Homicide, Genocide, Rivercide
Mitch pulls up and parks near Corats apartment and turns to Ash. "So, have you met Corat? Wheel of the Wind yet?"
"Nope," Ash replies. "Are we just meeting him? Or will others be there?"
Mitch climbs out the car and locks his door "I believe everyone will be there which is good as you will have a chance to meet them."
Ash nods, "I suppose I really should start doing more with the community."
Mitch smiles a bit, "Do not worry about it, your work keeps you busy." He heads over to Corats apartment and knocks on the door.
Corat answers. "Hey Mitch. Who's your friend?"
Ash holds out his hand, "Ash, nice to met you."
Zahira walks back out the kitchen "Hello"
Corat shakes his hand, exuding warmth and strength.
Mitch adds "Cherub of Fire, currently working for the fire department.
Ash shrugs at the clichι.
Corat Rina-el, our Mercurian, and Shenmachel of the Sword are out back having a talk with Da'at
Corat This is Zahira, Sister...I forget, and a recent convert in celestial terms. They'll be in soon (I hope!) so let my try to update you
Zahira nods her usual smiling self, "Sister of Charity, I work for Khalid. Nice to meet you." She holds her hand out to shake his.
Corat I have orders not to have contact with Pepito. Pepito has had contact with our Dark Man, near as we can tell a Loa.
Mitch glances over at the spread of food "Yes, I see Rina-El has left her calling card. I assume there will be tea soon." He falls quiet as Corat speaks.
Corat I know someone who can tell us for sure, but he's...not heavenly. Shenmachel has issues with involving him.
Ash "As in, Etherals?" Ash asks, looking interested.
Corat says quietly "Can't exactly stop her."
Corat Ethereals...mostly. Loa are not your average Dream-exiles. They're nomadic, and they're known for possession.
Zahira That is something that I can help with.
Ash "I have heard of them, any clue as to their motivation?"
Mitch looks interested "You have contact with another Ethereal?
Corat No, no. I'm talking about Ryuki
Ash Who's that?
Zahira I'm sorry, I don't think I'm familiar with Ryuki.
Mitch scowls a bit at the mention of Ryuki, but keeps quiet.
Corat He's a friend of mine, a sorcerer. And not one of Laurence's.
Ash looks over at the angel of the Sword an rolls his eyes.
Zahira "So who does he work for?" the frown says she is obviously thinking demon
Rina-el walks out from the kitchen.
Corat Mostly? For himself.
Rina-el Mitch! It's nice to see you again!
Corat Good guy though.
Rina-el She comes over and gives him a warm - albeit short - hug
Zahira He isn't sponsored by a particular demon then?
Rina-el Who, Ryuki?
Corat smiles widely. Nope."
Mitch looks like he would dispute Corats last statement, but in the interest of harmony allows himself to be distracted by the hug.
Zahira Yeah, I know a lot of the sorcerors are taught by demons, particularly Kronos.
Rina-el "Hello! I'm Jasmine! Welcome to the gang!" She promptly hugs the new guy, looking at C and Mitch for introductions
Ash is taken back a bit, but hugs lightly in return.
Mitch looks slightly embarrassed at forgetting his manners "I'm sorry, this is Ash, Cherub of Fire."
Rina-el Does anyone want some tea or coffee?
Da'at walks in after Rina-el carrying the tea tray and placing it on the table. He bows slightly to Mitch and Ash. "Pleased to meet you. Da'at"
Rina-el If I can find a reasonably sized pot, I could make hot chocolate, if people prefer.
Ash raises his hand in greeting.
Zahira "That's always my favorite, but I think we should probably concentrate on this now and maybe chocolate later."
Mitch takes a seat at the table "Tea will be fine, thank you." He looks a touch surprised as Da'at enters "Greetings."
Da'at looks at Mitch "Ah, you would be Mitch then. Greetings, As I said, my name is Da'at. I was sent to help in any way I can."
(Shenmachel has stepped out on some Interpol business, after a brief phone call)
*Some of you might notice a significant lessoning of tension in Rina-el - that you may not even have noticed was there - as soon as Shen leaves.
Corat So what we've got--is we need to find out what the Impudite Pepito knows, and then take him out of this world. And we have to do it without me getting anywhere near him.
Mitch nods at Da'at. "Yes, I am Mitchim, Seraph of Trade. A pleasure to meet you Da'at."
Rina-el Alright. Sorry, Zahira, C's kitchen is *terrible!* He put the pots and pans on the top shelf, where no one is likely to find them, otherwise I would have made hot chocolate sooner.
Corat
Mitch Will the exorcist be joining us?
Rina-el I believe the request was that we detain Pepito for a day to let the exorcist get here.
Ash Ashbel, Cherub of Fire.
Ash "We have Pepito here?" Ash asks, looking around.
Corat No such luck. We know where he was last weekend, and where he'll be on Friday
Zahira I might be able to help with getting information. I can try to talk to him.
Rina-el No, honey. We need to catch him and keep him for a while until the exorcist can get here.
Rina-el Oh, and we know where his brother will be on Friday, too. And we may have a hostage situation to deal with.
Da'at "I have a bit of information about that that you should know," Da'at says as he sits down. "Pepito might not be vessel bound anymore."
Corat is appalled. No. Not bound? Please...no.
Rina-el What, talk to Pepito? Are you *mad*?
Corat After you've got him tied up...er...bound... (mutters)
Da'at I'm afraid so. My master was clear...
* This is upsetting Corat all out of proportion to the news)
Mitch rubs the bridge of his nose at the news "So, how do we keep him here without him fleeing to the celestial realm?"
Ash What's the exorcist for? I thought he was a demon.
Rina-el Damn. I hope that's not Seρor Dark Man's doing or we're in *way* over our heads.
Zahira Hey wanted the exorcist to force him out of the body to deal with him if I remember correctly. And if you want information out of him before he dies someone will have to talk to him.
Corat He is a demon. But his role is that of a teenaged son.
