the fencing instructor"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "Distressed Maiden Pursued by Vampire seems as if it has high potential for embarrasment"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yes"
Gert and Arvid chat as they wander back to his room whereupon--gasp--a note!
Arvid says, "hrm, someone's been in here"
Arvid says, "I hope they weren't stealing from my stash under the bed"
GM says (to Cat), "You occasionally get a glimpse of Stefan pottering around among his plants, talking to them, and so on."
Gert asks, "Of what?"
Arvid says, "wine bottles, mostly"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "and marijuana I filch from Stefan"
Arvid says, "hey, a note"
Arvid picks it up
GM says (to Arvid), "The note's in an Invisible College cipher. Stefan wants you to meet him at his quarters. Knock twice, pause, knock three times."
Cat knocks softly on the door. Incorrectly.
Gert asks, "I didn't know Stefan was... wait, did I?"
Arvid says, "hmm, Stefan wants to talk about something -- seems nervous"
Arvid says, "let's go"
GM says (to Cat), "Stefan yells out, "who is it?""
Arvid says, "surely I must have mentioned it at some point -- it's how he ended up here"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Stefan wasn't the guy we rescued was he?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "no"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "but Stefan had arrived recently"
Gert shakes her head. "I can't keep everybody straight. I should keep some sort of list with everyone's history and who's connected to whom.
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "yay"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Stefan also kicks himself, thinking 'that was a stupid thing to do, should have stayed silent', but nobody sees that."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we should wait for Cat to have a chance before we go over"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "unless you would rather us arrive before you're attacked by vampires, but that seems less amusing"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "I was leaning away from the vampire-attack plan as requiring difficult explanations later"
[Helvetica] Cat exclaims, "but then again, it'd be in-character to do it anyway!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
Cat says, "Stefan, it's Cat. Let me in, quickly- there's something horrible out here"
Cat allows her voice to break slightly as if trying to fight down panic
GM says (to Cat), "you hear doors locking and unlocking. Things being moved around. Doors unlocking and locking. Then the door opens and Stefan yanks you into the room."
[Helvetica] Cat exclaims, "success!"
GM says, "Stefan relocks the door. Bolts it."
(From GM) Stefan says, "What? what?"
Cat hyperventilates
(From GM) Stefan says, "You'll have to go as soon as whatever-it-is is gone. I'm expecting someone."
Cat says, "I don't know - it was - pale fangs - I got lost in the corridors -"
Cat takes advantage of her terrified, darting eyes to scope out the room
GM says (to Cat), "there's the door to the greenhouse (closed and locked) and the door to the bedroom (closed and locked. The desk has apparently been swept clean in an awful hurry. There are a couple of bloodstains on the floor near the bedroom door."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh great"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "if you killed somebody I am so kicking you out of the secret society"
[Helvetica] GM exclaims, "It was For SCIENCE!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh well ok then"
Cat fakes a faint into the most comfortable chair
(From GM) Stefan mutters, "oh, well, that solves one problem."
[Helvetica] GM throws Cat a drama die.
[Helvetica] (from Arvid) Stefan says "...I'll just KILL HER TOO"
GM says, "Stefan begins to pace the floor, on the other side of the room from Cat."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "ok, should we come in now?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "You arrive now."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "go for it"
Arvid gives the secret knock.
GM says, "Stefan unlocks and opens the door and pulls Arvid in."
Arvid pulls Gert in too before Stefan can shut the door
Arvid says, "this is Gert, another member of our society"
Gert says, "Oh, hi Cat."
Arvid says (to Cat), "what are you doing --"
Arvid asks, "Stefan, why is there blood on your floor?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "oh good." locks the door. "she's fainted, don't mind her."
(From GM) Stefan says, "Never mind the blood! It's the Inquisition! They're here!"
[Helvetica] Cat says (to Gert), "now is not the time to mention how I used this trick to get out of fencing class on a weekly basis"
Gert asks, "The... really?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "They think *I* stole Frau Schlegel's body. They're threatening to come for me if I don't return it."
Gert asks, "Well, did you?"
Arvid asks, "the inquisition? really? who?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "No, I didn't! I had no idea who the Schlegels were until just the other day, when we got the news!"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Someone waylaid me on the way to dinner and -- he said he knew what I did with corpses, only I don't ==
(From GM) Stefan sighs.