Mitch Mitch turns to Ash "Pepito is currently using the role of a teenage boy and as been for sometime. We are trying to make his death look natural. to not distress his mother.
Rina-el And he's twisted an innocent girl around his finger.
Ash "Ah," Ash replied, nodding.
Mitch He *was* vessel bound. So we thought that we would exorcise him and kill him celestially, leaving a corpse behind.
Ash But he has become unbound? And now its a demon hunt.
Zahira Well if comes down too it you can kill the vessel and hope he's stuck in trauma for a very long time.
Rina-el I'm beginning to think the joke's on us, guys. Could be he was faking Discord for exactly this purpose.
Mitch nods at Zahira "True, although for all the trouble he's caused I would like to see him Soul Killed.
Ash I'm game for that plan
Mitch I suppose we will simply have to do it tonight rather then wait for the exorcist.
Rina-el Alright. You guys are new. Different perspectives and all. We have an Imp of Dark Humor parading as a teenage kid that needs to die - and an innocent mom and at least one teenager who are mixed up in this.
Rina-el Also, there's his older brother Glen to worry about. This is the actual older brother of the kid Pepito is impersonating. And I don't know what he's involved in or how much, yet. I don't think we can get at him now. He's managed to get Eliza, the girl I mentioned, to throw a party on Friday for Pepito, his brother, and some of his brother's friends.
Corat is upset. Really, wacky upset. He walks out of his own home, a bit choked up, and Zahira follows him.
Rina-el oh, and me - I'll be there, too... She lives in the middle of nowhere, so that's a good opportunity.
* Rina-el is worried about C, but seeing Zahira go with him, doesn't get up
Corat rushes out of the apartment and towards a shed in the back. He leaves two bits of paper on the table
Ash Can you bring friends?" Ash asks, looking around at the group.
Corat Photo of Gavin's altar
Rina-el picks up the papers.
Corat Corat's copy of Mitch's message from the Archangel Marc
Rina-el That's what we found on the altar.
Mitch nods "Yes, I had forgotten that you were friends with that crowd" To Ash he adds "Pepito has been hanging out with a group of Goth kids." As Corat hurries out of the room he frowns "What is wrong with Corat?"
Ash Altar? to the Loa?
Rina-el Or so we think, yes.
Rina-el C?
Ash "And how are the Loa and Imp tied together again?" Ash looks like he's getting confused
Rina-el Okay. One
more round of full explanations for everyone! 
Here's
the deal. We started this whole mess when I heard
that there was some Magician claiming he can summon angels and was going to do
so at the Bat's Bazaar earlier this year.
Ash "Sorry" Ash mumbles.
Rina-el Some of us went to check it out, found out the "Magician" was a two-bit Sorcerer named Gavin Russo - who had no actual abilities until very recently. Later, we discover that Russo was somehow involved in All Souls. So C and a squad of the Corps went to check it out and found *that altar* in his apt. Along with an extremely injured and gasping Russo suddenly talking normally and walking around, which unfortunately got him killed.
Rina-el Our esteemed Seraph here hazarded a guess that the altar was to the Loa. Oh - I forgot to mention, Russo was working for the Dark Man - who was the source of Russo's abilities. We think the Dark Man and the altar (and the Loa) are connected. Meanwhile, we discover that Pepito is *also* in league with Seρor Dark Man, and doing his best to pull C to his fate - the reason for the "no contact" rule.
Ash Ash nods, starting to understand.
Rina-el Also, we believe Mr. Dark Man is targeting and/or recruiting Sorcerers, so much as some of our group distrusts him, Ryuki may also be in danger. So the plan is to catch the Imp, bleed him for information and then get rid of him.
Mitch Mitch listens quietly
Rina-el Oh, and we don't know if it is related yet, but Mitch encountered a Habbalite pawning an SS dagger.
Mitch I thought the Dark Man and the Loa were one and the same.
Ash "Let me know how to help" Ash seems slightly surprised the bouncy, hugging angel seems to be in charge.
Rina-el And Corat has mentioned that we have a week to get the Imp, unless the Corps are detained - otherwise they get him themselves.
Ash Which leaves us with no interrogation time.
Rina-el She looks at Ash with a beaming smile.
"I have no idea, but feel free to find a way. We are always happy to have
new friends! "
Rina-el Eh - we can figure that part out once we grab him.
Mitch It seems to
leave with a week if we can get him at the party tonight.
Mitch And figure out how to keep him from going Celestial and simply fleeing to Hell.
Ash chuckles at her enthusiasm
Rina-el Mitch, actually, we cant know for certain if the DM and the Loa are the same. That's one possibility
Ash The one time a Judge and their shackles would be handy.
Rina-el Considering the amount of people joining in, that's not that far fetched, actually. She laughs at the thought.
Mitch So, if it were up to me, I would go to the party tonight, grab Pepito and bundle him into a quiet corner and interrogate him and then either vessel kill him or if he goes celestial, soul kill him.
Corat is still not back. There's a faint thumping sound coming from the shed out back
Mitch Simple and straightforward.
Rina-el Technically, a good Sorcerer or Exorcist should be able to contain him - at least for a few minutes. Otherwise, he'll need help.
Ash No one has Celestial Seals? We can keep him around with that.
Rina-el looks up at the noise, then gets up.
Rina-el Excuse me, everyone. I'll be right back.
Mitch Mitch shakes his head "I certainly don't"
Mitch He nods at Rina-el "Yes, perhaps you should go see what's troubling our friend."
Ash So, we all just going to gang up and hit him a lot? Or we have a plan?
Mitch Well, we need to question him first.
Rina-el walks back inside.
Da'at I think a little more subtlety is called for. at least until he is here and captured.
Ash Well, hit some, then question, then hit more. Least that'd be my thought
Ash tips his head, "K, suggestions on how to get him here subtly?"
Rina-el Unfortunately, probably won't work. Remember, even if Glen and his buddies are in on the whole thing, Eliza's an innocent and she's going to get caught in the crossfire if we don't have a plan. She has a look that says "And that is *not* an option.
Mitch turns to Da'at, having forgotten that he was here "Ah, please feel free to add your thought to the pile. Also if you don't mind me asking, what choir are you and who do you work for? Blunt yes, but he's a Seraph and can get away with that.
Rina-el Oh, and if we're interrogating, Ash, how did you connect to Mitch?
Rina-el is all innocence and sweetness, is she.
Ash We've known each other for a bit now, I've visited his shop, he's called when things need to be burnt.
Da'at "Of course. Forgive me. I serve Destiny as an Elohite" He catches Rina-els eyes once and raises an eyebrow with a glimpse to the shed.
Rina-el shakes her head imperceptibly.
Mitch looks pleased when Da'at mentions that he is a Elohite "Good, there are tensions within our group that may be sorted out by a neutral observer such as an Elohite.
Ash So, Da'at, any ideas on how to catch a demon without beating the pulp out of it?
Mitch Rina-el, Ash is a good guy who
just needs filling in on the situation.
Rina-el Alright. We know where he'll be on Friday.
Da'at "My service is yours" He looks at Ash and smiles "Well - this is going to be a party? It shouldn't be too hard to slip something into his drink..."
Rina-el I'll be there early, so hopefully I can negate some of his effect on Eliza. And I'm sure he's going to be drinking there.
Ash nods to Da'at, "Good idea." He can admit defeat when he's been out talked.
Rina-el If someone can manage to get me enough "something" to knock him out - or better yet - get him sick, I can probably slip it into his drink. The real question is how to get him to walk out of the house alone. I am *not* going to promise Eliza I'll take him home and then have him disappear!
Corat walks back in, a bit sweaty but calmer. Maybe a bit too calm.
Corat Why not?
Rina-el "Trust, responsibility, y'know, the boring stuff." She throws him a smile
Ash Social plotting is not my forte, sorry. I have no idea how to get a demon out of someone's life without leaving scars.
Mitch I'm afraid there will be some fallout, we simply should minimize it.
Corat Of course.
Rina-el Problem is, he's managed to alienate all of her friends, so she's going to be stuck there with Pepito, his brother - who is not the most savory person, even if happens to not be involved - and his brother's friends. I'm going to be the only thing that saves her.
Ash "Ideas how?" Ash
asks, looking at the Destiny angel and the friend of
Rina-el I can tell you what won't work, if that helps.
Mitch Then perhaps you should escort her home while we take care of Pepito.
Rina-el Only it's at *her* place.
Corat To your home.
Ash Depends if you need my resonance, or my strength with the demon.
Rina-el Ash, thank you, dear! That's really sweet! I don't know how necessary it is, though, since we hang out and we know where she'll be.
Corat looks at Ash, and nods.
Mitch Mitch nods "Yes, your home then."
Rina-el Guys - this is *real people* we're talking about. No one is going to walk out of *their own home* and leave strangers in it!
Da'at If we get the drug to make his vessel sick, truly sick... could we not arrange an ambulance with one of us as the driver?
Rina-el Ooh! I like that idea! But
then you'll probably get Eliza and at least his brother along for the ride.
Ash They usually only allow one passenger, and the blood relative would be first pick
Corat She wants magic in her life.
Ash She might need a ride, which Rina-el can give her, but "lose" the ambulance en route?
Mitch I don't suppose one of our Bright Lilim could get a small geas on her and activate that when it's time for her to leave.
Rina-el Umm. It's possible, but not really likely.
Rina-el She does want magic in her life. I wonder how we can incorporate that.
Mitch Mitch ponders "You are a Mercurian of Flowers correct Rina-el?"
Rina-el Yes.
Rina-el hands C some tea.
Rina-el Would you like me to Appear to her? I can't risk it if Pepito is there. Or would you prefer I blow my cover?
Ash Might be what she needs. Soldier material?
Mitch It is my understanding that simply seeing your celestial form will fill her with joy...oh well, there is that.
Ash No, wait till after we have him, before you and her follow the ambulance
Rina-el I've been trying to figure out a way to do that for a while. I just haven't managed it yet.
Mitch No, your cover is more important. I'm liking the ambulance idea.
Da'at Actually - I can probably make sure - if we do take the Ambulance route - that Eliza and Glen would not come or follow.
Rina-el I'm wondering about maybe arranging a scavenger hunt or something. Really? That would be *great!* How, though?
Mitch Yes, how?
Rina-el About her being a Solder - I can't tell, I think it's too early yet.
Corat Acres of orange groves.
Corat sips the tea laconically
Rina-el *blink blink*
Corat Acres and acres of rows of orange trees.
Da'at Get me to be there when you take him, and I'll make sure of that. I'm used to teaching young minds." He smiles briefly
Mitch frowns "Yes, there are acres of orange groves, this is true."
Corat to hide things in
Rina-el Right.
Da'at glances at Corat in worry and then at Rina-el.
Rina-el So the scavenger hunt idea was to get them out of the house, and have one of you nab him when he's alone. A kidnapping, if you will.
Mitch And then take him back here with the exorcist?
Rina-el Then, assuming we have a body, dump it somewhere in the grove and no one will be the wiser. And I'll be there to help Eliza get the police and set up a search.
Mitch Ah, yes, we could make it look like it was a drug overdose or something.
* Rina-el gets up to bring more water from the kitchen
Corat 'Missing' will hurt Jen more than 'dead'. I think. I like the ambulance plan.
*On the way, Rina-el surreptitiously leans over and murmurs something to Da'at
Corat Drug him enough and even his celestial (nearly spits the word) isn't going anywhere
Rina-el Probably. Especially if we can't make sure of dead.
Mitch True and once he's knocked out transport him in the ambulance here.
Rina-el Y'know, considering who he is and who he works for, there will probably be lots of drugs and alcohol there. Would suit him nicely to get Eliza in trouble with her dad.