[Helvetica] Gert says, "For some reason, all I can think of is, "What does the Inquisition want with a starship?""
Arvid asks, "but you don't know who it was?"
Gert asks (of Stefan), "Who?"
Gert asks, "Anyone you recognized?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "well, I guess we know what Etienne was up to"
(From GM) Stefan says, "He had a mask. And a sword."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "dammit, we're the heroes here"
Gert asks, "Height? Clothing?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "*I* want a mask and a sword, dammit"
Gert asks, "Type of sword?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "He was left-handed, I think. Average height. Pronounced Vodacce accent, might have been faked."
(From GM) Stefan says, "I don't know one sword from another! Might have been des Amis himself, for all I know, only he was already at dinner when I got there."
Arvid says, "hmm"
(From GM) Stefan says, "des Amis, I mean."
Arvid asks, "did he seem to want you to do anything or want anything from you, besides the location of the body?"
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "and fate witches?"
[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "But I know something you don't know: I am not left handed! [switch hands] Ha ha! [slip] er, whoops, damn, haven't used my right hand for this in years. Hang on a sec..."
[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "yay"
(From GM) Stefan says, "he said that if I could return the body, they'd leave me alone for now."
(From GM) Stefan says, "but I haven't got the body."
Arvid asks, "was the Vodacce accent why you were so concerned about fate witches at dinner? or was that something else?"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "no body, just the blood"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oh yeah, I was successfully distracted from that"
(From GM) Stefan says, "My first run-in with the Inquisition was in Vodacce. They say they're against sorcery and all, but I've seen the way things are handled in Vodacce and I wouldn't be surprised if they kept a few Fate Witches around to keep track of -- of undesirables."
Arvid says, "hmm"
Arvid says, "well, I think it's clear this wasn't really someone from the inquisition"
Gert says, "I would guess that wasn't actually the Inquisition, but... right."
[Crows-Nest] Cat says, "(Vodacce) Nor would I, Stefan. Muahahaha."
Arvid says, "surely they have better things to do than harass you about the body"
[Crows-Nest] Arvid says, "hee hee"
Arvid says, "but obviously they're concerned about something"
Arvid says, "stick to well-lit areas for the next few days"
(From GM) Stefan says, "No? How can you tell? Maybe it's Falisci ...."
Arvid asks, "Falisci?"
Gert says, "Well, finding the body or what happened to it seems to be important, at any rate."
(From GM) Stefan says, "they're after my orchids, of course."
Gert asks, "Your... orchids?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is Falisci one of the princes?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "my poor babies."
[Helvetica] GM says, "yes"
Arvid says, "but now that we've dealt with the inquisition issue ..."
Arvid asks, "WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON YOUR FLOOR?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "er."
(From GM) Stefan says, "I get it from the butcher. A bucket a day."
(From GM) Stefan says, "the orchids drink it."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "holy crap"
(From GM) Stefan says, "that's ... er ... how I got in trouble, back in Falisci, to begin with."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "oh dear, he's going to start singing at any moment"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "feed me, stefan?"
Arvid looks narrowly at Stefan. "Are you *sure* you didn't take that body?
Gert says, "That's... that's weird."
Gert says, "Have you tried water? I hear plants like water."
Arvid says, "well, I've read about certain tropical plants that require insects"
Arvid says, "but blood is a .. trifle unusual"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Well, if they get big enough, they do consume animals.
(From GM) Stefan says, "Small rodents, mostly."
Arvid asks, "are you *sure* these are orchids?"
Cat says (to Gert), "psst"
[Helvetica] GM says, "As a historical note, people once believed that orchids were carnivorous plants."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "oho"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "ok, anyway, how are we doing here? do we want to talk to him more?"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "we need to get a look at those plants somehow"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "obviously we need to investigate the blood and the inquisition guy and the body"
[Crows-Nest] Gert says, "In the epilogue to this story, Stefan goes to live downstairs from Louise Beauclaire in Bois-Franc."
[Helvetica] Arvid says (to Cat), "yeah, you're probably right"
Gert blinks, moves over to where Cat is.
(From GM) Stefan says, "So, can we talk about getting away from here? Soon?"
Arvid looks at Gert and Cat, then takes Stefan by the arm and pulls him a few more steps away from the ladies
Gert asks (of Stefan), "Did you actually test whether blood works better for these plants than water?"