Ash The only problem is getting an ambulance. I have EMT friends, but not sure if I can swing that though
Rina-el Da'at, are you *sure* you would be able to get Eliza and Glen off the trail without causing harm?
Corat (Angry) Damnit Rina
Da'at I assure you. no harm will come to them. I will simply talk to them. No more.
Mitch Of course we do take him off in the ambulance it would raise questions as to how he go back to the orange groves and died there.
Corat Trust him a little bit. We have to get this done.
Rina-el C? What did I do this time?
* Rina-el sighs Then she gets up and hugs her friend, softly, shortly.
Rina-el All it is is worry, honey.
Corat shrugs it off, not happy about it
Rina-el If he says he can do it, that's fine with me. Just making sure, is all.
Da'at I believe if we take him in the ambulance we can falsify records after he's passed and make it look like he died of overdose in the hospital. Why return him to the grove? Maybe it will even deter Eliza and the others away from drugs. Who knows?
Ash He can 'die' en route to the 'hospital' instead?
Corat closes his eyes, nods approval
Mitch hmms, "Yes, that would work."
Rina-el Yeah, this is likely to work.
Ash "If we drug him, will he be lucid enough to question?" Ash directs at Da'at.
Mitch Now all we need is to get a hold of the ambulance. Are you still going with the scavenger hunt idea Rina-el?
Rina-el Probably not. If we're going to drug him and take him in an ambulance, there's no need to get anyone out of the house.
Da'at Yes. I believe there are chemicals that would create the desired effect without affecting the mind.
Ash Perfect.
Mitch I'm sure Shenmachel will be more than happy to assist with this project.
Rina-el And I can always find an herbal detox if necessary.
Corat I'll let you talk to Shen, Mitch.
Rina-el *grumble grumble*
Corat He won't like the drugs.
Rina-el said in feigned sweetness Well, he doesn't have much choice at this point, now does he?
Mitch No, probably not, but I believe I can talk him around.
Ash Democracy is a good thing, no?
Rina-el sighs Yeah, so it is.
Corat I can procure the drugs. I know some cops.
Mitch looks around at the others "So, run down the plan once more."
Rina-el Cool. Thanks, Windy! Let's see. Windy gets the drugs, passes them to me. I go to the party. Watch out for Eliza. I find a way to get the drugs into Pepito's drink - C, make sure you get something flavorless. Date Rape would be a good one, I think. Pepito collapses.
Corat Rohypnol. Done. He'll be conscious if you dose it right
Rina-el I call "911" You guys show up. Pick him up, Da'at deals with the bystanders.
Rina-el And you take him here. Shen will bring his Exorcist friend, we question him, then we get rid of him for good... I stay with Eliza to make sure she's alright and I'll contact Jen if need be.
Corat I'll be on a plane. Don't make too much noise, because I won't be here to tell you if anyone's listening. Use the shed.
* Despite Rina-el's matter of factness, it is clear that she is not really thrilled at having to take him out, but she has resigned herself to the necessity of the task.
Rina-el Just make sure you get the info on the Dark Man or this will have been a wasted exercise. K. Thanks, C.
Ash Mitch questions him, to tell if he's lying, Shen and I persuade?
Mitch nods
Da'at I shall try to be here as well for the interrogation.
Corat I'll make a copy of the keys tomorrow, and drop them by Rina's place. He adds, with a little weariness, My phone will be on.
Rina-el Thanks, honey!
Ash "Nice to meet you all," Ash says. To Corat "Good luck on your trip."
Rina-el She hugs Ash on his way out. "Good
luck, dear!"
Corats place, Friday evening. The cabinet has been dusted, the dishes washed. It's still a very simple bachelor pad though. Rina-el
gives Mitch the keys, and he lets Shenmachel inside to wait for the exorcist.
Rina-el goes to Elizas dads house in
the
Mitch, Ash, and Daat wait down the block by the borrowed ambulance.
Early that evening, and about an hour
before the party was supposed to start, Rina-el aka Jasmine arrives at Elizas
dads house. Briefly she meets him as
hes on the way out, and he seems glad that theres going to be an adult
there. True to form, Jasmine is carrying
bags full of food and party supplies.
Pepito comes downstairs bearing decorations...
Pepito "Oh hi!" A
smile so fake the paint is peeling
Rina-el feigns oblivious to his fakeness and acts a little ditzy. "Hi! Nice to finally meet you! I'm Jasmine.."
Pepito "Hi". He gives a fishy handshake after putting down pile of lace and tulle. You want to help us decorate the house?
Rina-el I'd love to!
*Elizas dad leaves, and Pepito leads Eliza and Jasmine in transforming the place into Dracula's delight. Hes even brought dark red (plastic) goblets to drink out of, and lots of things with lots of bat and spider motifs.
Rina-el throws in some black roses to go with all
of that, which amuses Pepito considerably.
*Eliza is playing nice, but it's clear she's just not into him anymore
Rina-el spends most of her time with Eliza, chatting about stuff
and making sure she's not too depressed.
*There is a knock on the door, and
eight people, five guys and three girls, all looking in their early 20's, are
at the door bearing beer kegs. Eliza is
mortified at the sight of them, but cant stop them from entering.
Rina-el Hello.. Who are you guys?" She looks at the beer kegs and her lip curls a little.
Pepito Glen! Come on in!
*Eliza can't believe the audacity of it
Rina-el To Eliza, quietly, "So this is his brother and their friends.. Right."
Glen and friends pile in like a football team. They flop down on the couch, and mock the decorations
Eliza OMG they're awful.
Rina-el Yeah, they are.. Honey, stay away from that stuff - I've seen too many of the girls who have gotten into *way* too much trouble from that stuff..
*They grab the goblets, mock them, and start pouring the beer. One finds the TV remote and they find something brainless to watch
Glen grabs Pepito and makes him sit on the couch between them. Pepito's uncomfortable with that
Rina-el waits until everyone has a glass - especially the imp - then walks over, surreptitiously pouring the drug into Pepitos glass, and asks them to leave. All of them, Pepito included..