Arvid asks (of Stefan), "(whispering) that sort of thing takes time -- for one, you'll have to move all your orchids, won't you?"
Arvid says, "(actually, wait, I guess I should speak loudly to cover them talking)"
Arvid says, "(so scratch the whisper)"
Cat says (to Gert), "(whisper) we need to get him out of here so Arvid can pick the locks"
(From GM) Stefan says, "(to Gert:) Of course I did, it took me forever to figure out that they needed blood! (to Arvid:) I can destroy most of them and take cuttings. Breaks my heart, but I did it before."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hmm"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "is there anything in particular you want to see in there?"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "well, *I* want cuttings"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha ha"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "but mostly it seems as if we should check that half a dead girl isn't sticking out of the biggest orchid"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "or that there's a roost of vanilla-scented vampires"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"
(From GM) Stefan says, "but where shall we go? what shall we do?"
Arvid frowns.
[Helvetica] Cat says, "when he said 'that solves one problem' I'm sure he meant 'where the next meal for my babies is coming from'"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "hee hee"
(From GM) Stefan says, "I was so sure, when we got here ... free of the Princes, finally! No more Inquisition!"
Arvid says, "well, no paradise is without its serpents"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "maybe if I fake a Vodacce accent *he'll* faint, and we can check out his stuff with impunity"
Arvid says, "but you can trust us to do some discreet investigation and find the culprits here"
(From GM) Stefan says, "You think that would do any good?"
Arvid says, "if we can find the body and find out who the inquisition agent or masquerader is? certainly"
(From GM) Stefan says, "We can steal the body and hand it over to the Inquisition! And then they'll leave me alone!"
Arvid says, "...let's just work on finding the body first."
(From GM) Stefan says, "Why would anyone want to steal a body?"
Arvid says, "an excellent question"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "don't play all innocent with me, Seymour"
[Helvetica] (from GM) Stefan says, "why would anyone who isn't me want to steal a body?"
Arvid pauses
Arvid says, "it's not that I don't trust your word, Stefan, but I think we would all find it more reassuring if you would give us a quick tour of the greenhouse"
(From GM) Stefan says, "um. sure."
Cat peers out through slitted eyes to make sure Stefan doesn't try to knife her friends
(From GM) Stefan says, "You'll want to block up your nose, by the way. The scent's a mild aphrodisiac -- in the wild, the orchids lure their prey in by simulating feminine scents."
Arvid says, "goodness"
Arvid says, "what interesting creatures these are"
(From GM) Stefan says, "My sense of smell is shot from an old childhood accident, so I'm fine."
[Helvetica] Cat says, "I must have it"
[Helvetica] Gert says, "This is wonderfully bizarre."
Arvid pinches his nose shut
(From GM) Stefan unlocks the door to the greenhouse.
GM says, "Inside the greenhouse are several potted orchids ... great white flowers, nodding at you."
Arvid says, "it was most kind of the Baron to arrange this special room for you here"
Arvid eyes them suspiciously.
Cat quietly 'recovers' and softly pads in last
(From GM) Stefan says, "he's trying to curry favour with the Invisible College."
Arvid walks around the room keeping Stefan's attention focused
Arvid says, "sensible, sensible"
Arvid says, "so you see no doubt he will act quickly to remove any danger to you once it is discovered"
(From GM) Stefan says, "he doesn't know how I manage to grow them at all, so I just told him I needed absolute privacy."
Cat wishes she'd paid more attention in botany
(From GM) Stefan says, "....as long as he doesn't discover what they live on."
Cat runs her hand speculatively along a pair of hand-shears
[Helvetica] GM says, "Y'know, I'm not sure there's any way that Stefan couldn't not notice Cat at this point."
Arvid says, "yes, well, a certain amount of sacrifice has to be made"
(From GM) Stefan says, "But the Vodacce do their work in the dark, they'll find a way around -- hey!"
Cat says, "Oh, hello Stefan."
(From GM) Stefan says, "You! You're supposed to be fainted ... you heard everything, didn't you?"
Arvid looks over
Arvid says, "oh, Cat"
Cat says, "I do my best, yes."
(From GM) Stefan dashes to the door and slams it shut.
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "locking us in with him? or without him?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Who sent you? Did Falisci send you?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Are you an Inquisitor?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "No time to lock it, just slammed the door and backed up against it."
Cat says, "Oh, nothing of the sort, Stefan. I'm a prospective business partner."