Pepito doesn't drink at first. He circulates the room, making sure everybody knows where the food is
Pepito Why should we leave? The party just got started?
Pepito (nervous laughter)
Rina-el (In her most condescending manner possible) "Because Eliza here is underage and the Alcohol is illegal.."
Pepito Oh, you're funny!
Rina-el Yes - I'm also right
Pepito puts some music on, something thumpy and with lots of drums. Glen gets up and shuts it off
Pepito Alcohol is good! Besides, if we get busted it doesn't matter.
Rina-el Really? And why is that?
Pepito Though I don't like beer. I'm going into the kitchen to make rum and coke.
Pepito 'cos we're underage. We can't get busted for anything!
Rina-el I see.. Would you know where the rum is, Pepito?
Pepito Of course!
Pepito I broooooought it.
Pepito reaches into a backpack and pulls out a bottle of rum a nd a box of cigars
Rina-el Did you now.
Pepito (to the whole room) Hey guys, want some cigars?
Rina-el Eliza - does your dad allow smoking in the house?
Eliza Noooo!
Rina-el That's what I thought.
Rina-el swipes the box out of his hands (and yes, she can - she's *that* fast..)
Rina-el If you want this - you do it outside.
Pepito You prude!
*One of the girl partyers starts to get up, and falls back down.
Pepito is keeping a very close eye on his drink.
Rina-el And here I thought you would never have guessed that!
Pepito (pissed, trying to hide it)
* You'll notice that none of the party guests have left. The beer drinkers are lounging around, not leaving. One of them is clearly passed out. Two others are fading, and they didn't drink that much. Pepito goes into the bathroom to get something .
Rina-el Eliza, this is the reason you shouldn't be drinking..
Pepito Comes back with an eyeliner pencil, giggling.
Rina-el takes all the alcohol glasses that she finds, going to the kitchen - probably to dump them all.
Pepito Hey look guys, party game! First one passed out gets picked on!
Rina-el Fair enough..
Pepito is merrily drawing mustaches and such on the passed out people
Rina-el dumps the booze down and comes back inside - she won't do anything to stop Pepito from embarrassing his brother's friends, but will stop it if he starts desecrating the furniture..
Pepito reaches inside Glen's camera and starts videotaping people
Rina-el Wow, this is a *really* fun party - for Pepito, or so it seems.. I don't think anyone else is having fun.. Why don't you and your friends go party somewhere else, and take Pepito with you?
*By now (a few minutes) everyone but you and Eliza...and Pepito...is unconscious or nearly so Pepito has had Just a sip of that rum and coke, but not enough to get a dose.
Rina-el She gives him a fantastic
"what'cha gonna do" glare.
(time
lapse in transcript)
Pepito tries to upload his video footage, but Rina-el tears out the internet connection. Furious, he creates the illusion that the webcam is now a giant staring eye.
Eliza freaks
Rina-el Ooh - Magic tricks! I love those!
*The eye looks straight at Eliza, and she really freaks
Rina-el is radiating calm and mild amusement at the trick..
Rina-el Eliza honey, that's a great mirror trick! You have to teach it to me sometime!
Pepito Here old lady. Have a drink. He heads back towards the kitchen to get a goblet. (Remember, Rinas vessel is only in her early twenties.)
Rina-el Murmers calmly to her ("If that
were *real* magic, it would be cool - but I've seen that one a hundred
times"
)
Rina-el follows Pepito to the kitchen, stopping at the door..
Eliza Mirrors? (Not sure if she's buying that)
Rina-el I saw him set it up when we were putting up decorations.
Pepito pours you a rum and coke, rethinks it, and then reaches way into the back of the 'frig for some milk. He's in the 'frig a long time
Rina-el i's fast, and she has her own party stuff here - she'll put some mirrors behind things when she gets a minute to do so..
Pepito comes back out, and hands you the glass of milk
Rina-el Really, honey - do I look like I'm 5?
Pepito (darkly) Drink. It.
Rina-el Sorry, dearie.. Not my cup of tea." She calmly goes to the kitchen and dumps it in the sink. Just before she does so, though, she pauses.. "On the other hand, you seem the perfect candidate for milk and cookies.." She hands the milk back to Pepito..
* (Voice in the other room--could be Glen) "Justin? Justin? Dude?"
Rina-el Goes back to the living room..
Pepito hands it to Eliza, who is smart enough not to drink it
Glen is awake,leaned over another guy shaking him.
Rina-el Glen - shaking him won't do him any good. You can let him sleep it off or we can take him to the hospital..
Glen What? What did you do?
Rina-el But shaking him is probably going to make him worse...
Glen Call the hospital lady. He doesn't look so good.
Rina-el Looks like your brother spiked the beer. Right..
Pepito laughs, like a Muppet
Rina-el reaches into her pocket and calls Ash
Rina-el We need an ambulance - Some people here have been drugged.. (In a whisper "But not ours")
Pepito (to the ceiling) Do you hear that, m'lord? Are you listening?
Rina-el Pepito? Did you want something?
Pepito Oh yes, lady. I want Hell. (maniacal laughter)
Rina-el I see.. I don't think I can help you with that.. Sorry.
Rina-el She checks the down'd guy's pulse
* (It's fluttery...he's in trouble)
Glen What did you do, you little shit? What did you put in their beer?!!
Pepito (Shouting) Kobal! Are you listening! Does this please you!?
Rina-el Pepito, could you keep it down.
Rina-el Eliza, if you could get me some ice, I would appreciate that..
Eliza She goes to get it
Pepito No. Why should I? I want him here. I want him to see what I've done.
Pepito (eerily) You know who Kobal is, don't you?
Rina-el Who, dear?
Rina-el is doing what she can for the boy, but she doesnt have anything other than basic first aid.
*Not a lot you can do for him, other than keeping his airway clear.
Pepito (overdramatically) Kobal. A demon from Hell. (looking at Eliza) A REAL one
Rina-el Hmm.. I was reading about Demons a while back.. Book on Demonology.. I don't remember any Kobol being mentioned there. Are you sure you aren't mixing up your mythologies?
Pepito You're awfully calm, old lady, while Justin is there possibly dying. Or possibly not. I don't know how much he got.
Rina-el i's Emoting calm, but also a little amusement at his antics, as if he's a tiny little boy and she's humoring him..
Rina-el I am sure that the professionals can handle it. It would help, of course, if you would tell us what you put in the beer, but I don't think it makes much of a difference..
Pepito They can't handle a DEMON!! (again with the Muppet laugh)
Rina-el Besides, could you really live with killing someone in cold blood?
Pepito Only if it's an ac-cident I didn't make them drink
Rina-el Didn't you now?
Pepito They're just drunks.
Rina-el They're also people.. And your brother's friends..
Pepito Who were foolish enough to leave their drinks unattended. Glen knows better than to do that.
(Back
to main scene, with two minor sidebars folded in)
Mitch As they wait for Rina-el to call them Mitch turns to Da'at "I'm sorry I forgot to ask, what is your Role name? It would be odd to call you something different in public."
Da'at "Yes, of course. Da'at is not a common name among people" He smiles, his accent changes slightly "Glen Norton, Professor of Music. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Mitch Likewise, I go by Mitch Mercer. I run the Tradewinds pawnshop." He passes Da'at a card with the address and phone number.
Da'at "Thank you. I shall make it a point to visit it" He slips the card to an inside pocket. "My car is parked near Eliza's house. I should be able to get the kids to lose interest and come back here in time for the interrogation"
Mitch Good, good, knowing his emotional state may be very important.
*Ash's phone rings
Ash Hello?
Rina-el We need an ambulance, please. Some people here have been drugged. (whisper - But not ours)
*Maniacal laughter in the background
Ash "Stay calm miss, we will have someone right there. What is the address?" Ash says, indicating to the rest that they need to get into the ambulance
Rina-el gives them Eliza's address
Da'at Is it her? are we ready?
Ash "Thanks, we'll be right there." Ash says, hanging up. "It's her, but she said that it wasn't our target that was drugged. Best laid plans..."
Mitch sighs "We'll just have to wing it the best we can.
Da'at Hmm... we'll need to get there and adapt. Lets go.
Mitch Mitch nods and buckles up.
Rina-el Ash, you get a text message - "Real problems, get professionals"
Ash Ash pulls the emergency vehicle out and heads out. He hands the phone to Mitch, "Check this out."
Mitch Mitch curses under his breath "Call your coworkers then. It sounds like they need real doctors."
Ash Oh, I figured she meant we need Malakim.
Da'at "Can I see that?" He takes the phone "Yes - I do believe we shall need doctors." He returns it. "and we need to hurry"
Ash I'll drive, you call.
Da'at calls for a real ambulance
* The ambulance pulls up to the house (picture). There is a van parked there and a couple of cars, Rina's among them. The light is dim inside, reddish. The front door is unlocked
Ash Let's keep in character, ready to go in?
Mitch Mitch leans over and whispers to Da'at "How long until the EMT's get here?
Da'at " 10 minutes at least. but we have no time to lose." He knocks on the door and walks in without waiting for an answer
Mitch Mitch nods "Lead the way.
*The scene--seven partygoersin their 20's, not Gothic at all, are passed out on the couches and floor.
Rina-el Thanks for arriving so quickly.
*The house has been decorated, Gothic style. Eliza--teenaged girl--stands near Rina-el
Rina-el I believe all of them were drugged, to some extent.
*There's an eighth, and he's awake. His name is Glen Breckenridge, Pepitos older brother.
Rina-el They should *all* go to the hospital to be checked out. That's the drugged beer.
*A teenaged Goth kid stands across from them, laughing like a fool.
Mitch quickly starts moving around making sure that everyone is breathing at least. "What were they drugged with?"
Rina-el Ask the laughing child.
Rina-el Since you are professionals, should I call the police on this one? Hes the one who drugged the booze. (She points at Pepito)
Glen You evil piece of shit. What did you do with my brother??!
Rina-el Glen? What do you mean?
Glen gets up, leaving his unconscious friend for a moment, and starts towards Pepito (the teenaged Goth boy)
Rina-el Glen - if you harm him, physically, we're all going to be in more trouble.
Mitch stands up and turns to Pepito "What was in the beer?"
Rina-el I'm sure if one of these gentlemen were to take him aside, they could get the information that they need.
Pepito Look at his hate! Look at his hate! His friends are gonna die and all he wants to do is punch my face into bruises!
Rina-el casts a suggestive look at Ash
Ash steps forward menacingly towards Pepito
Rina-el Dear child, I totally understand his pain. These are his friends - they're a part of him - and someone he trusted abused that.
Mitch nods "We're going to have to hold you here until the cops come." He moves towards Pepito.
Pepito starts to run towards the far door
Mitch lunges after him.
Rina-el Blocks the exit.
Rina-el He may have tossed residue in the kitchen, by the way.
Ash Ash is watching Glen.
Da'at calmly walks to the kitchen meanwhile and examines the trashcans and sink for residues
*There's a rum and coke in a red goblet on the sink, no appreciable residue anywhere else.
Ash Need help Mitch?
Mitch grabs at Pepito's wrist "Maybe. We'll have to subdue him if he struggles."
Pepito manages to slip out of Mitchs (and the GMs) grip. He sees Jasmine in his way and tries to plow through her.
Rina-el walks over to the kitchen, passing Ash along the way, whispering to Ash (Get him in the kitchen and pour the rum & coke down his throat. I'm spiking it now.)
Ash "Boy, can you help us in the kitchen? To figure out what caused all this?" Ash says to Glen.
Pepito runs past Rina-el, and narrowly misses a tackle from Glen.
*From outside is a large Disturbance, and things just got hairier.
Ash "Crap," Ash says, starting to chase Pepito out the house.
Mitch curses under his breath and keeps running after him.