(From GM) Stefan says, "What d'you mean?"
Arvid . o O ( yeah, what *does* she mean? )
Cat says (to Arvid), "it's very inconvenient to take someone on and then discover later that they have a problem with blood, for instance."
Cat asks, "What exactly were you planning to do with these plants, Stefan?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "er. Grow them. I used to sell the blossoms to the Vodacce courtesans ... now there's also this flavouring from the beans....
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "I guess we should be looking around the room here for dead bodies, too"
Arvid looks around the room while Cat is talking.
Cat asks (of Stefan), "So you don't know any perfume-makers? Confectioners? Ladies of fashion and their designers?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "....not really. why?"
Cat says, "This is the sort of thing that you need a *plan* for. You need someone who *knows* people."
Cat says, "So I was thinking that we might come to some kind of arrangement."
GM says (to Arvid), "the room is blood-free. There are some discolourations on the pots which might have been spilt blood once, but it looks like the orchids suck up anything spilt."
(From GM) Stefan says, "(stupidly) arrangement?"
Arvid asks, "but no, I dunno, bones, scraps of clothing, that kind of thing?"
GM says (to Arvid), "nothing of the sort."
Cat says, "And, of course, someone to be your public face; I understand you have reasons to avoid being conspicuous."
Cat smiles sweetly.
(From GM) Stefan blinks.
[Helvetica] (from GM) The background chorus sings, "You know the meek shall inherit"
(From GM) Stefan says, "You're going to help me with these problems with Vodacce, that's what you're saying?"
Cat sighs
Cat says, "Yes, of course, but I am also talking about how you can become very fashionable and rich."
(From GM) Stefan says, "Okay. Just so long as I'm safe."
Cat shakes Stefan's hand vigorously. "Excellent! We're agreed, then. I'll start planning immediately."
(From GM) Stefan says, "I think I need to lie down."
[Helvetica] Gert says, "Hee hee"
Cat escorts Stefan by the elbow to the recently-vacated chair
Arvid says, "don't worry, we'll have this all straightened out soon"
[Helvetica] Gert asks, "Alrighty; anything else?"
Arvid says, "and clean up that blood -- someone might get the wrong idea"
(From GM) Stefan says, "of course ... of course...."
(From GM) Stefan says, "I'll go ... clean up the blood ... I'll leave everything else in your hands."
Gert says, "And let us know if you see that masked person again."
Gert says, "Hmm."
Gert asks, "Where did you see him?"
Gert asks, "You didn't pick up anything of his, did you?"
Cat asks (of Arvid), "all right, so who are these people who are stopping me becoming a society sensation, and how quickly can we get this wrapped up?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "how are we doing on time?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Out in the corridor. I turned a corner and suddenly he grabbed me and shoved me up against a wall."
[Helvetica] GM says, "I'm just a couple of minutes away from breaking."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ok, cook"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "er, cool"
(From GM) Stefan says, "I didn't manage to pick anything off of him ... but I remember a Swordsman's pin and a wedding ring....
(From GM) Stefan says, "Everything else was black."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
Cat asks, "a ring, hmm? Anything distinctive about it?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "was Gert's ring part of a matched set?"
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "and/or has anyone seen wossherface lately?"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Just a plain gold band."
(From GM) Stefan says, "Quite generic ... not even sure if it's real gold, now I think about it."
[Helvetica] Arvid asks, "did my nemesis Edgar have a ring like that?"
[Helvetica] GM says, "Edgardo? Yes."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "we should rough him up just in case"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Hang on ... just thinking about something else ... you don't suppose it could have been the Schreibers?"
[Helvetica] Cat exclaims, "surely there can't be more than one married Vodacce man around!"
(From GM) Stefan says, "Who stole the body, I mean."
Arvid asks, "really? what for?"
Arvid says, "unless they were going to put it in Agustin's room"
(From GM) Stefan says, "I'm sure I overheard the girl -- Franziska -- saying something about getting a real human brain."
Arvid says, "...ah"
[Helvetica] GM says, "breaktime."
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "ha ha"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "they are a little too eager to help Andre out, if you ask me"
[Helvetica] Cat asks, "can we get ourselves some reinforced hats, please?"
[Helvetica] Arvid says, "you're the one with the fashion connection"
[Helvetica] Cat says, "I suspect we need to take a chisel to Morgana"