Da'at cringes and comes out of the kitchen alarmed.
Rina-el races after them - probably overtaking them all - and heads for the center of the Disturbance
Da'at walks out the front door . There he and the others see
Pepito has stopped and is backing up back towards the house. Slowly. There's a guy out there in a zoot suit, casually walking towards him, swinging a chain. His eyes fixed on the new arrival, Pepito backs into Mitchs waiting arms.
Mitch grabs Pepito by the wrist and pulls him back inside
Rina-el Pepito - at this point, you're probably better off coming back
to the house.
Rina-el (To the demon in the zoot suit) Hello! I hope we haven't disturbed you.. I need to take this kid back into the house..:
*He's just walking. Towards you, and the door.
Pepito Vato, great to see you!
Ash Ash rolls his eyes and moves to grab Pepito's other wrist
Mitch makes a note of the name and studies the man approaching them.
Mitch I'm afraid the party is over sir.
Rina-el comes back in the house, almost looking fine. Anyone she passes, she whispers "Baron of Hysteria"
Vato I would agree with you, sir
*Eliza stops freaking out long enough to run. Glen is frozen on the spot.
Mitch Mitch's eye open wide at the whisper "Well, this is interesting. May I ask what brings you here sir?"
Pepito Hi boss. How's it been? Do you like the party? (smiling nervously)
Vato This...travesty attempt at a Rite.
Ash "Oh," Ash says, shocked.
Vato But...what you were doing. Don't let me interrupt.
Vato slithers over to the trash can and digs something out of it
Mitch Hmm, I am unfamiliar with Dark Humor rites so I will have to take your word on that is what was happening.
Rina-el We were just about to get that, actually.
Mitch turns to Pepito "So, tell us about this Dark Man if you would."
Vato holds his retrieved item in one hand, and swings the chain slowly with the other. He seems to be watching, maybe waiting for his turn. The item is...a cigar
Rina-el Sir, if you would not mind - Please don't light that here. It would disturb the people who live here.
Pepito Um, heh heh, what is there to tell?
Vato Oh, I've no intention of lighting it
Rina-el Thank you, sir.
Pepito (Under his breath) Baron, Captain, sir...I called for help. Why aren't you helping?
Rina-el walks over to Glen and gently pulls him into another room.
Mitch raises an eyebrow "What is Dark Man's name for one thing."
Ash grins at Vato, then turns to Pepito, "OK, so, Dark Man? Answer my friend."
Pepito laughs just a minute. Then you hear rather than see the chain in Vato's hand slide in a wider arc.
Pepito Um, he goes by he's so going to hate me for this Baron Samedi
Pepito And He, and not You (looks at Vato) was supposed to be here tonight
* Rina-el is taking care of Glen and the boys and will be back in a moment.
Ash Maybe your friends don't like you as much as you thought. Cause if you call this guy boss," gesturing to Vato "And Samedi is coming, you might have just split loyalties too much."
Mitch I'm not surprised, really, the skulls and cigars gave it away. Next question, what were you trying to do here tonight?
Pepito I was trying...to get the Baron and the Baron in the same room, to make a deal!
Rina-el What deal, Pepito?
Mitch Mitch shakes his head "I would like the truth please."
Pepito (looks at Vato) He's going to kill me. He's so going to kill me
Pepito Save me
Rina-el Who, Vato or the Baron?
Pepito Vato here. But really, I mean, I was working for you both!
Ash snorts
Mitch says pleasantly "Perhaps he will. You should tell us the truth before you die. What were you and the Baron trying to set up?
Pepito Because of Baron Samedi, I had the power to bring down Wyatt! He showed me how!
Rina-el calmly goes around the room, placing mirrors in strategic places and putting a decoration horror Eye in front of one of them.
Ash Wyatt?
Pepito So he serves Hell, you understand Vato? And he got some of Saminga's men to ruin All Souls. A massive gang truce, destroyed in one night!
Vato swings the watch chain in long, lazy arcs
Mitch So the Baron has contacts with in Saminga's organization? How did you come to meet him?
Pepito Some of the kids at school. The public school, where I used to go before somebody got me homeschooled
Mitch glances at Ash "Our friend whose house we were meeting at earlier in the week.
Ash Oh, thanks.
Mitch To Pepito "How did the kids know how to truly contact the Loa?
Pepito I mean, he was easy once you knew where to hit. But I didn't know. Baron Samedi showed me.
Rina-el Where was that, Pepito?
Mitch Wyatt was going to be easy to take down you mean?
Pepito At Garfield High, where the gang kids are.
Rina-el Thank you. What was Wyatt's weak spot?
Vato yawns
Mitch glances over at Vato "I'm sorry, perhaps you had some questions you'd like to ask?' He seems a bit nervous, but that's only to be expected.
Pepito If...if I tell you that, then I'm worthless.
Ash Your only worth is your information.
Pepito (sarcasm) Well duh
Rina-el Yes, well. That seems to be the logical conclusion. So seeing as you are already worthless, feel free to share.
Ash And if you won't share, you are thus, worthless...
Mitch If you tell us the truth, we can promise you a quick easy death rather than whatever humorous things your lord has planned for you.
Pepito But you can't kill me! Vato, I can bring down an angel. A Distinguished one. I've almost got him...
Pepito and "Mom". And Glen bit of a setback there, though it's temporary I promise
Mitch blinks "I'm sorry, is that supposed to stop us from killing you?
Pepito I can get Baron Samedi to work for you!
Vato No. That is supposed to make me stop you killing him.
Ash Doubtful, if he won't show now when you ask, don't think you have that much power.
Mitch And will it work?
Vato Tell him, Pepito. Tell him how you were going to bring down an angel. I might help you get away from these terribly angry angels. He pauses, and raises a finger. Wait...
Rina-el How about telling us everything you know about the Dark Man, first?
Vato Angels. Bring me the brother.
Rina-el Sir?
Rina-el is clearly bewildered by that request
Ash You expect us to help you?
Mitch frowns at Vato "Why do you want Glen?"
Vato That's my business. Oh wait...you don't trust me. Tsk. You want him to forget about this, right?
Mitch Of course I don't trust you.
Mitch shrugs "Or we could simply tell him the truth."
Rina-el groans
Rina-el No, my friend, we can't.
Mitch I think you are lucky that none of us work for Revelations
Vato raises an eyebrow
Da'at quietly goes to the other room and comes back with Glen.
Ash You could answer the question why you want him, we might help.
* Rina-el sighs
Vato Suit yourself.
Vato does not seem to notice, or at least acknowledge, Glens appearance. The chain swings in wider arcs as Vato steps forward. Mitch and Ash can feel the breeze it creates as it swings closer to their captive.
Pepito Owwwww!
Pepito's lovely lace shirt has a nice vertical gash in it.
Rina-el Vato, please wait with that. We aren't quite finished with him yet.
Vato smiles, the tiny turn of a lip, and steps back a step.
Pepito Yeah, wait Vato!
Rina-el Thank you.
Ash to Pepito, "So, our question you were dodging? I don't think the Baron here is gonna help you."
Mitch steps back, still holding onto Pepito though. "Back to the questions Pepito. So what were you planning for the party tonight?"
Rina-el She turns to Mitch. "My friend, if you would be so kind as to extract whatever knowledge we need from Pepito, I would be appreciate that.
Pepito I was calling Baron Samedi. But he didn't come, so I called for Kobal instead. And he sent this guy.
Mitch Why were you calling the Baron tonight?
Vato s chain whooshes, another tear on the shirt, trickle of blood.
Pepito Owww!
Ash And Wyatt's weak spot?
Pepito Because I wanted to give him Glen and his friends
Pepito tries to pull away from Ash
Da'at What would he want with them?
Mitch And then he would help you take out Wyatt?
Pepito To thank him for saving me from the Corps
Mitch What was he going to do with them?
Pepito finds that Ashs grip on him is unbreakable.
Glen --you. What are you?
* Rina-el buries her head in her hands, groaning
Glen What did you do to my brother? What have you done to our mom?
Ash Ash squeezes Pepito's arm, Answer him.
Vato is mildly amused.
Pepito squeaks in pain. "I took over his life. Chris died in a hospital bed in 2004.
Ash "And the mom?" more squeezing.
Pepito (squeak) I 'helped' her by keeping her (sarcasm) dear son alive. When the fact is, me and some demon friends sent his body to the kitchen at the hospital. It was a lovely soup...
Mitch shudders
So does Rina-el
Ash whispers, "Be nice, my rite is to kill a demon with fire. And you are in my hands.
Da'at holds Glen down, his face calm.
Pepito I'm gonna die, aren't I?
Rina-el That was never in doubt.
Pepito puts on pathetic face, big sad eyes. Classic Impudite.
Glen looks away.
Mitch looks at him "Yes."
Ash "Not necessarily," still whispering "Your boss there is the big problem. Everyone else here is peace faction. I'm your worry."
Rina-el Glen - that is not your brother. I hope you understand that, now.
Vato Pepito has told me what I want to know. Some things make sense now. Glen, listen to me.
Rina-el Vato, I still have one last question, if that is alright.
Ash "So he is ours?" Ash asks Vato.
Rina-el Pepito, what do you know of Baron Samedi's agenda?
Vato I don't want the two-timing little shit.
Rina-el Thank you.
Ash Answer the nice lady.
Pepito (really pathetic voice) Glen, help me. Eliza!
Rina-el Is not here to be picked on by you.
Pepito (minor disturbance) big cartoony tears
Rina-el "My dear, would you wipe those away?" This towards Ash
Pepito One more answer. Or promise me you'll only kill the body
Rina-el You really aren't in any position to negotiate, you know.
Ash Of course, just the body," Ash says, wiping away the tears.
Vato stops swinging the chain. Glen, listen to me.
Mitch leans over at whispers to Ash "I'd be worried about going celestial with a high ranking demon here"
Pepito Baron Samedi, wants power. He wants followers, to take Essence from
Ash Ash whispers back, "It wouldn't be funny to kill us, and I honestly think that he doesn't want the Imp."
Vato Glen. You know, this would have made a wonderful episode of 'Girls Gone Wild'. On a horror channel.
Vato-- and with that turns and saunters slowly towards the door.
Ash "See?" whispers to Mitch.
Rina-el It was nice meeting you, Sir!
Vato waves a hand idly, not even turning around.
Rina-el Well, now that that is over with, more questions. What did you put in the booze. And
Pepito Baron Samedi (quiver in voice) wants to take over the...heeeey!
Rina-el What's Wyatt's weakness? Youve been avoiding the question a little too long.
Pepito He hates. That's his weakness--he hates. He hates something so badly that he wants someone, anyone to hate. And I was there. And every time he hurt me he got happy about it, and angrier about whatever it is he really hates.
Mitch The what? Samedi wants to take over what?
Pepito The world, stupid
Rina-el Thank you. That was useful.
Pepito And it's GHB. It's a sedative, obviously. It will wear off if they didn't get too much. Looks like Justin (tee hee) there got too much
Da'at is leading Glen back to the back room and comes back with a grim face.
Mitch turns to the others. Any other questions? I assume we are vessel killing him then?
Rina-el I see. Well, it looks like I have my work cut out for me in fixing this mess.
Ash We will help, Jasmine.
Rina-el "Hold it! We can't kill him *here*" She is mortified. "Eliza would never be able to live with it!"
Ash Now Pepito, we can't kill your vessel here, cops and all. Ready to go quietly?
Pepito (all overdramatic) Carry me.
Rina-el Alright. Can you guys handle him? I need to find Eliza and make sure she's okay.
Ash Ash rolls his eyes and "fireman" carries him out to the ambulance.
Ash and Mitch drive the ambulance to Corats apartment, while Rina-el and Daat remain behind to comfort Eliza and inform the real ambulance of the GHB and its source.